xXx

9

xXx

Genesis nervously watched the metal door as she held a clipboard in her good arm. The scientist that had been in charge of the cyborgs had been collected and placed in a room together. Acting as bait to draw them out. Gilmore gently nudged her and watched as that nervous expression vanished from her face. They had armed the cyborgs, and the newest one should be able to help them. She looked down at the paper on the clipboard. Shimamura Joe, he was half Japanese and had a fairly well documented past. He grew up in a church. Yet, he killed the priest that raised him? That didn't sound right to her. She looked further into the paper and noted that it had been Black Ghosts doing. Of course. She shouldn't have thought otherwise. She heard a few soft clanks and looked down to see the cyborgs underneath the floor.

007 was missing. It was then that she noticed the extra body in the room. He slipped past her and slowly walked up to Gilmore. The plan was going just as it needed to. A sharp pain went through her head and she closed her eyes for a few seconds. It wouldn't do for her to get a headache now if all times. Perhaps her concussion wasn't better. Gilmore refused to let her fall asleep until he was absolutely sure that there wouldn't be any damage done to her mind.

"You've shown what the limits of your abilities are," a scientists stated and she wondered just who it was. "And we've programmed it into the system, one of our many fail safes."

"Stop this rebellion and return to the lab at once, we need to examine you all more throughly," Gilmore said, playing his part perfectly.

"No way!" 006 refused.

"Stop being so foolish, you have no free will," a different scientist stated and Gilmore was worried that Genesis would snap at them. "You are under our control."

She knew those words. She kept her expression clear of all emotion and watched as 009 recognised Gilmore. His eyes widened in shock before narrowing. His eyes met her's and she noted she was the only one not wearing sunglasses. They truly were playing up the part of evil scientists with those things. She inwardly sighed, it was such a serious moment too.

"Oh really?" 004 dryly asked, glaring at the man that was speaking. "You expect us to thank you for these gifts?"

"I suppose you would think it's a privilege to have our bodies tampered with like this!" 003 stated, and Genesis looked down at her clipboard frowning the slightest. "You kidnapped us just so you could remodel us."

"Remodel? Did they do that to me too?" 009 asked.

It was silent and Genesis wondered if someone was silently answering him. She felt like she was missing something. Like she should be hearing something that everyone else was, but wasn't. The scientist all narrowed their eyes behind their sunglasses and she started feeling very out of the loop. Her arm started to throb and she hit back the pained wince that almost slipped out. The earlier events were starting to catch up to her now that her pain medication was wearing off. She wouldn't take anymore, not until everyone was safe.

"Who is black ghost?" 009 asked and the one scientist let out a nasty cackle.

"How ungrateful you turned out to be," he stated. "You were given miraculous powers-"

"Freeze!" Cut him off, a laser gun pointed to his head.

Genesis recognised the voice with ease. 007 was getting really good with his shifting abilities. He chose the form of a balding old man, which fit in relatively well. She stood out like a sore thumb, not with the full head of copper hair, but with how young she was. The scientists all moved back a bit and Gilmore watched as Genesis slowly moved behind him. Doing as he asked her to do. It would make sure she made it to the escape plane as well.

"You're with the cyborgs?" the scientist asked in surprised.

"Strictly speaking, I'm not just with them, I am one of them," 007 winked at him, shifting back with a single touch of his bellybutton.

"Oh yeah, I forgot he wasn't down here with us," 006 stated and Genesis sighed through her nose.

It was the only sign she was amused by that as Gilmore posed to slowly tackle 007. He got a gun to the nose in return. Genesis slowly put her hand on his shoulder, letting the clipboard go. She was genuinely worried for him. Anything could go wrong at this juncture. Like a misfired gun.

"Sorry, but if you don't release my friends I'll add another nostril," 007 stated.

"Would now do?" Gilmore asked.

The scientists all moved away from the two as the cyborgs were released. More laser guns came into play and Genesis found one pointed directly in her back. 004 was the best one for that. He grabbed her injured arm on accident and she let out a soft hiss as he quickly moved her to stand next to Gilmore. He was needed ahead of them. He was their secondary tank after 005. She held her good hand up and dizzily walked forward. Her pain was in full effect, but she wasn't about to let it stop her from leaving with them.

