Broadcasting Rooms - GNN Central

 

On this level of the GNN building, one can find all the manner of equipment and stages to allow the GNN to deliver its fine quality programming. The main area here is dominated by a singular yet curved green desk with a blue screen behind it. That area makes up the set where the general news broadcasts to the public are made. Off to another side one can find a small set used for the ever-popular interviews. This area can be configured to simply have two modern contoured chairs with the flag of the country involved freeze framed as flowing in the wind, or can be done with a smaller, more home style feeling with simple wooden chairs, desk, or table and a nice country house background. This area is also used to house the various GNN field equipment, from the cameraman’s light powerful camera, and the small anti-gravity cameras used for emergencies, to the odd looking microphones with the "Capcom" logo on them.

 

Frenzy's Studio

 

Floor 2 <F2> leads to GNN Central - Offices.

Lobby <G> leads to San Angeles - GNN Central.

 

Dr. Doppler arrives from the GNN Central.

Dr. Doppler has arrived.

 

Overclock arrives from the GNN Central.

Overclock has arrived.

 

A parade of sorts wends its way through the GNN newscenter. It is a parade of three children, two adult scientists, and a small number of reploids that would most easily be classified as 'escort'. Dr. Doppler holds the hand of one of the children as they walk. At least, the size would make him a child, though his green and brown metallic skin denotes him as a cyborg. Vadim is the most recently converted, and has not quite gotten the hang of walking. Thus, the doctor walks slowly, lending support when the child stumbles.

 

This parade is carefully watched by GNN employees, from journalists to camera men to folks down in the mailroom who just wanted to see the crazy Maverick doctor up close. Rarely is a word said to them other than to direct them on their way. Chest has set aside a meeting room for this. There's a camera, but it's not hooked up to the live feed. While that candy ass news station POX would be all over this like a rat on a cheeto, Chest actually has class and descretion. He has no desire to turn this into a media circus than anybody else. The short GNN billionaire is in the meeting room with a few other execs, calmly talking amongst themselves. There's tables and chairs set up around this relatively friendly environment, and even a few toys and stuff salvaged from the daycare just down the hall.

 

Overclock, the younger adult cyborg (though whether he really is a cyborg himself is still the matter of rumor and conjecture) is with the other two children. Both of them--the little girl with the violet bodywork and the cloud of blonde hair, and, the boy, with red and black detailing--are walking very close to the cyborg and escort, and looking around with awe at the studio as they enter. The fuss is pretty much unheard of in their old lives.

 

The little boy with Doppler hangs close to the older cyborg as well, and not just for the physical support. This all seems a bit overwhelming for him. From time to time he steals a glance at the offices they walk past, but usually he looks down at the floor.

 

At last, the group arrives at the meeting room to which they've been directed, and Doppler uses his cane to rap politely on the door before entering.

 

Chest tsks at the knock, and a helpful employee passing by goes ahead and opens the door for Doppler. Seems there's no expectation of formalities here. Assuming the little Maverick 'family' enters, Chest stands up from the chair he was sitting in and first peers at the three cyborgs with an expression of slight wonder, concern, and fear. "Welcome to GNN Central, kids." He finally says. He's not good around children, and he's not good around Mavericks. Maverick children are therefore right out.

 

Chest said that in decent, but not terrible awe-inspiring Russian, by the way.

 

Overclock gives Chest a nod, but has very little idea what the sentence was. He hears 'GNN.' A slight glance to Doppler, is questioning, but not really concerned.

Especially not when the little girl, Katina, gives Chest a happy wave and a smile. Responding in Russian, she says, "It's very good to meet you."

 

Sergei seems a bit more formal, and echoes the statement a second later, bowing his head. "Good to meet you, sir."

            The green-and-brown Vadim (he looks like might fit in with the Lost Boys in Peter Pan) fidgets a bit at the sudden attention. "N-nice to meet you," he says shyly.

            Doppler, meanwhile, exchanges glances with Overclock, giving the barest of shrugs. How fortunate that one of the members of their escort is a translator borrowed from the Communications squad.

