Author's Note: Wow, I never dreamed that so many would ask me for a sequel so by popular request here it is. It's based on 003's constant thoughts of regret about her life before she was a cyborg. It will be a yarn of suspense, drama, and of course, 003/009 fluff but there will be an appearance by the Green-eyed Monster. And as usual, I don't' own Cyborg Soldier 009, they belong to Avex-Mode and Toei Animation and were created by Shotaro Ishinomori
YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN
PROLOGUE
It was a dark gloomy night, illuminated only periodically by intermittent flashes of lightning in the distance as a storm approached. The nondescript building in a desolate clearing appeared deserted, like an abandoned warehouse for a factory long since demolished. Located far from any town or city limits and off a seldom used road, it seemed to be a forgotten entity its windows boarded up and usefulness gone. But inside, a veritable beehive of activity was actually taking place, as overseen by a sinister and imposing figure in black with a skull mask, eyes glowing eerily.
The activity was over a platform where a tall male figure with unruly, curly dark brown hair lay spread-eagled and shackled to the platform as several lab-coated individuals hovered about. A jumble of electronic wires and conductors were attached and the platform itself was encased in a thick glass. The technicians were making adjustments all around as the sound of thunder boomed through the structure.
One lab tech looked to the caped figure and asked hesitantly, "Black Ghost, sir, how long until we activate the electric field?" A flash of lightning made the room aglow from the skylights and the nearness of the accompanying clap of thunder had the storm at their doorstep.
The malevolent form of Black Ghost, also known as Scarl replied with authority, "The next flash of lightning should do it, eh Dr. Schemer?"
"Yes, sir," the diminutive man with hornrimmed glasses replied dutifully.
As if in response, a lightning bolt flashed and illuminated the building as the current skittered down an elaborate grid of wires that fed into several vacuum tubes.
"Activate the electrical conductors and charging circuitry," Scarl ordered brusquely.
A switch was thrown and the juice from the lightning bolt traveled along from the tubes through thick coiled tubing, down into the glass enclosed platform where it entered the supine man, causing him to glow in a white light as he was infused with energy. The sound of electrical arcing filled the air along with the overpoweringly sickening aroma of burning plastic, wires and flesh.
Scarl laughed maniacally as the current died down and the man's figure was once again flesh toned and still. Dr. Schemer stepped to the capsule and opened a hatch to approach the figure. He held a scanner over the man and took readings from the circuits as well as his vital signs. He looked up and announced to the other techs, "All readings showing positive and good to go."
"Well, Dr. Schemer how did it work? Have we a brand new cyborg to destroy the rebels or is it back to the drawing board?" Scarl sneered.
The doctor bristled at the sarcasm aimed at his prior failures. "I believe we have created the ultimate attack cyborg, sir," he replied respectfully but with a touch of frost.
"I'll be the judge of that," the caped villain said derisively. "Proceed with the test of his abilities."
Dr. Schemer nodded and pushed a button to raise the glass then pushed another and the shackles opened, freeing the man as he came to life.
A few minutes later, the man garbed in midnight blue and Dr. Schemer were outside the abandoned warehouse in the midst of the raging thunderstorm. Flashes of vivid lightning strobed about them and thunder crashed in a tremendous din and two figures stood silhouetted against the sky as the Black Ghost leader waited under the safety of the eaves.
Scarl's imperious voice sounded between claps of thunder. "Well, what are we waiting for? Now is the height of the storm! Get on with it!"
Dr. Schemer nodded and ordered the man. "0017, activate!"
Another huge bolt of lightning lit up the area in pseudo-daylight. The man known as 0017 faced the storm clime and his eyes shot out a burst of blue-white energy. At that very moment the storm abated, the lightning and rain stopping instantly. The clouds dissipated instantly and the blue black sky was clear and full of stars.
"Excellent!" Scarl cried in delight. "Amazing, doctor, simply amazing. Our newest cyborg can actually control the elements. How did you do it?"
Dr. Schemer smiled thinly. "He has a device implanted in him that can rearrange molecular structure in nature. It is quite the device if I do say so myself." He preened in self-satisfaction.
Uh-huh. And the data gathered from the female 00 cyborg when we had her captured, have you programmed him with that?"
