___ Allen, Shion & KOS-MOS___
"I have confirmed the presence of Allen Ridgeley." KOS-MOS' metallic voice came from behind Shion as they both peeked around a building. "He appears to be accompanied by another humanoid, age ranging from 60-70 years, height-"
"Okay, KOS-MOS," Shion hissed through her teeth. She focused her attention on the shop in front of her, where KOS-MOS had told her that Allen and an elderly man had gone. She searched frantically for any sign of his vibrant orange hair, but she was having no luck. All she could see over the shelves inside was an annoyingly large top hat. She let the idea brew in her head for a moment, then nodded fiercely. "KOS-MOS," she caught the attention of the android.
"Yes, Shion?"
"Put on a jacket and ball you hair up into a hat. We're going to find out what Allen is gonna get me!" They disappeared into a clothing shop and emerged only minutes later, decked out in two identical trench coats and black hats. KOS-MOS' long blue hair was shoved up into the hat, so as to be less conspicuous. Unfortunately, due to the amount of hair KOS-MOS had, it stuck out here and there from under the brim of her stocking cap. Shion slipped a pair of sunglasses over KOS-MOS' eerily red eyes to hide them, and Shion removed her own glasses. They were nigh unrecognizable.
"Shion," KOS-MOS stated. "My sensors read that your visual acuity has decreased by 30.976%."
"I know that," she told her creation as she stumbled slightly. The blurry world around her swam for a moment, then righted itself. "I need to disguise myself so Allen won't recognize me."
"I do not comprehend your logic." KOS-MOS stared into Shion's now watery eyes. Shion blinked, unable to correct her eyesight.
"Okay, just imagine this. Allen is the enemy, but we don't want to kill him. It's a reconnaissance mission. We want to collect information and return to the base, the Elsa."
"Allen Ridgeley is not stored in my databanks as an enemy. He is Second-in-command, Vector Engineering, First Division-"
"I get it, I get it!" Shion gasped. trying to quiet KOS-MOS. She sighed lightly, then decided what would be the best thing to say. "Don't let Allen see you."
"Affirmative," KOS-MOS said with a nod. Quietly as they could, the two snuck over to the shop they had seen Allen and the old man disappear into. Shion searched the place, then found that she could not see.
"Is Allen anywhere close?" She asked KOS-MOS.
"Negative. Allen is located at the rear of the building, second floor."
"Thanks, KOS-MOS," Shion said under her breath, then they entered the shop. It was bedecked with garish Christmas decorations. You know the ones. The singing Santas that rock out to jazzy Christmas tunes, the dancing wreath, the flashing lights that cause seizures and the like. Shion shielded her already fragile eyes from the strobe-like beat of the lights, and attempted to find the way to the second floor. She was approached from all sides by overly enthusiastic attendants, but they were all shoved aside by KOS-MOS. Shion was immensely glad that she had brought the android along. After finding the escalated moving walkway, they stepped on and were taken to the upper floor. As soon as they did, KOS-MOS shoved Shion into a clothes rack. Shion make a high sound in her throat, but was silenced by KOS-MOS. She saw why they had jumped into the clothes rack. Allen and the old man strolled by not an instant later. Allen was talking genially with the man, who was laughing in what seemed to be a very familiar tone. She caught a snatch of their conversation as they walked by.
"Shion's the greatest girl I know. But she never lets on what she wants or how she's feeling. I just wish she would talk to me outside of work and data and all of those kinds of things." Allen looked at his feet. The old man nodded.
"Perhaps the girl is not quite so sure what she wants herself. Now, over her there are some very nice hats..." They moved on, and Shion was left to shock. KOS-MOS was utterly indifferent.
"You pulse has increased to 188 beats per minute. I suggest rest," she advised Shion. The woman pulled herself together, and shook her head.
"No, we need to keep following him."
"I will gather all the needed information. You remain here. I shall return in approximately 4.598 minutes." With that, KOS-MOS moved from the clothes rack and out of Shion's limited vision range. Maybe KOS-MOS was right, and she needed to rest. So she sat there, waiting.
