Chapter 15: Locked Unlocked

Irik sat in his cramped room, the same one that had once belonged to Renton. His face was etched with fatigue and stress. The computer sat on the small desk that was cramped against the back wall. It made no sound against him, since it had no power to feed it.

"How's he doing?" Holland's muffled voice came through the door. Irik slowly lifted his head to look.

"Hasn't made a sound, and we disconnected his computer. We've searched the room for anything else he could use to contact the U.F.." Matthieu's voice came this time.

"Alright, I'll take the watch for now."

"Ok, good, I was getting a little hungry." He responded cheerfully and the sound of foot steps faded away. Shortly after, the door slid aside and Holland stepped through. His face was emotionless, but his eyes were fierce with anger.

"Well Irik… I've been waiting to talk to you." Holland stepped forward and held a direct gaze at Irik's eyes. Irik turned away, his face revealing the guilt he was feeling. When Irik made no move to defend himself, Holland decided to continue. "You've been working with the U.F. the whole time. I can't believe it took me this long to figure it out. How else would they have known to launch a surprise attack when we were going to take down the secreted Inverse Drive development facility. How else could the U.F. had known that we were going to land in that city for re-supplies. And how else could they finally develop the Inverse Drive, with out your help." Holland shook his head and laughed at his own idiocy.

"Holland I…" Irik started, but his voice quickly fell in strength.

"Irik… Because of you, the P.O.F. are going to loose. Because of you, many people are going to die. Because of you, the U.F. now have Renton and Eureka…. Because of you, Irik, Konner is dead." Holland's amusement fade, and was replaced with a new anger. He clenched his teeth and knelt down closer to Irik. "You've fooled all of us Irik… even me. I thought you were seeking shelter and help, and so I provided it." Holland felt his fists closing tightly together, resisting the urge to strike something, anything.

"Holland please listen." Irik's voice cracked suddenly. Holland stood up and looked down with no sympathy.

"Go ahead and try to defend yourself." Holland leaned against the wall and waited. Tears began to stream down Irik's cheeks.

"This wasn't how I wanted things to be, I didn't have a choice. They told me my sister was alive, and they had her." Holland frowned at Irik, surprised at this new knowledge.

"I had never seen my sister's death. That single glimpse of hope seemed too desirable to be untrue. I followed every order they gave me. I had given them what they needed for the device, and I thought it was be over, but no. I got aboard your ship and that's where they wanted me to stay. While I was aboard, I had dropped in on your conversations. It was so simple, and the rewards seemed so great. Now they've got what they want… I know my sister isn't alive." He pressed his face into his hands as the tears became thicker. "Holland, I was simply fooled into believing false hopes. To see my sister again was everything I've ever wanted. I loved my sister with my life… and my soul." His voice became weak, and he finally crackled under pressure. "I didn't want Konner to die, and I never wanted to betray you or the others… my friends." He whispered the last words in his quaking voice. "I was fooled… I was utterly fooled. Even now they're still telling me she's alive, and I know it's a lie. Still they tell me, and I still want to believe it." He vigorously scratched his head, as if trying to shake something out. "I keep thinking that it's possible Holland. I don't suspect forgiveness, I just wish I could make things right again… but now Konner is dead." After finishing he could no longer hold it in. His voice broke and he began to cry. He wasn't sure whether or not Holland had already left. A hand suddenly laid itself on its head. Irik looked up in shock, seeing Holland's face was calm. Every spec of anger that had once been there was now gone.

"Irik." He started and knelt down. "You've made a lot of mistakes." Holland briefly looked down at the ground, searching for the right words. "I'm willing to give you a second chance." Irik's eyes went wider in shock. Holland understood him in a way he thought no one else could.

"You're willing to let me make up for my sins?" Irik asked in desperate hope. He received a single nod from Holland. A smile of pure joy spread on Irik's face. His brain started to turn again. His thoughts were clear, and he felt an energy he had thought long gone. "Holland… I'm going to fix this. There are some things I can't change, but I'm willing to do my best." Irik stood up and glanced around the room. Papers were scattered about the floor. He quickly reached down and picked one up.

"Irik." Holland stood up and looked him directly in the eye. Irik quickly turned and froze when he saw the seriousness and importance in Holland's face.

"Yes?" Irik responded hesitantly. Holland didn't speak, but instead just looked directly into Irik's face.

"Don't make me regret giving you a second chance." His voice was firm and steady. Irik didn't break his gaze. His body calmed and he nodded.

"Holland, I want to fix my mistake, and I know how. I think there might be a way to block the signals being sent to the Inverse Drive. This won't deactivate the Drive itself, but it should buy us enough time to reach through to Eureka and Renton." Holland tilted his head at Irik's idea.

"You mean, you think you know how to block it?" Holland asked with pleasant surprise.

"Yes, it will take time, but I think I know. Also, I know how to lure the Xellien here as well." A tight smile was forming on Irik's face. Holland actually took a step back in astonishment

"How?" Holland asked with great curiosity. Irik smirked and nodded back at his computer.

"They still think I'm on their side." Holland frowned, not comprehending what he meant, but with a single click the meaning hit him. A smile spread on Holland's face.

"Irik, you still have a chance at making all the difference." Holland almost laughed as a new excitement began to build.

"Trust me Holland, I won't make the same mistake twice." Irik clenched his teeth in the new sudden urge to do things right. "I'm going to bring Renton and Eureka back."

---

Renton tapped his foot on the floor. The day a week ago was a strange day. He tried to remember all that had happened, but all he could remember was being with Eureka. It felt as if he needed to remember something, but it wouldn't come.

