Xenosaga: Das Ende Zu Verursachen

by Skrunks

This is a FanFic that I really enjoyed writing, and hope whoever reads it enjoys reading it as well. It takes place 3000 years after the events of Xenosaga Episode III, told from KOSMOS's perspective for the most part.

3. Flights of Fancy

Hey everyone, I decided to add a preface to this chapter since it's actually been a Year and a half since I've updated the story, and I know that I have some loyal fans out there, so I feel you all deserve an explanation as to why it took so long. So here goes: I joined the Official Xenosaga Forums a little over a year and a half ago because I was severely depressed at KOS-MOS' demise. That's also when I decided to write this. However, I met a woman 2 weeks after I joined… and I fell in love with her, and she fell for me. For the first few months of our relationship, we communicated solely through the forums, and she was also the biggest fan of this fan fiction when I started it. However, I spent most of the time holding our relationship and stopped working on this story. But, the relationship fell apart and I lost a piece of my soul. Because our relationship started falling apart months before it actually ended, and we met on the Xenosaga Forums in a way, because KOS-MOS had such a bad ending, I had a hard time working on this at all. The emotional connection to the story and to Xenosaga was just to painful. But I eventually built up the motivation and got started again. I can safely say that no one will have to wait another year and a half for another chapter. Enjoy!!

Chapter 3: Flights of Fancy

I have to find…. Someone, anyone!!

Sweat poured down her face, blood gushed out of the numerous cuts and slashes. The frantic sprint away from the solitude seared her lungs. The endless running... her boots had long since disintegrated from the coarse rocky desert. KOS-MOS tripped again, crying out as a razor-sharp stone cleaved a gash from wrist to elbow, spilling ever more gore. Clenching her teeth and enduring the agony, she commanded herself to run again. Tears continued to cascade over her ever so delicate skin, flowing into a steam that stained the air. In her hysteria, the raw muscle protruding from the bottom of her feet meant nothing. She just needed to find someone, anyone.

I don't want to be alone! Someone!! PLEASE!! ANYONE!!

Endless rocks everywhere she turned; darkness, stones, stars… but not a single living being. KOS-MOS launched off again in a desperate search to find anyone. She caught her foot on another rock, gouging out flesh and bone alike. She careened into the vicious teeth of the unforgiving landscape and lacerated her entire body. She struggled to get up, but the damage was too great. Blood was pumping out, by now she was in a pool of crimson. With nothing left, she buried her face into her shredded hands, pairing blood and tear.

"Someone…. Please…. Help me. Find me, please! Please…. Please please please…. Someone…. Anyone…" KOS-MOS cried, but her pleas went unheard as the cold dark desert enveloped her.

KOS-MOS launched out from the bed, hyperventilating. Her perspiration covered her exposed body and tears drenched not only her face and hair, but her neck and chest as well as the pillow. Bewildered, KOS-MOS' fiery eyes shot from one object to the next, grounding herself in reality. A nightmare…. She used the grey blanket she had kicked off sometime during the terror in an attempt to wipe down the salty fluid from her face, a failed attempt. Why won't they stop? Why don't the tears stop? The memories of the nightmare and the vast agonizing loneliness assaulted her. As she replayed the awful experience, she instinctively brought her knees to her chest and huddled into a small ball. For some reason, it brought a minuscule sense of comfort. Running…. So much running. What was I running from? I was running away from solitude itself… I was trying to find someone… anyone… The flow of tears turned into out right sobs as she realized just how alone she was. Everything she had ever known, everyone she had ever known…. They were all dead. It was all a memory. It was all in the past.

After a few minutes of crying, a tiny chime went off on the holographic console. KOS-MOS glanced at the turquoise screen and identified that someone was attempting to contact her. I don't want to talk to anyone right now. She turned to look out the window, but the spectacular view from the previous night was no longer visible. The morning was dismal and grey; no spectacular sunrise, no dramatic sky. In fact, the only indication that it was actually morning was the time on the holopannel; 9:24, AST. KOS-MOS glanced around and located a washroom in the far wall. She hauled herself out of bed and gingerly walked towards the sink. Upon arrival, she washed down her face and dried it off with the nearby towel, but the mirror caught her attention. Her reflection stared back at her, the swollen eyes; the pain in those eyes. KOS-MOS had seen it before so many times in Shion. Another tear attempted to make its way out, but KOS-MOS refused.

"No more."

She wiped down her face a second time before returning to the primary area of her living quarters. She moved towards her outfit and followed through with returning her garments to her body, just in time to get the ping of another message. She placed a finger through the ghostly screen and a young woman piped up.

"It's true! We really found you!"

The girl's rose colored hair fluttered as she jumped up and down with excitement. KOS-MOS simply raised an eyebrow.

"I mean… uhhm… well, you see, I love history and I read all about you and the others. Your story has fascinated me for years and to actually know that we found you and that you're alive and here on this ship!! You must be hungry, get dressed and then meet me in the Mess Hall!!"

The holo message cut out. Interesting, I guess I am hungry, that must be what I'm feeling. After momentarily basking in the new sensation, KOS-MOS stood up, fixed the sheets and looked out the window. The loss of the fantastic starscape was slightly unsettling. I miss the view. Nonetheless, she walked over to the transfer pad. The ghostly holo screen appeared and KOS-MOS looked over the available options and located Mess Hall. She put her finger through the selection and the blaze of light dissolved the room to construct a far larger room, one considerably bigger than even the Elsa's hanger. The ceiling was only a meter higher then that of her domicile and a much nicer blue carpet covered the floor. The expanse was almost like an amphitheater however the kitchen was inside a large circular bar in the middle, surrounded by rows of tables and chairs. It was relatively devoid of populace except for about ten people; the place was easily equipped to seat five hundred. The menu was a large holographic billboard above the bar, and she could make out the entries from where she stood, but she didn't know what any of them were, nor did she have a chance to ponder on them. The woman's blue eyes gleamed with admiration and awe as she approached.

"I can't believe I'm actually looking at the real KOS-MOS! It is really you right?"

