Of Wolves and Devils: A Dark Angel Fanfiction Story
Special Feature/Alternate Take Story: CyberHell DarkSix
A Dark Angel/Cybersix Crossover Story
Author Notes: For everyone who might believe Dark Angel plagiarized Cybersix... I apologize in advance if making a crossover story with them offends you. But, I think there's room for both series.
Even if some things were inspired by Cybersix for Dark Angel's creation, the Dark Angel TV series is more like a loose parody of Weapon X from X-Men than a rip-off of Cybersix.
Also, to be fair... Cybersix is like a tightly put together collection of dark and bizarre horror stories crossed with a Nazi mad scientist and a sympathetic vampire like woman grown out of a tube. It's hard not to see strong parallels in this series to any series with complex horrors as a big part of it, like the animated Batman series or most any anime out there.
At least, that is my view on both series. Feel free to have your own.
But, if you like the idea of a dark Cybersix and Dark Angel crossover story, this story is for you.
Side Notes: If you haven't at least seen or read about the Dark Angel pilot episode, the episode Flushed, and the episode 411 on the DL, please do before reading this alternate take fanfiction story. It'll make more sense this way, since this is kind of after those episodes and kind of not in this story.
If you haven't seen or read the Cybersix animated series or the Cybersix comics... It's not required since this is also a alternate take on the world of Cybersix. But, if you want to, you can.
Most of the Cybersix comics are not in English, and so I couldn't really make heads or tails of them without a third person perspective about them.
I apologize in advance if I seriously misinterpret anything about Cybersix herself or her world in this story. But, please point out any serious misinterpretations so I can correct them.
Even if you don't want to watch the Cybersix animated series or read the Cybersix comics, you can look them up on one or more Wikis with directly related information.
The same kind of goes for Dark Angel.
But, in case you don't already know what I'd recommend here... I recommend looking up the side notes under my fanfiction story Fall of the Manticore for more info about it.
Not long before June 1 2009, somewhere in South America…
There's a coastal city: A city of romanticism, flexible classrooms, and a blend of wonders.
The name of the city? Meridiana.
Poverty has been a rising concern. But, no one wants to really change the city. Even gangs want to keep the architectural wonders and every one in the same places: So long as they profit off of them.
The dark brown almost orange roofed granite brick styled villas and gray almost clay like apartment buildings with tan walling go for miles. A knelt down giant gray angel statue of a man is front and center, against the shining glow of the setting sun off of the coastal waters.
The people were mostly surprisingly cheerful, chatting up storms with each other until it was time to go: Even with the occasional caught pickpocket. They often just let them go off with a warning.
Wages and tips were hard, and sick pay and workers benefits were getting harder to come by with each passing month.
The desert styled marketplace activity is getting less and less active as more people are going home with sack like shopping bags, gray to brown business suits, and tan green to bright yellow dresses.
Little do they know how much can change in a single night.
Along the coasts of South America and North America, there have been reports of "radioactive green zombie footprints" on the rise. But, most everyone just thought it was one big publicity stunt for a independent movie or something trying to one up the competition: Especially since they tested negative for radioactivity, and scientists chalked it up to glow rod residue.
They were all wrong: Very wrong.
But, there's one person who never doubted there was more to the rumors than meets the eye.
A figure with a classic Dracula styled cape with black and dark red is standing out on a flat rooftop: Looking out towards some very muscular sickly green looking figures with surgically grafted dead bat remains around the eyes walking down a alley, wearing large sized dark brown and gray pants. Quickly fading greenish glowing footprints are left in the cobblestone roads as they walk.
She wears a black gaucho hat, black high heels, black biker gloves, and a full body silk like jet black dress under her cape. Under her hat are hints of strands of comb like black hair parted to her left.
The name of the woman? Cybersix.
She faintly chuckles to herself.
She sees a boy walking with them: A boy with a short sleeved light blue formal shirt, a formal dark red tie, dark green shorts, reddish orange circle lens glasses...and one of the worst haircuts ever.
Most of his black hair is shaved to reddish sores and stubble, while most of the top is medium sized with comb like stands over his eyes. But, the glimmers of cruelty in his eyes are easy to spot.
With some amusement, Cybersix thinks to herself, "I can never get used to seeing Jose. To think he's a clone of the mad doctor that created me out of death and cybernetic implants. To think all it would take is a punch to take him out if it weren't for the Fixed Ideas he likes to order around. Faint chuckle. He sure is a "Fixed Idea" of his own."
Jose and the mostly short blond haired Fixed Ideas with him head into a mostly dark gray museum styled opera house. It may not look it from the outside. But, it's more extravagant from inside.
Cybersix goes after them, high jumping onto the roof of the opera house.
But, in the back of her mind... She senses a presence: A presence on her tail.
Cybersix looks around, a little confused. But then...all doubt goes through the roof.
A black panther with incredible speed leaps right out of the roof. Wood splinters to bits in the air.
Cybersix gasps...as the black panther tackle charges at her through the roof.
She coughs violently against some brown lined dark purple opera chairs up in a opera box.
The black panther goes to kill her: Pinning her against them.
But, even with her vision all blurry... Cybersix hard swings her leg into its side.
The black panther goes flying for a bit...before he rebalances himself in midair to land back on his feet over the wrecked chairs in seconds.
Cybersix starts to get up. Greenish dark red liquid drips a little from her side.
With her soft but almost energetic voice... She uneasily says, "you're a Data series. Now, I don't want to hurt you. But... Violent cough! I will if you leave me no other choice."
The Data panther coughs a little. Then, he growls menacingly at her.
From the sounds... Jose looks up.
He grins creepily.
