Note: Hello! The next chapter is here and, in a way, the beginning of the end for everyday life for both humans and Reploids alike. This chapter is set after a time-skip to better reflect the characters and what they'll have to go through.
This chapter, along with those afterward, will be based on the Day of Sigma OVA and Maverick Hunter X. There will be inspiration from other materials such as the manga (both) and the light novel.
I hope you enjoy it!
X's Dilemma
A decade has passed since Dr. Phillip Cain discovered the robot X, and during that time, X's contribution to robotics has changed the world. From the city-state of Arcadia, Reploids moved from just being exclusive to a specific area to becoming available throughout Japan, especially in populated cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. And by the end of the five years afterward, every first-world nation had a hand in Reploids. Some were for domestic work, while others were personalized for a specific purpose. And some were tested and made part of their respective country's military program, which was becoming more and more advanced with each passing year.
The Maverick problem persisted despite Reploids being worldwide, but this gave way to the rise of new research and more advanced programming. And the re-emergence of complex AI carved the way for even higher quality Reploids with features never seen before. The machines had spread far and wide and in even more quantities than robots ever were. Dr. Fujiwara was now a name recorded in history as one of the co-creators of Reploids, and with his success, interest in Dr. Light's work spread from one scientific field to another. Indeed, the world had gone into a frenzy over Reploids.
And the world would never be the same, for both good and ill.
Abel City was an isolated but booming metropolis set off the coast of Arcadia, connected to the mainland by highways spanning miles over the ocean. Although, despite its large size, it is just one part of the artificial island it sat on; several facilities and important sectors resided there. They provided means such as electricity and clean air despite the heavy industrialization that went into creating the city. And with the growing rate of Maverick Hunters, both those built for the organization's purposes and those who joined of their accord, a larger headquarters was constructed and sat in the city's centrer. It stood as a bastion of the vow to be both sword and shield for those who could not defend themselves.
And today would provide a demonstration of just that.
May 16th, 21XX
12:42 PM
Abel City
The skies above the bustling city were clear with only sparse clouds, the sun shining brilliantly from a great distance outside the planet. He adored days like this, but unfortunately, now was not the time to stretch out his wings. He was on a crucial scouting mission, and his report would dictate where his fellow Hunters would strike.
"Eagle, have you sighted the rogue mechaniloid?" Sigma's voice asked, coming in through the audio link.
The flying Reploid, Storm Eagle, looked down at Abel City, spotting activity from down below. "Affirmative, Commander. The mechaniloid is moving towards Sector A-42."
"All right, we can cut it off there. Standby and track its movements. I'll send the coordinates to X so he can arrive at the drop point. Eagle out."
In the streets of Abel City, Sigma and the Hunters had managed to trap the Maverick mechaniloid at the site of a structure currently undergoing construction, the foundation demolished and ruined, the building practically torn down before it could ever be completed. Sigma was at the scene, waiting for the right moment. Then, he gave the signal to move in.
Zero and several other Hunters went in, hiding behind some fallen debris. Then, Zero noticed something in the sky right above their heads. Over the city, a Bee Blader flew, its propeller carrying it through the air, its occupant just about ready to make his exit.
"X, have you reached the target?" Storm Eagle asked, still flying and keeping watch on the mechaniloid.
"Affirmative, Eagle," the blue Reploid answered the mechanical bird. "I'm right over it."
"All right then, fire at the ready! I'll keep tracking the mechaniloid's movements! You take care of things on the ground!"
"Roger!" The door to the Bee Blader opened, allowing X to fall out, Storm Eagle watching as the smaller Hunter fell.
X turned around in the air, the clouds zooming past him. He spotted the mechaniloid below and went to work charging his buster. Energy began developing and collecting from within the weapon, growing more and more until it couldn't hold much more. It needed to be released. And with a mighty roar, X did just that; a high-pressurized plasma blast burst out from the canon, striking the mechaniloid from above. The entire area was consumed in white-hot light, blinding everyone present.