"Yes, I'm KOS-MOS." She said coldly.

Dian giggled excitedly. "Hehe… you're my hero you know that?"

KOS-MOS again raised an eyebrow. "No, I didn't."

"Hehe… umm…. I'm Sho Dian." She blushed in awe of being in the presence of someone she respected so greatly. KOS-MOS greeted that respect with a good mannered smile.

"Well then, pleased to meet you Sho."

"Actually, Sho is my surname. It's an ancient tradition in my family. My name is Dian."

KOS-MOS corrected herself and smiled again. "Oh, I apologize, pleased to meet you Dian."

Dian glanced at the kitchen in the center of the large room. "Ok KOS-MOS, let's get some food in that new stomach of yours." Dian began to lead KOS-MOS down the primary aisle towards the center drawing stares from most of the men, and some of the women as well.

One of the men whistled and shouted; "Hey there pretty lady! How bout you let me calibrate that gorgeous little pussy of yours!"

That section of the room hushed as the small crowed awaited her response. Dian was shocked. KOS-MOS was hardly offended, rather, she decided to utilize a response she had heard one of the engineers at First R&D use, with a slight twist. "I am very sorry sir, but judging from you hand and feet size, you would not be able to successfully utilize my functions."

The silence remained for only a moment as they computed what she just had said, then the group with the jerk burst out laughing. He slunk back down as his friends ridiculed him. Dian giggled and led KOS-MOS towards the elegant marble and wood bar. The leather seat sticking to her exposed thighs when she sat down was another sensation that she was entirely unaccustomed too. She shifted in her seat a few times and made a face before looking up to see one of the chefs standing right in front of her; she was young, not out of her twenties it seemed. Freckles were present and she had a well carved face, but her frame was largely unobservable due to her white chef's coat. She kindly introduced herself. "Good Job! I haven't seen anyone shut Wes down like that in years. I'm Melony."

"Hello Melony, I'm KOS-MOS."

"That was pretty awesome KOS-MOS. I'm impressed." Dian added. She smiled as KOS-MOS glanced back at the degenerate. His little group was still poking jokes at him, causing him to descend into a dark mental pit. KOS-MOS' beautiful cerulean hair cascaded when she turned back towards Melony.

"He doesn't appear intoxicated, is he mentally handicapped?"

Melony and Dian shared a giggle. "I wish, but unfortunately, he's just a pig. Every girl on this ship has had a run in with him at least once." Melony lamented.

"Yep. Even me, I gave him something to remember though. I got in trouble for busting his arm, but it was worth it" Dian proudly admitted. "You would think that after trying it on the captain, he would have learned. But no sir! I guess getting zapped with a few thousand volts isn't' what it used to be. "

Dian rolled her eyes just as Melony chirped in again. "So you two want something?"

Dian pondered for a moment before deciding on her favorite. "Hmm, I'll have the spinach and feta pizza." She looked to KOS-MOS. "What do you want?"

KOS-MOS responded with a blank stare; "I don't know. I've never eaten anything before."

"Why don't you try what Dian's having for now KOS-MOS?" Melony suggested.

"Good idea!"

"That's acceptable." KOS-MOS approved following Dian's agreement.

"One spinach and feta pizza, coming up!" Melony turned around to get cooking.

KOS-MOS seemed puzzled. "Dian, this ship has technology for more incredible then anything I'm used too. Why does food need to be cooked, can't it simply be synthesized?"

"Of course, but this ship has some fantastic chefs, so typically just the raw materials are synthesized. Plus, a lot of times people have nothing to do, so it's a good way for people to occupy their time. Most of the chefs cook as a hobby, plus there's nothing like a nice home cooked meal."

KOS-MOS gives a slight nod and stayed quiet for a several minutes. Dian was the one to break the silence; "Do you know Ryan Wells?" she asked.

"Ryan Wells? Yes, he was the first person I saw when I woke up yesterday."

Dian grinned at her old friend. "Awesome! Did you know that he's also part of the command staff of this ship?"

"I didn't. How large is the crew?"

"There's about five hundred people, give or take, I don't know exactly."

KOS-MOS' curiosity strikes again; "How big is the ship?"

"Fourteen thousand meters! It's pretty huge."

KOS-MOS raised an eyebrow. "A crew of five hundred is small for such a large ship."

"Yep, but the Vanguard could run with a crew of just six. It's actually quite amazing."

"Indeed, that is quite spectacular." KOS-MOS couldn't help but agree. A ship that large running with a crew of six would have been completely unheard of in her time.

Dian pointed behind KOS-MOS. "Hey look who comes now!"

KOS-MOS swivels her seat in order to view the direction Dian pointed. Ryan and a girl who seemed to be hardly out of her teens were approaching. Her long black hair framed her fair, alluring skin. She was quite slender and relatively small, being only shoulder height to Ryan. Again several eyes followed her in, but apparently Wes hadn't recovered from his latest defeat and made no attempt at a futile come on. Her most striking feature, however were her eyes; one azure, one violet; this intrigued even KOS-MOS. Ryan and the girl sat down on KOS-MOS' left. Ryan smiled at KOS-MOS and gave both her and Dian a warm greeting. "Good morning KOS-MOS, morning Dian!"

"Good morning Ryan." KOS-MOS replied. Unfortunately, that reply smashed KOS-MOS in the head with a flashback. That's… that was Shion and mine's signature greeting.

"Good morning KOS-MOS." Shion's voice echoed inside her.

Good morning Shion.

KOS-MOS pushed the memory away before she became emotional again.

"KOS-MOS…?" Ryan waved a hand in KOS-MOS' face.

"Sorry, I was remembering times past." KOS-MOS apologized. Long past…

"Oh, I see." Ryan's understanding tone offered a small comfort. "Well, anyway this is Katrina. She's been my best friend for some time now and the best fighter pilot on this ship."

Katrina giggled and blushed. "Hello KOS-MOS! Nice to meet you!" Her voice was high pitched and adorable, most people would likely guess she was only twelve if it hadn't for her fully developed chest.

