Xenosaga EPISODE I: Der Wille zur Macht Game Script Asch the Hated ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents 01: Rules of Script Usage 02: Theme Song Lyrics 03: English Voice Actor’s Recognition 04: Game Script ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 01: Rules of Script Usage You will not use this script for publishing purposes, as it is illegal. If you see something that needs correction, e-mail me at patientascher@hotmail.com. Please only e-mail me for corrections. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 02: Theme Song Lyrics “Pain” Original Lyrics: Tetsuya Takahashi English Translation: Takeshi Mogi & Matthew Zuckerman Vocal: Joanne Hogg Acoustic Guitar & Electric Guitar: Tomohiko Kira Acoustic Piano: Yasuharu Nakanishi Low Whistle: Davy Spillane Drums: KALTA Electric Bass: Hitoshi Watanabe Programming & Keyboards: Yasunori Mitsuda Strings: Gen Ittetsu Strings First we touch, and we hold each other Then we tear our hearts apart We are too close and I can feel the pain Fill my empty heart Is this pain too much for me Can I stay the same When this pain consumes my heart Will I able to hold on to my soul Kindness is something I don’t want or need The sunshine would just dissolve me into light Give me a pain as pleasing as your sigh So I can feel you all the day and night And keep me from fading away Even when we behold each other Somehow our eyes do not meet And when you hold me in your strong embrace Still I feel no heat But it gives me such delight To feel you closer now I know I am true to myself Though it cuts deep into my heart somehow Kindness is something I don’t want or need The sunshine would just dissolve me into light Give me a pain as pleasing as your sigh So I can feel you all the day and night And keep me from fading away Kindness is something I don’t want or need The sunshine would just dissolve me into light Give me a pain as pleasing as your sigh So I can feel you all the day and night And keep me from fading away “Kokoro” Original Lyrics: Tetsuya Takahashi English Translation: Takeshi Mogi & Matthew Zuckerman Vocal: Joanne Hogg Acoustic Guitar & Electric Guitar: Tomohiko Kira Acoustic Piano: Yasuharu Nakanishi Low Whistle & Uillean Pipes: Davy Spillane Drums: KALTA Electric Bass: Hitoshi Watanabe Programming & Keyboards: Yasunori Mitsuda I’ve been watching you a while Since you walked into my life Monday morning, when first I heard you speak to me I was too shy to let you know Much too scared to let my feelings show But you shielded and that was the beginning Now at last we can talk in another way And though I try, “I love you” is just too hard to say If I only could be strong, and say the words I feel My beating heart begins to race When I turn to see your face I remember that sweet dream which you told to me. I wanted just to be with you So we could make the dream come true And you smiled at me and that was the beginning And now at last we can talk in another way And though I try, “I love you” is just so hard to say If I only could be strong, and say the words I feel Tell me what you’re thinking of Tell me if you love me now I had so much I longed to ask you But now the chance has gone While you’re picture fades each day In my heart the memory stars Glowing bright, you’re always smiling And I will hold it close ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 03: English Voice Actor’s Recognition English VO produced by: ZRO Limit Productions in association with Animaze..iNC VO Director: Quint Lancaster Digital Tracker: Michael “MAC” McCarthy No voice actors were in the credits due to something about the rules of crediting voice actors that I am not at liberty to talk about. Here are some lists of speculations of who the possibilities of the voice actors are for these character roles. Protagonist Voice Talents: Ziggurat 8 (Ziggy): Richard Epcar KOS-MOS: Bridget Hoffman MOMO: Sherry Lynn chaos: Derek Stephen Prince Shion Uzuki: Lia Sargent Jr.: Brianne Siddall Supporting Voice Talents: Helmer: Beau Billingslea Shelley Godwin: Dorothy Elias-Fahn Gaignun Kukai: Crispin Freeman Jin Uzuki: Crispin Freeman Gaignun (Child): Barbara Goodson Joachim Mizrahi: William Knight Mary Godwin: Wendee Lee Hammer: Michael Lindsay Tony: Tony Oliver Vanderkam: Bob Papenbrook Lapis Roman: Debra Rogers Nephilim: Anne Sherman Kevin Winnicot: Christopher Corey Smith Andrew Cherenkov: Paul St. Peter Miyuki Itsumi: Julie Anne Taylor Matthews: Kirk Thornton Juli Mizrahi: Paula Tiso Febronia: Kari Wahlgren Allen Ridgeley: Dave Wittenberg Antagonist Voice Talents: Wilhelm: Richard Cansino Albedo Piazolla: Crispin Freeman Luis Virgil (Testament): Lex Lang Margulis: Michael McConnohie Pellegri: Kari Wahlgren Misc. Voices: Johnny Yong Bosch Bob Buchholz John Rubenstein Michelle Ruff Skip Stellrecht Steve Staley Doug Stone Jim Taggert ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 04: Game Script We begin this game by watching a movie of the view of Lake Turkana Kenya in 20xx A.D. In the campsite… Dr. Masuda: …Thanks. Concentrate on the northern cliff tomorrow. The ground there is hard, so be careful when you dig. Citizen 1: Yes, sir. Citizen 2: Doctor! Dr. Masuda! Dr. Masuda: What is it? Did you find something? Citizen 2: Yeah. We followed the corridor from the lakeside. It matches the location described in the research paper… Dr. Masuda: That must be it! Good, show us where it is. Dr. Masuda and the two citizen proceeds to the area where one of the citizens told Dr. Masuda what he wants to show him. Citizen 2: It’s different from the others. Dr. Masuda: I knew it! In that spot… Citizen 2: It’s over there. Dr. Masuda saw some strange glyph on the ground. Dr. Masuda examines it. Dr. Masuda: This must be…! Dr. Masuda places the tile in the empty slot on the glyph and suddenly, futuristic industrial things appeared out of the water. The area is shaking as everyone panics. Then the Zohar appeared and a beam of light was shown above the Zohar. Dr. Masuda: That light… 4000 years later, the actual game begins here in outer space as the intro credit appears. In the Woglinde, the people are using their computer to work on KOS-MOS. Shion Uzuki sits in the red virtual memory seat with the virtual view near her eyes. The monitor shows Shion being examined. The Zohar is floating in space out of nowhere. Shion looking into the virtual vision scope is preparing her task. Shion: Commencing startup experiment. Open up an Interconnection. Allen: Roger. Opening Interconnection. Connecting with dummy protocol. Basil: A-LINE protocol zone secured. Togashi: Opening cage partition. 60 seconds to release. Beginning countdown. 57, 56, 55, 54, 53, 52, 51… Outside in space, crews from the other side are trying to obtain the Zohar and one of them touched it and disappeared. Togashi: All monitors clear. …3, 2, 1. Partition open. Proceeding with KOS-MOS body formation. John Bell: Body formation complete. Commencing Penfield mapping. The screen shows the computer monitor with the information on KOS-MOS. Basil: Proceeding with Encephalon construction. John Bell: Mapping percentage at 76, 77, 78… Basil: Encephalon construction complete. Allen: There’s noise appearing in the temporal lobe. Shion: What’s the problem? Allen: It’s on the left side of the temporal lobe. I’m showing slight stimulation of the synapses in section 818. It’s within permissible bounds, though… (to Shion) Do you want to abort? Shion: No, let’s keep going. Just stick to the menu. I’ll try for a direct approach. Back me up. Allen: Roger. Launching NATARAJA connection system. Outside in space, crews from the other side captured the Zohar. Shion then typed the password “Ye shall be as gods” while she is connecting with the NATARAJA connection system. Connection System: Password accepted. Commencing NATARAJA boot up sequence. Shion is pulled into the Encephalon. Inside, Shion talks to Allen from the Encephalon. Shion: Allen, there seems to be a problem with the visual field connection. Allen: Hmm… Ah…I see a small break in the MT field, route K12. It looks like…the bi-directional link in the V4 field is lagged, too. Hold on a minute… I’ll fix it now. Allen fixes the Encephalon. Allen: How is it now, Chief? Shion: Okay, looks good. Let’s keep going. Allen: Roger. Proceeding with KOS-MOS host separation. KOS-MOS appeared. Shion: Morning, KOS-MOS. How do you feel? KOS-MOS: Good morning, Shion. All systems are normal. Shion: Well, how about introducing yourself? KOS-MOS: I am an Anti-Gnosis Humanoid Fighting System, serial number 00-00-00-00-1. Development name KP-X. Abbreviated name KOS-MOS. As I am currently configured for simulated battle, my output is limited to 22% of its normal capacity. My estimated weapons specifications are… Shion: All right, that’s good enough. Thanks. KOS-MOS: You are welcome. Shion: All I have for you today are the usual startup tests. Sorry to wake you up just for that. You’ll have to go back to sleep once everything’s checked out. KOS-MOS: I see. Shion: Do you feel sad…or anything? KOS-MOS: A predetermined set of emotions has been hard-coded into my emotion module to better facilitate interactions with humans. In order to better facilitate a relationship with you – Chief Engineer Shion Uzuki of the KOS-MOS Project, Vector Industries First R&D Division – I will emit an expression such as sadness, only when that response is deemed necessary. However, the emotion module of my program has determined that this is not necessary at this time. Shion: (giggles) I guess you’re right. I of all people should know that. KOS-MOS: Your understanding is appreciated. Shion: But you know, KOS-MOS… I’ve got…mixed feelings about all this. Of course, I’m happy that you’re awake…But the fact that you’ll go back to sleep makes me a bit…sad. On the other hand, the next time you wake up…it may be a time of much bloodshed. So deep down inside, I hope that day never comes… Understand? KOS-MOS: The algorithms I have been programmed with do not support the comprehension of illogical human thought. Shion: Well…I hope you’ll be able to…understand someday. KOS-MOS: I will do my best. Shion: All right, KOS-MOS, shall we get started? (to Allen) Allen, let’s pick up from process 277 where we last left off. Allen: Roger. Placing target drones in the Encephalon. The drones are set to “random movement” and “enemy ambush.” How about a test run before the mission, Chief? Shion: Mmm, sure, let’s do that. Did you get that, KOS-MOS? KOS-MOS: Affirmative. Shion and KOS-MOS started a test run. After that… John Bell: All processes to 300 cleared. Allen: Chief, the data transfer is going smoothly. The A-LINE protocol’s looking good. Shion: It sure is. The response levels are really good. Allen: If we can maintain these levels, we’ll have some great results soon. Shion: Yeah… Allen: Chief? Shion: Hey, Allen… Let’s skip all 300 level processes and start from 400. Allen: Huh…400? Chief, but that’s… Shion: I feel pretty confident this time. Allen: But, Chief! Remember what happened last time…? Had we waited ten more seconds to intervene, we wouldn’t have been able to get you back at all. Can’t we at least test it out in Objective Mode? Shion: You know we can’t get precise data that way! I’ll be fine. If something happens, I’ll get myself out. Besides, you want to test it out as well, don’t you? We spent all night building the native A-LINE protocol… Allen: Well, yeah, but… Shion: That settles it! Let’s get started. Allen: (sigh) All right then… But if anything happens, I’m going to shut it down from here, so don’t press your luck! Shion: All right, all right… Allen: And don’t deviate from the program…! Shion: Okay…Mom. Allen: …Jeez. This is so typical of her. Will she ever stop to think about the hell I go through for her? Evelyn: You know, sir, the way you worry about Chief Uzuki all the time, I’m surprised you haven’t keeled over already. Allen: H…hey! That’s enough! Is the 400 level program ready to go? John Bell: We’re ready to go, anytime. Allen: Then start up the program! I want detailed reports from every monitoring station. Any abnormalities, and I’m shutting down immediately. The screen switches to the Encephalon. Shion: KOS-MOS, I’ll explain a bit about this place. This place is an imaginary space constructed within the network. It’s modeled off of some ruins from early 2000 A.D. Your mission is to fight the main target within the dilapidated building. The target is marked with the red Vector box. There are objects in here that can be detonated. Some are effective if you set them off near the enemy. Use them to your advantage. Now then, let’s start the mission. KOS-MOS: Yes, understood. Shion: All right then, let’s start the mission! Shion and KOS-MOS begins the mission. They encountered Drone SPX. After defeating Drone SPX… Allen: Status check. John Bell: I don’t see anything unusual. All systems are stable. It’s looking good. This ought to make up for last month. Allen: …I sure hope so. Basil: KOS-MOS has reached the checkpoint. Entering process 431. Togashi: Replacing targets with Type-G Drones. Commencing display. The drones turned into Gnosis. Allen: (to Shion) Chief, I’ve changed the settings on the target drones. The next target is keyed to sound so it will only respond if you make a loud noise. You can move quietly if you hold down the R2 button while moving! Also, that thing behind you is a save point. If you press the Circle button there, you can save your progress. Make good use of it! Shion and KOS-MOS obtained the Mission Key. Shion: Now I can unlock the door! On their way, Shion saw some object in behind the door. Shion: Ah, here it is… This should be the room. Shion used the Mission Key to go inside the room with the object. Then… Allen: Here we go… In the Encephalon, Drone GX appeared at the scene. Allen: What’s going on? John Bell: A brand-new network is being created within the KOS-MOS mainframe. We’ve never had a reaction like this before. This is incredible… I’ve never seen a Net grow so fast! Look at it, sir. Portions of the Encephalon map are evolving! Allen: (looking at the monitor) What the… Shion: Allen, I’m going to engage the target. Make sure you capture all the data. Allen: What?! You cannot engage right now! You’re tapped into KOS-MOS’ perception – it’s too unstable! Shion: Don’t worry. We can pull it off. Allen: What do you mean, don’t worry?! Chief! Shion and KOS-MOS fights Drone GX. After Shion and KOS-MOS defeats Drone GX… Shion: So far, so good… (to Allen) Shift target to Real Mode. We’ll test the Hilbert Effect. Allen: What?! Chief! You’re supposed to follow the program…!! Shion: KOS-MOS, activate Hilbert. KOS-MOS: Roger. Activating Hilbert Effect. Shion pulls out a U.M.N. and activates it while KOS-MOS activates the Hilbert Effect. Drone GX is reacting oddly. Allen: I knew this would happen! Status! Basil: This is bad! Something’s wrong in the Encephalon! The whole thing could collapse at any moment! Allen: What?! What about the Chief?! (to Shion) Chief! You’re in danger! Get out of there now! Shion: Hold on! Just a little longer!! Allen: Chief!! Basil: Nerve impulses in the limbic system! We’ve got Kindling! Allen: That’s enough! Shut it down! Pull her out of there, now! Basil: Roger! Entering shutdown command! Basil tries to enter shutdown command, but then, warning messages appeared on the monitor. Basil: It’s been rejected! The Chief’s overriding us. We can’t control it from here! Allen: Whaaat?! John Bell: Ten seconds to Encephalon collapse! Sir!! Allen: Dammit! Allen puts on the Encephalon vision scope. In the Encephalon, Shion saw the Drone GX lighting up and later saw a young little girl. Then, Allen appeared. Allen: Chief!! Allen grabbed Shion’s arm and pulls her out of the Encephalon. Allen: Chief?! The red virtual memory seat’s vision scope is released and Shion woke up. Allen: Are you…all right? Shion: Yeah…thanks. Did I push my luck a little too far this time? Allen kneels to the ground and gasps. Shion: Allen? Allen: You can’t…keep doing this, Chief. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Shion: Sorry about that…But I bet the data’s really good. Besides… Shion thinks back in the time when she was still in the Encephalon, see saw that young little girl. Allen: Was there something else? Shion: Hmm? Oh…it’s nothing. Well, we better get started on that data. Today’s our deadline, so I’m sure they’ll be asking for it soon. Announcement: Attention, please. We are scheduled to gate out in approximately 3 minutes. All hands, please return to your designated areas immediately. Once again… Attention, please. We are schedule to gate out… The screen switches to outer space where the jump ships coming out of the gate jump. Woglinde Employee 1: All ships, gate-out complete. Woglinde Employee 2: Shifting main engine to stealth mode. Woglinde Employee 3: Maintaining current speed until sector withdrawal. Woglinde Employee 1: Exit from current space set at absolute time 1300 on the 22nd. Seven hours, 16 minutes and 30 seconds to withdrawal. Woglinde Employee 4: Next U.M.N. column in seven hours, 36 minutes. Woglinde Employee 5: All gate jumps from other sectors will remain offline until then. Moriyama: So, we’re almost home… Cherenkov: Yes, Sir. Our final gate jump is at the next column. We’re almost there. Woglinde Employee 1: We made it this far; we’ll be fine! The odds of contact between columns is statistically low… Besides, this asteroids field we’re in is perfect for hiding the fleet from them. Cherenkov: Hmph. So Pollyanna thinks those asteroids are going to protect us. Woglinde Employee 1: I…I’m sorry, Sir. Moriyama: A bit testy today, aren’t we Commander? Is something wrong? Cherenkov: No… Of course not… Woglinde Employee 2: Ever since we picked up that object ten days ago, everyone’s been a bit jumpy. And we still have a ways to go before we hit comm-space… I can empathize with the Commander. Cherenkov: Hm… Woglinde Employee 5: Uh…Captain… Can you…uh, debrief us on the current situation? Our original orders from the Galaxy Federation were to investigate the vanished planet and assist the researchers, but ever since we picked up that object, it feels like…everything’s changed. What exactly is that thing, anyway? Moriyama: Who knows? I haven’t heard a thing from the research team. But as I mentioned before, apparently they’re after the object, too… That’s unofficial info, of course. Woglinde Employee 1: What about the rumor regarding the casualties during the retrieval process…? Moriyama: Even if it were true, that’s none of our business. The research team has their own orders to deal with. The only explicit instructions we’ve received state…that should any salvageable objects exist in the area, their retrieval takes top priority. Woglinde Employee 5: Top priority? What does that mean? Cherenkov: What it means is, over our very lives. Moriyama: Now, now, no need to scare them. Those orders merely reflect the importance of this operation to the Galaxy Federation government, that’s all. Just stay sharp and be careful. Woglinde Employee 2: That makes sense, Sir. The entire fleet was renovated for this mission. Besides, if there’s an emergency, we’ve got the trump card to fall back on. Moriyama: Ahh, yes, speaking of which… What’s the latest on that situation? Woglinde Employee 2: They’re scheduled to turn in the A-7 reports today. Moriyama: A-7, eh… Only one step away from fully operational. It’s about time, I suppose… Lieutenant, please ask Chief Uzuki to come to the bridge once her data’s ready. Ask her to bring all the previous data as well. Woglinde Employee 2: Yes, Sir. The Woglinde employee left. Woglinde Employee 4: What trump card? Was he referring to that battle android? Woglinde Employee 3: That’s right. You didn’t know? Woglinde Employee 4: Wow, so it’s true… Woglinde Employee 1: Hey, I heard that project’s really behind schedule. Woglinde Employee 3: You can’t blame ‘em. There were casualties during their last boot up test two years ago. They’re being more careful this time. Woglinde Employee 4: It’s hard to believe they’re making an android in this day and age. Only place I’ve ever seen them is in old space novels. Woglinde Employee 3: Well, trump card or not, it’s still an experiment. And it ain’t like one android’s gonna make that much of a difference. The whole project’s just a chance for those Vector guys to show off. Someone’s outdated hobby, that’s all. Woglinde Employee 1: I heard that even their commercial models differ greatly between those that’ve seen action and those that haven’t. Cherenkov: They say ignorance is bliss…looks like they were right. Woglinde Employee 1: Commander?! Cherenkov: I’m just envious, that’s all. The screen switches to the area with Shion and Allen. Shion: …Sure. I’ll be there in 30 minutes. Shion breaks contact with the person she was received a call from. Allen: They certainly didn’t waste any time. Shion: See? I’m usually right about these things. Basil arrives with the data of KOS-MOS and Encephalon. Basil: Here’s the data you requested. Will that be all? Shion: Thanks. (looking at the data) This should be good enough. I’ll take care of the rest. Researcher: Chief… Do you have a second? Shion: Yes? Researcher: The military is expecting actual field data for KOS-MOS. Is it right for us to keep giving them simulated data like this? Shion: Well…I must admit, you got me there. But honestly, if it were up to me, I’d keep her here…safe in her dream world forever. Researcher: But why are you so afraid to but her to real work, when you push her so hard in the simulations? I can’t wait to see KOS-MOS up and completely functional. Couldn’t you at least try taking her up to Phase 3? That should be no problem for her by now. Allen: Phase 3 in a simulated-battle config? Come on. We’re not about to wake our little princess for that. (gives Shion a data) Here’s a summary of KOS-MOS main equipment from the Second Division. This should help you with the guys upstairs. Shion: Thanks. I’m sure it will. Allen: By the way, Chief, what do you think of the M.W.S. and then A.G.W.S.? It’s just dummy data created inside the Encephalon, but it was pretty exciting stuff, wasn’t it? If neither had problems during this test, all that remains are the functionality tests using actual models. Shion: It worked pretty well. The M.W.S. in particular felt right to me. I sense something contrived in that, though. Allen: Well, I hear Miyuki is closely involved with the M.W.S. I’m sure she’s up to something again. Shion: Oh, by the way, could you send the Connection Gear data to Headquarters for me? You know the Vaporizer Plug-in that we used to destroy obstacles? I wonder if they’re also going to manufacture it based on our test data? I swear, they pile everything they can on us, under the pretext of testing KOS-MOS… Allen: Well it’s inevitable, considering they have a lot of other concerns, like the budget. Shion is on her way out. Shion: All right, see you later! Allen: Okay, good luck! Shion left. Allen: (clears his throat) Well! Back to work! Shion proceeds forward to the Bridge. On her way, she got an e-mail from Vector Com., Inc. Later, the camera switches to Allen and the Woglinde employees Togashi: She’s really got you trained, hasn’t she, sir. Allen: What? Trained? What do you mean? Hey, what are you smiling at?! Hurry up and get back to work! Togashi: I’m on it. (to Basil) See how he always changes the subject… Allen: What was that, Togashi?! Togashi: Nothing at all, sir. You’re just hearing things! Allen: I swear… (to the researcher) Hmm? What’s up? Still not convinced? Researcher: Oh, no, it’s not that. It’s just… Allen: I know how you feel, but you saw what happened just now. Even the Chief is cautious sometimes. Besides… Ohhh, that’s right. You just transferred in a month ago, right? I guess you couldn’t have known. Researcher: You mean the accident from two years ago? I’ve heard about it, but I don’t know any details. Allen: Oh, right… Allen looks at Shion’s belongings, which includes her data on KOS-MOS, cell phone, and vision scope. Allen: Oh man, not again… Oh well. Togashi: Perfect! Now the two of you can be alone. Why don’t you ask her out while you’re at it? We can handle the rest by ourselves. Karol Hadji: This is your big channnce! Allen: (frustrated) I told you guys, it’s not like that! For crying out loud… Allen gave one of the data to the researcher. Allen: A-anyway, I’d better get this to her. Togashi: Good luck! Karol Hadji: --Yeah! Basil: Go Tiger! Allen left the lab. Outside of the hallway… Allen: (frustrated) …Geez, they just don’t know when to quit… It’s not like I don’t want to… I just…can’t… Shion moves on. In the area with the Zohar… Vanderkam: You’re slacking off! And you! Lt. Commander Vanderkam punches his employees. Vanderkam: And you! Lt. Commander Vanderkam punches another employee. Vanderkam: You’re all bunch of slackers!! Lt. Commander Vanderkam punches another employee. Vanderkam: Listen up! You lazy bums are the cause of that accident! You’re not getting any time to confess your sins, though! Why not? ‘Cause I’m not giving it to you! If you got time to be sorry, you got time to get your ass in gear! If you got time to think, you got time to get your finger’s moving! Don’t even start thinkin’ you got a brain to think with! You’re gonna become machines, and work like ‘em, day and night!! You’re all bunch of slackers! Lt. Commander Vanderkam continues to punch his employees. Shion saw everything he did. Shion: Boy, I guess not every department’s run like ours. Shion flashes back to the time where she was still working at night. Kevin arrived. Kevin: You’re still here, huh? Killing yourself over work won’t get you very far. Shion: Oh… How are you? I had to get this data done before morning, so I… Well, what are you doing here so late, Kevin? You’d better get some sleep. We’ve got an early morning ahead… Kevin hands a cup of coffee to Shion. Kevin: --Here. This is for you. Shion: Huh? Oh…thank you! Shion takes the cup of coffee and drinks it. Kevin: To tell you the truth, I haven’t been able to sleep lately. Something’s been on my mind. Shion: On your mind? Shion puts her coffee down and walks with Kevin to the maintenance bed. Kevin: Tomorrow, she’s finally going to wake up. I’m looking forward to seeing her come to life, but… I have no idea what to say to her when she wakes up. It’s been bothering me… I’m just being weird, huh? Shion: Why don’t you just say… “Good morning, KOS-MOS”? Kevin: G…good morning? Shion: Well, that’s what you say to someone when they wake up, right? Kevin: Yeah… Yeah, I guess you’re right. Thanks. I think I can finally get some sleep now. Shion: Glad to help, sir. Kevin: You should get some rest, too. Shion: All right. Kevin: Well, good night. Shion: Good night… The flashback ended. The screen switches to the area with the Zohar. Shion: Yeah… Everybody’s so eager to see her… Shion looks at the Zohar and suddenly the screen views the black and white area and the young little girl appeared and the cross-shaped necklace were shown. The girl went inside the Zohar. Shion approaches closer to the Zohar and touches it, then suddenly the area reverts to normal. Woglinde Employee: Look out!! Shion evaded the circling obstacle near the Zohar and landed on the ground where she is standing. Vanderkam: Watch it, you slacker!! Only authorized personnel are allowed up here! I’ve had three people vanish on me already! Get the hell out of here! My men’ll start slacking off if they see bimbos like you around! Shion: I’m so sorry!! Shion gets up and leaves the area where the Zohar is. Vanderkam: Who’s the idiot that let civilians on this ship?! (saw one of his employee staring at Shion who is walking away) What the hell are you staring at?! Lt. Commander Vanderkam punches the employee down. He picks up the employee by the sleeve and uppercut him down. Vanderkam: Damn slacker!! Shion moves on. On her way… Allen: …Chief! Shion is only focusing on what she felt on her hand. Allen: Chief? Shion is still focusing on her hand. Allen: Chief!! Shion: Allen…?! Allen: What do you mean, “Allen?!” Don’t act so surprised. Didn’t you forget something important? You know, it’s dangerous wandering around in a daze like that. Shion: Yeah…sorry. I was just thinking about something… Shion suddenly saw the whole area in a strange vision. Shion saw nothing but the door behind her that she came from. Allen: Are you all right? Shion: Huh? Yeah… Oh I’m just not myself today… Shion and Allen moves forward. Then the girl that Shion keeps seeing appeared near the door that Shion came from. Later as Shion and Allen moves forward… Shion: Allen… Thanks for stepping in back there. Allen: Ah, no, I should’ve spoken to the new guy earlier. So you don’t need to thank me. But it would really help if you would try to understand their feelings more. I know everyone’s still a little uneasy about KOS-MOS, but they’ve been pouring their hearts and souls into this project. They all want to see with their own eyes the end result of what they’ve been working so hard to complete. I feel the same way myself, you know? Shion: I know that. It’s just that I… Allen: Chief… That incident, right…? Shion: Huh? Oh…I see…you’re… Allen: Hmm? Shion: Sorry. That’s…not…quite…it. Forget about it. It’s nothing. Let’s just hurry up and get KOS-MOS completed, okay? Shion received a call from the U.M.N. Shion: Oh…who could that be? Allen: More Realian maintenance? They really should stop calling you all the time. Technically, it’s a violation of regulations for you to deal with other divisions. Besides, aren’t they expecting you on the bridge? Shion: Oh, don’t worry about it. I don’t want to brush them off. Besides, it’s on the way, and I’ve got some time. See ya! Shion ran off. Allen: Oh…? …Duh! I forgot to ask her out after work… Allen is depressed and walks away. Before Shion proceeds to the lab with the Realians… Shion: Uh…oh, I should bring the Realian service data with me. I think I left it in my room. I better go get it. Let’s see, if I remember correctly, the room is…straight down this corridor. Shion went into her room and picked up the Maintenance Data. After that, Shion proceeds to the lab with the Realians. In the lab with the Realians… Shion: Hello! You rang? Caspase: My apologies, Ms. Uzuki! It seems we’re constantly in need of your help. Shion: No problem, Lieutenant. I want everyone to be healthy and happy too, after all. So…what’s the problem today? Caspase: Well… I’m trying to teach them some new battle algorithms to better reflect the unit’s reorg, but the integration is not going very smoothly. Shion: (looking at the computer monitor) You’re right. He’s rejecting the data. Let’s see… Shion talks to the Lieutenant. Shion: Let’s see, I just need to check the Realians lying on the maintenance beds, right? Caspase: Yes, thank you for your help. Shion talks to the first Realian. Shion: That should do it. Well? Do you have any dizziness or anything? Realian 1: No, I am fine. We are combat models, so even our training causes heavy wear and tear. Regular tune-ups like this are very much appreciated. Shion: No no no, I didn’t really do much. Shion talks to the second Realian. Shion: Hmm, nothing seems particularly unusual. Are you not feeling well? Realian 2: I have been studying fables and proverbs. But I am unable to use them properly, and I am always being laughed at. Shion: Hmm, but your linguistic center doesn’t seem to have any abnormalities. Shion talks to the third Realian. Shion: Okay, your valves are stable. I don’t see any particular problems. Realian 3: Understood. Then I will return to my duties. Shion: Wait a minute, I think you could express a bit more joy. Maybe your emotional expression isn’t working right… Shion talks to the fourth Realian. Shion: How is that? Just a temporary fix, though. Realian 4: Yes. I cannot express it appropriately, but I feel like some weight has been lifted. Everything feels a bit brighter. Thank you very much. Shion talks to the fifth Realian. Shion: Hmm, I wonder what’s wrong? Your brain waves seem to be chaotic. Realian 5: Um, ever since I was assigned to the Woglinde, I haven’t been the same. I’ve slowly lost mental composure, and my body has begun to manifest minute spasms. Shion: Hmm, the shape of these waves…could it be fear of battle? Shion talks to the sixth Realian. Realian 6: Umm…lately I find functional impediments occurring when communicating with a certain person. My pulse becomes rapid, perspiration increases, and I become unable to articulate well. Shion: Hmm, that’s odd. I wonder if it’s an OS bug? After that… Shion: Well, I’ve made some adjustments, but please contact Third Division once we return. I recommend they receive more intensive counseling soon. Caspase: I’ll be sure to do so. You know, I’m really impressed… Providing Realian psych support on top of developing KOS-MOS. I hear even specialized counselors have a hard time… Shion: Oh, I’m just making the most of what my mentor taught me. I’m glad I could be of help. Besides, I always wanted to work in the Third Division… Actually, I’m thinking about requesting a transfer once my current work’s finished. Caspase: But Vector’s First R&D Division has the best researchers in the organization! Everyone knows not just anyone can get in there. Are you sure that you want to transfer? Shion: Oh, yes. Besides, my family’s always asking, “How did you get assigned to the First Division?” “There must’ve been a mistake in the paperwork…” Who knows, maybe their right. Besides… I want to learn so much more about them. Someone came in. Virgil: What’s learning about them going to do for you? Caspase: Lieutenant Virgil! Virgil smells one of the Realian. Virgil: Their stench… Shion: What? Virgil: It reeks. I can’t get their rotten odor out of my system. Can’t you smell it? It makes me sick to my stomach. Shion: Huh? What are you… Shion gasp when she saw the scar on Virgil’s face. Caspase: That’s enough! You got your orders from the Lieutenant Commander, didn’t you? One of the goals of this operation is to enhance combat support between the A.G.W.S. and the new-model Realians! And yet you’re… Virgil: Support? Ha! In a battle against them, the last thing I want to worry about is supporting a bunch of untested Weapons-Grade Realians! Shion: Umm… Excuse me, but these people are highly qualified soldiers… Virgil: These people?! You’re treating equipment like people? Shion: You really shouldn’t say things like that. These people have the same intellect and emotions as us. And the Miltia Charter clearly spelled out the basic human rights of Realians when it was ratified in 4763. Virgil: What a load of crap… Get off your soapbox! You act noble and preach about humanity, but in the end, they’re just equipment as far as your company’s concerned. The camera views Virgil’s bangle. Virgil: Or maybe…more like merchandise… Shion: We don’t treat them anything like equipment or merchandise! Virgil: Then why do you categorize them as Weapons-Grade Realians? How much more evidence do you need than that? Whatever you care to call them, they’re nothing but tools of warfare. Besides, I know your little secret. You guys have an emergency override code to control them. Don’t you? Shion gasp when Virgil placed his hand on her shoulder. Caspase: Virgil! Why are you…? A Realian appeared at the scene. Virgil: Wh-what do you want?! Realian: It is as you say, Sir. We are manufactured as merchandise, and raised accordingly. However, I take great pride in what I do now. And this pride was not forced upon me. It is of my own free will. Virgil felt sick and kneels to the ground as if about to throw up. Virgil: …Free will, huh… Well, good for you. You’d better just enjoy it while you can. The time’ll come soon enough when you’ll realize what’s going on. Just you wait… Virgil left the scene. Shion: Is he… A DME addict? Before Shion could leave the lab… Caspase: My apologies, Ms. Uzuki. He wasn’t always like that, but then…something…happened. Shion: Is he an old acquaintance? Caspase: We were classmates at the military academy. And I’ve been stuck with him since then. …It was Miltia. Shion: I see… So… …that’s why. Caspase: You knew about that, huh? Then again, anyone planning to join the Third Division would know. Shion: Well, I… I’m from Miltia. Caspase: Huh? Shion: Of course, no one’s allowed to go there anymore… My family moved to Second Miltia when they transferred the capital after the war… And my brother still lives there, alone. Caspase: Oh, I see… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring back painful memories. Shion: Oh, it’s all right. After all, it’s something we must never forget about. For our sake, and theirs as well. Shion’s communications rang. Shion: Oh, no! I forgot I had to report to the bridge! Sorry, I’ll come back to check on them later! Bye! Shion runs off. In the next area, Shion talks to Holgar. Holgar: Hi, Shion! You’re looking cute as usual. Shion: Hello, Mr. Holgar. Mr. Holgar: Hey now, quit with the formalities. Call me “Mr. Driller”! Shion: D-Driller…did you say? Mr. Holgar: I’m really skilled at using the drill crane. So much so, I wish the Drill Council would acknowledge it! Of course, Susumu Hori and I are equals when it comes to drilling. Don’t ever confuse me for a run-of-the-mill drill worker! Shion: Umm…Mr. Holgar? Mr. Holgar: … Shion: Mr. Hol…I mean, Mr. Driller? Mr. Holgar: What is it, Shion? Shion: I have to get going. Mr. Holgar: Bah, that doesn’t matter at all right now. A clumsy worker caused an accident, and they can’t work because the wreckage is in the way. That’s where my drill crane and I come in. But even with an awesome driller like me, this is one heckuva job for just one guy! It’s tough! Real tough for just one guy! That’s where you, my cute little Shion, come into the picture! You’ve answered my drill call! Am I right? I’m right, aren’t I? You’ll do it, won’t you?! You’ll help my noble cause, won’t you?! Shion: Maybe I should give it a try. Um, Mr. Hol…Mr. Driller? I’ll give it a try, but I may not be able to fully appreciate drilling like you do. Mr. Holgar: Yeah? You’ll take over my drill then?! Okay. First, I’ll teach you how to operate the drill crane. Listen closely, operating a drill is not about reflexes or clever techniques. It’s all about heart and the soul within! Passion for your drill will allow you to operate the drill as you wish! Shion: (Boy, he’s really gone off the deep end…) Mr. Holgar: Now, I’ll show you how to operate the drill. Listen carefully and get this all down, okay? First, I’ll explain vertical movement. If you press the