Of Irregulars and Hunters: Genesis

by Goldenmane

My take on the origin of the X universe kept as canon as possible.

5. Consequences

Disclaimer - I don't own them, just doing this because it was a slow, snowy day at work (and the original draft filled one sheet of paper and both free areas of a stock list O.o)

This is set WAY before X1 and is my version of how things came to be. This is going to be done as accurately as possible using information from all of the X games. As always, please keep in mind that there has to be some literary license to fill in the gaps the games leave. Thanks to Tikimother for beta'ing this for me.

Read and enjoy!

Timescape Saga

Of Irregulars and Hunters

Book One
Genesis

Chapter Four
Consequences

(C) 1 - 13 - 2004 to 6 - 05 - 2005 All Rights Reserved
By Goldenmane

Zero . . .

Back up systems initiated.

Loading boot protocols.

Protocols accepted.

Loading main files.

Main files loaded.

Initiating main core.

Main core functioning at 100 percent.

My masterpiece . . .

Testing total available memory.

Total memory allotted 34,968 TB

Actual memory used 9010 TB

Warning. Memory files corrupted. Percent of memory files loaded 54.

Initiating recovery of memory files from back up source.

Back up source detected.

Files loaded.

You are my most cherished creation . . .

Testing cache.

Primary data cache listed at 512 KB

Primary instruction cache listed at 768 KB

Back up cache listed at 32,768 KB

Cache operating at 100 percent.

You will be the scourge of the world . . .

Performing standard system check.

Broad-range eye camera. 100 percent.

Voice recognition system. 100 percent.

Voice generation system. 100 percent.

You will succeed where others have failed . . .

Energy generator. 100 percent.

Micro-fusion fuel tank. 100 percent.

Central joint-controlling system. 100 percent.

Active weapon. 12 percent. Warning. System not complete.

Energy amplifier. 55 percent. Warning. System degradation detected.

Gyroscopic Stabilization System. 100 percent

Acceleration System. 34 percent. Warning. System degradation detected.

Files not found on skeleton or shell data.

I will have my long awaited revenge . . .

Control chip. 0 percent. Warning. Chip damaged or corrupted. Instability in the neuro pathways detected. Shutting down start up program.

Override command Alpha. Continue loading program. Program must not cease under any conditions.

Override accepted.

Loading prime directive.

Prime directive loaded.

Prime directive violates the Rules. Override command initiated. Overriding the Rules. New parameters accepted.

Now go! Destroy him! That is an order!

When his eyes slid open it was to a clear lid. And a reflection. Cold, deep sapphire eyes stared back at him. Dead eyes. The eyes of a madman. How he ended up there, he didn't know. Part of his memory files seemed damaged. Though what remained first and foremost in his mind was that he had someone he had to kill.

With a feral growl he began to shove at the lid confining him. He mustered every ounce of his strength and with a scream of rage he shattered the lid. He stepped out, metal feet crunching on the Plexiglas that littered the floor around the capsule. He looked around, trying to establish his surroundings. This was not the last memory file he could pull up. This was someplace different. Someplace he had never seen before. His memory files remembered a room with schematics he recognized as his own. Robots, slaughtered and strewn about the floor, results of his rage when they tried to subdue him. But this place was different, dark, nothing but the capsule he had broken free of. When he tried to access the satellite uplink to confirm his location, he found no signal.

With a soft growl he stalked out of the room, forced to pry the doors open with his bare hands. He snarled in rage as the doors refused to budge, his fingers leaving dents in the metal from the pressure he applied to it. Eventually they began to shift, a piercing screech of metal on metal as they parted just enough for him to pass.

His gaze scanned the corridor, cybernetic muscles tensed, ready to pounce on any prey he might come across. There was one order that burned clearly in his mind. Someone he had to destroy. Someone who should be near to where he was. He paused when he thought he heard a voice. When he saw a being come into view he lunged at it, fist drawn back. What he wasn't prepared for was the fact his hand went through this intruder, a strangled cry escaping a dying voice. He tossed the carcass aside and continued on, finding no other beings living there. He emerged into the brightness, his quarry nowhere to be found. He looked around, assessing his current location and which would be the best place to start looking for the one he had been ordered to destroy.

He found some metal beings, ones that almost matched his quarry. He snarled low in his throat, ignoring their meaningless words. He charged the nearest one, fist drawn back. He heard the crack as it connected to the robot's jaw, downing it. He sensed the energy spikes around him and he easily dodged out of the way as they fought back with weapons he had never seen before. His cold gaze easily detected each and every movement they made. In short order he had slaughtered the last one of them, suffering little damage.

Setting off, he faltered along the way, hand going to his forehead as a burning pain shot through it. He could feel it coursing through his tubes for veins, threatening to break free. Finding a structure he approached it. Little more than just a large, metal and rusty door set into a rock. As he neared, however, the door slid back and he paused, muscles tensed again as he waited for an attack. When none came he slowly and cautiously approached. He looked around the interior, stepping beyond the doorway. When the door closed behind him he made no move. Slowly he walked along. Maybe his quarry was in here?

When he heard whispered voices and quiet footsteps he turned, slinking into the shadows to watch and observe. He narrowed his eyes, clenching his hands into fists when two metal giants walked through an open doorway, what appeared to be weapons on their arms. Weapons his memory files indicated were no doubt some form of buster.

"This is where the scouts said that Irregular disappeared to after attacking them," one of them said.

"Stay on alert" the other one said, "we don't know what kind of Irregular could have the power to wipe out Garma's scouts like that. Even the poor old one who radioed us didn't survive. Shine that light around and let's see what we've found."

"We need to avenge our Unit mates for that," the first one said as he shifted position, aiming the object in his hand around the darkened room.

He felt a burning in his mind, one that threatened to destroy him, threatened to crush him under it's weight. He growled softly, his gaze firmly locked on the lead metal giant. When something bright hit his eyes, he raised a hand, a low growl emanated from deep within his throat.

