Fortress V - Ready Room

 

        A large table and holographic monitors fill the ready room of the Fortress V, a place for Repliforces to get together and plan their next moves. The holographic projectors can fill the room with any needed image, the inducers buried in the center of the table, which is surrounded by large, comfortable chairs, a huge one at the far end big enough for General himself. There are windows here, pointed back and out the ship's rear windows, but these can be closed in order to have a clearer view of any needed holograms.

 

Ship's Log [#6581 T]

 

Out <O> leads to Fortress V - Bridge.

 

[Radio] Tightbeam transmission to Shining Firefly: You say, "Lt. Shining, a moment of your time?"

 

[Radio] Tightbeam transmission: Shining Firefly says, "Of course Commander Storm Owl, where should I meet you?"

 

[Radio] Tightbeam transmission to Shining Firefly: You say, "The ready room - if it will not disrupt your work on the power station. If so, I can come to you."

 

[Radio] Tightbeam transmission: Shining Firefly says, "I do believe that the engineer task force can handle themselves well enough... they have before..."

 

Shining Firefly arrives from the Bridge.

Shining Firefly has arrived.

 

Shining Firefly walks into the ready room with the clicking of his cane as he walks. He is a little tired, but then again it has been quite a busy week for him, what with all the repairs and reconstruction that needed to be done. However, he still has enough energy to give a warm friendly grin as he enters the room and sees Storm Owl. "Good day to you sir, I trust you are doing well, no?"

 

Storm Owl is sitting behind his desk in the ready room, evidently jotting down several notes on a pad of paper. For someone who's been spending a lot of time outside like Shining has, he'll no doubt notice that the new engine for the ship is nearing completion. Regardless, Storm Owl looks up at Shining's arrival and gestures to a chair in front of the desk. "Satisfactory, Lt. Shining. Good day," he says, although only because it's a required formality. He's probably also the only guy that calls the Repliforce grampa by his rank. "How goes the reconstruction of the power plant?"

 

Shining Firefly is pleased to hear that things have been going satisfactory. To most people that would not seem like much, but Shining feels that such a response from Storm Owl is quite good. He then thinks over the situation of the power plant and says, "We have finished programming the control computer to regulate the flow of electricity as well as hooked it up to the solar panels and the rest of Africa. Though not all of the solar panels have been repaired, this does allow Africa to have some electricity some of the time. If we can obtain four large generators soon enough, I do believe that Africa will have full power in one week." He then gives a proud grin. Yes, he is indeed pleased with himself and the crew that was working with him. They have made great progress and will hopefully have this project done soon.

 

Satisfactory is indeed quite good in normal people speak. The owl listens to Shining's report with his hands together as if he were in deep thought. Finally he nods and drones, "Satisfactory, Shining." The owl finally closes the notepad that he had been jotting in before and looks up at across at the elderly scientist, "Within approximately 24 hours the Fortress V will be fully repaired and will return to its place in the sky. I would like to be able to suggest to Colonel that we set course for the African Rainforest in order to quell the combat taking place there. However I also do not wish to jeopardize your hard work here in the Mirror Desert."

 

Shining Firefly listens to the small situation that the Commander is currently thinking through. Though his opinion was not explicitly requested, Shining Firefly does offer some advice on the matter. "I appreciate your desire to protect that which we have worked hard to accomplish, but I feel that if the Robot Masters had wanted to attack the Mirror Desert they probably would have done so by now. I have no doubts that they know about what we are doing here, and yet they persist to make efforts in the Rainforest. I would encourage you to move the bulk of our forces there, but I think it would be prudent to leave a small military task force in the mirror desert, just in case something does happen within the next week." He then pause briefly and chuckles, "Besides, I may be old but I do think I have a kick or two left in me. If necessary the engineers and myself can defend the Mirror Desert while reinforcements arrive."

 

Storm Owl was indeed seeking Shining opinion, as he doesn't know how well defended the area can be, and how sensitive the equipment might be. "I do not entirely share your analysis. I believe they have not attacked the Mirror Desert again because the Fortress V, despite being immobile, is still present and her guns are fully operational. As well, she holds all of our forces that are not currently out on assignment." Storm idly wonders whether or not Shining's 'kick or two left on him' would be enough to repel the Robot Masters. The Reploid's capabilities are not well known, much to Storm Owl's completionist ire. "Once the construct is fully completed, how well defended will it be? Assuming that we cannot leave a military /or/ engineer detachment there on a permanent basis."

