Visiting Bolero

Fortress V - Brig

Rows of plain, boring cells fill the front of the ship, open-faced rooms with very little in the way of amenities. Designed for robotic prisoners, these cells have beds and power feeds, but nothing else. Force fields separate the prisoners from the guards, but they are seldom turned on. Repliforce keeps few prisoners, so this depressingly quiet place stays mostly empty.

Contents: Contents:

Red [Menacing] [RF] Bolero [T-800] [RF]

Out <O>: Fortress V - Lower Deck

Assault Kangaroo arrives from the Lower Deck.

Assault Kangaroo has arrived.

Welcome to the brig, gentlemen. You're not likely to find much in the way of prisoners at the moment, especially not in the main section of the brig. Though, if you're interested, you're more than welcome to tour Bolero's old brig cell. People are still trying to clean the synthblood off of the walls so it doesn't show up with Luminol and blacklight.

Going to the back of the Brig Hall, though, down to the vault doors, you'll find Bolero's medical records for this journey to the brig. And beyond the blast doors, within some of the strongest sections of the F5's hull, is the isolation cells. Isolation cells for special prisoners. Designed to contain Viral prisoners, fully psychotic and unrepentent killers, and other forms of the lowest scum this planet has ever created that Repliforce has to contend with.

And within those doors, down at the very end of the hallway, facing the doors themselves, behind a quintuple layer forcefield, chained to the walls with a gravity tether is Bolero. The Spaniard looks far, far different from anything anyone here has ever likely seen. Stripped down to his bare skeleton, most of his equipment removed for safety's sake. He doesn't look too dangerous, but then again... This is Bolero. The only person on staff that can hide in a human populace. One of only two people that can "manifest" a ride armor class form. He's an old soldier. As Owl and Red likely know, far older than his service record would indicate.

The door that keeps the freedom of the rest of the ship and the confinement of the brig section apart slides open to reveal two large, imposing mechs. The Fortress V's brig has had a tense aura around it ever since Bolero's return to the ship. Memories of his previous stay here are still vivid. When he left here it was with the assumption that he was returning to glorious active duty, and things could be the way they were before. Kicking Maverick and Master asses and taking names under the well-liked Commander. One desperate war with the Neo-Arcadians, along with the actions of the Spaniard, have dashed those hopes to pieces. Everyone 'knows' what Bolero did to those Neo-Arcadians. Apparently he annihilated an entire Neo-Arcadian squadron all by himself, eating them on the battlefield even as he slaughtered more. Or was it a Neo-Arcadian Honour Guard? Wasn't there something about his ripping a battle tank in half to get to the (as Bolero apparently put it) 'chewy center'?

Regardless of the rumours of what he did (along with the rumours of how much cleaning it took to get all the blood out), Bolero's weapons are disabled, his command codes and rank revoked, and every precaution is being made to ensure he is no longer a threat. The quintuple force fields surround the door out of the cell, and armed guards are present.

Back to our two mechs entering. "...likely necessitate harsh questioning methods," Storm Owl is telling Red. Storm steps into the brig's area. He snatches up the medical records as they continue their trek to Bolero's cell deep in the viral containment section. Storm Owl halts in front of the cell that's currently holding Bolero and stares in. Oh how the mighty have fallen, Storm muses to himself, gazing at the near skeletal creature before them.

Red has only been to the brig a couple of times. Most of the time he was there to pick up Ride Boar and Flame Hyenard after getting into fights, because both of them cheat at cards. He generally doesn't like brigs, because they bring up the idea that one day he might get locked up in one. But he's pretty good about keeping down his maverick urges.

Not like Cannibal Cattle here. Well, okay. It's not cannibalism because they weren't Reploid Cows. And really, Cows eating people is kind of hilarious in a Far Side way. Still, nothing excuses going maverick, developing schizophrenia and disassociative disorder, and eating enemy soliders on the battlefield in a maverick rage.

Red studies psychology in his spare time. Know thy enemy, know thyself.

And so, in his Command role, he is accompanying Commander Owl to talk to Bolero. Mostly because he can relate to what's going on. And because he doesn't want Colonel to get there first.

"...still think we can reach him. 'Course, I'm biased and you know it." Red smirks a little as he continues. He's studied Bolero's records and history as best he could, going over what facts he can in his head. He eventually stops with Owl in front of Bolero's cell and stands behind the Commander. Welcome to my world, Red muses to himself, gazing at the near skeletal creature before them.

