"BEEP! BE-BOOP! BEEP!!" Vitesse uttered in desperation as it remained hopelessly stuck on the magnet panel.

[Continued from Emergency Rooms]

The first thing that had caught Fleuve's attention was the franctic yelling from Vitesse. It was obvious that the Mettaur was less than pleased at its current predicament.

"Oh, dear!" The vice-commander was quick to shut down the magnet panel, freeing the Mettaur.

"BEEP!! BLEEP BOOP!! BEEP BEEP BE-BOOP!!" The Mechaniloid stomped madly, making its frustration obvious to even someone who could not understand its peculiar language.

"My apologies!" Fleuve extended his palms defensively. "I was distracted and didn't think of shutting down the magnetic hold!"

[Continued from the Emergency Rooms, and a brief stop in the Corridors]

Kile followed Fleuve into the lab, and was surprised to see the peculiar Mechaniloid that had been stuck to what Fleuve said was a magnetic panel. He figured it must have been used to keep the spry machine from tumbling around during lift-off...

"I promise I'll compensate for it! Now please calm down!" Fleuve spoke franctically as the Mettaur menacingly stomped in his direction. "All right, all right! I'll give you an E-Tank!"

"BOOP?!" Vitesse stopped advancing, but continued to glare at the researcher.

"Two E-Tanks!" Fleuve amended. "Now settle down!"

"...... Beep!" The Mettaur nodded with a content expression on its face, finally stopping its tantrum.

"... Whew." The elder Reploid sighed in relief before turning his attention to Kile. "With that out of the way, where were we...?"

(OOC: Mettaur OC? and.. *whisper whisper hint hint* biometal zeta)

OOC: An extra, actually... And patience...

----------

"I, uh..." Kile blinked in surprise at the casualness of the scene before him. He never would have guessed a Mechaniloid could behave like that. Then again, he only had bits and pieces of Mechaniloids in his memory, and the only ones he had seen recently had tried to kill him. He adjusted his scarf and cleared his throat.

"I think you were going to analyze my armor and the crest," the swordsman continued. He placed the detached Dragon Crest on the nearest table and unlatched his armor again. He placed the breast-plate down on the floor against the table.

"Ah, yes. Let's start with the crest and see what we can find."

Fleuve took the Dragon Crest and placed it on the flat scanning panel of his console, the same one used to gather data on the Biometals. He typed a few inputs on his keyboard, causing holographic screens to light up as the scanning began...

------

OOC: What data can be obtained from this is up to you.

OOC: Ok.

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Kile watched Fleuve begin his analysis.

One of the holographic screens projected a wire-frame of the object, which began to rotate clockwise to show it. The internal structure of the crest became visible. Small wires and other small electronic components were displayed. The schematics of the crest's transformation lit up on anther screen. Readings similar to that of a Biometal were still evident. It appeared as though the crest's system was modified from --- or at least extraordinarily similar to --- the M.E.G.A. System.

In addition to this, the red crystal in the center of the device seemed to be giving off an unidentified energy signature. The crystal appeared to be forged from a mineral of unknown origin.

Fleuve watched the data flow through the screens as he typed into the keyboard. The process only lasted a few seconds before the screens confirmed the extraction of all data from the small crest.

Of course, that was just raw data. He would still have to process and study it before making anything of it.

"Data transfer complete. Much appreciated." The vice-commander handed the crest back to Kile. "I'll begin the analysis right away. You're welcome to stay, or you can come back later if you'd like."

"I've got nowhere else better to go," Kile said with a shrug as he took the crest back. He slipped it into his pocket for the time being. "If you're going to find anything that could help me out, I guess I'll stay here. I don't think there's much I can do until I learn more about this power or myself."

"Very well. Make yourself comfortable and try not to mind Vitesse too much. As you probably noticed, he can be a handful..."

"BOOP!" The Mettaur uttered with a look on its face that indicated pride at the statement. The vice-commander knew too well how the Mettaur enjoyed being in the spotlight, which helped cement its role as the Guardian mascot.

Fleuve continued to type into the keyboard quietly as he worked on processing the data. Despite the brief period of scanning, he had already obtained enough data to keep him busy for hours. As the elder stared into the screen, his expression became much more focused and serious; his holographic screens had gotten his full and undivided attention...

Kile gave a glance to the Mettaur. It certainly seemed like it reveled in attention. He decided it wouldn't hurt to at least greet the Mechaniloid.

"So you're name's Vitesse? A pleasure to meet you."