Dr. Schemer nodded, "Yes, I've entered the data into his implanted memory chip. He should be quite convincing."
"Good. We used the data from her memory region in her brain to duplicate the young man from her past perfectly." Scarl rubbed his hands together in satisfaction.
Dr Schemer regarded the black-clad villian dubiously. "Are you sure that the cyborgs can be infiltrated. He will have to be accepted unconditionally."
"My dear doctor, I have no doubt that 0017 will not only be accepted, he will totally win over those cyborg fools."
"I hope you're right, sir. We've failed quite often, you know."
"Yes, and we all know whose fault that is," the villian said meaningfully. Scarl tossed his head haughtily. "This should put an end to those troublesome cyborg rebels once and for all." He approached the tall figure with the piercing sea-green eyes. "You are ready to go, 0017. Get the job done."
The man turned and regarded Black Ghost benignly. "As you wish." He took off with the speed of light.
An ocean away, another thunderstorm was raging, lightning zigzagging from cloud to ground in forks of voltage as thunder boomed, echoing on the empty beach. The waves were white with foam as the wind whipped them into the shore and dashed them against the rocks in sheer power.
Francoise Arnoul, Cyborg 003, sitting on a sofa in the dimly lit living room of Professor Kezumi's beach house shuddered delicately as she watched the storm in fascination despite the fact that she hated storms. But she was morbidly drawn to the savage beauty, the immense fury that was a thin pane of glass away.
Her ultra sensitive hearing picked up the footfalls of another joining her. Smiling, she immediately knew who it was without turning to look.
"I thought you were in the middle of a battle," she said matter-of-factly.
"Yeah," came the soft tenor voice in reply. "But after winning three straight, I got bored and Jet was ready to punch my lights out so I opted for getting out." Joe Shimamura, Cyborg 009 smiled warmly as he sat beside the lovely blonde on the sofa. He tossed his mahogany hair back and continued, "You know that when he gets like that, you can't talk to him, he's the ultimate sore loser."
Francoise giggled as she remarked, "I guess telling him that you were the undefeated ping-pong champion at the orphanage would do little good."
Joe chuckled. "Maybe after he calms down. You know he has a quick temper. I mean I can more than hold my own if he asks for it but I'd rather avoid fighting over something silly like the outcome of a ping-pong game. Besides," he added as he slipped his arm around her slender shoulders. "I'd rather spend the time doing something more enjoyable." He nuzzled her ear, sending a thrill down her spine, his nearness causing her heart to thump in her bosom.
"Joe," Francoise began softly as she pulled back. "Suppose Dr. Gilmore or one of the others walks in."
"Dr. Gilmore's in his office with the door closed. And everyone else is off doing their own thing. So we're all alone." He buried his face in the curve of her neck and began to suckle her ivory skin.
Francoise began to mewl a weak protest when the room was illuminated by a blinding pink-white flash followed five seconds later by a deafening crash of thunder that caused the female cyborg to jump in fear.
Joe held her close and said comfortingly, "Take it easy, koishii. We're inside and safe, and I won't let anything harm you."
She huddled closer in the warm circle of his arms. "Storms always scare me. Especially since we're on the beach, the water draws and intensifies the lightning."
"So why do you always sit glued to the window to watch them?"
Francoise gazed up into the unobstructed cinnamon eye that was gently inquiring. She fingered the soft blue cashmere of his vest as she replied, "I can't help it. I'm just drawn to the beauty of the lightning, the shape and color of the clouds. It fascinates me."
Joe flashed an indulgent smile at her. "You think like an artist, Francoise."
"Well, I was a dancer, so I was an artist. I guess that's why I'm so drawn to the beauty of things." She gestured to the lightning skittering over the bulging violet-gray storm clouds over the crashing waves reflecting the light on the water. "The clouds look like a patchwork quilt," she said with all the wonder of a child, her aqua eyes shining.
Joe studied the delicate features of the pretty girl in his arms and his heart pounded as he answered softly, "You are incredible, koishii. Only you would see beauty in something as violent and powerful as a storm." He leaned down to capture her lips in a soft kiss but she pulled away as she heard another presence in the semi-dark room. He sighed in annoyance as he saw that they were no longer alone.
