VANISHING POINT
A Star Ocean 3 Fanfic by Ender
Chapter Six: Interludes Part I
MOONBASE; TEN DAYS AGO
Damn all mysteries to hell.
The young woman leaned wearily back into her chair, rubbing eyes irradiated from long hours - days? - staring at computer monitors.
In fact, she continued irritably, Why stop there? Damn science and its claim the world was reasonable. Damn religion and its claim that life was fair. Damn Moonbase, and Symbological Genetics, and computer screens...
Maria Traydor took a deep breath.
And damn our parents and their blasted unbreakable encryption system.
Well. It wasn't like she could blame them for their paranoia. Her mother - adoptive mother, and Proffesors Leingod and Esteed had devoted much of their lives to research which was universally outlawed, and been using facilities that were right under the nose of the Federation - an organization which Maria knew was hardly renowned for its mercy, understanding, or broadness of mind.
Still. After all this time cooped up in the Moonbase research laboratory, Maria was hardly in the mood to be reasonable herself. For the hundredth time, the former leader of Quark wondered why she even bothered with this project of hers.
Even before Luther's defeat Maria had decided that if they managed to save the universe from summary deletuion, she would not return to her life as rebel leader. Even while she had led Quark against the Federation, her entire existence had been geared towards discovering the truth about her origins, and the mysterious power she had been granted. After she had met Fayt, met Dr. Leingod, listened for the first time to the message the latter and his team had left in this very lab - well, for the most part, her questions had been answered. She knew what she - and Fayt, and Sophia - had been born to do; More than that, they had already achieved it. They had crossed over into the 4d World, the dimension which housed the beings who had - as a matter of amusement, as a way to relieve boredom - created their universe and everything in it, only to later, in their callous disregard for the sentience of their own creations, threaten them with extermination. The three of them, along with a band of men and women brave and strong enough to battle with the Creator himself, had succeeded beyond their parents wildest dreams. The laboratory, and all the brilliant, meticulous research it housed, all the secrets their parents had wrung from existence - these had served their purpose well.
So why had Maria found it impossible to leave them alone?
It wasn't solely intellectual curiosity, although that certainly played a role. Maria had always preferred action to academics, but the nature of her quest into her own origins had required her to become intimately familiar with the nature – or at least the products – of the research of the Leingod Team. Whether or not you agreed with their methods, the value of research which had, in effect, saved the universe, could not be understated.
Maria knew however, that her reasons were far less selfless than that. Even after she had discovered the truth about herself, about her mother's work, it wasn't quite enough to fill the void she had felt inside herself, ever since she had lost her parents. The young woman didn't know exactly what she was looking for, what she would need to sate this hunger for the past… but somehow, working in this room where her mother had worked, where Maria and the others had been 'born', peering into the secrets that the Leingod Team had uncovered, she found a kind of contentment that had eluded her for much of her life. The woman she still thought of as her mother, had been her, in this room, typing at this same key. It wasn't much, but it was a connection, however tenuous, that crossed the boundaries of time and death. And if, in the process, she was able to further advance such important research? Well, that was more than a mere fringe benefit. The "Crisis" for which the project had been founded may have passed, but Maria knew that it was a constant of the universe that there would always be a new one around the corner. In the few months since she'd begun her solitary project - supply drops from her former compatriots at Quark provided for her basic needs - she'd already discovered, amongst other things, evidence of a fourth genetic template, a Power, which the Team, for whatever reason, had not been able to implement. She was currently hard at work cracking the code that would unravel the rest of the gene code.
Still, a mind could only take so much staring at genetic structures, even if the betterment of the cosmos was involved. The former leader of Quark pushed her arms up into the sky and arched her back in a long, languorous stretch. She had been analyzing some strange data on Fayt's genetic profile for the past three days, but the fact that she was seeing bunnies skidding across her peripheral vision was a sure sign that it was time to take a break.