"Don't shoot!" Gilmore ordered the soldiers stationed in the hanger as they entered. "They know the self destruct codes for the entire base. They've threatened to blow the entire place up! I'm the only one that can abort the sequence."

The soldiers lowered their weapons as the cyborgs entered the waiting plane. It wasn't their true plane. None of their things were there. Gilmore watched as Genesis swayed slightly as she joined him in the plane. She had an incredibly stubborn side when she wanted to. 004 and 008 quickly hurried to the cockpit where they started the plane up. The sudden air caused everyone's clothes and hair to move. Genesis made a face as her own hair slapped into her face in an oddly familiar manner. She frowned slightly. Why did it feel so familiar? Had something similar happen to her before? She didn't think it did. She blinked as 009 hesitated outside the plane.

"Get on," 003 stated, frowning deeply. "What are you waiting for?"

009 looked at 001 and Genesis was slowly piercing things together. At least, she was trying to. The brain fog did make thinking rather difficult if she were to be honest. He eventually got on. The cargo door slowly shut and the two humans put their arms down. Genesis couldn't believed that worked at all. They all moved to the front of the plane and she noted that 008 was piloting while 004 checked for explosives. He gave her a nod and she gave a small one back. Silent apology, but still she was thankful for it. 009 came up and held out the laser gun he had been lent by 004.

"Thanks, but keep it," 004 said, holding up his machine gun hand.

Genesis smiled to herself and went to talk to Gilmore about something. They hit some light turbulence and she held onto the side of the plane with her good arm. He was faring well, but had a worried frown on his face. She placed her good hand on his shoulder and gave him a tired smile.

"They still have a cybernetics department," Gilmore stated and she gave a nod.

"But they are missing a few minds that could push the designs further," she stated. "It might put their production on hold…hopefully."

"We should head back to them to talk," Gilmore commented and she removed her hand from his shoulder.

He was truly worried about the cyborgs. It was sweet of him. Then again so was she. It was hard not to be worried for them. If this ended badly they'd be turned into scrap metal and killed. She was sat in a chair by 003 when they entered. The French woman knew she was in pain just from hearing her heart beat. 001 was deposited into her good arm and she wondered what she was supposed to do with him. 003 gave her a kind smile and she panicked further. Was it a test? If so then why? She didn't want to drop the little guy on accident! The cyborgs, save for a slumbering 009, all tilted their heads at something and it clicked. The little guy was a psychic? Why couldn't she hear him? It wasn't like she could do anything like that…could she? She didn't know, and she didn't like not knowing. Her attention was caught by 007 giving a rendition of Gilmores earlier words.

"You've gotta admit it was kind of corny doc," 007 informed him. "You would've never made it in Londons West end acting like that. I can't believe they bought it."

"I thought my acting was quite memorable," Gilmore sheepishly stated making the cyborgs chuckle.

"I wonder why they let us go," Genesis softly commented frowning. "I was under the impression that Black Ghost didn't like anyone leaving unless it was from life."

An alarm came to life as soon as she finished saying those words. 001 gave her face a gentle pat in the manner that only a baby could, while 002 sighed in disbelief. She jinxed them. She was looking at the floor in utter disbelief. Talk about cosmic timing. 004 stood up straight before looking at their radar, there were so many keys heading their way.

"There really was no way that they'd just let us go, right?" 004 asked Gilmore.

"Sadly," Gilmore sighed worriedly watching as 004 and 009 headed to the small fighter jets in the back.

Genesis sat at the radar station and checked the small monitors. 001 fisted a small part of her shirt before resting his head against her good shoulder. She gave him the smallest of smiles, he'd be able to sleep soon. Her gaze sharpened as she ignored her pain and exhaustion and studied the small dots on the radar that indicated 004 and 009's positions. She pulled on a microphone to communicate with the two better, she was careful not to jostle 001 around.

"These look like black ace attack crafts," Genesis informed them, finally able to hear what was being said in the jets. "Best case scenario is that they're on autopilot."