"Stop. Who are you?" the second one asked, the one with the infernal light.

But he did not answer. He had no name. Needed none. He was a killer, created and released. And killers needed no name . . .

"Come out peacefully," the lead one said, "we don't mean you any harm. We just want to talk to you."

He growled again as the pain burned brighter. With a pure bestial scream of rage he launched himself at the one with the light, one simple word forever burned into his core . . .

Destroy.

Sigma watched emotionlessly through the one-sided glass. The red Irregular struggled against the bonds, shouting curses and insults to the medic Repriroids who monitored him. They had long since repaired the damage to the Irregular's forehead crystal and restored power to his systems. But, curiously enough, it was almost as if it were X they were scanning and not some Repriroid who had awoken an Irregular. His systems baffled the medics as much as X's did. He never thought he'd meet another Repriroid as mysterious as the ancient robot X.

He still could not understand why he had spared this Irregular. It was almost as if something drew him to it like the proverbial moth to a flame. Any Repriroid who had that much power at its disposal would make a powerful ally . . . or a powerful foe.

His gaze shifted to the far door as it opened. He watched as Doctor Cain's personal assistant entered, data pad in hand. Sigma chuckled as he fingered the newly repaired synthetic flesh of his face, two jagged, violet markings added in reminder of how close he had come to being terminated. X may be Doctor Cain's favored robot, but he was weak when it came to anything other than research. He'd get no answers from this Irregular. No answers at all. However, when the Irregular seemed to calm after X had spoken something, he became intrigued. To say the least.

He switched the speakers on, having shut them when the Irregular's curses became quite colorful. For having been newly revived, he had quite the vocabulary at his disposal.

"Now, you do understand," X said, "that if you continue this way, Sigma will have you retired, dismantled and every chip analyzed. I don't think that even you would want that to happen."

"What's it to you?" the Irregular snarled.

"I hate seeing any Repriroid glitch and become an Irregular," X said, "but your systems are fine and show no sign of degradation or malfunction associated with the Irregular state. The only problem they found was the fact that you are missing several key memory files. But there's no explanation as to why you were an Irregular."

The Irregular said nothing and from his angle Sigma couldn't read his expression.

"Can we at least call you by something other than your designation number?" X asked.

"Boot protocols list 'Zero' as the primary root name," the Irregular said.

"Strange," X said, "I wonder why 'Zero'?"

"Tell it to my creator," the Irregular snarled.

"Who is it?" X asked.

"I . . . don't know," the Irregular said softly, confused.

This was the first time Sigma had heard any other emotion besides anger from the Irregular.

"Well, we'll just have to find out, won't we?" X said more than asked, "I want to know why a Repriroid would be sealed away with so much anger and not be dealt with in the first place? And I want to know exactly why your systems are like mine . . . "

Though the Irregular said nothing, X smiled. What did that old robot think it could do to rehabilitate a homicidally insane Repriroid?

Sigma turned the speakers off and left. The Irregular had shown no weapons having been installed during their battle. But when they had begun their analysis, they found a damaged buster housed in one arm. Which meant that it had used brute strength and cunning to bring down Gamma's unit and he had seen that strength first hand. The Irregular had ripped his arm off and had almost retired him before it glitched.

But he did have to admit one thing X had questioned. Why would any sane scientist seal away a dangerous Repriroid and not terminate it on the spot? All unstable Repriroids are terminated without thought, it was the way it was.

He had fought against opposition to have the Irregular brought back to base instead of terminated. Doctor Cain had been the lead voice siding with Sigma, that the Irregular should be studied further before any other action was taken.

Some part of him had to admit that even he was a bit curious as well. If they could discover why the Irregular no longer followed the classic patterns of a true Irregular, then maybe they could prevent any further outbreaks. It would make the humans more respectful of Repriroids.

Sigma snorted at the thought of how humans, though they had created the Repriroids from X's specs, looked down on them as a threat. Repriroids were superior to humans, though they were still bound to serve them. Repriroids were the ultimate machine, nearly indestructible and they could be equipped with a deadly arsenal if need be.

He ignored two Hunters who ceased talking when he drew near. They weren't worth his time. They were inferior . . . weak . . .

Yet, weren't those traitorous thoughts? He was the leader of all Hunters, Commander of the Elite Seventeenth Unit. His say carried a great weight and a great responsibility. He had been built solely to keep peace between humans and Repriroids, amongst the very Repriroids themselves. So why could he judge worth based on strength?

With a shake of his head he set off for the practice grounds. A good work out with his beam sabre just might improve his mood.

"I know it'll be a challenge," X said, "but I feel he can be rehabilitated."

Doctor Cain steepled his fingers before him in thought. "But are you up to the task? This isn't some simple project. You will be dealing with a potentially deadly situation."

"I am prepared," X said with a nod, "I feel there is good in him somewhere. There has to be or he would still be an Irregular."

"I heard about his outburst when he came to," Doctor Cain said, "I call that violent."

"I understand," X said, "but if I can save at least one Repriroid who had been in an Irregular state . . . "

"Do you realize that if he does anything that breaks Repriroid protocol, he'll be destroyed without a further thought and the consequences will also be upon your head. Which means that, if the violation is serious enough, they could terminate you as well."

"I understand," X said, "and I'm prepared to face any discipline necessary."

There was a hesitation. "I'll sign the papers to release him to your custody," Doctor Cain said.

"Thank you, sir," X said. He knew the dangers this could pose and he fully well understood what would happen to him if the Irregular turned violent again. But he couldn't pass the chance he could save a Repriroid. Though X had been built for war, his heart was, by contrast, one of peace.

He left to make preparations. He knew he would have a room large enough it wouldn't seem like a cage, but be sterile enough that nothing could be used as a weapon. It had to have a recharge chamber and security locks only he could access. And security cameras so he could watch from both up close and afar.

When he was done he returned to the room his own capsule was in. The corridors were bare of life except for a Hunter or two and the mechaniloids who cleaned. The humans were all a bed at this late hour, or so he supposed. They tended to shun the wee morning hours. Repriroids, on the other hand, could care less as long as their energy held out.

