[Fan Fiction] Big O Parallel Universe

What?

This thread was on the second page, whats going on?

ah well

anyhow...

would there be street gangs in the outer domes?

Why not, things seem to indicate there were in canon.

Guess there's little that can be done unless we outright discuss plot points for future episodes.

After seeing episode 26, we now know who Gloria Rosewater is ....

Hello, folks. Welcome back to Reciprocal Paradigm where the laws of nature do not apply - at least in the Smith household. ^_^

For one thing, I can't access Six-chan's RP site. I get a message saying 'FORBIDDEN cannot access on this server'. I wonder if anyone else is getting this or if only my stuff is acting up.

For another, I'm debating what to do as far as stories go. Of course, I'm doing the episodes - might chuck a few out , don't know yet - but I need help in relation to sending them out to be seen. The artists and writers have completely different schedules in when things get done, so ...

Boils down to - should I just post the stories up here and whoever wants to draw can just read from the thread? After any drawings are done, then it can be packaged by Six-chan for his site as 'official'. Or something like that.

Thoughts, comments, anyone new who wants to join?

wellllllllllllll

if you did post the stories, this thread would be bigger than the speakeasy(which aint bad), but maybe it would be okay for now, ask pen

as for myself, i've been distracted and havent done much( bad doggy!!! ) but its schools fault,but.....with the recent visit of my sister( i love you sis!!!!) and the re-airing of the fist season, hopefully i will be refreshed


now...with the ending of the series( for nowhopefully) i think its time the staff start going over where we should go with the series

and i would really like to see more people join,as log as everyone is on the same page

I've started act 3 'Electric City'. Roxanne's wake up call, coffee, and Dorian's way of answering the phone pretty much sets up the interactions of their relationship. I just introduced

Male-Angel

*wonders if Rouge heard*

Now I'm going to record the dialogue from act 3 canon and see what I can do.

I've been toying with a few ideas, like

spoiler (highlight to read):

Angel not having the scars, since 'Angel Rosewater' did her thing in canon and felt there was no use in putting another person through the same thing she did.

and

spoiler (highlight to read):

Alex staying male instead of being Alexia.

Any thoughts?

quote:

Originally posted by Lady Tesser I've started act 3 'Electric City'. Roxanne's wake up call, coffee, and Dorian's way of answering the phone pretty much sets up the interactions of their relationship. I just introduced Male-Angel *wonders if Rouge heard* Now I'm going to record the dialogue from act 3 canon and see what I can do. I've been toying with a few ideas, like spoiler (highlight to read): Angel not having the scars, since 'Angel Rosewater' did her thing in canon and felt there was no use in putting another person through the same thing she did. and spoiler (highlight to read): Alex staying male instead of being Alexia. Any thoughts?

*Waves Sign saying Male Angel's #1 fan*

Oh yes I would love to see him in action *dreamy sigh*

Oh and some thoughts of mine

spoiler (highlight to read):

Yes we can do with Male Angel not having the scars, or maybe he can have the scars and have another completely different meaning to it? I mean I am not exactly sure, but it can relate to his past instead of that wacky Memory/Big Venus thing.

And about Alexia

spoiler (highlight to read):

I am quite curious about why you decided to keep Alex male? I mean he could be male, but I am not sure. I think we should ask Alex fans since they are the ones interested in him more than any of us folks.

As for drawing *sweatdrops* I'll try to see how Jingu does her Roxanne and study it and maybe I can make something (I do take a lot of time drawing various scenes). But I am pretty sure that Jingu does want to draw for this fic, and if I remember correctly she said something about you guys choosing the scenes for her to draw, since she had difficulties choosing the scenes herself.

In a final note

spoiler (highlight to read):

In Episode 7, Roger wears a brown coat and clothing different to his traditional black tie suit. I wonder what Roxanne would wear ^_^

Well now I need to study for my math Test

*goes daydreaming of Male Angel instead*

I'll have to get with Six-chan about the Endgame on that point about Angel, since he has an interesting take on the whole thing. I'm just throwing the idea out and seeing what the reaction is.

