A/N: Hugely huge changes incoming. In my quest to keep this story as much in X's perspective as possible (for consistency), I deleted and replaced quite a bit, including a whole side thing with Zero investigating a murder at the hangars (spoiler, Vile's guilty). I decided to remove Zero completely from the hangar scene as a result. The next chapter, too, is going to change quite a bit as a result- but again, I hope the end result is something more fun to read. Kill your darlings and all that.
I also felt that the previous version didn't deal well enough with X's reaction to Sigma's betrayal. The world is starting to fall apart, so he should seem a little more helpless...
Anyway, enough of my shit. Enjoy!
The elevator took X on an agonizing descent. He pressed every button for the lower floors of the headquarters tower, unsure of where he wanted to go except down and away from the very top. His head hurt from the jumble of disorganized thoughts combined with his percolating panic. The lift, in contrast, served its floors in its usual, unhurried pace.
Doors opened, Hunters stepped through, then stepped off. X shifted on his feet, wanting to scream. Instead, he summoned all of his discipline not to announce Sigma's betrayal to everyone who boarded the lift like a town crier. Infecting everyone else with his panic would worsen the situation. He wondered, too, if his peers would believe him. He struggled to believe the reality himself.
He glanced around, realizing that that more Hunters might be under Sigma's thrall. Sigma said he planned this for some time. The thought of having to strike down his fellow Hunters as well as Sigma caused his chest to ache with fear.
He needed to find Zero. They needed to come up with a plan that would avoid any bloodshed.
Locating Zero presented a problem. X's rank barred him from accessing the Class A floors from the elevator. He needed clearance. Contacting Zero from his quarters posed a risk, but a warning might be better than nothing at all, he thought. He pushed past the other Hunters and reached out for the floor input console.
He tried to appear collected as the elevator jostled to a stop and opened on his floor, but he broke into a run as he stepped off of the platform. After a few turns and a long hallway, X arrived at his door and input his access code.
A red light flashed in his face, and the door panel honked with disapproval. The screen of the access panel read: ACCESS DENIED - INVALID ENTRY.
Certain he input his code correctly, he tried nonetheless tried it again. Red light. ACCESS DENIED - INVALID ENTRY.
Once more, X tried his code, refusing to believe what the panel said. When the same result flashed, he slammed his fist on the door. He did not need his door to malfunction at a time like this.
He stepped back from the door and took off in search of a public comm panel- usually installed at the ends of every large hallway for general use. Too many Hunters walked about within earshot, so X resolved to write out his message to Zero if he had to. He approached one of these panels and entered his code.
ACCESS DENIED.
"What?" X said reflexively. Again, he tapped in his code.
ACCESS DENIED.
It dawned on him that his door had been working properly. The security system no longer recognized him. Sigma, he thought. Sigma locked him out.
"Damn it!" X breathed. With no alternative plan to speak of, X raced back to the elevators. He had little idea of how far he might get without security clearance. He wondered how much it mattered, now that the Maverick Hunters were about to crumble from the top.
X stared at his feet, breathing hard as he waited for the elevator. As the lift dinged its arrival and released its passengers, X looked up sharply when the telltale red of Zero caught his eye.
"X?" Zero said, stepping off of the elevator. "I came down to check on you."
X restrained the urge to hug him, instead silently thanking the mercy of fate. Without uttering a word, X grabbed Zero by the arm and led him down the hall.
"Hey, wait!" Zero said, pulling his arm free. "What is going on? You look like you're about to overload."
"Not here!" X hissed, continuing on.
"Something happen with Sigma?" Zero said, jogging to catch up.
"Shush!" X grunted with frustration when Hunters continued to pass by, them giving odd glances.
"Stop," Zero demanded. "X. Stop!" He seized X by his shoulder and forced him to turn around.
X huffed. He whispered, "Someone will hear us."
"I'm not moving until you tell me what is so dire," Zero said, crossing his arms.
