Author's Note: Thanks again for all the readers and reviewers—to all of you—your support and approval means so much. And to those who hate cliffhangers I'm sorry but with the direction of the plot the next chapter will probably be the longest and so to continue this into the next scenes would make this way too long. And there will be in that chapter a very poignant scene between 009 and 003 with fluff at the end. Once again thanks to all—I plan to do a personal thanks to all at the end—and I recommend reading the stories on this sight—all are quite well written.

ALL FOR ONE

The wilderness surrounding the abandoned power plant was pitch dark, the only light being the moon peeking through the canopy of treetops. The 00 cyborgs were gathered in a clearing to plot strategy for the task ahead, to defeat Scarl and rescue 003. 002 took the role of leader as he addressed his teammates.

"Okay everyone this is the plan. Scatter around the perimeter of the woods that surround the plant. 004, you take 005 and 006 and head to the northern quadrant. 008 and 007, come with me. Make sure that Scarl doesn't see you and activate the sound wave scrambler so he can't disable us. Set your lasers for ultimate power for when the fighting begins. 007 since you can transform I want you to get close to where 009 and Scarl are fighting."

007 gave him a sarcastically snappy salute. "Aye, aye mon capitaine."

002 ignored the mock and ordered tersely. "Let's move out." They split up into the designated groups and headed toward the electrical station.

Back at the ruined transformer 009 and Scarl were squaring off to prepare for their fight. He began taunting 009 again.

"You know, 009, the last fight I had with you it was a stalemate. But this time I will emerge as winner."

"Don't count on it, Scarl. You can't win, evil never does," Joe answered with a dark scowl.

"Spare me the empty platitudes. I created you all and I can destroy you all."

"You didn't create me, 003, or any of the rest of us. We were born human beings, men and a woman, with hearts and minds of our own. You tore us from our lives and families. You tried to re-create us for evil but our nature wouldn't accept that so we escaped. And we all swore to fight you, Black Ghost to the bitter end!"

Scarl threw his head back laughed in a hideous cackle. "We shall see, my friend." He lifted a hand and a ball of electricity appeared. "As I recall, 0010 nearly destroyed you right at this very spot, so I hope you enjoy my taking you back down memory lane." He hurled the high voltage charge at 009 who used a martial arts move to dodge it then accelerated to the top of the plant, shooting his laser at the caped figure. He held up his arm to shield himself and the laser ray was deflected handily.

"Fool! Do you honestly think that your puny laser gun is any match for me? Or have you forgotten it was at my laboratory those guns were made and developed? Remember, Gilmore at one time worked for me."

"And that's something the good doctor would love to forget!" a voice sounded from the wilderness. A wild, red-haired figure flew out with twin jet flames emitting an orange glow in the moonlit night, firing his laser in a blue beam. 002 blazed by at mach 2 as he again fired at Scarl.

"Yeah, it's something we'd all like to forget!" 004 bellowed as he rushed out from another direction holding his knee and blasting at Scarl with his warheads.

"It's a bit chilly out here tonight so allow me to warm things up," 006 piped up as he blew a stream of fire out at the caped figure who was being bombarded from three different directions.

"Your attempts at beating me are laughable, you all have no chance to win this battle! I warned you, 009! Now I'll destroy 003 and all of you!" Scarl roared as he brought a device out that resembled a small radio transmitter. He pressed a button and concentrated sound waves caused the wreckage of the electric plant to shift and move as if it were standing on an earthquake fault line. The 00 cyborgs had all come out from their respective hiding places, wielding their lasers and circled the villain.

Scarl noticed that the cyborgs all appeared unfazed by the sound waves so he increased the power. The waves caused the entire area to reverberate as the cyborgs stood there, unaffected.

"Give it up, Scarl. We've been equipped with a device to counter your secret weapon and no matter what you do, we'll still be here with our powers intact," 002 announced as he hovered above the villain.

Scarl laughed, "That may be true for all of you but what about your pretty little cyborg friend, eh? She hasn't the device to block my weapon so the sonic waves are going to destroy her. At least one cyborg will be gone!"

"You fiend!" 007 cried but 009's reaction was one of action. He lunged forward and seized the villain's collar and shook him like a dog shaking a bone.

"Where is she?" he snarled, his eyes narrowed to slits.

Scarl laughed and dematerialized right out of Joe's hands. The young cyborg leader whirled around and bellowed to the empty air. "Even if it takes me losing my life I'm gonna destroy you, Scarl! Acceleration Mode!" he snapped, clicking his back teeth.

A hand on his shoulder kept him from taking off. 004 spoke reasonably, "He's gone, 009. And as it is we don't yet know where he's holding 003."

009 growled a low guttural sound as frustration and fury mounted in him causing him to tremble. "We gotta find her, he'll kill her now unless we do!"

Jet landed on Joe's right. "We'll communicate with Dr. Gilmore. Maybe 001 and he have something." He reached in a concealed pocket on his uniform and spoke into a small transmitter. "Dr. Gilmore, this is 002, the mission has failed, we couldn't capture Scarl and neglected to find out where 003 is. Please advise."

