The Week, Chapter 3: Monday.
Monday, June 6th, 20X1
Governor's Mansion.
Albany, New York.
The Governor of the state of New York, George Cochran, is meeting with Mega Man in the large mansion in Albany, the capital of the state of new York.
"I want to thank you for saving JFK International yesterday," the proud tall Governor says, "You did a great job. And I noticed that your little sister got involved again."
"She did," Mega shrugs, "She'd be here with me now, but... please don't tell her I said this, but Dr. Light grounded her for sneaking out to fight."
Governor Cochran couldn't help but laugh at that comment. "Well, you can tell her that I think she's a tough little girl. And I'm glad this world has both of you and Dr. Light here for us," he says.
"I'll tell her, Mr. Governor," Mega smiles, "That will make her feel better... but, Dr. Light won't hear the end of it."
Changing the subject to a more pressing matter, Cochran says, his smile disappearing, "Mega Man... I want to apologize."
"For what, sir?", Mega Man asks.
"For these anti-robot protests that are taking place," Cochran replies, "I know that you and all robots in this world don't mean the world any harm... except maybe for the Wily robots. And you, in particular, are the finest robot in the world."
"Thank you, sir," Mega replies, "I admit, those people really bothered me. I don't know what that guy's problem is."
Cochran's brow furrows when Mega referrs to the lead protester as That Guy. The wise governor asks, "You really don't know who started all of this?"
"No, sir," Mega responds, as he has never heard who the leader really is.
The Governor sighs and walks over to a window, looking outside of it. "The man who is behind these protests is... my son," he painfully admits.
Mega Man is surprised to hear this revealation from him, but come to think of it, they do have a resemblance.
The Governor continues, "Ever since William lost his job at a computer company, when they decided that robots would be more efficient than the slackers they hired, my son has hated robots. And recently, he's been trying to get robots outlawed. He keeps saying that all robots want to wipe out humanity. And when Wily started attacking the country, my son wouldn't shut-up about it. So, he took it upon himself to spread his message of hatred to others. When he started the fight at the last protest, I offered to bail him out of jail on the condition that he stopped this foolishness... yet, he still does this garbage."
The elder Cochran turns back to face Mega Man and adds, "I truly and deeply apologize for my son's actions. I will deal with him myself when the time is right."
"There's no need to apologize, Mr. Cochran," Mega says, "I'm the one who should be apologizing. I didn't know he was your son."
"I understand. I'm surprised you hadn't heard," the Governor replies, "he's been all over the news."
The tall governor steps over to Mega Man, standing next to him. "To be honest," he says, sounding heavy-hearted, "I wish my son had the same qualities that you have. You have all of the morals and ethics that make for a good person. I'm sure Dr. Light is very proud of you."
Mega nods, "He is, very much so."
The Governor smiles, but the smile disappears as he looks down at hs feet, his thoughts reverting back to his own son, who is an embarrassment to him.
"I wish I could say the same for my son," he says, "but, something tells me that I never will."
Eleswhere in Manhattan, New York.
Another Anti-Robot protest has begun in the city and it appears a slightly larger group of people has formed this time. William Reid Cochran, the Governor's own son, is once again the man behind all of this.
Like last time, he has his bullhorn with him and is shouting his hateful words into it... and once again, the majority of people just ignore him, but that will not stop him from spreading his word of hate and trying to instill fear of a robot apocalypse.
"You saw what happened yesterday! These robots tried to take JFK airport," he says into the bullhorn, "Before you know it, they'll try to take our banks, our hospitals, our White House... our children! Are we gonna stand for that?"
"No!", reply all of the unfortunate souls who have joined William, en masse.
"Are we we gonna keil over and die for these robots when they tell us it's time to die?"
"No!", they repeat.
"So, what are we gonna say when it's time to revolt?", William asks.
"Shut-up, jackass!", yells a nearby motorist.
William quickly turns around and yells into the bullhorn, "YOUR MOTHER!"
The driver flips William off with his arms as he drives past and the citizens nearby who aren't joining-in on William's rally begin laughing.
"Oh, you people think it's funny, do you?" he says on his bullhorn at the nearby citizens, "We'll see how funny it is when robots everywhere turn on us and make us their prisoners! Can't you See? They've already started turning!"
