Hello everybody that decided to venture here. The following story came to me at some point and I just had to write it. It is placed in the Megaman X universe, some time after X8 and Command Mission but before the Elf Wars. Everybody reading my other story, fear not. I'm not going to give up on you or anything. This story is programmed to be much shorter than my other one, but still quite large. I have also thought most of its major points, including the end. Reviews are much appreciated and provide me with inspiration and motivation. Also:
I will mention this once and only once: I do not own any non-original characters, situations or settings that might appear in this chapter and all subsequent ones. I do, however, own all original characters, situations and settings that might appear in this chapter and all subsequent ones.
Chapter 1: Media rage
"Everyday existence can be very deceiving. The greatest events might be starting next to us at any given time and yet we always ignore them as insignificant."
A passerby absentmindedly kicked a discarded bottle out of his way...
The proud jewel of the Megalopolis System, now simply referred to as 'Megacity 1', was in the process of waking up under the blazing summer sun of 22XX, legions of everyday people, humans and reploids alike, trying to live their lives despite the still ongoing Maverick wars. Close to the middle of the metropolis and far from the administrative sector stood perhaps the most important building on the planet, the main Maverick Hunter Headquarters. The complex occupied immense space, featuring multiple facilities, a small forest and even a tiny marketplace, being in essence a small town inside the city. Security measures around its perimeter had always been brutal, seeing as the war against the Mavericks around the world was coordinated from this very place.
A black limousine, hovering close to the ground, approached one of the major gates leading out of the facility and passing through the gate check and the invisible dome shield that shrouded it. The vehicle then ascended higher and entered one of the sky lanes, coming to a halt soon due to the usual morning traffic. While the driver was a very unimpressive reploid, the two passengers were anything but that.
The first one was of average height, wearing a black tuxedo, and a blue tie, his short black hair hopelessly unruly but still somehow formally arranged. He was sitting relaxed on the expensive leather seat, clearly enjoying himself. The second was quite taller, wearing a dark brown tuxedo along with a golden-green tie, his amazingly long golden hair caught in a loose ponytail. Unlike his companion, he was sitting with his arms crossed, visibly wishing to be somewhere else.
"Come now, Zero. This mission is not so horrible" started the first figure, his green eyes turning to regard the other. "You should cherish such times of relative peace" he added, turning his gaze to the world outside.
The aforementioned Zero rose a brow at that. "What is not horrible, X?" he inquired. "Dressing like that for a fun night is acceptable but doing so for what will probably be the most boring mission of the twenty-third century... I don't know what Signas was thinking. The two best hunters going to pay a visit to a reploid construction company on behalf of our organization? That's his job for crying out loud! And did I mention these clothes are a few numbers too small?" he fumed.
The blue hunter sighed. "You know very well Signas is not comfortable with his position. He might be the one in charge but still, each of us has ten times more prestige value than he has. We were both there before him and everybody secretly believes we will be there when he's gone" he clarified.
Zero frowned at that. "That's downright stupid. Signas might be an ass about protocol but he is the best thing that has happened to the hunters since foundation. We have both spent some time in his shoes and we know how hard being a supreme commander is. And don't forget we used to have Cain's backing then. Signas has to deal with an organization a hundred times larger than before, plus he must bear the damn bureaucrats" he replied, almost growling. "What if he can't fight. He is a tactical and diplomacy genius!"
At that, X beamed happily. "You see? You said it for yourself! Since you trust him that much, you must appreciate the brainpower he consumed to orchestrate this mission" he countered poignantly.
"Whatever" snorted Zero defeated. "Nonetheless, I think I'll leave the talking part to you. Who is that Jerry R Stroganoff anyway?" he inquired, deciding to relax a bit and enjoy his luxurious surroundings. "Sounds like food to me."
X shook his head amused. "You must have heard him before at least once. He is the CEO of 'Mocpac industries', one of the larger reploid manufacturing firms. Haven't you done your homework?" he asked chuckling.
"Haven't you done your homework?" echoed Zero mockingly, lowering his voice an octave to resemble X's "I intended to, but right after the last meeting with Signas I was virtually dragged to the RnD lab by Douglas and Palette. You know how high these two are when it comes to a new gadget" he replied sighing. "A good thing Axl came and I was able to sneak away just in time to wear this" he continued, pointing at the formal garment he wore as if it was the embodiment of nastiness.
X laughed aloud at that. "Poor kid has his hands full" he chuckled. "Anyway, cheer up a bit and remember to smile. If this goes well, closing a deal for some new hunters will be easier for Signas. The mavericks have been growing restless during the last months" he continued sobering up.
"Yeah" replied Zero neutrally. "Took that Mr. Clean cosplayer long enough, too" he added, almost snarling. "But what irks me is that that Stroganoff character has arranged a freaking press conference to greet us" he grumbled.
"It can't be helped" countered X, again smiling. "Let him do his advertising. We both benefit from that."
Zero failed to answer as he discovered the limousine's liquor holding compartment and proceeded to test each of the fine spirits within.
"We are here" stated X after a while, as the vehicle landed before a neo-classic designed building. Before he could finish his sentence, a red carpet unrolled to reach the limo's door.
"Oh joy" muttered Zero, following X outside under the flashes of many digital cameras.
The two top Maverick hunters paraded towards the building where the event was bound to be staged under the numerous cheers of a great crowd of many humans and, contrary to general belief, many reploids. In fact, everybody was too occupied to notice a reploid that stood at the back of the great mass and was frowning instead of applauding.
"I don't believe Sigma made me do that" he grumbled, fixing his purple tie for the tenth time, his red eyes gleaming dangerously. "When I see those two gloating like peacocks I want to..." he growled clenching his fist.
