Been awhile… yadda, yadda… fixed MANY continuity problems in previous chapters, plus a re-written chapter two.

            Alarms and sirens blared to life in MHHQ. Security guards from every section raced to Dan's room. Among them was Zero, cranky from being woken up and with his Z-Saber held tightly in his left hand. X was quickly jumping through the humongous holes the giant ball of plasma created to the same destination. In fact, anyone that wasn't in the middle of something important was converging on the same exact area.

            Dan was breathing heavily, his right arm still in its buster configuration. The force of the blast had been so great that the unprepared man had been forced backwards against the wall and even then, his body had created an indentation in it. X was the first to arrive, followed almost immediately by Zero and the base security. Dan looked up at the assembled crowd with confusion written all over his face. His mouth hung open as he took deep breaths.

            Zero sighed and let his arm fall by his side.

"Back to your posts, Commander X and I will take care of this. And turn those damn sirens off! I want to be back asleep in five minutes!" The guards lowered their weapons and started to leave. Dan blinked, and came out of his daze. His head moved slightly and fixated on his right arm. He began to scream and shake the limb up and down, trying to get his hand to reappear. His mind interpreted his wishes and let the wanted appendage emerge.

            Upon seeing his hand again, Dan calmed down a bit but he started to flex it, reassuring himself that it was actually there.

The sound of Dr. Cain's cane hitting the linoleum floor heralded the man's arrival. All he had on was his blue robe, but it was all that was ready to be thrown on at a moment's notice.

"What's going on here?" He asked, panting slightly from his race down the halls.

"As near as I can figure Doc, Dan finally figured out how to use his buster." Zero answered, tapping the handle of his weapon against his arm. Dr. Cain looked at the long line of holes that ran on as far as the eye could see and looked back at Dan. The man looked back at him with a bitter stare. They both wanted answers but the only way to get them was to go to the one room in MHHQ that Dan didn't want to go.

"We don't have any choice Dan." Cain said, almost like he was reading Dan's thoughts.

"There's no way in hell I am going to let you open me up like a Thanksgiving Day turkey."

"But how else are you going to-" X started to try his luck in convincing Dan but he was cut off by Zero.

"Don't bother. Dan's mind is made up. If he wants to remain ignorant of how his body works, then let him."

            X nodded, understanding Zero's plan.

"Good. Now get out."

            Naturally, it backfired completely. X gaped at Dan.

"Dan… we only want to help you."

"I don't want your help! I want you bastards to leave me alone!"

            X hung his head and walked out, followed by a hobbling Cain. Zero stayed behind for a moment and stared at Dan with contempt written on his face.

"Doctor Light gave you a second chance to live and this is how you repay his kindness." Dan looked away.

"Cain should've left your capsule buried."

            Zero left, shutting and locking the door behind him. Dan lied back down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. His conscience was yelling at him, telling him that he should be grateful that he had people who were willing to stand by him and help. His conscience also said that Zero was completely right, that Dan was throwing away the gift of life.

            If there was one thing Dan was capable of now, it was ignoring his conscience. He folded his arms behind his head and began to wonder how long he would be forced to endure life now that he was a machine. He hadn't had a thing to eat all day but he didn't feel any less weak. Maybe it was because that the day didn't consist of anything other than standing around and making a small speech. But Dan suspected that he didn't even need to eat anymore. But one thing that he did need was sleep. His eyes fluttered close and he fell into a slumber.

            When Dan next opened his eyes, he was not in his room at Maverick Hunter Headquarters, but in his old home. He looked down at his body and saw not one of metal and wires but one of real flesh and blood. He walked out of his room and down the hallway. But as he walked, the hall shifted from painted sheetrock to polished wood. Dan turned a corner and found himself in an expensive kitchen. Sitting at the table was Kate as he remembered her; young, long and curly red hair, and with lightly tanned skin. Dan sighed in relief.

"Kate… I'm so glad to see you."

            The woman turned her head sharply towards Dan. Upon seeing him, her eyes widened and she got out of her chair.

"Who are you? What are you doing in my house?"

"What? It's me, Danny." She shook her head and started to back away.

"That can't be. He's dead and he was a human."

            Dan looked down at himself and let out a breath in disbelief. His body was once again that of a reploid. His hand went to his head and felt the helmet in place once more. He grasped it and tried to tug it off, but it was like trying to pull his own head off.

