Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own it…
Author's Notes:
Alas! If only I could make the story move a little faster without ruining it! At the rate it's moving now, there is going to be a lot of chapters… o.O
This chapter is going to mostly finish up with Shion and KOS-MOS in the simulated world, or V.R.S … or Encephalon. Whichever seems fit for you. Anyway, we're introducing people again! No new OC's though, so sorry!
Anyway … Yes, chaos shows up really soon … I mean like, 'so-soon-it's-freaky' soon! Don't blast me for not getting to him earlier! squeak
On with it, I say!
Music Pieces:
Chapter 3: A Simulation? – "Secret Project" – Yuki Kajiura -- .hack/SIGN
– "Say Goodbye" – Yuki Kajiura -- .hack/SIGN
Xenosaga: Nexus Ties
Chapter 3: A Simulation?
The Woglinde, Analysis and Scientific Labs, Vector Industries
Shion and KOS-MOS stalked throughout the simulated environment, their mission their primary objective. So far they had encountered few of the holo-Gnosis, yet they knew there was more to come. After all, this was their creation…
Casting a quick glance towards KOS-MOS, Shion took in the features of the final product. Her thigh-high, light blue boots, her single black glove on her right hand and her half-fingered glove on the other provided a fitting contrast to her design. Shion's favorite feature of her creation was her light blue hair and crimson orbs.
"Everything alright, Chief?" Allen's voice echoed through the Encephalon. Shion looked around for a moment, acknowledging the voice she was so familiar with.
"Yeah…" she answered. An idea struck her then, an idea that had gone wrong before. "Hey, Allen, let's skip all 300 level processes and start from 400."
"But … But, Chief, you know what happened last time!" complained Allen. "It's too risky!"
Shion shook her head.
"Don't worry! If anything happens I'll get myself out." After listening to the silence on the other end for a short, yet uncomfortable, amount of time, Shion let out a chuckle. "I'll be fine."
"But … 400? Can we at least test it in Objective Mode?" Allen offered desperately.
"You know we can't collect data that way. Besides, we worked all night putting together the A-LINE protocol. You want to test it too, don't you?" Shion argued patiently, hoping that her partner would take the bait. Words were spoken that night that changed each other's outlook of one another. It was a weakness for both of them.
She heard Allen sigh over the intercom.
"Fine … But if anything abnormal happens I'm shutting it down immediately!" he warned, clearly concerned.
"Alright." Shion sighed. Would he ever stop to think that she knew what she was doing?
"And don't deviate from the program!" Allen's voice came again with a 'you're-in-deep-trouble' tone.
"Okay, Mom." she smiled, shaking her head. Nope, it didn't look like he would trust her anytime soon… "Ready, KOS-MOS?"
"Yes, Shion." KOS-MOS nodded.
The Elsa, Cockpit
"C'mon, Hammer! Can't you work any faster?" exclaimed a middle aged man wearing a navy blue shirt and khaki pants. His red cap was a feature that stood out particularly considering his dark hair and beige skin.
"I'm trying, Captain, but there is interference with the signals!" the boy named Hammer replied. His eye-catching blonde hair and navy headset gave an accentuated fell to him. His round glasses, white T-shirt and brown jacket emphasized his oval face just enough to gift him with a professional look.
"Well, then fix it!" another young man barked from the driver's seat far ahead of them in the center of the red cockpit. "I can't swim in circles forever! Do I need to find a port to land in and have the lunatics there fix it for you?"
"Damn it all, Tony! Just shut up and drive! Maybe the Captain should drive for you!" Hammer retorted.
"Why you loud-mouthed, shaggy looking—"
"Tony! Hammer! Quiet! Both of you!" the Captain interrupted Tony's forming rant, foreseeing troublesome situations ahead. "You both are going to do your own jobs and are going to keep it down! You're screeching voices are giving me a headache, and chaos is trying to sleep back there! So, shut up!"
"Yes, sir…" the two grumbled simultaneously.
God, why was he in charge of the Elsa? These two delinquents seemed to constantly be arguing over something or other. There were times when they could get along easily, but those savored moments lasted for mere seconds before all hell broke loose. It was usually the Captain to keep order around the ship. Chaos would sometimes intervene, yet he rarely would, considering that he preferred to stay out of sticky situations.
