X had to lift his legs high to trudge over top of the thick vegetation of the robot jungle. From a distance, the place almost looked like a real forest, but the metallic brushing sound from his boots crunching the artificial plants was one of several noticeable differences. He could also see the odd exposed circuitry where the bark facade had been stripped from the self-replicating trees. Although the forest floor had much rusty brown grit that somewhat resembled dirt, it was mostly comprised of scrap metal.
Zero had an even more difficult time since he was marching ahead of X, blazing the trail. At times he would swipe through a branch with his plasma sabre to clear the way through the thick vegetation. He had spent much time in a restoration capsule for repairs and a recharge following his last mission on the military train, and had emerged in time to accompany X in the jungle. He felt physically refreshed from the maintenance, but the irritation of Red Alert slipping through his fingers still weighed heavily upon him.
X was worried that all of this effort would go to waste. Even if they were able to find this secret laboratory, deep in the jungle, could Dr. Doppler really be able to reverse engineer X's capacity for free will? Could he unlock the secrets of Zero's immunity? Could any of this even help both new and existing reploids? And what kind of secrets has Doppler unlocked about the Sigma Virus or the ability to augment the capacity of the human brain?
Zero was not pleased with this assignment. He was very sceptical of most of X's visions of victory without war, and felt that this mission was a distraction. He was worried that the Mavericks might strike while they were messing around in this jungle. It would take some time to get to a clearing to beam out and his response time would be affected. He always felt like he was behind; like he was always struggling to catch up to the Mavericks. However, a part of Zero was worried about the thought of X being alone in this dangerous place. If he was attacked by Maverick robotic wildlife would he hesitate to use his X-Buster? Zero begrudgingly accepted responsibility for X's safety. Is that what X's pacifism amounted to? Others fighting for him?
So the two reploids hiked along in awkward silence, punctuated occasionally with X providing some direction. X's round, blue helmet contrasted with the pointed ears protruding from Zero's red helmet as the pair marched along in single file. Both reploids were heavily armoured with thick metal covering their forearms, lower legs and chest, but Zero's red plating was considerably bulkier.
They had not spoken much since their difficult conversation at Hunter HQ. Zero kept bitterly thinking back to the comparison X had made between Red and himself. They both wanted to destroy the Mavericks and yet they were fighting each other. Surely there must be a difference in operating within the confines of the law.
"How do you know where this place is anyway?" Zero finally broke the silence.
"I don't," X replied nervously. He was increasingly self-conscious about wasting their efforts. "Other than some clues in the Maverick Hunters database, this search route is largely speculative."
The robotic wildlife was also making Zero apprehensive. All sorts of insectoids were buzzing nearby. In the distance, Zero noticed a monkey hanging from the branches of a tree that seemed to focus its gaze on them. It looked identical to one they had passed by earlier. One dragonfly was getting uncomfortably close to X's head. As X swatted at it with his open hand, it would change direction quickly to avoid the strike. No matter how much effort X expended, the dragonfly was one step ahead of him, causing him great frustration. The dragonfly zipped over to Zero and came close to his face. With one quick swipe of his sabre, he cut straight through the dragonfly. It emitted a loud bang as its power source exploded upon impact, and only bits of scrap fell to the forest floor.
X sighed and paused his march. "What am I doing here, Zero?" X was overcome with a feeling of hopelessness. He began to wonder if the whole journey was a mistake.
Zero, sensing X's disillusionment, also stopped walking. "You're doing your job. You're trying to stop the Mavericks in the way you think is best." As much as Zero was against this expedition, he didn't like seeing X so disheartened. "I know how you feel. I've had a lot of setbacks lately too. And maybe you're right, maybe I am just like these Red Alert guys."
X looked up at Zero. "You're unlike anyone else, Zero. You're that same reploid I've looked up to ever since I got out of that capsule all those years ago. For so long, I've wanted to be just like you. I still want the same thing as you, an end to the destruction."
"I just worry that there won't be an end to the destruction as long as there are Mavericks around," Zero resumed blazing the trail through the jungle as he conversed. "And Red Alert, we've seen what destruction they're capable of."
"First we're fighting Mavericks, now we're fighting Red Alert." X continued following in behind Zero. "Where will it end?"
To Zero, it really didn't matter when or where it would end. He was satisfied to do his duty and fight as long as it took. He was programmed to fight Mavericks. However, he didn't argue with X any more. He felt that they had come to some kind of understanding. It was pleasant for him to be working alongside X once again, even if it wasn't one of their glorious battles of the past. As much as he was a warrior, Zero was a leader first, and he had to be open to anything that could lead to victory over the Mavericks.
"There it is." X motioned towards the glass structure, visible between the branches off in the distance. He was relieved that their search had not been fruitless and his excitement was building.
As they approached the research laboratory, the curved transparent walls came into view. The large metal columns, supporting the structure, could be seen through the clear exterior. The glass walls revealed lab equipment in the various rooms. An entranceway was visible on one side of the facility.
"I'll secure the perimeter; you head inside." Zero headed off along the glass wall, disappearing behind the corner of the building.
X walked into the alcove that contained the main entrance. He reached up towards the communication console beside the door when he was interrupted.
"Nevermind, umm… maybe you better sweep the perimeter and I'll go in first." Zero was standing behind X.
Although X felt that Zero was behaving quite strangely, he didn't think much of it at the time. Since he had no objections, X proceeded along the outside of the exterior wall and left Zero at the entrance.
The walk along the perimeter was pretty quiet. There was not much of a clearing between the building and the jungle and many of the plants grew right up to the wall. Now that X was right up against the glass, he could see the bright, clean rooms filled with many tables of lab equipment. He noticed the occasional reploid or person working away at something at a desk, but for the most part, the facility seemed to maintain a low staffing level. There were no signs of unusual activity either inside the labs or off in the distance in the jungle that surrounded the complex.
Eventually, having circled the entire structure, X arrived back at the front entrance. This time, he noticed the large sliding main doors were stuck open. He stepped into the laboratory complex.
The deserted lobby and reception areas were quiet. Stepping into the main elevator, X noticed one of the floors were labelled "robotics research lab" and hit the corresponding button. After ascending several stories, the metal doors slid open to reveal a gruesome scene. Dr. Doppler was dead.