Of Mavericks and Hunters. -OPEN AND ACCEPTING-

[Randomly Gone Insane]

As the footsteps approached, Edge immediately spun around, hands raised and poised to throw the saw blades. With no movement coming to her though, she looked over her shoulder, again finding nothing. Yet the footsteps.. They were real. The EMF couldn't be affecting her hearing.. Right?

Not wanting to be caught, Edge quickly went to the closest alley to duck inside, so that whatever approached her would have no chance to do so from behind.  

[Zahzi]

The tactic did pay off in a sense, as after awhile, a Black Robot walked past the alley.

It didn't seem to be looking for Edge, but instead carrying a large cask underneath its right arm as it walked through a populated area, as if mindful not to bump into anyone.  

[Randomly Gone Insane]

As the footsteps drew closer, Edge lowered down to the ground. Perhaps the stranger walker hadn't noticed her being, but only her presence. With luck, they'd walk on by and give her the perfect opportunity to ambush..

Much to her surprise, it was a black robot. But not just a black robot, the Black Robot, the very one Icarus was undoubtedly speaking of when reading of the situation to her. And she remembered his suggestion to retreat immediately upon seeing this robot. Perhaps, on another day, Edge would have agreed and retreated to report her findings. But something in her today had her thinking otherwise. Maybe it was the freedom from Dozer, maybe she didn't care how everyone was left so powerless in the sector. All that she knew for sure is that she was going to pursue, and end this robot.

After getting a kiss of luck when the Black Robot passed, Edge snuck out of the alley and began to follow, using the frozen reploids for cover as she kept pace ten feet behind the Black Robot.  

[Zahzi]

After about a minute of walking, the Black Robot stopped mid-step.
He slowly looked down, and saw something in his path. He knelt down and picked it up. It was a small teddy bear.

It examined it for a moment before looking to his left, seeing a sleeping child. Clearly the owner of the bear.
It then reached over and placed the bear in the child's arms and patted them on the head before continuing down the walkway.  

[Randomly Gone Insane]

Edge kept her pace with the Black Robot, carefully hiding behind frozen reploids without disturbing them as much as possible. She couldn't risk tipping one over and exposing herself just yet. She had to see just what this robot was up to.

When the Black Robot stopped, Edge ducked behind a reploid who size was similar to Dozer and Icarus', thankfully, giving her plenty of room to hide behind him and spy on what the other was doing. She was rather surprised to see his act of kindness to the child, which confused her. He was undoubtedly causing all this, but he was being sure to leave everyone undisturbed, and even helping return fallen items when the EMF hit. Why..?

Before she could begin to think of a possible answer though, they started to move, and so did she. Edge paused at the child, looking down at them for a moment as she thought of a stuffed bear Hal had given her. One of his daughter's favorites toys, now her's.
She shook her head, as she needed to focus and continued on.  

[Zahzi]

The Black Robot continued down the walkway, now no longer in a populated area. He examined the buildings in front of him, before looking down and shaking his head.
"What this city has become..." echoed through the quiet sector.

He looked down at the cask he was holding for a moment and stopped moving altogether.  

[Randomly Gone Insane]

As the Black Robot went into the less populated area of the sector, Edge allowed more distance between her and them. It would be too risky for her to keep following a closer pace when there was little to hide behind. On the plus side though, the other never seemed to look back which gave her more time to follow since she wasn't trying to hide very often.

At the echo, Edge flinched in surprise and immediately threw herself into cover, jumping around the corner of a building. How was she spotted? They never looked back and she was careful to not give herself away! And what were they talking about? The city has been the same over the years.

When no answer from herself or the echo came, Edge cautiously came out of her cover and looked at the Black Robot. Now he's stopped... She noted, tilting her head. Why has he stopped?  

[Zahzi]

The Black Robot gave an audible sigh, before walking forward again, going straight down the walkway and not stopping.

After about five minutes of walking, he raised his head.
"Since you have been following me for the past ten minutes, I'm sure you either want answers, or my life. Which is it?"  

[Randomly Gone Insane]

This is getting stranger by the minute... Edge was reluctant to keep following, as it seemed to lead to no where. But she had been going along for quite some time now, it would too late to turn back. No doubt Hal and-or Icarus would be cross with her for not returning upon getting lost in the EMF. It would be better to at least finish her job then retreat empty handed and in trouble.

Just as she finally settled back into the idea of continuing her pursuit, the one she was pursuing spoke up, startling her.

"...Both." She replied simply, trying to keep herself steady. He knew this whole time? But I was so careful! How could have known?  

[Zahzi]

"I see." The Black Robot replied, before looking to the left and setting down the cask upon a bench.

"Are you Hunter, or Maverick?"  

[Randomly Gone Insane]

"Hunter." Edge replied, stilling holding a saw blade in each hand, between the middle and ring fingers. She curled her fingers a bit, and stretched them out as far as they could go. Something told her a fight would break out soon.

"Which are you?"  

[Zahzi]

"Neither." The Black Robot replied once more, reaching behind his back and pulling out a large rifle.

"What does it matter? Your group never cares, as long as they take the glory.."  

[Randomly Gone Insane]

"We work to maintain peace within the city, as you and Mavericks disturb the people." Edge argued, coldly glaring at him for the glory remark. She was well aware not everyone in the Hunter forces did so to help others, or bring honor to the name like she, but they were not all glory seekers.

"You've made this entire sector and all it's people vulnerable. Any one of these people could be robbed of all their belongings, family, or even their lives because of what you're doing here. Do you realize this?"  

[Zahzi]

"Do you think I am sloppy to not know who enters an area I am working in?" The Black robot asked.

"I left you alone because I did not deem you a threat to the others. Had you been a Maverick, you would have been immediately placed in the same state as the other Reploids." he added, not moving.

"I chose to allow you movement on a whim. Do not make me regret showing you kindness." he added, lowering the rifle.  

[Randomly Gone Insane]

"You can't possibly cover a whole sector." Edge argued. "There are many different entree points, all of which have cameras which are blacked out by you.

"Now explain yourself here." She growled, raising on her arms across to her shoulder, ready to throw the saw blade.