Zero Hour
Doctor Cain sat in the soft chair behind the desk in his office, watching the computer monitor in front of him. He could almost see it happening, slowly but surely the entire maverick hunter HQ was being split into two factions. Ever since Vile had publicly announced his position there had been growing suspicion among the ranks of even the most dedicated maverick hunters. It wasn't just the accusation, but also the fact that Zero had stated he believed it that sparked all of this dissention. Soon they would resort into all out fighting and the HQ would quickly be turned to rubble, along with any chance of protecting the people from Vile and his mavericks.
"Must have been his plan all along..." X commented from his seat on the other side of the desk. They'd been discussing the attack and Zero's defection for the past hour before they'd been informed of the dissention by Dark Panther, Zero's second in command. Now they had to only watch the security monitors to see the suspicion growing rapidly.
"Perhaps... Whatever his plan he's effectively crippled us." Doctor Cain replied, staring at the monitor. He'd called back the #0 unit the minute the transmission had been broadcast. It had reached every home in the world and even overcame most television signals. The only question on everyone's mind now was when would the attack come? It would eventually, it was only a matter of time.
"What can we do to stop it doctor?"
"Do? Round up all the loyal troops we have left and try our best to protect the citizens as well as ourselves." Doctor Cain replied, leaning back in his chair. "For now however, we try to keep what control we can over our forces and pray that we have enough left to put up a decent fight."
X nodded then, looking back down at the monitor. Things just seemed to be deteriorating faster than Doctor Cain could assimilate all the changes. They needed to find a way to disprove Viles claims, but neither of them could think of a way to do that.
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Roll flipped through the little book on her bed, reading up on historical events that had passed since she'd been imprisoned. Wars, treaties, space flights, technological advancements, all within the 50-year time frame she'd been out of action. It was a lot to assimilate in a short amount of time. So she decided to take her time and read through it more slowly, like she were reading a good novel instead of a history book.
She stopped cold when she reached a certain chapter called "The Rebirth Of Robotics". The words beyond that headline made her more excited as she read.
"In 2145 a local scientist named Doctor Cain discovered a capsule buried in the yard that had once belonged to another scientist named Doctor Thomas Light. Inside the capsule he discovered the body of a fully constructed cyber-human, the likes of which hadn't previously been seen since fifty years prior. Upon activation Doctor Cain discovered that he was indeed fully functional and quickly set about to re-create it, creating the first of the race known today as reploids."
"Rock's been re-activated!" Rolls shouted, leaping up from the bed excitedly and taking the book with her. She slammed the book shut and carried it with her as she ran out the door, through the winding metal hallways of the maverick base. Finally she bumped into Zero in the halls, who looked down at her apologetically.
"Sorry about that." He said, bending to help her, but she'd already leapt to her feet and shoved the book in his face.
"Rock's alive! Do you know where he is!?" She said rapidly, not giving him time to say anything.
"Rock? Who?"
"Well maybe he's known as Mega-Man, don't tell me you don't know him, he's a legend!"
"Mega... Man?" For a few minutes he just stared at her confused, then finally looked at the book and read a few lines. "That's X."
"X! Yes! That's gotta be Rock! Take me to him!"
"I can't..."
"Why not!? I have to see him! It's been so long!"
"Because, he's still at maverick hunter HQ, unless we can convince him that Vile was being sincere..." He went silent then, but she could see the rest of that sentence clearly in his eyes.
"You're gonna fight him aren't you? You're going to fight my brother." He stayed silent, looking away from her solemnly. "Zero look at me! I look like a little girl but I'm not! You don't have to protect me so tell me! Are you going to fight him!"
He finally looked back at her seriously. "Not if I can help it, but if it all boils down to it I will do what I have to do."
"Let me talk to him first, please." Roll begged, taking one of his hands in hers almost desperately. "Maybe I can convince him that he's on the wrong side! He can join us and we can all fight together."
Zero stared back into her eyes, searching them calmly. "If I knew how you could I would let you, but all communications have been cut by the military."
"I'll... I'll ride there on one of the hoverbikes. I just need you to teach me how to ride one."
"Roll... We don't have time for that. Things could explode any day now, we all have to be on alert. Don't worry..." He said, seeing her worry filled eyes staring up at him. "I'll try my best not to resort to fighting him. That's all I can promise."
Roll sighed at this and looked down in defeat. "Okay..." She said almost too silently to hear.
"Roll..." Zero said, putting a hand under her chin to make her look up at him. "Don't be like this." He said softly, one thumb stroking her cheek gently.
"Zero..." She said, staring up at him. "Please..." She took his hand then and pulled him down to one knee so he was on her level, facing him squarely. "Please don't..." Suddenly she lunged forward, throwing her arms around him and burying her face in his shoulder. She just held onto him for a long time, her shoulders shaking slightly.
She was a bit surprised when she felt his arms close around her as well. "I'm sorry Roll, but I have to do what's right. No matter who I have to face." She could feel him gently stroking her back, smoothing out her red dress. Obviously he didn't see her as a child to be comforted, he saw her as the woman she was.
"Come on, I'll take you to your room." He said, pulling away slightly and standing up, hooking one arm under her legs to lift her off the ground. She didn't complain at all as he carried her down the hall toward her living quarters, the history book she'd been so fervent about now lying on the cold metal floor, forgotten.
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X had been pacing around Doctor Cains office for the last hour and a half already, waiting for something to start. It was almost torture just waiting for something to happen when you didn't even know what would happen. All they knew for sure was that they had to be ready for anything.
X found himself jumping slightly as the phone rang. Then cursed himself silently as Doctor Cain picked it up. He listened to the conversation for a few minutes before Doctor Cain hung up.
"What is it?" X inquired.
"They've located the maverick base." Doctor Cain said, standing up from his chair. "But they too have dissenters, they've asked for our cooperation in pulling off a full scale attack."
X nodded calmly, almost expecting something like that. "What units will be involved in the attack?" His tone of voice almost demanded that X's own unit participate.
Doctor Cain nodded solemnly before speaking. "I will issue the orders myself, but the 17th unit will bring up the front of the attack."
