When the first proverb appears on the shell, we reach the shores of elsewhere—the island, the upturned palm of Mother Sea.
The once drifting boat now beds itself in the golden sand.
When the second proverb appears on the shell, we kindle the fire—the crackling warmth, the spark of hope.
The joyful people are long blessed as one.
When the third proverb appears on the shell, we accept the sea's gift—the rolling waves, the plentiful fish.
The cool sea breeze cradles us.
When the fourth proverb appears on the shell, we face the test—the salty tears, the longing gaze.
Beyond the sea, I find no home.
Kamuta: You did well today, Tutu.
Fatutu: Thank you, Kamuta! I was just playing my part in celebrating the success of the trade season. Nothing special, really.
Fatutu: But what are we doing here? What could be more important than the celebration?
Fatutu: I've never seen you sneak off on a bonfire night before.
Kamuta: ...
Kamuta: Tutu, do you think you and your friends could fix up that old ship?
Kamuta: I know you're close with Toa, Selone, and the rest. They always make sure their first fous go to you. I'm sure they'd be happy to lend you a hand.
Kamuta: And the elders like you, too. I've heard many of them say they'll leave their Spirit Shells to you. So you can win their support, too, right?
Fatutu: Woah! Slow down, big chief! Are you saying you want to fix up the Quick Spear?
Kamuta: Hm! Yeah.
Fatutu: But why? We've kept it docked for years.
Kamuta: Maybe one day we'll need to set sail again—to fish or spend some time on another island.
Fatutu: But, the merchants already come by every few months to bring us hala fruits and red snappers. Why would we need to sail?
Kamuta paces back and forth in front of Fatutu, the words stuck in his throat.
Kamuta: Yeah, but what if a storm hits? Are we just going to sit around and let the waves wash away our homes?
Fatutu: We've been through much worse than a few storms.
She raises her head proudly.
Fatutu: Remember when the waves came and took away Malaga? Heilani cried for days over that little pebble castle.
Fatutu: And then that strange oil polluted the water all around Itiiti—the only place where the water's calm enough to hold the Paopao race. We haven't held a race since.
Fatutu: Then Miti and Vaipuna ...
Fatutu: But we've made it through, because that's what we do in the face of difficulties, right? We stick together. Besides, we're doing just fine on Meli.
Kamuta: But what if we lose Meli to the waves as well?
Fatutu: ...
Kamuta: If it comes to that, Tutu, I need you to take everyone and leave—find somewhere to stay for a while. Can I ask that of you?
Fatutu's brow furrows.
Fatutu: You've been acting strange, brother. Are you thinking of sneaking off and leaving us?
Kamuta: I'm not going anywhere. I promise.
Fatutu: Neither are the rest of us, brother.
Kamuta: No! You must get ready. Start preparing now!
Kamuta's unusual behavior leads Fatutu to make a bold guess.
Fatutu: Something's been bothering you since last trade season. You've been spending a lot of time on the beach, looking out to the sea.
Fatutu: Did a witch put a spell on you?
Fatutu: You better wear some molukka around your neck and carry knitbones and dulse leaves.
Kamuta: No, no, there's no witch. It's just something Ms. Grace told me. It's been bugging me.
Fatutu: Ms. Grace? That outsider who calls herself a captain?
With the singing of the Nukutai, the trade festival slowly comes to an end.
On the beach, the Nukutai bid farewell to their guests in twos and threes, enjoying this rare moment of leisure.
Ms. Grace: I don't mean to alarm you, Mr. Kamuta.
Ms. Grace: But three months from now, Meli will be devoured by a tsunami.
She stands nonchalantly, as if discussing something insignificant.
Kamuta: Ms. Grace, don't say such nonsense!
Kamuta: You're welcome as a guest, but that doesn't give you the right to spread fear among my people.
Ms. Grace: What if I told you that the sinking of Malaga and Vaipuna wasn't entirely caused by the tsunami, but there were other factors at play?
Kamuta: ...!
Ms. Grace: It is true that the tsunami sent them into the sea. But long before it struck, foreign military forces had been eyeing the islands for their strategic value.
Kamuta: Those rumbling sounds ... They weren't thunder?!
Ms. Grace: They were torpedoes launched by humans.
She presents a thick document in her hand.
Ms. Grace: And I have some unfortunate news regarding them.
Kamuta grabs the cold, impersonal stack of white paper.
Kamuta: "The area is now under martial law. Any development plans for the region should be revised accordingly."
Kamuta: These coordinates ... they cover Nukutaeao.
Ms. Grace: After a brief investigation, they concluded that your home is an unoccupied area suitable for their weapon testing.
Ms. Grace: It won't be long before they publish a report on this new test site and receive their rewards for discovering it.
Kamuta: The Veil of Nothingness was cast by our ancestors to protect us from the outside world.
Kamuta: I never thought it would put us at risk.
Kamuta: As Chief, I must bring this to the attention of my people. Perhaps it's time we removed the mist. But without it, we'll draw all kinds of attention.