As Storm steps up to Bolero's cell, the Spaniard's head rises ever so slightly on the skeletal neck. Its violently burning violet optics leer at Storm from across the space. Thus far, Bolero's kept himself looking vaguely crucified against the rear wall of the cell. He cocks his head at an unnatural angle, staring at both Red and Storm for a long, long while. The one problem with the human skull is that it always looks like it's smiling when you're just looking at the skull itself. Bolero's exposed skull is no different.

On the other hand, considering Bolero's current demeanor, that might not be entirely inappropriate an appearance. He titters in that strange mixture of voices, the other two voices of his leading the laugh and still remaining unidentified by Repliforce systems. He intones in triplicate, the least booming of the three voices seeming loudest now, "Mmm... The Butterball and Scarface... Here to see li'l ol' us? I'm afraid we can't really greet you too well, gentlemen... I simply haven't a thing to wear!" This is quickly followed by more maniacal tittering.

His medical records indicate a sudden growth in activity in both sets of fragmented extra neural networks, as well as expansion of both nets... Saddest of all is that all three networks are contaminated beyond reversibility. Looks like you've got one quasi-schizoid hedonistic reploid in front of you.

Of course, aside from Storm Owl and Red, both Commanders, there was another person in a position of command following them inside. A person who was a marsupial. A person who was a marsupial with kicks of might. And a person who was a marsupial with kicks of might that was, for the time being, /extremely/ angry. He was none other than the active (sorry Ricochet) and competent (sorry Jet) Captain of the Repliforce Marines, Assault Kangaroo.

He, too, was here to help question Bolero. When he heard Bolero left the brig, he thought he had reformed himself, and no longer wanted to throw himself off the Fortress V from the Docking Bay... but now he suffered even /worse./ From suicidal tendencies to deserting the Fortress V and /EATING HUMANS./ Due to that and uncountable other offenses incurred while outside of the Fortress V, Bolero was here again. Out of the frying pan... and back into it again. There was clearly something wrong with the world today... more so than usual.

For now, he simply followed the two commanders, not saying anything. He would save his tirade for when it was his turn to question him.

Barrage Raptor arrives from the Lower Deck.

Barrage Raptor has arrived.

Storm Owl nods to Red, "Indeed. I believe he is too far gone." The strategist holds up Bolero's medical profile. "The virus has had him for too long." The war bird leans in towards Red in order to whisper something to the mech. As sad as it may seem, it is the logical course of action to take, and is all but inevitable. Unless bleeding hearts demand otherwise. Even as Storm Owl is speaking to Red, the war bird never takes his beady optics off of the thing that rests inside the cell, held tightly against the walls. Subtract several hundred years and this scene would not be nearly so neat and tidy as it appears now.

"See how he speaks to us as if he is several individuals?" Storm notes to Red, apparently unaware that it's rude to speak about someone as if they aren't right here. Obviously the Commander doesn't find the joke terribly funny. "His records indicate three different networks now operating within him. It is not certain just how interconnected each are." Still watching the captive intently, Storm idly says, "Welcome, Captain." Apparently he simply heard the mech make his approach. Having come to the conclusion that his own direct style of questioning might not be effective, the war bird lets the more personable Red lead off with the questions.

You mutter 'His case is lost. His only hope is to be incarcerated for the rest of his life or until a cure is found. Or, considering the dangerous knowledge he knows due to his previous position as Commander of our special operations division, execution.' to Red.

The door to the brig opens up, and standing in the doorway is Commander Raptor of the Marines. Her helmet is off, which is an unusual look for her. She walks towards where the others are, and where Bolero is being held. She doesn't say anything, yet. No. She is, however, here for a very good reason. She has a promise to keep.

Red smirks. "Scarface, yeah. That's... that's a good one. Haven't heard that before. Good evening, Bolero." Red sternly regards the skeletal reploid with his single optic, expression growing grim. He pauses to listen to Storm Owl for a moment, nodding slightly.

"So... here you are again. I admit, I am the 'New Kid on the Block' here. And as such, I wasn't here for most previous incidents. But it hardly matters. I am the closest thing you will find to someone able to understand what you are going through, short of those among us who've had... 'incidents' before." Red pauses, and turns to regard the rest of the command staff around him. Stalling for time perhaps. Thinking maybe. Or...

"Lets talk about Aztlan. Although I was being hugged to death by a big sweaty guy at the time, I couldn't help but notice you chow down on a couple of people. Maybe you'd like to talk about that? Take your time answering. If more than one of you would like to answer, that's fine too. But that's not the big picture here Bolero. You've gone a little loco. I'm curious. What do you want?" Red finishes his... uh... interesting questions, and leans over to talk to Storm Owl briefly.