Rubbing at her aching temples, Maria retrieved a box of dark chocolate - one of her few addictions - from her fridge, plopping herself down on the form fitting gel-chair as she turned on the holo-view. She flipped disinterestedly through a few dozen entertainment channels, before settling on that of the Pangalactic Independent (hah!) News. As was common nowadays, the reports centered on the massive restructuring and reorganization that the Federation was undertaking, in the wake of the Executioners attacks. The news didn't phaze the blue haired young woman - the Leingod research laboratory had operated undetected for years, and she had taken steps to ensure that the fact it was still in operation was kept secret even from the Federation.
There was also a brief mention of the Vendeeni cutting off all ties with other States, and some scattered rumors that in the wake of the massive destruction wrought by the Executioners, the notoriously rational and scientific Vendeeni had, of all things, found religion. Exactly what that religion consisted of, the reports didn't say as very little information was coming out of Vendeeni occupied territories. Maria didn't think much of the Vendeeni - her only interactions with their race had been from behind the barrel of a gun, and while even Quark had been able to completely unravel what they had wanted with the Leingods, their strategies spoke rather eloquently of their character. Then of course, there was the fact that they had been responsible for the way Fayt's father had met his end.
She wondered how the blue-haired young man was doing. Most of the others, had seemed more than happy to return to the lives they had led before their 'Creators' had intervened so directly in their destinies. Fayt however... he had changed. Well, they all had, in various degrees - who wouldn't after all they had learned, all they had experienced (Although she honestly felt it would take more than other-dimensional threats to shake up Adray's pecuilar eccentricities.) But Fayt - he didn't long to return to the way things had been. As much as he might like his Father back, Maria had seen in his eyes that his gaze was fixed on the future, not the past.
So unlike the others. So unlike herself.
With a start she realized she had dozed off. A time display at the corner of the holoview showed she had been out for almost twenty minutes. Maria smiled wryly to herself. Given the people she'd met, the places she'd been, it was no wonder she found her recollections more interesting than anything on the holo. Ironically, soon after, it was a commercial that captured her interest. It was short, and almost primordially simple - blocky white text running across a black screen, with strange, meassured music in the background. In this era of almost magical technology, such a primitive presentation would be enough to capture attention, but it was what the words said that made Maria sit up and take notice:
IF YOU KNOW THE TRUTH...
IF YOU BELIEVE THE DREAMS...
IF YOU KNOW WHAT DOES NOT LIE BEYOND...
IF YOU KNOW WHAT COULD LAST FOREVER...
THEN COME.
WE WILL SHOW YOU THE WAY.
data NEVER DIES.
The commercial then flashed contact information across the screen, followed by a curious symbol - a mobeius strip, twisting eternally into itself.
Outwardly, the ad said nothing of substance, nothing that should have set her hackles rising, nothing that should have set her heart pounding. But it did. Maybe it was the sheer strangeness of its presentation, or the crypticness of its wording, but something about it sent alarm bells ringing in her head.
Maria took a breath and shook her head. What was she doing? It was probably a harmless marketing ploy. Or more likely, one of the multitudinous cults that had sprung up, as those are wont to do, in the advent of the massive destruction wrought by the 4D invasion. The inter-planetary governments had done little to explain the origin of the Executioners, but a great many people were seeking answers. Very few however, knew the truth.
Or at least, so Maria had thought.
data never dies...
Data...
Why, of all words, had they used that word?
The young woman tried to fend off her strange sense of foreboding. Perhaps her fatigue was making her paranoid. Or maybe she was just desperate for something to do that didn't involve genetic code. She smiled to herself slightly. No, she had better things to do than investigate some vague, fatigue-induced hunch.
Like...
Like...
Like doing more research.
When the commercial flashed the contact information across the screen a second time, Maria was on the phone in an instant.
