"The one who you love will make you weep." Argentine Proverb

"We are oft to blame in this.'Tis too much proved - that with devotion's visage and pious action we do sugar o'er the devil himself." William Shakespeare – Hamlet Act 3

"Bite my shiny metal ass." Bender

Shirley did not show up for classes the next day. Zero was confused on what was going, until Lelouch told him. Zero was equally devastated by the knowledge of what had happened. Worse off, Zero was the one who did the most damage to the Britannian troops. Zero kept wondering to himself if he is the one who killed her father. For the rest of that school day, Lelouch remained out of it and only talked when teachers addressed him. Zero managed to get through the day remaining normal, but he was now just as devastated when he lost Iris. Ciel managed to comfort Zero when he returned to his dorm by letting Zero wrap his arms around her, slightly calming him down.

Ciel was stunned at this display of humanity by Zero. Normally, Zero would never have reacted to the scenario like this when it came to hunting Mavericks. But she knew the scenario for Zero was different. Zero was fighting against real humans now. She knew that for Zero, this was serious.

Lelouch kept the kiss he shared with Shirley privately; even from C.C. and Zero. This act of romance was beyond him. He still couldn't believe he had done that.

The next day the funeral was being held for Shirley's father. All of her friends (including Zero) showed up for it. The rain fell hard. Harder than it had ever before.

"He was a pious man who believed in God." The preacher said. "He was a good friend to us all. TO his wife, he was a good husband. To his daughter…a loving father. May he rest in peace."

Father…

Ashes to Ashes….dust to dust as humans say…

The men who we're outside of the grave began to use shovels and began to bury the coffin that held the man's body. Before they we're even half way down, Shirley's mom broke down and went over to the grave.

"No!" She shouted. "Don't bury him! Don't make him suffer anymore! Darling! Darling!"

Shirley's mom began to break down by the grave. Shirley went over to her mom and put her arms around him. Zero simply watched this display and made no emotion what so ever.

Lelouch was the most hurt by this. The rain had drenched his hair enough to the point where it had covered his entire face. Lelouch had not made any attempt to talk to her. He couldn't even look at her right now. He hoped that the hair that drenched down to his face made him in some way a ghost.

The funeral dispersed within a few minutes later, after Shirley's mom was escorted away from the grave. Shirley went over to her friends as they stood motionless from the girl's outburst.

"I'm…just...so sorry…" Kallen began.

"Why are you apologizing?" Shirley said. "You have nothing to apologize for."

"We're apologizing because of shitty we feel." Zero said. "How you are standing by your dead father's grave; and we're unable to do anything."

"Thank you Zion." Shirley said. "I really appreciate it."

"I'm sorry too." Leval said. "It's just…during the hotel jacking…I thought the Black Knight's we're kind of cool. I even posted how cool I thought the battle of Narita was on the front lines."

"War is never cool Leval." Zero said. "It's a terrible thing; and it affects everyone. The only reason people fight is to fight for the ideals they believe in, or freedom from their oppressors. But the end result is people always end up becoming hurt from the fighting."

"I'm sorry." Leval said.

"Nah." Zero said. "You don't have to apologize. You're not affiliated with them so you have nothing to apologize for."

"But I also thought at first the battle of Narita was cool." Shirley said.

"Just stop." Millay said. "I'm worried about you. Did you have a good cry. If you don't…it'll be harder later on."

"It's going to be hard…even if you do." Zero said.

"It's fine." Shirley said. "I had my cry."

"It was cowardly." Suzaku shouted, with a voice enough to get the attention of all the people around him. "The Black Knights…their actions…everything. He doesn't face the challenge itself! All he does is stir up people, and cause trouble. Then he acts like a judge and declares himself the winner. This isn't right. Anything gained in the wrong way is meaningless."

"So…" Zero began. "Ask me then how you justify the actions of Britannia?"

Suzaku was about to say anything, but Zero quickly cut him off.

