The Reploid Room - Cocktail's Lounge

 

As you take the VIP elevator up to the lounge, you see a study in decadence. The room is set up for entertaining small groups, but with all the luxuries one could want. A neat bar on the east wall seems set up with the finest fluids that both reploid and human could ingest. The south and west walls face tinted glass, overlooking the rest of the dance area. On the north wall is a pair of computer terminals and a few other business items of the owner. If you have made it up here, you must be someone of notable importance. Welcome to the lounge.

 

Downstairs <D> leads to The Reploid Room - Dance Floor.

 

Fairy Leviathan arrives from the Dance Floor.

Fairy Leviathan has arrived.

 

Umbra Phantom arrives from the Dance Floor.

Umbra Phantom has arrived.

 

Yosho Roshi arrives from the Dance Floor.

Yosho Roshi has arrived.

 

Storm Owl rarely visits the Reploid Room. In fact, he has done so merely once before in the past year. The Captain of the mighty Fortress V Battlestation isn't fond of this place where emotions run high and people come together to have... /fun/. But when the war bird is forced to be here in the city of New York - as he was due to a meeting with various arms suppliers for his ship - he will frequent this haven of enjoyment. Storm Owl prefers not to be with the plebeians down below, and instead is up here in the high-class, and expensive, cocktail lounge. There is a clear thin glass of liquid on a table near him as he sits on one of the too-comfortable chairs overlooking the dance floor. He ignores the distractions below and focuses on the New York Times before him. Soft, mellow music plays in the background, and a well-dressed waiter carrying a tray of expensive drinks is making the rounds through the lounge.

 

Yosho Roshi steps into Cocktail Crocodile's lair, his cane tapping with every other footfall. He's not dressed incredibly swank, but that doesn't seem to bother him, or the people down below with 'the list'. He's Yosho Roshi, master of more martial arts than he can count on a hand and backroom player in international politics and intrigue. Although, to the bouncers downstairs, he's just a nice old man with a high sense of class that knows someone who knows someone. Offering a polite nod to a server as he enters, he finds himself wandering into the Room and looking here and there, smiling as he accepts a martini from a waiter. Behind his glasses, his eyes flick across Storm Owl - Repliforce, high-ranked officer, military genius, aerial division. Sounds like fine company to him. The old man rests on his cane a little less heavily than when faking the ailment of age, pausing before Storm's table. "Commander Storm Owl, I presume?"

 

        Strangely enough... even the Ice Shitennou comes here to visit. She walks with silent grace into the lounge, her black trenchcoat faning out behind her as she goes. She heads to the bar, a delicate, somewhat aloof beauty.

        Of course, to think that Leviathan would be seen alone is something that should never take place. Not after her last.. ahem.. adventure.. in the Red Star. Some call that tale a legend, others a myth. But it did happen, and Milan was hit by a truck in the end. While the Guardian was trying to undress in the middle of the bar thanks to miscomprehension.

 

        As such, it's not all that surprising that after Leviathan would be the 'Shadow' Shitennoh (Shitennou) Umbra Phantom, dressed in.. well, black clothes. Black trenchcoat. Black shades. And a rather round, black head thanks to his hair, left loose over his eyes, even.

        Whether or not he's here for the amusement, for the alcohol or for the Fairy's "security", alongside with the crowd's, is still a mystery.

 

Storm Owl agrees with the bouncers down below. The war bird glances up from his paper. The headline of the article reads 'Disease Continues To Spread Across Hong Kong'. Storm Owl glances at the old man up and down before nodding to him. "Indeed," he says to the well-dressed man. While Yosho knows much about Storm Owl, Storm Owl knows next to nothing about the old man who has just addressed him. "Is there something I can help you with?" he asks, partially folding up the paper as if to turn to another section. There's an editorial at the bottom of this new page comparing the Neo-Arcadians to the Mavericks, and which has worse reasons for their many crimes. Storm Owl has the look of someone who believes the person in front of him is nothing more than an average joe and that, by all rights, the war bird is being kind just by wasting his time speaking with him. But alas, people get upset at him when he brushes off others despite what logical sense it makes. "Perhaps you should sit down," Storm says, noting the way the man leans on his cane. There's a free chair just next to the Commander with the small coffee table in between. Storm Owl briefly retrieves his drink, sips, and returns it to its coaster. The others who have entered are either unnoticed, or unworthy of addressing.

