Chapter Fifteen: Pain and Memory

(A/N: I have a confession. Shane is based off of myself, kinda like Gunz and Destiny...I'm not sure. That's all I wanted to say. I don't own Xenosaga, but Namco does. Happy reading. )

I remember...rain...it was raining...and I was outside...there was a flash of lightning and...

Shane's now golden eyes snapped open as she stared at the ceiling of the beach house. She sat up slowly, holding her head gently. ''Mmph. Did I pass out?'' She glanced over to see chaos sitting beside her. ''...Hey.'' ''I'm glad you're awake, Shane,'' he told her. I got kind of worried when we saw you faint.'' She narrowed her eyes at him.

''...Oh really, chi boy?''

''Really.'' He held up his hands in an protective manner. ''But you were talking in your sleep, though...'' She looked at him as she ran her hands through her hair. ''Pari?''He nodded at her response. ''You said something about...walking through the rain when I wasn't supposed to...what did you mean by that?'' Shane looked down at the floor then looked up to the horizon outside.

''...It was just a dream and nothing more.''

''Representative Helmer, busy as always, I see.'' Gaignun said as he sat in his office. On the computer screen in front of him was a black man with a bald head. He smiled at the dark-haired man.

''Well, hello, Nigredo. How are things going?''

His face turned into a look of disgust. ''Hmph,'' he said. ''I don't really care for that name.'' ''My apologies. I'm still not accustomed to calling you 'Gaignun','' Helmer told him. The dark-haired man leaned back some in his chair. ''We're currently headed your way and we're carrying an unusual package, so I thought it best to inform you.''

''Oh..?'' A look of surprise came onto the representative's face. ''We secured it from an unexpected source...the Federation cruiser Woglinde. It's an Emulator.'' ''The twelfth one...that matches the U-TIC records,'' he said.

''Right. There's no question that it's responsible for the planetary disappearance. Assuming they haven't constructed any more, that's all of them. Aside from the Original, of course.''

''That's clearly impossible,'' Helmer answered. ''Now that the only man who can create them is no longer alive.'' Gaignun nodded. ''True enough...and one more thing. We have the Contact Subcommittee's 100-Series prototype.''

''How did that wind up in your hands?'' The black man asked him. The dark haired man chuckled to himself. ''One of our passenger freighters rescued her 76 hours ago.''

''Is the ability to attract that sort of coincidence another one of your special powers?''

''Not a coincidence, but a probability...as a certain acquaintance might say. Anyway, I'm concerned with what the U-TIC Organization is up to. You may want to step up your precautions."

''I'll see what I can sniff out from the U.M.N. administration bureau. We can locate any large-scale gate jumps from there,'' Helmer said. ''Excellent idea. Assuming they have no Emulators in their possession, the odds are that they'll go after the Original sealed on Old Militia. Not to mention...'' Gaignun narrowed his eyes.

''U-DO...''

''I don't know what their ultimate goal is, but we can't allow that thing to reawaken again. No matter what.'' ''Understood,'' Helmer said. ''We'll prepare for your arrival. I'm looking forward to seeing you again.''

Back at the beach, the group changed back into her clothes. Shion stepped out of the changing room as she straightened her hair. Allen walked over to her. ''Well, I'm going to go back to the Elsa to check on KOS-MOS,'' he told her. ''Are you sure you'll be alright? Chief...'' She nodded. ''Yeah...sorry for losing it earlier,'' she said. ''I don't...have very good memories of thunder..''

''Chief...''

''I'm sure the same goes for Shane, too. I'm a little tired, so maybe I'll rest at a hotel in City Sector 27. I'll go to the Elsa after I get a little rest. Please take care of KOS-MOS until then.'' Allen nodded. ''Alright. Um, Chief? Please don't push yourself too hard.''

''Yes, I know.''

Shane walked out of the changing room as she saw Shion and Allen walk off. She moved her hair out of her face and walked to the bench. ''Man. I feel sick after I collapsed in front of everyone,'' she said aloud. ''But that flash of lightning...'' She stopped abruptly as her vision turned hazy. She fell to her knees, holding her head.

Kirshwasser...

No...I'm not...!

Bring me my...

...No..

Bring me my ma peche!

''NO!'' Shane looked up from her kneeling position as MOMO looked at the young woman with a confused look. ''Shane, are you okay? Your heartbeat's erratic..'' The silver haired girl stood up, dusting her pants off. ''Yeah, I'm alright. Just a rush of adrenaline for being here.''

''You've never been here before?''

Shane shook her head. ''Nope. Been on Fifth Jerusalem too long,'' she told her. The pink haired girl nodded. ''So, MOMO...you wanna take a walk with me and talk or something?''

''Okay!''

At Pleroma, Commander Margulis spoke to a man who wore shades by communication monitor. ''Current output is 5.806 LPP. Not even 3 of the required levels,'' he said. ''In other words, you're saying it's impossible to open the door to Lost Jerusalem...''

''Open the door?'' the man said. ''It's doubtful whether we can even find it. I've told you repeatedly that the Emulators were mere suppleents. You're the one who ignored that. Because of you, we've lost a valuable asset. I've done what I can with what we have, but it's not going to make much difference. Even Mizrahi couldn't pull this off without the Original.''

