Chapter IV
Hello readers. I do sincerely apologize for the long wait that accompanied this chapter, but in addition to another story popping into my head, crap in real life and then just starting to find this story a bit dull for a bit, I wasn't having much luck writing it, but I'm doing acceptably well now. I can't say how quickly I'll get the next chapter out, but it likely won't be quite as long a wait for the next one. I hope. Anyway, I'd like to thank my coauthor Bakuto Masaki. Hmm...can't think of anything else pressing to say. Guess it's time for reviewer responses now. Huh...wonder why there aren't any more than that.
Bakuto Masaki: I like that scene in Freezing, so naturally I'd use it. Yeah, don't know much about the Evil Dead movies but that's a good scene.
Well, this one review seems to be it. I like favorites and follows just fine but reviews mean much more, I really like to receive those.
Alister, Salcito, Homura, Murasaki and John floated out in space as the Woglinde exploded behind them. With them was an escape pod that held Allen and Shion inside, with Cherenkov and KOS-MOS riding atop.
They all looked around at the Gnosis fleet that was beginning to converge as if they'd accomplished their mission.
Alister watched as one of the whale Gnosis pulled a golden object into its body with a beam of light. The massive creatures then turned to move away.
KOS-MOS uttered a few, unheard words, her pod then appearing in front of the escape pod.
"…affirmative," KOS-MOS began in her head as thought speaking to someone. "The target object was not the Original…affirmative. It was an Emulator." Different screens and scans appeared on her vision, showing scans of the Emulator the Gnosis had taken as well as what resembled a mechanical brain. "…Roger. Upon deploying tracking device, I will depart immediately. As originally planned, I will head for Second Miltia."
A slip-space portal opened up ahead of the Gnosis fleet as it began to move into the swirling portal.
A large, spear-like gun appeared in KOS-MOS' hands as she aimed it at the large Gnosis which had taken the Emulator.
She fired a beam of energy that flew at the monster and stuck to its underside as it and the others vanished into the slip-space portal.
KOS-MOS rid herself of the weapon and took a few steps forward before looking around.
Several more scans appeared in her head, one showing the image of a long, blue and white, pointed ship that seemed to be nearing the area.
She looked off in one specific direction and more images of the ship appeared in her view.
One in particular read, "Identification: Elsa."
The ship in question was currently moving slowly through the debris field for some unknown reason. "What a mess…" a gruff male voice said as pieces of the destroyed Vector fleet floated around the ship. "Whoever it was, they sure went all-out. You think there's anything left out there? Hey, Tony! How long before the Federation gets here?"
Inside the ship's bridge, five people stood. On a raised chair sat an older, slightly robust, man with slicked back brown hair, a red baseball cap, a light grey shirt, brown work gloves, and black pants.
In front of him, at what was presumably the ship's helm, sat a young man with short blonde hair, a white, sleeveless shirt, and jeans. "Well, let's see. The last SOS went out a half-an-hour ago, so…we've probably got at least three hours, right? No sign of any nearby ships, either. Right, Hammer?"
A young man with spiked blonde hair that pointed back, round glasses, a blue visor set up over his forehead, a brown jacket, a white shirt, and brown gloves with black pants answered. "Yup. We're the only ship within a five thousand light-year radius."
"Alright," the man in the raised chair added. He then uncrossed his legs, stomped down his foot, lightly put out his cigarette and then slammed his fists together. "That should be enough. Let's grab anything that looks salvageable."
"You know, Captain," Hammer began, "I realize the deadline for paying back Master Gaignun is right around the corner, but don't you think this is a little risky? If the Feds find us out, we'd be lucky to get ten years."
The captain lowered his chair somewhat in response as he shot back, "That's if they find out. You know the Feds aren't gonna patrol all the way out here in the middle of nowhere."
"Well…I just don't like the idea of feeding off the dead. I mean, what are we, space jackals? Vultures? Hyenas?"
The captain kicked the back of Hammer's seat in annoyance. "Ya moron! What kinda metaphor is that? Don't be comparing us to extinct animals. You'll jinx us! We're recyclers dammit. Environmentally-friendly space recyclers."
Tony then interjected, "Master Gaignun told us to stay away from any 'side jobs,' remember? He said it hurts the Foundation's image. I don't know…" They were all interrupted by a slight beeping sound. "Oh-hoh! We got a wrecked ship here, three o'clock! Looks like a Ganymede-class…"
"Nice work there, Tony. Good thing we were tapping the U.M.N. emergency channel… Come on, pull in close. Hurry!"
Hammer shook his head and mumbled, "Yep, we're vultures."
The captain popped his head over beside Hammer's seat and asked, "What was that?"
The Elsa continued forward towards a feint light in the distance.
As they neared their target, Hammer monitored a small screen. "Spectrum matches up perfectly. It's a geocrystal."
"Alright!" the captain said happily, "Not bad. Let's start with that one!"
Tony noticed something approaching the ship and leaned forward to see it better. He then flinched back in shock as he realized it was a body. Though it was actually KOS-MOS. He turned to Hammer and shouted, "That's not a geocrystal you idiot! It's a corpse!"
The captain retorted plainly, "Well…what'd you expect? This is a battlefield. Ahh, it's no big deal. Don't bother wasting fuel. Just keep going and let it bounce off."
"You're kidding right?! My dead grandma told me to be respectful of the dead. Sorry, but I don't want any bad karma. You do it, Captain."
"Ya moron… What? Is that your grandfather out there? Don't be ridiculous! Just shut up and keep moving."
"Man, not again. Captain, this is so typical of you."
They were all so busy with their argument they didn't notice KOS-MOS getting closer nor did they notice her twist her body so as to land on the ship.
"Making us do all the dirty work!"
They all then looked up as the "corpse" was lodge in the corners of one of the ship's large windows.
"Ya moron!" the captain shouted in annoyance. "What the hell are you doing? I said bounce it off!"
"Well don't look at me! It got stuck on its own. It's not my fault!"
"Whatever, just get rid of it."
Hammer looked at the "body" in the window and said, rather creepily, "Heeeyyy, it's a girl…she might be cute, you know. Heh, heh…"
"Heh, heh, my ass. You sicko. Who the hell cares how she looks?! She's dead!"
"Exactly!" Tony interjected. "Besides, she's facing the other way. It's a shame we can't meet face to face…"
KOS-MOS then turned to face them, thoroughly freaking the entire group out. She stood up on the glass, facing the group below. "Please open your communications line. I need to speak with you. Frequency 2020."
Hammer shouted in fear. "Aaahhh! A talking corpse!"
The captain retorted, trying and failing to sound calm, "Y-…ya moron! Open your eyes! That ain't no corpse!"
Tony sat, rubbing something between his hands in prayer. "This ain't happening, this ain't happening…"
"It's a…Realian, or a cyborg…something like that."
Hammer added, "B-but I've never heard of a Realian that can operate out in space?!"
"Well…it's probably a military robot or something. Just open the channel." As Hammer did that, the man cleared his throat. "Ahem…I am Captain Matthews of the tramp freighter Elsa. We received your SOS signal earlier. It happened to be range of our navigational path, so we rushed here to your rescue…"
"Huh?! Rescue?!" Tony and Hammer shouted, causing Matthews to kick the back of Hammer's seat.
"So…is there anything we can do to assist you?"
"What do you mean rescue? What about our side job?" Hammer whispered.
"Relax, ya moron," Matthews answered, also in a whisper. "We're gonna grab what we can while taking care of this little rescue. With this mess, I bet there's no one left alive, anyway."
"I will make this brief," KOS-MOS began, "I request that you gate jump to Second Miltia immediately."
"Say what?! Ohh, yeah, keep dreaming, sweetheart! We can't leave yet, we still got work to do. And besides, Second Miltia? Have you any idea how much it would cost to travel that far?"
"There is no need for concern. We will cover all U.M.N. gate fees incurred."
"You expect us to believe that? Even if that were true, we've got other business to attend to right now. We don't have that kind of time."