 

Shining Firefly is not surprised that Storm Owl does not completely agree with him, but then again, few people know Shining's full capabilities which is a rather nice feature about him. He thinks about the Mirror desert and the possibilities of attacks and defence. "I do believe that if the African peoples can gather together a defence force, they would be able to defend the power station adequately. Considering the fact that they will inevitably have to provide their own engineers to keep the place running, I do not think gathering a force to defend it should be overly difficult for them, especially if we succeed in driving the Masters out of Africa." Yes that is not a very definite answer, but it is like saying can we defend the statue of liberty or the great wall of China. Well, yes we can, but it is up to the nations to defend them from any terrorist crazy enough to attack it.

 

Storm Owl is a good devil's advocate. "The African people would likely be either too scared to help us against their former dictator, or still emotionally attached to his 'benevolent rule'." Storm Owl shakes his head, obviously considering the sheer flaws in logic that emotions cause. It should be noted, however, that Storm Owl's famous for being wildly inaccurate about how people are going to respond emotionally, so there's a very good chance he's wrong on both counts about what the Africans are thinking and what they might do. "However you are correct: They will eventually have to take over possession of the station." Storm is silent for a few seconds, and then says, "What size of a force will you require?" he asks, "Keeping in mind that the ship will likely be at least two hours away at top speed. Advance reinforcements would arrive much sooner, of course."

 

Shining Firefly disagrees with Storm Owl. He feels that the newly liberated African people will want to unite and work towards a means of preventing being controlled by another power again. However, he feels that this is not a significant issue anymore and contemplates the task force that he would feel as a good number of individuals. After running through several simulations in his mind he says, "I do think that approximately 50 troops should be sufficient to aid the defense of the Mirror Desert until the reinforcements arrive. During my time working with these engineers, I have had a good chance to look over them and I do believe that they possess more fight than most would give them credit for."

 

Storm Owl is most likely wrong about how the Africans will react. But then there's that old saying which dictates that you should expect the worst, and be pleasantly surprised when something else occurs. Thankfully, the strategist is well aware of his weakness, and so will take Shining's theory as being far more likely. "Very well, Shining." He replies in his droning monotone, "Assuming Colonel approves my recommendation to occupy the rainforest with the Fortress V, I will leave 50 troops here with you. Furthermore, I shall attempt to set up patrols to give any advance warning of a Robot Master strike team heading your way so that reinforcements may be sent as soon as possible."

 

Shining Firefly gives a warm smile as the two reploids have reached an agreement. "I am very glad to hear that we have come to an understanding about this. I sincerely hope that things go smoothly for the rest of this project and that we can expell the Masters out of Africa effectively." He then gives a somewhat tired sigh and says, "If you do not mind my inquiry, what was happening in Turkey this week. I know that our forces had been involved there because I helped repair most of them, but there seems to have been other skirmishes during the week there."

 

"As do I, Shining." Storm Owl replies, although really he prefers not to rely on emotional things such as 'hope'. 'Expect' might be a better word in his case. Storm Owl then answers Shining's question, "Typical Robot Master foolishness. They began a rampage in Istanbul, and we responded. Their entire attacking force was deactivated. That is all I am aware of regarding Repliforce activities in the country, however the Maverick Hunter Glaive was in charge of setting up a reconstruction and emergency salvage operation." 'Salvage' evidently means trying to save any wounded on the battlefield. "I do not know of further combat action in the area."

 

Shining Firefly nods slowly as he listens to the detailed and emotionless explanation of the activities. "They seem to have been surprisingly active as of late, it is almost as if there is no end to their numbers.... heh heh, but such a thing is highly improbable." He then leans on his staff and asks, "Is there anything else you wish to discuss with me?"

 

Storm Owl assumes Shining was just making a little joke there, and thus ignores it like he does with most such comments. "No, Shining. Thank you for your time. I'll inform you of Colonel's decision when I speak with him. Please let me know if there is any aid you require regarding your own project." Not that Storm's any good as an engineer, mind you.

 

Ending on that note, Shining Firefly says, "Very well and thank you." He then turns and hobbles out of the room with his cane clicking every other step.

 

Shining Firefly enters the Bridge.

Shining Firefly has left.