Chinks in the Armor

A few days before Krillin vanished, Dr. Polly Atomica had decided to take a flight and see the Z warriors take on two androids. Dr. Atomica had stayed behind, worried and ticked off that Bulma had been stupid enough to take her own son along into danger. Fortunately, she had taken that short person Yajerobe with her. Although Dr. Atomica had met the Z warriors, she kept her mouth shut around them, not wanting to get more involved in the fighting then a mother of a three year old could. She had dropped Curie off at Nanny Root's daycare and checked into work only to argue with Bulma about not going into danger.

She and Bulma had argued viciously, and then the blue haired hothead had left. News reached her later via their mutual acquaintance Yamcha that Bulma had been saved by a mysterious lavender haired youth. Gladly she thanked the young man who came home with Bulma and a crying baby, and shook his hand. Then Bulma announced the boy would be staying at Capsule and that he would be treated like a member of the Briefs clan. It always struck Atomica as odd that his name was also Trunks. Then she slowly wondered if it was more than mere coincidence.

She had heard the reports that came from Ginger town. She had stupidly gotten in her car and driven there to see herself to satisfy her curiosity. Having been in the Red Ribbon army she wanted to see if the strangers causing havoc were indeed Androids. Now she was cursing her rashness and impulsivity as her car was blasted off the highway. Tumbling repeatedly into an embankment the thing smashed. Only the protective wall of flexible gel like the one plastic she had generated had saved her. Moments later a slender pale hand ripped the door off the smoking car and scooped her up. Then the thing had exploded in a deadly inferno.

Whoever carried her free was a pale haired blonde-haired person with white skin and inhumanly bright eyes. She said nothing, clad in Red Ribbon clothes, which prompted Dr. Atomica to hold her tongue until she was safely on the ground. There was no question that the woman was: one of Dr. Gero's cybernetic creations and an advanced model from the looks of it.

Now she and the one called Krillin were house guests of androids. Deadly creatures that saw her and him as toys. Just how long they would keep them there neither knew. Yet as the day wore on, and she and Krillin cooked and waited hand and foot on them, they were watching with those doll like eyes, scrutinizing every move.

Krillin wiped off the glass he dried while Atomica washed. Both of them felt that blue gaze beaming on them. He whispered, "Don't let them see you freak. Just take it easy..."

"You and I please them for now, but what then if they get bored with us?" she asked. Wearing a polo shirt and nice tan slacks, he seemed far more dapper then his usual karate ki with the kame sennen logo on the back. In addition Atomica wore the stylish baggy pants, high heeled stiletto boots, and a studded leather belt with a corsetted bustier under a jeans jacket that 17 strongly insisted she wear.

"Hey, what's taking you so long?" 17 shouted from the sitting room area. He sat with his feet propped up bored while 18 wandered around setting down new bags of clothes. She pulled out a scarf and twirled around, letting the silk flow like water.

"Shut up Brother. Hey cutie, what do you think about THIS on me, eh?" she said as she danced before Krillin.

"Um that looks great... honey...." Krillin stammered, really impressed by the tight jeans skirt, long sleeved shirt with a low V cut, and tall boots. She draped the scarf around her neck and then winked at him.

"I love a man who knows just WHAT to say to a lady, don't you brother?" she blinked at Krillin, who swallowed hard.

"Hmph whatever, I'm bored," 17 mumbled as he tossed the remote down. Cupping his hands to his mouth he shouted, "Hey DOC! Dinner done yet?"

"Yes," Atomica called, wiping her hands off on a towel tucked into her jeans front. She moved over to where she had thrust a large pot roast into the oven, and Krillin had helped her prepare a simmering pot of rice that bubbled on the stove now.

"Good girl," 17 answered. "But I need you in here now, Professor."

"Coming," she said as she moved into view, feeling her cheeks flushed red as 17 stood up and strode over to her.

"B... but the roast..." Krillin stammered.

"Let's go upstairs for a bit now. Let them handle the dinner arrangements?" 18 said, taking Krillin's hand and tugging him along after her to leave her brother alone with his plaything.

"But..."

"I need you to carry these bags for me," 18 said with a hint of menace. Krillin rushed around scooping up all the purchases she'd carried in. Nodding with approval 18 beckoned him upstairs.

"Damn," Atomica murmured, hugging herself.

"Alone again at last, Doc. Now you and I have a few other things to chat about, since we've gotten to know one another a bit better," 17 grinned, stalking up to her.

