Me: Welcome back to those who've decided to come back. Hope everyone is enjoying the trip so far.
Null: Well, you've finally decided to write something worthwhile. They can finally start to enjoy themselves.
Me: Listen you, I could very easily rewrite your persona. So I'd be a bit less catty with me.
Null: (chuckles) Oh please, Sypher, save your threats. It's unbecoming of an intellectual type. Besides, you LOVE who I am. Else you wouldn't've crafted me as so.
Me: Can't say you're wrong, my dear. Disclaimer please?
Null: SypherZero owns nothing but this story and the OC's that appear. Capcom owns the rest. Now, get to my introduction, Human. Everyone's waiting.
Chapter 4- Empty Heart
The rain fell in sheets in the early morning hours, creating rivulets that cascaded down the large window of the personal study of the leader of the Nihilist Armada. The landscape outside that window was barren, for the most part, with unnatural desert stretching for miles due to the many weapons tests conducted around the stronghold. Staring out into that endless waste with nothing but her thoughts and the patter of rain on glass, Null sighed contentedly.
'I, alone, see the beauty in this Nothingness.' she thought, 'The world is far too cluttered with Man's Creations and their desire to shape Nature to their specification. It's a sad notion. Luckily, I'm here to put an end to that.'
A chime sounded from the door bringing Null back to reality. Moving with a grace that made her seem to float as opposed to walk, she sat down in the high-backed chair at her desk and tapped several keys on the keypad built into it. "Come" she said in a light, yet powerful, voice.
Silently, the door slid open to admit a massive red and black armored Reploid. He stood so tall he had to duck slightly to enter the room. Armed with two shoulder mounted Gatling Guns and a Buster cannon almost as wide across as him he saluted his commander, a fist placed to the chest. Null smiled at him.
"General Kay. How good to see you still in one piece. Report?"
"Imperium forces have finally been routed from Sectors 17 through 20."
" 'Routed'? You mean, there are survivors?" Null's expression darkened slightly.
"Within acceptable mission parameters, ma'am. Maybe a dozen or so. And, all of their motorcade was destroyed as per S.O.P (Standard Operating Procedure). I have three teams following them into the wastes. They won't make it far."
Null brightened considerably as Kay finished his report and she noticed the larger Reploid's stance, which had gone slightly stiff, relaxed with her mood. Small of frame as she may be, Null commanded fierce and terrible power that quaked any who stood before it.
"Excellent General. I must say, I was worried for a moment that you'd possibly failed me. As usual, however, you've performed your duties well beyond capacity. When your men return, you are all granted three days Leave. Your continued dedication to the cause, and unwavering loyalty, shouldn't go unrewarded."
Although the face mask of his helmet prevented Null from seeing it, she knew Kay was smiling. He was truly her most devout warrior, and she knew he would do ANYTHING to garner her praise and approval.
"I will pass your mandate onto the troops upon their return. I, however, will not rest until the Imperium is ousted from this world and your Vision is complete."
Null had been prepared for Kay to say as much and offered him a coy smile.
"That's an Order, General. I won't have my greatest asset fall needlessly due to fatigue. Rest, and be ready. Our next offensive will be deep inside Imperium-controlled areas, and I'll need you at 110% if it is to succeed. Dismissed."
The general saluted once more and Null watched him depart with a smile on her lips. Kay was a 'War-Dog' through and through, and if he had his way he'd strap a Caden Generator to his back and fight 24/7. 'Perhaps,' she thought, 'I'll allow him that one day.'
Rising from her chair and moving over to a nearby bookcase, Null skimmed the numerous titles before deciding on one. Removing the thick volume from it's resting place, Null returned to her seat and, almost lovingly, ran a hand across the old blue leather binding. A grey ribbon protruded from near the center of the book and Null gently opened it to that point and began to read.
'Chapter XXIX- A Solitary Century. It's been almost 100 years since the Repliforce incident. Sigma popped up again not too long afterwards, but we finally ended him for good. After that fifth, and final, time the Maverick Virus seemed to disappear. Seems Sigma's processor was what was responsible for the continued production of the Virus. Between that, and Zero being in stasis, it looked like Mavericks were finally a thing of the Past.
Not too long after the Fifth Uprising, Dr. Cain passed away. Although it was a sad day, the man had extended his life well beyond Human capacity and, as far as I thought, he deserved some rest. All of us Hunters, and most Humans as well, mourned his loss for quite some time. But, time moved on. We became more of a Police force. With no Mavericks there wasn't really a need for Maverick Hunters. I was promoted to the rank of Commandant, second only to Signas, and given a desk job. Although I didn't mind field work, this felt like a better fit for me now.
After Zero, and several other partners, fighting on the frontline everyday seemed pointless. Even before Repliforce, I'd felt that fighting would never bring about Peace. I also know, though, that the world would always need someone to protect it.'
Null closed the book and let herself sink deep into her chair.
"How right you were, X. This world cannot survive on its own. And humanity is its great destroyer. If only you'd realized that... You've taught me so much. More so even then my creator, and I shall save this world from the travesty its become. I will make this world Perfect, by reshaping it from Emptiness. Humanity has become Obsolete, and therefore should be Retired."
Null spoke to no one but the Universe, but she felt her audience was a captive one. With great effort, as she was very comfortable, Null rose from her chair and left her study. Moving down the hall towards an elevator, she passed several Armada Officers who crisply saluted as she passed. She knew that, although they respected her, they were extra courteous and proper in her presence out of Fear. Fear was a great motivator, and Null was proficient in its use.
