Chapter 2: The Grand Awakening
A loud hissing filled the reploid's ears. In a matter of seconds his audio receptors adjusted and the sound was not quite so loud. Blackness faded to shapes and colors as the 'ploid's video receptors hummed to life. His body was still undergoing its initial boot and thus he remained paralyzed, but he was gradually becoming aware of his surroundings.
Zero was in the hypersleep capsule; he had been placed here years ago. But by whom? He could no longer remember. He tried to think back but found he could not, his memory cells had not yet booted or they had been damaged by the long sleep. His processor was alerting him that the boot was complete, yet his memory cells still refused to function. He hoped they would come back in time, but he had more pressing matters to attend to.
Finding his arms working once more, Zero pressed against the glass-like front of his small prison. After a moment the lock clicked, the door sliding open. For the first time in years, the reploid's feet touched the ground. His body whirred in protest but adapted in seconds.
Walking slowly around capsule, Zero found a small computer terminal to the right of the door. Either he had been programmed to interface with it or memories were slowly returning; he could not tell but found himself capable of operating the control pad. A small screen above the touch-pad brought up his technical specifications.
Poking around the terminal, Zero's exploration was suddenly interrupted by an error sign. It stated that his designated awakening date and the current date were not aligned. Not only that, but there was a ten year difference! The screen told him that ten years after his sleep began, the capsule was damaged and this caused it to reset. It warned further that this added ten years of hibernation could cause temporary to permanent damage to his memory cells and overall functionality.
Angered by this news, Zero slammed his fist against the monitor. Underestimating his own strength, his fist went through the screen and snapped through several important circuits before he stopped himself. The capsule shook and Zero heard something rattle around inside. What else was in the capsule with him?
Returning to the front of the capsule, Zero found what appeared to be a hilt. It was decorated with a red jewel at the bottom of the hilt and wrapped in brown, now-warn leather. It lacked a hand guard for the most part. Odder than that, it lacked a blade. Rolling it between his fingers, he looked over every inch of the strange device. Squeezing it in his clenched fist, he felt a tremendous surge of energy as the hilt seemed to literally link with his systems, buzzing to life.
A crackling green blade of pure energy shot forth from the hilt. Zero could feel the power circulating through both body and blade. But not just that, he also felt a segment of his memory cells click back to life. He knew how to use this weapon, but not only that...a clear memory returned to the reploid.
He was looking around, standing inside a stonewalled building. It looked to be a dungeon converted into a laboratory. An old, balding man with a bushy moustache was talking to him.
"This will be your saber, Bass. I saw how you dealt with that blue bastard using nothing but a pipe. This saber is one of a kind, I salvaged the life gem of Treble to make it function. It will link with you the way he did. Never lose it, you must defeat Mega Man with it. I have worked too hard on you for you to fail, Bass! When you awaken seek him out, destroy him!" the man raved.
"Will do, Doc," Zero heard himself saying, yet the voice was not his own. Looking down at the saber in his hand, he found his wrist banded gold and his forearm black. He remembered lying down on a table, his left arm swaying uselessly. After that, the world went black and his memory faded once more.
"Perhaps," Zero murmured, "More memories will come to me." He powered down the saber, locking it in place over his left shoulder. Gazing around the room, he found it was not the dungeon he last recalled. The room was a solid steel square with a single functioning door directly across from the opening of the capsule.
Walking across the room, he found that age had taken its toll on the touch pad that activated the door. Without a second thought Zero brought his saber to hand and slashed through the door in a few quick strokes. Sheathing the blade once more, he stepped through.
The steel turned to stone just outside the door. Zero walked the winding path through what appeared to be a cave, dim light filtering in from an unknown source. As he neared the end he found the light streaming from cracks in the ceiling. A human would have no way out, there had been a cave-in years ago. Zero charged his circuits, storing energy like a tightly coiled spring. He found both his forearms glowing with energy and pointed them in the direction of the exit. Both hands split horizontally, creating a path for the energy's escape.
There was a massive explosion as the beams of energy collided with the rock, creating a gaping path for Zero to follow. He leapt up, touching down on level ground. Grass was beneath his boots as he stood, looking around warily for enemies. He was in a park and humans seemed to be all around. Families, couples, men, women, teenagers, children; humans were everywhere!