"Think about it." Zero said. "Zero fights for the Japanese…the ones who have nothing here. When the war began eight years ago…many mothers and fathers went to fight. Those sons and daughters in the ghettos now don't have those mothers and fathers. How do you think they feel? Even though the Black Knights are at fault for this tragedy, the tragedy's true root cause rests with the country. If the Britannian government had not deprived the Elevens of everything they had when they invaded, and the citizens not treat them like dirt…then the Terrorists would never followed Zero because there would be no reason to…which in the end result…Shirley's father would never have died."

Suzaku again was about to say something…but Zero again cut him off.

"Now…do I blame the government for her death. No. That fault is on Zero's head. He needs to understand that collateral damage in unacceptable…no matter what. I used to respect him…but I have greatly lost it because of this. So do I agree that Zero is a coward and his tactics are cruel. Yes. Do I agree that he is a coward? Yes. Do I think Britannian could have done things to prevent the rise of the villain…yes. We are oft to blame in this. 'Tis too much proved - that with devotion's visage and pious action we do sugar o'er the devil himself. Hamlet…Act three."

Lelouch pierced straight into Zero with probably the angriest expression Zero had ever seen. However, the force of Zero's serious face pierced straight into his with equal force.

You can read my expression to know what I'm thinking. I meant every word Lelouch. Every…fucking…word.

"Even so…" Suzaku began.

"Look…" Zero said. "I'm not here to diss your job and country alright? I'm voicing my opinion…I trust you don't arrest people for that."

Zero turned to Shirley.

"I'm sorry for the loss." Zero said. "Let me know if there is anything I can do to help."

Zero walked away from the area, leaving the rain and fog to cover him as he vanished into the fog. Everyone slowly began to disperse from the area. Leval tried asking Lelouch about this, but Zero saw Millay grab Leval and drag him away from the area. Everyone dispersed from the location, except Lelouch, who remained still and unmoved the entire time. Shirley went over to Lelouch while he stood there.

"Lulu…forgive me." She said.

Lelouch perked his head up. It was the first time he had moved since the funeral began. He looked right at Shirley as she talked to him.

"It wasn't fair was it? What I did. You had no choice didn't you. So please forget it. I don't want you to feel bad. What I did…I went about it the wrong way. I mean…I kissed you. And I can't even be happy about it."

Shirley ran off to leave Lelouch in his depression. He reached his hand out as if he wanted to grab Shirley at embrace her to calm her down for what he had down. But something in his heavy heard told him not go…leaving Shirley to run off.

The one who you love will make you weep.

For some reason…Lelouch felt a terror embrace him in his heart…that Shirley was about to disappear from him.

He quickly returned home and laid on the couch in his room. C.C. was on his bed, enjoying Pizza that she had ordered earlier in the day. This was probably the fifteenth one she had ordered since she took refuge at Lelouch's house. Lelouch stood there, unnoticed, even as his cell phone rang.

"You regret it?" C.C. said. "Involving your friend's father in this?"

Lelouch stood up. He knew within seconds that one of C.C.'s massive speeches that would cut at his core was about to commence.

"Didn't you accuse Kirihara of being soft?" She continued. "You said you we're ready to walk the path of blood."

"Shut up." Lelouch said in a tone of anger.

"You're the soft one." C.C. continued. "Did you think this was all a game? You killed many people up until now, with your words or your hands."

"Shut up!" Lelouch said in a much stricter tone.

"They had family, friends, and even lovers too." C.C. said "Don't tell me you forgot that? Are you really prepared for this?"

"SHUT UP!" Lelouch shouted. "I AM PREPARED! I'VE ALWAYS BEEN PREPARED! EVER SINCE THE DAY I KILLED CLOVIS!"

"Then why are you hesitating?" C.C. said in a very sadistic tone. "Is it because of her, or because of feelings for her? Or maybe from the kiss she pleaded for?"

That sparked Lelouch for immediate dislike for C.C. He glanced over to her (which was the first time he had moved since he returned home) and glared at her, his face sparking a fury.

How could she have known that! This bitch!

"So…" C.C. continued. "In the end, your just a gullible little boy with a swollen head and big mouth."

That was the last straw. Lelouch ran from the couch and threw himself on C.C. He pushed her right on top of the bed and suppressed her arms. C.C. though made no resistance and continued to speak, knowing her words hit him harder than her fist.

