DISCLAIMER

This text is intended purely as a tribute to the material of Sora No Otoshimono. It does not reflect actual canon, and may be contradicted by any official release. If any persons wish to adapt this text into a different format (hah, I wish) they may do so without any obligations, legal or otherwise, regarding this text. Author credit or notification would nonetheless be appreciated.

CHAPTER 1

It was a troubling time for the angelic denizens of the floating realm of Synapse. Humans, who had once been seen as mere curiosities, had begun to construct a mighty device with which they could threaten Synapse itself. They called it the Tower of Babel, built using remnants of angelic technology discarded on Earth. Mortals saw it as a stairway to heaven, when in truth they were building a dimensional transporter that would allow them to pierce the barrier separating the two worlds.

The Synapse high council was in session. The council was Synapse's highest authority; they alone could access the Pillar of Rules that controlled their limitless technology. They gathered in a grand open-air agora, or forum, that would be fit for the gods of Olympus themselves. Each council member was clad in a Grecian robe or gown as befits their gender. They were nearly unanimous in their contempt for humans, or 'downers' as they were often called. While some had initially sympathized with the poor creatures, the thought of their holy land being polluted by lesser beings turned pity into contempt. The downers had to be broken, their tower destroyed and their hubris buried for all time. One dissenting voice still remained: Daedalus, Synapse's greatest engineer and artisan, who had spent the most time amongst humans and had come to respect their tenacity, passion for life, and capacity for kindness. Now, under the white marble pillars of the council forum, the blue-haired angel argued her case.

"You consider the humans vermin," she declared, "yet were we so different when our race was young? While it may be true that they have acquired technology beyond their understanding, we should be guiding them in its use. With our help, they could evolve into a civilization that-"

"Why should we be interested in the evolution of lesser life when we have already achieved perfection?"

Daedalus turned coldly towards her fellow council member. It was Minos, second to her in skill, but second to none in pride. His face, framed with wild golden hair, bore his trademark smirk. He was confident that she was fighting a losing battle.

"Everything the downers could ever achieve, we have achieved and more," he continued. "Their existence is redundant. They are fit only to be our playthings. And a pet that bears fangs against its master should be put down." The other council members nodded in agreement.

Daedalus retorted. "But we can help them avoid the same mistakes we made. Our society has not changed in millennia. Some day, they might be able to see a way forward where we cannot."

"I question your judgment, Daedalus. Perhaps you have spent too much time amongst them and not enough time appreciating our accomplishments. Perhaps your attachment has become a bit too personal."

Daedalus stepped forward to counter him, but she was waved down by another council member. "I'm sorry Daedalus, but the rest of us are firm in our stance. For the good of Synapse, we must punish the humans. Since it is you who possess our greatest weapon..."

"Ikaros," she mumbled.

"Yes. She, the Uranus Queen, could smite the humans in an instant. A decisive blow to break the human spirit and prove our superiority. She follows your word alone. You must give the command."

"No. She was created to protect Synapse from actual threats, not to be a butcher."

Minos chimed in. "Treasonous words, Daedalus. Under these circumstances, I'm afraid it is within our law for the rest of us to be a bit more... forceful... with our demands." The other council members murmured in begrudging agreement. Though Daedalus was greatly respected, the purity of Synapse came first.

One of the other council members stood forward. "It is settled! Daedalus, you are to be placed under house arrest until further notice." With this proclamation, a pair of sentries emerged and led Daedalus into an underground passage, out of sight of the rest of the attendees.

Once she had been removed, the council member continued. "Daedalus' hold over the Uranus Queen must be broken if this operation is to proceed as planned. We must bring the Uranus Queen for reconditioning."

"Allow my servants to carry out this task, my fellow sir," Minos requested. There was a subtle, but sinister edge to his voice and posture. "I'm sure they would be all too happy to oblige."

Synapse was a realm consisting of numerous floating islands, each forming a separate district. Many of them incorporated spiraling towers, great acropolises and pristine hanging gardens. The residential district, in contrast to the rest of the realm, bore few outward signs of high technology and had little in the way of grand architecture. It was filled with quaint houses out of a European fairy tale, many of them raised off the ground by carefully cultivated trees. Most dwellings were vacant since their inhabitants had taken up induced dreaming as a pastime, which required special facilities in a separate district. At this particular moment, almost all the citizens of Synapse were deep in a dream state except for those involved with the council or on regional assignment.

