Song: Steins;Gate OST - Chaos Mind

Part 1

Chiffon was worried. Something was very wrong. She could feel the spiritual link and the bond tethering was threatened, if a bit. She rushed, ignoring her best friend's cries of 'Wait'. She can't wait. Something had happened with her Limiter. Trying to sense his presence, she could tell where he was. Somewhere on a school building just a few meters, on the rooftops. She walks inside, runs through the stairs, and opens the door.

Looking left, she sees him.

"...Eugene," She spoke softly. Drawing near, she crouches down to the ground. She notices that his eyes are closed. He looked like he was sleeping, but his face seem a bit uncomfortable.

...What was Eugene doing out here? She thought. She touches his shoulder, which jolted him a bit, his brown eyes widening as he looks into her slit, closed ones.

Chiffon noted something. Her Limiter's eyes. There was an old saying. The eyes are the windows to the soul. What Chiffon found was something she never expected. They were a little worn out and disbelieving, as if they never expected to find who they were looking for. And those eyes... they were different in another way. It reminded her a bit of herself. Because she had eyes just like that. Eyes that reflected one's age.

"...Nee," His voice was stuttering, which was accompanied by a tone of disbelief and caution. "...Nee-chan?"

"Are you alright?" Chiffon would ask, though some part of her felt like she already knew the answer. But the question was how one tries to expand on that answer. All she got for a few moments was silence. Eugene could only stare at her and could not say a word, other than some hesitant eye movements, some leaking of sweat, and a body that seem to be trembling a little.

"Eugene?" Chiffon gently asked.

"...I," His voice was a little dry, but was trying to speak. "...I'm fine."

Eugene would try to stand up, lifting his hand to the wall to steady himself. Chiffon helps him up, supporting his body weight.

"...I ...I just need a little rest," Eugene said, his tone being a bit shaky.

"Did something happen?" Chiffon prodded.

"...No, never mind, nee-chan," Eugene shakes his head vigorously before looking at her with those strange, yet steeled eyes. "Anyway, I've just heard about what happened, about... Satellizer and the new student."

"Oh, that," Chiffon knew of course what her Limiter meant. It, well, caused quite a stir to put it mildly. She smiled softly. "I would not worry so much, Eugene. The teachers have taken care of it."

"And how's the new guy?" Eugene asked. "What do you think about him?"

"Who? Aoi Kazuya?" Chiffon asked, looking thoughtful. "Well, he's a nice person on first impression, if a bit reckless due to just charging in in a fight between Bridget and Roland. And well, you probably know how that turned out. But... why do you ask?"

"...Can you keep an eye on him?" Eugene requested.

That was a very strange request, making her raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"...Just, call it a gut feeling," Eugene spoke vaguely.

"Eugene," Chiffon turns her Limiter's face towards her, holding his face with her hand gently. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Eugene tried to brush off her embrace, but Chiffon wouldn't let him. She was of course the stronger out of the two.

"You say that, but you're clearly not alright. You can't lie to me, Eugene," Chiffon gently scolded. "When we became one in Baptism, all of our senses, corporal and spiritual, are linked. What you feel is something I also feel, and vice versa."

"I know," Eugene looked hesitant, looking at the sun setting. "I haven't forgotten the technicals of the procedure."

"So, what's wrong?" Chiffon asked gently.

There was a long silence before Eugene finally answered the question. Or he didn't really answer it fully. "Bad dreams, nee-chan. I just had bad dreams."

Alright, fine. Don't tell me. She thought with a resolute and concerned tone. There are other ways that I can find out.

"Eugene," Chiffon gave her 'authoritative' voice, which made her Limiter stand in attention. Odd, she thought. It was almost like the feeling of instinct coming from him. "Sleep with me tonight." She said, with an 'I'm not taking a no for an answer.' voice.

