Me: Got some feedback. Jumping directly into this next chapter.
Samuel: That's great, Sypher. Immerse yourself and worry about opinions later.
Me: Thanks Doc. Good to know some of my characters have my back.
Roto: HEY! I had your back last chapter... Never got a 'thanks'.
Me: My bad, Roto. You know I appreciate the support. Wanna hit the Disclaimer for me?
Roto: No probs. SypherZero owns nothin' from MMX or any other Capcom related places/items. OC's and story are all his though.
Chapter 6- The Imperium
It had been two hours since Roto and Samuel had parted ways after their debriefing. And after laying in his room staring at the ceiling for most of that time, Roto decided to find the Doc. Jumping out of bed and dusting his clothes off, as he was again in human form, Roto dashed out the door...Almost knocking someone into the wall in the process.
Roto reached out to grab the arm of his unsuspecting victim in an attempt to halt her fall. He wasn't expecting, however, for the power in that falling arm to be strong enough to whip him into the same wall if it tried. Pulling the lab coat wearing Reploid to her feet, Roto finally got a good look at her face and smiled brightly.
"Coco! Sorry, shoulda been Watchin' where I was going."
"Roto, would you please stop calling me 'Coco'. It's 'Cordelia'."
"How long have you been askin' me that question, Coco?"
Cordelia sighed as Roto and her spoke in tandem.
"Since you first started calling me that."
Cordelia couldn't help but laugh. Although it was irksome, Roto meant well and he never said it around anyone but Dr. Samuel, so she was thankful. At first she had thought he was trying to flirt with her, but soon realized it was more of a brotherly expression as opposed to romantic and never really stopped him since. Both, fully recovered from the collision, started walking to the elevator that led to Samuel's lab.
"Sorry I couldn't join you guys at the site, but I had a ton of work here that I'd been putting off." Cordelia apologized. Roto scoffed and waved it away.
"No biggie. Next time, though, you got no choice. You gotta meet him." Roto said quietly as the entered the elevator.
"I fully intend to. I just don't get why Dr. Samuel didn't tell Command." Cordelia said in a whisper as the doors closed.
They descended the three floors in silence conspiratorially glancing at each other. It made them uneasy to be holding onto such a huge secret, but also knew that Zero needed his existence to remain hidden until he was ready. The doors opened and the pair exited walking quickly to the lab.
Before either could reach for the door, Samuel opened it with a smile and ushered them in. Samuel checked the hallway once more then closed the door. Walking past his colleagues to his small desk, he sat down and smiled at the tense looking duo. They seemed to relax immediately as Samuel smiled at them.
"Pretty sure they bought it.", the doctor said without further preamble. Roto pumped his fist and Cordelia loosed a relieved sigh. Roto grabbed a chair and spun it backwards before plopping down in it. Cordelia rolled her eyes at him and sat down properly in the other empty seat before addressing Samuel.
"So, we have continued clearance to explore the area?"
"Indeed we do. I've scheduled us a bedded transport and several days of provisions for tomorrow's return trip."
Roto' eyes grew. "We're campin' out there?" He asked excitedly.
"As long as Zero approves it. That way we can help with repairs while we search the base. And..." Samuel looked behind him to the incomplete red capsule half covered by a tarp. "Maybe find out if this thing works."
Roto and Cordelia both looked past the doctor to see the unfamiliar capsule. Both shared the same expression of confusion and before either could ask, Samuel sighed and started to rub his temples before speaking.
"It's some of my earliest research. No one would touch it, though." the doctor said sadly. "It's based on Maverick and Omega research. And we all know that no self respecting organization would condone any project of that nature."
"Hold on Doc. Are you sayin' that's a Maverick upgrade pod?" Roto asked, more than a little surprised.
"Not at all. In theory, it's a Zero upgrade pod."
"How is that even possible Doctor?" Cordelia asked. "According to all sources, Dr. Wily never intended for Omega Zero to need upgrades and had not built his systems to receive them. That was his primary flaw in comparison to X's design."
"That's true," Samuel nodded, "If you recall, however, Zero had begun to upgrade himself after finding and studying copies of his blueprints. Hence, the Sougenmu Program, Hadangeki Wave and Rekkoha abilities. With this capsule, in theory, Zero would be able to activate 'Omega Mode' as a Combat Upgrade Utility as opposed to a Critical Systems sub-routine. Thus giving him, fully, control of the Omega Zero properties without loss of Cognitive Perception filters."
Roto scratched his head, obviously confused by what Samuel was explaining. Cordelia's expression, however, was one of shock and awe.