"Yes doctor." X said before they both heard the door to the office open. Panther walked in calmly, looking a little surprised to see X their, but otherwise unaffected.
"Ah, Dark Panther. I have a special assignment for you." Doctor Cain said, standing up to walk over and hand her a sheet of paper. "This is the location of the maverick base. We'll be attacking soon... But I want you to temporarily lead the #0 unit to retrieve Zero before the fighting breaks out."
"And... If he resists?" She inquired, looking at him almost worriedly.
"If he resists use any means necessary to get him back to HQ in one piece." Doctor Cain answered, studying her carefully.
"Yes sir." She said, giving a quick salute. Doctor Cain nodded at her and sent her off to carry out her mission.
"The attack will be soon X, you'd better go get your unit ready, or at least those that are still loyal." X nodded and turned to leave then, not saying another word.
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Zero stood in front of the window, looking out from the underground fortress that was the maverick base. He couldn't believe he'd let himself get so distracted, but there was just something about her. It was like she'd been through so much but still stayed one of the most lighthearted reploids he knew.
Slowly he turned away from the window and looked back at Roll lying in the bed, asleep. Something about her, but he knew that she was X's sister. Thing was, he didn't really care. He was beginning to think he really loved her. Only thing he didn't know was how long they had before he'd have to face X, and she'd probably hate him if he did have to.
Zero found himself giving a small sigh as he approached the bed, stroking Roll's cheek gently. Physical looks meant absolutely nothing to reploids because their looks were shaped by their creators. Even so, he had to admit to himself she was very pretty lying there like that. So vulnerable and innocent he could almost think she was a real little girl, which was also the reason she'd had such a hard go of it when she'd struck out on her own. Everyone thought she WAS a real little girl.
He smiled gently as she slowly opened her eyes, her system powering up again from sleep. She smiled happily up at him, putting her hand on his hand, which was still on her cheek. "Hey."
"Hey." He said, finding himself staring into her bright blue eyes again.
"How long have you been awake?"
"Not long." He said, looking back at the window as something catches his eye. He could have sworn he saw movement out their.
"Is something wrong?" She asked when he looked away.
He quickly put a hand to her lips to shush her, then crept up to the window, looking out cautiously. He didn't see anything out there anymore, it was probably his imagination.
"Zero?" Roll said, sitting up in the bed, letting the blanket fall back down to the bed. She was totally bare of her clothing, but being a robot, didn't really need it. She wore it only to keep the humans happy because she was built to resemble a little girl, while most reploids were designed to have armor.
Zero looked out the window for a few more minutes, then turned back to Roll. "Must have been my imagination."
Suddenly Zero was thrown forward in a shower of glass, slamming into the ground hard. Quickly he leapt back to his feet facing the window. Flash Cheetah stood in front of it, staring at him.
"Cheetah!?" Zero yelled in surprise. If he'd found his way here, the rest of the maverick hunters had to know their location as well. They had to get out of there before they were attacked.
"Zero. Come back with me quietly. The maverick hunters forces are already on their way." Cheetah said, taking one step forward.
"Thanks for the warning, but I can't go back to them knowing what they're planning to do." Zero drew his laser saber as he talked, getting into a fighting position.
Cheetah quickly drew both of his morning stars in response, each about the length of his arm. "They're not planning anything. Please Zero, don't let Vile deceive you."
"No, you're the one being deceived. Now leave, I don't want to fight you."
"I have orders to take you back Zero, by any means necessary." He took a step forward, Zero taking a step away from him, slowly waving his saber warningly.
"Don't make me kill you."
"I'm sorry Zero, you brought this on yourself." Cheetah lunged suddenly, swinging both morning stars mightily. Zero leapt out of the way in time, but Roll shrieked and scrambled quickly out of bed as they slammed into the soft mattress.
"Roll!" Zero yelled, looking over at her worriedly.
"I'm alright." She replied, leaning against the door, staring at Cheetah wearily.
Zero leapt into the air as Cheetah charged him again, slamming both morning stars into the wall, gouging huge dents into it. Zero landed behind him, planting a solid blow to the back of his neck with the hilt of his saber, sending him hard against the wall.
"Last warning Cheetah. Get out of here and I won't have to hurt you." Zero said, the tip of his saber practically touching Cheetah's back.
"I never imagined I would have to fight you Zero. I never thought you would turn maverick." In a flash he'd already whirled away from the saber, lashing out with both morning stars. They slam into Zero's side, throwing him across the room and against the wall, Roll yelling in concern.
Zero couldn't help but moan a bit as he got back to his feet, gripping the saber in both hands, watching Cheetah carefully. "Then don't do this Cheetah. We're not the enemy, they are. They plan to decimate the entire maverick race."
"You're being played like a fool Zero, why don't you see that? Vile is corrupting you into helping him. The only danger here is from him." Cheetah stood firm, not backing down under Zero's heavy-hearted gaze.
For a long time Zero could only stare at him, so sure he was doing the right thing by this. So sure in something that Zero knew was a lie. "I'm sorry Cheetah." Before Cheetah could respond Zero had already leapt forward, the saber swinging in a huge arc. It sliced cleanly through his chest-plate, cutting off vital circuits and wires. He watched in regret as Cheetah collapsed to the floor, going still.
"What do we do now?" Roll asked, pulling her clothes on now for the sake of those humans present in the base.
"We warn Vile that they're planning to attack, we can organize an ambush. End it before it begins." He replied, placing the saber back in its sheath, the laser going dead as it touched the special alloy. Despite that he would rather not have had to fight a member of his own unit, this encounter had been very fortunate for their entire cause.
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X stared silently at the map displayed on the monitor. The information on the layout of the entire base had been taken directly from the memory banks of the #0 unit, who'd surveyed the area. Only Flash Cheetah had not returned, so they could assume he'd been caught. This also probably meant they knew the attack was coming. This complicated things a lot.
Despite such a dire situation, X couldn't help but be horribly distracted by thoughts of other things. Why would Zero betray the maverick hunters? It made no sense. He must have been re-programmed or tricked by Vile. That was the only explanation X would accept.
