Utopia

Chapter 9: coup d'état

X and Zero both teleported out of the city and back to the command room. The intercom reported maverick sightings close by. All of them were members of Repliforce.

“Iris what are you doing here?” Zero questioned in shock.

“I’m going to some of the maverick sightings. See you guys later.” X ran out of the command room to his destination when he noticed Double waiting by the entrance way.

“Umm Sir… Sorry to bother you, but I’d like to help you during this crisis. I know I’m just a rookie, but I’d like to help in any way I can. The name is Double by the way incase you forgot…” The chubby yellow reploid said.

“Sure Double I don’t see a problem. Keep an eye out for any new information while I am away ok?”

“Yes sir! I’ll do my best!” Double saluted as X ran out the door.

Back in the command room Zero was surprised to find Iris at Maverick Hunter Base.

“Zero… My brother started the coup.”

“I know.”

“Please don’t fight him! This must be a mistake! Let me talk to him before you both do something rash!” She pleaded.

“They have already taken over several cities in this short time. It’s my job to stop them!”

“Zero, wait please!”

“I have to go Iris! Try to understand that I have to do this…”

Before Iris could respond Zero left to his assigned areas leaving Iris there to contemplate what she should do next.

Zero and X were out on missions all day long. Double kept his cool and researched information. He tried to keep updated on the current happenings of the war and what Repliforce was up too. He had plenty of information to give X already.

Iris on the other hand was frantic with worry. She desperately didn’t want her brother and Zero fighting. All she wanted was to live happily with Zero by her side; to live happily with both her brother and Zeros love to keep her content and safe.

She grabbed the phone in one of the smaller offices and called her brothers private phone line. It rang a few times and then went to the answering machine.

“Brother it’s me… Listen I’m begging you… Please don’t fight with Zero. I don’t care what reasons you two have to fight, so please… There has to be another way. You know how I feel about him brother… Why would you do this? Never mind that question. I already know why… You tell me every time the enemy won’t listen to my peaceful proposals. It’s about protection, it’s about honor, and it’s about PRIDE! What is it with you warriors and pride? Can’t you set it aside for once? Can’t you just spare his life?? I don’t care about anyone else…!”

Iris hung up the phone and walked back to the command room waiting for Zeros return, knowing deep down that neither Colonel nor Zero would listen to her pleas.

That evening X and Zero arrived from their missions and were ready to get up early the next morning to complete the rest of them.

Double reported to X his findings and what Dr. Cains assumptions were for the cause of the coup. X congratulated Double on his good work and dismissed him for the night. X went to bed early and slept in his recharge capsule until morning.

Zero was worried about Iris because of how they had left things in the command room, so he decided to visit her in the guest quarters.

He knocked on her door, no answer. He knocked again and still no answer.

‘She must be asleep already… Maybe tomorrow…’ Zero thought walking to his room and shutting the door to turn in for the night ‘I know this is wrong… I’m not stupid… I know the Repliforce are not bad people and Iris is suffering because of the fighting, but I can’t ignore my orders. It’s my job… I have no choice… Damn Iris, I’m doing my best. I hope you know that…’

The next day X left to complete his last few missions. As Zero was exiting the command room Iris ran up to him.

“Zero I have a message from Repliforce.”

Colonel appeared on the wide screen television “Zero I’ll be at Memorial Hall. Be there!”

“Zero, please don’t…”

“This is a matter of Pride now! I won’t turn away from a battle! I have to go!” Zero declared warping out of the command room before Iris could plead with him anymore.

“No… I… I…” Iris mumbled with gritted teeth, her eyes shut tightly holding back the tears “I can’t take this anymore…”

Meanwhile at Memorial Hall Colonel was waiting for Zero to show himself. His hands were itching at the thought of a sword battle with his new rival, especially with a reploid so worthy of his skill. He wouldn’t have to hold back at all with Zero.

“Colonel, I’m disappointed in you!”

Zero jumped off of a ceiling ledge and landed in front of his opponent.

“What are you doing you idiot?”

“It’s not too late. Stop the coup!”

“Never”

“Fine… Then take this!” Zero shouted swinging his Z-saber at the Colonel. They both stared into each others eyes as they pushed against one another swords clashing until suddenly a loud scream rang through the hall.

“Stop it!” Iris screamed “Please brother don’t you remember? Zero saved my life!”

“And I am thankful for that… but this is different. This has nothing to do with favours or friendship! This is about our honor and pride as warriors; as soldiers!”

“Iris go back to Maverick Hunter. It’s not safe here.” Zero told her.

“Fuck why won’t you listen to me…? Don’t you understand how stupid this is? How meaningless and pointless all this fighting is…?! Just stop it now!”

“My dear sister, I’m sorry that you don’t understand, but trust me this is for the good of Repliforce! It’s not just about my honor as a reploid, but for the honor of everyone in our organization! Now do what Zero says Iris… Please leave!”

“Fine… You brought this on yourself Colonel… Since I can’t convince you with peaceful means then I will have to use violent methods like you do… Because in war there are always sacrifices right? It’s the price we pay for peace…”

Zero and Colonel just stood there confused. No understanding of what she was saying or what she meant.

Suddenly Iris pulled out a gun from her bag. She held it up to her face, grabbed the trigger, and aimed at her throat trigger finger ready to fire at will.

“Iris what are you doing???” The Colonel yelled “Put that down… Y-you don’t know what you’re doing!”

Zero stared in silence with a look of fear and shock spread across his face. He finally managed to speak “I-Iris don’t do it!”

“Make one more move and I’ll shoot! I’ll do it! I’ll show both of you how meaningless this feud and war really are! Every war has a sacrifice, something that makes both sides stop and look towards other options. If I have to be that sacrifice to keep you two from dying at each others hands then so be it! I’d gladly do it because… You are the most important people in my life…!”

The area filled with tension as both men stood frozen in fear. They were afraid to act and afraid to not act. They didn’t know what movement would send her off the edge to pull the trigger on her self.

Colonel broke the silence “Alright! I’ll spare him for now…” He said walking away not even looking back at Zero or his sister.

Iris dropped the gun to the ground, her hands shaking at what she was thinking of doing. She looked up at Zero “Zero… Please try to understand why I did that… I’m afraid that one of you will end up dead! That would devastate me! I’d rather it be me instead!”

Zero turned away and punched the wall of Memorial Hall “Damn Iris! Someone has to stop Repliforce! Don’t do that again!” He ordered.