While in midair, X blasted a small energy collection that sent him back, allowing him to slide down the side of a damaged building before finally landing on the ground.
"Chill Penguin company, commerce the operation!" Sigma called out to the stout, beaked Hunter.
"Roger!" Chill Penguin squawked. "I'll secure the area!" He and a band of humanoid Reploids rushed over to intercept the fallen mechaniloid, but something began stirring underneath the rubble. The four-legged mechaniloid rose, standing tall and with nothing more than a scrape on its surface. "What?! The thing's hardly damaged!" Penguin gasped. Then the mechaniloid thrust one of its legs forward. "Here it comes!" Chill Penguin and his fellow Hunters jumped back to avoid the renegade machine.
Sigma's lips tightened. "Zero! Spark Mandrill! Do you have a reading on the generator?!"
Zero and a far more significant, primate-based Hunter with an elaborately painted face were forced to jump back to avoid the mechaniloid's incoming attack. "It's no good!" Zero shouted over his communication link. "This thing's too fast; we can't get close!"
"Yeah, what he said!" The robotic primate, Spark Mandrill, added. He didn't have much to add, but he knew to acknowledge his Commander when he spoke to him.
"Take this!" Chill Penguin shouted; a concentrated solution composed of liquid nitrogen and several other chemicals blasted out from his throat, encasing the mechaniloid's front legs in thick ice.
Spark Mandrill then decided to contribute and delivered a powerful punch to one of the mechaniloid's legs, sending surges of sparkling magenta electricity throughout the machine. Unfortunately, this action scrambled its circuitry while Penguin's ice kept it in place. However, it didn't last long, as the mechaniloid began to make erratic movements, breaking through the ice holding it.
"Ahh! It's so strong!" Chill Penguin cried out, now becoming worried.
X, who had been rushing to the scene, hearing the noise of what was happening grow closer and closer. "Commander, that thing's way more powerful than we thought!" He said over the link. "I'll go back them up!"
From its "eyes", the mechaniloid unleashed golden lasers that tore through everything in their path, forcing all the Hunters back to avoid both the lasers and exploding vehicles. Sigma stood atop of a building that had been spared the mechaniloid's destruction.
"Looks like your little snowballs can't do anything, can they, bird?" Chill Penguin growled upon hearing that low voice. A giant, silvery elephant (African elephant, to be precise) stomped towards the mechaniloid with no fear. "Step outta my way!" He bellowed, a powerful trumpeting coming out from his trunk. "I'll melt through that thing!"
From his trunk spewed out thick, inky black oil, the substance sticky and landing on the mechaniloid's head. His left arm produced a buster that shot out raging flames that quickly engulfed the area coated in oil. The flames worked their way through the surface of the head, though this served to cause the machine to go even more frantic. It stomped around, trying to put out the flames. Soon, the fire began to spread; the battleground now lit up.
"Eagle!" Sigma said over the audio link. "Put out the flames!" Damn Flame Mammoth showing off again.
"Roger that, sir!" From above, the winged Hunter aimed his buster downward, a powerful gust coming down and putting out the fire. Flame Mammoth's oil and fire had eaten through the mechaniloid's frontal plate, exposing its central processor. "Should I come down, sir?"
"Not yet," Sigma said. "But standby! We may still need you!"
Finally, Sigma saw X arrive at the scene from his vantage point, firing his buster at the still rampaging mechaniloid. "Well, look who decided to show up!" Flame Mammoth said, crossing his arms.
"Sorry, it took a little longer than I thought to get here." X apologized.
"Never mind that!" Chill Penguin squawked. "Help us take this thing down!"
"Right!" X saw that the central processor was exposed and began firing, yet the sensation of surging energy tearing at its already scrambled systems put the mechaniloid on the defensive. Nevertheless, it went to blasting lasers again, managing to strike or force back anyone close.
"I won't let you push my friends around like that!" Zero shouted, blasting the underside of the mechaniloid to get its attention away from everyone else.