"There is great beauty in nature whether she is angry or at peace," a deep voice intoned as Geronimo Jr. Cyborg 005 entered the living room. He took note of the intimacy of his cyborg colleagues and said apologetically, "Forgive me, I didn't mean to interrupt."
His irritation gone as soon as he saw the large Native American, Joe offered an easy grin and assured him, "You didn't interrupt anything."
Francoise offered her own smile of welcome. "Of course not, 005. We were just watching the storm. Right, 009?" she asked, nudging him with her elbow.
He nodded. "That's right. We were talking about how storms seem more violent here 'cause we're on a beach."
Geronimo nodded as well. "Yes, when sky and water clash, great power is unleashed. But I sense disturbances in the air, other than the storm."
"Huh?" Joe and Francoise said in unison as Dr. Gilmore entered the room, Ivan Wisky, Cyborg 001 cradled in his arms.
"005 is correct, I'm afraid," the kindly scientist agreed. "001 has been picking up the same disturbances." He handed 001 to Francoise. "If you don't mind, 003. I need to summon the rest of the team." He left the living room to do that as Geronimo sat on the floor cross-legged, as was his wont.
"I wonder what is about to happen," 003 mused as she glanced worriedly at 009.
He tried to reassure her in spite of his own rising trepidation by squeezing her shoulders in a comforting hug. "Whatever it is, we'll handle it."
The sound of footsteps and muffled bickering sounded in the hallway as 002, 004 and 008 came into the room. Cyborg 002, Jet Link sauntered in and leaned against the wall with arms crossed, eyeing the Japanese cyborg with a scowl as 009 shrugged his shoulders sheepishly.
"Don't give me that innocent look, 009," the New Yorker sneered. "004 told me that you were a champion ping-pong player in that orphanage you grew up in and ya never told me."
"You never asked me," Joe countered nonchalantly.
"That's right, 002," Pyunma, Cyborg 008 defended his leader. "You shouldn't get all steamed about it. In the game room it's every man for himself."
"Humph!" Jet was unconvinced. "He should've at least said something."
"Are you still bellyaching about that?" Albert Heinrich, Cyborg 004 admonished. "Dr. Gilmore has some important information for us, let's focus on that, shall we?" As the elder statesman of the group in the room presently he tried to maintain some semblance of order but the sound of lively conversation echoed in the hallway from the general vicinity of the kitchen. The other two arguing cyborgs entered the room.
"Really 006, must you insist on adding excessive spice to everything?" Cyborg 007, Great Britain complained. "I have a delicate constitution and at the way you season, I'll develop an ulcer before long."
Chang Changku, Cyborg 006, replied huffily, "I add only the right amount of spices. I am an expert in the fine art of Cantonese seasoning, so you must have the stomach of an infant."
**Hey, I resent that!** Ivan retorted telepathically as the group was rejoined by Dr. Gilmore.
"Hush now all of you and stop the squabbling! 001 has some information to pass on to you all." The fatherly scientist scolded the group, causing those quarreling to look down in shame.
"We're sorry, doc," Jet said apologetically. "It's just that we're so damned bored, we're getting on each other's nerves."
"Well what 001 has to say will assure you all that your boredom is about to be alleviated. 001?" Gilmore addressed the infant cradled in 003's slender arms.
**I've been picking up some very strong vibrations in the atmosphere and in the elements,** 001 said telepathically. **They are emanating from across the ocean in the western United States.**
"I too have been getting vibrations. There is definite disturbances in the earth's balance," 005 agreed taciturnly.
**I am also picking up the evil aura that regularly surrounds a Black Ghost operation.**
"Boy, that character just doesn't know when to quit, does he?" 002 scoffed as he pushed himself from the wall. The rest of the team regarded the doctor with grave faces.
Dr. Gilmore nodded reluctantly. "I afraid Black Ghost will be relentless until he has destroyed each one of you. Because he programmed and re-created you, you present the greatest threat to his organization." The 00 cyborgs all nodded in agreement.
He continued, "Until we know exactly what Black Ghost is planning, you are to continue to live normal, human lives but be extra aware. 001 will continue to monitor vibrations for us."
"Yes, sir." The team answered as they all exchanged concerned glances.
NEXT---ENTER ROBESPIERRE