Chapter 7: The First Maverick War Begins

May 27th
The Airshow

Launch Minus 7 Hours and Counting...

The morning sky was still very dark, only the first rays of the sun starting to rise to the east of the airfield. Spade stood in the control tower, over looking the giant fish airship. He still didn't understand why the creator had built it in the image of a...fish, but that was the least of his concerns.

Security was changing now and Spade was putting in his own hand picked men, unknown to the airport's staff. These men would automatically abandon the ship to the Mavericks after putting up a pathetic attempt to stop them.

Of course, the Hunters would be there to make sure everything was going well. They couldn't be allowed to stop the Mavericks, but Cran didn't want them attacked by any sort of means that could link back to him. Spade had set explosives around key areas of The Fin. Also, they were declared stolen no more than a week ago, in a supposed Maverick attempt.

The flight director next to him smiled affectionately at his ship out there that he would oversee the launch of. "She's a beaut, isn't she?"

"I suppose if you enjoy...fish."

"It's a swordfish, actually."

"...it's still a fish," Spade corrected him. "Last time I checked, fish didn't fly."

"Well, sir, with God as my witness, you're going to see it today."

Spade smirked. "I'm sure. And with front seat tickets, too."

* * * * *

Launch Minus 1 Hour and Counting...

Sigma barked orders from the hanger they were in. "Alright, Hunters. We're going to be here today to make sure everything goes just fine with this launch. This airship is a prime target for Maverick attack. We will not let them have it. Keep your guard about and make sure you don't kill any civilians or Cain'll have our heads. Understood?"

Sigma pointed at Death Star. "You take your little twin, Wildfire, and Brian Carter on a primeter scouting trip. When you're done, head up to the tower next to The Fin and wait for the other scouting groups. Go now." He watched four run off. "Squad Alpha, you're going to be scouting the remaining towers. Make sure there's no Mavericks up there waiting to attack us." That group ran off. "Okay, the rest of us," he said to his eight men, "are just going to be on standby until and wait for Vile. Then we'll crush him."

* * * * *

Dr. Cain sat down in his seat and overlooked the crowded airshow. "By damn, look at this turnout. Looks like a lot of people like fish." X sat down next to him and glanced around. Zero stood to the side, body guard for Cain.

X leaned back in his seat. "I think it's exciting. This is like one of ten airships Earth has now after the war, isn't it?"

Zero scoffed, not enjoying his position to guard Cain. He wanted to be out there with Sigma, waiting for the Mavericks. Instead he had to babysit. It was driving him up the wall. "What's so important about airships? You build one and it'll most likely fall into enemy hands."

Dr. Cain tisked. "If we don't have the manpower to grow, what's the point in fighting the enemy? We'll only be too weak to do anything and sooner or later a more powerful enemy will come by and take us out."

Zero conceded. X smirked. "Oh sit down and quit pacing, Zero. Enjoy the show."

* * * * *

Vile tugged at the mechanic outfit he wore over his armor, hiding who he was from people. Vile's face was quite infamous around here. He pointed at the twenty Mavericks that accompained him. "Alright, lets move out. Remember, act like you're here to run a maintance run on the ship. Don't do anything suspicious. Understood?"

The group began to walk down the hanger lift, past Sigma's men, who were busy scanning the crowd for any signs of Mavericks. Vile smirked evilly when he saw Sigma and his new scars. He would like to meet the person who did that to him.

Running out along the runway, Vile stepped into the turbo lift with five other of his men. The plan was to slowly move their group into the lifts and into The Fin. A larger group might alert the Hunters or security.

Passing a security officer, Vile tipped the hat outfit covering his head and pretended to adjust his face mask. "How's it going, buddy?" he asked.

The officer shrugged. "Nothing much." Vile's little group stepped past him and stepped onto the ship.

Vile pointed to the right. "You three, go that way. Get control of the engine room. The rest of you, with me, we'll secure the control room. Remember, don't blow our cover until we're all on here. This thing launches within the hour."

* * * * *

Launch Minus 30 Minutes and Counting...

Death Star and North Star met back up with Wildfire and Brian. The four decided to split up and cover the scouting duty quicker. "Anything, guys?" asked Death Star.

"Nope, not a damn thing. Maybe the Mavericks were to scared to show up. It is well guarded," Wildfire suggested.

