The Shion+KOS-MOS paring is the most debated in the Xenosaga fandom.

 I think they were made for each other. No pun intended. 

 

 The events of this stroy take place betwenn Xenosaga Episode One and

 Two. There will be some spoilers for the end of Episode One, and

 those who haven't complete that game might be a bit lost in later

 chapters. 

 

 I dont own Xenosaga. I only wish i did. 

 

 Gerad Dalton is my creation, however. Steal him and die. 

 

 

 Chapter One 

 Picnic for Two

 By Silvercry

 silvercry2000@yahoo.com 

 

 

 ...my spirit sleeping somewhere cold, 

 until you find it there and lead it back 

 home.... 

 Bring Me to Life - Evanescence 

 

 

 Allen had his head stuck in the refrigerator in the Elsa's kitchen,

 looking for an early morning snack. All he was able to find was

 freeze-dried this, frozen that, dehydrated something else. 

 

 "Aw, man," Allen whined. Don't they have anything quick and easy?

 The service bots haven't woke up yet, and I'm hungry now. He heard

 the door open behind him, but paid it no mind. 

 

 "Good morning, Allen," he heard Shion say cheerfully as she entered

 the room. 

 

 "Hey, Chief," Allen replied, his head still buried in the fridge.

 "If you're looking for food," he went on, "you're out of luck till

 the bots are activated." 

 

 "Yes, I know," Shion replied. It sounded like she was trying to

 suppress a little laugh as she spoke. 

 

 Wow, she has a cute little laugh, Allen thought. She really should

 laugh more often. 

 

 "Allen," Shion went on, "would you let everyone know that KOS-MOS

 and I will be gone for the day?" Her voice was moving through the

 room, stopping by the door leading to the main part of the ship. 

 

 Allen finally pulled his head from the fridge and looked up. "Sure

 thing, Chief. Where are you two -- WHOA!" 

 

 Allen's sudden yell startled Shion, and she nearly dropped the

 whicker basket she was carrying. "Allen, be quiet!" Shion said

 sharply. "Are you trying to wake the whole ship?" There was a silence

 in the kitchen as Allen stared open mouthed at Shion in shock. "You

 know, Allen," Shion politely informed him, "It's not nice to stare." 

 

 Not nice to stare! Allen thought. How could I not? 

 

 In all the time Allen and Shion had spent working together, he had

 only seen he out of uniform a handful of times. Shion was never one

 for casual social events; she spent almost all of her time working on

 KOS-MOS. She wasn't exactly anti-social, just focused on her project

 to the point of neglecting some other aspects of life. She was well

 liked though, by her fellow KOS-MOS Project team members and, more

 recently, by the unique party they were now apart of. The last time

 he saw her out of her uniform was at the private beech at the

 Foundation (he nearly had a heart attack when he saw her little black

 bikini, he recalled). 

 

 But there was definitely something different about the way she was

 dressed this morning. 

 

 Her hair was free of its typical braid, framing her face nicely. And

 since when did the chief wear make up? Allen thought. A hint of

 blush, a touch of lipstick and eye shadow...just what was going on

 here? She was wearing a long, light-purple sundress that fell to mid-

 calf length. The hem of the dress was purposely uneven, longer in

 front and in back than on the sides, where it only reached her knees.

 She was wearing a pair of matching sandals, and (much to Allen's

 surprise) was even wearing nail polish. She carried a large whicker

 picnic basket on one arm. 

 

 "Allen, my face is up here," Shion reminded him. 

 

 Allen snapped his head and neck back up so fast, Shion briefly

 wondered if there would be any permanent damage. 

 

 Say something clever, yet indifferent! Allen thought to himself

 frantically. He opened his mouth, but all he could manage was, "D-Did

 you say something, Chief?" 

 

 "Honestly, Allen, you act like you've never seen me out of uniform

 before," she replied. 

 

 "Only five or six times," Allen confessed. 

 

 A small smile crossed Shion's face. "So, you've been keeping count?"

 she asked. 

 

 Allen shook a his head and hands furiously. "NO! I mean, not really.

 I mean --what I mean is --" How can I get out of this one? "Um,

 wasn't their a message you wanted me to give everyone?" 

 

 "Yes. KOS-MOS and I will be -- unavailable today. Just let everyone

 know if they ask, alright?" Shion repeated. She turned to leave. 

 

 "Oh, right," Allen remembered, grateful for the change of subject.