 

Master Roshi smiles politely and sedately, bowing his head subtly as he moves to sit. "Thank you," he says, lowering himself into the comfortable chair with his cane as an aid, resting the twisting hunk of oak on the side of his chair. He sips his martini before he explains his reasons for seeking Storm Owl out, resting his left hand on the chair's arm-rest while the right cradles his drink. "I only seek conversation," Yosho explains, his white eyebrows creeping up faintly. "My name is Yosho Roshi, and I have an interest in the affairs of the world, as I see you do." He motions expressively at Storm's copy of the Times.

 

        Leviathan looks at Phantom, and smirks, whispering something lowly to him.

 

        Turning his head as he hears her voice, Umbra simply shakes his head, actually waiting for her to sit down before he does so himself. And, of course, he gets to whisper something back, perhaps a little too audible, however.

 

You overhear Umbra Phantom whisper to Fairy Leviathan: 'Since the tank-round incident, I've lost my faith in your sanity, Fairy. I would spit my coffee would I read "Insane Sniper Destroys Bar" in the newspaper tomorrow. And I dislike wasting good coffee.'.

 

Storm Owl sets his newspaper aside on the table, forgotten for now. The editorial's title faces upwards, declaring 'Neo-Arcadia and Mavericks Worst Kind of Evil'. "Many have an interest in the affairs of the world. Most do nothing about it, however." Storm Owl shakes his head. "The tendency of individuals to merely watch and 'hope' with futility is what will doom our two races." Although he doesn't say so, he's thinking of a certain deer as being a prime example of this. "They desire one thing, however their actions will clearly result in another. Too few are willing to actually do what it takes to achieve the required results. Tell me, what is it that you do, Mister...?" he trails off, obviously asking two questions here rather than one. Storm Owl's enhanced audio sensors, meanwhile, can barely pick up that others are whispering around him. Normally he would not care less about the conversations of others, but the topic is one of interest. 'Tank round incident?'

 

        Leviathan has a seat at the bar, ordering a white Russian. Ha ha. She waits for Phantom to be seated, then, grinning skewly, whispers back.

 

Master Roshi takes a long sip of his martini, savoring it as he hobnobs with one of the big boys. "Action or in-action can change the world, it's just a matter of your intention and your results matching." Roshi mulls a few things over in his head as he formulates an answer to the more probing of Storm's two questions, swirling his clear drink in its glass slightly. "Mister Roshi...And as for what I do, I used to be a martial arts instructor. Now, I just do...Consulting, work, for the United Nations."

 

        Umbra does seat next to her, placing his elbows on the counter and crossing his arms over it, turning his head to face the Ice Guardian. He doesn't seem all that suspicious, really. He's just entirely clad in black. How common IS that? And to top it all, he's not paying attention to the crowd itself.

        "There is a difference between 'acting oddly' and loading tank-qualiber ammunition in a sniper rifle to 'take down bottles of whiskey which are winking at you'."

 

Storm Owl tilts his head at Roshi's line of work. "Really?" he says, sounding mildly interested. "How long have you had this position? What sort of consulting work is it? What do you think of the current situation that the United Nations finds itself in?" The first two questions are simply to wonder if Mr. Roshi is to blame for the UN's current state. The third is out of facination. A well dressed waiter, meanwhile, shuffles over towards the pair and peers at the two soft chairs, "Is there something Monsieur would like from the bar?" he asks Yosho politely.

