haini

Attention, all units. Lucilla is currently aiding a Church of the Deep cultist escape.

She is to be regarded as an additional suspect in our pursuit.

Her actions are proof enough. She intends to betray Ægir.

Twelve hours ago, Sea Patrol Station

You're saying that Anya schemed to lure the Seaborn occupying the volcanic power station to the city? Pft, what a sick joke. You're even calling her a cultist.

This is no joking matter. The stolen Seaborn attractant pheromones, the timing of her going out to the sea... everything points towards Anya and her mentor. I hope you will cooperate with our investigation.

Our city moved so it could avoid Seaborn, right? You mean she tried to attract the Seaborn that weren't even chasing us? *sigh* Why would she even do that?

What is she doing now? <i>Where</i> is she?

Her vital signs were already gone by the time of the incident.

She's... dead?

Sitting in the mezzanine of the transparent dome and quietly admiring the scenery outside, one may have the illusion of floating in the middle of the sea, surrounded by clear water.

*phew* I'm feeling a bit dizzy.

Want some neuro-stabilizers? I prepped some just for you. They inhibit the vertigo you get from a fear of heights. If you can't handle the bitterness, I also have—

Lucilla plucks some sweetener from her pocket with an exaggerated flourish, making Anya laugh.

I heard your bioprobe got destroyed by the Seaborn again this morning, so I figured you'd be here after cleaning up that mess.

Yeah. Ran into a few of them while out reinstalling it.

Again...? How close were they this time?

This has been happening more and more often over the past six months, hasn't it? Every time you come here, you look absolutely exhausted.

Are you asleep?

Lucilla cranes her head over to have a look. Anya's head is resting on her shoulder as she quietly looks out at the clear waters outside the dome.

Tell me, Anya. Is the sea out there really that terrifying?

I... I work in the spot closest to the sea every day, but I've never seen them before.

I only ever see the unending streams of legionnaires heading out, and you and your mentor doing your best to restore the ocean's ecology.

Sometimes, I think... What's the frontline really like? What price did you pay for the peace I see inside the dome?

Anya softly murmurs something. Lucilla can't help but lean over and look her in the eye.

Lucilla leaves the Sea Patrol station, still in a daze. She tries helplessly to contact Anya, over and over, but there is no response.

What's this...?!

Lucilla,

I am sure you have also gotten involved in the Sea Patrol's investigation, and they told you that Anya attempted to provoke the Seaborn from the power station into chasing our retreating city.

I have something important to tell you about her true cause of death.

Please come meet me immediately after receiving this message, for her sake.

As her friend, you wouldn't ignore this, would you?

Pappus

(Anya's mentor... He was with her that day!)

*pant*—*pant*—

Did we manage to shake them off?

*cough* At least I can't see any Sea Patrol uniforms...

You are really... All I said was that they were shadowing me, and you just took off... Aren't you scared of them branding you as my accomplice?

I just want to know the truth. Can't do that if you're arrested.

Tell me, is Anya really...?

She sacrificed herself, yes.

We promised to see an exhibition together, but she suddenly stood me up to go out to sea with you. What did you two discover? Is she the reason why the Sea Patrol are tailing you?

They suspect I am a cultist of the Church of the Deep, but they have no proof.

Well, are you?

I am not fond of that label, and I do not believe in any doctrines as such. I merely believe what I believe.

...So, that's a 'yes.' What about... what about Anya?

Anya. She was my greatest student, whether in academia, or in my approach towards the Seaborn. Did she not tell you anything?

They've stopped running. Keep your distance; let them think they shook us off.

I've identified the woman Pappus contacted: Lucilla, a dome maintenance worker with the Academy of Technology's Institute of Facility Management.

I know her. We did our own investigation into her not too long ago. She said that even if she herself fell in with the Church, Anya would never fall.

Tap into the closest camera. Let's hear what they're talking about.