"Your orders commander?" Panther said beside him. She'd been standing there waiting for him to say something for the last half hour, but X couldn't think straight enough to make a coherent plan. Couldn't pull himself together to lead this small unit.
Finally something snapped in his brain, something he'd never considered before as a plan began to formulate. It was a tactic that had never before been considered in battle situations, but it just might work all around here.
"We're attacking the maverick base now." He said simply, ignoring Panther's surprised gasp.
"C... X... There are only five of us here. The attack isn't supposed to begin for another few days. We'd be slaughtered by ourselves!"
"They're expecting a large force attacking head on. What we'll do is sneak in here." He moved one hand to point at an entry on the map. "And slowly wipe out the mavericks, one at a time. They'll never know what hit them, or even that they were being hit."
"We have no idea how many of them there are. To take them all out one at a time could take a very long time. Besides that, we'd surely be spotted fairly quickly."
X ignored her, continuing with his explanation. "We can move through the fortress fairly easily judging from your guys' scouting of the area. Just take out anyone you come into contact with. That's all you have to do."
"What about Zero?" She asked plainly, knowing he was leading up to that anyway.
"If you find him... Destroy him." He looked over at her to see her just staring at him in shock. "We're maverick hunters, he's a maverick, it's not rocket science."
"You can't be SERIOUS!" She shrieked. "We can't kill Zero!"
"Well you're gonna have to!" He yelled back. "Now I am in command here so do NOT question my orders again!" She backed down slowly, glaring at him forcefully. He looked over at the door to see the rest of the unit walk in, looking grim. They'd obviously been eavesdropping. "Now since you already all seem to know the plan. Let's move out."
"It's an insane plan." Dragoon began.
X simply stomped over to him, grabbing him by the neck and pushing him against the wall hard. "You're already suspect here Dragoon! Don't question my orders. Now I said we're moving out." With that X let him go, leaving the room. He could hear the reluctant footsteps of the others as they followed behind him more slowly.
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Roll silently wandered through the halls, almost aimless in her wanderings. She'd had plenty of time to think since Zero had been attacked in her private quarters and wasn't at all sure of why she was here anymore. She was pretty sure she loved Zero, she'd never felt that way about anyone and never had anyone feel that way about her. If only he wasn't planning on killing her brother who didn't even remember him or her. If only she could make him remember, then maybe she could convince him that Vile was right this time. That Rock was on the wrong side...
Or was it her on the wrong side? She didn't know anymore, everyone claimed to be on the right side in this confrontation. The mavericks saying they were trying to protect the reploid race from the humans. A claim she knew they'd used often, but this time she was almost living proof that it was true. While the maverick hunters claimed the mavericks were just stirring up trouble again, which was technically true. The mavericks were stirring up trouble, though with just cause.
So both sides were right, but how could two sides of a war both be right? It was horribly confusing to her that it could be this way. If both sides were right, how do you know what side to fight for? Either way you're technically doing wrong by fighting the right while fighting for the right and doing wrong...
So the only option was to do what she thought was best for everyone. Which to her meant trying to find a way to contact her brother and convince him to help the mavericks, and above all, not fight Zero.
Her plan firmly etched in her mind, she turned and headed for the garage where the hoverbikes were kept. She didn't know how to ride one, but she considered herself a fairly quick study. She'd figure it out soon enough, and hopefully she could find Rock before this war began to put a stop to it.
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X scanned the area surrounding the known location of the maverick base below ground. There was nothing to distinguish it from any other area of the desert, just as barren and seamless as any place. The base was very well hidden except for what appeared to be an abandoned mine shaft that they knew served as a second exit to the base. From where X stood, the forest surrounding the government facility was clearly visible on the horizon.
As X watched a single hoverbike streaked out of the opening, kicking up a mound of sand behind it as it streaked away from the base, to the left of the team of camped maverick hunters.
"What the hell is that?" Mantis asked as the other came up to join them in watching the lone figure ride across the desert, the bike wobbling unsteadily as though its rider had almost no clue what he was doing.
"Your orders commander?" Panther asked, looking at X. He knew the team still resented his orders, but would follow them as long as he was in charge of the unit.
"We bring him in. See where he's going in such a hurry." Calmly he turned to look at Mantis. "Bring him in unharmed."
"Yes commander." Mantis said before taking flight and heading for the figure.
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Roll tried her best to keep the bike steady, but the throb of the motor was throwing her off kilter as she struggled to retain control of it. She had no clue where Rock was, or even if he was on this continent, but she had to find him somehow, she just had to.
A shadow cast on the sand in front of her forced her too look up to investigate just as a reploid comes charging down on top of her, it's clawed feet outstretched. She quickly leapt to the side off the bike, rolling in the sand for a good twenty feet before bringing herself to a stop. The bike continued on its path, making itself completely useless to her.
"Who are you?" She demanded, backing slowly away as the reploid hovered above her, looking down at her piercingly. The bright sun at its back almost blinded Roll, but she stayed firm as best she could.
The figure launched itself down at her again, but she knelt quickly, using both hands to scoop up sand and hurl it into the air. It flew into the reploids eyes, working its way inside the systems of its face, blinding it temporarily. The reploid screeched with rage, the blades on both arms lashing out randomly.
She dodged frantically, but one blade still caught her in the side, tearing through the thin fabric of her dress easily, cutting into her metal alloy skin. The impact drove her to the ground, gripping the wound painfully as sand was tossed up, some flying right into the wound.
She tried to get to her feet, but could only watch in horror as her assailant regained his vision, looking around him to assess the situation. He spotted her almost immediately and shrieked an inhuman wail, lunging at her again.
She gasped in astonished relief as a laser saber blocked the thrust, Zero shoving her assailant back with a mighty push of his weapon. Zero and the other reploid faced each other for a long time, each seeming to size the other up.
The unknown reploid lunged first, striking with both blades in lighting fast strikes, but each one was countered and deflected by Zero's saber, flashing as it came into contact with the two blades.