On the wooden stage are razor sharp black missiles that some of the Fixed Ideas were building up, from a paint by the numbers styled white dotted light green blueprint pinned on a dark purple curtain. Even a child could read what the dotted hands are motioning to do on the blueprint.
The several Fixed Ideas turn to their master.
In grunting drawn out voices... Most of them go, "what?"
In a whiny and kind of gruff voice... Jose mutters lowly, "Doctor Reichter wants to send Data-7 to do my job? All right. I'll prove I can kill Cybersix myself! Blow up the missiles and let's go."
One of the Fixed Ideas goes, "huh?"
Jose sighs impatiently, "just go out! I'll have the fun."
The Fixed Ideas look a little confused. But, they walk out of the place without question.
Jose lights a match from under his tie, strikes it against a chair...and throws it at the blueprint.
The blueprint goes up in flames, melting down upon the missiles on the stage.
With a all too satisfied grin, Jose runs for it.
Meanwhile... The Data panther leaps to attack again.
Cybersix high flip kicks off of a chair, hurling it at him.
The Data panther easily claws through it. But, it's just long enough for her to side kick him down into another opera box.
It gives way in a crumpling cloud of dust, sending the Data Panther violently against the floor.
He starts coughing violently on his side. But, there's not even a scratch on him.
Cybersix jumps down to face him...only for them to both realize too late about the missiles.
They explode in a burst of flames, lighting up the curtains and the rest of the place in a inferno of crumpling stone and flames.
Left with very few choices... A teary eyed Cybersix mumbles somberly, "I'm sorry. But one day...you might even thank me."
She punches out the Data panther.
As more and more opera boxes come down though... Cybersix carries the Data panther out over her shoulders as she runs for it.
But, in trying to save him... The fallout knocks Cybersix and the unconscious body of the Data panther against the ground.
She falls unconscious. A black and white photo of two kids slips from her pockets.
By the time Cybersix gets up though... She breaks down into tears.
Meridiana is burning before the merciless full moon.
Shots are going off. Screams fill the night.
The sound of heavy footsteps of a army of Fixed Ideas are coming in her direction.
Cybersix is interestingly not physically hurt anymore. And, the Data panther is gone.
With a deep breath... She stands back up again.
Knowing staying around is not going to do any good now... Cybersix runs out of the city.
The giant angel statue is smashed by a Fixed Idea.
And, standing there soon after is the distant shadow of Doctor Von Reichter himself: Wearing his solid ghostly yellow circular lens glasses, and grinning creepily at the beginning of his reign.
Around this time, up in a house off the west coast of America...
A young Max with short hair and Lucy were under the gray stairs, hiding when they heard the sparks go off. Lucy thought it was her father breaking things in the kitchen.
Well...something was breaking up.
He was watching a sports game...when a sickly green fist punched right through the TV.
The sparks make him stumble back, his arms over his face.
He tears away his burning up jacket, letting it be put out by the sprinklers on the floor.
As he gets out a gun... He angrily says, "I don't know who the hell you are. But, you're go...!"
A Fixed Idea comes walking through the wall.
He faintly laughs, "I find man for Doctor."
The father struggles against the Fixed Idea grabbing him up. But, it does very little good.
The gun drops to the floor.
The Fixed Idea just walks out with his protesting body, not even bothering to check anywhere. Lingering greenish glowing footprints are left behind as it walks away.
Max whispers, "stay there. But, I think we're ok."
Lucy whispers very uneasily, "you're sure?"
With a hand on hers... Max insists assuringly, "trust me."
Lucy shakily nods: Still a little worried.
Max looks around. But, all that's left is a broken TV and sprinkler water.
She faintly smiles to herself, thinking it was a sign from God or something.
Max fast walks back down to tell Lucy.
Soon, they're both sitting on a light gray red cushioned couch: Just sitting there next to each other, faintly smiling in mixed relief.
Unfortunately... That relief isn't going to last.
Ten years later, in the year 2019...
Patches of jungle terrain and stacked up very dark green castle keeps circle around the very dark purple cobblestone. Lions, tigers, eagles, and snakes are many in the patches of nature left in this cold side of the world.
The night air is filled with stars and shimmers of fallen stars gone by. Swastika with dark green flags are over every jungle patch, like one big demented big top without the circus trailers of death.
Electric fences with silver tube plastered wiring go up and down: Even unnecessarily up walls to be all too easy killing machines for the occasional malfunctioning cybernetic abomination. Dried greenish dark red liquid rims down some of the fences.
Swimming pools and water coolers of the mystical glow rod green glowing substance powering Doctor Von Reichter's creations called Sustenance are everywhere.
There's no lifeguards. But, Fixed Ideas like to go swimming in the stuff: Even when they don't got to rejuvenate and refuel their very creation to stay reanimated, like all of Reichter's creations do.
Mostly physically enhanced Cybers and mostly mentally enhanced Technos patrol the night and day. They resemble humans: Much like Cybersix does. Datas get guard duty for the castles in key areas: Big Data cats and gorillas alike, with cybernetic fortified vibro-claws.
Simple Cybers are just humans with mind control implants.
But, with millions of these beings under the will of Doctor Von Reichter, why hasn't there been any free will for many a year and why did it become so easy for him to take over?
In light of Manticore's failings with the X-5s...Doctor Von Reichter found out about them through a advanced Nazi computer that could tap into any US government program's surveillance systems without detection: Devised by the Schutzstaffel.
He was a key player in their ranks, before the Allies won in World War II and he fled to the Amazon to continue his mad experiments as a war criminal kind of on the run.
Cybersix is all that seems to remain of the first generation of Cybers: Which Doctor Von Reichter systematically killed more than a decade ago for being genetically dispositioned to disobey. So, Manticore DNA was the best kind of sample to infuse in the procedure to change all of that super quick.
