MLaaTR: Maverick Hunter X
By Drewmaster
23. Chapter 23
Ms. Wakeman finished doing a thorough scan on Grace's body. Grace finally sat up awaiting the diagnosis.
A moment of silence followed before XJ5 asked "What's wrong, mom?"
"Life is strange. Who would've ever thought I would be one to get so directly involved in these things. Well, I'm not really sure what's wrong with you. All I'm able to determine is that your DNA and cellular structure is different from ordinary humans," Ms. Wakeman answered.
"I figured that…much. How…different are we…talking?" Grace asked.
"Well, I've discovered that you are still human, so that's not the issue. It's just that your DNA and cellular structure is more tightly wound together than ordinary humans, many times over. Beyond that, I can't determine why it's allowing you to do the amazing things you did. It's as though…that there is a portion of your makeup that can't be properly scanned as well. My equipment seems to be incapable," Ms. Wakeman answered slightly embarrassed.
"What the hell am…I? You say I'm human, but how can…that be?" Grace asked with a slight tremble in her voice.
"I have some of the best equipment in the world. I'm probably your best bet when it comes to finding out, but even I can't tell you a meaningful answer. I've read every relevant piece of source material for unusual cases in human anatomy, and I haven't seen this. This is, to my knowledge, something totally new," Ms. Wakeman answered.
Grace raised her voice and said "First this, and now I find out you've been…ordered to upgrade Vexus. What the…hell am I supposed to…believe in now?"
Another moment of silence followed, and then Zero replied "I don't know what to tell you. I'd be lying if I told you I knew. I've lived and fought for more than a century now, and even I don't know what to believe in. The reality is…that life is often unfair and filled with mystery and uncertainty. I don't really spend a lot of time wondering about such things. The only thing that's really kept me going all this time is…"
Grace cut him off by yelling "What the hell…do you know? You're…not the ones who have to deal with pain…and the reality that…your existence is so fragile…the way we do. How can you possibly know what I'm going through?"
XJ4 then yelled "And just what is that supposed to mean? We…¦"
Grace cut her off by yelling "Just shut up. Leave me alone."
Grace got up and ran out of the room. Jenny had never seen her like this before the entire time she knew her.
"I'll go after her" Jenny volunteered.
"No! I need you here to finish repairing you. XJ6, you go after her. Don't argue with me. Just do it," Ms. Wakeman ordered.
XJ6 sighed and walked out of the room irritated.
"It's a good thing she's been ordered to stay in this building until further notice. Now that your repairs are finished, Zero, I need you to go and keep an eye on Vexus. As you know, I don't really trust her. Tell XJ8 that she is relieved while you're at it," Ms. Wakeman said.
As soon as the robotic arms that were repairing Zero retracted, he stood up and headed for the door saying, "It's not like I have anything better to do."
About a minute later, XJ6 found the person she was chasing. She could tell by the sound of her crying, but she couldn't see her because she had locked herself inside of a restroom.
"_Give me a fuckin' break_," XJ6 thought to herself.
Vexus could hear a man's voice telling XJ8 that she's been relieved, but the voice was unfamiliar. The room was long like a hallway so Vexus couldn't see who it was from her position. The computers in the room were still scanning her body and trying to determine possibilities for her upgrade.
As soon as the door closed, she asked "So who is the person sent to supervise me this time?"
She heard the footsteps getting closer until he came into view.
Happily surprised, she said "It's you! The one called Zero."
A little surprised himself, he asked "Umm…why do you seem happy to see me?"
"It's just that, I remember seeing your performance in the news…and well…you were pretty amazing. I didn't think I'd get to seriously meet you in person, at least not so soon," Vexus answered fighting hard to keep herself from blushing.
"Umm…well…I don't really consider myself to be amazing…by any means. I just do my job to the best of my ability," Zero said while trying to keep himself from feeling awkward.
Zero picked up a chair and sat it about ten feet in front of the table Vexus lay on.
After sitting, Zero said "I have nothing better to do right now other than my assignment to watch you, and I kind of feel like talking with someone, if that's okay with you."
"That's fine," Vexus replied.
"I've heard quite a bit about you, and I've become interested to hear your side of the story. I guess…what I mean to say is…X and I have been through hell and back more times than I care to remember trying to find ways to understand why 'villains' as some like to call people like what your reputation describes you as being become the way you have been for most of your life. We really haven't gotten any solid answers from anyone the entire time we've been fighting Mavericks because we're constantly in the middle of fighting to the death to get anything out of them," Zero said.
"Did Nora or Jenny put you up to this? Or was it your partner, X?" Vexus asked.
After seeing the somewhat angry look in her eyes, Zero replied "Okay…I'm sorry I pushed that issue so hard. It's just…a lot of the Mavericks I've been forced to kill…they were my friends at one point…until they started listening to that manipulative monster, Sigma."
"I get the feeling you rarely show this much emotion over the issue," Vexus guessed.