Red mutters: 'He's a total headcase. Send him to an expert in headcases. Cut out the excess nets, throw him in therapy for a while... good as new. You're right, it's pretty grim. I'm going to suggest we call in an expert. We should avoid killing him if at all possible. Incarceration is a bad idea if Sigma busts him out.'.

Assault Kangaroo was also new here. Of all the places he had served his duty in, he had never been to the Brig. However, he had concerns he wanted to reveal once it was his own turn to speak... and had a punishment in store for Bolero, too. As Storm Owl acknowledged his presence, the Kangaroo replied in kind.

"Good evening, Commander Owl."

He looked behind him, and noticed the Raptor walking in behind him. He noticed that her helmet was off, which was a little unusual for her... but he saluted her, regardless.

"Good evening, Captain Raptor."

He faced in front of him again, stopping near Owl and Red, as they both took their turns questioning the fallen angel (or bull, anyway) before them.

Bolero titters some more at Storm and Red, apparently ignoring Barrage and Assault for the time being. He pauses a fter Red's speech, head cocking to the other side now. "We were hungry. Not much sound in the desert, Rojo, for me to feed on," he replies coolly. He stretches a little, "What do I want? ¿Qué quiero? How do you mean?" he replies quietly, twisting his head a bit to give one of those skully smiles at Barrage and Assault.

Storm Owl doesn't find the butterball comment amusing. He's heard that one before as well. At Red's New Kid comment, Storm Owl speaks up: "Bolero's previous incident involved recklessly killing many innocent bystanders." Yeah, Red probably already knew that much, but the crimes already committed by our subject is just something that needs to be noted for the record. Although he thinks Red's comments are good ones, the war bird shakes his head, "Perhaps this is a waste of time. I'm sure we could extract the information we need via negative behavioral reinforcement. It is remarkable how much pain a Reploid is designed to be able to receive. Is that not so, Assault?" These creepy words are said in Storm's droning monotone. Although he notices Barrage's entrance, he still hasn't taken his optics off Bolero, and thus doesn't acknowledge the dinobot.

Storm takes this moment to discreetly reply to Red before answering Bolero's question. "What do you /want/, Bolero? To join the Coalition? To continue to roam aimlessly, preying on humans?" Normally he would have said 'innocent humans', but not in this case. "To spend the rest of your existence tethered to a wall?"

You mutter 'One cannot cure the virus with therapy. However I agree that if he should survive whatever punishment is brought down upon him, that every effort to extract his multiple personalities should be made. You are correct about the possibility of Bolero being retrieved by Sigma's forces. Putting him to death might seem the only other option we have.' to Red.

Barrage Raptor steps up to Bolero's cell, "Open the door." She says, directed at Storm, though she doesn't turn to look at him. Her eyes are fixed on Bolero, and boy does she ever look angry. Though he's seen her looking like this once before..

Red smiles pleasantly, single optic regarding the prisoner. "Well, you've decided that humans are a food source now. Can't help but think something's iffy. And you've got some unwanted visitors in your head. We've got to do something about it. Perhaps you have some feasible ideas? I think we'd all be plenty happy if you'd stop eating humans and going AWOL on us. But something tells me you're not in control. What do you want? What are we supposed to do with you?"

Red stops his "friendly" discussion to look back to Owl and shrug for a second, muttering something. He looks to Assault, and mutters something all well. And lasty, he turns to Barrage Raptor.

"Commander Raptor. I know the only reason you'd want that door open. And I'm afraid at this current time it's staying closed." His single optic regards the helmetless Commander. "Don't think this didn't cross my mind. But I won't allow it."

Red mutters: 'He still has a chance. If anyone can fix the muddle in his head it's Gate. Berkana's off in her lab somewhere, and I still think Bolero deserves a fair chance. Do we really have an alternative?'.

You overhear Red mutter to Assault Kangaroo: 'Well, I'm all out of ideas. I'm a headcase, but this guy's gone nuts. You want to give it a shot, be my guest.'.

The Kangaroo watched on as the two commanders tried to reason with Bolero, to no avail. As Storm Owl redirected his words toward him, however, he became visibly discomforted. Well, a little. He wanted to smack Bolero around for his actions, but the way he said it was creepy.

"Well, it is..."

And then, Red muttered to him. Clearly, Red was out of ideas. Nodding at him, he whispered something to Storm Owl, before moving to the window of the cell door, and speaking.

"Bolero... I thought you changed. I remember when I heard you killed some of the Russian Duma, accidental or not, not to mention when I saw you attempt to end your own life by jumping out of the ship, and when I discovered you were cleared to leave the brig, finding you at Iris's party last year, I thought you reformed yourself... I thought you would be less suicidal, and more willing to serve the duties required of a Repliforce soldier, to keep the peace of the Earth."