He captured some of the X5s with help from spreading out Fixed Ideas across the Americas: Super eager to experiment on even just one of them.
This invasion turned out to be a astounding success: Even to his and Jose's own surprise. They took over in a single night.
Determined not to make the same mistakes as before... He even went as far as infusing all his creations with Manticore DNA, and surgically planting mind control implants in his next generation of Cybers, Simple Cybers, and Technos.
Simple Cybers are just the rest of the millions of people in the Americas: Given mind control implants that broadcast their visual cortexes back through Doctor Von Reichter's hearing aid like yellow implant and to his computer. All to keep a eye on everyone, just in case anyone happens to try to rebel.
But, the thing with a cybernetically run security grid? It's not invincible.
Up in a castle keep...
Max is in a dark red lined jet black catsuit: With a formal collar and marked with barcodes all over, like she's part of a sick demented zoo and she got out on rental body snatching to make the rent.
As she makes out with a guy on the light green sheeted bed, arms wrapped around him...hints of her teary eyes are seen. Yet, her eyes burn fierce: Tempted to wring his Simple Cyber neck.
Max shakily thinks to herself, "what a girl with girl power kept in her has to do to survive on the wrong side of the wall and not go all on the run. I tried to kick these Fixed Ideas on their asses. I tried to find a great big Space Needle to hide out in. But... Deep sigh. What I had to do to survive. Sniffle! Sniffle! Sometimes, I think the world has gotten too broken to care about me in it. Maybe I should just die. Sniffle. Sure wouldn't feel as worse as what I'm doing now."
Darren's tan green T-shirt and jet black jacket are off to the cobblestone floor. The Simple Cyber this time is him.
He moves his arms down to her waist. He's unzipping the zipper in the catsuit between the legs.
It's not long before he's giving himself a "private show".
Max shakes and groans with unease and sobs. But, Simple Cybers are so easy to overload in every way. Even their cybernetic implants go hazy from close contact of the more pleasurable kind.
They never can tell when she cries.
Not long after... Darren collapses over the covers from exhaustion and creepily fueled pleasure.
Max grabs some toilet paper from the bathroom: Soaking them in water and foamy light green liquid soap to put over her "more sensitive" areas.
She then closes the black bathroom door behind her: Taking off Doctor Von Reichter's prostitute issue catsuit on her and taking a shower to wash as much of the germs as possible.
As the shower goes... There's no more tears tonight. Just sore teary eyes, burning with bottled up rage of several years for a certain doctor.
A half hour later...
Max is all cleaned up.
She's walking past the jungle patches. But, she doesn't even stop to look at the caged anymore.
With pulsing rage in her eyes... Max slowly walks around: Looking over her shoulder for any Simple Cybers or not so simple creations walking about.
With a shaky aching crouch that even Doctor Von Reichter would pity... She thinks to herself:
The escape from Manticore was not my idea. I mean, escape to what? We didn't know there was anything else out there.
Now though... It's all worse.
A taste of freedom. Lucy's abusive father taken or dead.
Then, another night comes and goes... Sniffle!
And, it all seems like it meant nothing.
Sometimes it seems like it was all a dream. Like maybe it was a story I heard.
The hardest part is not knowing if any of us back at Manticore made it.
Lucy killed herself years later...after I had her back for so long.
She blamed herself for me putting out for the boys just so she can survive. And then one day...it was just too much.
Sniffle!
I've realized that maybe they're the only family I have. That maybe Zack or the other kids in the X-5 family are living on the run, always looking over their shoulders.
If I knew for sure I was the only one left, it would be worse. At least I could make up lives for them, like maybe Jondy's a fashion photographer or an architect.
The truth is if I find out I'm the only one out here, out on one big con job I'm tripping behind...
Nothing will mean anything. And, I'll end up like Lucy: Kicking herself over surviving one more time before getting myself killed.
Sniffle!
I hope that Zack is out there: Out in Meridiana.
I went through just about every other keep, "buying up my own commerce" with the cyber dogs in this non-commerce hell of a broken world. The only ones left are there.
I never got the chance to thank him. And, in a destiny kind of thing...it's the only sure as hell thing to keep me going for real.
I don't care if it's another brother or sister: So long as it's another brother or sister.
But, for the first time in years... I'm afraid. I'm so afraid.
Sniffle! And, that kills me more than just survival in a cybernetic run Nazi kind of hell.
A hour later...
Max easily jumps over the large fence.
The villas, the apartments... It's all up in very dark purple and very dark blue roofs and cobblestone. The remains of the angel statue lies in the center square: Collecting dust in a patch all its own, with a great big flag tarp over it flapping in the wind.
Not much anyone seems to be out this late: Not even the Fixed Ideas.
Max breathes a little sigh of relief. She seems to have timed it right.
But then, much like a foggy dream... There's Zack: Faintly smiling and standing there.
Max looks stunned.
She somberly checks, "Zack? Why didn't you tell me you were out this late?"
She's about to hug him. But, strangely...Zack just steps back.
Max snaps out of it long enough to see the jagged black rifle out in his hands...and the blank brainwashed stare looking back at her.
Almost robotic, Zack declares, "it's good to see you, sister. Doctor Von Reichter would like to see you and get you in the morning."
Max high jump kicks away the rifle. It goes flying.
Enhanced with cybernetics though... Zack is faster.
He violently punches Max backwards in her side, knocking her down.
Max coughs up dark red liquid as she clutches her heavily bruised side.
And, with the "commerce" she's been up to lately this very night... She lies there: Too exhausted to put up a real fight.
The last thing she sees there is Zack's foot kicking her.
A few hours later...
Max comes to...in a vat like prison cell.
