Mega Man X: The Day of Σ

Hunter Base

X and Zero return to Maverick Hunter Base. Two hunters walks by, talking to each other.

Hunter 1: There have been seven incidents of mechaniloids going Maverick this month.

Hunter 2: Has the Commander spoken to Doctor Cain about it yet?

Hunter 1: Yeah, that's what I heard.

X: Maverick... what could cause someone to go Maverick, anyway?

Zero: Program errors, short-circuits in the electronic brain... the very things that give us Reploids our advanced processing power could also be our greatest weakness.

Xena: He's right. 

A fellow Hunter walks towards them.

Xena: Those are the basic causes of a Maverick. There are also beliefs that they might possess.

Zero: Xena, back in one piece?

Xena: The mechaniloid was heavily armed, so naturally it took longer to deal with.

X, Xena and Zero witness Vile being led away in handcuffs.

Zero: Vile... Looks like he must have caused a ruckus again. I'm afraid that for every kind and sensitive hunter like you, X, there always seems to be a borderline Maverick rabble-rouser like Vile out there.

X's gaze follows Vile as he's led out.

~***~

In Dr. Cain's lab, where there is a bunch of toys or Reploid models and Doctor Cain who was seated at a table, with a massive snail-shell-like life support system attached to his back. Sigma is standing nearby.

Dr. Cain: There's been a lot of action around here lately.

Sigma: Yes, Doctor Cain. Maverick crime has been steadily increasing. Even giant mechaniloids have begun to run amok.

Dr. Cain: And how is X and Xena doing?

Sigma: As far as his judgement and abilities on the battlefield is concerned, he has shown tremendous promise. However, he tends to hesitate when the situation calls for decisive action. Xena on the other hand doesn't show any hesitation., but ignores orders at times.

Dr. Cain: I'm not surprised of Xena acting this way. But X, he worries too much. Course, that is his greatest feature. And the source of his potential. Sigma, you don't have that problem at all. When I found that robot, X, sealed away so long ago, I utilized his design concept to give birth to you Reploids. Reploids have the ability to think and act on their own, just like human beings. But the only one who seems to worry and fret so deeply is X. That is the source of his great potential.

Sigma: His worrying shows potential? It's not a weakness?

Dr. Cain: Well, I suppose it might be... under normal circumstances. But in this case, it could be the beginning of a new connection between robots and humans. Of course, we don't know yet if that potential will be a wellspring of hope, or usher in an era of utter chaos. I've extended my life as long as possible to see it all play out, but it looks like I won't be around long enough, now.

~***~

At the Hunter Base, Zero is facing down the same Mechaniloid X was facing earlier, in the same situation. Zero takes the shot, but ends up hitting the hunter. The training sequence terminates there.

Computer: Training sequence concluded.

Zero looks to his right, where his score appears: "95%"

Zero: Aw man. I missed five percent.

Storm Eagle: Ninety-five percent? That's very good, Zero.

Zero: Storm Eagle. I thought you were supposed to be patrolling the Missile Base.

Storm Eagle: With the automated defense system complete, they trimmed down my tour of duty. Starting today, I'm just a regular hunter again.

Zero: I see.

Storm Eagle: Anyway, we've been summoned to a hearing on the out-of-control mechaniloid. Let's go, Zero.

The Maverick Hunters, including X, Xena and Zero, gathered in a room. A projection of the Mechaniloid is displayed on the ground.

Operator "Pink": We know now that a mechaniloid stationed at an abandoned building went berserk. However, now it appears that it was under the control of an unknown party.

This news gets the hunters whispering among each other.

X: So there was no one inside? It was being controlled remotely?

Operator "Pink": That's right.

Zero: Wait a minute.

Operator "Pink": Hm?

Zero: What about the mechaniloid security program?

Chill Penguin: A system that complicated really shouldn't be so easy to hack.

Operator "Pink": There is a chance that the perpetrator had managed to completely crack our security codes.

Storm Eagle: Well, where is it being controlled from?

Operator "Pink": The signal had been camouflaged by being routed through a series of satellites. But the origin has been tracked to here. Abel City Sector 16-East.

Zero: You've gotta be kidding me! That's so close.

X: Does Commander Sigma know about this?

Operator "Pink": We've contacted him. X and Zero's team is to be dispatched immediately following a briefing. Those are his orders.

X & Zero: Roger.

Operator "Pink": Xena, you've been given a solo mission in Sector 10-West. Details will be given upon arrival.

Xena: Understood.