Gilmore's voice came over the tiny receiver, "Speak to 001, he's just informed me of the whereabouts of Scarl's craft."

001 spoke telepathically to the entire team. ***Scarl is using a nuclear powered submarine located approximately 35,000 leagues in the Pacific Ocean about 550 miles to the northeast of Japan as his base. I have picked up brain waves from 003. She's still alive but extremely weak. Scarl is using his ultra sonic weapon to gradually weaken her to the point that her components will self-destruct and she will die.***

The entire team was silent, weighed down with the realization that their little girl was at the brink of being taken away from them. Each one had a glazed look as they contemplated the permanent loss of the girl cyborg who had brightened their lives each in his own special way.

Gilmore's voice came over the receiver again. "All of you listen carefully. 003 needs the sonic block device because I'm sure Scarl's using his weapon on her. So we need to draw the submarine to the surface so we can enter and rescue 003. So 007, 008, and 009 you will all act as decoys to lure Scarl to the surface. 004, 005, and 006, will remain in the Dolphin. And you 002, I have a special task just for you."

"Gee, how do I rate the special treatment?" 002 asked sardonically.

"I have a weapon that will penetrate the hull of the sub but I need you to fly into the stratosphere to use, it's too powerful to be used at close range. So all of you return to the Dolphin immediately."

002 put the communicator away. "Well, you heard him everyone. Back to the ship." As they all began to take off, he noticed 009 had wandered apart from the group staring off into the distance. He approached the Japanese cyborg and cleared his throat.

"C'mon 009. Dr. Gilmore's waiting for us."

Joe nodded woodenly. "I'll be along in a minute. I just need a few minutes alone."

Jet nodded, understanding. He took off for the Dolphin.

Joe sighed as he gazed up into the moonlit sky. He felt the sting of tears, utterly disappointed by the battle outcome. He sighed again as he wondered how Francoise was, if she was hurt or in pain. He hated when those beautiful eyes of hers reflected pain—either hers or the pain of others. She was always feeling and caring for others; an angel that sought to comfort with her gentle loving way. In Paris at Christmas Eve he had searched the city desperately for her and when he finally found her, she had nearly been lost by tumbling in a waiting black hole. Then when he told her how he had been led to her, they both saw a red biplane fly by and disappear. As she recognized the plane as her late brother's those fathomless orbs of hers filled with tears at memories of a life past, a dream stolen away. At that time Joe's heart constricted as he spotted her sadness, aching to do something, anything to make those crystal rivulets disappear. And then there was the day he was in the lounge dwelling on the painful memory of 0013's demise. She came in to the lounge hesitantly at first and then quietly listening as he shared with her all about 0013 and his last words before he threw himself into the raging sea, no longer able to be Black Ghost's instrument of death. He showed her the tiny carved bunny 0013 had given him as a token and then made him feel better by sympathizing with his feeling of loss. But those feelings as deep and agonizing as they were at the time would be nothing compared to the complete desolation he would feel if he lost her. Oh Francoise, koishii I miss you so much, you have to be all right. I love you and when we get you back—and I promise you we will—I intend to show you. He then wiped his eyes hastily and clicked his teeth to accelerate back to the Dolphin.

On Scarl's submarine base, the figure approached the chamber where 003 was being held. He gazed upon the prone unconscious form of the girl cyborg and whipped out the sonic wave device. He prepared to destroy her when suddenly a better idea came to mind. He dialed a new setting on the control and 003 responded by shrieking in pain.

"Ohh!" 003 squirmed in agony as her eyes flew open. She eyed Scarl in terror.

"Ahh good evening my dear. I trust you slept well," he drawled.

003 turned her head away. "What are you planning to do with me?" she said dully.

Scarl took a seat beside her and ran his hand down her soft cheek as she shuddered in revulsion. Her reaction drew a chuckle from the mysterious figure. "Well, my dear, I haven't decided quite yet but I can assure you that I don't plan to kill you. You have become quite useful for what I plan to accomplish."

"And what is that?" 003 asked in trepidation, dread filling her and chilling her to her bones.

Scarl continued his almost tender ministrations. He spoke soothingly, hypnotically. "You are quite attached to your little cyborg family, aren't you Francoise?"

"W-what are you talking about?"

"Your little group of cyborgs," Scarl purred. "They have become your family, have they not?" He continued stroking her while unbeknownst to her he pressed a tiny sensor into her shoulder.

A dreamy sense of detachment came over Francoise as she closed her eyes and the pictures of the 00 cyborg team flashed in her mind. 001's uncanny ability to read and discern with tremendous wisdom and intellect in spite of being a baby. 007 and 006's countless skirmishes about meals, 005's gentle reticence, 004's moodiness that could disappear into the warmest of smiles, 002's temperamental outbursts, 008's sense of duty and honor, and . .

009.

