All she wanted to do was get away.

Caught in the grasp of blind terror, she raced through the autumn woods and across bleak farm fields. She ran and ran, not knowing why or from what. Her lungs burned and her heart felt as if it were about to burst, but she didn't care. She just kept running, trying to get somewhere...

"Help me!"

Genesis sat up with a start, sweat collecting in the small of her back. She was under a sheet on an examining table, inside the lab. A nearby machine was printing its readout and, brushing back her hair, she felt the electrodes on her forehead which gave the machine its information.

The door to the lab opened and von Reichter came in, turning on the lights. "Be careful with your electrodes, please," he said to the fusebox.

During the past week he had kept Genesis in the lab to monitor and study her dreams. When she was sleeping, a camera recorded her movements as he watched them on a video screen in another room. She still reported a few positive dreams. Interestingly, most of these were highlighted by the appearance of a little dog. In her waking life she had very suddenly decided to name it 'Lilli.' Much of the time, however, her dreams were intensely frightening and made her lose sleep. At the moment things were not looking very good. The doctor could see in her the beginning of psychological repercussions.

He looked at the newest section of readout, sighing in frustration at the tall, dense zigzags illustrating her brain activity just before waking. He let it drop out of his hands and settle onto the growing folds of printer paper on the floor. Genesis was sitting up now, hugging her knees and resting her head on top of them. Von Reichter began stroking her hair and a tiny noise found its way past the lump in her throat.

"I'm so tired." Her voice was small and soft. "What's wrong with me?"

Her question struck a nerve in him. For someone to say that something was "wrong with" one of his creations implied that his work was flawed. Normally this resulted in punishment for being insolent, but Genesis was tired and unwell - and was talking about herself, besides.

"I'm going to help you, angel. It's only a matter of time." He replied calmly. Genesis clung to him like a child as he made her lie down again.

"I want to have a dream about Lilli."

"That would be nice." Von Reichter walked back towards the door and picked up a phone mounted on the wall. The number he dialed was brief, meaning it was to a line also inside the compound.

"Come to the lab. We still have the new supply shipment to look through. Good." He hung up and made his way past Genesis to the back of the room, where a cluttered workbench stood amongst piles of shipping boxes.

Lying on her stomach, his creature sighed in relief. She didn't want to be alone or in the dark just now.

A minute later Krumens opened the door. He saw Genesis watching him from her table, and was startled again at how sickly she was beginning to look. Her expression was constantly weary and she had lost some weight. (Von Reichter complained that she barely ate anything.)

For a moment Krumens felt pity for the haunted woman, and even a little guilty. But he reminded himself again that he was not the one responsible for what was going on in her subconscious. If anyone, that blame belonged to nature. And thanks to nature's quirk, here he had the oppurtunity to get his problem solved.

Von Reichter turned from reading a checklist and acknowledged his assistant's presence. He turned back and Krumens began to cross the lab. He neared Genesis, who was pretending to be asleep, and watched carefully as his master picked up a file, his back still to the room. When he started to flip noisily through the contents, Krumens made his move.

Genesis snapped her eyes wide open at the sound of the man's voice only inches from her face.

"I hope you haven't been dreaming about that train ride," He whispered, feigning concern.

She was confused. "Train ride?"

"Why yes, the one you took with Lilli, poor little thing." Then, before poor Genesis could even think of how to reply, he was off as innocently as before.

The room began to spin. His words dredged up from somewhere deep in her subconscious a tidal wave of images, sounds, and the memory of throbbing pain. Her heart began to race in fear and confusion and she lay paralyzed, hearing thoughts which were not her own.

What happened I'm upside down I'm burning oh God Lilli Josef oh please they have to live let us live don't make us die in here -

She unsteadily pulled herself upright and looked frantically around her. This had to stop now.

Who's there who's holding me this is all your fault Max you stupid bastard why can't I feel my legs am I dying don't let Josef die you have to save him oh God don't let my baby die -

She found what she was looking for on the steel tray. Soon there would be relief -

"Genesis! No!"

Von Reichter had just turned at the sound of what he thought was something metal falling and instead saw his shift-clad creation standing in front of an equipment cart, trembling and clutching a scalpel. By the way she was gazing at the object it was clear what her intentions were. Krumens watched in silent shock.

"Put the knife down, Genesis," he said, steadying his voice and being careful not to make any sudden moves. "Put it back on the tray where it belongs."

She turned to look at him. "I have to make it stop." For a terrible moment she was the spirit of Maria standing over her dead body, as she had appeared in Von Reichter's own nightmares years ago.