This worked too well as the rogue machine set out to grab the red Hunter. But instead, Zero dodged the claw that emerged from its underside, the device seizing another Reploid not too far away.
"GAH!" The unlucky Hunter cried out, his torso being crushed by the mechaniloid's claw. "H-Help!" He shouted in agony. "Help me!"
X then saw that the hulking machine's generator, a red square-shaped gemstone, was on its underside, unprotected and defenseless. "Get the generator!" Chill Penguin shouted, seeing what X was planning. Only the blue Hunter didn't fire. Not with his comrade still in the way. "The generator, X!" The robotic bird said. "Shoot the generator!"
Still, X didn't fire. The mechaniloid's claw wouldn't stop moving, so he couldn't get a clear shot. "Get on with it, dammit!" Flame Mammoth bellowed. "C'mon! What's wrong with you?!"
He wanted to, truly! But he didn't want to risk hurting the hostage! What could he do?! Then, in a flash, the Commander came in and sliced through the mechaniloid's generator and the Hunter in half. The mechaniloid was then stabbed in the head by Sigma's saber, sparks of electricity coming out before the machine fell downward, then grew still and silent.
X and everyone else looked on, Zero wiping his forehead as if he broke a sweat. Even if he couldn't do so, he would've still thought this was a heavy workout. The Hunter that had been cut in two looked up, his upper half thankfully cut before anything vital was hit.
"Is the relief party coming?" One Hunter asked, everyone now moving away from the downed mechaniloid.
"Casualties confirmed!" Another Hunter shouted. "Commence full retreat! Disarm all combatants!"
It wasn't much later that the relief party came and ambulances and transportation vehicles. X looked around, surveying the damage that had been caused. Maybe if he had taken that shot, if he had gotten here sooner, this wouldn't have ended up so bad.
"X!" The blue Hunter heard a familiar voice say. He turned to see a quite disgruntled Chill Penguin. "What was that back there? Why didn't you shoot?"
X knew this was coming, but that didn't make it any easier. "Penguin," X began. "I didn't mean to-"
"It doesn't matter what you meant!" Penguin barked back. "Do you know how many casualties there would've been had the Commander not taken that thing out?"
X looked down at the ground. "Can't believe I'm saying this," Flame Mammoth said. "But he's even more chickenshit than you are!" He then went away laughing at his insult.
Spark Mandrill passed by, but he didn't say anything. Even for a Reploid, he seemed to have no motivation or higher thinking. X then looked to see Sigma overlooking the damage. Another Reploid around his height in a dark military cap (Signas, X believed him to be called) saluted the Commander.
"Yes sir! Understood!" Signas answered before going off.
Then the Commander turned to face X. "Oh, you're in for it now." Chill Penguin then went off.
"X." Sigma addressed the shorter Hunter.
"Yes, Commander Sigma, sir?"
"Your aiming capabilities are no different than my own. It came directly from you. So you could've easily hit the generator."
"Yes, I'm aware, sir," X answered meekly.
"And you are aware that there was only a slight chance your fellow Hunter would've had any extreme danger. We are not made of flesh and blood as the humans are. In fact, he's being taken to the infirmary as we speak."
"Yes, I know," X said, looking downcast. "But-"
"Listen well, X," Sigma said firmly. "There are times when we Maverick Hunters cannot hesitate in pulling the trigger," X was hit with realization. "We must become both sword and shield to those who cannot defend themselves. Never forget that," he then turned away. "Commence retreat once casualties have been confirmed!" He ordered.
A chorus of "Yes, sir!" Erupted, and everyone began to work to figure out just how much damage had been done.
X looked down at the ground, knowing he had blown it this time. There's no way I'm getting that promotion now. He then felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Zero had come. The red Reploid gave him a warm smile, but the gesture did little to ease his guilt.
