Chapter 5: Exhumation, part two

Shion's footsteps sounded hollow against the ground, as if she were walking in a giant cavern, although there was nothing around her to suggest such a thing. The environment was featureless. A white void. She couldn't tell what the dimensions of the space were. It seemed to stretch on forever in all directions, but at the same time it also felt constricted.

The program was primitive in construction, used only to test the archetype's logic architecture. After the incident that had claimed the lives of so many top researchers in Vector's employ, the program was locked away with the rest of Kevin's files, only available for research purposes and never again for actual use, but Shion had easily bypassed security and retrieved it.

The data recorded from KOS-MOS's nightly system checks revealed nothing. If KOS-MOS had been a witness to her dream, the memory of it existed on a level that Shion couldn't access. Or, there's no memory in her databanks because she wasn't really there.

Shion shook her head. No, KOS-MOS had been there. She had seen the whole thing through Shion's eyes. It was as if their minds had overlapped. Yet, Shion was having trouble finding concrete proof and KOS-MOS didn't seem to remember anything. When Shion had asked what prompted her to call Allen to come to her aid, the android had trouble articulating her answer.

There was, of course, the mysterious Nephilim to take into account. However, Shion didn't think it was her influence that allowed KOS-MOS to tap into her dream. Nephilim was only the catalyst that brought them together. Shion didn't know how, but she was sure that KOS-MOS and her were connected. Somehow, their minds were on the same wavelength.

It occurred to her that Kevin would understand what was happening. Kevin was the only other person who knew KOS-MOS as well as she did. Perhaps, he even knew KOS-MOS better than she did. It was then that she decided to retrieve the last program he had been working on. She was hoping he had left behind some clues that would give her insight into KOS-MOS's apparent evolution... into what, exactly? Shion wasn't sure. As Shion continued deeper into the program, Kevin's words came back to haunt her.

She's more than just a weapon. I wish people would understand... she's like a child. She has the same ability to learn and grow that we do. She has the potential to be more... human... When that day comes, I hope she'll be like you, Shion.

Shion smiled, thinking the idea was the most ridiculous thing she had ever heard. KOS-MOS, just like her? She thought of herself as clumsy and absentminded. She wouldn't want KOS-MOS to be like her.

A dot in the distance caught her attention. Shion continued towards it. At first, the object seemed miles away, a speck of white on white, but suddenly it was next to her, just on the boundary of her peripheral vision. She turned to face the object, squinting as her visual field momentarily went out of focus.

All she could tell was that the object was a person. A woman, to be exact. Through the static she could see the figure approach.

How may I be of assistance?

It's just the program's UI, thought Shion, feeling relieved.

Recall the last data entry.

Retrieving last entry...

A few seconds passed. The static continued to distort her vision. It's like trying to see through a snowstorm, thought Shion, almost tempted to call on Allen and get it fixed, but she didn't want to hear his desperate pleas. She didn't need another distraction.

There was a blip as something was added to the environment.

Last entry loaded. Do you wish to continue this session?

Shion rubbed her chin, unsure. She turned to face the scratchy figure, frowning as she realized that there was something familiar about her. She sighed and returned her attention to the object that had been loaded. It appeared to be another person. Shion took a step closer. The static suddenly cleared, leaving her face to face with a perfect reconstruction of the archetype.

Shion flinched as their eyes locked. She remembered the last time they stared at one another like this. The world seemed to disappear, just like it did now, leaving only her and the machine. And then she had put a bullet in between it's eyes.

Shion felt an urge to run, but she calmed herself and walked around the android, remembering details she had forgotten. They had made many changes to KOS-MOS's appearance, but underneath, she was still the same as her original counterpart.

Shion smiled excitedly, lifting her head and peering over the android's shoulder to give a command to the program, but the words died on her lips. Standing a short distance away, with her hands clasped behind her back was an identical version of herself.

The program's UI was her.

Do you wish to continue this session? repeated the program, oblivious to Shion's shock.

What am I doing here... I mean, what are you doing, being me?

I do not understand. Please state another command.

Shion whispered, walking around the archetype to stand in front of herself. This was his idea of a funny joke. It wasn't enough that we worked together and saw each other every day... he had to stick me in here, too.

I do not understand--

Yes, I know, Shion replied, exasperated. No wonder Kevin didn't let anyone else run this program. It was slightly embarrassing. All right, she sighed. Let's continue the session. Hopefully, there won't be anymore surprises, she added silently.

She listened to herself list the current settings and then the program seemed to go through some sort of checklist.

Downloading memory blocks 215 to 230 into archetype. Extrapolating data. Networks are stable and holding. Proceeding to download blocks 231 to 245.

said Shion, shaking her head in confusion. Memory blocks? What memory blocks?

Data retrieved from MM1's consciousness.



Mizrahi, Model 1. A prototype Realian with advanced anti-Gnosis capabilities.

