Epilogue
Chapter Fifteen: You're Breaking Up
Check it out, everyone, I'm still alive and still writing! I finished this chapter in four periods and added something I hadn't really intended to add. But it fit with the way I was going, and I figured you wouldn't like ALL action and strategy. And I needed to show some human emotion on Cybersix's part. So: Here you go! Review, please, I need em.
You should never have let it get this bad, Data 7 chided, padding slowly beside his sister. At least, you shouldn't have let them see it.
Cybersix took the scolding with a gentle smile. Behind his tough facade, her panther brother was worried, and was looking out for her safety. This she knew, and understood completely. As they walked, she let her hand rest on his constantly shifting shoulder blades. A low purr rumbled beneath her fingers as she rubbed his fur. It'll be fine, Data.
It better be.
The two siblings crouched behind an overturned trash can. Cybersix pulled her cape closer to her, lowering her head to keep the streetlight of her face. Silently, she observed a patrol of Types and Fixed Ideas walk by. As the echo of their footsteps died away, Cybersix winced inwardly at the utter silence of the city. Not a car within earshot, no televisions or CD players, not even the hushed sounds of a drug deal or nightclub. A spitfire of anger welled up inside her; this was her city and how dare Von Reichter take it away?
Data 7 nuzzled her clenched hands, calming her considerably as another patrol marched by. They go in a timed pattern, he commented. We can use that against them.
Cybersix stood up cautiously. Come on. Let's go see how well fortified this place is.
Pressed against the ground behind a piece of bombed wall, Cybersix and Data 7 could see that Von Reichter had indeed done a good job. Barbed wire fences were in place, but they were only two feet high (presumably to stop escaping vehicles). Guard towers were mounted about every 25 yards. Each was manned with one or two Fixed Ideas. Some, Cybersix noted, had some form of rifle to stop those on foot. Blazing white searchlights illuminated circles of ground nearly 6 feet in diameter. They, too, swept in patterns.
Patterns that could be outmaneuvered. Hurriedly, Cybersix explained the beginning of a plan to Data 7. Think it could work?
Possible. They'd have to be in black, be quick, and be silent.
Not easy with a lot of kids.
No. But it is do-able. Now let's get you a vial, then we'll head back and get more details on this plan.
Cybersix studied the searchlights for another minute, then nodded and whispered,
As they made their way back to a less guarded area of Meridiana, Cybersix became concerned that she would not be able to pick out a Fixed Idea from the troop. This concern was unneccesary, however, for as they turned a corner, a Fixed Idea blinked in shock at the piece of night that had collided with him. Cybersix looked up, equally surprised, and restrained a shriek that had made its way into her throat.
Eh? Who you? The Idea grunted, then a flash of recognition blazed into his eyes. Data 7 noticed this and, hurtling savagely past his sister, gnawed at the gun hand, causing the mutant to yell out in pain and drop the gun. Now! Data 7 roared, and and urged his counterpart to hurry with his eyes.
Cybersix swung about, bringing her foot up, and kicked the creation in the neck. As he gagged and struggled for air, she dropped into a handstand, wrapping her legs forward around his neck. With a grunt of exertion, she flipped the fixed Idea over her, and he crash to the ground on his back. She twisted his head sharply to the right, and firmly kicked at the straining side of his neck. The loud, brutal snap of bone rang in the street, then faded away. Panting furiously, she shielded her eyes from the flow as her victim disappeared. Cybersix bent down and lifted the vial from beneath the camouflage gear. Several sparks at her wrist disappeared as she drained the sustenance from the vial, a haunting reminder of how fearfully close she might have come to being overwhelmed.
You okay?
Yes... I'm- no, I'm alright.
Data 7's glowing eyes studied her tired face. Are you sure?
She knelt and wrapped her arms around his neck, as if attempting to reassure him. The words she spoke, however, made it seem as though she was the one who needed the comfort. I wish I had never come here, Data. I can't bear to see the city this way... She stood up, and suddenly kicked the clothes of the Fixed Idea angrily. And I hate living this way. I hate killing these things, I hate taking their vials, and I hate being dependent on that... that... Her voice had risen with every objectionable factor of her life, but it now faded away.
Data 7 remained silent, certain that if he spoke, he would cause her more pain. He noticed a strange light in her eyes, barely visible, but there, and concluded that his sister was on the verge of snapping. But instead, she slumped her shoulders. Though her voice was quieter, her curse was no less firm. I hate needing that sonofabitch God-damned bastard of a father. She spat the last word as if it were a contemptible, foul-tasting poison.
Her brother curled himself about her legs, a catlike gesture of affection which seemed more suitable than words. He stayed there for what seemed like several minutes, observing the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. Her hand eventually patted his head, and she forced a smile. she said with more composure. Okay, let's go back. I'm ready.
This time, he let her walk ahead of him, watching her calm her shaking shoulders. She was breaking inside, even though there was a glimmer of hope for the future. Data 7 understood most of her reasoning, but in Cybersix's heart of hearts, there were deep emotions that no one could fathom. She was silent for almost the whole way back, but Data 7 caught one phrase; he caught one glimpse into her heart.
...And I wish I had a name...
