Episode Two: Viral Infection

"We've reached the colony," Urd said.
"Okay, now that's set and done; Kira, Lacus, Excel, come with me, we are going down," Athrun ordered.
"But first, take some Shift Guns with you," Urd suggested, "You might encounter some resistance."
"Good idea," Athrun said.
"Go see Skuld, she'll give you the guns," Urd said.
"Question, do you like to pilot this ship? You don't look the part," Athrun said.
"Well, I'm the only one who KNOWS how to, so it's okay," Urd said, "But if you start recruiting some members, and find a pilot, I'll be most grateful."
"Sure," Athrun said.
Skuld took out four sliver toy-like representations of a gun and handed over to Athrun and his landing party.
"What the? Are these the Shift Guns?" Athrun said.
"Yeah, to create a certain weapon, you just need to insert a MOD chip into the handle," Skuld said.
"Oh," Athrun said.
Kira took a sword MOD chip and inserted it, and the gun turned into a Billy Club/Sword hybrid.
"Whoa!" Kira said.
"Cool, huh?" Skuld said, "Well, better get going, right?"
"Yeah, thanks for your help," Athrun said.
Excel, behind their backs, took the machine gun MOD chip and snuck it into her shirt.
"Come on, we have a colony to take over," Athrun joked.

Chapter 2.1: KOS-MOS

They all went down to the colony in a shuttle, but as a precaution, they also wore pressurized space suits.
"Haro Haro!"
Kira took out an Atmosphere Scanner and checked the air, if there is any.
"There's breathable air," Kira said, "But we have to take them off slowly."
Excel quickly took hers off very fast, since her hair is in a mess, then fainted.
"Damn it, the amount of air here is thinner then normal," Kira said, "Didn't she heed my warning?"
They all removed their helmets, SLOWLY, and they quickly adjusted to the thin air.
"So Lacus, where is the next member of out team held?" Athrun asked.
Lacus took out her compass and displayed a flashing dot, "We go this way."
Athrun picked up Excel and carried her on his back.

They entered a dark room. But Kira took out a flashlight to light up the room a bit.
"First, find a light switch," Athrun ordered, "It's not safe to stay in a dark room like this one."
Excel, who woke up from her passing out, heard what Athrun said and pointed to a switch next to the door they entered from.
"Easy enough, now get off of me," Athrun said.
"No," Excel said.
Athrun threw her off and turned on the switch himself.
"Ow." Excel proclaimed.
Athrun looked around, and Lacus pointed to a giant black object located at the center of the room.
"Hey," Lacus said, "What's that?"
"A coffin?" Athrun wondered. Athrun went up to it and look a quick scan, he then pressed the button on the control pad and the pod depressurized. He pointed his gun at whatever is in there and only found a girl sleeping.
"A girl?" Athrun said.
Lacus began scanning the characters pages for a girl with bluish white hair, and metal clothing.
Kira opened the girl's eyes and said, "Eyes are red."
"Okay...oh! I got a match!" Lacus said.
"Come on now, spill it!!" Excel shouted.
"Her name is KOS-MOS," Lacus said.
"Fine then, is she an anime?" Athrun mentioned.
"No, a video game called Xenosaga," Lacus said.
"What does it say about her?" Athrun wondered.
"She killed a member of her own team just so 'she can increase weapons efficiency'," Lacus said, "And the only person she won't kill is her creator, Shion."
"Shion? But didn't she ascended to heaven a few millennia back?" Kira said.
"And left KOS-MOS," Athrun said, "But this is not the same Realian. So what is the story on her?"
"Haro!"
"Haro's linking up to the databank," Lacus said, "Oh, he pulled it out!"
"Come on, pinky," Excel said.
"Okay," Lacus said, "This KOS-MOS is the same Realian, but she was outdated quite fast, or that the enemy she chosen to wipe out has gone extinct. Anyways, people believes that she is a threat and wants to destroy her. Shion sealed her up in this capsule and sent her off. But Shion was killed shortly after."
"An unused weapon," Kira said.
"She is a Realian too," Lacus said, "So she must have some emotions."
"You know, you don't seem to be the airhead I always know," Kira commented.
"Oh," Lacus said blushing then giggled.
"Well, we have to wake up sleeping beauty," Athrun said, "First off, we have to check out her OS, see if there are any changes to be made."
"Haro can do it, right?" Lacus offered.
"This is a living computer, Lacus," Athrun said, "And I won't afford any mistakes during this objective. Kira, you are good with AI, you rewrite KOS-MOS's OS."
"Fine," Kira said.
He went up to a control console and tried hacking into KOS-MOS's systems, but it kept on jacking him out.
"I can't jack in," Kira said.
"Hmm...maybe we need to activate her first," Athrun said.
"Is that safe?" Lacus said worried.
"Who knows," Athrun said, "But according to this control pad, KOS-MOS is fully functional, no problems whatsoever."
He activated her and noticed the control panel started to read all kinds of error.
"What the hell?!" Athrun proclaimed and looked at the girl. She then opened her eyes and looked at Athrun. He gasped, and she quickly jumped out and choked him.
"Athrun!" Kira shouted.
Athrun looked at the girl's helmet as he is being choked and it says "KOS-MOS" on it.
"Damn, so this is KOS-MOS," Athrun thought, "But why is she killing me?"
"Lacus, why isn't he dead already?" Kira said.
"No, he can't be." Lacus said.
"Die, bioch!" Excel shouted as she inserted her stolen machine gun MOD chip into her gun and it transformed into a double barrel machine gun, "Heh, now that's what I'm talking about."
"Excel, where did you.!" Kira said.
"Face the wrath of Excel!" Excel shouted as she began firing at KOS- MOS.
"No!" Kira and Lacus shouted.
KOS-MOS looked up and created a shield to gather up all the energy bullets shot at her.
"Shit," Excel said as she saw all the bullets being turned around.
"Die," KOS-MOS said.
She fired all the bullets back at her.
"SHEEE-AAATTT!" Excel screamed as she ran around the room and out.
"Shifting target," KOS-MOS said and chased after Excel.
Athrun got up slowly and coughed, "Damn, why am I not dead?"
"What happened?" Kira said.
"I don't know, but Excel is in trouble," Athrun said.
"I'm worried about you, Athrun, are you okay?" Lacus said.
"I'm fine, fortunately," Athrun said, "but now I'm wonder if I am more then what I am?"
"Huh?" Kira said.
"Am I a Coordinator?" Athrun questioned, "That is no way a normal human can survive being choked by that amount of strength."
Excel's screams and babbling cursing is sounded.
"Excel!" Athrun said.
"What happened?" Kira said.
"It seems like that KOS-MOS has been infected by a trigger delayed virus," Athrun said, "I noticed the errors being reported on the screen the moment I activated her."
"Is there a way to shut her down?" Lacus wondered.
"No," Athrun said, "But I have noticed a video file implanted into the pod."
"A video?" Kira said, "Let's hear it."
Athrun played around with the controls and founded the video.

