"Oh, that’s terrible, X!" Dr. Cain moaned. "Oh, what an ugly turn of events!"

"Doctor, perhaps you should stop mourning the dents in Tinky-Winky and listen to my report on Zero," X suggested.
"Yes, yes, I heard you, X, and that’s all very bad too. But oh, my poor creation!"

X got the slightest impression that Dr. Cain did not really care about what he had told him. He took the scientist by his shoulders and gently, yet vigorously, shook him. "DO YOU HEAR ME, DOC? THEY’VE GOT ZERO! DO YOU SEE THE PROBLEM HERE? IS THIS TOO HARD FOR YOU TO GRASP?" X softly yet firmly screamed into his ear. X released his death grip and watched as Dr. Cain staggered around the lab with his hands over his ears.

"Oh, X, you are so very emotional sometimes." Dr. Cain shook his head to clear the ringing noise, "was that really necessary?" Seeing that X was about to repeat the procedure, he hastily added, "I am aware, of course, that this is a very serious situation."

X nodded in satisfaction. "I hope what they’ve done to Zero is reversible."

"That’s not the biggest problem here, X. I’m afraid they might use Zero to invade Headquarters. After all, he does know the security system here fairly well, and he is a great influence on the units, especially the rookies. I hope they won’t be coaxed into joining the Mavericks."

"I doubt if any of our units would be that easily persuaded. As for an invasion, I think Elysia is their main target right now. I just hope Zero’s okay," X drifted off into his thoughts again as he plodded out of the lab.

Dr. Cain turned back to the glider. Poor thing, look what X did to you. And he's not even remotely sorry...all he can think about is what's-his-name. Dr. Cain could see why X was so worked up over this whole Zero business, but he really could not share his anxiety. After all, he doubted that the having Zero on the Maverick's side would tip the scale in their favour. Heck, it never was Zero who defeated them anyway. However, it wasn't healthy the way X was dwelling on the subject...he was getting positively obsessive about it.

However, there was little Dr. Cain could do about it. Better to turn to the important matter at hand. He paused a while in thought. Better start by polishing those scratches on the wing.

As soon as Dr. Cain left the lab, the console on the glider flicked on. After a routine check, it concluded that Dr. Cain had done an excellent job of fixing it up, and that it was now able to operate as usual.

Chains of programs inside it consulted each other about what it thought of X. The conclusion was that X was abandoning Zero not for any strategic reason, but because he was a wimp. It further reasoned that the sensible thing to do now would be to leave this sissy organisation and go find Zero by itself.

Tinky-Winky’s engines roared to life, and it gently lifted off the ground. The glider also concluded that Tinky-Winky was a poor name for a cool glider such as itself, and that the name would certainly be a disadvantage when trying to win the adoration of the public. It decided to remain nameless. It spun slowly, searching for an exit and, finding none, made a mental shrug and crashed through the wall of the lab (after showering it with a multitude of shots and missiles -- completely needless, but oh so necessary for effect).

So it was that the glider formerly known as Tinky-Winky made its way out of MHHQ as X and other units began to run around to see what was the commotion. The glider deftly made a U-turn whilst travelling at what was surely an illegal speed and raced towards Elysia.

Theta was bent over a table with all manners of interesting electronic instruments spread out around her. Most of it was just there for looks. Zero stared intently as she made the final adjustments to his arm cannon. He had the demanding curiosity of a child, and was just as irritating.

"Why are you doing that? I thought you said that the circuits had to be connected this way to be efficient. What’s that thing for? I’ve never seen Dr. Cain do it that way before. No, it’s better if you do this. Trust me, I’ve thought about it, and it should work better than the old settings. Hey, no wait! What are you doing? HEY! That’s my hair!…Okay, I'll do anything you ask, just put that down...please!"

"Shut up," Theta said with a pair of scissors held dangerously close to his hair.
"Yeesh, you could have just said so," Zero said.
"I doubt if merely asking you would have been effective."
"Women are so impulsive," Zero mumbled as soon as he was out of scissors-range.

Theta sighed and turned back to her work. She should be finishing up the forcefield generator which was to be installed in the dome in the centre of the city, but a crucial part of the generator had been trampled by Flame Mammoth. She wondered who put a mammoth in charge of transporting delicate machinery.

She made another careful connection in Zero’s arm, then closed it up. Zero jumped up and began checking his new upgrade. "Did you connect it like I asked you to?" Theta murmured some positive noises. She was fairly surprised at how fast he learnt about robotics, considering that he was designed to be just a soldier.

"Great. This should be good," he said, playing with his new toy. He gleefully unleashed a few test shots and completely demolished a fine leather couch.

"You know, I'd really appreciate it if you didn't do that," Theta said, somewhat heart-broken at the death of her favourite couch.

Zero swivelled in his seat and aimed his arm cannon directly at Theta's head. "Thanks for the upgrade, little lady. Here's my way of saying thanks."

"What...you...impossible!" Theta simply stared into the source of her doom in shock. "I programmed...you..."

Theta trailed off as Zero broke down in hysterical laughter. He soon was a howling heap on the floor. Theta considered blowing him to bits. Calm, patience.

"I wish I had...a camera!" Zero managed to choke out between bursts of laughter.

"You know what's even funnier?" Theta asked, levelling her arm cannon. No. Breathe in...breathe out.... Zero finally composed himself. He took one look at her and was on the ground again. Theta struggled to keep her arm against her side. Calm blue ocean calm blue ocean calm blue ocean.

About a minute later, Zero was sitting on the chair again, with some large boot marks on his back.
"This upgrade should close the gap between X and you," Theta said.

"I believe what you mean is that this upgrade increases the gap between my veteran fighting skills and X’s modest talents."

"Now, as I recall, when I fought X and you…you were the first to fall. In fact," Theta added, just to irritate him, "if it weren’t for you, X might have defeated me."

"If it weren’t for me, X would have been in bit-sized pieces minutes into the fight."

Theta sighed. It was pointless arguing with him, and there was still so much she had to do. "I’ve got to go get some parts for the generator. I don’t suppose you would know of any robotics labs around here?"

Zero was sitting bitterly with his head turned towards a far wall. "Of course not. Go ask the Mavericks." Somehow, Zero still thought of himself and Theta as being apart from the Mavericks.

"Yes, I’m sure they would pay plenty of attention to the locations of labs whilst they’re planning different ways to stampede the humans." Theta donned her helmet and packed up her tools. "Oh well, I doubt if I have a better option. There should be a few labs in the southern parts of Elysia."

Zero suddenly brightened up. He jumped over a table and landed next to her, "hey, I want to go too! It’s better than being stuck here with Storm Eagle and the mammoth."

Theta smiled slightly. Zero was good company, though he was more than a little annoying at times. But more importantly, he shared Theta’s sentiments on the other Mavericks. It was nice to know that there was someone else who found the company around here intolerable.

Onwards to Chapter Nine
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