Hello! So sorry for the delay, but here's another update!

This one is more of a set-up, but we will be getting into some action soon, as we're about to go up against another Maverick.

This and the chapters after are influenced by both Iwamoto and the lesser-known manga by Shigeto Ikehara. With a little bit of Ariga, although I'm not going to spoil what that means.

Thank you, and I hope you enjoy it!

Another Dawn

The sun had come up.

Despite its damaged condition, the city still stood tall, having been spared the wrath of the missiles that were now in the enemy's hands. Upon realizing this fortunate turn of events, several Reploids and humans alike began traveling outside, migrating towards the edges of the cut-off metropolis, gazing outward at the sea that now reflects the sun's light, creating flashing, dancing sparkles on the water's surprisingly calm, mellow surface. The emergence of the human population brought some concern to the Maverick Hunters, but after some time, it seemed to be that no action would be taken for the signal sent out the previous night. Many still weren't too keen to believe Sigma would grant them such mercy, yet so far, nothing had happened. A small number of them were sent out to patrol the streets and keep an eye on the organic residents of the island, one such Hunter being a blue Reploid that had just come up from underground, the sun momentarily blinding him before his vision could properly adjust.

"Where to?" He asked the one he was supervising, a human garbed in a school uniform with him.

"It doesn't matter," she answered. "As long as we can just get a peek at Arcadia."

Getting on his back, X leaped upward and kicked off the side of a towering building, close enough to the HQ, but tall enough to see out into the ocean, and, in turn, the mainland. Upon reaching the top, Chiyo got off and made her way toward the edge, X following to keep an eye on her. From their position, while it was still a great distance away, the White City was visible, the shining star that provided life to Earth bathing the far-off metropolis in warm light.

"Thunder Slimer…" X said quietly to himself. "If we waited a little longer, you could've at least seen this." It was beautiful in a strange sense, as well as beckoning, although, that was what made the sight of it all the more painful. It was mocking those who gazed longingly at the city, the barrier of a vast ocean being the most visible obstacle that couldn't be crossed.

Although, that hadn't stopped some from trying.

Upon searching all corners of the partially destroyed Abel City, Zero and his team they have discovered that some humans (and Reploids alike) attempted to construct boats or flotation devices from what scraps they could find, all with the intent of traveling back to Arcadia via the ocean. Of course, any means to leave would surely result in Sigma retaliating, thus, they were all destroyed. True, this far from making those who spent time and energy making them pleased, yet the Hunters would have to deal with angry humans for a time. After all, it was better than dead.

Still, a plea for help had been issued, and the human populace was waiting with bated breath as to whether or not there would be an answer.

"What do you think?"

X was drawn from his musing by the sudden sound of his charge's voice. "What?"

"What do you think is going to happen?" Chiyo questioned. "Do you think Sigma will take this as a violation of the rules he's set up?"

X was quiet for a moment, trying to conjure up an answer. "Well," he ultimately had to be honest. "I…don't know," he admitted. "But, from what we've seen so far, there's been no sign of the rest of the missiles being released. If Sigma had taken what happened last night as that, then he probably would've taken action long ago."

"Unless he's waiting for people to get their hopes up, then lure them out," Chiyo retorted. "He's already proven he has no problem cutting humans down," she then tightened her lips. "If anything, he's proved how easy it is."

X said nothing, the image of Fujiwara's body being impaled by Sigma's saber still fresh in everyone's minds. "That won't happen again," he told her, if not just to ease his own worries. "We're no longer stuck in any cage, so we can fight any threat that comes our way."

"What do you mean?" Chiyo questioned. "This entire island is a cage."

"A cage?" X questioned.

"Yes, isn't it obvious?" the dark-haired human gazed out at the ocean, as well as the city that stood mere miles away. "We're cut off from the rest of the world. Mavericks have essentially blocked this place off as their territory, and they send out the less-advanced machines to patrol the streets at night, probably to pick off any stragglers they come across," she then sighed. "Something there will be more of if this continues any further."

