rlm@0: The Shion+KOS-MOS paring is the most debated in the Xenosaga fandom. rlm@0: I think they were made for each other. No pun intended. rlm@0: rlm@0: The events of this stroy take place betwenn Xenosaga Episode One and rlm@0: Two. There will be some spoilers for the end of Episode One, and rlm@0: those who haven't complete that game might be a bit lost in later rlm@0: chapters. rlm@0: rlm@0: I dont own Xenosaga. I only wish i did. rlm@0: rlm@0: Gerad Dalton is my creation, however. Steal him and die. rlm@0: rlm@0: rlm@0: Chapter One rlm@0: Picnic for Two rlm@0: By Silvercry rlm@0: silvercry2000@yahoo.com rlm@0: rlm@0: rlm@0: ...my spirit sleeping somewhere cold, rlm@0: until you find it there and lead it back rlm@0: home.... rlm@0: Bring Me to Life - Evanescence rlm@0: rlm@0: rlm@0: Allen had his head stuck in the refrigerator in the Elsa's kitchen, rlm@0: looking for an early morning snack. All he was able to find was rlm@0: freeze-dried this, frozen that, dehydrated something else. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Aw, man," Allen whined. Don't they have anything quick and easy? rlm@0: The service bots haven't woke up yet, and I'm hungry now. He heard rlm@0: the door open behind him, but paid it no mind. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Good morning, Allen," he heard Shion say cheerfully as she entered rlm@0: the room. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Hey, Chief," Allen replied, his head still buried in the fridge. rlm@0: "If you're looking for food," he went on, "you're out of luck till rlm@0: the bots are activated." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Yes, I know," Shion replied. It sounded like she was trying to rlm@0: suppress a little laugh as she spoke. rlm@0: rlm@0: Wow, she has a cute little laugh, Allen thought. She really should rlm@0: laugh more often. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Allen," Shion went on, "would you let everyone know that KOS-MOS rlm@0: and I will be gone for the day?" Her voice was moving through the rlm@0: room, stopping by the door leading to the main part of the ship. rlm@0: rlm@0: Allen finally pulled his head from the fridge and looked up. "Sure rlm@0: thing, Chief. Where are you two -- WHOA!" rlm@0: rlm@0: Allen's sudden yell startled Shion, and she nearly dropped the rlm@0: whicker basket she was carrying. "Allen, be quiet!" Shion said rlm@0: sharply. "Are you trying to wake the whole ship?" There was a silence rlm@0: in the kitchen as Allen stared open mouthed at Shion in shock. "You rlm@0: know, Allen," Shion politely informed him, "It's not nice to stare." rlm@0: rlm@0: Not nice to stare! Allen thought. How could I not? rlm@0: rlm@0: In all the time Allen and Shion had spent working together, he had rlm@0: only seen he out of uniform a handful of times. Shion was never one rlm@0: for casual social events; she spent almost all of her time working on rlm@0: KOS-MOS. She wasn't exactly anti-social, just focused on her project rlm@0: to the point of neglecting some other aspects of life. She was well rlm@0: liked though, by her fellow KOS-MOS Project team members and, more rlm@0: recently, by the unique party they were now apart of. The last time rlm@0: he saw her out of her uniform was at the private beech at the rlm@0: Foundation (he nearly had a heart attack when he saw her little black rlm@0: bikini, he recalled). rlm@0: rlm@0: But there was definitely something different about the way she was rlm@0: dressed this morning. rlm@0: rlm@0: Her hair was free of its typical braid, framing her face nicely. And rlm@0: since when did the chief wear make up? Allen thought. A hint of rlm@0: blush, a touch of lipstick and eye shadow...just what was going on rlm@0: here? She was wearing a long, light-purple sundress that fell to mid- rlm@0: calf length. The hem of the dress was purposely uneven, longer in rlm@0: front and in back than on the sides, where it only reached her knees. rlm@0: She was wearing a pair of matching sandals, and (much to Allen's rlm@0: surprise) was even wearing nail polish. She carried a large whicker rlm@0: picnic basket on one arm. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Allen, my face is up here," Shion reminded him. rlm@0: rlm@0: Allen snapped his head and neck back up so fast, Shion briefly rlm@0: wondered if there would be any permanent damage. rlm@0: rlm@0: Say something clever, yet indifferent! Allen thought to himself rlm@0: frantically. He opened his mouth, but all he could manage was, "D-Did rlm@0: you say something, Chief?" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Honestly, Allen, you act like you've never seen me out of uniform rlm@0: before," she replied. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Only five or six times," Allen confessed. rlm@0: rlm@0: A small smile crossed Shion's face. "So, you've been keeping count?" rlm@0: she asked. rlm@0: rlm@0: Allen shook a his head and hands furiously. "NO! I mean, not really. rlm@0: I mean --what I mean is --" How can I get out of this one? "Um, rlm@0: wasn't their a message you wanted me to give everyone?" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Yes. KOS-MOS and I will be -- unavailable today. Just let everyone rlm@0: know if they ask, alright?" Shion repeated. She turned to leave. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Oh, right," Allen remembered, grateful for the change of subject. rlm@0: "Where are you two headed? Our report to Vector HQ isn't due for rlm@0: another two weeks." rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion hesitated. "Out," she replied after a moment. "I have this new rlm@0: EVS I want to load up and --" she stopped abruptly, then simply rlm@0: repeated: "Out." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Out?" Allen asked, puzzled. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Out," Shion confirmed. She turned sharply, her dress flaring out rlm@0: around her legs. The door opened, she walked through, and it shut rlm@0: behind her, leaving Allen to wonder what the heck had just happened. rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion quickly headed to for the elevator, not wanting to bump into rlm@0: anyone else. When the door shut behind her, and it began to descend, rlm@0: she released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She rlm@0: glanced at her reflection in the glass of the door before her. Even rlm@0: though she had spent a lot more time than usual on picking and rlm@0: dressing in this particular outfit, she was a little surprised by rlm@0: just how good she looked. A fact, she noted, which was definitely not rlm@0: lost on Allen. She smiled. She was not what you would call a vain rlm@0: person, but it was nice to be noticed as a woman once in a while. rlm@0: rlm@0: Problem was, she was noticed by the wrong person. rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion shook her head to clear it as the lift reached its rlm@0: destination. She exited the lift and proceeded towards her rlm@0: destination, her mood improving with every step. Past the cargo rlm@0: elevator, down to the catapult level, and through the AGWS hangar. At rlm@0: one point she noticed she was skipping, and stopped it immediately. rlm@0: Get a grip, Shion Uzuki! she scolded herself as she reached the door rlm@0: to KOS-MOS's room. You're acting like this is a -- rlm@0: rlm@0: The door slid open, and Shion pushed the thought aside, and stepped rlm@0: into the room. It was a simple room, not much to look at. That is, of rlm@0: course, if one was to over look the single object in the center. rlm@0: Shion walked up to and around the black maintenance bed for KOS-MOS, rlm@0: to see the battle android still 'asleep' with in it. rlm@0: rlm@0: Her regeneration cycle will be over in a few moments, Shion thought rlm@0: to herself. Guess I'm a little early. She set the basket down near rlm@0: the foot of the pod, and took a seat on the side of it herself, never rlm@0: taking her eyes off the sleeping angel inside. An angel of death, rlm@0: maybe, she thought, recalling all the times she had seen KOS-MOS in rlm@0: action over the course off the last few days. On the heels of those rlm@0: memories came images of the several times KOS-MOS had put herself on rlm@0: the line to defend the Elsa...and Shion specifically. Ok, Shion rlm@0: thought. Maybe she's a guardian angel. Another memory came to her rlm@0: then -- a much older one. A thunderstorm, an attack by unknown men, rlm@0: the premature activation of the original KOS-MOS, and the massacre rlm@0: that followed. Or perhaps, she added sadly, a fallen angel. rlm@0: rlm@0: KOS-MOS slept on, blissfully unaware for the moment. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Sometimes I wish you could sleep forever," Shion whispered to the rlm@0: sleeping android. "And others, I can't wait to see you wake up. I rlm@0: wonder what would you say about that?" She tried to mimic KOS-MOS's rlm@0: voice and tone then said, "'Shion, your current line of thought is rlm@0: paradoxical in nature and serves no purpose.' Or something like rlm@0: that." Shion sighed. "Don't you think I know that?" she whispered. rlm@0: rlm@0: There was no reply from KOS-MOS. Shion continued to stare at the rlm@0: android's face, waiting patiently for her eyes to open. After a few rlm@0: moments, her gaze drifted down from her eyes to her mouth. And an rlm@0: idea suddenly formed in her mind. A crazy idea. rlm@0: rlm@0: What am I thinking? Shion asked