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I heard the prisons in Max D.C. have regulations banning any sharp objects, including pens. You're breaking the rules.

They don't allow sunglasses either, Blake.

I told you not to bother me when we got thrown in here together. I have important work that needs doing, and you've had a stellar record the past few days.

So I hope you can keep it up.

Damn it, I used up all the draft paper... wait, I can still write on the back.

Blake, help me out and ask the warden for some more. Columbian academia will thank you for your contribution.

What the hell are you doing?

There's no way you think we'll get to live, Ferdinand.

Columbian law has never been lenient, so can't you just quietly wait for the end to come?

If you want to keep busy, why not think about your last meal?

You've wasted two minutes of my time, Blake.

Which step was I at?

Planning out your last meal.

You think you're so funny, huh? You have no idea just how significant my work is.

Over the next century, any researcher arrogantly trying to step into the field of high energy physics in vain will have to engrave my theories into their mind.

They will praise my name, regard me as a king, as a prophet.

Death? So what if I die?

Just you wait, Kristen. You think you're so amazing?

It's Ferdinand Clooney who has brought the truth back down to the ground, you idiot!

I'm glad to see you so hale and healthy, sir.

Of course, of course, it's all thanks to you.

A few days ago, I heard some terrible rumors about Trimounts... but, that's all in the past.

I'm grateful that our Columbia has so many outstanding law enforcement personnel just like you.

I hear you're about to be promoted even. Being a state attorney will bring out the best in you.

It's honestly nothing compared to your business.

Rhine Lab has expanded its technological investments and purchased more than a dozen labs in various fields... hahaha, I used to not care about financial news at all.

But now with a friend like you, Justin Jr., I have to do more than just stare at these cast-iron railings in a daze like I did before.

I'll give you some stock tips.

I'm glad to see you taking fate into your own hands.

But, I did come here on proper business this time.

Those two? I've already got the orders from above.

Go ahead, Justin Jr.

Just as before, it's nice to be working with you.

Likewise.

I have one more question. Which one did you want out?

Just like before, madmen and freaks.

You're here, Nasti.

An interim meeting notice sent out by the already dissolved Components Control Section... it's only been two weeks, and they've already reorganized Rhine Lab?

It's not just Rhine Lab, Volvort Kochinski and Beachbrella too... The top tech companies in the city have all received notices and sent their representatives here.

Who do you think organized this meeting?

We'll know in just a moment... don't lean your head towards me, I don't want my shoulders to get wet.

Nasti wrinkles her brows slightly, and the dead branch-like device around her waist suddenly extends. The moment it touches Muelsyse, the other party disappears from sight as if a bubble has just popped.

Seems like you've recovered quickly enough to have the strength for this little trick of yours, Muelsyse.

Dehydration isn't a serious thing to me, and it's not difficult to treat it either.

I mean your mental state.

I thought you would be at a complete collapse, hiding in a forest to cry.

A friend talked me through it. Told me, 'every life experience that eventually fades away will still hold some meaning.'

You're still as emotional as ever, needing others to soothe you.

No, Nasti. I just calmed down, and figured out something I had overlooked before.

The person appearing here at your side right now, is of course, the Director of the Rhine Lab Ecological Section, the youngest and leading authority on ecology in Rhine Lab.

And that means?

Kristen passed onto me the biological data from the Galleria Stellaria's vivarium...

None of the seven hundred and fifty-three plants survived, but before that, they managed to survive past the barrier and not die immediately after breaking through the starpod.

It's a height that Terrans never imagined a life could reach.

What a gratifying experiment result.

Nasti, I know what your dream is.

(Speaks in Sarkaz) The Sarkaz's promised land could also be in the sky.

You must have collected the data encompassing the entire duration of the Galleria's launch into the skies, right?

Well... I was standing close enough that day.

The fireworks from the energy sputtering everywhere very much resembled the sparks generated from the gears of the future turning.

So you're saying, that's enough to propel yourself back into research on many more platforms that will be bigger and more stable?

Or does it mean, you've already begun?

That was the rudimentary prototype of a city. No one ever said that nomadic cities... could only crawl on the ground.

And me, I can fill the city up with life.

So now, our goals are aligned. To use your words, we're now 'going the same way.'

Let's go, the meeting's about to start.

...Olivia Silence, authentication complete. Please proceed.

Direc...Saria, authentication complete. Please proceed.

Silence and Saria walk through the long corridor one after another, neither of them speaking a word, both of them enveloped in quietude.

They stop at the door of the conference room.

Saria, ask anything you have on your mind.

Are you really ready?

I thought you would have already thought this through while you were recovering.

Science exists to transform society, this I don't doubt one bit.

Likewise, I can also confirm the significance of Control's actions. There is no researcher that hasn't been stunned by the tear in the sky.

But the real question we actually face is—what now?

There's a rip in the sky, and the truth has emerged before everyone's eyes, and there is no reason to ignore its existence. But even if we all raise our heads, it doesn't means the problems under our feet will simply disappear.

In science, once the current understanding of something has been toppled, the pace of progress will not be suspended, but accelerated.

Countless constructions have been declared failures, while new fantasies have emerged. But scientists will eagerly tear down every cloud in the sky, and the ordinary people busy living their lives will be soaked by the rain the entire time.

'This is how reality is, and we can only accept it', 'It is inevitable to make sacrifices in the pursuit of dreams'... we've heard enough phrases like these.

There is no reality impossible to change, and no sacrifice justifiable.

If most people can only be compelled to choose between dreams or reality, then, I must become the bridge between the two.

Ethical reviews, capital supervision, project evaluation... I will tighten the reins of order, I will use methods all manner of scientist will think pedantic and cumbersome to restrict them all.

I will become a monitor, a buffer zone, a railroad switch... in short, I'm well qualified to be a 'villain.'

I will see to it science becomes a clear, incisive look at every one of us.

Silence, I don't know how exactly you managed to drum up support enough to change Trimounts's scientific and technological communities, but you should know this...

No matter the power of the government, or Maylander, they chose you not for your worries and zeal.

I know, but if our goals are aligned...

I'm willing to accept it.

Silence grabs the door handle.

She stops suddenly, and turns to look at Saria.

Her gaze burns, and for a moment Saria almost wants to run from it.

Surely you haven't forgotten, Saria, this is exactly what you wanted to do before?

If you're hesitant, if you've given up...

Then I will do it.

Dozens of eyes focus on her. To be honest, such a feeling of being noticed by everyone is not so pleasant to experience.

Silence takes a deep breath, and responds to those expressions of surprise, astonishment and ridicule one by one.

After a long moment of time, she steps inside.

Hello, everyone. My name is Olivia Silence, sponsor of the 'Trimounts Ethics in Scientific Research Joint Declaration'.

I stand here today, because...