XxX

4

XxX

Genesis ran a hand down her face as she sat against one of the walls in her room. A day off, such a silly thing to get while working for a merchant of death. 005 and 006 were assimilating nicely into their roles as cyborgs, though she had noticed that they didn't seem too pleased to be around the scientists, save for her and Gilmore. 001-004 was even worse, they didn't actively glare at them anymore, but the dislike was obvious. She leaned her head back a bit and let it thump against the cold metal. She couldn't think of a way to get out of the situation she was in. She brought a hand up and pulled on a few strands of her hair.

It was getting longer, and she didn't know of a place where she could go and get it cut. She let out a huff of breath and let the strands fall from her fingers. Genesis shouldn't care about her hair, she had other things to worry about. Long hair was not one of them, even though she had never had it long before. It would be an interesting venture to be sure. She shook her head in slight annoyance and decided to think more on the cyborgs.

Genesis was partial to 005 and 006. It was odd, but after their first interaction 005 had deemed her trustworthy and was kinder to her, but still a bit defensive. 006 had been kind from the beginning and referred to her as "my dear". It had knocked her off kilter and it had taken it a few seconds for her to regain her composure. The man was kind but wasn't afraid to speak his mind. At least, around her and Gilmore. Around the soldiers and other scientist, he kept quiet and did what they said.

It made sense as to why the cyborgs stayed in their office instead of the other scientists. If she had to choose whether she could speak her mind she'd go with the option that allowed her to do so. It didn't matter if there was someone there that she didn't like, she could put up with them just for that. She made a face, maybe that's why 006 was nice to her. She wondered if he was building up good karma. It was likely and she couldn't blame him for that. She sat up straight and looked up when a bang came from her door. She sighed quietly and slowly got up from the floor, walking over to the door and opening it slightly.

"Doctor Gilmore?" She asked as she opened the door further, "What can I do for you?"

"We're being given new computers and they want you there to set up yours," He informed her, and he noted the glint that appeared in her eyes.

She was excited at the prospect of setting up a computer. She hadn't really had the chance to mess around with one since her brother talked her out of her hacking. She could still see the lines of code and her fingers itches for a mechanical keyboard so she could hear the keys as she inserted code to gain access to servers she shouldn't have. She moved to grab a pair of flat and pulled them on before motioning for him to lead the way. He let out a quiet laugh at that and clasped his hands behind his back as he led the way to their office.

Genesis looked at the back of the room and noted that the Cyborgs were staring at the officers with slight suspicion and anxiety. She decided not to say anything and looked away at the computers they had been gifted. She was instantly suspicious and would have to wait until the men were gone to check for surveillance programs and small mics. She didn't trust black ghost; they would always expect the worst from their employees and then react accordingly. She listened into what the officers were talking about.

"It's not one of the five crays we have, but these are pretty powerful computers," One of them muttered, "just what do cybernetic scientists need with such computers?"

"I don't know, you'd think it'd go to the genetic department," Another said, and she raised a slight brow at that, "they could use them to run hoods."

For once, Genesis was glad she had taken the time to read Jurassic Park because she knew exactly what they were talking about. Hoods were machines that worked out gene sequences. What was a death merchant doing with Hoods? She was slightly worried that they were going to try and bring back dinosaurs to use as weapons. That wouldn't work out the way that they wanted it to and would bring them attention from the powers of the world. She rubbed the back of her neck in thought and narrowed her eyes before relaxing her expression. She wouldn't be able to do anything, she wasn't in that division, and it wasn't her area of expertise. She just wanted to get her hands on the computer.

"There, it's all ready for you," One of the soldiers stated and she nodded her understanding, "the password is your staff ID number."

Gilmore was curious about the computers as Genesis sat down and quickly input her ID number :001902789014. The background was a picture of the company logo, and she narrowed her eyes slightly at it before going into the diagnostics screen and slowly hacking her way past the security on it. She was quiet as she did so, and Gilmore raised his brows at his fellow doctor. She hadn't once stopped typing and seemed to gain a slight frown as her lips became a thin line. She paused as he continued to stare, and she brought a finger up and motioned for him to stay quiet before pointing at her ear and then the computer. He wondered how she had been able to conclude the computers being bugged. Just how paranoid was she? A small smile appeared on her face as she destroyed the surveillance program on the computer. She got up from her desk and Gilmore quickly input his ID so she could do the same. It took her less time to destroy his.

