Disclaimer: MMX and all other related intellectual properties belong to Capcom, and I express no ownership of them. OC's and storyline are my only proprietary claims.

Chapter 12- Grasping at Light

Zero's head buzzed as his eyes slowly opened, the dim lights seeming to blare like small suns in the darkened room. Tentatively he turned his head to the left and, seeing that he was hooked up to numerous monitoring devices, concluded that he was in the workshop. He turned to his right and noticed Roto sitting up on a cot not too far from him, Cordelia and Samuel affecting repairs on him and Avery. With a groan Zero pulled himself into a sitting position, yanking several of the monitor wires free and causing the machines to screech with system failure warnings that turned the heads of everyone else in the room.

"Hey! Look who's finally awake. Good nap, sleepyhead?" Roto asked with a big grin.

'For someone who's just come face to face with Murder Incarnate', Zero thought, 'He seems pretty well for wear.' The same could not be said of the young Imperium solider. Zero reached over and flipped the monitors off, the screech ending but leaving an echo pulsing in his already throbbing head. He swung his feet over the side of his cot and lowered himself to the floor, having to stabilize on the cots' edge as his knees were still wobbly. Zero slowly made his way over to Roto and extended his hand to the green haired Reploid, who promptly shook it with a confused look on his face.

"Uhh, thanks Red. But, what's it for?"

"Thank YOU, Roto. If you and Avery hadn't stalled me, I don't know what kind of damage I would've caused."

Roto scratched the back of his neck, his goofy grin plastered on his face and his cheeks slightly red.

"Heh heh, no probs Zero. I know you'd pull my ass outta the fire if I needed it. OW! Chill Cor, that hurts!"

"Stop fidgeting, lug-nut, and it wouldn't hurt so much." Cordelia chided and soldered the last of the wires in Roto's shoulder into place. "There you big baby. Good as new. Luckily you're a lot sturdier that you look. Just keep it light for a couple days and you'll be doing stupid stuff in no time."

Zero couldn't help but smile at them. They really did act like siblings. Looking over to Avery, Zero noticed the boy staring at the floor, seemingly lost in thoughts somewhere far away. Approaching him slowly, Zero laid a hand on his shoulder causing him to almost jump out of his seat.

"Easy, soldier. I'm wanted to apologize for what happened out there before."

"It's okay, sir. I understand the circumstances behind it... It's just..." Avery stopped. He seemed to not know what to say next without offending the Crimson Hunter. Zero made it easy.

"Speak your mind, Avery. It's obvious you've got something in there that needs out."

Avery wrung his hands and took a deep breath.

"I've never been so scared, sir. Watching my squad get shredded by Brav was bad, and I ran as hard as I could to NOT die. But, facing you... I mean Omega, knowing that there was no way to defeat him... I realized how unfit to be a soldier I was. I run and hide to survive, because I'm too scared to stand and face the fear. If it wasn't for Roto, I'd be slag right now. I'm useless, sir."

Zero grabbed the young man by the shoulders and forced him to look up at him. There was a fire in Zero's eyes, but it quickly softened when he saw the fear in Avery's.

"Useless? You really don't know what it took to step out there today, do you? Omega was designed to lay waste to ARMIES. He's a Destroyer. And YOU bravely faced off against it, knowing the odds couldn't be less in your favor. Yes, Roto saved your life in the final seconds of a confrontation that wouldn't have lasted that long if YOU hadn't been assisting him. You're far from useless. In more ways than one, you were the bravest one out there today, because you knew that Death could've come for you and you faced it head on. Without Fear and without regret. And I thank you for it. None of us would be standing here right now if not for you."

Avery stammered, trying to form words, trying to say anything, but nothing came except tears and a hasty salute. Zero returned his salute and patted him on the shoulder before turning back towards the others. Roto's grin never left his face and Cordelia switched places with Zero as he walked toward the green haired Reploid and his Human companion. Samuel gave Zero a slight nod of approval.

