Chapter 06:
Red Flags and Jumping the Gun
Angry lacked the fury in Flash Man's chest. Not only Classic dared to interrupt him in his future plans, not only did she gave him the scare for a lifetime to hear what happened in the Recovery Room and not only Crash Man failed to do the one thing he told him to not do, but there was the Second Line, next to Bubble Man and unconscious Crash Man. The newer model stillness and stunned expression knew it wasn't suppose to be here and damn it was he not!
''You!'' Flash Man barked at the Second Line, ''Step away from them, now!'' Unfortunately for Flash, he was meeting his match with this one. The Second Line stood up, but didn't budge. He crossed his arms and gave him the stink eye, ''Yo, calm down. I didn't do anything. Crash was like that when-'' Wood Man, calm as ever, lifted his hand to stop the orange android, ''You don't have to explain yourself, Classic told us,'' It failed to calm down the intruder, but it defused the tension between Flash Man and the Second Line.
For now at least.
Flash Man glanced at Metal Man. The eldest kept quiet as usual. Flash was unable to recall the last time he uttered a word. He hesitated to blame it on a lack of voice box or he simply didn't want to talk. Either options were bizarre.
Now wasn't the time for theories. Now, right now, he had to figure out why the Second Line was there, why Bubble looked like shit and what the hell Crash as done. Classic followed them, but she was smart enough to keep her mouth shut and walked behind them. The unsettling android did gave them a brief resume of what happened. Crash screwed up big, again. Can't even keep his promise and now here they are in this mess.
''Bubble Man,'' he called out, forcing the small android to quickly stand up, ''what the hell happened here?'' The amphibious model shocked his head, ''I-I don't know! I wasn't in when it happened! I just know something went wrong!'' Bubble stumbled in his words. He turned his attention to the other android, ''And you?'' The orange and black android frowned, ''The name is Top Man,'' Flash knew, but he didn't care, ''and no, I don't know either. Me and Bubble Bro were outside before that,'' he pointed at the metallic chair, ''and that'' he pointed at the broken tile, ''happened. If you want answers, ask Classic over there.''
The female android only nodded at the sentence. Since it was going that way, why fight against it, ''So, Classic,'' he turned his body to face the stoic robot, ''can you add details to what you already told us?''
''It would be my please, honourable DWN.014,'' he repressed a grimace at this title, it wasn't fitting for a robot to use their serial number by another, even if it was Classic, ''DWN.013 and I were engaged into a conversation. I have told him he was discharged, however he remained and got into, I believe to be, an argument. At the end of which, DWN.013 requested to be shut down. I have comply to his request. That is all.''
Flash Man used it to observe Top's reaction. He listened carefully to Classic's recalling and glanced at him when she talked about the odd request. It answered his questioning on the Second Line. He was going to spill the beans to the others and that was the last thing he wanted to.
A brief moment gave him plenty of time to make a decision. Top Man didn't sit right with him. Himself was a tad paranoid and took his leadership too seriously, but one thing he had to learn and apply was negotiation. He never had the chance to apply the skill, since their rush awakening made it utterly worthless, now was the time to see if that extra lines of coding was worth it. ''Top Man,'' he called out to the other of place android, ''I would like to make a deal with you.'' The Second Line frowned, clearly he mistrusted him, it's not like he could back down now, ''I'll let you stay here and listen into this conversation. Since you seemed, so interested,'' that bit made a brief reaction from the other Robot Master, before he returned to normal, ''however, I forbid you to not tell it to your Line.''
''And why would I do it?'' Top Man countered at the leader, ''Unlike what I might look like, I have a keen eye,'' Flash Man almost relished, but he refrained to go further, ''and I noticed you have an interest in Crash Man,'' Top Man's eyes widen at the declaration. Got ya.
''I only want you to know what you are getting yourself into.''
Flash Man didn't know what peek the Second Line's notice toward Crash Man. An innocent curiosity toward the older model or a fascinating toward something so destructive, he smirked at his soft manipulation. Like that, the younger model's desires displayed to all to see. He did noticed the venomous stare from the embarrassed Robot Master and enjoyed seeing him squirm at the decision he must answer soon.
''Fine,'' Top Man's grim answer was like the sweetest sound in the world, ''but there's better be a good reason.'' He smirked and shrugged, if only he knew, ''Good,'' his eyes made contact with Classic's, ''now Warden, did you saw Red?''
Suddenly, the entire room turned cold. Wood Man's calm nature changed to cautious, Bubble Man's hyperactive-self numbed down and Metal Man stared at him. Top Man displayed confusion right now, but Flash knew it was a matter of time before it would change into a reaction akin to fear. Classic, the cold-hearten bitch she was, shocked her head, ''I do not know who is Red. They are not in my database.''
