Dr. Light, Mega Man, and Roll arrived at Mission Control nearly out of breath, and were immediately admitted into the Control Center. Human flight controllers sat in elevated rows in front of a large screen at the front of the room, which displayed a map of the Icarus's trajectory. As they walked inside, Dr. Light's wristwatch communicator began beeping.
"That'll be Galaxy Man, no doubt he's already picked up something amiss," Dr. Light said quietly before striding over to greet Adam Douglas, the Flight Director at Mission Control.
"Who's Galaxy Man?" Roll asked.
"I'll tell you later," answered Mega Man.
Roll looked around Mission Control. "You ever notice how all the scientists seem to be men?" she said peevishly. She seemed to have been in a testy mood since their meeting with Senator King.
"There was Dr. Kirā in Washington," Mega Man pointed out.
They joined Dr. Light and Douglas. Dr. Light had been busy filling him in with what was going on. "—And now, Dr. Wily has control of the shuttle, but we don't know what he's after," he said, concluding his explanation.
Douglas was a tall man with a placid, competent face that was easy to trust. "I'm afraid I do, Dr. Light," he responded. "The shuttle's mission is to transport the lens of our new Sunfocusing Super-laser from the space station where it was built to the Moon's surface."
"I feared as much," murmured Dr. Light.
"So, that's what Dr. Wily's plotting now, is it?" said a deep voice. They turned to see that Senator King had entered Mission Control with his two robotic bodyguards. Not a second later, they heard a pair of heals clicking smartly on the tile as a petite woman with a bob of black hair and a navy pantsuit also joined them, looking a little flustered.
"Irene, what a surprise to see you! I thought you'd be needed in Washington," greeted Senator King.
"I could say the same to you," Senator Wolfe replied pointedly, "—But like you, I came to witness the launch of the Icarus." She nodded in curt greeting to Dr. Light, Mega Man, and Roll in turn. Irene Wolfe was one of New York's U.S. Senators. Despite her somewhat cool personality, Mega Man knew Senator Wolfe had spent her career as a leading advocate of robot rights, her latest campaign an effort to persuade the United States to reenter the Convention to Combat Global Robot-crime. It was she who had suggested for Mega Man to improve his public image through volunteer work after his attack on Washington D.C. She was also friends with Mayor Hill, but a staunch political opponent of Senator King. "What's going on?"
"Madame Senator, it's fortunate you and Senator King are here," said Dr. Light. "Dr. Wily has just stolen the Icarus and is on his way to Space Station 1."
Senator Wolfe eyes widened in shock, but she quickly regained her composure. "There's little time then, we must inform the President."
"I was just about to suggest that," Senator King said smoothly. "We need to get our best people on this, right away."
"Our best might not be enough," replied Senator Wolfe. "What we really need to do is contact the Robot International Police and enlist some extra support."
Senator King raised his brows. "The Robot International Police?" he laughed. "Oh, not that again, Irene. Why call them when we have our own defender right here? Mega Man can handle this, can't you, Mega Man?"
Mega Man was sure he imagined it, but for a brief second he thought he saw Senator Wolfe shoot Senator King a look of deep dislike. "I am ready to stop Dr. Wily if you ask," he piped up humbly.
"That's all very good," said Senator Wolfe sternly, peering over at Mega Man through her rectangular spectacles. "However, I'm sure you won't be the only one on this mission."
Though it was morning in Florida, it was late afternoon in the rose garden of an Austrian palace. It was quite tranquil between the sweet scent of blossoms, the wind whispering through the leaves, and babbling fountains. But Enker was busy staking out the area on the very promising lead that the mysterious robot thief he had been tracking for over a year would attempt to steal the ancient bust of Mercury sitting on a pedestal on one of the paths (Aside from having high historic value, the statue was also made of solid gold). Enker had followed this elusive robot's trail of burglaries all over the world, but had yet to see his face—the closest he had come was seeing his shadow, but he was determined for the hunt to end today.
Unfortunately, it seemed fate had other plans as his communicator began beeping.
"We have a situation, Enker."
The voice belonged to Ra Thor, the superintendent of the Robot International Police.
"Another one?" hissed Enker. He had been perched in a pear tree directly above the statue for twelve hours straight without moving or making a sound, and was reluctant to comply with whatever Ra Thor wanted. "Can't Wukong handle it?"
