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Chapter 1: New beginnings
Impatiently tapping his fingers against his sides within the stuffed maverick hunter base, X’s frantic mind flooded with thoughts. He had scanned the sign up sheet of pair ups for the next mission.
In a muffled short voice he froze at the name next to his own. Zero.
After the recent events of various frequent Maverick attacks had plagued the city. It was a quick responsive action that maverick hunters teamed up.
X squeezed his way through the barrage of reploids shoulder to shoulder as his arrhythmic core hushed the sea of faint whispers. Zero was a S class hunter and one that most reploids have a vague idea about.
A mysterious entity that supposedly rose from the dead. Calling him suspicious for gaining S rank so quickly. According to commander sigma he could be trusted but to the others he was cold and a force to be reckoned with.
The red sheen of his angular shaped helmet armor reflected in the corner of X’s eyes. Zero had immediately sensed his presence.
Because in that presence of unfamiliarity turned into intense pressure. Zero’s face looked down at the blue bomber.
Attentively staring at him with icy cold piercing eyes, his chest puffed slightly as the dark reflective shadow enhanced his already ghastly demeanor.
A soft growl escaped his voice module with Arms folded, his hands tensed as if merely X’s existence was a mere speck in his new objective.
“You’re Zero right? Uh after all my scanners confirm that it is you”
Zero says nothing and huffs out a steamy sigh.
“ uh…right Im X, I guess we will be working together from now on I promise I won't slow you down!”
X cautiously saluted to his new partner.
“ Right.Let’s get going ”
Zero walked away after a brief hesitation, his hair whipped around with each step disappearing into the crowd.
“Wait already?!”
X hastily tried to keep up with his new partner. He couldn't tell at all if the impression came off ok.
Finally having caught up with him , X stood awkwardly in the transfer system with Zero. His tall frame had not moved an inch and he could feel Zero’s eyes scanning him.
He was normally a bit nervous before missions but this time more especially so. He had only heard rumors about Zero but he couldn't at all tell what he was thinking.
They were supposed to work together after all.
Maybe the mission won't be so bad. X takes a few glances back at Zero only for him to look away with a similar intense expression. Is he shy ?
X took in every single detail about zero. Just like himself, he looked uniquely built.
His armor had impressions of having been repainted with small creases and indents indicating previous fights. Just how many had he gone through?
His large chest vents accenting extra storage power in his green orbital gems. Just how much power was he able to process?
With that much strength he could have enough to function for many years to come.
Yet somehow that thought had saddened X,despite Zero’s cold demeanor he still cared to an extent about his new partner. His face was so stoic but all the same still showed signs of life just like any reploid.
Zero looked back at X which startled him, quickly averting his eyes. He didn't realize how much he had been staring.
As the duo exited the transfer system immediately finding themselves having to infiltrate a base supposedly run by mavericks. All other previous members that had gone in had lost communication.
“We should be cautious , after all we dont know what enemies are up ahead…. We should check if there are any survi-”
And before X could finish his sentence Zero was already gone.
“I get he’s the one in charge but ,,, at this rate this might as well be a solo mission. “
X threaded through the countless reploid corpses and scanned their fatal wounds. Something seemed to have short circuited their main frames and resulted in being ripped apart mercilessly
Each and every part of their interconnected functioning was severed and ripped apart surely this was something that was strong.
Likewise pieces of debris and trails of robot blood had led to the area of the warehouse that was supposed to carry the enemy base. A sudden distant sound of clashing and banging was heard X rushed in buster ready for action.
Looking around the area dust and stacks of various boxes of various utilities used by humans were scattered about.Loitered in a similar fashion humans were slain in a similar fashion to the repoiled before them.
Some with severe burns almost unrecognizably charred and others limbs twisted and curled in a nearly impossible fashion.The sight if X could describe it, was something he wished his mind processor couldn't save as data.
He had turned to face an ambiguous figure. An unconscious human was being held captive by a maverick.
“Let them go!”
The maverick said nothing, just humming a growl. Its body was a rusted color of paint and circuitry twisting in on itself as if it were alive for nearly 100 years.
Its limbs were eroded and nearly falling apart at first glance it was hard to even tell if this maverick was capable of mobility.
Multiple limbs and various parts seemingly belonging to other reploids were attached to its body as if to preserve some semblance of its original form. An amalgamation of whomever inhabited that body was beyond even itself.
With agile, incredible speed and violent force the Maverick charged at X with flinging the human back.
Grabbing onto X’s armor, It gripped its sharp fingers into X's shoulders. Sending rapid alerts popping up in his Cpu brain frame.
WARNING UNKNOWN EXPOSURE TO MALWARE DETECTED.
HIGH RISK OF CORROSION.
UNKNOWN VIRUS DETECTED.
Thinking quickly X tried to aim his buster at its head only for Maverick to chomp its sharp teeth onto it.A whirring sound had been heard from its mouth as if it were razor blades. A sound of metal creaking reverbed as the pressure continued , breaking down more and more intensely on his buster arm.