Then, a Police cruiser approaches the scene. William immediately spots the Policebot seated in the passenger seat, looking directly at the protesters.
"Oh, look who's here," William groans.
The human driver of the cruiser, Officer Lynn Wersching steps out and looks directly at the son of the Governor.
"Oh!" William says, sounding more perky, "Look who's here!"
William turns to face his supporters and says, "Don't worry, everybody. I'll handle this."
"So, you're at it again, huh, sonny boy?", she goads, stepping up to him, "I hope you're not starting any fights this time."
William grins and replies, "Don't worry, officer. I will refrain from letting things get out of hand. We are just having a nice peaceful demonstration, not causing any civil unrest."
"Okay," Lynn says, "Then, I guess 'Your Mother' is your way of saying 'Have a Nice Day?'"
William shrugs. "I admit, there was one unfortunate non-believer who got the better of me. But, I assure you," he says, wearing a coy smile, "I won't start any trouble... although, I could get used to the idea of you putting me in handcuffs."
Lynn smirks, "Trust me, I'll leave it to my friend over here," she says, nodding back towards QN-60.
As Lynn begins to walk away, William mocks her. "Your Friend?", he says with a snide tone, "... I knew you were a lousy Robot Lover."
Wersching turns back around to look at William with narrow eyes. Some of the protesters start backing up, getting a bad feeling about where this is going.
Lynn steps right up to William, and sternly orders, "You just better behave yourself, racist... I'm keeping an eye on you."
"Yes, Officer," William replies with a smug tone, "I'll be a good boy. In the meantime, you should run along with your robot friend over there. I'm sure there's an actual crime happening that requires your attention more than this."
Lynn snears and walks away, back to her cruiser and QN-60 follows her. William gives a wave with a smarmy grin. "Have a nice day!" he calls.
As Lynn drives away, she admits, "This is why I like some robots better than humans."
"Thank you, Lynn. I have never been more flattered," QN-60 replies.
Right then, Lynn has remembers her old partner, AL-05, who was destroyed in Dr. Wily's failed Times Square attack.
She smiles bacuase her current partner remined her so much of him, because that comment sounded exactly like something he would say.
Vick-Tek Corporate Headquarters.
New York City.
In his main office on the upper levels of his corporation's skyscraper, Marcus Vickers puts his black suit jacket on, ready to interview some of the candidates for the very important job of lead designer for the Vick-Tek's top secret "Robot Warrior" project, for which the company has aqquired a massive ammount of titanium metal to build their robot's armor and chassis with.
Last month, the company's (now former) Research and Development team began work on the project, trotting out the VickBot series of robots... to say the results were disasterous would be the understatment of the millennium.
However, the company's new VickBot 9000 attraction would not have been possible if it were not for those early (horrid) efforts... the previous R&D team is getting no royalty money from the VickBot 9000, of course.
With Mr. Vickers, as always, is his Vice President - and Yes Man - Scott Erikson.
"Today is a new beginning, Scott," Vickers says, "The beginning of undoing the damage done by our unfortunate former R&D team, and the birth of our own Robot Warrior."
"It is indeed, sir," Erikson says.
"Did we ever hear back from the Russian scientist," Vickers asks, "Dr. Cossack?"
"We tried to acquire his services, sir," Scott answers, "But, his people say he has put all of his work-related projects on hold until further notice."
"Why?", Vickers asks, flustered.
"His people say it was a personal matter, sir," Erikson answers.
Vickers lets out a sigh. "Damn shame. I read-up on him," he says, "he's the third most proficiant robotics scientist in the world, behind Thomas Light and that loon Wily. I would have liked to have had him develop this project, I really would have... he's probably holding out for more money."
Erikson gulps, about to offer an opposing viewpoint to his boss, which is something he has really ever done. "I must say, I do doubt that, sir," he says, "Personal matters are usually... not good."
"Yeah, but they always say 'personal matters' if they're not really inerested yet," Vickers claims - in what is unquestionably a very bizarre opinion - , and then takes his seat behind his desk, "If we don't find our scientist with this group of candidates, let Cossack know just much money he can make from working with us."