"Just how do you know how to do that?" Gilmore questioned.

"I've had a lot of time on my hands," She answered, rubbing the back of her neck with a slightly uncomfortable expression, "hacking is one of the few things I'm not proud of knowing."

"It's a handy skill," He countered, and she gave a slight shrug in response.

There was something there, and he'd get it out of her eventually. He looked over towards the 00 cyborgs and received a slight nod. It seems Genesis wasn't the only one that had been suspicious of the computers. They quietly communicated amongst themselves but would sometimes ask him what their plan was. Genesis was back at the computer, typing quietly, and seemed to be ignoring them all. She could hear them; she just chose not to let them know. It gave her more insight as to what their personalities were like.

003 was kind, but unafraid to voice her opinion. It had thrown Genesis for a loop but caused her to respect the woman more. 002 was snarky but could use his wits to come up with decent plans on the fly. He was a good man, something that he seemed to try and keep under wraps. Genesis didn't get why he was doing so. She didn't truly understand the cold exterior, it was vastly different from her own. She was nervous around 004, who seemed to dislike her the most. She couldn't blame him, not with how much of his original body had been taken from him. 005 was a cross between 004 and 003, and she enjoyed whatever she could get out of him. It was rare that someone was able to challenge her more agnostic viewpoint of the world. 006 was the kindest to her and always brought her into a conversation about food, he had been more than ecstatic upon learning that she could cook.

She was brought from her thoughts as she found a program on the computer that was too advanced for the year, she was in. 3D modelling hadn't been completely popular in the early 2000's, it was mainly used for children's movies such as Shrek and Toy Story. Ah, so that's why they were given computers. They wanted them to create new cyborgs using 3D modelling to make the creation of custom parts easier, and possibly less expensive. Too bad they didn't have 3D printers yet; she wouldn't doubt that they would've used one of them. Oh, they were around having been created in 1986 but they weren't as mass produced as she knew they would become. She pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind, and she turned her attention towards the smallest cyborg that was nestled in 003's arms.

001 was a baby, and she was horrified by that fact. She didn't know who had turned a baby into a cyborg, but if she ever figured it out then she would have some harsh words to say to them. Genesis felt a strange pain went through her head before settling in her temples. She brought a hand up from the keyboard and rubbed at her temples for a few seconds before the pain died down. She flinched slightly when she noticed that she was getting thoughtful looks from the cyborgs. She wasn't aware of doing anything to have any attention on her. She was saved from asking what was going on by Dr Whisky walking into the office.

"I need to borrow Doctor Marley for an hour," He stated.

"What do you need me for?" Genesis questioned and her inquiry was ignored.

She gained a slightly annoyed expression before letting it vanish. Gilmore gave her a slight nod of his head and she stiffly walked behind Dr Whisky as he briskly led the way. She wasn't hoping for much coming from him, he was sexist more-so then a few of the professors and co-workers from the institute she had been working for before going through the ring. She narrowed her eyes slightly and put her hands into the pockets in her skirt. Just what did he want?

"I was hoping that you'd be of a similar mind," Dr Whisky stated without prompting and she looked up towards the ceiling for a few seconds before steeling her nerves, "someone with the same drive to see cybernetics pushed into the spotlight and start the newest chapter in humanities long life."

Genesis hadn't pegged him as a waxing poetic kind of person, but wasn't too surprised. She was reminded of a cartoon villain; all he was missing was the goatee and moustache. She was ignoring the fact that he had insulted her. Dr Teufel had to have gotten to him and informed him of her feelings on their ideals. She was hoping that wouldn't cause her any issues in the perceivable future. She didn't need that; the cyborgs didn't need that either. She paused for a few seconds before picking up her pace again. She felt horrible for the sudden thought that had popped up in her head. The cyborgs were her way out of Black Ghost. It was true, but she hated herself for thinking such a thing about people that had been turned into Cyborgs against their wills.

