Alia would have been at the telefield array to check on X, had she any spare time. X's own timetable meant the was no room for repairs or calming down. The starport operation was ready to go. However, when the command center doors opened for X and Zero, she turned to see a clearly unwell X.
He was haggard, dark. The weight of the world on his shoulders was entirely too obvious, along with the dents, cracks, and scorch marks on his somehow upgraded body.
Alia wasn't the only one eyeing X with concern. Even Dex was wary, Signas and Iris sharing a little glance with Zero, who just shook his head.
X cleared his throat, forcing some modicum of calmness into his manner. "Do we have the intel we need?"
Alia actually stood up. "...Yes, we do, but you don't look well, sir."
X drew his eyes to her. There was a hardness there she rarely ever saw directed her way, but it was also being mitigated and chipped at from behind. He didn't want to snap at her, but his instincts had tried to.
"Zero made sure nothing went worse with the geothermal plant. I'm not at one-hundred percent, but there's no time for buffing armor right now."
Signas cut across smoothly. "None of us are worried about your frame, X."
Zero had to smile a little. So X's circle of friends weren't just mindless followers. It was a relief.
X planted a hand on the holotable. "Your concerns are noted, but I can't act on them at this time. I need to deal with Colonel as promised, and then we can focus our resources on the final weapon station."
Iris challenged him this time. "Can you keep that promise like this?"
X bowed his head, clearly restraining his emotional snaps again. He cycled his respirator and then focused on Iris. "Yes, because I have to. Doing what I have to do is what's carried me through to this point, it'll have to do for now as well. Alia? The telefield data is ready?"
Alia clenched her jaw. She was clearly debating how hard to push back on this entire situation. Zero was watching like a hawk, with Dex and Iris switching focus among everyone else with worry. Signas was unhappy, but standing at-ease rather than showing intention to act.
"X, I don't think you're fit to deploy right now," Alia finally said it.
X's hand clenched the holotable, to the point of creaking metal. Everyone heard it. His teeth bared, his frame shivering, but he didn't roar or shout. Once that seething wave eased, he responded in a rasp. "I set this war in motion when I failed to secure the Lagoon. I promised Iris I would bring Colonel in alive. I need to do that NOW," he finally barked a bit. "I am making this an order, unless you intend to invoke the codex?"
Alia flexed her hands slowly. It was clear that both Signas and Zero were considering doing it if Alia didn't, but none of them were certain.
"You promise, still?" Iris' quiet voice cut through the tension. "That he'll live?"
X looked to her, some of his softness finally returning. "I will do all in my power to keep my promise, yes."
Zero glanced down, and Signas looked to Alia. Alia pinched the bridge of her nose, and finally relented.
"...Telefield will be ready by the time you get there, X."
He twisted, flickering out of the room.
Alia looked across to Zero. "What the slag happened in that plant?"
Zero pressed a hand into his neck, his head sagging over it. "Dragoon was never infected. He just wanted X to fight him without holding back. He bragged about this fact to X."
Iris held a hand to her mouth, Signas pinched his nose this time, and Dex just shook his head, turning back to his console.
Alia closed her eyes in resignation, and then sat down to ready the telefield as she'd promised. If you push yourself too far this time, X, we're going to have a very long chat...
The perimeter around the starport now truly resembled a warzone. Energy and physical projectiles of dozens of varieties sailed between the Repliforce defenders and Maverick Hunter perimeter units. Unit 14 kept up pressure with Shimmer cloaking volleys of missiles from Airstrike, who aimed them at cover positions. Each bit of cover decimated forced the Repliforce units to fall back slightly. Inferno and Crush Crawfish gave the Repliforce something to aim at, while blowing physical weaponry out of the air to keep pressure off of Airstrike and Shimmer.
Unit 32 was a bit more blunt. Deepfreeze and Blizzard Buffalo created masses of ice to obstruct Repliforce's view as much as firepower. The Repliforce teams would respond with demolition waves to blow the ice apart. And that allowed Volt Catfish and Overload to unleash storms of charged-up power. Between the ice walls and waves of electricity, the perimeter guard there could do little but stay occupied.
Unit 53 mingled its talents for maximum effect. Quickman darted around the immediate perimeter line, causing chaos and panic. Just as he retreated each time, Gravity Beetle would send gravity waves across key parts of the line, immediately demanding attention. Alongside this, Barrel and Tunnel Rhino took turns between intercepting firepower and tearing through defense positions, keeping the defenders staggered and off-balance.
Unit 61 had been reduced to only Spikesaw and Snapvice, so they coordinated with Unit 76. Acid Seahorse and Pyrostrike worked with them to tear into defense positions and enemy firepower, while Turbo and Blast Squirrel did strafing attacks to keep the Repliforce soldiers busy.
And Unit 27 had become a bit of a horror story among Repliforce already. Between Mapteron magnet mines hurtling around corners to scatter defending squads, and time-warping waves of distortion from Warp Turtle slowing the world around them, the Repliforce troops were all but helpless as Neon Tiger and Blast Hornet swept over them. The two kept taking one or two at a time prisoner, hauling them away rapidly to add to the psychological warfare.
