Lethal Fate

According to our envoy from Iberia, they're more than happy to incorporate punishment into the process.

.....

So if you're finished talking nonsense, state your identity.

I'm a former road-side coral breeder.

Motive?

You ever paid close attention to the coral by the road, Patroller?

We hoped every cluster on every street would take on a different form or color, even different capabilities.

Transport tubes pass through the cavity-filled cluster on the east side of the Sophontheatrum, and under the glimmering tubes, the polyps glimmer back. A patchwork of dots of light...

Like a nebula in miniature.

Then there's the ones around the port—

As it happens, I have been paying close attention to some road-side coral recently. Specifically, the ones growing in your experimental field.

Where an innocent data scientist died.

.....

Her dreams, her obsession, her love for her seaweeds... were as beautiful as the coral you speak of.

But you murdered her.

You asked a good question earlier. What makes you and her so different?

So why are you still alive? What did she do to deserve death?

She found...

Found what? Speak up.

Or are you implying I should be asking Cassia this question?

You...

What is the Church planning against the Waterway Program?

Will you be attacking the beacon, or the weapons?

Speak.

*sigh* Church this, cultist that.

I'm still not used to being called names like that. You sure they're not just convenient excuses for you to arrest people?

.....

This so-called 'Church' and its 'cultists.' What part of them is 'holy,' exactly?

I don't worship any kind of imaginary entity. I just agree with how Cassia sees things.

From the despair engulfing Ægir, she can see this nation's fragile nature.

People place too much importance on the value of things, but are unwilling to recognize how fickle these values really are. They've become worshipers at their altar.

But now, those values are crumbling away. Before Ægir falls completely into despair, someone must sound the alarm—

Perii! You're just trying to loosen my lips!

You won't get another word out of me. If you're feeling impatient, go ahead, scan my brainwaves. You won't get anything out of that either—

Questioning you is the last respect I'll give you as a human being, scumbag!

Maybe you believe yourself innocent, and your actions free of conspiracy. But you will tell me everything I want to know.

Now speak.

Captain.

It's almost time for us to leave, Skadi.

I know it's urgent.

The frontline is barely holding ground against the Seaborn. The loss of two entire fleets is really hitting us hard now.

According to their most recent missive, Legions VIII and X failed to regroup into formation, and they are now mired in a bitter struggle.

If the beacon cannot be deployed at the designated position within the nest, and the deadlock continues... it will mean the failure of the Waterway Program.

Understood.

The Legion fleets are about to launch an offensive across the entire front, at all costs. All to attract the Seaborn's attention. As for us—

Squeeze through the battlefield, infiltrate the nest, and deploy the beacon.

Correct. How would you rate your current condition, Skadi?

I got some good sleep, at least. My first dreamless sleep since our last campaign.

The situation in the city is getting more restive... Do you know where the Doctor has gone?

(Shakes head)

I know you want me to keep the peace and protect the Doctor, Captain... You want me to stay.

To be honest, I am conflicted.

Cleansing the sea of its dregs is our duty, but I am also responsible for your safety.

Have there been any signs of Ishar'mla stirring since we returned to sea?

If it has, it's been real quiet.

If it speaks up, I'll shut it up.

Actually, I've got something to say to you, Captain.

We've never been this cautious in our work before. We had our ways of handling this sort of thing.

If the Church's god—the one the scum call 'Ishar'mla'—really is inside me, then if I ever go out of control, I want you to execute me on the spot. Simple as that.

My heart's right here. I trust you won't miss.

Skadi—

I'm not finished.

If you or Shark start to fall under their influence in battle before I do, I won't hesitate either.

.....

What I was going to say is that, with war close at hand, I can imagine nothing more reassuring to hear.

Let's go.

.....

Miss Laurentina.

No need for that dreary honorific, little bird. We're not strangers, are we?

...Laurentina.

Considering how long we've been in this city, I'm surprised this is the first time we've run into one another. This is sad.

I've always wanted to take our brave little warrior out on a real hunt in the depths. Sadly, the nest we're headed to is too far and too deep. No way to bring you along.

It's alright. Even if I had the option, I'd stay in Milliarium regardless.

Oh?

There's been a lot happening in the city lately.

The first time I wore deep-water equipment and entered the ocean, I was immediately knocked about by the current. I hate to admit it, but I'd be dead weight out there.

No need to talk like that. The first time is always rough.

Anyway, I can do a lot more in the city than in that nest.

And once you've completed your mission and Ægir's weapon systems start cleansing the area, I'll have to return to Saint Carmen and make an urgent report on why the sea surface has changed.

Ah, so you meant we were to be parted once more.

That's right.

I'd be offering you all farewell gifts, but I wasn't expecting this before we left for Milliarium, so I have nothing to give.

Don't worry about it. We'll meet again.

While we won't be needing to drag you from the sea half-drowned this time, I have a feeling our next reunion will be unforgettable in its own right.

*cough*! ...Oh, look, Skadi and Gladiia are coming!

Take care of yourself, Laurentina.

Finished with your chat?

Yes.

It's past time we left, Hunters.

Doctor.

Yes. You've been of great assistance.

As previously mentioned, there are unusual data interactions between the beacon within the city and the ones deployed in the nests.

It seems the bulk of the work was handled by Lab C-22. Namely, the facility we just infiltrated.

While I do not fully understand the principles behind the beacon system or the Class IV weapons, the contents of these interactions can still be inferred.

The coordination between the beacons and the weapons has been altered.

As I surmised, the Waterway Program has been infiltrated at the highest level.

Correct.

Even before it was conceived, I had my doubts about Ægir.

...That decisive campaign.

...So you already know.

Skadi trusts you more than expected.

My dereliction was due to a moment of distraction.

In a cave, or rather, a cavity closest to Ishar'mla's core, I noticed something that should not be there.

Crude piles of meat, turbid mucus. At first, I assumed they were nodules of its body, but then I saw clearly the measuring scales and flow channels around them...

A corroded water flow meter.

One from Ægir. A design hundreds of years old, one that now exists only in museums.

Based on the degradation, it had sat within Ishar'mla's body for two centuries.

But I had been told that no other Ægir had ever managed to reach the Firstborn before us.

That is to say, before Ægir was even aware of it, its people had secretly come into contact with the Firstborn.

The undercurrents beneath tranquil Ægir are more turbulent than anyone could imagine.

They are being used to break the deadlock at the front.

I can imagine the mission they have been assigned. Bypass the front lines, advance to the nest, and deploy the beacon.

.....

Blandus.

Then I fear we, too, must act as quickly as possible.

If the coordination between the beacons and weapons has been tampered with, then there is only one place to go: the core of the Waterway Program. The beacon launcher.

As for you...