8: This is a good one! I'd have to say either Dark Feline, Sharp Porcupine, Armored Assassin or Kela. Dark Feline because that girl is a CRYPTID. Closes her eyes, shuts her mouth, her face is BLANK. She contorts herself, and in her villain (as in ACTUAL, villain) arc, she loves to act smiley and "mischievous", to offput her opponents (ESPECIALLY Marty). Plus, she's REALLY cat coded. Not to mention her having been groomed into cannibalism. As for Sharp, this girl does NOT like mud or dirt. On her lab coat or face or armor or dress...but she willingly puts her (albeit gloved) hands in body fluids. Why? Science! She's also done surgeries on herself and others (doing them on others is a MAJOR part of her backstory). Also, this woman is a LEGIT mad scientist. She's gone above and beyond, and has some not entirely unwanted thoughts of doing some crazy, dangerous and even downright demented experiments on others (usually as a coping mechanism for her other issues). As for Assassin, he's literally built off an assassin bug, known for shielding themselves with the corpses of other bugs. He was an odd one. He also had a German accent and was a commie, lol. He's pretty much the Quiet KidTM. And in the Plight At Sea Arc, he straight up loses his mind at some point and has to be placed in a cell for the others' safety, much to their (except Web Spider's) dismay. Finally, we have Kela. Kela is a weapons engineer turned Maverick Hunter. Her hair is a mess, and she bases her armor off a lab coat, but with a poofy skirt. And she has built in lenses. She's a sarcastic, witty, determined and creative reploid, and is willing to break the rules to catch criminals. So basically, she's the Dr. House of the Maverick Hunters, but not a jerk. She's also the Mom FriendTM. She's also made a handful of outside the box weapons. A buster that works like Honey Lemon's purse. A gun with devices that paralyze you. Tracking bombs. You name it!

9: I'm torn. Probably Mind Rat because I need a therapist sometimes, lol. Lacewing at times because I spew the same bs she does when I'm pissed. But more than likely, probably Lace and Armored Pillbug.

Mind Rat was in his quarters, on a holographic computer simply doing daily work. 

He was focused intently on simply filling forms for the soldiers. 

Loud, violin music came from his holophone. 

He picked it up and opened it. 

“Mind Rat, the General, Colonel and the leader of the air force unit are having a meeting of you would like to participate.” Said one of the soldiers Mind Rat had made friends with. 

“Alright. I’ll be there.”; he closed the phone and sighed. It seemed they never invited him to these kinds of things. 

He logged out, got up, pushed his chair in and made his departure. 

In the halls, he thought quietly to himself. 

“It’s quite unfair, really. I, his creation, not being invited to join in on such vital conversations. It could be referable to being something I’d indubitably get upset about.” He solemnly thought. 

He continued strolling in search of the doors. 

“Well, I don’t have to be there. I could take a peak if I so needed using my abilities. I can search through any minds if I so desire, but it would require switching between headspace with each participant of the conversation, so I fret this the most ideal option.” He continued, putting a finger under his chin in deep thought. 

He finally reached those doors and listened in on the conversation before doing remotely anything else. 

“So, how many people would we be sending these to?” Colonel inquired. 

“Well, about…ten to fifteen. These are well accomplished reploids. Outstanding men and women who’d make great soldiers and mechanics!” Storm Owl remarked. 

“Yes, but I don’t know if we should proceed in sending these now.” General spoke. “We should wait until a full out war, which I do not foresee happening anytime soon, or so I hope.”. 

Wait, were they discussing…?

“And a draft hasn’t been issued in decades. It was abolished in 2028.” Colonel added. 

“Yes, but-but think of it! These reploids are squandering their potential!” Storm Owl declared. 

Mind Rat knocked on the doors. 

Thick, heavy footsteps made their way to the doors. 

The door opened. 

“These are private ma-oh. Greetings, Mind Rat. What brings you here?” Colonel asked. 

“I wasn’t invited again. And I’ve heard a snippet of your plan. I’d like to insert my input.” Mind Rat said, masking his frustration and shock. 

“I’ll ask General.”; he turned and closed the doors. 

He eventually came back.

“You may come in.”. 

Mind Rat quickly stepped inside. 

“I heard of your conversation, and I object, sir.” Mind Rat said. 

“Hello, son. I appreciate your input. Care to explain why?” General inquired. 

