Chapter 12: Inner Conflict
Author: Lady Blue
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Within the dark stasis room, far beyond the watchful eyes of the human world below it, a group of Z drones lie in stasis waiting to be activated when their presence is needed. In the far end of the room, the hologram display suddenly lighted up as words start flowing through. Once the command is completely executed. A neo green words display on the screen.
(Z Drone Belonas Class Activated)
The Z drone visor comes to life as the hologram display dies down. It reaches its arms out and gets a firm grip on the ledge around the capsule as it slowly raised itself into sitting position. The Z drone stay in its position for a few minutes before it turns its head towards the exit. It got up and walk towards the door, passing a few numbers stasis pod in its path.
As the door slide open the Z drone walk out towards the narrow corridor and bums into two unexpected reploids.
"Hey! Where do you think you are going?" one of the reploids asked as he gazed back to the pink Z drone. Its body is build like its counterpart Z drone, but with slight difference. Its body is slimmer and above the chest a slightly bulk out a little, showing a sign of womanhood under the pink vest. The female version of Z drones, mainly build as support and operation unit, never for battle.
"Communication" the Z drone replied in a monotone manner.
"Well next time watch where you are going" the other reploid scolded as they walk pass it. The Z drone didn't move an inch and stay where she stand.
"Stupid female drone, never really have much use for them" one of the reploid mumbles.
"But you got to admit, they do have one heck of a body" she heard the other reploids remark and laughed before walking out of view.
The Z drone turns the control attaches to the wall and walk over to it. It raised its left hand and touches the screen.
"Computer direct me to the armory" the Z drones order. Within second a map of the station pops up in front of the drone.
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A tall and proud looking reploid walks into the hanger bay as he steps into middle of the hanger. His body covered in a blue armor and on his shoulder armed with a dark violet shoulder and arm pads. The bird reploid turns to his crew on the hanger. He raised his yellow wing, spreading them up high before lowing them up and turns to the hanger door. As he crossed his arm equipped with sharp talons together, he watch was as the giant doors raised itself, revealing the dark cold space before him.
Jade Talon watch as the shuttle from earth slowly moves in position to the station hanger bay and proceeds with the docking formation. As the cold metal touch each other in the vacuum of space, a loud cranking sound echoes on the hull of the station.
"Shuttle secure" the female Z drone informed as she hit the console and drag the landing path into the hanger, sealing off the vacuum of space.
Jade Talon stands and waits as the platform pulled the shuttle into the station completely. Once the shuttle docked and the pressure around them seal tight from the vacuum of space the shield between Talon and the shuttle shuts its down. Talon continue to watch as the doors under the shuttle back opens up as vapors starts to pour out and cover the hanger.
Talon and the others waited for a few seconds before they see something start to emerge out from the shuttle.
Three pairs of dark cloak figure slowly descend from the shuttle hatch as they line up forming a parallel line across each other. The drones with a similar helmet like Zero, except for a middle horn sliding up making them look like ancient samurai armor. The Z drone, half of its body cover by the cloak and the other half of its black armor exposed. The Z drones thump the long spear lance on the metallic surface just as they all stop and turns to face each other in synchronize timing. Talon watch as a lone cloak figure slowly step down and walks towards him, gazing back with his bloody red eyes. Talon waste no time as he bends down on his knees and greeted his master's arrival.
"Welcome to Eden, Master Zero" Talon greeted in an honorable and respectful manner "We are honor by you presence" he said as the other reploids and drones behind him went down on their knees and pay their respect to Zero. Zero gives a smirk on his face and placed his hand over Talon's shoulder. Talon raised his head and look back to Zero.
"Spare me the formality Jade Talon" Zero said as he walk away down the path "Is he ready?"
Talon waste no time as he gets back on his feet and follow closely on Zero back "Yes Master Zero" Talon said.
"Show me" Zero commanded as they exited the hanger, follow by the dark drones.
"Input this target into him, Jade Talon" Zero said as he takes out a small crystal and passed it over to Talon.
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Zero waits patiently as he gazed out the window and watch as a group of technician and engineers approaching a sphere floating out in space. Roughly a size of a golem, the perfect silver chrome sphere reflects the darkness of space and the ocean blue of earth on its surface, its primary function is to conceal and protect the cargo inside its hard shell. The sphere floats lifelessly in space as it waits for the operation personnel's to make their final inspection on it.
Talon watch as the operator in front of him communicates with the operation personnel's outside the station, second pass as the red head girl turn to Talon and nod her head to her commander. "Sir, the operation personnel reports that Adam is ready and is powering up" she said. Talon nods his head and walk towards Zero.
"Master Zero, Adam is ready" Talon report back. Zero nods his head as he continues to gaze at the sphere.
