Copyright Disclaimer: I do not own Cyborg 009.

"Whoa!"

The Dolphin listed starboard violently- thanks to the large waves and winds buffeting the ship.

009 picked himself up, while 002 grumbled under his breath using a few choice expletives.

"How long is this going to last?" 007 groaned while bracing himself along to wall to avoid ending up on the floor.

009 settled himself in a chair, "Not sure, 007. Depends on how long we stay here."

The Dolphin was hiding in a storm. A few days ago, 003 identified a submarine following them; it had hovered outside of the Dolphin's sensor range, matching their movements, but otherwise showed no hostility. It wasn't until they found another, flanking them off their starboard side, that the 00 crew realized they were being herded. With the Asian landmass to the east of them they couldn't break out into the Pacific Ocean past this silent enemy, and nor did they want to spring the impending trap.

It was 008 who suggested hiding in the impending storm brewing off the coast of the Philippines. Tactically, despite the depth the submarines would still need to be cautious and whether they surfaced or stayed put, on the surface, finding them would be difficult. The down-side being the constant strain on the ship.

The Dolphin shuddered again.

"I'm going to the bridge... ask 003 what our 'friends' are doing," 009 said standing.

002 stood as well, "I'll come too".

In the long hallways the noise of the storm echoed and the two young men had nothing to say.

As the door to the bridge opened before them, the ferocity of the storm bashed the main windows.

"-Filipino Authorities are forecasting widespread flooding. It hasn't made landfall yet but, its close… sometime in the next few hours," 005 droned from his position at Communications.

"The closer to the shore we chase it, the harder it'll be for the subs to follow us; too many contacts in the water," 008 said , his dark eyes on the maps.

"They're still on us?" 002 asked with disgust.

"Yeah. They stayed under the waves. But, the seafloor is rising they can't stay on us long."

"They're together anyway, safer in case something goes wrong, because of the storm," 003 said from the Pilot seat.

"So… how long until home?" 002 asked hopefully.

"Tomorrow- if all goes well," 008 responded turning.

009 smiled to himself. He always liked going back to Japan, and he liked Doctor Kazumi's house. It was a comfortable house nestled in the shoreline of a beautiful beach.

"Look out!" 003 called.

"Contacts in the water," 005 voice was suddenly urgent, "two of them fast enough for missiles."

"003?" 008 called and she nodded once in response, "brace yourselves!"

"Why are they shooting at us?" 002 yelled.

"They know what-" the blast was deafening.

005's eyes flashed to the screen, "Only one hit, you evaded the other."

003 turned to look at him, "I know. We can't leave the water because of the winds yet."

005 made a noise in his throat.

"They know what?" 002 prompted 008.

"They know what we do, and now… they want to destroy us before we get the chance to get away."

002 sighed resignedly.

Bastards.

Just then the door opened to 006 and Doctor Gilmore.

"What's happening? 006 asked as he moved around 009 to sit near 005.

"What do you think? They shot at us!" 002 bit out.

006 ignored his tantrum looking to 008.

"They did shoot two missiles, obviously one hit, and we still have some time before we can shake 'em off."

"Hm," Dr. Gilmore crossed his arms, "they're bold, attempting to attack us in a country's waters."

"They know they're safe to do so," 009 spoke up, "I remember a tsunami that hit when I a child. The military was on the street trying to help people. I doubt that they would be looking very hard at disturbances in the water, considering it the circumstances."

"Very true, 009," Dr. Gilmore sighed.

"They have the upper hand now, with that hit they know where we are, I'm sure they're just waiting for our reaction now," 008 said.

"So, what do we do?" 006 asked.

"We have to lose them now, and cut out of the storm before they realise," 008 said tersely.

Dr Gilmore started, "We're following the front of the storm now, we could try to break through and overtake it to the shore line, follow the-"

"The waves are too forceful. Much of the shore has been destroyed and the storm hasn't hit land yet."

"We can turn around and shoot back!" 002 yelled.

"Two against one, in very nasty weather, close to populated lan-"

"Alright!" 002 said, "I get it".

"What about a distraction?" 003 spoke from the controls.

"What have you got in mind?" 008 leaned back against the wall.

"The seabed is in tatters with lots of debris in the water, we could blow up some of the rock formations and block them off from us. It would create larger contacts and hopefully confuse them."

"How would we get away though?" 002 asked.

"The water is turbulent enough, we would be creating more trauma, under the water with them. They can't surface in the storm, and with the rubbish in the water they can't manoeuvre easily," Dr. Gilmore supplied, "it's a good idea, 003."

"They won't be able to find us," 009 smiled.

"Or track us," finished Dr. Gilmore.

008 frowned, "We'll need a spread of torpedoes.."

002 looked at him, "What? Don't we have enough?"

"We do. I just… will we need more after this? We can't be sure if it'll work…"

"I think we should try it," said 009.

"Alright," 008 said turned back to his maps reluctantly.

"Fire off two shots first, like we're retaliating, then I'll push a burst of speed. We'll fire the volley behind us simultaneously," 003 instructed.

"Here, 003, I'll give you a hand," 002 took a seat beside her.

She gave him a small smile.

"Okay," 008 pushed the button, "firing torpedoes."

005 watched the contacts, and their enemy's answer.

"They're firing too! To destroy them before they hit!" 006 cried out.

"Good!" 008 yelled, "003?"

"Firing engines… now!"

"Firing volley!"

Just as the ship began to lurch forward, the first explosion of the torpedoes rocked the water. 009 grabbed Dr. Gilmore, before he fell and 006 hit the floor.

"002!"

"On it!"

The Dolphin rocket forward as 003 spun in her seat eyes wide.

"We crippled one… a resulting landslide. The other is trying to avoid the debris, but their sensor equipment is damaged. I think the blast blew it away- I can't see it."

"Good job! We're free!" 006 yelled, jumping up to his feet, "I'll go tell 007!" And he disappeared through the door.

"The other one can still read us though? 002 asked.

"Yes, but we'll be too far away soon. We'll turn back in a while and cut the water between Japan and South Korea, but for now we'll let them think we're heading out deeper," said 008.

"Very well done, everyone!" Dr. Gilmore smiled.

"Anyone want a break? 009 asked, looking around.

003 was still staring through him to the waters behind. 009 was concerned.

"Nah, I'm good, 009, " said 008.

"Yes, I would, but… 003?" 005 turned to her, "003?"

"Ah! Sorry. What is it?"

"Would you like to take a break?"

"No. No, thank you," 003 stumbled over her words.

005 nodded. He stood stopping next to 009, "Call me back if she changes her mind."

So, 005 noticed it too, 009 realised. He gave 005 a smile, "will do."

009 took his place at Communications, scanning the ocean.

"See anything, 003?" He asked.

"No," she sighed, "just making sure."

008 turned to face the room at large, "that didn't seem like Black Ghost, did it?"

003 closed her eyes, "No, it didn't."

002 turned, "What? So… who was it, then?"

"The submarines were branded with a red and white insignia- a white bird on red- I don't know it though," 003 said.

"What do they want with us?" 002 turned to face the others.

008 sighed, "Who knows?"