[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

Algonquin Park is a national symbol of Canada's nature. It is protected by it's security, led by Mudslide Basilisk. It was a battlezone during the Earth Crisis and it took years to regain it's beauty in favour of infusing nature with cybernetics.

---

"Hear about the Confederation Bridge?"

"Some details are underwraps, but it's just the Government."

"The Hunters are being censored majorly..."

The Confederation Bridge battle was the talk of the Security Staff at Algonquin Park. There were rumors, debates, and paranoia... but the leader of the security, Mudslide Basilisk, ignored it all. He was busy on patrol near Algonquin Lake.

"... I haven't... hehe, that man came and now..." Mudslide Basilisk thought to himself as he entered the water of the lake, ever so slowly.

Tourists took photos as Mudslide slithered about quietly and practically unnoticed.

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

Mudslide writhed as he slunked through oozes of mud, swamp, and bush. He was receiving reports that the area was cleared of any suspicious persons. He looked to the side, spotting a Federation soldier. The two sets of eyes met, the soldier nodding. Mudslide nodded back.

"Hehe, this hurts but... it's amazing..." Mudslide Basilisk said to himself.

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

[New Hera: Aegean Harbour]

Elzareth teleported into a small bush of poison ivy, looking down in shock at the plant.

"Goddammit, now I'm gonna itch up," he said, exerting his gravity ability on the bush, launching it away.

Looking ahead, he spotted that he missed a hiking path by several feet. In the distance, birds and crickets could be heard as well as many other animals in the national park. Meanwhile, in a swamp, Mudslide Basilisk crawled out of the thick ooze and lifted his head into the air.

"Someone teleported in, heh. Whoooo could it be?" he said, proceeding to crawl in the direction of Elzareth and Blaze Lioness.

[OmegaMan]

Blaze Lioness, who had warped in with Elzareth grimaced as they appeared in an area with more mud. A forest?! A swamp?! She was becoming increasingly agitated, hoping that none of the surrounding muck would seep in through her blatantly obvious open wounds. This Elzareth fellow had to be messing with her. That jerk...! But he was the one who got her this new power and showed her the way of Sigma. She couldn't just up and scorch him right now. Especially in her condition.

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

"Around here is someone who you have to meet first before we can fix you," he said dully before stepping onto the path and waltzing down a hill towards a path going by a large, pristine lake.

Elsewhere, Mudslide Basilisk slithered through the trees and various mud swamps towards the direction of the teleportation. He came up to a large lake before realizing a familiar signal was in the air.

"Ah, it's that one..." he said.

[OmegaMan]

Lioness reluctantly followed Elzareth, still agitated at his stalling. She could only hope that whoever she had to "meet" would be more tolerable. If not for her sake, then for the wretch that might rub her the wrong way.

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

From over a hill, Mudslide Basilisk slowly creeped out towards Elzareth and Blaze Lioness. He was many times the size of the two and was covered in mud that never seemed to stick. With each step, more came off. He bowed his head lower the closer he approached Elzareth.

"Who brought the kitty to the swamp?" the Basilisk hissed. Elzareth shrugged it off and glanced back to Blaze Lioness.

[OmegaMan]

Blaze Lioness showed no signs of fear. Merely increased irritation at the oversized creature from the Black Lagoon. Which, judging by the demeaning tone in its voice, was already antagonizing her.

"Hmph. This lug is who you wanted me to see?" Blaze Lioness complained. "Well great. I've seen him. Now can we get going now? I don't like hideous men leering at me while I'm exposed."

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

Elzareth glanced back at Blaze Lioness. "Shut up, kitty. He's going to tell you where your first major assignment is as well as provide you with the means to fix your stupid exposure," he said.

"You seem a bit testy," Mudslide said.

"You shut up too. Show her around your stupid park."

[OmegaMan]

"Hmph. Men these days," Lioness grumbled. She turned to the behemoth of a Reploid in front of her and said. "... Let's just get this over with."

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

"Kitty scared of wateeeer?" the Basilisk said, hissing its tongue.

Elzareth waved. "I'll be in Japan. Or New Hera. Or whatever."

[OmegaMan]

"Not scared. Disgusted. Especially if something like you is squirming around in it," Lioness replied irritably. She wondered just how long she would have to trade insults with this oversized gecko before she got her duly needed repairs.

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

Elzareth returned to the point where they teleported in and stood there in idle silence before a beam of light surrounded him, teleporting him back to [Aegean Harbour]. Mudslide Basilisk hissed his tongue as the Reploid left and turned around.

"Head office is located near map booth one click from here, southwest. Repairs to your soft body can be made there, Hello Kitty," Mudslide said, turning towards the lake. "step on my back and I will carry you there, otherwise you'll be spending an extra hour circling the lake."

[OmegaMan]

"Hmph, perhaps you're not such a terrible gentleman after all," Lioness responded before complying and climbing onto the lizard's back. She could only wonder how such a huge slug of a Reploid would be fit to serve Lord Sigma. Yet she snuffed the notion aside, hoping to get repairs first before anything else.

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

"Ssssooooo, why are you with the cause?" he asked as he started calmly swimming through the lake, speeding without causing a rough ride.

[OmegaMan]

There was a moment of pause as Lioness thought back. "I'm afraid my reasons for joining might actually be quite droll," Lioness replied. "I wanted power, and I was given enlightenment. That my prior cause was a shackle I must destroy."

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

"I joined because it was the chance to evolve into a new species," the Basilisk said, picking up its speed as the water rippled away from them. They were already halfway across the lake.

[OmegaMan]

Of course a dinosaur would think about evolution, Lioness mused to herself. How fitting.

"I guess we'll see what happens when the time comes, I suppose," the Maverick spoke aloud. She lacked the motivation to continue talking further. She only wanted to be repaired immediately.

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

Upon reaching the other side of the lake, the Basilisk crawled out and didn't attempt to dry itself off, continuing its crawl through the path on this side of the lake.


"Merely 50 feet ahead is the destination," he said.

[OmegaMan]

"Thanks for the heads-up," Lioness replied. She was tired and irritable. And with her inevitable repairs just around the corner, she would finally be able to clear her head of frustration!