Alex has fans?? WHERE? WHERE? RELEASE THE HOUNDS! (Sic 'em, Dog-chan!) Seriously, though, I felt the story would not be altared in any way on that point, unless we actually give Alex a social life.

spoiler (highlight to read):

Although an argument against Alex staying male would be his commentary toward Roxanne, which can get into icky territory.

I have some pics of Roxanne that Jingu had done, if you want me to email them to you. She's definitely drawing act 2 (I sent it to her weeks ago) and act 3 is still up for grabs. I'll send you the finished story for you to work from when I'm done if you want to draw it.

I've already thought of your final note. (Me, the costumer, not plan on outfits? ^_^ ) -

spoiler (highlight to read):

Black cargo pants, flat-heel boots, black tank top, and a purple jacket. Hair is pulled back in a ponitail. The 'Going Cruising Around on a Sub' look! Hottest Style this side of the Domes!

Sombody say sic!!!!


(grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!)

and yea, Patty-cakes seems to be the key holder for the whole er uh, lemme see whats the word....

....direction?

but whatever the case, i hope we do chose a more...hmmm, obvious ending, i dunno


i dunno about you cats, but Roxanne Smith reminds me of Paine from FFX-2...in how she looks and stuff...face wise...not the black lederhosen thing....

*looks at fashion suggestions*
ehh dont ask me for stuff like that, my sense of fashion is this, all baggy ,all loose

and another thing...

how would this version of Big O be like? combat wise? i know it would still have the pistons but would it have any other capabilities? wasnt it supposed to be more agile?

Ok, so this may be a filthy n00b question of me, but here goes: Where can i read/ view/ stare in awe at Reciprocal paradigm stuff? I keep reading about the works in progress, or references to previous fics... but i have not seen any actually fic-goodness.

Well ... here's the addy. As I said, I keep getting a 'Forbidden' message, so I don't know if anyone else can get in. Where's Six-chan?

http://www.sixfortyfive.com/rp/

As for combat - I am crappy at writing fight scenes. I don't know anything about tweaking Big O for this. I leave that up to you guys. I admit to needing help on this.

As was mentioned - act 1's finished, act 2 is being viewed by the artist to draw, and act 3 is being written as I speak. Dog-chan (CR Foxhound) is writing his own one-shots and Pen1300 is writing her one-shot. Six-chan (Sixfortyfive) is the last Word in relation to any endings.

I'm tempted to post act 2 up here. It's virtually ready, text-wise.

quote:

Originally posted by Lady Tesser I'll have to get with Six-chan about the Endgame on that point about Angel, since he has an interesting take on the whole thing. I'm just throwing the idea out and seeing what the reaction is. Alex has fans?? WHERE? WHERE? RELEASE THE HOUNDS! (Sic 'em, Dog-chan!) Seriously, though, I felt the story would not be altared in any way on that point, unless we actually give Alex a social life. spoiler (highlight to read): Although an argument against Alex staying male would be his commentary toward Roxanne, which can get into icky territory. I have some pics of Roxanne that Jingu had done, if you want me to email them to you. She's definitely drawing act 2 (I sent it to her weeks ago) and act 3 is still up for grabs. I'll send you the finished story for you to work from when I'm done if you want to draw it. I've already thought of your final note. (Me, the costumer, not plan on outfits? ^_^ ) - spoiler (highlight to read): Black cargo pants, flat-heel boots, black tank top, and a purple jacket. Hair is pulled back in a ponitail. The 'Going Cruising Around on a Sub' look! Hottest Style this side of the Domes!

I would love to see Jingu's pics for ACT 2, I need more inspiringness
The only trouble I am having with ACT 3 is how will both Big O and Male Angel will look...I mean I'll try to doodle a design while looking through Glinda images for Big O if you don't have any and will post them later.

About Male Angel

I can't recreat such hotness!!! I am not worthy Jingu and Mr. Angel!!! NOT WORTHY!!!