"My time is limited as well. Failure to comply will result in the destruction of this window."
"Go ahead, give it a try! The Elsa's forward windows can withstand direct hits from debris as big as six millimeters."
KOS-MOS stood up as he spoke, magnetizing her boots to the glass, and then reared back her fist, charging it.
"Punch from a girlie like you wouldn't even dent-!" He stopped as KOS-MOS' fist slammed into the window and left a large spider web crack in it.
"One more strike, and this window will shatter. It appears that none of you are wearing space suits. Keep in mind that I am making this proposal with goodwill. I could just as easily toss you out into space and take over this ship."
Everyone inside was trembling greatly at her threat and proclamation.
KOS-MOS raised her hand again.
Matthews threw up his hand and screamed. "Daaahhh! Okay, okay! We'll do it, we'll do it…don't be so rash."
"Had you accommodated me from the outset, we would have saved one minute, forty-five seconds. I am coming onboard now. Please open the cargo bay door."
As she spoke, Matthews had his hand behind his back waving it at Tony. "Ah…right."
"One more thing…"
"W-…uh, what?"
Tony then reached down for the accelerator.
"Do not accelerate in an attempt to knock me off. If you do so, I will destroy the engine, and the entire ship with it."
Hammer nodded his head snidely. "She's got us read…"
"Shut up!" Matthews groaned.
KOS-MOS jumped down off the main window down towards the large cargo door on one side. She spun momentarily through space before her pod flew towards her. She grabbed it and then rode it down towards the door. However, as she neared the door, she picked up static on the channel the Elsa was using, and so stopped on the side, recognizing the main signal.
Inside, Hammer looked at Matthews. "Hey, Captain. I've got someone on the open channel."
"What? Who?"
"Dunno, hold on a sec." A screen then popped up, both on the Elsa's main monitor and KOS-MOS' vision. It showed the inside of Shion and Allen's escape pod.
"…ell…an…yo…hea…e?..."
"Do what?" Matthews grumbled.
The signal cleared and showed Shion and Allen inside. Allen was clearly distraught.
"Hello, can you hear me?" Shion asked.
"Uhh, yeah…" Matthews answered.
"Oh, thank god!" Allen exclaimed.
"Oh Allen, sit down!"
"S-sorry, Chief."
"Listen, do you have room to take us onto your ship?"
Matthews raised an eyebrow. "Well…not really. We just got some crazy robo-lady asking the same thing. And she wants us to go to Second Miltia. So we ain't got room."
"That's it! That's where we need to go too!"
"Sit, Allen!…hold on. Did you say robot lady?"
Matthews nodded. "Basically."
KOS-MOS then appeared in the feed on a new channel. "Shion. It is good to see that you are still alive."
"KOS-MOS! Where are you exactly?!"
"I am in the process of commandeering this civilian vessel for transport."
"Then come and get us!"
"Negative. I have received express orders to head to Second Miltia. You were not included in those orders. There is a ninety-six percent probability of a Federation rescue vessel appearing in the next fifteen hours."
"Hold it!" Alister interrupted. "Fifteen hours!? Are you kidding?! Nevermind that you just told your friggin' design to suck it but the three of us will run out of power long before then!"
Shion flinched lightly at Alister's words, evidently not used to being around soldiers like him.
"I apologize. However, you were never included in any of my directives. As a result, your fate is inconsequential."
Alister just grumbled as Shion glared at KOS-MOS. "Alright KOS-MOS, that's it! Either you maneuver and help us onto that ship or I will pop the hatch!" Shion moved her hand over to the lever that controls the hatch for the escape pod.
"Wait! What?!" Allen shouted.
"Based on the movements in your facial muscles," KOS-MOS began, "there is an eighty-three percent probability you will not open the hatch."
"Alright then Ice Queen," Alister interrupted, then grabbing the pod with his Gelgoog. "You bring us into that ship or I crush this pod and them with it. And don't try to psychoanalyze me, I'm certifiably insane, I kill people for a living and two more civilians-!"
"Hey!" Cherenkov shouted.
"Sorry, two more civilians and an asshole aren't going to make any difference."
KOS-MOS stood stoically with her pod and then spoke to Matthews. "Allow them entry as well."
Matthews just sighed. "This day just keeps gettin' better."
"I'm sorry, but I cannot allow them to delay my mission."
"Wait, what?!" Matthews shouted. He then turned as the bridge's main door close. "Hey! Hey, Ziggy!"
The large, hexagon-shaped hatch door opened as the escape pod, KOS-MOS, Alister, John, Salcito, Murasaki and Homura entered the ship.
As they set down KOS-MOS turned suddenly when a figure charged at her through the darkness.
KOS-MOS turned and through a punch, the figure slapping her hand away and kicking at her.
The near weightless environment caused her to fly up and into the rafters from the blow. She looked down, up from the position she was standing, and activated her blade arm and charged the figure.
A curved sword popped out of its left arm and the two engaged in a momentary blade dual in the air.
"KOS-MOS!" Shion shouted from the pod.
KOS-MOS landed on the railing nearby and activated her gun, a missile launcher appearing in the figure's arms.
"Whoa, whoa!" Alister shouted, his Gelgoog grabbing them both in a hand. "That's enough you two!"
KOS-MOS and the figure looked at him puzzled.
Alister finally got a good look and realized the figure was an older man with slicked back blonde hair, three mechanical limbs and one partly mechanical limb. He looked at Alister annoyed. "You are delaying my mission, which is to return to the Kukai Foundation."
"Sorry pal, but none of us are going where we want because this is all one big mess! So for now the least you two gladiators can do is to not blow a hole in the ship with your miniature droid deathmatch!"
The man frowned and KOS-MOS nodded after a moment's pause, deactivating her blade.
Shion and Allen finally decided to jump out of their escape pod as Shion ran over to KOS-MOS disgruntled. "What is WITH you?!"
KOS-MOS turned to Shion. "I have new orders from headquarters. Those orders are tantamount."
Shion just sighed. "I don't know what's gotten in to you but I hope we can figure it out when we get to Second Miltia."
"I apologize," the man interrupted, "but we will head to the Kukai Foundation first."
"Hold on, hold on," Allen began, trying to diffuse the situation. "They're in the same area, so we can do both…right?"
The man and KOS-MOS looked at each other for a moment.
"He's right you know," Alister remarked. "I had enough time sitting on my ass waiting for you guys to wake up to look into this 'U.M.N.' thing you keep talking about. Seems this Kukai Foundation orbits that Second Miltia place. Why don't we all head there and kill each other later?"
"I accept that proposal," KOS-MOS answered.
Alister raised an eyebrow. "Er, which part?"
She ignored him and went to the bridge.
"That's cool. Just walk away." He sighed as John and the others exited their mechs and walked over.
"So," John began, "shall we go to the bridge and figure out where we are?"
Alister shrugged. "You know, at this point I don't care. We just discovered a new entire civilization and then got blown up by giant alien fish. And then some weird creepy robot that looks like my dead sister pops up out of nowhere. Frankly I'm ready for this day to just fuckin' end."
The group, along with their cyborg friend, made their way up to the bridge.
Matthews watched them enter and sighed. "Sorry about Ziggy, he's a little…testy. We picked him up along the way and that's part of what made us so damn late. And then you guys showed up."
Alister sneered. "Sorry about our safety putting you out."
"Oh shut up you!"
Alister and Matthews looked at each other momentarily before Alister sighed in annoyance. "So this thing's called the Elsa?"
"'Ey, 'ey, she is not a thing!"
Alister sighed. 'Great…he's one of those.' "Yeah, sure, whatever. So I assume we're all going to this Second Miltia place?"
"After-" Ziggy began but a hand over the mouth from Alister silenced him.
"Do not test me Sparky!"
"…Sparky?"
Shion then walked up to Matthews uncomfortably. "Um…we…"
Matthews stuck out his hand and introduced himself.