Calling the lift and entering a second later, she typed in a code sequence on the number pad next to the normal controls and the elevator began its descent. It traveled downward for a small eternity before coming to a stop on Sub-Level 60. As the door opened, Null was assailed by humid, slightly stale, air and the buzzing commotion of heavy machinery.
Striding through the hall she stopped at a window that looked into a large, factory-like work area. Reploids and droids of all sizes were working at a furious pace, crafting weapons, repairing vehicles and armor and pumping out new Attack Drones. Although she would never admit it to anyone, Null enjoyed watching her forces grow almost as much as gazing into the Emptiness. She smiled, 'Almost...'
"Ah, Lady Null. What brings you to my little slice of Utopia?" A voice, small yet commanding, called out to her. She pulled her attention away from the work space to see a medium build Reploid with yellow and red armor walking toward her. She offered him the slightest of smiles.
"Inspecting what's mine, Brav. You seem to be light of work today..." Null stated with a slightly veiled insulting tone.
Brav snorted derisively, dismissing Null's harsh tone and looked through the window into the work area.
"I gave out the orders, as requested. I'm just getting back from the Imperium clean-up. Have to say, those guys fight to the bitter end. Never stood a chance, mind you, but they try."He glanced at Null peripherally. "Haven't seen YOU in a Raid Party lately. You're not getting lazy, are you? A complacent commander is a dead commander. Or so the saying goes."
"I find your lack of respect bothersome, Sergeant. Perhaps you require a behavior modification to remind you why I'm in charge." Null responded with a deadly edge.
"Calm down, Commander, or you'll blow a processor. If you can't take a little friendly dissension from ME, how do you expect to deal with Imperium higher-ups when you're confronted by them? Regardless of how we feel about each other, have I ever shown disloyalty?"
Null said nothing, slightly seething inside over Brav's attitude. He was, however, loyal to her and the Armada's cause. He continued speaking when she didn't answer.
"Exactly. You don't like my attitude, and I'm sorry for that. But I didn't write my program, The Creator did. You got issues, take it up there. I'll support the Cause till I'm Retired and no amount of quarreling between US will change that. Maybe, just maybe, we'd get along better if you just got over my sarcasm. 'Cause I'm the only one with balls enough to bust yours."
Null prepared to retort but stopped herself mid-thought. Brav, although a bothersome lout, was correct. He was a disrespectful smart-ass, but he'd never challenged Null position or orders. He never acted in public as he did whenever they encountered each other alone. He knew his place and, Null had to admit, for all his annoyance he was a good solider.
Brav tossed a hasty salute and cocksure grin, that further irritated Null, and departed. 'One day, he'll give me a good reason.' she thought as she continued through the hall. Aside from her brief encounter with Brav and the work area, Sub Level 60 was devoid of life and only the clacking echo of her footfalls followed her. Soon, she reached what appeared to be a dead-end.
Removing the grey glove from her right hand and pressing it to the wall, a small rectangular opening appeared and a retinal scanner slid forward. Null placed her face to the scanner and seconds later the solid-light hologram of the wall dissolved to reveal a door behind it. Null smiled, for she was the only one who knew about the false wall and the contents of room beyond. Tapping the door twice, once then twice again it silently opened upward. Null stepped inside.
Once inside, the door closed encasing the room in darkness once more. A single light activated after a few seconds to reveal a plexiglass cell with a single inhabitant. Electromagnetically suspended over a vat of bubbling liquid, it would seem, to outside observation, like overkill for a single prisoner, but this particular prisoner was too valuable to Null for even the slightest margin of escape. Null cleared her throat to catch the attention of the cell's inmate. When she, the prisoner, didn't respond, Null shrugged.
"It's rude to not acknowledge a guest."
"Your my captor, Null. I've no intention to acknowledge you." said the prisoner in a defeated tone.
"And yet you just have. Why sit and pout your life away, Lacadian? Join me. We can create the world of Peace that X always sought."
Lacadian looked to Null with fire in her eyes and spoke with dripping venom.
"Through Death?! Through Genocide?! X would NEVER have done the things you have in the name of 'Peace'. You're just a deranged Maverick, Null. You have no clue what peace is. The world you wish to create isn't a world I wish to see. So, if your done trying to 'convert' me you can show yourself out."
Null shook her head and stepped as close to the cell as the bubbling pit would allow.
"I've been reading X's memoirs, Lacadian. As I delve deeper into his thoughts, I see that he and I aren't as different as you think. We seek Peace and Prosperity for all Reploid kind. Even HE knew that Humans would be the downfall of this world. Look at what they've done to it. Drained it of its natural resources so that new energy source needed to be INVENTED. They aimlessly slaughter each other for nothing more than PERSONAL GAIN. Their NEED to be Master over All is what brought about the Mavericks and Sigma and Zero and EVERY other tragedy that's befallen this world."
"...just shut up..." Lacadian said in a whisper.
Null smiled. "You know I'm right Lacadian..."
"I SAID SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP YOU TWISTED BITCH!"
"Such harsh words from such a great mind. Perhaps you need more time to think it over. I'll see you soon."
Null watched Lacadian bury her face in her hands and sob. She knew the scientist was close to her breaking point, and Null reveled in it. After 150 years of imprisonment, it was only a matter of time. She would soon join the Nihilist ranks and stand beside Null as a new world was forged. Laughing loudly enough for Lacadian to hear, Null exited the room and left it in darkness once more.
A/N: Not too much to really say here except, Null's vicious. And, poor Lacadian. As usual, R&R please. Need some kinda feedback on my current progress. Hope everyone's enjoying it so far.