Zero lunged now, throwing both blades skillfully to the side and slashing fiercely. The strike caught the reploid off guard, tearing into its chest deeply and sending it stumbling backward, sparks flying.
"Sorry Mantis." Zero said before swinging the saber again, but this time a blast throws Zero to the ground, his grip on the saber loosening enough to send it flying away from him. Zero slowly sat up, looking over as another group of reploids approached.
The moment Roll saw him she recognized him, it was Rock. The redesign made him look a lot taller and a bit different, but there was no doubt in her mind it was him.
"Rock!" She exclaimed, starting toward him, but another figure grabbed her from behind, yanking her arms behind her back, not caring that it caused Roll's wound to spark hugely.
Rock... Or X as she guessed he was now called... Walked up to Zero, ignoring her. "Zero..." He said, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"X, hear me out." Zero said, his voice steady as any Roll had ever heard.
"We'll get you back to maverick hunter HQ, Doctor Cain can fix you and you'll be as good as new."
"The humans are planning to replace all reploids with mindless machines, they think we're too dangerous to contain sentient minds any longer. Not only that, but they don't even consider reploids living things, simply objects to be replaced."
X eyed his old friend carefully, his face betraying no emotions. "Do you have proof Zero?"
"Right over their." Zero said looking directly at Roll, who stared back at X a bit unsure now that this could be Rock.
"And who is this?" X asked, walking over to stand right in front of her.
"My name is Roll Light." She said, staring into his eyes. For a moment she thought she saw a glimmer of real recognition, but then that faded away and the cold exterior she'd been seeing this whole time re-surfaced, though he seemed somewhat surprised by her statement.
"Roll Light died years ago." He said.
"I'm right here... Rock." She said softly, her eyes almost pleading him to remember her, or anything for that matter. "You were there when Doctor Light built me... And Rush." She couldn't help but smile at the memories, but at the same time she felt the pangs of loss that always came with them.
X's eyes betrayed nothing except that he clearly still did not believe her. "How did you survive all these years when your diary stated you killed yourself?"
"They wouldn't let me kill myself, I was too important to technological advancement, the last cyber-human. They locked me up and studied me closely, not caring that I could still hear and see and feel absolutely everything, I was nothing but something to be learned from, a teaching tool, nothing more."
X gulped slightly, his face still a cold emotionless mask. "If you are Roll, then you can tell me what happened to m... Rock and Doctor Light."
Roll looked down at the sand sadly. "You were killed during the last battle with Wily... Some girl brought your head back to the lab for re-building... Doctor Light rebuilt most of you, but ran out of time. He died the same day you were buried in your stasis capsule that would finish the repairs to your systems."
X stared at her wordlessly, his face betraying nothing of what he felt. Suddenly though his whole expression melted into one of grief and sorrow as he lunged forward, wrapping his arms around her tightly, startling the reploid who'd been holding Rolls hands behind her back. Roll smiled happily and hugged him back as tightly as she could, knowing she finally had her brother back.
Finally X had to pull away from her, smiling at her happily as she smiled back, each of their hands finding the others, clasping tightly. "I don't remember anything." X said, sounding more than a little confused.
Roll smiled sadly, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You weren't supposed to... Your neural net had been tampered with. Doctor Light had had to rebuild it from the ground up to avoid a possible recurrence of the events leading to your... Death."
X nodded in understanding, all the pieces of his life finally falling into place, all the mysteries finally solved for him, but there was one more mystery he had to unravel. Silently X turned to face Zero. "Where did you find her?"
"Vile rescued her from the facility, it was one of the targets of the theft." Zero said, standing up slowly so as not to alarm the rest of his own unit. "I know it sounds suspicious, but it's all true X. If you don't believe me, believe her." He said plainly gesturing towards Roll, who simply nodded.
Silently X looked around at the rest of the #0 unit. Panther seemed totally confused of all of this. Dragoon just looked like he didn't really care, he would follow wherever X told him to go. Mantis was holding the wound across his chest, glaring balefully at Zero. Snake just watched both Zero and X questioningly, waiting to see who would come out on top.
"It's true Rock." She said, looking up at him hopefully, he had to admit they were right now.
X stayed silent for longer than anyone had ever know him to be, the gentle desert wind blowing dust and sand into the reploids joints, making it harder to move than it had to be until finally X spoke again, his voice full of authority.
"Zero... You are hereby under custody for betraying the maverick hunters, and destroying a fellow hunter. " X began, looking at him emotionlessly.
"What!?" Zero exclaimed in surprise as Snake grabbed his wrists, binding them behind his back.
"Rock no!" Roll yelled, grabbing his hand again, but he simply looked down at her, speaking softly.
"My name is X." He said simply as she felt Panther grab her own wrists, binding them behind her back.
"You fool X." Zero said, pulling against his bonds. "Open your eyes! The humans have betrayed you! The same ones you're sworn to protect!"
"Please listen to him Rock!" Roll pleaded to no avail, X's expression was that of a statue as he calmly lead the team back up to where they'd set up home base.
"Pack everything up, our mission is accomplished here." X said matter of factly, ignoring his prisoners pleads and cries.
"Zero..." Roll said, her voice quivering a bit with pent up emotions, horror, fear, and un-paralleled shock.
"Don't worry Roll, we'll be okay." Zero said looking about him darkly, his gaze settling on Dark Panther, who looked away from him silently.
As soon as everything was packed up, X turned sullenly to the prisoners and what was left of the #0 unit. "We're heading back to HQ, we'll decide what to do with these two once we get there." He said, turning to march across the hot desert sands, the rest of the group following, dragging Roll and Zero along with them like cattle.
"Rock..." Roll spoke softly to herself, still in shock over all that was happening. Again the lines of what was right and wrong were blurred beyond definition, had Rock betrayed them by taking them in, or had they betrayed Rock by being with the mavericks. Either way Roll didn't care, the pain deep inside of her was all the proof she needed to know that this wasn't right, this wasn't what should have happened, Rock wouldn't do this... Not the Rock she knew anyway. Maybe even though his body was still alive, Rock had truly died sixty years ago...
