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Disclaimer: I don't own Star Ocean

Chapter 9: The Truth Before Their Eyes

"Well this is it," I said as I looked over at the transporter.

"So this transporter will take us to Gemity, right?" Asked Sophia.

"Yeah. Anyway, let's go. Nothing will happen if we just stay here." We walked into the transporter and within a few seconds we were at Gemity.

"Transportation here feels different than it does in our Universe," commented Dr. Leingod as we walked out of the transporter.

"Yeah, it felt more like I was being picked up and thrown towards the destination," said Maria.

"It's because of our, if you'll excuse me for stating such an obvious fact, more advanced technology," I said.

"Good point."

"Wait till you see Gemity itself."

We walked out of the Space-Time station and I looked over at the others. The look on their faces was priceless. Their jaws were hanging open and their eyes were as wide as dinner plates.

"Wow!" Exclaimed Sophia.

"Impressive!" Said Dr. Leingod.

"It's so bright," said Peppita.

"Okay, this hits the fact that these people created our Universe home," said Cliff.

"It sure does," said Fayt.

"This place is quite different from that Arkives place," said Albel.

"Alex, show us to the terminal. We have don't have a moment to lose," said Maria. I sighed, I figured that Maria would be the one to rush us all off.

"Alright, alright. First I have to go to the store and upgrade my swallow. I'll be right back, you guys stay here," I said.

"Okay, just don't keep us waiting."

"Don't worry, I won't take too long."

"Well knowing how dumb you are, we will be lucky if you only get lost for an hour," said Maria with a grin. Everyone let out a chuckle.

"Hey! That was really mean!" I exclaimed with a tone of mock hurt.

"I know. Now get going already!" Said Maria as she pushed me away. I walked over to the nearby weapon shop and went inside.

"Ah, I knew that you would be coming sooner or later Mr. Rothrock," said the shop keeper.

"Yeah, so what is this new upgrade?" I asked.

"It allows you to switch your blades to various forms. You can make it into a metal blade, blunt metal blade, stun blade, and regular laser blade. You can also change the color of the laser blades," explained the store keeper.

"Awesome! How much does it cost?"

"15,000 Fol."

"Okay, I'll buy it," I said as I put down 15,000 Fol and my swallow onto the counter.

"Thank you, I'll upgrade your swallow right away." The store keeper took the swallow and put it into the upgrader. It started glowing and a few seconds later the light faded. The store keeper handed me my swallow. "You can change the blades with the small button on the side of the handle."

"Thanks," I said as I took the swallow and put it away.

"Your welcome." I left and headed back to where the others were waiting. "I'm back. Now, let's go to the Eternal Sphere terminal."

"Show the way," said Fayt. We started walking towards the central part of Gemity where the terminal was. As we arrived at the central part I stopped walking and looked around.

FLASHBACK

Dad and I decided to go to Gemity while Mom was off visiting some old friends of hers. Dad had just bought me a gift but he wouldn't tell me what it was. As we left the store I pulled on his sleeve.

"What did you get for me Dad?" I asked eagerly.

"You will find out when we get back home," said Dad. He grinned at me. "But first, why don't we enjoy what Gemity has to offer?"

"Okay!" I said with a big smile on my face. I looked down at the ground and then I looked back up at my Dad as my smile faded away. "Dad?"

"Yeah?" Asked Dad.

"Why are you always working? A lot of employees at the sphere company go home everyday but you only come home occasionally. Do you have a more difficult job?"

"No, it's not that. I am just a simple employee. It's something else that keeps me busy all the time," said Dad as a look of concern and worry grew on his face.

"What are you working on?" Dad looked back at me with his signature grin and he patted me on the head.

"I'll tell you all about it when you are old enough. It would be hard for you to understand it right now."

"Okay..."

"Come on, turn that frown upside down and let's go enjoy ourselves."

"Alright, let's go!" I said as I mimicked Dad's grin. For several hours we spent time enjoying the things that Gemity had to offer. After that we decided it was time to go home. When we got back to Arkives Dad gave me the package he bought for me.