But all of a sudden, the girl expression change as she stare at the hologram display before her. All the vital signs inside the sphere suddenly shoots up to maximum as the energy reading increase substantially "Sir" the operator exclaimed "Something is wrong; I am picking up a high energy reading from inside the sphere" the operator looked back.
Talon quickly turns his attention to Adam and sees that the lines of lights start to form a checkers shape on the surface of the sphere. The operation personnel's around the sphere gazed back in amazed as the green light continue to shoots through on the surface of the sphere, it was like nothing they have ever seen.
Talon knew what is happening and quickly turns his attention to the operator, frozen by the event that is unfolding before her eyes. "Get those engineers out of there before-" he order, but it was too late as a bright light exploded from the sphere incinerate all the operation personnel's that is outside the station in one burst.
As the light dies down all the technician and engineer outside of the station were completely wiped out, leaving a strange new object floating in space. Zero step up and take a closer look on the object, the sphere has now transforms itself into a diamond with a cross attached to its back. The diamond with its cargo inside has a red blinking light coming from the far end of its tail. There are also two large arms moving from side to side on both edge of Adam, acting like an arm. Then as everything seems to settle down, sparkles of lights start bursting out behind Adam and shoot straight out. Zero smiled as he marvel the beauty of his creation, Adam shooting out its six energy based wings from its back as the subject inside opens his eyes and gazed back to Zero, standing in the station.
Adam raised its right arm and start to powering up.
"On no" Talon watch in horror as the sphere slowly opens it self up. "Shield's up" Talon uttered. The operation personnel's inside the command centre quickly hit the emergency defense.
Zero watch as Adam shoots out a beam directly at the station. It was able to cut part the station outer hull before the shield was activated. Zero gives a small smile on his face as the beam shoot directly at the bridge and straight at him. With only the shield in between him and Adam's weapon, the view was a sight to be marvel at with as Zero is glad he could see all this happening before his eyes. The way Adam ripped the surface of the station was beautiful, he even notice a small explosion on the hull as a few bodies floats out from the station. If it was not for Talon's swift action to isolate that part of the station. The whole station would have depressurized and exploded, taking everyone on board.
Talon looked back to his people in the station and checked if any part of the station is damaged. His operators work as fast as they could to get him the answer. Talon then turn to Zero, with the room blinking in red from the beacon light, it makes as if he is actually standing in room covered in blood and at the end of the room is Zero like a devil, marveling at his creation.
"Perfect, his power is increasing" Zero whispers to himself as Adam's weapon powered down and the angel looking reploid stare back to Zero. "My little Adam"
"How is the subject doing?" Zero asked turning over his shoulder and looked back to Talon.
"He adapted better then we have anticipated Master Zero" Talon replied stepping up just a few feet behind his master "He was able to synchronize with the system faster then the two other candidates before him"
"Excellent" Zero gives a light chuckle as he turn back to Adam "Now Jade Talon, enter the coordinate I gave you and prepare Adam for his first trail run"
"Yes Master Zero" Talon bowed his head as he turns to the operator. The operator nods her head and inserted the crystal device into its reader and accesses the encrypted files.
"Sir..." the operator whispered to Talon. The eagle like commander walks over to the operator as she whispered something into his ears.
Talon's eyes went wide open "What?" Talon asked as he turn to Zero "Master Zero, there must be a mistake... this is the power plant in located near Sydney, Australia... is right outside the human city" Talon informed.
"I am very aware of that Jade Talon" Zero replied in a cold manner, not bothering to look back to Talon.
"If we release Adam onto these coordinates, it would annihilate the human occupation in that sector" Talon start to protest.
"I know" Zero replied looking back to Talon "And who do you think will be blame for this?" he asked with a big smirk on his face.
"The resistance?" Talon answered.
"Precisely" Zero respond and turn back to Adam "Release Adam" he commanded.
"Master Zero, I strongly object to this" Talon continue to protest, knowing what he is doing is wrong and against his mandate.
"I am getting real inpatient here Jade Talon. If you will not carry out my orders I will see that someone else with more caliber to do it" Zero uttered. Talon stands for a few second, thinking. No matter how much he hates doing this, he cannot disobey his master's wishes. He silence hangs his head down "Yes Master Zero" he answered.
"Sir" the red head operator called out to her commander as the others watch in silence, unknowing what their commander will do next.
"Release Adam" Talon commanded not looking at his people.
The operator felt silence as they have to carry out such order, thinking that Zero might have gone a little mad. However she trusts in their commander and did what she is asked to do. "Releasing Adam" the operator hit the release switch.
Outside of the station, Adam start to take up formation as it targets its tail down to earth and prepares to fire. Within seconds, Adam's tails start to glow into a gold energy sphere on its tail as energy ribbons starts to flow around its tails.
