Chapter 22

Doc wanted to hack them up and remove any organ that would stand in her way. The GMNs had left for their missions and GMN-1 with nothing to do, had gone to her room to avoid them and finish the books she had collected from the library. She had read a good portion of those books and seemed to be willing to read more.

Doc was in her office when the emergency light started beeping. GMN-1 was having a nightmare. What was so important about a nightmare? The fact that it triggered unusual brain activity and bleeding. What kind of bleeding? Scan and analysis says a freaking menstrual period. Her nightmare triggered her period. Period that was supposed to be terminated by the modification and reconfiguration. She was showing unusual signs and traits that made her wonder what exactly did the Stones reconfigure with.

She had wanted to prep all the females for surgery, open them up and remove every system, organ, anything that is not necessary for their survival. One of the executives had called her and told her to hold everything. They didn't know what she had been battling with. That girl has been in and out of consciousness for the past two hours. They were lucky she couldn't feel pain or she would have been dead by now. She had angrily picked up the call forgetting the GMNs were there and had super hearing. She walked to her office still on the phone.

"You have no idea what is going on here. She hasn't been conscious for more than five minutes at a stretch. We might lose her." Doc shouted to the man at the other end of the line.

"The presence of their reproductive system opens new channels for us. If they can reproduce more of their kind then we won't need Dr. Stone" the man said. Doc hadn't thought of it that way. Still there was a vital GMN's life at risk.

"What if we can't control her situation? " Doc asked

"Then we learn from our mistakes " the man replied

Doc didn't want to take that chance. If it was any other GMN she wouldn't hesitate using the person as a lab rat but this was GMN-1, Dr. Stone's daughter. Knowing Annabelle's greed, if they lose her daughter then they are losing something vital. She couldn't let that happen. Whereas Annabelle Stone could easily recreate something else with this specific reconfiguration and more, Doc couldn't and can not afford to lose the one she had. She cut the call and pressed a line on the desk phone.

"What's her status? "Doc asked

"She's still critical. I'm afraid this may be beyond me" the other person replied.

The hell it is! Doc thought as she marched off to the infirmary. She got there and headed to the operation room. She didn't go inside but observed them from the glass wall, it characterized a major part of the building.

"The unusual brain activity is on the increase " one of the nurses said almost in panic

"Her heart rate is accelerating" another said as she fussed around GMN-1 who was restless on the bed.

"So is her pulse" another piqued in

"Try to stabilize her" the head doctor said

"She's gone under" the second nurse replied

"I don't know what to do? Check for any sign of tumour"

"Doctor, she's having a cardiac arrest"the fourth nurse said

"Her heart is pumping blood at an unusual speed" the third nurse said

All the doctors in the room had confusion written all over their faces. This was supposed to be a normal monthly period right? So far she had shown no sign of internal bleeding.

"I think we need a neurosurgeon" one of the doctors said looking at the wave pattern in her brain. Doc stormed off to make a call

"Doctor! " All the nurses exclaimed. All the doctors turned from the projection screen. There was nobody on the bed.

GMN-1 had watched her fellow GMNs gear up for their first solo mission. She had decided to sit this one out. Why? She didn't feel like. The feeling intensified when they went out immediately. She had decided to catch up on some reading. She couldn't help but notice their choice of gun. Recently she had been able to distinguish between distinct sounds and smells. She could make out a single sound from millions of different sounds, she could identify who was talking and in some cases the location of the speaker. She could also distinguish between scents. To her everything had a distinct smell that is peculiar to it and which they could be identified by. Funny enough she didn't go running to anyone with this new observed ability, she didn't consider it until she started having flashes. She couldn't place where they were from or what they were, they couldn't be her memories but sometimes the girl she saw looked so much like her. They more she had them, the more she felt off.

Today she had been carried away and Doc was there to pick up on her slips. She had noticed Doc's fear almost as if she could scent it and that was weird because her sense of smell was limited to physical things. She also noticed GMN-4's interest in the exchange between her and Doc. It was as if he was curious about the outcome and then the outcome seemed to bore him and amuse him at the same time. She had every member of her crew pegged. She didn't miss 2's hesitation, 5's unease, 9's indecision, 7's irritation and 6's excitement. 3 was hard to peg in reaction but 4 was without any so she was quite surprised when he had one which made her think, he may know more than he actually should. Maybe he had noticed the same but why didn't he tell Doc? With each flashes she had more questions than answers, more doubt than trust. She didn't want to be subjected to more tests and study. It always seem to her that Doc and Deccan were always hovering around like she had something of theirs.