"Okay Alex, you can open it now." Without a word or hesitation I opened up the box to see what was inside of it. My eyes widened in shock.

"A training swallow?" I asked.

"This is just between you and me, but I think it's time I at least taught you the basics of using a swallow. I want to pass down my skills to you." I smiled and hugged Dad.

"Thank you!"

"Your welcome. But you will keep this a secret from your mother, right? She would throw a fit if she found out I was teaching you how to fight at such a young age."

"Okay, I won't tell a soul." For the next week Dad taught me the basics of using a swallow. After Mom got back the lessons would either be held in the middle of the night or really early morning.

"You've gotten a lot stronger. If you keep this up you may end up becoming stronger than me one of these days," said Dad after training one day. Dad put on his signature grin. "I am very proud of you, Alex. And I would be very happy if you do surpass me. Just keep training hard."

END OF FLASHBACK

Dad's words stayed with me, ever since that day I have trained hard to become stronger. After my father died I was given his swallow which is the one I have used ever since. Suddenly, someone hit me across the head. I turned around to see Maria standing behind me.

"Ouch! What was that for?" I asked.

"Stop starring off to space and show us where the terminal is. Is zoning out one of your hobbies or something?" Asked Maria.

"No is just..." I sighed. "It's nothing." I took several steps and then I looked back at the others. "It's not too far from here." We continued walking until we reached a transporter. We walked into it and we were transported into the Eternal Sphere terminal. "This is it." I sat down in the seat and turned the device on. I pulled out my Identity disc and inserted it into the slot beneath the screen. I selected the Milky Way Galaxy but then a red screen popped up saying: Access denied. "Dammit. Since I'm not an Administrator I don't have access to the Milky Way Galaxy." I sighed.

"Alex, can I try?" Asked Sophia. I looked over at her.

"Sure, why not?" I started to get up.

"No, you can sit there. I just want to try something." Sophia walked towards the device and she touched it. Suddenly there was a loud buzz and Sophia jumped back. A new message appeared on the screen.

"System Administrator privileges granted?" I grinned and looked up at Sophia. "Well done, you managed to get us connected to the Milky Way!"

"I did? All I did was touch it and wished that I could go to the Milky Way," said Sophia who seemed pretty shocked.

"It's because of the Connection gene," said Dr. Leingod.

"It's a good thing we can use our powers in this universe too," said Fayt. I nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I don't get how that's even possible but it's a good thing," I said.

"It sure is," said Maria.

"So where do you guys want to go?" I asked.

"Anywhere is fine with me," said Sophia.

"Alright then, I will just pick a planet we have been to before." I selected Elicoor II and then the device started glowing. Within a matter of seconds we were transported to Elicoor II. I could feel the rush of power flow into me as my attack programs loaded back into me.

"Hey, this is..." Started Fayt.

"A boring world," said Albel. We were on the fields between Arias and Kirlsa.

"Wow, without using the Time Gate we were able to get this far!" Exclaimed Cliff.

"Then I guess we have no choice but to believe what Alex and Flad said is true," said Sophia.

"Yeah..." Said Peppita.

"But even if we are programs we have to exist, this has to be reality for us, right?" Asked Maria as she looked over at me. I took a deep breath and sighed.

"At first, before I got to know you guys, I would have said: 'No you don't exist. You are just data, corrupt data.' I both hated and feared you guys, but then slowly I started to see that Luther and I were wrong. You really do exist. Why? Because you have the very element that makes you human. You have a consciousness, each and every one of you. You all have free will to make your own choices. With that you are our equals, not just data."

"Your right, we really do exist. Thank you Alex," said Maria with a smile.

"That's right, if we give up now it's all over," said Albel.

"We have come this far we can't quit now," said Dr. Leingod.

"Your right, we can't let down all of those who have died in the name of the Executioners," said Fayt.

"We gotta stop those freaks," said Peppita.

"We just have to believe and we will succeed," said Sophia.

"That's right, we gotta teach that Creator guy a lesson," said Cliff.

"Now that you know the truth I think it's time we had a word with the Sphere Company, what do you say?" I asked.