"At this point, you can't afford to be shaken or to stop." She continued. "You need to keep doing this in order to live right? Don't disappoint me."

Lelouch smacked C.C. with a force that could be heard all around the house.

Lelouch took a small shower in order to calm his nerves. He eventually got out and got redressed to meet up with Ohgi. As he walked out, Zero stood there from behind the walls. He had teleported in earlier to talk to Lelouch. As Lelouch walked down a hallway, he unknowingly passed by Zero.

"Lelouch…" Zero said.

Lelouch turned around and saw Zero. He was still angry for him at his comments about him.

"You have a lot of nerve showing up after your comments earlier about my tactics." Lelouch said.

"Your tactics…" Zero said as he uncrossed his arms and stopped resting his back on the hallway of the Ashford manor. "Cost over two hundred civilian casualties and even some of our own crew, including that of the father of your friend."

Lelouch turned on his Geass eye.

"You think I'm a coward!?" Lelouch said. "What would you have done in that situation!? Answer me Zero!"

"I think your tactics are cowardly, and your lack of concern for other people is cruel and unreasonable." Zero said. "The Black Knights protect those who have no weapons. Now tell me: are you contradicting your own group now? Are you a hypocrite? Are you exactly like Neo Arcadia before me!? You answer me lelouch!"

Lelouch stopped talking.

"Remember…" Zero said. "I'm not your fucking dog. I've never been one to keep my silence about anything. Even where I came from, people had a hard time keeping my mouth in order. I don't need civilian deaths on my head. Either eliminate collateral damage, and non-military personal from your tactics, or I'll do you in myself! I hope you make the right decision."

Zero walked away from Lelouch and teleported back to the base.

You little punk!

"I don't get it." X said as he and Harpuia looked at Sigma over screens in the command room. In addition to that, the screens also showed videos of Sigma back in the Maverick war era that was extracted from documents in X's brain. "We've studied everything. Brain. CPU. Virus level. Everything. Everything checks out."

"I can't believe that maverick is back." Fefnir said. "Did you question him?"

"I did." X said. "Unfortunately, everything he says checks out. Man, this is not right. It's as if someone grabbed at his brain and wiped out every single memory he has of the virus; or from Abel City. Same thing with Vile and the X-Hunters. They don't remember a thing."

"He still seems to respond to programs from Reploids well." Harpuia said. "I gave him the human simulation program that I downloaded from Zero during our fight well. He's a Reploid alright. I wonder what happened?"

"He came from the mainland from the King correct?" X said.

"That's what the papers that he had said." Fefnir said. "Cross referenced them twice. Their legitimate."

"My father has always concealed himself in secrets that my family didn't know about it." Cornelia said as she walked into the room. "He has a keen ability to see things before they happen. He must have known about you machines for the longest time."

"How long have you been listening to us?" X asked.

"Just enough." She said. "I had Lloyd play back videos from wherever you came from. None of it matches Britannian history."

"And your conclusion..." X said.

"You people are obviously alien origin." Cornelia said. "I don't know what to make of it, but obviously this Sigma from where you came from was a huge despot. Yet he acts very normal right now."

"The King convincing Sigma to join Britannia." X said.

"Maybe not join…" Cornelia said. "But he did something."

"What do you want me to do?" X said. "I mean…it's obvious he isn't dangerous right now. But even so…"

"If Sigma is as dangerous as you say…" Cornelia said. "He may not be off the hook yet. You and me will keep this quiet. I want you to survey him or have him watched 24/7, until I say otherwise. The minute you report suspicious activity, we'll move for something extreme. Until then, you will show him the highest respect as you do with me. My father made him a General...he still over-ranks you."

"Understand." X said. "What about the other four that came with him?"

"Vile, Agile, Serges, and Violen?" Cornelia said. "We're reassigning them to positions based on their abilities. Agile is being assigned to the Investigation committee to look for Zero. Serges will be assigned to the R&D division with Count Lloyd. Violen will be our Siege expert, and Vile will be assigned as a Knightmare pilot. They're all assigned under you, you outrank them currently. Do with them what you think is for the best."