The operator kept watch on the status of Adam as the energy reading starts to increase. Then something caught her attention, a strange wave of signal coming from Adam's outer hull, near its external fuel cell. It was an outside signal and it seems to be increasing by the second. "Sir, something is wrong, I am picking up a strange signal from Adam"
"What?" Talon asked as he turns back to Adam.
Zero watch as Adam spread its six wings wide open and about to fire as a powerful explosion erupted directly from the back of Adam's external fuel tank. With its primary weapon activated and along with the explosion, Adam's body starts to rip apart. Zero shut his eyes as Adam blows up into a small supernova. As the explosion dies down, Zero turns his attention back to Adam, nothing left except the diamond casing which harbor Adam's host inside.
"Adam" Zero whispered.
Talon watch the diamond pod hover lifelessly in space. He knew that whoever plant that explosive on Adam knows what he or she is doing. They placed it just underneath its fuel cells and waited for the satellite to fire, where the damage can be pushed to the maximum.
"How is the subject?" Zero asked turning his head over to Talon.
Talon nod his head and turn to the operator, she whispered the status of Adam to Talon. Talon gives a smile as he turn to Zero "Unharmed, the pod protected the subject from the explosion"
"Good" Zero said turning back to the diamond pod "How long will it take Adam to be re-commission?"
"With the full repairs and resynchronization with the host" Talon said checking at the computer pad that the operator passed to him "Six months" he said.
Zero just kept quiet for a moment. Everyone in the room including Talon looked back to their master with a worried expression. They were not sure what Zero is going to do next. Without warning Zero spun himself around and walk to the door "I'll be in my quarters if there is any new progress Jade Talon, by then get the other two ready for launched" Zero said as he opens the door and step out of the command centre not looking back to Talon. "And find me that saboteur"
"Yes Master Zero" Talon said and gives a heavy sighed as he put the computer pad down and turn to the diamond pod outside. For once he is glad that there is a saboteur on board his station. At least he wouldn't have to carry a heavy burden of guilt that comes with Zero's command.
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"Master Zero did you authorized my people to attack the resistance network without my knowledge?" the azure girl asked as she gazed back to her master with an angry look.
"Yes I did" Zero replied not looking back to Leviathan's hologram image. He was not in the mood to discuss about her team failure in getting the data, after the unfortunate incident with Adam.
"But they have been given strict instruction from me not to enter into that network" Leviathan argued "I have lost two third of my core unit trying to gain access to the resistance network and none of them return. I will not let any more of my people get killed in a fruitless attempt" she said as she clutched her fist together.
"Are you discontent with my decision Leviathan?" Zero asked turning his head over his shoulder and stare back to the girl. Leviathan didn't dare to continue and felt silence.
"No Master Zero" she replied lowering her head in discontent.
"Good, do not forget who is the master here Leviathan" Zero reminded her in a threatening way as he turn around and face Leviathan. "I made you Leviathan and I can unmake you if I wish"
"Understood Master Zero" she replied and bend down on her knees as she was about to make leave.
"Before you go my dear, remember your mission" Zero said before turning back to the window. "You know what to do"
"Yes Master" she said.
Zero stands quietly as Leviathan's hologram faded. He knows that she has been away for far too long and her loyalty have started to shift. He have thought of eliminating Leviathan once since she is the weakest among the five, but he knew that she is more useful to him alive then dead. Beside he wouldn't want Harpuia to openly rebel against him, the two are like siblings. Bother and sister both build to reconstruct earth after the tragedy in the fifth Maverick War. He has to plan this properly and by the numbers. He will have Leviathan reeducated once she returns.
As Zero shut his eyes, the door behind him slides open and a pink drone step into the room with a small tray on her hands. Zero didn't bother to turn to the Z drone as it approaches the table.
"Place my drink down and leave" he ordered.
The drone lower the tray and place the drink on the table, as its visor gives out an eerie green glow, the Z drone reached to her back and withdrew its weapon and points it at Zero. Zero knew something wrong and lean his head a bit as a green blade shoot pass his head cutting a little of his blonde hair as it retreated back.
Zero spun himself around and looked back to the Z drone before him, carrying a chain rod on her hand. The drone leaps up and shoots her weapon again. Zero dodges the attack, but never once bothers to pull out his own weapon. He keeps dodging the drone as she swings her chain rod like a whip.
"I see you are getting better with that" Zero said with a smirk as he lean forward and jump directly at the female drone. The drone notice this attack and charge up her chain rod and release it. She spins her chain rod high up like a lance as she defends and attack at the same time.
Zero landed on his feet just meters away from the lance as the drone lowers her weapon and whipped it back as she release it at Zero. Zero dodge the attack as he couch down on the floor staring back at the drone.