"You didn't want to talk much before," she panted, her heart pounding in her chest as she was backed into the kitchen again. She hoped he only wanted to fuck her as before, but something new gleamed in those eyes.

"I love how you're bullshitting me. Acting all casual when you're really scared shitless," said Juunana-gou, walking towards her as she moved further into the tiled area near the stove and large islands in gleaming silver metal.

"What do want to know about?" she asked warily.

"You've been keeping some things back from me. Things I want to know, Doc. Very naughty of you," 17 leered.

"So... Either way, if I tell you you're probably not going to let me go," said she. "You don't just want me for a fuck."

“You used to be in the Red Ribbon army didn't you? So that's why my sister captured you. You could have a lot of information we could find useful. And now that I know you know something about us, I can hardly let you go could I?” 17 said, moving his face close to hers.

"I... what about it?"

"Doc, be nice to me," 17 whispered.

Licking her lips she gasped, “Oh... yest that's exactly right. You noticed the similarities in our plastics. What if I was to say that I invented the plastic coating that protects you from the Saiyans?"

"Bingo. You're a regular Einstein," he whispered. "Now was that hard to admit? Why hide that from me since I know everything ELSE about you now, including how well your cunt fits my hard cock, among others. Care to explain WHY you're trying to hold your past from ol' 17?"

"I... I might have been holding back because... I was afraid that you kill me as you almost were tempted to kill Gero? Or you could be thinking of some way to kill me later when you're bored," Atomica said, as he backed her to the fridge.

"I might be," 17 said, looking at her with a strange gleam in his eyes. “But unlike you, I like this body that `father' gave me. The reason I wanted him gone was he got this wild idea that BECAUSE he `created' me he could tell me what to do.”

“He was stupid to presume that. You're a being with your own mind. I don't blame you for…” she stammered.

“Spare me the sympathy, Doc,” 17 sneered, bringing his face close. However he then reached behind her to open the door of the fridge. She leapt out of the way as he pulled it open and grabbed a can of soda. Relief filled her as he shoved it into her hand.

"Open it," he said. She pulled the tab back, and her fingers shook as she handed it to him. Then he snatched the capsule cola back, to sip it. His adams apple bobbed as he took a long draught.

“All right then. We can talk about something else,” she said quietly. "Or... play some more?"

"Mmm, playing. I like that." 17 rested his hand on his hip. He crushed the soda can in his fingers, and then threw it up in the air. Aiming a finger, he vaporized it with a pencil thin beam. Once he'd done this, he blew on the tip of his finger as if it was a six-shooter from the old west.

"You still want to play with me. Or else you're either keeping me alive to find something out, and then you'll get rid of me when you've had your fill," she said leveling her gaze.

"A regular Einstein you are," he said, the corner of his lip twitching. Dr. Atomica got up from her chair and rested her hands on her hips.

Dr. Atomica rolled her eyes. Swallowing all trepidation, she exhaled and said firmly, "All right let's cut the bullshit, Juunana-gou. There's no need for it. Whatever it is you want, you're stronger than I am, so if you're expecting me to fight, then I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed. I must be doing well enough, since you haven't killed me yet. And I haven't let you down in bed yet right?”

"Not at all. But I'm still bugged by you holding something back. So are you going to tell me more about your past or not?" he asked.

"But if I tell you, then you might kill me..." she panted.

17 snickered, "You know you're someone I admire in some strange way. You're acting calm but you're scared inside and that got my attention. However, don't think you can keep it up forever. You'll break down.”

Atomica whispered as 17took a step toward her. "You're pretty bold with your abilities."

"You're the last loose end, my so called `father' has,” 17 said as he advanced on her and slowly reached out his hand to touch her face lightly. "So, I'm going to ask you again: what do you know? What secrets do you know from working with that son of a bitch?”

"Will you strangle me if I say I don't know?" Atomica asked.

"Not good enough," he said, as his hand slowly went around her throat. Instantly Atomica brought up her hand and grabbed a fold of his skin on his arm, pinching it. He winced and she dropped down before he could lunge to get her.

"I'm not afraid of you," Atomica said defiantly as she ducked and leapt onto the counter.

"You should be," 17 bit his lip and kept his distance. "There's nowhere you can go where I can't hunt you down."

