Constantine: Good afternoon, Mr. President.
Constantine: May the peace be with us.
President: May the peace be with us, my friend.
Constantine gives a slight nod as she peers into the shadows.
Constantine: Zeno has been restored to its usual state. Aside from Igor's ardent supporters, the rest of the Zeno soldiers and officers were unaware of his betrayal—just as we expected.
Constantine: "Admiral Igor's funeral" has been held as planned—one that befits his rank and status. All relevant personnel remained in South America for the ceremony, as per Zeno's funeral regulations.
Constantine: We're in the process of selecting a new admiral. I'll provide you with the candidate list shortly.
Constantine: Additionally, we've dispatched an investigative team to Tierra del Fuego to search for Igor.
President: Very well.
President: What about the girl?
She pauses.
Constantine: The girl? Are you referring to Lopera?
Constantine: Her emotions have stabilized, so we've decided to leave her in South America for the moment. Of course, she'll be put through the necessary investigations as circumstances dictate.
President: Keep a close eye on her.
President: Oh, and that little singing bird?
Constantine: ...
Constantine takes a step closer, lowering her voice.
Constantine: Zeno is quite upset about our decision regarding Ms. Kimberly. They're insisting she undergoes a more thorough investigation.
Constantine: I feared that if we gave too much pushback, they would take a more extreme stance in response. So I agreed.
President: sigh Those soldiers never budge.
Constantine: Of course, Zeno agreed that the investigation would be done under the supervision of the Foundation.
Constantine: If nothing else comes up, she will be put into the Timekeeper's team and granted the same rights as the other members.
President: Good. Don't keep Vertin waiting too long.
The Zeno piece has landed safely. Constantine gives an internal sigh of relief.
Constantine: There's more. Madam Z has received word from the Timekeeper.
Constantine: The Timekeeper suspects Manus Vindictae is active again in Sydney Harbor. They're likely onboard a cruise ship named "Free Breeze."
Constantine: This would explain why our field investigators have been having difficulties with their tasks. Manus has covered their tracks carefully this time.
President: Where's the cruise bound for?
Constantine: That's still unclear, sir. However, Moth just reported in, confirming that the ship has passed the Oceania islands.
President: Hmm. An interesting development.
Constantine: Indeed.
Constantine's tone carries an imperceptible trace of pride.
President: We're making excellent progress. That's good.
President: Assign a new mission to Vertin.
Constantine: You mean, to send them on that cruise?
President: We can't keep her under our wing forever.
Constantine: Understood.
The conference room falls silent once more.
Amid the layered marble pillars, a flash of white flits past the window.
A white dove lands on the President's hand and gently pecks at his palm.
President: What brings you all the way over here, old friend?
He lowers his head, allowing the bird to nuzzle his fingertips.
President: Oh ... Mm ... Mm.
President: ...
The white dove takes wing, flitting away once more.
President: So, Laplace has requested the Foundation's assistance with the "Artificial Storm" project?
Constantine: Yes. Ulrich is overseeing the project and has requested as much asymmetrical nuclide R as we can spare.
Constantine: He's also requested our help in determining the most suitable location for the experiment.
Constantine: I have several in mind that should meet his needs.
Constantine involuntarily pauses for a moment.
Constantine: The location closest to Laplace's Australian branch is on the sea, right where the "Free Breeze" cruise ship happens to be.
President: I see where you're going.
Constantine: However, I do have concerns about how this might disrupt our current plans against Manus Vindictae.
President: Regardless, Laplace will have our full support for the "Artificial Storm" project.
Unexpected determination.
Constantine: But Moth's status still remains unclear. If we proceed too hastily ...
Constantine: We might jeopardize the situation.
Her fleeting hesitation catches the President's attention.
President: I thought you'd have foreseen something like this.
President: A few pieces must be sacrificed if you're to win the game.
President: You know that better than anyone, don't you?
Constantine: ...
Constantine: Is this also the Pax House's decision?
President: You have my word on it.
Constantine: I see.
Constantine: I'll inform the Timekeeper and Ulrich of their missions.
President: Thank you. I look forward to their meeting.
Ulrich: We meet again, Timekeeper.
Vertin: Pleasure's mine, Mr. Ulrich. I've heard good things about your work with Regulus.
Ulrich: Frankly, I was surprised by how selfless, passionate, and forward-looking she is. I'm truly grateful to have someone like her on my team.
The ferrofluid is remarkably stable.
Clearly, this is a sincere statement.
Vertin: ...
Vertin: The situation on the "Free Breeze" is still unclear. We don't know how many Manus Vindictae followers might be on board.
Vertin: Our plan is to board the cruise as ordinary passengers.
Vertin: Regulus said she's made acquaintance with a crew member and has made sure to alter our profiles so we don't attract any unwanted attention.
Ulrich: That's good to hear. So Regulus didn't use her money for her own amusement after all.
After muttering to himself, Ulrich returns to the task at hand.
Ulrich: We should stagger our boarding times.
Ulrich: I'll reach out if I spot any signs of Manus Vindictae.
Ulrich: Let's stay in touch. See you on board!
Ulrich gives her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
Vertin: Mr. Ulrich, we're more than happy to assist with your mission.
Ulrich: Oh, no, no, no! Please, don't trouble yourself.
Ulrich: Sorry, don't get me wrong. I'd appreciate your help were the circumstances different.
Ulrich: But the experiment is still confidential. Please don't mention it to anyone. I'd like to avoid any unnecessary risks or interference.
Ulrich: On the cruise ship, we are but strangers.
Vertin: I see.
Ulrich: Don't you worry. I have a little disguise for myself, too.