Repliforce's defenses were more than fixated on the perimeter, which had allowed the scouting to proceed almost unmolested. It meant that it was clear that Colonel was guarding the docking platform that had been launching most of the ships spaceward, amidst the handful of remaining ships battling overhead.
He frowned as he looked at the holomap of the battle. It was entirely too clear that the Maverick Hunters were stalling, but so much of his force was required to hold them off, he could barely evacuate anyone without losing the perimeter immediately. All he really had defending the central docks were mechaniloid forces and a handful of snipers.
It was only in the shadows of his own mind that he could admit he'd underestimated the Hunters. Terribly so. They were a fraction of his army's size, but were decimating them on every front. There was no way to define what Repliforce was doing as anything other than retreating into a last bastion.
Surely it was Zero that had led to this? Though not the official leader, the sheer ferocity with which Repliforce holdings had been decimated spoke of Zero's determined style. Commander X was... too soft, too naive.
And that was when the alert caught his focus, his optics snapping to it. "...Impossible!"
The mechaniloids just outside his dock HQ had been broken in seconds. No notice, no alarms.
A booming clang resounded, and he twisted, saber burning out. His optics clenched as he watched the armored door start to warp and glow. In seconds, the thick metal started to deform and melt. Colonel braced, but the door didn't explode.
Instead, it just melted down around a burning figure. The heat ripples in the air were so intense the creature was unrecognizeable. Only after it had stepped clear of the molten mess and its burning power receded did it become clear who it was.
X, his colors only then reverting to normal, stared across at Colonel from his bowed head, grim and focused.
Colonel's brow creased, and he fluidly dropped into his saber stance. That was not the X he'd known before, not the Reploid he'd seen as naive. "...Has command finally stripped you of that foolishness and passivity, X?"
"Desperation did," X returned flatly. "I promised your sister I'd bring you in alive. I intend to keep that promise. I also know you'll never let yourself be taken. All the soldiers lost that I use as a reason to stop, you see as a reason to hold on. You'll stay the course, die after them, just so their deaths aren't wasted... do I have it right?"
Colonel gave a saber-salute. "Finally, yes."
"But what about your sister, Colonel?"
He firmed. "Iris chose to turn away from Repliforce. I will do my duty."
X's expression finally showed more sorrow than rage. "She loves you, Colonel. She misses you. Are you really going to ignore that for a cause you've been losing since it started?"
Colonel growled, and started to dash forward, saber swinging. "We will never surrender!"
X's response didn't just block Colonel, it made him gape in shock.
The side of X's arm popped open, and a small device was launched out. X spun under it, caught it, and a white beam-saber blade ignited under his fist, deflecting Colonel's lunge out to the side, with X locking eyes down at him over X's own shoulder.
Colonel glanced between the white blade and X's optics a few times. Blind-man style? It's a technique so advanced most wouldn't bother. I'd claim some manner of gimmick or a bluff, but his response time was flawless. There's no flaw in his grip either... When did he even train!?
Colonel leapt back with a blast of thrusters from his feet and legs. "...An advanced technique for someone who doesn't favor the blade."
X swept the blade a few times as he faced Colonel properly. "It's a point I'm making. There's a great deal you don't know about me, Colonel, and I'm sure there's a great deal I don't fully comprehend about you, but we're both here, now, and this fight isn't necessary. All of your men can survive if you just share the order to stand down."
Colonel refocused himself. He'd not expected a saber duel, but he was prepared enough for one. His expression became calm, cold, precise, and he looked up at X again. "We are fighting for our freedom, X. Freedom from annihilation by the humans. They should be glad we only wish to live rather than seek revenge..."
X snapped an arm out. "Colonel, there's nowhere to go! That station is a weapon, the humans won't stop coming after your people if that's their base!"
Colonel pointed his blade. "Mutually assured destruction kept the humans from wiping themselves out for long enough. You're not talking your way out of this, X. The General stands firm, and so shall I!"
Colonel charged again, and this time he double-faked, finally snapping a slash up at X's head. X wrenched his inverted blade up, over, and blocked, then twisted down to a crouch to sweep at Colonel's legs. Colonel coiled over the sweep, lunging down mid-air. X dove out, twisted to deflect the blow and unroot Colonel's posture, then arced a kick up at Colonel's head.
Colonel barely landed, and had to let his arm take the kick harder than he would've liked. Stumbling, he saw X closing on him, saber slicing toward Colonel's legs. Colonel thruster-flipped himself further away, and landed into a triple-slash combo. Each slice unleashed a plasma wave at a different angle.
Colonel remained braced even as he watched X fold, twist, and hop between the waves with such fluid ease that Colonel felt condescended.
"I was hoping to keep this sportsman-like, but I clearly can't afford to, X!"
X sharpened his eyes as Colonel suddenly wrenched upright, driving his blade to the air. The entire room pulsed with electrical charge, and X's sensors told him what was coming much faster than any verbal warning could have.