KOS-MOS returned Katrina's shy grin with a tender smile. "The same to you Katrina."

As if on cue, Melony arrived with the pizza. Ryan balked at Dian's choice of breakfast. "You're going to eat that for breakfast? That's awful! You need good old fashioned bacon, eggs and pancakes."

Melony laughed. "Same as usual then I take it Ryan?"

Ryan sounded back with passionate enthusiasm. "Of course!"

Melony turned to Katrina, who pondered her choice of breakfast for a moment. "I'll have…. Umm…. I'll have the same actually."

"Alright then! Off to the kitchen!"

Melony returned to her kitchen to prepare the new orders. Dian merely shook her head at Ryan's comment. "You have no sense of adventure, pizza for breakfast is perfect!"

Ryan rolled his eyes in disagreement. "Bagh."

Dian and Katrina laughed. KOS-MOS smiled, but not really understanding the humor.

"Alright KOS-MOS, try the best pizza in the history of the universe, Spinach and feta!!" proclaimed Dian.

Dian handed a slice to KOS-MOS and exuberantly chomps into her own portion. KOS-MOS observed Dian's enthusiastic bite and gingerly took a bite off the tip of her slice. Fascinated by the new sensations, she chews for a few moments before swallowing and deciding that it was thoroughly unpleasant. KOS-MOS' face contorted a little.

Dian looks to KOS-MOS hopefully. "So? Do you like it?"

KOS-MOS responded apologetically. "I don't think so."

Dian was shocked. "What?!"

Ryan laughed triumphantly. "HAHA, I told you. Wait till the pancakes come, you'll like them, I'm sure."

"You strike me as someone who would like strawberries." Katrina interjected.

Ryan pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement and hollering at the busy chef. "Melony!"

Melony gracefully whirled around on the ball of her foot in order to face Ryan.

"Can you bring KOS-MOS some strawberries?" Ryan asked.

"One sec!" Melony whips back to the counter, then swirls around again to bring back a small bowl of strawberries. KOS-MOS curiously picks one up and examines it like a child examining a never before seen widget.

"You going to try it?"

"I just put it in my mouth?" KOS-MOS inquired.

"Well… and chew it obviously." Katrina giggled.

KOS-MOS smiled back with her reply. "Of course." She popped the succulent red berry into her mouth and masticated it inquisitively. As the juices burst inside her mouth, her eyes lit up a little. "That is far more pleasant then the 'pizza'"

Ryan ecstatically gave Katrina a high five.. "Score one for Kat!!"

Katrina throws her hands up in celebration. "WOO HOO!!"

"Har har." Dian playfully frowns and continues eating her pizza. KOS-MOS smiles but raises an eyebrow, more confused then anything else. She digests a few more strawberries while Dian, Ryan and Katrina banter back and forth in a manor reminiscent of Allen, Togashi and Shion. KOS-MOS smiles at the memories it reminded her of. At the time, observing the brilliant engineers that designed her didn't have any logical significance; however she did it regardless. Now, KOS-MOS is remarkably thankful that she did, for it's one of the all too few memories left to her.

"PANCAKES!!" Katrina clapped excitedly at her sizable breakfast Melony brought before her, and the extra plate she carried in foresight. Ryan and Katrina each contributed a pancake, slice of bacon and egg for KOS-MOS to sample. She examined the method Katrina and Ryan used to prepare their pancakes with butter, strawberry and blueberry syrup respectively. KOS-MOS spreads the butter in the same fashion, selects the strawberry syrup, pours a small quantity on, and tastes the small portion she cut away. After pondering for a moment, she added additional strawberry syrup and takes another bite.

"That's better." KOS-MOS states victoriously.

Ryan laughed at the excessive amount of syrup on KOS-MOS' pancakes and Dian raised an eyebrow. "That's just wrong. You drowned them!"

"Hey hey, let her use as much syrup as she wants!" Ryan stated in her defense.

Some syrup dribbled down KOS-MOS chin. She tried to wipe it off, but just made a mess. Ryan cracked up laughing again. Even KOS-MOS couldn't help but giggle a little at herself. Dian procures a napkin and wiped the syrup off before she contaminates anything else with the red goo. Ryan was quite pleased at KOS-MOS' contagious grin.

"Thank you."

"No problem."

The group finishes up their breakfast. KOS-MOS decides that she didn't like the sunny side up egg, but liked the bacon. Katrina looks to KOS-MOS after wiping her own face. "We were wondering if you wanted to join us for a flight sim!"

KOS-MOS raised an eyebrow curiously; "Oh?"

"Yeah, a simulation to see how good a pilot you are!" Ryan clarifies.

Dian arrogantly added. "She's a fantastic pilot! Didn't you ever read what she's done?"

"Umm…. No…." Katrina admitted sheepishly.

"Well, she flew the E.S. Dinah with skill that no one could match!"

"Wow an E.S.? Really? Those things are rare. Only 10 or so in the galaxy I think. Rumor has it that Tirith wants to steal some from the Remnant!"

What? The Vessels of Anima are gone, how can there be E.S.' in this time? Did something happen to Yeshua or do they simply use the same name?

"Yup, she might even be a better pilot then you Katrina." With Katrina's skill, such an accusation wasn't something to be taken lightly.

Ryan seemed to take offence and stalwartly defended Katrina; "That would be hard to do Dian, Katrina's the best pilot on this ship."

"Maybe so, but…."

"I'll do it." KOS-MOS interrupts.

Katrina's eyes brightened up. "Really?! YAY!"

KOS-MOS smiled. Katrina leaped to her feet, grabbed KOS-MOS' hand and tugged her off the seat. Katrina giggled as she pulled KOS-MOS across the room and onto a transfer pad. The mess hall melted away to reveal another circular room with thirty pods that appeared similar to her old' maintenance chambers. A tall man in an emerald coat looks KOS-MOS over before greeting them.

"Found someone else to fly a sim with Kat?"

"Yep!" Katrina bubbled.

He looks around, noticing someone missing. "Is Ryan coming?"

