MLaaTR: Maverick Hunter X

By Drewmaster

18. Chapter 18

A particularly high level of eeriness hung in the air constantly. Six weeks passed with absolutely no activity from the Mavericks. In ordinary circumstances, people would stop worrying so much and stop looking over their shoulders, but this is an impending war they're anticipating. Many ordinary citizens whose previous lifetime convictions told them never to buy a gun or deadly weapons of any kind have changed their minds and have been preparing themselves for battle ever since the worldwide announcements were made.

One of the major issues is that a large number of people are panicking so badly that they're running to find shelter in military bases and any other facility or location they think will help. Surprisingly though, a relatively small number of people have committed suicide because of their panicking.

"It's really a sad state of affairs when one realizes how castrated the once much braver human race has become. They need to realize that the best course of survival is to stand and fight instead of run; but they're not concerned about preservation of the human race as a whole, are they? Noooooo! They'd rather save themselves individually or look from someone else to save them. Selfish. SELFISH!" Melody yelled angrily as she slammed her fist into the arm of the metal chair she was sitting in.

"And frightened like small animals. I want to protect them the same way you guys do, but I wonder if it even worth it sometimes. The more so-called peace these people experience, the more they lose the will to fight to survive," She said as she looked at photos of Jenny and the Maverick Hunters.

"Then there's you two. Maverick Hunters you call yourselves. If it weren't for the fact that you two showed up when you did and showed that you are willing to fight on our behalf, I probably would've lost hope after a while. You've been doing this for more than a hundred years, and you haven't lost it yet. Wow! That's the word for it. I think I would've lost my mind long before that. What causes you two to persevere the way you do? It's got to be fuckin' maddening," She said.

She sighed and leaned back in her chair. She then began to think of father again…it only made her mood worse. Her angry eyes began to glaze over with tears. A few seconds later, she sat up quickly slamming her fist into the chairs arm again, and rubbing the tears from her eyes. I will NOT…cry for that man! I need to think about something else."

She began looking at the photos again.

"Admittedly, you've got the looks Zero, but I definitely admire X a lot more. I get the feeling he keeps you in check somehow. You seem like a loose cannon, unlike X," Melody said with a slight grin.

To my old friend,

I have an idea that may interest you, Nora. I know you don't trust me, and frankly, I don't trust you either. I'm only doing this because of my heightened sense of desperation. The new war will start soon, and probably sooner than we think. I will understand if you chose not to accept this proposal. I need upgrading and you happen to be the best candidate for the job. I understand your workload for upgrading your daughters is top priority for you right now, but you and I both know that it likely isn't enough. I've ran through hundreds of calculations based on what information we've gathered about the reploids, and it's sad to say that even your daughters and those Hunters together will likely not be enough. I know you've done probably more calculations than I have and that you've come up with the same results. We will probably be annihilated. Skyway Patrol and whatever new weapons the world governments are working on are likely not going to be enough. It's a terrible situation, like sending a child to fight a tank with a bb gun. That may be a little bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point. I know we have our differences, but I came to realize that I am in just as much danger as you. Those villains Sigma is recruiting don't seem to realize how fruitless it is to trust him. He doesn't care about them. I'm glad I realized this as quickly as I did. I was a ruthless dictator myself, so I know all about manipulation…or propaganda, as some people like to call it. Before you make your decision, keep this in mind; I understand the risk of allowing you work on my body,

Vexus

"I have to admit, she really has lost it if she thinks I would, in my right mind, help her," Ms. Wakeman said irritated.

"At least she didn't try asking in person first. That was smart of her to send a letter…for her own safety," XJ5 said.

"As unexpected as this is, and as crazy as she seems, I do agree that we need extra help. But man; why is it the only other person willing to help this situation is Vexus of all people?" Jenny asked.

A moment later, Ms. Wakeman asked in a way that sounded as if she expecting an answer "I guess, the most important question is…why hasn't she left Earth yet?"

A moment later, "Jenny said "That is a good question. I've also given this a lot of thought. I…I'll just come out with it straight. I think she's decided that Earth is her new home."

"If that's so, then why?" XJ7 asked.

