The Business of War

Orchestrated By C.M. Rich (Magnetman)

Slaves of the Puppet

By Hunter, Cyros

Scenario G
Participants:
Mysteryman (TT)(SA)
Wilys Warriors (W)
Deep Impact (C)

Location: Grytviken
Max. Cossack Scrap Value: 4963
SA Infantry: 1293
RPD Units: 1042
Wily Bots: 941

The small trio had just arrived near the town of Grytviken. Though they went through a safe path, they could hear the battle raging not far away.

Searchman turned to his teammates, checking them. They were all pretty shaken from their fight in Kuwait - and Astro and Sword were still missing.

"We are to investigate the surroundings", he started. "An abnormal rise of the temperatures has been detected in this area, and there's a 95.7% possibility it is of external origin."

"You mean, the SA, right ?" asked Aquaman. Searchman nodded.

"If this carries on, the whole Antarctic could melt." added Grenademan. "I can't imagine what could happen to mankind..." He stopped.

For a split second, at the extreme limit of their audition, they heard something whisper : "And we can't accept this, isn't it ?"

Searchman raised his voice back : "Our mission is to stop this process, preferably with a minimal level of casualties."

The voice came back. This time, it muttered : "No ! Stop this by any means ! How important are a handful of scientists' lives, compared to the whole mankind ?"

More and more, the Impacters heard this voice commanding them. They could give it an owner, though : Mesmerman. It seemed like the mind-bender was taking his part of the deal.

They had heard rumors that the Comrades came back, thanks to this same monster's help. If this were true, the Impacters barely imagined what would happen to the Cossackers as a whole.

Would they slowly all become puppets, or get killed by the RPD, the SA or Wily first ?

They shook these thoughts off. All that mattered now was their mission.

They headed back to their target. And for what to do once they reached it ... well, wait and see.

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Things were bad for the RPD when they had to deal with both the SA and Wily's various mechanisms. The only good thing out of that was that they fought one another as well. But here and now, the RPD's top priorities were now in league with one another... how that could be, they weren't sure, nor did they care. They had a job to do.

A ways off from the current fighting and the mass of fire-theme Wily bots assisting the SA troopers with the steadily increasing temperatures, another group of robots patrolled the frozen desert. None of them were really made for such an environment, so it was no surprise it was less than pleasant. Well, to six out of seven of them at least.

Everything had happened so fast... the Warriors received a distress signal from Wily and, after their hard won victory against Wraithman, proceeded to a predesignated rally point. Where they ran into a phalanx of SA soldiers. One horrible whirl of events later, and the entire Wily faction was now an unwilling ally of General Cutman.

It was bitter situation indeed. But it wasn't like they had a choice... right?

Iga shook some fallen snow out of his grassy hair and looked at the lone blue robot master off to the edge of their patrol. Ever since the confirmed destruction of Wily's space station, Cyros had become... cold. His movements were no longer relaxed, his eyes seemed to gain a red tint to them. While the SA had done nothing to any of the Warriors, Iga couldn't help but feel that Cyros was behaving just like one of their Joes.

He had asked what was the matter before the mission, but the blue robot remained silent, giving only a murderous glare before walking away. Iga told the Warrior's leader, Starnik, about this, but he had dismissed it as just a bad mood. Shadowstrike claimed that "crazy lady" was being himself... Iga wasn't buying that for a second.

His train of thought ceased when he spotted a few shapes in the distance, toward the town of Grytviken. Turning back to the others he said, "Hey guys. I think I see someone out there."

Starnik, seemingly in his own thoughts as well, broke out of his trance and walked forward. "Any idea who they could be?"

Iga shook his head. "Still too far to see the details... but I doubt they're human."

Starnik sighed with relief. He'd hate to have to run into a bunch of renegade humans and have to... dispose of them. After all, if they didn't, the local SA officer, Mysteryman, would rat them out and they'd all be piles of circuits... or worse. "In that case, let's have a closer look. Getting way too boring out here."

With a silent agreement, the other Warriors began to approach the trio in the distance. Cyros, however, stayed behind for about a minute, gaining the attention of Iga and Starnik. "Hey, uh, Cyros," mumbled the latter. "Something wrong?"