"Of course, he should be here any minute. Just set up a standard test course so we can see what KOS-MOS has got!"

A confused look made its way onto the man's face. "KOS-MOS? That's an odd name."

"Well I used to be a mechanical android, and KOS-MOS is the acronym I had. So I've decided to keep that name to define myself." A flashback of that defining moment where she defied Wilhelm materialized for a moment.

"Alright then. Well, get comfortable. When the pods close, you'll be fastened in and connected to the program."

Three pods open. Katrina positioned herself inside one, KOS-MOS in another. The black cushion was comfortable and KOS-MOS identified the visor in a compartment. The manifest said that I have a connection system in my headdress. With a simple thought, the crystalline device lowered over her eyes in a fashion reminiscent of the visor T-elos had. The visor didn't block her vision; rather it enhanced it with a HUD displaying a wide array of information. There were targeting scanners, injury assessments, atmospheric composition, even little things like the energy output of the pod closing around her. Her normal vision melted away as she was plunged into what looked remarkably similar to an encephalon dive. Her vision returned as a gargantuan hanger materialized around her with Katrina to her left. Her violet and azure form-hugging jumpsuit accentuated her features and matched her unique eyes.

The hanger itself was massive. It was at least twice the size of the Durandal's dock, not including the honeycomb of star fighter hangers scattered around the multiple levels. Katrina pointed to one of the nearby hangers and dashed towards it motioning for KOS-MOS to follow. They arrived in a hanger with the only three elegant ships in the entire docking bay. One was again, sapphire and amethyst, another was black and white, but the last was just a simple grey. Katrina grabbed KOS-MOS and hauled her towards the plain colored craft.

"Ok, KOS-MOS. This is the Zeal industries CT-80000, the Dark Angel. It is the most advanced star fighter ever produced by mankind. It is so fast and maneuverable that it would kill a person if it wasn't for the gel." Katrina beamed. "Once you're inside, the system will calibrate to your body weight and neural patterns. Then it will fill the cockpit with a transparent gel that can absorb up to 300 Gs of force. All the ships controls other then weapons fire and ejection are controlled by will. It does have all the manual controls incase something goes wrong with the neural interface. I'll explain what weapons it has later, so for now hop in and follow me!"

KOS-MOS nods. "Understood."

"See you when we get back!" she chirps one last time before bolting to her beautifully colored fighter. KOS-MOS turned around and griped the cold handle bars that extended as she approached. The ship responded to her presence almost as if it were alive, as such the cockpit opened the moment she reached the top of the ladder. KOS-MOS swung a leg over and settled into the unexpectedly comfortable seat.

"Identify: Pilot."

KOS-MOS raised any eyebrow at the emerald glow that just spoke. "KOS-MOS."

"Pilot: KOS-MOS. Registering synaptic signature; Complete. Plotting neural kinetics; Complete. Engaging synaptic commands; Complete. CT-80000 Dark Angel, registry number VSFC-9457, ready for startup."

Let's try this. Startup now.

"Command confirmed. VSFC-9457 primary engine; Engaged, Secondary Engine starting up now; Engaged, Power systems; Active. Welcome aboard KOS-MOS, would you like the piloting tutorial?"

Katrina's bubbly voice chirped in over the com system; "Don't bother with the Tutorial KOS-MOS. If you've piloted an E.S. then you should be familiar with piloting a craft by will. Just do the same as you would for one of them. Unless I'm wrong, your visor is all you need, but you should use the air mask just so you don't inhale the gel.

"Understood Katrina."

"Skipping Tutorial. Sealing cockpit; Complete. Engaging safety Gel…"

A completely transparent liquid seeps through the floor of the cockpit. Fortunately, the surprising warmth successfully purges the aversion of an expected icy chill. The surface stops rising just after it moves over KOS-MOS' shoulders.

"Please equip your visor and face mask."

She inspects the portion of the cockpit not yet submerged and spots the face mask in the ceiling. She once again engages the visor while she equips the facemask.

"Thank you."

The Gel continues to pour in and completely fills the cockpit. KOS-MOS gazes around and realizes that Katrina is already out of the hanger.

"Come on slow poke!" Katrina playfully pestered.

"Sorry, I'm on my way!" Just like the E.S., the large fighter responded to her will and blasted out of the hanger at many times the speed KOS-MOS expected. She pulls to the side just in time to avoid smashing into the wall and rocketed out of the hanger.

"Nice exit." She sarcastically commented. "You in one piece?"

KOS-MOS smiled. "Yes, I'm fine."

"Ok good. We'll go over weapons later, for now we're just going to run a course. Ryan should be joining us soon, and then that's where the real fun begins." Katrina's giggle exposed her malicious plans. "Anyway, you should see the course on your HUD. We fly towards the planet, arc around, do a loop around its moon then blast towards the sun, arc around it then pass the finish line, a loose asteroid field. Ryan should be meeting us there."

"Understood."

"You really like that word don't you KOS-MOS?" Katrina teased.

KOS-MOS raised an eyebrow, not sure what to make of it. No one has criticized her choice of words before. "Clarify."

"That's the third time you've said 'understood' in the past ten minutes." She pointed out.

"It's the most efficient word for that kind of situation." KOS-MOS replied. Is it offensive somehow? "Is there a problem with saying it?"

KOS-MOS struggled with the concept. "Okie… dokie…?"

Katrina chuckled. "Yes okie dokie. Come on, isn't that funner to say?" she bubbled.

KOS-MOS contemplated the idea for a moment. Funner? "I suppose…"

Katrina laughed yet again. "You're too serious KOS-MOS, laugh a little!"

"I'll try." I don't see any harm in humoring her.

"Good. Now, it's a race! Beat me if you can!!"

"Under…. Okie…. Dokie?"

Katrina nearly choked with laughter as her fighter disappeared in blur. KOS-MOS' lightning reflexes triggered her craft's drive the instant Katrina vanished and blasted off towards the planet. The ships speed was absolutely astonishing as it took only a matter of minutes to traverse the two million kilometers towards the space born world. The speedometer on her HUD registered a hundred and fifty thousand kilometers per second, half the speed of light.

