skgoat

Miss Bachmann, this is Glacier, the 'Earthspirit' whom you wrote to.

Ah, yes. I found a box labeled 'To Glacier' written on it while going through my late mother's belongings, so I asked you to come and pick it up.

And you're finally here.

I was on my way to visit family, so I stopped by to see what Professor Bachmann had for me.

Please, come in.

We pried the box open because we didn't know what was in it. Only after reading the letter inside did we learn it was meant for you.

We're still not sure what the stuff we found is, though. I wonder if you could tell us.

Hm... a piece of paper and a rock?

We came all this way for this?

It's a design for an Arts Unit inhibitor, but still very much in the theoretical stage.

She taught me how to hear the vibrations of certain minerals using Originium Arts, but all that turned to pure noise after I became Infected.

At least treatment at Rhodes Island put an end to that. Now I can hear them again, even clearer than before.

At the time, though, we were at our wits' end. She believed the Oripathy increased my Arts output, so she said she'd make me an inhibitor after I'd worked for a full year.

An Arts Unit?

How hard can it be to order a custom-made Arts Unit in Leithanien? Why did Mom have to do it herself?

Simply suppressing my Arts would have prevented me from hearing the sounds at all.

So it could only be made by someone familiar with both the Arts involved and the vibration frequencies of minerals, who could manually calibrate the inhibition of different wavelengths—like tuning an instrument.

Sounds fascinating. Too bad she never completed it.

I could still use an inhibitor like that, though... If she'd come this far, perhaps I could continue her research.

What about the rock then?

It's a beacon stone.

Sorry, I'll need more of an explanation than that.

Some rocks undergo metamorphism when they come into contact with Originium, resulting in metamorphic rock that contains Originium.

Such rocks react to my Originium Arts, allowing me to sense them with the help of a tuning fork.

The professor would use the rocks with the strongest reactions as beacon stones.

We used to bring them on our field trips, leaving them behind to mark our path.

Wouldn't your beacon stones get mixed up with others using the same method to pass through the same area?

Not many people do this in the first place, and it's even less likely that their stones would use the same frequency. If anything, it would help us identify who else had passed through.

Sounds like a convenient Art.

It's just about causing small vibrations in matter. Frequency control is a relatively minor part, the key is understanding the mineral composition.

So why did she leave this to you?

Perhaps it's a clue, a way of asking me to use my Arts to search the city for this beacon's frequency.

Is that okay with you, Parker?

Should be fine, as long as it doesn't endanger public safety, or draw the attention of others.

I sense a trail leading outside the city.

Should we check it out?

Now?

If not now, when? You're leaving tomorrow, aren't you?

I could always come back another time.

And Professor Bachmann always told me that curiosity leads to ruin.

This is a nomadic city, you know. You may not be able to pick up the trail next time, if it's outside the city.

I'm here on vacation, not for work.

This isn't exactly work, is it? Whatever you find belongs to you. Walk a few steps, make some easy money.

We have time, Earthspirit. I just heard from the hotel that it's going to be a couple of hours before they get the room ready anyway.

They sure are sloppy...

Alright, we'll go and try to get this done before dark.

Never thought I'd see a place like this outside the city.

Are you sure it's here?

Yes, this is where the signal led.

Hm... a cave with a tunnel leading beyond. The entrance has caved in.

Huh? Is this mine what mom left you?

It seems to have been abandoned long ago. And I'm not aware of her owning any private mines.

The signal goes further in.

It's beneath the cave-in.

Beneath? We should have brought tools.

Leave it to me.

Earthspirit touches the ground with the end of her staff, and the collapsed area begins to liquefy.

Then, the ground begin to roil.

Soon, an elaborate metal box rises to the surface.

There must be something valuable inside!

That's good news.

Hey, what are you doing?

Thanks for the heads-up. Now I can get my hands on the full legacy of Professor Bachmann.

Miss Bachmann?! Was this a trap?

Sorry. I wish there was another way, but my husband insists that we tie up all loose ends.

We can leave once we sell these, right honey? We can live a better life in Columbia, like you said?

Ngh!

Her leg? Where are you aiming? Shoot to kill, not maim.

What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?!

You have no idea how much time and effort I spent planning this.

But Bachmann left behind little beyond a house and a bunch of useless rocks.

And now that I have my hands on the last remaining piece of the inheritance, I don't need you. I'd rather not have to split the spoils.

This will give me the capital I need to make a comeback in the Columbian mining sector.

Just look at this. An abandoned mine outside the nomadic city. An opportunity of a lifetime.

Stop this!

My dear Miss Glacier, I hear you've turned down invitations from multiple Rim Billiton companies.

Join me, and I'll allow you to live and serve me. I'll even give you a leadership position.

Sorry, I'm not looking for a career change. The pay may be nothing to write home about, but working for Rhodes Island has many perks for an Infected.

Have you never thought about escaping the cage of everyday life?

About a vacation, where you don't have to worry about when you'll return to work.

About having time to just lie in bed, without needing to think about anything.

Don't you want to live a life like that?

Who doesn't?

Then join me. You'll have authority, and plenty of vacation time.

Ugh...

You said the same thing to Miss Bachmann, didn't you?

I'll admit your words may be tempting to the young.

But I've been around long enough to know that jobs like that simply don't exist. Anything offering such great conditions is probably a scam.

Hmph.

Still, sparing your life was part of that offer. You would be wise not to defy me.

It's bothersome enough keeping track of my boss' condition at Rhodes Island. I took leave for New Year's, and I'd rather spend it on my own projects, thank you very much.

It hurts... Ugh...

Oh, shut up.

Kill her first!

Want us to shoot her?

With your aim? No need to prolong her misery, just get it over with.

Draw your swords!

Hey, I can't move! Something's grabbing my feet!

No, you're sinking!

You shall not pass.