Zero's Hour, Chapter Two: Colorful Mysteries
Disclaimer: No ownership of anything Mega Man, heck, I barely own my own
socks as it is
Several days had passed since the three way confrontation on the Maverick Hunter HQ grounds. In the wake of the destruction, the Hunters alone, with some help by sympathetic Repliforce soldiers, had been left to clean up the sight of mangled robotics strewn about, not to mention the other forms of carnage. X and Zero, having the privilege of a higher rank, were instead assigned to the investigation of what was quickly being known as the "Free for all Conflict".
Zero rubbed his head wearily; sixteen hours of staring down HQ recordings of the Conflict hadn't produced any explanation as to the sudden outbreak of human hostilities, or the awkwardly sudden withdrawal of Maverick forces. There was of course, no doubt in Zero's mind that Sigma had a hand in it, he just couldn't determine how deeply. Leaning back in his chair, Zero presses a button on the side of the desk. "Hey X, has anything turned up on the field?" There was a momentary pause, and then the voice of X filtered through, "No Zero, nothing at all." Zero sighed, "Alright then. I'm going out to clear my head, contact me if anything comes up." "Right, X out."
X felt a little guilty. Granted, he had been working just as hard as Zero trying to uncover what connection the outbreak of violence had to Sigma, but when Colonel and Iris had shown up to offer their condolences, X had taken an unofficial break from his duties. While the Colonel talked with Maverick Hunter Commander-in-Chief Signas, X was "investigating" Iris' take on what had transpired. This, however, could also be known as flirting while on duty. "X, that wasn't nice, to lie to Zero like that," berated Iris tauntingly. X looked shocked, "I wasn't lying. You've only been here two hours, before then, I've been working my tail off before then." "Why X, I wasn't aware you had a tail."
Walking amidst Lambda City, Zero felt uneasiness within him. Usually, the lights, sounds, and airs of a civilized, ordered city gave him inner resolve for what he was fighting for. But today, the distrustful stares of the people didn't quite enforce that he was fighting for them. Soon, it became too much, and Zero retreated to the hills outside the city to sort things through. "It's amazing just how little it takes for people to look at you differently. Granted, us Maverick Hunters never publicized how we just saved humanity's butt.but they knew what we were here for." He couldn't believe how the human's camera crews had scrambled to take footage of the "lifetime event" of the Maverick Hunters retaliating against the human armies. Ridiculous, Zero thought, and here I was thinking I understood how humans behaved. A sudden explosion and the piercing sound of sirens diverted his attention back to the city.
"This is channel 7 news in front of Lambda City's fusion reactor with a live news report. As updates come in by the minute, we are learning that the reactor's automated systems have been shut down, bypassing safety overrides and leaving the reactor on a meltdown course. Furthermore, all gates and doors within the reactor have been sealed shut, and there is no telling what has happened to the maintenance staff inside. Police and firefighters should be arriving within moments. Wait a minute; here comes one of our red-clad protectors of the peace now. Excuse me sir, can you tell us any more of what's happening inside?" "I don't have time for your stupid news reports, lady," replied Zero angrily, "I'm just trying to do my job." Zero rushes past the channel 7 news crew muttering under his breath for what reason, I don't know. Finding the doors sealed shut; he unleashes his Z-sabre, slicing the door clean in half, and made his way into the smoking corridor.
Back at Hunter HQ, Colonel's and Signas' conversation was interrupted by a report of Mavericks detected in Lambda City. Instinctually, the two commanders turned and tapped a communications button on their lower arm, signaling a response to the threat. Afterwards, the two couldn't help but smiling at their similarities.
"X, there's something going on in Lambda." Signas had related the information to X, "Zero was last reported as being there, but we haven't been able to contact him. I'm sending you in accompanied by some of the Colonel's red squad. Discern what's happening, see if you can get in contact with Zero, and contact me with details as soon as you can." "Understood Commander," X replied, disliking news of Zero's absence, "I'm on my way. Let Colonel know I'll meet his squad at Lambda. X out." Holding on to X's arm, Iris asked X to be careful, and watched him as he bolted away in the direction of Lambda.
Zero blinked and shook his head. Trying to stand, he found he already was, sort of. He was strapped against a wall, arms and legs held firmly in place, and his Z-sabre had been placed on a bland metal table a few meters away. Obviously, something had gone very wrong after he had entered the plant. Beyond that, however, Zero couldn't remember what had happened. Suddenly, he heard the sound of heavy reploid steps coming towards the door leading into the room. The door swung open, revealing a heavy-handed red Maverick, a design that was totally alien to Zero's visual identifiers. His hands were definitely his most unique feature, as they pulsed with energy. And every pulse sent a light wave throughout the rest of his body. He spoke before Zero had time to rattle off the usual clichéd questions, "So, you're the famed Zero, Maverick Hunter Extraordinaire." "Yeah, that's me all right. But who are you, and where the hell am I?" Zero responded, getting a chance to throw those clichéd questions in there. "I'm known as Red Plasma," The hulking Maverick replied rather cockily, "one of the Maverick Elite. And, of course, your executioner."