[Continued from Emergency Rooms]

"BEEP!" The Mettaur backed off as much as possible from Kile, recalling a certain event on the deck. As the door slid open behind it, Vitesse quickly sought shelter behind the feet of the incoming Guardian...

Chêne tried to contain her yelp as she was surprised by the frightened Mechaniloid. Taking note of the Mettaur's expression, she shifted her attention to Kile. "All right. What did you do to the poor thing?" She asked with hands on her waist, evoking her usual hybrid of accusation and inquisition.

Kile's temporarily positive attitude once again shifted to confusion, and then to slight dismay at the Guardian's accusation.

"All I did was say 'hello'," Kile replied. He then thought back... Was that Mettaur present during his demonstration on the deck? Kile thought he may have seen it there.If it was, then it was probably terrified of him. Terrified of the swordsman's draconic appearance. Terrified of his power. He winced as he realized this fact. Kile had already realized using this ability in front of average people would incur confusion and terror. But only now, after he had witnessed the Mechaniloid's reaction, had it fully sunk in. He would have to be careful about when he used the Dragon Crest...

But even then, would that change the fact that he could become such a creature? Although Aile's words had comforted him before, he couldn't shake that feeling. The feeling that he was a monster.

"How's that kid doing?" Kile asked in an attempt to change the subject.

"Better." Chêne replied bluntly as she kneeled to tend to Vitesse. "Easy now. You're better than that." The girl pat the Mettaur's head in a manner similar to how one would pet a puppy before rising back to her feet. Although Vitesse had calmed down, it now insisted on staying close to the girl. "Whatever was afflicting him is gone."

Fleuve found himself forced to pause his analysis as the Guardian's response drew his attention. "Are you saying his infection was successfully quelled?"

"... That's one way to put it." A very mild one, if Chêne wanted to add to that sentence. The finer details still bewildered her mind, and she had yet to wrap her mind around the experience. It was better to leave it at that.

"That's good news indeed." The elder Reploid remarked with a moderate, but distinct look of relief. "What about Model K?"

"With Aile and Locke." Chêne folded her arms with the reply. "Its still working, if that's what you're wondering. I left them in the medbay."

"I see... I suppose Locke will be delivering his data in due time." Fleuve adjusted his goggles with the comment. "Thank you for informing us, Chêne. You can go now..."

"Wait up. I'm not here as a messenger." Chêne responded with indignation. "I want to look something up in your Database."

"... My system is in use at the moment." Fleuve gestured at the holographic screens. "But I can download a copy of the data you want. If you can tell me the subject..."

Chêne paused. She was unsure if she wanted to disclose her subject of interest to anyone, especially when a stranger was in the mix. On the other hand... she figured it was an opportunity to gauge Fleuve's reaction. And it was not as if this Kile Dragoon could do anything to get in her way.

"I want info on a certain Biometal and its user." The girl eventually responded. "The 'Anti Mega Man', Model S."

The vice-commander suddenly regretted making the offer.

"'Anti Mega Man'? What...?" Kile asked with a puzzled gaze. He crossed his arms and glanced between her and Fleuve. The silence indicated that the following exchange may be touchy. Kile had the feeling that it would concern details that he had no business knowing about...

"Mind your own business." Chêne snapped at Kile without shifting her attention away from Fleuve. "Well...?"

"... Why do you need the data?"

"So it really exists." Chêne remarked with satisfaction from the indirect confirmation. "I have my reasons, including my right to know all about it."

"... Please understand this is sensitive data." The vice-commander responded after a pause. "I cannot share it indiscriminately."

"Are you saying I can't learn more about the Biometal and my--the person who used it?"

"... That's not what I meant. What I'm saying is that this data is not in the public database for a reason."

"And how often has keeping secrets helped anybody here? It sure helped us a lot against Serpent, didn't it?"

"... I understand your point of view, Chêne. I really do." The vice-commander sighed. "But as I said, there is a reason I am not sharing this data."

"With all due respect, sir, this is ridiculous." The Guardian retorted. "Commander Prairie just told me about this Biometal. There is no reason I can't learn more about it."

"... Well then. If you obtain authorization from the Commander, I will give you a copy of what I have."

"... Fine." Chêne sighed, then turned around as she made her leave; she would be back shortly. Vitesse decided to follow, the Mettaur still uncomfortable with Kile's presence.

The swordsman winced as the girl snapped at him, but decided it wasn't his business to get involved. It just sounded like trouble, to him.

"Um... Should I go somewhere else before she gets back?" Kile asked the Vice Commander with sincere concern. "I can already tell that I'll just be in the way of something that I have no right or reason to become involved in."