"I promise you, Liebschen, I will make it stop. But if you end your life now I'll never be able to. You have to live for me to help you." She seemed to waver slightly. He was on a roll. He continued to talk to her as he carefully passed something from his pocket behind him to Krumens, who saw what it was and slowly moved away with it.

"Live for the one who gave you life."

Genesis looked again at the scalpel in her hand. Her eyes filled with hot tears and she shook her head slowly. The knife fell from her hand as she too fell weakly, overwhelmed by her emotions. Von Reichter caught her and she started to cry. Krumens reappeared with a syringe full of the morphine his master had passed to him and drove it into her arm. She never saw him coming.

The problem with Genesis was not going to be easy to solve. Von Reichter was a biologist, not a psychiatrist, and he knew this. So because there was no definite plan or easy solution, life for most at headquarters became full of tension and hesitation. Not to mention gossip. There was a rumour circulating among the staff that the doctor's current favourite (popularly known as "Princess") had something very wrong with her. Some said she was ill; others said she went insane. One even claimed that she had had a seizure and fallen into a coma. Those who liked her hoped she would recover and not be destroyed, but those who resented her couldn't understand why their master was bothering to keep such a failure alive. Either way, no one had seen much of her lately, so the rumours persisted.

One typical night, after Genesis had been put to bed in a dreamless, drug-induced sleep, von Reichter was sulking at his desk. He was batting his globe idly when Krumens simultaneously knocked on the door and called.

"What?" He responded with annoyance. His assistant peeked around the door.

"Um, it's about Genesis, sir."

Von Reichter cleared his throat with displeasure and eyed Krumens with boredom, hands clasped into a fist in front of him. He said nothing.

"Well, um, I have an idea."

His master didn't move.

"About her nightmares, of course..heh..what else would I be..."

Still no movement.

"..Uh, talking about..yes." He coughed nervously. "Well, you said that in her positive dreams, she sees Maria's little dog. She seems to enjoy its presence very much. Sir, is it possible that the dog could symbolize happiness to her?"

His master was suddenly interested and began to lower his hands.

"If you were to bring the happiness of that symbol into her waking life, perhaps the nightmares would be overtaken - Herr Doktor?"

Von Reichter grinned. Then he began to chuckle and leaned back in his chair. Suddenly he was laughing out loud.

"That's it!" He shouted, and leapt to his feet. "The bloody dog! That's it!" He grabbed his assistant, who made a squeak of surprise, and led him into an impromptu dance around the room. Stopping unexpectedly, he exclaimed, "I'll send her back to her beloved Meridiana to find a substitute for Lilli! Krumens, you wonderful little bastard!" He strolled out of his study and down the hall, his rendition of a concerto movement echoing back.

Quite overwhelmed, Krumens beamed triumphantly before fainting dead away.

* * *

Cybersix soared over an alley and rebounded off a stone overhang, making a joyful backflip high into the air. She landed beside Data 7 on a spongey tar roof and in synchronization both flew away to the next building.

Above street level the heat of the daytime was gone, dispersed by a refreshing, cool breeze. The siblings celebrated the freedom and relief of the night, weaving and darting across each other's paths like two threaded needles. They didn't need to bite any necks this evening. They only needed to play.

Brother and sister stopped to rest on top of city hall, above the massive neoclassical columns holding up its pediment. The street below was nearly deserted, and the first few autumn leaves scratched along the pavement.

Cybersix and Data 7 straightened up at the faint sound of feet landing a little way off. Black eyes met yellow as each confirmed that the other had heard it, too. They stood and turned slowly, wondering whether it was a friend or an enemy seeking them out.

Across the massive gray-green roof, a smallish figure stood uncertainly. Cybersix kept a relaxed posture but didn't approach.

The figure hesitated for a moment, then walked unthreateningly towards the two. She stopped a few feet away when she heard Cybersix draw in a surprised breath.

It's her, Data! The creation I saw going in to the limo! she sent to her brother in a thought.

And it was. But now, from up close, Cybersix realized that there was also something odd about the girl's appearance, not just her actions. It was the shape of her face, of her features. It was eerie. She looked so much like...

She almost looks like a Cyber... said Data in wonder.

The silence was finally broken by the stranger. "Who are you?"

"I might ask you the same question," answered Cybersix, pleasantly but still with caution. She didn't know which surprised her more; that the creation didn't know who she was, or that she had a German accent. "I'm Cybersix. This is Data 7."

The stranger looked at her curiously. "You...don't know who I am?"

"No, I don't," confirmed Cybersix in bewilderment. She shared a look with her brother. Either the girl was very honest, or very arrogant. But which one?

"That's all right," her face softened, "I don't suppose I've even met everyone back at home. I'm Genesis." She extended a hand. Cybersix shook it, wondering just what was going on. Data 7 let out a "mmrrr!" of indignance. Was he invisible?