Later
It had turned midday, and an official report had been written up. As far as anyone knew, the only casualties were the Reploid workers working with the mechaniloid before it went berserk. There were thankfully no humans near the site. Still, that didn't ease everyone's anxieties, as this had been the seventh incident of a mechaniloid going "Maverick" this month. Yet so far, the root cause for these occurrences were unknown.
X and Zero walked into a communications section in the left tower portion of the Hunter HQ. Compared to the HQ in Arcadia, Abel City's Hunter base was tall and proud, the tallest building in all of the city. It was a vibrant blue with two towers with a yellow base and a golden orb linking the two together. Several Navigators from Arcadia had transferred here while most of those Hunters remained on the mainland. Almost all of the recruits in Abel City were built and designed somewhere on the island.
Still, where a Reploid made no difference when it came to renegade machines. "Maverick," X said to no one in particular. "What causes anything just to go Maverick?"
"Program errors, short-circuits in the electronic brain, the theories are endless," Zero answered. "And if you still believe the virus theory, that's another can of worms all on its own."
"Well, what do you think?" X questioned Zero.
"Your guess is as good as mine," the red Hunter said. "All I know is that the very things that give us Reploids our advanced processing power could be our greatest weakness."
X pondered this while Zero gave a reassuring smile. Just then, however, both Reploids became aware someone was approaching them. "Ah, X! There you are!" Roll greeted her (younger) brother. She then noticed Zero, her smile faltering somewhat. "Oh, hello to you too."
"Roll? What are you doing here?" X asked, not even realizing that she was here at the HQ. "I didn't know you had a job here."
"I don't," Roll answered. "But I've been sent at the request of Dr. Cain and Fujiwara," she said. "They'd like to see you at the exhibition center. They're having a demonstration down there and would like you to be present."
"Oh, really?" X asked.
"Indeed," Roll said, then she turned to face Zero. "And Dr. Fujiwara has requested that you come too." Though why I don't know. She thought to herself. X is perfectly capable of giving them what they want. "Anyway, I was in and just thought I should let you know. It's starting in about an hour, but we're still getting ready, so there's no rush," she turned away. "But your help setting up would be greatly appreciated." With that, she went off, leaving the other two Reploids alone.
No, she didn't have a job here, still serving as a housekeeper all these years later. Roll remained stuck where she was when she was still in Light's lab despite the changing world.
Expo
"I don't know why you're so eager to see them." A young woman asked her friend, who was garbed in the same uniform as she was, only with alternate colors.
"I don't understand how you're not," her companion said. "They're unveiling some of the new Hunters your dad and Dr. Cain made. Isn't that the least bit exciting?"
"Whatever." The other girl said, paying the admission fee to get in.
Despite her relations with Dr. Fujiwara, none of the other humans or Reploids even realized that this was his daughter. Young Chiyo Fujiwara had become a young woman on her way to adulthood, her school graduation not too far away. She still possessed her lengthy, black hair tied in a half-ponytail with a red ribbon, but her body had grown taller and more womanly over the years. She wore her school uniform for her grade: a red vest with yellow sections on the straps, a white undershirt with puffy sleeves with blue trims, a blue skirt, long white socks, and a pair of red strap-on shoes. The only thing that seemed missing was a large, white dog by her side.
Her friend, Fumiko Takenada, had shorter black hair curled up around her jawline, a blue headband in her hair and round spectacles on her face. She was a grade below Chiyo; thus, she wore the same uniform but different colors. Her vest and shoes were blue while her skirt was red. Seeing the two high-schoolers together was nothing new. But today, they had someone else tagging along.
"C'mon! I wanna see the Reploids!" A boy far younger than either girl whined. He was ten years of age and wore a long-sleeved, green shirt with a white collared undershirt. He wore black shorts and shoes with white socks, and his hair was wild and unkempt.
"The lines aren't going to move any faster than they already are, Kenichi," Fumiko said, cursing that she had to watch over him today. The boy was the young woman's brother, Kenichi Takenada, who had been born in the city instead of Arcadia. "Neither Dr. Cain nor Chiyo's dad has started speaking anyway, so we've got time."
