I've always thought that a short chapter is just as good as a long one. Sometimes that's all that is needed.
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5
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007 was interesting to say. He was a flirt and found Genesis to be a good target of it seeing as her cheeks would always turn a pale pink in response. He welcomed the familiar Welsh accent and had latched onto it, even if it was usually a word of rejection. Not to say that he didn't flirt with 003, something that seemed to annoy the French woman. Genesis sighed quietly when the blonde brought a hand back and slapped the British man behind the head. Honestly, he was bringing them closer, and she found it so strange. They shared a look, green meeting blue, and came to a silent understanding. They would have each other's back if 007 ever went too far. Both could tell him off in a polite and kind manner, but they had their limits.
"Such fine roses have incredibly sharp thorns," 007 stated as he gloomily rubbed the back of his head.
Genesis shook her head and turned her attention towards her computer. She may want to leave her hacking behind her, but she was so curious as to what Black Ghost was planning on doing with the cyborgs. Her fingers itched to press against the keys as she stared at them. She chewed the side of her cheek in thought and started to weight the pros and cons. If they understood what Black Ghost was doing, then they could plan their escape accordingly. If Black Ghost knew what she was doing, then the cyborgs would be in danger. She didn't want that to happen. Just how good was the security? The pentagon had some decent security, and she was able to slip through it, using different towers to bounce the VPN so she couldn't be tracked. Though she had still been found out by MI6, much to her reluctant acknowledgement. They had wanted her to join them as a professional hacker for them, but she had promised Ezekiel she wouldn't. Would he have an issue with this? With trying to find information that could keep people she cared about safe. Genesis wondered about that last thought. Did she truly care? Or was she just as selfish as her twin?
Gabriel would've already started hacking, damn the consequences. Genesis kept her unease off her face at that thought. Her own twin would've been better at this than her. She didn't allow those thoughts to continue, she would have time for self-pity later. She scooted her desk chair back and ended up in front of the keyboard. She rested her fingers against the keys and noted how cold they were. Genesis missed her personal keyboard. It was a mechanical keyboard like the one in front of her, but it lit up with a rainbow effect and she could always have it react to whatever she was doing. If she played a game, then it would light up in unison with the environment she ended up in. Her thoughts were starting to wander again. She brought her fingers down on the keyboard and began to slowly make her way into the Black Ghost server, she hoped that her bouncing her signal from a different computer was enough to keep her activities under wraps.
She wasn't surprised by what she was seeing in the servers. Genetic experiments and the 00 series of cyborgs were the first two things that came up when she entered them. She brought out a small notepad from the top of the desk and wrote down the server numbers. It was an odd thing for her to do, but it wasn't like she'd be leaving it around. She narrowed her eyes slightly at the monitor and delved deeper into the line of code. There were small lines of code that worked as monitors, it was impressive. And annoying. She didn't need someone noticing her actions. Then again, that would be more on her if they did notice. Granted, she had hacked into government computers with more security and monitors than Black Ghost. As impressive as their system was, the monitors being the only thing to get respect out of her, it was rudimentary at best. She could easily move through their security and find the information she wanted to know. She slowly began to write out the information she found and figured that using the smallest writing she could, would be best.
Gilmore watched as his fellow scientist worked at her computer and wondered just what she was doing. He decided against asking just in case someone questioned him. It was better for him not to know. He shared a quick glance with 003 and the French cyborg slowly made her way around the room to see what was going on. Her green eyes widened at the sight of all the different code on the screen. It was worrying, but not as much as the young woman's pause as she stared at a specific file attached to a code.
Edward and Dr. Teufel were able to get the okay to move along with their experiments on the human mind. Genesis knew that could only end so well, she narrowed her eyes in thought before exiting out of the main system and thoughtfully staring at her blank screen. She was aware of 003 standing behind her and gave the cyborg an apologetic smile before turning her attention back to the screen. She was worried just what those experiments could do to the cyborgs she and Gilmore had started to know.
"Is something wrong?" Gilmore finally asked.
"Edward and Dr. Teufel were able to get their experiments okayed," Genesis slowly answered, and he could tell her mind was focusing on the negative, "I can't help but think that's going to end horribly."
"I see, I'm inclined to agree," Gilmore stated as he picked up his mug of coffee.
She picked up her cup of tea and rubbed at her temples. Her mind needed to stay quiet for a few seconds. She blinked as everyone in the room turned towards 001 and wondered if something was happening that she wasn't privy to. They all turned towards her, and she simply raised a brow as she gained an uncomfortable expression. Genesis really didn't want to know why they were giving her contemplative expressions. All she knew was that it was better than the looks of intense dislike.
"There needs to be an escape plan," Gilmore stated rubbing his chin in thought, "I don't know if we have enough people to do so."
"There would need to be at least two more people to get through the masses of automated tanks and planes that Black Ghost has been building," Genesis added before gaining a strange expression, "even then, there's the lack of transportation large enough to get to safety."
"Black Ghost has recently asked the weaponry division to create an aircraft that can transport units all over the globe," Gilmore explained, and she nodded her understanding, "it will take it a while to be finished, by then we should have enough people and a solid plan."
The 00 cyborgs all gained slight relief to their features as the two scientists brought them into the discussion, granted one of them couldn't hear 001. 003 and Genesis were talking about the terrain outside the compound and came up with an idea to try and get a layout by pretending to have a drill for the blonde to test her abilities. 005 and 006 would join in as Black Ghost was getting on their case about not knowing how well they'd perform on the field.
"Who in the division can we trust?" Gilmore muttered.
"I think one of the few would be Dr. Uranus," Genesis stated, "he's always been kind when we talked about our families up in the United Kingdom, but I wouldn't want to bring down Black Ghosts wrath on them."