When the rest had left, she knew Doc was going to hound her until she got something. She had quickly gotten up and left just as Doc was about to move in and ask questions. She felt uneasy around the woman as if she needed to keep her guards up and protect herself against the woman which again was weird since Doc was on their side and was helping them. She had left he common room heading for her room when she heard Doc lift her hand as if telling someone to pause. She ignored the two of them and headed to her room. After finishing the book, she lay on her bed and drifted to sleep. She was woken by a sound that came from inside her body. It was accompanied by strange movement below her chest. The weird stuff that always beats in rhythm increased its pace and the liquid in her body began to flow at an enormous rate. She ignored it because for some reason she was feeling very very dizzy. It was as if the sleep was pulling her with a force she couldn't resist. She had a feeling of deja vu she couldn't quite place. It was as if she had felt this mad desire to sleep before.

She let it pull her down, big mistake because she was forced to witness someone's nightmare. A nightmare she was having difficulty waking up from. It was like she was trapped, no matter how much she tried to wake, it managed to drag her back under. It was like she'll come out, hyperventilate and go back under. She could hear some of the things that was said around her. Doctor? Heart rate? She had a heart? It was becoming so confusing. Her mares insisted that she had a past that she wasn't aware of. It was as if she was trying to reach something and neither she nor the thing could make up their minds if she actually wanted to reach it or if it actually wanted to be reached. She tried to search inwards for what she was looking for. She had this uncomfortable feeling in her brain. It wasn't pain, it was like an overwhelming fullness as if her brain wanted to explode.

******

GMN-5 looked uncomfortable at the scrutiny.

"What bit of accident got you looking like that? " GMN-6 asked

"Doesn't matter. You got your target right? " when GMN-5 nodded "Good. Go and wash up" he directed. GMN-5 turned and left. Deccan turned back to pairs of curious eyes.

"About the crisis? "GMN-3 began. Deccan looked at them. He would have to come up with something.

"And the new traits observed, you were talking about GMN-1 right? " GMN-9 asked.

This was getting more complicated to explain. Deccan decided to settle for half of the truth.

"GMN-1 is not feeling quite alright. So we are attending to her. " Deccan said

"That's impossible! " GMN-9 exclaimed. He couldn't imagine any of them not feeling fine let alone GMN-1.

"She was very fine when we left" GMN-6 tone took on a surprising accusatory note.

"Yes she was but then she started exhibiting some unusual... " Deccan began

"Where is she? " GMN-3 asked

"In the infirmary " Deccan said and all the GMNs took off.

"I hate it when they do that" Deccan muttered to himself.

The GMNs raced for the infirmary. GMN 2 and 9 got there first. They didn't see her in the consulting room. GMN-4 raced ahead following the voices he was hearing. He arrived at the operating room with the others hot on his trail. They arrived just in time to see GMN-1 solidifying from thin air as one of the doctors looked on in growing horror. She didn't reappear on the bed which happened to be where they had kept her, judging from the way they gathered to stare at the bed. Instead she reappeared behind them. She appeared tired ,weak and not fully awake. The lone doctor that saw her couldn't make a sound. The others felt around on the bed to see if she was still there. The GMNs starred with their mouths open. GMN-1 slumped forward again. With lighten fast reflex GMN 2 and 4 caught her before she toppled an old doctor over. They turned to look at the three of them.

GMN-1 was still unconscious and very hot to touch. The medical team shifted as they lay her back on the bed. Most of them thought the other GMNs had something to do with her disappearance, all except the doctor who didn't seem able to overcome his shock.

"You shouldn't be here. We are trying to help her" the head doctor said

"What's wrong with her? " GMN-2 asked

"We are not sure yet" the head doctor replied

"Your speculations? " GMN-4 asked as the other GMNs trooped in.

"tumour, maladjustment... "

"There's no tumour" GMN-3 said looking at the projected image "there's an erratic wave pattern which in humans indicates intense thought or emotion. Sometimes found when relieving a trauma."

The doctors starred at him as he studied the charts.

"I'm noticing a new signal and new cell formation. Never seen this cell before in any picture of the human anatomy" GMN-3 continued as though musing to himself. "How about reducing the temperature. That should help keep her stable"

"We have a limit to which we can increase and reduce the temperature of this room" the head doctor said still stupefied.