"I think your right. Now let's go back to..."

"What are you guys doing back here?" Asked a voice. We looked over to see Nel.

"Nel?" Asked Cliff.

"It's good to see you again," said Fayt.

"Likewise what are you doing here?" Asked Nel.

"Well..." Fayt explained the entire situation to Nel.

"I see, that is very troubling news. Everything... doomed to be destroyed." Nel folded her arms. "Then what are we doing here? Let's go and take care of this problem."

"What?" Exclaimed Fayt.

"You heard what I said. I am not standing down and watching these events go by. I want to help you guys." Fayt looked over at us.

"Are you okay if she comes with us?"

"It's alright with me," I said.

"I don't see why not," said Sophia.

"It's fine with me," said Maria.

"Alright then, welcome aboard," said Fayt.

"Glad to join you guys," said Nel. We walked back onto the square and we were transported back to Gemity.

"So what now?" Asked Sophia.

"We go to the Sphere Company," I said.

"How do we get there?" Asked Cliff.

"Simple, we use the Space-Time transporter. Since I have access to the Sphere Company it will be easy for us to go over there." We left the Eternal Sphere terminal and headed back to the Space-Time Station.

"Did you enjoy your stay? Where would you like to go?" Asked the security guard.

"We would like to go to Sphere Company," said Fayt.

"Please give me your names."

"I'm Alex Rothrock," I said.

"I'm Fayt Leingod," said Fayt.

"I am Robert Leingod," said Dr. Leingod.

"I'm Sophia Esteed," said Sophia.

"I am Maria Traydor," said Maria.

"I'm Peppita Rosetti," said Peppita.

"The name's Albel," said Albel.

"I am Nel Zelpher," said Nel.

"Thank you, give me a moment," said the security guard. He walked away and he came back a minute or two later. "I'm sorry but only one of you have access to the Sphere Company. That would be you Mr. Rothrock." Damn, I thought this might happen. "But according to a recent report from the Sphere Company, anyone in Mr. Rothrock's party is allowed to go to there." I let out a mental sigh of relief. The only one who would arrange something like that would be none other than Blair.

"Really? That's good," said Fayt who sounded relieved. I turned around to face everyone.

"This is not going to be easy. If they are expecting us be ready for an attack," I said.

"Sounds like fun," said Albel.

"We have no choice, we have to go regardless of what awaits us," said Maria.

"Your right, let's just hope that they haven't found out that I have turned against them," I said.

"What would they do if they caught you?" Asked Peppita.

"I would be labeled a traitor and executed," I said calmly.

"You sound pretty calm even though you know what risks are involved in this for you," said Nel.

"I have no choice but to go, it's the only thing I can do." I looked over at the security guard. "We are ready to go."

"Alright, step into the transporter." We walked in and within a matter of seconds we were transported to the Sphere Company. In front of us was a group of security guards with their guns aimed at us. Behind them was Azazer.

"Welcome back, Alex. We heard word that you had arrived at Arkives not to long ago. But why didn't you contact us right away?" Asked Azazer. I didn't say anything. "It also seems like the anomalies followed you."

"You're a master at stating the obvious," I said. Azazer ignored my comment and continued talking.

"Though I really do not know how you managed to outwit security but that doesn't matter right now."

"What about that report? They said anyone traveling with Alex could go to Sphere with him," said Cliff.

"What are you talking about? There never was any report." Azazer folded his arms. "Hmm... most interesting. I guess I will have to look into this later, I might find a rat or two."

"Alex, who is this guy?" Asked Fayt.

"That's Azazer. He is the head of security, anything he finds out is reported directly to the Owner of this company," I explained.

"Though I suppose the research department will be thanking you for this Alex," said Azazer.

"What are you talking about?"

"The research department finds those anomalies behind you extremely fascinating. It's hard to believe that data is able to exist outside of a computer. Many of the researches are interested in studying them."

"So you want us to be test subjects?" Asked Maria.

"That's right. If you assist us we won't delete you."

"If we cooperate, will you stop the Executioners that you have released into our galaxy?" Asked Fayt.