AQUARIA; THE PRESENT
The proverbial midnight oil had long since been burned up, but Nel Zelpher continued her battle against the mountain of paperwork that lay in neat, yet intimidatingly high, stacks on her polished oak desk. The sheer amount of paperwork was a sight that would have reduced a grown man to tears, but for Nel it was simply another part of her job. Not that it wasn't a burden - Nel would much rather be in the field, on the frontlines, than behind a desk - but it was, in a way, a self-inflicted burden. Regardless of her own preferences, you did not become the chief intelligence operative in the Kingdom without realizing that the devil truly was in the details. Besides, it had been her father who had first insisted that regular, detailed, written reports be filed by operatives of the Blade - a requirement which had been hard to swallow even in a country with as high a literacy rate as Aquaria - and she had continued the practice.
Even by Nel's standards though, tonight's work was a bit... much. Nel may have been 'coerced' (as she told Claire frequently) to take some time off, but there was nothing to prevent her from finishing next week's work by tonight.
Which as why she was currently cloistered in her oft neglected room at the Palace. Usually she preferred to work in her own home, free from Palace politics (Laselle) and petty annoyances (Laselle). Nowadays however home was a source of... distraction. One which went by the name of Fayt Leingod.
Fayt was, in many ways, a model house guest. He was very solicitous of her well-being - sometimes overly so. As if it wasn't he who was convalescing, albeit rapidly. It was a constant source of irritation for the redhead - It wasn't as if she couldn't take care of herself - she had survived perfectly well on her own. More than survived.
If she was perfectly honest with herself however, Nel had to admit that there was a certain... comfort to be found in having someone to talk to at the end of the day, about work or... well, mostly about work, Nel being who she was. But at least she knew that someone would be there, if ever she did find something else to talk about. Someone she admired. And trusted. And found a... pleasing companion.
Most times.
A bone of contention between them was Fayt's infuriating reticence to discuss why he'd come to Aquaria, and in such a pitiful state. The blue-haired young man however, had been less than forthcoming: it was 'nothing you have to worry about,' he had told her repeatedly. Nel knew better. 'Nothing' didn't cause him to wake up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night, eyes as wide as saucers. Whatever it was that was tormenting him though, was something he was not yet willing to share. Nel was trying very hard to respect his wishes on the matter, but the part of her that was a spy was impatient to extract the information by whatever means necessary, and the rest of her was, if truth be told, slightly offended by the apparent lack of trust.
I don't even know when he's leaving...
Bruised feelings aside though, she did worry about him. Worry to the point of distraction if truth be told - and that in itself worried her, which was a fine mess indeed. Now that they'd mended their brief altercation, she had to admit that the way he ...captured her attention was affecting the way she performed her duties.
It was almost inconceivable - nothing distracted Nel from her work. Her work was, well... it was her life. But when Fayt was around, she just... it was hard to think straight. To focus.
Maybe if he didn't look at her quite so much. Maybe if she didn't look at him quite as oft-
"Nel! Are you okay?"
The voice literally startled Nel out of her seat. She whirled one hand going to a knife at her waist, the other raised to ward off a likely attack. Her blade was halfway out of its sheath before the words of her would-be-assailant penetrated her consciousness.
"Nel! Stop! It's me! Rozaria!"
The redhead paused, blinked, and finally saw the raven-haired priestess of Apris holding her arms out to protect herself. Mentally cursing herself, the Crimson Blade cursed herself and sheathed her weapon.
"How did you get in here?" the redhead asked, rather more harshly than she intended, still shaken by the surprise. Nel hated surprises.
"Uhm... through the door?" Rozaria said, as she smoothed her dress as they both regained their composure. "I've been calling your name for the past two minutes. I was getting worried."
Nel wanted to impale herself in consternation. It was one thing for Claire to sneak up to her - the silver haired beauty, for all her emphasis on a more strategic role, was a soldier of the first order. But Rozaria was a priestess... and a somewhat klutzy one at that, Nel knew first hand. For her to have gotten so close without Nel noticing...
She's been calling my name? For how long?
"Nel?
