Mark of Man
Chapter 6
I have found that, to make a contented slave, it is necessary to make a thoughtless one. It is necessary to darken his moral and mental vision, and, as far as possible, to annihilate the power of reason.
The next few days again passed in relative silence thankfully as the entire base was on edge over the injuries that the Commander sustained. On an early August morning, Rokko crossed the frosted grounds and made her way to the training simulator as normal. To her relief, that day the Commander had been waiting just outside the entry for her. However, he wasn't alone. Beside him was a crimson Reploid with long blond hair. On his back, a beam saber was housed in a strange blocky 'backpack', and perhaps stranger still, he had a peculiar 'Z' icon on one shoulder.
"Commander Sigma. It's good to see you up again." X saluted, only giving the other Reploid a passing glance.
Normally, the commander answered with a nod as a form of greeting before he spoke. However, today, he seemed… A bit off. In fact, he ignored her gesture entirely, opting to explain in short detail why they were there.
"Rokko, this is the Irregular Hunters newest recruit. I'd like to put him through the paces today by having him face you."
Rokko paused, observing the strange red hunter thoughtfully.
"I suppose I could, but sir, if he's just a rookie wouldn't that put him at a disadvantage?"
Strangely, Sigma once again ignored her as he began to type on the holographic keyboard to set up the mission. As he did so, the new Reploid approached, his blue eyes sharp and as he approached, his gaze remained locked with hers, freezing her to the spot.
Once he approached, the Reploid gave a faint grin and offered his hand in greeting, the intense blue eyed gaze being replaced by something… Different.
"Good Morning Gorgeous. The name's Zero, and it's nice to meet you."
Just great. A Reploid who thinks he's the second coming of Casanova.
Rokko rolled her eyes. Another Reploid that thought they were something suave and 'attractive'. Rokko's right hand clenched into a fist instinctively, and her left foot fell back. Part of her still looked natural, but to the trained eye, her posture was screaming that she was ready to fight.
Thankfully for the new hunter, he wasn't an idiot and backed off immediately.
"So, the deadly femme fatale type eh?" Zero's grin remained, even though he'd withdrawn to a respectful distance at last.
Why did she have to deal with this so early in the morning?
"Rokko X, B Class Huntress. Shall we just cut to the chase?" X brushed Zero off as she entered the training room fully.
"Rokko, I think I love you." Zero chuckled as he followed her.
X stopped dead in her tracks, her left hand desiring to do nothing more than blast him with a fully charged shot. Instead, she allowed her hand to twitch a few times before just stalking in fully, her mind set on one goal.
She was going to mop the floor with him.
"Sure thing." Zero agreed as he took his position across from her, drawing a peculiar energy sword, and powering it up.
"An energy saber class weapon?" She asked, tilting her head slightly as she observed the weapon.
She only knew of one other Reploid that could wield one, and that was the Commander himself.
"It's one of my weapons, yes." Zero agreed before Sigma finished punching in the details and a pair of holographic screens rose for the two hunters to read.
Battle of London
Mission Objective:
Defeat the opposing warrior, the city has been evacuated, and any and all damage is acceptable to bring the opponent down.
Zero vanished into the city streets, and after a moment Rokko looked for a nearby building with a good line of sight. Eventually, she found a tall building that would offer her considerable range and be able to find the close quarter fighter before he drew close enough to bring the saber to bear. Immediately, she scaled the large structure getting to the roof in just a few moments.
Mission Start
The computer announced and Rokko X's body tensed as her eyes scanned the area quickly, trying to find Zero before he got too close. Several tense minutes passed as she watched the various streets, looking for any sign of motion. Then, without warning her senses screamed for her to dodge, and following the suggestion, she leapt into the air, backflipping over the surprise stab from behind.
As she landed, the roof crumpled slightly under the impact and dust exploded around her, making it harder for her to see.
How did he sneak up so easily? Rokko X wondered as she was forced to dodge another precise, lethal strike from the relentless hunter. Gone was the flirting Reploid of before, and in his place was a deadly warrior hellbent on destroying his enemy; or in this case, her.
Rokko managed to dodge long enough to reach the edge of the building and leap off, falling thirty stories in free fall, while pointing back at the roof, in case the ruthless fighter decided to leap after her. Once she was certain that he wasn't following, she twisted slightly, managing to dig her boots into the side of the building, and then pushed off, heading for building across from the one she was on a moment prior.
When she reached the other building, she seamlessly dug her hand through the duracrete of the exterior and found a secure grip, aiming back at the ground floor of the complex she'd just left. A moment passed as her buster charged, and then she fired, attempting to damage the building to bring it down, with her foe still on it hopefully. However, as she fired the second shot, causing the building to start to fall, debris billowing upward, Zero retaliated.
An enormous energy blast headed directly at her, forcing her to let go and crash onto the pavement ten floors below. Groaning, Rokko clawed the dust and loose hair out of her face, only to be forced to dodge another energy shot that Zero sent her way.