 

"I primarily work with Interpol, in the area of intelligence, and have been in my present role with them for about a year - however, I've been involved with the United Nations since the Chinese Revolution," Roshi answers, sipping his drink. He smiles and shakes his head at the waiter, "No thank you, I am fine." Returning his attention to Storm Owl, his left hand rises to stroke his beard in contemplation. "Frankly, I think it is disgraceful - the United Nations has drifted far from its precepts. The fact that Africa, Europe, and Mexico have been lost to belligereant war-mongers speaks of the problems inherent within their attitude towards the present world situation - they react, they do not build, there are no longterm plans for victory. There is only reaction."

 

        Leviathan's drink served, she sips, listening to the conversation, saying nothing aloud. Just continuing her conversation quietly with Phantom.

 

You overhear Fairy Leviathan whisper to Umbra Phantom: 'There is also a difference between a beer and one of Xiang's concoctions. And for the record, if you like leather that much, I'll use binding straps rather than handcuffs.'.

 

        Phantom smiles.

 

You overhear Umbra Phantom whisper to Fairy Leviathan: 'It would be appreciated.'.

 

        At this, Leviathan laughs softly and murmurs to Phantom, leaning over.

 

Storm Owl listens to Yoshi's reply as he sips his drink. Half way through his explanation, however, the war bird abruptly coughs loudly and quickly sets his glass back down on the table. Momentarily distracted from the elderly Strider, Storm Owl glances over his shoulder towards the bar, and towards two individuals in particular. He holds his gaze for a brief second before turning back to Mr. Roshi, not bothering to explain what that was all about. The waiter, meanwhile, bows his head and vanishes back towards the bar. "And anything else for either of you, Monsieur and Madam?" he asks upon reaching the other side of the bar. Back at the couches, Storm Owl nods, "With Interpol's recent departure from the United Nations, will you be staying on for the United Nations, or Interpol itself?" Almost as an afterthought, he says, "Interpol does require the help, I can assure you."

 

        Umbra gives a shrug, whispering back, some sort of smirk still on his lips. Well, this WAS a way like any other to kill time.

 

"My contract is with Interpol itself, although I consider the United Nations to be an inherently noble organization, so I assist them when I may, as I do other organizations whom I happen upon. I suppose I could do some excellent work for the Repliforce, would you be interested in an old man like me," he chuckles wistfully, sipping his martini. "And on the topic of Interpol, I'm not particularly surprised. They were a UN organization for what - three years? They were better off by themselves."

 

        Leviathan peeks over her shoulder at Storm Owl and Yosho, before looking back at Phantom.

 

Storm Owl replies in a matter-of-fact manner, "We are interested in any who can aid us. However you would have to note that our facilities are ill-equipped to handle human habitation. However that would not be an issue for an off-site consultant." Storm Owl says, finishing off whatever the crystal clear liquid in his tall, thin glass was. Storm Owl nods in regards to Interpol and says, "However they still have quite a ways to go before they are an efficient police force. Particularly with their departure from the United Nations, they need to adapt new operating procedures to avoid confusion during assignments." Yeah, Storm Owl's thinking of a certain incident in particular. Can ya tell? "And what of the future of the United Nations? The only two organizations that wielded military power is no longer a part of the organization. Exactly what left can they -do-?"

 

        The Phantom offers quite the stare through his shades, before a faint beeping comes from one of his pockets. He checks the small radio and shuts it.

 

        Then he whispers something to Leviathan, grinning, before standing up to leave the place.

 

"What else is there?" Yosho replies, his eyebrows moving up and together. "I am saddened when I see what has happened to the Second Charter, Commander Owl - I had hoped that it would lead to a new world, with a benevolent, intelligent, just world government - but it has fallen ill to all the old sicknesses of the First Charter." He sighs slightly, taking a sip of his martini before he continues, "Interpol and the Repliforce both have no mandate from the people of this planet without the United Nations - otherwise, we are speaking of nothing leess than a degree of tyranny, even if it is altruistic. This is a society of law and democracy - the United Nations is the foundation for this society. If Interpol may arrest criminals and the Repliforce may pursue military objectives without the people's consent provided via voting for their leaders and UN senators, then this planet is doomed to fragment rather than unite."