"...let's go." With those words, Cyros strode off after the rest of team. Starnik and Iga were left behind, a bit shaken. Both had noticed the way their teammate had sounded; so cold, so emotionless. Pure machine.

Starnik looked up at his partner asking, "Hey, Jolly Green Giant. Did you notice-"

"That's what I've been telling you," answered Iga. "After he got grouped with the Rescue Force he always seemed miserable, but now he's just... I don't know."

Both stood in silence for a moment longer before one of their teammates, Darksage, shouted for them to catch up. The giant of nature and the scarlet speedster acknowledged and ran to catch up to them. They would have to deal with Cyros later.

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The trio was running to the town when Searchman motioned them to stop. His camoflage was on, but his teammates (and the uncovered parts of his body) were still visible by robotic eyes.

"We've been spotted." he stated. "Prepare your weapons."

Reluctantly, they prepared themselves, and headed cautiously to their enemies. It wasn't said Deep Impact would go without a fight !

"We're playing one against two." lamented Aquaman. "We could ... surrender."

"And ending like Koala or Pharon ? Never !" Grenademan's voice was firm - and doubled by the whisper again.

The two groups stopped at a respectable distance from each other. In these kind of moments, whoever made the first move would get shot down.
The tension was nearly palpable when Metalman did something unexpected to easen it : he pointed at Searchman and yelled loudly :

"Look ! It's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde !"

To which Quickman replied : "They were the same guy, Naoshi. This one's Searchman, and he's a ... good guy, I guess." And he gestured his teammates to lower their weapons - which they all did with more or less facility, Cyros being the more reluctant.

Grenademan was a bit surprised. "You won't attack us ?"

Crashman smiled. "Hey, we're no SA puppets, people !"

"Today won't be the day they boss around the Awesome Brigade !" added Shadowstrike.

"What do you mean, "SA puppets" ?" Now Searchman was concerned.

"We were beaten." bluntly said Cyros.

"To sum it up, we're in a forced alliance." said Starnik with an air of darkness in his eyes. But he brightened up. "But we're no Cutman lackeys. We won't throw you in Elysium ! ... Well, only if you ask for it."

Relieved by the turn of events, Deep Impact lowered their weapons as well. "So, I take it you'll help us ?" asked Aquaman.

"As much as we can" replied Starnik. "You're here to fight global warming, right ?"

"Affirmative. Please take us to the central unit." requested Searchman.

"It won't be that easy." replied Iga. "I mean, the SA's still after your skins, and God knows what they'll do to us they see us with you."

"But we can give you a safe itinerary, and cover you for a bit." carried on Starnik.

"And for the end, you'll do it on your own like the big boys you are." finished Darksage. "This makes ... between the protected and on-your-own paths ... fifty-fifty, what do you say about it ?"

The Impacters went ahead, surrounded by most of the Warriors. Airman was left behind to hide their path with his fan.

As Metalman was asking Aquaman if he could give a glass of blueberry-flavored Kool-Aid, Darksage whispered to Cyros : "Bet ya fifty bucks they frag Mystery on their own."

"..." Silence was all Cyros replied.

"Man ... talk about grumpy." Now, Darksage as well was getting worried about his time-stopping teammate.

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The trip was nothing but uneventful for the two teams. The only disturbances in the air were the far-off sounds of fighting, way past the boarders of Grytviken. Starnik and his team knew this for a fact; Mysteryman had only assigned them out in this sector for patrol, in case of a possible pincher attack.

The quickster reasoned that the Impacters weren't attacking... yet. So calling with a report was unnecessary. They didn't need to for another fifteen minutes, anyway.

"Alright kiddos, last stop." Searchman paused and swiveled both heads toward Starnik, listening intently. "This is far as we're gonna take you. Just go behind that ridge there and it's a straight path to where we're... they're melting the ice."

The dual headed machine nodded. "Anything else we should know?"

"Mystery has a few captive scientists," added Darksage. "About a dozen, I think. If you're gonna try and save them, try and do it quickly, okay?"

"Oh, just disregard that last part... stop the Scissor Army's plans, by any means necessary."

The Impacters cringed slightly at the sound of Mesmerman's voice; the Warriors, save Cyros, failed to notice this. He heard nothing, but the slight change in behavior made him uneasy. Cyros remained, however, stoic.