X studied Zero's face for a pause. He then sighed and leaned in, saying, "Sigma. He-," The words caught in X's throat. He felt Sigma's hands choking him again in his imagination.
Zero moved to catch X's eyes, which now turned glassy. Zero kept his voice low, saying, "I should have come with you. I had a bad feeling since your call. What did he say?"
X breathed his next words, so low that Zero strained to hear him. "He attacked me."
Zero lurched backward, staring at X. X sensed the rage boil in his comrade. He winced when Zero darted past him. Puzzled, he turned to see Zero stop at the first room.
"That's someone else's," X said. He blanched when Zero tapped the access panel and the door opened.
Zero stuck his head inside. "Get out," he demanded. X heard a voice of protest answer him. "I don't care," Zero continued. "You can do that somewhere else. I need you out. That's an order."
Zero stepped aside, and X watched as the poor evicted Hunter shuffled out, keeping his head down under Zero's withering glare.
"There. Privacy," Zero said, gesturing for X to go inside.
"I can't believe you," X said, but stepped inside the empty quarters.
The door closed behind them, and Zero sealed it with his access code.
"Explain," Zero said.
X swallowed and glanced around, still feeling paranoid. He said, "Sigma is a Maverick."
"If he attacked you, then that's a given." Zero gritted his teeth.
X continued, "He tried to convince me to join his side. When I refused, he attacked me. He could have killed me. He tried to compromise my systems instead." X touched a hand to his throat. "I don't know how many others he's tried to infect."
"Infect?"
"I don't know what sort of malicious programming it was, but my internal defenses barely overcame it. He has a powerful sickness, but he's using it as a tool for his rebellion."
"You're saying more Hunters could be affected?"
"I don't know. I don't know what we are up against," X said, shivering. "That's what's so terrifying. I am so glad you stepped off that elevator just now. Sigma trashed my codes, so I would have had to search all night for you."
"Take a breath," Zero said, touching X on the shoulder. When X relaxed, Zero dropped his arm and said, "It makes sense now. The odd deployments. The transfers, the requisitions. He knew I would question it, so he excluded me. He has been setting everything up all this time. "
"Then what should we do? Are there any officers we can trust? I want to stop this before Sigma has a chance to hurt anyone else."
Zero put a finger to his chin, wracking his brain. "Eagle was headed to the hangar bays when I left to come down here. If there's anyone who might help us organize a defense, it's him."
"Let's go look for him," X said, brightening with hope.
Zero shook his head. "You go look for him. We also need to evacuate headquarters. I'll take care of that, but we'll need to split up."
X recoiled at the idea. "What if Eagle doesn't listen to me?"
"You'll have to make him. I would go with you, but the one thing we don't have on our side right now is time. I'll meet you over there when I'm done."
"Zero," X said weakly, his mouth going dry. "This is a nightmare."
Zero's face fell. "I know, but stay focused for me." As Zero turned to leave, X reached out to stop him. Even though they had a plan, X still felt uncertain.
"I'll do my best," X said, releasing Zero.
Zero smiled, continuing toward the door. "Come on. We've 'borrowed' this room long enough."
X sprinted, kicking up dry sand behind him. Only a dim orange glow reflected off of the clouds as night fell, forcing X to adjust to the harsh white light of artificial lamps. Squinting, he could make out the signal lights of the hangars ahead. They flashed in a steady rhythm, guiding him to where he hoped to gather allies against Sigma.
The sound of whirring of helicopters and rumbling motors caused X to slow his pace. The noise grew, filling the air to a deafening volume. X looked up, seeing hornet-shaped bee bladers approaching fast. Beneath the bladers along the road, myriad headlights appeared, heralding a fleet of trucks, trailers, and flatbeds.
X ran to the side to escape the oncoming convoy. He watched as units of vehicles broke off and parked in front of the main doors of each hangar, with the flatbeds and trailers turned for loading. A swarm of Hunters spilled from the ground vehicles and entered the hangars. Dust whirled all around as the bladers hovered over them, dropping steel cables with hooks for carrying.