X back-flipped between two arcs of the building charge, and then ignited his hover-thrusters.
Colonel's blade was struck by lightning-like power, which then fed down through his system, and erupted across the flooring. A beat later, concentric rings of it around him churned upward, reversed lightning cracking between floor and ceiling.
Only after the mad display dispersed did X drop to his feet, unharmed other than steam purling off his frame.
"Colonel, I don't want to have to make you stand down. I don't want to hurt Iris like that. You have the power to end this madness!"
Colonel braced, and then flickered with raw speed.
Few could have kept up with his motions... and X had bested each of them in the past. Just as Colonel appeared, slowing for his strike at X's back, X's own blade was stabbed up from below, blocking the slash like a wall. How X's relatively tiny frame could block Colonel's full force swing was as mysterious as it was certain. The slight dent under his far foot might've been the key.
"Please... Colonel..." X whispered softly.
"Just because my sister is so kind as to be unable to join a war for her own freedom, doesn't mean I won't fight for her share of it, X. And I am tired of you speaking down to a soldier of the Repliforce!"
Colonel landed fully, braced, and roared as he shoved fully into X's block. It finally broke whatever trick X was using to resist the raw torque of Colonel's strike, and X was flung off to the side.
Colonel frowned, watching X recover, land, and face him without so much as a flicker of surprise across his face.
He believes it. That he can defeat me at will. Perhaps he's right? It's terribly easy to forgot this small Reploid has slaughtered dozens of the best, however berserk they were. Colonel bowed his head slowly, and shifted to a two-hand grip on his saber.
"...I suppose we shall simply have to see what happens when two unstoppable forces collide."
X flicked his saber out to one side with a twist of his wrist. "You have the power to end this, Colonel. On your own terms. Please..."
"You know my terms!"
Colonel flickered again, but it wasn't an attempt to hide his attack. He was just charging that fast, his blade searing the air toward X's core at full speed.
X bowed his head, his optics closing. He couldn't see a way to stop this without hurting Iris. His mind played through so many scenarios as only a machine mind could in that timeless moment. He only saw one way to keep Colonel alive without him surrendering by choice... He doubted Iris would forgive him.
Their speed was such that time itself seemed all but halted. As Colonel's lunge just started to reach X's chest, X flowed out. With a twist and fluid rush of his weapon arm, X cleaved Colonel's weapon arm at the elbow.
His limb still airborne, Colonel grimaced through the pain, reached, grabbed his saber loose in the air, and twisted to inverse-grip stab in at X again.
X was outside of it immediately, gripping Colonel's wrist with one hand, and slicing up through the elbow with the blade once again.
Colonel started to roar, arcing a leg at X's head in desperation. X flowed down, spun, and slashed through the supporting leg at the knee. He followed his strike back to standing in Colonel's wake.
Colonel crashed down along with his three limbs, his optics blazing across at his saber hilt, now hopelessly far away from him.
With a furious shout and wrench of his body, Colonel flipped onto his back, and aimed his remaining leg at X's back in turn. As his thrusters started to flare, X flickered, appearing past Colonel on Colonel's right, saber aimed up from a sharp downward slash with the inverted grip.
Colonel's remaining limb flew loose, and clattered across to the wall.
"Don't you dare toy with me!" Colonel raged. "Finish it! END THIS WITH HONOR!"
X straightened, deactivating and putting his saber away in his arm as he slowly looked down to Colonel's furious expression. "The only promise I made was that I'd do all in my power to bring you back alive." He then leaned down, and despite Colonel's desperate thrashing with his torso, gripped Colonel's head. It only took a few seconds to crack through the firewalls, and acquire the security clearance codes he needed.
With Colonel still writhing in fury and pain on the ground, X sent out the signal.
/Repliforce forces. Stand down. Colonel is defeated, and your command center is held by Maverick Hunters. I repeat. Stand down./
The din of combat awkwardly stuttered and died away. All the perimeter teams watched tensely for several seconds before white flags started to show, and unarmed Repliforce soldiers started to step out from cover.
The Maverick Hunters started to calmly secure them for transport to the new stocks.
X, meanwhile, finally knelt down beside Colonel, who kept thrashing, desperately trying to scrape or stab at X with any body parts he could manage. X just put his hand over Colonel's face, and used the breached firewall connection to command Colonel's body to deactivate his pain receptors, and go into repair mode.
It was Zero's voice that came through to X next.
/Is he alive?/
/...Technically./
Zero's lack of response said enough.
X picked Colonel's body up, and let the telefield engulf him.
Some might've expected celebrations, but this return was strangely solemn. Hundreds of Repliforce soldiers were led to the stocks by most of the standing Maverick Hunters in case of complications. There were a handful of lash-outs, but nothing wound up requiring weapons be drawn.
It was telling that no one tried to push the line forward as they all stopped, watching the medical pod holding Colonel's shattered body hover past toward the medbay. As the Repliforce soldiers stood and saluted its passing, the Maverick Hunters just stopped and waited. It was noticed, and several of the more agitated soldiers calmed after being allowed to show their respect.
