Lapis Sepulcrum-3

The dead were not where they left them

There is a debt thus owed

[FFWD: 01:07:56]

[RESUME PLAYBACK]

The Hunter and Titan have been lost near the Glykon's bow for over an hour. The ship's internal layout no longer matches its schematics. Corridors lead where they should not, while Egregore chokes entire sections of the vessel. Marshall stops at another junction.

"We've passed this three times. We should've reached the bridge by now."

Ivy-3 checks the wall markings.

"This says medical."

Marshall's Ghost projects a map. He studies it, then ignites his hammer. Ivy turns.

"Don't."

He swings. The wall gives way.

"ARE YOU TRYING TO IGNITE A FUEL LINE, YOU MEATHEAD?!"

Marshall peers through the breach.

"I mean... it worked."

Beyond it lies a maintenance corridor leading toward the bridge. Minutes later, Marshall stops at a vent.

"What's wrong?" Ivy asks.

He drops through without answering. Ivy follows. The bridge below is overgrown with Egregore. The platform where VIP #2014 reported the remains of a Lightbearer is empty.

Ivy stares.

"What the..."

Marshall's Ghost appears.

"Time."

The survey team is seven minutes overdue.

Marshall raises the comm.

"Phoebe? Come in."

Static.

"The remains are gone. I don't think we're alone."

Static.

"Phoebe?"

Nothing.

Ivy's Ghost sweeps a beam across the floor. A trail of viscous fluid leads from the empty platform toward a broken bulkhead.

"Marshall."

He joins her.

"You need to see this."

Neither speaks. They run.

Ten minutes later, they reach the hangar. The rendezvous point is empty. Marshall checks the ships.

"They should've fallen back here."

Ivy looks toward the corridor where the survey team disappeared.

"Yeah. Well, they didn't."

They check their weapons. Then go after them.

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