*gets shot*

Ack! Um...Will Mr. Angel wear spandex when he goes into action mode like Miss Angel? Unless you have a cool semi a la X-Men the movie costume in mind...He will look pretty weird (I am not used seeing Men in spandex). Unless you want to keep him being just a man with a fashionable taste and a gizillion of suits and tuxedos.

Whatever comes to your mind oh great Lady Tess, Mr. Angel will still be hotness <3

Um ... leather pants and duster ... *watches Rouge drown herself in drool*

I haven't gotten to that scene yet. I need to audio record it (at least I FINALLY got my DVD's!).

You'll need to discuss the act 2 pics with Jingu and see what she says.

quote:

Originally posted by Rouge About Male Angel I can't recreat such hotness!!! I am not worthy Jingu and Mr. Angel!!! NOT WORTHY!!! *gets shot* Ack! Um...Will Mr. Angel wear spandex when he goes into action mode like Miss Angel? Unless you have a cool semi a la X-Men the movie costume in mind...He will look pretty weird (I am not used seeing Men in spandex). Unless you want to keep him being just a man with a fashionable taste and a gizillion of suits and tuxedos. Whatever comes to your mind oh great Lady Tess, Mr. Angel will still be hotness <3

cuz every woman's crazy about a sharp dressed man....

well anyway, i was wondering Tesser-sama(gong sounds)

<_<
>_>

where is that coming from? Anyway, i was wondering if you had any original ideas for RP, not just revisions of the eps, it be nice to hear some of your ideas

as for angel, whenever i think of him, i always think of this dude from sailor moon, i forgot what his name was, had long hair, evil eyes and always wore a suit, i cant remember his name...

oh well...

Act 3 is almost done. You may rejoice!

Okay, at least stop yawning like that.

I think I'll post up act 2 on this thread.

BTW - need a Spanish pet name for Angel to call Roxanne. Something like 'sweetheart' or 'baby' or something to make her wonder what he's calling her.

quote:

Originally posted by Lady Tesser BTW - need a Spanish pet name for Angel to call Roxanne. Something like 'sweetheart' or 'baby' or something to make her wonder what he's calling her.

How about "cara mia"? Gomez Adam's pet name for Morticia.

Pygmalion

Yes, that'll work. Thanks, Pygmalion. ^_^

Big O Reciprocal Paradigm
Act 2: "Dorian, Dorian"
Text by Lady Tesser

[Dorian I falling backward, Dorian II and Major Dastun in the shadow of his fall ... ]

Big O's hand reached out, shielding the two figures with her hand. Dastun covered her head out of instinct.

Dorian I crashed to the ground, causing a miniature earthquake within the dome.

Danielle Dastun blinked her eyes rapidly, then raised her head and looked around, seeing she was in the hand of Big O.

"Megadeus?" she breathed. "Did you ... just save me?"

Inside the cockpit, Roxanne Smith exhaled, smiling in relief. She and Danielle may not have seen eye to eye on anything related to the application of law, but Dani was too good a friend to get smashed by a giant robot.

Not to mention Dorian -

"Hey, where did Dorian go?"

* * *

[My name is Roxanne Smith.
My other name is Negotiator.
I provide a vital job in Paradigm City. This City of Amnesia.
My last case resulted in a dead client and an identity mix-up that backwashed into use of Big O. My case should have been closed, except that loose end known as Dorian Solderno, who went missing after I rescued Dani from certain death.
I had to consult someone who would know, someone who had her ear to the ground.]

The Speakeasy was a remnant of the Event, a small watering hole of a bar in one of the less popular parts outside the domes. The Speakeasy was populated by bluecollar workers, lower management-types, master drunks, and toughs who regarded newcomers with both paranoia and hostility. It was safe during the day - Dale the bartender made sure fighting was a 'no-no'.

Roxanne Smith pulled up in front of the Speakeasy, getting out and hitting a button on a remote. The Griffon's defense system switched on, encasing the body and tires in steel.

Several would-be chopshop boys approached, then noticed the armor and the driver.