"Time to die imposter" the drone shouted as she's about to charge on Zero. However before she could attack, Zero launched himself and charge directly at her.
The drone knew it was a suicide attempt if she takes him on head on, especially when he has his cloak on. Never knowing what Zero could whip out under it. The drone whipped her chain rod up the ceiling and pulled herself up.
Zero withdrew out his saber and slashed at the drone, but it was too late as she swoops up and clings upside-down on the ceiling as she withdraw out a small little disk from her vest and release it down on Zero. The disk ignites itself with green blade as it swoops down and attack Zero. Zero placed his saber in between him and deflects the boomerang off.
As the drone releases her chain rod and landed on her feet, she quickly grabs hold of the boomerang. Without wasting much time, she hurls the boomerang again and charging forward towards Zero with her chain rod fully charge. Zero deflects the boomerang attacked again and slicing the weapon into two as he turn back to the drone. And with a quick respond, Zero pulled back his beam saber into his cloak and waited, not moving an inch from his position.
The drone releases her chain rod and forms it into a lance the drone charge directly at Zero. As if time just stop, the two meet eye to eye before the drones dashed passed Zero and stand behind him with her chain rod returning back to normal. Once things calms down them both stand from back to back and waited for each other to make the next move. Finally after two second the drone drop to her knees as she hold on to her damaged arm, sliced off completely by Zero.
Zero turn around chuckling all the way as the stand on top of the damage drone. The damage drone turns around hoping to slam her fist into Zero as a last effort, but was slap on her face as she fell to the ground. Zero gives a smirk as he kicked the drone on her guts sending her hitting her back against the wall. The drone curls up in pain as she raised her head up, wanting to continue fighting, but was unsuccessful.
Zero steeping closer to the drone can see that she is trying to make a last effort to escape. Her body starts to shimmer in lights and he knew he had little time to react. He placed his hand inside his vest and pulled out a black collar and slam it onto the drone's neck locked it tight. The shimmering light around the drones stops as she gazed back in horror.
Zero smiles and raised the drone off her feet and slams his fist at the drone's face a few times before he takes his saber and activates it. As Zero stare directly at the wounded drone, he gives a wicked grin on his face before he plunged the beam saber directly into the drone's left shoulder, hanging her against the wall. The drones raised her head and scream out in pain.
"Well, Well, Well, if it isn't my old self, Zero" Zero Nightmare said with a grin on his face as he twitch his blade on the female drone, causing her to feel an intense pain on her wound. The drone holds her scream as she gazed back to Zero with an angry look on her face.
"Long time no see" Nightmare said "How long has it been... two no three years. You finally find enough courage to crawl out from that dirt nap of yours"
"Guess it's not long enough Zero Nightmare" Zero uttered in a female voice as he try to break free, but to no success.
"Still trying to assassinate ourselves. You should have learned by now that it is a useless attempt. Guess what they say is true, you just can't teach an old dog new tricks"
"I'm a slow learner" Zero chuckles, but was slap hard on the face by Nightmare. Zero thought he would have annoy Nightmare but now, but it turns up that his enemy seems to be enjoying himself the whole way.
"How many times is this Zero?" Nightmare chuckles "Six... no seven, lucky number seven. But unfortunately for you, this is just not your lucky day" Nightmare step back and glanced at Zero's wounded body and laughed. "I am surprised at you Zero, to go so low into taking a female drone's body. What will you do next?" Nightmare asked as he pushed the beam saber deeper and again Zero scream in pain.
"Hurt doesn't it?" he asked in pleasure seeing Zero's new body suffering. "You know, I bet my money that you were the one who sabotaged Adam, am I correct?" Nightmare asked
"What if I did?" Zero asked back, if he could spit on him he would have already done it by now.
"Bad mistake, you made me really mad" Nightmare said "I was so hoping to see Sydney burns up in flame, it would have been a sight worth seeing"
"Well sorry to spoil you mood, but I was rather enjoy seeing that toy of yours blown up into pieces" Zero gives a chuckles "Now that was a fireworks worth three billon zenny"
"Enjoy it while you still can... once X regains his true power, it would be the end for you" Zero uttered.
Zero Nightmare placed both his hand against the wall and lean closer to Zero with a smile, something Zero didn't expect from the word he just said "So he is the real X, even so, I doubt that he is much of a threat" Nightmare said "He maybe powerful, but that was a hundred years ago"
Nightmare turn back to his normal position "Time has changed and when Fefnir gets through with him, I will surely let you see his head hanging on a pike outside your cell" Nightmare said, but notice that Zero is laughing at him "What so funny?" Nightmare asked.
