A/N Thanks to those of you who are actually reading this. I suppose I should have labeled it as an Alternate Universe fic from the beginning *sigh* oh well. On with the much under-appreciated but I'm still gonna write it anyway show. ~~ for character's thought


Chapter three: The Ares Factor

Nemesis awoke the next morning feeling sluggish. She hadn't cared much for the atmosphere of the meeting location Zero had picked the night before. Nor did she sleep much once they arrived back at the base. The information Zero had given them last night had bothered her.

She sighed. So what if she was Sigma's next target? It wasn't like she was new to danger. She was always in danger. They all were. No, that wasn't what bothered her. It was Zero's explanation of why. ~ Am I really the link between the human and reploid races? ~

She was interrupted from her thoughts by a knock at the door. "C'mon, Nem." Zero called. "Some of the Rookies who have proven themselves ready are being assigned to units this morning. There are some going into yours."

Nemesis cursed under her breath and straightened her hair before she stood and crossed to the door. "Ok, Z." She said as she opened it. She smirked. "Bet you get some suck up ass kisser."

Zero returned the smirk. "Bet you get some prissy 'I don't wanna break a nail' beauty queen."

"You're on." Nemesis said laughing. "Now let's..."

"Good morning my lady huntress."

Zero turned and glared at the newcomer. "Ares, is that how you speak to your commanding officer?"

Ares smirked and gave a mock bow. "Still hiding behind your brother, lady commander?"

"I never hide behind my brother." Nemesis said. Her tone changed from joking to an almost regal commanding one. "Now I suggest you hurry and report to Apollo. I have matters that I need to attend to this morning."

Ares smirked and bowed again. "As my lady commander orders." He glanced at Zero. "Have a nice day."

Zero shook his head as he watched Ares walk away. "I can see what you mean, Nem. He could be trouble. Why haven't you labeled him Maverick yet?"

Nemesis shrugged. "Other than being an ass he's done nothing that I know of. At least nothing I can prove he's done." She glanced at her brother and smirked. "Besides, we can't go around labeling everyone that's an ass as a maverick can we?"

Zero shrugged. "I suppose not."

Nemesis smiled sweetly, too sweetly for Zero's tastes. "Of course not, because then we'd have to label you as a Maverick, wouldn't we?"

An expression of mock hurt and shock crossed Zero's face. "Nemesis Omega how could you?" He laughed. "Lets get going before the doc gets mad and really does give us ass kissers."


****

A shadowed figure stood in a darkened hallway, sending a transmission to Sigma. "Yes, my lord Sigma, they're going to receive the new members of the unit now. Yes, I'll be certain he's added to her unit. Don't worry, our Lady Huntress will be in your clutches soon."