Xamusel: Well, here's the first official chapter, which starts right about when Shion and KOS-MOS are fighting the last battle in the Encephalon together. Before you ask, I realize that the prologue ended at a not so good spot, but I wanted to get the prologue up there before we worked on the next chapter of A Wizard in Iwatodai and this story.
Now, because I own the first game, I have a reliable source of info regarding the storyline. It's mainly because of that that the storyline has gone down a railroaded track, with some minor adjustments so far, only… we plan on making a right mess of the storyline to keep Shion's character development in place at the end of the game.
Anyway, if you want to see what happens in the final battle inside the Encephalon, here's your opportunity for that and more. Just be prepared for some extra things to go off the rails by the time part two of the story is over.
Oh, if you guys have questions to ask, feel free to. Takeshi and I will do our best to answer them correctly (as per the context of the setting).
Now, then… let's continue the story, shall we?
Chapter 1: Testing one's Resolve
Back in the Encephalon, from the outside perspective
Shion and KOS-MOS walked further into the dilapidated building, making their way to the red Vector box that would be the target, even as they were being watched by Allen from Minato's station.
"Here we go…" Allen said, as he noticed the box lowering on the platform it was on into the ground below.
Shion was holding a screen in her left hand, observing the changes that were bound to happen, even as the next encounter was due to occur. When a giant Drone of the Type-G series showed up, KOS-MOS suddenly went a bit erratic, a bit of a shock going around her in the process.
Outside the Encephalon, an alarm was blaring, as Allen looked around a short bit. "What's going on?" he asked.
Minato answered, "A brand-new network is being formed within the KOS-MOS mainframe. We've never had a reaction like this before. This is incredible… I've never seen a Net grow so fast! Look at it, sir! Portions of the Encephalon map are evolving!"
Allen looked at the data that was forming on Minato's monitor and said, "What the…"
As for Shion, she was looking around in the room, wondering where the shaking that started happening was coming from. It didn't seem to phase her for long, though, as she said, "Allen, I'm going to engage the target. Make sure you capture all the data."
"What?!" Allen cried out to his boss. "You cannot engage right now! You're tapped into KOS-MOS' perception - it's too unstable!"
"I think she's got her mind set on this, sir," Minato remarked. "Short of shutting it down, I don't think we can change her mind."
Yukari looked worriedly at the displays. 'Shion…' she thought.
"Don't worry," Shion said. "Like Minato said, my mind's set on it. Besides, we can pull it off without trouble."
"What do you mean, don't worry?! Chief!" Allen cried out in panic, afraid to lose her.
'Yep, he definitely has feelings for her,' Yukari thought, though she was still worried for Shion, herself.
With that, the fight against the Drone GX started, with Shion immediately going into her AGWS to better fight the program. KOS-MOS shot it twice with 'her' Blaster, not really doing that much damage, especially as it slammed an attack down on 'her' head. KOS-MOS took another turn at it, this time going melee by punching it and kicking it. Then Shion used her AGWS to slice into the Drone and dealt a massive amount of damage, sending it to the ground on its knees, before KOS-MOS finished it off. They acquired an Ether Pack S and an additional level-up for their efforts.
Shion looked around at the area, before saying, "So far, so good…" Upon saying that, she faced forward, saying, "Shift target to Real Mode. We'll test the Hilbert Effect."
'Hilbert Effect?' Yukari and Minato thought. Apparently, their selves in this universe hadn't been around long enough to hear about that, either.
"What?! Chief! You're supposed to follow the program…!" Allen cried out, getting Minato and Yukari to look in his direction.
"I take it this wasn't in the schedule yet?" Minato asked.
"Exactly, Minato," Allen said. "This isn't supposed to happen at all…!"
"KOS-MOS, activate Hilbert," Shion said, ignoring the banter between Minato and Allen.
"Roger. Activating Hilbert Effect," KOS-MOS replied, as Shion activated her screen to record the data again. As the Hilbert Effect started up, red flashing warning symbols and warning sounds came online, signalling a massive problem taking place.
"I knew this would happen!" Allen snarled. "Status!"
"This is bad!" Yukari informed. "Something's wrong in the Encephalon!" Her fingers were flying over her keyboard. "The whole thing could collapse at any moment!"
"What?! What about the Chief?!" Allen questioned, before he looked at a screen to see Shion typing on her screen's keyboard. "Chief! You're in danger! Get out of there now!"
"Hold on! Just a little longer!" she said, hoping to gain more time.
"Chief!" Allen shouted, slamming his palms into a table between him and a monitor.
"Nerve Impulses in the Limbic System!" Yukari informed. "We've got Kindling!"
"That's enough! Shut it down! Pull her out of there, now!" Allen ordered.
"Roger!" Yukari informed. "Entering shutdown command!" A few seconds passed, then… "It's been rejected! The Chief's overriding us!"
"Whaaat?!" Allen cried out, looking at his monitor.
"Ten seconds to Encephalon collapse! Sir!" Minato alerted Allen.
"Dammit!" Allen cried out as he put on a pair of goggles that could manually let him get Shion out.