"I am laughing at your incompetence" Zero said as he gazed back with a serious eyes "He is stronger then you could have imagine and when he gets to you, there will be no place for you to hide"
"We shall see" Nightmare said as he notice Zero try to force himself, trying to fight back, but was hold back by the beam saber. "Don't try to struggle Zero, you'll just hurt yourself and I don't want that to happen just yet" Nightmare pulls out his saber as Zero slum down on the ground, holding to the pain. "I want you to suffer for a little while more and once the resistance is crush just like your old buddy X, I will personally have some fun with Dr. Ciel as I take her right before your eyes"
"You Bastard, leave her out of this" Zero yelled in anger as he try to charge at Nightmare, but only to drop back on his knees.
Nightmare smiles as he turn to the door. It slides open and two black Z drone enters the room "Centurions" Nightmare called, the drones nod their head and proceed to the wounded Z drone.
"Please take this Z drone to my shuttle, I will see to her punishment when I return to Earth" Nightmare ordered as the Centurions withdrew out a saber handle and whip it at the wounded drone, lashing on to the drone's arm and drag the wounded Zero out of the room. "By the way, don't let her touch you. She is highly contagious" Nightmare said.
Zero hang his head down and whispered "Forgive me X... I have failed you"
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"Is the preparation ready?" the Red Guardian asked as he stand watch the base around him. He was quite satisfied with the development. The drones were working extra fast and hard to raise the base in such a short notice. He turns to his subordinates standing behind him.
The crimson snake turn to his master and bow his head before giving the report "At leazzzzt another forty-eight hourzzzz more before the base can be fully operational" the snake hiss
"Good" Fefnir said as he continues to glance around the base. Then he notice sometime that seems not right. A few energy tanks pile up together in the middle of the base.
"Why are those energy containment units all pile up together?" Fefnir asked pointing to the piles of tanks.
"Sorry master.... izzzz juzzt that you wanted to set the base camp up at thissss rate that we didn't have time to fully coordinate with the dronezzz to-" Jeffar felt Fefnir pull him on his vest and looked straight into his eyes.
"No excuse Crimson Jeffar, if someone plans to throw a plasma grenade at those containment units this place will go up high sky" Fefnir said angrily.
"Understand master... I'll get the dronezzzz to move it to a safer location once we properly set up our defenses" Jeffar hiss in fear.
"Make sure that is done. I'm leaving this place under Anubis care, Jeffar and you are to follow all his orders" Fefnir said and he throws Jeffar to the ground. The snake turns to the jackal reploid beside him.
"To the letter" Anubis said smiling widely as he gazed back to the snake.
"One more thing, I don't want to hear anything from Anubis that you are having your little private party. If I do hear about it, you know what will happen" Fefnir instructed as he head for the helicopter on the helipad.
"Understood Sir" both commander said in unison.
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"So what's the rush that I have to be here at 0600 hour?" X asked as he steps into the room.
"I'm still half recharged" Passy said. She rubs her eyes and continue sit on top of X's head. X looks straight up and gives an annoying expression on his face.
"It's already bad enough that you treat me like a chauffer, but do you mind get off my head!" X complained, but didn't make any effort to push the little cyber-elf off his helmet. The little cyber-elf was too tired to start an argument with the azure reploid and slide down from X's helmet and sat on his shoulder with her face facing the opposite side. "Grumpy old relic" she mumbles.
"Look what we got here mates is drone boy and his little cyber-elf" one of the resistance in the room said. X and Passy didn't get much time to take a look at their surrounding when they very arrived, turn to the people in the room. At the end of the halls sit about a dozen resistance soldier wearing heavy armor and visor instead of those regular troops he seen in the base. Is as if this guys are some sort of elite soldier, even their weapon is different, more like modify rifle with grenade and sniper scope attach to it. "You're in the wrong place kid, buzz off!" the other resistance troop said.
"Yeah this is for grown up only" another troop said as he got on his feet and walk over to X as he points his knife to X "Go back to bed and hug your little cyber-elf"
X ignores them as he continues to walks pass the resistance troop and proceeds into the room, heading for an empty seat at the end. Passy knew this was trouble when X made that move because she knows this people. They're Commander Elpizo's men and these guys usually think their better then the regular soldier since they get better training and equipment.
"Hey kid, I don't think you heard me" the troop said as he place his hand over X's shoulder, stopping X. X turns his head over his shoulder and gazed back to the soldier.
"Kindly get your hand off me" X warned in a soft and polite manner. He was not feeling like talking to these guys. He was about to make his move and force the guy hand off his shoulder
"No X, these guys are not worth the trouble" Passy advised. He turns to the little cyber-elf; for once she gives an advised worth listening. X shoves his shoulder off the reploid hand and walk back to the exit.
