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12
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Genesis let out a soft cough as she laid in her futon. She was sick, and she could feel the congestion. It felt like someone was sitting on her chest. The French onion soup the woman had made to help her feel better, but not by much. It didn't help that her head felt heavy and it was hard for her to stay awake. She had tried playing a game against Koizumi, but couldn't concentrate. He was worried about her and decided to sit outside her door with his game. 001 was nearby, but far enough away that he wouldn't catch what she had. She burrowed deeper into the blankets when she heard footsteps approaching. Koizumi waved someone closer and she blearily looked over. 004 was standing there, a slight frown on his face. He seemed unsure of what to do, that or he had just been stopped before he went on his patrol. Anything was possible.
"Whats wrong, mr Koizumi?" 004 asked.
"I need someone to play against," Koizumi answered sparing Genesis a look. "Gen-Chan's sick and Gilmore isn't the best at this game."
"I'm afraid I don't know the rules," 004 gave his slight apology.
"It's all right, I can teach you as we go along," Koizumi said.
"Maybe I can sit down with you later when I have the free time," 004 said. "Right now I have patrol duty, it's my shift."
"Everyone around here seems so busy all the time," Koizumi commented, looking up as he placed a go piece down.
"We'll be out of your hair soon," 004 informed him, his dry humour showing. "I'm sure you'll be happy to see us leave."
"I'm not worried, having you all here doesn't bother me at all," Koizumi said chuckling at the soft snore coming from Genesis as she slept away her illness"Gen-Chan had a rowdy group of friends when she lived here, they like to check up on me from time to time. I like having people around. Good luck with your patrol."
Koizumi stayed playing his game as Genesis slept. Her dreams weren't good, no she was welcomed to blurry images and flashes of fights that she didn't know what was going on. A frown appeared on her face before she rolled over. It wasn't just the strange dreams. No, there was something else bothering her. Something that was on the edge of her senses and just slightly peeking inwards. Her mind flashed the image of the doorway that Edward and his father had opened up. She watched in horror as hands slowly rose from the doorway and wrapped around the man that had been the experiment. His silent screams of horror as he imploded, his body becoming a tiny ball before it rapidly expanded. It felt as though she was watching in slow motion, and from an outsiders perspective. Her fall and the breaking of her arm, Edwards impalement by glass, the lost of Doctor Teufel's eye, and the swift movements of 004 which protected her from giant shards of glass. Did she ever properly thank him for saving her life? She wasn't quite sure she did. Now she felt horrible for not doing so. A loud growl brought her attention away from her thoughts and she watched as an amalgamation of hands slowly moved around her unconscious form. It made 004 on edge, it worsened as she woke up a bit and commented that a message had been sent. The amalgamation laughed and she felt sick to her stomach at the sound. It was so many tones and so many different voices combined. She was thankful it wasn't attacking, and she contemplated being thankful for something that had already happened. The growl sounded right next to her and her heart jittered in her chest.
Koizumi jumped in surprise when Genesis bolted up right in her futon. Her breathing was quiet, a trait she had to learn so her family wouldn't hear how upset they made her growing up, but sweat was going down her face in rivers. She was shaking as well. Just what had she been dreaming about? She slowly got up from her futon and moved down towards a pair of sandals waiting for her. He raised a hand but noted her expression, it was distracted. He knew better than to stop her train of thought. She let out a harsh sounding cough and he frowned. That wasn't the normal sound of a cough due to a cold.
"Where are you going?" Koizumi questioned.
"They need help," she distractedly answered, fumbling with her sandal.
"You need rest," Koizumi stated and she stumbled as she got the sandal on.
She continued stumbling forward and he was shocked as she headed towards the craft they used as a small base. He got up and followed, his worried frown present, even as it began to rain. Her yukata, a small blue one this time, slowly began to stick to her skin. Even more a than it already did. He stopped under a tree and watched as she stopped and looked up, wondering where the rain had come from. There, his stubborn girl seemed to have snapped out of her strange trance. She looked around in confusion before settling on him. Her expression turned worried and she stumbled over.