''I'm surprise the good Dr. didn't inform you,'' Flash Man's smug attitude went unnoticed to the female model, ''since after all, we are talking about an uncontrollable, maniacal, dual AI.'' Classic shocked her head yet again, ''I am not aware of this Red.'' Top Man walked into the discussion, ''What are you talking about? Who's Red?''
He shined a cynical smile, ''Red is Crash,'' he explained calmly, ''Or, it's Crash Man when he is angry.'' The matter wasn't necessarily funny or comical, but the Second Line's face sure was. He held his laughter, he had to be a teeny-tiny bit serious after all, ''Father never told you about it, not like I can blame him. It was a mistake after all.''
''A mistake?'' Top Man's tone deepen and violently let out, ''How can you say that about your own brother!'' He pointed an accusing finger at Flash, his hand was lowered by Bubble Man, ''Top,'' his low voice surprised the android. When he checked on the small Robot Master, he saw conflicting feelings, ''Just... listen to Flash, please.'' It was fun to mess around with the Second Line, the leader wasn't going to lie to himself, even he knew when to stop messing around and move this whole conversation forward. It would be better to get to it now and not delve too much, ''Simply put,'' he continued to the frustrated and quiet robots, ''Red is Crash and vice versa. They are two personalities in one frame,'' he smirked at Top, ''We don't know the details, Dr. Wily simply said he was a mistake,'' The orange android frowned at the excuse and replied, desperately controlling his anger, ''Good thing we have someone here who can fix it,'' he stared at Classic, ''right, Miss Classic?''
They all looked at the warden. Some hope, others kept skeptic to her miraculous talent. Classic closed her eyes, as in thoughts, ''Is it in correlation to the two IC chips within DWN.013,'' her question was met with silence, only Top Man showed a reaction to her claim. The yellow eyes gradually opened, ''To most of my contempt, it is impossible to repair should the problem be from one or both IC chips,'' her regret lacked in her tone, yet the words did their work to amplify its severity.
''Such a shame,'' Flash Man shrugged off the horrid news, ''Looks like we'll have to handle Crash Man on our own.'' Wood Man looked down on his leader, eyes filled with disgust, but he didn't elaborate further. ''Wood Man, let's take him-'' ''Wait! Hold on!'' The leader's face displayed annoyance and faced a distraught Top Man, he moved in front of Crash Man and Bubble Man, ''What is it Second Line?'' He made sure his voice box matched his scorn. The orange robot bewildered at the situation, ''Flash Man, you can't be serious here! Tell me this is a bad joke,'' he exclaimed, ''What are you taking about?'' Again, he stunned at the question, ''You're just going to go, just like that! You're not going to know why?''
''And why should I?'' Flash Man crossed his arms, ''Unless you noticed, I don't care what Wily was thinking or why she can't fix him,'' he scoffed at the Robot Master, ''In fact, all I care is for the rest of us to survive through this project. If Crash Man becomes a liability,'' he pulled a thumb's up and rotated it to point it at the ground, ''he is to no use to us.''
Top Man's blue eyes scowled at the answer, hands glued to his side and balled up into fists. ''He's our brother!'' Screamed Bubble Man, his knees shook at the tense conversation, ''You can't say that to him!'' The cruel leader nodded, ''But I can. Our purpose is to be of use to mankind,'' he approached the trio, ''What is the good of a broken machine?''
He didn't even had the time to raise his voice, when a green suit beat him to it, ''Shut UP!'' Flash Man fell on the ground. Top Man came back to his senses, as he watched, speechless, Bubble Man on top of his merciless leader and was beating him up. Yes, that's right, punching the taller robot. Right in the face.
Bubble Man saw red. He never experienced something like this before. However, there was one thing he understood right there. For the few attacks he landed on his dazed target, for the times he was mocked by his family, Bubble Man felt liberated and unshackled. Something in him wanted to protect Crash, even against his own sibling. He wanted to make him pay for insulting him and it translate this physical assault.
Classic only watched as Wood Man easily restrained Bubble Man, trying to calm the frenzied amphibious android. Flash Man came back on his feet, his face showed no evidence from the assault. He glanced at his overseer, but when he knew she wasn't going to say anything he only turned to Metal Man and asked Top Man to move away. He did, unwillingly. Metal Man turned the unconscious frame and, with the help of Flash, they lifted the heavy load up and began to leave. ''Will talk about this later, Bubble,'' Flash Man warned the green Robot Master still controlled by Wood Man. The three androids left and the door closed behind them.
''Let me go Wood!'' Bubble Man struggled free from the calm giant, ''Why did you stop me?!'' He pointed at his brother with great prejudice, ''He deserved it!''
''Perhaps,'' at least someone was agreeing with him, ''but attacking one another isn't going to help.''
