ME: Yeah! I’m writing another story besides my Tales of Symphonia one! This one is for another favorite game, XENOSAGA! Xenosaga rules! The muse(s) for this story shall be Rubedo and Albedo!

Albedo: Well, this shall be entertaining.

Rubedo: Wait why do I have to work with him?!

ME: Because I said so and here, I control your fate! So be a good boy and say the disclaimer.

Rubedo: For your information I am older than you, so I could easily hurt you. But fine. She owns only her characters and the plot.

ME: This is my second story so YAY me!

Albedo: So will I be in this story at all?

ME: Well you might be in some memories……otherwise I don’t know. Ok so on with the story then! (Oh and for this I haven’t beaten the final boss of Xenosaga 3 yet so if anything I write doesn’t fit in with it I’m sorry! The third boss keeps killing me before I even get halfway through his health. It’s depressing!) OH and please don’t flame me! I REQUEST THAT YOU REVIEW BECAUSE I WANT TO GET FIVE REVIEWS PER CHAPTER!!

Chapter 1: Ryoko Yoshida

Helmer slowly leaned back in his chair and looked around his office. The news he just received was troubling and he knew that there was more to it than what anyone else knew. The Elsa had disappeared in the middle of their trip to Second Miltia and they left no trace to what could have happened to them. If the disappearance itself wasn’t distressing enough, the pressure of getting them back was even worse. He was exhausted from the last six hours of dealing with the problem and knew he would have to act soon.

Vector was proving to be more of a problem than he had anticipated in providing KOS-MOS, so he finally resolved just to directly establish a connection with the one person he knew could get her to him. ‘I can’t wait much longer,’ Helmer reassured himself, ‘If anymore time is taken we might lose them.’

He leaned forward and typed something into the terminal before him, leaning back when the connection began to go through. He looked at the terminal as the connection fully went through and took a deep breath.

“Hellooooooooo?!” rang out the hyperactive voice Helmer just wanted to hear. Miyuki’s face appeared and her jaw dropped the second she saw it was Representative Helmer calling her own line. She shook her head and put on a professional facial expression that was betrayed by her stunned, wide-eyes, “How may I be able to help you today, Rep. Helmer?”

“I need you to get KOS-MOS and bring her down here as fast as you possibly can. The Elsa has gone missing and it is imperative we get them back safe and sound,” Helmer replied in his business tone.

“On no. Poor Shion and Allen,” Miyuki said with a crestfallen look. Then suddenly being the energetic engineer they all knew and loved/were aggravated by, her entire manner changed one-eighty as she cried out, “I’ll bring her to you ASAP!”

“I’ll brief you both more on the situation then,” Helmer said as they both cut the connection. He leaned back slowly in his chair and closed his eyes. He thought about the gnawing feeling in his gut about the disappearance and who else he should send. He wasn’t about to send KOS-MOS out into a battlefield alone but, the only other person he thought about was as reckless as the android. He heaved a heavy sigh and thought aloud, “Is Captain Yoshida ready to face her?”

Vector

“KOS-MOS! KOS-MOS! WHERE ARE YOU?!” Miyuki called out running down the hall away from KOS-MOS’ activation room. Vector was looking over some last things before they begrudgingly handed KOS-MOS over to Shion. Yet, because of the sudden disappearance of the Elsa they were forced to keep her. Miyuki hunched over hands on her knees and called, “Come on KOS-MOS! Shion and Allen need us!”

“I am here,” a monotone voice came out from behind her. Miyuki cried out startled and spun around to find KOS-MOS staring at her.

“You’ve gotta stop doing that! You’re gonna gimme a hearattack!” Miyuki whined stomping her foot on the ground.

“We should not waste more time standing around talking. There is a forty-three percent chance of putting them in more danger if we wait,” KOS-MOS said turning around. She began making her way down the hall as she continued without looking back, “There is a limo already waiting for us to transport us to Helmer’s office. We should make haste.”

“Wait up!” Miyuki breathed running after her. They quickly made their way outside to see the limo waiting for them. Miyuki began jumping from one foot to the other saying, “Oh this is soooo cool! Rep. Helmer himself sent this limo to get us! This is awesome!”