Zero's eyes nearly glazed over as part of his mind surged to life. He was in no danger yet a deep lust surfaced within him. The reploid licked his lips, eyes darting from left to right and back again as a crowd began to curiously form around him. His body begged for release and he was more than willing to give it, he had to feel more.
The saber found its way to his hand once more, the green blade springing to life. Now the humans panicked, but to no avail. He dashed at a pack of them, cutting three down with a single slice. Blood splattered across Zero's red chestplate and face. He licked it from his lips, leaping into the air and coming down on another pack of the flesh creatures, cutting them to ribbons with frantic swings. The blood ran into his eyes and the reploid saw red, his circuits racing in euphoria as he lashed out at another two, bringing them down.
In no more than minutes the park was empty. The lucky had fled and the unlucky had perished beneath Zero's blade. Something new was storming into the park, lots of them. Zero recognized them as creatures of his own species, yet these were bland. Their armor lacked zeal and was solid blue in color, that and their helmets covering all but the faces of this new 'threat.'
At the moment twenty of these reploids were converging on him. He stood and waited for them, watching as they surrounded him with their blaster pistols drawn. He could faintly hear them ordering him to put down his weapon and other such nonsense, but the bloodstained reploid merely laughed.
Quick as a gunshot, Zero charged. He cleaved through five of the unprepared attackers with a single stroke, impaling another and cutting away through the throat of a fifth. The black blood of robots mixed with the red of the humans on his face and chest. Blaster shots burned Zero's back but only succeeded in exciting him more. He laughed louder, more maniacal, as he cut down his enemies until but one was left.
The last of the reploids stood shaking, his gun dropping to the ground. Eyes wide with fear, the robot stammered, "N-n-no! D-d-d-d-don't kill me!" and ran. Zero ran and leapt, coming down in front of the coward. Its eyes went wide and it gurgled as Zero's saber was thrust through its abdomen. He twisted the sword and pulled it out through his final attacker's side, silencing him for good.
"That's enough," Zero said absently, "I must take my leave." And so the sword was returned to its sheath and he ran across the park, finding an alley and diving in. He would not wage a full-scale war, not yet. But for now this should have them talking. With that thought, Zero grinned and melted into the darkness.
Meanwhile, across the city, the Maverick Hunter HQ was in an uproar. Reports from dozens of witnesses were being called in about the City Park Massacre as the media had already dubbed it. A red and white reploid had killed anywhere from twenty to fifty humans and the twenty-five members of the first response unit that had been sent out to try and bring the threat to an end. The maverick then dove into an alley and scaled a building. From there, the trail went cold.
Sigma slammed his fist against the computer in frustration, "Dammit! How could he just vanish like this? He appears out of the ground to massacre and then just runs away!"
Sigma was interrupted as a reploid of short stature walked up to him. It was Chill Penguin. "Boss," he said, trying to get Sigma's attention, "We've finished analyzing the scene. It would appear that he was left dormant in a cave where the park is now. The capsule found in the cave was similar to the one X was found in ten years ago. He broke the capsule's computer and it's currently unsalvageable."
"Well keep trying," Sigma growled, returning to his work. He scanned the screens over and over again, hoping a security camera would pick up some trace of this new menace's movement. The sky teams were reporting back with nothing. If Storm Eagle's elite failed him, there was no telling how crafty this maverick was.
Sigma was by no means a novice Maverick Hunter. In fact, he was the founder along with his eight comrades in arms. Since the Maverick Hunters became an official organization seven years go, the membership ballooned from eight to five hundred and seventy-six. Even with the rise in numbers, none surpassed the nine founding members, now called Epsilon Unit. They were deployed only to face the greatest of threats and most dangerous of mavericks.
"Sir," a voice crackled over the radio, "Sir, come in!" It was Storm Eagle. "What is it, Storm," Sigma barked into the receiver. "Something strange is happening in the industrial district. The machines are going haywire, I believe they have been infected with the maverick virus, Sir!" "Good job, Storm! I trust you to take care of the problem but I'll be heading out with Kuwanger just to be safe. Sigma out."