 

        Leviathan grins at Phantom, and laughs softly. "Oh, by all means..." she says aloud, this time.

 

You overhear Umbra Phantom whisper to Fairy Leviathan: 'I'd say the same of you, dear. I expect to see you in my quarters when I return from this unexpected interuption?' to Fairy Leviathan.

 

Umbra Phantom has disconnected.

 

Storm Owl, no longer having the two distractions behind him to worry about, refocuses in on Yoshi. "You are correct," he finally says after several seconds of thought. "Both Repliforce and Interpol are essentially mercenaries now. I too wonder about the effectiveness of this. I wonder about what will occur when the inevitable time arrives where two countries are under attack: A rich country aiding to fund us, and a poor country unable to meet the financial needs. Due to our current situation, logic will dictate that we aid the one helping keep us alive financially, leaving the others to their fate. This could be a considerable weakness that our enemies could exploit." Storm Owl is sure that the high commanders of the evil factions out there have already thought up these things. It's only a matter of time before they begin taking advantage of the situation. "The only boundaries that Repliforce and Interpol have in place are set by those funding us. If the United States demanded of us something that will logically benefit them more than others, we would likely have to agree to it. Whereas under the United Nations, we could do what was logically best for the entire planet. At which point it becomes a bidding war."

 

Yosho nods as he listens to Storm Owl, quite intrigued to hear Storm Owl's point of view - he is, after all, far more closely related with this matter than Master Roshi - the Striders don't play the game, they're simply tools for players with deep pockets. "If only things had gone differently. Frankly, I think the best course of action at the moment would be a temporary state of martial law enacted by a particularly charismatic United Nations SecGen, wherein the Repliforce and Interpol were returned to United Nations direction, free of lobby influence via the Senate - then a longterm plan for the production of more personnel and weapons at heavily guarded, massive facilities, and a major landing of armed forces in Maverick Europe to begin a prolonged campaign. Burn them out, to hell with the consequences against civilians in the region - it sounds harsh, but their continued use of Europe as a nearly unharassed base of operations gives them potential to do untold damage to other civilian populaces."

 

        "And people accuse us of being ruthless," Leviathan idly comments aloud, swirling the ice in her drink, having another sip.

 

Storm Owl shakes his head, "I would support martial law were it plausible in this case." Storm "Control Freak" Owl would absolutely love the ability to make all sorts of laws and ensure that nobody does anything without permission. Everything can be regulated, managed, recorded, and nobody will be able to step out of line without being slapped back into position. Alas... "Unfortunately, I do not believe the United Nations could pull it off given their current state. They have no way of enforcing this martial law with their two fighting organizations gone. States would elect to simply remove themselves from the UN rather than subject themselves to it. No - it is too late for the United Nations to do that." Repliforce, on the other hand? Welllll, if Storm had his way... Before the Fortress V Captain can continue, Leviathan gives her two cents, and Storm once again looks over his shoulder. "And were you capable of declaring martial law throughout the world, would you not do so?" he asks, with a slight accusation in his tone.

 

"The nation-state is a dying breed - I thought World War III and the Chinese Revolution had convinced us of that, but it looks like we are slipping into another Dark Ages," Yosho comments as he sets his empty martini glass down, placing a white card on the table. On the front, it simply reads, 'Desert Dragon Dojo - Martial Arts Instruction', but on the back is a holo-mail address and a picture of a silhouetted Chinese dragon, wrapped around a Cipher blade. He's a Strider. "I must be going, to handle some important affairs. Should you need off-site consultant work, my organization would be happy to assist."

 

        "No, I would not institute martial law. It crushes the economy and the morale of a civilization, making them long for freedom. The harder you press your fist down onto a populace, the greater the chance they will push back, uprise against you and destroy you," Leviathan replies to Storm's pointed question.