''Maybe for you, but it did for me!'' The angry, small Robot Master let out, ''I am not going to let Flash, Quick or anyone else step on me ever again!''
''Bubble Bro,'' the two First Line looked at Top Man, ''let's just cool off for a moment and talk about it.''
''Talk about it? About what?!'' Bubble Man furiously stared down, in a figurative speech, ''I'm not done dealing with that heartless bastard!'' He hopped to the door. Nothing happened. ''What gives?! It worked just a moment ago!'' He proceed to use his fist to attack the door.
''I cannot allow you to let you out, yet,'' the cold and calculated voice gave away the culprit. Classic, solemn in her posture, apologetically bowed to the fuming android, ''You will have to wait a moment, please, DWN. 011.''
''And why would I?'' He stomped his foot down, ''Because your 'anger' is not tempered,'' he grumbled at that answer, ''and I have several questions about 'Red'.''
Top Man examined the female unit. The yellow eyes' gaze pierced Bubble Man, he noticed it, but he decided to keep that observation to himself for the time been. The which Classic finally displayed something else than stoicism and cold logic; curiosity.
''And you're just going to lock us in?'' ''Yes,'' Classic didn't allow Bubble to rant further, ''Until all a question isn't answered, you three will remain in the Recovery Room.'' Wood Man smirked at the declaration, ''Overseer, isn't it a little melodramatic?'' Unfortunately for them, she didn't budged, ''No,'' she glared at the tall Robot Master, ''as your overseer, it is my mission for you all to succeed the project's goal. To hide important information from me can lead to this project's failure and, subsequently, my failure. Thus, I must acquire as much factual information about this 'Red','' she bowed once more, ''please.''
The giant gave a glance at Bubble Man, who seemed to have calm down a notch. He shrugged in defeat and sat down on the floor. The nature-related Robot Master sighed, despise the lack of air way, and nodded at the overseer, ''Very well, I will answer in the best of my abilities.''
Should she had been human, her yellow eyes would gleamed at this answer. It made Top Man internally giggled, that robot was interesting. ''Thank you,'' she replied, while Top Man walked to the damaged table and used it to sit as comfortably as he could. This might take a while.
''What do you wish to know, Overseer?'' Asked Wood Man to the focus robot.
''Please explain how you came in first contact with Red,'' it was predictable, from Top Man's point of view, but judging from the brief hesitation in his two older brothers face it might not have been for them.
''Very well...'' he took a moment to recollect and huffed, ''then, let me tell recount the moment of our first awakening...''
The first awakening for Robot Masters can't be describe by human's standards and words. When a new life enter the world, it is with a cry. For a machine, specifically a Robot Master, it's when their entire being is operational for their original purpose. Hundreds, if not thousands, of lines appears before them and one by one, their functions start. The sensation over their frame, the slight twitching at their fingertips, audibles detecting, recording and decoding sounds to become words and noises they could understand. It's the feeling of acknowledging their meaning, as they, again in human term, unconsciously know their name, their creator and their purpose.
The hiss of a door allowed Wood Man to climb out, already knowing how to walk, move his limbs and stand. He towered over a small, old man. He felt nothing toward the man, even with his relation with the machine was crystal clear. His creator Dr. Albert Wily smiled at his activation, he only mumbled a 'good' and moved on to the other capsules.
Wood Man observed his surrounding. In this metallic room, there were others like him. All in different shapes, seizes and colours, but they were all Robot Masters just like him. He counted six, including himself. The one in blue matching his height approached, ''And who are you?'' He didn't wait to answer, ''I am Wood Man, serial number DWN.016,'' His reply caused the small yellow one to grunted, ''Wood Man is fine, I guess,'' he yawned, ''Not like we'll use your serial number though.'' That's right, it's somewhere between two lines. The serial number was to be use by humans only, easier to identify them.
There were others, but they didn't contribute into the conversation. The green one's frame shifted uncomfortably, the blue humanoid with a glass helmet examined him from a safe distance and the red one just stared at a black screen.''Good morning you slowpokes,'' a new arrival walked closer to the group, he had the red frame, but a strange yellow arc on his head, ''The name's Quick Man and I'll take care of that Mega Man before you all have the chance.''
The blue humanoid scuffed, ''You sure talk a lot,'' he straight up his back, placed his hands behind his back, ''as your leader, you better listen to me Quick Man.'' The loudmouth laughed at this leader, ''Seriously, you are the one with the leadership program? Who are you, Chrome Man?'' The blue Robot Master frowned, ''Flash Man and I suggest you don't make me angry,'' his hand morphed into a cannon in an instant, ''I am the leader and I'll gladly put back those out of line.'' His warning didn't went unanswered, as Quick Man extracted a curved blade from his wrist and maliciously sneered at their leader, ''Try me, Chrome Dome.''
