Chapter Three: No Way Out
What do I look like in your eyes?
Why would anyone care about me?
I'm nobody...
I don't matter at all...
It's more than I can take!
This is the Art of Losing...
... 0020 laid down on the table inside the Medical Wing onboard the Dolphin. 002 and 004 had convinced her to allow Doctor Gilmore and 003 to examine her. They had been down there since they arrived at the compound. That had been a little over 3 hours ago. 003 had pushed everyone out of the room and ordered them to wait for the good doctor to finish his work. So, they all went off to find something to occupy their time while they waited.
003 had stayed behind to help the older man like she always did. 001 had fallen asleep shortly after they made it back to the compound. 009 was playing chess with 008 to help keep their minds away from worrying about 0020 too much. 005 was off somewhere in the forest like he normally did. 007 was helping 006 in the kitchen; fussing over what they were going to have for dinner that night. 004 was in the room with 009 and 008; reading the newspaper and letting himself get lost in the pages.
002 had stayed outside the lab; sitting on bench next to the door with his hands behind his head. For some odd reason, he just couldn't stop thinking about the poor girl. Sure, he knew she was scared and confused about what happened to her - he understood that much. However, he couldn't stop thinking about her behavior whenever someone tried to touch her. Or whenever someone was just being nice to her. He just couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right with that girl.
He understood that she was in some kind of pain, and that bothered him to no end. He couldn't explain it, but ever since he held her in his arms when they flew for the first time, he had been drawn to her. But there was something that bothered him even more than that...
He was bothered by her appearance. She looked so different before and during battle. She had looked so helpless until he dropped her off with 001 and 003. However, she became angry and controlled - like a wind-up doll. It was almost as if she had split personalities!
He came out of his thoughts when he heard the sound of footsteps coming down the hall. He turned his eyes from the ceiling and looked over to see 004 walking towards him. He had his hands on his hips and a lazy smile on his face.
"What are you doing down here?" 002 asked in a defensive tone; not breaking from his position.
004 shrugged his shoulders at the American cyborg, and leaned against the wall. "I just wanted to see how 0020 was doing." He replied in a lazy tone, "I'm glad I'm not the only one who's worried about her."
002 huffed and frowned at the older cyborg. "Of course I'm worried about 0020! I mean, have you seen her lately?! Even 003 didn't act like she did when we first met her!" He protested in a hasty tone; giving 004 a nasty glare.
'... One night and one more time! ...'
"And the fact that you were the only one out of all of us to allow physical contact with her makes no nevermind to you?" 004 argued in a teasing tone; giving 002 a playful smirk.
002 blushed and looked away. "I have no idea what you're talking about, 004!" He said in a snotty tone; folding his arms over his chest. "I was just helping her get away from those robots! That's all!"
004 chuckled and rested his leg against the wall behind him. "I'll just agree to disagree, my friend."
002 was about to say something more, but the sound of the door beside them sliding open stopped him. The two males looked over and seen 003 walking out with a tired look on her face.
"What's wrong, 003?" 004 asked in a concerned tone; pushing himself away from the wall he was currently resting against.
003 looked over at the two cyborgs with a weary expression on her face. "Oh, it's nothing. I'm just tired and Doctor Gilmore sent me away."
004 smiled fondly at the woman and stood in front of her. "You shouldn't try to push yourself so hard, 003." He said in a brotherly tone; placing a hand on her shoulder. "You should take a break for now."
"But... 0020..." 003 tried to protest, but 002 raised a hand to stop her.
"Hey, don't worry about it, 003! We'll look after her for you until you at least get something to eat." He reasoned; standing up from his place on the bench.
004 smirked over at the younger cyborg for a moment, and looked back at 003. "So, how is 0020 anyway?" He asked in a curious tone; looking over at the door.
003 looked down at the floor with an unsure look on her face. "Well, her vitals are okay and everything..." She trailed off; not looking at them.
"But?" 002 questioned; not liking how his friend was acting.
003 looked back at the door. "I saw a lot of scars on her body..." She said quietly; worry clear in her voice.
' ... Let the good times roll! ...
Right out the window... '
002 placed his hands behind his head. "So? We all have scars from when we were converted into cyborgs."
003 shook her head at 002. "I'm not so sure about that, 002... The scars I saw didn't look like the ones we have. I mean, you are right though - she does scars from when she was converted... But these scars... they look like they could've been from something else."
Silence fell over the trio. The male-half of the three didn't know what to say to help 003 feel any better about 0020's appearence. But 004 decided to take a chance.
