Chapter 3
Showdowns and Sabotage
By Shinotenshi

	Zero walked the halls of the base.  Everyone that passed by him stated they were glad he 
wasn't hurt.  It was nice to know they cared but it was starting to become vexatious.  He walked 
past the balcony that Beta was on.  He sighed.
	"How did I get here?"  He asked himself.  "I wanted to avoid this place, yet here I am." 
 He continued down the hall.  Before he turned the corner he heard the door to the balcony.  He 
turned and saw Gamma leave.  He was about to turn around when Beta came out.  She smiled brightly 
at him.
	"Commander, you have to see the view from here."  She said taking his hand and pulling 
his towards the balcony.
	"I'll never hear the end of this from X."  Zero muttered.  Beta never heard him.  She 
pulled him out to the balcony.
	"Isn't it lovely?"  She said still grasping his hand tightly.  The City at night and the 
stars above sparkled and shined in a silent symphony.
	"Beautiful."  Zero said with only half interest.  Whenever he was with Beta all he could 
think about was his dream.  It worried him.  He was so preoccupied with his own thoughts that he 
didn't notice Beta leaning over the edge.  He stared off into the night sky.  He felt the grip on 
his hand tighten.  He looked at Beta and just as she almost fell over the edge.  Grabbing her by 
the waist, He pulled her away from the edge.  "Are you alright?"
	"Yes, sir.  I'm fine."  She said softly.  "I'm sorry."
	"For what?"  He asked.
	"I've been nothing but trouble for you, Commander."  She said, quite embarrassed.
	"You've not been any trouble, and I told you before, call me Zero."  He wrapped his arms 
around her.  "Just stay away from the edge and you'll be fine."  He had the distinct feeling he 
was being watched.  Looking down, he found the source of the feeling.  There, at the window, was 
X watching.  "Remind me to tell X it's rude to stare, when he sobers up."
***
	Later that night, Zero finally went to his quarters, took off his helmet, and laid down, 
hoping to fall asleep and escape the events of the past 24 hours.  His communicator decided to go 
off.
	"Medical bay to Commander Zero."
	"It so figures."  He groaned  "Zero here.  What now."
	"Sir, we'd like you to come down for a system check."  Said the medic.
	"Why?"
	"We'd like to make sure nothing was damaged in your fall."
	"Nothing was damaged.  I landed on my feet."  Zero said.  "My paint was scratched and I 
bumped my arm, but that's all.  I've taken a lot worse.  You needn't worry."
	"Dr. Cain's orders, sir"  The Medic replied.
	"The doc is drunk, and has been for hours.  There's nothing wrong with me.  Zero out."  
He turned off his communicator.  "Why won't they just leave me alone for a while."  He laid back 
down and, without any further interruption, fell asleep.
***
	"That's it?"  Asked Fire Wolf.
	"That's it."  Said Night Cat.
	"And that little gadget will do that?"  Spark Koala asked.
	"It work.  Not fret."  Shadow Vulture said.
	"It's so simple."  Said Fire Wolf.  "I'm amazed no one ever thought of it before.  Good 
work, Catnip."
	"It not all his idea."  Said Shadow Vulture
	"No it wasn't."  Said Night Cat.  "I would never have been able to make such a device.
	"So what's the first step?"  Spark Koala asked.
	"We set a trap."  Night Cat explained.  "We need to make sure it's big enough that Zero 
or X come, but not big enough that many other hunters come."
	"To many bring big trouble."  Shadow Vulture said.
	"That's right.  So that means Wolf stays here with me because it takes three or more 
hunters to bring even one of us down.  Spark, you and Vulture up to the challenge?"  Night Cat 
asked.
	"Sure thing, Night Cat."  Spark Koala said.
	"I fight?"  Shadow Vulture asked.
	"If you think you can handle it."  Fire Wolf said.
	"I handle.  Want fight.  Show skills.  Smooth."  Shadow Vulture said.
	"Right, now that that's settled, lets prepare.  We do this tomorrow at noon."  Night Cat 
said.
***
	Zero woke with a start.  It was the same dream.  He looked down half expecting his hands 
to be covered with blood.  It seamed so real.  He stood up and put on his helmet.  At least he 
didn't over sleep today.  He reached the training yard a bit early.  X wasn't there yet.  He 
stopped at the fence of the training yard and looked out at the city.  It was early morning but 
it was already alive with workers going about their daily business, oblivious to the dangers that 
face them.  Safe and secure in their ignorance.  He wondered how many knew how close the maverick 
attacks are.  If they knew, how would they react?  Would they continue their daily routine?