"Hi, if someone can read this, my name is Shion. I am KOS-MOS's creator and programmer. By any chance if she attacks a human being, please say this OVERRIDE code 'Shion-Delta-Eight-Eight-Omega-Blue. Please take care of her."

The video was cut.
"Shion-Delta-Eight-Eight-Omega-Blue?" Athrun said.
"That's to override KOS-MOS?" Lacus said.
"I have an idea," Kira said, "Athrun, Lacus, you stay here. The moment you see KOS-MOS, shout out the code."
"Okay," Athrun said.
Kira left the room and followed the rapid footsteps until he has a clear view of KOS-MOS. He then inserted his sword MOD chip and slashed off a bit of KOS-MOS's hair.
"Come and get me!" Kira said and started running away.
"Shifting target," KOS-MOS said and chased after Kira.
A few minutes later, Kira slid into the room and KOS-MOS jumped up in midair with her hands clasped together ready to pound him. Kira closed his eyes.
"Shion-Delta-Eight-Eight-Omega-Blue!" Athrun and Lacus shouted.
KOS-MOS released her hands and landed right on Kira.
"Oof!" Kira reacted to the impact.
KOS-MOS sat up looked at him with curiosity.
"What?" Kira said.
"You." KOS-MOS said leading towards him.
"Aww.don't tell me she's in love too." Lacus said, who has a crush on Kira.
"What is it?" Kira said.
"Systems.down." KOS-MOS said as she closed her eyes and felt flat on him.
"Damn it!" Kira said, "Guys? Help me! She weights a ton!"
Excel came in and pointed her guns but saw Kira and KOS-MOS on the ground.
"Whoa, sexy love scene," Excel said with interest.
"The hell you're talking about?!" Athrun said.
"Guys? Help?" Kira said, "I'm tired, so I can't lift her up."
"You know KOS-MOS weighs about 200 pounds," Lacus said, "It's because of all her functions."
"Thanks, you're a lot of help," Kira said.
"Kira Genki?"
"Kira Genki Nai, Haro," Kira said.
"Aww.Kira Genki Nai," Haro said rolling around the ground.
"Kira, I have a favor," Lacus said.
"What?" Kira said, "I hope it can wait."
"Will you be my boyfriend?" Lacus said.
"Sheeh, innocent love," Kira said.