Square Button, the drill will start moving vertically. If you let go, the drill will stop right at the spot. Even if you keep pressing the button, the drill will stop once it’s reached the edge of the rail. Before moving the drill, you can move the camera freely using the Left Analog Stick. You can also switch between cameras using the R2 Button. You’ll need to switch cameras to determine the drill’s precise location, so be sure to make good use of them. Moving the drill is a one shot deal. Operate the buttons carefully. When you’re done moving vertically, you’ll then move the crane horizontally. Switch cameras using the R2 Button and use the Square Button to move the drill, just like you did when moving the crane vertically. Of course, this is also a one shot deal that you can’t do over. When you’re done moving vertically and horizontally, the drill will do the work on its own. The drill will come down and destroy anything under it. Obviously, nothing will happen if nothing’s there. If you miss, you can always do it over again. And if you want to quit, the crane will stop if you press the X Button. That’s everything you need to know about the drill. Well, what do you think? Simple, right? Shion: Hmm, I think I get it…sort of… I got it already. Shion removed the wreckage by operating the drilling crane. After that… Shion: Phew… Looks like I finally got it done. Mr. Holgar: Not too shabby! I knew you had a passion for drillin’. Shion. Never giving up, even when you miss. That’s the most important quality in a driller. Shion: Uh, umm…well, thanks. Mr. Holgar: Thanks to you, everything is nice and tidy again. Here, a token of my thanks. It’s a Drill Passport. Shion received Drill Passport. Mr. Holgar: Here’s a little something extra. Go ahead, it’s yours. Shion received Med Kit. Shion moves on. In the next area… Sgt. Swaine: Hey, Shion! Over here! Right here! Shion: Oh, it’s Sergeant Swaine. Hello, Sergeant Swaine. Is something the matter? Sgt. Swaine: I’ve got something for you. I’m going to present you with the results of my research! Shion: Research? You mean your hobby of “Investigating all the doors on the ship?” Sgt. Swaine: Yup, that’s it. But I’m not just investigating the doors. Well? Wanna know what I’m researching? Shion: Yes, please tell me. Sgt. Swaine: You know how the nanomachine core is still a black box, just like when it was first developed? It’s a secret, but I hear it has a bug. If used for building and construction, it has a tendency to create useless corridors with locks. This poses no real harm, so it’s been kept under wraps. I just happened to find the secret documents describing the bug. And this is a collection of all the hidden passages from all over the world based on that document. This is the secret to my personal hidden warehouse. There’re still 17 or 18 that I haven’t opened yet. I search for them every time we disembark, but it’s tough. Well? Doesn’t it seem fun? Almost like a treasure hunt, right? Oh, the ones on this ship are mine, so don’t open them. Or rather, you already found a door?! That’s my Shion! You’re sharp as a tack! Shion: T-t…thank you…very much… Shion received Segment File. Shion then proceeds to the bridge. In there, Shion talks to Captain Moriyama. Shion: Please excuse me for being late. Moriyama: Don’t worry about it. Now that you’re here, can you please show us KOS-MOS’ data? Shion: Yes, Sir. Right away. Later as Shion views the data to Commander Andrew Cherenkov… Cherenkov: I see. I understand the basic specs. So, where’s the actual field data? Shion: Well, it’s not quite ready… All I can provide today is up to A-7. Cherenkov: So you don’t have it? Shion: Well… We’ll begin testing with a mock-up unit very soon, but the system is still a little unstable, and… Cherenkov: Aren’t you just making excuses? Listen, Chief Uzuki. Why do you think you’re on this ship? Think about that for a moment. (walks away a little) This fleet may be newly outfitted, but it was assembled under major time constraints. And we have A.G.W.S. units, but the 100-Series Observational Units that go with them aren’t available until later. What would happen, if by some chance, we were attacked by those things? I don’t think I need to describe the outcome to you. The purpose of KOS-MOS’ deployment was to address this issue. Or am I mistaken? Shion: N-No, Sir… Cherenkov: (frustrated) Listen, you’re not in a laboratory anymore. You’re on a warship. This is a battlefield! KOS-MOS was supposed to be our frontline defense here, and now you’re telling us it hasn’t even woken up yet?! There’s no point in having a weapon that can’t even get out of bed! That thing’s only meaningful to us when it’s fully operational! Why can’t you… Moriyama: Let it go, Commander. These people are working under serious time constraints, just like our own squadron. Besides, they’re only one step away from actual field testing. In the end, we all want to see this operation completed without having to resort to that thing, don’t we? Cherenkov: Of course, Captain, but I believe… Suddenly, Commander Cherenkov’s cell phone rang. Cherenkov: …Arg! Who’s calling me… Moriyama: Is there a problem? Cherenkov: Oh, uh, no. Something urgent’s come up… If you will excuse me. Commander Cherenkov left the scene. Moriyama: I wonder what’s wrong? Shion: I don’t know… Moriyama: Well, never mind. That’s enough for today, Chief Uzuki. Let me know if any new development arise. Shion: I’m sorry we failed to meet your expectations. Moriyama: Oh, there’s no need to apologize. What’s important to us is how reliable the system is once we’ve start using it. Rushing the project won’t get us anywhere. So just calm down and take as much time as you need. The government’s funding it all, anyway, right? You must be tired. Take the rest of the day off. Shion moves on to her room. But before doing that… Ship Broadcast: Chief Uzuki of Vector First R&D Division, you have a package from Vector HQ. Please claim your package at the A.G.W.S. hangar as soon as possible. Shion proceeds to the hangar and talks to a Woglinde employee. Woglinde Employee: You’re from Vector, right? There’s a package for you. It’s addressed to Miss Uzuki. It looks dangerous, so be careful while handling it. Shion: Hmmm, a M.W.S. So this is what Miyuki’s email was about. Hmph, I guess she still intends to use me as her guinea pig. Shion proceeds to her room. Meanwhile… Margulis: …That was a grave mistake, Cherenkov. I believe I already warned you about the dangers of the Zohar. You should have been more careful while retrieving it. Cherenkov: Yes, Sir. I’m afraid there’s no excuse for the fatalities that occurred during the recovery. However, we can… Margulis: That’s a trivial matter. Forget it. The problem…is that those people touched the Zohar, and then vanished… And…in addition to that, you’re still transporting it while exposed to normal space. Because of that, we’ve had to move the plan up two phases. We can’t have the Zohar falling into the government’s hands. Cherenkov: Two phases…?! But why are you… Margulis: We’ve picked up local U.M.N. activity on our EPR radar. The fleet is column jumping towards the position of your convoy. They’ll cross your vector in five hours, 22 minutes. Cherenkov: No…it can’t be?! Them?! Margulis: I told you, you’ve made a grave mistake. We dispatched reinforcements an hour ago. So keep it safe at all costs, until they arrive. Cherenkov: W-will they make it in time? Margulis: Just keep it safe until they arrive. I don’t care if you have to send it into hyperspace by itself. Fortunately for you, your ship is carrying that weapon. I don’t know what Vector’s up to, but take advantage of the situation if you can… Cherenkov: E-excuse me, Sir, but they haven’t even started field testing it yet! It’s too risky! Margulis: You of all people should be cognizant of its power. I don’t care if it’s unstable. Make them hurry. Cherenkov: But, but Sir… Margulis: That is all. Cherenkov: Commander, wait! Commander Margulis disconnects contact with Commander Cherenkov. Cherenkov: Commander Margulis! The screen switches to Shion’s room where she is speaking to her brother Jin Uzuki over communication monitor. Shion: Like I told you before, I can’t go anywhere until my project stabilizes. Don’t you remember? Jin: You know how long you’ve been saying that? I haven’t seen you for two years now. You could as least come home for our parents’ memorial. Where’s you sense of filial duty? Shion puts down the U.M.N. and holds a jacket hanger. Shion: Memorial? Ahh…Come on! Why are you trying to resurrect obscure ancient rituals? Wait a minute, you’ve been reading those weird old books again, haven’t you? I swear, you’re so obsessed with those precious books of yours! Jin: That is none of your business, thank you very much. How many times must I tell you not to quibble about my way of life. Shion: What do you mean, way of life? All that’s stuff’s just a stupid old hobby for you. Just remember, don’t expect me to take you in when you’re old, senile, and all alone. Shion takes her jacket off. Jin: That’s terribly rude of you, Shion. Don’t worry about me, just promise me you’ll come home this year, okay? If you don’t… Shion: All right, all right, when I get some time off. Look, gotta run – see ya! Jin: Hey, wait! I’m not going to let you dodge the question again… Hello? Hellooo… Shion shut off the communication monitor. Shion: (sitting on her bed) Honestly… I wish he’d consider my feelings for a change… (to herself) I’m a little tired. I feel bad about doing this, but I think I’ll rest a bit… Maybe I’ll take a catnap. Shion gets ready to go to bed. She takes off her necklace. Shion: Good night… Shion dreams of the black and white area she is in and saw the little girl and then a male figure approaches. Then as Shion is still dreaming, the little girl watches her move around when dreaming. The camera shows the corridors and then later, Allen came in the lab holding a cup full of coffee. Allen: What the…? You’re all still here? Basil: Hey, how’s it going? We’re trying to pinpoint today’s problem, among other things. What about you? Allen: Oh, Commander Cherenkov gave me a piece of his mind earlier. Togashi: Ouch. Glad to see you survived. That guy’s relentless… “You act like a bunch of college kids!” and “What, is Vector run by a Girl Scout?” Allen: He just went on and on. Basil: Man that’s just not right. Seriously… But it isn’t right to have the Chief taking all the heat… Allen uses the computer. Allen: Still… I wonder why he seemed so nervous… Meanwhile in the bridge… Woglinde Employee 1: Now exiting the asteroid field. Moriyama: That’s excellent! Prepare to gate-jump. Woglinde Employee 2: Aye-aye, Captain. All ships entering approach. Woglinde Employee 1: 19 minutes, 30 seconds to column area. Woglinde Employee 2: U.M.N. pulse received. Woglinde Employee 3: Current coordinates locked. Transfer vector correction to 103. Target: Athens Column. Suddenly, a warning signal was heard. Woglinde Employee 3: Captain! A warning signal! Moriyama: It can’t be… Is it them?! Woglinde Employee 3: No, Sir. The detection system is silent. (to Woglinde employee 1) How’s it look on your side? Woglinde Employee 1: Nothing over here, either. You sure it’s not an error? Woglinde Employee 3: No, no it’s not. What…is this…? Moriyama: What’s going on? Woglinde Employee 3: Sir, I don’t think an external source is causing this warning signal. Moriyama: Then what’s causing it? Woglinde Employee 3: I’ll run a search. (searching) …I’ve pinpointed the anomaly. It’s inside the ship, Sector Three…?! Suddenly, screens saying Main System Approached are everywhere and the Woglinde employee looked at the monitor and saw something. Woglinde Employee 3: It’s… KOS-MOS!! The screen switches to the lab. Allen: That’s impossible! Hey! What the hell’s going on?! Basil: I don’t know! It all happened so quickly. We’re checking it out right now! Togashi: KOS-MOS warning status, level 1! The bindings are off! Damn it! It’s booting up on its own! John Bell: The countdown has started as well! Allen: What the hell..?! Why all of a sudden…?! The screen switches to Shion’s room with Shion still sleeping. The warning monitors appeared and Shion woke up and looked at the U.M.N. which shows a countdown. Shion: Countdown?! How can that be?! Shion tries to contact Allen by the communication monitor. Voice of Communicator: Currently, we are at Emergency Level 3. This circuit is reserved for Class A and B users only. Class C users, please try your call again later. Shion: …Oh, come on! Why now, of all times! Did someone activate KOS-MOS…? Wait, that’s impossible. KOS-MOS isn’t supposed to wake up unless I enter the activation code from this terminal… That’s the fail-safe we integrated… (wondering) This… This can’t be happening… …not again…! Shion gets out of her room and tries to exit in one of the corridors, but the doors close on one corridor. Shion looks at the U.M.N. monitor. Shion: It’s really happening… It’s exactly the same as the last time… The screen switches to the area with bunch of casualties and Shion was holding Kevin’s dead body. Shion puts Kevin’s body down and saw KOS-MOS. Later, Shion heard an alarm. Shion: Oh no! What is it now?! The screen switches to outer space. Then in the bridge… Moriyama: What is it now?! Woglinde Employee 3: Detecting a large-scale spatial distortion ahead of us! An enormous mass is gating out! Moriyama: Impossible! We’re still outside the column area! That’s… Woglinde Employee 3: The U.M.N. geodesic structure is being breached! Woglinde Employee 4: The target…it appears to be interacting with the U.M.N. somehow! Moriyama: It's being hacked?! That’s possible?! Massive gravity fluctuations! Surface anomalies forming in space-time! Woglinde Employee 3: Impossible! That defies all laws of physics! Woglinde Employee 5: Computing mass – the numbers are completely inconsistent! I can’t get a clear reading! Whatever it is, it’s huge! Woglinde Employee 6: The amplitude… …the hell? It's like a tidal wave!! The readings are increasing! It’s entering normal space! Captain!! Woglinde Employee 5: …Captain!! Woglinde Employee 6: Straight ahead!! There it is!! Moriyama: Gnosis!! Gnosis appeared from the other side and starts attacking the jumpships and A.G.W.S. The Woglinde fires their weapons and then some of the A.G.W.S. suffered casualties and the Gnosis entered inside the Woglinde. The screen switches to the hangar where the crews are preparing their arsenals and A.G.W.S. Announcement: Shifting to DefCon 1. Virgil, report your team to Sector D. Prevent the enemy forces from entering the reactor room. Virgil gets in the A.G.W.S. Virgil: Going into battle without an A.G.W.S. unit. What brave little soldiers they are…bring tears to my eyes… Well, let’s see how they do as shields. Later, three Woglinde employees fire their rifles at the Gnosis, but the Gnosis were too strong and crushed the first employee. Then broke the neck of the second employee and shattering him to pieces. Then the Gnosis attacked the third employee and shattering him to pieces. The screen switches to Shion seeing the Gnosis. Shion: What in the world is going on?! Shion encountered the Gnosis, but they were invulnerable. Shion: We won’t be able to defeat the Gnosis unless we draw them into our world… There’s no point in trying to fight them like this. I have to find KOS-MOS and Allen! Shion makes a run for it and activates the crane holding explosive barrels which blocks the way of the Gnosis following her. In the next corridor, Shion saw a Gnosis killed a Woglinde employee in a bloody way. Shion: C-could it be the entire ship has been taken over by Gnosis?! I wonder if Allen and the others are okay. It’s impossible for them to try and defeat then Gnosis without KOS-MOS. Anyway, it’s over if I get caught! I have to get to KOS-MOS somehow without coming in contact with the enemy!! Shion then saw a partition switch. Shion: Partition switch? It’s better then nothing, I suppose. Anyway, I have to get away from here quickly before the Gnosis notice me! Shion activates the switch and closes the door on the Gnosis. Shion then saw another Gnosis. Shion: I have to get past here in order to find everybody. But the Gnosis looks too powerful for me to take on… Shion moves to the switch panel and activates it to reveal a two people hologram. The Gnosis pays attention to the hologram instead of Shion. Shion runs to the next area and evaded another Gnosis. Shion: (Looks like I managed to get past them.) (Anyway, I should hurry and find someone.) Meanwhile in the lab… Allen: Can’t we stop it? John Bell: It’s no use! It’s not responding! Togashi: KOS-MOS is starting up in Auto-Mode! Allen: Huh? Wait a sec! We disabled that mode after the incident! Only the Chief’s terminal can enable it! Damn it!! Why now…? Unless…it’s reacting to…Gnosis…?! (to the researcher) Where’s the Chief?! Researcher: (using a cell phone) She should be heading this way, but the regular UNP channels are congested and I can’t reach her! Allen: And the emergency line?! Basil: I’m trying it now! Basil tried to connect with Shion, but her cell phone is in the lab and it plays the phone’s music. Allen: Oh, great! Suddenly, the area became dark. Allen: What happened? Togashi: I don’t know! The power just suddenly… Allen: Wha…?! Suddenly, KOS-MOS awakens and comes out of the maintenance bed. Her sensors show that she is looking at the frightened employees and tries to locate Shion. KOS-MOS’ vision scope moves to the top of her head and reveals her red eyes. The Woglinde employees continue to be frightened. Later, the camera switches to Shion. Shion then saw another Gnosis on her way. Shion: I can’t believe they’ve infiltrated this far. I wonder if everyone is okay? Shion activates a switch to open the emergency hatch and it sucked out the obstacles and the Gnosis. Shion proceeds forward. Shion proceeds to the hangar and receives a Vaporizer Plug-in. Shion moves on. She then saw Sgt. Swaine fatally wounded. Shion: S-Sergeant! Sergeant Swaine! Sgt. Swaine: Y-yo…well if it isn’t the lady from Vector, I r-really liked this line of work. But looks like…it’s over for me… Cough… Ugh…o-oh, yeah, take this key…the red d-door across from me…there’s a storage room only I know about. I-inside you’ll find something I’ve squirreled away. I don’t think…I’m gonna need it where I’m going…so I want you to take it. Shion: Sergeant! Hang in there, Sergeant Swaine! Sgt. Swaine: I-I liked…being a soldier…Even though…our job is…our job is…to die… Sgt. Swaine gave the Decoder 7 to Shion and Sgt. Swaine’s died at the scene and blood came out of his body. Shion moves on to the next area. Then, the screen switches to Virgil with the A.G.W.S. and the Realians. Virgil: Walkin’ around like it owns the place. Virgil, the A.G.W.S. and the Realians take their own firing position. Virgil: It’s moving around randomly… Looks like it’s alone. This is insulting. Shion runs to the next area and when Virgil and the Realians saw her, they opened fire at her, but none of the gunshots hit her. Virgil and the Realians ceased fire. Virgil: Damn it!! You! What the hell are you doing here?! Shion struggles and saw the bullet marks on the wall. Shion: What do you think you’re doing? Those bullets could’ve killed me! Virgil: What are we doing?! What the hell do you think you’re doing running around like an idiot?! We thought you were a Gnosis!! Shion: Look, I got my own problems to deal with! Here I am getting attacked by the Gnosis… I’m getting lost at every turn, and, and… Don’t give me a hard time right now! Virgil points his A.G.W.S. gun at her. Virgil: What the hell?! Lost?! You’re the idiots who built this ship! Shion: I’m not with the fleet design department! I wouldn’t know a thing about ships!! Virgil: We’re on DefCon1 alert! What the hell is a civilian like you wandering around the ship for?! Shion: Well, I’ve got an emergency! I’m worried about KOS-MOS… Virgil: What the hell is KOS-MOS?! Never mind! Deal with it later! Just get to a shelter and stay put! Shion: Believe me, if I could, I would!! Virgil: Then why don’t you?! Shion: I just told you! KOS-MOS is… Virgil: Gaahh, shaddap! A.G.W.S. Pilot: H…hey! They’re coming! Get back! Lieutenant! Virgil: What! You think I’m deaf or something?! You… W-what the… H-hey…you!! Get away from the wall!! Suddenly, Gnosis appeared and destroyed some of the A.G.W.S. Virgil: Damn it!! Virgil’s people opened fire, but none of the gunshots have any effect on the Gnosis. Virgil: Stand your ground! Suddenly, a Gnosis approaches behind Shion and then… Realian: Shion! Realian saved Shion from the Gnosis. Realian: Are you okay? Shion: Yeah, thanks. Realian: That’s good. Shion, you need to get out of here. Just go down this corridor past Section E to the hangar. You know about the escape pods there, don’t you? Well, that’s where they are. Please use one and abandon ship immediately. Shion: And you and the others? Realian: We’ll hold them off here. You’ve got to hurry! Shion: I can’t do that! I can’t run off by myself! We’ll have to leave together! The Gnosis continues to slaughter the Realians. Virgil: Fall back! Fall back!! One of the Gnosis possesses the destroyed A.G.W.S. and transformed into its powerful form. A.G.W.S. Pilot: No…! Virgil: Can’t be…! The Gnosis opened fire at the A.G.W.S. pilot. A.G.W.S. Pilot: Lieutenant!!! The pilot’s A.G.W.S. is destroyed. Realian: Remember what we were made for! Shion: Please…! Realian: It’s all right. This is what we were born to do. Shion holds the Realian’s hand. Shion: But you’ll… Shion’s eyes became watery, as she feels bad about what will happen to the Realian. Virgil: You! What do you think you’re doing?! Get back here and engage the enemy! Realian: Take care. Shion moves on. Meanwhile on the bridge, Captain Moriyama is watching the chaos and then suddenly, the Woglinde is hit by an enemy fire. Woglinde Employee 5: Delta sector has gone silent! Fire control net functionality down to 20%! Moriyama: Fire control, what’s going on down there?! Take out the mother ship! Woglinde Employee 3: We can’t! We’re too close to fire the cannons! Woglinde Employee 1: There’s a breach in the reactor room! Woglinde Employee 2: Emergency core shutdown! Switch to reserves! Woglinde Employee 1: A.G.W.S. losses have exceeded 70%! The jumpships fires beams at the Gnosis, but the Gnosis absorbed the beam and fired back at the jumpships destroying most of them. Announcement 1: We’ve lost the Ogetsu! Announcement 2: Beason’s team destroyed! Moriyama: Our reinforcements?! Woglinde Employee 3: I’m trying! This is the cruiser Woglinde with the 117th Marine Division! We’re engaged with the Gnosis! Coordinates KX417, Y009, Z735! Requesting immediate reinforcements! Repeat! Woglinde Employee 5: Captain, it must be… Moriyama: No question about it. They’re after that…thing! Suddenly, they all felt a shaking. Woglinde Employee 1: Logic Drive down! Fire in Section F! Moriyama: Damn… Where’s our first officer? What happened to Cherenkov?! The camera shows Cherenkov in a space suit running to the escape pod. Woglinde Employee 5: LPS overload! I can’t locate him! Out of space, the A.G.W.S. opened fire at the Gnosis. But then, the Gnosis transformed into a powerful form and moves fast. Woglinde Employee 3: Defensive perimeter breached! They’re headed straight for the ship! Moriyama: --No! Woglinde Employee 1: Captain!! The Gnosis hit the bridge and the bridge was destroyed killing everyone in there. The screen switches to the area with the Zohar. Cherenkov arrived. Cherenkov: What’s the status? Woglinde Employee 1: We’ve connected the main field generator and this block’s sub-reactor. It’ll only hold for three minutes, but we can move this ship under power. Woglinde Employee 2: Bypass connection to the Logic Drive secured. You can take control from this terminal. Cherenkov: That’s fine. Good work. Vanderkam: Commander, I object. Purging this entire block and executing a gate jump is suicide! You know as well as I do what happens when a human body enters hyperspace unprotected. Cherenkov: All that matters is that we get this to the Commander. We’ll be at the next column area in a matter of minutes. There’s no time. Get in the pod and evacuate with the others. Vanderkam: But Commander, the Gnosis are swarming all over the place! We won’t stand a chance even if we do evacuate! We should accompany you… Suddenly, the are is shaking. Cherenkov: Listen! The Gnosis are insignificant! They are nothing compared to what’ll happen if IT awakes! As soon as you launch the escape pod, inject yourself with 8 mg of DIG-ß. You’ll fall into a temporary near-death state, but that’ll keep them from noticing you. Reinforcements from central command will arrive in a few hours. You must survive until then! Or my death will be for nothing. Vanderkam: Commander! Cherenkov: Go now! Lt. Commander Vanderkam and all of his employees salute as Cherenkov head for the escape pod. The screen switches to Shion, Virgil and his allies. They keep on opening fire at the Gnosis. Virgil: Damn it!! Our weapons are useless… They’re not like those other bastards. Suddenly, one of the Gnosis is performing an FAE. Virgil: An FAE?! No!! The Gnosis self-destructed and blew up the A.G.W.S. and the Realians. Shion fell back and dropped a U.M.N. Virgil looks at the casualties. Virgil: Hornst?! Lester!! Suddenly, more Gnosis appeared. Virgil: W-what… What do I do… I gotta stop them… There’s gotta be a way…But how…?! Virgil looks at Shion. Virgil: Hey you… Virgil takes the U.M.N. Shion: What are you doing?! Give that back! Virgil gets out of the A.G.W.S. and takes the U.M.N. Virgil: Quit your whining. I’ll give it right back. Virgil uses the U.M.N. Virgil: Hey… They’re based on the 508 series, right? Shion: So what if they are?! Virgil: It’s been almost 14 years now. Since I returned from Miltia, that is. Out on the fields, I took apart so many of them to get what I was looking for. It was a lot of work, you know? What with that dual-stage protection they got and all… Shion: Dual-stage… Lieutenant, you consumed their…neuro… Virgil: But of course. They were quite delicious. Shion: How could you… Virgil: That’s when I found out about the control code. It’s quite a convenient function you put in there! Shion: Huh? Virgil: That’s right. I’m going to have these marionettes hold off the Gnosis for us. (activates the U.M.N.) Just…like…this! The Realians moves mindlessly. . Shion: Stop it! What do you think they are?! This is a clear violation of… Virgil: …of their rights? That’s for peacetime, lady. You think I don’t know the Miltian Charter? Miltian Charter, Article Four, Paragraph 13… “Weapons-Grade Realians are required to be equipped with a remotely accessible behavioral limit and self-destruct system in case of emergency or malfunction.” “Use of these functions will be determined by the senior officer in charge of the situation.” …am I right? The Realians moves towards the crater of the bridge. Virgil: Well, that time is now. And I am the conductor… (activates the U.M.N.) I intend to make full use of my orchestra! The Realians grabbed on to the Gnosis. Shion: Stop it! You have no right to play god with their lives! Using them as bombs…! I won’t let you do this! Virgil: So whaddya gonna do about it? Tell me, why haven’t you disabled that function? Sure it’s factory-loaded, but you of all people shouldn’t have any trouble removing it. Since you care about them so much, all it would take is a little tweak, and they’d be free as birds… And yet you don’t. Why not? Shion: Because…company protocol dictate… Virgil: Exactly! It’s protocol! In other words, you’re just like me, bound by that protocol. We’re the ones that give them a reason to live. Am I wrong?! Shion: But I… Virgil: That’s the difference between us and them! Am I wrong?! So, why not give it to them? A meaning to their pitiful existence! Virgil activates the self-destruct of the Realians and they blew up the bridge and a couple of the Gnosis fell down. But suddenly, one Gnosis remains. Virgil: Son of a bitch!! (gets back in the A.G.W.S.) Out of the way! Move! The Gnosis attacked Virgil’s A.G.W.S. and Virgil came out of the A.G.W.S., but is still alive. The Gnosis then goes after Shion. It grabs Shion by the left arm tightly and is about to use its right arm to kill. Shion: I guess…this is it… I’m…going…to die… The screen shows Shion’s memories. Then later after the memory ended, Shion saw a young little girl. Shion: What’s…this girl…doing here…? …seen her…before…? …not safe there… Run…run away… …it’s no use…my…voice… Oh…well… I’m…going…to die…any…way… Suddenly, a beam was fired through the wall and it hit the Gnosis’ left arm, causing it to release Shion. Shion coughs after she was gripped tightly by the Gnosis. KOS-MOS appeared. Shion: KOS-MOS…?! KOS-MOS fired an arm cannon at the Gnosis. Then, Allen appeared. Allen: Chief! Are you all right?! Shion: (catching her breath) A-Allen…?! What are you doing here?! Allen: KOS-MOS helped everyone escape. They’re all on the training ship. Now we need to get you out of here. Shion: KOS-MOS?! When the Gnosis tries to approach closer, KOS-MOS activates the Hilbert Effect. Shion: What?! The Hilbert Effect?! KOS-MOS continues to destroy more Gnosis. Virgil: What the hell?! What is that?! Shion: KOS-MOS!! The Gnosis landed on KOS-MOS, but KOS-MOS uses her arm blade to cut and destroy the Gnosis. After that… Allen: I don’t believe it. KOS-MOS uses her gatling guns and fires at the Gnosis. After destroying them all… KOS-MOS: Shion. Shion: Uh…yes? KOS-MOS: We will now proceed to hangar one. There is a 99.998% probability that the Gnosis’ target is the object stored in that hangar. My assigned duties are to verify and preserve the integrity of that object and to protect the Vector staff members. Shion: Uh, but…I… KOS-MOS: Life pods are located on the second level of the hangar. Please use one to escape. Shion: KOS-MOS… Allen: Ch-Chief!! Suddenly, another Gnosis appeared with an arm gun. Shion’s group fights Cyclops. After Shion’s group defeated Cyclops, Shion’s group evacuates and KOS-MOS saw more Gnosis. KOS-MOS fired a pistol at the window and the outer space sucks out all of the Gnosis in the area. KOS-MOS catches up with Shion’s group. Allen: Really Chief, I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack just watching you. Here you go. It’s the prototype A.G.W.S. VX-10000 transport capsule that HQ sent over. At least it’s better than nothing. You know how to use it, right? Shion: Of course! I just got a little confused with all that’s been going on. Allen: Please be more careful, okay? I don’t know what I’ll do if anything were to happen to you… Shion: What?! Did you say something?! Allen: Nothing! Let’s go! Let’s find an escape pod quickly, and get out of here!! Shion’s group proceeds to the area with the Zohar. In there, Cherenkov tries to activate the console. Cherenkov: Damn it! Not now! (slams his hand on the console) Will my death be for nothing? Allen and Virgil continued to fire their assault rifle at the Gnosis and Shion saw an escape pod. Shion: Commander Cherenkov?! Cherenkov: What the…?! What are you people doing here?! One of the Gnosis has blown up. Cherenkov: …Gnosis!! KOS-MOS appeared with her gatling guns. Cherenkov: So…it’s functional… Virgil, KOS-MOS, and Allen continue to open fire at the Gnosis. Virgil: You want some of this? Then come and get it, you bastards! Shion grabs a sniper rifle and fires at the Gnosis. Suddenly, more Gnosis appeared and one appeared behind Shion. Virgil opened fire at the Gnosis and KOS-MOS is trying to aim for the Gnosis behind Shion. Her sensors lock-on to Virgil instead and opened fire at Virgil. Virgil saw one last thing, which is a young woman. Virgil: Feb… Virgil continues to be shot by KOS-MOS and then KOS-MOS ceased fire. Virgil falls to the floor. Blood came out of him and he died at the scene. Shion kneels to the ground and did not like what she saw. KOS-MOS: This ship is about to capsize. Please make haste. Shion: Wait…! KOS-MOS. KOS-MOS… Do…do you understand what you’ve just done?! KOS-MOS: My assigned duty is to protect Vector employees. Protection of military personnel is not part of my prime directive. Shion: (looking down) That’s no excuse! You have no right to go about killing people! Why did you shoot Lieutenant Virgil?! With your power, you don’t have to sacrifice anyone to… KOS-MOS: At that time, Lieutenant Virgil was in my direct line of fire. Any changes in my firing position to avoid Lieutenant Virgil while protecting you, would have resulted in a 30% depreciation in my offensive capabilities. On the other hand, with the Lieutenant’s death, there would only be a 0.2% drop in efficacy. I simply chose the option with the highest probability to keep you alive. Allen comforts Shion by placing his hand on her shoulder. KOS-MOS: Furthermore… The escape pod has a maximum capacity of two occupants. I believe it is obvious who gets priority. Shion: How could…! How could you even say that! Have you no conscience?! KOS-MOS: Shion. You forget, I am not human. I am merely a weapon. You of all people should be well aware of that fact. What is your decision? Will you board the escape pod? OR will you not board the escape pod? If you wish to express remorse for his death, it is best that you survive. Otherwise, you will render his death meaningless. Allen makes Shion stand up. Allen: Come on, Chief… Let’s go… Shion’s group proceeds to the lowering platform, but then, Minotaur appeared. Shion and KOS-MOS fights Minotaur and 2 Sky Fishes. After Shion and KOS-MOS defeated Minotaur and 2 Sky Fishes, Shion and Allen board the escape pod. KOS-MOS continues to kill the Gnosis. However, the Gnosis seized the Zohar and it disappeared. The Woglinde is destroyed. Shion’s group made it out alive, but they are in outer space. KOS-MOS looks in her sensors. KOS-MOS: …Affirmative. The target object was not the Original… KOS-MOS saw a Zohar in her sensors. KOS-MOS: …Affirmative. It was an Emulator. KOS-MOS looks at the Emulator in her sensors. KOS-MOS: ...Roger. Upon deploying tracking device, I will depart immediately. As originally planned, I will head for Second Miltia. KOS-MOS saw the Gnosis going through the jump gate. KOS-MOS used her rail gun and fired at the jump gate and it closed. KOS-MOS’ sensors show that there is a civilian ship nearby. The screen switches to the civilian ship Elsa. Matthews: What a mess… 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? Tony: 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 signs of any nearby ships, either. Right, Hammer? Hammer: Yep. We’re the only ship within a 5,000 light-year radius. Matthews: All right. (lights out his cigarette) That should be enough. Let’s grab anything that looks salvageable. Hammer: You know, Captain… 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 Feds find us out, we’d be lucky to get 10 years. Matthews: That’s if they find out. You know the Feds aren’t gonna patrol all the way out here in the middle of nowhere. Hammer: Well…I just don’t like the idea of feeding off the dead. I mean, what are we, space jackals? Vultures? Hyenas? Captain Matthews kicks Hammer’s seat. Matthews: 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: Master Gaignun told us to stay away from any “side jobs,” remember? He said it hurts the Foundation’s image. I don’t know… Tony then heard a signal. Tony: Oh-hoh! We got a wrecked ship here, three o’clock! Looks like a Ganymede class… Matthews: Nice work there, Tony. Good thing we were tapping the U.M.N. emergency channel… Come on, pull in close. Hurry! Hammer: Yep, we’re vultures… Matthews: What was that? The Elsa approaches closer. Hammer: Spectrum matches up perfectly. It's a geocrystal. Matthews: All right! Not bad. Let’s start with that one! Tony takes a clear look at someone floating, which is actually KOS-MOS. Tony freaked out. Tony: That’s not a geocrystal, you idiot! It’s a corpse! Matthews: Well…what’d you expect? This is a battlefield. It’s no big deal. Don’t bother wasting fuel. Just keep going and let it bounce off. Tony: You’re kidding, right?! My dead grandma told me to be respectful of the dead. Sorry, but I don’t want to any bad karma. You do it, Captain. Matthews: Ya moron… What, is that your grandfather out there? Don’t be ridiculous! Just shut up and keep moving. Tony: Man, not again! Captain, this is so typical of you. Making us do all the dirty work! KOS-MOS floats to the outside of the front window of the Elsa. Matthews: Ya moron! What the hell are you doing? I said bounce it off! Tony: Well, don’t look at me! It got stuck on its own. It’s not my fault! Matthews: Whatever, just get rid of it. Hammer: Heeeey, it’s a girl… She might be cute, you know. Heh, heh… Matthews: Heh, heh my ass, you sicko! Who the hell cares how she looks? She’s dead! Tony: Exactly. Besides, she’s facing the other way. It’s a shame we can’t meet face to face… KOS-MOS looks at the window and Matthews’ crews freaked out. KOS-MOS stands near the window. KOS-MOS: Please open your communications line. I need to speak with you. Frequency, 2020. Hammer: (freaked out) A talking corpse! Matthews: Ya moron! Open your eyes! That ain’t no corpse! Tony: This ain’t happening, this ain’t happening… Matthews: It’s a…Realian, or a cyborg… Something like that. Hammer: B-but I’ve never heard of a Realian that can operate out in space?! Matthews: Well…it’s probably a military robot or something. Just open the channel. Hammer opens the channel. Matthews: (to KOS-MOS) Ahem…I am Captain Matthews of the tramp freighter Elsa. We received your SOS signal earlier. It happened to be within range of our navigational path, so we rushed here to your rescue… Hammer: Huh? Rescue?! Captain Matthews kicks Hammer’s head. Matthews: So…is there anything we can do to assist you? Hammer: What do you mean, rescue…? What about our side job? Matthews: Relax, ya moron… 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. KOS-MOS: I will make this brief. I request that you gate jump to Second Miltia immediately. Matthews: Say what?! Oh, 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? KOS-MOS: There is no need for concern. We will cover all U.M.N. gate fees incurred. Matthews: 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. KOS-MOS: My time is limited as well. Failure to comply will result in the destruction of this window. Matthews: Go ahead, give it a try! The Elsa’s forward window can withstand direct hits from debris as big as 6mm! KOS-MOS is about to strike the glass window. Matthews: A punch from a girlie like