"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, 003. It's probably from her childhood or something."
"Don't think too much about it, 003, " 002 said in a brotherly tone, "we'll look after her for you for a while."
003 was still unsure about leaving 0020, but the two males before her were right: She couldn't stress herself out about the girl. It will only cause more problems for everyone around her. So, with a small nod, she turned around and walked away from them.
The two remaining cyborgs watched her leave their sight; before they went into the room where Doctor Gilmore and 0020 were in. They found the human mixing medicines at a table near the female and she was lying on the bed.
"So, how's the patient?" 004 spoke first; earning a slight push from 002.
Doctor Gilmore looked up at the two with a kind smile. "0020 is doing just fine." He said in a kind tone. "I'm making a syrum to help break loose her vocal cords so she will be able to speak more easily."
"So, ya still can't talk yet, huh?" 002 asked in a sympathetic tone; looking over at the girl push herself up from the bed, and throw her legs over the side.
'... A legend's not a legend until it ends... ...'
0020 closed her eyes tightly, and opened her mouth to look like she was trying to scream, but unlike last time when she could only let out a high pitched squeak, no sound came out. She stopped and panted slightly to try and catch her breath.
"I know you wanna talk to us, but you'll only make it worse if you keep forcing it, 0020. Take it from someone who's been there." 004 said in a warning tone; giving her a slight smile.
"He's right, my dear." Doctor Gilmore chimmed in with a concerned tone. "Just be a little more patient with me and I'll have this syrum finished soon." He said in a fatherly tone.
0020 looked over at the oldest man with an apologetic expression on her face. It was almost like she was trying to say that she was sorry.
Doctor Gilmore gave her a warm smile and turned back to his previous task. "That's quite alright, child. I would imagine I'd feel the same way as you if I were in your place. Why don't you show 002 and 004 what you showed 003 while you're waiting?"
002 looked over at the girl with couriosity in his eyes. "Show us what?" He asked in a bewildered tone; tilting his head to the side.
0020 smiled faintly at herself and got up from her seat. She backed away from the bed and twirled around. She raised her leg waist-level and slowly moved it around her body while bending her knee and using a little momentum to spin around. She stopped when she was facing them and lowered her upper torso and one of her arms aligned itself with the leg that was in front of her. The other arm was out-stretched behind her; bowing dramatically at her audience.
The two males smiled and clapped at her preformance. "Oh, I get it!" 002 said in an excited tone, "You're a ballerina like 003, aren't you?"
0020 stood up right and shook her head at him. She then turned around and lifted a foot up into the air and pointed to her feet.
"I think she's trying to say that she was skater or something." 004 said in a confused tone; looking over at the doctor for help.
Doctor Gilmore turned to the trio with a bright smile on his face; holding a small flask of the syrum he was working on.
"Alright, 0020," he said in a kind tone; holding the glass out to her, "this is a simple formula that I used for 001-4 when they woke up from their cryogenic slumber. However, I must warn you that it may be a bit strong for you."
'... One voice can make a difference! ...'
"It'd be easier if you took a breath and just throw it down your throat in one quick motion though." 004 warned in a joking tone; leaning against the wall.
0020 gave the man a curious look before she took the glass from the doctor. She smelled it first, and threw it down her throat. And that was a mistake she would soon regret.
It felt like she had just swallowed liquid fire. She felt light headed and her stomach flipped and tied into knots. A fierce chill ran down 0020's spine, and caused her to nearly lose her balance. That is, if 002 hadn't caught her before she could fall.
"He did warn you." 002 said with a polite chuckle and helped her sit back down on the bed.
The girl coughed a few times and pounded on her chest. "Wh-wha-what was that stuff?!" She asked between coughs; giving her head a good shake.
"It's honey, whiskey, menthol, and peroxide." Doctor Gilmore replied in a sympathetic tone, "The honey is what helps the other ingredients go down easier. The peroxide helps heal any injuries you might have substained when you were straining your voice earlier."
0020 looked down at herself in shame. "...I'm sorry, Doc'or Gilmore..." She apologized in a scratchy tone.
Doctor Gilmore chuckled at the girl, as he began cleaning up his things. "It's not a problem, 0020, I understand the desperate need to communicate with us after all that's happened to you."
004 looked over at 0020 with a friendly smile. "So, now that you have your voice back, how are you feeling?"
'... Rise to meet the challenge! ...'