Now, what Chiffon meant by that was simply asking her Limiter to go into her private bedroom. Just sleeping and resting, not really anything else. Though of course, if anyone else heard that without knowing the full context, there could have been misunderstandings and rumors. Fortunately, no one could really hear them here on the rooftop.

Eugene... didn't look embarrassed, unlike the normal reactions that she usually sees before. That's the reaction she was looking for as confirmation that something was definitely wrong. And that also included his response.

"...Alright."

The tone seems more relieving, if a bit shaky and defeating. What happened to him? She thought with anxiety. I had only been gone for a few hours and...

"Good," Chiffon nodded. "But, you can go right ahead to my room. You know where to go. I still need to handle a few things."

"Such as with the new transfer student, right?" Eugene nodded while looking away as he was deep in thought. "Go. He's more important for you to think of right now. I'll be fine on my own from here."

Chiffon became a bit silent as her hold on her Limiter was tightening a bit. "Eugene, I don't like the way you say that."

It wasn't just because of the way he said it, it was how he said it. It almost seemed like Eugene was trying his best to avoid her, and even push her away.

"...Sorry," Eugene looked contrite. "I just need a bit of rest, that's all."

"...Hmm," Chiffon relented as she lets Eugene go while seeing him off. He opens the door and glances at Chiffon.

"...I'm really sorry, nee-chan."

He would say before heading out and closing the door, leaving the Pandora to her thoughts.

Part 2

A trip down memory lane.

Before he eventually steps into the Leap Frog Displacement Chamber and goes to the past, he is talking in private with someone of importance.

"...So you fully understand the contents of FOXHOUND's mission briefings, Commander?"

There was a man, tall in height and capable of towering over him. He knew by experience that this man had a commanding presence and a will of iron. His dark emerald eyes would send shivers down his spine. His hair was simple, dark brownish, straight cut military style. On the left side of his face, he had scars that he got from his fight against the machines. He's the kind of person that people would willingly follow... not to mention, die for.

His name was John Connor.

He was their Leader. The man that everyone would follow. Not even the late Gengo Aoi (*1) would command the kind of respect that people would have with John Connor. There was something about him that just drew you to him. Like, you know that this man knew what he was talking about.

Talking about him would just... send shivers running down his spine. Standing face to face was a man who had been fighting against the machines long before there was even an actual war against them. Because, Skynet, the artificial intelligence that had plagued his world... and others... would send its agents into the past in order to kill him. Many times, they tried, but they could not succeed.

It had been a race against time, literally. Even now, the scars remain to fester as multiple variants and timelines had been created. Man and machine tried to play god and dictate history; the end result was a messy indecisive war between two temporal factions whose war refused to die out when the expiration date was already up. It was like trying to break against fate ironically seems to make it more apparent and draw closer even more.

"Yes sir," Eugene responded with respect. "Give me 0100 hours to prepare, and my team and I are good to go. Anything else that you would need to add, sir?"

The man shakes his head. "Nothing, except to remind you that you and your team should stay vigilant and in one piece."

"We've survived worst, sir, and this isn't our first time travel op," Eugene explained.

"That isn't the main issue that I was concerned about, Snake," Connor corrected, his eyes bore into his. "Even though you're travelling to your own past, you shouldn't just assume that everything's going to follow in the same exact pattern. I'm not taking into account of what things can change because of you and your team's actions, but of those outside of your own control. Once upon a time, we formerly assumed that Skynet wouldn't try to interfere with my predestined birth in 1984 and our first victory against the machines in 2029 due to the risk factors, but it did (*2). Our enemies have become bolder in trying to change history in order to win, so watch your backs, because you may win in the present, but you may lose in the past."

...

...

"...!"

Eugene woke up with a jolt, as he breathed deeply. He could feel the soft, gentle touch and embrace on the left side of the bed. He turns to find a smiling Chiffon Fairchild who is patting his head.

The familiar warmth. The shining smile. A smile that he never thought that he would see again.