"My own son turned out to be one of the best subjects I've ever had," Dr Whisky's statement caught her off guard and her mouth opened slightly, "too bad that the technology of the time that I had created him wasn't enough to give him a stronger body."

Genesis kept herself from smacking the man and kept the anger from her face. She hated him, all because she had taken the life away from someone that hadn't been able to live their live at all. She clenched her fists at her side and mentally counted back from 100 as Whisky went on with his disappointment at the fact that the technology was never at the level, they needed it to be. How humans sometimes didn't take to the mechanical implants. Genesis wanted to leave, to get away from the man before she violently lashed out at him. Whisky was still going on when a cyborg walked up to them. She eyed 004 with a slight frown and wondered why he was there, but welcomed his appearance hoping that he would be able to get her out of the situation she was in.

"Dr Gilmore wants you," He informed her, his tone stiff.

She nodded her understanding and motioned for him to lead the way and they left Dr Whisky behind, and he was still talking. 004 heard her quiet sigh of relief and turned his head to see her shoulders relax a bit. She seemed slightly uncomfortable being around him. He turned his attention back in front of him as a platoon of soldiers passed by them. Genesis looked back to watch them for a few seconds, her frown returning.

"Any reason you're hiding information around Dr Gilmore?" 004 asked unexpectedly.

Genesis's head whipped back towards him at such a speed that an audible pop came from it. She hadn't been expecting him to really talk to her, and she gathered that he wouldn't without a good reason. She eyed him for a few seconds and contemplated how familiar he sounded. If she could squeeze out a few more words from him she could possibly place his voice, or at least who he sounded like. She chewed the inside of her cheek for a few seconds as she tried to decide her reply.

"Sometimes we have things in our past that deserve to stay in the past," She quietly answered, and she got an annoyed look out of him.

"That's all you can say?" He groused and it hit her.

George Grant, that's who he sounded like. All those years of playing Persona 3 Portable made it more obvious. It suited him, and she looked to the side as she frowned slightly. Of course, he wouldn't be too happy with her answer. It was vague and she basically said "no" to her giving more information. She wanted to move away from her past of hacking but knew it would be impossible. Her earlier actions had brought attention on her. Unwanted attention at that. She was saved from any further conversation as they walked into the office.

"007 has been brought in, we've been tasked to use the computers to create a blueprint for him," Gilmore informed Genesis.

She nodded her understanding, and she entered the 3D modelling program. She was slightly surprised when an email came in and informed her of the man's measurements. She placed them into the program before moving to design the insides and the power. They wanted him to be able to change his shape by manipulating his cells. She didn't know how that would work, and she didn't know how they would make it work. She created a slight change when Gilmore told her to and welcomed his expertise. He knew more about this than she did. He may not know how to use the program, but he knew how to suggest changes and make them make sense. She gathered it would be a same day operation.

Genesis let out a sigh as she washed her hands and tied the mask on. She had jinxed herself, and she hated it. She exited the changing room and looked at the newest man to become a cyborg. He was shorter than 005 but taller than 006. She tilted her head slightly as she started on the brain, telling the assistants to work on the rest of the body. She really hated the sounds that the human body made when being operated on. It was the best way she could put it. Genesis continued to work on the brain and put the parts in. When did they get the parts that they needed for him? It hadn't even been a couple hours since she and Gilmore had created the 3D model for 007. Did Black Ghost know that they would be needed? She felt uncomfortable thinking about such a thing. She sighed and let herself get pulled into her work.

"What makes you trust her, Dr Gilmore?" 004 questioned the older gentleman who looked up at him with a surprised expression.

"She's a diligent worker and has shown herself to be capable of empathy," Gilmore answered, "I'm aware that she's hiding something, but I understand that she's not proud of it."

"She's always polite when we talk," 006 stated, surprising both men, "I'd say let her come to you to tell you anything, if she trusts you, she will."

"You speak like someone with experience," 003 pointed out with a frown.

"How many of you knew that she knew how to cook and enjoyed it?" He questioned and even Gilmore was surprised by that, "There, a prime example."