herself silently. I can't do that! rlm@0: But the more she stared at KOS-MOS's lips, the greater the desire rlm@0: became. Just this one time, she tried to rationalize. She never has rlm@0: to know! rlm@0: rlm@0: "If I stole one kiss, would you hold it against me?" Shion asked in rlm@0: a voice to soft to even be called a whisper. It certainly wasn't the rlm@0: first time she thought about giving her mechanical angel a kiss, but rlm@0: in the days since the incident at Proto Merkabah, the desire had rlm@0: grown stronger and stronger. She had come so close to losing her that rlm@0: day. Twice in fact. Sitting in her cabin that evening, she came to a rlm@0: startling revelation. rlm@0: rlm@0: She was in love with KOS-MOS. rlm@0: rlm@0: "That's right, KOS-MOS," Shion told the sleeping angel. "I love you. rlm@0: This is some fix I've got myself in, huh?" she laughed wearily. rlm@0: "Wonder what everyone would say if they knew? I wonder what Kevin rlm@0: would say? I wonder what you will say? Would you even understand?" rlm@0: rlm@0: Her lips still looked so inviting, but Shion just couldn't bring rlm@0: herself to kiss them. If that's going to happen, she decided, it will rlm@0: happen when she's awake, and only if she's ready -- if she can ever rlm@0: be ready. Instead, Shion leaned over KOS-MOS's body, her hair rlm@0: cascading over her shoulders, and gave the woman who had taken her rlm@0: heart without even trying, a quick, but heartfelt, kiss on the cheek. rlm@0: rlm@0: In a corner of KOS-MOS's mind, a corner so far removed that she rlm@0: wasn't even aware of its existence, something began to stir. To vague rlm@0: to be called emotion, to faint to be called a sub-conscious desire. rlm@0: Not yet important enough to trigger and internal diagnostic scan. But rlm@0: something was there, was brought to life by a kiss that wasn't rlm@0: supposed to happen -- yet. And it began to grow. rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion pulled back with a gasp as she felt a twitch of movement from rlm@0: KOS-MOS's face. Her face was mere inches away when her red eyes rlm@0: slowly opened and locked with her own. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Good morning, Shion." KOS-MOS greeted her in her even, precise rlm@0: voice. She took note of Shion's close proximity, and misunderstood rlm@0: the reason behind it. "My internal chronometer reads 0700 hours, rlm@0: which was the assigned activation time. Do you require additional rlm@0: offline time to finish my maintenance checks?" rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion quickly puller her self back up to a sitting position on the rlm@0: side of the maintenance bed, and turned her head to hide her growing rlm@0: blush. "That wont be necessary KOS-MOS," she said quickly. "I - um - rlm@0: had just finished." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Very well," KOS-MOS stated simply, and sat up. She ran her usual rlm@0: series of start-up diagnostics. Aside from and unexpected minor error rlm@0: in an otherwise blank section of her OS, all the internal quires came rlm@0: back green. rlm@0: rlm@0: "All systems are operating within normal parameters," she informed rlm@0: Shion. rlm@0: rlm@0: Still facing away from her, Shion nodded. "Very good KOS-MOS," she rlm@0: said carefully, her nerve failing. There was a brief rustle behind rlm@0: her, followed by the soft *click* of high heels as KOS-MOS landed on rlm@0: her feet outside the maintenance bed. Shion stood up then and the rlm@0: upper hatch of the bed lowered and secured itself in place. As she rlm@0: stood, she faced the battle android, who was staring at her intently. rlm@0: Shion knew perfectly well that KOS-MOS stared at everything intently, rlm@0: but today, she found the androids fixed gaze unnerving, and lowered rlm@0: her gaze to the floor. rlm@0: rlm@0: What was I thinking? Shion scolded herself. This was a bad idea; I rlm@0: never should have -- rlm@0: rlm@0: "Shion, I am curious as to why I was set to be activated at this rlm@0: time," KOS-MOS stated. "Judging from your attire and the basket you rlm@0: have with you, you seem to have plans for some time of leisure rlm@0: activity, which does not include myself at this time." rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion looked up, meeting her creation's eyes once more. That's as rlm@0: close to a compliment on my dress as I'm going to get, she realized. rlm@0: Feeling some of her bravery return, she said, "That's not entirely rlm@0: true, KOS-MOS. I was actually hoping you would join me for a picnic." rlm@0: rlm@0: KOS-MOS experienced an unexpected data surge from the part of her rlm@0: Operating System was she had discovered the error this upon waking. rlm@0: Before she could isolate the problem, the spike was gone. She added rlm@0: to her error log for later review. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Very well, Shion. I will accompany you," she replied. She turned rlm@0: and headed for the door, her heels making a very rhythmic click-click rlm@0: sound on the floor. She was already through the door before Shion rlm@0: snapped out of her surprise. She picked up the basket, and headed out rlm@0: the door as well. rlm@0: rlm@0: ------------------------------------------ rlm@0: rlm@0: As much as the Federation likes to believe the opposite, there are rlm@0: parts of known space where they have no power. This was good news for rlm@0: Gerad Dalton. rlm@0: rlm@0: As he welded the final components of his terminal together, he felt rlm@0: the urge to cackle like one of those mad-scientist types he often saw rlm@0: in horror sci-fi holos. He kept the urge in check. Who actually rlm@0: laughs like that anyway? Besides, he wasn't mad. Furious maybe, but rlm@0: not mad. rlm@0: rlm@0: It wasn't too long ago that Gerad was a respected and up-incoming rlm@0: researcher at Vector Industries. He knew the men up top (maybe even rlm@0: Wilhelm himself!) had their eyes on him as he began to explore more rlm@0: applications for the UMN, taking what was thought to be an rlm@0: established, immutable science, and pushing it further. Some even rlm@0: went as far as to call him a genius. rlm@0: rlm@0: His own personal research was second in priority only to his desire rlm@0: to rid the universe of the Gnosis. When the KOS-MOS project was rlm@0: announced, he called in every favor he could to make sure he got the rlm@0: number two slot, right after project head Kevin. With his reputation rlm@0: and seniority in the company, he was the obvious choice. rlm@0: rlm@0: Except Kevin chose a complete unknown: an nineteen-year-old named rlm@0: Shion Uzuki. rlm@0: rlm@0: Gerad wanted to cruse, wanted to scream, wanted to pound his fists rlm@0: into the wall, but once again, held himself in check. The tiny, one rlm@0: bedroom shack he lived in on a God-forsaken moon was covered wall to rlm@0: wall with computer equipment; throwing a tantrum would only damage rlm@0: something. Crudely wired and looking rather thrown together, a casual rlm@0: observer would dismiss the mess as trash. It had taken several long rlm@0: years to assemble, however, and its true power could not be seen by rlm@0: the naked eye. rlm@0: rlm@0: He called it the Jolly Roger. It was his life's work, nearly rlm@0: destroyed by her. rlm@0: rlm@0: When Kevin passed him over for that four-eyed wench, he was rlm@0: devastated. It defied logic, defied reason. By choosing Shion over rlm@0: him, he basically told him he wasn't good enough. rlm@0: rlm@0: He wasn't good enough? Him, the genius Gerad Dalton?? rlm@0: rlm@0: The Jolly Roger would show him, show her, show Vector, show the rlm@0: whole damn universe! rlm@0: rlm@0: He was so close the last time, two years ago. His research into the rlm@0: UMN, combined with Vector's resources, made the Jolly Roger a rlm@0: reality. His goal: the complete and total control over the entire rlm@0: Unus Mundus Network. Lets see Shion Uzuki do that. rlm@0: rlm@0: As it turned out, she did one better: she discovered what he was rlm@0: doing, and reported him before he had the chance to bring the Jolly rlm@0: Roger on-line. rlm@0: rlm@0: Gerad removed the goggles he had been wearing. His face was tight rlm@0: and worn, marked with many wrinkles. He was a mere 40 standard years rlm@0: old, but his run from Federation law and his harsh life on a moon of rlm@0: the ice planet Vladek has caused him to age horribly. His once neat rlm@0: black hair was now long and unruly, peppered by streaks of gray. As rlm@0: he closed of the final section of his super computer, he gave a sigh rlm@0: of relief, and allowed himself a smile. rlm@0: rlm@0: It was time to hack the entire UMN. rlm@0: rlm@0: Once that was accomplished, he would see about handing out some rlm@0: payback. rlm@0: rlm@0: ------------------------------------------ rlm@0: rlm@0: KOS-MOS eyes darted from Shion's face to the strawberry she was rlm@0: offering between her thumb and index finger, then back to her face. rlm@0: She blinked once, then repeated the action. rlm@0: rlm@0: She is so cute when she's confused, Shion thought. rlm@0: rlm@0: "I do not see the point to this action," KOS-MOS informed her rlm@0: finally. "I do not require foodstuffs to function." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Just try it this once," Shion replied. "I think you might like it." rlm@0: rlm@0: The two women were sitting on a red and white checkered sheet, in rlm@0: the shade of a large (and probably extinct, Shion thought) tree. This rlm@0: tree stood in the middle of a large expanse of grass and rolling rlm@0: hills, extending as far as the eyes could see in any direction. They rlm@0: sky was a perfect clear blue, with only the occasional whisper of a rlm@0: cloud here and there. All in all it was the perfect time and place rlm@0: for a picnic. Not even the red and blue EVS exit portal spinning rlm@0: silently nearby could shatter the illusion. There was slight breeze rlm@0: just then, blowing KOS-MOS pale blue hair across her face slightly. rlm@0: Shion worried about it getting in her eyes for about a second, until rlm@0: she remembered just who she was sitting with. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Upon swallowing this item," KOS-MOS tried to explain. "It would be rlm@0: broken down to its basic elements, and consumed by my internal rlm@0: generator. I would draw no benefit from it. It would be better if you rlm@0: were to eat it. I insist." rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion felt touched by this comment, even though she knew it was rlm@0: basic on cold logic and not genuine caring. She'd take what she could rlm@0: get for now. rlm@0: rlm@0: "KOS-MOS, don't argue." Shion instructed. "Open your mouth." rlm@0: rlm@0: KOS-MOS's lips parted slowly, and Shion felt a slight blush fill her rlm@0: cheeks. She slowly placed the strawberry in her friends mouth, and rlm@0: forced herself to tear her eyes away as KOS-MOS bit into it and began rlm@0: to chew. She quickly activated her Connection Gear that she had been rlm@0: holding in the other hand, and accessed a program that she had spent rlm@0: most of the last few weeks working on. Once the screen came up, she rlm@0: hit the 'Upload Now' option. rlm@0: rlm@0: The data transfer was so fast that even KOS-MOS almost missed it. In rlm@0: no time at all a new OS sub-routine was downloaded, taking up the rlm@0: same space where the unknown bug had been detected earlier. That was rlm@0: the first thing she noticed. rlm@0: rlm@0: The second was an explosion of sensations in her mouth. She had been rlm@0: chewing the strawberry as instructed, but now she could taste it! It rlm@0: was sweet and soft and juicy and -- and -- rlm@0: rlm@0: KOS-MOS swallowed. Though her facial expression changed only rlm@0: slightly, it was a difference Shion was able to notice. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Wow," KOS-MOS said at last. rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion was stunned. "Did you just say 'wow?'" she asked. rlm@0: rlm@0: The moment soon passed, and KOS-MOS was in control again. "I believe rlm@0: I did," she replied. "Perhaps my linguistic programs are rlm@0: malfunctioning." rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion sighed and rolled her eyes. "Well, how did you like it?" she rlm@0: asked. rlm@0: rlm@0: KOS-MOS opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again. After a rlm@0: few seconds she spoke. "While I do not see how this program will rlm@0: enhance my abilities as an Anti-Gnosis weapon system, it is a welcome rlm@0: addition to my operating system." rlm@0: rlm@0: "I meant the strawberry," Shion clarified. rlm@0: rlm@0: "I see," KOS-MOS replied. "I find that I rather enjoyed it. Thank rlm@0: you for sharing it with me." rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion felt her heart beat just a little faster, and a new blush rlm@0: spread across her cheeks. What am I, fourteen? she thought. She was rlm@0: just being polite, stop reading into it! rlm@0: rlm@0: "Shion, in the last several hours, I have noticed several abrupt and rlm@0: dramatic changes in your heartbeat, respiration rate, and body rlm@0: temperature," KOS-MOS informed her. "I am concerned about your rlm@0: health. Perhaps you should consult a physician." rlm@0: rlm@0: "How every perceptive of you, KOS-MOS," Shion said with a little rlm@0: laugh. "I'll be alright, though. It's nothing." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Are you certain?" KOS-MOS asked. rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion looked away, staring off into the sky for a moment. She rlm@0: sighed. "If I didn't know better," she said quietly, "I would think rlm@0: you actually cared." rlm@0: rlm@0: KOS-MOS turned her own gaze upward, scanning for whatever Shion was rlm@0: looking at. "I do not wish for you to be unwell," she said rlm@0: rlm@0: "Of course not," Shion said sadly. "After all, I'm your Primary rlm@0: Directive." rlm@0: rlm@0: KOS-MOS identified the tone of Shion's voice as what one might sound rlm@0: like if the were unhappy or distressed. Unsure of how to respond to rlm@0: such a situation, she decided to merely relate the facts of the rlm@0: matter. It was what she did best after all. rlm@0: rlm@0: "The Primary Directive of which you speak directs my action in time rlm@0: of crisis. In such situations, I am to safeguard all Vector rlm@0: personnel, especially you," she explained. "My current desire to rlm@0: ensure you are well is --," she paused here, momentarily surprised by rlm@0: what she was about to say. " - my own," she finished. "I -- just want rlm@0: you to be alright." rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion turned her head to look at the android, who was still staring rlm@0: into the sky. She hadn't been expecting that response. She wasn't rlm@0: sure what to say. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Would you like another strawberry?" she asked awkwardly. Where did rlm@0: that come from, Uzuki? she thought. KOS-MOS just performed the rlm@0: android equivalent of pouring her heart out, and all you can do is rlm@0: ask if she wants another strawberry?? rlm@0: rlm@0: "I would like that very much, Shion," she replied, still staring off rlm@0: into the sky. rlm@0: rlm@0: --------------------------------- rlm@0: rlm@0: On board the Elsa, MOMO watched the scene transpire on the UMN rlm@0: screen near the bridge. In her hurry, Shion had neglected to activate rlm@0: a privacy screen, and MOMO just happened upon it while on her way to rlm@0: the UMN store terminal. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Wow, Shion is so pretty in that dress!" she said to herself as she rlm@0: watched them converse on the screen. Of course KOS-MOS is pretty rlm@0: too...I wonder if she ever gets tired of wearing the same outfit? she rlm@0: added silently. Then she remembered just who she was taking about and rlm@0: decided that the android probably never gave it a second thought. rlm@0: rlm@0: As she watched, Shion reached out with her foot, snagged the picnic rlm@0: basket, and pulled it towards them. KOS-MOS watched her do this, and rlm@0: said something to her. There was no sound , but it was easy enough rlm@0: for MOMO to read their lips. rlm@0: rlm@0: "It would have been easier to use your hands, Shion," KOS-MOS was rlm@0: saying. rlm@0: rlm@0: "But not as much fun!" Shion replied. MOMO giggled at that; she had rlm@0: a point there. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Fun is a wasted use of resources." KOS-MOS informed her creator. rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion surprised MOMO by sticking her tongue out at KOS-MOS, rlm@0: effectively teasing a machine capable of destroying a planet some rlm@0: day. rlm@0: rlm@0: "You still want these strawberries or not?" Shion asked. KOS-MOS rlm@0: nodded. "All right, then," Shion stated. She reached into the basket, rlm@0: and pulled out one strawberries. She held it between her thumb and rlm@0: index figure, and guided it to KOS-MOS's mouth. The android slowly rlm@0: opened her mouth and bit into the fruit carefully. She closed her rlm@0: eyes as the taste of the simple piece of fruit washed over her. rlm@0: rlm@0: MOMO noticed the blush in Shion's cheeks. rlm@0: rlm@0: She also noticed the serene expression of genuine enjoyment on KOS- rlm@0: MOS's face. rlm@0: rlm@0: She started to feel a little awkward herself. Just what is happening rlm@0: here? she wondered. What are they doing? She was beginning to think rlm@0: she should quit watching, when Fate decided the matter for her. rlm@0: rlm@0: The Elsa, which had been cruising through hyperspace at an even rlm@0: clip, was suddenly thrown violently back into real space so abruptly rlm@0: that she fell to the floor with a small yelp of surprise. She banged rlm@0: her head against the UMN terminal, and saw stars for a few moments rlm@0: before rising to her feet and heading for the bridge. She took a few rlm@0: steps, then remembered that her friends were still in the EVS, and rlm@0: hit communication button on the terminal to let them know what was rlm@0: going on. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Hey, Shion, KOS-MOS, I think you better get back. Something seems rlm@0: to be --" rlm@0: rlm@0: MOMO stopped speaking when she noticed that neither of the two women rlm@0: could hear her. They continued their meal, oblivious to what was rlm@0: going on in the real world. She quickly keyed in a few more commands rlm@0: to the computer to discover the problem when the screen went blank rlm@0: suddenly. After a few moments, it winked back on. rlm@0: rlm@0: MOMO took one look at it. "Uh-oh," she said. Then she turned and ran rlm@0: to the bridge. rlm@0: rlm@0: On the UMN screen, there was a rotating gray and black image of the rlm@0: skull and crossbones. rlm@0: rlm@0: --------------------------------- rlm@0: rlm@0: After feeding KOS-MOS nearly every piece of fruit that she had rlm@0: brought with her (and having quite a bit of food herself) Shion began rlm@0: to feel a little better, and very, very tired. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Perhaps we should return now," KOS-MOS suggested. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Not yet," Shion sighed wistfully. Once again, they sat side by rlm@0: side, backs against the tree, staring out over the horizon. Shion rlm@0: tapped a few commands into her computer, and suddenly it was sunset. rlm@0: The bright oranges, reds and yellows slowly receding away from the rlm@0: backdrop of twilight was breathtaking. rlm@0: rlm@0: "It's beautiful, don't you think, KOS-MOS?" Shion asked, even though rlm@0: she new the android thought no such thing. rlm@0: rlm@0: "It is a unique sight for one who has spent their entire existence rlm@0: in space," KOS-MOS agreed. rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion leaned her head on the friend's shoulder. This really has been rlm@0: a perfect day, Shion thought. Pleasant conversation, opening her mind rlm@0: to new experiences, and just being together without having to worry rlm@0: about the Zohar or the Gnosis or Albedo. I should really end it on rlm@0: this note. rlm@0: rlm@0: "What do think of me, KOS-MOS?" The question was out of her mouth rlm@0: before she could stop it. rlm@0: rlm@0: "You are Shion Uzuki, head of Vector Industries First R&D Division's rlm@0: KOS-MOS project. You designed me," KOS-MOS replied. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Forget I asked," Shion said quickly. rlm@0: rlm@0: There was a pause of several minutes as the sun continued to set on rlm@0: the two women. Shion felt her self grow more and more drowsy. She rlm@0: felt so relaxed where she was, so safe, so happy. For the next few rlm@0: minutes, she decided, I'm not going to think. Just be here with KOS- rlm@0: MOS. I'll worry about what that means later. rlm@0: rlm@0: KOS-MOS's mind, on the other hand, was spinning. Things seemed to rlm@0: fall into place for her all of sudden. Every moment she had ever rlm@0: spent with Shion since she was activated came back to her in an rlm@0: instant. When she was upset with her, when she spoke with her, when rlm@0: she tried to keep her from doing things she had to do. Lastly, the rlm@0: utter terror and desperation in her voice aboard Proto Merkabah. rlm@0: rlm@0: ("You'd better come back, KOS-MOS! You'd better!) rlm@0: rlm@0: Realization dawned on the android at once. The area of her mind now rlm@0: occupied by the new taste program cheered silently at this rlm@0: realization...but it was still to faint to be noticed. For now. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Shion," KOS-MOS spoke suddenly, startling the young scientist. "I rlm@0: believe I have come to a realization." rlm@0: rlm@0: "What is it, KOS-MOS?" Shion asked. She felt her eyelids growing rlm@0: heavy, and she was looking forward to falling asleep right where she rlm@0: was. rlm@0: rlm@0: "You are in love with me," KOS-MOS stated simply. rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion was suddenly wide awake. She sat up quickly just as KOS-MOS rlm@0: turned her head to face her. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Do not deny it, Shion," KOS-MOS went on. "Careful examination of rlm@0: your actions since the time of my activation proves this fact. What rlm@0: we must now do is discuss what we shall do about it." rlm@0: rlm@0: "You make it sound like this a problem to be 'dealt with' and rlm@0: disposed off," Shion said, a little angrily. Not at KOS-MOS, but at rlm@0: herself for being so obvious when she had thought she was keeping it rlm@0: to herself. "Emotions are more complicated than that." rlm@0: rlm@0: "I am aware of this, even if I do not understand them completely," rlm@0: KOS-MOS responded. "If you follow that fact to its logical rlm@0: conclusion, you realize that I can never fully understand your rlm@0: feelings for me, and therefore can never return them. This may be rlm@0: acceptable for you now, as this 'date' indicates --" rlm@0: rlm@0: "This is not a date!" Shion insisted, but her protest sounded hollow rlm@0: even to her own ears. rlm@0: rlm@0: " -- but eventually I will become a cause of great emotional stress rlm@0: and pain for you." The android stood up. Without looking at Shion, rlm@0: she continued. "The best course of action would be for me to remove rlm@0: myself from your life as soon as possible." Shion began to protest, rlm@0: but KOS-MOS talked over her. "I realize that my sudden departure will rlm@0: hurt you, but I believe that it will be far better if I hurt you a rlm@0: small amount now, compared to the great amount I will harm you later rlm@0: by staying. In addition, the time has come for me to be turned over rlm@0: to the Second Division, and begin mass production and field testing. rlm@0: Good bye, Shion." She began to walk to the exit portal. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Just you wait a minute, KOS-MOS!" Shion called after her. She rlm@0: jumped to her feet as well. "You can't just leave like this!" rlm@0: rlm@0: KOS-MOS continued walking. "That is precisely what I am doing. After rlm@0: careful consideration, I have decided this will be the best course of rlm@0: action." rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion forced herself not to panic, even though she could feel the rlm@0: same sense of dread fill her chest that she felt at Proto Merkabah. rlm@0: She tried to keep her voice even (and failed) as she spoke. "Don't rlm@0: leave me," she said quietly. rlm@0: rlm@0: KOS-MOS stopped walking. She turned her head slightly to one side. rlm@0: Shion could almost make out the profile of her face. She was looking rlm@0: toward the ground. In that pose, as her ruby-red eyes blinked slowly rlm@0: twice, she almost looked -- sad. rlm@0: rlm@0: "I do not wish to hurt you, Shion. If I remain with you, I will do rlm@0: so more than if I were to leave now," she said. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Is that really what you want, KOS-MOS?" Shion asked her. rlm@0: rlm@0: KOS-MOS opened her mouth to say 'affirmative', but found she rlm@0: couldn't. She was experiencing an error in her verbal skill rlm@0: programming. She quickly ran an internal diagnostic, to find the rlm@0: error source was coming from the same place as before. rlm@0: rlm@0: "No," she found herself saying. rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion held her hand out to the android. "Then don't go," she said. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Are you two serious?" a new voice called suddenly from the upper rlm@0: branches of the tree. "Kevin passed me up for you? A child, little rlm@0: girl who's so foolish that she'd fall in love with a weapon?" rlm@0: rlm@0: Startled, Shion spun around and looked up. In an instant, KOS-MOS rlm@0: was beside her, her right hand hovering over her holster. "Identify rlm@0: yourself!" KOS-MOS demanded. This was only the second time in her rlm@0: life that someone was able to sneak up on her, and she wasn't happy rlm@0: about it. It didn't occur to her just then the fact she was angry rlm@0: should have been impossible. rlm@0: rlm@0: Standing quite easily on a tree branch which was actually thinner rlm@0: than his feet, stood a man in a black and gray Vector uniform. Over rlm@0: his right breast pocket however, was the image of the skull and rlm@0: crossbones. rlm@0: rlm@0: Shion noticed this, and her eyes went wide. "Dalton?" she asked. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Ah, Ms. Uzuki!" Gerad replied. He brought both hands over his heart rlm@0: in a gesture of mock happiness. "You remember me! I can't help but be rlm@0: touched!" The smile vanished from his face, and his tone became as rlm@0: serious as a heart attack. "I, of course, remember you." rlm@0: rlm@0: "You know this person, Shion?" KOS-MOS asked. She attempted to use rlm@0: her internal UMN link to access Vector personnel files for a Gerad rlm@0: Dalton, but was unable to log on. Another internal error? she rlm@0: wondered. rlm@0: rlm@0: "I don't know how you got here, Gerad, but you can rest assured once rlm@0: we get back, I'll be sure to report you! The Federation has been rlm@0: looking for you for a long time!" rlm@0: rlm@0: " 'We?' " Gerad asked. "What, do you have a mouse in your pocket?" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Just what is that supposed to mean, Gerad?" Shion yelled back. "I rlm@0: was talking about myself and KOS-MOS!" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Oh yes, the weapon," Gerad said as though he was noticing the rlm@0: battle android for the first time. "It could pose a problem. Lets rlm@0: take care of that now, shall we?" rlm@0: rlm@0: Gerad quickly pointed toward the two women. At the same time, KOS- rlm@0: MOS detected a sudden energy surge coming from his body, and drew her rlm@0: blaster. A jagged bolt of blue-white energy sprang from his rlm@0: fingertips. Simultaneously, KOS-MOS shoved Shion down out of the way rlm@0: with her left hand and fired with her right. rlm@0: rlm@0: The two blasts met in mid-air and exploded, the force of the rlm@0: explosion pushing Shion along the ground about five feet, and rlm@0: flooding the artificial evening with light. When her vision cleared, rlm@0: she noticed neither Gerad nor KOS-MOS had budged an inch. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Well, well, well," Gerad said with honest surprise. "This should be rlm@0: fun."