Roxanne turned to look at them, a smirk at her lips.

"Begging your pardon, ma'am," one of them muttered, motioning the others to leave.

Roxanne grinned and went into the Speakeasy.

Dale already had Roxanne's usual ready for her as she passed the bar, her hand dropping a fiver on the counter, then picking up a glass of scotch and ice. She made her way across the room toward one of the tables lining a wall, settling in a chair and crossing her long legs.

On her right was a plump woman with caramel-colored skin and long frizzy gray hair she wore pulled back from her face. She was non-descript, actually, as she sat at her table and read a newspaper, her tinted glasses covering her eyes. However, she also sported a pair of large ears with elongated lobes, of which the reason for their appearance seemed to be the heavy earrings made of clock parts dangling from the lobes.

Roxanne noted Big Ear's paper was open to the article concerning the death of Miguela Solderno.

"His creator is dead," Roxanne stated quietly. She took a sip of the scotch. "So, where would Dorian have gone?"

"Who knows," Big Ear's deep, full, gospel-alto voice replied. "If such an exquisitely life-like android - as opposed to some of those old rattletraps you see around here - were wandering Paradigm City looking for his home, I would know of it." She smirked to herself.

"Then he isn't wandering," Roxanne concluded, leaning her elbow on her table and resting her temple on her fist. "It only follows he would have gone somewhere familiar to him."

Big Ear's eyes shifted to look at Roxanne. "I'm not sure I'm following you."

Roxanne narrowed her eyes. "Could Solderno have designed and built a Megadeus-class giant robot and a perfect android on her own?"

"Solderno was no genius," Big Ear commented. "She was a factory manager, a mere technician. She could never have designed neither Dorian."

Roxanne took another drink. "Then how - "

"I suspect she managed to get the memory of someone who could," Big Ear answered as she took the cigarette from her mouth and exhaled.

"So, who gave her that memory?"

Big Ear replaced her cigarette. "Who else? Beth Gold and Miguela Solderno go way back ... all sorts of shady dealings."

Roxanne got up and placed her gloved hand on the table, depositing a wad of twenties. Big Ear's paper discreetly covered the stack, making them disappear the next second.

Roxanne left the Speakeasy, still trying to figure out who in Paradigm City would still know how to make Megadeuses.

* * *

[Solderno and Beth had dealings ... but Solderno told me Beth kidnapped her son.
Beth killed Solderno ... she must have tried to keep the Dorians away from Beth.]

Roxanne weaved her way through traffic as she flashed back on Solderno's dying words: 'I never made him ... for people like her ... '

[Solderno and Beth were partners ... but Beth turned on her ... ]

Roxanne startled, seeing Dorian stepping out of a taxi with an older woman in front of a club. Dorian was now in jeans and a leather jacket, his auburn hair looking even more wild. Slung across his back was a gorgeous emerald green electric guitar.

The woman he was helping out of the taxi was tall and thin, slightly hunched over likely due to arthritis, her gray hair cut smartly at shoulder length. She was wearing a modest white dress and a red rose corsage on her breast. She wore sunglasses, hiding her eyes.

Roxanne stopped and got out of the Griffon. "Dorian!"

Dorian looked up as did the older woman. Roxanne approached both, her high heels clacking against the sidewalk. "Dorian, where did you go? I was worried sick!"

The older woman tipped her cane up and poked Roxanne in the solar plexus. "Young lady, who are you? And from where do you know my grandson?"

Roxanne regarded the old woman with disdain. "Dorian, we have to talk - "

"You are an ill-mannered, boorish young woman," Tina Wayneright declared. "And I would appreciate if you would leave my grandson alone!"

Wayneright turned to leave, her body hunched over as she leaned on the cane.

Dorian gazed at Roxanne, then went to helping the old woman up the steps and into the club.

Roxanne stared after them, then heard an alarm from the Griffon. She went back and leaned in the window. "Yes, Norma?"

Norma's wrinkled face appeared on the monitor. 'Mistress Roxanne, I looked up that young man like you asked me to. Dorian Wayneright - '

"Wayneright?" Roxanne repeated. "Are you sure that's his name?"