Genesis looked at him with delight. "He's so handsome and well-behaved! I'm here to get my own pet as well! Can I touch hi - " Data growled at her reaching hand and she pulled it back in fear.

"Data!" Cybersix warned. She addressed Genesis, beginning to feel a bit annoyed herself. "He's not a pet, Genesis. He's my brother Cyber 29."

"Your brother? I - I don't understand."

Cybersix sighed. Telling the story still hurt. "When we were children, 29 died, but his brain was saved and transferred into a panther's body. Dr. von Reichter meant him to be a pet and a killing machine, but he chose to rebel. So have I."

Genesis looked shocked. "How can you say such things? How dare you tell me lies?"

"Lies?" Cybersix was angry and insulted. "You think I'm lying to you? Why would I make something like that up? You know our creator as well as I do, Genesis! Von Reichter is a ruthless tyrant!"

"No! It's not true! You're lying! I won't listen to this slander!" Tears were welling in her eyes. "How can you say that about the man who gave you life?"

"He's murdered thousands! Tortured just as many! He wiped out my brothers and sisters when we were nine years old! It's the truth, and - Genesis, please!"

But Genesis was already leaping away across the rooftops, sobbing. Cybersix sank to her knees and put her arms around Data 7's huge shoulders.

"Oh Data, I shouldn't have done that. What was I thinking?"

You were thinking of the truth, Six. You defended my dignity, and to do that you needed to tell the truth. It's not your fault if she didn't want to believe you. That's just how some creations are.

"Thank you, brother," Cybersix smiled and gave him an appreciative squeeze. She stood up again and looked out at the skyline into which Genesis had disappeared. "Still, I'm a little worried. Since when do von Reichter's minions seek us out to have a chat? And then cry instead of fight if we offend them?"

And speak German? added Data 7.

His sister frowned. "That bothers me most of all. No one but Jose has been taught German."

There was a thoughtful silence for a moment.

You up for some detective work?

Cybersix winked. "We really can read each other's minds, can't we?"

* * *

Helmut knocked lightly on the door. Genesis hadn't come out or been heard from since dinner.

"Miss? Is everything all right?"

He heard footsteps and the door being unlocked. Genesis poked her head around, hair pulled up in a bun.

"You've been very quiet. I thought I should come by, just in case..."

Genesis was touched. "How thoughtful, Helmut! Please, come in." She opened the door, revealing that all she had on was a purple silk bathrobe. The boy's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates.

"Sorry, I just got out of the bath," she explained, letting her hair down. She sat on the edge of her bed with her chin in her hands and smiled sadly at him.

Helmut stood in front of her. "Is there something wrong, Miss?" he repeated.

Genesis sighed. "It's just..." she wanted to explain it to him, but she couldn't without revealing that she had broken a rule. Twice. "Well, it's...I don't know." She felt him sit down beside her and put his hand on her shoulder. Her heart lifted. She didn't know why he was so kind to her, but she was especially grateful for it at times like this. Von Reichter couldn't be the monster Cybersix made him out to be, not with such creatures as Helmut. She put her arms around the little boy and cuddled him lovingly.

Jose closed the media window on his monitor, resentful of Helmut and disappointed now that Genesis was no longer naked. He had installed two hidden cameras in her rooms a few days before her arrival, not wanting to miss an opportunity to ogle. He had told the staff setting them up that they were "for her security," but of course they were the only ones he had informed of his upgrades.

Jose was very surprised and curious that evening, of course, to watch Genesis slip out of her window after dinner, disappear for two hours, and return in tears. The more he thought about it, the more he began to speculate: If Genesis had gone out and discovered Cybersix, could she somehow be used as the tool to finally kill the renegade?

To do some detective work, it helps to include a detective. Or at least, an aspiring one. That was why Cybersix had decided to gather a group composed of her fellow witnesses, Data 7 and Lucas, and their detective-enthusiast friend, Miao Yashimoto.

After their nearly fatal run-in with the von Reichter "family," he and his younger sister Ikiko had escaped Argentina for Japan. Now Yashimoto was back in Meridiana, but he had wisely left Ikiko behind in the care of relatives, not wanting to risk her safety again.

The investigative group was gathered in the front room of Yashimoto's new apartment. Cybersix was explaining her mystery in full.

"I recognized her from another incident," Cybersix had explained to them. "Lucas, you and I saw her during the day about a month ago, remember?"

He nodded. "She was coming out of a store downtown with a couple of bodyguards."