Joe her mind spoke his Christian name reverently. They always referred to each other by their given names when they were alone together which was quite often of late. He would seek her out and they would talk for hours about anything and everything. He would frequently take and hold her hand or casually loop his arm around her slender shoulders, giving her a feeling of safety and security. He was so kind and cared so deeply for others that she considered herself blessed when she saw him look at her with an affectionate light in his beautiful eyes.

Scarl was deeply satisfied at the revelations he had picked up from the French dancer telepathically. The feelings existing between 003 and 009 were deep and being such he now was able to put the actual plan in motion. He stood up and rubbed his hands together in anticipation, the battle at the demolished electric plant was just the beginning. . . .

On the amphibious ship the 00 cyborgs were all gathered to plan their next strategy. The hatch opened and 009 wandered in, with a look of grim determination as he stepped up to the group.

Dr. Gilmore patted the young cyborg leader's shoulder comfortingly. "Glad you could join us, 009."

009 spoke with his head down in shame. "We failed to get Scarl or to find out where he has 003." It killed him to admit that but as the leader his sense of responsibility required that he had to. "But we have a plan and we're going to get her back."

Gilmore nodded, "As I said on the communicator before, you, 008 and 007 will act as decoys and 006, 005, and 004 will remain here at the Dolphin manning the weapons aboard ship. 002, you will use this." He held up a device that resembled a bazooka.

002 scoffed, "A bazooka? With all due respect, doctor, I fail to see how a bazooka will help to destroy a nuclear sub."

Gilmore allowed a smile to touch his lips. "This isn't a bazooka, 002. It is an electromagnetic device with an ultra powerful laser. But the electromagnetic beam is the most powerful in existence. It can attract any metal element, natural or man-made."

004 made a long low whistle. "Wow, doc when did you whip this little gem up?"

Gilmore smiled again. "Professor Kezumi and I were working on this back when we were battling Black Ghost. The true power comes from its size, because it is compact it concentrates its power. The principle is like that of a tornado, small and powerful. And we used lightweight materials to construct it to make using it relatively easy. You've been chosen to use it because you must be at a high altitude to fire it and you can fly to a fairly high altitude."

"Yeah, gotcha." 002 tried the weapon on for size. He was pleased to find that just as the doctor said, it was lightweight. He raised it to his shoulder with ease.

Pyunma called from the pilot's seat. "We're about 450 miles from the northeast of Japan."

007 announced, "Radar is picking up something below. A vessel that's about the same depth as we said Scarl was."

Gilmore nodded and directed, "Dock the ship and then deploy out 002, 008, 007, and 009." As the cyborgs went to the port to disembark, they cast surreptitious glances at their leader, 009. He was standing there with an inscrutable expression but his eyes were nearly black, the only sign that he was livid and that didn't bode well for Scarl.

The hatch opened to the deck of the Dolphin and before they all took off 009 commanded, "Make sure that we remain undetected until we begin luring them to the surface. 007, you transform and scout the perimeter and communicate the situation. 008 and I will follow. 002, you get to the altitude necessary for the weapon to be discharged."

"No sweat, Fearless Leader," Jet said airily. He took off for the moonlit sky, weapon slung on his back.

Joe scowled at the nickname. "Let's move out!" he barked to the other two. They dove into the waves. Joe then took a minute to reach in his concealed pocket and pulled out the sound wave deflection device for 003. He looked at it for a few minutes then replaced it in his pocket, diving into the waves after his teammates.

Once under the water, the three cyborgs swam rapidly to the bottom and traveled the distance to where the Black Ghost submarine was located, the shadow of the enemy craft about 100 yards away. 007 had transformed into a stingray, a bottom dweller so he could stay at the lowest depth. 009 gestured to 008 to go to the stern of the sub and he swam to the bow, both beneath the infrared eyes that festooned the sides of the craft. 007 drifted back and forth in his stingray form taking note of the craft's armaments.

For communication purposes on particularly difficult missions, especially those under water, the cyborgs had the capability to communicate telepathically to each other. They did that now.

**The infrared sensors are doing sweeps every 30 seconds** 007 stated as he floated near 009.

He nodded, **Did you get that, 008?**

008 replied, **Affirmative commander. What next?**

009 studied the situation critically. He then communicated to his comrades, **At the next sweep we'll make our move. 008 and I will draw their attention and lure them to the surface and you attach yourself to the helm 007.**

**Will do, oh captain, my captain** 007 answered, transforming to a barnacle and attaching himself to the submarine.

**I'm on my way** 008 said and he was off. 009 waited another 30 seconds and then he too was off.

Inside the sub the navigator called out, alarmed, "Black Ghost sir, there are two of the 00 cyborgs lurking outside the ship."

"Splendid!" crowed the skull visaged villain. "Begin pursuit for capture. I want the two of them alive for the time being." He whirled and entered the antechamber. "The time has come, my charming lady."

A black garbed slender figure with glazed eyes and golden hair turned with a frosty smile and remarked. "I shall be ready, master."

TO BE CONTINUED