The environment was breaking down, lines of data code replacing parts of the environment. As Shion watched, the GX Drone was glowing golden and moving randomly, before it collapsed to its knees, arms raised high in the air.
A brighter glow from between its legs directed Shion's vision to what looked like a little girl, with orange-blond hair, blue eyes, and caucasian skin, wearing nothing but a white dress.
Before anything else could happen, Allen popped into the Encephalon, grabbing onto one of Shion's arms.
"Chief!" Allen cried out, dragging Shion out of there.
Back in the Vector Industries KOS-MOS lab
Tossing off his goggles, Allen turned to the chair and cried out, "Chief?!" As he rushed over to the chair, he stumbled a little bit, not enough to fall over.
Soon, the Interconnection was disengaged, letting Shion back into her normal state of mind and body.
When Allen got next to her, Minato in the background, Allen asked Shion, "Are you… all right?"
"Yeah… thanks," she replied. Pushing her glasses up a bit, she asked, "Did I push my luck a little too far this time?"
"Yeah, Chief, I think you did," Minato replied. "That was a bit too close for comfort - right, Allen?"
In response, Allen dropped to the floor, making Shion ask in concern, "Allen?"
"You can't… keep doing this, Chief," he said. "I thought I was going to have a heart attack."
"It really was dangerous, Chief," Yukari replied. "I was worried for a while there."
"Sorry about that… But I bet the data's really good," Shion apologized, bending down to Allen's level and looking at him. "Besides…"
She trailed off, remembering the girl from before, before Allen asked, "Was there something else?"
Yukari and Minato both looked curious, as well.
"Hmm?" Shion asked aloud. "Oh… it's nothing. Well, we better get started on that data." Patting Allen on the shoulder, she fully stood up and continued, "Today's our deadline, so I'm sure they'll be asking for it soon."
"Wouldn't be surprised," Minato remarked. "They do like to be punctual about things."
At that moment, an announcement on the PA was heard, a Bridge Bunny saying, "Attention, please. We are scheduled to gate out in approximately 3 minutes. All hands, please return to your designated areas immediately. Once again…"
Minato and Yukari at least knew about how Hyperspace worked from the memories they'd gained - though it seemed they'd never been in a location where they could witness a Gate-Out from the ship traveling before… they wondered what it would be like…
Outer Space
The fleet of ships belonging to the Galaxy Federation finally gated out of hyperspace, the Woglinde taking up the rear, though they seemed to be far away from their designated checkpoint.
Woglinde, Bridge
"All ships, gate-out complete," a Bridge Bunny said over the PA.
"Shifting main engine to stealth mode," a different Bridge Crewman said. "Maintaining current speed until sector withdrawal."
"Exit from current space set at absolute time 1300 on the 22nd," the first Bridge Bunny remarked. "Seven hours, sixteen minutes, and thirty seconds to withdrawal."
"Next U.M.N. Column in seven hours, thirty-six minutes," the second crewman reported. "All gate jumps from other sectors will remain offline until then."
As the Woglinde cruised on through what seemed to be an asteroid field, the ship's Captain sat back in his seat and said to the XO, "So, we're almost home…"
The XO turned to the Captain and nodded, saying, "Yes, Sir. Our final gate jump is at the next column. We're almost there."
A Bridge Bunny walked up to the two of them and said, "We made it this far; we'll be fine! The odds of contact between columns is statistically low… Besides, this asteroid field we're in is perfect for hiding the fleet from them."
"Um, don't say things like that," another Bridge Bunny remarked. "Murphy has a habit of using statements like that as his cue."
The XO, who was looking at the first Bridge Bunny to speak up, walked down to her level and said in a condescending tone, "So Pollyanna thinks those asteroids are going to protect us." Continuing his tirade, he added, "At least your fellow knows the importance of a Law of Nature."
"I… I'm sorry, Sir," the Bridge Bunny, Pollyanna, said.
The Captain walked down to speak with the XO and said, "A bit testy today, aren't we Commander? Is something wrong?"
"No… Of course not…" the Commander said.
A Bridge Crewman walked over to the two officers and said, "Ever since we picked up that object ten days ago, everyone's been a bit jumpy. And we still have a ways to go before we hit comm-space… I can empathize with the Commander."
"Hm," the Captain replied, nodding.
"Uh… Captain…" a third Bridge Bunny began hesitantly, "can you… uh… debrief us on the current situation? Our original orders from the Galaxy Federation were to investigate the vanished planet and assist the researchers, but ever since we picked up that object, it feels like… everything's changed. What exactly is that thing, anyway?"
"Who knows?" the Captain said with folded arms. "I haven't heard a single thing from the research team. But as I mentioned before, apparently they're after the object, too… That's unofficial info, of course."
"What about the rumor regarding the casualties during the retrieval process?" Pollyanna asked.
"Even if it were true, that's none of our business," the Captain answered. "The research team has their own orders to deal with. The only explicit instructions we've received state… that if there's any salvageable material in the area, their retrieval takes top priority."
