The surface of Kahje appears to move in slow motion, offsetting the lit holospheres like distant bulbs of ornamentation on an otherwise liquid spruce tree. The shine of the Normandy's lights on the water from far above grow dimmer, until the dark swirling waters resolutely claim their blackness again.
Branth steps up to him in the observation lounge as they watch it move under the ship, all of the Encompassing a morass. "It's starkly depressing, but beautiful," Branth says, looking out with him as rain speckles the glass.
"There are beaches I walked along with my son and my wife," he whispers, throat tight with rough pearls as he speaks, his eyes wet, "…Beaches that are open…One can feel the sand between their toes without anything sharp or brittle…" He feels his chest tighten.
The color of one patch of ocean before them starts to lighten and froth as some cetacean comes out of the water and submerges again, a blast of foam leaving its nostrils on its back…The color instantly reminds him of his son's color, his face, his skin.
"Don't lose hope, Thane," Branth looks from the mesmerizing wildlife's excursion to the surface and back down to its mysterious depths, "…We may still be able to find him…Keep searching, and I'll ask EDI to take care of the databases."
"Already done," the ship's AI intones, "…I have found something interesting, Sere Krios, Commander."
Branth's eyes look up from Thane's, "…What did you find, EDI?"
He touches his lips together in a smile as they listen, "…The Citadel." Branth gives the order to not delay.
She leaves him in Observation, and Thane turns to see the glass of the observation room's view suddenly close him off from Kahje.
Branth turns at the door, "…We can get him."
"Thank you, Siha."
"What," she hesitates, opens the door and goes outside into the main deck area. Branth can ask him later, but right now, she needs to inform the others what's happening if EDI doesn't beat her to doing so first.