"No, that's simply not possible. The Milky Way galaxy is so badly infected that it must be destroyed. You will be all that remains of that galaxy."

"Forget it then!"

"Do you really have such a problem with that?"

"Of course we do!" Exclaimed Sophia.

"If you think we are just going to sit down like dogs, you are wrong!" Exclaimed Peppita.

"She's right, we won't back down!" Said Nel.

"I figured this would happen. Once a bug, always a bug. I will have to apologize to the research department later," said Azazer. He looked over at me. "It's a good thing you came when you did. I could use an extra hand in squashing these bugs. You may be nowhere near as strong here as your are in the Eternal Sphere but it will be enough to crush them." I didn't say anything and I didn't move. "What's wrong with you?" I got into a fighting stance. Azazer looked shocked. "No! You don't mean that... surely you are aware of what this means. You are a traitor! You know very well what happens to traitors."

"I am very well aware of the risks involved in my decision, and don't call me 'surely'," I said.

"You of all people? I would never have expected you to betray us."

"I saw the Eternal Sphere for what it really is: A parallel universe. We've got no right sending in the Executioners. That universe belongs to them not us!"

"This is unbelievable. Very well then, I will defeat you and then report this to the Owner. You know that he isn't going to take this news very well. Tonight we will witness your execution." I charged past the security guards and I closed in on Azazer. I threw a punch and him and he blocked it. He countered my attack by throwing a punch at me. I jumped aside and threw a kick at him. He caught my leg and then twisted it while pulling it up, causing me to go spinning up into the air and land onto the ground painfully. I rolled away as Azazer tried to slam his sword down on me. He slashed at me several times as I got up. I managed to dodge all of the attacks except one of them. Azazer's last slash managed to cut the skin on my face from the right part of my forehead all the way to the left cheekbone. I stumbled back and wiped the blood away from my eye. I activated my swallow and switched it to stun mode.

"So you want to fight with weapons? Very well then." I charged towards Azazer and jabbed at him with my swallow. He parried the attack, I spun my swallow and slashed at Azazer with the other end. He blocked that attack and then he slashed at me. I blocked it with one of the swallow's blades. I deactivated my swallow and slammed Azazer in the jaw with the handle. I spun my swallow again and I activated it back to stun mode. Azazer charged in and kicked me in the gut. The wind was knocked out of me and I stumbled back. Just as Azazer started to slash his sword down towards me I suddenly felt like I was being torn apart. Within less than a second I was on the other side of the room.

"What the? How did you do that?" Exclaimed Azazer. I didn't reply but I fell to the ground. I didn't know why but my entire body was in a lot of pain for some odd reason. Whatever this reason was I couldn't get up. Azazer seemed to notice this as well. "Doesn't matter, this is where this battle ends." Azazer started walking towards me.

"Magic hook!" Exclaimed a voice behind Azazer. He turned around just in time to get smacked in the face by a large bead. He stumbled back and almost fell over. Fayt, Sophia, Maria, Cliff, Albel, Nel, and Peppita were standing a few feet away from Azazer ready to fight. Azazer looked over at his security guards to see that they were all knocked out or dead.

"Your just data!" Exclaimed Azazer. He rushed towards them with his sword ready. Within a minute or so Azazer was defeated. He stumbled back to the main desk. He typed something in and then pressed a button. "Don't... think you've... won..." Azazer collapsed onto the ground. Fayt and the others walked over to me.

"Are you alright?" Asked Maria. I slowly started to get up.

"Yeah, I'm fine now," I said.

"What exactly happened back there? We saw that you were about to get injured by that Azazer guy and then all of a sudden you were surrounded by this weird dark energy that encircled you. The energy disappeared and then reappeared back at the point you are standing at with you inside of it," explained Cliff.

"I have no idea, but it felt really weird. It felt like being transported only a little different. It was more like I faded from existence and came back at a different point."

"Here," said Nel. An symbological array appeared in front of her hand and the wound on my face closed up. "I was able to close the wound to stop the bleeding but that is going to leave you with a scar."

"Thanks," I said.

