Chapter 10: Dropping off KOS-MOS
At Vector Industries Second R&D Division, Shion, Allen, and KOS-MOS stood in a room where other Vector employees worked at computer consoles with a large hologram screen in the center. "The Zohar Project?" Shion asked an older man who wore a different style of the Vector uniform, possibly a supervisor. He wore glasses and had his arms behind his back. He nodded at the woman's question. "Right. The situation is grave. The Gnosis phenomenon is spreading at an ever increasing rate," he told them."More than 120 star systems have already been eradicated—a face that has been difficult to keep secret, thus far. Worst-case scenario projections indicate that if this continues, humanity will only have a few years before it's completely wiped out by the Gnosis." Both Allen and Shion had a disturbed look on their faces but the woman calmed herself.
"Yes, I understand that, thank you, but tell me how this relates to KOS-MOS." The supervisor led them to another room. "This way..." In the next room, the man displayed a large monitor with a new set of weapons. The larger monitor showed a set of wings and weapons. "This is..this is incredible," Allen said in awe. "The KOS-MOS Tertiary Weapons System," he told them. "It was developed to prevent the worst-case scenario from ever happening." Shion's head tilted some as she looked to the supervisor. "And just what do you classify as worst-case?"
"The Zohar Project is a massive undertaking whose ultimate goal is to eradicate the Gnosis from the cosmos. To do this, we know we must salvage the original Zohar that's sleeping on Miltia. Our studies over the past half-century have revealed the Zohar to be this dimension's ultimate energy device. But there is also a problem. The Zohar's center, or rather, the core unit that controls it, is a double-edged sword."
"What do you mean?" Shion asked, a hand on her hip. "This..." The Vector supervisor brought up a monitor with a reddish-purple neon mist. "This is the phenomenon known as U-DO. Beyond the initial loss of the core unit, we have no details on how it occurred. But we do know, however, that this is what made Miltian space the way it is today and that this phenomenon is also responsible for the appearance of the Gnosis," he told them as the monitor showing U-DO shut off.
"W-wait a minute," Allen said,"are you saying that even more Gnosis might show up?"
"We can't be certain, but it is a definite possibility."
"So you're outfitting KOS-MOS with this." Shion looked to the wings then placed her hand on her chin. "Those shoulder units…they're a Phase Transfer system, right?" She asked, looking to the supervisor. A short silence enveloped the room save the small beeping sounds from the monitors. "Now I see why they called you the Flower of First Division, Chief Uzuki," he said. An annoyed look came over her face as she placed her hands on her hips. "I didn't come here for jokes." The supervisor nodded. "Sorry, I'll continue…" He turned his head to the screen of KOS-MOS's new equipment. "This was originally designed for use on the archetype, but it's been refitted for use on the current KOS-MOS. The system radius is 130nm."
"130?!"
"Can you control it accurately at that scale?" Shion asked the supervisor. "Yes, with the help of the Tactical Sim Lab. That's why we had KOS-MOS moved here." "And if I refuse to turn her over?"
"This project has been officially commissioned by the government. Being chief of software development doesn't give you the right to refuse us."
"I imagine not," she said with a bit of anger in her voice. The supervisor looked down to the floor then back up at her. "Look, I know there's a lot about KOS-MOS' recent activation that worries you, but rest assured, everything's going to be fine," he reassured her. "Headquarters has taken a good look at KOS-MOS' activity records up to now. They firmly believe this can be done, and so do we. Everything is ready to go." Shion sighed softly. "I suppose the only thing I can do now is trust you."
"We can do this. Besides, this system was designed at First Division by none other than Kevin Winnicot himself." A dissatisfied look came over the young woman's facial features as she closed her eyes. "Fine. We'll transfer KOS-MOS to the Second R&D Division today at 1400 hours," she said, "I'll send the paperwork along later. Please send requests for any specific needs to my personal address at First Division. I'll have Allen take care of the software. If there's anything you don't understand..." Allen looked at her as he pointed at himself, not satisfied with what Shion said.
"We'll contact you. Thank you for your cooperation."
--
After talking with the supervisor, Shion walked out of the room and into the hallway as the door slid shut behind her. She placed her hand against her chest where her necklace was, lowering her eyes to the floor. For the sake...of humanity? Shion remembered back when she talked with her fiancee, Kevin Winnicot, as they stood on the second floor of the First R&D Division building looking through a glass window in front of them. Inside was a interesting machine that the engineers were working on.
"Yes. You might even say that's the reason she was born. Her awakening will lead humanity toward the future. I can hardly wait until that time comes," Kevin told Shion. She looked at the machine with a look of awe on her face. "This transport is part of KOS-MOS' equipment, too, right? A craft that can interact with hyperspace on its own without using a U.M.N. column… Is this going to save humanity, too?"
"Mmm… In a broader sense, I suppose. It might come in handy for her someday." The dark-haired man paused for a moment, looking at the white and light purple craft inside. "You'll probably laugh when you hear me say this, but I believe… no, I want to believe that she'll be more than just some wanton instrument of destruction. I hope the future that she builds will be one swept clean of our differences. An ideal world free of destruction of slaughter." He looked to Shion as she laughed softly. "Sounds funny, doesn't it?" He asked her. "No, no. It's just that," she looked up at him."Your eyes, Kevin. They were so lit up just now that you looked like a child."
"I can't help it. I guess I'd better watch myself during the public test."
"Well, to be honest, I can't wait to see her wake up, too." The two smiled at one another warmly. Shion broke free from her thoughts and soon walked away, her face in a saddened look. As she was about to walk to the elevator, Allen walked out of the room, looking around then saw Shion walking away. "Chief!" He called out to her. "Wait up, Chief." Allen walked over to her as she stopped walking, turning her head to him. "You're acting strange today." "Nothing's wrong. It's the same old me."
"Where are you going then?"
"Into the city for a bit. It's been a long time, so…"
"A long time? Oh, right, right? Isn't your house, um," Allen looked up at the ceiling to think for a moment. "Yeah, it's in 8th District." He looked down at her as a small silence went between them. "Listen, Allen. Don't take your eyes off KOS-MOS, okay?" Shion asked Allen. "Uh, yeah, of course. Um…why?" She turned and walked to the elevator, ignoring him. She got inside as the doors slid closed. After she had left, Allen folded his arms and shook his head. "There is definitely something wrong with her today."
Chapter 10: End