"Maybe so, but I'm betting you're so desperate to know the answer, and it's making you crazy that Gero might have some failsafe to destroy you and someone ELSE might figure it out," she said as he moved to her, and she leapt over his shoulder and landed on the floor.

"You're one smooth broad aren't you?" he asked as he moved back, and aimed a ki blast at her. She grabbed the nearby shiny toaster to reflect the blast. 17 dodged and she leapt onto the counter behind him.
Juunanagou gasped as she grabbed him from behind and he gasped as her legs locked around his waist and her arms locked around his, immobilizing him. "Who's in control now?" asked Atomica, as he gasped.

“FIELD ON!” the dark haired cyborg shouted. A buzzing of energy crackled over both of them. Grimly she held on, smoke filling her nostrils. To his shock, she was very much alive.

“What the hell are you made of?” 17 muttered in sick fascination.

“I guess it's my lucky day,” she gasped. Snatching the gun from his holster, she aimed it at his neck.

"You'll die too," he sneered, feeling a strange sick thrill at her nerve. “You fire that point blank and you'll fry us both.”

"How does it feel to be the victim, Juunanagou?" she asked her lips by his ear. "To not know if your next breath will be your last… that your own creations could kill you…"

“I could still survive. You don't KNOW for sure that my own gun can kill me do you?”

"But I'll take you to hell with me," said Atomica slowly. "Give up, and we'll talk like human beings… otherwise we both die… and if your sister walks in, we'll both die as well…"

"Fine!" 17 snapped.

Atomica still pinioned his arms, which flailed because she had locked his shoulders with her arms wrapped under, and her legs were wrapped around his waist from behind, squeezing tighter and constricting his breath. Just how she had the strength to crush on him she didn't know. A horrified feeling shot over her. 17 was either playing with her, or else there were things about herself she knew very little about.

17 gasped as she still kept her death grip with those thighs around his waist. "You… win for now, but when you get free you might not be so lucky," he gasped.

"I am not afraid to die, and I'm not afraid to kill you, here and now, Juunanagou," she said slowly as she tightened her grip. "I know the secret of the plastic coating on your skin. Moreover, I know if I blast right here at your neck I could decapitate you. You're not all android. I don't think you'll survive if I blast your head off.”

"You think you have the nerve to do it?" he gasped as he felt his breath going out of him. Before he could shout for help, she put a hand over his mouth, and hooked her arm over his mouth.

"I consider that a compliment," Atomica said as she released him. He turned on her, anger in his eyes, but she stopped his blows, and stood back from him, grabbing his gun as he advanced on her.

"You're stupid if you think I'll let you get away with that," 17 said as the door opened and 18 burst in.

“Brother what the hell are you doing?”

“Playing!” 17 gritted. “What do you think?”

“So are you asking me to kill her after all the trouble I went through to get her?” 18 asked. "And after all the fun she gave you?"

"And put a bullet hole in your own brother?" she asked as she aimed his own weapon at him.

"Play with fire, you'll get burned," said 18.

"Go ahead and kill me," said Atomica slowly. "I'm expecting to die anyway…"

Suddenly 17 blurred out and appeared behind her, twisting her wrist behind her and forcing her to drop the gun. He meant to break her arm but the more he twisted, the more he felt something solid and hard pushing back. Could it be possible that she wasn't entirely human?

"I don't think we should kill her yet, because she could tell us what she knows in another way," he said as 18 covered the professor.

“Why didn't you do that before, stupid?” 18rolled her eyes. She kept her hand raised, a blast flickering on the flat of her palm.

"There's something different about her Sis. She's pretty strong. Not a normal human. Kind of funny don't you think?” 17 said.

“What do you mean?” 18 asked, blinking at him.

“She was able to almost crush me. And her arm doesn't break,” 17 laughed as he jerked hard, making the Professor gasp in pain. However, the shoulder didn't dislocate with a snap. As it was, 17 was giving a considerable wrench with his energy.

“Well well, that's different,” 18 said, her cold blue eyes narrowing as she looked more closely at the squirming professor. Reaching down she grabbed the gun and tossed it back to 17.

“And there's another thing, Juuhachi-gou. I never expected to find someone who could be as ruthless as me,” he snickered.

"Maybe. But are you so sure she's worth the trouble?" 18 asked.

"Who knows? I'll get the info out of her one way or another," he said, holding his gun to her temple.

“So, you want me to leave you alone to play or what?” asked 18 impatiently. She glanced at the designer watch on her wrist.