Sigma turned on the intercom, "Boomer Kuwanger, gear up and prepare for deployment. I repeat; Boomer Kuwanger, gear up and prepare for deployment!"
With his orders issued, Sigma stood and ran from the control room. While he trusted Storm Eagle to get the job done, he would not underestimate this new threat. Making a detour through the armory Sigma grabbed his two sabers and strapped them to his back, picking up a class A burst fire rifle. Slinging it over his shoulder, Sigma continued to the docking bay. Epsilon Unit's transport would be ready for them there. No mavericks would be allowed to live under Sigma's watch. None.
Zero stumbled, but only slightly. The warehouse was dark and his sensors had not yet adapted. Evening was setting upon the city as well. And while it was faint, Zero could make out something overhead. Sounds of battle slowly reached his ears from all directions; something was coming for him.
While Zero didn't know how exactly, he seemed to have a certain power over the lesser robots. Merely being around him corrupted them and turned them to what he assumed was this 'maverick' state the reploids and humans seemed to be blathering about. Whatever it was, it was certainly useful. Whatever was after him would be weakened by the time it made its way to the back of the warehouse.
The roof began to shake and before Zero could react, it was gone. A strong gust of wind tore it off the building, sending debris in every direction. Zero leapt into the shadows, trying to spot just what caused this abnormal wind.
A figure was lowering itself from the sky, its head darting from side to side. Long, powerful-looking wings flapped in the night sky as the being descended. Whatever it was, it certainly looked like more fun than the petty reploids that had assaulted Zero earlier. The creature fixed its gaze on him.
"Come out and surrender, maverick!" a firm voice called from the sky. When Zero returned no response, it pointed its right arm at him. The air visibly rippled as a twister smashed the crate Zero was hiding behind, nearly catching him in its strong pull.
Zero leapt atop a stack of crates, drawing his saber. "I don't know who you are," he growled, "But you made a big mistake in coming after me!" "You made the mistake when you refused to surrender. Now prepare to face the consequences!" Storm Eagle barked back.
He fired on Zero with his twisting tornado once more, smashing the boxes beneath the maverick's feet. Zero was quick though, springing from the boxes and rebounding off the wall. He launched himself at the hunter, slamming into Eagle's chest with his shoulder and bringing him down to the ground with a heavy thud, only to spring away lest he face the wrath of a tornado point blank.
The hunter stood as well, his wings glowing with energy. As he beat them the same terrible gust came up, sending crates and the robots that had not yet been destroyed hurtling at Zero. He dashed into the wind, thrusters on his boots keeping him from being blown away entirely.
Struggling against the wind, Zero dodged boxes and robots, trying with all his might to break through the wall of wind. To his surprise, his opponent could not maintain the gust for more than a minute or so. This was the opportunity he needed, lunging at the hunter who had managed to find him. His sword came down first through the right wing, shearing it neatly in half and bringing forth a scream from Storm Eagle. He threw up his arm instinctively to block the next attack, only to have it cut neatly through just below the elbow.
Zero grinned, his enemy's oil quickly mixing with the dried oil and blood already on his chestplate. He brought his fist up hard into Storm Eagle's stomach, tearing through the metal and covering his fist in fresh oil. The bird-reploid screamed again; music to Zero's ears. He wanted to prolong this death as long as possible and drink every ounce of pleasure from it.
"Eagle!" a voice boomed from across the warehouse. Zero saw a tall, muscular reploid with a bald head and apparently armed to the teeth standing in the doorway. Behind him was another, but Zero couldn't make it out. These seemed to be trained fighters, he knew he couldn't handle all three. Removing his fist from his opponent's stomach, Zero executed a perfect spinning kick to the jaw and sent Eagle to the ground.
"Don't think I'm going to let you catch me now," Zero laughed, breaking through the wall and escaping into the night.
"Eagle!" Sigma shouted again, racing towards his fallen comrade. How could Eagle fall after all these years? Sigma found him still functioning, dropping to his knees and grabbing the reploid's hand in both of his own.
"Speak to me Storm, can you function? We'll get you back to base for repairs right away," Sigma promised. "I'll...I'll be fine, Sigma. In...too much pain. Systems shutting down," Storm Eagle told his commander, his eyes fading to black.
