For the most part the conversation went well. Miyuki told about her romance with Togashi in which he'd been avoiding her for a bit after practically going steady, as well as the research plans for the gate drive. Momo had been occupied with keeping reconfiguring Vector and combining it with Scientia to continue the company's work, though under a new banner. For the most part, however, the marines and Spartan were left to their own devices while the old friends talked.
"got any good games on this console here Momo?" Wilson asked.
"well, I haven't had much time to play it, but Miyuki gave it to me as a gift. I think Cubix is somewhat of a nice game" she said smiling.
"Cubix? Wha?" Wilson said before looking at Greys.
"don't ask, but… any first person shooters?" Greys asked.
"I… don't really like those kind of games…" Momo said looking sheepish.
"you don't like capping something in the head… Wilson, can you rig the thing to work with this?" Greys asked as he pulled out a data disc.
"hey, where'd you get that? That's… whoa! You have that?!" Wilson said as he took it out hf Grey's hand.
"yup. Battlefield 9042, in tri-d and surround. Dunno if it'll work on that thing though" he said thumbing towards the console nearby the tv.
"I'll see what I can do" Wilson said as he turned the thing on, the small prompt of "welcome" appearing before he pulled out his small mainframe and started typing away at code.
"hey! What are you guys doing to that? Please don't break it, that's Momo's!" Miyuki said as the small group looked over at the marines playing with the entertainment center. Within a few minutes, the console was reprogrammed to handle more graphics than an encephalon dive unit, and smoothly as well.
"think it'll work?" Greys asked.
"only one way to find out. Plug it in" he said as Greys placed the disc into the machine. The marines stared at the little machine as it whirred and made noise, then a long pause, then finally started up and started playing the game.
"yes! Nice one Will!" Greys exclaimed as he got a pat on the back.
"alright, multiplayer, arena, who wants a piece of me?" Greys asked as Helden joined in with them, as well as Michaels.
"I'll pass thank you" Magen said as Archerson talked with Garrett in the corner.
"sir, I believe we might have a way of blocking the gnosis from even taking advantage of our given situation, but we'll need to gain a foothold inside the Ark for any of it to work. That may take a few more days to figure out how to do" Garrett said.
"hmmm, I see what you mean, blocking their sensory output to hear whatever that warble is could stonewall these bastards, but the Ark? Some sort of tech in there that might help?" The Captain said as he rubbed his chin, stubble growing by the minute.
"I'm fluent in most forerunner technology so far found, and one of the objects of interest was a high resonance pulse emitter, used on most reactors. It allows the energy emitted to be almost radioed to other parts of the center, allowing certain places with no reactor or room to place the transition connections to have power. What do you think?" Garrett asked.
"it's a fine idea, we'd just have to get our hands on it. Until then, don't let the others know about the crazy plan ok? Letting them know about a theorized inhibitor that may or may not work might not be the best thing to tell them right now" Archerson said.
"understood. I'll keep it silent" Garrett responded.
"god damn! That was cold blooded you asshole!" Michaels yelled laughing as Greys came around the corner and rifle butted his character's head in.
"that's just bullshit, he's got the damned machine cannon!" Wilson said as Greys smiled and ran away.
"Garrett, wanna play? The damn yahoo has me wasted" Michaels said annoyed in his Texas accent as he handed up the controller.
"I'll pass, but thank you" Garrett waved the controller away as Michaels shrugged.
"alright, I guess we'll see you tomorrow then?" Shion suddenly said as the group got up from the dining table.
"ok, cya tomorrow then Shion!" Momo smiled.
"c'mon you apes, time to go" Archerson said as he walked towards the door.
"Shion, don't worry about anything happening, we'll stop anything that happens got it?" Archerson patted her on the shoulder as they walked down the hallway, then looked up at Garrett. Garrett simply nodded to both of them.
"thank you. Both of you" Shion said as she stared off towards KOS-MOS up front, just getting into the elevator.
"everyone will meet in two days correct? I'll inform the leaders then" Helmer said down the hall.
"very well, two days" Shion sighed.
