When was it? When did I begin to think this way? I can't remember anything... Nothing comes to mind. For all I know I may have been created last night. My mind is in such a jumble right now.
Hazama sat in his room for several hours before someone came to his door.
"Come on, it's time," said the shadowed figure.
Hazama shuffled into the light and blinked at the intensity. He had asked for his room to be dimly lit; he wasn't much for bright lights. Surprisingly, he was granted this simple wish.
"This way."
He followed the large reploid down the hall toward the main chamber, where he was to be tested probably. Tested for combat fitness, and stability of mind. More like 'instability,' Hazama thought.
They reached the main hall and approached the large double doors, which opened when his leading partner stepped up to them. They walked inside and were greeted by a towering reploid. He was bald, and wore a blood red cape around his neck.
"I take it you've grown accustomed to your new room?"
Hazama glared at the large reploid.
"No matter. You'll soon learn to accept us more. Take him to the test chambers."
Hazama mustered up the courage to speak.
"At least tell me what I'll be engraving on your tombstone when I get the strength to rip you apart limb by limb."
The caped reploid laughed. "I am the great Sigma, leader of the Mavericks. You'll soon be serving me as we fight against the Maverick Hunters."
Hazama was dragged out of Sigma's sight and down to the first of the test areas. Sigma returned to his throne at sat down.
"Vile, tell me again why we spared this hunter's life?"
The shadowy reploid stepped forth. "If he wanted to kill us, he'd have done so already. He'd be of better use on our side. How it will surprise the hunters when they discover one of their best units was turned Maverick."
"Mmm, yes. I want you to oversee his testing. If he proves worthy, subject him to the infection."
"Sir!" Vile saluted and exited toward the chamber where Hazama was being tested.
In the first area, Hazama was fending off two training droids barehanded. His testers hadn't given him a weapon for fear of him retaliating. When Vile arrived, he glared at the two reploids watching the fight.
"Serges! Agile! Why doesn't he have a weapon?"
"Well, Vile, sir... We thought he may have fought us instead," replied Serges.
"You idiots! We're supposed to judge his weaponry skills as well! Give him a lightsaber in the next round."
They both nodded and went back to monitoring the fight, adjusting the droid's skills as need be. When the timer buzzed, signifying the end of the first round of testing, Hazama was called back to the main building. When he climbed the steps, Vile was there with a deactivated lightsaber in his hand.
Shoving the hilt into Hazama's hands, he said, "Now, go back out there and show me your sword skills. And don't try anything funny, because this shoulder cannon's got your name on it if you do."
Hazama trudged back out to the field as two saber-wielding droids stepped out into the arena. He activated the saber and immediately he felt much more knowledgeable. It was like he was a totally different person once he had a lightsaber in his hands.
"I can... remember using one of these. Back when I was with them. Bah, it doesn't matter anymore. Whether I'm with them or the Mavericks, I'll still get to fight," he said aloud as he stared down the droids. "Bring it on."
Vile stood behind the transparisteel windows of the monitoring building. He wore a grin so evil that most kids would run to the devil for protection as he watched Hazama expertly riposte and parry the blows of the training droids.
"Hey!" Vile barked at the two X-Hunters. "How are those droids set?"
"They're at half settings, sir," Agile said.
"Put them at 100%. We're not cutting this guy any slack. Sigma doesn't want just any two-bit fighter."
Combat training was done. When Sigma received the outstanding results, he called for Vile to bring Hazama to him. The results indicated Hazama fought the droids on the same intensity level that Sigma himself used, though Vile just wanted to try and cripple the man. With his lightsaber confiscated, Hazama followed Vile back to Sigma's chamber. Upon arriving there, Sigma was decaped, and had a saber of his own in hand.
"Vile, give him the saber back. I won't believe the results until I see first-hand."
Vile tossed the lightsaber into Hazama's hands, upon which both he and Sigma activated theirs. Vile stepped away from the two.
"Are you ready to be humiliated, boy? Hahahahahaha."
Sigma cackled and lunged toward Hazama, ready to behead the poor reploid. He was a bit slow, as Hazama swiftly sidestepped. Trying a slice of his own, Hazama slashed out and crashed into Sigma's blade instead. Sigma, being the stronger of the two, easily overwhelmed the green-armored reploid, pushing both of their blades closer to his chest.
