Disclaimer: We don't own Star Ocean or its Characters.
Notes: Next installment is up – and it means nothing but trouble for Luther.
Blue: I'm recycling ideas! I have stolen my own ideas from 'Inside My Heart'
Dragon: Hey, it works and will make things a bit more interesting.
Blue: Yeah, but poor Luther…
Dragon: Oh well, he receives what he reaps.
Tender Kisses on a Blackened Heart
Chapter 10: Turn-A-Bout
Ryoko took long sips of her water, letting the cool liquid glide down her throat. The effects of long distant transporting were becoming a distant memory as another side effect grabbed hold – dehydration. She took small comfort that Fayt and his friends hadn't pressed her to immediately expand on her secrets.
Once she was ready, she looked up to address the whole table. "When I had settled into the Eternal Sphere I became fully aware of Robert's research. I knew that if Luther were to find out he would be furious. But I also knew I couldn't stop it. Robert and his crew weren't the only ones researching Symbological Genetics. Other planets both in and outside the Federation also pursued the same path. Luther's wrath was inevitable."
"I knew of the Time Gate, but not of its function so I alerted Robert to it. But even before we ventured to Styx, I knew someone would have to go to 4D space and stop Luther head on. I came from there, but after I modified my DNA to that of the Eternal Sphere, the affect couldn't be reversed. I couldn't, nor did I want, to go back."
"Robert's first instinct after the Time Gate's announcement was to find a way to destroy our new enemy. He set immediately to research a gene for just that. Clive Esteed, Sophia's father, put his efforts into the Alteration gene. These two were only two steps to beating Luther. A connection still had to be made so I started on the third gene myself. Any records found about my research wouldn't admit to it, but I started on Sophia's gene before we even investigated the Time Gate. I did it at first to try and find a way back to 4D space myself. I would take the burden of facing Luther alone…"
Ryoko paused and drained the final few drops from her cup. The water was mostly sweet. The bitterness she tasted was not from the beverage but from the confession at hand.
"When the genes were complete, we started our search for valid candidates. I had just given birth to Fayt as Robert hounded away at medical records. His query covered over a thousand different races after we found that none of us were compatible. We were on the edge of giving up when Kyoko Esteed made a wild, yet logical, suggestion. She suggested we try testing a younger population for candidates."
Drawing her lips into her mouth, Ryoko chewed lightly. Eyes downcast. Her sight dwelled on the empty cup between her hands. She had patched things up well enough with the three Earth kids, but the explanation she was providing was far more in depth than she had given before.
"Kyoko brought to light that the genes we had created needed to evolve with their host. A grown man or woman wouldn't do and the gene would kill them in an attempt to expand. We were forced to accept the fact we would have to do ungodly things to children." She began to shake slightly.
Fayt rested his hand on her shoulder. "Mom? Don't worry about that. We really do understand."
She touched her son's hand gently; finding the strength to continue. "About that time Jessie Traydor had been granted custody of her second cousin's new born child." She paused to include Maria in her glance. "I never told you, Maria, but both your real parents were lost in an accident shortly after your birth. Jessie not only was your only living relative capable of raising a child, but she was also unable to have children herself. Both her and Richard were thrilled to adopt you and instantly considered you as their blood born child."
Maria spared her a small, but very genuine, smile.
On the contrary, Albel huffed. It was clear the swordsman was growing tired of the history lesson and wished to jump straight to the point.
Ryoko took note of Albel's silent request, but there was still one last thing for her to get off her chest.
"The destruction and alteration genes were precise. Meaning, they would only be compatible if other factors of the host were met. I agreed with Robert that as unfair as it was, we had no right to make these modifications to the children of strangers. After a few test it was determined that Fayt was compatible with the destruction gene and Maria with the alteration gene. This left my gene, the connection gene, with no home."
"It wasn't until Clive and Kyoko found they were pregnant that we knew who would wield the final gene. Unlike the other two, my gene didn't depend on any factors of the host – it could adapt to anyone as long as it was a child. As Sophia neared her birth, I modified the gene unannounced to anyone but Robert, Clive and Kyoko. Her gene held no protection. It was passive unless provoked but provided no way to fight until I did what I could to it."
All motion had stopped. Ryoko had revealed a lot of information but the heart of the discussion was finally starting to pump.
"What did you do to it, Mrs. Leingod?" Mirage asked politely; breaking the silence.
Ryoko leaned back in her chair. "I added two elements to it; defensive and then offensive capabilities. I'll try to explain as plainly as possible."
Everyone seemed to nod in unison.