"Wrong way!" A yell came down from the long metallic hall. Renton was instantly pulled out of his deep thoughts and sucked back into reality. A few windows quickly reminded him that it was daytime outside. Shaking his head he turned towards the direction he thought he had heard the voice, but all he saw was over stretched halls.

"Strange." He mumbled and quickly tossed the thought out of his mind. Leaning against the wall he could hear the hard running water of a shower. He now remembered that he was waiting for Eureka to finish her shower so they could both go and relax. Reaching up he brushed back his crusty brown hair and realized it has gone dry already from his shower. It also occurred at that moment that Rekina had let them off duty just a few hours ago.

"The U.F." The words fell from his lips unknowingly. It confused him, but the name wouldn't leave his mind. It kept repeating itself over and over, as if it had some great importance. But every time he did concentrate on the U.F., he had a hard time recollecting what had ever had been bad about them. He attempted to dig farther into the thought, but he only received a blank page.

"No… No… I'm supposed to." A voice called along the hall. Renton didn't bother to look up, he didn't care.

"Follow orders, do as they say, don't deny the command." The voice was louder and slightly shaky. Renton's frown became tighter as he attempted to ignore it and concentrate on the U.F..

"Kill no matter what… yeah… no… yes… maybe… how?" This time the voice seemed almost right next to him. "I didn't do what I wasn't supposed to. Yes, attack it, its attempting to interfere with operations. Stop at all cost… no… Unit 13 has been severely damaged? Wait… heart failure and sudden shock… No… do not attempt to save ally, continue with mission. It, wait, yes, It is dead, the operation is back in order… wait… yes… operation is successful, permission to deactivate Drive… what? No, continue." The voice was wispy and unsure. Renton clenched his teeth and turned towards the sound. He almost toppled back when found a man standing next to him. It was U.F. soldier. The man's eyes were slightly slacked and dazed.

"Can I help you?" Renton slowly asked the taller man. The man looked around cautiously, took a deep breath, and took a step forward.

"Unit 12 was attacked, permission to assist… wait… yes… no?" The man frowned and tilted his head at the ceiling. He then turned towards Renton with oddly wide eyes.

"LFO… Pilot of the unidentified LFO." The man stuttered with every word.

"What?" Renton took an uncomfortable step backwards.

"Unit 12 disabled indefinitely, permission to assist?... no." The man clenched his teeth and took a threatening step towards Renton. The man was now angered for reasons Renton didn't understand. He had never met this U.F. soldier before, and for some reason the man kept rambling on random sentences.

"Yes, pilot identified as the pilot of the unidentified…L…LFO. Yes, LFO disabled unit 12…. Wait… yes." The man quickly looked around for no reason. "Permission to assist?" He repeated the same phrase again. For a moment the man went silent and looked up at the ceiling. It seemed as if he was waiting for something to happen, but nothing would come. "Assist? Yes… no?" He stuttered again and reached his hand towards his side. Renton followed the movement and saw that he was reaching for a gun. The man gripped the pistol and held it up with the tip pointed at Renton.

"What are you doing?" Renton asked and stumbled backwards against the wall. The man frowned in odd confusion.

"Assisting?" He said as if he were asking Renton the same question. Suddenly two men wearing strange white suits rushed forward and grabbed the odd one. Each of them wore a suit that completely covered their body from head to feet, with small metallic tube coming out from where their mouth would be. There was no resistance from the other, instead the man's eyes turned dazed against the world and his body turned limp.

"Sorry about the Thurston, we'll take this one from here." One of the other men said as they dragged away the crazy one.

"Where are you taking him, what's wrong?" Renton asked and started to follow, but one of the men quickly raised their hand to stop him.

"Just a minor problem, but we got it." Oddly the man laughed and continued to drag the other along. Feeling it was best Renton didn't follow. He watched as they pulled away the rambling man. Another moment passed and he rubbed his now aching head.

"Something I need to remember… what was it?" Renton muttered.

"Something wrong Renton?" Eureka asked from behind him. He let out a repressed breath at the sound of her calming voice. Turning around he smiled at her and shook his head.

"No, I just forgot something. I'm sure it'll come back soon." He noticed her glistening wings in the window light. They reflected the suns rays with a flaring gold color. Eureka noticed and smiled softly. Carefully she took her golden hair pin and placed it through her silky teal hair.

"Ready?" She took a few steps closer to him. Renton broke his gaze away from the beautiful wing and turned back to Eureka.

"Yeah, let's head back to the room." He smiled and turned around. Just as they were about to continue forward, Renton felt Eureka slip her hand through his. The feeling spread through out his body and forced the smile on Renton's face to grow wider. They continue down the empty and silent halls. All the worries of the U.F. had randomly vanished from Renton's mind. While they continued, he tried to recall what had stressed him on the U.F.. Every time was quickly flushed out by the feeling of Eureka's hand.

"Renton." Eureka said beside him as they walked along. He quickly shook his head of absent thoughts and look over curiously.

"Yeah?" He responded. She was looking back at him with her vibrant violet eyes. The two slowed down as they continued to just look at each other. They had almost reached a complete stop until Eureka's cheeks turned a gentle red and she shook her head.

"Never mind." The smile on her face was more blissful. She cusped both arms around his one and then leaned against his shoulder. "I'm just glad." She gently said.

They continued down the hall until they had reached their room. Entering inside, Renton was again caught off guard from the size of the room. It wasn't as small as the one on the Gekko-Go. This one was encased with a pure moon lit white. There were two bed placed off to the side with the same angelical color. In the middle of the room was placed a very oriental white table. On top sat an empty flower pot. Renton frowned down at the unaccompanied pot. For reasons he couldn't understand, the pot always bothered him. He walked over towards his bed and knelt down to get his things, but they weren't there. Frowning he stood up and looked around the room. Under his bed is where he always kept his belongings, but now there was nothing but more useless and empty space.

