"Me?" X asked.
Dr. Cain nodded, then said, "I can think of no other candidate."
"Interesting," Sigma said.
X paused and shifted on his feet, appearing disturbed by the idea. "What would I have to do?" he asked.
"For you, the procedure will be easy. All I have to do is extract a sample of your fluids. I'll then find and replicate the specific portion of DNA I need from that."
"I'm willing to cooperate if that's all it takes," X said, relief washing over him, but he furrowed his brow when Dr. Cain's face grew sorrowful. X felt the immense sympathy behind the doctor's expression.
"Before you make your decision, X, you should also know that Zero probably won't have an easy time. There is a chance he will not survive procedure at all," the doctor said. "If his immune system rejects your DNA completely, then his symptoms will be even worse than they are now. He may never function properly again."
When X did not reply, Dr. Cain said, "In other words, this is a long shot. A very long shot. However, if Zero can endure it, then he may recover. This is Zero's only chance. X, I believe it ought to be up to you whether or not it's worth the effort to save this Reploid's life, or if it would be better to end his misery now."
X's face fell as he listened to Dr. Cain. He looked to Sigma for any sign of input, but instead was met with an expectant look from his commander. He looked away and back toward Zero, the sight making his chest ache and his conscience insufferably confused. He struggled to imagine ordering the death of such mysterious discovery, but struggled just as much with the idea of prolonging Zero's agony. Either way, his conscience would carry the consequences.
The sliver of hope that the procedure might save Zero called to X. Zero asked for X's help- in his dreams, and now in reality. X smiled inwardly as he recalled the past few weeks he spent with the red Maverick. While X had been helping Dr. Cain restore Zero in the lab, he had wondered what sort of personality Zero would have if he were just a normal Reploid. Would they get along? Would Zero be smart? Friendly? A loner? Shy? A ladykiller? X also admitted to himself the truth he wanted to bury: that he found a kindred spirit in Zero. They both came from unknown origins, with designs unknown by anyone in existence. The word 'normal' did not apply to them. What if he, X, had never been given the chance to live? What if fearful humans had scrapped him before they got to know him?
X felt grateful to be alive. Suddenly, X looked up and said without hesitation, "I want to go through with it. Please, doctor. We have to at least try."
Dr. Cain nodded, but then said, "There is another detail to all of this. Before I introduce the virus that will transplant the DNA Zero needs, he will have to undergo a full memory wipe to ensure that there is as little biomechanical stress and interference with the integration as possible. A reset, essentially. It will also rid him of any potential memories and associations that would trigger a relapse into a Maverick state."
X blinked, stunned momentarily with disbelief. "So to save his life," X began, "We have to delete his memories?"
Dr. Cain nodded. "Indeed."
X looked over to Zero. He appeared sorrowful, saying "Then he won't remember me." His voice gave no clear indication of whether he was asking or stating the truth.
Dr. Cain sighed. "I know we wanted to learn about where he came from and who created him, but with the way he is now, it makes no difference if he returns to us as a blank slate. And before he met you, I dare say that he probably has memories that any healthy, sentient being would be glad to be rid of."
X nodded. He said, "I see. Then it must be done."
Sigma, who had been listening silently, huffed in amusement and said, "He won't remember me either. Too bad!"
X winced. In that moment, he hated the sound of his commander's voice.