A pause.

"And now I hear you're doing even worse. Beyond massive slaughter and suicide attempts. Now you sound like there are three people inside your head at once... not to mention you deserted the Fortress V, and then decided that human meat was your new favorite cuisine."

The marsupial grew hatred in his eyes, as he leaned closer to the window.

"/Why,/ Bolero? /Why/ did you go out and get yourself infected? /Why/ didn't you get yourself scanned before it was too late? /Why/ didn't you tell /anyone/ that you were infected with the Sigma Virus in the first place? /Why/ did you feel the need to turn traitor on us like this? /Why,/ Bolero, /why?/ /Why?/ /Why?/ /Why!?/"

Clearly, Assault was deeply concerned about the fallen superior. Bolero was so degenerated that Assault's tone of voice was all the more fitting. What /happened/ to this guy?

Assault Kangaroo mutters: '...What is my commander doing? Does she have a bone to pick with him, more than any of us already do?'.

Storm Owl nods in agreement with Red's decision regarding letting Barrage in. "The force field stays on unless we have no other choice." He continues to stare at Bolero, making it all too clear that it's up to him whether or not there's another choice. The war bird is compiling a list of his own questions that he wants answered. Leaning in slightly, Storm Owl replies to Red in a hushed tone.

The war bird listens intently to the comments of Captain Assault. "You are correct - his actions are not logical. But he is infected. This serves only as further proof that the Sigma Virus promotes insanity and faulty mental functions." He peers at Bolero, daring him to give another explanation.

Addressing Bolero specifically, Storm Owl speaks in his cold droning tone, "I wish to know this as well, Bolero. When, where, and how were you infected by the Sigma Virus?" The Captain of the Fortress V leans over towards Assault, replying discreetly to him.

You mutter 'Only the one previously discussed. I would prefer not to take that course of action unless we fail to ensure that he is not a threat to our operations. Colonel and General will have to make the final decision.' to Red.

You mutter 'I do not know. However Barrage's panache for violence could suggest she is simply looking for a way to... how do you emotional beings put it... 'vent her anger'.' to Assault Kangaroo.

It should be noted, Red, that Barrage has a gun. Which is now pointed in Red's direction, "I said, open the door." She growls out, "I made a promise, and I'm here to keep it. Now open that fucking cell, or I'll find a way to open it myself. They can just take the repair cost out of my pay." Her eyes turn back to Bolero, "You're wasting your breath trying to get anything out of him. He was already crazy before he got infected. Now he's just dangerous."

The Spaniard stares at Owl and Red for a long while, despite his off-center skull smiles at Barrage and Assault. "Aww... Don't want the raptor to play with me, Rojo? Pffah. I haven't had fun since Saturday night. Not that I was awake on Sunday... Or most of Monday," he titters out, wriggling a bit against the wall and his grav-tether. He stops after a few moments, cocking his head at the quartet of officers in front of him... Beyond the quintet of forcefields. "Awww... Going to all the trouble of wondering if Gate and Berkana can rip away my Nirvana?" he inquires curiously.

Oh yes, Bolero can hear you. Not everything, mind you, but he can hear you.

Then the deeper voice takes control, eradicating the tittering he's been doing. It chuckles for a few moments, drowning the other two voices in its bass. "You think they deserve something more than to be soylent green for me? They're dirty mutie bastards. They're not even human anymore. At least, they didn't taste too human to me." The other unidentified voice chimes in, with a titter, "Of course, I think they all taste about the same. Like pollo, with a little copper zip..." Bolero nods his head a bit, the deep voice talking again, "Maybe it was just the moment... Taste doesn't change things, though. They're still mutie freaks. Even you must agree with us on that."

Bolero's head whips to the side, burning violet optics focusing on Assault Kangaroo with a complete intensity. He listens intently to Assault's speech, his facial expressions limited by the lack of synthflesh and muscle to display his reactions. In Bolero's right mind, he might be touched by the speech. He might even go so far as to say that was the turning point from madness. This, however, is not Bolero's right mind. So his reaction is less than gracious.

The Spaniard laughs at Assault. If he has the leeway on the gravity tether that binds him to the rear wall, he'll get as close to the forcefield in front of Assault's face and guffaw in his face.