“The limo is waiting and we are wasting valuable time. Hurry so we may get the information on the mission,” KOS-MOS said in her normal tone but Miyuki detected KOS-MOS restraining herself. For fear of invoking the wrath of the android, she got into the limo with no further acts of hyperness. KOS-MOS sat across from her and stared right through Miyuki who was thinking about Shion and Allen.

“Hey…Kossy,” she said as a wave of dread suddenly washed over her. As KOS-MOS stared blankly at her, she carefully continued, “Do you think they’ll all be ok?”

“The people aboard the Elsa are all skilled in defending themselves to certain points and Rep. Helmer must believe they are well or we would not have been called. Stressing yourself for the unknown information does not help them any more and rational, well thought out thoughts are for their better interest,” KOS-MOS replied in her robotic manner.

“I guess so,” Miyuki said bowing her head.

“Probability of their survival is greater than sixty-five percent,” KOS-MOS said in monotone and once again continued staring straight through Miyuki.

“Thanks KOS-MOS,” Miyuki said smiling as she felt reassured. Even though the dread inside her heart remained she forced herself not to dwell on it.

“Approaching destination. Estimated arrival time is two point seven minutes,” KOS-MOS said calmly causing a thought to strike Miyuki. The limo fell into a thoughtful silence as it neared the building in which Helmer waited for them.

Helmer’s Office

Helmer once again sat at his desk conversing with a person of importance. Juli looked at him skeptically through the connection as he informed her of all the happenings. She shook her head slightly and said, “Even with the right connections and permission from the higher ups. Putting KOS-MOS on this assignment might be too risk. Only Shion knows how KOS-MOS will react to any given scenario.”

“I understand your concern Juli and I’m working on getting in contact with Captain Yoshida as we speak,” Helmer said to Juli through the connection.

“Captain Yoshida? Hm?” Juli looked away from her terminal thoughtfully. She sighed heavily and looked at Helmer, “Do you think she’s ready for battle? After all she was barely able to move from the last battle she was put in.”

“She’s recovered beautifully but she may not come back from this…I’ve reentered the coordinates in which the Elsa was last seen and found an unknown ship there instead……It was the ship of Captain Yoshida’s father,” Helmer closed his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Juli gasped and was quick to question, “But he was slaughtered by-”

Helmer quickly silenced her with a look as the other connection opened beside her to reveal a Kirshwasser. Her outfit was similar to MOMO’s when Ziggurat 8 saved her from Margulis, except that it was red instead of black. She looked at Helmer emotionlessly and said, “Hello, Rep. Helmer. Second in command of the Spiral Dragon speaking. How may I be of assistance to you today?”

“Hello Kirshwasser. I require both you and your captain’s assistance in a very urgent matter. A ship from the Kukai Foundation has been taken and I need Captain Yoshida to join the recovery attempt,” Helmer quickly said getting to the point.

“Understood. We shall arrive as soon as we can,” Kirshwasser answered nodding her head. Then she swiftly cut off the connection.

“With such a team you think you’d be preparing for a war,” Juli commented dryly, “Both KOS-MOS and Captain Yoshida are more favored for that sort of thing. The captain surely can’t be your only choice.”

“You and I both know she is the only one who can fight this battle. KOS-MOS is being sent because there is a great chance of Captain Yoshida lagging behind. The Elsa will get out but hopefully all of them will come back,” Helmer answered calmly, “I understand your concern for your daughter and if you have any other suggestions I would be overjoyed to hear them. Otherwise I think that this is the only choice we have in the matter.”

Juli fell silent and thought about the situation. Finally she looked to Helmer with sadness in her eyes, “I apologize. I’m just concerned and I would rather nothing happen to any of them including Captain Yoshida. I still have matters of the Subcommittee to attend to so your plans can go off smoothly. I must return to them for your plan to work.”

“Thank you Juli,” Helmer thanked feeling some stress fall away from his shoulders. Juli only bowed her head in response and they both turned off their terminals. Helmer sat back in his chair and breathed. Juli had indeed made a great point but if he hadn’t chosen Captain Yoshida there was a possibility of her finding out on her own. That would be worse than anything else that could happen if she went with KOS-MOS. ‘This way makes more sense,’ Helmer thought to reassure himself, ‘This way will be safer for not only her but the Elsa as well.’