TO BE CONTINUED
Doctor Cain sat in the soft chair behind the desk in his office, watching the computer monitor in front of him. He could almost see it happening, slowly but surely the entire maverick hunter HQ was being split into two factions. Ever since Vile had publicly announced his position there had been growing suspicion among the ranks of even the most dedicated maverick hunters. It wasn't just the accusation, but also the fact that Zero had stated he believed it that sparked all of this dissention. Soon they would resort into all out fighting and the HQ would quickly be turned to rubble, along with any chance of protecting the people from Vile and his mavericks.
"Must have been his plan all along..." X commented from his seat on the other side of the desk. They'd been discussing the attack and Zero's defection for the past hour before they'd been informed of the dissention by Dark Panther, Zero's second in command. Now they had to only watch the security monitors to see the suspicion growing rapidly.
"Perhaps... Whatever his plan he's effectively crippled us." Doctor Cain replied, staring at the monitor. He'd called back the #0 unit the minute the transmission had been broadcast. It had reached every home in the world and even overcame most television signals. The only question on everyone's mind now was when would the attack come? It would eventually, it was only a matter of time.
"What can we do to stop it doctor?"
"Do? Round up all the loyal troops we have left and try our best to protect the citizens as well as ourselves." Doctor Cain replied, leaning back in his chair. "For now however, we try to keep what control we can over our forces and pray that we have enough left to put up a decent fight."
X nodded then, looking back down at the monitor. Things just seemed to be deteriorating faster than Doctor Cain could assimilate all the changes. They needed to find a way to disprove Viles claims, but neither of them could think of a way to do that.
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Roll flipped through the little book on her bed, reading up on historical events that had passed since she'd been imprisoned. Wars, treaties, space flights, technological advancements, all within the 50-year time frame she'd been out of action. It was a lot to assimilate in a short amount of time. So she decided to take her time and read through it more slowly, like she were reading a good novel instead of a history book.
She stopped cold when she reached a certain chapter called "The Rebirth Of Robotics". The words beyond that headline made her more excited as she read.
"In 2145 a local scientist named Doctor Cain discovered a capsule buried in the yard that had once belonged to another scientist named Doctor Thomas Light. Inside the capsule he discovered the body of a fully constructed cyber-human, the likes of which hadn't previously been seen since fifty years prior. Upon activation Doctor Cain discovered that he was indeed fully functional and quickly set about to re-create it, creating the first of the race known today as reploids."
"Rock's been re-activated!" Rolls shouted, leaping up from the bed excitedly and taking the book with her. She slammed the book shut and carried it with her as she ran out the door, through the winding metal hallways of the maverick base. Finally she bumped into Zero in the halls, who looked down at her apologetically.
"Sorry about that." He said, bending to help her, but she'd already leapt to her feet and shoved the book in his face.
"Rock's alive! Do you know where he is!?" She said rapidly, not giving him time to say anything.
"Rock? Who?"
"Well maybe he's known as Mega-Man, don't tell me you don't know him, he's a legend!"
"Mega... Man?" For a few minutes he just stared at her confused, then finally looked at the book and read a few lines. "That's X."
"X! Yes! That's gotta be Rock! Take me to him!"
"I can't..."
"Why not!? I have to see him! It's been so long!"
"Because, he's still at maverick hunter HQ, unless we can convince him that Vile was being sincere..." He went silent then, but she could see the rest of that sentence clearly in his eyes.
"You're gonna fight him aren't you? You're going to fight my brother." He stayed silent, looking away from her solemnly. "Zero look at me! I look like a little girl but I'm not! You don't have to protect me so tell me! Are you going to fight him!"
He finally looked back at her seriously. "Not if I can help it, but if it all boils down to it I will do what I have to do."
"Let me talk to him first, please." Roll begged, taking one of his hands in hers almost desperately. "Maybe I can convince him that he's on the wrong side! He can join us and we can all fight together."
Zero stared back into her eyes, searching them calmly. "If I knew how you could I would let you, but all communications have been cut by the military."
"I'll... I'll ride there on one of the hoverbikes. I just need you to teach me how to ride one."
"Roll... We don't have time for that. Things could explode any day now, we all have to be on alert. Don't worry..." He said, seeing her worry filled eyes staring up at him. "I'll try my best not to resort to fighting him. That's all I can promise."
Roll sighed at this and looked down in defeat. "Okay..." She said almost too silently to hear.
"Roll..." Zero said, putting a hand under her chin to make her look up at him. "Don't be like this." He said softly, one thumb stroking her cheek gently.
"Zero..." She said, staring up at him. "Please..." She took his hand then and pulled him down to one knee so he was on her level, facing him squarely. "Please don't..." Suddenly she lunged forward, throwing her arms around him and burying her face in his shoulder. She just held onto him for a long time, her shoulders shaking slightly.
She was a bit surprised when she felt his arms close around her as well. "I'm sorry Roll, but I have to do what's right. No matter who I have to face." She could feel him gently stroking her back, smoothing out her red dress. Obviously he didn't see her as a child to be comforted, he saw her as the woman she was.
"Come on, I'll take you to your room." He said, pulling away slightly and standing up, hooking one arm under her legs to lift her off the ground. She didn't complain at all as he carried her down the hall toward her living quarters, the history book she'd been so fervent about now lying on the cold metal floor, forgotten.
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X had been pacing around Doctor Cains office for the last hour and a half already, waiting for something to start. It was almost torture just waiting for something to happen when you didn't even know what would happen. All they knew for sure was that they had to be ready for anything.
X found himself jumping slightly as the phone rang. Then cursed himself silently as Doctor Cain picked it up. He listened to the conversation for a few minutes before Doctor Cain hung up.
"What is it?" X inquired.
"They've located the maverick base." Doctor Cain said, standing up from his chair. "But they too have dissenters, they've asked for our cooperation in pulling off a full scale attack."
X nodded calmly, almost expecting something like that. "What units will be involved in the attack?" His tone of voice almost demanded that X's own unit participate.
Doctor Cain nodded solemnly before speaking. "I will issue the orders myself, but the 17th unit will bring up the front of the attack."