Shion shook his hand and answered, "My name is Shion Uzuki, and I'm from Vector Industries First R&D Division." She then turned to Allen and introduced him. "We do apologize for all the trouble our errant KOS-MOS may have caused you."
"I don't," Alister said plainly. "It helped save our asses from a one way trip to the morgue. Or, whatever counts as a morgue to you weirdos."
Matthews looked at Alister disgruntled. "And what's that s'posed to mean? You look pretty weird in that outfit of yours. Same with those two giants over there," pointing to John and Salcito.
Alister laughed sarcastically. "What isn't it supposed to mean?! Artificial humans! Giant killer spacefish! Blocks of gold that kill people! This is the closest damn thing to weird I've ever seen and I've seen a Hunter up close!"
"Wait…wha…" Matthews responded.
Shion stepped between the two. "Please forgive him. He's actually from an entirely new galactic government on the other side of the Rim."
"Wait…seriously? I thought it was uninhabited."
Alister sighed. "We thought the same thing. Learn something new every day I guess."
Matthews shrugged. "Right, right." Matthews then turned as someone else walked onto the bridge.
A young man with dark skin, short silver hair, green eyes and wearing a black suit with blue lines on it with white shorts, an orange vest, orange wristbands.
Matthews laughed. "So Chaos, finally decided to join the group eh?"
Chaos stretched as he walked into the room.
KOS-MOS looked at him puzzled for a moment and ran through video of his entry several times, the doors seeming to never move before or after he walked in.
"Well, who could sleep with all this noise going on? I decided to take a look, it seems we've acquired even more guests."
Matthews sighed in annoyance. "Yup, and guess what, a few of them are actually outsiders from beyond the Rim."
"Is that so?" Chaos turned to look at Alister and the others, standing there for a moment and then looking at Shion's group.
Alister lightly jabbed Salcito's elbow and then asked through the short range suit communicators, "Doesn't that guy give you the creeps?"
Salcito just shrugged.
Chaos walked up to Shion and nodded. "It's good to have some fresh faces around here. It can get kind of lonely with just the same people all the time."
Then Tony walked up and put an arm around Shion's shoulders. "Yup, especially when said people are a bunch of dudes. Name's Tony by the way."
Shion looked at him lightly puzzled and shook his hand. "Uh…hi, Tony."
Allen grumbled but it was Alister who pushed Tony away. "Okay, that's enough. I didn't spend two hours with this scientist girl here stuck to my side keeping her safe from crazy space Goblins to have you go and put the moves on her Casanova."
"Oh really?" Shion asked angrily. "Weren't you about to turn us into space dust a moment ago?"
Alister shrugged. "I lied."
KOS-MOS was almost taken aback. "That is impossible. I am preprogrammed with a wide set of functions to easily detect any sort of deception."
Hammer nodded. "She's right. She figured us out in a millisecond."
Alister looked at Hammer incredulously. "That's because you're a bunch of part scavengers. You're all nothing but two-bit space salesman who sell old chunks of scrap. Of course, I'll keep most of those comments to myself since you did just save our asses."
Matthews smiled sarcastically. "Heh, why thank you for your magnanimity."
"Wow, you speak big words," Alister said in a poor Asian accent.
"Okay, do you want me to throw you out into space?!"
John looked at Matthews plainly as he walked up to him.
Matthews backed up from the giant, to whom Matthews barely reached the shoulders.
John looked down at Matthews imposingly and said plainly, "Try it."
Matthews shook his head swiftly and said in a high-pitched voice, "No thanks."
"Good."
Matthews let out a sigh of relief as John walked away, flopping back into his chair. "This sucks."
Shion sighed and then turned to KOS-MOS. "Hey, KOS-MOS, what exactly were those orders from headquarters anyway?"
KOS-MOS turned to Matthews, completely ignoring Shion. "Captain Matthews, may I use the maintenance lab, next to the hangar?"
"Just a second KOS-MOS…"
Matthews responded plainly, "Yeah, sure. What for?"
Shion tried and failed to get her attention again as KOS-MOS answered, "Due to the limits of my test-type condenser, my energy reserves are almost depleted."
Alister, feeling annoyed at that point, lightly tapped KOS-MOS' head and remarked, "Then why not go into power-save mode ya big dummy?"
"My power-save mode would only last another three hours, twenty-six minutes and five seconds, and would reduce my overall combat capabilities by forty-five percent."
"Hey!" Shion shouted, "What is wrong with you?! Answer me KOS-MOS!"
Matthews looked at KOS-MOS and asked, "So, you'll cover the bill, right?"
"Yes," she answered.
Shion tried once more to get her attention but was interrupted. "Shion."
"Y-yes?"
"My sensors appear to be malfunctioning. Please adjust them before we disembark at our destination."
"Wha…? Why should I…?"
"Please, Shion. This is part of your job, is it not?"
Alister shrugged. "Lady's got a point."
Shion glared and then turned to KOS-MOS as the latter left the room and then sighed heavily. She then turned to Matthews resigned. "I'm terribly sorry. The girl is just so stubborn. I do apologize for all the trouble she's causing."
"It's alright," Chaos added, "I'm actually enjoying it. It's much livelier with everyone here."
"Yeah, as I was saying," Tony remarked, "It's always nice to have some more women around here."
Alister twitched an eyebrow and then snapped his fingers.
"Hey! Put me down you goliath!" Tony shouted as John had him flung over his shoulder, proceeding to throw him out the door. "Ooph!"
The door shut and Tony was then stuck outside the bridge.
Matthews shook his head. "Well, nevermind her. At least she's a real girl. The other one's not even human, she's battle weaponry."
"You think so, huh?" Chaos asked. "She seems like an ordinary girl to me."
Alister ran a hand through his hair as he finally removed his helmet. "Yeah, sure. Until she transforms her arm into a sword or a gun and bisects a giant alien cockroach."
"Do you really have any room to talk Mr. Lightning Bolt?" Shion accused.
"Ah, well…that's…dammit."
"Captain," Cherenkov said as he approached Matthews. "Any chance of stopping at Senir?"
Matthews thought for a moment. "Hm, that's enroute to the column…three or so days from Atalya. If that's your destination sure, I can do that."
"I see. And the fee…?"
"Today just ain't my day…and getting greedy now won't do me any good. I'll just put it on the tab."
"I appreciate it."
"Ah, don't mention it. You're a marine. Let's just chalk it up to my bit of charity for the corps."
Everyone froze as a yellow Gnosis suddenly landed on the window.
It then proceeded to walk straight through the window and into the bridge.
Hammer walked back fearfully. "G, G, Gn, Gno, Gno…"
"Gnosis!" Shion shouted.
"Ah, dammit!" Alister shouted. "I thought we shook these bastards off!" He pulled out his rifle and aimed it at the beast.
"I knew it!" Allen remarked. "A few of them are still lurking around!"
"Ah, it's comin' in!" Tony shouted.
"Son of a bitch!" Cherenkov shouted, aiming his pistol and firing two shots. All those did were pass through it and then ricochet through the bridge, everyone ducking to evade the stray rounds.
The creature jumped down and grabbed the gaping Cherenkov by the head and hoisted him into the air, beginning to turn him into crystal.
"Chaos!" Matthews ordered.
Chaos responded instantly, without a word. He walked up to the monster.
"Chaos!" Shion shouted.
Chaos turned to her with a smile. "It's okay."
The creature raised a hand to strike him.
Chaos turned and raised his own hand to it, stopping it cold. Everyone looked on in shock as Chaos just smiled at the beast and then touched its palm, causing it to dissipate.
Cherenkov fell to the floor gasping.
Alister nearly dropped his rifle. "Ooo…kay…what did he just do?"
Matthews nodded to Chaos. "Well, that's how he helps us out. He looks out for us. And that's what I mean."
"Looks out for you?" Shion asked surprised. "I've never heard of a human who can defeat Gnosis."