you wouldn’t even dent… KOS-MOS punches the window. It didn’t shatter, but it cracked. KOS-MOS: 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 the ship. Captain Matthews’s crews are frightened. Matthews: …Daahhh! Okay, okay!! We’ll do it, we’ll do it… Don’t be so rash. KOS-MOS: Had you accommodated me from the outset, we would have saved one minute, 45 seconds. I am coming onboard now. Please open the cargo bay. Matthews: Ah…right. KOS-MOS: One more thing… Matthews: W...uh, what? Tony is about to pull the accelerator lever. KOS-MOS: 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. Captain Matthews is frustrated. Hammer: She’s got us read… Matthews: Shut up! KOS-MOS with her maintenance bed goes into the Elsa ship. Later… Hammer: Huh? Hey, Captain… I’ve got someone on the open channel. Matthews: Who could it be? Survivors? Hammer: I dunno. Hold on, I’ll put it on the speakers. Hammer turns on the speakers. Allen: …Hello! Is anybody out there?! The screen switches to the escape pod with Cherenkov holding the outside and Allen using his U.M.N. from the inside along with Shion. Allen: Hello? Anyone? If anyone is scanning this channel, please help! C’mon Chief, you give it a try. Shion: Don’t worry… A rescue ship will come for us eventually. I’m more concerned about KOS-MOS. Now where could she be… Allen: How would I know? Besides, we’re not out of the woods yet. I mean, the Gnosis might still be around… Shion: I’m not worried about that right now. We have to retrieve KOS-MOS… Shion activates the console. Allen: Forget about KOS-MOS, what about us? Ahh…If I knew this was gonna happen, I wouldn’t have let everyone else go first… Maybe they’re still around…you think? Shion: I can’t believe you… Allen… How can you be so insensitive? After all that’s happened… In the Elsa, Matthews’ crews can hear Shion and Allen arguing. Allen: What do you mean? Of course I’m traumatized! Chief, that was really uncalled for… Do you think that I’m an emotionless android? For you to even think that is the most traumatizing thing of all… Shion: Oh, I never said anything like that! Allen: You just did! You think I’m an android, don’t you! Matthews: What the hell? KOS-MOS activates the console. Matthews: H-hey?! KOS-MOS: Shion. Shion: …KOS-MOS?! KOS-MOS, is that you?! The monitor showing Shion and Allen in the escape pod can be seen in the Elsa. Shion: Where are you right now?! KOS-MOS: I am onboard a civilian ship passing through the area. Please remain at your current locale. A Federation rescue vessel should arrive soon. Shion: Remain…here? KOS-MOS, just what are you up to? KOS-MOS: I am commandeering this ship to go to second Miltia. These are my orders from Headquarters. Allen: You’re going whe…? Wait a second! What about us? KOS-MOS: Unfortunately, you were not mentioned in my orders. Therefore, this mission takes priority. Allen: Oh, I see…What, you expect us to sit here and wait for the cavalry? KOS-MOS: That is the logical conclusion. Allen: Wait a second! What guarantee do we have that the Federation will dispatch a rescue?! What if no one comes?! The two of us’ll starve to death inside this pod! You can’t do this! KOS-MOS: Actually, suffocation would come first. Your air supply will be depleted in 46 hours. Allen: In that case… Suffocation?! KOS-MOS: That is correct. But there is a 96% probability that a rescue vessel will arrive within 15 hours. Your chances of survival are high, but this is not a certainty. Allen: Uh…but… Shion: There’s no way I’m going to allow this! You cannot act on your own, KOS-MOS. Bring us onboard immediately! KOS-MOS: There is no time for this. I am signing off. Shion, Allen, place take care. Shion: Now just wait a second, KOS-MOS! You better bring us onboard or I’ll open the hatch! You hear me?! Allen: Whaaa! What are you doing, Chief?! Please, don’t do anything crazy!! Shion: Be quiet, Allen! (to KOS-MOS) Listen to me, KOS-MOS. You know what’ll happen if I turn this lever, right? Doesn’t this go against your directive? After all, you’re supposed to bring us back alive… Am I right…? KOS-MOS: You are delaying me from my mission, I suggest you do as you please. KOS-MOS walks away. Shion: KOS-MOS!! You don’t believe I’ll do it, do you?! I’m serious, you know! Shion pulls the lever and the alarm was set off in the escape pod. Allen: Wahhhhhhhh! She’s really gonna do it!! KOS-MOS looks at Shion and Allen without a word. chaos: Why not help her? Sounds like she means it. Matthews: Hey, chaos. You’re up. chaos: With all this racket…who would sleep? KOS-MOS looks at chaos in her sensors. chaos: So, is that okay with you? KOS-MOS said nothing. chaos: Well, it looks like she doesn’t have any objections. So it’s all up to you, Captain. What do you say? I think we ought to rescue them. Matthews: (smoking a cigarette) Well, if you say so… Sure, I don‘t mind. chaos: Tony? The Elsa recovers the escape pod. Shion, Allen, and Cherenkov go to the bridge. Shion: Excuse us… Um…we… Matthews: I’m Captain Matthews. Shion: My name is Shion Uzuki, and I’m from Vector Industries First R&D Division. Shion and Captain Matthews shake hands. Shion: And this is my co-worker, Allen Ridgeley, who also works in the same division. We do apologize for all the trouble our errant KOS-MOS may have caused you. (to Allen) C’mon, Allen! Show them your gratitude. Allen: Ah…right. (to Matthews) Thank heavens you were around to rescue us. We almost became space dust out there because of my stubborn boss here… Argh!! Shion intentionally stepped on Allen’s left foot. Matthews: You outta save your thanks for chaos over there. We were just gonna leave you and fly on out of here. Shion: Oh…I see… Shion approaches toward chaos and holds his hand. Shion: Thank you…chaos. chaos: No, don’t mention it. After all, we all need a little help sometimes. Matthews: Yeah…He often saves our hides, too. So…we can’t turn him down when he asks for a favor. Shion: I see. That reminds me… Hey, KOS-MOS! And just what do you think you’re doing?! You left us and then tried to go to Second Miltia by yourself! Maybe your OS is malfunctioning or something? KOS-MOS: Yes, that is possible. Shion: By the way…what were the orders from HQ? KOS-MOS: Captain Matthews. May I use the maintenance lab next to the hangar? Shion: Just a second, KOS-MOS…? Matthews: Yeah, sure. What for? Shion: KOS-MOS! KOS-MOS: Due to the limitations of the test-use condenser, my energy reserves are almost depleted. I wish to receive a co-generator bypass in order to replenish them. Shion: Hey! What is wrong with you? Answer me, KOS-MOS!! Matthews: So, you’ll cover the bill, right? KOS-MOS: Yes. Shion: KOS-MO… KOS-MOS: Shion. Shion: Y-yes? KOS-MOS: My sensors appear to be malfunctioning. Please adjust them before we disembark at our destination. Shion: Wha…? Why should I… KOS-MOS: Please, Shion. This is part of your job, is it not? KOS-MOS left the scene. Shion: (to Matthews) I’m terribly sorry. The girl is just so stubborn. I do apologize for all the trouble she’s causing. chaos: It’s all right. I’m actually enjoying it. This ship’s much livelier with more crew members. Tony: You got that right. We can always use some more women around here. (to Shion) How about it? Tony placed his arm on Shion’s shoulder. Tony: Once we arrive, how about you and I get a suite and settle in with a nice bottle of wine…? Tony holds Shion’s hand. Allen: (angry at Tony) Wha…? HEEYYY!! Shion: (to Tony) Huh? Uh…sure… Matthews: All right, that’s enough, Tony. Never mind her, at least she’s a real girl. The other one’s not even human – she’s battle weaponry. chaos: You think so, huh? She appears to be just like any other human to me. Later… Cherenkov: Captain. Any chance of stopping at Senir? Matthews: That’s enroute on the column… Three or so days from Atalya. If that’s your destination, sure, I can do that. Cherenkov: I see. And the fee…? Matthews: Today just ain’t my day…And getting greedy now won’t do me any good. I’ll just put it on my tab. Cherenkov: I appreciate it. Matthews: Ah, don’t mention it. You’re a Marine. Let’s just chalk it up to my bit of charity for the Corps. Suddenly, a Gnosis appeared form outside near the front window. Hammer: G, G, Gn, Gno, Gno…. Shion: Gnosis! Allen: I knew it! A couple of them are still lurking around! The Gnosis came through the window. Tony It’s coming in! Cherenkov: Son of a bitch! Cherenkov pulled out a pistol and opened fire at the Gnosis. After Cherenkov stopped firing, the Gnosis grabbed Cherenkov by the neck and while the Gnosis tries to petrify Cherenkov… Matthews: chaos!! chaos: I know. Shion: chaos!! chaos: It’s okay. chaos used his power to freeze the Gnosis’ action and made it disappear. Cherenkov is released. Shion: The Gnosis... Allen: What did he just…do? Matthews: Well, that’s what I meant when I said he looks out for us. Shion: Looks out for you?! How did he just do that? I’ve never heard of a human that can defeat Gnosis… chaos: These 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 the Captain. Matthews: Ahh, yes… Hey, wait a second! chaos: I believe everyone has at least one skill that they excel in over all others. It’s something that defines who they are. Shion… What is it that defines you? Shion: Huh? Me? Well, I… chaos: It’s the same for me. It's just something I can do. Tony: Yep, that’s all there is to it. Shion: Ah… I see. Right…I think I get it! It sort of makes sense when you put it that way. Hammer: Yep, that’s how it is. Allen: That’s all th… What the…?! (to Shion) How can you be convinced by that? That was a Gnosis, Chief, a Gnosis!! chaos: Well, Captain. We better head for our destination before she throws us off the ship. The girl seems to be a stickler for schedules and all. Matthews: 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: 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: 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? Matthews: Ya moron. Getting a visual food is nothing compared to immersing yourself in the real thing. There’s a world of difference between the two. It’s all about reality. Tony: Who are you kidding, it’s all the same! Your brain can’t tell the difference. Matthews: Why, you… Hurry up and take us outta here! Tony: All right. Roger that. chaos: Well, then. I’ll take Shion and the others to their rooms. Shion: That’s very kind of you. Matthews: All right, you do that. Damn… Today’s been one hell of a day… The Elsa takes off. Meanwhile in the pyramid base where Wilhelm is… Hooded Man: Master Wilhelm. I have a report from KOS-MOS. Shion Uzuki and Allen Ridgeley have both joined up with KOS-MOS. Wilhelm: I see. Hooded Man: This is fortunate, especially since there’s an unidentified ship closing in on the battlefield. Wilhelm: And if the ship were to threaten the girl, KOS-MOS would protect her… Is that not right? Hooded Man: Yes. That would be the prime directive. Wilhelm: 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. Master Wilhelm gets up. Wilhelm: As for the rest… Gather the necessary factors and wait for the other one to awaken… The camera switches to the planet that later blew up. In the area with the U-TIC soldiers… Margulis: What’s one and a half billion people to us… Pellegri: They’re innocents! Surely they deserve more respect. Margulis: 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. Pellegri said nothing. Margulis: 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. Pellegri: What about you?! Margulis: 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 14 years? U-TIC Soldier: Commander Margulis. Margulis: What? U-TIC Soldier: A message from Lieutenant Commander Vanderkam, sole survivor of the Vanguard force. The unit was decimated, the Zohar Emulator, unsecured. Margulis: Where’s the Zohar now? U-TIC Soldier: Location unknown. Possibly seized by the Gnosis. Margulis: I see. Notify the 474th Spec Ops Fleet. We may need to implement Plan 31. Have them stand by in the specified coordinates for further orders. U-TIC Soldier: Yes, Sir! The screen switches to the Federation Capital Fifth Jerusalem Orbit Tower. Inside the circular room with people sitting on a chair… Man 1: So, what can you tell us about this man? Man 2: He was a Special Forces agent with the Federation Police. A counterterrorism specialist. Of course, that was over a hundred years ago. Now he’s a cyborg working freelance missions. Man 1: A cyborg? How anachronistic. Woman: He’s a relic from the days when they reanimated the dead. They didn’t have disposable Realians like we do now. Man 3: Well, he’s certainly got quite a resumé… Man 2: Rumor has it he deliberately seeks out missions with low odds of success. Man 4: Is he insane? Of just fascinated with death? Man 2: Well, he’s been given a clean bill of mental health. It doesn’t look like he does it for the killing. Man 5: Hmph. Advances in science have placed thousands of drugs on our shelves, and yet we still let psychiatrist wield their influence over us. They use these “assessments” to validate their existence. I don’t believe them one bit. Man 1: Well, he’s got an extremely high success rate…I think he’ll be fine. A signal was heard. Voice of a Woman: Sir, he’s here. Man 1: Show him in. A hologram woman and Ziggurat 8 came up in an elevator. Man 1: That’ll be all. Hologram Woman: Yes, sir. The hologram woman disappeared. Man 3: Ziggurat 8, isn’t it? Upon your death in T.C. 4667, you donated your body and chose to become a product of Ziggurat Industries. Ziggurat 8: That’s correct. Man 1: Have you heard about the mission? Ziggurat 8: No. Man 4: Recently, we’ve received information that a certain armed group has shown signs of resurgence. This same group was responsible for the events that took place 14 years ago. Ziggurat 8: The U-TIC Organization… Man 5: That’s right. The information we’ve received from our independent sources has helped to identify the location of the U-TIC Organization’s hideout. The man shows Ziggurat 8 a structure on the screen. Man 1: This structure was originally a shrine for some long lost ancient religion. It was eventually abandoned and remained uninhabited for centuries. Ziggurat 8: So you want me to infiltrate and collect information on the group? Man 4: If that was all we needed, we would have left it to our intelligence agency. Man 1: Actually… To put it simply, we need you to rescue someone and return her to her rightful place. And technically, she’s not human… Ziggurat 8: Just tell me what I need to know. Juli Mizrahi shows a girl on the screen. Ziggurat 8: A child… Is she a civilian? Man 2: She’s a Realian, a 100-Series Realian. You heard of them? Ziggurat 8: The 100-Series Observational Realians…built specifically to combat the Gnosis. I’ve heard rumors of them, but I didn’t know they were disguised as children. Man 2: Is this the first time you’ve seen the real thing? Ziggurat 8: Yes. But isn’t Vector already mass-producing them? Man 5: This is a prototype. It will serve as the model for all future 100-Series Observational Units. Ziggurat 8: So, what you’re telling me is that securing this “little girl” takes priority over all else, right? Man 5: It helps that you’re a quick study. Man 1: So, will you take the mission? Ziggurat 8: A cyborg has no rights. I cannot refuse your request. I will analyze the situation and let you know what weapons and resources I need. I don’t mean to demand any compensation, but…may I make one request? Man 5: Go ahead. Ziggurat 8: After my return, I ask that you eliminate the neural memories residing in my brain from my previous life. Man 5: That’s not a problem, but it could be a difficult procedure with a body as outdated as yours. Ziggurat 8: Add as many synthetic parts as necessary. Man 3: What an odd request. These days, Realians are clamoring for human rights, but here’s a man who wants to become a machine. All right. We’ll make the arrangements. Ziggurat 8: Thank you. Woman: You can get the specifics from her, Dr. Juli Mizrahi…later. Ziggurat 8 takes the elevator down and left the scene. Juli Mizrahi: Well, well… He didn’t die in the line of duty. It says here he committed suicide. One shot in the head from his beloved pistol. Man 4: Did you say suicide? Can we entrust the 100-Series to that man? What if his self-destructive tendencies arise? Juli Mizrahi: Not to worry. He’s been equipped with a safety mechanism, which prevents him from hurting himself or abandoning his mission. Juli Mizrahi gets up and walks towards the window. Juli Mizrahi: He was brought back to life against his will. Once he replaces the rest of his brain with synthetics, he’ll be a complete machine. Only then…will he be legally dead. The screen switches to the prison in Pleroma where Margulis comes in to the girl’s prison. Margulis: How are you feeling, 100-Series Realian? Is the food here unsatisfactory? Even Realians require nourishment, you know. Are the Federation’s 100-Series Realians so ill-mannered that they don’t even reply to simple questions? Girl: I don’t like that name. Margulis: Well, my goodness, pardon me. And what would you like to be called, Miss 100-Series Realian? Girl: I don’t like strangers to be calling me by my name. Where are you planning on taking me? Margulis: That, I’m afraid, is not for you to know. Girl: What will happen to me? Margulis: You’re going to help us out. Machines like you exist to be used. What happens to you after that, god only knows. …Assuming you people even have a god, that is. Girl: All I can really do is seek out and find the Gnosis. I can’t help you with anything! Margulis: That may be true. But this part of you is a little different. We’d like to have a word with the man you have hidden inside of you. The girl gasp. Margulis: In any case, you’d best be keeping yourself alive as long as possible. “He” will be arriving soon. Margulis left the girl’s cell. Girl: Mommy… I want to go home to the lab… The screen switches to a ship flying into Pleroma. Inside, the U-TIC soldiers get out of the ship and Ziggurat 8 who is nearly invisible gets out. Ziggurat 8: (Let’s see…the mission objective is to rescue a 100-Series Realian. Now, where is she being held captive…?) (I don’t want to cause a commotion until I find the Realian. It would be best to avoid unnecessary confrontation.) Ziggurat 8 moves on. Near the entrance, Ziggurat 8 sets the charges near the entrance on each side. Then in the next room, he hides and peeks at the U-TIC soldiers. Suddenly, his invisible cloak malfunctioned. Ziggurat 8: Damn it. A malfunction. …I see. In Ziggurat 8’s memory… Ziggurat 8: So that 100-Series Realian is coded with extensive amounts of research data left behind by the founder of U-TIC? Juli Mizrahi: Yes. It’s data that could effect the entire fate of mankind. Ziggurat 8: What is the founder’s involvement? Juli Mizrahi: The founder of U-TIC was the same man who advocated the creation of that child: the 100-Series Observational Unit. Joachim Mizrahi… A madman who lost his humanity by immersing himself in science. (pauses for a moment) You look as if you have something to say…? Yes, you guessed correctly. He is my ex-husband. Do you want to know what it was like being married to a murderer? Ziggurat 8: No. Juli Mizrahi: In any case, it’s certain that the Organization is frantically trying to get its hands on that data. I’m afraid we don’t have much time to spare. Ziggurat 8: Understood. I’ll be leaving tomorrow at 0600 hours. Juli Mizrahi: Our hopes rest on you. Ziggurat 8: There’s…one more thing I’d like to clarify. Juli Mizrahi: Yes? Ziggurat 8: My instructions are to take the Realian to the Miltian star system… Yet she’s registered with the government as your daughter. Why is it that you don’t want me to bring her back here? Juli Mizrahi: We’re currently carrying out an operation based in the area between Miltia and Michtam. An operation vital to the human race. That’s why I’m sending her there. That’s all I can say right now. Besides… This way, I won’t have to see her either. The memory ended. Ziggurat 8: Juli Mizrahi… What a strange woman. Ziggurat 8 proceeds to the prison area. In the prison area, Ziggurat 8 hides as he hears the U-TIC soldiers talking to each other. U-TIC Soldier 1: That’s odd… B Block hasn’t checked in yet. I’ll go check up on them. You two, stay right there! U-TIC Soldier 2: Yes, Sir! The girl looks out of the cell. Girl: Is something wrong out there? U-TIC Soldier 2: Shut up and sit down! Ziggurat 8: That must be where she is… Ziggurat 8 fights and defeats the 2 U-TIC Soldiers. After that, they fall to the ground dead. Girl: Who…are you? Ziggurat 8: The Contact Subcommittee sent me here to rescue you. Girl: The Contact Subcommittee? Mommy?! Ziggurat 8: Stand away from the door. I’m going to break it in. Girl: Wait – you can’t. They said an alarm would go off if I tried to force it open. Ziggurat 8: Hmm…I guess looks can be deceiving… Girl: There should be a master key held somewhere in this block. If you can find it… Ziggurat 8: All right. I’ll be right back. Ziggurat 8 went to the control room and in there, he fights Gardis M1. After Ziggurat 8 defeated Gardis M1, he found a Master Key. Ziggurat 8: This should open that lock. I must hurry back to the cell. Ziggurat 8 used the Master Key to open the girl’s cell. After that, Ziggurat 8 examines the girl with his sensors. Ziggurat 8: Let me just confirm… You are the 100-Series Observational Unit prototype, correct? Girl: I don’t really…like that name… Ziggurat 8: Do you have another one? The U-TIC soldier who was supposed to be dead activates the alert switch and then dies. The alarm can be heard and the whole area is on alert. Ziggurat 8: We’ll talk later. Let’s go! MOMO: MOMO! Daddy calls me MOMO… I meant…he called me MOMO. Ziggurat 8: All right… Let’s go, MOMO. MOMO: Okay! The girl will be known as MOMO from this point on. Outside of the cell… MOMO: If we get into a fight, I will support you from the rear row, I don’t want to get in your way up in front. Plus, if I am directly behind you, I can prevent the enemy from pushing you back to the rear row with certain attacks like “Back Toss.” Ziggurat 8: Affirmative. But if I guard against attacks like “Back Toss,” I can prevent that from happening. Don’t concern yourself with me. Concentrate on yourself. We must hurry. Let’s go! Ziggurat 8 and MOMO tries to go back to where Ziggurat 8 previous went, but however, the U-TIC soldiers were in the bridge section of the cathedral. Captain: Two enemy entities. An enhanced cyborg and a child-model Realian. Our mission is to prevent them from getting past this point. Aggressive measures are prohibited. Attacking the Realian is strictly prohibited. Ziggurat 8: (to himself) These guys are certainly not idiots. Their response time is quick. They also change their routes. Looks like I really have my work cut out for me this time. Ziggurat 8 and MOMO proceeds to the control room. On their way… U-TIC Soldier: I think the intruders went that way! Find them! Ziggurat 8 enters the control room. In there, he hides and the U-TIC soldiers are trying to search for him and MOMO. U-TIC Soldier: She’s gone! Where’d she go? In the control room… MOMO: Umm… Are you a military Realian? Ziggurat 8: No, an ex-human. MOMO: Ex-human? Ziggurat 8: A cyborg. An ancient relic. I registered as an organ donor without giving it much thought, and they resurrected me after my death. MOMO: That infamous Life Recycling Act, right? Ziggurat 8: Yeah. The Species Preservation Act came about thanks to the mess that old law caused. MOMO: Umm…you still haven’t… …told me your name. Ziggurat 8: It's Ziggurat 8. MOMO: Ziggurat…8? You’re a real human, but your name sounds more like a model number. I know! How about I call you Ziggy instead? Z-I-G-G-Y. It’s short for Ziggurat… Ziggurat 8 will now be called Ziggy from this point on. Ziggy flashes back to the time when he was still a human and is with his son. The son is having fun with the dog. Son: Thanks, Dad!! Dad: (Ziggy’s former life) Ahhh… I wanted to get you a real one if I could, but… I just couldn’t get one… Son: Oh, no, it’s great, Dad! He’s so cute! Hey, Dad, what’s his name? Did you give him one yet? Dad: Nexus 6. Son: That’s just his model number, isn’t it? That makes him sound like a robot. Dad: Ah, yeah… Son: Hmm… …I know! How about Nex? It’s short for Nexus 6! What do you think, huh, Dad? Dad: Y, yeah…That’s a great name…! Son: Really? Come on, Nex! Let’s go! Come on, boy! The son runs off with the dog, Nex. The flashback ended. MOMO: Do you think it sounds like a puppy’s name? Ziggy: Hmm? No… Call me whatever you want. MOMO: Okay, then Ziggy it is! You’ll sound a lot more human now! Ziggy: (examining for U-TIC soldiers) Well…looks like they’re gone. Ziggy and MOMO activates the switch in the control room and after that, they move forward. The screen switches to the other control room with Commander Margulis, Pellegri, and the U-TIC soldiers. U-TIC Soldier: Commander! The intruder is after the 100-Series! Margulis: Really…Probably one of the government’s dogs. U-TIC Soldier: The intruder disappeared from our sensors near D Block. All units are currently patrolling the area. Margulis: Surround D Block. We’ll fence them in from both sides. U-TIC Soldier: Yes, Sir. The screen switches to Ziggy and MOMO where they make their escape. In the next area, Ziggy and MOMO takes their hiding position from the A.G.W.S. units piloted by the U-TIC soldiers. Ziggy: A.G.W.S. units… This sure doesn’t look like a simple resurgence of an armed group. MOMO: What should we do? Ziggy: I don’t know. We won’t be able to stay here much longer. MOMO: …A large number of soldiers are making their way over here. At this rate, this room will be filled with over a hundred soldiers in eight minutes. Ziggy: Recon Realians are pretty handy. Ziggy takes a sneak peak at the A.G.W.S. Ziggy: I guess rushing them is out of the question. MOMO: Even for you? Ziggy: Not even a cyborg can take on three A.G.W.S. units. I’d be shot to pieces. MOMO: What if the A.G.W.S. units couldn’t use their sensors? Ziggy: Well, that would probably help. But why? MOMO: I can reduce their ability to some extent. Ziggy: How? MOMO: The Hilbert Effect. Using inverted Hilbert wavelengths, I can create cross-interference that automatically shuts down the A.G.W.S.’ D.S.S.S. enemy sensor system. That should take out most of their external sensors. Ziggy: The Hilbert Effect? MOMO: It’s an anti-Gnosis materialization system. Normally it’s spread out over a wide range via an amplifier installed onboard a spacecraft, but I can create the effect by myself in small areas like this. Ziggy: That might work. All right, go ahead. MOMO: Okay. All right, here I go. MOMO activates the Hilbert Effect. Ziggy: The Hilbert Effect… So this is our secret weapon against the Gnosis. After MOMO activated the Hilbert Effect, it stopped and she collapsed, but is still conscious. Captain: What was that? What happened?! Subordinate A: Hilbert waves! Somebody’s using the Hilbert Effect on us! Subordinate B: My enemy sensor system has shut down! Captain: It’s the 100-Series! I can tell from the cross-interference! Find her! She’s close! Ziggy: (to MOMO) You mentioned cross-interference. Do you feel the effects, too? MOMO: I’m…fine… I’m supposed…to have…a much higher…capacity…than them. Ziggy: Rest a bit. I’ll take care of this. MOMO: I’m…okay… I can still…help out. MOMO stands up. MOMO: My nanorepair function is still operational… Ziggy and MOMO fights Zolfo and 2 Mercurio. After Ziggy and MOMO defeated Zolfo and 2 Mercurio, they make a daring escape. Outside of the entrance, Commander Margulis wields flame from his sword at Ziggy and MOMO. But Ziggy’s powerful cyborg body shielded him and MOMO from the attack. Margulis: I see. It’s that body of yours that got you this far. Still, what a worthless bunch. I can’t believe they couldn’t stop a lone cyborg. MOMO: Ziggy, this is the guy… Ziggy: Yeah. I know. Margulis: Looks like I’m about to get some decent exercise. (looking at his sword) And this baby’s quite pleased as well. Ziggy and MOMO fights Margulis. After the fight… Margulis: What’s wrong? Is that all you got? Ziggy activates the detonator and the charges blew up. Upon the explosion, the alarm was heard. Ziggy and MOMO proceeds to an unpiloted escape ship. Ziggy stops for a moment and looks at something in his sensors. After that… Ziggy: You ready? MOMO: Uh huh! Ziggy and MOMO takes off with the ship. U-TIC Soldier: Launch the pursuit fighters! Hurry! Three pursuit fighters take off and go after Ziggy and MOMO’s ship. Margulis appeared after he came out of the explosion. Margulis: Thorough, isn’t he… U-TIC Soldier: Hurry up and put out the fire before the ammo ignites! The U-TIC soldiers used their fire extinguisher to put out the flames of the explosion. Then a mystery man with a 100-Series Realian appeared. Margulis: You’re late… Without a word, the mystery man approaches closer. The screen switches to the escape ship piloted by Ziggy and MOMO. Ziggy with his eyes closed flashes back from the past of what happened during the Pleroma alert. MOMO: Is…something wrong? Ziggy: No, it’s nothing. MOMO. Find a trade column and short-jump us out of here. I want to get back on our return path, once we shake off the pursuit. MOMO: Okay! Ziggy and MOMO takes off to the jump gate. The three pursuit fighters chase after them. Meanwhile in the Elsa, everybody is at the restaurant having a plate of rice and curry. Shion: C’mon everybody, let’s eat! Tony: I’m starving man! Hammer: --Let’s eat! Matthews: --Let’s chow down! Everybody begins eating the rice and curries. Shion: Well? Not bad, huh? Allen: Chief, it’s delicious! Tony: Yeah! This ain’t bad at all… Matthews: Oh, come on! How can this girl’s cooking be any good? chaos: But Captain, you’re stuffing your face… Matthews: Ahhh…shut up! Don’t disturb a man when he’s eating. (to Shion) Water! Shion: Sure. chaos: (to Shion) You do quite a lot. Shion: Really? This is pretty typical for me back home. (gave a refilled glass of water to Captain Matthews) I have my no-good brother to thank for that. He doesn’t do a thing all day except sit around and read books. chaos: Heh. Well…there’s no one on this ship that has any of your skills. Shion: That’s a shame…I guess that’s what happens when you have an entirely male crew. Hammer: You got that right! Normally, there’s not even a hint of estrogen on this ship. So you can forget about having a good meal. Shion: Who usually does the cooking around here? Tony: (smoking a cigarette) We take turns. Not that it matters, because the cooking’s ALWAYS bad. chaos: There is one person onboard who does nothing but eat… Allen: Umm… Matthews: What’s that?! (to Shion) …Water! Shion: Sure. Allen: Chief…um… Can I have some water too…? Shion: Oh! Sorry! I hadn’t noticed… Allen: (wondering) …hadn’t noti… Later after Shion’s group was finished with the meal, the screen switches to the kitchen where Shion and Allen are washing dishes. Allen: …So, what’re we going to do now? Shion: Well, we certainly can’t leave KOS-MOS to her own devices, can we? She’s functioning independently! Allen: And to think, we were supposed to get vacation time once we completed the startup experiment and turned her over to the Second Division… Shion: (giggles) You’re starting to sound a lot like the Captain. There’s no use crying over spilled milk, you know. The first thing we need to do is to contact Headquarters and ask for instructions. Allen: (sigh) So I guess we’re stuck with these guys for a little longer… Shion: Huh? What do you mean? Allen: I got a little suspicious, so I checked this ship’s registry. Did you know that these guys are with the Kukai Foundation? That place is bad news. I heard a rumor that it’s just crawling with mutants. Shion: Hey, that’s kind of a racist comment. Listen, Allen. Sure, it’s a well known fact. The Kukai Foundation was established by the Miltian government as a specialized military group. But they only held that status until the completion of the post-war proceedings. Although…they haven’t gotten around to demilitarizing quite yet, they’re being run like any other valid foundation nowadays. You know…as a matter of fact, their current director received a lot of praise for taking in and protecting victims in the days before the Species Preservation Act. He’s really to be commended. Now what was his name… Umm… chaos: Gaignun Kukai. chaos came inside the kitchen. Shion: Oh, chaos! What’s up? chaos: Oh, I just dropped in to see if there was anything I could help out with. Shion: Oh, thanks! We could use some help drying the dishes. chaos: Sure thing. chaos helped on drying the dishes. After that… Allen: Whew! That’s everything. chaos: Yup. (saw a dish full of rice and curry) Huh? What’s this? Shion: Oh, that’s for the Commander… Allen: Come to think of it, he didn’t join us for dinner, did he? Shion: No, and I even called him… Oh, well. I’ll just heat it up and take it to him. Allen: Well, how about we call it a day? chaos: Good idea. Oh… Shion: Did you forget something? chaos: No, but… Where did KOS-MOS go? Shion: Oh, KOS-MOS? She’s being tuned in her service module, down in the hangar. It’ll probably take a few more hours. …Oh, did you want to go down and talk to her? I’m sure she’d like that. chaos: Oh, really? Shion: Of course. chaos: Thanks. See you later. Shion: Bye! chaos left the scene. After that, Shion takes the tray with a plate full of rice and curry and searches for Commander Cherenkov. Meanwhile in the maintenance room, chaos goes inside and looks at the maintenance bed opened revealing KOS-MOS. chaos: So…we finally meet. Now, where does the real you exist? chaos pauses for a moment. chaos: Good night… chaos left the scene. Commander Cherenkov came in and looks at KOS-MOS. Then he flashes back to scene that might be an illusion. In his U-TIC soldier uniform, Cherenkov saw a hooded man and he gave Cherenkov a U.M.N. Cherenkov: So you’re the… Cherenkov looks at the U.M.N. Cherenkov: I trust this will work correctly? But…why? The hooded man disappeared. The screen then switches to the lab in the Woglinde where the employees are working on KOS-MOS. Then suddenly, U-TIC soldiers rushed into the scene armed with assault rifles. Cherenkov: This facility is now under control of the U-TIC Organization. Any resistance whatsoever will be met with deadly force. So don’t even think about trying anything. As long as you follow our orders, you will not be harmed. We appreciate your cooperation. Cherenkov activates the U.M.N. and the maintenance bed of KOS-MOS opens but it appears in brownish-gold color. Shion: KOS-MOS! KOS-MOS moves really dangerously and turns her head around and then jumps on one of the U-TIC soldiers and kills him. KOS-MOS then grabs the woman and Cherenkov saw what KOS-MOS is about to do to the woman. KOS-MOS then kills the woman with some blood splattering on Cherenkov’s helmet. Cherenkov heads back to the elevator and outside, KOS-MOS follows Cherenkov and knocks him back to the wall. Then, a pursuit ship fire at KOS-MOS and none of the shots hit KOS-MOS. KOS-MOS then fires an arm laser beam at the pursuit fighter and it was completely destroyed. The area then blew up in chain reaction. The illusion flash back ended. Cherenkov: Is this… IS this the same archetype from before? Commander Cherenkov pulls out a pistol and tried to fire at KOS-MOS, but suddenly, Commander Cherenkov is reacting badly. The screen switches to Shion who looks for Commander Cherenkov. On her way, Shion talks to chaos. Shion: Oh, chaos! Were you able to talk with KOS-MOS? chaos: No, she seemed to be asleep, so I didn’t want to bother her. I’ll try again later. Shion: Oh, that’s too bad. chaos: But she was quite beautiful, even asleep. Shion: Why thank you. By the way, have you seen then Commander? chaos: I saw the Commander go into the maintenance lab. Just go up the elevator on the left, in the hangar up ahead. Shion: Really?! You’re a great help, thanks. Shion proceeds to the maintenance room. Inside, Commander Cherenkov tries to get a grip. And when Shion came in, the lights turned on and it scared Commander Cherenkov. Cherenkov: You… Shion: Oh, umm… I didn’t see you in your room… I…thought you might be a little hungry… Cherenkov said nothing. Shion: What were you doing? Cherenkov: …I was looking at her. Shion: At KOS-MOS? With a gun in your hand? Cherenkov: Ah, this, it’s…it’s a bad habit. Shion: I see. Well, you are a soldier, after all. I know someone with a habit like that. He’s always carrying a sword around with a weird grin plastered on his face. Don’t you think that’s dangerous? Cherenkov: Ah, yeah… That’s definitely dangerous… So this is the android that can take on the Gnosis… She sure doesn’t look like it. Shion: …Yeah. Cherenkov takes a seat and eats the rice and curry. Shion: But…regardless of what she looks like, she’s still a weapon. Cherenkov: I suppose you’re right… Before we left the Woglinde… What was his name? Lieutenant Virgil? He was killed by this android’s battle algorithm, wasn’t he? Shion is silent. Cherenkov: I’m not trying to blame you. Logic, reason…they can bring about death. Happens all the time. Shion: I…never thought…she would ever do something like that. Cherenkov: You programmed her basic logic architecture, right? Shion: Yes…pretty much. I always thought of her like a daughter…or maybe like a friend, maybe… …but… Cherenkov: I see… Well, I doubt we could’ve saved the Lieutenant from that situation anyway. Shion: Thanks…for trying to cheer me up. I noticed you eat very neatly… Cherenkov: Hmm? Ah, that’s part of who I am. At least now…that is. Shion takes a seat near Commander Cherenkov. Shion: So, what were you doing on the Woglinde? Cherenkov: Why…Why do you ask? Shion: Just…wondering. You somehow seemed…different…from the other crew members. Cherenkov is done with his dinner and gives the dinner tray to Shion and stands up. Cherenkov: The Woglinde task force was assembled hastily. Besides, I’m a soldier. I’ll go where I’m assigned. Commander Cherenkov left the scene. Shion: A…soldier? Meanwhile in the escape ship piloted by Ziggy and MOMO at Area 66 Rupen Sector… MOMO: Well, looks like we’ve lost them. Ziggy: Yeah. Thanks to your linking directly to the main controls. MOMO: (giggle) You’re welcome. Oh, I just received a U.M.N. pulse. Preparing to long-distance jump to the Federation capital of Fifth Jerusalem. Ziggy: MOMO, we’re not going back to the Subcommittee Headquarters. MOMO: What…? Why not? Ziggy: I was told to escort you to the autonomous government of Second Miltia. MOMO doesn’t seem happy. Ziggy: I’m sorry. Those were my orders. MOMO: All right…Now setting course