"You hear her, 009?" 004 questioned the brunette cyborg. "Let's take them out."

"Why are they helping us?" 009 asked, confused by their presence.

"Doctor Gilmore and Doctor Marley planed our rebellion," 004 answered and 001 clutched onto Genesis's shirt a bit more. "Black Ghost deceived him to get his help…no one is quite sure about Doctor Marley."

"Our favourite daffodil is a confusing one to be sure," 007 stated, causing 003 to smack the back of his head for the injured scientist.

"We're glad they're on our side," 004 said, his statement making the other cyborgs nod.

"Who is the Black Ghost?" 009's question would go unanswered as the dog fight began.

001 was welcomed to the nervous energy that Genesis could exude when any of them were in danger. He distracted her by smacking a small hand against her cheek. She had to be used to small children, barely even getting angry at him. Her blue eyes softening slightly as she stopped worrying. There, he liked that she wasn't putting her emotions out anymore. He wanted to see what made her unable to hear him, and found the mother of all mental blocks. He couldn't even find a crack to get through it. He let out a soft huff and her gentle chuckle caused his cheeks to heat up in embarrassment. He wasn't just a cute baby!

Her gaze turned back to the radar as she watched 004's dot make quick work of the enemies surrounding him. It was incredible how easily they picked up on the weaponry and skills needed to pilot such things. She would never admit it out loud to the German cyborg knowing that it would just make him angry. Her cheeks burned slightly. Her pain was making her think some strange things.

"What can you tell me about black ghost?" 009 requested again, easily manoeuvring through his line of enemies.

"I don't know much except that they are a large scale death merchant," 004 informed him.

"I believe Genesis has more information on black ghost than any of us," Gilmore stated sending the woman a look causing her sigh quietly.

"Every single war between countries for the past sixty years has been due to black ghost," she informed everyone. "They have their hands in every country at this point and their influence is growing by the day. I wasn't able to find much out about their leader, there weren't any files on him."

001 nuzzled into her warmth as 004 bantered with 009. Genesis was slightly humoured but his quip of going to buy more ammo. He was oddly sarcastic. It was nice to see him break from his grief, even if it was only for a second. Her expression saddened when he likened himself to the jet. He was more human than a few of her old college mates. She sat back when the crafts had been taken care of. 001 got comfortable seeing as he requested she hold onto him until he could get around the mental block she had. Even as her relaxed posture and breathing slowly lulled him to sleep. The last time someone had been able to do that was his mother, before he became how he was. He clutched onto the cream coloured dress shirt that faintly smelt of crempog. Her warmth was a welcomed feeling compared to the cold laboratory they'd been in.

"She fell asleep," 006 commented watching as the female scientist quietly slept with 001 attached to her. "Poor dear."

"001 even fell asleep," 003 said, amusement showing through her anxiety as she looked at the two.

"Let them sleep," Gilmore said. "Those two will need it."

004 and 009 entered to cockpit and sat down in the free chairs. 003 mused how things changed when 004 took the spot next to the sleeping woman. He rubbed the back of his neck in thought, looking at their radar screens again. He could keep up the vigil. Island X wasn't too far from their current position.

It was the witching hour when they came across the island. Genesis had woken up again and 001 decided that he wanted to go back to 003 in case he fell asleep again. He was incredibly reluctant to leave the warmth he found. Their bodies were still warm, but not at the same time. It confused him.

Genesis watched as 008 worridley watched as they grew closer. They weren't going to have much cloud coverage. If they got caught on radar it was going to turn ugly and fast. He clenched his jaw as Gilmore studied the island below. There was a secret passageway that their fellow scientists told him about, he just needed to steer them in the right direction to find it.

"What do we do now?" 008 asked Gilmore. "At the rate we're flying right now we'll remain under the radar, but we'll most likely hit those cliffs."

"Don't panic, just keep this altitude and circle the island, we need to find an inner cove," Gilmore explained.

