Chapter Nine
Coinciding Missions Pt 1
Dr. Wily wasn't happy, for one thing, three of his own robots, Dive Man, Hard Man and Top Man had been poached by robotic scientists Jodie and Marshall Bennet, who wanted to one-up their less scrupulous competition and were willing to steal research and robots to do so. For another, he had a bad case of allergies and was sneezing, hacking and congested.
Roll wasn't feeling particularly sorry for him in either case, because for someone who liked to poach other peoples' bots, he sure didn't like it when it happened to him and spring allergies made him miserable. Even if his allergies weren't going to put him in prison, it was nice to see him suffer a little. She thought as she watched him blow his nose for the umpteenth time and drop the tissue in the overflowing wastebasket on the way to his office.
Dr. Wily called in Shadow Man, Wave Man, Snake Man, Star Man and Crash Man.
They all assembled in his office, waiting for him to speak. The doctor let out a deep sniff.
"I hab coincidig missions for the fibe of you." He said.
"All of you will go down to the station this morning-" Here he stopped to blow his nose before he continued.
"-and hab Charge Man take you out to Bennet Labs, where Shadow Man, Snake Man and Crash Man will be dropped off to retrieve my stolen robots and to...make an example of those thieving scientists. The scientific udergroud needs to understand that they will NOT steal frob me and escape unscathe. Star Man, Wabe Man, you two will head back to the station with Charge Man and you will raid a supply train that leaves the station at midnight. The track will loop back-achoo-loop back around to Bennet Labs around three am." He pointed to the retrieval team. "Don't be late."
He dismissed all but Shadow Man.
"Shadow Man, I want you to tell these robots to come to my office, but do not call Ice Man yet, we need to set,-achoo-set up a decoy for Mega Man."
Shadow Man nodded in understanding.
Looking around at Frog, Gemini, Crystal, Guts and Fire Man, Roll was very curious to know why Dr. Wily called in so many robots at once and listened at the door. She couldn't hear all of what Wily was saying. But she heard enough to reliably notify Dr. Light and…she hoped that both her brothers would make it out of this mess ok.
She had to admit that she did feel guilty for ratting out and spying on her own brother and no matter how much she told herself that he had once done the same thing it wouldn't stop bothering her.
When Proto came out with the rest of the group, she hugged him tight and whispered for him to stay safe and said a silent prayer for Mega and Rush.
He shoved her off him playfully.
"Hey no need to worry about me sis." He laughed.
But deep inside he was pleased that she was worried about him, they were gonna need all the luck they could get if they were going to keep his brother distracted until the other two missions were complete.
"Ultra Girl, Ice Ma-" Wily looked around irritably. "Where is dat lazy robot? Ultra Girl go fetch your partner now!" He barked.
Roll huffed. Ice Man doesn't show up and she was getting yelled at? Unbelievable! She stomped down the hallway and almost ran into him in the elevator.
"Bout time you showed up." She grumped.
"Keep your shirt on little girl, I just got the message." He snapped back, clearly not pleased with the blatant disrespect she was showing him.
Crossing her arms under her chest, she followed him into the office.
"Ice Man, Ultra Girl I want you two to go to Venixion Corps and bring down a fire based robot. We hab stolen a supply truck so you can get in. It's a two day drive. Try to keep the damage reduction down to a minimum, I want it for byself and I need you both to work togeder-achoo! Nobody will be dere to get you or back you up and destroyig the factory will bring too much attention."
The working together was directed at Ice Man and he squashed down his anger. It seemed Wily hadn't forgotten that little incident as quickly as he'd liked.
Roll briefly wondered if she should send this information off to Dr. Light, but decided against it. Venixion Corps was a friend to no one, so crippling them would be beneficial to everyone. Besides, it would blow her cover if security tightened at both locations and Roll couldn't make her move till Dr Light said so.
They were packing up equipment when she felt the unique sensation of learning a new program. She checked. Gravity Switch, very subtle. She thought sarcastically.
Proto walked in and smirked at her.
"What's up?" She asked preoccupied.
"Be careful sis. I don't wanna hafta drop everything just to save your butt." He told her.
She rolled her eyes, pleased that he cared in his own macho way.
And then he did something that only added more tension between her and Ice Man.
"And you," He growled, "if anything happens to my little sister I'll hold you personally responsible." His voice had taken the same tone he'd used with Air Man and Dr. Vallejo.
Just what I need. Ice Man thought irritably, a grouchy creator, a brat and an overprotective brother. If Mega Man shows up, I might save Proto Man the trouble and fling myself into a vat of boiling lava.
Roll looked at him unhappily. It was going to be a long, miserable drive.
Dr. Light leaned on his cane. He had failed his daughter, she had often begged him to give her her own weapons, so she could fight at her Mega's side, so she would not be the damsel in distress anymore. He had always wanted to keep her near, so that in case the worst should happen…it would be bad enough to lose one, but to lose both? The thought was unbearable to him.
He had assumed that Roll quit badgering out of obedience but when he heard the genuine anger in her voice…it stunned him. She was the kind of bot to express whatever she was feeling at the moment, he had never imagined that she could harbor such resentment, as though she were human.
And though she had gone willingly behind enemy lines and was doing the job admirably, he wondered if it was possible for a robot to switch masters voluntarily. No! Roll would not do that, whatever resentment she held, could not be overcome by her loyalty to her family.
He wondered if it was possible to deliver a message to warn her? He could not send it himself because he was being watched, the FBI regardless of his cooperation still monitored him closely. It would be too dangerous for Mega to approach her if his theory about Wily knowing was correct.
"My God! I practically handed Roll to him on a silver platter!" He thought, not realizing Mega had just walked in.
Mega crossed over swiftly. "Are you ok? You know the doctor told you to reduce your stress levels."
Though the stress isn't going to go away anytime soon. Mega thought sourly.
"I'm alright." He said, patting his son's hand and got up slowly.
"C'mon Dr. Light, its time to eat." Mega told him.
