Mega Man X Episode 10: Technical Difficulties
Written By Genisay
(Note: This fic was started before the release of MMX7, so therefore all story plots from that game on are not mentioned and have no affect on the fic. This story takes place 4 years after the end of MMX6.)
Chapter 1: Data
Maverick Hunter H.Q. 5:01 A.M, Jan. 14
X woke with a start, bolting upright, whacking his head on the clear, glass lid to his Sleeping Chamber. The room was completely silent, except for the faint whirring of unoccupied machines. The silvery-hard Sleeping Chambers of other Reploids, lining the long corridors of the 17th Unit's barracks, could be seen through the adjacent window of the Commander's chamber. Soft lunar light poured in through a small pane of glass near the ceiling.
As he rubbed his fingers through the short, unruly, brown hair over the slightly tender spot on his forehead, X wearily aroused his internal clock. Almost like a sixth sense, his mechanical mind told him that it was 5:02 am.
Another restless night. He thought.
He knew the drill, there was no point in trying to fall asleep again; he wouldn't be able to. This had been a reoccurring event for the last two weeks. Since the last battle with Sigma…? X wondered absentmindedly.
With a heavy sigh, X pushed a button on the inside wall of his compartment, causing the lid to open with a small hiss, and hauled himself out of his Sleeping Chamber, being careful not to wake anyone else.
They fight hard, they need their sleep. Just wish I could get some.
X grabbed his helmet off a stand near his Sleeping Chamber. The metallic headgear was done in cobalt, with a light blue raised crest of metal down the center that started half way up the forehead guard; the guard extending down his face until coming to a point just above the bridge of his nose; and stopped halfway down the back. In about the middle of the forehead guard was a rounded off, magenta, triangle shaped gem-core with one of its ends embedded in the light blue strip. Besides protecting his head, the helmet also contained a built in communicator.
Placing the helmet back on his head, X took one last look at his Sleeping Chamber, recalling how strange it had been to sleep in the pod at first, when the Hunters had established their Head Quarters, rather then in an ordinary bed. But after a few months he had gotten used to the idea, although he still slept in a regular bed when ever he spent a few days visiting his good scientist friend, Dr. Cain.
Cain was the owner and founder of Cain Labs, a huge corporation that lead the world in robotics technology. The scientist had also started the Maverick Hunters; an organization specialized in dealing with rogue Reploids; Mavericks; and invented the living machines called Reploids; robots with human souls and emotions, based on, but not quite identical to, X's design.
Although not X's creator, Dr. Cain was the man responsible for X's activation, and had given X a home for the first few years of his life after his awakening. X had no recollection of his past and had been emotionally unstable at first; often slipping into severe depressions for months at a time; but the old scientist had remained patient with him and had become an invaluable friend. Cain had also taken in the mysterious Zero after the red robot's enigmatic accident, which had left him devoid of any memories. Zero was now X's best friend and hunting partner. Both robots were always welcome at Cain Labs.
X wandered through the empty platinum gray halls of the Maverick Hunter Head Quarters, not really expecting to find anyone else awake at this ungodly hour. Unless there was an emergency, not even Zero got up this early.
Shoot, Joked X. I bet the Mavericks don't even rise with the sun!
After exploring the hall had proven futile, X finally found himself in the command center, a massive room that had computer equipment every where. The Command Center was the hub of all Hunter activities; it was used for every thing from debriefing to containing the communications systems.
In the center of the room stood a large, round shaped device, starting with an immense base and decreasing in diameter as it's smooth metal sides reached the apex. Visible just on the inside of the open top was a core like dome. This system displayed 3D map projections and other data. Mounted on the wall opposite the entrance was an enormous visual screen, and next to it were several smaller ones use for various purposes. To his surprise, X discovered another Reploid in the room.
Standing to one side of the chamber was a tall female with blonde hair that was pulled up into a bun, resting at the nape of her neck, her body armor vivid pink and decorated with white trimming. She was leaning over a computer that glimmered brightly in the dimly lit room, her fingers resting on the keyboard. Although standing, the Reploid's head drooped.
X walked up behind her, placing his hand, which was made greatly oversized by his white glove, on her back. Her head shot up as she nearly jumped right out of her artificial skin. Standing straight up, she was about 5'6", four inches taller than he.
She stared down at the pint-sized Hunter for an instant with a startled expression in her sapphire colored eyes, and then sighed with visible relief. "Oh, it's just you."
X stood on the toes of his boot clad feet, trying his best to see the computer screen over her shoulder.
"What are you doing, Alia?"
"Oh, tha-at?" she responded with a long yawn. "I've been up all night looking over some data that you and Zero brought yawn back from some of your most recent missions."
"Why don't you get some sleep, I'll finish logging these records for you." X suggested, with a soft smirk, his large jade green eyes shining as he brushed a few stray strands of hair out of her eyes.
"Would you, X? Oh, you're such a sweetie!" Tiredly, Alia stumbled away to her Sleeping Chamber. X was blushing slightly. He hoped Alia hadn't noticed.
