Sixth Arc 6.2
- Location
- PA
Hymn of Harmony
or Melody of Escalation
Sixth Arc 6.2
-May 9, 2011-
-PRT Headquarters: Aria's Lab-
Dive Machines. They were used to allow a Diver to enter the Cosmosphere of a Reyvateil. The sex analogies were many and in some ways they weren't wrong. The important distinction was that this was a much deeper connection than making love. It was about allowing someone into your very soul to see your innermost parts. The good, the bad, the ugly. All of it. Lisa had to set me down and explain the misconceptions that others had formed. I think it was the first time she actually realized that I'm not human. My thoughts meandered as I was confronted with the reality of our Dive. Armsmaster and Dragon helped me to construct the machines. The result was a pair of headsets that doubled as full immersion VR equipment. I had just finished running the last of the checks last night and all systems were green. They were still green today.
Something was troubling me though. There was a strange energy in the air. It was faint, hours old, but a niggling doubt was plaguing me. I ran the diagnostics again and the system came back clean. Cocona was seated in a cushioned seat attached to various health monitors. She smiled reassuringly at me even if there was a nervousness in her eyes. I smiled back. Armsmaster, Dragon, Astra, Sonata, and Despedia were all here. There was enough firepower to even turn back the most determined A Rank threat. I sat down in the seat and let Dragon set up the equipment. Mir was with us on the terminal while Shurelia monitored the equipment remotely. Feeling their assurances in my mind calmed me. Words were spoken, but they washed over me as the headset was placed on my head. The visor was lowered over my eyes. Cocona reached across to take my hand.
Then we Dived.
-The Lab-
All was still as the two girls held hands and relaxed. Their respiration slowed into a sleeping pattern. Brain wave monitors told the tale of heightened activity. The witnesses weren't sure what to do in this case. Was it okay to talk? Was it okay to entertain themselves? Was it a faux pax? The only experts were in another dimension while the two who might know were in a deep state similar to mediation. A rapid beeping came from the monitoring equipment. Everyone tensed at the sudden noise.
"What the hell?" Mir's voice came across clearly. Her composure shaken by something.
"What is it, Mir?" Armsmaster asked even as he and Dragon got to their stations.
"Their consciousness is being sublimated. How is this possible? No one should know how this machine operates." Mir actually growled. Two people she loved were being harmed. This would not stand.
"Is there anything we can do?" Dragon asked.
"I'm sending a coding packet to reengage the manual override. It will have to be entered into the machine manually. Mir and I will divert the attack while you enter the codes. We can hold it as long as you need." Shurelia told them insistently. Haste was their enemy more than sloth.
"Mom..." Sonata murmured as Despedia held her comfortingly.
"It's okay kid. They'll be fine. You'll see." The feral cape soothed her. The child in her arms let herself be comforted.
"The packet has been delivered. We'll get to work." Armsmaster spoke up.
"All vital signs are steady. There are no irregularities." Dragon stated. Their work would be difficult, but they had hope it wouldn't take long. Aria and Granspear would be safe. They had to be.
-Cocona's POV-
-Cosmosphere Level 1-
This is definitely outside of my experience. I found myself floating above what looked like a map of Brockton Bay. There were a few differences, but nothing in particular stood out. Winslow High School looked darker than I remembered. Arcadia was brighter in terms of shininess. The Rig was also shinier. Home and Lisa's apartment were shiny as well. So places that she had good memories of were shiny while others were darker or not defined. There was a scar at the upper edge of the map where Coil's base was located.
"What is your designation?" A mechanical voice spoke. All at once the massive beetle mech appeared. I couldn't help the squeak of surprise. Her mind guardian was freakin' huge! He was even more of a weapons platform in her mind.
"Uh...I'm Cocona Bartel." No one talks about the inside of someone's Cosmosphere. It's considered gauche. Personally I'm wishing there was a guide book written right now.
