Arthur placed his pen down.
He leaned back in his chair, checking his watch.
It's time.
He headed to the courtyard, with a file in hand.
His shoes tapped against the tile floor.
Stopping at a coffee machine.
Arthur mixed his drink.
He looked into it.
His face tightened.
Failure is not an option.
Arthur took the mug, and continued to Tremor's workshop.
He paused at the noise from the training hall.
A faint smile appeared.
He arrived at the workshop and entered.
Arthur followed the sound of tinkering.
He stood behind Tremor.
Unnoticed.
He cleared his throat.
Tremor jolted, the floating parts dropped.
His glow dimmed.
He turned to face Arthur.
"What brings you here sir?"
Arthur placed the file on his desk.
"Data and an update on your research."
Tremor picked up the file.
"Are these the numbers from Art's investigation?"
Arthur placed his mug down.
"Yes."
Tremor tapped his chin, mumbling to himself.
"...This...means...cells."
Arthur tapped the desk.
"Explain."
Tremor closed the file.
"There is something I need to show you first."
Tremor reached for a flask, containing the void cell fluid.
His veins emitted a blue glow.
A metal part floated before him.
Tremor poured a drop onto it.
The part distorted.
It returned to the table.
With no movement.
The desire around it.
Absent.
As if it was never there.
Arthur's eyebrows twitched.
A familiar feeling.
It's the same as back then.
Tremor looked at Arthur.
"This is what I wanted you to see."
Arthur picked up his mug.
Tremor continued.
"The fluid reacts to the desire that produced it.
When it does, the resulting actions are erased."
Arthur took a sip.
"Is this being..."
He placed the mug down.
"...used in the city?"
Tremor opened the file.
"According to this data, yes."
Arthur touched his temple.
Which is why the Watchman...
Tremor pointed to the screen.
"The concentration levels are different. The north needs a higher percentage."
Tremor changed the display.
"The lab produces them."
Arthur exhaled.
"The north comes first."
Tremor nodded.
"One more thing, I detected another anomaly in the fluid."
Arthur's eyes twitched.
Tremor turned towards the suits.
"The cells don't react the same to Kane's suit as they do to the other's."
Arthur turned.
"Meaning?"
Tremor lifted one sleeve.
"The cells actively try to erase the desire residue on Art's suit. But for Kane, the cells pulse."
Arthur's voice lowered.
"This could be because Kane has no desire."
Tremor slightly shook.
His body remembered.
The cold presence.
Inside Kane.
Arthur noticed.
"Is that all?"
Tremor regained composure.
"The cells seem to choose what they erase or they are being controlled."
Arthur's head tilted.
This is—
Arthur paused.
He turned to the door.
"Good work Tremor."
Tremor returned to his desk.
Arthur exited the workshop.
Leaving his coffee.
He returned to his office, and began to work.
A lamp lit his desk.
The sun began to set.
Arthur leaned back.
Maker...
...
The next morning, Arthur gathered Art and Jean for a briefing
The room felt stiff.
Pens clicked.
Arthur pressed a button.
"Art, good work. Our information has increased."
Art nodded.
Jean raised her hand.
Arthur motioned towards her.
"What kind of information?"
Arthur placed his hands on the table.
"The void cell fluid usage."
Movement stalled.
Pens went silent.
Arthur sipped his coffee.
"We need answers."
His face tightened.
"Art–your mission is to investigate the northern district."
Art cleared her throat.
"That place is a massive wall. How am I going to get in?"
Arthur pointed at the screen.
"A transport truck."
Art's eyebrows twitched.
"What am I looking for in there?"
Arthur leaned back.
"Anything of importance."
Art studied the screen.
"We have no information on this place."
Arthur straightened his posture.
"This is important."
Art touched her temple.
She looked at Arthur.
His gaze was intense.
Not Angry.
Calm.
She lowered her hand.
"When do I depart?"
Arthur exhaled.
"Tomorrow morning..."
He continued.
"...take Kane as well."
Art's face tightened.
"Why?"
Arthur responded.
"Because this is too risky as a solo operation."
Art looked at Jean.
"What about her?"
"She will be given another assignment."
Art looked down.
"Yes sir."
Her thoughts wandered.
Why Kane...
Arthur changed the screen.
Jean finished writing.
"What will I be doing?"
He motioned to the screen.
"You will go to survey Maker's Lab."
She read the screen.
"What am I looking for?"
"Security details," he continued, "any other questions?"
Art sat still.
Jean spoke.
"What is the purpose of this?"
"For future infiltration."
Jean's eyes narrowed.
"When do I leave?"
Arthur sat back.
"Today."
Jean nodded.
Art's shoulders twitched.
He turned off the screens.
"Dismissed."
Art and Jean exited the briefing room.
Arthur turned towards the sun.
The wind picked up dust outside the window.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
I'll keep the promise...Rose.