She then walked away and then sighed.

"Alien machines that act like us on our world." Cornelia said. "Things are becoming stranger and stranger every day."

Zero returned to the Black Knight's headquarters. Sure, he had been hurt, but they we're fighting a war right now. Zero couldn't let his emotions cloud instinct. As he walked, Douglas waited for him, hanging out on a couple boxes that Zero walked nearby.

"So is this the great Zero who charges on the front lines; or the Zero who lets his lackeys do the work?" He asked.

"Bite my shiny metal ass Douglas." Zero said.

"ZERO; IT IS YOU!" He shouted.

Douglas ran from his boxes and high fived Zero before giving him a big bear hug. Zero pushed him off after a few seconds and then allowed Douglas to talk again.

"After 200 years, I didn't think we would see each other again." Douglas said. "Especially since the hyper sleep you choose to do was intended to be permanent."

"Well…unfortunately…it wasn't." Zero said. "But regardless of what happened with the Cyber Elf program…I'm here now. How about you? How did you end up at Kyoto?"

"Well…" Douglas said. "During the Elf war, I remember being controlled by Omega. Then a blast came and hit me in the face during a battle. After that, I woke up to the Japanese who wanted me to build them some Pantheons. I tell you Zero…lots changed since the Elf Wars. Everything has gone from repairs to war. What's going on?"

It was apparent that Douglas had no idea what had happened and that he was in an entirely new dimension now. Zero knew that wherever this was, it wasn't the same earth as before. Douglas honestly wasn't too bright though and never noticed the changes on the map for the continental and geographical portions, not to mention that the history of Neo Arcadia and the Maverick wars was completely eradicated from history.

Still, best to keep it quiet for now.

"Sure has." Zero said. "I don't know anymore."

"One thing is for certain; I can't believe that I've been labeled a Maverick." Douglas said. "ME a maverick! An Irregular! Can you believe that?"

"Actually I can." Zero said. "You and me are in the same boat right now."

"Who labeled you?" Douglas asked.

"X." Zero said.

"Seriously!?" Douglas said. "You and X are enemies right now? Where is he right now?"

"He's working for the government; I've chosen to work against it." Zero said. "Since then, X has made it his sworn duty to retire me. At the same time, Britannia (which is the name for the government right now Douglas), has already claimed that any Reploids who follow Zero (not me; so don't say me) are mavericks."

"Yikes!" Douglas shouted. "How long have I been asleep?"

"…I was hoping you could answer me that." Zero said. "In any case, we need an additional Engineer. We we're hoping you could help."

"Well of course!" Douglas said. "That's my job right?"

"Yeah...but do you want it?" Zero asked.

"Huh?" He asked.

"If you choose to follow me, you'll only go deeper into the label. Do you really want that?" Zero asked.

Douglas stood quiet for a few minutes.

"Well..." He said. "I can't really agree with this. Putting my creations to use against humans. It's the very thing I want to oppose. But...I've seen what these people go through every day. For some reason...I actually hate that more than the whole Reploid/Maverick thing. I guess the reason I'm building these weapons is to try and bring this battle to a complete end."

"Good answer." Zero said. "Oh yeah; almost forgot. Download this program into your hard drive and give it to Craft."

Zero reached out his hand and gave Douglas a computer chip. Douglas took the chip and inserted into it to his head. White light enveloped him as the "Human Simulation Program" activated. Douglas looked like that of a scientist with a white lab coat, brown slacks, black shirt, brown spiky hair, and red goggles. Douglas looked at that form he took on while Zero stood still, unmoved.

"Holy crap." Douglas said.

"If you like it," Zero said. "Be sure to thank Ciel."

"How old do you think it is?" Harpuia asked as X, Suzaku, Cecile, and Fefnir worked with the new Reploid capsules they had just brought in. They worked in the R&D development building where the Lancelot was being held.

"Judging from the amount of dirt clogged down here and the amount of damage this capsule in particular has taken, this one is about two hundred years old. Same with the other. Both are from the Maverick War era."

