Q&A Time!
Yes, Nighthawk, I love my cliff-hangers. I knew I would post a new chapter right away so that's why I was so evil with it.
.: Chapter 1.3 :.
"So that's it. The mission failed, unfortunately. And on top of that, a security officer was injured by a sudden explosion that destroyed the Elevator Control Tower. The perpetrator is thought to be a New-Gen with a cloaking ability. Their cloaking device seems to be flawed as we were able to identify them as a New-Gen when they teleported out of the area." Alia finished flipping through her clipboard.
"Hmmm… alright." Signas replied. "Well, it was a shame that things turned out to be this way, but it's not the end of the world. Is it possible to track where the New-Gen might have gone?" he asked.
"Right now we are attempting to track where they escaped to. We don't know who they are and what they want, so we are unable to predict where they will go next." Alia answered.
"So be it. It might be best not to try and track the New-Gen first. As regrettable as it sounds, the cloaking device factor is what limits our actions - the best we can do is wait until the New-Gen takes further action. Until then, it's just a wild goose chase." Signas sighed. "Are the other Mecholiaths still accounted for?"
"Yes, Sir." Alia replied. "Whoever stole the Mecholiath didn't even attempt to take the other two. Their incomplete AIs might have been a factor."
Signas sighed. "I guess all we can do is wait."
A loud jingle filled the Commander's office, prompting them both to look towards the speakerphone mounted onto the desk.
"Commander, this is the receptionist desk calling. Professor Estelle Kirov and her assistant are here to see you." the receptionist spoke after the jingle stopped playing. Another voice was heard in the background muttering something difficult to make out, but Signas recognized the voice as that of Professor Kirov's.
"Alright, send them in. Alia, you're dismissed. Thank you for the mission report, and good day," Signas responded. Alia bowed and quickly left the room.
A few minutes later, the door slid open and Estelle walked in, with her assistant - a childlike female reploid with blue armour and long, dark rust-coloured hair, who bore a striking resemblance to her.
"Good afternoon, Commander Signas." Estelle greeted Signas. "Thank you so much for making the time for us to come and talk to you."
"Good afternoon Prof- erm. Estelle. I'm surprised to see you in person, though. Is there any particular reason for you to make such a trip?" Signas replied.
"Several, actually," Estelle started. "First and foremost, we believe that our secure communications line may have been compromised, based on the fact that several rather important emails had been unable to get through our filter. Until the issue can be resolved and the security of the line can be determined, I find it best that we communicate directly and in person. I'm willing to come, and my assistant included, as often as necessary with any and all developments in the New Gen crisis."
Signas nodded. "I understand and agree completely. If there is a breach in our communications, it could spell disaster for our current situation."
"Thank you, Commander." She turned towards her assistant. "This is my personal assistant, Echo. She'll be accompanying me."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Commander Signas," Echo said, bowing in respect.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Echo," Signas smiled, nodding his head towards her. "You said you had several concerns, Estelle?"
"Yes, next up was regarding Axl. He was released this morning with recommendations for limited duties for the time being. I believe Axiom tried sending an email about it, but given recent difficulties I doubt you received it."
Signas' eyes narrowed. "How limited are we talking?"
"Nothing above patrolling for a week. We were concerned about him taking on his normal duties and missions right away and suggested working his way up from patrols to allow him to regain his bearings and avoid straining his copy chip. We were still unsure if there was any lingering side effects related to it overheating repeatedly."
"I see. Axl seemed to have skipped over that detail before I sent him out to assist X and Zero on their mission. He had assured me he was cleared to return to full duty."
"Oh boy," Echo sighed, looking down and shaking her head.
Estelle stayed silent for a moment. "If I may inquire, what was the objective of the mission?"
"Tracking down and immobilizing a stolen experimental mechaniloid," he stated. "Are you familiar with the Mecholiaths?"
Estelle brought a palm up to her face. "Yes, I'm aware of the Mecholiath project. They were on the verge of deployment when this all started happening…" She let out a long sigh. "Just off the record, if I may ask, has Axl always been this… energetic?"
Signas let out a small chuckle, "Off the record, yes. I appreciate his enthusiasm, but he can get carried away at times. This seems to be one of those times."
"I see…"
The jingle from the speaker interrupted again. "Commander Signas, X, Zero, and Axl have returned from their mission and are ready to give their report."
"Ah," Signas stuttered, "Sorry, I'm-"
"No, don't apologize," Estelle cut in. "I'd like to hear the report myself if you'd allow it. Echo, can you give Axl a quick look-over as well? Just to make sure his copy chip is still functioning as normal."
"Yes, ma'am!" Echo nodded.
"All right then." Signas pressed a button on the speaker. "Send them in."
A few moments later the three hunters entered the office. Both X and Axl were surprised to see the extra visitors, while Zero remained indifferent.
"Professor Kirov?" X asked.
"Estelle, Estelle!" She corrected and stressed. "Uptight formalities just don't look good on me. No professor nonsense, please! Anyways, perfect timing!" Estelle exclaimed and clapped her hands together. "Axl, we were just talking about you!"
"Yes, we were," Signas looked right at him, eyes narrowed. "Estelle has told me that she had recommended against returning to active duty for at least another week. Is this true, Axl?"
He winced.
The female reploid walked up to Axl, causing him to take a step back. She stared into his face for a second, before turning her attention to other parts of his body. "Is your copy chip functioning well?" She asked. "No errors, no colour shifts, no extra limbs and ligaments sprouting from your body?"
"EH?" Axl shouted, straining his neck to look over his own body.
"Well, I don't see anything, and if you haven't noticed anything either, it's safe to assume your copy chip is in good working order! He's fine, ma'am!"
Axl sighed, slouching over to calm down from the moment of panic.
"Well, if that's the case, no harm, no foul," Estelle chimed. "It was only a recommendation to begin with. I heard about the Mecholiath already, and it seems like all's good with the world." She turned towards Signas. "I have no objections to Axl rejoining the front lines."
"Alright." Signas replied. "Anything else from the both of you?" he asked.
Estelle brought a finger up to her chin and hummed. "Emails, done. Axl, done… Nope, that was everything. Echo, am I missing anything?"
Echo shook her head. "No, ma'am."
"Well then, if that's everything, we best be on our way then," Estelle finished.
"Very well then," Signas said. "I hope we'll be in contact again soon."
Author's Note: And that is the end of Chapter 1. Onwards!