The Cril swirled its pseudopods in the water, idly flashing through the color spectrum as the scientist fiddled with the intake tube. Helix had skimmed the schematics of this craft, so he understood the system that would deploy an underwater drone to release the specimen into the wild. Qalu watched with interest as Surzahn transferred the Cril once more and then fired off the command that began the process.

They watched through the external sensors, though it was a bit hard to see, still dark and dim with no other life stirring in these silent waters. The drone came out the side of the pod and moved off according to Surzahn’s commands, as he was piloting remotely. When there seemed to be sufficient distance, he deployed the release protocol and the bot rotated, permitted the Cril to pass into the ocean unfettered. At first the little creature only drifted and then it moved off with more determination, a tiny spark of hope for the irradiated world.

Helix kept his gaze trained on the display until even the faintest hint of those shifting colors faded from sight. “That was…unexpectedly inspiring.”

“I hope the Cril survives,” Qalu said.

“As do I.” The scientist seemed torn between anxiety and hope, claws resting against the display screen for a few moments.

It must be difficult to let the specimen go. Surzahn had devoted so much time and attention to it, but the release was also an act of faith, an expression of hope that if he kept to his current course, he could make Altarion better. After a while, the scientist centered himself and got them moving back toward the habitat. As the Vault coalesced out of the murky shadows, a grim feeling took hold, nothing he could explain, but as tight as it was in this pod, he felt considerably worse about leaving it.

That doesn’t make any sense.

Once they passed through all the checkpoints and returned from whence they’d come, Surzahn offered them both a gesture of respect. “Thank you for sharing that moment with me. I’ll be tracking the Cril and if you’d like, I could send a message apprising you of its progress.”

“I would love that,” Qalu said quickly. “Use this code. Under the circumstances, I may not be able to check it often, but I do look forward to hearing from you.”

At her words, a knowing look flashed across the scientist’s countenance. “Yes, I imagine there are good reasons for you to be cautious. Everyone in the Vault has a story, but I won’t ask for yours if you don’t pry into mine.”

“An equitable trade,” Helix said.