"No, none of these hats seem right for her," Allen said, his voice melancholy. The old man rubbed his chin in thought.
"Maybe she would like something more along the lines of a giant robot- I mean..."
"No, that sounds just like her," Allen told the man when he tried to correct himself. A smile crawled over Allen's lips. "She always has her nose in some new machine, tinkering and fiddling with it. She'd say 'Allen, can you get me a socket wrench?' Then I'd say, 'Sure, Chief, no problem.' But I don't think I could wrap a giant robot."
"Maybe not, but you might possibly be able to buy her-"
Their conversation became low and whispered, and try as she might, KOS-MOS could barely understand what they were speaking about. But her sensors had finally indicated the identity of the man Allen was talking with. Had Shion not ordered her to remain unseen, she would have immediately given the man something she had been meaning to give him. Then, as quick as she could blink, they had left. She tracked them to find that they had ascended to the third floor.
"Shion," she called. The Vector engineer emerged from the clothing rack, surprising the woman who had been about to search it. "Allen and his companion have moved on to the third level. I suggest a pursuit."
"I agree! Let's go."
The two of them followed as clandestine as possible, and emerged to see Allen at the jewelry section of the large store. Shion's eyes grew wide, like a hungry child eying a tasty pie. She would have tried to get a closer look had two Santa not burst onto the upper floor, knocking Shion and KOS-MOS to the ground. The commotion alerted everyone in the store to their presence... All but Allen, who was enraptured by the jewelry. Shion was incredibly astonished to find Tony's bright green eyes hiding behind the Santa beard and suit.
"Bonjour, Mademoiselle," Tony whispered huskily as he sat atop Shion. Hammer, who seemed to be the other Santa, pulled Tony off of the poor woman forcefully.
"T- Tony! What are you doing here..? In a Santa suit?" Shion asked.
"Long story, babe," Tony said, glancing over his shoulder. She could see why. A whole pack of policemen had emerged from nowhere, and were charging up the moving walkway. Hammer shrieked like a woman and dashed off, pulling Tony with him. The police shoved their way past Shion and KOS-MOS. With a slight bump from a passing cop, KOS-MOS' hat fell from her head, and her shiny blue hair fell down her back. Everyone gathered stopped to 'ooh' and 'ahh' over her hair. But Shion was torn. Help Tony and Hammer or spy on Allen? She turned to see that both Allen and the old man were gone. She had made up her mind then
"As much as I want to find out what Allen is planning, we have to follow Tony and Hammer. Okay, KOS-MOS?"
"I await orders, Shion," the android droned. Shion nodded, and they dashed off after the group. Allen had moved on to the other side of the jewelry display, observing everything before him. The old man smiled. His job was done. The lad now had the confidence to find what he needed for the girl. Quietly, he stole away, out of the store, and into the falling snow. It was quieting down as nightfall grew deeper. He looked around, seemingly searching for someone, then noticed someone sitting at the water fountain. He gave a small chuckle and went to him.
The blonde man in uniform stood up, smiling at the man.
"Did you do the job, Professor?" He asked. The man handed the coat down to his assistant and got down off of his large shoes.
"Yes, Assistant Scott, I believe the boy will know what to get her now."
"Do you think he knows who you were?" Assistant Scott asked. The Professor shook his head.
"The boy never came to my lab, but I knew he was shopping for that young Shion the moment I seen him. Though I did let something about a giant robot slip."
"Professor, you didn't!"
"Ah, shut-up, Assistant Scott. Dang, those shoes hurt. Anyway, we better get back to the lab. Those robots won't build themselves!" The two walked a ways, walking past Gaignun, chaos, Mary, Matthews, Shelley, Jr. and Ziggy at different intervals. They waved politely, not knowing where they all were headed. As they disappeared into the new snowfall, Assistant Scott's voice could barely be heard floating through the air.
"Didja get me a present, Professor?"