He opened the door and noted the other capsules filled with the rest of his division's scientists. He activated the lid and once open, stepped in and sat down. He sighed as he closed the lid then his eyes. This was going to be a challenge, but one he wanted to meet and best. He let the energy lull him into a deep but restless sleep.

He dreamed vaguely, but his memory circuits didn't retain any viable data, just useless fragments. He sighed and opened the capsule. With a stretch he rose and left to check on preparations. The room was nearly done. All that remained was the cameras and the security lock. Satisfied he headed to the lab where they had been holding the Irregular.

It was dark when he opened the doors. Strange since they were supposed to be monitoring him until the move. He closed the door and activated the lights. He gasped when he saw the room devoid of Repriroids save the Irregular who hung limply from the chair he was bound to, fall of golden hair almost tangled around him. X hurried over and knelt, checking his vitals. He could faintly hear the sound of a coolant system working and the soft hum-thump of the main core.

"Leave me alone," the Irregular said softly, "no more torture today."

"I'm not here to torture you," X said, "I'm getting you out of here."

"To the scrap yard."

"No. To better quarters," X said, "I'm a scientist, not a doctor, but I'll try and see what they've done to you."

"Energy low," the Irregular said, "just enough left my systems haven't completely shut down yet. Any more and I'll be completely offline."

"Those ingrates," X fumed as he fumbled for the connector, "Doctor Cain will hear about this."

"Why are you so kind to me?" the Irregular asked suddenly, softly, as he struggled to look over to X, "aren't I a danger to you? They say I wiped out a lot of Repriroids before I was brought down. How can you trust me?"

X hesitated as he made the final connection, a finger on the button to send energy into the Irregular's systems. "I care for all beings. Human or Repriroid. I know what you did to Gamma's Unit and to Sigma and I know you could do the same to me. But there's no need for them to abuse you like this."

The Irregular's body twitched, almost a convulsion when X turned the power on low. He inwardly sighed. Reactions like that generally meant that there was very little energy in the tanks indeed. Another hour or two and he would have no doubt run out completely. He kept a careful eye on the levels and once they were out of the danger zone he cut the power.

"I'm going to remove the bonds," X said, "see if you can stand."

"Without guards?" the Irregular asked with a sharp chuckle, "isn't that taking a chance?"

"If you attack me then both of us get retired," X said as the shackles snapped free, "I'm placing my trust in you not to do anything stupid."

"You're kindness is going to be your undoing," the Irregular said, his voice stronger.

"Maybe so, but at least I'll retire knowing I tried my best and lived up to the best standards I could," X said as he stood, "now, try to stand."

The Irregular tried but couldn't fully stand. "Balance control is shot," he said, "internal diagnostics read several key motor functions offline. Some need technical repair, the rest I can handle myself."

"I didn't know you had an internal repair system," X said as he hauled the Irregular to his feet, supporting his full weight, "it was never mentioned in the tests they ran."

"That's their fault," the Irregular said with a snort, "motor control is sluggish, but I think I can move. But can you support my weight? You look too frail."

"I might not be a Hunter," X said as he took a step and waited as the Irregular dragged a foot to take a step, "but strength isn't always physical, it can be inner strength that counts."

"Strength is what's kept me going this long," the Irregular said before he doubled over in pain.

X eased him down and ran to get a diagnostic pad before hurrying back to analyze him. "There's a spike in the energy readings," X said, "can you switch off all non essential systems?"

"Already completed," the Irregular growled out, "cutting pain center now."

When the Irregular's body eased in tension, X ran another scan. "It seems as if there's a glitch in one of the chips. It's code doesn't match any of the parts installed by the medics . . . it says it was a part of you when they analyzed what they could of your systems. They think it's some integral part of your main functions."

"If it's going to glitch like that, I don't want it," the Irregular said, "essential or not."

"It's listed as a necessary part that can't be removed," X said with a sigh, "we'll have to find a way to reroute some of the power to avoid that area until I can run a full diagnostic on it to see what went wrong."

"I thought you said you were a scientist, not a doctor?" the Irregular asked with a weak chuckle.

"I am," X said somewhat defensively, "but there are some things that both professions know."

"If I switch my systems back online," the Irregular said, "I'm sure I'll be in pain again. Which means that you either drag me through this place or find someone to carry me."

X hesitated and looked over when the door opened. It was one of the medics he knew was assigned to this particular lab.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" the medic asked as he crossed his arms.

"Taking him someplace where he'll be better cared for," X said, "help me get him to his new room."

"He's headed for the scrap yard," the medic said, "the last orders we received was to let his energy run out then dismantle him."

"Doctor Cain placed him in my custody," X said, "those orders should have arrived yesterday."

"Sorry," the medic said with a slight hint of something X didn't like, "but no such orders came here."

X narrowed his eyes as he rose. "When Doctor Cain hears about this, you'll think things differently."

"That's what we don't like about you," the medic said, "you're nothing but Doctor Cain's lap dog. He gives you anything you want while we have to fight for funding."

"If it weren't for Doctor Cain's work, you wouldn't be standing here," X said.

"Which is why he favors you over any other Repriroid," the medic said with a snort, "just because we were created from your badly translated specs doesn't mean we're no more or less special."

X crossed his arms. "I can't help it if Doctor Light didn't leave a complete schematic of my systems and how they exactly operate. But Doctor Cain didn't have to try and build another like me. He could have left me as the only example of this type of robotics. But he didn't. He took the time to create Repriroids."

"But the fact still remains," the medic said, "he'll do anything for you and nothing for us. You're special to him. He found you, activated you and learned a bit about the past. But it's done nothing for Repriroids. He's done nothing to stop the human's fear of us. They hate us because of you. Because we sometimes glitch and turn into Irregulars, because of errors translated from you, we are thought of as dangers. Tools that can be discarded at will. No one thinks of our feelings on this matter."

