rlm@2: The Shion+KOS-MOS paring is the most debated in the Xenosaga fandom. rlm@2: I think they were made for each other. No pun intended. rlm@2: rlm@2: The events of this stroy take place betwenn Xenosaga Episode One and rlm@2: Two. There will be some spoilers for the end of Episode One, and rlm@2: those who haven't complete that game might be a bit lost in later rlm@2: chapters. rlm@2: rlm@2: I dont own Xenosaga. I only wish i did. rlm@2: rlm@2: Gerad Dalton is my creation, however. Steal him and die. rlm@2: rlm@2: rlm@2: Chapter One rlm@2: Picnic for Two rlm@2: By Silvercry rlm@2: silvercry2000@yahoo.com rlm@2: rlm@2: rlm@2: ...my spirit sleeping somewhere cold, rlm@2: until you find it there and lead it back rlm@2: home.... rlm@2: Bring Me to Life - Evanescence rlm@2: rlm@2: rlm@2: Allen had his head stuck in the refrigerator in the Elsa's kitchen, rlm@2: looking for an early morning snack. All he was able to find was rlm@2: freeze-dried this, frozen that, dehydrated something else. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Aw, man," Allen whined. Don't they have anything quick and easy? rlm@2: The service bots haven't woke up yet, and I'm hungry now. He heard rlm@2: the door open behind him, but paid it no mind. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Good morning, Allen," he heard Shion say cheerfully as she entered rlm@2: the room. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Hey, Chief," Allen replied, his head still buried in the fridge. rlm@2: "If you're looking for food," he went on, "you're out of luck till rlm@2: the bots are activated." rlm@2: rlm@2: "Yes, I know," Shion replied. It sounded like she was trying to rlm@2: suppress a little laugh as she spoke. rlm@2: rlm@2: Wow, she has a cute little laugh, Allen thought. She really should rlm@2: laugh more often. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Allen," Shion went on, "would you let everyone know that KOS-MOS rlm@2: and I will be gone for the day?" Her voice was moving through the rlm@2: room, stopping by the door leading to the main part of the ship. rlm@2: rlm@2: Allen finally pulled his head from the fridge and looked up. "Sure rlm@2: thing, Chief. Where are you two -- WHOA!" rlm@2: rlm@2: Allen's sudden yell startled Shion, and she nearly dropped the rlm@2: whicker basket she was carrying. "Allen, be quiet!" Shion said rlm@2: sharply. "Are you trying to wake the whole ship?" There was a silence rlm@2: in the kitchen as Allen stared open mouthed at Shion in shock. "You rlm@2: know, Allen," Shion politely informed him, "It's not nice to stare." rlm@2: rlm@2: Not nice to stare! Allen thought. How could I not? rlm@2: rlm@2: In all the time Allen and Shion had spent working together, he had rlm@2: only seen he out of uniform a handful of times. Shion was never one rlm@2: for casual social events; she spent almost all of her time working on rlm@2: KOS-MOS. She wasn't exactly anti-social, just focused on her project rlm@2: to the point of neglecting some other aspects of life. She was well rlm@2: liked though, by her fellow KOS-MOS Project team members and, more rlm@2: recently, by the unique party they were now apart of. The last time rlm@2: he saw her out of her uniform was at the private beech at the rlm@2: Foundation (he nearly had a heart attack when he saw her little black rlm@2: bikini, he recalled). rlm@2: rlm@2: But there was definitely something different about the way she was rlm@2: dressed this morning. rlm@2: rlm@2: Her hair was free of its typical braid, framing her face nicely. And rlm@2: since when did the chief wear make up? Allen thought. A hint of rlm@2: blush, a touch of lipstick and eye shadow...just what was going on rlm@2: here? She was wearing a long, light-purple sundress that fell to mid- rlm@2: calf length. The hem of the dress was purposely uneven, longer in rlm@2: front and in back than on the sides, where it only reached her knees. rlm@2: She was wearing a pair of matching sandals, and (much to Allen's rlm@2: surprise) was even wearing nail polish. She carried a large whicker rlm@2: picnic basket on one arm. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Allen, my face is up here," Shion reminded him. rlm@2: rlm@2: Allen snapped his head and neck back up so fast, Shion briefly rlm@2: wondered if there would be any permanent damage. rlm@2: rlm@2: Say something clever, yet indifferent! Allen thought to himself rlm@2: frantically. He opened his mouth, but all he could manage was, "D-Did rlm@2: you say something, Chief?" rlm@2: rlm@2: "Honestly, Allen, you act like you've never seen me out of uniform rlm@2: before," she replied. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Only five or six times," Allen confessed. rlm@2: rlm@2: A small smile crossed Shion's face. "So, you've been keeping count?" rlm@2: she asked. rlm@2: rlm@2: Allen shook a his head and hands furiously. "NO! I mean, not really. rlm@2: I mean --what I mean is --" How can I get out of this one? "Um, rlm@2: wasn't their a message you wanted me to give everyone?" rlm@2: rlm@2: "Yes. KOS-MOS and I will be -- unavailable today. Just let everyone rlm@2: know if they ask, alright?" Shion repeated. She turned to leave. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Oh, right," Allen remembered, grateful for the change of subject. rlm@2: "Where are you two headed? Our report to Vector HQ isn't due for rlm@2: another two weeks." rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion hesitated. "Out," she replied after a moment. "I have this new rlm@2: EVS I want to load up and --" she stopped abruptly, then simply rlm@2: repeated: "Out." rlm@2: rlm@2: "Out?" Allen asked, puzzled. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Out," Shion confirmed. She turned sharply, her dress flaring out rlm@2: around her legs. The door opened, she walked through, and it shut rlm@2: behind her, leaving Allen to wonder what the heck had just happened. rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion quickly headed to for the elevator, not wanting to bump into rlm@2: anyone else. When the door shut behind her, and it began to descend, rlm@2: she released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She rlm@2: glanced at her reflection in the glass of the door before her. Even rlm@2: though she had spent a lot more time than usual on picking and rlm@2: dressing in this particular outfit, she was a little surprised by rlm@2: just how good she looked. A fact, she noted, which was definitely not rlm@2: lost on Allen. She smiled. She was not what you would call a vain rlm@2: person, but it was nice to be noticed as a woman once in a while. rlm@2: rlm@2: Problem was, she was noticed by the wrong person. rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion shook her head to clear it as the lift reached its rlm@2: destination. She exited the lift and proceeded towards her rlm@2: destination, her mood improving with every step. Past the cargo rlm@2: elevator, down to the catapult level, and through the AGWS hangar. At rlm@2: one point she noticed she was skipping, and stopped it immediately. rlm@2: Get a grip, Shion Uzuki! she scolded herself as she reached the door rlm@2: to KOS-MOS's room. You're acting like this is a -- rlm@2: rlm@2: The door slid open, and Shion pushed the thought aside, and stepped rlm@2: into the room. It was a simple room, not much to look at. That is, of rlm@2: course, if one was to over look the single object in the center. rlm@2: Shion walked up to and around the black maintenance bed for KOS-MOS, rlm@2: to see the battle android still 'asleep' with in it. rlm@2: rlm@2: Her regeneration cycle will be over in a few moments, Shion thought rlm@2: to herself. Guess I'm a little early. She set the basket down near rlm@2: the foot of the pod, and took a seat on the side of it herself, never rlm@2: taking her eyes off the sleeping angel inside. An angel of death, rlm@2: maybe, she thought, recalling all the times she had seen KOS-MOS in rlm@2: action over the course off the last few days. On the heels of those rlm@2: memories came images of the several times KOS-MOS had put herself on rlm@2: the line to defend the Elsa...and Shion specifically. Ok, Shion rlm@2: thought. Maybe she's a guardian angel. Another memory came to her rlm@2: then -- a much older one. A thunderstorm, an attack by unknown men, rlm@2: the premature activation of the original KOS-MOS, and the massacre rlm@2: that followed. Or perhaps, she added sadly, a fallen angel. rlm@2: rlm@2: KOS-MOS slept on, blissfully unaware for the moment. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Sometimes I wish you could sleep forever," Shion whispered to the rlm@2: sleeping android. "And others, I can't wait to see you wake up. I rlm@2: wonder what would you say about that?" She tried to mimic KOS-MOS's rlm@2: voice and tone then said, "'Shion, your current line of thought is rlm@2: paradoxical in nature and serves no purpose.' Or something like rlm@2: that." Shion sighed. "Don't you think I know that?" she whispered. rlm@2: rlm@2: There was no reply from KOS-MOS. Shion continued to stare at the rlm@2: android's face, waiting patiently for her eyes to open. After a few rlm@2: moments, her gaze drifted down from her eyes to her mouth. And an rlm@2: idea suddenly formed in her mind. A crazy idea. rlm@2: rlm@2: What am I thinking? Shion asked herself silently. I can't do that! rlm@2: But the more she