Axl shook his head in wonder as he carried Octavia through the streets of Giga City. Entering the city had proven easier than he could have dreamed. All it had taken was leaving his Hunter issued guns behind, and one look at Red's Scythe strapped to his back had waived the pair of them past just about all security. Of course, Varia floated around Octavia's head rather than being in armor form, but she could don it at any time if there was need. Apparently, Giga City's notorious passion for celebrity vigilantes was no exaggeration.
Axl and Octavia had wandered from facility to facility within the city like tourists, looking at anything they could check out and eagerly investigating any possible lead as far as finding Axl's capsule. So far, they'd come up empty as far as those leads, though the actual tourist aspect of visiting the city had been enjoyable. They'd already seen three shows, visited several museums, and enjoyed a few good meals together. Octavia, of course, had drawn numerous young females as being 'absolutely adorable', and Axl had drawn just as many for his apparent celebrity.
...which made it really unpleasant for Axl that Octavia was wearing a shirt that said 'Wanna Be A Grandma', and had insisted Axl wear one over his armor that read 'Single But Looking'. He'd gotten more contact numbers for young - and not so young - women over the past day than Mechanaloid kills on all his Hunter missions put together. The Temporary Memory of his cybernetic brain was being strained to retain them all...not that he had any intention of keeping them. He didn't want a girl to go for him because he was a celebrity...or because she thought he was desperate.
...much to Octavia's frustrated chagrin.
"At least call one of them?" Octavia whined hopefully.
"No, Mom," Axl groaned. "I'm not going to call any of those girls."
"But I thought you liked blondes, and there were quite a few-"
"I'm not here to get hitched, whatever our cover story says!" Axl growled angrily. "We're here to look for clues about my origins! And I'm not going to call a girl who gave me her number written on her bra or panties!"
"Not even the least bit curious how she got them off without disrobing?" Octavia teased. "She wasn't wearing a skirt, after all-"
"Mom!" Axl groaned, burying his face in his hands as they stopped outside what looked like an old laboratory. "Can't we go back to looking into Copy Chip research? We can think about my future after we finish discovering my past, okay?"
"You won't find anything like that here," a gravelly voice spoke from the shadows, immediately drawing attention. "That research has been discontinued, and everything about it is boxed up somewhere."
Axl and Octavia both spun towards the source of the voice. The quality of it had been familiar, and the shadowy figure standing under an overhang only enhanced the resemblance, especially when light revealed the shape of the helmet and the all covering cloak. "Sigma?" they both gasped out, Axl yanking out his scythe even as Octavia lifted her hoof to Varia.
The figure lifted a large hand. "Peace. I'm not the Maverick you mistake me for, though I take no offence." He stepped out into the light, revealing his full figure. He stood easily as tall as Sigma's original body, with energy pylons extending in all directions from his shoulder pauldrons hidden under his cloak...though the design showed they were energy vents rather than collectors. Similar protrusions marked the back of his helmet, and his face was mostly concealed. A friendly, gentle grin was visible. "After all, the resemblance was intentional in the basis of my design."
Octavia's glance quickly caught a different Greek letter on the figure's helm. "Epsilon, I presume? Why would you be deliberately designed to resemble Sigma?"
Epsilon nodded, confirming the deduction. "Because when I was first being built, I was meant to be a counter to Sigma, based off his original specs upgraded with modern and recovered pre End Times tech. After all, one fights viruses with anti-viruses, bacteria with antibiotics, one sets a thief to catch a thief..."
"So who better to catch a rogue Commander unit than one built just like him?" Axl asked, shifting back into a neutral stance, though he still held the scythe. "Forgive me if that doesn't fill me with equanimity."
Epsilon glanced between the pairs' shirts. "Given part of my entourage, Axl, you shouldn't be calm."
"What do you-"
"Oh my," a throaty, feminine voice purred. "Looking are you?"
The womanly figure that stepped out from around Epsilon could politely be described as 'overripe'. The red and pink armor fit her full figure like a second skin, though her helm hid her hair completely, and the positioning of coloration made the look more suggestive than battle ready. Her blue eyes locked on Axl as she sauntered up to him. "See something you like yet, boy?" she purred as she hovered into the air, bending over towards him as crimson wings spread from her back.
Axl backed up several steps. "I-I need an adult."
The woman chuckled throatily. "I am an-"
"No you're not, Ferham," another gravely voice stated as a third figure stepped out of the shadows. This one was armored in black and gold, with long spiky white hair flowing back from his black helm. It completely concealed his face for a single eye, and the mask was marked with lines. "You're an overgrown adolescent who likes to pretend she's in charge. Now leave the poor boy alone."
"You can be such a bastard, Scarface," Ferham grumbled as she floated back from Axl, much to his relief. "Why'd you have to spoil my fun? I love it when they squirm."
Epsilon chuckled softly. "Perhaps you would join me for tea, Miss Light?" he asked softly. "I'd be curious to know what brings two S Rank Maverick Hunters here so unofficially. I might be able to assist...and in return, you might be able to assist me."
Octavia tilted her head carefully. "I suppose tea wouldn't hurt," she offered noncommittally. "Just keep your cougar off my son."
"What did you call me?" Ferham demanded angrily, an energy whip appearing in her hands.
"Would you prefer 'dominatrix slut'?" Octavia countered coldly. "That was my first thought."
"Yes, actually," Ferham purred, causing Scarface to face palm. "That title's much more fitting."
