Relic of the seas
By
Dr Facer
~ 47 ~
Three beams of light touched ground right outside Saint Petersburg's Mary of Mercy hospital, revealing the forms of Pallette, Layer and Scarlet. They stretched, checked their appearance and dusted off a bit before approaching the hospital, as they wanted to look their best when they met with Alia.
"Are you sure she's here?" Layer asked Pallette.
"She could be looking after her nephew," Scarlet said.
"No, she is here, I just got a text from her," the younger navigator informed. "She says she's coming to meet us here."
"Good, I don't really like hospitals," Scarlet revealed. "Seeing sick or hurt humans always makes me a bit sad."
"Surprising considering who you're dating," Layer noted.
"As destructive as he is, Vile has not caused any human casualties," the redheaded navigator said with a slightly offended tone. "Go and read the recordings from his battle memory, he gave Signas a copy a few days ago, it's not altered in any way."
"As incredible as it sounds, she's not lying," Pallette, who had read said document, informed. "Call it luck, but Vile was always involved in combat with other reploids and mechaniloids."
Layer simply shook her head and sighed. She still didn't fully trust Scarlet and Vile, and was having a really hard time accepting that the two were now members of the elite team.
The navigators continued their conversation for a few more minutes, until they noticed Alia walked out of the hospital. The senior navigator was not alone, however. With Alia was her sister, and between the two walked Mikhail Cossack. The sisters and the child noticed them immediately, and quickly approached them.
"I didn't think you would come," Alia said to Scarlet after greeting them all. "It's nice to see you're getting along well with the team."
"I try," Scarlet said nonchalantly.
"We were wondering if you needed any help," Pallette asked then. "That's why we're here."
"It's our day off, so we can spend it helping you," Layer added with a smile. "If you and Nina need anything, we'll be glad to lend a hand."
"What they said," Scarlet nodded.
"I… well, I couldn't impose," Alia flushed, surprised by the offer.
"Why don't you all go somewhere and relax a little?" Nina suggested. She was crouching and fixing her son's hair, but had paid attention to what the navigators were saying. "Mikhail and I will be going to visit my mother in law, so I won't need any help for the rest of the day."
"Are you sure?" Alia asked.
"Yes, I'm sure," Nina smiled appreciating her sister's concern. "Go with your friends, Alia. I'll call you if something really important happens, I promise."
"But…"
"We'll keep an eye on her and make sure she has fun," Scarlet cut in, grabbing Alia's arm and offering Nina a bright smile. "You can count on us!"
"Wait, what if…?" Alia started.
"You need to loosen up a bit," Scarlet said. "You'll be able to help your sister more efficiently that way."
Layer and Pallette looked at each other, nodded and then followed Scarlet's example, Layer leaning on Alia's shoulder while Pallette grabbed her other arm. As much as they didn't want to admit it, the redheaded navigator had a point: Alia did need to relax.
"Your friends are correct. Please go with them," Nina insisted. "We'll be alright."
"Fine, but call me if you need anything," Alia said.
=0=
The four navigators walked along one of the city's many canals, chatting about the different comings and goings in HQ, particularly the new Ride Chasers that were supposed to handle better than the ones they had been using until then. Pallette recalled seeing them before in Flame Scorpion's hideout, and in her opinion the new vehicles would really help the hunters during their patrols.
"When will Doctor Cossack leave the hospital?" Layer asked after the previous topic died down.
"In three days. He's healed well," Alia recalled. "But they won't release him until after they make sure his leg will be fully functional again. His final tests are tomorrow."
"I'm glad to hear that," said Layer, a sentiment shared by the other navigators.
"Is there a reason why we're walking this way?" Scarlet asked then. "I just downloaded a list of places we could go for a drink and there's nothing open at this hour around here."
"I want to ask X's sister if she wants to join us," Alia answered. "She should be working nearby."
"Ah, yes, the mermaid," Scarlet nodded. "Vile told me about her."
"I never really had a chance to talk to her during the recent Lumine incident," Pallette said. "I'm curious about her."
"I am, too," Layer agreed. "The fact she is a Robot Master has kept me intrigued for days."
"Well, she's nice," the senior navigator said. "And almost reploid level in all aspects, I like her."
A few minutes later…
They found her underwater, in the middle of the canal. She was surrounded by six or seven mechaniloid fish that were busy helping her by containing an oil stain while she worked on a big tortoise looking robot. Not really wanting to go into the water, Alia located the message X sent her the day before where he had included Splash Woman's frequency.
"Hello, Splash Woman, do you need help?" Alia transmitted.