The third Bridge Bunny asked in confusion, "Top priority? What does that mean?"
The Commander walked over to her and said, "What it means is, over our very lives."
Pollyanna and the other Bridge Bunny looked at each other with fear in their eyes.
"You two Nimrods didn't understand what top priority meant?" the Bridge Crewman who had empathized with the Commander snarked.
"We resent that comment on us being Nimrods!" Pollyanna and the other girl shouted as one.
"Now, now, no need to scare them," the Captain replied. "Those orders merely reflect the importance of this operation to the Galaxy Federation Government, that's all. Just stay sharp and be careful."
"That makes sense, sir," the Bridge Crewman remarked. "The entire fleet was renovated for this mission. Besides, if there's an emergency, we've got the trump card to fall back on."
"Ahh, yes, speaking of which…" the Captain said, getting the Bridge Crewman's attention. "What's the latest on that situation?"
"They're scheduled to turn in the A-7 reports today," the Bridge Crewman reported, holding up a screen with some information on it.
"A-7, eh…" the Captain said, turning away from the others and heading to his chair. "Only one step away from fully operational. It's about time, I suppose…" Turning to face the Bridge Crewman, he said, "Lieutenant, please ask Chief Uzuki to come to the bridge once her data's ready. Ask her to bring all the previous data as well."
"Yes, Sir," the Lieutenant replied.
Down below in the forward crew pit, one of the Crew Members asked, "What trump card? Was he referring to that Battle Android?"
"That's right. You didn't know?" the one he asked replied while typing away.
"Wow, so it's true…" the first Crew Member remarked.
"Hey, I heard that project's really behind schedule," a Bridge Bunny that looked like Pollyanna said to the first Crew Member.
"You can't blame 'em," the second Crew Member replied. "There were casualties during their last boot-up test two years ago. They're being more careful this time."
"It's hard to believe they're making an android in this day and age," the first Crew Member remarked. "Only place I've ever seen them is in old space novels."
"Well, trump card or not, it's still an experiment," the second Crew Member said. "And it ain't like one android's going to make that much of a difference. The whole project's just a chance for those Vector guys to show off. Someone's outdated hobby, that's all."
"I've heard that even their commercial models differ greatly between those that have seen action, and those that haven't," the Bridge Bunny remarked.
"They say ignorance is bliss… Looks like they were right," the Commander said, having overheard the conversation and gone down to their level.
"Commander?!" the Bridge Bunny said, startled.
"I'm just envious, that's all," he said cryptically, looking out into the distance, causing the crew to look at him strangely.
Vector Industries Lab
"…Sure. I'll be there in 30 minutes," Shion said over the comm link. With that, she shut the link off.
"They certainly didn't waste any time," Allen remarked.
"See?" Shion asked. "I'm usually right about these things."
"Chief Uzuki," Yukari said as she walked up, "here's the data you requested. Will that be all?"
Taking the data, Shion said, "Thanks. This should be good enough." Putting the data down at her station, she got up and said, "I'll take care of the rest." With that, she walked over to where KOS-MOS was sleeping, with Minato on the other side of the container, making some minor adjustments to KOS-MOS.
Another techie walked up to Shion and asked, "Um… Chief… Do you have a second?"
Shion turned to face the techie and answered, "Yes?"
"Um, the military is expecting actual combat data from us," the tech said. "Is it right for us to keep giving them simulated data like this?"
"Well, I must admit, you got me there," Shion replied. "But honestly, if it were up to me, I'd keep her here… safe in her dream world forever."
"But… why are you so afraid to put her to real work, when you push her so hard in simulations?" the techie asked. "I can't wait to see KOS-MOS up and completely functional." He paused for a moment. "Couldn't you at least try taking her up to Phase 3? That should be no problem for her by now."
"Phase 3 in a simulated battle-config?" Allen asked as he walked up to the two of them. "Come on… no need to wake up our little princess for that." He slapped the tech across the back, getting him to shut up for a bit. "Here's a summary of KOS-MOS' main equipment from the Second Division. This should help you with the guys upstairs," he said to Shion, handing her some extra data.
"Thanks. I'm sure it will," Shion said.
Allen then asked Shion, "By the way, Chief, what did you think of the M.W.S. and the A.G.W.S.? It's just dummy data created inside the Encephalon, but it was pretty exciting stuff, wasn't it? If neither had problems during this test, all that remains are the functionality tests using actual models."
"It worked pretty well," she replied. "The M.W.S. in particular felt right to me. I sense something contrived in that, though."
"Well, I hear Miyuki is closely involved with the M.W.S. I'm sure she's up to something again," Allen said.
"Oh, by the way, could you send the Connection Gear data to Headquarters for me?" Shion asked. "You know the Vaporizer Plug-in that we used to destroy obstacles? I wonder if they're also going to manufacture it based on our test data? I swear, they pile everything they can on us, under the pretext of testing KOS-MOS…"
Allen said, "Well it's inevitable, considering they have a lot of other concerns, like the budget."
Shion nodded, and made her way to the exit of the room. "Okay, see you later!" she said, as she headed out the door.
