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Pre-Canon AU - Chase POV "He's my kid - Always was"
Chase was the youngest member of the Brave Brigade. It had been such a fucking honour that Mecha Man had chosen him - but damn... he didn't expect to be hired as a glorified babysitter for the boss's kid. And sure, Astral paid him well to watch his kid but this was fucked up. He was supposed to be a superhero - not a daycare.
Robbie was barely home, and when he was, he was training this kid to be the next Mecha Man. It's no wonder the kid's mom left - Chase is surprised she left little Robert behind though... She probably thought the courts would never grant her custody - not when the other option was Mecha Man.
Even though he's pissed, Chase tries his best to care for and mentor little Robert. The kid didn't deserve this shit - He can't help who his dad is. So when Robert is displaying something at the Torrence Primary School Science Fair, Chase is there. Not Mecha Man - Not Robbie - Chase. The kid is a wizz with computers and can code like no one's business. He's going to be an absolute menace as a teenager - Chase can just sense it.
Then, on the 4th of July, 1999, Astral invites the whole team to his house for a barbeque. It was a good afternoon. The team were all out in the backyard, but for some reason little Robert was sulking inside. Chase couldn't even bribe him out with food. Everything was fine until they hear a robotic voice call out DEFENCE PROTOCOL ACTIVATED.
Robert!
Chase doesn't think. He just runs towards the garrage where the Mecha Man suit is stored. And there - in front of the hulking piece of metal was little Robert, holding a hammer and crying - a bright red lazer aimed at the centre of his forehead.
Chase runs faster than he's ever run in his life - diving to scoop up the kid. But he's too late. The lazer clips the kid's ear and he cries out in pain. He cradles little Robert against his chest - shielding the kid with his body when Robbie finally shows up "DEACTIVATE PROTOCOL!" He shouts as he runs into the garrage.
The robotic suit halts 'Defence protocol deactivated' and goes back into it's standby mode. The couple of small dents in the suit's armour explained what had happened. Chase didn't blame the kid, but clearly Astral felt differently.
"Get up"
Little Robert looks up at his father in defiance before tucking his face back to Chase's chest - and yeah - that's what cements it for Chase. Robbie is going to kill his kid trying to raise him to be 'the perfect Mecha Man'.
So Chase does what he does best - he runs - but this time, with little Robert tucked safely in his arms. Who cares if he just gave up being a part of the Brave Brigade. At least Robert won't be raised for the slaughter with him.