7A note from the author: Hi all! This, as it says in the description, is a big alternate ending to cyborg 009. I liked the ending they already had, but, I thought it was a big anti-climatic, all things considered. So, I'm writing a big alternative. Those out there who are fans of Firefly and have seen the Firefly movie 'Serenity' might notice that this bears a little bit of a semblance to the big plan Mal gets near the end. I'm aware of this. In fact, that was one of two inspirations for this. This intro was also inspired by the Metallica song 'nothing else matters'. (If you have the song play it as loud as you can while reading this intro; sets a good mood.) One last thing, for the fans of 2nd gen. I haven't forgotten about 2nd Generation! This was an idea I picked up the other day and I didn't want to lose it so I typed it up. More of 2nd Gen to come! See ya later!
INTRODUCTION
The room is unbearably silent, no-one dares to speak; I don't think any of us has anything left to say anyway. We're all wrapped up in our thoughts. It's beginning to worry me; no-one will even look anyone else in the eye. We all know the truth; it's just too painful to admit to. We've achieved what we set out to do but now we are set with two final ordeals to pass before we can truly call ourselves free; there's a high chance we won't survive the second and the first, it's the one we're most worried about, funnily enough.
The first, well, what a thought. We have to publicly reveal ourselves to the UN and the press of the world and they have to believe our story, all of it; Black Ghost, cybernetics, cryogenic freezing, death and a mass global conspiracy. We're all terrified; so many things could go wrong. But, if they do believe us, they'll send out their militaries and the UN peacekeeping force in a massive attack on Black Ghost, us at the front.
(We weren't happy about being with them but it was part of the deal; just to be sure we weren't leading them into a trap.) Right now we're all in a small hotel room in Geneva, waiting to be summoned by the people; to be called for either death or freedom.
It's so ironic; I didn't think I'd be so scared. Hell, it was my idea in the first place. I stuck with it; through the hard times and the easy times. It worked, for the most part, and now this is the last obstacle before it proves true. These people must believe us, they have to see; we have proof, we are proof.
But, some people are already in business with the Black Ghost and if the lid gets blown off the secret they'll be in a lot of trouble. They'll fight to keep the secret safe. They have power, friends in high places and a stock of Black Ghost's weapons behind them. They've already put us on the world's A-List of criminals as deranged murderers; they'd jump at the chance if they found out about our friends like Mr Kosumi. If they knew where he'd hidden he'd be dead in a day, or hostage.
I start to shake as the thought of all the things that could go wrong encases me and cuts off all other thoughts. Death and failure swim around me in an endless circle as imaginary scenarios of our forced return to Black Ghost or our imprisonment at the hands of the leaders of the world swim into vision. I cry for the Joe Shimamura that I once was, my friends behind me and a comforting word from Father Kojima only moments away.
All of a sudden I'm no longer a toughened cyborg soldier but a boy of six, crying because life is so unfair. I want it to be like it is in storybooks and TV shows where good never fails and justice never dies. I feel a hand in my shoulder. I look up to see Father Kojima, a warm smile on his face. Don't cry Joe, he tells me. Don't cry, it'll be better soon. As I blink away tears his face fades, it wasn't him. Francoise is standing next to me, her hand on my shoulder and her eyes wet with tears.
Don't cry Joe, she says. Don't cry, it'll be better soon.
But I'm so scared, I tell her. What if we all die because of my stupid idea?
Than what makes it any different form any other day? Speaks a voice from the other side of the room, 004. He is twisting the chain he has around his neck and staring down at the thing on the end of it.
I mean, hecontinues. We've been fighting these bastards for two and a half years now. All the time we knew we might die at any time. Why is it different now?
Maybe 'cause this is the last point to turn back at, says 002. After this the entire world will know who and what we are; after this, bang goes any chance of a life after this.
Dr Gilmore is arranging new identities for us all to be used after it all ends, pipes in 001. We'll get new lives if we can just get through this.
That's a point Junior, says 002. Can't you do some sorta psychic thing to make 'em see our point?
Dr Gilmore and I did discuss it but, we realised just how bad it would make things… Think about it for a moment, if I tried to control their minds they'd agree in the short run but after I stopped controlling them it would make them think we were lying if we had to resort to control.
He's right, says 008. We just gotta negotiate on their terms if we want them to believe us.
003 pulls me close to her and begins to cry onto my shoulder. I put my arms around her.
Don't cry Francoise, it's gonna be alright. I say. We'll make it through, all of us, right guys?
Well we ain't come this far… says 002.
003 pulls me closer, I can feel her shaking.
Don't ever leave me, Joe. She sobs. Stay close, don't go without me.
I promise. I tell her.
Several knocks sound on the door, we're all on our feet by the time it opens. Dr Gilmore walks in, ashen-faced and eyes filled with emotion. He clears his throat and tries to speak. Nothing comes out. After several tries he finally manages to utter his words to us.
I've told them all I can, he declares. All of my part of the story. There's nothing else I can do now; it's all up to you nine now. They want all of your real names and what happened to you all. They'll see you individually. I'm sorry…
He falls to his knees. It was a big move for him; to admit to being a former perpetrator in a massive criminal operation and to taking part in horrific experiments on other people. 003 and 007 help him to his feet.
I'll be fine, he sighs. They told me to tell you, they're waiting for you inside. Good luck.
I look around at my comrades. They all nod and make for the door, slow, and silent. We go out, as a team, into the light…