X wondered if he was perhaps being too direct, yet he couldn't deny what he wished to say any longer. "You're talking like there's no hope for us."

"Because there isn't." Both Chiyo and X went silent. A tense, discomforting calm and period of stillness came between them, the light breeze playing and lightly tugging at the long, black fibers of the human's hair. "We're probably all going to die here."

The girl's statement shocked X, the blue Reploid not entirely sure of how to respond. "Why do you say that?"

"Think about it," Chiyo said. "Sigma is the head of the Maverick Hunters," she stopped for a second. "Well, was," she corrected herself. "But he still has most of those under his command following him. Both former Hunters and mechaniloids," she continued. "Not to mention…if I may be so bold…many of them are your friends, aren't they?"

X lowered his head, not answering, but his silence was answer enough.

"Don't get me wrong," Chiyo clarified. "Those that are left, they aren't any slouches, but Sigma took the best of the best with him," she said. "I studied my father's logs on each Reploid or project he was a part of. Several of them were those designed specifically for either to show off a shiny new feature or to combat Mavericks themselves," she drew closer to the edge of the building. "They were made to be fighting machines. And, in the most recent cases, now made to be able to kill if they so chose to," she then paused. "How does that not come to your mind?"

"It does," X answered. "But…"

"But what?" Chiyo inquired. "But there's still hope?" she asked. "There's some form of possibility we can still latch onto?"

"There has to be," X retorted. "I mean…after all, you're still here, aren't you?"

Chiyo averted her brown eyes for a moment, going back to looking out at the ocean and distant Arcadia. "Not if they discover I'm still alive."

X's green eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

"Isn't it obvious?" the human questioned. "Regardless of whatever 'message' or 'motivation' that Sigma is trying to accomplish, when you get down to it, you have a good portion of Arcadia's populace trapped on an island out in the Phillippines Sea, the city has been bombed, and is at the potential risk of being bombed again. You have people separated from their families, children and parents missing," she then stopped to recollect herself. Hearing all of this aloud was proving to be much more difficult than she had hoped. "They're desperate to escape. And, if they can't, then they'll make the one who's responsible for their suffering pay."

X didn't need to know what she was hinting at, her presence before him being evidence of such. "Your father was the one who sided with Sigma, not you."

"You think that matters to them?" Chiyo asked. "I don't know where you got this idea that humans are rational, thinking things, because we are anything but," she bit her lip. "We are a violent, irrational species when we're put in conditions like this, X. And, since the man who betrayed his own species isn't here anymore, they'll settle on the next best thing."

"That won't happen," X told her, the girl was surprised when she felt a hand place itself on her shoulder.

"How can you guarantee that?" she asked.

"Indeed."

X's audio units registered an unfamiliar voice, the blue Hunter whirling around to find nothing behind him. "Who's there?" he questioned, drawing out his weapon. "Mind you, I'm armed."

"X…?"

Suddenly, he felt the cannon end of a weapon lightly applying pressure on the back of his helmet. "So am I," X's eyes widened, standing still and trying to work out a strategy, seeing as this stranger had the upper hand. "Relax, I have no intention of harming you," the voice was smooth and male, somewhat deeper than X's in pitch, yet there was still a sense of youth to it. Youth that had been forced to mature much too early. "But it's a wonder you haven't gotten yourself killed yet."

X sighed. "So I've been told," he didn't turn around, yet he kept talking, unsure of whether or not to believe this ambiguous figure. "Still, if you're not going to shoot, then would you at least put your weapon away?"

"You act like I'm the dangerous one here," the stranger said. "If anything, you could rip me to shreds if you so chose to."

"I have no reason to do something like that," X responded.

"It doesn't matter if you have no reason. The fact you can is a reason in itself," the blue Reploid felt the weapon end leave his helmet, the arm possessing it transforming back to its default state. "All right. You can turn around."