"I'm afraid it might be too late for that. Take a look..."

Fleuve quickly returned to the console, where he started to put several schematics side by side in a seeming comparison. After a few seconds, the researcher pointed at the schematics on the left side of the screen. "These blueprints were just scanned from your crest. And these..." He pointed at the blueprints on the right, with the distinct label of "M.E.G.A. System Schematics". "... Come from the M.E.G.A. System shared by all known Biometals to date. This is the mechanism that integrates the Biometal's DNA data with the genetic code of a compatible host, creating the hybrid genome that makes up a Mega Man's composition. It is too early for conclusions, mind you, but at this point, I strongly doubt this resemblance is coincidental...!"

Kile wasn't going to pretend like he understood everything Fleuve just pointed out. But it was clear that the design for his crest and the design for the M.E.G.A. System were too similar to ignore. At the same time, he wasn't entirely surprised by this. Kile could gather well enough that being able to transform like this was rare. It only made sense that the mechanisms were similar. At least, that's how he saw it.

"Well, I don't know what to say to that," Kile replied. In all honesty, there wasn't much he could say in response to such a matter-of-fact statement. Then again, if the designs were similar...

"Does this mean that whoever designed this had their hands on Biometals before?"

"I would not dismiss the possibility at this point. All Biometals in our possession had their systems based on the original Biometal... the evil one we call 'Biometal Model W'."

Fleuve typed into the keyboard, loading a holographic illustration of a cone-shaped Biometal with a glass top. The image was then surrounded by the images of six other Biometals: Model X, Model Z, Model H, Model F, Model L and Model P.

"Our previous commander used research data on Model W to create a number of Biometals to counter its evil. As such, their systems are inherently similar. Unfortunately, this also means that any compatible host is capable of merging with Model W. When you take into account the incredible power of the Biometals, you can understand our concern with keeping them away from wrong hands. Especially after one of our own was corrupted by Model W..."

Fleuve then displayed a picture that seemed to depict an old laboratory, where a Guardian research team surrounded a small fragment of Model W. The team was apparently overseen by a blonde lady in a violet jacket. Her back was turned to the viewer, so there was no clear view of her face. The vice-commander pointed at the bulky Reploid with an exaggerated pink topknot.

"He went mad and destroyed our research team. One of them managed to record the truth, but we only discovered the data relatively recently... but I digress; my point here is that if these 'crests' are related to the Biometals, there is a good chance their wielders can be ensnared by Model W. And now that we confirmed the existence of others like you, we must learn more about this as quickly as possible."

"I see," Kile replied. Although it was a lot of information to digest at once, the Vice Commander did an excellent job at explaining the fundamental concern for it. "Well, you can count on my help, at the very least. I want to know as much about my power as possible. I may learn more about myself in the process."

"I'll call you as soon as I finish studying this crest. I'm afraid this will take some time..."

"Mr. Fleeeuve!"

The door opened up as abruptly as the child Reploid entered, pushing along the toy replica of the Rush Roadster. One of the wheels seemed to be dragging along the floor, making an audible noise.

"Mr. Fleuve!" The boy called again. "My car broke and Mr. Silure said he's too busy to fix it right now! Can you fix it for me?"

"Oh, my gears and starters...!" The elder Reploid remarked after being startled by the boy. "Sardine, I have work to do here! Can't you ask Anguille?"

"But Mr. Anguille takes too long to fix things! And he's with Mr. Silure right now."

"Hrm..." Fleuve rubbed his goatee as his mind searched for a solution, suddenly stiffening as a thought occurred to his mind. "Oh, I know. Sardine, this is Kile Dragoon, a newcomer. Why don't you show him around the ship? I'll try fixing your toy as soon as I'm finished here."

"Okay! Nice to meet'cha, Mr. Dragoon!" The boy smiled at Kile as he beckoned him to follow. "Let's go! I know this ship like the back of my hand!"

"U-uh, alright," Kile replied to the boy. He was surprised to see such a young-looking child among the Guardians. It didn't seem like the safest group to travel with. But it wasn't a problem. He started to follow the boy, but then turned back to Fleuve.

"Mr. Fleuve," he spoke. "I'm not entirely sure, but I think the armor itself allows the crest to work." He pointed to his chest plate, which he had put down next to the workbench. "Do you think you'll need to analyze it, too?"

"I'd say it's a likely prospect. I'll see you later." With the parting words, Fleuve turned back to the console and began to focus his entire attention on the research.

[Continued in Corridors (Sardine)]

Kile nodded to the Vice Commander and then followed the boy into the hallways.

[To Corridors]