Vanessa's favorite thinking spot was the steps on her front porch. She'd often come out late at night with a drink and a blanket, and simply gaze at the stars for an hour when she couldn't sleep. And on many of those nights, from the house next-door, Kevin would notice her, from his bedroom window on the second floor. He'd stare at the pretty brunette in glasses and wonder what on earth she found so interesting about the night sky at three in the morning. One summer night, he decided to go downstairs, walk out of the front door, and talk to her.
Kevin and Vanessa grew up together. They used to run around and play when they were kids, and went to the same elementary and middle schools. Although they were never all that close, they knew a lot about each other, and often stopped to say a few words in passing. After all, it was the neighborly thing to do. He got along with her brother, Anthony, okay. Although he did find him somewhat intimidating. Kevin found Vanessa to be peculiar- not like a lot of the other girls he knew. But as she grew older, he began to notice her more. Her window was across from his, and she always looked to be deeply invested in her thoughts, or in a book. With each year, she grew a little more beautiful, despite seeming to stay indoors more frequently. This too, Kevin noticed.
"Kevin?" He hadn't realized that he was staring at her, standing on the sidewalk like an idiot.
"Hey- Vanessa. Sorry, I just-..., what are you doing out here so late?" He rubbed the back of his head. In truth, he was pretty tired.
"I couldn't sleep. What are you doing up?" She sat there in thin, linen pajama pants and a tank-top, though she did have a blanket this time, despite it not being very cold.
"Well..., the same, I guess. Is it okay if I sit with you?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
Kevin moved to sit next to her on the steps, giving a sigh as he tried to look a little less drowsy. "Something on your mind?" Vanessa looked at him for a moment, and then nodded.
"I got accepted into Redford. Anthony did, too. He's a lot smarter than people think he is." The girl smiled for a moment, and Kevin flashed an intrigued expression.
"How many times has Anthony crashed a car on that tree over on Millen?" He found himself snickering.
"He doesn't have a lot of common sense, but he's book-smart, like I am! But anyways- we're contemplating moving closer to school, so we might rent an apartment out there or something. Split it. We're just..., thinking about it. Still, I can't but still feel a little odd. We've never moved. I've been here my whole life."
"Neither have I, but I don't think it has to be some big deal. It's not like you'd be very far. What are you gonna study, anyway?"
"That's the thing." She looked to him and gave a soft sigh. "I'm..., not really sure. I mean, I know there are a lot of things I could do. I could go into a science, but it's just...- I feel like there's something I'm supposed to do, you know? And I just haven't..., found it, yet. Like there's something out there, waiting for me. Fate, or something." Suddenly, the brunette had a nervous look about her. She looked to the sky, as if she were looking for answers. "Sorry, I didn't mean to get all..." She looked back back to Kevin, then.
"Heavy? Don't worry, so much. It's gonna be fine. Whatever you've gotta do, you just go and do it. You'll figure it out."
"I wish I was more like Anthony. He's always known what he wants to do. He loves cars and he's going to do his...car-stuff. Life seems so simple, through his eyes." Vanessa looked downward, still wearing a melancholy look about her. Kevin, instinctively, wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in a little.
"Hey, it's gonna be fine. You're super smart. The real problem, is that you're not going to be my neighbor anymore. Who's pretty face am I going to smile at when I go grab the mail in the morning?" Vanessa, seeming somewhat flustered, shook her head at him.
"Oh, stop it."
"No, hey, I'm serious. You've been my neighbor for forever. No one can replace you." Gingerly, he brought his hand to the side of her face and turned her gently to look at him. He couldn't help but feel a rush; it had been so long since the two had any physical contact. Not since their youth, when they would play. And not since a young girl had become a young woman, who Kevin was finally starting to truly see for the first time. Vanessa stared at him, somewhat flushed and unsure of what to say.
"Well-..., I mean..., it's not like..."
"Not like we can't see each other, right? That's what they always say, isn't it? But that's never gonna happen."
"That's not true!" She looked to him in protest, his hand still on the side of her face. Kevin paused for a moment, in thought. How could he make Vanessa want to see him again?
"I don't believe you. It's okay, really. It's not like we're good friends anymore, or anything. I'm just the guy that lives next door."
"But you and I have known each other forever! Kevin, really, we can see each other whenever we want, can't we? It's a free country."
"Then prove it." He gave her a devious look, releasing his hold on her, though he leaned on her a bit as they sat side-by-side. "If you can spend time with me now, I'll know that you will even when you're not next-door to me. So..., go out with me tomorrow night."
"Go out?" She looked surprised, but then settled into the idea. "Okay, sure. Anthony's always talking about this cool pizza place; I'll see if him and some of his friends wanna come and we can all hang out. Some sort of..., 'going to college,' party. That actually sounds like fun, I need to get out of the house."
"No-..., God, you're so smart, but sometimes..."
"You don't like pizza?" She tilted her head at him. Kevin knew: she was completely oblivious. Could she ever see him as more than a friend?
"Vanessa-..." He felt as if he had a lump in his throat, suddenly, as his nerves set in.