"Right. Jose's limo was waiting for her - whether he was in it I don't know - and we watched the group drive off. It was the strangest thing, and I was really bothered by it for a while." She took a ladylike sip of her tea. "Just when nothing more had seemed to come of it, there she was last night, on top of city hall with us. But the most important thing is this - she looked just like a Cyber!"

Her two human companions were amazed. "No wonder you've been so worried," said Lucas sympathetically. "But...all the other Cybers were..." he trailed off, sharing an uncomfortable look with Yashimoto.

"I know. I know she can't possibly be an actual Cyber." She smiled to herself. "Her reaction to me pretty much clinched it."

There was a moment of silence while everyone thought.

Yashimoto eventually spoke. "So she was loyal to von Reichter, but wasn't sent to attack you?"

"She didn't even know who I was! It was as if - as if she just wanted to chat!" Cybersix shrugged. "I'm afraid I might have been a little harsh on her, though...I don't know."

Another thoughtful silence.

"I think," ventured Yashimoto, "I have an idea. It'll be a lot of work, though, and it could get a little risky."

"I'm ready for a risk," said Cybersix confidently. "I really want to get to the bottom of this." Data 7 rumbled a noise of agreement.

"I'm in," agreed Lucas.

"Okay then, here's what I think we should do: we're going to have to go on a massive search for information. I mean, we're going to have to try to find anything we can: missing persons cases, stuff related to the Dissappeared in the 70's, birth and death records, any record of anyone resembling Genesis or the Cybers. And of course, we need to try to find out about von Reichter's life before he left Germany; find war documents, family trees, criminal records maybe.

"We can split up and each research different things. And we'll all definitely need to use the internet, in which case we should only use public access. That way no one will link the searching we're doing to anyone's private computer and hard drive. As soon as any of us has something convincing, we'll meet up and take a look together."

"Sounds reasonable to me," said Cybersix. "Let's do it. I can always say I'm looking for Adrian's family members and background. That could cover a lot of things, even war-related."

"I can look up missing persons and the Revolution and say it's for an article I'm writing. I doubt anyone would question that," suggested Lucas.

"Okay, great. So I guess that leaves me basically with piecing together something of the doctor's life in Germany. But it's no problem," he assured Cybersix, who had begun to look worried. "After all, he has no idea I'm here. He's gone after Lucas already, and we can't call his attention to Adrian."

"I suppose it does make the most sense that way," Cybersix admitted, sounding more relieved. Data 7 rumbled.

"Okay, so let's do it," concluded Lucas.

"Good luck, everyone," added Yashimoto.

"In a few days, then," Cybersix said as she, then Data 7, left through the open window.

"And here I am, going all the way downstairs and driving home like a sucker!" cracked Lucas.

* * *

Eager to get to the bottom of the Genesis mystery, Cybersix and her friends worked hard on their research at every opportunity. There was a mutual and unspoken feeling of limited time, as if a deadline were approaching and something would happen if they didn't get the facts fast. It couldn't be helped. Expecting a brutal climax was the natural thing for each to do, given their past experiences with the strangeness von Reichter unleashed upon Meridiana. When it came to unusual developments, they had all learned to expect the worst.

Nearly a week after the meeting in his apartment, Yashimoto was spending another long evening in front of a computer in one of the city's many internet cafes. Finding records of war crimes and wanted criminals had been somewhat successful, but trying to find the doctor's family members and their photos was driving him up the wall.

Godammit, if this link gives me nothing then that's it for tonight, he thought, sighing frustratedly and clicking on the url. The computer chugged along and sluggishly started loading the page.

To his happy surprise, a picture was loading. An impossible and incredible picture. He stared from it to the caption several times in disbelief before frantically clicking on "Print."

Oh my God...

Now to find out if I'm on to something.

The investigators were anxiously gathered together around the coffee table far too early in the morning. Thus it was very much living up to its function as a table full of coffee. After his discovery Yashimoto had raced home with his findings to phone Cybersix and Lucas, who in turn raced to his apartment. Now they were all ready and the triumphant detective prepared to dive in.

"All right. Well, I've done a lot of looking and I think I just might have something." He hesistated, hoping for the thousandth time he wasn't simply jumping to conclusions. "I think it would make sense for you to have a look at something first." Slowly he handed the paper to Cybersix.

Holding it where Lucas and Data 7 could both see, she unfolded the paper curiously. Upon revealing its bounty, a stereo noise of shock came from all three, and Cybersix's hand flew to her mouth. She stared at Yashimoto, almost frightened with astonishment. He was wearing a rather sad smile.

"I guess I got it right."

Cybersix found her voice. "But how did you - it's her! How did you find this?"

