Deep asleep on the lowest floor of the Elsa was KOS-MOS, even when she was reposed her beauty always remained.
It was the first feature of hers that captivated many at first glance, behind such grace of course hid a destructive weapon.
However those qualities of hers would be nullified, once Shion had arrived.
When the engineer reached the repair bed, she gently leant forward to switch it off.
Once the bed revealed the android herself, Shion's eyes widened in utter thunderstruck.
Upon further glance, KOS-MOS wore a pair of metallic car ears.
That were affixed onto her head, as if it was a major part of her.
But, that wasn't the first thing that creeped Shion out, it was when the android finally spoke.
With both of her hands curled into a "cat pose", KOS-MOS called out albeit in her usual non-expressive tone.
"Good morning Shion, niiii-yow!"
For a moment Shion cringed, struggling to even believe that KOS-MOS "meowed" at her.
Pushing aside her odd behaviour Shion brought up her status, and discovered that her OS had a bug.
Briefly she went back with confusion, once she'd looked back towards her. "That's weird, I didn't set her up to behave like this..?"
Before her fingers could type across the hologram keyboard, KOS-MOS caught her attention.
"Shion, what are you doing nya?" The only way that the situation could get even worse, is if she wore some sort of maid outfit or even stockings and a garter belt. God the more Shion thought about it, the more it made her feel sick.
She designed KOS-MOS to fight not to get eyed on, with a shake of her head she resumed to type.
Just as Shion reached towards the reboot button, KOS-MOS held her hand in place. "You're not thinking of rebooting me, Niyao..!?"
With a lightning fast pounce the android suddenly fell on top of Shion, whilst blindly the latter's hand tapped around for the reset button.
At long last after a few more blind taps, Shion's hand pressed against the off switch.
In a matter of seconds KOS-MOS ceased to function, just as she was able to reach the engineer.
Coincidentally once the android fell onto the floor, Allen arrived to see Shion uncover her face.
Widely her co-worker looked around, trying to register at what had even happened in the maintenance lab.
However before he could get the chance to even speak, Shion narrowed her eyes rather angrily.
"What were you even thinking-"
"Can you imagine what would've happened, If we brought her alongside us yesterday!"
In fear and shock, Allen froze whilst he tried to think of a good excuse.
Anything wouldn't do since Shion could tell what sounded true and what was merely bullshit.
"I-It wasn't me, I swear…!" Of course, his co-worker wouldn't such a crappy excuse as that!
Shion was smart after-all she'd been used to hearing people bare-face lie to her, practically all the time.
She suddenly folded her arms over, before she spoke sarcastically. "Right right, then who was it Allen?"
There was only mere seconds before the blame would be put onto him, sweat coursed his face whilst again he thought of another excuse.
Allen never liked to lie especially to the likes of Shion, but then he realised that the code being overwritten wasn't… entirely his fault.
Ignoring Shion's glare completely Allen walked over towards the repair bed, and attempted to fix up the peculiar behaved android.
Rapidly his fingers typed across the many hologramed keys, up and down he watched the screens flicker and faze out one-by-one.
With one last push of the bed's switch, the repair cords disconnected from KOS-MOS's body.
Once the last of the steam was released KOS-MOS shook her head, before she resumed back to her normal self.
"Shion, you seem unsettled." "Is something amiss?"
Shion on the other hand was completely speechless, at how fast Allen was able to fix her.
But before she could question him again, he sighed before his worried eyes met hers.
"...I can bet that this is the Professor's doing, I mean he is a little odd after-all."
With a rub of her index finger Shion wondered the extent of the Professor's… "hobbies".
"How odd, exactly?" Allen cringed once she asked. "Y-you don't want to know..."
Not wanting to delve further into such a peculiar topic, Shion pulled out her connection gear to reveal the current time.
"I actually have a meeting to attend to, to gain permission to use more of her functions."
