Doctor, Mantra and the others have already returned to the ship.
Amiya
Your guess was correct. Someone is targeting our mission.
Amiya
This instrument is from Ægir?
Broken Little Handy
......
Amiya
Dr. Kal'tsit, can we discover anything from its remaining parts?
Kal'tsit
No. The Ægir Academy of Technology put a great deal of care into this delicate piece of equipment—Given their pride, I'll bet they made sure no one could ever crack their Little Handy.
Kal'tsit
But the appearance of the Little Handy itself is enough to explain many problems.
Kal'tsit
Doctor, do you remember the Joint Marine Corps?
Of course.The reason you met with the Ægir consul was to facilitate cooperation.
Kal'tsit
Both the Iberian and Rim Billitonian authorities have responded to our call. The problem is that once cooperation begins, subsequent developments could spiral beyond what we've anticipated.
Kal'tsit
In recent weeks, the Ægir fleet has not only constructed ports in Iberia, but also established landing sites along the southern coast of Rim Billiton.
Kal'tsit
The Ægirs from the deep sea made no immediate move to land. Instead, they quickly carried out a number of operations, including hydrographic surveying, under the banner of 'technical cooperation'.
Kal'tsit
They also quickly assembled a 'Land Patrol' through a mix of hired personnel and official partnerships, relying on more neutral intermediaries to facilitate cooperation with land-based forces.
So you're saying the attackers are the 'Land Patrol.'
Kal'tsit
We're still only speculating—but right now, the Land Patrol is the only one that fits all the evidence we've collected.
Amiya
Dr. Kal'tsit, some consuls don't back Clementia, yes, but that doesn't prove that Ægir is behind all of this.
Kal'tsit
No, I am more inclined to believe that someone took advantage of the internal conflicts within Ægir.
Kal'tsit
The Land Patrol near the Iberian border, the mining ship being handed off in Rim Billiton, the mercenaries on the Kazdelian frontier...
Kal'tsit
The breadth of their deployments and the depth of their knowledge about Rhodes Island's classified missions—that's more than enough to prove that Ægir isn't behind this.
Amiya
However, there is no possibility of a rebellion within Rhodes Island.
I don't believe that will happen either.
Kal'tsit
Doctor, do you think there's anyone else in Rhodes Island who could do that, besides us?
......No.
Kal'tsit
That's right. No one else could do that.
Amiya
Dr. Kal'tsit, the threats that Rhodes Island faces now are unpredictable.
Amiya
Dr. Warfarin also warned us several times—the special patients she is caring for—their conditions are deteriorating faster than she can control.
Amiya
Whether to save our patients or to respond to potential crises, we need more aggressive responses.
Amiya
I've reviewed the records Theresa left in the Black Crown—she also made major breakthroughs through her work on Civilight Eterna.
Amiya
I can visit Civilight Eterna to look for potential help, just like Theresa did.
Kal'tsit
We must carefully assess the risks involved, Amiya.
Amiya, are you sure you're ready?
Amiya
I cannot give you a definitive answer, Doctor.
Amiya
But I will never stop trying. Any advantage I can gain may help Rhodes Island progress further.
Amiya
I want to try.
Are there any other more effective means at the moment, Kal'tsit?
Kal'tsit
At this moment when the situation is still unclear, I cannot come up with any more effective measures.
Kal'tsit
But diving recklessly into Civilight Eterna may not lead to the outcome we hope for, Doctor.
I'll go with Amiya.
Amiya
—?!
Kal'tsit
Doctor, I cannot agree to such a risky plan.
Can Civilight Eterna link to my thoughts?
Amiya
Doctor, that's too dangerous. No one has ever done something like this before! I agree with Dr. Kal'tsit that you shouldn't take the risk.
Kal'tsit recalls the experience of her dear friend, which is not something she is happy to recall.
Kal'tsit
Yes, Civilight Eterna can do that.
Kal'tsit
She did it before.
Amiya
...?!
......Theresa.
Kal'tsit
Doctor, your mind is incredibly complex, but you're not the only one at risk here—Amiya could be exposed to completely unforeseen shocks as well.
Kal'tsit
I will not agree to this preposterous proposal.