	"Good morning, Commander."  Came a familiar voice from behind him.  A voice that haunted 
his dreams.
	"Good morning, Beta."  He said, not turning.  "You're never going to just call me Zero, 
are you?"
	"Good Morning, Sir."  Came a voice he didn't recognize.  He turned, and before him was 
the auburn haired reploid he saw with Beta last night.
	"Oh, good morning Gamma.  I didn't know you were there too."  Zero said.
	"That's okay, Sir."  Gamma said.  "Umm.. sir… I, uh…"
	"What is it, Gamma."  Zero urged politely.
	"I, uh, wanted to thank you for helping my sister yesterday."  Gamma said.
	"It was nothing.  Maverick Hunters need to help each other."  Zero said.
	"Yes, sir."
	"Security to Commander Zero."  Sounded Zero's communicator.
	"Oh, what now?  Zero here."
	"Sir, please report to the briefing room.  It's urgent."  Said the security officer.
	"On my way."  Zero said with a sigh.  "Zero out."  He looked over to Beta and Gamma.  "No 
rest for the weary.  I'll see you around."  
	He arrived at the briefing room and found X was already there.  "So what's this all 
about."  The security officer held up a piece of cable.  "What's this?"
	"This is the elevator cable, Zero."  X said.
	"What about it?"  Zero asked.
	"It's been cut, sir.  The accident yesterday was no accident."  Said the security 
officer.
	"What?!"  Zero exclaimed, taking the cable and looking closely.
	"The safety catch was also sabotaged, Zero."  X said.  "They were cut just enough that 
the weight of one or more reploids would cause it to break.  And it appears to have been cut only 
minutes before the crash, which leads us to believe you were the target."
	"Any leads on who did it?"  Zero asked.
	"None yet, Sir."  Said the officer.  "But I'm going to put my best men on it."
	"Keep this quiet."  Zero said.  "If it was an inside job, I don't want them knowing we're 
on to them.  Understood?"
	"Aye, Commander."  The officer replied.  The security officer walked out.
	"Zero?"
	"What, X?"
	"Do you really think it was an inside job?"
	"I'm not sure, X, but I don't want to take chances."  Zero said.  "It's hard to believe 
that one of my hunters would try to kill me, but I can't let that rule them out."  X just nodded. 
"Be careful, X."
	"Why, Zero?"  X asked.
	"If they were after me, they may also be after you."  Zero said as he headed for the 
door.  "Come on, X.  We're late for training."
	"Alright, Zero, but let's take the stairs?"  X said.
***
	"You in position, Vulture?"  Night Cat asked through the communicator.
	"I set."  Vulture replied.
	"Spark?"
	"I'm set too, Night Cat."  Spark Koala said.
	"Good.  Is the Device in place?"
	"All set."
	"Good.  Start when ever you're ready."  Night Cat said.  "Keep communicators on."
	"Got it, Night Cat."  Spark Koala said.  "You ready, Vulture?"
	"I ready."  Vulture said.
	"Then lets make some noise."  Spark Koala fired an electric blast at a traffic light 
causing it and all the lights in the city to blink on and off.  Shadow Vulture fired a plasma 
blast at a nearby building.  Spark Koala zapped a street light and the bulb exploded.  "That 
should get their attention."  With a charged shot, he over loaded the lights and all the bulbs on 
the block exploded.
***
	Zero looked up from his training when the light began to blink.  "What's going on?"  The 
bulb above him exploded and glass rained down on him.  He turned on his communicator.  "Zero to 
security.  Report."
	"We just got a call.  Shadow Vulture and Spark Koala are attacking down town."
	"Spark Koala and Shadow Vulture?  That's all?"  Zero asked.
	"That's all that has been reported, sir."
	"Understood.  Zero out.  X, Spark Koala and Shadow Vulture are attacking down town."  
Zero said.
	"We can take the new hunters."  X said.  "Spark Koala and Shadow Vulture aren't much of a 
threat."  Zero nodded.
	"That's a good idea. Let's go."

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Now we're getting to the action.  At least it didn't end with you wondering if Zero was okay.  
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