"Still, I find it ridiculous that I am the co-creator, and I can't fully use her to the best of her ability yet."
Before Shion could take a few steps towards the elevator, she was stopped once she heard Allen's voice. "Chief, I have no idea why but something's telling me that you're hiding something away from us?"
She suddenly froze in motion, feeling cautious to even answer back. "Why would I hide anything, I've got nothing to hide… why do you ask?" For a moment Allen went silent whilst he gathered his thoughts, thinking of the best way to approach her with such a dangerous question.
Shion was an unpredictable sort, especially when she was immensely pissed off.
Once he mustered the courage to tell her directly, the two sat down to continue their discussion.
"Chief, can you tell me about that dream you had the other day?" "You know- the one that you told chaos about yesterday?"
Her teal eyes closed in reflection whilst she took in what he said, the dream when she memorialised it was very vague.
Barely Shion could remember what the both of them had said, but remembered the location and who she dreamt of well.
It made sense when she thought deeply into it now, why she even dreamt of Cherenkov in the first place.
It was only a few days ago since The Elsa had been swallowed whole by a Gnosis, known simply as the Cathedral Ship.
Shion guessed that her helplessness and the horror upon witnessing Cherenkov transform into a Gnosis, was the sole reason as to why she was able to be contacted by him.
But this wasn't the only time that she was contacted this way, Shion spoke to Nephilim too before her "demise" upon the Woglinde.
After she finished reflecting through the disfigured yet brief memories, Shion sighed once her shoulders untensed themselves.
She knew that she had to open up fully, to at least someone.
Even after talking to the likes of chaos, her mind still wasn't eased.
"I-I spoke to Cherenkov, right before... he was about to die."
For a moment Allen blinked a couple of times whilst he briefly wondered, if she really did speak the truth.
But he knew that Shion wasn't the one to lie, they'd been together for what- a few good years now?
Why would she even consider lying to him, considering that Allen did indeed help her in regards to recovering from the KOS-MOS massacre.
Once Shion looked back towards her co-worker, his expression conveyed disquietment.
Although he could not replicate the emotions or thoughts that day, Allen could at least hear her out and listen to her side of the story.
After she adjusted her glasses with a pinch of it's bridge, Shion continued to reflect upon Cherenkov's dying words.
"At the very beginning there was a desolate beach, once I turned around... that's when I saw him."
"He spoke of being at peace despite how empty it was, he didn't feel any sort of fear none at all- because he convinced himself that it wasn't the end."
"But I knew what that beach really was, the waves, the sand and everything inside it- it was all deception."
In absolute shock Allen was speechless at what she had saw, well- dreamt of to be precise.
"...After we spoke everything faded before me, even the water disappeared, not long after that's when I woke up."
Unbelieved at how surreal her dream was Allen shook his head, barely being able to speak a few words.
"...Has this ever happened before, its actually making me a little worried about you."
"I mean it sounds like your... prognosticating?"
With folded arms Shion looked away briefly before she nodded in response, "Maybe I am, I can't help but think that there's... something more to all this."
Their discussion ended once the engineer stood up in slience, and without a single word she headed towards the elevator.
Before her finger could slide past the elevator's switch, her sight turned once she heard Allen's voice from behind.
"Chief, if you're going to somehow investigate more into this- then don't do it alone... all right?"
In reply, her hands were placed on her hips in slight irritation. "Of course not, are you starting to compare me to the likes of Miyuki?"
Nervously Allen waved his hands in disagreement, knowing well that she'd wouldn't've understood his apprehension- at all.
The two were almost as bad as each other, since he was anxious and struggled to show he felt and Shion was completely stubborn.
From the corner of her eye once she turned around, she noticed that Allen shook his head whilst it was lowered. "I'm not It's just- I can't help but worry about you."
