[Continued from Corridors]

The door suddenly slid open once more as the modest figure of Fleuve entered the room again. "I sincerely apologize for the delay. I hope the wait wasn't stressing for either of you." The vice-commander measured his words as he spoke.

"Ah, Mr. Fleuve..." Vince spoke. The vice-commander's timing was impeccable. However, the detective realized Shien would be too stubborn to unveil any new information here. And if Vince even tried to get involved with the Cordell investigation, he'd no doubt have to implement his "client confidentiality" clause... It was just as well that the subject were changed.

"No. It wasn't too bad. We all had a very stimulating discussion, to say the least." Vince paused for a moment. "I'm assuming we've landed? The floor vibrated a bit earlier."

Zexen remained silent. He definitely needed contact with Price. "Hmm.. If only I could contact Price."

Fleuve nodded in response to Vince. "We're now in the Arcadian Ruins. We landed to help a camp that was just attacked by Mavericks..."

The elder Reploid adjusted his goggles upon hearing Zexen's remark. "... As in, Captain Price?"

Zexen perked up from the mention. "How did you.."

Vince looked blankly between Fleuve and Shien. Oh boy... he thought. It appeared the Guardians may know the current Armani...

"He is the one who contacted us for assistance in the first place." The vice-commander replied.

Zexen smiled suddenly, and extended a sleeved arm. "He is the one I work for. " He hid the sudden shock and anger that Price had contacted the Government agency instead of dealing with it properly. He'll school it all later...

OOC: For the record, Lumine, the Guardians aren't a part of Legion. They aren't endorsed by the government, but at the same time, the government doesn't get in their way.

"Huh..." Vince muttered in surprise. The detective turned to Fleuve. "I don't want to change the subject, but how are Kiriyama and Andrew doing?" Vince had been somewhat concerned over the two Chosen Ones' injuries. Only now, however, was he able to ask...

"I haven't been able to obtain an update about Andrew's condition. As for the Watchman..." Fleuve sighed as he briefly pondered the best explanation, but he found that simply stating the facts was easier for him. "He fled from the Guardian Base. According to Carrelet and Chêne, he ran off to an area of ruins not far from our position. I believe that Commander Prairie has been been informed about this and taken the appropriate measures by now."

So whe've landed in Arcadia. He'd heard just about every theory on the Arcadian ruins. They were the first civilization, or possibly an advanced race that was just part of a bigger chain of City-states. There's even the crazy conspiracy that it was an Extra-Terrestrial outpost. He only chose to believe what science would show him.


"May I ask why we're here?" Shien was curious.

Vince ignored Shien's question and rubbed his face. He groaned in aggravation. "Argh! What is that punk up to now?!" the detective asked.

"Model R is probably giving him orders," Model ó sighed. "What is he thinking?"

"Model Omicron, you could have sensed them leave earlier, couldn't you?" Vince asked in annoyance.

"I was focused entirely on this conversation. I didn't notice them..." the Biometal reluctantly admitted. Vince turned to Fleuve.

"Darn it! I need to go after him!" Vince spoke up.

"Don't jump ahead of yourself, Vince!" his Biometal warned him from within his coat. "Like Fleuve said, Prairie may have taken measures by now..." Model ó concentrated. "I can sense them heading towards several other Biometals... Vent and Aile are there. I can sense Models X and Z. . . And one other Biometal..."

"'One other Biometal?' Oh great, there's another new Chosen One down there?" Vince asked. All these new Biometals lately were beginning to annoy him. Just how many were there? So far, he had seen Models R, X, Z, and D. There were several other mystery Biometals that the Watchmen had as well. And of course, there was always Model W. There was also the potential to run into the Biometal that Chêne had mentioned... "Agh... If Vent or Aile is down there, than I guess they can handle it," the detective sighed. "I would at least like to go down and see what's going on, though."

"As I said, we were called by your Captain." Fleuve replied to Zexen. "Commander Prairie came here with Aile to investigate an incident involving Biometals, when the camp suffered a large scale Maverick attack. We flew here to help the victims."

The elder Reploid turned to Vince. "We already sent Vent to investigate the area... and he just contacted us with dreadful news." Fleuve was reluctant to say more on the matter; he was still trying to digest the information himself. In retrospect, however, he may as well be honest since the two would know eventually, and hiding anything from a detective would be just silly. "Anton Cordell was sighted in the ruins. He supposedly used a Biometal to escape prison."

Vince's eyes widened. "Talk about timing..." he said. Was he right that Cordell had more Biometals up his sleeve other than Model W? "So then, Cordell is a Mega Man. He may have created the Biometal he used to escape... Which means his knowledge isn't limited to just Model W... Of course, that's if my hunch is correct..." The detective brought his hand to his chin in thought.

I believe it's about time I take on a new investigation, he thought. He didn't want to interfere with Shien's investigation. However, Biometals were involved and Cordell was a Mega Man. Shien wouldn't stand a decent chance alone...

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NALoLtTC8w )

Zexen tensed up and already began to make a move for the door. What business did Cordell have in the ruins, unless he needed information. "Is he still here?!" This could be the chance I'm looking for..

"According to Vent, he was able to escape. However, we need to wait for his return before gathering more details." Fleuve deliberately omitted Pandora's involvement; he would bring it up eventually, but he needed to handle the current situation first. "At any rate, Anton Cordell is now a matter that also concerns the Guardians. I'd like to ask you to please come with me." The vice-commander made a step towards the door as he spoke.

Vince, for the first time that day, was at a loss for what he needed to do. The Guardians seemed to have the situation under control for the time being. Vent was in the ruins. As far as Vince was concerned, Mega Man ZX was skilled enough to handle whatever else was down there. Cordell had escaped. There was nothing Vince could assist with. That is, unless he could search for clues.

He decided he'd follow Fleuve. He assumed they were going to the bridge. Vince also assumed that Shien would be further intimidated by the vice-commander and unwilling to cooperate. And on top of this, Vince just wanted to stay aware of the current situations that were unfolding around them.

He waited for Shien to respond to Fleuve before making a move.

Hmm.. He was here. What purpose could he even have in this wasteland? Zexen tappd his arm with his finger, recollecting any useful information. I think I need to gather more information..

"I suppose so." Zexen nodded with a neutral expression. "If it means collecting more notes, then I'll come. I also need to speak with Captain Price before we proceed."

"You're not the only one." Fleuve remarked as he walked past the automated door. However, rather than moving on to the bridge, he proceeded to the boarding ramp.

[Continued in Neo Arcadia - Ruins]

Vince followed the vice-commander through the corridors to the ship's boarding ramp. This could only mean they were going to meet with Prairie and Price Armani. Vince needed to speak with this man regarding Cordell. As a Mega Man, and above all as a detective, he wouldn't just let a criminal run free.

"Just a heads up, Vincent," Model ó spoke to him as the detective followed. "The other Biometal I sense out there seems... familiar."

[To Neo Arcadia - Ruins]