-44-
Alia followed her sister to the basement of Cossack Manor; she had an arm around her sister's hip so she could steady herself as they walked. The navigator was worried, as it was obvious her sister's condition was worsening, and she couldn't understand why Nina was so adamant that they visited the basement before going for repairs.
"Here we are at last," Nina said. The sisters had gone through a long corridor that descended from a secret door hidden in the cellar, and now stood in front of a large metallic gate, "Sergei Cossack's personal laboratory."
"I thought this would be Viktor's," Alia frowned. "I didn't know his father had something like this."
"I didn't either," Nina admitted while she placed her hand on the wall, activating a scanning system that unlocked the door. "Viktor told me after we married, but I don't come here often."
"Why are we here, Nina?" Alia asked suddenly upset by her sister's apparent carelessness. "You should be getting maintenance, not showing me your father in law's secret lab!"
"I want to give you something that we keep here," the older sister said, wincing in pain as she pushed the door open. "And I'll go for repairs once you have it, I promise."
=0=
The laboratory was spotless and full of several machines in varying stages of completion, including a few reploid skeletons that Nina ignored as she made her way to the other end of the lab, where something similar to a Light Capsule awaited them. There was something behind the capsule's red tinted glass, but Alia couldn't tell what it was.
"Sergei used to call this his Cossack Capsule," Nina said while she opened a drawer to grab a subtank, which she used to refill her energy. "Or at least that's what Viktor says."
"What's inside?" Alia asked, crouching to examine the capsule and finding a small touch-screen on its base. "It seems you need to enter a password to activate it."
"Did you know we are the only two existing models of our series, Alia?" Nina asked while sitting on a stool, bringing her hand up to cover the painful wounds on her mauled torso. "Sergei cancelled production when he learned Viktor and I were together… do you remember your designation number? Mine is SCN-A001."
"I knew that we're the only ones," Alia answered, wondering what her sister meant. "And my number is SCN-A002, where are you going with this?"
"We are incomplete," Nina revealed. "Well, not incomplete precisely as we are fully operational as we are now, however… there is something else we were supposed to have but it was not ready for us when we were first activated. Sergei Cossack eventually completed the upgrade by himself and stored it in that capsule."
"I assume you're going to give it to me," Alia guessed. The navigator recalled the old memory file she found when she and X went on that mission to explore Gate's lab, and was certain this upgrade was precisely what that file mentioned.
"Yes, for two reasons; one you aren't damaged and two I am not compatible with it anymore."
"Why aren't you?"
"My artificial womb," Nina said and managed a soft smile. "When they implanted it and the circulatory system needed for me to sustain and grow a human fetus, the parts required to interface with the upgrade had to be removed."
"So… is the upgrade what I think it is?"
"Yes, it is," Nina nodded.
"But why are you giving it to me now?"
"Because X will need support," the older sister alleged. "And with this you will be able to give him that support. Please take it, we're short on time. The code to open the capsule is Cx4-X2-X3."
Understanding her sister was right and knowing the upgrade would be useful later, Alia kneeled and entered the password…
=0=
Axl walked out of the studio and started pacing around the hallway while waiting for X and Splash Woman to finish preparing. He had to admit X's plan was good, but he also had plans of his own. Reaching up to his helmet, he activated his communicator and called HQ.
"Pallette, I need your help."
"Axl, what happened? You left so abruptly… are you alright?"
"I'll explain later," the young hunter said, remembering that by police request, nothing about the kidnapping or the attack should be discussed with people not already involved, as it could cause unforeseen complications. "Right now I need you to give me all the information we have on a reploid pirate named Stab Swordfish."
"Ok, give me a second…" the navigator made a pause then continued. "Yes, he leads a group of pirates and is considered dangerous, but since they never go after human targets we haven't been asked to deal with him or his crew. He doesn't have a Special Weapon that we know of, but is reportedly very skilled with a sword. He's weak to light and electric based attacks."
"Good, I can work with that. Thank you Pallette."
"Axl, what is really going on?"
"Can't tell you right now, Pally," Axl answered, noticing X and Splash Woman were coming out of the studio. "But I will when it's all over. I have to go, X needs my help."
=0=
The oil rig was old, and had been inactive for more than ten years and abandoned for half of that period. The structure was, surprisingly, very well preserved, a true testament to the effort of the people who built it. In the middle of the platform stood Tsunami Mako and Stab Swordfish, and above them, still hanging from the maintenance crane, was a very upset Mikhail Cossack.
"I'm glad you gagged the brat," Tsunami Mako said. "He really could scream, and I don't think I've ever heard so many different insults directed at me before. What the hell are they teaching kids at schools these days, 'Cursing I, II and III' or something?"
"Eh. I've heard worse," Swordfish shrugged. "I really hope this plan of yours works, Mako. The only reason why I agreed to participate was because we've been doing business for years."
"Well, giving you the most valuable artifacts I find always paid much better than reporting them to the authorities, so I knew you'd be interested," the shark grinned. Mako had made a small fortune selling antiques to the black market via Stab Swordfish and was not remorseful about it. Besides what little of his findings he did report to the authorities had earned him a good reputation.
"You should have given me the capsule where that mermaid was," Swordfish noticed movement above him so he looked up at the kid to confirm he wasn't about to fall or something. "I'm sure my crew could've opened it for you."
"And damage her in the process," the shark groaned. "No, from the moment I saw her I knew Splash Woman had to be mine. I wanted her awake, not dismantled; Doctor Cossack was the only one who could restore her."