“No one should be drafted. They can enlist if they so desire, but we will not be drafting anybody. No one should be forced to die in war. It is a privilege to some, but cruel punishment for nothing for others. Please, don’t do this.” Mind Rat explained. 

“And what have you to think you know what is best for the army? You’ve only been around for a few years, after all!” Storm Owl hissed. 

“I’ve studied this before! No one should be forced into war! I understand the good intentions, but it’s an act of central planning. It will do little good to force anyone into Repliforce.”. 

“I concur with Mind Rat.” General spoke. 

“The idea sounds grand on paper, but we will not force anyone to join. I appreciate the input, though, Storm Owl. You may return to your post.” He continued. 

And with that, the owl Reploid left. 

Mind Rat huffed a sigh of relief. 

“Thank you, General.” Mind Rat said. 

“I appreciate your input. You may leave as well.”. 

And with that, he left. 

He noticed Storm Owl moving down the hall. 

He followed after him.

“Storm Owl, sir, might I inquire where you got the brainchild to draft certain reploids into the army?”. 

“But of course. I was talking with the leader of the Guerilla unit today. He mentioned there are a few reploids who are squandering their potential. Strong men and women, a handful of experienced reploids. We found some information on them via files and records-“. 

“But-but that’s an invasion of privacy!”. 

“Oh, get over yourself, young man!”; he turned to him. “They were out for any employer to see!”. 

“We’re only supposed to go through the information-“. 

“Listen, young-“. 

“You interrupted me!”. 

“Fine! Speak your piece!”. 

“The point is, we aren’t supposed to be going through their information unless they have enlisted or are being trained for the force.” Mind Rat spoke, more quietly this time; their conversation had gotten them some looks from a variety of reploids going about their business. 

“I understand where you’re coming from, but there’s not enough reploids enlisting.”. 

“We have ton-“. 

“Not. Enough.” Storm Owl growled, pointing at him. 

Burn Dinorex was chuckling with his two closest friends. 

“Oh, man!” The dinosaur Reploid exclaimed. 

“I know!” said the lion Reploid. 

Web Spider was listening in on their laughter. 

Who were they laughing at now? 

He whipped his head around. 

“Dude, he totally would! Little crawler would-“; the walrus Reploid broke into wheezy laughter. 

Dinorex turned to look at him; his allies followed suit. 

The spider Reploid quickly crawled over there. 

“Alright you oversized jerks, what’s going on?” Web exclaimed. 

“Jeez, what’s up your…web thing, you little freak?” Frost Walrus asked him. 

“It’s called a spinneret! And what are you guys laughing about?” Web Spider exclaimed. 

“Spider, sir, it’s not worth it!” Tank exclaimed. 

But he didn’t care. 

He got between Dinorex and Beast and snatched what they were laughing at-. 

Something in him stopped. 

It was a drawing of…him…and his old comrades working for the soldiers as housekeepers and slaves…

“Hey, why dontcha’ send me that bee guy? I have some blockheads I need to blow up!” Said Frost Walrus. 

Web Spider squeezed the paper, causing it to crinkle. 

“Or send me that pink fellow! I need someone to help me clean my apartment!” Said Burn Dinorex. 

“I’d like to try to date that girl with the bun!” Said Slash Beast. 

Web backed up. 

He ripped up the paper. 

“You guys are sick! I’d never work for you guys! And neither would my old comrades for that matter! Or me for that matter!” Web Spider exclaimed. 

“Who’s to say otherwise? I’m big. I can take ‘em!” The walrus Reploid joked, before giving another wheezy laugh. 

But…was it a joke? That’s what Web Spider asked. 

“Nah, I’d probably have them in my collection instead!”. 

Collection? 

“Hey, hey, buddy, it’s a joke! Okay, guys! Okay-“ Slash Beast chuckled. 

“Is he joking?”. 

They all looked at him. 

“Great, sinister bug can’t take a joke!” Burn Dinorex groaned. 

“Even if it wasn’t…who says you’d have a say in it?” Walrus asked. 

He laughed. 

And they laughed. 

And he ran. 

Web ran. 

He went into one of the halls. 

No. 

He’d never let them force him to be subservient to them. Or force his friends into doing so, either. 

He entered one of the offices. 

He took a moment to gather his thoughts. 

He was legitimately worried! 

How could he know his old allies were safe? 

And one of them was dead, sure, but…how did they even know about them all? 

He couldn’t stop. 

The image was burned in his brain. 

No. 

No. 

No. 