for Miltian star system. The escape ship, jump gates to the next area. The camera switches to the Subcommittee Headquarters in Fifth Jerusalem. Man 3: I’ve received word that the 100-Series is onboard a ship headed for Second Miltia. Man 5: Well, that was fast. Once she’s safely transferred to the U.M.N. Control Center on Second Miltia, we’ll finally have a little peace of mind. Woman: It’s all such a bother, though. It would’ve been so much easier to perform the analysis here… Man 1: We can’t decide the protection in that Realian here. We have to send her to the U.M.N. Control Center, located at the former Vector transfer gate control facility. Man 2: That’s right. Besides, the entire area within a few dozen light years of Old Miltia has been sealed off ever since that incident 14 years ago. So this certainty beats traveling through regular space. Man 4: Joachim Mizrahi… You really outdid yourself this time… Juli Mizrahi: Oh, don’t worry about it. You’re absolutely right. Man 5: By the way, do you really think the Y Data is hidden within that Realian? Juli Mizrahi: We have conclusive evidence that she holds the code to unlock the U.M.N. transfer gate leading to the sealed-off sector. Aside from that, she’s pretty much a mystery. We’ll just have to open her up and see… Man 1: If she doesn’t have it, we’ll be required to delay the Zohar Project. How will we explain that to the council… Juli Mizrahi: Even if it’s lost, we still have one other lead. Let me pull up my documents. Juli Mizrahi activates the console and the screen with Commander Margulis and Pellegri appeared. Juli Mizrahi: This image was processed from the only remaining surveillance camera. The picture’s unclear, but that boy served as Joachim’s assistant. Judging from the time frame, we believe he was somehow involved with the Y Data. Woman: Where did the boy come from? Juli Mizrahi: The records are missing. The only information we have is that he was 14 and studying at the University of Bormeo. But even that’s just second-hand information from Mizrahi… Man 2: He got into Bormeo at 14? Must’ve been pretty smart. Woman: You don’t know what happened to him? Juli Mizrahi: Correct. It's currently under investigation. Man 4: If he’s alive, he’d be 28 years old now… Man 3: This research paper is on the secondary effects of the Hilbert wave… Woman: The Hilbert Effect… Do you think there’s a chance he slipped into Vector? Juli Mizrahi: Back when U-TIC was still the Mizrahi Cerebral Sciences Research Center, Mizrahi’s main patron was none other than Vector. It’s certainly a possibility. There’s no concrete evidence, of course… Man 3: Dr. Mizrahi… Please continue your investigation of this issue. Juli Mizrahi: Yes, of course. Man 5: In any case, our first priority is to get access to the Old Miltia sector. Our hands are tied until we recover the Original Zohar located there. The camera switches to Shion. On her way out… Ship Intercom: Hey, Ms. Vector! If you’re just lounging around, come to the bridge for a sec! Shion: What could it be? I wonder if something happened? Shion proceeds to the bridge. In there… Hammer: What the…? There it is again. That’s so weird… Matthews: What is it? Hammer: It’s the catapult deck. There seems to be something wrong with the hatch. Matthews: Air pressure? Hammer: No leaks at the moment. I wonder if it’s the electrical system… Shion: Shall I take a look at it? Matthews: Ah, that’d be great. Doesn’t look like a leak, but be careful, just in case. Shion: Got it. Shion proceeds to the catapult room. In there, Shion pressed the catapult switch. Shion: Hmm…everything checks out normal. Hmmm, nothing seems to be wrong. Shion contacted Captain Matthews with her U.M.N. Matthews: All right, if there’s nothing there, I guess we’re fine. Good work. Come on back. Shion heads back to the bridge. In the bridge, Matthews speaks to the U.M.N. employee. U.M.N. Employee: Thank you for choosing the U.M.N. Transport Gate. We would like to confirm your vessel’s registration. Organization: Kukai Foundation Vessel class Type II Cargo Ship Vessel number: MFHE-59824751 Vessel name: Elsa Captain: Mr. Matthews. Is this correct? Tony: Yep. You got it. U.M.N. Employee: Please transmit your flight plan. Tony transmitted the flight plan. U.M.N. Employee: Thank you. Cargo is scrap material; destination is the Miltian star system. Oh…you appear to have some excess cargo mass. Matthews: Yeah, we got a little carried away. U.M.N. Employee: There will be a surcharge on the bill sent to the Kukai Foundation. Will that be all right? Matthews: Yeah, that’s fine. U.M.N. Employee: Very well. Have a safe journey. The U.M.N. employee ended the communication. Hammer: I had a feeling they’d notice. Matthews: Well, we did pick up some extra junk. Hammer: Ah, nothing to worry about, right? We always go over the limit. Matthews: That’s true. Shion: You could’ve billed Vector for it. Matthews: You crazy? Hammer: Things are already complicated enough as is. Tony nods as he agrees with Hammer. The Elsa enters the jump gate to the Miltian star system. The screen then switches to the escape ship piloted by Ziggy and MOMO. Ziggy: I have to say, I’m very impressed. MOMO: I’ll transfer the gun controls to you. Could you please take care of the return fire? Ziggy: Roger. I wouldn’t be much of a bodyguard if I didn’t. Ziggy slowed down the escape ship, letting the pursuit ships pass by and Ziggy fired homing lasers at the pursuit ships and they are destroyed. The screen switches to Shion and Allen in the Elsa where Shion is contacting Miyuki. Shion: (angry) You’ve got to be kidding me! This is ridiculous! Miyuki: B-but there’s nothing I can do about it. I…I’m just passing on the orders. Shion: (angry) And I’m saying those orders are unacceptable! Oh, forget it! It’s not doing me any good talking to you. Get the Director on the line, now! Miyuki: Y-yes, ma’am! Just a moment, please. While Miyuki puts the Director on the line, Allen talks to Shion who is angry. Allen: Chief, did you see how scared she was? You’re even scaring me. You don’t have to yell, you know… Shion: What do you expect? How could you expect me not to yell about this? Shion angrily throws the data to the ground. The Director is on the line. Shion: Director! What is the meaning of this?! Director: It means exactly what it says. Shion: I see. Unless this is a figment of my imagination, it looks like it says that as soon as KOS-MOS receives her secondary equipment, we’re to turn her over to the Second R&D Division on Second Miltia and return immediately to Headquarters. Director: Like I said, it means exactly what it says. This was the plan from the beginning. I don’t see why this is such a problem. Shion: (angry) Director!! Director: Shion, please don’t give me a hard time about this. I understand how you feel. But I’ve read your reports, and it appears as though there are no major problems with KOS-MOS. Shion: No, sir, you don’t understand at all! Are you listening to me? She’s moving around on her own accord! I can’t turn her over to the Second Division before determining the cause! It's still far too dangerous to use her at full battle spec! And besides…you should know full well that I understand her better than anyone else! Director: Togashi informed me about what happened on the Woglinde. Fortunately, we didn’t suffer any human casualties, but it sounded like it could have been catastrophic. Do you really expect me to leave you and the others in such circumstances? Shion: I’m well aware of the risks. Director: Even so… Shion: (angry) Director! Shion slams her hands on the ledge of the console. Director: All right. Have it your way. I’ll smooth things over with the people upstairs. Miyuki can take care of the paperwork. Shion: Thank you, sir. Director: One condition… Don’t do anything foolish. The moment you sense even the slightest bit of danger, get out of there immediately. I don’t ever want to see a report of what happened two years ago. Got it? Shion: Understood, sir. Miyuki is back on the line. Miyuki: Hey, good going, Chief! Shion: I just did what I had to do. Miyuki: I’m just so glad that you’re safe! Oh, you should have notified us sooner that you were okay! The military sent us a notice saying that you were killed in the skirmish. The whole department was in an uproar. You have a lot of admirers. Shion: Oh, come on. Stop joking around. Miyuki: No, it’s true! Allen: So, what about me? Miyuki: Oh, hey Allen. Didn’t see you there. Allen: Didn’t see me here…? Hey! I was missing too, you know! Miyuki: You’re kidding! I didn’t even notice! Allen: Didn’t notice?! Well, what about the others? Miyuki: No one said a thing. Allen looks down. Miyuki: Guess they just forgot about you. You don’t really make a strong impression on people. But hey, it’s great that you’re okay too, I guess. Allen: Yeah, thanks… That makes me feel a whole lot better… The screen switches to the escape ship piloted by Ziggy and MOMO being chased by the enemy Drone ships. MOMO: …I’ve sent out an omni-directional distress signal. Ziggy! There’s a civilian ship in hyperspace! We have to warn them! Ziggy: Can you open a channel? MOMO: Securing an emergency channel. Go ahead. Ziggy makes his warning speech to the Elsa. Ziggy: Attention, civilian spacecraft. A battle has broken out in hyperspace. For the safety of your ship, we recommend you gate out as soon as possible. Matthews: Whoa, wait a minute! A battle in hyperspace?! Where the hell did ya morons come from?! (using intercom to call Shion) Hey, Ms. Vector! You can hear me, right? Get yourself over to the bridge! Shion came to the bridge. Shion: You don’t need to shout, I can hear you just fine! Matthews: Just take a look at this. Captain Matthews activates the screen that shows Ziggy and MOMO’s escape ship under attack and being chased by the Drone ships. Shion: Wow… I had no idea there are ships that small that can enter hyperspace. The Drone ships flew by the Elsa. Tony: Watch it! Matthews: Do you know who those guys are? Shion: No idea. Doesn’t look like one of our products. Matthews: What about the other small ship? Shion: I’m sorry. I have no idea. chaos: There’s a distress signal coming from the small ship. Shion: Why aren’t we helping them? Matthews: We’ve got enough trouble just dealing with you guys! Tony: Damn! We’re in their line of fire! Matthews: What? Get out of the way!! Tony moves the Elsa to the side. Matthews: If we hit the column walls it’s over! The Elsa’s right side hit the column walls. Hammer: I want to live! Allen: --Someone save us! Matthews: Damn it! You try to be polite and they just walk all over you! Tony: What’s the plan, Capt’n? We gonna join the party? Matthews: (lowers his pilot seat) What are you, nuts?! What’d I just say to you?! We’ve already got enough trouble! One of the Auto-Tech ships fired and hit one part of the Elsa. chaos: There’s a hit to sector four! Outer hull partially damaged! Matthews: They’ve done it now, those bastards! Matthews kicks Hammer. Hammer: Captainnn…! Matthews: Shut up! Any enemy of theirs is our ally! Tony! Tony: Aye aye, sir! That’s more like it! Tony increases the speed on the Elsa. Allen: Wha…? Wait a second! You’re gonna take a ship like this into battle in hyperspace?! You’ve gotta be kidding! Tony: Ya better believe it! Don’t worry about it. With Elsa’s Logic Drive and my immaculate piloting skills, there’s nothing we can’t handle! Let’s do iiittt! The Elsa fires lasers at the Auto-Tech ships and they were destroyed. Meanwhile in the escape ship piloted by Ziggy and MOMO… MOMO: Ziggy! Ziggy: Yeah. These guys must like trouble. You okay back there? MOMO: Yup! I’m fine. Ziggy: That’s what I like to hear. Ziggy circles around the column walls and flames emit and burned and destroyed the Drone ships. In the Elsa… Tony: Woooo! That ship’s got some serious moves! That’s what I call wave riding! Yeah! I can feel it, baby, I can feel it! Yahoooooooo! The Elsa blast full speed and touching the column walls, flames destroyed the Auto-Tech ships. Allen, Shion, and Commander Cherenkov are feeling weird and dizzy. Cherenkov: What are they doing up there?! Suddenly, enemy reinforcements arrived. Hammer: Reinforcements! Matthews: What?! Enemy reinforcement fires at Ziggy and MOMO’s escape ship, and they tried to dodge as much as possible. chaos: No! There’s no way they can avoid all that! Suddenly, one of the Auto-Tech ships shot the left booster off of the escape ship piloted by Ziggy and MOMO. MOMO felt the impact. Matthews: No!! The escape ship is touching the column walls and looks to break up to pieces any minute. Ziggy: (feels hopeless) It looks like…this is the end of the line. I’m sorry I couldn’t see you through this safely. MOMO: It’s okay…I know. Thanks for everything you’ve done. Ziggy: Are you scared? MOMO: A little… But I’m okay. Because you’re here with me… Ziggy: I see. Suddenly, the Elsa used a grappling claw to grab the escape ship that Ziggy and MOMO are inside of. Tony: Nice catch, Shion! Looks like we made it just in time! Matthews uses his intercom to speak to Ziggy and MOMO. Matthews: We’re gonna pull you in. Hurry inside once the hatch closes. We’ll get rid of ‘em. MOMO: Ziggy! Ziggy: These guys really do like trouble. The Elsa tries the close the deck, but suddenly, it stopped. Matthews: What happened? Hammer: The deck isn’t closing! Matthews: What?! Shion: Could it be that…? Matthews: Damn electrical problems! At a time like this! chaos: Attention vessel occupants. Can you make it up on your own? The ship’s shielding should cover you a bit, so if you put on your spacesuits and use the hull as a shield… Ziggy: Roger. Neither of us here are human, so I’m sure we can make it. Ziggy and MOMO gets off the escape ship. Ziggy: You all right? MOMO: I’m fine. I’m built a lot tougher than I look. How about you, Ziggy? Ziggy: Well, I’m built as tough as I look. MOMO giggles. MOMO: (saw and heard something) Ziggy! Ziggy and MOMO saw enemy reinforcements arriving. Ziggy: Damn it! One of the Auto-Tech ships appeared next to the scene. MOMO: Ziggy, they’re here! Ziggy: I see them. We have no choice; we must enter the ship. If they’re only Auto-Tech terminal, we should be able to handle them. MOMO, give me periodic reports on the enemy status. Their only goal is to capture you. They won’t do anything rough. MOMO: Yes, sir! In the Elsa… Matthews: Damn it! Hammer: Intruder alert! They’re on the catapult deck! Outside, The Auto-Tech ship says in the intercom… Auto-Tech: Surrender and maintain cruising speed. If you do not comply, we will attack. Repeat. Surrender and maintain cruising speed. If you do not comply, we will attack. We guarantee you will not be harmed if you follow our instructions. Matthews: An Auto-Tech. My ass… Who are you kidding? We’re screwed either way. Tony! Full throttle! Use the ship to take him out! Tony: You got it! Tony moves the Elsa towards the column walls creating flames to destroy the Drone ship. The Drone ship hits the catapult and got destroyed. The catapult then closes. Hammer: Nice! That shock closed the catapult! Allen: Oh! This is insane! Suddenly, one of the other Auto-Tech ships drops multiple Auto-Techs in the catapult. chaos: We’ve got trouble! They’re taking over the rear hangar! I’m detecting transfer waves! They’re calling in terminal units! Matthews: We’ll just have to take ‘em on! Prepare for hand-to-hand combat! Seal the internal barrier doors! Hammer: Roger! chaos: I’ll take the corridor! Shion: I’ll go, too! chaos: No. It’s too dangerous. Shion: I can’t let you go by yourself, chaos. Don’t worry, I’ve got KOS-MOS with me. Right, KOS-MOS? KOS-MOS: Yes. I will eliminate the enemy units. Shion: But don’t damage the ship! Understand? KOS-MOS: Understood. I will proceed at 30% output. Shion: Allen, go find the Commander and protect the cabin! Allen: Huh?! Are you serious? Matthews: I’m counting on you! Shion’s group proceeds to B2. In there, Shion suddenly saw the Drones and Shion thinks of a strategy. Shion: If we use the electromagnetic floor, we might be able to slow down the enemies a bit! Shion’s group pressed the switch on the console. Computer: The anti-intruder program has been activated. All crew in affected sectors, please evacuate immediately. Repeat. Crew in affected sectors, please evacuate immediately. The electromagnetic floors immobilized the Auto-Techs. Shion: Here’s our chance. We have to get to the hangar right away… The screen switches to the catapult where Ziggy and MOMO are. Ziggy: We must first get to the bridge in order to explain the situation to the person in charge. Can you make it? MOMO: Tee hee…don’t you remember what I said earlier? I’m built a lot tougher than I look. Ziggy: That’s right. Then, let’s go! Ziggy and MOMO move on. Then later, Ziggy and MOMO met up with Shion’s group for the first time. Ziggy: Are you in charge of this ship? Shion: Oh, no. I’m just a passenger. More importantly, are you two the only ones on that ship? Ziggy: Yes, that’s right. I am a Federation government cyborg, Ziggurat… MOMO: … MOMO didn’t want Ziggy to say Ziggurat 8. Ziggy: Call me Ziggy… She is MOMO… She’s a Realian. She is with the Federation government just like me. MOMO: (to Shion) Hello, I’m MOMO. Thank you for saving us. Shion: I see. I’d like to say, “Thank goodness you’re safe,” but enemy units have invaded the ship. It’s way too early to be saying that. Who are these people after you? Ziggy: The enemy units are Auto-Techs that the U-TIC Organization uses. Basically, they’re unmanned fighter craft. We escaped from their base, and they are the last of the pursuit. Unfortunately, the mother ship has a transfer system. The combat units will continue to arrive unless we destroy the mother ship. Shion: So unless we do something, the enemy will overrun the ship. Ziggy: I’m sorry for getting you involved in this. Shion: What? Oh, no, don’t let it bother you. It isn’t your fault, Ziggy. More importantly, we have to do something about that mother ship! Ziggy: Agreed. We can’t do much but we will help too. It’s my responsibility to take care of this. Shion: We? As in MOMO too?! Ziggy: Yes, she might not look it, but she’s actually more useful than me. Shion: Really? MOMO: Well, I don’t know about that, but I’ll do my best! Shion: Okay, let’s hurry! Ziggy and MOMO joined Shion’s group. Shion’s group then saw Commander Cherenkov and talks to him. Cherenkov: You’re finally here. Listen, the enemy mother ship is back there. Don’t let your guard down! Shion’s group proceeds to Hangar 2. In there… Shion: If we disable that thing, we’ll put a stop to the Auto-Tech invasion. Shion’s group fights Domo Carrier. After Shion’s group destroys Domo Carrier, the screen switches to the bridge of Elsa. Matthews: How’s it look? Allen: We got problems all over. The entire radar system is down. I bet the emitter’s completely fried now. Hammer: The generator output keeps on dropping… I guess we ran the ship into the hyperspace column walls a few times too many… Thanks to a certain idiot who flies like a maniac… Tony: What?! Hey!! Who do you think it was that saved us?! Hammer: I wish you’d consider what the navigator has to go through! I’m getting carpal tunnel thanks to you! Tony: Why don’t you just direct-link it?! Hammer: Isn‘t it obvious?! It's way cooler to navigate by hand! Tony: Are you stupid or something? Hammer: Mind your own business! At least I’m more useful than a certain out-of-control lunatic! Tony: Oh, okay now! So you think you’re the man, huh? Hammer: You wanna go? Whatchoo got? Tony: Bring it on! Tony and Hammer are about to start a fight. Matthews: That’s enough! Both of ya morons, shut up! I’m sick of listening to your whining! My head hurts enough just thinking about what these repairs are gonna cost! The last thing I need is to babysit the two of you! chaos came in. chaos: Uh…we’re back. Shion came in. Shion: Ohhh… If I had known I’d be doing this, I would’ve spent more time at the firing range. Hmm? What’s going on? Matthews: Nothing. Good work. Shion’s group came in. Matthews: So, who are these guys? chaos: She’s MOMO, and this is Ziggy. Looks like they’re both with the Federation government. MOMO: Nice to meet you. Matthews: You two were the ones in that ship out there? MOMO: Thank you very much for rescuing us. Ziggy: Thanks for your help. chaos: They were being held by the U-TIC Organization, but they managed to escape. Matthews: The U-TIC Organization?! chaos: Captain… Matthews: Never thought I’d have to hear that cursed name again. Hammer: What is it? That U…whatever? Matthews: Nothing you need to worry about. Stop wasting time and plot our course already. Tony: You heard him. It's nothing a stupid navigator needs to worry about. Hammer growls silently in anger. In anger, Hammer goes back to his pilot seat. Hammer: (taking his anger out on Allen) Allen! Hurry up and clean up the top of the panel! This stuff’s in the way! Allen: Wha…? You’re the one who left these here. Don’t take it out on me! Later at the restaurant, Shion’s group all sat near the table while KOS-MOS passes glass of water to everyone. KOS-MOS: This is for you. Shion: Thanks, KOS-MOS. Allen is sleeping with his head down on the table. Shion: Allen, wake up already. What’s wrong with you? KOS-MOS walks to the table with Captain Matthews and Hammer. KOS-MOS: (to Matthews) Captain, here is your tea. Matthews: Ah, thanks. Just set it down there. Tony speaks with chaos. Tony: I’m telling you, that was crazy! chaos: It was a close one, wasn’t it? Tony: (to Ziggy) I gotta say though, those were some pretty sweet moves out there, old man. MOMO: Thank you very much! Tony: Wha…? Whoa, hold on a sec, that was you?! MOMO: Well…yes…I handled the flight controls. Tony: Unbelievable…Shown up by a little girl…Kids these days… Tony leaves. Shion: That’s pretty amazing, even for a Realian. Hey…that insignia…on your uniform… MOMO: Yes? Shion: Is that…are you from the Mizrahi Lab? MOMO: Yes. I’m a 100 – I’m an Observational Realian. Shion: It's okay, you don’t have to worry. If you’re concerned about government secrets, KOS-MOS is one too. So, you’re a 100-Series Observational Realian from the Mizrahi Lab? A Hilbert-equipped model, right? MOMO nods “yes”. Shion: KOS-MOS is equipped with it too, you know. The Hilbert Effect. But of course, ours is a Vector original. MOMO: You’re with Vector Industries? Shion: Yup. So is Allen over there. Tony tried to wake Allen up, but Allen wants Tony to leave him alone. chaos: By the way, where are you headed? We might be able to get you there for a small fee if it’s not too far out of the way. Right, Captain? Matthews: Yeah, of course. After all, we are in the transport business. MOMO: Transport? Then, could you please take us to Second Milt… Could you please take us to the Second Miltian star system? Shion: Second Miltia? You too? Ziggy: What do you mean, you too? Shion: Oh, um, it’s just a strange coincidence, that’s all. KOS-MOS’ new development is on Second Miltia, also. chaos: Hey, that’s great. It’ll cost less if you’re all going the same way, Shion. Shion: Well, I suppose that’s true… Hammer: Captain? What about ship repairs? Matthews: Yeah, we gotta take care of that first. Let’s stop at a nearby dock colony. That all right with you? Ziggy: Of course. MOMO: Thank you for taking us. Matthews: Well, relax and enjoy the trip. Hey, Ms. Vector, show’em around, would ya? Shion: Hmm, he’s being unusually nice… Matthews: What? I got a booger hanging out of my nose, or…? Shion: Wha? Ah, n-no, nothing, nothing. (to Ziggy and MOMO) All right then, shall we go? MOMO? Ziggy? Shion takes Ziggy and MOMO for a tour on Elsa. In the Catapult room… Shion: This is the catapult deck. This is where we took in the two of you earlier. MOMO: You saved us with the fork arm. Thank you so much. Shion: Not at all. We have to help each other out in times of need. I’m really sorry about your ship though. We had to throw it out because it was badly damaged. Ziggy: That’s not a problem. It wasn’t ours to begin with. Shion: Oh, really? Ziggy: Yes, we borrowed it in order to escape. MOMO: You are amazing! I can’t believe you actually caught our small ship using that arm. Shion: I just happened to have some practice operating a crane on the previous ship I was on. That really helped out. But it was mostly luck. MOMO: Tee hee… In the B2 Lounge… Shion: I wonder if this is a vacant room? What do you think, Ziggy? How about we make this your room? Ziggy: Sure, that will be fine. Shion: Then, I’ll ask the Captain later. This ship has all sorts of supplies onboard. They might even have a maintenance bed for cyborgs. Ziggy: Sorry for all the trouble. Thank you. In Hangar 1… Shion: This is Hangar 1, a hangar exclusively for A.G.W.S. They let me store mine here too. MOMO: It's a beautiful A.G.W.S. I’ve never seen an A.G.W.S. like it before. Shion: It’s one of our prototypes. It’s supposed to be tested during Woglinde’s trial run, but I never imagined it would actually come into use. MOMO: Whose A.G.W.S. is that one over there? Shion: Oh, that’s the Elsa’s A.G.W.S. It seems chaos pilots it for the most part. I heard that Hammer put it together himself from junk parts salvaged from battlefields. MOMO: Really? Hammer is very skilled. Shion: I think he does all the repairs on the Elsa too. Someone like Hammer’s a rare find. There aren’t too many people like that, even in Vector Second R&D Division. In the maintenance room… Shion: This used to be a vacant room, but I’m borrowing it to use as a maintenance lab for KOS-MOS. MOMO: Is that KOS-MOS’ maintenance bed? Shion: Yes, after being active for a set amount of time, she sleeps there and her data is uploaded to the company Headquarters. I can also feedback the activity data to update the O.S. MOMO: So KOS-MOS sleeps too? Shion: Yes. Even if I disconnect her from the outside world, her central systems remain active. MOMO: I wonder what kind of dreams she sees? Shion: Dreams…hmm… That’s probably something only KOS-MOS would know. MOMO: I hope she has sweet dreams. Shion: So do I. In Hangar 2… Shion: This is Hangar 2. MOMO: Umm…it got scratched up all over the place during that fight. Do you think it will be okay? Shion: It's fine, don’t worry. Hangars are usually built to be durable. Besides, I have a feeling that there’s more to this place than what we see. MOMO: What do you mean? Shion: Did you notice that the floor of the catapult deck is made of induction panels? This room is structurally next to it, right? It's built like some sort of an accelerator room too. MOMO: Accelerator room? Shion: Well, it’d be quickest if we asked the Captain. But he probably won’t tell us since it looks like black market parts were used. In Cabin 1… Shion: This is Cabin 1. It’s the room the people of this ship use. Allen and Commander Cherenkov also stay here. MOMO: It's a wonderful cabin. Shion: Yes, it is. I hear the Elsa was originally a luxury space cruiser. That’s why there’s a high-class feel to everything in both its exterior and interior, even though it’s a cargo-passenger ship. In Cabin 2… Shion: This is Cabin 2. They actually let me use this huge cabin by myself! MOMO: You get to use it all by yourself, Shion? Shion: Yes. I think the Captain was trying to be thoughtful because I’m a woman. MOMO: The Captain did that? But why? It’s more fun to be with everyone. Shion: Heh heh, that’s true. To be honest, I was a little lonely. But starting today, you’ll be with me, so I won’t be so lonesome anymore. I hope we’ll make good roommates, MOMO. MOMO: Yes, I hope we will be good roommates too! In the kitchen… Shion: This is the kitchen. MOMO: Oh, it’s KOS-MOS. KOS-MOS is washing dishes. MOMO: I’ll help out too! KOS-MOS: There is no need for additional manpower to complete this task. MOMO: Oh, uh, I’m sorry. Shion: Hey, KOS-MOS! That was rude! She was trying to be nice. KOS-MOS: Analysis of the current situation shows that I can manage without the help of others. There is no need to divert more personnel to this location. Shion: … See? She’s sooo not cute! And she’s always like this! In the bridge… Shion: Let’s see, this is the bridge. The frontmost part is the pilot console, and that’s Tony’s seat. The left front is the navigator seat. That’s where Hammer sits. The right front is the engineer’s control seat. The rear is the fire control seat. And the seat attached to the arm protruding from the left rear area is the Captain’s seat. That’s where Captain Matthews sits. I heard that all the controls can be automated for routine voyages. Shion’s group proceeds to Cabin 2. Shion: I’m tired. Maybe we should call it a day? Yeah, I’m a little sleepy. Good night. The camera switches to outer space with another character, Jr., who is piloting an A.G.W.S. Jr.: It was very dark, and the wind howled horribly around her… She felt as if she were being rocked gently, like a baby in a cradle…huh. All’s quiet after the storm. There’s no trace of anything. Over. Jr. flies his A.G.W.S. through outer space. Jr.: I wonder…does that lake of darkness where Nero does his fishing look something like this? In the Durandal… Mary: You’re quite the poet today, Little Master. Where do you come up with this stuff? Jr.: Read some books, Mary. It’s good for you! Mary: Books are made from paper, Little Master. And they’re such a pain to carry around. Jr.: Paper and stone tablets last longer than optical data, you know. Besides, reading a book helps me get to sleep. How’s the sensor readout? Anything showing up? Shelley: Nothing at all. It’s as if even the atoms are at rest. Jr.: Not even gas or dust? If it was a giant flare, it should’ve at least left behind some high-energy particles. Jr. saw an area in outer space that used to have something there. Jr.: How could that be… An entire planet was here just a little while ago… The Durandal appeared at the scene. Shelley: Retrieving Little Master. Open cargo bay six. 100-Series 1: Opening cargo bay six. 100-Series 2: Opening cargo bay six. Jr.’s A.G.W.S. enters the Durandal. Mary: Let’s go! Keep up the pace, everyone! We’ve still got work to do! Jr. rode the elevator platform up to the bridge. Mary: Hey, welcome back, Little Master. Jr.: Yo. Ariadne’s completely vanished. But it doesn’t seem like it was destroyed… It’s almost as if someone is hiding it somewhere. Mary: Hiding it…? Where would that be? Jr.: Who knows? The best way to find out would be to ask the person who’s hiding it. Shelley? Shelley: It’s very slight, but I’m getting a reaction from the primer. No question about it. Jr.: Some kids playing with matches, maybe? What happened to that fleet, anyway? 100-Series 1: We haven’t heard anything since we picked up that distress signal six hours ago. Mary: Gnosis, huh? Hmm… They must have been totally wiped out. Jr.: Not necessarily. When the little ones play with fire, you know their folks can’t be too far behind. Mary: Ah…I get it… So you reckon that the momma’s gonna show up soon? Jr.: Exactly. Change course! Proceed to the last known coordinates of the Federation fleet! Meanwhile in Pleroma, Commander Margulis speaks with one of the man in the Fifth Jerusalem. Man 4: …We underestimated him by thinking he was just a relic from an age gone by. In regards to the information leak, we’ve traced it to the Special Ops Intelligence Bureau. We’re currently looking into how they discovered the route to Pleroma. I apologize for the trouble. Margulis: It’s inevitable. There will always be vermin. I’ll leave their extermination to you. Man 4: Very well. So, do you really think they will show up? Margulis: Oh, they’ll come. After all, that’s the reason for their existence. It also happens to be Miltia’s Achilles’ Heel. Margulis heard a tone coming from the back monitor. Man 4: I’ll handle the negotiations with the military. I leave the rest to you. The man breaks contact. Then Commander Cherenkov goes on the line. Cherenkov: Commander… Margulis: Cherenkov… What is it? Cherenkov: The Zohar was…taken by the Gnosis… B-but I managed to secure the 100-Series Realian. It’s currently onboard a cargo ship… …headed for the Miltian star system. I believe it is the same one you had secured on Pleroma. What do you… Margulis: Just stick to your duties. Cherenkov: Wha…? Margulis: Don’t do anything beyond the scope of your mission. We’ve already confirmed all the variables. The situation is proceeding according to plan. Cherenkov: B-but, Sir… Margulis: Return to Headquarters at once. I’ll deal with you then. Understood? Commander Cherenkov breaks contact. Margulis: Get the registration of the ship that signal came from. Track Cherenkov’s marker. U-TIC Soldier: Yes, Sir! Mystery Man: You just love barking out those orders don’t you, Margulis. Show a little love to your dogs, or else they might bite you one day. The mystery man appeared. Margulis: You… Mystery Man: The prototype belongs to me. I’ve grown bored with these Kirschwassers. Margulis: So, you’re going? Mystery Man: I think I’m more likely to succeed than your dogs. The U-TIC soldiers look at the mystery man. Mystery Man: Ah, yeeessss… Feed me your hostility…pierce me with your hatred. The mystery man laughs sinfully. Margulis: No, wait! Mystery Man: Don’t worry. I won’t get in your way. We’re working toward the same goal…right? The mystery man left the scene along with a Kirshwasser. The A.G.W.S. arrived at the take-off area and the mystery man and the Kirshwasser went aboard. Mystery Man: Ahh, MOMO… My adorable little pêche… The A.G.W.S. takes off. Pellegri: Is it wise to leave this matter to him? Margulis: I’m not leaving anything to him. He has his uses, that’s all. The camera switches to outer space with the Durandal and Jr. and Mary in their A.G.W.S. Jr.: Man…this ship’s been gutted down to the core. Looks like a carcass of a beached whale. Mary: It's not much better up here. There’s no sign of life at all. Just a bunch of A.G.W.S. scrap. Jr.: Figures… It’s not like diving into shark-infested waters with a big juicy steak. Jr. and Mary flies their A.G.W.S. into the wrecked Woglinde. Inside… Jr.: Bingo! I’ve found the remains of a Zohar security ring! I guess this was where they were storing it. Shelley… Set the sequencing primer. Shelley: Roger. Initiating Primer Walking. Analyzing gate-in wake. Jr.: If they’re already out of range, we’re outta luck. Let’s hope they’re still hanging around nearby. Mary: I can’t believe you’re hoping those things are still here… Aren’t you scared, Little Master? Jr.: Heck, there’re plenty of things in this world scarier than the Gnosis. So, how is it? Have they already gone over to the other side? Mary: Just hold your horses there, Little Master. I’m in the middle of analyzing… (suddenly heard an alarm) Wha? Jr.: What is it?! Jr. and Mary suddenly saw something appearing at the scene. Mary: Emergency alert! Looks like someone got here before us! Jr.: It appears we’re completely surrounded. The enemies appeared. Jr.: Heh, Using short-jumps, eh? That’s pretty damn clever! Mary: Little Master, are they… Jr.: Yeah, no question about it. They’re from U-TIC. The enemies fired their weapon, but Jr. dodged them. Jr.: Mary, I’ll head back after I take care of these guys! Order all the crew to return to the Durandal! Jr. fights DOMO A and B. After Jr. defeats DOMO A and B, the U-TIC Battleship appeared and fired rains of laser beams at the wrecked Woglinde. Jr. Whoa, whoa, hold up… Trying to cover up the evidence? Mary: Little Master, you’ve got to hurry back! Their mother ship is coming! The U-TIC Battleship destroys the wrecked Woglinde. Jr. escaped successfully and went back to the Durandal. In the bridge… 100-Series: Welcome back, Little Master. Jr.: What’s the situation? 100-Series: It’s a standard attack vessel. Unknown registration. All weapons are at Condition zebra, interlocks removed. Awaiting orders, sir. The U-TIC Battleships fires lasers at the Durandal. The Durandal’s hit. Jr.: These guys just don’t let up, do they? Activate all shields! 100-Series: Incoming, second wave of attacks. 10 second to impact! Shelley: All 100-Series, subchannel into the High Velocity Cannon system! 100-Series: Connection to High Velocity Cannon system complete. Enemy photon torpedo on the port side! Impact imminent! The laser from the U-TIC Battleship fires lasers at Durandal, but the shields absorbs the lasers. 