"Yes doctor." X said before they both heard the door to the office open. Panther walked in calmly, looking a little surprised to see X their, but otherwise unaffected.
"Ah, Dark Panther. I have a special assignment for you." Doctor Cain said, standing up to walk over and hand her a sheet of paper. "This is the location of the maverick base. We'll be attacking soon... But I want you to temporarily lead the #0 unit to retrieve Zero before the fighting breaks out."
"And... If he resists?" She inquired, looking at him almost worriedly.
"If he resists use any means necessary to get him back to HQ in one piece." Doctor Cain answered, studying her carefully.
"Yes sir." She said, giving a quick salute. Doctor Cain nodded at her and sent her off to carry out her mission.
"The attack will be soon X, you'd better go get your unit ready, or at least those that are still loyal." X nodded and turned to leave then, not saying another word.
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Zero stood in front of the window, looking out from the underground fortress that was the maverick base. He couldn't believe he'd let himself get so distracted, but there was just something about her. It was like she'd been through so much but still stayed one of the most lighthearted reploids he knew.
Slowly he turned away from the window and looked back at Roll lying in the bed, asleep. Something about her, but he knew that she was X's sister. Thing was, he didn't really care. He was beginning to think he really loved her. Only thing he didn't know was how long they had before he'd have to face X, and she'd probably hate him if he did have to.
Zero found himself giving a small sigh as he approached the bed, stroking Roll's cheek gently. Physical looks meant absolutely nothing to reploids because their looks were shaped by their creators. Even so, he had to admit to himself she was very pretty lying there like that. So vulnerable and innocent he could almost think she was a real little girl, which was also the reason she'd had such a hard go of it when she'd struck out on her own. Everyone thought she WAS a real little girl.
He smiled gently as she slowly opened her eyes, her system powering up again from sleep. She smiled happily up at him, putting her hand on his hand, which was still on her cheek. "Hey."
"Hey." He said, finding himself staring into her bright blue eyes again.
"How long have you been awake?"
"Not long." He said, looking back at the window as something catches his eye. He could have sworn he saw movement out their.
"Is something wrong?" She asked when he looked away.
He quickly put a hand to her lips to shush her, then crept up to the window, looking out cautiously. He didn't see anything out there anymore, it was probably his imagination.
"Zero?" Roll said, sitting up in the bed, letting the blanket fall back down to the bed. She was totally bare of her clothing, but being a robot, didn't really need it. She wore it only to keep the humans happy because she was built to resemble a little girl, while most reploids were designed to have armor.
Zero looked out the window for a few more minutes, then turned back to Roll. "Must have been my imagination."
Suddenly Zero was thrown forward in a shower of glass, slamming into the ground hard. Quickly he leapt back to his feet facing the window. Flash Cheetah stood in front of it, staring at him.
"Cheetah!?" Zero yelled in surprise. If he'd found his way here, the rest of the maverick hunters had to know their location as well. They had to get out of there before they were attacked.
"Zero. Come back with me quietly. The maverick hunters forces are already on their way." Cheetah said, taking one step forward.
"Thanks for the warning, but I can't go back to them knowing what they're planning to do." Zero drew his laser saber as he talked, getting into a fighting position.
Cheetah quickly drew both of his morning stars in response, each about the length of his arm. "They're not planning anything. Please Zero, don't let Vile deceive you."
"No, you're the one being deceived. Now leave, I don't want to fight you."
"I have orders to take you back Zero, by any means necessary." He took a step forward, Zero taking a step away from him, slowly waving his saber warningly.
"Don't make me kill you."
"I'm sorry Zero, you brought this on yourself." Cheetah lunged suddenly, swinging both morning stars mightily. Zero leapt out of the way in time, but Roll shrieked and scrambled quickly out of bed as they slammed into the soft mattress.
"Roll!" Zero yelled, looking over at her worriedly.
"I'm alright." She replied, leaning against the door, staring at Cheetah wearily.
Zero leapt into the air as Cheetah charged him again, slamming both morning stars into the wall, gouging huge dents into it. Zero landed behind him, planting a solid blow to the back of his neck with the hilt of his saber, sending him hard against the wall.
"Last warning Cheetah. Get out of here and I won't have to hurt you." Zero said, the tip of his saber practically touching Cheetah's back.
"I never imagined I would have to fight you Zero. I never thought you would turn maverick." In a flash he'd already whirled away from the saber, lashing out with both morning stars. They slam into Zero's side, throwing him across the room and against the wall, Roll yelling in concern.
Zero couldn't help but moan a bit as he got back to his feet, gripping the saber in both hands, watching Cheetah carefully. "Then don't do this Cheetah. We're not the enemy, they are. They plan to decimate the entire maverick race."
"You're being played like a fool Zero, why don't you see that? Vile is corrupting you into helping him. The only danger here is from him." Cheetah stood firm, not backing down under Zero's heavy-hearted gaze.
For a long time Zero could only stare at him, so sure he was doing the right thing by this. So sure in something that Zero knew was a lie. "I'm sorry Cheetah." Before Cheetah could respond Zero had already leapt forward, the saber swinging in a huge arc. It sliced cleanly through his chest-plate, cutting off vital circuits and wires. He watched in regret as Cheetah collapsed to the floor, going still.
"What do we do now?" Roll asked, pulling her clothes on now for the sake of those humans present in the base.
"We warn Vile that they're planning to attack, we can organize an ambush. End it before it begins." He replied, placing the saber back in its sheath, the laser going dead as it touched the special alloy. Despite that he would rather not have had to fight a member of his own unit, this encounter had been very fortunate for their entire cause.
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X stared silently at the map displayed on the monitor. The information on the layout of the entire base had been taken directly from the memory banks of the #0 unit, who'd surveyed the area. Only Flash Cheetah had not returned, so they could assume he'd been caught. This also probably meant they knew the attack was coming. This complicated things a lot.
Despite such a dire situation, X couldn't help but be horribly distracted by thoughts of other things. Why would Zero betray the maverick hunters? It made no sense. He must have been re-programmed or tricked by Vile. That was the only explanation X would accept.