You're lying. You said you wanted to tell me the truth, but you're saying the same thing the Sea Patrol did—

'She's a cultist; she led the Seaborn to the city.' Like her death was no surprise. Like she got what she deserved.

So where's the difference? Wasn't there supposed to be some kind of hidden truth?

Calm down, Lucilla. Lower your voice.

I <i>am</i> calm. I'm the calmest person here in this ridiculous... whatever's-going-on!

I sought you out because it must be you who realizes her truest desire. Only you can do this.

I want you to take Anya's remains from the reef I concealed them in, and return them to the city. Once you see them, you will understand everything.

Her... remains?

Alright, it's safer to discuss it in here.

I know it's a shock, having to hear your close friend be referred to as 'remains.' But you must understand the heroic sacrifice she made to see her wish come true.

You're saying this was all her own choice?

The conclusion she and I arrived at withstood countless refutations and proofs. Humanity is but a link in the ocean's food chain. If we do not wish to be at its lowest rung, we must evolve.

And the very peak of evolution, the Seaborn, have thrown wide the gates for us.

Yet we refuse to partake in it, all for the sake of so-called 'human dignity.' Is that not arrogance? Is that not irresponsible towards the future of humanity? Is that not—

Stop. 'Evolution,' 'arrogance'... I have no idea what the hell you're on about.

*sigh* I understand your doubts. In truth, Anya had similar misgivings to my proposal at first.

But as you now know, in the end she even snatched the pheromones from my hand to guide the Seaborn herself.

If one is to take the reins of destiny for all humanity, then one must be suitably aware of the suffering and moral condemnation one is to shoulder. Does that not sound like the Anya you know?

Lucilla glares at the old man. She considers denying what she has heard, but all the facts ring true.

You still haven't said what's going on with her remains.

Before she left, she promised me that even if the plan failed, she would bring back living Seaborn cells.

I gave my all to retrieve her one remaining hand. What she promised me was still tightly in its grasp.

As you know, there is no means of bringing it into the city. The dome does have entrances for cleaning robots, though, which should be exactly the size I need.

All you need to do is put on a little show as a dome maintenance worker and make it past their checks.

Anya's last wish...

If this really is what she wanted... I just need to bring her home, right?

Tell me which reef you hid her... remains in.

(Anya and her wish were hidden in the reefs close to the power station...)

You must steel your mind, Lucilla. Considering it's been more than twenty-four hours since the incident, your friend's remains will be unrecognizable.

Don't worry. I just want to see it for myself. Her last wish.

You mentioned during the investigation that you once harbored fallen thoughts, too. But you've made the right choice by reporting Pappus to us.

I just don't think calling the Seaborn to attack the city sounds like something she'd wish for.

Regardless, I still hope you'll reconsider our proposal. Pappus has gone into hiding. It'd be more efficient if you were able to lure him out.

I...

We discovered a human hand within marker range. We're requesting an analysis from the technicians.

The Sea Patroller hands over a transparent vessel. A pale, waterlogged, and bloated arm rests within.

Lucilla does not lift her gaze from it.

Are you alright?

She is not. Her mind feels like it is tearing apart at the seams, blocking out all rationality. Lucilla stands rigid as a corpse herself, before she collects herself enough to speak.

That's her hand, alright. We were always looking over the same control panel, tapping it now and then... I'd recognize her nails anywhere.

Do you know what's in her hand?

Under the careful ministrations of the technician, a small, sealed jar for storing liquids is prised out from the hand's grasp.

(That's...!)

(So that's what it was. I get it now. This little jar you were holding onto so tightly. This is your wish, Anya.)

...You know, I've just made up my mind. I'll help you. I'll help you guys get Pappus out in the open.

Five minutes until the meeting, Lucilla. Pappus could come out at any time. Stay close to the building. You're deviating from the route, and it'll be hard for us to show up promptly if anything happens.

Lucilla?

No response. Everyone, prepare for non-compliance from her.

Pappus has appeared.