And then it's gone. There's no gradual stop. His gaze simply shifts to look at Storm Owl and Assault Kangaroo both, all mirth gone. "I wish we knew. We have no recollection of encountering a situation where the Virus could have been passed off by any means we know of. Had to have been in the last month, though. Could have been when I went to Austrailia and fought that Kong person... Or it could have been when I was in Tel Aviv on vacation... Or it could have been any other time that we were out in public."

The Spaniard looks at Barrage, cocking his head a bit. He pales a bit, leaping onto his bed and skittering into the corner. "She'll hurt us."

Red rolls his optic. Bastard's got a sense of hearing on him, doesn't he. And Storm is real encouraging. Instanity and Faulty Mental Functions. Hey Storm, I'm standing right here. /Gee, Thanks/.

Red deals with Commander Fire-And-Forget first. "Barrage. I swear. If you fire that at me I'm going to beat the everloving crap out of you. And when you get repaired I will ask Colonel's permission to beat the crap out of you again. We will do this until such time as you get a freaking grip on reality. Stand down now, or I will put you in one of these cells." He's taking a gamble that Barrage is not... totally insane. It should also be noted that guns do /not/ intimidate Red.

He takes a moment to address captain crazy. "She's not going to hurt you. But listen to me you wayward hamburger, if /I/ don't get to eat them? You don't get to eat them. I'm supposed to be acceptable limit for virus around here, not you. Against the urging of all rational thinkers I'm suggesting letting you /live/. We'll have my folks cut your neural net to ribbons and sew it back together if need be, but you don't get to die, no. Because this is absurd. I condemn you to live. I'm going to take the hell you call nirvana and crush it with my bare hands." He turns to look toward Storm Owl with a bit of an embarassed look on his face. Suddenly he stops and yells back at Bolero. "And we're putting you on a vegan diet! I don't care if we're at war with them or not, consuming one's enemies violates all kinds of rules of engagement. Starve if you have to." Oh yeah Red, that's /much/ better.

"Your move, Barrage. Either you get away from this cell... /now/... or I take you away from it.

Barrage Raptor lowers her rifle, but turns to face Red. Sure, he may have a foot on her in height. But she's also really upset right now, "I told you. I made a promise." She says, as she moves towards Red, "This is personal. If the sight would bother you, you can always just leave the room. I'll understand if you can't stomach it."

Assault Kangaroo waited a short while to see Bolero's reaction to his words. Unfortunately, all he got was Bolero laughing in his face -- which caused him to stumble back a little in surprise. Taking in all the words that were given to him, Assault moved up to the window again, and continued to speak to him, in spite of anyone's suggestions and the fact that Bolero was huddled up in the corner.

"Bolero... You should know by now that you risk infection from the Sigma Virus when you're dueling with Mavericks. So when you're done fighting a Maverick, you head back to base and get a viral scan, along with a decontamination if the scan proves positive. /Why/ didn't you keep /any/ of that in mind when you dealt with the Coalition's goons recently? If you did, we would never have all of this going on right now! /Why?/"

"You could be lying." Storm Owl replies calmly. He isn't known for being very trusting. "I ordered all officers to undergo viral scans April 29th. You failed to comply, and were later found to have contracted the virus." Storm shakes his head. "How long before that, then, did you contract the virus, I wonder?" Storm is about to launch into a long and likely pointless argument about how the Beo-Arcadians are not technically mutie freaks when Barrage suddenly reveals and points his gun at Red.

Storm jerks his head around, for the first time taking his penetrating glare off of Bolero. Yeah, he's surprised at this turn of events. "Barrage?!" He starts, but then stops. There's a low hum as his ever-present arm cyclone cannon whirls online. "Commander Barrage. I promise you this: Should you open fire upon Commander Red, I shall engage and destroy you. Afterwards I shall contact Colonel and request permission to do so again. This shall occur regularly until your mental processes return to their normal operating parameters." Storm is not known for being good at trash talking, so he borrowed from Red. The point is, he'll help the Red Alert Commander.

As Barrage lowers her gun, the war bird nods, relieved. Still, however, he notes, "Unacceptable, Barrage. Your promise is irrelevant. You shall not harm Bolero. This is an order." Not that Barrage has ever really accepted Storm's authority over her. As he helps Red deal with Barrage, Storm listens to Assault. It's a good point. Just blaming the infection on everything isn't good enough, since there's a point where he has the virus, but is still in control. Yes, Bolero obviously messed up, even before the infection took hold.

The Spaniard stares at the on-going events outside of his forcefield-doored cell. He remains crouched in the corner, on the edge of his bedframe despite Red's assurances. "She'll eat our headses... Don't trust her. She's as bad as the dirty, nasty, tricksy humanses." He seems about ready to leap toward Barrage, pointing and screaming 'DIRTY! DIRTY! DIRTY!' at her when Assault speaks again. He pauses, cocking his head at the 'roo for a long, long while. Finally, Bolero's voice outshines the others, "Tell me, Assault. Do people not tell you things or are you just estupido?" he inquires.