"Does…that mean their good?" Suzaku said.

"Not anything compared to Harpuia and Fefnir." X said. "But all Reploids are amazing fighters. And…if they are from the Maverick war era, there's a better chance that I know them personally. I knew a lot of people back then in that era so I may know someone back there."

"Good news Suzaku." Lloyd said. "We have orders from Princess Cornelia's Royal Guard. We get to participate in the next operation."

"Nice knowing you Suzaku." Fefnir said.

"So…" he said, going over to Suzaku. "Are they acknowledging your skill, or using you as a decoy again?"

"Lloyd!" Cecile shouted as she walked in with tea. "Do I have to show you the proper way to speak to people."

"Thanks but I'll pass." Lloyd said. "How's the decryption going over here?"

"Almost done with both." Serges said. "All I need is the root password for both systems and that's it."

"Ahh X." Lloyd said ignoring Serges. "You're here." That's perfect. I need to show you something. And its specifically orientated towards you."

"Lloyd; I'd like to…but General Sigma wants these capsules opened ASAP." X said.

"General Sigma?" Lloyd said. "Isn't he the brutal murder for your world?"

"Yeah." X said.

"Where the king gets these Generals from is beyond me." Lloyd said. "Sort of makes me wonder why Britannia is the most brutal country around. But in any case, I have something to show you."

"…You're not concerned that a murdering psychopath currently has access to an entire army and the most Reploids around and could easily order a massacre on the entire population?" Harpuia said.

"Couldn't care less." Lloyd said. "We already have a man who controls a Reploid that wiped out several Knightmare divisions on his own without any effort at all."

X and Lloyd left the area and went into a backroom of the R&D truck. Inside, Lloyd displayed to X was a circuit board. X looked at the circuit board for a few minutes. Eventually his eyes widened as he looked at Lloyd.

"No way!" He shouted.

"A circuit board from your body; perfectly duplicated." He said.

"Lloyd…this…this…this is…incredible!" X said. "How…how did you manage to do it!"

"I told you before that I would succeed where this Doctor Cain failed." Lloyd said. "And this is my proof."

"How did you do this…and with such a short time!" X said.

"All of this studies that we did." Lloyd said. "I tell you…I might have gotten Insomnia a couple times when I was researching…but I did it. After a few more boards, we can replicate and engineer them. After that, Reploids can come off the assembly line."

Lloyd went over to a chair next to X and sat down.

"I'm thinking of doing this to start my own business with Reploids." Lloyd said.

"Wait…use us as a way to get money?" X asked.

"No." Lloyd said. "Because…every other scientist we have here has never been close to Reploids like you than me. If you want a job done right, you got to do it yourself. I want to do it because I know I can do it right. I don't care what people say. The money is nice…but it's nothing compared to the scientific breakthrough that we will be obtaining from this. That alone is enough."

"Lloyd…I'm impressed." X said.

"I told you not to doubt me." He said. "Besides, this way I can research more possible ways to upgrade my precious Lancelot, as well as actually have funding for it for once."

"How many?" Zero asked Rouge.

"Two." She said opening up a very massive crate that contained two Reploid capsules. "We we're hoping you could evaluate and decrypt them."

"All right then; Douglas, work with Cerveau and get Capsule 2 open. I'll work with this one." Zero said all in one sentence. "The rest of you stand by. Colbor, get a squad up here. We don't know if these Reploids are dangerous or not."

"Yes sir!" He shouted over radio.

Zero ran over to the first capsule, while Douglas and Cerveau began to decrypt the coding on the capsules. Zero went over to his and brushed off the dust.

"Scanning…" Zero said as he inserted a USB connection from his head to the capsule. While he downloaded and transmitted data from the capsule to him, Zero began to brush off the tops of the capsule as he began to observe symbols and anything that can use to recognize the capsule.

"I see a Maverick hunter symbol on this one." Douglas said.

"Maverick War Era then." Zero said.

Colbor's team entered the room with weapons armed as Zero and the others did they're work.

