Fallen Idol
Chapter Eight: Lost, Found, and Trouble

I wrote this whole chapter during one day of school. My hand hurts. And sorry for the delay, everyone. I'll try to be better about it.

From catcalls and obscene remarks to nods, smiles, and appreciative glances, Cybersix wasn't sure of the differences between the slums and the part of town. Still, it was nice to know that she could be accepted as a normal woman. Not normal, she cautioned herself. Only so on the outside.
She had trouble finding the house, not because she didn't remember, but because everything looked different from the sidewalks. Once she spotted the plague of reporters, however, she knew she had found the right place. Now if only the press would let her through! Using as little abnormal force as possible, Cybersix pressed through the crowd and rapped on the door.
Go away! came the mother's sobbing yell. I can't answer your questions now!
I'm not press, Mrs. Krubens. I think I can find your daughter, and it's best if we talk inside, away from these buzzards.
The crowd rippled with distaste for this high and mighty woman, who seemed to think she could walk where she wanted and insult whom she dared, and not suffer the consequences. Let them think what they will. It's not as though I'm going to be seeing them again. From within there was silence, then, Come in, and the door opened. The reporters surged for the gap, but only succeeded in shoving Cybersix through. She regained her footing enough to force the door closed, much to the dismay of the gathered press.
Thank you, Sarah murmured. They've been at it all morning, and I'm...just so tired. The woman's red hair hung uncurled around her shoulders, her face pale and stressed. I'm Sarah. Can I get you tea, or...
No thank you, Cybersix replied gently, but I will help you get your daughter back. I wonder, can you show me her room?
I suppose. The police have been through it already; once more can't hurt it, and she led the way upstairs.
The room was almost as Cybersix had left it. There were perhaps more papers and books on the floor, and the bed was not made, but these were not signs of a struggle. In fact, there was no sign of a forced kidnapping. It was as if Mikae had simply left - willingly - out the open window. As Cybersix noticed the signs of stress on the window frame and walls, her suspicions were confirmed. Fixed Ideas. There must have been a Type or Techno, if Mikae went willingly. Fixed Ideas aren't really talkers. she sighed, I know where your daughter is.
Is she - safe?
I don't know. For a time, most probably. To keep her safe, I'll need to hurry.
Will you bring her back? Can you?
I'll try. The expression of grief on Sarah's face was disturbingly familiar. Cybersix was made uncomfortable by the strange similar look - and then she knew where she had seen it before. It had been on every Cyber's face when 29 died; it must have been on her own also. She felt a twinge in her chest, not a pain of illness, but the pang of an emotional scar. Yes, I'll try. You have my word.
Thank you.
A crowd of reporters and a hurried walk later, Cybersix was at her apartment, conversing with her cyberbrother. They were going to find Mikae.

But CyberX-1 did not want to be found. More accurately, she did not know that anyone was searching for her. Von Reichter had taught her how to make use of her abilities, and had shown her several photos of Cybersix, the woman she would need to destroy.
With every passing minute, CyberX-1 was more and more convinced of who she was. In fact, she was becoming devoted to the man who had created her - and things were going well. Once Cybersix was destroyed, so Von Reichter maintained, the two of them would take control of the globe, and CyberX-1, for her part, was ready.
She was a fast learned and, according to the scientist, she was already able to execute, block, counter, and dodge the renegade's possible attacks with ease. But I must warn you, Von Reichter cautioned, if Data 7 is with her, you must also watch for him,
Simple enough, CyberX-1 replied. Before I make the first round tonight, is there any neccesary training that I may have missed?
When evening comes, go out and make sure you are comfortable with your roof legs', as it were. Look for places you can use to your advantage while fighting.

And when you destroy her, bring me her vial.
CyberX-1 did not like the perverse look on his face. Not at all. But she nodded. She was trained to follow orders.
As the sun set over Meridiana, a figure clad in leather pants and a tanktop emerged from the forest to catch her breath. Ice blue eyes inspected the fingerless gloves she wore, and she checked to make sure that her combat boots were tied. This done, breath refreshed, she plunged gracefully down a small cliffside and continued into the darkened city.
CyberX-1 was on the hunt.

I don't like it, Data 7. I don't want to go there unless I can help it. If he has Mikae, he'll let us know. One way or another. Cybersix was dressed for the night, deliberating her next move.
You're a chicken, her brother snickered, not unkindly. And a hen at that.
You're no help, Data. And a nuisance to begin with.
Ouch. If a panther could smirk, he was doing his best. So? Are you going to find her? Or will you just sit here on your eggs?
Shush. I'm going. She opened her window. You wait here, she ordered, and leaped into the night.
Aww.
The city was quiet, save for the hiss of distant cars, and the occasional wail of a siren. There was absolutely no activity anywhere on the rooftops. Cybersix really did not want to have to face her creator to find Mikae, but she'd given Sarah her word that she would try. She didn't really feel like breaking that promise, and besides - the mystery woman of the night did not give up so easily.
She paused for a moment, trying to form a plan instead of jumping through the air aimlessly. Her cape cast a long shadow as the wind danced over her lithe, moonlit form. Then a sudden movement caught her eye.
Another figure, not too distant, leaping across the roofs.
Fixed Idea, Cybersix thought, then corrected herself, with some surprise. No. This figure had grace, precision. The sort of ability...only matched by...by Cybers. But it was impossible! her mind screamed, the Cybers were dead!
The figure stopped. Then it began to race towards her at an unnerving pace.
Cybersix cursed herself. How had it... Oh NO! The moon had been at her back. She would have been as visible as a stain on Adrian's white oxford shirts. The figure was not stopping. Oh, no...

CyberX-1 had been enjoying the freedom her legs allowed her. She could turn with no hinderance, land with no shock, leap without even an extra effort! She had almost forgotten her task in her new delight. Then, in the moonlight, she'd spotted her quarry. CyberX-1 knew what she had been sent to do.
Now, as she raced for the woman, the only thing she was asking herself was Why doesn't she RUN?!