Megaman X - Fusion (Part 3)
"Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of tonight's raffle is...Cindy Duval! Come on up here, love!"
Dr. Thomas Light announced the name with enthusiasm. Tonight was his night, one that would launch him into the future. Light Technologies was hosting the Zannu Kabbar Charity Fundraiser, in the southern continent of Tehera. Foreign investment was a big sector Dr. Light intended to tackle, and hosting this event was one way to bring the people closer to the awareness of what Light Technologies could do for them. All the proceeds went to the homeless and impoverished of Zannu Kabbar, those aimlessly searching for an answer in this world.
Truth be told, the charity was part of the ambition of Light Technologies. Dr. Light fathomed that technology would be the answer to the worlds conflicts, and he would see it done through his latest projects. Androids that would help the world with all it's basic tasks, better than his current automatons could. With this increase in productivity, and under the rightful guidance of science, he could establish a better way to live. World peace was effectively within his reach, in his world view, if only the world would comply rightly.
Cindy finally made her way to the stage, smiling away. Dr. Light opened up for an embrace, which she returned, offering a peck on the cheek. She turned towards the microphone, excited about her prize.
"Thank you everyone for donating to such a wonderful cause!" She exclaimed, "I just wanna say that everyone needs one of these Eddy devices, in my book, please support the host and get one! I'm going to keep all my makeup and jewelry in mine, thank you!"
An attendant brought out a box from offstage, depicting the Eddy robot on it in full colour. The Eddy bot was handy, it could follow you around the house and deploy items when necessary. Cindy took the box from the attendant, and walked offstage. Dr. Light approached the microphone, ready to speak.
"And now, for the main attraction," He said, surveying the crowd, "Tonight's entertainment, while you dine on your steaks and lobster, is the company known as Trivulet, a local jazz group which will soothe your soul with it's radiant tones. Please, excuse me for a while as I attend other matters."
The audience clapped, as the food began to be distributed. Dr. Light walked behind the curtain at the back, his assistant, Robert Frasier, was there waiting for him. With him was none other than Dr. Albert Wily, a former associate of his. Dr. Wily remained motionless as Dr. Light approached. Robert turned towards Dr. Light, datapad in his hands.
"Sir, may I introduce Dr. Albert Wily," He said, "I have no record of him in the database, but-"
"No need to explain, Robert," Dr. Light said, interrupting him, "I know him well, indeed!"
He turned his attention towards Dr. Wily, who was still standing there motionless.
"Well, this is unexpected." Dr. Light said warily, "Might I inquire as to the reason for this appearance?"
"If we may have some privacy," Dr. Wily said, cautiously looking at the attendant. Robert nodded, leaving the area.
"If you need me I'll be in the lobby entertaining the guests," Robert said as he left. Dr. Wily watched him as he left, not speaking until he was out of earshot. Then he began to speak, intently focusing on Dr. Light's eyes.
"I won't be long," He finally said, "I want to know one thing. I am founding an organization called the 'X Organization'. We already have many members, and are seeking more. Notably, I notice you're doing business here in Tehera, you will need my help to do that now. That is the threat and the offer, I suggest you make up your mind quickly, for we can help each other greatly, and that takes no time to think about at all."
Dr. Light pondered for a moment. Threat was one thing he did not expect to receive today, but considering the situation he was in, it would be foolish to decide on the spot what to do.
"Well, I would need more time to decide," He responded, "Does this organization have a formal schedule of operations?"
"We are debating that at this precise moment," Dr. Wily said, emotionless, "Would you consider that moving the schedule in your favour is worth it? I only ask one last time, join us!"
In that moment, Dr. Light thought he saw a flicker of emotion in Dr. Wily, but the moment was fleeting. He could never join this outfit, but he notably felt for Dr. Wily's position. Still, the past was a burden on his decision, so he quickly made up his mind.
"I have to decline," Dr. Light said, after a long pause, "I could never join an operation that would use coercion as a tactic, given my outlook on the world. Peace is to be obtained, soon, by my righteous hand, amen. You should abandon this project and join me, if you ask me."
Dr. Wily snorted. He would never accept that affair as the pragmatic interest.