008 did as he was told and carefully manoeuvred the plane to turn around the cliff side. Soon, he spotted what they needed. A small alcove, barely noticeable from the air, was cut into the side of a cliff. Genesis held onto the radar station as 008 began to move the plane in for a landing. She was really starting to hate flying. It was ridiculous just how insane the cyborgs were when it came to this type of thing. Granted, they wouldn't get hurt as easily as she and Gilmore would. Everyone in the plane lurched forward and she made a slight sound as she was evicted from her seat by gravity. An arm wrapped around her waist as a second hand grabbed onto the radar station. 004 was keeping them in place, a look of concentration on his face. His grip tightened as 007 lost his balance completely and moved about the compartment. She ducked into his arm when they clipped the side of a cliff. She didn't like any of this! It was odd, that he was the one making sure she didn't get hurt, something she was forcing her mind to focus on so she would start panicking due to the high stress situation that was happening. They hit the water and bounced a few times as they hit small clusters of rocks. Each bounce caused the group to hang on for dear life.

"Aim for that cave!" Gilmore exclaimed and 008 did as requested.

004 and Genesis hit the radar station in unison as the plane finally came to a crash landing. His arm moved from behind her and she used the station to keep herself standing, her legs shaking as her heart hammered in her chest. Her face was slightly flushed as she fought to calm down. She didn't need for her body to give out under all the stress.

"Is everyone all right?" 002 asked.

"Define all right," 005 stated, he was on the floor holding 001,003, and Glomore up in the air.

"That was amazing how well you kept your calm," Genesis informed 008 and he bashfully rubbed the back of his head.

Even if he didn't care for the female scientist, it was nice to have someone appreciate his work. 004 held onto Genesis's good elbow as they disembarked. 006 went right to look, getting a campfire started and somehow getting ingredients to make food. Genesis gave 004 a thankful mod as he helped her sit on a rock with Gilmore. She didn't think her heart could take anymore excitement. Hopefully, they'd be able to get some form of rest. She looked up and noted all the bats. She slowly looked over at 006 and came to one conclusion. One had to do what they needed to survive. She was going to go pesicitsrian after all of this was over. Nothing but fish for the rest of her life.

"This is a good hiding place," Gilmore commented in a light tone as the cyborgs are to get their strength up.

"What about the other scientists?" 008 asked.

"They were supposed to meet us here," Genesis agreed, a small frown appeared on her face. "I hope they're all right."

"As do I," Gilmore barred. "I don't think you've met them yet, they moved to dofferent labs once you started."

"You never did say why you started working for black ghost," 008 pointed out.

Did she even know the reason? Her eyes glazed over as she thought about her reasoning. She wanted…to prove herself as a woman who could excell in their field, but what else was it? She couldn't come up with anything, just what was she forgetting? She had to have hit her head harder than she originally thought.

"I suppose it was just to show that women can do this job too, but I never expected the people we'd…enhance to be unwilling participants," she finally answered, feeling as though that answer was correct. "All of us scientists were lied to, told that what was happening was consensual on both ends."

She muttered something in Welsh that would've made Gilmore blush if he could understand the language. She had quite the sailors mouth when it came to her first language. She rubbed her hand against her cast. It was a gesture done in deep thought, something that they could catch her doing often.

"What we need is the aircraftthat is in this hanger, it can act as a mobile base for us," Gilmore informed them.

Them being the more serious of the group. 002, 004, 005, 008, Genesis, and Gilmore sat a little away from the others discussing their next move. 002 ran a hand through his lengthy red hair, he hated the position they were in. They were hiding like cowards instead of fighting their way through and getting to that aircraft. It was going to be difficult because of the two scientists with them, they would be slowed down with the normal humans.

"This can't be the smartest way to go," 002 commented.

"I think you'll change your mind when you see it," Gilmore wisely informed him.

"what we need to do is plan around the security they have here," Genesis stated finally getting her bearings, the fog in her had clearing up just the slightest. "When I was going through a few of there servers is saw a few explosives carefully placed within the island itself."

She bent at the waist and slowly drew the island in the soft sand at their feet. The cyborgs around her paid close attention as she marked each explosive with a stone. The entire island was rigged with explosives! 002 thought it was had before she pointed this out. She sat up straight and gained a contemplative look.

"The only thing I can think of doing is trying to hack into the main system here and delaying the explosion, I could buy you extra time," she informed them and Gilmore instantly shook his head.