        "The Bolshevek revolution in Russia is proof enough of that. My people know what it's like to live under an iron fist, beind an iron curtain."

 

Storm Owl's optics dart down at the card as it's placed, leaving a few moments to absorb this new, unsaid information. A Strider, then? The Black one? This is in line with the Interpol claims, at least. "Perhaps you are correct, Mr. Roshi," Storm Owl comments regarding another dark age. "But as I said before, hoping leads to little. It will take action to prevent the world from splintering further." Storm Owl will check into the Striders and, heck, maybe even get them on board for an assignment or two if they're on the up and up. It's too difficult to tell who's good and evil with these shadowy organizations, but at least Repliforce no longer has to fight clean like they did under the United Nations. Storm peers back at Leviathan and shrugs, "Then the trick would be to push only as far as you can without causing that reaction." Storm, being poor at judging the emotions of others, would push way too hard were he ever in control of this planet. God willing, this will be soon.

 

"I hope you two enjoy your discussion." He looks to Fairy Leviathan, smiling faintly - it's not difficult to piece together the intelligence dossier photographs of Fairy's face with the woman talking to Storm, and the opinions she expresses. "I hear you are one of the more reasonable of Neo-Arcadia." He doesn't mention that Tetsuo Sakizaki told him that - no need to let the Neo-Arcadians know about his recruiting efforts, now. "Good day to you both." Strolling out, he takes his cane with him, tapping it upon the ground.

 

Yosho Roshi has disconnected.

 

        Leviathan nods politely to Yosho as he leaves, turning to face Storm now. "The fickleness of humans in a group mentality is something not many reploids can easily grasp. We hardly behave in a logical or precise manner, and there is always the emotional factor."

 

Storm Owl shakes his head, but also finds himself nodding, "Regrettably," he confirms. The waiter shuffles by and picks up Storm Owl's now empty glass. The war bird stands so that he can face Fairy without having to look over his shoulder. "Regardless, the world requires far more order than it currently has. A step towards martial law would be an improvement. At the moment... we have anarchy." And for someone like Storm Owl, that's a terrible, terrible thing.

 

        "I would say we have freedom. Mind you, there is a price to be paid for that freedom, but martial law will not solve the world's ills. Neo Arcadia has extraordinarily tight security, but we allow our population the greatest numbers of freedoms we can afford. This is why our economy is swiftly growing," Leviathan muses casually, eyes fixed on Storm's, her own a strange pupilless blue.

 

Storm Owl's own optics are of the beady, emotionless, yet still cold type. They are none too scary or intimidating, but there is still a ruthless, calculating look to them. "I believe the tight security is a better reason for why your economy is growing. Consider places like San Angeles. Freedom is at a minimum. Security is at a maximum. And it is one of the only truly safe places on this planet. If the entire world was San Angeles, this war would no longe be able to survive."

 

"It would become far worse. The Sigma Virus would spread quietly and efficiently, without a fuss." Leviathan finishes her drink and sets it aside. "And that, apart from Wily's insanity, is the primary problem with this world."

 

Storm Owl shakes his head, "The Virus can be countered by routine scans. Laws can be passed to ensure that no robotic lifeform is capable of turning Maverick despite the close proximity of the population to one another." The solution to too many laws, for Storm Owl? More laws to correct the problems that might arise of having too many laws in the first place. It makes sense, to him. And who knows, maybe someone as smart as he might be able to make it work. "Wily is problem, however a less serious one than the Mavericks. Sigma, with his virus, has the true capability of taking over this planet. Wily will, eventually, die in a relatively short time." And as an innocent comment at the end, "As all organics do."

 

        This makes Leviathan grin. "You think Wily won't find a way to make himself immortal? Cyborgs, or perhaps copying his mind into a neural net? Not to mention ... what will become of his 'children' when he is gone? Who will reign them in? Their primary focus is to serve his every whim and protect him. What will those monsters become when their leashes are broken?"

            She rests her elbows against the counter of the bar. "You are quite the draconian fellow."

            A smile crosses her lips. "I like that."

