A/N: Another new chapter up! Thank you for the continued feedback!
Zero punched in his security code. The elevator bobbed, then whisked him and X up high into the Maverick Hunter Headquarters grand tower. X looked over to Zero, who returned a gentle smile. X looked away to avoid grinning like an idiot.
When the elevator doors opened, a dazzle of polished stone and steel greeted X. He stepped off onto the floor with a look of awe. The surroundings put off a far more sophisticated and modern look than the concrete brick-and-mortar of the former Anti-Maverick Police Force building that comprised the floors far below. Strips of lighting illuminated the walkways, and the sleek, discreet control panels blended into the walls. The simple elegance of the design made X wonder if he were on a space station apart from the real headquarters down below.
"Wow," X said. "It's quiet."
Stepping off the elevator behind him, Zero said, "Yeah. Makes you realize how chaotic the B and C Class floors are in comparison."
They proceeded down the hall. "All of these are officers' quarters?" X asked.
"Not all. There are a few conference rooms and research labs. Hang left here," Zero said.
They reached a door marked A-27. Zero punched in his access code, and the door swished aside.
X's jaw dropped. Crystal-clear windows comprised the entire side of the room opposite the door, opening up a breathtaking view of Abel City.
"Well?" Zero said, gesturing him inside. "Are you just going to stand there?"
"It's just better than I imagined," X said, taking slow steps past the door. He approached the window and pressed a hand against it. He looked down and watched as tiny specks of Hunters moved about the Headquarters' grand lawn, but soon felt dizzy from the height. X tore himself away to glance at the rest of the accommodations. The apartment sprawled out to his left, the first area of which included a small living space with a couch, a throw rug, and television mounted into the wall. X walked further, seeing a ceramic countertop jutting out from the wall. It separated the living space from a washroom- or what a Reploid s version might be. X marveled at Zero's personal sonic shower and sinks, for he was only familiar with the communal washrooms in the lower class sections.
Finally, Zero's maintenance room lay furthest, separated from the rest of the apartment by a large pillar. X noted the state-of-the-art design of the maintenance bed. Far sleeker than X's, it made him pause to think about when the last time his maintenance bed was upgraded.
He spun around and came face-to-face with Zero. His cheeks flushed again.
Zero said, "What do you think?"
"They pulled out all the stops," X said.
"They what?" Zero said.
"Human expression," X said. "I mean, they really spared no expense for the A Class. You get your own shower! And there's carpet. Since when do Reploids care about carpets? And the view from up here..."
Zero smiled as X continued to gush. "You're cute, X," he said.
X paused mid-sentence. "And there s- what?
Come on. I ll show you the rest of the floor, Zero said.
X stared at Zero as he turned and headed for the exit. He replayed what Zero said several times in his head. Once to make sure he sure he heard Zero, a second time to confirm the words, and a third to satisfy his disbelief. Zero called him...cute? What did that mean? He scrambled to catch up to Zero after coming back to his senses. As Zero guided him through some of the other facilities and conveniences, the sights distracted X from questioning Zero s remark further.
"Tell me, X, doesn't this make you want to become a Class A Hunter?" Zero asked as they headed back toward the elevators.
"Of course," X replied. "This is like another world. It's hard to believe we re part of the same organization."
"Hmm," Zero uttered.
X looked over as they walked. "What?"
"Nothing. I'll talk to you about it later."
X furrowed his brow, but did not reply as he felt unsure of his response.
As they came to the elevator, X pressed the call button. A minute later, the doors swished open. X stepped forward, but he stopped short when his face collided with a solid object.
"Watch it!" the object said.
X bounced back, stunned, and came face to face with the lower torso of a gigantic Reploid. His eyes trailed upwards, further intimidated by the Reploid's long trunk and wide ears that made him appear even more massive. With the Reploid's large, golden belly blocking his way, X said, "Excuse me, sir?"
"What in blazes is a little pipsqueak like you doing up here?" the Reploid boomed, stepping off the lift.
"Mammoth," Zero said. "He's with me. We were just leaving."
"Oh, Zero. The new blood. Just because you made rank so quickly, doesn't mean you can flaunt the regs. It gives lessers like him wrong ideas," Mammoth said, pointing at X.
"X is just as worthy to be here as either of us," Zero said. "What are you even doing here? Didn't Sigma give you orders?"
"It's none of your business what Sigma discusses with me," Mammoth said. "But you can be sure that I will be discussing this little trespass with him."
Zero huffed and said, "Be my guest."
Mammoth then shot X a withering glare. "You'll never see these floors again, B Class. I'm gonna kick you out of here myself! Tell your other Bs and Cs that if I catch any weaklings like you up here again, I'll stomp you into dust!"
"Sir," X ground out.
"That's enough!" Zero said, stepping between them. "It's disgraceful for a Class A to threaten another Hunter. I will escort X. Now stand aside before I make you!"
"Zero, it's okay," X said, hoping to douse his fury before the situation spiraled out of control. He recognized that neither officer would relent on their own.
Mammoth guffawed. "I'd love to see you try, Zero. Only an idiot thinks they can save the weak from themselves. Weaklings will always get themselves killed in one way or another. Now get out of my way!"
The massive Reploid shoved past Zero, pushing him aside as though he were an insect. Zero stumbled backward, surprised by Mammoth s power. X froze as Mammoth clapped a hand on his shoulder and picked him up like he were a sack of feathers.
"Ow!" X yelped, feeling the deep pinch in his shoulder. Mammoth swung him around like a ragdoll as he turned around to press the call button. X kicked his feet, gritting his teeth as he hissed in pain.
"You," Zero started. "Let him go!"
"Stop squirming," Mammoth barked, ignoring Zero.
The elevator door opened, and Mammoth tossed X onto the lift. X landed hard on his elbow and knees.
The sound of buster fire echoed in the hallway behind him.
"You dare strike me?" Mammoth roared, turning about. "Unforgivable!"
X rose to his feet and looked to see Zero, buster arm outstretched.
"Just a tap on the shoulder. I wanted your attention," Zero said. He then said, "You get out of here, X. We'll meet up later!"
"Zero!" X said. "But-,"
"Now!"
X stepped back, then bolted. He swallowed hard as the elevator doors shut on the image of Mammoth closing in on a battle-ready Zero. He regretted everything. He should have turned Zero down. What would happen if word got out that two officers got into a fight? With Zero being so new, the brunt of the consequences would fall on him.
X lurched forward and pressed the open door button frantically. He reacted too late. The elevator dinged, and with a gentle shake it carried X away.