"Present authorization!" The machine barked. I felt it like a physical force. My Dive Points lowered fractionally, but it was apparently enough. "Authorization accepted. Proceed to the designated area." What designated area? Each area on the map came complete with a Dive Point cost. Dive Points were important. They acted as protection for the Diver. The number increased based on compatibility, closeness, and understanding. They were what allowed the Diver to progress.
I could take the check everywhere approach or take a chance on the ones with the highest value. My eyes kept going back to Winslow. The value was low, but something about the structure drew the eye. I selected it and was drawn to the location. What I saw looked like the hallway in front of Taylor's locker. The state of the school was as I remembered it. Nothing was noticeably out of place. That alone made me nervous. I slowly walked towards That Locker. It capitalized itself in my head. The door was dingier than it's surroundings and a terrible smell emanated from within. As I got closer the sound of something weakly scratching at the inside reached my ears.
"Hello?" I called out. The scratching stopped. Maybe Taylor was in there? This was where it all started after all. I stepped forward and touched the lock...
{{GET AWAY!}}
The voice tore through my mind like a cyclone. It howled and shrieked insanely. I briefly saw red eyes and a lower jaw torn away. The sound of insects buzzed madly in my ears.
"At ease. You are safe. You were not cleared for access." The beetle machine had me in it's massive arms as I came to. The psychic backlash left me dazed and trembling. I clutched at my savior as the tremors faded. My Dive Points took a nasty hit, but thankfully I wasn't kicked out.
"I thought I was done for..." I admitted. The mind guardian rumbled in discontent.
"You were nearly destroyed. This Unit, Atlas, had to expend it's power to save you." The machine informed me coolly.
"Destroyed? Wait...this is only the first level...shouldn't the Dive interrupt have kicked in?" I was confused. The Dive Interrupt was there to protect the Diver. If the operator was competent then the one in danger could be pulled out. Dives could be dangerous in that the Reyvateil's mind was strong in her own domain. I may have been welcomed in, but at points Taylor's psyche might identify me as intruder.
"The Dive Interrupt has been disabled. Bleed through is occurring over all layers." Atlas stated factually. Disabled? Bleed through?
"Oh no! My being here would only make it worse...okay." I tried to exit only to find the option was gone. Now I panicked.
"In order to save her mind you must undertake this quest. By reinforcing each level you will be able to save her. Fail and you will both be terminated." The beetle mech warned. Great. A time limit as well.
"Fine. You can't tell me which way to go I guess..." Mind Guardians could be benevolent, malevolent, or any shade of crazy. They protected the Reyvateil's mind. You would think if Taylor's mind was collapsing her guardian would help, but sometimes they only become more obstructive.
"I cannot. It is against my stated goals of guarding the sector. You might have better luck in brighter places. Should you find yourself overwhelmed I can render aid once more. After that this unit will cease to function." Atlas stated. I stared at the guardian in shock. That was definitely bad. He risked himself to save me from my own curiousity. I would have to tread more carefully in the future.
"Thank you." I patted his armored hand. With that I set off once more to hover over the map. Taylor's guardian couldn't tell me exactly where to go, but hints are good. She must not be ready to handle the darker areas yet. Something else I forgot is that by entering these places I'm going into her memories and perceptions. The Locker being capitalized should have been warning enough. It was a no brainer now that I had an idea of where to go. The place that I should have gone first. The image of the Rig came closer as I made my choice. The sight that greeted me was of Taylor, dressed as Aria, leaning in the head portion of a gigantic mecha. The head was vaguely insectoid. What was up with all the bugs?
"Hmmm...this connector fits here...and this goes here..." She makes a sound of approval before straightening up with a groan. "Whew...next on the schedule is the neck connection..." Aria checks something off on a floating terminal. "Hmmm?" She turns to look at me. "Granspear! Great timing!" My girlfriend slid down the railings and bounded over to me.
"Hey Taylor." I greeted her. She stopped and blinked in confusion.
"I'm Aria. Taylor is at home. Are you feeling alright?" Just like that another red flag came up. I smiled reassuringly.
"I'm fine. Sorry, Aria. I was just confused. You and Taylor look so much alike." Could I reach her this way?