"Why is she bleeding? "GMN-4 asked GMN-3

GMN-3 turned back to the screen and looked very shocked. GMN 6 and 9 quickly walked over to see what he was looking at while GMN-4 left. The medical team stood to a corner watching them. This was beyond them but seeing these children who looked like they should be in high school taking charge...

After examining the charts a few more times, he exhaled slowly

"That is not bleeding. It's catamenia. The possibility is still baffling" GMN-3 replied

"Cata-what? " GMN-9 asked

"Menstruation, menstural period" GMN-3 said with an impatient wave of his hand. Just as GMN-4 entered with something in his hand.

"Wait what? " GMN-6 asked. GMN-3 made to repeat himself but she stopped him. "I heard you, I just don't understand the possibility"

"Me neither" GMN-3 said flipping through more charts.

"Is it supposed to be this much? " GMN-4 asked setting the equipment up.

GMN-3 looked from the charts to GMN-1 on the bed who was still tossing her head about slowly.

"It's heavy but not enough to classify as menorrhagia." GMN-3 answered loss in thoughts.

"English Doc" GMN-7 said. GMN-3 looked at him and back to the charts.

"Excessive flow" GMN-3 said

Just then Doc came stumping in. She wasn't able to get the neurosurgeon to come here. She wasn't going to sit and watch. She would go on with the surgery and remove her reproductive organ. She almost didn't see Deccan who manage to grab hold of her hand and stopped her from walking in. He had been there for quiet a while, observing them. Doc looked in through the glass wall and saw the GMNs tending to their own. She stopped and watched them.

GMN-4 set up the equipment close to GMN-1. The device converts ice to cold air. He poured a huge amount of ice and shut the lid and used one of the tables to prop up the nuzzle of the equipment so it was directly facing GMN-1.

"Where did you get that?" GMN-9 asked

"Made it"GMN-4 simply said

"Check her temperature and the temperature of the room" GMN-3 directed

"On it"GMN-2 replied

"Multiple cell formation. What are you up to GMN-1?" GMN-3 mused to himself.

"Her colour is no longer pale" GMN-7 noticed as he checked her face and hands. He moved the beddings aside to check her legs as the rest of them moved to see what GMN-3 was musing to himself about.

"They are reproducing at an enormous rate. Here and here" GMN-3 said pointing at the screen and then moved to her brain chart. There was something at the back of his mind but he didn't voice it out. "Those erratic thoughts are still in full force. What can we use to calm her brain? " GMN-3 said turning to the team of medical staff who looked like they had been retired without prior information.

"We could try music" one of the doctor said

"Music!? "GMN-7 exclaimed covering GMN-1 back up. She had very fine skin.

"What is wrong with you? " GMN-6 asked 7 raising a brow. The rest of the GMNs turned to look at him. Something in his trousers was poking out.

"You've got to be kidding me! " they heard Doc exclaim angrily

GMN-7 looked down, something was sticking out. He poked it with his index finger and felt it.

"so what are you hiding? "GMN-6 asked walking towards him. GMN-7 felt weird. He felt as if he was familiar with this situation but right now he didn't know what to do. The confused GMN was still standing there when GMN-6 reached him. She bent down to take a closer look. She couldn't determine what it was so she stretched out her hand to Yank it off before any one could stop her. The thing refused to come off.

"I think he's growing an extra leg" GMN-6 announced. The rest looked at her.

"Kindly step away from the new growing leg" GMN-3 said patronizingly

"Look it's still growing. Can I see what your new leg looks like? " GMN-6 said again as she tried to touch it again. For some reason she wanted to keep touching it. Before she could touch it again GMN-7 caught her hand.

"Please don't " GMN-7 said. He suddenly felt dizzy. He saw himself on this same situation but it was as if in another life time. He wanted to know what happened next but his head was feeling too heavy on his head. He put his free hand to his head trying to stem the weight. GMN-3 was at his side in a twinkle.

"7, I need you to relax OK? " GMN-3 said soothingly. He turned to 9 "Get the other bed"

Just then GMN-5 walked in, looking more confused than the rest of them.

"Why is Doc and Mr. Deccan outside watching you all?" She asked then spotted GMN 1 and 7 on beds. She even became more confused as she spotted the medical team to the side and her fellow GMNs running the show. Was this some kind of test? She asked herself. She had come to remove the bullets from her skin so she can be able to heal properly.