"that's my que" Garrett said as he took a left and went down the stairs, everyone else going inside the lift. As they reached the bottom, they felt a small shake, and as the doors opened Garsaun came out, pale as a ghost as he stared at Garrett walking out of the stair doorway, a slight crack in the tiles on the ground. Garrett ducked under the doorframe and regrouped as they headed outside.
"can I momma? Please?" Kevin pleaded.
"well, if KOS-MOS says so, then I guess, maybe" Shion said.
"what? No, I wanna go in the big truck!" Kevin asked.
"no, no way, not a chance, I ain't watching the kid" Archerson said as Garrett turned the warthog on.
"well, then, I guess you can't go with them son, they don't have room for you" Allen asked.
"waaaahhhh! I wanna go in the truck! It's not fair!" Kevin began to cry.
"Garrett, help the kid out will you?" Magen asked.
"I'm driving, not escorting" Garrett responded.
"I will watch him, that is, if I would be allowed to be in the passenger seat" KOS-MOS stepped forward.
"but, that's my seat!" Archerson exclaimed.
"we only have two seats, besides the gunnery. How do you intend on sitting with Kevin?" Garrett asked KOS-MOS.
"he may sit on my lap" she said, then turned to Kevin, who was clapping his hands and smiling.
"wait, then where do I sit? Miyuki said not to have that gun up while we're here, and I ain't drivin KOS-MOS's damned bike. I hate two wheelin" Archerson grumbled.
"just get inside the limo this time, it's only one ride" Shion said.
"grrr, fine, Corporal, good luck keeping the runt inside the cab on the way back" Archerson said as he ruffled the kid's hair and got inside the limo. KOS-MOS sat down in the passenger side as Kevin jumped onto her lap, and she buckled the seat belt.
"let's go! Fast! Really fast!" Kevin said as he stared through the windshield, and Garrett sighed in his helmet and pulled out of his parking spot.
"fast! We gotta go fast!" Kevin yelled as KOS-MOS wrapped her arms around his waist, trying to keep him from jumping up and out of the seat.
"Kevin, you must stay still, please" KOS-MOS told him as she tried to make him sit again.
"but I don't wanna!" Kevin pouted as she held onto him. Garrett's right hand came down on his shoulder suddenly.
"sit. NOW" Garrett commanded, and Kevin was silent, then sat from the order. They came to a red light and sat there, watching another convoy of limos cross through, and Garrett's goggles suddenly went red, the psi eye happening in the corner of his mind, watching who was inside. Mostly standard political officials, but one warehouse truck behind the third limo was interesting, and had a sealed human sized casing in the back. He couldn't see inside, as suddenly Kevin poked at his goggles and they went back to blue, his attention diverted.
"wow, cool! I want a pair of those!" he squealed as he poked at his helmet, Garrett getting more and more disgruntled every moment. He was not some toy to be played with by some kid. Suddenly Kevin sat down again, flipped around and stared at KOS-MOS, poking at the two jewels on either side of her ears.
"what are those?" he asked.
"they are Hilbert amplifiers, they allow me to perform my original duties before I became human" she said.
"oh… what's a Hilbert amp… amp.. Ampifier?" he tried to say. She chuckled and tried to explain, but his attention suddenly changed to the wing armor on her shoulders.
"why are they poking out? Why are you wearing gloves?" he started asking all sorts of questions about her, and even poked at her collar. Garrett hit a bump accidentally and Kevin lost his balance on her lap, and before he could tip out the window Garrett's and KOS-MOS's arms both shot out at the same speed and latched onto his pants, his underwear showing almost at eye level to the woman.
Kevin giggled as he was pulled back in, and sneezed suddenly in KOS-MOS's face, she blinking quickly from the manuever as the boy apologized. Garrett reached into the glove compartment and moved aside the M8C to one side, and pulled out a pack of baby wipes.
"those are… huggies?" she asked quizzically.
"good for anything from cleaning rifles to napkins to an anticeptic cloth for wounds" he told her, still watching the road as he flipped on his turning signal light. She pulled one out and wiped her face with it, just as Garrett stopped the warthog in front of the Elsa.
"that wasn't so much fun…" Kevin grumbled as he got out, KOS-MOS following him as Garrett turned the truck off, and got out as well.