"Come on kid, what'ca waiting for?" the troop mock him. X stop his step and stay in his position facing his back to the soldier "Permission from you little girlfriend there?" he insulted as the other laughed.
"Xerox's copy" the other insulted.
Passy was up to her limit when she heard them calling X by that name and turn around facing them "He is not a Xerox's copy" she yelled "At least he got enough sense to stay out of the fight, unlike you bullies" she uttered.
"Why you little" the troop muttered as he reach out his hand and about to grab hold of Passy. However before the guy could reach Passy, he was stopped by X, who is holding the troop's wrist.
"Never touch my cyber-elf" X said as he gives a little yank and throw the guy to the wall. The others saw this and got up from their seat, each arming themselves with a knife and others a chair. X step into the room with Passy by his side. He gives a small smirk on his face as he turn to Passy "Hang on sugarplum" he said.
Passy barely have the time to hang on as one of the resistance charge at him with a beam knife and is about to stab him. X dodge with ease as he grab hold of the guy's wrist and throw him to the ground and force the guy hand loose of the knife. The other waste no time and attack X. Each and every one of resistance soldiers got thrown to the wall and some landed hard on the ground as X continue to dodge them and throw them around.
He was starting to enjoy himself until one of the troop got near enough to slash his beam knife near Passy. Without hesitation he lean back a little, and grab hold of the guys wrist and force him to let go of his knife as X pulled back his other arm and release it, almost hitting the troop's face. X gives a smirk on his face when he sees the expression on the guys face. He was frightening half to death with X's fist just centimeters in front of his face.
"Enough!" the voice yelled out as the other troops raised their head and gazed back to the man standing in the entrance. "That is enough soldier, stand down" Elpizo commanded as he step into the room follow by Ciel.
"Sir" one of the soldiers replied as the other back off, leaving X and Passy standing between them and Elpizo.
"X, a little for a sparing aren't we?" Ciel asked, knowing what X was doing. She shakes her head gently and smiles back.
"Well it was early and this kind gentlemen's was so nice to help me with a little morning workout" X said turning to the badly beaten up troops. The troops retreated back a little.
"Ciel it was not X's fault. It was-" Passy try to protest, but was stop by X.
"X?" Elpizo asked in surprised as he turns to the azure reploid and from what he could see with his own eyes, he does look a lot like Nova back in Neo Arcadia.
"So you are the blue reploid I heard so much about. Nothing like the real X" Elpizo said as X gazed back to him, studying the man he heard from the ghost avatar. He is kind of different the other resistance reploid X has met. Blonde hair and wearing a long violet trench coat "Nothing special, look rather simple and lack of fire power compare to a Z drones"
"I am sure X is more then those drones you have faced" Ciel lightly protested as she stand beside X. She then turn to X and placed her hand over his shoulder. "X this is Commander Elpizo"
"Nice to meet you" Elpizo said extending his hand, X did the same and gives a shake. But X can feel a force from Elpizo's hand as the man is trying to test his strength. Being so cheerful this morning, X return Elpizo's greeting as he increase his strength just a little. X could see that Elpizo is starting to feel the effect from his hand.
"Gentlemen" Ciel said with a smile as she place her hand on both men's hand and push them apart.
"I have a feeling that you don't like me a lot MR. X" Elpizo said and he rub his hand together behind him and gaze back to X, the azure reploid gives a unfriendly look on his face.
"Just X" X said "And the feelings mutual"
"I can see that we will be great friends" Elpizo said as he walks pass X and headed straight to his men.
"I'm looking forward to it" X said sarcastically.
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"Once everything is in place, we will then begin Operation Righteous Strike" Elpizo said in a high spirited way as the other soldiers present in the hall looked back to him, hypnotized "We will strike the heart of Neo Arcadia itself and wipe them off from the face of the earth"
X watch in the back of the hall as he studies Elpizo. He has to admit, the guy can really give one hell of a speech. X smile and think, Elpizo seems to have a way to convince people, using their fear and their hope in order to achieve into something worth pursuing. But is it worth it, from what he is hearing, this Operation Righteous Strike seems like a foolish thing. Attacking Neo Arcadia head on will be a suicide. Elpizo is turning this war into his own little crusade.
X turn to his left and looked back to Sera standing beside him, she is hanging her head down and shut her eyes, not paying attention to Elpizo. He also notices something about her that he has not earlier, Sera tends to rub her fingers on a diamond hanging on a necklace. As X look closer, he could see a cross inside the glass diamond. He has never asked Sera, since she is never much into conversation. Feelings rather bored X turn to his right and hope to catch a little chat with Cerveau, only to find that the engineer has long gone from the hall. X didn't have much to do and turn back to Elpizo, it seems that he's about to end his long speech.