Sigma stood. "Get him into the transport, now!" he ordered Boomer Kuwanger. "Yes sir!" the bizarre hunter said with a nod, carefully picking up his comrade. For a second he shimmered, then he was gone, leaving a faint ghostly trail behind him as he raced to the transport.
Sigma gazed at the hole this maverick had left. He was burned into Sigma's brain now. That maniacal grin and menacing glare, the oil-covered yet still brilliant red and white body, and that long blonde ponytail that trailed behind his head. Something about his design just didn't fit the description of any reploid Sigma had seen and his actions weren't those of one infected with the virus. Could this reploid have been built maverick?
Three days. In just three days this new maverick, who called himself Zero, had brought chaos to Capcom City. He had single-handedly wiped out two of the lesser nine-man units that had been sent to chase after him, Storm Eagle was still recovering, and a good portion of the human Maverick Hunters were mysteriously taking their sick days.
Needless to say, Sigma was furious. Storm Eagle would be out of commission for a while and Sigma needed all the help he could get. Luckily, there was a reploid rising through the ranks that could temporarily be deployed with Epsilon Squadron.
Simon Erickson had joined the Maverick Hunters only a few months ago yet his skills surpassed even some of the veterans. He was a peculiar hunter, covered from the neck down in dark purple armor. His primary weapon was his shoulder-mounted cannon, which fired a variety of ammunition. He also armed himself with dual pistols and a belt loaded with hand grenades. Sigma noted that he was cocky, and while armored, he never wore a helmet. His face was well defined and his icy eyes colder than a human's could ever be. Cockiness aside, Sigma readily welcomed him to the team.
"Sigma! Sir, come in!" the radio crackled, catching Sigma's attention. "What is it?" he demanded. "We saw him sir, the red maverick! We saw him duck into a cave out in the wastelands!" the voice on the radio informed him. "Good job, men! Now get out of there, I'm going to take care of him personally."
Dropping the radio, Sigma headed for the transport. Kuwanger, Armadillo, and Erickson had all been deployed to deal with the sudden surge in maverick robots; Sigma would have to take care of this alone. He looked forward to the upcoming battle, grinning as he entered the transport and left the hangar.
A loud hissing filled the reploid's ears. In a matter of seconds his audio receptors adjusted and the sound was not quite so loud. Blackness faded to shapes and colors as the 'ploid's video receptors hummed to life. His body was still undergoing its initial boot and thus he remained paralyzed, but he was gradually becoming aware of his surroundings.
Zero was in the hypersleep capsule; he had been placed here years ago. But by whom? He could no longer remember. He tried to think back but found he could not, his memory cells had not yet booted or they had been damaged by the long sleep. His processor was alerting him that the boot was complete, yet his memory cells still refused to function. He hoped they would come back in time, but he had more pressing matters to attend to.
Finding his arms working once more, Zero pressed against the glass-like front of his small prison. After a moment the lock clicked, the door sliding open. For the first time in years, the reploid's feet touched the ground. His body whirred in protest but adapted in seconds.
Walking slowly around capsule, Zero found a small computer terminal to the right of the door. Either he had been programmed to interface with it or memories were slowly returning; he could not tell but found himself capable of operating the control pad. A small screen above the touch-pad brought up his technical specifications.
Poking around the terminal, Zero's exploration was suddenly interrupted by an error sign. It stated that his designated awakening date and the current date were not aligned. Not only that, but there was a ten year difference! The screen told him that ten years after his sleep began, the capsule was damaged and this caused it to reset. It warned further that this added ten years of hibernation could cause temporary to permanent damage to his memory cells and overall functionality.
Angered by this news, Zero slammed his fist against the monitor. Underestimating his own strength, his fist went through the screen and snapped through several important circuits before he stopped himself. The capsule shook and Zero heard something rattle around inside. What else was in the capsule with him?
Returning to the front of the capsule, Zero found what appeared to be a hilt. It was decorated with a red jewel at the bottom of the hilt and wrapped in brown, now-warn leather. It lacked a hand guard for the most part. Odder than that, it lacked a blade. Rolling it between his fingers, he looked over every inch of the strange device. Squeezing it in his clenched fist, he felt a tremendous surge of energy as the hilt seemed to literally link with his systems, buzzing to life.