stared at KOS-MOS's lips, the greater the desire rlm@2: became. Just this one time, she tried to rationalize. She never has rlm@2: to know! rlm@2: rlm@2: "If I stole one kiss, would you hold it against me?" Shion asked in rlm@2: a voice to soft to even be called a whisper. It certainly wasn't the rlm@2: first time she thought about giving her mechanical angel a kiss, but rlm@2: in the days since the incident at Proto Merkabah, the desire had rlm@2: grown stronger and stronger. She had come so close to losing her that rlm@2: day. Twice in fact. Sitting in her cabin that evening, she came to a rlm@2: startling revelation. rlm@2: rlm@2: She was in love with KOS-MOS. rlm@2: rlm@2: "That's right, KOS-MOS," Shion told the sleeping angel. "I love you. rlm@2: This is some fix I've got myself in, huh?" she laughed wearily. rlm@2: "Wonder what everyone would say if they knew? I wonder what Kevin rlm@2: would say? I wonder what you will say? Would you even understand?" rlm@2: rlm@2: Her lips still looked so inviting, but Shion just couldn't bring rlm@2: herself to kiss them. If that's going to happen, she decided, it will rlm@2: happen when she's awake, and only if she's ready -- if she can ever rlm@2: be ready. Instead, Shion leaned over KOS-MOS's body, her hair rlm@2: cascading over her shoulders, and gave the woman who had taken her rlm@2: heart without even trying, a quick, but heartfelt, kiss on the cheek. rlm@2: rlm@2: In a corner of KOS-MOS's mind, a corner so far removed that she rlm@2: wasn't even aware of its existence, something began to stir. To vague rlm@2: to be called emotion, to faint to be called a sub-conscious desire. rlm@2: Not yet important enough to trigger and internal diagnostic scan. But rlm@2: something was there, was brought to life by a kiss that wasn't rlm@2: supposed to happen -- yet. And it began to grow. rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion pulled back with a gasp as she felt a twitch of movement from rlm@2: KOS-MOS's face. Her face was mere inches away when her red eyes rlm@2: slowly opened and locked with her own. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Good morning, Shion." KOS-MOS greeted her in her even, precise rlm@2: voice. She took note of Shion's close proximity, and misunderstood rlm@2: the reason behind it. "My internal chronometer reads 0700 hours, rlm@2: which was the assigned activation time. Do you require additional rlm@2: offline time to finish my maintenance checks?" rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion quickly puller her self back up to a sitting position on the rlm@2: side of the maintenance bed, and turned her head to hide her growing rlm@2: blush. "That wont be necessary KOS-MOS," she said quickly. "I - um - rlm@2: had just finished." rlm@2: rlm@2: "Very well," KOS-MOS stated simply, and sat up. She ran her usual rlm@2: series of start-up diagnostics. Aside from and unexpected minor error rlm@2: in an otherwise blank section of her OS, all the internal quires came rlm@2: back green. rlm@2: rlm@2: "All systems are operating within normal parameters," she informed rlm@2: Shion. rlm@2: rlm@2: Still facing away from her, Shion nodded. "Very good KOS-MOS," she rlm@2: said carefully, her nerve failing. There was a brief rustle behind rlm@2: her, followed by the soft *click* of high heels as KOS-MOS landed on rlm@2: her feet outside the maintenance bed. Shion stood up then and the rlm@2: upper hatch of the bed lowered and secured itself in place. As she rlm@2: stood, she faced the battle android, who was staring at her intently. rlm@2: Shion knew perfectly well that KOS-MOS stared at everything intently, rlm@2: but today, she found the androids fixed gaze unnerving, and lowered rlm@2: her gaze to the floor. rlm@2: rlm@2: What was I thinking? Shion scolded herself. This was a bad idea; I rlm@2: never should have -- rlm@2: rlm@2: "Shion, I am curious as to why I was set to be activated at this rlm@2: time," KOS-MOS stated. "Judging from your attire and the basket you rlm@2: have with you, you seem to have plans for some time of leisure rlm@2: activity, which does not include myself at this time." rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion looked up, meeting her creation's eyes once more. That's as rlm@2: close to a compliment on my dress as I'm going to get, she realized. rlm@2: Feeling some of her bravery return, she said, "That's not entirely rlm@2: true, KOS-MOS. I was actually hoping you would join me for a picnic." rlm@2: rlm@2: KOS-MOS experienced an unexpected data surge from the part of her rlm@2: Operating System was she had discovered the error this upon waking. rlm@2: Before she could isolate the problem, the spike was gone. She added rlm@2: to her error log for later review. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Very well, Shion. I will accompany you," she replied. She turned rlm@2: and headed for the door, her heels making a very rhythmic click-click rlm@2: sound on the floor. She was already through the door before Shion rlm@2: snapped out of her surprise. She picked up the basket, and headed out rlm@2: the door as well. rlm@2: rlm@2: ------------------------------------------ rlm@2: rlm@2: As much as the Federation likes to believe the opposite, there are rlm@2: parts of known space where they have no power. This was good news for rlm@2: Gerad Dalton. rlm@2: rlm@2: As he welded the final components of his terminal together, he felt rlm@2: the urge to cackle like one of those mad-scientist types he often saw rlm@2: in horror sci-fi holos. He kept the urge in check. Who actually rlm@2: laughs like that anyway? Besides, he wasn't mad. Furious maybe, but rlm@2: not mad. rlm@2: rlm@2: It wasn't too long ago that Gerad was a respected and up-incoming rlm@2: researcher at Vector Industries. He knew the men up top (maybe even rlm@2: Wilhelm himself!) had their eyes on him as he began to explore more rlm@2: applications for the UMN, taking what was thought to be an rlm@2: established, immutable science, and pushing it further. Some even rlm@2: went as far as to call him a genius. rlm@2: rlm@2: His own personal research was second in priority only to his desire rlm@2: to rid the universe of the Gnosis. When the KOS-MOS project was rlm@2: announced, he called in every favor he could to make sure he got the rlm@2: number two slot, right after project head Kevin. With his reputation rlm@2: and seniority in the company, he was the obvious choice. rlm@2: rlm@2: Except Kevin chose a complete unknown: an nineteen-year-old named rlm@2: Shion Uzuki. rlm@2: rlm@2: Gerad wanted to cruse, wanted to scream, wanted to pound his fists rlm@2: into the wall, but once again, held himself in check. The tiny, one rlm@2: bedroom shack he lived in on a God-forsaken moon was covered wall to rlm@2: wall with computer equipment; throwing a tantrum would only damage rlm@2: something. Crudely wired and looking rather thrown together, a casual rlm@2: observer would dismiss the mess as trash. It had taken several long rlm@2: years to assemble, however, and its true power could not be seen by rlm@2: the naked eye. rlm@2: rlm@2: He called it the Jolly Roger. It was his life's work, nearly rlm@2: destroyed by her. rlm@2: rlm@2: When Kevin passed him over for that four-eyed wench, he was rlm@2: devastated. It defied logic, defied reason. By choosing Shion over rlm@2: him, he basically told him he wasn't good enough. rlm@2: rlm@2: He wasn't good enough? Him, the genius Gerad Dalton?? rlm@2: rlm@2: The Jolly Roger would show him, show her, show Vector, show the rlm@2: whole damn universe! rlm@2: rlm@2: He was so close the last time, two years ago. His research into the rlm@2: UMN, combined with Vector's resources, made the Jolly Roger a rlm@2: reality. His goal: the complete and total control over the entire rlm@2: Unus Mundus Network. Lets see Shion Uzuki do that. rlm@2: rlm@2: As it turned out, she did one better: she discovered what he was rlm@2: doing, and reported him before he had the chance to bring the Jolly rlm@2: Roger on-line. rlm@2: rlm@2: Gerad removed the goggles he had been wearing. His face was tight rlm@2: and worn, marked with many wrinkles. He was a mere 40 standard years rlm@2: old, but his run from Federation law and his harsh life on a moon of rlm@2: the ice planet Vladek has caused him to age horribly. His once neat rlm@2: black hair was now long and unruly, peppered by streaks of gray. As rlm@2: he closed of the final section of his super computer, he gave a sigh rlm@2: of relief, and allowed himself a smile. rlm@2: rlm@2: It was time to hack the entire UMN. rlm@2: rlm@2: Once that was accomplished, he would see about handing out some rlm@2: payback. rlm@2: rlm@2: ------------------------------------------ rlm@2: rlm@2: KOS-MOS eyes darted from Shion's face to the strawberry she was rlm@2: offering between her thumb and index finger, then back to her face. rlm@2: She blinked once, then repeated the action. rlm@2: rlm@2: She is so cute when she's confused, Shion thought. rlm@2: rlm@2: "I do not see the point to this action," KOS-MOS informed her rlm@2: finally. "I do not require foodstuffs to function." rlm@2: rlm@2: "Just try it this once," Shion replied. "I think you might like it." rlm@2: rlm@2: The two women were sitting on a red and white checkered sheet, in rlm@2: the shade of a large (and probably extinct, Shion thought) tree. This rlm@2: tree stood in the middle of a large expanse of grass and rolling rlm@2: hills, extending as far as the eyes could see in any direction. They rlm@2: sky was a perfect clear blue, with only the occasional whisper of a rlm@2: cloud here and there. All in all it was the perfect time and place rlm@2: for a picnic. Not even the red and blue EVS exit portal spinning rlm@2: silently nearby could shatter the illusion. There was slight breeze rlm@2: just then, blowing KOS-MOS pale blue hair across her face slightly. rlm@2: Shion worried about it getting in her eyes for about a second, until rlm@2: she remembered just who she was sitting with. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Upon swallowing this item," KOS-MOS tried to explain. "It would be rlm@2: broken down to its basic elements, and consumed by my internal rlm@2: generator. I would draw no benefit from it. It would be better if you rlm@2: were to eat it. I insist." rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion felt touched by this comment, even though she knew it was rlm@2: basic on cold logic and not genuine caring. She'd take what she could rlm@2: get for now. rlm@2: rlm@2: "KOS-MOS, don't argue." Shion instructed. "Open your mouth." rlm@2: rlm@2: KOS-MOS's lips parted slowly, and Shion felt a slight blush fill her rlm@2: cheeks. She slowly placed the strawberry in her friends mouth, and rlm@2: forced herself to tear her eyes away as KOS-MOS bit into it and began rlm@2: to chew. She quickly activated her Connection Gear that she had been rlm@2: holding in the other hand, and accessed a program that she had spent rlm@2: most of the last few weeks working on. Once the screen came up, she rlm@2: hit the 'Upload Now' option. rlm@2: rlm@2: The data transfer was so fast that even KOS-MOS almost missed it. In rlm@2: no time at all a new OS sub-routine was downloaded, taking up the rlm@2: same space where the unknown bug had been detected earlier. That was rlm@2: the first thing she noticed. rlm@2: rlm@2: The second was an explosion of sensations in her mouth. She had been rlm@2: chewing the strawberry as instructed, but now she could taste it! It rlm@2: was sweet and soft and juicy and -- and -- rlm@2: rlm@2: KOS-MOS swallowed. Though her facial expression changed only rlm@2: slightly, it was a difference Shion was able to notice. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Wow," KOS-MOS said at last. rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion was stunned. "Did you just say 'wow?'" she asked. rlm@2: rlm@2: The moment soon passed, and KOS-MOS was in control again. "I believe rlm@2: I did," she replied. "Perhaps my linguistic programs are rlm@2: malfunctioning." rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion sighed and rolled her eyes. "Well, how did you like it?" she rlm@2: asked. rlm@2: rlm@2: KOS-MOS opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again. After a rlm@2: few seconds she spoke. "While I do not see how this program will rlm@2: enhance my abilities as an Anti-Gnosis weapon system, it is a welcome rlm@2: addition to my operating system." rlm@2: rlm@2: "I meant the strawberry," Shion clarified. rlm@2: rlm@2: "I see," KOS-MOS replied. "I find that I rather enjoyed it. Thank rlm@2: you for sharing it with me." rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion felt her heart beat just a little faster, and a new blush rlm@2: spread across her cheeks. What am I, fourteen? she thought. She was rlm@2: just being polite, stop reading into it! rlm@2: rlm@2: "Shion, in the last several hours, I have noticed several abrupt and rlm@2: dramatic changes in your heartbeat, respiration rate, and body rlm@2: temperature," KOS-MOS informed her. "I am concerned about your rlm@2: health. Perhaps you should consult a physician." rlm@2: rlm@2: "How every perceptive of you, KOS-MOS," Shion said with a little rlm@2: laugh. "I'll be alright, though. It's nothing." rlm@2: rlm@2: "Are you certain?" KOS-MOS asked. rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion looked away, staring off into the sky for a moment. She rlm@2: sighed. "If I didn't know better," she said quietly, "I would think rlm@2: you actually cared." rlm@2: rlm@2: KOS-MOS turned her own gaze upward, scanning for whatever Shion was rlm@2: looking at. "I do not wish for you to be unwell," she said rlm@2: rlm@2: "Of course not," Shion said sadly. "After all, I'm your Primary rlm@2: Directive." rlm@2: rlm@2: KOS-MOS identified the tone of Shion's voice as what one might sound rlm@2: like if the were unhappy or distressed. Unsure of how to respond to rlm@2: such a situation, she decided to merely relate the facts of the rlm@2: matter. It was what she did best after all. rlm@2: rlm@2: "The Primary Directive of which you speak directs my action in time rlm@2: of crisis. In such situations, I am to safeguard all Vector rlm@2: personnel, especially you," she explained. "My current desire to rlm@2: ensure you are well is --," she paused here, momentarily surprised by rlm@2: what she was about to say. " - my own," she finished. "I -- just want rlm@2: you to be alright." rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion turned her head to look at the android, who was still staring rlm@2: into the sky. She hadn't been expecting that response. She wasn't rlm@2: sure what to say. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Would you like another strawberry?" she asked awkwardly. Where did rlm@2: that come from, Uzuki? she thought. KOS-MOS just performed the rlm@2: android equivalent of pouring her heart out, and all you can do is rlm@2: ask if she wants another strawberry?? rlm@2: rlm@2: "I would like that very much, Shion," she replied, still staring off rlm@2: into the sky. rlm@2: rlm@2: --------------------------------- rlm@2: rlm@2: On board the Elsa, MOMO watched the scene transpire on the UMN rlm@2: screen near the bridge. In her hurry, Shion had neglected to activate rlm@2: a privacy screen, and MOMO just happened upon it while on her way to rlm@2: the UMN store terminal. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Wow, Shion is so pretty in that dress!" she said to herself as she rlm@2: watched them converse on the screen. Of course KOS-MOS is pretty rlm@2: too...I wonder if she ever gets tired of wearing the same outfit? she rlm@2: added silently. Then she remembered just who she was taking about and rlm@2: decided that the android probably never gave it a second thought. rlm@2: rlm@2: As she watched, Shion reached out with her foot, snagged the picnic rlm@2: basket, and pulled it towards them. KOS-MOS watched her do this, and rlm@2: said something to her. There was no sound , but it was easy enough rlm@2: for MOMO to read their lips. rlm@2: rlm@2: "It would have been easier to use your hands, Shion," KOS-MOS was rlm@2: saying. rlm@2: rlm@2: "But not as much fun!" Shion replied. MOMO giggled at that; she had rlm@2: a point there. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Fun is a wasted use of resources." KOS-MOS informed her creator. rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion surprised MOMO by sticking her tongue out at KOS-MOS, rlm@2: effectively teasing a machine capable of destroying a planet some rlm@2: day. rlm@2: rlm@2: "You still want these strawberries or not?" Shion asked. KOS-MOS rlm@2: nodded. "All right, then," Shion stated. She reached into the basket, rlm@2: and pulled out one strawberries. She held it between her thumb and rlm@2: index figure, and guided it to KOS-MOS's mouth. The android slowly rlm@2: opened her mouth and bit into the fruit carefully. She closed her rlm@2: eyes as the taste of the simple piece of fruit washed over her. rlm@2: rlm@2: MOMO noticed the blush in Shion's cheeks. rlm@2: rlm@2: She also noticed the serene expression of genuine enjoyment on KOS- rlm@2: MOS's face. rlm@2: rlm@2: She started to feel a little awkward herself. Just what is happening rlm@2: here? she wondered. What are they doing? She was beginning to think rlm@2: she should quit watching, when Fate decided the matter for her. rlm@2: rlm@2: The Elsa, which had been cruising through hyperspace at an even rlm@2: clip, was suddenly thrown violently back into real space so abruptly rlm@2: that she fell to the floor with a small yelp of surprise. She banged rlm@2: her head against the UMN terminal, and saw stars for a few moments rlm@2: before rising to her feet and heading for the bridge. She took a few rlm@2: steps, then remembered that her friends were still in the EVS, and rlm@2: hit communication button on the terminal to let them know what was rlm@2: going on. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Hey, Shion, KOS-MOS, I think you better get back. Something seems rlm@2: to be --" rlm@2: rlm@2: MOMO stopped speaking when she noticed that neither of the two women rlm@2: could hear her. They continued their meal, oblivious to what was rlm@2: going on in the real world. She quickly keyed in a few more commands rlm@2: to the computer to discover the problem when the screen went blank rlm@2: suddenly. After a few moments, it winked back on. rlm@2: rlm@2: MOMO took one look at it. "Uh-oh," she said. Then she turned and ran rlm@2: to the bridge. rlm@2: rlm@2: On the UMN screen, there was a rotating gray and black image of the rlm@2: skull and crossbones. rlm@2: rlm@2: --------------------------------- rlm@2: rlm@2: After feeding KOS-MOS nearly every piece of fruit that she had rlm@2: brought with her (and having quite a bit of food herself) Shion began rlm@2: to feel a little better, and very, very tired. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Perhaps we should return now," KOS-MOS suggested. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Not yet," Shion sighed wistfully. Once again, they sat side by rlm@2: side, backs against the tree, staring out over the horizon. Shion rlm@2: tapped a few commands into her computer, and suddenly it was sunset. rlm@2: The bright oranges, reds and yellows slowly receding away from the rlm@2: backdrop of twilight was breathtaking. rlm@2: rlm@2: "It's beautiful, don't you think, KOS-MOS?" Shion asked, even though rlm@2: she new the android thought no such thing. rlm@2: rlm@2: "It is a unique sight for one who has spent their entire existence rlm@2: in space," KOS-MOS agreed. rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion leaned her head on the friend's shoulder. This really has been rlm@2: a perfect day, Shion thought. Pleasant conversation, opening her mind rlm@2: to new experiences, and just being together without having to worry rlm@2: about the Zohar or the Gnosis or Albedo. I should really end it on rlm@2: this note. rlm@2: rlm@2: "What do think of me, KOS-MOS?" The question was out of her mouth rlm@2: before she could stop it. rlm@2: rlm@2: "You are Shion Uzuki, head of Vector Industries First R&D Division's rlm@2: KOS-MOS project. You designed me," KOS-MOS replied. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Forget I asked," Shion said quickly. rlm@2: rlm@2: There was a pause of several minutes as the sun continued to set on rlm@2: the two women. Shion felt her self grow more and more drowsy. She rlm@2: felt so relaxed where she was, so safe, so happy. For the next few rlm@2: minutes, she decided, I'm not going to think. Just be here with KOS- rlm@2: MOS. I'll worry about what that means later. rlm@2: rlm@2: KOS-MOS's mind, on the other hand, was spinning. Things seemed to rlm@2: fall into place for her all of sudden. Every moment she had ever rlm@2: spent with Shion since she was activated came back to her in an rlm@2: instant. When she was upset with her, when she spoke with her, when rlm@2: she tried to keep her from doing things she had to do. Lastly, the rlm@2: utter terror and desperation in her voice aboard Proto Merkabah. rlm@2: rlm@2: ("You'd better come back, KOS-MOS! You'd better!) rlm@2: rlm@2: Realization dawned on the android at once. The area of her mind now rlm@2: occupied by the new taste program cheered silently at this rlm@2: realization...but it was still to faint to be noticed. For now. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Shion," KOS-MOS spoke suddenly, startling the young scientist. "I rlm@2: believe I have come to a realization." rlm@2: rlm@2: "What is it, KOS-MOS?" Shion asked. She felt her eyelids growing rlm@2: heavy, and she was looking forward to falling asleep right where she rlm@2: was. rlm@2: rlm@2: "You are in love with me," KOS-MOS stated simply. rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion was suddenly wide awake. She sat up quickly just as KOS-MOS rlm@2: turned her head to face her. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Do not deny it, Shion," KOS-MOS went on. "Careful examination of rlm@2: your actions since the time of my activation proves this fact. What rlm@2: we must now do is discuss what we shall do about it." rlm@2: rlm@2: "You make it sound like this a problem to be 'dealt with' and rlm@2: disposed off," Shion said, a little angrily. Not at KOS-MOS, but at rlm@2: herself for being so obvious when she had thought she was keeping it rlm@2: to herself. "Emotions are more complicated than that." rlm@2: rlm@2: "I am aware of this, even if I do not understand them completely," rlm@2: KOS-MOS responded. "If you follow that fact to its logical rlm@2: conclusion, you realize that I can never fully understand your rlm@2: feelings for me, and therefore can never return them. This may be rlm@2: acceptable for you now, as this 'date' indicates --" rlm@2: rlm@2: "This is not a date!" Shion insisted, but her protest sounded hollow rlm@2: even to her own ears. rlm@2: rlm@2: " -- but eventually I will become a cause of great emotional stress rlm@2: and pain for you." The android stood up. Without looking at Shion, rlm@2: she continued. "The best course of action would be for me to remove rlm@2: myself from your life as soon as possible." Shion began to protest, rlm@2: but KOS-MOS talked over her. "I realize that my sudden departure will rlm@2: hurt you, but I believe that it will be far better if I hurt you a rlm@2: small amount now, compared to the great amount I will harm you later rlm@2: by staying. In addition, the time has come for me to be turned over rlm@2: to the Second Division, and begin mass production and field testing. rlm@2: Good bye, Shion." She began to walk to the exit portal. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Just you wait a minute, KOS-MOS!" Shion called after her. She rlm@2: jumped to her feet as well. "You can't just leave like this!" rlm@2: rlm@2: KOS-MOS continued walking. "That is precisely what I am doing. After rlm@2: careful consideration, I have decided this will be the best course of rlm@2: action." rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion forced herself not to panic, even though she could feel the rlm@2: same sense of dread fill her chest that she felt at Proto Merkabah. rlm@2: She tried to keep her voice even (and failed) as she spoke. "Don't rlm@2: leave me," she said quietly. rlm@2: rlm@2: KOS-MOS stopped walking. She turned her head slightly to one side. rlm@2: Shion could almost make out the profile of her face. She was looking rlm@2: toward the ground. In that pose, as her ruby-red eyes blinked slowly rlm@2: twice, she almost looked -- sad. rlm@2: rlm@2: "I do not wish to hurt you, Shion. If I remain with you, I will do rlm@2: so more than if I were to leave now," she said. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Is that really what you want, KOS-MOS?" Shion asked her. rlm@2: rlm@2: KOS-MOS opened her mouth to say 'affirmative', but found she rlm@2: couldn't. She was experiencing an error in her verbal skill rlm@2: programming. She quickly ran an internal diagnostic, to find the rlm@2: error source was coming from the same place as before. rlm@2: rlm@2: "No," she found herself saying. rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion held her hand out to the android. "Then don't go," she said. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Are you two serious?" a new voice called suddenly from the upper rlm@2: branches of the tree. "Kevin passed me up for you? A child, little rlm@2: girl who's so foolish that she'd fall in love with a weapon?" rlm@2: rlm@2: Startled, Shion spun around and looked up. In an instant, KOS-MOS rlm@2: was beside her, her right hand hovering over her holster. "Identify rlm@2: yourself!" KOS-MOS demanded. This was only the second time in her rlm@2: life that someone was able to sneak up on her, and she wasn't happy rlm@2: about it. It didn't occur to her just then the fact she was angry rlm@2: should have been impossible. rlm@2: rlm@2: Standing quite easily on a tree branch which was actually thinner rlm@2: than his feet, stood a man in a black and gray Vector uniform. Over rlm@2: his right breast pocket however, was the image of the skull and rlm@2: crossbones. rlm@2: rlm@2: Shion noticed this, and her eyes went wide. "Dalton?" she asked. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Ah, Ms. Uzuki!" Gerad replied. He brought both hands over his heart rlm@2: in a gesture of mock happiness. "You remember me! I can't help but be rlm@2: touched!" The smile vanished from his face, and his tone became as rlm@2: serious as a heart attack. "I, of course, remember you." rlm@2: rlm@2: "You know this person, Shion?" KOS-MOS asked. She attempted to use rlm@2: her internal UMN link to access Vector personnel files for a Gerad rlm@2: Dalton, but was unable to log on. Another internal error? she rlm@2: wondered. rlm@2: rlm@2: "I don't know how you got here, Gerad, but you can rest assured once rlm@2: we get back, I'll be sure to report you! The Federation has been rlm@2: looking for you for a long time!" rlm@2: rlm@2: " 'We?' " Gerad asked. "What, do you have a mouse in your pocket?" rlm@2: rlm@2: "Just what is that supposed to mean, Gerad?" Shion yelled back. "I rlm@2: was talking about myself and KOS-MOS!" rlm@2: rlm@2: "Oh yes, the weapon," Gerad said as though he was noticing the rlm@2: battle android for the first time. "It could pose a problem. Lets rlm@2: take care of that now, shall we?" rlm@2: rlm@2: Gerad quickly pointed toward the two women. At the same time, KOS- rlm@2: MOS detected a sudden energy surge coming from his body, and drew her rlm@2: blaster. A jagged bolt of blue-white energy sprang from his rlm@2: fingertips. Simultaneously, KOS-MOS shoved Shion down out of the way rlm@2: with her left hand and fired with her right. rlm@2: rlm@2: The two blasts met in mid-air and exploded, the force of the rlm@2: explosion pushing Shion along the ground about five feet, and rlm@2: flooding the artificial evening with light. When her vision cleared, rlm@2: she noticed neither Gerad nor KOS-MOS had budged an inch. rlm@2: rlm@2: "Well, well, well," Gerad said with honest surprise. "This should be rlm@2: fun."