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This time, however, we have taken into account every weapon at our disposal or under development.

A mix of conventional ballistics and Class I weapons initially proved highly effective. The Seaborn were unable to comprehend why they were being burned by the seawater around them.

But it took them only a year to adapt. 11 months in, we accelerated the adoption of Class II weapons, which operated on completely different principles.

Et cetera, et cetera.

Until their evolution outpaced the ability of the Academy of Technology to innovate.

Yes. At day's end, all we're doing is merely buying time. Ægir has committed vast resources to study the Seaborn. To eradicate them at their origin, we must first comprehend them at their source.

The information you've brought back is highly valuable, and Breogan's discovery on land corroborates the Academy of Science's research.

The Seaborn and the Feranmuts share the same genesis.

Is Ægir coming ashore to seek memories even more ancient?

Not just that. The Seaborn share a common genesis with the Feranmuts, but much about them is very different. Unnatural, one might say.

Their recent activity demonstrates a clear sense of purpose. They have quickly abandoned their reliance on the sea and begun to migrate towards land en masse.

Left unchecked, it is not out of the question that all of Terra could become infested with Seaborn.

We already saw hints of that in Iberia.

Thus, for Ægir, the land is both a source of answers and a solemn responsibility.

Horatia has issued new war orders on behalf of the Institute of Development Planning, and Milliarium has come bearing new Class IV weapons from the Academy of Technology.

They are a form of biological weapon, very different from all previous ones. Designed to induce death in nearby Seaborn nests and newborns, while driving away adults from the area.

We have successfully located most of the nests in the target region. The ones near Iberia are the only ones yet unmarked.

Once the beacons have been placed and the weapons activated, we will finally have cleared an entire region of Seaborn, and established a route back to Ægir's home territories.

Consul Horatia would not have permitted the possibility of failure. Yet all I see is a city under siege, teetering on the brink.

Yes, she did tell me herself that 'the Waterway Program will not fail.'

I do not know how many other possibilities she considered, and I hope I never do. For me, this city has always been the entirety of the Waterway Program.

But that is no longer true. The changes in the past month necessitate a review of our plans.

The Seaborn have rapidly adapted to our new weapons, even evolving measures to protect their kindred from Class III.

But a successful extermination operation should have left no opportunity for them to communicate with other individuals. They seem to have obtained their inspiration elsewhere.

Almost every mutation of the Seaborn against humanity has been abetted by the twisted efforts of corrupted Ægir.

Yet, the Seaborn lack true intelligence. We could toss all our prototype weapons into their nest, and they wouldn't dismantle or study them.

The Church of the Deep may be able to train them to attack an army or a city, but bringing about rapid biological changes is another matter entirely.

Unless they're not being influenced by the Church of the Deep, but by another Firstborn.

I see you've read my belated report.

Indeed. Ulpianus claims that the one we eliminated was not the only one.

The Abyssal Hunters were the first and last Ægir to enter the Firstborn's lair.

Even now, the Seaborn defend the ruins with a frenzied fury. We have not found a way to get through.

Amongst the Hunters, Ulpianus spent the longest time there, enough for him to witness the 'truth.'

You're still deliberating on whether to believe him.

Yes. It could be the key to solving the mystery of the Seaborn. Or the path that leads us to destruction.

Could a Hunter survive for months on Seaborn remains and remain lucid? Would a lucid hunter willingly stay with them, rather than returning to civilization?

There are too many unanswered questions about Ulpianus and that fateful operation.

And so, I regret to inform you that Ægir has no choice but to welcome its Hunters home with a tribunal.

I thought we had designated this area for investigation.

Madam Irene? From Iberia?

May I ask to whom I am speaking?

Secunda, Praefecta of the Sea Patrol. I regret not being able to greet you personally upon your arrival yesterday.

The Sea Patrol is currently investigating the disappearance of a citizen. We have not requested assistance from Iberia, and respectfully request that you exit this area as soon as possible.

I would like to assist as myself, not as an envoy.

Your offer is appreciated, but unnecessary.

I want to—

Any news from the other teams?

One moment, getting the video feed now.

Ma'am—

No unusual movements at the port.

Tsk.

Alert the other teams to monitor the closed civilian gates and keep a close watch on the circulation system around town.

Roger.

You're okay with talking about this in front of me?

This is part of our regular duties. There's no need for confidentiality.

But you had your Little Handies clear the place out.

Only to prevent unnecessary harm to civilians.

If you insist on staying, you'll be responsible for your own safety.

I'll—

The missing civilian is Tullia, a scientist from the Waterway Program, responsible for recording and calibrating data on Seaborn nests.

She went AWOL 30 hours ago and hasn't been seen since.

Could it be... the Church of the Deep?

That's what we intend to find out.

Her disappearance has not affected the overall progress of the project. As important as recording and calibrating the nest data is, her role was by no means irreplaceable.

If the Church's goal was to assassinate someone to disrupt our plans, they would not have picked an ordinary data scientist.

Unless—

She learned something she wasn't supposed to.

I need to inspect her home.

You're sharp, Madam Irene, but I would recommend against coming with us.

I'm simply investigating our common enemy in my own way.

...Suit yourself.

No one has been in here the whole time?

Affirmative.

No signs that the Little Handy's logs have been altered, either.

Excuse me, how do I view those records?

Grant her the permissions.

Yes, ma'am.

Ah, very nice!

Secunda takes a device from her belt and dances her pen across its surface, leaving trails like a labyrinth of seaweeds.

What's your Praefecta doing?

She scribbles whenever she's thinking. Says it helps her organize her thoughts. It's a habit she's had ever since she was a researcher.

No one else can decipher what she's writing... or drawing? Not even that's clear. She's the only one who can parse it.

(Books are arranged by thickness, shell decorations by size, and data downloaded from the Sophontheatrum by time.)

(Seaweed cream to prevent dry skin. Is it because Milliarium is approaching the coast?)

(There's enough to last three years.)

(An ordinary Ægir woman. Cautious, timid even. Matches the data from the Institute of Development Planning.)

(Those hydroponic tanks—)

What are these boxes for? Why put them on the wall if they're empty?

Yes, the hydroponic boxes may provide a lead.

Scan all equipment in the room related to plant cultivation.

Yes, ma'am.

Also, pull whatever you can from Tullia's files. Education, employment, hobbies; anything that might be relevant.

She previously worked at the Institute of Ecological Art, with a focus on the cultivation of endangered seaweed.

To quote straight from the IEA's files...

'The artist has carefully cultivated these deep-sea seaweeds to weave a dynamic, ever-evolving portrait of life as they grow.'

These hydroponic boxes were Tullia's belongings. Images of her artwork are also available.

How beautiful.

They look like they've been left empty for quite some time.

According to the files, she joined the Waterway Program after a reassignment.

She wouldn't have abandoned her old life for no reason.