"What's the matter? Can't you get out of a simple blade lock?"
Hazama sent his boot flying into Sigma's midsection, which broke the lock, and made Sigma stumble back holding his gut. Getting up, Hazama readied himself as Sigma charged him again Hazama was a bit slow in dodging, and Sigma's blade embedded itself in Hazama's left shoulder piece. Hazama yelled out as the saber bit into his flesh, but Sigma didn't make an effort to let up on the pressure.
"Pathetic! You're pathetic! I hope you didn't like that arm too much! Hahahahahaha!"
"That cackle of yours is getting on my nerves," Hazama growled under his breath.
"What was that? Pleeing for mercy? I'm flattered," Sigma grinned and pressed more.
"You... annoy me... SIGMA!" Hazama shouted as he brought his blade down on Sigma's left arm, slicing it cleanly off at the elbow. Sigma's saber immediately fell out of the crevice it had been digging in Hazama's armor.
"You...!" Sigma gaped at his sliced-off forearm on the ground. He turned back to Hazama and backhanded him so hard that the young fighter was thrown into the wall behind him. Hazama fell to the ground stunned as Sigma approached him to certify his death.
"Sigma, sir! We're supposed to turn him against his former allies!"
Sigma winced at the realization that his second in command was correct, and stopped short of separating Hazama's head from his body.
"You'd better make sure he doesn't step out of line, or you'll answer to me. I'm going down to the repair lab," Sigma announced as he picked up his severed arm and arrogantly walked away.
Vile walked over, and after taking his saber, slung him over his shoulder as he started off toward the barracks. When he got there, Vile dropped Hazama not-so-nicely in the middle of his room, which awakened Hazama.
"You did quite a number on Sigma back there, kid," Vile sneered.
"I saved my life, thank you," Hazama replied, wiping a streak of blood from his face.
"Don't go out of control and you won't have to get thrashed around. Tomorrow you'll be a new person. Get some rest, you'll need it." Vile turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
"Mikae..." Hazama mumbled as he crawled into his bed like a beaten dog and fell asleep.
At Maverick Hunter Headquarters, Bryan Amethyst was giving his unit advanced training. Other unit leaders were encouraging their members through various shouts. The entire training grounds was full of sound.
"Step it up! We don't defeat Mavericks by slouching, do we?" the Judge shouted.
"Yes, sir!" was the Jury's resounding shout. Ever since Hazama had been captured and many of his unit killed or severely damaged, training had been stepped up to avoid any more hunters being lost. It was hoped that with more training, the Mavericks would consider any of them too dangerous to attempt another capture.
Zero stepped over beside Bryan. "Don't you think you're working them too hard?" the crimson armored reploid asked.
"Nah, they're rather used to the work. I do give them longer breaks, though," the silver armored reploid responded. "Think Hazama's still alive?" he asked after a pause.
"I wouldn't bet on it. If I know him, he's probably tried to slit Sigma's throat and gotten executed for it," Zero calmly answered.
Bryan glowered. Hazama wouldn't carelessly try to assassinate the leader of the Mavericks by himself inside their own base... Or would he? "I have to admit he is a bit reckless, but I don't think he'd try that by himself."
"Maybe not. Alright, I'll be on my way. I've got the other units to check on before I report to Cain," Zero told Bryan before he started walking away.
"Come on, guys! Make the 13th Unit look good!" Bryan shouted out.
Night fell at Maverick Headquarters. Groups of Mavericks that weren't assigned to night guard gathered in the recreation wing of the large building. Some, such as Sting Chameleon and Neon Tiger harkened to poker or blackjack. Others, such as Overdrive Ostrich and Commander Yammark liked to test wits against each other. Then there was Cyber Peacock and Hazama. The two quickly formed a friendship with each other, given both of their obsessions with cyberspace and the internet.
"So, Peacock," Hazama asked as they both played a game of multiplayer Thief. "How does your teleportation work? Is it like every other reploid's, with satellites and all that?"
"Nah," the colorful bird reploid replied. "It's much more advanced than that. My systems are totally in tune with cyberspace and it lets me warp in and out of it at will. Think of it like an internet connection. I enter cyberspace, travel through it, and warp out to the destination I wish to go."
