The Suite Life Gang headed back into the laboratory without a word. While X showed visible concern on his face, he didn't respond. After all, what could he really say to all that? Instead, he decided to put that in the back of his mind for now and move on, looking intently at them.
"Anyway… We should probably take the three of you to Troia Base for some training." We'll split up into three groups, with me taking Cody, Zero taking Zack, and Axl taking London."
The trigger-happy Hunter was far from pleased with this arrangement, to say the least. "You want me to take that…that banshee with me?! Are you crazy? Besides, she probably wouldn't even be able to keep up, anyway."
These words seemed to light a fire under the girl in question as she glared at him.
"Oh, what do you know? I bet I could keep up with you just fine!" She crossed her arms for added effect.
"Axl, give her a chance. She might do better than you think, and maybe even give you a run for your money," Signas said, having observed the exchange. "She's certainly got spirit, if nothing else…"
The navy blue Hunter grumbled to himself but said nothing.
After properly introducing the twins and London to Signas, Alia had one last piece of business to take care of before she sent everyone on their way.
"There's someone else you guys need to meet…" Alia said, turning to the primary Maverick Hunters. "As you know, Layer and Palette were temporarily reassigned to Point Oasis. Well, there happened to be another reploid that just might be able to fill the void. She was awakened at about the same time as your proteges."
The human trio's ears burned at the statement, knowing exactly who she was talking about, though they hadn't really had time to think about her since waking up in this world.
She waved in the grayish female brunette reploid in question.
"B-Bailey, is that you?" Cody asked in stunned amazement.
"Hi, guys," a smile and wave were the last bits of conformation needed.
The three friends ran up to them, with Cody and London hugging her. After the trio told her what had happened, Bailey filled them in on her side of the situation, with her having been woken up in yet another pod by a strange redheaded girl. She had run out of the room again before the farm girl could get her name, however.
She did freak out herself for a bit, but eventually found herself wandering around the Base until Alia ran into her, apparently having woken up before the other three humans.
During that little bit of time, the two did get to talking, and eventually agreed to help navigate for now. She didn't exactly know what to do next, anyway…
-000-
WARNING! WARNING!
A blaring red siren got everyone's attention. Alia wasted no time using the lab's computer.
"Maverick readings detected. Multiple, actually. Let's see. The Sky Lagoon Ruins, the old Eurasia Crash Site, and the Central Highway.
"All places we've been before," Zero mused flatly.
"Yes. Rather odd, actually. Nevertheless, you all need to head out. Take your pupils with you, too. They could use the experience."
Zack, Cody, and London were, of course, overwhelmed with the flood of information thrown at them, but before they could so much as get an answer as to what a "Maverick" was, they found themselves grabbed by their mentors and warped away with them.