Chaos walked up to her. "There are those who draw well, and those who run fast. Hammer's navigational skills are top-notch, and his knowledge of the net is vast. Tony's helmsmanship skills are unrivaled. No one even comes close…or so he claims. The Captain…well. No one holds a greater amount of debt than he does."
Matthews nodded. "Ahh, yes…hey, wait a second!"
"I believe everyone has at least one skill they excel in over all others. It's something that defines who they are."
Alister smirked. "You mean like my devilishly handsome looks?"
"Ahh…I suppose…but, Shion, what is it that defines you?"
Shion widened her eyes, not expecting to be picked out. "Well…I…"
"It's the same for me too. It's just something that I can do."
Tony nodded. "Yup, that's all there is to it."
Shion nodded. "I see, it sort of makes sense when you put it that way."
Hammer agreed, "Yup, that's all it is."
Alister gaped. "That's all…what th…!? How can you guys be convinced by that?! That was a giant walking Gargoyle, thing!"
"Actually it's called a Golem."
"Wait, a what?"
Hammer nodded. "The Federation keeps a database on all of the known Gnosis types so the marines know how to handle them. That specific one is called a Golem."
"Oh…well excuuse me."
Chaos then turned to Matthews. "We better get going before she throws us off the ship. The girl seems to be a stickler for schedules and all."
Matthews sighed heavily. "Man, oh man…so much for my grandiose plans. After this job I was supposed to pay off my debts, then head to Keltia to see the Seraphim Sisters live in concert…"
Tony chuckled. "Ah, you owe Master Gaignun too much. You'll never pay it all off. And man, the Seraphim Sisters again? You're really hot for them aren't you?"
Hammer then remarked, "Captain, you don't actually have to go all the way out to Keltia. Why don't you just connect to the U.M.N. and watch it later?"
"Ya moron!" Matthews shouted, Alister noted that seemed to be his catchphrase, "Getting a visual feed is nothing compared to immersing yourself in the real thing. There's a world of difference between the two."
"Heeyyy," Alister commented, "something we can actually agree on."
"Oh, and how's that outsider?"
"Because, there's a similar band on my home planet. Well, the planet my folks are from, Nirn, never been there myself, and they made a short tour around UNSC space a couple years back and I got the chance to see'em live. Just couldn't stand only watchin' vids after that. But…whaddya gonna do, the Covies ain't gonna kill'emselves."
"Covies?"
"Yeah, that's the name of the group we fight against in the UNSC. An interracial alien conglomeration who have it in their malformed skulls that humans need to be wiped off the face of the galaxy. Honestly, I'm surprised you guys haven't encountered them yet. Though I suppose with those Gnosis things lurking about even the Covenant isn't dumb enough to come here."
"You sound so enthusiastic about partnering with GFG," Hammer mocked.
"Well, I'm just a point'n'shoot kinda guy. As in, you point, I shoot. S'not my job to think about why I'm shootin', just that I am."
"You know, that's somehow extremely thought-provoking and incredibly stupid at the same time."
Alister put his hand on Hammer's head with an angry grin. "Want me to make you fit your name, Hammer? I'm sure I can find a few rough nails around here."
"Oh no, oh no! I'm okay, I'm okay!"
"Uhm, excuse me."
"Hm?" Alister mumbled.
A young girl in a short black dress with pink hair tied in twintails and amber eyes walked up to him. He shook his head from double-vision. The girl looked just like Kirsch. He sighed. "Geez, how many ghosts am I gunna see today?"
The girl tilted her head puzzled. "I'm not a ghost."
Alister waved a hand. "Not what I meant. So, who are you anyway?"
"I'm MOMO."
"M-MOMO? That's a very…unique name."
"Anyway, I wanted to apologize for Ziggy. He's a little impatient. He was actually sent by my mommy to rescue me."
"Rescue you?"
"Yes, Ziggy answered. "My full name is actually Ziggurat 8. I was sent by Juli Mizrahi of the Second Miltian council to rescue MOMO from a U-Tic facility and return her to the Kukai Foundation."
Alister put up a hand. "Okay, slow down old timer. You just used about five different names that sound like gobbledygook to me."
MOMO giggled. "It's alright, I can explain. What didn't you understand?"
"Hmm, yes."
"Oh…okay. Well, Ziggurat is a line of mass production cyborgs that was used by the Fifth Jerusalem government but was put out of production fifty years ago."
Alister raised an eyebrow.
MOMO giggled again. "Fifth Jerusalem is the name of the planet that acts as the main governing body for the Galactic Federation Government. Also, Juli Mizrahi is my mommy, she's in the Second Miltian Council, the governing body on the planet of Second Miltia. U-Tic is an organization I don't have much information on. But they're bad people. The Kukai Foundation is an organization that has a lot of responsibilities but works with Vector."
Alister just sighed. "Are you like a walking encyclopedia or something kid?"
"No, silly. I'm a 100-series Observational Realian."
"I'm just going to pretend I know what that means."
"Okay."
Matthews sighed. "Okay, I think that's enough. How about Tony takes us outta this dump before Cosmos or whatever spaces our asses?"
"Okay, roger that," Tony responded as he made his way to the helm.
Chaos nodded. "Well then, I'll take Shion and the others to their rooms."
Shion bowed. "That's very kind of you."
"Alright," Matthews began as he sat down, "You do that."
The Elsa sped up as a slip-space portal opened and the ship jumped inside.
Elsewhere, in a dark room a single man with short white hair, bangs on one side framing his face, fair skin and red eyes who wore a black suit sat in an expensive looking office. A figure in front of him wearing a long, red, hooded cloak then began speaking.
"Master Wilhelm. I have a report from KOS-MOS. Shion Uzuki and Allen Ridgeley have both joined up with KOS-MOS."
Wilhelm nodded in understanding. "I see."
"This is fortunate, especially since there's an unidentified ship closing in on the battlefield."
"And if the ship were to threaten the girl, KOS-MOS would protect her…is that not right?"
"Yes. That would be the prime directive."
"Either way, it was a wise decision to pull back KOS-MOS. There's no need for us to continue serving them, or the Federation, any longer. Besides, the data for the Rhine Maiden is now complete. All phenomena are moving forward as specified by this Compass of Order. As for the rest…gather the necessary factors and wait for the one to awaken…after all, the Harbinger requires a source."
"As you wish, Master Wilhelm."
Wilhelm then looked back at the ornate, compass-like object on his desk. "The next cycle is only moments away."
Elsewhere in the galaxy, a blue, Earth-like planet was being enveloped in a bright blue light. Portions of its surface began to vanish, pillars of light shooting out into space. As more of its surface eroded away, the planet became a large ball of light, expanding outward more and more before shrinking and then bursting out in an explosion of light, shooting bursts of energy off in every direction. The light then suddenly vanished and no trace of the planet was left.
Moments later the video the destruction of the planet was being played on close, showing a large room with red and grey walls, men in black and purple military uniforms with what resembled gas masks sitting in several of the seats scattered around.
A woman stood in front of the monitor where the planet's destruction was being shown. She had dark skin, short, bleach-blonde hair, blue eyes and wore a long, black dress with red and white markings on it, a black choker around her neck with a cross-shaped object on it, and simple white gloves.
A voice then said, "What's one and a half billion people to us…" The owner of the voice, Margulis, walked up to her.
"They're innocents!" she argued. "Surely they deserve more respect!"
"Respect? For what? Save your philanthropy for someone that cares. The experiment may have been a failure, but I've taken steps to recover the Emulator. If the need arises, I'm not against using the Original, either. All we have to do is repeat the process until we get results. Is this all too much for your conscience to bear, Pellegri? In that case, feel free to reveal everything and wait for your death sentence."
"What about you?!"
"Me, tried in a court of ignoble commoners? Don't make me laugh. We are the ones who determine life or death. But, wait…Pellegri, are you telling me that you've forgotten everything we've been striving for these past fourteen years?"
Pellegri lowered her head solemnly.
One of the soldiers then spoke to Margulis.
"What?" he asked annoyed.
