act34side

Sorry, you don't need to hear all this. You've just arrived here yourself, but you're already assisting the Sea Patrol with their investigation. While I'm just...

You've got nerves of steel.

I'm just an Iberian who can't do a thing here.

Dr. Kal'tsit is in charge of negotiations with the leader of this city, and the Hunters have dived right back into their familiar battle. While my lantern and handcannon aren't especially helpful right now.

Ægir will permit a Liberi to look around its warships and ports, but will not allow her to join the Legions and help fight against the Seaborn. I can't understand that sort of war.

Down here in the depths, all I can do is investigate any abnormal activity within the city. In case it could jeopardize the cooperation between Iberia and Ægir.

Why are you telling me all this?

My hometown was destroyed in a Catastrophe, Jordi. I don't have many memories of it.

The scripture I carry is the only connection with it I have left. It saved my life, and in doing became my guide, my faith.

But when I saw the Inquisition's dungeons, climbed aboard the Stultifera Navis, witnessed my mentor's sacrifice... Only then did I understand what faith was. Accepted its weaknesses. Found its meaning.

You mean...

I don't have nerves of steel, Jordi. I get lost and confused, too.

It's just that, more often than not, that confusion becomes a specific issue you have to resolve. One after another, as quickly as you can.

Arresting the cultists. Taking back the lighthouse invaded by the tides. Finding a lost warship out at sea. Aiding an ally in investigating a missing data scientist.

The 'connection' you're looking for can be anything, whether it's a hometown or faith. Keep looking. You'll find it. It may not be quick or easy, but you'll find it.

Can I really do it?

Can you not?

You helped Iberia relight its final lighthouse, and saved three Abyssal Hunters. Didn't Laurentina tell you that that's enough to get a commendation from the consul herself?

Whether it's as an Ægir or an Inquisition clerk, there are a lot of things you can do.

Praefecta!

You're back to the city. But... From the look on your face, I take it the investigation didn't go so well, did it?

Lucilla?

Forgive me, I need to report on my progress to Consul Clementia. I'm not at liberty to divulge any details.

A-Actually, I was looking for you.

There's something I should've remembered back when you were explaining the situation to us. Nothing major, honestly, and it might not even help.

But I felt like I had to tell you!

...Go on.

You're the last researcher left.

I'm really, really sorry; can you give me one more hour?

<i>Caulerpa archaeosphaeridium</i>, <i>Hypnea fenestralis</i>, <i>Halymenia fimbriatus</i>, <i>Palmaria purpureus</i>, <i>Sargassum pennata</i>... There's not too many left. I'll finish cataloging them real quick!

No need to rush, Tullia. I'm just here for a routine inspection.

You know who I am?

Mhm. We were in the same batch before the transfer assessment by the Institute of Development Planning. You might not remember me, though.

Are you preparing to transport these seaweeds?

Th-This doesn't violate any protocols, does it?!

Calm down. This building's handover procedures are already complete. If you leave the samples and cultivation equipment behind, you'll end up having to pack them away in bulk.

Thanks for the warning.

But with all these seaweeds, how could you possibly take them all away at once?

Now that it's close to land, Milliarium will be undergoing targeted reformation. The city won't have the space or the resources to breed seaweeds.

Yeah, I know.

I'll take as much as I can. I'll think of something, some way that won't inconvenience anyone.

But the base by the volcano is already...

That was once Ægir's biggest endangered plants reserve. I saw it get swallowed up by the Seaborn.

These primitive seaweeds are some of the simplest, yet most tenacious lifeforms in the entire ocean.

Whether in bright shallow seas, the dark abyss, the flat sea floor, or cracks in the cliffs, they stretch out as best they can.

And they're as old as the ocean itself, pretty much this planet's living fossils.

I'm no legionnaire, and I can't go fight the Seaborn. These remaining seaweeds won't help us solve the Seaborn problem, either.

But I can't just let them wither away in here.

...You really love your work, huh Tullia?

Um, don't you?

Ah, my Little Handy sent over a loading module. Sorry, but I can't stay and chat.

Do you need any help?

No thanks, I'm fine.

When did that happen?

The day before the Institute of Ecological Art relocated.

I don't know what happened to her after that, and I don't know if she thinks Milliarium <i>abandoned</i> the volcanic power station and the plants reserve...

But I can't imagine her doing anything bad because of it... because she's never abandoned anything herself.

Tullia's residence had quite a few hydroponic tanks, but they'd been empty for a while...

What you just told me might actually be significant, Lucilla.

But if I may be so bold, why do you care so much about her affairs?

From what I've heard, you could hardly be considered friends.

She...

She has something I don't.

Okay, I've said what I had to say. I'll be getting back to work now, Praefecta.

There's just been more and more happening lately. The maintenance required for the city unit framework has multiplied several-fold, and I'm running out of ink as it is.

Little Handy.

Praefecta Secunda.

Obtain data on the city of Milliarium from the Institute of Facility Management, right away. Retrieve all locations suitable for enclosed hydroponics.

Also, contact Irene.

Tullia may have left other clues within the city. Ask her to meet me as soon as possible.

Reassessing. Biological safety of operating theater now at permitted levels.

Surgery may begin at any time.

Hunters, just as before, you will be kept in a deep sleep during the automated surgery.

I will also be manually repairing your outdated internal auto-adaptive junctions.

This room filled to the brim with specimens, and these lab tables are all rather familiar. How long has it been since we last laid down in such an environment?

Five years, Laurentina.

I should really be waiting for your medulla replacement surgery to finish and your cell-Originium assimilation rate to stabilize before I handle any of your Hunter-related issues.

But time is short, and I have no choice but to restore you to stable condition to the best of my abilities.

My apologies, Laurentina.

Sentimental as always.

Ah, right, as usual...

A candle will be lit by your side, so our little mermaid won't look so pale while she sleeps. I've asked my staff to prepare it for you.

I knew you'd remember.

Please maintain a comfortable position and stay still while the regen gel fills.

This isn't so different from back then. Except there's a lot less Hunters now.

Clear a trench of scum, close your eyes, listen to some advisor prattle on, then sink into the regen gel and take a nap.

And once you wake up, all the nauseating smells left on your body will be gone without a trace.

While you were in the adverse, fickle environments of the land for long periods without care, your bodies became extremely unstable.

The auto-adaptive junction can monitor your Seaborn genes, but five years of wear can render even the most precise instruments dull.

Moreover, your immune systems have also fallen into disorder thanks to their long struggle against the Seaborn genes.

I will do my best to restore you all to peak condition, but anything lost during those five years is out of my hands.

Okay.

Gladiia, our reunion at the tribunal was less than cordial, so I would have liked for us to consider this our first meeting since your return.

But you haven't said a word since we started.

Is there anything else you need to tell us in regards to the surgery, Blandus?

If not, then save it for after the procedure. We can discuss the changes we've felt over the past five years, as well as the changes you've felt.

Please stay still. Anesthetic procedures will begin in ten seconds.

Well then. Sweet dreams, Hunters.

Advisor Blandus, some things have come up that need your reconfirmation.

Did I not say that once the operating theater doors have closed, I would be mending the Hunters' auto-adaptive junctions and must not be disturbed?