"Ji-Chan? You shouldn't be outside," she softly said, before coughing that odd cough. "I shouldn't even be outside."
"You said someone needed your help," Koizumi informed her as they headed back to the house.
"I did?" so she hadn't been aware of anything.
She frowned slightly as they slowly headed back to the house. They beat the cyborgs back. Genesis stared at the pile of white goo that covered Geronimo and 008. She rubbed at her cheek in thought, curious as to how they were going to get them free. She sighed slightly, and felt the heat from her breath blow up in her eyes because of the mask she was wearing to stop from getting anyone else sick.
"I hope they haven't suffocated," Koizumi said, studying the two cyborgs. "They are completely covered in that goop."
"For short periods of time they don't need air," Gilmore stated. "But we do need to get them out."
"I hope I don't melt them along with that goop," 006 stated, looking at the goop in worry.
"It's all about timing," Gilmore said. "Just be careful how you use your flame."
"I believe in you, 006," Genesis said.
"I'll do my best," 006 confirmed to the two.
The compliment, and faith helped his concentration. He took in a deep breath and blew out a small string of fire. The fire hit the goop and the smell of an unknown substance made Genesis's nose crinkle. It was an unpleasant smell, it was so strong that she could smell it through the mask. Soon Geronimo was freed and he stopped to take another breath to get his flames ready. Geronimo moved out of the way, a groan of pain following his actions. Genesis gently helped him towards a couch and Koizumi joined. They got him sat down and he nodded his thanks towards the two. 008's yelp of pain and subsequent running around for their attention. Well, 006 got a bit carried away. Genesis opened the door to the sitting room and then the bathroom.
"008, this way!" she called and he rushed into the bathroom and quickly turned the water on, extinguishing the fire.
Genesis sighed in relief in unison with him. She got a thumbs up in thanks. She smiled before leaving the room to give him some privacy. Part of her wondered where the others were. Apparently, something had happened during the battle. Her footsteps, were quiet on the floor as she headed towards the balcony. 004 stood there overlooking the sea. She opened the door and he barely reacted.
"You all right?" she asked, her genuine concern causing his frown to deepen.
"He had a wife and kids," 004 informed her and she gathered he was talking about 0011.
"Black Ghost is an organization that doesn't care if someone's entire family gets hurt if it meant that they got something they wanted," she confirmed. "You seem like you're talking from experience…if you ever need someone to talk to feel free to unload on me I don't mind."
He didn't really trust how she put that. He watched as she awkwardly rubbed the back of her head. Even she didn't like how she had said that. Well, it was in the universe now. She couldn't go back on those words. She would be there for the cyborgs until she no longer could be. They deserved someone in their corner for everything they went through. She joined him in leaning against the railing and looking over the sea. Her mind soon wandered to the first time she had stood on the balcony. Her hair had been so short taht people mistook her for a boy. It didn't help that she had been malnourished, it was during the time that Ezekiel had been confronted about taking care of her. Her hacking had been noticed, and he had to give her back to their parents. They didn't let her out of her room until she was contacted to do an exchange with a Japanese high school. She took it the first chance she could.
"I lost my fiancé when we tried to pass through the Berlin Wall," he quietly said and her eyes widened slightly. "It was reckless on my part, and it cost me everything."
She was quiet and he saw that she was watching the sea, just letting him talk it out. She turned towards him and he didn't see pity in her eyes, but understanding. The understanding of loss. He was tempted to ask who she lost, but gathered she most likely didn't remember them, but knew she had lost someone. He leaned further on the railing and she went back to watching the waves. His earlier hesitation made sense to her. She contemplated letting him in on what she learned about him.
"You're a good man, 004," she quietly informed him.
