act34side

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.

True. Her disappearance may very well be related to her career change.

How's that scan coming?

Nothing unusual with the cultivation equipment, but we found an operating log in the integrated terminal.

Two days before she went missing, she downloaded some data from the beacon tower control center and made a backup.

We were unable to locate the file itself, though.

Try to backtrack her steps. Contact the control center and trace the data from their download logs.

If she was still going to work before she disappeared, couldn't her friends or colleagues know something?

Perhaps.

What's the situation on her social relationships? What about the person who made the report?

We've arranged a questioning.

Anything I can help you with, Jordi?

Sorry. I have so many questions, I don't know where to start...

This, er, metal tree? Do I just ask it? I've heard legends of ancient trees acting as repositories of knowledge, but I've never seen anything like this...

This coral-shaped integrated terminal is the culmination of centuries of Ægir's knowledge and culture.

Everything we think, know, create, appreciate, and even the questions we have yet to answer... they're all here. It's the heart of the Sophontheatrum.

And what is the Sophontheatrum, exactly?

Conceived and established by Mártus, the great scholar of anthropology and prehistoric civilization, it is a public facility that has had a profound impact on the nation.

Aside from the mutually-supporting atoll city clusters above sea level and the modular city networks in the trenches, most of our other cities have unique forms and designs.

Yet even so, nearly all of them have chosen to adopt Mártus's design and establish their own Sophontheatrum.

Look around you. This is a place for people to think, doubt, and debate, eventually coming to an understanding and making a decision. A coliseum of wits, if you will.

The most complex equations, the most ancient drawings, the most beautiful songs, and the most well-traveled roads were all born here. I believe this is exactly what Mártus himself wanted.

You keep mentioning this Mártus... what kind of man was he?

Simply listing all his contributions to Ægir would take an entire day, perhaps more. But I do happen to have some insight into his personality.

Oh, you knew him?

No, no, he lived more than two centuries ago. He'd been gone from Ægir long before I was born.

But our professors liked to speak of his eccentricities. He was unmatched in theoretical and deductive reasoning, yet was always reluctant to draw a conclusion.

Even on issues where the answer was plain to all, he would refuse to put the question to rest until after an extended debate with himself.

Some would say that trapping himself in endless debate showed he cared too much about the value and meaning of things. But is that not in our human nature?

Which is why he built the Sophontheatrum. We needed a place where we could engage in intellectual discourse, both with ourselves and with others.

I wouldn't say I'm up for a debate, but I do have a lot of questions. Should I ask you, myself, or this terminal?

It seems our little discussion must give way to a greater showdown.

What do you mean?

They're holding a tribunal, and it concerns three of those you arrived with.

The Abyssal Hunters?!

Oh, hey, is that our landbound friend I spy? Aw, he looks worried about us.

(Waves)

He won't see you from that far away.

Others are looking this way, though.

This tribunal has drawn more attention than expected.

We Hunters always have, and now they even have the lovely story of our return from the dead.

Like it or not, the Abyssal Hunters are in the spotlight now.

This tribunal will be our final 'checkup,' yes?

Frankly, they're getting tiresome.

Are you okay, Specter?;Take it easy, Skadi.;Consider it our warm welcome.

The Hunters need to keep a low profile. We must also act with prudence, Doctor.

We always find ourselves in delicate situations.

Indeed. This time, we're not merely mediating between two countries, but between land and the sea. Two vastly different civilizations.

Following the tribunal, I will formally address Ægir's consul to foster cooperation between land and sea. But for now, you'll need to assist Gladiia independently, Doctor.

The situation remains uncertain for both the city and ourselves. Certain matters become more difficult if I am placed at the center of attention.

But no one will be watching your 'assistant'?;So I should play it by ear?

Yes, but be careful. I would prefer not to have to change our objective in the middle of negotiations with the Consul.

Dr. Kal'tsit sure uses a lot of big words, doesn't she?

Does she ever get straight to the point?

Our dear Dr. Kal'tsit thinks too much about too many things, and not nearly enough about how to convey that she cares.

Wouldn't you agree that more direct, Ægir-style communication is better, Doctor?

Absolutely.;Kal'tsit has her reasons.

Don't worry, Shark and I will protect you.

Say, where's Captain Gladiia?

I imagine she'll show up with Consul Clementia. After all, she's the one who will be taking the stand today.

Excuse me! A-Are you Laurentina?

I had a hunch I'd find you here, advisor.

The environmental sample test results are out. We need you to take a look and see if we need another round of genetic testing.

Oh... Sorry, didn't see your message.

You seem preoccupied by the Abyssal Hunter's tribunal.

You used to work at the Abyssal Hunter Lab, right?

I'd rather not talk about it.

But yes, I was researching gene splicing methods that would provide a safer and more effective way to perform the Hunter modifications.

But you didn't like the program?

It's not about liking or disliking it. It's that it failed to produce results, despite all the sacrifices we made.

But what matters now is that they're alive, Gladiia and the others. I have to be here, if only for them.

Were you two close?