"Okay then." Zero said. "I've bypassed the proxy server and the router on this capsule. Entering in the root password…Hey Douglas…what's the last known password we had before the Elf wars started?"

"Hey shouldn't you know…Ooohhhh…right…" Douglas said, remembering Zero sealed himself away before it. "Umm…man that takes me back…umm…src71469."

"S…r…c…7…1…4…6…9… Zero said.

"HA!" Axl shouted. "You said 69…"

"Oh my god; Axl I will stab you in the eye if you don't shut up!" Zero said.

"Not my fault I like girls!" Axl asked.

"Okay." Zero said, forgetting that Axl was in the room now. "System Decryption has begun. It'll take awhile, but the capsule will eventually open up."

A radio signal transmitted directly to Zero. Zero put his hand on his helmet and listened in for a few seconds. After that was done, Zero looked at Axl, Leviathan, Ciel, and Phantom.

"Alright guys!" Zero said. "Zero is meeting up with the contact from Britannia now. We need to get there to meet up with him. Douglas, continue the extraction operation. We'll be back shortly."

Zero and the main Reploids found their way to an abandoned docks building somewhere nearby a massive freighter. As of now, the freighter was owned by the Japan Liberation Front and the people inside we're getting ready to evacuate from Britannia. Currently, a large number of Black Knights and several Knightmares was stored there for the operation that was to commence tonight. Also, the docks was soon going to become the main base for the Black Knights rather than underground.

"Wait a second Zero…" Ohgi said when everyone had arrived at the docks. "I know this is a request from Kyoto. I think we can definitely handle it. And I'm sure that the Japan Liberation Front would rather join with us than flee to foreign soil and all but…"

"You're the ones who brought us this information?" Lelouch asked. "Diethard…Neige wasn't it?"

The two news reporters we're currently being held at a wall with two Black Knight's members having guns pointed at them. Of course, they came to Zero with their own free will so it honestly didn't matter to them.

"It is." Diethard. "It's an honor to meet you like this Zero. Or should I say Zeroes?"

"Address this one; he is the leader." Zero said.

"So Princess Cornelia is going to deploy the Royal Marines against the General of the Japan Liberation Front?" Lelouch asked. "Is this correct?"

"Our TV station is already poised to put a special report on it." Neige said.

"Lieutenant Colonel Tohdoh will never make it to the General in time." Lelouch said. "This means that the JLF has no military strength right now. Their only chance of escape is the liquid Sakuradite they're carrying. It makes me wonder why Tohdoh wanted you to join with us Black Knights Axl."

"I don't know either…" Axl said. "Maybe he thought it was too confining…maybe their tactics didn't suit my abilities…could be any number of reasons…I don't know…"

"But that's why we should help them escape rather than going after Cornelia…" Ohgi began.

"Ohgi!" Zero shouted. "We do not have the military strength to buy the Japan Liberation Front time. If we enter a battle of attrition, we will lose."

"But…" Ohgi began.

"If you want the Japan Liberation Front to escape…our only option is to fight." Zero said.

"And that's why we will annihilate Cornelia's troops!" Lelouch began. "And in the fight, allow the Japan Liberation Front to escape. Tonight, we will regain what was lost to us at Narita!"

"What are our chances?" Ohgi asked.

"Need you ask?" Lelouch said.

Ohgi simply smiled.

As Ciel was walking away from the area, she saw a shadow behind her of a human figure. Ciel turned around to see Neige flying towards her.

"CIEL!" She shouted.

"AAHH!" Ciel squeaked as the brown hair girl jumped on top of her.

Ciel was knocked to the ground as Neige dove on top of her. After a few seconds, Neige got up, still embracing Ciel with the tightest grip she had ever felt.

"OH MY GOD; CIEL IT IS YOU!" Neige said, crushing the back of the little girl.

"I MISSED YOU TOO; GET OFF MY BACK!" Ciel said.

Neige let go Ciel. Ciel felt as if her brain was a massive balloon and that all the air got let out of it. After a few seconds of regaining her breath, Ciel and Neige hugged for real without the spine crushing.

"How have you been?" Neige said.

"I've been great." Ciel said. "I thought we lost you."