Ryoko licked her lips and continued. "Her defensive skills are to connect on some level with those around her. Am I correct to assume that if she were in a good mood then those around her also found themselves feeling a little better?"
Fayt immediately nodded. He had known her all her life, but it was true. Even as a child, Sophia had a way of projecting her emotions on others. Just knowing her was not what alerted him on many occasions to her mood. He had just known how she felt with no doubt.
Still, she was so good at hiding her emotions behind a false façade that he had no choice but to doubt it. When she was sad he knew it but she never showed it and often he would put it off to his imagination.
And there was the fact that she could provoke him to feel guilt ten times faster than anyone ever had.
The reaction of the group was enough to confirm Ryoko's question. "She can't make anyone feel anything. She has the potential to be an empathic, but thus far the gene has not grown into that ability."
"Soooo," Cliff said letting the word ooze from his mouth. "You are saying if she wanted to she could make others feel however she wanted them too?"
"Well, she could but only if she practiced that skill and the effects would only last a short time. Right now, she doesn't even know she can. She won't use it because I put a safeguard on it. It would only activate if she were consciously aware of it."
Maria nodded. "At the time you…gave us these abilities there was no way to predict how we would use them or what kind of people we would grow to be."
Ryoko smiled sadly at her. "Precisely."
"What of her offensive abilities?" Adray asked tactfully.
Ryoko gave the ripened soldier a smile mixed with both pride and hesitation.
o-O-o-O-o-O-o
Luther watched the screen with greedy anticipation. The small 'marble' was indeed useful. Since he had first lost it, it had traveled over Elicoor to many places; absorbing energies from everything it had made contact with. The marble served two purposes: to record history and to create a virtual connection to the areas it had visited over the course of its travels.
He had been in no mood for a history lesson. He needed information. Accessing the marble's second function was far more entertaining. Thanks to that, all he had to do was hook it straight to his terminal and he could spy on any place within a hundred yards of where the marble had been.
Eagerly he watched Ryoko and awaited the rest of her lecture.
o-O-o-O-o-O-o
"When a 4D being comes to the Eternal Sphere, with the appropriate authority, they are able to access terminals located throughout. These terminals can connect to any program active to that region. Though the terminals it is possible to see historic records and make adjustments to the environment."
Peppita straightened in her chair. "Like making a wall appear out of nowhere in an alley?"
"Yes, I suppose that could be done; but only if the wall matched the terrain."
Nel quickly picked out what Ryoko was saying. "So, this wall would be on the level of its surroundings. A stone wall, for example, for a place made of stone instead of a wall of metal that wouldn't fit."
Ryoko smiled. "Precisely. Each area has rules to abide by. When a 4D being enters the Eternal Sphere, they know where to find these terminals and how to access them. They must first open the file and then physically input the information they desire. Sophia, on the other hand, is capable of accessing these terminals through simple will. She can alter the programming of the Eternal Sphere without opening any files. The results are instant."
Fayt swallowed hard. "Are you saying she has the same abilities as Luther…?"
"Only when it comes to his role as the creator."
o-O-o-O-o-O-o
Luther slammed his fist on the table; causing the console to jump and the connection to terminate. He would not accept that a worthless program was his equivalent. It was not to be tolerated!
He stood swiftly as the door to his office opened. What proceeded happened too quickly for him to realize what was going on until it was too late.
A group of three men entered his office. Each was twice his size and twice as fast. Before he knew what was going on, he was restrained. A man each secured his arms. The third watched him with stone eyes; waiting for him to attempt escape.
"What is the meaning of this?! I demand answers!"
"And so you shall have them," Blair spoke coldly from the doorway.
He growled at her, baring his teeth in discontent. "You bitc…"
"Now, Luther…flattery will get you nowhere." She entered the room sweeping forward in full authority. One man extended his hand, much to his unwillingness. Drawing her hands from behind her, Blair snapped a plan metal strap around his exposed wrist.
"I am to assume you know what this is?"
Luther tore his eyes from his new accessory. "You can't be serious! You would do this to your own brother?" His tone was harsh but on the edge of pleading.
Blair shook her head solemnly. "I will make with you an agreement; such as the one you made with Sophia."
He blinked at her. "What did she tell you," he hissed.
"She told me you were to give her three days to convince you that the Eternal Sphere wasn't a mere toy to play with. She wanted to prove to you that life is life regardless of its origins. Now, you must honor that agreement. There are still two days left and you will abide by your promise. In turn, I will set my own offer on the table. After those two days, if you have shown that you can open your mind, I will remove the band."
He hissed again. "I do not agree!"