He skitters, literally, off of the bed frame and onto the floor. He quickly returns to his almost crucified skeleton stance, staring at the entrance for the time being. "Oooh! Big Bird and Patches teaming up on the poor, poor dinosaurita... This is better than direct satellite television," he titters out, the triumverate of voices coming to light again. He pauses in his watching to look at Assault again, "Because I got viral scans. Every other week, full, in depth, painful viral scans... After every major combat, viral scans. Every time, I showed nada. Now hush up and let the pretty, pretty dinosaurita go nuts on Colonel's two lapdogs."

Red blinks his optic. He pauses for a moment... and then he bursts into seemlingly maniacal laughter on par with Bass's. "You... you have got to be kidding me. Do you see this scar? The person who gave that to me is /dead/. I /cut/ his /head/ off. I have seen sights no one should see. I have committed horrors in the name of covert espionage. You killing Bolero would not even begin to phase me." This has stopped being his talk with Bolero. This is become his talk with Barrage. He pauses to let Commander Owl be good cop for a few moments.

"I know you made a promise to him. But that doesn't matter now. You've been supersceded by an order. I'm going to count on you to do the right thing and stand down, take a breather, and go chill out somewhere." He points behind him. "I don't give a damn about Maverick Moo over there anymore. My father created the modern day Frankenstein, and you're lookin' at him. I'm going to do what I can to have him fixed, for the sole purpose of kicking his aft over it later... Kant would have a field day over that." He sighs, and rolls his optic. Having one eye stinks sometimes. He raises a single hand to his own eye level and clenches it into a fist. "You've come too far to throw it away over this infected jerk behind us. /Everyone/ deserves their fair chance. Even the Mavericks. Even the Neo-Arcadians. Even Wily's gaggle of idiots. If they held out the olive branch, I'd do what I could to patch things up between them and the rest of the world. I believe anyone can be saved. Violence isn't the solution, and one day everyone will realize that. But you're better than all of them and I know it. So... please... don't do this."

A glimpse of sadness can be seen in Red's eyes. It's all very dramatic n' stuff. Now stand down or you get to play Battleships all day with Bolero.

As Bolero continued to claim that he had been uninfected, Assault listened on... before giving his riposte.

"So why didn't you get a scan when Commander Owl ordered everyone to do so just /two weeks ago?/ Why did you neglect to do so that week and the week after that?"

[Radio] Tightbeam transmission: Assault Kangaroo says, "I swear. If I have to slap some sense into him... I will."

Barrage Raptor just looks up at Red for a few long moments, her eyes staring into his, "You'd be an idiot if you ever thought that Wily's goons or the racists in the Mavericks and Neo-Arcadia would ever want peace." She replies, as she turns to walk out of the door, "Leaving Bolero alive is an un-needed risk. The Mavericks would launch a full scale assault on the Fortress to get him, with the information he has inside of his head." When she first joined Repliforce, she used to look up to and admire Bolero. It hurts her so much to say what she's saying, but she knows it's the right thing to do. He has to die, for the good of Repliforce. For the good of the world.

Storm Owl gives Red a slight glance as he declares the dark things he has done. It's turning into a dick wagging contest. Nevertheless, Red says all the right things (hopefully) to get Barrage to calm herself down. Regardless, as Red declares that violence is not the answer, Storm is thrown right off the good cop/bad cop train. If he was ever really on it. He gives Bolero a brief look before returning to Barrage. He suspects the answer to Assault's question is along the lines of 'he was already infected enough to have his judgment affected', but he isn't sure. Watching as Barrage leaves, the war bird agrees with her theory that Bolero needs to die (he's been telling Red this for the past hour). But that she would fly off the handle like she did is very worrying.

Bolero stares at Assault for a long, long time. "You are just estupido, aren't you?" he reponds, almost incredulous. The Spaniard rubs his forehead a bit, a token gesture it would seem. "Because we were already too infected to care? Would you believe that? Will it at least stop these preguntas?" He sighs a bit, watching Red and Barrage for a long, long time. "She'll come for our skull one way or another, Rojo. If you're not going to throw me to Sigma... You may as well shove our head down her gullet. This is as cooperative as we'll be."

[Radio] Tightbeam transmission: Assault Kangaroo says, "Commander Owl? Do I have permission to slap him around?"