That soft thinking was going to be a hindrance to their plan, even as they noticed her shake her head in thought before pressing a few keys on her computer to put in the training request for 003, 005, and 006. She knew that people had a point when they stated she was too soft hearted for her line of work, but she couldn't help it. Genesis knew what it was like to have someone else's ire aimed at her. Especially, for something she didn't do. Her mind flashed to all the times her twin brother had gotten her in trouble and the punishments that followed.
Besides, they couldn't be more disappointed with her then she already was. She sighed as the request was granted and rubbed the back of her neck in thought. Gilmore jumped slightly as they both received mail by the chute. Genesis grabbed her's and gave it a dirty look before opening it. Confetti rained out of it and was followed by a sigh of disbelief. Of course, her brother had found out where she worked and sent her something to mess with her. Sometimes she wondered if he also knew how to hack as well, because it was insane how often he was able to find her. She quickly read through the letter and her eyes narrowed slightly. He was congratulating her for the job while at the same time cautioning her. Seriously, she mused, how was it he was able to find out about her movements?
"I take it that's from one of your family members," Gilmore said in amusement.
"My older brother, Ezekiel," Genesis confirmed, "I swear he's nearing the level of being omnipotent sometimes, he always seems to know what I'm up to."
"You have a strong bond with him," 003 stated, to her surprise, "older brothers are like that."
Genesis nodded her understanding at that. The blonde was speaking from experience and a sad expression appeared on her face before quickly vanishing when the door opened. It became one of annoyance as she stared at Edward and his father. She didn't want to deal with them if she didn't have to. She'd congratulate them on being the first two men to really annoy her in their line of work. It was rare that someone could get under her skin like they did. Dr. Teufel narrowed his eyes at her and, to the amusement of 006 and 007, she simply raised a brow in response.
"Was there something you needed?" Genesis questioned the two, "As you can see, we are incredibly busy,"
That was a lie and everyone in the room knew it. It was only halfway believable due to her poker face. Edward sneered slightly and she gave a small smile that was the picture of innocence. It brought her some amusement to completely mess with the father and son duo because of their actions and words. An eye for an eye she supposed.
"008 has been brought in, you two are behind on your designing process," Edward informed them, and she gave them a dirty look in response, "I believe you have a deadline of three days to get him done."
Gilmore knew that the designing process could take that long on its own. He gave a nervous nod before the two men left them. He shared a look with his assistant, and she started up the 3D program. The cyborgs watched as another person was being drafted into their ranks, the two scientists seemed uncomfortable with their actions causing them to relax a bit more around them. It took them five hours to finish up the plans for 008, by then they had to go and start changing the man that had been brought in.
He had been fighting to free his village from massive corporations that wanted to use them as slave labour. Genesis didn't want to change the man that was in the lab. She agreed with his reasons for fighting and found that she was reluctant to leave the changing room. She ran a hand down the legs of her pink scrubs and felt a sharp pain go through her chest, bringing her to her knees. Her body shook for a few seconds, and she recognised her need to take a few minutes for herself, but she couldn't. Not while they had a time limit.
She donned her face mask and walked up to the operation table, taking her spot next to the other scientists that worked with them while operating. Genesis would have to ask Gilmore if any of them were trustworthy. There had to be others in Black Ghost that agreed with their line of thinking. She ignored those thoughts as she was handled a scalpel and slowly made the first incision. His skin was slowly injected with a hardening agent that would allow him to swim to incredible depths. His lungs were replaced with metal ones so he could breathe. She paused as she noticed something, the hardening agent had taken away something that only 003 had lost. He would never be able to father children, she looked down at her pink covered hands. Guilt, that's all she was really feeling. It was all encompassing and felt like a weight tied around her neck.
"Doctor Marley, what else needs to be done?" One of the scientists asked her, and she thought for a few seconds.
"He needs the bones in his legs replaced to increase his durability in deep waters, and the synthetic muscles are needed as well," She answered, "I'll gather the muscles while you two work on the bones."
They did as she directed, and she paused to watch them for a few seconds before gathering the synthetic material. It was going to take a while to replace all his muscles, she had to make sure they all connected properly and that the nerve connections would work. It was best to get the bones done first before even attempting to attach the muscles. She sighed quietly before heading back with the material.
Genesis took her time braiding the material into the proper shape before inserting it into the man's body. It wasn't the strangest thing she had to do with changing people into cyborgs, but it did bother her the most. Genesis didn't know how long she'd been working on 008, but by the time she finished she felt light on her feet. Exhaustion was starting to take place and she gathered that if she didn't get sleep soon her body was going to revolt.
"008 is now complete," A scientist informed Gilmore as the newest cyborg was wheeled out of the room and into a different laboratory, "we should start making plans for the next cyborg."
"Of course, Genesis why don't you go and get some rest," Gilmore said to the exhausted woman.
"Are you sure you won't need my help?" She asked.
"I think we can handle it," He answered, smiling slightly to show her that it wasn't meant in a mean way, "why don't you rest?"
"All right," She sighed, giving him the tiniest of smiles.
Genesis headed back to her room and was pleased to see that Edward hadn't waited for her. She opened the door and immediately headed inside. The door closed behind her and she fell to her knees, trying to catch her breath. Sweat travelled down her face and dripped from the tip of her nose. Her body really was starting to revolt, and there wasn't anything she could do about it but try and rest a bit. She mentally made a check list as she tried to figure out what the biggest issue was, and she couldn't. She didn't know what was causing her the most trouble. She slowly got to her feet, stumbling a bit as she did so, before walking to her bed and plopping face down into it.
She needed the sleep.
