Chapter 5- The Hacking of the MHHQ Mother Computer

Author's note: Hello people! Sorry I wasn't able to update because I ran out of ideas. A friend who is also a MMX maniac suggested that I should skip the X2. The happenings in the next chapters will concern the game MMXtreme, or what some other people call as Cyberspace, until I post another. Take care! R&R!

Blast_Hornet
Three years have passed. I was standing there, watching the Panel's scanners and surveillance cameras around the HQ and also around Metropolis while I'm having a recall on what had happened. During the second war, the things have been going smoothly after my small meeting with Commander Arnold of the #6 Eagle's Eye. His Unit managed to infiltrate the fortress and buy time for the 17th Unit to sneak up. My #18 Spyer was able to keep the HQ safe while X is out on duty. Of course I felt happy, after filling in for the former 18th Unit Commander, and I heard no complains or rumors flying around from the Unit. Now, we have Zero back, and he is in quite in a good shape, even after their battle with Sigma.

The surveillance cameras showed human and reploid alike walking around the city. X is beside me right now, and Zero is probably dozing off somewhere. I decided to ditch the helmet, I like it better hung up.

"Peace time, right X?" I asked the blue reploid. X just looked at me and smiled. Even until now, I'm beginning to wonder if he has gotten over his damn crush.

"Yeah. I like it this way." He mumbled. "I don't think Zero agrees with me."

"I don't think he would stand a day without killing Mavericks or doing anything destructive." I added, looking back at the cameras. "Personally, that is the oddest thing about him."

"Probably. I am quite worried about him. He's like an active volcano that wouldn't shut up." He finished. I snorted lightly with a smile on my face. I heard footsteps approaching me from behind.

"Commander Trasè?" A feminine voice piped from behind. I turned around to see Hyacinth, who promptly saluted. I returned the action.

"What brings you?" I asked. I sense X cock his head to listen to any further conversation.

"Umm, Ma'am Farathine requested me to fetch you because of some...important matter." Hyacinth stammered, stealing a glance at X. I nodded. "Umm, it concerns the daily...umm, rounds."

"Take me to Fara." I answered. Hyacinth nodded, and led the way. I turned a head to X with a cocky smile. "Just hold you breath X, I'll be back."

"Sure, sure I will." X returned. I walked in the same direction Hyacinth took. After a while, she stopped at the office where Fara is assigned.

"You call, Fara?" I asked, stepping inside. Hyacinth closed the door, leaving the head of the Mainframe Panel and I alone.

"Yes, Commander." She answered. "Please do take a seat." I took the seat and faced her. "I believe this meeting of ours concerns your daily check- ups in the 'room'."

"Any problems?"

"Unfortunately, yes." She answered, straightening some files. "You are trying to reach an inner soul, named Leila, right?" I nodded. "It seems that every time you talk to her, your vital signs are going down. I didn't notice this at first, but after consecutive visits, and also some more information taken from Dennis, I am getting worried about your status. You should be thankful these information are placed on your confidential files that only myself, you and Dennis can unlock."

Something struck me. Leila is saying things to me about the past, and yet, it seems to have a price. "Okay, so you're saying that I should ditch the meditation?"

"I think it would be best for you, Commander." Fara said, looking her computer. "If this continues, I don't think you can handle any more future attacks. And if Dr. Cain gets a hold of this, you are oh so doomed."

Fara is right. Dr. Cain is one of my problems. And quite a pain in my rear. "I think so. I'll ditch the meditation." I stand up and prepared to leave. "Anything else, Fara?"

"Oh, yes. You might want to visit your lovesick brother." She answered, with a grin plastered on her face. I shook my head annoyingly. "Zero is quite getting new again because of that stupidity Sigma made."

"True. Maybe I should visit him." I said, more on convincing myself than Fara. "I'll go now, Farathine, good day." I went out of the room. An eerie feeling struck me. The room...is getting blurry. Then it went black.

I am standing at the edge of a cliff. I looked in front of me, and found what looks like a huge fortress. I sense a figure coming from behind me. As I turn around, I saw Leila. Her chest-cut black hair was lightly swaying at the whisper of the wind. Her black eyes were focused on the fortress as she stopped beside me.

"What you're looking here, Amber, is Sigma's fortress." She started. I turned my shocked gaze back at the fortress. "I may not have enough information to talk about it, but I believe X and your brother will battle them someday."

"I can't believe it. Why would Sigma come back?" I asked in total disbelief. "He was destroyed, and I saw it. Why is he still alive?"

"He is alive if you and Zero are alive." Leila answered. "Sigma is a virus. The Hunters will know it once they face Sigma in this fortress. He won't stop until he gets Zero to become a Maverick."

"Why...Zero?"

"Remember that fight Zero had with Sigma a long time ago?" my black-haired companion asked. "That crush on Zero's gem may have been the point. Zero's virus was passed onto Mr. Clean..."

"...And the virus residing in Zero right now may have been in cold sleep." I added. "I see what you mean, Leila. Don't worry, I'm going to put an end to Sigma's plan."

"Be careful, Amber. X is getting quite suspicious of you." She finished.
I'm hearing beeps of a computer. Am I alive or something? Being careful now, I opened my eyes, and found myself in one of the capsules. I realized that I've been holding my breath, and began taking in air.

"And I thought I was the one who needed medical attention." A male voice nearly made me jump. I turned around and saw Zero sitting on a stool, with a grin on his face. "I was about to go to Fara for some pointers, then I saw you on the floor."

"How long have I been sleeping?" I asked faintly, placing a hand on my head. Zero glanced around.

"Maybe three hours or so." He answered. "This isn't the first time you fell. What happened?"

