No bios this time. By now you guys should know the drill. If not, check chapter one for disclaimer.

Chapter 3: Safe for now.

Star smiled weakly after thinking on DMZ's words "Maybe you're right... Thanks, DMZ" She said as he helped her up. He smiled back at her.

She noticed that there was something worrying him but decided it would be better if she talked about it later. "Let's head back now... It'll be dark soon." DMZ said. Star nodded.

The trip back to the base was long and quiet, but they didn't have any trouble. Both hunters were lost in their own thoughts. DMZ is totally different from what people say... Star thought while quickly glancing at him, smiling. I guess just because he was a Maverick once, doesn't mean he can't be trusted anymore.

By the time they reached the base, it was already nightime. X, Zero and Axl were at the entrance waiting for them. They looked much better than when Star had left them at the infermary, but they still looked a bit weak. "Star! DMZ" X shouted as he ran towards them. Zero and Axl followed him close.

Star smiled softly at them to show she was okay but they noticed the damage on her arm and how she and DMZ looked tired. "What happened to you guys" Axl asked.

"Long story..." Star sighed. "Let's go inside, I fill you guys in."

At the meeting room, Star and DMZ told them about their meeting with the Wolf Brothers and Veldogger. "Well, in a nutshell, that's what happened. We don't know what are those mavericks' true motives, but we can track them down thanks to DMZ's tracers." Star explained.

"That's great." Zero said thoughtfuly "For now, we'd better save our strenght."

"Star, I want you to go to the infirmary and have your arm repaired. As for you, DMZ, you should go rest too." X told them.

DMZ just glanced at Star, before he nodded and left them. "He's a nice guy, once you get to know him, huh" Zero said as he watched him left. Star nodded, smiling. "You might as well say that, Zero." She replied while rubbing her arm.

"Come on, Star. I'll take you to the infirmary. That arm needs tending". X offered. Star couldn't help but giggle. X never changed.

"Fine, you won, X." Star said before looking at Axl and Zero. "You two coming"

"Why not? I got nothing better to do anyway." Axl shrugged. Zero nodded.

The four hunters left.

DMZ sat at the bar. It still bothered him about what happened during his transformation. He sipped on his drink. "I can't believe I saw Star as a enemy..." He said to himself. "I know the targeting system brought her up as a target... but why did it take so long to reac"

He kept asking him self. Thoughts floated around in his head. He was still confused, but he protected Star and brought her back to the base unharmed.

"I can't believe you let them get away" Fire yelled as Ice did his best to repair his wounds.

"Brother, I couldn't help it, he moved too fast..." he said.

"I could see him just fine..." Fire said.

"Then why didn't you get him" Ice questioned.

"I was busy..." Fire replied.

"Doing what? Talking to Veldogger" Ice questioned again.

"Calm down, both of you." said Veldogger as he saw the brothers starting to argue. "Don't you see? This is their plan, to turn us against one another! They're trying to divide and conquer."

Fire agreed. "You're right, we won't fall for their tricks! Next time we see them they're done for"

Ice wasn't so sure. "But what about our injuries?"

"Don't forget, they were injured as well" Fire assured him.

"And another thing, since we are canine reploids, our injuries will heal faster than those of a little girl and her wimpy friend" added Veldogger.

"He didn't seem so wimpy to me" said Ice.

"Don't worry. Last time, he caught us off guard with that crazy transformation of his." Veldogger told him. "Next time we'll be ready for that. And they will be defeated"

Veldogger and Fire laughed evil laughs. Ice wasn't as confident, but he smiled and nodded his head.

At the infirmary, Lifesaver was tending Star's wounds.

"Hmmm... You were really lucky, Star. Your injuries were bad, but they should heal nice now. You should just avoid using this arm for a while" Lifesaver said after he was done.

Star smirked. "Well, that works for me. I'll just have to rely on my whip for while." She concluded smiling "Thanks a lot, Lifesaver."

"No need to thanks. It's my job." He smiled gently at her. "Now, if you excuse me, I need to check some other hunters." He left the room.

Star turned to her friends. X looked lost in his thoughts. "Something on your mind, X" She asked the blue bomber.

"It's about those mavericks that attacked you and DMZ..." He answered.

"You mean Veldogger and the Wolf Brothers" Axl asked.

"Yeah. Something about them worries me..." X replied looking at the window. "They're different from other Mavericks."

"Well, no use worrying about them for now." Zero said trying to make his friend feel better.

"Zero's right." Star said "DMZ put tracers on them. If they strike, we'll be ready for them."

"Sounds good too me." Axl said, twirling one of his pistols.

"I guess so..." X finally said. "Well, it's getting late. We better get some rest."

"You're right. I'll see you guys in the morning." Star said as she headed for her bedroom.

X, Zero and Axl wished her good night and they headed for their own rooms, unaware of what they were going to face the next day.