Chapter 2.2: Outlook

A few hours later, Athrun (instead of Kira) has been reconfiguring KOS-MOS's operating system.
"You know, after looking at her like this, KOS-MOS seems more human then android," Kira said.
"I expected her to weigh more," Lacus said.
"Why?" Excel said, "Then she can look unappealing to all the guys?"
"No, in the game Xenosaga, she is completely made out of metal, no organics whatsoever," Lacus said, "But this KOS-MOS, she has an intake system. She can digest food unlike the other 'her'."
"And what else," Kira said, touching KOS-MOS's face, wondering what it feels like, "Feels like skin."
"Even though she is a Realian, she doesn't know how to use expressions," Lacus said, "This Anime and Games for Dummies is really cool stuff. But there are many pages torn out."
"That is why I am updating KOS-MOS's OS," Athrun said, "I noticed a flaw in her emotions grid, there is something blocking it."
"hey, can you program her to be seductive?" Excel suggested, "We do need some money."
Athrun paused for a moment and chucked a piece of scrap metal at Excel's face he found lying on the floor.
"You are one sick-minded bitch," Athrun said and continued working on the reconfiguration."
"Ahh." Excel said dazed and injured.
Lacus touched KOS-MOS's helmet to see if it can be removed, and it can. She then fixed her hair, making it flow out more.
"Better," Lacus said.
"KOS-MOS Genki?" Haro asked.
"KOS-MOS Genki," Lacus said.
"KOS-MOS Genki!" Haro said with joy and bouncing up and down.
"Are you almost finished, Athrun?" Kira asked.
"Give me another five minutes," Athrun answered.
"So.when we reactivate her, should we give her another name?" Lacus wondered.
"Well, if someone knows her name, it might cause a problem, but it would be disrespectful if we just change her name without KOS-MOS knowing about it," Kira said.
"Oh," Lacus said.
"Finalizing the process," Athrun said.
KOS-MOS opened her eyes.
"Hi," Lacus said.
"She might act a bit strange for a while, that's just to get herself adjusted to the new programming," Athrun said.
"Okay," Kira said.
As Kira and Lacus continued looking straight at KOS-MOS, who seems to have a tired look in her eyes. But then, jerking movements in her eyes and throughout her body started happening. Kira and Lacus backed off.
"Athrun, is this suppose to happen?" Kira said.
"Not like that!" Athrun said.
KOS-MOS got off her chair and kneeled face down, throwing up some type of black substance.
"Eww.remind me not to take whatever diet she's talking," Excel said.
Kira's PDA started blaring like crazy and he took it out, "Unknown object?!"
"Chaos?" Athrun said.
KOS-MOS collapsed and the black substance mutated into a dark silhouette of something. Kira insert the sword MOD chip into his gun and got ready for battle.
"Haro!"
The Chaos turned its arms into sharp blades. Athrun then predicted its next move and foiled it by jumping up over the control console he did KOS-MOS's reprogramming with and tackled it.
"Athrun!" Kira shouted.
Athrun started a one-on-one fight against the Chaos. Kira helped KOS- MOS up on her feet.
"Are you alright?" Kira asked.
"I'm fine," KOS-MOS said, "Where's Shion?"
Kira and Lacus choked on the answer.
"If she abandoned me, then who is my new master?" KOS-MOS asked.
"Umm.." Kira said.

"The person she won't kill is Shion," Lacus said.

"Athrun Zara! The guy in red!" Kira shouted.
KOS-MOS spotted Athrun and noticed he is in trouble. Athrun continued fighting, but then was caught in Chaos's unexpected tentacles. KOS-MOS then stole Excel's machine gun out of her hands and rushed up pointing it at Chaos. But there is a problem, Athrun Is in her line of fire, and can't shoot since she recognized him as the new master.
"I'm.confused," KOS-MOS said.
"KOS-MOS?" Athrun said.
"Damn it, why did the situation turned into this?" Kira asked.
"Athrun." Lacus said.
"Bitch has my gun!" Excel shouted.
"If I could." Athrun said, "KOS-MOS!"
"?" KOS-MOS responded.
"Fire the gun, that's an order!" Athrun said, "I'll be fine!"
KOS-MOS hesitated, then fired. Athrun's eyes erected a yellow glow.
"Burst Matrix!" Athrun shouted.
As KOS-MOS closed her eyes, Athrun wiggled around in a way that every bullet is shot at the Chaos's tentacles, afterwards, he jumped up quickly while evading the bullets. Then, the Chaos broke up into "ribbons," but it is life energy. The battle is finished.
"KOS-MOS!" Athrun said.
KOS-MOS stopped shooting and opened her eyes.
"Thanks," Athrun said.
"I'm glad you are alright.Athrun Zara," KOS-MOS said.
"I told I'm alright," Athrun said, "Seems like my reprogramming has done some beneficial effects on you."
"Hey, my gun!" Excel said.
Athrun took the machine out of KOS-MOS's hands and took out the MOD chip, reverting the weapon back to its dead gun-shaped self. He then threw the "gun" at Excel's face, knocking her out.
"I can't believe you stole this chip," Athrun said, "But I'm glad."
"Umm, she's asleep," Lacus said.
"Serve her right," Athrun said.
"Haro! Haro!"
"Huh?" Athrun said, "What's going on with Haro?"
"Huh?" Lacus said, "Seems like Haro's saying he discovered more survivors."
"More?" Kira said.
"Where?" Athrun said.
"Haro!" Haro said as he bounced down the path to where the survivors are held.

Chapter 2.3: Weapons

Athrun approached the closed door where Haro led them and listened through the door, no sound. He then opened the door and was shocked by the sight.
"These are not survivors!" Athrun shouted, "They are mobile suits!"

Hidden weapons, all about to be destroyed when the universe need them most. But what if those same weapons turn against us? Next time on Anime Assaulters:

Episode Three: Titan Warriors