Chapter 15: Turning the Tables

"What can I do for you Douglas?" X was trying not to let his impatience show. He had been preoccupied with tracking down Red Alert and the powerful new devices they stole. It was somewhat unusual for support staff to demand an in-person, one-on-one, private meeting with X. However, X was always respectful of all the members of the Maverick Hunter team and wanted to hear what Douglas had to say.

Douglas, a green plated reploid, was the chief engineer for the Hunters. He sat opposite X at the table in the small meeting room in Maverick Hunters Headquarters.

"I'm not Douglas." These words sounded very strange coming from the reploid X had known for some time, in his familiar voice. "It's Axl. I'm here for Red Alert to offer you the use of the Sigma Antivirus."

X did not show a strong initial reaction. He immediately identified this as an opportunity for dialogue with Red Alert; a chance for interaction other than physical conflict. This was more important than the breach in security.

This revelation also answered several lingering questions that have been plaguing X. "This is how Red Alert has been staying one step ahead of the Maverick Hunters. You've been spying on us."

X replayed recent events in his head and tried to process this. He now realized how Red Alert discovered the location of the Maverick factory complex. It's also how they knew to follow X and Zero through the jungle.

"Why did you steal the antivirus if you're going to give it right back to us?" X's voice had a reproachful tone, but he remained calmly seated.

"Red Alert really wants to keep the antivirus safe, so it doesn't end up in the wrong hands." Axl kept a cool tone despite being very nervous going into this meeting. He was relieved he hadn't been blasted right on the spot. Red was right about taking this gamble. Maybe X was going to be easy to convince.

"And where is the neuro-augmentor?" X asked, resisting the temptation to lose his temper.

"The Mavericks got it," the copy of Douglas said. "There was nothing we could do."

X dropped his head into his hands. The nightmare was turning into a reality. The Mavericks could now spread the Sigma Virus into the human population. X, looking despondent, looked up at Axl. Axl felt this gaze pierce right through his facade of Douglas and strike him directly. His circuits were sufficiently complex to simulate guilt, after his ruse brought such dismay to X.

"Why did you kill Dr. Doppler?" X spoke in the soft tone he often used when feeling disheartened. "Why did you steal his work? You've let such a powerful weapon slip into the hands of a very dangerous enemy. And you say that these things are safer in your hands?"

"Now hold on, things aren't so bad." Axl's voice wavered as he got defensive. "We're going to help you fix all of this. We're going to treat Mavericks with the antivirus for you. All we want is a small payment to cover our costs. The cured Mavericks will join Red Alert, forming a force that will help you guys. I'm sure we can work something out."

"Murder and extortion." X paused dramatically to let these words sink in. "This is how Red Alert operates. This is not a team I want to partner with. Is this what you want to be a part of? Tell me, are you programmed to serve Red Alert? Or have you joined them to fulfil some other purpose? What is your primary prerogative?

In the usual shimmer of light, Axl regained his regular shape. It was the first time X had seen the true form of the dark blue and gray, youthful looking reploid.

"Listen, I was built for justice." Axl's true face looked up at X. "But the Hunters aren't getting anything done. Red Alert is at least taking some real action. That's why I'm with them."

"Red Alert has changed," X said. "These terrible things they're doing, it isn't what you signed up for."

At a loss for words, Axl remained silent. X sensed the conflict and doubt within him.

"Join the Maverick Hunters," X continued. "With your help we can bring about real change. The antivirus is the key to ending this conflict."

"Is it right to force the Mavericks to change their programming? Shouldn't we let them decide if they want to take it?" Axl wasn't sure if he was trying to convince X or himself. He himself didn't believe the words of Red he was now repeating.

"If we leave it up to them, they won't take it," X replied. "They'll destroy the antivirus, continue to infect other reploids, and cause death and destruction. I've learned the hard way that there is no reasoning with them. It's horrifying to think what they'll do once they start infecting humans as well. This antivirus is what we need to end this war. Without it, there will only be more destruction. Help me stop it, Axl. You can choose to end this."

Despite X's pleading, Axl felt like he was past the point of no return in his work with Red Alert. If he abandoned it now, then all the things he had done were in vain. He would have to come to terms with the fact that these terrible things he had done, in the end, had no justification.

"It's too late for me. I've done stuff I can't take back," Axl replied dejectedly. "I can't even blame it on the Sigma Virus. These were my choices. Maybe I'm a defective machine."

"It's never too late." X felt sympathy for the reploid. "You can't change the past, and you'll have to live with the consequences, but you can still choose where you go from here. A reploid's decision making is a product of their programming as well as their memory banks. You can take your learned experience and become a better reploid."

"I've given the antivirus to Red." Axl averted his gaze, unable to look X in the eyes. "I don't have it anymore."

Crushed by this news, X once again felt a sinking feeling. Having found a peaceful way to end the war, it was now looking increasingly difficult.

Axl's processors were busy simulating intense feelings of shame. This was his doing. In an act of murder, he had taken an instrument of peace and cast it away. Why had his creators plagued his thought processes with such guilt? Was he not merely an instrument? Were his designers not the true transgressors? No, he had to take responsibility for this. He had to right his wrongs.

"I'll fix this," Axl declared. "I'll become a Hunter and destroy the Mavericks."

X sighed. "It took me a long time to learn that violence will not solve this problem. For years, Maverick Hunters have sacrificed themselves to wipe out the Sigma Virus, and yet, the war continues. But I can see your determination to help. Maybe together, we can find another way."