Hello everyone! I know; I actually posted an update less than a week since my last one. It's been way too long since I've had any stretch of time to write; I figured I'd take advantage of it now while I can. Don't know when I'll be back to the grind and find myself without any time again.

That said, this chapter did not exist in the original copy of my story. What was supposed to take place was this convoluted process of X trying to find his dorm room and being hassled along the way. Technically speaking, Castus was supposed to be a nameless character. Looking back on it, it wasn't a bad chapter concept for a then 14 year old. Now, I can say it was way too much information for such an extremely unimportant moment in the story.

So now we have this, a hopefully better chapter that flows more smoothly into the basic plot of things where X is already an established recruit for the Maverick Hunter program. I don't foresee the next chapter deviating too much from its original copy, though it's obviously subject to change. Again, this chapter didn't exist in my original; so anything's possible!

Thanks to everyone who read the previous chapter. I hope you all enjoy this one just as much!

Chapter 2

A few days after his training battle with Castus; people were still extolling the skills X displayed. It was hard not to walk the halls of the Maverick Hunter base without hearing at least whispers of the event. Worse yet, some fellow recruits asked him for training tips or to outright be their private trainer. It was enough to drive him crazy!

Thankfully, it was past curfew this particular night. No star-struck recruits approaching the moment he was in view. No Maverick Hunter trainers whispering among themselves about him as if he was not there. Everyone was in their nightly routines. Nothing to disturb him or his thoughts.

Though honestly, he would have welcomed any distraction at this moment. As a recruit, X was also subject to the rules regarding curfew. He technically should not be outside his quarters. It was only because Castus called earlier for him to come to one of the debriefing rooms that he was walking the halls. The request was simple, no hint of what the summons was about. Just to come over as soon as possible.

X's mind continued to wander as he approached an elevator. Did he somehow manage to do something wrong? From what was told to all recruits during the orientation period, being called in after curfew was usually not a good thing. He believed it; some he got acquainted with were called upon and never heard from again.

Almost definitely an expulsion from the Maverick Hunter program. Some, however, seemed more intent on spreading conspiracy theories about the Reploid recruits being sent to the scrapyard. He had no idea how that one started, but he was nowhere near naïve enough to believe it.

Though from what he heard, Castus's tone over the communication link was neutral. No emotion betrayed the true nature of the summons. Of course, that was how the man always spoke whenever it came to important matters. It was how X knew whether or not there was going to be a serious discussion. It always unnerved him to not have a guess beforehand which direction the topic would go.

The arrival of the elevator broke his train of thought. He went in as soon as the doors opened, almost failing to notice someone already inside. In fact, he would have ran into them had they not said something.

"Out for a nightly walk?"

Standing towards a corner of the elevator was a woman smiling at him. She had blond hair that fell past her shoulders and kept together in a ponytail. She seemed almost like a secretary with the folders she held with one of her arms. Though that did not seem right since she had a communication device resting in her left ear. A member of the base's security team perhaps?

X cleared his throat while awkwardly moving to the other side. "Sorry. I wasn't expecting anyone in here."

"I'm not surprised, seeing how preoccupied you are," she teased as the doors closed. "I don't remember seeing you around, though. Did you get inducted into the Maverick Hunters recently?"

"Uh, not exactly. I'm just a recruit in the training program."

The woman raised an eyebrow. "A recruit? Then why are you out so late?"

X turned his head slightly away at the not-too-subtle accusation. "Castus called me earlier to meet him in one of the debriefing rooms."

The accusatory look suddenly vanished. "Castus? Are you the one he's training this year? X, was it?"

He nodded, caught off-guard that she already knew his name. "Yeah, I'm X. He's my instructor. I don't know why he wants to talk to me tonight, though. I'm just hoping it isn't anything bad."

"Oh, I'm sure nothing like that. He's had nothing but great things to say whenever he talks about you. Everyone's also talking about how you beat him in one-on-one training a few days ago. That's pretty impressive!"

X's face turned crimson. "Well, it wasn't anything that amazing."

She chuckled. "Don't go selling yourself short. Believe me when I say Castus isn't one so easily beaten in training. Very few manage it; all were Maverick Hunters."

The elevator signaled its stop, cutting the conversation short. When the doors opened, the woman walked out. She then turned around to hold the door open. "Aren't you getting off here, too?"

"Wh-What?"

"The debriefing room you're heading to in is on this floor. I'm headed that way myself. Want me to show you the way?"

X could only nod before following her out. He did not expect her to take part in whatever Castus wanted to talk about. And considering she looked like someone from security, it did not give him confidence on the meeting being a pleasant one.

Thankfully, the briefing room was only a few doors away from the elevator. It left him with little time to dwell on what might soon be happening. Though feeling like he was being escorted by someone related to the meeting shot his nerves through the roof.

"We're here," she announced after stopping in front of the door. Turning to look at X, she noted his obvious nerves. "Don't worry; I promise it's nothing bad. Since I'm a part of the meeting, I'm in a position to know. Just be yourself in there." She then immediately opened the door without waiting for a response.

"Glad you could make it, Alia," an unfamiliar voice greeted as the two entered. "Sorry to call you in on such short notice."

The woman, Alia, shrugged. "It's alright. Just a hazard of the job. And Castus? It's nice to see you again. Been awhile."

"That it has," Castus agreed. He was seated in one of the chairs that surrounded a large circular table in the middle of the room. His green armor shone slightly against the room's light. "I don't think we've seen each other since I was given a new handler. It's nice to see you're still doing well.

"And I see you've already met X. Hope he's given you a good first impression."

"He's a bit nervous. Nothing a dose of experience can't fix, though."

"I'd be surprised if he wasn't nervous," the unfamiliar man stated.

Looking across to the other side of the room, X saw a man standing before a large monitor. It currently had the Maverick Hunter logo displayed, the same one emblazoned against the grey of his breastplate. Underneath the logo were countless medals of color and design, indicating both his rank and prestige. He stood tall and at-attention, no doubt a practiced stance from years of military training.

He immediately realized who this man was. Every recruit had the chance to see him during orientation. This was Commander Signas, leader of the Maverick Hunters.