What Could Have Been
Chapter 10: Primary Directives
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Mega Man Zero. It belongs to Capcom and Inti Creates.
A/N: …I was thinking of RoboCop while thinking of the title for this chapter. I admit it. Okay?
Subtlety wasn't Fefnir's strong point. Leviathan knew this better than anyone else, but she didn't expect her brother to bring her the news that he did. Well, she knew something was indeed up with Harpuia, but she didn't expect something like that. And she felt stupid, as she should have. The Caravan was a prime example…
Earlier…
"So, tell me, doc, what's up with Harpuia?" Fefnir asked Cerveau in his chamber. After the mission, Zero went into his room to rest, as did Leviathan. However, Fefnir cared deeply for his brother, despite their differences in personality. Sage Harpuia was just like Master X, and yet, how did Fefnir become who he was?
Cerveau's room had up to three beds. One of them belonged to him, and the other two was for patients. Of course, Harpuia was laying on one of them. There was a console next to the bed, and a chair, which the scientist himself was sitting on.
Cerveau turned around, looking at Fefnir. His expression told the Guardian that bad news awaited him. "Fefnir, though you're technically reploids, and therefore you have free will in trains of thought and such, you were created specifically to protect others, and…that was supposed to be the main thing. See, when reploids are created, the only thing that can determine their personality is what is in their control chip, or what the purpose of their creation was, correct?"
Fefnir shrugged, pursing his lips. "Sure, old man."
"Please don't call me that. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that, you know how basically, you were programmed to always defend the innocent, fight evil, and all that jazz?"
The Guardian nodded. "Go on…" He really wanted to say Get on with it, but he restrained himself.
"Well, it seems that Harpuia's circuitry systems have been damaged from battle concussions. See, come over here." He motioned Fefnir to come towards him, which we did. "Look at his helmet, and tell me what you see."
Fefnir observed the helmet, before quickly seeing a large crack in the back. He leaned closer in order to get a better look. Cerveau waited for his response.
A few wires were worn out. Others were completely gone, or just torn from where they should have been connecting. His circuitry system was messed up.
Fefnir leaned back, holding his chin in deep thought. Cerveau filled in the dots for him. "Because of the malfunctions in his brain due to his helmet wounds, he's lost the ability to see right from wrong. I'll do my best to help him."
Now
"Levy, you gotta hear this!"
Leviathan crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. They were in her room. The female chuckled, because whenever Fefnir thought he had important news, it would usually turn out to be irrelevant, not a big deal, or something they already knew. "Okay. I'm listening."
"Harpuia…he's…his mental systems are apparently not working."
"What, you're calling him retarded?" Leviathan said jokingly, not realizing the urgency of the news at first.
"No. Sorta. Not really." Fefnir fumbled to find the right words. "According to Cerveau, he's lost the ability to be able to see right from wrong. His directives and priorities are all mixed up. If he gets up, he might do some crazy shit…"
"Okay. Nice to know. So what do we do with this info?"
Fefnir opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out for a little while. "I…uh…I don't know."
"That's what I thought. Still, it's nice to know why Harpuia's taking it easy, the lucky son of a bitch he is. If he were here, damn missions would be a bit easier…"
"Yeah, well…just let him rest for now, I guess."
Leviathan nodded, turning her back on Fefnir. "Alright, I'll go tell Zero, then. Thanks."
The guardian found Zero with Alouette, both of them feeding the cyber-elf Croire and teaching her talking, floating, and her useful cyber-elf uses. Well, at least Alouette was teaching her. Zero was just looking uncomfortable there. And awkward.
Leviathan called Zero over, deciding that Alouette didn't need to know about Harpuia. As he walked over to her, she whispered in his ear. "So, apparently…according to Fefnir, Harpuia isn't going to wake up for a little while."
Zero raised an eyebrow. "Why is that?"
"The directives in his systems are screwed up. Think of him like…" Leviathan cleared her throat. "…Copy X."
"…But he's unconscious. And in no position to do anything just yet."
"Look, I'm just saying what Fefnir told me. For all we know, he could be as calm as a baby or as insane as Dr. Weil."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that…" Zero said as he rested his hand on his Buster Shot.
Leviathan frowned, crossing her arms. "Zero. Even though I may be sarcastic and distant to them, I care deeply for Harpuia and Fefnir. They're my brothers. They're the only family I've got…"
"At least you have something…to fight for." The crimson warrior muttered.
"What?"
Before Zero could try to find an answer, Croire suddenly yelled something. "I want some e-cwystals," she yelled with a huge smile plastered on her face. Alouette giggled, feeding the cyber-elf.
"Let's hope Croire will be useful on our missions." Zero said, trying to change the subject.
"Don't overwork her. She's still just a baby." Leviathan replied, nodding. Suddenly, she blinked, shaking her head. "Hey, wait a minute. Don't try to just change the subject like that!"
Zero said nothing. Leviathan continued. "What do you mean? If you have nothing to fight for, what gives you the will to fight? And why do you fight, then?"
The ancient warrior crossed his arms. "We've been over this. I fight because I was built to fight, and I'll keep on fighting my battles until I'm dead for good…"
"Isn't there a more…humane reason why you're fighting? A special someone in your life you remember? Hmm?"
Zero closed his eyes, remembering his memory. There were a few things missing, but nothing important. He remembered most of the important things by now. Some he wished he didn't remember. Like Iris. "I…" He shook his head. "No…"
"Oh, come on. You're such a bad liar!"
"Wha—?" Zero was about to say something, but he was quickly cut off.
"Is it Ciel? Hmm? Or is it yours truly?" She gave him a small smile.
The crimson warrior shook his head. "You're letting personal feelings get in the way. Stop this. We have to focus on Weil. Not some…insignificant feeling…"
"Well, I think—"
"This conversation is over. We already had one like this, and I don't intend to start it again…" He brushed her aside, making sure not to say any more.
Leviathan sighed, a worried expression growing on her face. Alouette walked over to her. "Is everything alright, Ms. Leviathan?"
The siren general nodded, putting on a reassuring smile. "Of course." She patted her head. "Now, run along or something. I've gotta go do something."
Alouette nodded, smiling. "Okay!" And she ran back to Croire, teaching her how to speak, use her powers, and whatnot.
And slowly…
Fate began to shift.
The battles were just beginning…
Yeah, I can't comment this much on the chapter. Reviews, as always, are awesome to have.