Young Offender, Part 66:
Pyunma looked over his shoulder to where Junior sat in front of a computer screen; he wore headphones and was concentrating on the blank screen.
"005?"
"Nothing. We can go in for the landing." Junior took off the headphones and joined Pyunma in the cockpit. He took a seat in the co-pilot's chair that was barely big enough for Junior's large frame.
Pyunma looked forward at the dusk sky and the shadowy landscape stretched out in front of them. "We have to keep alert. If they're going to attack us, it'll be on the ground."
"If they're watching, they'll noticed our uniforms the moment we get out of the plane."
"Good point. We'll grab those flight jackets and tuck our scarves in. They won't be tipped off that way," Pyunma said, pointing his thumb to the hatch. Beside it was a pile of old, oil stained canvas coats used by the technicians. He took a deep breath, but he couldn't banish the trepidation nagging his mind. "005... Junior... do you think they're guilty of what the Black Ghost accused them of?"
"The other cyborgs? I don't think we were told the whole story. I'm like GB, wanting to dig into the deeper mystery."
"Yes, but all of us have a lot to lose if the Black Ghost has lied to us." Pyunma's family came to his mind. He was told they were doing fine, but he wondered.
"It's obvious they're exaggerating about the first four cyborgs, but we need to find out how deep the lies go," Junior said sagely.
"Yes. We need to have a plan to find out the truth if we run into them. I think I have one, but Ann needs to be dealt with while I talk to 007," Pyunma said. "I believe she's lurking in the cargo hold. Go down there and get 007 to come up and see me. Keep her distracted, too."
Junior nodded and hopped back out of the seat with a grace that didn't match his bulk. Pyunma waited patiently as he circled the aircraft above the small landing strip. GB finally marched over to Pyunma and hopped into the co-pilot's seat. He didn't like the scowl on GB's face. "So 005 says you wanted to have words with me for challenging Scar's orders earlier."
Pyunma snickered; he appreciated Junior's cleverness at appearing loyal to the Black Ghost in front of Ann. "No, that was a ruse for Ann. We wanted to make a plan to find out more about the first generation Double Zero Cyborgs."
"If we ever run into them. I don't know that they'll be as stupid as to hijack something like this."
"Ah, but that's the key I've been thinking about. If the Black Ghost are lying to us, the first generation are certainly going to target a mission like this. It means they'll be looking for a target with a purpose behind it; they'd have a loftier goal if they attacked tonight. If they're truly interested in only money, they'll continued with attacking Merchants of Death because it's easier money. Make sense?"
GB grew thoughtful and got a sly smile. "Yes, that'll be the key to this mystery. We'll see if they're benevolent or greedy. Judging from their actions, we can tell. But..." GB's expression grew dark, "if the Black Ghost is not truthful... then you know what that means."
Pyunma shivered at GB's implication. "I know. We all have a lot riding on the Black Ghost dealing with us fairly. It's better we know what we're really dealing with and make plans accordingly."
GB pursed his lips and nodded. "Agreed. I'm counting on Black Ghost being more honest than the first generation cyborgs; my daughter's life depends on it."
"I know, my friend. We'll figure it out, but I now need you to bring us information. I need you to take 003 apart from the men and then get the truth from her," Pyunma ordered.
"I'll treat her with respect, but if the Black Ghost is right, I'll turn her in."
"I agree, but we need to be certain. Right?"
"Yes. What did you have in mind, specifically?" GB asked.
"We'll distract 004 and 002 from her, while you get her side of the story. If she's more like the Black Ghost says, keep her and we'll use her as leverage against the men. If she's innocent, and the Black Ghost lied outrageously, then come back to where we'll be holding off 004 and 002. We'll retreat and figured it out from there."
"I'd think it wouldn't work if they're jaded like the Black Ghost claims, but..." GB got a folded piece of paper out of the top of his boot. It was the letter from Albert to Gianni, "judging from this, they'd go through hell for each other. That's why we need to be very cautious. If they are so tight-knit, this idea of yours could be extremely dangerous."
"I know, but we need to find out." Pyunma concentrated on landing the aircraft. GB tucked the letter away in the top of his boot. After the landing, Chang, Junior, and Ann joined them near the hatch. The men threw on long flight jackets over their uniforms and Ann hid in the shadows beside the hatch. Her eyes narrowed and glowed a dim green in the dark.
Her eyes flew open and she smiled. She nodded enthusiastic, reluctant to talk because of 003 and 001. Pyunma got a knot in his stomach as anticipation of an upcoming fight. The Black Ghost had drilled them on the weaknesses and strengths of the first generation cyborgs, but he kept thinking about their former humanity. Those people had been in the same position as the second generation cyborgs at one time. He took a deep breath and opened the hatch. He leaped to the grassy field and peered through the dusk light.
Indeed, there was a small tent for communications and a few cars off to the side, but nothing else. Not even trees were around to soften this landscape, just a large antenna beside the tent. Close by were a few hills across a lake. Pyunma noticed GB spying the landscape from the hatch; his confidence soared thinking about the three other men he was teamed with. All were as thorough as GB, and good fighters, too.
Minutes later, a young teen, maybe fourteen at most, stepped from the communications tent. He was dressed in a green uniform just like Pyunma's red one. He didn't look at all like the last picture Pyunma had seen of 001; he was very emaciated looking. The boy rubbed his bloodshot, left eye and fixed him with an aggravated expression.