"Yes, sir," Erikson says, now sitting next to Vickers, who is now reaching over to his intercom button and pressing it.
Vickers asks, "I trust that all of the candidates have signed the non-disclosure embargo?"
"They all have, sir," Erikson replies,"Anybody who discussed the Robot Warrior project will be served with a One-Hundred-Million dollar lawsuit."
Vickers leans into his intercom, presses a button. "Send in the first!", he says.
The first candidate for the job is an inventor named Sam Post, mostly known for making consumer projects
"So, Mr. Post," Vickers begins, "What kind of projects have you worked on?"
"Well, Mr. Vickers I helped refine the Ajax Global Satilite Positioning system most recently, but before that, I developed the advanced Home Alert home security system. I also invented the NannyBot series of robots."
Vickers' eyes widen, remembering the troubles with the recycled Nannybot that went into the VickBot 5000 prototype... the one that vomitted mustard.
"Y-you invented what?" he stammers.
"...the NannyBot series, sir. The original NannyBot."
"The ones with the metal faces always stuck in a smile, right?", Marcus asks.
"Yes!" Post replies, smiling.
Vickers justs looks accross at Mr. Post... and then his eyes shift to a shiny red button on his desk. Vickers then presses the shiny red and the floor underneath Mr. Post gives way, and the chair he is sitting in tilts over, dropping him down a long shaft leading all the way to the buttom of the building.
Erikson looks horrified as he nearly leaps out of his chair next to Vickers'. "You never told me there was a trap door in the officer, sir!", Erikson mutters.
"It's for emergency reasons, Scott," Vickers calmy answers, "It has come in handy in few times when I've had to fire somebody."
"If you don't mind me saying, this was not an emergency, sir!", Erikson protests.
"Do you remember the Vickbot 5000? That's reason enough to dump him back into the garage."
"The Garage?," Erikson gasps, "But, that's an an eighty-story drop, Sir!"
"Don't worry, Scott," Vickers replies, "We haven't had a trap door fatality yet. My security team has taken measures to make sure it's a safe drop down."
Erikson lets out a sigh and eases back into his chair.
Vickers presses his intercom button and says, "Next!"
In the parking garage of the Vick-Tek corporate headquarters, Mr. Post's screams can be heard echoing in the garage as he falls out of a hole in the ceiling, until he falls into an extra-deep dumpster full of sand.
His body causes a huge plume of sand to emerge from the dumpster, cloudling the entire floor and a yellow sand cloud.
A few seconds later, Mr. Post barely finds his wa to the ledge of the dumpster, his clothing stained, his horn-rimmed glasses dirty and spitting sand out of his mouth.
"What was wrong with the NannyBot?" he warbles.
Another candidate for the job is speaking with Vickers and Erikson (whose heart rate has finally returned to normal.) This candidate is a man named Anil Dermish, an Indian-American man who is a notable figure in the world of technology.
"So, Mr Dermish, tell us your qualifications and also why you think you would be the man to build our Robot Warrior."
Mr. Dermish looks at his international translator to read Vickers' question, translated into Indian.
He then looks up with a smile and replies (in his native language),"Ah! I think you will be very pleased Mr. Vickers. I have created many technological innovations such as the new rocket proulsion system used in modern day space launches, which is much less crude than the methods used in the 20th century. I also was hired by the denfense counsil in my home country to develop a new security system that helped bring to justice an entire gang of hoodlums."
Vickers awaits for the translation on his international translator, but, there's one problem... the translator is not working. It is an official Vick-Tek translater which was developed by his previous R&D team... that pretty much explains the whole problem right there.
Vickers nervously shakes the translater device, then tries to hit it with his hand, but it still doesn't work.
Vickers, barely mumbles to Erikson, "Cover for me, Scott."
Mr. Dermish continues (in his language), "I feel that Mega Man is a truly great hero and that Dr. Light is perhaps the greatest scientific mind in the world, but I would be more than honored to help join the cause to bring this madman Dr. Wily to justice, for the good of humanity."
Erikson smiles and nods, pretending he understands what Mr. Dermish is saying. "Oh!", Erikson says, "Muchias Gracias!"