North Star shook his head. "Vile, resist this? C'mon, give me a break..."

Brian Carter glanced at Death Star. "Why would Vile be so interested in taking this thing? It's a giant fish."

Death Star studied Brian. "Because it's a giant fish that can cause mass destruction. Vile would never pass up the chance to wipe out the human race. I've fought him before, well, not one on one, but as a group. He'll take chances to stir up trouble. That's why he attacked your office complex." Death Star noted that Brian's face flickered with an emotion. Probably pain, rage, maybe confusion?

"I see..." was all Brian said.

Death Star waved the others after him and the group began towards the final destination in the tower. "Tell me something, Carter. You joined the Hunters because of divine intervention, correct?"

Brian's eyes cut to the side, but he didn't turn his head to face him completely. "Well, sir--"

"Death Star. I don't care for the 'sir' and 'Lieutenant' thing from fellow Hunters."

"Well, Death Star, I was let off early that day. Two minutes later, the Mavericks attacked. Seems pretty divine to me. What about you?"

Death Star glanced down. "I don't know if I believe in God to give you an answer on that. But either way, destiny has brought you here for a reason."

Brian nodded. "Destiny, divine intervention, doesn't matter which you choose I suppose."

"Nah."

The two glanced back and noticed North Star and Wildfire chatting, exchanging girl phone numbers. Death Star grinned amused. "He never changes..."

Brian nodded at Wildfire. "He's the party animal from what I seen. Those two will get along great."

Death Star smirked. "Probably will. I guess that leaves us to talk..." The two began to chat as they walked towards the tower.

* * * * *

Zero had his feet on the seat in front of him, his arms crossed and pouting. X gave him a sidelong glance. "Will you cheer up?"

"No."

"Cheer up or I'll sic Dr. Cain on you."

"No."

"Want to read my book?"

"Hell no."

"I'll sing if you like."

"Only if you want your vocal cords in serious need of repair."

"It's not like you're going to miss any action from here."

Zero remained sullen.

"What? You don't like babysitting jobs?"

"Yes."

"Yes you do?"

"Yes I don't!"

"Not even a little bit?"

"No!"

X gave up and opened his book. He was reading through the second page of the chapter he had just begun when he heard Zero clear his throat and mumble something. He glanced to the side again. "What is it now?"

Zero nodded. "I've been counting fourteen mechanics marching into that tower for the past twenty minutes."

"So? I'm sure something as big as The Fin needs mechanics to keep it tuned up."

"Well, they're all reploids."

"...so what?"

"Well, I've been studying Maverick faces and I think a few of them are Mavericks."

"Like how could you spot that from here?"

"I have one of Dr. Cain's new sensor scopes on my eye."

X gulped. "A-Are you sure they are Mavericks?"

"Nah, I could be wrong. But still, what if I'm not?"

X glared. "Oh hardy har har." He glanced around, Dr. Cain not back from the popcorn yet. "Fine. Go check it out. I'm sure if they were really Mavericks Sigma and the others would have found out by now."

Zero grinned and stood up. "Hell, Sigma couldn't find his own ass in the dark." He ran along the asiles, knocking people aside as he ran for the hanger to get to the airfield.

X sighed and flipped the book into the seat next to him, knowing he wouldn't be able to read now...

* * * * *

Launch Minus 15 Minutes and Counting...

Death Star leaned against the snack machine, watching a few mechanics walk by. North Star, Wildfire, and Brian were all glancing down the hallway next to him, seeing what the loud sounds were. It was just the engines of the airship powering up.

He walked over to the glass windows and looked down at the huge crowd below, cheering that soon their waiting would be over. "Pfft." He turned back and thought back to those mechanics. Noticing an object on the ground, he knelt down and picked it up. It was a shiny insignia...that was a Maverick's.

Death Star's stomach went to ice and he fiddled with his comm. "Wildfire, Brian, North, get over here...now!" A few seconds later they rounded the corner. He showed them the insignia.

"Dammit to fucking hell!" shouted North Star.

Death Star grabbed his comm. "Sigma? This is Death Star's group."

"Yeah, Death Star?" Sigma's voice came over.

"The Mavericks are already on board The Fin."

"What?!" There was sounds of cursing and something about Vile's mother. "We'll be there in three minutes. Hold down the fort. They're probably going to launch this ship on time so no one would expect anything. We have...thirteen minutes before they launch. Don't let them go!"