Grenade gave a small wave to the Warriors "Well, thanks for the escort. We can take it from-" he paused. His body tensed a little, then relaxed immediately. Searchman and Aquaman went through a similar process. The former turned to the Warriors and spoke in a... familiar voice.

"How rude of us... to leave without delivering a gift..."

"A gift!?" Naoshi ran right up to the Impacters. "I want a gift! What is it!?"

The Impacters grinned.

Searchman turned his dual cannon onto the naive little robot and fired a sniper round. At the range they were at, the effect was devastating. Naoshi's upper body was blasted clean off, then thrown by the forces in action several dozen meters away. There was a brief scream of pain, then silence. The Warriors were shocked at what just happened.

"Hey, what the hell was that man!?" shouted Shadowstrike. The other Warriors were thinking the same thing and began to arm their weapons once again. Laughter responded to their display.

"Now the gate has been unlatched..." Starnik and rest were taken aback by the voice that came from all the Impacter's voice boxes. "Headstones, pushed aside... hmm... oh dear me, I seem to have forgotten the rest..."

It took only a moment for one of the Warriors to recognize the voice; it took half a moment for Cyros to begin firing. But the Impacters; rather, Mesmerman had anticipated this, and Grenademan fired a series of cluster Flash Bombs, blinding everyone in intense light. Not even Cyros' system could compensate for the intensity.

Now I... 'we' must go. There are madmen to stop... there are madmen to create!" A shrill insane laughter echoed through the blinding cover. Once the light dissipated, the Deep Impact members were long gone.

Starnik rubbed his eyes, trying to get them to work properly again. Not much luck there. They all had been close to the flash bangs to get the full light effect, yet not take any serious damage. "Everyone all right?" A series of affirmatives eased his anxiety.

Akutare hobbled over to where Naoshi's upper body had fallen. Though nearly blinded, he could make out the red, fuzzy shape in the snow. He tripped over the shape in the process though. Just enough to wake up the red robot.

"Morning guys... um, I think I have an owie?"

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The scientists were gathered in a small structure that barely protected them from the outside cold. Specialized in robotics and thermic phenomenons, they were forced to operate the fire-based robots from the Scissor Army to melt Antarctica.
It was a shameful job, but they were under the menace of a quick execution - and the fact it would still happen after their task was complete didn't ease them.

They nearly jumped when hearing the door opening and closing. They were expecting Mysteryman again - but instead, there were two robots they never saw before. Surprisingly, they looked rather friendly.

Grenademan spoke up : "Rejoice, people! Your detention is over - finished!"

Aquaman nodded. "We're here to permanently lead you to safety."

The scientists were taken aback by the abnormal phrasing. That, and there seemed to be a purple aura around the newcomers.

Aquaman walked closer to one of the scientists. "We have found a new ally recently. He gave us sweet upgrades ..." He gripped the man's shoulder. "You won't BELIEVE the things we can do now !"

The scientist's body started to shake, as if he was enduring abnormal changes. And then, he exploded, the liquid parts of his body turning into 'spears' and damaging everything around.

"We're three killing machines, controlled by the worst being that came into existence - and you pathetic fleshlings, what chance do YOU have ?!" yelled Grenademan as he threw bombs all around the room.

One of the scientists managed to escape the two killers, and ran to the opposite door - when he bumped into an invisible obstacle. Colours shifted to reveal Searchman, who, by a move of the wrist, released his bayonet.

"Tell me, my friend." he muttered as he grabbed the unlucky man. "Who're you working for ?"

"M ... Mysteryman, sir ! Pl-please, release me !"

Searchman shrugged. "How can I release you from a cycle of sorrow that NEVER ends ? Your last times on Earth were pain and darkness, and the afterlife seems even worse!" And he slashed the man's throat, throwing blood on the Impacter's body.

He raised his eyes to see Aqua and Grenade were already taking care of the machinery. The SA's participation to global warming was now severely delayed.

But your task is not over yet. Find Mysteryman - and dispose of him! I can't afford to have a psychic rival in the Scissor Army's ranks!

Searchman nodded. "We will follow your orders, Master. We will fight for you 'til all are one...

" 'Til all are dead !" yelled the Impacters in unison.