"Well, she did tell me that she no longer seems to have the drive to attack anymore. I think she's been in a state of 'time out' for so long now, that she's seriously re-evaluated her entire motivation for living. Two years is a long time to think about what you've been doing all your life. I've come to mostly believe that we don't need to worry about her anymore. In my mind, I don't even classify her as one of the villains anymore. I'm still cautious of course, but I really don't think she has the drive to go back to her old life. I think that, just maybe, she might actually one day turn over a new leaf….or remain a hermit. It's hard to tell for sure," Jenny explained.

"She's likely just playing tricks on you, XJ9," Ms. Wakeman said with obvious anger in her voice.

"I talked to her when that Phoenix guy arrived, and when she spoke, I could hear a huge lack of that self-confidence and self-assurance that she's been known for. She could barely look me directly in the eye for more than a couple of seconds like she used to always do. She sounded angry, but it didn't sound directed towards me. It sounded like it was directed toward herself. Honestly, I think some small portion of her wanted to apologize…for everything…but couldn't bring herself to do it. I even think I'm crazy for thinking that sometimes myself, so I know how you feel mom. I've gotten better at listening for involuntary signs of honesty and dishonesty, and she sounded completely honest. I know…I understand why you're looking at me like that mom," Jenny explained with a convincingly honest expression on her face.

With a confused look now on her face, Ms. Wakeman asked in disbelief "You're serious, aren't you?"

A moment of silence followed that seemed to make time slow down somewhat.

XJ6 said angrily "All these years….and I still don't understand half of what goes on in that crack-headed brain of yours. Before I thought you decided to let her go because you felt like we had more important things to worry about, BUT NOOOOoooo, I see now you were actually being serious when you said you thought she might change."

Jenny was now staring at her with obvious anger in her eyes.

"I never heard you insult her like that before. That's not nice at all," XJ4 said angrily.

XJ6 raised her voice some and said with a harsh tone "I'm supposed to be understanding and supportive of Jenny because she's my sister, but I've completely had it up to here with that crazy girl. What the fucking hell is wrong with you? You, by far, are the most illogical person I've ever met. Even….even XJ1 has more sense than you. First, it was you always trying to make yourself popular. Your arrogance used to drive me up the wall. Once you realized that didn't work, then it changed into trying to just…fit in with a population of people who would never except you. You should've known from the start that it was an impossible dream. We realized it and moved on with our lives, so why the fuck can't you? I calmed down some when I started to feel sorry for your miserable ass when you attempted suicide. Now this stupid shit. Vexus? Are you insane? There's no way we can ever tru…"

XJ6 stopped suddenly when Jenny's fist suddenly appeared four inches in front her face. Jenny's fist was trembling violently. Everyone in the room was shocked that Jenny almost seriously hurt XJ6.

Jenny then growled loudly in a tone that made it obvious her feelings were hurt quite badly "I know that I've driven you all crazy many times before. I was too proud and too stubborn to acknowledge that there are plenty of people out there with far worse problems than my own. Yes, I overheard your conversation about a year ago when you asked mom why I think I'm the only one with real problems. I played the victim role for far too long now, and I'm sorry that I put you through that. You didn't deserve it, and none of you deserved it either. I should never have forced my problems on any of you. I wonder myself if there is something wrong with me, so you don't have to ask me as if I've never given it any thought."

Jenny took moment to put her fist down and calm down slightly.

She then said "And don't you all try to play dumb with me. I know everyone in this room is deeply hurt by the discrimination we face. It has left an ugly painful scar on our hearts that will probably never go away. Most of you have learned how to stay calm about it better than I have, but I know it hurts, and I don't like knowing that you all are going through this pain. It's true that I focus on myself too much, but I'm also doing what I do for you all too. I figured that if even one of us could find a way to fit in, then that would set the precedent for the possibility of all of us fitting in. I'm not doing this only for myself anymore. I've been a stupid child most of my life, and I'm trying to get over my self-centeredness to make up for my past. I'm sorry for putting you all through so much unnecessary stress."

A moment of silence followed as Jenny now stared at the floor.

"We've faced discrimination in our world for as long as we've been alive, so we know how you feel. Based on some of the things we I heard about Jenny, however, I wondered whether or not she was really doing the right kind of job. Arrogant people often make poor heroe…or global defenders if you wanna call it that. But it's a good thing you're learning that there's a need for humility and humbleness. I do thank you for what you just said though," X said.