Death Star glanced down and saw Sigma's group tearing towards the tower. He didn't think they could be here in three minutes himself. "Okay, guys. It's up to us to slow down the Mavericks." He and North Star dashed ahead into The Fin itself.

Wildfire grinned and patted Brian on the back. "Looks like your first mission is the big one."

"Great..."

* * * * *

Zero stepped off the turbo lift. The roaring of the engines starting up were deafening, but he could handle it. He began to run along the interlock between the tower and The Fin, running inside it.

He began to work his way to what he thought was the control room of this thing when he realized he really had no clue where it was.

"Great!"

* * * * *

X glanced as Dr. Cain sat down with his popcorn. The old man looked around. "Where's Zero?" He took a handful of popcorn and threw it into his mouth.

"Oh, on The Fin."

Cain coughed out the popcorn, spewing it everywhere. "Say WHAT!?"

X nodded. "He thought he saw some Mavericks."

Cain slid down in his chair. "This is just great...you guys can drive a man to start drinking again..."

* * * * *

Vile watched Sigma's group desperately running towards the tower that would lead them to The Fin. He turned to the captured captain. "Looks like they're on to us. No more reason to let you live, is there?" The man's eyes widen but quickly glazed over as Vile's blast tore through his stomach, melting his innards.

The reploid stepped away from the man as he crashed onto the floor. "It seems we were found out. How many more minutes until we were suppose to launch?"

His second in command glanced over at him. "Eleven."

Vile smirked. "Lets up the ante some, shall we? Have the ground unit attack the crowd. Stall them."

* * * * *

Launch Minus 10 Minutes and Counting...

Death Star rolled to the side of the wall and glanced around. "Okay, pop quiz. What do you with a captured crew of, oh, say a hundred people?"

North Star rolled to the other side of the wall. "Kill them."

Wildfire trotted by the two and set up position. "You think they did that?"

Brian shook his head. "No way. They couldn't have smuggled a hundred replacements on here. They're probably have the crew under the impression that the real captain's still in place. Or have them at gun point working."

Death Star nodded, satisfied. "Right, Carter. So, we need to get these people off. I don't feel like tackling Vile right this moment, what say you?"

North Star grinned. "Oh, I don't know, I could--" he began when a voice spoke up from behind them.

"I'll take Vile and his Mavericks." The four turned around and saw Zero standing there, his blaster charging.

Death Star nodded slowly. "You sure, Lieutenant Zero?"

Zero nodded. "Sure thing, Lieutenant Death Star."

Death Star grinned. "Don't suppose you brought your sabre with you."

Zero shook his head. "I'm not ready to use that as my primary weapon. My trusty blaster will do. See you guys later." The red Hunter dashed ahead, quickly rounding the corner.

Wildfire scoffed. "Like he could actually take on the entire Maverick force here."

Brian shrugged. "I don't know, he just might do it."

Death Star nodded. "If anyone can do it, it's Zero."

North Star pointed. "Lets go and find the crew, shall we?"

* * * * *

Sigma and his men packed into the tight turbo lift and it slowly began to work its way up. "Dammit to fucking hell, what's taking this thing so long? Can't it go any faster?"

Sting hissed. "It takes time, sir...it's just not going to go there faster because of the situation we're in."

Flame roared. "How long does this thing usually take?"

Sting shrugged. "With our weight? Three more minutes."

"God..." Sigma moaned.

* * * * *

X continued to watch the countdown. So far everything was normal. Dammit, Zero, if this was just some excuse to run off and have some fun instead of watching Cain, I'm going to throttle you...

Suddenly there were screams and a loud of explosion. X's eyes darted to the left and he saw four mavericks opening fire on the crowd. Security ran at them but was quickly knocked back, scampering off for safety.

X stood up and shielded X instinctively. "Run, Doc! Run!" Dr. Cain nodded and began to run for the nearest exit with the rest of the crowd. One of the Mavericks spotted him and fired. X leaped into the way and caught the blast square in the chest, sending him rolling down the seats painfully.

He knew he was bleeding from the chest but it hadn't gone completely through his armor. But that didn't stop it from hurting like hell. X's vision blurred and the only thing he knew was that he was still tumbling until he painfully hit some gate. Coughing up battery fluid, X struggled to get up, but his body screamed in agony. He couldn't do it.