"No, he's participating in an important investigation in Japan. You're still working on that serial theft case, correct?"
"Yes."
"Well, it'll have to go on hold, I've already made arrangements for you to return to HQ. Listen, Enker—it's the Lunar Sunfocusing Super-laser—Space Station 1 is in danger of being attacked by Wily, I just received a tip-off from a Korean satellite."
All annoyance at being interrupted faded from Enker as though he had been stricken by a bolt of lightening. "I'm on my way," he said, ending the transmission.
Enker sighed deeply, gazing skyward at the moon, a pale white shape among the clouds, so distant and deceivingly serene. Then he took one last look at the Mercury statue, and started. Its pedestal was barren.
Enker hopped down to the grass. A small brown scroll was pinned to the base of the tree by a tasseled dagger. It contained a scripted note:
What makes noise like apes,
Moves slow, and is bad at job?
Hint: look in mirror
"Nice," Enker muttered, ripping the scroll from the tree. He crumbled it into a ball before dashing out of the garden.
A short flight later, Enker arrived at the Robot International Police headquarters at its current location in Copenhagen. Many other R.I.P. officers who weren't currently dispatched or too far away to respond were also there.
Ra Thor stood it the middle of the circular command center. He looked vastly different from the rest of the robots. He was a medium-sized humanoid robot, completely plated in ornate black armor embossed in gold patterns that looked like a form of ancient, unknown hieroglyphics, his tall shoulder pauldrons sweeping regally toward the ceiling. His metallic face had glowing yellow eyes set above a face guard. As the superintendent (the second highest R.I.P. rank under Duo), it was his duty to remain in headquarters at all time as an active defense while taking orders from their human agents and managing the R.I.P. officers.
"Thank you all for responding so quickly to this urgent matter," said Ra Thor, addressing the robots seated around the room. "The situation is critical as the Lunar Sunfocusing Super-laser has catastrophic ability. In the hands of Wily, it could mean the end of World Peace. Therefore, it is advised by our human agents that we send in a small team of R.I.P. officers to neutralize the threat."
"It's been stolen already? But it's only just been assembled," said Knight Man in surprise.
"In the process of being stolen, that is correct," said Ra Thor.
"This is why so many peace organizations and science academies were arguing against the Lunar Laser's construction, something like this was bound to happen," said Enker in exasperation.
"We can shake our heads and say 'I told you so,' but unfortunately it is our duty to stop the intruders before any lives are endangered," said Ra Thor tersely.
"Where's Duo?" asked Cloud Man peering around. "Surely a situation this critical requires his attention? Especially one involving space travel!"
"Duo cannot join in this mission without the permission from the President of the United States," answered Ra Thor.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me…" muttered Tornado Man under his breath. He wasn't the only one grumbling.
"It's been agreed that R.I.P. officers can intercede with hostile forces on the space station and Moon with the provision that Duo cannot be employed unless Dr. Wily fires," Ra Thor called over the rising murmuring coming from the circle of officers.
"I know the States backed out of the Convention to Combat Global Robo-crime, but Space Station 1 is international, they can't ban R.I.P. officers from going there, can they?" asked Gravity Man.
"They are arguing that much of Space Station 1 was funded by American dollars, so they want it treated like American soil," explained Ra Thor.
"That seems unreasonable given the current situation," said Sword Man. "Can't we make an appeal to the United States Ambassadors at the U.N.?"
"We will try—" began Ra Thor.
"But after all the brouhaha that one senator started, they won't listen!" Centaur Man completed, stomping his hoof in annoyance (he was the only quadruped officer, and therefore was not seated like the rest). "It's a wonder they were keen at all to help build the super-laser for the world's protection, and a bloody shock that they are even allowing R.I.P. officers to help fight Wily instead of looking after their own interests!"
"That is neither here nor there, I'm only relaying what I've been told—" began Ra Thor.
But Centaur Man hadn't said his piece and continued brashly, "Well if you ask me, it was always very fishy that the States turned its back on R.I.P. For years they were completely on board with the Convention to Combat Global Crime (they helped create it, mind you), but then they suddenly withdrew without so much of an explanation? Acting as if the Robot International Police were invading their country when it was always agreed upon that the States would share equal participation right among its officers? It makes no sense."
Other officers began chiming in.
"Well, it is odd..."
