A grateful thanks to all who've read and reviewed—And to Silver Star and Wicked Enough it is I who is honored by your approval—when writers such as yourselves give accolades I know I'm doing something right. And to the new reviewers—thanks and I hope the story plot meets your expectations. Sorry the update took so long but I had to work and then my Speed Racer story needed updating as well.

GOING ALONE

Joe was in the lounge on the Dolphin morosely staring at the space before him, having just awakened from another attempt at restless slumber. He swung his long legs over the edge of a hammock and rubbed his eyes wearily as he eased into wakefulness. 009 was fighting a rising sense of frustration, two days had gone by without a word from Black Ghost and the entire team was on edge but he was approaching his end. He was almost sick with worry for 003 wondering every moment how she was faring. There was no relief for him at all for when he did try to catch a few hours of fitful sleep, his dreams were of Francoise and the times they both looked after each other. From the moment they first met there had been an attraction between them that throughout the last few months had turned into a bond the likes he had never experienced, not even since his time with the Father. He remembered how there were so many times he could not help sneaking a peek at her on the deck as they traveled to a mission or as she knelt and fed 001, cradling the baby in her arms as if she were his own mother. He had felt the overpowering need to protect her from day one and beyond.

Joe sighed heavily as yet another memory lingered on in his mind's eye….

Flashback:

009 had been delirious with fever, the electrical attack from 0010 having made him weak as a kitten but miraculously still alive. He struggled in his fever-induced dreams and calmed down as he felt the soft smooth hands wipe his sweaty brow with a cool cloth.

Dr. Gilmore's voice stated, "You go and lay down, I can manage here."

003's quiet yet firm reply, "I'm fine."

"No you're not, you've been through quite an ordeal. You need some rest."

"Dr. Gilmore, 009 came from out of nowhere and protected me. I'm not leaving until he opens his eyes," she answered stubbornly.

Gilmore nodded and said, "Call me if you need me." The fatherly man turned and left.

009 felt himself coming out of his haze and through it he saw twin long-lashed aquamarine orbs in a piquantly lovely visage filled first with worry then relief.

Francoise? Was that Francoise? Why would she be here? "003? Have you been here all this time?" he asked weakly.

"Uh-huh."

He then became alarmed as a thought came to him, "The rest of the team!" He made to leap out of the bed but she pushed him back.

"Shhh. Relax, everyone's okay but you. You need to rest." Her sweet voice had a tinge of steel. She assumed her seat beside his bed with her head bowed in shame. "I'm sorry, this is all my fault. If I hadn't tried to talk to 0010 to reach his human side, you wouldn't be like this."

Joe looked at the pretty girl cyborg and his heart became warm as it began to pound. He had a strong urge to reach and take her hand in his but he quashed it. Instead he said gently, "You did the right thing. I felt his humanness too and I thought if we could've gotten through to him he might even become a friend and join us."

003 was silent as she rose to re-wet the cloth she had used to cool his fever. 009 watched intently as she went to the sink and ran the cold water to rinse the cloth and savored the view of her willowy dancer's figure with her golden hair hanging gracefully below her slim shoulders in ringlets. He admired at how it shimmered like sunlight even in the stark bright light of the clinic. Her 00 uniform only accentuated her highly feminine curves. He felt his body respond in a very human way as he felt himself getting very attracted to her.

She appeared pensive as she continued rinsing then wringing out the cloth then she turned and said reflectively. "I sensed it, too."

"Huh?"

"I sensed in him a sadness. And a feeling of like he could almost be a brother. Like my brother, Jean. He always protected me from the bigger kids when I couldn't fight them myself." Francoise smiled in warm reminiscence and Joe felt his heart catch again. She looked so pretty when she smiled.

He smiled back briefly and then said wistfully, "Brothers and sisters, I never had that. I was an orphan, raised by a priest. Me and the other kids from the church orphanage kind of banded together like a little gang to protect ourselves from the bullies in the town who picked on us. But we used our brains instead of our brawn." He smiled again as he added, "Will you see your brother again when you return to France?"

A shadow passed over Francoise's eyes as she lowered her head to study the hands clasped in her lap. "Nobody told you about our backgrounds. I was developed by the Black Ghost organization. At the time, four of us, 001, 002, me, and 004 were the first to be implanted the last century after the war. Cybernetic technology was not advanced so we were cryogenically frozen at the time till the technology was refined and perfected. Then Dr Gilmore unfroze us and escaped with us."

Joe was amazed by her revelation. "So you were the first generation of cyborgs."

She nodded, "Uh-huh. So I will probably never see my brother or parents again."

Joe was filled with righteous anger at the thought of Francoise's life being shattered by Black Ghost to the point that she would never see her family again. "That's terrible!" he exclaimed in outrage as he leapt up but 003 gently pushed him down on the pillow.

"I've been talking too much, you need your rest," she admonished. She then giggled as she added playfully, "Although I'm sure you're surprised to find out what an old lady I am."

Joe looked at her contemplatively then smiled slowly as he realized that age difference or not, she was an incredible girl and one he intended to get to know better.

End Flashback

009 sighed again as he walked to the window where the crystal dolphin hung. He reached and let the ornament dangle on his fingertips as his heart ached with the reality of the sweet girl that was missing. Missing, she was being used by Scarl and Black Ghost as a lure to capture him. That thought alone filled him with a murderous rage.

He was yanked from his melancholic reverie by 004's urgent voice as Albert addressed him. "009, come to the bridge right away, Black Ghost is on the video communicator. He turned and sprinted back with Joe right on his heels.

