Cybersix flung a piece of popcorn at the television screen. Go Mel! Go!
Mikae was nearly falling off the couch laughing. Well, Christ, Cyb, I had no idea you liked Mel Gibson so much! Mikae had rented The Patriot, and suggested that they watch it together, as it was Friday and not a school night.
He has a BATTLE AXE!
Yes, yes, that explains it all...
Mmm, chopped human body parts. Popcorn flew at Data 7.
And Cyber Ten crashed into a closed window, swore loudly, and pounded on it. Cybersix stopped the movie and stood up, watching with some hesitation as Ten forced the latch open and flung the window back.
I think a Fixed Idea kicked his ass, Data 7 remarked, and was rewarded with a smack on the nose.
Christ, Ten, you look absolutely horrible. What happened to you?
The cyberbrother made a face and rubbed at his nose. I got whupped.
No kidding? Mikae sat up on the back of the couch. You look like you hit a charging rhino with your face.
Wanna know the doozy?
Cybersix tilted her head. It was another souped up creation of Von Reichter that we have to go out and kill?
Ten suddenly flung himself at Mikae, tackling her off of the couch and onto the floor. It was THIS- Slap. Slap. PUNCH. Mikae smacked aside his first two hits easily, but the third punch caught her in the right cheekbone.
she shrieked, and kicked Ten off of her. You stinking son of an asshole, I was watching this fucking MOVIE all fucking NIGHT!
Cybersix quickly restrained her brother, while Data 7 curved himself around Mikae to help her sit up.
You LIAR. You caught me on the roof of the church and beat the hell out of me!
Shush, Ten, she's not lying. She's been right here on the couch with me.
Ooh? Is that so?
Data 7 made the most exasperated sound he could manage. I was here too, you know, and Mikae didn't leave once, except to use the bathroom.
Ten fumed silently while Mikae rubbed her cheek. See, Bitch Boy? It was probably just some Techno who whaled on you. Speaking of whom, I need to thank her. No, I need to thank myself. You said it looked like me, right?
It WAS you. Down to the last fucking FINGERNAIL. I got a damn good view of em when you hit me in the face about five times.
Data 7, ever cynical, took an opportunity to quip his own view of the situation. Why didn't you just tell her some of your jokes, Ten? Those are so terrible they could fend off any assailant.
Shut your damn mouth, panther boy.
It wasn't me.
Can we discuss this now? Cybersix asked.
Ten said quietly, and relaxed as Cybersix let go of his arms. Thank you. Now... And he tackled Mikae again, this time slamming her over Data 7's back and onto the carpeted floor. He held her wrists down and glared at her.
Look, while I'm old enough to appreciate being tackled by a good-looking guy (even if he HAS had the shit knocked out of him), I really WOULD like to save my virginity.
Ten stared down at her. Don't say shit like that, snapped Ten, There are other women here I can take besides a scrawny teenager like you.
You must mean Data, Cybersix cooly replied.
Oh, see, NOW I'm warning you...
Yes, and I'm very scared. Now Ten, get off of Mikae, both of you sit up, and let's figure out what's going on here.
José eyed the teenager standing before him. So which one did you find?
Cyber Ten.
I left him unconscious, sir.
That's EXCELLENT! José stamped his feet in excitement, then regained some composure. Er, you can go now.
Thank you, sir. The teenager left the room.
Father's going to be so pleased with this.
The large photograph on the wall behind him (depicting a much younger and almost handsome Von Reichter) fizzled briefly, and was replaced with a video screen of the older and more decrepit scientist. I have heard that before, José, and I'm not quite sure you understand what pleases me.
José lowered his voice. Viagra, KY liquid, and a tube sock...
The clone lifted his head, the very epitome of innocence (not an easy feat for the son of Von Reichter). Yes, Father?
What, exactly, am I to be pleased with this time?
The clone of the CyberX reported back to me. She incapacitated the tenth Cyber.
I... didn't ask, Father. I assume so. The CyberX series was meant to be of greater strength and endurance than the original Cybersix, correct?
Don't repeat my lectures, José. I expect to know every detail of every fight you get word on. Is that understood?
Yes, Father.
Good. Who did you pick to send out next?
I wanted to send the Cybersix clone-
No. Save that for last, my boy.
But, Father-
Von Reichter ignored José's protests. Send out the clone of Cyber Ten. I'm interested to see whether our group of renegades will notice his lack of bruises and scrapes. I assume the CyberX clone left some?
José smirked. More than enough.
Carry on, then. I look forward to a full report later on. And the picture faded back to normal.
Stinking no-good lousy excuse for an evil father... Cyber Ten!
Flashing blue eyes looked up from within the shadows.
Go out there and kill something.