This is incredible! The Elsa could travel at similar speeds, but the acceleration of this ship is an order of magnitude higher! KOS-MOS banked to the left and arcs around the turquoise sphere, permitting its grey satellite to come into view.

"Better slow down when you loop around that moon."

"Understood!" Katrina's craft decelerates allowing it to come back into KOS-MOS' superhuman view. Following Katrina's instruction, KOS-MOS also pulled back and followed Katrina in a loop around the planet. Being able to pull a turn like that at such a speed is absolutely amazing. KOS-MOS finds that she has no problem pulling the turn with the craft's amazing maneuverability.

"Ready for something really amazing?"

"Yes!!" KOS-MOS replied enthusiastically.

"Watch this."

Katrina's craft accelerated far beyond the spectacular speed that awed KOS-MOS before. Her jaw nearly drops. Following her lead, she grinds the mental throttle and pushes the Dark Angel to its absolute limit. The ship rattled as it reached only a few percent under the speed of light. At such a speed, KOS-MOS' perception of the outside world was radically altered. Everything ahead of her, including the once yellow sun, is now a bright, contorted blue. Everything seemed to stretch and spiral as the crafts incredible speed seems to distort the very fabric of reality.

"Surprised?"

"Yes! But I'm more surprised that you can still communicate with me at such a phenomenal speed."

"Well, the ships have a temporal dampener to halt the time dilation, and since we're traveling at the same speed, communication isn't that difficult… I'm not exactly sure how that works though."

The sun grew rapidly as they approach the colossal blazing orb. Katrina and KOS-MOS decelerate in unison just as they enter the stars massive corona. Even at that speed, the solar radiation still battered the shield protecting the two small craft. As they close in, the incredible amount of energy surrounding them create white blazing comets that replaced the elegant fighter. The sheer scale of the star and the time it takes to arc around it permits enough damage to cause the alarm to go off.

"Barrier at 25. Please leave the sun's corona." The computer warned.

"Katrina… if we don't pull up soon, we only have a 45 chance of survival."

"You don't believe in luck do you?"

"No, I don't."

"You should, because things don't always work out according to probability."

Katrina continued her flight and pulled even closer to the star.

"Barrier at 10, please evacuate the area immediately!" the computer demanded.

"Katrina!"

"My barrier's at 5! Have a little faith!"

KOS-MOS pulled up and blasted the throttle, launching the ship out of the stars corona just in the nick of time. The barrier drops and KOS-MOS aimed herself at the asteroid field.

"See? What'd I tell ya! If you'd pulled up at 25 you'd have lost a lot worse!"

"I haven't lost yet!" The ship rattled as KOS-MOS gunned the engines to their maximum velocity yet again. As if in response, adrenaline flowed through her new body, amplifying her already incredible senses, increasing her breathing rate, and giving her a feeling, a pleasure she'd never felt before. But Katrina was one step ahead. She was already out of view and heading straight for the asteroid field.

"Katrina! The field is too dense! You only have a 2 chance of survival if you don't slow down when you pass through!" KOS-MOS cautiously decelerated as she approached the asteroid field and just dodged one of the floating rocks.

"That's why you lost! The world doesn't revolve around probability!"

"And that's why you're the best pilot on the ship." Katrina squealed with glee at hearing Ryan's voice radiate through the com system. Having long overshot the asteroid field, she pulled a U-turn and headed back in. KOS-MOS located Ryan's fighter on sensors, maneuvered around a few oversized pebbles and arrived.

"I was watching the race. You're doing far better adapting to your new body then I ever thought possible."

KOS-MOS smiled. "Thank you Ryan. I appreciate the compliment!"

"And your reflexes are amazing too!!" Katrina chirped in. "Once you get familiar with your ship, I think you'll be the best out there!"

"I wouldn't be so sure about that Kat. You are an amazing pilot! Sure KOS-MOS has the whole, you know, super human reflexes and dexterity, but you're still an amazing pilot!"

Katrina giggled.

"Ok down to business. Has Katrina given you the weapons…" Having lost the word, he substitutes it with an appropriate replacement. "…umm, thingy, yet?"

"Thingy?"

Katrina giggled again. "He means tutorial."

"Yeah that!"

"Oh. No she hasn't Ryan."

"Ok, well then get too it Katrina!"

"I was about to until you butted in!"

"Or sure blame it on me."

"You be quiet before I shoot you! You know you can't beat me."

"Ermm, uhh… fine fine, I'll be quiet." Ryan admitted in defeat. KOS-MOS simply smiled and shook her head at the two playing with each other.

"That's what I thought! Alright KOS-MOS. First thing you gotta know is that the weapons aren't controlled synoptically, too much of risk of accidentally shooting something, so that's what the handles you're holding on to are there for. The left trigger fires the left pulse cannon, right the right."

KOS-MOS eyes the triggers and places her fingers on them.

"But you do control the method of fire synoptically... You can fire either single shots, 5 shot bursts or 10 shot bursts with each button press; those modes are semi-automatic. Next you can engage rapid fire and fire a continuous stream of pulse beams at a rate of about 30 per second. At this rate though, the cannons will overheat in 30 seconds and require 1 minute too cool down."

KOS-MOS plays with the firing control and rotates the different firing forms. She vaporizes a few nearby asteroids while she listens.

"Next weapon is the torpedoes. They are 50 gigaton warheads, so needless to say, if one goes off and you're within 10 kilometers, you're toast. The blast radius is 150 kilometers, but the barrier can withstand anything up to 10 kilometers. Capital ship barriers can typically survive 3 or 4 direct hits from these warheads. To fire them, you have to simultaneously press the second trigger on both handles. Your HUD will go red, and you can either press the triggers again to fire the warhead, or wait until you have locked onto a target. Target lock is synaptic, so it usually shouldn't take more then a second to lock onto any target. So you got all that KOS-MOS?"

