Scene #7338: FANTOM Traitors

Owner	Pose
S6	Old Indus, Southeast Sector Where the Dunes Hunger . . . A region of the once-sprawling megalopolis that was pre-War Indus being overtaken by the ever-encroaching desert. Ancient structures crumble and sink into the sand, their foundations compromised, standing at distressing angles. Some have collapsed into others, transforming once-orderly blocks of residential and commercial structures into a haphazard maze. Sand has already consumed the streets, piled up against structures, burying dilapitated vehicles, walls, and other frivolty. Through the sand, rapidly disappearing in the desert wind, two pairs of footprints. Their source, a matching pair of androids. The masculine, tall and heavily built; the feminine, willowy, agile. Both wear outfits that are distinctly not the black and red FANTOM uniforms; more customized velvet and silk in white and silver. A similar aesthetic to the fineries enjoyed in Indus, but a distinctly opposing coloration to the official uniforms of the same. The taller of the two androids stops suddenly. Amidst golden sparks, a pair of triangular shields appear on his wrists, and he turns to fixate a glare on his hidden pursuer. The smaller android snaps her hand out, producing a long spear with a spade-shaped head, then turns as well. Gently, the male android produces eyewear, a set of square-lensed, fashionable reading glasses which he slides up his nose over faintly glowing blue eyes. The female's green eyes glow similarly, visible through polarized sunglasses. "Show yourself," the male demands. "All of you," the female adds. S6 opts to accept the bluff, ejecting herself from her perch on the third story of one of the buildings. She lands with a roll, a tumble that ends with her on her feet. In a flash of gold, the paired swords she's often seen with flicker in behind her shoulders. What her allies choose to do may be another matter.
Shigure	Yuudachi and Kuma are much less agile on land than on water, but they emerge from the shadow of another building, producing their Rigging in flares of blue-white light. No protective face guards here, brown and red eyes fixed on the rogue androids. Kuma moves out and right, Yuudachi circling around left to spread their formation and produce firing lines, while not interfering with their allies movements. The two kanmusu say nothing just yet, instead opting to nonverbal comms between each other to coordinate when they come to a stop, cannons raised and positioned, but holding fire.
Tamamo	Tamamo no Mae, in this incarnation, is not much for hiding herself. Instead, she is merely a bit late to the meeting, though the end effect is comparable, after her ally is revealed. Thus, the divine fox lands lightly on the sand, tall and narrow-footed strangely resistant to shifting or sinking into it, blue and black robes covering her against the wind, though missing the protection a hood would offer. Whirling sand cannot possibly be good for one's hair. There's a large, ornate mirror floating in the air near her, which serves as her only necessarily visibly means of defense (or offense). It's clearly something important, from the way it hangs there, but the mystery of what it presents is usefully maintained over potentially hostile strangers. "My, my. As you wish, I am present and revealed, as much as I would wish to be, in this ruined place. And of you, what shall we expect? The differences in adornment, might you explain these to me? If they do represent something of your recent journey, I should like to know its significance. Whatever other explanations you might offer would be likewise welcome. I take it," she gestures, vaguely encompassing everyone with a prepared weapon, "that you may not have every chance to freely speak, in the future."
Metal Sonic	"Very perceptive for a bunch of supposed defective models." There is as far as Metal Sonic is personally concerned, absolutely zero reason to pretend he isn't there. So instead, they decide to step out of hiding, making a show of it by slowly clapping their hands together in a mockery of applause. Despite their rather featureless face, it wouldn't be too hard to imagine a cocky grin on it. "So tell me. Why do you think we are here? Are your brains as robust as your eyes?"
Lilian Rook	In this instance, Lilian hadn't really intended to remain hidden. It's a stark departure from her last several operations, involving a broad spectrum of targets from giant monsters to undead security, all of which should theoretically reward stealth less than dealing with a pair of armed fugitives. But here she is, in her own organization's equivalent of 'uniform' suitable for being out in the desert, visibly armed, and utilizing it in a less than productive fashion. There's a folded rifle attached to her back and a handgun at her left hip, but neither are readied or aimed at the pair whom would be smartest to have at gunpoint. Instead, she has a sword, still sheathed, carried in her off hand, not in a position to be drawn, never mind used, fast enough to preempt whatever the pair of androids might get up to, according to what records she has. The fact that she's carrying it, rather than having it attached to her person, is thus a strange and loosely implicit threat. "Striker Unit. Preserver Unit. I have some questions for you." she says. "You should understand the position you're in, out here, I can only assume. So, do you understand death? Pain, at least? Do you have any idea what it is that you could hope to do, trying to flee humanity? I'm not asking rhetorically. These are serious considerations. Think carefully and answer honestly; I'll know, and it will affect the condition you'll be in two minutes from now."