"Doctor... You've built an 'Ultimate' upgrade capsule for Zero..."
Samuel again nodded with a slight grin.
"In theory, yes. Until now, there was no practical way I could test it. Which is why it's coming with us. Between us and Zero, I'm almost positive I can work it out. Just have to make sure Command doesn't get a whiff of it. It could cause a LOT of strife for everyone involved. And the last thing I want is for you two to get into trouble because of my, shall we say, Maverick behavior."
Roto waved away Samuel's concern.
"No biggie, Doc. We got our stories straight. Odd readings and such. Further data needed. Yada, yada, yada."
Cordelia swatted Roto's shoulder, chastising him physically for his lack concern and almost knocked him from his seat.
"This is serious! Treat it that way, lug-nut. If Command finds out, it's prison for us for a long time. Maverick oriented research that doesn't involve decommission or data extraction is a Capitol Offense. And I, for one, don't feel like spending the next 60 years in jail because you're a goofball."
"Ok, ok. Jeez. You didn't havta hit me, Coco."
"Enough you two. Cordelia, Command will be sending two officials to interview/review you before they give you the 'All Clear' to join us. I was able to get Roto cleared with me, because he's been part of my assignment for a while now. Stick to the basics, keep a bit of bored detachment when they show up and you should avoid any unneeded questions. As for me, I'm headed off to bed. 7am is far too soon for my liking right now."
The trio exited the lab and Samuel gave a tired wave to Roto and Cordelia before making his way to the elevator. Roto watched the doctor leave, a pang of sympathy resonating through him for his Human companion. Roto understood that Samuel was risking everything in his life by lying to Imperium Command, but he respected the Doc for taking the risk for the greater good. He was about to share his thoughts with Cordelia when he noticed that she was lost in her own thoughts and a look of concern was floating on her face.
"What's wrong, Cor? You're not worryin' over this review are ya?"
"No." she responded quickly giving Roto a small glance. "What if the Nihilists found the base? What if they are trying to convert Zero and Iris as we speak? That could spell tragedy for the world on a scale not seen since the first Void drops..."
Roto eyes nearly fell from his head as he looked at Cordelia incredulously before hooking his arm around her shoulders and giving a squeeze. He smiled at her, that all-knowing-completely-irritating smile that always pulled her from dark thoughts.
"No way in Hell. Zero knows a bad deal when he sees it. And nothin', and I mean NOTHING, could persuade him to join THEM. Pretty sure Iris would dismantle him before that could happen. Relax. I got a feeling this shitty war is about to come to a very vicious close with the good guys finally on top."
"I've had enough of all the destruction, Roto. You know that's why I transferred out of Battalion to Science. After 'The Long Five', I've been a pessimist about all the 'Fighting for Peace' schtic and I don't know if the world could take THE Omega-class Reploid joining the Armada."
"You're thinkin' too much. Go to your bunk an' rest before the 'Suits' show up. Give 'em the blah-blah-razza-razza so they'll clear you and let's worry about Mavericks and War when we need ta." Roto responded with a bright smile and a pulled Cordelia into a friendly hug before waving farewell and heading off around the corner. Although Roto made her feel less tense about the situation at hand, she still couldn't help but worry. Deciding he was right, though, Cordelia headed back to her room.
Three hours later there was a chime at her door and Cordelia admitted the two Imperium officials. One was a Human female that Cordelia immediately recognized as Dr. Emma Reese, head of the Science & Research Corps. The other was male, Reploid and decidedly military in baring that gave Cordelia a sense of unease. Attempting to be a polite hostess, she offered the pair seats. Dr. Reese accepted with a smile, while her counterpart remained on his feet with his hands linked behind his arrow-straight back. He spoke first.
"You are Cordelia Allon, correct?" he stated the question with a blunt force that made it seem to be a statement. Taken slightly aback, Cordelia simply nodded.
"Colonel Gainis, please. This isn't an interrogation, it's a service review. The poor girl already thinks she's headed to the gallows. Forgive my overly-assertive protégé, Assistant Allon. He's purely Military minded in his approach."
"I understand, Dr. Reese. I was formerly in Battalion Command, so I'm used to the direct approach. I was just caught off guard." Cordelia responded, glancing at Gainis slightly who hadn't moved a centimeter since taking his place aside and slightly behind the doctor.
Dr. Reese kept her smile on but seemed surprised that Cordelia was formerly Battalion. Sensing the pair wished to hear why she'd changed stations, Cordelia took a deep breath and spoke.
