Seven
---
As Lucas had feared from the start, being around so many unfamiliar people made Data Seven more than a bit antsy. He would break off despite his wounds, checking this person and that for scents. Seeing as how he'd just saved his life, Lucas couldn't complain. They only tolerated such large crowds because this was the closest city with an Airport.
Oh man, the airport. That wasn't going to be easy for Data Seven to cope with- Lucas still couldn't decide if giving him tranquilizers for the journey was a necessary move or the betrayal of a friendship.
This is to save Cyber Six, he thought to himself. Data Seven could surely put up with being locked in a cage for a few hours if it meant getting to her. He'd just have to stay with him the entire time until all pets were put in the cargo area.
As for Lucas himself, he had not experienced flight for six years, and nothing he'd seen or heard had convinced him it would be an enjoyable journey, or anything but a necessary leg of their quest.
First things first, he thought as both walked into a wide street featuring multiple apartment buildings. A stopover here, and then, once Data Seven was strong enough, onward to the flight he'd reserved after checking with his friend.
He thought for a moment. Geography was never his strong suit, but he knew that the closest northeast location not on this continent was somewhere near the United Kingdom. Hopefully there, they would finally find some answers.
---
The man who had appeared from the shadows to pierce Lucas' heart with a bullet wasted no more time in traversing his aim to the one he'd meant to kill, malice intent in his laughter and poise.
All at once, her eyes snapped back into focus from infinity, and she flew away from the shot faster than any human could track. She did not notice the vulnerable lack of garment, or question how it was that Von Reichter had survived. All she wanted was how to kill him for good.
Pantomiming an eagle, she swept downward from the curtains in her own room, aiming a straight punch into Von Reichter's jaw. He wasn't fast enough to shoot, and was knocked to the floor by her rage. Before he could stand, Cyber Six doubled back off the wall to strike again, and dropped into more traditional physical combat style.
Von Reichter was a genius, but his physical prowess was nowhere near that of any of his creations. Before he could react or shout, she slammed him noisily into a wall with both arms and shot a snap-kick into his neck, knocking the wind out of him. He could not hit the ground- she would not let him. Not after all he'd done.
And yet, what had started as a fall turned into a tuck-roll away from her. Something in his lab coat pocket hissed loudly, and the room was suddenly consumed with grey mist. It didn't last long, sucked out of the room by the storm in less than ten seconds, but ten seconds was enough for him to disappear without a trace.
Cursing bitterly, Cyber Six ran through the cloud, hoping to pick up a trail, a scent, something... but he was gone, off the open balcony that she'd knocked open earlier.
Without care as to who saw her, Cyber Six broke down on the balcony amidst the rain and permitted a few more tears to slide down to the edge of her face. The rain washed those away. The screaming need for justice, clear as Sustenance pangs, remained. No rain would wash that fire out of her heart.
Only one thing could do that. Trembling ever-so-slightly, she moved to don a silky black cape and cowl- one she never thought she'd use or need again, until today. Gloves on, hat on. Only one thing would wash the pain away- Von Reichter's blood.
Fully suited, she lanced out into the heart of the rain and lightning, in search of the man she would kill, or die trying.
---
Sensing the burning anger rising to a crescendo of hate, Grant opened both eyes wide and nodded. "She's ready. Wake her up."
The orderlies around him didn't budge, instead looking to their boss for confirmation. He looked back at the med ward around him solemnly, and regarded Grant dubiously. "Once again, I'm being asked to trust you. You're sure that she is as flexible as I wanted her, then I shall test her face-to-face. If she goes crazy and tries to murder everyone... well... you'll be in there too."
With that, he signaled to the chief doctor, who, from behind three layers of protection, shot 12 ccs of adrenalin into the Cyber's system through her temples, and withdrew them just as quickly.
Tentatively, in full knowledge that they were waking up the proverbial sleeping dragon, another man hit the trigger to shed the riotously tight cocoon of laminanium they'd spun around her on the table which had held her erect for nearly three full days, both arms coming out of the holes, while the rest simply lifted clear off the frame.
Neither of the two men who were within reaching distance of their subject showed the other any fear. They would have been insane, Grant thought to be absolutely fearless on the inside. There was always the slightest chance that he'd messed things up, that the fierce hatred he'd ignited into a roaring pyre would extend to all of them by association.
He held his breath as the last of the shell lifted, and Cyber Six fell to the floor knees-first, both eyes closed tightly into a slumber that had lasted nearly 100 hours.
"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty" he whispered to no one in particular. After the last few days, he could no longer deny that he felt a great attraction to this woman who's mind he'd completely permeated and rearranged. She had no secrets from him, and he was very much in love. Perhaps now, with that Lucas Amato person out of the picture in both reality and the fantasy he'd generated, there was a chance for them together.
He was greatly looking forward to sharing all his secrets with her as well.
The Cyber was still lying down, and Lord Marsden's men began to worry if they'd pulled the sedatives too late. Their boss certainly didn't feel like waiting around for several hours for their subject to wake up from dreamland.
One of them was just about to stammer a halfhearted excuse when the woman's eyes shot open, fully alert. The pyre still burned, and she was standing up with a manic energy to her movements even as Marsden looked her over carefully before trying to communicate.
"Cyber Six" he tried, seemingly thinking back to the script. "I heard about Mr. Amato... I'm very sorry."
He hadn't done a very good job of feigning compassion, but she didn't seem to notice that, or anything else save for the fat man in front of her, and the fact that her object of desire wasn't here.
"I want to help" he continued placatingly as she stepped forward, doubly concerned that Grant had made a mistake. "I know that Von Reichter created several artificial duplicates of himself, to try and escape you. I've managed to track down one of them, and it might be the real thing."
A black gauntleted-hand was suddenly at Marsden's throat, choking the life out of him. "Where is he?" ventured a steely voice, Cyber Six speaking for the first time in a week. "Where is Von Reichter?!"
Despite his predicament, Marsden seemed oddly calm and satisfied. "Of... course" he coughed. "He's at the... St. Elizabeth Cathedral, in London. I... only want to... help."
Releasing him, Cyber Six strode through the protective measures that swung open before her, eyes still half-shut. "Thank you." she breathed, and darted out of the mansion with vengeance in her eyes and spirit.
Marsden dusted himself off, tightened his tie, and smiled at her fading form, then at Grant.
"Mission accomplished. Come with me, and we can discuss your position in my inner circle."
---
M: Another short chapter, but I think I got the point across. Before anyone asks, Grant is not a Psycho Mantis-style telekinetic. His only abilities are to dive into minds and generate psychic illusions.