"What's wrong Renton?" Eureka asked and followed his gaze towards his bed. He briefly glanced back at her.

"It's my things… they aren't here. I usually always keep my spare tools under the bed and what ever else I can't fit in my pouch." He scratched his head in irritation. A saddened look passed over Eureka's face.

"Renton, you must have left them on the Gekko-Go." She slowly told him from behind. He turned around and cocked his head in confusion

"Gekko-Go?" The word swirled around in his mind. It was slightly blurry, but it finally clicked. "Oh… that's right… when we were back on the Gekko-Go." Renton slightly dazed as the memory became thicker in his mind.

"Are you ok?" Eureka asked with concern and stepped up next to him. She slowly lifted her hand and placed it against his head, right where his head ach was forming. The soft touch pulled him back out of his thinking.

"Sorry, I'm just having a hard time remembering things lately." He closed his eyes and tenderly shook his head.

"Did you want to see a doctor?" Eureka dropped her hand and waited for a response. Renton took a second to think about it. He seriously thought that might be a good idea, but something was nagging him otherwise.

"No, I'll be ok." He smiled reassuringly and nodded. She looked him over carefully, deciding whether or not to believe him. Finally she smiled as well and took his hand. Gently she pulled him over to another table at the window. This table was just as oriental and white as the first, but its surface was glass. They both sat down and Renton felt that same feeling of plainness in the room. The room itself was oversized with what little it had to fill it. He felt himself missing something, something back on the

Gekko-Go. With a single sigh, he shifted his attention back out the window.

The outside was settled almost like a grand painting. They were flying above the grand ocean. High above hung the never ending sun's eternal glory of light. It reflected its rays directly into the sea's twisting and curving waves. The ocean's color was a dark emerald blue, but land revealed its shallow height as it neared closer to the continent. The land was crested with sandy curves. Beaches eventually faded into a large fuzzy green forest. Not too much farther beyond the massive forest were the grand humping mountains. Trees covered their surface, almost reflecting the same appearance of moss on an ocean rock. Renton attempted to see farther beyond that, but the horizon eventually faded into nothing but blue sky. Gently he tore his gaze away and centered on Eureka. She was completely mesmerized by the vision. Her eyes were dazed and a small tender smile rested in her lips. Renton looked her over, from her soft teal hair, to her shimmering green wings.

The worry of trying to remember what he had forgotten quickly dissipated. He continued to glance at her magnificent wings and their curved surface. While he drew himself into the vision of her wings, he noticed something odd about them. A dark purple fade seemed to be growing inside. It looked almost as if a liquid had been injected, but the flow of fluids was to slow for notice. The liquid looked like a dark purple cloud.

"Eureka, Renton." A voice suddenly called from the door. The two of them broke away and saw a man standing at the door. He politely bowed and motioned behind himself. "Rekina wishes you would prepare for the Xellien. There is a new threat at hand that must be demolished." He spoke in a professional tone.

"But I thought we were off duty?" Eureka said and looked between Renton and the man. The man sincerely bowed again.

"Rekina is apologetic, but this mission has unsuspected importance." He motioned once more behind him. Eureka tilted her down in disappointment. She slowly lifted her head back at Renton. He held gaze with her, and nodded with a confident smile. She smiled as well and stood up along with Renton.

"We'll prep the Xellien." Eureka said with a new sense of seriousness. The man smiled in relief and left. Eureka started for the door, but she stopped when a hand gripped her shoulder. Turning around she confusedly looked at Renton. "What is it Renton?" She asked and noticed a deep frown on his face. He was uncomfortably looking off to the side.

"Eureka, don't you feel as if something is wrong? At first it was my own problem, but as this week has recently passed by on this ship, and we've served under Rekina with full will… I've felt things slipping away. I don't like it Eureka, things are just disappearing, and I can't even remember who or what they are. A blank image in my mind forms, and even then I feel as if I'm looking at something deeply important, something that I have to remember." He finally lifted his eyes towards hers. His faced was covered with concern and worry. "Eureka, I feel like everything that makes me is just disappearing." Tightly he closed his eyes as the odd and aching feeling formed in his head again. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.

"Renton." She softly whispered, trying to share her strength to his. He gratefully took her arms and embraced her in his own. Once again they were connected, and he felt his thoughts being soothed by her voice.

"I think I might need to see Rekina." He started in a tired voice "I can't take these feelings of absence. I've tried to push them away constantly, but they just keep coming back." Eureka nodded her head and held him closer.

"I know Rekina will understand Renton." She responded with absolute surety. They pulled away from each other and locked eyes. All the negative feelings had dissipated within Renton.

"Let's go." A grin formed on his face and he nodded at the door. A new light suddenly lit inside Eureka's eyes as she saw his happiness. With everything having seemed settled, they left the room.

---

"Death of a Flower's Bloom?" Irik muttered back while he sat at Job's station in the control room. A week had passed since Holland had given him a second chance. It was hard at first, with every one hating him for just letting light reflect off his body. As time went on, there were only three people that had forgiven him and moved on. Those three were Jobs, Woz, and Holland himself.

"Miscalculation right there, try system link 34R." Jobs pointed down at one of the buttons. The room itself was tinted with the orange glow of the engine. Screens were placed just bellow the ceiling. On one side towards the large window sat a nicely placed dash board. Across this dashboard were all the controls that Irik needed to set the ship up for what was coming.