"A message from Lieutenant Commander Vanderkam, sole survivor of the vanguard force. The unit was decimated, the Zohar Emulator, unsecured."
"Where's the Zohar now?"
"Location unknown. Possibly seized by the Gnosis."
"I see. Notify the 474th Spec Ops fleet. We may need to implement Plan 31. Oh, and inform those four…contractors, that they'll be getting sent in as well. Have them standby in the specified coordinates and wait for further orders."
"Yes, sir!"
"So…you're finally going to send us, are you?"
Margulis turned and watched as a child with long silver hair and silver eyes walked up to him.
"So, Malos, you're awake."
"Of course I am. Father is still absent right now. So someone has to take command of you fleshlings while he's busy."
"Watch your tongue, you may be his child of sorts, but you are still my subordinate, Malos."
"Hah! I would never call a human like you master or anything, if that's what you're expecting, Margulis."
Margulis narrowed his eyes. The boy was getting on his nerves.
"The only reason I merely give you the time of day is because Father thinks it would be advantageous to work with you."
"Alright you little-!"
"I think that's enough, commander."
Margulis turned to see the pilot of the Wing Zero, Galdin Truence, walking up to him. He was a young man with spiky red hair and two different colored eyes, one green and one gold. "Galdin, you finally returned from your mission to the Rim. Tell me, did you discover anything useful or did you just get beat?"
"Ouch commander, that hurts. So I see the tinker-toy's kid woke up."
Malos glared angrily. "Watch your mouth fleshling! Do not insult Father!"
Galdin just chuckled. "Sorry kiddo, didn't mean to insult tank-man."
"Why you-!"
"Enough!"
Both turned as Zellex walked into the room. Outside of his suit, Zellex could be seen to have blonde, wavy hair that was combed back, and blue eyes. He looked at both Galdin and Malos annoyed. "I've had enough dealing with the UNSC's grunts. I don't have time for you fools."
"Hmph," Malos grunted.
Zellex turned to Malos. "I especially mean you Malos. He may have made you but he put you under my command. So I expect you to give me the respect of that position. After all, even your advanced armor won't stand under a direct blow from me."
Malos just moaned. "Fine. But only because it's an order from Father."
Galdin stretched. "Good…now that that's outta the way…can I take a nap now?"
"No," Zellex said plainly. "Go bring Marianna to the ship. We will be heading out with her. Malos, both her Freedom and your Duel are ready to use, so get ready to test them."
"Hah," Malos huffed, "I can perfectly interface with any machine I touch. I don't need you to lecture me, cyborg."
Zellex narrowed his eyes. "Good enough. Everyone, move out!" He spun around and left.
Margulis sighed as the three of them left the room. "I do not understand why his Eminence has decided to ally with those things."
Back at the debris field from the Vector fleet, a new sub-space bridge opened as a massive, spire-shaped, red dreadnought crawled out from the portal. It had two large sections resembling wings orbiting near the back of the vessel.
At the back of the ship, on the bridge, a large group of people stood as they looked over the area.
Many were authentic 100-Series Observational Realians, which Kirsch had been impersonating.
There were three people that were not Realians however.
One was a young woman with shoulder-length blonde hair that was braided, blue eyes and who wore a blue and white beret, matching blouse that just reached her naval with elbow-length sleeves and that was attached by straps to her white shorts over dark grey stockings and thigh-high boots.
Another was a young woman with fair skin, waist length purple hair, matching purple eyes and who wore a sleeveless, purple and white dress with slits going up to her waist with a dark grey skirt underneath, a transparent, embroidered section that held the dress on her shoulders and revealed some of her cleavage along with elbow-length arm warmers and knee-length black boots.
Lastly was a boy who appeared about fifteen with short, messy red hair and blue eyes who wore a white and purple shirt under a long black coat with gold cuffs, green pants with undone zippers on his knees and short blue boots. The boy looked around thoughtfully at the destruction ahead of the ship. Putting a hand on his chin he looked around. "Alright, Mary, Shelley, let's take a look around the area. Gotta find that last Emulator."
The purple-haired woman nodded and said evenly, "Yes, Little Master."
The blonde saluted comically and responded in a heavy southern accent, "You got it Little Master."
After a few more moments one of the Realians turned to the boy and shouted, "We have an unknown Gate Out ahead of us!"
"What?!" he shouted and then looked ahead.
Multiple Slip-Space Portals opened as a small fleet of crescent shaped ships appeared in the area.
The boy just smirked. "I see. So U-TIC was headed here after all. Alright! Everyone, battle stations, time to put on a show."
"Yes, sir!"
He then turned around to look at someone standing in the corner of the room. "Alright Clair, your turn to sortie."
Clair, a young woman with long, rose-colored hair and pale-aqua eyes wearing a white coat with a red cape, short brown skirt, knee-high boots with shin guards, and blue, fingerless gloves, looked at him sternly and nodded. "Right, Jr."
Clair, Mary, and Jr. entered the large ship's hangar out of a bullet-shaped tram and walked up towards a group of A.M.W.S. units.
Clair walked over to a large pink A.M.W.S. with a folding, purple, bird-like backpack, white spikes on its shoulders, and a wide, V-shaped, yellow crest on its head. After activating the machine, Clair turned and used the ship's catapult, announcing, "Clair Faron, Justice Gundam, launching."
Jr. entered the catapult as well in a blue A.M.W.S.-like machine with two large machine guns on its arm and two antennae on its head. A soldier sat in the secondary seat with him and Jr. smirked as he launched. "Jr., E.S. Asher, launching!"
Mary also launched in a Huckebein Mk-II.
Multiple A.M.W.S. launched from the U-TIC ships, one in particular was white and dark blue, with large, blue and navy-blue wings on its back.
Jr. smirked as the two groups, his side also launching multiple A.M.W.S., prepared for battle. "Shelley! You've got control of the Durandal! Take out as many U-TIC ships as you can, but leave one standing so we can get a little info on it."
"Understood Little Master. Pardon me, but I'm getting a launch request from the A.M.W.S. head technician."
"Haruka? Hm, let'er go."
"Yes, sir."
One last machine launched from the Durandal, its pilot announcing, "Haruka, Akatsuki Corleone, launching."
An almost all-blue machine with a wide crest on its head and a backpack filled with multiple, self-guided, mobile cannons launched.
The U-TIC A.M.W.S., which were comprised of Stoles and Ceras, began assorting into groups as Jr. and his group approached.
"Alright, fan-out everyone! We gotta take down those ships!" Jr. approached a group of Ceras with his Asher, several Huckebeins with him. He smirked and raised the Asher's dual machine guns and began unloading a hailstorm of bullets at the U-TIC A.M.W.S.
Many of the A.M.W.S. exploded as the bullets hit them.
One of the Ceras tried to hit him but Clair sliced it in half.
Jr. smirked and then turned to approach one of the nearby ships.
Clair also did the same and neared one of the ships, shooting out two Stoles that tried to flank her.
Several Huckebeins flared out ahead of her and engaged several Stoles.
Clair continued firing at some of the Stoles.
Another one came from the side.
Clair narrowed her eyes and her Justice reached up for its left shoulder as white spikes on its shoulders split out into an arch shape. Grabbing it, the arch was then covered in beam energy, taking on a boomerang shape. She hurled it at the Stole and sliced the incoming Stole in two.
She collected the boomerang and then charged further at the ship.
After another Stole fell, a new Stole, brown rather than green, deployed from the ship and charged at her.
It slashed at her and she dodged to the side, and then spun with one of her beam sabers.
The Stole blocked the strike and attempted to thrust at her.
Clair smacked it sword out to the side, causing it to overextend, and then ran it through, causing it to explode.
Inside her A.M.W.S. Clair radioed the Durandal. "I've cleared a path."
"Understood," Shelley responded as the massive ship turned to face the U-TIC ship and then fired a barrage of powerful, blue missiles that flew at the ship and destroyed it completely.
Clair and her squad flew away from the ship as its debris spread out in a great distance.
