Disclaimer: I don't own Mega/Rockman, etc etc.
The Adventures of Rock Light – Chapter 2
"Another call?" Rock growled. "The vidphone's been going nonstop since Wily's death was announced. Roll, can you do me a favor and set up the auto-reply? I've got to get ready for the press conference."
Roll nodded. "Sure thing, Rock. I don't know why they can't wait for the press conference anyway. They'll have all the information they need there, and more." She walked into the front room, blocking any further calls.
Rock ducked back into his bedroom, picking up a tie. "It's the hottest scoop, and they all want to make deadline. They're like vultures." He followed his sister up front, looping the tie around his neck and fitting it under the collar of his shirt. "Now, this thing goes… " He fumbled with it for a few moments. "And then like… Oh geeze. I'll never get it at this rate, if I only have to wear it once a year."
Roll smiled, laughing softly and taking the tie from her brother's hands, undoing it and starting over again. "Silly Rock. You just need more practice, that's all." She deftly tied it into a neat knot, sliding it underneath Rock's neck. She looked him over, tugging his jacket straight and fussing with the collar. "You look handsome."
Rock smiled, turning a circle to show off his suit. "Thanks sis. Too bad I don't get to wear this more often, huh?" Rock picked up his datapad and started to reread his notes. "Are you coming?"
Roll shook her head. "I'm going to watch it on the vidcast, if that's all right. I don't like being around all those people like that…"
Rock nodded and hugged his sister. "I understand. It can be overwhelming at times." He grinned. "But maybe you just need more practice, eh?"
"Oh get out of here you," She slapped him playfully on the arm. "I'll see you when you get back."
Rock walked to the door, shouting out, "C'mon, Auto! We don't wanna be late!"
"Oh, he's in the garage, actually. Working on the car again." Roll pointed her thumb behind her towards the back of the lab. "He promised he'd be ready when it was time to leave."
Rock signed and rolled his eyes. "This had better not be like the last time. He had all the engine parts spead over the floor."
Roll giggled. "I remember. One of the bearings rolled off and we spent two days looking for it."
"The general will install me a new one if I don't get there on time, though." Rock stomped off through the lab. He subconsciously stepped over a startled Eddie, rereading his notes for the conference.
"Hey hey! Careful careful!" Eddie waddled to the side of the hallway.
Rock called back over his shoulder, "Sorry! I'm running a tad late."
Rock turned the corner and bumped into Rush, sitting in the middle of the hallway with a stick in his mouth. "Sorry boy, I don't have time to play right now."
Rush looked up at Rock hopefully, his tail wagging.
Rock patted his head. "When I get back, maybe." He started to walk around the dog.
Rush got up and moved in Rock's way, moving back and forth as Rock tried to circumvent him.
Rock signed. "Okay. One throw. And you'd better not knock over any furniture this time." He held out his hand for the stick, which Rush deposited in his hand. He turned around, targeting reticules and vectors appearing in his field of vision as he calculated a throwing path, would his arm back, and gave it a mighty throw, the stick careening off the walls down the hallway and around a corner. Rush barked and gave chase, running down the hallway. Rock resumed walking to his destination, anxiously checking his watch. He'd better have that car ready or I'm going to have a page fault. He walked into the garage, and came upon Auto idly polishing the hood of the hovercar.
Rock breathed a sigh of relief. "I was worried you wouldn't have the car ready on time."
Auto gave Rock a thumbs up and tossed the rag onto a workbench. "I was just polishing 'er up, Boss! If we hit the road now we'll get there in plenty of time." He lifted himself into the driver's seat and started the motor.
Rock took his seat on the passenger side, buckling the restraints. "Thanks, Auto. I really appreciate it. The General does not want to be kept waiting for this."
The hovercar lifted and sped into motion, gliding effortlessly along the long winding driveway leading away from the lab, before lifting higher and ascending into the sky. Rock reclined his seat and watched the clouds passing by overhead. "So what do you want to do when all this is over?"
Auto thought on the question, "Open an auto shop. It drives me crazy when there's nothing to fix."
Rock grinned. "Half the stuff needs fixing because you took it apart to begin with."