He refused to allow her to put herself in that type of danger. She scratched at the back of her head in thought. Even the cyborgs looked like they agreed with him. It wasn't worth her life for a few extra minutes. She finally felt somewhat accepted by the cyborgs, but she could tell she still had a long ways to go. She looked back as 007 distressed 001. She was ready to get up and say something when 003 quickly took over. Her head snapped back as her green eyes looked around. She swiftly got up.

"There are bombers coming!"

her exclamation was met with chaos. Gilmore and Genesis were surprised when the ceiling collapsed. 002 acted quickly and grabbed onto the older scientist. Genesis ducked with 008 and 004. She winced and barely noted that the rocks were hovering above them until 008 nudged one of them. She seemed jusst as surprised as he did. No wonder 001 couldn't get through to her if she could do something like this! The two cyborgs easily moved the hovering rocks and she stared at the rocks. How was she supposed to drop them? She'd never done something like this before! She was startled by a rock breaking near them as 005 worked to get the others freed. The rocks dropped to the floor, thankfully missing their toes.

"The exit is blocked," 002 commented, frowning at their escape route being destroyed.

"We'll find another way out of this cave," Gilmore sounded so sure, and his expression lightened as his communicator went off.

It was time for the final part of their plan to be put into motion. They needed to get away from Black Ghost and then plan what they wanted to do from there. Genesis was tired of the fighting already, she would be happy to spend whatever time she had left making sure they were able to keep living their lives with ease. She wouldn't mind being an on call mechanic for them. She really wouldn't.

"They didn't say anything about the tight security," Gilmore stated as they came across the large metal door that would let them enter the secret base.

Robot sentries stood vigil in front of the door and 003 nervously looked at them. There were more beyond the door. It was going to a blitz just to get to their escape plane. 006 scratched his cheek in thought as the two scientists shared a look of worry. Even they didn't know what was going on. The others had split into another group and he was thankful for that. They were better at fighting than he was. An explosion sounded and alarms went off.

"Mobilise immediately to hang three!" A voice ordered over head.

Genesis would never say anything to 004 about being a natural leader. He was the backbone of the entire group of cyborgs. It was incredible that he didn't seem to notice it himself. He had come up with the idea to cause a distraction and it was paying off. She moved with Gilmore as 009 took care of the remaining sentries. They needed to head into the elevator and down. He took a while to join them, but soon they stood in the hanger, the freezing air causing Genesis's cheeks to turn a light pink and Gilmore to shiver. The aircraft was amazing, as loathe as she was to admit it, both air and sea would be its domain. It opened different pathways for them to travel through. The door sliding open and a pained grunt informed them that they weren't alone.

"Doctor Ryan!" Gilmore rushed over to his friend and colleague, catching him as the man fell to the ground.

"it's a trap," Ryan warned them, Gilmore brought his hand away from his friend and saw the red staining it. "Everyone is dead."

He passed, and flood lights lit up the area. It showed them something horrific. Even stronger robot soldiers were there, their sleek black design had allowed them to camouflage themselves with ease. 003 backed up a bit, 001 fussing in her arms. No one had been expecting this to happen, all their careful planning had been ruined. A cackle went through the area and 009 narrowed his eyes.

"Poor doctor Ryan," a voice said, the mocking tone angering Genesis.

"You bastard," she hissed at the human soldier with a large moustache. "Human life really means nothing to Black Ghost."

"Doctor Gilmore you created something amazing here, why would you go and betray us like this!" The man asked, his nature informing Genesis that he was putting on an act of sorts.

"When we realised what you were up to, we knew that we'd been deceived and wanted nothing more to do with you!" Gilmore angrily informed the man.

"Don't keep up that ridiculous act, you only say that so you can live with a clear conscience," the man retorted.

"How many, 003?" Genesis gently asked the female cyborg.

"A hundred, but they have strong defences," 003 answered. "If we have to fight, please hold onto him."