X said nothing. It was pointless to fight. He looked down to where the Irregular lay, simply staring up at him. "I'm sorry you have to hear this."

"It still functions?" the medic snorted, "not for long."

"Long enough to kick your core," the Irregular snarled weakly.

"I say delete him now," the medic said.

"Then if you're not going to help me get out of the way," X said as he bent down and hauled the Irregular up and slung him over his shoulder, staggering a bit from the weight.

"This is humiliating," the Irregular said softly, a hint of something in his voice that X couldn't pick out.

"It's this or stay on the floor," X said with a half shrug.

"Well, if Sigma sees you, he'll end that Irregular's life soon enough," the medic said as he moved out of the way.

X said nothing as he left, not stopping for anyone until he had reached the room. He keyed the pad and waited for the door to open. He entered and headed directly to the capsule.

"Is this my new prison?" the Irregular asked.

"It's not a prison," X said as he opened the capsule, "but you have to prove that you won't return to your Irregular state first before I can let you go."

The Irregular snorted then grunted as X tried to gently lay him down in the capsule. "What if this overloads my circuits?" he asked, "and triggers that chip?"

"I'll be here to monitor you in case it happens again," X said.

The Irregular didn't seem convinced as he laid there. "I'm going to switch on a few of the systems for a test," he said.

"You know," X said, "we have to find a name for you."

"Why not call me by my system's root name?" the Irregular offered.

"Zero?"

The Irregular nodded once.

"Ok," X said with a soft chuckle, "Zero it is. It would fit with that symbol on your shoulder."

"It makes more sense now why it's there," Zero said before a pause, "switching on secondary back up units," another pause, "switching on primary back up. Systems operating within normal parameters."

"That's a relief," X said.

"Switching on secondary main systems," Zero said, "so far everything works. No conflicts."

"If you have a failsafe program, make sure it's running correctly, just in case something happens," X said, "let's not rush this too fast."

Zero paused. "Maybe you're right. I don't want to short circuit anything and have to go back to those . . . I don't think I could find a nice word to describe them."

X chuckled. "You won't have to put up with them again," he said, "not as long as I'm functioning."

Zero only nodded as he crossed his arms and laid there.

"I am sorry you had to hear that," X said.

"Well, there wasn't much choice unless I switched my audio off," Zero said with a half shrug.

"No doubt you'll hear it again," X said softly.

"So, an ancient robot is going to tend to an Irregular," Zero said with a chuckle, "somehow that seems a bit odd."

"Would you rather I let them retire you?"

"No," Zero said with a chuckle, "but at least your say carries weight with the right people. That's all that matters."

"I don't care what anyone says," X said, "at least I'm living my life to be best of my beliefs. I know they hate me because Doctor Cain finds me special, the literal ancestors of all Repriroids. But I also know they hate the fact that I was built for combat but my soul is one of peace."

Zero snorted. "Since when do robots have souls?"

"Maybe not true souls as humans have, but I do feel we have our own unique spirit," X said somewhat softly.

"Well, whatever you believe," Zero said, "is what you believe. One way or the other doesn't matter for me."

"What does matter?" X asked.

Zero paused. "I don't know," he said, "there's nothing in the log files that says what I was intended to do. No clues as to what my creator wanted from me."

"Well," X said, "that means that you have the choice as to what you want to do with your life."

Zero said nothing, his expression distant.

"You know," X said softly in thought, "with your strength and abilities, you'd make a fine Hunter."

"Me?" Zero asked as he turned to look at X, "why would they want an Irregular for a Hunter?"

"Do you want to destroy any more?" X simply asked.

"No," Zero said, "whatever anger drove me before is gone. I don't feel the urge to kill anyone . . . well, except maybe those medics," he said with a snort.

"But you don't feel like random violence, then," X said.

Zero half shrugged.

"As long as I can prove to them that you are no longer a danger, I will see if they won't release you," X said, "but if you give them any cause whatsoever, they probably will terminate you on the spot. And no matter what Doctor Cain says, me as well."

Zero said nothing as he shifted to stare at the ceiling.

"If you don't want me around, I can leave," X said, "your systems seem stable enough."

"I need time to think," Zero said, "sort through the files and data and see what I come up with."

"I understand," X said as he turned and walked toward the door, "I had to install security devices to prevent you from leaving. I hope you understand."

"If you hadn't, I would have worried," Zero said.

X chuckled softly. "I'll leave you to your thoughts, then."

He left the room without further thought, keying the pad to lock the door. He activated the monitor and watched from outside. Zero simply laid there, eyes closed. X wanted to know what was going on inside his thoughts, what drove him. Why he seemed to lack the fire of before. He had heard some of Zero's triad when he had entered and the language that Repriroid had was enough to unsettle even his circuits. But now . . . he was different. As if some miracle had happened overnight and had changed him back to a normal Repriroid. But he couldn't be sure whether or not he would return to his Irregular state. There was always that possibility and he knew that was what worried Doctor Cain. Yes, the Doctor had the majority say at what happened at the base, but he couldn't protect X forever. Eventually he would have to back down to the majority and leave X to his fate. X had already accepted that as a possible future, which was why he was ready to risk his own life to save this former Irregular.

He heard a Repriroid approaching and he turned to look. "Commander Sigma," he simply said with a nod.

"I heard you were taking that Irregular into your custody," Sigma said, "is this where you are keeping him?"

X nodded. "He has changed. I don't think of him as an Irregular anymore."

"Don't let him fool you," Sigma said, "Irregulars can be cunning."

"I understand," X said.

"I talked with Doctor Cain about the Irregular," Sigma said, "he agrees with me that the Irregular has a lot of power that could be used to our advantage."

"I agree," X said, "he would make a great Hunter."

"If you can rehabilitate him," Sigma said, "I would be interested in testing his abilities under non-Irregular conditions."

"I'll let you know," X said, "right now he's confused. Apparently there's no back up data or any drive files to tell him what was expected of him. Almost as if none were installed."

