navy = flashback
I stirred the algae vat, making a face at the smell. But it appeared to be working well, and I left the job to the machines monitoring it.
The algae vats were important. With them, we could produce a tofu-like, basic foodstuff that Quick had affectionately named "kibble." The name had caught on quickly. In an unadultered state, it was rancid stuff, with an awful aftertaste. But after several treatments, it gained an almost creamy consistency and a nutty flavor. It went into almost everything, which might have been monotonous, but when it was cooked well with spices and vegetables from the garden, it was pretty good.
In summer, we had an outdoor garden, growing all the vegetables and common spices. I carefully checked the hydroponic garden, and the sun lamps. In summer, we used it to grow the more exotic, difficult spices and things that wouldn't thrive in northern Canada.
I saw a bowl sitting on one of the tables, and walked over, curious to see what someone had left behind. I smiled to myself as I saw strawberries, cut into slices and sugared. We had spent several hours going to a "pick and pay" strawberry farm, and everyone had had fun. Now the strawberries were everywhere, a large part frozen or turned into jam, the rest being eaten quickly. I absently popped one into my mouth before going back to my inspection.
Everything seemed to be working well, the plants were all healthy. Although I usually left that to Fire, he had a green thumb, oddly enough. Shadow was forbidden to fiddle with the plants. We all agreed he had some kind of death touch. He'd been so proud.
I crushed a sprig of mint, enjoying the scent of it. It --
"There he is!"
"Get him!" I started, turning around... and ended up being seized by several Robot Masters. Elec and Quick easily hoisted me up, since I wasn't struggling... exactly...
"What the hell are you guys... hey...!" I protested as they dragged me out. What could they be doing?
"Road trip!" My eyes widened, and I groaned. I should have guessed. They were both dressed in "hip" clothes, Elec in a black Harley jacket, and faded blue jeans. Quick was wearing something more his style... a bright orange, silk tank top and creamy dress slacks. It was interesting, with his purple hair.
"I don't have my clothes, you dips!" I wiggled as we arrived at the vehicle hanger... and they set me down, still grinning.
"We already put them in the car." Snake chimed in, and I glanced over at the last three. Snake was dressed all in green, dark green dress pants, and a lighter green, formal shirt. A woven gold choker added an odd touch, and emphasised his lovely green eyes. He'd let his long brown hair fall loose. It was an attractive combination of formality and informality.
Fire was wearing a red tank top, the same shade as his firey hair, and blue jeans. He was standing against the van, arms crossed, obviously waiting for everyone to calm down so we could get the show on the road.
Of everyone, though, I thought Shadow's costume was the most impressive. He was wearing a jet black leather jacket, that had been carefully painted on the back with roses. Black roses, their petals outlined by shimmering silver, black on black. Tiny silver crosses hung from the jacket, pierced into the leather. He wore the jacket open, and underneath was a tight black shirt, and another silver cross dangling from a heavy chain around his neck. His black hair was wild, his grey eyes like chips of ice. He looked dangerous, and very attractive.
"You want me to change in front of all of you?" I growled, adjusting my scarf, and the boys hooted, except for Snake. He looked at me with shining eyes and a shy smile. Yes, I was worried about that boy.
"As if you have anything we haven't seen before!" Fire said with a laugh, and Quick grinned.
"Yeah, we've all seen you in the hot pools." He giggled, a disconcerting sound, and I raised an eyebrow.
"Have you then?" I shook my head, but got into the hovervan. "Well, come on you perverts. Let's go hit the town." Laughter rose as they piled into the van...
The trip took only a few hours. The van had a teleporter strong enough to take the whole thing, and all of us, to a few preset locations. Then we drove in from a safe distance. Snake and I did the driving, since Elec and Shadow had no licences, and while Quick and Fire DID have licences, they also had a disturbing habit of trying to find out what speed the van could reach.
I yawned, curling up in the back. I was wearing a worn, black leather jacket and slightly tattered jeans. I looked a bit ratty, to tell the truth, but I had never cared very much. I could leave the displays to Snake and Shadow.
Fairly soon, I was asleep...
"Bass..." I looked down on the tattered body, thrown carelessly
into a recycling bin, and knew there was nothing I could do.
The cold, clinical part of me noted how Wily had carefully removed
most of his neural net, then taken out important components in his
chest. Everything of value had been taken. Everything that was Bass.
The not so cold part of me wanted to scream, to break something,
to... kill. But I had already killed.
I had already killed. Blood dripped down my armor, pooling in places.
My scarf was sodden with it, and tiny droplets dripped off, hitting
the ground with little pings.
I'd never thought I had it in me to break the first rule like that.
But I had, and it made me realize I'd wanted to all along. There was
a kind of peace in knowing I was bound only by the rules I made, not
the programming hardwired into my mind.
The Robot Masters were afraid and confused, as much as they could be.
Treble was curled around the tube holding the new robot... the red
one. He looked nothing like Bass... but whatever was left was there.
Not in this crumpled, broken body in front of me.
But I couldn't stop crying at the sight... the hot tears almost
burned, as they slid down my cheeks...
A hand tugged gently on my arm, and I turned slightly to look into
Metal Man's confused face. They hadn't been told what to do if Wily
died.
"...Blues? What now?" I blinked, the question penetrating the haze of
grief, pain and rage I'd wrapped myself in.
What now?
"I'm not sure... let me think..."