Chapter 7: More Bugs

Though Zero woke only a few hours later, he felt like had had slept for days. It was seven o'clock now, and everyone was probably gathered in the dining hall for dinner. Still three more hours until his rendezvous with the team. Zero checked his messages, and found one waiting from Ciel.1

  'Zero, I managed to secure those drives. It was not easy, however. i fear the board may be getting suspicious of me. I've made it clear I don't approve of their actions, particularly withholding information. In hindsight, that may not have been the best of ideas. We need to start operating more covertly, or they may catch on about how much you know. They've already begun to monitor me closely, I fear. Of course, that could be my own paranoia. Either way, this is dangerous ground. We need to tread carefully.2

Love always,3

--Ciel'4

  Zero found it somewhat ironic that she could follow such a dire warning with an expression of love. If the board truly WAS becoming suspicious of Ciel, it wouldn't be long before they linked her to Zero's team. Ciel was right; they did need to start keeping their work quiet. Which made it even more critical that they know which rooms were bugged. It would also mean Ciel and Zero would have to wait to make their relationship known. Zero quickly tapped out a reply to Ciel's message.5

  'Ciel, we are meeting in my quarters at 10:00 tonight. We should have a lot of new info there, so I'd like you to attend. And bring those drives with y ou. I'd like to analyze them then.6

See you soon,7

~Z'8

  Zero sent the message, and went down to the dining hall and ate a rushed meal. He then went to the tech department, hoping to find an old friend. Cerveau was the head weapons engineer at S.A.D.S., and an engineer in the Resistance before that. he had designed most all of Zero's weapons (with the exception of the Z-Saber), and Zero owed Cerveau his life more than once. He rapped firmly on his office door, and entered when he heard a voice shout to come in.9

  'Ah, Zero!' Cerveau exulted, 'Come in, come in! How are you?' Cerveau's enthusiasm never failed to astound Zero. His dark hair stood up slightly, and an artificial sight device obscured his eyes. Cerveau had been blinded in an attack in a Neo Arcadian sneak attack in the beginning of the war. But, under his guidance, Cerveau's assistant engineers had created him that device, with a red eye-looking dot that literally followed you wherever you move.10

  'I'm well, Cerveau. Yourself?' Zero responded politely. Technically, Zero was much older than Cerveau. Though Zero had not aged in hibernation, so Cerveau appeared much older, and Zero treated him with due respect.11

  'I am wonderful, my friend. I love working in weapons technology. Right now we're working on a new laser cannon design. We've been studying the busters of Reploids from the Sigma Wars, that includes you as well, and believe we can finally achieve a design that produces its own limitless ammo supply. You know, it's funny. Weapons technology . . . actually, Reploid technology in general was much more advanced a long time ago. But so many great Reploids were lost in the Sigma Wars that we lost that technology, and humankind had to start all over with Reploids. But with the revival of the ancient Legendary Reploids, like you and X, we have much to learn from,' Cerveau paused a moment, 'I'm sorry, I've been rambling, haven't I?'12

  'No, it's quite alright. You know I love to hear of things before the Sigma Wars.'13

  'Yes. You know, ever since we met, I've worked on restoring your memory. But it seems that it just cannot be done with current technology. But don't worry, Zero. Soon things will advance enough to let us restore your memory. But, all things aside, why have you come to see me today?'14

  'Well, Cerveau, I was hoping your department had any listening device technology available for use.'15

  'You want a bug?' Cerveau asked skeptically.16

  'Yes, I believe that's the scientific term for it.'17

  'Where do you want to plant it? A room, a person, a vehicle?'18

  Zero thought for a moment. 'A person. It needs to be discreet, and I want it to be radio-accessible on a secure channel.'19

  'I have just what you're looking for. But, why do you need to bug someone?'20

  Zero sighed. 'Cerveau, you know I can't answer that,' he said apologetically.21

  'I know,' Cerveau said, clearly pouting, 'I just wish I was in on some of the missions. It's all so intriguing!'22

  'You don't know the half of it,' Zero thought to himself, then to Cerveau, 'Once this is over, I'll tell you all about it,' Zero promised.23

  'Oh, really?! That would be wonderful!' Cerveau called from another room, ' . . . Aha! This should fit the bill nicely,' he said, tossing a small baggy Zero's way. It contained a flat, black circular shape, about the size of Zero's fingertip.24

  'Um, isn't the color kind of . . . conspicuous?' Zero asked, trying his best not to offend the engineer. He laughed instead.25

  'Yes, of course! You're not familiar with this device, are you?' Zero shook his head no, 'I didn't think so. You see, this bug is equipped with fiber-optic technology, allowing it to take on the color of whatever you put it on. This renders both the color and size irrelevant. In fact, the large size allows for high-quality feeds. And it's made primarily of plastics, so it won't even trip our strongest metal detectors. Additionally, the bug transmits feed on a one-of-a-kind radio signal, that you could access with a few minor modifications to your head parts. What do you think?'26

  'I think it's perfect,' Zero said, still looking at the small espionage powerhouse.27

  'The only thing you should know,' Cerveau continued, 'is that once it's placed, you cannot use it again. The circuitry within the bug burns itself out upon being removed, as a security precaution.'28

  'That's fine.'29

  'You'll also need to get those head parts modified. When do you think you can do that?'30

  'Is now alright?' Zero asked. He needed something to do until ten o'clock, and he couldn't think of anything more productive to do.31

  'Of course,' Cerveau answered immediately, 'just lie down on that service table.'32

  Zero obediently laid on the operating room-like table. He had been on this very service module on more than one occasion, including when Zero had returned from a several month-long trip lost in the desert, where he had nearly died. Cerveau hit a few buttons on the control panel of the table, and several needle-like appendages slid into Zero's body. Another push of a button, and Zero was out cold.33