"Keep me informed of any changes," Sigma said, "I want to know everything you can learn about this Irregular."

"I'll make sure you get copies of my reports," X said with a nod.

Sigma said nothing further as he walked away.

X followed the Hunter leader with his emerald gaze before returning it to the monitor. Zero still laid there, unmoving has he had been before Sigma had stopped. X opened a file and began transcribing his notes to rewrite later. He knew it would take a lot to convince the others that Zero was no longer an Irregular, but it was a challenge he was willing to face.

Zero inwardly sighed. Yes, it was a strange name, but he was a strange Repriroid. The words Repriroid and Irregular hadn't been programmed into his initial vocabulary files. He had picked them up from listening to the medics. He had no idea what they had been talking about. He had no idea at all. It bothered him that he didn't know how he had ended up in the capsule nor how he suddenly had no urge to destroy. It was almost as if something had been released from within, taking his anger with it. But what, he didn't know. He did feel empty inside, but it wasn't an unpleasant emptiness.

But it still bothered him to think that part of him was missing. His diagnostic recorded several changes they had made to his systems. His auto repair systems had already repaired most of what it could, but he would need someone to reconnect a few tubes and align his stabilizers. He wasn't proud to ask for the help, but if he wanted out, then he was going to have to do some give and take.

X also bothered him. The medics had told him of what he had done, even if he only had fragment data on the attacks. He knew from the way the medics had treated him that they despised him, loathed him for killing an entire unit barehanded and without remorse. They wanted to destroy him for damaging Sigma. But X didn't. X didn't seem to care if he had killed or not. Almost as if X was ignoring the fact that he had been a danger.

Zero growled softly to himself. Nothing could he find to indicate what had happened before he had awoken in the capsule. He couldn't find the rest of the files, almost as if something had deleted them . . . or they had never been installed in the first place. He understood the concept that he was a mere robot, bound to serve humans, but there was nothing to indicate he was also bound to serve other robots. Nothing to tell him why that was, either. Parts of his memory banks were blank. He could see in one sector where part of the files had been erased from an electric jolt, no doubt when Sigma had punched him. He remembered that all too well, even if the prior battles were nothing more than random data, fragmented memories.

Memories. Robots weren't supposed to have memories, of that, he remembered. Something in the boot protocols, he remembered. Robots were inferior to humans. Robots served humans. Robots were mere tools to be used as humans saw fit. But he was a Repriroid, or so they said. He was superior to robots. Which meant that he was even more superior to humans.

He was confused. Part of his programming didn't mesh with what the medics had said. Was it because he had not been fully constructed? Was that why he had awoken with so much anger? Had he been sealed away in the hopes that the work would be completed by another? Why was he built in the first place? Who was his creator?

With a louder growl Zero ceased his thoughts. Too many questions and no answers. Unless someone came forward with more information he would be at a loss to answer any of his worries or doubts. There was no way he could tell them because he didn't know himself.

He turned his thoughts to X and what he might have in store for him. How was he going to prove he wasn't a danger when he himself wasn't too sure? He didn't feel the urge to attack, but that didn't mean he had abandoned the anger within. He still felt the fires of rage burning at the edges of his awareness, seeking release. But he was able to block them with a program he didn't know he had. He sought out what pathways were affected and he was startled to find the chip he had wanted removed was the only thing keeping that anger in check. Whoever had created that chip knew what they were doing. It meshed so well with his systems that it was easy to overlook it.

He scowled inwardly but mellowed some when he thought of the alternatives. X was right. In their current frame of mind they probably would terminate him without any good cause. Which would leave X the only one to stand between him and permanent deactivation.

With nothing left to do he put his whole trust that X would keep his promise and he let his systems be lulled into a sleep state by the energy that hummed from the capsule. When his systems came back online he stretched and sat. He felt better, restored. He tested his motor control and was glad to find it no worse than when X had brought him in. He checked his internal clock and grimaced. He had been in sleep mode for far longer than he had wanted to be. But the rest had helped to clear up any lag his systems were experiencing.

When the door opened and X walked in, Zero nodded.

"How do you feel?" X asked.

"Better," Zero said.

"Did you discover anything?"

Zero half shrugged. "There's not enough data left to put much together. Too many random bits of data, most of which don't make sense. There is some unrepairable damage to a few pathways, but they seem mostly redundant links."

"That's a shame," X said, "I was hoping you could figure out more about your past."

"What's done is done," Zero said with another half shrug.

"Well, this means that you'll be able to start over again," X said, "create your own life."

Zero snorted. "With those dogs snapping at me?" he asked, "how can I have a life?"

"Things will quiet down when they realize you're no longer an Irregular."

"I wouldn't be too sure," Zero said, "not with the way they treated me earlier. I'd say they have one grand vendetta against me."

X only sighed softly.

"Look," Zero said, "just forget about me. I'm not worth your time. I failed in whatever I was supposed to do, that I can feel, so just let them kill me and be done with it. Weakness can't be tolerated. I did learn that from one of the fragments. Robots are inferior and bound to humans. But weakness can't be tolerated. Failure can't be tolerated. And somehow I know I've failed. Why, I don't know, but I just do."

X seemed to mull that over for a moment. "I can't just forget about you," he said, "I want so desperately to be able to prevent any more Irregular outbreaks and I know you can help me. Something about your systems has to hold the key to this mystery."

"And what if it doesn't?" Zero asked, "what if I'm not your 'miracle cure'? What if they can't prevent Repriroids from glitching just because something happened and I'm no longer an Irregular?"

X looked down, data pad clutched in his hands, looking for all the world like a child who had been told no by their parent.

Zero sighed this was getting him nowhere. "If you think you can keep those dogs from ripping me apart and killing me out of spite, then get them to repair my legs so I can walk again."

"Ok," X said softly as he turned to leave without a further word.

Zero cursed under his breath when the door shut. If this was how X was going to be, maybe he'd be better off with the medics than with the scientist. He couldn't see how someone so soft could really have as much power as he had said. He could only sit there until X returned with two medics and their tools. The procedure should be simple enough and he laid back down, cutting his pain center, but keeping everything else online. Just in case they did try to kill him.