 "Where are you two headed? Our report to Vector HQ isn't due for

 another two weeks." 

 

 Shion hesitated. "Out," she replied after a moment. "I have this new

 EVS I want to load up and --" she stopped abruptly, then simply

 repeated: "Out." 

 

 "Out?" Allen asked, puzzled. 

 

 "Out," Shion confirmed. She turned sharply, her dress flaring out

 around her legs. The door opened, she walked through, and it shut

 behind her, leaving Allen to wonder what the heck had just happened. 

 

 Shion quickly headed to for the elevator, not wanting to bump into

 anyone else. When the door shut behind her, and it began to descend,

 she released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She

 glanced at her reflection in the glass of the door before her. Even

 though she had spent a lot more time than usual on picking and

 dressing in this particular outfit, she was a little surprised by

 just how good she looked. A fact, she noted, which was definitely not

 lost on Allen. She smiled. She was not what you would call a vain

 person, but it was nice to be noticed as a woman once in a while. 

 

 Problem was, she was noticed by the wrong person. 

 

 Shion shook her head to clear it as the lift reached its

 destination. She exited the lift and proceeded towards her

 destination, her mood improving with every step. Past the cargo

 elevator, down to the catapult level, and through the AGWS hangar. At

 one point she noticed she was skipping, and stopped it immediately.

 Get a grip, Shion Uzuki! she scolded herself as she reached the door

 to KOS-MOS's room. You're acting like this is a -- 

 

 The door slid open, and Shion pushed the thought aside, and stepped

 into the room. It was a simple room, not much to look at. That is, of

 course, if one was to over look the single object in the center.

 Shion walked up to and around the black maintenance bed for KOS-MOS,

 to see the battle android still 'asleep' with in it. 

 

 Her regeneration cycle will be over in a few moments, Shion thought

 to herself. Guess I'm a little early. She set the basket down near

 the foot of the pod, and took a seat on the side of it herself, never

 taking her eyes off the sleeping angel inside. An angel of death,

 maybe, she thought, recalling all the times she had seen KOS-MOS in

 action over the course off the last few days. On the heels of those

 memories came images of the several times KOS-MOS had put herself on

 the line to defend the Elsa...and Shion specifically. Ok, Shion

 thought. Maybe she's a guardian angel. Another memory came to her

 then -- a much older one. A thunderstorm, an attack by unknown men,

 the premature activation of the original KOS-MOS, and the massacre

 that followed. Or perhaps, she added sadly, a fallen angel. 

 

 KOS-MOS slept on, blissfully unaware for the moment. 

 

 "Sometimes I wish you could sleep forever," Shion whispered to the

 sleeping android. "And others, I can't wait to see you wake up. I

 wonder what would you say about that?" She tried to mimic KOS-MOS's

 voice and tone then said, "'Shion, your current line of thought is

 paradoxical in nature and serves no purpose.' Or something like

 that." Shion sighed. "Don't you think I know that?" she whispered. 

 

 There was no reply from KOS-MOS. Shion continued to stare at the

 android's face, waiting patiently for her eyes to open. After a few

 moments, her gaze drifted down from her eyes to her mouth. And an

 idea suddenly formed in her mind. A crazy idea. 

 

 What am I thinking? Shion asked herself silently. I can't do that!

 But the more she stared at KOS-MOS's lips, the greater the desire

 became. Just this one time, she tried to rationalize. She never has

 to know! 

 

 "If I stole one kiss, would you hold it against me?" Shion asked in

 a voice to soft to even be called a whisper. It certainly wasn't the

 first time she thought about giving her mechanical angel a kiss, but

 in the days since the incident at Proto Merkabah, the desire had

 grown stronger and stronger. She had come so close to losing her that

 day. Twice in fact. Sitting in her cabin that evening, she came to a

 startling revelation. 

 

 She was in love with KOS-MOS. 

 

 "That's right, KOS-MOS," Shion told the sleeping angel. "I love you.

 This is some fix I've got myself in, huh?" she laughed wearily.

 "Wonder what everyone would say if they knew? I wonder what Kevin

 would say? I wonder what you will say? Would you even understand?" 

 

 Her lips still looked so inviting, but Shion just couldn't bring

 herself to kiss them. If that's going to happen, she decided, it will

 happen when she's awake, and only if she's ready -- if she can ever

 be ready. Instead, Shion leaned over KOS-MOS's body, her hair

 cascading over her shoulders, and gave the woman who had taken her

 heart without even trying, a quick, but heartfelt, kiss on the cheek. 