"Yes I do, thank you Katrina." KOS-MOS' manners were very refreshing for both Katrina and Ryan.

"Ok, so here's what…"

"Hey Ryan! I want to explain how to do the dogfight!" Katrina protested at Ryan's interjection. Ryan simply laughed and submitted.

"Haha, ok fine then, explain it."

Katrina sticks her tongue out at him, even though no one can see it, they all hear it.

"I heard that!"

"Oh suck it up."

"Fine then, I will." Ryan sticks his tongue back at Katrina.

Ryan and Katrina's playful jabs at each other reminded her of Miyuki and Togashi. They were always poking fun at each other, and at Shion or Allen… or both. Now understanding the humor a little better, she smiles remembering some of the times she had noticed Togashi picking on Allen about liking Shion. ALLEN! KOS-MOS' eyes lit up. I should have realized that last night! That's why Shion Uzuki didn't turn up anything; the database said Shion married Allen! She'd be under Shion Ridgeley! When we're done all this, I'm going to see what the database has to say about Shion… even if it doesn't necessarily change her fate.

"KOS-MOS? You listening?"

"Oh, I apologize. I was thinking about something."

"Oh, ok."

Ryan blurted in. "Are you alright?"

"Yes I'm fine." She said coldly.

Katrina's almost angry voice pierced the com link. "Back to the dog fight!" Ok, I'll only say this one more time. No torpedoes cause they're cheap, so just blast the hell out of anyone else! Got it KOS-MOS?"

"Understood."

Katrina rolled her eyes. "Got it Ryan?"

"I'm so taking you down Kat."

"Not this time buddy! 3…" KOS-MOS, Ryan and Katrina all tightened their grips on the controls.

"2…"

Ryan began pumping himself up, ready for the upcoming dogfight.

"1…" Katrina's adrenaline surged through her system in anticipation through her system in anticipation.

"GO!!"

KOS-MOS slammed on the mental throttle and launched the ship towards a nearby asteroid. She banked a hard right and circled around, locking Katrina's purple and blue hull into view. KOS-MOS let the cannons loose in rapid fire and pelted Katrina's shield with cerulean bolts. Katrina pulled up and looped around an asteroid; KOS-MOS couldn't slow down in time to make the same turn, and so she turns to the left just in time to see Ryan's black and white hull unleash a spray into her own barrier as they whiz past each other. KOS-MOS dipped the nose of her craft straight down and rolled the craft. She dodged an Asteroid and looped around to see the fireball that was Ryan's craft.

"DAMN IT!! I thought I had you that time. I'll just wait here in the hanger for you two."

KOS-MOS fired single shots in an attempt to hit Katrina from long range, but with no success. She easily outmaneuvered the shots and came flying straight at KOS-MOS cannons ablaze. KOS-MOS barrel rolled and yanked the synaptic control, pulling the fighter right into an asteroid. She blasted the asteroid apart and few through the debris, looped around and locked Katrina in her sights. KOS-MOS opened fire and bombarded Katrina's barrier. She hit the brakes and dropped behind, KOS-MOS tried to shake her again, but with no success. Katrina opens rapid fire and tears through barrier and craft alike.

KOS-MOS appears inside the hanger standing beside Ryan.

"Don't feel bad, no one has been able to beat her in a dog fight. I'm shocked you actually did that good! I've never seen anyone even get one hit off on Kat the first time they flew their fighter."

"I'm glad you think I did well. I did my best." She said plainly.

"That's all that counts in a simulation like this. Unfortunately, Kat always does her best and never goes easy. Ruthless little…"

KOS-MOS couldn't hear what he said when he trailed off. "What?"

Ryan grins playfully. "Oh nothing!"

Katrina's voice squeaks into the com system. "I'm making my approach now, clear the way!"

KOS-MOS and Ryan step to the side, permitting a perfectly executed entry and landing. The two proceeded towards the elegant craft, arriving just as the cockpit opens. Katrina leaps over the side, catches her foot on the side and face plants right into the floor, or would have had Ryan not caught her.

"You know, your clumsiness is far too predictable. I suppose it's a good thing, that way I can catch you." Ryan, while giggling, places Katrina's mumbling form back on her feet. Ryan glances at Katrina with a sly smirk, who responds with a knowing grin. "So KOS-MOS, how would you like to fly one for real?" The mischievous tone of his voice hinted at something less then dignified.

KOS-MOS raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I was thinking about a raid on a remnant weapons depot."

"But, we can't force you too, we're actually not allowed to." Katrina added.

She sounds concerned. KOS-MOS looked out to the stars, then back to Ryan. "When do we leave?"

He beamed with excitement. "How bout now?"

Ryan flipped a switch on his watch causing the simulation to collapse inwards and KOS-MOS was once again in the steel cocoon. She put herself on her feet as soon as the hatch was open and walked to the center of the room. The other two did the same and joined KOS-MOS in the center of the room.

Ryan pointed to the transfer pad and motioned for the girls to follow. The trio congregated on the cerulean pad and watched Ryan enter the destination for the hanger in the phantasmal console. The hanger materialized and it appeared exactly as it did in the simulation, save for all the different bays and hangers being filled with all sorts of different craft from what appeared to be AMWS to cargo ships to more Dark Angel fighters. However, Ryan and Katrina's fighters were in their corresponding spots in the real world.

"I'll get changed into my flight suit!" Katrina spoke excitedly.

"Me too, we'll just be a minute. Why don't you design your fighter's appearance?"

KOS-MOS looked confused. "Clarify."

Ryan glared playfully at Katrina. "You didn't tell her about the Dark Angel's polyoptical synthetic hull coating?"

"Well, it umm… it never came up!" Katrina coyly declared.

Ryan laughed. "No need to get worked up about it, you were just too excited to teach KOS-MOS how to fly."

Katrina lowered her eyes and smiled. "Yeah, that was it."

Ryan chortled again before turning back to KOS-MOS, whom was simply observing the two of them. "Ok, the Dark Angel has a very special hull that will react to your imaginary imprint. So when you get in, you can activate the neural interface and all you have to do is tell the ship to activate the polyoptical hull, picture how you want the ship to look, and the ship will change its color to exactly what you imagine."