“You don't want to watch sis?” asked 17. “It could be fun.”

“No thanks. Your kind of fun is boring,” 18 answered. “I'm going to go shopping again.”

Professor Atomica felt fire erupting from one joint on her shoulder. She watched 18 casually striding out the door as if nothing had happened. Then the door slammed, leaving her alone in the clutches of 17. Her arm creaked in pain when he let go of her wrist and snapped her body forwards in a half circle. Now she faced him, backed against the hard wall. With a malicious smile, 17 aimed the gun right at her.

"Now you've got the gun again. Go ahead, kill me," Atomica said. "I dare you…"

"You still aren't scared are you?" he asked.

"I'd be stupid if I said I wasn't," she said. "But I got to you. I can die, knowing I almost killed you… and that for an instant you felt the fear your entire victim's fear, dying at the hands of your nasty pets. And that's something you'll never take away. You'll remember it…"

"You are good," 17 said quietly as he looked at her, cocking the trigger. The anger in her eyes and the way she trembled showed the truth of her words. If he killed her now, she would go to her death without fear, and he'd be left with the memory. Nevertheless, if he spared her…

"You're lucky, Doc," he said as he lowered the gun. "Lucky that you did yank my chain and live to tell about it."

"So, now what? World domination, kill me in my sleep?" she asked as he advanced on her, with the gun in hand.

"C'mon doc, seriously, you think if I really thought you could blow me away, I wouldn't have a way out?" he said smugly. "I've got a million ways to waste you.”

"I figured you would, so what? Fact is you LET me do it, and that's still showing I win, if I die. I got to you, and you can't deny you weren't scared to die…" she said as he advanced on her, the gun held to her chest as he pulled her to him, his hips pressed to hers. Her breath heaved in and out, and she glanced up at him, fire in her dark eyes. No matter what, she would not be broken, curse her. Here was one woman he could not control.

17 breathed heavily, feeling the strange thrill running through him. He slid his hand down her back and squeezed her ass roughly through the skirt, and Atomica showed no fear as she reached up her hand and slid it around his neck. "I could shoot you now," he said slowly with a smirk on his lips.

"Before I strangle you?" she asked. "Either way… I'm ready to die sooner or later…"

"Were you scared out of your mind before?" he asked.

"I did face death then, but I was more worried for the people you'll toy with yet then me," she said slowly.
"Give me a break. You'll only destroy yourself thinking garbage like that," 17 laughed, pressing the gun to her head.

"Maybe so. But there is one more thing," she said, her fingers still around his throat. "You couldn't kill me. I don't know WHY, and I don't care. But I know you're anxious to find out.”

“Maybe I don't. Maybe you're just another experiment gone badly. A waste of skin and energy?” 17 answered, leering at her. “Last year's model.”

“Don't you want to know what I might know about Gero? Maybe I'm remembering things slowly because they screwed with my memories too?”

“Nice bluff, but what if I don't give a shit?” 17 sneered, cocking the trigger with a click.

“Can you take that chance? If I know your weaknesses then someone ELSE might know them. Who else might be alive waiting to be awakened? Did you know Dr. Gero had a computer and a whole host of OTHER androids that are possibly MORE powerful then you? Can you live with yourself knowing that…?”

“So? Why's that important? Is it worth my time?” 17 said, slowly squeezing the trigger.

“Even if I am scared, I know I could have bested you… and you could have stopped me but you didn't… why is that?"
"You're a lucky bitch," he said, lowering the gun. "And you know you can't get away… but you won't break. I like that. I like that a lot…"

"I'm a bitch, and you're a sick bastard. It's obvious what you want. So why don't you either shoot or put the gun down…" she said angrily as his hand with the gun was still there.

Reaching out one slender hand, he grabbed her wrist and yanked her into his body. Then he backed her up until her back collided with the edge of the counter. Polly gasped as he pinned her there with his slender body. Slowly he began to unbutton her shirt, and finger her chest. She felt he would pull the trigger soon enough, but the strange sensations of his hands on her skin were driving her insane. He tossed the gun to one side, well out of reach, and ripped the sides of her blouse open as he pulled her body to his. She grabbed his wrists, fire in her eyes, as his hands were inches from touching her. He pinned her against the counter; his need apparent as it pressed against her stomach.
***
Atomica felt someone softly kissing her back, and she mumbled. Another soft kiss later and she blinked in the morning light. Around her, the sheets were dark blue, and comfortable, and she half wondered where she was. Someone was in the bed next to her, and she knew who it was by the voice. Sunlight filtered through the canopy above, and she heard the chirping of birds. Odd, she was still alive. Moreover, she was in bed with someone she would not have though in a million years. Why did he have to be so good, by the gods!

