Chapter 5

"Come on, Riss! Geez, you're such a slowpoke!"

"Lumen, it's five in the morning. It's too early for me to be sprinting!"

"Well, you want to surprise Ciel with breakfast, don't you? So, we've gotta get moving!"

Suppressing a yawn, Iris struggled to keep up with the spritely Cyber Elf. She liked to consider herself a morning person, but this was pushing it, even for her. She wondered where Lumen got all her energy from.

"Where are we going, anyway?" asked Iris. "This isn't the way to the kitchen."

"The pantry, of course!" exclaimed Lumen. "How do you think you're gonna cook without any ingredients? Come on, get a move on!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming."

The base's pantry was not a place often visited. The only person who required anything from it was Ciel due to her organic nature. As a result, the place was quite dusty, although it was not nearly as dirty as the kitchen had been. The metal shelves were lined with various non-perishables, which primarily consisted of canned, microwavable goods that the Resistance soldiers had managed to procure on their missions.

Lumen fluttered about the room and examined the stock while muttering to herself. "Aha!" she exclaimed at last.

"What is it, Lumen?" asked Iris.

The Cyber Elf gestured to a medium-sized bottle filled with a yellowish liquid. "Cooking oil. One of a chef's necessities."

"Okay," Iris said, taking the bottle in hand.

"Oooh, ground coffee," Lumen noted as she hovered near a box labeled "Coffee". "Take a bag of this stuff, too. Workaholics love it."

Iris did as instructed while Lumen performed one last survey of the pantry. The Cyber Elf then took a blue can into her hands and dropped it into Iris's arms.

"Spam?" Iris read aloud. "What a strange name for food."

"No one really knows why it's called that, but it's basically canned ham," Lumen explained. "It's not exactly high quality stuff, but it keeps for a long time. It'll have to do."

Lumen led Iris back to kitchen and had her place the goods on the counter. She then buzzed around the cabinets and ordered Iris to open them. After a few minutes of searching, she found what she had been looking for. It was a circular piece of metal with a handle, and it seemed to be made to hold something.

"It's a frying pan, kid," Lumen explained. "Take that to the stove."

"Stove?"

A tiny smack rang through the air as Lumen's palm collided with her forehead. "You really are clueless, aren't you? Alright, I'll show you."

Lumen showed Iris the stove and explained how to operate it. It was an old electric model, with heating coils on top and an oven for baking. Lumen instructed Iris to coat the frying pan with oil and then allow the oil to heat up on the stove.

"When it starts to bubble, it's ready," explained Lumen. "In the meantime, is there a coffee machine around here?"

"Uh―"

"Never mind. I'll look for it myself. Just let me know when that oil's hot and ready!"

It took only a few minutes for the oil to begin sizzling. Iris called for Lumen, and the Cyber Elf arrived holding a knife. Following Lumen's instructions, Iris opened the can of Spam and used the knife to cut the pinkish block of meat into thin slices. She then dropped the slices into the hot oil. Iris flinched at the sharp hiss that echoed out as the Spam touched the frying pan.

"That's normal. Don't worry about it," soothed Lumen. "Now, we need to let those cook for a little while, and then we've gotta flip 'em. There's gotta be a spatula or pancake flipper in here somewhere. And stop giving me that dumbfounded look. If you don't know what those are, look them up in your database."

Iris grinned sheepishly, feeling foolish for not having thought of that in the first place. "Ah, sorry. I guess I'm not fully awake."

"Well, you'd better wake up, soon! We can't let Ciel's breakfast burn!"

Lumen found Iris a flipper, and when she determined the Spam had been cooked enough, Iris flipped each slice over so the other side could cook. A few more minutes passed before Lumen deemed the Spam was ready. She ordered Iris to turn off the stove and then slide the meat onto a plate.

"I did manage to find a coffee machine in here," said Lumen. "It's a little dinged up, but it should still work. It just needs a filter. So you bring that plate to Ciel, and I'll go see if I can find some coffee filters."

