Chapter 3: In Which Fate Proceeds

chaos:

I crept down the long hallway to my brother's rooms, forming a small scheme in my mind. My room was separate from my brother, thanks to a certain incident that rendered me an insomniac for several days. My siblings thought it was funny, but Anima didn't. I didn't exactly hear what he did to punish them, but ever since then, they've been on a mission to hurt me.

Ha, the jokes on them.

Today, I was going to finally get revenge. I paused in front of the door and reached out for the keypad.

"chaos, what are you doing?"

I whipped around at the sound of the voice. Azaria was standing the doorway that I had just emerged from.

"Um…uh…I was just going to see if my brothers are up, Azaria."

Oh brilliant, chaos. You can't even lie straight.

"chaos, you don't have to lie to me. Now, what are you doing?"

I couldn't lie to Azaria. She was the only one who trusted me. Gods…she was my friend.

"I was going to teach them a lesson for hurting me, Azaria."

"Teach them a lesson? chaos, that's not going to make things better."

I snorted.

"Yes, it would. It would make them stop hurting me!"

"chaos, don't stoop to their level. That's what they want."

"Are you going to keep telling me that until I die? Until they kill me?"

Azaria gave me a disappointed look.

"chaos…I didn't mean it like that."

It didn't matter what you meant.

Now I really wanted to just run back into my room.

"You don't understand! You just don't understand!"

My eyes shot open as I turned over onto my back. I wished I couldn't dream about my past. I really wanted to find closure…but that wasn't going to happen any time soon. I considered developing an addiction to caffeine. I mean, it wouldn't hurt. I sat up and ran my hands through my hair. I have to get myself together…if not for only my sake. I slid out of bed and headed for the chair with my clothes in it. (A/N: I can hear fangirl's screaming…)

Well, I hope I had enough time to take a walk before MOMO's examination. I honestly didn't want to go. Albedo's imminent arrival meant trouble for all of my friends. I wasn't sure how I was going to deal with that. I stepped into my body suit and zipped it up. As usual, I would have to play the part. I pulled my gloves and my boots on and secured them. There is truly no rest for the weary.

Jin allowed me to stay in the spare bedroom near the area we were at last night, which was terribly nice of him. Shion would stay under my care…as promised. I walked out of the room and outside, narrowing my eyes at the sudden river of light.

"Oh, chaos, good morning."

That was Shion's voice. And she was in some new clothes…oh…wow…

"Good Morning, Shion," I replied.

"You look like a different person when you're not in uniform," I added quickly.

Shion gave me a puzzled look.

"Oh? Does it look bad on me?"

Oh, gods, no. You look… (A/N: chaos is still a guy. Come on, people.)

"Oh, not at all. You look great."

Shion giggled.

"Thanks."

"You sure you want to leave without saying goodbye to your brother?"

"Yeah, we talked yesterday. Honestly, I don't know what I would say if I saw him. You know, I'm sorry I can't be there for MOMO's analysis. I've just got a lot going on right now. I can't be there for MOMO's analysis. I've just got a lot going on right now. I can't leave Allen by himself. Plus, I'm worried about KOS-MOS, too."

I can understand your concern.

"It's all right. Don't worry about it. The analysis itself isn't all that problematic. Besides, everyone from the foundation will be there."

"Ok, wish MOMO good luck for me."

"Sure thing. See ya, Shion."

I started off onto the path to Second Militia's U.M.N. control center. I had to admit that I was a bit nervous about going. I couldn't dispel the fact that something bad was going to happen. This was not my day. I reached the U.M.N. Control Center moments later and walked into the air conditioned space. People were moving all about the hallway, no doubt on break before the analysis began. As I walked inside the main office area, I fought back the urge to scream 'There's a hacker that's going to hack into the system soon!' Wilhelm would chew me out about doing that…so it wasn't a good idea. I might even incite a riot if I do it right though. (Sweet.) I walked behind the row of desks in the back of the room to a pale colored door on the right.