Jr. finished off a Cera with a ring around its body, causing the remaining Ceras in the area to attempt a retreat to the U-TIC ship above them. Jr. smirked. "Alright Shelley, they're not fightin' anymore."
Again, a barrage of missiles fired from the Durandal out to the U-TIC ship, destroying it.
Jr.'s crew continued this pattern for several minutes, taking out multiple enemies in a grouping around a ship before a lead A.M.W.S. launched and then destroyed it as well, causing the other A.M.W.S. to retreat, giving the Durandal and unfettered aim to the ship.
However, once the fleet was reduced to just two ships, one of Jr.'s squads suddenly went dark in a moment.
"Wait, what?!" Jr. shouted. "What's that?!"
He turned as the strange U-TIC A.M.W.S. appeared.
"Crap, where's that thing been?!" Jr. shouted.
The machine charged as an emotionless female voice announced, "Marianna, Freedom, engaging targets." Its wings then flared out in a brilliant display as two long, gray cannons came over its shoulders. Massive amounts of energy began to converge at the ends.
"No! U.M.N. Transfer cannons! Evade!"
Soon two massive beams of energy, red surrounded in white, shot from the cannons, eliminating multiple A.M.W.S.
"Dammit, what is that thing?"
Clair got into a ready position as she answered, "I can't say. But keeping a safe distance to dodge is advisable."
"Yeah…crap."
Marianna turned towards Jr. and charged, firing her beam rifle at him.
Jr. grit his teeth and dodged to the side, firing a volley of shots at her.
Marianna raised her shield to block and then back-flipped, dodging Haruka's slash at her.
Haruka turned and fired shots at Marianna.
The Gundam pilot raised her shield and effortlessly blocked the shots before returning fire.
Haruka spun to the side and the beam cannons on her back launched. Smirking, she announced, "Dragoons, launch!"
The seven blue cannons then soared at Marianna.
Marianna stared at them for a moment before deftly dodging side to side, weaving through the flurry.
Haruka came in from the side and tried to slash at her but Marianna spun to the side and kicked the Corleone in the back before blocking a shot from one of her dragoons and then spun in one fluid motion to ram the end of her shield forward as Clair tried to slice at her.
Their weapons clashed and knocked the two back.
As Marianna uncontrollably flew from the collision, Jr. tried to ram her with the spikes on the end of his rifles.
Marianna reacted instantly, placing a hand on the Asher's head and pole-vaulting over it and then rear-kicking it at the Justice.
"Crap…" Jr. moaned. "Who is she?"
The Freedom turned to the three other A.M.W.S. before readying its cannons once again.
Jr. grit his teeth before dashing to the side.
Haruka's dragoons rushed to surround Marianna as the cannons on the back of the Justice flipped up before the back-pack unfolded and flew off from the Justice.
Marianna winced as she was shot from all sides. Her heavy cannons aimed to the sides, two large grey cannons unfolded on the Freedom's hips as she aimed the Freedom's rifle behind her, all weapons firing at once.
The Justice's backpack was destroyed along with several of the Corleone's dragoons. However, the yellow energy blasts from the Freedom's railguns on its hips hit the Corleone and severed its arms completely and damaged the torso.
The Asher, Marianna had noticed, was gone. She then looked up in horror as Jr. was positioned above her, his Asher's machine guns replaced with a single, large, long cannon on its right arm. The massive cannon fired a beam of energy down at the Freedom.
Marianna attempted to dodge but the Freedom's left wing was destroyed by the shot. She turned and attempted to shoot the Asher but one of the Justice's boomerangs severed that arm. Marianna sighed and turned before speeding away too fast for the others to catch.
The last ship was left ahead of them as it's A.M.W.S. collected to retreat.
Jr. snarled and then ordered, "Shelley! Don't let it leave! Give it a little nudge."
Shelley nodded before Mary appeared on the comm.
"Heehee, you know what Li'l Master means when he says li'l nudge."
Shelley nodded again before looking ahead and ordering, "Durandal, proceed at ramming speed."
The Durandal sped ahead, slamming into the U-TIC vessel, slamming its nose straight through one wing of the ship.
Jr. smirked as his group approached the Durandal. "Clair, Mary, come with me. Haruka, go back to the Durandal to get checked out."
Haruka sighed in defeat. "If you say so. Fufu, I was so excited about trying out my ethers on the baddies."
Jr. merely chuckled. "Maybe next time."
Jr., Clair, and Mary landed inside the U-TIC ship and then teleported their A.M.W.S. back to the Durandal.
As they entered the ship, Jr. looked around. "Well, looks like nobody's home. Let's get a little info and then head back."
Mary nodded as Clair examined a complex blade she held that then transformed into a gun before she stowed it in a leather holster hanging from her waist.
The trio sped forward through the ship, finding it mostly deserted.
They quickly discovered it wasn't when a group of U-TIC soldiers fired on them.
"Heh, heh," Jr. chuckled. "Well, well. Guess we found our surprise party."
"Seems like it," Clair responded plainly.
"Wanna rush'em?" Jr. asked."
Clair nodded before the two burst out from their cover.
Clair rushed at the soldiers firing shots from her gun-blade, hitting a few soldiers.
They tried to shoot her but she dodged side to side too swift to hit before closing in with her sword, killing two of them.
"Shit!" one shouted before attempting to shoot her, only to get several shots through his torso. He fell over dead before Jr. and Clair took out the other soldiers.
The last one tried to activate an alarm system but found his hand pinned by a strangely shaped knife. He turned to see Mary.
She smiled sweetly at him before kicking him over the deep edge in behind him, the man screaming as he fell.
"Well, that was cold," Jr. said plainly.
Mary giggled demurely. "Who…me? Never."
Jr. just chuckled as he and the others continued through the ship before ending up in a large room near the back of the ship, the bridge.
"Alright," Jr. began. "Mary, set up a tap to start transferring the data. Clair and I will take a look around."
With a comedic salute Mary did as she was ordered. Kneeling down next to a panel, she pulled out a long purple cord, plugged it into a port seemingly on the side of her head.
On the Durandal, Shelley sat in a chair on the bridge and did the same.
For a few minutes the three stood in the bridge waiting before Clair turned suspiciously. Grabbing her gunblade, she faced the entrance. "Jr., we've got a problem."
Jr. raised an eyebrow before looking ahead as they all heard loud, deep, mechanical steps heading their way.
Soon, an A.G.W.S. walked into the room with a massive cannon on its chest.
"Crap! Dodge!"
The cannon charged before firing into the group.
Jr. rolled to the side and fired multiple shots at the machine, breaking one of its legs.
Clair ran up one of the pillars in the room, moved above the A.G.W.S. before diving down atop it, stabbing it through the head and, in effect, the cockpit.
The machine sparked before collapsing inactively.
Jr. sighed and then turned to Mary. "So, you alright?"
Mary moaned as she picked up her cord. "It broke."
Jr. groaned.
"Guess that shot it fired hit the console."
Jr. nodded. "Nevermind that, how about you?"
Mary nodded with a weak smile. "Yup! I'm alright!"
Jr. smirked. "Good. Now let's get out of here, hopefully we got enough. After we return to the Durandal let's scrap this ship."
The two women nodded before rejoining Jr. inside the Durandal, the ship dislodging from the U-TIC vessel before destroying it and jumping to a different location.
Back with the Elsa, Alister sat on his bunk in the ship's men's cabin. After a sigh he jumped out of the bed and walked out of the room. Turning to the side he walked into the cafeteria nearby.
Sitting down at the bar, he groaned as he was reacquainted with one the ship's crewmembers he would rather do without.
Blue and off-white mechanical droids. They were very simplistic machines with a single leg to hop on and wrench-like hands with little dexterity.
"Altair," it droned, "would you like a drink?"
Alister sighed. "It's Alister. A-lis-ter. How hard is that?"
"I apologize, Alphonse."
Alister slammed his head into the bar. "Fuck it. Gimme a scotch."
