Notes:

Hello! Good news, I learned how to upload images on the TV Tropes page for characters, so if you're curious as to what the characters look like, you can go there. Granted, I only have X, Zero, and Roll's images so far, so I have more to do.

To clarify in case there's any confusion, the incident in MM7 wasn't revealed until the event that resulted in advanced AI being banned, which was a different event entirely that happened at the end of the series.

It'll be discussed and referenced throughout the series, yet details of it are kept hidden because, honestly, it's actually a very nasty thing that happened.

And there is significance to Ray B's name. And there will be an item important to him revealed later, and that'll also hopefully answer some burning questions. You don't have to read the story that delves further into how this item came to be, as it's more of an extra sprinkle to the whole thing, but I hope to show its importance, as well as its relation to the series.

Just a small announcement. Anyhow, onto the chapter!

Alright, he thought, looking over the haul collected from what was dug up that afternoon. Let's see what we got.

Inspecting the collection of various raw minerals, Goldminer's optics scanned over the glittering crystals and metals both bred and found within the mine's walls. Indeed, the workers of this place produced an impressive amount, yet the Reploid was still unsatisfied. There wasn't enough left for him, and, while his craving to possess every precious mineral before him, he wasn't foolish enough to potentially invoke Sigma's wrath. No, the head of their quest for independence made it clear that Goldminer was to only take what he had found for himself, or rather, what he appointed a specific few workers to dig up for him. Suffice it to say, he had little time to search, overseeing the captured workforce, so why not put those under his thumb to good use?

If anything, he was doing the furless simians a favor in allowing them to show their worth, minuscule as it was. "Pfft," Goldminer scoffed. "What does Sigma think these tail-less monkeys can do?" he questioned aloud, taking a sample of an uncut diamond in his hand, optics watching it shine and reflect the sparse bit of light that shone above him. "What good does keeping that one human alive do?" he continued to ponder to himself. "If we are the more evolved and suitable species for this world, then wouldn't that mean there would be no room for them? Why should there be any place for them?" if he had the ability to, he would've let a smirk come to his face. "In a way, they dug their own grave," he then paused, still studying the diamond. Yet his demeanor changed. What was once a view that held humans as pathetic and worthless, a different emotion came to him when he remembered information given to him when he joined Sigma's cause.

Information that everyone in his forces now knew. The true story of what happened before the time of Reploids, and even before mechaniloids, even if Goldminer didn't have an inkling of care for any of those that suffered, the prospect of what occurred to their predecessors weighed in the back of his mind. In everyone's mind. And while those such as Armored Armadillo made it clear to Goldminer and Vile that the humans were to be kept productive, but not harmed, he too knew what their prisoners were capable of.

If anything, it was the humans that were the dangerous ones.

"Goldminer, pick up!"

The suddenness of his "comrade's" voice brought the Maverick out of his musing and back to reality, much to his displeasure, almost lost in the shines and sparkles of the unperfected, but still beautiful item composed of carbon. "What is it, Vile?" Goldminer questioned, although it was clear that he wasn't too thrilled to hear from the ex-Hunter.

"Get your metal ass in gear! There's a Hunter on their way over to your station!"

Goldminer's optics lit up in shock. "What?!" he questioned with shock and irritation. "When did this happen!? What about the squad I sent to guard the entrance to this section of the mine?!"

"Sometime around when you were busy going over your profits," Vile sneered. "And here Sigma thought that you would actually provide some use with your, what did he call it? Knowledge of handling finances?"

Goldminer fumed at Vile's words, yet calmed himself. He wouldn't lose his cool, not in front of that guy. "So, who is it? The wimpy blue one?"

While he couldn't tell exactly, the Reploid swore he heard a sick sense of amusement in Vile's response. "Oh no, you've got another thing coming your way," he said. "Besides, I've got my sights set on him as it is. You'll have to deal with the friend he brought along."

He had no feature that allowed him to do so, let alone possessed any flesh to demonstrate it, yet Goldminer wondered if this was what "going pale" felt like, for, upon processing his partner's words, the terrible realization came upon him. "Wait…" he stammered. "Y-You mean…him!?"

"X is here, who else would allow a sap like him to come along?"

Goldminer optics grew wide, flashing with grim comprehension. "Wait, wait!" he shouted, despite the volume of his voice having no weight on whether or not his plea was heard. "You…you gotta come back here! You have to help me take care of this guy!"

"Sorry, not my problem," Vile answered dismissively. "I'm already going to handle one Hunter, so you have to contend with Zero yourself."