Auto laughed, turning the car to avoid a flock of birds. "But I'm not bored anymore, so it all works out."
"I guess so…" Rock stared thoughtfully at the sky.
"What're you gonna do, Boss?"
"I don't really know." Rock shook his head and sighed. "I'll have to find something, I suppose. But there's enough time for that later."
Auto checked the on-board console. "We'll be arriving in several minutes. Ready for your news conference?"
The datapad beeped as Rock pushed the OFF key. "As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose."
Auto dropped the hovercar vertically into a designated landing space, then steered the craft into the marked VIP parking area. He shut the systems off and announced, "We're here, Boss."
Rock nodded, taking a deep breath. "Thanks, Auto. I'll be back n a while. And whatever you do, don't answer the media. Just pretend you're shut down or something, okay?"
"Sure thing, Boss. Sorry about that whole chunky salsa incident last time."
"Don't worry about it. I'll talk to you later."
Rock strode briskly from the car, adjusting the knot of his tie one last time before he turned around the corner of he building. He heard one reporter shout, and immediately they were all upon him, presenting him with microphones and clamoring for statements.
"What was the condition of the base where you found Wily?" "-true that Wily was poisoned by-" "-nuclear threat still a possibility?" "What are your thoughts about-" "Can I interest you in an interview before-" "-will you do now that-"
Rock gently pushed the microphones aside, smiling disarmingly at the crowd. "Please, please. I have no comments at this time. You'll find out everything you need to know once we start the press conference."
"This is the biggest scoop in 14 years! Surely you can give us some tidbits!"
Rock chuckled. "You've waited 14 years. Surely you can wait 14 more minutes."
"Please Mr. Rock, can you—"
Rock started to push his way through the crowd. "You'll get your deadline, I promise. But for now you'll have to wait. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll see you inside when it's time."
He finally made his way to the steps of the conference hall, flashing his ID to the guard who waved him in with a small nod. "The general's waiting for you, Mr. Rock."
Rock stopped just inside the door and collected his thoughts for a brief moment. I remember the first time I did this… They nearly overwhelmed me. He smiled to himself and walked across the empty lobby. All it takes is a bit of self-confidence and a steady hand. And a lot of experience…
Rock opened the conference room door, striding down the empty aisles. He looked ahead to the podium, where the general stood conferring with an aide. "General."
The General looked up, nodded, and uttered a few quick words to the aide, who rushed off. "Rock Light. Glad you could make it on time."
Rock cringed inwardly, but nodded lightly towards the general. "Last time was a one-time occurrence, I assure you."
"Hm. We'll see." LaStran made a few notations on his datapad. "We've got our experts answering most everything else. Your report will be last, and you'll be answering any residual questions as well as anything regarding the site where Wily was found. Also, we are not informing the general public that Wily was deliberately poisoned. As far as they are concerned, it was environmental. We don't need the public to worry about some psychotic capable of disarming Wily roaming around in the world."
Rock frowned slightly, then nodded. "Understood."
"I've read your report on the disk you recovered. Everything is suitable for release to the public. And, let's see," LaStran browsed through some notes on his datapad. "That leaves… Hm. Wily's burial arrangements. Are you sure about this?"
Rock nodded. "Yes Sir, I am. It was in Light's last will and testament. I have a copy with me, for anyone who wishes to see it."
LaStran waved his hand dismissively. "Yes, yes. I'm sure it's fine. Just don't blame me for the backlash. You're dismissed now."
Rock nodded crisply, turning away and heading back out to the
lobby. I hate taking orders from that guy… Well, now that Wily's
passed on, I won't have to deal with him for much longer. Just a
little more patience…
Rock stifled a yawn, only mildly paying attention to the endless reports and questions. These sessions are always so droll. At least I'm up next. The current speaker gave his closing remarks and then returned to his seat, prompting Rock to stand up and walk over to the podium. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. The events of that day have already been thoroughly covered, so I'll dispense with my review, though I will still take questions." He held up a hand to stop the forthcoming questions. "However, I do have an announcement to make first." He cleared his throat and tapped a few buttons on his datapad. "Part of Dr Light's last wishes was for Wily to receive a proper burial and ceremony upon his death. Now that Wily has passed away and the investigation is over, I will be carrying out those wishes. The ceremony will private. I will be sending out invitations shortly. I will open the floor for questions now. Yes, in the front row." He gestured to a reporter.