No. 

“Everyone, pay attention.”. 

They all turned to him. 

General’s noble creation. 

“I know things have been hard…they’re starting to doubt us, and mistreatment has been rampant. From paying nurses less than the soldiers to the physical mistreatment of smaller reploids. And the humans are doubting our efficiency. However, our goals here are to improve. And…”; he took a moment, looking at the General. 

“7.9 veterans have been scanned for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. 14 out of 100 men and 24 out of 100 women are more likely to end up with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder if they are veterans. And times are tough right now…but we mustn’t let stress get to our heads. In the mean time, I will teach you all some techniques for remaining tranquil in dire times.” Mind Rat spoke calmly, though there was a hint of unrest in his voice. 

He placed his hands on his abdomen. 

“Breathe in if you have the mouth to do so. If your abdomen extends slightly while inhaling, imagine a balloon. Feel it fall as you exhale.”. 

Some reploids practiced this. 

“Now, name five things you can see. Four things you can touch. Three things you can hear. Two things you can and one thing you can taste if you have had the modifications to perform the last two.”. 

A pause. 

“Then state your name and serial number and the date you were constructed.”. 

Some scoffed at this. Others were attentive, and quite glad, too. 

“May this bring you all peace and honor. Good day to you all and I wish you all the best. In the mean time, work and train hard and be prepared.”; and with that, the telepathetic Reploid made his departure, his gold tail disappearing behind the doorway to the balcony of the memorial hall. 

“Alright.” He thought. 

He couldn’t breathe due to having no mouth or psuedo-lungs, so he made due with what else. 

“I can see…”; he scanned the room. 

“Desks…chairs…projectors…keyboards…the view of the city…”. 

Web graced his hand upon whatever was around him. 

“Wall…floor…chair…my hat.”. 

He listened. Closely. 

“The traffic from the city…the air conditioner…the whirring from my body…”. 

He couldn’t smell nor taste, so those last two directions were out of the questions. 

And the arachnid Reploid was starting to relax…

“My name is Web Spider. My serial number is JQ4MCKWZ-0VL-58H. I was constructed on June 27th, 21XX.”. 

He began to calm down…he was calm…

He began to try and rationalize and plan with himself. 

“Alright. I’ll go to Mind Rat and ask him…to do an analysis on those three…okay…” Web told himself. 

Thrap, thrap, thrap. 

The door opened. 

Mind Rat looked shocked at the Guerilla commander’s appearance. 

“Why, hello, Commander Web Spider. Might I inquire why you are here?” He asked. 

“I believe my old comrades are in danger.” The spider Reploid informed him. 

“Oh. Why-why come in.” The rat based Reploid stuttered, opening the door wider for him.

They sat at a round table. 

The rat based Reploid poured himself a cup of tea. 

He sipped quietly, clearly savoring the taste. 

“So, can you scan the minds of Burn Dinorex, Frost Walrus and Slash Beast?” Web Spider asked. 

“Allow me.”; Mind Rat set down his cup. He closed his eyes, raising his head slightly.

It was clear what he was doing, his mind reading abilities at work. 

It took a hot minute, but he eventually returned, opening his eyes. 

“I have some news that will bring you great relief. They do not know your old comrades’ locations, and do not plan to do anything with them.”. 

Web was filled with great relief as Mind Rat had foretold. 

“Oh, thank goodness!-“. 

“However, Frost may be using this as a threat from now on. But fear not. He’s made the same type of threats towards Storm Owl, Jet Stingray and two of the soldiers on the same unit as him. Fear not. These threats are empty. Though, if anyone angered him and their allies were in his wake, he’d merely kill rather than enslave them.”. 

Web Spider couldn’t believe it. 

“I have been talking with my creator and will be discussing the Mavericks that have made it here into Repliforce, either as a get-out-of-death free card or for other various benefits. I am glad you came to be and I will make as much as an effort as I can.”. 

“Thank you, Mind Rat.”; the spider Reploid shook his hand, and were about to part ways. 

Before he was out the door-. 

“Oh! You used the technique I gave you all! It appears to have helped significantly!”. 

Web looked at him. 

“But…I also sense other great distress in you…you feel…”. 

“Sir, please-“.

“Forced into servitude by humanity…”. 

“Mind Rat, it’s not-“. 

“I know what you mean…but you mustn’t let it become a Maverick thought…one day, things will get better…and you will feel less forced into servitude…maintain hope. We are here to aid the hunters and protect both reploidkind and humankind.” The rat based Reploid spoke. 