 

Chest crouches down slightly to be at eye level with Katina since she's the youngest (Chest crouching is tough to visualize, I know) and he offers a wave back. One of the human GNN execs in the back leans over and whispers something to his buddy, who nods in agreement with whatever's been said without taking his eyes off the kids. There's other people about - humans and robots. Some are camera operators, and others are child psychologists and behaviour analysts. They stay out of the way and observe from afar. Chest then gestures about the room, "You'll see we have cameras set up around here. You don't really have to worry about 'em. If they bug you I can even get them out of here." Even though a second-hand account of this wouldn't be quite as good. Where's Peach when you really need her? She'd have figured out these kids in a split second. "Anything I can get for the three of you?" He asks.

 

Katina looks around, then waves to a camera. "Hello!" After this, she looks to find a seat, and climbs into it.

            Sergei, who's likely taken to keeping track of her a bit since his recovery from procedure, looks more warily at the seats. "So we're here to talk about the operation?"

            Overclock IS a bit uncomfortable with the cameras, even if the children aren't. Asking in English, he pipes in: "Question for us too, or just them?"

 

Vadim looks first to the two adult Mavericks, frowning in uncertainty. Then, reluctantly, he drops hands with Doppler and and moves to join the other two children. As he walks, he holds out his arms as one would when walking a balance beam. He climbs into the chair on the end, on the other side of Sergei.

            Doppler is a veteran of the spotlight, and so barely gives the cameras a second glance.

 

One of the camera operators waves back to Katina without putting down the camera. Chest follows the girl to one of the chairs and takes a seat opposite of her and the two boys. "Essentially, yeah," he replies to Sergei. "That and how exactly you're feeling." He now addresses the three of them and tries to say this in simple terms so that even Reporto would be able to understand it, "See, the Coalition came and took you three - among others - away and modified you. Now we don't know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing." He makes hand gestures as he goes as that's what people do when they talk to kids. It just makes Chest look like an idiot, though... just like people often do when they talk to kids. "We - that's everyone that isn't part of the Coalition - are concenred - worried about you. We need to make sure you're alright." He'd been about to add 'and to make sure the Mavericks haven't tampered with your minds', but figures they'd never get that one. He shoots Doppler a look, though, which essentially carries the same message. "You kids understand all of that?" The table Katina had picked happens to be rather close to the two human execs, and they back off a bit to make room.

 

He does look a bit like an idiot, the kids basically agree. That and the sort of bad Russian doesn't help.

Overclock flops into a chair and tries to avoid getting much in the way of camera time, at least for right now. After a second, he flips down his visor. This isn't really his show, unless they want a science report.

Sergei takes it on himself to answer the question formally, but he looks to both 'grownups' for their dubious support first. "We are doing fine."

            Katina interrupts this suddenly. "Can my mom-- can my mom see me on the camera?"

 

Dr. Doppler takes a seat in a nearby chair, closer to Overclock than the children and therefore mostly out of the camera shot. He rests his hands in his lap, and generally does not call attention to himself.

            Vadim's gaze alternates between Sergei and Katina, and Chest and the cameras. He ventures a weak smile, but since Katina and Sergei are talking, he doesn't add anything.

 

Sergei's like a fricking robot, Chest thinks. He quickly adds 'a non-sentient one' to the end of that thought. He nods at the 8 year-old and is about to make a reply when Katina asks an innocent question that'll be probed and prodded by analysts until the cows come home. "If she's out there, Katina, most likely. GNN broadcasts 'round the globe. You want her to see this?" He asks. Chest is a tad unsure of how to proceed here. He can't start whipping out the tough accusational questions like he did for Colonel and Doppler. These are kids for crying out loud. Since Chest cannot interview three people at once, he'll have to whip out the NPCs. A human female and a male Reploid, both psychologists of one degree or another, take a seat at the round kiddy table. They look awkward in the small chairs. The human turns towards Katina, not showing any emotion other than compassion despite this being a Maverick, just watching for now. The Reploid, meanwhile, asks Sergei, "So, sport... what do you think of Reploids?"

 

It's nervousness that's making the oldest child robotic-like, though he's warming up after a fashion, and gives a more elaborate answer after a moment of thought. "Reploids? Like you? You are nice. We were all really scared at first of them, of all the Mavericks and the new places they were taking us. I guess it's gotten better now."

            "Yes, I want her to see. I'm gonna be a TV star now!" With somewhat less excitement, Katina then waves to the woman that's looking at her.