Very dark purple pipes go across the walls. But, they're all electrified with little pale yellow knob like things: Pulsing with sparks.
Max is about to pound on the walls. But, with herself still more than a little shaky...she thinks better of it.
Teary eyed again... She mumbles to herself, "I'm sorry. My God, Zack, I'm so sorry! Sob!"
She pounds on the floor in frustration: Not knowing what else to really do.
Even if she pounded down the walls, the electricity would get her unconscious again. And, ninety Cybers with rifles like Zack's and formal light blue uniforms are around her cell at all times.
The floor cracks. But, only little by little.
She thinks of just throwing herself on the sparks: To just kill herself and not have to wake up to whatever horrific thing Doctor Von Reichter would want to do to her.
She almost does...when her acute hearing picks up something unexpected.
Max pauses: Bending over still to play crybaby in case a Cyber comes in to check on her.
She faintly smirks to herself, "still... Maybe that would be my big deal of a escape. Faint sniffle. Faint laugh. Kind of funny how guys and girls can cling to hope on the wrong side of things."
On the other side of the cell...
A guy with bunched up black hair and some strands of comb like hair is walking with some Cybers, escorting him down the hall. One of them is a cyber with medium gray hair.
The guy wears a dark brown overcoat and circular lens glasses. His name is Albert Sorberan.
He's classified as a Investigator: Doctor Von Reichter's special kind of Technos and Cybers for dealing with runaways and malfunctions. Violently and with not much trace left.
He uneasily says, "thank goodness you're here."
With a slight nervousness to him, Albert Sorberan figures, "don't thank me. This is just my job."
The first Cyber apologizes curtly, "sorry, Investigator."
Albert Sorberan insists, "it's fine. Now, what was so urgent?"
The first Cyber answers solemnly, "we'll show you."
The second Cyber opens a black door for Albert Sorberan.
He stays in the first Cyber's shadow while they all go in.
They come into a control room: One with a advanced Nazi computer with light brown framing, looking like something out of classic Star Trek.
On the screen are the eyes of Eyes Only: With cybernetically enhanced solid red contact lens, pulsing with bright yellow sparks. They're teary eyed with every blink.
Over and over... The broadcast cycles on, "this is a self Streaming Freedom Video Bulletin. Sniffle. It cannot be traced. It cannot be stopped. And... It's the only free voice left in this cyberhell. Sniffle. It's time to wake up from the implants. It's time to fight for freedom from evil incarnate. Or, the world will soon be his. And, no one gets to really wake up."
The first Cyber mutters uneasily, "the Doctor wants him killed before it gets worse. He's already corrupted the west coast of North America with his call. That was just on a Monday."
Albert Sorberan brings up, "he can hack people and computers?"
The first Cyber just blankly stares at him like it's obvious.
Albert grimly sighs. He insists, "I'll get it done. Guard the room. If he starts to hack you, call."
The two Cybers robotically nod as they leave the room. The first one closes the door behind him.
Albert sits down at the computer. But, interestingly...he suddenly smirks.
He breathes a heavy sigh of relief as he takes off his overcoat, revealing a bunched up Dracula styled cape and a silk like jet black dress.
Cybersix unbunches her hair back to her fairly long strands of comb like hair parted on the left, coming over her eye. She puts on her gaucho hat and gloves. She starts to swap boots for her high heels.
The message suddenly changes.
Eyes Only asks her, "you ready?"
Cybersix solemnly nods. She lightly remarks, "I've had years to be ready. I'll be ok."
Eyes Only adds, "good. I already hacked into the prison's database. She's in cell block J2."
Cybersix figures, "all right."
She presses some buttons on the computer, cutting out the transmission.
Not long after...
With some sparking off knob like things in her conductive gloves... Cybersix uppercuts a Cyber into two other Cybers. The Cyber is shut down easy.
The other Cybers come charging for her with rifles.
One of them calls out, "Cybersix: Get her!"
Cybersix runs behind a corner. Gunfire nearly hits her.
She calls back, "is that all you sparkheads got? You could fizzle out anytime now."
Four Cybers speed charge for her. But, she flip kicks off of two of them before they can fire.
Cybersix runs for some cell blocks. But, she doubles over against a black door.
Greenish dark red liquid drips from her side. All that from one lucky shot.
Cybersix groans violently.
But, she swiftly pulls the door open: Blocking incoming fire bouncing off easy.
Most of the rifles explode: Taken out by their own fire.
They clutch their pulsing hands: With greenish dark red liquid cuts all over.
They're healing themselves, with little bright green Sustenance glowing over them. But, even that takes a considerable bit.
Max looks up at hearing the door open.
Both unsure and yet not... She's quick to ask, "I take it you're the Cybersix?"
Cybersix solemnly nods, "I am."
Max kicks off the door with a kick to it.
Most of the Cybers go down all too easy, knocked out by it.
With very mixed relief, Max faintly smiles, "right behind you."
Cybersix uneasily runs on for the door out. Max runs to catch up.
Max comments, "least a ass kicker like you came to get me out. Took you long enough though."
Several more Cybers fire at them with rifles.
Max and Cybersix flip kick off of some of them to take them out.
Max punches down at another, swinging the arm with the gun into another Cyber before tossing the guy with the gun into a wall to take them both out.
Cybersix blocks two Cybers from trying to flip kick her down with her arms up.
She reactively clutches her pulsing bruised arms. But, Cybersix high jump kicks both Cybers against the wall. It collapses in on them in dust.
With mixed faint smiles towards each other, Cybersix and Max run on for the door.
Feeling a little more comfortable now... Cybersix admits, "it's kind of a long story. But, it wasn't easy. I had to come in as Albert Solberan to get you out."