After a brief moment, X sat down in a soft, gray, chair and rolled it up to the computer. The hours widdled away as he filed the information contained in the mainframe records into different categories. Many diverse data fragments existed. Some included local damage and news reports, schematics on area equipment and Mechanaloids that had malfunctioned, but the most important data seemed to be on the Mavericks involved.
How does Alia manage to do this all day, it's so boring.
X began to ponder this thought when a news report suddenly captured his attention. He opened the report in a separate window, continuing to organize the remaining data while he read. Being of robot origin, he was very adept at multi-tasking.
The report was dated for Dec. 27th, four days before X had defeated Sigma. Now X remembered what was so important about that day: New Year's Eve.
Had Sigma been plotting something for the 31st? If so, it would have been too easy; almost everyone was gathered in the city square for the countdown ceremony.
Yet no schemes had revealed themselves. This was unusual, for every time X and his nemesis had clashed before, Sigma had always come up with some sick, twisted plot. Suddenly X felt very ill at ease, something deep inside his mind had begun to fidget.
To take his awareness off his thoughts, he decided to finish reading the report.
'Word was received two days ago that the City Data Bank has been robbed. Witnesses claim that the thief appeared to be a Maverick, possibly having connections to the nefarious Sigma. All that seems to have been stolen is a series of documents from the main computer system containing Reploid medical files under the category "M".
Operations have begun to retrieve the stolen data. Further information will be released as it is received.' At the bottom of the page, there was a footnote about 'Nanotechnology'.
X closed the report, and then filed it away. Despite his mind wandering, he had already finished logging the other data. The Blue Bomber paused in reflection, his eyes closed in thought.
What would Sigma want with Reploid medical files...And what connection does Nanotech have with it? The nervousness in X's chest grew and moved to the pit of his stomach to form a knot. As the questions continued to flow through his robotic mind, a tall, navy blue, regal looking Reploid entered the room.
"Good morning, X." he greeted in a deep, smooth tone. X didn't even notice him. "And what has the Commander in such deep thought?" he jested.
X's eyes grew wide as he was jogged out of his daze. "General Signas!" Jumping to his feet, X gave a hasty but well trained salute.
"At ease Commander X." Signas replied with a hint of a grin playing at his lips. X resumed his normal stance. Signas glanced at the computer screen. "Since when do you have an interest in these sorts of things?" he teased, indicating the multiple folders on the desktop.
"Oh, that Sir?" X replied with a wide guilty grin as he rubbed the back of his titanium blue helmet with one hand. "Alia was up all night going over them. She looked tired, so I told her that I would finish it and that she should get some rest. It's all done now, though." The General smiled and nodded his head in an approving way. He glanced at X, and his smile abruptly faded into a worried frown.
"X…" Signas' voice trailed off into silence. Thinking, he began again in a firm, level tone, but his eyes gave away his emotions. "You weren't able to sleep again, were you, X." The cocky smirk on X's face also did a disappearing act.
"No." came his simple answer.
"This has been going on to long, X. I'm beginning to get concerned about you." Signas folded his arms in front of his chest. "You can't keep going on like this. Perhaps you should have Life Savor look into it." X considered the notion.
"Your right, Sir," X agreed. "I can feel it starting to take its toll on me. I shall heed your advice." X left the room.
Chapter 2: Request
Maverick Hunter H.Q. 9:25am Jan.14
Zero had awakened at exactly eight AM as always, fully rested and ready to face the day. Looking for some action, he had gone to sector 17 to invite his partner and very close friend, X, to take part in an early morning spar in the training chamber. But upon his arrival , he discovered that no one had seen X, but would pass on the word if they bumped into him . With a shrug, Zero decided to head to the training chamber anyway; he'd locate X later.
His morning had not been completely uneventful, with the lack of missions many of the other high level Hunters had elected to populate the enormous gymnasium, and he had managed to get a number of them to challenge him.
After three victories in the Battle Dome, Zero headed back upstairs. He was just about to pass the large doors that lead to the Command Center when X left the room.
"Hey, X, where were you?" Zero laughed with a big grin, slapping X on the back, nearly causing him to trip.
"I was busy." was all X said as he continued down the hall. Zero stared after him, bewildered.
He sure didn't look very cheerful. Zero had to fix that. He ran down the hall, catching up to X.
"Hey, what's the matter, Blue Bomber?" Zero prodded, using X's nickname to try and lighten the mood. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
There was a long moment of silence, then so deftly that it made Zero flinch, X turned to face him.
"Zero, there is something you could do for me. Could you ask Alia to look up some information on the recent theft of the City Data Bank and Nanotech? I'd do it myself, but I have a few other things to take care of." Zero grinned, being happy to aid his friend.
"Sure I'll do it, X." X gave a slight weak smile.
"Thanks, Zero, I can always count on you." He turned and walked away.
Zero couldn't help but feel a little strange about X's mood. It was like X was hiding something from him, yet Zero found he was unable to ask about it, and now it was too late.
What could he be so worried about? Sigma is gone, there haven't been any major threats, and on the whole, everything has been pretty calm. So why does X look like someone just died? Zero stood there in the hall, brow furrowed.