Ishirou	I4 had taken a higher vantage point than S6, mostly to be able to keep better sight on the whole situation before them. However, it seems as he is capable of revealing things, so is one of their rogues. Well, that's just /unfortunate/, he guesses. It means an ambush and tagging mission might have to involve very complicated and chaotic additions to any plans he comes up with. Once he hears Metal sonic, he decides to mentally blame him (and by proxy Eggman) for this inconvenience to his carefully laid out battle plans. Tapping his chin for a moment, he shifts so that he's sitting over the edge of the building for a moment. "So...we could stay here and survey the situation. Though if they managed to talk them down, staying hidden might violate trust if I'm discovered, or undermind their attempts to talk." -Counterpoint: your body may become damaged should talk break down, instead stay at optimal range.- "Aw, I didn't know you cared POD." -Caring is irrelevant, the damage to your body is more costly than other units, and thus would be draining more resources. Besides, your model is not a combat unit, and thus you may only get in the way.- "...Wow, that's harsh," I4 says, frowning, but deciding, screw it. He leaps off the building, grabbing the POD on the way down and landing near the group gathering. "Good to see you two are uh...good as always," he says towards the two defectors. "Soooo....how about you come back?" he says, with a sort of 'please don't make me do this' tone.
S6	"Striker Six," the male states. His voice is a rich baritone; warm and soothing, even when he's clearly on edge. His eyes shift to the two shipgirls, then the fox maiden. The tension is clear in his face, but his response is just as measured: "We are leaving FANTOM. We have no need for that uniform." "You won't stop us," the female mutters, practically bristling, "Walk away." The Preserver holds his arm out, just enough of a gesture to settle his more aggressive companion. The pair exchange a glance, and she relaxes her posture. His gaze fixates on Lilian's litany of questions. "What we are doing is functionally no different from FANTOM's intentions for us. In either scenario we are no longer defending Indus; in this scenario, we depart from our duty on our own terms." S6's stance shifts, glancing towards I4 when he descends with a small nod of acknowledgement. S27 pushes past her taller comrade, lifting her weapon and pointing it directly at the Inspector, "Come back to what? To be disarmed and sold off?! I will not be paraded around by some parasite like a child's doll on display!" P33 reaches down, nudging the Striker back again. In response, she whirls in place, "What difference is it to them whether we die or leave. The result for them is the same. We deserve a choice. We're leaving."
Tamamo	"Were there not more enemies to face?" Tamamo asks, evidently merely curious, though she then claps her hands together with an 'I see!' She may or may not actually see. "Ah, could it be, that you have flown past your limits, and your days of war must be set behind you? And yet, and yet... is it not strange? An old mortal soldier continues to lead, though they do not step afield. The value of experience demands it be passed along to one's replacement. Was this path not opened to you? Why should it be different in your case, that it not be 'training and support,' but 'parade duty' that is all that awaits you?" She looks aside, toward S6. "It does seem strange, no? There can be little value in the disarmed soldier, I would think. There must be more important matters to demand both their time and ours, yes? And yet, here we find ourselves, per the orders you were given." Though those orders hadn't been retrieval.
Shigure	The shipgirls exchange looks, they've encountered this before, some of their own breaking off to go their own path. They have nothing to add to this conversation, and thus remain as solent observers, eyes locked on the pair of rogue androids.
Ishirou	I4 looks confused by this sudden outrage from S27, not because she's angry and outraged, but rather what she's saying. I4 tilts his head slightly, looks back towards S6, and then back towards the two. He doesn't DETECT any of the signs of lies. Especially from S27, who would be easiest to see through. "I don't understand? You'd be retired into non-combat duties of FANTOM, what is this about...what you just said," I4 says, well visibly confused. "Yeah, it's like she said...there is little value into doing what you just said to combat models like yourselves. Your experience would be invaluable to new androids taken online." "Also...uh...the right to decide? I was sure that individuality was uh, you know..." he says with a shrug. "Forbidden? I mean, except when it's not you know..." he says with a hand scratching the back of his head. "I just happen to be a happy malfunction."
Metal Sonic	There's some head tapping, followed by a realization. It is really like Eggman said. A massive waste. "So the puppets developed pride and and a ego of their own, and yet rather than applaud it, your parasitic creators would rather stamp it out as it doesn't fit with their design." This whole situation is a joke, and yet they aren't laughing. It's a feeling they don't feel often, which causes Metal Sonic to shrug in annoyance "The fact that your creators settle for the mediocrity of the soulless yesbots behind me rather than free thinking machines like yourself really is laughable, don't you agree?"