Any closer it will reach his vulnerable body underneath.
Now with inability to move he shifted his feet and attempted to move his body roundhouse kicking the Maverick successfully freeing himself from its grips.
Attempting to aim his buster again at the enemy a strong indent making it possibly dangerous to fire at the figure. The maverick hisses and screams as if it were burning in an inferno.
“Just what….what type of maverick is this?
“They seem to be infected but with what ? I can't seem to shoot from here if I do there is a risk of implosion on myself but at this rate…”
There wasn't a minute to think as X gracefully backed away from the seething maverick seemingly destroying everything in its wake.Grabbing ever nearest object it could find and slashing it at X.
Grazing each hit X was running out of options.He attempted to contact Zero only to realize that he didn't have access to Zero’s comm code.
“There is no time….”
The maverick lunges at X repeatedly and as by instinct X points his buster at it. Charging precisely, giving enough power to fend the robotic figure in front of him , the maverick grips X’s neck cords in response.
Either way it was a great risk.
In a blink he fired a charged shot, the encapsule of his buster arm overheating and expanding imploding sending his body back.His systems temporarily went offline.
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Slowly his systems coming back online a figure surrounded by fire came into vision. Long blonde hair blowing in the silent winds.
Static overtook his audio processors…
As his vision cleared a bit he had only heard the hissing of the fires before him.
“ Damage to one’s own weapons to defeat an enemy is a sign of recklessness, you had the capability of going full power yet you didn't and hesitated.”
Zero turned away and left the blue bomber in the dust.
The least Zero could do was escort him to Medbay but despite the damages X hobbled back to the transfer system for as long as his body was capable of holding up.He took one last look at Zero who had tossed aside his temporary weapon a crowbar after HQ had been planning to develop one that wouldn't break on impact.
He stood tall in silence, not much a scratch on him but the smell of oil and blood,mixed together faint tints on his armor.
X couldn't really think of much to say to his partner. After all, how could he?Zero seemed to have been perfectly fine without him.
Holding onto the nearby corridor of the transfer simulator he leaned his body against it. For some reason his occipital processors were affecting his balance and it was becoming harder and harder to stay focused.
“ okay… Zero…. if we are going to make this work we need to work together.”
Zero said nothing as he closed his eyes with folded arms not even looking once at his damaged partner.
“Look… I get it you’re strong but…we need to think about this cautiously…reploids and humans are at stake.”
“Why should we care about the weak?”
It was the first time Zero had spoken more than one word to him.
“Why? What do you mean why? That’s the whole reason why we have Maverick hunter!”
Zero had turned to face him and creeped close to X.
“I was assigned to be a part of maverick hunters because you guys needed power.”
“Then why are you even paired with me anyways ?! you could've just asked to be with someone else!”
Zero leaned in close his eyes not leaving his rookie partner and with an intense glare that sent a shiver down his body. X though not standing down and had his chest puffed at him refusing to his authority.
He just couldn't understand.
Zero moves away again with a gruff huff until they arrive at HQ.And it was then that X knew he couldn't stay online any longer.
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He had awoken to the sounds of whirring and a bright light had encompassed him. He had somehow reached the medbay area.
“X you're awake! Thank goodness!”
“How did I….end up here …?
“Hm? You don't remember? Zero set you here and left.”
Unexpected but should he be surprised? Somehow it had left some relief to X that his partner cared even a little leaving a small smile on his face.
Yet still he couldn't help but wonder whatever it was that made Zero stay by his side.
“Ill have to thank him….”
There was a sudden pause and immediately felt his body feel heavy only briefly. As if something was constricting him very slowly.
The sudden sensation sent his systems into reboot immediately. When he awoke again he had trouble remembering what had happened earlier that day during their meeting.
“Huh that was….strange”
“X are you sure you are ok ? You suddenly went offline ..”
“Yeah i felt something strange but…I feel ….fine now”
“Hmm…did something happen back there during the mission?”
X tried to call back to what had happened but for some reason the data from his memory was fuzzy. Strange. It was like everything that happened in between the mission was blurred.
X shook his head.
“No ….its not coming back to me.”
“hmm…Ill run some more diagnostics maybe you overworked yourself.” The medic reploid turns from him and goes to write a self report note for themself.
X had pondered more about the incident but let himself rest for a while.In that moment he felt tired. Really tired. Somehow he knew that something would come to haunt him later.
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Miraculously everything minus his buster had been in good shape. It still would need to be under maintenance for a while longer as it was heavily damaged in the previous mission.
Likewise X had tended to his paperwork and extensive paperwork at that.
Due to being a rookie he had taken the majority of the front of everyone's critics. And in some cases some of the higher ups work management too.
He was sick of it but he knew if he didnt do anything the whole department would suffer.
Because of the consistency of the uptake in mavericks, paperwork was also taking an uprise and this meant that even those not used to it would have to take it into consideration. Especially zero.
