| Subject: Crossing Paths-Slashing Sabers: part 2 |
Author:
Grenade Man
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Date Posted: 10:07:28 05/17/03 Sat
Zero ran through the corridors. The design theme was low, dark, rounded passage ways. A myriad of pipes, wires and cables ran along the walls. The only lights that could be seen were red emergency lights which flickered on and off as if the hallway were breathing. There was air in the passageways, so Zero did not need his special communication device. The air felt stale, and smelled machanical, and proccessed. There was and odd pressure floating in the air, and it felt like death.
Zero opened his detection sensors to the fullest extent, and saw nothing. No one was moving anywhere on this this level.
But, something wasn't right. It sounded to him like he could hear foot falls. It was the metallic sound of a Reploid's feet hitting the floor. The sound seemed faint, like a whisper nagging in the back of his mind. He couldn't make out the direction, or origin of the sound, but he felt that it was close. Zero felt a lump in his throat. (Or at least the digital equivilent of one.) His "breathing" became shallow. A programmed response, probably designed by his maker to make him look, and feel more HUMAN. He heard and evil laughter echo through the halls. Behind him he felt a cold wind rush by, as if someone had passed by in swiftness.
The edge of a black cape, flapping in a wake seemed to melt into the shadows. He shouted into the void, "WHO ARE YOU!?"
"The number one Reploid you are!",it said. "I know your seeeecret! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" Just the a caped figure appeared in front of him! It was Sigma! He held a beam Scythe in his hand. Zero brought His sword to bear, and tried to burn the cloaked figure with a fire attack. The blade passed right through the figure, and it dissappeared!
Was it a hologram, or a halucination. It seemed as if the walls began to move, and he felt dizzy. The hallways seemed to shift, or phaze out. Then, for a reason he could not explain he heard a voice in his head. "Zero! My masterpiece! After him! He is my nemesis, Our rivalry! He is what gives me motivation in life! Now go...Destroy him, that's an order!" Zero tried to scream, but his voice refused to sound out. Was he having a Nightmare? His body glowed with energy, and made the hallway brighten up to a sickly pale color. Then, the power faded, and he came to. He hadn't gotten very far, and Sonic Blade was standing over him.
"Zero! What happened? I saw you run this way, and then I heard you scream! When I came over here, you were lying on the ground. You were thrashing around, and muttering to yourself! You were holding your helmet tight. It looked as if something were inside your mind, trying to bore it's way out! Are you alright?"
"I....I don't know. But I think you should get out of here right now."
"The way out is closed. But, my unit was able to hack into this place. I downloaded detailled maps of the moon base. I can help you to get out of here, but you have to follow me. Stay close, alright?"
"Huh..that's strange. Moments ago, it was I who cautioned you."
"Well Zero, it looks like this place has some power over you. Perhaps it does not hold sway over me yet. I will help you as long as I am able to. Hurry, this way!"
Sonic Blade led Zero down the twist of corridors, and helped him to get to the upper levels. He had informed Zero the the strike team was pulling out. Doppler's forces were still engaging Wily's forces, so they didn't seem to notice the Hunter's retreat, or they let them go! Finally, they came to the maintanence elevator.
"The shuttle bay is one level up. The power core level is three levels up, and the control room is on the top floor.
Where would you like to go Zero?"
"It is difficult to see anything with only these emergency lights blinking. It is going to make it hard to spot enemy patrols. Or in this case...RX!"
"If RX had destroyed the power core to this base, it would explain why only the emergency lights were running, his next logical step then, would be to make it to the shuttle bay, and escape.", Blade added.
"So, we should go up one floor, and confront him.", Zero half asked, half told Sonic Blade. Ever since he'd come in here, his confidence felt shaken.
"I think it is wise to locate him, at any rate. He may not be hostile...", Blade told him.
"All I know is that he went berserk, last time I heard at least. I won't trust him until I..."
Suddenly, the elevator doors opened...and... "Huh, that's strange!, Blade said. "Yeah, I mean why would the elevator just go down to this floor?", Zero asked. It was empty.
"A trap of some kind?", Blade asked. But it wasn't empty. A Reploid, who was leaning against the inside wall fell over, leaking vital fluid. He groaned in pain. "Unnhhhh. Help me!", he cried.
"Who are you?", Zero asked. "Unhh..my name does not matter...but..I..I.."
"What happened to him?", Blade asked.
"I was trying to...uh uh...escape, when..."
"What!? What happened?", Zero asked.
"Claws...he slashed...be careful...he will..uhhh."
And with that, the reploid expired. (to be continued)
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