"Wait, where?" Irik asked and broke from his solid concentration. Jobs pointed down at one of the many screens. Curiously Irik shifted his head over and glanced at the flat surface. "Oh, I see, hold on." He shifted the seat to the side and continued using the controls. Even though his mind was at work, his thoughts continuously fell back towards the events of the passed week. Holland had announced that Irik was being given a second chance. To Irik's luck, Holland even explained what had happened with Irik and the U.F.. No one in the crew would even consider forgiveness, but Holland was the captain, so they did as they were told.

"Death of a Flower's Bloom?" Jobs inquisitively repeated what Irik had said. Irik found himself being pulled out from his deep thoughts. "And you made another mistake on system 23B." Jobs pointed down at another screen. Irik didn't stop the sigh of fatigue that fell from his mouth. He reached over and corrected the problem with a few swift clicks.

"Sorry Jobs, I'm just a little dazed." Irik let out a tired laugh and continued.

"And what about that book you were talking about?" Jobs curiously asked. Irik stopped to think about what he meant, and then it clicked.

"Oh, the story? It isn't a very long one. I can't really remember the specifics." He paused and thought about it for a second. "Strange, I can't really remember much of the story at all. But it did have to do with some one looking for a special flower that blooms under the worst conditions. It grows and some how manages to spread its seeds. The main character finally finds one and takes it out while it was still blooming. The flower was placed in freshly manmade soil, and it was given plenty of water. But just the next day, the flower died. Even though it was taken out of its bloom the flower should have still been able to live on in the better conditions. The one who picked the flower realized that the flower was put in a place that wasn't its own and it couldn't handle the new and already set conditions. The flower was practically forced into living, rather then going on its own." Irik had stopped work and looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought.

"That is an odd story." Jobs shook his head and looked back down at the computer boards. "Where did you get it from?"

"My father gave the book to me before he had disappeared. He said that it was his favorite book. Although it is odd, it does have some very strange symbolism behind it." Irik shook his head and started work back up again. "I'm still figuring out what it all meant." Jobs chuckled and stood up from his chair.

"I'm going to check on Woz and see how he is doing in the command room. I have an odd feeling that he won't be pleased with all the changes, see yah." Irik gave a short wave goodbye as Jobs left the room. That was another thing Irik had noticed about Woz and Jobs. Both of them trusted him around the equipment. For him that was a great feeling of reassurance. Having lost the trust of the world, all he had left was them. He wasn't sure why Woz and Jobs trusted him so, but he wasn't going to waste another's trust again. This time he knew he had to make the right choice. His fingers quickened against the controls.

"I'm not going to pity myself or dwell on the trials of the world." He chuckled slightly "Besides, even the best conditions can be just as deadly."

---

"No…No…" Jake repeated in aggravation. He reached up and brushed back his solid black hair.

"Well what about the connections here and here?" The man indicated with the point of his finger. The new prototype was strapped up against a grand wall. It had been stripped of its protective shielding, revealing its bare skeleton body underneath. Even though it had once had protective shielding, it was obvious to see that the metallic shell had done little good. There were several gashes in the skeleton, revealing cords that were slick with a green sticky substance. Scientists placed themselves about the room. Each one took careful note, studying with great detail.

"That won't work, those connections were melted together. We'll have to scrap it and start on the next connection." Jake turned around and started to walk away.

"What, we're skipping another one?" The man responded in surprise. Jake nodded in tired impatience. "Where are you going?" Jake didn't bother to look back, he only continued walking.

"My shift it over, I'm taking a break." With a single wave Jake disappeared through a door, leaving the massive room behind. He gently rubbed his eyes and continued down the halls. He passed several doors, and eventually stopped at a single one. With out hesitation he reached for the door lock, but found himself stopping. For a second he paused and then lifted his hand and knocked on the door. No response would come. He sighed as he felt fatigue weigh down his tired body. His eyes were dry and irritated against the light that filled the halls.

"I should probably continue work on the new prototype." He muttered and continued staring at the door. With all hope gone he started to walk away, but just as he did so, the door opened.

"Jake?" Klera called his name questioningly. Jake instantly turned around with a forced smile.

"Hey Klera, I just wanted to check up on how you were doing." He said with a sudden burst of energy.

"Oh, I'm doing fine… why?" To Irik's surprise, Klera did seem to be doing fine. There was no fatigue in her face, no lines to reveal lack of sleep, and no sadness in her soft blue eyes.

"I'm sorry, I just thought." He started and scratched the back of his head in confusion. Just a few days before, she had been completely torn up, but now she seemed normal.

"Don't worry Jake, I know what you're thinking. Want to come in?" She stepped aside and motioned him into the room. Jake carefully studied the room as he stepped in. Her room was neatly ordered. The bed off to the side was pristinely made with a small lamp sharing its yellow glow on its fuzzy surface. There remained a single black table to the side of the wall. Upon it was a lamp, a currently being written book, and a pencil off to the side.

"What are you writing?" Jake asked and stepped towards the book.

"A journal, its something I've always wanted to do… I guess I've just never really gotten around to doing it." She smiled and sat down at the chair. Jake noticed the happy mood about her, and he finally gave up.

"Klera… I don't know how to ask this." He looked around the room in utter confusion. "But why are you so… well… alright?" His search stopped on her.