Once more the red-head jerked back to the present. "I... I apologize Rozaria. I've been - "
Distracted. Preoccupied. Obsessed. -
"- busy, as of late," Nel finished, rather lamely, indicating the papers still piled on her desk. It was an excuse Claire would have seen clear trhough but Rozaria accepted it at face value - as she did most things.
"So I see," the black-haired young woman said with a smile. "Still married to the job huh?"
Nel nodded, but stayed silent. Now that she had a, somewhat, clearer head, she wondered what Roza was doing here, at this time of night (or early morning as the case may be).In fact, the more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed - Roza always retired early since she presided over the morning worship in the chapel and...
Ah. So that was what this was about.
Confirming her suspicions, Roza's mouth took a downward turn. "It's been... quite a long time since I've seen you. "
Nel felt a stab of guilt. "Roza..." she began, but as if a dam had broken, the priestess began to spill her heart out to her friend, speaking in the rapid-fire way that she did whenever she was feeling intense emotions - a not infrequent occurrence where Roza was concerned.
"You hardly ever come to the chapel anymore, and you used to come everyday... And when I come for a visit, you're out on a mission, or just returning from one and I don't want to bother you but it almost seems like you're avoiding me..."
Nel looked away, and took a deep breath. She had feared it would come to this. "Roza I- " she began, trying to calm her friend down and buy some time to think of a response, but the end of Rozaria's spiel took her by surprise.
"- and you know how important your friendship and approval means to me Nel!"
The Crimson Blade blinked. "Approval?"
Now it was Rozaria's turn to look surprised. "Of the marriage of course. To Arzei. You disapprove, so you've been avoiding me is that not so?"
Nel breathed out, somewhat relieved. So that's why Rozaria was so distraught.
"I have nothing against the marriage Rozaria."
"Politically, I'm sure you don't," Roza said, waving the petty concerns of nation and state away with a flutter of her hands, "But I'm speaing to you now as my friend Nel, and of a marriage between people, not countries. I want to know how you feel."
The redhead shook her head. "Well, you already know I don't like him - "
"But if you got to know him- " Roza protested, but Nel held up a hand to cut her off.
"-but if he makes you happy -which, after 15 years of your tales, I can hardly doubt - then that's good enough for me." She took the priestesses soft white hands in her own. "The two of you are a symbol that we can put all this bloodshed and hatred behind us. More than that, any man who can make you happy is a friend in my books Rozaria, and for that alone I'd love him like a brother."
Tears sprung to her friend's eyes as she heard those words. "Oh Nel," Rozaria gushed, as she enfolded the redhead in a tight hug. "I love you. You haven't changed at all."
Even as Nel returned the hug, and shared in her friends joy, her conscience was heavy. For she had changed. She had indeed been avoiding her friend - but not for the reasons Roza had suspected. It was not that Nel disapproved of her marriage (although despite her assurances, it would be a long time before Nel warmed up to the groom). It was just that visiting Rozaria almost always required a visit to the chapel...
And Nel had not set foot in one since the day she returned.
Nel had always considered herself a woman of faith. Oh, she had never seriously contemplated a life in the priesthood - her father's work had called to her since her earliest childhood - but a woman who had been confident in the knowledge of a benevolent higher power who watched over her people.
And now...
Now Nel had seen creatures who lived around distant stars. She'd walked the strange transparent roads of another dimension. She'd learned that they were, had been created to be, playthings of otherworldly powers, and had crossed swords with the Creator himself.
And now she didn't know what to believe.
She hadn't confided this to Rozaria, one of her dearest friends. She hadn't even mentioned it to Claire. Without slighting either, she knew that they would not understand. How could they? Her experiences were now, what was the expression, light-years beyond what even people from Fayt's home had ever known, had ever guessed. Mere words, tales, would never have the same effect.
So Nel was glad that Rozaria seemed willing to forget the redhead's negligence in visiting her, once she was assured of her blessing. It postponed a conversation that she knew they would need to have someday, one which Nel did not relish. Rozaria was a kind and generous soul, but she could be very irrational when it came to things which lay close to her heart.
Like her husband to be.
