Interviewing Gate

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From: Sigma

Date: Wed Mar 02 01:59:37 2005 Folder: 0 Message: 80

Status: Read

Subject: Delivered by E-Mail, a vocal transcript from public Radio. C

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Delivered by E-Mail, a vocal transcript from public Radio. Chest can verity it is unaltered.

Sigma transmits, "Why does Red Alert scan as Maverick?"

Sigma transmits, "If it were a ruse, why is it sill so?"

Gate transmits, "Because I designed them to."

Sigma transmits, "I see, I see. And how is it that you fool the scanners that are looking for something very, very specific?"

Gate transmits, "Because I understand how the virus works."

Gate transmits, "Or at least, the patterns it leaves behind."

Sigma transmits, "I see, I see. Somehow, I find myself doubting the validity of what it is that you say."

Gate transmits, "What are you getting at? Are you still upset that my children had you completely fooled?"

Sigma transmits, "No, not at all. I just believe you to be morally questionable, in terms of what the rest of the world would jibe with."

Sigma transmits, "I believe that you may have created something that which you hate in an effort to destroy it."

"Professor Gate, do you have a lover? Yes, or No. I do not want to know who it is."

Gate transmits, "Yes."

Sigma transmits, "Swear on her Life, upon her love and everything that is dear to you that you have not created a 'Maverick' by definition of the original virus."

Sigma transmits, "Then I will leave you alone."

Gate transmits, "I can swear that easily."

Sigma transmits, "Then do so. Does Red Alert have the original Maverick Virus, Professor? For the record, and for the world -- swear it on your lover's life. Let us hear you say 'may she die' if you are not telling the truth."

Gate transmits, "This is ridiculous. Why should I have to swear anything to you? What do I owe you? Nothing. You have two of my children, isn't that enough for you, or are you not satisfied and need to have more? I have not created any 'Mavericks' intentionally!"

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GNN Central - Offices

Here lie the various offices for the staff of the GNN. On this level one can find the main office from the CEO of the GNN to some of the more noteworthy reporters, cameramen, journalists, management, and other professionals who make this organization what it is today. Before you can enter; however, one needs get past the secretary in the small waiting room full of green leather couches, magazines, and that smooth mellow music that drives everyone mad.

Contents: Contents:

Plum's Corner Office <PCO> Reporto's Office <RPO>

Peach's Dressing Room <PDR> snapshot book

Floor 1 <F1>: Broadcasting Rooms - GNN Central

Lobby <G>: San Angeles - GNN Central

Camera <Chest> has arrived.

You drop Camera <Chest>.

The Camera turns on.

"Chest here, live and on the scene at GNN Central Studios here in beautiful San Angeles!" Cue music, lights rise, and we have the newscaster's setting. Chest is at the wide, light blue futuristic desk. The desk has several neat piles of paper containing notes, but it's impossible to tell what he has written on them. Also, there's a so-far unlight cigar resting and waiting. Over Chest's right shoulder on the monitor is the infamous GNN 'Capcom' logo, serving as a placeholder for now. "Tonight we'll be speaking with Professor Gate of Interpol live via satellite." The 'Capcom' logo is replaced with an image of Gate. "Hello, Professor. Can you hear me alright?" Chest says, tapping his earpiece briefly.

Gate is standing in front of some machining equipment in what is obviously a laboratory or other research facility. Facing the camera, his appearance is calm and neutral. "Yes Chest, I'm hearing you clearly," he responds.

Chest smiles and nods, "First of all, thank you for putting aside some time to speak with us about the famed Red Alert squadron. For those of our viewers who are unaware, this was a team of Reploids created by Professor Gate to serve as warriors against the Maverick cause. However, unfortunately, the group fell under the influence of the Coalition and contracted the Maverick virus - the predecessor to the Sigma Virus. Or so it was thought. In truth, Red Alert had been spying on the Mavericks, and their actions as they broke free of the Coalition resulted in the destruction of the famed DinoTank - a powerful Maverick war machine. Red Alert defected to Repliforce, where they are today." They might not all be /happy/ with that, but there they are.