"Yeah I know. It's such a pain. I'm nothing like her, but people still confuse us. My girlfriend should know better though." The white clad Reyvateil narrowed her eyes at me. I took another hit to my Dive Points. Shit. I was totally deep in the minefield. "If you're going to date us then don't mix us up again. Now get out. I have work to do." She flipped her hair breezily before heading back to her workstation. The dismissal was clear. I left the lab and found myself above the map again.
"This is so...so...so boo..." I sighed. The only thing I could do was go along with the story. There had to be a story somewhere. My next destination was the house. It swelled to fill my vision and I was there. Taylor was in the kitchen wearing an apron and looking contentedly at a pot of stew. I think it was stew. It reminded me of one of Mir's more unique attempts at cooking. I entered the kitchen and she jumped half a foot.
"Oh! Cocona...welcome home dear..." She bustled, actually bustled, over and gave me a peck on the cheek. "How was work?" The brunette smiled at me. This Taylor was dressed like some exaggerated ideal of the happy homemaker. Best to play along for now.
"Work was good. Where is everybody?" I asked. She sighed.
"Despedia is out with Lisa again. They'll probably drag themselves in at all hours of the morning and wake up Sonata. Our little girl starts school in the morning after all. She needs her sleep, but those two..." Taylor sighed with a faint smile, "Oh they'll behave...they're just so rowdy at that age..." It was at that point the front door flew open and Sonata burst in.
"Hi Mommy! Hi Daddy!" She grabbed Taylor in a hug first and then me. D-Daddy!? Those burgundy eyes staring at me robbed me of the will to argue. Isn't that what I would be if her mom and I grew more serious? I hugged her back. My girlfriend smiled approvingly.
"Would you set the table honey?" Taylor asked.
"Alriiiight..." Sonata drew it out petulantly, but did as she was asked. The part that was worrying me was the stew (?) on the stove. We sat at the table. Aria came home soon after in a foul mood. She stared at us sitting at the table with her lips thinned, but said nothing. There was a sensation of ants creeping along my spine as the Twilight Zone theme played quietly like background music. The bowls of stew were set before us. I couldn't resist recoiling as a bowl of stewed insects was put before me. The salt shaker, shaped like Atlas, turned to look at me. I remembered what he said about corruption. Taylor and Aria were both watching me inscrutably. Sonata was eating her dinner that looked like a beef stew. They both had beef stew in front of them. I took a chance and ate a bite of the stew. The flavor was impossible to describe. A metallic tang assaulted my tongue immediately followed by the meaty flavor of rotten blood.
"How is it?" Taylor asked pleasantly with nothing behind her eyes.
"Delicious isn't it?" Aria asked with that same nothing. Was this what she tasted in the locker? Tears stung my eyes.
"It's delicious." A bowl of foulness stew gave Taylor a new life. Aria gave her stability and control that she lacked. She had friends and pulled her family together. I sobbed quietly as it fully hit me. Three sets of arms embraced me, but said nothing. There was a peculiar shift in the air. When my eyes opened I was back above the map. A strange stone circle was illuminated now.
"The Paradigm Shift has occurred. You must hurry." Atlas informed me. His mechanical voice was peculiarly gently. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak, before heading to the new location. The stone circle opened up before me into a replica of Stonehenge. Taylor stood by the flaring white light. She was in costume, but without the mask. She turned to look at me.
"I'm sorry Cocona. This isn't how I wanted it to happen. You're trapped in here and could die...I..." She whimpered softly. I held her tight.
"This isn't your fault. Whatever is happening we'll face it together. You and I. Got it? We WILL do this together." I assured her. Taylor smiled lovingly at me.
"Then let's go." She held my hand and we stepped into the light without hesitation.
This won't be easy, but I won't give up. Not on her and definitely not on us. When we get out of here I will crush the ones responsible.