 

Storm Owl ignores the compliment (being draconian, that is. Not that Fairy Leviathan likes it) and remains standing in front of his too-comfortable chair, facing towards Fairy and the bar. "I do not know." Storm Owl admits freely. "And indeed, the wrath of Wily's creations may be legendary, and it may cause a great deal of damage to the world, however I believe in the long-term they will be lost without him, and one by one the Robot Masters will fall. Remember that Repliforce defeated them once before. It was the very reason Repliforce was created. It is only due to the Coalition that we are unable to do so another time. However if 'those monsters' strike out angrily at the rest of the world if their leader dies, then it will face a united world. Surely, if Neo-Arcadia was seriously threatened by the Robot Masters, your people would fight alongside the Mavericks to remove the mutual threat." Storm pauses and considers that this might, in fact, not be true. "Is this not so?" he asks.

 

        "We fought at your side - as well as the side of Interpol, and Maverick Hunters - in the siege of Berlin. I was personally there when Sigma awakened, and I attempted to alert your soldiers to the threat of the cyborg children. I know bombs when I see them, no matter what the form. I was simply forbidden from putting those poor things of their misery when they detonated." Leviathan retains her casual position and tone. "I have a personal hatred for Robot Masters now, after spending a week enjoying their... hospitality."

 

Storm Owl couldn't care less about the cyborg children. Five members of society who were doomed to die anyway are hardly a loss. Of course, there's the theory that says it might cause other humans to join the Mavericks by becoming a cyborg. Rescued, killed, converted... the difference it will make is next to nil, Storm Owl has calculated. Hopefully Interpol isn't doing anything more than a PR investigation, if you catch my drift. Something else catches Storm Owl's attention, however. "Their hospitality?" he inquires.

 

        "I was taken prisoner for a week," Leviathan says. "It ended in the usual breaking of bones, torture, the severing of my spine and my fall from a plane somewhere over Aztlan, outside of Neo Arcadia. I'm just lucky our AA guns didn't shoot the shuttle out of the sky entirely." Not a trace of emotion on her face, despite the description of horrific events.

 

Not a trace of emotion on Storm Owl's face either. A good thing, too, because his first thought was 'a shame the Robot Masters didn't finish the job'. One less enemy is one less enemy, and Storm Owl would have much rather preferred a simple execution of Fairy. The femme seems strong enough to weather the torture ordeal, and so the permanent effect would appear to be minimum. "Indeed. Incompetence on the side of the Robot Masters that you are still alive." Just an observation.

 

Fairy Leviathan smirks. "Exactly. I'd have had someone like myself killed immediately. But apparently Wily was thinking with his short sword and spared me." Would she take offense if Storm were bluntly honest? No. Because they are surprizingly alike.

 

Scary thought, that. Storm Owl inclines his head in agreement. As it seems to be getting rather late, one might notice the rest of the lounge has cleared out. A few waiters are going about picking up any glasses left out as the Reploid Room is evidently preparing to close for the night. Nobody bothers to tell the two remaining patrons to get the hell out yet, though, as there's still time. "Regardless, Wily's potential death is likely not going to occur for some time - if at all, as you have noted. For now we must make do with the current situation. One that has been made considerably more difficult due to the rise of your organization." Storm shakes his head.

 

        "We will handle Wily and Sigma in our own way. In that respect, at least... we are comrades in arms." She drops zenny on the bar for her drink, turning to leave. "It was pleasant exchanging information with you, air commander. But I really must see to tying up Phantom."

Storm Owl has set up a computerized tab with the Reploid Room. The cost of his drinks will be paid off automatically, and Storm can review the charges later. Yessirree, kill Mavericks, pilot death ship, organize invasions... review credit card statement. Another fun-filled moment for Storm Owl. "And for me as well, Fairy Leviathan." Some might say 'be safe!' or another such lie, but Storm Owl is not the sort to do so. He enjoyed the conversation, but he hopes Fairy drops dead here and now.