Xenosaga: The Truth that Sleeps Within

A/N:
this story messes with the plot of Xenosaga quite a lot
the idea just came to me one day--a sort of what if to explain all the mysteries behind Shion
although this story is part of a series, it is self-contained (not necessary to read any of the others)
standard disclaimers apply


Chapter One: The Strange and the Familiar

Kukai Foundation. The name struck a dissonant chord in the minds of those who knew very little about the organization. In recent years, the Foundation had shed it's less than wholesome reputation and militant associations to become a high class resort colony freely orbiting Second Miltia. It was, and still remained, an independent state, who's control of the Zohars gave it unprecedented freedom from the political lashings that seemed to touch every other state throughout the Federation.

Yet, somehow, despite the Foundation's respectable associations and legitimate business ventures, it remained a place of much speculation and mystery. It didn't seem possible for a place with so many contradictions to exist. In a time of upheaval and uncertainty, the atmosphere there was optimistic and unapologetic. Pleasantries were plentiful. From the refined and easy-going natures of the residents to the naivety of visiting tourists, Kukai invariably left it's imprint, converting even the most resistant nonbeliever.

Then there were the first-timers. To those who had never before set eyes on such a place, the Foundation seemed like a world on a completely different plane of existence. This was what Jin Uzuki thought when he stepped off the ship with the rest of the passengers. He heard several people around him cry out in delight and excitement and wondered if there wasn't something in the air that made people slightly intoxicated. He did, however, admit that the Foundation wasn't as disreputable as he was led to believe.

Well, well, well, thought Jin, placing his hands on his hips and surveying the sight before him. As far as his eyes could see, the streets were clean and the buildings, well maintained. The artificial environment supported a wide range of plant life and felt extremely believable. What impressed him the most, perhaps, was the massive body of water which surrounded the different city blocks. It was the water that reminded him so much of home.

The last thing that caught Jin's attention, but by no means was a small thing, was an incredibly tall, slender structure to his immediate right that rose gracefully out of the water and glittered impassively in the warm sunlight. Its architecture baffled him. As he stared at it, tilting his head from side to side, someone brushed by him, startling him from his thoughts. It was his sister and she seemed more distracted than usual. Her eyes, too, were fixed on the strange object in front of them.

What is that thing? he asked her, nodding his head towards the object.

replied Shion, is where we're headed.

I see.

Jin smiled and waited. After a long pause he sighed, realizing that no further explanation was coming. It was just like Shion to be tight-lipped about something, assuming everyone else was on the same wavelength as her. He often teased her about being so spaced out all the time and in return for his unwanted observations, he'd receive several caustic remarks about his own goofy expression which never quite hit the target. Jin wasn't a conceited man by nature, but he certainly didn't see himself as goofy. Just when he was about to ask her for more information, a bright head of hair appeared at his side, distracting him from his purpose. His hand was immediately snatched away and, once again, he found himself being tugged along without request.

Hey, Momo, slow down a little! What's the hurry, anyway?

Golden eyes laughed back at him. There's no hurry, she said with the most innocent expression on her cherub face.

He rolled his eyes, having long since worked up a resistance to that look. Whatever you say, little one, but let's not leave Shion behind, all right? He bent his head towards the girl in a conspiratory way before saying his next words loud enough for his sister to hear. Her being so easily confused and all. We don't want to lose her along the way, now do we?

The little girl giggled and the two looked back at Shion expecting an outraged reply, but Jin's words had fallen on deaf ears. Shion was still standing where they left her with a faraway look in her eyes. Jin frowned and pulled Momo aside.

Notice anything weird with that one? he asked her.

Momo turned her head and looked long and hard at the woman she had come to regard as mother. After a while, she smiled and faced the man who's hand she held rather possessively.

I don't notice anything unusual, she replied.

Hmm, somehow that doesn't make me feel any better, said Jin, straightening to his full height. Hey, Shion! he hollered trying to gain her attention. Her head swiveled in their direction and wide green eyes flared momentarily with embarrassment.

came the reply.

Jin raised both eyebrows at Momo as if to say see what I mean and the two continued on their way as Shion ran up behind them. Out of the corner of his eye, Jin could see his sister's profile and the way her lips tugged down at the corners made his brow knit with worry. He told himself he would have to keep a closer eye on Shion, but he knew that whatever was bothering her would remain her own business until she chose to share it with him. She had always been so stubborn and independent. He cursed and admired that in her, but sometimes he wished he could understand her better.

Ever since Shion had gone to work for Vector, Jin felt as if he was losing more and more of his sister. It was that damn project she was working on, the one that was highly classified but everyone seemed to know about. Jin could surmise nothing from his sister's infrequent communications except that whatever she was dealing with was extremely dangerous. His morbid imagination always came up with the worst scenarios.

With a stab of guilt, Jin remembered an incident that happened two years ago. When Kevin died, the Shion that was open and trusting died along with him. It was bad enough that Jin was so far away when it happened, but the fact that he didn't even find out about it until much later bothered him deeply. The death of one's parents should be enough trauma anyone should have to suffer in a lifetime, but Shion... Shion had the misfortune to be surrounded by tragedy. Jin was amazed that she hadn't drowned in all that misery long ago. It was a testament to her strength and her spirit.

As the three of them approached the shuttle area, they looked like a happy family, standing so close together and giving one another protective glances every now and then. It made onlookers envious, but no one suspected how frail their happiness was, or how unfamiliar their ties were.

They were, in essence, just two estranged siblings with their mechanical pet. Jin knew this as plainly as day, but he felt underneath the surface, there was a deeper connection, deeper even than what was familiar and easy. Something desperately crying out to be acknowledged. He sensed it when he looked from Shion to Momo and back again. Whatever this thing he sensed was, he felt an overpowering need to protect it. Perhaps it was something as archaic as the male in him wanting to keep safe the women in his life. Or maybe it was something more, something none of them were yet prepared to face.


=====
Gaignun makes an appearance in the next chapter