"Vile, wait!" Goldminer continued, growing more desperate. "You can't leave me! If he's on his way here, then those guys I sent out there are…" he grew silent.

"Yeah, sounds like a problem. For you," Vile replied. "You've surely got something down there at your disposal. Use it."

"I don't have any weapons!"

"Then use your imagination."

"Vile, don't leave me! Vile! VILE!"

Silence.

Goldminer hissed curses under his breath as he punched a nearby wall, yet he was far more fearful than angry. True, while the prospect of Maverick Hunters infiltrating the mine was always a possibility, and it soon came to be deemed inevitable, the former criminal hadn't ever dreamed that he would be facing off against one of them.

No, not just one of them. One of their best.

One that would surely take him out in a single vibration of his core.

"Vile, you son of a…" Goldminer fumed, fists clenched, yet he wasn't sure if he was trembling out of anger or fear. Perhaps, in a strange way, it was both.

Still, regardless of any animosity held against the ex-Hunter-turned-Maverick, he knew he had to do something. Someone was coming, and not just any someone, but Zero. THE Zero. True, there was a good degree of information that Sigma didn't relay to him, yet, even in his days before joining the former leader of the Maverick Hunters, he knew that he was as good as dead if they ever sent Zero on his case.

Of course, then came the question of just what could he do. He was no weakling, well, he claimed such, yet he was no weapons expert or equipped with a blaster. And seeing that the red Hunter was on his way here now, Goldminer doubted that his forces would be able to hold him back for long. No, he needed something big, something powerful. Something that could crush that blonde-haired girly man in scrap!

But what?

"Wait," Goldminer then realized. "Of course!" he beamed, finally seeing a solution to his current dilemma. "But, he won't be easy to sneak up on in that," his optics darkened. "No," he said with anticipation. "I'm going to let him get himself crushed for me."

A Distance Away

"So, where do these tracks lead to?" Zero questioned Samantha, the other Reploid still serving as his guide while he served as her protection.

"One of the main sites in this place," the violet-haired worker explained. "So far, it's the largest, so it'll probably be guarded," she said. "The system's control panel is there, so I can maybe undo the locks if I can get there."

"Then we probably have to find separate ways in." Zero noted.

Indeed, Samantha thought. There would be no way that the guards would just let her take the Hunter in with her, even under the lie that he was her prisoner. Still, in what way could they get themselves in?

"Hey, what's that?"

Zero's voice brought Samantha out of her musing and her brown eyes noticed a nearby kart that had been knocked off the rails. Making her way to it with Zero following and watching for any potential enemy forces, the worker of the Zalts Mine saw that there were no contents present, the entire containment portion of the kart completely empty. She studied the transport vehicle, then the Hunter serving as her protection. Her focus when back and forth between the two for a few moments until a potential solution manifested in her processor.

"Excuse me, Mr. Zero?"

"Zero will do," the blonde Hunter told the other machine. He didn't speak it aloud, but muttered under his breath, "Mister only reminds me I'm a century old."

"I'm not sure how you'll feel about this," the violet-haired Reploid said. "But, if we can get this back on the tracks," she then turned to look at the red Hunter. "I believe we have a ticket in for both of us to go in at the same time."

Short Time Later

"Hm?"

"Someone's coming?"

While the Dig Laborers were armed and ready to combat any threat, the fact that anyone would be coming this way at all was enough of a shock to jolt their circuitry. They had been alerted that Hunters were in the area, yet the prospect of coming across one was still not something either of the guards hoped for. What met their eyes, to their confusion, was a simple worker pushing what appeared to be a kart along the tracks, a tarp covering its contents.

"Hello there, gentlemen," the violet-haired Reploid pushing the kart greeted the Dig Laborers. "Sorry to startle you, but it seems I've discovered a lost goods vehicle, so I decided to bring it here."

The two Mavericks inspected the kart, looking over it, as well as the tarp that covered whatever lay within. "Where did you find this?" one of them questioned Samantha.

"Not too far from here," the worker answered. "It was derailed, so it took some effort to get it back on track," she said. "I'm pretty sure that the guys here would like it back."

"Hold on," another one of the guards said. "What's in here?" he asked, gesturing to the tarp.

"Just some…usual minerals and metals," Samantha said. "Forgive me, but, given who we're working under, I'd imagine that Goldminer would want anything that's been dug up added to the hoard. Even if it is just a couple of nuggets of gold or a few uncut raw diamonds."