"The woman you're looking at is Maria Schweitzer, no relation to Albert as far as I can tell." He was reading from notes he had taken. "Maria was part of Berlin high society and the Schweitzers were a very respectable family. In 1940, she was married to one Dr. Maximillien von Reichter."

"Oh my God," breathed Cybersix incredulously. Data 7's yellow eyes were wide.

"That sure explains a lot," commented Lucas.

"No kidding. But the rest of the things I found on him weren't anywhere near as surprising. Pretty much what any of us would have expected: by the end of the war he was wanted for all sorts of things along the lines of crimes against humanity. So-called 'research' on concentration camp inmates. I'll spare you the details," said Yashimoto with disgust.

"I could probably give you some good guesses," Cybersix muttered, stroking Data 7's head.

All four were silent for a moment. Finally, Lucas spoke.

"So...then what happened to Maria at the end of the war? Didn't she disappear along with him?"

"Well, that was probably the plan, but no, she didn't." Yashimoto's voice took on a more professional tone. "Eventually, of course, von Reichter knew he had to get out of Europe. They lost track of him and his wife in March 1945. But around the end of the month, they found Maria's body on the site of a train bombing at the Swiss and German border in the Alps. Someone had managed to pull her out of the wreckage, but it was too late. Seems she had been travelling alone, so while she was killed, von Reichter was spared and, well, you know the rest of the story."

"That's horrible! It's so unfair," exclaimed Cybersix.

"It gets worse. She was only twenty-five when she died. And nine months pregnant with her first child."

Lucas was thoughtful. "So, at some point, he decided to collect some of Maria's genes for one reason or another. You can get a person's whole sequence from the root of one of their hair follicles. Maybe he already knew about DNA."

"It's possible. Maybe he was the one who pulled her from the train wreck. He could have gotten the idea then," the other man speculated.

"So Genesis is Maria's clone," Cybersix reasoned. "He actually loved another human being that much." Data 7 looked up and sent her a thought. "Data just said he thinks that's part of why the Cybers were given some of her genetic material." There were nods of agreement. "That and the fact that his biological child was never born."

"Well then, I guess what you're dealing with is Maria's genetically enhanced clone. You've probably already made some other conclusions..." Yashimoto trailed off.

"Yes. This is as good a sign as any that von Reichter survived the explosion too," Cybersix finished for him unhappily. "And no wonder poor Genesis acted the way she did." She paused in thought. "But where do we go next?"

Everyone mulled it over before Yashimoto offered a suggestion. "Well, I think we all agree that telling Genesis about any of this would do more harm than good." His guests agreed emphatically. "Other than that, I'm all out."

"Do you think trying to get information from one of his men would lead anywhere?" Lucas asked Cybersix.

"It's not very likely. Secrecy was always pretty high at the compound. Probably the only ones who know anything are Jose, or Krumens and his son. Maybe they don't even know everything."

"Hmm. So I guess we've got to work on our own," replied Lucas.

But does anything really have to be done? Data 7 asked. Other than our usual precautions against Jose and the doctor, I mean.

"Data's wondering if there's anything we really need to do at all."

"You've got a point, Data. We may not like the position von Reichter has put Genesis in, but interfering might just cause a lot of pain. I'd have to agree with you," stated Yashimoto.

Cybersix was reminded of something. "Wait. There is one thing - a truce."

"What?"

"A truce?"

Six, you don't mean with -

"No no, let me explain. I mean a reconcilliation with Genesis. I know I can't make her change her alliances, but I can at least try to keep things between us friendly. I want to apologize for upsetting her. She's not an assassin or even much of an enemy - she's just curious."

Everyone, even Data 7 in his own unique way, smiled.

"Your heart's more human than most humans, Cyber," said Lucas in admiration. "That's why I love you."

"Helmut, come here for a minute."

"Young Master?"

"Where has Genesis been since dinner? I haven't seen a trace of her."

"I believe she has been in her room. I stopped by there a short time ago to see that everything was all right."

"Thank you Helmut, that's all for now."

"Yes sir."

The moment Helmut had made his last step out the door, Jose was on the phone to his father. It was time for the fun to begin. He waited, feeling very smug, as Krumens transferred the call.

Von Reichter came onto the line. "What is it, Jose?"

"Father, I have very important news to report!" his son began, impressed with himself. "I happened to be looking out the window earlier this evening when I saw Genesis leap over the fence and head into the city over the rooftops!"

There was silence on the other end. Then: "Jose, if this is some sort of a joke I'll make sure you won't be laughing for very long."

"I'm telling you the truth, Father, I swear it! You can ask Helmut; he said he went to check on her because she hadn't come out of her room all night!"

The doctor sighed angrily. "Where is she now?"

"I saw her come back two hours after she left. She looked as if she had been crying." Jose waited, gleefully imagining his father as he realized whom Genesis could have run into.