"so, you saw it going by us didn't you" Archerson suddenly asked Garrett. KOS-MOS turned around as she heard him, Shion wondering what he was referring to as well.
"heading towards a hotel in the east district, warehouse truck fourth in concert, loaded, unknown supplies, potentially weaponry, not registered as Kukai from what Helmer gave me of the IFF tags. Was that what you were talking about sir?" Garrett asked.
"yup. You know exactly what I'm thinking don't you?" Archerson smirked.
"yes sir. Overestimate them and consider them hostile during meeting. We'll set up accordingly" Garrett nodded as Archerson smiled.
"make sure if they get too close to our two lovely ladies to give them a warm welcome, understood?" Archerson said.
"understood" Garrett said as Archerson suddenly smiled towards both women then walked by them, nodding to both as Garrett went to the elevator, heading towards the base camp down below.
"um, hey! Where is everyone going?!" Miyuki asked.
"um, to bed? It's getting late and we have a lot to do in the morning once we see the council building" Shion said.
"duh! We have quarters made up for everyone already! I thought you all were just gonna pick up some cloths and get back in the limos! Get your butts back here!" Miyuki stomped.
Mirie walked slowly towards the women's quarters, her mind seemingly elsewhere.
"Mirie, are you ok?" Shion said as she walked up to her friend.
"I'm… fine… just a weird feeling… that is all… we may meet someone… someone that I gave the same to as KOS-MOS… but I do not know how…" Mirie whispered mostly to herself.
"someone? Who? Are you sure you are ok?" Shion said as Mirie smiled weakly.
"it is alright, it is probably nothing. Do not worry about me, we should… um… get some cloths for the quarters mayhap?" she asked.
"uh, ok, Miyuki, we'll be right there" Shion said confused as Miyuki tapped her foot waiting for everyone.
"wait, where are the marines?" Miyuki asked.
"they said they weren't coming, they don't really fit in with hotels" Allen said.
"oh, so they're staying on board?" Shion asked.
"yup, Archerson said they have a tactical plan in the morning, when we get to the consolate building" Allen said.
"oh, well, ok, I guess…" Shion said as they got back into the limos, KOS-MOS getting inside and staring out the window just as they were leaving. She caught sight of Garrett crouched on the top of the Elsa, cleaning a very odd looking green rifle with a power coil sitting next to him. On the side, she could make out the words "SPARTAN LASER: THOR 690GW" inscribed on the side.
------------------------------
2 days later
------------------------------
Shion stepped out of the limo and stared in disbelief at the huge crowd massed in front of the building. Signs and t-shirts were being worn and carried by most, all saying "Shion we love you!" and "KOS-MOS, you rule!" as she was being escorted towards the doors. KOS-MOS held onto her hand as they walked forward, the rest of the group trailing behind as hands reached out to shake theirs, people screaming for Shion to look at them. The marines and Spartan were nowhere to be seen, supposedly integrated into the security force and posted at different access points.
"all we have to do is speak for a bit, and everything will be ok, we'll be out of this soon enough ok KOS-MOS?" Shion tried to reassure her friend as KOS-MOS looked around, as now that she was human, was quite nervous. Mirie was right behind them, and even she was trying to keep an eye on everything happening.
"understood Shion" KOS-MOS said as they reached an intersection and the diplomats encountered them. Leering and smiles were seen by most of them as they watched KOS-MOS go by, one of them even making kissing motions towards her. She felt dirty as they undressed her with their eyes, but before they could actually get near her three people she felt relieved to see came up and escorted them forward, one, was seven feet tall, plowing the road and scaring the living shit out of the politicians nearby.
All of them reached a pair of large double doors that slowly opened to reveal a huge round table, with over forty seats, but for the most part not many of them would be used.
"wait outside here please" a kukai soldier said to the rest of the group as Shion and KOS-MOS and Mirie walked inside.
"What? We can't go with them?" Jr. asked.
"sorry sir, but it was only these three they wanted to see, along with Helmer" the soldier responded.
"it'll be ok… I'm sure… I hope…" Mirie said as she looked around, Garrett disappearing from the area.
"where's…?" she said softly, and Wilson nudged her.