The mavericks loomed above him, sneering. "Man, I shot this guy with a level 1 blast it and knocks him completely out. What kind of sissy is this!?"

Another maverick spoke up. "It's X, that first reploid."

"Oh, really? I'm going to enjoy this..."

X could feel the blows to his side, but his mind was too racked with pain to acknowledge it. Zero...

* * * * *

Spade smoked his cigar as the flight crew in the control tower panicked and ran about, wondering what the hell was going on. The flight director shook his head in disbelief. "Those Mavericks are attacking the crowd! Dammit, why is this happening now!? Cancel the launch!"

Spade held up his hand. "No!!" The entire flight crew looked at him in disbelief. "If you cancel the launch, the Mavericks can just take the ship. Let it launch and send it to safety."

The flight director nodded. "Right, good idea. Fin, this is mission control. We want you to continue the launch. Understood?"

A cold, hard voice came over the line. "Understood perfectly."

The flight director's eyes wavered. "Whaaa? You're not Captain Thomas."

The voice seemed to vibrate from laughter. "No, no I'm not. This is Vile, leader of the Mavericks, and The Fin is under my control now."

The flight director slammed his fist onto the controls. "DAMMIT! SOMEONE, GET SECURITY ON THERE!!! STOP THAT FISH!"

Spade remained in the shadows, his face showing disbelief that echoed the others, but deep inside he was chuckling. Reploids, as this case proved, were all too dangerous. And soon General Cran would be ending it all. Vile wouldn't enjoy his prize for more than a few days.

* * * * *

Launch Minus 5 Minutes and Counting...

Wildfire typed away on the controls. The others waited on him. North Star muttered under his breath. "Damn 'intelligence and reconnaissance' takes so damn long at hacking a simple terminal."

Wildfire jammed the hilt of his sabre into the air at North. "My field isn't to go around blasting away people and hacking terminals on the dime. I was along for the scouting part and got dragged into this."

Brian held up his hands at the two. "Would you two chill?! We have less than five minutes to find a way to get the crew off of here. Tearing at each other's throats will not solve anything."

Death Star clapped his hands. "Hear, hear. Now lets move people. I've been studying these charts here. I think if we can get to this station here," Death Star continued, pointing, "we can use all our computer abilities to try and contact the ship. Warn them. If they're not captured, they can escape."

North Star waved his hands irritably. "Wait, wait, the engine room's crew would definitely be held at gunpoint. That's a key part for Vile to take over. Zero will have to free the control room crew."

Suddenly eight new voice spoke up behind them. "We'll take the engine room, runts, you just warn the others." The four nearly jumped again at the sound of the voices and turned to see Sigma's posse there, minus the main man himself.

Death Star nodded slowly. "Whatever you say. Where's Sigma?"

Storm grinned. "Going to the control room to take out Vile."

Brian shook his head. "This is just great. Sigma, Zero, and a whole bunch of Mavericks. Vile's history."

The two groups split up to finish their jobs.

* * * * *

Zero broke into the room and blasted the nearest Maverick to bits. "You guys are about to get a major ass kicking, curtisy of me, Zero." He blasted three more Mavericks to dust. The lead Maverick, a purple cladded fellow, turned and glared angerily. He fired a blast from his cannon that Zero had to flip to dodge.

The Maverick, who definately must have been Vile, jabbed his finger at another big looking Maverick. "Get us moving! Screw the countdown!"

The other maverick threw his hands up. "It's running on some autopilot for the countdown. We'll only get control after it hits zero."

Zero blasted two more Mavericks and leaped at Vile, who dodged easily. Vile kicked Zero square in the chest, sending him flying back. "Zero, is it? Pathetic retch, daring to challenge me. Prepare to die!" Vile leaped at Zero and their hands locked together. Each one tried to shove his weight into the other, both locked in a death grip.

The computer kept sounding off the countdown as the two circles, trying to force the other one to the ground from their strength, but neither one relented. Zero grinned savagely and began to crush Vile's hands. The Maverick bit off a scream, his eyes glowing red beneath the mask.

Finally Vile through Zero back and gripped his hands, which were sparking from damage. "Da...Damn you!"