"Feelings are mutual." Neige said. "How'd you end being a member of the Black Knights?"

"Zero rescued me." Ciel said.

"Again?" Neige said.

"Not just him…the other Zero." Ciel said.

"Two Zeroes?" Neige asked. "Girl, you need to stop getting your ass kidnapped. Still, least you got someone looking out for you."

"I know." Ciel said. "But Neige…I have some good news for you…we found Cra…"

Before she could even finish, Zero put his hand over her mouth. Ciel looked up at Zero who had suddenly appeared. Neige fell off her legs when he did that.

"Damn Zero." She said. "Don't do that. I nearly pissed myself."

Zero kept his hand on Ciel and looked at her. He let his hand off of Ciel's mouth.

"But…" She muttered.

"It's better if she doesn't know." Zero said.

Zero walked away from the area, leaving Neige confused.

"What's better?" Neige said. "Hey Zero…I'm talking to you!"

Zero made no reply as he continued to walk away from the area. While he did, Craft simply watched from on top of the dock.

Suzaku wasn't having much luck either. He had just been transferred to a dock not far from Lelouch's position. Of course, the military had no idea he was there.

"Just so you know…" General Sigma said. "The Viceroy has issues about using numbers. However, your performances in the field has let me and Dolton think otherwise."

"Our target is the General." Dolton said. "Take him out and the Japan Liberation Front is finished. The Marines will be handling the actual arrest. You will be supplying covering fire from the shore, as well as annihilating any stragglers left over."

"Annihilating?" Suzaku asked with a stunning look.

"Nobody but the target is to survive." Dolton said.

"Here's your shot at getting ahead in the world." Sigma said as he and Dolton walked off.

"Y…yes sir." Suzaku said.

X would have thrown a fit if he had heard this. I'm glad he's caught up with trying to open those Reploid capsules rather than listen in on this.

"Onward Christian soldiers." Lloyd said as he suddenly popped out of nowhere. "Conflicting morals eh Suzaku?"

Suzaku did nothing but grip the key to the Lancelot as tight as he could without damaging it. While he stood there angry, Dolton went over to Sigma.

"You're a great General of Britannia correct?" Dolton said.

"Yes." Sigma said.

"Then tell me how come I have never heard the King ever talk about you before?" Dolton asked.

"That's funny…" Sigma said. "How come the King never talks about you?"

Dolton stopped in his tracks at Sigma's quick come back. He stood there made for a few seconds, but regained his composure and looked back at Sigma.

"Tell me how you became a Reploid, at least?" Dolton said.

"Massive injury that required cyberzation of my entire body." Sigma said. "The King was having a team research the abilities of X since he was discovered. Found some useful things we did. Anyway it doesn't matter…the point is I can fight. I think that is all you really need to worry about."

"X!" Alia shouted as she dove on X and gave him a massive hug. "Oh my god! I can't believe it!"

X managed to grab Alia as she dove onto him. X had been happy, seeing as Alia was probably one of his best friends at the Maverick Hunters.

"Alia!" X said. "I'm so glad to see you. How have you been?"

"I don't know." Alia said. "How long have I been…?"

"I don't know." X said. "A lot's changed in that time. But it doesn't matter. We're back together again."

"Friends of Master X are you?" Harpuia said. "I am Harpuia. I am loyal guardian of Master X."

"Oh." Alia said as Harpuia bowed before her gracefully. "Nice to meet you…hey wait a minute…Master X?"

X looked at Alia. X put his hand on his helmet and sort of blushed.

"A lot has happened." He said. "You've been asleep right now for more than 200 years."

"200 years!" She shouted. "No wonder my joints feel like they're rusted."

"Excuse me…" X asked a Reploid who walked by.

"Ye…ye…yes sir?" She said.

"Could you help this Reploid out a bit?" X said. "She's been in hibernation too long and her joints may require maintenance. Also load the simulation program into her when it's done."

"Yes sir." She said.

The blonde hair Reploid took Alia to a small bed where she began to open up her plating and began to look at her joints.

"Now I don't want you guys looking while she does this." Alia said.