Vickers looks at Erikson with a flaberghasted face. "He's not hispanic!", he blurts.
Erikson immediately bolts out of his chair and stands aside, affraid he might be the next one to be jettisoned down a trap door.
Vickers looks back at the confused Mr. Dermish and asks, "Could you excuse me for a moment?"
Marcus gets up and walks to a smaller room in his office. He opens a compartment in the small desk in the office, pulling out a large bottle of Scotch, and a glass already filled with ice.
Vickers looks up to the sky and groans, "Why?"
He then opens the Scotch bottle and pours some of it into the glass. Vickers brings the glass to his lips... but then he eyes the large bottle.
"Oh, yeah," he sighs, putting the glass down, opting to drink straight from the bottle instead.
This is going to be a long day.
A few interviews later.
By now, after drinking quite a bit of his scotch, Vickers clearly looks sloshed. His hair his messy, his right eyelid is drooping, his tie is untied, he has the hiccups and his breath reeks of alcohol.
The next potential candidate for the job tries to sell himself to Vickers. "I am a graduate of Harvard with a major in science, and-"
Vickers hiccups, interrupting him, "Lissen, buddy... I juss wand you ta do one thing, uhkay?" Vickers slurrs, as Erikson looks concerned, "I want, er- ,we want, no, I.., I want you ta' juss make... make me a robit that make things 'splode real well, uhkay?"
Erikson says to the Harvard grad, "Um... I think you should re-schedule your interview. Mr. Vickers isn't feeling well. I think it was something at cattering."
As yet another potential client leaves, looking quite disgusted as he walks out, Erikson says on the intercom, "Today's rounds of interviews are over. All further interviews have been-"
Vickers hiccups again as he nods off in his chair.
"... delayed until futher notice," Erikson finishes, "In the mean time, please summon Mr. Vickers' limo. He needs to return home."
Erikson tries his best to get his boss to his feet, pulling him out of his chair and Vickers lazily puts his arm over Erikson's shoulders.
"Lemmie tell you somethin', Zcott," Vicker slurrs, "I would not never put you down the trap door, man! I like you, man!"
"Um, thank you, sir," Erikson replies, still trying to drag Marcus out of his office.
"Nah, man, I mean it, y-you're the one of 'da good ones, man," drunken Vickers rambles, "Even though ya' got theat guy's launguage wrong, it's okay, man."
"I appriciate it, sir. Please, just wait here for a moment while I get the dossiers for the other job candidates," Erikson says, making the misktake of letting his inebriated boss out of his grasp.
"Groovy, man," Vickers moans. But as soon as Scott lets go of Vickers, he colapses face first onto the marble floor of his own office, passed out.
Erikson walks back up to him, trying to wake him up. "Sir? You appear to have fallen down... sir?", he says, trying in vain to pick him up.
Finally, Erikson picks up Vickers' legs and begins dragging his drunken body out of the office.
Dr. Light's lab complex.
Mega Man walks down the hallway on the upper floor of Dr. Light's house adjoining the lab without his trademark blue helmet, letting his bushy brown hair show. He walks up to Roll's bedroom door which is right accross from his own and he can hear her rock music playing loudly from behind the door.
"Next time we go to the mall, I'm buying her some headphones," he says, sure to make a note of it.
Mega then knocks on her door. "Sis, it's me."
Mega hears the music come to a sudden stop and seconds later Roll opens up the door and smiles when she sees him. "Welcome back, Mega," she says, "I hope you weren't too bored while you were gone."
"I'm okay. So, how's the grounded life treating you?" Mega asks jokingly.
Roll's smile disappears. "Oh, very funny," she groans.
"I'm just teasing you, sis," Mega says, "It's not like you're not allowed to leave your room."
"I know, but it's boring doing all of the housework around here," Roll mopes, "and laundry day is tomorrow... my favorite day," she adds with sarcasm, her shoulders sagging.
"The Governor wanted me to tell you you did a great job at the airport yesterday," Mega adds, "he said you're pretty tough."
"Really? Wow, that's great!", Roll peeps, but then she sighs, "... at least somebody appriciates it."