"I see. Expect a call from me tomorrow," he said abruptly. "In the meantime, you and Helmut are to keep Genesis home unless strictly supervised. Absolutely no excursions at night and maintain high security at all times. She is not to leave that property by herself again. Am I making myself clear?"

"Yes, very clear Father."

"Good. Above all, don't let her get suspicious!" And suddenly the phone call was over. Jose snickered and bounded out of his office. He walked down the hall, passing his own enormous portrait, and stood in front of the guest room door.

Your days of royalty are numbered, My Queen. He smiled maliciously and continued on.

Eight Days Later

Genesis was frustrated. She must have looked in every pet shop in Meridiana, and none of them had been selling dachshunds. The manager at one shop told her that a breeder was expecting one of his dogs to have puppies soon, but of course they wouldn't be old enough to be sold for several weeks after they were born. She could only wait, and she was tired of waiting for things to happen. It was just so boring.

One evening, Genesis descended the staircase and went in search of a staff member, yawning. She turned a corner and spotted a Fixed Idea. He saw her and stood to attention.

"Excuse me, is anyone available to chaffeur tonight?" She received a blank look. "To drive me somewhere," she explained.

The Fixed Idea looked uncomfortable. "Um...um...Sylvester explain." He gestured for her to follow him. They soon met up with a black-haired Techno. The huge Idea leaned down and whispered something to him before returning to his post. Genesis was beginning to feel suspicious.

"I'm very sorry Miss Genesis, but I was told you're to stay home when it's this late," stated Sylvester. He looked as uncomfortable as his messenger had.

"I am? But it's not late at all!" This wasn't right...

Sylvester shrugged. "Orders, Miss. I'm sorry."

"Hmm..." his lady frowned at the situation. "Where is Helmut?"

"I think in the front room with Master Jose, Miss."

Genesis raised an eyebrow at the name. "Thank you, Herr Sylvester," she said through her teeth, as she turned to go to the front room. "Danke schon, ich verstehe..."

Jose and Helmut looked up in surprise when Genesis walked into the room. She stopped just in front of Jose and crossed her arms over her designer top.

"I'm 'to stay at home' at night, am I?" she questioned the boy, who was also crossing his arms and glaring. Helmut scrambled to put himself between the two before Jose could open his mouth and make the situation worse.

"Miss Genesis, you misunderstand," he laughed nervously, hoping to stop her suspicions and prevent a fight. "Meridiana is a very unfriendly place at night. It can be very unpleasant, e-even dangerous! Besides...er, you've been so busy, what with visiting the city and looking for a puppy, and - well, we thought you might take some time to relax here at the mansion and...whatnot..." He felt sweat forming on the back of his neck.

Genesis eyed him for a moment. She knew that there was something else behind the boy's insistance to stay home, but because she doubted it was his idea she decided to go along with his story. "All right Helmut," she replied, allowing him to escort her out of the room, "since you insist on it." With that she turned her head to scowl at Jose and mouthed "dumkopf."

* * *

Wow! Talk about luck!

Cybersix let a grin spread across her face as she caught a glimpse through the rain of the person she hadn't expected to find for days. Nervously, Genesis was making her way across the maze of rooftops, antennae and satellite dishes. Cybersix took a breath to calm herself before resuming her course.

Genesis heard the rush of another body leaping nearby and stopped where she was. Sure enough, someone landed close behind her and she spun around, on guard.

"Hello again," Cybersix began softly. The other woman remained wary.

"Please don't run," she continued. "I'm not here to fight with you."

"Then why are you here?"

Cybersix sighed. "Will you come with me to talk? We should go somewhere out of the rain."

Genesis agreed wonderingly and followed her one-time adversary. Hidden in the shadows one rooftop away, a man signalled to someone on the street below.

The abandoned factory warehouse looked as quiet and empty as Data 7 had described it. He had scores of private little dens all over the city, selected for their comfort in times of nap attacks. His body was, after all, that of a feline.

"This looks like a good place," Cybersix said to Genesis once they were inside. Her quarry was apparently not used to such dank, creaking surroundings. Trying to make her feel better, Cybersix suggested they sit on the firm steel staircase leading to the partial loft above.

Genesis sat - even here - with grace and placed her hands in her lap. Cybersix politely sat a few steps lower. She found herself wishing that she had been given the lessons in manners Genesis obviously had. Instead she had been forced to observe and practise them as best she could.

"You asked to talk with me?"

"That's right," Cybersix removed her hat to let the water run off. She looked up into the other woman's familiar eyes. "I'd like to initiate a truce."

"What's a 'truce?'"