Zero laughed. "You lose." He began to advance when Vile charged his cannon and fired. The blast was about to hit Zero when a sabre hilt slashed it in half, causing it to vanish. Both Zero and Vile turned to the newcomer.

Sigma sneered. "You lose, Vile."

Vile screamed in rage.

* * * * *

X's ears roared with what sounded like a waterfall. He was dimly aware of someone kicking him over and over, but he didn't feel it really. He tasted the battery fluid on his tongue and it burned. But he was still alive.

Rolling onto his back, X grabbed the Maverick kicking him by the leg and threw him as hard as he could into another one. The Maverick only stumbled, as if a kid had pushed him, but it gave X the chance he needed. He rolled over the gate, turned his hand into a blaster. It took a lot of concentration and willpower, seeing as X never used it before. He aimed at one of their heads and fired, taking it clean off.

The other two leaped back, surprised. X fired again, missed, and fired again, nailing another in the leg, blowing it off and sending him out of range of shooting back. The last Maverick glared and teleported away.

Coughing, X let his blaster return back to his hand and he struggled to let himself back up but collapsed. He was aware of Dr. Cain approaching, but all faded into blackness again.

* * * * *

Launch Minus 2 Minutes and Counting...

Sting and Storm tackled the two Mavericks guarding the humans, not caring if the humans were shot in the crossfire. Sting rammed his tail through one Maverick and swung him away.

The other six Hunters leaped down and opened fire on the group of Mavericks, annihilating them quickly. They pointed at the humans. "You have two minutes to get to the tower before this thing launches. I hope you can run fast," Storm said.

The group of humans broke into a mad run. Flame roared his elephant roat and looked around. "Well, lets get back to the tower ourselves. Sigma can handle this."

They began to walk back when Storm ran his hand along the wall. "I love this ship..."

All the others turned around to look at him. "...it's a fish!"

Storm shrugged. "So?"

* * * * *

Death Star ran up to the terminal. He began to open a connection and ran it through the entire ship. "This is Lieutenant Death Star of the Hunters. This ship has been taken over by Mavericks. You need to evacuated immediately! Get the hell off this ship NOW!"

He turned to the others. "Okay, lets get the hell off of this thing ourselves."

Brian nodded. "Don't have to tell me twice...but you might them..." He pointed at the six Mavericks training their arms on them.

Wildfire's eyes flickered. "Oh damn."

North Star roared and leaped forward, blasting the lead Maverick. Death Star brought out his saber (not sabre) and slashed the nearest Maverick in half as did Wildfire to the Maverick on the other side. Brian fired his sniper rifle and nailed the next Maverick in the head, sending him backwards, then brought his sabre and slashed another Maverick in half.

Death Star and North Star slashed/blasted two Mavericks together and finished them off for the count. Death Star glanced at Brian. "Ace of sabres, I hear. Me and you have to spar sometime."

Wildfire smirked and gave that "I told you so" look. Brian sighed. "Well, we're already behind. I think we're going to have to run this."

The four broke into a run, trying to race the clock.

* * * * *

Sigma slashed at Vile, causing the purple reploid to jump back. Zero leaped over Sigma's shoulder and fired, succeeding in spinning Vile back into the controls. Vile jabbed his finger at the only remaining Maverick left, his second in command. "Set up the self-destruct to go off instantly if they advance anymore."

Sigma and Zero stopped. Vile smiled victoriously. "As you can see, this ship is definitely mine." Sigma's fist gripped angerly.

Zero's eyes flared as he tried to think of a way to get to Vile, but remembered all the others on board. "We'll meet again, Vile."

"Count on it, Zero."

Zero dashed off. Sigma remained, panting heavily. "I'll be seeing you shortly, Vile, count on it..." he said, not moving. Vile couldn't tell, but he thought he detected some respect in Sigma's voice. But with that, the Hunter leader was gone as well.

Vile glanced at his second in command. "Do you think they have a chance of clearing the tower before we launch?"

The second in command shook his head. "Nah. All the humans ran out, but they won't make it. I'll active the self-defense grid once we launch and kill them all."

Vile nodded. "Excellent. They'll learn what happens when you cross Vile."

* * * * *

Launch Minus 1 Minute and Counting...

Sigma's group ran through the halls, panting heavily. The countdown still echoed throughout the hallways. Storm flew ahead of the group, racing to secure a spot for them on the turbo lift.

