Chapter 2
The dream again......
Why is it always the same dream.......?
So much fire........
and a light........?
It didn't used to be this dream.......
It was......
Similar to this.......
But somehow different.......
Who is the machine behind the mirror......?
If I am the puppet inside the mirror......
Then........
Who is.......
the other.....?
Tiny.
Minuscule.
Small.
It stretched out it's legs and step after step, silently it crawled up the side and into the bed. Slowly; steadily it crept along the arm up the shoulder and with a small pinch, disappeared from sight behind his neck. It had a mission and to forfeit it would be unthinkable. It's job was simple- it's task not too hard. But it must complete it at all cost. Once the task was complete another's task would begin and it would no longer be necessary. Until then however............
*~*~*
"I need some schematics." Gilmore announced once everyone was awake- well, all except 001 who was napping as usual. They were eating and 004 sipped at his coffee peacefully. All seemed calm and serene for once.
"Schematics?" asked 008, setting his fork down on his plate. "What for?"
"I've been going over the calculations," He answered, pacing around the room "and I realized that if we knew the layouts of Black Ghost's territories, factories and secret facilities we would have a better chance of not being caught up in a trap as you were yesterday. The occasion robbed all of your strength and poor 001's as well." He looked into the basket, but the baby slept peacefully. "This being said- I am afraid I am going to have to ask you all to do me a favor though you may not like it...."
The other 00 cyborgs tilted their heads in curiosity and confusion at the doctor. "Yes Dr. Gilmore?" Joe asked.
He sighed heavily and paused before answering. He knew it would be dangerous but if they made it, they would be safer having the schematics. "I am going to have to ask you to infiltrate one of Black Ghost's main testing facilities."
He paused again, bracing himself for the impact of their reply and lifted 001 so as to protect himself with the child's sheer cuteness.
"Are you CRAZY?!" Jet shouted, though he didn't hide the fact that he was interested. "We cant just walk on into a place like that you know- There'd be guards and lasers shot right through us in a heartbeat! We'd never make it completely inside!" Inwardly however, he was hoping beyond hope that if they did go he'd get to be a distraction. Black Ghost's aircrafts had nothin' on him.
"I don't know Jet-" 009 said, thinking it over. "I think we could do it if we had a plan. Besides, if getting those schematics means that we'll have a better chance wiping out the rest of Black Ghost's operations and such, I'd gladly go." Joe frustrated Jet to no end. He was always so perfect and better than he was that it really sickened him.
004 rolled his eyes. "You're just dying to plat the hero again-" He sniped, then turned back, "Eh- sorry 009- I'm just...tired. I can't sleep with the foghorn next door making such a fuss." He pointed his thumb to 002 who scowled. "Take no offense. I'm in too."
Jet was infuriated, hot-tempered and meat-headed. All in all the idea did seem like a whole lot of fun, but he knew it wouldn't be with 009 and 004 in charge. "Fine." He said. And Pyunma nodded in agreement.
"It's settled then, the four of us will go." He said.
"Make that five!" 007 boasted. "005 is almost finished with the kitchen and 006 wants to cook in it as soon as he is done so with nothing better to do, you can count me in!" He said, grinning, and they agreed.
"So, where exactly is this testing base of theirs?" 004 asked.
Gilmore set 001 back in his basket. "In Austria of course." He replied.
"Oh sweet Austria" said 007 popping his bellybutton and becoming 004. "O! How I love ye Austrians, O how I love thee dear! For the Austrians have their treasures, pretty damsels and good beer!" He sang horribly off key, making Francoise laugh.
004 was not impressed. "You do realize that I am not from Austria right?" He asked, his arms crossed.
007 blushed. "Uh-heheh..... Oops..." he muttered. But Albert just rolled his eyes and grinned his lopsided grin.
"We will stay with the ship and find a good place to camp out once we're there." 003 said. "I'm sure they'll have a few deserted places for us to use-"
"I actually know of an old unused castle-" Gilmore beamed. "Yes! One of my old partners had mentioned hearing the legends involving it. According to him- not only is it haunted by dark, evil and vengeful spirits..."
Joe leaned in closer. "Yes?" he insisted, curious.
"But it is also supposed to be covered in dust and lots and lots of cobwebs."
"Yuck-" Francoise said. "I hate spiders..."
Joe sighed. And here he had been looking forward to a good ghost story. "All right!" he said, his usual unwavering confidence blossoming yet again into something fearfully positive. "Now that we're all settled- let's go!"
*~*~*