Eventually, however, the three entered the expo after paying the entry fee. Unfortunately, despite the city's status and still ongoing development, the expo center wasn't overly large. It seemed that the only area garnering any attention was that of Dr. Cain and Fujiwara.
"Hey, there's your dad!" Fumiko whispered, gesturing over to the scientist.
"Yeah, I see him." Chiyo answered, shrugging. The sight of her father didn't mean anything to her, so she looked around. Then, she saw X and Zero by Dr. Cain on the raised platform where the demonstration was. What are those two doing here? Her brown eyes fell on X, who looked a little nervous being there.
Even if a Reploid's program was all they knew, X always made Chiyo think twice about their "emotional responses."
"Oh, hey! Look at those guys!" Kenichi said, pointing at the eight Reploids standing on the platform, surrounded by scientists and reporters.
While they weren't anything new (the most recent of them being constructed a week ago), the eight Maverick Hunters Fujiwara had chosen to display stood at attention, ready to be introduced. Meanwhile, to the side, Roll was going over Dr. Cain's purple outfit one last time to see if any adjustments needed to be made.
"All right, I think that'll do it," she said, straightening out the green sash around Cain's waist. "And for you two," she turned to X and Zero. "They come on after you're called, right?"
"That's the idea," Dr. Cain said. "Ok, I'm on."
"Good luck!" X wished the older man, Roll, to follow behind him. The female Reploid stood at the back to the right while Dr. Cain went by Fujiwara.
It took you long enough. So the Japanese man thought, but he quickly composed himself. There was a presentation to be done. "As I am sure everyone is aware, the spread of Reploids means the spread of the Maverick problem," Fujiwara began. "But with that, we have produced the best defense possible for our Maverick Hunters," he said. "We have made quite a deal of progress, haven't we, Dr. Cain?"
The older human gestured out to the eight machines. "Yes, these fine people, Reploids, are just a few of the band of defenders we owe our gratitude," he then pointed over towards Chill Penguin, who stood at the far left. "One of our oldest Hunters and former member of the Arcadian Hunters, Chill Penguin is designed with resistance to cold temperatures in mind."
"I've been selected to become part of the newly created Thirteenth Polar Unit!" The robotic bird said with pride. He hoped he would be known for that than how he was created. When designing the first band of Maverick Hunters, some of the scientists on the project wanted there to be a cute mascot for the group. Penguin had yet to get over it.
The one beside him to the right was Mandrill, his painted face making him easily recognizable. "Spark Mandrill here serves underneath Sigma himself as part of the Seventeenth Elite Unit," Dr. Cain said, introducing Mandrill. Then the mechanical simian produced a tiny bit of electricity that coursed through his forearm. "Not to mention he can produce and store electricity throughout his body thanks to his electromagnetic core."
"Uh, yeah. That's it." Spark Mandrill said, not having much to add.
The next Hunter was a bipedal banded armadillo of primarily purple, the golden bands around his shoulder joints and waist complementing his design. He was covered in silvery metal that served as a means of defense. "Armored Armadillo here has risen to the rank of Leader of the Eighth Armored Unit responsible for protection from external threats that may plague the city." Dr. Cain said.
"The armored shell he's been constructed with not only had been proven to block any incoming projectiles, such as plasma or lasers but can also absorb the attacks of any threat and propel it back." Dr. Fujiwara interjected, seeing as, despite being a co-creator, Dr. Cain's field was not in robotics.
Armored Armadillo gave the onlookers a slight bow. "My function is the protection and preservation of humankind and my fellow Reploids." He said, voice low and commanding a presence.
Next to him was a Reploid of a rather unusual shape. Instead of arms, he possessed six tentacles and a pair of legs, counting up to eight limbs. He had his tentacles spread out so the humans (and his fellow Reploids) could see the majesty of his body. This Reploid was based on a giant Pacific octopus, his metal skin a bright, vibrant red. He had golden shoulders with green gemstones lining the center, vents atop of and on the sides of his head, and a filter for a mouth.