Back in the store, Allen was absolutely oblivious to all the commotion around him. He had found a good gift for Shion, but not the perfect gift. He spied it again. Definitely not perfect. He gave it back to the woman who had let him inspect it, then continued to scrutinize the other possible choices. He needed to find something that was just right. Something that would make her gasp. Something... that was exactly like the gift he was standing right in front of! He jumped up and down like a giddy schoolgirl, clapping his hands. He hugged everyone in sight. He then produced his own money, for he couldn't let poor Hammer and Tony pay for this.
He was about to exit the store with his fine purchase when he was suddenly met by a whole flock of familiar faces. The crew of the Elsa, minus Hammer and Tony, the first and second-in-command of the Kukai Foundation, the two Godwin sisters, and the cyborg. A wide, frog-like smile spread over Allen's face as he saw them.
"Hey guys! I just finished shopping and-"
Everyone started talking at once. The poor man was overwhelmed by the sudden burst of voices.
"-and the carolers in Santa suits-"
"-bought this cute little pink thing for-"
"-singing horribly out of tune-"
"-back on the Elsa, making-"
"-heard from the police that-"
"-dancing in his underwear-"
"-blockaded the shuttle landing and-"
"-shoplifters are Hammer and Tony!"
The last thing Mary had shouted at the top of her lungs. Everyone turned to her, and she turned a deep red in the face, looking everywhere but at the faces of those that stared at her.
"Well, it's true, ain't it?"
"Mary is right," Ziggy said in a dull tone. "I believe that the two of them may be in grave danger." He looked around him, then turned to Shelley. He toned his voice down to a whisper as chaos started to talk to Allen. "Where is MOMO?" He asked. Shelley looked around her for a moment, then seemed to remember.
"She's fine. She's back on the Elsa. I didn't want her to get mixed up in all this," Shelley said. Ziggy nodded sagely.
"That was good judgment on your part."
"What are we standin' around here for, then?" Matthews cried, still holding onto his karaoke machine. "Let's go kick some cop ass!"
The whole group moved off as one, like a flock of birds. It was going to be some showdown.
"I have confirmed the presence of Allen Ridgeley." KOS-MOS' metallic voice came from behind Shion as they both peeked around a building. "He appears to be accompanied by another humanoid, age ranging from 60-70 years, height-"
"Okay, KOS-MOS," Shion hissed through her teeth. She focused her attention on the shop in front of her, where KOS-MOS had told her that Allen and an elderly man had gone. She searched frantically for any sign of his vibrant orange hair, but she was having no luck. All she could see over the shelves inside was an annoyingly large top hat. She let the idea brew in her head for a moment, then nodded fiercely. "KOS-MOS," she caught the attention of the android.
"Yes, Shion?"
"Put on a jacket and ball you hair up into a hat. We're going to find out what Allen is gonna get me!" They disappeared into a clothing shop and emerged only minutes later, decked out in two identical trench coats and black hats. KOS-MOS' long blue hair was shoved up into the hat, so as to be less conspicuous. Unfortunately, due to the amount of hair KOS-MOS had, it stuck out here and there from under the brim of her stocking cap. Shion slipped a pair of sunglasses over KOS-MOS' eerily red eyes to hide them, and Shion removed her own glasses. They were nigh unrecognizable.
"Shion," KOS-MOS stated. "My sensors read that your visual acuity has decreased by 30.976%."
"I know that," she told her creation as she stumbled slightly. The blurry world around her swam for a moment, then righted itself. "I need to disguise myself so Allen won't recognize me."
"I do not comprehend your logic." KOS-MOS stared into Shion's now watery eyes. Shion blinked, unable to correct her eyesight.
"Okay, just imagine this. Allen is the enemy, but we don't want to kill him. It's a reconnaissance mission. We want to collect information and return to the base, the Elsa."
"Allen Ridgeley is not stored in my databanks as an enemy. He is Second-in-command, Vector Engineering, First Division-"
"I get it, I get it!" Shion gasped. trying to quiet KOS-MOS. She sighed lightly, then decided what would be the best thing to say. "Don't let Allen see you."