Genesis nodded and accepted 001. He clutched onto her shirt as she slowly backed up to stand next to Gilmore. They were behind the cyborgs, out of their way so they could fight without worrying. The man snapped his fingers and cackled as the robots began to advance on the small group. Genesis's eyes widened slightly when 009 seemingly vanished. They fitted him with an accelerator? That had been one of her ideas. A part of her was annoyed by that, but another was relieved. He'd be safe due to that speed. At least one of them would be. She quickly stepped back when a piece of metal came flying towards her. She had to protect 001 to the best of her abilities. He was far more important than she was. She let out a startled sound when 009 appeared before her, picking her up out of the way of one of the robots. He swiftly vanished and moved to get Gilmore. 006 was moved to burn a hole in the door.

"I can't swim," she quietly informed 001.

He patted her face before pointing towards the ship. She nodded her understanding and moved to get on top of it. Water hit the sides of the shop as she struggled to get up on top of it. The back of her shirt was picked up by 005 and she gave him a thankful smile as he turned to help 003 onto the aircraft as well. They were all good people, and they didn't deserve what happened to them.

"He detonated the bombs," Genesis stated, feeling the craft shake. "And released the robot loch ness monsters."

004 knelt down and his knee split open, allowing him to shoot rockets at the offending robots. They were waiting for 009 to return, they all collectively refused to leave him behind. The pale eyes were narrowed in concentration as each robot was carefully taken care of. 001 looked over Genesis's shoulder at Gilmore and the scientist gave him an unsure look. It was nice to see one of the cyborgs quickly taking to the red headed woman, even if it was the smartest one. His eyes widened slightly when 001 informed him of something. The block in her mind had crumbled a bit. Even if it was just a crack, it was progress.

"Sorry I'm late," 009 stated, landing on the hull as 004 let lose his last rocket.

"There's no time we need to get inside and going!" Gilmore told them all.

The inside of the newest craft was luxurious compared to the plane. Genesis still had a hold on 001 as she took her spot over at the motherboard that worked the entire ship. Oh the upgrades she could do to the system. She buckled in and 001 moved to sit in her lap. It was like he was her kid. She smiled slightly, before it turned sad. She couldn't think that way, she should never think that way. 003 was more like a mother to him, she was a lot like an estranged aunt. The craft started up as debris fell around it. She held onto the station she was at as it began to accelerate forward.

"We're almost there," 006 stated.

"Load the torpedoes!" 007 exclaimed watching as debris started to block their path.

008 hit a few buttons and Genesis slowly began to type at the computer, her one handed technique allowed her to send out the weakest, and more effective torpedo they had. The nearby explosion rocked the craft a bit, but they pushed through. There was hope on the craft as it neared the exit. They dove under the waves and under the massive explosion, quickly getting to safety.

"We escaped, but it won't be over," Genesis softly stated and 001 looked up at her. "An organisation like that will never give up…sorry that you can't get into my head, I don't know what's stopping you, but hopefully one day we can talk to one another."

He nodded and her soft smile was as bright as the sun that was slowly rising over the horizon.

"This is one of my old friends homes, he should still be here," Gilmore informed the group as they came to a stop outside of the Japanese sea side.

Genesis couldn't help but feel like she'd been there before. Like, she had fished at the small rock before and laughed with someone. A kind smile hidden by a large beard came to her thoughts and her head began to hurt. It had to be the concussion. That had to be it. They slowly trekked up stone stairs and the feeling of familiarity grew stronger, as did the pain in her head. This time the image of a smiling red headed woman in her thirties appeared and with it came a deep grief. She kept her poker face, knowing that it would be strange for her to start randomly crying. Gilmore rang the door bell and she uncomfortably recognised it. Just…what was going on? The door opened and her eyes widened in unison with the old man that had opened it.

"Ji-Chan?"

"Gen-Chan?"

"You two know each other?"

The cyborgs blinked in unison as the three humans all held deeply confused expressions. It was one hell of a coincidence. Gilmore rubbed the back of his head in disbelief, before realising something. The year of missing memories…could it be that she had been in Japan before? However did she do so? He hoped she regained her memories soon, even as his friend Koizumi quickly ushered them in with an energy he hadn't seen from the man in years. He was behaving like his child was visiting. He looked between the two of them and gave a tiny smile. Maybe it was a good thing.