0020 looked down at her hands and flexed her fingers. "...I feel a wee bit stiff at the joints an' a bit... shocked? I dunno how ta explain it!" She answered in an unsure tone; rolling her fingers into tight fists. "I'm feeling: anger, concern, guilt, remorse, stress, sympathy, and worry all at once! And I know it's not my emotions!"
Doctor Gilmore nodded in understanding. "Yes, 001 has informed us all of the power Black Ghost gave you. And I must say that you're handling it quite well for a girl your age." He said in an impressed tone.
"I would've gone off my rocker if I had that power! You're one heck of a lady if you can put up that and still stay sane!" 002 said in a joking tone; giving her his best smile.
0020 sighed and leaned back in her seat. "I've always had Empathy... That's nothing new ta me..." She replied in a hollow tone; looking at the ceiling. "E'en when I was wee baby..."
The two male cyborgs looked over at one another for a moment; then looked over at Doctor Gilmore. At least now they figured out why Black Ghost singled her out...
"Well, at least we know why Black Ghost wanted you so bad." 004 stated in a grim tone; looking over at 0020 with a sad smile.
Doctor Gilmore nodded in approval. "My guess is that he wanted to magnify your power to manipulate other people's emotions to start wars from all over the world." He said in a thoughtful tone; scratching the top of his head.
0020 gave the good doctor a blank look. "Now THAT be new ta me." She said bluntly. "I've only been able ta feel emotions. I've ne'er been able ta actually change how people feel." She told them in a quiet tone; not looking anyone in the eye.
"That must be one of the many modifications they did you, my dear," Doctor Gilmore stated in a logical tone; frowning at the words spilling from his mouth, "well, aside from your ability to manipulate and recontruct matter into anything you see fit."
"And let's not forget about your combat skills... and the fact that your eyes glow red when you're in fight mode." 004 reminded them in a serious tone; folding his arms over his chest.
002 looked over at 0020 with concern in his eyes. "Yeah, what's up with that?" He asked in a curious tone. "Do you know, 0020?"
0020 looked down at herself in shame. "I-I'm sorry, 002... I know you told me to stay back, but... But I..." She said in a sad tone; her shoulders shaking slightly.
'... Try harder! ...'
004 looked over at 0020 with a fatherly smile. He was about to say something to help her feel better, but 0020 beat him to the punch.
"I'm sorry, everyone... it's just that... when I saw all of you fighting..." 0020 forced herself to say. "I thought I saw something..."
"What about the fight?" 002 urged on in a concerned tone; sitting next to her.
0020 gripped her knees with her hands. "...When I was with 001 and 003... I think it was a flashback or something..."
"What did you see?" 004 asked in a curious tone; looking over at the girl.
0020's grip on her knees tightened. "Please don't make me tell you... it hurts just thinking about it... not now at least..." She begged them in a shaky tone; hanging her head as low as she could.
002 frowned at the girl beside him, and let his bangs cover his eyes for a minute. "It's okay, 0020," he said in a firm tone; placing his hand on her shoulder, "we won't make you do or say anything that you don't feel comfortable saying or doing. I promise."
Doctor Gilmore nodded to the girl in approval. "He's right, 0020. You're free to do whatever you want now."
0020 looked up at 002 with a confused look; then she turned her eyes over at 004. The two males smiled warmly at her and made her look away. "What do you mean? I'm free? Free to do what?" She asked; clearly not being able to understand what they were telling her.
"I mean exactly what I said, child." Doctor Gilmore stated as a matter of fact. "You can stay here where you'll be safe with us, or you could go back to Black Ghost and be against us, or you could risk your life as well as your family's lives and go back home. The choice is yours and yours alone."
"Though, we highly recommend that you don't go back to Black Ghost." 002 said with a teasing wink; giving 0020 a small nudge of his shoulder.
"But the choice is yours, 0020." 004 reminded her in a fatherly tone. "And you don't have to make your choice right now."
0020 took a few minutes to let their words sink in. She looked down at herself once again and thought about her options. What did she have to lose? What did she have to gain?
"Well," she started in a thoughtful tone; not looking up from the floor, "I really had no intentions of going back to Black Ghost... not after what they did to me... and I plan on paying them back for that in kind, too."
She then looked over at 004 with a faint smile. "And I didn't really have much of a home to go back to anyway... Probably why Black Ghost took me when they did."
Her expression then changed to a more determined one. "So, if it's okay with everyone here," she said in a quiet tone, "I'd very much like to stay here with all of you."