Spark Mandrill roared. "SMASH COUNTDOWN!!! SMASH COUNTDOWN!"

Sting sighed. "He doesn't have it in him to say a proper sentence or leave out the word 'Smash'."

Spark grinned. "SMASH PROPER SENTENCE!"

They cleared the railing and reached the tower, stepping onto the turbo lift, waiting for the others.

Launch Minus 45 Seconds and Counting...

Zero and Sigma zoomed down the hallways, Sigma a little in the lead. Zero vaguely gathered from Sigma's actions and attitudes that this was some kind of contest. But for what reason?

They continued to run along the hallway, both of them meeting eyes whenever Sigma glanced back.

Launch Minus 30 Seconds and Counting...

Sigma dashed through the entrance and hopped onto the turbo lift, Zero seconds later. Sigma barked out orders. "Lets move it people! We don't want to get hit by a firewall!"

Zero held up his hands. "No, we wait! There's still four hunters in there!"

Sigma sighed. "Give them twenty-eight seconds to the dot then hit that switch."

Launch Minus 20 Seconds and Counting...

Death Star panted from running, barely in the lead. North Star was helping Wildfire move Brian faster. "How's Delta back there?" he shouted.

Brian gave a thumbs up. Huh, first time they used my callsign...

Death Star rounded another turn. "I hate to tell you this guys, but we're making bad time!"

Wildfire groaned. "Knowing you guys is going to get me killed. What about the party I had planned!"

Launch Minus 10 Seconds and Counting...

Death Star ran up the flight of stairs. He heard the others behind him. "I see the entrance ahead, but the entire run to the turbo lift is a good thirteen seconds. MOVE IT!"

The four continued to sprint on.

Launch Minus 5 Seconds and Counting...

Death Star rounded the corner and ran along the hallway to the turbo lift, where Zero, Sigma, and the others were waving their hands, urging them to come on.

Launch Minus 3 Seconds and Counting...

Death Star dived and rolled into the turbo lift, turning back to watch the others. North Star, Wildfire and Brian were entering the hallway, running quickly towards them. But they were still so far behind...

Launch Minus 1 Second and Counting...

North Star roared a battle cry and dived, carrying the entire group with him. However, Brian didn't go flying like North and Wildfire did. The two slid into the turbo lift, but Brian slid to a stop three feet away.

Death Star cried out. "Delta! BRIAN!!!"

Launch Minus 0 Seconds and Launching...

Vile smiled as the ship jerked forward and began to head out. All around it a fire erupted as the engines shot the burning flames out. The second in command looked up from the control panel. "They were in the tower. No need to activate defenses. The fire killed them."

Vile nodded, pleased. "Excellent. Swim this fish out, Mr. XO."

The reploid chuckled. "Aye, aye, sir."

The Fin shot away, leaving the airfield behind.

* * * * *

Brian coughed painfully and held his side. "Dammit, that hurt." He listened to the sound of the turbo lift going down. Death Star and Wildfire had both grabbed each of his arms and yanked as Sigma hit the door closed. It was a close shave, but they had made it.

Death Star leaned against the side of the turbo lift. "Well, Vile got away."

Sigma shook his head. "Not for long. He can't hide, not with something as big as that..."

North Star spoke up. "If you ask me, there's something fishy about this..." He laughed at his own joke.

Brian rolled over. "I hate fish." All the others agreed.


May 28th
Maverick Hunter HQ

"Are you sure he'll be okay, Doc?" Zero asked for the hundredth time. Dr. Cain sighed and leaned back in his chair and nodded at X, who was resting on an examination table, his wounds patched up.

"He'll be fine. He's just in a rest mode to regain power. He'll be fine in a few days," Cain told him.

"I should have stayed there with him...I should have known better!" Zero scolded himself.

Cain sighed again. "Zero, if you're going to keep bashing yourself over this, I'm going to beat you on the head with my cane. You did the right thing in the end...plus X managed to hold up his own without training."

Zero nodded slowly. The kid did manage to do some damage, never having any combat training in his life. "Sorry, Doc..." Zero apologized and turned to go when something caught his attention on the HoloVid.

General Cran nodded at the crowd, a live press conference going on. Zero stopped and watched it, interested in what the man had to say. "Greetings. As you know, yesterday the Hunters were dealt a big blow. The newest airship, The Fin, was captured by the Mavericks."