"Get his vitals on the screen especially his brain"GMN-3 directed

So it was now GMN-3 running the show. GMN-1 was actually out of duty? What was sticking out of GMN-7's pants? She needed to know the basics so she could join in and maybe when GMN-1 gets better she won't have a pedestal to return to.

She walked forward and stopped. She heard something loud and clear. GMN-7 was muttering

"Stacy"

All the GMNs turned to look at 7. The medical team didn't hear anything and neither did Doc and Deccan. What was really going on. Why were the two of them behaving strangely.

That name sounded familiar to GMN-5 but why? Thinking seemed to make her head heavy so she brushed it aside and stepped forward. She walked around to observe GMN-7. He looked pale but calm. Whatever was in his trousers was no longer there. Maybe that was what made him unwell. She moved over to GMN-1, she was ice cold but seemed to be restless. There was sweat on her forehead and her brow seemed to furrow from time to time. There was also the occasional head tossing. She shook her head. She moved over to where GMN-3 stood trying to ignore the annoying music that was playing.

"What's going on? " GMN-5 asked almost demanding.

"You need to get those bullets out or your flesh will close over it" GMN-3 replied inclining his head to the medical team. The medical team immediately moved into action, trying to pry the unwilling GMN. They didn't want to feel completely useless anymore.

GMN-2 called out to 3 that GMN-7's temperature was back to normal. Apparently he had decided to let go of whatever it was. GMN-3 checked his charts, everything was returning back to normal. That left GMN-1. It couldn't be the now active reproductive organ that was keeping her. He didn't think it was the cell formation either but the two coinciding with her accelerated brain function and whatever she was thinking made her system imbalanced. He was curious as to what was going on in her brain. He had a lot of questions. He shook his head, he needed to concentrate. He noticed GMN-7 brain chart, he was waking up.

"That was weird" GMN-7 said rubbing his forehead and sitting up. He was surprised to be on a bed. He looked to his side and saw GMN-1 and the events came flashing back. He shook his head vigorously as if to get rid of whatever it was that seemed to pulling him back.

"How's she? " GMN-7 asked trying to stand but 2 held him back.

GMN-3 shrugged moving to GMN-1. The music had calmed her a little but they needed to get her fully conscious or they risk her going back under.

Doc and Deccan watched the GMNs from their vantage point. They had wanted to see this scene play out to the fullest without any interruption. It was very revealing. Who would have thought that GMN-3 with his temperamental personality would be medically inclined. In their own way the GMNs could be self sufficient. Doc would give her right leg to know the thoughts that trapped GMN-1 in an unconscious state.

"We need to wake her" GMN-3 said

"You're sure that's safe? " GMN-6 asked

"No but it's safer than getting pulled back under." GMN-3 said

GMN-1 felt like she was relieving someone's memory. She kept trying to wake but it seemed the memory was trying to tell her something. Somehow her body felt she couldn't handle what it was. Hence her constant struggle between consciousness and unconsciousness. She could feel the emotions of the human she was seeing her memory and sometimes when that human looked at her reflection, they looked alike. It was like she was seeing the world through the eyes of this unknown human. She could feel the human's pain not physically but emotionally. She kept trying to get out from inside this small human but she couldn't. It was like she was trapped there which made her panic sending erratic wave through her brain. Then came the worst part, a betrayal and a sterile room. The faces weren't clear but the emotional pain was. She had relieved that particular memory more times and each time the pain and sorrow in testified. The feeling of despair and weakness, feelings she had never felt before that seem to tie her heart in a knot. Then she'd be pulled out again not fully conscious but enough to hear sounds and then back under. She was tired of the struggle because she didn't want to remain there.

"I can and I will... "

Just like the girl, she didn't want anything. She just wanted to wake up. She was surprised when something penetrated the memory enough to separate her and the human. She was finally able to let go.

Someone had suggested 'shock'. It could startle her body back to consciousness or it could cause irreparable damage.

"Do it! " GMN-5 said as she starred at GMN-1. It could save her or it could ruin her. Whatever the case she was good either way. It didn't really matter to her.

"Do it" Doc said but her voice didn't hold as much conviction as GMN-5.

Doc felt that if they had a chance to bring her out then they could take it. It was a gamble but from what she had heard the alternative was much worse. Fixing what was broken and raising what was dead was how Doc looked at the two options she was faced with and she already made her choice.

"Not too high. Just enough to startle her to reality" the head doctor advised.