“Your guests have arrived sir,” suddenly the intercom crackled with the voice of his quiet secretary.

“Send them in and look out for two more,” Helmer replied regaining his business tone.

Seconds later Miyuki and KOS-MOS came into the room and bowed to him. As she straightened up, KOS-MOS said, “What are the last known coordinates of the Elsa and how are we to get to them?”

“I understand your anxiousness to find them but we still have two more members to wait for. I will, however tell you what she already knows. An unidentified ship has come to a stop on the last known coordinates of the Elsa and KOS-MOS will infiltrate the ship with another person and you are to stay behind and keep up communications,” Helmer stalled hoping his secretary would announce their arrival at any time.

“What exactly am I supposed to do then? Just keep up communications?” Miyuki asked quizzically.

“You are to stay behind and keep up communications on another ship. You are also to help on that ship should they need back up,” Helmer answered patiently. He opened his mouth to say more but his secretary broke his concentration.

“Excuse me. Captain Yoshida and Kirshwasser have arrived,” the secretary came suddenly.

“Good. Send them in,” Helmer replied watching the door.

Just as with Miyuki and KOS-MOS, the door opened mere seconds later and the Kirshwasser walked in before her captain. Her captain slowly followed and immediately drew the attention of the curious Miyuki and she quickly noted the Captain looked only a few years younger than Jr. She had brown hair which cut off around her shoulder-blades and fell around her red sleeveless shirt. She wore beige pants that fell over her brown boots. She had gun holsters on the side of her legs just above her knees and had ring like weapons (Chakram) on the sides as well. The most noticeable things about her was the dragon like mark spiraling from the back of her right hand up to her shoulder and her dark red pupil-less eyes. She stood proudly in front of Helmer and said in monotone, “Captain Ryoko Yoshida of the Spiral Dragon at your service.”

“Now that we are all in attendance we may continue. Both Ryoko and KOS-MOS will infiltrate the ship that has appeared and search for those missing,” Helmer said feeling anticipation twitch in his own fingers.

“Who are counted among the missing?” Ryoko asked turning to KOS-MOS.

“The crew of the Elsa consists of Captain Matthews, Hammer, Tony, Scott, and the Professor. They are likely to still be on the Elsa under enemy surveillance and it would be fine to get them once we are preparing to leave. The people who would cause the most damage and are likely to be heavily guarded are MOMO Mizrahi, Shion Uzuki, Jin Uzuki, Allen Ridgeley, Gaignun Kukai Jr., chaos, and Ziggurat 8,” KOS-MOS said in monotone. Then she turned to Helmer and continued, “I should not have to point out that the longer we stay inactive the greater the possibility of harm befalling those we are to save.”

“I agree, Rep. Helmer. We should waste no more time and act,” Ryoko said staring him in the eyes, “I’m aware of the nature of that unidentified ship and it is my experienced opinion that waiting is not in the best interest of those in captivity.”

“Will you need another smaller ship? I was under the impression that your E.S. Unit was undergoing extreme maintenance,” Helmer inquired cocking his eyebrow.

“Captain Yoshida finished the final repairs moments before you contacted us, sir,” Kirshwasser answered. Then her sight was drawn to Miyuki and she stared at her with an unreadable expression for a moment. Then she looked to Helmer asking, “Is she going to be my communications partner?”

“Yes…I trust you four understand the urgency of this task. Work hard and get back here safely. Dismissed.”

“Understood,” KOS-MOS, Ryoko, and Kirshwasser said in unison while Miyuki threw her fist into the air bouncily calling, “ROGER!”

A Cell Block Which Contains The Group

Shion moaned holding her head causing the entire group to sigh in relief. She opened her eyes to find Allen leaning over her worriedly. He smiled full of relief and said, “It’s good to see you’re alright.”

“What happened?” Shion asked still holding her head as Allen helped her to sit. She looked around and saw they were in a dark reinforced cell and all of her friends-save those from the Elsa-were sitting around in silence. Jin stood slowly at the sight of his sister and moved to her side. Shion noticed he had a slight limp with his left leg and as he sat beside her, she asked, “Are you alright Jin?”

“It’s a minor injury. How about you? Were you badly hurt?” Jin answered dismissing his own discomfort for Shion.