Rozaria released Nel and held her at arms length, still grinning in glee. "Oh I'm so glad we had this talk Nel. I'm certain now I've made the right decision."
Nel smiled in return. "Come now. You decided to marry him
the moment he saved your life."
Roza shook her head and giggled. "I didn't mean that. I meant in my choice of maid of honor."
Nel almost fell over in surprise. "You don't mean..."
The priestess clasped Nel's hands tightly. "Oh please Nel, say you'll do me the honor. Please?"
Flabbergasted, Nel could only nod in agreement. This resulted in a yelp of pleasure and another jubilant hug from the excited priestess.
Looks like she would be entering the chapel sometime sooner than she had expected.
"Thank you Nel, thank you. You don't know how much this means to me."
"Don't mention it," Nel said, somewhat embarrassed by her friend's effusive gratitude, "I must admit though, that I'm more than a bit surprised. Have you talked this over with your groom-to-be?"
"Of course Nel - we share everything now, Arzei and I," Nel suppressed a spymasters natural dread at such a comment - considering who the groom was. She also, surprisingly, felt a stab of another emotion, one which she found completely alien.
Why can't we be like that?
"He agreed, most readily," Rozaria was continuing, oblivious to Nel's momentary consternation. The priestess smiled slightly. "Although he did ask rather nervously if our seamstresses would be incorproating dagger-sheaths in your dress."
Nel found herself smiling in reply. "Tell him they needn't bother - I won't be wearing a dress. My formal uniform can serve just as well."
"Don't be silly - your outfit is already prepared," Rozaria said over her shoulder as she walked to the doorway. She giggled. "It was presumptuous of me I know, but its been so long since I've seen you attired for anything but war."
Nel sighed. "Must I?" she asked, in a pained voice.
"Consider it a wedding gift oh Crimson Blade," the priestess replied. At the threshold, Rozaria paused, and turned back to Nel, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Besides," the dark haired young woman teased, "you do want Master Fayt's first memory of you at a wedding to be... striking, do you not? For future reference?"
Nel's only reply was to find the heaviest book on her table and throw it at her friend. She hoped that the room was dark enough that Roza couldn't see her face.
Not that she was blushing or anything.
The priestess laughed, and dodged through the open door. "Good night Nel," she called out as her light footsteps echoes in the deserted corridor. "Better act quickly if you want to be more than a bridesmaid next time!"
Nel leaned back in her seat and took a deep breath. She hoped Rozaria kept her mouth shut. The last thing she needed was more rumors about her and Fayt.
Is it the rumors that bother you? Or is it the fact that they're just rumors...
Pushing such thoughts out of her head, Nel tried to focus on the task at hand. She had mounds of paper work to finish, and very little time left. Now that Rozaria was gone she should be able to get some work done.
A bride... me? Not in this lifetime...
For some reason however, Nel Zelpher got very little work done that night.
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Sorry for the long delay folks. Late March and Early April hosted my examination week – an ordeal which makes battling Luther at Level 1 seem like a cake walk. April also involved a bit of out of town fun, and an internship, hence I'm only able to release the chapter now – well, not even 'a' chapter, more like a part of one :P But since apparently "Interludes" is going to end up at over 30 pages, I decided that smaller, but more regular updates would do the trick.
"Interludes" (this part and the next two) is difficult for me to write because of a few things – first, I'll be bringing almost all of the rest of the 'party' into the fic over the next few chapters, and since it will be my first time writing these characters, it takes me longer to get a 'feel' for them, their dialogues, motivation and the like. I'll also be introducing several important characters here who are either brand new, or, like Rozaria, are familiar only by name and a scant few tidbits of facts. I hope my take on Roza won't ruffle any feathers – there isn't a lot to go on with her character save for that one PA with Nel, but she's got quite a big part to play in this, and I hope she'll become as real to you as the rest of the cast.