"As you wish Alec."
"You seem to be having fun," a new voice said.
Alister raised an eyebrow curiously and annoyed as Shion walked over. She sat down on the next stool and frowned. "Don't give me that look."
"Haaah, sorry. It's just this stupid tin can can't get my name wrong. One of the names it keeps using makes me sound like a walking tin can myself."
"Really?" Shion asked with a tilt of the head.
Alister flexed his neck as the droid gave him a drink. Shaking down the burn he turned to Shion. "Yeah, but as long as I have this stuff I'll be fine."
Shion nodded and then put a hand on her chin. "You know, they say alcohol is best consumed with food."
"Yeah, so? The last thing I want is one of these talking pogo sticks to cook. I've seen what fire can do to their circuits. I am not going to be liable for cleaning that shit up."
"Actually," the droid intervened, "our circuits are self-repairing so-"
It was rudely silenced by a nonchalant backhand from Alister. "Repair that."
Shion couldn't suppress her giggle.
"What's so funny?"
Shion waved a hand. "It's…nothing. You're just so different from any soldiers I've encountered before. You're much more…energetic."
Alister shrugged as he took another drink.
"Anyway, what I was getting at before was, I could make you something?"
Alister paused mid-sip and turned to her puzzled. "You cook?"
Shion nodded plainly. "Yes. My favorite dish is curry."
Alister raised an eyebrow. "Hmm…I haven't had curry in a while. So far I've just had MRE's. Those get…boring, quick."
Shion nodded as she hopped off the stool. "Okay then, I'll get started cooking. Why don't you tell the others to come to the cafeteria?"
Alister gave a nonchalant thumbs up as he walked through the double doors to the rest of the ship.
After a few minutes Alister, John, Salcito, MOMO, Matthews and the rest gathered in the cafeteria.
"So," Matthews began curiously, "what is so great you brought us all here?"
Alister shrugged. "Shion's makin' curry, she told me to get you all here, I did. My reward is curry. Leave me alone."
Matthews sighed as Shion walked out with a tray and a few plates on it, a couple droids following behind her.
"Here you go," Shion said happily as she set down the curry plates in front of everyone.
After giving curry out to everyone she sat down, next to Alister to Allen's frustration, and suggested everyone eat. Everyone gave varying degrees of the response, "It's good."
That is, except Alister. He took a single bite and then flinched before setting down his fork.
Shion frowned in worry. "Is it…bad?"
Alister responded in a surprising way, he wrapped his arms around her in a powerful hug.
Allen began choking on his food.
"It's the best curry I've ever eaten!"
"Ah, uhm, g-good…" Shion said puzzled.
Alister pulled away and began shoveling down the food at an alarming rate.
Shion couldn't suppress her laughter as Alister had to lean over and cough for a few seconds.
After rescuing himself he sighed. "Okay…I'm good."
Shion nodded. "Good to hear. So want more?"
Alister responded by putting his plate near her.
Nodding she got up and refilled his plate.
Alister glanced over and lightly noticed Allen's angry glare. "Didn't your momma ever tell you your face will freeze like that uh…er, who are you again?"
Allen just moaned and slammed his face into the table.
Shortly after that the Elsa approached a small dock colony and latched on to the side.
Alister left the ship with Andrew beside him.
"Whoa, whoa, you two ain't goin' out like that are ya?" Matthews inquired as he approached.
The two men looked at him puzzled before looking over themselves.
"Yeah," they answered in unison.
"I suggest you change that idea. You see, the military ain't exactly…appreciated around here. And if these guys even think yer affiliated with'em…well you'll be lucky if you come back with just a few broken bones, if at all."
Alister looked at Matthews disgruntled. "And just why is that?"
"Well…" Matthews trailed off as he looked at Cherenkov. "Put simply, these people don't like the military much. This place was abandoned by the government after the war and never got properly restored. However…the residents haven't forgotten how violent the battles in this area were."
Alister looked at Matthews and then sighed. "I see…unfortunately I know all too well how people like that can be. But…" he paused to stretch, "I sent a Gnosis-A.G.W.S. hybrid thing flying with the powers of damned Magneto so I'll be fine."
Cherenkov nodded. "Yes. And I am afforded the rank of commander for good reason. Handling a few ruffians is nothing major. I merely have some basic supplies to purchase while I'm here."
Matthews sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. He then turned and looked at John and Salcito. "Uhh…you two ain't thinkin' 'bout goin' out…are ya?"
John looked at him and shook his head.
Salcito did the same. "No. They don't sell weapons or equipment we use so there's no point."
"Well, we're headed out," Shion announced as she, Ziggy, MOMO, and Allen prepared to leave.
"Well…" Matthews mumbled. "Just make sure to make it back. I need you guys alive so you can pay me."
Shion nodded as she and the others left.
Cherenkov left the Elsa and proceeded to one of the multiple transports nearby.
However, as he was about to step onboard he heard dark snickering nearby. He turned and saw that several men from the docks had surrounded him at the catwalk's gate. He narrowed his eyes and turned to them with a frown.
Alister was busy at one of the stalls when he too found himself beset by several workers. "Well…looks like the welcome wagon came."
One of them cracked his knuckles and looked at Alister. "You really are an idiot. That's not a uniform I recognize but you're obviously military."
Alister looked at the thugs uninterested. "Look pals…I've got things to do. So why don't you go and find someone who wants to play?"
"Che, you won't be so snarky once we've pounded the fear of God into you."
Alister just smirked at them. "Please…compared to the horrors I've faced, you guys are like a morning warmup."
Shion happened to notice this occurring and ran over to the group. She stepped between them and laughed uncomfortably. "Eh, heh, heh…you'll need to forgive him. He's not in a very good mood."
"Sorry missy, but neither are we. So either you move," he paused as he put a hand on her shoulder, "or we-oof!"
Alister ran over and punched the man over Shion's shoulder.
Shion stood shell-shocked for a moment before realizing what he just did. She looked from him to the downed man several times before shouting, "Why'd you do that?!"
Alister shrugged nonchalantly. "I didn't know if he was gunna hurt you or not."
The other men cracked their knuckles while looking at Alister angrily.
Shion growled at him. "Well they're certainly going to hurt you now!"
Alister just smirked. "Good. I've gotten tired of fighting monsters."
The men rushed Alister and he rushed at them.
One flung his fist forward but Alister ducked it, punched him in the gut and then high-kicked his face, sending the man tumbling back unconscious.
Another man came in with a pipe and Alister managed to duck that, grab the man's arm, jab him in the throat, and then knee his gut, knocking the man down.
The last came in from the side with a chain.
Alister smirked and looked at his hand. Moments later blue energy started sparking. He caught the whirling chain with one hand and then surged electricity through the chain; electrocuting the man and knocking him down.
Alister threw down the chain and wiped his hands together. "Class dismissed."
Cherenkov, however, was not faring so well. He slammed against a back wall as one of his attackers wiped their hands together menacingly while the others snickered.
Cherenkov landed on the ground as one of the man walked up to him, ready to finish the job.
Cherenkov looked up weakly at the men as they encircled him.
Nearby, behind some crates, Hammer stood with trembling knees, having gone out to search for Cherenkov when Alister reported what had happened to him. Hammer turned and ran back towards the ship to get help.
Cherenkov groaned and dropped his head as he attempted to stand up.
"You Federation scum!" one of the men sneered.
Cherenkov, who had managed to get one knee, scowled at the men as an odd symbol began to glow bright white on his forehead.
Alister, Ziggy, Shion, and Hammer rounded the corner where Hammer had been to help Cherenkov and they all nearly froze when they saw the alley.
Cherenkov was gone, with only the mangled and bloodied bodies of the thugs remaining.
Alister and Ziggy checked on a few of the fallen men.
Alister sneered and then said with a sigh. "Well…might as well get these dirtbags to a hospital. They're alive but if something isn't done soon they won't stay that way."
"I-I'll go call an ambulance!" Hammer shouted.