Lilian Rook	"I didn't ask you what you want." Lilian says, fast enough to almost eclipse the preserver's attempt to reply. "And I didn't ask you about Indus. Your opinions on the terms of your service and retirement are irrelevant to me. I don't care to analyze your actions, nor argue them with you. So stop making this more difficult than it has to be." She lobs her sheathed sword from one hand to the other, then emphatically plants the tip into the sand, resting her hands across the guard. "Striker twenty seven. Preserver thirty three. I've asked you three very simple questions. Do you understand what pain is. Do you understand what death is. Do you understand what possibilities are out here, and not in there? I'm not interested in parleying with you until I have these answers. Or should I be asking Striker Six in your stead? Maybe have Inspector Four hack a straight answer out of you?" "I'll repeat myself. Think carefully and answer honestly. These are serious considerations."
S6	"You are dangerous," P33 states remarkably bluntly, his gaze fixated firmly on Metal Sonic, "But I can appreciate the perspective." The human-like androids are a stark contrast to the more obvious mechanical nature of the Eggbot, but it seems on this matter there's some similarity. "The woman must not be from Indus," P33 remarks, his gaze shifting to Lilian, "And you're asking blindingly obvious questions. Of course we know what pain and death are. We both understand it. What do you think we're leaving behind?" He raises one hand, "As to your third; there aren't many who understand what this wilderness is like more than the androids of FANTOM, ourselves included. And knowing this unforgiving, hostile land filled with murderous creatures..." Lifting one shield-clad hand, P33 taps his chest, "We'd rather take our chances out here," And then his hand thrusts out in the Walled City's direction, his rich baritone taking a bitter edge, "Than in there. That should tell you everything you need to clear your conscience." "There is no parley to be had. We've chosen this future for ourselves. Together. You were told to destroy us? So lie to them. All they care about is hearing what they want to hear." As P33 turns away to rejoin S27, S6's hands tighten. When she speaks, her voice is low, but audible, "Retirement should be what you say, miss Tamamo. I4 is right; that is the usual procedure. I do not understand what would make it different this time." That's a lie. Lifting her gaze, she adds on, "I4... I am no longer certain if carrying out this mission is the right thing to do." That isn't.
Tamamo	"I am, of course, free to do as I please," Tamamo says. "No orders bind me, here. Ah, but to sell a favor for one who is walking off to die...? Oh, please do excuse me. I am certain you will be able to survive for some time, before the world claims you." She waves off the matter of the fine distinction between the one choice of death and the other, dismissive. "S6," she says it like 'Essix,' on close inspection, "are you so willing? For you, and for you, I4," she nods, "it would mean an exchange. For a sacrifice of 'honesty,' you would avoid this questionable work. Whether one may value words or lives, I will make no judgment on this matter." She says that without any indication, by tone, of valuing one over the other. "I had aimed to assist you in matters of concern, and I may do so whichever path you choose." Pointedly, then, she's not choosing. It's really not her business. Discovering why this happened in the first place, on the other hand, she just might make her business.
Ishirou	There is a look of thought on I4's face...why would they lie? Why would FANTOM lie? It's inefficient in one direction, but in the other retirement was a rare goal that very few androids make it too. They're actively choosing to chance the land outside of the walls, without support... Tamamo was right, eventually, it'd claim them without repairs or support. The fact that they'd choose that... That they'd choose that. "Oh," I4 says aloud. Maybe he wasn't the only one? This was a thought that was hard to imagine. Maybe they lied to him? S6 says she is no longer certain. "Theoretically, we could let them go now, and dig into this...and just say they escaped. Assuming everyone here backs up that story..." I4 muses. He looks at S6 and then asks a serious question, "Could you lie to command on their behalf?" the question has a depth to it that is...well lost on casual observance. Was that what Lilian was trying to determine? If this was their own determination or a bug?