100-Series: The shield is still holding! Jr.: Man…all we were doing was investigating the scene. You’d think they could just leave us alone. Match course and speed! Shelley: Course and speed modified. Ready to fire! Jr. reacts to the firing control and activates it. Jr.: Take this! The Durandal fires volley of laser cannons at the U-TIC Battleship, destroying all but one, which is shielded. Mary: Hah, look at that, Little Master! They’re already starting to flee. Shelley: The enemy mother ship has begun its retreat. Jr.: It’d be nice if we could just let ‘em go… But we can’t do that, now can we? Shelley, give ‘em a little nudge. Mary: And when he says a little nudge, you know what that means! Shelley: Set engines to ramming speed! Penetrate the port side and prepare for combat! The Durandal rams the pointy nose part at the shielded U-TIC Battleship and it penetrated through the shield and the U-TIC Battleship suffered major damage. Inside, the crew at Durandal gets out. Mary: Our objective is the enemy mainframe. Utilize all available terminals and counter any protective measures. Once inside, engage all hostiles. All hands, move out. The crews of Durandal moves forward. Mary: (to Jr.) Well, shall we head for the bridge, Little Master? Ready? Jr.: All right. Let’s get this over with and go home. Jr.’s group moves on. Jr.’s group makes their way to the U-TIC Battleship’s bridge. In there… Jr.: Looks like this is the bridge. The camera shows the bridge. Mary: Little Master, do you remember our objective? Jr.: Of course we came for the mainframe. Mary: Then let’s take care of it quickly! Jr. examines the mainframe. Jr.: Mary! This thing? Mary: Yes…probably, but don’t touch it yet. Jr.: So…you know what you need to do? Mary: Wait just a moment. Since this is that, so… Huh…? This thing is…? Well, it may take a while, but I can handle it. Jr.: I see. It doesn’t look like it’s so hard that you’d have a tough time with it. Jr. activates the console, but suddenly, an alarm was triggered. Warning: Security system activated. Security system activated. Security system activated. All hands, please evacuate immediately. All hands, please evacuate immediately. All hands, please evacuate immediately. Mary: Little Master, I told you not to touch it! This isn’t the right terminal! What are going to do now?! Jr.’s group fights Ambix. After Jr.’s group defeats Ambix, Mary hacked into the mainframe. Mary: We’ve hacked into the enemy mainframe. Okay, so now what? Shall I copy or transmit it? Shelley: They’ve already entered the manual override code… The partitions are being deleted. Hurry up and start your transmission. Mary: Roger. You just clear your head out and wait for me. Mary finds a wide connector and connected it to her headset. Jr.: I tell ya, being able to interlink with your sister has gotta be real convenient. Shelley: I wouldn’t say that. She has so many random thoughts. Mary: I can’t help it! We’re humans, not Realians. You can telepathically talk to the Kaiser, right, Little Master? That sounds a lot more convenient to me. You don’t need this annoying contraption, either. Jr.: Not really… I have to constantly make sure I watch what I’m thinking, or else I start sending thoughts I don’t want to send. The whole thing’s just as tiring as hell. It’d be easier to just write him a letter. Mary: Oh, I didn’t know it was like that. Jr.: Yep, that’s how it is… Suddenly, the U-TIC soldiers came in and opened fire. Fortunately, none of the shots hit Jr. or Mary. Jr. fires his guns and kills all the U-TIC soldiers instantly. Jr. twirls his guns and puts them away. Jr.: You okay, Mary? Mary: Yeah, I’m all right, but… Look what you did! Mary holds up a shot off wide connector. Shelley: I’m sorry to say that all data from the enemy mainframe has been lost. Jr.: Ah…oops. Shelley: It’s because of all those cheesy action flicks you keep on watching! Jr. received a signal. Durandal Crew: They’ve launched a lifeboat. Shall we pursue? Jr.: Nah, no need to pursue them that far. We just need to know where they’re headed. Place a trace request with the U.M.N. administration bureau. Let’s head back. Hurry up with the retrieval preparations onboard the Durandal. All hands, check your equipment. Don’t leave any evidence behind. Jr. left the scene. Mary: Amazing… I can’t believe how much his personality changes when he’s holding a gun. Shelley: A lust for conquest and absolute power, and the desire to have a really big…gun. I supposed that’d be the standard explanation. Mary: You don’t hold back, do you, Shelley? Shelley: Although, in Little Master’s case, it’s probably just a complex about his height. Mary: (giggles) Probably. But I think Little Master’s plenty attractive just the way he is. Shelley: True… Mary, we’ll be leaving in two minutes. Hurry back, okay? Mary: Roger. Shelley breaks contact. Mary: It's a shame… Little Master doesn’t have any choice in the matter but to stay that size… The camera switches to the Elsa docking at the Dock Colony. In the Elsa… Shion: Oh? I thought Commander Cherenkov was here with you. chaos: What’s the matter? Shion: Well, he skipped dinner again, so I’ve been looking for him… Hammer: Did you check outside? He mentioned something about finding a charter, flight. Matthews: (smoking a cigarette) Wait a minute… Wearing that uniform? Hammer: Yeah. Matthews: Ohh, that’s bad… Shion: Hmm? Matthews: This area was abandoned by the government and never properly restored after the war. The people here haven’t forgotten how violent the military was, though. It's no place for a soldier to be wandering around. Shion: Is it really that dangerous here? Matthews: Well, it’s fine if you’re a civilian… Captain Matthews inhales and exhales his cigarette. The camera turns white and switches to the Dock Colony where Commander Cherenkov looks around and is suddenly surrounded by punks. The screen switches to the Elsa. chaos: Well, in that case, we’d better go find him before anything happens. Shion: Yeah, you’re right. I’ll go get Ziggy. He’ll probably come in handy at a time like this. Hammer: All right, I’ll go with Allen, then. He doesn’t look very useful, though… The camera switches to Allen sitting in the restaurant and sneezed once. Shion and chaos finds Ziggy in his room and talks to him. Shion: Oh, Ziggy! Ziggy: What is it? Shion: Commander Cherenkov is missing. Will you help me look for him? Ziggy: The Commander? He is a soldier, so he should have training of that sort. I do not think you need to be overly concerned. Shion: But the Captain said this is a bad place for military personnel to wander around. So I would feel more secure if you were with me. Ziggy: All right. In that case, I’ll help you. Better safe than sorry. Shion’s group proceeds to the Dock Colony. Outside… Hammer: Well, let’s start looking for the Commander. We should split up to look for him. I’ll let you know as soon as I find him! Shion’s group stops by the “Talk to Me” shop to shop for necessary equipment. After that, Shion’s group looks for Commander Cherenkov. Meanwhile, Commander Cherenkov is getting beat up by the punks. Hammer undetected saw everything, panicked and ran away. Commander Cherenkov tries to get up. Punk: You Federation scum! Suddenly, an emblem seen from the Zohar appeared on Commander Cherenkov’s forehead. Later, Shion’s group arrived at the scene. Hammer: (panicking) Oh!! S-S-S-S-Shion! I-I-I-It’s terrible! It's terrible! In the thug, the alleyway is beat up all Commander!! Shion: Uh, um, Hammer? I can’t understand you at all. Calm down a little… Hammer: There’s no time to calm down! Come on, hurry! Come this way, quickly!! In the alley, Shion’s group saw the punks bleeding, critically injured and unconscious. Ziggy examines them. Ziggy: Shion. We must get these people to a hospital at once. They’re still alive, but barely hanging on. Hammer: (panicking) I-I’ll go call an ambulance! Hammer left the scene. Shion: This is terrible… Wh-where’s Commander Cherenkov? Ziggy: I’m detecting a faint heat signature heading toward the dock. It most likely belongs to the Commander. Shion: Commander… Later in the Elsa, MOMO is trying to treat Cherenkov’s wounds. Cherenkov: That’s enough. MOMO: B-but… Shion: Commander?! Shion’s group came in. Shion: Are you okay? Cherenkov: Yeah… Shion: What happened? Cherenkov: I got cornered by some, uh, street punks. But they started fighting amongst each other, so I ran away during the commotion. Shion: You got cornered…? Cherenkov: (sigh) It…It’s all right. It’s really not that bad. MOMO: That’s not true! I’ve been trying to treat his injuries, but he won’t let me… Cherenkov: I’m sorry… It’s just…I’m not a big fan of nanosurgery. Shion: You prefer natural healing? Cherenkov: No, that…that’s not what I mean… Ziggy: (interrupts) MOMO, I need your help over here. I haven’t had a tune-up since the battle on Pleroma. Some of my parts may be a little worn out. MOMO: Okay. Ziggy sits in the maintenance chair and MOMO uses the console to check on Ziggy. MOMO: All systems are working within their normal parameters. Ziggy: I’m behind on my regular maintenance. This body’s getting pretty old. MOMO: Not at all. But you know, you may be better off if Shion were to look you over. Ziggy looks at Shion trying to help Commander Cherenkov. Ziggy: You may find this funny, but even with a body like this, I still feel uncomfortable about a young woman working on me. MOMO: But there are plenty of human female doctors, aren’t there? Ziggy: Well, I’m embarrassed of this patchwork mechanical body. I’m being silly, aren’t I? MOMO: …But, you’re all right with me because I’m not human? Ziggy: That’s not what I meant. It’s just that I feel comfortable around you, but that’s probably because… …because of the purity of your heart… (gets up) …and not because I see you as an object. MOMO: …Thank you. I’m so glad. Cherenkov: How I envy you… MOMO: Huh? Cherenkov: Uh, no, it’s a…it’s nothing. Commander Cherenkov left the scene. Shion: I wonder if the Commander’s really all right. He’s been acting strangely ever since we boarded the Elsa… The camera switches to Commander Cherenkov who walks very slow, not looking good and is seeing images of when he was attacked by a Gnosis near the beginning of the Elsa scene. Commander Cherenkov pulls out an injector and injects himself to try and get a grip. Then, the Zohar emblem appeared on Commander Cherenkov’s forehead. The camera switches to Shion’s group who makes their way to the bridge and talks to Captain Matthews. Matthews: What do you want to do? Want to depart soon? Or do you want to wander around the colony still? Shion: Yes, please depart. Matthews: All right, Tony! We’re leaving port, heading for the Miltian star system! Hurry up and get us released from the dock. The Elsa takes off. The camera switches to Commander Cherenkov having trouble sleeping and having nightmares. He gets out of the bed and goes to a vending machine to get a cup of coffee, but his hand suddenly became possessed. Commander Cherenkov grabbed his right arm and somehow it looks partially invisible, as he must’ve had a reaction to the Zohar. Commander Cherenkov dropped his injector. The screen switches to Shion who is sleeping and her U.M.N. is responding. Girl’s Voice: …Shion… …Shion… …Shion… Shion. The screen switches to Shion, who dreams of the black and white world where she saw the little girl looking at her. Girl: Shion. It may already be too late… Shion: Who are you? What do you mean, too late? What’s too late? Girl: Ultimately, the choice is up to him… But you… You may be able to understand him in his final moments. The screen switches to the present time where Shion is currently sleeping. Girl: Indeed, that will bring him comfort… The dream ended. Shion woke up and suddenly, she felt a shaking. In the Miltian star system, there was sparks emitting. Shion immediately proceeds to the bridge. In there… Shion: Wh-what’s going on? KOS-MOS: A powerful force is affecting the ship from outside hyperspace. MOMO: What does that mean?! KOS-MOS: Something is trying to come into contact with the ship. If this persists, we will be dragged out of hyperspace. MOMO: What’s this…? I sense…?! MOMO and Shion’s hands start glowing blue. Shion: Huh?! What’s…?! Out of hyperspace, Shion saw something. Shion: (gasp) Gnosis?! The Gnosis are everywhere. Matthews: What the hell?! Hey! Are you sure you got the right coordinates?! Hammer: Ah, well…they’re… Tony: Man…look at all of them… Shion: KOS-MOS! Ultra Wide-Range Hilbert Effect! KOS-MOS: Affirmative. KOS-MOS puts the Hilbert Effect scope on and activates it. MOMO: That’s amazing… Even an amplified system should only achieve a range of a hundred kilometers. Tony: C-Captain! I can’t control her! chaos: Distortion in the gravity field! We’re being pulled in! The Elsa is pulled in to the big Gnosis. Inside, Shion’s group was separated from the Elsa. Shion: Where…where am I…? You’re all… MOMO woke up. chaos: I’m glad we’re all okay. Shion: chaos, where are we? chaos: I’m not sure. I remember we were all engulfed by this light, and then… MOMO: Wait a second… This feeling… Yes, I’m sure of it. We’re inside a Gnosis! Shion: Inside a Gnosis… (gasp very hard) Huh?! KOS-MOS: To be more specific, we are located at the approximate center of a giant Gnosis. This Gnosis is nearly 16,000 kilometers in diameter. To date, the only Gnosis of this size on record is the one named Cathedral Ship. Shion: Does that mean…we were eaten? chaos: That may not be far from the truth… MOMO: I don’t sense any activity from the Gnosis outside. It’s almost as if they’re sleeping… Hey! What about the Elsa? Where’s the Captain and everyone else? Ziggy: Hopefully, they too are alive and in here somewhere… KOS-MOS steps up. Shion: …What is it, KOS-MOS? KOS-MOS: My sensors have picked up a signal… Shion: A signal…is it the Elsa?! KOS-MOS: Yes. And something else near it. Although it is faint, I am picking up a waveform similar to the Zohar that was taken from the Woglinde. Shion: The Zohar? You mean that gold-colored object that was in the hangar? That thing’s here? Ziggy: How far is Elsa from here? KOS-MOS: Approximately 10 kilometers from our current position. Ziggy: Not too far… Shion: Stay here or find the Elsa. I’m worried about Allen and the others… chaos: Looks like we have no choice… The screen switches to Commander Cherenkov is feeling very bizarre. Cherenkov: This can’t be real… Am I dreaming, or…? Commander Cherenkov sees images of the Zohar and other nightmarish things. Cherenkov: It’s not possible… Ariadne vanished when the Zohar went out of control… The Zohar in the image disappeared. Then in one civilian area, people walking are surrounding Commander Cherenkov. Cherenkov: It can’t be… Cherenkov saw and opened the door and in there it showed gunfire everywhere. Then it shows bunch of dead bodies. The camera switches to the Durandal. 100-Series 1: Warning alert in Section D! Distorted wave patterns detected in the quarantine hangar. Jr. arrived at the bridge. Jr.: Sector D… Is it the Zohar?! 100-Series 2: Raising Attract inhibitor output in all Sector D compartments! 100-Series 3: U.M.N. traffic detected across EPR radar! Something’s beaming resonant waves through hyperspace. Jr.: Where is it?! Shelley: Searching for signal source. Jr.: They must be resonating with whatever’s out there… Prepare to gate-jump! Mary, …alert the Foundation! We’re gonna follow it! Mary: Roger! The camera switches to Shion’s group. In the Cathedral Ship, they move on. In the next area… Ziggy: So this is a Cathedral Ship… It does feel like we’re inside a ship, but it certainly doesn’t look like anything that belongs to the Federation… MOMO: Could it be an alien ship? Shion: I wonder… Look…over there. chaos: What is it? A sign or something? MOMO: Hey, it’s written in English. Shion: But this is odd… It doesn’t look like it’s stuck on the wall… Doesn’t it look more like a part of the wall itself? MOMO: Are you saying this sign is part of the Gnosis? How could that be… chaos: Take a look around… That’s not the only one. There’s a lot a other stuff here, too. Shion: Are we really inside a Gnosis…? Shion sees an image of the girl in black and white. Girl: Hurry! He’ll be gone soon! Shion pulls herself together. Ziggy: What, did you find something? Shion: Huh…Uh, no, no, it’s…it’s nothing… (wondering) That girl again…? What does she have to do with this place? The camera switches to Commander Cherenkov moving very oddly and then, he sees images of himself in the past where he is a defendant. Woman: …at this time, the defendant’s origins are unknown. That information was lost in the chaos of war…perhaps deliberately, I might add… It could be said that the circumstances surrounding the defendant actually qualify him as a victim of the Life Recycling Law. Therefore, is it right for him to be the first victim of a capital punishment system that had been abandoned for thousands of years? It’s true that the defendant must pay for his crimes. But with all the progress we’ve made in science and the study of the human psyche, surely there must be alternative means by which he can repay society? Please…I ask you to make a merciful and wise decision. Man: This court hereby sentences the defendant, Andrew Cherenkov, to undergo Level 7 Personality Reconditioning. Woman: With this ruling, the current you will cease to exist… But it also marks the birth of a brand new world for you! Let us celebrate, shall we? Cherenkov has a Zohar emblem on his head. Then later, in the other area, Cherenkov shows the woman the cloning data. Cherenkov: What is the meaning of this? Why can’t we have a child of our own? Woman: Oh, stop it. What could you want to leave behind? Don’t tell me you want that abnormal DNA of yours to live on. Nano technology is hardly perfect, you know. It still can’t correct mutations in genomes. Cherenkov: Are you saying this is my fault? Woman: You’re pathetic…A bit of nucleic acid desperately clinging to life. You haven’t changed one bit since then. But of course… …that’s what makes you, you. Cherenkov: But then, why did you marry me… Woman: (takes the cloning data from Cherenkov) For this. Do you know how hard I worked for this permit? That’s why I volunteered to care for you. What, did you think there was love between us? Please, don’t kid yourself. I can get all the love I need with this! The woman throws a headset at Cherenkov’s head. Woman: Don’t forget to take your meds… After all, I’m the one who’ll be held responsible if you don’t… The woman walked away. Cherenkov pauses for a moment and then steps on the headset and the screen shows that he already killed the woman. The screen switches to Cherenkov in the cell with the doors closing. Man: In accordance with the law, the defendant will now undergo Level 8 Personality Reconditioning. With this, defendant 12584’s human rights shall be revoked, and henceforth the defendant shall be treated as a life form belonging to the Federation. The screen shows Cherenkov’s forehead. Man: According to current law, this treatment grants the bearer the same rights and privileges as those of a Realian. The emblem of a Zohar appeared on Cherenkov. Then, the screen shows Cherenkov who is surrounded by walking people and then he saw a little girl walking by and once it turned to the woman he killed. Then it turned back to the little girl. The little girl looked at Cherenkov. Little Girl: Garbage… Cherenkov screams in craziness and strangles the little girl. The screen switches to Cherenkov who is in his cell. Man 1: I must admit…I’ve never seen such a stubborn neural network… Man 2: He’s even rejected the Level 8 Procedure. Man 3: In any case, he’s still quite valuable to us. Man 1: We can use him as a test subject for the Level 9 Procedure… The screen switches to the outside of the area where Cherenkov already killed everyone outside. The ship docked and then, Commander Margulis arrived to see Cherenkov sitting on the ground. Margulis: So you’re the man who murdered every worker in this facility, and annihilated three squads of Federation Special Forces… I was looking forward to meeting you. But you…you look like a poor little stray. Is this really your handiwork? Cherenkov looks at Commander Margulis and tries to charge at him, but Commander Margulis quickly dodged the attack by teleporting. Cherenkov fell down. Margulis: Hmph. A Life Recycling Variant… No wonder the Federation police couldn’t handle you… I’ll commend you for that… However… Cherenkov tries to charge at Commander Margulis again, but Commander Margulis dodged it and struck Cherenkov in the back with his fist and Cherenkov fell to the ground wounded. Cherenkov looks at Commander Margulis. Margulis: Reality is cruel, is it not… U-TIC Soldier: Commander Margulis, the 308th Vulgata division is… Margulis: I know. We’re taking him with us. U-TIC Soldier: Sir…you’re not serious? Margulis: Yes, this one may be useful. U-TIC Soldier: But… Margulis: (to Cherenkov) All you ever wanted in life was to leave behind a legacy. Isn’t that right? Now show me the proof of your existence… To me alone… The image ended. Commander Cherenkov moves forwards horribly. The screen switches to Shion’s group who moves on to the next area. In there… Shion: It looks like…we’ve arrived at the center… Shion’s group saw a Zohar shaped area. Shion: What is that? chaos: A building? Shion’s group looks at a gigantic thing that resembles a Zohar. chaos: Or maybe some sort of device… Shion: What do you mean? chaos: I don’t know, it’s just… Shion: Yes…? chaos: Well, if this is really the center, it’s possible that it may be of some importance to the Gnosis… But this, of course, is from our frame of reference, so we could be completely mistaken. Ziggy: In other words, if that is a man-made object, it could be a ship or some other wreckage that was swallowed just as we were… MOMO: What about us…? Are we gonna end up like that too? Shion: We’ll be sure to get out of here before that happens. (to KOS-MOS) KOS-MOS, what’s the Elsa’s current position? KOS-MOS: Location unknown. I have lost its signal. Shion: Lost…? KOS-MOS: The Gnosis’ magnetic and gravitational fields have become unstable near the center. The last known coordinates point to a location on the lower level, 300 meters below our present position. MOMO: That’s pretty close? Shall we go? Shion: Yes. Let’s just hope the Elsa isn’t in the same condition as the wreckage around here. The camera switches to Commander Cherenkov moving very badly suddenly flashes back to the past when he was a U-TIC soldier. Cherenkov contacts Commander Margulis. Cherenkov: Commander Margulis. Preparations for the Zohar Link Experiment are complete. We’ll begin phase one in 60 minutes. Margulis: Good. Commander Margulis looks at the Zohar on the monitor where Cherenkov is speaking. Cherenkov: Commander… Why was I assigned this mission? Margulis: I wanted to test your loyalty to the Organization… Nothing more. The citizens will be affected whether you succeed or not. Do you regret your decision? Cherenkov: No… They’re of no consequence to me, nor to our Organization, or anyone else… Margulis: (short laugh) Well said, Cherenkov. The screen shows that Cherenkov gets on the ship and upon rising, Cherenkov saw his wife and daughter, and the ship Cherenkov was riding took off. The flashback ended and Commander Cherenkov suddenly saw people coming. Commander Cherenkov makes a run for it. The screen switches to Shion’s group moving on to the next area. In the area with the Zohar… chaos: Shion! Look at that… Shion’s group looked at the Zohar. Shion: …The Zohar? KOS-MOS: We must go. Shion: Hey, KOS-MOS, wait! Don’t you go off on your own… (to herself) I don’t recall programming her that way. But what’s the Zohar doing here…? KOS-MOS: I have confirmed that this object can be identified with a 99.99998% probability, to be the Zohar Emulator that was stored onboard the Woglinde. Shion: An emulator? Are you saying a real one exists somewhere else? KOS-MOS: Affirmative. Shion: Affirmative…? KOS-MOS, how do you know all of this? I never stored any type of information like that in your main databank… Cherenkov: You…you’re the creator of that thing… And yet…you didn’t even know about that…? Commander Cherenkov arrived but in bad condition. Shion: Commander Cherenkov! Are you all right?! Let’s get out of…! Commander Cherenkov suddenly turns partially invisible and is reacting badly. Shion: Commander… Your body’s…?! Cherenkov: Escape? What are you talking about? You think you’ll survive…through something like this…? Commander Cherenkov moves closer to the Zohar. Cherenkov: That’s right…I…I was the one behind the disappearance of the planet Ariadne… All that mattered was the recovery of the Emulator. That was the reason behind the deployment of Vector and the military. They were really only pawns… But in spite of all that… Suddenly, Cherenkov is seeing something that Shion’s group can’t see that is flying everywhere targeting Commander Cherenkov. Cherenkov: (horrified) G-go away!! Don’t come near me! You were the ones who rejected me! So why are you bothering me now…?! One of the flying things fly into Cherenkov. Cherenkov: Noooo!! Shion: W-What…is that…? KOS-MOS: All photon, lepton, hadron, and graviton scans read negative. Shion: Then what is it that we’re seeing?! Commander Cherenkov transformed into a Gnosis. Shion: Oh, no! Shion’s group was horrified from seeing the Gnosis. MOMO: I sense…?! It’s a Gnosis!! Ziggy flashes back to the past of how similar the event is from now. The flashback ended. Ziggy: It’s the same…just like that day… Shion’s group fights Gargoyle and 2 Oudogogue. After Shion’s group wins the fight, Shion looks into Cherenkov’s memory. Margulis: Behold the light that spreads before your eyes. This light once symbolized civilization – the very will of the human race. But what can be gleaned from the light we see today? The people of this world have cast away their will to create, drowning themselves instead in an endless cycle of consumption… What you see now is the deceitful light cast by their stagnant eyes. Shion: (wondering) The Commander… But, who’s that with him…? Margulis: The people you’ve encountered in your lifetime are not people at all. They’re less than human – mere sacks of flesh and bone. Only upon the realization of self-will, can a person truly be called a man… You chose to reject the false light, refused to succumb to their lies… That’s why you never faltered, even after all the personality reconditioning. Shion: (wondering) The Commander…underwent personality reconditioning…? Margulis: Long ago, man was forced to leave behind his homeland… This was brought about by the masses who extinguished the very light that drove their will. So how about it, Cherenkov? Let us rekindle the torch so that human consciousness may once again be resurrected… For our sake…and that of our god… That part of Cherenkov’s memory ended. Shion: Happiness? Were those my feelings just now? No…it must have been the Commander’s feelings. (saw Cherenkov) Commander… What is it that you were searching for? Images of Cherenkov’s memories appeared and then later, Shion and Cherenkov are at a beach in black and white. Shion: Commander… Cherenkov: I never really existed at all… I… The images of Cherenkov’s story appeared. Cherenkov: 36 years ago… The year after the Zoar Incident, which led up to the Miltian Conflict. I was brought into this world as a weapon of warfare… It happened all the time back then. Killing was my…no, our whole reason for existence. The fortunate ones were those who could adapt to that way of life. Even luckier were those who died on the battlefield. But I was never granted that opportunity. Before I could find some significance to my own life, the war ended, and I was left behind while the world went on. The images ended. Cherenkov: I tried to adapt… But the language I spoke was so different from the rest of the world. I thought the entire world had rejected me. But the Commander… It felt like he really needed me. I saw a future for myself in the Commander… Or, I wanted to, at least. But I had to rely on the drugs to communicate with the rest of the world. It was because I hadn’t changed… After everything that happened, I hadn’t changed at all. Now I finally understand. The world didn’t reject me, I rejected the world. Shion… I like it here. I’m the only living thing that exists in this place. There’s nothing else. No anger, no sadness, no happiness, not even a future… The only thing that’s here…is me. And that’ll eventually fade away… It feels good… This is exactly what I’ve been searching for all this time… Shion…you’ll eventually find yourself here, too… I’m sure of it… It won’t be much longer… I know… I…can tell… Shion disappeared at the scene. The screen switches to the present where the Gargoyle disappears. Shion starts to cry softly. MOMO: (shakes Shion’s shoulders) Shion! Shion! Shion: …What was that…? Where’s Commander Cherenkov… chaos looks kind of down and Shion can tell that Cherenkov is gone. Shion continues to cry softly, wiping her tear with her left arm. chaos: Shion… Shion: chaos! (held chaos’ hand) What just happened? Where is he? What have we done?! Tell me… Shion places her head on chaos’ knee and continues crying softly. chaos comforts Shion. MOMO: Ziggy, did something happen? Ziggy said nothing. MOMO: Ziggy…? Ziggy: It’s…nothing you need to worry about… (to Shion) I’m sorry… Shion: (with a sobbing voice) Was that really the Commander?! Tell me, chaos! Surely we didn’t… chaos placed both of his hands on Shion’s shoulders. chaos: Shion… The truth isn’t always a pleasant thing to know. Shion: (looking down) chaos… Are we all…going to end up like him…? chaos: We’re still here and none of us have turned into Gnosis. Perhaps we can take solace in that. (comforts Shion) Here stand up… Shion: (calming down) Okay… Shion stands up. Then, Shion’s group felt a shaking. KOS-MOS: The connection between the phenomenon boundaries is dissipating. If this continues, this spatial location will disappear. We are in danger. Ziggy: This isn’t good! Suddenly, Shion’s group floated upwards. The entire area of Cathedral Ship fades away. MOMO: Oh! Look! Over there! The Elsa appeared. Matthews: Heyyy, Ms. Vector! You still alive? Allen: Chieeef! Are you all riiight?! Shion: Captain! Allen! The Elsa’s catapult opens and Shion’s group gets in. Then, the Elsa speeds away from the Gnosis. Hammer: They’re coming after us! Matthews: (to Tony) Full speed ahead! Shake ‘em off! Tony: Aye, sir! The Elsa speeds away even more from the Gnosis. Hammer: Man… There’s a ton of ‘em! As the Elsa speeds away, lasers from above fired and destroyed the Gnosis. Matthews: What the…?! The Durandal makes an appearance. Matthews: The Durandal?! In the Durandal… Jr.: You got it! Mary: Registration confirmed, Little Master. It’s the Elsa. Jr.: Jeez…Those guys were damn lucky we were passing by. What the hell are they doing here? Well, whatever. All guns, target the Gnosis. Cut open an escape path for Elsa and annihilate the enemy! The Durandal fires a bunch of lasers at the Gnosis and they blew up in chains. The screen switches to the Elsa where Shion’s group are on their way to the bridge. Ziggy: Sounds like the fighting’s started. MOMO: Are we going to be okay? There were so many of them when we transferred in. Shion: They destroyed an entire Federation fleet. It would be wiser for us to flee than fight. The battle against the Gnosis continues. In the Durandal… Mary: This is no good. We’ll never get all of them. What should we do? Jr.: We should’ve resupplied earlier… This is what I get for taking on the U-TIC. Otherwise this would be a cinch… Shelley: Little Master. Enemy group formation approaching from five o’clock. We’re being surrounded on all sides. Jr.: So, they’re not gonna let us go, huh? And they’ve coordinated their attack patterns… I’ve never seen them fight like this before. Even if we gate-jump out of here, we may not be able to shake ‘em. 100-Series: Little Master! Another group is chasing after the Elsa! The Elsa is being chased after by the Gnosis. In the Elsa… Shion: Captain! Matthews: Hey! You all right? (to Tony) Tony! Can you lose ‘em? Tony: I doubt it…They’re a lot faster then we are. Matthews: Damn it! The Durandal’s guns aren’t slowing them down. What’re we gonna do…?! The screen switches to KOS-MOS entering the cargo elevator and she went up. Hammer: Huh? Hatch number 17 is open…? Was somebody still down there?! Shion: It’s KOS-MOS! What is she… Hammer: I’ll put it on the monitor. Hammer reveals a screen where KOS-MOS is riding the cargo elevator up. Shion: KOS-MOS! KOS-MOS! KOS-MOS!! What are you doing?! Get back here!! The hatch opens. Shion: There’s too many of them for you to destroy! You’re not equipped to handle that great number! KOS-MOS: Shion… Will feeling pain…make me…complete? KOS-MOS opens her eyes and right now they are blue instead of her default red. Shion: What? I can’t hear you! Hammer: The air is too thin for her voice to carry! KOS-MOS makes her way to the roof of the Elsa and she floated to the front roof. In the Durandal… 100-Series: Attract Inhibitor output at 300 percent. Zohar Emulator waves can no longer be suppressed! Jr.: What the hell… Now they’re acting up?! Shelley: Intruder alert in the Pieta motherframe! Permutational phenomena appearing in the Variant! Jr.: In Momma? Where’s it coming from?! 100-Series: Scanning transfection course… The screen with the transfection course data appeared. 100-Series: Course tracked! It’s coming from the quarantine hangar! Jr.: The quarantine hangar…it can’t be the Zohars? 100-Series: It is. External sources are sending requests to the Zohars! Shelley: Paradigm contamination is spreading! If this keeps up, the motherframe will be taken over! Jr.: Cut off the main line to the quarantine hangar! Stabilize the Attract Inhibitor through a secondary line! Shelley: Main line purged! All signals blocked! The camera switches to KOS-MOS who activates her torso weapon and fires a big laser beam at the Gnosis, destroying them all. KOS-MOS closes her eyes and opens it to reveal her red eyes. In the bridge of the Elsa… Matthews: Heck, that wasn’t so bad. Allen: Chief… Shion: Did… …did that really just happen? Allen: Yeah… It appeared as if she absorbed the Gnosis. Shion: How could she have weaponry we don’t even know about…? No, that wasn’t a weapon, that was… Allen: …something impossible. Matthews: Who cares if it’s possible or not? She got rid of the Gnosis, right? Hammer: Uhh…Captain? Little Master’s been buzzing us for awhile… Matthews: Huh? Oh. Patch him in. While Allen speaks to Captain Matthews and Hammer, Shion wonders to herself. Shion: (wondering) This isn’t the KOS-MOS that I built… Kevin… Is this your hand at work…? Is this the real KOS-MOS that you wished to create…? The screen switches to the Durandal flying near a Zohar. The screen then switches to Pleroma. In there… U-TIC Soldier: Commander… Margulis: What is it? U-TIC Soldier: Commander Cherenkov’s S.M.S. tracking signal has disappeared. Commander Margulis looks mad and the U-TIC soldiers are wondering why. Pellegri: And the U.M.N.? U-TIC Soldier: I was able to track him while he traveled through hyperspace, but I lost him at point 2100-783. There are traces of a space-time anomaly at the same point, so we believe the Gnosis may have been there. Pellegri: I see… Commander Margulis said nothing. The camera switches to the Durandal. Shion’s group and the Elsa crews went up the elevator to the bridge. In there… Jr.: …So, ya got it? Mary: Roger, Little Master. Shion’s group and the Elsa crews arrived. chaos: Thanks for helping us out. Jr.: You guys better fill me in on the situation later. Man, what the heck is going on here…? And Momma’s gone and caught a bug, so we can’t perform any investigations or analyses for a while. chaos: That’s terrible. Jr.: Tell me about it. Allen: (to Matthews) Hey, is that Little Master? Matthews: He’s our boss… The head honcho. (to Jr.) Hey, Little Master… We picked up a couple of passengers headed for Miltia while we were working. What should we do with ‘em? Jr.: They look like they’re in pretty deep with something… Well, your first concern should be to repair the Elsa. Why don’t you get it fixed over at the Foundation? You won’t make it very far in that kinda shape. Shion: Foundation…? You mean the Kukai Foundation? From the Galactic Finance 500’s “Top 10 Fastest Growing Corporations” list? Then you must be…?! Jr.: Ah…the business stuff was meant to be a side thing. We got lucky, that’s all. Allen: (to Shion) This is bad, Chief! We can’t associate with these people! Jr.: (approaches Allen) Hey, hey, I heard that, man. Would you rather we left you here in space? Allen: Uh, n-no, sorry, sir! Matthews: Look, Little Master, what do you say we just leave this wuss behind? Shion turns away as she has a lot going on her mind. Matthews: He spends all his time moaning and groaning… Allen: Hey! Come on, Captain…! c-chaos! Help me out here! chaos: Well…it’s not really up to me, you know. I’d better leave this one to you two. Jr.: Then I’m definitely giving him the boot. Allen: C…Come on! Jr.: (short laugh) Hey man, don’t freak out. We’re just playing… Jr. then talks to Shion. Jr.: What’s wrong? Something worrying you? Shion: Huh? Oh, no, it’s nothing. I’m Shion Uzuki. Nice to…um…meet you… Jr.: Jr. Gaignun Jr. I got a real name, but let’s just leave it at that for now. Good to meet ya. (to Shelley) Shelley, change the plans. We’re returning to the Foundation. Make sure to tell Gaignun that we’ve secured the final Emulator. Shelley: Roger. Preparing to return to the Foundation. The Durandal uses the jump gate to head to the Foundation. After the Durandal left, an A.G.W.S. piloted by the mystery man was shown. The screen switches to Jr. who is running in ruined city. Jr.: Gaignuuuun! Jr. then saw a dead cat. Jr.: Gaignun… Jr. picks up the cat that has the name Gaignun on its collar and cries quietly. The screen switches to a metallic hexagonal room with a hole in the middle where Jr. is holding a body of a boy and the boy opens his eyes. Jr.: Don’t say anything… It’s all over… …everything… Suddenly, a bright light appeared from the hole. Jr.: Al…bedo… Suddenly, Jr. fell into his doom, but then, Jr. woke up knowing that he was having a nightmare. Jr. looks at his right hand that say “666”. Jr.: Damn it! Jr. got out of the bed and ran away. The next day, in the Isolation Area of the Durandal… MOMO: What is this place? The environmental controls here seem extremely strict… Shion: They’re so big… Six to each side, with one directly across… Ziggy: Thirteen in all. Looks like each block has a name inscribed on it. Shion: (to Ziggy) You’ve got great eyesight! Hmm, let’s see… Peter…Andrew…Boanerges…Thomas…John… Umm… KOS-MOS: Philip, Matthew, Bartholomew, James, Thaddaeus, Simon, Judas. Shion: And the last one… KOS-MOS: It appears to say Marienkind. Shion: Marienkind… I think I’ve heard that somewhere… Shelley: It means, “the child of Mary.” Jr.: This is where we store all the really dangerous items. Stuff like this… Jr. activates the console and opened the covers of the Zohars. Shion: Zohars?! Jr.: Actually, they’re all Emulators. And they’ve all been sealed, including the one we just retrieved. Shion: Why are these Zohars here…? Jr.: Well, our corporation does dabble a little in everything. Besides, these days, you can’t get by without having something to deal with the Gnosis. And we definitely can’t wait around for the Federation to get off its lazy butt. MOMO: What’s in the room across from here? Jr.: Nothing pleasant, I’ll tell you that much. Shion: You’re not going to show us? Jr.: Trust me, it ain’t something you’d want to see. Shion: Even if we were to consider the diversity of your businesses, you’re still a foundation, right? I mean, the weaponry on this ship far outclass those on any warship… Who are you people, anyway…? Jr.: We were more or less a government organization, previously. Jr. opens the door to the room that Shion is wondering about. Jr. Well… I guess if you want to see it that badly… Shion’s group went in the room and Shion saw the creatures in containers. Shion: What is this? Shion saw a woman who is horribly mutated and gasp. Jr.: I warned you, you weren’t gonna like it, didn’t I? KOS-MOS: All of these specimens appear to be humans whose bodies turned into Gnosis. Ziggy: Transformed bodies… I’ve only heard of them before… Jr.: Most people just turn white and shatter to pieces, but there are a few exceptions…and they end up like this. We’ve named this one Betty, for now. It’s hard to look straight at them… But I don’t want to refer to them by some code name or number. It’s just not right to treat the dead like mere objects. MOMO: Is that a lady? Jr.: She was a little girl…the last time we saw her. Allen: People turning into Gnosis…? Have you learned anything about them? Jr.: Not