Shion overlooked the bodies, barely holding her composure as she did. "Hold on…where's Commander Cherenkov?"
Ziggy looked around and then pointed back towards the docks. "I'm detecting a faint heat signature, heading back toward the dock."
The group returned to the ship to find MOMO dressing…trying to dress, Cherenkov's injuries.
"That's enough!" he shouted as he jerked his hand away.
"But…" MOMO moaned.
"Well, well, how the mighty have fallen," Alister teased as he and the others walked in.
Cherenkov narrowed his eyes at Alister. "Were you not assaulted as well?"
Alister shrugged with a smirk. "I was. They just sucked so it wasn't a problem."
"Hmph, naturally."
"Yeah, yeah. So…you still in one piece?"
Cherenkov nodded. "As you can see I'm fine."
"That's not true!" MOMO argued. "I've been trying to treat his injuries but he won't let me!"
Cherenkov frowned in frustration. "It's just…I'm not a fan of nanosurgery."
Shion looked at him puzzled as she sat down on the long sofa. "You prefer natural healing?"
"Ah…that's…not what I meant."
The room was mostly silent for a few moments, MOMO slowly drooping her shoulders in disappointment.
Ziggy saw this and said, "MOMO, I could use your help over here." He motioned to his maintenance chair. "I haven't had a tune up since the battle on Pleroma, some of my joints are getting a little rough."
As he sat down MOMO began typing on the nearby keypad. After a few moments she announced, "All systems are functioning normally."
"Really?" he asked. "It's been a while since I've had any regular maintenance. This body's getting pretty old."
"Not at all. Although, you might be better off is Shion were to examine you instead."
"Ah…" Ziggy stuttered while glancing weakly at Shion, "well…you may find this odd, but even with my body in the condition it's in now, I still feel uncomfortable being looked over by a young woman."
"But…there are plenty of female human doctors, right?"
Ziggy sighed heavily as he looked over his body. "I'm just…ashamed of this patchwork body."
"Ahh, shaddup old man."
Ziggy and MOMO turned to see Alister walk up to them.
"Where I come from there are people like John whose entire bodies almost are synthetic. And they're called friggin' Spartans. I don't think you should feel bad about whatcha got," he paused as he tapped lightly on Ziggy's synthetic arm, "even though you ain't…all flesh and blood anymore you're still you. It's not this," he waved a hand over Ziggy's form, "that makes you, you. It's this," he lightly tapped the blonde man's head. "So long as that still remains the same doesn't matter if you've got a fully organic, partially synthetic, fully synthetic, or whatever, type of body. You'd still be you, just in a different casing."
Ziggy looked at his hands, both organic and synthetic, in thought for a few moments. "That's…an interesting way of looking at things. How did you happen to come to that particular train of thought?"
Alister smirked weakly. "Let's say it's…a family secret."
Ziggy nodded in understanding as Alister walked out the door.
Cherenkov also walked out of the room at the same time, although he had an obvious stumble to his pace.
Shion folded her arms in thought as he walked out the door. "I wonder if the commander's really alright. He's been acting strangely since we boarded the Elsa."
Cherenkov stumbled through several of the Elsa's hallways, images of the deaths caused by the Gnosis during the assault on the Woglinde flooding his mind. After a few moments of labored breathing he reached into his pocket and pulled out an injector and stuck it one his throat, his breathing and posture evening out as the symbol on his forehead began to glow again, this time releasing a small amount of steam as it did.
After a few more hours of refueling and resupplying, the Elsa detached from the dock colony and flew off back out into space and continued on its voyage to Second Miltia.
However, as they departed, KOS-MOS walked up to one of the sections of wall on the ship and stuck her hand out with a loud crunching sound.
As she walked away from that section, a large whole was seen in the wall with sparks coming out.
After entering slip-space to continue travel, the crew seemed to calm down after the ordeal on the dock colony.
That didn't last as, on the bridge, Hammer noticed a few warning lights come on. "Oh boy, that's not good."
"What's wrong Hammer?"
"Uhh, cap'n, we got a couple problems."
Matthers slammed his foot into the headrest of Hammer's chair in frustration. "Ya moron, I figured that out thanks to the loud beeping. Now stop telling me somethin's wrong and start tellin' me what it is!"
"Uh, right, sir! It seems we've got a problem with our Logic Drive."
"Ohh, really? Now of all times?! Dammit. Fine, gate-out and then let's find a place to go into cruising speed while we fix the damn thing."
"Yes, sir!" Hammer answered frustrated.
The crew were going to quickly regret not waiting a few minutes to gate-out.
That's because when they did, they found themselves in a very, very, very bad situation.
Hammer simply let his arms drop to his side while Matthews let go of his cigar.
All the other members of the crew looked out whatever window they had in shock and terror at the sight before them.
Outside the Elsa, on every side, at every angle, was a massive fleet of Gnosis.
"G-G-G-Gn-Gn-Gn-Gno-Gno-Gnosis!" Hammer shouted.
"What the hell!?" Matthews shouted as they looked around. "Where the hell did these things come from!?"
"Captain! What the fuck's going on!? Why're we surrounded by hell's own army of assholes!?" Alister questioned as he and the others entered the bridge. Alister looked around at the fleet in shock. "This…this is…I don't know what this is. But it's the biggest damn fleet I've ever seen. And I've fought a Covenant fleet before. Those guys could probably learn a thing or two."
"I'd rather they didn't," John remarked dryly.
Everyone stopped when they heard Shion gasp. She pointed ahead and everyone looked as the ship was encroaching on something never before seen.
An enormous Gnosis the size of a planet.
Shion acted instantly and shouted, "KOS-MOS! Ultra Wide-Range Hilbert Effect!"
"Acknowledged," the android woman responded as her visor came down and the purple waves of energy shot out from her body and out into the void of Gnosis.
"Hold on!" Matthews shouted.
"Hold on!? To what!?" Allen shouted back.
"Doesn't really matter! We're gonna hit that thing and you'll either be holdin' on to somethin' and stayin' in here or not and not."
"Well this sucks!" Alister remarked as the Elsa proceeded to slam into the massive Gnosis at full speed.
After an unknown amount of time, Alister slowly awoke in a place he didn't recognize. He groggily came back into consciousness as he looked around and realized several things. Number one, he was no longer inside the Elsa. Number two, where he was looked like the inside of some enormous creature. Number three, he was surrounded by a soft, sticky substance that was like snot. And number four, none of those observations helped to understand where in the hell he was.
He attempted to stand up and found something holding him down. "Ah great, are my legs pinned now or something?" He tried again and this time attempted to lift the object off of his body. However, when he did his hand landed on something soft.
He looked at what was pinning him and realized it was KOS-MOS.
With a sudden and untapped amount of strength he immediately scooted out from under her, where his hand landed helping his sudden response, and then looked around to find the rest of the group, who had also started waking up.
Alister looked around and then to his comrades. He then decided to ask the pertinent question to the weirdest one amongst his group, since weird begets weird. "'Ey, chaos, any idea where we are right now?"
Chaos looked around for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't. The last thing I remember is being engulfed in a bright light. And then I woke up here with the rest of you."
"Hold on a sec!" MOMO asserted. She looked around for a moment, as if reading a series of alert panels only she could see, and then stiffened. "Yes, I'm sure of it! We're…we're inside a Gnosis!"
Everyone looked at her puzzled before John merely looked around calmly. "I see. Any suggestions on how we get out?"
"We could just start blowin' shit up until we either blow ourselves up, get spaced, or find a way out," Alister postulated.
"This is no time for jokes!" Shion snarled.
"Who said I was joking?"
Shion was uncertain of how to respond to his nonchalant response and chose that a defeated sigh would be the best course of action.
Well, that seems to be it for this chapter. Guess I'll see you guys in the next chapter, whenever that happens to be finished. I'll try to get one out sooner than the wait for this one, but I'm struggling to write it so I'd rather give you guys a good chapter than a quick chapter. I hope you all can understand.