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Chapter Ten

At the Cafe, the three Reploids took a booth at the back of the shop. X and Alia sat on one side, and Zero across from them. Zero held his mug in one hand and leaned back in his seat, "This is a pretty cool place. I think I'll enjoy being a Hunter." he said and took a sip from his mug.
X nodded as he stared down at his own mug, afraid if he looked up they might see his blush.
Tye sat next to him opposite of Alia and poked his arm, and he looked up, "Huh?"
"So X, you really did put up a good fight in the arena. You should sign up for the Hunters. Maybe we could be partners." Zero smiled and drank from his mug again.
Alia nudged X's shoulder, "He's right X."
X shrugged again, "Well...I'll talk to Dr. Cain."
Zero nodded, "Good. Oh and speaking of which, where do I go to find out my unit?"
"You'll probably get an announcement from one of the navigators. If I find out I'll tell you." Alia said after she had finished her mug's contents off.
"Thanks." Zero smiled and finished off the last of his mug as well, placing it down on the table.
X had finished his a bit ago, and said, "I'd hate to sound disrespectful, but if I do join, I pray I don't get stuck with Sigma..."
Alia winked, "Don't worry about that. I'll put in a word for you two to get in Commander Signas' Unit. Some even say if Sigma loses his rank, he'll take over the Hunters."
"See X, you got nothing to worry about. Not with Alia looking out for you." Zero laughed some. He placed a hand on his chin, "Hmm...Sigma...Signas.." he laughed again, "Its the battle of the Sig's."
X laughed lightly, then jumped, "Oh no! I forgot about that report! Sorry guys, I'll see you later!" X stood and darted out.
Alia blinked, "Well, that was fast."
"Report?" Zero shrugged and turned to Alia, "So, how long have you known X?"
"He's the oldest Reploid here. He's what everyone was based off of. I see him every once in awhile. I felt bad for him because he was always taunted by everyone. So I sat down with him a few times and talked. He's a little timid, but an otherwise good Reploid."
Zero nodded, "You don't say." He leaned back again, "What about these 'Mavericks'? What can you tell me about them? Why are we 'Hunting' them?"
"Mavericks are Reploid's gone bad, and crazy. We were established because something made the Reploids just go mad and starting hurting people, so we hunt them down and stop them." she explained.
"Makes sense." Zero said, nodding again. "Can I ask you a more...personal question?"
Alia blinked, then nodded, "Sure."
"What do you think of X? And not that he's timid or whatever. But what do YOU think of him?" He asked, smirking some.
She grew silent and her face flushed to match her armor, "Um, well..." she swallowed and said, "If that's not personal I don't know what is, but...I do like him I suppose...Oh, please don't tell him that! I don't want him to get upset at me..."
Zero nodded, "Of course." he stood, "Well, I'm going to go wonder around. See how long it takes me before I get lost." he waved, "See you around, Alia."
Alia waved after him and looked down at Tye, "You keep quiet too."
Tye grinned and made a zipping motion over his mouth.
"That's right!" Alia laughed and patted his head.

X hurried into Cain's office only to find Cain already working on the report, "I'm sorry I'm so late!" he panted.
Cain smiled, "No need to apologize. Its time I started working on my own reports anyway."

Zero wondered around the halls of the Hunters' HQ and found himself in Commons room. He glanced around and saw several 'Roids doing whatever it was they did in their spare time. He shrugged and walked around. He spotted a Pool table and started a solo game.
After awhile, a few Reploids game over to watch and one even challenged him to play.
Zero nodded and reset the table. He handed the other Reploid a stick and even let him brake.
The Reploid was no match for Zero and eventually lost, he shrugged, "Good game." and moved on somewhere else.
Zero smiled, "Good game." he handed another 'Roid the pool stick and started another game. After about an hour, Zero had played and beaten about eight Reploids at the game. By then, no one else would play against him. Zero shrugged and left the Commons room to continue his exploring.
X was down a hall and trotted past Zero without noticing because of all the papers and boxes in his arms.
Zero stopped and turned, not recognizing X at first, but when he did he ran over to him, "Hey X, want some help?" he asked, grabbing the top of X's pile so he could see.
X blinked, "Huh? Oh, hey Zero. Didn't notice you, sure, more help the merrier!"
Zero laughed some, "So, where are we taking all this?" he asked, walking beside X.
"I have to take these to the Labs, they're a bunch of notes I think. Dr. Cain didn't really specify..." X shifted one box on his right arm to a better position.
Zero nodded and tried peeking at one of the papers to see what it said.
The notes were mostly all encrypted letters, but some were written in some kind of computer language.
"Good luck trying to read it," X said, "Cain came up with that code to keep someone from reading them..."
Zero frowned and gave up, "What are you talking about? I wasn't trying to read it..." Zero lied, poorly.
X rolled his eyes, "Uh huh. And I'm silver not blue."
Zero faked a gasp, "I knew it! Don't worry X, I wont tell anyone that you paint your armour. I just knew that shade of blue had to be fake." he held back a laugh.
X also held back a laugh, "I don't know what would happen if that got out! I think I'd die with embarrassment!"
"Well, since we're letting out dark secrets, I'm not really a blonde." Zero smirked. He stopped a fork in the halls, "Which way, Little Silver?"
"Right, non-Blondie." X grinned
Zero turned down the right hall, "Yeah, I'm really a brunet."
"Ya don't say? Well, under my helmet I'M a blonde. Don't tell anyone, now." X could help but let a choke of a laugh out.
Zero let out a laugh as well. He shook his head slowly, "Ya? Well, I'm my own Grandpa! Which door?"
X blinked, and whistled, "Wow, that's a good one. Gotta remember it. This one." he shifted so one of his arms were free and tapped the panel to open it.
Zero smirked and followed X into room, "Yeah, its really crazy at family reunions."
X sidestepped as a Scientist ran by and out of the door and left the notes, and boxes on a table full of others, "Well, put them down there and we're done. And I can imagine why!" X smirked.
Zero put the notes down next to the others and laughed, "Yeah, its really weird being the trouble maker, then getting in trouble with myself for it."

