The Business of War

Orchestrated By C.M. Rich (Magnetman)

Dr. Wily War Journals 4

By Cyros

This was the first time I’ve ever experienced the lost a limb. The fact that I still felt the presence of my left arm was unsettling, but I ignored the feeling. I was more concerned with my teammates at the moment.

We came out victorious, yes, but it was far from easy. The SA force in Kalingrad was lead by Geminiman... Geminiman, of all people. It wasn’t a surprise that we learned he had defected to the Scissor Army (Starnik found out from Spark Chan), but when we actually came up against him, things got pretty ugly.

Aside from Bubble, Crash and Airman, we got pretty banged up. Badly. Starnik even lost one of his legs in the scuffle; a true blow to his ego. Ringman had been slashed numerous times and beaten into unconsciousness. Metalman... he had been struck by his own attack, the Metal Blade, and was literally torn apart. He was totally fine, of course, but the sight at the moment was... it set something off in me.

What was puzzling was what that blood-like substance that came out of his body was, seeing as he’s lost limbs before and none ever came out. He replied, and I quote, “It was fruit punch!”

So typical of him... good kid, if not a bit too naïve.

Woodman was possibly the worst off out of us all. He had taken a Gemini laser point blank to his back. His petrified wood armor had given away and exposed his circuits. I thought he was a goner. But he amazed us by launching a final attack which took down Geminiman, allowing us a technical victory.

Aside from Naoshi (who was easily fixed), the injured Warriors and Ring were inside the special repair bay, meant for “high class” officers like us. Wily was already getting to work on Woodman. Starnik simple sat, using the wall as support to compensate for his missing leg, and thought. Ringman did nothing but lie in wait. I really hope he comes out okay. He went a little... loopy back there.

Then again, I probably should have too. A LONG time ago.

It Airman heard that, his “crazy lady” comments would be going off like there’s no tomorrow. Yeah, he’s a jerk, but he’s a jerk I can get along with... for the most part.

My thoughts returned to Geminiman... which was unusual, considering I never personally knew him. I saw him once or twice when the Warriors were fighting Cityman, but never up close. I didn’t really know just what kind of person he was. The battle did little to paint a wonderful picture of him.

But after Woodman’s attack, he, being burnt and broken, somehow... reverted. He was horrified at what he had done. It seemed that he was actually under someone else’s control.

Three guesses who that could be, and the last two don’t count.

I sudden began thinking about Hong Kong, and our run in with the Drastic Measures... and more frighteningly, Mesmerman. I can’t but feel paranoid when I think about it. He’s... you just don’t know what to think about him, aside from psychotic maniac. Call me crazy if you want, and it may be true, but next to Mesmerman I’m the pinnacle of sanity.

But what worried me most was how he was able to pick up my surface thoughts during the battle. I have no idea if he’s a mind reader or not, but it was enough to make me uneasy. And it wasn’t just that... our attacks did nearly nothing to him. He killed Freezeman in the blink of an eye, when I had to use all my tricks just to slow him down.

In the end we drove off the maniac, but I can’t help but feel he’s not done with the Warriors... and with me. When I first met him in Hong Kong, he let me escape so easily. Why? What was going through his twisted little mind at that moment? What was his plan?

A stray thought passed through me and I shuddered. Mesmer managed to control Starnik’s and Mr. Whiz’s actions easy back at his little “farm” with his true form. If anything, he should have tried to gain control of MY mind. I hated the idea, but it was all too possible. My time stopping powers, in the right (or wrong) hands would be extremely deadly. Especially to Starnik.

Had Mesmer gotten hold of me, I could have... I could have...

I violently shook my head to dispel the thought. No. Dwelling on such horrible things is just what he would want. Maybe that was his idea all along; plant the seed of doubt in my mind, and let it grow. Then harvest his crop, so to speak. A twisted, yet logical plan.

Not to sound like a hypocrite, but fuck logic.

Once I get repaired, I would have to begin planning if we should encounter Mesmer again. Perhaps do some research on Wily’s holographic technology on which he was built from. Maybe the Evil Energy research as well.

But I had to prepare mentally as well. As it was, my mind was scattered and jumbled, full of holes. Perfect for some lunatic to slip through with little trouble. If Mesmerman WAS planning something with me, he is going to be very disappointed.

Long ago, he told me that there were three types of beings in existence: puppets, the puppet masters... and those that refuse to fall into that wretched analogy. He claimed to be in the last category. And I hate to agree with him... but so do I.

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