"Nifty," Hazama quickly said as he was spotted by one of the castle's guards in the game and darted for the shadows. "By the way, you guys don't seem like the rough and tough bad guys us hunters make you all out to be."
"Yeah, we're all laid back, but when Vile or Sigma start barking orders, we don't fool around."
Across the room, Sting Chameleon, Neon Tiger, Magma Dragoon, and Slash Beast were in the middle of one of their almost ritualistic poker games. It seemed Neon was winning this time, having quite the pile of tokens in front of him.
"Is it my turn?" asked Sting.
"Every time the game slows down," Slash sneered.
"Aww man, aww man. Cut me some slack, I got a bad hand," the chameleon replied.
"'Play the hand you were dealt' as they say. Now get a move on," Neon growled.
"Easy for you to say! Look at your winnings! I'll bet you rigged that hand!" Sting wailed.
Neon jumped up and raised a clawed hand at Sting. "Don't get me started tonight!"
"Calm down, Wolverine. And you, Sting, quit your whining," said the ever calm Dragoon.
Neon reluctantly sat down. "I wish you'd stop calling me that."
"I can't help it that you've got the weapons of an X-Man."
In yet another part of the room, Overdrive Ostrich and Commander Yammark sat at a chess board. There were an equal number of pieces on the board, signifying that neither was losing yet, but Overdrive stepped his Knight over and grinned. "Checkmate," the lanky bird said.
"What! That can't be!" Yammark exclaimed as he looked over the entire board and sighed. "Got me this time..."
"I'll get you again, too," Overdrive responded with pride.
Yammark folded his arms. "You may know more about chess, but I can lead a better army," he replied with a smirk.
Overdrive grumbled. "I almost got X. One more hit would have done him in."
The door of the recreation room flung open and Vile stepped in, drawing the attention of everyone in the room and quieting them down. He scanned the room for a second before finding who he wanted.
"Hazama!" the violet reploid boomed. "Over here, now!"
Hazama quit his game and walked over to Vile, head hung low. He was supposed to be in his room, resting for tomorrow.
"Why aren't you asleep?" Vile demanded, obviously angry.
"Well, I--" Hazama began.
"Save it. Get to the barracks and into your room." He pointed out the door.
Hazama ran out the door. Vile glared around the room at everyone before leaving, upon which everyone returned to their activities, the monotonous din returning. Hazama ran the entire length of the hall from the west wing to the east wing, where the barracks were. Vile hadn't done any harm to him, which was surprising in itself. Once in his room, he removed his armor, and was no longer in bed than Vile opened the door.
"If I catch you outside of your room again when you're told to be here, you'll live to regret it. Now stay here!" he commanded and left, slamming the door behind him.
What a life, Hazama thought to himself as he drifted off to sleep. No wonder the Mavericks are in such good order... Vile's barking the orders and Sigma's to deal with any remaining lives.
/* Following Section by Bryan Amethyst */
Hard to believe, eh? Funny that it was the stronger of us two that fell subject to capture. Well... not so funny for him, I'm betting. Wonder how he is. Bryan pondered these musings silently, staring up at the top of his bunk, four feet from his nose. He blinked a few times, before finally giving up. There was no way he could get any sleep. Not with his best friend behind enemy lines. There was no guarantee he wasn't being tortured or severely beaten in any number of ways. It simply wasn't right that Bryan should sleep while all these things might be happening to his friend.
With a grunt, he sat up rubbing his face with one hand while propping himself up with the other. Sighing, Bryan threw the sheets from his lower half and swung his legs out and over the edge of the bedding. Exerting more effort than he would have preferred, Bryan stood up and stumbled towards his bathroom, moaning. "Nghz... damn it. Still can't sleep."
Flipping the dim night light on, Bryan then turned on the sink. He cupped his hands together beneath the surface of the water and brought up a stinging slap of cold to his face. Immediately feeling more awake, he doused his face a little more before grabbing a towel and brisquely drying his face. Bryan shook himself, shutting the water and light off. He stepped back to his bunk and pressed a panel above it. A soft clicking sound was heard, and the panel slid out, revealing itself to be a hanger. Various sets of clothes unfolded and hung there, waiting to be chosen. Bryan pulled off his PJs, donning instead an inconspicuous set of jeans and a plain white t-shirt. He pounded softly on the panel with the side of his fist, which then refolded everything and drew back into the wall.