 

 In a corner of KOS-MOS's mind, a corner so far removed that she

 wasn't even aware of its existence, something began to stir. To vague

 to be called emotion, to faint to be called a sub-conscious desire.

 Not yet important enough to trigger and internal diagnostic scan. But

 something was there, was brought to life by a kiss that wasn't

 supposed to happen -- yet. And it began to grow. 

 

 Shion pulled back with a gasp as she felt a twitch of movement from

 KOS-MOS's face. Her face was mere inches away when her red eyes

 slowly opened and locked with her own. 

 

 "Good morning, Shion." KOS-MOS greeted her in her even, precise

 voice. She took note of Shion's close proximity, and misunderstood

 the reason behind it. "My internal chronometer reads 0700 hours,

 which was the assigned activation time. Do you require additional

 offline time to finish my maintenance checks?" 

 

 Shion quickly puller her self back up to a sitting position on the

 side of the maintenance bed, and turned her head to hide her growing

 blush. "That wont be necessary KOS-MOS," she said quickly. "I - um -

 had just finished." 

 

 "Very well," KOS-MOS stated simply, and sat up. She ran her usual

 series of start-up diagnostics. Aside from and unexpected minor error

 in an otherwise blank section of her OS, all the internal quires came

 back green. 

 

 "All systems are operating within normal parameters," she informed

 Shion. 

 

 Still facing away from her, Shion nodded. "Very good KOS-MOS," she

 said carefully, her nerve failing. There was a brief rustle behind

 her, followed by the soft *click* of high heels as KOS-MOS landed on

 her feet outside the maintenance bed. Shion stood up then and the

 upper hatch of the bed lowered and secured itself in place. As she

 stood, she faced the battle android, who was staring at her intently.

 Shion knew perfectly well that KOS-MOS stared at everything intently,

 but today, she found the androids fixed gaze unnerving, and lowered

 her gaze to the floor. 

 

 What was I thinking? Shion scolded herself. This was a bad idea; I

 never should have -- 

 

 "Shion, I am curious as to why I was set to be activated at this

 time," KOS-MOS stated. "Judging from your attire and the basket you

 have with you, you seem to have plans for some time of leisure

 activity, which does not include myself at this time." 

 

 Shion looked up, meeting her creation's eyes once more. That's as

 close to a compliment on my dress as I'm going to get, she realized.

 Feeling some of her bravery return, she said, "That's not entirely

 true, KOS-MOS. I was actually hoping you would join me for a picnic." 

 

 KOS-MOS experienced an unexpected data surge from the part of her

 Operating System was she had discovered the error this upon waking.

 Before she could isolate the problem, the spike was gone. She added

 to her error log for later review. 

 

 "Very well, Shion. I will accompany you," she replied. She turned

 and headed for the door, her heels making a very rhythmic click-click

 sound on the floor. She was already through the door before Shion

 snapped out of her surprise. She picked up the basket, and headed out

 the door as well. 

 

 ------------------------------------------ 

 

 As much as the Federation likes to believe the opposite, there are

 parts of known space where they have no power. This was good news for

 Gerad Dalton. 

 

 As he welded the final components of his terminal together, he felt

 the urge to cackle like one of those mad-scientist types he often saw

 in horror sci-fi holos. He kept the urge in check. Who actually

 laughs like that anyway? Besides, he wasn't mad. Furious maybe, but

 not mad. 

 

 It wasn't too long ago that Gerad was a respected and up-incoming

 researcher at Vector Industries. He knew the men up top (maybe even

 Wilhelm himself!) had their eyes on him as he began to explore more

 applications for the UMN, taking what was thought to be an

 established, immutable science, and pushing it further. Some even

 went as far as to call him a genius. 

 

 His own personal research was second in priority only to his desire

 to rid the universe of the Gnosis. When the KOS-MOS project was

 announced, he called in every favor he could to make sure he got the

 number two slot, right after project head Kevin. With his reputation

 and seniority in the company, he was the obvious choice. 

 

 Except Kevin chose a complete unknown: an nineteen-year-old named

 Shion Uzuki. 