Slowly, X did so and found that, to his shock, the one that had caught him off-guard was somewhat shorter than him. And, despite having his features covered with heavy cloth and a pair of thick, dark spectacles, the figure almost resembled an older child or young preteen. "Who…are you?" X questioned. "Wait a moment," he then remembered the account Chiyo had given last night.

"It's you!" Chiyo cried out. "The guy from last night. Ray, right?"

The heavily-dressed figure nodded, an old hat covering the top of his head, keeping his hair from view. Assuming he even had hair. "For now, I'll go by that name, yes."

"Are you a Reploid?" X asked.

Ray didn't respond to that question.

"Well, if that's the case, then you have my thanks for helping us out," Chiyo said, although she still regarded the stranger with caution.

"You're fortunate I was in the area," he said. "If I hadn't been, I doubt anyone would have come to save you."

As grim a possibility as it was, X couldn't deny that was true. Yet now he saw an opportunity to try and discover more about this unknown stranger. "So, what WERE you doing out there?"

Ray adjusted the scarf covering his features, the machine's face resembling little more than wrapped cloth and a pair of shades. Still, despite this, X found that, upon examining him further, there were some traits that he recognized. Yet he couldn't put a name to the one he was thinking of. "I was…curious."

X raised a brow from underneath his helmet. "Curious?"

"I was looking for someone," Ray explained. "A human, ironically enough." he chuckled.

"Why's that funny?" X questioned.

"You wouldn't get it," Ray retorted. "But yes. I was looking for someone, a Fumiko Takenada."

"Fumiko?" X asked, knowing that name. Of course, with that, came the sickening reminder of what had occurred. "I'm…sorry, but she's-"

"I know," Ray answered before he could finish. "It's funny, because I have no reason to deal with humans at all, but…" he paused. "I owe her for some…things."

"Like what?" Chiyo inquired.

"That's not important," Ray replied. "She's not here, but you are," he told the deceased human's friend. "So, her brother will have to rely on you," he then turned to X. "And you have to both undo the damage done here, otherwise," he stopped himself.

"Otherwise…?" X asked, uncertain of what this enigmatic Ray was getting at.

"Otherwise, your friend's prediction will come true."

Prediction? Chiyo was puzzled by what Ray meant, yet as she reflected on her previous statements, she found something that could perhaps provide some answers. "You mean the humans?" Ray nodded. "Wait," Chiyo then realized. "What's it matter to you? You're clearly not one of the Hunters, and," she surveyed his attire. "Judging by how you dress, you look like the type that doesn't stay in one place for long."

Ray didn't respond at first, adjusting his shades, as if to make sure his eyes were hidden from view. "I travel, but not for myself," he explained. "There are those who are counting on me to bring back much-needed resources, and I can't exactly do that if the island is blocked off."

"Who's counting on you?" X inquired. "Are they trapped here too?"

"If anything, they're much safer than any of us," the shorter machine replied. "But, all the same, I don't need them to come out, looking for me," he then directed his attention to X. "Which means it's up to you," he then turned to face Chiyo. "Both of you, to put a stop to Sigma's ambitions." Just then, Ray turned to leave. "I still need to look for some supplies. At least I can gather a little extra to take back."

"H-Hey! Wait!" X called out, and Chiyo was about to protest as well.

Yet, before either could reach him, the heavily-clad figure was gone, a sudden cloud of black smoke filling the air and blinding them both. Then, when the dark mist dissipated, Ray was gone.

As if he had never been there.

HQ

"Rely on me…" Chiyo muttered, she and X having returned back to the underground.

Currently, they were both making their way to the briefing room, X having been instructed to bring Chiyo back after the small trip outside, as she was preoccupied with Kenichi.

"What was that?" X asked.

The human didn't answer right away. The hallway the two traveled down appeared empty, so perhaps it would be all right to say here. Besides, it was obvious X wouldn't stop until he got an answer.