"I wondered if I was really qualified myself. Anyway, Vexus is a very difficult issue to deal with. I never once said I was ready to receive her open arms just yet. I need to talk with her again to determine if I'm right about my suspicions. I'm only doing this, because if she is sincere, she would be a great ally in this war. She said she didn't trust them herself, so any chance of her being stupid enough to join their side is basically out of the question. I think what you were really mad at was my apparent foolish optimism on the subject. I'm definitely optimistic, but I'm ready to pull the trigger on her at any moment, if necessary. Then there was all that bottled in anger that you've been holding inside of you all this time. I'm not mad that you told me those things, because they were legitimate concerns. You didn't have to insult me though," Jenny said to XJ6.

"All right. I'm sorry I did that. It's just…all this time, I wondered if you were really concerned about our feelings or not. You have done things to hurt my feelings far worse than the things those Krust girls ever said. Sometimes I just wanted to hurt you so badly, but I'm afraid that I don't stand a chance against you. Being stuck I a situation that can't be won against is maddeningly frustrating. Hurting you isn't the answer, and I know that, but why is it that one of the first things in the list of instinctive solutions to problems is violence?" XJ6 asked as if she was ready to cry.

"Well, that just goes to show us how much like humans we really are," XJ4 answered.

"In a way, I wish you hadn't said that, but it's undeniably true," XJ7 said.

Jenny grabbed both of XJ6's shoulders and said "Listen! For a long time now, I've been aware of your frustration. If you were to hate me forever right now, I would understand the reason. I would give you the space far away from me that you'd want, but you must know, if that happened, I would be so…heart broken. Knowing that I was responsible for destroying our relationship would be bad in itself, but never being able to speak to you again like a sister and friend would destroy a part of me. That goes for all of our sisters. I love you all, my sisters, and mom too, and I wish to make it to you somehow. I just hope we live long enough to make it a reality."

Jenny closed her eyes tight and forced herself to calm down.

A couple seconds after she stopped trembling, she asked with a hopeful look in her eyes "Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

"You found it in your heart, a heart scarred so badly…you were big hearted enough to forgive both Brit and Tiff for their transgressions. If I am unable to find it in mine to forgive you, then what kind of person would that make me. With that said, yes, I do forgive you," XJ6 replied.

With a trembling voice, Jenny said with a happy smile "If I could make tears, they'd be pouring from my eyes right now. Thank you so much. I love you big sister."

One by one, Jenny's arms wrapped around XJ6 in a hug.

With a voice trembling worse than before, XJ6 said "I lo…I love you too."

She then hugged her little sister back. One by one, all of the XJ sisters formed a group hug followed by their mother. If the sisters could cry as humans do, they would. They did cry though, the way they were able. Zero has never been known for crying. He did cry once before, be he, just as he didn't then, shed a single tear. He felt the surge of emotion from witnessing this event, but he managed to hold his composure together. X was able to see, that in a very difficult to notice way, Zero's eye twitch just enough to reveal that he felt like crying. X, on the other hand, did have a few tears roll down his face.

After wiping them away, X said "I guess we really did come to the right place after all."

Zero sighed and said "I think you're right, X. I think you're right."

Ms. Wakeman finally said "This is indeed the heart that I could never create. This level of human likeness is something I could never program. I thought I could program experience, but I see it's something that surpasses human understanding. It took me all these years…to realize it. I can build a body, and a brain, but I cannot create life. The proof is right there in front of me. Forget everything my so-called logical mind is telling me; I was right when I decided to call you my daughters. That little voice in my head will never make me doubt that again. I do want you all to know that I never regretted calling you my daughters. I don't regret making you either. You really have brought me more happiness than anything else in my life. I want us to never again think of us as a scientist and her experiments. I want us to think of ourselves as a genuine family."

One by one, her daughters all nodded in approval.

"If we were to go on thinking of us as you and products of your research, we would eventually have to call into question why we have chosen to stay together as long as we have. A big part of us all thought of our relationship as a real family for a long time now, so that is proof enough for me," XJ8 added.

As they continued talking, they were totally unaware of a certain someone watching them.