Chapter 17: Cran's Gamble for Power


June 28th
Maverick Hunter HQ

Dr. Cain straightened his tie out then glanced himself over in the mirror. What he saw before him was a tired, old man who had a few years left to him. And in those years he knew he was the cause of much chaos and mayhem in this world. His only hope, his only dream, was that one day peace between reploids and humans would be found and achieved.

He turned to look around his empty lab. Today was the day the Counsel would decide what to do with the reploids. He knew if they decided to not create anymore, that most reploids would accept this fate. If they chose to destroy all the reploids and forget this entire incident ever happened, the reploids would rise up and wage another war. And yet, if the third choice was chosen, the one to continue to make reploids, sooner or later a crisis would be at hand if both sides didn't learn when to give in to the other and live in peace.

Perhaps the one person capable of destroying all hope of that was General Cran and his goons. Cain frowned and leaned against his cane. If that man had his way, he would see to it that the reploids were just a stepping stone in his career. One more block until he got what he wanted, whatever the hell that was. Cain had seen it in the man's eyes in his talks with him. That wild look of cunning intelligence that only a fiend would have. However, Cain knew that Cran was a very dangerous man. More dangerous than Sigma or any maverick. This man might not be as strong as Sigma, but he would play more mind games and conspiracies than anyone else. And in the end, whoever was pulling the strings, usually got the reward.

Sighing, Cain wobbled towards the door. He heard a bump in the lab and turned around slowly, seeing X1 there. "What is it, X1?" he asked warily.

X1 stared him over. "So, chief, today's the big day, huh?"

"Yes, yes it is..." Dr. Cain moaned.

"Well, I have nothing to worry about," X1 said.

"Why's that?" asked Cain, his hopes getting up that someone actually believed in his ability to talk the Counsel into continuing the production of reploids.

"Because X will talk some sense into him," X1 told him proudly.

Cain's face faulted and he sagged. "Oh..." He then shuffled out the door.

"What...was it something I said?"

* * * * *

X tapped his fingers on the table, waiting for Dr. Cain to show up so they could move to their transportation and get to the meeting. Death Star glanced at him briefly then sighed. During the past few weeks, X had changed a little bit. He had more of a daydream look on his face and at the same time his fighting skills were once again dropping. His armor that he had somehow gotten during the war was gone --- he claimed it lost it's power somehow --- and only his dash system remained.

To put it bluntly, Death Star felt that X was becoming some sort of couch potato, crybaby, daydreaming momma's boy who could barely get the motivation to move around anymore. And he had a feeling it either had to do with Zero's death or the fact that there was no fighting to keep X's mind focused. Or both.

Finally he narrowed his eyes at the tapping fingers. "Do you mind?" he snapped.

X continued to tap lifelessly. "Hmm?"

"The fingers. Do you mind?" repeated Death Star.

"Mmm." X continued to drum his fingers and Death Star's eyes narrowed to slits, his temper rising. Perhaps HE too had been changing personality wise the past few days, because his patience span was shortened greatly. In fact, he had yelled at Carter twice the past few days and Wildfire avoided him all together now.

Grinding his teeth, Death Star looked the other way, attempting to ignore the tapping sound. As it continued on for the next minute, finally he slammed his fist down on the table, causing X to jump. "DO. YOU. MIND?"

X's eyes narrowed, letting Death Star know that the reploid's temper too was on end, and he stood up. "Will excuse ME, Captain, for annoying you!" he snarled. Death Star was no fool and noted the use of rank, something X would never have dreamed of using in the past in such a manner. He was actually pulling rank!

Death Star, however, was not about to stand down to X. Even if he was his commanding officer. Hell, Sigma had been at one point too and he always gave that bastard trouble. And look who was dead right now. Standing up also, Death Star slammed both hands on the table and leaned over it, mimicking X's stance so that both of them were looming over the table. "Yeah, excuse me for being annoyed by six minutes worth of tapping because you're DAYDREAMING."

X's lip twitched. "Oh? So I'm DAYDREAMING now? How do you know I'm not thinking about something important like the upcoming MEETING? Or have you forgotten!?"

Death Star sneered. "Like you're thinking about that, Commander," he responded, throwing in his own use of rank to slap it back in X's face. "But if I'm not mistaken, you were drooling while you 'thought of the meeting'."

X let lose a little animal snarl. Death Star refused to show it on his face, but it made him blink. This was definitely not like X. "Drooling? Are you indicating that a reploid can drool while thinking of important stuff?"

"Oh hell yeah," Death Star countered. "You just didn't realize it I guess because you were so busy thinking on the meeting."