The Robot Master stopped working and looked up. Splash Woman waved at Alia and the navigators and signaled them to wait for a bit. That done, the mermaid returned to what she was doing and, a few moments later, reactivated the turtle based mechaniloid. She waited until the robot swam away, only then going to the surface.
"Apologies for the wait, that M-Tortoise was leaking fuel and I had to fix it," the Robot Master explained after activating her land mode to climb out of the canal. "What brings you here, Alia?"
"We're on our way to have something to drink, and I wondered if you would like to come so you could meet my friends," she said with an inviting smile. "What do you say, do you have time?"
"Well… I finished my route a while ago so I'm free right now," the mermaid returned the smile. "If you don't mind me coming I'd be happy to join you."
=0=
Splash Woman and the navigators where sitting at the counter of a snack bar that specialized on reploids, and the five were enjoying different types of Energen based drinks. The Robot Master quickly became the focus of the conversation, and was kept busy answering questions regarding her origins. Layer and Pallette had been very interested about that, particularly how she was still functional after so long. Scarlet on the other hand was more fascinated by her weapon system and power output, mentioning it was impressive for technology over a century old.
"Where is Mega Man X?" Splash Woman asked when she had the chance. She was feeling curious about her brother, and really wanted to know what he was doing.
"Captain X and the rest of the elite hunters are with Signas," Pallette provided after taking a sip of her bubbling Energen Berry Punch.
"They have special training today," Layer completed while putting her steamy cup of E-chamomile back on the table. "They must adjust their strategies since they are now four."
"Oh, that's good, I suppose," the mermaid said, then remembered Vile was always rude to X and the others. "I hope they all learn to work together well."
"I hope so, too," Alia sighed, wondering if Vile could continue cooperating as he had so far. She doubted it, and was about to mention it but since Scarlet was present she instead stirred her glass of sugary Energen albino a third time.
"It's weird you haven't been on the news," Scarlet said then, she had just finished an icy bottle of E-charger soda and was signaling the server for another. "An operational Robot Master is not something that is found every day."
"Doctor Cossack wanted me to be in a press conference," Splash Woman answered while staring at the simple Energen can she was drinking from, thinking that perhaps she should have followed the navigators' example, as they all had bought fancier, more elaborate drinks. "I'm not good with crowds, so I asked him if we could cancel it."
"I can see he agreed," Pallette rejoined.
"He did after I helped rescue Mikhail, he's going to let me live anonymously as any other reploid. I really appreciate that, being in the spotlight isn't easy for me."
"And what will happen with the parts of that other robot you mentioned?" Layer asked then.
"Eve-Y's parts," Splash Woman sighed, feeling suddenly sad. "Doctor Cossack is going to show them to select members of the press before taking them to the Science Museum owned by his family's foundation."
"Oh… I'm sorry if I overstepped," the tall navigator offered once she noticed Splash Woman seemed to have a hard time talking about the subject.
"Thank you, but please don't worry too much, I'm fine," the mermaid said. "It's just that Eve-Y should be the one here talking with you, not me. I failed her, I couldn't protect her."
"Well, I can honestly say that I am really glad you're with us," Alia told her then, leaning forward to place a reassuring hand over Splash Woman's shoulder. "And I'm sure X is as well."
"I know we're just starting to know each other, but I fully agree with Alia," Pallette offered with a sincere smile.
"Same here," Layer said, also smiling. "I'm glad to have the opportunity to be your friend."
"What they all said," Scarlet nodded. "I do think it's cool we have a Robot Master around."
"Thank you…" Splash Woman made a pause to compose herself, as her electronic brain was overwhelmed with the feeling of gratitude she was experiencing. "You can't imagine how much your words mean to me."
=0=
X stood a little apart from the other hunters, looking at the terrain in front of them. They were in a desert, and a few miles ahead an old surveillance tower could be seen. Their task, as Signas had explained, consisted in reaching the tower while dealing with a group of 32 rank B Maverick hunters assigned to protect it.
"They seem really eager to start the exercise, don't you think?" Zero observed as he approached X. The red armored hunter crossed his arms and nodded at the small army of reploids guarding the tower. "Not surprising after what Signas told them."
"I still can't believe he promised to raise their ranks to B+ or even A- if they managed to stop all of us," Axl sighed while checking his ammo. "It's only going to make them try harder."
"That's what he wanted," X reminded Axl. "Most of the other hunters won't dare to go after us under any circumstances, this is good motivation for them and in turn will force us take the exercise seriously."