"Yeah. I guess you're right. The thing is…I saw the recording of when you apologized for all of the terrible things you've done, but I haven't seen any of the Mavericks do what you did. How is it that you can see the error of your ways, but they can't?" Zero asked.
"I wish I had an answer that was useful for you, but I don't. I can try this approach to help you understand a little better though. Why did you decide to become a Hunter?" Vexus asked.
"I didn't expect that question. You're the third person to ask that on a personal level. I…it's hard to…" Zero replied.
Vexus cut him off by saying "You said the answer without even realizing it. It's personal. I don't know what your society or commanding officers have taught you, but each and every 'Maverick' as you call them has their own personal reason for doing what they do. From what I've gathered, you keep getting a lot of nonsense drilled into your heads about the issue revolving around some kind of error in their programming. About a year and half ago, a very naïve Jenny thought that might be what was wrong with me. We're not the only ones. If you look at human history, you'll find that plenty of them thought that there must be something wrong with the way someone else with a different view of the world was made. Believe it or not, every decision is personal regardless of the 'official explanation.' This, of course applies to anything intelligent enough to think for itself. There is, however, the issue of brainwashing. I've even used many techniques throughout my reign as queen. It seems that Sigma is likely brainwashing at least most of them. Robots and humans can be literally brainwashed, but the process is usually ineffective because they can't fight with any passion or experience. Persuasion is a better term to describe what Sigma has done. I've come to realize that he is a very charismatic person to have persuaded that many people to follow his vision. Regardless of how brainwashed they may seem; their decision is personal. On the other hand, if they've, let's say, been infected by a virus, and can no longer think for themselves, then yes, they have been literally brainwashed. The reason I can't give you an answer that's useful is because, even if you persuade them to try to give you their personal reason, they may not be able to explain it to you in terms that you can understand. At the end of the day, what you'll have to have accomplished, is showing them that their ways are wrong in terms that they can understand. Beyond that, you will have to also persuade them to abandon Sigma. I understand that doing so is difficult, but I don't have any better advice than what I've given you."
A moment later, Zero said "I've never heard it explained to me in that way before. Thanks for the advice. They've been so quick to attack us as soon as we find them…"
Vexus cut him off again by saying "As if they were ordered to…in order to prevent you from trying to persuade them, probably without them realizing it themselves. I've done the same thing he's done for more than a millennium. My personal reason was a false sense of superiority. I somehow convinced myself of that, and that that entitled me to rule over all inferior beings. In the end, I found that I really wasn't as great as I thought I was. Whoever said ignorance is bliss was right. It's when you realize your ignorance; that's when the bliss disappears. In my case, I realize that my bliss was a necessary loss. I'll have to find a new way to be happy. I can't speak for your lost friends. I don't know what their personal motivations were."
"Thanks again," Zero said.
"But enough of all of this depressing atmosphere. Why don't we talk about you? I hope you have a personal life other than your job," Vexus said.
"I…do. I'm sorry, you're not the only one…who's reminded me that I'm a workaholic. I do have that personal life, but I usually choose to volunteer for missions even during my time off. You're probably asking why. It's difficult to explain. The bright side is that's why I became an S-Class Hunter so quickly."
"I'm assuming X is the same way," Vexus guessed.
"Not exactly. People often assume I'm more laid back than he is. In fact, he works harder than I do. I just work more often, but not by much. He was classified as B-Class for a long time because of his questionable nature. I always viewed him as being a better hunter than me. Believe it or not, I haven't beaten him in a sparring match in a long time. His reflexes are amazing. He does take more time off than I do for leisure…to settle your curiosity," Zero explained.
Vexus grinned and asked "My next question is…do you happen to have maybe…a significant other back home?"
"Where did that come from?" Zero asked surprised.
"Have you ever heard a group of girls talking with each other?" Vexus asked.
"Oh, so it's like that, huh? Well, I don't…actually," Zero answered.
"Why not?" Vexus asked.
"Wait! Actually, I'd rather not go into it. It's a long story," Zero replied.
"All right, fine. Would you happen to be looking for someone?" Vexus asked.
"Not really," Zero answered.
"That's a shame. I think someone like you could use some…stress relief," Vexus said with a wide grin followed by a giggle.
Zero blushed slightly and said "So it's like that, huh? You have a naughty mind, you know that?"
"I sure do!" Vexus said followed by a louder laugh.
A moment later, Zero chuckled a little himself.
XJ6 finally found the courage to knock on the door.
After knocking, she asked "Are you okay in their?"
Grace then yelled "Do I sound…okay to you?"
"Well…no, but…" XJ6 answered.
"Then why…the fuck did you ask?" Grace yelled back cutting her off.
"What the hell is your problem?" XJ6 asked angrily.
"You already know?" Grace yelled.
"No, I don't. Look, I've known people to tell me that I have an eerily fucking advanced ability to see through people's facades, and I know you've been hiding something: something big. I know we just met, but I can see right through that hardcore looking expression on your face and tell that you're hiding something," XJ6 said carefully trying not to be loud.
