---

...
What do you gentlemen know about propulsion and matter transportation?
A large amount of the same robots that entered the hospital are now currently leaving, satisficed with their loot.

---

---

P10 looks around his environment using his INT and spots...

P10 uses 1AP to move to the lamppost to act as cover.

---

---

---

Two hundred zenny huh?
Well partner, you're in luck!
: Here's my wares!

---

---

Keke!
The Capsule Bomb does 6 damage, causing the Batton to attempt to fly away.

---

---

As Brute leaves the room, to your right opens up a large room with a strange turret-looking object in the middle. It's aimed to the sky while expelling a blue mist upwards.

---

---

*BARK* *BARK*! *BARK*!
I hear ya, I hear ya.
P11 swerves away from the cliff and towards the Joe.
If he wants to play chicken...we'll play chicken.

P11 puts the pedal to the metal as he attempts to run over the Joe.

Okay Bass, so when he jumps out of the way, you'll fire on him. Unless you've got something else in mind.
As the car gets closer and closer, the Joe stops.
He's not moving. What's he doing?
...Closer...closer...

---

---

Ark huh? Vell's here is my plan.
Banus pulls out a large map and places it onto the table. He then points to something in Neptune City.
Right here is a material stockpile building. Vhile no gems or crystals are dere, dere is enough building materials to fix the cities up. However, dey lack the money to hire Pickets. So, my solution is simple; ve take everything in there for ourselves.

---

I've been dead for twenty years and didn't get revived just so I could get ridicued, despite you leaving another radio on next to you AND on speaker no less.
Er I mean...
Greetings gentlemen... I...
I am Doctor Ivory Woe...*sigh*, inventor of the EM Wave Technology Converter, or EWTC for shot.
Wait...EM waves?
...*sighs*yes...I'll be on my way now since, knowing you and your...boss, you'll be hunting these guys down like dogs. Farewell...
Acorn gives a weird look at the radio as it goes silent.
Okay then...

---

---

Of course you're not! In fact...
A rocket shoots out of the robot in the air, causing...a wooden lemonade stand to fall down onto the robot.
If you're willing to buy or sell, I'm wiling to supply!

Wheeze Blast
A attack that emits a cloud capable of knocking back enemies.
Wheeze Man

---

Flicker Flash
Fires a small flare that follows you around, even when changing weapons.
Candle Man

---

Tracer Ricochet
Fires up to 3 bullets that when hitting an enemy or a wall ricochet off of them.
Tracer Man

---

Watching Spear
When equiped, gives the user a spear that reflects projectiles automactially. Can also be extended into a straight line to deal damage.
Sentinel Man

---

Sticky Rope
Fires a rope that can latch onto surfaces and when directly on an enemy can move them around to hit other enemies.
Tangle Woman

---

Babel Sigil
Places a runemark onto an enemy, mimicing your movements and if possible attacks.
Rune Man

---

Mind Swap
Possesses an enemy.
Spectre Man

---

Crop Out
Shrinks the viewing screen for 5 seconds, removing any enemies in the way. For bosses/minibosses, does minor damage.
Photograph Man

---

Clapboard Snap
A giant Clapboard flies out, crushing any enemies in its path.
Director Man

---

I don't think you quite get it.
I never said you had a choice.

---

Due to Heat's agility, 10 goes first, opting to fire a stungun in Heat's direction.

---

15+5-16-3=1
Dodge: 13-16=-3. No extra dice added
Results: The attack hits Heat, dealing one measly damage and having no extra effects in terms of stunning.

---

If you wish to see the map to see where everyone is, just type MAP after your turn to view it.

---

---

Perfect. Hmm...
Banus takes a moment to admire the intricate details of the suit.
Can you speak? Vhat is your name per chance?

---

---

Heh. Makes sense.
Wait...I heard a voice.
Acorn turns to the direction of a nearby radio.
Who's there?!
How does he know about EM tech? How does he know I said something? How does...
Woe realizes he did not enter MIDI, but his Cheap Radio with the volume turned on.
...

---

---

Do ya know where 1212 Karun Street is?

---

Glass finally comes out of Slow and begins charging ahead towards Shadow.

---

---

Heh...heh...heh.
The Eleventh fires a laser at Devilized Rotom.
Idiots...All of you!
Nuru floats into the ground while a voice echoes in everyone's head.
In one minute, I will be able to remove this Limited from myself, leaving me with only Anti-Omni and Evil Energy, the Limited being from that loudmouth elf(+ and ++). Do you knows what that means?

