This one's a little bit of a "bridge chapter". It also should help clear a few things up. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: You know the drill by now, don't you?

Chapter 5

The Suite Life Gang headed back into the laboratory without a word. While X showed visible concern on his face, he didn't question them. After all, how could he respond to what just happened? He decided to just put it aside for now.

"Anyway… we should probably take you three to Troia Base for some training." X said, referring to the Hunters-in training. "We'll split up into three groups: I'll take Cody, Zero will take Zack, and that leaves Axl with London."

The trigger-happy hunter was not pleased. "Why her? She just screamed my ear off. Besides, she probably wouldn't be able to keep up anyway."

"Axl! Give her a chance. She might do better than you think." Alia reproached, slightly irritated by the dual wielder's behavior. He just rolled his eyes and scoffed.

"Oh, what do you know? I bet I could keep up with you just fine!" London challenged, now locking eyes with her mentor.

"That's the spirit. Scared this little lady will give you a run for your money, Axl?" That voice was that of Signas, who'd been watching their exchange.

Axl grumbled something and crossed his arms. After introducing the twins and London to Signas, Alia had one last piece of business to take care of before sending the Hunters on their way.

"Before you go, there is someone I'd like you to meet." Alia turned to X, Zero, and Axl. "As you know, Layer and Palette have been temporarily reassigned to another Hunter Base near Point Oasis. Well, it turns out that we just happened to have another Reploid that was awakened around the same time as your protégés."

Everyone's (figurative) ears perked up at the statement. Zack, Cody, and London knew who she was talking about immediately, though they hadn't really thought about her since they were on the ship. Alia waved the person in question in. A thin grayish Reploid with a brunette hair color strolled in.

"Bailey, is that really you?" Cody asked in stunned amazement.

She confirmed his suspicions with a nod, and that's all it took for her three friends to come running up to her, with Cody and London hugging her. After the trio filled her in on what had happened, Bailey explained how she had been woken up in a chamber a few floors down by what appeared to be a little girl. Before she could ask who she was however, she ran out of the room. After freaking out a bit at her situation, she wandered aimlessly around Hunter Base until she ran into Alia. The two girls did get to talking, and eventually, Bailey was offered the chance to be a navigator, which she jumped at. She didn't know what to do next, anyway.

WARNING! WARNING!

A blaring red siren got everyone's attention. Alia wasted no time.

"Massive amounts of Mavericks have been detected at 3 distinct locations: the Sky Lagoon Ruins, Central Highway, and the old Eurasia crash site."

"Wait. Haven't we been in all of those places?" Zero inquired.

"Yes. Kind of strange, actually. Nevertheless, you guys need to head out. Oh, and take your pupils, there. They could use the experience."

Zack, Cody, and London were overloaded by all of the information they were taking in. What was happening? Where were they going? And what the heck was a Maverick? Before they could open their mouths to say anything, they were grabbed and warped away to their destinations by their respective mentors.

Things start getting interesting in the next chapter. Until then, review if you feel like it.