 

 Gerad wanted to cruse, wanted to scream, wanted to pound his fists

 into the wall, but once again, held himself in check. The tiny, one

 bedroom shack he lived in on a God-forsaken moon was covered wall to

 wall with computer equipment; throwing a tantrum would only damage

 something. Crudely wired and looking rather thrown together, a casual

 observer would dismiss the mess as trash. It had taken several long

 years to assemble, however, and its true power could not be seen by

 the naked eye. 

 

 He called it the Jolly Roger. It was his life's work, nearly

 destroyed by her. 

 

 When Kevin passed him over for that four-eyed wench, he was

 devastated. It defied logic, defied reason. By choosing Shion over

 him, he basically told him he wasn't good enough. 

 

 He wasn't good enough? Him, the genius Gerad Dalton?? 

 

 The Jolly Roger would show him, show her, show Vector, show the

 whole damn universe! 

 

 He was so close the last time, two years ago. His research into the

 UMN, combined with Vector's resources, made the Jolly Roger a

 reality. His goal: the complete and total control over the entire

 Unus Mundus Network. Lets see Shion Uzuki do that. 

 

 As it turned out, she did one better: she discovered what he was

 doing, and reported him before he had the chance to bring the Jolly

 Roger on-line. 

 

 Gerad removed the goggles he had been wearing. His face was tight

 and worn, marked with many wrinkles. He was a mere 40 standard years

 old, but his run from Federation law and his harsh life on a moon of

 the ice planet Vladek has caused him to age horribly. His once neat

 black hair was now long and unruly, peppered by streaks of gray. As

 he closed of the final section of his super computer, he gave a sigh

 of relief, and allowed himself a smile. 

 

 It was time to hack the entire UMN. 

 

 Once that was accomplished, he would see about handing out some

 payback. 

 

 ------------------------------------------ 

 

 KOS-MOS eyes darted from Shion's face to the strawberry she was

 offering between her thumb and index finger, then back to her face.

 She blinked once, then repeated the action. 

 

 She is so cute when she's confused, Shion thought. 

 

 "I do not see the point to this action," KOS-MOS informed her

 finally. "I do not require foodstuffs to function." 

 

 "Just try it this once," Shion replied. "I think you might like it." 

 

 The two women were sitting on a red and white checkered sheet, in

 the shade of a large (and probably extinct, Shion thought) tree. This

 tree stood in the middle of a large expanse of grass and rolling

 hills, extending as far as the eyes could see in any direction. They

 sky was a perfect clear blue, with only the occasional whisper of a

 cloud here and there. All in all it was the perfect time and place

 for a picnic. Not even the red and blue EVS exit portal spinning

 silently nearby could shatter the illusion. There was slight breeze

 just then, blowing KOS-MOS pale blue hair across her face slightly.

 Shion worried about it getting in her eyes for about a second, until

 she remembered just who she was sitting with. 

 

 "Upon swallowing this item," KOS-MOS tried to explain. "It would be

 broken down to its basic elements, and consumed by my internal

 generator. I would draw no benefit from it. It would be better if you

 were to eat it. I insist." 

 

 Shion felt touched by this comment, even though she knew it was

 basic on cold logic and not genuine caring. She'd take what she could

 get for now. 

 

 "KOS-MOS, don't argue." Shion instructed. "Open your mouth." 

 

 KOS-MOS's lips parted slowly, and Shion felt a slight blush fill her

 cheeks. She slowly placed the strawberry in her friends mouth, and

 forced herself to tear her eyes away as KOS-MOS bit into it and began

 to chew. She quickly activated her Connection Gear that she had been

 holding in the other hand, and accessed a program that she had spent

 most of the last few weeks working on. Once the screen came up, she

 hit the 'Upload Now' option. 

 

 The data transfer was so fast that even KOS-MOS almost missed it. In

 no time at all a new OS sub-routine was downloaded, taking up the

 same space where the unknown bug had been detected earlier. That was

 the first thing she noticed. 

 

 The second was an explosion of sensations in her mouth. She had been

 chewing the strawberry as instructed, but now she could taste it! It

 was sweet and soft and juicy and -- and -- 

 

 KOS-MOS swallowed. Though her facial expression changed only

 slightly, it was a difference Shion was able to notice. 

 

 "Wow," KOS-MOS said at last. 

 

 Shion was stunned. "Did you just say 'wow?'" she asked. 

 

 The moment soon passed, and KOS-MOS was in control again. "I believe

 I did," she replied. "Perhaps my linguistic programs are

 malfunctioning." 

