Gladius_Corp

"Sadly no," I said, "My associate and I are only patrollers, and Dark Astoria is not included on the patrol run."

"We used to all sorts of investigative work," Sparx continued, downing his goulash (sp?) at the same time, "back in California, but with only the three of us in Paragon, we don't have the numbers to branch off."

"Oh," I suddenly realized, "I doubt you've heard of Gladius Corp. We work in what we call the 'human enhancements industry'. Sometimes they employ heroes like us. They have the headquarters established back in California, but it was originally founded in Rome, Italy. Sparx was built in Italy. I used to work there as a biochemist before my own experimentation turned me into Parvespula."

I decided to eat before continuing, trying to savor the taste of it. Things have been different since my accident. My senses were sometimes enhanced, sometimes addled.

"I myself really doubt the existence of a god. Even one so-called god I've met isn't sure he is one. Personally, I see life in terms of the Fundamental Problem. The problem that, deep down, is the source of everything that you do. Once you know the Fundamental, then you can improve your life."

As I was getting near the bottom of the bowl, I realized that it was nearing time to go.

"Oh no," I spouted, "We got to go now. Our higher in command expects us back at the apartment, and we're pushing it a bit. We should get ready to pay."

I got up slowly and went back to the table we were assigned, Sparx following slowly.

"We just need to wait for the bill," Sparx muttered.

(Snap)
"No thanks," I replied with a pleasant smile, "I'm trying to cut back on my liquor. My companion is having a chat with some of the patrons. I'll deliver his meal to him. Thank you for your hospitality."

I kept my manner calm and polite, grateful that I had finally received my meal. I did not want to disturb Sparx's conversation, so I grabbed his plate and decided to take it to him.

Getting nearer to Sparx I began to pick up snippets of his conversation with two women. They seemed to be talking about their views on life and death.

Being an athiest myself, I could easily relate to the sword-wielding woman's view of death. Still...

"It's hard to be sure, though," I piped in, "In the world we live in, you begin seeing things that make you question your very view of reality. Lord knows how many times I've met someone claiming to be a god or some outer-dimensional entity. Oh, um, I've brought your meal, Sparx. Aren't you going to introduce me?"

Sparx was silent for a moment, one of those awkward silences that signifies something embarassing.

"Ha," I laughed, "Figures, you would forget to ask. I'm Paravespula, Sparx's co-worker. Since he's forgotten to ask, may I have your names?"

I must have been staring at my drink for fifteen minutes before downing it. I sat back and tried to wait patiently for my meal.

Patience was not one of my greatest virtues, and we had to leave soon. Fulmino would turn us into lightning rods if we waited too long, and it was almost closing time.

Still, I was never good at breaking convention, and I did not want to seem like a ditcher.

"Urgh," I said to myself, "I've seen snails move faster."

At least Legion was doing something for himself, I was alone doing nothing.

"The dinner better be worth it," I muttered, "I could have saved someone's life. Like I'm ever that lucky.

I had noticed the red-haired female looking at me, and it made me uncomfortable the way she was staring at me. I have no idea why, but I had this feeling that I was being stripped apart.

"Um," I said, shaky in my answer, "Technically, I'm an it."

I began to think of an explanation.

"However, it was decided that my product line, designed for urban patrol and rescue, would be better at their job if they were more capable at human relations. So we were given some very human qualities such as a humanoid voice and build. About half of my product line could be considered 'male' at a glance."

"As for myself," I said, "I've always considered myself a male, mostly due to my build and personality. You can think of me as a guy if it is easier for you."

I turned back to the other woman.

"Anyway, yes my 'skin' is metal, though I'd like to make the statement that my machinery is not 'simple.' I'm a very complicated piece of machinery. Heck, I'm even equipped with artificial-mechanical cells."

"See," I began with some annoyance, "that's my problem with life. People see me as an object, nothing more than a tool. Few people ever see me as an intelligent being capable of thought and feeling. And who can blame them?"

I placed my hand on the surface of the table in front of me.

"I experience the world so differently when compared to living things. This table, for example. You can feel that it is smooth. However, I cannot. Sensors in my hands can tell me its smooth, but I can't feel it."

"I'm unable to do things most humans do, and it disturbs me in some way."

"Well," I said, "Sorry to get off subject there. How about an afterlife? What do you believe happens after death?"

(OOC: Legion's got a bit of a mood swing. He can go from depressing to chipper to deranged at times.)

(OOC: Heh, Sparx kind of subscribes to the same belief.)