"Is that a joke, X?" Vile interrupted while getting closer to X and Zero. "We can't use lethal force on those rookies and they can't harm us either, our weapons are all set to stun. There is no incentive to take this combat simulation seriously."
"And you would love to use lethal force, wouldn't you?" Zero said, the dislike he felt for Vile evident in his voice.
Vile responded by placing his left hand inside his right elbow, punching his right fist up and then raising his right middle finger, aiming the two silent insults directly at Zero. This done, the renegade hunter went to sit on a rock, waiting until X finally decided to start this stupid training exercise.
Axl, despite himself, couldn't hold back a chuckle; it was the first time he had seen someone combine giving somebody the finger with the forearm jerk, and he found it incredibly amusing.
"Glad to see you find Vile's juvenile behavior entertaining," Zero groaned. "The last thing we need is for you to encourage it."
"Oh, come on, Zero!" Axl chortled. "I know it's wrong and I'm sorry he insulted you, but you gotta admit it's funny!"
"It wasn't," Zero sighed, but understanding it was useless to argue over something so stupid he simply chose to let it go and turned to look at X. "So, what do you think we should do?"
"Let's split into two groups," X suggested. "You take Axl and go left. Vile and I will go right."
"Why don't we make this interesting?" Vile interrupted. "The first team that reaches the tower wins five thousand Zenny."
"I'm not interested," Zero said.
"Neither am I," X agreed.
"I wouldn't mind taking that bet," Axl grinned, certain that he and Zero could win.
"Deal!" Vile said while shaking Axl's hand. "I hope you have enough money to pay, kid."
"You should be the one worrying, I'm not losing," the younger hunter shot back.
"We'll shall see."
"If you're done…" X interrupted. "I got the green light from Signas, it's time to start."
"Excellent!" said Axl, who then signaled Zero as he dashed left. "Follow me, Zero, let's win this!"
"In your dreams, kid!" Vile shouted as he rushed to the right. "You can stay there for all I care X, I don't need your help!"
"Axl and Vile are going to ruin this exercise, aren't they?" X lamented as he observed how the other two started engaging the hunter squadron with singular recklessness.
"Seems they will," Zero agreed with a sigh. "I think we'll have to go make sure neither of them hurts someone by accident."
"Yeah, you're probably right," X rubbed his temples and took in a deep breath. "Let's go keep an eye on those two fools."
And saying nothing more, X and Zero entered the fray, ready to make sure things didn't get out of hand.
=0=
The rusted doors opened slowly, allowing Isoc access to an underground laboratory more than a century old. It was not as big as other laboratories he had worked in before, but it didn't matter. In here he would find the necessary resources to continue with his plans. The lab returned to life as he walked through the halls, relying to him a status report that indicated all systems were operational and waiting for instructions.
"Hm?" Isoc muttered as he received a particular piece of information. "What is this? I didn't know anything about it."
Deciding it was worth taking a look, Isoc climbed down a set of stairs and entered a room where he found something that actually managed to surprise him.
A black capsule with a still visible yellow 'W' painted on top.
And there was a robot in there. Extremely damaged, yes, but repairable according to his scans.
"My, my, this is certainly unexpected…" Isoc said, his left brow rising in surprise as he approached the capsule and saw who was inside. "Who would have thought it would be you?"
Pleased by this fortunate finding, Isoc returned to the upper levels of the lab and sat in front of the laboratory's main computer, analyzing all the information regarding the contents of the lab. There were enough robots here to procure raw materials and build a small factory he could use to assemble modern mechaniloids, and then expand this place to better suit his needs.
No. That alone would not do, he decided. He would need something stronger, something bigger. Something unstoppable.
He leaned forward and accessed a file he had dismissed only a few minutes before.
"Yes," he muttered as he studied the schematics in the file. "Yes, this should do. With some modifications and using current technology… I can truly make this inexpugnable!"
Isoc rested his chin on his left palm and closed his eyes. The only problem now was time. Because building everything would take at least five months, perhaps more if he ran into unforeseen complications.
"But I have all the time I need, now," he said as he glanced at the screen. "All the time in the world."
Convinced that this time he would finally be able to reach his goals, Isoc stood up and returned to the lower levels, intending to start working on that damaged robot right away.
=0=
Notes.
Hello, everyone, welcome to season 2!
As I mentioned before, in this season will have a few revelations regarding Splash Woman's past. And we'll finally learn more about Eve-Y. I know you guys want to know more about Isoc's plans, but we have other plot points to complete first. Don't worry, Isoc will return when you least expect him.
Thanks for reading!