"If you're not interested in helping out here, then go join your friends in the bar and get out of my face!" X shouted.

"Well if you're going to sit there and DROOL, then maybe you should go to your room and daydream in PRIVATE. We wouldn't want the counsel members to think reploids were a bunch of idiots, SIR!" Death Star yelled back.

"If you think I'm going to stand by and take this, Death Star, then you're SERIOUSLY mistaken. You're this close to getting your face bashed in," X screamed, slamming his hands down on the table for emphasis.

"IF YOU THINK YOU CAN ACTUALLY HIT SOMETHING, X!" Death Star roared back. He barely saw the punch coming and had no time to dodge it. Stumbling back, he wiped his lip and glared at X, who was panting hard. X's face had softened and it looked like he was about to apologize. However, Death Star wasn't about to give him the moment. He punched back, nailing X in the nose, sending the reploid stumbling back against the chair. "You hit like a GIRL!" he shouted at the azure hunter.

X stood up, rubbing his nose, both of them glaring at each other. Then, after a tense moment, they both began to laugh. Sitting back down, they shook their heads and looked at each other with appreciation. Perhaps, Death Star supposed, they both needed to let out some anger. "You know, Death Star, you hit like Delta's grandma."

"Pfft. I still see you rubbing your nose over there, Xtreme," Death Star countered, grinning, then stopped, making a silent ow. He rubbed his lip. "I never expected you to actually PUNCH me though!"

X shrugged. "Eh, you needed it."

"Pacifist my ass."

X grinned. "Hey, perhaps in order to get peace, you actually have to punch someone's lights out."

"New pacifist motto?" Death Star asked.

"Nah, one of Zero's mottos," X answered without thinking. Suddenly they both quieted down and looked at the other. But before either of them could say anything, Cain stepped into the room. "Sir," X said.

Death Star nodded. "Sir."

Dr. Cain leaned against his cane. "You two ready?" They both nodded. "Alright, lets go. We don't want to be late..."


Mega City, Military Headquarters 104

Cran leaned back in his seat, looking over the reports before him. He had already been having his spies talk to the Counsel members and listening in on their conversations, ever since the war had ended with the Mavericks. The biggest debate going on between the members was the issue of the reploids. While they would be listening to both sides at the hearings today, they had almost reached their conclusion. All they needed was a nudge in the right direction. His direction.

Throwing the reports down on the desk, Cran glanced to the right where the shadows of the room hid his visitor from sight. "Well, Spade? What do you think of the current situation?" he asked.

Spade inclined his head for a moment. "Well, General, the Counsel is all but ready to throw away the key on the reploids. They fear what they don't understand, which is always a tool for the right people who know how to use it." He didn't have to say anything further on that to realize he meant Cran taking the situation to his advantage. "With your influence slowly growing, having gained a small military outfit, you probably can play this to your advantage. Even if you don't get the reploids totally shut down."

Cran raised his eyebrow. "You think they will continue to produce reploids, Spade?" he said cooly.

"Yes."

Cran frowned. "And why's that?"

"Because the Hunters will give them all the logical reasons why reploids are needed. You see, General, we've become slightly needing of them. Also, with Mega City damaged, it'll take reploids to repair the damage. Plus, only a small number of them actually went maverick, while the majority of them either fought or remained neutral. But the final reason is the one that the Counsel will heed most too," Spade informed him.

"Please, enlighten me."

"You see, Cain has basically created...a new race of living, thinking, reasoning creatures. They may be machine, but whatever technology Dr. Light used with X, Cain has managed to reproduce. The reploids can make their own decisions in life. They are basically human, but in the body of a machine. And that is why the Counsel will not take their lives away and that is why they will continue to produce them," Spade finished.

Cran leaned back in his chair. "I see. I didn't actually consider those options. When you say them, even to me, they sound logical and...proper. No, I suppose this little war isn't enough. But there is surely still mavericks out there, even without their two leaders."

Spade nodded. "Yes, I'm quite sure of this. In fact, the Counsel predicts there's about forty mavericks left. Not counting all their war machines and such that they used in the last war. But even if this number was to rise slightly, it's still insignificant. The human race numbers in the billions. As you see, there's not enough reason in that."

Cran nodded. "Of course not, not yet anyway. But all it takes is one of those forty to start playing a little to rough and kill thousands of humans---then we have them, Spade. Of course you're right now, but all we need is one of those mavericks to walk into some city with a bomb and blow it all up. Then, the Counsel will begin to see. But with the Hunters there to stop the mavericks, my hopes of getting something like that to happen is slim." Spade said nothing, just noting Cran's thinking process. He knew this man was dangerous, too dangerous. In a way, Spade and Cran were alike. Both were cunning and both knew when and where to play the cards. However, Cran had an edge on Spade in tactical and offensive maneuvers. But Spade had a feeling, in the long run, he wouldn't need these things to win his position of power. All he needed was time.