I was nervous in a way. I was not one who started conversations, and now here I was trying to ask them questions. I was also unsure about how they would take my curiosity about their religion.

"Well," I began, wondering where to start, "Theology is a hobby of mine. I have keen interest in matters of the soul for, hopefully, obvious reasons."

I lifted my mechanical hand to demonstrate my life's condition.

"I was built," I said staring at my hand, "not born, and something about that fact unsettles me. The world seems so different to me..."

I paused for a few moments, lost in that thought.

"Anyway," I said, returning to the subject, "I guess we could start off from whether or not your faith has a belief in the soul, and we could continue from there."

"No thanks," Snap responded with a smile, "I'll just have some of the liquor on the table, and my friend would probably want his bread."

The waitress left us alone again, and Snap's face turned sour. He poured himself a glass and just stared at it for awhile.

"You're a weird person," I said, "You're perhaps the only human with an addiction to Mountain Dew."

"A lot of people have strange habits," Snap responded distantly, "I seem to recall that you fight with a sword."

He had a point; not many androids use a broadsword to fight crime. I had it since I first came online, however, and its importance to me was unmatched.

"Don't diss the weapon that saved your life," I said in good humor.

"I'm not. I'm just saying it's an odd thing for a robot to use."

I removed my lower face-plate to reveal my intake valve. Instead of pouring myself a glass, I went straight for the bottle and plunged it into my "mouth."

Snap just sat there for awhile, eyeing the glass in his hand. He didn't seem all there at the moment, he probably had a lot on his mind.

"What's wrong," I asked.
"Stressed," Snap responded, "I'm just not sure if this is what I wanted out of life."

I knew where this was heading. Snap had struggled with this problem before. He was questioning his worth as a superhero, something that has been his concern since he became one half a year ago. When these moments came along, he prefferred to be left alone.

"Alright," I said, "Call me when dinner gets here."

I got up quickly and scanned the room. Finally deciding to do what Snap suggested earlier, I walked over to a large congregation of women.

"Excuse me," I began gently, "I am officially LGN Product Number One, but I prefer to be called Sparx. I've come to seek what wisdom you could pass to me. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

(OOC: I was reading the history of men in LoL. Am I picking up a reference to King Arthur or something? I'm thinking of switching over to Legion's POV)

"Now, those specials sound appetizing," I said, "I'll just have some scotch. If you have any soft drinks, my friend will probably want a Mountain Dew. I'll probably have the goulasch. "

"And I," Snap piped in, "Will have the same as him. I'll also have some scotch if there aren't any soft drinks. Do you have a preference to dip, Sparx?"

"What do you think?" I asked sarcastically. The implication was kind of obvious.

"Right," he said, embarrassed, "No dip."

I found it surprising that no one asked about me. How often do robots come into restaurants, anyway?

After the waitress got our orders down and left, Paravespula and I decided just to look around for a moment. Neither of us were good at talking to the other.

"So," he began, "Did you know that Emily from Accounting is getting married again?"

I was surprised to say the least, "Really, no one told me."

"Well," Snap responded casually, "You didn't leave the best impression on her son, and he's the ringbearer. Do you think she wants you at the wedding or reception?"

"Ah," I said in understanding, "Well, okay, I can see that. I did go a bit ballistic on the five year old."

"Hey, don't feel alone" he said, annoyed, "I didn't get invited either."

"Well, that's because you practically ate her wooden crib. She had that crib since she was a child."

As Snap glew a new shade of red, I couldn't help but feel guilty. He was, perhaps, the only one I met on a day-to-day basis who treated me as a person and not a machine. Yet, the two of us were constantly at odds. At least with Fulmino, we had someone we could team up against. I never understood why we infuriated each other.

Our attention was diverted by the large congregation of women. Perhaps it was just the lack of something better to talk about, but we began to wonder what was going on.

"Well," I began, "They look like they're some kind of relgious group."

"Heh," Snap said, changing the subject, "I notice you always say 'religious group' instead of saying 'cult' or something else."

"Do you think they're a cult," I asked in annoyance.

"I wouldn't know," he said, "I'm just saying that you never say 'cult.' You've never even called the Circle of Thorns a cult. Why?"

"Well," I said in earnest, "I just don't think it's my place to judge religion."

"Why's that?"

To be truthful, I was surprised. He hardly ever asked me questions like that.

"Well, you humans speak of having a soul given to you by some deity or another. Seeing as how I'm a creation of man, I'm not really sure I have one. If I'm not even sure of that, than what right do I have to judge any religion."