---

Reference

---

---

*yawn* What happened?
As RCX slowly looks around, he finds himself surrounded by a dense fog. Strangely, figures can be seen through the haze...
This one woke up.

---

---

As Diablo and Supremo fly into orbit, multiple satellites can be seen, each bearing a symbol.

---

Acorn looks hurt at MIDI and Dust's whispering.
The sound of a bell ring happens in MIDI's head.
I overhead their transmission and think I may have a pinpoint on their universe and it gave me a great idea. Before we close that portal, I wish to test a theory of mine: EM Wave Dimensional Travel.

A few Picket Men leave, each carrying sacks full of crystals.

---

---

! That's...amazing! So my theory has to be correct then!
As the Car auto-drives, 11 brings his finger up in the air and starts waving it around and poking the air.
I had a feeling that the police force, recent strange weather, and the constant new visitors are all connected to the lab we're driving to, and if what you're saying is correct, then maybe we-
*BARK* *BARK* *BARK*!
What's up?
*BARK*!
As 11 looks forwards, he spots a yellow glow. To the others, it's a Merc Joe running straight for them, axe in hand.
Hang on!
11 takes control of the car and tries to swerve out of the glow's path...only to near a nearby cliff due to his inability to see.

---

---

Banus marvels at the pod and is thankful it didn't crash into his coffee mug.

---

---

Roll: AGI:10/AGI:7. Concrete catches the Stalactite before it crashes onto him.
Roll: POW:20/POW:15. Concrete is able to hold onto the Stalactite.
As Concrete holds onto the Stalactite, the Batton swoops down to take the lantern.

---

---

As the Beetle Borg shrugs and hops away, another hopping machine stops him.
Hey partner! Do you know where the...oh...he's just gonna hop away.

...
I take it this is Dr. Regal, correct? I overheard your lab was destroyed and one of your cyborgs are running wild. I've also overheard your cybernetic projects are, *ahem* top notch. Am I correct in this belief?

---

---

The Beelte Borgs look at each other and shrug before going back to what they're doing. Meanwhile a walking matchbox comes into X's sight.
Meanwhile, a red and blue robot comes into Heat's sight.

---

---

As the PM11 *drives* into the night, a look of worry is on his face. Suddenly, a light bulb appears above his head before he speaks.
Mind if I ask you a question about yourself?

---

---

TICK
TICK
TICK
Okay...settle down Acorn. It's not a nuke, just a cold bomb.
Taking a deep breath, Acorn looks up from the body bag at Andoru.
Tauru-...er...I guess that's not your name is it? In any case, how did you take out the bombs beforehand when I called MIDI?
TICK
TICK
TICK

---

---

The Batton slowly backs off, still staring at the lamp. As it does so, it crashes into a stalactite, causing the stalactite to fall right above Concrete.

---

---

As Brute opens the door, he comes face to face with a Ball Met.
Uh oh-oh-oh-oh.
The Ball Met quickly rolls...into a wall before trying to roll the other way.

---

---

---

ENEMY PHASE

---

The former Darkshine becomes fearful and begins retreating by trying to climb onto the wall. However, the heat prevents it from getting a grip. Seeing it's plight, it begins trying to hop away. Meanwhile the other Crystalime was too disorientated to move.

---

Player Phase

---

---

[YOU WIN!]

---

---

---

What I'd give to have that janitor bot's salary when they clean this place up.
Acorn looks around before spotting a bodybag. Confused, he walks up to it and notices a strange shape. Finding a zipper, he pulls it before turning pale.
Dust. Don't freak out but...
I-I found another bomb...
TICK
TICK
TICK
...

---

---

The Batton mentioned before takes in interest in Concrete's lamp, looking at it from the celing..

---

---

Into the night the three drive while retrowave plays.
Oh! This is a good one.
As Danabite looks out the window, they near the exit of Nameless Town.

---

---

As Heat walks away, the sound of a dumpster lid lifts up but doesn't go back down. No other sounds can be heard.

---

---

As X(Cross) questions his surroundings, a few Beetle Borgs look in surprise at the newcomer.

---

Regal gets a phone call.

