Chapter 13, Building Faith

"There was a clear point where my life on Sidonia truly began." Nagate sat down on a flight lounge bench, next to one where Shizuka was sleeping on. Nicole, checking on her, encouraged him to just relax and talk after the extreme strain of battle.

"Pulse stable, body temperature normal. By human standards, she's healthy. Nothing's stopping us from waiting now."

The lounge has been converted into a first aid station; across the ship, mutants and biomass growth have deactivated when the Marker was superheated into liquid glass. People began to leave their panic rooms and hideouts to look for help. A part of the surviving medical staff went to stations along the tram line to distribute aid, such as med tech Greggs here with them, replacing bandages for McNeill.

"That point was when I saw her watching me, telling me 'fear nothing'. I've just fallen out of the tunnels I grew up in, running from all human contact. They were all hostile to me actually. Letting myself out felt like a mistake, felt like being born too."

"She left you the best kind of positive imprint." Nicole smiled and handed Nagate a can of SUN Cola, encouraging him to hydrate ahead of more venting. He ripped it open, suspicious of its fizz potential in restored artificial gravity.

"Thanks, Doctor. I agree it's a strong first impression, though it might not be fair to my other best friend Izana." He was delisted it tasted far better than Sidonian potato cider, "From Hoshijiro Shizuka, all I received was unreserved kindness. It's in her nature, and I don't have much to repay her. Over time, I began to realize she was trying to make me into an equal of her. I was a blank canvas, and she... Made me better than what I could have become alone."

In the background, Greggs and Anne were arguing about "ganic" arms and fingers being in short supply. Fingers? Apparently the organ replacement lab had technical difficulties. Why did Greggs launch into a rant against perfectly fine robotic fingers like the ones on Izana? Nagate shook his head and continued:

"She's powerful. It took some time for me to see I'm attracted to her being stronger than I am, molding me where others didn't care about. I thought I've lost the chance to thank her, until... Your ship found us. We were once isolated from the ship for a long time. She told me people have grown used to hardship like they're used to photosynthesis..."

"Photosynthesis? Sorry, so that was what the enzyme gene edits we saw in her are for."

"Yeah, photosynthesis. The Gauna invasion destroyed our agriculture systems, so they found a way to directly transfer energy to people. I don't have it, though." Since the RIG translator said SUN Cola had a slogan about tasting the sun, Nagate thought about photosynthesis lights tasting like sugar and oranges. Then, he continued, "Hoshijiro said I was born fortunate just like her, maybe more, which means I can afford to be more sensitive than other people. She wanted me to learn her kind of conscientiousness. Her trust in me was unshakable, combined with that unreserved kindness... I wonder if she ever had second thoughts every time she tried to die in my place. It scares me."

Shizuka has fallen into a semi catatonic state after disconnecting from the Guardian's head-mounted particle cannon; sitting at its side, attached by Ena cables that easily peeled off when Nagate and Mike came to check on her. It reminded them of her situation when she was found in the cockpit.

"You sound like you're still beating yourself up for it, I understand. You shouldn't push her away now, don't run either."

"This was the Hoshijiro Shizuka I knew. And then, Benisuzume. My mixed emotions are hard to describe, but there's a feeling I had after seeing it... Her, escape after her first defeat. As a fighter, it felt like I was being trained by humanity's biggest, most evil threat to become its personal nemesis. The devil named Benisuzume taught me extra piloting skills and tactical thinking. The cost was all the people I couldn't save, who didn't become assimilated or evolved."

"I think I can speak for Kyne, White, or everyone else, we're extremely lucky to have you two on the Ishimura. I shudder to imagine what's waiting for Issac if you haven't showed up!"

"You're too kind, Doctor. I want to thank Benisuzume for challenging me, preparing me, but... The thought gives me a lot of guilt."

"Her human mind is free from the Gauna network..." Nicole paused, thinking of her conversation with Shizuka that he didn't know, "There's history to observe and personal changes to make for the future, but in my opinion, you're both precious, amazing people. You two have personalities that fit together well no matter what, and you're both still young."

"...Right. I'm focusing on telling myself to admit I don't hate Benisuzume that much. It became much easier once the Marker is gone. Maybe I should get my Guardian rebuilt in a design like her. Thinner, wings, smaller thruster pod... Sorry." Nagate downed the can of cola, his lips dry, "I, Tanikaze Nagate, am created by both aspects of her."

"And I take pride in building you, Tanikaze." Shizuka commented, her eyes suddenly opened, "I was listening the whole time, he he he."