"Then I make my leave," He said, turning away, "Heed my warning!"
He didn't say anything more. Dr. Light watched him as he walked away, disappearing behind a door at the end of the hall. The past was certainly a burden. The memories began to flow back to him one after another...
20 years earlier...
Dr. Thomas Light looked around the helicopter. In the crew area were Dr. Albert Wily, Dr. Villa Santiago, Corporal Willis Barkin, and Private Alan Washington. The pilot was Corporal William Enfield, and his co-pilot was Corporal Reggie Walker. The 7 of them were about to land at the crash site, detected only hours ago. Dr. Thomas Light was working for the Alenian Department of Scientific Endeavour, a newer establishment that was gaining traction across the world, as Assistant Director. His job was to report on all his findings here primarily to the military, but also the Director, Dr. Johnathan Treblinksi. They had a good rapport, and Dr. Light was knowledgeable in a wide field of technologies.
Notably, there would be no scientists of the technological degree here, but technology had been detected, and scientists were to analyze the remains. That was what they had been told, anyway. Dr. Light's thoughts were interrupted by Dr. Wily exclaiming something.
"Alas, what we have been told was a lie!" He said, looking out the window, "Just look at the size of it!"
They all began looking out the window. Truly impressive a sight, the remains of the crash site was actually an immense structure. Towers jutted out from various points in the overall structure, a large central field with a dome was in the middle of it.
"Look, no impact crater in sight!" Dr. Santiago cried out, "Very abnormal indeed, I'll have to write that down!"
He took out a notepad and began scribbling furiously. Dr. Wily looked at him and snorted.
"Keep your simple mindedness at a low volume, will you?" He said, looking out the window again, "Others are doing real work. Observe, the monument itself must be mystical in some way, given the proportions of the towers. I would say the towers themselves are a symbol of something, wouldn't you say?"
"Well, quite right, I guess!" Dr. Santiago said, scribbling some more on his notepad. Dr. Light laughed, amused by the observation.
"And who made it, I wonder, and why?" He added, "Why does something like this come to us, only time will tell..."
"We shall soon find out," Dr. Wily said, "We can only know the obvious for now. There are no platforms of any note other than what surrounds the towers-"
"Descending now," Said Corporal Enfield, "Please be advised to remain where you are seated, as we make our descent."
The descent was fairly uneventful, as everyone watched the helicopter descend from inside. They landed safely on the helipad below, finally. Before anyone could move, the door was opened from the outside.
"All right, everyone out on the double!" Said the Private attending the door, "Report to Colonel MacMillan for the mission brief!"
Everyone but Corporal Enfield and Corporal Walker exited the helicopter. No sooner had they cleared the area, the helicopter took flight once more and was on it's way elsewhere. Dr. Wily looked around at everything, then carried his bag with the rest of them as they approached the Colonel's tent. After about 2 minutes of walking, they finally appeared at the tent. The attending Private cleared his throat.
"Colonel MacMillan, sir!" He said, standing at attention, "Private Hornsby reporting, I have the entourage of scientists with me, sir!"
"Enter" Came the voice from inside the tent. They entered the tent, notably bigger than the rest, and they were greeted by Colonel MacMillan.
"Welcome, welcome," He said, motioning for them to come in, "I hope you're all ready for a serious mission, because we need answers quickly. Your team has been chosen to analyze every technological component from the site, located here."
He pointed to a spot on the map next to him. It was crudely drawn, but accurate enough to depict the structure.
"Collect any artifacts that cannot be handled on site, and return with them for further analysis. Get the job done, report, and go home. It's very simple. Any questions?"
"Yes," Dr. Wily said, clearing his throat, "Notably we need something before we go inside, that is the nature of the technology. Do we know anything about it?"
"Notably, there are what seems to be power centers powering the entire place," Colonel MacMillan said, circling locations on the map, "There are what appears to be conduits in place to suggest that, but notably nothing we can recount of significant proportions. Everything is self contained, in that way."
Dr. Wily nodded, but remained silent. After a short pause, the Colonel clapped his hands.
"Good, then I'll get you moving out right away. See to it you report back here with a detailed report at 1700 hours tomorrow. Good luck, and be safe in there."