Lud had gathered all the battalion leaders to a conference to discuss how they will deal with the issue of the hivemind they have been tasked with.

Instead of Lud describing the situation, Tifa seems to be the one who is in charge of the discussion. She explains what info they got from the ambassador and about why she thinks they can't leave the hivemind due to their possible connection to Demiurge.

After Tifa is done explaining, Lych asks "Can we just… blow the space station up?"

Elisia responds to Lych's suggestion in a crafty tone "My my. Didn't think you would be so straight forward Lych."

Lych says "I mean… they didn't specify how we should deal with it. Wouldn't blowing the space station up solve the problem?"

Illi asks Tifa "Do we know if the hivemind can withstand the vacuum of space?"

Tifa says "According to the ambassador, they have found that it can indeed withstand space."

Illi asks further "Then with all that knowledge it might have, why hasn't it tried to traverse space in some shape or form?"

Tifa says "According to what they have found in Arcurus' notes so far, it seems that the hivemind has a type of ego who rather waits for people to come to it rather than it seeking them out themselves."

Lili says "So it thinks that people want to come to it? How presumptuous of a hivemind."

Tifa says "There is a chance, if the connection to the notorious D is true, that people would indeed come to it willingly."

Li asks "So this… person who we refer to as D for safety reasons… Is some sort of hijacker of people's self. Which means that they could, in theory, make people they have hijacked go to this hivemind by their own accord."

Tifa says "That is what could be."

Lili asks "Have people actually tried to fly to Babylon 12?"

Tifa says "All civil space travel in the Wefantz system has been halted, so apparently not. There are people who want to investigate the hivemind, but that too is not possible in most cases."

Brutus asks "In most cases?"

Tifa answers "Apparently an hour before this meeting, we heard that the upper echelon has approved some researchers to further investigate the site. They should have made contact with Babylon 12 by now. I haven't heard further news from them and I'm reluctant to use my own powers to investigate myself."

Sarah says "So the thing is that powerful that even you are afraid. I'm getting goosebumps."

Tifa reiterates "I didn't say that I'm afraid. I just don't want to risk contact with the hivemind if the possibility of D being involved is even considered."

Sarah says cheekily "Come on now. No need to be shy. Just admit that you are scared."

Tifa slams the table and shouts "I'm not scared!"

Lud takes a hold of Tifa's hand and looks at her for a moment to reassure she is safe.

Tifa takes a deep breath and says "Whatever. Think what you will, but know that I don't want to involve myself much further than this discussion."

There is a moment of silence for a while, until Lych breaks the silence by saying "So that is a no for the 'blow the space station' idea."

Tear says "Now that those arrogant elves have gone there, that is indeed the case. Doubly so."

Liz says "Given that blowing Babylon 12 would kill the research team and that the hivemind could just travel through space if they aren't properly killed in the hypothetical blast, yeah. Doubly so."

Marco says "I take it that going there and fighting it head on isn't an idea either."

Xu asks "If we are considering head on confrontation, I have to ask, do we know if the hivemind can infect non organic beings?"

Tifa says "There is a high chance that it can."

Xu ponders "Interesting. Truly interesting. For that level of infection from a biological being, it is truly impressive. If I may ask, do we know how it is possible?"

Tifa answers "We don't know, but the current hypothesis is that the hivemind can somehow influence the information aspect of aether."

Illi asks "But we don't know for sure if it can infect inorganic beings?"

Tifa answers "It hasn't been confirmed, but it is highly suspected."

Xu says "Being cautious of unfamiliar foes is indeed a wise choice, but some may argue being too cautious may hinder people's survival rate."

Tifa responds "Indeed, but if there is even a smidge of possibility that D is involved, then we cannot take any risks."

Brutus says "I still think this 'D' person we are talking about is a bit off the rails. We don't know where they are, where they came from, lack proof of what they can do and we aren't entirely sure if they even exist."

