Memory Bank

[Proto Man]

Systems Operational…

…

Rebooting…

…

With a gasp, Proto Man’s field of vision went online and the child-sized robot’s upper body swung into an upright position. Glancing around, he noticed that his vision was without its usual tint, which meant his visor had been removed. Looking down at his chest, the android noticed that the gunshot wound to his chest had been repaired. There wasn’t even a mark to show where the steel had been soldered. Groaning, Proto Man’s eyes fell to the metal bands around his legs and arms. An attempt to lift one of his shackled hands was met with astounding resistance.

“Ssso you’re awake, Proto Man.”

Damn it. Turning toward the serpentine voice, the prototype Robot Master looked up the lithe, green-colored figure of Snake Man. From what Proto Man had gathered before his escape, Dr. Wily and Dr. Light had collaborated on another series of Robot Masters. After seeing an opportunity to get back at his rival, Wily had apparently stolen and reprogrammed all the machines to serve his needs.

The concept of their being more than one advanced robot out there still baffled Proto Man, who had been so very alone during his days in the Light Laboratories. Wily’s database had held the information for over twenty-eight other Robot Masters. A few were built off of Proto Man’s designs, but most were unique creations, like Snake Man or the cowboy who had botched the prototype’s escape. I wonder how many other destruction machines have their origins in me… At times like this, Proto Man wished he lacked the articulate emotional capacity of robots such as Drawl Man or the Mettaurs. Maybe then he wouldn’t feel responsible for all the destruction the drama between the two doctors had wrought on the city.

“Are you lissstening to me, Prisssoner?”

“Yesss, yesss, I hear you, Snake Man.” The imprisoned Robot Master grinned when he saw the frown on his captor’s visage. Proto Man was genuinely surprised that the snake-robot had been programmed enough to understand humor. Then again, Dr. Wily’s was always talented with programming. Looking away from the humanoid reptile, Proto Man spotted his helmet and scarf lying on a nearby countertop. The prototype frowned—he always felt so naked and bland without his effects. The helmet had been a staple of his since his creation, but its visor and the scarf had been added by Proto Man to make him feel more unique. Without them, he just looked like a preteen in an awkward bodysuit. “So what does your ‘boss’ want with me, Snake Man?”

“He wantsss me to remind you that you owe him and are going to come clean on your part of the deal.”

“Why can’t he tell me this in person?”

“Dr. Wily isss at the laboratory he isss leasssing with Dr. Light.”

“Still sticking to his charade, eh? You should tell him to stop focusing on that and start focusing on fixing your lisssp.”

One of Snake Man’s hands shot up from his side, converting into a buster-type weapon as it came to bear on the bound Proto Man. “You ssshould be lucky that Dr. Wily left usss with ordersss not to kill you.” Despite clear intensity on Snake Man’s face, his voice remained at the same tone and volume. “Dr. Wily wantsss you to report to Magnet Man’sss hideout downtown. You are to intercept Dr. Light’sss lackey.”

“His lackey?”

“The reassson why Wily hasss been unable to take over the world. Dr. Light reprogrammed one of hisss asssissstantsss.” Proto Man cringed at the other robots attempt to spit out the word ‘assistants.’ “You are to neutralize Mega Man to prevent him from stopping Dr. Wily’sss plan. Dr Wily hasss bugged you, ssso any attemptsss to essscape will resssult in something far worssse than a ssshot to the chessst.”

“Can you let me out of these stupid things?” The prototype asked as he tried to lift his shackled arm.

“Unfortunately, I mussst.” Snake Man scowled as he walked over to a nearby control panel and tapped a button. The thick metal bands slid into the chair beneath Proto Man with a pneumatic hiss. With a scowl, the android hopped off the inclined surface and brushed off the oversized pads of armor that covered the lower halves of his legs. When he was finished, Snake Man tossed him his effects. Despite the situation, Proto Man was more than happy to slide on the helmet and wrap the scarf around his neck. He was far more accustomed to filtered hearing and tinted vision.

“You’ll need thisss asss well.”

With a frown, Proto Man reached a hand up and caught the lobbed item. Looking up at it, he noticed it was type of face guard. A look over at Snake Man revealed that the serpentine robot was waiting for the prototype to don the piece of armor. Although unsatisfied with the notion of having accessories forced on him, Proto Man placed the face guard over the lower half of his head and almost winced when a few small rods popped out to keep the armor in its rightful location. Turning to a small mirror on a nearby wall, the android noticed that his entire face was concealed, and that his visor looked less like stylish, helmet-mounted sunglasses and more like a robotic views screen. One glowing red eye was even present, although Proto Man couldn’t see it himself on his field of vision.

“That’s a disssguissse to help keep you concealed from Dr. Light and his croniesss.”

“Great.” Proto Man rolled his eyes beneath his shades. “Just show me to the teleporter…”

“Thisss way.”