“…thank you, Mind Rat…” Web Spider spoke. 

“Ugh…”. 

Speed Lacewing was disoriented, looking up at the wooden ceiling. 

She barely remembered how she got here. All she remembered was being surrounded by greenery, as well as her own desperation…and what else…? 

“Well, good morning. Or, afternoon, I should say.”. 

She turned to the woman next to her. 

“Where are my manners? My name is Pearl. I’m a nurse for the Rose Thorns. You are currently on our ship. I take it you’re another defector from Repliforce?”. 

“Huh? I-I guess-yeah.” Lacewing stammered, slowly sitting up. 

Her wings were immensely tired from flying all night. 

Fear filled her chest again, still wondering how she’s be treated for deserting the mission…especially after what she found out just a few days ago…

“I just got back from the Kagikira forest…my unit was stationed there…” she told the nurse. 

“Interesting. Need anything? Energy can? Water? Tea?”. 

“Nah…well, okay, maybe an energy can.”. 

“Alright.”; the nurse got up; she wore a white armor dress that looked similar to that of the Reploid nurses she had frequent encounters with, but with a more rustic, vintage pirate feel. 

She normally hated being cooped up, but it was better than feeling like she was being hunted down. 

The nurse came back with an e-can. 

“Need anything else?”. 

“Nah.”. 

She eventually left the lacewing Reploid there.

BAM, BAM, BAM! 

Pearl came quickly stepping to the door. 

She opened it. 

“Hello, Necrobat. Did you get hurt again?”. 

Lacewing moved a bit; she saw a looming, purple bat Reploid in a black jacket, which had a similar pirate-esque vibe that the nurse’s armor dress donned. 

“Hey, yeah, uh, no! But-squeak!-I need to talk to her. Apparently, my girlfriend knows her!”. 

“Oh, really? Well, I can’t just let you in here. Maybe bring her here?”. 

“Alright, what’s goin’ on?”; Speed couldn’t stand it any longer. 

She walked over to the door-. 

SLAM! 

Pearl was thrown against the wall as the other Reploid flew towards the lacewing one. 

The sun shone upon the Rose Thorns’ ship. The sea helped provide a cool breeze. Mind Rat inhaled the salty air, then exhaled. He had been thankful that the Rose Thorns let him climb aboard. And he was glad X joined them, giving him the courage to sojourn there himself…it had been quite peaceful here, in spite of the war that would soon be ensuing. 

He needed to figure out what to do from here. 

He hadn’t read the minds of the commanders or some of the bigger soldiers. He could make an attempt right now. Yes, that would be best for everyone-.

BAM! 

The door leading to the lower decks was smashed wide open. 

Everyone saw a bug reploid-like a dragonfly or some form of moth-dash out and look behind her. 

And behind her was a furious Dark Necrobat. 

“GET BACK HERE! Squeak-squeak!”. 

“NECROBAT!”. 

Zero ran over to him, but he was already airborne, chasing the other reploid. 

The other reploid turned around and began shooting a buster at him. 

He flew upwards and maneuvered in the air, but she was rapid, and he had barely dodged them all, before, with frenetic thinking, he stopped time. However, a buster shot made its way into the purple field surrounding him, and with that, he was blasted into the frigid, brackish waters.  

Mind Rat took a moment to try and recognize her. Then it hit him: this was Speed Lacewing! One of the combat soldiers for the Guerilla Unit! 

She was known to be quite a virago, in spite of being an excellent soldier and marksman. She would say particularly negative, and even cruel, things of the “girlier” women, and respected soldiers more than she did the navigators, nurses and mechanics, thinking of their positions as the “lame” jobs. 

So, why did Necrobat have a particular grudge against this woman? Most of those whom had made an attempt to track him in an attempt to rid the world of Sigma’s creations and raise the people’s opinion on Repliforce were usually the commanders alone, though a few soldiers had attempted to get the job done, such as Spiral Pegasus and Shock Macaw. They had also attempted to track down a mutant formed in Ukraine. 

Heeled footsteps thumped on the floorboards of the deck. 

“What’s going on!?” Marty exclaimed. 

Pearl came rushing out as well. 

“Dark Necrobat just barged in and started going after her!”. 

“Who?”. 

“The defector we just picked up!”; Pearl panted. “Said she was an acquaintance of Porcupine.”. 