"No… this can't be…"

            He pleadingly looked back up at Kate.

"Help me." She back up against the counter, her hand grasping for something to use as a weapon. She found a knife and drew it.

"Stay away from me!"

            Dan took a few steps more towards her, tears streaming down his face.

"Please Kate…"

            The woman screamed and lunged towards Dan, the knife held to strike. He raised his hands in defense. The tip of knife hit his chest.

            Dan woke with a small shout. He looked around and saw that he was still in his room at MHHQ. The giant hole he had created several hours ago was in the final stage of restoration by a dozen metools. Climbing out of his bed, Dan rubbed his eyes out and exited the room. He tiredly rubbed his head, only then noticing that his helmet had fallen off during the course of night, not that he cared. The reploids outside had resumed their daily routine and paid little attention to Dan as he wandered down the halls.

            Eventually Dan ended up by the cafeteria. Judging by the sun's position through one of the windows, it was about nine in the morning. A good portion of the staff had already eaten breakfast. On the other side of the kitchen door, he could hear the staff getting the menu ready for lunch. Walking into the dining area, he took a seat and rested his head in his hands. Dan had no idea what he was going to do. The Maverick Hunters would only be willing to let him freeload for so long and he was pretty sure that all his previous skills would have no application or demand in the world he now found himself in.

            As Dan sat there, one of the waiter robots noticed him and wheeled over. He turned his head towards the automated machine as it came to halt next to him.

"Do you wish to order something sir," The machine asked in its monotone voice.

"No."

"Very well, have a pleasant day sir." The robot wheeled away.

            All of a sudden, the sound of synchronized boots echoed from beyond the cafeteria entrance, drawing closer with each step. Dan turned his head back down towards the table. If they were from some uptight special unit, he didn't want to have to deal with them. When the squad of reploids appeared, they each bore the markings of MHHQ security staff. They held no rifles, but they did have some rather large blunt weapons dangling on their hips. One of them, in charge judging by the extra pin on her shoulder, stepped forward and scanned the room. When her eyes fell on Dan, she pointed to him and the rest of the squad immediately surrounded him.

            Dan looked at them. Each one was stone faced and had an air of complete professionalism and business about them. Dan decided to humor himself with them.

"Morning folks, what can I do for you?"

"Sir, Dr. Cain requests your presence in his office."

"Really? Then why doesn't the old bastard come down here himself or use the PA?"

"Dr. Cain is a very busy person. Now would you please come with us sir."

            At this Dan rose from his chair and sneered at them.

"Not a chance in hell."

            He started to walk away but one of the guards stepped in his way.

"That wasn't a question sir. You are coming with us and we authorized to use force if necessary."

            All of a sudden Dan reared back his right fist and squarely punched a guard to his left in his chest. Had the guard been human, the breath would've been knocked right out of him in addition to being thrown through the air a good five feet. The rest of the squad each took a step back and drew their sticks, save for one who went to the aid of the fallen guard. Dan took a fighting stance.

"Gimme your best shot."

            But while Dan certainly had strength on his side, the guards had training and experience. It was only a short while before they had Dan subdued and, with his hands bound behind his back, they were walking down the halls to Cain's office.

            Meanwhile, Cain's forehead was throbbing fiercely as he minced words with Emilius Cristoph. The slime-ball of a man had called a short while ago. Cain had known that Cristoph would've called about Dan sooner or later but the night's alarm had Cain in a rather difficult position; Cristoph was asking questions that Cain didn't want to answer, for Dan's sake.

"Why did you not release to us the details about him? As the GDC's liaison to the Maverick Hunters, I have the right to know anything that might jeopardize the safety of society."

"Let me assure you that Dan Parker could not possibly be a threat of any kind to people."

"Do you have any proof of this that you can give me Dr. Cain?"

"His CPU's design; I've taken a look at it and have determined that he can not become infected by the Maverick Virus. Quite simply, it is incompatible with his system."

            Cristoph's expression darkened.

"Just because a reploid is not infected does not mean that it can't go maverick. Need I remind you about the Repliforce?" Dr. Cain sighed heavily.

"No councilman, you do not. I will give you a full report on Dan's system in due time. Right now he is being… stubborn about that subject."

            Cristoph leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath.

"Very well, you have one week Dr. Cain. By next Wednesday I want its basic specifications on my desk."