"Okay, good luck!" Allen called after her, waving as she left the room.
While everyone was looking at him expectantly, he cleared his throat a bit, saying, "Well! Back to work!"
With Shion
Shion headed down the corridor to head over to the Bridge when she noticed she got an email about Vector releasing a new model of their product. After taking the time to read all of her emails, she spoke with her AI about stuff, before she hurried over to the Bridge.
Back with Minato and Yukari
Allen was walking in the area, seeing Minato and Yukari stand up to take a stretch break, and said, "Okay, you two, time to take a break. You've been at it more than almost everyone else, being more involved than ever, so… you deserve a chance to go off-duty."
"Wait, really?" Yukari asked, unsure of how to take this.
"It would make sense to let us take a break, Yukari," Minato said. "After all, we're being pushed harder than others by our own choices… we need the break, more than anything."
Yukari nodded. It would be a good chance to talk in private, truly get their bearings in this new world. "Alright, then," she replied. "Thank you, sir!"
Allen nodded, saying, "You're welcome. Take the time you need to get a true breather. I'll have a couple others take over for you."
With a bow, Yukari and Minato both headed out of the room, straight in the direction of their boss for the time being.
Once the door had closed behind them, Yukari remarked, "Well, this is definitely a lot different than Iwatodai… I mean, Humanity actually living among the stars?"
Minato nodded, saying, "Yeah… Humanity seems to have lost Earth, or, as it's locally called, First Jerusalem, close to 4000 years ago. How that happened is anyone's guess… But, what is clear is that people are looking for our ancestral home, and they won't stop until they find it."
"You can say that again…" Yukari said, nodding in agreement.
"And the Gnosis…" Minato continued. "I've never seen any, well, aside from the Type-G Drones now, I guess… but I've definitely heard of them, and they sound like bad news."
"Indeed," Yukari said. "Maybe the Hilbert Effect was supposed to make it possible to defeat a regular Gnosis?"
"Food for thought, that," Minato answered with a shrug.
"Well, hopefully when we get to Second Miltia, we can find out more," Yukari remarked. "In the meantime, might as well enjoy the trip."
It was at that time that the door opened behind them, showing Allen rush up to them. "Oh, good, you're still here!" Allen said, out of breath slightly. After calming down and getting his breath back, he held out the report materials Shion forgot earlier and asked, "Could you please get these to the Chief? She forgot to take them with her earlier."
Yukari nodded. "Sure thing, sir," she replied. "Still, you need to ask her out already! I can tell you have feelings for her."
"When I see her next, I'll do so," Allen promised. "She might be on her way to the Bridge right now… could you go find her?"
"Gotcha," Minato replied. "Well, let's get going, Yukari-chan."
"Alright, Minato-kun," Yukari replied, as they started out again.
"WAIT!" Allen called out, causing them to stop in mid step. "You forgot the report materials!"
"Oh… right…" Minato replied sheepishly, as he went back and picked them up. "Thanks, Allen-san."
"Don't mention it," Allen replied. "Oh, and drop the honorifics, please. I'm not really descended from a family that requires it." Looking at Yukari, he said, "Same goes for you."
"Alright, Allen," Yukari replied. "Come on, Minato-kun, let's get these to Shion-san."
"Gotcha," Minato replied, as they set out once again - this time with the reports in hand.
On the way to the Bridge, with Shion
While Minato and Yukari were hurrying after their superior, Shion was walking through the hangar bay, having gotten sidetracked by the Zohar and then berated for being a civvie on a military ship by the head of the research team. When she managed to get to the way that would take a direct route to the Bridge…
"Chief!"
She turned, and saw Minato and Yukari running up to her. "Minato-san? Yukari-san?" she asked. "What is it?"
Once they reached her, they took a few seconds to catch their breaths, before Minato handed her the report documents. "You left these in the lab, ma'am," he said. "Probably not the best of things to do when you're supposed to be delivering them to the Bridge."
"Oh, right," Shion said, bashful at the lack of decorum. "Thank you, both of you."
"No worries," Minato replied. "To be honest, Allen had let us go on break, but then caught up to us so we could deliver them to you."
"Why he wouldn't do it, himself, I have no idea," Yukari added. "It's clear he likes you a lot."
"He does?" Shion asked, shock appearing on her face. "Is that why he always goes through such difficulties for me?"
"Most likely," Minato replied. "It's also likely why he worries about you so much… honestly, you should go out with him, if only to see how well it would work out between you two."
"Right," Shion said with a nod. "Okay, I'll see if I can go out with him… though, given my luck with maintaining a relationship, it might not work out."
They blinked at that, then Minato said, "I sense a story there, but you'll never know until you try."
"You're right, there is a story there," Shion admitted. "However, now's not the time for it, since I have to get to the bridge. You two better continue your break now."
"Alright," Yukari replied. "But it might be good for you to share that story sometime!" After making sure Shion had the report documents, Yukari and Minato went on their way.