"What?" She blinked at him.
"Oh, what the hell." He took hold of her face again with a gentle, but firm hand and pulled her face towards him, until his lips pushed against hers with an assertive need.
Tears spilled across her cheeks as Vanessa rested against the back of the console room's door. There were bundles of wires lining the walls, giving off a quiet resonance to accompany her hushed sobs. She looked down at herself, dressed in a leather suit she had found in her chamber's closet, feeling afraid and unable to recognize herself. "Why did that woman want to say that to me?" She tried to calm herself, resting her hands on her thighs as she sat with legs extended and straight. "A truthseeker? Why did you show me this room? Why did you give me that key? I don't know what I'm supposed to do, now. How am I supposed to be of any use at all?" She was talking to herself, occasionally giving a quiet sniffle. "What kind of name is Viper, anyways?"
Suddenly, a voice sounded through the room. It was definitely a woman's voice, but it was digital, synthesized. "W.H.V. Shroud in critical condition."
Vanessa, startled, jumped to her feet. "W.H.V.?"
"Weaponized Humanoid Vehicle."
"Right. The thing that they're using in the mission. What do you mean, critical condition? Are they in trouble?"
"Pilot Elsa in critical condition. If a new pilot does not take her place, mission success rate will drop to zero-point-five percent."
"What am I talking to?"
"I am the E.S. Umbra's artificial intelligence interface. You have accessed me several times already."
"You're..., the computer?" Vanessa looked over at the console, which she had left the key in. It was giving off a strange, blue-ish glow.
"The console allows you to access the interface."
"And you are the interface?" Slowly, she walks over to the holographic sphere and multiple floating screens.
"That is correct. Immediate action is required. W.H.V. Shroud is connected to the interface, but action cannot be taken without authorization." Vanessa looked over the pedestal that held to that stone key, thinking for a moment.
"Um..., okay. What action would you take if you had authorization?"
"Pilot Elsa is losing cerebral function. Action would be taken to disable her oxygen stabilizer so her vitals would cease."
"What!? Why would you do that!?" Vanessa looked outraged as a display came up on the holographic sphere, showing an image of The Shroud's console.
"Primary Directive Five: we cannot allow a team member to be compromised by falling into the hands of the enemy."
"No, no. You and The Shroud are connected, right? That's what you said. Just move it out of there!"
"Cannot exert control override. Function not authorized."
"Then I authorize it!"
"Permission denied." Vanessa, fuming, was now witnessing an image of The Shroud in combat with a large, enemy vessel display across the screens. It was clear, even to her, that Elsa was losing.
"Find another alternative!"
"No other alternatives. I must follow the primary directives before all others."
"Just move her!"
"Command denied."
"I don't have time for bureaucracy." She seemed to struggle with her thoughts for a moment, until coming to some sort of plan. "Access database." The image of the W.H.V.s in combat quickly faded and was replaced by the database menu. "Access section, 'manage interface'." The requested information filled the screens and made itself available to her as the girl pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose with a finger. "Access, 'Override.'" There had to be a way to take control of the system. If Elsa was in trouble, she had to do something. Anything. She had to find a way to be useful, and that mindset vibrated through her consciousness like a cathedral bell.
"Vanessa!" Another voice sounded: it was Anthony. He ran into the room, panting and frantic. "Listen, we need to talk. Please, if you just-"
"Tony, Elsa is in trouble."
"Here me out, if-...trouble?"
"I know how I can help her. I need your help." Her tone was serious, and her eyes were brimming with focus.
"Nessa, I know you want to help her, but if we don't get out of here now the rift is going to-"
"Do you remember the bracelet? The one that Giera was wearing? Go ask that boy, Sam, if he has any discarded ones. It's a long shot, but I think I have a plan."
"If I help you with this, do you promise you'll come back with me?"
"Yes, I promise! Hurry up!" Filled with renewed hope, Anthony ran out of the console room and bounded down the steel-grated hallway.
"Sam!" He ran up onto the bridge, to the command chair. Once again, the young man was panting frantically.
"She's going to do it, isn't she?" His voice sounded distraught. Samuel seemed to know exactly what Vanessa needed. "Viper..., she knew, somehow. That things would turn out this way. I don't know how she knew, but she did." He was already holding one of the bangles in his hand.
"Sammy, things are getting out of hand." Jedd, who was standing across the room, walked over to the command chair. "The people see the fires in the sky, and they are beginning to panic, and riot. I am going to the underground; we need to strike now. The enforcers are going to start killing innocents." Sitting in his chair, the young commander stared at the metal ring with a forlorn expression.
"This was mine, once." He extended an arm out and dropped it intentionally, Anthony quickly springing to catch it and met with success. "Tell her that..., that I said thank you. That I will never forget this. No go. Hurry up." Despite his profound confusion, Anthony felt so very close to getting his sister to come home with him.
"Why did you let me go?" He looked to Jedd for a brief moment, who shook his head.
"I may be big, but I'm not a monster. Now run." He didn't have to tell him twice. He ran back down to the console room with a haste that even he thought himself incapable of. Upon entering, he handed the device to his sister.