"I never forget the name of a guest, madam. Dorian Wayneright is the son of Dr. Tina Wayneright, a robot designer - '

Roxanne grunted. "That explains everything. Have Big O ready, I've a feeling Beth's going to move again."

'Very well, madam.'

Roxanne pulled herself out of the Griffon's window and looked back up at the Nightingale Club. After a moment of talking the bouncers into letting her in (involving the judicious use of eyelash batting, a sultry voice, and unbuttoning one of her top buttons, tactics whose use always made her feel soiled), Roxanne made her way into the club.

It appeared to be an Open Mike Night, as people clapped and a woman skipped off the stage and into the audience. Dorian stepped up onto the stage, the guitar now in hand, and he looked out toward the audience.

"This is for my mother, and I'd like to play one of her favorite songs. Happy Birthday, Mum."

He arranged the guitar, and began playing, the intro swinging into a wild riff over the speakers:

"Fear me you lords and lady preachers
I descend upon your Earth from the skies
I command your very souls you unbelievers
Bring before me what is mine
The seven seas of Rhye

Can you hear me you peers and privy counselors
I stand before you naked to the eyes
I will destroy any man who dares abuse my trust
I swear that you'll be mine
The seven seas of Rhye

Sister - I live and lie for you
Mister - do and I'll die
You are mine I possess you
I belong to you forever-ever-ever-aah

Storm the master-marathon I'll fly through
By flash and thunder-fire and
I'll survive - I'll survive - I'll survive
I'll survive - I'll survive - I'll survive
Then I'll defy the laws of nature and come out alive
Then I'll get you
Be gone with you - you shod and shady senators
Give out the good, leave out the bad evil cries
I challenge the mighty Titan and his troubadours
And with a smile
I'll take you to the seven seas of Rhye ... "

Roxanne was both awed and impressed with the boy's guitarwork and voice, as if he was not an android but a teenage rocker.

[I later learned the story of 'The Steadfast Tin Soldier' from an old friend who remembered fairy tales. The soldier was part of a set of tin soldier toys, him being the last made and there was not enough tin to finish him so he was one-legged. He fell in love with a ballerina from a playset, thinking she, too, had only one leg due to her ballet pose. However, she had fallen in love with his loyalty enough to overlook his incomplete being. In the end, both had perished in the fireplace - he melting into a heart-shaped lump of tin and the ribbon from her costume entwining that heart.]

Dorian smiled slightly, bowing his head, while Tina Wayneright clapped and beamed with pride. "My steadfast tin soldier!" she cried. "Wonderfully done!"

Dorian turned to the stage wing where Roxanne was already standing.

"So," Roxanne remarked. "Wayneright designed you, but Solderno built you and raised you? And yet, Wayneright was your real mother."

Dorian looked at her.

"You play very well," she added.

"Thank-you, Roxanne Smith," he finally replied.

"Where did you go? Unh!"

Roxanne felt a sharp object poke the back of her ribs. "I take it that's not a lipstick tube against my back."

"Very good, Ms. Negotiator," Beth Gold sneered. "That was a nice trick you pulled with our money - sending it sailing across the sky like that."

"We aim to please," Roxanne murmured.

"Hands up where I can see them - you, too, robo-boy."

Dorian looked at Beth like she were an uninteresting lump of clay. Roxanne raised her hands. "What's it this time, Beth?"

"I came back for Dorian Two - I need him for a little job." She giggled and offered her hand. "Come along, sweetie, we have some work to do."

Dorian made no move to go.

Beth sighed and flicked her wrist, Dove and T-Bone coming out of the shadows, both holding large guns. "You don't seem to understand, Mr. Wayneright, you have no choice when I tell you to do something - "

She lowered her hand and T-Bone hopped from the stage and down to the floor, grabbing Tina Wayneright and sticking a gun against her back.

" - you do it." Beth chewed on the end of a cigarette. "Now, you coming along?"