"Intriguing…" KOS-MOS began pondering how she could make use of this. A few images popped into her head of the E.S. Dinah and the E.S. Reuben. I was always fond of the Dinah. The way it was shaped and colored was appealing.

"Alright, you have fun with that, we'll go get changed. Meet you at the ships!" Ryan said before he and Katrina jogged off towards one of the many compartments in the gigantic hanger. KOS-MOS advanced towards the comparatively dull ashen craft. Identical to the simulator, the handlebar extended as she approached and the cockpit rose when she arrived at the top. She lowered herself in and once again the ship responded to her presence. KOS-MOS followed the same procedure she had done in the simulator and once the pilot identification sequence was complete, she did as Ryan had told her;

"Activate Polyoptical hull."

"Dark Angel Synthetic Polyoptical-customizable hull active." The computer spoke artificially. "Resetting molecular structure. Please imagine the crafts appearance now KOS-MOS."

KOS-MOS closed her eyes. Alright, I want something meaningful. I don't want it to just look the way it does because I feel like it, I want it to have a purpose. A tribute to someone I knew… Jin perhaps? Jin…

The memory returned to her vividly, even though it was three thousand years ago, it didn't seem anywhere near that long….

"Kevin…" Shion's pained voice struck a chord deep inside KOS-MOS, but her android forum could never show the infantile emotions. Her brother would be much more suited for helping her. Right on cue, Jin approached her bed. Shion snapped around ferociously once she realized who was there. "Jin? Jin, why? Why didn't you let me go? Why did you get in my way?"

Jin was completely silent, not knowing what to say.

"If I'd gone with Kevin, I might have been able to be happy." The sorrow and regret in her voice made KOS-MOS feel that much worse.

"Do you really think so?" Jin asked, hoping to ground Shion in the reality of the situation.

"What do you know?! You don't know anything about him! I'm

going to die, like Mom. Are you saying you don't care?!"

He cares Shion, can't you see that?

Jin grimaced at the notion. "Don't be stupid. No brother wants to see his

sister die."

"Then-then don't interfere. Let me go to Kevin!" Shion desperately pleaded. "Don't take anything else from me!" Blaming Jin for everything having gone wrong in her life, Shion began to fall apart even more.

Shion, he's done nothing but look out for you and protect you, just as I have.

"Shion!" Knowing full well all he's done to try and help, but his efforts to make Shion see how much he cares go in vain as Shion snaps and tosses him out of the woman's quarters.

"Get out!!"

Jin solemnly turns around, utterly defeated.

"Is it all right for you to leave the room?" KOS-MOS, concerned, queries him as he attempts to leave the room.

"Completely pathetic."

KOS-MOS incorrectly assumes that Jin is referring to Shion. "Currently, Shion's mental balance is in an extremely unstable state. That is the likely cause of her attitude towards you. Given time, she should

return to her original mental state."

"That's not what I mean. I'm pathetic for being unable to help

Shion when she needs me the most." The guilt in his voice sounds all too familiar.

Why do I feel guilty?

"I might as well be a stranger! I'm unable to do anything for her as her brother." Jin brutally blames himself for not being able to help, regardless that she is the one blocking him out.

"KOS-MOS, not that I believe the words of that Testament, but it might really be for the best to remove you from Shion. But right now, you are the only one who can save her. Please. Help Shion."

What can I do?

Jin and I were far more alike then anyone realized, imprisoned and unable to truly express how we felt. I'll dedicate the craft to him. It's the least I can do, without him sacrificing his life to help me fight the Gnosis, everything would be lost. KOS-MOS opened here eyes and a holographic display of the majestic emerald and sapphire colors on the craft slowly rotated. The colors and decals displaying his name a tribute to the mighty Jin Uzuki. Rest in peace, my friend.

"Nice colors KOS-MOS!" Katrina chimed in. "I didn't expect you to choose green and blue."

"Neither did I, but it looks awesome!" Ryan agreed.

"Thank you. They're the colors of an old friend."

"That name, Jin… that seems oddly familiar."

"You've heard it before?!" KOS-MOS gasped.

"I don't know. I've met a lot of people in my life though, I highly doubt it's the same one."

KOS-MOS' head fell. Hope is futile.

"Anyway, let's be off!" Katrina chirped in. "Ryan will discuss what we're doing after we're out of the hanger. Follow the same procedures you did as in the simulation KOS-MOS, I've already cleared us for launch."

"Understood."

The Gel filled the compartment just as in the simulation allowing the three regal fighters to take off one by one; starting with Katrina's and ending with Ryan's. Once in space, they blasted off into the abyss, far out of communications range of the Vanguard.

Ryan broke the silence with his instructions. "Alright KOS-MOS. We are going to attack a Remnant refueling and rearming space station fifty six million light years from here."

KOS-MOS was shocked. "In hyperspace that would be a several month journey!"

"Who said we're using hyperspace?" Ryan responded smugly.

KOS-MOS surprise now changed to confusion. "How are we going to traverse the distance without hyperspace?" KOS-MOS asked.

"Dimensional Folding. In this era, interstellar and intergalactic travel is accomplished by 'folding' the 3rd dimension through the 4th, bridging the gap between any two points in normal space. It's far more effective and safer then hyperspace." All you have to do is enter the coordinates into your fighter's nav computer and activate the fold. I'm transmitting the coordinates to you now. Follow Katrina's lead when we start the attack ok?"

"Understood…" Dimensional folding. That is most certainly impressive. "Coordinates received."

"Wait!!" Katrina shrieked in.

Ryan was dumbfounded. "Wait what are we forgetting?"

"Call names genius."

"Oh… right. Heh heh…" Ryan admitted, obviously quite embarrassed.

"Ok, KOS-MOS, my call name is Lotus, Ryan's is Paradox. Now we need one for you."

"How bout Kossy?" Ryan suggested clumsily.

