Back at Maverick Hunter HQ, Signas adressed the hunters:
"After the last mission, we have uncovered a new strain of the maverick virus. The risk was so potentially dangerous we broke comm silence to inform you. And now for a full briefing, I'm turning this over to Lifesaver."
At the mention of his name the reploid medical officer took the front.
"This new virus as you have already seen, has the power to increase one's strength immensely. It is unknown however just how strong it makes reploids. The virus seems to be derived from 3 parts - 1 part Sigma virus, 1 part Nightmare virus, and one part unknown reploid blood. The reploid blood is unlike any we've ever seen before, it is identical to almost all our blood except it is much more compatible with different parts. We have dubbed this Variablood for short."
As Lifesavor finished Signas took over again:
"Be warned, this virus is extremely dangerous and as far as we know the effects are extremely hazardous. Tundra Fox was almost destroyed by it after using its power to destroy Fuse... however this is not the time for that, we have more pressing matters. There is a hostage situation in Japan, where a large percentage of the world's economic and political powers are meeting to discuss the new reploid and robotic affairs codes. We must assure that these discussions are returned to normal as our fates as hunters may well depend on the outcomes. This mission will likely be indoors and covert. Make no sound, the mavericks are not to know you are there. Rescue any people you find and avoid casualties at all costs, you must hurry there now, prepare and leave asap."

Jet returned to the Maverick Hunter HQ. He was very disturbed by Reaver's betrayal, still fresh in his mind. He thanked Tank again and went to hear Signas's briefing. Afterwards he was asked to stay.
"Jet," began Signas, "There is someone who would like to speak with you." He motioned to a reploid standing in the back of the room. "Jet, this is Brek, he's the current head of Unit 6."
The repliod known as Brek came forward. "As Signas said, my name is Brek. I've been watching you closely Jet and after you're training as a rookie is over, I'd like to invite you to join my unit."
Jet was speechless. "I don't know what to say."
Signas interrupted him, "You're still a rookie and cannot yet be assigned to a unit. Now its time for you to leave, the other rookie hunters are departing. Get preped and get moving. Remember, this is a stealth mission, we don't want any human casualties."
Jet nodded. "Got it Signas," and turned to the door.
"One more thing Jet," Brek began, motioning to 2 other hunters. "These are Galahad and Lancelot, members of the 6th Unit of Maverick Hunters. Since this is such an important mission, I'm sending them along to help."
"Good to meet you Jet," said Lancelot.
"We've heard a lot about you," Galahad added.
Jet shook their hands and the 3 ran off for the teleporter.

Giga was the first hunter on scene. Almost immediatly he spotted a human hostage cowering behind a shielded maverick.
"Oh no you don't!" yelled Giga and he activated his vine weapon ripping the maverick's shield and arm completely off. Rushing forward he finished the maverick with his sword. He gave the shield to the human and told him to get out of the area.
"One down, who knows how many to go..."

Jet and his companions were transfered in front of a large building.
"This must be where the hostages are being kept," began Galahad.
"It must be," agreed Lancelot. "Why don't we all take separate floors, that sound efficient."
"Lets do it," replied Jet, "You guys go through the main door, I'm going to fly to the roof and go through the top, we'll catch them from all sides."
"Sounds good," said Lancelot as he pressed an elevator button. "We'll see you soon."

Jet flew up to the roof and found a mysterious looking reploid looking out over the edge. Jet approaches cautiously, unsure if this was a maverick. "My name is FlashZeroX," the reploid says suddenly as he turned to face Jet. "I've heard quite a bit about you Jet and I've watched you for quite some time now. I have nothing better to do so I decided to join you. Think of me as an aid or a sort of bodyguard."
Jet stopped dead, he was completely dumbfounded by this unexpected request.
The strange reploid continued, "I know this sounds forward but by the honor of my saber I will fight by your side and prove my worth!"
"Umm ok... I guess you can hang around if you want..."

Jet and FlashZeroX crept silently into the building. Jet was a little worried about this strange reploid he didn't even know, especially in light of Reaver's betrayal. He knew this reploid could easily be a maverick but decided to take his chances, he might come in handy. They reached the bottom of the stairway to the roof and spotted a group of humans in a conference room, all with busters to their heads. Jet also spied an alarm button next to the staircase they had just come down.
"Sit here and guard this button," Jet told him. "Don't let any mavericks sound the alarm, I'm going to free those humans."

Signas stood in the center of the command room, anyone who looked at him could tell he was furious. He turned to Alia who began typing away, trying to mask their signal to the maverick forces before he spoke to directly every active hunter. Finally she gave him the thumbs up and he spoke: "Everyone, it has come to my attention that the maverick forces are planning a massive revolt, our intelligence has indicated that a large maverick force is gathering in space, apparently the mavericks have been hiding on the moon and teleporting to earth through cloaked transmissions. We need every available hunter to return to base and prepare for the massive enemy wave, you will ambush them at 3 points to cut their numbers down before they reach our base. Once they do we will reconverge and concentrate our firepower at them. Extreme firepower is recommended, we will be stocking the newest and latest weapons in our armory. Hunters return to base as soon as you are able for full briefing. Signas out."

Jet and Flash proceeded to clear the remainder of the building systematicly. After Flash proved that he wasn't a maverick by not hitting the alarm, Jet began to trust him a bit more. They charged into each room guns blazing and quickly destroyed all the mavericks before any humans were harmed.

After moving down a few floors they met up with Lancelot and Galahad. The mission was successful, all the humans were safe. Jet was a little disturbed by the ease of the mission. Then the hunters heard Signas's broadcast. Jet looked at the others, "Well that explains why it was so easy. Sounds like we'd better get back to base." He turned to Flash, "We'll take you with us, command can decide what to do with you, they'll probably just let you enlist as another rookie."
And they warped out.

END OF CHAPTER 8