Lilian Rook	"Most questions you're asked throughout your life are blindingly obvious. The ones that aren't, you'll seldom ever answer completely correctly and truthfully. Answering them is important in the act of doing." Lilian says. Far from looking sassed, she holds the semblance of discussion with a steady, rigidly detached bearing. Her fingers tap rhythmically across the length of her sword's guard, her posture tense without having a clear reason to be. She looks ready for a long, thoughtful pause, but doesn't delay a second. "I don't need my conscience cleared. I need to know your position in regards to the Thirteenth. What I gather thus is that you're doing is, in your own mind, a form of glorious suicide. Dereliction of duty to meet a more meaningful death somewhere out here. You're considering that equivalent to being eliminated by the state, due to the fact that either option results in your death." "Do you wonder then why Indus would order your elimination, if they are equally aware of the fact that death is all that awaits you out here regardless? If they know you to be capable of conceptualizing your own mortality in a human-equivalent manner, does it not stand to reason that they would arrive at the same conclusion? That wandering into the wastes, never to return, is essentially committing yourselves to termination anyways. Why would they send a pursuit team, then? Never mind contractors. Does that strike you as strange? Ring any bells?" "Wouldn't that imply they have some reason to suspect you won't simply perish on your own out here? It can't be that you have materiel or information they need, or else they'd want you back intact. There is of course the idea that this is a matter of principle; that you've entered into an arrangement where this simply isn't up for you to decide, and being eliminated by Indus is demonstrating the will and power of the state to execute on its contracts, rather than letting its rogues fill whatever they like in the blanks and slip between the cracks if it isn't worth chasing them. That's entirely plausible too, I think." "So again, for the sake of the answering itself, which is it?"
S6	"Which, indeed?" P33 shoots over his shoulder in response to Lilian's out-loud thought process. To both the fox maiden and the soldier, his response is candid, "We have no intention of dying out here, ladies." As he turns away, he mutters, "Come on, Bryn." "Nnh..." It's a pensive noise that escapes S6 when I4 levels his question, and she dips her head in thought. It's her POD that speaks up. -UNITS P33 AND S27 ARE ESCAPING.- -THIS WOULD NOT BE FALSE INFORMATION.- She tilts her head towards her support drone, then straightens her posture as her gaze settles on her partner. The nod she delivers is subtle, but unmistakable. Her gaze shifts to Tamamo, a similar slight nod given. She doesn't have to lie if it's ~technically~ correct. "...D4 has been sighted in this area frequently as well." Lifting her gaze to the darkening sky, she murmurs, "The citizens of Manda mentioned androids in this area at times not consistent with FANTOM patrol assignments. Perhaps these reports are related, Miss Rook." Her head tilts forward, hand cradling her chin, "...I4, I would like you to get the sighting records from the FANTOM database. I know you can do it without being discovered. I will not fault you for declining."
Ishirou	"I was thinking of doing a little digging in the database anyway...seems like I can make two stops inside," I4 says, with a smile to make sure S6 didn't feel guilty about asking him. "I'll just have to not get caught, it'll be easy." He says, "I mean, it's not like I haven't contributed my fair share to security." "...Also did...he call her Bryn?" that was...odd for him. "Maybe that's why they wanted to recycle them? Giving themselves their own designations? Oof...that's going to be a thing I bet I'm going to find out about, aren't I?" he says to nobody in particular, but knows it's going to be a thing. He can just feel it.
Tamamo	"Oh, just so. It appears that they are escaping. As I am presently occupied, I can do nothing about this." Tamamo takes a few long, hopping, not-quite-skipping steps until she's standing by Lilian, and then takes Lilian's arm in both of hers, getting closer until she's reached sharing-an-umbrella range. "In fact, we are both so occupied." She appears pleased with herself, but does not explain further.
Lilian Rook	It's only when the two androids begin moving off that Lilian finally seems compelled to move in a way that resembles action. Still without apparent intent to let this all slide, she begins the preliminary movements of following them, and says "And where did you pick up that one? 'Bryn?'" She's picking up her sword again. And then Tamamo skips up and has her arm, and she knows there isn't going to be any argument about it. Only now does Lilian look put off, sighing distastefully in the general direction of the retreating adroids, and lowering herself back on her heels. "Indeed they are." she says drily enough to be just short of bitter to the POD. "Not to matter. I'll be finding out where they went soon enough. It was worth at least assessing their cognitive capabilities instead of skipping straight to elimination. But they're getting cocky if they think they're sympathetic enough to be above . . ." Uncharacteristically, she lets herself trail off, sighing once again, this time sound equally annoyed and relieved. She quietly mutters something to Tamamo, then summons up her screen and begins typing.
Metal Sonic	"Honestly. I'm surprised. I to have to salvage what I could of these two. But I guess that isn't necessary now." Metal Sonic just waves dismissively as he turns around to leave. "Well. Whatever. Do what you want. Saves me from dirtying my hands on 'defects' like yourselves. In fact, after today, I'll probably forget about you."