With a faint laugh, Max smirks, "must be into crossdressing then. Now there's a picture."
She pries open the door, letting it fall in a heap against the wall.
Cybersix reasons, "not often. But, sometimes. It's a long story of its own." Max comments back, "I'm sure it is."
Max goes to head out. But, she pauses.
Cybersix has propped up one of the unconscious Cybers so she can lean over its neck.
Looking at her funny... Max goes, "what the hell are you doing?"
Cybersix pulls herself away: Some Sustenance on her lips. A teeth rimmed cut on the Cyber's neck is slowly healing back up with faint glows of Sustenance.
In seconds though... Cybersix's side glows in Sustenance. And, the bullet falls out of her side like nothing happened there.
She bends her lips in to get rid of the glowing Sustenance on them.
She then awkwardly turns back to Max.
Cybersix admits, "I'm not happy about it. But, I need Sustenance to live. The neck is the only way to get concentrated Sustenance in a body, and security around the pools is a nightmare."
Max solemnly figures, "you didn't have to go into all of that. I understand. Come on."
Cybersix faintly smiles with some relief as they both head out the open doorway.
Max is quick to add, "still... You're not the only one who's got to take medicine to keep going."
They both run.
They easily jump over the electrified fence: Even as twenty more Cybers open fire at them.
They land on the other side in one of the courtyards, unhurt and still going.
Cybersix faintly smiles back, "it looks like I'm not the only one with some long stories. Maybe we'll compare notes someday." A little amused, Max figures, "maybe."
Several hours later, as the sun starts to slowly come up...
A mostly dark brown moving van is driving down the courtyards, with a dark green lined very dark red front on it and Cybersix in the driver's seat. Two way mirror windshields with solid yellow tank armor mask their presence from view of passing by Fixed Ideas and Cybers.
In the empty light yellow back is a rocking back and forth shaking Max, taking some Tryptophan Cybersix came prepared with.
Still kind of exhausted, Max kind of weakly says, "thanks."
Cybersix says assuringly, "you're welcome. Before I left the west coast, Eyes Only got some from a pharmacy with cobwebs over it."
Max faintly smirks, "guess there is some mirth to find in cybernetically run hell. So, who is this Eyes Only guy? I heard of him a little. But...it would do some good to hear it from you."
More than a little uncomfortable, Cybersix says, "after years of looking for someone that can."
Black and white flashes go by: Of her secret identity of Adrian the literature teacher, of thinking out loud to herself in the night in her dimly lit apartment in Meridiana, of barely fighting off Fixed Ideas on her own, of hanging out and having coffee with a stupid but well meaning muscular biology teacher with frontless medium almost mullet like blond hair named Lucas Amato as Adrian...and of finding him in the wreckage of one of Doctor Von Reichter's castles and crying over his burned up corpse.
Teary eyed, Max uncomfortably says, "I'm sorry."
Teary eyed, Cybersix insists, "it's ok. You didn't take over the Americas. My creator Doctor Von Reichter and his clone child Jose did."
Max mumbles under her breath, "damn. We're both kind of like Frankenstein then."
Cybersix stops the van for a bit. She turns to her, "sorry. I didn't get that." Max awkwardly figures, "oh. Just thinking. Still...it would be good to hear about this Eyes Only. If you're cool with it."
Cybersix solemnly says, "ok."
She goes back to driving.
She explains, "he's a Techno. Not even I know how he did it. But in recent months, he's broken free within. He's more machine than human. But, he can hack anything: Even brain reconfiguring implants. We freed most everyone on the coastal cities. But, even he can't hack into Doctor Von Reichter's castle without getting locked out. Eyes Only thinks you're our best hope for getting in."
Dead serious, Max reasons, "well, if we can kill mister Doctor Mengele himself and stop his fascist rule...I'll sure as hell take it. What should I do?"
Kind of nervously and kind of not, Cybersix points out, "even with the fascist rule...I'd like him to be locked up if we can. But, yes: I get it if there's no other way."
Not sure what else to add, Max says, "I guess thanks?"
Cybersix nervously realizes, "oh. Yeah. What you should do. It looks like Doctor Von Reichter's implant can make him put up protection just as quickly as Eyes Only can hack it. You would come with me and find us a way in. Turn off whatever it takes to let Eyes Only in and free everyone from the mind control. It looks like it's that easy: If he can hack it."
With some relief, Max faintly smiles, "cliques mostly on our side. Sounds good." She's thinking of Zack as she says it.
With mixed relief, Cybersix adds, "I know how that feels."
Max can't help but ask, "what's up?"
Some tears fall from Cybersix's face.
She somberly admits, "that day... That day he took over... It wasn't long before he burnt down every thing and everyone I cared for. I have a alive corpse. I keep telling myself that death is easy to change back. But, as years of running came and went... Sniffle. I realized that isn't easy: Not even for me. After this mission though...I'm hoping it can all get easier."
Teary eyed again, Max nervously says, "I'm sorry. Been kind of on the run myself...and hoping for same. I know what it can do to you."
Cybersix solemnly adds, "thanks. That does help." Max adds, "sure."
She wonders, "so...if you don't take that Sustenance junk... You turn back into a corpse?"
Cybersix figures, "yes. It's not something I like to think of. But, yes."
Max comments, "ouch."
With a faint smile, Cybersix highlights, "it's ok. After dying young and coming back alive as a freedom fighting Cyber, everything else has seemed easy."
Sounding kind of stunned and kind of not, Max goes, "nice."
Cybersix lightly acknowledges, "thanks."
One night later...
Max is no longer in the dark red lined catsuit. She's now in a jet black catsuit.