Iris headed for Ciel's lab with the plate of Spam in hand and was not at all surprised to be greeted by a disgruntled Passy. Ciel had spent the whole night working and was currently still glued to her computer chair.

Iris smiled softly while Passy ranted on and on. "Um, I brought breakfast for Dr. Ciel," she said.

Passy immediately stopped her rant and stared at the Reploid. "Wait, you cooked?"

"Yeah, with Lumen's help," said Iris.

"Then hurry up and bring that in!" barked Passy. "Ciel hasn't eaten anything since last night!"

Iris placed the plate of food on Ciel's desk, but it took some persuasion from both her and Passy to get the scientist to eat it. After that, Iris ordered Ciel to get some rest. Ciel protested, so Iris sighed and reluctantly lifted her into her arms and put her to bed. Ciel was even lighter than she looked, which worried Iris. The Reploid mentally noted that she was going to have to master the art of cooking soon, or else Ciel might starve to death.

With Passy keeping an eye on Ciel, Iris returned to Lumen, who had found the coffee filters. She informed the Cyber Elf that the coffee would have to wait since Ciel was in bed. However, Lumen still showed Iris how to work the coffee machine, including how to program it to dispense at a particular time.

After that, Lumen taught Iris all sorts of cooking basics, such as how to boil water, how to work the oven, and cooking meat to the proper internal temperature. It was a lot to learn, but Iris did her best to commit everything to memory. While she was learning to use a handheld can opener, Milan arrived unexpectedly.

"Iris!" he greeted.

"Oh, Milan! Good morning," said Iris. "What brings you here?"

"What do you think? Everyone's talking about how you made Dr. Ciel breakfast."

Iris stared at him. "Everyone? So…nobody in this whole base knows how to cook?"

"A few of us do, but they've all either been assigned to missions or are currently injured," he responded. "So everyone appreciates what you did. Especially Alouette."

She blushed and smiled shyly. "Um, actually, the whole thing was Aigel's idea. I never would have thought to do it on my own."

"Is that so?" he asked. "I'll have to thank her later, then. But you still deserve credit for doing something you were unfamiliar with."

"Th-thanks, Milan," she said.

He smiled at her. "You're welcome. I have to get ready for today's mission now, so I'll see you later, okay?"

"Okay. See you later, Milan. Good luck!"

After Milan exited the kitchen, Lumen gave Iris a questioning stare. "Riss, do you have a thing for that guy?"

"Wh-what? No, of course not!" Iris shrieked. "We're just friends!"

"Really? Well, I'd suggest you'd keep it that way, then," said Lumen. "You deserve a far better man than that."

"And by 'better', I assume you mean 'more attractive'?" Iris asked.

Lumen shrugged. "Details."

"Lumen!"

"I'm kidding!" Lumen exclaimed. "Well, mostly."

"'Mostly'?"

"No offense, Riss, but considering how spacey and clueless you are, you need a man who can look out for you."

"I thought you said that's what you were for," remarked Iris.

"I did, but all I can do is watch your back," said Lumen. "If someone physically threatens you, there's little I can do to protect you."

"Milan's a Resistance soldier. He knows what he's doing," said Iris. "I trust that he and the rest of the soldiers will be able to protect me and everyone else in the base."

"If you say so," said Lumen.

Later that day, when Iris had to go on her medical shift, she gave Lumen a stern lecture and warned her to not cause any trouble while she was working. Lumen looked exasperated, but agreed to Iris's terms before flying off. Iris's shift then proceeded as usual until she was interrupted later that afternoon by a voice echoing over the PA system.

"Everyone, may I have your attention, please?" It was Ciel. "As you all know, I have spent the last several months researching the legendary Maverick Hunter Zero's whereabouts. I am pleased to announce that I have finally located him!"

The infirmary instantly broke out into heated discussion. From the various conversations, Iris could make out things like, "Is she serious?" and "There's no way!"