Unfortunately to Zero this task was more difficult than killing Mavericks.Staring blankly at said paperwork for nearly an hour unable to process the logistics of doing such a mundane task.
He wasn't built for this, he was built for war. And as a result some of his answers had been….lacking in the emotional perspective department.
Two higher ranked reploids had decided to approach him.
“Hey uh….Zero maybe you should ask your partner for help? X is good at that kinda stuff.”
“Oh yeah he helped me do all my paperwork the other day hes like a genius when it comes to it.
Well only this one specific part actually haha…”
“Quiet! You don't wanna spill it to the commander do you?! We could be deranked or worse!!”
“It's fine X takes most of the load for us anyways.”
The two reploids had both briefly stopped mid conversation to look at zero who was glaring at them in usual fashion. According to Zero’s instinctive analysis he had concluded the two don't think highly of X.
And as a result it angered him.
“ I'd like you to refrain from critiquing my partner, that is my job. keep that up and he will surely surpass weaklings like you”
Zero had turned and walked away leaving the duo silent in fear.
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As Zero made way for his partner’s department he had pondered on why such words had irked him. After all it wasn't like him to suddenly be provoked other than combat.
Perhaps his own personal affiliation with his assignment of being with his rookie partner had caused it. It wasn't like he was planning to get attached to him anyways.
Yet he had found himself taking it more seriously than he had thought. It was new…and also very unnerving.
He had managed to make it to the rookie’’s department various reploids focused on their work, some taking an extensive break. Now noticing that the area actually wasn't very filled, Zero had looked around for his partner and he had assumed it was the one with the multitude of stacks of assignments.
In a frenzy rookie reploids had tensed as the Red intimidating reploid entered the room.trying ever so desperately to look busy.
When Zero had reached X’s desk he seemed focused yet fatigued. He had noticed every little detail of his movement that something was off somehow.
His eyes darted back and forth moving his fingers over his mouth inquisitively and moving his leg back and forth. X hadn't realized his partner was in the room at the moment.
“X..”
A jolt had surfaced from X’s body as he had turned to Zero.
“Oh Zero!....what is it ?”
Zero had looked down at X, his tired yet green hue of glossy eyes had looked back up at him.
“You know how to do this ?”
“Huh? Oh…”
X looks at the paperwork in Zero’hand.
“You want me to do your work for you huh? I get it…but I thought you were different…”
With a sullen expression X holds Zero’s paperwork in his hand about to tug it when Zero holds it back.
“I want you to show me how to do this.”
X stares at Zero briefly and pauses about to say something.
“You….want me to show you?”
“I can't proceed without assistance and you seem qualified in this area.”
“Ah….right …well ok..”
Zero had pushed the paperwork in X’s hands brushing against it gently. X flinching in response unused to this.They hadn't really started on the right foot.
“Ahem Ok take a seat and ill show you …”
Zero sat on X’s desk and leaned close to him paying attention to what he was saying.Going over all the details and how to respond leading to various questions of which Zero couldn't quite understand.
“You have to think from the person's perspective…or rather…that's what I do … if managed incorrectly it can lead to conflict and less inquiries.”
“ I don't….quite understand wouldn't that happen at the fault of those that sent this in?”
“Well yes but if there is any chance of that our job as maverick hunters is to help them.”
“Hmm….that isn't a part of my function so i still can't understand but if you say so …”
X had looked at zero with a softer expression.
“Well the good part is that you are trying right?”
Zero couldn't understand the way his partner looked at him. He hadn't known about other feelings before or rather that he was capable of it.And the first time he had smiled back at X.
After thoroughly explaining X had continued working as the duo stayed side by side with their paperwork. Zero figured that he might as well finish alongside X and take his leave afterwards.
But he ended up staying longer than planned. By the time the duo were finished they were the only two left in the room.
“Phew all done, how was it ?”
“Isnt wasnt bad, thanks to you.”
“Oh it was nothing besides it was nice to have company once in a while.”
X shyly touched the back of his helmet.
“Oh! Actually….i heard it was you that brought me to medbay the other day i..wanted to say thanks.”
Zero’s expression was briefly surprised for a moment but changed to something else.His eyes furrowed at him yet a slight smile looked like it wanted to inch its way into a smile.
“Huh? Its logical…. You had sustained damage…”
“Still we didn't exactly get off on the right foot…”
X holds out his hand to Zero.
“What's that?”
“You….never have seen a handshake before?”
“I am aware of it being a human expression of comradery but why here?”
“We are partners after all!....and I was wondering if maybe we can….uh…”
X froze in his sentence shaking his head. Maybe being friends was too soon after all they don't know much about each other.
“Uh never mind !! ill see you later Zero!”
X rushes off awkwardly as Zero looks at his hand pondering in confusion. His partner was different from most reploids and he had an idea as to why, but he wanted to make sure he could see it for himself.
But if these ideologies he couldn't understand stood in front of the ones he was programmed to be, how could X possibly understand? He was a warbot and X wanted to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. Was getting close to him and being free something he was allowed to do? Zero didn't know.