"Centaur Man's right, they were a proud forerunner of R.I.P., now they want nothing to do with it—"
"This bloody affair with the Lunar Laser would be over with Duo's involvement…"
"Officers of R.I.P.," interrupted Ra Thor, his mechanical voice sharp and piercing. "We have no time to discuss this. I know we are all very worried about the consequences of a criminal gaining control of the Lunar Sunfocusing Super-laser, and Wily's forces will be at Space Station 1 in only a few hours. We must now organize a small task force to stop them before Wily can fire the Lunar Laser."
"I would volunteer, but I'm little use in the vacuum of space," said Flame Man.
"Neither would I," said Wind Man.
Ra Thor nodded. "We know that the abilities of certain officers are limited outside Earth's atmosphere, and it is not our intention to lead a full scale assault on the Moon. We must tread very cautiously as we cannot afford any mistakes. Therefore, it is proposed that Enker lead the mission with the support of Sword Man and Gravity Man. I expect the United States will send in Mega Man, it is my advice that you work with him to the mutual benefit of everyone."
"I think it'd be beneficial if I joined the task force," spoke up Time Man unexpectedly, standing up. "I may not be as experienced as Sword Man or Gravity Man, but I have fought against Wily's forces along side Enker, and my powers can aid Gravity Man in their capture."
"Doesn't your weapon require air in order to work?" inquired Ra Thor.
"Yes, but I am also equipped with a projectile version of Time Slow that should work in space."
Ra Thor turned toward Enker. "Is that alright with you, Enker?"
"Of course, I'd be happy have Time Man along."
"Then it is agreed. I cannot stress how dangerous this mission will be for everyone on Earth," said Ra Thor gravely. "If you fail, we will all be at the mercy of a madman. Once in space, fight Wily's forces if you must, but your top priority is not to aggravate the situation. Proceed with the utmost caution."
"Thanks for volunteering to come along, you're a good 'bot, Time Man," said Gravity Man as they trooped out of R.I.P. headquarters.
"How long do you reckon the space station's defenses will hold out against Wily?" asked Enker.
"Well, since their defenses consist of only fifty basic combat drones and Astro Man, four and a half minutes, I'd guess," answered Time Man.
"I fear we must prepare ourselves for the worst on our arrival," Sword Man said in his calm, serene voice.
"Are you hoping to run into Dr. Light again?" Enker asked Time Man in a low, sly voice.
"What?"
"That's why you volunteered, isn't it?"
"Well—"
"It's all right, no shame in that," said Enker. "You think of him as your creator, don't you? And this is the perfect chance for you to shine, no doubt this mission will gain international spotlight."
"I suppose I do," Time Man admitted, slightly embarrassed. "But that's not the reason I volunteered. Ra Thor was right, this mission is very sensitive, and I think you'll need all the help you can get managing Mega Man," he added.
"Why, what's wrong with Mega Man?" Gravity Man asked curiously.
"Oh nothing, he's just uptight, paranoid, and a bit arrogant," said Enker.
"Uptight and paranoid...sounds a little like Time Man," said Gravity Man.
Enker snorted while shot him a dark look. "Oh, leave Time Man alone! He just takes his job seriously is all, and that's going to be needed come the next few hours."
At the same time the Robot International Police were putting together a task force, Mission Control was hailing the President of the United States to discuss their course of action.
After several minutes, President Lemming's face appeared on the giant video screen that stretched across Mission Control's entire front wall. President Lemming was the shortest President ever at a height of 4'8," and might have also been the roundest. Had had small, squinty eyes and wore mustard colored suits. Behind him stood Fowler, the Secretary of Defense, who had a receding hair line and walrus mustache.
"King, it's nice to see you! I missed you on my last presidential golfing trip!" greeting President Lemming, beaming as his eyes fell first upon Senator King. He had a high, squeaky voice.
"I'm sorry I had to take a raincheck, but urgent business came up," said Senator King with an apologetic smile.
"Mr. President, we have a situation," broke in Douglas. "Wily has hijacked one of our shuttles and is on his way to Space Station 1 where the solar laser lens is stored."
President Lemming paled to the shade of milk, his smile vanishing. "Really? That's very bad news. I wondered why Robot Interpol was trying to call me. Wily's after the super-laser, you say?"
"Yes sir, that's unfortunately the case. If nothing is done, he'll have control of the Lunar Laser in less than ten hours."
