Isoc

"Ah ha ha ha! I can't help it! X was no match for High Max, but you... Ha hah. I can't stop laughing!"

- Isoc

Isoc (アイゾック) is an enigmatic character from Mega Man X6. He first appears after the intro stage, warning the populace of the threat of the Zero Nightmare, and encouraging Reploids to join in the cause to obliterate the new virus. In reality, however, Isoc is actually working as a subordinate of Gate, the scientist responsible for the Nightmares.

Like Serges in Mega Man X2, there is a prominent theory that Isoc is a robotic form of Dr. Wily. This is made evident in the cutscene sequence after Zero defeats High Max. Isoc watches Zero destroy High Max, laughing uncontrollably. When Zero asks why he is laughing, Isoc responds that he cannot help it after seeing how powerful Zero has become, pointing out that while X could not defeat High Max, Zero has done so easily. Zero then tries to attack Isoc, he raises his hand and nonchalantly generates a force field that immobilizes Zero, and promises to capture him later. Alia notes that Isoc would have to have a detailed understanding of Zero's design in order to create such a field. However, it is likely that Isoc was obsessed by Zero because he was impressed with the DNA data he and Gate managed to analyze, and because he had never seen data so powerful before he began developing his obsession for Zero. In X's version of this scene, Isoc swears to personally destroy that "ancient piece of junk" later, indicating an irrational hatred of X. However, X listens to his commander and makes a tactical retreat.

Isoc is not seen again until a cutscene sequence after Gate is defeated. The player character finds Isoc's body on the ground, and a slightly different scene plays out for each. If X defeated Gate, Alia informs him that Isoc's body is still functional, though he appears to be an empty shell similar to the Erasure incident in Mega Man Xtreme 2. If Zero defeated Gate, Zero hears a voice coming from Isoc's body similar to what was believed to be "Wily's" voice in Mega Man X5 (telling him to awaken as a Maverick), telling Zero to do what he has to do and saying he believes Zero is the strongest robot (not Reploid). Whichever happens, the character realizes they have no time to check up on Isoc, and he immediately leaves to go after Sigma. Isoc is not seen for the rest of the game, and his fate is unknown.

Isoc's Speech
"Attention all Reploids on Earth! As you all know, these are chaotic, disturbing times. The "Nightmare" is upon us. It shows Reploids a kind of "dream" for human beings... no. It's a "Nightmare". The Nightmare makes Reploids confused. In the worst case, they may malfunction or delete themselves. Due to the Colony incident, there are few Reploids or humans are left on the Earth... We won't accept sacrifice anymore! This would bring us to the Earth Crisis. Taking the matter seriously, we have sent investigators to the 8 suspected areas to uncover the mystery of this Nightmare phenomena. It's said that the Nightmare phenomena are cause by... a ghost of Zero... known as an ace Maverick Hunter..."

"Now, I'd like to call on volunteers! Unite with us, and help our cause! Work for these eight investigators!! Our goal is to wipe out the Nightmare... and to delete the Zero's ghost! Come together for our future!! This High Max will lead the mission. We guarantee your safety if you join us. Both Maverick Hunters and Reploids now suffer. Let's preserve our future together! We're waiting for you! Everyone!"



After defeating High Max in a secret area as Zero
Isoc: Hee hee hee. Ha ha ha ha ha!

Zero: What makes you laugh?

Isoc: Ah ha ha ha! I can't help it! X was no match for High Max, but you... Ha hah. I can't stop laughing!

Zero: ... Are you out of your mind? I just destroyed one of your own... What is so funny? Anyway, you're the last one... I'll crush you now!

(Zero charges and Isoc counters by firing a purple beam of energy, freezing him in place)

Isoc: Nuh ha ha ha ha! ... Did you say something, boy?

Zero: Guhwaaaaah!! Wh... what!? I... I... can't move... Kugh.

Isoc: Zero... I know you inside out... Hmm. Since I found out you're alive, I can capture you at any time. But first I must bring High Max back.

Zero: W... wait! You're... escaping? Da... Darn M... My body...

Isoc: Hmm. What can you do as you are now? I won't escape. I'll see you soon. I promise!

Signas: Are you all right? Zero! We'll send a rescue team immediately! High Max won't be a threat for a while. So you can come back to the Hunter Base at once!

Alia: It's some kind of force field. It seems to take time to release it. Can you move if it isn't released?

Zero: I hate to admit it, but I can't...

Alia: Aw? The force field... It seems to have a timing device. It might be released in due course. But it's strange... Why did he try so hard to trap Zero? What was his intention?

Trivia

 * According to the Mega Man X Official Complete Works, the designers admitted that they used Dr. Wily as a template for Isoc's creation.
 * It is likely that Isoc was obsessed by Zero because he was impressed with the DNA data he and Gate managed to analyze, and because he had never seen data so powerful before he began developing an obsession for Zero.