U-DO
Chapter 2
"Such a thing is impossible, MOMO."
"But U-DO drives people crazy, right? It could happen."
"While it isn't completely out of the realm of reality, it is highly improbable."
"So…," she said wearing a very worried expression.
"So-take it with a grain of salt. There's no use dwelling on something that probably won't happen-there are far better things to worry about, like the Gnosis."
"Like the U-TIC Organization."
"Exactly."
Though she was supposed to be relieved at that moment considering the comparative analysis he had given her, for some reason she wasn't. She just didn't like the fact that it could happen-that U-DO was capable of doing all that Jr. had described.
"I wish U-DO never existed." MOMO said quietly, "All it seems to do is hurt people. What would you do, Ziggy? What would you do if that ever happened to you?"
"No one can ever tell how they would react to a situation until it actually happens. Better that you cross that bridge when you get to it."
MOMO nodded slowly as she let his words sink in. "That's why you never worry, isn't it? You don't have to. Just wait for something to happen and react."
"It never hurts to be prepared. If you find yourself concerned about something, one way to counter that is to be prepared. Then you could tell yourself even if this thing did happen, you're prepared."
"Well then, how do I prepare myself?"
"Maybe that's a question for Jr.-he's knows far more about U-DO than I do."
"I guess you're right." MOMO looked at him for a moment longer before deciding to take her leave. "Good-bye, Ziggy. Sorry to bother you."
"It was no trouble at all."
Ziggy watched her leave and then sighed. All this talk about U-DO was beginning to make him wonder as well. He knew next to nothing about U-DO, but he was sure that it was something that one needed to stay clear of. If only MOMO knew that he was the worst person to gain reassurance from about U-DO, she probably would not have come to him at all. He could have sent her away, he could have told her that there was good reason to worry, but he hadn't. Perhaps the reason had been his innate want to protect others, but he hadn't felt that sort of want before in a long time, why would it come back now?
Judging from the fact that MOMO was awake, everyone else probably was as well. Now was a better time than ever to go to the bridge or else stay here for the rest of the day. All he needed now was a reason or more like an excuse as to why he should go-other than the fact that he was bored. He stood up then certain that on the way, he would have figured out a plausible excuse.
With Jr. and the others around, there was little need of his protection at this point especially since they were simply on a ship headed towards their destination. Once the destination was made that would be the end of his mission. The thought should not have been as depressing as he felt that it was at that moment. He couldn't help but wonder if he was somehow growing attached to the little realian-that thought was the most depressing of all. Attachment had too many consequences, none of which Ziggy was ready to take on.
He had been walking down the corridor towards the mini transport that would take him to the bridge when the lights overhead began to flicker. His pace quickened a little, but then he heard the far off sounds of frantic footsteps coming his way. The familiar uniforms of the Durandal's workers came into view in surprising numbers. Ziggy stepped to the side attempting to avoid the ruckus. They seemed to be running in fear and some were shouting. Suddenly, MOMO came to mind and automatically he became focused on her safety.
He grabbed one of the few blue-haired realians that passed him. "What's happening?" he demanded.
"U-DO," she cried, "It's coming…" She forcefully pulled herself away from his grasp, but the cyborg caught her again. "Please…!"
"Where is she? Where is MOMO?"
The realian grew considerably more understanding as he said this, "In the park."
"Is there another way to get there? It seems everyone is running away from where it is located."
"You have to hurry then. Go North from our location and take the first left. There should be a shuttle…If it's operable, tell it that you're going to the Park area. The door should open."
"Okay, thank you for your patience."
"Please, save MOMO for us."
"I will."
"Be careful. It's dangerous to go back there. According to my sensors, U-DO is traveling through the transport system and then taking over all the areas."
The last part of the sentence was lost in the commotion and soon the blue-haired realian was thrust back into the growing crowd. Ziggy forced his way North; the opposite direction of the crowd. Metal pounded on the ground as he jogged forth until he arrived at the shuttle. The cacophony had calmed down considerably as a deathly silence fell upon the place he stood in. By now the place was completely deserted.
He called out where he was going, but the door remained firmly closed. He called again two more times and then decided that it was utterly inoperable. Noticing that the shuttle was set on a track which would lead it through the tunnels to transport its passengers, he made his way to the tracks. He jumped down onto the low leveled ground and followed the path into the darkness. The further he progressed the more apprehensive he began to feel. Something was wrong…
Just as he arrived in the Park area he was overtaken by a crimson entity of immense force. He lost all bearings of where he was. His sight became consumed with red until it faded into blackness.