-Level 1 Complete-
AN: Starting next chapter will be 2 Levels per chapter. The stage is set. What sort of Cosmosphere section would it be without a complication?
or Melody of Escalation
Sixth Arc 6.2
-May 9, 2011-
-PRT Headquarters: Aria's Lab-
Dive Machines. They were used to allow a Diver to enter the Cosmosphere of a Reyvateil. The sex analogies were many and in some ways they weren't wrong. The important distinction was that this was a much deeper connection than making love. It was about allowing someone into your very soul to see your innermost parts. The good, the bad, the ugly. All of it. Lisa had to set me down and explain the misconceptions that others had formed. I think it was the first time she actually realized that I'm not human. My thoughts meandered as I was confronted with the reality of our Dive. Armsmaster and Dragon helped me to construct the machines. The result was a pair of headsets that doubled as full immersion VR equipment. I had just finished running the last of the checks last night and all systems were green. They were still green today.
Something was troubling me though. There was a strange energy in the air. It was faint, hours old, but a niggling doubt was plaguing me. I ran the diagnostics again and the system came back clean. Cocona was seated in a cushioned seat attached to various health monitors. She smiled reassuringly at me even if there was a nervousness in her eyes. I smiled back. Armsmaster, Dragon, Astra, Sonata, and Despedia were all here. There was enough firepower to even turn back the most determined A Rank threat. I sat down in the seat and let Dragon set up the equipment. Mir was with us on the terminal while Shurelia monitored the equipment remotely. Feeling their assurances in my mind calmed me. Words were spoken, but they washed over me as the headset was placed on my head. The visor was lowered over my eyes. Cocona reached across to take my hand.
Then we Dived.
-The Lab-
All was still as the two girls held hands and relaxed. Their respiration slowed into a sleeping pattern. Brain wave monitors told the tale of heightened activity. The witnesses weren't sure what to do in this case. Was it okay to talk? Was it okay to entertain themselves? Was it a faux pax? The only experts were in another dimension while the two who might know were in a deep state similar to mediation. A rapid beeping came from the monitoring equipment. Everyone tensed at the sudden noise.
"What the hell?" Mir's voice came across clearly. Her composure shaken by something.
"What is it, Mir?" Armsmaster asked even as he and Dragon got to their stations.
"Their consciousness is being sublimated. How is this possible? No one should know how this machine operates." Mir actually growled. Two people she loved were being harmed. This would not stand.
"Is there anything we can do?" Dragon asked.
"I'm sending a coding packet to reengage the manual override. It will have to be entered into the machine manually. Mir and I will divert the attack while you enter the codes. We can hold it as long as you need." Shurelia told them insistently. Haste was their enemy more than sloth.
"Mom..." Sonata murmured as Despedia held her comfortingly.
"It's okay kid. They'll be fine. You'll see." The feral cape soothed her. The child in her arms let herself be comforted.
"The packet has been delivered. We'll get to work." Armsmaster spoke up.
"All vital signs are steady. There are no irregularities." Dragon stated. Their work would be difficult, but they had hope it wouldn't take long. Aria and Granspear would be safe. They had to be.
-Cocona's POV-
-Cosmosphere Level 1-
This is definitely outside of my experience. I found myself floating above what looked like a map of Brockton Bay. There were a few differences, but nothing in particular stood out. Winslow High School looked darker than I remembered. Arcadia was brighter in terms of shininess. The Rig was also shinier. Home and Lisa's apartment were shiny as well. So places that she had good memories of were shiny while others were darker or not defined. There was a scar at the upper edge of the map where Coil's base was located.
"What is your designation?" A mechanical voice spoke. All at once the massive beetle mech appeared. I couldn't help the squeak of surprise. Her mind guardian was freakin' huge! He was even more of a weapons platform in her mind.
"Uh...I'm Cocona Bartel." No one talks about the inside of someone's Cosmosphere. It's considered gauche. Personally I'm wishing there was a guide book written right now.
