EGYPTIAN WHEELIES

[obeytherod]

[Malik had found something while looking through the East Wing. Just what that "something" was becomes apparent when an engine roars to life, and the skid of tires on tiled flooring echoes through the halls.

Sure...sure, he could just walk his new bike outside...but where was the fun in that?! This wasn't an ATV, and it likely wasn't going to fair well in the spotty terrain outdoors...

So he's just going to take a few smooth-riding laps in the halls before he goes to test it outside.

When somebody gets in his way, he rears the bike back onto one wheel, skidding a few feet on the floor before the front tire slams back down and he comes to a stop.]

What, are you trying to get yourself killed?

Comments

[obeytherod]

... [Malik loses his taunting smile at that...humourless, even emotionless response.

His own reply is cold.]

Well, I wouldn't want to damage myself or my bike...so it's a good thing I stopped then.

[You, on the other hand...he couldn't care less.]

[soldier_from_surface]

It's a good thing, I agree. My self-repair could have taken care of myself, but humans aren't so easily repaired.

[And he's already got some other things to do to get repairs from Kaiba; having his self-repair fail and ending up with a malfunctioning arm because of the crash would have just been horrible.]

[obeytherod]

..."Humans"? You say that as if you're not. And your voice...

[Malik can't hold back his suspicions any longer.] What are you?

[soldier_from_surface]

I'm not a human, even if I'm built to look like one. I'm an armed recon robot.

[He figures the shorthand is better, but if Malik asks, he'll expand on it. It's not as if it needs to be a secret here, what with there being no one to do recon missions for...]

[obeytherod]

A...robot?

[Yes, he knew what a robot was, but still...could they really be this advanced?! Besides the voice and the weird skin, it looked and acted human.]

What's the "recon" for?

[soldier_from_surface]

[If not for the clear lack of skin with metal plating instead and that glitchy tinge to the voice... he could pass unnoticed as one.]

Reconnaissance. I was built to scout out places and retrieve as much information about them as I could, so that it could be used for some other purpose.

...That's what my systems register, at least.

[obeytherod]

Ohh? [Interesting! Malik's starting to wonder if his Millennium Rod would work on a machine...he doubts it, though.]

What kind of information were you gathering?

[soldier_from_surface]

I don't know. I was... disabled during my mission and suffered ten years offline, damaged, and discarded. Whatever I had gathered had been corrupted beyond salvage and was purged from my systems a short time ago while I was being repaired here.

[obeytherod]

Oh. Tch.

[Then this robot was useless--wait, no...maybe not.]

Nevermind then, I have another question. What do I have to give you for a little "recon" mission of my own?

[soldier_from_surface]

Most of my recon systems are offline, but I can still try, depending on what it is you want me to find out.

[obeytherod]

I want...some thing, not information. Is that possible?

[soldier_from_surface]

It's much easier at present for me to get an object than information, so it would be possible, yes.

[obeytherod]

Hmhmhm...then I'd like you to take something back that's rightfully mine. [Malik folds his arms, composure cool and confident.]

There's a one...Seto Kaiba who's taken something from me.

[soldier_from_surface]

[At the name, there's a faint flicker of emotion on Quote's face.]

I won't take anything from him.

[He shakes his head, then -- knowing Malik would be upset -- clarifies before a protest can be made.]

He's the only one I can rely on here for repairs. If he's stolen something from you, that's between the two of you.

[Had it been something serious, like a kidnapping, Quote likely would have turned... but not for an object, which is what -- from Malik's line -- it certainly sounds like he wants. An object, at least, is probably replaceable, even if it was stolen... and Quote's neither believing nor disbelieving it.]

[obeytherod]

Grr... [He grits his teeth, the growl barely audible but there nonetheless. Of course Kaiba would have gotten to this damn robot before him!

Malik's not giving up just yet though. He looks at Quote, almost disappointed, if a bit smug.]

That's a selfish...siding so easily with such a cruel man just because it benefits you. Do you have any idea of the things he's done? He's a monster...I'm sure I could find somebody else to help you, but if you really want to take the easy way out, well...

[soldier_from_surface]

Unless you have some proof of that, there is no reason for me to believe you. [Quote gives an almost uncaring shrug.] Perhaps he has, or perhaps he has not, but until I know he's done something or is continuing to do it, I have no reason to turn against him. Not just because of the repairs but because of the fact that he offered them to me with only a small condition. I'm sorry. Perhaps someone else can help you recover whatever item he stole from you?

[As emotional as Quote is under the mask, he doesn't buy the guilt trip. It's so very easy for people to try to sway with words... actions are what speaks louder, and the sword in his storage is proof of that.]

If there is something else you need, then I can offer that. Otherwise, you should refrain from riding the motorcycle inside, so you don't harm someone.

[obeytherod]

I guess I can't convince you, then.

[Malik seems to give up rather easily, considering how adamant he was a moment ago.]

But before I leave...I need to ask you something... [He whips out his Rod, pointing the all-seeing eye at Quote. Channeling his energy into it...he tries to use its powers on the robot.]

[soldier_from_surface]

[Interesting that he gave up so easy. Quote isn't sure what to make of that, but then he's being... pointed at... with the golden thing.

...Um.

Not sure what it is Malik wants or going to ask, he simply reaches out to poke the Rod, while a whole lot of nothing goes on at Malik's end.]

What is it?

[obeytherod]

... [Wait, is this thing even on?

Malik gives the Rod a pointless shake before pointing it at Quote again, but even then...he can't see anything!

Slowly, he lowers the Rod and turns the engine of his bike back on.]

Nothing, nevermind! [Suddenly stepping on the gas, he blows past, mere inches from running Quote over.]

[soldier_from_surface]

[...Well.

That was rude.]