"Alarm activated," said the screen on the front desk. Azazer had set time on the thing so it would go off in a mater of seconds.

"The alarm system!" Exclaimed Cliff.

"Let's keep going!" I said. We rushed through the door and towards the stair case. For the next few floors or so we continued walking and looking for a way up to the next floor. As we walked into an empty office I stopped walking as another memory came to me.

FLASHBACK

After the Owner of the Sphere Company had come to pick me up, he guided me to an empty office where a group of other kids were.

"These are the other children who will get jobs here once they are old enough," said the Owner. I walked over to them and the Owner left. No one spoke a word to each other.

"So they have brought in another one of us," said the boy with blonde hair.

"Yeah," I said slowly.

"So who are you?"

"I'm Alex Rothrock," I said as a little smile appeared on my face. The boy smiled as well.

"I'm Luther Lansfeld," said the boy as he held out his hand. I extended my hand and we shook hands. Luther pointed over to the girl with grey hair. "This is my sister Blair." Blair nodded. "The one with blackish gray hair is Azazer, the one with black hair and darker skin is Berial, and the one with brownish-blonde hair is Belzeber."

"Nice to meet all of you," I said. Luther and I continued to talk and in a matter of days we became the best of friends. Day in and day out we continued to work and study so that one day we could take the jobs we were mean to take. Whenever we were sent home I went to Luther and Blair's house. Overtime Luther and I started to see each other as brothers. I remember all of the time Luther, Blair, Belzeber, Azazer, Berial, and I spent together studying, working, eating, talking, and laughing.

END OF FLASHBACK

We continued walking around looking for our destination. Finally we came to a path that went straight and also went right into another room. I walked towards it in an attempt to open it.

"Damn, it's not opening," I said.

"There are quite a few doors that wouldn't open it's getting really annoying," said Cliff.

"What are we going to do now? There are no more stairways," said Sophia. Suddenly the doors and both ends of the hallway opened up and a bunch of security guards rushed in.

"Ah crap," I said.

"I don't think we will be able to handle this many," said Maria.

"Don't say stuff like that, it's really depressing!" Complained Cliff.

"This is not good," said Dr. Leingod as he looked at both sets of security guards slowly advancing towards us. I turned back to the door to see it open up and to see Blair standing there waiting for us.

"Blair!" I exclaimed.

"This way! Follow me!" Said Blair. I looked back at the othes.

"What are you waiting for? The apocalypse? This way!" We rushed through the entryway and it shut tight behind us.

"That was close," said Blair.

"Who are you?" Asked Fayt.

"Isn't it proper manners to introduce yourself before asking others Fayt Leingod?" Asked Blair. Fayt gasped in shock.

"How did you know my name?"

"Flad told me all about you guys."

"So you are the person that Flad and Alex were talking about," said Maria.

"That's right. My team and I want to help you out in your task."

"How do you plan on helping us?" Asked Cliff.

"You'll see, just follow me." As we were walking Blair looked over at me. "It's been awhile since I last saw you Alex. You are looking well."

"Yeah, it was a difficult journey back," I said. I took a deep breath and sighed. "Blair, about what you had said back at that meeting. I am really starting to believe it myself. These people aren't just data, they are real." Blair smiled.

"I knew at least someone would see the truth at some point. I guess you getting trapped in the Eternal Sphere helped you out a little." A look of concern grew on Blair's face.

"What's wrong?"

"It's about the Executioner you made, Omega."

"You mean it's sudden change of behavior and the change of the energy it gives off?"

"That's right, we investigated this incident and we found something really weird."

"What did you find?"

"You'll have to see for yourself, it's rather hard to believe so brace yourself." I didn't say anything else and we continued walking towards the office.

When Omega's behavior suddenly changed I thought it was just some glitch in one of it's algorithms. But the truth is, what really caused the change wasn't anything I could have possibly predicted. All of these weird things happening confused me. "What does all of this mean? Are any of these odd events connected?" Those were my thoughts and questions back then.

So what caused the incident with Omega? And how are these strange events connected? Fear not, the answers are coming sooner than you think... well some of them at any rate. Anyway, please review.