The two Robot Masters stood at a stand still, the others simply waited for either to throw the first stone. In the silence, the green Robot Master's head stood up and his eyes darted at Wily. ''Dr.!'' He shouted in distress. The human frowned at the shout, annoyed he got screamed at by his creation. That's when the glass door right in front of him erupted forward and crashed into the opposite wall. The door dropped on the ground, while Quick Man put down the human just like a potato sack. The elderly man grunted, ''Stupid thing...'' his words were followed by movement coming out from the capsule. ''All of you, stop DWN.013 and don't destroy him,'' he ordered as the assailant pulled himself out. ''Understood Dr. Wily,'' Flash Man acknowledged and faced the now standing Robot Master.
Wood Man stood a brief moment to examine who dared to attack their creator, a powerful sense of duty guided him to stand against the usurper. It was another one of his own and judging by the verbal number an older model than him, classifying him as an 'older brother'. The smoke moved away, as if terrified of the moving entity. The orange and white frame was hunched over himself, head hanging low, posture bend over, like someone stole a part of his spine, his arms dangled at the front and at the end of it, drill instead of hands. The calm Robot Master brief existence couldn't allow him to diagnose if it's movements were normal or disrupted. By the look of things, his brothers on edge and all materialized their respecting weapon, he came to the conclusion of the ladder.
Wily escaped by a trap door, concealed as part of the wall. Knowing he was safe, Flash Man took a step forward at the inert Robot Master, ''Consider yourself lucky we just have to beat some senses into you.'' The comment went ignored for a second, until the Robot Master's head sharply raised up. He flashed gleaming red eyes over a black curtain. Flash Man faltered at the revelation. Again, by simple deduction, Wood Man realized the chaotic nature of his ill brethren.
''I̴̩̐-̴̗̉I̴̯̎-̸̿ͅǏ̴̹ ̴͎͊Í̴̻ ̴̈́ͅÌ̴̤ ̴̹́I̸͛ͅ-̸͖̌Î̶̫'' The warped words hurled out of the robot's voice box, the unsettling effort failed to scare or freeze the combat machine as Flash Man suddenly appeared in his face and fired a clean shot to its left shoulder. It turned away from the blast. The leader had just a second to lift his lips when the robot's undamaged arm severed Flash Man's side thanks to a fast spinning drill. Oil leaked out and splashed the floor. Flash Man peeked at the damage, he chose to keep on fighting. However, his desire broke when a trio of fireballs were hurled in his direction. He jumped back, barely avoiding the attack and watched as the berserk robot got hit by the fiery attacks. It fell on the ground and remained there. The leader glowered at the yawning small robot, ''Heat Man! We have to incapacitated him not burn him to a crisp!'' The Robot Master based on fire shrunk at the shouting, an apologetic whisper flew in the wind. ''Ah, Flash?''Air Man pointed at the moving burning frame, ''He's still moving!'' He sighed, ''At least it isn't made out of foil. Everyone, don't target any vital parts! We can't let down Dr. Wily, understood?''
Most replied, while a few simply nodded and a single one didn't care to reply. As the fire died down, the Robot Master flew high in the air and swiped his damaged arm in front of him. A fan of mini-drills darted across the room. The red one threw flying blades to cut in half those who would lunged into the ceiling. A hopping Robot Master jumped over the landing mines and release a bubble of some kind, the weight crushed the drills. While Wood Man unleashed leaves from his back and launched at the uncontrollable Robot Master. Though smalls, their sharpness left marks over the orange and white frame, the wounds oil oozed out and a few covered by the ill liquid. When its feet hit the floor, black spots splattered around it.