"At this time, I would like every able-bodied Resistance soldier to gather in the main hall," said Ciel. "Once everyone has arrived, I will give an in-depth briefing."

More conversation exploded among the bedridden Reploids and their caretakers. If all of the soldiers were being summoned, this was very important indeed. Iris recalled that Ciel had said Zero was their last hope. It was likely that Ciel would only choose the best soldiers for this mission.

"RISS!" Lumen suddenly burst into the infirmary.

"Lumen!" exclaimed Iris.

"Did you hear that announcement just a minute ago?" asked Lumen.

"The whole base heard it," remarked Iris.

"Isn't this great? We finally get to meet a legend!"

"I guess."

"What do you mean, 'I guess'?"

"Dr. Ciel only found Zero's location," said Iris. "Actually getting him to come here is a different. What if Zero didn't want to be found? What if he refuses to help us? What if he…turns against us?"

"Geez, way to kill the mood, kid," said Lumen. "I'll admit you have a point, but Ciel's betting everything on Zero. You know as well as I do that if this fails, we're through. The least you can do is try to be optimistic."

"A-alright."

When Iris's shift was done, she tiredly trudged back to her room, with Lumen hovering over her shoulder the whole time. On her way there, she bumped into Milan.

"Hey, Iris. What's up? You look beat," he said.

"Yeah, well, everyone got pretty riled up by today's announcement," Iris explained. "My patients were too excited to stay still, so I ended up working a little overtime…"

"Well, it was a pretty big announcement," Milan remarked, laughing nervously. A heavy silence seemed to descend on them.

"Alright, what's up, Visor Boy?" Lumen interjected.

"Lumen!" scolded Iris.

Milan averted his eyes. "I…actually came to tell you something. You see… I was chosen for the mission party tomorrow."

"Wha? Really?!" exclaimed Iris.

"Yes. And not only that, Dr. Ciel and Passy will be accompanying us."

"Wha…WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!"

"Shh! Not so loud!" Milan hissed. "Of course, we all protested, but Dr. Ciel insisted that she come along. She says Zero will likely be protected by a powerful security system, and she's the only one with the ability to shut such a system down."

"Oh. I see."

"Dr. Ciel has put Cerveau in charge of base operations during her absence, so don't consider tomorrow a day off."

"I wouldn't think of it," said Iris.

"And if she does, I'll be sure to snap her out of it," added Lumen.

"One more thing. Can I ask you a favor?" asked Milan.

"Sure."

"We'll be leaving early tomorrow morning, so could you look after Alouette while Dr. Ciel is gone?"

Iris nodded. "I can watch her until I have to go to work."

"Good," said Milan. "If all goes well, we should be back before then."

"Okay, I'll do my best. Good night, Milan. And good luck tomorrow!"

The rest of Iris's trip was silent until she reached her bedroom. Then, Lumen spoke up.

"I knew it. You have a crush on Visor Boy."

"Lumen!" Iris exclaimed. "I told you, we're just friends! A-and stop calling him 'Visor Boy'!"

"Kid, you're too obvious," said Lumen. "Your face looks like a tomato, and you wouldn't stop with the finger combing the whole time the two of you were talking."

"Sh-shut up!" Iris stammered. She scolded herself for not realizing her fingers had been in her hair.

"Denial," teased Lumen. "It's okay, kid. Almost everyone gets a crush at one point in their lives. As long as this stays a crush, I see no harm in it."

"Go to bed, Lumen," Iris grumbled as she shoved several E-crystals into her mouth.

"I will, I will," said Lumen. She floated over to the pillow Iris had set out for and landed on. "Sweet dreams, Riss. I wonder if they'll be dreams of Visor Boy."

"LUMEN!"

That night, Iris actually did dream. She was on that increasingly familiar black plane, and like her first night in the Resistance, she saw a figure way out in the distance.

"Who are you?" Iris called out. To her mild surprise, she got an answer this time.

"I…"

"Yes? You are…?" inquired Iris.

"I…cannot say."

"You can't say? Wh-why?"