Both halted when they came to the bridge and saw Scarl's diabolical visage on the screen with a grating, evil cackle. "Well, well, 009. How good of you to join our little party here. You're just the one I wanted to speak to. I trust you're doing well?"

Joe gritted his teeth and answered, "Can the small talk, Scarl and let's get down to business. What have you done with 003?"

"Ah, the crimson knight is anxious to rescue his lady fair. How touching, it warms the very cockles of my heart."

"Since when do you even have one?" 009 snapped, his patience wearing dangerously thin.

"Temper, temper. Losing your temper won't make me work any faster and it certainly won't help 003's plight, poor girl."

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER?" Jet bellowed, his fury at meltdown intensity.

Scarl laughed, thoroughly amused. "Ah, another country heard from. Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you but 009 is the cyborg I want. And since 009 is the cyborg I want, 009 this is what you must do. You must meet with me at the abandoned electric relay station."

"The one where I defeated 0010 positive and negative?" Joe inquired.

"Precisely. Meet me there in two hours and come alone. Any sign of any other 00 cyborgs with you and 003 will perish. Do you understand?"

Joe's eyes narrowed but he complied, "Hai." He had reverted to speaking Japanese as his rage grew at the villain's audacity.

The screen went black and the 00 cyborgs all gathered about their leader.

004 spoke first, "Well, that's out of the question. No way are we gonna let you go alone. He's probably planning to do you in, that's why he took 003 and wants you to come alone." The rest of the cyborgs heartily agreed.

Joe shook his head stubbornly. "I'm sorry but I'm going alone. I can't take the chance that he won't kill 003." He whirled to leave but Dr. Gilmore's hand detained him.

"009, you need to think clearly. Scarl managed to disable 003's capabilities and I'm sure he will use the same device on you. I have, however come up with a device to counter him. When I was researching cybernetic technology of the first generation, I discovered that some of the components that give them their powers can be neutralized by extremely high frequency sound waves, similar to the ones used in ultra-sound medical examinations. So I ascertained that it was just that type of device Black Ghost used to capture 003 and they will use the same device on you. The components, although you are of a later generation, are basically the same."

"Great, doc so what do we do now?" 002 demanded, furious.

Gilmore glanced at him and answered. "I have developed a device that intercepts the sound waves and breaks them apart before they can get to your components. I have created nine of these, to be worn like buttons on your uniforms. They are extremely sensitive to ultra high frequency soundwaves and should protect you all." He regarded 008 as Pyunma was about to voice a question. "It is completely waterproof and works anywhere."

All the cyborgs picked up their devices and adhered them to their uniforms. Gilmore then addressed the entire group.

"The best way to do this is to let 009 meet with Scarl alone but all of you will be in close contact yet remain hidden. He's ruthless, one slip up and 003 could pay with her life." Gilmore said gravely.

Around the room all the cyborgs showed grudging resignation to the plan. 009 waited with dark narrowed eyes for the order.

"All right, 009. Go ahead but proceed with caution. 003's life is at stake." He hardly got the sentence out and the young cyborg had accelerated and was gone.

The rest of the 00 cyborgs waited for the next directive, their minds and hearts with their leader.

The electric relay station was eerie in appearance, long abandoned during 0010 positive and negative's attack, which had nearly destroyed the plant. The main building was a dark shell with its windows shattered, their broken glass giving the appearance of a large desolate hulk. The ruined transformers were black skeletons silhouetted against the evening sky and the wires dangling from them looked like marionette strings running in black tangles from the dead station.

Joe stood and stared at the jumble of destruction and shivered in spite of himself, the full moon adding to the macabre landscape of the demolished plant. He tried to calm his nervous anger down as he waited all the time praying that 003 would be all right.

His reverie was interrupted by the grating sound of Scarl's maniacal laughter. The caped and masked figure stood before 009 with an arrogant stance with legs spread and arms akimbo.

"Well, well 009. How nice to see that you didn't suffer any ill effects of our last encounter," Scarl sneered sardonically.

009's eyes narrowed dangerously as he answered. "What have you done with 003?"

"No wasting time with the pleasantries, eh? Just cut to the chase. Very well my young cyborg friend, have it your way. We are to engage in a battle, and to the winner goes the spoils."

"Why don't you just say what you mean and get on with it?" Joe snapped. His hands balled into tight fists as he was enveloped in a red haze of rage.

"As you wish. We are going to have a contest of wills, sort to speak and the stakes are this. If you win, I will release 003 and let you go free."

"And if I lose?"

Scarl laughed, "If you lose and happen to survive, you shall become what you were intended to be. My super cyborg whose first task will be to destroy 003 and the rest of the 00 cyborgs."

Joe felt a chill in his heart at this. If he lost, he would have to kill 003 and his comrades, his family, the first family he had since his days with the Father. He felt like he was transported back in time when he and the other kids from the orphanage had banded together to protect themselves against the town bullies. They all were a formidable force as long as they were together. And now it was déjà vu, the same for the entire 00 cyborg team, they were a force to be reckoned with as long as they were together. The idea of having to kill them all, especially 003 was unacceptable. He knew that beyond a shadow of a doubt he had to win.

"All right, Scarl. Be prepared to be destroyed."

Scarl laughed again. "You truly amuse me. This is going to be quite enjoyable, destroying you by my own hands. And soon the entire group of renegades shall cease to exist." He crouched and made to get into a battle position. "Let the games begin!"

TO BE CONTINUED