"Affirmative," KOS-MOS said with a nod. Quietly as they could, the two snuck over to the shop they had seen Allen and the old man disappear into. Shion searched the place, then found that she could not see.
"Is Allen anywhere close?" She asked KOS-MOS.
"Negative. Allen is located at the rear of the building, second floor."
"Thanks, KOS-MOS," Shion said under her breath, then they entered the shop. It was bedecked with garish Christmas decorations. You know the ones. The singing Santas that rock out to jazzy Christmas tunes, the dancing wreath, the flashing lights that cause seizures and the like. Shion shielded her already fragile eyes from the strobe-like beat of the lights, and attempted to find the way to the second floor. She was approached from all sides by overly enthusiastic attendants, but they were all shoved aside by KOS-MOS. Shion was immensely glad that she had brought the android along. After finding the escalated moving walkway, they stepped on and were taken to the upper floor. As soon as they did, KOS-MOS shoved Shion into a clothes rack. Shion make a high sound in her throat, but was silenced by KOS-MOS. She saw why they had jumped into the clothes rack. Allen and the old man strolled by not an instant later. Allen was talking genially with the man, who was laughing in what seemed to be a very familiar tone. She caught a snatch of their conversation as they walked by.
"Shion's the greatest girl I know. But she never lets on what she wants or how she's feeling. I just wish she would talk to me outside of work and data and all of those kinds of things." Allen looked at his feet. The old man nodded.
"Perhaps the girl is not quite so sure what she wants herself. Now, over her there are some very nice hats..." They moved on, and Shion was left to shock. KOS-MOS was utterly indifferent.
"You pulse has increased to 188 beats per minute. I suggest rest," she advised Shion. The woman pulled herself together, and shook her head.
"No, we need to keep following him."
"I will gather all the needed information. You remain here. I shall return in approximately 4.598 minutes." With that, KOS-MOS moved from the clothes rack and out of Shion's limited vision range. Maybe KOS-MOS was right, and she needed to rest. So she sat there, waiting.
"No, none of these hats seem right for her," Allen said, his voice melancholy. The old man rubbed his chin in thought.
"Maybe she would like something more along the lines of a giant robot- I mean..."
"No, that sounds just like her," Allen told the man when he tried to correct himself. A smile crawled over Allen's lips. "She always has her nose in some new machine, tinkering and fiddling with it. She'd say 'Allen, can you get me a socket wrench?' Then I'd say, 'Sure, Chief, no problem.' But I don't think I could wrap a giant robot."
"Maybe not, but you might possibly be able to buy her-"
Their conversation became low and whispered, and try as she might, KOS-MOS could barely understand what they were speaking about. But her sensors had finally indicated the identity of the man Allen was talking with. Had Shion not ordered her to remain unseen, she would have immediately given the man something she had been meaning to give him. Then, as quick as she could blink, they had left. She tracked them to find that they had ascended to the third floor.
"Shion," she called. The Vector engineer emerged from the clothing rack, surprising the woman who had been about to search it. "Allen and his companion have moved on to the third level. I suggest a pursuit."
"I agree! Let's go."
The two of them followed as clandestine as possible, and emerged to see Allen at the jewelry section of the large store. Shion's eyes grew wide, like a hungry child eying a tasty pie. She would have tried to get a closer look had two Santa not burst onto the upper floor, knocking Shion and KOS-MOS to the ground. The commotion alerted everyone in the store to their presence... All but Allen, who was enraptured by the jewelry. Shion was incredibly astonished to find Tony's bright green eyes hiding behind the Santa beard and suit.
"Bonjour, Mademoiselle," Tony whispered huskily as he sat atop Shion. Hammer, who seemed to be the other Santa, pulled Tony off of the poor woman forcefully.
"T- Tony! What are you doing here..? In a Santa suit?" Shion asked.