"Well said Zero. No wonder you were such a successful commander." The Doctor said.

Just then, the service elevator opened up and Iris came running over to Zero and wrapped him in a hug that threatened to break him in half. She looked at him with the soft eyes that always seemed to calm his soul when he needed it most. Leaning up on her toes, she kissed him.

"Welcome back." Iris said.

"Sorry to worry you." Zero replied with a small smile for her before becoming serious once more. "What's the current situation with our message to the Imperium?"

"Complied and sent about 3 hours ago. Awaiting a response." Samuel responded, his tone hinting at irritation that Zero noticed immediately.

"What's the problem, Doctor?" The Hunter asked.

"Although I'd suspected it, after salvaging what we could from the remains, I confirmed that Colonel Gainis sent the squad to keep an eye on me. Granted, I wasn't completely truthful with my report, I'm still a little annoyed that Command felt a need to spy on us."

Zero placed a hand to his chin in thought. He'd hoped to keep his and Iris' revival a secret in order to mount offensives against the Nihilists without risk of Imperium casualties. With the destruction of the soldiers, however, it seemed that wouldn't be possible.

"Doctor, it seems we won't have the element of surprise, as I'd hoped for, dealing with the Armada. They must know I'm here after what's happened. We won't be able to keep hiding the fact long. So this is the plan: the next message you send out will be an S.O.S for backup. You'll have to salvage the optical feeds from the remains and attach it to the message." Zero then looked over to Avery. "Gonna need you to send a message shortly after stating you made your way into the ruins to protect the Doctor and his companions. Upon reaching the lower levels, you discovered that the base was inhabited. Following the orders given to you by a certain red armored Reploid, you held your position and protected the doctor while I handled the Maverick. We'll deal with anything else the Imperium has to say after they respond."

There was an odd silence that followed Zero's explanation, everyone seeming to contemplate the situation. The plan, although sound in theory, had enough holes that it would sink in a puddle. That wasn't the point, however. It was meant to act as a screen so the doctor could continue his research away from the S&R Corps, which Zero had already determined was his goal. He'd ask him why soon, but now wasn't the time. Samuel was the first to speak on the matter at hand.

"Once the Imperium starts sending people here, they WILL try to pull you into the fold in their side."

Zero shook his head.

"Not happening. If they are who they claim to be, and I'm not saying they're not, they won't have a lot of choices when dealing with me."

"What do you mean?" Asked Cordelia.

"If they are truly based off the Maverick Hunters, then in all reality, I'm the most senior officer. Your Military Command would have to defer to my orders. I'll contact them after Avery sends his message telling them that their assistance isn't required any longer."

Samuel's jaw dropped open and he stuttered as he attempted to speak. Roto hopped up, seeing his friend stuck, and spoke.

"If you do that, they might pull us outta here. Command ain't real big on takin' orders from outside."

"Hmmm..." Zero thought aloud. "Then, a joint venture between the Imperium and the Maverick Hunters. I'll allow them to send in people to help get the base up and running again, but once here they will HAVE to follow my orders. Communications will be strictly monitored, nothing goes out without my 'OK'."

"You're gonna stir up shit with Command, Z. I LIKE it!" Roto exclaimed.

"Zero." Samuel started. "Command won't take this as easily as you think. Finding this base, and everything in it, has been a goal since it disappeared. They could see your actions as 'Maverick' at worst. At best, they could deem them to be of a 'Warlord' like bearing and send in troop to subdue you. That would be a terrible waste of life, and I don't think ANY of us wants that."

"Listen Doctor, I understand your concerns. But this isn't an Imperium stronghold. This is Maverick Hunter H.Q. and I'm the last surviving Hunter Commander. They hold no sway over my decisions, as I'm NOT an Imperium solider. And after seeing that I'm the one running the base, not to play on my 'Legendary' status, but do you really believe they'd start trouble with me?"