"Nessa, what are you going to do? Sam wanted me to thank you-..., I don't understand any of this. Please, tell me what you're doing."
"I'm going to find out if this thing still works. Here goes nothing." Taking a deep breath, she slid one of her wrists into the bracelet, looked for the small, button-like indent, and pressed on it. Anthony, concerned, stared at her; but nothing happened.
"No, it has to work!" Suddenly, the metal lit up brilliantly and Vanessa's eyes widened. "Oh shi-" She was cut off by her own, ear-splitting scream.
"Vanessa!" The young woman thrashed around, clawing at her arm like a rabid animal as she flailed in a frenzy.
"Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck...." Her eyes teared up immediately and she began to cry. "It burns..." Her voice grew strained. "Ow ow ow ow ow..." The metal had embedded itself into her flesh as microscopic fractals entered her body and connected the device to her entire nervous system. "I'm okay, I'm okay..."
"Nessa, you dummy..." Anthony's voice softened as he tried to take his sibling into his arms, but she resisted him. The key-pedestal had a panel on the side, which Vanessa slid open. From it, she retrieved a cord, which she then plugged in to the bracelet she now wore.
"Okay. I can do this. I'm going to override the A.I. of the interface by integrating myself with it."
"I have no idea what any of that means. You're still going to keep your promise, right? Do what you need to do..., and then we need to get out of here, fast. The rift won't stay open for much longer."
"Tony-..." She looked at her brother with teary eyes.
"What?" He raised his brows at her, putting his hands on her shoulders firmly.
"Love you, bro."
"I love you too, sis. C'mon, if your gonna save Elsa, let's do this thing. Integrate or..., whatever."
"When you see Kevin...-" She held back a sob, trembling. "Tell him I love him. And I'm sorry."
"Nessa, you can tell him yourself!"
"I'm sorry." She started to sob.
"Sorry for what!?"
"Upload!" She yelled towards the holo-sphere, closing her eyes tightly.
"Vanessa?" Kevin's voice was heard. He was standing at the entryway to the room, in tears.
"Kevin?" As she opened her eyes to look towards him, the room seemed to vibrate as the key-console gave off several bright, blue flashes of light. She felt as if her body was growing lighter, and her vision started to distort. "I knew there was something I was supposed to do! Something I was meant to do! And this is it! I found it!"
"Vanessa!" Kevin and Anthony both yelled at her in unison. Suddenly, Vanessa Arlotta had disappeared. The metal bracelet, however, remained connected to the cord on the console. It fell on top of the pedestal, making a circular ring around the vertical stone key in its slot.
Elsa leaned back against the seat in the cockpit, her eyes barely open as she looked around in a haze. "This is it, commander." Giving a quiet sob, she pulled the goggles from her head of thick, colorful hair and ran her fingers over the lenses. "Sergeant Elsa..., is going to sign off." Blood ran down the side of her face and from her lip, The Shroud shaking every so often and banging things around. Her communications channel wasn't even open. She didn't want it to be. "Please, take care of yourself...- I can't do it, anymore..."
"Elsa, I'm activating the displacement drive and sending you to the Umbra. I'll bring Viper back with me."
"Wha-..." She had lost a lot of blood. Was she hearing Vanessa's voice? In a flash, Elsa was no longer on board The Shroud.
~*~*~*~*~
"Because you and I are the same. And we cannot sit idle when such injustices are being made." Viper closed her eyes, taking a deep, long breath.
"You're right, you know. You will never be alone."
The golden-eyed woman took a moment of silence before responding again. "We're not finished, just yet..., and it looks like you've been hit pretty hard, by the looks of it. Take me to The Umbra."
"How does it feel? Knowing that he's dead?"
She considered the question for a moment. "It doesn't feel like anything."
"Viper, I feel so..."
"You're not."
"...Yeah. I guess I'm not."
"I still don't understand. How could you have known the exact circumstances we'd be in?" The Shroud still cut through the air, albeit a little slower than normal, due to damages.
"I see..., glimpses, of things. Visions. It's a side effect from experimentation that was done to my body. They once called me an, 'oracle.' Logic usually fills in the gaps, from what I see." There was silence for a moment as the blonde woman took a moment's rest. "Elsa is an experienced pilot." Viper paused for a moment, before continuing. "However, I knew she'd get herself in a sticky situation. She always does. Everyone else would be too caught up in this mess to do anything. But you- like I said, you are like me. You'd find a solution."
"Will I ever be able to go back to my body?"
"You no longer have a body. Your flesh and bones were returned to their atomic structure and fed into your new core. You can project yourself, if you wish to, but it will never be a physical form."
"I knew that..., there was something I had to do. Meant to do."
"What will you seek now, Vanessa, now that you have all the answers to every question you ever wanted to ask?"
"I will think of new questions, and discover their answers. And I will fly."
"Then you understand, what you are?" As they approached the larger craft's hangar and the ramp opened up before them, the woman with reptilian eyes actually smiled. She knew that their first victory was close at hand.
"I am the Exploration Class: Umbra."
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