Tifa says "If the bastard who brought us here is anything to go by, then it is highly likely that D exists."

Marco says "I don't mean to doubt you, but Brutus does have a point. Maumar being the only one who confirmed D exists, while he himself is trustworthy, him being the only one being able to confirm D's existence does make the legibility of his claim into question."

Illi says "I agree with the dragon and the wolf, but I also think we should treat D as if they exist IF the threat, as the mind lady has explained it, exists."

Tear says "I agree with Illi in turn, but back to the topic at hand. How should we deal with the hivemind?"

Elisia looks at Li and asks "You seem to have been deep in thought for a while Li. Do you have any thoughts to share?"

Li responds "I have come to four different solutions to this problem, but it depends on one crucial thing."

Li looks at Tifa with a serious look and asks "Ms. Zolotifa. Considering that we have already agreed to play our hand on the matter, we have to act in one shape or form and doing nothing is not an option. With this in mind, I need to ask… How serious is the issue if we consider we might need to sacrifice one of our own?"

Tifa says "While we aren't in the hurry to respond, this matter has to be taken care of in one shape or form."

Li says "Ms. Zolotifa. You didn't answer my inquiry. Considering the being known as D possibly being involved and them being as powerful as you have explained being true, do we need to sacrifice one of our own to resolve the issue?"

Tifa is deep in thought for a moment before she answers "Unfortunately, that might be necessary in case the hivemind decides to spread to other Babylon stations."

Li says "Then I give you four possible solutions. Solution A can be set into two parts. We ask, either Ms. Ao or Ms. Tokiko to send Babylon 12 into either an isolated place in one of the galaxies in the three realms, or to somewhere in the abyss."

Tear says "I like how we aren't even considering the safety of those elven researchers in this one."

Tifa thinks for a moment and says "There are three problems with this solution.

First is that Ao has refused to place her hand on this matter and Toki is nowhere to be found.

Second is that sending Babylon 12 into an isolated place in space doesn't necessarily solve the problem and may one day come biting back.

Third is that sending the hivemind into the abyss might have unforeseen consequences. The worst of which is that it becomes a singular being."

Li says "Solution B is to ask Mercy or Perkele to change the essence of the hivemind to something more harmless."

Tifa responds by saying "There are two risks regarding that solution.

First is that we cannot risk contaminating either of the two since it risks the hivemind evolving somehow through either of their powers.

Second isn't necessarily a problem if we go with Mercy, but convincing Perkele to do anything is always something that comes with risks attached. Just look at how the Banquet went."

Li says "Solution C is to immolate the whole Babylon 12 with three possible methods. One is giving Sarah enough mana to use a powerful spell, second is to ask Atkoosa to summon a sun big and hot enough for the job, and third is if the star elves have some sort of weapon of their own."

Tifa responds by saying "This solution risks either Sarah or Atkoosa being contaminated by the hivemind. There is also the issue of assuming that star elves may or may not have something that can destroy Babylon 12 cleanly without anything escaping."

Li says "Solution D is to use Sarah's signature move Mṛtyuḥ punarjanma in a way that only the hivemind is erased by the flame."

Tifa responds by saying "This of course has the issue of Sarah having the need to make contact with the hivemind as well as the nature of the whole spell. We aren't sure if Sarah is cut out to pull something like that off."

Li says "Those were the solutions I have come up with. If there are any others, then I'm welcome to hear them."

There is a brief silence before Lud says "No matter which we choose, there are significant risks with each one."

Sarah says "I'm fine with anything, but I'd like to test if I can pull the last solution off, so I vote for it."

Xu says "Considering the risks with each, I'd say solution C is the most viable option. It is a shame that we can't save the scientists in this solution, but I cannot vote for any other solution."

Illi says "I agree with my creation. Personally I'd like to see if the grey long ears have anything like that in storage. I vote for solution C."

