2.7
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From anybody else, it might have been a dirty shot. Lucy, however, believed in that ideal just as much, perhaps even more so, than Singleton himself did.
"It would be a long and difficult task." Singleton stated.
"That doesn't make it any less worth doing." She replied, softly. "The galaxy being a cruel place doesn't mean we should just submit to it. Humanity fought its way to the top, once. We can do it again- and we owe it to every sane person still in the galaxy to try."
It was a sentiment that resonated with everybody present.
"It will take time." Mikah sighed. "It's... it's exactly the same as last time, really. The problem is still the storm. We can't get out of it through Empyrean Jumps because not only is that an awful idea, receiving Symbionts made us unable to stay there for more than ten seconds. Flinging ourselves into the storm itself it is just going to get us pushed back because there's no real difference between our reality and the Warp once we cross the barrier. The only way we can get through is to get the Shroud to deal with it."
True. I would have long since eaten the Warp Storm itself, but only two things had stopped me. The first was the potential consequences.
After all, the entire star system had been swallowed. The planet no longer orbited anything, just floated in the middle of the Warp Storm. The moon worked because of Warp shenanigans, but the rest of the planet?
If the Warp Storm went away, there was no telling what would happen. Life in Sanctuary was sustainable, yes, but there was no point in risking it needlessly. The people of Sanctuary knew it, too.
"But if the Storm dies down, there's no telling what will happen to the planet. We could be anywhere. Even in dark space. Our star has long since vanished into the Empyrean, and without it to provide light, this planet will die in fairly short order."
"We discussed this last time." Lucy noted. "MUM, bring up the plans for Project Moth."
"Confirmed."
The hologram shifted, diving into four parts. The first had a representation of the planet, while the second had a series of ship designs, the third a number of information points about the Warp Storm, and the fourth an image of several of my bodies.
"We chose a fleet, for mobility." Lucy noted, gesturing at the second part. MUM, reading the gesture, switched to it, expanding the information about that stage of the plan. "And also because it would let us get out quicker, since the Shroud would only need to create a tunnel that we can pass through instead of consuming the entire storm."
"And there's nothing wrong with that part." Mikah agreed. "There's no problem with any of the parts, really. It's just time-consuming. We need fleets in order to escape any problems with the planet, we need more resources for the fleets, we need resources to defend our resources or we need the Shroud to cover our resourcing efforts so they aren't disrupted by Empyrean incursions, we need more population to sustain more Shroud lifeforms, and then we need bigger fleets." He sighed. "And while the loop eventually hits the point where it becomes feasible for the 'make a tunnel' plan, that's at least two centuries away with a dedicated population growth program that will also consume part of the resources. Mathematically, it works. Theoretically, we'd need a population of at least fifty billion, with all the requirements to sustain that. Practically, we can do it, it'll just require us to build Nucleo-Synthesis Plants by the millions, or strip mine basically half the planet in order to get all the resources we need all the while maintaining a population growth rate of 3% for... two hundred and fifty-ish years."
"I guess that would solve the Cultist problem, too." Leo noted. "Can't hide on a planet if there's no planet left to hide on."
"That's awful." Vivian said, flatly, shooting him a look.
Also accurate.
"They're Cultists." Tori said, softly. "When you're affected by Warp Madness like that, there isn't anything that can be done. We've tried, Vivian. No amount of therapy can fix them, and their souls are so corrupt that cutting the corruption out wouldn't leave anything left. Putting them out of their misery is... the best we can do."
Well, that subject turned dark quickly.
"There is also the matter of what should be revealed about tonight." Singleton stated.
Lucy's expression took a note of distaste. "The truth." She said, flatly. "All of it. There's no need to hide anything. This knowledge isn't dangerous."
"If you wish." He agrees.
She breathes in, then out. "What about the baby, Vivian? Any volunteers for his care?"
"I haven't begun searching, yet." She shakes her head. "I should be able to find one-"
"I'll do it." Singleton interrupted.
Hmm?
The room went quiet. Everybody turned to him, surprised.
"You?" Lucy asked, confusion blatantly obvious. "I mean- I'm sure you can do it, but I've never heard you volunteer to raise a child."
This... seems unlike you, Singleton.
Although, now that I think about it...
"I expect a Valiant will be necessary." Singleton stated. "A baby as heavily augmented as he is will require full attention."
Your hand had lingered on that symbol, Singleton.
"There are other Valiants." Vivian said. "Howard's children are adults, now. He wouldn't mind if I asked."
Do you know something that they don't?
"It is fine." Singleton shook his head. "I believe I am the best choice, in this scenario."
Yeah, you definitely do. There's a history there, one that I'd be interested in hearing. You're old enough to have met the guy, I suppose.
"It still seems... out of character, for you." Lucy leaned back. "Well, it doesn't matter too much, I suppose. Better if it's you, really. You've seen a lot in your life. You should be able to handle whatever the baby throws at you."
How exciting. And terrifying.
"I'll make sure everything is ready for you, then." Vivian shook her head. "Is that all, Lucy?"
"For the most part." Lucy nodded. "I need to prepare an announcement. Mikah, I need you study that pod. Anything you can glean from it is only going to help us, in the end."
"I'll see what we can do." He agreed.
"Thank you. The meeting is dismissed. Singleton, a few words."
The room emptied fairly quickly. I stayed. Lucy didn't even glance my way before looking at Singleton. "You know something about this baby."
He nodded, not denying it. He waved a hand, and I could taste a brief burst of electromagnetic radiation.
The hologram changed, back to a representation of his pod. Singleton turned his finger, and the pod rotated with it, the symbol on it facing towards them.
"I am familiar with that symbol." He explained. "It belonged to a friend."
Oh my~ You call him a friend, huh?
She blinked. "Not a coincidence?"
"It is exactly the same." Singleton pointed. "Exactly the same angles, exactly the same ratios. He was... precise enough that make sure of that. It is either an exceedingly accurate recreation, or it is his work."
"What's the chance of the former?" She asked.
"Effectively zero." Singleton stated. "Alone, I might not be able to be sure. With the rest of the pod, the technology within, and the genetic code of the baby? I can't imagine that it's anything other than him."
"So, this is because of him, then?" She sighed. "Fine. It's up to you. I trust you."
"Thank you, Lucy."
Let's just hope that trust pans out.