"...What time is it?" He asked, tired and weary, noticing that it was a bit late because of how dark the room was now.

"It's already half past midnight," She softly with a smile.

Eugene would lay his head on the woman's chest and close his eyes, while letting the latter gently caress his hair. He missed this. Even now, he was trying to hold back his tears. Tears had no place for a soldier like him. He was still in a war, despite being in a relatively peaceful time.

Then, he slowly remembered.

...Oh right, I've got to check my phone. He thought.

"Umm, nee-chan," Eugene spoke softly.

"Hmm~" She hummed gently.

"You don't mind if I stand up for a bit?" Eugene asked. "I need to go and check my phone."

"Hmm~ Nope," She mused.

Figures... He thought dryly while he smiled sadly. I'll just check the phone tomorrow then.

Part 3

Somewhere, in an undisclosed location in Europe...

"Hmm?"

An old man in his seventies, with amber eyes and white hair, wearing a scientist lab coat, sported an inquiring expression. He noticed the phone that was ringing on his desk. He picked it up and spoke.

"This is Aoi?"

"Hello, Gengo, it's been a while."

"...!"

The man, Dr. Gengo Aoi, widened his eyes as he recognized the voice of the caller. It was a woman that he had been acquainted with in the past. No, more than that. She used to work for him, before he fired her.

"...Scarlett (*1)," He muttered, narrowing his eyes.

"You're probably starting to wonder why... after all of these years?" Her tone was indecipherable yet calm.

What's this woman playing at now? Gengo thought gravely while thinking of options and possibilities.

He and Scarlett, when they last spoke, ended in quite hostile terms. It had been years since he spoke with her, and nowadays, he's heard at least that she had become involved in a project funded by Chevalier (*2) which was located somewhere in Alaska. He personally called the project a foolhardy attempt, because Gengo knew that not every woman is compatible with a stigamata. Since their falling out, Dr. Scarlett Ohara has dedicated her life to proving him wrong.

There was an old saying. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorn. It was no more true than for Scarlett. Gengo knew that the woman had feelings for him, but... if not for Maria, he would have indeed no doubt chosen her. Losing Scarlett was one of the many regrets in his life.

How much more do I have to lose? He once asked himself. As long as mankind would end up safe and sound, and would have an actual life, he would do whatever it takes. He would sacrifice everything for that goal... even family...

...That's what he says. He tells it to himself. But...

How much more do I have to lose?

"...What is it that you want?" Gengo carefully articulated.

"...I need your cooperation," She spoke bluntly.

"On what? Your project?" Gengo asked, assuming. His tone being blunt and cold. "I do believe that you already know of my general opinions regarding that. I even submitted an official report on it to Chevalier's councils and high officials. Would that really be worth reiterating in a phone call?"

"I would agree actually," That answer manages to surprise Gengo for a bit, never expecting Scarlet to just simply agree with his opinion. "The E-Pandora Project was never going to turn out as much as I had hoped. Some part of me already knew that from some objective standpoint, I was just too stubborn to deny it. The only real reason I even decided to attempt a project like that was just to spite you. ...But in the end, you've always been proven right all along, except for one thing. The fact that you keep pushing people away is what got you where you are, and I hated that part of you... and I couldn't help but pity you."

Gengo twitched a bit. The tone was both a soft rebuke and a gentle, chiding care. This does not sound like the American scientist that he knew. Scarlett? Admitting her own mistakes? That just did not happen.

"...Alright, just who are you and what have you done with Scarlett?" Gengo sits straight while sporting a grim expression.

"...Relax, Gengo, it's still me, just... more reflective and rational than what you're used to," The woman reassured softly. "And as I said, I need your help, and it has nothing to do with that project, it's about mankind's future."

Gengo paid close attention. "Go on?"

"A month from now, something is about to happen, at least in my estimation. Another Nova Clash would take place."