"No, I suppose not. But they will attempt to turn it into a military run operation and pull myself, Roto and Cordelia out."

"Negative. The ONLY way I'll consider working with them is if the ones who found me stay." Zero smiled, "Worse comes to worse, I just take you three 'prisoner'."

"ZERO!" Iris said, aghast, slapping him in the arm.

"Ow..." Zero replied with a chuckle that seemed to lighten the mood. "I have no desire to make a tense situation worse, but in order for me to be able to help here, I need operational freedom that the Imperium won't allow. If they can't deal with that, then I don't need their permission or assistance. I'd hate to have the only ones I trust so far away from where they can do the greatest good, but I'm sure you would rather not be tossed in a brig somewhere for disobeying orders."

Roto walked over to Zero and extended a hand.

"I'll resign my commission with the Imperium to help ya out, Zero. They've been failin' for years and I'd rather do some good for a change."

Zero shook his hand and looked around to see slightly shocked expressions from Samuel and Cordelia at Roto's exclamation. Avery, who'd been quiet the whole time spoke next, to everyone's surprise.

"Me too, sir. I have nothing back at Command. My unit was all I knew since activation, and they're all gone now. If there can't be a joint venture between us, I request permission to stay on board here."

"You're more than welcome here, Avery. Could always use someone who's willing to put the needs of the world ahead of them-self."

Zero was aware of what he was asking them to do: leave their homes and lives behind to join him in his mission to rid the world of Mavericks once more. He didn't expect them to take it lightly, or to answer right away. It was a decision one SHOULDN'T take lightly. Moreover, he feared that they would be labeled traitors by the Imperium and hunted. This would only cause more strife, as Zero and his allies would have to battle both the Armada AND Imperium Command. He could sense their apprehension, understand their trepidation, but he could also feel their resolve to see a better world. 'I wonder what X would think if he could see me now...' A barely audible BEEP issued from somewhere in the room that caught everyone's attention and turned it away from the decisions at hand.

Samuel walked over to one of the workbenches and picked up his tablet, the source of the sound, and quickly scanned it.

"Looks like Command was satisfied with the report." he said as he continued reading. "Orders are to continue on as briefing specifications demanded and report again in 9 hours. It'll be dark by then. Perhaps sending out the 'attack report' should wait till morning, so visual data corresponds. A second falsified report to Command shouldn't make too much of a difference, as we're already knee deep in this."

Zero nodded in agreement and, with Iris in tow, headed towards the door. Samuel intercepted them before they reached it, an apologetic look on his face.

"I'm sorry, Iris, but could I borrow him for just a little longer? I have a couple of things I need to discuss."

Iris looked between Zero and Samuel and smiled.

"Of course, Doctor. Just don't keep him too long." she giggled before leaning up and whispering to Zero. "Our room was intact... When you're done, come up and get some 'rest'."

Zero's cheeks burned bright red at Iris' thinly veiled suggestion and she giggled even harder as she left the workshop. All eyes turned to the blushing Hunter, who quickly cleared his throat and looked to Samuel, regaining his composure.

"What can I help you with, Doctor?"

"I'm sure you recall the large piece of equipment I arrived with, correct?"

Zero nodded.

"Well, it's for you."

"For me? In what regard?" Zero asked slightly confused.

"It's an Upgrade Capsule, like the ones X used. It's just... Meant for you instead."

Zero crossed his arms and gave Samuel an uncertain stare.

"Doctor, as I'm sure you know, Wily never created capsules for me. 'How do you improve Perfection?' I believe he said."

"He didn't build it. I did. As part of my earliest research. Never had a way to test its viability, however, because, well, it was meant for YOU. And there was no 'You' to try it out on."

"So it's an unproven theory that you want to expand upon? What does this 'Upgrade' do, exactly?" Zero asked, the uncertain look in his expression deepening.