The Dig Laborers glanced at each other, then back to the other Reploid. After a brief period of silence, one of them spoke. "All right fine," he said. With a push of a button, the gate sealing off the digging area was opened, the panels slowly separating, revealing what was perhaps the most expansive, largest cavern in the entirety of the mine. "Get back to work with the others," they ordered. Samantha entered, but before she could continue further, she felt the kart grabbed from behind. "We shall be taking care of this."

"What?" the digger turned around. "What do you mean?"

"If there are just dug-up treasures in here, then surely you wouldn't mind us adding it to the pile, right?" One of the Mavericks questioned. "After all, it's not like someone else is in here, right?"

"Um…no, not at all," Samantha said. "I… suppose I'll leave you two alone to deal with that," she then waved, trying to present a friendly smile. "See you!" she continued on, hoping to find her fellow miners, though she hoped for her protector as well. "Here's hoping you can handle things on your end," she muttered, going on before she vanished from sight.

The Dig Laborers watched until she went, then turned back to the kart. "All right," one of them said, grabbing the tarp. "Let's see what's really under here." With one jerk, the tarp was removed, yet the Dig Laborers were stunned to find the kart completely empty. "What the…?!"

"I was sure there was something suspicious in there!"

It was then that both Mavericks realized they shared the same feeling of eyes on the back of their heads. Unfortunately, they didn't get to even see their attacker before his fists collided with them, delivering blow after blow until both Mavericks ceased moving.

Zero stood before the collapsed forms of the Dig Laborers. True, it would be easy to take them out now, and there was no logical reason not to, yet the fact they hadn't attacked him planted a seed that, to the red Hunter's confusion and irritation, dissuaded him from making the Maverick's unconsciousness not only deeper but final. Yet, even if this continued to nag at him, he went on, following in the direction Samantha had gone.

He didn't know why, but Zero couldn't help but link his hesitancy to the image of his partner that flashed in his mind for a brief second.

X… he thought as he ran forward. You had BETTER be in one piece when I find you!

Armadillo's Chamber

He was still standing. He was still fighting on. He was still going up against his opponent. And yet, he could slowly feel his body begin to fail him.

X fired when forced to, and Armadillo made sure to keep coming at him, leaving the blue Reploid no choice but to defend himself. So far, his tactic had been working, yet, ultimately, Mandrill's Electric Spark had done more damage to him than he initially suspected. He was slowly being worn down, his body, while bulky, was losing its once impressive speed, and without his protective armor, he would take light damage anytime he would roll up and bounce off the walls.

X saw all of this, and yet, he still hesitated.

It was then that Armadillo lost his patience. "You weak-willed coward!" he bellowed, cut off by a groan of pain, feeling some internal components come undone. "You call yourself a Maverick Hunter?! I am the enemy, so shoot me down!"

X was uncertain of how to respond at first, but it became evident that Armadillo took his silence as an insult. "From what you've told me, you're an honorable individual, Armadillo," X told him. "I doubt Chill Penguin or Spark Mandrill would've released hostages if they had them," he continued. "And, if you're willing to spare those that are innocent here," X paused. "Then maybe Sigma-"

"Wait, that is what is keeping you back?" the mechanical mammal questioned. "You believe that Sigma, somehow is simply misguided?"

"Or maybe infected with a virus! Perhaps the Maverick phenomenon IS linked to some sort of invasive program!"

Armadillo was rendered speechless, eyes widening in shock. "...you believe Sigma to be a victim?" he inquired. X's silence was all the answer he needed. "You are more deluded than I initially imagined."

X didn't entirely understand. "A computer virus can alter a machine's CPU and general functionality, one of the main indications of infection being behavioral changes! If anything, that's exactly what Sigma's displaying!"

The violet and gold former Hunter was quiet for a short while, then he finally sighed. Not out of frustration, but rather disappointment. As if he had expected his former ally to know better. Still, perhaps Armadillo was placing too harsh a judgment on X. Indeed, it was only recently that he truly discovered the reality of Sigma's situation as well.

"...you do not know the true nature of what Sigma has come into contact with," Armadillo told X. "Nor do you understand how it functions."

X didn't entirely understand, yet nevertheless, if this would give him some answers, he was willing to hear it. "Then how does it function?"

Armadillo let out a painful wheeze, his systems responding to the damage inflicted by both X and himself. "To receive your answer, not only to this but to all your questions," despite the pain, he stood tall and proud once again. "You know what you must do."

X said nothing, green eyes glancing down at his drawn buster for a second. "...fine." he then said, surprising Armadillo greatly.