Obviously, there was little pause between this and Iris bolting down to medbay herself. No one in command tried to stop her, Dex just picked up the data feeds she was monitoring.
Once Iris was in Colonel's secured medical chamber, she froze in horror. Her steps were weak and shambling as she finally reached the side of the pod, her hands pressing to the surface at his side, tears dripping down her face.
She could see his vitals, see he was alive, but repair mode was so similar to death in appearances. With his rent body, her emotions had everything they needed to flood out. She sank to her knees, weeping and sobbing, hands clutching at the side of the pod.
Alone like that for several minutes, she didn't really react when the doors opened. Zero came through first, but once he was within a meter or so of Iris, he didn't know what to do.
X also entered, but stayed back near the door for now.
After a few more minutes, Iris calmed from her sobbing. That was when Zero eased closer, and rested a hand on her shoulder. She tensed up, but didn't lash out. It was enough for Zero to retreat a bit, a pained expression on his face. It didn't help that he wasn't sure he could have done any less damage to Colonel to bring him in...
Iris finally looked up, a so rare emotion on her gentle face. Sorrowful rage. And it was fixedly directed at X.
"You promised! P-promised that he would be safe! That you'd do a-all in your POWER to keep that promise!"
X walked closer, though not more than a couple of meters away from her. "I'm sorry."
"S-sorry!? He's in p-pieces!"
Iris suddenly dashed up. Zero jerked, but X didn't react. She crashed into X, pounding her fists on his chest, slapping his face periodically from one side to the other. Zero started to move forward to hold her back, but X lifted a hand past her to stop him.
Iris continued sobbing as she kept wailing on X, slowly starting to sink against him with her fists.
X whispered. "I couldn't find a better way. I failed."
Iris hissed up at him, "Did you try!?"
Zero finally spoke up. "You know he did, Iris."
She snapped to look at Zero in pained shock, but it was the sad, guilty expression on his own face that stopped her anger. She'd never seen him look... hurt. And she knew it was for her sake.
At last, she let her arms sink from X's front, hanging from her shoulders, lost in pain and grief. X glanced to Zero, and then simply turned, leaving the room.
X's departure puzzled Zero somewhat, but he eased closer to Iris, just touching an arm.
"We'll make sure he heals," he offered softly.
Iris suddenly flung herself into his front, grabbing onto him like a vice. It startled him, but he quickly hugged her back, bowing his head over hers.
"...Z-Zero, I can't... I can't do this anymore... I need to stay with my brother..."
Zero couldn't stop his own wave of sadness at that, but he knew better than to argue against it. "Of course. I'll let the others know."
Iris' hands clenched into his back. "...C-can you stay? For a little while?"
He gave her a little squeeze back. "Yes."
Victoria eased up to the last step. She turned, took a breath, and started to step carefully back down, trading legs with slow, but steady progress. The hand rails were right there, but she wasn't using them in this moment. It took most of her concentration, as a result, and she wobbled faintly once or twice, but managed to get back to smooth flooring without incident.
"Maybe I was holding you back? You seem to have done so much while I was deployed."
She blinked, then smiled as she saw Shimmer. "I'm glad you're safe, Shimmer. And don't be silly. The mission went well, I hope?"
Shimmer came closer once she was standing steadily on her own, and nodded, though he was serious rather than smiling. "As well as possible, I believe, but war is war."
Victoria exhaled, looking down at herself. Other than her T-shirt and shorts, most of her visible body was prosthetic. "...War is war, alright."
"I'm told they have remarkably good cosmetic shells for prosthetics now. We're just waiting to get you fully adapted before making recommendations."
She blinked up at him, then laughed softly. What was left of her organic cheeks blushed a little. "I'm thinking a little too loud, I see."
Shimmer finally smiled, gesturing casually. "It's a natural concern, even for Reploids after messy emergency repairs."
She chuckled, then glanced around herself. She eased back, and slowly, but smoothly lowered herself to sit on the steps.
Shimmer offered a gentle clap, and she smirked up at him.
"You're sweet, Shimmer. Regardless, I doubt I need to worry about how a date would see me any time soon. Just still getting used to it."
Shimmer crouched near her, lacing his fingers together off his knees. "You don't need to worry, because you're still beautiful, but yes, you just need time to adapt, Vi."
Victoria turned more red, and glanced aside, itching at part of her neck that was still skin. "...Are you flirting?"
Shimmer jerked, his optics widening. Vi glanced back to him, softly amused, realizing his face plate was taut in a distinctly embarrassed way.
"Ah-hah. You're very embarrassed all of a sudden," she teased, leering at him playfully.
Shimmer coughed his respirator to one side. "Just, uh... taken unawares by the topic. If my own commentary is making you uncomfortable at all, it will halt at your word."
Vi grinned finally. "Did I say it did?"
Shimmer paused meekly. "...No."