Cran's face got a look on it. "I think I might have an idea." He stood up, adjusting his military outfit. "I have to be off now, Spade. You know how to let yourself out. Enjoy yourself a little." He walked out, leaving Spade standing in the room alone.

Spade reached up and lit his cigar, blowing out a puff of smoke. "Enjoy your time in the spotlight, General...one day, maybe seventy years from now, it'll be my spotlight." He walked over to the wall and tapped a picture, opening a hidden passage. Stepping into it, Spade left no traces that he was even in the room.


The Counsel

The room had gathered quite a large crowd in it this day. The seats were filled and everyone was whispering and speculating. The reporters and newspapers were all there, sitting in the back of the room, talking amongst themselves. Half of them felt that the decision was already decided and this little debate was for show. The remaining half felt that this was the deciding factor. And in that, only some of them felt that reploids would survive this day.

X shifted in his seat next to Dr. Cain. He could feel the sense of dread in the air. Had everything he and the other Hunters done just been in vain? Would some group of aging men and women decide, 'Hey, you guys are just too much trouble after all' and kill them all? He thought back to Voltage. Human error had killed him.

Death Star leaned thoughtfully in his seat, tilting it back. He was looking up at the ceiling, humming some song. X gave him a sidelong glance and glared. How did that reploid manage to be humming and singing at a time like this. Shaking his head, X looked over at Dr. Cain. Dr. Cain looked worried. His face seemed to be going through all sorts of ideas and thoughts, but everyone of them came up negative, and his face showed it. He tapped his cane against the floor nervously.

Suddenly, the doors opened, and General Cran walked in, smiling and waving at everyone. He worked his way up towards the front, waving the reporters off with a promise of talking to them after the meeting. As he reached the front, he turned to look at his three opponents. "Ah, yes. Good day, Doctor Cain. X. And, uh, --- Death Star, isn't it?"

The three gave him blank looks. Finally, Death Star smiled coldly. "Ah, yes, that's my name. You're General Cran, aren't you?" Cran nodded. "You know, this little meeting should really be a great boost for your reputation. Before this little war, I never even heard of you," Death Star lied. Cran's face darkened. "Well, you know, people have to make the best of every situation. I'm sure glad we have you here to make sure scum bags get their proper time in the limelight, eh?" Cran growled and sat down at his seat, to the left of the others.

X looked at him. "You didn't have to provoke him at a time like this..."

Death Star shrugged. "Eh, his face pissed me off."

Dr. Cain sighed. "We'll take about this later, Death Star..." he said warningly. Before he could finish, the counsel members came out and filled their chairs at the front of the room. He stood up, just as everyone else did in the room, as a sign of respect. Death Star was the last one to stand.

The counsel members nodded. The lead one spoke out. "You may all be seated, thank you." The entire room sat down once again. "We're here today to address the issue of reploids in the aftermath of the Maverick War." He waved his hand at General Cran. "General Cran has brought to our attention of how dangerous reploids may be... but has proposed an idea that I agree with."

X, Dr. Cain, and Death Star all whipped their heads at Cran, as did all the rest of the room. It was almost comical to General Cran as he nodded, smiling at the counsel member. "I'm glad you approve."

The counsel member speaking turned to address everyone again. "Yes. While he thinks production should be suspended, he also cannot overlook the fact that reploids are very similar to humans in how they act, feel, and respond. So, his solution is, for the time being, to maintain the Hunters, continue to produce reploids as we see fit...and to have his organization, CorSec, expand some to monitor and watch all reploid activity in the world."

Dr. Cain's faced paled. "W-What?"

"Something wrong, Doctor?" asked the counsel member.

"Nothing, sir."

"Good. The world's governments' armies have agreed to assist CorSec when needed. So, for all you newspaper out there, this is simply a small organization that will monitor things in the world. We're not changing our army's status anywhere," the counsel member added. "The decision is finished, that is all..."

The room immediately broke into conversation as the members left the room. It seemed the entire room was a buzz. General Cran stood up, smiling, walking towards the exit. The reporters ran up to him. "General, sir, how do you feel about your duty?"

Cran stopped. "I take it very seriously. We have to see if reploids everywhere can function properly during these times. If they can't cope or adapt to our times, then we'll...well, lets not talk about what might happen."

