Where are you?

[star_of_sad]

[1]
[Setsuko is busy, very busy. She's sitting in front of a computer console, and the surrounding area is covered in notes she made during her research.]

Kaiju, BETA, Wulgaru, the Noise, so many others... it's hard to judge if humanity is winning, or losing.

[Just taking a glance on her reading material makes it obvious that she's focused not only on enemies of humanity.

She's searching for something, anything at all, related to the now-defeated black stranger, the Virgolas, and their mass produced version, the Canis. Beating her head against military secrets, insufficient clearance and plain old lack of news means Setsuko learnt very little.]

Just... where are you? I know you must be somewhere out there. You have to be.

Wouldn't it be better to go out into the world and hope to randomly stumble upon, well, something? That sounds exactly what Lt Watson would do. But if I do that, there's no guarantee I'll find anything.

[She sighs and goes back to work.]

[2]
[The work lasted long into the night. Setsuko is still at her desk - asleep on her own stack of papers, without any sheet or cover.]

Comments

1

[majestic_keiki]

Still nothing?

[Walking up to the busy worker, Kei put down a cup of tea for her in an open space between the papers.]

[star_of_sad]

It's not entirely nothing. Just... nothing that is useful.

At least I know there have been no important Noise attacks since two months ago.

[majestic_keiki]

That would have been bad, Tsubasa would have had to deal with them alone.

And I see...He's got to be somewhere and sooner or later someone will find him.

[star_of_sad]

I know. I know we'll find him - but not by sitting around and doing nothing.

There must be more to do than this.

[Setsuko gestures at the ever-growing stacks of paper, frustrated.]

I wish I had some kind of connection network. Finding one person on a big planet is so hard...

[majestic_keiki]

Yeah, I was keeping an eye out for you until you were found, not much came in and people mentioned the sheer size of the planet. But he'll most likely explain who he is and any authorities in ESUN lands would likely seek to have him reunited with us.

[star_of_sad]

Do you think it is best to focus on non-ESUN territory, then?

[majestic_keiki]

I would think so.

[star_of_sad]

That makes sense, doesn't it. Too bad countries and organisations that reside there aren't exactly eager to share information...

[majestic_keiki]

Yes, that's the problem...At least it means the area you need to investigate is smaller.

[star_of_sad]

Perhaps I really should do some in-person investigating instead. The area I need to look at is smaller - and searching the networks isn't helping.

[majestic_keiki]

There are still news and reports coming in from it, just less.

[star_of_sad]

That's true. It's also harder to gain access to confidential information.

Well. More like it's completely impossible for someone like me.

[majestic_keiki]

Right...But regardless, he should be somewhere safe. You told me about how it works, so it should be the same for him.

[star_of_sad]

Yes, you're right. I'm not panicking for To- lt Watson's safety. I'm trying to find him methodically.

I'm sure I'll do it... eventually.

[majestic_keiki]

Right. With modern technology and the amount of effort you're using, you will.

[star_of_sad]

Thank you, Kei. You're always so supportive. The way you said it really reassures me.

[majestic_keiki]

[Kei shuffled her feet slightly, pausing for a long bit, before just managing a faint smile.]

Thanks.

[star_of_sad]

You're welcome. Everything I just said is true.

[If only Setsuko's smile was so genuine.]

[majestic_keiki]

I'm sorry...I just made it all worse, didn't I?

[star_of_sad]

No! No, you didn't.

It's just that...

It's really hard to act like everything's fine, you know? Especially when it isn't.

[majestic_keiki]

I know...

But I don't think you have to. It's natural to be worried about him.