"don't worry about it, we got things handled" he whispered to her and she nodded. The ladies entered and sat down, Helmer sitting next to them as small cameras floated around, watching them from news casters as the opposite door opened for the diplomats. Representative of the Salvator faction, Ordaris faction, the remnants of the pilgrim fleet, remnants of the federation, and U-TIC were all there, among some others, three private councilors, one now known as Albert, sat down.
"my my, she's even more beautiful in person" Albert whispered to an aid as KOS-MOS sat there, trying to keep professional.
"let's get to the job at hand shall we?" Helmer coughed as a judge entered into the room.
"what is the meaning of this? Why do we need someone of the judicial system here?" Albert exclaimed.
"he is here to authorize objections and counter objections and relevancy towards the meeting at hand and the words said. He will be keeping all of us civil. Now please, let us start" Helmer told them.
"very well. The meeting will now come to order. The first order of business is landing procedures. As we all know, most of us wish to land before the others, or all land at the same time, however, due to the amount of ships in current orbit, this is simply not possible, or being allowed by any side" the diplomat from the federation said.
"not allowed because you don't see us in the right! You want everyone to see the federation as still strong and powerful. You want to force your laws of organization upon all of us! The laws of god are on our side!" the diplomat from the pilgrimage fleet exclaimed.
"the one who abandoned us at that planet? Are you insane? We need to land and revaluate our current situation with the gnosis before anything else screws this up, and right now you are all slowing us down! Progress is not going to be made here by you people!" the U-TIC diplomat said.
"objection! One of us will be allowed to land our ships, and that will most likely be because we have the Elsa crew backing us up! So why don't we stop beating around the bush and have them speak, after all, we asked them to come here, and all we do is argue the same stuff!" A Private observer said.
"I would agree, but let's put some sense of order in here shall we? Let them speak in a line, let us hear what each says to our questions" Albert suddenly spoke. He was barely out of his teens, a very young looking man, wearing large glasses and a tweed brown dinner jacket. For the most part he was far from hansom, but he grinned towards KOS-MOS and cocked his eyebrow often towards her when she glanced towards him, making her feel uncomfortable.
"let's start with KOS-MOS" Albert finished.
"What? Are you a moron? She's an android, she couldn't possibly-" the federation diplomat tried to say.
"from recent events my reporters have been able to find out she is indeed flesh and blood" Albert grinned towards her, and the diplomats started to whisper amongst themselves, making KOS-MOS even more nervous.
"leave her alone! I will speak first!" Shion ordered as she stood up.
"she is not first in the line and everyone else would like to hear a few questions answered, if the judge will not object" Albert said smiling.
"but, she can't-" Shion tried to object.
"I'll allow it, then it will be your turn soon enough Mrs. Uzuki" the judge said, stroking his white beard.
"very well. Now then, Ms. KOS-MOS, does that acronym even attach to you anymore? Wouldn't you be more comfortable with a Kim? Or something else? A Moria? Maria maybe? How would you like it if I called you Maria?" Albert asked her.
"what does THAT have to do with anything?" the federation ambassador yelled.
"I am simply seeing if she feels uncomfortable with that name, considering all normal human beings hate being considered a machine, I would like to see if she has a name she would like to be called. I am simply trying to be respectful of her wants and needs, as would anyone else here would be called by their name. so, KOS-MOS, Maria?" Albert asked.
"my name is KOS-MOS, and I would wish for you to stop that line of questioning please" KOS-MOS stated sternly.
"oh, that is a shame, I'm quite sure you would like that name, being called that" Albert said coyly.
"objection!" Shion exclaimed.
"I take back those words, I apologize" Albert quickly said.
"please refrain from saying those things in the future Mr. Vanburen" the judge coughed.
"I understand. Now, Ms. KOS-MOS, when exactly did you become a human being? If I remember correctly, you were damaged almost to beyond repair after everything was said and done were you not? How is it that you have become flesh and blood like us?" Albert asked.
"it… was a gift, an Ether ability used in an unstable fashion, one that cannot be understood as per federation classification of Ether" KOS-MOS said.
"oh, a gift? I am well aware of what Ether is classified as by the federation my dear. Now then, this gift, did it make you fully human? Every part of you?" Albert smiled.