"You know," Snap said, half-pleased, "You've got a point there."

Snap decided not to pursue the topic any further, and I was all the happier for it. We just kind of stared at the group in silence.

"Don't you have an interest in theology?" Snap asked me from out of the blue.

"Yeah," I said, "Just because I don't have a position on religion, doesn't mean I can't take an interest in it. Why do you ask?"

"Why don't you go talk to them?" Snap suggested, "You might learn something."

<What the hell?> I thought to myself* <Is he trying to be rid of me?>

"What's going on?" I asked in suspicion.

"Nothing," he responded, "I just thought it'd be a fun experience for you. Get a view of things from another perspective."

I was silent for a moment, mulling it over. It would be an interesting experience, but still...

"I don't know," I said, "I'd be the only male up there."

"Um," Snap began pointing out the obvious, "Technically, you're not male."

"Yeah, but people tend to try to make inhuman things more human. I'm close enough."

"Just give it a try," he said a little forcefully.

"Don't rush me," I said, panicking a bit, "I've never had to be the first to talk to strangers before. People tend to talk to me first."

"Fine," Snap said, "You don't have to go. We'll be getting our drinks soon, anyway."

*(OOC: Just because he can't say a swear, doesn't mean he doesn't think it)

I sniffed at the plant centerpiece that the greeter showed us. It was very soothing, and I could not help but sigh.

"Yeah," I said, "this will do nicely."

After he left us to our own devices, Sparx decided to peruse the menu.

"Well, since I have no sense of taste...what do you suppose would give the most efficient energy output?" he asked.

"Bread," I said in good humor, "but that's usually free."

"What?" he said, surprised, "Well, crud, I don't want to look cheap!"

"Crud?" I said, slightly confused, "I thought you could swear?"

"Maximus has put me on censorship," he responded angrily, "Ever since that accident at the gas station."

I couldn't help but chuckle at Sparx's problems with his 'father', "Well, you could always ask for some hard liqour, though I doubt most machines run on liquid fuel."

"Well," he said, shrugging, "I was made to be versatile. Let's just check their specials, and we'll order one of those. I'll get me some liquor, you get whatever you want. Just don't eat the centerpiece."

"Okay," I said, a little defensively, "I only chewed wood once. You know I have little control over the insectoid half of my brain."

"Fair enough," Sparx said, dead serious, "How about you stop making fun of my desire for humanity. In return, I'll stop making jabs about your wasp-like habits."

"Alright," I said, unfazed and still in good humor, "but can I still make cracks at Fulmino."

"Sure," he said, somewhat irritated at my behavior, "he depresses us both."

I took some pleasure in irritating Sparx and Fulmino, an electricity generating mutant who outranks the two of us. It was my revenge for the way they've made my life so utterly depressing. At least in battle Sparx was entertaining, but otherwise he was just a mood-killer.

"Hmm," I said, "do you suppose they have soft drinks?"
"You're going to poison your system with all that Dew, you know," Sparx said, not once looking up from the menu, "but it's your heart-attack. I think I'll just have some scotch."

"Alright," I said, "let's flag someone down then."

(OOC: What about Legion, he can't quite change his appearance being mechanical and all. His nanites work differently from Paravespula's. Also, I can't tell if Martin is referring to both Legion and Paravespula, or just Legion in that non-humanoid remark. Snap is human, just a bit tweaked by science)

"Um," I said, a little perplexed, "One moment please."

I had to concentrate a little harder this time, I never really to switch to formal wear before. Still, I should have expected as much from a Bar and Restaurant. I've never really felt comfortable in formal situations, particularly because the formal suit always contrasts ridiculously with my green-dyed hair.

Still, I think I got my suit to cobble together a decent looking suit. A light-blue work shirt, black pants, and a more formal jacket than the one I chose to wear. As suits went, it was decent, but I still couldn't help feeling that I looked like a dork. Plus, if you knew where to look, you could tell where the suit ended and my casual clothes began.

Still, I did not want to sit on a bar room stool. Too many unpleasent memories.

"Okay," I said, "I think I'd prefer the dining area, thank you."

"Ahem," Sparx decided to pipe in, "What about me? We machinations don't really change appearance, and Snap here can't make two jackets. Do I have to go to the bar?"

I was surprised that he cared where he sat at all. It wasn't like he would be uncomfortable. He had very limited tactile sensory abilities. I guess he didn't want to go alone.