A crackling green blade of pure energy shot forth from the hilt. Zero could feel the power circulating through both body and blade. But not just that, he also felt a segment of his memory cells click back to life. He knew how to use this weapon, but not only that...a clear memory returned to the reploid.
He was looking around, standing inside a stonewalled building. It looked to be a dungeon converted into a laboratory. An old, balding man with a bushy moustache was talking to him.
"This will be your saber, Bass. I saw how you dealt with that blue bastard using nothing but a pipe. This saber is one of a kind, I salvaged the life gem of Treble to make it function. It will link with you the way he did. Never lose it, you must defeat Mega Man with it. I have worked too hard on you for you to fail, Bass! When you awaken seek him out, destroy him!" the man raved.
"Will do, Doc," Zero heard himself saying, yet the voice was not his own. Looking down at the saber in his hand, he found his wrist banded gold and his forearm black. He remembered lying down on a table, his left arm swaying uselessly. After that, the world went black and his memory faded once more.
"Perhaps," Zero murmured, "More memories will come to me." He powered down the saber, locking it in place over his left shoulder. Gazing around the room, he found it was not the dungeon he last recalled. The room was a solid steel square with a single functioning door directly across from the opening of the capsule.
Walking across the room, he found that age had taken its toll on the touch pad that activated the door. Without a second thought Zero brought his saber to hand and slashed through the door in a few quick strokes. Sheathing the blade once more, he stepped through.
The steel turned to stone just outside the door. Zero walked the winding path through what appeared to be a cave, dim light filtering in from an unknown source. As he neared the end he found the light streaming from cracks in the ceiling. A human would have no way out, there had been a cave-in years ago. Zero charged his circuits, storing energy like a tightly coiled spring. He found both his forearms glowing with energy and pointed them in the direction of the exit. Both hands split horizontally, creating a path for the energy's escape.
There was a massive explosion as the beams of energy collided with the rock, creating a gaping path for Zero to follow. He leapt up, touching down on level ground. Grass was beneath his boots as he stood, looking around warily for enemies. He was in a park and humans seemed to be all around. Families, couples, men, women, teenagers, children; humans were everywhere!
Zero's eyes nearly glazed over as part of his mind surged to life. He was in no danger yet a deep lust surfaced within him. The reploid licked his lips, eyes darting from left to right and back again as a crowd began to curiously form around him. His body begged for release and he was more than willing to give it, he had to feel more.
The saber found its way to his hand once more, the green blade springing to life. Now the humans panicked, but to no avail. He dashed at a pack of them, cutting three down with a single slice. Blood splattered across Zero's red chestplate and face. He licked it from his lips, leaping into the air and coming down on another pack of the flesh creatures, cutting them to ribbons with frantic swings. The blood ran into his eyes and the reploid saw red, his circuits racing in euphoria as he lashed out at another two, bringing them down.
In no more than minutes the park was empty. The lucky had fled and the unlucky had perished beneath Zero's blade. Something new was storming into the park, lots of them. Zero recognized them as creatures of his own species, yet these were bland. Their armor lacked zeal and was solid blue in color, that and their helmets covering all but the faces of this new 'threat.'
At the moment twenty of these reploids were converging on him. He stood and waited for them, watching as they surrounded him with their blaster pistols drawn. He could faintly hear them ordering him to put down his weapon and other such nonsense, but the bloodstained reploid merely laughed.
Quick as a gunshot, Zero charged. He cleaved through five of the unprepared attackers with a single stroke, impaling another and cutting away through the throat of a fifth. The black blood of robots mixed with the red of the humans on his face and chest. Blaster shots burned Zero's back but only succeeded in exciting him more. He laughed louder, more maniacal, as he cut down his enemies until but one was left.
The last of the reploids stood shaking, his gun dropping to the ground. Eyes wide with fear, the robot stammered, "N-n-no! D-d-d-d-don't kill me!" and ran. Zero ran and leapt, coming down in front of the coward. Its eyes went wide and it gurgled as Zero's saber was thrust through its abdomen. He twisted the sword and pulled it out through his final attacker's side, silencing him for good.