"Present authorization!" The machine barked. I felt it like a physical force. My Dive Points lowered fractionally, but it was apparently enough. "Authorization accepted. Proceed to the designated area." What designated area? Each area on the map came complete with a Dive Point cost. Dive Points were important. They acted as protection for the Diver. The number increased based on compatibility, closeness, and understanding. They were what allowed the Diver to progress.
I could take the check everywhere approach or take a chance on the ones with the highest value. My eyes kept going back to Winslow. The value was low, but something about the structure drew the eye. I selected it and was drawn to the location. What I saw looked like the hallway in front of Taylor's locker. The state of the school was as I remembered it. Nothing was noticeably out of place. That alone made me nervous. I slowly walked towards That Locker. It capitalized itself in my head. The door was dingier than it's surroundings and a terrible smell emanated from within. As I got closer the sound of something weakly scratching at the inside reached my ears.
"Hello?" I called out. The scratching stopped. Maybe Taylor was in there? This was where it all started after all. I stepped forward and touched the lock...
{{GET AWAY!}}
The voice tore through my mind like a cyclone. It howled and shrieked insanely. I briefly saw red eyes and a lower jaw torn away. The sound of insects buzzed madly in my ears.
"At ease. You are safe. You were not cleared for access." The beetle machine had me in it's massive arms as I came to. The psychic backlash left me dazed and trembling. I clutched at my savior as the tremors faded. My Dive Points took a nasty hit, but thankfully I wasn't kicked out.
"I thought I was done for..." I admitted. The mind guardian rumbled in discontent.
"You were nearly destroyed. This Unit, Atlas, had to expend it's power to save you." The machine informed me coolly.
"Destroyed? Wait...this is only the first level...shouldn't the Dive interrupt have kicked in?" I was confused. The Dive Interrupt was there to protect the Diver. If the operator was competent then the one in danger could be pulled out. Dives could be dangerous in that the Reyvateil's mind was strong in her own domain. I may have been welcomed in, but at points Taylor's psyche might identify me as intruder.
"The Dive Interrupt has been disabled. Bleed through is occurring over all layers." Atlas stated factually. Disabled? Bleed through?
"Oh no! My being here would only make it worse...okay." I tried to exit only to find the option was gone. Now I panicked.
"In order to save her mind you must undertake this quest. By reinforcing each level you will be able to save her. Fail and you will both be terminated." The beetle mech warned. Great. A time limit as well.
"Fine. You can't tell me which way to go I guess..." Mind Guardians could be benevolent, malevolent, or any shade of crazy. They protected the Reyvateil's mind. You would think if Taylor's mind was collapsing her guardian would help, but sometimes they only become more obstructive.
"I cannot. It is against my stated goals of guarding the sector. You might have better luck in brighter places. Should you find yourself overwhelmed I can render aid once more. After that this unit will cease to function." Atlas stated. I stared at the guardian in shock. That was definitely bad. He risked himself to save me from my own curiousity. I would have to tread more carefully in the future.
"Thank you." I patted his armored hand. With that I set off once more to hover over the map. Taylor's guardian couldn't tell me exactly where to go, but hints are good. She must not be ready to handle the darker areas yet. Something else I forgot is that by entering these places I'm going into her memories and perceptions. The Locker being capitalized should have been warning enough. It was a no brainer now that I had an idea of where to go. The place that I should have gone first. The image of the Rig came closer as I made my choice. The sight that greeted me was of Taylor, dressed as Aria, leaning in the head portion of a gigantic mecha. The head was vaguely insectoid. What was up with all the bugs?
"Hmmm...this connector fits here...and this goes here..." She makes a sound of approval before straightening up with a groan. "Whew...next on the schedule is the neck connection..." Aria checks something off on a floating terminal. "Hmmm?" She turns to look at me. "Granspear! Great timing!" My girlfriend slid down the railings and bounded over to me.
"Hey Taylor." I greeted her. She stopped and blinked in confusion.
"I'm Aria. Taylor is at home. Are you feeling alright?" Just like that another red flag came up. I smiled reassuringly.
"I'm fine. Sorry, Aria. I was just confused. You and Taylor look so much alike." Could I reach her this way?