"Because I can't be that way Jake." She started with a gentle smile. Jake's frowned deepened further. "So many things are going wrong Jake, and I can't handle it." She admitted to what Jake had suspected, but she still continued to smile. "It started with the idea of this journal. Konner has no history left behind after his death, except for me and you." She slowly turned her attention to the book lying on the table. "I don't want him to be remembered in thoughts of sadness. I'm not sure why, but writing about him almost feels like he's alive again. I'm writing down all the situations we have ever been in, and I want them to be good ones. Although the time will come where I'll write down his weaknesses, and what he had to trail against, but I don't fear that." She turned her attention back to Jake. "I need your help Jake. Please help me write about him and also me." Jake didn't know what to say or think, she was different then before. "I want mine and Konner's child to remember us, even after I'm gone." Jake's eyes went wide.

"What do you mean?" Jake asked in a faulty voice, his eyes turned into a crazed fear.

"Jake, I'm not going to live much longer after my child's birth. I have a cancer that will kill me." Jake froze in cold shock and fell to his knees in weakness. Tears started to stream down his cheeks, softly landing on the floor bellow.

"Konner, Irik, and now you?" He searched the room with his eyes in hopelessness. His eyes were almost completely red when they settled back on her. "Klera, I can't continue anymore. You guys were the only friends I've had. You have no idea how Konner Influenced my life… how you both influenced my life." The tears became thicker as his voice started to crack. "Please… Please." He shoved his head into his hands, trying to banish the painful tears. Klera scrolled her chair forward and allowed Jake to rest his head in her lap.

"I'm sorry Jake." She whispered as her face broke together in a tight saddened frown. Streams of salty liquid quickly fell from her eyes. The fear and weakness of reality was breaking through to her again. Her voice now shook as she spoke. "I wish I didn't have to leave too."

---

"That might be it!" Irik yelled down from the 606. A set up of computers led several cords into the 606's mechanical body. Woz and Jobs nodded in confirmation and continued working with the computers.

"How's that?" Woz asked but didn't tare his eyes away from the screen. Irik sat in the 606's cockpit and looked over the dashboard.

"Yeah, the computer is testing out with a minor decrease in trappar." A smile tightened across Irik's face. "This is perfect, I think it might work." He yelled in new satisfaction.

"We'll have to take a few more tests, but this is definitely a good start." Jobs responded nonchalantly.

"Ok, I'm shutting off the power." Woz announced and quickly worked at the console. Irik stood up and climbed down from the massive 606.

"So far so good." Irik said with new high spirits. Neither Jobs nor Woz seemed enthused, but neither did they seemed negative, they were just casual. Irik wasn't surprised by their lack of reaction. But he did notice a very faint smile on Job's face.

"We'll continue this tomorrow then. I'm going to head back to the control room and set things up." Jobs waved and headed for the door.

"I'll be heading out to Irik. My station has been left a little dusty." Woz shared a glimpse of a friendly grin before leaving Irik to himself. The sound of a sigh echoed inside the stale hanger air. Irik slowly stepped across the floor and sat down at the computer setup. He carefully reached forward and laid a finger on the computer keyboard, but he immediately pulled it away. Work was done, and he knew that it was time to rest. His eyes followed along the millions of stringy cords into the 606. A small and unfamiliar feeling tipped at the edge of his mind. Frowning at the new sensation, he quickly tried to sum up what it was. Then for a brief second the realization grasped his mind and pushed it to a new level.

"Sympathy?" He whispered the word to himself. His head shook in unbelief. It was a feeling he knew existed and he knew he was very well capable of manifesting it into himself, but had never though he would experience it towards the 606. The 606 was leaning itself against the wall. Cords stabbing themselves into exposed points and lazily dragging back down towards the floor. Even though the cords had no bound on the 606, it still seemed to be captive and restained.

"You know… ummm… 606?" Irik started hesitantly. He truly had no idea what he was doing, but it had something to do for Eureka. The memory kept clicked in his thoughts like a new turning gear. His mind would constantly set itself one way, but now there was a new piece to turn the clog works in his ideas. LFOs, KLFs, and S.U.s were all just machines. But now that it gripped his head, they weren't just machines. These machines were actually other beings, with possible intelligence.

The idea kept piling on his thoughts, weighing him down with a new sense of guilt. He wondered how these beings lived while never moving. How would they live with out expressing their emotions? He was now taking a new look on ideas.

"606, what a plain name." Irik muttered and actually smiled lightly. "Eureka had named the Final Beginning the Xellien." He curiously said as if he were talking with another being, and the more he thought about it, the more he realized that that was true. "I'll admit that I didn't understand it at first." He chuckled and stood up. Slowly he walked around the table and moved towards the 606. "I don't know why I think the way I do, or why I'm talking to myself." Carefully he sat down in the thousands of cords and glanced up at the 606. It's mass shadowed him from a bright light behind it.

"Its just interesting to think about it, I guess. So, I'll admit the truth to you. Technology within itself is my last connection to my father. I've developed so many talents from and through him. People constantly reminded me that he had a special way of thinking about the waves. It wasn't just energy in the air, but a physical substance of mind. He once explained to me that Trappar is like a liquid that can pour itself into thoughts." He laughed at his own idiocy. "I want to say that I don't know why I'm talking to you… but the fact is… I do." With the pull of relief, he fell back into the cords. "My father told me that the machines are alive, not in a metaphorical way, but literally true. Besides, you are connected directly to the Corrallian. And after meeting Eureka I knew it was true. Sometimes when you discover something, you pocket it away into a deep thought and never consider it again. This is what happened to me, and I'm not going to turn away that feeling anymore… not anymore." He whispered again in a slightly grim voice. "But still" Once again the comfy grin settled itself, "I know that I need to talk to something… and even though I don't understand it in any sense of mind, I know you're listening." His head fell to the side. "I don't understand everything, but I intend to. I owe it to three people to try and believe something knew. Konner is dead, Eureka and Renton are lost, and its all because of me. They brought something into the world that I might have killed… For them I have to believe and change the way I think." His eyes started to stare off into another place. "I'll loose myself as I had lost them." He closed his eyes and rested against the bumpy cords.