Snatching a length of white cloth from a tabletop, Bryan stopped in front of the mirror next to his closet. He quickly tied it around his forehead, expertly knotting it behind him and leaving two long tails hanging down his back. Bryan reached into the closet and drew from it an old tan leather bomber jacket. Slipping it on, he reached back and pulled the headband's tails out from the rear of the jacket's collar. Flicking the night lights off, Bryan opened his quarters' door and stepped out into one of the many hallways of Maverick Hunter HQ. He started down it, shaking his head as he slipped his hands into his pockets. "Hazama... I'll get you back, buddy. Don't doubt it for a second."
Iris yawned, leaning against the counter of the cafe Beanie Boppers. It was a coffee bar, mostly frequented by youths looking for a place to hang out and shoot the breeze, or hurried business people needing a cup of java. She worked there part-time for a bit of extra money. It was a nice place, open almost all-hours, but she worked the last few hours it was open. Namely now, quite near 3:30 am.
She had a tray tucked under one arm, half-asleep with her chin resting on the heel of her palm when Bryan walked through the doors. Iris didn't recognize him at first, due mostly to the fact that her eyes were almost entirely closed. He stopped as he noticed her, one silvery eyebrow quirked upward. "Iris? That you?"
"Huh? Wha-- oh my!" Iris snapped back to being fully conscious. She smiled brightly and, tray held to her chest, bowed slightly. "Commander Amethyst! I-- yes, it's me." She laughed nervously, going a little red in the face.
"What are you doing here?" He noticed her uniform immediately after asking the question. "Oh. You work here." Bryan removed a hand from his pockets, raising it to scratch the back of his head. "Aren't you training to be a Hunter? With Zero?"
Iris' expression dimmed, and the red in her face deepened. "That didn't work out so well... I decided to stop that for a little while, and try to find my place in the world. What with the Repliforce all blown up and... well... you know how it is."
Bryan nodded. "Yeah. Sorry about that." He cast a look around the place. A sort of futuristic art-deco thing going on, with a few people dispersed amongst the various curved and cushioned furniture. Not very crowded. He looked back to Iris. "If you're not too busy, would you mind having a drink with me? I'll buy."
She blinked a few times, taken off-guard by the question. She blushed a bit more, before smiling and laughing nervously again. "I? Oh... well, sure! Have a seat over there, I'll bring back a pot."
Bryan smiled at her. "Sounds great. Hurry back." He walked to the small cafe table Iris pointed out, and dropped into one of the large, cushioned chairs next to it with a sigh.
Iris, meanwhile, busily brewed a large pot behind the counter. She looked over at the Maverick Hunter, currently sprawled out on the huge poofy chair next to her favorite table. He really didn't strike her as a Hunter, a unit leader at that. She'd seen him in action, though, during some training sims with X and Zero, as well as Bryan's own semi-partner, Itsuru. The two of them were as formidable a team as X and Zero. A moment later, the coffee was finished, and Iris brought a tray with two mugs and some condiments along with it to the table. Bryan used his leg under the table to push her chair out for her. "Sorry for not getting up, but I'm pretty worn out. Haven't been sleeping so well lately."
Iris set down the tray as she sat down. She crossed her legs under the table and sat forward, resting her chin on her palms. "Why's that? Because of Itsuru?"
Bryan nodded, sitting up and taking the coffee pot. "Yes, that's exactly why. I'm worried about Hazama," he said, pouring himself a steaming mug.
"Oh! Let me get that," Iris said.
Bryan shook his head. "Nah, that's alright. You look like you've been working long enough." He poured her a mug as well, before grabbing a few sugars and a little cream. Dumping them into his coffee, he took a spoon and gently stirred, taking a sip afterwards. Bryan smiled. "Good brew."
Iris smiled back at him, preparing her own coffee to her tastes. "So... do you want to talk about it? What happened, I mean?" She drank from the mug, looking over the rim at Bryan with a pair of deep blue eyes.
Bryan made a 'hrm' expression, thinking. She actually wanted to know. Why else would she be beaming those blue headlights at me? Ah, what the hell, it might help. "Alright... I'll tell you."
She smiled again, putting down her coffee mug. Bryan pulled his chair up closer to the table, sitting up straight. He folded his hands together on the table in front of himself, took a deep breath, and began to tell the tale of the battle that took his best friend from him.
