[One hundred years ago]
Two weeks later, Cordelia makes yet another visit to the central laboratory. "Please tell me you have something to report," she greets as she enters the lab.
"We do, Your Majesty," the lead researcher assures. "We've made our first real breakthrough."
Cordelia's face lights up. "Excellent news!" she chimes, suddenly a lot friendlier. "Please, tell me more."
[Present day]
«Cordelia audio log #2»
«Finally! Some real progress! It's not much, just a few cells, but it's a start. I've never seen anything like it before! Dragon cells more perfect and pure than even the purest dragon! If only Zynnia could see me now… But I'm not worried about her anymore. She won't find this place, not until it's too late!»
The recording ends.
"Short and scary," Carol comments.
"They were engineering perfect dragon cells…" Lilac tails off.
"We don't have time to worry about that now," Carol reminds.
"OK," Lilac accepts, but she can't shake the nagging doubt forming in her mind.
[One hundred years ago]
A few weeks later, Cordelia is back in the lab, and she's very unhappy. "What do you mean, they all died‽" she demands.
"My apologies, Your Majesty, but they just weren't viable," the lead researcher explains.
"But you told me they would be!" Cordelia reminds forcefully.
"I said we'd do our best," the researcher corrects.
"Your best isn't good enough!" Cordelia snaps. "I better see some real progress next time!"
[Present day]
«Cordelia audio log #3»
«Useless, the lot of them! They can't even get simple things right! They better shape up quick, or they're out of here!»
The recording ends.
"Well, that was unexpected," Carol comments.
"There's an addendum," Lilac informs, starting playback.
«Cordelia audio log #3 ‑ Addendum»
«OK, maybe I'm being too harsh on them. After all, what they're doing is extremely difficult. Genetic engineering is the most complex of all the biochemical sciences, and I should be more understanding. But every day we suffer a setback is another day for Zynnia to learn about what's going on here. We cannot afford any more delays.»
The recording ends, and the girls share worried looks.
"We can't waste any more time," Carol decides. "We must find my sister and stop her."
"But I want to find out if my relative saved the world," Lilac protests.
"We're living proof she did," Carol replies. "Especially you, as her descendant."
"I'm still listening to the rest," Lilac asserts.
"Don't fall behind," Carol shrugs.
Lilac starts the next recording.
[One hundred years ago]
A couple of weeks later, Cordelia pays another visit to the lab after receiving some promising news.
"You have something to show me?" she asks the lead researcher.
"Indeed, Your Majesty," the researcher confirms. "Please, follow me."
The researcher leads Cordelia over to an incubator, inside of which are five tiny lifeforms, each no larger than a mouse.
"Is this it‽" Cordelia asks, disappointed.
"They may not look like much, but they're the first successful prototypes," the researcher explains. "Now we know how to create stable lifeforms, we can start to scale up step by step until we reach the target size."
"How long will that take?" Cordelia asks.
"It's hard to say," the researcher explains. "We may encounter unexpected complications as we increase the size and complexity of the creatures, complications we will of course have to resolve."
"Two weeks," Cordelia decides. "If I don't see progress by then, I won't be kind."
"Understood, Your Majesty," the researcher accepts. "We'll do our best."
[Present day]
«Cordelia audio log #4»
«Today, I was shown the first prototypes. Pathetic creatures they were, but they showed that it's possible to create life with perfect purity. Now all that needs to happen is for them to be made bigger. Seems simple enough: do the things you do for the small ones, just bigger. But the lead researcher kept going on about 'complications'… In other news, I've been getting headaches quite regularly. My physician assures me it's just stress, and that I should relax more. And he's got a point: I've been so worried about Zynnia finding out that I've been pushing the researchers very hard. However, as much as I need to relax, I cannot allow this facility to get complacent. The longer we take, the more likely it is we get discovered, and the more likely it is the Lilac family will be able to spread their false ideas to everyone else, and bring about the end of our noble race. We are not meant to be hybrids: we are meant to be pure. And Zynnia will either see the light, or die.»
The recording ends.
"Genetic engineering," Lilac breathes, her blood like ice in her veins.
"What's that?" Milla asks.
"It's when scientists fiddle with DNA to change how living things grow and develop," Carol explains. "It can be used to cure disease… or it can be used to make terrible bio‑weapons."
"Is that what the Bakunawa is?" Milla continues.
"I'd rather stop my sister before we find out," Carol answers.
"There's more recordings," Lilac informs.
"And you want to play them," Carol guesses. "If you insist."
Lilac plays the next message.
[One hundred years ago]
A month has passed since the first prototypes, and during that time, Cordelia's health has begun to deteriorate. However, she continues to push herself hard, in violation of her physician's advice. And once again, she's in the central research lab.
"Your Majesty," the lead researcher greets. "Are you feeling well?"
"Well enough," Cordelia assures, though the researcher can see she's suffering. "Where's the third‑generation prototype? And how many more generations do you need? I can't afford any more delays."
"We're working flat‑out, Your Majesty," the researcher assures. "We see the need for no more than two more generations before we'll have the finished product."
"Person," Cordelia insists. "Show some damn respect."
"Of course, my apologies." The research leads Cordelia over to an incubator much larger than any previous, inside of which is the clear form of a child‑sized reptilian creature. "As you can see, we've solved the problems presented to us by scaling up to making a complete creature, but we've not yet reached the stage where we can create one that is already fully grown."
Cordelia stares at the creature in the incubator for several moments before answering. "What's the hold up now?"
"Unforeseen complexities of synthesising a creature that has already passed puberty," the researcher explains. "However, with this prototype, we can finally apply the procedure for rapid aging, examine what happens, and work that knowledge into the next generations."
"Will it survive?"
"Likely not. Is that a problem?"
"Not at all. These prototypes are just that: prototypes. I only care about the final creation."
"Very well," the researcher accepts. "I do have one more question: what element do you wish us to use? We must know before we move onto the next stage."
Cordelia thinks for a moment. "Water."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. Get it done."
[Present day]
«Cordelia audio log #5»
«The third‑gen prototype was shown to me today… The second generation was a total failure, and I was about ready to dismiss all the researchers, but they pulled through and showed they do know what they're doing. This latest prototype was a genuine complete creature, even if it was just a child. Still, it makes the perfect vessel for the next stage. It won't survive, but all I care about is the final creature, the one that will help me purify the dragon race, and extinguish the corrupt harlots like Zynnia Lilac once and for all!»
The recording ends.
"I feel sick," Milla groans.
"It's disgusting," Carol agrees.
Lilac, however, is totally silent.
The trio stops, Carol and Milla concerned for their friend. "Lilac? Are you OK?" the wildcat asks.
Lilac looks up from the recording device, tears in her eyes. "How could my people be so heartless?"
"I wouldn't call this Cordelia 'your people'," Carol comforts.
"But she's a dragon," Lilac reminds. "Like my relative."
"She may be a dragon, but she's not like your relative," Milla assures. "Zynnia sounds like a wonderful person, just like you."
Lilac takes a deep breath. "You're both right, of course," she agrees, dabbing her eyes dry. "Let's continue."
Together, Team Lilac resumes their search.