The reporter stood up. "Nick Motely, World News Network. I think the first question on everyone's mind is, 'Why?'"
Rock smiled slightly. "Dr. Light felt it important to remember that before Wily turned to the wrong path, he used to be a good scientist, and a great friend. He felt it only proper to honor his memory, for both the good and the bad. Next question. You there."
Another reporter stood up, "Vanessa Renelin. National News Association. Are you concerned about the public reaction to this news?"
Rock shook his head. "I trust that the public will understand this, and accept it. But to address that concern, I am working with some producers to create a series of shows and exhibits to demonstrate the positive influence Albert Wily had in this world. Foremost, he was one of the leaders in the field of robotics that revolutionized the world. Without his influence, even I would not be standing here before you today. Anymore questions?"
"Thomas Miles, with the Scientific Journal. What will you do now that the Wily wars are over?"
"Well, I'll probably be the world's first 11 year-old to retire after a successful career." Rock paused to enjoy a chuckle from the crowd. "Seriously, though. There's still more work to be done. There are many of Wily's Robot Masters unaccounted for, and hopefully, with the data I recovered from Wily's hideout, they can be reprogrammed for more constructive means. At the very least, we'll be able to incapacitate and destroy them that much more easily now."
Thomas remained standing. "Then, after all of that is over, what do you see yourself doing?"
Rock fell silent for a moment. "I haven't decided that. But why worry about that now? I'll have plenty to fill my plate until then. Anymore questions?" Rock looked over the silent crowd and then stepped back, walking to his seat as LaStran took the podium again. "Thank you ladies and gentlemen for coming. If you have any more questions, you can contact my office. Good afternoon."
The reporters started to mill out, the dull of roar of conversation slowly rising as the other experts made their way into the crowds. Rock quietly stood and made his way to a side exit, taking the back hallways to a rear exit of the building. Letting out a relieved sigh as he stepped back into the sunshine, he loosened his tie and looked around. Leaning against Auto's hovercraft talking to the robot was a brown-haired man dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt. Rock grinned as he walked over. "Bobby! Hey man."
Bobby looked over and smiled, walking to meet Rock. They exchanged hi-fives and shook hands, "Rock, man. Nice uni. Guess they're really formal about that whole dress code thing."
Rock laughed. "Yeah, well. With LaStran it's all about appearances, you know? Did you come to do a report?"
Bobby held up his datapad. "Yeah, got everything I need right here. But I was wondering about something else. You're gonna want a reporter at the funeral, ain'tcha? To report to the world the last memoirs of a twisted but brilliant scientist?"
Rock clasped his friend on the shoulder as he pulled the tie off. "Relax, man. I already put your name on the guest list. My lawyer will get a hold of you in a few days to work out the details. Cool?"
"Hey cool man, I owe ya one." Bobby turned on his datapad to make a few notations in it.
"No worries. We're buds, right? Sides, we'll all end up square in the end."
Bobby grinned and bumped fists with Rock. "Absolutely. But hey, I gotta run. Catch ya later."
Rock waved, "Later." He got in the hovercar. "C'mon Auto. Let's go home."
Well, I did it. Now all that's left is to finish the funeral arrangements and to await the public reaction. I hope for the best, but I know that it won't be that good. People will only want to remember Wily as a tyrannical mad despot who tried to conquer the world. I wish I could remember him differently, but Dad was able to tell me about him. I've even seen the contributions his research made to my own construction. The design ideas were revolutionary for the time. Now they seem almost… commonplace. It's weird that his inventions are accepted so widely now. I think most people just contribute it to Dad's work, but… What would they say if they knew the foundation for it all came from Wily's work? They'd probably be so confused they wouldn't know what to think.
Maybe that would change things enough… Well, there's still a lot left to do. I'll have to write more later.