At least one of them thought so. He couldn't help but he slightly angry at the woman. She tilted her head back and looked back at the door, seeing 002 standing there. He was angry at 004, and she nervously wondered if she needed to be a mediator. He looked towards her, and Genesis was surprised when 002 gave her a curt nod of greeting. She sighed quietly. She knew he wanted to talk to the German man alone. She sent 004 a worried look before stepping away from the balcony.
"Don't start a fight," Genesis softly requested and 002 shrugged his shoulders.
That was the best she was getting out of him. 006 caught a hold of her and she was soon helping in the kitchen. Her sleeves tied back as she helped him with some Japanese style food. She knew the recipes, and apparently she had written down several of them. She had trouble reading the handwriting do someone who didn't like waisting time. She blanched when 007 turned one of the cards upside down. It felt like she was being made fun of by her older brother. It was done in good humour, but she needed to see it so she could rewrite some of the recipes in legible handwriting.
"Oi," she huffed, reaching for it.
"How can you read it? It's so tiny?" 007 questioned moving the small card out of her reach.
004 walked past and checked in at the soft laughter coming from 006. Apparently, Genesis was able to climb people. She was reaching towards a card that was held in a hand that kept growing longer. She easily stepped onto 007's shoulder, showing a good sense of balance, and judging the distance. She jumped and they all blanched. She grasped the card in his distracted stated, and landed with some difficulty. Her knees had protested at the hard landing. She stayed down in a crouch for a few seconds. She used a nearby counter to get out of the crouch.
"How did you do that?" 007 asked.
"My older brother is taller than me, you get pretty good at climbing onto people when things are held over your head," she stated, remembering the time she simply stopped caring about being nice.
It had scared Ezekiel when she had done it the first time, granted she just needed that last part for the robotics exhibition. This time, she felt the strain on her body. She was too sick to be doing things like that. She needed a few seconds. Koizumi entered the hallway and noted 004 standing there before he swiftly left. He ran a hand through his bushy beard and wondered what that was about. He entered the kitchen to see that 006 had swiftly out the two brits to work. They were able to cook with ease, and follow instructions. Genesis was put on tempura duty, the fresh vegetables easily dipped in eggs and rolled around in seasoned panko.
Geronimo didn't mind the woman sitting down next to him as dinner was served. She was sick and obviously tired, but watching as everyone stared at the food in amazement. He didn't mind grabbing the tea kettle for her and she sent him a tired smile as she poured some into a cup for herself and grabbed a tea bag.
"Women are such fragile creatures," 007's words caused a slight hush over the table. "They don't have strong constitutions like we do."
"Good thing 003 can't hear you or she'd choke you with her weak hands," 006 dryly informed him as Geronimo gently put Genesis's hand down.
The men at the table would've turned a blind eye if she had thrown the shoe in her hand at the bald man. She put the shoe back on the floor and Koizumi accepted his sandal back. He innocently sipped at his tea. He knew better than to insult a woman, especially ones like Genesis or 003. They may be soft, but they could get dirty when they needed to. That one phone call about Genesis setting off an explosion in a lab after a boy harassed another girl coming to mind. He had been proud of her, and curious about the concoction she had used. A choking sound started to come from 007.
"Yeah like that," 006 said and everyone laughed.
007's coughing started to sound familiar and Koizumi's eyes sharpened. It was the same one that Genesis had been doing the entire day. He turned his attention towards the still sick woman and noted that she was connecting those dots as well, even as Gilmore joked with the man about Karma. No, this wasn't karma. This was something else. 007 collapsed and 008 followed suit.
"Oh no, my cooking making everyone pass out at the table," 006 stated, slightly horrified. "Now I'm feeling queasy."
Geronimo soon followed suit. Genesis got up from her chair in unison with 002. Her hands quickly set on Geronimo's shoulders. She could feel the heat even with the heavy cloth against her hands. Her expression was serious. Something was wrong with the cyborgs. But she didn't know what.
"What's going on?" 002 asked.
"Koizumi, what's happened to them?" Gilmore asked and Koizumi took out a small flashlight to check their reaction to it.