"Long story, babe," Tony said, glancing over his shoulder. She could see why. A whole pack of policemen had emerged from nowhere, and were charging up the moving walkway. Hammer shrieked like a woman and dashed off, pulling Tony with him. The police shoved their way past Shion and KOS-MOS. With a slight bump from a passing cop, KOS-MOS' hat fell from her head, and her shiny blue hair fell down her back. Everyone gathered stopped to 'ooh' and 'ahh' over her hair. But Shion was torn. Help Tony and Hammer or spy on Allen? She turned to see that both Allen and the old man were gone. She had made up her mind then
"As much as I want to find out what Allen is planning, we have to follow Tony and Hammer. Okay, KOS-MOS?"
"I await orders, Shion," the android droned. Shion nodded, and they dashed off after the group. Allen had moved on to the other side of the jewelry display, observing everything before him. The old man smiled. His job was done. The lad now had the confidence to find what he needed for the girl. Quietly, he stole away, out of the store, and into the falling snow. It was quieting down as nightfall grew deeper. He looked around, seemingly searching for someone, then noticed someone sitting at the water fountain. He gave a small chuckle and went to him.
The blonde man in uniform stood up, smiling at the man.
"Did you do the job, Professor?" He asked. The man handed the coat down to his assistant and got down off of his large shoes.
"Yes, Assistant Scott, I believe the boy will know what to get her now."
"Do you think he knows who you were?" Assistant Scott asked. The Professor shook his head.
"The boy never came to my lab, but I knew he was shopping for that young Shion the moment I seen him. Though I did let something about a giant robot slip."
"Professor, you didn't!"
"Ah, shut-up, Assistant Scott. Dang, those shoes hurt. Anyway, we better get back to the lab. Those robots won't build themselves!" The two walked a ways, walking past Gaignun, chaos, Mary, Matthews, Shelley, Jr. and Ziggy at different intervals. They waved politely, not knowing where they all were headed. As they disappeared into the new snowfall, Assistant Scott's voice could barely be heard floating through the air.
"Didja get me a present, Professor?"
Back in the store, Allen was absolutely oblivious to all the commotion around him. He had found a good gift for Shion, but not the perfect gift. He spied it again. Definitely not perfect. He gave it back to the woman who had let him inspect it, then continued to scrutinize the other possible choices. He needed to find something that was just right. Something that would make her gasp. Something... that was exactly like the gift he was standing right in front of! He jumped up and down like a giddy schoolgirl, clapping his hands. He hugged everyone in sight. He then produced his own money, for he couldn't let poor Hammer and Tony pay for this.
He was about to exit the store with his fine purchase when he was suddenly met by a whole flock of familiar faces. The crew of the Elsa, minus Hammer and Tony, the first and second-in-command of the Kukai Foundation, the two Godwin sisters, and the cyborg. A wide, frog-like smile spread over Allen's face as he saw them.
"Hey guys! I just finished shopping and-"
Everyone started talking at once. The poor man was overwhelmed by the sudden burst of voices.
"-and the carolers in Santa suits-"
"-bought this cute little pink thing for-"
"-singing horribly out of tune-"
"-back on the Elsa, making-"
"-heard from the police that-"
"-dancing in his underwear-"
"-blockaded the shuttle landing and-"
"-shoplifters are Hammer and Tony!"
The last thing Mary had shouted at the top of her lungs. Everyone turned to her, and she turned a deep red in the face, looking everywhere but at the faces of those that stared at her.
"Well, it's true, ain't it?"
"Mary is right," Ziggy said in a dull tone. "I believe that the two of them may be in grave danger." He looked around him, then turned to Shelley. He toned his voice down to a whisper as chaos started to talk to Allen. "Where is MOMO?" He asked. Shelley looked around her for a moment, then seemed to remember.
"She's fine. She's back on the Elsa. I didn't want her to get mixed up in all this," Shelley said. Ziggy nodded sagely.
"That was good judgment on your part."
"What are we standin' around here for, then?" Matthews cried, still holding onto his karaoke machine. "Let's go kick some cop ass!"
The whole group moved off as one, like a flock of birds. It was going to be some showdown.