As they left the structure, Grenademan released a larger bomb, which would destroy the machineries for good. But now, they were focusing on another target.

"We're coming, Mysteryman. It's time you make a stand !"

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Slowly, Mysteryman was starting to panic : every Joe he came in contact with had reported his unability to use comm. lines - and he knew of no force that could use such devices on a large scale, save for the SA.

He had just run to the point of operations, and had just spotted the Flame Joes stopping one after another. He had a long-time experience on traps and ambushes, and this only meant one thing : someone was blocking the communications, and destroying the control panels of those robots.

"But who ?"

Quickly, the Illusionist called for a squad of Joes, and rushed to the house where the scientists were working. Instead, there was a burning hole. Before he could ponder on the identity of the "terrorists", the Joes around him exploded one after the other.

"It took me a single shot to blast your minions ! Think you can do ANY less ?"

Mysteryman turned back and gasped : the Impacters were here, their armors blood-stained ! Though not a true psychic, the SA Officer could see something wrong with their minds : they all 'sounded' the same.

"Surprised to see me again, my dear student ?" they spoke up in unison. "As you, I found myself worthy bodyguards. Time to say goodbye, illusionnist..."

"Mesmerman ?!" Under his fishbowl hat, Mysteryman was smiling. Now started the real show ! If he could defeat Mesmerman through the Impacters, the General would respect him - even promote him Major, or Captain !

He summoned the Dark Illusion, and immediately the Impacters were on the ground, wincing in pain. They had such a devastated psyche that only a small impulse would throw them in the pit of nightmares.

He walked closer to Searchman, and started to kick him. "Do you feel so mighty now, Searchman ? Defeating Chargeman, and falling that low..." He was about to kick him again when a baionet cut through his foot.

Mysteryman fell to the ground, surprised and hurt, as the Impacters got back on their feet and surrounded him. "Do you really think my warriors would fall for such a trick ?" cackled Mesmerman. "Time to leave the scene !"

Grenademan levelled his grenade-launchers, but the Illusionist still had a last trick ! He draped himself with his cloak in a dramatci gesture, and teleported in a puff of smoke. High was his surprise when a missile hit him the exact time he appeared back.

"No one escapes the show, Mystery. Not until I told so !"

With the menacing figures coming to him, Mysteryman was expecting an immediate death. Only a miracle could save him now...

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...and lo and behold, a sudden stream of plasma shots raked across the Impacter's backs, blackening their armor. They growled; the trio in pain, Mesmerman in annoyance.

Searchman swiveled his heads backwards and stared at his assailant. He gaze fell upon Flashman, arm cannon activated and still smoking.

Mesmerman laughed. "Well hello there! It's so nice to see you again; it's been so long, it has..."

Cyros didn't respond. His face remained cold, the red tint in his eyes ever so present. This intrigued Mesmerman.

"Oh, I sense something different about you! Something I really, really like..."

"Boot to the head!"

The Impacters turned to the source of the noise, just as Airman flew downward, smacking a leg into both of Searchman's heads. He glided away and landed a distance away.

"Times two!"

The warbot was less than pleased. He aimed his cannon at the offending robot master and shouted to his teammates "The other Warriors must be nearby! Find them!"

His comrades replied "right," and ran off into the distance. They didn't get far when a barrage of bombs impacted just in front of them. Grenademan took the brunt of the attack... it strangely felt good.

"Heh heh heh, come out and play, Crashman!" He fired off a volley of his own bombs into a nearby ridge. Darksage leaped nimbly over the blast and returned some of his own. Grenademan just took the explosives once again, laughing.

Aquaman also chuckled as he fired his water into the frozen ground. Being more dense, it was able to cut through with little difficulty and without freezing. Deciding whether he should go after Flashman or Airman (the latter was now dodging Homing Snipers from Searchman), several sharp objects painfully cut across his midsection. One of them even lodged in. A razor leaf.

Out of the snowfall came the towering Woodman, followed by Quickman and and Bubbleman. Metalman, broken, but alive, was strapped the giant's back. Searchman noticed this and was caught by surprise.

"How the- I shot you at-" his sentence was not finished as a concentrated gust of wind knocked him across the field. Airman laughed at this.