"Hammer, what kind of signals are interfering with the navigational system?" the Captain asked calmly and with interest.
"I don't know. They're very weird … They almost look like Hilbert waves…" he trailed off.
Hilbert waves? Hilbert waves coming from whom?"
"Hilbert waves? Are you sure about that?" the Captain questioned suspiciously.
"No, not entirely. I'm not really sure what they are. The wave signature is unique, yet very close to the Hilbert waves' signature." he answered.
"See if you can fix it. If not, we'll have to issue a distress signal." concluded the Captain. "With no navigational equipment we're stranded. If you can't fix it within the hour, Hammer, I'll send out a distress signal."
"Alright, I'll see if I can fix it." Hammer replied, his fingers beginning to tap and flutter rapidly across the keyboard.
"Tony, cut the engines. We'll have to sit for a little while to save energy." came the next order.
"Right." the golden blond boy in a grey tank top replied. There was a high pitched hissing as it slowly became lower and lower and soon cut off all together. The Elsa was called to a nearly complete stop, its form now drifting slowly through space as Hammer hastily attempted to repair the navigation equipment.
The young woman waited in her electrified cell as she listened carefully to the approaching steps that clicked against the metal floor. She kept her eyes on the wall opposite her, sitting on the metal bench provided for her with her knees to her chest and her arms wrapped around them. Slowly the steps grew louder until a figure in a deep black suit stepped into view out of the corner of her eye.
"You really must be something." mocked a deep baritone voice as the footsteps ceased. "You were able to thwart my best troops. Not only that, but you managed to take down my entire class B A.W.G.S squad as well. It took us two attempts before we managed to render you harmless and take you back to where you belong."
The woman did not answer. She kept still, watching the wall, yet taking in every syllable the man said.
"Perhaps you would listen to me if I told you what you are." the man said. He waited for a moment before the woman's head turned to him. Her eyes narrowed into such a glare that could kill, and they were also filled with interest and sadness. "Yes, I thought that would be how you'd react."
There was a short silence before an angelic voice seemed to sing.
"What … am … I?" the woman's soprano-alto voice almost squeaked. The dark haired man smiled almost kindly.
"I could reveal what you are," the man replied. "But then that would ruin the point of this…"
The woman's eyes widened a fraction from their glare.
"This what?" she pressed on. The man turned back towards the direction in which he came.
"Well, that's up to you to find out. After all, that is the point of all this." he said with a smirk. Now fed up with the man, the woman turned her gaze back to the wall and the man retreated from her cell, the door whispering as it opened and closed. The woman was left to herself once more with no one to keep her company.
Well, save for the guards, of course.
The Elsa, Cabin 1
A man, fairly young, lay upon one of the many beds located in the first cabin of the Elsa. His platinum locks fanned about his head and upon the white pillow of which he rested upon. Eyes closed, yet not asleep, he listened to the various hummings and clickings of the Elsa.
To be honest, he was listening to the many sounds of the Elsa to keep his mind busy. Lately something has been nagging him in the back of his mind, something that is interfering with his tasks, even if it is only slight. He couldn't quite place his finger on it, but something inside him was ticking and making him nervous…
It was then he heard the very faint yet positive raised voices of Hammer and Tony. They were at it again, it seemed. Maybe his mood had been affecting his comrades? It was doubtful, seeing as this was the fourth argument this week for a total of thirteen in the past month.
Still, he thought their arguing was a sign of a strong friendship between them. The Elsa crew had been together for a long time. For a period of six years, to be precise. Hammer's and Tony's argument didn't last long. There was a spurt of the captain's raised and harsh voice and then silence.
The young man listened to the Elsa's gurgling for a few more minutes before sleep began to overcome him. He hadn't slept for one and a half days now, and it was beginning to catch up to him. Tired and at peace for the most part, he let his consciousness go as the world became silent and black.
The Woglinde, Analysis and Scentific Labs, Vector Industries
"Alright, KOS-MOS, last room." Shion stated as she and the light blue android stood before the door to the final room. The holo-Gnosis present were stubborn, but Shion and KOS-MOS had managed to prevail. Shion had easily found the key to the final door with the help of her creation.