For a Rubble Woman miniboss, what about running in and out of dilapidated buildings while a mace-swinging helicopter tries to crush you. Maybe Hovering Wrecker?
For a Mid-Way boss, what if there was something to where during the first three boss stages, you caught glimpses of it without revealing too much.
In terms of enemies, Rubble Golem might be cool. It would be a enemy that could pick up blocks already on the ground. While not necessary hostile, they stack up blocks by throwing them. Guiding them could help clear obstacles.

Also, awesome to hear you're Mac's working again!

---

Uh...buddy. You're suppose to give me the safe by handing it to me, not dropping it.
...!
Hey! It was...just a joke! Yeah! That's all.
...
The Picket Man jumped into a nearby dumpster...only for a loud crunching sound to be heard.

---

---

Dust could swear he could see a smile on Acorn's face as he walked into the hospital.

Meanwhile, at floor -6

No one will think to look down here for any crystals...eheheh.

---

---

---

ENEMY PHASE

---

---

---

---

---

---

Thank you. You're doing this world a service. Just follow me, Danabite will lead the way to this one hiding spot.
*BARK BARK*
Let's just hope I'm wrong. The chief never steered us wrong before but at the same time...
Danabite and Eleven leave the Hotel and hop in a police car, waiting for Boosted Bass to climb in.

---

---

Dr. Woe:Coordination...strange. Maybe they're smarter than I thought...or maybe they're being controlled... both are fascinating ideas.

---

---

---

---

The heat from the boiler room and the robots caused the slimes to slowly evaporate, resulting in 3 damage to all slimes.

---

---

---

As Heat Man turns into the alleyway, he comes across a Picket Man looking through the garbage before turning to see him.
[[image]()]{earth} Hey. What are you doing her-
He spots the safe.
[[image]()]{earth} It seems my lucky break has come.
[[image]()]{earth} Hand it over bud. This pickaxe isn't just for show.

---

[]
[][]
[]

---

[[image]()]{nature} That guy? I've no clue, but I think he's a veteran. As for why they listened to him and not you, I have a theory. You remember those crystals growing in the hospital? If cooled, those can fetch a decent price. And since everyone here is down on their luck, it's a fortune just waiting to happen. That Beetle Borg knew that well and cleverly exploited that fact to get those Picket Men to help us out.
[[image]()]{} [As for my rank, I guess I'm the Commander. I'm taking the role of leader only because of I was asigned the role after all. For all intensive purposes, I consider ourselves equals but if the situation calls for it, I may take control.]{}
[[image]()]{} [As for my name?]{}
[[image]()]{} [Simply Acorn. Nothing more.]{}
Acorn takes out a page that he secretly ripped out of Gyro's book and jots down his name with a pen.
My name is Manifest. Don't say it out loud, the army can't know yet.

---

Sorry for the unfinished comment.

---

It's simple. Either you or us can do a stakeout at the old lab to see exactly where the soldiers are going, then free them. As for why it's you...
It's because of that aura of yours.
Police Man 11 points to where Boosted Bass's W-Emblem is located.
As you likely know from my appearance, I've switched my vision receptors from regular to energy-seeking. Your aura shines the brightest, showing your power. As such, it would be a snap if anything were to go wrong.
That's saying of course if anything were to go wrong...
In terms of what's in it for you, I...may or may not have the key to the lost and found locker room... and there...may or may not be some powerful gear in there just waiting to be *claimed*.

---

---

As Brute removes the paper, the Ball Met falls apart, causing the loud sound of metal on metal to hit the floor. The paper appears to be a blueprint for Ball Mets. A door can be spotted just ahead, though there are more tables around with pieces of scrap.

---

---

Course Dust. What's up?
Meanwhile
With the Welcoming Center out of crystals and feeling most toasty than an marshmallow in a campfire, the Picket Men move on to various other rooms.

---

(Before)

---

(Current)

---

---

---

AWAITING FURTHER COMMANDS

---

---

As Scottish Brute looks around, he finds tables and the floor filled with junk, Upon one of the tables lies the shells of some Ball Mets and a odd paper sticking out of one.

---

---

With the lantern in hand, Concrete sees that the cave seems to go down in a slope. While it could be traversed by walking downwards, it seems one way unless you had some sort of way to climb back up. As you look down, a Batton can be seen flying around, minding its own business.

---

---

As the Police Man and his companion walks in, he locks the door.
Okay, so hear me out.
I think there a conspiracy going on and I think we're the only ones that can stop it. I...I think my chief may be working with forces that wish to take over this planet. And before you call me crazy, I have evidence.

