Legends of the Halcyon Era

Episode 68 - The Avion Adventure: The Secret of Avion

The day had finally come for the Avion Supreme Commander, Black Draco, to hold a live transmission feed for the report detailing the findings from the recent expedition to Terra.

It was scheduled to take place in the evening, but several hours beforehand, Black Draco called for the delegation from Terra to meet with him. For what purpose, they could only guess.

The group met up in the lobby of the hotel which they'd been staying in since arriving on Avion. Most of the group was dressed in their normal attire, with Janine wearing something revealing as she hung off of Black Steel's shoulder – almost literally, given her inability to float now.

"Jan. My shoulder is starting to hurt. Could you please stop dangling from it already?"

Janine replied by just rubbing up against him more.

Katrina was there with Adam as well, clad in her armor. She wasn't saying a lot, as she appeared to be lost in thought. If anything, she almost seemed depressed.

"Any idea what's going on?" Steel asked.

"I hear the Commander is going to be discussing the journey to our planet later," Nyte told him, "but as for right now? I don't know."

Fenix, helmeted as always, arrived in black casual, but with his cape added for extra flourish. Steel looked on at the flowing garment with some small sense of envy.

"Hey Katrina, you alright?" Celeste asked.

"Hmm?" Katrina started to look up at Cel as if to reply, but dropped her eyes back down to the floor instead. "Oh, yeah. I'm good."

"Hey," Nytetrayn said, as he looked around. "Anyone seen the big guy?"

"He oughta be here soon," Fenix told him. "He was saying something about how he needed ‘a new look' before heading out."

"Oh, this ought to be good," Adam said dryly.

"You said it," Nytetrayn agreed. "Hope he shows soon. The Commander said this concerns all of us."

At that moment, a figure sporting red armor with a white-and-gold trim and and an explosion of gold hair from his head tried to quietly sneak by. However, this figure was so large that there was no chance anyone in the gathering of Terrans would miss him as he tried to get away unnoticed.

"...Magnus?" Celeste said, taken aback at the visual.

MegaMan Magnus emitted a quiet "D'oh..." once he realized he'd been caught.

"Nice new trimmings," Steel said.

"You look like some kind of red Christmas tree," said Nyte.

Resigned to his recognition, Magnus turned to the young Digger. "Hey Nyte, do you think there's any chance your dad could get me off for, oh, I don't know... homicide? Or perhaps just assault? Well, aggravated assault, seeing as that's exactly what I am right now?"

Nyte's eyes widened. "What... did you do?"

"Oh, nothing! ...yet."

"Then why...?"

"I couldn't have been any clearer! I told the people at the stylists that I wanted a look that was menacing! MEN-A-CING! Instead, I look like... this! What even the hell is this?!"

Adam tried to fight back a grin, while Janine just let out a hearty guffaw.

"It's not that bad," Celeste tried to reassure him. "It kind of reminds me of that... ghost, or whatever it was we saw that time."

"I look like some kind of... fruit cocktail."

"Well," Steel said, grasping for anything that might be helpful. "It's a... menacing variety of fruit?"

"Besides," Adam added, "you've got twin nuclear fusion cannons. Not a lot of fruits pack that kind of punch."

Adam's pun was just enough to snap Katrina out of her stupor, leading to her finally taking a look at Magnus. Her eyes widened.

"Uh, Magnus? Why are you dressed up like Zero?"

"Zero?" Nyte asked.

"The old Hunter?" Celeste added.

"Yeah. Zero had red armor and a long, blonde ponytail. Magnus... well, he doesn't look just like him, but maybe if someone didn't look too hard..."

Nyte turned to Magnus. "Dude, you're dressed like a legend." He chuckled, then added "Maybe we can start calling you ‘MegaMan Zero' now. Or ‘MegaMan Legend'."

Adam thought about it and shook his head. "I don't think so."

"Oh well," said Magnus. "Why did we all gather here, again?"

"We're supposed to be meeting with the Commander," Nytetrayn said, as he looked at his wristcom. "And we don't want to be late."

Katrina's face fell once again as they all headed out to the Avion Supreme Commander's office.

A short time later, the group arrived at the capitol building, and Nytetrayn led the way to their meeting with Black Draco.

As they entered the office, Draco could be seen sitting behind his desk alone. He rose, and approached the group as they entered. Katrina saluted her commanding officer, and he returned the gesture. "At ease," he told her.

"Thank you all for coming," he said, before gesturing to some chairs. "Please, have a seat."

The group did just that, with Black Steel doing so notably more respectfully this time, and Janine plunked herself down in his lap. The Digger reciprocated by wrapping his arms around her waist.

