CM: Locked and Loaded
It didn't take long to finish clearing out the damage done to the facilities at the top of Central Tower by the Rebellion Army occupation, making it once more an ideal base for the Resistance. Wild Jango was placed in lockup in the lower levels of the Tower, secure and contained. The excitement of events had been, unfortunately, straining on Aile, and he was forced to rest and recuperate for an unknown period of time, meaning he wouldn't be able to interact directly with anyone save Spider - who knew how to handle his exhausted state - though he could still pass on the significant information he had stored in his systems.
"With the base back online, we can begin retaking the city," Chief R explained softly. "Aile's information will give us courses of action, though we'll need to be cautious until we're able to get someone here on Navigator duty."
"It's a pity Mom couldn't get vacation time," Octavia offered softly. "She's an excellent Navigator."
"But she doesn't know anything about Giga City's layout," X countered gently. "We'd need someone with that information."
"And I believe we can find one," Spider spoke up as he brought out the first data set. "Thirty miles northwest on Tianna Island is an old Force Metal mine, which is being used as a prison camp by the Rebellion Army. Those at the mine who resisted are still imprisoned there..." He placed the disc into the computer. "Including a particularly talented Navigator by the name of Nana, formerly the coordinator of the mining operation."
The screen displayed a pink haired young woman in white and orange armor, with two red sevens on her chest plate. Octavia immediately went flat eyed. "That's either bad taste or someone's idea of an obscure joke..." she muttered darkly.
"With her abilities, the base would be fully operational," Spider continued. "And while we're at it, there should be others there we could help who would likely join our cause...especially since the Government left them there to rot."
"Then let's get a move on," X ordered decisively.
"Without a Navigator/Operator, I can't change the teleporter's destination," Chief R explained. "Thankfully, it's currently set to Tianna Camp. Good luck."
The inside of the Tianna Camp was stark brown walls with square corridors, separated by metal doors that slid up and down out of their frames. The first corridor outside the entry teleporter curved into the primary entry chamber...where a new figure stood.
He was massive, built on a scale larger than X or Spider. About ten feet tall and as wide at the shoulders, he was garbed in stylized green armor with red flared spoilers at the shoulder blades, with gold filigree on the boots, gauntlets, around the blue focus crystals on the front of each shoulder plate, and surrounding the prominent shoulder spikes. A massive double bladed plasma poleaxe was clutched tightly in both large hands, and a yellow 'M' insignia was emblazoned on the black body suit worn underneath the armor, just under the bottom of the large chest plate.
Spider's eyebrows shot into his hat as he took in the figure. "Well talk about lucky coincidences. If it isn't Steel Massimo, the Iron Paladin of Central Tower."
The figure - Steel Massimo, apparently - spun to face them, his eyes startled. "T-that I am!" he managed to stammer. "And I know you as well, Spider...at least, by reputation." His hands clenched tighter around his poleaxe shaft, tight enough that his knuckles were surely turning white beneath his gauntlets. "And w-what brings Giga City's most infamous bounty hunter here?"
"Penance," Spider explained readily. "Relax, Massimo...I'm not here to fight you, or even compete. You're here to save the prisoners, aren't you?"
"T-that's right!" Massimo insisted eagerly. "Steel Massimo could never leave helpless victims under the heel of such tyranny! These halls hold no fear for me!"
Octavia frowned slightly, taking a closer look at the man's expression...what she could see of it under the faceplate. Something about the tone...it sounded as though Massimo were trying to convince himself as much as them.
"I'm X," X introduced himself. "This is my daughter Octavia. We're Maverick Hunters, currently working with the Resistance. We're here to free the prisoners as well, specifically the Operator Nana."
"H-how fortuitous!" Steel Massimo proclaimed, his voice between relieved and overjoyed. "With the four of us working together, no foe within these walls shall stand a chance!"
"Good to work with you," Spider offered with a grin. "Now let's get going. Four attracts more attention than one or three, and we can expect resistance." He patted Massimo's massive arm. "Good to know we've got someone as tough as you here to help. One thing we're missing from our lineup is someone who can tank."