The coast now clear, Starnik sprinted across the snow (if one could sprint at 50 miles per hour) and knelled next to Mysteryman, smiling. "Hey Mysterio, looks like you could use some help."

Mystery grunted and looked upward. "You... what happened out there? Why did you not report in!?"

Starnik looked hurt; a facade for sure, but Mystery didn't know that. "You wound me. But to answer your question, we were patrolling, like you ordered us to, and Metal here got shot up good. We didn't see who it was, though, so we looked before trying to contact you."

The domed SA officer pondered. Something seemed wrong with the explanation... but logically, it made perfect sense. Searchman must have sniped Metalman, leaving the Warriors confused, allowing the Impacters the get closer and jam the communication frequencies. He had to admit, as much as he didn't want to, that they were very craft indeed.

"While you should have contacted me immediately first hand, I am willing to be lenient in spite of your actions... this time."

Mesmermans familiar laughter whispered through the arctic wind. "You say it like there WILL be a next time!" To respond, Aquaman fired several of his Water Balloons (modified by Mesmerman's influence) at the duo.

However, Cyros warped back into normal space time at that moment, firing at the balloons and spilling their contents harmlessly on the ground. Aquaman fumed.

"You lousy son of a bitch, I'll tear you to-"

"No no," whispered Mesmerman to his Impacters. "Leave this one intact."

The message, unfortunately for the DI, distracted them long enough for the Warriors to pull another offensive. Crash Bombs, Bubble Lead and Leave Shields impacted all around the trio. Starnik rushed in for an assault, blinking at the crimson stains on their armors.

"You... killed them." The made him frown. Weren't those in Cossack's faction meant to help people? Instead they slaughtered them. Just like the SA would. "Yeah, you're all going down."

Laughing through Searchman, Mesmer screamed, "Well how about you first!?"

A volley of Homing Snipers came at the Scarlet Speedster; there were so many that he could barely dodge them. Once he cleared the gauntlet, he saw Grenademan and Aquaman back by Search's side, aiming there weapons at him.

What the didn't expect was Flashman to appear behind Aquaman and... ram his fist right through his water tank.

"Ah!!!" The scream was Aquaman in pain, Mesmerman in surprise. "You bald freak! I'm gonna-" Cyros didn't respond with words. He did with a another fist, right to his oddly shaped head. All the robot master thought was "wow, what a punch," before his systems crashed.

Grenade growled with anger at the sight. "Oh, you're going to pay for that!" His fired his Flash Bombs, but Cyros had ample time to stop time and simply walk away. To everyone else, there was a flash and he stood in the rear of the others.

"...all yours, guys."

The Warriors didn't agrue; they began pounding on the two remaining Impacters, putting them at a severe disadvantage. Mesmerman finally felt enough was enough. They had done their task.

"I'm so sorry, my friends, but we must cut our precious time together short." In response, Grenademan pulled the same trick as before, firing an enormous amount of Flash Bombs at the ground.

The Warriors anticipated this and were able to cover their eyes in time. While under the cover of the light, Mesmerman took the opportunity, through his puppets, to take a quick peak at Flashman's mind. Sure, it wasn't as affective remotely like this, but it could be done.

His whispers reached the time stopper's mind. "Oh Flashman... what secrets do you hold today?" Stray thoughts began to surface, amusing him. But soon they stopped and a single thought remained:

"YOU ARE NOT WELCOMED HERE. GET OUT."

Mesmerman was taken aback. He hadn't even gotten to the good parts of Cyros' psyche (oh yes, he found his true name out easily) and already he was standing firm. Oh well...

"Ah, disappointing... I sense much turmoil in you. Have you... lost something recently?"

There was no sadness, no angry, no envy in the voice. But Cyros said it clear and simple. "LEAVE."

Mesmerman laughed. "Oh, you're no fun. We'll meet again, one day, and I'll find out what secrets you hide. I always do..." As quickly as he entered, he exited.

When the light it died down moments later, the Impacters, including the downed Aquaman, were gone.

Mysteryman growled in anger. "Cowards... all of them!" He tried to get up, but his damaged was a bit too much. "Assist me you cretins!"

"Now is that any way to treat the guys that saved you?" inquired Airman.

Mystery just glared hatefully and dropped his head. Just... how was he going to explain this to the General?

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