/* Previous Section by Bryan Amethyst */
Hazama sat in his room for several hours before someone came to his door.
"Come on, it's time," said the shadowed figure.
Hazama shuffled into the light and blinked at the intensity. He had asked for his room to be dimly lit; he wasn't much for bright lights. Surprisingly, he was granted this simple wish.
"This way."
He followed the large reploid down the hall toward the main chamber, where he was to be tested probably. Tested for combat fitness, and stability of mind. More like 'instability,' Hazama thought.
They reached the main hall and approached the large double doors, which opened when his leading partner stepped up to them. They walked inside and were greeted by a towering reploid. He was bald, and wore a blood red cape around his neck.
"I take it you've grown accustomed to your new room?"
Hazama glared at the large reploid.
"No matter. You'll soon learn to accept us more. Take him to the test chambers."
Hazama mustered up the courage to speak.
"At least tell me what I'll be engraving on your tombstone when I get the strength to rip you apart limb by limb."
The caped reploid laughed. "I am the great Sigma, leader of the Mavericks. You'll soon be serving me as we fight against the Maverick Hunters."
Hazama was dragged out of Sigma's sight and down to the first of the test areas. Sigma returned to his throne at sat down.
"Vile, tell me again why we spared this hunter's life?"
The shadowy reploid stepped forth. "If he wanted to kill us, he'd have done so already. He'd be of better use on our side. How it will surprise the hunters when they discover one of their best units was turned Maverick."
"Mmm, yes. I want you to oversee his testing. If he proves worthy, subject him to the infection."
"Sir!" Vile saluted and exited toward the chamber where Hazama was being tested.
In the first area, Hazama was fending off two training droids barehanded. His testers hadn't given him a weapon for fear of him retaliating. When Vile arrived, he glared at the two reploids watching the fight.
"Serges! Agile! Why doesn't he have a weapon?"
"Well, Vile, sir... We thought he may have fought us instead," replied Serges.
"You idiots! We're supposed to judge his weaponry skills as well! Give him a lightsaber in the next round."
They both nodded and went back to monitoring the fight, adjusting the droid's skills as need be. When the timer buzzed, signifying the end of the first round of testing, Hazama was called back to the main building. When he climbed the steps, Vile was there with a deactivated lightsaber in his hand.
Shoving the hilt into Hazama's hands, he said, "Now, go back out there and show me your sword skills. And don't try anything funny, because this shoulder cannon's got your name on it if you do."
Hazama trudged back out to the field as two saber-wielding droids stepped out into the arena. He activated the saber and immediately he felt much more knowledgeable. It was like he was a totally different person once he had a lightsaber in his hands.
"I can... remember using one of these. Back when I was with them. Bah, it doesn't matter anymore. Whether I'm with them or the Mavericks, I'll still get to fight," he said aloud as he stared down the droids. "Bring it on."
Vile stood behind the transparisteel windows of the monitoring building. He wore a grin so evil that most kids would run to the devil for protection as he watched Hazama expertly riposte and parry the blows of the training droids.
"Hey!" Vile barked at the two X-Hunters. "How are those droids set?"
"They're at half settings, sir," Agile said.
"Put them at 100%. We're not cutting this guy any slack. Sigma doesn't want just any two-bit fighter."
Combat training was done. When Sigma received the outstanding results, he called for Vile to bring Hazama to him. The results indicated Hazama fought the droids on the same intensity level that Sigma himself used, though Vile just wanted to try and cripple the man. With his lightsaber confiscated, Hazama followed Vile back to Sigma's chamber. Upon arriving there, Sigma was decaped, and had a saber of his own in hand.
"Vile, give him the saber back. I won't believe the results until I see first-hand."
Vile tossed the lightsaber into Hazama's hands, upon which both he and Sigma activated theirs. Vile stepped away from the two.
"Are you ready to be humiliated, boy? Hahahahahaha."
Sigma cackled and lunged toward Hazama, ready to behead the poor reploid. He was a bit slow, as Hazama swiftly sidestepped. Trying a slice of his own, Hazama slashed out and crashed into Sigma's blade instead. Sigma, being the stronger of the two, easily overwhelmed the green-armored reploid, pushing both of their blades closer to his chest.
"What's the matter? Can't you get out of a simple blade lock?"