Cybersix and her are standing on a mountain, covered in jungle bushes and observatory styled watchtowers of mostly pale grey with dark grey satellite dishes. A Dracula styled castle in very dark purple with gray tube covered wiring down its sides stands on top: With many Data series on guard around the rock ledge before the entrance.
They're catching their breath on the rock faces.
It's been a long climb on account of how high up it is. It almost rivals the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Cybersix checks, "you ok?"
Max tries to assure her, "yeah. Can't really be feeling down with a classic."
Cybersix faintly smiles. She says, "thanks. I picked it myself. But..."
Max asks, "what?"
Cybersix concludes kind of nervously, "come on, Max. I see something is getting you feeling worse, and it looks to be more than just a dress."
Max deeply sighs, teary eyed.
Looking right at her... She grimly voices, "damn straight there is."
With concern, Cybersix questions, "what's wrong?"
Finding it hard to look at her or the night sky... Max somberly mutters, "nothing to do with you. Just... Sniffle. Sometimes I don't know if there's even going to be a tomorrow. Sometimes...I don't know if I can even take being alive."
With her hands sympathetically on her shoulders... Cybersix tries her best to assure her, "Max... Deep sigh. I know it's going to sound like I don't care. I know I don't understand everything you've gone through. But, don't worry. It'll be ok. We got good on our side this time. There will be a tomorrow. We just got to see this night through."
With a sniffle, Max wipes away her teariness.
She says, "thanks. I needed that. I just hope it'll be enough."
Max is tempted to hug her. But, with years of putting out still creeping on her mind...she can't bring herself to just yet.
Cybersix faintly smiles. She says, "I think it will. Let's go."
They both start running up the mountain again.
Somewhere up on the west coast of North America... Eyes Only is in his own metal chair, dark blue lined and mostly black with some speakers to act as improvised comlinks via implants within his own network of Cybers and Technos. Through his cybernetically enhanced solid red contact lens, he's watching over the Simple Cybers's surveillance network of implants.
He's sweaty like crazy. But, past the lens...there's cold determination: Just aching to be let out.
With a cold tone...Eyes Only orders to his followers, "go."
From North to South America...
Cybers and Technos free from the evil doctor's clutches are charging for the castles en mass, with rifles blazing and legs kicking down the suddenly electronically disabled metal doors.
Data series, Cybers, and Technos fight back.
Some of Eyes Only's Cybers and Technos go down, coughing violently over themselves without more Sustenance to grab. But, with electrified gloves punching them down and catching their superstrong fits, they're falling unconscious by the thousands.
The war seems to be a easy win by the sheer unexpectedness of so many on Eyes Only's side.
Still... With Cybers with rifles of their own and the Fixed Ideas massing after them... Gunfire is beginning to kill them en mass: Unless someone puts a stop to it all in time.
Meanwhile, back on the mountain...
They're several rock ledges away...when a certain Data panther comes walking toward them, carrying a certain black and white picture.
Max gets ready with her fists. But, Cybersix gets in front of her.
Cybersix lowly goes, "wait." Max looks fairly confused, "what?"
Cybersix figures, "long story. But, it looks like he might not want to hurt us."
Max warily comments, "ok. I believe it because you're a friend. But, don't make this about me if he kicks us on one of our asses."
A little amused by her language, Cybersix faintly smirks, "don't worry about it. I won't."
Max faintly smirks back.
With a surprising quietness, Data-7 drops the photo on the ground and steps back a little. Cybersix bends down to look.
She gets a little teary...recognizing it as the same photo she lost years ago.
It's of two slightly smiling little kids, with formal short sleeved shirts and hints of deep stitching around their foreheads. One is a girl with medium comb like black tinted hair parted on the left, much like Cybersix's. The other is a boy with black tinted medium hair.
In black and white... She thinks back to when she and the boy were playing in the Amazon on a rainy stormy day. They were running around the trees, looking for flowers when he thought he could find them easier by climbing one.
But, with how slippery the branches were... He fell several feet.
The young Cybersix rushed back to a blurry picture of a camp to get help...as the boy's consciousness started to slip. His designation was Cyber-29.
In black and white... Data-7 thinks back to Cybersix's words, "I'm sorry. But one day...you might even thank me." He sees Doctor Von Reichter grinning triumphantly at him under a medical bed...and the fresh deep stitching around his very dark reddish panther forehead.
Presently... Cybersix sees a slash next to the boy in the photo, but not over him.
And, as she picks up the photo to look at the back... She realizes she doesn't have to.
She sees little rocks where it once was: Making the shape of the light red jungle flower they searched for all those years ago.
Fairly stunned, Cybersix thinks out loud, "you...are Cyber-29. You're alive."
Data-7 faintly nods, just standing there.
Cybersix hugs him. He nuzzles and licks her a little.
They're both smiling with relief as Cybersix lets go. She gets up again.
With a faint smirk, Max says, "must be some long story you got. And, I don't mean to be a pest. But, we still got a mission here."
Cybersix firmly nods, "I know. But, he's my brother."
Max is suddenly looking a little weirded out. She says, "o...k. Sorry. I get it. But, still: That's sure as hell some image."
Cybersix insists assuringly, "no, I'm sorry. I didn't know it would. It's ok. Let's go."
Max adds, "thanks."
The three of them start heading up more of the mountain.
Cybersix figures, "you're welcome. Although, if Doctor Von Reichter doesn't know he's been alive all this time...maybe Data-7 can help us get in all the easier."
With a faint smile, Max figures, "all right. I'd be game."
Several minutes later, up on the mountaintop...
After a exchange of little roars and hisses... Data-7 leads Max and Cybersix inside: Past all the Data cats and the kind of confused Data gorillas scratching their heads.
The metal door automatically opens and closes behind them.
Inside... It's like one big gothic mansion.