"Mr. President, I suggest that we request the assistance of Robot Interpol," advised Senator Wolfe. "Their robots are specifically programmed to handle situations such as this, and Duo is even built with spacefaring capability—"
"I'm not sure if that's too wise," interrupted Senator King. "We still have other options to exhaust before we turn over the situation completely to the hands of R.I.P."
"Sir, we have precious little time. The Icarus is already half way there," said Douglas. "Whatever we do, we must act quickly!"
"Well, I dunno…it's a very tricky situation…" said President Lemming, tugging at his collar and looking distinctly uncomfortable. "What say you, Mister Secretary Fowler? Can the defenses on Space Station 1 hold out?"
"Well, there's Astro Man and a few dozen robo-defense units, but sir he's not really outfitted to take on even a small army of—"
"Excellent, he'll have to do."
"But Sir—"
"Now boys, I don't want to hear arguments," said President Lemming, holding up a hand. "Let's just get Dr. Wily and you'll all go home with Medals of Honor. And until then we'll just keep this little situation between us. No need to get the public all worried yet. I mean, really, how much more bad news can the they handle? First the National Ballet, now this—"
"Mr. President, Mega Man is here too," Senator King interrupted sharply.
"Oh, is he on the case?" asked President Lemming, his face brightening.
"He is, Mr. President," Dr. Light spoke up. "And with the help of Mission Control, I think I may know how we can catch Dr. Wily."
"Oh good, now that's a plan I can give my whole support," said President Lemming. "I give Mega Man full authorization to enter space to chase after Wily. Good luck, Mega Man! I'm sure we'll have those criminals in their place in no time and this whole 'situation' behind us. Now I must go make a phone call." The video feed faded to the official seal of the President of the United States.
"Sir, you have a call," said one of Senator King's bodyguards.
"In a minute," replied Senator King. He turned to Mega Man. "This is very...very embarrassing for us now. I'm sure we'll never hear the end of it from the U.N. They'll insist on sending R.I.P. to handle it. So, if you could...try to do your best to bring down the Bad-bots fast and efficiently before R.I.P., it would be much appreciated," he said.
Mega Man could have sworn he saw Senator Wolfe shoot Senator King another look. She had seemed increasingly displeased with him since the video conference with the President. "This isn't a race, Mega Man, we're all working toward the same end," she said.
"Of course," said Senator King, flashing a smile. "I only wish I could go up there myself."
Later, as Senator Wolfe, Dr. Light, Roll, and Mission Control were busy making preparations, Senator King pulled Mega Man aside. "About Robot Interpol. Do you know much about them?" he asked quietly.
"Well, a little—"
"Listen...there was a time when the United States and our foreign allies had agreed to join together and create a powerful team of Robot Masters to protect the people of earth against global Robo-crime. Perhaps you knew of this already?" Mega Man nodded. "Good. But the plans my predecessors made in the mid 80s to participate in Robot Interpol were much too hasty, foolish really; it's preposterous to fight against Robo-crime on a global level, and unnecessary really, when you think about it. America is perfectly capable of looking after herself."
"But Robot Interpol is a politically neutral organization...isn't it?"
"Yes of course, but—" Senator King lowered his voice still, "I just think you should keep your eye out, and be wary. They are run nearly entirely by robots, so it's a dangerous position to ally with them, especially if Dr. Wily could control them! I'm not saying that they do not have good intentions," Senator King added quickly, "—but if those intentions were manipulated...do you understand what I'm getting at?"
"I think so," Mega Man said slowly. He remembered what had happened to Time Man and Enker in the Wily-controlled future he had visited. "But sir—I mean King—Why do you trust me? I'm a robot too."
King smiled widely, a display of even, perfectly white teeth. "Because I know a good robot when I see one. You turned yourself in back in Washington D.C., and have since been taking responsibility and paying back for your debt. If there is one thing Senator Wolfe and I can agree on, it's our faith in you." Senator King gave his shoulder a light squeeze. "But you will remember what I said about Robot Interpol?"
"Of course," said Mega Man. Privately, he felt all this talk of politics was making him uneasy. He wasn't sure what to think about any of this.
"There, that should do it," said Dr. Light. They were back outside on the launch pad, and he had just finished welding the casing shut on the small twin rocket engines that had been gladly donated by Kennedy Space Center for Mega Man's use.