A friendly pat on the back made him throw a venomous glare to his companion, who was cheering feverishly. "Calm down V. Or you'll burn a circuit" he joked, his bluish white hair caught in a short ponytail and his white costume gleaming in the sun. "Enjoy the moment" he continued, then resumed cheering.
The other reploid clawed at his short black hair maniacally. "And why on earth am I stuck with an idiot like you, Dynamo? The only thing I would enjoy more than tearing all these humans apart would be to scarp those two" he hissed.
"It's simple" replied the merry mercenary smirking. "Siggy thinks his higher commanders should be able to restrain their rage at times. And you 'commander' Vile have a very bad record doing so. See it as a test" he finished, smiling wickedly.
"That's right, a test" muttered Vile under his breath. "It's only a test. I must not massacre what I see. I am calm and collected" he continued, biting at his lower lip.
"That's the spirit, V. You are doing great" responded Dynamo, patting Vile again.
"Who the hell am I kidding?" countered the purple general fuming.
"And anyway" whispered the Mercenary to his ear. "You do remember what happened last time you tried to take on both of them at once" he finished seriously.
Vile uncharacteristically chose to remain mute.
"...and as I have said many times before, my only wish is for humans and reploids to be able to live together peacefully and have a prosperous future" finished X, having just recited a small but passionate speech.
"However, the Maverick incidents are currently on the rise. What do you believe that bodes for us?" asked a human reporter from Ktox TV.
"As Maverick hunters, we are doing our best to contain a possible new uprising" replied X. "As always, panic is not the way. Despite facing overwhelming odds for the past century, we have survived, prospered even. With the help of the Megalopolis System, the European Neighborhood, the Southeastern Union and every last of the independent cities around the world we cannot fail."
"However, many Mavericks justify their actions by claiming the reploid population is being constantly oppressed. What is your opinion?" inquired a reploid representative of World3 Online news.
X never hesitated. "While it is true there are reploid discrimination issues, Maverick violence never resolved anything. On the contrary, each new outbreak damages the much-needed trust between the two races. However, the reploids of today enjoy a vast assortment of rights that were only a dream fifty years ago. Through great efforts, the Hunters have spearheaded this development and we are optimistic discrimination will eventually eclipse. Time and not violence is the answer."
"Still, many believe that the tactics the Hunters employ are unnecessarily violent. Is that not a contradiction from your policy?" asked a foreign reporter from 'The European Monitor'.
X smiled calmly. "I am glad you asked that question" he responded bowing. "While I cannot pretend all our men are of adamant character, the Hunter policy always places a peaceful solution over violence. But you must understand we are fighting a very real war here. The Mavericks not only threaten humans, but reploid citizens as well. We just retaliate to a very substantial threat against everything all of us hold dear. Unfortunately, mavericks have a very low record of listening to reason. Yet we are doing our best" he finished, bowing and stepping away from the podium, causing many to clap.
"We would appreciate Commander Zero's input" cried a reploid representative from Southeastern Union.
The red hunter, who had tried to remained inconspicuous all that time, rolled his eyes but then smiled. "Don't worry" he whispered to the departing X "I'll give them a show."
Stepping on the podium, he proceeded to snatch the microphone from its stand and hold it with style. "I was afraid I could not evade your attention for long" he started smiling, causing many laughs from the audience. "I have little to add to what my good friend X said. We are fighting a continuous war while protecting everybody's life and property. However, the world has still to realize what threat the Mavericks represent. The three great unions along with everybody else must bury their differences and focus on the universal enemy. I cannot promise you anything more and anything less than that: As long as I remain standing, I will always do my best to protect you despite the odds" he continued, pointing at his audience. "Although", he added, smiling feverishly, "the female half of you will always have slight priority. That would be all" he finished leaving the podium, the furious applauding, laughter and cheering covering many further demands from other reporters.
"Boring mission" hissed X to his friend. "Not good with words" he added, trying hard not to laugh.
"Just accomplishing my mission" replied the crimson warrior innocently.
After the crowd regained a measure of their composure, a man at his fifties, his hair grayed, stepped on the podium. "First of all" he started "I want to thank our two guests that just proved the Maverick hunters are so much more than a plain mercenary organization. I, Jerry R Stroganoff, will help them as much as I can, providing them with new recruits and innovative technology in the name of peace. I call everybody that listens to help them as well, for a bright future, for a glorious victory" he bellowed. "And now, I will answer your questions" he finished smiling widely.
At the back of crowd, Vile was busy chewing at his tie. "That... damn... red... cockroach..." he choked.
"We have much to learn from them both" replied Dynamo sagely. "Sigma will never win if he can't make such speeches, Virus or no Virus."
Vile growled back. "Trying to appear literate makes you sound retarded" he retaliated. "I don't trust you, mercenary. You could double-cross us any time" he snarled.
Dynamo chuckled. "It took you that many years to figure that out? I would already be enlisted with the hunters, the winning side of this conflict, except I'm on their shit list" he continued shrugging. "Plus, good ol' Siggy still pays well."
"I still can't understand what he sees in you" grumbled the purple terror. "In his place, I would have killed you long ago.
"I love you, too, bucket for brains" chimed the mercenary nonchalantly.
Vile attempted to strangle his companion, but then stopped, his fighting instincts blaring. Dynamo also noticed something was amiss, as did the day's honored guests. As Stroganoff, continued addressing the crowd, a group of ten reploids in full armor teleported in, one of them pointing an energy rifle towards the CEO and firing.
And this will be the first chapter, everybody;-) Please leave a review if you liked it and even if you did not, please tell me why. Your opinion means much to me.