"That's enough," Zero said absently, "I must take my leave." And so the sword was returned to its sheath and he ran across the park, finding an alley and diving in. He would not wage a full-scale war, not yet. But for now this should have them talking. With that thought, Zero grinned and melted into the darkness.
Meanwhile, across the city, the Maverick Hunter HQ was in an uproar. Reports from dozens of witnesses were being called in about the City Park Massacre as the media had already dubbed it. A red and white reploid had killed anywhere from twenty to fifty humans and the twenty-five members of the first response unit that had been sent out to try and bring the threat to an end. The maverick then dove into an alley and scaled a building. From there, the trail went cold.
Sigma slammed his fist against the computer in frustration, "Dammit! How could he just vanish like this? He appears out of the ground to massacre and then just runs away!"
Sigma was interrupted as a reploid of short stature walked up to him. It was Chill Penguin. "Boss," he said, trying to get Sigma's attention, "We've finished analyzing the scene. It would appear that he was left dormant in a cave where the park is now. The capsule found in the cave was similar to the one X was found in ten years ago. He broke the capsule's computer and it's currently unsalvageable."
"Well keep trying," Sigma growled, returning to his work. He scanned the screens over and over again, hoping a security camera would pick up some trace of this new menace's movement. The sky teams were reporting back with nothing. If Storm Eagle's elite failed him, there was no telling how crafty this maverick was.
Sigma was by no means a novice Maverick Hunter. In fact, he was the founder along with his eight comrades in arms. Since the Maverick Hunters became an official organization seven years go, the membership ballooned from eight to five hundred and seventy-six. Even with the rise in numbers, none surpassed the nine founding members, now called Epsilon Unit. They were deployed only to face the greatest of threats and most dangerous of mavericks.
"Sir," a voice crackled over the radio, "Sir, come in!" It was Storm Eagle. "What is it, Storm," Sigma barked into the receiver. "Something strange is happening in the industrial district. The machines are going haywire, I believe they have been infected with the maverick virus, Sir!" "Good job, Storm! I trust you to take care of the problem but I'll be heading out with Kuwanger just to be safe. Sigma out."
Sigma turned on the intercom, "Boomer Kuwanger, gear up and prepare for deployment. I repeat; Boomer Kuwanger, gear up and prepare for deployment!"
With his orders issued, Sigma stood and ran from the control room. While he trusted Storm Eagle to get the job done, he would not underestimate this new threat. Making a detour through the armory Sigma grabbed his two sabers and strapped them to his back, picking up a class A burst fire rifle. Slinging it over his shoulder, Sigma continued to the docking bay. Epsilon Unit's transport would be ready for them there. No mavericks would be allowed to live under Sigma's watch. None.
Zero stumbled, but only slightly. The warehouse was dark and his sensors had not yet adapted. Evening was setting upon the city as well. And while it was faint, Zero could make out something overhead. Sounds of battle slowly reached his ears from all directions; something was coming for him.
While Zero didn't know how exactly, he seemed to have a certain power over the lesser robots. Merely being around him corrupted them and turned them to what he assumed was this 'maverick' state the reploids and humans seemed to be blathering about. Whatever it was, it was certainly useful. Whatever was after him would be weakened by the time it made its way to the back of the warehouse.
The roof began to shake and before Zero could react, it was gone. A strong gust of wind tore it off the building, sending debris in every direction. Zero leapt into the shadows, trying to spot just what caused this abnormal wind.
A figure was lowering itself from the sky, its head darting from side to side. Long, powerful-looking wings flapped in the night sky as the being descended. Whatever it was, it certainly looked like more fun than the petty reploids that had assaulted Zero earlier. The creature fixed its gaze on him.
"Come out and surrender, maverick!" a firm voice called from the sky. When Zero returned no response, it pointed its right arm at him. The air visibly rippled as a twister smashed the crate Zero was hiding behind, nearly catching him in its strong pull.
Zero leapt atop a stack of crates, drawing his saber. "I don't know who you are," he growled, "But you made a big mistake in coming after me!" "You made the mistake when you refused to surrender. Now prepare to face the consequences!" Storm Eagle barked back.
He fired on Zero with his twisting tornado once more, smashing the boxes beneath the maverick's feet. Zero was quick though, springing from the boxes and rebounding off the wall. He launched himself at the hunter, slamming into Eagle's chest with his shoulder and bringing him down to the ground with a heavy thud, only to spring away lest he face the wrath of a tornado point blank.
