Just for today

'Aughhhh!' Axl let out in an aggravated roar, scratching his head frantically wishing his fingers could dig through his solid metal helmet as he reclined his chair back as far back as he possibly could. 'Someone just kill me please!'

The young reploid was at his brink, it has been nearly a whole week without any real Maverick Incident and the very few that had occurred were so minor that higher ranking officers such as himself were not sent to deal with the incidents. The lack of action was driving him crazy; he needed to shoot something. And to make his boredom even worse, without much to do, it was obvious that his paperwork had finally caught up to him. Desk work, the one thing he dreaded more than slow ticking clock that reminded him of his boredom. They came in by the dozens, thick paper bundles steadily piling up on his desk. Maverick reports, mission reports, weapons, maintenance surveys everything was stacked up in front of him that soon he felt like that if the monstrous pile were to fall on him it would surely crush him to death. It was definitely suffocating him now. By this day and age of technological advancement, he would have thought such work would no longer be necessary, especially on paper.

Grumbling in his anguish, he let his hands dangle freely to his side as he planted his face on his desk, rolling it side to side in an attempt to settle his growing headache. He doesn't know how long he's been cooped up inside his small little office, but he is certain that it has been for more than several agonizing hours, at least that how it felt like.

Suddenly he felt a small but stern tap of paper on his head. 'There's no dying until all your work is finished,' he heard person responsible say behind him.

Sluggishly and unwilling, the young reploid, rolled his head over to look at the authoritative source now standing beside him with his own small stack of papers, his blue peace loving friend. If he knows anyone that's thrilled about the lack action it would definitely be him. It was practically written all over his face.

'Shoot me, please' Axl whined unwilling to cooperate with his friend.

'The more you complain the longer you'll be stuck in here.' X rationalized, unenthused by his friend's sarcasm. He reached over to his younger companion, pulling him back into an upright position with little effort; though his action forced a loud groan out of the unmotivated reploid.

'But there's so much, we've been in here all day and the day before that.' Axl cried, 'Im gonna die before I finish it all …so might as well.'

'Honestly,' X sighed. 'If you haven't procrastinated so much when they were first given to you, you wouldn't be having this problem.'

'Why do we need to do all this stuff anyways?' Axl pointed out, speaking out his mind's reasoning Right now, it doesn't matter how ridiculous he was sounding, the young reploid was just deperate for do something that did not involve the abomination they call work. 'If you think about it someone else should be responsible for filing the reports.'

'Please don't get started with that kind of logic,' X exclaimed rubbing his temple, already preparing to block out the nonsense that he knew was going to come out of young Maverick Hunter's mouth.

'No, no listen.' Axl argued trying to keep the blue reploid into the conversation. 'The navigators are there throughout the whole mission, the commander, and even the field analysts are there! And they have so much more data coming to them about the field and everything else happening. Maybe we can half the work with them.'

'You can't be serious...' X uttered out in disbelief, unable to resist the temptation to ridicule the boy's ridiculously flawed logic, somehow falling into Axl bait. 'First of all, they have their own set of reports to do.'

'And second of all, don't think that even for one second that I will be convinced with this nonsense..' he said, taking Axl's head, which has somehow how ended up hanging in an odd position over his chair since the time of their conversation and snapped it back straight towards his unfinished work.

'Ugh,' Axl groaned, freely falling himself back his desk.

Suddenly, the two turned their heads as they heard the door behind them slide open, revealing their long haired, red companion enter the room.

'X, here's the last of the reports from that power plant incident. Tell me if there's anything else you need in it.' Zero said as he walked inside. His brow suddenly raised in astonishment as his eyes befell the unorganized pile of papers that had stacked up in the young reploid's desk as he made his way over to blue hero and handed over the his own set of work.

'Thank you, Zero.' X replied, taking the delivered papers in his hand and began to review them.

'Zero!' Axl called out excitedly, turning his seat fully his blonde friend's direction.

However, sticking to his demeanor the crimson reploid merely met eyes with the boy to acknowledge his presence but ignored his call as he waited for X's response.

