Metal Dolls: Mercenary Loyalties


Disclaimer: Mega Man and all related characters belong to Capcom Co. , Ltd. All other characters belong to me.


Note: Well chapter four here we go. I'm glad everyone likes this so far. Not bad for a first Mega Man fic. As for Mr. Bault you and anyone else out there can use my characters in one of your fics if you want. Personally I think the idea of having my characters in a HOA fic might be cool! ^_^ Alright now we're going to get back to Disco and Proto Man while I try to live up to my summary a little.



Chapter Four: the Problem with Partnerships


"What are we doing here?"

"Looking for a ham sandwich."

"Robots don't eat."

"I know that! I was being sarcastic!" Disco snapped, glaring at Proto Man.

They were standing in Dr. Lights lab with Jazz. The self-proclaimed Black Bandit had decided to start the investigation here. Though he could sort of guess what she was up to he still wanted to here it from her.

"Well you don't have to bite my head off about it. I just asked a simple question."

"A stupid question you mean." He was sure he heard her grumble. Then she exaggeratedly mimicked his voice as she said. "'What are we doing here?'" her voice went back to normal "We're looking for clues DUH!"

Once again you don't have to bite my head off. He thought with a sigh. "Is she always like this?" He asked Dr. Dark, who was listening to the exchange through the communicators in both robots helmets.

Dr. Dark sighed. "She's usually more tolerant but this technically isn't her month." There was a strangely grim note to her tone of voice.

Proto Man noticed. "What do you mean?"

"Not my story to tell. You'll have to ask–"

"Hello! This isn't the time for standing and talking!" Disco interrupted, sounding really genuinely angry this time.

Obviously she heard us. A startled Proto Man thought as he looked over at her.

"Julia, either get off the line or stop talking to Proto Man!" she continued. "You!" she pointed at the Red Raider. "Stop slacking off and help! We're supposed to be working here!"

"Fine but what are we looking for exactly."

"Anything that might tell us where we can find Wily's new Skull Fortress, if it was Wily and he's the most likely candidate."

"What makes you so sure that he'd leave something like that behind?"

She gave him a scrutinizing look. "It seems to me there's a chance he wants you to try and rescue Dr. Light and yer sibs, so he can capture you and complete his little collection." She flashed a cocky grin as she added. "Of course that plan'll back fire now that you've got me."

Proto Man frowned. Is that so. . . . "You've never even fought Wily before and Dr. Dark said the last time you fought Wily's Robot Masters they managed to get away from you."

"You know." She said. The grin disappeared and her voice became dangerously low. "I'm only putting up with you for Julia and Dr. Cossack's sake. Otherwise, you'd be in really big trouble right about now."

"What's the matter, did I strike a nerve?" he taunted.

"PUT A SOCK IN IT BOTH OF YOU!!" Dr. Dark's voice rang out from their communicators. They both jumped at the sound. The young scientist rarely yelled but obviously she knew Disco well enough that she didn't need to be there to know that at those last words Disco had started forward as if deciding to take Proto Man out anyway.

"This isn't the time for arguments either, I believe Disco, you said that you're supposed to be working. So get working." Dr. Cossack, who had also been listening over the com., said firmly.

They glared at each other for a couple of seconds then–

"Fine!"

They turned their backs on each other and started off in different directions.

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Back in her lab Dr. Dark sighed and sat back in her chair, massaging the bridge of her nose. I should have known this would happen. Disco had a way of ticking people off without much provocation. Especially when she was in a bad mood and this time of year, she was always in a bad mood.

Disco if only you'd talk to me about this. You're only making things worse. "I told you it wouldn't work." She said over her shoulder to Dr. Cossack. "You know Disco doesn't get along well at all with anyone except you, me, Kalinka and Jazz. Not since. . . ."

"Yes I know but they don't have to like each other or get along in order to work as a team and Disco may not be a natural team player but she can adapt." Dr. Cossack answered. "And so can Proto Man, they'll get used to each other eventually."

"I hope you're right. For everyone's sake." Dr. Dark said grimly as she turned back to the monitor. She's too proud and stubborn to be as adaptable as you think she is.


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Maybe I shouldn't have over reacted like that, Disco thought as she and Jazz looked around their side of the lab. She glanced over her shoulder at Proto Man looking around on the opposite side of the lab. It wasn't as if Julia was about to tell him about. . . . She shook her head violently and went back to her search. Don't start thinking about that, girl you've got work to do.

That's when she noticed something on the floor. She walked over for a closer look. She didn't see that Proto Man had also seen it and was also walking toward it.

She bent down to pick it up at the same time Proto Man did and–

"Ow! Watch it bub!" Disco shouted as she and Proto Man both staggered back and straitened. It hadn't really hurt but that didn't stop her from being annoyed.

"You were the one who bumped into me." Proto Man answered.

"I don't care. This is why I work alone. There's nobody to get in the way when you're working solo." Disco grumbled as she bent down again and picked up the object.

"I agree with you there." she thought she heard him say under his breath.

"Well, well what do we have here?" Disco said. It was a metal nut of some kind.

She held the nut between her thumb and forefinger and pressed a button on the side of her helmet. An electric display appeared on the inside view of her visor.

"According to a preliminary scan this here is made out of Darinium alloy."

"'Darinium'?"

"An experimental alloy created about three years ago." Dr. Dark answered. "Most scientists don't have access to the stuff, but I believe a small quantity of it was stolen from one of Powell Technologies weapons labs several months ago."

"Wasn't that part of the same case Mr. Powell had me on?" Disco pressed. "The same case where it turned out Bass and Doc Wily's Robot Masters were involved?"

"Same one."


"Great. And how much would a 'small quantity' be?"

"Probably enough to make a robot around your size."

"Really great." Disco said sarcastically. "Now we if we're really lucky we'll have to deal with a Robot Master who's both strong and fast."

"What's so special about Darinium?" Proto Man asked.

"It's strong as titanium but a heck of a lot lighter. The governments thinking of using it as light weight body armor and robotists have talked about its potential for faster moving robots." Disco explained.

"Okay."

"You two had better come back so I can run a more detailed scan." Dr. Dark said. "They may not have left it on purpose but it could be a valuable clue."

"Sounds like a good idea."

Disco activated the teleporter in Jazz's collar while Proto Man started to activate the teleporter in his shield.

I hope this is the clue we need. The sooner this stupid assignment's over the better off I'll be. Disco thought as she and Jazz disappeared in flash of black light.


********************


Proto Man held back for a few seconds after Disco and Jazz teleported and looked around the lab one last time. I hope this is the clue we need. The sooner I find Mega Man, Roll, and Dr. Light the better. He smiled. Besides I have a feeling this girl's gonna drive me insane if I have to deal with her for much longer. He thought almost wistfully as he finally activated the teleporter and disappeared in a flash of red light.


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Well there you go. Chapter four. Once again thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far and I hope I can continue to do a good job on this fic. I may take a break to work on one of my other stories for a while though so don't expect the next chapter to come as quickly as this one did. Ciao!