Vi calmed to a simple smile, and then focused, getting herself back to her feet. "I really am glad you're okay. Since you're here, though, I think Colin was having trouble with his new knees still."
Shimmer jerked, getting himself up. "O-of course, I'll go work with him immediately, thank you."
Vi let him scurry off, smiling gently as she continued to do some simple leg exercises.
Cadis was not cogent enough to remember her situation yet. Her optics stirred, registering that she was in a relatively dim room, and that she was on a bed or equivalent thing. She felt so stiff, and her servos were strangely sluggish, especially down her right arm.
"W-what happened...?" she murmured.
A hand gripped hers softly. "A lot, but you're safe and healing."
It was Tripwire, she could tell that much, but his voice sounded so soft and weak.
Her optics finally calibrated with her weary systems, and she started to gain true focus. Only immediate facts were clear first. Tripwire was looking down at her with deep worry... guilt? And she appeared to be in some kind of medbay, though it wasn't HQ's. "Why are you so upset?" was all she could think to ask at first, still groggy, but aware.
Tripwire raised his optic ridges, and then chuckled softly. "We can cover that once you're fully awake. It's... really good to see your eyes open."
She tiredly stuck out her tongue, and he actually laughed a bit.
And then her memory really kicked back in at last. Her facial expression flared, and she jerked. "There's an intruder in HQ, we have to-?" she cut herself off in confusion as both Tripwire and her own body stopped her from leaping up from the bed.
That was when she finally looked down at herself, and saw the plating and binding holding her body together.
"You're safe, and we know. Do you have any idea who it was that attacked you two?"
Cadis took a few steadying breaths, now more directly curious of where she was. Tripwire's presence was the only reason she wasn't panicking over it. "N-no, I'm sorry. I saw a weird arm, yellow with some kind of fluid containment system for the bulk of the arm. A plasma blade out of the wrist was what hit me. I... screwed up. You were right." She closed her eyes, and sank her head back with a bitter sigh.
"Hey," Tripwire gripped her shoulder. "None of that, kid. You did better than most could have. Blindsided like that? Not sure I'd still be alive myself. We put a security lockdown in place, but couldn't find who hit you two, so missions have proceeded."
Cadis glanced up to him again, and then flexed her hand, seeing how her arm could move despite her damage currently. "I feel a bit hazy. It nearly took out my personality drive then?"
And that was when Dr. Cain appeared, calmly pacing up with his cane-taps.
"Precisely so. We didn't repair your frame fully yet because we had to make sure your vital components took the repairs properly. It is very good to see that's the case, Cadis."
Cadis was stunned at his presence, but his warm smile helped her relax again.
"W-why aren't we at HQ?"
Dr. Cain glanced to Tripwire, some dry humor to his expression. Cadis followed his focus, curious and confused.
Tripwire exhaled slowly. "I panicked in the moment. You were in pieces, and we knew someone from inside the base hit you, so... I brought you to a secret bunker I've operated out of with some comrades. There's... a few other things I need to tell you, now that you're awake."
Cadis was still mostly confused. "...Wait, what happened to Double? Is he here, too?"
"He was only minorly injured. You were the primary target, so I got you the scrap out of there."
Cadis eased again. "O-okay, I guess that makes sense. How's the mission going? Have I been out long?"
Dr. Cain shook his head. "Barely more than a day, really. If you hadn't reacted as fast as you did, you'd be dead. We tried to honor that effort. We'll get your frame properly repaired soon, don't worry."
Tripwire just meekly nodded agreement.
Cadis showed a little smile. "Didn't expect to get special treatment from Dr. Cain himself, sir."
Dr. Cain chuckled. "Happy to help, Cadis, though I should admit that I was dragged here in secret. Once I saw why, I focused on helping you."
Cadis blinked, and then finally looked back to Tripwire with open concern. "...What's going on?" Uncomfortable thoughts were bubbling up in her mind, from Zero's investigation, X's own words, and Tripwire's odd behavior that she'd usually brushed off in the moment. She'd never really forgotten any of them.
Tripwire knew he had to get it all out now, he just had no idea how to start. He was keenly aware of both Cadis and Dr. Cain's eyes on him. He wished X was here for Dr. Cain... but he'd vowed not to hide things from Cadis a moment longer, and that moment had already come and gone anyway.
"I've been working for X from the beginning. Outside the chain of command. We call ourselves X-Hunters. Kind of a joke after the virus trio, yeah. Also a reference to... our previous selves."
Dr. Cain tightened his eyes, and Cadis simply seemed more lost and confused, though at least not angry.
Tripwire gripped the back of his head. "Yeah, sorry, I'm being too vague here... I'm... I was Wire Sponge. X pulled my drive and buffer out, brought me back as... the person you've known."
Cadis' optics widened, Dr. Cain glancing between them tensely. He'd be on Cadis' side if there was a fight of some kind, but he wasn't sure how she'd want to proceed.