"Oh come on Ryan, have some class! Besides, that's too close to her name."

"Fine then, what's your idea?" Ryan's replied with his pride cut down to size.

Katrina pondered for a moment. "How about Angel?"

"Angel?"

Angel… "I like it." KOS-MOS spoke up.

"Angel it is then."

"I still liked Kossy…" Ryan pouted.

"Oh quit complaining. Spatial folding in 10 seconds."

KOS-MOS' HUD changed to a bright red as Katrina went through the count down. At one, the space around the three fighters began to contort and crack. The very fabric of space is altered for a moment as the ships move from one side of reality to the other. Space returned to normal, but now in a totally different position.

Ryan spoke up. "Position confirmed. We're in the Tellaya system."

"Umm… Paradox?" Katrina's unusually worried voice revealed that something wasn't quite right.

"Yes Lotus?"

"There's a four thousand meter class ship at the Tellaya facility."

"What?! Damn it! Our weapons can't punch through the shield on a ship like that." Ryan admitted.

KOS-MOS spoke up. "Wouldn't our torpedoes work?"

"They would if we could get close enough to use them. The weapons on a four-thousand meter class ship would pumble us long before we got within range."

Not at the ships maximum speed.

KOS-MOS pulled off to the side and blasted off as fast as the ship could carry her.

The com signal exploded as Katrina yelled. "Angel!? What the hell are you doing?!"

"I'm taking care of the station." KOS-MOS spoke calmly. "If I fly at maximum speed I can launch five torpedoes in the 0.00034 second window.

"Are you insane?! No one can make a shot in such a small window!"

"She can do it." Ryan interjected.

"You serious…?"

"Yes, she can do it, just have faith."

"Alright. Go for it Angel."

"Acknowledged." KOS-MOS careened towards the Tellaya sun, looped around the gigantic molten sphere and launched towards the fuel and ammo depot and its large adjacent capital ship. KOS-MOS readied her thumbs on the torpedo launcher, fully aware that she only has only a tiny fraction of a second to launch the warheads, and to launch them blind no less. There's no way the targeting computer could get a lock in such a short time frame. With the vessel's mighty engines taxed to the full, KOS-MOS blasted past the ammo depot and rocketed away. She slowed down and looped around in time to watch the detonation on scanners. The torpedoes didn't penetrate the ships shields; however the ammunition and fuel inside the depot shattered the silence of space with a colossal explosion, disabling the four kilometer long cruiser.

"Excellent job!" Katrina was obviously impressed. "Angel, launch the rest of your torpedoes at the ship, we'll do the same. Its weapons are offline so it should be no problem."

"Understood." KOS-MOS piloted the ship at a regular speed towards the disabled capital ship. When she got into view however, she gasped. "The Durandal?!" No, it's black.

"Yes Angel a Durandal class Federation cruiser. It's nothing out of the ordinary, I'm not surprised you recognize it; the prototype was fielded in your time. It's the standard Remnant workhorse."

"I see. Paradox, do you know why they use this design?"

"Not really, nothing besides the fact that the prototype proved to be extremely effective at dealing with all manor of threats, so they made it their standard navy vessel. If you want to know more about its history, you should talk to Dian when we get home."

"Alright." The console chirped, almost with excitement, at the torpedo lock that had just been acquired. KOS-MOS placed her fingers on the ready, and was just about to pull the trigger. Shion didn't ever want me to kill. There are people on board… I can't fire. But they're our enemy? How do I know? Does it matter? The dark shadow of the Durandal type ship was enveloped in a powerful flash followed by a deathly fireball. The stern torn apart and debris flung everywhere; Katrina and Ryan's torpedoes had hit home.

Ryan buzzed in more concerned then worried. "Angel? Why didn't you fire?"

"I'm sorry Paradox, It's not right to kill." KOS-MOS stated regretfully.

Both Ryan and Katrina stayed silent, overcome with remorse at what they had just done. Katrina was the first to speak up. "You're right Angel, we shouldn't have done this. We didn't even need too…"

KOS-MOS decided to try derailing the trains of guilt she had seeded inside her new friends. "You shouldn't worry, they are your enemy. Perhaps by destroying this depot, it will save many more lives by protecting them from the weapons that would have been used."

Katrina hardly sounded comforted. "I guess…"

"None the less, we need to evacuate the area immediately. I'm detecting several spatial folds two point nine million kilometers away."

"I see them too Angel." The first words Ryan had said in several minutes were a comfort to both KOS-MOS and Katrina. "Coordinates locked for the Vangaurd, special folding commencing."

The apparently routine special fold was still quite the spectacle. The strands of reality bended and contorted around the craft as the laws of physics were bent to pinch a shortcut through space. As reality returned to the normalcy, the outside of the Vangaurd was visible for the first time. The gorgeous viridian hull shone brilliantly from the reflected sunlight. The dagger shape of the forward section gave the intimidating look of a blade ready to strike at the heart of any who dare oppose her. As KOS-MOS got closer, she could make out the barrier wings orbiting around the aft section of the ship, the portion housing the colossal hanger bays.

"You are clear for landing Paradox, Angel and Lotus."

Katrina returned the operators communication. "Thank you dock control, we're making our approach now."

Following Katrina's lead, Ryan and KOS-MOS slowly made their way towards the massive opening bay doors. Katrina slowed to a crawl permitting the docks tractor beams to guide her in; Ryan did the same trailed closely by KOS-MOS. Being guided right into the hanger made the landing considerably simpler then the simulation counterpart. The gel reabsorbed into the hull of the ship just in time for the hatch to open wide.

"Good day KOS-MOS. Rest well." The polite computer stated as KOS-MOS disembarked. She met up with Ryan and Katrina at the entrance to the hanger bay, but it wasn't very pleasant.

"KATRINA, RYAN AND KOS-MOS, REPORT TO THE DEBRIEFING ROOM IMMEDIATLY!!" The voice exploded through the hanger bay's loud speaker.

Katrina and Ryan cringed in unison. Katrina looked Ryan in the eye. "I told you we'd get in trouble."