"Ever since the Gnosis incident on the Woglinde, you're always heading straight into danger." Initially without a word Shion turned away, strongly refusing to believe that she'd act so carelessly. "Never would I throw myself into battle so recklessly, you know better than anyone- Allen." "I just don't want anyone else to suffer the same way that I have."
"But seriously- what other choice do I really have, there isn't an alternative- is there?" "Like it or not, we're constantly in danger now, especially since the Kukai Foundation is in possession of one of the Zohar emulators."
"On a regular basis we'll be attacked, it's just... how it is now."
Before being able to reply back Shion walked away without another word, but after she took a few steps her co-worker's head rose up. "That's- that's not what I meant! C-Chief!" Just as he got up from one of the seats, Shion was already gone.
She indeed had a meeting to go to, but Allen couldn't help but wonder how she truly felt on her way there.
Undoubtedly, their discussion would subconsciously be there during the meeting.
Once this was realized, Allen quickly thought of a way to make it up to her- hoping that it would work of course.
Far away from both the Durandal and the Elsa, was Pleroma.
Always, any enemy battleships would not dare dream of being near it's almost eerie presence.
Even from if one hid behind an asteroid, it would be seeked out and destroyed on sight no matter the distance.
Inside the said station was Richard alongside Hermann, awaiting to asked for reconnaissance.
However Richard's attention was briefly caught, once one of the walking soldiers quickly looked over towards him.
His hair was a distinctive blond shade, and spilled down his back and over his shoulders. It was clearly a source of his pride.
His use of the rapier wasn't anything to scoff at either, just a few thrusts were enough to would be fatal wound anyone.
Briefly the blonde haired man looked up towards the digitally materialised clock, confused as to why their boss so late.
He looked back towards his co-worker with a raise of his head, instantly grabbing his attention in the process. "Hermann, did he mention that he'd be running late by any chance?" He only shrugged in reply, truthfully he wasn't told anything.
But to meet Marglius at the central headquarters, with a sigh Richard's back resumed it's leaning posture.
Before he could momentary close his eyes, a unprecedented yet strong presence was suddenly felt.
Enough to grab his co-workers attention, Richard suddenly spoke with severity. "Someone's actually managed to break in, and I can tell that it's not any of the staff."
Understanding the situation at hand, Hermann pulled out his staff and held it defensively.
With their backs touching each other, the two looked around the room cautiously.
Just as Richard was able to reach for his rapier, Hermann stood in front of him in way of protection.
Within seconds Hermann caught the fast approaching hand, and forcefully screwed it up to produce a few awful misaligning cracks.
Once Richard's pale eyes opened he was met with a saccharine smile, that was beginning to spread freakishly wide.
The voice that spoke out was soft as silk, yet sarcastic. "We haven't met, have we? and yet you greet me with such a lovely introduction."
With clenched teeth Hermann interrupted his provocative greeting, with a shoved blow of his staff. "You're not going to get far with whatever it is that you want, not while I'm around." With a white brow raised, Albedo shook his head mockingly with a disbelieved expression. "How perceptive of you." "But I can easily snap that pitiful stick of yours."
As fast as a blink of an eye Richard pulled out his blade, quick enough before Albedo could even react.
Once Richard's grip over the rapier pulled back, it was suddenly wedged deep and gorily into the U.R.T.V's chest.
"Even if it takes me ages... YEARS, I'll shatter you into bloody pieces!"
In response Albedo merely arose in sick laughter, unfazed at the fact that Hermann began to approach him as well.
With his hands Albedo attempted to forcefully shove the blade out, almost overpowering against Richard's strength that pushed it in deeper.
Just as Hermann could strike his staff downward, a purple shockwave sent the two back sliding hard against the floor.
With ease, the rapier was pulled out and thrown carelessly across the floor.
Helplessly, on the other side of the room Richard watched his weapon slide away from his reach.
Just before he could reach out for the rapier, Richard stopped once he heard pelting footsteps from behind.
Quickly at the same time Albedo's eyes shifted over towards the partition doors, but when the doors slid open Pellegri and Margulis stood in complete silence.