Another reporter waved his microphone. "Sir, do you think another war could happen with reploids?"

Cran shrugged. "It's always a possibility. We'll have to see how the future plays out. Now, if you'll excuse me, no more questions." He waved the reporters off and walked out of the room.

Death Star stood next to X, his arms crossed. "What the hell just happened here today!?"

X sighed. "I think we just witnessed the beginning of something evil."

Dr. Cain leaned against his cane. "With Cran's little ploy, he just won himself some power and leverage. If the Hunters screw up enough, he'll step in...and then it'll be all over."

"Great, so, we're going to have to do our a job and stay one step ahead of him???" Death Star groaned.

"Basically."


Near the Site of Sigma's Fortress

The reploid walked along the ground, the broken machines and metal breaking underneath his feet. He weighed a lot, not standing very tall, and was extremely powerful. He grunted with impatience and glanced around. This was definitely not his type of thing. Searching for something important. No, he much rather be smashing things. Like human skulls. But that cooky old reploid told that he needed to search this entire area for anything useful.

Bending down, he picked up a broken piece of a generator, inspecting it carefully. After a few moments he determined that it was indeed broken and threw it behind him, letting it smash against the ground with a nice clank. Looking around, he grunted once more, as if expressing to the ruins he despised them. He'd rather be making ruins instead of picking through them.

Another reploid shifted over to him. He was much taller than the previous reploid and was mostly purple. He had a stuck up, cocky grin on his face that could really tick a person off. He knew was superior than you and let you know it too. "Violen...really, are you even trying?" he asked the reploid with an air of snottiness.

Violin turned and regarded the other reploid, his face scowling. Unlike Violin he didn't even have a human face. Which suited him fine. He liked to wipe that smug look right off his face. "Well...Agile... you told me...to find something...useful...so I look...."

Agile sighed and folded his arms behind his back. "Actually, it's Serges who's so demanding we search through here. Really, I don't see what the big deal is myself." He dusted himself off as the wind shifted. "If you ask me, there's nothing important here. If those Hunters managed to take this base down so easily, than what really makes Serges think there's anything more to be found here?"

Violin grunted and looked around. "What he hope...to find...anyway?" he muttered.

Agile craned his head to peer over the disaster site. "He's hoping to find something of Vile's or even Lord Sigma's. But whatever toys they had here is bound to be utterly useless if they were blown up in the first attempt."

"That, my lads, is where you are wrong," came a high-pitched, wavering voice, marked by his age. Both of the younger reploids turned and regarded Serges with an air of offense. Here was a reploid that was created old --- and old he was. Serges came tumbling down a hill and looked at them both, grinning, his strange eyes sizing them up. "I'm picking up powerful signals here... even now. Those stupid Hunters didn't even search these grounds that well."

Agile cleared his throat in the most annoying way possible. "Is that so, Serges? And just what might be laying around here that the Hunters would overlook? Obviously nothing of value. You're probably detecting the remnants of a generator. Really..."

Serges shook a finger at him. "Don't you go thinking you're superior to my, Agile. You may be smarter than Violin here, but you have nothing on me. The only thing you have is a warrior's skill. Leave the thinking to me."

Violin chuckled, his voice causing Agile to glare at him in contempt. "Shut up, you stupid excuse for a machine." He turned back to Serges and looked him over. "And what do you think you've found?"

Serges shook his head and strolled over to some area that looked utterly dissolute of anything useful. "Nuh uh. I'm not telling you what I think if you're going to have such a superior ego over everyone. Come here Violin. Dig here."

Violin shuffled over to him and then used the huge wrecking ball on his back to begin to smash up the ground. As dirt went flying, Agile shook his head, wondering just how he managed to hook up these two. Until he heard Serges' cry of glee. Violin had stopped his bombardment, which was quite crude, against the ground and backed off. Serges knelt down and pulled something out that Agile couldn't quite make out from where he was standing. Walking over with an air of confidence, he looked at the round shape Serges was holding. "By the makers, you're happy over a bald---whatever the hell that is."

Serges stood up and pointed his finger up at Agile one more time. "A-ha, you stupid, stupid reploid. Have you no idea what I'm holding here in my hands!?"

Agile sighed patiently. "Please, indulge me."

Serges turned it around so that Agile was looking face to face...with a face. "It..can't be." Serges grinned at Agile's utter look of shock. "Can it be true? He survived such a battle?"

Serges tucked the head under his arm. "There's only one way to be sure. We're going to have to hook him up to some generators, but perhaps this is our lucky day."

Agile looked at Violin then back at Serges, shaking his head. "Lord Sigma...alive?"