X gave Zero a shove, "Oh come on, now you're just being silly."
Zero shoved back, laughing, "So, you started it."
"I don't think so, Mr. I'm-not-reading-it!!" X said as he started out.
"I wasn't!" Zero followed X out, "I couldn't understand a word of it. So, technically, I wasn't reading it."
"HA!" elbowed him a bit, "See!? You just admitted you were trying to read it!"
"That's different from really reading it." Zero elbowed X back. "Besides, I bet you know what it says, being Cain's assistant and all."
X shook his head, "Actually I don't. I tried to once and I swear my head felt like it was about to explode."
Zero cracked up laughing, "Oh, poor X." he put X into a head lock. "So, did you ask Cain about being a Hunter?"
X pulled at Zero's arms, "Ack! Yes! Yes! Lemme go!"
"Good." Zero laughed again and let go of X. "So, what should we do now?"
X rubbed his neck and said, "We could see if Commander Signas is back with his Unit."
Zero nodded, "Yeah, I would like to get a look at the man who might be my commander." he started down the hall with X, "So, is he bald like Sigma?"
X grinned, "No, he's not bald. At least I don't think so, he wears a hat. Really neat hat too.
He's a lot better than Sigma in my opinion. I'm surprised he hasn't gotten the job yet..."
Zero laughed, "What about you? You got hair under there, or where you lying about being a blonde?" he asked, knocking on X's helmet.
X took off his helmet and stuck his tongue out, "Not a blondie, sorry."
Zero circled X, looked at his brown hair, "Well, not least your not bald." he shrugged and put X into a headlock again and gave him a noogie
X tried to wrench free of him, "Ow!! Hey! Stop it! OW! You dirty Cheat! Somebody get this brute off me!!"
Zero laughed and gave him one last noogie, then let him go, "You're no fun." he pouted, crossing his arms.
X rubbed the top of his head and tried to smooth his spiky hair over, "Why thank you..." and with one swift movement, X reached out and grabbed Zero's helmet and took off running with it, "HA! Pay back!!"
Zero blinked as the bangs of his hair fell front his eyes. He growled lightly and ran after X, "Give that back!"
X laughed and picked up speed, "Never!"
"You're going to be dead when I get you X!" Zero warned, "If you don't give me back my helmet now!"
X looked over his shoulder at him and was about to speak, until he ran into large Reploid.
He fell backwards as well as the Reploid he ran into.
X shook his head and looked to see Commander Signas laughing, "Going somewhere X?"
Zero ran up and stopped by X. He snatched back his helm, "Give me that!" he said, moving back his bangs and putting the helmet on. He looked over to the large Reploid X had knocked down.
X placed his own helmet back on and jumped up, "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't see you."
Signas got up and fixed his hat, "Ah, no worries X. Is Dr. Cain well these days?"
"Yes sir."
"And another thing. I heard you were going to join the ranks. And I'm guessing this fellow must be Zero, our second newest Hunter."
Zero nodded, "I am, Sir." he extended a hand, "And you must be...Signas, am I right?"
Signas nodded and shook his hand, "Yes as a matter of fact. Since you two have joined my Unit, I expect to see you up bright and early in the morning."
X saluted brightly, "Yes sir!"
Zero copied X's saluted and gave his own, "Yes Sir."
Signas nodded, "Alright, well I've got to move along now. Have a good day you two."
X watched him go off and said, "As I said; much better than Sigma."
Zero crossed his arms and nodded, "Yes, must better. I like him. Odd little hat, though..."
X laughed and said, "Yeah I guess. Anyway. I have to move my stuff to my new room. Mind lending a hand?"
"Sure thing." Zero said, giving X a pat on the back. "Just show me the way."
X nodded, "Alright, let's go then."
He led Zero to Cain's lab which had a room attached to it, "I lived in here while Cain lived in the opposite room. Grab one end of that couch would you?"
Zero nodded, but jumped onto the couch instead, laying on it, "Oh...comfy.." he said, relaxing on it with his hands folded behind his head.
X tugged his hair, none too gently, "Hey! Get your own! Come on! UP!"
"Owowow! Ok! I'm getting up!" Zero whinced and rolled off the couch and onto the floor. He got up and rubbed the back of his head by his hair, "Ow..."
X grinned, "Now, grab that end."
Zero frowned, "Yeah, yeah.." he went to the end of the couch and grabbed onto it, "Ready."
X nodded and lifted it with a grunt.
Zero lifted his end, but it seemed easier for Zero, "Ok, lets get going."
X nodded and turned sideways so they could get out the door.
The two of them carried the couch through the base to X's room, where they set it down and Zero immediately laid down on it, "So, why didn't you just get some of those little bots to move your stuff for you?"
