The Suite Life X

46 - The (Mind) Games Begin

The following morning…

The entire group was in the Navigation Room. This time around, the briefing was even more unsettling.

They were staring dead-on at several new Maverick readings. This wouldn't have been so bad, or even unusual, if they had been identifiable or even stayed put.

Zero summed up the situation best. "So basically, we don't know what we're fighting, nor where they are? That's just great..."

"That's the long and short of it," was Bailey's reply.

"Likewise, we don't have any proper visual on the areas affected, so we're completely in the dark."

It was enough to almost make everyone wish that Lucien had actually appeared as promised to taunt them. At least then, they'd have something to work off of.

Suddenly, static appeared over the hovering screen before a familiar face popped up on it.

It was Alia!

"Hunters, do you read me?"

"Loud and clear, Alia," X responded. "Speak on."

"There seems to be random, harsh weather effects occurring at various areas."

"That's probably related to the unknown Maverick readings we're seeing on our end."

The navigator's professional facade cracked. "Brings...back memories, doesn't it, X?" The hesitation was clear for all to see.

The blue Hunter saw what was going on with her immediately and sought to redirect. "That was a long time ago, Alia. Focus on the mission at hand. How're things going back at Point Oasis?"

"As fine as they could be considering..." She trailed off. The two shared a look before the reploid forced formality back into her tone along with the most phony attempt at a smile the teens had ever seen. "Good luck, Hunters!"

The transmission cut off abruptly.

Cody, naturally concerned, couldn't stop himself from asking the obvious queston, but before he could vocalize it, his mentor cut him off with a subtle, yet visible shaking of his head. Pallette spoke up from there.

"Since we don't know what we're getting, we'll have to play it as safe as possible. You'll all likely need our help here this time around, so don't leave without a Navigator. Also..." Looking to the main Hunters in particular, she said, "...we need those three in particular armored up. They need to be prepared for the worst."

Without delay, the petite girl ushered them all to the Armory.

---

Upon arrival at their destination, Layer got to work typing on the console of the machine that previously gave them their weapons.

"So you use this thing for armor, too?"

The darker-toned woman regarded the shorter of the twins. "Yes. For missions that require more than your standard armor sets, multiple sets attuned to the circumstances are necessary. Generally speaking, this armor switching is done before missions as most armor can't be swapped in the field."

"I'm pretty sure I did have armor to start with, before he took it from me and put me in...that." Zack couldn't help but shudder at that last word and everyone knew why. On instinct, his twin shot a comforting look his way.

"Indeed, but we do have a replica on file if you ever feel the need to use it. It's common practice to have multiple copies on hand to be manufactured if necessary..."