Sigma gazed down on the battered Reploids scattered across the floor at his feet. Zero was face down, sparking now and then, a puddle of blond hair and shattered armor. X, farther back, seemed to be faring only slightly better; he was trying to get up over and over, but couldn't get further than all fours. He looked as though he'd taken a few too many blows to the head; he kept blinking, shaking his head. And the last, the one Sigma understood the least... Vile, with a massive, fatal chest wound, the lower third of his core and most of his chest-components blown out completely by X's last charge shot.
Vile's helmet hid his face- if he even had one. Sigma had no idea what the purple-and-white Maverick was thinking; he had never become one with the Virus, so Sigma's will had no power over him. That had been fine- Sigma wanted to see what an independent Reploid powered only by hatred could do.
They exchanged brief words.
There's no hope for you, as you are. But perhaps...
Sigma turned away, hand moving to his ear. Between the three of them, his original Maverick squadron had been annihilated... but that was of no consequence. Sigma had other followers that he'd kept in reserve, expecting heavy resistance. How glad he was that the three had not disappointed him.
[Serges.]
[Master Sigma?]
"Retrieve Vile," he barked aloud and on radio simultaneously as he moved away. He judged that none of the wounded would be moving any time soon. He wanted Vile to hear him, before he died. He wanted X and Zero to hear it as well. I do not abandon those who may yet be useful to me.
Before long, three more Reploids teleported into the room. Agile, long and skinny, with high sharp shoulder armor. Violen, fat and round, ape-like. The last, a slightly hunched 'old man' Reploid scientist, Serges.
Serges made a bee-line for Zero, grabbing hold of him by the back of the neck and noting the faint, weak growl that the blond gave out. [Master Sigma, Zero is still alive. With your permission...?]
[Granted.] The answer was deeply amused. [Keep him away from the others. I have a place prepared for him; we'll discuss the specifics later.]
X stirred, but only dimly, as he watched the Mavericks gathering up his friend. "..no..." Violen punched him rapidly on the back of the head, and grabbed his arm when he sagged back to the floor. "So what about this one?"
Serges hmmed. "How's that one looking?" referring to Vile.
Agile shook his head, looking up at the older Reploid. "Don't think he'll make it. Bad damage. Real bad."
Violen laughed. "We got plenty of good parts still right here," shaking X's unconscious form. "Whattaya think, Serges?"
"Mmm... Yes, I quite agree. No point in wasting the material... hee hee. Take them both to the usual place and I'll meet you shortly."
"Roger." Violen and Agile teleported away with their prizes; Serges remained lingering just a moment longer- stopping only to smoothe his hand over Zero's brow. To whisper. "Rest easy, boy. At long last, I've found you. Now I can make you complete..."