"Yeah I know. It's such a pain. I'm nothing like her, but people still confuse us. My girlfriend should know better though." The white clad Reyvateil narrowed her eyes at me. I took another hit to my Dive Points. Shit. I was totally deep in the minefield. "If you're going to date us then don't mix us up again. Now get out. I have work to do." She flipped her hair breezily before heading back to her workstation. The dismissal was clear. I left the lab and found myself above the map again.
"This is so...so...so boo..." I sighed. The only thing I could do was go along with the story. There had to be a story somewhere. My next destination was the house. It swelled to fill my vision and I was there. Taylor was in the kitchen wearing an apron and looking contentedly at a pot of stew. I think it was stew. It reminded me of one of Mir's more unique attempts at cooking. I entered the kitchen and she jumped half a foot.
"Oh! Cocona...welcome home dear..." She bustled, actually bustled, over and gave me a peck on the cheek. "How was work?" The brunette smiled at me. This Taylor was dressed like some exaggerated ideal of the happy homemaker. Best to play along for now.
"Work was good. Where is everybody?" I asked. She sighed.
"Despedia is out with Lisa again. They'll probably drag themselves in at all hours of the morning and wake up Sonata. Our little girl starts school in the morning after all. She needs her sleep, but those two..." Taylor sighed with a faint smile, "Oh they'll behave...they're just so rowdy at that age..." It was at that point the front door flew open and Sonata burst in.
"Hi Mommy! Hi Daddy!" She grabbed Taylor in a hug first and then me. D-Daddy!? Those burgundy eyes staring at me robbed me of the will to argue. Isn't that what I would be if her mom and I grew more serious? I hugged her back. My girlfriend smiled approvingly.
"Would you set the table honey?" Taylor asked.
"Alriiiight..." Sonata drew it out petulantly, but did as she was asked. The part that was worrying me was the stew (?) on the stove. We sat at the table. Aria came home soon after in a foul mood. She stared at us sitting at the table with her lips thinned, but said nothing. There was a sensation of ants creeping along my spine as the Twilight Zone theme played quietly like background music. The bowls of stew were set before us. I couldn't resist recoiling as a bowl of stewed insects was put before me. The salt shaker, shaped like Atlas, turned to look at me. I remembered what he said about corruption. Taylor and Aria were both watching me inscrutably. Sonata was eating her dinner that looked like a beef stew. They both had beef stew in front of them. I took a chance and ate a bite of the stew. The flavor was impossible to describe. A metallic tang assaulted my tongue immediately followed by the meaty flavor of rotten blood.
"How is it?" Taylor asked pleasantly with nothing behind her eyes.
"Delicious isn't it?" Aria asked with that same nothing. Was this what she tasted in the locker? Tears stung my eyes.
"It's delicious." A bowl of foulness stew gave Taylor a new life. Aria gave her stability and control that she lacked. She had friends and pulled her family together. I sobbed quietly as it fully hit me. Three sets of arms embraced me, but said nothing. There was a peculiar shift in the air. When my eyes opened I was back above the map. A strange stone circle was illuminated now.
"The Paradigm Shift has occurred. You must hurry." Atlas informed me. His mechanical voice was peculiarly gently. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak, before heading to the new location. The stone circle opened up before me into a replica of Stonehenge. Taylor stood by the flaring white light. She was in costume, but without the mask. She turned to look at me.
"I'm sorry Cocona. This isn't how I wanted it to happen. You're trapped in here and could die...I..." She whimpered softly. I held her tight.
"This isn't your fault. Whatever is happening we'll face it together. You and I. Got it? We WILL do this together." I assured her. Taylor smiled lovingly at me.
"Then let's go." She held my hand and we stepped into the light without hesitation.
This won't be easy, but I won't give up. Not on her and definitely not on us. When we get out of here I will crush the ones responsible.
-Level 1 Complete-
AN: Starting next chapter will be 2 Levels per chapter. The stage is set. What sort of Cosmosphere section would it be without a complication?
Last edited: