Note: Hello, people who loved this story. I'm sorry I took it down, but I was wanting to move to a new account and if one story stayed up on another, they'd just raise up questions and accusations of stealing (no one wants that). Also, things have been going on in my life with moving out of state (again), so I was sort of in a funk. Anyhow, I'm back, this is back, enjoy!

Characters (c) of Capcom.

Chapter 2: Change on the Wind

February 16th 21xx

The drill ceased its continuous pounding into the seemly impenetrable wall of rock, its holder setting it against the wall to, similarly, ceased its own work.

"Hey, you done over there, little guy?"

The small, almost featureless machine nodded in response. Doug made his way over to the android's working area, any shred of doubt shattered at beholding its handiwork. Sure enough, the five-meter deep quota was fulfilled; in less than half an hour.

"Okay…good job. Go…go see if Greg needs anything." the digger commanded, still caught in awe.

The machine made its way towards the opposite direction, Doug wiping the newly born sweat off his brow. It would've been an understatement if he thought his team being hired by Cain would've lead to a discovery of some sort. It lead to far more than possibly even Cain could fathom…

"Hey Doug! You done daydreaming?" a female voice shouted out, breaking Doug from his state of reminiscing on past events.

"Heh. Sorry, Carol. I'm just jealous of this guy's speed." he chuckled.

She gave her co-worker a small grin, putting a stray collection of blonde hair behind her ear.

"Seems like the Reploids are getting well acquainted." She remarked, setting down her drill to take a sip from her thermos.

Doug nodded to her comment, looking onward at the robotic forms assisting his fellow diggers. Originally, the job they were currently assigned to would've taken them near a month to do. He now estimated that it would only take the team a few weeks thanks to their surprisingly helpful partners.

'Maybe they're not as dangerous as I thought…'

"Hey, have you seen Dean?"

"Dean? I think he went back to the trailer."

"Oh? Just wondering. It's just, I haven't seen him since noon."

Walking off with Carol to view other workers progress, the Reploid assigned with assisting Greg had just completed its shift, returning the drill to the large trailer located right outside the dig-site. Whilst placing the tool in an available empty slot on the rack, it exited the trailer to return to the site. Upon exiting, it failed to take notice of the second trail of tracks resembling its own leading the back of the trailer. As well as two long, unbroken lines going the same direction.

Concealed from its sight and the beating sun by the large vehicle, a Reploid sat in the sand, a drill clasped in its hands. At its feet rested a motionless, battered figure. What was once his helmet lay scattered before him; his head displaying a large wound with dry blood caked on. His attacker lifted itself off the ground, turning the corner to view the now empty trail leading to the site. Seeing that the area was clear, it abandoned its hiding place, walking towards the very populated and unsuspecting dig-site, drill in hand…

"Good morning, sir." she greeted happily, a wide smile on her face.

"Ah, good morning, Roll."

Cain made his way to his desk, the chipper young Reploid "born" only a few months prior handing him a pastel green mug. Taking a sip, the old man drew his lips from it the moment the liquid reached his tongue.

"Orange Juice?" he thought aloud, Roll in clear earshot.

"Mm hm. Boosts the immune system and is low in calories. A far better alternative to coffee. But…if you prefer coffee…I do apologize-"

"No, it's fine. I just wasn't expecting it. Thank you kindly, Roll."

Her fading smile soon regained its width again with Cain's approval to her little surprise. Both turned to the entrance door, their ears (and audio receptors) hearing slightly forceful knocks from the other side of it.

"Oh, right. I'll be right there!" Cain quickly finished his mug of orange, fruity liquid, making his way to the door.

Placing his hand on the handle, he felt a slight tugging on his coat. He didn't even need to look to see the culprit.

"Oh, sorry. Too hard? It was just a little wrinkle."

"Uh…yes. Thank you, Roll."

Taking X by his side, the older man guided the blue, newly dubbed Reploid down the long hallway. He couldn't understand why Cain had decided to relocate his living place to a few small rooms inside of a newly built and purchased laboratory. The doctor claimed it was necessary so he could overview and be closer to his new "projects", despite his previous apartment dwelling was not even five minutes from it. X silently sighed; no use in trying to guide an old (and extremely stubborn) man once his mind was made up.

They eventually reached the exit of the large building, the warm sun taking an ample opportunity to reflect off of X's blue plating and have Cain squint in pain when his eyes were overtaken by the light's intensity.

"Eh…let's take this route." he stated, pointing to the right of them: that way having the convenience of going further away from the sun.

"If I may ask, Doctor, what exactly is the purpose of me going on this trip? And to where?"

"If I recall correctly…it should be right around…here."

Cain excitedly clasped X's hand, dragging him down a series of narrow passages between the towering structures above them.

"Where exactly ARE we going, Doctor?"

"Oh, you'll see. I can't tell you just yet." he told him, like a parent to their child.

X subconsciously rolled his eyes in amusement. He then felt his "chaperon" stop in his tracks. Turning, he found the both of them standing to face a large, grey door, obviously having a security system installed displayed by the black box protruding from building wall. Cain reached into his pants pocket, a simple reach soon turning into him fumbling through the open spaces in any part of his clothing.

"Oh, where is it? Don't tell me I forgot it!"

"DOCTOR!"

Both turned around at the loud cry, a feminine reploid racing towards them, her large ponytail trailing behind her.

"Roll?! Dear, what are you doing here?" Cain's question was immediately answered by her extending her arm to him, a key card clutched in her ivory-colored hand.

"Forgive me, but I told you to make sure you had this before you left yesterday."

The old man's face contorted into a sheepish grin, he quickly swiping the card from her and running it through the slit in the box. After a small series of pitch ranging beeps, the door made a loud 'CLICK', Cain taking the knob and turning it to open the now unlocked door.

"Shall we?"

All three stepped through the newly opened entrance, Roll mainly coming along under the silent insistence from Cain's beckoning hand. Once inside, both reploids felt a small vibration in their audio receptors. X tuned in, a low hum soon turned into the repetitive and ongoing melody of machinery and construction. As he predicted, the further Cain lead them along, the louder and more audible the harmony of metal and electricity became. Up a few flights of stairs, of which left his human company rather winded, prompting their newer addition to immediately rush to his side. Gently, yet politely, he pushed her to the side to run the card through another security box blocking their way.

Indeed. It was a sight to behold.

The once distant harmony was now properly heard as an orchestra of metal and electricity. Among the long belts moving forward, hundreds of eyeless, colorless, humanoid figures lined the walls, each with inner wiring and metal skeletons displayed for all to see. Cain guided the two forward, X's eyes still fixated on the lifeless shells surrounding them. As they continued onward, the line passed through several large arches, each model passing through them gaining a new feature to them: eye parts or something to serve for vision, certain parts of armor, or some other various attachments. Both he and Roll were fascinated at the spectacle taking place before them, X taking notice to his neighbor's widening eyes.

"So many…there's so many…"

"What do you think, you two? There's more than that." Cain chuckled looking to his left.

The two reploids turned towards him, both filled with excitement. Roll, however, ran in the direction the old man motioned to, reasonable anticipation growing to the level of a curious, young child, X and Cain following after her. She continued onward, until a shape stepped directly in front of her, oblivious to her presence. It was fortunate for him that she managed to stop herself only inches from colliding with the stranger.

"Whoa! Ah, Cain! This one yours?"

"Yes. Sorry about that. Just a bit too excited."

The new arrival adjusted his glasses, his sleek brown hair and youthful face a rather drastic change from the doctor. Roll stepped back, her head lowering and turning away from the now conversing men. X took a glance at her, she shifting her eyes away from him as well, he catching a rather dismal expression plaguing the once very excited robot.

" X, Roll, this here is Dr. Kenta; one of the chief programmers and head of the activities going on here. Cain told the two, both now forced to draw their attention away from themselves.

" Well, I take it 'this' is the one I owe part of my thanks to for all this." He approached X, taking him by the shoulder and turning him to the sight of the continuing construction.

" I suppose I don't need to tell you that it is your programming, or rather the important portions of it that these guys will be up and walking around."

" Important portions?"

" Yes. The entire scope couldn't be perfectly replicated, so some adjustments had to be made. Nothing too major."

Kenta released X, turning to the elderly man who was attempting to converse with his companion who since nearly colliding with him, had gone silent.

"Ah, the OTHER person I wanted to see. What's the matter with her?" he commented, observing Roll's sudden refrain from speaking.

Cain shrugged. "I'm not sure. She won't say. Excuse me for a moment, Roll."

She merely nodded in approval, Kenta pulling him a small distance away from the two robots. " Say Cain, about the construction droids, I think a small…"

"WHERE IS HE!?"

Their lips stopped, and all heads turned to witness a man wearing a blue jumpsuit rushing towards them in what looks like to be an almost near impossible speed for a human to maintain.

Kenta hurried over to him, his sprint halted early due to his lungs giving way and now desperate for air.

"Randy, what are you…calm down!" he supported the gasping man up to his feet. "Now, what exactly has gotten you so worked up?"

"H-how many?"

"Two. Both were found to be in critical condition, but they're surprisingly started recovery." Kenta took a sip of his coffee, the cooled liquid offering a soothing warmth to his lips. "I got one of the names. A Doug Coffman…"

Cain's breath stopped in his throat, his head soon slowly descending in a cradle formed by his now trembling hands.

"You know the council is going to want to have a word with us."

"I'm surprised that they haven't sooner."

The old man lifted himself from the chair; staring out the clear window and slowly letting the news sink in along with the setting sun.

"Do you think that this is going to halt the production altogether? This isn't the first time something like this has happened." Cain inquired, seeing as Kenta had joined him to observe the sunset.

"I doubt it. We've become so dependent on them already." His constricted lungs inhaled the slightly chilled air, bringing with it a sudden exhaustion and his body clumsily fell back into the chair he had risen from.

"But now what?"

"No one really knows for sure, but I know that you need to get home. It isn't going to do anything by pondering questions you don't know the answer too. Besides, someone your age needs a good night's sleep."

X followed the doctor out of factory; Roll slowly pacing herself behind them. X took notice to the radical shift in her behavior. When they first got there and seen the ongoing construction, both were overwhelmed yet awe-inspired by the spectacle. She had nearly head-butted Dr. Kenta, but other than that, nothing really happened. That couldn't be…no. Not something that small. It was an accident. His pondering was abruptly cut off with the arrival to the lab.

"Well, I say that it's time for us all to get some well deserved rest."

"Doctor, what did Dr. Kenta tell you?"

Cain turned to his inquirer with a face plagued with worry and fear that quickly regained its stony features. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with, X. Everything will be fine."

Seeing it wise to stop drawing answers out of him, X stilled his tongue. All three entered, Cain escorted himself to his room, Roll slowly tagging along behind him. Closing the door behind the two of them, he turned to face Roll, still remaining silent.

"Roll, please tell me what's wrong. You were so chipper before."

Nothing.

"Is it about you almost running into Dr. Kenta?"

She nodded. A small smile came to his lips.

"I…I was just so impressed by what was going on…I didn't consider the possibility that there was anyone else walking around…"
"You just got a little too excited. If anything, it tells me you liked what you saw."

"But sir, I've never behaved like that before!"

Her hand covered her mouth, her depressed nature deepening. Cain grew confused.

"I mean I've never lost control of myself like that. I've always been able to keep myself from acting out on an emotional response…in fact…" she lowered her head, her hand that previously rested over her mouth now supporting her forehead. "I don't remember ever 'feeling' at all."

Cain finally grasped the reason behind her behavior. Not only the disappointment in herself for her behavior, yet the confusion as to why she behaved in such a manner.

"Well, I think I can answer that." she lifted her head, her curiosity peaking. He placed his wrinkled hand on her smooth, slightly chilled shoulder. "You know how when you were repaired, that your previous program was still functioning? Well, that, along with the X's system was somewhat fighting for control. Being that the latter more advanced than the other, it overrode the existing one, yet kept any previous information contained in it."

"Such as household chores?"

"Yes. Yet, I would imagine elements such as free decision making and emotional responses weren't included."

"No, sir. I can't find anything even relating to it."

"Well, that's what you're going to have to watch out for it now. It's a new component, and I understand it's confusing to you. I guess it's the same thing with humans too." he chuckled, pleased with a small smile appearing on Roll's face.

"Just give it some time. It'll be okay."

He removed his hand, silently allowing her to make her way to the small room beside his own. Before she made it past the doorframe, he stopped her with a gentle hold on the shoulder he previously rested on.

"You probably don't, but…"
"But what, sir?"

"Do you remember anything before you were repaired? Anything or anyone in particular?"

Her eyes began wondering away from his gaze, acting out his request to the best of her ability. It only took a few moments to return Cain with a look of disappointment.

"No. I…I'm sorry."

"It's alright. I really shouldn't have expected you to. Goodnight, Roll."

Smiling, she closed the door, Cain making his way to his own room. Replacing his daywear with a cotton shirt and matching pants, he slipped under the covers, the day's events already beginning to enhance his exhaustion.