            Vadim continues to fidget, tapping the tips of his fingers together. One gets the impression that he'd rather be hiding under the table than sitting at it. "Um..." he begins, pauses. "...um...it was kinda scary, at first. But it's not so scary now..."

 

The Reploid psychologist nods and smiles. "And how about humans, son? Not just like you and your friends, but just folks on out there. The people in the big cities... the folks who work for the Maverick Hunters and Interpol... even Ms. Towe here." He gestures to the female psychologist, who glances over upon hearing her name said and offers a friendly smile at Sergei. Chest, meanwhile, smiles at Katina, "You bet you are," he says. What an adorable gal. "What do you think of your mother, anyhow?" he asks as if it's an innocent question. Ms. Towe, meanwhile, nods sympathetically at Vadim and asks in a soft tone, "What made it scary?" she encourages him to continue.

 

Overclock looks around at the faces of the adults here, and looks a little concerned. He has no idea what's going on with half of this.

            The translating reploid sends him some feedback, and he thinks. They're trying to figure out if the children are infected?

 

"I've never met Maverick Hunters or Interpol, so I don't know. I guess a Maverick Hunter would want to hurt me. I'm not sure." Sergei glances at the pshychologist and adds, "I don't know her either but she might be nice."

Katina blinks for a second. The whole 'going home' thing was absolutely never discussed. "I miss mom, and dad," she says after a thought.

 

Vadim shifts in his seat, turning his attention to Ms. Towe. The words come in fits and spurts, occasionally stuttering. Shy? Most definitely. "...well, they're all a lot bigger than us....except Mr. Sponge, he's kinda silly looking...our new family, I mean...least, we-we're going to all be family...um..." His gaze shifts away, then back to her. "...but they were scary because we didn't know them and they didn't know us, and they made a lot of noise and fuss about everything..."

            Doppler remains placid, watching the conversations even if he doesn't understand more than a few words that are spoken.

            One of the reploids in the escort, a wiry-framed coyote, takes a seat in one of the charis in the back of the room, ears canted forward to catch as much of the conversations as she can.

 

Chest is trying to find out if the kids have been brainwashed, whether through the virus or good ol' fashioned ways. The Reploid nods to Sergei and looks for any abnormal signs for a kid that's undergone this amount of trauma. "And how about the Mavericks? Do you consider yourself one of them? If the good doctor here asked you to sign up for the Coalition's military... what would you say to him?"

            Chest, meanwhile, nods, sympathetic to the poor girl. "Would you like to return to Russia? Perhaps meet them? Do you think you would be given permission for that?" he asks.

        Ms. Towe listens to Vadim and smiles, "I can see how that might be scary, Vadim. How do your new cybernetics feel? How do they work?" she asks, feigning stupidity to see what he thinks of them. One of the human execs, meanwhile, wanders past the children to Doppler himself and asks, "Would we be able to perform a simple virus scan on them? Or can you confirm whether they have been infected?"

 

"Well..." Sergei pauses. "Probably when I'm grown up, I might." But he has the feeling this isn't the answer they wanted, and blinks. "Would that be so bad?"

            Katina fidgits. "Yes. Mom and dad would be really proud because I walk by myself! I don't think I'm allowed," she then adds. This is more quietly.

 

Dr. Doppler gives a small nod of aquiescence to the exec. "I imagine you want to see more than that," he says conversationally, his smile small and wry. "All the same, if they agree to the scan, I will permit it."

            Vadim continues to fidget all though the conversation. "They work okay...I can move my hands now, see?....he holds them up for her to examine, showing off his palms and fingers. "...and yesterday, I fell and I didn't break anything...it's kinda weird though, because...I feel like I'm wearing shoes all the time..."

 

The Reploid smiles and, true to form, answers his question with another question, "What do you think?" He asks this without putting any emphasis on a 'right' or 'wrong' choice. Chest, meanwhile, nods sadly to Katina, "How do you feel about that?" Ms. Towe nods to Vadim and says, "If you could keep your cybernetics, or have them removed - but without your illness - what would you decide? Just out of curiousity." The human exec, meanwhile, nods to Doppler and gives a -glance- at Chest, who nods back at him.

 

"It wouldn't be bad to be a doctor or play with the computers or fix the machines," Sergei says. "I know there's bad people that might wanna hurt us, too. I don't wanna hurt people if it's not PRETEND," he asserts.