Tear says "While I'd love to see those elven bastards die, considering politics in this matter, we should go with solution D."

Elisia says "I'm surprised Tear. I would have expected you'd take every opportunity to send us elves to our graves."

Tear responds by saying "While I'd pick solution C any day personally, considering the political impact it might have, I see that, unfortunately, solution D is our most valid option."

Lych says "I have to agree with Elisia. That is a surprising thing to see. If it were the olden days, I'd say that you wouldn't even consider the other solutions."

Tear gets a little irritated by this and says "Screw off elf scout bastard. I also see there being an opportunity to ask permission to gather intel from Babylon 12 as compensation for the trouble."

Elisia leans her cheek on her hand and says "My my. Our little spider has grown. I also vote for solution D."

Lych raises his hand and says "I also put my vote in solution D now that the possibility of gathering intel was brought up."

Marco says "While I see the risks of this solution, I put my vote on solution B."

Liz says "I'll also put my vote to solution B. We might gain another ally if it succeeds."

Brutus says "I'd like to see the firework of solution C, so I'll put my vote on it."

Lili says "I'd personally like to measure the amount of mana or aether that is needed to go with solution A. Granted, I'm the only vote for that, but still."

Tifa asks Li "What about you Li?"

Li answers "I'd rather we find better solutions than what I proposed, so I vote for nothing."

Tifa comments "Well the most popular solutions are the ones that risk your child specifically, so I'm not that surprised."

Lud says "So… Solution A got one vote, solution B got two votes, solution C got three votes and solution D got four votes."

Lud looks at Li and says "Li… as things stand, we are about to go through with solution D, which puts your precious child at risk as well as my wife. Are you sure you are fine with this?"

Li answers "Thank you for your consideration, my lord, but if that is the result of the vote, then I'm fine with it."

Lud asks "Are you sure? If Sarah dies or is corrupted by the hivemind, then you will lose the most precious thing to you at the moment."

Li answers "The most precious thing for me is, and hasn't changed for a moment, the peace of my people. As a ruler, I'm sure you understand this."

Elisia comments "Isn't that a little harsh to say while your daughter is in the room? Quite brazen."

Li responds by saying "Even still."

Lud says "Right. So the final verdict is that we go with solution D. Are there any complaints?"

No one says a word, so Tifa says "As the one in charge of this meeting, I conclude it by saying that Sarah and Li should prepare to execute the plan as flawlessly as possible. Darling, anything else?"

Lud says "Nothing. Dismissed."

And so, Sarah and Li practiced hard so that there won't be any errors when going through with the skill. They practiced by taking an apple from a tree and making Sarah focus on only getting rid of the apple and the tree. It took a couple of tries and close calls, but by the time the transport came, they were ready.

Tear and Lili, along with some personnel from their battalions, went with Sarah to the station to negotiate the compensation that would be the info left behind after the purge of Them.

The negotiations went smoothly and Sarah was off to go to Babylon 12 to make contact with the hivemind that she will use the skill Mṛtyuḥ punarjanma.

Once Sarah made contact with the Them, she used the skill "Mṛtyuḥ punarjanma" and green and white flames began to purge the hideous mass of flesh that was Them.

Eventually Them was purged and the spacestation was cleaned. Unfortunately, by purging Them, the scientists that came to Babylon 12 beforehand were left in a coma due to them being infected by Them and Sarah erasing Them from their heads.

Tifa and Lili went through with the investigation of Babylon 12, which took a couple of weeks.

The results were sent to both USEG and Elysium for further study, but unfortunately, what was left from the corruption didn't bear mention of Demiurge for one single time. The mysterious sample that Arcturus used in making Them remained unnamed.

Since nothing was left but corrupted notes of Pluto, the sample that was used remained classified as an "alien sample".

There were no obvious signs of infection on Sarah as she spent the duration of the investigation of Babylon 12 while being monitored by USEG, Tifa, Li and Elisia.

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