Octavia sighed in relief as she enjoyed a delicious cup of tea. She may be a sex-crazed psycho, but she certainly knows how to brew a good cup, she thought to herself as she cast a sidelong glance at Ferham. The woman had gone from overly sexualized to excessively domestic in the blink of an eye. Octavia would have had a hard time believing it was the same woman if the apron she was wearing wasn't so form fitting. Pushing it from her mind, she turned her attention back to Epsilon. "So, you wanted to talk with me," she stated calmly.
"Indeed," Epsilon confirmed expansively. "While most of Giga City is against the Maverick Hunters on principle, I'm well aware of just how much the world owes to the Hunters, specifically to your family. I'm also well aware that whether Giga City welcomes the Hunters or not, anything major that happens here will bring them...and given the choice, I would rather not fight them."
"From your words, I gather you believe your plans will bring unwelcome attention from the world at large," Octavia observed curiously. "And given you were designed to be an anti-Sigma, you're concerned that might lead you to being presented as the Second Sigma, especially since Giga City was the source of the New-Gen Reploids that all have Sigma's data inside them."
"Which is why I'm glad I bumped into you," Epsilon confirmed happily as he took a sip of the tea. "My observations indicate that as far as your family is concerned, you are the driving force when it comes to policy. The Commander may dictate who is the Maverick to be captured or neutralized, but how that's handled is generally determined one way or another by you, officially or not. So if I can convince you that despite my goals I shouldn't be destroyed, even if conflict between my group and the Hunters arises, I can hope for a peaceful resolution...or at least one that doesn't result in rampant destruction."
"You said you were built to match Sigma," Octavia offered softly. "As far as your mind, it seems that was a success. But you also said that was your original purpose when being designed. Can I assume that purpose has changed since the world no longer believes Sigma to be a factor?"
Epsilon raised an eyebrow. "You do not believe he is no more?" he asked in surprise.
"Whether or not he still exists is a different matter," Octavia countered dryly. "But we toured this ruin before you approached us, and I counted nine capsules. If one of them was yours, that leaves eight plus a Commander. Some patterns never go away."
Epsilon chuckled softly. "That was actually deliberate as far as my original design. Sigma always took eight high level 'Mavericks' to act as his generals each time he attempted conquest. My eight 'generals' were meant to match his each time he arose, had we been activated for that purpose."
"I see," Octavia breathed in relief. She really didn't want to think about Sigma being back. Estimates indicated she'd soon start aging at a normal rate again as the influence of the stasis capsule fully cycled out of her, and she wanted to find Axl a girlfriend and get some grandchildren before she started turning old. For that to happen, a more or less peaceful world was required to give Axl time for romance. "If not for Sigma, what is your new purpose?"
"A meteor impacted this area shortly after the Eurasia incident," Epsilon explained. "It contained a new type of energy metal unlike anything ever encountered before. It has been dubbed Force Metal, and it can drastically improve the capabilities of any Reploid or Terran who installs it in their cybernetic systems. It is theorized this Force Metal may prove to be the key to the next stage of the Evolution of Life on this planet...if it is allowed to be fully explored."
"And what about humans?" Octavia asked curiously. "You only mentioned Reploids and Terrans."
A pained expression crossed Epsilon's face. "Octavia...the population of those who can be considered 'human' as opposed to Terran is rapidly declining as a result of attrition. Humans can only be born if a human mates with a human. If a human mates with a Reploid or a Terran, the result is a Terran. By all projections, humanity will cease to exist on this world as a separate species in two centuries, maybe three. For Reploids and Terrans, that's within our life expectancy." He sighed softly. "Humanity and Reploids have evolved into Terrans...and Force Metal could be the key to further Terran evolution."
Octavia sighed softly. "A sobering...but accurate assessment," she admitted. "Since you bring this 'Force Metal' up, am I to assume that you and your 'generals' have all been redesigned to utilize it?"
Epsilon nodded. "That's correct. Each of us has a Force Metal core...save for me. I am installed with one of two pieces of experimental Supra-Force Metal, which is made from highly concentrating Force Metal energy. It's currently in standby mode." He grinned widely. "I've been told that when I set it to active, my power can be felt, not just detected."
"And yet you're here in shadows," Octavia observed. "I take it the City has discontinued such research...and your goal is to see it continued even if the city - or the world - disagrees?"