"Hoshijiro!" He was overjoyed.

"Wow. Are you alright?" Nicole asked.

"Sensory overload felt exhausting, the Marker left an explosion of energy and information. I'm fine now." She scanned across the room with fully human pupils, "Taste the sunlight... May I have some too?"

"No problem. Right, you like oranges." Nagate slapped his forehead, "Tsumugi likes baked oranges, figures..."

"Who's Tsumugi?"

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At the Ishimura's computer core, Kendra thought of pulling her gun on Dr. Kyne when he found her and offered her a half-full bottle of whiskey. Following him was Eckhardt and a holo video channel to acting captain White.

"Okay, rock worshippers, I honestly would like to hear why you no longer have a Marker on this ship. You know where I came from and why."

"Miss Daniels." Eckhardt spoke first, "We saw... Another layer of truth. Let's say the holy Marker saved our souls but cannot maintain its physical shape, while its will is now carried by the Messenger."

"The number of Earthgov top brass who will buy your alien teenager love story can be counted on two hands. And church leadership?"

"You've been briefed on Project Oracle, right? Subject H may offer us a new approach. She's at least 75% as resistant as subject M, and the other kid, subject T, is approximately 65%. Excuse me, your professionalism on the mission has been spotless, but the current subliminal training made possible by Earthgov Internal Security and the Church could only reach 50% on a good day! For the energy side, you saw the destruction. I trust your department to find suitable means to harness it."

"Mr. Eckhardt. You know accountability is more than you and I putting down some reports in text-to-speech."

White interrupted: "Accountability isn't taking away survivors and drilling their memories either. I still have more than 400 living souls on this ship, they need help. If they get home happy they'll might even keep their mouths shut."

"Your boss can talk to me on the matter of costs." Eckhardt continued.

"EIS needs answers, not just payouts... You want me to sugarcoat this clusterfuck as the greatest discovery since Altman found the original Marker. It being true made things even worse for..."

Kyne interrupted her by waving the bottle in her face: "Miss Daniels. I had to calculate a way to kill my own god, and kill the phantom of my wife too, in the past few days. They both tried to kill me. Convergence is hell. What's the worst thing that could happen to me?"

"Shit. Shit, shit!"

"A very fair trade for your side! EIS back up my story, provide reports according to my outline. In return, I will offer full support on researching the Hyggs dynamics, an artificial bacteria that counteracts Necromorph growth, and the regeneration powers of Subject T. Brother Warren here will make sure Project Oracle stays a joint research between church and state."

"Okay, Doc, I can see what you wanted for yourself. You glassed the Marker. Revealing discovery of the Messenger is extremely risky; you need Earthgov to provide leverage, guarantee your safety against zealots. Eckhardt will have his name dragged for standing with you, too. No offense, you will become the next Altman, just that you won't enjoy it any more than he did."

"No offense, I have other plans for leveraging my safety. But let's look at it this way: EIS wouldn't want my enemies in the church to take my research, much less an open schism."

"Fine." Kendra snatched over the bottle and took a gulp, "Cheers, because we just dug our graves even deeper."

"Welcome to the CEC, masters of digging, you know?" Eckhardt tried to lighten the mood.

"Guys, guys." White spoke wearily, "An Earthgov ship already Shocked in, demanding us to stand down for inspections."

"This is the USM Valor. Ishimura, do you copy?"

"Ishimura listening, acting captain White here. We are going to drop the load and Shock to Wanat."

"You are illegally trespassing in a restricted system. Do not leave the current airspace! We need you to cut power and receive inspection. Fail to comply, and we will open fire on your engines."

Kyne stared at Kendra: "Are these your people?"

"Yes, but they have't gotten the memo yet." She shrugged and resumed working on a long letter to someone at higher authority, "We... Need to hold them back, it's information control."

"What's the worse they can do, just hold us here till we crash from orbit?" Eckhardt asked outside of speaker range, "Just let them board, there's more crew left than their boarders."

"Special forces aren't here to arrest the crew. They'll come as they want, copy logs, snatch everyone related to the Marker and nuke the ship. If you're lucky, genius, you will have a bright future mining plastic in the California dump zone. They'll put your alien kids in labs! And reassign me to a desk job in Milwaukee or somewhere, I don't know."

Shrugging, Kyne switched in: "Valor, we have a mass casualty incident onboard and raw biohazard substances. Hangar section is ground zero. "

"All crew and civilians onboard are now in the custody of the Earth Defense Force. Deactivate your weapons and engines!"