---

Renton walked down the hanger in a tight white suit that hugged his body irritably. He found himself constantly reaching up and pulling his collar to drain heat.

The hanger was incredibly massive. Three long square holes were settled in the whole. Each one was open, revealing the crashing ocean bellow. Unlike the rest of the ship, this room was a solid metallic silver, unmarked from paint. Three pairs of tracking lines led into the holes. At the beginning of the lines sat two KLFs and the Xellien in the middle. Renton glanced around to see hundreds of KLFs tracing the walls. They stood in silent wait, knowing their time would come for battle. Turning around he noticed the large command room. Although the place was scattered with U.F. troops, the command room was filled with scientists in their white lab coats. While soldiers were preparing for battle, they were up inside their safe room, pleasantly looking out over the operations.

"Hey Renton!" A pleasant voice called from behind. Blinking he turned around and started towards the Xellien. As he walked along he finally noticed the six strange units that were strapped to the ceiling, divided out just above the three holes. He knew them as the S.U.s. Ignoring them he quickly picked up his pace to a running speed and stopped once he reached the Xellien. Eureka stood up in the cockpit, patiently waiting for him. She wore a similar suit to his. Roughly he climbed up the Xellien and up to the cockpit.

"Systems are already and set to go." Eureka said when he hopped down into his seat.

"Do we know our mission yet?" Renton instantly jumped to the subject. Eureka shook her head and sat down. She reached over Renton and hit the button to close the door.

"She hasn't informed us, but apparently we'll be going alone." She leaned back in her seat and looked over at him. Renton sighed and shook his head, placing a finger where his head ach still settled. She gently reached up and felt the same place. The touch caused him to look up in slight surprise.

"I'll be alright." He smiled in absolute confidence, but some where in himself he felt the lie. Eureka frowned in concern and hesitantly lowered her hand. She carefully studied his smile and then grinned at him.

"Alright." She said in a cheery voice and took his hand. He took it and held onto its giving strength. Eureka sat closer to him and then leaned against his open shoulder. A kind smile tipped at his cheeks as he watched her. But weights of blind truth were quickly pulling them pack down. Renton lifted his left arm and examined it.

"Why can't I remember what this hand has made." He mouthed as to keep Eureka from hearing him. The feeling of Eureka suddenly jolted his realization of where he was. Tightly he clenched his fist and shut his eyes. Guilt was settling in the bowls of his stomach, while confusion was swelling in his mind, and he couldn't comprehend why.

"Xellien, you are clear for launch." A tough male voice announced from the comm.. Eureka's eyes shot open, and she slowly sat up in her seat.

"Ready Renton?" Eureka asked and curiously looked over at him. Renton didn't look back. He only nodded and gripped the controls. She reached for her own wheel, but stopped at the strange deep look of thought on his face. With one last glance at him, she gripped the controls.

The Xellien was pulled forward and launched out of the ship. It fell against the wind, splashing the green waves into a spray of sparkling emeralds.

"Xellien is set, we are heading to the desired destination. Permission to request mission info?" Eureka asked through the comm.. There was a long uncomfortable pause.

"Yes Eureka, of course you and Renton deserve to know the truth." Rekina's voice responded. Renton's head instantly jolted up in surprise. "You see, the Gekko-Go is heading our way from the north. They are currently on a mission, one that will jeopardize the U.F.'s design. I don't want you to destroy them… just disable their ship, force them to retreat." Her cool voice commanded through the comm.. Renton felt himself suddenly shaking, only slightly. He couldn't explain the powerful feeling inside him that was attempting to tell him something. It was burning at his stomach, but also freezing his arms.

"Yes Reki-" Renton forced his mouth shut, feeling the words coming through were not his own. "What is it they are attempting to do?" Renton gasped through a heaved breath. Eureka turned her head in confusion, finding his behavior oddly strange.

"They plan to halt a special operation that will end this war. Ending the war is something they do not want, and therefore they come to halt it." She responded with absolute simplicity. Renton opened his mouth to say something, but quickly shut it again.

"Understood Rekina, we're on our way." Eureka said and shut off the comm.. She quickly shifted her full attention back to Renton, but also kept one hand to keep the Xellien sailing strait. "Renton, please don't hide your pain away from me again. We both remember what happened last time." Eureka frowned in deep concern as she spoke. He twisted his head away from her, and looked towards the sky. The sky itself was filled with a solid clean blue. He almost felt as if he could just pour his feelings into its vast emptiness, and rid himself of the foreign emotions. But just as he imagined this being possible, a gentle hand gripped his own. Immediately he held it as well and twisted his hand back. He felt himself constantly forgetting the greatest strength sitting right next to him… Eureka. Weakly he smiled and shook his head

"I'll admit that something is wrong Eureka… but we'll go on one last mission before I bring myself to Rekina." His voice was faulty and hesitant, but Eureka accepted that he meant what he said.

The Xellien continued to slide against the burning green waves, and off into the distance.

---

"Yes, they sent the Xellien… alone. They're following right into our trap. We're lucky they still think that I'm on their side." Irik announce in relief. Holland stepped forward and landed a satisfied hand on Irik's shoulder.

"Good, now its just matter of setting out the plan." Holland grinned, feeling new hopes arising in everything around him. They were sitting in the command room, along with the rest of the crew. Every one had settled their eyes uncomfortably on Irik, except for Jobs and Woz.