"Cool! I always wanted my own rocket backpack," said Mega Man. He glanced over at Roll. "Hey, sorry you're not coming along too, sis. You know I can always use you as back up."
"It's fine," Roll said. She still seemed a bit jealous, but Mega Man could tell by the resigned look in her eyes that she wasn't holding a grudge against him. "I'll be down here looking after Rush, goodness knows he can be almost as much trouble as Wily," she joked, scratching Rush between the ears.
"Be careful, Mega Man. Those engines develop a million pounds of thrust," said Dr. Light.
"Will do. Clear the launch pad."
Roll and Dr. Light stood back as Mega Man pressed the ignition button. With a roar the ground suddenly dropped out from underneath him, the launch pad shrinking slowly to the size of a postage stamp before disappearing into the woods and fields around it. He passed through a thick bank of clouds. The earth was still shrinking beneath him, until the outline of Florida appeared. He could feel his titanium armor begin to heat up from friction, but all too soon it grew very cold again as Mega Man shot away from the atmosphere, the sky growing darker and darker until at last he reached space.
Inside the Icarus, Proto Man shed the uncomfortable space suit and kicked it into a corner. "You're not feeling sick or anything, are you?" he asked Dr. Wily.
"Don't be stupid, why would I be sick?"
"It's just, you never had any astronaut training—never mind."
Proto Man's spirits had lifted with the launch of the Icarus. There was a certain thrill to it he couldn't explain, breaking completely away from Earth and into the infinity of space. "Wily, look at that view. Beautiful, isn't it?" he said, nodding toward the window. The black sky stretched above and below them, dotted with millions of stars, each shining with a steady unflickering light in shades of yellow, red, violet, and green. Nebula clouds of rich purple and deep blue hung in far off space like explosions of vibrant ink in water. "Do you think there's anything else out there?"
"No," Dr. Wily said shortly.
"You sound so sure. I mean, it's space after all, 'the final frontier.' You never know, there could be other planets in other galaxies, waiting to be conquered."
Dr. Wily pointed toward the earth below them, which looked like a bright, luminous marble with a swirled surface of clouds. "That is our target. Keep your eyes on the prize."
"I know, but—"
"Proto, there is nothing else out there," Dr. Wily cut in harshly, seeming to understand Proto Man's trail of thought.
Proto Man went silent. Dr. Wily was right, of course. There probably really wasn't anything else out there beyond Earth. But why did it feel so right to leave Earth behind and plunge fearlessly into the great unknown, where no one else was? An sudden unsatisfied feeling of restlessness settled over Proto Man, and he sank broodingly into his chair.
Ahead of them was Space Station 1, a donut shaped structure with a sphere suspended in its middle. "We'll be arriving at the space station in five minutes," said Dr. Wily as they approached it several hours later. "Take the controls, I'll brief the others."
"Ten four, supreme space cadet sir," said Proto Man with a sly smirk.
Dr. Wily either had not heard Proto Man or didn't catch his meaning as he climbed out of the cockpit without a response.
Cut Man and Guts Man were determined to get better at cards so they could beat finally beat Ring Man and Magnet Man. Crystal Man also liked to play, so the three had gathered around a crate in the cargo hold playing poker while they guarded the astronauts, who were tied up in a corner.
"Wrap it up, we'll be at the space station in any minute," said Dr. Wily.
"What are we going to do with that big hunk of glass once we steal it, Dr. Wily?" asked Guts Man.
"That 'big hunk of glass' is a super lens for the most powerful laser in the world!" said Dr. Wily impatiently, sweeping their poker chips off the crate and spreading out the super-laser's schematics for them to view. "The laser is already assembled on the moon's surface. Once we install the lens, I'll be in a position to make the nations of earth an offer they can't refuse. We'll be docking at the space station any moment, prepare for battle."
Unbeknownst to Dr. Wily or any of his robots, there was a stow away inside the Icarus. Tina crouched behind a storage cubicle, wearing her red space suit she had received from Junior Space Academy, listening in on Dr. Wily's plan with fright.
Meanwhile, Space Station 1's command center received an emergency transmission from Kennedy Space Center.
"This is Mission Control to Space Station 1, do you read me?" said Douglas as face appeared on a giant video monitor.
"This is Space Station 1, go ahead Mission Control," replied the Station Commander, a large man with a straw colored mustache and a gray uniform.
