Megaman Battle Network – Tournament
Chapter 15 – Day Off
At the end of the sixth day of NetBattles Sarah got home and collapsed on her bed. She closed her eyes and retreated into her PET.
"What a week," she said to herself, "I'm just going to relax tomorrow."
She closed her eyes and lay down in her PET. Suddenly she heard a beep from outside her body. Reactivating her body she pulled her other PET from its case.
"Email now," she said, "I'd better check who it's from anyway."
She opened the Email to see Chaud's face.
"Oh, the jerk," she said starting the playback.
"Sarah," said the video, "I know you aren't busy tomorrow so can you meet me in the restaurant in DenTech hotel. I'll see you there."
"He doesn't like me and now he's virtually asking me on a date?" said Sarah, "It's times like this I feel I should get a navi for this thing even if it's just someone to talk to."
She got up the next day and after a quick bit of announcing work for the tournament headed for the hotel.
"Do you have a reservation Miss?" asked the receptionist.
"She's with me," said Chaud walking up.
"As you say Mr. Blaze," came the reply.
"Are you coming Sarah," said Chaud, "I do have a reservation for the two of us."
"What's all this about?" said Sarah as they walked to the table, "If it wasn't for the fact you don't like me I'd say this was a date."
"I heard a rumour you beat Tory up because he said you liked me," said Chaud almost conversationally.
"One slap is not beating someone up," said Sarah, "Hey! Where did you hear that?"
"That's my business," said Chaud.
They sat down and Chaud ordered the drinks. Sarah nearly asked how Chaud knew what to ask for but she'd seen him in #1 Curry that many times that she didn't bother. She'd have known what to ask for him anyway.
"Why did you agree to the undercover work at the tournament?" said Chaud, "It's probably the most dangerous undercover work I've seen. If they realise that you're undercover then your life really is in danger."
"I was programmed to protect the net and everything in it," said Sarah, "They knew I couldn't refuse when they asked. It went against every programmed simulation I had."
"You've broken so many programming boundaries already," said Chaud, "Why not this one?"
"I was designed to adapt Chaud," was the reply, "My programming was set to adapt to my situation, even though there were no preset adaptations I managed to do it. I have to admit that, that is my greatest achievement. But no matter how much I adapt my basic programming can't be ignored."
"Master Chaud," came ProtoMan's voice, "May I remind you that…"
"I thought I told you to cancel all my appointments for today ProtoMan," said Chaud.
"Sorry," replied ProtoMan.
"It must be terrible knowing that you can't refuse to help even if you want to," said Chaud.
"You can't imagine it," said Sarah, "My every human instinct says to run whilst my programming says to fight."
Chaud thought about this.
"What's up?" said Sarah.
"I still can't get around the fact that you have human instincts," said Chaud, "And their decisions oppose your programming."
"I believe it's called fear Chaud," said Sarah, "I'm not brave, it's just that I want to run but I just can't. I would but my programming…"
"You're afraid all right," said Chaud, "But not of what you think."
"Alright then Mr. Know-All," said Sarah, "What am I afraid of?"
"Breaking you're programming," said Chaud.
"Maybe you're right," said Sarah, "I don't want to run the risk anymore, besides I can't back out now, they need all five of us in that match."
"I haven't been fully briefed," said Chaud, "All's I know is that they want you, me and Lan. Who else do they want Sarah?"
"I can't tell you Chaud," said Sarah, "Not because of the mission but because I don't know myself really. I only know that they want Mayl as well."
"Who's the fifth one then?" said Chaud.
"We don't know," said Sarah, "In fact, we're not even sure if it's a person."
Chaud shook his head.
"This is mixed up," he said, "What are our informants telling us?"
"Nothing," said Sarah, "He's dead."
"What?" said Chaud.
"They recovered the body yesterday," said Sarah, "He'd been shot then put in Yoka river."
"How much do they think we know?" said Chaud.
"They think that all we know is that they're planning something," said Sarah, "They would have done something by now if they knew exactly how much we know."
"Either that," said Chaud, "Or they're that confident in they're plans, they think they'll succeed anyway."
"I hope not," said Sarah, "I seriously hope not."
"The incident with Ring the other day," said Chaud, "Was that?"
Sarah nodded her head. "She'll be fighting fit for her match next week though, same as Tory."
"Good," said Chaud.
"I didn't know you cared," said Sarah surprised.
"I don't," said Chaud, "But even for a netcrime organisation that is low."
Sarah shook her head as Chaud ordered a meal.
"How do you know what I like?" said Sarah.
"Ever seen the official's files on you?" said Chaud, "Makes good reading sometimes."
"They have a complete list of my favourite foods?" said Sarah.
"Sarah," said Chaud, "They have your dress size and favourite colour in there."
"You didn't," said Sarah.
"What do you think this is?" said Chaud, "A date?"
"It's probably as close as I'll get with you anyway," said Sarah, "Why all the trouble anyway?"
"Because I can," said Chaud.
"Come on," said Sarah, "I may not be a human but I'm not that dense."
"I thought your uniqueness may not get you very many other offers," said Chaud as he finished eating, "I thought you ought to at least have the experience once. Is there anywhere you'd like to go before the movies tonight, my Dad gave me tickets to the premier of the new movie that's officially released tomorrow. Lan mentioned you wanted to see it."
"Clothes shopping," said Sarah hopefully.
"Come on then," said Chaud getting up, "I know the perfect place. We do have all day though remember."
"I know what you're afraid of Chaud," thought Sarah as she followed him, "Admitting your feelings to me."