Shion walked on through the corridor as Minato and Yukari headed back to their rooms—
And behind her, the girl in the white dress appeared once more…
Shion looked back behind her, seeing nothing but a blue butterfly, one that must've followed her from the hangar bay where the Zohar was at.
"What's wrong, Shion-san?" Yukari asked.
"Huh?" Shion looked at Minato and Yukari, both of whom were looking at her worriedly. "Nothing… Oh I'm just not myself today…"
"Maybe you should get some rest, yourself, after you finish delivering the reports?" Minato suggested.
"Yeah, I—" was all Shion could say before her email buzzer went off. "Huh? Who could that be?"
Yukari and Minato watched as Shion brought up her email. "More Realian maintenance?" Yukari asked. "They ask you for help a bit more often than they should…"
"Isn't it a violation of regulations to deal with other departments?" Minato asked.
"Not to mention they're expecting you on the Bridge," Yukari remarked.
"Oh, don't worry about it," Shion replied. "I can't just brush them off - besides, it's on the way, and I have some time."
"At least let one or both of us go with you, to make sure you get done in time," Yukari requested.
"Alright, I guess that works," Shion replied. "You can both come along - plus, your skills might help out a bit." With that, they walked on over to the corridor to take them to the Realian Maintenance section, until…
"Oh, I forgot that I need to bring the data for fine-tuning Realians with me," Shion said. "I'll get it from my room and be right back." With that, she headed into her room and came straight out, after getting the Maintenance Data.
"Alright, let's get this done," Minato remarked. "The sooner we can do this, the sooner we can get Shion-san to the Bridge."
As soon as those words left Minato's lips, Shion's email buzzer went off again, signifying a new email… this time from Shion's friend Miyuki. After taking the time to read it, she walked on forward, over to the Realian Maintenance section. "Time to get to work, you two," she said.
"Right," Yukari replied. This would be the first time she'd ever done any actual Realian maintenance, even before her soul from Iwatodai had been anchored in this body, but she looked forward to it.
In the Realian Maintenance Lab
Shion, Yukari and Minato arrived at the lab, Shion announcing, "Hello! You rang?"
"My apologies, Miss Uzuki," the head of Realian Maintenance apologized. "It seems we're constantly in need of your help." He then noticed Yukari and Minato. "And you brought additional help, too! That should speed things up."
"It's no trouble at all, Lieutenant," Shion answered. "I want everyone to be healthy and happy too, after all. So… what's the problem today?"
"Well, I'm trying to teach them some new battle algorithms to better reflect the unit's reorg," he said, "but the integration's not going very smoothly."
Yukari looked at the monitor for the Realian maintenance and said, "You're right. He's rejecting the data."
Shion took some steps over to the monitor and said, "Let's see…" After getting to the keyboard, she started typing, helping get the data up to speed.
After that was done, she asked, "Let's see, we just need to check the Realians lying on the maintenance beds, right?"
"Yes, thank you for your help," the Lieutenant replied.
"Let's split up, then," Minato said.
"Right," Yukari said.
"Good idea," Shion said.
The three separated, each going to a different set of maintenance beds and talking to the Realians there. Yukari went to one set where there was one that seemed to have a fear of battle, and another one that seemed to have a crush on Allen.
Shion helped adjust one that afterwards remarked that he felt that a weight had been lifted, then another combat Realian that she ended up talking to about how she wished they didn't have to fight.
Minato, meanwhile, got a Realian that had been trying to study literature, but seemed to be having problems understanding it.
"Well, we've made some adjustments, but please contact Third Division once we return," Shion said. "I recommend they receive more intensive counseling soon."
"I'll be sure to do so," the Lieutenant said. "You know, I'm really impressed… Providing Realian psych support on top of developing KOS-MOS. I hear even specialized counselors have a hard time…"
"Oh, I'm just making the most of what my mentor taught me," Shion said. "I'm glad I could be of help."
"It was my first time doing this, but it was fairly easy," Yukari remarked.
"Yeah," Minato added. "Wasn't too difficult."
"Besides, I always wanted to work in the Third Division…" Shion admitted. "Actually, I'm thinking about requesting a transfer once my current work's finished."
"But Vector's First R&D Division has the best researchers in the organization!" the Lieutenant argued with Shion. "Everyone knows not just anyone can get in there. Are you sure that you want to transfer?"
"Oh, yes," Shion replied. "Besides, my family's always asking, 'How did you get assigned to the First Division? There must have been a mistake in the paperwork…' Who knows, maybe they're right." Turning to face a Realian as a door opened, she walked over to it and continued, "Besides… I want to learn so much more about them."
"What's learning about them going to do for you?" asked a new voice from the doorway.
"Lieutenant Virgil!" the Lieutenant in charge of the Realian Maintenance section said in surprise.
Looking at each other, Yukari and Minato thought, 'Who's he?'
Walking over to one of the Realians was a man in a pilot's suit, with blond hair, teal eyes, and heavy scarring. He leaned down and sniffed the air around the Realian. "Their stench…" he remarked.
"What?" Shion asked.
