It really was too bad that Techno 1954 was dead, von Reichter had to admit. This was one of those times when the theoretician's input would have at the most inspired a plan of action, and at the least confirmed how not to proceed. Insolent at times he may have been, but most often he was right, and the way he died - apparently, while defending the sustenance generator during Jose's assault on the compound - certainly confirmed his loyalty. A very tragic loss.

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 (dubbed "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 Lili! 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 spongy 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 portico. 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 you know it's - 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.

*Think this is one for Dr. Zack?*

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?