"Then our dead will finally rest in peace with their murderer put into justice and pay for the crimes they committed" Elpizo continue "For justice and peace" Elpizo yelled.
"For Justice! For Peace!" the troops in the hall yelled and raised their hand high up.
"For our future" Elpizo said raising his hand up.
"For our future" the soldiers shouted along.
X was starting to get annoy and just turn and walk out of the room in silence. Sera then turn to her side and watch X step out of the room. She wanted to stop him, but she didn't. She knows that it would be useless, beside she knows how he is feeling right now, Sera is rather skeptical with Elpizo's decision in this war.
As Sera's about to leave the hall a man stand in between her and the entrance "Captain Sera is it?" the man asked. Sera raised her head and looked back to the dark hair man. The guys about a feet taller then her and have a straight long hair.
"Who may I know is asking?" Sera asked.
"Captain Raven" Raven introduced.
Sera take a glance again and she knows that this guy is not from around here. She knows all the captains in this base and this guy in not one of them "You are one of Commander Elpizo's men?"
"Aren't we all?" Raven asked back with a laughed "Guess we will be working together real closely from now on"
"And who may I know told you that?" Sera asked looking back rather annoy.
"Commander Elpizo" Raven replied.
"I don't think so, I only report to Ciel herself" Sera said and step out of the room.
"Hard one to tackle, now that is a girl worth going after" Raven smirk looking back to Sera.
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As X opens the door to the workshop, he was a little surprised to see Cerveau standing in the end of the room "X" Cerveau said noticing X's presence "Looking for Rina?"
"I am afraid that you're a little late here, I have sent her out on a little errand" Cerveau replied as he place the last component into the weapon and shut the lid up. He then spun himself around and faces X "To avoid her from bumping into one of Elpizo's thugs"
"Yes I notice how they looked at her" X replied walking over to Cerveau and notice the weapon placed on the table. It's fairly large, about a size of a rocket launcher and it seems to have about four rockets mounted on it. "Say what this is?"
"I see you like it; it's a little project I made up during my past time" Cerveau replied as he lift the weapon for X to see "Is not finish, but once is ready, I'll make sure that you'll be the first one to give it a test"
"Gladly" X smiled.
"I notice you left early Cerveau" X said "Something about Elpizo that troubles you?"
"You're really observant X" Cerveau chuckles as he picks up his coffee and takes a sip before turning to X.
"I try" X replied.
Cerveau looked back to X and smile as he takes a seat on the chair "Is not that I don't like Commander Elpizo X, is just that I don't really share his view on things"
"You question his loyalty?" X asked leaning against the wall.
"No, I believed he is loyal to the resistance. Commander Elpizo is a smart and capable man X. Is just that his feelings towards Neo Arcadia troubles me" Cerveau said "I'm afraid that his obsession in destroying Neo Arcadia might lead his men into an onslaught"
"Have you talked to Ciel about this?" X asked, knowing that Cerveau share the same view on Elpizo.
"Yes, but Ciel just said that this is only temporary" Cerveau said with a doubtful look on his face "She will try talk him out of it"
"And you think Ciel cannot do it?"
"Ciel is young and sometimes naïve" Cerveau said as he get back on his feet "She easily trusts people and that is her weakness"
"You don't say" X replied knowing what Cerveau meant.
"Chief is there anything else?" Rina suddenly step into the room with a small little black box on her arms.
"No Rina, you can take a short break" Cerveau said "I can handle things from here on"
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"And you're expecting me to believe that this drone is actually the legendary X himself?" Elpizo said with a doubtful manner as he turns to Ciel sitting on the other end of the meeting room. She had a different expression on her face. Elpizo shakes his head and sat down.
"Look at the report I have gather Commander Elpizo" Ciel pointed out to the report placed in front of Elpizo, the commander gaze a glanced before turning back to Ciel "With Passy's help I was able to get a detail matrix report of X performance over the weeks"
"Ms Ciel, don't mind me saying this, but I think you have grown a little to fond of this drone" Elpizo chuckles as he raised the report and flip it onto the table, not even bothered to look at it.
Ciel gave a little annoying look on her face. Thinking how to convince Elpizo that X's really is the real deal and not just anther copy "Whichever the case Commander Elpizo, at least have a look" Ciel suggested.
Elpizo narrowed his eyes and looked back to Ciel. Just to amuse and to satisfy her eagerness, he picks up file and opens up the first page. From there he continues to browse through the report and in the end he raised his head looking back to Ciel with a little disbelieved. The detail tells Elpizo of X status and his power, gradually increasing ever battle he gone through. And there was report of certain unexplained event that happened during some of X's mission.
