🌑

Her pink eyes watch you as the door slides closed. You want to rush in, confront her, get answers. But you suppress the impulse.

2254-12-10 14:10:07 7 > Don’t.

She messages you as the heavy door slams shut with a clash of metal.

“Aydan!” Zeta calls out, running up to you.

“Was Vanitas in there?” Akiko signs.

“No. It was 7,” you sign.

Zeta glances at its terminal. “The transponder is definitely in that elevator,” it signs.

“Why would 7 have the device?” you sign. “She is Vanitas’s daughter, she must’ve been dragged into this somehow.”

“Do we treat her as an enemy then?” Akiko signs.

“I don’t know...she doesn’t seem happy about whatever’s going on. Not that she ever does, but...I want to know more,” you sign.

“Regardless, we may have to use force. Be prepared for that,” Akiko signs.

Above you, the elevator comes to a stop, as far up as it goes. You connect to its controller in the near-æther and try to recall it to the wall. But it doesn’t move.

“Come on...” You try the command again and again.

“Calm, Aydan,” Akiko signs. “Look deeper.”

Diving into the control processes, you see what you were missing. “A security lock!”

“Using the Admin’s authorization?” Zeta signs.

“Luckily not. She just locked it out herself,” you sign.

Staring up the maintenance elevator shaft, it seems to grow impossibly long as it blends into the near-æther in your vision. The stars through the glass above float in parallel with the constellations of the æther. And standing at the top of this tower to untouchable depths, you see 7’s avatar of liquid glass and reflective metal dust, staring down at you--challenging you.

2254-12-10 14:10:37 7 > you’ve never bypassed one of my locks, Aydan. give up. this doesn’t concern you anymore.