"Questions, of course, were asked about how this team was able to infiltrate the Coalition, given that they had to have had the Maverick virus in order to be accepted into their ranks. Professor, would you care to enlighten us with how you managed to pull that off?"

Gate nods, still quite calm and self assured. "Yes, I believe I can. I realize that in the last few days, Sigma has made many questions about this; he even went so far as to request that I swore on the life of Doctor Fairchild that Red Alert were not Mavericks. Considering that Mavericks have a general tendancy towards psychosis, irrational fear and hatred of humans, and violent tendancies, I can assure you that Red Alert are not Mavericks by any stretch of this definition."

He places his hands into his labcoat's side pockets, smiling politely. "The adjustments made to the reploids in Red Alert are ones that cause them to scan as Mavericks by Coalition IFF sensors. They radiate false Maverick signals; this was done to help convince the Mavericks that they were one of them."

Chest knew about this. He received a transcript of the very conversation, sent straight from the Emperor himself. No doubt Sigma had a great laugh about it. Most of it was Sigma spinning BS, mind you, and it wasn't evidence enough to release to the public. -Most- of it was BS, anyway.

Chest nods and shuffles his papers around, looking for one in particular. He holds it up and glances at it before saying, "You were kind enough to lend one of these devices that create false Maverick Virus signs when undergoing a scan. I have had an independant robotics firm, as well as our own in-house GNN investigators, have a look at the device. I can confirm that it does what you said it does. You were also kind enough to inform us of how to, despite this remarkable device, ensure with 100% accuracy if the target is a Maverick, and we confirmed again that it does work."

"Unfortunately..." Chest takes a deep breath and holds up the paper he was looking at. It's too fuzzy to read. "I have here in my hand, Professor, scans taken of Red Alert squadron's Commander Red. These were obtained with your permissiona, and that of the Commander's, at San Angeles General. We confirmed that, yes, he does scan as having the Maverick Virus. But... when we used your technique to bypass the device, we found... nothing. Professor... Commander Red really /is/ infected by the Maverick virus. Do you have any explanation?" Chest really hopes that he does, because it's terrifying if not.

Gate pauses for a moment, calm demeanor slipping away. He'd hoped it would never come to this. And in this sort of a forum. You can see Gate look sudden very tired, very old, and very regretful.

"Chest. They are indeed infected with the Maverick Virus."

Gate sighs heavily, looking at the camera. No escape now. It's time to let the cards fall where they may. "Red Alert was commissioned from me by James Houseman, as a means of infiltrating the Mavericks and keeping tabs on them, as a means of quietly trying to find a way to control them. In order for them to infiltrate the Coalition they had to be able to pass as Mavericks. With my knowledge of the Reploid neural net, and my understand of the Maverick Virus I was able to create a means of sealing away the free will of the neural net while leaving the rest of the neural net completely infected. They are Mavericks and yet, not - because they have complete free will.&quuot;

Gate looks down. "I did not /want/ to do this. It is an abomination, it flies in the face of everything I had worked for. But I was coerced into performing the procedure - the Dream Protocol version two - under threat of execution, not for myself, but for everyone I cared for, by agents of Houseman and Black Shield."

The colour visibly drains from Chest's mechanical face as Gate reveals all. He really was hoping for an explanation that clears everything up and leaves Red Alert Maverick-Virus-Free. The GNN boss adjusts his green tinted glasses to cover for his shock, even though he really should have been expecting this sort of thing. Should have expected it the moment Sigma came to him with this sort of information.

"Well," Chest finally says, "Guess I don't have to ask if the rest of Red Alert is infected by the virus as well, then. Who else knew about this, Professor? Who knew the truth? Director Fairchild? The Red Alert squadrons themselves? When were you, ah, planning on telling us that Repliforce's newest division is infected by a virus that's resulted in the death of thousands upon thousands of people?" Chest's tone of voice isn't as loud as it was when he and L&L were interviewing Fairchild & Javelin a few weeks ago. Regardless, that last question is kinda loaded since we all know the answer is 'never'.