'Yes, it looks fine. Thank you again.' X answered, giving him an assuring nod.

'Alright, if you need me I'll be in the training room.' Zero informed, that somehow brightened up Axl's eyes.

'Did you say training room? Oh, let's spar!' Axl exclaimed, jumping out of his seat and after his red superior. But before he could even make a step, he felt X's hand place pressure on his unsuspecting shoulder pushing him hard back into his seat.

'No,' Zero blankly said

'Didn't you spar with Zero all day yesterday?' X remembered holding the rambunctious reploid in place.

'Aww, c'mon!' Axl whined, squinting his eyes to form a small puppy look in an attempt to persuade his comrade.

'That was yesterday.' Axl pointed out looking at his red superior for support.

'No,' Zero answered again, knowing full well the outrageous amount of work the boy has been desperately trying to put off.

'Seriously?! You guys are no fun, you know that…' Axl pouted, slouching on his chair.

'I understand that this isn't your most favorite kind of activity Axl. But this may be the only time you'll have to finish it without distraction.' X tried to explain, hoping to somehow get into his student's senses. 'If you can finish all of this, then you won't be having so much work piled up against you in the future. It will give you more free time.'

'It's not like this stuff is gonna go away. You guys are just a bunch of workaholics. We should be taking the day off rather than do all this paperwork if you ask me.' Axl mumbled in argument.

'We're reploids, there is no need for us to take a day off.' X answered.

'Huh…?' Axl scornfully voiced out, glancing at X who was answering him seriously. 'Everyone gets a day off you know.'

X raised a confused look in his face. 'Yes, I am aware.'

'Then I should be able to get one….like lets say right now.' Axl mischievously attempted to rationalize.

'Not with that much things do you can't. Besides having to take days off in this line of work is irresponsible.'

'Wait..'… the copy reploid uttered as a surprising revelation connected in his head. 'X, have you ever even taken a day off before.'

'No.' X replied raising his brow at the boy's sudden curiosity. 'Like I said it would be irresponsible for me take one due to the unpredictable circumstance of our job.'

'Zero…?' Axl quickly turned to red one who was quietly listening to their conversation.

'A day not in the field is considered a day off if you ask me.' He replied.

'Indeed,' X voiced out in agreement.

'Hahh…?' Axl voiced out baffled

'Hold on. Let me get this straight.' Axl paused for a moment organizing his thoughts as the news seemed to be so much harder to process as his systems tried do some form of mathematics. 'So you're telling me, that after for all those who knows how many years, you guys NEVER, not even once taken a day off willingly?'

'Like I said was never any need of it.' X answered while Zero gave a nod. Unlike humans reploids were not required to sleep and there is little maintenance for them enabling them to be functional at almost at anytime.

'Are you kidding me?!' Axl yelled out at the numbers began to add up. 'No wonder you guys are so uptight all the time!'

'Axl, what are you trying to get at with this?' X asked unable to wrap his head as to why the young boy seemed to be stunned the news that he thought was completely normal. All he knew it was another scheme the young reploid was trying to conjure up.

The young reploid lingered in his thoughts as though he was lost in planning, then popped out with an idea. 'We should just take the day off. Just for one day.'

'Don't be ridiculous, there's still a lot of work to be done.' the blue hero brushed of the idea indifferently. He knew it...it was just another scheme.

'We can't have you put it off any longer, understand?'

Axl groaned in frustration as he continued to block out his superior's words. 'Honestly, when was the last time you guys have gone outside. You know out in the city and just walk around.'

X threw him a disbelieving look. 'Is that a serious question…?'

In retaliation Axl gave him a disappointed look in return. Surprisingly enough, X was more stubborn and thickheaded than he makes himself seem to be. 'X, I'm not that stupid. I'm not talking about being on patrol or going out on some official business. I'm talking about going out in the city, like a normal civilian. You know without a having some kind duty on you.'

Much to his astonishment his argument had brought his blue superior into silence at that moment.

'Don't you guys wanna go outside, get a breath of fresh air. Feel the breeze, admire the scenery, without worrying about something shooting you every five seconds.'