Despite his bizarre shape, he believed himself to be the best looking Reploid there.
"Launch Octopus' conception was interesting," Dr. Fujiwara said. "Given that the Maverick threat isn't just limited to the land, we thought it best to introduce the Sixth Navel Unit as part of our growing defenses," he then looked at his "partner." "The decision to base his design around a cephalopod was Dr. Cain's idea."
It's more creative than just making him a shark or fish. Cain thought.
"Well, I'm quite pleased with my body," Launch Octopus declared proudly. "And I intend to put it to good use." His voice was somewhat effeminate and smarmy, enjoying the attention and admiration of the crowd gathered.
The Hunter beside the robotic cephalopod was shaped, so no one was sure what he was supposed to be. He was primarily red and had a bipedal, humanoid shape that was mainly lean, but that was where the similarities ended. Most of him had been shaped at sharp angles, making him appear deadly and impossible to get near without injuring yourself. He had no mouth, only a pair of short feelers, but the most striking thing about this Hunter was the large, curved blade atop his head.
"Boomer Kuwanger serves in the Seventeenth Elite Unit, the same as Mandrill, and is part of an experimental program we have going on," Dr. Fujiwara explained. "Given the success of the interactions between X and his sibling unit, we have gone forward with testing out potential connections, whether they be physical or mental," he then gestured to Kuwanger. "And for those wondering, he is based on a kuwagata beetle, more commonly known as a stag beetle."
"Just as my sibling unit is based on a kabutomushi. Or, as it is more commonly known, the Japanese rhinoceros beetle." Boomer Kuwanger spoke matter-of-factly and with an almost bored tone.
"Their battle data has shown great progress," Fujiwara informed everyone with pride. "It seems the tradition of insect fighting has proven to transcend time."
Dr. Cain then noticed a space next to Kuwanger instead of the next Reploid. "What the?" He began looking around but didn't see the Hunter anywhere. "Where'd he go?"
Near the back of the crowd stood Chiyo, Fumiko, and Kenichi, confused. "What's going on?" Kenichi asked.
"Looks like one of the guys over there is gone." Chiyo observed.
"Yeah, I remember," Fumiko said. "Wasn't he like a lizard or something?"
The human then felt something touch her ear, then lick her cheek. The object wasn't slimy, it was metal, but she couldn't see what was touching her. She then heard a small giggle behind her.
"How about a chameleon?"
Fumiko turned but saw nothing. Then, Kenichi noticed something happening on the platform. "Hey, look!"
The three humans watched as a strange Reploid materialised out of thin air. And indeed, it was a lizard, specifically a chameleon. He was primarily green with a horned crown like that of Jackson's chameleon, only he had no preocular horns, and he possessed a long forked tail and a long pink tongue. His right eye was a silver optic with a single red stone in the center, making him look off, even by Reploid standards. Upon seeing his tongue, Fumiko realized what she felt on her cheek.
"Ah, there you are," Dr. Cain said. "As you've just witnessed, Sting Chameleon here of the Ninth Special Unit of Rangers is built with the same components of mirage spheres in his skin, similar to that of chromatophores."
"Though, as you've seen, they are not dependent on emotional stimuli or temperature." Dr. Fujiwara added.
Upon realizing what had happened, Chiyo was furious. She was about to make her way through the crowd to give that lizard a piece of her mind, but Fumiko held her back. "You know what happened last time you disrupted one of your father's presentations."
Chiyo's lips tightened with anger. "But..."
"Hey, look at that guy!" Kenichi suddenly said, unaware of what happened to his sister.
Next to Chameleon stood an avian Reploid with large, folded wings of vibrant purple and blue. He prominent red facial markings and a sharp golden beak. "Given that my co-creator is an American, there was a suggestion that one of our Hunters tie back to the country's national symbol," Fujiwara explained. "Storm Eagle has also recently become the head of the Seventh Airborne Unit to protect against any threats in the air."
