"Just ignore it," Jet said with a sigh, "It'll be fine.." Although maybe not such a good idea to leave them be. "Actually, I'll go have a talk with them.." They aren't arguing anymore right now, at least. He slowly got up from from the floor where he was leaning against the gateway to Turbo Time near the others and walked further into the tunnel near the waiting mine carts and over to the couple who until just then had been bickering back and forth like children.. At least in his mind.
"Now I'm kinda bummed out, man.." Bobby said with a sigh. Is that argument my fault?
"He's just like that," Set said bitterly, "It's nothing you did." Just don't eye up my girlfriend and we're cool.
"Just don't make it worse," Sorceress said pointedly. Because you probably would if I didn't say anything.
"I wasn't gonna," Set said with an innocent, nervous laugh. She knows.. Turbo needs to be taught a lesson though. I guess I can let Jet try to sort it out.
"Uh huh," Sorceress said dryly.
"You guys doing okay?" Jet asked the couple who were still cuddled against each other tentatively. You seem to be doing better at least..
"We're fine, Futureman.." Turbo said in a hushed tone. I appreciate the concern somewhat, but seriously? Mind your own business.
Roxie shook Turbo by the shoulder, which she was holding onto at the time. Not if you start up again.
Turbo shook his head and sighed. One, two, three..
"You guys want to just go to Battlezone now?" Jet asked nervously, "I think the wait is getting to all of us.." Let's see if we can do this without dying though..
"Might as well," Turbo scoffed, "How hard could it be?"
"We're up against at least one ex-glitch.." Jet said pointedly, "I think that all bets are off." I don't know if my nerves can take this..
"How does one stop being a glitch in the first place?" Turbo asked incredulously as he and Roxie slowly stood up.
"Code manipulation, I'm sure," Jet said with a sigh, "I'm no expert when it comes to that kind of thing though. That's why I needed Sonny's help in the first place." I probably used to have some skill at it, but King Candy made sure to delete that..
"Makes sense," Turbo said with a shrug, "So let's go."
The three made their way back to the others.
"You guys ready to go?" Jet asked nervously as he scratched his neck, "William is taking too long." I'd rather not let this continue past today..
"So since when are you on a first name basis with the surge protector anyways?" Turbo asked. William this, William that.
"Since 25 years in the future, I'm sure," Ralph scoffed with his arms crossed before furrowing his brow. Oops. I shouldn't have said that in front of this Bobby guy, right?
"The future?" Bobby scoffed, "That's far out, bro." I wonder what's up with that.
Jet slapped his hand to his face disgruntledly. Thanks, Ralph.
"Before we go, I gotta ask," Set said pointedly, "Is it day or night in there?" We've got a vampire here, so..
"It's set at night," Jet said as he crossed his arms and shifted his stance slightly, "And there should really only be like 10 guys in there at most. But there's also a UFO and guided missiles.." I almost forgot that Sorceress is a vampire..
"There's a UFO in Battlezone, dude?" Bobby asked with a laugh, "There's two in my game." I wonder if they're related.
Set grinned at Sorceress. You can come along, see?
Sorceress simply nodded in response to his grin. I'll do what I can..
The group of nine anxiously made their way through the hustle and bustle of Game Central Station, gaining the attention of nearly everyone along the way.
Two people were especially displeased with what they saw. "Good Guys mixing with Bad Guys.." one said bitterly in a hushed tone to his partner. What's this arcade coming to?
"Somebody has to do something about that," the other said just as bitterly as he clenched his fist, "It may as well be us." Before this disease spreads..
"Agreed," the first said as he narrowed his eyes at the gateway to Battlezone as the group of nine went inside, "But let's wait for now." Patience is key.
Rather than Sonic, there was a warning announcement playing nearby about dying outside of one's game given by Ryu from the game Street Fighter, as 'Sonic the Hedgehog' wasn't due to be plugged in until 6 years later.
The group of nine had just boarded the heavily armored train leading into Battlezone. The seats were metal and highly uncomfortable, not unlike something you would maybe expect on the train Hero's Duty would later have, except that train didn't have seats at all.
"You know, I just realized," Sonny said with a hint of worry as he shifted in his seat uncomfortably, "They'll probably hear this train coming and investigate. They know we saw the would be assassin come in here.." I'm not so much worried for myself or Bobby, but the racers and Felix are considerably more fragile. Ralph is a bit of a toss up, I don't know what kind of damage he can take.
"Jaminy," Felix said anxiously, "We should have discussed this more before boarding. What can we expect right as we go in, Jet?" I hope you remember what it's like. Be brief.