"Your orders commander?" Panther said beside him. She'd been standing there waiting for him to say something for the last half hour, but X couldn't think straight enough to make a coherent plan. Couldn't pull himself together to lead this small unit.
Finally something snapped in his brain, something he'd never considered before as a plan began to formulate. It was a tactic that had never before been considered in battle situations, but it just might work all around here.
"We're attacking the maverick base now." He said simply, ignoring Panther's surprised gasp.
"C... X... There are only five of us here. The attack isn't supposed to begin for another few days. We'd be slaughtered by ourselves!"
"They're expecting a large force attacking head on. What we'll do is sneak in here." He moved one hand to point at an entry on the map. "And slowly wipe out the mavericks, one at a time. They'll never know what hit them, or even that they were being hit."
"We have no idea how many of them there are. To take them all out one at a time could take a very long time. Besides that, we'd surely be spotted fairly quickly."
X ignored her, continuing with his explanation. "We can move through the fortress fairly easily judging from your guys' scouting of the area. Just take out anyone you come into contact with. That's all you have to do."
"What about Zero?" She asked plainly, knowing he was leading up to that anyway.
"If you find him... Destroy him." He looked over at her to see her just staring at him in shock. "We're maverick hunters, he's a maverick, it's not rocket science."
"You can't be SERIOUS!" She shrieked. "We can't kill Zero!"
"Well you're gonna have to!" He yelled back. "Now I am in command here so do NOT question my orders again!" She backed down slowly, glaring at him forcefully. He looked over at the door to see the rest of the unit walk in, looking grim. They'd obviously been eavesdropping. "Now since you already all seem to know the plan. Let's move out."
"It's an insane plan." Dragoon began.
X simply stomped over to him, grabbing him by the neck and pushing him against the wall hard. "You're already suspect here Dragoon! Don't question my orders. Now I said we're moving out." With that X let him go, leaving the room. He could hear the reluctant footsteps of the others as they followed behind him more slowly.
________________________________________________________________________________
Roll silently wandered through the halls, almost aimless in her wanderings. She'd had plenty of time to think since Zero had been attacked in her private quarters and wasn't at all sure of why she was here anymore. She was pretty sure she loved Zero, she'd never felt that way about anyone and never had anyone feel that way about her. If only he wasn't planning on killing her brother who didn't even remember him or her. If only she could make him remember, then maybe she could convince him that Vile was right this time. That Rock was on the wrong side...
Or was it her on the wrong side? She didn't know anymore, everyone claimed to be on the right side in this confrontation. The mavericks saying they were trying to protect the reploid race from the humans. A claim she knew they'd used often, but this time she was almost living proof that it was true. While the maverick hunters claimed the mavericks were just stirring up trouble again, which was technically true. The mavericks were stirring up trouble, though with just cause.
So both sides were right, but how could two sides of a war both be right? It was horribly confusing to her that it could be this way. If both sides were right, how do you know what side to fight for? Either way you're technically doing wrong by fighting the right while fighting for the right and doing wrong...
So the only option was to do what she thought was best for everyone. Which to her meant trying to find a way to contact her brother and convince him to help the mavericks, and above all, not fight Zero.
Her plan firmly etched in her mind, she turned and headed for the garage where the hoverbikes were kept. She didn't know how to ride one, but she considered herself a fairly quick study. She'd figure it out soon enough, and hopefully she could find Rock before this war began to put a stop to it.
________________________________________________________________________________
X scanned the area surrounding the known location of the maverick base below ground. There was nothing to distinguish it from any other area of the desert, just as barren and seamless as any place. The base was very well hidden except for what appeared to be an abandoned mine shaft that they knew served as a second exit to the base. From where X stood, the forest surrounding the government facility was clearly visible on the horizon.
As X watched a single hoverbike streaked out of the opening, kicking up a mound of sand behind it as it streaked away from the base, to the left of the team of camped maverick hunters.
"What the hell is that?" Mantis asked as the other came up to join them in watching the lone figure ride across the desert, the bike wobbling unsteadily as though its rider had almost no clue what he was doing.
"Your orders commander?" Panther asked, looking at X. He knew the team still resented his orders, but would follow them as long as he was in charge of the unit.
"We bring him in. See where he's going in such a hurry." Calmly he turned to look at Mantis. "Bring him in unharmed."
"Yes commander." Mantis said before taking flight and heading for the figure.
________________________________________________________________________________
Roll tried her best to keep the bike steady, but the throb of the motor was throwing her off kilter as she struggled to retain control of it. She had no clue where Rock was, or even if he was on this continent, but she had to find him somehow, she just had to.
A shadow cast on the sand in front of her forced her too look up to investigate just as a reploid comes charging down on top of her, it's clawed feet outstretched. She quickly leapt to the side off the bike, rolling in the sand for a good twenty feet before bringing herself to a stop. The bike continued on its path, making itself completely useless to her.
"Who are you?" She demanded, backing slowly away as the reploid hovered above her, looking down at her piercingly. The bright sun at its back almost blinded Roll, but she stayed firm as best she could.
The figure launched itself down at her again, but she knelt quickly, using both hands to scoop up sand and hurl it into the air. It flew into the reploids eyes, working its way inside the systems of its face, blinding it temporarily. The reploid screeched with rage, the blades on both arms lashing out randomly.
She dodged frantically, but one blade still caught her in the side, tearing through the thin fabric of her dress easily, cutting into her metal alloy skin. The impact drove her to the ground, gripping the wound painfully as sand was tossed up, some flying right into the wound.
She tried to get to her feet, but could only watch in horror as her assailant regained his vision, looking around him to assess the situation. He spotted her almost immediately and shrieked an inhuman wail, lunging at her again.
She gasped in astonished relief as a laser saber blocked the thrust, Zero shoving her assailant back with a mighty push of his weapon. Zero and the other reploid faced each other for a long time, each seeming to size the other up.
The unknown reploid lunged first, striking with both blades in lighting fast strikes, but each one was countered and deflected by Zero's saber, flashing as it came into contact with the two blades.