Kamuta clenches the report tightly in his fist.
Kamuta: Ms. Grace, may I borrow this document? My people need to see this.
Ms. Grace: Be my guest. But you'd better persuade them quickly.
Kamuta: Why's that?
Ms. Grace: As far as I know, they're looking to expand the test site. It's on their agenda now.
Kamuta: Right. We'll have to set up a meeting with them to negotiate.
Ms. Grace: Certainly. I wish you the best of luck persuading those warmongers, and for your safety in the coming tsunami.
Every nonchalant word that leaves her mouth strikes Kamuta with the shocking gravity of the situation.
Kamuta: With all due respect, Ms. Grace ...
Kamuta: Not even the Nukutai can predict the movements of the ocean that far in advance. On what basis are you making this forecast?
Ms. Grace: It's not a forecast, Mr. Kamuta.
Ms. Grace: Call it the wisdom of hindsight.
Ms. Grace: Or perhaps, I should put it more clearly. Have you heard of the "Storm"?
Fatutu: Kamuta! Kamuta! Brother!
Kamuta: ...!
Fatutu: The rain's getting heavier! We must go inside!
Rain blurs Kamuta's vision.
He stares into the distance, his eyes widening as the frothing waves roar toward the coast. The sea level is rising.
Kamuta: It's the tsunami. It's happening.
Like the soil beneath the ever-rising waterline, Kamuta's murmured words are quickly buried.
The sea has almost swallowed the whole atoll.
Toa: What's going on, Tutu? Kamuta?
A worried figure hurries over.
Fatutu: No time for questions, Toa! We must bring these baskets to safety!
Fatutu is already pushing as many woven baskets filled with berries and bundled material as she can up to higher ground. Her hands are a sore red, her face stamped with desperate determination.
Toa: Ah, there's food and clothes in there!
Selone: Here, I'll give you a hand!
A tall figure rushes over, grabbing the baskets from the children's hands and tossing them aside.
Selone: Chief, what are you doing?!
Kamuta: Leave them! There's no time! We must get to the ship! Now!
Fatutu: Our people still have to live after the flood's over!
Fatutu: If we don't bring something, what are we going to eat or wear? These things won't fall into our laps, you know.
Kamuta: Listen! It's different this time. You—
Before Kamuta can finish speaking, a few dark shadows dart out from the forest.
???: roar
Kamuta: Tutu! Watch out!
Fatutu: ...!
A row of sharp claws grazes Kamuta's back.
Toa: What are all these Splintercats doing here?!
???: &!*/% ...
Selone: The near-endless surge of critters starts to create an even greater panic.
Selone: These aren't just Splintercats! Are those Sarmatian Sea Snails? And crabs with ghost faces?!
Toa: I've never seen them all come out together before. What kind of storm is this?!
In the flashes of lightning, doubt and worry flicker across the Nukutai's faces.
Kamuta: They can sense the coming tsunami! Come, we need more hands to drive them off!
Toa: Understood!
COMBAT
The fleeing critters surge like the tide, scattering the Nukutai.
Many are left wounded.
Kamuta: Go! All of you! Now!
Kamuta: Everyone, get to the Quick Spear!
Ghost-Face Crab: &@#/(#—!
Fatutu: This tsunami ... It's the worst I've ever seen.
Fatutu: Is it true? Is this the end of Meli?
Kamuta: Tutu! Don't just stand there! Get over here!
From the shadows, a spiny claw swipes at Fatutu.
???: *Slæstu í djúpan dvala.
Ms. Grace: An inky-black incantation flashes past her.
Ms. Grace: A familiar face appears at the highest point of the reef.
Fatutu: ...!
Kamuta: Ms. Grace!
Grace surveys the scene, a gentle smile on her face.
Ms. Grace: Seems I'm right on time.
Fatutu: You're Ms. Grace.
Ms. Grace: You should be more careful out here, dear.
Ms. Grace: People of Nukutaeao, are you ready to set sail?
The pale shadow gracefully lands beside Fatutu.
Fatutu: Set sail?
Fatutu: No, no, you've got this all wrong, outsider!
Fatutu: We are not going anywhere. We Nukutai will not abandon our home.
The string of shells around Fatutu's neck heaves along with the defiant breaths in her chest.
Kamuta: Tutu, wait. Maybe Ms. Grace knows a better way.
She pulls away from Kamuta's hand.
Ms. Grace: ...
Ms. Grace: Refuse all you like, Miss, but your homeland will be completely submerged before long.
Her words are light, almost careless, as they toy with this unmoving rock before her.
Fatutu: We appreciate your help, Ms. Grace, and we'll make sure to return the favor as best we can.
Fatutu: But we don't find your view on the situation all that convincing.
Ms. Grace: You don't, do you?
The critter, now bound by Grace's incantation, is pulled before Fatutu.
Ms. Grace: Take a look at this little creature—one of nature's many remarkable creations.