Gate looks at the camer, and for a moment, there is a hint of something Cossack-like in his eyes. "Red Alert were informed of this. I told no others; to tell them would have been to risk their lives. I had not intended to tell anyone of the unique situation of Red Alert for one simple reason:"

"Apparently, the tailored infection has rendered them completely immune to the Sigma Virus. This was, of course, a tactical advantage to keep secret; however, because I do not wish my children to be chased by mobs with torches and pitchforks, I bring this information forward to help assure the public that they are not contagious, nor are they capable of becoming fully Maverick."

Of course, now the question 'how did Sigma find out' tickles the back of Chest's brain. But that's a question for another day. "You bring this information forward because your lies were found out, Professor." Chest corrects. Still, the GNN bossman isn't hitting as hard as he did Fairchild & Javelin because A) This doesn't involve the potential destruction of humanity and the corruption of all mechanical life like you-know-who's plan, and B) Red Alert squadron isn't /evil/. Flame Hyenard a Maverick? Yeah, Chest could see that. The rest seemed alright, though.

Chest asks the same question Linnea asked just a few minutes ago. "Since we have a cure for the Maverick virus, Professor, why haven't they had the virus flushed out of their systems? Seems like that would have been the logical decision, no?"

Gate (X6) pages: "With the way the specific augmentation to the neural net had to be done, i would be difficult, if possible, to remove the Maverick Virus from them. A better question might be: If this renders them immune to the Sigma Virus, why remove it at all?" Gate replies, calm again.

"With the way the specific augmentation to the neural net had to be done, ii would be difficult, if possible, to remove the Maverick Virus from them. A better question might be: If this renders them immune to the Sigma Virus, why remove it at all?" Gate replies, calm again.

Chest leans forward on his desk. His cigar is still unlit, and chances are it's going to remain that way throughout the interview. "Earlier you mentioned that you were being coerced by Black SHIELD. Care to elaborate on that? What exactly did they do? How was Houseman involved" Pause. Then, as a possible cheapshot, "Were they the ones that forced you to lie about Red Alert's infection, even when you had the chance to reveal it near the beginning of GNN's investigation?"

Gate's mouth draws into a thin, unhappy line. "I would rather not discuss the details of my coercion in such a public forum. It is never a happy thing to work with the fear of your children being assassinated quietly hanging over your head." The second question makes him look even /less/ happy. "Considering that this revelation could result in a witch hunt for Red Alert, I did not desire to be forthcoming with this information."

Chest raises a hand slightly here, "Well, hold on. I also have with me-" Chest came well prepared, as always, "-service records from Red Alert squadron. On the whole, they've done a bang-up job with Repliforce. They destroyed the Dinotank, and they have fought alongside Repliforce well." Chest apparently didn't get ahold of a certain Christmas present to Flame. Darn alt interaction! "Now I've known General for... oh, around since his construction and he hasn't been known to make foolish mistakes." That one time he nuked an island notwithstanding. His finger slipped, y'see (App General!).

"I assume that Repliforce Command, at least, knew about their scanning positive for the virus." Chest pauses here just to see if Gate will correct him on this. "And they kept Red Alert around anyway. What I'm getting at, Professor, is that despite their being infected... they don't act particularly Maverick-like. So... given all this... why all the secrets? Why all the misdirection? Continuing to hide and refusing to explain further about Black SHIELD isn't helping. Why not come forward months ago so you could explain everything calmly so we could understand your reasoning, instead of it coming out through a web of lies?"

Gate nods affirmatively. "Yes. Only General knew; this was to, again, prevent an outcry against Red Alert and attempts on their lives." His expression becomes aloof as he continues. "Because the technology and method behind the Dream Protocol Two was a -tactical advantage- against Coalition forces, and because I did not want my creations branded Maverick and hunted down and destroyed as such."