Momo, thought Shion, spinning around to face herself. What was Kevin testing in here? What was he doing with this data? Shion's eyes darted back and forth from the archetype to herself, feeling as if she were trapped in some twisted nightmare. There was a sinking feeling in her stomach as she wondered what else Kevin had been keeping from her.

Do you wish to continue downloading?

Shion answered, shaking her head.

Do you wish to analyze network growth?

She hesitated.

Expansion of neural networks by 33.21 percent. New pathways created in regions 1 and 4. Visual and emotive centers stimulated--

Shion said, her ears perking at a certain word. She looked over at the archetype, her eyes narrowing on its mask-like face. Emotive centers? Did it feel something?

She has the potential to be more human...

Shion's brow creased in apprehension.

Kevin, what were you trying to do?

There was a buzzing sound just before the static returned. Shion turned back to face herself, but everything was unclear. It grew increasingly difficult to tell foreground from background. The static had flattened everything into one shallow plane.

This is not good, she said, feeling disoriented. She heard the program respond, but the static distorted the words. Not good, she repeated. When things only got worse, Shion decided it was time to leave.

KOS-MOS? Can you hear me?

There was a muffled reply.

Pull me out, she ordered, wincing at the anxiety in her voice.

Shion waited, watching the environment around her twitch and break apart. It's collapsing, she thought, trying not to panic. She felt the ground beneath her feet drop and shut her eyes as a strong sensation of flying upwards caused her stomach to lurch.

For a while, everything was dark. Muffled sounds drifted all around. Her body seemed to float downwards until it was cushioned by padded material. Someone had removed the visor from her eyes. Shion blinked up at the ceiling. A shadow hovered above her. As it came closer, she could see that it was a boy. He smiled at her and said something, but his face was already fading. In his place, stood Allen who was also saying something and by the wild gestures he was making, it looked like he was terribly upset.

Shion's shock at being pulled out of the Encephalon so abruptly lasted only a short while and then the sights and sounds in the room seemed to come screaming back at her. Or, perhaps, it only seemed that way because Allen was screaming at her.

I can't take anymore shocks, he was saying. I think my hair is going grey.

Did I worry you that much? Shion asked, sitting up.

Allen stared at her as if she had asked a stupid question.

You didn't have to worry. KOS-MOS was watching me.

He looked over at the android who's calm expression never seemed to waver.

I don't like it, he said, unconvinced. I don't like the whole situation. You can't keep throwing yourself into harm's way. It was very reckless what you did. Not to mention a violation of every safety protocol--

Allen, I'm fine.

Yes, this time. What about the next time? What am I saying? There's not going to be a next time. Do you realize how close you came to... Allen clamped his jaw shut and turned his back to her, too upset to continue.

He really is mad, isn't he, KOS-MOS? Shion asked, glancing across the room to where KOS-MOS stood.

answered the android.

Of course, I'm mad! he cried, turning back around. I had to reroute the system to pull you out. If I had taken two seconds longer...

Shion wondered out loud. But, I thought...

I was trying to shut down the program the whole time, he admitted. There was too much feedback to monitor what was happening. It was too dangerous letting you continue when we couldn't even contact you.

You couldn't hear me at all?

Allen shook his head. Shion let out a huge sigh.

I guess I owe you.

Allen snorted and strode across the room.

Where are you going?

To get my heart checked, he answered sharply.



Don't even think about doing anything reckless while I'm gone.

Shion watched his back as he left the lab.

I've never seem him so angry. I think I should apologize.

It would be a wise decision, replied KOS-MOS.

Shion sighed and got to her feet. She was too tired to go after him now and there were a lot of things on her mind. She decided to have a talk with Allen in the morning and told KOS-MOS she would return after she got some rest.

Good night, KOS-MOS.

Good night, Shion.

Shion smiled as she left the lab, thinking that KOS-MOS had grown so much in the last few months. Kevin was right about one thing. She did have the potential to be more human. However, the things that Shion had seen in Kevin's program had sewn a seed of suspicion in her mind. The memories she had of him were now slanted in a dark light.

She wondered, briefly, if she should notify her superiors about Kevin's apparent involvement with Momo, but then she realized that she had only her suspicions and a badly corrupted program to back her up. She was also hesitant to admit that she had retrieved the program without authorization.

Shion was still undecided about what to do when she arrived at her room. Overcome by exhaustion, she crawled into bed, closing her eyes and willing sleep to claim her. The last thing Shion remembered before drifting off was the face of the boy.

He was looking down at her and smiling.

They were talking about something.

Or, rather he was talking and she was listening.

Don't be afraid, Shion.

He was telling her not to worry.

Everything will be all right.

Was it? Was everything all right?

I'll take care of you. I promise. I'll find a way.

Someone else was there with them.

The boy looked up, startled.

He flashed her one final look before hurrying away.

And then a wall closed around her, separating her from the rest of the world.



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A/N:
UI - User Interface
I really have no idea how the Encephalon works. I'm guessing it's something like the training program in the Matrix. Hopefully the plot doesn't fall apart at this point! :)
next chapter: haven't decided yet...