Past Prologue
folder
+M through R › Mega Man
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
10
Views:
2,354
Reviews:
5
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
+M through R › Mega Man
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
10
Views:
2,354
Reviews:
5
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own MegaMan, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Prognosis
“Me?” X asked.
Dr. Cain nodded, then said, “I can think of no other candidate.”
“Interesting,” Sigma said.
X paused and shifted on his feet, appearing disturbed by the idea. “What would I have to do?” he asked.
“For you, the procedure will be easy. All I have to do is extract a sample of your fluids and then find and replicate the specific portion of DNA I need from that.”
“I’m willing to cooperate if that’s all it takes,” X said, relief washing over him, but he furrowed his brow when Dr. Cain’s face grew sorrowful. X felt the immense sympathy behind the doctor’s expression.
“Before you make your decision, X, you should also know that Zero probably won’t have an easy time, if he survives the procedure at all,” the doctor said. “The integration probably won’t be smooth, and if his immune system rejects your DNA completely then his symptoms will be even worse. In all likelihood, the procedure will ensure that he never functions properly again.”
When X did not reply, Dr. Cain said, “In other words, this is a long shot. A very long shot. However, it may be Zero’s only chance at recovery. X, I believe it ought to be up to you whether or not it’s worth the effort to save this Reploid’s life, or if it would be better to destroy him now.”
X’s face fell as he listened to Dr. Cain. He looked to Sigma for any sign of input, but instead was met with an expectant look from his commander. He looked away and back toward Zero, the sight making his chest ache and his conscience insufferably confused. He struggled to imagine a life after ordering the death of such marvelous creature, but struggled as much with the idea of prolonging Zero’s agony. Either way, the Maverick’s fate was X’s responsibility.
There was the chance—however slight—that Zero would recuperate. X smiled inwardly as he recalled the past few weeks he spent with the red Maverick. While X had been helping Dr. Cain restore Zero in the lab, he had wondered what sort of personality Zero would have if he were just a normal Reploid at first. Would they get along? Would Zero be smart? Friendly? A loner? Shy? A ladykiller?
Though he had no basis, he felt compelled to admit to himself the truth he wanted to bury: that Zero was much like himself. They had both come from unknown origin, with designs unlike anything else. Normality, therefore, was something neither he nor Zero would probably ever achieve whether they were healthy or not.
Despite that, X was grateful to be alive. Suddenly, X was sure of his decision.
“I want him to have another chance,” X said. “Please, Doctor. We have to at least try.”
Dr. Cain nodded as if he had expected the answer, but then said, “I thought you would say that, X, but there is another detail to all of this. Before I introduce the virus that will transplant the DNA he needs, he will have to undergo a full memory wipe to ensure that there is as little biomechanical stress and interference with the integration as possible. A reset, essentially. It will also rid him of any potential memories and associations that would trigger a relapse into a Maverick state.”
X blinked, stunned momentarily with disbelief. “So to save his life,” X began, “We have to delete his memories?”
Dr. Cain nodded. “Indeed.”
X looked over to Zero. He appeared sorrowful, saying “Then he won’t remember me.” His voice gave no clear indication of whether he was asking for or stating the truth.
Dr. Cain sighed. “I know we wanted to learn about where he came from, but with the way he is now, it makes no difference if he returns to a blank slate. And before he met you, I dare say that he probably has memories that any healthy, sentient being would be glad to be rid of.”
X nodded. He said, “I see.”
Sigma, who had been listening silently, huffed in amusement and said, “He won’t remember me either. Too bad!”
X winced. He hated the sound of his commander’s voice.
Dr. Cain nodded, then said, “I can think of no other candidate.”
“Interesting,” Sigma said.
X paused and shifted on his feet, appearing disturbed by the idea. “What would I have to do?” he asked.
“For you, the procedure will be easy. All I have to do is extract a sample of your fluids and then find and replicate the specific portion of DNA I need from that.”
“I’m willing to cooperate if that’s all it takes,” X said, relief washing over him, but he furrowed his brow when Dr. Cain’s face grew sorrowful. X felt the immense sympathy behind the doctor’s expression.
“Before you make your decision, X, you should also know that Zero probably won’t have an easy time, if he survives the procedure at all,” the doctor said. “The integration probably won’t be smooth, and if his immune system rejects your DNA completely then his symptoms will be even worse. In all likelihood, the procedure will ensure that he never functions properly again.”
When X did not reply, Dr. Cain said, “In other words, this is a long shot. A very long shot. However, it may be Zero’s only chance at recovery. X, I believe it ought to be up to you whether or not it’s worth the effort to save this Reploid’s life, or if it would be better to destroy him now.”
X’s face fell as he listened to Dr. Cain. He looked to Sigma for any sign of input, but instead was met with an expectant look from his commander. He looked away and back toward Zero, the sight making his chest ache and his conscience insufferably confused. He struggled to imagine a life after ordering the death of such marvelous creature, but struggled as much with the idea of prolonging Zero’s agony. Either way, the Maverick’s fate was X’s responsibility.
There was the chance—however slight—that Zero would recuperate. X smiled inwardly as he recalled the past few weeks he spent with the red Maverick. While X had been helping Dr. Cain restore Zero in the lab, he had wondered what sort of personality Zero would have if he were just a normal Reploid at first. Would they get along? Would Zero be smart? Friendly? A loner? Shy? A ladykiller?
Though he had no basis, he felt compelled to admit to himself the truth he wanted to bury: that Zero was much like himself. They had both come from unknown origin, with designs unlike anything else. Normality, therefore, was something neither he nor Zero would probably ever achieve whether they were healthy or not.
Despite that, X was grateful to be alive. Suddenly, X was sure of his decision.
“I want him to have another chance,” X said. “Please, Doctor. We have to at least try.”
Dr. Cain nodded as if he had expected the answer, but then said, “I thought you would say that, X, but there is another detail to all of this. Before I introduce the virus that will transplant the DNA he needs, he will have to undergo a full memory wipe to ensure that there is as little biomechanical stress and interference with the integration as possible. A reset, essentially. It will also rid him of any potential memories and associations that would trigger a relapse into a Maverick state.”
X blinked, stunned momentarily with disbelief. “So to save his life,” X began, “We have to delete his memories?”
Dr. Cain nodded. “Indeed.”
X looked over to Zero. He appeared sorrowful, saying “Then he won’t remember me.” His voice gave no clear indication of whether he was asking for or stating the truth.
Dr. Cain sighed. “I know we wanted to learn about where he came from, but with the way he is now, it makes no difference if he returns to a blank slate. And before he met you, I dare say that he probably has memories that any healthy, sentient being would be glad to be rid of.”
X nodded. He said, “I see.”
Sigma, who had been listening silently, huffed in amusement and said, “He won’t remember me either. Too bad!”
X winced. He hated the sound of his commander’s voice.