act25side

You're talking about that press conference, right? It was right around the time your last movie came out, you told the world you got hurt in a Catastrophe while shooting the thing, and you retired to behind-the-scenes work...

My dad goes nuts every time he talks about you!

He's got your complete filmography collection, and we've watched every movie ten times over!

I still remember 'The Spy Catchers'! You caught saw the spy on the shore and leapt straight off that cruise ship! That was something...

You just melt into every role you play. Today's mass-produced Wrankwood stars could take a cue or two from you.

Thanks.

Unfortunately, the only role Marianne plays these days is a negotiator of employee salaries.

You're...

Director of Human Resources at Rhine Lab, Jara Booker Wilson. This is my clearance. I have a house in District 13.

This woman is indeed a Triton employee. Rhine Lab and Triton Chemicals had a number of... disagreements. Just like the corporate struggles in 'The Spy Catcher'...

I know. This is Trimounts, after all.

A subsidiary factory suddenly went up in flames. If photos from the scene hit the tabloids, that would send Triton down in scandal. This is her housewarming gift for joining Rhine.

That would indeed be a violation of military regulations. Fortunately, the drone's been shot down, so the photos won't leak.

Now then, let's move on and discuss your job-hopping.

...Sure.

But let me add something first. Isn't it a little unreasonable to suddenly ask the locals to lock themselves inside and wait for updates before they can do anything?

We're just following orders.

Miss Marianne, I... I want to trust you. So, both of you, please leave. No exceptions.

Your name's Silence, right? I remember you were helping Parvis bring me some black bean tea.

Director Jara, does this have something to do with Rhine Lab?

That's why you snuck in here?

There are... some things I need to make sure of.

This isn't exactly the best place for chit-chat.

Head over here, and wait for me.

Where are we...?

Don't worry. It's my District 13 residence.

What about you?

I have company. An old friend has some business with me.

I don't think I've ever heard you breathing. When you smoke, are you just letting it swirl around your stomach?

It's a habit. Just like what you used to do after finishing a mission. You'd record the event on a note before burning it on the spot.

That young researcher back there... You always have a soft spot for the youth.

Eh, can't exactly ignore it, can I?

An employee of my own company shows up in a military lockdown, it'll be bad for business if she gets caught.

I see you're just as attentive to detail as ever, regardless of what field you're in.

You've caught my eye a number of times over the years. From the intermediary investor for all of Trimounts to the head of Rhine HR, you've contributed pretty much your entire network to this tech company.

In other words, without you, we wouldn't have the Kristen we know today.

So, is you being here right now also the fault of that reckless girl?

Or, do you have ideas of your own?

Have you considered the possibility that I'm here because I bought a residence in District 13, and that I spend a few days here when I'm not too busy?

I'm getting old, Tin Man.

Age notwithstanding, when I came back to my senses, I realized that my health, my dreams, my friends, and my family... had all been given to my country.

In the end, nothing remained of Maylander's 'Morningstar.'

I don't even have any tapes of the movies I made when I was young by which to remember my so-called 'youth.'

I wasn't trying to point the finger at you, Jara.

But if you're hoping that I turn a blind eye to this, I'm afraid I can't help you... Maylander's only responsibility is to the country.

I just wanted to tell you I have no regrets. So even now, I won't do anything that would truly harm Columbia.

Are you still mourning the death of the Wrights?

As much as I'd like to deny it, the scene still haunts my dreams even now.

Delivery. Come sign for it.

Put it on the workstation.

Ho'olheyak scans the space in front of her, a massive, hollow underground ring-shaped structure. In other words, a 'well.'

Originium lamps fastened to the well's walls provided only a basic lighting, making it difficult to determine the overall depth. Inlaid within the grooves running along the walls are cables extending into the darkness.

The person with who she was speaking earlier is now pacing back and forth, leaving her with but a busy silhouette.

She seems to be busy testing something. Even in such a deep area, her actions do not seem to cause much of an echo. Presumably, the surface structure incorporates some high-performance sound-absorbing material.

The entire area seems to be as still and silent as lingering mist.

Are you not afraid of the dark? Do you not get bored? We're several hundred meters underground... and those boorish soldiers are patrolling just above us.

You've been here a number of months, right? Haven't gone up for a walk?

Nasti?

I'm busy, K'uk'ulkan.

I don't have much free time on my hands, either.

What I'm saying is, put the black box down, and get lost.

I'm taking a risk here to get this to you under the watchful eyes of the military and Maylander. That's a bit cold of you, wouldn't you agree?

This is a deal between you and Control. It's got nothing to do with me.

You didn't do anything with the black box after you got your hands on it, did you?

No.

Damn, ice cold.

The data calculations are... Well, not that complicated.

Nasti dives back into her own work, and the screen is once again engulfed with a large amount of data, like a tide flooding across land.

She focuses up more, leaving Ho'olheyak alone to do little else than stare at her back. That is when she notices the devices around her waist–

They appear as a lattice of dead branches, spliced together irregularly. But as Nasti intermittently works at her station, they sway back and forth in a short, regular rhythm.

As if sentient, they seem to be following Nasti's thoughts.

Looks like you managed to find nourishment for the rootless branches... Hmph.

The trajectory data has deviated slightly from the previous calculation, but is still within the expected range. It appears that Transmitter can indeed be used as an alternative navigation resource.

That being the case, we need to speed things up.

By the way, how did Kristen get you, the head of Engineering, to willingly coop yourself up underground to do the hard work for her?

Nasti doesn't answer. She enters a few commands, and as the screens in front of her go dark one by one, she turns and heads towards the door. Behind her, the underground space becomes dimmer and dimmer.

Ready to touch some grass, Nasti? Did something good happen? Surely you're not going to keep the good news from me?

(In Sarkaz) Begone.

Ho'olheyak takes a step back upon hearing that one word. Her body instinctively carries out the order, as if executing a 'command.'

Cute curse you have there, Banshee.

Did any of the staff ever tell you you've got a bad temper?

The icy-cold air caresses Nasti's neck before dissipating like an illusion. The young banshee shivers slightly.

A crack forms across the bone pen in her hand.

Oh my, they don't quite make them like they used to, do they? I know you have an entire drawer filled with spares.

But, I've always been curious... if you broke all of your bone pens, would you still be able to perform your little tricks?

Go ahead and try me.

I won't give the same command twice, K'uk'ulkan.

Fine, fine. Are all Banshees as much of a stick in the mud as you?

Don't pass up on this rare opportunity to get some fresh air. If you're afraid of the dark, I don't mind keeping you company partway.

Before the banshee can speak again, Ho'olheyak nimbly disappears behind the door.

The darkness lingering within the air trembles violently for a spell, then Nasti finally lets go of her words.

...Ugh.

I should go pick her up.

(In Sarkaz) At last, the muddled dream is about to settle.