"Well, it's making peace. When two people decide not to be angry at each other anymore."

"You mean you don't want us to fight like last time."

"Exactly. Genesis, I'm sorry for upsetting you. We got off to a bad start, and I'd like us very much to be friends." She extended a hand. With relief, she felt it being taken.

"Friends..." Genesis repeated, listening to the new word and liking it.

The sound of another voice suddenly sent them both jumping out of their skins.

"Really, Cybersix. Taking advantage of the innocent? How shameful."

"Mein Gott!"

"In a way, yes." Von Reichter was standing at the foot of the staircase, a guard of four Fixed Ideas in a half-moon behind him. Cybersix and Genesis were on their feet in an instant. He shifted his smug gaze from one woman to the other and said nothing more.

Panic began to replace the embarrassment Genesis felt at being caught. How could he possibly have found her? And what was going to happen to poor...

"Cybersix..." Genesis turned to her and saw the shock and disappointment on the woman's face.

"So you were never just curious. This was your plan."

"Nein! Cybersix, no! I didn't do this! You must believe me!"

"Oh Liebschen, I don't think anyone is about to believe you now," Von Reichter cut in. "How dare you disobey me?"

"I-I-"

"Damn it woman, shut up! I'll have your answer later, believe me. But at least your deceit has resulted in one good thing." He produced a handgun and grinned demonically as he aimed it at Cybersix. "Finally seeing that bitch die!"

Then he pulled the trigger.

From nowhere flew the thunderous power of Data 7, pinning down his creator with two hundred and fifty pounds of muscle. Von Reichter's shot misfired as the gun fell from his hands. He swore as the panther snarled in his face.

"Data!" Cybersix exclaimed. What happened to our agreement to let me come here by myself? she thought, affectionately frustrated but thankful nonetheless. Genesis put her hands to her mouth in horror.

The Fixed Ideas, having been caught offguard by Data 7's appearance, attempted to remedy their failing by aiming a variety of firearms at him. Their master caught sight of them.

"No, you idiots, don't fire! Do you want to kill me?" Shouted the doctor frantically. He looked back at his shiny feline opponent. "And you - kill me and you kill yourself! You know you'll die without my sustenance!"

"We were ready to make that sacrifice before, remember? We're just as ready now!" shouted Cybersix, and prepared to leap onto the battlefield.

Before she could even make her first jump, Genesis beat her to it. She came screaming at Data 7 and slammed into his side, knocking him off of von Reichter and dislocating her upper arm from the impact. With Data 7 off of their master, the Fixed Ideas attacked, and Cybersix jumped into the fray to help him.

Surrounded by combat, von Reichter sat up and stared as Genesis tried to force herself up with one good arm. Was she loyal to him after all? She turned her face to him slowly and he smiled.

But before he could speak, Genesis had him pinned to the floor again. She had her forearm pressed onto his collarbone, close to his throat. Despite his arms being free, the doctor would not be able to get the stronger creature off of him. With the Fixed Ideas subdued, Cybersix and Data 7 stood shocked and looked on uncertainly.

"Liebschen...you're hurting me..." von Reichter began slowly. Genesis pressed down harder and he gasped.

"What is the truth?" She asked him in Spanish, keeping her voice steady. She wanted the other two to hear everything. "I want to know the truth."

"The truth? The truth of what? Genesis, you're not making any sense -"

"Please, Max! Why was I never told about others like me? Why do you hate the Cyber?" She was crying. "What are we?"

Von Reichter shook his head, sighing. "You are superhumans. You were both given life under artificial circumstances. By me. That is why you owe me your loyalty and obedience. I never told you about Cyber 6 because it was unnecessary. She is ungrateful and a failure, and I saw no reason for you to learn about her deplorable ways."

Cybersix felt her face burning in hurt and anger. Straining with all their might, she and Data 7 fought their raging compulsions to step in. This moment was for Genesis.

The young creation closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She painfully switched arms and held von Reichter down with her injured limb as she slowly reached for the gun laying on the floor. The doctor was horrified as Genesis placed it in his hand and brought it to her chest.

"I am only a monster, then. A single-purposed robot. I will never be anything more." Tearfully, she cocked the gun. "Please kill me, Max."

Von Reichter stared first at the gun, then at Genesis. "You would rather die?" His expression turned muderous. "You would rather die than be loyal to me?" She had turned on him. No matter what he did, Maria would not obey.

Eyes cold with rage, he made his decision.

His finger began to squeeze the trigger and Cybersix could not bear it anymore. She threw herself at Genesis and von Reichter, not caring that the loaded gun could very well fire at her.

Cybersix!

