X, Alia, Zero, Iris, and Octavia sat together on a blanket spread in a grassy field, enjoying a picnic together. Admittedly, in order for it to be the private affair the group wanted, they were having the picnic in a simulated field in the Training Simulator, rather than a public park or anything similar. Still, after the intense events of the past week - so much had happened, it was hard to believe it had only been that long - any respite was a welcome one.
Zero had his own wonderful news he'd shared with all of them as soon as they'd settled in. The first Reploid Gate had attempted to resurrect with Zero's help - Duff McWhalen - had been resurrected in a complete success. The extraction of neural and spiritual pattern from within Zero had occurred without a hitch, and the reproduced body proved exactly what was needed, accepting the imprint perfectly. Not only that, Duff's first words upon full reactivation proved it was a true resurrection. He'd opened his eyes, looked at Zero, and asked, "Didn't you just kill me?"
Octavia still found it rather amusing that such a question - which would have been considered a bad thing in any other circumstance - was greeted with such enthusiasm. She couldn't help but imagine Duff's face when the response he got was Zero and Gate promptly toasting success with a cold one.
Over the course of the next few weeks, Gate would be continuing to explore Zero's coding to see if the other Reploids' psyches were also stored, and if so transfer them into new bodies. This news was greeted warmly by X, Alia, and Octavia...though Iris teased Zero a bit about one of them - Grizzly Slash - being one of her exes that might decide to test if Zero was 'worthy' of her. Zero, being Zero, had welcomed the challenge, claiming it excited him. Iris had playfully covered his mouth before he could say anymore.
As the group sat together, Iris' communicator beeped. Sighing, she activated it and held it to her ear. "Yes, what is it?" she asked ruefully, rolling her eyes. Her eyes suddenly widened. "Really? Go ahead and send him up." She quickly deactivated her communicator. "Zero, a Repliforce Liaison Officer is here to see you."
"Liaison Officer?" Zero asked, confused. "I thought you were our Repliforce Liaison."
"Not exactly," Iris explained. "Any member of Repliforce can serve as a Liaison with other branches of the military, but the Liaison Branch is specifically for handling interactions at large between Repliforce and other aspects of the government. It's their job to handle matters of public relations and the legal loopholes involved in fielding a Reploid military force."
"So...somewhere between press agents and JAG officers?" X clarified.
"Something like that, but much more important," Iris confirmed. "Part of their job is sounding out the views of the public - both human and Reploid - so as to work to change the laws in order to prevent the various frictions that cause the non-Virus related Maverick activities. They're very well trusted by humans and Reploids, and are in position to wield a great deal of political influence should they need to."
"And this one...wants to see me," Zero concluded. "Did he give you any hint as to why?"
"No, but it probably has something to do with recent events," Iris offered. "They tend to move fast when they can."
At that moment, a door opened smoothly in the apparent air of the field, allowing someone entry. The figure was tall, easily taller than Signas, and armored in the same design of green and yellow. Unlike Signas' design, however, this figure had two large sheaths of some sort hanging off his back from his shoulders, obviously holding some sort of equipment, though its exact nature wasn't visible. As he approached, he stood at firm attention, saluting. Since he remained there, Zero eventually got to his feet and returned the salute. "Zero," the figure greeted, "I'm Colonel Redips, Repliforce Liaison Officer. I'm here regarding the events of the Eurasia Incident."
Zero nodded calmly. "Alright. What is it specifically you wanted to address?"
"While most of the events of the Incident are still classified, the public has heard of two major players in these events," Redips continued. "Gate's Reploids and evac-domes managed to keep the death toll down to an almost unbelievable level, and you yourself risked life and limb to crash the shuttle into the colony, preventing it from impacting the surface, which could easily have reached ELE levels of destruction and desolation. While everyone involved in resolving the incidents will be receiving the expected commendations and awards - and likely promotions - the public learning of what you and Gate did has opened the doors for a great deal of pressure to be applied to the government in certain areas, especially in regards to Reploid Rights. Humans and Reploids alike want to see you and Gate receive a substantial reward beyond what the system is currently designed to grant. I'm here to ask what you want."
Zero stifled a snicker. "What, is this where you offer me three wishes?" he asked jokingly.
"One, actually," Redips corrected. "Gate already stated that what he wants is free reign to continue his research into RDNA without oversight. While we were unable to give him completely free reign, he was happy to accept it being fully funded with only Maverick Hunter oversight, specifically you and X. So..." Redips squared his shoulders. "What's one thing you want, more than anything else, that you can't have as the world is now? That you'd like to see the world change so you can have it?"
Zero stroked his chin in thought. While he was tempted to laugh the offer off, the firm stance Redips was taking left him actually considering it, thinking if there was anything he wanted that he couldn't have...and then seeing if there was anything on that list that might be in Redips power to grant, or arrange to be granted. Then he remembered his mention about Reploid Rights.
Reaching down, he took Iris' hand in his. "Just one thing," he said simply. "I want to get married." As Iris gasped, Zero looked Redips in the eyes. "And I don't mean just some informal agreement and a ceremony. I want it to be real." He turned to Iris with a smile, gently wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes with a fingertip.
Redips frowned thoughtfully, his eyes flickering as lines of data raced back and forth. He then smiled widely. "I think we can make that happen," he replied simply, making Octavia gasp happily.