 

 Shion sighed and rolled her eyes. "Well, how did you like it?" she

 asked. 

 

 KOS-MOS opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again. After a

 few seconds she spoke. "While I do not see how this program will

 enhance my abilities as an Anti-Gnosis weapon system, it is a welcome

 addition to my operating system." 

 

 "I meant the strawberry," Shion clarified. 

 

 "I see," KOS-MOS replied. "I find that I rather enjoyed it. Thank

 you for sharing it with me." 

 

 Shion felt her heart beat just a little faster, and a new blush

 spread across her cheeks. What am I, fourteen? she thought. She was

 just being polite, stop reading into it! 

 

 "Shion, in the last several hours, I have noticed several abrupt and

 dramatic changes in your heartbeat, respiration rate, and body

 temperature," KOS-MOS informed her. "I am concerned about your

 health. Perhaps you should consult a physician." 

 

 "How every perceptive of you, KOS-MOS," Shion said with a little

 laugh. "I'll be alright, though. It's nothing." 

 

 "Are you certain?" KOS-MOS asked. 

 

 Shion looked away, staring off into the sky for a moment. She

 sighed. "If I didn't know better," she said quietly, "I would think

 you actually cared." 

 

 KOS-MOS turned her own gaze upward, scanning for whatever Shion was

 looking at. "I do not wish for you to be unwell," she said 

 

 "Of course not," Shion said sadly. "After all, I'm your Primary

 Directive." 

 

 KOS-MOS identified the tone of Shion's voice as what one might sound

 like if the were unhappy or distressed. Unsure of how to respond to

 such a situation, she decided to merely relate the facts of the

 matter. It was what she did best after all. 

 

 "The Primary Directive of which you speak directs my action in time

 of crisis. In such situations, I am to safeguard all Vector

 personnel, especially you," she explained. "My current desire to

 ensure you are well is --," she paused here, momentarily surprised by

 what she was about to say. " - my own," she finished. "I -- just want

 you to be alright." 

 

 Shion turned her head to look at the android, who was still staring

 into the sky. She hadn't been expecting that response. She wasn't

 sure what to say. 

 

 "Would you like another strawberry?" she asked awkwardly. Where did

 that come from, Uzuki? she thought. KOS-MOS just performed the

 android equivalent of pouring her heart out, and all you can do is

 ask if she wants another strawberry?? 

 

 "I would like that very much, Shion," she replied, still staring off

 into the sky. 

 

 --------------------------------- 

 

 On board the Elsa, MOMO watched the scene transpire on the UMN

 screen near the bridge. In her hurry, Shion had neglected to activate

 a privacy screen, and MOMO just happened upon it while on her way to

 the UMN store terminal. 

 

 "Wow, Shion is so pretty in that dress!" she said to herself as she

 watched them converse on the screen. Of course KOS-MOS is pretty

 too...I wonder if she ever gets tired of wearing the same outfit? she

 added silently. Then she remembered just who she was taking about and

 decided that the android probably never gave it a second thought. 

 

 As she watched, Shion reached out with her foot, snagged the picnic

 basket, and pulled it towards them. KOS-MOS watched her do this, and

 said something to her. There was no sound , but it was easy enough

 for MOMO to read their lips. 

 

 "It would have been easier to use your hands, Shion," KOS-MOS was

 saying. 

 

 "But not as much fun!" Shion replied. MOMO giggled at that; she had

 a point there. 

 

 "Fun is a wasted use of resources." KOS-MOS informed her creator. 

 

 Shion surprised MOMO by sticking her tongue out at KOS-MOS,

 effectively teasing a machine capable of destroying a planet some

 day. 

 

 "You still want these strawberries or not?" Shion asked. KOS-MOS

 nodded. "All right, then," Shion stated. She reached into the basket,

 and pulled out one strawberries. She held it between her thumb and

 index figure, and guided it to KOS-MOS's mouth. The android slowly

 opened her mouth and bit into the fruit carefully. She closed her

 eyes as the taste of the simple piece of fruit washed over her. 

 

 MOMO noticed the blush in Shion's cheeks. 

 

 She also noticed the serene expression of genuine enjoyment on KOS-

 MOS's face. 

 

 She started to feel a little awkward herself. Just what is happening

 here? she wondered. What are they doing? She was beginning to think

 she should quit watching, when Fate decided the matter for her. 