To X's relief, he recognized another object escorting them- the winged form of Storm Eagle, who glided over the convoy. Steeling himself, X ran out into the road. He waved furiously to get Eagle's attention.
"Eagle!" X called. He called the officer's name again, after which Eagle flapped his wings and dropped to the ground. He landed before X and folded his arms.
"X. What are you doing here?"
"I have to talk to you. The Hunters are in great danger!" X said.
"I don't have the time," Eagle replied. "Leave. Now."
"Sigma's gone Maverick!" X said. The chop-chopping of a passing bee blader muffled his voice, but the split-second look of surprise on Eagle's face showed that he heard every word.
Eagle grew dark and said, "Do you have evidence?"
X hesitated. "No, sir, but I wouldn't lie about something like this. He's planning an attack as we speak!"
"Enough!" Eagle said, causing X to jump. "I won't listen to such an appalling, baseless accusation. I respect you, X, so consider this your last warning. Leave now, or you will be detained until I am able to deal with you."
"But-!"
A biting wind tore past X, silencing him. When he opened his eyes, Eagle stood with wings spread. Eagle said, "Do not involve yourself with this, X. It is beyond your ability. It is beyond mine."
X looked around at the Hunters furiously loading equipment. It was only then he thought about their presence here, and Eagle's role in directing the activity. When he wondered what need the Maverick Hunters had for such a swift operation, the terrible truth came to him.
"Eagle, how could someone like you go along with this insanity?" X shouted. "How can you go along with this, this rebellion!"
"Our motives aren't your concern," Eagle said. "And they are as irrelevant to you as your approval is to me. Now I'm afraid I must detain you. You made a very foolish choice."
A bright flash from a blader's spotlight flashed in X's eyes, illuminating them in a circle. As X's eyes adjusted, to his horror he saw two Hunters, each with rifles trained on them with Storm Eagle between them.
"I think having your honor and reputation destroyed by siding with Mavericks is far more foolish," X shot back. "I used to have the deepest respect for you, too, Eagle."
Eagle bowed his head. "I tried, X. I tried using reason. He said he was willing to let me resign, but I knew what he meant. You must understand, his power and influence are not to be taken lightly. I don't want to live the rest of my life watching my back, waiting for Sigma's poisoned dagger to strike! Call me spineless, but a fool I am not!" Eagle shook his head.
"You're delusional, Eagle. And so is Sigma! It's not too late for you to come to your senses and stop this!" X said.
"Soon there will be no place one can hide from Sigma," Eagle said. He looked at the gunmen. "We must all obey, or be crushed." Eagle closed his eyes when a look of disgust that marred X's face.
"You coward!" X spat.
"We've wasted enough time here. Take him!" Eagle commanded.
The gunmen moved forward, prompting X to retreat. He held is hands up and said to the corrupted Hunters, "This is wrong! We shouldn't fight one another!"
"Then get moving," one of the gunmen said.
X backed away. He glanced up at the bee blader's spotlight. In a flash of cunning, he readied his buster and fired upwards. As the bullet shattered the blader's light, X then turned and took off running. The gunmen opened fire, but missed as X fell in with the night.
"You won't escape!" Eagle said. With a powerful thrust of his wings, he bounded up high. Another blader pursued him, and its spotlight caught up with X. Eagle homed in and swooped down with terrible speed.
X stopped short before he barreled into Eagle. The latter then seized X by the throat with his hand and lifted X off of his feet.
The spotlight danced on the ground as if fixed upon them. "I will crush you now if don't surrender immediately," Eagle said. X put his hand over Eagle's firm grip, gasping. "I don't wish to kill you, but you will leave me no choice if you continue your interference." Eagle squeezed X a little tighter.
X lifted his buster arm, and his hand appeared from the barrel.
Eagle said, "That's it. Now-...what? What is that?"
The ground shook, and X wobbled along with Eagle. A great clang sounded, followed by the crunch of dirt being trampled. The noise occurred again, and again in rapid succession, growing closer and louder. X's eyes darted about, looking for the source, as did Eagle.