Suddenly, the door opened and Grace pulled her inside locking the door behind her.
With a furious expression, she pointed her finger at XJ6 and said "I warn you. Do NOT…press the issue with anyone…else or I will kick your ass. I know you know…what I did to that Axel mother fucker."
Not saying a word, XJ6 slowly started crying.
Realizing that she pushed it too far, Grace put her hand down and said, "I'm sorry."
Barely able to speak properly, XJ6 said "I promi…I promise I won't tell…anybody. I just want to know…what I…can d…can do to help…"
XJ6 couldn't hold it in any longer as she started crying hard.
Grace started panicking and said "I said I'm sorry. Please stop. Please stop…crying."
Impulsively, Grace hugged XJ6 and said "I'm sorry. I won't…hurt you. Please stop crying."
A couple of moments later, XJ6 whispered "Please! Tell me what's wrong."
"Before I do…you have to promise me…you won't tell anyone unless it is a dire situation," Grace said firmly.
"You have my word," XJ6 promised.
"Okay. I intend…to hold you…to that. You are…XJ6, if I remember…correctly, right? Grace asked.
"That's right," XJ6 answered.
Grace took a deep breath to calm down some, and then said, "The story goes…like this."
When Grace and XJ6 finally returned to the room where everyone else was, a sigh of relief was heard from a few people when they saw that Grace was calm again.
"This is…a huge change in my life…for me to…deal with. I haven't gotten over it…necessarily…but I do apologize…for snapping…at you. XJ6 helped me as much…as she could, and I thank her for that," Grace explained.
"All right! That's good. As far as your stay here is concerned, you are not yet allowed to leave this place. Try to remember that this is not my choice. We need to know if it is safe for you to be around people first before you are released. If you happen to get angry and accidently kill people, people would suddenly want to see you detained indefinitely. You need to somehow learn to control your newfound strength better. Plus, it was decided that it would be wrong to expect you to help fight in this war. That part…is up to you," Ms. Wakeman explained.
Grace growled a little and said "It figures. That's what I get…for losing my…temper against that…psychotic lover boy."
"So, you weren't trying to help after all, were you?" Jenny asked with a slightly angry grin.
"Of course not. I still don't like you. You should've known that that was the reason for him putting all of those petals on the ground. The reason I attacked him…was because of their selfish ideal…and because a friend of mine…was molested and murdered by…a bastard that said that he thought they…should be together forever just like Axel said to…you. We were both roommates in the psychiatric…hospital I spent most of…my life in. I was eight at the time, and she was nine. Surprised? That's the kind…of reality I've had to live…with for years. So I do one noble thing…and I get institutionalized again. WHERE THE FUCK IS THE JUSTICE IN THIS WORLD, HUH? CAN ANY OF YOU KNOW-IT-ALLS ANSWER THAT?" Grace screamed.
A moment later, a wide-eyed Jenny said "I'm so sorry. I didn't know."
"Of course you didn't…know. I haven't told…anyone about it until now. That's the way it always is. You intentionally try to point…out some flaw of mine, I knock you back down…off that pedestal…you put yourself on, you suddenly feel humbled, and then you…apologize because now you feel….like the bad guy," Grace yelled.
"I feel ashamed. I thought you were angry all the time because…I thought the worst of your problems was mistreatment by your peers. Now I see your life is a lot more complicated than I thought. I'm really sorry," Jenny corrected.
Grace calmed down some and then said "I can tell you're sincerely sorry by the…sound of your voice, and I'm sorry for…yelling at you like that. I just wanted to give you an…illustration of the kind of suffering that we have…to deal with…everyday. When was the last time a robot was molested or raped? Did they ever have to live with that…reality for the rest…of their lives? You complain about discrimination, and I do too, but you make it seem…like that's the worst problem…to have to deal with. Compared to some of the horrifying…shit that I've seen, discrimination barely registers…as an insult. I know you witnessed…massive casualties in the last war, but I'd chose…death over some of the things I've…personally seen people have to live through. I thank you all for putting your…lives on the line for our sake. I really do. Just try to take some time out sometimes…and put yourselves in our shoes. Oh yeah, and Jenny, remember the time Ms. Wakeman installed those nerve…endings into your body. Remember the pain setting. Try to imagine living with that…constantly for years where the only relief…is morphine shots. You know what; I think I'm taking this too…far. I'm sorry about that. I'll be in the recreation room…if anyone needs me."
With that said, Grace walked out of the room slamming the door behind her.
"I can see that this is going to be a bad day for me," Jenny said.
"_I can tell that Grace was telling the truth when she said she only knew part of the story. Even she doesn't know the big picture, or what really started it all. She didn't bother to explain the part about the psychiatric hospital she lived in. I envy her though. She's quite strong to have seen the things she's seen without completely losing it_," XJ6 thought to herself.