''So, have you finally come to acknowledge that lunatic's work?'' Margulis asked. ''I'm just being objective. Noone in the universe is as knowledgeable in this field as he was.'' ''We can't keep our commander waiting any longer. We'll proceed with Plan 401.''

''Plan 401,'' the man echoed. ''That seems a bit extreme to me. The 100-Series that Helmer's protégé is babysitting…not only does it contain the entire record of Mizrahi's research, but the access code for the U.M.N. transfer column to the sealed area of Old Miltia, also resides in it. Treating it too roughly, and you'll lose everything." The burgandy haired man nodded some. ''I'm well aware of the importance of Miltia and the Y Data. That's why I'm using him,'' he said. Behind the man's sunglasses, his eyes narrowed.

''I do not like him. His eyes share the same look as Mizrahi's.''

''The same as yours?''

The man shook his head. ''Well, I'll be waiting for the good news.'' That said, he broke contact with Margulis. The burgandy haired man turned his head to look at Pellegri. "Pellegri. Secure a channel to our commander. I want to report this and discuss our plans for manipulating the committee."

"I see. So, what do you want me to do?'' a male voice asked over a intercom.

"The situation is proceeding as planned. Don't interfere with it for now. Of course, I can't imagine the Second Miltian government and the Kukai Foundation will simply hand it over. If the situation warrants, we may have to use… …the song of Nephilim,'' the burgandy haired man said with a grimace. The voice over the intercom chuckled. "Now this is a surprise. I thought you hated it with a passion."

"I'm just saying, even your toys have their uses."

"Then why don't you join me? We can enjoy the show together." Margulis shook his head slowly. ''Thanks, I'll pass,'' he told him. "I don't share your perverse taste in hobbies."

Over the intercom, the voice laughed loudly. "Yeah right, you gutless bastard,'' the voice said and broke the connection. "Albedo…a U.R.T.V. A monster born of Life Recycling. There are plenty of mentally unstable Life Recycling Variants out there… Just as Cherenkov was one of them. If he starts getting impatient and moves on his own,'' Pellegri said.

"You needn't worry about that. Time means nothing to him. The only thing that interests him is that Realian...and that girl."

"Are you really…going to use the Song of Nephilim?"

"Pellegri." Margulis turned to her. "Have you ever heard it? That song…draws everything unto madness…"

MOMO and Shane walked down the stairs of the park area in the Durandal as they talked. ''So, this game you've played...Dance Dance Revolution...'' ''Oh, it's fricking fun, MOMO,'' the silver haired girl told her. ''All you gotta do is follow the arrows on the screen while stepping on the pad and you'll get points. And they play the most up-to-date music, too.''

''Really? It must be amazing since you know so much about it.''

''Meh, I played with friends back at home,'' Shane said. ''Hey, MOMO!'' The girls stopped and turned to see Jr. running over to them. ''Oh look, the child prodigy himself.'' ''Aw, shut up and go back into a coma.'' The pink haired girl looked at them then sighed. ''Yes, what is it, Jr.?''

''We'll be going our separate ways once we get to Second Miltia, right?''

''Yes...'' She answered softly.

''I don't know if Realians believe in carrying charms or not, but...'' The red-head took out a bullet, showing it to MOMO. ''Here, take this. It's for luck.''

''It's so pretty! What is it?'' He grinned. ''It's a bullet from a looong time ago,'' he said. ''Look, it's got a good luck phrase on it: ''Sayonara, baby!'' ''

''Thank you! I'll keep it safe!''

''Ah, wait, hold on a sec,'' he told her as he took out a bracelet from his pocket. He took the bullet in his hand along with the bracelet, putting his hands together. Shane and MOMO watched as a light emitted from his hand, forming a bracelet with a good luck charm bullet. ''There we go. Try it on.'' Jr. gave the bracelet to the pink-haired girl, putting it around her wrist.

''Wow!'' she said with a surprised but excited voice. ''You can do things like that, too? That's wonderful!''

''It kinda tires me out a bit, though...''

A small snicker of amusement came from Shane as the two looked at her. ''Shane? Is something the matter?'' She shook her head slowly. ''Nothing...it's cute, Jr.''

''..The hell are you talking about?'' He asked as red started to come to his cheeks.

''Your gift to MOMO...'' Shane grinned again, turning around and walking away. ''Shane, what are you--?''

''Jr. and MOMO sittin' in a tree...K-I-S-S-I-N-G...'' Jr.'s face turned completely red. ''W-wha?! Shane, shut up!!'' The silver haired girl turned her head to see him running after her with a gun in hand. She broke into a sprint, running away from him.

''Ack! What are you gonna do, Kukai Jr.?!''

''Nothing!'' He yelled.

''Then why are you chasing me?!'' She yelled back.

''Stop runnin' and I'll let you know!'' MOMO watched the two run in circles around, sighing some. ''Shane's just like a child...''

Chapter Fifteen: End. (..Nothing much to say. R&R, as always.)