And now, here they were. Standing before the last door of the mission with no problems to report of.
Shion inserted the key into the door and the decoder beeped in approval. The door slid open and they entered the echoing room. Before them was a stack of boxes big and small. Though, straight ahead was a single crimson box located on an elevator.
"Ready, Chief?" Allen's voice came over the intercom. The elevator descended and after a few moments of silent waiting, the elevator rose with a holo-Gnosis of quite a large size.
"KOS-MOS, engage in battle." Shion commanded softly as she retrieved her pocket-computer and loaded the program designed to collect data. She failed to notice, however, when KOS-MOS body let out small jolts and shakes as if a wave of electricity had passed through her. Once she was still again, she responded.
"Engaging in battle. Eliminate all targets." she confirmed as she began to fight the holo-Gnosis. Using her blaster and physical attacks for the majority of the time, she managed to slightly weaken the enemy. The Gnosis fought back, swiping its arms and pounding the ground uselessly, yet dangerously. At one time a strike to the ground nearly eliminated KOS-MOS, but she had the upper hand.
"Chief, can I … talk to you when you return?" Allen's meek and quiet voice spoke.
"Yes, Allen. But this is hardly the time, you know." she replied, distracted as she monitored the incoming data.
"A-Alright." the defeated voice admitted.
KOS-MOS's battle with the holo-Gnosis raged on. Using her logical sense, she predicted the next moves of her target, evading and attacking. Once the holo-Gnosis was weak enough, she returned to Shion's side, still postured and ready for combat.
"Allen, I want to try the Hilbert Effect. Activate Real Mode." Shion more demanded than asked.
"What? Chief! You're supposed to stick to the program!" he exclaimed. Already the holo-Gnosis was back in action. Save that, no longer was it a holo-Gnosis. The data had been modified to give the Gnosis realistic and highly accurate stats.
"KOS-MOS, activate Hilbert." Shion ordered carefully. The android turned her head towards her before nodding and returning her stare to the Gnosis.
"Roger." she said. "Activating Hilbert Effect." With this, she spread her arms low and light waves began to flow outward before her towards her target. Their majestic and oily glow seemed almost beautiful. Knowing better, it was the source of mankind's defense against the Gnosis, making it beautiful, yet highly important and dangerous.
The monster before them began to emit shocks much like lightening and glow a neon yellow with the Effect. Shion's eyes widened in amazement as the data began to flow strongly through her pocket computer.
"Something's wrong inside the Encephalon!" a distressed tenor male voice shouted, his voice barely reaching over the intercom. "We're receiving interference throughout the system!"
"Damn it!" Allen's voice nearly screamed. "I knew this would happen! Chief, you've got to get outta there!"
"Hold on! Just a little longer!" she pleaded as she kept her eyes on the holographic screen.
"Ten seconds until Encephalon collapse! Nerve impulses in the limbic system! We've got Kindling!" the tenor voice shouted once more.
"That's it! Shut it down! Shut it down immediately!" Allen ordered. The Gnosis's yellow glow began to strengthen as it fell to its knees.
"I can't shut it down! The Chief's blocking us! We can't shut it down from here!" the young man exclaimed.
"We've got to get her out of there!" Allen cried as he set the emergency headset upon him and entered the emergency codes for the Encephalon at lightening speed.
Shion continued to collect data, despite her apparent danger. The Hilbert waves continued to flow as she closed her pocket computer and risked a glance towards the Gnosis. It was on its feet, its figure calm. Something odd began to take shape just before the Gnosis. A little girl with ocean blue eyes and autumn hair stared into her eyes calmly, as if she had foreseen this.
Scrunching her brow and narrowing her eyes, Shion wondered if what she was seeing was real.
"Who is…?"
Wow ……… that was a loooooooong chapter. I didn't think it would be that long… o.O Oh, well! New mysteries and chaos has appeared! YAY! Still, what's up with the whole thing from U-TIC and that woman? The little girl … who is she? Haha! Look forward to my next chappie, for many things will be answered and there will be a little fluff, too… :D
Reviews are appreciated!
The Next Chapter Will Be Published Tuesday (June 20, 2006)