"I shall try to be worthy of my position, sir." Storm Eagle said, giving a salute.
The last of the eight Hunters on display was, ironically enough, a mammoth-sized robotic pachyderm (African elephant, to be precise) of silver, red, and gold. His large ears resembled heat sinks, and his girth was impressive. He was the largest, beating out Spark Mandrill and towering over Chill Penguin, the shortest of them all. A fact the elephant loved to hold over the bird's head.
"And Flame Mammoth has had experience outside of Japan, having partaken in combat situations in the Middle East," Dr. Fujiwara said, gesturing to the elephant. "He has also just become the head of the Fourth Land Unit."
Flame Mammoth pumped out his chest, presenting himself as the biggest and best out of all the others. "Of course," Dr. Cain spoke. "We should not forget the one that made this all possible." X knew that was his cue. He went up on the platform, Zero following after. "As well as one who could be the key to reversing the effects caused by Maverick glitches."
The other eight Hunters looked at the blue and red Reploids, some in respect while others were resentful the spotlight was off of them.
That Night
It was long past midnight, and she had school the next day, but she didn't care. She had things she needed to do.
"Chiyo?" The Japanese girl dressed in a short-sleeved nightshirt looked behind her to see Roll enter. The human was sitting at her desk, a mechanical apparatus on the table. It appeared to be a pair of braces attached to resemble a dog harness. Roll didn't need to ask who it was for. "How's Patarche been? Is he still having trouble?"
Chiyo nodded. "His arthritis is getting worse. I'm making this to take some of the pressure off his legs," She then presented her project to the blonde housekeeper. "He misses going out." The dog she referred to slept on the right side of the bed, with a small ramp present so Patarche could go up and down. Unfortunately, he couldn't jump as he used to. That said, her dog's condition wasn't the only thing on her mind. Fumiko doesn't want me to, but I'm giving that lizard a piece of my mind; if I ever see him dare he!
"Well, regardless, you'll have plenty of time to work on it tomorrow," Roll told the human. "It's a school night."
"Coffee and caffeine pills have worked wonders for me so far." Chiyo retorted.
"Coffee and...honestly, you need to watch your caffeine intake," Roll lectured, sounding very much like a parent. "I don't want you becoming like your father."
Even if she knew Roll didn't mean it, Chiyo felt her anger rise upon hearing it. "I will NEVER be like him. Ever."
The room went silent for a while before Roll promptly excused herself. "Right, well, I guess I'll be going. Don't want to keep Dr. Cain waiting," she then turned towards the door. "Good night!"
"...night." Chiyo said before Roll shut the door.
She did have to go, but she also hated leaving the human here alone. It wasn't as if their relationship was always warm, but it seemed that Chiyo and her father only acknowledged the other's existence if they had to. They might as well not be father and daughter. Roll wasn't sure whether or not the passing of Fujiwara's wife had anything to do with it, but there was a considerable distance between them. Maybe it was due to her position as a caregiver that Roll wished she could do something, but ultimately, she found she couldn't do much.
Then again, a caregiver might've been a little generous, but it was one of few things she could provide. Despite it being years since her inception (and a century since she last functioned), Roll had yet to be provided with a more durable body, her outer shell still composed of cheap materials. True, with Reploids now being a global phenomenon, Dr. Fujiwara's work schedule might have become too cluttered, but Roll had waited ten years. Pretty soon, it could be that it would be too late, and she would be stuck in her current position just as she was when she still had the body of a child.
Abel City Maverick Hunter HQ
With the expansion of the Hunter forces and the ever-increasing supply of Hunters, housing had been provided to those that had no residence outside of the HQ. Zero greatly appreciated this, as he would no longer have to live at Dr. Fujiwara's lab. X had offered the red Reploid a place at Dr. Cain's, but he declined. Since then, X had been staying at the HQ overnight if there was an available place for him. Finally, the two Hunters had reached a room with several capsules in a circular formation, all connected to a massive generator meant to monitor a Reploid's systems as they went into sleep mode.