Cran's face turned grim. "As you can see, this shows just how dangerous reploids can be. We're on the brink of a war here, just like the wars of the past. If we don't do something, here and now about the reploids, we could go through another decade of war. And I don't think anyone wants that..."

"I have been given the funds to start up a new army. We shall reclaim The Fin and take out the Mavericks once and for all. And then, after that is settled, we can begin to decide the fate of all reploids. I think you'll agree with me something has to be done about them, if they are going to steal vital military equipment for the sole purpose of using it against us," Cran told them.

Zero's hands balled into fists and the HoloVid flickered off. He turned around and saw that Cain had turned it off. "Don't get angry, Zero, or you won't be able to control yourself."

"But--sir! That madman is trying to wipe out all reploids!" Zero snarled.

Dr. Cain sighed. "It's a game of politics. If General Cran's people can stop the Mavericks and take back The Fin, OR destroy it, they will be seen as the heroes. However..."

Zero nodded. "However, if reploids, namely the Hunters, can do it, it'll be seen that reploids can protect the humans and Cran will lose this round."

"Exactly."

Zero snarled. "Then it's a race against time and him..."

Cain sighed warily. "Yes."

* * * * *

Sigma snarled. "Do you see that?!" he snapped, waving his hand to the HoloVid to the members of his posse.

Spark Mandrill blinked. "Ughhh...no, you turned it off."

Sigma's eyes narrowed angrily. "Idiot." He turned back to the others. "The humans are turning against us, after ALL we did for them!"

Sting shook his head. "God, I'd love to rip his flesh off..."

"But if you did that, you'd be no better than the Mavericks you say you're trying to protect..." a voice said behind them. They all turned around to see Death Star standing there, arms crossed.

Sigma spit. "Get out of here, weakling. Like you know what you're talking about."

Death Star shrugged. "Hey, I'm just telling like it is. You'd just make matters worse, Sigma, if you do something stupid like kill General Cran. Don't think there isn't a reploid out there who wouldn't like to beat his head in, excluding X the pacifist, but you have to keep your anger in check."

Sigma stiffed. "Are you telling me, your Commander, how I should act?"

Death Star sighed. "Forget it..." He turned and walked away.

Chill Penguin formed a small ice statue. "Think he's right?"

Sigma glared at him, causing the reploid to look the other way. "I'm going to go think." He turned away, walking off.

Spark Mandrill sighed. "Me go smash things."


Kosh Woods

Vile roasted a marsh mellow over the open fire. Behind him, hidden in the cover of the trees, The Fin hovered. All around him, his mavericks had gathered, enjoying their victory.

"I tell you, victory is so sweet. With this baby, we'll show those humans who's boss."

His second in command nodded. "Right, sir!"

"And I, Vile, will rule it all..." Vile said, giggling.

"I think not." Everyone looked up to see who the new voice was and gaped at who stood there, the flames dancing off his armor, making him seem like a demon right out of hell.

"Sigma!?" Vile snarled. "How did you get past my men?!"

Sigma sneered coldly. "I'm better than you think."

Vile stood up. "So, you want to finish our little battle, eh? Well, don't think I'm going to let you destroy my men and reclaim the ship..er, fish!"

Sigma's scars lighted up with the light of the fire dancing on them. "I came here to take control of your mavericks and to cause mass genocide on the humans, actually."

Vile froze, along with all the other mavericks gathered around him. "Mass genocide of humans?" he repeated. Then he burst out laughing. "That's a good one, Hunter, I almost believed you."

A sudden rush of crackling energy broke the air and Sigma waved his saber between him and Vile. "I'm not kidding. I'm going to take over your mavericks."

Vile's red eyes flared up beneath the darkness of his helmet. "You think I'd willing step down and let you take over?!"

Sigma advanced a step. "I don't think you could stop me, even if you wanted to."

Vile and Sigma stood there, staring at each other. All around them, all the mavericks didn't dare move. Time stood still until finally Vile relaxed. "Fine. I don't see any problem with it. That'll make you the biggest target anyway. And I, being second in command, can always replace you when you die."

Sigma sneered. "I won't die. It's my destiny to rule a world just for reploids. And I shall. Starting with the death of every pathetic human life on this planet. The monkeys have ruled long enough."