[Radio] Tightbeam transmission to Assault Kangaroo: You say, "Commander Red is better qualified to make a decision regarding that."

[Radio] Tightbeam transmission: Assault Kangaroo says, "Okay, I'll see."

Red stands his ground, and Barrage stands down. Whew. He calls after the departing Commander. "Yeah, I guess that makes me an idiot!" He mutters something to himself. He sighs and turns to Commander Owl and Captain Kangaroo. "Well. Saving the world from themselves one violent nut at a time. I want guards around this cell round the clock. If Raptor comes anywhere near this cell she is to be shot until she stops moving. I can't stress this enough." He turns sharply back toward Bolero.

"And you! I don't care if you're sane, insane, maverick, or not. I'm on /everyone's/ side and they just don't know it. I can't save us all. But I'm crazy enough to try." He pauses, and sneers a bit. That's uncommon for Red. "I condemn you to a life free of your maverick insanity. I won't /let/ you die. You live and die at /my/ whim. And I'm being petty, because you've managed to piss me off. Deal with it."

Red growls a bit to work off the testosterone poisoning. "If that is all, Commander Owl, I have some arrangements to make. New working arrangements or not, Gate's going to make a house call. And I'm going to get a cattle prod for this jerk here." He pauses to glance at Assault, and shake his head no. He salutes, and turns to leave.

You overhear Red mutter to Red: 'Bolero and I have the virus... what's /her/ excuse for being a psychotic nutjob?'.

The lead guard nods to Red, "Aye aye, sir." he says in a prim and proper manner, as befitting someone under Storm Owl's command. In his mind, however, he's not nearly so collected. He and his guards are to shoot /Barrage/ if she acts up? How about they just shoot themselves and save five minutes? The guard gives a wary, nervous look in Barrage's departing direction before returning to his post.

Storm Owl, for his part, nods to Red, "It is all, for now. We shall have to determine his fate at another time." And really, we should probably mention it to Colonel sometime. There's an awkward pause before Storm Owl calls out to Red, "If Professor Gate comes aboard, ensure that he is not left unattended, and that he stays out of classified areas of the ship aside from the brig." He needs to be allowed to come here to look Bolero over, obviously.

Red turns back briefly to yell at Owl. "Oh come on Storm, I've been at this for months now! Sometimes I don't act it, but I'm not /half/ as clueless a commander as you would suspect." He grins. "I'll have /Hyenard/ keep an eye on him while he's aboard." And he walks away... Cackling Maniacally!

[Radio] Tightbeam transmission: Red says, "You understand, of course, that I am jesting, Commander. I will personally supervise Gate's visit to the vessel."

Storm Owl opens his beak, about to launch into a massive reply about how illogical of a choice Hyenard would be. But wait... maybe Red is joking. But... maybe not. Storm is bad at telling. He looks around briefly before Red finally transmits to him that, yes, it was a joke. Storm calms down. Whew. Dodged a bullet there.

[Radio] Tightbeam transmission to Red: You say, "I shall also be ordering another round of immediate, mandatory virus scans. Just in case."

[Radio] Tightbeam transmission: Red says, "Probably a good idea, commander. Virus seems to kick up in the spring, like pollen, except it causes people to go on sprees instead of getting sick."

Sadly, Flame Hyenard and Bolero would likely get along. They're both insane and Bolero understands and can replicate Hyenard's speech patterns... It wouldn't be that bad. Except for the lack of an ability to interact beyond yammering. No chess. No Yahtzee. No Parchesi. The Spaniard sighs and shakes his head a bit, "You're just going to fail. Either feed me to Lady Nuts-A-Lot or throw me to our Dios." he calls after the others. He remains still, eyeing Assault curiously. "Any more preguntas for us, Assault?"

[Radio] Tightbeam transmission to Red: You say, "...a very impressive simile, Commander."

============================ BB Post in Progress =============================

Group: Repliforce

Title: Mandatory Virus Scans

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*** TEXT ONLY ***

Another extensive sweep of virus scans is to be conducted within one week. All Repliforce soldiers and officers shall receive a virus scan within the next seven days. Medics will be traveling to units in the field to conduct tests if required. Individuals who fail to meet their scheduled time will be listed as AWOL.

- Commander Storm Owl, Commanding Fortress V, Central American Jungle

OOC: Is Repliforce starting to get just a wee bit paranoid?

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The kangaroo shook his head as Bolero called him "stupid" again and tried to lie his way out of trouble. Asking Storm Owl, and then Red through tightbeam radio transmissions if he had permission to slap Bolero around, he learned that he did not. Nodding to Red, he looked right back into Bolero's window.