"Don't worry…" X said as he turned around back to the capsules and continued to work on the other unopened one. "The Reploids I work with aren't pigs."

X and Harpuia continued to work in the capsule, Fefnir (without Alia knowing) kept staring, until Serges grabbed him and forced him down to continue working. It took Alia a few minutes to get her joints fixed and the simulation program installed. Alia at the time was busy checking her human form out in a mirror that was nearby. When she had turned into the simulated human body, she had on a white button up long sleeve shirt, a long black skirt, and black nylons. She looked beautiful. Even X after that found it hard to look away.

"Alia…" he said. "You look great.

"Oh my god…" She said. "This is amazing! I see why Reploids are made with Bio-metal. Who made this?"

"Zero did." X said.

"Zero!" Alia said. "That's a new one. Where is he anyway?"

X was about to say something. He then stopped for a few seconds and looked back at the comrades. He nodded his head, signaling for them, not to say anything. It was better this way.

"We don't know." X said. "We're not sure. We know that he is somewhere out there, but we can't tell where. There are signs that point to that he is in Britannia's Area 11. But the trail ends there. We can't find him…or maybe that he doesn't want to be found."

"Zero was always the mysterious one." Alia said. "Nobody was ever able to completely analyze his body. Even Gate couldn't. And he was 99.98% complete with it before we…"

"Yeah I know." X said. "Let's…let's not dive in the past Alia. I know losing him was hard for you."

"It's…its fine." She said. She then looked at X, who had lowered his head towards the ground. She looked at him.

"What's wrong X?" She asked.

"Nothing." X said. It's...it's just really good to see you."

There was a reason X had lowered his head. They didn't form right away because of the pure shock he had received in seeing her. But...after a few minutes of his brain computing what was going on, tears began to form.

Because he remembered what had happened before.

"Emergency!" An alert siren blared out as the Maverick Hunter base was under siege by Wile's forces. "All Reploids prepare to abandon base. I repeat, evacuate the ship!"

Zero and X were charging through the base, maneuvering through the laser blasts shot by combat reploids who were laying siege to the base. Zero went on ahead and swung his Z-Saber against two of the Reploids, while X shot the other two.

"Alia..." X shouted. "How's the situation up there!?"

"It's bad X!" She shouted. "Several Reploid units have breached the main hall! At this rate, our position will be overwhelmed in a few minutes!"

"X, hurry!" Palette shouted. "We can't hold out much longer!"

"We're hurrying!" Zero shouted. "X...go on ahead...I'll hold these off!"

X turned to Zero who dove on top of a maverick and smashed it's head into a wall. As soon as another maverick burst in, Zero sliced that one in two. X turned to aid his comrade, but Zero kicked him.

"Go you idiot!" He shouted. He then turned to stab another Reploid, before he hacked off the head of another.

X...stood in complete shock, but then he nodded to Zero. He then continued onward without him, meeting many mavericks on the way.

Damn you Wile...what are trying to do!?

Another explosion rocked the base, and X almost lost his footing. he then got a transmission from Alia.

"Alia." He shouted. "Are you okay?"

"Xxx..." She moaned. "A...a missile just hit...our position...Palette...Layer...their both dead." X's eyes lit up when he heard that he had lost his two best operators. "X...I'm...I'm hurt bad...please...please hurry..."

X nearly screamed with rage as he ran towards the reploids shooting at him. He pulled out his X-Buster and fired several barrages of energy at the oncoming Reploids. Many of them were hit and fell over dead. He continued to fire at the Reploids, cutting them down every shot until he reached the gate.

And then he saw her...

A sound of steam came from the capsule. X shook his head and then looked to see the one opening up.

"Cracked it!" Serges said. "We got it open, commander."

"Excellent." He said. "Now to see who we found."

X went over to the capsule and looked inside. But as he did, he suddenly lost all of his excitement.

As soon as he looked in, a wave of emotion hit him. Not for him, but for his friend Zero. Conflicting emotions about the war came into X's mind. He cursed the war and he cursed the country for ever putting this situation in his hands.

For in the capsule contained the unconscious body of Iris Throne.