"Who's there!" Eagle shouted.
That's when X saw the source of the commotion. Behind Eagle, X could make out through the headlights and lamps an enormous ride armor approaching them. With it's final step, the object leaped through the air at an incredible height and landed squarely in front of Eagle. Dust billowed out in a thick wave underfoot. Eagle squinted and lifted his gaze high along the armor's torso. The blader helpfully trained its light onto the driver.
"Vava," Eagle said.
"Awful to see you, Eagle," Vile said. "It's Vile now, thank you. I've come to embrace the moniker your comrades have bestowed on me."
"Vava," Eagle said again. "Nice of you to finally show up. If you'll hold X for me, I can proceed with my orders here."
The ride armor shifted on its heavy legs. "Oh, X. Nice to see you, too. Looks like you're in a bit of a bind." Vile stepped the armor forward, saying, "Eagle, be a pal and let go him. I'll only ask nicely this once." He clenched a fist on the ride armor to emphasize.
"What!" Eagle said. "You're mad. I hoped you had not truly betrayed us. But now you've sided with X?"
A fit of cackles erupted from Vile. "Sided with X?" he said, composing himself. "Listen here, you scalded chicken. I hate Mavericks, and you especially. You think you're so superior." He looked at X. "I intend to destroy X on the field of battle someday. I heard about his performance in the A test, and his ruthless slaughter of your friends has earned my curiosity. I want to be the one to kill him, and the likes of you won't deprive me of that pleasure. Release him!"
Vile pulled back the armor's fist and threw a punch squarely at the two Reploids. Self-preservation took over, and Eagle let go of X and pushed off the ground and flew high into the air. X, meanwhile, ducked down and dodged the fist without a hair's breadth to spare. On his elbow and knees, he rubbed his throat and gagged. As X continued to cough, Vile said, "You can thank me for this rescue after Sigma levels this pathetic city. Be sure you're at full strength for when I come for you."
"Enough, Vile!" Eagle said. Eagle flapped his wings, and staggering gusts of wind blew across the dusty road.
Vile bellowed with laughter. "You think a little breeze can harm me? This armor weighs fifteen tons without my mods!"
The gusts continued, and soon the dust in the air created a thick haze that even the spotlight could not fully penetrate. Vile with his ride armor tried to wave the dust away.
The dust stung his eyes, X managed to rise to his feet. Under the cloud cover, he took off for the main headquarters, clenching his teeth. He wiped away the dust in his eyes, feeling a wetness there.
Behind him, he heard Vile shout to the sky. "Come on and fight me!" The spotlight above him darkened. "There!" He fired two rounds from his shoulder cannon at the shadow. The rounds tore through the hull of the blader, causing electric current to arc wildly across its plating. Seconds later, another explosion split its abdomen wide open. The fiery wreck plunged to the ground, burying Vile in metal and flames. X felt the heat of the blast on his back.
Eagle landed near the fireball, and the dust began to dissipate. "You're a victim of your own foolish swagger," he said.
Then, a giant fist burst forth from the wreckage, sending hot shrapnel flying in all directions. Eagle leaped backward before a second fist punched through, and finally the rest of the ride armor rose from the pile. The ride armor leaped forward, carrying Vile with it. The ride armor glowed a dark orange, and the fire blackened Vile's violet hues. He hunched forward in pain.
"After I'm done with X," Vile rasped, "I will hunt down every last one of you."
The ride armor limped forward, but then managed to leap forward, then again, carrying Vile away in escape from the hangar grounds. A unit of armed Hunters approached Eagle.
"Shall we pursue?" one of them asked.
Eagle sighed. He said, "No. Have the mets put that fire out and continue loading the trucks as quickly as possible. I want them ready to leave in thirty minutes. Transmit to Kuwanger and Mandrill that Phase Two may begin at anytime. Notify the other officers that if their men see X, that he is to be arrested immediately."
"Sir!" the Hunters said, saluting.