"Dr. Wily has hijacked a space shuttle! He's on his way to you now. We suspect he's after the solar laser lens," said Douglas.
"Copy Mission Control, we'll be waiting for them," said the Station Commander gruffly. He pressed a button on the computer console to make an announcement to all the personnel aboard Space Station 1. "This is the Station Commander, all hands, battle stations! This is not a drill!"
At the sound of the alarm, Astro Man began panicking. "Oh dear! Ohdearohdearohdear! Not good! Not good!" he stammered in his synthesized voice. Astro Man had a snowman-shaped body composed of a small head with a red LCD display for eyes, a lime-colored plated middle with tube like arms, and a giant legless hover sphere for a lower body. Two spherical holograph projectors orbited him like moons. The golden anemometer on his head began to whirl in furious circles as it always did when he was frightened as he shot out into space to heed the Station Commander's order.
"Opening shuttle bay doors," growled Dr. Wily into his communicator.
A few moments later, Proto Man, Guts Man, Cut Man, and Crystal Man shot out of the Icarus into space, propelled by jetpacks. Equipped to their helmets were small interstellar speech transmitters, a common device that space robots used to communicate. It read their vocal output and translated them to short range radio signals that mimicked their normal speech pattern. Unlike their communicators, this signal was open source, so any other robot within a hundred-fifty yard radius could pick it up and 'hear' their 'voice'.
"Hey space bots, ready or not, here I come!" Guts Man's replicated voice thundered through everyone's interstellar speech transmitter.
They were just about to reach Space Station 1 when suddenly it faded into nothing, leaving behind only bits of space debris.
"Hey uh—where'd it go?" asked Guts Man.
"It looks like it vanished," said Cut Man.
"Or exploded!" said Guts Man.
Then, without warning, glowing purple meteoroids the size of washing machines materialized and began catapulting toward them. Two caught Guts Man and Cut Man in the backs and battered them downward. Proto Man and Crystal Man scattered as more meteoroids appeared, chasing after them in fiery purple streaks. Guts Man gave a roar and cleaved one in half with his fist. Crystal Man fired another, which exploded and sent everyone near him hurtling into space until they were able to regain control with their jet packs. Cut Man's weapon had no use as a defense against the assault and he was forced to dodge haphazardly.
"What's happening?" bellowed Guts Man dizzily as he was pitched out of the fray again, whirling head over heals.
"No idea!" answered Proto Man as he fired into an incoming meteoroid.
"It's aliens, they are attacking us!" Cut Man shouted, completely losing his head as another meteoroid crashed into him.
"Don't be idiotic, Cut Man! There are no such thing as aliens!" responded Crystal Man harshly, jetting upward to avoid two colliding meteoroids. "The space station has some sort of active defense we weren't prepared for!"
It looked as though they might be forced to retreat; there were too many meteoroids and they were too difficult to dodge. Before long they'd all be bludgeoned to bits. But through the meteoroid storm, Proto Man noticed that one bit of floating space debris near by appeared to be trembling in a most sentient way. After flipping over another purple meteoroid, Proto Man fired upside down at the space debris. It flew backward with a shout of alarm and pain, then morphed into the form of Astro Man. A second later, the meteor storm dissipated as suddenly as it had come.
"Oh, how did you find me? I feel so embarrassed!" Astro Man cried in despair. Behind him, the holographic projection he had created to fool the invaders flickered and dissolved, revealing Space Station 1.
"Hey, were you firing meteoroids at us?" Proto Man asked, leveling his blaster at Astro Man's chest.
Astro Man's shrunk away, like a turtle retreating into his shell, his hands raised helplessly. "Oh dear. Ohdearohdearohdear." Proto Man fired, but before the shot collided, Astro Man suddenly vanished, reappearing forty feet away. "Don't shoot at me, I don't know what I'm doing!"
"Secure the space station! I'll take care of this turkey," ordered Proto Man. The Robot Masters nodded and jetted down to Space Station 1. They were met by the squadron of armed robo-defense drones firing upward at them. Human-piloted space ships were also zipping toward them, firing freely, until Cut Man disabled their laser guns with a quick slice from his head shear.
"Hey, this is Wily's space station now!" growled Guts Man as he landed on one of the suspension bridges connecting Space Station 1's outer ring to the command center. He tore off its railing and used it like a fifty-foot bat to club at the robo-defense drones firing at him.