"It still to hard to believe Ms Ciel, an old reploid found inside a restricted zone can be the legendary X himself" Elpizo uttered as he closed the file up "Is just not possible. The real X died a hundred years ago during the fifth maverick wars, how can he be the real thing"
"Nevertheless Commander Elpizo, just think. X's body was never found and thus assume missing"
"Like the late Commander Axl" Elpizo said.
"Correct"
Elpizo laughed and looked back to Ciel "You are getting this little fairy tale a little too far Ms Ciel" Elpizo said "Let's say that this is possible and this is the real deal, what can the real X do?"
"Help us in our struggle" Ciel replied in an innocent manner.
"I doubt it Ms Ciel" Elpizo said as he gets up from his seat and walk towards Ciel.
"Explain Commander Elpizo?"
"Everyone knows that X die fighting Sigma in the fifth Maverick War. What chance do you think he have against Zero or one of his guardians?" Elpizo asked
Ciel think for a moment "I don't know, but all I know is that I believed that he is the real X" Ciel answered "Whichever the case Commander Elpizo, all those who misjudge X usually ends up regretting it"
"True and since you put such high hope in him Ms Ciel then I would not discuss this issue any further" Elpizo said "Just to me a favor and don't tell the men about this, I wouldn't want to give them any false hope"
"I will for now" Ciel said truthfully.
"Since that is all settle Ms Ciel, I have something that I wanted to talk to you about" Elpizo said as he lean a little close. Ciel quickly got off from her chair and retreated back a little.
"Err... I'm..." Ciel said thinking of an excuse. Then suddenly as if someone up there hears her prayer the door beside her slides open.
"Ciel" Haruka said not knowing that Ciel was having a meeting inside the meeting room. "I'm sorry... I"
"Haruka, I was just about to see you" Ciel said as she quickly made to the door and grab hold of Haruka's arm.
"You are?" Haruka asked in surprised.
"Then we shall talk about it the next time Ms. Ciel" Elpizo said as Ciel pulls Haruka out of the room, with a fake smile on her face.
"Yes Commander Elpizo" Ciel replied as the door shuts. Ciel then turn to the blonde girl beside her "Thanks Haruka"
"Ciel... What did I just do?" Haruka asked with a puzzle look on her face.
"Getting me out of there"
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"Show us! Show us!" the kids cheer as Nova stand in the room full of children's. He glances around and looked back to them with serious eyes.
"Hey!" Nova uttered as one of the children start pushing around him. He turns to Isis, standing not far from him, she is holding to a young human child on her arms as she smiles back to him.
"Come on show them Master Nova" Isis said, teasing him a bit.
"Sometimes I think you enjoy doing this to me" Nova said frustratingly.
"Well I do have a whole week with you as my personal body guard" Isis reminded as she walks closer to him "Remember what Zero said"
Nova remember and was rather curious about it, Zero has never asked him for such a task. To what he can recall, Zero has always asked either Leviathan or Harpuia to take this duty. This does come to a big surprised to him, now he is wondering what is Zero up to.
"Master Nova" Isis called Nova, this is how she always call him when they are around other people "Okay I'll show you" Nova said as he shut his eyes and his body start to shimmers in light. Within a blink of an eye, Nova's body has change and is cover in a bird like armor. The children around him cheer in delight in seeing such a show.
As things settle down, Nova and Isis finally find time to sit outside the park as they both watch the children in the orphanage played. Nova turns to Isis, he often wonder why Isis always comes here. But the smile on her face tells him something, she is really happy being around children then she is in Neo Arcadia.
"Why do you always come here?" Nova asked.
"I like children" Isis said turning to Nova "They always make me smile"
"I thought that was my job?" Nova asked jokingly.
"Nova... you can never understand" Isis said turning to the children playing in the field "I may have been bless with eternal life... yet there is something that I can never have... a child of my own"
"Sorry" Nova apologies.
"Is alright, so what is troubling you?" Isis asked. This comes into a surprised for Nova, he did not really expect Isis to notice that he was trouble. "You don't have to lie Nova, I know you far too well to lie"
"Nothing" Nova lied.
"Is it about the blue maverick?" Isis asked as he lean down and faced Nova "You are concern that he is the real thing?"
"I said nothing" Nova lied again.
"Nova, a relationship is base on trust; if you can't trust me who can you trust?" Isis asked. Nova turn to Isis, how he hates it whenever she does that, but she is right, relationship is base on trust and there is no one else he can trust but her "Beside, I do not care if he is the real thing, I still love you. And I'm sure he is not as charming as you are" she joked.
"Like how you know that?" Nova asked back with a small smile on his face.
"Because I think you are a lot cuter" she said as she gives a light kiss on his cheek.
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Author Notes: Thanks for the review... however I do admit that some chapter is a little slow. Don't worry once everything in place, It will go a little faster : )