Dark purple chandeliers of metal knob like things spark like mad. Arches over the metal gated ways glow with flowing Sustenance in their see through tubes. Gray vampire bat statues stand along the railing for the intersecting double staircases, meeting up at one very dark blue lined bright green rimmed advanced Nazi computer: With a sparking off chandelier over it, and a gray metal gate styled chair.
They start to go up the stairs...when Max pauses.
Max says, "actually...I think I'll see about getting the mind control implants to go down hard."
Kind of confused, Cybersix turns back to her, "o...k. You sure it's what you want?"
Max reflects, "maybe I want to kill Reichter for leaving this side of the world broken. Still... Meridiana is your home. And, you're the best guys we got to take him on. So, go. Kick his ass for me."
Data-7 purrs a little over it. Cybersix faintly chuckles, "ok. Thanks."
With a faint smile, Max adds back, "sure."
Cybersix and Data-7 run up the steps ahead of her.
Lightning blasts come down from the chandelier above. But, Max throws some kind of big rocks she got from outside in its way: Exploding in dust in the air.
From the other side of a second advanced Nazi computer in a dark room... A teenage Jose sees the three of them briefly on the security camera feeds. He looks stunned, "what?! I thought I killed her. Laugh. No matter. I'll kill her before "good father" wakes up."
Back on the steps... Max quickly presses some buttons and pulls some switches at the computer: Shutting down all the chandeliers and security feeds.
With parallel processing on her side, she also quickly figures out how to lock onto every mind control implant across the Americas. They show up as greenish black skull icons on a grid of tiny dark purple castles, like it's a game of Crystal Castles with grids to the power of ten.
Max beams at this. She thinks to herself, "not even hiding that you're a Neo-Nazi bent whack."
From behind her though... A trapdoor opens.
And, there is Jose: With a collared light blue short sleeved shirt, blackened teeth from so many years of not brushing much, army boots and very dark brown jeans, and his hair over his eyes to the point of his glasses being almost like goggles. He's also carrying a glowing metal pack with a gray hose.
He calls out, "no! I'm not letting anyone wreck our cities: Especially not some X-5 army bitch."
Max mutters back, "you know what your problem is? Your fascist ego is larger than even Reichter's ass."
She presses a button to shut it all down.
Everything goes dark as the lights go out. The skull icons are briefly seen being replaced by Eyes Only logos seconds before the computer goes offline.
Around this time, from North to South America...
Every Simple Cyber, every Cyber, every Techno... They all kind of pause: Very confused and cautious around each other, especially for the just freed ones.
Some keep firing away on both sides though. It seems to be just adding more corpses to the pile.
But then, interestingly...the Fixed Ideas start looking nervous.
Most of them cry out, "the Doctor killing our brothers. Run!"
They all soon start running for the coasts, jumping into the water and swimming away.
The Cybers and Technos left on Doctor Von Reichter's side suddenly find themselves outgunned...as they're easily knocked out or shot up by freed Cybers, Simple Cybers, and Technos.
Many of the Simple Cybers crowd around the fences, hacking weapon parts at them to cut them loose in going off sparks. Glass windows to storerooms and bars shatter before thrown in bodies.
Around this time...
Some Fixed Ideas charge for Cybersix and Data-7. But, with the element of surprise, Data-7 pounces down on one.
Cybersix is barely able to hold off the incoming arms of two more with her electrified gloves. They heal back up easy.
As they clutch their pulsing arms though, she violently kicks them against the wall.
Lightning blasts from chandeliers hit them instead of Cybersix and Data-7: Knocking them out.
They run on for a bedroom: Where Doctor Von Reichter himself is stirring from his sleep.
He has fairly long greased forward black hair over his glasses, some greased hair bunched up in the back, a dark brown hiker styled army uniform, and one of the longest long shaped faces ever.
With a kind of gruff voice, Doctor Von Reichter soon realizes, "Cybersix."
Data-7 is quick to pounce on him in the bed.
He carefully slashes off the hearing aid implant along with half of his glasses: Much to the nervousness of Doctor Von Reichter.
Cybersix is just coming into the room...when a lightning burst comes off the exploding implant.
Data-7 is knocked down, shaking on the bed as Doctor Von Reichter goes to make a run for it.
Teary eyed, Cybersix rushes over to Data-7.
She checks worriedly, "Data-7?"
Back with Max...
Jose angrily fires a blast of glowing very dark greenish blue Sustenance from the hose.
Max tries to side tumble out of the way. But, it splatters her against the console.
She bends over in it in excruciating pain. It feels like a closing fist is around her very chest, and she has to curl up upright just to keep it all together.
Max groans violently over and over, much to Jose's vicious laughter.
She viciously glares at him, "how...violent groan...is a bastard like you...?!"
Jose is all too happy to explain, "oh, that? Hard laugh! It's my kind of Sustenance: Chemically battered and whipped from the original stuff, and painful. I got so tired of being beaten up by spoilsports. So, I made this stuff for taking care of spoilsports. You always try to ruin my fun."
While he's ranting though... Max feels some very dented in metal plates, which have come loose.
Jose faintly laughs. He says, "still... I could have so much fun, once I splice your brain with a Data's brain and make you my slave animal."
Max mutters snarkily, "could just kick your brain out your ass and do a service to the whole community. And... Oh. Yeah. Up yours!"
Jose goes to punch her out. But, with a satisfied smirk...Max violently slams a metal plate into his head.
His glasses shatter in, going into his eyes.
He screams in excruciating pain, as he clutches his pulsing aching head. Greenish dark red liquid drips from between his fingers.
And, even with Max curling up again... She kicks him against the railing.
Jose falls down onto the intersection, face flat.