 

 The Elsa, which had been cruising through hyperspace at an even

 clip, was suddenly thrown violently back into real space so abruptly

 that she fell to the floor with a small yelp of surprise. She banged

 her head against the UMN terminal, and saw stars for a few moments

 before rising to her feet and heading for the bridge. She took a few

 steps, then remembered that her friends were still in the EVS, and

 hit communication button on the terminal to let them know what was

 going on. 

 

 "Hey, Shion, KOS-MOS, I think you better get back. Something seems

 to be --" 

 

 MOMO stopped speaking when she noticed that neither of the two women

 could hear her. They continued their meal, oblivious to what was

 going on in the real world. She quickly keyed in a few more commands

 to the computer to discover the problem when the screen went blank

 suddenly. After a few moments, it winked back on. 

 

 MOMO took one look at it. "Uh-oh," she said. Then she turned and ran

 to the bridge. 

 

 On the UMN screen, there was a rotating gray and black image of the

 skull and crossbones. 

 

 --------------------------------- 

 

 After feeding KOS-MOS nearly every piece of fruit that she had

 brought with her (and having quite a bit of food herself) Shion began

 to feel a little better, and very, very tired. 

 

 "Perhaps we should return now," KOS-MOS suggested. 

 

 "Not yet," Shion sighed wistfully. Once again, they sat side by

 side, backs against the tree, staring out over the horizon. Shion

 tapped a few commands into her computer, and suddenly it was sunset.

 The bright oranges, reds and yellows slowly receding away from the

 backdrop of twilight was breathtaking. 

 

 "It's beautiful, don't you think, KOS-MOS?" Shion asked, even though

 she new the android thought no such thing. 

 

 "It is a unique sight for one who has spent their entire existence

 in space," KOS-MOS agreed. 

 

 Shion leaned her head on the friend's shoulder. This really has been

 a perfect day, Shion thought. Pleasant conversation, opening her mind

 to new experiences, and just being together without having to worry

 about the Zohar or the Gnosis or Albedo. I should really end it on

 this note. 

 

 "What do think of me, KOS-MOS?" The question was out of her mouth

 before she could stop it. 

 

 "You are Shion Uzuki, head of Vector Industries First R&D Division's

 KOS-MOS project. You designed me," KOS-MOS replied. 

 

 "Forget I asked," Shion said quickly. 

 

 There was a pause of several minutes as the sun continued to set on

 the two women. Shion felt her self grow more and more drowsy. She

 felt so relaxed where she was, so safe, so happy. For the next few

 minutes, she decided, I'm not going to think. Just be here with KOS-

 MOS. I'll worry about what that means later. 

 

 KOS-MOS's mind, on the other hand, was spinning. Things seemed to

 fall into place for her all of sudden. Every moment she had ever

 spent with Shion since she was activated came back to her in an

 instant. When she was upset with her, when she spoke with her, when

 she tried to keep her from doing things she had to do. Lastly, the

 utter terror and desperation in her voice aboard Proto Merkabah. 

 

 ("You'd better come back, KOS-MOS! You'd better!) 

 

 Realization dawned on the android at once. The area of her mind now

 occupied by the new taste program cheered silently at this

 realization...but it was still to faint to be noticed. For now. 

 

 "Shion," KOS-MOS spoke suddenly, startling the young scientist. "I

 believe I have come to a realization." 

 

 "What is it, KOS-MOS?" Shion asked. She felt her eyelids growing

 heavy, and she was looking forward to falling asleep right where she

 was. 

 

 "You are in love with me," KOS-MOS stated simply. 

 

 Shion was suddenly wide awake. She sat up quickly just as KOS-MOS

 turned her head to face her. 

 

 "Do not deny it, Shion," KOS-MOS went on. "Careful examination of

 your actions since the time of my activation proves this fact. What

 we must now do is discuss what we shall do about it." 

 

 "You make it sound like this a problem to be 'dealt with' and

 disposed off," Shion said, a little angrily. Not at KOS-MOS, but at

 herself for being so obvious when she had thought she was keeping it

 to herself. "Emotions are more complicated than that." 

 

 "I am aware of this, even if I do not understand them completely,"

 KOS-MOS responded. "If you follow that fact to its logical

 conclusion, you realize that I can never fully understand your

 feelings for me, and therefore can never return them. This may be

 acceptable for you now, as this 'date' indicates --" 

 

 "This is not a date!" Shion insisted, but her protest sounded hollow

 even to her own ears. 