"But you have no choice. I will send you both back tomorrow and you, dear brother, will not have your authorization to back you up. You will be just like any other resident of the Eternal Sphere."
He wiggled futilely in the grasp of the large men. "You can't banish me! This is a punishment for criminals. I have committed no wrong."
Blair stepped back, allowing room for the men to guide Luther from the office. "I, Blair – head of Sphere –, do formally charge you of crimes against humanity. You are to live out your punishment as a resident in the Eternal Sphere. Your rank is stripped and your powers are revoked. You will live among them as one of them until I deem you fit to return."
His feet dragged as his muscles tightened. Forcefully he was led to his room and locked in for the night. Tomorrow he was to be banished to the Eternal Sphere. Only this time, he wouldn't be able to alter the program in the slightest.
o-O-o-O-o-O-o
He didn't remember falling asleep. Luther twisted a bit, drawing comfort from the soft bed under him. He wondered if he had only dreamed the betrayal his sister had inflicted on him. Much to his dismay, his eyes opened to the sad truth.
He was back at the inn in Peterny. Sitting at a small table, looking contently out the window, was Sophia. She was humming softly between sipping from a hot mug. Dragging his attention away from her, he raised his hand. The metal ring was more than pleased to gleam back at him. He growled softly under his breath.
"Oh, good morning!"
He glared daggers at her as he sat up. Pushing his hair down he kept his lips pressed tightly together.
"I have some cider for you," Sophia spoke softly. "It always seems to help me wake up better."
When he didn't respond, she traded her mug for his and approached his bed. She moved cautiously, avoiding staring into his eyes. They were just as cold as they had been when he first followed her back to the Eternal Sphere.
He took the mug and held it with both hands. "You're gloating."
She had nearly retreated back to the table but stopped and faced him. "Gloating? What would I do that for?"
Oh, she sounded so innocent. He knew better than to trust someone who could fringe ignorance. Especially her. He knew enough about her now to know she wasn't as dense as he had first taken her for.
"Don't take me for a fool! I know you enjoy seeing me suffer. Knowing I have been brought down to your level."
Her face twisted in anger. "Brought down?! Look Luther, you might not know me like my friends, but I have given you more than your fair chance. I've done everything I could to let you in and you haven't done anything but turn me down. I don't gloat! That is something you would know if you cared to."
He laughed. "Cared to? And why would I care to know a program? You are nothing but a string of ones and zeros. I have no time to waste on trivial things like that."
She crossed over to the table and lifted her mug. Stepping back to the door, she rested her hand on the knob. "You have no choice but to waste your time. I'll help you if you decide to give my world an honest chance. If not, then come two days and you'll be stuck. Take my help or not, it's up to you."
With that she left the room, closing the door harshly behind her. He looked long and hard at the door before draining the mug. The cider was good, to his surprise. He had eaten in the Eternal Sphere before, but never had it tasted so fresh.
It wasn't more than as added disadvantage to the band worn around his wrist. He would have to find a way to remove it. With it on, he couldn't use any terminals. He couldn't alter anything in the Eternal Sphere. He was just the same as the rest of the incompetent inhabitants.
He disregarded the mug on the bed as he stood. He was still wearing the Elicorrian garb. Glancing about he noticed a spear resting against the wall. Traitor or not, his sister had still provided him with a way to defend himself. She had also given him a way to dispose of that nuisance of a brat he was stuck with.
Oh but how the tables had turned on him. He was reduced to the same depth as she had been and she had become aware of an ability that allowed her the power he once had.
He mad no sound as he lifted the spear and set it in the straps along his back. Exiting the room he set to find the wench. She was his only way out and if she proved useless he would use his weapon to dispose of her.
It was simple, and yet a nagging thought probed at his mind. He didn't want to dispose of her. For reasons he couldn't fathom, she made his existence in the Eternal Sphere more tolerable. Adjusting his thoughts he could only determine it was her forsaken gene and not her.
Perhaps he simply had to analyze her gene. Then surely he would be able to escape. If it meant killing her then so be it. But first he would try to find out what he could about her. He needed to know how her mind worked. Taking down an opponent was far easier that way. And he might not have to kill her. If he could convince her he had changed then he could use her.
Even better! After all the torment she had caused him it was only fair he use her at his convenience.
o-O-o-O-o-O-o
Note from Blue: Anyone who's read 'Inside My Heart' will recognize Luther's new wrist band! It prevents him from using any of his 4D abilities (but he can still use symbology so it's not exactly like my original idea). We thought it would be fun to knock him down a few notches.