"It reeks," the man, Lieutenant Virgil, remarked as if he hadn't heard her. "I can't get their rotten odor out of my system." He looked up at Shion. "Can't you smell it? It makes me sick to my stomach."
"What are you…?" Shion began. It was at this time that she saw the scarring for what it really was.
"Chief?" Yukari asked Shion.
"You alright with this creep?" Minato asked his boss.
"That's enough!" the other Lieutenant shouted. "You've got your orders from the Lieutenant Commander, didn't you? One of the goals of this operation is to enhance combat support between the A.G.W.S. and the new-model Realians! And yet you're…"
"Support? Ha!" Virgil retorted. "In a battle against them, the last thing I want to worry about is supporting a bunch of untested Weapons-Grade Realians!"
"Ummm…" Shion interrupted, getting Virgil's attention. "Excuse me, but these people are highly qualified soldiers…"
"These people?! You're treating equipment like people?" Virgil interrupted, walking away from the Realian he was next to.
"You really shouldn't say things like that!" Shion countered. "These people have the same intellect and emotions as us." Turning to walk to Lieutenant Virgil, who was facing away from her, she continued, "And the Miltia Charter clearly spelled out the basic human rights of Realians when it was ratified in 4763."
Turning his head to Shion, Virgil said, "What a load of crap… Get off your soapbox!" Turning around to fully face her, he continued, "You act noble and preach about humanity, but in the end, they're just equipment as far as your company is concerned. Or maybe… more like merchandise…"
Minato was starting to get rather angry with the man known as Lieutenant Virgil, though he didn't know how to strike him without getting in trouble, not even with a hidden weapon…
"Young one," a voice that sounded a lot like Orpheus said in his head. "Tell me to Bash his head, and I'll do it. You'll be able to get away with it, too, in case anyone asks questions."
'Right… thanks, Orpheus,' Minato thought.
"We don't treat them anything like equipment or merchandise!" Shion countered angrily.
'Bash his head!' Minato thought.
"Then why do you—"
*CRASH*
Lieutenant Virgil suddenly went down to the ground, mostly by an invisible force that hit him on the top of his head.
Almost everyone looked at him, wondering what was going on. "Part of me wants to ask if he's alright, but he's an asshole," Yukari remarked.
The Lieutenant in charge of the area sighed, before heading over to Virgil to check for a pulse. "Well," he said upon getting the pulse, "he's alive - if barely. He's definitely not combat ready at this rate."
"Might want to see about getting him to the infirmary, if only to get him out of here," Minato remarked. "Don't want his bigotry contaminating the air."
"Right," one of the human female scientists for the section said, going to a console.
Shion asked aloud, looking at Virgil's prone body, "Is he… A DME addict?"
"DME Addict?" Yukari asked. "What does that mean?"
"It's someone that eats the flesh of Realians, searching for a type of cell that leads to what happens when they eat enough of the stuff," Shion said, feeling disgusted. "The biggest giveaway is the scarring on his face and possibly the rest of his body."
Minato winced. "Ouch…" he said.
"My apologies, Miss Uzuki," the head scientist replied, walking up to her. "He wasn't always like that, but then… something… happened."
Shion turned to face him, asking, "Is he an old… acquaintance?"
With a nod, the scientist explained, "We were classmates at the military academy." Walking to Shion's left, he continued, "And I've been stuck with him since then." Turning to face her again, he said, "…It was Miltia."
"I see…" Yukari muttered, her expression going downcast. Minato put an arm around her comfortingly - the Yukari from this universe was actually born on Miltia, and needed to evacuate during that conflict… she'd met this universe's Minato shortly afterward. It was rather weird having two conflicting sets of memories, one where they were childhood friends, and the other where they'd only just met a couple of days ago… and to top it off, this universe's Minato had been beginning to experience deeper feelings for his friend… and while Iwatodai Minato thought Yukari was beautiful, he and Iwatodai Yukari hadn't had enough time to grow that close yet.
Shion also had a downcast expression, as she muttered, "I see… So… that's why."
"You knew about that, huh?" the scientist asked both Shion and Yukari. "Then again, anyone planning to join the Third Division would know, Miss Uzuki… though, I'm not sure why you know, Miss Takeba, considering your specialties."
"I… I'm from Miltia…" Yukari replied, sorrowfully. "My dad… my dad was a scientist there… when the conflict started he had Mom take me and leave… He said he needed to stay to take care of something… I… I never saw him again…"
"As for me, I…" Shion started to say, unsure how to say it. She then lifted her head and said it in the best way possible, "I'm from Miltia, too."
"Huh?" the scientist asked.
"Of course, no one's allowed to go there anymore…" Shion said, turning to walk over to a different part of the room. "My family moved to Second Miltia when they transferred the capital after the war… And my brother still lives there, alone."
"Oh, I see…" the scientist said, looking down. Looking up again, he said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring back painful memories."
"Oh, it's all right," Shion replied. "After all, it's something we must never forget about." She looked at one of the Realians. "For our sake, and theirs as well."
"Yeah," Minato replied. "Anyway, Shion-san, you still need to get to the Bridge, right?"