The two Reploids we're about to turn in, choosing a capsule opposite of the other. Yet, despite it being the end of the day, X didn't appear tired. "What's up with you?" Zero asked, adjusting himself in his capsule.
"Oh, sorry," X said. "Just thinking."
"Something you do too much of," Zero replied. He waited for X to get into his capsule, the lids to both devices closing atop the two Reploids. X had expected the conversation to end, but he heard Zero's voice over his com-link. "Seriously though, what is it?"
X sighed, knowing he was trapped and wouldn't be free unless he answered Zero's question. "You know how I'm the blueprint for every Reploid?" X didn't say that fact with pride. Instead, he said it as if it were an uncomfortable reality. "And not long after, the Maverick incidents began to occur," X continued. "So, I've just been wondering if-"
"If there's something in your programming that's caused all of it," Zero finished X's sentence, the blue Reploid growing silent. "Don't be ridiculous; that's crazy," Zero told X. "There are millions of Reploids globally, even in this country. And there are dozens of Reploids here in the city. None of them have gone Maverick, have they?"
"No, but-"
"And even more, my systems were once messed up, but I'm fine now. And..." Zero paused. "I still don't remember, but I know what happened wasn't pretty."
X was quiet. Since he had transferred over to Abel City, Zero had been able to make many more friends than he had before, but he was still reluctant to make his history known.
"My point being, to tie everything back to you is both illogical and based on a series of different events where you weren't even there," Zero told the blue Reploid. "If anything, I think that there should be fewer incidents because everyone's programming came from you."
X was surprised to hear this. "You think so?"
Even if X couldn't see it, Zero nodded. "You need more faith in yourself," he told X, knowing that he'd have to wrap this conversation up soon. It was around the time many Reploids decided to turn in for the night. "Just get some sleep. I feel we're going to need a lot of it."
"Y-Yeah, sure. Goodnight, Zero."
"Night, X."
The link died. Eventually, more Reploids, both Hunters and Navigators alike (X even saw A-1 among them), came to turn in, and soon, all the capsules were occupied. The lights shut off, bathing the entire room in blackness, the automated door shutting soon after. Everyone save for one Reploid was able to slip into recharge, and he suspected he wouldn't be doing so anytime soon.
X knew he was probably fretting over nothing, but he couldn't help it. Ever since the first Maverick incident occurred on one of Cain's digs, he couldn't stop wondering if he was somehow responsible. And if he was, it was a little too late to try and prevent it now. X knew it had to have come from somewhere, whether a glitch or virus. And if not from him, then from what? Or maybe, Mavericks weren't caused by either glitch or virus.
Maybe it was something built in all Reploids. And thus, built into him.
Elsewhere
"So, when shall everything be ready? I cannot keep these distractions going forever."
"Think of things from my end for a moment! These things don't just happen overnight!"
In an undisclosed location, two figures discussed an essential operation taking place. It was challenging to get things off the ground, and it was still far from ready to be put into action.
"When should everything be in order?" A tall figure covered in shadow questioned.
"Yes. Sometime in July or August." Another shorter figure answered.
"August is too far," the taller of the two said. "July would be better fitting. July the Fourth is Independence Day in Dr. Cain's county. If you want to deliver a message that he'll understand, that is how."
The shorter figure suspected that his partner's set date was final, which meant he would have to speed things up. Nevertheless, it would be a day to be remembered if things go right. And not just for those in the United States.
"But remember," the smaller one said. "The human populous is mine to rule when Operation Independence Day is put into motion."
"Oh, it will be," the taller figure answered. However, you may find that one rule will extinguish the other.
Note: Everything goes downhill for everyone here, so I hope you enjoy it while it lasts. Also, it's obvious who the two "mysterious" figures are, but things won't play out as one of the intended.
Thanks to everyone, and I hope to see you all later!