"If you say so; at least we're getting a lot of money, if things go well," the pirate hoped. "And as we agreed, I'll send your share of the ransom later. Hope those 20 million are enough for you to cover your tracks."
"It should suffice. Now get ready, they should arrive any second now…"
=0=
Splash Woman and Alia materialized on the platform with a flash of light. The mermaid looked to her right and nodded at the navigator, who was carrying a heavy looking briefcase. In front of them stood Mako and Swordfish, and looking up, the women confirmed Mikhail was still unhurt.
"Right on time," Mako greeted. "I appreciate a woman who knows how to be punctual."
"Well, I don't appreciate criminals. Release the boy," Splash Woman demanded.
"Not yet," the shark grinned. "Come to me first. And your navigator friend better stands still."
Splash Woman frowned and did as she was told, going to stand in front of the maverick with slow steps, feeling quite sick and trying not to think of the repulsive things she imagined the shark wanted to do to her.
"I really think you're disgusting," she told him once she was in front of him.
"You'll change your mind once I've linked with you," Mako promised, leering at her with a nasty, lecherous grin. "Now stand still."
The shark reached into his forearm compartment and produced from it a small cylinder, which he pointed at the Robot Master. He pressed a button and the little tube released a bubble that grew bigger and bigger until it enclosed Splash Woman.
"Bubble Lead?" She gasped, her hands pressed against the bubble.
"No. This is Plastic-Steel, the industrial grade type," Mako corrected as he gleefully admired the captured mermaid. "None of that commercial grade types they use for movies and magic shows."
"Whatever, you got me and that's what you wanted, no?" the Robot Master spat, sending a hate filled glare at the shark. "Let the child go."
"The Zenny first," Stab Swordfish reminded the mermaid. The pirate then turned to look at Alia, who was frowning and obviously furious. "Bring me the money, and don't try anything funny."
Alia nodded and walked to Stab Swordfish, keeping the suitcase in front of her to avoid angering the maverick. Once she was close enough, she smiled and opened the case, showing the pirate that it was…
"Empty!" Stab Swordfish yelled in rage, "What game is this?"
"One that you will lose," Alia said with a grin as her body started glowing white, shifting forms and transforming from the senior navigator to an extremely angry Axl.
"They lied to us, there's no money!" Swordfish shouted, quickly reaching for his twin swords. "I'll eviscerate you, whoever you are!"
"My name is Axl Cossack," the young hunter declared. "You hurt my father… prepare for justice!"
"Prepare for…?" The pirate stood agape for an instant, surprised by the hunter's declaration until he decided it was just a stupid taunt. "Do you think this is a children's book or something?"
And inside the bubble, taking advantage of the distraction Axl had so conveniently provided, Splash Woman discreetly touched the side of her helmet, sending a silent signal to Mega Man X.
=0=
Tsunami Mako was livid. Axl was a class A+ hunter and, while not as dangerous as X, was still skilled enough to fight and defeat him and Swordfish. Feeling fear rise inside him, the shark spun and stared at Splash Woman. Did they trick him with a Next Generation in disguise? They wouldn't dare! Frantic, he ran a quick scan and relaxed a little when he confirmed this was the real Splash Woman, but that didn't mean much now, because if Axl was here then that meant X was already on his way!
"What's the matter?" Splash Woman asked with a mocking tone. "Did we ruin your plan?"
"Hardly; I still have you, don't I?" Mako sneered. "We do have an escape route ready, and…!"
Two more bolts of light hit ground at that moment, interrupting Tsunami Mako's words. A quick glance revealed the shark that Mega Man X had arrived, and to his side was Alia.
"At least Zero isn't here," he muttered.
"It's over, Mako. Release Mikhail and my sister, now!" X ordered, buster at the ready.
"You're crazy if you think I will!" Tsunami Mako shouted as he pressed a button on his chest.
"What did…?" Alia started, but a loud explosion that shook the entire rig interrupted her. The navigator immediately looked up, seeing her nephew was now swinging dangerously from left to right. "He's going to fall!"
"Save him or stop me, what will it be, X?" Mako yelled and violently shoved the bubble to the edge of the platform sending it into the ocean below.
"Sister!" X yelled, pained as he tried to decide between going after Splash Woman and saving the Cossack boy.
"You lose, X! The beautiful mermaid is mine now!" the shark declared and jumped after the bubble. "Swordfish, try to follow us if you can!"
"Mako, you damned asshole!" Stab Swordfish roared, furious at his friend's betrayal. The pirate tried to slide out of the way, but Axl, his sword-like Claw Gun in hand, quickly blocked his path out of the collapsing platform.
"I'm not letting you go, maverick. Not in a million years!" Axl swore. "You'll pay for what you did to my father!"
"Curse you, kid!" Swordfish growled. "Fine, if you want a fight, you'll get a fight; show me what you can do!"
"X, go after Mako!" Alia said then, her eyes still fixed on her nephew. "Axl and I will handle this!"
"But…"
"Please go!" She urged him. "I can save him!"
Still feeling uncertain, but choosing to trust his friends, X nodded and went after Tsunami Mako.
=0=
Notes:
Alia's upgrade was first mentioned back in chapter 19; feel free to guess what this upgrade is, but the clues in chapter 19 and the name of Alia's sister should be enough for you guys to figure it out.
This arc is almost complete by the way; I should be able to finish it in one or two more chapters.