“I’m alright Jin. My head just won’t stop pounding. What happened?” Shion answered slowly clearing her mind.

“The ship was ambushed and we were taken completely unaware. We didn’t even have time to breathe before they knocked us senseless,” chaos answered looking at MOMO who suddenly looked fearful. Jr. put a comforting arm around her shoulders but she still looked terrified.

“That strange woman is coming,” MOMO whispered causing the hair on the back of Jr.’s neck to stand on end.

“Who?” Shion asked feeling confused.

“A woman brought you in here personally after all of us were already here. She’s the one who shot us down,” Jr. filled her in. Then he slowly stood and walked over to the wall nearest the door and leaned against it. As he stared hard at the door he mumbled something that just came to his mind, “Minor bait for the bigger prize.”

“So you do remember what I told you!” an icy voice broke through the cell block. A female that looked only a few years older than Jr. walked up and stopped before the group. She moved her brown hair from her face to reveal dark blue pupil-less eyes. She smiled cruelly at them and continued, “You all are no more than bait for what I truly want to catch. Yet, I’m losing my patience, so you better hope Helmer sends someone to help you or I might have to make an example out of one of you to encourage him. I’ll start with a certain red-head which has gained my great distaste.”

She gave Jr. the coldest look he’d ever seen and he took a startled step back away feeling as if iced was dumped down his spine. Immediately, chaos stood up and moved in front of his friend for a moment saying, “If you attempt to do harm to one of us you’ll have to deal with all of us.”

She snorted in contempt but before anything else could be said an alarm blared causing all except the woman to jump. Her eyes lit with evil delight as a soldier burst in breathing, “Captain Terajima! We have intruders, Captain Terajima!”

“Show me,” Terajima purred happily. The soldier put a device on the ground and stepped back allowing the large holographic screen to appear. It turned on to reveal a dark red E.S. Unit landing near a ledge within the ship. The unit slowly opened and the blue-haired android leaped out to look around. She was followed by Captain Ryoko Yoshida who landed closer to the E.S than KOS-MOS.

“KOS-MOS…she’s here!” Shion whispered happily. She looked to Jin who was staring transfixed by the figure beside KOS-MOS. Jr. and chaos had likewise looks on their faces and Shion looked closer at the captain. Then she covered her mouth to stifle a gasp.

The woman named Terajima and the one who jumped out with KOS-MOS were identical except for the color of the eyes.

“Good. He sent her,” Terajima sneered smugly. She began a quiet laugh under her breath that soon turned into full maniacal laughter that reminded them all greatly of Albedo. The soldier pulled back the screen and left obediently as Terajima moved towards the door. Before she left though she said something that deeply trouble Jr., “It’s time the fake was destroyed and the world shall bear witness to the event.”

Jr. paled as he watched her retreating back and whispered once he was sure she was gone, “Oh no……Ryoko…we just fell into another one.”

At Ryoko’s E.S.

“It seems we must continue on foot,” KOS-MOS observed looking around the area. The E.S. could barely dock and going further with it was absurd.

“You’re are correct but we won’t continue entirely on foot. We must conserve as much energy as possible,” Ryoko agreed in monotone. She looked at the unit and suddenly the two swords dropped from the hands. Yet as they fell they seemed to transform in the air. They became hover bikes-much like the one KOS-MOS used-before they hit the ground. Ryoko put the E.S. away and moved to a bike. She sat down and motioned for KOS-MOS to do likewise, “You can trust these bikes are sound. I built them personally and put much of my time and effort into making them safe.”

“Understood,” the android nodded and sat down. They both started the machines in unison when suddenly a gun shot rung through the air. The bikes shot off away from the line of fire and KOS-MOS glanced to her side to see Ryoko taking a gun from the side of her leg. She aimed it under her right arm which she used to steer and let out three shots. Then she met KOS-MOS’ gaze and cleared her throat.

“I know this place like the back of my hand and I know the captain like my other half! Just follow me and don’t concern yourself with any traps. Try not to speak unless it’s absolutely necessary. There are always unwanted ears listening here!” Ryoko called loudly over the bikes.

“I understand,” KOS-MOS answered looking back ahead.