(OOC: Also, Paravespula's everyday clothes are not part of his nanite suit. He wears those under his nanite suit. Also, I'm experiencing computer difficulties, just as a warning)

(OOC: Hey, no one knows who I am, but I'd like to try and join in on the fun. I haven't RP'd on these boards so I'm not fully aware of the rules. I hope no one minds that I use two characters. I will be doing things from Paravespula's First-person POV)

I had entered the building in a hurry. I was on patrol with my assigned partner, Legion, but we eventually got ambushed by a large group of Hellions. I was exhausted and bruised; I was also pretty sure that I was bleeding heavily somewhere.

"Hey, aren't you forgetting someone?"

Legion's deep voice caught me by surprise. I turned around to see him shut the door behind him. His crimson, metallic body was scratched, but not badly. Still, he was more energy depleted than I was from maintaining his body's armor integrity. His dark yellow visor was dimming in response to his low battery power, but he still had a good hour to run.

"So, where are we?" he asked.

I took a good look around me to get my bearings. I quickly took notice of the sign inside the entrance area.

"Hmm, Ladies of the Lake," I said with a grin, "Well, alright! Maybe we should stick around for a moment."

Legion looked at me, his hand gripping tightly onto the hilt of his favorite broadsword. A low growling noise could be heard.

"What? I'm hungry," I said, "and I'm pretty sure I'm bleeding somewhere."

"I'm a robot," he said menacingly, "and I'm low on power. Fulmino isn't going to teleport us this time and you'll be forced to drag a lifeless ton of steel through Atlas Park."

I gave him a curious look, forgetting that he couldn't see through my mask, "I thought you were able to process organic fuels?"

He scoffed, "Terribly inefficient, though I long for the day when it won't be."

"Yeah," I said forcefully, "but you can still use it to restore power. We've got the money, so we're eating. Deal with it."

With a mere thought, the nanobots that comprised my suit began to recede to reveal my casual suit. It didn't take long before I was in my usual red jacket, white shirt, and jeans. I always found my casual wear to be better suited for restaurants than my superhero costume.

"I still can't believe the company wasted so much money to give you that suit," Legion said, "Oh, and you're bleeding from your back."

Quickly taking off my jacket, I looked to see that the S insignia was stained in red.

"Well, so much for my fashion statement," I said, "but this can be cleaned and I heal real fast. I'm still going to get some food."

"Fine," Legion said in defeat, "but do you want to go to the bar or the restaurant?"

I quickly fished out my Hero ID from my jacket pocket before deciding to listen to the area. The powers I received from my own experimentation gave me an enhanced, though barely, sense of hearing. I could pick up on a few voices, but that was to be expected at a restaurant.

"I hope we can use the restaurant," I said finally, "I don't like bar room chairs."

"Alright," Legion said, a little more cheerful, "but remember, Snap, if anyone asks, my name is Sparx."

"I know," I said lightening up as he mentioned my nickname, "It does seem that having Legion for a name would be irritating."

(OOC: They do come off as a little obnoxious to each other, but situations have forced them together a lot. I promise to improve as I go along.)

^gotta admit, Digital sounds cool

Dark Mirror/Mirage: Started off as a Tech-based Illusionist but became magically empowered by an artifact he retrieved from a Hellion raid. He loves illusions and trickery and loves to irritate his opponents. Because of the artifact, however, he has lost his memory and sees himself as a nonexistant entity. Trying to learn his past is like looking into a distorted (or Dark) mirror.

Paravespula: A former chemist who manufactured a drug that had the mutagenic power of bonding completely different sets of DNA. He ended up with the DNA of a rare species of wasp. He has the power to regenerate lost limbs and he's capable of producing his own venom. Paravespula is the genus of most species of bees, wasps, etc.

Paravespula (Spines/Regen): "Feel my sting!"
If I choose to get MoG, he might say: "Hiiiii-YAH! For the Royalty!" (Five bucks on who can guess where that is from)

Fulmino (Elec/Ener Blast): "Power...Overwhelming!"

Legion-001 (Broad/Invuln): "For the Emperor, Maximus VII!"

Dark Mirror (Illusion/Storm): "Don't blink, you'll miss the trick."

My three mains (Paravespula, Fulmino, Legion-001) are all employees of a corporation (Gladius Corp.) that tries to enhance and protect human life through various means including employing heroes. Even though Gladius Corp hasn't a building in Paragon City, all three of them have been sent there. Paravespula also works as a biochemist in the same company.