Hazama sent his boot flying into Sigma's midsection, which broke the lock, and made Sigma stumble back holding his gut. Getting up, Hazama readied himself as Sigma charged him again Hazama was a bit slow in dodging, and Sigma's blade embedded itself in Hazama's left shoulder piece. Hazama yelled out as the saber bit into his flesh, but Sigma didn't make an effort to let up on the pressure.
"Pathetic! You're pathetic! I hope you didn't like that arm too much! Hahahahahaha!"
"That cackle of yours is getting on my nerves," Hazama growled under his breath.
"What was that? Pleeing for mercy? I'm flattered," Sigma grinned and pressed more.
"You... annoy me... SIGMA!" Hazama shouted as he brought his blade down on Sigma's left arm, slicing it cleanly off at the elbow. Sigma's saber immediately fell out of the crevice it had been digging in Hazama's armor.
"You...!" Sigma gaped at his sliced-off forearm on the ground. He turned back to Hazama and backhanded him so hard that the young fighter was thrown into the wall behind him. Hazama fell to the ground stunned as Sigma approached him to certify his death.
"Sigma, sir! We're supposed to turn him against his former allies!"
Sigma winced at the realization that his second in command was correct, and stopped short of separating Hazama's head from his body.
"You'd better make sure he doesn't step out of line, or you'll answer to me. I'm going down to the repair lab," Sigma announced as he picked up his severed arm and arrogantly walked away.
Vile walked over, and after taking his saber, slung him over his shoulder as he started off toward the barracks. When he got there, Vile dropped Hazama not-so-nicely in the middle of his room, which awakened Hazama.
"You did quite a number on Sigma back there, kid," Vile sneered.
"I saved my life, thank you," Hazama replied, wiping a streak of blood from his face.
"Don't go out of control and you won't have to get thrashed around. Tomorrow you'll be a new person. Get some rest, you'll need it." Vile turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
"Mikae..." Hazama mumbled as he crawled into his bed like a beaten dog and fell asleep.
At Maverick Hunter Headquarters, Bryan Amethyst was giving his unit advanced training. Other unit leaders were encouraging their members through various shouts. The entire training grounds was full of sound.
"Step it up! We don't defeat Mavericks by slouching, do we?" the Judge shouted.
"Yes, sir!" was the Jury's resounding shout. Ever since Hazama had been captured and many of his unit killed or severely damaged, training had been stepped up to avoid any more hunters being lost. It was hoped that with more training, the Mavericks would consider any of them too dangerous to attempt another capture.
Zero stepped over beside Bryan. "Don't you think you're working them too hard?" the crimson armored reploid asked.
"Nah, they're rather used to the work. I do give them longer breaks, though," the silver armored reploid responded. "Think Hazama's still alive?" he asked after a pause.
"I wouldn't bet on it. If I know him, he's probably tried to slit Sigma's throat and gotten executed for it," Zero calmly answered.
Bryan glowered. Hazama wouldn't carelessly try to assassinate the leader of the Mavericks by himself inside their own base... Or would he? "I have to admit he is a bit reckless, but I don't think he'd try that by himself."
"Maybe not. Alright, I'll be on my way. I've got the other units to check on before I report to Cain," Zero told Bryan before he started walking away.
"Come on, guys! Make the 13th Unit look good!" Bryan shouted out.
Night fell at Maverick Headquarters. Groups of Mavericks that weren't assigned to night guard gathered in the recreation wing of the large building. Some, such as Sting Chameleon and Neon Tiger harkened to poker or blackjack. Others, such as Overdrive Ostrich and Commander Yammark liked to test wits against each other. Then there was Cyber Peacock and Hazama. The two quickly formed a friendship with each other, given both of their obsessions with cyberspace and the internet.
"So, Peacock," Hazama asked as they both played a game of multiplayer Thief. "How does your teleportation work? Is it like every other reploid's, with satellites and all that?"
"Nah," the colorful bird reploid replied. "It's much more advanced than that. My systems are totally in tune with cyberspace and it lets me warp in and out of it at will. Think of it like an internet connection. I enter cyberspace, travel through it, and warp out to the destination I wish to go."
"Nifty," Hazama quickly said as he was spotted by one of the castle's guards in the game and darted for the shadows. "By the way, you guys don't seem like the rough and tough bad guys us hunters make you all out to be."