Amiya
Dr. Kal'tsit...
Kal'tsit
Amiya, this is my opinion. I cannot interfere with yours and the Doctor's final decision on this matter, but I hope you understand my stance.
Amiya, I can open my mind to you completely.We don't have to force it in one. We can give it a few tries.
Amiya
But, Dr. Kal'tsit...
When it's all over, we'll go apologize to her together.It's not this plan she's opposed to, per se.
Amiya
I trust you, Doctor.
I'll leave the decision of when to stop entirely up to you.
Let's start after I finish arranging the defenses.
Once again, we've arrived at a critical turning point. And last time… Babel met the fate I dreaded most.
Kal'tsit
It turns out that I can't make sure everything is running on its ideal track, Mon3tr.
Mon3tr
(Raises claw)
Mon3tr
(Rubs gently)
Kal'tsit
Our own limitations have begun to affect our usefulness in more important endeavors.
Kal'tsit
We may be able to witness the changes of the stars and the untamed cosmos, but when faced with a real crisis, we're no different from any other creatures on this great land.
Mon3tr
(Dissatisifed growl)
Kal'tsit
Thank you for comforting me. I can sense your good intentions.
Mon3tr
(Anxious growl)
Kal'tsit
Yes, I suppose Amiya and the Doctor have already begun preparing to delve deeper into Civilight Eterna.
Kal'tsit
I will not interfere with Amiya's decision. She is mature enough to make the most correct judgment.
Kal'tsit
And the Doctor... the Doctor isn't quite the same anymore either.
Kal'tsit
Maybe I still have a glimmer of hope in my heart. Maybe, this time the outcome will be different.
Mon3tr
(Subdued bow)
Kal'tsit
It is true that my own sanity is constantly warning me.
Kal'tsit
Touching the Doctor's mind again with the help of Civilight Eterna is not a sound decision, but Amiya is right, we don't have much choice.
I am delighted that the Ancients overthrew the rule of the Elders, and I am also pleased that Lugalszargus set the starting point for a new civilization.
Kal'tsit
I have made mistakes out of arrogance, but I have also regained my confidence by making dear friends.
Kal'tsit
Maybe yours and my basic structures will always be alien to this land, but that doesn't mean we will always walk alone.
Kal'tsit
I've found my home, in Rhodes Island, on this great land.
Kal'tsit
I've fulfilled her expectations, Mon3tr. I've learned to love. I've found myself.
Mon3tr
(Moves confusedly)
Mon3tr
(Wraps tail around Kal'tsit)
Kal'tsit
I must protect Amiya and the Doctor.
Kal'tsit
I must protect the true variable here... the future I cannot even glimpse.
Kal'tsit
I've communicated with Civilight Eterna before, yet I haven't been able to break through my own limitations.
Kal'tsit
But Amiya can. Of that, Theresa and I are certain.
Kal'tsit
I'm sure she can pluck significance from the massive trove of data. With Theresa's blessing… she can do it.
Kal'tsit
She is still Amiya, after all. I have seen her grow into a leader with my own eyes.
Kal'tsit
Following in footsteps, she might find some words that one left behind.
Kal'tsit
In the past, when Originium had not yet taken shape, there was an era when luminaries competed to argue with the epoch itself. Their wonderful ideas, born of a desire to celebrate and save lives, still persist.
Kal'tsit
All is not yet lost, Mon3tr. Terra has a chance, no matter how faint, to keep that hope alive.
Mon3tr
(Excited howl)
Kal'tsit
Me? No, Mon3tr, I'm better at memories... remembering the history I witnessed, and have seen erased by time.
Kal'tsit
I am not special at all.
Kal'tsit calmly inscribes the important info into Mon3tr's spine.
Kal'tsit
If the outcome I fear most does come to pass, if the one I least want to see stands in front of us once more—
Kal'tsit
Protect the Doctor. Protect Amiya.
Kal'tsit
I will engrave this directive into your basic behavioral strategy matrix.
Mon3tr
(Agitated howling)
Kal'tsit
Come, Mon3tr. We still have work to do.
Kal'tsit
If the threat does come, I must ensure that Rhodes Island is Terra's first outpost against the crisis.