Taking the lack of answer as a no, Axl's eyes softened a little. He felt a small pity growing inside of him for the blue reploid and his red companion. Of all the things they have done, it was hard to realize that in order to maintain the hanging safety and peace of the world they had to drown themselves completely in their work, throw away their own identity and deny themselves the basic pleasures of freedom they have enable society to have.

But much to his dismay he was unable to get through to his uptight friend, although he did see a slight weaver in his eyes.

'Even if we did want too, there is still too much to get done that can't be left unattended for. Mavericks can come at anytime. We have to be ready.'

'Work this. Work that. It's just paper! And there's no mavericks! This could be the last time in a long time we could have a chance to do this. Just for a day…Don't you want to experience the world you fought to keep?' Axl said glancing back at both the blue and red Hunters as they processed his words.

'That's enough,' X answered growing tired of the conversation. He walked over to his desk just a few steps away from Axl's and placed the papers Zero had given him.

'Until your table is wiped clean of all paperwork, there will no more of this nonsense, do I make myself clear?' The blue Maverick Hunter ordered turning back to look at the young reploid.

'But X…! This isn't even about me avoiding work anymore.'

'Just listen to him, kid. There's no way of winning this one.' Zero advised just was the door slid open for him to exit knowing that the conversation was coming to a close.

'Hmmnn…you two seriously need one.' Axl groaned in disappointment. He looked up at the ceiling for a second staring into space as he immersed himself in thought; Zero was right there was no way he could possibly break these two thick head workaholic's habits using just words.

'So you're just worried about the work right?' Axl clarified crocking his head to the side after the short pause. 'If we get excused from it there wouldn't be a problem right?'

'Axl, whatever you are thinking just stop it right there.' X immediately ordered knowing full well that the boy had another idea come upon him. His body became tense as he took a step towards the young reploid.

Ignoring X's warning New Generation reploid jumped from his seat with a wide mischievous smirk on his face. 'Well if that's the problem that's an easy fix. If we can get an approval you'll come right?' He said.

Then with a face full of conviction and determination he found the right moment and without warning Axl bolted for the open door, dashing pass the unsuspecting blonde Maverick Hunter who simply dodged out of his way due to surprise.

By the time X had realized that he had gone out like the wind and was already unreachable.

'Axl!' X yelled out running after the young reploid but stopped just beside Zero who had made no attempts in stopping him and was just watching the Maverick Hunter run to the very end of the hall.

'You'll thank me later!' They heard Axl yell out in the distance as he disappeared from view after turning the corner.

'We should go after him.' X let out a deep exhausted sigh as he began take the first few steps in following their escapee.

'Just let him go for a bit. He just needs a breather. He won't be going that far.'

X turned a gave Zero a slight glare feeling a bit betrayed that his blonde friend wasn't putting as much effort into supporting him in disciplining the newest addition.

'You're being too lenient on him Zero.'

'You think so? Or are you being too uptight like he said?' Zero replied with a bit of a tease in his voice, knowing how his friend feels at the moment.

X gave his friend a wide frown, not taking in the humor in Zero's sarcasm.

'You're the one to talk.' He replied.

'I wasn't the one that made him run.' Zero answered with a smirk on his face.

'I'm only trying to have him finish all of that before Mavericks show up again,' X pointed at the messy stack of papers, 'He needs to learn he can't run away from these things and that our job is not all about fighting. That there's other things beside that.'

Zero remained silent as X let out another sigh. 'Let's just go find him.'

'It won't be that hard.' Zero finally answered as he began to make his way behind X who had started to follow Axl's trail.

'I hope so.' X replied.

They walked for several minutes asking around their fellow co-workers in the large corridors of the Maverick Hunter Head Quarters, looking for any clue as to where the young reploid may have gotten to. It wasn't so hard to describe the boy, as he and just like the other two hunters were well known among their comrades and the rare individual that did need a description, Axl's unique armor and distinguishable scar made him quite memorable even if someone only had a one quick glimpse at him.