He falls unconscious: Blind as a bat and cold as stone, like the statues around him.
Not taking the pain anymore... Max falls unconscious in the dark.
Around this time...
Data-7 lightly growls back, pointing to the doctor with a claw.
Cybersix solemnly nods...as she run charges for Doctor Von Reichter.
Several more Fixed Ideas form a wall around him. But, Cybersix is determined.
She high jumps for one of the chandeliers...when the lights suddenly go out.
Cybersix faintly smirks.
She violently swing kicks away two of the Fixed Ideas at their heads, stunning them.
In the confusion, she grabs up the doctor and hurls him against the wall.
Cybersix then lands on her feet.
Even in the dark... One of the Fixed Ideas grabs her. Some bones crack.
But, Cybersix electrifies him in the gut: Making him let go before high kicking him out.
She then faces Doctor Von Reichter, grabbing him up by the shirt.
Doctor Von Reichter calls out in fear, "no! Please! I'm sure we can work something out. I am the soon to be ruler of the world. You want Sustenance? I'll give you..."
With some unease, Cybersix mutters back, "it's never that easy. But, I'll never join you."
She punches him out.
Cybersix then turns to the other Fixed Ideas left.
She comments, "if I were you, I'd go."
The Fixed Ideas run away: Down the steps and out the door.
As they do though... Cybersix sees Max's unconscious body in the dark Sustenance.
Cybersix hurries to her.
Cybersix shakily mumbles to herself, "Max?! Oh god."
She turns back on the electricity with a switch so she can turn on emergency sprinklers.
The dark Sustenance is slowly but surely washing away. As it is...Max weakly opens her eyes.
She wonders, "did...did we finish the mission?"
With great relief, Cybersix says, "yes. We did. We'll all be ok. We're getting out of here."
Max faintly smiles, "good."
She falls unconscious again. But, Cybersix feels her chest. And, she can feel her heart pulsing.
She faintly smiles to herself in assurance, as she gets up to get a towel for her.
From North to South America...
Cheers begin to soar across the land.
Millions are standing back to sob or think deeply about it all to themselves. Millions are going back to their apartments and courtyard to hang out and drink to their victory of being freed: Even if they'll get such big hangovers in the morning.
And, millions are frantically going back to the computers: Sorting and figuring out what to do with all these implants and Sustenance, and too tired to fight each other over it all.
But, for the first time... Eyes Only smiles. And, the tears are easy to wipe away.
Whatever shape the land takes now... He knows it can only get better from here.
The next day, up in the former ruler's castle...
In a recently gone sweaty white sleeveless top... Max is standing at the computer: With a cordless phone in her hand, and a place holder for it on the console.
From the other end... A very familiar teary eyed guy says, "Max."
Very stunned by the sudden call... Max realizes, "Zack? How did you...?"
Kind of uncomfortably, Zack reveals, "after the other night... Somehow, I knew that you had just saved the free world. But, that's not what I'm calling for."
Now sounding uneasy, Max questions, "then what is?"
With mixed feelings, Zack thinks out loud, "I remember you came for me. You're a good soldier. Sniffle. I appreciate everything you did, Max. But, if you know what's good for you... You'll back away. And, you won't look for me again."
On the verge of tears...Max questions, "back away? What are you talking about?"
Zack bitterly explains, "moderate sigh. I want to accept sentimentality is not a weakness. I want to accept that there's no more running. But... Sniffle! Being with me is just going to get you killed."
Max somberly says, "I don't understand."
Zack says, "I'd be surprised if you did. But, for years... Sniffle. I've been at the beck and call of Doctor Von Reichter as a Investigator. Yes: My mind was forced back at Manticore with a implant. But, when I shut my eyes...I can hear their screams. I can see myself killing brothers and sisters. I don't know if any of us are left. Please...just back away. Sniffle! I'm just one big lie. It's better that way."
He hangs up.
Max puts down the phone.
She stands there, silently crying to herself over it.
From behind her though... Cybersix appears: Still in her signature dress and cape from last night.
Kind of nervously, Cybersix asks, "you ok?"
Max sniffles. She turns to her.
With a sympathetic hand on hers... Max figures, "no. But, I will be."
Cybersix says, "ok. Well...you know where to find me if you want to talk about it."
Max somberly says, "I know. Thanks." With a faint smile, Cybersix adds, "you're welcome."
She walks up the steps, leaving Max to her thoughts.
But, they both faintly smile back to each other before she does.
A few weeks later, up in a apartment down in Meridiana...
Through the window, the sun is going down. The gray blue sheets are laid out on the bed.
And, sitting there on the bed...are Max and Cybersix: Topless, with their clothes to the side.
Max checks, "you ok?"
Nervously, Cybersix admits, "I like you. But...you sure this isn't going too fast?"
Max lightly concludes, "faint chuckle. Cybersix... After years of hell... It's a new world out there. We've had weeks of on and on days together to think about things. No missions. Since that day you broke me out...I can't not think about you. I'm sure. But, only if it's ok for you."
She blushes a little midway through. Cybersix blushes a little herself.
Cybersix says, "thanks. Maybe I'm not sure about going out now. But..."
Leaning cautiously closer... Max asks, "yeah?"
Cybersix admittedly says, "I'm ok with going for it. But, slow. Is that ok with you?"
Max pauses, "ok. I got to admit: I go fast. But, I'll try not to with you. How does that sound?"
Cybersix faintly smiles. She assuringly tells her, "it sounds good."
With a smirk, Max kisses her.
Cybersix and Max hold each others's faces, each swept in the other's hands.
After a bit, they pull apart.
And, Max just says, "not a problem."
They both faintly smile to each other over that.
And so begins a new world: For them, and everyone else in the not so broken anymore world.