"The terrain sort of wraps around during gameplay," Jet said as he wrung his hands nervously. He could feel his anxiety mounting by the second. "But their base isn't far from the entrance. There's an elevator leading down to it disguised as a large stone cube.." We're in over our heads, I think..
"I expect there will be mines hidden as well," Sonny said pointedly with his arms crossed, "They were left in the hallway in front of Turbo Time's code room."
"So we've been told," Set said with a nod. I'm actually a little nervous about this as well. It's exciting.. He grinned briefly. I hope Sorceress didn't see that. I don't need her thinking I'm some kind of nut.
"What's the plan?" Ralph asked while leaning back with his arms crossed, "Are we going to break into their code room right away? Or did you want to try reasoning with them like you indicated before?" If it were up to me I'd try reasoning with them..
"While reasoning with them would be ideal," Jet said as he swallowed the lump in his throat, "I honestly don't think they'll give us a chance to talk unless they're unable to do anything to us." I'm not so confident in my ability to do that.. "And even then I don't think they would believe us."
"What kind of weapons do they have besides mines?" Sorceress asked as she anxiously eyed her fingernails before looking Jet in the eyes. Bullets shouldn't be that big of a deal to me. So long as they don't hit my heart, at least. That would kill just about anyone except for maybe a zombie.
"Well, they've got access to semi-automatic rifles, though that's not part of gameplay at all," Jet said before momentarily gritting his teeth, "Aside from that, there's just what you guys already know what to expect." The train came to a sudden stop, which coincided with his heart skipping a beat. Should I get out first?
"I'll check it out first," Sonny said as he patted Jet on the shoulder before standing up. He's a nervous wreck. I'd commend him for going this far, but it would probably sound condescending. He walked out of the train followed by Bobby who was looking around anxiously, unable to see much aside from the crude landscape before him which was nearly pitch black as far as the eye could see. How can these guys see anything out here? And where are they?
"You any good with a gun, Turbo?" Roxie asked as she pulled out a pistol. Hopefully we won't need to hurt anyone, but just in case.. It's not like they won't regenerate anyway since this is their game.
"You've been hiding a gun this whole time?" Turbo asked with a nervous laugh as he worriedly eyed the gun in her hand. She's more dangerous than I thought. I should have known though, with guns being on her car of all places.. "I've never fired a gun before in my life, I'll have you know.." Hell, I haven't even seen one up close, thank Konami.
"Don't sound so surprised," Roxie scoffed, "You could use my switchblade if you'd prefer.." Just something to keep you safer..
"Sheesh," Turbo said with a nervous laugh, "What else do you have hidden, I wonder? Do you have a rocket launcher?" You could probably make a pile of weapons on the spot, couldn't you?
"Only for emergencies," Roxie said as she rolled her eyes, "Actually there is one in my game, but it's gameplay-use only. Do you want some protection or not?" You're short so you're harder to hit, but you could still die in here. Maybe this was a bad idea..
"I think I'd sooner take the knife," Turbo said nervously as he gingerly held out his hand and took the small switchblade, "I'd probably end up shooting my foot or something if I had a gun." Turbo-freakin'-tastic.. Today is just all sorts of crazy. I hope I don't have to use this thing..
"It's all clear as far as I can tell," Sonny said softly as he poked his head back into the train. Not a soul in sight..
"Yeah, there's like nobody around, bro," Bobby said with a smile. Maybe they went to sleep.
The others tentatively left the train and cautiously examined the world before them. Immediately noticeable, despite the piercing darkness, were large stone pyramids and cubes dotted across the map. They were large enough for a tank to hide behind, though the reasoning behind them being there was flimsy at best. Also of note was an active volcano out on the horizon among several other mountains.
"It's this one, I think," Jet said apprehensively as he cautiously made his way to the closest large stone cube while looking around.
The others followed close behind, being sure to pay close attention to any potential movement in the area. It was strangely quiet on the surface, as if the game were deserted.
"They must all be down there.." Sorceress said pointedly. I'll have to stick close to Set to make sure he doesn't get hurt. I don't like this..
"Even the UFO?" Bobby asked confusedly. How would a UFO fit into this?
"You're a space ship," Sonny said plainly. They probably have human bodies too by now if they've been to the code room here. Is that where they are now?
"Good point," Bobby said with a laugh. I didn't think about that.
Author's Note: Hey, they're actually in Battlezone. I wonder if anyone is able to guess who the two 'displeased' guys are.