"Hm," the mammal hummed in satisfaction. "It seems that you have begun to grasp the reality of your situation," he said. "Although, if I may make a recommendation," he continued. "I would personally work on another strategy. Your buster's standard feature is effective, but surely there's something in your arsenal that is more so at this moment in time."

X didn't say anything, but Armadillo was right. He hadn't forgotten his opponent's earlier advice about using his weapons, and, upon thinking further, decided that it would perhaps be just what he needed to take Armadillo down.

The only question was, after that, then what?

X was given no time to ponder as Armadillo came charging at him again, forcing X to leap out of the way to the other side of the chamber. Only, once he landed, he momentarily switched out his regular energy containment unit built into his weapon for another. One that, while it perhaps wouldn't deliver the conclusion Armadillo had in mind, it'd be enough to stop him.

And perhaps, maybe even save him.

Digsite 3-D

Returning to the field, Goldminer noticed a face that he hadn't seen in a while approaching a fallen worker. Upon examining them further, he indeed recognized who it was, as well as the oddity of her being here.

"Hey, you!" the Maverick shouted, gaining everyone's attention, human and Reploid alike. "What are you doing here, I thought Vile told you to stay put a few sites away from here!"

Samantha prepared herself, glancing over to the side, not mentioning the figure skulking around in the available shadows, keeping their steps and movements as light and silent as possible. "I'm here to tell you that we've got problems!" she told her superior, hoping that he would at least be somewhat intrigued by what she had to say.

Goldminer was puzzled. "What problems? Bear in mind, these 'problems' may be the only thing saving you," he warned. "You DID go against orders and leave your station."

The violet-haired, hard-hat-wearing worker swallowed, despite possessing none of the traits associated with the organic throat. It appeared to be true that it was a normal reflex, man or machine. "One of the Hunters deployed to this place is heading this way!" Samantha alerted Goldminer. "The one in red!"

Red…Goldminer froze. "Wh-What?" he stammered. "No, y-you're an idiot. He can't be here," he then paused, whirling his head around, optics frantically searching for any hint of bright red, as well as a trailing wave of golden hair. "Not now. Vile…he called me just a short time ago! That guy can't be here!"

"What reason do I have to lie?" Samantha questioned. "My life, as well as everyone else's, is in your hands, so what gain do I have in taking a risk like this?"

Goldminer was about to respond, but ultimately kept silent, trying to maintain his composure. He couldn't let himself fall apart in front of his prisoners!

"Oh no! We've got another one!"

Then, both Mavierick and the hostage looked over to see that another worker had collapsed from exhaustion: this time, a Reploid, surprisingly enough. "Great," Goldminer groaned, making his way over to the fallen miner. "Hey, you're not permitted to quit digging yet! There's still a few more hours before you're allowed your break!"

The downed machine didn't respond with anything other than a twitch. Samantha knelt down to inspect him. "His systems have gone into stasis lock," she told Goldminer. "And from the looks of it, he'll be out for a while."

"What?!" Goldminer bellowed. "How?! He's one of us! Not one of these simpering, fleshy weaklings!" he said, gesturing to the humans held captive with Samantha.

"Even we need time to let our brains shut down for a bit!" she protested. "Durable was we may be, no machine can go on forever without some sort of momentary rest!"

"Oh, he needs rest, does he? Well," the Maverick brought out a standard plasma pistol and aimed it right for the fallen worker's head. "Let's provide him with one that'll be permanent."

"No! You can't!" Samantha protested, yet she was met by a slap to the cheek with the back of her captor's hand, sending her to the ground. The pain wasn't extreme, yet the blow left her a little dazed. Then, she saw Goldminer aim at the worker's head yet again, said worker completely unresponsive and unaware that his life was just mere seconds away from ending. "Wait! Don't!" she pleaded, eyes widening when she saw the Maverick's trigger finger pull back, readying the energy inside to release a single shot. "Don't!"

Goldminer paid her no mind, planning to go through with his plan.

Of course, to his shock, he never got that far. He didn't even get to release a single shot, for an unseen hand swiftly grasped his, keeping him from pulling his weapon's trigger. It was also then that Goldminer noticed that the white hand was attached to a forearm of fiery-red armor. He couldn't stop himself, horrible realization kicking in, yet as his optics took in the details of the stranger's chest, legs, shoulders, helmet, and especially hair, he realized that it was no longer the worker's life that was in jeopardy.

And, from the looks of it, the red Hunter had little problem doing what was necessary when it came to dealing with Mavericks.