These chapters will also expand the scope of the fic quite a bit, and provide the first hints that this will be a story that will go beyond Elicoor. Vanishing Point was not meant just to be a Nel/Fayt fic – it is also my way of tying off some loose ends or unseized plot points from the original game. The Interludes let me paint a bit more of the backdrop of the 'saga' I hope VPoint will become, and I hope you will bear with the long expositions of the chapters to come. They may be slower paced than usual, but trust me, they have a purpose. In fact I dropped a hint of something here that will be very, very important in the final chapter of VPoint – yes I've got the ending all planned out already ;)
OK, enough babbling. Just been awhile since I've gotten to 'talk' to you guys :P Now here's our usual give-and-take:
Daedulas: Fayt's physical ailments were due primarily to lack of both sleep and nourishment – the dreams were driving him nearly insane, and he was neglecting himself. The dreams are still there, as you see in this chapter, but he's recovered quite a bit because he always has someone – whether it be Nel or Claire – making sure he at least gets to eat. He's still far from 100, but he's well enough to stomp around the woods with Adray. Not that Adray would've cared if he were bedridden :P
Macross-Green: laughs Everyone loves Tynave and Farleen :P While they will take steps to ensure Nel and Fayt have a 'good time', don't count on them tagging along for the trip, since Nel will have to leave someone (or two someones in this case) in charge while she's gone, and Claire already has too much on her platter.
Tristan: And yes, everyone loves the Lasbards too :P
I'm really glad you like the story man – I've been following yours avidly as well (and you far from 'suck' at Fayt/Nel. I actually think you've got her dialogue better nailed than I do ) and it means a lot that you think VPoint is up to snuff.
As for the comedy… well, the situation just begged for it, and I love to do humor whenever I can. I have to warn people though… enjoy it while it lasts.
Oggy: Thanks man, always good to hear from you :)Especially when you come with such effusive praise
Takun18: Glad I could cause you to de-lurk man :) Feel free to keep the comments coming, good or bad!
As for using the Nel/Fayt ending, it was certainly part of the inspiration for the fic, but it just didn't quite fit in – or at least it hasn't yet. That ending implied that Fayt and Nel had already been working together for quite awhile… In VPoint, Fayt hasn't had much time to do much except recover.
Murra: Claire eh? Yes, indeed, it would be interesting. However even if Claire did have feelings for Fayt (and she just might) I can easily see her stepping aside in order to support Nel. I don't think a man will ever come between those two.
But a love triangle is definitely in the offing… three guesses as to who the other party is
Miroku and Sango: Hehe, killing the readers is far from my intent – but making you squirm a little suits me fine (j/k) :P As for longer chapters – the downside to that would be longer time between updates. If I waited before I had Interludes fully complete, VPoint would be without updates till mid-June
EnkiduFish: I'm still somewhat iffy on my Nel portrayal, but I'm glad you like it so far :) I do try to keep her spy background in the back of my head as I write her character, but also have to balance to with the fact that, as she mentions, she's less that totally 'there' when it comes to Mr. Leingod.
And no, you don't want to hear the bear puberty speech. Trust me.
Ultimate Xdeath: Glad you liked the Omake :) I don't do them often, but occasionally, something like that just leaps out :P
Inuart: Better delayed than none at all :D
Mirage/Fayt would be a cool pair – I was depressed at how little we actually see of Mirage in the game. And again, I'm glad that you guys seem to like the characterization… it's always the hardest part.
Noble: Yeah… Can't wait 'till I actually get to do real steamy action sce – (gets whapped by Nel) Ow!
Dimitri Plabato: It's here, it's here! At least I made the April deadline :P
And to everyone else, who spared a few seconds of their time to give me some kind words: Thank you so much. You keep me going
NEXT CHAPTER:
We check in on three more of our good friends from out of town. Who? Here's a hint: Two are Blond and One is the third point of the triangle :P
Meanwhile, back on Elicoor, Fayt and Nel arrive at their destination to discover that things are quiet. Too quiet. (And why are Tynave and Farleen giggling?) Check back in… oh, 3 weeks I hope :D