"If the weapon is aimed right, you'll have a total of five seconds to get the message you want." Irik said directly to Holland, who nodded back in confirmation.

"Spotting an unidentified unit coming in from the south." Gidjets voice suddenly burst from behind the group that surrounded Irik and Holland. They all turned around to see Gidjet quickly working at the controls. Small slick beads of sweat glided down her face.

"Xellien?" Holland asked and pressed his way through the group. Gidjet didn't respond immediately, she was still concentrating on the constantly fluctuating readings.

"Yes, and its coming in fast." She looked up at Holland with worried eyes. He gritted his teeth and looked down at the ground in thought.

"Alright, then lets just do what we were planning to. I know we haven't followed any procedures, so we'll just have to follow by words." He stopped and turned around towards Matthieu. "Matthieu, do you think you can handle this?" Holland questioned with complete seriousness. Matthieu bit his lower lip and looked back uncomfortable.

"I'm not sure Holland. Are you sure we can trust him?" Matthieu asked and motioned his head with a small tilt at Irik. All the emotion in Holland's face fell away, leaving only a stern seriousness. He stepped forward and stopped until his face was only inches away from Matthieu's. The setting left an uncomfortable aura in the area.

"We've made mistakes before Matthieu… even me. I'm still feeling the consequences for those mistakes. It took me years to even push the memories out of my mind, and forget what I've done. I was given a second chance, so why shouldn't he?" Holland asked, not d breaking his solid gaze with Matthieu. Matthieu averted his eyes and searched for something else to look at. But Holland pressed the question with his hard stare, and Matthieus head fell in defeat.

"Alright alright." Matthieu grumbled back defensively. He shook his head and nodded at Holland. "You're right Holland, I understand." Holland smiled in satisfaction and turned around.

"Alright… then let's get this started!" Holland shouted with a new burning excitement that seemed to fill the room with a new thriving energy. Every one responded with their own shout of excitement, and headed to their stations. Holland started to leave, but not before quickly glancing at Irik who was looking back at him. Irik's face was emitting the very word of gratitude towards Holland. He smiled and nodded before leaving the room.

---

"They're launching a unit." Renton calmly said as his eyes darted around the reading screens. His hand twitched when the model name spread itself across the screen, and he blinked violently. He read it over, trying to reprocess what it was saying, and he knew that it was the Devilfish.

"I know you're in there Renton and Eureka." Holland's firm, harsh voice came through the comm.. Renton shifted in his seat uncomfortably. The Devilfish continued to charge forward, undaunted by what ever forced pressed against it. Wind ripped apart in its charge, and fell back in a clattered confusion of twirls and swirls.

In the distance the Devilfish and Xellien looked like two sparkling specs, charging each other with swift but smooth speeds. The two smashed together, causing a huge shockwave that forced air to ripple out of the way. Metal snapped with loud crack in the space as the two continued to struggle.

"Eureka, don't you feel something is odd about all of this?" Holland started in an urging tone. "Renton… you know what happened to Eureka, why are you acting along?" He asked Renton with angered curiosity. The Devilfish lowered its leg and quickly brought it back up into the Xellien's chest. The Xellien lunged backwards and span in the air. With quick precision, it twisted its board and settled against the waves.

Renton gripped the controls, his breath heavy and dry. What Holland had said continued to reign his thoughts. He desperately wanted to know what Holland meant, but it wasn't coming.

"I…" Renton attempted to say, but it came out in a short stutter. Eureka shoved the controls forward. The Xellien charged and slammed against the Devilfish, temporarily stunning it. Raising its fist back the Xellien quickly brought its arm down and punched its fist into the Devilfish's shoulder.

"Renton, think about what is happening." Holland's voice came once again, but this time it seemed silent and muted. Renton suddenly noticed something strange about the cockpit. Everything was starting to go still. His hand went numb, along with the rest of his body. His mind was absent of thought, and he knew it. But even with thought there was nothing but odd peace. The battle that was taking place now seemed farther away. His arms continued to move, but they were not his to control.

---

"The system should be completely charged. Now is the time!" Irik shouted into the comm. system aboard the Gekko-Go.

"Got it, Matthieu, set out and aim at their cockpit. We only got one shot at this, and we don't know how stable the gun is going to be with the revamp." Holland said through the channel this time.

"I got it!" Matthieu responded in mild annoyance.

---

The Xellien and Devilfish continued to struggle with each other. They never seemed to break hold, but rather just continued to keep their tight grinding and trashing grips on each other. Renton felt himself fading in and out, as if he were attempting to keep himself awake, but his body was too tired to do so. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the fierce look on Eureka's face. Something felt as if it had dinged itself against his memory. He concentrated on the thought, but it only slipped from hands.

The Devilfish suddenly broke off from them and twisted to the side in a twirling motion. Emerging behind it was the 606 and its speeding orange mass. It immediately whipped itself right into the Xellien, knocking it backwards with a jerking forced. The 606 whipped forward and pointed a large gun at it. Green energy shot inwards at the tip and swirled together into a spinning sphere. The green energy's luminosity quickly became brighter until it passed the sun's very glory. The energy shook the tip of the gun until it all exploded into a chaotic swarming wave of trappar, ripping the gun apart from the force. It all twisted and turned around, forming a massive sphere. The bubble of green continued to writhe and twist, then it quickly enclose on itself.

Renton felt his hands instantly jolt with liveliness. His whole body shook at the familiar sensation of control. The seemingly thin wall that used to block his thoughts had disappeared. Everything poured itself into his mind in one sequence, Holland, Rekina, the battle, the mission, the P.O.F., the U.F., and Eureka. But one thing tipped at his mind, one that burned with an unbearable sensation. The whole feeling weighed down on his body as if he were deep in the ocean.