"Between myself, Cordelia and you, along with the schematics and blueprints in the lower level, I'm certain we can get it fully functional." Samuel said, avoiding Zero's actual question. The Crimson Reploid noticed the evasion.

"You didn't answer my question, Doctor. What does this Capsule supposedly do?"

"Gives you full control over the 'Omega Protocol' you've designed for yourself. In essence, it deletes Omega's personality and code but leaves you with all his abilities."

"And what are the consequences if this 'Upgrade' doesn't work?" Zero's eyes had grown a bit harder than when the conversation had started, and Samuel had a hard time meeting them.

"In theory... The roles you two play become reversed. Omega will become the dominant personality. But, that's a slim-to-none chance. Absolute worst case. Most likely, nothing at all happens and I can stop worrying about if the research was worth anything."

"Doctor, you're talking about the possibility of unleashing Omega on this world indefinitely. I assumed you were a little reckless, but I didn't think you were crazy." Zero's tone was icy and Samuel found himself a step further back than a moment before. "I'll aid your research, but let's be clear: I'm not stepping inside that thing unless it's 100% assured that we aren't going to loose Omega. Nothing else is acceptable."

Samuel was shocked that after Zero had been so frosty with him he still agreed to help out. A sly grin crossed onto the Maverick Hunters' face, however, that made him slightly nervous.

"Now, you've got some questions to answer, Doctor. First being, what's the deal with Roto and Cordelia? I noticed your expressions during their interactions. They act like siblings, but they aren't according to them. You know something different, I'm positive of that."

Samuel sighed. Wether from relief or exasperation, Zero couldn't tell.

"Roto doesn't talk much about it, and I shouldn't be the one to say anything, but he had a sister. She was a specialized Infantry unit, Heavy-Arms class called a Tank-Buster. Obviously a frontline soldier by design, she was always called in to drop heavy artillery, A.P.C's(Armored Personnel Carriers), even planes.

The last day of The Five, she'd been stationed in Colorado to protect a critical Imperium outpost when the first Void bomb was dropped. Almost everyone near the epicenter of the blast was wiped out, including her. Roto was halfway across the world on an infiltration mission with his unit, Deep-Six, when he got the news. He blew cover and got most of them of them killed.

He was court-marshaled and discharged under less than honorable conditions as he cited during his trial that if Command couldn't do the job he would. I met him not too long after that and offered him a job as my assistant telling him that I was as far away from warfare as I could be. We met Cordelia a few years after that and she's been with us ever since. She was a survivor from that last day, and her and Roto just clicked.

That's what the sad smile is all about, Zero. Although he seems happy, happier when she's around, it pains me to know that, somewhere deep down, it must be agonizing for him."

Although Zero could sense that things were being left unsaid, he left the questioning alone. His thoughts drifted to how Roto could put up a cheerful facade when such a heavy burden rested in his heart, and wondered if the same happened to him if he'd be able to cope. Shaking away the notions of losing his most loved one, Zero extended a hand to Samuel who promptly shook it.

"Get to work on that Capsule, Doctor. You have access to the area where Iris and I were. Use what you can to make adjustments and modifications. I'll join you later, as I have some other business to attend to." Zero said with a small smile.

Samuel barked out a laugh and nodded to the blonde Reploid.

"Best not keep the missus waiting. And, thank you again. Hopefully, this will bring your abilities to another level and finally rid you of that psychopath for good."

"I hope so, Doctor." Zero said as he walked out.

Roto appeared beside Samuel a second later, a quizzical look on his face.

"What was that about, Doc?"

Samuel laid a hand on his friends' shoulder and smiled.

"Just giving our new boss some information he'd inquired about earlier. Grab Cordelia and Avery and let's head down to the OZI chamber. We've got work to do."

A/N: Another relatively short chapter, but more for some backstory on our favorite green armored goofball. R&R please. Lemme know how it's turning out. Until the next chapter!