Following their trail of leads, all replies of those who have seen Axl pointed the two heroes in to the direction of the main command center of the base; just behind the unnecessarily grand size of the door which had provided the primary entry way of to the room. When the two heroes entered the command center they were greeted by the dim lighting of the room which amplified the computer screens projected images and it was immediately noticed that that the multi-story room wasn't as busy as it typically was. It made it relatively easy for them to find their missing companion, as all of those present in the room had their attention glued and focus on the very center of the space where the only commotion probably throughout this who was happening.

'Absolutely not.' Their toweringly tall commander in white answered Axl with a stern face resting on his features.

'C'mon, please! Just for today. That's all I ask.' Axl argued back, hunching his back as he whined to his superior.

'I've told you already, that is not something we can risk allowing.' Signas answered placing his foot down.

'It's not against the rules though and it's not like something is happening right now.' Axl said

'Anything can happen at a moment's notice. I can't permit all three of you to be unavailable at the same time.'

'Signas nothing is happening!'

It was quite an odd sight for many if it was their first to enter the room, as it was unusual for an officer, though Axl had quite a high position, to bicker with his commanding leader with such familiarity and openness especially in while they are still considered to be on duty. But then again, the ones present in the command center have developed a more personal relationship with one another over the course of their adventures that went far beyond military rankings.

As the two continued to bicker and exchange words X and Zero walked over to one of the operatives that siting at center row to the two reploids, a blonde hair reploid girl with medium length hair that was let out of its typical bun in pink armor. She was one of the other three reploids present in the room who held similar positions as her. Layer, a long purple haired reploid with bangs that covered her eyes, sitting just in the left of the corner of the opposite end, and Pallette another blonde hair navigator whose head piece which could also be considered her hair was held up several inches off her head with two red orb like goggles sitting by Layer on the right side corner.

'Oh X, I didn't see you there.' Alia flinched up at the feeling of two person standing side by side and gave them a smile. 'And Zero too.'

The mention of Zero name, transmit through Alia's open communicator to the other operatives had Layer nearly jump in surprise, then a small embarrassed appearing in her rosy cheek as she caught eye of the crimson reploid.

'Where's Nana?' X asked looking around as he noticed short pink hair navigator's empty chair.

'She just doing some diagnostics with LifeSaver and Douglas right now.' Alia answered.

'Ahhh'

'But we're guessing, it not her you're actually looking for, right?' Pallette playful inferred as she enabled audio connection among the four in order to relieve themselves the need to yell out from across the room.

'I wonder what gave that away.' Zero jokingly answered which earned him a chuckle from all three operators as he looked down at Axl and Signas.

X nodded and looked down at the two reploids who looked that they were trying to maintain a composure to keep themselves from biting off each other's throats. 'How long have they been like that.'

'For about 10 minutes now since Axl came flying through the room.' Alia answered.

'I've never seen Signas this worked up before.' Zero added.

'Axl's been pushing his buttons ever since he got here.' Layer replied.

'Heheh right? It's actually been fun to watch. You don't get to see it everyday. Axl's been trying to get the commander to approve all three of you to take leave or something like that for some reason.' Pallette implied.

'Signas has been thoroughly against it so they've been at each other's throats this whole time. It's literally been impossible for any of us to get through to them.' Alia said sighing a bit, although there was a small smile on a lips.

'Honestly…to think he'd actually go to this length to put off work.' X groaned.

'Pretty amazing, if you ask me.' Zero said to his troubled friend. As they continued to watch

'For the last time, my answer is No.' Signas continued to argue with the boy.

'One day…just one day.' Axl replied back lifting his index finger to exemplify his statement.

'For someone one that has been slacking off this pass few days you don't have the liberty to ask for a day off. Let alone try to drag X and Zero into it.'

'Commander c'mon! Axl replied, he was getting irritated at the fact that each time he requested something today the preposterous work was getting in his way. 'I'll finish it I swear. Just let us go for today.'

'Shouldn't it be the other way around?' X cut in walking towards the two bickering Hunters.

'X!' Axl called out with a big wide smile.

'Ah you're here finally.'

'Axl what are you doing?' X asked.

'Isn't it obvious I'm trying to get us a day off. But Commander over here is making it difficult.'