"Something Ray said," Chiyo answered. "It…reminds me of what I read in my father's logs."

X nodded solemnly. "Right, I heard he wanted you to continue his work after he was gone. Had things gone over with Sigma."

"Yeah, it's sort of about that…"

X stopped for a moment, Chiyo ceasing moving forward as well. "Well, what is it?"

The human was quiet for a few moments, pondering just how to properly articulate what she wished to say. Because, honestly, she herself wasn't too sure what to make of it. "He said that, after what was Operation: Independence Day, this world would never be the same again."

"What do you mean?" X asked.

"Think about it," Chiyo said. "Before mechaniloids, humans lived alongside robots. Something happened, and all of them were recalled. And after that, AI above a certain level was banned, and it remained that way until Dr. Cain dug you up."

X was silent as she continued, yet he was absorbing all she was saying.

"Reploids…even if you came before those that would be classified as such, they're not like those that came before them. True, there was evidence of robots displaying traits of individualistic thought and personal quirks, but, even still, not even Wily's machines dared to turn on him," she then thought grimly. "And a Reploid had just shown the world that, in his mind, his kind doesn't need humans to survive. In fact, they're probably better off without them."

"If that's the case," X said. "Then what did your father plan for you? If he assumed that you would also have a role in this supposed new world Sigma wants to create?"

Chiyo grew quiet at first. "He…wanted me to take over where he left off when he passed," she said. "Even if he's a traitor to his own species, my father didn't wish for the extinction of the human race," she lowered her head. "He wanted me…my family, should I have one, to continue his work. He wanted me to work with Sigma and his forces as if it would be some sort of 'generational' obligation. He had not just mine, but everyone else's future planned for them."

"And…how do you feel about that?"

Chiyo bit her lip. "I…I don't know," she confessed. "I mean, yes, this meant my father didn't intend for me to die, yet the future he was setting up for me was one I didn't necessarily want to embrace."

"Well, no, no one would," X agreed. "After all, what say do you have in it?" he said, then he glanced down at his arm, being reminded of what lay inside. What say did he have when Dr. Light provided him with such a weapon?

"He also spoke a lot of what he and Sigma called a 'new world' or something," Chiyo continued. "After Independence Day, this world would forever change, and I would have to make sure the human race kept up with the Reploids," she paused again. "I think he wanted me to sort of take on the responsibility for those that would come after me."

"As in, leading a new generation?" X asked.

"I guess you could say that," Chiyo said. "But…but I don't think I want that kind of responsibility," she confessed. "I mean…yes, I know how to build some things, I built braces and harnesses for Patarche when he was getting older, and Fumiko's had me tinker with anything that was broken, but how does that translate to me taking my father's position as a robotics expert?"

X wasn't sure how to answer.

"I'm…I haven't even graduated yet. I can't take care of anybody, let alone a bunch of people that'll come after me."

X was silent, the human looking down at the floor, having said all she could, for everything else was nothing but a mess of words and phrases that made no sense. In the end, it all boiled down to the same thing, and it was an issue that the blue Reploid, despite some differences in their respective situations, he could partially relate to.

After all, wasn't he the first of a "new generation" as well?

"X!" a voice called out, gaining the attention of both X and Chiyo. Roll ran forward, apparently having been looking for her sibling. "There you are!" she said, noticing the human with him. "Thanks for returning her to me," she said. "Although, I'm surprised she didn't try to sneak off."

"I have nowhere to go," Chiyo answered. "But I'm not going anywhere."

"Good," Roll said with an approving nod. "You're still on a tight leash," she then directed her attention to X. "Anyway, you're wanted in the briefing room," she told the mostly azure android. "Zero's got a message for you."

X's green eyes widened. "Message?"

Roll nodded. "There's a situation going on at the site of the Energen Mines."

