Epilogue
Chapter Fourteen: Wrongly Concerned

Chapter Fourteen is up and running, hurray! Things are going to start picking up from here on in, so I'll do my best to hurry along, okay? Review! *brandishes the leashes of the Fixed Idea doggies* Or - *notices that the dogs are missing* ...*sigh* Leashes, I got yer leashes, get em while they're unattached...

CyberX-1 had done a good job. When she found a shelter, she found the best shelter available. The hideaway was a long mess of tunnels, framed and supported by thin metal beams. The dirt was covered with smooth wooden boards. Rooms branched off here and there, where Technos, Types, and a few humans slept. A quiet, somewhat larger room was Mikae's to use as she pleased. Across the hall was Lucas's room, stocked with a newer mattress and a box of fresh white bandages, for his grazed hip. Further down, Cybersix and Data 7 shared a room - a disheveled curtain hung across its length - and next to it, Yashimoto and Ikiko doubled as well. Julian was offered his own room, but declined, preferring to bounce around with the others, sleeping one night with the Technos, another with a family of Types, and spending most of his time with Ikiko or Data 7. Cybersix extended a warm welcome to him, and he always seemed to get more sleep when he was near her or Data 7.
Food was stored in abundance (thank you, José!), as well as bottled water. Living there was pleasant enough, but the small group of rebels had very little firepower. Most were content, but there were those (Cybersix included) who wanted more, just enough to save the imprisoned civilians. And some, like Mikae, itched for unleashing a can of whoop-ass on Von Reichter's drooling idiots.
Because of conflicting views of the future, the adults and Mikae organized a meeting in an unused room. CyberX-1 looked the elected of the shelter, and smirked at several things she noticed. Cybersix and Lucas were overjoyed to be reunited, in a quiet, tender way, but neither would admit it. Mostly, Lucas was delighting in the fact that he could almost hold her hand, without any objections. And Cybersix looked as though she was convincing herself that MAYBE a man's hand wasn't such a bad thing, anyway.
After a bit of confusion (resolved with the realization that his last name was NOT Miao), Mikae had grown rather fond of the private eye. Yashimoto, at least, entertained her ideas of war and vengeance. And, with Ikiko (and/or Julian) cheering them both on, he would challenge her to tournaments of Snood©. He usually won, but for some reason, she never minded much. She'd even grown protective of the children, and adored Ikiko almost as much as the detective himself.
Data 7 was supportive, but cynical. Insult after teasing insult flew back and forth down the halls between them, often prompting the complaints of the other tenants, and occasionally a pillow would leave its abode to smack a shouter in the face. But she could tell how much he cherished his sister - and the children, for that matter. Mikae could never bring herself to badmouth him; not seriously, anyway.
All right, she declared, Let's get this meeting started. You all know we're here to discuss what to do. Reports from a few scouts show that the city no longer has any visible inhabitants. Patrols are frequent, though less so in the early morning. Barbed wire fences are being set up, and so are the beginnings of watch towers. They're either going to be sniper nests, or searchlights. We have five MIL-15s full of ammo - Sorry, Cyb, she interjected apologetically as the woman shuddered, - three USAS-12s with low to medium ammo, and two dry M-16s.
Dry?
Empty, Data. So, lady Cyber and gentlemen, what do we do?
Data 7 took on a pondering look and focused on his sister. Well, he ventured, I think no matter what we do, we're going to need more weapons. We'd never do what sis wants to do if we don't get more things to work with.
And please explain for everyone what Six wants.
To free the prisoners, and to get everyone somewhere safe. Right?
Cybersix nodded.
Okay, so a vote for weapons before anything else.
Mikae... Brother dear has spoken for me, but...we also need to make sure the already free people are safe. Most of the people in camps are safe for now, but we need to take care of the ones we have... I don't know what I'm saying, she muttered, frustrated.
I do, Lucas murmured. You don't want anyone else to get hurt or taken away from you, but you still want to save those that are in danger.
Mikae watched Cybersix, without a hesitation, take Lucas' hand and hold it gently between her flawless, gloved hands. she whispered to herself, holding up both hands. Rock. Hard place. She rested her chin in her palms.
Yashimoto smirked. He'd heard her joke, even if neither lover noticed it. Yes, we need to get weapons. Data 7 is right. And Cybersix and Lucas are right too; we need to be extra cautious getting them. Once that happens, we need to be able to get in the camps, get a small group prisoners, get out, and do it all without getting shot or killed. My laptop can help with that. Until his last comment, someone might have mistaken his tone for being somewhat sarcastic. Obviously, though, Miao was dead serious, and willing to do whatever was necessary.
Mikae nodded, impressed with his determination and optimism.
We get them out of the city by weaving away from snipers, patrols, and spotlights. Simple enough to talk about, though in actuality, it's going to be hard.
Finally, realism.
Data 7 paced a few steps. We're going to have a ball. Don't know how much use I'll be; I can't fire a gun. And if we're going to do this... we'll be training civilians. That could take a while. They've got no reason to get into this. We're doing it for them, for tuna's sake!
It's war, Mikae said softly. Teenagers, adults, kids...we're all in this. And we ALL have reasons. Me? Jeremy's gone. And look at the monster Von Reichter turned me into.
Cybersix raised an eyebrow. Clearly, Mikae's inner opinion of herself had been a well hidden one.
Yashimoto hesitated. My sister, and Julian. And because I owe a debt to Cybersix.
No, you don't... I owe you, Miao, not the other way around.
Don't argue, Cybersix. I'm not really in the mood to discuss where the debts really lie.
Ikiko and Julian, Data 7 interrupted. And because my sister and I promised never to leave each other again.
Cybersix looked at Data 7. She realized that since Von Reichter first invaded, he'd stopped calling her Cybersix, and had taken to using terms of endearment when talking to or about her. And he never missed an opportunity to call her Cybersix smiled through the tears welling up in her eyes. Though his appearance had changed, he was still Cyber 29, and she loved him.
Lucas thought a moment. I'm doing it for Lori... and for Adrian, and... He looked up at Cybersix. There was no need for him to finish his sentence; everyone in the room knew who his reason was.
Cybersix smiled, rubbed at her eyes, and murmured, Thank you.
Mikae tapped her shoulder. Cyb? Who're you in it for?
You, my brother...my friends, the people I love... Lu-AUGH! She seized her left arm, nearly falling over in pain. Green sparks shot violently through her arm, the faint smell of burning flesh spreading through the room. Mikae leaped to her side, shoving a helpless Lucas to one side. Though Cybersix's arm was not burned, the smell was stronger, and Mikae knew that the cyberwoman was pushing her physical limits.
Cyb? Cyb?! Cyb! Dammit! Somebody go get a Techno or something, a willing one!
Cybersix said vehemently, I will NOT kill our allies... I won't- Agh... As the pain subsided, she was left breathing heavily, a small bead of sweat trailing down her face.
How long've you been hiding this?
Far too long, said Yashimoto, standing up. And I've been waiting too long to find out what sustenance is. With a rushed goodbye, he headed back to his room. Lucas squeezed Cybersix's hand, then followed Yashimoto.
Mikae sighed. I'll go get a few vials-
No, I'm all right... I'm fine. Hiding the sharp pains in her legs, and the weak feeling throughour her body, she forced herself to her feet. Let's go, Data 7, she said firmly, and brother and sister darted for the streets of Meridiana.
Oh, Cyb, Mikae said helplessly, for all your care about us, we should all be the ones worried about you.