Countless hours seemed to have passed . Hours filled with squeezing and teasing her, as if she were something, he could not stop touching all over. He had soon learned that kissing was something he enjoyed as he sat up and ravaged her mouth with his own eager one. Rocking those hips and thrusting up until she shuddered and screamed. After that he had again buried his face in the hollow of her shoulder and lay heavily on her. His arms splayed out on either side and he couldn't stop sleep from claiming his body. Pinned under the artificial human, Polly groaned wearily. She laid her head to the side and then had surrendered to sleep.

Now much later, she felt him move, and wrapped her arms around his slender body. He lifted his head and stared down at her with a questioning look in his eyes. She leaned up and covered his mouth in a kiss. Twisting his head to one side, he hungrily deepened it. His body ached for another round but he hated how sticky he felt.

"Don't leave, Doc. I'm not done with you," he said, his tenor voice slightly thick with what sounded like satisfaction as he reached over a brushed a lock of hair from her face.

For a time he watched the movement of her back and heard the sound of her breathing, unsure of what to do. He had never had anything like this happen to him before. Every instinct of his strange mind told him that she was leaving him the chance. The chance to finally rid himself of a potential thorn in his side. However, he had seen how ruthless she could be, and another strange idea seized him. What if he could persuade her to join him… use his own psychological warfare to make her see that all she tried to defend and protect was meaningless? That nobody would risk their lives coming after her, even though 17 guessed they were probably out looking for them now. She was stuck, and 17 smiled slowly, knowing that the worst place he could hurt his prey was to keep her apart from something she desired. Alive, but just out of reach.

"You don't want to admit it, do you?" 17 slowly asked as he caressed her shoulder.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, turning away.

"You actually liked jerking my chain, didn't you?" 17 asked his voice not full of ridicule, but full of something oddly like pity. "Face it Atomica, you almost did kill me there last night. I didn't let you… I wanted to see how far you would go. Because I saw something inside of you that was just trying to come out."

"And what does THIS have to do with what we just did? You got what you wanted, so why not focus on that? Why bring up last night," Atomica mumbled.

"Face it. You and I aren't so different, Doc," 17 persisted. "Once you cross over that line you like it. Seeing who lives and who dies?"

"You're still half asleep what do you mean?" she snarled, turning over.

“I'm not stupid, Doc. While you were still sleeping I pieced everything together,” 17 said. He reached over and grasped her neck with one hand.

"What are you doing… ouch!" yelped the professor, grabbing his wrist. Yet the android's slender fingers almost dug through her skin's outer layers.

“Amazing how I missed it till you were still long enough for me to find it. I wasn't sure because some of the older models don't have an ID chip in the same place. Fortunately you do,” whispered he, leaning closer to breathe in her ear.

“Are you admitting that you allowed me to overwhelm you?” shuddered the Professor, trembling from head to toe.
“Almost. Now I have you right where I want you, you will listen. Whatever you say or do doesn't change what you are,” 17 snickered.

“And what am I? Are you going to say that everything I've been doing till now is one big lie?” she half laughed, half blubbered.

“I don't know why you were spared what we went through, but it seems like whatever process scrambled your memories with this notion you're just a human being. Wake up, Professor. Use that scientific brain and clear through the haze,” urged 17.

"Damn it, all I can remember I was working on a few projects with Gero's team! I made the polymer that coats android skin, but I was NEVER in Gero's lab!" stammered the Professor.

“Really, Juunigou?” chuckled 17.

“WHAT did you call me?” barked she, pushing away from him. Still he kept a viselike hold.

“You heard me. That's who you REALLY are. Juunigou. Your REAL name under it all. `Father' apparently had no imagination.”

“You've got to be kidding me,” the human denied vehemently, shaking her head as if to dislodge the truth.

“Come on! You honestly think you're human after what I did to you last night? An ordinary girl would be DEAD,” laughed 17.

“Spare me the gloating,” snapped she.

"Since you're a scientist, here's more proof, Juunigou," 17 said, grabbing the Professor's hand and jerking it to the same spot on his neck. "You can read me the same way. It's diabolical that I missed it but it was deeper inside.”