After a few moments had passed Margulis firmly spoke, once his sight first looked over towards Albedo.
"What's the meaning of this, what happened to surveying the Durandal?" In-between some laughter the U.R.T.V looked over towards Richard, surprised that he was even able to stand.
"Oh, I did." Slowly he suddenly approached with folded arms, resisting the urge to laugh aloud once more. "However... one might say that I was interrupted on the way there."
"Interrupted?" Margulis replied cautiously, confused as to how he'd be "interrupted" from such a far distance.
Even if the likes of a A.G.W.S approached the Simeon from any angle, they would've been incinerated in a matter of seconds.
When Albedo stopped his eyes closed in reflective thought, still smiling. "Rubedo and I spent some well needed "quality time", just after I left, I did take a closer glance at the battleship you spoke of." Suddenly he mused once his sight saw Margulis's blade. "Shame he isn't the one for the usage of blades, if that was the case we'd have much more fun than merely trading words..."
Once Margulis sighed, his arms folded over themselves in annoyance. "Enough of this nonsense you know what needs to be done, I have you know that I do have someone that can easily be a replacement." Contemptuously Albedo suddenly replied, with a shake of his head. "I wouldn't advise that at all if I were you."
With a brief look, Albedo noticed one of U-TIC's soldiers pass by the hallway. "I'm curious, do your "trained" dogs have access to the Song by any chance...?" Before the colonel could even speak, he froze in realization completely ignoring Albedo's smirk in the process.
It had been ages since Margulis had even heard of anyone mentioning of the Song Of Nephilim, let alone knowing that someone beyond Joachim had access.
It's usage was strictly locked away from the public, and only closest associates of Joachim were given the access code.
Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted, once he heard Albedo approach from behind. "Such a glorious apparatus, is it not?"
"Within mere seconds everyone unfortunate to hear a single note, will turn into nothing more than piles of salt!"
"Undoubtedly, they'll be at your pitiful and begging mercy, that is if they can survive the crystallization process from the Gnosis, of course."
Confused at his plan to ambush and hold off the Durandal's advancement, he shook his head with a step forward. "Are you mad, what about us- won't it affect us as well?"
Amused at his concern Albedo spoke in-between some raucous laughter, trying to control the urge to laugh even louder. "You'll just have to cover your ears, when the fireworks go off." "Won't you?" With narrowed and despised eyes, Marglius watched the U.R.T.V leave the main control room.
With a tight turn of the doorknob Jr. allowed his small frame to hit the bed, enough for him to bounce a little upon impact.
It felt good to know that one of the major bases were destroyed, but the confrontation with Albedo was instilled into him.
He couldn't forget what happened inside that abandoned storage room, the way he was touched and especially the warm breath that constantly went across his bare skin.
Bastard he felt like saying and so desperately too, but deranged as Albedo was strangely Jr. couldn't help but still love him.
Yet at the same time he couldn't help but feel so guilty in his presence, especially once Albedo had gotten into his head- as per usual.
Slowly Jr.'s hands went under his head and propped it up, and with a sigh he continued to reflect.
Admist his blurry thoughts he knew that something had to be done, he had to step in.
His legs then dangled on the bed's edge whilst gently he moved his body a little forward.
His sight changed to see his book-shelf, that hadn't been touched in quite a long time.
The U.R.T.V got up and approached the shelf, he squinted to see if there was any adventure novels he hadn't read yet.
One thing was for certain it was quite dusty, enough for Jr. to wave it away and cough once it was inhaled.
Carefully he pulled out a book blindly, but once he flipped it over to it's front cover it was actually Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Seas.
The cover was so distinctive too, depicted on it was a whale heading deep into the depths of the ocean alongside a narwhal and a sea-snake.
Jr. rarely took his time in investing himself with the book's covers, and normally proceeded to flick past to the contents page.
