It’s been long enough that they should be wherever it is they’re going. What’s important now is that we find a way to contact and negotiate with them without an outcome similar to our last encounter. Better to send a lone diplomat and hope they won’t react rashly than to send anyone or any group that could possibly be interpreted as a theat. As much as it pains me, a humble approach may be the only way to secure a pleasant outcome.

‘Jason, please activate the trace on our targets planted by Jack. Single location ping and that is all, we do not want to be detected. As soon as we have a location, please send Laylah to meet them, she’s been prepared already. I’ll be sending her file over momentarily,’ I comm. Laylah is one of our assets that has training more focused on persuasion and politics than our normal companions, she also bears a striking resemblance to Alex, the girl that went home with them on Airis, in case there is a particular fondness for that look amongst the group. Jason responds a few moments after receiving the file containing the girl’s information, notifying me that it will be done shortly.

An idea suddenly strikes me that I should attempt to use the orb relic that was so accurate in predicting our previous interaction, hopefully I can use what it shows me to course correct from another disaster. The orb is still where I left it last, in the laboratory. From what I hear, the scientists are quite befuddled and have made little progress.

I am currently leaning against a balcony overlooking one of the open stretches of Affinity’s interior. Long curving stretches of metal crisscrossing here and there, making up the support beams to keep Affinity in one piece, the design of it can be beautiful when viewed in a certain light. I make my way towards the nearest transport entrance, not too far from here.

Walking down the hallway towards lab thirteen, I look through the glass walls at all the different lab rooms, at the intricate work and research being done under my roof. It brings me great joy to know that I make all this possible. At last, I arrive at the end of the hallway, at lab 13. I enter the lab to see the chief technician, who’s name I learned was Mia, sitting down at a desk staring blankly at a monitor.

“Mia, any luck?” I ask.

“No, I really don’t even see how any of this…” she replies, unaware of her surroundings, very focused on whatever was on the monitor. After a few more seconds she looks up and almost jumps up and out of her skin when she sees me.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

“Oh my goodness! I didn’t realize it was you. I’ve been so focused on this report, I just can’t figure out what to make of it. I didn’t know you were coming down today. Is there something I can do for you?” she asks.

“You’re fine Mia, don’t worry about it, this wasn’t on my schedule either, I just decided to come by to see if I’d learn anything useful. How are you? I see you have a new accessory since we last talked,” I say, nodding to the engagement ring adorning her finger.

“Oh, this, yes, I think I told you a little bit about it last time you came down, but so far so good, the ceremony is happening in a month,” she replies.

“I’m glad to hear that. Where will it be? If you don’t mind,” I ask.

“We decided to keep it simple, he has family that’s not able to travel so we decided to have it on their property,” she responds.

“I’m sure it will be nice being surrounded by family. Don’t worry about the lack of progress on the relic; its inherent gifts are plenty enough for me, just take your time, there’s no rush,” I say. I open the door to the chamber where the relic sits and walk in. Unlike before, where it was a mental struggle to focus on the orb, now the opposite is true, I am immediately drawn to its form.

Evelyn stands before me, with a murderous intent in her eyes, and another, with an uncanny resemblance as well. Both have a relic, Evelyn flaunts hers aggressively, the shape of it in a continuously changing state, moving erratically all around her as if she was surrounded by rings of liquid fire, I know in that moment that it is a reflection of her will. The other is less dramatic, wearing a blank thoughtless face. Her relic is much less apparent, a simple ring large enough to stick a hand though that she holds in both hands. After a moment, the liquid fire surrounding Evelyn extends into a long needle hurdling towards Evelyn’s opponent. As the needle approaches, it is as if reality splits in two and I see two events unfold before me as if they were both happening simultaneously, one where the needle pierces the woman through the heart, and another where Evelyn and her relic cease to exist. In both timelines, the remaining party looks up to a balcony where a man stands, he then shakes his head as if to indicate that she was unsuccessful.

What any of this could mean is beyond me, but one thing that stands out to me is that there was no indication from the footage of the attack that Evelyn is still in possession of the relic I just witnessed in the vision. A good thing for us for certain, but that raises several questions, such as when in time did I just witness, is this a future event or one from ages ago? Either way, a possible lead to not one but two relics is beyond intriguing.