''I̷̬̖͙̰̮͛͗̾͝-̶̨̭͓̫̤̘̖͚̇́́̒͜I̷͎̦̪̜̠̿Ỉ̷̧̫̝̙̙͕̓̇̄̃̊̃͑͘͝Į̸̏̆̔Ỉ̸̡͍͚͈̜̂͑̇͐̂̏̌̈́͘-̷̝͕̙̣͠,̷̱͍̥̜̰̻͕̪̄̀̋̌̍̀̌́͊͑̿ ̶̨̼̒́̈́̌̉̓̇͗̀̍͆w̴̛͇̉̒̊̕ͅ-̸̨̛̘̥͍̭̼̟̑͂͂̊͝w̸̨̢̪̳̜̦̪̫͈̥̩̑̈-̶̫͎̮̝̼͕̙͔̮̼́͑̃̐̇̿͜ẘ̶̧̡̭̣̱̹̻͓͒̈̊͝a̸̢̡̜̖̺̝̫̝̣̫͛́͐̍̑́͐͂̊̈́͜͝͝a̴͍͖̕n̸̞͚̠̭̤͐͠ţ̶̢͙̠̱̦̊-̵̤̦̱͉͕̣̝̰͔͕͊͋͑̔̎͘I̷̺̝̤̲̝̳̐ ̶̧̗͔͍̩̲͙̭͈͈̳͘Ȉ̸̡̨̨̡͍͈̖͖̥̹͎̈́̋͗ ̸̨̩̥̫̟̈́̾̏̍̊͗̄̒͌́͝͝ͅḬ̵̘͚̦̘̍͊̈́ ̷̞̠͔̒̌̀̀̌̄̒̚͝I̶̡̤͍̹̙̝͚͎̤̜̔̍͌͜ ̷̨͖̄̓ẘ̷͚̐͊̑͂͘͝ẇ̴͕̬̦̠̪̾̐̓̽̑̚w̷̢̛͚̪̯̤̟͂͊̆ä̷̢̫̘̥̙̙̳̦́-̸͚͑̄w̴̢̧̡̪̙̫͕̟͚̝̃̾w̷̳͉̗̠̘̮̋͋̀͛̎͌͂̚̚̕͠a̷̧͚͚̲̤̰̹͍̎̃̍́̉̽̀̎̊̈́͑͝a̸̧̢̻̟̍͌͗͗̏̑͌̇̅ͅn̶̢̖̖͔͖̖̺͙̳͛͌͛͒̔̆͜ͅṭ̶̨̠͚̭̹̹̬͖͐͒̈́̒̽̂̐̄̅̃͌̓͜,̴̗͖̦̬̥̐̂̎̀̿̆͋̄̚͜'' ''Shut up already!''
Quick Man's speed stunned Wood Man, in a nano second the swift model plunged two knifes into the berserker's helmet. The blades broke on impact. Quick Man's eyes widen, sharp slivers flew close to his face, but it was the drill which hit. Red and yellow frame collided in the wall, Quick Man growled at the damage to his pride, but he could still fight. He expected the landing to be of less comfortable and he will probably a earful from Wily once they are done-
BEEP
Quick Man darted his head.
BEEP
He looked down at his left leg.
BEEP
There's a glowing light drilled into limb.
BEEP
He closed his eyes and braced for an explosion, he wasn't dumb to haven't connected the beeping and an upcoming explosion. He's a Wily Robot Master, it came with the programming. There was an explosion and he still opened his eyes. He had Flash Man's back facing him, the canon in his arm blinked red. It can't be good. The explosion hit the berserk robot, yet it still stood.
The leader clicked his tongue, ''I thought that would stop it,'' he glanced over his shoulder, ''Are you alright Quick Man?'' Before he answered, the speedster saw his ripped out leg. He sulked, utterly annoyed, ''I guess, but I can't move much without a leg!''
''Good enough,'' Flash Man replied to a fuming Quick Man, ''everyone, I have a plan!'' ''Don't leave me like that Chrome Dome!''
Wood Man listened into Flash Man's instructions. Far fetch lacked the plan's utter efficiency, but as a Wily's creation he muted his opinion. By the time, all understood their giving role and so they were ready as one kept screaming, the uncontrollable machine stood up, red eyes beamed the group.
''Ḯ̸̠̬͎͕͈̀̄̆̚͝͝ẁ̴̛̭͓̎̀a̷̢͔̠̠̳͒̇̓̾̚̚ͅͅń̸̨̗͓̘͍̖t̴̛̲͛t̴̢̛͎̣͍̜͂͋̎͘o̵̮̔̃̃̃͜͝ĝ̸̻͙͙͙̥̹́ŏ̸͚̞̂͆̿̿̓I̴̯̔̂͝w̵̢̛͍̤̺̾̌͊̍a̵̧̩̻̓ń̶͈͓̹̜̗̀̾̿͛͜͠͝ͅt̵͉͉̻̣͓͊̈́͐̿̃t̷̝̺̭̖̼̠̏͑̓͐͘o̵̩̺̱͎͓̠̱͊̍̆̒̇̇̄ǵ̸̢̨̧̻͚͔̪̂ō̸͎̈́̕I̴͇̦̣̤̦͆̊w̶͚͇̰͉͓̓͊̋͗͒̕͜ä̷̘͇̒́͜n̷̬̾̀t̵̡̿͌́̃́͘t̵̝̝̺̝̰̋̉̓̑ŏ̸̤̦̔͝g̸̨̧̙̑̍ȏ̵̝͖̠͆͛̑̒͠I̴̛̱͂̇̑̐͒̚w̸̰͙͙̞̗͇͗ͅă̷͓̣̤̙̘̑͆n̴̲̹͍̣̲͖̊t̷̩̞͓̮̽ẗ̸͔͍̦́̐̍̀̓͝͠o̴̡̢̮̩͖̓͌͛͆̈́͝ğ̷̺͈̻̇̾ǫ̶̯͇͈͇̔̈́́͜'' let out a distorted cry and jumped once again into the air.