"Alright, everyone evacuate this space station, now!" Crystal Man ordered, landing in front of another troop on Space Station 1's shuttle pad. They responded by shooting a volley of white lasers. Crystal Man chuckled as the lasers refracted harmlessly through the giant crystal on his chest. "Perhaps I didn't make myself crystal clear," he murmured, throwing a Crystal Eye into the center of the group. It exploded, scattering robo-defense drones everywhere.
"We're right on schedule, here comes Wily!" said Guts Man as he, Cut Man, and Proto Man joined Crystal Man on the shuttle pad. Crystal Man helped guide Dr. Wily as he landed the Icarus with a bump. A staircase unfolded from underneath the Icarus's plug door and Dr. Wily climbed down, carrying the protocol-disruptor. He reprogrammed the remaining robo-defense drones then motioned for them to follow him inside Space Station 1's spacious storage vault. Dr. Wily tugged at the door released, but it wouldn't budge.
"It's locked!" said Cut Man unnecessarily.
"Guts Man, do you have the key?" asked Dr. Wily.
"Sure thing Dr. Wily!" Guts Man cocked his fist, then with a tremendous swing let loose a powerful punch that knocked down the entire wall. After Guts Man had cleared it away, Dr. Wily strode inside with Proto Man, the Robot Masters following them.
"Feast your eyes—the solar focusing lens," Dr. Wily announced with a sinister chuckle. The lens was convex, composed of a synthesized crystal with the same hardness as hyperdiamond, and as large as a suspended temple gong. It was a pretty impressive sight. "Once I get it to the moon and into the super-laser, the world will bow down at my command," said Dr. Wily, holding out his hands greedily. "Guts Man, put the lens into the shuttle."
"No sweat!" answered Guts Man. He plodded over the the lens with both arms reached out. Suddenly, there was a sharp crackle of electricity and a brilliant flash of light and Guts Man was repelled from the solar laser lens as though thrown by a giant, invisible hand. "Hey, what hit me?" he yelled in indignation, detangling himself from Cut Man.
Proto Man stepped carefully toward the laser, holding out his hands in front of him as though it were a stove he was testing to see if it was hot. He paused, feeling a warm current of energy begin to course through his palms. "It's protected by a forcefield."
"And controlled by this computer," said Crystal Man, gesturing toward a large terminal sitting in the corner of the room.
Dr. Wily looked over the computer with an expert's eye. "It's designed to destroy the lens if shut off without a proper code," he said finally.
"I guess you blew it this time, Wily," said Proto Man, crossing his arms. His mood had soured a bit since their conversation in the Icarus's cockpit, and he was starting to loose interest in the mission.
"I don't think so, Proto Man," growled Dr. Wily, who's avarice was only growing stronger. Proto Man opened his mouth, about to retort, then closed it as Dr. Wily continued, "Cut Man, bring me the astronauts."
Back in the Icarus's cargo hold, Tina fumbled with the ropes tied around Dave McIntyre and Buzz Picard, which was difficult work through the thick gloves of her space suit.
"Hurry Tina!" urged Dave McIntyre.
"I'll have you free in a second, Daddy!" said Tina earnestly.
They all jumped as they heard the door to the cargo hold slide open. Tina dashed back into her hiding place just in time as Cut Man entered.
"Alright you two, this way," Cut Man ordered, slashing through their bindings and pointing toward the plug door.
Dave McIntyre and Buzz Picard reluctantly obeyed, leaving Tina behind and (for the moment) safe.
Once Mega Man left Earth's atmosphere, it had been a long, dreary flight with nothing to look at but the slowly receding earth and the growing space station. While the view was at first breath taking, after hours of flying through the black, unchanging, nearly featureless void he was glad to at last reach Space Station 1, where the Icarus was sitting on its circular launch pad. Nuts! Wily's already inside...I hope I'm not too late, he thought.
There were many robo-defense guards standing sentinel outside the control room. This wasn't right since it was apparent Dr. Wily had already broken in, and Mega Man had the nasty suspicion that if they saw him, they'd fire, so he cut the engines of his rocket jetpack, floated gently down to the Icarus and pulled himself inside its open plug door, feeling the familiar effects of gravity (though artificial) pull his feet downward again. Mega Man wondered if the astronauts were still being held captive by the Robot Masters, and if he weren't, if it'd be better to wait for Dr. Wily to return or chase after them. Neither sounded like a great plan.