much. Plenty of Gnosis remains have been recovered to date, but nobody’s learned a thing from them. You know what they’re composed of? Allen: No… Jr.: Sodium chloride…plain old salt. Even their translucent bodies…they’re mostly made up of water and sodium hydroxide. How can ordinary compounds like that form creatures like them? No one really knows why those who survive Gnosis encounters always turn into one of them. Some people think they’re a new type of virus; other say they’re beings from another dimension who take on temporary forms in this one. Shion flashes back when she was grabbed by a Gnosis in the Woglinde. The flashback ended. Shion: Always…? No exceptions? Jr.: Nope. Not as far as I know. Shion flashes back to the time in the Cathedral Ship seeing Commander Cherenkov as a Gnosis. The flashback ended. Allen: So they could be from another dimension? Wouldn’t that mean that their true forms might exist somewhere else…? Jr.: Who knows? All that’s certain is that they’re hostile to humans. Not that such a sentiment is unique to them. Allen looks at Shion who looks like there is something wrong. Allen: Chief, is something wrong? You don’t look so good. Shion: Huh? No, don’t worry… It’s nothing… (to Jr.) So…so when did this all begin…? Jr. Unofficially, phenomena like this have been occurring periodically for the past few centuries. But…after a certain incident, the Gnosis leapt into the forefront of history… MOMO: A certain incident? Jr.: The Miltian Conflict. Joachim Mizrahi… It was he who opened Pandora’s Box and unleashed the Gnosis upon the galaxy… And we’re all paying for his ambition. Shion: Joachim Mizrahi… The brilliant scientist who founded the U-TIC Organization… Jr.: Brilliant? He was a lunatic. Unable to bear his curiosity, he invited the Gnosis into our world. MOMO: A lunatic…? MOMO begins to walk away. Jr.: The Foundation was established after the war by the newly formed Second Miltian government, to clean up and investigate the facts behind the incident. Technically, that’s our real job. Problem is, the funding’s tight in peacetime. On top of that, running the Foundation takes a staggering amount of money, and the management of these Zohars ain’t cheap, either. So, we ended up privatizing part of our operations and became a foundation. We never imagined that some of our side businesses would hit it so big, though. MOMO walks out of the room full of containers of creatures. MOMO: Daddy… Daddy wasn’t like that… MOMO left the scene. Shion’s group heads outside of the room with containers. Shion and KOS-MOS moves on. Allen then had something to say to Shion. Allen: Shelley called for me, so I’m heading over to Durandal’s bridge. Shion and KOS-MOS stops for a moment. Shion: I wonder where MOMO went? Shion and KOS-MOS proceeds to the Park in the Durandal. In the Park, MOMO is sitting by herself in a bench. MOMO: (to herself) What do you all think…? Joachim Mizrahi, the lunatic… Was daddy really like that? Since daddy built us, does that mean Realians are bad people, too? Shion and KOS-MOS appeared at the scene. Shion: MOMO… We were looking all over for you. MOMO: Hello, Shion… Shion: What’s wrong? You look kinda down. MOMO: Shion… I… Shion sits on the bench together with MOMO. MOMO: I was created by Joachim Mizrahi. He designed the 100-Series Realians back when the Federation funded him. Shion: I know… MOMO: Shion, I… Daddy wasn’t a lunatic. …I don’t even know what I am. Shion: Identity diffusion… The eternal dilemma. Shion holds a firefly. Shion: Do you know about the environmental bugs onboard this ship? They’re actually nanomachines, you know, used to keep enclosed spaces like this clean. I’d say that…of all the things Professor Mizrahi – or anyone else – created, they rank up there pretty high. These bugs may be man-made, but they function as if they’ve existed all along. Almost as if they were meant to be… I think Realians are the same. The only difference between us, is the length of our histories. But regardless of our origins, each one of us has an important role to fulfill in this world. Besides, I really doubt Dr. Mizrahi was a dangerous person like everyone makes him out to be. And it’s not just because of the environmental bugs. The work he did on Realians was incredibly insightful. KOS-MOS: The fundamental Gnosis research Professor Mizrahi left behind played a critical role in the development of modern anti-Gnosis technology. Shion: Thanks for the backup, KOS-MOS! I’m really glad to see you react like that. Empathizing with the feelings of others is a major factor in human relationships. KOS-MOS: Although I do not believe that the current situation called for me to act in an empathetic manner, I am pleased to be of service to you. MOMO: (giggles) …I think KOS-MOS is really funny. Too bad she doesn’t take instructions very well. I never got to meet Daddy, but he used to talk to me all the time before I was born. It's all a little hazy, but I remember him telling me that… I could become a real person if I did good deeds… Shion: Really? That’s a wonderful memory to have… MOMO: Uh-huh. Allen: Chief! Allen ran into the Park. Allen: Great news! After this ship arrives at the Kukai Foundation, they’re gonna take us to Second Miltia! Shion: Second Miltia? Really? Allen: Apparently, they have some work to take care of out there. The Captain’s still whining about repairing the Elsa, but… Shion: Some work…? I wonder…? Allen: Huh? Shion: Well… I’m sure they’ve got their own reasons, but don’t you think it’s a little strange that everyone’s heading for Miltia? Allen: Not really… It’s probably just a coincidence. I’m just glad we saved some money. Not to mention that this ship’s a million times better equipped than the Elsa. And we’ll have nothing to worry about if we run into the Gnosis again. Hey, speaking of which, did you check out your room? They all have jacuzzis and minibars, and… (looking at Shion) Hey, what’s wrong, Chief? Shion: (sigh) Nothing, nothing. I’m just jealous of how easily swayed you are… Shion proceeds to the resting room in the Residential Area. In the resting room… Shion: I’m really tired now…I think I’ll call it a day. (wondering) It’s best to rest when you’re tired. Pushing ourselves too hard is bad for our health. We should turn in for the night. The next day, the Durandal flies to the Kukai Foundation. In the Park… Allen: So that’s the Kukai Foundation? They sure know how to spend their money… MOMO: I can’t wait to see the Durandal turn into a skyscraper… It’s so beautiful… Shion: What? We’re…going to dock, just like this? Allen: This ship’s supposedly one of the most famous landmarks in the Foundation. I saw it in a travel guide on the Elsa. Shion: Oh, really? I’d never know… I don’t check out vacation guides very often… MOMO: Oh, look, we’re docking! The Durandal docks vertically and the pointy nose rises up vertically. Shion’s group’s view is vertical in the Durandal. After docking, Mary, Shelley, and Gaignun Kukai came in the Park. Gaignun: New Year’s Eve is the best time to visit. The evening metropolis is quite a sight to behold with all her lights. Ziggy: Gaignun Kukai… The managing director of the Kukai Foundation. Shion: Huh? Jr.…? Gaignun: What was that? Shion: Ah, nothing… Nice to meet you. Gaignun: Welcome to the Kukai Foundation. Before Shion could shake Gaignun’s hand, she saw numbers that says “669” on his right palm of his hand. Then, Shion shakes Gaignun’s hand. Gaignun: I heard about your situation from Captain Matthews and chaos. Is everything all right? Shion: Oh, uh, yes. Thank you for all your help. Gaignun: Enjoy your stay. Gaignun leaves. Shion: What’s wrong with me…? Acting so rudely toward someone I just met… Gaignun: (to MOMO) And you must be MOMO. I’ve received word from Juli Mizrahi of the Contact Subcommittee. We’ll make sure you got to Miltia safely. MOMO: From…Mommy?! Gaignun: Right. She told me to take good care of you. MOMO: Can I…talk to her? Gaignun: Well…she seemed pretty busy. MOMO: Oh…I see… Why doesn’t Mommy ever want to see me? Gaignun: I’ll let you know as soon as I hear from her again. MOMO: All right… Thank you very much… Gaignun, Mary, and Shelley are leaving, but on Gaignun’s way, he stopped and looks at Shion strangely. Gaignun: No… It can’t be… Gaignun left the scene. Later, Jr. is relaxing in Gaignun Kukai’s office. Jr.: That android, KOS-MOS…she’s got an incredible amount of potential, you know. There’s no way she’s just a prototype. I’m also concerned about how she resonated with the Emulators. Gaignun: The Hilbert Effect… I heard they lost the archetype, but it looks like there’s more to this than it seems… And don’t forget about her engineer… What was her name? Shion? I think she might be on to us…and our powers. Jr.: No way. She’s just an ordinary human. Gaignun: She might not be as ordinary as you think. Jr.: I doubt it. She seems normal enough to me. I guess it’s possible, though. After all, she’s involved in the highest classified part of that project… The same one Helmer’s involved in… Gaignun: The Zohar Project… Jr.: Listen… Why don’t we…lay off the Mizrahi talk for a while. Gaignun: Hmm… Concerned about that MOMO girl? Jr.: Don’t look at me like that. You think she likes being called the child of a madman? After all, we were both there when Mizrahi finally met his end. We saw what happened. You know that girl’s a Realian. Her memory might be imprinted with something… Gaignun: So you’re saying the image she holds of Mizrahi is a false one? Jr.: I don’t know. That’s why I want you to lay off when you’re around her. At least for now, anyway. Gaignun: If you’re that concerned about her, why don’t you invite her down to the beach? I’m sure it’ll help take her mind off of things. Jr.: Man… I told you, it’s not like that! Jr. walks away. Gaignun picks up a box set. Gaignun: Hey. Gaignun tosses a box set and Jr. catches it. Jr.: …What’s this? Jr. opens the box. Jr.: Man, it’s a stainless-steel finish Makarov! With the original box and everything! Gaignun: I won it at a Lion’s Heart auction. It was part of their antique weapons collection. Jr.: This isn’t like you. You’re up to something. Gaignun: Not at all. I just though I’d reward you for all the hard work you’ve done for us recently… Have I gone too far? Jr. shakes his head “no”. Gaignun: Don’t go shooting that thing all over the place. Remember, you’re older then I am. Try to act like it once in a while, all right? Gaignun left the scene. Jr. is having a great time with the Makarov guns. Jr.: Sweeeet! Gaignun sighs. The camera switches to Shion’s room in the Residential Area. Shion sits alone in the room and later heard a doorbell. Shion: It’s open. Allen came in. Allen: Chief, we better get going soon. Shion: Yeah… Allen: What’s wrong? Maybe it’s just me, but…you’ve been acting gloomy ever since we boarded this ship. Shion: Hm? No, really, it’s nothing. …What? You really think I’m acting like that? Allen: Yep. No doubt about it. Shion: Hmm… Allen: See? Just like that. Shion: Oh, I just have a lot on my mind… I’m sure that’s all it is… Allen: Are you sure? If something’s bothering you, I’d be more than happy to listen… Suddenly, Jr. came in. Jr.: Hey Shion, let’s go out and play! Shion: …Hm? Jr.: I’ll wait for you over at the shuttle launch, so hurry, okay? See ya there! Later, Shion meets Allen outside of her room. Allen: Well then, I’ll be heading to the launch pad. So Chief, make sure to come too!! Shion met up with her group in the Dock. In there, Shion talks to Jr. Jr.: Shion, why do you look so down? Let’s hurry and go to the beach! I’ll show you around! Shion’s group takes the shuttle to the Kukai Foundation and they proceed to the beach. In the beach, Shion’s group are in beach outfits and while MOMO, chaos and Jr. are having fun, Shion is working on something with her U.M.N. Inside Shion’s memory… Kevin: Shion…would you laugh at me if I told you that…I think she has a heart? Shion: KOS-MOS? Showing emotional behavior? Kevin: I’ve run across some interesting phenomena. It’s still pretty weak, of course… Almost like a tiny little pulse… Shion: Really? We should definitely keep an eye on that. KOS-MOS’ elemental data structure duplicates that of a human brain, so something like that’s certainly not out of the question. The memory ended. Shion is still working on the U.M.N. Shion: She was empathizing with MOMO back there… I wonder what her subconscious waves were like…? Flatline… Oh, well… Nothing here at all. Allen: What’s the matter, Chief? You didn’t come down to the beach just to stare at a screen all day, did you? MOMO: Come on, Shion! Why don’t you come and play with us? Shion: Sorry. In a bit… MOMO: Are you working on KOS-MOS? It must be really tough. Allen: She’s got a lot of black box areas that even we can’t analyze. MOMO: Black box? Allen: Yeah. We’re painstaking analyzing her bit by bit so that we can recreate her original form again. The only person who knew everything about KOS-MOS was Kevin… Shion turns off the U.M.N. Shion: Say, Allen. Do you think Gaignun and Jr. are father and son? They look a little too far apart in age to be brothers. Allen: I’ve heard rumors here and there. Some say Gaignun cloned himself, while others say Jr.’s his illegitimate son, or… MOMO: I don’t think he’s a clone… Their genome arrays are a little too different for that… Shion: Wow! You can actually see that, MOMO? MOMO: I’m an Observation Realian… They’re more than just siblings, or father and son, but at the same, time they’re not identical, either… Shion: Is that sort of thing possible? Their DNA only has to differ by 0.1% to make them different people, right? Jr.: Hey, who’s an illegitimate son? Jr. appeared at the scene. Allen: Uhh…man, this beach is really great! It doesn’t feel artificial at all. Jr.: It’s our latest product. You can even change the weather! You can’t have blue skies all the time, right? Jr. activates a remote switch and the dark clouds appeared over the beach and it made some thunder sound. Shion: I hate…thunder… Jr.: Shion? Jr. activates the remote switch and thunders appeared. Shion: (frightened) Stop it!! I hate thunder!! (tensed up) I’m sorry… I just…really hate thunder… chaos: Shion… The camera switches to Gaignun’s office where he contacts Representative Helmer. Gaignun: Representative Helmer, busy as always I see. Helmer: Well hello, Nigredo. How are things going? Gaignun: Hmph. I don’t really care for that name. Helmer: My apologies. I’m still not accustomed to calling you Gaignun. So, how can I help you? Gaignun: We’re currently headed your way and we’re carrying an unusual package, so I thought it best to inform you. Helmer: Oh…? Gaignun: We secured it from an unexpected source… the Federation cruiser Woglinde. It’s an Emulator. Helmer: The twelfth one… That matches the U-TIC records. Gaignun: Right. There’s no question that it’s responsible for the planetary disappearance. Assuming they haven’t constructed any more, that’s all of them. Aside from the Original, of course. Helmer: That’s clearly impossible…now that the only man who can create them is no longer alive. Gaignun: True enough… And one more thing. We have the Contact Subcommittee’s 100-Series prototype. Helmer: How did that wind up in your hands? Gaignun: One of our passenger freighters rescued her 76 hours ago. Helmer: Is the ability to attract that sort of coincidence another one of your special powers? Gaignun: Not a coincidence, but a probability…as a certain acquaintance might say. Anyway, I’m concerned with what the U-TIC Organization is up to. You may want to step up your precautions. Helmer: I’ll see what I can sniff out from the U.M.N. administration bureau. We can locate any large-scale gate jumps from there. Gaignun: Excellent idea. Assuming they have no Emulators in their possession, the odds are that they’ll go after the Original sealed on Old Miltia. Not to mention… Helmer: U-DO… Gaignun: I don’t know what their ultimate goal is, but we can’t allow that thing to reawaken again. No matter what. Helmer: Understood. We’ll prepare for your arrival. I’m looking forward to seeing you again. The screen switches to the Kukai Foundation beach where Allen has something to say to Shion. Allen: Well, I’m going to go back to the Elsa to check on KOS-MOS. Are you sure you will be all right? Chief… Shion: Yeah…sorry for losing it earlier. I don’t…have very good memories of thunder… Allen: Chief… Shion: I’m a little tired, so maybe I’ll rest at a hotel in City Sector 27, I’ll go to the Elsa after I get a little rest. Please take care of KOS-MOS until then. Allen: All right. Um, Chief? Please don’t push yourself too hard. Shion: Yes, I know. Shion’s group moves on. Shion’s group saw Ziggy and talks to him. Shion: Oh, Ziggy! Is there something wrong? Ziggy: No, I just came to see how you were doing… Jr.: Sure that’s what you say, but the real reason why you came here is because you wanted to play, right? Ziggy: Are you all right? You don’t look well. Shion: Oh, it’s nothing really. I’m completely fine. Ziggy: Okay. If you say so, but it’s better not to push yourself too much. Shion: Yes, I know. Shion’s group proceeds to City Sector 27 and into the hotel. In there, Shion’s group talks to the innkeeper. Innkeeper: Welcome! Oh, you must be Director Gaignun’s guests. I have already received payment from Director Gaignun, so please make yourselves at home. The next day… Shion: Ah, I feel much better! Oh, Allen’s probably waiting. I better hurry back to the Elsa and start the maintenance on KOS-MOS. Shion proceeds to the Launch Pad and takes the shuttle to the Durandal. Then, Shion’s group proceeds to the Elsa and talks to Allen. Allen: Oh, chief, welcome back. Well? Did you rest well? Shion: Yup! I’m fine now. Allen: Then let’s get working on doing maintenance on KOS-MOS, shall we? Meanwhile in Pleroma, Commander Margulis speaks to a man with shades by communication monitor. Man: Current output is 5.806 LPP. Not even 3% of the required levels. Margulis: In other words, you’re saying it’s impossible to open the door to Lost Jerusalem… Man: Open the door? It’s doubtful whether we can even find it. I’ve told you repeatedly that the Emulators were mere supplements. You’re the one who ignored that. Because of you, we’ve lost a valuable asset. I’ve done what I can with what we have, but it’s not going to make much difference. Even Mizrahi couldn’t pull this off without the Original. Margulis: So, have you finally come to acknowledge that lunatic’s work? Man: I’m just being objective. No one in the universe is as knowledgeable in this field as he was. Margulis: We can’t keep our commander waiting any longer. We’ll proceed with Plan 401. Man: Plan 401… That seems a bit extreme to me. The 100-Series that Helmer’s protégé is babysitting…not only does it contain the entire record of Mizrahi’s research, but the access code for the U.M.N. transfer column to the sealed area of Old Miltia, also resides in it. Treating it too roughly, and you’ll lose everything. Margulis: I’m well aware of the importance of Miltia and the Y Data. That’s why I’m using him. Man: I do not like him. His eyes share the same look as Mizrahi’s. Margulis: The same as yours? Man: Well, I’ll be waiting for the good news. The man broke contact. Margulis: Pellegri. Secure a channel to our commander. I want to report this and discuss our plans for manipulating the committee. The camera switches to the mystery man piloting an A.G.W.S. with a Kirshwasser speaking to Commander Margulis by intercom. Mystery Man: I see. So, what do you want me to do? Margulis: The situation is proceeding as planned. Don’t interfere with it for now. Of course, I can’t imagine the Second Miltian government and the Kukai Foundation will simply hand it over. If the situation warrants, we may have to use… …the song of Nephilim. Mystery Man: Now this is a surprise. I thought you hated it with a passion. Margulis: I’m just saying, even your toys have their uses. Mystery Man: Then why don’t you join me? We can enjoy the show together. Margulis: Thanks, I’ll pass. I don’t share your perverse taste in hobbies. Mystery Man: (laughing loudly) Yeah right, you gutless bastard. The mystery man breaks contact. Pellegri: Albedo…a U.R.T.V. A monster born of Life Recycling. There are plenty of mentally unstable Life Recycling Variants out there… Just as Cherenkov was one of them. If he starts getting impatient and moves on his own… Margulis: You needn’t worry about that. Time means nothing to him. The only thing that interests him is that Realian. Pellegri: Are you really…going to use the Song of Nephilim? Margulis: Pellegri. Have you ever heard it? That song…draws everything unto madness… The mystery man will be known as Albedo from this point on. The camera switches to Kukai Foundation and in the Elsa, Shion and Allen are working on KOS-MOS. Shion: Miltia… I thought I’d come back under these situations… Allen: Chief? Is something wrong? Shion: Huh? Ah…oh, no. It's nothing. Shion activates the wall console. Shion: How’s that, KOS-MOS? KOS-MOS: Fine. There are no problems. Please continue. Shion continues to activate the wall console. Allen: And once again, “It’s nothing”… Later in the Durandal… Shelley: We will soon be entering the Miltian star system. We will be entering orbit at 1400 hours local time. Second Miltia Spaceport flight control…Transmitting flight plan, requesting permission to dock. Meanwhile, MOMO is walking by herself. Jr.: Hey, MOMO! MOMO stops and saw Jr. MOMO: Yes? What is it? Jr.: We’ll be going our separate ways once we get to Second Miltia, right? MOMO: Yes… Jr.: I don’t know if Realians believe in carrying charms or not, but… Here, take this. It’s for luck. Jr. took out a bullet and showed it to MOMO. MOMO: It’s so pretty! What is it? Jr.: It’s a bullet from a looong time ago. Look, it’s got a good luck phrase on it: “Sayonara, baby!” MOMO: Thank you! I’ll keep it safe! Jr.: Ah, wait, hold on a sec. Jr. takes out a bracelet and with the bullet, he emits a light to make them form into a bracelet with a good luck charm bullet. Jr.: There we go. Try it on. Jr. gave the bracelet to MOMO. MOMO: Wow! You can do things like that, too? That’s wonderful! Jr.: It kinda tires me out a bit, though. The camera switches to outer space full of Federation ships. In the bridge of the Durandal… Mary: What a strange welcome. Are they escortin’ us in this time? Shelley: They’re blocking the way?! This is no welcome! One of the Federation ships fired photon beams at the Durandal. The lights in the entire area of the Durandal black out a moment and then turns back on. 100-Series: Confirmed Photon Torpedo detonation in immediate vicinity. We’re being surrounded by a fleet of Federation vessels. The camera switches to the Federation Parliament Building where the people are speaking on the screens. Man 1: As you can see from this video, the Kukai Foundation has engaged in what is deeply an act of aggression against the 117th Marine Division. From the events that followed, we can only come to the conclusion that this was an act of rebellion orchestrated by the Foundation’s creators: The Second Miltian government. In light of these troubling events, we hereby enter a motion for the following: Per Article 104, an emergency suspension of the vested rights of Second Miltia’s autonomous government. Man 2: I’d like to add that the 422nd Fleet from Gedalya has been dispatched to the scene in order to surround and contain both the Kukai Foundation and Second Miltia. Man 1: Hold on, there. Won’t that constitute an unauthorized use of force? Man 2: The deployment is in accordance with the Federation Emergency Powers Act. It is fully within our powers. Man 3: I would think that the Kukai Foundation possessing that level of weaponry is a greater problem in and of itself! Man 4: Perhaps they were heroes during the conflict, or whatever in the past, but the current situation is a result of letting them have their way for so long! The Zohar belong to the entire Federation! Why should Second Miltia have sole control?! Man 5: The decision to turn the artifacts of Old Miltia over to an impartial third party was decided by vote 14 years ago. Man 6: We’re talking about the dangers off it being monopolized by a corporation! Man 1: The Kukai Foundation was converted after the completion of the postwar cleanup and their own disarmament. Since taking on their current name and converting to a business, their primary source of income has become entertainment and tourism. How could they possibly have a vested interest in the Zohar? Man 2: You call that disarmed? Man 1: It’s just enough for self defense. Think back to the reason the organization was formed. Not only that, we can’t figure their recent achievements against the Gnosis. Man 3: can we be certain those accusations aren’t merely jealously on the art of a state that didn’t receive postwar government handouts? Man 4: How dare you! Man 3: I’ve heard rumors that Miltia was secretly involved not only with the current planetary disappearance case, but also with other recent developments, including the anti-Gnosis Zohar Project… I’d like to hear the Contact Subcommittee’s thoughts on all this. The man patches Juli Mizrahi on line. Man 3: Dr. Mizrahi? Juli Mizrahi: We moved the 100-Series Realian to Second Miltia in accordance with the original plan. We’re following the protocols. Man 4: But I wonder…? Have you forgotten that it was Miltia that produced the lunatic that summoned the Gnosis and tried to destroy the Federation? Man 3: I sympathize with your desire to defend your late husband, but…perhaps you are too deeply involved in this situation? Juli Mizrahi: I would not have expected my presence here to be misconstrued in such a manner. Man 4: Oh, really… We should have done that earlier. The men start arguing with each other. Leader: Order! Order! The men became quiet. Leader: We’ve just patched in with Representative Helmer. I’d like to hear about the situation from the Second Miltian government. The leader patched Helmer on line. Leader: Well, Representative Helmer? The camera switches to the bridge of the Durandal where Shion’s group is hearing from the Federation. Man’s Voice: In accordance with Federation law, we hereby place the Kukai Foundation under arrest for the suspicion of violating Article 798, Chapter 37: Collection and Concealment of Defense Information, and Article 2153, Chapter 105, Acts of Aggression against Federation Vessels, and hereby revoke all rights previous granted. Shut down your engines and relinquish your weapons… Jr.: “Acts of Aggression against Federation Vessels”?! Man’s Voice: Furthermore, should the Miltian government allow the Kukai Foundation to dock the Durandal, we will issue a state of emergency notice under Article 2384, Chapter 115, Part 18… Allen: W-what in the world is going on? chaos: It looks like they think the Durandal conspired with the Miltian government in an attack on the Federation fleet. Shion: Huh? What Federation fleet? Mary: Hey! Check out the network news on the sub-monitor. You’re not gonna believe this! Everyone looks at the monitor when the Durandal attacked the U-TIC Battleship. Woman’s Voice: On the morning of the 21st, it appears that the 177th Marine Division flagship Woglinde, of the Galaxy Federation’s Tessodora division, came under attack by a heavily armed ship belonging to the Kukai Foundation. Shion: The Woglinde?! What?! I thought the Gnosis attack had been reported already…?! Woman’s Voice: The company has been identified as operating in conjunction with the Second Miltian government. And considerations for the possibility of treason have forced the Federation Parliament to dispatch a fleet… chaos: They did a good job doctoring that video. But how did they synchronize the battle coordinates as well? Jr.: Damn! That’s from when we fought the U-TIC Organization! Those bastards were recording it! Gaignun: I see. That would explain how the absolute coordinates match. I guess that’s their indisputable proof. Even I’m starting to think that we did it. Ziggy: Considering the situation, you don’t sound very worried. Shelley: In any event, this is confirmation that the remnants of the U-TIC Organization have infiltrated both the Federation government and the military. Jr.: Which means…their next target is… Shion: This is such a blatant lie, it’s ludicrous. As survivor’s if we testify… Gaignun: They’ll just claim that you survived because you were in on the conspiracy. Allen: This is insane… Do you think this is why Headquarters hasn’t communicated with us…?! The camera shows the Durandal destroying a ship. Then, the camera shows a group of Federation ships surrounding the Kukai Foundation. Suddenly, the female captain and her soldiers appeared at the bridge. Lapis Roman: I am Captain Lapis Roman of the Galaxy Federation’s Special Ops Command Headquarters, intelligence Bureau. I hereby place this ship under custody of the Galaxy Federation. The soldier with their guns make everyone place their hand up to their heads and one handcuffed Ziggy’s hands to the back. Lapis Roman: (to Shion and Allen) I understand you’re from the Woglinde. I’ll take you in as witnesses. All Vector property will be temporarily confiscated as evidence. Shion: KOS-MOS… Guard: Here’s the 100-Series Realian under warrant! The soldier drags MOMO’s right arm and makes her move with him. Jr.: Hey! Don’t hurt her! The soldier tries to restrain Jr. but Jr. managed to freed himself. The soldier struck Jr. with his rifle’s butt and fell to the floor. The other soldier aims his gun at Jr.’s head and Jr. stops himself. Lapis Roman: Detain them in a single room, and watch them carefully. Soldier: All of them? Lapis Roman: Splitting them up will only serve to underman our guardposts. Investigate as much of the ship as possible before we rendezvous with the others. Soldier: Yes, Ma’am. While the guards take Shion’s group to custody, Captain Lapis Roman talks to Gaignun. Lapis Roman: Gaignun Kukai, you are hereby under arrest for suspicion of treason against the Galaxy Federation. Come with me. Gaignun: As you wish. Later, in one room where Shion’s group was placed on house arrest… Ziggy: It’s all orchestrated too well… Shion: Huh? Ziggy: The fleet deployment came too quickly. They must have been prepared to ensure that MOMO would return to them regardless of what happened… Or perhaps ensnaring Second Miltia was part of their plan from the very beginning. Jr.: As a neutral territory, Second Miltia was invested with a whole bunch of rights and legal privileges after the Miltian Conflict. There are a whole lot of folks who still have problems with that, even outside of the U-TIC Organization. Ziggy: The asteroid where MOMO was imprisoned… I wondered where the information about that place came from… Now it seems like it was all part of the plan from the very beginning. MOMO: Do you mean…from when Mommy sent you to rescue me? chaos: You don’t think there are U-TIC members within the Subcommittee itself…? Allen: It's not inconceivable. Perhaps it was the very person who arranged for MOMO’s rescue, Dr. Juli Mizrahi herself… MOMO: No! Mommy would never do something like that! Shion: Allen! Allen: I…uh…sorry… The screen switches to Gaignun and Captain Lapis Roman walking in the corridor of the Residential Area. Captain Lapis Roman hands Gaignun some black box. Lapis Roman: Open it. Gaignun opens the black box and inside is a cell phone. It rang and answered it knowing it was Representative Helmer calling. Gaignun: Helmer? Helmer: Sorry to keep you waiting, Gaignun. I’m in a somewhat difficult position myself at the moment, but I’m doing what I can with the Federation Parliament. Now, the woman beside you is Captain Lapis Roman. Several years ago, I sent her to infiltrate the military in order to keep tabs on the U-TIC members within it. She is one of my most trusted subordinates. Gaignun: Always prepared, aren’t you? Helmer: Caution is something that comes naturally with age. Captain Roman will investigate the Durandal’s records before someone modifies them. Please assist her. Gaignun: Understood. I’ll give her the Durandal’s master key. Woman: Sir! The woman appeared to speak to Helmer. Woman: There’s an EPR com from the CEO of Vector… Helmer: Vector? All right. I’ll take it. (to Gaignun) If you’ll excuse me. I’ll let you know if there are any developments. Busy as always… Not half as much as you. Helmer hangs up the phone. Representative Helmer gets a contact from Master Wilhelm by communication monitor. Wilhelm: It’s good to see you again, Representative Helmer. Helmer: Likewise, Mr. Wilhelm. We haven’t spoken since you resigned as Executive Committee Director. Wilhelm: I’m well aware of the situation. Allow me to make a recommendation to the Parliament as well. Helmer: Mr. Wilhelm, you’re too kind. Wilhelm: Actually, my concerns have even prompted me to dispatch the Dämmerung, which is currently underway to the Miltian system. Helmer: Your concerns? Wilhelm: This incident…surely you’ve realized by now that…? Helmer: There’s no question of the U-TIC Organization’s involvement in it. Wilhelm: Exactly. Given that, it can only mean they’re after one thing. The Original Zohar in stasis on Miltia, and… Helmer: U-DO… The screen shows a planet in red flames. Helmer: We can’t allow that to be awakened again. Wilhelm: I believe our firm’s KOS-MOS and its related staff are currently in your care… Helmer: I apologize, Mr. Wilhelm. I’m afraid the link between the Kukai Foundation and the Second Miltian government is… Wilhelm: Ah, of course. Then please pass a message on to Gaignun for me. Surely that would be acceptable? Helmer: That much, I can do. Wilhelm: Tell him that we’ll lend him KOS-MOS for a while, and he can use her as he sees fit. We still have time before the Zohar Project commences, and in the worst-case scenario, she’ll definitely be of use. We’ll have the Second R&D Division and the Tactical Sim Lab provide support. Helmer: Are you sure? Isn’t that top secret? Wilhelm: It’s a calculated risk. From our point of view, the more real-world data we get, the better. Helmer: All right. I’ll convey your message to Master Gaignun. Wilhelm: Thank you. Good day, then. Wilhelm broke contact. Helmer: (gets up from his seat) U-DO… The screen switches to the Durandal in the room where Shion’s group is in. Captain Lapis Roman and the 2 soldiers came in. Lapis Roman: The preliminary inquiry shall now begin. Captain Lapis Roman takes a seat where MOMO and Shion are sitting near the table. Lapis Roman: I am an agent working for Representative Helmer of the Second Miltian Parliament. Shion gasp when she saw one of Captain Lapis Roman’s soldiers. Lapis Roman: He’s also with us. We can go into detail later, but for now I’ll just debrief you on the current situation. You are presently under the custody of the Federation government and the military. I’ll be honest with you. The way things are now, within a few hours, she’ll be turned over to anti-Miltian forces, specifically the U-TIC Organization. Soon after, the Second Miltian government will be stripped of all its authority. At this moment, Representative Helmer is working with the leaders of the Miltian Parliament to buy us additional time. However, our opponents’ skillful manipulation requires us to find concrete proof of your innocence. Shion: But…how? Lapis Roman: That’s the question. We need something that would give conclusive evidence of your innocence. Shion: Conclusive…evidence… The camera views the door in the room. Shion: What about the Woglinde’s black box? We’ve already recovered that. Unfortunately, sometime after the final gate-out, it was modified to be exactly the same as the video recording, down to the time axis. Jr.: Not to mention, I shot up the database on that U-TIC battleship… chaos: What about the Durandal’s database? A record of the battle against the U-TIC should still be there. Can’t we use that to prove our innocence? Lapis Roman: Is that a standard database? Jr.: Yeah. chaos: Is that a problem? Lapis Roman: Yes…Standard databases are too easily modified. I’m not certain how reliable they would be as evidence. If we had something that even the owner couldn’t change, say, a system with a AAA class encryption, then maybe… Jr.: Wha…? Triple A?! You don’t find systems with that kind of protection just lying around! For something like that, you’d need the Federation government’s motherframe, or the U.M.N. operating system! Shion: We… Jr.: What? Shion: We have one! Allen: …Oh! KOS-MOS! The screen shows KOS-MOS sleeping. Then the screen switches back to Shion’s group. Jr.: KOS-MOS?! Shion: Yes. KOS-MOS’ database has a recording of the battle against the Gnosis onboard the Woglinde. If we enter that as evidence… Allen: Yeah, but in order to copy the record, we need the keys from both the Federation government and Headquarters. Shion: By diving into the Encephalon and experiencing the record ourselves, we can make a copy through the Connection Gear. Allen: B…But…that’s impossible without the dive equipment. Shion: How about the Service Module’s Simple Dive Unit? Allen: You’ve got to be kidding! Besides, that’s a violation of protocol! Shion: We don’t have any other choice, do we? Oh, I’m so sick and tired of protocol… Jr.: But… Shion: The real question is, how do we get to KOS-MOS? Captain Lapis Roman activates the U.M.N. and releases the handcuffs from Ziggy’s hands. Captain Lapis Roman gave the U.M.N. to Shion. Lapis Roman: That’ll open any locked doors you come across. I’ll just saw that we were careless. But to make it look legitimate, you’ll need to knock me out. Ziggy: You sure? Lapis Roman: Otherwise no one would believe it, right? Ziggy looks at everyone. Ziggy: You have a point. Lapis Roman: Go easy on me, okay…? MOMO is too scared to see this that she leans her face on Shion while Shion comforts MOMO. Ziggy punches Captain Lapis Roman and she got knocked out. Ziggy approaches the other soldier. Ziggy: Forgive me. Ziggy punches and knocks out the soldier. Jr.: Thanks! You’re pretty cool. Unequipped, chaos can only fight at this time. On their way out, Shion’s group proceed to the other room and found their equipment. Shion’s group proceeds to the Dock and takes the cargo elevator to the Elsa. In there… Shion: There’s no time to lose. We have to hurry to the maintenance lab. Shion’s group proceeds to the maintenance room where KOS-MOS is. Shion takes the red scope. Shion: Here we go. Allen, handle backup for me, all right? Allen: …Roger. Opening Interconnection. (to himself) Ahh…get a grip. (to Shion) Don’t worry. I’ll back you up no matter what happens. Shion places the scope on her eyes. Shion: Thanks. Ready, KOS-MOS? Shion’s group suddenly saw the entire area being sucked in. Jr.: What the…? Shion’s group got sucked into the Encephalon. In one area, Shion saw a large skyscraper. Shion: N…no… Thunder appeared and freaked Shion out. Then Shion is taken to another area in a playground where she saw herself when she was a kid. Shion as a kid got out of the swing and saw her father. Kid Shion: Daddy! Shion: Daddy! Shion turned around and saw Shion as a kid approaching her father. Shion’s Father: All right, Shion…let’s go home. Kid Shion: We’re not… …going to see Mom? Shion’s Father: No…not today… We’ll visit her tomorrow, okay? Kid Shion: …Okay. Shion as a kid and her father walked away. Shion: Wait… Don’t go… Voice of the Girl: You cannot go… Shion then saw the little girl from before and also in her dreams. Girl: That’s right. This was the last day you spent together with your father. I’ve been waiting a long time for you… The girl gets up. Girl: We have much to talk about. The camera switches to Jr., Ziggy, and MOMO in the area of the ruined city. Jr. suddenly saw some U.R.T.V. marching by with rifle. Jr.: No way… It can’t be… MOMO: Jr.? Jr.: No doubt about it. They’re U.R.T.V. Ziggy: …I see. It would appear that this is more than just a hallucination. What is this place? Do you recognize it? Jr. said nothing. Ziggy: Jr.