“Hm…”. 

Sharp Porcupine and all the other engineers followed suit. 

The porcupine Reploid gasped, completely stunned. 

“Porcupine, you know her!?” Antonio inquired. 

Sharp stared…

Her limbs were locked in shock, a gesture of being taken aback…

Then-. 

It had all happened so fast. One minute, the other Reploid was panting, buster out in fear, shaking. 

The next minute and there he was: holding her in a grip, about to sink his fangs into her neck. 

“Necrobat, stop!”; Necrobat looked up. 

It was X. He made his way down the mast and went to him. 

Mind Rat made his way there as well, as did Marty and Zero. 

“I did not join this crew to allow more violence to happen! And neither did you!” X exclaimed. 

“No! This woman, this cockroach, bullied the love of my life!” Necrobat yelled. 

“Huh?”; then X got a closer look at her. 

“What the hell are you talking about!?” Zero raised his voice. 

“Hey, I-I’ve seen you before…with Sting Chameleon! You were his best friend…”. 

“Yes! And now she-“; POW! 

With him being distracted, Lacewing was able to wriggle one of her arms free and uppercut him, before she wriggled the other one out and pointed her buster at him. 

Mind Rat shut his eyes and focused, sneaking his way into the bat reploid’s mind to have a peak at what he was thinking currently…

A memory. 

“Well…there was a lacewing reploid that I tried to be friends with…she seemed really lonely, and I knew that feeling before I got to know my fellow engineers…”. 

“Yes?”. 

“…but she told me she wasn’t interested…and that would have been fine! If…if she hadn’t started bullying me with them…”. 

“That’s it!” Mind Rat concluded internally. 

Dark Necrobat was about to attempt to use dark hold again, but X got in front of him. 

“Let’s talk this out!” He yelled. 

“No! She made Porcupine’s life a living hell!”. 

“Porcupine, get a control of your boyfriend!” Electric Monarch exclaimed. 

But Sharp Porcupine was frozen, staring blankly now…

“Porcupine!” Antonio yelled. 

“Blade, why isn’t she doing anything!?” Monarch exclaimed frantically.  

“We are not helping her! Especially with how she treated us! What Necrobat is doing is justice served!” Blade Axolotl retorted, crossing his arms. 

“Huh?” The other mechanics said in unison. 

“Dark Necrobat, this won’t resolve anything!” Mind Rat scorned. 

“Mind Rat?”. 

“Hello, Speed Lacewing of the Guerilla Unit.”. 

“Guerilla Unit!?” Electric Monarch yelled in disgust; she quickly flew over. 

“You didn’t tell me…that this woman…worked for the Guerilla Unit in Repliforce…” She growled at Marty. 

“And what’s wrong with that, you some kinda hippie?” Speed Lacewing sneered. 

“Hippie!?”. 

“Now everyone, calm down!” X exclaimed. 

“There is a reason why she is here! Lacewing, state your case…” Mind Rat spoke. 

Zero and Marty wrestled the infuriated bat Reploid away from her. 

“You traitors! She tormented my lover!” Dark Necrobat yelled, his voice shrouded in pure, vengeful fury. 

Speed Lacewing looked around her, debating just shooting them all at this point in a panic. 

Then she noticed something…

…or someone…

A familiar quilled Reploid walked over to Dark Necrobat. 

Marty and Zero glanced at her. 

She seemed to say something quietly to them. 

“Oh, so you can watch him suck her energy and kill her!?” Zero burst out. 

“She continued speaking softly to them…and they let him go…

But instead of charging at Lacewing once more, he…seemed to heed her.

She reached up and he bent over a bit…and she caressed his face…

Lacewing looked at Sharp Porcupine. 

She looked…tired and sad. 

“Wait…”; she said, and ran over; immediately, Dark Necrobat got into a battle stance, his wings unfurling. 

Speed Lacewing asked the bat Reploid…

“You’re dating Sharp Porcupine?”. 

“Yes…”; he stepped over to her, fists quaking. 

“And you…”; he inhaled. “have a lot of explaining to do.” He panted. 

“Is-is-what are you-“. 

“Stop playing dumb!”. 

“Enough!” Marty yelled. 

“Sharp, Necro, our office! Now!”. 

The couple obeyed, following the couple nervously. 

“What did you do?”; Lacewing looked up; it was the eyepatched Reploid that picked her up! 

I finally feel confident enough to post art of my Mmx ocs!