"It appears our question will have to halt for now. However, this is not the last time we'll talk to you. It's not the last time anyone will do anything with you in the Brig, either."

The kangaroo raised his left arm, bent horizontally at his side, and pointed to his right. He raised his other arm, and then there was a sharp popping sound. However, the sound of something ricocheting or even sinking into anything at all was never heard. Instead, Assault caught the projectile in question in mid-air: one of the nails that serve as ammo for the nailguns in his hands. Immediately, he held the nail vertically, and held it up to the window.

"See this, Bolero? This is a nail, one of many that I can fire from my fingers, sharpened down to the last atom through today's technology. That means no matter how hard your body is, it can and will pierce you should you be in its way."

A pause.

"And if you ever feel the need to break out of this prison and begin slaughtering our own soldiers, I will not be afraid to shove this into your eye. Or shove two of them into both of your eyes. Or Hell, I will not even be afraid to kill you if I must. Don't expect to get any kindness from me or anyone else if you manage to escape again."

He opened up the hand that he fired the nail from, and he put it back in again, before closing it once more.

"Hasta luego."

He certainly learned something, didn't he?

Turning around, he walked up to Storm Owl, and whispered something in his ear...

Assault Kangaroo mutters: 'I'm going to get a virus scan ASAP. A little early, I know, but it's for safety reasons.'.

The Spaniard arches a brow at Assault, "Wow. It's a good thing we're still afraid to die, isn't it, Roo?" he calls, chuckling sarcastically. "We can't die, Roo. You ought to ask Kanga. I'm sure she'll be more than happy to explain the facts of the world to you, her darling, darling son," he calls. The Spanish Psycho cackles madly, a sound not unlike a pack of hyenas filling the air, his head tossed back as he does so.

Storm Owl turns back to Bolero once Barrage and Red have left. The war bird watches as Assault and Bolero trade barbs. A chaotic, illogical trash talking session like this is not his area of expertise. Internally, Storm is mildly pleased that Assault and others are severing their positive emotional ties with Bolero. All the better should they have to turn on him. When they have to turn on him. Folks seem eager enough to kill him should it be required. He gives a discreet nod to Assault in response to his comment.

Of course, while the Winnie the Pooh reference was a clever insult, it was anachronistic as well, so it was completely lost on the Kangaroo. Assault simply shrugged. That was something he never got about Bolero: How he flung references to movies like that around as if it was still two centuries ago. Did he really think that everyone in the world knew what he was talking about?

The Repliforce Marine Captain continued to stride away. For now, he had a viral scan to go through, before he would finally return to duty.

Storm Owl strides off along with Assault. He's going to visit Bolero again without a doubt, but that shall have to wait until everyone's calmed down. Perhaps Bolero will be more in the mood to stay sane once he realizes that he's never getting out of here alive. The war bird heads out to log his order of new virus scans. Geez, what a weapon that has turned out to be for the Coalition.

================================= Repliforce =================================

Message: 14/51 Posted Author

The Brig and You Sat May 14 Red

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There is a man sitting as a desk. It is Red! He appears calm for a moment, but his face turns grim as he regards the camera sharply with his optic and utters the following in a highly serious and hostile tone of voice.

"Bolero is currently under several layers of lock and key in an isolation cell in the brig. Under no circumstances is he to be let out. Under no circumstances is anyone to be let in. To ensure this I have ordered a 24 hour rotating guard of his cell. Until such time as he is cured or ordered terminated, you are not to mess with him."

Red steeples his fingers. "It has come to my attention that certain people wish to take a personal interest in having him executed. I have given the guards specific orders that most people are to be kept away from the cell, period. /Certain/ individuals will be shot on sight until such time as they stop moving should they come anywhere near the cell. This list is thankfully short. But I am not kidding. Until we are certain that there is no hope for curing him, he will not be terminated. I..." Red's one optic begins twitching at this point "...I have not given him leave to die. He will live. He will accept responsibility for his actions. And there will be not more eating of anyone, friend or foe."

Red calms down a bit. "Short of a direct order from Colonel or General, these orders are not to be altered. This can end beneficially for everyone. But it will require all of Repliforce to remain responsible and rational. And so, I will summarize briefly:"

Red blinks! He disappears from his desk to appear... directly in front of the camera. "Do /not/ *^#@ with me. Do you Understand me?" He shouts, as pulls back a fist and punches the camera.

==============================================================================

================================= Repliforce =================================

Message: 14/52 Posted Author

Re: Red Sat May 14 Colonel

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Text

What he said.

End

P.S. No Disintegrations

Colonel - For Honor and Glory.

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