"Yeah, we're all laid back, but when Vile or Sigma start barking orders, we don't fool around."
Across the room, Sting Chameleon, Neon Tiger, Magma Dragoon, and Slash Beast were in the middle of one of their almost ritualistic poker games. It seemed Neon was winning this time, having quite the pile of tokens in front of him.
"Is it my turn?" asked Sting.
"Every time the game slows down," Slash sneered.
"Aww man, aww man. Cut me some slack, I got a bad hand," the chameleon replied.
"'Play the hand you were dealt' as they say. Now get a move on," Neon growled.
"Easy for you to say! Look at your winnings! I'll bet you rigged that hand!" Sting wailed.
Neon jumped up and raised a clawed hand at Sting. "Don't get me started tonight!"
"Calm down, Wolverine. And you, Sting, quit your whining," said the ever calm Dragoon.
Neon reluctantly sat down. "I wish you'd stop calling me that."
"I can't help it that you've got the weapons of an X-Man."
In yet another part of the room, Overdrive Ostrich and Commander Yammark sat at a chess board. There were an equal number of pieces on the board, signifying that neither was losing yet, but Overdrive stepped his Knight over and grinned. "Checkmate," the lanky bird said.
"What! That can't be!" Yammark exclaimed as he looked over the entire board and sighed. "Got me this time..."
"I'll get you again, too," Overdrive responded with pride.
Yammark folded his arms. "You may know more about chess, but I can lead a better army," he replied with a smirk.
Overdrive grumbled. "I almost got X. One more hit would have done him in."
The door of the recreation room flung open and Vile stepped in, drawing the attention of everyone in the room and quieting them down. He scanned the room for a second before finding who he wanted.
"Hazama!" the violet reploid boomed. "Over here, now!"
Hazama quit his game and walked over to Vile, head hung low. He was supposed to be in his room, resting for tomorrow.
"Why aren't you asleep?" Vile demanded, obviously angry.
"Well, I--" Hazama began.
"Save it. Get to the barracks and into your room." He pointed out the door.
Hazama ran out the door. Vile glared around the room at everyone before leaving, upon which everyone returned to their activities, the monotonous din returning. Hazama ran the entire length of the hall from the west wing to the east wing, where the barracks were. Vile hadn't done any harm to him, which was surprising in itself. Once in his room, he removed his armor, and was no longer in bed than Vile opened the door.
"If I catch you outside of your room again when you're told to be here, you'll live to regret it. Now stay here!" he commanded and left, slamming the door behind him.
What a life, Hazama thought to himself as he drifted off to sleep. No wonder the Mavericks are in such good order... Vile's barking the orders and Sigma's to deal with any remaining lives.
/* Following Section by Bryan Amethyst */
Hard to believe, eh? Funny that it was the stronger of us two that fell subject to capture. Well... not so funny for him, I'm betting. Wonder how he is. Bryan pondered these musings silently, staring up at the top of his bunk, four feet from his nose. He blinked a few times, before finally giving up. There was no way he could get any sleep. Not with his best friend behind enemy lines. There was no guarantee he wasn't being tortured or severely beaten in any number of ways. It simply wasn't right that Bryan should sleep while all these things might be happening to his friend.
With a grunt, he sat up rubbing his face with one hand while propping himself up with the other. Sighing, Bryan threw the sheets from his lower half and swung his legs out and over the edge of the bedding. Exerting more effort than he would have preferred, Bryan stood up and stumbled towards his bathroom, moaning. "Nghz... damn it. Still can't sleep."
Flipping the dim night light on, Bryan then turned on the sink. He cupped his hands together beneath the surface of the water and brought up a stinging slap of cold to his face. Immediately feeling more awake, he doused his face a little more before grabbing a towel and brisquely drying his face. Bryan shook himself, shutting the water and light off. He stepped back to his bunk and pressed a panel above it. A soft clicking sound was heard, and the panel slid out, revealing itself to be a hanger. Various sets of clothes unfolded and hung there, waiting to be chosen. Bryan pulled off his PJs, donning instead an inconspicuous set of jeans and a plain white t-shirt. He pounded softly on the panel with the side of his fist, which then refolded everything and drew back into the wall.