Katina kicks her legs. "I don't know. Sad. But we're having Christmas anyway."

            Overclock nods just once at hearing the translation...he hoped that this idea, taking the kids minds off what they were missing, would help. But these reporters just had to bring it up.

 

Vadim frowns at this new question, as if the thought had never occured to him. His hands fall into his lap. "...I don't know...I kinda like this..." he looks down at himself. "...I can look like whatever I want, if I change my mind...I mean, being brown and green is okay, right?"

 

Chest smiles at the little girl and asks with obvious curiousity, "Oh yeah? What're you folks doing for Christmas this year?" Humie bonefires, maybe? The Reploid nods, "Yeah, I can totally understand that. Why do people want to hurt the Mavericks, Sergei?" he asks as if he didn't know. Ms Towe, meanwhile, smiles, "It looks alright to me, Vadim. What do you think of simple flesh and blood as compared to brown and green?"

 

"Oh!" Katina is happier to talk about this than about the sad things. "We have a nice tree, and I've been making ornaments for it. And we're going to have presents too."

            "I don't know," Sergei says, being honest. He shrugs. "They always said on tv that they were hurting people. They were scary, at first," he admits. "But the ones I have met are all nice." The benefits of being sheltered in that one, single hospital for most of his time.

 

Vadim looks up again, first at Ms. Towe, then at the other kids, then down at himself again. "...it's...it's all okay, I guess..." he says with a shrug. "...this doesn't hurt so much, though."

            Doppler casts a glance at Overclock as the parts about Christmas are translated for him, but he does not seem too annoyed. Just because /he/ doesn't celebrate the holiday doesn't mean he forces a lack of its observation in the rest of the Coalition.

 

Chest asks, "Sounds like a lot of fun, Katina." There's a slight pause as Chest hesitates. But the short silence grows into a larger, awkward one as the GNN head honcho clasps his hands together on the kiddy desk and leans forward as if thinking about the best way to phrase this entire next segment of questioning. He lets out a deep breath, hating this sort of thing. Against Doppler, Sigma, Wily... it's all fair game. But here? Summoning up his willpower, Chest looks Katina, Sergei, and Vadim in the eyes. "The people that rescued you," he starts in a low, serious tone, towards Katina, "Are of a very complicated sort. There are many larger issues at hand here, and I wish to explain them to you and hear what you think about it." The Reploid pauses in his interview of Sergei, glancing at Chest. Ms. Towe raises an eyebrow and does the same, staying quiet for a moment.

        "Now I'll be as neutral as I can on this sort of thing, but the Coalition has... well... been accused - with strong evidence - of terrible crimes. Theft, assault... murder. Many times over. Even our Dr. Doppler over there." He glances briefly in Sigmund's direction before returning his gaze. "Now some say they are justified in doing this sort of thing. Others disagree. /Many/ others, in fact. Just about everyone who isn't a part of the Coalition itself. This is because there is a... ah, a disease that Mavericks spread which we refer to as either the Sigma, or Maverick virus. This makes you a Maverick and makes you think like they do."

        Chest's tone is still low, and deathy serious, "This disease works on both cyborgs and beings like myself and other robots. I do not know if you three have been infected by this. From just speaking with you, I would hazard a guess that the answer would be 'no', but I don't know for sure. We have a way of finding out for certain. I also don't know if they plan to give you the disease at another time. The decision is entirely up to you whether to find out for sure." Chest pauses, again letting his gaze sweep between the three children.

        Might as well keep going, no? "Now regarding them saving you, I do not know whether they did this out of the kindness of their hearts, or whether it was to make others think that they are nicer than they are." 'Do not know'. Right. Chest finally stops and ends off, still softly, "What do you think about all this?"

 

The Virus itself had never been discussed in the hospital. It makes the children seemingly uncomfortable, Katina looking over and around at everyone's eyes before she settles in looking at Chest, and nods a few times, swallowing. "Does the ...um... disease make you sick or die?"

            "I already had a disease," Sergei inputs, looking confused. He'd been told of course that it was cured, and wasn't coming back. "They said I wouldn't have to go to the hosptial all the time any more."

 

Dr. Doppler's expression remains painfully neutral, a poker face that belies his indignation at this line of questioning. All that he does is stretch out his arms, then re-laces his fingers together and sets them back in his lap.