"What?!" Gengo exclaimed. Just what was she talking about? "If this is some kind of joke-"

"Come now, Gengo, you know who I am. Do you really see me as the type to joke about something like this?" The woman challenged with a serious tone.

...She has a point. She never jokes about something like this. It was just not like her. He thought.

"Alright, what do you know?" He asked.

...

...

Dr. Scarlett Ohara, a beautiful woman in her late thirties, with long mauve-colored hair and olive-colored eyes, placed the phone back in the proper casing and sighed heavily.

Then she smiled softly, but sadly.

She never really thought that she would hear from that man again... after many years that had passed for her without him. She had missed him, so dearly. And thus, there came that pang of regret that she carried with him.

"...Do you think he'll take it?"

She looks up and sees a young woman stepping out of the dark corner of the room. The woman had long brown hair, dull golden-brown eyes, pale-toned skin, and a slim profile, wearing a black dress with white lines on her arms and legs, with a white collar and red helix symbols.

Scarlett recognizes the woman as Suzuha Hashida - Codename: Angelic Butterfly.

"He has to if he wants this world to keep going for the rest of humanity," Scarlet reassured, before sporting a serious expression, with arms crossed. "Have you made contact with Snake yet?"

"Oh, I did," Suzuha nodded. "He says that he's got things covered on the West Genetics side, though he told me that the confidentiality of Operation Leap Frog could be at risk as he suspects that his Pandora would eventually figure things out."

"Then I suppose it is rather fortunate that I told Gengo everything that needed to be said," Scarlett spoke while leaning on her chair, putting her hands to her lips. "And what about the construction of the MFOB?"

"Already installed," Suzuha walks and shows a holographic image of a large camouflage facility located about a few kilometers north of the Alaskan Base. "The Scraps that are deployed are awaiting your orders to proceed."

"That's good," Scarlett sighed heavily while standing up and walking towards the window that shows the snowy plains. "...Have there been any Metal temporal activities lately?"

"So far, none," Suzuha replied. "Though it's only a matter of time anyway."

Trivia For Chapter:

Part 2:

(*1) - From Freezing Wiki - Dr. Gengo Aoi (b. 1992) is the grandfather of Kazuya Aoi, Kazuha Aoi, and Arcadia Aoi. He was the chief scientist of the Chevalier until he launched a coup d'etat in order to overthrow his former associates. He is considered the world's top Nova expert and is an undisputed authority on Pandora.

(*2) - John Connor's references to the events in question are taken from the following canon materials (which I made use of).

The Terminator: Secondary Objectives, The Terminator: The Enemy Within, and The Terminator: Endgame - This establishes how Skynet had sent Terminators to try to kill a pregnant Sarah Connor, which results in a completely different outcome and instant reality shift that creates a radically different timeline where it was not a boy (John Connor), but a girl (Jane Connor) was born, who would go on to lead the Resistance in her timeline.

Terminator: Genisys - This establishes how Skynet had tried another tactic. Housing itself in the body of an advanced Terminator, the T-5000, and infiltrated the Resistance, under the name of Alex Murphy (note: in canon, he's only known as Alex. I only added Murphy as a last name, as a reference to Robocop and how Terminator and Robocop had a few crossovers), and became one of John's most trusted lieutenants and soldiers. Just as Sergeant Kyle Reese is about to head into the past, Skynet attacks Connor. It transforms him into a T-3000, subservient to Skynet's will, effectively killing Connor and leaving only a machine with Connor's knowledge and memories and experiences. Skynet would also kill every Resistance fighter that was present in the Time Displacement Chamber.

Part 3:

(*1) - From Freezing Wiki - Scarlett Ohara is a Nova researcher and an expert in Stigmata engineering. She was a member of the Chevalier until she defected to join Gengo Aoi in his coup d'etat against her former superiors. She was also the head researcher of the E-Pandora Project.

(*2) - From Freezing Wiki - The Chevalier (シュヴァリエ Shuvarie) is a supranational military organization dedicated to fighting the Nova.