• PSI
• PSII
• PSII Adv.
• PSIII
• PSIV
• PSO
• PSO:EPIII
• PSP2
• PS0
• PSG
• PSA
• PSC

• Fan Fiction
• Fan Art
• Comic
• Fan Games
• Download
• Other
• Music
• Message Board
• Services
• Links
• Contact

Dark Energy by carlsojos

Chapter 56

Demi engages the transceiver aboard Zelan. Outerbeast 1, Zelan Control.

Thank Light, somebody to talk to. What's happening?

Etirn, can you send that machine code?

Sure. Transmitting a 'Hello World.' Demi, you get it?

The terminal on the computer core starts blinking. A small program? I got it.

That means you're on the right frequency. I'm sending the packet now.

Suddenly, the terminal fills with strange words and symbols, starkly different from the genetic information we started with. Packet received, I'm starting emulation. The terminal flashes through a series of images that I'm unable to comprehend, until it stops with a picture of a small blob.

What's that?

The fertilized egg, just before the first mitosis. I'm now advancing to one year past birth, normal conditions. The blob explodes into several other blobs which do the same until an infant is on the screen. The infant quickly grows through adolescence, until it grows into a beautiful young woman. A little typing, and Demi adds a black leotard and armor. I notice the hot pink hair and elongated ears.

Rika....? I felt mesmerized by the picture.

Indeed, she is. Let me see if I still have an actual image in my memory.... Demi goes deep into thought, then pulls something up on the terminal. Rika is there, brandishing claws not unlike what I have, along with an older woman with brown hair who was armed with what resembled Ray's throwing weapon, albeit with some differences. A few other people were in the distance, but I don't recognize them at a glance.

I don't know what to say....

This image is from when I first met Rika. She was part of the group that rescued me back then.

Dora looks over. Rescued?

It's a long story, but yes, I was held captive by someone a thousand years ago.

So, how do we determine if I'm her descendant?

Demi pulls out a small box. I have a science kit here. Let me see your finger.

I extend my index finger, and Demi puts a little device on it, which suddenly strikes out at me. Ow! With a trickle of blood flowing, Demi holds a strange clear object to the blood, which seems to almost leap into it.

Demi pops it into the terminal. The secret is in your genome. It'll take a minute for it to process. I'm surprised that Seed didn't provide you guys with genetic information instead of this coding.... I bite my tongue.

I notice a light labeled Radio start to flash. Hello, this is Gyuna's Bar. Anybody hear me?

This is Motavia University, we hear you all the way from the warm sands of Motavia. You need someone in particular?

No, I have a little announcement to anyone. Apparently, there is an Esper who has gone missing. If anybody has information, swing by the bar. Any info leading to his safe return will earn a night of drinks, on Esper Manor's coin.

I signal Demi to turn on the microphone. Barkeep? What if I'm looking at the Esper right now?

I can't send drinks through a talking box. If you want, you can escort him to the manor, and negotiate your own reward.

That's all I wanted.

What?

You're supposed to say when you're done broadcasting.

Oh! Yeah, I'm out.

Demi hits a button and all the screens on the computer core begin to show a mind boggling series of four letters. Some of the letters seem to be red. I don't know how familiar you are with genetics.

I've taken lectures on the subject, but it's only regarded as a hypothesis.

Then, what we are looking at is a portion of the DNA element of your genome. I've already marked several traits that typically make common uniquely identifiable traits in Parmanians. Now, I will cross reference the machine code's output, and mark the similarities blue. I notice that a few of the red letters turn blue.

That isn't a lot.

Among these differentiating traits, you share roughly 10% of the standard traits. Given a generational separation of a thousand years, it's highly likely that you were related, but given the possibility of mutagen exposure and the fact that not all changes are included in this check, error remains a possibility.

Is there another way to be more sure?

Rika was created in the Bio Plant, and as per standard procedure, Seed included exactly 250 markers in a Junk section, so Rika would be reported as an artificial being, if scrutinized at the genetic level. I'll search your genome for the DNA sequence 'AAACCCTAG.' The terminal screen goes black for a minute. DONE. 37 INSTANCE FOUND

That's a big difference from 250.

That sequence is not a normal gene, and it's almost impossible to find just one of this string outside of biomonsters. You have over 30, still. This is proof beyond any doubt that you are really a descendant from Rika. The only other biomonsters capable of Parmanian crossbreeding have no record of doing so. The black of your ears is also an aesthetic touch Seed gave only to Rika. To differentiate from her predecessors.

Jeetoh starts tapping his foot. Now that you know your Matriarch, can we get going now? The darkness is still slowly falling into the world. I nod, and we make our way back into the Landale.

Zelan falls away as we head towards the icy blue planet. Dora seemed rather talkative. So, how does it feel to know so much about your family?

I'm not quite sure, to be honest. You know, it wasn't quite as great as I thought it would be. Perhaps I was expecting something more....

The chase is always more thrilling than the reward. I look over at Jeetoh; he's already asleep. Who said that?

Demi turns away from the controls. Firdaus? I unfasten my safety belt and turn around. Indeed, the suit visits us again, without any warning. He seems to be talking to me.

I can see you've been doing much to further your knowledge.

I am a woman of learning.

...And a protector of life. Being unsure of what I should say, I only raise an eyebrow in confusion. I want you to know that the hatred seems to remember what happened, and it's focusing on those related to whoever once stood against the dark god. As a descendant of two enemies as well as being a warrior, you will likely be overcome with darkness soon.

What?! I'm not ready to go hide under a rock now, no matter what he says!

There is a plan being prepared now to destroy the evil. You are to continue on your current objective to give Lutz his next incarnation. Afterwards, go to where the Aero Prism was once kept, among the soldiers.

Dora stands up. Could you be a little less cryptic?

Lutz will know. The mysterious man seems to disappear into thin air once more.

Who? I decide to wake Jeetoh up. He glares back when I shake his shoulder. Do you know someone named Lutz?

I would've preferred to finish my nap first. Jeetoh sees my expression, and continues. Lutz is the leader of the Espers. They say that he's been alive for over two thousand years now. If any living person knows the truth behind the evil we can feel, Marika, it's probably him.

Hate to interrupt, but what is this feeling you two are talking about?

You don't feel it, Dora? The look on her face suggests a "no."

Jeetoh interjects, Some people have an ability to sense auras, emotions that aren't attached to a specific person. All Espers have this ability, but some others also possess this sense. It's hard to explain, but for the past few months, there's been an increasing amount of malice out in the world. It's crucial that this be negated before the emotion attaches to people and inspires widespread hatred. Without much else, the rest of the trip passes in relative silence. We landed by Ryuon, had lunch, and rode the Ice Digger for the rest of the long trip.

Next chapter