Briefing Room

Situated before the large monitor, a map of the artificial island manifested before the gathered Hunters and Navigators, a small dot blinking at the area of interest. "So far, our intel has gathered enough information to confirm that there is unusual activity occurring in the suspected location," Trinity said aloud, gesturing to the glowing dot. Another window appeared on the monitor presenting a trail that traveled up a rocky terrain with sparse amounts of places. "We have reason to suspect that the activities taking place are related to Sigma."

A small discussion broke out between those present, X's eyes on the screen. "So, have they found out just what is going on in there?"

"Aside from the obvious harvesting of minerals and resources, we don't have much information," Ai confessed. "Although, before the missile strike, there was a workforce composed of both humans and Reploids that we have lost contact with. So far, we haven't been able to confirm their status, so we can't really say for sure just who, or if there is anyone to rescue."

"That's not all," Trinity added, the image of a mechanical being with a worker's helmet, the body very much resembling a Dig Laborer, but taller and a bit more developed in the limbs. "While we're unsure of whether or not this is also a hostage situation, we managed to track down an individual we've been trying to catch for some time."

"Unit 037, Dig Laborer Model Alpha," Ai said, blue eyes studying the image. "Otherwise known by his preferred name, Gold Miner."

"And what's he done?" Roll questioned. Despite not being a Hunter herself, she wished to know what was going on all the same.

"Aside from petty theft, not much," Trinity answered. "Although, upon searching the areas he had been hiding out, there have been traces of raw minerals and precious metals left at each of them, along with energen crystals."

"So, you think he's stealing these things?" X asked.

"It's a possibility," the blonde Navigator replied. "After all, if Sigma is planning on taking over the world, I'd imagine that such a thing wouldn't be cheap. He'd need all the resources he can get a hold of."

X and Roll looked at each other, both coming to the same conclusion. "Where is Zero now?" X asked, sensing what he had been called in for.

"He's nearing the site, yet the rest of his team are searching in other areas of the mine. So far, they've found nothing," Trinity then turned to face X. "Thus, he's requested some extra help."

Mountain Range

Following the tracks that wound their way around the twists and turns of the path leading upward, the long-haired Commander of the Maverick Hunters raced through the dry landscape, inching ever closer to his destination. Of course, he had confidence he would reach it without issue, yet that wasn't what was at the forefront of his mind.

"Zero!"

He didn't even have time to ponder on where the Reploid was, for a blur of blue and white came up beside him.

"Finally!" Zero told his partner. "You're here!"

"Sorry! This place is a little difficult to navigate!" X responded, yet he still kept up with the other Hunter, a feat he himself was surprised at. Never before could he actually manage to keep up with Zero, even at top speeds. Was this really the power of Dr. Light's upgrades? "So, there's a Maverick that's been sighted here?"

"Right," Zero answered. "He calls himself Gold Miner, and he's been laying low for a while, at least until now," the red Hunter explained. "Probably saw an opportunity with Sigma, so he decided to lend him his services."

"Do you think he's the one that's behind everything going on at the mine?" X questioned.

"I can't say for sure," the blonde Commander replied. "But, what I do know is that any potential connections he has with Sigma will have to be investigated, and put a stop to before they continue any further."

X nodded in agreement, continuing to travel ever upward until, finally, the two came to the entrance of a large, gaping hole in the side of a mountain, lights lining the interior along the walls. "Is this the place?" X asked.

Zero nodded. "This is where Arcadia's main supply of energen comes from," the taller Reploid told his partner. "Of any location to occupy, this is one I can at least understand from Sigma's view. Control the energy supply, you can make anyone do anything."

X said nothing, looking inside the mine, the darkness that appeared to envelop the tunnel as it continued onward, his advanced vision still failing to completely allow him what was hidden in the unknown corners before him.

"X? Are you ready?"

"Huh?" X said aloud, realizing that he was lost in his thoughts. "Oh, yeah. Right. Sorry."