… Jr.: (shouts in anger) What?!! MOMO panicked a bit from hearing Jr. shouting. Ziggy: I’m asking you if you recognize this place. Jr.: Yeah, I do. If this isn’t an illusion, and my memory’s correct, this is…Miltia. From fourteen years ago. Jr. ran forward. Ziggy: Where are you going? MOMO: I wonder what’s troubling him? It looks as though he’s trying to chase after those people… Ziggy: I’m sure he has his reasons. Nonetheless, we don’t know what’s going on and we can’t let him go off alone. The camera switches to the playground with Shion and the little girl. Shion: You’ve been waiting…? For us…? Shion didn’t notice chaos and Allen appeared. Shion: chaos…Allen…? Allen: Chief…? Where are we? The little girl placed her hand on Shion’s hand. Shion: Who are you? Nephilim: I am…Nephilim. That’s what I have been called. Ever since I existed in this form… The little girl will be known as Nephilim from now on. The camera switches to Jr.’s group and they move on. In the next area, Jr.’s group saw gunfire everywhere by the U.R.T.V. Jr.: Every single one of them’s infected… Gaignun when he was young fired at the last remaining U.R.T.V. and killed him. Young Gaignun: Rubedo! Where are you?! Rubedo! Jr.: Gaignun…?! The camera switches to the factory where Jr. saw young Gaignun walking very badly. A white haired U.R.T.V. appeared and attacked young Gaignun. Then, just as the white haired U.R.T.V. was going to finish young Gaignun... Jr.: Gaignun!! Jr. ran to him. Jr. then came to his sense in the Encephalon. MOMO: Are you all right? Jr.: I-I’m fine… MOMO: Jr.? Jr.: (shouting in anger) I said I’m fine!! MOMO panicked again. Jr.: S…Sorry… I didn’t mean to… Damn it…what the hell is this? What’s going on here? The screen switches to the park where Shion is sitting on a swing with Nephilim. Shion: So you’re saying this really is Miltia? Nephilim: Yes. A world of unbroken memories slumber at the depths of your consciousness… KOS-MOS has sensed this and recreated it. This world…it is also KOS-MOS’ memory as well. Shion: KOS-MOS’ memory…? No, that’s not… Nephilim: Memories do not belong solely to one person. And they are not fixed to just one location. Shion: No, I mean… It’s…the original KOS-MOS was… Shion flashes back two years ago, that she held a gun at KOS-MOS. Nephilim: …Destroyed, during that incident, two years ago… Shion shot a bullet to KOS-MOS’ head and the head is destroyed along with KOS-MOS. Then, the screen shows that KOS-MOS killed Kevin by impaling his torso with her right hand. Nephilim: And you lost someone dear to you as well… The flashback ended. Nephilim: Joyful memories form only one half of a whole. Only when they are combined together with the other half, can your consciousness truly take form. You must…no… All of you must accept the entirety of your memories. Shion: Accept…our memories… Nephilim: You must…return to Miltia once again. The screen shows Shion’s father who died and Shion as a kid was sleeping. The screen switches back to the park. Shion gets out of the swing. Shion: Please…tell me. Why must I go to Miltia? Nephilim: Only KOS-MOS knows the answer to that question… She is waiting for you there. Shion: KOS-MOS is…out there…? Shion walks away. Allen: Hey…wait up! Chief! Allen follows Shion. Nephilim: (to chaos) Are you sure this is what you want? There is no turning back. chaos: I know…but… Shion…is vital to her. Nephilim: And to you as well? What will you do? Shion’s group moves on. The camera then switches to Jr.’s group and they move on. In the next area… Jr.: Man… You’ve gotta be kidding… MOMO: What’s wrong? Oh… Jr.’s group saw a large skyscraper. Jr.: The U-TIC Organization’s central tower…Labyrinthos. MOMO: Labyrinthos…? The camera shows a man name Joachim Mizrahi talking. Joachim Mizrahi: Hallelujah! “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it…” “…and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them…” “…and they were judged every man according to their works!” MOMO: That voice…that’s… That’s Daddy…! Daddy!! Ziggy: What?! Ziggy grabbed MOMO’s arm before she could get away. Ziggy: MOMO! Stop! Where are you going?! MOMO: Let me go! Daddy… Daddy’s calling for me! Ziggy: “Daddy”?! Is that really him…?! Jr.: That’s Joachim Mizrahi…without a doubt. Ziggy: So that’s…Joachim Mizrahi... Joachim Mizrahi: “And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life…” “…was cast into the lake of fire!” “Rejoice, all ya! The time for feasting has come!” Joachim Mizrahi got burned and falls from the skyscraper. MOMO: Noooooooooooo!! MOMO ran to try and catch Joachim Mizrahi, but Joachim Mizrahi fell through and disappeared. MOMO: (upset and raising her voice) Da…ddy… Daddyyyy!! Jr.: MOMO… Ziggy: All this before me… Is this really Miltia form fourteen years ago…? Suddenly, the area disappeared and Jr.’s group falls into an area and then a bright light covered the entire screen. The camera switches to Shion who proceeds to the next area. The camera switches to the forest area, where MOMO is crying. MOMO: (crying) Jr.… Jr. comforts MOMO by placing his hand on her shoulder. Later, the camera shows Shion’s group appeared in the forest area and saw something. Shion: Is that…a church…? Suddenly, Shion saw Jr.’s group. Shion: Jr.?! How did you all get here…? Jr.: Beats me. As soon as you dived, everything went all hazy, and the next thing I knew, we were here. After that, there were all sorts of visions… Allen: Did we all get pulled into the Chief’s Encephalon dive? Shion: That’s impossible. None of you were connected. Allen: If KOS-MOS’ oscillation pulse caused a counter-current to flow through the Dive Unit, it’s not inconceivable. The ones we use are non-contact types, after all. Shion: Even if that were the case, the Simple Dive Unit couldn’t handle that great a load. There would have to be some other, external force… The voice of Nephilim was heard. Nephilim: I’ve been waiting a long time for all of you… The camera switches back to Shion’s group. chaos: Regardless of how we got here, this is KOS-MOS’ mainframe. Our memories found a common resonance within her, and resulted in the creation of this world… That’s what it feels like to me. Allen: But, I don’t remember ever being in a place like this. chaos: I wonder if perhaps memories – in other words, events that occurred in the past – become stronger, more selective, and gain a higher priority when they resonate with others that share identical axes in time and space. If you think about it in those terms, it isn’t quite so odd that both my memories and those of Allen are not reflected here. Ziggy: So, what you’re saying is, this world is constantly changing based on the experiences people share in time and space? Jr.: A world made up of our past, as glimpsed through the mind of KOS-MOS… MOMO: So…it’s all an illusion…? Shion: There’s no difference between illusion and reality to the person experiencing it. This is…no illusion… Allen: Chief… The voice of Nephilim can be heard. Nephilim: All of you must accept the entirety of your memories. Shion: So that’s what she meant… Shion’s group proceeds to the church. Inside… Allen: Someone’s here. Those clothes…is she a Realian? MOMO: Yes… She definitely seems to be a Realian, but…I also sense something different… Allen: Is this based on one of our memories, too, Chief? …Chief? Ziggy: Are you…a Realian? Febronia: Yes. My name is Febronia. I came to take care of this church because I longed for a place where Realians could find peace. Shion: Febronia… Jr.: Do you know her? Shion flashes back where Febronia was ate up by monsters. The flashback ended. Shion: I…I know you… I…know…you…! But…no… I don’t want to remember… (placed her hands over her face) It’s…it’s… The camera shows Febronia ate up by monsters. Then the camera switches back to Febronia. Febronia: Follow me, Shion. Febronia goes near the side of the door in the back. Nephilim: The instant you open that door you will come face to face with yourselves. It will be an experience full of sorrow and pain…But it is, both to you and to us, a very, very important experience. Shion’s group proceeds to the door. Through the door… Allen: This…is inside of the Chief’s soul? Shion’s group approaches one of the doors. Shion: This is… Nephilim: The Acute Neurosis Treatment Facility. A place you know well. Shion: The room where Mom was hospitalized… Nephilim: Yes. A place where painful, sorrowful memories linger. I wonder… Can you face them… Inside the room, there were dead bodies including the mother and father of Shion. Shion panicked and then suddenly, Shion’s group saw a bunch of monsters appearing. They stabbed each other’s back and possess them to grow stronger. Then, Shion and Jr. panicked as they stepped back slowly. The screen shows Jr. in the hexagonal lab. There, he saw Albedo when he was young laughing. Jr.: Al…bedo… Albedo: (laughing maniacally) The Song…the song is…I… Mirror, mirror, on the wall…show me…define me! I am the infinite telomerase! I am not an anti-existence! I am the perfect chain!!! Albedo continues to laugh maniacally and then the camera switches back to Jr. and Shion being frightened. Allen: Chief! Jr.! What’s wrong with you two?! Hey! Chief?! (saw something) Wha… What is… Shion’s group saw the monsters transforming into Tiamat. Shion’s group fights Tiamat. Shion managed to deal the finishing blow and Shion’s group defeated Tiamat. After that, Tiamat disappeared and then reddish-pink waves went everywhere and the camera switches to an area with a tree and a woman who resembles Febronia and the two kids running around. Febronia: I am sorry, Shion… I know it was hard for you… But… Shion: There are…two of you… Febronia: The woman sitting over there isn’t me. It’s just an image created for the girls. An illusion. This is their world… created solely for Cecily and Cathe. I am using KOS-MOS’ Encephalon construction abilities to show it to all of you. Allen: But…they seem to be so happy… Febronia: Would you say that… …if you were to see this? The area turns to a grave world and the woman resembling Febronia is dead and the two kids and still running around. Febronia: This is…just an illusion that traps them here… A binding spell created by mankind to control the Zohar. But, as far as they know, this world is reality. I want you…to release my sisters… Please, for the future of the Realians as well… Shion: The future of the Realians…? Nephilim: Not just for their future…but for the future of humans, non-humans, and all matter of living consciousness… Feb and I can only exist in this world of consciousness. We can only come into contact with the real world for a short time. That is why I called for all of you…so that the future may be changed. Shion: Change…the future? Nephilim: Look. The area changes to outer space and the planet Miltia appeared. Shion: Miltia… The illusion of KOS-MOS appeared. Shion: That’s…KOS-MOS?! The planet Miltia fired a beam at KOS-MOS, but KOS-MOS fired her beam and the two beams hit each other. Then, the entire area blows up in chain reaction. Nephilim: That stream of energy…is the consciousness known as U-DO. Jr.: What? U-DO…?! Nephilim: U-DO was the source of the space-time anomaly that engulfed Miltia 14 years ago. What you just saw was a vision of the future, where U-DO encounters KOS-MOS in the form in which she was meant to be. U-DO will awaken soon. He feeds upon the consciousness of those who intend to awaken him, as well as those who wish to seek him… Jr.: It’s gonna wake up…soon…? Nephilim: The future you just saw is but one of an infinite set of potential phenomena. But that does not mean that the future is already set. Even the smallest of waves can spread throughout the whole. Phenomena change with every moment, just like a drifting wave. Shion: Are you saying…that we’re that wave? Nephilim: Yet, before it all begins… I wanted you to…face your pasts. But… I see you are not ready yet. I am sorry. Shion: But…why us? Nephilim: Shion…you were once touched by a Gnosis. Despite that, you remain unchanged, the same as before. That is why… Shion: That’s why…? Nephilim: There will be a time when I can discuss why. If you go back to Miltia… The place where it all began… Then you will see… Nephilim and Febronia disappeared from the scene. Shion: Wait! Shion’s group saw a door and they entered it. In the next area, Shion’s group saw KOS-MOS tied to a crossed shaped stone. Shion talks to KOS-MOS. Shion: KOS-MOS… So, this is your… KOS-MOS became brighter. Shion: Ye shall be as gods… KOS-MOS: Disarming subconscious domain protection. Shion’s group saw the entire area turning bright and then, they we’re all taken back to the Elsa. The maintenance bed opened. KOS-MOS awakens and gets up. Shion: Morning…KOS-MOS… KOS-MOS: Good morning, Shion. KOS-MOS using her sensors looks at everyone. chaos: Well, looks like we all managed to make it back. Allen: Chief! Allen runs up to Shion and embraces her. Allen: …I’m so relieved you’re okay! Shion: A…Allen…? The camera switches to the bridge of Durandal. In there, Shion’s group enters and talks to Captain Lapis Roman. Shion: I present to you the memory bank data from the Anti-Gnosis Humanoid Weapon System KP-X, KOS-MOS. Protection Level AAA, with no possibility of alteration. Captain Lapis Roman takes the memory bank data. Lapis Roman: Memory bank data accepted. Please remain within the Miltian star system until you’re cleared of all charges. A little later… Mary: Phew, well I am sure glad that escapade’s over and done with! Shelley: (to Jr.) You don’t look very happy. Did something happen? Jr.: Huh? Yeah. You could say that… I still can’t believe it… Lapis Roman: We’ve got another friend of yours to release, too. Gaignun appeared with Captain Lapis Roman. Shelley: Oh…! Master Gaignun! Mary: Master Gaignun…!! Mary and Shelley ran and hugged Gaignun. Jr.: Hey. Gaignun: You’ve done well… Jr.: Ahh, no big deal… But…it sure brought back a lot of bad memories… (to Shion) Hey, Shion… That girl… She called herself Nephilim, right? Shion: Uh…yeah. Jr.: Are you sure? Shion: Yes, but… Jr.: Hmm… Shion: What’s…wrong…? Jr.: Well… If that girl is somehow connected to what I’m thinking of… Then things are gonna get real busy, real soon… The screen switches to the Park where Allen and chaos are sitting on the bench. Allen: …She was crying, wasn’t she? The screen shows the cemetery with Allen watching Shion crying over the grave of Kevin. Allen: I think that’s only the second time I’ve ever seen her cry… The screen switches back to the present time. Allen: No matter what happens, she never shares her pain with anyone… It’s times like these when I’m reminded that I’m nothing but a subordinate to her. I… I wish I could take her tears away… Maybe… …someday. chaos: You will…Allen, someday. Allen: Easy for you to say. You don’t know a thing about us… chaos looked puzzled. Allen: Oh…I’m sorry… It’s just… I didn’t mean to say that… chaos: We’ve only known each other for a short while…but I can see that you have a good heart, Allen. Allen: You’re too nice, chaos… chaos: Kindness… At times, it binds us. But still… The screen switches to Gaignun’s office where Gaignun speaks to Helmer over communication monitor. Helmer: They’ve completed their review of KOS-MOS’ subconscious domain records today, and the Federation fleet is preparing to leave the area. The charges against Second Miltia and the Kukai Foundation will be officially dropped tomorrow. That’s quite a job you pulled off there. Gaignun: We couldn’t have done it without you. You have my thanks. So, Mizrahi’s 100-Series…seems to be quite important. Helmer: Yes. I doubt they’ll stand by and let her go that easily. You’d better be careful. Gaignun: Right. Now…I wonder what they’re going to try next… The screen switches to Shion in her room, lying on the bed. Shion: I can’t believe I just handed over top-secret company info to the Federation without permission… I am SO fired… Shion thinks back to the past where she saw MOMO sad and walking away. Shion: MOMO… She looked so sad… Shion thinks back to the past where Allen was speaking to her. Allen: Chief… So, um…why don’t we go grab a bite to eat? Shelley told me about this great café… Shion: I’m sorry… I don’t have much of an appetite right now… Allen looks down. The past ended. Shion: Guess I’m not quite myself, either… Nephilim… Febronia…and her sisters… What does she mean…”release them”? And KOS-MOS and U-DO…? All this facing the past stuff… What… What am I supposed to do…? Ugh, I don’t understand any of it… The next day… Shion: I was a little too cold towards Allen earlier. I better apologize to him in person. I wonder where he went? Shion searches for Allen. Shion later found Allen in the Iron Man Bar at Sector 27. Shion talks to Allen who is posing at the standees. Shion: Oh, Allen? What in the world are you doing here? Allen: Oh, Chief! What’s the matter? Weren’t you resting in your room? Shion: Yeah, I was going to but… Allen: Oh, yeah, take a look. What do you think of this pose?! I look pretty cool, don’t I? I really hit off with this person! He’s teaching me right now. Umm, what’s the matter? Shion: …Oh no, it’s nothing. As long as you’re all right. I’m going to go back to the Durandal. See ya! Allen: What? Chief?! What’s the matter? What are you so mad about?! The camera switches to the area with Albedo holding the body of a subordinate 100-Series Realian that he already killed. Commander Margulis speaks to Albedo from intercom. Margulis: The vermin have eluded the trap… Prepare yourself… Albedo: (laughing) So, we’ll finally hear it… Albedo throws the body of the 100-Series Realian. Albedo: The Song! I can’t wait…for that wonderful song! Albedo laughs maniacally. The screen switches to the Elsa and chaos is using the console, but then, the Song of Nephilim can be heard playing. The screen shows Gaignun’s office. Jr.: Hey, Gaignun… That’s… Gaignun: It can’t be… The Song of Nephilim…? The screen switches to the Elsa. chaos: No! Matthews: chaos…? chaos: That Song. They mustn’t allow it to play… The camera shows the dishes shaking. Then, the camera switches to the office of Wilhelm’s. Wilhelm and the hooded man were playing chess. Hooded Man: The Song… Wilhelm: So it begins. The camera shows the outer space and the Federation ships. Beams were destroying the ships one by one. In the Durandal… 100-Series: Large-scale gate-out. Repeat, large-scale gate-out. The U.M.N. geodesic structure is being forcibly replaced!! Jr.: The Gnosis…?! MOMO: Jr. the Federation ships…! Gnosis appeared everywhere. Shion came to the bridge. 100-Series: The Gnosis are closing in! Four minutes to contact with the Foundation! Shelley: The civilians! Start evacuating them immediately! If all else fails, we may have to abandon the Foundation. Is that acceptable? Jr.: I’ll leave it to you. Evacuate all civilians into the Durandal! Shelley: Acknowledged. I’ll make the announcement. The screen shows the citizens evacuating to the Durandal. Shion: Where’s KOS-MOS?! If we activate the Hilbert Effect, it could buy us some time for the evacuation! KOS-MOS arrived at the bridge. KOS-MOS: Shion, did you call for me? Shion: KOS-MOS, are you ready? KOS-MOS: Yes. I am ready. Suddenly, Gnosis appeared in the Kukai Foundation. 100-Series: Reports of Gnosis sighted in colony precinct 32! They’ve also penetrated precincts 18 and 27! Jr.: What!? Shion: The Hilbert Effect! KOS-MOS: Affirmative. Activating Hilbert Effect. KOS-MOS activates the Hilbert Effect. Shion: This should keep them from materializing inside the colony. chaos: In any case, we have to hurry up and get everyone onboard. If we don’t do something, the Gnosis are going to take over the entire Metropolis. MOMO: I’ll help with the evacuation! Ziggy: I’ll go as well. Shion flashes back of the time when KOS-MOS destroyed Miltia. The flashback ended. Shion: KOS-MOS… We’re counting on you. KOS-MOS: I am happy to be of service. Shion: Good. Shion’s group proceeds to Sector 26 and 27 and rescued all the civilians. After that, Shion’s group saw a Gnosis called Gigas. Shion’s group fights and defeats Gigas. Shion’s group proceeds to the Launch Pad. The screen switches to outer space where the A.G.W.S. are fighting against the Gnosis. Suddenly, a big A.G.W.S. piloted by Albedo appeared. The A.G.W.S. tried to fire at the large A.G.W.S., but the large A.G.W.S. took all the A.G.W.S. out instantly. The large A.G.W.S. then shot down a bunch of Gnosis, instantly. Albedo: Weak! They’re all so weak!! Albedo laughs maniacally and the war goes on. The camera switches to the Kukai Foundation’s Launch Pad where MOMO is helping the injured and Shion standing at the shuttle. Shion: MOMO! Hurry and get in! MOMO: I’m okay! I’ve got to help treat these injured people. This person’s bleeding heavily… Shion: All right! We’ll come back for you soon! While MOMO is treating the injured, a man appears slowly behind MOMO. MOMO: You’ll be okay. I’ll close the wound now with some nanospray. Shion’s group takes the shuttle back to the Kukai Foundation’s Launch Pad and to check on MOMO. But then… Shion: Oh? How strange… MOMO isn’t here. Where could she have gone? Shion’s group proceeds to the Residential Area. In there… Shion: Allen! Ziggy: Have you seen MOMO?! Allen: No, she’s not back yet? I thought she was with you. Ziggy: She stayed behind to treat the injured, but she wasn’t there when we returned. We thought she might have come back on her own… Jr.: Damn, where the hell is she…? All right, I’ll get our 100-Series to start searching. They shouldn’t have any trouble, being the same model and all. Ziggy: Thanks. We’ve eliminated the Gnosis within the Colony, but there isn’t any guarantee they won’t be back. The camera switches to MOMO who wakes up in a cold area. MOMO: Where…am…I…? (shivering) It’s so cold… What happened…? MOMO flashes back to the part in the Kukai Foundation’s Launch Pad. MOMO saw someone walking away from her. MOMO: Daddy! Daddyyyy! MOMO follows the man, but then in the alley where the man went, MOMO went there and nobody was there. Suddenly, Albedo appeared and MOMO was frightened. The flashback ended. MOMO: I…I can’t remember… What…is that smell? It's so…strange… It’s faint, but it’s coming from somewhere… (gasp) Who’s there?! MOMO walked forward and saw a 100-Series Realian lying to the wall. The screen switches to outer space where the war against the Gnosis continues as the Federations are fighting them off. Federation Employee 1: Gnosis gate-outs increasing! Left wing deployment is 60 seconds behind! They broke through our second A.G.W.S. defense line! Federation Captain: We must rebuild the fleet formation first! Hey! And data from the 100-Series?! Federation Employee 2: No, Sir! The Gnosis are gathered around a 1600km radius surrounding the Kukai Foundation! Federation Captain: I knew it…damn Helmer! The phantoms of Miltia really do follow in his wake, don’t they… All turrets, adjust your sights to the Kukai Foundation! Destroy the source!! The camera switches to the cold area where MOMO tries to talk to the 100-Series Realian who is unconscious. MOMO: No. 0097… My sister… That’s it, isn’t it…? This is Daddy’s place… I finally get to meet you…and we can’t even talk… There were so many things I wanted to ask about you, about Daddy… The 100-Series Realian moves a little. MOMO: …You’re still alive! Are you okay? Who did this to you? The 100-Series Realian touches MOMO’s face and lets her see the memories of Joachim Mizrahi. In the memory, the screen shows the capsule with MOMO in it when she is unborn. Joachim Mizrahi: Soon… Soon you will be born into this world… And once you arrive, you must do many good deeds… If you do…you can become human… You can become by Sakura… MOMO: Daddy… The screen shows Albedo attacking. The screen blacks out and Albedo laughs maniacally. The memory ended and the 100-Series Realian stopped responding. MOMO: Was that…your memory…? Thank you. Thank you for letting me see Daddy… The Kirshwasser stopped seeing things. MOMO: He’s here, right…? Through that door…? MOMO proceeds to the next area, but the Kirshwasser’s left hand is moving a little after MOMO left the scene. The camera switches back to the Durandal. Mary: The Federation fleet is surrounding us again! Shion: Now what’re they up to?! Shelley: I think I know. Look at the movements of the Gnosis. In one of the screens, it shows the movement status of the Gnosis. Shelley: The pattern of the Gnosis gate-outs are near the center of the Foundation. Gaignun: What about the Zohars in the hangars?! Mary: They’re in stasis! Attract Inhibitor output is normal! Gaignun: So if the Zohars in the Durandal aren’t calling the Gnosis, then… Jr.: Gaignun… It’s the Song we’ve been hearing, isn’t it…? Gaignun: Indeed. It's faint, but there’s no mistaking it. No one else seems able to hear it, though… Shion: Hey, do you guys hear something? It sounds…like a…song? Allen: A…song? Everyone looked puzzled. Allen: I don’t hear anything. You sure you aren’t imagining things? Shion: I don’t know… I swear I can hear it… Jr.: (wondering) She hears it? How’s that possible? Gaignun: Why…am I feeling so unsettled? This image…just won’t leave my mind… Jr.: (wondering) You too? This darkness… I feel…like I’m being dragged down into an abyss… (speaking) It can’t be…! Gnosis appeared from outside. The camera switches to the area where MOMO is. MOMO: I knew it. I knew I wasn’t imagining it… Suddenly, MOMO saw a bunch of Kirshwasser’s corpse. MOMO started throwing up after witnessing this intense scene. Albedo: Such tears… What beauty they hold…these tears of sorrow… Surely they are the most precious substance in the world. Albedo sits in a seat holding the corpse of a Kirshwasser. Albedo: But, are you worthy to shed such tears? The act of mourning the dead belongs to the realm of humans. MOMO: You did this…didn’t you!? Albedo: Ah, my beautiful little Kirschwasser… But still… Can you really call this a corpse? Albedo lets go of the corpse’s arm and it made a cracking noise, scaring MOMO. Albedo: Frailty, thy name is woman… No, that’s not right. You little Realians weren’t even born from a woman’s womb. Albedo drops the corpse and then placed his left hand on MOMO’s head. Albedo: The human race, fearful in its weakness, built this world in a futile attempt to elude the abyss they call mortality. Culture…civilization…all delusions created by a powerless race, and of little use, like a barren woman. But amidst all this, you continue to exist as an unfettered soul, free from the shackles of flesh and blood… A completely pure consciousness… An eternal spiral, undefiled by impurities… a fusion of fire, breath, and spirit… What can we call you…but angels? New, unadulterated psyches… But what you lack is reality. And that is what I shall provide you with…! Albedo rips off his left arm and drops it. And then stepping forward towards MOMO, Albedo frightens MOMO with his ripped left arm and then… Albedo: Boo! Albedo’s left arm magically appeared. He laughs maniacally and then rips his head off and throws it to the floor. His headless body is still alive. Albedo: Ah, ma belle pêche…there’s no need to tremble like that. Else you’ll make me feel like a péché myself… MOMO continues to be horrified by Albedo’s gruesome action. Albedo: Was that a glimpse of a man that I caught in your heart? Who is it, this red-haired…? Red-haired…Rubedo… Ah, it’s Rubedo! Oh, that’s just perfect… Albedo laughs maniacally and stamps and crushes his head, splattering blood on the ground. Then, Albedo’s head reappeared on his body. Albedo: Do you know what he said while he coughed up his lifeblood? “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone.” Wheat, eh? There’s enough of it, we can afford to waste as much as we want. Like my head, you see? Albedo approaches closer and touches the frightened MOMO’s face. Albedo: What do you think, my beloved pêche…? MOMO fainted from all of the intensities. Albedo laughs maniacally. The camera switches to outer space. The Federation ships fired beams at the Gnosis and destroyed most of them. Federation Employee: Captain! We haven’t received our orders to attack from Fleet Command yet! Federation Captain: That’s irrelevant! Their treachery is already well known! We’ll settle this right now! Target the Kukai Foundation! All ships, fire on… A beam was fired to the Gnosis from elsewhere. Jr.: What was that?! Suddenly, the Dämmerung appeared. Federation Captain: Impossible…! That isn’t supposed to be here…! In the Durandal… Shion: The Dämmerung…?! In one of the ships of the Dämmerung… Announcer: Woglinde II, Wellgunde, Floßhilde, all systems check. Rhine Maiden operating within normal parameters. 30 seconds to second wave of attack. Coordinate corrections for Wellgunde, complete. Floßhilde, also complete. In the Rhine Maiden, the camera views Wilhelm. Announcer: Preparations for second wave of attack, complete. All ships in formation. The Dämmerung fires their weapons at the Gnosis, destroying all of them in the process. In the Durandal… Shion: The Rhine Maiden… So she’s operational now… Miyuki: Chief!!! Miyuki appeared on the screen. Shion: Miyuki? Where are you calling in from…? Miyuki: Woo hoo! Pretty cool, huh? Did you see the Rhine Maiden? I am soooo glad I requested that transfer to Second Division! If I didn’t, I never would’ve seen this beauty in action. Shion: Second Division? What’re you… Miyuki: I’ll tell ya later. Is KOS-MOS there with you? Shion: Huh? Yeah, but… Miyuki: Okay, I’ll send it over then. A case appeared in the bridge of the Durandal and when Shion opened it… Shion: Miyuki? Isn’t this…?! Miyuki: There’s some type of force field concentrated near here. There’s a very high probability that it’s what’s attracting the Gnosis. Shion: A force field? Miyuki: Right. The observational guys said whatever it is, it’s definitely something man-made. Anyway, we can find the origin of this field if we link up the Dämmerung’s mainframe with KOS-MOS’ D.S.S.S. sensor. It appears as though the enemy’s using some kind of cloaking device to conceal itself right now, but there should be a wrinkle or two in the surrounding space, though. We figured that if we can tear those open, we’ll be able to find out what we’re dealing with. Shion: Is that why you gave me this PT cartridge? I mean… Do you have any idea what this thing is? Miyuki: Of course! …Or so I’d like to claim, but I actually just transferred in, so I’m not really sure. Shion: Look, Miyuki… This cartridge is a weapon! It sets off a phase transfer that destroys everything in the area. It may be localized, but you could vaporize an entire star with this thing if you wanted to. You’d have to be insane to try using this in a populated area. KOS-MOS: Shion… Shion: What is it, KOS-MOS? KOS-MOS: By limiting the phase transfer mass, I can activate the device without impacting either the Federation fleet or the Kukai Foundation. Shion: You can do that? KOS-MOS: Affirmative. This is one of my many functions. Miyuki: Even the Rhine Maiden’s got a limitation to how much she can fire. Let’s take out the source before the Gnosis overwhelm us! Shion: But… Jr.: Shion… This is the Song of Nephilim. There’s no question about it. Shion: The Song of Nephilim? What is it? Jr.: The single worst creation that ever resulted from Joachim Mizrahi’s research. It was the Song that destroyed Miltia and summoned the Gnosis. We’ve gotta stop it before everything goes out of control. Shion: Out of control…? Jr.: And we still haven’t found MOMO yet. We’ve gotta move! Shion: I know, but… Ziggy: Any sign of MOMO yet? 100-Series: We’re still scanning, but we haven’t located her yet. Ziggy: I see… We’ve got to make a decision, Shion. We can’t hold out against another Gnosis attack. Shion: …All right. Let’s see what we can do. Outside of space, KOS-MOS floats to the position where she will use the weapon. Shion: Listen to me, KOS-MOS. Try to keep the phase transfer mass as low as possible. All we need is the locus of that force field. KOS-MOS: Affirmative. Setting transfer mass to 0.11 MPT. Transfer time set to 4.8 times ten to the negative thirty-eighth. Loading cartridge. After loading the cartridge in her gun, the gun transformed into a larger gun. Miyuki: Bypass between D.S.S.S. and mainframe secured. Opening multidirectional scan. KOS-MOS used her sensors. KOS-MOS: Distortion detected at direction 8-0-1-8, near the U.M.N. structure. It is currently emitting a weak column pulse. Shion: That’s it! And your line of fire? KOS-MOS: Line of fire, clear. Awaiting orders. Shion: Shelley, are the anti-electromagnetic shields ready? Shelley: Preparations are complete. You may fire at will. Shion: Roger. KOS-MOS, fire the phase transfer cannon! KOS-MOS fired the phase transfer cannon at the area and suddenly, the Song of Nephilim appeared. In the Song of Nephilim formerly known as the cold area that MOMO was in… Albedo: They’re earlier than I expected. Albedo placed MOMO on the ground. Albedo: I think I’ll have a look around…for that key that sleeps inside you. Albedo begins absorbing MOMO’s power. MOMO: Nooo…stop it… Get out…out of…my body… The bracelet that MOMO is wearing is shown. The camera shows the past where Jr. gave MOMO a bracelet. MOMO: Jr.… Ziggy… I’m…scared… The camera switches to the Durandal. In the bridge… Gaignun: I knew it… Jr.: It’s exactly the same… Nothing’s changed at all. Shion: So that’s…the Song of Nephilim… Dr. Mizrahi’s… Miltia’s… The screen shows the Song of Nephilim. Then… Voice of MOMO: Help me…Jr.… Jr.: MOMO… MOMO’s inside that thing! Ziggy: Are you certain? Mary: Scanners! 100-Series: 100-Series Observational Unit prototype MOMO tracked and located! She’s in the middle of the distortion caused by the phase transfer. Allen: MOMO… What’s she doing in there…? Jr.: Damn it! It’s him…Albedo! I felt his presence…the moment I heard MOMO’s voice… Gaignun: Ah…Albedo. That explains what that unsettling feeling was about. Not to mention why she’s there. Ziggy: What do you mean? Gaignun: That girl MOMO…not only is she a specialized Realian, but also the repository for the late Joachim Mizrahi’s records. Albedo and the U-TIC Organization want that information. They wanted it for a long time… Allen: Albedo? Who’s that? Jr.: My dark half…the part I’ve tried to hide away… Allen: Dark half? Ziggy: Jr. Get this ship, closer to the Song of Nephilim. Allen: Whaat?! Ziggy: It isn’t necessary to get too close. Just lend me a shuttle; that’ll be enough. Jr. ran and blocked Ziggy’s way. Jr.: Hold it! Where do you think you’re going? I’m going to save MOMO… No matter what! Ziggy: Don’t bother. Jr.: What did you say?! Ziggy: When someone close to you is in danger, you lose your objectivity. And it almost always ends in tragedy. I’ve…seen it happen too often. Jr.: Oh, what, so I’m just like them now?! Ziggy: Aren’t you? This Albedo person… When you finally confront him, do you think you can keep your head straight? Jr. looks frustrated. Ziggy: If you honestly say yes, that’s all I have to say. But if you can’t… Jr.: You’re really something, you know that? You think you’re such a hardened soldier compared to me. Tell me then…how can I become cold and detached like you? Ziggy: Only allow yourself to think of numbers and battle strategy. Don’t let your mind wander to the faces or voices of those precious to you…even when it seems cruel not to. Too intense of an interference will overwhelm and ruin everything. That’s what I’ve learned over these past hundred years. Jr.: The day numbers and battle strategies replace people…it’ll be game over, cyborg. Ziggy: Jr.