Zero was not just a master swordsman, but a superb crackshot that was armed with an incredibly powerful plasma weapon. That fact alone drastically limited her options. No longer could she win by simply keeping Zero out of range, for his range, speed, and power were far greater than her own.
Desperately, Rokko lept for the next building, trying to get some distance from her opponent, only for Zero to dive bomb her from above, making her crash into the ground a second time, and barely roll away from his impaling strike. Quickly, she rose, firing a shot behind her in an attempt to buy her some time and get some distance from Zero.
However, it did not save her from his sudden leg sweep, knocking her onto her back.
The last thing she saw was Zero standing above her, his buster fully charged and pointing at her face.
Mission Failed.
The computer cheerfully announced to her as she woke a short time later. For the first time in her career as a huntress, she'd failed in defeating another Reploid one on one. She'd failed so completely, so utterly, and in such a short time that she felt crushed. Slowly rising from the floor, she noticed that Sigma was still there, even though Zero had already left.
"That was a poor display huntress Rokko X." Sigma chided before his expression hardened.
X nodded reluctantly. She'd done her best, but Zero had completely outclassed her. Was that the kind of power that divided the B Class Hunters from the A Class Hunters?
"I was afraid that this would happen, but I had to know. Huntress X, as of this moment you're going to be reassigned. You are now going to take up a desk position handling paperwork for the Irregular Hunters."
Rokko's eyes widened.
"Sir, I really must protest thi-" Rokko began but Sigma cut her off.
"Rokko, you were the one that all Reploids were designed off of. It's no surprise that Zero was able to beat you so handily. After all, Reploid technology has advanced and you were the basis for that technology. It was only a matter of time before Reploid weapons became too advanced for you to handle. It's obvious that that time has already come."
Rokko took a step back at the bombshell. This was not what she'd expected to happen to her.
"W-What do you mean I was the 'basis of Reploids?'" Rokko demanded, momentarily stunned.
Sigma sighed.
"Reploids are a relatively new creation Rokko X, and our race was only created because they found the last robot of Professor Thane: you. In short, that means you're the 'mother' of all of Reploid kind. It'd be terrible if that history was destroyed on some pointless battlefield." He explained while still staring directly into her own eyes.
Why had no one told her this? Rokko wondered, trying to get her mind around this sudden change in her life.
"Starting immediately you're reassigned to support Rokko."
That shook Rokko from her stupor.
"Sir, even if I'm this 'mother of Reploids', I protest! This is completely unnecessary!"
Sigma ignored her, turning his back to on Rokko X, and electing to leave the training simulator instead. Rokko's eyes narrowed and she followed him, attempting to garner his attention. However, once they'd reached his office, he turned back to face her once again, his expression hard.
"My orders stand Rokko X and no amount of protest will change that."
"Commander Sigma, if that's how you feel, I'm invoking Irregular Hunter Special Clause 192." She spat in return.
Sigma appeared unfazed, but a tendril of heat seeped into his tone.
"You have to submit that clause in writing, you should know that already, and as it is, it's not here. While you may not be happy with it, you will obey it." With that, he spun on his heel and withdrew to the office, leaving her fuming.
"Damn him." X growled as she headed for her new station.
The next few weeks were agony for the huntress. No missions, no access to the simulators, just mounds, and mounds of paperwork. Worse yet, when she submitted Clause 192, it was ignored by the Commander. To top all of that off, she found that Zero had apparently become fascinated by her. (And every other female on base, but her in particular.)
Each day he'd stop in to her cubicle and lean on the wall, talking to her. Most of the time, she tried to ignore the idiot, but his attempts at being smooth did not go over well.
Today was no different.
"Good morning Rokko."
"B Class Huntress X." Rokko replied briskly as she settled down for yet another day of tor-paperwork.
"I respect the professionalism darling, but you should loosen up a bit." Zero observed, leaning against the wall.
"With all due respect A Class Hunter Zero-" However, Rokko was interrupted by an overly cheerful Reploid.
"S class."
"What?" Rokko asked flatly, spinning her chair to face him.
"Just was promoted to S class today. Sigma and I are now the top two highest ranked Reploids on base." Zero answered cheerfully.
Just great.
Rokko's eye might have been twitching if she was human, but she refused to grant Zero any type of pleasure.
"I see. Nevertheless, I need to get back to work." Rokko stated, turning her chair to face the desk again.
However, as she did so, Zero's left hand shot out and gripped the arm rest.
"Chill gorgeous, I know you hate paperwork, even more than I do. So, tell you what, if you'll spend the day with me, I'll get you into the training simulators." Zero offered, his expression surprisingly serious.
Rokko grit her teeth. Yes, it would be a good way to release some tension and blow some artificial things up, and no, she didn't care that Zero would probably get into trouble for it, but there was one thing holding her back from saying 'sure', and that was Zero himself.
"No thanks. As nice as a training simulation would be, I'm frankly not interested in spending anymore time with you than I have to sir."
Zero's expression became a bit forlorn, but he shrugged, his smile returning a moment later.