"Renton, Eureka, listen to me!" Holland was no longer muted through thick layers of thought. This time his words were loud and clear. "Don't loose yourselves in the Inverse Drive!" He urged with such desperation that Renton felt himself jerk. But he listened to Holland carefully, and implanted the word into his mind. "Don't let Konner die for nothing but a pointless war!" Renton slumped in his seat. Konner's name left a heavy force in his head. Now everything had become realized to him. Konner was dead, and it was in the attempt of saving him… and Eureka. Tears swelled in his eyes, but they were suppressed by the wavering feeling of fear.

Outside the bubble closed itself on them quicker then it had formed. Both the Devilfish and the 606 broke away, watching for what would happen next.

Renton's breath picked up faster then what was humanly safe. His eyes shot around the cockpit anxiously. He already felt the wall rebuilding itself around his mind. It was the Inverse Drive, and he knew it all to well this time. He couldn't believe the power it had against his thoughts. Carefully he looked upon the device as if it were a complete replication of his worst nightmare. Two things piled into his mind, each being something he knew he couldn't forget.

"The Inverse Drive… Konner." He let the images flash through his mind repeatedly. Sweat dribbled down his face and he gripped the control. Soft whispers started to call at the back of his mind, somewhere dark and cold. The voices were not his own, so he made an attempt to banish them from within him.

"Eureka, turn back now." He said in a calm and steady voice, but it was only a cover to hide what he was truly feeling.

"But Renton… the mission?" She turned to him in absolute surprise.

"EUREKA!" He yelled at her, causing her to flinch back in hurt surprise. His eyes were full with urgency. Hesitantly she took the controls. For a few seconds she glanced between the controls and Renton, but finally she twisted back and had the Xellien twist away. The Devilfish and 606 were left behind, just watching as the LFO sped away form them.

The Xellien neared the long stretched white ship. Light bounced off from the ships hall in long bright streaks, reflecting blindingly into their view ports.

"Renton…" Eureka asked and attempted to put a hand on his. But when her finger made contact, he jerked away instantly. "Renton, what's wrong?" She begged for the answer, but Renton ignored her and held his head.

"Xellien… why are you back?" A man's asked through the comm.. Eureka quickly glanced at the struggling Renton before answering.

"Mission failure, we're having problems." She said slowly, concentrating more on Renton rather then the comm..

"Alright… but…" The man's speech was faulty and confused. Several mutters of other people's voice wisped through the comm., but they were too quite to understand.

"Eureka, Renton, land immediately and meet me in my room." Rekina's icy voice came through the comm.. Renton flinched as her words entered his ears. Eureka watched in concern and worry. She wanted to help Renton, but even as she lifted her hand again, she saw his eyes look in fear. Closing her eyes she turned away and gripped the Xelliens steering wheel. Her face succumbed to a hurt expression, and she knew no care would come from Renton.

The Xellien surfed through the green waves and dipped down and back up into the large white ship. With a bulky motion the Xellien landed on the gear locks. Four U.F. soldiers ran forward with their guns ready. Carefully they waited and lowered their guns when both Renton and Eureka emerged. They both stepped down from the Xellien and started for the door. The worry and anxiousness on Renton's face had strangely disappeared, all that was left was an emotionless expression. Eureka walked along aside him. Her face was tilted to the side, looking away from him in pain. They continued down the long halls until they found themselves standing in front of the large doors again. When they slid to the side they both stepped in.

"Renton… Eureka?" Rekina's voice echoed as they move away from the door. Neither stopped until they were both standing before the large white encrusted throne. Rekina shifted her eyes between the two in great curiosity.

"What happened?" She asked and leaned back in her seat. Neither reacted immediately, but both kept their heads pointed at the ground.

"I don't know." Eureka silently responded. Rekina instantly shifted her head at the speaker.

"Odd answer." Rekina commented and shifted her weight in her seat.

"I do." Renton said, but didn't lift his head. Cocking an eyebrow, Rekina twisted her head towards him.

"Then please tell us of your knowledge." She beckoned him ominously.

"I stumbled upon the truth." He responded and finally lifted his head up at her. His face was completely emerged in fierce hate. Rekina's eyes flashed wide, but they were quickly shifted to a glare.

"What truth would that be?" She asked, not making a ting of movement.

"The one that the lies have been hiding this whole time… the lies that you produced." Renton responded while shaking slightly. Eureka lifted her head in surprise. Rekina lifted her hand and beckoned something from behind them. "I remember Konner…" He started with a renewed energy. His mouth shot open again, but it was quickly closed when two men rushed up from behind and slammed their knees into his stomach. He fell to the ground, desperately gasping for air.

"Disappointing." Rekina whispered in a cool voice. The word caught Eureka's ears, but she was too distracted at the fallen Renton. She rushed forward to help him, but two men gripped her and held her in place.

"Why did you do that?" She screamed and tried with all her strength to help him. Her head jolted towards Rekina, searching for some kind of answer. Rekina only looked back with cold eyes.

"It had to be done to fix a minor problem… he'll be alright." Rekina turned her eyes back to him. "Take him down to one of the personal cells." She leaned back in her seat and turned her attention to some where else. Eureka watched in utter confusion. She wanted to do something for Renton, anything for him. But no matter how hard she struggled against the bonds of the men, she could not move.

-----------------------------

(( Hey guys, I love to read reviews. It helps to hear your opinion on my story. So I can see what I might need to fix, or what I'm doing right. But thanks for reading.))