 

 " -- but eventually I will become a cause of great emotional stress

 and pain for you." The android stood up. Without looking at Shion,

 she continued. "The best course of action would be for me to remove

 myself from your life as soon as possible." Shion began to protest,

 but KOS-MOS talked over her. "I realize that my sudden departure will

 hurt you, but I believe that it will be far better if I hurt you a

 small amount now, compared to the great amount I will harm you later

 by staying. In addition, the time has come for me to be turned over

 to the Second Division, and begin mass production and field testing.

 Good bye, Shion." She began to walk to the exit portal. 

 

 "Just you wait a minute, KOS-MOS!" Shion called after her. She

 jumped to her feet as well. "You can't just leave like this!" 

 

 KOS-MOS continued walking. "That is precisely what I am doing. After

 careful consideration, I have decided this will be the best course of

 action." 

 

 Shion forced herself not to panic, even though she could feel the

 same sense of dread fill her chest that she felt at Proto Merkabah.

 She tried to keep her voice even (and failed) as she spoke. "Don't

 leave me," she said quietly. 

 

 KOS-MOS stopped walking. She turned her head slightly to one side.

 Shion could almost make out the profile of her face. She was looking

 toward the ground. In that pose, as her ruby-red eyes blinked slowly

 twice, she almost looked -- sad. 

 

 "I do not wish to hurt you, Shion. If I remain with you, I will do

 so more than if I were to leave now," she said. 

 

 "Is that really what you want, KOS-MOS?" Shion asked her. 

 

 KOS-MOS opened her mouth to say 'affirmative', but found she

 couldn't. She was experiencing an error in her verbal skill

 programming. She quickly ran an internal diagnostic, to find the

 error source was coming from the same place as before. 

 

 "No," she found herself saying. 

 

 Shion held her hand out to the android. "Then don't go," she said. 

 

 "Are you two serious?" a new voice called suddenly from the upper

 branches of the tree. "Kevin passed me up for you? A child, little

 girl who's so foolish that she'd fall in love with a weapon?" 

 

 Startled, Shion spun around and looked up. In an instant, KOS-MOS

 was beside her, her right hand hovering over her holster. "Identify

 yourself!" KOS-MOS demanded. This was only the second time in her

 life that someone was able to sneak up on her, and she wasn't happy

 about it. It didn't occur to her just then the fact she was angry

 should have been impossible. 

 

 Standing quite easily on a tree branch which was actually thinner

 than his feet, stood a man in a black and gray Vector uniform. Over

 his right breast pocket however, was the image of the skull and

 crossbones. 

 

 Shion noticed this, and her eyes went wide. "Dalton?" she asked. 

 

 "Ah, Ms. Uzuki!" Gerad replied. He brought both hands over his heart

 in a gesture of mock happiness. "You remember me! I can't help but be

 touched!" The smile vanished from his face, and his tone became as

 serious as a heart attack. "I, of course, remember you." 

 

 "You know this person, Shion?" KOS-MOS asked. She attempted to use

 her internal UMN link to access Vector personnel files for a Gerad

 Dalton, but was unable to log on. Another internal error? she

 wondered. 

 

 "I don't know how you got here, Gerad, but you can rest assured once

 we get back, I'll be sure to report you! The Federation has been

 looking for you for a long time!" 

 

 " 'We?' " Gerad asked. "What, do you have a mouse in your pocket?" 

 

 "Just what is that supposed to mean, Gerad?" Shion yelled back. "I

 was talking about myself and KOS-MOS!" 

 

 "Oh yes, the weapon," Gerad said as though he was noticing the

 battle android for the first time. "It could pose a problem. Lets

 take care of that now, shall we?" 

 

 Gerad quickly pointed toward the two women. At the same time, KOS-

 MOS detected a sudden energy surge coming from his body, and drew her

 blaster. A jagged bolt of blue-white energy sprang from his

 fingertips. Simultaneously, KOS-MOS shoved Shion down out of the way

 with her left hand and fired with her right. 

 

 The two blasts met in mid-air and exploded, the force of the

 explosion pushing Shion along the ground about five feet, and

 flooding the artificial evening with light. When her vision cleared,

 she noticed neither Gerad nor KOS-MOS had budged an inch. 

 

 "Well, well, well," Gerad said with honest surprise. "This should be

 fun."