Utopia

Chapter 8: Sky Lagoon

Six months have passed since the assembly introducing the Repliforce army took place. Maverick Hunter and Repliforce worked side by side often and made an effective team.

Zero and X visited the shelter often to check up on everyone there. So far no attacks had been made by the ARRM.

‘What is taking them?’ Zero wondered ‘Six months ago I over-heard them saying infiltration would be soon… Did they change their minds? I don’t understand… Something’s not right…’

X visited more often then Zero. X had made a few friendships with some of the shelter members whereas Zero had more connections to the Repliforce members, specifically Colonel and Iris.

Iris had performed several field navigation jobs at Maverick Hunter, so she was there often. That gave her lots of time to hang around with Zero one on one. Iris had become very fond of Zero over the past few months and everyone could tell she was into him. Zero, of course, hardly noticed and remained oblivious. He simply enjoyed the time he spent with her.

“Zero… Are you alright? You haven’t been looking well lately. Are you sick?”

“No Iris, I’m ok… I just haven’t been sleeping well and that interferes with recharging properly…”

“Have you talked to Dr. Cain or X about this?”

“No, it’ll pass…”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, Iris. Don’t worry.”

Iris nodded and left for home. Zero watched her leave, but his mind was elsewhere. His few hours of sleep per night were haunted by nightmares. Nightmares meaning what, he had no idea. All he knew were the images that stuck out in his mind: the mysterious man claiming to be his creator, the pain in his head, the sound of Sigma screaming in fear, the dead bodies all over the floor, and the fresh blood dripping from his hands. Somehow he knew it was him who had done this… The evidence was clear in front of him, but he had no recollection of this.

‘What could that dream mean and how can I go about finding out…? Maybe I should--’ Zeros thoughts were rudely interrupted by a shove to his backside.

“Shit! Sorry sir!” A chubby male reploid professed making a nervous chuckle “I, uh, wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“Then I suggest you watch next time rookie… wait… I haven’t seen you around here before… What’s your name?”

“Double” The reploid gulped “I just transferred here… Um, I’m lost. Can you show me where the command room is?”

“Sure, I’m heading to my room, but the command room isn’t too far out of my way.”

“Thank you very much” Double smiled putting his right arm behind his head “What is your name?”

“Zero”

“Nice to meet you Zero”

“Do you know where you have been assigned too yet?”

“Umm… I was told I will be working alongside a fellow named… X I think it is.”

“I see, so you will be working with Unit #17.”

“Really…? Thanks for clearing that up.”

“The command room is at the end of the hallway to your right you can’t miss it.”

“Thanks again. I hope to see you around Zero.”

“Later Double. Good luck.” Zero proceeded back towards the barracks where his room was “Whatever… Sleep mode time.”

Before he knew it morning came and the alarm sounded calling all available hunters to the command room. Zero and X received the emergency transmission to rush to the Sky Lagoon, an airborne military base used for secret operations. Mavericks were attacking and trying to make it crash into the city below.

X and Zero teleported to the Sky Lagoon clearing out the mavericks and rushing through the destruction. Once they arrived at the control room they ran into one of their comrades, Magma Dragoon who was the leader of unit #14.

“Dragoon what are you doing here?” Zero asked.

“This isn’t good guys. A giant maverick just destroyed the main power generator and took off.”

“No! Then the Sky Lagoon will come crashing down into the city below! All those people will be…” X paused gasping at the thought of all the casualties.

“I’m outta here I suggest you both do the same. Don’t do anything reckless on the way out ok?”

X and Zero nodded in unison as Dragoon escaped.

“Zero… all those innocent lives… this isn’t good!”

“I know, let’s search the city below.”

Zero and X left for the city. When they got there X clenched his fist at the wreckage. The city was in ruins and covered in flames.

“I’ll go search for any survivors. Zero go find the maverick who did this. He might still be here somewhere.”

“I agree. I’m on it. Good luck X.”

X ran ahead as Zero began his investigation. He wiped out several of the weaker mavericks in the area until he found Iris lying on the ground. It looked like she had been attacked by something as she was covered in dirt and had minor damages.

“Iris what are you doing here?”

“Zero… Did you come to save me?”

“Yes, hang on.”

“Zero… this giant maverick appeared it looked like…”

“Stay here Iris I’ll take care of it!”

Zero carried Iris to a safe location nearby and continued his search for the maverick. It didn’t take him long due to the maverick finding him first.

“Zero…” The maverick spoke venomously “Do you remember me?”

“You’re that dragon from Mettool Town, but… Colonel…”

“I am Eregion. A mysterious reploid was gracious enough to repair my damages and give me life again! Now I won’t disappoint him!”

The dragon lunged at Zero aiming his fangs in the hunters’ direction. He missed and Zero dashed towards the dragon making a large gash in his chest. Eregion opened his mouth shooting large ball like lasers covering the ground below them. Zero jumped dodging the attack. He aimed his Z-Saber making another giant mark on Eregions stomach. Eregion seemed almost oblivious to the blood pouring out of his wounds. He was persistent this time around.

“Eregion let’s work together!”

“Master Dragoon” Eregion became covered in a ball of light as Dragoon morphed with Eregion creating a red fire breathing machine.

“*Gulp*” Zero stepped back hesitantly until his pride returned and he ran towards the giant machine Z-slashes blazing. He dodged the robo-dragons fire attacks as they left giant holes in the ground.

After much dodging and attacking, Zero finally delivered the final cut. He jumped onto the dragons tale, then his wings, and then onto his head. He took his sword and jabbed it into Eregions head damaging his main functioning drive. This caused him to shut down putting his systems into automatic destruct mode. Zero kept his distance from the blast making it a useless last attempt at defeating his enemy.

“I see you have redeemed yourself from the last battle…”

“Colonel… What are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to save my sister Iris.”

“She’s fine. I rescued her and brought here somewhere safe.”

“Thank you Zero, I owe you one.”

“I have a question to ask of you. Colonel did the Repliforce attack this place?”

“No, we came here for assistance to rectify the damage. We figured Maverick Hunter would be here as well.”

“Then please disarm and come back to base with me, our sources suspect that the Repliforce has become a maverick organization.”

“What? No, we are not! But regardless of what you think I cannot go back with you. We solders never drop our weapons!”

“But then you’ll be branded as mavericks!”

“So be it. The Repliforce prefers war over dishonor and shame! Farewell Zero!”

“Colonel, wait Listen to me!”

But before Zero could utter another word Colonel was gone.

“Damn!” Zero mumbled with gritted teeth.

“Zero did you find the maverick who destroyed the Sky Lagoon?” X asked running in Zeros direction.

“Yeah, he’s dead. I defeated him.”

“Good” X said relieved “Other then hordes of mavericks that had arrived after the crash I couldn’t find any survivors…” X bowed his head in sorrow.

“X, we did the best we could. Now let’s head back to base. We have to plan our next move. Another war is coming.”

“Repliforce… Did they do this?”

“No, but they won’t disarm and disprove our suspicions of them being a group of mavericks!”

“This is bad! You’re right let’s go!”