"It is not the time for you to know who I am," the voice explained. "However, you may think of me as your conscience."

"My…conscience?" Iris repeated.

"Yes. And I need you to listen to me," said the voice. "If Zero comes to the base tomorrow, and he most likely will, you must do everything in your power to avoid him."

"What? Why?"

"It is for your own benefit that you do not get involved with him," explained the voice. "That Reploid's past is far from spotless."

"Wh-what do you mean?" asked Iris. The voice did not answer her, and within moments, her vision began to swim. "W-wait! Please, tell me more! WAIT!"

The next thing Iris knew, she was back in her room in the Resistance base. For a moment, she lied there and tried to figure out what just happened. Why would this voice, supposedly her conscience, speak in her dreams, and why would it tell her to avoid Zero? She wasn't able to get a read on what the voice sounded like. Was it even a real message?

She checked her internal clock and found that it was seven in the morning. Lumen was already gone, and Iris assumed that that Ciel, Milan, and the other Resistance soldiers had left on their mission. That meant that she would have to fulfill her promise to Milan and find Alouette, so although she was still puzzled by her dream, it would have to remain an unsolved mystery for now.

She found Alouette in her own room, playing with dolls and looking miserable. Iris felt her core sink at the sight. Alouette was taking Ciel's absence very hard.

"Alouette?" Iris called gently. Alouette's big blue eyes slowly met Iris's.

"Iris?" She sounded even worse than she looked.

Iris swallowed. She wasn't sure if she could do this, but she had to at least try. "Would you mind if I played with you today?"

"I know what you're trying to do," said Alouette. "You want to make me feel better. But it won't work. It won't bring Sis back."

Iris had no words to say to that.

"You haven't been around long enough to know," Alouette continued. "Every time a bunch of Reploids go out on a mission, someone doesn't come back. I never see them again. And now Sis went with them. I'm scared. I'm scared Sis won't come back!"

"A-Alouette…"

"Alright, what's the problem now?" a familiar voice asked.

"Ah, Lumen!" exclaimed Iris.

"Geez, I'm gone for thirty minutes, and you're already in over your head," Lumen said. "You're the worst babysitter ever."

"Hey!"

"Listen, Alouette," Lumen said as she flew up to the small Reploid. "I know you're bummed because Ciel left, but moping around like this isn't gonna help anyone. What will Ciel think when she comes back and sees you looking so glum?"

"But…she might not come back," Alouette whimpered.

"Don't be that way," said Lumen. "Ciel brought half an army with her. Those guys will protect her with their lives. If they don't, they should be ashamed to call themselves soldiers."

"But―"

"Geez, you're really set in your pessimism, aren't you?" remarked Lumen. "Well, I may not be able to change your mind, but I can help change your mood."

Lumen began to sing. Unlike her previous song, though, this song was much calmer and more serene. Iris felt herself floating away with the notes, as if they were a river carrying her along. When the song ended, Lumen smiled and asked, "Feel better?"

"A little," Alouette admitted. "That was very pretty, Lumen."

"Thank you," said Lumen.

"Th-that was amazing!" Iris exclaimed. "It was almost like…like…"

"Magic?" Lumen offered. "Music can have that sort of power over people and Reploids. It can make us feel happy, sad, relaxed, energized, or passionate. It can't always completely change your mood, but it can help nudge it along."

"I see," said Iris. "Well, Alouette, do you think you feel well enough to play, now?"

"I guess," Alouette said softly.

Iris and Lumen spent the rest of the morning playing with Alouette. While the small Reploid was still worried about Ciel, she was no longer completely consumed by it. They played with dolls and plushies, and Lumen even volunteered to play dress-up with some of the doll clothing. They only stopped when Aigel suddenly slammed the door open.

"Riss! I've been looking everywhere for you!" she shouted.

"Ack, Aigel! Am I late for work?" cried Iris.

"No, but something huge is going on!" Aigel exclaimed. "It's the Doc! She's back! And she brought a strange Reploid with her!"