"Been tired, Z." I replied, stepping out of the capsule. "I was working non- stop while Sigma's loose. And I don't think it'll stop now." I tried regaining my posture but my feet failed me and nearly fell down again but Zero caught me.

"Maybe you should rest." He said, placing a gloved hand on my forehead. "Reploids rarely get a fever. And you're one of those rare Reploids." He gently carried me back to the capsule. "You rest. I am going to take your place for a while."

A sigh escaped my lips. It is getting hard to talk. I gave in to my systems and closed my eyes. Reploids don't get stressed. But I'm only half of a reploid. What can they do?
After sleeping for six more hours, I was feeling a whole lot better. I walked for the Mainframe Panel when Middy was running towards me.

"Commander..." he gasped. I looked at him. "You have to go at the Mother Computer immediately!"

"Why?! What happened?"

"Someone's hacking it! Commander Zero ordered me to get you." He answered like the neighborhood dogs had chased him. I nodded and sprinted for the Mother Computer.

(Author's note: Damn if I know what they call the Mother Computer. I just know the damn story. Flare me if you want.)

I opened the door of the said Mother Computer. There I saw X and Zero looking at the monitors. Zero was first to notice.

"Amber, take a look at this." He said. I approached the monitors and found binary numbers going out at a fast rate. "He's accessing all files, public and sealed!"

"Oh no!" I gasped. If they know of my situation, I'm so going to be dead! "Does someone know who is doing this?"

"I don't know. But we have to stop it." X replied. Middy went inside the room.

"Dr. Cain issued an alarm, and I have a way for Reploids to go inside." Middy began typing. "Reploids are digitally living. So they can go inside. But..." he looked at all three of us. "It can only support one at a time. It is as far as I can calculate."

I looked at X. "Well, you can go first, X. We'll be right here if you need anything." I glanced at Zero who nodded in approval.

"Yeah, X, don't you worry about help. If there's anything you have found, tell it to us immediately." Zero added with a smirk. X nodded.

"Okay, X, you're ready to go!" Middy pushed the button and X was now inside Virtual Reality. I looked at the monitor and saw what it is like in some digital world.

(Yet another note: Don't even think about it!! I like Digimon, please bear with me!)

I sighed. X's vital signs are going well, and it seems like he's enjoying every single second in the VR. Another sigh escape my lips. I saw Middy typing around and looking at the monitors. Something ran into my mind.

"Hey, Middy?"

"Yes, Commander?"

"I want to know why are you so dedicated to your job." I paused for a second, and then continued. "Think of this as an evaluation interview."

Middy smiled, as if he was waiting for me to ask this question. "You see, Commander, I want to be the best in what I do. This is the least I can do to cope up with my brother's foolishness."

"Brother? I don't remember you having a brother." I said, scratching my head. Middy's smile faltered a bit.

"My twin brother, Techno." He answered. "We were made at the same time, with equal intellect, but different attitudes. We both signed in at Maverick Hunters at the same time, but after the interview, Techno was kicked out because of bad behavior. In my case, I want to be where Techno is, but I cannot decline the Hunter's offer. I was informed that my brother was last seen working in some Reploid agency. I never saw him after."

I nodded. I clapped Middy's shoulder. "I understand what you feel. I went through quite almost the same experience, but opposite. I would do the same if I were in your shoes, er, boots."

"Thanks for the pep-up, Commander, I appreciate it." He finished, smiling. I nodded and looked back at the monitor.

"Middy, take charge for a while. I'll go out and check on Zero."

(Yet another note: If you hadn't noticed, Zero left the room when Amber and Middy were conversing)

"Yes, ma'am."

A good ten hours later, I retrieved Zero who was in Dr. Cain's office and we walked back to the Mother Computer.

"Zero, I'm worried." I said, my voice cracking. Zero looked at me. "What would this fight take us...?"

Zero placed his arm around my shoulder, and then back to walking. "Don't worry sis. It'll be fine."

"I guess. I have a bad feeling about these wars, and now, someone's hacking the Mother Computer."

"Well, I would approve. I mean, what with brains. Almost as bright as Middy, though." Zero answered flatly. A gong was struck in my head.

(Another note: Do I tend to use the word 'struck' often? I'm tired to the bone, please bear with me!)

"Middy!" I ran as fast towards the Mother Computer, with thoughts ringing in my head. It may be wrong, but I have a bad feeling about that Techno. When I opened the door, Middy was holding my headset.

"Well, you're in time. Incoming transmission from Commander X." he said. I grabbed the headset.

"Amber here. What's up X?" A chill crept up my spine.

"Amber, I'm picking up a strange signal. Can you detect it?"

I began typing, then nodded to Middy as he scanned the perimeter X is staying. "There are highly unusual signatures of Mavericks! Stay alert, X!"

"Will do!"

After supervising and helping X through the mazes, he stopped. I place the volume of the headset to maximum to hear what they are saying.

(Note: Bear with me. I've not been able to get a hold of the Cyberspace script. I'll just make this up!)

"So, you're Mega Man X..." a voice said.

"Who are you and why are you hacking the Mother Computer with Geemel and Zain?" X demanded. The Reploid just laughed. I looked at Middy, who is in a state of shock. I covered the microphone.

"Middy, are you okay?" I asked cautiously. Middy nodded, still shaking. I listened to hear the conversation.

"My god, you haven't heard from those two?" he gasped in mock shock. It looks like he regained his posture. "My name is Techno."
Well, is it nice? Or stupid or what? Please review so I can continue. I'll leave that for now because I'm running for time. Remember, 'Time is Gold'. And that saying was my classmates' favorite. You know why? GOLD. We have a 'goldfish' in the classroom. Okay, enough of that. Please review! I beg of you! Simon, if you are reading this, be a good guy and not say this to our down-to-hell classmates!

Mai a.k.a. Blast_Hornet