Hoof met face. "Ugh..." Octavia groaned, already feeling a headache coming on.
Ok pretty much everything in this chapter was hilarious! And now for some plot...
SNRRK... she actually prefers dominatrix slut? wow
When Octavia called Ferham a 'dominatirx slut' that took the cake, and sent it flying. Though Ferham's come back was creepy as hell.
Tavi walked into that one.
Now I'm interested to see how you'll portray how Redips duped Epsilon and his forces into the revolt in the first place. Though to be honest, I want to see more of Ferham trying to seduce Axl, especially if it's in a battle.
7813853 I think it's because Ferham's a referance to Ursala from Dinosaur King. Calling her a Cougar is just the same as calling her old.
Also, why do I imagine Scarface having the same voice as Tony Montana from the Scarface 1983 movie?
Octavia is trying to make sure Axl's days are numbered. Now how many per day is the question.
Guess Epsilon really needed to vent considering his company.
Octavia probably wants to whip Ferham into shape. Or at least, out of it. Both work.
A dominatrix?....
of course there needs to be one like that!
Ferham really wants to give Axl a spanking and Octi is no sure if she approves the idea of Axl ending up with a Herd is almost delightful, wanna place bets on Ferham being a switch?. Anyway it's good to see these three before everything goes to hell and a hand-basket. Though I would have thought they would have run into the previous steel massimo and his apprentice. Why do I see Chief R being retired repliforce? It'd also be interesting to see Magma Dragoon visiting his old master, which makes me wonder if Tats is going to treat the tails clan as several indivduals or one reploid who's slowly pushing himself.
Some point down the line......
Marino after seeing axl during the incident "So kid can I have my panties back?" Cue Axl spitting out what ever he's drinking. "Wha....WUH I thought she was uh....." X and Octi watch as Axl spits and sputters before locking up with Octi looking at the ninja/thief "That really was a rather impressive feat taking them off with removing your clothes." Marino with shit eating grin responds. "Just takes some practice I'm planning on teaching Cinnamon." At which point Guadile starts sputtering about the ninja being a bad influence while Axl just straight up crashes.
If that was me, she'd have just earned her way onto the short list.
Well hopefully Octavia will now stop trying to hook up Axl after this conversation. Now how will this little side trip go to all hell I wonder?
Real One: This will end with Axl getting laid, he wanting or not, I don't know he will be forced by his mom or by the dominatrix.
7813850 I mean plenty of women gave Axl their bra's and panties...so I'm pretty sure 'plot' is around wherever Axl goes
Seems like Ferham is a bit more flirty in this timeline. kind of forgot about Megaman X Command mission.
This is quite a different Giga city. Considering all these new faces were resisting their treatment and were branded as mavericks in the game. Now it seems they are portrayed as vigilantes in this city. Though considering how much Vinyl and Octavia probably changed this universe with their presence, it probably makes sense that there would possibly be some big changes from the game continuity.
I wonder how the force metal works into this? Was that its name?
I like the origin for Epsilon, very good and works well. Ferham scarring Axl was awesome, poor guy apparently wants a quieter girl. And Scarface,... aka Reploid Kakashi since they both have one eye and use lightning as their main element. I hope all thee of Axl and Octavia's new friends survive the events, because I can just picture Epsilon becoming the new Maverick Hunter Commander after learning his purpose and Ferham and Scarface leading their own units.
7814112 Tats, this needs to happen!!! Even if it doesn't pan out for a herd situation, it's comedy gold
7813947 Well... a cougar is an old woman going for younger partners so...
Ferham's behavior is octi's fault for choosing to wear those shirts
7813947 please tell me you and me aren't the only ones to have watched that show.
7815099 It's actually on netflix now.
My favorite part of the story of Command Mission is actually the last line, where Epsilon's maverick status was deferred, in tune with the 'only future generations have the right to decide if we're maverick' lines.
Like maybe it's just me, but I've had the sense the the X-era Federation/government is much more right-wing, or at least more trigger-happy,than one would expect. Like I dunno if any of you read/have/did once read Disgruntled Ferret's comic on the Bob & George website, but the feeling I get from the games, which I wonder is what DF had sensed too and used as inspiration for his comic: that John Fodder's militaristic philosophy regarding Robot Masters, then Reploids, became dominant in politics, which led to the government in the games. (ie: Blow them the fuck up with overwhelming firepower, immediately, consequences be damned)
So, for them to do that at the end of Command Mission is actually a really big fucking deal, because especially after how they treated Repliforce in the games, that's a HUGE departure from their usual behavior, and as close to them admitting that Epsilon was right as they'll ever get.
7814875
Not OLD.
OLDER.
You had my hopes up thinking Ferham was Roll. Nope and I'm glad they're not the same!
Subtle.
Epsilon? Yeah, that's just a little suspicious.
So, superhero team? Complete with barely dressed female member.
my thoughts exactly octavia
7856387
Most common superpower strikes again!
8206550
Haaaa... That's going to be annoying for everyone else.
Nah, he'd need to take a swig of the same brandy Sigma did to do the same thing and expect different results.
No, shut up, go stand in the corner and think about what you've done.
As for her looks... meh.
She said that you're an older woman pining over a younger man in the hopes of finding sex to feel good about yourself. We've been through this song and dance before, it's better if we just went to the next chapter.
I can see Ranma's mom trying this
well they seem to have gotten some form of a lead, also that last bit reminded me of the wonderful 101, specificly when wonder pinked called one of the female alien commanders a cougar