The sound of voices stopped me from opening the door.

"To Sakura?"

"So I'm going to treat MOMO like a real girl."

Ok…that was Jr.'s voice. And what was he talking about? Who was he talking to?

"What sort of promise?"

"She asked me to look after her mother and sister."

Mother and sister?

"Please doctor. I'd like you to smile again. I'm sure that's what Sakura would want, too," Jr. added.

Ok, that's enough chatting for today.

I pressed the open button and walked inside the room. Juli Mizrahi, wife to the infamous scientist, passed me as I walked in, looking very unhappy.

"Did I interrupt something?" I asked.

Jr. shook his head slowly.

"Nah, nothing like that. Tell me, how's Shion? She all right?"

"I don't think there's anything to worry about. But that family does have issues."

Like mine used to have.

"A complicated relationship, huh? Well, I certainly know what that's like."

So…do I.

"It looks like there's still time before the analysis starts. I wonder what the others are doing."

"MOMO is already in the analysis room getting ready, Ziggy is…I think he was going to get maintenance on his body before the analysis starts."

"Well, let's go."

We exited the room together, went through the main office and to the last doorway in the entrance hallway. I stopped Jr. right in his tracks just as I started hearing voices.

"chaos, why are you?"

"Shh!"

"How do you feel?" Mizrahi's voice.

"Dr. Mizrahi?" Ziggy's voice.

"MOMO asked me to do it. She said 'Mommy, you're a famous scientist, so I bet you know all about cybernetic engineering.'"

"Ah, I'd prefer…"

"I'm not a young woman. Don't let it bother you. A…famous scientist? Perhaps, infamous is more appropriate."

"You seem to have difficulty dealing with MOMO. Why?"

"Could you love something that looked like your own daughter, but wasn't?"

"That is a difficult question."

"Merely creating something to look like my daughter won't bring back her soul. And with 100-Series Realians scattered all over this star cluster, they all serve as a constant reminder of her death."

"Was it your husband's idea to make the 100-Series look like her?"

Funny…I did not notice that.

"Yes. Do…you have a children?"

"A son. He was a healthy intelligent boy. I lost him in an accident."

That had to hurt.

"I'm sorry. Is that why you committed suicide?"

He committed suicide? My gods…

"Yes it is."

"Perhaps I, too, should have done the same when my daughter died. But instead of grief, my heart was filled with anger towards my husband."

"You seem to be a very strong person."

A sigh.

"No. I'm just stubborn."

"Dr. Mizrahi, this is just an idea, but why don't you imagine you had two daughters?"

"What do you mean?"

"One that passed away and one that's still alive."

"So you think I should start treating MOMO like another daughter, instead of merely a copy of Sakura. You sure know how to pose a difficult challenge."

"Please consider it."

"I'll think about it. Well, I'd better go."

"Thank you for the maintenance."

"You're welcome."

I pulled Jr. away from the door and placed an innocent look on my face. Dr. Mizrahi walked out of the room moments later with a very thoughtful expression on her face. After she walked out of sight, Jr. and I approached the door again.

"All right, you can come in now. I believe I told you eavesdropping wasn't very admirable."

How did Ziggy know we were out here? I pressed the button to open the door and walked in.

"We weren't doing it on purpose. Still, I gotta say, old man, you are full of surprises."

A look of confusion spread over Ziggy's features.

"What do you mean? I'm not following what you're saying?"

"Yeah, whatever."

Hmm…something sounded strange.

"Anyway, isn't it about time for MOMO's analysis to begin? You can't afford to be standing around here, wasting your time."

"Oh, crap. We'd better get back."

Moments later, we were standing in front of the double doors leading to the analysis room.

"I apologize for the wait. Preparations for the analysis are now complete. Are you ready?"

Not really.

"Yes."

"Then please go in."