"Yes," Epsilon stated firmly. "It is the destiny of life to evolve. We must grasp our future."
Octavia rubbed her chin thoughtfully. As far as she could tell, everything seemed on the up-and-up. And from what she could see in flashes, Axl and Scarface appeared to be enjoying their sparring session as they pushed each others' limits. It looked like Force Metal could allow Reploids or Terrans to evolve as X, Zero, and Axl were designed to do naturally. There seemed to be no reason to deny that. "And all your generals are united under your ideals?" she asked carefully.
Epsilon frowned. "Unfortunately, I can't be entirely certain of that," he admitted. "Ferham and Scarface...I know they are entirely devoted to me and my goals, I have no doubts about them. The others..." He shrugged his shoulders. "They follow me, but I doubt if most of them would follow my orders exactly if they thought they knew better, or if they disagreed."
Octavia nodded. She rubbed her chin thoughtfully for a time. Finally, she made a decision. "Canter."
"Beg pardon?" Epsilon inquired, caught off guard.
"It's my 'safe word'," Octavia explained.
"I thought Axl was the one who was looking," Epsilon teased.
"Not that kind," Octavia chided, rolling her eyes. "You know how some parents teach their children Danger Phrases, to let them know casually over the phone if they are in danger and can't speak freely?"
Epsilon nodded. "Yes, I am aware. And some also give code safe words the kid can know that someone can give them to show the parents actually sent them, in case someone the parents know but the kid doesn't needs to collect them from somewhere."
"Canter is something like that between myself, Father, and Uncle Zero," Octavia explained. "Work it into casual conversation while talking to them should you meet, and they'll know you have my tentative endorsement as someone reasonable, and not necessarily an enemy. Also have your hands on Scarface and Ferham's shoulders when you do. It'll set groundwork for that peaceful resolution you want, should your organization and the Maverick Hunters come into conflict before Axl and I head home."
Epsilon bowed from his seat. "My thanks for your confidence, Octavia. Cookie?"
"Please."
Ferham in an apron...dammit, now it's stuck in my head! Not sure if that's her tame side or if she's trying to endear herself to Octavia as possible wife material to Axl.
Epsilon was quite candid with the info he gave Octavia but I suppose he wants to build this relationship on trust rather than deceit. I really hope he and the more honorable generals survive in the end.
Nice. I enjoyed this game when I played it, and Tatsurou, I like how you are setting up the minor, yet at the same time a MAJOR monkey wrench in the plans of General Redips. Here is hoping things end better in these events than they did in the game.
Also, I can see Epsilon, if he survives, becoming the NEW Maverick Hunter Commander. And possibly the best one too.
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Guess Octavia is gonna let Epsilon Canter off in his discussions with the rest of her family.
Seems Epsilon doesn't use Force in his core being.
Octavia seems to really like the plan Epsilon is Cookie up.
As far as surviving reploids go I see it for these guys, as the most likely to survive:
Epsilon
Ferham
Scarface
Mach Jentra
Depth Dragoon
Rafflesian
Shadow(maybe)
As far as romance options go for Axl, I see Mommy Octy setting up Marino and Nana and possibly Ferham with our favorite youngster.
7822490 you need to put a spoiler on some of that text.
7822539
It was a GUESS. How is a guess a spoiler?
Edit: Nevermind. Saw what you meant. Got it changed, but at this point it of the story it should be obvious.
7822559 Well not to be mean or anything, but there are some REALLY ignorant people out there.
7822534
-snrk- If she ended up getting him a "harem", or going by equine terms a "herd", I'm going to laugh my ass off. As will Zero and a good number of fellow males. Although I have no doubts that there would be an equal number of males that would be jealous of Axel.
7822565
Point made, and taken.
7822534 so she is going to create a harem for her son much like Twilight does for her daddy
20XX...
A dark period in the world history...
Everyone's just playing Fox...
As a pony, she'd likely have a good 200 years after that, if the show's implications are anything to judge by.
Great I remember the last time cookies were served at an important function...this is going to end in disaster isn't it?
7822931
To be fair, it doesn't seem like Epsilon's planning anything underhanded. Wait... are you referring to Rock and Kalinka's wedding?
Either I'm jumping at shadows... Or I know what's about to happen.
7823092 No...I'm referring to the Mars incident.
7822571
memeshappen.com/media/created/-You-are-an-unstoppable-good-idea-machine-meme-4612.jpg
Tats, would you mind?