Doctor Gilmore smiled at her. "Of course it's alright, my dear!" He said in pleased tone; holding his hand out to her, "We're more than happy to have you join our ranks!"
0020 looked at the hand that was offered to her for a moment. "I can't promise that I'll be of any use to you all," she said in an unsure tone, "but I can promoise that I will at least try to do my best to help you all out in any way that I can."
"That a girl!" 002 exclaimed in an excited tone; wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Don't worry, 0020! We'll take real good care of you!"
004 chuckled at the girl. "Looks like we've got another addition to the family!" He said in a fatherly tone; running a hand through his hair.
Doctor Gilmore nodded and smiled fondly at the girl. He was about to say something, but 003 walked into the room with a sisterly smile on her face.
"Excuse me for interrupting, everyone," she said in a gentle tone, "but 006 said that dinner is ready and wanted me to come get all you to eat with us."
0020 blushed and placed her hand on her flat stomach. "...Can I eat, too?" She asked quietly; looking down at the floor.
003 gave the new girl a smile so sweet it could give a crocodile cavities. "Oh, you've got your voice back! That's so great, 0020!" She exclaimed happily; grabbing the girl by the arm. "I was so worried that you'd never get it back!"
002 jumped up and turned around to face the two female cyborgs with a bright smile on his face. "Come on, 0020," he declared in an excited tone; pulling on the other girl's arm, "006 will blow a gasket if you don't come up and eat with us."
"And there will be absolutely no eating alone!" 003 chimmed in with a firmness in her tone that left no room for arguement.
"Everyone is probably worried about you, 0020, and most likely are waiting to meet you." 004 added with a proud tone; placing his hands on his hips and smiling teasingly at her.
'... This is not a game! ...'
0020 smiled faintly at the blonde woman, and joined her at her side. "Then let's not keep 'em waitin', shall we?" She said politely; gestering for 003 to lead the way.
0020 stopped at the door and looked back at the men with a shy smile. "Aren't ye comin'?" She asked them in a curious tone; tilting her head to the side.
"You two go on ahead. We'll catch up with you ladies in just a moment." 004 said in a fatherly tone; waving the girl off. "002 and I are gonna help Doctor Gilmore clean up the room a little."
003 looked over at the men's faces for a second, and got their message. She turned to 0020 with a sweet smile, and took a hold of her arm.
"Come on, 0020, let's leave the men to themselves and get you something to eat!" She said excitedly; dragging the girl out of the room.
The men watched the two females leave the room with friendly smiles until the door slid shut. Then they dropped their smiles and began talking to themselves.
"Looks like we've got our work cut out for us with that one." 004 said in a slightly joking tone; leaning against the wall behind him.
Doctor Gilmore nodded to the bluenette. "I hate to admit it," he said in a weary tone, "but you may be onto something there, 004."
002 looked down at his feet and sighed. "You've noticed it, too, huh?" He asked in a serious tone; looking up at 004 with a firm glare.
The older cyborg nodded in response. "It was hard not to, my friend. Her behavior raised quiet a few red flags for all of us." He said in a reasoning tone; hoping not to start a fight.
'... One more time! ...'
"Do you think Black Ghost might've altered her personality to throw us off or something?" 002 asked in a firm tone; narrowing his eyes at the floor.
Doctor Gilmore sighed and shook his head at the orange-haired cyborg. "If that was the case; then Black Ghost wouldn't have made such an effort to try and get her back." He said in a logical tone; rubbing the back of his neck. "It must be something else."
"Then why is she so scared of us?! I mean, I get that she doesn't know us - so she doesn't have any reason to trust us. But the way she's acting... It's almost like..." 002 trailed off; not really wanting to finish his train of thought.
"Maybe we're just over-thinking things and it's probably something as simple as shock or just her personality." Doctor Gilmore stated in a thoughtful tone; scratching his chin in thought.
004 looked at the two for a moment; then looked up at the ceiling. "Maybe Black Ghost doesn't have anything to do with her behavior at all and it's just her nature. Or maybe someone else is responsible. Like a relative or friend?" He said in a logical tone. "It'd make more sense if that was the case. It might even be the very reason why Black Ghost put her in suspended animation."
002 huffed and ran a hand through his hair. "We saved her, didn't we?" He protested hotly; trying his best to keep his temper in check. "She already sided with us. Let's just wait and see how this plays out."
And with that being said, 002 turned and walked out of the room; leaving the others behind before they could protest...