Cadis herself seemed lost, disbelieving, and then a mixture of angry and defensive. "W-Wire Sponge!? That's not possible! That psycho killed everyone! My friends, Doctor... Everyone!" she jolted with emphasis. "X rescued me from him! Helped me recover from thinking I was a maverick! Thinking I'd somehow gotten everyone killed! You're... You're not that! You've always been good, helpful, and... protective..." she trailed meekly as she realized the redflags she'd blinded herself to.
Tripwire nodded subtly, pained, but accepting. "I killed everyone you ever loved before joining the Hunters. I was infected... but it was me. And then I lied to you about who I was. I... still wanted to help you. Try to... in some way make up for what I'd done, but... I always knew it was a delusion. You can't... fix that kind of thing." He bowed his head, his optics squeezing shut.
Dr. Cain became thoughtful, troubled by his own conflicting thoughts on what was going on. He was outraged on Cadis' behalf, but at the same time... how exactly could Tripwire have handled it differently?
Cadis was clearly caught in a terrible emotional struggle. Her eyes were weeping, and shivering, caught between the sorrow and fury her emotions wanted to fly into. "...That's why you've always looked so guilty," she rasped tightly.
Tripwire just nodded.
"...W-why... hide who you are?"
"The X-Hunters have known about the virus from the beginning. We've been trying to stop the Wily virus, and stop otherwise innocent Reploids from being wiped out. Public opinion would never have been on our side. Still won't be. I just... couldn't hide it from you anymore. If you want to report us," he glanced up to Dr. Cain, nodding to him as well, "after this, I won't stop you. I... was tired of tricking you."
Cadis was fighting against sobs, her hands coiling into fists at her sides. "The infection... you... did you know what you were doing?"
Tripwire was starting to cry himself, but calmly nodded. "I could see it, feel it, but I couldn't... really control anything. It was like being yanked into a tunnel behind my eyes, and... drowning in rage with no source."
"...was it just guilt that made you act like my friend?"
Tripwire jerked faintly with the pain of that question. "...It only made me keep an eye out. I discovered how... good and kind you are on my own, and... have always valued your friendship."
Cadis folded her lips together with emotional strain, and then managed another question, "...Did you... try to stop it? Stop them from getting hurt...?"
Tripwire nodded. "I tried, I swear, but... I don't know if I tried enough."
"...Our friendship is real? Not just an act?"
"Very real," Tripwire managed, though his own manner was cracking.
Dr. Cain's eyes were damp, and he was easing back from this clearly private moment.
Cadis sniffed, and then started to push herself upright. Tripwire jerked.
"D-don't strain your body!"
His hands were on her arms before he realized, and he froze, not wanting to drop her, but realizing he might not have permission to touch her either.
Cadis, still crying softly, started to laugh a little at him. "...Yeah... that was real."
Tripwire looked like a dear in headlights for a beat... before Cadis managed to pull him into a hug. He was still terrified of hurting her, but once he had her secured safely, the hug soaked through him, and he trembled in her arms.
"...They were your friends, too," she whispered softly.
He wept.
"Yes... they were..."
"We'll mourn them together."
X focused through the mist of his opening repair pod. He was somewhat startled to see Alia right there. His injuries hadn't been severe, and it had only been a few hours. That passed quickly as he realized her expression was worried and grave.
"Can we talk for a minute?"
X climbed down to the floor, and simply nodded to her.
Alia actually pulled out a small device in her hand, activating it. X glanced around as the security scanners were flipped to a loop.
"I spoke with Zero," she started, but let it hang in the air.
X simply waited, still attentive. He didn't seem upset by the idea itself.
Alia frowned slightly at how rigid X was being. "Are you slipping?"
X's answer was instant. "I slipped. Zero stopped me from murdering Dragoon. Colonel I couldn't see how to disable without removing his ability to move. His devotion to his ideals is absolute."
Alia's eyes tightened. "Zero saved you from doing it again?"
X finally showed a flicker of grief. He was holding back a tide still. "Yes..."
"Did you thank him?"
"Not yet."
"That's the next thing you're doing."
"Yes, ma'am."
A sad little flicker of a smile passed between them.
Alia then added more quietly, "I was... hoping this was a show for your... work."
"...I'll be making use of it that way, regardless."
Alia sighed, but nodded. "...Should work pretty well."
X bowed his head, but also nodded with the motion.
Alia cycled her respirator, deep and full, and finally deactivated the little device down in her hand. "...Preparations for space operations are well under way, Commander. We'll have multiple drone units to engage the perimeter defenses of Final Weapon, and transport craft ready to insert units immediately."
X straightened, forcing himself back into a calm manner. "Glad to hear it. Can you send a copy of the current details to the holotable? I'll catch myself up on the nitty gritty."
"Already done," she offered with a little smile.
X finally smiled, a sincere one. His voice was gentler. "...Thank you."
Her smile warmed back.
Colonel's optics flickered a few times before slowly drawing open. Silent, he looked down at his shattered form. There were medical caps on his shorn limbs, and maintenance fluids were being cycled through devices behind him through fine tubes to each stump. Unsurprising, he found his weapon systems and comm systems deactivated mechanically. Without hands, he had no means of adjusting them back to functionality.