From out of his pocket comes a box. He then proceeds to spill the contents onto the bed, revealing pictures, files, and papers. The language seems to be in Braille.

This here shows a number of calls from out of the planet AND also an increase in spending despite not having enough funds to do so.
Furthermore, out of these calls, they all go to the same place.
The blind officier feels around for another paper in the mess before pulling out a map. He then places his finger on a elevated point.
Finally, us officers have been increasingly told to go to this specific one place here. That's that one abandoned lab here. Instead of doing our duty, we've been told to guard this place...only for the guards to never come back...

---

With a loud thud, Brute lands into a unlit room.

---

---

*DIRECTIVE 01; MAINTAIN SPEAR OF PLENTY's TEMPERATURE SYSTEMS Overruled.
*DIRECTIVE 02; PROTECT ALL CITIZENS

---

If you can answer this question, I'll let you go. What good is a temperature control robot if they can't find something to maintain?
...
That's right. They have no purpose, just like you. This whole planet has gone downhill and YOU and that waste of space Spear of Plenty was supposed to bring it back up.
...
Got no words to say like how that Spear of Plenty had hardly any ore to deliver? Hmph. Maybe you should just rot down here with it.
But...boss-
A foot smashes Frostfire to the ground. At first the face seems heavily disfigured before settling on one figure...Gutsy.
Face it. All we had to do is just find one little stinking diamond or gem or anything but rock. Now, their a gaping hole in Inco AND no minerals to justify it. Who knows, maybe some advanced alien species will buy this wasteland to dump its garbage on. Huh? Did you think about that? Huh?
...
Gutsy stares at Frostfire before... moving his foot aside and sitting besides Frostfire.
Frostfire...you know why I was made?
To...operate construction equipment?
More than that. So much more than that. I...no, we. We were all this planet had in terms of hope. And now...it, along with us...are sitting at the bottom of a hole.
...
Frostfire...I...
Gutsy chuckles a weak laugh.
...I'm sorry for lashing out at ya. You didn't deserve that. Just like...just like how their gonna find someone to blame, I wanted to too. And since you're the one in charge of the core...
No. Even then, with how sudden it happened...no one, not even you could of cooled the dang thing down. If anything, since I was the one that ordered it to go into overdrive it was-
DIRECTOR MAN'S FAULT.
Huh?
[IF IT WASN'T FOR HIM, WE WOULDN'T BE DOWN HERE. THE SPERA FO PLENTY WOULDN'T OF CRASHD AD-]{noesdfk}
Boss? GUTSY? Are you okay?
Frostfire struggled to get a large support beam off of his legs as Gutsy begin and twist and contort, growing and shrinking in size.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Gutsy grabs Frostfire from the ground and begins shaking him.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND? IF--YOU--CAN---FIND---HIM---AND---KILL---HIM---YOU'LL---BRING---THE---ULTIMATE---JUSTICE---THAT---THIS---UNIVERSE---NEEDS. PROMISE-YOU'LL-AVENGE---ME--FROSTFIRE--PROMISE!

---

*THUD*

---

HUH!
Frostfire looks around panicked before slowly rising from the ground.
What...what was that about...

---

As Concrete places his hand on the wall, it makes a wooden sound despite the walls being clearly made out of rock. Although blurry at first, Concrete seems to barely make out what looks like a box. Similar to swiss cheese, various holes can be spotted in the box. It appears to be a portable lantern.

---

---

As Boosted Bass opens the door, a dog and a police officer stare at him.
Is anyone with him?
*RUFF*
Good.
Entropy, correct? I...need to bring you in for questioning...hey! Wait what are you-
The blind Police Man fires pulls out a gun and fires it in the air before using it to knock something away from his ear. Soon afterwards, a paw comes crashing down on it, causing it to short circuit. Meanwhile nearby Picket Men look in confusion and fear.
Sorry if that frightened you Bass. I just had to...cover my tracks. I do need to bring you in for questioning, though we can do it here if you wish. Please.