As he sat, Nytetrayn gave a small wave to what looked like the shadows in an area behind the Commander's desk, though no one else seemed to be able to see anything.

"To start," Black Draco said, once everyone was seated, "I hope that you all have enjoyed your stay here. But soon, the time will come when you'll all be returning to your home planet."

Katrina looked even sadder at this, while Steel felt a mix of sorrow and determination flood through him as he heard the words he had been expecting.

"Unfortunately, a dilemma has arisen," Draco continued. "We have studied the world of Terra, your world, extensively. And much has changed since we left it millennia ago."

"Right now, we feel that it is not the time for our existence to become known to those on your world. Perhaps soon, but not yet."

"There seems to be a balance of sorts on your world right now, and we do not wish to tip it, nor accelerate the progression of your societies faster than they should go, than may be ready for."

Katrina appeared as though she wanted to say something, but kept quiet. Looking like she might break into tears at any moment, she turned her gaze to the floor.

"It is with this in mind that I, Black Draco, chosen leader of the planet of Avion, ask that you all vow to help keep our existence a secret."

As most of the group nodded and voiced their agreement, Fenix told Magnus "Well, so much for our plan."

"Eh, you win some, you lose some."

"...plan?" Nyte asked, suspicious.

"Oh, nothing big," Fenix said casually. "We just wanted to bring back some nuclear technology."

The rest of the group glared at the two.

"I mean, it was just an idea..." Fenix said, hands behind his back as he lowered his head, kicking as if at some unseen object on the floor. "Woulda made us some rich bitches, though."

"So, then," Draco said, "we are all in agreement on this?"

The group once more gave their approval, now unanimously.

"Then, on to the next order of business. While I do not wish our presence to be known to the population, that does not mean it will not be there. Periodically, we will be checking in. Beyond that, we hope that you all will be there to help us, keep us informed."

Katrina's eyes and ears perked up, as she raised her head while the others once more agreed.

"Additionally, I'm considering looking for volunteers to go –"

Katrina rose from her seat, jolting Adam back in his chair. "Commander, I am hereby requesting reinstatement and to be stationed on Terra as an intelligence officer."

While the others looked up at her in surprise, some smiling, Black Draco chuckled. "I guess we have our first. Very well, Katrina. Consider your request granted."

Katrina looked like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. "Thank you, Commander."

Adam looked back and forth between Katrina and Black Draco, unsure of what to say.

"However," Draco added, "you do realize that you will have to keep your true nature and origins a secret."

Katrina nodded. "Yes, sir. It will not be a problem, sir."

Draco nodded in return. "Then be sure to check in with Tak or someone from the special equipment and research division, to get equipped with a camouflage device before we depart. Hopefully, the day will soon come that we will be able to make our presence freely known to those on Terra, and such measures won't be necessary."

"I'll be looking forward to when that day comes," Adam said, as he glanced up at the now much happier Katrina.

"I thank you for your time," Black Draco told the group. "Now that the final arrangements are in place, I should prepare for tonight's address."

As the group rose to their feet to prepare to leave, Katrina wore a look of relief on her face. At least, she did for a moment.

"Oh, and Katrina?" Black Draco said after her.

She clenched her teeth as she turned around, hoping all the while that the Commander hadn't suddenly reconsidered. "Yes, sir?"

"You're still studying energy and their sources, yes?"

"Yeah. I mean, yes, I do, sir."

"I was thinking, then: Perhaps you could help us by doing further research on the refractors found on Terra?"

"I'd love to do just that, sir."

Black Draco smiled and nodded, before they exchanged salutes once again, and he continued with his business to prepare for the evening.

Steel chuckled. "Looks like you've got more ruin-hunting days ahead of you, after all."

"Well, that was interesting," Nytetrayn said as the group made their way out of the capitol building. "So, guys, what should we do ‘til tonight?"

"What exactly is going on tonight, anyways?" Steel asked.

"Well, since he led the mission to Terra, their old homeworld, the Commander is basically giving a public report on how that went, and how they're proceeding with it... which I guess we just got a sneak preview of."

"Interesting," said Fenix.

"Which means we'll be returning soon," Steel said. "Very soon."

"Guess so. I sorta miss home, actually," Nytetrayn admitted.

"Me too," Celeste said. "Avion's nice and all, but... maybe we can come back someday?"

"Probably," Nyte said. "Maybe. I just don't think it could happen very often."

"Why not?" Steel asked.

"Well, it's not exactly up the street, y'know?"