"I am" she said sternly.
"all internal organs? Are you able to reproduce, bare children, and mate like any other woman considered human?" Albert asked.
"objection! What is the relevance of this!" Shion yelled.
"yes, I would like to see where this is going as well Mr. Vanburen, you are tredding in very thin waters" the judge growled.
"I am simply trying to see the extent of her change compared to her original creation. She was nanites and armor before, now she would be considered like you and me. To change from a fully human created artificial being to have the same rights as anyone else is highly odd wouldn't you agree?" Albert said.
"a machine doesn't have rights, simply used by man and the lord towards working a grander design" the pilgrimage fleet ambassador said.
"ah, so we are all agreeing KOS-MOS cannot simply say she is human, she must be given the connection towards being human just like anyone else, a law abiding citizen. Therefore, she is still a machine is she not?" Albert said. The other diplomats nodded in agreement.
"she is what she is, just as a dog is a dog and a bird is a bird, you cannot deny her of that, to take away her natural rights and act like this towards her" Mirie suddenly spoke up.
"ah, and here we have the twin of said machine, or should we say triplet? But you are not a machine, mayhap the designer woman for her looks? I must say, they chose a very good design for her" Albert smiled. Mirie looked at him in disgust.
"what are you aiming at, Mr. Vanburen" Helmer suddenly said.
"what I am aiming at, Mr. Helmer, is that KOS-MOS, and her ilk, are in fact, property still, and therefore cannot be allowed to speak for this chamber. Also given the fact that she was originally created for defense against the gnosis, and since my original paperwork stated she would be subjucated to my control at a later date never came, she is under my command. Therefore, Shion does not have her speaking in her defense, as is more so KOS-MOS is speaking on my behalf" Albert smiled.
"you said that last time Mr. Vanburen, and you have yet to give up the documents stating you have ownership of her. She was scrapped for the T-elos project, and considering none of us could gain a T-elos combat android, we have all settled for having her. You will simply have to get in line to gain a newly produced KOS-MOS model" the federation ambassador sighed and rubbed his sinuses.
"ah, but here I have them, finally recovered from the damaged CAT testing grounds" Albert placed a disc on the table. Everyone started whispering.
"order! Order! Now then, let me see these documents" the judge said as he plugged them into the table and a visual appeared, one of writing stating as of that date, KOS-MOS was considered a commercial model and to be placed under control of Milido Prime's defense control network, leader of the Milido Prime government, Albert.
"no way, she isn't a robot! You can't do this!" Shion yelled.
"Mrs. Ridgeley, sit down!" the judge ordered, and Shion's eyes started to water. KOS-MOS stood there, downcast.
"so therefore, under the current assignment, my men will take her to the shuttle. However, everyone else will not exactly appreciate losing a potential attachment to their landings. Therefore, I would suggest, since Shion Uzuki was a federation citizen, that she be allowed to stay with the federation ambassador" Albert smiled.
"I never said I would go anywhere! Stop speaking for anyone else but yourself!" Shion screamed.
"Mrs. Ridgeley, one more outburst like that and you will have no voice to this meeting! Now calm yourself and speak professionally!" the judge said.
"but sir! He plans to take KOS-MOS away from me! From my friends! I can't let him do that! That bastard is going to hurt her!" Shion exclaimed.
"ah, she has become too attached to her creation it seems… a pity, some people value their machines more than human companionship nearby… me on the other hand, I would more value mutual cooperation, and the human side of things. I'm sure KOS-MOS will be quite happy where she will be after this, I assure you" Albert smiled devilishly.
"what?! What do we get out of this?! The federation clowns get something and we don't! this simply will not work, this meeting isn't exactly over yet Mr. Vanburen, we object to your claim on KOS-MOS as well!" the U-TIC diplomat said.
"oh you shouldn't, due in fact that your future claims to a retaliation towards a certain URTV's hostilities towards your group in the past has dampened things slightly. Why would you care about these three when that URTV is right outside? Have him put to rest the wrongs he has placed on your organization and side with you, I'm sure it would be most beneficial" Albert chuckled.
"hmmm…. That would be effective…" the U-TIC ambassador said before sitting down.