They both threw the bikes into the highest speed they would go and went down the way. KOS-MOS was sure to stay behind Ryoko and follow her every movement. She was able to keep a close look on Ryoko and still look around to find herself in a weapons facility. There were A.W.G.S units and other weapons all around. The ship seemed to be ready for a war and was prepared to win.

As they went further down KOS-MOS noticed the ship seemed to be a city. There were black buildings that stretched towards the top and roads were blue and they twisted and turned throughout it. KOS-MOS then saw right before them the road split and spiraled. They both realized they’d have to pick up more speed or they’d fall as soon as it made it to the middle of the spiral.

They managed to get the bikes to gain enough speed just in time and they separated to the spirals. When KOS-MOS was above she looked down at the other road below which Ryoko was on and saw Ryoko looking pale and holding her head. Before KOS-MOS could think any farther on the matter the spirals ceased and she found herself right beside Captain Yoshida.

“We’re getting closer. Don’t allow yourself even the slightest distraction,” Ryoko said aloud but KOS-MOS was unsure who it was directed at.

The riders only managed to gain another hundred yards when KOS-MOS’ sensors suddenly caught the sound of a little click. She whipped her head upwards and warned, “Explosive device incoming. Estimated impact time six point two seconds. Percent of possible dodge is zero.”

“We’re as good as dea-” Ryoko began but the grenade hit and the explosion destroyed the entire road they were on. They were thrust from the bikes and KOS-MOS stabled herself on a falling piece of rubble. She looked above her and saw Ryoko unconscious with a blood coming from the side of her head. The android leaped up and grabbed her from certain death. Then she moved from rubble piece to rubble piece all the way up until she landed on the road. She quickly laid Ryoko on the ground and spun towards the area the grenade came from to see approaching soldiers. She didn’t hesitate in calling her big machine guns and taking aim on the enemy. She began shooting and only ceased when the last soldier had fallen. Then she hid away the weapons and moved to stand over Ryoko who was coming to.

“Captain. Please wake up.”

Ryoko’s eyes snapped open to see a small girl around eleven standing over her with concerned eyes. She moved her brown hair from her blue pupil-less eyes and smiled.

“Ter……” Ryoko started but suddenly the figure changed to KOS-MOS. She blinked in confusion but took the hand that was offered to her. KOS-MOS held her up for a moment while Ryoko got her bearings. Then she looked the android in the eyes and said, “The next obstacle is not far ahead. Let us continue and find them.”

“Agreed,” KOS-MOS said releasing Ryoko. They ran forward until they came upon a large wall. It was the divider of the living area and dock from the cell block and the control room. KOS-MOS examined it and observed, “This is a barrier even I cannot damage. There must be a different course.”

“Don’t be so quick to quit, “Ryoko said with a sly smiled. She moved to the wall and began knocking her knuckles against various areas of the wall. Her face was full of concentration as she moved along the wall until finally a hollow sound erupted from the knocking. She smiled satisfied and stepped back. Then spinning around on one heel, she slammed her other foot into the wall. It instantly crumbled from the impact and they saw before them an elevator sure to take them where they intended to go. Ryoko looked back at KOS-MOS, “This elevator will take us to the room we need to be, but I’m going to give you fair warning now. You may have to leave me behind.”

“My orders are to bring all involved back safe. This includes you Captain Yoshida,” KOS-MOS said stubbornly moving past her to the elevator.

“As you wish, but there might not be much to bring back,” Ryoko replied and followed her into the elevator. She looked around and sighed, “KOS-MOS, I must warn you that whatever may happen in the room above you must not speak of it even to Helmer. It could……never mind. You shall see.”

KOS-MOS looked at Ryoko who seemed unable to make eye-contact and for a fraction of a second her eyes shone blue.

ME: I’m going to end it there. First chapters are hard for me so bear with me readers. It will get better! Don’t Flame Me PLEASE. I’ll get better once I continue.

Albedo: Yeah oh and you might want to run. Rubedo read a little ahead and-

Rubedo: Terajima takes a shot at me?! Wait does it hit me? Argh. You don’t have it written down!

ME: Crap…He just had to read that part. Crap. Anyway. Review please and I promise it will get better in the chapters to come. Some major twists are ahead!

Help Me With My Goal! Five Reviews Per Chapter! Please I’ll Be Happy Even If I Only Get Five! PLEASE REVIEW!!