'Its? Dan's just an it to you, you son of a bitch?' Cain bitterly thought. But his facial expression remained neutral, not giving Cristoph any clue to his mind's workings. The GDC councilman continued talking.

"On other matters, a base wide alarm was sounded late last night. What was the reason?"

"An accidental buster discharge. Disciplinary actions have already been taken against the individual responsible."

"Well then that's all I have to discuss with you right now Dr. Cain." Cristoph leaned forward towards his console and was about end the communication when he halted and stared right into Cain's eyes.

"Remember, one week."

            With a flick of finger, the line was cut and Cain's screen displayed only the Hunter logo. The aged man leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples. Things were not going well at all. If Dan didn't give Cain permission to examine him, Cristoph would send his own team to do it, and understanding is the last thing they would be.

            The buzzer to his door com sounded. Cain took a deep breath and sat up straight in his chair.

"Come in."

            The door rose into the wall and in stepped the security squad with Dan safely in tow.

"We found him in the dining hall sir. He put quite a fight and we were forced to detain him," the squad leader reported. Cain gave Dan a disapproving glare. He gave a cold one in return. Cain looked back at the leader.

"Thank you Coarse. You may leave now."

            The female reploid nodded, saluted Cain, and followed her squad out the door. When they were alone, Cain sighed, grabbed his cane, and walked over to Dan.

"It would've been better for the both of us if you had just went along quietly," Cain scolded as he opened the lock on Dan's bindings.

"Yeah, well my statement last night still stands. I'm not going to let use me like a guinea pig."

"I don't want to experiment on you Dan." The lock fell open and Cain grabbed the binding. Dan pulled his arms up to his chest and started to rub his wrists.

"You know damn well what I mean."

            Cain hobbled back over to his desk, tossing the handcuffs on it.

"Why'd you have to send your goon squad after me anyways? I may not like you but I'm willing to talk."

            Cain picked up a folder up his desk and handed it to Dan. The man opened it up, finding a series of photographs inside. Each one had a giant white spot in the center with the surrounding areas different in each photo and with vastly different colors.

"What are these?"

"Thermal images of your buster's plasma shot."

"So? Plasma's extremely hot. Any seventh grade student can tell you that."

"Except this is different, your shot's heat signature was off the scale of our base's security equipment. We're sending the recordings to a team of experts so we can get an exact reading."

"What are you trying to say Cain?"

"Your buster is of a completely radical design Dan. It's not based in the slightest bit off of the Megabuster series. And it's destructive capabilities…"

            Now Dan looked at Cain with honest concern.

"Just how powerful is it?"

"Your blast went through a storage area and completely destroyed a block of pure Met Alloy."

            Silence prevailed over the room. Dan was in equal shock as Cain. Met Alloy was an extremely tough compound of metals that was made famous in its use to create the Metool series of robots. Forever trademarked by their Japanese construction helmet design, they were mainly used for repair and maintenance work. But Dan remembered from his childhood that Dr. Wily had altered their programming to attack humans. When they were destroyed, the robotic components were completely eradicated but no handheld weapon could destroy the hard hat.

            Suddenly Cain's door com buzzed. Blinking a few times to rid his eyes of their blank stare, he told whoever it was on the other side to come in. The door opened to reveal a man dressed in a spotless blue uniform decorated with pins and ribbons. Held in his left hand was a cap with a pair of wings pinned to the front. His skin color was a dark brown and he had a clean shaven face.

"Dr. Cain, I'm Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Miller from the nearby Ameri-Canadian Alliance Air Force base."

            The colonel walked over to Cain's desk and shook the old man's hand. He then turned his gaze upon Dan.

"And you must be Daniel Parker. You've become quite the celebrity in the past twenty-four hours."      

            Colonel Miller offered Dan his hand. The man simply nodded in return. Colonel Miller hesitated a moment before letting his hand fall.

"What can I do for you Colonel," Cain asked.

"As you should know, my base received a notification that the Maverick Hunters Headquarters alarm went off at approximately 0240 hours. Even though you notified us shortly thereafter that everything was under control, I thought I should still come to see if there was anything we could do to help. After all, so much is owed to the Maverick Hunters."

"Thank you for your concern Colonel. Believe me, we appreciate it."

            Colonel Miller nodded and turned his attention back towards Dan.

"Mr. Parker, I think I should let you know that several military scientists are discussing plans of analyzing your systems for medical and military applications." At those words, the color drained from Cain's face.

'Oh God no.'

"None of these plans have even been completely thought out yet but I would like to know if you would participate if one such proposal was given authorization."

"No," was Dan's answer. Colonel Miller took a deep breath and nodded.

"I understand." He looked back at Cain.

"Well, I've came here for what I wanted to so I'll leave now."

            As Miller stepped out the door, he stopped and looked at Dan.

"For what it's worth, you have my sympathies Mr. Parker. I can only imagine what you must be going through." And with that, he left.

            Dan kept silent for a few minutes before looking at Cain.

"Do you want anything else from me?"

"No Dan, that's enough for now."

            Dan left the room, leaving Cain alone to his thoughts and a bottle of Jack Daniels.

            Outside, Dan started wandering the halls in an absent-minded daze. The look in his eyes was dull and glazed over. Things were happening much too fast for him to handle. First there was Kate's death; then Dan's mind readjusting itself to his new body, and now the military was trying to find out what made him tick. To him, hope of finding a place in the world was rapidly fading.

            Looking up, Dan found himself in front of the several bars within MHHQ, this one called The Last Round. He stared blankly at the glowing neon sign. He had never had a drink before. He looked around. This section of the building was empty as most reploids were on duty. Dan shrugged and walked through the door.

'What the Hell, I'm technically the oldest guy here.'

            The room was dimly light with a variety of colors; blue, green, yellow, and red. A dozen tables decorated the area, one of which had a pair of off duty guards playing a game of poker. In the far corner were a modern jukebox and a pool table resting a few feet from it. On the left wall was a vid screen that had an on going baseball game displayed. The bar on the right was spotless with several stools in perfect condition. Standing behind the bar and cleaning a shot glass was the bartender, a reploid designed after a pug dog.

            Dan slowly ambled over to the bar and took a seat, his elbows resting on the wood. The bartender looked up at him and placed the glass back in its rack.

"What can I get for ya?"

"A shot of whiskey if you have any."

            The bartender nodded, took the glass he had just finished cleaning, and poured a bottle of the liquor in it. Dan picked up the glass and brought to his eyes. The yellow liquid had a thin layer of white on its surface that was quickly dissipating. The image of the bartender was distorted, making him look even unattractive than before. The alcohol held no solutions, but merely a means of escape from Dan's pain.

"Through the teeth, over the gums, watch out stomach, here it comes," he muttered as the glass was lifted to his lips. A tilt of his head backwards and the whiskey disappeared from the glass. He set it back on the bar. For a moment, he felt nothing but the cool liquid traveling down his throat. Then all of a sudden, the magic elixir's strength kicked in.

            Dan doubled over and coughed loudly several times. The bartender smirked and softly chuckled.

"First time huh? You should've started with something a little bit weaker than whiskey."

            Dan looked at him with a blank expression, blinked, and then held his shot glass up.

"Refill please."

            A couple hours later, Dan still sat at the bar, hunched over a full fledged mug of beer. He had given up on the whiskey a while ago. The bartender still stood behind his wooden bench, polishing the surface. A few of the other patrons had left and replaced by a handful of others. The baseball game was still going on.

            The red armored man lifted his drink to his lips and gulped down the last of it. With a sigh, Dan let the mug fall noisily back onto the bar. The bartender looked at him with a bored face.

"Another refill?"

            When Dan didn't reply, the bartender shrugged and went back to his polishing. Dan stared intently into the bottom of his mug with his bloodshot eyes. A few droplets of the malted liquid remained down there. About the same amount was left of Dan's confidence, self-respect, and will. A part of his mind screamed at him to cease this foolishness and leave this place. But he didn't hear it. The alcohol had given him a bit of a buzz.

            A Hunter that was playing pool looked towards the bar.

"Hey Pugs, you wanna change this shit? Your favorite team is getting their asses handed to them."

"Yeah, yeah, hold on a second…"

            The bartender walked over to where he had left the remote and changed it to a random channel. The screen now showed a news broadcaster flying over a city further inland. The center of their attention was a throng of people that were gathered in the streets below.

"… all over the globe people have gathered in protest at the continued presence of Dan Parker within the Maverick Hunter Headquarters in New Tokyo, Washington. None of the known anti-reploid groups have released any statements regarding the recently revealed reploid, but a few of the protesters did comment to our teams on the ground."

            The screen's image changed to a recorded video of one particularly fat woman talking to the camera.

