"Sorry I have to put you out for this, Zero," Dr. Cain said. He moved about, recalibrating the sensors and monitors nearby. "But I want to make sure no other systems have been affected by your treatment."
"It's fine, doctor. I want to be in my best shape for tomorrow," Zero said. He then thought for a moment. "It's strange. I don't know what will happen, yet there's nothing to hold me back, either. I can't wait." He looked over to X who was standing nearby. His face fell, and he said, "What if I don't get along with the Hunters?"
X shrugged. "I'm sure you'll fit in just fine. Our new A Class Hunters are sure to be impressed with you."
"Who are they?" Zero asked.
X looked up and put a finger to his chin, thinking for a pause. "Right now I only know of about half a dozen or so. I don't actually know any of them personally, except for one they call Chill Penguin. He used to be in my unit. Then there's Storm Eagle, Spark Mandrill, and Sting Chameleon, but I only know them from celebrity." X explained.
"What makes them Class A?"
"Hunters now are organized from Classes C, to B, to A, to S. Everyone starts out as C or B, depending on how well they do in the aptitude test."
"How do you earn Class A?"
X supposed he should have anticipated the bombardment of questions about the Maverick Hunters. It gave him a sense of pride, though, to be able to teach Zero on the subject. "Well, if you're Class C, it's impossible. As of the restructure, Class C is a permanent designation. Only Class Bs can apply for the Class A and perform a combat test to advance. You have to be pretty confident, though, because you can only pass if you make a score above 95%."
"What about Class S?"
"You have to be Class A. There are two tests combat and analytical. Unlike the Class A test, though, which you can retake until you pass, you also only get one chance to pass the Class S test. Oh, and you have to make 100%."
Zero paused to take in the information. "What rank are you?" he asked.
X's eyes fell. For the first time, X his own status embarrassed him. "Class B."
"Really? I thought you were A at least."
A brief smile flashed across X's features. "Gee, thanks, but I'm not nearly as strong as those officers," X said, shaking his head. "Most of them are highly specialized. My design is pretty basic."
Zero huffed with what seemed like amusement and studied X carefully for a beat. With seriousness, Zero said, "I'm not sure I believe you."
Dr. Cain, pretending to be engrossed in his work, closed his eyes and smiled to himself.
"You made it out of testing as Class B, didn't you? So clearly you have potential," Zero continued.
X turned his face to the side, unable to meet Zero's eyes. He said, "I can't make the 95%. Commander Sigma says I hesitate too much."
"Why?"
X's brow twitched in confusion. "I," he began. "I don't know. The times when I have taken the test, somewhere along the way I just ," He shrugged. "I just don't want to fight anymore."
"You're built for combat, yet you don't want to fight?" Zero probed.
X sighed. "I wish we didn't need the Maverick Hunters. I wish Reploids and humans could live in peace. Everytime I shoot something, I feel like I'm part of the problem."
"I see," Zero said. "You said yourself, though, that Mavericks are relentless. I don't see how doing nothing is a solution, either."
The statement pierced through X like a steel rod.
"X?" Zero questioned when X looked to the floor and did not reply.
"I think that will do it," Dr. Cain said loudly, interrupting the conversation. "I'm ready when you are, Zero."
Zero sighed and nodded, saying, "Thanks, Doc." He frowned at X. "I'm sorry if I said something wrong, X."
"No, not at all. I just haven't though about it like that," X said.
"I suppose I'll see you tomorrow," Zero said.
"Alright," was all X could muster. He watched as Zero leaned back and closed his eyes. Within half a minute his systems began their shutdown cycle. Once complete, the computer output a cascade of readouts on the monitors. X let out a deep sigh.
"There you go again, being too hard on yourself, X," Dr. Cain said, coming to X's side. "He's right. You do have potential. That's why you're called X- you're a variable." The doctor looked up at X, who appeared to be ignoring him. Dr. Cain then shook his head and said, "I think you ought to go back to your quarters and get some rest."
X nodded and said, "Yeah." He turned and made his way to the exit, but suddenly paused. He turned to the doctor and said, "One more thing. I haven't had the chance to ask, but how is it that Zero can speak?"
The doctor said, "My theory is that Zero can speak because his language centers are completely separate from personal memory banks. That's true of most Reploids. Unlike personal memories, there are vital processes that are deemed necessary for a Reploid's existence. These processes are therefore more deeply integrated into a Reploid's programming."
"Why is that?" X asked.
"Humans consider the ability for Reploids to communicate with them - and thus to socially integrate - to be a vital skill. Rather than having to learn language like humans do, Reploids have their language designed as a default ability. There is really no more to it than that, but it is why the loss of coherent speech is a grave indicator for a Reploid's health."
"Or it could mean they are a Maverick," X said.
"Indeed," Dr. Cain confirmed.
X nodded, satisfied with the explanation. He then took his leave, allowing the doctor to go back to work.