[Radio] Tightbeam transmission: Satsuma says, "Er, boss? Not to butt in on your interview or anything, but... if the Dream Protocol protects against the Sigma Virus while protecting the core programming from becoming infected, how come more Reploids don't use it? Could you ask him that for me? Or, y'know, don't ask it for me, you're probably wondering that... unless you're not, 'cause that'd mean infecting people with the Maverick Virus... I'mma shut up now."

[Radio] Tightbeam transmission to Satsuma: You say, "Will do."

Chest picks up his cigar and gestures with it as he leans back in his chair, feeling a bit more relaxed now that the worst is over and nobody's begun carpet-bombing wherever Gate and RA squadron are. Yet. Chest idly puts his hand to his earpiece and listens for a brief moment, obviously getting something from off the set. "One question coming in from GNN War Correspondant Satsuma, Professor, and I think it's a reasonable one: 'If the Dream Protocol protects against the Sigma Virus while protecting the core programming from becoming infected, how come more Reploids don't use it?' Just how dangerous is this process? You're batting 100% with the Dream Protocol Two's installation, after all." Chest hopes. Were he more paranoid he'd be having visions of unfortunate test subjects being not so lucky as they were having the virus injected into them.

"It requires an engineered neural net to be able to seal off the original Maverick Virus from taking control," Gate explains. "The Sigma Virus has been known to alter structure from host to host - there is the possibility that it may mutate enough to affect even my creations. And then you would be no better off than before for having such a core alteration in the first place. Only time will tell how resilliant the Dream Protocol Two is. Until such time, I will /not/ install it in any other reploid."

Chest nods, "Now, Professor, given that... well, that you haven't been very forthcoming with the truth before now-" One hopes that this is the truth, "-I assume that you'll be agreeable to let an independent firm confirm all of these statements. I assume you'll be fine if we take a look at the schematics for Red Alert squadron, and run a few tests of our own. Naturally we would not dare reveal anything that would give the Coalition clues to overcome the immunity that they have. And of course I would have to speak with Commander Red as well." Chest smirks and adds, "But I'm sure he'd be all too happy to clear Red Alert's good name... as best as it can be cleared at this point, any how."

Gate nods affirmatively. "Yes. Scan all you want, you'll find things exactly as I said. If this is all you need from me, I have work to get back to, and I would very much like to do that right about now."

Chest inclines his head and lowers his still-unlit cigar back to the surface of his desk. "Well, I'd like to thank you for your time, Professor, and for shedding some truth behind Red Alert. For what it's worth, Professor, while I can't support your lies, I do understand your reasoning. Furthermore, I /don't/ think that Red Alert is a danger to society, and isn't deserving of being hunted down or dismantled due to technically having the Maverick virus."

Gate smiles again. "Thank you, Chest. If I had it to do over again, as the saying goes. I only hope everyone else shares your attitude. Good night." He turns off his end of the satellite feed.

Chest turns and faces the camera directly, now speaking to the viewers at home. "And I'd like to thank all of you for joining us here tonight. We leave the judgement about whether Professor Gate's decisions were correct or not in your hands." But if Chest doesn't like what the public thinks, he'll whip up some editorials to straighten folks out, don't worry. "This station will now be going to the Wily Hour. GNN does not condone anything said or done during the Wily Hour, and further details are available on our website. As well, you can continue to watch the news on one of our substations. On behalf of everyone here at GNN, good night."

The next hour is Wily's bounty on the Maverick Hunter Glaive.

================================== IC News ===================================

Message: 18/98 Posted Author

Wily Time Sat Mar 05 Global News Network

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Dr. ALbert Wily, commander of the Robot Master armies offers ten million zenny to the one that can bring to the Masters the reploid known as Glaive. The reward is only collectable if the subject is dead. An extra ten thousand zenny bonus will be paid for each severd limb and/or body part. Contact Skull Monument for delivery instructions.

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