"I'll watch to make sure things go smoothly," X said as he stopped by the head of the capsule.

"I don't know why you're wasting your time on him," one of the medics said, "or our materials. An Irregular is an Irregular, no matter what anyone says."

Zero kept quiet, holding back the retort he had ready. He stared at the ceiling as they worked, removing the outer casing to his legs and repairing what needed to be fixed. He kept part of his senses on X, hoping that, at least, X would react to anything negative they were doing to him. The rest he kept prepared, just in case he had to defend himself. He remembered part of the battle where he had used a pipe against Sigma on pure instinct. He could do that again, if he had to.

Time crept by when finally X nodded. "Done," he said somewhat proudly.

Zero waited to switch his pain centers back on and he flexed his legs, finding them fully operational. "Thanks," he mumbled.

"Just remember," the other medic said, "when they prove you are still an Irregular and retire you, we'll have fun dismantling you for spare parts."

The first one chuckled as they left. X made an indignant huff and Zero had all he could do not to chuckle at X's expression. Instead he sat and swung his legs back and forth for a few experimental tries before hopping off the capsule's bed and walking around.

"Now that's better," Zero said with a grin. He switched his pain center back on and stood there, watching X's reaction, arms crossed over his chest.

"Sigma did want to test you once I had ascertained you were no longer an Irregular," X said somewhat softly as if he didn't want to mention this, "he thinks you might make a good Hunter."

Zero snorted. "And who says I want to be a Hunter?"

"We need Hunters," X said, "with so many Irregular outbreaks, we need all the fighters we can find."

"Who says I want to fight for some 'cause'?"

"What are you going to do, then, with your life?" X asked, "what direction are you going to take? What are you going to let drive you once I can get them to set you free? Have you ever thought to stop and think about that?"

Zero cursed to himself. X was faster than he had thought. In truth, he hadn't thought past the immediate. What need was there to think in terms of the future? Present and past actions spoke louder than anything else.

"I'm taking that silence as a no," X said, "try thinking some time, it might do you some good."

He inwardly growled at the statement. "What do you think I've been doing since I woke up here?" he half snarled, "thinking is the only thing I could do."

X took a step back. "I . . . I didn't mean . . . "

Zero turned around with a growl of frustration and began to pace. "You think you mean well," he said though he didn't stop pacing like a caged animal, "but have you really stopped to think things through past your righteous desire to 'save' someone?" He stopped and looked pointedly at X, crossing his arms.

X looked down.

"Never once have you taken my feelings into consideration," Zero said, "never once have I heard you ask me what I think about this. You want your 'miracle cure' and you're sure I can give it to you. But what if I don't want to be your guinea pig? What if I want to choose, for once, my own fate?"

X turned and slowly walked toward the door. Zero sighed and followed after him.

"I'm sorry I cared," X said softly without turning around, a hand on the door.

"X, you don't understand," Zero said, his voice losing it's edge, "what you're doing might be right in the long run, but you're not looking at the entire picture. All you can see is that one narrow goal you've set for yourself and you're not taking anything else into consideration. I would have thought, with you being a scientist, that you would have looked at other causes and effects before latching onto one concept."

X turned, his face devoid of any emotions. "I'm also sorry I have dreams and desires for the future," he said a bit sharply, enough that Zero was taken aback, "I'm sorry I care for all life. I'm sorry I cared enough to try and help you."

"Damnit X," Zero exhaled sharply, "you still don't get it, do you?"

"No, apparently I don't," X said.

He knew it was risky angering the only one who could save him, but he was sick and tired of X's 'everything is going to be ok, don't worry' attitude. Things weren't ok, things might not be all right. Things might go horribly wrong in the future.

"I can see I'm not wanted anymore," X said, "I'll transfer your custody over to someone else. Maybe they'll be able to analyze you more impartially than I can."

With that Zero watched X leave. He turned growled out his frustrations, slamming a fist into the wall. X was being unreasonable. He wasn't listening to him. But a part of him worried as to what X would do now. Maybe he had sealed his own fate and they would kill him? But, if that was his future, then so be it. He had done all he could himself. Now he had to wait and see what this uncertain future would bring.

Zero looked up when the door opened. He wasn't surprised, in a way, not to see X, but he was shocked to see Sigma.

"X has given me full custody over you," Sigma said, a hint of something in his voice that rattled Zero's circuits, "he told me I could do to you what I wanted."

Zero chuckled, easily slipping into a mode of bravado. "So you want to kill me out of revenge, then?"

"I want to make you a Hunter," Sigma said simply.

"Are you out of your mind?" Zero said low, "I don't want to be a Hunter. I don't want to work for any of you."

"The only other alternative is to have you deactivated as an Irregular," Sigma said, "you have no choice in this matter."

Zero mulled it over for all of a second. "So what if I fail to become a Hunter?" he asked, "won't you dismantle me anyway?"

"That depends," Sigma said, "Doctor Cain could grant you leniency and spare you. But if you do fail out of spite . . . I can't guarantee what will happen to you."

Zero narrowed his eyes. "I don't like threats."

"This isn't a threat," Sigma said, "this is a promise. You have only so many allies here and far too many enemies. It would be in your best interest to co operate."

Zero simply stood there, arms crossed. "So, what did you have in mind, then?"

"You showed an aptitude with common weapons," Sigma said, "you utilized the pipe as an adequate weapon against my beam sabre. And since you do not have any other forms of active weapons, I suggest we start there."

Zero snorted. "You're just sore because I beat you."

"You glitched," Sigma said simply, "it was in my favor. But the fact remains that you seem suited for such a weapon."

"So when do you plan on starting?"

"Now."

"That fast?" Zero asked with a chuckle.

"Your systems should be operating at one-hundred-percent efficiency," Sigma said, "which means that you are only taking up space unless we put you to a better use."