His internal chronometer needed adjustment. He had no idea how long he'd been unconscious.
"Brother!"
His eyes turned to his left, seeing Iris bolt against the side of his cot, her hands pressing to his side and chest. She was crying, and her sorrow was only deepening as she saw the hard, cold expression his battered face displayed.
"I-I'm so glad you're alive," she rasped out softly, avoiding sobs.
Colonel croaked a dark response. "Only because your master wouldn't do me the honor of a soldier's death. Now I am a cripple at his mercy." He looked ahead. It was the only way he could ignore her.
Iris sobbed at that snub, especially in such a moment. Her fingers curled into his plating, trembling with emotion. "...Why wouldn't you just stand down!?" she cried at the floor.
Colonel snapped at her. "Because soldiers don't give up on their duty just because it gets harder, Iris! Not like my traitor of a sister!"
Iris jerked back, wide-eyed. "I-I was trying to keep your people alive!"
"Soldiers accept the risk of death for something greater! Our freedom! A world just for Reploids, free of unfair oppression! Free of murdering us because it's politically convenient!"
"You think I don't want that!? But what's the point if the people I love aren't alive to share it with me!?" Iris cried out, an arm flying out in emphasis.
"If I was part of that group, we wouldn't be having this conversation, would we!?"
Iris fell back a step. "...You think I don't love you? You're my brother! The only family I have! I did all of this for you! To keep you alive!"
Colonel growled, and wrenched himself with his waist, leaning at her sharply, his body trembling from the unintended strain on servos not meant to hold the weight alone. "If you want to do something for me, you can stop your Hunters from attacking the General! Let my sister take my place, where I should still be, lest I died! OR HAVE THE COURAGE TO KILL ME YOURSELF!"
Iris stumbled against the wall, crying profusely, her hands gripping at the surface behind her. "...Y-you... mean it..."
"Unlike your precious HUNTERS, I never have lied!"
He finally slumped back into the cot. "You clearly have not the stomach for these matters. Leave, and return to your civilian life with the humans. I will meet my fate with all the dignity I can muster."
With his raging demands ringing in her head, Iris hurried out of the room, disappearing down the hallway...
Double smiled as the third maintenance team piled a few more things onto his mountainous crate of spare parts.
"Thanks, Double. I think you're good to get that into storage."
"Yes, sir!"
He tried to salute, promptly dumping everything down to the side.
The entire team near the ship being repaired stopped, stared, and then either shook their heads to get back to work, or snort-cackled, trying to hide their mirth.
Double apologized as he started piling things back onto the crate. It took him several minutes, of course, and this time no one helped him. It was a little too frequent a problem for them to keep losing time on their jobs.
Eventually, he finally got to the storage room. He continued placing boxes and pieces in their proper locations for a time.
And then his comm link chirped. He tapped it on his chest.
Sigma's voice came through.
"Those Hunters can't be allowed in here. Make yourself useful!"
The line died, though Double still calmly said, "Roger," to the end of it.
He straightened, losing all sense of clumsiness or lack of focus. Moving with new purpose, he started collecting specific parts and assembling them himself, tools popping out of his body. He was a walking machine shop...
Zero was on the roof of HQ, his ponytail lashing in the high elevation winds, but his optics steadily locked toward the distant view of the starport. He knew X was walking up to him, but didn't actually stir yet. His mind was swirling with scattered thoughts.
"...You alright?"
Zero took a breath, and glanced over his shoulder. "Not sure, but battle ready."
X tipped his head. "Wasn't just up here for that." He showed a gentler expression, sad and serious, but gentle. "...I wanted to thank you."
Zero finally turned to him, an eyebrow up. "For what?"
"Stopping me."
"I didn't stop anything. Colonel's in pieces."
X bowed his head with a slow exhale. "...I meant Dragoon."
"...Oh," Zero muttered, glancing off. "...Not sure command suits you, X. You're cracking."
"Honestly, I agree, but there's too much work left to do."
Zero looked X in the eye, just holding the gaze for several seconds. "...I'm not sure Iris is going to get over this."
"...I couldn't expect her to."
Zero sighed, and started to pass X, patting his shoulder. "Not denying you were put in an impossible corner between everyone, but you kinda signed up for it."
X turned after him. "I did. It's why I can't be upset with Iris. I... just also know I did my best."
Zero paused at the door. "...You're sure of that?"
"...Yes. I need to learn to do better, but for now, it was my best."
Zero nodded, finally starting to go through the door.
He would have, at least, if Alia's voice hadn't come through on the priority line.
/Commander, Zero, we have a serious problem. Get to the command center immediately, please!/
Both Reploids thruster-blasted back inside.
HQ was already going into lockdown as X and Zero reached the command center. Signas just nodded across to Alia rather than giving the report himself. Dex was busily working at his station, but Alia twisted and moved to the holotable to join them.