Zero placed his hands on his hips. "Keep yourself grounded while we're here," he instructed X. "Even if we've been able to track Gold Miner here, we don't know who else we'll face."

Indeed, X thought. Just who else were they going to have to potentially take out? What other ally or friend would they be forced to fight next?

These questions ran through X's mind, but he knew he couldn't afford to dwell on them. Not yet, at least. The time for thinking would have to come when this was all over. For now, he and Zero had a mission to accomplish.

Unbeknownst to either Reploid, a small camera spotted the two entering the mine, their movements recorded and presented to a concealed observer who eyed the intruders with intrigue.

"So, they've come," he murmured to himself. "No," he corrected, eyes focusing on the shorter, more demure of the two. "He has come."

"Ten-thousand…twenty-thousand…thirty-thousand…" his digits flipped through the paper currency in his possession, his internal calculator keeping track of all that he had summed up so far. "Forty-thousand…five-thousand?" he stopped, confused when the number of thin bills stopped. "That's it?" he growled. "Damn," he hissed. "Sure, Sigma could work with this at the moment," he noted aloud. "But what is that going to leave me?"

The elusive convict, Gold Miner, sat upon a stone boulder, counting a collection of Zenny bills he had acquired from a previous heist, having added the amount to what he had made selling Sigma the information about how to best take over the mine. True, it took some sneaking around on his part, as well as keeping quiet as to not let Sigma's plan be known to anyone, but once the missiles hit, he was free to go and do as he pleased. And the first thing he did was return to the mine, not just to collect his pay, but for his own self-gain.

So far, things were going great, and yet the former worker was dissatisfied. This wasn't nearly as much as he anticipated he would make. He would have to somehow convince Sigma to further pay for his services, but how?

"Gold Miner! Gold Miner!" a pair of voices shouted, getting the self-named Maverick's attention.

"What's going on?" he questioned. "I was in the middle of something important."

Two Dig Labours had approached their Second-in-Command under the one guarding the mine, their expressions hidden behind masks, but their tones indicated panic. "Bad news! Some guys from the Hunters are here!"

Gold Miner clenched his fist. True, he wasn't foolish enough to not believe that the Maverick Hunters wouldn't come at all, but this was too soon for his liking. "When did they arrive?" he questioned those under him.

"Just a few minutes ago," the second Dig Labour answered. "We've received word from the Commander that we are to seize and apprehend the two intruders by any means necessary. And we've been instructed to report this to you."

"Apprehend?" Gold Miner questioned. "Why wouldn't Sigma want them destroyed?"

"Those are his orders," the Reploid's underlings said. "And he also said to make sure the workforce here keeps at it with the digging."

"Oh, that won't be an issue," Gold Miner said. "Either they continue to work for their lives, or they can be terminated with the rest of those that cause problems," he then gestured down the tunnel he currently occupied. "Now, go and keep an eye on them! Don't lose sight of where they're going!"

"Yes sir!" the duo said before going off.

Gold Miner went back to counting his zenny. "So, the one who can use those Capsules is here, huh?" he muttered to himself. "Well, maybe he can serve me too," he flipped through the thin bills, having acquired quite the bundle already.

But it still wasn't enough. He needed more.

"I don't know what you're made of," The Maverick said, regarding X. "But, if Sigma wants you that bad, then whatever's in those Capsules has got to be worth something," even if he didn't possess them, if he had the ability to, a smile would've curled onto his lips. "Which means maybe your body parts are worth something," he eyed the zenny in his hand. "Maybe another couple hundred thousand or more."

Note: Bit of a filler this time, but we'll be getting into Armored Armadillo's stage next!

I remember when I first wrote the first draft for this back when I was thirteen, and I gave Armadillo a terrible, cowboy-esque personality and way of speaking, it was something I never want to repeat. Besides, I think that talk better suits Fire Man.

Anyhow, thank you all for reading, and I hope to hear from you later! Let me know if there are any errors I possibly missed!