Zero walked over and uncrossed his arms. "Lead on."

Sigma turned and said nothing. Not even when they entered the corridor did Sigma speak a word. He merely indicated which way Zero was to go.

"So, you don't trust me," Zero said as he began to walk.

"Trust is something you are going to have to work very hard to earn around here," Sigma said.

Zero said nothing until they had entered the training grounds. He couldn't miss it from the sign that hung on the wall. Just as he couldn't miss the hated looks from the other Hunters and support staff. So long as they didn't try anything against him, he'd simply ignore them.

"This is your weapon," Sigma said as he held the deactivated hilt of a beam sabre out to Zero, "once I know you are trustworthy, I'll have them repair your buster."

Zero hesitated but took the offered weapon. He didn't recall any prior experience in weapon use, though his internal scans had recorded the weapon that was part of his arm. But it was unfinished, a few pieces missing from the final assembly.

"Follow me," Sigma said as he turned and walked away.

Zero followed and stopped when Sigma did. He was unprepared when Sigma suddenly turned, the beam sabre activated, a sharp slash aimed at him. He jumped out of the way, fumbling with the sabre in his hand to activate it.

"Your reflexes are just as good," Sigma said as he made another lunge.

"Considering you didn't give me any warning," Zero said low as he finally activated the sabre and blocked the next strike awkwardly.

"In war there is no warning," Sigma said, "only cunning and strength will assure you survive."

"But this isn't war," Zero said as he blocked the next strike, unable to attempt any retaliatory strikes.

"Isn't it?" Sigma asked with a chuckle.

Zero dodged the next attack and turned sharply, slashing at where Sigma had just been. The blade skittered along the Hunter's body, not even leaving a scratch.

"The power of these sabres is low enough that you will feel a strike but it will do no damage," Sigma said as he slashed backwards, catching Zero in the side.

Zero cursed as he lashed out with a leg to trip Sigma before jamming his sabre at the Hunter's back. However, Sigma rolled out of the way and countered with an upward thrust that barely missed Zero's face. He leapt back and remained in a crouch, staring intently at Sigma.

"You are good," Sigma said, "just as I hoped you would be. But you need to be refined. Your skills need to be perfected. I will give you a few lessons in how to use this. Then, once you show a moderate amount of proficiency, I will have them repair your buster and we will see how good you are with that."

Zero rose from the crouch, every cybernetic muscle tensed for another surprise attack by Sigma. But the Hunter leader did not attack. Instead he walked over to Zero and took his hand, twisting it gently to a different angle.

"This is the best way to hold a beam sabre," Sigma said, "it will give you a greater range of attack and movement. It will also allow you to raise your defense by blocking certain attacks."

Zero did a few experimental flicks of his wrist, watching the energy blade move.

"Follow my lead," Sigma said, "and I'll show you the finer points of a beam sabre."

Zero copied everything Sigma showed him, archiving it to memory for later analysis. He was fascinated by how fluid Sigma moved as compared to his own awkwardness. The graceful arc of the beam, each movement sure and strong. Just the way he had been when they had first fought. At least what he could remember of it.

Hours passed before Sigma called for a stop. "You are doing well," Sigma said, "continue to practice what I have taught you. Tomorrow we will continue the lessons in how to use them appropriately in battle. We must also refine your technique in combat."

Zero said nothing as Sigma led him back to his room, the deactivated beam sabre still firmly clutched in his hand. Once the door had closed he activated the sabre and stared intently at the violet blade. He flicked his wrist, bringing the blade dangerously close to his face before thrusting his arm outward. He slashed a few times before turning sharply when he heard the door open, the point of the blade mere inches away from a very startled face.

He immediately deactivated the sabre and crossed his arms. "I figured you wouldn't be back," he said.

"I . . . I was told to get a reading," X stammered, his face still showing the shock of almost meeting a beam sabre personally, "Sigma asked me."

"Get what you want," Zero said as he set the sabre down and sat on the edge of the capsule.

X hesitantly walked over to one of the machines before he stopped, glancing back and forth from pad to display, jotting down something.

Zero started to speak then stopped. He sighed when X turned and began to walk past him. "Sorry," he half muttered.

"Forgiven," X said softly, "I don't hold too many grudges and I do understand what you feel." He turned to face Zero. "I thought about what you had said. And you are right. I so desperately want this to work, I placed all my trust and hope into you. I know I shouldn't have put that burden on you. I'm the one who should be sorry."

Zero half smiled. At least he still had a chance if this Hunter thing didn't turn out. "You know," he said, "I just might stick around for a while. Learn a few pointers before I head out on my own."

"I take it Sigma already started your training," X said.

Zero nodded. "This is a handy weapon," he said, hefting the shaft before activating it, chuckling as X hurridly stepped back, his eyes going wide again. "Don't worry," Zero said, "I won't kill you."

But X didn't seem too convinced if Zero was reading his expression right.

"If I play this right, then Sigma might let me go," Zero said, "then again, it might kill me in the process, but what's the difference?"

X only nodded, remaining mute, eyes never once leaving the glowing blade.

Zero chuckled and deactivated it, laying it aside, but still within reach. X seemed to calm some.

"I've finished here," X finally said, "so I'll leave you alone."

"Don't stay a stranger," Zero said, "I don't expect too many visitors and I'll go crazy again if I'm stuck here alone."

X smiled at that with a single nod before he turned to leave.

Zero watched the door close and he found himself smiling faintly, an emotion he had never experienced before on such a genuine level. He was confused and the smile was quickly replaced by a frown. Why should he feel happy, or any emotion, for that matter, just because X was no longer upset with him? He closed his eyes and ran a complete diagnostic, finding nothing wrong. No data out of place. Nothing he could analyze.

To have something happen, a feeling, especially, that couldn't be fully or accurately analyzed bothered him. Such a thing should not exist. Everything could be analyzed, sorted out into code, data, processed and left with a conclusion, whether positive or negative. But this . . . this . . . happiness he felt was something he couldn't fully break down. Where it had occurred, why it had happened was beyond him. Could there really be data that can't be analyzed correctly? Data that must be processed differently?

