May 23, 2010 15:10
The courtroom buzzed with activity as the witness that was called made his way to the stands. It was the year 21XX. The world was struggling against the recent outbreaks of what was termed "Mavericks." The problem had been originally attributed to the development of bugs in older mechanaloid subjects causing them to go berserk. Once it was found that the problem was actually a computer virus that degraded the Artificial Intelligence in both Mechanaloids and Reploids, the problem had become much bigger. To counter the threat, the Maverick Hunters had been formed from the elite of Repliforce, and placed under the authority of a Reploid named Sigma.
With Sigma at the helm, the Maverick problem had become a contained one. In the month preceeding the trial, Sigma had personally caught the Reploid that was believed to be the source of the Maverick virus. The Reploid had been apprehended, and had his memory wiped, and had become a Maverick Hunter himself. With the source of Mavericks seemingly stemmed for the time being, there were now allegations of misconduct among the hunters, and one in particular was being brought up on charges of manslaughter due to human casualties that had accumulated during several operations.
"For the record, please state your name, rank, and serial number." The prosecuting attourney looked at Sigma - a hero to most humans and Reploids - with an immutable stare that seemed to hide contempt.
"Sigma Cain, Supreme Commander of the Maverick Hunters and Captain of the Eighth Elite Squadron, serial number DRC-8094." Sigma kept his own face stoic, despite the small glance he afforded the accused. There, at the defendant's desk, was a reploid bound in heavy chains, synthetic hair covering one red eye as his trade mark purple helm sat on the table before him. Despite Sigma's stoic outlook, Sigma could scarecly believe that the humans would bring charges against Vile.
"If you could, please explain to the court the nature of your relationship with the accused," commanded the prosecutor.
"Vile is a valued member of my squadron, and a close friend. He has saved countless--"
"I did not give you leave to speak your opinion, Commander Sigma." If there was one thing Sigma did not appreciate, it was being interrupted. It didn't help that human was using a rather derogatory tone when addressing him. "Is it not true as well, that you are a member of a small but growing Reploid movement advocating the legalization of marriage between Reploid and Human?"
"Objection, relevance!" Sigma sighed a small sigh of relief as Vile's attorney interrupted. He did not want his private life drug through the hearing, let alone Triana.
"Your honor, I seek to establish a connection between the defendant's Maverick nature being allowed to grow in an environment where Sigma's radical ideals allowed for his subordinates to reason around the First Law of Robotics - A robot must never harm a machine."
There was a tense silence as the judge considered and nodded once. "Overruled. Commander Sigma, please answer the question."
Sigma made a displeased face and answered reluctantly. "I am. My lover and I believe we should be allowed the same freedoms as other couples."
The questioning went on for what seemed like hours. Every aspect of Sigma's life was dissected, and exposed. Even for a machine that was designed to feel no wearyness, the day had taken a toll on him. The woman he had become involved with had attempted to cheer him up, of course, but to little avail.
"Oh come on, Siggy, we both know Repliforce isn't going to condemn Vile. He may have questionable methods, but you can't argue with his results."
Sigma sat on the couch he shared with Triana, staring blankly at the television as Triana draped herself over him. "I hope you're right, Ana... but... lately I can't help but think something's off..."
Triana arched an eyebrow and cocked her head slightly, a concerned look on her face. "What do you mean?"
"I've been thinking... with the 'Crimson Devil' disposed of, and Zero's enlistment... what incentive does the government have to keep the hunters around? There have been other branch divisions that were decommissioned and dismantled once the threat they were designed to combat had passed..."
"Oh Siggy..." Triana fidgeted a bit, and planted a kiss on his cheek. "There's nothing for you to worry about... Doctor Cain would never let you, X, and Zero be dismantled. You guys are too much like family..."
Sigma dipped his head slightly, shaking his head a bit. "What about Storm, Chill, Spark, and the others? They were designed specifically to be hunters." Triana didn't have an answer, and they both knew that the trial of Vile was just the stepping stone to dismantling the entire Hunter Corps. Hundreds of Reploids would be turned to scrap for no good reason.
After a moment, Sigma stood and turned toward the apartment's bedroom. "I'm going to bed." He didn't savor the idea of sleeping, especially since the nightmares he'd been having. They had started just after the fight with Zero. He had hidden them from Triana for the most part, mainly to keep her from worrying. Besides, he was going to see LifeSaver in the morning about it. One more night would be fine, right?
The nightmare started as usual. Orders from a man he did not recognize, but whose authority was absolute. He was ordered to attack a Maverick. But before, he had always awoken before actually attacking. This time, however, he rose and advanced on the shrouded Reploid. Its back was turned, and the man issuing the orders whispered praises in Sigma's ear. The 'Maverick' made a muted noise, a remark that was distorted to the point of being unintelligent.
With the speed and skill he had been lauded for, his hand caught the black figure by the neck, and held it aloft with ease. As he did, however, something was off. The metal beneath his grasp gave more than it should. His emergency protocols activated, and brought the rest of his systems online. His vision cleared in time to see the look of terror on Triana's face as his hand choked the life out of her.
By the time his systems began to respond normally, it was already too late. Triana was dead. By his hand. For a moment, Sigma considered turning himself in. But something else struck him. Triana had loved him, and she would not have wanted him to die just for her. In fact, why should any Reploid be subject to the whims of humans? Especially ones like that prosecutor at the trial.
"Yes... humans are the root of all your troubles. They are ruining the planet, sucking it dry of resources, all to satisfy their own selfish desires..."
It was the same voice from his dreams, though this was the first time it had made any sense. "Yes... I've been so blind..." Within minutes, the madness overtook him. He threw his cape on, and exited the building he once called home. He was going to to assemble his troops, free Vile, and take his rightful place as ruler of this planet.
He afforded his home one last look. As he gazed at it, the bombs he had placed on the way out detonated, reducing the building to rubble in a matter of seconds.
It was time. Reploids would rule. At any cost.