"I can tolerate a reploid 'cause they've always been that way. But he was once human and I won't standby while scientists try to figure out how he was made and make more like him."

            The picture changed again to a much more unruly mob. The police were shown holding riot shields, some of them with the remains of foodstuffs streaked on the plastisteel.

"He doesn't deserve to be called by a human name anymore! We demand the death of Omega for he will be the doom of us all!" The crowd cheered in response.

            The rioter was about to spout more of his mind-numbing propaganda when the vidscreen burst out in a spray of shattered glass and sparks. All eyes in the room snapped to Dan who was now standing, his arm outstretched. What remained of his glass mug could be seen at the bottom of the vidscreen. He looked at Pugs. The bartender had his back to wall.

"Bill Cain for my drinks and a new display. It's about the only thing he's good for."

            Dan started to walk out of the room with a hunched back. The door opened briefly, letting in some of the early afternoon sun before it slammed shut once more, leaving the room lit only by its unnatural lighting. Pugs sighed as he walked over to the broom closet.

"That boy needs some serious help before he goes off and does something stupid."

            The corridors of MHHQ were a blur to Dan as he staggered towards his room. His mind was shattered. A third of the world turned its back on him, another third wanted him dead and the rest either didn't care or just wanted to place underneath a microscope. Kate died because of him. In his mind he had no one to turn to. He truly was alone.

            The door to his room opened. The inside was dimly lit, just as he had left it. His helmet lied forgotten next to his bed. Dan stepped in and shut the door behind him.

            Zero screamed out loud and brought his saber down on the holographic maverick. The fuchsia armored enemy shrieked before the plasma blade cut through him. Zero lifted his weapon up and slotted into the recharge module attached to his shoulders. He was breathing heavily, the program he had just finished was that he had customized specifically for pure melee fighting. He had spent the day running it out of the general stress that came from leading his unit. There were just sometimes he felt like his was in charge of a bunch of monkeys armed with sharp knifes and a fistful of acorns.

"Computer, end program."

            The holosimulator's system's beeped in response and the image of a war-torn city faded and was replaced by black squares broken by yellow lines. Zero calmly strode out of the room and into the training halls. As the doors shut behind him, a grin slowly started to cover his face.

"Well Dan, it's time you learned what it feels like to fight a Maverick."

            Dan sat on the edge of his bed, stare blankly at the wall and softly singing to himself.

"Through early morning fog I see, visions of the things to be, the pains that are withheld for me. I realize and I can see…

"That suicide is painless. It brings on many changes. And I can take or leave it, if I please.

"The game of life is hard to play, I'm gonna lose it anyway. The losing card I'll someday lay. So this is all I have to say…

"Suicide is painless. It brings on many changes. And I can take or leave it, if I please.

"The sword of time will pierce our skin. It doesn't hurt when it begins. But as it works it way on in, the pain grows stronger, watch it grin…

"Suicide is painless. It brings on many changes. And I can take or leave it, if I please.

"A brave man once requested me, to answer questions that are key. 'Is it to be, or not to be?' And I replied, 'Oh why ask me…?'

"Suicide is painless. It brings on many changes. And I can take or leave it, if I please.

"And you can do the same thing if… you…. please…"

            Dan's voice lost the sing-song quality to it and fell flat.

"Suicide is painless…"

            He looked down at his opened torso.

"I hope."

            Zero calmly walked down the hall, the daily crowds that occupied it were starting to disperse for the coming night. Dan's roomed grew closer with each step. Zero lightly fingered the handle of his beam saber. He was contemplating about letting Dan use his weapon of choice for practice. He somehow doubted that the holographic matrix would be able to handle Dan's buster well. It would take a Mk. IV X-Buster to blow through one of MHHQ's reinforced walls and what Dan had cleaved through them like a hot knife through butter.

            Zero let his arm fall back down. Dan's room was right in front of him now. Pressing the opening key, the door slid into the ceiling.

He walked in just in time to see Dan rip out two handfuls of his internal circuits.

"Oh GOD!" Zero screamed at the top his lungs. Dan's eyes widened as far as they could as his body started convulsing. His hand's relaxed and the metallic contents clattered to the floor. Zero activated his emergency comm. unit.

"This is Commander Zero; I want an emergency medical team at my current location ten minutes ago!"

            He cut the line before whoever was at the other end could ask any questions. Zero ran over to Dan and picked him up in his arms.

"Dammit, I will NOT let you do this Dan!"