The double doors slid open, revealing a room full of computers. People from the foundation as well as Dr. Mizrahi were setting into their respective spots as we walked in. I ignored the growing weight in my stomach and fixed my attention on MOMO, who was standing in the middle of a large chamber outside of the room.

"Just relax, okay MOMO? This is the initial preparation for the analysis," Mary said softly.

"Thank you. I'll do my best," MOMO replied.

I watched as she glanced at Ziggy and giggled.

"You know, I'm self-adjusting model. I've never had maintenance like this before. So, I guess this is what it feels like when you do it, Ziggy."

I frowned a little as a blue field surrounded her, causing her body to float up.

"Don't worry. There's nothing to be afraid of," Ziggy said reassuringly.

MOMO nodded.

"We will be shutting down your artificial personality layer during the analysis. Your artificial emotion and abstract cognitive functions will temporarily cease to function, but please do not be alarmed," announced one of the 100-Series Realians present.

Let's just say a frown was a lot more evident on my face now. MOMO placed both of her gloved hands on her heart.

"Artificial emotion?" She whispered.

I heard her voice clearly and I could sense her pain. Pain so acute that it was hard to ignore…

"Since your artificial personality is an option for interpersonal interaction, this procedure will have no effect on your observation functions."

There was that Realian again.

"My heart is just an optional function?"

MOMO…

A sharp pain caught me in my side, making me hiss in pain. Jr. cast me a worried glance for a moment or two and turned his attention back to MOMO.

"MOMO…" Ziggy said sadly.

MOMO reached her hand out towards Ziggy.

"Personality Sleep Mode activated. Shutting down."

The Realian again. The pain faded…but in a way...I could still feel it. I didn't like this analysis. I didn't like it at all.

"So, how is it going?"

Huh? Helmer? I must not have noticed the door opening.

"They're having a pretty hard time preparing for MOMO's analysis. As if the protection on her wasn't complex enough, some of her routes were damaged in that last hacking attempt," Mary muttered.

Jr. frowned.

"I see. So her personality layer is deactivated."

"Yeah, it's kinda painful, like we're doing something terrible to her. It reminds me of when we were on Old Militia, kept on constant meds. I felt totally empty inside then. I really hated it."

"Yeah…"

"We humans might be shameless at times, but that's still how we feel. I think if someone told me that my heart was just a fake, I'd really be hurt."

"Even our hearts might be nothing more than playthings created by god."

Jr. shook his head and started walking away. Shelley turned around with a questioning look on her face.

"Little Master, are you sure you don't want to be here?"

"I can't watch. I'm scared."

"Little Master…"

Jr…

"I'm a…coward."

Don't be this way, Jr. You're the bravest out of all of us.

"The analysis is getting ready to start in approximately one minute."

"Just a little more, MOMO. Just a little more and it'll be all over, okay? We'll all go someplace really fun after this," Mary whispered.

Nothing you could do will take the trauma out of this. I'm amazed that would try.

"Final barrier decode pattern decrypted. Initiating complete protection removal."

"MOMO…"

All of a sudden, an alarm sounded and screens filled with MOMO's face appeared all over the control room.

"S…top…" She stammered.

No!

"MOMO! What is it? What are you trying to say?" Mary asked.

"It's…a…tr…ap…"

No! Albedo!

The blue field around MOMO turned red instantly as the 100-Series Realians collapsed.

"This can't…" Dr. Mizrahi whispered.

"Interference is manifesting from unobservable space!"

"Barrier logic destruction, 68! Emergency cutoff! Cutoff Refused! A terminal has been opened to the U.M.N. network! Unable to determine the intrusion route!"

"Multiple axon connections advancing within the subconscious domain! A large-scale holographic network is being established!"

Dr. Mizrahi gasped. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to focus on something else. Wilhelm was right…gods…he was right…

"Dr. Mizrahi, what's happening?" Ziggy asked.