The hunter stood as well, his wings glowing with energy. As he beat them the same terrible gust came up, sending crates and the robots that had not yet been destroyed hurtling at Zero. He dashed into the wind, thrusters on his boots keeping him from being blown away entirely.
Struggling against the wind, Zero dodged boxes and robots, trying with all his might to break through the wall of wind. To his surprise, his opponent could not maintain the gust for more than a minute or so. This was the opportunity he needed, lunging at the hunter who had managed to find him. His sword came down first through the right wing, shearing it neatly in half and bringing forth a scream from Storm Eagle. He threw up his arm instinctively to block the next attack, only to have it cut neatly through just below the elbow.
Zero grinned, his enemy's oil quickly mixing with the dried oil and blood already on his chestplate. He brought his fist up hard into Storm Eagle's stomach, tearing through the metal and covering his fist in fresh oil. The bird-reploid screamed again; music to Zero's ears. He wanted to prolong this death as long as possible and drink every ounce of pleasure from it.
"Eagle!" a voice boomed from across the warehouse. Zero saw a tall, muscular reploid with a bald head and apparently armed to the teeth standing in the doorway. Behind him was another, but Zero couldn't make it out. These seemed to be trained fighters, he knew he couldn't handle all three. Removing his fist from his opponent's stomach, Zero executed a perfect spinning kick to the jaw and sent Eagle to the ground.
"Don't think I'm going to let you catch me now," Zero laughed, breaking through the wall and escaping into the night.
"Eagle!" Sigma shouted again, racing towards his fallen comrade. How could Eagle fall after all these years? Sigma found him still functioning, dropping to his knees and grabbing the reploid's hand in both of his own.
"Speak to me Storm, can you function? We'll get you back to base for repairs right away," Sigma promised. "I'll...I'll be fine, Sigma. In...too much pain. Systems shutting down," Storm Eagle told his commander, his eyes fading to black.
Sigma stood. "Get him into the transport, now!" he ordered Boomer Kuwanger. "Yes sir!" the bizarre hunter said with a nod, carefully picking up his comrade. For a second he shimmered, then he was gone, leaving a faint ghostly trail behind him as he raced to the transport.
Sigma gazed at the hole this maverick had left. He was burned into Sigma's brain now. That maniacal grin and menacing glare, the oil-covered yet still brilliant red and white body, and that long blonde ponytail that trailed behind his head. Something about his design just didn't fit the description of any reploid Sigma had seen and his actions weren't those of one infected with the virus. Could this reploid have been built maverick?
Three days. In just three days this new maverick, who called himself Zero, had brought chaos to Capcom City. He had single-handedly wiped out two of the lesser nine-man units that had been sent to chase after him, Storm Eagle was still recovering, and a good portion of the human Maverick Hunters were mysteriously taking their sick days.
Needless to say, Sigma was furious. Storm Eagle would be out of commission for a while and Sigma needed all the help he could get. Luckily, there was a reploid rising through the ranks that could temporarily be deployed with Epsilon Squadron.
Simon Erickson had joined the Maverick Hunters only a few months ago yet his skills surpassed even some of the veterans. He was a peculiar hunter, covered from the neck down in dark purple armor. His primary weapon was his shoulder-mounted cannon, which fired a variety of ammunition. He also armed himself with dual pistols and a belt loaded with hand grenades. Sigma noted that he was cocky, and while armored, he never wore a helmet. His face was well defined and his icy eyes colder than a human's could ever be. Cockiness aside, Sigma readily welcomed him to the team.
"Sigma! Sir, come in!" the radio crackled, catching Sigma's attention. "What is it?" he demanded. "We saw him sir, the red maverick! We saw him duck into a cave out in the wastelands!" the voice on the radio informed him. "Good job, men! Now get out of there, I'm going to take care of him personally."
Dropping the radio, Sigma headed for the transport. Kuwanger, Armadillo, and Erickson had all been deployed to deal with the sudden surge in maverick robots; Sigma would have to take care of this alone. He looked forward to the upcoming battle, grinning as he entered the transport and left the hangar.