"I fought with the 202nd during The Long Five. We did alright for ourselves, for the most part. But, towards the end, things got hairy on a grand scale and most of the 202 was wiped out along with the 150th, 320th and the 707th. I was friends with a lot of them since Basic, and their loss was too much for me to handle at the time. So, before Command reassigned me to another unit, I transferred to S&R. And that's where I've been since."
Cordelia hated opening that wound, but she could tell Gainis was looking for the 'deserter's' story. After hearing it, however, the menacing Reploid seemed to ease up and his stance relaxed.
"I apologize for my direct nature, Miss Allon. I was a member of the 150 during The Five. Losing comrades is never easy, nor does it get easier when forced to relive it." the colonel said with no small amount of contrition in his words. Cordelia nodded to him, then looked back to Dr. Reese who was looking through files.
"You Reploids never cease to amaze me. Now, to the business at hand. You requested to join Dr. Mavris on his excavation assignment earlier today, correct?" the senior scientist asked and Cordelia nodded.
"So, the question I have is this: why? Up until today, Dr. Mavris abhorred his excavation assignment, trying on more occasions to get out of it than I care to remember. Then, quite out of the blue, he finds..." Dr. Reese looked at her paperwork.
" 'Unidentified Energy Signatures' near his site and makes a requisition for a week's worth of Human and Reploid provision for an 'extended on-site stay to investigate and quantify' his findings. Why would he need a second researcher in this? His current assistant should be more than adequate." Dr. Resse finished.
"With all due respect to Roto, ma'am, he's a bit of a lug-nut. He's more than capable of assisting Dr. Mavris with physical tasks or equipment failures, but as far as ACTUAL finding studies, he'd be quite useless. I've worked with the doctor on several projects in the past and when he asked me to join him this time I felt it was an excellent opportunity to do some field work, as I've been lab-bound for most of my tenure with S&R."
Cordelia finished and watched the doctor and colonel closely, but unobviously, as she rose from her seat and got a bottle of water. The pair were speaking quietly, seemingly exchanging thoughts for a moment before Dr. Reese turned back to Cordelia and standing up herself.
"Well then, can't argue with facts now can we?" the doctor said with a smile. "I'll send the approval up the chain with the good colonel here. Although I don't see what could be causing these reading, or the need for extra bodies out there, I CAN see that you want to go exploring and WON'T take 'no' for an answer. You leave with Samuel and Roto tomorrow morning. Good luck, Assistant Allon."
With a sweet smile and polite wave, Dr. Reese and Colonel Gainis left Cordelia alone. As she dropped into bed to begin her recharge cycle, all the day's stress finally started to melt away as there was one less thing to worry about. Before she knew it, she was fast asleep.
Dr. Reese and Gainis entered the elevator at the end of the hall. They were silent on the trip up to the 45th floor, more as a precaution from prying ears than a real need for it. Upon exiting the elevator, the colonel broke the silence.
"Do you believe her story, ma'am?"
"Which, colonel? Her military background or the reason she wishes to join Samuel?"
"I can look into her Battalion history, but I don't think she would lie about that... No one involved in The Five wishes to think or talk about it, and I saw she wasn't very willing to explain that to us. I was referring to her S&R story."
The doctor nodded slightly, but the colonel could tell there was something amiss and pressed the issue.
"Should I assign them some other 'personnel'?"
"No, colonel. Dr. Mavris isn't our problem. His past has never played a part in how he's conducted himself within The Imperium, nor do I believe it is now. Perhaps a 'helping hand', though. Assign 2 Sniper units and a squad of Regulars to patrol that general area while they're there. Have them leave tonight to set up, but make sure the doctor and his crew are unaware of it. Samuel is always looking for the 'next big find' and perhaps he's finally found it. The last thing he wants is Battalion Command breathing down his back. That'll be all, for now, colonel."
"Of course, ma'am. Good night."
The colonel saluted, the traditional knife-edge hand to the brow, and left Dr. Reese at the door to her quarters. She shook her head, smiling, and entered her room thinking, 'Truly... Never cease to amaze.'
A/N: Welcome to Imperium Command. Lots of talking happening here, with a little light shone on Samuel's past. And a new friend. Hope you all liked Cordelia, she'll be playing a large part in the capsule research. And although they're the 'good guys' here, how do you all feel about Doc Reese's exchange with Gainis after leaving Cordelia? As usual, R&R. Next chapter, coming soon, will head back into Nihilist territory. Hope to see you there.