February 20th, 21xx

"Do you mind if I have myself a cup? Roll keeps giving me orange juice."

"Oh, of course."

Cain quickly filled the Styrofoam cup with the dark, steaming liquid, tearing bag after bag of sugar to be dispersed.

"I received a notice from the council." he spoke before sipping the hot, sugar filled cup of coffee.

Kenta glanced at the older man, some hairs of his beard now catching stray drops of his drink, of which he wiped with his hand.

"It's been decided that, with their overview, that a special group of reploids are to be designed with the intention of eliminating any threat or potential of a threat for what they're calling 'Maverick Reploids'."

Another sip. "Some scientists are also theorizing that these attacks may be the work of some new form of virus, yet that still doesn't explain how those Reploids got infected in the first place."

The Doctor felt a hand land on his shoulder, Kenta joining him in the enjoyment of some coffee. "Looks like we both got the same message. When are they coming by?"

"They said something around a week. AND, they want a least something of a prototype to be started by the time they get here."

"Then I have something you need to see."

Kenta set down his finished cup and exited the room, prompting Cain to quickly gulp down his remaining amount and follow him. The two men passed the thousands of unfinished models, the booming construction halted and silenced due to the council's orders. Following Kenta down an eastern hallway, Cain entered a room littered and, seemly with a floor made up entirely of wires and cables, all tracing back to a lone figure laying in an open capsule. Kenta led him to the capsule, the contents inside giving him something of both a shiver and twinge of excitement.

The Reploid inside was rather unusual: it had a regular humanoid figure, with some obviously built in enhancements to the arms and legs, almost giving it an established power and strength to its presence. Besides the head region, the inner wiring and systems were completely exposed, yet the head itself struck Cain as the most peculiar. The chin was a very defined, blocky shape, the nose following the same pattern. The eyes were simply blue crystals embedded in their sockets, along with the ruby sphere in his forehead.

"You like him? I was going to present this guy to the council if they were ever interested in a Reploid designed for combat. Looks like this guy's going to see the light of day after all."

With that, Kenta stepped to the control panel for the capsule, his finger pressing in the main control. A low humming filled the room, the Reploid lifting its back from the table and gazing blankly at the two men.

"I haven't programed his vocal components in yet, so don't take his silence as being rude."

"Oh! Uh…of course!" Cain hurriedly replied, his state of awe being shattered by Kenta's words.

The younger scientist gazed at the newly awakened Reploid, curiously observing his surroundings.

"I want you to help me with this guy, Cain."

"What? I…it's not that I don't appreciate the offer, but why?"

"Well, the council wishes for a well-designed presentation right? Well, I've been experimenting on not only this guy, but also with some common problems with the Reploids coming of the line."

Cain followed him to a computer beside the panel, him pulling up a rendered scan of the Reploid still gazing off.

"Take a look at this."

Kenta inputted a code, a small yellow glow appearing in the scan.

"Kenta, are you mad! You've just infected him with a virus!"

"Like I said, take a LOOK."

Cain stilled his tongue, and indeed observed a change happening. The glow slowly grew smaller and smaller, soon disappearing from the monitor altogether.

"Wha-what!? Impossible! There's no way he was able to disperse it that quick! And on his own!?"

"I thought the same thing when I saw it for the first time." Kenta turned to Cain.

"But so far, I've only been able to program in immunities to simple viruses and malfunctions. That's were I need your help. You can program and input functions far better than I can. If they want the perfect weapon against any of these 'Mavericks', they've got it right here! And assuming it IS a virus, the problem's already covered! But I need you to help me make that happen."

The elderly man let out a heavy sigh, returning with a look of approval.

"Well, first thing to do is to get started. I let you know when I need some coffee."

Kenta practically jumped for joy, he exiting the room to allow Cain to begin.

"Well now, I suppose you and I are going to have to get acquainted. Pleased to meet you…did Dr. Kenta give you any sort of name or label for that matter?"

The Reploid shook his head.

"Well, if you don't mind, may I assign you one? After all, I personally consider it rude to not address someone you'll work with a name."

He pondered the man's request, soon returning a nod in approval.

Cain was now pondering, sorting out any possibly fitting titles for him. His eyes wandered off to the computer readings, the numerical value of 200 continuously appearing on the screen through the several calculations it was adjusting to properly read the systems. A thought soon came to him. Yes, it was a rather good choice, but it was ultimately the Reploid's choice to make.

"How would 'Sigma' sound to you, my friend?"