Conversation · Kim Kitsuragi

"They're not going to go for this speculation in the Constabulatory."

"The perpetrator seemed intoxicated somehow. Like an addict. It's just a hunch, but..."

"There are species of bees that, under the influence of kairomones, take wasp larvae to their hives. Ants do the same with aphids thinking they're..." he stops. "Do you think this is how it's stayed hidden?"

"It had gathered items in its nest: a helmet and a scope."

"I think it reproduces by parthenogenesis."

"As in cloning itself? What makes you think so?"

"Just a hunch."

"Well -- then it wouldn't matter if it's male or female. The bower would just be rudimentary behaviour from before the parthenogenetic mutation."

That makes sense, yes.

"Very interesting." He looks around, quickly assessing the coast. "Such organisms are extremely vulnerable to disease. A single strain of bacteria could wipe out the whole species. We're probably looking at conservation efforts here..."

In his mind he's already planning a nature reserve and knows a good guy for that.

"Interesting... Then it is especially vulnerable to disease. A single strain of bacteria could wipe out the entire species. We're probably talking conservation efforts here..." He looks around, quickly assessing the coast.

"It told me."

"Mhm..." He ignores your answer. "Then it wouldn't matter if it's male or female. The bower would just be rudimentary behaviour from before the parthenogenetic mutation."

"Interesting..." He ignores your answers. "Then it is especially vulnerable to disease. A single strain of bacteria could wipe out the entire species. We're probably talking conservation efforts here..." He looks around, quickly assessing the coast.

"Observation."

"Its nervous system may be stored in its long limbs."

"Like a cephalopod's? Phasmids, I think, only have nerves in their heads and abdomens, though... there is a correlation between invertebrate size and intelligence. Was it...?"

"No. I wouldn't say it was..." He looks to you.

"To me it seemed to have... some character."

He nods. "At that size, this creature would have a lot of surface area to put neurons into. It's basic geometry."

"It was a sensing entity. There was something there."

"Intelligent? It behaved like an insect."

"Of course. I'm getting ahead of myself. Stick insects have primitive nervous systems. Still -- this creature would have a lot of surface area to put neurons into..."

(Conclude.) "It had mandibles that looked like hair. And it was completely white on the inside."

"Yes, but also reed-coloured -- beige and brown, a little green -- on the outside. After unfolding from a single stalk, it still retained parts that looked like reed tufts on its limbs."

"Incredible..." he repeats, turning to Vicquemare. "The PR value of this is exceptional. 'Cop Discovers New Species.' Maybe even: 'Discovers the Insulindian Phasmid.' No... That's too much."

"This would really help with some of the... problems we've been having."

"Absolutely -- this is great. This does not say 'vigilante murderers' to me at all. This says: science, news, human interest." He smiles. "You know, it's a really good thing you have that photo."

"Without it..." He shakes his head.

You're doing good here. Perhaps only for a moment, but still...

Quit while you're ahead? Or... no?

"Incredible..." he repeats, turning to Vicquemare. "It's a toughie that you don't have a photo. This would look very, very flashy in the papers. None of it says vigilante murderers to me at all. Great PR."

"I tried to... but I only got a blur."

Ouch...

"We can still work 'Cop Discovers New Species' in there. I know a good guy in La Majeste. But only after the École Supérieure people find it. This cannot be done by fringe people."

"It needs to be white coats and glassware for this fly. We need professionals..." He looks at the reeds.

In the mist-coloured distance over the water, nothing moves. No trace of it...

"The previous head of the Débardeurs' Union was assassinated by our killer."

"This is a conversation for when we are no longer out in the open, in Martinaise, where Evrart and Edgar Claire have ears everywhere." The lieutenant lowers his voice -- just a little.

And eyes too -- your return from the island must not have gone unnoticed.

"Understood. Of course."

But a case against Evrart would be big...

"I would prefer not to partake in anything Union-related." The consultant, too, has lowered his voice. "For political neutrality."

This has to be good stuff for him to backpedal out of it at first mention.

"What?" He lowers his voice. "On behalf of..."

"The fatso."

"For the sake of political neutrality I would like to not partake in anything Union-related."

This has to be good stuff for him to backpedal out of it at first mention.

"The fuck, you puss? This'll send shit flying. Trust Cuno. Grandpa laid down some real shit. Conspiracy-style."

"If that's even remotely true, then a clandestine investigation will be required. It smells like bad news to me -- a classic shitkid case that'll get people killed. Or fired."

Not discussing it further out here in the open is probably a good idea. People must have seen you return from the island. Word travels fast...

Just nod.

"Edgar Claire."

"So what do you say? Wanna take this hot shit back?" (Point to yourself.)

"It may only be a small thing, but I found a man's jacket!"

"Yes, we can see the jacket. Fuck the world. Fuck police duty. Fuck Jean Vicquemare -- that's what it says to me. Fuck me. We've been through this."

Dammit. Not that jacket, the one you got for the Doom Spiral. Forget it... It's not worth the effort.

"Yes, we can see the jacket. 'Hey everybody -- I'm working undercover in a hard fetish gang. I don't care about anyone or anything.' We've been through this."

"You're right. It's is a small thing." He looks around. "Does anyone care? About a jacket? No one?"