"Surrender!" he exclaimed in English. Pyunma knew a little English from his Christian missionary education, but the translator in his brain echoed the word anyway. Seconds later the three other second generation cyborgs leaped down from the plane and stood behind him.
"We're not doing as you want, 001," Pyunma said, figuring the three other first generation cyborgs were in the tent.
And indeed, the three other first generation cyborgs come from the tent, seeming confident. All were dressed in their dark green uniforms with the deep red scarves. He itched to subdue them and get back to his African home.
001 looked stunned when Pyunma and the other three shrugged off the heavy, canvas flight coats to reveal their red uniforms with bright yellow scarves. The other original cyborgs gasped and flinched back; all looked shocked.
"Let me introduce ourselves," GB said, stepping forward and giving them a low, elegant bow. "We're your replacements."
"The hell you are!" 002 fingers twitched beside his ray gun, but 004 grabbed his wrist to still hostilities. Pyunma tensed a little, but waved for the others to stay calm. He wasn't ready to fight them just yet.
Francoise couldn't believe she was seeing these four men in front of her in the same type of uniforms. She knew the Black Ghost always had distant plans to create more people like her and her companions. This was a reality she wasn't ready to comprehend.
Albert stepped forward and pushed her back towards Jet. The New Yorker put her behind him and stepped forward to back up Albert. Albert crossed his arms and frowned at the group of four men. "So, are you some sort of cyborgs?"
"At your service," a bald, older man said, straightening from his bow. "It would seem your former employers want a word with you about your sticky fingers.
"Surrender now," the handsome, ebony skinned man demanded in accented English.
"Employers?" Albert asked coolly before Jet had a chance to mouth off. "Don't you mean kidnappers?"
"Enough talk! Attack them!" the ebony skinned man ordered.
Francoise looked up to see Ann Ember at the plane's hatch. She leaped to the ground. She still looked all of twelve years old after all these years, but her aggressive expression seemed to age her. Her hands were clenched tight as her eyes started to glow green. She turned her palms towards Albert.
"Ann! Don't!" Ivan shouted and rushed to put himself between Albert and Ann. A bluish haze appeared. She flinched back and pointed at Ivan. His head jerked back and he fell to the ground. The bluish haze faltered. Ann crumpled forward, her eyes drooped closed.
"Ivan!" Francoise shouted. She ran over to the unconscious Russian.
"Come with me, Mademoiselle zéro zéro trois," the balding cyborg said in French and then morphed into a giant eagle before her eyes. Her amazement froze her for half a minute. It was just long enough for the eagle to swoop in the air and dove for her incredibly quick. She turned to run, but she felt the talons around her arms.
She was lofted in the air, in spite of her scream. She struggled against the talons and the grip changed where he was now squeezing her around her chest and torso. The grip was painfully tight. She heard Jet scream her name before she blacked out.
Ivan woke up and looked around. The mindscape was familiar. It was a meddow, but now there were dry patches where nothing grew. He looked towards the center of the mindscape. There was a pile of stone that was once a tower; it confirmed where he was.
/Ann! Where are you?/
/Right here./ She started to appear in front of his eyes. Once her form was solid, she scowled at him.
"I've been waiting for this,"Ann said.
"There is no need for this. If Erika put you up to attacking me..."
Ann's eyes began to tear up and the girl grew furious."She can't, Ivan! She died! So did your father! I'm all alone!"
Ivan's emotions grew into a frenzied tangle as he took in the information. He couldn't comprehend the Gamos ever dying. There was a cold relief that wrestled with grief in the pit of his stomach.
/Now I'm alone./ Ann projected in a soft, lonely tone.
"Ann, you can come away with me now. I don't see any reason why you should stay with the Black Ghost. Katerina said you were to stay and train with Erika. You can join us now."
"No! I promised Erika I'd stay and serve the Black Ghost. I will fulfill her wish for me, unlike you! Selfish! Ungrateful! You're so hateful to people that loved you!"
/Loved me? They mutilated me!/
With that, she crouched down and laid her hand on the ground. Ivan threw up his mental defenses. She then projected /I know the one weakness you posses and I will exploited it./
Ivan wasn't surprised to feel his emotions start to rise to a peaked, confused state as Ann's eyes glowed a bright green. There was no way he could beat her in an empathy battle, so he had to figure a way to catch her off guard.
Albert saw Jet's rockets flare as he took off towards Francoise and the shape shifting cyborg. He was horrified to see the giant, ruddy skinned cyborg grab Jet by the ankle before he got seven feet into the air. The giant cyborg then slammed Jet, back first, into the frosty, hard soil.
Albert lofted his hand towards the giant, but before he could take aim, a plume of fire drove him towards the left. He turned to see the short, rotund cyborg. Before he could do anything, the ebony skinned cyborg pounced on Albert from behind and put him in a full nelson hold.
"You're not going anywhere, 004! Give up!" he demanded in accented English.
"Never!" Albert said, amazed at this cyborg's strength. He flipped the cyborg over his shoulders and onto the ground. Quickly, the ebony cyborg jumped to his feet, so Albert took a slash at the cyborg's throat with the edge of his left hand. The cyborg dodged, and Albert glanced over at Jet. The giant was effectively keeping him pinned to the ground. Albert's stomach sank as he regretted letting Ivan talk him into this.
To be continue.