"this can't be! It's become an auctioning room! We can't let this happen! Please!" Shion yelled.
"that's it! Mrs. Shion Ridgeley, I am ordering you to be removed from this room! Guards!" the judge ordered as two men carried her out, KOS-MOS trying to stop them but blocked off by four federation soldiers citing control policy to her and her interference.
"KOS-MOS!" Shion yelled before the doors burst open and Garrett and Archerson walked in, Archerson wearing a business suit.
"release both those women! NOW!" Archerson roared as he slammed down a briefcase carrying documents in discs as well as data crystals.
"who the hell are you? Guards, remove these two men!" the judge ordered, and Archerson waved them away.
"we are by rule and law part of the security force and allowed entrance if emergency has arisen. An emergency has arisen" Archerson smiled.
"what? Where? Why aren't we being taken to safety?" Albert asked.
"because, the emergency is you are by law seizing UNSC property, not Vector machinery" Archerson smiled.
"what? How?!" Albert yelled.
"as the events unfolded, before KOS-MOS became flesh and blood, her repairs were done none other than by Corporal Spartan 003's automated repair bot, issued by the United Nations Space Corp, and was soon after dismantled by KOS-MOS's repair systems. Since previously to becoming a human being she used UNSC technology inside of her to bring her to functioning status, she is no longer Vector controlled, even though Vector had previously scrapped her, she is UNSC authorized equipment, and therefore by that right I give her as acting superior officer of the UNSC, free right and citizenry since she was previously attached to UNSC property. Now that she is a human being, she is a UNCF law abiding living creature, and has equal rights by all standards. You will now accept these laws as deemed fit by the Earth directorate, as you are all similar factions" Archerson said before breathing in deeply.
"you dare cite laws we know nothing about to us, and think we will accept them?!" Albert growled out.
"well, if you don't accept them, then technically speaking you are walking all over the rights of all the other faction's laws and diplomatic rules right here. Since there are about 10 different people here that you would be ignoring, I don't think that would be quite a good idea" Archerson said grinning.
"he is right, how would we know you wouldn't ignore our citizen's right to live or be equal? Or our religious beliefs?" the pilgrimage fleet ambassador said.
"here here!" the U-TIC diplomat said.
"this is an outrage! I own that woman right there! Come to me KOS-MOS! Now!" Albert yelled.
"she doesn't belong to you, if anything she belongs to Garrett as direct interference in right of using the repair bot as equipment parts. Since he has given me full command on this situation, in acquisition of said person he has deemed rights that she is a human being with feelings and emotions as all living creatures, and I enforce this to the letter. She has been given freedom to choose who she abides to, as per his request towards me to give UNCF coverage. You have no right to interfere in her personal wants or needs, only that she accept the laws of your faction if inside your territory. Since, we are in free space, you have no hold on her here" Archerson finished.
KOS-MOS looked up at Garrett, silent and unmoving. She smiled, and was about to thank him before Archerson continued.
"since of course a Spartan is of military enforcement and direct defense of UNCF territory, any hostile act towards Ms. KOS-MOS or said soldier brings full enactment of war towards given faction, and I seriously doubt you wanna tangle with this guy assholes" Archerson said before telling them to omit the last piece.
There was a long silence, followed by the judge reading through the claims shown.
"under the circumstances, he is right. You must accept that KOS-MOS is no longer a federation attachment in any way shape or form, she is a UNCF law abiding citizen, no longer considered a machine" the judge said, sighing.
"yes! Thank you!" Shion yelled in happiness as the guards let go of her and she ran and hugged KOS-MOS.
"wait a minute! Just wait a minute! Are you telling me this woman was originally property of this soldier, who gave her her freedom? You make it sound as if he is a slave owner! What kind of faction is the UNCF? Do you allow slavery where you come from?" Albert tried to interrupt.
"sir, slavery was abolished seven hundred years ago by our registered dates, and therefore since KOS-MOS must verbally state she is a UNCF citizen, cannot be held anywhere near that. You are a UNCF citizen aren't you KOS-MOS?" Archerson asked her and smiled while winking at her slightly.
"yes, I verbally acknowledge I am a UNCF citizen" she states and smiles.