"It's serious," Koizumi informed them.
"Is it some kind of virus?" Gilmore questioned.
"It seems to be a delayed reaction to some kind of poison," Koizumi answered before turning to Genesis. "It works more on cyborgs than it does humans."
"I was thinking the same," Genesis reluctantly agreed. "You have my full permission to use my blood for any samples you need of it. We need an antidote and fast."
"Why should we believe him?" 002 questioned and he saw Genesis's anger.
"Ji-Chan is the worlds best biochemist," she informed him, her tone sharp. "He wouldn't go around making things up…if you can think of anything that might've poisoned everyone, it would be helpful."
Her tone and expression had softened at the later half of her sentence and he nodded. He made a mental note not to insult the people she cared about. She was oddly protective of them, but didn't give any care to herself. It didn't make sense with her dreams of becoming a cyborg. Just what was with her? She didn't make any sense at all. While they were with black ghost she was more aloof and cold, but now she was open and willing to show what she was feeling.
"The rain, the rest of us were out in it as well," 002 stated. "009 and 004 are out on patrol."
"Will you be able to warn them in time?" Gilmore asked as the downed cyborgs were starting to be moved.
"I might," 002 confirmed.
"He's coming here to destroy all of us," 003's words caused everyone to stop in their tracks.
They headed outside, knowing that they wouldn't be able to do much but act as a distraction. If 004 and 009 got there in time they might be able to revive the other cyborgs and give them all a fighting chance. Gilmore helped 003 stand, her exhausted state was noticeable. She needed more rest. Genesis simply studied 0011. He didn't look like a cyborg, more like a robot. It had to be the brain that was controlling the body. How could they do something like this? No one deserved to be change so much!
"Did black ghost send another one?" 002 asked.
"He didn't have to, this is the same one from this afternoon," 003 informed him, studying 0011.
"You can't be serious," 002 commented.
"I am, all his circuits were shorted out," she stated. "Black Ghost adjusted and reenergised his system."
"Are you sure?" Gilmore asked.
"Damn them," Genesis hissed.
"Everyone get inside!" 002 ordered.
Gilmore went to say something when he launched into the air. He was acting as a distraction. He was buying them time, and Genesis couldn't help but silently thank him. Gilmore and Koizumi headdd inside with 003 and Genesis stood back a bit. She didn't want him on his own. It was when 009 and 004 reappeared that she hurried to join the two older men. She quickly changed into her scrubs and hurried to the craft. Her good arm was cleaned and she winced as Koizumi took a sample of her blood and put it next to the samples he'd gotten from the cyborgs. He set to work, and she sat back, watching him.
"I wonder if they'll survive," Gilmore stated. "And if they do, will they retain their powers?"
"Relax, Gilmore don't be so edgy, it's a little distracting," Koizumi stated.
"I'm sorry," Gilmore apologised.
"What relations do these cyborgs have to you?" Koizumi asked, the door sliding open as 003 entered caused Genesis to greet the blonde woman with a worried nod.
"Relation?" Gilmore asked. "What do you mean?"
"Dear girl could you make up ten thousand milligrams of magnesium sulfate? I'd really appreciate it," Koizumi requested of 003.
"Of course, right away," she agreed, not minding at all.
"You seem to care an awful lot for them, I thought they were just an experiment to you," Koizumi stated.
"Is this really the time?" Gilmore asked in confusion. "We have to save them. I can't stand the thought of losing one of them."
003 brought what he asked and Koizumi gave her a kind smile. It was just like Genesis's smile. Ah, so that's where she picked up that trait. Her brother and niece had the giant grins that had to be genetic. She smiled back as a few drops of the magnesium sulfate was dropped into the mixture he had created from the two samples.
"There it's done," Koizumi announced, he turned towards Genesis and she grabbed a pack of clean syringes for him. "It looks to me like these people have become your family. Having family is a gift, nothing can take their place and nothing is better than being surrounded by them."
