Colossus By Design: Entry 0025 - Surprise Surprise

[September 20, 2145]
[Old Oakland, former American continent]
[Underground hangar]

[Freedom of Justice a.k.a. Thomas Scott begins coming back online]
[Thomas comes to his senses as his visual visor comes online]
[Thomas notices the strange new surrounding he's in and darts his head around, taking in everything]


(Thomas): What...... What's going on?

(Dr. Jiro Ifukube): Welcome back from the dead, Mr. Scott.

(Thomas): Huh?


[Thomas looks up to his left and sees Dr. Ifukube and his colleague Dr. Laura Reed up on a platform]


(Thomas): Dr. Ifukube? What's going on?

(Dr. Ifukube): Laura? Mind briefing our new recruit what's going on?

(Dr. Reed): Certainly, sir. Mr. Scott, we found your body in the remains the Canadian Army's Vegas base after the attack from the P.E.M.F. codenamed "Hand-Walker".

(Thomas Scott): My.... my body?

(Dr. Reed): Correct. You were very nearly dead when we found you. Luckily, our medical staff reached you in time to stabilize your body and prep you for integration into the Warmonger shell you now possess.

(Thomas): So, I'm a Warmonger now?

(Dr. Reed): Yes.

(Thomas): Woah.... this is just...... I'm REALLY a giant robot now?

(Dr. Reed): Well, actually, you're a mechanized conscience-drive huma--

(Dr. Ifukube): Yes, you're a giant robot.


[Dr. Ifukube looks at Thomas, now examining the rest of his new body with excitement; Dr. Reed is puzzled by her mentor's approach to the new recruit's initiation]
[Dr. Reed takes Dr. Ifukube aside to talk in private]


(Dr. Reed): Sir, what are you doing? We need to properly prepare the initiate for his role as an official Warmonger.

(Dr. Ifukube): I've lived a long time, and I've seen how this young man is. He needs to approach things his way, and I can't force him into a bunch of guideline jargon if it won't help.

(Dr. Reed): But sir--

(Dr. Ifukube): Trust me. This is for the best.

(Dr. Reed): Very well then, sir.


[Dr. Reed and Dr. Ifukube turn back to Thomas, who's still excitedly looking over his hull]


(Dr. Reed): Ahem........ Mr. Scott?

(Thomas): Yes?

(Dr. Ifukube): I just have one question for you, Thomas.

(Thomas): And that is?

(Dr. Ifukube): How does it feel now to be larger than life, being the god-like machine you are now?

(Thomas): Well, I don't feel THAT different. I'm a little bit slower in my actions, my "hull" feels kinda weird compared to skin, and I have a lot of extra parts.

(Dr. Ifukube): That's good.

(Thomas): Really?

(Dr. Ifukube): Yes. Most new initiates must go through intensive simulations before they can get used to being a Warmonger, and even then they generally take a day or two to properly adjust. You came online and adjusted in just a few hours.

(Thomas): Woah, really?

(Dr. Ifukube): Indeed. So, do you know which Warmonger you currently guide?

(Thomas): Freedom of Justice. The very first one ever developed and fielded for large-scale use. This one was created one year after the very first P.E.M.F. attack, in September of 2063.

(Dr. Ifukube): You seem quite knowledgeable on your Warmonger history. Tell me.... do you know when exactly your body's creation was completed?

(Thomas): Well...... umm......

(Dr. Ifukube): September 18.

(Thomas): What? Really? You mean that this one was made on my birthday?

(Dr. Reed): Technically, you were born on its date of creation..... but yes, it is the exact same day.

(Thomas): Well...... happy birthday to us both.

(Dr. Reed): And none too soon either. That P.E.M.F. has just arrived at the edge of the old city.

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At the edge of old San Francisco, across from old Oakland, the Hand-Walker stomps into view, preparing to make its way to its quarry.