"Massive sabotage. Started with one ship having trouble taking off, and so I immediately called for check-start on all the ships intended for the operation. Every one has critical weapon or engine failures. Signas had the repair teams isolated, but they're just as confused and panicked as we are."
X leaned onto the holotable, his mood returning to grim focus. "So our infiltrator was still here..." He sounded less surprised than one might expect.
Alia nodded. "And there's another thing."
They all glanced to her.
"Double is missing."
Zero growled off to the side, Signas just folding his arms as he considered options.
X, however, kept moving. "Do we have any ships left that could make the trip? Regardless of weapons."
Even Dex had to stop and stare back at him.
Alia jerked her head free of her disbelief, and managed, "U-uh, there's a civilian-class transport ship we have. Can carry two, maybe three occupants, but it has no weapons of any kind, and no defense shield."
X clicked another button on the holotable. "Shimmer?"
"Y-yes, Commander?" Shimmer was clearly distracted, but attentive.
"Emergency. I need a cloaking engine that can conceal a civilian transport while moving." X glanced to Alia.
She was clearly exasperated, but didn't hesitate. "I'll send you a copy of the schematics for proper sizing, Shimmer."
"...Copy. I assume the lockdown is because all of our fleet just got grounded, then?"
"Exactly. Me and Zero are going up there," X affirmed before the comm-line clicked off. Shimmer was busy.
Zero blinked. "...I assume that's an order...?"
X looked to him with almost dry humor. "Unless you want me to go alone?"
Alia huffed a weak laugh, and Dex finally spun back to his logistical nightmare he was managing.
Signas had a milder irritation to Alia's on his face. "I imagine I have acting command, while you two go on a suicide mission?"
X nodded. "And if we go radio silent for more than an hour, contact the human authorities. The only way to be safe will be to destroy Final Weapon with surface to space bombardment."
Everyone stared at him.
"If we fail, we can't let the virus manipulate that scale of weapon. Repliforce wasn't infected, but there's clearly been infected on the sidelines."
With a decidedly more ominous mood settling over the room, Alia quickly twisted back to her console. Maybe she could find a better ship in time...
A heavy gate slid open around Iris and one other person. She was morose, but cogent, glancing around the chamber beyond. It was some kind of heavily secured storage facility.
"...Dr. Gate, how did you know to reach out to me?" Iris finally asked, though she mostly seemed numb.
The golden-framed Reploid doctor that had helped create Iris and Colonel smiled a little for her. "I'm a bit protective. I had sensors installed in both you and Colonel. I knew he was alive, but severely damaged. The rest was an educated guess."
Iris nodded slightly, and let him lead her across the room, to a particular vault. Gate tapped in a few different codes in order, and it started to unlock heavy hydraulic pistons in spinning layers, each opening for the next.
Iris watched with little reaction, even as purple light spilled out over her, and her optics locked onto the sphere of glowing power.
"I'd always wanted to test it, but you were so averse to direct combat..." Gate commented softly.
Iris reached out, taking it into her hands without any real hesitation.
Gate eased back softly, his expression hard to read. "Are you certain, Iris?"
"No, but everything I've done up to now feels like an utter failure. I... want a world for Reploids. Away from all this. So I'll try to make my brother proud..."
Gate smiled, though it seemed a little too manic. "I'm sure you will, my dear. Go on. The ship is ready for you."
"How will it get past their security?"
Gate tipped his head down. "I have my ways, and you're worth them all."
"...Thank you."
As she turned to walk away, Gate's smile twisted with a darker satisfaction.
Shimmer hopped down from the shuttle, dusting his hands off of each other with mild clicks. "Some of my best work. It should definitely get you to the station itself undetected. From there on, you're on your own, I'm afraid."
Zero tipped his head, and X offered his hand. Shimmer shook it.
"Try not to die on this one, hm?" Shimmer challenged, only half-joking.
X offered a faint smile. "Still a lot of work left to do, after all. ...How's your friend doing?"
Shimmer blinked, then smiled more gently. "Vi's a strong one. She'll be back on her feet for certain very soon."
Zero raised an eyebrow. "The cyborgs?"
Shimmer nodded. "I've been covering their rehabilitation therapy with Warp Turtle while Dr. Cain is focused on a project."
Zero showed his mild surprise openly. "That... didn't strike me as your wheelhouse."
Shimmer chuckled. "Dr. Cain teaches well."
With time so short, they could spare no more for pleasantries. Shimmer and X shared a shoulder clap before Shimmer ran off, and X hopped up to the ramp. Zero was in his wake, and sealed the ramp as X went to the pilot's seat.
"I thought I was flying?"
"I'm the commander."
Zero playfully glared as he took the copilot's seat. "Seriously pulling rank for the driver's seat?"
X shrugged. "I'm used to doing this alone!"
Zero smacked him upside the helmet.
"Ow! Why?"
"Because it's true, and it's stupid. Now let's go."
X huffed a weak laugh, and started warming up the engines.
[Author's Note] Sorry for the late post, folks. IRL hammered me the last couple of days on scheduling, and I forgot to post it early instead. Thanks for the reviews and favs!