"No wonder we didn't find anything, we were analyzing each system separately. Each layer itself is a law-resolution fragment, like scattered bits of memories. It's only when they all become active at once that the whole image comes together. Joachim's pulled off a grand tromp l'oeil. Try the cutoff again! Reestablish defensive logic against the eternal hack attempt!"

"Right! Attempting to restart defensive logic!"

"Denied!"

"MOMO!" Ziggy and Mary shouted.

"I'm…sorry…I…didn't know…" MOMO pleaded.

"Gods! Stop it! Stop the analysis!" I shouted.

"This is…" Gaignun mused.

"There's a self-expanding trap in there. This isn't one of Joachim's designs. It's something recent—probably planted during the intrusion of the Song of Nephilim," Juli Mizrahi informed.

"This is Albedo's work."

"20 seconds to defense logic failure!"

"We're running the risk of complete data leakage!"

Dr. Mizrahi moved the U.M.N. staff out of the way of a console and sat down. Her fingers instantly started flying over the keys…

"What are you doing, Dr. Mizrahi?" Ziggy asked.

My eyes shot open in response to that question.

"I'm using the emergency control code and destroying the data."

Destroy the data?

"You can't! If you do that, MOMO will…"

"You have a better idea? We cannot allow the Y-Data to fall into the enemy's hand, under any circumstance!"

"Dr. Mizrahi!"

"She's not an object, Dr. Mizrahi!" I snapped.

Her hand hovered over the red button that would destroy MOMO.

"MOMO…"

"Dr. Mizrahi! The holographic network has begun to disrupt! The expanded data is disappearing!"

"What? But I didn't…"

No…

The monitors that had previously displayed MOMO's face began flashing a warning.

"What's going on?" Ziggy asked.

"It's MOMO. She's cutting her own neutral pathways, to disperse her memory! She's destroying her own mind to protect the data that Joachim entrusted to her."

"What?"

"MOMO!"

The red field that surrounded MOMO vanished, dropping her to the floor.

"The 100-Series Prototype has shut down!" Mary announced.

"MOMO!" Ziggy and Dr. Mizrahi shouted as they rushed out of the room to MOMO.

Imagine my shock when the monitors changed to show Albedo.

"So…I trust you like my gift."

This time, everyone heard the inhuman snarl from my throat.

"Albedo, you bastard!" My voice was almost at a shriek.

"Albedo!" Gaignun growled.

And once again, no one notices my outbursts.

"Looks like ma pêche managed to protect Mizrahi's legacy with her own body. How very brave. However, no matter how charming in the end, she's nothing more than a puppet. A puppet waiting for a miracle to make her human, believing in all of Mizrahi's rubbish…"

"What? A puppet?" Ziggy asked.

How dare you…

Albedo broke out into a fit of laughter as Juli Mizrahi performed CPR on MOMO.

"You are not getting away with this!" I snarled as I sent my energy through the system to the bastard.

How I did it…well, I won't tell my secret. I collapsed onto the floor afterwards, reveling in the fact that Albedo was screaming before the connection was cut off.

"Dr. Mizrahi…is she?"

Darkness threatened to claim my vision…

"It's all right. I won't let her die. Injecting nanounit restoration. Ready twelve-device-activator."

Thank the heavens…she's going to be safe…

Author's Note: I know it was a long chapter. Chapter 4 is going to be even longer, since I am going by plot and there is a lot of stuff going on in MOMO's subconscious. So be prepared for some chaos goodness and violence next chapter. Will Albedo get chaos back? Will chaos be able to play off the random uncharacteristic outbursts during the analysis? Anyways, I'd like to take my three reviewers. I love you guys! You kept my faith up, so that I will be able to keep on delivering delicious chaos goodness. Once again, thank you. And the next chapter might be in by this weekend. I graduate tomorrow so there's not much of a chance that I'll update tomorrow. I will try but don't get your hopes up.