Gilmore was starting to think that there was more about her family life that she didn't want to talk about, and she didn't want people to know. He knew of her condition and gathered that would put a strain on parents, but they couldn't possibly have treated her so horribly. He frowned. Could they? He would hope not, but he knew that humans would always lash out against things they found dislike for or things they didn't understand. The Cyborgs would find people reacting harshly to them if they ever came forward about being half machine to anyone. He let out a quiet sigh and looked back down towards his assistant as she meticulously worked on the brain in front of her.

"Dr Addams seems to think she doesn't have a vision of any kind," He informed them, not knowing why he did so, "it seems as though he's taken it upon himself to get her to quit."

"Vision?" 002 questioned.

"You all know her vision but not the reason behind it," He answered, "and that's her story to tell you all…I don't know why she doesn't correct him."

He really didn't. She took offense to being ignored by their other co-workers and he was sure she had noticed that there weren't many women hired by Black Ghost. He heard her telling an assistant to stabilise 007's vitals before she decided to continue working on him. She refused to lose someone due to an accident, not while there was something she could do about it.

Genesis sighed as she changed again and sat in the changing room for a while staring at the floor. She could feel how tired she was, and she brought a hand up and gently rubbed under her eyes. She most likely had bags and dark circles under her eyes. She slowly put her shoes on and slowly got up from the bench. A sharp pain went through her chest, and she crouched and held onto her shirt above it. She waited for a few seconds, taking a few deep breaths to try and get a handle on the pain in her chest. She stood up straight and slowly walked out of the changing room. She narrowed her eyes in annoyance as she noticed Edward standing outside of the room.

"I heard you almost lost 007," He stated, and she glared at him as he smirked, "maybe you aren't that good at your job."

She clenched her jaw enough and the muscle visibly jolted. Edward's smirk increased, much to her annoyance. She was getting tired of all the doubts on her abilities due to her gender. So many female scientists had walked so that the modern woman could run and find footholds in male dominated field. She didn't give him a response; she was too tired to do so. She slowly started to walk away, keeping up the appearance of cold indifference. Her thoughts were stopped as a hand wrapped around her wrist and jerked slightly. Her eyes widened for a few seconds before she kept in a painful wince. She turned to glare at Edward and noted that he was frowning.

"Release me," She hissed, and his brows raised in surprise.

"You that upset by me getting your attention?" He questioned.

"I thought you were intelligent enough to tell when someone doesn't want to talk to you," She snapped and his grasp on her wrist tightened.

"You sure talk for someone that has yet to even back it up," He commented in a nasty tone, and she narrowed her eyes dangerously.

"Dr Marley," 004's voice cut through the mounting tension between the two, "Dr Gilmore is waiting for you."

"Thank you, 004," She quietly said.

Edward dropped her wrist and briskly walked away. 004 watched as she brought up a hand and rubbed at the spot that had been grabbed. He may not like the woman, but he had been raised not to raise a hand towards a woman unless in self-defence. Just what did the other man have to gain by insulting a woman who was doing his job? He supposed he was never one of those men that never understood how other men's minds worked. Gilmore had been right in sending him to retrieve her, Edward seemed nervous around him, and he inwardly smirked at that fact.

"Thank you," Genesis's repeating her gratitude, it sounded genuine.

He looked to the side and shrugged. He was just doing what Gilmore had asked of him. She shook her head a bit at his reaction before gaining a serious expression. Did Gilmore even need her or was that his excuse to make Edward go away.

"Did Dr Gilmore really need me?" She asked.

"No, he simply noticed that Dr Addams was waiting to corner you as soon as you left the changing room," He answered, his voice curt.

"Ah," She muttered before speaking up, "I'll take my leave then, have a pleasant night, 004."

He narrowed his eyes at her, and she awkwardly nodded before heading to her room for the night. She changed into her pyjamas for the night and lifted the sleeve of the grey long-sleeved shirt she wore and noted the dark bruising around her wrist. She could make out the individual fingers through the bruises. She winced as she flexed her hand and was starting to mentally hope that she wouldn't have to operate on a new cyborg anytime soon. It could be disastrous if she happened to drop a scalpel while working on a brain. She let out a tired sigh and headed to bed. She needed to get some rest before she started to have serious health problems.