"We got here in about a week's time, I'm sure the Commander would be happy to help us if we needed to return."

"Oh, sure," Nyte said. "I'm just saying we probably shouldn't book all our weekends off for it, that's all."

As this went on, Adam and Katrina trailed slightly behind, engaged in their own conversation. Katrina had a smile on her face, at least at first, until Adam hit her with a question.

"Katrina, what happened back there? Where did that come from?"

"I... I'm not sure. I... I just..." She trailed off, and looked away from Adam, who slowly put his arm around her. She continued, "I guess I... I couldn't bear the thought of being here... without you."

The two fell silent, until Adam admitted "I guess I never really thought about that."

Katrina only responded by resting her head atop Adam's as they walked, eventually keeping pace with the others again.

"Hmm, I wonder if anything interesting has happened back home?" Celeste thought aloud.

"Eh, I doubt it," Nyte said. "Not that much seems to happen without us there."

"I wonder what my not-so-dear ol' papa has been up to," Fenix said.

"Probably the usual pirate stuff," Adam said with a bit of scorn in his voice. "Looting, pillaging, plundering..."

"Oh yeah," Nytetrayn said as he cracked his knuckles. "I'd forgotten all about that. I still owe him, and I plan to show him a thing or two."

"Same here," said Adam. "Say, I wonder how Alpha-Red's enjoying his vacation?"

"That reminds me," Nyte said. "I wonder how the GunRobos are doing?"

"That Creed guy didn't seem so bad to me," Magnus said. "After all, he did help us all get away."

The procession ground to a screeching halt as everyone looked at Magnus.

"I'm going to pretend you didn't just say that," Nyte said.

"Hey! He did save us, I'm just saying! East was probably moments away from killing us, and he had no obligation to help. There must be a reason behind it."

"Yeah, maybe," Nyte said. "But he still sucks."

Adam grunted in agreement with Nyte.

"Hey, why are you so miffed, anyway?" Nyte asked. "It's not like he nearly beat you to death."

Adam looked grimly at Nyte. "That pirate bastard's gonna pay for shooting up my ride."

Nyte considered that and who he was talking to for a second, i.e. the guy who got bionic enhancements specifically so he could interface directly with his beloved airship.

He shrugged. "Eh, fair enough."

After walking quietly for a few more moments, Adam said "Blade said he wonders if East is really out of the picture now. I've been wondering the same thing, too."

"Probably not," said Nyte. "As long as he keeps treating Lovecraft like an instruction manual, he's probably going to keep finding ways to be a pain."

"I, too, doubt we've seen the last of him," Magnus said.

Janine frowned as she looked at her arms. "It's going to be harder to take him on now."

"And he's had as much time as we've had to recuperate," Adam said. "More, in Nyte's case. Things might get interesting when we get back."

Nyte's eyes widened. "Crap!"

"What is it?" Celeste asked.

"I just remembered who else we have to contend with when we get back!"

"Well, we already covered East and Creed," said Magnus.

"Is it the mayor?" Fenix asked. "I told him I was sorry about the bar-hopping incident! And the toga incident! Why won't he just learn to live and let live?!" he yelled as he threw his helmeted head back and shouted towards the heavens.

"Worse," said Nyte with a grimace. "Our landlord."

"Didn't you say the Commander is giving you a ship?" Adam asked.

"Well, yeah," Nyte said. "But I think we might still owe him some money. Plus, I want the deposit back."

Fenix let out a hearty laugh. "Oh, I don't think we're ever seeing that money again!"

"I don't know," said Janine. "Isn't he still pretty docile from when East reprogrammed him? Maybe he won't put up much of a fight."

"Oh yeah, you might be right," said Nyte.

"Reprogrammed?" Katrina asked. "You have a robot for a landlord?"

"It's a long story," Celeste told her.

"You guys say that a lot."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," said Magnus. "Back the truck up! Why was East of all people doing anything for your landlord?!"

"I don't know if I'd say it was ‘for' him, exactly," said Nyte. "But then again, I might've killed him otherwise, so I guess when you look at it like that..."

Katrina gave an incredulously disturbed look.

"I'd rather we didn't go into it," Celeste said. "Let's just say he had a little more than a ‘thing' for me, and leave it at that."

Katrina just nodded, choosing not to push it any further, figuring she's learned by now that she'll probably find out eventually – whether she wants to know or not. "Alright, sure..."

"Oh! That makes sense," said Magnus. "Since East and Creed both wanted your ass, it only follows..."

Celeste frowned and gave Magnus a small kick in his towering boot. He didn't even feel it, but took the cue just the same. "...ahem. Never mind."