            Vadim looks over to Katina and Sergei nervously, then back at his new guardians. "...I don't want to be sick again," he says, the words more a plea than a statement. "...I'm not going to be sick anymore...right?"

 

Chest shakes his head at Katina, "It will not make you die. As for sick... ah, well, it will make you dislike humans. /Hate/ humans." Or paranoia or whatever it really is, but Chest picked 'hate'. "It... well, it changes the way you think. But physically... no, I don't think it hurts you." To Sergei, he says, "I don't know what Mavericks have to undergo regarding the virus... but I'm not aware of any hospitalization time." Chest glances up at Doppler here, actually thinking he was going to pipe up here and say a few words. But much to the GNN manager's surprise, Sigmund does not. Chest looks to Vadim and says honestly, "I don't know."

 

Oddly, Doppler has kept silent about the Sigma Virus for months. Today seems little different in that regard.

            "...I think...y-you're being silly," Vadim decides. "...they're not mean to us....they've been nice...and I don't feel sick anymore....we're not sick, Katti," he says, turning his head toward the purple girl. "...this doesn't feel like being sick at all."

 

Chest nods and stands up from his table. So Doppler hasn't told them anything about it. He isn't entirely sure what to make of that. The GNN bossman scoots over to Doppler as Ms. Towe addresses the trio, "So you three would be alright with the scans? It's perfectly safe and you won't feel a thing. I promise." Chest, having reached Doppler, asks him, "When're you planning to infect them?"

"Yes.... it's okay." Katina looks worried, but she nods.

"I'm so tired of the hospital," Sergei complains. "This will all be over soon, right?"

 

Assuming the last question is in English, Overclock raises his brows at it under his visor. But then....he waits to see what Doppler will say. He already knows the answer.

 

Dr. Doppler's poker face slips for the briefest of moments, expression one of cold anger. Then, his neutral mask resumes. "...it will happen as a matter of natural course," he says quietly in English, not wanting the children to hear. "I'm sure someone on your staff has been following the scientific research," he adds pointedly.

            Vadim fidgets even more now, utterly unable to keep still. "...do we have to?" he asks.

 

Chest asks Doppler another question even as Ms. Towe tries to ease the childrens' fears. "Are you going to tell them anything about it until after the fact?" Chest is right up there near Doppler, and at four feet, compared to his seven, he has to strain his neck in order to glare up at him. Ms. Towe, meanwhile, shakes her head, "You don't have to, no. But we would appreciate it if you agree to it." She smiles at the Reploid and adds slyly, "I think we even have a few extra lollipops for after scans, don't we?" The Reploid smiles and nods, "Sure do." Hey, if doctors are allowed to do it, so are GNNers.

Sergei seems somewhat unconvinced, but, shrugs.... "If you think you have to."

 

Katina looks equally uneasy, and goes quiet, though a lolipop would be all right.

            "Don't bother wasting your time," says Overclock suddenly. He can't suppress the urge to comment. "I work personally on all three of those children. I can tell you without a doubt that they're already infected."

 

Vadim frowns, folding his arms against his chest. "...I'm sick of lollipops," he grumps.

            Doppler is seated, though that still doesn't give Chest much advantage. His eyes narrow, though he makes some attempt at remaining pleasant. "We will do what we think is best," is his answer. Then a pause, and a glance at Vadim. "If you're going to insist, try stickers. They've been fond of them."

 

Chest scowls at Doppler and looks over his shoulder at the trio, thinking on Overclock's words. "Great," he mutters in response to Sigmund. He watches for a moment as the two pscyhologists try the little bribes that adults do with children. They'll stumble on something they like sooner or later. Sticker, candy... whatever. Even though Overclock has said they're infected, the scans'll at least reveal how badly they are. Evidently it's not affected them that much yet. Finally Chest sighs loudly and says, "Other than the scans, I don't know what else there is left, Doctor." So the trio are likely already lost. Unless Interpol or someone can put together a rescue operation. Chest'll be writing a report for them, don't you worry.

 

"I'll stay with them until it's over, if it's all the same to you," says Overclock, as the children are bribed with various things. He adds, with assurance, "Doctor Doppler will, too. We didn't go to all the trouble to have them siezed or anything."