"You're not going to bother to explain how, I trust,” the Professor complained. Then her eyes narrowed at the sensation of something prickling the fingertips of her right hand touching 18's skin. Information wrote itself inside her brain without reason, but suddenly she knew cold facts. Cyborg Juunigou. Created by Dr. Gero. Purpose prototype female in series. Power source Infinity batteries…"

A curtain dropped from the haze. Every muscle in her body went rigid, as she found herself staring into the cold ice blue eyes just a foot from her. Just how long they remained there to an outside observer was a mere minute. Yet an inner time sense popped into her brain, other strange revelations twisting through her convulsion and fear. An odd calm slammed down over the residuals of shock, and for the first time the Professor felt nothing but the immediate reality of where she was.

"I feel numb right now," she murmured, blinking at 17.

"Just because we're cyborgs doesn't mean we don't have emotions. Right now you're probably wrestling with the same fact we all did at one time," 17 whispered.

"You like what you are?"

"That doesn't matter. What matters is what you're capable of doing. As in nobody, living can dictate what you can and cannot do. Including how to amuse yourself," 17 answered, dropping his hand.

"We must have SOME purpose. Who or what…" the professor blinked. Her name seemed to have little meaning next to another identity thrusting it aside. A number and reality rose from the morass organizing itself into a framework. Shock filled her body, numbing all reactions save sad acceptance.

"You know what I'm talking about. It's sinking in, isn't it?"

"Android number six? Jinzoningen Roku?" she blinked. "Upgraded to Jinzoningen Juunigou. Abilities include spontaneous polymer formation from latent particulate matter. Offensive capabilities including energy shield, and low-level blasts in addition to molecular reorganization. Offensive capabilities suppressed till contact with other units will trigger primary program."

At this string of words she squeezed her eyes shut. The sentence ended abruptly, before a new one started in its place. "Primary program undefined. Purpose is unclear."

"I'm not a number, I'm a human being," she stammered helplessly.

"Are you just going to sit there in shock, or are you going to accept that's what you are? Choice is up to you. But I really think that you'd be better off here," said he.

“You're wrong, Juunanago!” she snapped.

"That's what it looks like to me, lady. Don't tell me you never killed someone for the Red Ribbon army because it was part of your job? Even without any powers you've as good as done the same thing I did, by helping to create what I am now," he asked. There was no leering in his face, but a strange and brutal seriousness as he stroked her cheek. She slapped his hand away.

"You have NO right comparing yourself to me, you bastard!" she yelled at him, and suddenly her hands flashed out, gripping his neck. 17 didn't move to stop her as she began to squeeze.

"Go on, kill me," 17 taunted. "You know you want to!"

"You bastard, you murderer," Atomica growled at him, pinning him between her legs. She tore at his neck, squeezing hard as she shook him with rage.

"Go ahead and do it. I'm not stopping you," 17 said as he looked up at her, almost tenderly.

"No… because that would make me like you!" she said, and pulled away, her tears rolling down her cheeks as she slid away, sobbing. "Damn you, damn you to hell…"

"Hey, Doc, knock it off,” he said, reaching out and touching her as she sobbed in rage, tearing at the sheets, and screaming into the pillow. There would be bruises around his neck from the force of her hands, but he knew he had touched something. He was right.

"Leave me alone," she said as she turned over, anger on her face. "Or so help me…"

"I know," 17 said slowly, as he caught her hands, firmly but gently and Atomica pushed against him. "You see… I get you, and we're not different after all? "

"I'm NOTHING like you!" she snapped, and 17 twisted his hip out of the way as her knee shot up and hit his shin HARD. Better that then his other part, he thought through the pain.

"Give me a break why are you so uptight about it," he said slowly as she stared into his dark eyes and saw something moist there. Hot anger flooded her and she half wondered if she had gotten through to him. Was he playing yet another game? She was on the knife's edge of sanity when that realization brought her back.

"I can't accept it. Yes perhaps I AM cybernetic, but not created to be like you!" she said as she looked at him, and stopped fighting.

“I'm not stupid, Doc. I put all the pieces together. You're another `mistake' Gero made. And he wiped your mind to stop you from guessing,” 17 said.

“I… it can't be,” she sobbed.

"Don't you want to at least know why? Shh," he whispered, pulling her to him and she let his arms go around her as she sniffled a bit. Anger seized her and she grabbed his face in her hands. Then their lips merged in an angry kiss.