---

Captain Eeleo nods before resting his eyes on Acorn.
What's a soldier like you doing here?
What do you mean?
Your coloring doesn't match our armies color.
Acorn starts looking around for some reason before responding
I'm...apart of a transfer deal of sorts.
Sounds surprising...considering Inco doesn't have much to offer for a machine of your talents. The Acorn model I mean. Top of the line yes?
...Well...uh...
...As I thought. Tell me...who is the general you serve under?
Le-Leo of course.
Hmph. Maybe you are a transfer after all concerning that name is only known to those with a classification with Officier or above. Can't be too suspicious with the Glow and the Shadow Tribe wandering about after all.
Between you and me...If I was you, I'd be careful. Any spies or desperate bots around might want a piece of your CPU.
I beg your pardon sir?
I didn't mean anything bad by that. It's just that I have this...feeling if you will...that something terrible is gonna happen and we're gonna need everyone we can get to protect this place.
With the tension fading, Acorn slumps back down to his original position.
I understand. Dust, come on, let's get inside to make sure those Picket Men don't mine the place apart.
Oh! Thank you by the way for the assistance.
The Beetle Borg, sure enough, nods before hopping away.

Meanwhile inside the building...

As the three Picket Men start to mine the crystals and place them in cooled sacks, the sounds of stomping alert them of the horde that is the citizens. They, along with the masses that somehow didn't hear MIDI, begin chipping away at the crystals in such a quick pace that their servos start to warm up. Meanwhile, the Petit Tackle Fire starts jumping around, lighting miniature fires by mistake.

---

---

As the Darkshine formed back into a blob, two more Crystalimes jumped into position.

---

Glass looks at the twins, ninja, superhero, and midget in amazement.
That voice was right.
Glass then looks down at his blade.
If blood is to be spilled today...then it shall be by my blade!
Glass charged forth against Shadow...only to be forced to stand still by the Stop Crystal!

---

---

It was lucky that Blast aimed at the doorway, for in that exact moment, a Darkshine Crystalime comes into view, allowing Blast and friends to get the first shot. Due to a lack of time just seeing the slime, its stats and powers are shrouded in mystery.

Darkshine: 30 from everyone.

---

---

The three Picket Men from earlier return, each with large pieces of wood and metal that no one robot should be able to carry. Save for a few extra Picket Men and Beetle Borgs following them, each with sacks, no one seems willing to help, but instead engage in their own conversations.
They really just let a kid in there?
What was that about slimes?
...
A tired Beetle Borg gazes at the hospital.
Just let the government build another one.
Are you kidding me? All the government wants to do is to pick the bones of this community for meat and profits. We're better off leaving.
...
You all can freeze for all I care. I'm headed ho-
The Beetle Borg hops in front of the Picket Man.
Hey get out of the-
Captain Eeleo?
*SLAP*
Hey! What was that for?
You disgust me warrant officer. Is it not in a soldier's interest to protect the masses?
I'm no soldier. I was just a volunteer for a one-time gig.
And yet you bear that medal on your helmet.
...
As I thought...

The Beetle Borg hops in front of the crowd.

While I would go for some heart-raising speech, I want you all to consider this...to the eagle eyed, you might of noticed them carrying sacs and pickaxes. I want you to, for a second, try to imagine why that might be.
...
!
...
!
...
?
!
All at once, a horde of Pickets and Beetles rush straight into the hospital, almost trampling Dust in the process.
As they enter, the noise scares off the majority of the slimes.

---

To any plot points I miss, tonight I will finish them. Sorry for the delay and for the incomplete comment.

A loud human scream echoes from the mirror as a figure falls from it, plummeting backfirst into the ground.
Ow. Oh gods that hurt.
Glass continues to grumble as he gets himself back up, blade still held tightly.

---

---

Sitting in a chair in an unreachable location is a agitated knight swishing around a wine glass.
This man can't even stand a 10ft fall.
Keta-Brigands!
Upon the request, a group of figures come into focus.
I require a glass of Whisp Cider.
You can count on us sir!
As the Keta Brigands leaves, a indescribable figure floats into the room.
I trust that recent transport of Glass wasn't too painful, yes?
The figure remained silent.
Next time...
The knight slams the glass down, shattering it on the table.
Remember that unlike you rainbow colored freaks not everyone can fly. Are we clear?
The figure remained silent.
Good. Now get out of my face and tell the others to prepare for more transportation commands. It seems we're going to need more champions if I want my axe.
The figure crawls out of the room.
In the meantime...
The knight rises from his chair and pulls out a axe encased in mist.
It's time to get back to training...for if I'm to consider myself worthy of this...Galaxy Chopper, I'll need to master these techniques.
With the tug of a cape, Meta Brigand disappears.