Mega sees how disheartened Roll is about being grounded and feels sorry for her. He decides to try and cheer her up, even though it might only encourage her to get herself in the middle of danger yet again.
"Dr. Light won't be happy that I'm telling you this," he says with hesitation, "... but, I think you did a great job too, sis,"
Roll looks back up to her brother and almost gasps at his praise. Coming from him, it means a lot to her. "You really mean it?", Roll asks.
"You did take out two Robot Masters and a Sniper Joe," Mega replies, smileing, "that's pretty good if you ask me."
"So...does that mean I'm a hero now too?" Roll asks.
"You helped me save a lot of lives yesterday... that makes you a hero," Mega smiles.
Roll suddenly gives her brother another tight hug like the one she gave him at JFK. "Oh, thank you, Mega!", she says, almost sounding weepy. She was so touched by her brother's words, she can barely contain her emotions.
"Hey, ease-up on the hugs, sis!" Mega chuckles, "I don't know how much pressure my armor can take."
Doc the Met steps up to Roll and beeps.
"Oh, I'm okay, Doc," Roll replies, picking him up and holding the Met in her arms, "Mega was just telling me how great we did yesterday!"
"You did a great job too, Doc!" Mega adds.
Doc happily bloops and beeps.
Mega Man's brow furrows when he hears Doc's comments. "... did he say he was grounded too?", Mega asks.
Skull Fortress
Dr. Wily is in his workshop with ProtoMan - who is missing his yellow scarf - as he works on repairing BombMan's body for the second time since he was stolen from Dr. Light. A film of persperation covers Albert's balding head as he works on the Robot Master. It was not hot n the workshop, but Wily is still breaking out in sweats.
"So, when are you gonna get me a replacment scarf, Doc?" Proto asks.
"You'll get it soon, Proto," Wily replies, half-focused on repairing Bomb Man.
"I got a look at myself in a mirror... granted, I looked good, as always," Proto grins, "But I don't look right without a scarf."
"... just give me time, my boy," Wily says, looking over his shoulder out into the outer corridor for a moment, then back to Bomb Man.
ProtoMan notices that Wily doesn't sound like himself today. The Dr. Wily he knows would have snapped at him by now for constantly bringing up the scarf. And the fact that he insisted on ProtoMan being here for the repairing process combined with the fact that Proto catches him looking over his shoulder every so often indicates to Proto that Wily just hasn't been acting right. He's noticed ever since he woke up after being repaired yesterday.
"You alright?", Proto asks Albert.
"I'm mad as hell after losing to your brother again yesterday," Wily replies with a gravelly tone, "No thanks to those refuse piles for Robot Masters."
"Okay. Just askin'," Proto says.
Wily suddenly stops working on Bomb Man, then gets up and slams the door to the workshop. Once he shuts the door, Albert sits back down and returns to work.
"What was that about?" Proto asks about the door.
"Those idiots outside," Wily lies.
ProtoMan didn't hear GutsMan, Cut Man or any of the other robots making any noise outside the room. "I've gotta tell you, Doc... you look like you're kinda spooked," Proto says.
Albert sighs and wipes the sweat off his head with his labcoat sleeve. "I've have been very... busy lately."
"Maybe you need a vacation or something," Proto jokes.
"There will be plenty of time for vacationing after I take over the world," Wily says, "... why are you asking me these things, ProtoMan?"
"I can't help but notice," Proto replies, "Besides, I worry about you... you are my creator and all."
Dr. Wily breifly looks up at ProtoMan after he says that. He's never heard anybody say that they worry about him (of course, conviniently forgetting the times Thomas Light showed concern for him many years ago.)
Wily nods, then continues work on Bomb Man, not saying another word... and still irked about a strange feeling he's been having. The truth of the matter is, Albert is spooked by it, just like ProtoMan suspected. Wily is sure he has heard something - or somebody - following him around the fortress when he is alone and he doesn't know what it is, but it's been bothering him ever since he returned to Skull Fortress yesterday.
Author's Notes:
I'm sorry if there weren't enough "Mega Man"-related scenes in this chapter.
Vickers' drunken line about wanting his Robot Warrior to "Make things 'splode real well" is a reference to the video game 'Splosion Man and Ms. 'Splosion Man.
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