He was able to ruffle the red-headed woman's hair and she smiled slightly. He was happy to have his family back where they belonged, even if he knew it wasn't permanent. She would leave him again, but this time he knew she'd come back. He just knew. He prepared the syringes and sent 003 with the four needed for the men in sick bay. He was able to get Genesis with one and she rubbed at her arm before he handed her three more. She nodded and swiftly headed out. He believed she'd be able to get to them in time to save them.
"I guess you are my family, imagine that," Gilmore said, looking down at 001. "We're family, all right?"
He gave a soft laugh at something 001 said. Genesis smiled at the sound before the doors finally closed. She needed to get to them as fast as she could. She felt a bit better now that the antidote was going through her system. She didn't even know when Black Ghost had the time to poison her. It had to have happened when she was in the infirmary. She felt the explosion on her face as 0011 destroyed himself. Her expression saddened before she hurried towards the struggling cyborgs.
"Hey, anyone order an antidote?" she asked and 002 groaned.
She smiled slightly before dosing the two in the arms with a syringe each. It didn't work as fast on them like it did on her, she attributed that to still being fully human, but they did seem to feel a bit better. She looked around for 004 and found him behind some rocks, staring up at the night sky. She came into his line of vision and he didn't even react. She knelt and quickly gave him the antidote. She saw something small glittering on the ground and picked it up. It was immediately placed in 004's hand. She didn't even think, she simply closed his fingers around it. She heard help coming and stood up to wave at 003. They needed to get them inside, and soon. A night's rest would help push the antidote through their systems.
Koizumi looked at the woman the next day as they played a game of go. She was studying the board while 001 watched from his spot in her lap. The two were deeply interested in the game. He looked up as she went to move a piece. 001 tugged on her sleeve and she kept moving her hand until he stopped. She placed the tile down and he seemed content. His chuckle was happy. He waved politely as the German cyborg made his way over. He was dressed in civilian clothing, meaning he didn't have patrol. Koizumi swiftly ended the game and 001 let out a huff. Genesis couldn't help but softly laugh before shaking her grandfathers hand. 001 reluctantly following suit. 004 sent the small cyborg an amused smirk. He could hear the baby's muttering. He couldn't figure out where he went wrong. Genesis got up and moved to a different side of the board so he could play the promised game.
"Thank you for saving our lives," 004 thanked the old man.
"I'm just glad I could be of help," Koizumi said.
"I'm sorry about your house," 004 said. "You used to have so much space."
"I think the new size is just perfect for me," Koizumi stated. "As long as people live here it's home."
"You're very kind, Mr Koizumi," 004 commented.
"I'm going to give you a piece of advice, cherish your family," Koizumi said, and 004 halted in the process of placing a piece down. "If it falls apart it can't be easily rebuilt like a house."
"Oh, check it out," 004 said as he looked at the board. "Looks like I won."
"You beat me? It has to be beginners luck," Koizumi stated and Genesis couldn't help but laugh. "You can't be a better player than Gilmore, he cheats and even with his brainpower he hasn't won."
"I think I'm just a natural born player," 004 said and he smiled at the old man as he picked up a few of the pieces.
"One more game," Koizumi said and 004 chuckled.
"All right, but don't feel bad if you loose," 004 said.
"This time I'm playing for real," Koizumi stated, fixing the board and returning it to the first step of the game.
"I thought that winning the game was the point," 004 pointed out.
"I just got careless, I won't let it happen again," Koizumi huffed.
004 joined Genesis's laughter, even as she tried to stop. She couldn't believe that was was around to witness how petty Koizumi could be when he lost a game. 001 gently moved close to her, and huddled into her tan cardigan. She finally broke out some of her western clothing, the black shirt under the cardigan had a saying on it that she had covered up when 001 was handed to her to watch that morning. Still, it was obvious that she didn't mind watching over him.
"My bets on 004," Genesis stated and Koizumi let out a strange sound.
She sent 004 a slight wink and he smirked. It was a good day for some light hearted fun.