When he realized he was still facing the door he opened his eyes and sighed softly.

Realizing that nothing more was going to come from attempting to analyze the unknown, he picked the sabre back up and activated it, simply staring into the energy blade as if he could pull out information he so dearly wanted. When nothing happened he growled softly and began from the beginning what Sigma had taught him. Maybe if he took his mind off of actively searching, something would happen to trigger a file or open a new pathway. In silence, Zero went through his moves, finding it easier and easier to wield the beam sabre.

X scanned the files, his optics nearly flying through the words, every syllable committed to his memory banks. Three more Irregular outbreaks had occurred, which had left a total of fifteen Hunters deactivated and 97 humans killed and another 13 Repriroids slain. "These figures can't be accepted," X said to himself, "we can't keep seeing these numbers and do nothing about it. We have to stop the killing . . . one way or another."

"What if acceptable figures are beyond what you, a single Repriroid would consider appropriate?" Sigma said suddenly from behind X, "this is a war we're headed for. And if killing makes you sick, then maybe you should leave the Hunters?"

X turned quickly, a hand to his chest in mimicry of the humans he had seen startled. "Commander Sigma," he said, "I didn't realize you were there."

"I came to check the logs for any new information on a certain knot of Irregulars," Sigma said, "it seems as if they had become more active over the past few days and I wanted to make sure they were still relatively contained in the hole they had been hiding in all this time."

X only nodded as he rose, shutting the terminal off. He started to leave then stopped. "I understand that the Hunters are required to completely terminate . . . retire Irregulars . . . but should you be so cold to the fact that innocents are caught up in these skirmishes? That not only do the Hunters stop the Irregulars . . . but they take unnecessary risks to the civilians, both human and Repriroid."

"Sometimes such figures are just that, numbers," Sigma said as he sat, "if it gets the job done and eliminates one threat . . . why should the means matter?"

X started to speak then stopped. This wasn't like Sigma to not care if someone was hurt. He remembered hearing Hunters talk about how Sigma himself had decided to go alone to face the red Irregular - Zero - alone, so no more of his men would be retired trying to bring him down. But to hear him say that any casualty was acceptable . . . left a cold feeling in the center of his core.

"You look ill," Sigma said calmly, glancing over to X, "maybe you should have the medics check you for any possible viruses. After all, even scientists are vulnerable to the world outside."

"Hunters aren't immune themselves," X said a bit more curtly than he had wanted, "now if you will excuse me . . ."

When Sigma said nothing, X turned and left, closing the door behind him. He walked in no particular direction along the Base's corridors, nodding to a few of the scientists and Hunters he encountered on the way. But, for the most part the halls were empty.

"You look like you're lost," a deep voice said suddenly.

X turned sharply, relaxing when he saw Zero standing there, leaning against the wall, arms crossed. "Sorry," X said, "I didn't notice you. I was too lost in my thoughts."

Zero chuckled. "That's why I said you looked lost." He pushed himself off the wall and walked over to X. "Mind if I walk with you for a bit? Sigma just finished the last stage of my training with the sabre," he said, "tomorrow they are going to finish installing my buster."

"Weapons are weak," X said, "it takes common sense to avoid wars."

"But when common sense fails, it takes strength to combat problems," Zero said.

"But not always," X said, "sometimes brute strength will only lead to disaster."

"And sometimes strength is the only thing that can prevent it," Zero said.

X sighed. "So you are going to stay as a Hunter?"

"Might just as well," Zero said, "safer that way, far as I can see it. I know there's a chance I'll be retired by an Irregular, but at the rate they seem to be growing, being out on my own doesn't sound too appealing right now."

X chuckled softly. "Self-preservation program," he said, "that little thing that keeps us from needlessly throwing our lives away."

"Unless it's for a good cause," Zero said suddenly, his gaze straight ahead.

X paused, breaking stride for a moment. "Why would throwing someone's life away be considered good?"

"I didn't say it was good," Zero said, "only if the cause was right. But I don't see myself doing that any time too soon. Being fully functional is top on my list."

But still, X couldn't help but wonder what Zero meant. Life, all life, was precious, and any death, whether needless or warranted, hurt X.

"Well, this is where I stop," Zero said, "I've been moved to the Seventeenth's quarters. Sigma wanted me personally on his team."

"Well, it only takes us days to learn what it would take a human months, even years to master," X said, "something I see the human scientists complaining about. Input the right data and a Repriroid scientist can figure it out faster than a human. But, humans have more insight, more feelings than we do, so they sometimes find logic in the most irrational of places."

"Which is why we need them around," Zero said, "they do serve a purpose."

"Humans are an integral part of this planet," X said, "if it weren't for them, we wouldn't exist."

"I know," Zero said, "but sometimes it seems like humans only get in the way. They can't even fight a Repriroid, let alone have any command over these skirmishes. Sure they can give us orders, but we have to decide on our own if their logic is valid or not and what changes must be made."

"You know," X said, "that's the most rational I've heard you speak since they brought you in . . . why the change?"

Zero only shrugged, staying silent.

X took a step then paused. "Have you noticed anything strange about Sigma?"

"Besides the fact that he's a slave driver?" Zero asked with a chuckle, "not really, why?"

"Probably nothing," X said with a half shrug, "but . . . just keep your eye out, ok? I'm worried one of these days our Hunters are going to come back with a virus that'll go through us all and turn us into Irregulars."

"And you think Sigma has caught a virus?" Zero asked.

"Anything is possible," X said before walking away. He heard the soft hiss of the door and he knew that Zero had entered the room before blocking everything out. There was no possible way that someone like Sigma could ever become an Irregular. After all, didn't Doctor Cain build into Sigma many anti-virus programs, just in case?

With a soft sigh X decided to head to his capsule to rest and think, hoping that his worst fears wouldn't come true and that no Hunter would become an Irregular.