Upon a quick inspection of the Icarus, Mega Man didn't find either Dr. Wily, his robots, or the astronauts, but he did find someone he wasn't expecting hiding in the cargo hold. "Tina? Is that you? Are you alright?" stammered Mega Man in surprise, using the interstellar speech transmitter installed on his rocket jetpack.
"Yes, but that maniac has got my father!" responded Tina, looking frightened.
"But what are you doing here?"
"I snuck aboard to rescue my father when those Bad-bots weren't looking."
"Tina, it was really brave of you to come out here by yourself, but this is a really bad idea, it's very dangerous—" Mega Man cut himself off, backtracking; Tina looked close to tears. "Don't worry Tina, I'll get him back. But you need to stay here and hide until I get back, okay? Dr. Wily has some very powerful henchmen, this is a job for a robot."
Tina nodded earnestly, and huddled out of sight again as Mega Man crept out of the Icarus.
"Welcome, gentleman," Dr. Wily greeted as Cut Man shoved Dave McIntyre and Buzz Picard into the storage vault. "I need the forcefield locking codes."
"You need your head examined if you think you'll get them from us!" Dave McIntyre answered angrily.
"Oh I think I will, I think I will!" sneered Dr. Wily. "Guts Man, make them talk!"
"Haha, my pleasure!"
Guts Man advanced toward the astronauts, raising his huge arms menacingly, when Cut Man suddenly shouted in alarm, "Mega Man!"
Mega Man jetted into the storage vault, using the force of his rocket jetpack to tackle Guts Man and knock him into the solar laser lens. With a bright flash, the force field sent Guts Man flying into Cut Man for the second time. But just as Crystal Man, Proto Man and Mega Man were about to break into a battle, they were interrupted by a shrill voice.
"Daddy!" Tina cried. After hearing Dr. Wily's threat she couldn't stand waiting in the cargo hold any longer and had come rushing down the stairs to her father's aid. "Ooooo!" she squeaked as Dr. Wily instantly snatched her by the shoulder and pulled her to him.
"That's close enough, Mega Man," warned Dr. Wily, his hand hovering over a red button on the jetpack strapped to Tina's space suit. "Now take a hike, or I'll turn this rocket pack on and launch this girl into space."
Mega Man threw up his hands compliantly. "Alright Wily, just don't harm her," he said, activating his rocket jetpack and blasting upward and out of sight of the space station.
Dr. Wily turned toward Dave McIntyre, still holding Tina threateningly. "Unlock the force field."
Tina looked both terrified and apologetically at her father. Dave McIntyre bowed his head, helpless. He walked over to the storage vault's computer terminal, entered his passcode, then stood back so Buzz Picard could enter his.
"Guts Man!" Dr. Wily barked. Guts Man lumbered over to the solar laser lens and lifted it easily in both hands. While he was carefully edging back toward the Icarus, Dr. Wily turned toward Proto Man. "Proto Man...you know what to do."
"Hey, don't I always?"
Proto Man picked up what looked like a fire extinguisher case and walked outside the storage vault carrying it under one arm.
"You're coming with us," Dr. Wily growled at the astronauts.
After the Icarus left, Mega Man returned to Space Station 1, hoping to find Tina or the astronauts, but the storage vault was empty, the solar laser lens gone. It looked like Dr. Wily had taken them aboard the Icarus as hostages, along with most of the robo-defense drones. Mega Man was just about to chase after it when the computer terminal hummed to life with a beep, and Dr. Wily's grinning face appeared on the monitor.
"Oh, Mega Man...I forgot to tell you. Before I left, I planted a little bomb, nothing fancy...just big enough to destroy the entire space station," said Dr. Wily's prerecorded message. "You've got one hour to find it." The video cut out as Dr. Wily began to laugh cruelly.
Mega Man sighed internally. Well that's just perfect. Dr. Wily's getting a huge head start, and this space station is gigantic. How am I going to find a bomb in time?
To be continued…
A/N: Ra Thor is one of the bosses in Super Adventure Rockman. Senator Wolfe is based on the unnamed lady in green in Deacon's top brass in Bro Bots.
The Robot International Police totally poached Gravity Man from Master of Disaster.