It was near the house of Daedalus that Ikaros was busy attending to her favorite vegetable patch. Her 'mother', Daedalus, had brought in some seeds from the surface world, and they had since grown into luscious, round fruit. They were a precious gift, and Ikaros was happy to see them blossom. She was blissfully unaware of the troubles in Synapse, Daedalus having intentionally kept her in the dark.

She was interrupted by the rustle of wings. Twin angeloids descended next to her: the Harpies, personal servants of Minos, one with green hair and the other dirty blonde. They were designated Gamma-1 and Gamma-2 respectively. "Well doesn't the mighty Uranus Queen look just adorable?" Gamma-1 quipped, the sarcasm in her voice completely unnoticed by Ikaros.

"Nice to meet you, Gamma," Ikaros replied. "Is something the matter?"

"You're not with your sisters today. Where are they?" Gamma-2 asked.

"Nymph is out on patrol. I think Astraea is due back, but she may have gotten lost again."

"Well that's convenient," Gamma-1 stated. "You see there's been a little disagreement at the council, and we've been sent over on some official business." She pointed at Ikaros. "Regarding you."

"Me?" Ikaros blinked in confusion. A moment later, she noticed someone approaching from down a nearby footpath. It was Daedalus, escorted back from the council meeting under armed guard. Looking closer, Ikaros spotted her mother's restraints. Ikaros' eyes widened and she started forward to meet her. "M-mother! What-"

The Harpies moved to block her path. Gamma-2 spoke up. "You should hold still for her sake." Ikaros froze as Gamma-2 continued. "Now since we can't quite guarantee you'll come quietly... sis?"

"With pleasure." Gamma-1 produced what appeared to be an ornate padlock. She then stepped forward and closed it around the base of the chain that ran from Ikaros' collar. The padlock shone as the chain began to disintegrate, and a shudder ran through Ikaros' body. Ikaros could feel her imprinting, her connection to Daedalus, slipping away. She gave Daedalus one last longing glance. Daedalus looked up, saw for the first time what was happening, and cried out Ikaros' name. All went dark for Ikaros as her consciousness was submerged, and she crumpled to the ground. Each Harpy grabbed one of Ikaros' shoulders and crudely dragged her skyward as they took off in the direction of Synapse's medical district.

The bowels of the reconditioning chambers were not as pleasant as most other places in Synapse appeared to be. The walls were strewn with exposed, glowing cables, with regular pulses giving the place an almost organic atmosphere. Invasive surgical devices were a regular sight, overseen by a handful of mass produced angeloid nurses.

Ikaros was suspended from a wall in a sealed room deep within the facility, live feeds snaking into and out of her body. Nearby computers worked on reformatting her personality to suit her mission, replacing her love and devotion with cold-blooded efficiency. Her only company was the Harpies, assigned to keep watch over her.

Gamma-2 gazed at Ikaros' inert form with scorn. "You know sis, it's always 'Uranus Queen this' and 'Uranus Queen that' around here. If she were gone, I'd bet there'd be a lot more respect for us."

Gamma-1's face flashed with a murderous grin. "Maybe something went wrong with the reconditioning. Maybe there was a short, or a rogue instruction. Maybe something just so happened to make her brain dead."

A deep voice boomed from the entrance of the room. "As much as I'd like to see Daedalus and her creations suffer, I have special plans for this one." Minos stepped into the room with imperious swagger.

Both of the Harpies turned and bowed before him. "Yes, master!"

He strode past them and approached Ikaros, looking at her with perverse satisfaction. "Each of the council members had some hand in the Uranus Queen's new programming. Oh, except for Daedalus, of course. With her out of the way, none on the council can hope to match my skill."

"Of course not, master," the Harpies said simultaneously.

"Despite their best efforts, I've been able to sneak in a little surprise." He reached up and stroked Ikaros' cheek. "Ah, my dear, you are going to dance for me. 'Tis going to be a performance none shall soon forget."

In her bedroom, Daedalus wept. All her equipment and privileges had been stripped, her home sealed shut. No communication, no influence, no knowledge beyond the sight of Ikaros being taken. "Please be safe, my daughter. Please... be safe."