At that moment, Shion's email alert sounded out, causing her to look at it for a short bit. "Oh, no! I'm running late! I don't know how that happened, but I have to report to the bridge! Sorry, I'll come back to check on them later! Bye!" With that, she ran out the door, headed to the bridge from there.
"Ack! Wait for us, Chief!" Yukari and Minato exclaimed in sync, as they ran off after Shion.
The three ran out, the door closing behind them.
Several Minutes Later
It took them a short while, but they finally made it to the Elevator to the Bridge.
"Well, here we are," Minato remarked. "You want us to join you up there, Shion-san?"
"If you want to, yes," Shion answered. "Still… I'd appreciate it if people could quit making me go against the schedule, like with Mr. Holgar and his drilling operation."
"Right…" Yukari said. "By the way, what's the Drilling Passport for, anyway?"
"Hmm?" Shion asked, before taking it out. "Oh, right. It's for doing some drilling activities at set locations."
"Personally, I think the only good thing you got was the Med Kit that he gave you," Minato quipped.
"Maybe…" Shion replied. "Still, I wonder what was with that email Miyuki sent…"
"What do you mean, Shion-san?" Yukari asked.
"I mean, that plan she had to design a new weapon for KOS-MOS," Shion replied. "I know she's crowdsourcing it to get it done faster, but she's still going behind the director's back with this."
"Well," Minato said. "Perhaps you need to mention this to the director as soon as possible, but not too soon?"
"Possibly…" Shion answered. "Well, I'm heading to the Bridge - you want to join me?"
Looking at each other, Minato and Yukari nodded, before joining Shion in the elevator.
The ride was only a few seconds, before the platform opened up onto the Bridge.
Shion walked up to the Captain. "Apologies for being late," she said.
"Don't worry about it," the Captain replied. "Now that you're here, can you show us KOS-MOS' data?"
"Yes, sir, right away," Shion replied.
Quite a few minutes later
"I see," the Commander said. "I understand the basic specs." After a moment's pause, he asked, "So, where's the actual field data?"
"Well, it's not quite ready…" Shion answered. "All I can provide today is up to A-7."
"So you don't have it?" the Commander asked.
"Well, we'll begin testing with a mock-up unit very soon, but the system is still a little unstable, and-" Shion started to say.
"Aren't you just making excuses?" the Commander shot back, tired of how this was going. "Listen, Chief Uzuki. Why do you think you're on this ship? Think about that for a moment."
"Listen, Commander, Shion-san's doing the best she can," Yukari replied. "The unit just isn't ready yet - I mean, in our last Encephalon Test, just before we Gated Out, we experienced a malfunction that almost destroyed the test environment! If Deputy-Chief Ridgely had just been a second slower, Shion-san might have died in that test!"
The Commander looked to Yukari and was about to yell at her for interrupting him when the Captain said, "Let it go, Commander. They're working under serious time constraints, just like our own squadron. Besides, they're only one step away from actual field testing, if you were going to get to that point in your arguing. In the end, we all want to see this operation completed without having to resort to that thing, don't we?"
"Of course, Captain," the Commander replied, "but I believe-" He was interrupted by his personal comm unit going off. "Argh! Who's calling me…" he muttered. He then paused.
"Is there a problem?" the Captain asked.
"Oh, uh, no," the Commander replied. "Something urgent's come up - if you'll excuse me." the Commander then left.
"I wonder what's wrong?" the Captain asked after the Commander had left.
"Who knows?" Minato asked the Captain.
With a nod, the Captain said, "That's enough for today, you three… especially you, Chief Uzuki. Let me know if any new developments arise."
With a bow, Shion said, "I'm sorry we failed to meet your expectations."
"Oh, there's no need to apologize," the Captain said. "What's important to us is how reliable the system is once we start using it. Rushing the project won't get us anywhere, so just calm down and take as much time as you need. The government's funding it all, anyway, right? You must be tired. Take the rest of the day off."
"Thank you, sir," Shion replied with a bow, a bow that was mirrored by Minato and Yukari, before the three left the Bridge.
Later, outside the Vector Staff Quarters
"Thanks for the help, you two," Shion replied outside the door to her room.
"You're welcome, Shion-san," Yukari replied. "Still, remember when we told you about Allen, and your mentioning your history with relationships, and that there was a story behind that? Well… I'd like to hear it now, if you don't mind."
"I'm kind of curious, as well," Minato remarked.
"Well…" Shion said. "I used to have a boyfriend, a man named Kevin. He was a great guy to be around, but… well, during the boot-up test two years ago, there was an incident that took his life. I… I haven't been able to get over his death yet, so…"
"Oh…" Yukari replied, looking downcast. "I see…"
"Sorry to hear that," Minato remarked. "Still… would he want to see you mourning for him like this?"
"Well… no, I don't think so," Shion answered. "Thanks for reminding me about that."