"Dorian," Tina Wayneright called, her hand reaching out to him.

Dorian turned, indecision flying across his face. "Yes, Mother?"

"Don't let them - "

Dorian stuck his fist out, striking Dove across the jaw.

T-Bone - panicking - gripped the trigger of her gun and shot Tina Wayneright through her back. Tina swayed, then fell forward while blood gushed over her white dress.

Patrons screamed and clamored for the exits. Dorian twirled around, dropping his guitar, and started to go after T-Bone.

Beth's hand snapped out at Dorian, slamming a taser into the back of Dorian's neck and making him fall stiffly to the stage from the shock.

Roxanne headed right for Beth, her gloved hand balling up in a fist -

Beth's taser spun and the conductors hit Roxanne's gut, electricity surging through her body. Roxanne fell to the floor of the stage like a stalk of overcooked broccoli.

"Y-you sick - " Roxanne breathed before finally passing out.

Beth looked over her handiwork, then flicked a switch on her taser, changing it into a widetooth comb, which she used on the curls on the sides of her face. T-Bone climbed back up on stage, leaving the body of Tina Wayneright to bleed all over the floor. Dove picked herself up, rubbing her jaw.

"Don't need to damage any necessary components," Beth stated. "Pick him up, and be careful."

Dove and T-Bone went to pick Dorian up, both grunting in exertion. "Man," T-Bone muttered. "This dude is heavy!"

"You complaining about someone being too heavy to lift?" Dove snorted.

"He weighs more than he looks." T-Bone smirked. "But he's still the cutest guy I've picked up in a while."

"That involved a taser, too, didn't it?" Dove asked.

"Don't drop him," Beth snapped as she glanced at the boy's blank face. "How could those old biddies get so attached to a machine?" she wondered. "Well, my little marital aid, my interest in you is strictly business." She grinned, her wide mouth stretching across her face. "Some say money can't buy love or happiness ... but I say those people just don't know where to shop!"

Dove and T-Bone carried Dorian away behind the curtain. Beth looked down at Roxanne's unconscious form. The point of her platform shoe shoved Roxanne over on her back. "I feel good, Negotiator. I think I'll let you live today. So long, Crow Bitch."

* * *

A little while later, Military Police swarmed the Nightingale Club.

"What were you doing here, Roxy?" Danielle Dastun asked quietly.

"Working for a client," Roxanne replied, pulling her sunglasses out to put them on. She leaned against the piano. "What do you know about Tina Wayneright?"

Dani looked up, then grunted and looked back down at the chalk outline and the evidence lines. "Tina Wayneright was an old recluse, lived north outside the domes. Robot designer, worked with the late Miguela Solderno on a lot of the post-Event robots."

"Like the steadfast tin soldier," Roxanne murmured.

"What was that?" Dani asked.

Roxanne shrugged, digging into her pocket and pulling out two wrapped pieces of chocolate. She offered one to Dani while unwrapping the other for herself. "So, did she have a grandson?"

Dani accepted the offered chocolate piece and popped it in her mouth as Roxanne savored her own. "No, but she had son who had died during whatever the Event was."

A young Military Police officer ran up to Dani. "Major-ma'am! The giant robot has appeared in West Dome Number Five again."

"WHAT?!" She made a run after her assistant out of the building.

Roxanne finished her chocolate, then crouched down and noted the mechanical turn-key that had fallen out of Wayneright's purse. She pocketed it then stood up in the shaft of light in the dim room.

She raised her wrist and stated, "Big O ... "

* * *

Inside a yellow and gray non-descript van, Beth was tied up to a Frankenstein monster of a computer, her blonde curls covered by a VR visor and her platform shoes slamming down on foot controls, guiding Dorian I down the street.

"Damn, what a workout!" she gasped. "This thing hardly moves!" She cackled. "But I'll get those plates this time if I have to level this city!"

* * *

Danielle Dastun took her cap off and grunted, running the sleeve of her uniform over her forehead. "WHAT'S GOING ON??" she demanded. "It can't be back! It has a hole the size of a house in it's chest!"