… Remember to stay focused, no matter what he does to MOMO. Only by doing so will you be able to save her. Listen to my advice. I know what you’re going through. Later… Gaignun: The Foundation has its hands full dealing with the waves of Gnosis. We cannot move from our current location. We’ll need a ship with sufficient mobility in order to get past the Gnosis and dock with the Song of Nephilim. Jr.: The Durandal’s landing shuttle won’t do. How about the Elsa? Is it operational? Shelley: Yes. I checked its status just now, and fortunately, it seems to be unharmed. Shall we relay a message to Captain Matthews? Jr.: Yeah, go ahead. Damn, that feeling I got from him…that bastard was trying to access MOMO’s subconscious. We don’t have time! Let’s go old man! chaos! Shion: Wait, Jr., let us help too! Jr.: Don’t be ridiculous! You gave any idea what kind of place that is?! Do you know what that lunatic is like?! Shion: Please! Let us go with you. Jr.: Shion… Shion: … Jr.: All right. But you better not let your guard down, even for a second. There’s no room for mistakes in there, got it? Shion: Yes. Shion’s group proceeds to the Elsa and talks to Captain Matthews. Matthews: Going to the Song of Nephilim, right? Just so you know, I don’t intend to leave the Song of Nephilim until we’ve rescued MOMO. You better get ready! Shion: (Go to the Song of Nephilim.) Matthews: Man, I can’t believe I’m stuck doing this. You better fork over a lot of hazard pay! The Elsa flies to the Song of Nephilim as the war continues. In the Elsa… Hammer: Captain! There’s an opening to the side where we can dock! Matthews: All right! Bring us in, Tony. Be careful. Tony: Roger! Closing in and approaching the… Shion: Wait! Tony: Huh? Shion: Tony, can you show me the top…? Tony: What? You want me to go around the top? Shion: Please, just circle around the top! Tony: (thinking) All right… But once around is all you’re getting. Who knows what’s up there? Shion: Thank you. The Elsa flies around the top portion of the Song of Nephilim and then when Shion saw this, she thinks back to the past of when she was a little girl and saw the top area identical to the Song of Nephilim. Shion: That’s it… That’s… …the place I saw through the hospital window… The Elsa docks at the entrance to the Song of Nephilim. Shion’s group goes in. Inside, they saw MOMO who is unconscious. Jr.: MOMO! MOMO! MOMO! MOMO wakes up. Jr.: MOMO! You all right? MOMO did not speak. Jr.: Don’t tell me…we’re too late…? Damn…that bastard! He’s taken her consciousness! I’m gonna make him pay for this!! Hold on, MOMO! I’ll make you whole again! Shion: Jr.! What happened to MOMO? Jr.: That monster Albedo’s gone and reversed the spiritual link… Ziggy: Reversed the spiritual link? Jr.: It’s the opposite of what Gaignun and I do when we communicate telepathically. But by seizing someone’s consciousness, you can delve inside the other person’s mind and drag out whatever memories you feel like taking. Shion: You can’t be serious! That means MOMO’s mind is… Jr.: Yeah… It’s best for you all to go back. I’ll handle this on my own. chaos: Wait! It’s too dangerous to go alone! Jr. pauses for a moment. Jr.: Sorry. This is between me and him… All right? chaos: But still… MOMO approaches Jr. Jr.: MOMO… You…wanna come with me? Shion: I’m going, too. Jr.: Shion… Shion: Don’t you remember what you told me? This song…it’s responsible for destroying Miltia and bringing the Gnosis into this world… If this has anything to do with that place that I know of, then…this involves me as well… Shion’s group moves on. Shion’s group made it past the first tower. Then in the second tower, they fight Rianon SE. After Shion’s group defeated Rianon SE, they move to the third tower. Eventually, they arrive at the lower area. MOMO: Umm… I am not feeling well, so please exclude me from the battle members. Thank you. Shion: MOMO, are you okay? MOMO: Yes… Shion removed MOMO from battle formation and after replacing MOMO with another ally, Shion’s group opens the door. Inside… Jr.: Albedo… YOUUU… Albedo is holding the real MOMO who is unconscious. Albedo: Please spare me from any trite lines like, “You’re still alive?” Life and death are merely empty words lacking any power over me. By the way…did you ever bother telling the girl? Does she know that we’re monsters, both you and I? Jr. saw the real MOMO held by Albedo. Jr.: MOMO?! MOMO (who is now a Kirshwasser) started strangling Jr. Kirshwasser (fake MOMO): (continues to strangle Jr.) I want the me that’s inside you… Jr.: M…MOMO…? The fake MOMO reverted to a Kirshwasser. Shion: MOMO?! Ziggy: That’s not her. That’s… Albedo: Free from the bonds of flesh… A pure consciousness has no true form. All that exists is the longing for reality. Jr.: Get off me!! Jr. then emits flames and freed from the strangling. The blast knocked the 100-Series away. The real MOMO responded a little. Albedo: Did you see that, ma pêche…? You’re witness to his true nature right now…a consciousness desperately struggling to stay alive. Such a pitiful sight. This is unseemly, Rubedo. MOMO: Jr.… Albedo absorbs MOMO’s power. Jr.: (furious) Albedo! Get your stinkin’ hands off of her! (draws his gun) Or else I’ll… Albedo: Hmm? You’ll do something…if I…do this? Albedo continues to absorb MOMO. Jr.: (furious) You mother…!! Jr. fired his gun at Albedo’s right arm, but it disappears for a moment and then reappeared. Albedo: (laughing) What pain…so sweet…so alive! Pain is such a vital part of realizing one’s existence… Try to remember, Rubedo. What it takes…what you must do… Or…have you lived in peace for so long that you’ve completely forgotten? Jr.: (aiming his gun at Albedo) I don’t give a damn about what you have to say! Just give her back!! Albedo: I don’t think so… I’ll just take what I want to proceed with my plans… And along the way, I’ll make you remember…who you really are… Albedo continues to absorb MOMO. Jr.: (furious) Shut up! I don’t need some freak contaminated by U-DO to tell me… Shion: Jr.…?! Albedo: Contaminated? Not quite. More like…evolved. I experienced but a fragment of my true power that day. The waves that inundated my body are now a part of me! I’ve reached a higher stage of existence compared to you incomplete mortals. (continues absorbing MOMO) I am the alpha and the omega of perfect consciousness! Jr.: (terrified) S…Stop it… Albedo: Mmm…Ah, this is nice… Don’t you want to give it a try? Jr.: MOMO!! Jr. fired two rounds at Albedo, hitting his right arm and head. They both disappeared and reappeared. Ziggy: Impossible… Is that nanotechnology…? Shion: No. Nanomachines can’t work anywhere near that fast, and besides… Not even the research laboratories have models with head-regenerating capabilities yet. chaos: He’s a U.R.T.V. Just like Jr.… Jr.: What?! chaos: U.R.T.V.s… They were created for the express purpose of eradicating U-DO. Shion: U-DO…? Albedo: Rubedo… You still don’t remember? Or could it be…fear… You’re frightened, is that it? Am I right? I can’t blame you. The only thing that matters to you is yourself. Rubedo…so cruel… And yet this girl clings to you so dearly. Isn’t it pitiful? MOMO’s bracelet suddenly dropped to the floor. Albedo: (absorbing MOMO) One more layer. Just one more layer, and then I’ll have everything inside of her. I’m sure you know what that means, Rubedo. Now then, I wonder how much more she can take? MOMO is panicking in fear as she is being absorbed by Albedo. Jr.: (in rage) Noooooo!! Jr. activated a blast from his body and the area is completely bright. The area froze and the camera shows outer space in bright light and then Joachim Mizrahi. Joachim Mizrahi: This is the extent of my power… Nobody can stop the events that are about to unfold. All I can do is delay the inevitable for just a while longer. But at the least, I can entrust this to you… The events are starting to come together. Soon, you will meet them… So, until then… The camera with Joachim Mizrahi disappears and then… Albedo: So that’s…Joachim Mizrahi… I’ll have you show me…everything you left within ma pêche… Ovals of characters are passing by suddenly. Albedo: Wha…?! The camera switches to the present area where Jr. activated a blast of flames to Albedo, knocking him in midair and hitting the wall. Albedo falls to the ground and MOMO is freed from him. Shion’s group checks on MOMO. Jr.: MOMO!! Are you okay?! Albedo gets up and laughs maniacally while covering his right eye. Albedo: I see… It all makes sense now… Albedo’s A.G.W.S. came down and Albedo jumps on top of it. Albedo: But now…Rubedo, how about we enjoy a moment or two together. Albedo gets inside the A.G.W.S. Albedo: Come on… Our time has arrived! The Kirshwasser inside piloting the A.G.W.S. disappeared. Shion’s group fights Albedo’s A.G.W.S., Simeon. After Shion’s group defeats Simeon, Albedo gets out of Simeon. Albedo: Ah, Rubedo. You’re getting closer to your old self. But you’re still not quite there yet. You were much stronger than this back then, weren’t you? Albedo activates dark flames from his body. Jr.: Damn you, Albedo! Don’t get cocky!! Jr. activates red flames from his body and both of Jr. and Albedo’s flames hits each other, but neither passes any further. In the Durandal… Gaignun: Jr.! Mary: Little Master! Don’t do it! In the Song of Nephilim, Jr. shouts maniacally. Albedo: What’s wrong, Rubedo? You can do better than this. Come on, show me what you’ve got. chaos: Jr. no!! Don’t do it! Don’t play into his hand…or you’ll… MOMO: Jr.…? MOMO wakes up and saw Jr. going against Albedo. Then, MOMO saw the Kirshwasser who is inoperative. The Kirshwasser moved her hand and touches MOMO’s hand. Kirshwasser: Daddy… It was always you he looked at… The rest…of…us… We all…wished…we could be…you… The Kirshwasser stopped functioning. MOMO: That can’t be true… We’re all… We’re all supposed to be the same… MOMO faces Jr. and Albedo. Albedo: Come on, Rubedo! Just a little more! Just a little more and your dreams’ll be fulfilled! Come on, come on, come on!! Jr. became more aggressive. chaos: Jr.!! Suddenly, the flames from Jr. and Albedo decrease in size by MOMO’s power. Shion: What’s happening?! MOMO…? Jr.: MOMO… MOMO: You’ve…taken so much from me. But…I… I was given a part of you too. A part of you is now within me! So, now…! Albedo: So, now…? (laughing) So, that’s why you’re doing that? MOMO: Why do you hurt everyone? My sisters, they all loved something they saw in you. Even after all that you put them through, they still believed in you. How…how can you desecrate their feelings – their hearts?! Albedo: (laughs maniacally) Desecrate? Your sisters? Look around you. The camera views overhead with all the corpses of the Kirshwassers. Albedo: Who’s the flower that blooms from those corpses? That’s right… It’s you…pêche. Everything is just as Mizrahi – your dear Daddy – wanted it to be. MOMO: Daddy…? Albedo: That’s right. Isn’t it, Rubedo? Jr.: You bastard… Say any more and you’re… You’re gonna… Shion: …pay for this! Those girls weren’t toys for your enjoyment! They were all individuals with will of their own! Yet you… Voice of Hooded Man: Still spouting that self-righteous crap? Shion: Huh? A bright light appeared from the ceiling. Albedo: The new guy? The hooded man appeared. Hooded Man: Stop screwing around. Hurry up and get the job done. Don’t waste your time on these fools. Albedo’s Simeon came down. Albedo: Give him this message: It belongs to me! Jr.: Hold it!! Jr. tried to stop Albedo, but the force field near the hooded man knocked him back. Hooded Man: Where do you think you’re going? Hey, why don’t you do me a favor and let him go for now. I’ll do my best to keep you entertained in the meantime. The Simeon flies away and outside of the Song of Nephilim, Albedo is thinking of something and the screen shows the bright screen with oval that has characters in it. Then it shows a big round area. Then, the screen shows just a bright one. Albedo: So this is the Y Data… KOS-MOS: I do not exist for your pleasure… KOS-MOS appeared on the screen. Albedo: You call this protection? Then, the screen shows Shion naked and covering her beast. Albedo: Wha…?! You…!! The screen switches back to Albedo piloting his Simeon. Albedo: He really didn’t want anyone going in there… Oh, well…that just makes it all the more interesting! (laughs) Very interesting. The screen switches to Shion’s group about to confront the hooded man. Shion: Who…are you? Hooded Man: Who? What does it matter? Or…do you need a name to describe me? A definition by words is merely a means to deceive oneself. It’s meaningless before the truth. What matters is how you perceive things. The slightest shift, then life and death no longer have any meaning. Shion: Huh…? Hooded Man: You don’t get it? Jr. gets up. Hooded Man: Well, how about I show you… Jr.: Get out of the way… Hooded Man: Hm? Jr.: (extremely furious) I said, get outta my way!! Hooded Man: Ah…you’ve got guts, boy. Why don’t you make me move? Shouldn’t be a problem for a U.R.T.V., now should it? Jr.: You’re damn right! The hooded man transform to Ein Rugel. Shion’s group fights Ein Rugel. After Shion’s group defeats Ein Rugel, Ein Rugel transformed into Doppelwogel. After Shion’s group defeated Doppelwogel, the mist surrounded the area and then eventually, it disappeared. Hooded Man: It’s useless. The laws by which we are governed are just too different. Isn’t that right, boss? Shion’s group said nothing. Hooded Man: Well, then… I think our friend has already left. And it’s about time for me to make my exit. I have a busy schedule to keep… Shion: Wait! What are you trying to accomplish?! Why did you come here? Hooded Man: You wanna know? Then come to that time, to that place… You know what I mean… Shion: Huh? Hooded Man: I’ll be waiting for you, Shion. The hooded man disappeared. KOS-MOS: The Song of Nephilim has ceased all functions. The Rhine Maiden is clearing away the remaining Gnosis. Shion: I see… (to Jr.) Jr., are you all right? Jr.: Y-yeah… And you guys? Man…who was that? He has an aura of incredible power… Shion: I don’t know… I don’t…understand any of this… chaos: Let’s go back, Shion. Shion: Yeah… Shion’s group heads back to the Elsa and they go back to the Durandal. In the bridge, Shion and MOMO appeared in there after taking the elevator up. Jr.: Are you okay? MOMO: Yes… That man, he said he was searching for the key inside me… He…probably… Jr. placed his hand on MOMO’s left face. Jr.: It’s all right. It’s not your fault. MOMO: Oh! (showing Jr. the bracelet he gave her) This charm! Maybe I have this to thank for my safe return. Shelley: Main cannon ready to fire. Target: Song of Nephilim. chaos: (to MOMO) You sure about this? MOMO: Yes… Please…for their sake. Jr.: chaos, do you think this’ll put the Kirschwassers to rest? chaos: Well… Their thoughts and feelings now exist within MOMO. Their wish…finally came true… Jr.: …I hope so. Maybe…that’s…what Albedo wanted… chaos: Jr.… Jr.: It’s… It’s because I couldn’t… Shelley: Little Master! Jr.: Yeah, go ahead. Later, the Kukai Foundation fire a bunch of lasers at the Song of Nephilim, but it reflected off of the Song of Nephilim. Then… Jr.: Wha?! chaos: Wait! Something’s wrong… It’s… MOMO: …The Gnosis! The remaining Gnosis…they’re being…?! The Gnosis goes into the Song of Nephilim. Then, the Simeon appeared. Albedo speaks to the Durandal to Jr. by communication monitor. Albedo: (laughing maniacally) I wanted to have more fun, so I came back for a visit. Jr.: Albedo… I swear I’m gonna…! Albedo: Now now, cool your jets. Hold off on the emotional outburst until you see my entire performance… The Simeon emitted a burst of yellow flames, shaking the Kukai Foundation. Mary: W…What’s going on?! A wine bottle falls and shatters. In Helmer’s office, Helmer saw what the Simeon did. Suddenly, a big area appeared in outer space. Shion: What is that…?! In Helmer’s office… Helmer: Impossible…! In the Fifth Jerusalem… Juli Mizrahi: It can’t be…! That was supposed to be destroyed… In the Durandal… MOMO: Proto…Merkabah… Shion: Proto Merkabah? MOMO: The place where…I was born… The camera shows outer space where a purple ship appears. The hooded man stands outside of outer space on the ship. Hooded Man: That bastard! Summoning needless toys… You forgotten you duties, haven’t you… Unknown Voice: Never mind that. Come back, Virgil. The hooded man reveals himself and it is Virgil. Virgil: What’s your problem? I don’t take orders from you. And stop talking inside my head like that! I’m not used to it yet! Unknown Voice: I’m afraid you’ll need to get used to it. Virgil: That’s… Images of KOS-MOS and Shion appeared around Virgil. Virgil: So that’s quite what this is all about… You’re quite the cunning little bastard… All right, then… But next time, I’m doing things…my way. Unknown Voice: …That’s what’s intended. The purple ship vanishes. The camera shows the Song of Nephilim being inserted to Proto Merkabah. Jr.: Did you say…this is where you were born? MOMO: Yes. Daddy gathered together the data he needed to create me on Miltia, and then he sent it to Proto Merkabah. Jr.: Are you saying that thing was built for the purpose of creating you? In Fifth Jerusalem… Juli Mizrahi: That wasn’t its original purpose. It was created to discover the true form of the universe… …the form we ourselves were meant to have. But then he took it, and… Man 4: Exactly. Just think for a moment about all the phenomena brought about by that lunatic. If that thing, the Song, and the Zohar all link together… Man 5: That’s exactly why we dropped it into the Abyss after we recovered the 100-Series! How is it that it has returned again? Juli Mizrahi: I don’t know. But the Original is still on Miltia. With only Proto Merkabah, he can’t… The camera shows Proto Merkabah tilting sideways and fires a red beam at the Federation fleet. All of them were destroyed. MOMO: The Federation fleet… Shion: Just like that… Albedo: (communicating by monitor) Well, Rubedo? What do you think of my new toy? And that was using the minute amount of energy remaining in this thing! Just a mere fraction of what it’s capable of. Icing on the cake, if you will. Proto Merkabah fires grappling lasers and grabs the Gnosis and pulls it into Proto Merkabah. Shion: That light… It’s just like when KOS-MOS… Shion flashes back to the past where KOS-MOS fired a beam to vaporize and suck in the remains of the Gnosis. The flashback ended. Albedo: Originally, this thing, the Song of Nephilim, and the Zohar were a single apparatus. The Gnosis which seek the Zohar are responding to the faint waves that emanate from the sealed off Miltia. This thing uses the Gnosis as a medium to collect the waves from the Zohar, and store the energy it needs in order to operate. Jr.: How the hell do you know all that?! Albedo: It was ma pêche. When I linked with her consciousness, I learned how to use this thing. chaos placed both of his hands on MOMO who is unhappy of what Albedo said. Albedo: I’m really quite grateful. Proto Merkabah is charging its beam. Albedo: Let’s see then…I wonder how long it’ll take to charge? Five minutes? Or perhaps ten? You look a little pale there… Scared, are you? Perhaps I should just turn you all to pillars of salt…that’s not a bad idea. (laughs) …red will become white… Albedo laughs maniacally. Jr.: Don’t mock us, you bastard! Albedo: (laughs) Hmm…so, what to do… All right. I know! My next target will be… Proto Merkabah moves to and aims at Second Miltia. 100-Series: The weapon is retargeting! It’s aiming straight for the capital of Second Miltia! Shion: What did you say…?! Albedo: Exactly. Those 100-Series are sharp, aren’t they? Jr.: Won’t let you do this! Listen to me, Albedo! You stay right where you are! It’s time for you and me to settle this! Albedo: (laughs) Oh please, that’s not like you at all. You don’t really give a damn about others, do you? Jr.: Whaaat?! Albedo: Well, fine… Stop me if you can… (laughs maniacally) I’ll be waiting! Albedo laughs and breaks contact. Jr.: Damn it… Later, Juli Mizrahi speaks to Shion’s group by monitor. Juli Mizrahi: The target is a giant experimental facility that was long abandoned before its completion. A network of tunnels runs through the facility, and the reactor core is located at the nexus where they all meet. Jr.: All we have to do is take out that reactor, right? Juli Mizrahi: Correct. That’ll shut down Proto Merkabah completely. The data I sent to you earlier includes a map of the most direct route to the core. Right now, you are our only hope. I ask on behalf of the Federation government, and as a member of the human race, to destroy that abominable machine. Once and for all… MOMO: Mommy… Juli Mizrahi breaks contact and Shion’s group proceeds to the Elsa. In there, Shion’s group talks to Captain Matthews. Matthews: We’re ready to go anytime. I could take you to the Proto Merkabah right now if you want. Shion: (Go to Proto Merkabah.) Matthews: Tony! We’re launching the Elsa. Hurry up! Later… Jr.: Sorry. I didn’t mean for you to get pulled into my personal issues… Shion: Don’t worry about it. After all, my homeland is in peril. And we’ve received company approval. So it’s okay, right Allen? Allen: …Oh, sure, why would I want to miss out on the fun? Besides, it’s not like you ever listen to me… Shion: What was that? (a little mad) If you’ve got something to say, say it. Allen: Ah, no! Nothing! I’d accompany you to the very depths of hell! Matthews: Hey, what are you trying to do, jinx us?! …So, getting in won’t be difficult, right? MOMO: Right. There should be no external anti-air defenses, since it was originally constructed as a manufacturing facility. However, security on the inside is most likely still functional. We should be prepared to deal with many active guard machines. Jr.: (to Mary by communication monitor) Mary! What about the reinforcements from Second Miltia? Mary: (speaking in monitor) The space bound units were destroyed in the first blast. Jr.: In other words, it’s up to us. Mary: Looks like it. Jr.: Gaignun… I’m counting on you to cover us…until we get inside. Gaignun: (speaking in monitor) I have a request of my own as well. Don’t let his provocations get to you again. All right? Jr.: Yeah, I’ll be careful. You don’t have to worry. Gaignun: I’ll take that as a promise. Mary: Now, don’t do anything foolish, Little Master. Shelley: (speaking in monitor) ECM levels at maximum. Elsa, you have clearance. Matthews: Got it. Tony! Tony: Aye, sir! We’re getting hazard pay for this, right? The Elsa flies to Proto Merkabah. Shion’s group goes in. In the first area, Shion’s group saw some data. chaos: It looks like some kind of data. Shion: A Realian? But it’s pretty old. The year T.C. 4474 made by Tyrrell, Lamech Model 3. Jr.: Lamech Model 3… That’s the model that was manufactured up until a year before the Miltian Conflict. Ziggy: The production year and manufacturer all differ, but they are all older than 4752. chaos: It seems all of these Realians were transferred to the Miltia maintenance facility due to some kind of abnormality. Shion: But why is that data here? What is all of this data for? MOMO, did Dr. Mizrahi ever tell you anything? MOMO: No, Mommy…never… Shion: I see… In the second area, Shion’s group saw more data. chaos: This one’s a list a sick and wounded soldiers. Looks like it’s from during the Miltian Conflict. Ziggy: They were transferred to Miltia for treatment, just like those Realians we saw earlier. An odd coincidence. Shion: Those don’t look like ordinary wounds. They’re only fragments of the data left, but it looks like something more serious, like mental illness. Jr.: You can tell all that from these fragments? Shion: Yes. The list of medications here are all ones used to treat psychological disorders. Jr.: I see. I guess there’s no reason why you’re a chief engineer at Vector. Shion: … Jr.: What? Did I say something weird? Shion: What? No…it’s nothing. chaos: … In the third area, Shion’s group saw more data. Jr.: A monitoring room for all of Proto Merkabah. Ziggy: It seems all the controls are centralized here. Can you locate the reactor core? Shion: It seems to be far below where we are. It looks like we’ll have to take several elevator shafts down to get there. Jr.: Looks like we still have ways to go. Let’s hurry, Shion. Shion: Yes. In the next area, Shion’s group fights Proto Dora and 2 Schutz. After Shion’s group defeats Proto Dora and 2 Schutz, they move on. In the next area, Shion’s group saw more data. MOMO: What an amazing hologram. KOS-MOS: All observable space appears to be projected here. Shion: All observable space… …? I wonder what that black area is? It doesn’t look like a black hole. Jr.: Guess it’s not quite all observable space. chaos: Lost Jerusalem… Shion: What? chaos: Lost Jerusalem was once our homeland in the distant past, but no one can go near it now. Actually, nobody knows its location anymore. It could be that pitch black part there. Jr.: I’ve heard that the government has been working on a project to find Lost Jerusalem for quite some time. …It looks like the radius of that black region is at least several hundred million light years. Shion: Our homeland is somewhere in there… Shion’s group moves on. In the next area… MOMO: This…is the room where I was born. Shion: What? This is where you were…? Later… Shion: MOMO… MOMO: Mommy never told me what this facility actually was responsible for during the Miltian Conflict… In MOMO’s memory when she is thinking of the strange area in the Encephalon… MOMO: But…I think I know. When I was born, Daddy died… If that vision was true, then what happened afterwards was… The memory ended. MOMO: It’s just like Mommy said. This is an abominable machine. If a lot of people died because of my birth, does that mean I’m an abomination as well, just like Daddy? Jr.: MOMO… Shion: No! No parent could ever say that. MOMO: Shion…? Shion: Even though you’re a Realian, you’re still their child, right? No parent would ever think of their own child as abominations. Surely… There can’t be any… Shion’s group proceeds to the cargo elevator and goes down. While the cargo elevator goes down, Shion’s group fights enemies along the way and then at the bottom floor, they made it to the reactor room. Albedo: You’re late! I was about to give up on you, Rubedo. Take a look. This thing has a full belly already. Albedo jumps to the floor where Shion’s group is. Albedo: Well then, what shall we do now? Shall we continue where we left off? Albedo reveals his power of will. Jr.: Wh-what is that? Are you…how are you doing that…? Albedo: Don’t be so surprised; this is the power of will, a fundamental power that exists within everyone. What you are witnessing is simply your perception of it. And you know what? Perception and pain are but one and the same. So…go ahead… Feel my pain for yourself! Shion’s group fights Albedo. After Shion’s group defeats Albedo… Jr.: Answer me! Why are you doing this?! There’s absolutely nothing you can hope to gain out of this. Albedo: Au contraire. I…am doing all this…for your sake, Rubedo. Jr.: For…my sake…? Albedo: Have you forgotten, Rubedo? That fateful day, fourteen years ago… Have you forgotten what you did to us?! The camera views Jr.’s right eye where an image of his haunted past was shown. Albedo: It’s all because of you… Because you closed yourself off from us, our mental link was broken, and one after another, we succumbed to the power of the Song. Left behind in that horror, did we have any choice but to submit to it? Remember what happened…and repent for your sins! Jr.: It’s true I… I mean… Jr. thinks back to the past where he emitted flames and knocked out the U.R.T.V.s. Albedo: (laughing maniacally) So you finally admit to it, you coward! Jr.: All right, damn it! I couldn’t control my fear! Shion: Jr.…? Albedo: Yes! And therefore, you must atone for your sins, atone with your life! I am the executor for all those who were destroyed! Although… I’m actually grateful to you, Rubedo. Thanks to you, I alone was able to find the way… The way to a whole new world. Jr.: What do you mean, a whole new world? Albedo: That’s all that I seek… It’s quite simple. Don’t you think? Jr.: What the hell are you talking about? Albedo jumps up to the top of the reactor and laughs maniacally. Albedo: At first I wasn’t sure if I should believe… But I experienced something a moment ago that confirmed it… And this ought to verify that experience for me. (laughing maniacally) Entertain me, if you will! The reactor opens and reveals a monster. Jr.: Damn… You fused the Gnosis…with the reactor…?! Albedo: You must first destroy this in order to stop Proto Merkabah. You do realize that… Oh, almost forgot the time! Hmmmm, not much left nooow… I’d say five minutes, at best. I wonder how far you’ll get in your current condition? Albedo laughs maniacally. MOMO: He’s so cruel… He’s tormenting Jr. just for fun… Albedo: Farewell. I’m sure we’ll meet again, if you survive… Rubedo, my other half… Albedo left the scene. Jr.: Albedo!! MOMO: Jr., look out! Jr.: Wha?! The barrier prevents Jr. from going any further. Then the monster came out. Jr.: Damn it… We have to destroy this thing first! Ziggy: Right, this takes priority. chaos: Be careful, everyone! That’s no longer just a machine! Shion: All right! Let’s do it, KOS-MOS! KOS-MOS: Affirmative. Switching to maximum output for all combat systems. While KOS-MOS switches to maximum output mode, Shion’s group’s final fight is against none other than Sophie Peithos. After Shion’s group defeated Sophie Peithos, Sophie Peithos reacts and Shion’s group makes a run for it. Shion: We’ll be caught in the explosion! We have to get out of here quickly! The rumbling made Shion lose her balance and fall to the floor. Ziggy: What was that rumbling? MOMO: More explosions…? chaos: No. It’s faint, but it feels like we’re changing directions. KOS-MOS: Shion. I have confirmation of ignition in the Proto Merkabah’s propulsion units. It is descending toward Second Miltia now. Proto Merkabah is descending towards Second Miltia. In the Simeon, Albedo watches. Albedo: Well then, let’s just see how powerful you all are… In Proto Merkabah… Shion: KOS-MOS, are you sure?! KOS-MOS: Yes. Should its descent continue at present speed, we will enter the atmosphere in approximately eight minutes. Ziggy: Looks like he planned this from the very beginning. Jr.: That bastard! He’s got too many tricks up his sleeve… Shion: We have to do something… If something as large as the impacts at full speed, Second Miltia will be… KOS-MOS: Based on the current angle of approach, breaking up the facility into approximately 28,000 pieces would result in 99.6% of them vaporizing before impact. Shion: If we detach each sub-compartment? MOMO: Just a second. I’ll search through my memory banks. MOMO searches. MOMO: The control room… The control room on level 33 will allow us to detach the facility! chaos: Hurry! There’s no time! Shion’s group proceeds to the control room. In there, MOMO activates the console and then… MOMO: Oh, no! Ziggy: Is there a problem? MOMO: The entire process from system startup to complete detachment takes one whole minute. That’s not enough time for us to return to the Elsa! Ziggy: Is this the only place we can activate it from? We can’t do it remotely? MOMO: No! This system was built so that the command will only be accepted from here. Jr.: Damn…So the only way to stop this thing is to go down with it? Shion: This can’t be… There has to be another way… MOMO: There isn’t! I’ve searched again and again, but we can only activate it from here! KOS-MOS: Please head back now. Shion: What…KOS-MOS? KOS-MOS: Shion, please return to the Elsa with the others. I will stay behind to initiate the detachment sequence. Shion: Wait a second! Stay behind…? KOS-MOS: This facility will enter the atmosphere shortly. We will exceed the tolerances for maximum temperature in three minutes 28 seconds. Please hurry. Shion: But… KOS-MOS: My self-preservation programming is functioning properly. I have no intention of remaining on this facility to the very end. Do not worry. At maximum speed, I can reach the Elsa in under one minute. Ziggy: You’re sure? KOS-MOS: Yes. This option guarantees the highest probability of success. Ziggy: All right. (to Shion) Let’s go, Shion! Shion: But… Jr.: Trust her, it’ll be okay! She’ll catch up! Now come on! Shion’s other group runs, MOMO looks back and speaks to Shion. MOMO: Shion! chaos: Shion… Shion moves on, and then says one more thing to KOS-MOS. Shion: KOS-MOS! You better make it back! You hear me? You better! The camera shows Proto Merkabah about to come apart. The first theme song “Pain” plays. The area starts to collapse while KOS-MOS activates the console. Then, near the dock… Ziggy: Hurry! This area will soon collapse! Shion’s group runs to the Elsa. Shion stays near the entrance door of the Elsa. In the bridge, Jr. speaks to Captain Matthews. Jr.: Matthews! Matthews: Little Master?! What’s all this shaking?! What the hell’s goin’ on? Jr.: Proto Merkabah’s about to re-enter the atmosphere. If left unchecked, I’ll crash into the planet… Matthews: Whaaat?! Jr.: We detached all the sub-compartments and that’s what’s causing the shaking. Anyway, we’ll get to the detail later! Prepare for immediate liftoff! Matthews: Prepare? We’re not lifting off right now? Jr.: KOS-MOS is still inside. We gotta wait for her! Matthews: Whaa?! Wait a minute! If it’s already detaching, then aren’t we in danger…? Jr.: I’m aware of that! But if I say we wait, we wait! In the opened door entrance of Elsa… Shion: KOS-MOS… Please… Hurry back… In the bridge… Allen: Captain! Up there! Matthews: What?! Suddenly, a debris fell on the right side of the Elsa. Tony: Captain! We can’t stay much longer! Matthews: No kidding! Little Master! Jr.: Damn it… What’s taking her… Come on…come on… The area is starting to collapse even harder. Tony: Captainnn…! Matthews: Little Master!! Jr.: All right, all right! Lift off! The Elsa starts its engines. Shion: Captain, no! Wait!! Shion fell into the Elsa and the bridge in the dock, collapses. Matthews: That was close… Shion held the doorway as the Elsa takes off. Shion: KOS-MOS! The area collapses horribly. Shion uses the intercom to speak to Captain Matthews. Shion: Captain, please go back! KOS-MOS is still inside! Matthews: Are you crazy?! You wanna get caught in that?! We’re leaving, now! Shion: You can’t…! Voice of Nephilim: Don’t be afraid, Shion… Everything will be all right… See with your heart… Shion: See…with my heart… Shion closes her eyes and the camera partially shows KOS-MOS running to the Elsa. Shion gasp and speaks to Captain Matthews over the intercom. Shion: Captain! The wall! 400 meters to the port side! Take her in close! Matthews: What?! Shion: Trust me, hurry! Matthews: What do you mean, hurry? Tony: Shion! Port side, 400 meters, right?! Shion: Tony! Matthews: Huh? Tony?! The Elsa approaches 400 meters to the port side and the wall burst. KOS-MOS jumped out of the wall. Shion: KOS-MOS! Shion grabbed KOS-MOS’ right arm and Shion tried to hold on to KOS-MOS’ right arm as tight as she can. But just as Shion lost her gripping on KOS-MOS and before KOS-MOS could fall, Ziggy miraculously arrived and grabbed KOS-MOS’ right arm and held it tight. Shion: Ziggy?! Ziggy and Shion pulled KOS-MOS into the Elsa. The Elsa takes off and flies away. Shion: (to KOS-MOS) KOS-MOS…I really ought to put you on a diet! KOS-MOS looked at Shion without a word. Shion: Thank goodness… Shion hugs KOS-MOS. Later, the camera shows Proto Merkabah separating to pieces and the Elsa flies very fast and speeding past the escape tunnel. In the next tunnel, several debris are falling down. Matthews: Tony! Tony: I’m going for it! The Elsa finally escaped from Proto Merkabah. In outer space, the Elsa is acting up. Inside the Elsa, the area is lighted in red. Ziggy: Something’s wrong… Let’s get to the bridge. The screen shows the Elsa emitting flames. In the bridge… Matthews: What was that?! I can’t hear you! Allen: Like I said, the angle of approach is too steep! Matthews: Well, can’t you adjust it?! Tony: It’s no use! The controls aren’t responding! Hammer: That can’t be! All control functions are in the green! Tony: The apogee and reentry balancers were damaged by the debris! We can’t adjust the Logical Drive angle any further than this! Matthews: Ya moron! Stop whining and do something about it! You wanna be vaporized?! The Elsa descends down uncontrollably. Hammer: External hull temperature exceeding maximum limit! In the hangar, chaos is standing by himself. Voice of Nephilim: What will you do? chaos looks at his fists. KOS-MOS came down from the elevator. chaos: You’re…? Wait! KOS-MOS: Relinquish your pain…unto me… KOS-MOS left the scene. Later in the bridge… Hammer: The aft hatch…it’s open! Matthews: What?! Who’s the moron doing that?! Is he trying to burn all of us from the inside out?! Shion: It can’t be…?! The camera shows KOS-MOS outside of Elsa floating to the Elsa’s rooftops. Shion looks at the monitor. Shion: KOS-MOS! You can’t…! KOS-MOS: Shion, I will proceed to shield the Elsa with my energy shield. Please stabilize the ship during that time. Shion: Don’t be ridiculous! What can you possibly accomplish by doing that?! KOS-MOS: Do not worry. Maintaining this position for one minute and 20 seconds will save the Elsa. Shion: But you’ll be incinerated if you do that! Stop this at once! KOS-MOS is about to activate her energy shield. KOS-MOS: I am happy…to be of service. Tony: External cameras destroyed! Shion: KOS-MOS!! chaos hands starts glowing. The camera shows Nephilim, a boy, and Wilhelm. KOS-MOS is about to activate her energy shield. Shion: Please, KOS-MOS!! Please stoooop!! KOS-MOS’ headgear came off and activated her energy shield. Bright lights appeared in Elsa and the camera also turned bright. Later, the Elsa made it safely in Second Miltia. In the Elsa… Matthews: Are we…okay? Captain Matthews uses the console and lifted his seat up. He sees Second Miltia. Matthews: H-hey! Ms. Vector! Shion: …Huh? Matthews: Activate the secondary bow camera! Hammer: Roger! The monitor shows KOS-MOS standing on the Elsa with her hair waving. Shion: KOS-MOS… KOS-MOS’ hair continues to wave. Shion: KOS-MOS…! MOMO held Shion’s hand, as her group is all happy to see KOS-MOS alive. The Elsa flies off in normal speed. The credits roll and the second theme song “Kokoro” plays. As the credits roll, the screen shows Jin walking to the tombstone and while doing this, he saw the Elsa flying by. The camera to the left shows Gaignun’s office. Gaignun: Judging from the circumstances, it’s clear that the U-TIC Organization’s target is on Miltia. Helmer: Ah, Miltia… Gaignun: There’s a vortex of temptation…and obsession that still remains. That’s what continues to draw them in. And Albedo… He’s being drawn in just the same. Helmer: Albedo?! You mean, the U.R.T.V. Albedo? …He’s still alive? Gaignun: He will not die… Not until that time arrives… The screen shows outer space where Simeon flies in space. Albedo: Now, that was entertaining… All that remains is for ma pêche to link up with the U.M.N., and my objective will be complete. Simeon is starting to activate the boosters. Albedo: Do heed my message, Rubedo… Albedo laughs maniacally as he takes off with his Simeon. In Master Wilhelm’s office… Unknown Hooded Man: We’ve confirmed a gate-jump by Albedo’s craft. This is acceptable? Wilhelm: Yes, that’s fine. The door that leads to Abel’s Ark… He is the only one who can open it. Unknown Hooded Man: There’s a possibility that he may link with U-DO again… Wilhelm: That won’t happen. He doesn’t have that much power. He’s only a key. Of course, we must accept the possibility that he can affect space-time anomalies to some extent… But that’s what all of you are for. Still… His will shines with such wondrous light. It’s a shame to relegate him to such a minor role… Don’t you think…? The screen shows the Elsa and KOS-MOS and chaos enters the restaurant. Shion’s other group ran to KOS-MOS. Shion slowly turned around and saw KOS-MOS. KOS-MOS: (to Shion) Mission complete, Shion. Shion pauses for a moment. Shion: Welcome back… Shion is glad to see KOS-MOS is okay. The camera whites out and the credits eventually ended. This ends our story and the game for Episode I. TO BE CONTINUED