Disclaimer: X, Zero and all the recognizable characters don't belong to me. Nemesis Omega and her unit, however, do belong to me. Except for Iris, of course :)
Feedback: Yes, please. But do keep in mind that this is an AU fic, so if you're just going to flame me for adding my own character, don't waste anyone's time. I much prefer constructive criticizm. Thank you.
Chapter 4: Spy in the Ranks
"It's about time you two showed up." X smirked as Nemesis and Zero walked into the auditorium. The excited chatter of those rookies who had finished their training nearly drowned out his words.
"We would have been here sooner, but Nem overslept." Zero said, teasing his sister.
"Actually, I didn't really sleep at all last night." Nemesis said, stretching. "What really detained us was Ares."
"Ares?" X looked confused. "What about him?"
"Just being an ass." Nemesis muttered. "Anyway, we can talk about that later. It looks like Doc is ready to make the assignments."
Once Dr. Cain had made his congratulatory speech he announced which reploids would be added to which unit. In the end, X and Zero ended up with two new additions to their units while Nemesis ended up with three. Jet, one of the two who had been added to Zero's unit, approached the Crimson Hunter, a huge smile on his face.
"It's so thrilling to be working under THE Zero. I mean, you are THE Crimson Hunter. I'm so excited. If there's anything I can do, anything at all, please let me know, Sir!"
"Uh… thanks, I think." Zero said. "Just go get settled into your newly assigned quarters for now."
"Yes sir!" Jet said, before eagerly running off.
"Ass kisser." Nemesis said after the new member of the 0 unit was out of hearing range.
"Yeah, yeah… so he's a bit eager." Zero shrugged.
"Any more eager and he would have been asking to spit polish your armor." X said, grinning.
"Yuck." Nemesis said, laughing. "That couldn't be sanitary, could it?" As the three shared a laugh, the new members of Nemesis' unit approached.
"Nemesis Omega?" The first, a female, asked. She eyed Nemesis, as if trying to gage her worth. Nemesis returned the gaze, not willing to back down from the challenge.
"Yes." She said simply.
"We're the new members of your unit, Commander." The reploid said respectfully. She turned her head toward the male reploid to her right. "This is Orion."
The Reploid clad in silvery-black armor bowed. "It's an honor, My Lady." He said, bowing. His eyes, the same color of his armor, seemed to look right through Nemesis.
Suppressing the urge to shudder, she offered him a curt not in response.
"This," the female Reploid continued, gesturing to her left, "Is Eros." This reploid, clad in silver and gold armor carried a bow on his back jus as Artemis and Apollo did. The first thing Nemesis had noted though, wasn't the wings that arched gracefully from his back, it was his eyes. There's something about him… I'm not sure if I trust him or not.
"Commander." Eros said, nodding politely. Nemesis returned the nod.
"And I am Nyx." The black haired female continued. "It is an honor and a privilege to be working with you, Ma'am."
"Thank you." Nemesis said, offering a polite smile. "Today is basically for getting settled in. Find your quarters and relax. Training starts tomorrow."
After the trio had left, along with most of the other new recruits, Zero tousled Nemesis' hair. "Awww looks like baby sister got some ass kissers, too."
"Yeah, well, to be honest they give me the creeps more than anything." She smirked. "Besides, you bet that I would get a "don't want to break a nail beauty queen." I didn't, so I win the bet. Ha!"
"Yeah, yeah. Details." Zero shrugged. He glanced at X. "So, who are your new unit members?"
X shrugged. "Ruby and Citrine." He paused. "And it looks like their sister Sapphire was added to your unit."
Zero nodded. "I noticed that. It seems that Jet and Nem's new additions were the only ones who felt like introducing themselves."
Nemesis shook her head. "I've heard about Sapphire and Ruby. They had quite the reputation among the other rookies. They're your typical 'party girls'."
X grinned. "Could be a challenge, then."
Zero returned the grin. "Challenges are good."
Nemesis rolled her eyes. "Yeah. Anyway, we have things to do, so unless you want to hang around here all afternoon…"
"I was planning on it." Zero smirked, stretching. "She's right X…"
"Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch! Nem was right about something?" "You two are funny." Nemesis narrowed her eyes. "No, really. Come on." She turned, walking out of the auditorium, X and Zero following.
Unbeknownst to them, three sets of eyes peered from a darkened corner, watching them.
"X and Zero will be unaware of what's happening." One, a female spoke. "It will be easy to distract them from Lord Sigma's plan."
"My Lady Commander wont know what's happening, either." A male voice responded. "She'll be in Sigma's hands within a week."
(A/N: I know… this chapter wasn't that great. I feel like I've lost the chemistry I had going between Nem X and Zero. I will get it back, and I will continue this fic!)