''Now!'' The vocal cue unleashed a storm of harden leaves at the floating target, stopping it in its arm's motion. They jabbed into its limbs joints, ''Air Man!''
The blue Robot Master shouted in victory, ''Take thiiiisss!'' A powerful gust of wind was summoned by Air Man's cannon arm. The storm pushed up the wild machine to the ceiling. The crash trembled the room. The wind's master halted his weapon's activation, they looked up to see if that was it.
All the Robot Master silent themselves, holding their breathe if they could. A moment passed, when a shadow dropped from the ceiling's crater. The drop echoed across the room. Only the green one was courageous or curious enough to check on it. A drill with a stump lied there. Soon, another body part fell off the concealed sky and all crashed in front of a stunned, green Robot Master. The mess, as Wood Man could only describe, stay inactive. He wondered if they went too far, after all the berserk machine stopped moving and the optics closed off.
''Bubble Man, is it still moving?'' Flash Man asked to the green one. Wood Man judged by his reaction it was his given name by Dr. Wily. He nodded at their leader, he didn't say anything. I followed Flash Man and walked closer to the mess. He heard Quick Man growling at whoever had the kindness, or duty, to help him stand up. Someone whistled at the gruesome display, ''That's pretty fucked up,'' Heat Man stated before an yawn, ''You sure it can reactive itself?'' Flash Man checked around him, searching for a volunteer to verify it. Thankfully, he didn't need to when a boot up activated.
All Robot Masters reactivated their weapons and aimed at the reawaken menace. The eyes lighten up, a green iris over white brighten the blacken floor. He stood there, the group hesitant of this development. ''Wh-What's going on?'' The damaged Robot Master called out, ''Why am I on the ground?'' The iris moved and landed on Wood Man, ''Who are you?'' His tone edged anger, a dull annoyance, ''What did you do to me?!'' His scream broke the camel's back, ''Quiet you!''
Flash Man approached the Robot Master, ''State your name and explain to me why I shouldn't blast away until you're nothing more but a torso and a head!'' The destructive android gnarled, he tried to flip himself over, but couldn't. The lack of arms must be frustrating, ''Crash Man,'' his response came out plain, uninterested, ''And I don't know what you're talking about,'' his speech pattern speed up, ''I just woke up in my own oil and I'm the danger?!''
Bubble Man spoke up, ''You almost killed Wily, Crash.''
Wood Man noticed it, the sudden change in his eyes. He frowned at it, he couldn't pinned down what it was, an alien reaction to their kind perhaps?
''I... I didn't do anything,'' he stumbled in his words, again, it was bizarre, ''I didn't-''
''Do you take us for fools?'' The leader interrupted the handicapped Robot Master, ''you attempted to crush Dr. Wily from the containment capsule and you almost destroyed one of us,'' he reached down the helmet and raised the head followed by the remains still attached, ''You are lucky we have been ordered by him to let you live or this,'' he placed his buster to the frozen robot's cheek, ''would be your last second in this world.''
Wood Man, patient as he was, kept his eyes on Crash Man. The Robot Master was unstable, that he understood. From complete mania, to rage and to end like this, he came to the realization he was very different for them all. His answers would come, since a door opened up and a rough voice ordered Flash Man, ''Let him go, DWN.014.''
Dr. Wily entered the room, the Robot Masters who could knelled down and head bowed down. He could see it was Metal Man who aided Quick Man. Reluctantly, the leader freed the broken machine and kneel in front of Wily.
''This whole thing could have gone quicker if you noticed the obvious weak point,'' he criticized his creations, ''I want you all to do better then this when you'll be facing Mega Man!'' They acknowledged the scientist in unison, ''As for you,'' he stepped closer to Crash Man, ''Only let Red go when you'll fight against Mega Man.''
Wood Man took interest in this development, ''I didn't make a mistake like you to get me kill,'' he looked down at the broken Robot Master. Crash Man could only nod, or a movement reminiscent to a nod. Wily's eyes flared up and kicked the machine's face. There was a sickening crack from the impact. Wood Man noticed the flinch from Bubble Man tried to hide or Air Man's body lowered further, but they all recovered as swiftly, ''I want to hear you say 'yes'! You piece of junk!'' Another kick and this time, Crash Man did replied, ''Yes, Dr. Wily!'' That tone again, but the calm giant did nothing to stop the scientist. ''Good! Let it be an example to you all!''
They all yelled out their agreements, ''Now, you all get ready to be teleport to your location, except you two.'' He pointed Quick Man and Crash Man, ''The rest of you, out. Now!''