Dorian I made his way slowly down the street back toward the mint once again, the hole in his chest from Big O's piston-enhanced fist quite obvious in the dome's artificial light.

* * *

'CAST IN THE NAME OF GOD ... YE NOT GUILTY'

"ACTION!" Roxanne cried inside the cockpit of Big O.

Inside Beth's van, she paused as she took in the visual of the ornate female-formed Megadeus. "The Big Zero!" she crowed. "Time for round two, huh??"

Dorian I and Big O faced off in the middle of the street, Dorian's arms raised in preparation. The ends of the arms suddenly spouted a pair of drills which began spinning furiously.

Big O raised her arm shield as Dorian I stabbed the drills at her face, attempting to drill through the ornate armor plates. The black Megadeus brushed the drill aside and slammed a fist into the faceplate of Dorian I. Big O's neutral feminine face shadowed menacingly by the artificial dome light as it stared into the remains of Dorian I's face.

"Hmph," she commented. "Even without a control device, you're still moving. Well, not for long." Roxanne flipped the switch, Big O's piston filling with air. "Bye-bye ... Dorrie!"

She pulled her arm back on the control, ready to slam Big O's fist into Dorian I's face. She pushed the control forward -

And the center of Dorian I's face caught her eye.

"Hey, wait a minute - that's - " She clenched her teeth. "DORIAN!"

Dorian I's faceplate had broken during battle, exposing a central nervous control area between his eyes. Wrapped up among the wires and cables with his arms outstretched was R. Dorian, his eyes shut and a device attached to his headband over his forehead.

Roxanne felt a drop of sweat dribble down her temple and cheek. "So, that's how it can still move," she murmured to herself. "Dorian is acting as the power regulator circuit." She gritted her teeth, then leaned Big O forward to grip Dorian I's shoulders and shove him to the ground.

Dorian I fell to the ground once again, his back slammed into the concrete, making a Dorian I shaped crater in the street.

Big O's cockpit window swung open, Roxanne climbing out of the cockpit and raising her arm up to project her wrist-cable to a building, swinging down from Big O to Dorian I's face.

"DORIAN!"

She gazed down into the exposed face and the cable-wrapped R. Dorian, his face expressionless as if he were sleeping or tranced. Roxanne balanced herself as she stared at Dorian's face.

"The same two women designed and built you and your big brother," she said as she looked for a way to separate them. "You really are brothers, but with two mothers."

Her gloved hands reached in, beginning to pull cables and wires away from his body. "No," she corrected herself as she ripped wire away. "More like conjoined twins."

Beth screamed in pain as the electrical shock tore through her controls and electrocuted her as Roxanne continued to tear away the controls between the Dorians.

"However," Roxanne continued, ripping wires and tossing them over her shoulder, her black hair falling out of the bun by strands. "It's time you were separated!" She ripped the larger cables out. "DORIAN WAYNERIGHT, WAKE UP!"

She pulled him bodily out of the indenture, grunting and straining as she hugged him to her body to pull him away from his twin.

Dorian's eyes fluttered a second, looking up into the determined face of Roxanne Smith with her sweat-sheened skin and her hair falling crazily out of her up-do.

"Rox ... anne ... " he murmured mechanically, his voice eerily electronic-sounding.

Roxanne gripped his shoulders and pulled him out with her body; she slammed him on his stomach over her shoulder in Fireman's Carry.

"Whew!" she commented, unsteadily making her way upright. "For a waify-looking-android, you sure weigh a lot. I need to work out more."

She tapped her watch; Big O offered her upturned palm to them as she raised them back up to the cockpit.

Roxanne dropped Dorian down on the floor of the cockpit, pausing to snap off the control device and push his disk reader back into his forehead. She brushed strands of hair out of his eyes as his black concircular eyes locked to her brown eyes. She smiled gently, running her gloved fingertips over his cheek. He stared up at her, saying nothing.

"Dorian," she said quietly. "I meant it when I said I'd protect you."

She stood up and looked through the cockpit window toward the street. "Now, to finish some business."