Zero lunged now, throwing both blades skillfully to the side and slashing fiercely. The strike caught the reploid off guard, tearing into its chest deeply and sending it stumbling backward, sparks flying.
"Sorry Mantis." Zero said before swinging the saber again, but this time a blast throws Zero to the ground, his grip on the saber loosening enough to send it flying away from him. Zero slowly sat up, looking over as another group of reploids approached.
The moment Roll saw him she recognized him, it was Rock. The redesign made him look a lot taller and a bit different, but there was no doubt in her mind it was him.
"Rock!" She exclaimed, starting toward him, but another figure grabbed her from behind, yanking her arms behind her back, not caring that it caused Roll's wound to spark hugely.
Rock... Or X as she guessed he was now called... Walked up to Zero, ignoring her. "Zero..." He said, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"X, hear me out." Zero said, his voice steady as any Roll had ever heard.
"We'll get you back to maverick hunter HQ, Doctor Cain can fix you and you'll be as good as new."
"The humans are planning to replace all reploids with mindless machines, they think we're too dangerous to contain sentient minds any longer. Not only that, but they don't even consider reploids living things, simply objects to be replaced."
X eyed his old friend carefully, his face betraying no emotions. "Do you have proof Zero?"
"Right over their." Zero said looking directly at Roll, who stared back at X a bit unsure now that this could be Rock.
"And who is this?" X asked, walking over to stand right in front of her.
"My name is Roll Light." She said, staring into his eyes. For a moment she thought she saw a glimmer of real recognition, but then that faded away and the cold exterior she'd been seeing this whole time re-surfaced, though he seemed somewhat surprised by her statement.
"Roll Light died years ago." He said.
"I'm right here... Rock." She said softly, her eyes almost pleading him to remember her, or anything for that matter. "You were there when Doctor Light built me... And Rush." She couldn't help but smile at the memories, but at the same time she felt the pangs of loss that always came with them.
X's eyes betrayed nothing except that he clearly still did not believe her. "How did you survive all these years when your diary stated you killed yourself?"
"They wouldn't let me kill myself, I was too important to technological advancement, the last cyber-human. They locked me up and studied me closely, not caring that I could still hear and see and feel absolutely everything, I was nothing but something to be learned from, a teaching tool, nothing more."
X gulped slightly, his face still a cold emotionless mask. "If you are Roll, then you can tell me what happened to m... Rock and Doctor Light."
Roll looked down at the sand sadly. "You were killed during the last battle with Wily... Some girl brought your head back to the lab for re-building... Doctor Light rebuilt most of you, but ran out of time. He died the same day you were buried in your stasis capsule that would finish the repairs to your systems."
X stared at her wordlessly, his face betraying nothing of what he felt. Suddenly though his whole expression melted into one of grief and sorrow as he lunged forward, wrapping his arms around her tightly, startling the reploid who'd been holding Rolls hands behind her back. Roll smiled happily and hugged him back as tightly as she could, knowing she finally had her brother back.
Finally X had to pull away from her, smiling at her happily as she smiled back, each of their hands finding the others, clasping tightly. "I don't remember anything." X said, sounding more than a little confused.
Roll smiled sadly, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You weren't supposed to... Your neural net had been tampered with. Doctor Light had had to rebuild it from the ground up to avoid a possible recurrence of the events leading to your... Death."
X nodded in understanding, all the pieces of his life finally falling into place, all the mysteries finally solved for him, but there was one more mystery he had to unravel. Silently X turned to face Zero. "Where did you find her?"
"Vile rescued her from the facility, it was one of the targets of the theft." Zero said, standing up slowly so as not to alarm the rest of his own unit. "I know it sounds suspicious, but it's all true X. If you don't believe me, believe her." He said plainly gesturing towards Roll, who simply nodded.
Silently X looked around at the rest of the #0 unit. Panther seemed totally confused of all of this. Dragoon just looked like he didn't really care, he would follow wherever X told him to go. Mantis was holding the wound across his chest, glaring balefully at Zero. Snake just watched both Zero and X questioningly, waiting to see who would come out on top.
"It's true Rock." She said, looking up at him hopefully, he had to admit they were right now.
X stayed silent for longer than anyone had ever know him to be, the gentle desert wind blowing dust and sand into the reploids joints, making it harder to move than it had to be until finally X spoke again, his voice full of authority.
"Zero... You are hereby under custody for betraying the maverick hunters, and destroying a fellow hunter. " X began, looking at him emotionlessly.
"What!?" Zero exclaimed in surprise as Snake grabbed his wrists, binding them behind his back.
"Rock no!" Roll yelled, grabbing his hand again, but he simply looked down at her, speaking softly.
"My name is X." He said simply as she felt Panther grab her own wrists, binding them behind her back.
"You fool X." Zero said, pulling against his bonds. "Open your eyes! The humans have betrayed you! The same ones you're sworn to protect!"
"Please listen to him Rock!" Roll pleaded to no avail, X's expression was that of a statue as he calmly lead the team back up to where they'd set up home base.
"Pack everything up, our mission is accomplished here." X said matter of factly, ignoring his prisoners pleads and cries.
"Zero..." Roll said, her voice quivering a bit with pent up emotions, horror, fear, and un-paralleled shock.
"Don't worry Roll, we'll be okay." Zero said looking about him darkly, his gaze settling on Dark Panther, who looked away from him silently.
As soon as everything was packed up, X turned sullenly to the prisoners and what was left of the #0 unit. "We're heading back to HQ, we'll decide what to do with these two once we get there." He said, turning to march across the hot desert sands, the rest of the group following, dragging Roll and Zero along with them like cattle.
"Rock..." Roll spoke softly to herself, still in shock over all that was happening. Again the lines of what was right and wrong were blurred beyond definition, had Rock betrayed them by taking them in, or had they betrayed Rock by being with the mavericks. Either way Roll didn't care, the pain deep inside of her was all the proof she needed to know that this wasn't right, this wasn't what should have happened, Rock wouldn't do this... Not the Rock she knew anyway. Maybe even though his body was still alive, Rock had truly died sixty years ago...
TO BE CONTINUED