"They can't lift a couch Zero." X said, "Although they can help with some other stuff..."
"Good." Zero smiled, "Then I'll wait here and make sure that no one steals anything." he said, getting comfy on the couch.
X rolled his eyes, "Fine...Just no messing up my couch!"
"Of course." Zero smiled at X, "Have fun!" he waved to X.
X again laughed and left.
It only took him and the Servebots to get everything situated.
He sighed and sat down. The Servebots crowded about him and mimicked his sigh as they too sat down.
Zero glanced over at them and laughed, "My, aren't you the popular one?"
X grinned, "I'm in charge of them. They were kinda my first friends." he patted one's head.
Zero nodded, "So, who's going to be in charge of them now that your a Hunter?"
X blinked, "I guess Doctor Cain..."
The Servebots all moaned.
"I know I won't see you guys as often, but don't worry about it." he told them and it cheered them up a bit.
Zero yawned and hopped off the couch, "If I stay on that thing any longer, I'll fall asleep." he stretched, "How did you get that couch?"
"Dr. Cain gave it to me. I've had it since he woke me up along while back."
Zero nodded and sat down by X and the Servebots, "Well, that was nice of him."
X jumped as an alarm went off above them. He blinked, "I wonder what's wrong...Come on!" he dashed out the door and noticed all of the Hunters were running off towards the Commons area.
Zero stood behind X, "I guess we should follow them." he shrugged. He and X forced their way into the mass of Hunter and down the hall.
X stood on tiptoe and saw Signas trying to restore order to the Hunters.
X then saw Alia heading towards them, she panted, "Something's gone horribly wrong! Sigma took out three of our Hunters, took eight of his Unit with him and left! No one even knows why!"
Zero got an odd look on his face, then looked back at Signas to see if he had anything to say about it.
Signas demanded quiet, "Settle down! This will be handled as quickly as possible! All witnesses come with me now!"
"Does he expect us all to just stand around and wait?" Zero asked, partly to X and Alia, partly to himself. He clenged his fists.
"He's in charge now. We have to listen to him, and he's trying to get this done without so much fuss..." Alia said.
X was froze in his place, his eyes as wide as saucers.
"Well...I want to do something!" Zero said back to Alia, "I don't like just standing here!"
Signas called over the crowds noise, "I want my Unit to see me, now."
X blinked, "I guess that means us too..."
Zero grinned, "Yes! See you around, Alia!" Zero said before running off to meet up with Signas and the rest of this Unit.
X slowly followed after him, his mind racing.
Signas had his whole Unit with him, "Hunters, I want all of you to go on an all out search and find that traitor! Am I understood?"
"Yes Sir!" they chorused.
Zero turned to X, "Ready for our first mission, X?" he asked, panting him on the back.
X was still silent with wide eyes. He almost jumped when Zero touched him, but nodded rapidly.
"Something wrong?" Zero asked, crossing his arms.
He mumbled, "What would've happened if I was there when Sigma went Maverick? I would've been first in his way..."
Zero sighed, "Best...not to worry about that, X." he glanced around, "Come on, we're going to fall behind."
X nodded and followed after him.
Zero stopped outside of the entrance of the base, "Lets see...If I was a big, balding, fool with a thirst for blood. Where would I go?"
X shrugged, "I have no idea..."
Zero frowned and tapped his food on the ground, "I guess we could just search in some random direction."
X pointed off towards the south, "That way maybe?"

"Alright!" Zero said and dashed off southward.

X blinked, then ran to catch up.
Zero continued to run, looking around in all directions, "Hey X," Zero called back, "Why is the Hunter Base in a freaking desert?!"
X caught up finally, "I don't know!!"
X looked ahead, "Hey! There's a building a ways ahead!!"
Zero looked head, "Hey, yeah. Lets check it out!" he said happily and dashed for the building faster then before.
X sighed, he wouldn't be able to keep up so he kept a ways behind and kept Zero in sight.
Zero had stopped in front of the building, waiting for X.
X caught up and stooped over, "Man...I didn't think you could run that fast..."
Zero laughed, "Come on, lets check inside! Maybe if we're lucky we'll find Sigma! Ever since I first met him, I wanted to take a few cracks at him.
X mumbled, "I could take a few myself," and followed.
Zero pushed open the door and slowly walked in. He looked around, saw nothing and walked farther into the dark building.
X stayed at the door for a few moments, then, with dread looming over him, he plunged in after Zero.