Heavy Metal!
Chapter 1
"Targeted"
By MEGAMANX411
Alia, the main navigator for Maverick Hunter HQ, was wincing her eyes as she stared at her computer sceen in front of her. She had been working nonstop to try and find some information, but didn't have any success after hours upon hours of searching. Pallette and Layer, the two new recruit navigators, weren't having much luck either. All three girls sighed in unison and laid back in their chairs, completely fried from having spent hours in front of their monitors.
"I can't believe that there's almost no information on this guy..." Pallette muttered, rubbing her forhead.
"I know. It just seems so odd that there is barely any leads. It's like his very existence is questionable," Layer added, pulling her hair out of her eyes.
"Well, we do have a little," Alia replied, motioning for the other two navigators to take a look at what she had uncovered.
Layer and Pallette congregated around Alia's computer screen and focused on what she had found very intently.
"So far, we only know what crimes Metal has committed because of certain patterns in how the reploids were destroyed. He did make a minor slip in front of one area's security system which has provided us with one picture of him...but unfortunatley, the picture is so hazy and skewed that it's almost impossible to identify him. His crime rate has escalated to a ridiculous degree. Luckily for us, there isn't a lot of panic because not many know of him yet. A lot of media sources think that Metal is a hoax, just a horror story..." Alia explained.
"Well, if the media doesn't know that Metal's really real, that might work to our advantage," Pallette answered. "People won't be afraid of him."
"Yes..but we need to take care of this before it gets out of hand," Layer replied, motioning to Metal's crime history. "Metal has committed increasingly bigger crimes. And with each one, we find that more illegal goods have been stolen. If he keeps getting stronger, stopping him may be rather difficult."
Alia looked over at Metal's supposed crime history. True, a lot of this was based off of rumor and conjecture, but at least it was something.
"I just wonder what Metal is up to with all this stuff. I don't believe he's just stealing it because he can. That doesn't make any sense. There has to be some motive," Alia muttered.
"It's just too bad that the authorities haven't really been up on this," Pallette answered.
"Well..the police force has tried to capture him. They just can't seem to catch him, or even locate him for that matter. He's incredibly slippery," Layer answered.
"What about bounty hunters?" asked Pallette, scratching her chin.
"The high bounty put on him should attract some powerful bounty hunters. But we can only hope Metal doesn't end up killing them and stealing their weapons..." Alia muttered.
"Should we ask Signas to have some hunters assigned to the mission?" asked Pallette.
"That sounds like a good idea. I'll go get him," Layer replied, getting up from her seat.
Layer walked through the navigation and slowly approached Signas' desk. She was rather meek and reserved as usual, and cautiously moved her hair so she could see probably. She fidgeted with a pen in her hands nervously. Signas then looked up from his work to see Layer standing in front of him.
"Oh, Layer, it's you. Is there something you need?" Signas asked.
"Sir, we have some information ona reploid by the name of Metal. We think we might have to start sending hunters after him based on our findings," Layer replied, sounding a bit nervous.
"Hmm..are there bounty hunters already on the task?" Signas asked, cocking his head to one side.
"Well, yes, that's true, but-"
"I'm not sure if it's too wise to get hunters and bounty hunters involved in the same mission. Bounty hunters don't typically get along with hunters either. I for one don't want any unnecessary fighting," Signas answered.
"Sir, but Metal is becoming a rather big threat. I think it's better safe than sorry," Layer answered, sounding a bit more confident than before.
"Hmm..you do raise a valid point. Let me see what data you have amassed so far," Signas answered, getting up from his desk.
Signas followed Layer back to the navigation room. Alia and Pallette stood up to salute their superior as he entered the room, and then resumed their normal duties.
"So what have you found?" Signas asked.
"Well sir, we have found what crimes Metal has committed. Unfortunately, because no really cohesive investigation has been made, we can't really locate him. We need someone to get on the case so we can find out more about him," Alia asked.
"That's true. Still, I don't think it would be in our best interest to just send out our best hunters. That might create some panic. We'll send some lower end hunters at first. Is that understood?" Signas asked, his voice firm as usual.
"Yes sir. Actually, sir, there was one other thing I wanted to ask of you," Alia replied.
"Yes Alia, what is it?" Signas asked.
"May I have access to the Maverick data files from before I arrived at Maverick Hunter HQ? It is possible that Metal was formerly dubbed as Maverick and has been trying to escape since then. That might provide us with a slight lead," Alia answered.
Signas nodded slowly and gave Alia his confirmation.
"Yes, that's a good idea. You girls continue your work. I'll file the necessary paperwork to get some hunters assigned to the mission. Don't get X, Zero, or Axl involved now though. We don't want to send them out unless we really need to," Signas answered.
"Understood," the three navigators replied in unison.
Elsewhere, a dark figure entered a warehouse. He sighed lightly before brushing his black hair outof his eyes for a moment. He slowly walked into the dark, dank warehouse and approached a reploid girl. She was somewhat short, perhaps around 5 feet or so. She had pale skin and purple and black striped armor.
Her long black hair flowed elegantly down to her knees, and she had deep blue eyes with dark spots under them, similar to Metal. She also had anarchy symbols on her chest and knees, but appeared rather meek and reserved.
"I'm back," Metal whispered, smiling at the girl.
"I'm glad you're safe..but how long can we keep this up?" the girl asked, trembling as she spoke.
"Don't talk like that. We're not gonna get caught. Not as long as I keep getting stronger," Metal answered. "Goth, I'm not gonna let either of us get caught."
Goth lowered her head and her eyes trailed off as she was overcome by feelings of sadness and fear. Metal placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'll make sure no one takes you," Metal whispered, smirking at the girl. "Besides, I've been getting stronger and stronger. I can take out just about anyone. And besides, no hunter is going to use illegal parts to take me down. I'll always have the upper hand on those fags."
"Metal..when we don't have to run anymore, will you get rid of those illegal parts?" asked Goth.
Metal's expression turned harsh. He then looked away, like Goth had said something that stabbed him in the heart. His eyes flashed with feelings of rage, and he gritted his teeth.
"I might.." he muttered. "But I'm not gonna be incomplete."
Goth looked away, and then brought her head back up. She had wondered if she and Metal could just stop running, stop fighting. It seemed so useless at times..and she didn't want to run forever. She knew that Metal would protect her..but having to run all the time and not being able to enjoy life was taking its toll on her.
"Maybe they aren't really all that bad..maybe we should give up, and they'll forgive us. I mean, it's useless to keep running..." Goth muttered, looking down at the ground.
Metal angrily gritted his teeth, reached over, and grabbed Goth's green cloak. It was full of bullet holes from people they had escaped from previously. Metal held it up in front of Goth's face.
"You see this? It's full of goddamn holes! Bullet holes! They're trying to kill you, don't you get it? We can't give ourselves up to those bastards!" Metal screamed.
"I know..it's just that.." Goth muttered, hanging her head low again.
"Look, don't worry. I'll scrap anyone they send after us. Even...them..." Metal muttered, clenching his fist.