Thanks to its size, the Ishimura was arguably better armed than the average Earthgov destroyer on just one side. The ADS cannons were highly imposing even if they weren't all operational."

"Valor, we don't have two working wires on this ship, cutting power means we'll crash into the landmass. The entire hangar complex is broken, see for yourself."

"We'll have to engage the hostile boarding procedure then, Ishimura. Don't make this harder than it is."

"There! I've sent my request," Kendra said triumphantly.

Someone on the bridge crew gasped: "USM Valor is deploying gunships!"

From the destroyer's hangar, lights of Y-shaped propulsion trails emerged. They were hard targets for the ADS turrets, while each packed the firepower to crack open armored glass on the bridge. The gunships entered a constantly shifting 3-dimensional escort and surveillance formation around the Ishimura, posturing for extra threat.

"They aren't boarding... What are they waiting for?"

Eckhardt's question was soon answered: The bridge received another destroyer-sized shock signal, and then a much larger one. Camera links at the computer core showed the second spacecraft to be cigar-shaped, towering over the two destroyers.

"USM Abraxis and Victory... I think my message just got through." Kendra exhaled, "Another drink please."

"This is the USM Victory. Captain White, shut off your weapons and engines, disconnect gravity tethers. Tell all crew to shelter in place, we are going to tow you. This is your last warning."

"Oh fuck. Not what I meant..." She looked at Kyne, who buried his face in his palms, "Fuck, there's enough space to hold 400 people on that ship. For as long as they want."

"Ishimura speaking." White groaned into the video conference, "Our systems are in shit creek right now! See for yourself, if we ditch the rock, not even you can outrun the planet collapsing. Whatever you do, patch us up first!"

The Ishimura quaked with a muffled grinding screech.

"They're... Activating gravity tethers directly on our hull." Bridge crew reported.

Suddenly, the navigation interface was filled with shock signals: Dozens of them, minuscule compared to the warships, and the followed by two sizable blips. The small ones entered physical space first - not immediately identified, but all carrying identifiers belonging to the Church of Unitology.

The two much larger ships than Shocked out, both creations of Unitology's geometric gothic design philosophy, like pure white whale bones that grew into church spires. They came with their own ID profiles, carrying names foreign to all earth languages: Pilgrimage carrier ESV Ulmok and interstellar monastery vessel ESV Skiew.

"Altman be praised! They answered my call!" Eckhardt cheered, "We're not abandoned, Terrence."

The Ulmok established a video call, a blond woman in an ornate dress, surrounded by Enigma-masked, armed followers, bowed to the camera: "This is Choir Leader Le Guin of the Titan cathedral. I bring you word from the church of Unitology - the Ishimura and all onboard are now under the protection of the church! We will provide aid and spiritual healing at this site of tribulation."

The military channels were filled with disgusted muttering. To back up the claim, Skiew began deploying its own gunships and shuttles, simultaneously opening a channel as well: "Jacob Danik, at your service. Our brothers and sisters have endured a time of great sacrifice. Loved ones are waiting for them, for their witnessing of blood and glory."

"Le Guin... Won't be out of the good of her heart, but I guess she's worth talking to after all." Kyne rubbed his temples, "But Warren, how the fuck did you get Paragon Danik to leave his cave? Whose soul did you sell for the muscle?"

"This time it includes mine at least, Terrence."

One by one, the Earthgov gunships started to pull back, and the Victory soon deactivated its gravity tether. They still waited in silence for a word from higher up.

Finally, an old, authoritative-looking man appeared on the video link from the Abraxis. His hair was all white and wore a dress uniform instead of a spacesuit, giving him a refined, civil atmosphere. He waved for the other two ships to make some distance: "This is Major General Machette, Saturn Guard Force. My forces will leave the system, as we've seen the emergency reported by CEC is now under control. I trust the church can handle aid and repair on the Ishimura. Let's hope we don't meet on another such call, folks."

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"Shinatose 723 to unknown spacecraft, identify yourself!"

Warning: Signal strength unstable

Warning: Disconnected

"This is Unit 723 of Sidonia East 4th Corps, unknown spacecraft, do you read me? Respond!"

Warning: Incompatible file format

Warning: Gravity anomaly detected

"There's more? Oh no... Shinatose to Hazama squad and Takumi squad, I need backup. Help me record them while I relay videos to Sidonia. First time in how many centuries..."

"Have you tried using the non-Hyggs communicator?"

"Thanks, Takumi-san! Sorry. Okay, Shinatose Izana representing Seed Ship Sidonia. Unknown spacecraft, do you read me? ...Are you human?"