"Maybe next time then." Zero's smirk didn't fool her.
He was tenacious anyway. But, that was the only thing she'd give him. She scowled at him and then attempted to make another turn back to her paperwork. As she began to type up documents, Zero slipped out of her cubicle and left her to the frustrating tasks of the day.
"Rokkooooo~" An obnoxiously cheerful voice called to her, causing her free hand to grip into a fist, trying to keep herself under control.
"What do you want?" Rokko demanded, not even bothering to turn to face Donathan and his stupid pink pauldrons.
"Would you-"
"No." Rokko interrupted the D Class Hunter.
"But, I-" Donathan protested.
"Not interested."
"Rokko, what if-"
"Damn it, you moron!" She spun to face him, rising from her chair, and backhanding the Reploid.
The impact was so great that he fell to the ground instantly.
"How many times do you imbeciles have to hit on me before you get it through your thick skulls that I am not interested?"
Donathan looked up at Rokko X with teary eyes, but she had no sympathy for him.
"Unless you have business to discuss I'd suggest you leave." She snarled.
The young Reploid shook his head meekly before fleeing. Sighing, Rokko returned to her work station to resume the task of paperwork once again, only to find a document that caused her to freeze in place.
Vile's release forms.
Commander Sigma had authorized Vile's release.
It was then that the dam to her rage shattered. Sigma ignoring her, Vile's release, being hit on, paperwork, it all piled up on her until she saw red. Shoving her chair out of the way and causing it to topple into the hall, Rokko stormed towards the Commander's office.
Immediately upon reaching it, she rapped on the door firmly three times. When the Commander failed to respond, her foot rose, before smashing through the thick metal, knocking it off the retractable path.
Entering, Rokko's buster formed and she spoke to the Reploid behind the desk.
"Sigma, you've ignored Clause 192, illegally might I add, and so I'm executing my right to trial by combat, with or without your authorization." Rokko snarled as she aimed at him.
Immediately, Sigma lept to his feet and kicked the desk at her.
Dashing towards the wall, Rokko kept an eye on her target, aiming at Sigma's left knee joint with a charged shot which harmlessly missed as the commander moved so quickly he blurred around the shot.
Sigma was a S Class hunter, one of the top irregular hunters in Eurasia, but she refused to let that stop her. However, this was close quarters, and Sigma was deadly with his blade.
The commander slashed at her horizontally, forcing the female to roll between his legs, and pelt Sigma's back with quick burst of buster shots.
To her surprise, the three shots connected, but it was only a minor victory as he spun around and roundhouse kicked her through the far wall and out into the courtyard.
Stumbling to her feet, her sensors warned her that she'd taken heavy damage from the hit. Wiping a bit of synthetic blood away from the corner of her lips with her free hand, she dashed backwards, firing another salvo of shots back into the building.
To her surprise, one of them connected on Sigma's left arm joint, disabling the limb for the most part.
I can make you bleed Sigma, how's it taste?
She took a running jump onto the nearest building, or in this case, the Irregular Hunter barracks. From there she tried to get a bead on the rapidly approaching commander, and finally as he lept up, preparing to finish the match, she released a fully charged shot into his face.
"Arrggh!" Sigma screamed in genuine pain as he smashed into the duracrete below.
Smiling, Rokko knew now, that no matter what had happened, she'd proven that she was still a powerful Reploid. However, that smile faded and turned to an icy cold resolve as she fired down on the commander.
However, he was no longer playing games and dodged her shots, scaling the walls in mere milliseconds and nearly impaling her with his blade. Thankfully, she managed to dodge, only losing a lock of her hair in the process.
That would come back naturally thanks to her nanotechnology, but it did not solve the problem of the commander himself who ended up grabbing her leg with his damaged left arm as she tried to get away. Lifting her up to his face level, Sigma glared at Rokko.
"You're finished." His voice was no longer smooth and charismatic, but ragged, with glitches entering his speech.
Instead of replying, Rokko simply glared as she managed to hide her arm beneath Sigma's and aim her buster at his face. Then, fired another charge shot at point blank.
He stumbled slightly, but his grip did not loosen. Then, an incredible pain tore through her circuits as his blade stabbed her in the stomach. Yet, she did not yield even then, firing a third charge shot into the commander's battered face.
By this point, the commander's synthetic skin was severely ravaged, and his head unit sparked wildly. But, to her surprise, Sigma still stood, and tossed her into the air vertically.
She tried to aim at his head for a fourth (and hopefully) final charged shot, but as she fired, Sigma batted it away with his saber, and a powerful spinning kick met her as she neared him.
Darkness once again took her.
AN: Yes, I know that Zero's Technically A Robot, but Rokko is unaware of his… Origins. Also, she had been unaware of her status as the 'mother of Reploids' bit.
Sorry that this took so long to get out, headaches, work, writing, games, and so forth took it out of me. But, I hope you enjoyed this more... Intense chapter. Things are starting to heat up, and yes, much, much more remains.