The group continued into the camp, evading the floating security drones patrolling the early corridors. Octavia couldn't help but watch Massimo curiously as he allowed himself to be led into the camp. She had done her research on all the significant vigilantes of Giga City while she was looking around with Axl, just in case there were any that might think to challenge Axl to try and make a name for themselves. She'd heard a great deal about Steel Massimo, and something here didn't quite add up.
Another thought did occur to her as she watched. Her research suggested something regarding Steel Massimo that was not confirmed by any public record, but did fit with Octavia's own perspective. Perhaps that was the detail that could explain these seeming discrepancies...
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That felt pretty short.
there is a great perk to being a night owl and that is getting to read the newest chapters of all your awesome fanfics Tatsurou
welp, Steel Massimo is not who he seems to be.
SILVER HORN! It's alright Massimo no matter how unworthy he feels he's better than he thinks he is.You know unlike other times that Rock, X and family had to face copies of Robotmasters/Mavericks that felt like chores in this game, well they feel like catharsis especially for him. It's a point where he realized "I'm no longer a pale imitation of my teacher/sensei/Shifu/master, I've taken this armor and made it my own! SILVER HORN! I'm Not of Afraid of you anymore!"
7874592
My question is, given that Massimo Sr. was declared dead, does that mean that the conversation later was all on Massimo Jr.'s head?
Ah Massimo, I so tried to use you. But ultimately you fell just a bit short.
I'd rate Nana a 7.7 out of 10.
Better Steel yourselves, a revelation is coming.
If it is the latter, i don't get it.
7874710
'Nana' is how the kanji for 7 is pronounced in Japanese.
7874723 Ah. Thank you.
The joke about Nana was that the 7 on her chest is that nana is 7 in Japanese?
Ah yes, Tissue Paper Massimo. How I so wish you were an effective tank...
For some reason I'm really amused by this ending to the send off. "We're sending you to the only place we can send you, but at least it has some stuff we need."
So I looked up Nana, since I've not played any X games and I like visual aids help me visualize the scene better, and something bothers me.
Her horseshoe is upside down.
Since the joke is that her name means 7 and it's a lucky number, she wears the belt for good luck but an upside down (with the points going downwards) means that all the luck stored inside will fall out and it becomes a sign of bad luck.
Sorry for the rant, great chapter as always.
7875131
At least he has a lot of hp?
7874723 Oh, so that's what it mean. And here I thought it was a sex joke like 69 or something. It wouldn't be the first time.
Is it just me, or is Massimo comparable to Bang Shishigami?
7875627 Sure, he has a big health pool, but he takes something like 40% extra damage from all sources without having anywhere NEAR a large enough boost in health per level to balance this out.
7876763 Yeah, at least his glint armor helps with that. I need to go back and replay Command mission, maybe this time not accidentally sell my bait bonus weapon and waste my hyper mode extenders on the X-Fire armor.
7876763
7877013
I find equipping him with 'Reverse (Element)' Force Metal for whatever element the area you're fighting in is makes him much more useful...especially if combined with a Bait sub-weapon.
Admittedly, given how slow he is, there are better ways to use your resources, so unless you really like using him...
7877023 Sorry for the derailing, sir.
Can someone in the party make a Monopoly Get out of Jail Free card joke???
Looks like Octavia has figured out Steel Massimo's hiding something.
7879747 But we may never know. That guy is as solid as a steel trap!
...oh.
You are no one to talk. Also-
I don't get the joke.
7874723
Are you kidding me? I Thought it was a jab at the character's design or something to that effect. Talk about obscure.
another hero joins the battle, will ourhero steel massimo manage the massive task ahead? will he keep his cool under preasure... TUNE IN to find out in another exciting episode of.. THE STEEL CRONICLES, COMMAND MISSION.
in all seriusness though, love this chapter, just brings a good introduction to massimo.