They all obeyed their creator. Metal Man had to let Quick Man go and advanced to the exit. Someone laughed when he saw Bubble Man's hopping to the door, he roared out something about a flaw. Heat Man yawned about sleeping, resulting in a reprimand from Flash Man all the while Air Man gloated from his successful attack against their 'evil' brethren.
As they left one by one, Wood Man stood by the door frame and examined the scene. Dr. Wily yelled at Quick Man, the ladder frowned angrily, but didn't interjected. Something about being an idiot to fall for an obvious trap and to be his doom or something along those lines. With the angle from where he stood, it couldn't allow him to see much of Crash Man's visage, but the immobile Robot Master's frame was barely shaking. His face was obstructed by the dented helmet, a glimpses of his lips moved downward didn't seemed right for him. He must have seen to much, a pair of eyes darted at him. The old man's face told him everything and, after a moment, he left his brothers with their raging creator.
Wood Man's retell ended there, ''And the rest of it you probably know.''
The calm giant glanced at his brother. Bubble Man stood there, eyes searching at any imperfections. He didn't voiced any comments from that blast from the past. His passive demeanour alienated the younger, but taller brother. As for Top Man, he kept his attention toward Wood Man. His face displayed an untold message he failed to render. For all his perceptiveness, the tall Robot Master's shortage of emotional set up annoyance in him. He ignored Classic's reaction, as she remained dull as always.
The four speechless androids kept the flow for an uncomfortable amount of time, until Bubble Man let out a laugh. It's empty of humour and dry, ''What a way to wake up,'' he dryly replied to anyone listening, ''Not even fifteen minutes into our life and we had to fight among ourselves.''
''It was a direct order from Wily,'' Top Man swiftly commented, ''you couldn't go against it.''
''Yeah, I know,'' Bubble Man lazily got up, ''I'm just saying... it could have been better.'' Wood Man watched as his older brethren gave an annoyed glance at their overseer, ''Satisfied?''
The familiar cold attitude from the overseer kept on, ignoring Bubble Man's frustration, ''No,'' she stared up at Wood Man, '', but for now it will do,'' she politely bowed to the giant, ''Thank you very much for this information, honourable DWN.016.'' He ignored her thanks. To relive this moment might not have been painful for him, but it did bothered Bubble Man. Why else would he be standing in front of the closed door?
''Before we go,'' the First Line focused on their younger generation brethren. Top Man ignored the glare shooting daggers at him, ''may I ask one last question,'' he checked on his impatient older relatives, ''and after that we can go,'' he returned to Classic, ''Is there absolutely nothing you can do against Red?'' The monochrome android stood there. Her icy eyes glanced at Top Man. She saw it and he knew it.
''As I previously said, and by the information given from DWN.016, Red has now been prove to be a potential risk to this project's success,'' her declaration did have a reaction from both Wood and Bubble Man, ''Due to this situation, I will analyze the situation to find a beneficial outcome -'
''Don't destroy Crash.'' Classic stopped in her tracks. They all looked at Bubble Man, shaking and restraining himself, ''You can't destroy Crash! He's my brother! I-I forbid you to do hurt him! You can't- You can't do this to him!''
''Bubble?'' Wood Man asked his agitating brother, he was promptly ignored. ''You said you went everyone to succeed! S-So... So it's not logical to destroy Crash!''
Top Man silently watched the sad attempt to dissuade Classic. Their cruel overseer only looked at the cornered Bubble Man. Her doll-like stare analyzed Bubble Man, then Wood Man and himself. He wondered what she was thinking, maybe a way to low the impact of her decision.
''DWN.011,'' her head inclined to her side, ''why would I destroy DWN.013?''
He took it as an offence, ''Be-Because you know he's dangerous!'' His shout only made Classic's head swayed a couple of times, Top silently questioned this strange action, ''A-And what's dangerous is destroyed! Wily put Red in Crash so he could fight against Mega Man, but now...'' his voice died down, recognizing the situation's gravity, ''If you can't remove Red, Crash... Crash will never...'' his shoulders dropped, ''He will never...''
Wood Man watched as the optimistic android filled in dread. He wanted to reach out and comfort him, but failed to see the good of such action. It was clear to them both, Crash Man was now on borrowed time. Top Man severely wanted to change Classic's mind, finding a flaw, shortcoming, anything to make her think otherwise. Even though such tactics came to him naturally, he hit a wall. He can't steer her logic away from this fact. Stunned, paralyzed, he only watched as the overseer raised her hands and called them all.
''Stop.''