To be continued.
Several days had passed since the three way confrontation on the Maverick Hunter HQ grounds. In the wake of the destruction, the Hunters alone, with some help by sympathetic Repliforce soldiers, had been left to clean up the sight of mangled robotics strewn about, not to mention the other forms of carnage. X and Zero, having the privilege of a higher rank, were instead assigned to the investigation of what was quickly being known as the "Free for all Conflict".
Zero rubbed his head wearily; sixteen hours of staring down HQ recordings of the Conflict hadn't produced any explanation as to the sudden outbreak of human hostilities, or the awkwardly sudden withdrawal of Maverick forces. There was of course, no doubt in Zero's mind that Sigma had a hand in it, he just couldn't determine how deeply. Leaning back in his chair, Zero presses a button on the side of the desk. "Hey X, has anything turned up on the field?" There was a momentary pause, and then the voice of X filtered through, "No Zero, nothing at all." Zero sighed, "Alright then. I'm going out to clear my head, contact me if anything comes up." "Right, X out."
X felt a little guilty. Granted, he had been working just as hard as Zero trying to uncover what connection the outbreak of violence had to Sigma, but when Colonel and Iris had shown up to offer their condolences, X had taken an unofficial break from his duties. While the Colonel talked with Maverick Hunter Commander-in-Chief Signas, X was "investigating" Iris' take on what had transpired. This, however, could also be known as flirting while on duty. "X, that wasn't nice, to lie to Zero like that," berated Iris tauntingly. X looked shocked, "I wasn't lying. You've only been here two hours, before then, I've been working my tail off before then." "Why X, I wasn't aware you had a tail."
Walking amidst Lambda City, Zero felt uneasiness within him. Usually, the lights, sounds, and airs of a civilized, ordered city gave him inner resolve for what he was fighting for. But today, the distrustful stares of the people didn't quite enforce that he was fighting for them. Soon, it became too much, and Zero retreated to the hills outside the city to sort things through. "It's amazing just how little it takes for people to look at you differently. Granted, us Maverick Hunters never publicized how we just saved humanity's butt.but they knew what we were here for." He couldn't believe how the human's camera crews had scrambled to take footage of the "lifetime event" of the Maverick Hunters retaliating against the human armies. Ridiculous, Zero thought, and here I was thinking I understood how humans behaved. A sudden explosion and the piercing sound of sirens diverted his attention back to the city.
"This is channel 7 news in front of Lambda City's fusion reactor with a live news report. As updates come in by the minute, we are learning that the reactor's automated systems have been shut down, bypassing safety overrides and leaving the reactor on a meltdown course. Furthermore, all gates and doors within the reactor have been sealed shut, and there is no telling what has happened to the maintenance staff inside. Police and firefighters should be arriving within moments. Wait a minute; here comes one of our red-clad protectors of the peace now. Excuse me sir, can you tell us any more of what's happening inside?" "I don't have time for your stupid news reports, lady," replied Zero angrily, "I'm just trying to do my job." Zero rushes past the channel 7 news crew muttering under his breath for what reason, I don't know. Finding the doors sealed shut; he unleashes his Z-sabre, slicing the door clean in half, and made his way into the smoking corridor.
Back at Hunter HQ, Colonel's and Signas' conversation was interrupted by a report of Mavericks detected in Lambda City. Instinctually, the two commanders turned and tapped a communications button on their lower arm, signaling a response to the threat. Afterwards, the two couldn't help but smiling at their similarities.
"X, there's something going on in Lambda." Signas had related the information to X, "Zero was last reported as being there, but we haven't been able to contact him. I'm sending you in accompanied by some of the Colonel's red squad. Discern what's happening, see if you can get in contact with Zero, and contact me with details as soon as you can." "Understood Commander," X replied, disliking news of Zero's absence, "I'm on my way. Let Colonel know I'll meet his squad at Lambda. X out." Holding on to X's arm, Iris asked X to be careful, and watched him as he bolted away in the direction of Lambda.
Zero blinked and shook his head. Trying to stand, he found he already was, sort of. He was strapped against a wall, arms and legs held firmly in place, and his Z-sabre had been placed on a bland metal table a few meters away. Obviously, something had gone very wrong after he had entered the plant. Beyond that, however, Zero couldn't remember what had happened. Suddenly, he heard the sound of heavy reploid steps coming towards the door leading into the room. The door swung open, revealing a heavy-handed red Maverick, a design that was totally alien to Zero's visual identifiers. His hands were definitely his most unique feature, as they pulsed with energy. And every pulse sent a light wave throughout the rest of his body. He spoke before Zero had time to rattle off the usual clichéd questions, "So, you're the famed Zero, Maverick Hunter Extraordinaire." "Yeah, that's me all right. But who are you, and where the hell am I?" Zero responded, getting a chance to throw those clichéd questions in there. "I'm known as Red Plasma," The hulking Maverick replied rather cockily, "one of the Maverick Elite. And, of course, your executioner."
To be continued.