He read whilst he walked back to his bed, with his finger from time-to-time flicking a page over.
Before he could reach the second chapter of the said book, his head lifted up to see that his door slowly started to open.
On the other side stood Gaignun, still feeling worried but didn't show it on his face at all.
Dry and still sore from the yelling from a few hours ago, Jr.'s voice spoke. "I thought you were knee deep into some paperwork, change your mind did ya?"
Gaignun silently laughed to himself, once he sat on the edge of Jr.'s be. "Not quite there's been something that I've been wanting to ask you- actually."
"I'm finding it hard to decide on what we should put on for the New Year's Eve event, fireworks themselves wouldn't do the trick alone."
Slowly Jr. nodded, with a finger across his chin. "Whatta' about some food, everyone loves food don't they? No... even better- hold some sort of festival!"
The idea sure sounded great at first but quickly Gaignun suddenly realized, whilst everyone would having a great time.
Surely, something had to be planned for the both of them as well.
"Well, I do have an idea that might work alongside the festival you spoke of." "It is unlike me I know. But I was thinking of taking some time off, to ensure that I can spend enough time to celebrate the occasion."
With a hand through his own crimson head, Jr. replied. "You're... you're gonna take me out, if I'm understanding you correctly?"
Gaignun agreed with a smile. "Correct, possibly dinner or maybe even a shopping trip."
"After-all, it's been a while since we've really taken a look around the Foundation itself."
With a nod Jr. looked back, with his voice not as tensed up as it was before. "Thanks, I really do appreciate it."
From the corner of Gaignun's eye he noticed the book, that laid beside Jr. was actually one of books that he purchased just a few days ago- still in good condition.
"So you've been reading Twenty Thousand Leagues have you? Had to ask for a stock check on that one." Jr. smiled in reply. "It's that popular huh, I didn't realize figured since it was old people wouldn't read it." "Nowadays people get invested into the deepest parts of history, poetry and all sorts of complicated literature."
"I-I hope it didn't cost too much, I'll be willin' to pay you back." Before Jr. could pull out his wallet, Gaignun disagreed with a laugh. "It's a gift, why would you need to pay for it?"
"Besides, I thought it was appropriate to at least reward you it's not everyday that the chance is given to us to remain undetected- and to destroy a reactor."
Briefly Jr. looked back with nod, but once his eyes closed he shook his head at how easy it all seemed at first. "Yeah, those bastards sure don't let us off that easy do they?"
"But in the end we were able to get it done, and because of that we'll get the upper-hand now." With a sigh Gaignun disagreed. "Not exactly. There's much more than we initially anticipated, it seems." Suddenly Jr. turned around, absolutely confused beyond belief. "Huh... whatta' mean Gaignun, did somethin' happen while we were gone?"
"I was told only just recently by Helmer, that U-TIC won't hesitate to strike us again if we don't simply hand her over." Before Jr. could respond, some vulgarity slipped out from his under his breath. "What's our next course of action then?"
Almost unwilling to even mention their last resort, Gaignun closed his eyes in reluctance. "We'll have to take the fight to them, since diplomacy is no longer available to us."
With a silent assent, Jr. stood up still deep in thought about Gaignun's idea. "Yeah, that sounds good." "We'll retaliate in the next hour or so, just in case we're in need of any repairs before the Durandal takes off."
Once the both of them had left the bedroom, Jr. watched his brother head back to his office.
But whilst Gaignun was half-way down the hall, he briefly telepathed Jr. just as he was about to reach for the elevator switch. "Please, just remember to not get ahead of yourself this time." With a laugh through the spiritual link, Gaignun shook his head much to Jr.'s expense. "Sometimes I often wonder, if you really are older than me."
Trying not to get too angry at the fact that he teased him for his age, Jr. tried to smile with his anger attempting to shine through.
"Hey- what's that supposed to mean! Y' know if I wasn't so busy I'd totally come over there!"