The word had an effect on all three Robot Masters. Bubble Man raised up, jolted out from the hopelessness. Wood Man's rail of logic returned to its calm state. Top Man's endless thoughts returned to normal. The giant looked at Classic, astounded by her commanding voice. It felt similar when Dr. Wily ordered them around, but the effect ceased as it started.
''DWN.011,'' her voice summoned Bubble's attention, ''I will ask once again, why would I destroy DWN.013?''
The hopelessness now gone, Bubble Man's way of thinking became evident, ''Because he is broken, Flash said it himself,'' she shocked her head, ''and you said you can't fix Crash Man!''
''Yes, I did,'' Classic explained, ''I acknowledged there is nothing I can do against 'Red','' she lowered her hands, ''right now.''
Bubble Man focused on her words. The brainstorm in process almost sparked pain in his head, so when the results brought a joy it gleamed in his eyes. Wood Man and Top Man came to the same conclusion as well, ''Overseer,'' the mutter came out from the imposing Robot Master, ''do you mean, you are not going to...''
''No,'' Classic stopped him, maybe it was for the best too, ''I stand by my earlier observation and to my resolves,'' now it was Top Man to interject, ''You mean, the success of the project for all of us,'' he paused, thinking his words carefully, ''you implied everyone.''
''Yes,'' the monochrome coldly replied, ''I will go through all other options before the termination of a honourable DWN. Even then, I will second check all options and further checks will be done before the possibility of a termination.''
Bubble Man could only watch the robot, ''So, you're not going to destroy Crash Man?'' The female unit answered sternly, ''Presently, no.''
It dawned on Top Man. He reached his face and placed his hand over his mouth. He's such a moron, how could he have been so blind until now. The three other machines looked at him, he noticed his laughing, ''I'm such an idiot,'' he blamed himself humorously, ''I forgot,'' he pointed the overseer, ''you're not a human.'' As perfect her disguise was, Classic failed to hide her cold senses. It was easy for him to think she would just give up like most humans would, but not her. All thanks to her robotic logic. Whoever created her made her sharp. Cunning enough to find leaps in the rules. How could he had not see that with Hard Man's shutdown. He has to up his game.
''Of course I am not human,'' her reply was perfect and it made him laugh more, ''DWN.021, why are you laughing?''
Bubble Man mumbled to Wood Man about Top Man losing a few circuits, but he ignored it. ''I think we will be all right after all,'' the skeptical sentence put a question into the other Robot Masters' face, ''So, what's the plan now?''
''I believe this situation as put a strain upon you all,'' she elaborated, glancing between the two Robot Masters and their smiling younger generation, ''in my judgment, it would be preferable if you go back to your rooms and recharge into the sleep mode.''
''That's all great and all, but,'' Bubble Man made a hop closer to Classic, ''but why aren't you going to destroy Crash Man?'' Wood Man sighed, ''Bubble,'' he called out, but the green android wasn't taking it, ''I just want to know!''
Classic closed her eyes. Again, what were these strange tics of hers, ''Because it would be a failure to the project's mission and I have vowed to make you all succeed.''
''You vowed?'' Wood Man asked, but his question wasn't answered, ''Thank you for your cooperation,'' she gracefully bowed, ''you may now leave.''
The exit allowed the three Robot Masters. Once they all exited, the door closed behind Top Man. They were alone in the main hall. ''What do we do now?'' The question came from Bubble Man, still taken aback from it all. ''We should find Flash Man and explain to find what we talked back there,'' resumed Wood Man, ''Although, I wonder if he will listen.'' Bubble Man crossed his arms, ''Oh he will alright, leader or not!''
Top Man chuckled at Bubble Man's newfound determination, ''Glad to see you're better now Bubble Bro.'' The small android's eyes soften, but he didn't let go of his pride, ''I don't get everything Classic said, but if Crash is safe that's good enough for me.''
Top Man nodded at his older bro. There was a lot of confusions and ignored mysteries. First, what really was 'Red'? Why Wily created it and to what end? With his own knowledge on the mad man, he failed to see the reason to create a Robot Master with such a terrible capacity. There was definitely more to it. Second was Classic herself. He labelled her like a droid, but her logical leaps from earlier showed a frightening intelligence. He dared to say, she's doubtlessly smarter than she looked like. He knew he can't tell to his brothers about Red, but he could tell them about her real intentions, the vow and that influence she affected them with weren't just a coincidence. There was more to be let on, but he took the decision to stay quiet about it. It would be a matter of time before those secrets will be answered.
As of now, he had to let Wood Bro and Bubble Bro deal with Flash Man. Top Man let them go, he overstepped in enough boundaries for today and he knew his brothers will bombarded questions upon him. If it wasn't today, it will be tomorrow.
He waved at the older line and watched as the elevator's doors broke his view. He sighed and let out a chuckled. He's going to sleep like a baby tonight, he could feel it.