Chapter 19:

Sadistic Ambition

Ephemera Re:Place


Anya approached the Captain's quarters, some additional haste in her steps and her shoes struck the ground with purpose.

"There's someone who wants to see you, Captain."

"Who is it?"

"Admiral Siobhan Scathach, and Gabriel Iris."

"Ah..."

"Shall I invite them in?"

"...Yes, please do."

A tall, domineering woman floated into the room. Following shortly behind her was a slim, short man with shrouded eyes and an unvarying facial expression. Minamoto shot up from her seat and saluted her.

"Hello, Admiral."

"Ah, Audrey, hello. I trust you understand why I summoned you here today."

"I... may have an idea, yes."

"Yes, as you well should. Your foolishness and haste have endangered our reputation. One that is already on the brink of falling apart if not for the generosity of the military investment."

"I... I apologise."

Minamoto bowed deeply in response. The Admiral strode closer, standing less than a metre from her.

"Do not be fooled, Audrey. You are as much a prisoner here as they are."

She knocks the cap from Minamoto's head, and it lands on the floor.

"This hat means nothing. For as long as you have a RepliCor in your chest, your position remains the same. Now, with that in mind, I want you to reclaim the RepliCor that you lost. If our plans are to go ahead, we will need to prove that we can keep our technology safe and out of enemy hands. Our funding relies on it. As such, it is our priority that you retrieve it. Prove to me that you're worthy of that little accessory on your head."

She wanders over to the hat, scooping it up from the ground and presenting it to Minamoto. 

"...Yes, Admiral Scathach."

"Your deadline is one month, that is when military surveyors will come to Port Tatsumi to assess the potential of RepliCors for weaponisation. I will permit reduced security on the island over that time, but ensure that you deal with any pre-existing or pressing Leviathan problems before you leave."

"I will complete the mission."

"Yes, you will, unless you wish to face the consequences. What with Takahiro Tsukumo's constant defamation campaigns and now the rocky position that the Sharpe family is in due to the death of their daughter, our sources are running dry. This is our last chance, Audrey. More importantly, it is yours. Do not defy me again."

"I will take responsibility..."

"Good. Gabriel, prepare the helicopter. We will see each other again soon, Audrey. Oh, and, do not think your dealings with the Leviathans will result in any sort of renewed interest in your... previous exploits."

"But Admiral, I..."

"You need to forget your little trip twenty thousand leagues under the sea. Humanity has declared space as the next frontier, and you best catch up or risk being left behind. Your catastrophic failure as a result of your expedition is solid proof of that. And RepliCors will be our key to becoming forerunners in that new frontier. Remember that and you'll be greatly rewarded."

Minamoto clutched her fist tight to her hips and gritted her teeth, but held her face still.

"I understand, Admiral."

"I'm pleased to hear it. The success of the Anahata Experimental Weapons Programme rides on this."

---

Walking out into the hallway, Minamoto met Anya, who was waiting with her back to the wall, her arms folded.

"I suppose you aren't the only one with a tendency to eavesdrop."

"Some people would consider that insubordination, you know."

"Then let's be glad that we're not such people. I'll happily take orders as long as you'd like me to, but when it comes to what goes on between you and the Admiral, I think it's important that I stay updated."

"It's not for you to know."

"You say that about a lot of things. But they usually always end up being things that we would all benefit from knowing. For example... how long do you plan on hiding your real target?"

"I must defeat it, Anya. It's my duty. I owe it."

"Your duty, or your grudge?"

"Whatever you find convenient calling it, it is something that I must do."

"That's all well and good Captain, but soon I likely won't be the only one that knows about it. What will you do when your secret ambition is leaked to the others?"

"I'll face the consequences. And if it comes down to it, I'll go alone."

"That's suicide..."

"I'd sooner die than live another day knowing that vile, gloating creature is still there. I will never forgive it. But I'll only die when I can see the pain and fear of death burned into its eyes by my own hands."

"You still want to return to the depths after what happened last time."

"Yes. Every day I want to. If I go alone, nobody else will be in my way."

"As far as I've looked into it, there's no way back there."

"There's no way back there yet. But the appearance of the Leviathans can't be a coincidence. If we continue investigating them, we'll find a way. I will return to Tehom."

-june-
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Yanagi
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