"but wait! Shion is not!" Albert yelled.
"she can be if she requests a citizenry through me, due to the federation technically no longer being in full effect, she can discharge from that government and be directly connected to us, as also the rest of her associates as they have allied themselves and no longer accept the ruling fractured government you call "federation" " Archerson responded quite coolly. Albert was seething, and Archerson was having a field day showing off his law school training.
"then who does the Elsa abide to?" the other diplomats asked.
"by the current evidence I see, they are UNCF citizens. They are not connected to any of said factions inside this room. The meeting is adjurned" the judge said and slammed his gavel down on the table. Shion was very happy, and KOS-MOS smiled as Mirie sighed in relief. Garrett walked out of the room before KOS-MOS could stop him, and turned the corner. KOS-MOS broke away for a moment and ran outside, and stopped him.
"Garrett, I wanted to thank you, for helping me, for helping everyone. I appreciate what you've done for me" she said, and smiled.
"Happy to be of service. Welcome to the UNCF KOS-MOS" Garrett said, and saluted her, standing at attention. She laughed, although Garrett was being quite serious. She hugged him quickly, despite his height difference, even making Shion look at them in surprise, before pulling back, still smiling.
"ma'am?" Garrett asked confused.
"a show of my thanks" she said, looking up at his blue goggles.
"Garrett, we have a problem. Over here" Archerson motioned for him to come to where he was standing, away from Shion and KOS-MOS.
"if you'll excuse me" Garrett said and pulled away, not giving it another thought as he walked to his Captain. KOS-MOS stopped smiling, and stared after him. He didn't give the hug a second thought, simply accepted it and move on. A twinge of sadness was felt as she was ignored on that part, though he was a soldier to the fullest extent, and had multiple objectives to achieve since he was on the security force.
Both men walked up to the three ladies as Helmer tried to congratulate them.
"we have a problem" Archerson told them.
"what sort of problem?" Shion asked.
"Albert's fleet is moving towards Earth, and taking up positions at critical landing points and descension trajectories. Add on to the fact he's been whisked away to his shuttle and has already left, and you can see why we think it's gonna turn into violence. But that's not the half of it" Archerson sighed.
"what's the other half?" Mirie asked.
"Miyuki detected a space anomaly consistent with a gate drive on the outer reaches of the solar system, multiple positions, all stealthed immediately after gating in. we have no idea who they are, which faction their with or what their objectives are, but we can assume they are hostile as well" Archerson told them, looking around at each one.
"this is very unsettling…" Mirie said as they tried to think.
"I would suggest we get to the Dammerung's bridge and consult with Miyuki, then move to the Elsa and see what we can do" Helmer told them.
"right, let's go" Shion said as everyone walked to the doors, and exited. Cameras flashed as people screamed in applause, men pushing men and women giggling. One man jumped away from the guards stopping people from moving onto the walkway, and ran towards KOS-MOS before sliding on his knees.
"KOS-MOS! Marry me!" he exclaimed, pulling out a ring and pushing it towards her before the guards grabbed him and pulled him back, the rest of the crowd uproaring and pushing towards the small group.
"we need to move, now, it's not safe here" Garrett told them and helped everyone run to the limos. Another man broke away from the crowd and pulled a gun.
"Shion don't ignore me!" he yelled and fired, Garrett leaping in front of her and blocking the bullet with his shields, the reactive field pulsed and energized to show a bright yellow electrical aura around him. The mass of people screamed and rioted, running away in random directions, some attempting to fight.
"GO!" Garrett yelled and slammed his hand down on the roof of the limo before closing the door, letting the limo head off with the small group inside, Garrett left behind to contend with the large mass of people coming towards them.
"wait! What about Garrett?" Shion asked as the limo drove off quickly.
"he'll be fine, he'll regroup with us later. Right now we need to get to the bridge pronto" Archerson said as he undid his tie and threw it on the seat. KOS-MOS stared out the back window after the man as he pushed and slugged at some people before getting in the warthog parked behind and started it up, then pulled a pistol from the glove compartment and fired once into the sky, before the limo turned the corner.
"Garrett… be careful…" KOS-MOS softly said.