There was a desperate struggle, and before Data 7 could do anything more than emit a telepathic cry, the terrible crack of a gunshot paired with a scream echoed sharply through the warehouse.

Cybersix saw Genesis fall back from the bullet's impact, her eyes staring vacantly in shock. Glowing, unnatural blood spattered out from the wound in her chest. Cybersix rushed to catch her and the next moment was flitting away alongside her brother, the creature safe in her arms.

The warehouse was deathly still. A Techno entered, instructed to do so if his master had been inside for more than twenty minutes. He was unnerved by the lack of noise and quickened his pace.

Upon reaching the main storage area, he discovered von Reichter hunched over on the floor amid the unconscious Fixed Ideas. He was facing the opposite wall and breathing heavily.

"Master?" The Techno approached anxiously.

He promptly stumbled back from a fatal shot to the head as the doctor watched, his vengeful face wet with tears.

Blinking back the tears in her eyes, Cybersix appeared at Yashimoto's window holding a figure in her arms. He pulled it open and took his friend's bloodied cargo as she descended from the windowsill. The man made a noise under his breath and she looked up.

"Sorry about the blood, Miao," she said apologetically.

"No, don't worry about it Cyber, it'll come out. That's not really what startled me, anyway." He looked down at Genesis, who had long since fainted from her ordeal. "It's - that she just looks so much like you."

"Or that I look so much like her?"

Yashimoto smiled approvingly at her witty correction.

Helmut walked slowly through the doorway and into the yard, avoiding the gaze of the Fixed Idea doorman. He made his way across the manicured lawn towards a tree standing in the corner of the lot. At its roots stood a simple white cross and a few bunches of flowers. The boy stopped in front of his memorial and sighed.

Why did you have to die? Helmut asked. Why did the Cyber have to shoot you? He softly began to cry.

I loved you, Miss Genesis.

* * *

Adrian was in a good mood as he made his way down the crowded street towards home. It was nearly a month into the new school year, and the late summer heat was slowly cooling down into the more comfortable weather of autumn. A small child walked by, holding her mother's hand and excitedly chattering away. It made Adrian smile to himself.

Cybersix had felt a wave of relief when she, Lucas and Yashimoto discovered that Genesis was in fact going to live. They rested her on the bed, on top of several towels to absorb the blood. Cleaning her injuries, they realized that the bullet wound was just under her collarbone and had missed her heart entirely.

"Look at this!" exclaimed Lucas as he lifted Genesis up off the towels. "There's no exit wound!"

Cybersix realized what had happened. "When the bullet hit her, it must have wedged itself between her collarbone and a rib! A human's bones would have been broken, but she's built just like me!"

The bullet would have to stay in Genesis, as a trip to the emergency room would reveal that she was not human. But so far it had caused no problems and the wound, like the arm Cybersix had popped back into place, was healing well. Unsure just what to do with her, the group decided that for now, Yashimoto's apartment was the best place for their new acquaintance to stay and recover. Neither von Reichter nor Jose had any idea that he had returned to Meridiana, and no reason to suspect he ever would. Genesis was eager to please her saviors and readily agreed to stay.

And now, because of her, I know that I owe part of myself to Maria von Reichter.

Pausing at the front door of his building, Adrian gazed up at the glowing late afternoon sky, and for a rare moment in his life felt nothing but pure joy.

Mom, thought Cybersix.

* * *

The bedroom door opened hesitantly and Yashimoto looked up from the book he was reading. He shifted around in the blankets and turned to see Genesis standing in the doorway. Ever the gentleman, he had given her the bed to sleep in during her stay while he took the couch.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"Having trouble sleeping?"

"Bad dreams." She still had frequent nightmares, although her "flashbacks" were slowly leaving. Now it was more often her own life experiences which caused them.

"Do you want to read too, or watch T.V. or anything?" He sat up.

"No, thank you." There was a pause. "Um, may I sit with you?"

Yashimoto smiled at her question. She was always so impeccably polite, even at one in the morning. "Sure," he answered.

Genesis walked over to the couch and sat down. She had worn one of his shirts to bed. She was silent for a moment, staring at the floor, and her host suddenly noticed that her eyes were getting wet.

"Hey..." he moved to put his arm around the girl and she curled up against him, laying her head on his shoulder and sniffling. He hugged her. "Hey, it'll be okay."

"I'm scared, Miao-san," she sobbed quietly. "I'm just scared."

"I know, Genesis. But it's okay now. You're safe here." He felt her nodding. "We won't let anything happen to you."

The two of them sat holding each other on the couch for a long time, until Genesis finally fell asleep. Yashimoto reached up and turned off the lamp. Everything was dark and silent.

I won't let anything happen to you.

He closed his eyes and together they slept soundly until morning.