* * *

Inside Beth's control van -

"Boss!" T-Bone called.

"Beth, wake up!" Dove added.

Beth looked around, peeling the visor from her head. "Huh, what, huh? DAMNIT! WE GOTTA GET OUTTA HERE!"

T-Bone opened the back door of the van - only to find a rather large Megadeus face staring right back at them.

The three women screamed, slamming the doors shut. Dove made her way up to the driver's seat and started the van, hitting the accelerator to escape.

Big O's hand reached into the parking garage, shredding concrete and asphalt as her hand gripped around the van and pulled it out over the street.

"MOMMY!" the henchgirls cried gripping each other in panic.

Roxanne smirked coldly inside her Megadeus, holding the van aloft in the air with Big O's hand. She absently brushed loose strands of black hair back up into her bun. "Beth, if you won't negotiate with me on professional terms, you pay the price."

She hit the piston controls, air lightly sucking back in the piston, then it slammed gently up into the van to shake things up. Big O's slender fingers released the van, allowing gravity to finish the rest.

The van fell to the street, crashing into the ground.

It was immediately surrounded by Military Police and Major Dastun.

"OUT OF THE VEHICLE!" Dani ordered. "KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM!"

The doors popped open, the three criminals falling out and wrapped in cables.

Dani sneered. "Cuff 'em all! And don't bother calling an ambulance!"

Beth stared at the black Megadeus above her and muttered, "Oh, man, my robot - she broke it."

* * *

[Dr. Tina Wayneright - the genius robot designer - modeled Dorian after her deceased son. She never got over his death and treated Dorian as her son reborn.

[But why did Miguela Solderno call both Dorians her son? Maybe she absorbed some maternal feelings when she used Wayneright's memories to build them ...]

"Aw, to hell with it, I did my job."

Roxanne stood out on the balcony of her mansion, gazing at the morning skyline of Paradigm City. She ran a hand through her long, wild black curls which needed both washing and brushing, but she needed these chill mornings to help clear her head first.

"Good morning, Mistress Roxanne," Norma stated primly.

Standing a few feet away was Norma Burg, her housekeeper, clad in her usual gray and black striped dress with the white collar and cuffs and black apron (now proclaiming 'Foxy Grandma' - Roxanne really wondered how senile Norma was) as well as her black eyepatch over her left eye and snowy white hair pulled up in a utilitarian bun. Next to her stood Dorian Wayneright, clad in gray trousers and a black coat, offset by a white shirt and black bowtie. In his hands he held a tray with a mug of coffee sitting on it.

"Norma," Roxanne stated. "What is this? Why's the android dressed in that get-up?"

"Well, Mistress Roxanne, seeing as Mr. Dorian had no home, I thought it wise to keep him here with us - "

"With us??" Roxanne repeated.

"I have no place else to go," Dorian stated matter-of-factly. "I owe you a debt for your negotiation services rendered."

The old woman continued undaunted, chuckling slightly, "I'm overjoyed to have him here, he can help me look after you."

Roxanne felt miffed she was not consulted, but she knew Norma was getting on in years ... one does not argue with Old Ladies.

"All right," she conceded, still grasping for the upper hand. "Dorian, come here."

Dorian approached her, his black eyes glued to her brown. She accepted the coffee from the tray and sipped. The Morning Chocolate rested in a small dish, so she picked a chunk up and popped it in her mouth. "Mmm."

"Yes, Roxanne?" he prodded.

Roxanne swallowed and sighed. It seemed Norma and Dorian outvoted her. "Dorian, while you stay in my house, you obey certain household rules."

Dorian looked at her. "What sort of rules?"

"Rule number one - a rule even I follow - everyone who stays in this house must wear black."

Dorian looked back at Norma, noting her gray and black dress and black apron, then to Roxanne's own attire of black sweatpants and a ratty old black robe best left in a dumpster in a forgotten alley.

He looked straight up at her and stated, "Your sense of fashion, Roxanne, really reeks."

[We Have Come to Terms]