'It is not that I am against any of you from taking a day's break. But I am not willing to risk having all three of you unable for duty at a moment's notice.'

'It's a quick transfer! It's not like we're going to be running away to the bottom of the ocean or something. You can just call us and we'd be back in a second.' Axl informed his commander of his flawed reason.

'That is reckless use of resources. We can't just transfer just because we want to.'

'Wait, I don't remember agreeing to any of this.' X replied in support to Signas.

'Neither did I.' Zero added in.

Signas groaned shaking his head. 'Look at this. They don't even want to go.' He pointed to the two Hunters while still locking his gaze with Axl's. 'Axl, are you truly that desperate that you'd stoop so low as to use X and Zero as a means to get off your work.'

'I'm not!' Axl answered. It was only half the truth. 'I just want to take X and Zero out of this place for once. You can double the paperwork for all I care when we come back. Just let us go.'

'Double the work?' Signas uttered in surprise that made his eyes wide for being caught off guard by for a second. But he remained determined in his stance. 'You can't even finish half the work you've been given with up till now.'

'I'll finish it..' Axl said, his voice cracking a little.

Suddenly a fifth voice entered the argument. 'Why not just let them go Signas? I don't see what's so bad about it.' Alia said over the communicators.

'Alia!' Axl yelled out, his body feeling like it had grown a new pair of wings that were lifting him up to the blonde operator that was the first to express support for his cause. The other three males on the other hand looked slightly betrayed.

'Alia don't, you're encouraging him.' X protested.

'X, Axl has a point.' Alia answered back. 'You three need a day outside.'

'He's just buying time to put off work.'

'Another day won't kill you.' Pallette jumped in. 'He's been putting off for this long, it not like another day is going to change that.'

'Beside, a day like now doesn't come by very often.' Layer also added in.

'You three….' X muttered in astonishment.

'It's not just the paper work. With all three of them away it will hinder our efforts if something were to happen.' Signas reminded them.

'Ohh, stop being such a worry wart Commander.' Pallette said. 'We haven't had any incident or suspicious activities in days.'

'If the kid really wants to go. Just let him.' Zero spoke out unexpectedly. 'This conversation has just been going around in circles.'

The surpise support brought new hope into Axl as he looked at his crimson friend with sparkling emerald eyes. 'So you'll come too?'

'I never said that.' Zero replied dropping Axl back into reality.

'It's not worth if you guys don't go!'

'Where are you planning to go anyways Axl?' Layer asked.

'I was thinking Giga City' Axl answered.

'Wasn't that place just a mining area for Force Metal though?' Layer injected trying to remember the rebellion that happened awhile back.

'I heard the place has improved a lot since the rebellion and there's a bunch of things for reploids and humans to do there now.' Axl answered.

'That's right, I heard they made a new addition to the city just for recreation and stuff like that. Giga city apparently became the leading example for reploid and human relations. It's a really good choice.' Pallette agreed.

'I refuse.' X protested. 'Just like Signas said not only do you have work to do but having none of us available do duty is just far too risky.'

'You guys are not the only Maverick Hunters here X.' Alia reminded them.

'As commander I still cannot allow it.'

'It's 4 against 3. You have no power here.' Axl proudly announced. But he can see that his commander was unenthused by his childish display of favoritism.

'Look you we'll have our communicators open at all times, and if anything were to happen you can transfer us back at anytime.'

'Just let them go.' Alia supported Axl.

'Yeah just let them.' Pallette expressed her favor.

'Do not worry about the condition around here. We'll take care of them.' Layer assured him.

'Come on Signas.' Alia requested that all most seemed like an order. Being head of the operators and the one that has been there the longest by the commander's side, Alia held a hidden authority or at least laid equal footing his their otherwise stern commander that cannot be denied.

With the pressures being brought down upon on to him Signas grew more hesitant but finally cracked under Axl's favor. The navigators held more power that he was willing to admit.

Sighing, Signas brought his head in defeat, that brought Axl into celebration and dreading anguish into the other two.

'Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Axl jumped to his commander, but when he looked up he was met by Signas's infuriated face

Grabbing the young reploid from the back with one hand, Signas lifted him from his feet and glared at him straight in the eye. 'Listen here,' he began with irritation written all over his voice and face. 'Don't think, you will get away from this so easily.'

'Y-yes..'

'You will keep your comminicators open at all times, report to me every hour of your status, and I want you back here before the sun sets, understand?'

'Y-yes sir…' Axl answered growing a bit afraid of Signas's growing anger. He almost looked demonic.

'Hold on! Don't we even get a say in this?' X objected.

Dropping the young reploid Signas walked over to X, flushing over his anger towards the blue reploid as well. 'No you don't, you and Zero will be accompanying Axl today.'

'What?!' X yelled out. As a man who follows orders from his superior, he put in a situation where was unable to refuse.

'I need you to make sure Axl doesn't cause any trouble.'

From all around the room, the girls struggled to hold in their chuckles, holding their stomachs and over their mouths to prevent any sound from coming through.

Seeing that the conversation was turning into an unfavorable outcome, Zero silently tried to make his get away taking a step back to the direction of the door, but a white gloved hand pulled him back. When he look at the culprit he saw that it was the young reploid, onto him with one hand while grasping X with the other.

'Axl let me go.' Zero ordered.

'You're not going anywhere.' Axl answered with a mischievous smirk on his face.

'I'm going to transfer you guys into Giga City Plaza.' Alia reported to them as she and the other two navigators tapped coordinates into their screens.

'Transfering…' Pallette announce as the three reploid's bodies started to glow.

'Wait hold on!' X called out to the navigators.

'Just let it go…' told his friend, accepting that there is no way of escaping now.

As the process was near completion Axl twisted his head to look at their commander was looking at them still with sulking eyes. 'Oh yeah Signas, we're on a day off so don't contact us unless its ABSOLUTELY necessary. I won't be responding otherwise.' He said with a teasing gesture as last taunt.

'Why you!' Signas relatliated ready to charge at the reploid

'Transfer.' Pallette announced and the reploid disappeared just before he was able to do so.

'Transfer complete,' Layer informed them as she read the data that was flowing through her screen. 'They have safety arrived at Giga City Plaza.'

'That little…' Signas muttered.

'Just let it go, commander.' Layer comforted their disgruntled commander. He really has taken a blow in his defeat.

'I swear I'll make him pay when he get back!' His demonic face returning to him with sharp teeth that seem to grow out of nowhere.

'Oh dear…' Alia sighed resting her cheek over her hand.

'Signas sounds like a mother. Don't worry to much.' Pallette chuckled.

With Axl successfully convincing his friends what will our heroes do during their day off and what will happen to the Maverick Hunters during their absence.

Author's Note

Axl that sneaky guy. He actually got Zero and X to go with him.

I've so been excited to write this fic for a while now and I am so happy to finally be able to have the opportunity of starting it. :D

It's totally different for the other fic I'm writing as this one has a "friendlier and happier" kind of vibe to it. (for the Mission: Incomplete readers you know what I mean xD). There will be a small tie to this story and Mission: Incomplete later, kinda like a little Easter egg. And while I intend to make this into only 2-3 chapter story, the update date is a bit sketchy since I want to prioritize M:I but it will be done right before the Easter egg chapter is posted which should be happening in the upcoming few chapters. And for those who are unfamiliar with the Mission: Imcomplete please do check it out if your interested

On a related note, I also want to take this chance to inform any Mission: Incomplete readers that the next chapter may take a bit longer to update due school related stuff. Finals, projects…blah blah blah..lol There's a lot of things that's going to be happening next chapter that will make it more difficult to write and I don't want to put half hearted work in it so I am apologizing in advance for the late update. It's just really terrible timing xD

Anyways thank you for reading this new fic and please leave me a idea of what you think our three heroes should do in their free time and what will happen. Although, I already know how it's going to end I am actually very much open to any suggestions. I am still stumped on the activities I should make them do that will ultimately lead up to it.

So leave me any thoughts and suggestion on the story. Thank you and see you next chapter! (^.^)/