"Really?!" asked Iris.

"Sis came back?!" Alouette piped up.

"Get your tails on over to the Transerver right now and see for yourselves!" said Aigel.

Iris didn't waste another second. She took Alouette by the hand and raced towards the base's Transerver, with Lumen following close behind. A large crowd had already gathered by the teleportation device, and Iris was forced to stand on the tips of her toes to see over the taller Resistance members. From her spot in the very back, she could make out Ciel along with an unfamiliar armored red Reploid. However, something was amiss. There was no sign of Passy or any of the soldiers that had accompanied Ciel on the mission. Iris felt a strange sensation in her gut, like her insides were being twisted into knots.

"I can't see!" Alouette cried, bringing Iris out of her thoughts.

"Oh, sorry, Alouette. Let me help you," said Iris. She hoisted Alouette up and allowed the smaller Reploid to ride on her shoulders.

"It's Sis! She's okay!" Alouette exclaimed.

Lumen let out a low whistle. "Look at that hottie next to her. I'm gonna have to get myself acquainted with him."

"Be quiet, Lumen," hissed Iris.

"Everyone, please calm down!" exclaimed Ciel. "I will answer all of your questions momentarily!" Once the crowd quieted, she continued. "Thank you. Now then, I have some good news, and I have some bad news. The good news is that the mission was a success. Everyone, meet Zero."

The crowd immediately erupted into chaos. Most of them couldn't believe that they were seeing a legend in the flesh. "He can't be real!" some cried. "He could be an impostor!" others echoed. The red Reploid took all the accusations in stride. Despite all the verbal dirt being thrown at him, he didn't so much as blink.

"So that's Zero," said Lumen. "Hmm, I like what I see. Even if he's not the real Zero, I can tell he's a man of high caliber."

"How?" asked Iris.

"Just look at the way he holds himself," said Lumen. "That is the stance of a highly trained warrior. None of the soldiers here could ever hope to match that."

Iris had to agree that Zero had an air about him that was far different from the other Reploids she had met. She found her gaze inexplicably drawn to him. While she couldn't make out all of his details, she could see his powerfully built body, his crimson and gold armor, and his remarkably long blond hair. Why, his hair must have been longer than her own! She nearly laughed, but promptly shut up when his eyes met hers.

For a moment, the world around her disappeared. She no longer heard the roar of the crowd, no longer felt Alouette's weight on her shoulders, and no longer saw anything but that red Reploid and his deep blue eyes. Iris vaguely recalled that the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean was almost seven miles deep. She suspected Zero's eyes were deeper still.

"Do not get involved with him."

The voice from her dream was nearly audible in her head. She blinked, and the spell was broken. Feeling foolish, she stopped standing on tip toe and shrank into the crowd, though with Alouette still on her shoulders she couldn't completely disappear.

Ciel finally calmed the crowd down and delivered her second piece of news. "Zero has agreed to help us, and that is something we should all be grateful for. Unfortunately, it came at a high price. As you all must have noticed, Passy and all the soldiers who accompanied me on this mission have not returned." Ciel took a deep breath before continuing. "I am sorry to say…that they all gave their lives to ensure this mission's success."

Iris's mind went blank. While the crowd erupted with noise yet again, she could not hear their cries. There was only one thought running through her head.

Milan is dead.

Milan, the Reploid who had awakened her and had been so kind to her. He was her first friend, and according to Lumen, her first crush. She had spoken to him only the night before! Milan had been so full of life then, and yet without any sort of warning he was gone forever. Iris felt horribly numb, as if she too, were dead. One by one, her senses failed, until her world plunged into darkness.

Well, this got kind of intense, don't you think? Iris's crush on Milan was never intended to be anything serious. It's more like one of those puppy crushes kids get, and since Iris is only about one month old here, I thought it could work. I tried to make the death of a character that is alive in MMZ for less than two minutes seem a little more dramatic and sad, but I honestly do not know if I succeeded. I'm sure I did better than in the first version of this story, though.