Snatching a length of white cloth from a tabletop, Bryan stopped in front of the mirror next to his closet. He quickly tied it around his forehead, expertly knotting it behind him and leaving two long tails hanging down his back. Bryan reached into the closet and drew from it an old tan leather bomber jacket. Slipping it on, he reached back and pulled the headband's tails out from the rear of the jacket's collar. Flicking the night lights off, Bryan opened his quarters' door and stepped out into one of the many hallways of Maverick Hunter HQ. He started down it, shaking his head as he slipped his hands into his pockets. "Hazama... I'll get you back, buddy. Don't doubt it for a second."
Iris yawned, leaning against the counter of the cafe Beanie Boppers. It was a coffee bar, mostly frequented by youths looking for a place to hang out and shoot the breeze, or hurried business people needing a cup of java. She worked there part-time for a bit of extra money. It was a nice place, open almost all-hours, but she worked the last few hours it was open. Namely now, quite near 3:30 am.
She had a tray tucked under one arm, half-asleep with her chin resting on the heel of her palm when Bryan walked through the doors. Iris didn't recognize him at first, due mostly to the fact that her eyes were almost entirely closed. He stopped as he noticed her, one silvery eyebrow quirked upward. "Iris? That you?"
"Huh? Wha-- oh my!" Iris snapped back to being fully conscious. She smiled brightly and, tray held to her chest, bowed slightly. "Commander Amethyst! I-- yes, it's me." She laughed nervously, going a little red in the face.
"What are you doing here?" He noticed her uniform immediately after asking the question. "Oh. You work here." Bryan removed a hand from his pockets, raising it to scratch the back of his head. "Aren't you training to be a Hunter? With Zero?"
Iris' expression dimmed, and the red in her face deepened. "That didn't work out so well... I decided to stop that for a little while, and try to find my place in the world. What with the Repliforce all blown up and... well... you know how it is."
Bryan nodded. "Yeah. Sorry about that." He cast a look around the place. A sort of futuristic art-deco thing going on, with a few people dispersed amongst the various curved and cushioned furniture. Not very crowded. He looked back to Iris. "If you're not too busy, would you mind having a drink with me? I'll buy."
She blinked a few times, taken off-guard by the question. She blushed a bit more, before smiling and laughing nervously again. "I? Oh... well, sure! Have a seat over there, I'll bring back a pot."
Bryan smiled at her. "Sounds great. Hurry back." He walked to the small cafe table Iris pointed out, and dropped into one of the large, cushioned chairs next to it with a sigh.
Iris, meanwhile, busily brewed a large pot behind the counter. She looked over at the Maverick Hunter, currently sprawled out on the huge poofy chair next to her favorite table. He really didn't strike her as a Hunter, a unit leader at that. She'd seen him in action, though, during some training sims with X and Zero, as well as Bryan's own semi-partner, Itsuru. The two of them were as formidable a team as X and Zero. A moment later, the coffee was finished, and Iris brought a tray with two mugs and some condiments along with it to the table. Bryan used his leg under the table to push her chair out for her. "Sorry for not getting up, but I'm pretty worn out. Haven't been sleeping so well lately."
Iris set down the tray as she sat down. She crossed her legs under the table and sat forward, resting her chin on her palms. "Why's that? Because of Itsuru?"
Bryan nodded, sitting up and taking the coffee pot. "Yes, that's exactly why. I'm worried about Hazama," he said, pouring himself a steaming mug.
"Oh! Let me get that," Iris said.
Bryan shook his head. "Nah, that's alright. You look like you've been working long enough." He poured her a mug as well, before grabbing a few sugars and a little cream. Dumping them into his coffee, he took a spoon and gently stirred, taking a sip afterwards. Bryan smiled. "Good brew."
Iris smiled back at him, preparing her own coffee to her tastes. "So... do you want to talk about it? What happened, I mean?" She drank from the mug, looking over the rim at Bryan with a pair of deep blue eyes.
Bryan made a 'hrm' expression, thinking. She actually wanted to know. Why else would she be beaming those blue headlights at me? Ah, what the hell, it might help. "Alright... I'll tell you."
She smiled again, putting down her coffee mug. Bryan pulled his chair up closer to the table, sitting up straight. He folded his hands together on the table in front of himself, took a deep breath, and began to tell the tale of the battle that took his best friend from him.
/* Previous Section by Bryan Amethyst */