"You're welcome," Minato remarked. "Anyway, what all was that stuff we got on our way to the Bridge and back here? I know there was another Passport aside from that Drill one…"
"Well, Allen had arrived shortly before we got back here to give us the Battle Passport I forgot to get earlier," Shion replied. "Not only that, but that game of 'tag' was interesting, in that I had to outrun the soldiers to get what they wanted me to obtain upon winning… it was an interesting experience."
"Yeah…" Yukari replied. "And then you got that message for a package being delivered… Miyuki sent you that M.W.S. you used in the Encephalon, right?"
"Yes, indeed," Shion answered. "Then I spent my money getting some Bio Spheres and an Ether Pack, which I felt was worth the effort, really."
"Chief, you have got to quit blowing your cash like that," Minato said, palming his face as he did so.
"Agreed," Yukari remarked. "I mean, yeah, I splurge sometimes, myself, but usually it's better to save up, in case something expensive you want becomes available."
"Well… you're right, you two," Shion admitted. "Still, back to relationship issues, where are you two going to go out on a date yet?"
They blinked. Minato knew his 'local self' had been developing feelings for the local Yukari before he and his Yukari had been placed in their bodies, but… did the local Yukari really feel the same way?
"Oh, don't give me that look," Shion said, teasingly. "I've noticed the ways you look at each other are nothing short of love for the other, despite not acting on your feelings yet. Quit dragging your feet into the dirt and get on with it, already, you two!" Pushing the two of them to Minato's room on the ship, she said, "Get in there and start your planning! Don't come out unless it's an emergency, or if you finish the planning. That's an order, y'hear?!"
"A-alright," Yukari replied, as the door closed behind them. She then looked at Minato. "So… I guess our local selves…"
"Were falling in love with each other…" Minato replied. "Yeah… definitely kinda weird, and confusing when you compare it to our Iwatodai memories… I mean, yeah, I knew you were attractive, but we only knew each other for two days in Iwatodai."
"True," Yukari said, nodding. "I knew you were indeed a very handsome guy in Iwatodai…" Suddenly, she clapped her hands over her mouth, some pink dusting her face.
Minato blushed, too. "Well… would you like to… give a relationship a try?" he asked hesitantly. "See if it works out?"
"U-uh… well… oh, why not?" Yukari answered. An idea popped into her head. "Say, what about we go out to eat once we land, before we do anything explicit?"
Minato nodded. "That works," he replied.
At that moment, Yukari's email buzzer went off, getting her to wonder who sent it. Looking at her email, she said, "Oh, right, we can come out as soon as we finish planning a date out… or, rather, I can. It's your room."
"Right," Minato replied. "Well… good night, Yukari-chan… see you in a few hours…"
"Good night, Minato-kun… I'll see you then," Yukari answered, before leaving the room, heading for her own.
Location Unknown
"…You've made a grave mistake, Cherenkov," a man said to the Commander over a comm channel. "I believe I already warned you about the dangers of the Zohar. You should have been more careful while retrieving it."
Commander Cherenkov nodded his head and said, "Yes, Sir. I'm afraid that there's no excuse for the fatalities that occurred during the recovery. However, we can…"
"That's a trivial matter. Forget it," the mysterious man said. "The problem… is that those people touched the Zohar, and then vanished… And… in addition to that, you're still transporting it while exposed to normal space. Because of that, we've had to move the plan up two phases. We can't have the Zohar falling into the government's hands."
"Two phases…?!" Cherenkov implored. "But why are you…"
"We've picked up local U.M.N. activity on our EPR radar," the man continued. "The fleet is column jumping towards the position of your convoy. They'll cross your vector in five hours, 22 minutes."
"No, it can't be?!" Cherenkov replied, shocked. "Them?!"
"I told you, you've made a grave mistake," the man said. "We dispatched reinforcements an hour ago. So keep it safe at all costs until they arrive."
"W-will they make it in time?" Cherenkov asked.
"Just keep it safe until they arrive," the man ordered. "I don't care if you have to send it into hyperspace by itself. Fortunately for you, your ship is carrying that weapon. I don't know what Vector's up to, but take advantage of the situation if you can…"
"E-excuse me, Sir," Cherenkov interjected, "but they haven't even started field testing it yet!" He paused for a few seconds, before shaking his head. "It's too risky!"
"You of all people should be cognizant of its power," the man said, driving his point home. "I don't care if it's unstable. Make them hurry."
"But, but Sir…" Cherenkov began.
"That is all," the man finished.
"Commander, wait!" Cherenkov called out. "Commander Margulis!"
But his pleas fell on deaf ears, as the transmission was cut.
Takeshi Yamato: Well, we've started the actual plot of the story.
*sighs disgustedly* I never liked Virgil. He was such a bigoted prick. At least Cherenkov is semi-likeable, because he's just a soldier doing his job, if a bit strict. The fact that his true job is as a spy for the bad guys is beside the point.
And it seems like the local Yukari was born on Miltia, like Shion. That'll be interesting… and the friendship local Yukari had with local Minato has managed to get the Iwatodai versions of them to decide to give a relationship a try… things will be developing quickly there, though.
Anyway, please review this and the main A Wizard in Iwatodai story.
See you in the next chap! :D