Ghost-Face Crab: ...
Ms. Grace: It has a fitting name too: the Moon-Eyed Fiddler.
Ms. Grace: They hide themselves in the water, covering their traces with the ebb and flow of the tide.
Ms. Grace: They only come ashore when the tide is high, and from there, they migrate to quieter waters.
Ms. Grace: To diviners and arcane dealers, they are the living gold of the ocean.
Ms. Grace: But to the people who live near their regular habitats, they are an ill omen.
Ms. Grace: Wherever they appear, floods are sure to follow.
Grace takes a few subtle steps toward Fatutu.
Ms. Grace: This tsunami is only the beginning.
Ms. Grace: Animals migrate and leave their homes behind when conditions become unfavorable. You should do the same.
Ms. Grace: Look around you. Think about your people.
The tide of critters seems to have subsided, but the Nukutai still bleed.
Fatutu can clearly hear their labored sighs and gasps.
Kamuta: Tutu, it's okay. We know you have your reasons.
Fatutu stands frozen, the sand and gravel carried by the seawater washing over her trembling feet.
Tears well up in her eyes as the mottled gray of the sky above seems to merge with the crimson ground below.
Fatutu: Do we really have to leave?
Grace gently adjusts Fatutu's collar, wiping the rain from her face.
Ms. Grace: The outside world is indeed full of dangers, but there is less to fear than you think.
Ms. Grace: I'll help you through it.
The tide grows more turbulent, crashing against rocks and shaking the foundations of the Nukutai's homes.
There's a series of crashes as coconut trees fall, and earth crumbles and falls into the sea.
Ms. Grace: There it is. Our ship.
Last Evenings on Earth
???: ♪ ... ♫ ...!
???: Today's headlines: A new naval testing site has been established in an unoccupied area of the Eastern Pacific Ocean to facilitate future armament research and development.
???: South America is facing a significant economic crisis marked by stagnation, inflation, and rising unemployment. The poverty rate in several regions has reached new highs in the last decade.
???: The Ocean Conservation Association is calling for greater attention to be paid to the oil spill near the archipelagos, claiming that the relevant organizations have yet to launch a full investigation into the cause of the incident.
???: The "Free Breeze" cruise ship is set to arrive in Sydney Harbor later today. Astrophysicists forecast a solar eclipse this month.
A hand precisely presses the little green button.
And a painful wail follows.
Regulus: Ah, Ms. Radio!!
Regulus: How could you do this to me—today of all days? Your bloody alarm ruined my precious holiday lie-in!
Ms. Radio: My apologies, Ms. Regulus. But it wasn't an alarm. It was the daily news broadcast.
The swatted-aside Ms. Radio seems to have a clear signal.
Ms. Radio: If the morning news isn't quite to your taste, I can offer a variety of alternatives, including programs on literature and music critique, Australian food, and so on.
Regulus: Ugh. No!
Her cry echoes through the room.
Ezra: Sorry, it seems I've caught you at a bad time.
Ezra, having just peeked his head through the door, immediately ducks back.
A one-sided conflict seems inevitable.
Ezra: Um. But please be careful, Ms. Regulus. I know the LSCC encourages us to examine machines like Ms. Radio, but I don't think a violent disassembly would go down so well.
Regulus gets to her feet.
Regulus: Violence? If there's any sort of violence in this room, I'm the one receiving it! Where's my justice?
Ezra: Well, I'm afraid justice might be slow to come. The Australian branch is going through restructuring at the moment. Things will be put on hold for a while.
Ezra: In the meantime, you've been assigned to a new team—the "Storm" Research Group.
Regulus: What? Me?
Ezra: Yes. Mr. Ulrich's leading it. He made a special request for you to be on the team. He's looking forward to meeting you in person.
Regulus: What, just like that? Didn't anyone care to ask me what I wanted to do?!
Regulus's puzzled expression soon gives way to a sudden realization.
Regulus: Wait. Why are you telling me this now?
Ezra: Um. The list of group members and the reasons for their selection have been up on Laplace's website for a week now.
Regulus: ...
Ezra: And today is its official founding day. You should be there, as a Laplace staff member and an important part of the new team.
Regulus: ...?
Regulus: Hold on a minute! As far as I'm concerned, I'm still on Team Timekeeper!
Regulus: And more importantly, I'm still on my time off!
Vertin: Good to see that you actually paid attention in our last group meeting, Regulus.
The owner of the suitcase, Regulus's savior, the great Timekeeper, arrives at the door.
Regulus: Vertin! Thank God you're here!
Regulus: Go on! Tell them I'm still on holiday!
The fast-drowning pirate is hoping for a life preserver.
Vertin: Sorry to break it to you like this, Regulus, but today's our last day off.
Regulus: You can't be serious!
Vertin: Of course, I am. Also, Mr. Ulrich has invited us to attend the ceremony in Laplace.
Vertin: Shall I give you a moment to get ready?
Regulus: Noooooo!