7823136
I didn't read most of WWW; what exactly happened?
7823338 Vinyl used cookies as a sort of trojan horse, slipping modified directives and priorities into any robot that ate the cookie. I think that's also how roboenza got started as well, though don't quote me on that. I'll need to reread it to be sure. Roboenza is a disease that affected robots only in WWW.
7822534 Foourrrrway! Fourway! Fourway!
Oh, and Woolie & Liam of Super Best Friends Play, I am told recently finished recording the last episode of their LP, and will be uploading it I think within the week.: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL57hJfweW_2tEvqVtQqDnCvGCuiVfElQZ
They start off incredibly weak, but after personally berating them, and even meeting them in person by coincidence, I taught them the game mechanics and gave them some of my personal techniques. They even used the two maps I gave them.
Grr... When's the next chapter?
7823686
He updates his fics in a cycle of three days, so Friday morning.
7823944 Whoop! Thank you!
Ferham being domestic... wow. I can't wait to see X and Zero's reaction to her flirting with Axl, I can totally see the two of them giving him noogies and elbow nudges.
I didn't really like most of the 'mavericks' in the game, they seemed a bit to trigger happy and willing to cause damage or torture captives. Only one that really interests me is Ninetails since I there's no real backstory for them and Tats can make something super awesome.
7822571 I would be laughing at him.
...interesting way to end the page.
I DO NOT TRUST HIM. Beware the cookies, as does Rock.
Interesting.
Assuming that Octavia's decision to reveal the safe word is right, this feels like the beginning of the sort of unexpected change that was just listed a couple chapters ago as examples of what threw Sigma's plans off every time.
7824351 they where locked up because others feared their power aka A.H.
Well, the Cookie sounds bad...
Hopefully this does not go pear shaped.
Thinking back on it... I feel like the "Taken 21XX" plotline could've worked if you tweaked a couple stuff.'
The only real difference from this crisis and the past 6 crises was that Signas died. The problem is, Signas hadn't been given enough significance in the story itself for the audience to get attached to him (I recall his first appearance concerned the reveal of a "quirk" of his; this quirk is never mentioned again throughout the entirety of this story), and it's not given the gravity such a death would necessitate. It's almost like a news bulletin, in a way.
{Anchorage Anteater: This just in, the commander of Maverick Hunter HQ, Signas, has been killed by an implausible shot by infamous Maverick thought long-dead, Vile... in other news, a kitten has been found stuck in a tree.}
Instead, we're focused on the indirect threat that this crisis could pose on their children... even though if an H-Bomb ever landed on their heads, those kids would still come out without a scratch because "bullshit." I feel as though if this plot line were to work, you'd need to change a couple things. Either establish that it is because of Signas' death that has caused them to be on guard about threats, which fuels their hysteria concerning the New-Gen Reploids. Or have it the person who Vile kills be more important so that the reader can actually empathize with their extreme measures, like if it were Alia or Iris or some such.
Otherwise, it just comes across as being no better than Cadence at her absolute worst, in my opinion.
So with that bitching out of the way, let's get on with the chapter.
Not so. This is only true under the implication that there are two people per pairing. It should also come as no surprise to anyone that while a woman may bear one person's child, a man can breed several women at once. Thus, the answer is government-sanctioned male-dominated harems based on species, preferences, and attraction between partners. That way, the populations should be regulated to such a degree that there's no risk to the extinction of either party.
Enter "Everyday Life With Reploid Girls".
(Also, it's great to see that everything that the characters have been working towards prior to this chapter has been for nothing, and Sigma's Dream will inevitably become a reality with no recourse.)
9021869
You do realize this story is for the fun of it, right? They aren't meant to be taken seriously, the humorous changes to the timeline are the entire point of these stories.
9021869
.. dude, while yes humanity isn't gonna be around as it USED to be, the fact reploids and humans are becoming a SINGLE race means that their whole world is coming closer to actually being UNITED, just like man evolved from apes, terrins evolve from reploids and humans. it's just another stage in evolution, the i mean it's gonna be hard to stay separated when romance and partner's are involved, this is just that next stage, also sigma would probably DISPISE the fact terrins exist BECAUSE their the next stage of organics, as the more time passes the organics he despises will become part of those he think should be his subjects, so all in all your argument is more invalid then trying to buy into NFT'S and thinking you'll make a return.