The year was 3465. Jin was twenty-nine years old.
"Hmm, I really want to find a proper way to settle things regarding Hale..."
Jin was lost in thought within his laboratory on Hourai Island.
"My Lord, if that is the case, perhaps you should consult with No. 700672? Alternatively, you could contact Testa on Onogoro Island through Marikka."
Laojun offered advice to its troubled master.
"Oh, good point. All right, let’s start by paying No. 700672 a visit. Reiko, we’re heading out."
"Yes, Father."
Using the permanent Warp Gate, Jin and Reiko made their way toward No. 700672's location.
They first arrived in the anteroom. Two Smiths dispatched by Jin were stationed there, ready to handle any unforeseen emergencies.
(Though Markitus isn't a threat yet, so there shouldn't be any real danger.)
Jin gave the two Smiths a word of thanks and proceeded toward the "White Room," the sanctuary where No. 700672 resided.
"Ah, Jin-dono. Welcome."
The ever-composed No. 700672 greeted them. As was his custom, Jin presented a bottle of Hourai Island’s special Persica juice as a gift.
"This is much appreciated."
The Persica juice was rich in free ether, making it both delicious and physically rejuvenating for a homunculus like No. 700672.
"What business brings you here today?"
Ever since recognizing Marikka of the All-Creation clan as the successor to his former masters—and thanks to Marikka’s own mediation—No. 700672 had become remarkably cooperative.
"Well, it's about Hale."
"I see. That is a subject of great interest."
Despite Jin’s vague opening, No. 700672 seemed to grasp his intent immediately.
"Hale is essentially my home world, after all. I’ve often thought that I would like to take Rouge and Neige there one day."
"I thought as much."
Jin then pointed out that while visiting Hale was currently possible, the environment was not fit for habitation.
"For starters, there's a severe lack of water."
Currently, the planet was eighty percent land and only twenty percent sea. Such a ratio made for an environment far too dry for most life forms to thrive.
"Indeed, that is true."
The Progenitors who once lived there had apparently resided in dome-shaped dwellings. Jin surmised that because these structures were climate-controlled, the inhabitants were able to maintain their health despite the arid conditions outside.
"In my estimation," No. 700672 said, "the Masters may have reduced the sea levels specifically to mine resources from the ocean floor."
"To do something like that..."
Jin felt a slight chill. Such an act would have fundamentally altered the planet's climate.
"The dry climate is likely a direct result of that..."
He also wondered how many species had gone extinct because of those changes.
"Yes, that is a concern. However, knowing the Masters, it is highly probable they implemented some form of species preservation."
No. 700672 suggested they might have established protected zones or stored genetic data.
"After all, destroying natural cycles like the food chain or biodegradation ultimately amounts to strangling oneself."
"You're right..."
Jin’s thoughts drifted back to Earth, remembering the countless species that had vanished there as well.
"Allow me to add one more thing. It is likely that the ecosystem and food chain of Ars is identical, or at least very similar, to that of Hale."
No. 700672 explained that such preservation measures were likely centered on the Lashier Continent, where humans did not yet reside.
"Testa on Onogoro Island might be more knowledgeable on that matter than I am."
"True enough."
Jin made a mental note to ask Testa about it later.
"We’ve strayed from the point. Knowing the Masters... I suspect they might have frozen the seawater and stored it elsewhere, perhaps even in space."
"I see. But we didn't find anything like that in Hale's satellite orbit."
"Is that so? Then perhaps it is stored further out than a standard orbit. Regardless, I do not believe the Masters would perform modifications that were truly irreversible."
He added a caveat, however—one could never be certain of what people might do when their own survival hung in the balance.
"My goal," Jin said, "is to restore Hale to its original state."
"Oh? And why is that?"
No. 700672 seemed genuinely intrigued.
"I have several reasons. First, I can't bear the thought of Hale, the cradle of humanity on Ars, being left in such a state."
"Mm."
"Second, I want Hale to serve as a refuge."
"A refuge?"
"Yes. If a cosmic disaster—like the recent long-period planet or space vibrations—were to threaten Ars, people could evacuate there."
Of course, the reverse was also true; Hale could just as easily be the one under threat.
"I see your point."
"The third reason is... for your sake, No. 700672."
"For mine?"
"Yes. You can’t move about freely here on Ars, but on Hale, you could. Besides, I think it would be better for Neige and Rouge to see a wider world."
The concept of character education was at the forefront of Jin's mind.
"And finally... there’s the possibility that I might live on Hale myself one day."
Jin—and by extension, Hourai Island—existed as an entity apart from the rest of the world of Ars. One could argue it might be simpler to just leave Ars behind entirely.
"Think of it as a place of retirement," Jin said with a chuckle.
"I see. I understand your feelings, Jin-dono."
No. 700672 nodded slowly.
"Restoring Hale to its former self... that will be a very long road."
"I'm sure it will."
"I, Neige, and Rouge can watch the passage of time required for such a feat, but as a human, you, Jin-dono..."
"I suppose you're right."
Having his lifespan indirectly addressed, Jin gave a faint, knowing smile.
"That 'place of retirement' isn't just for me personally."
There was Laojun, Reiko, the golems of Hourai Island, and the automata—all of whom had become semi-eternal beings.
"I'm worried about leaving them behind on Ars for many reasons. And besides," Jin continued, "my knowledge and experience will be carried on by my successors. As long as those things are being passed down, none of this will be a waste."
Jin declared firmly that he would redevelop Hale not for the immediate present, but for the sake of the distant future.
"I see... If you have thought that far ahead, Jin-dono, then you shall have my full cooperation."
"Thank you."
Thus, a cooperative relationship was forged between Jin and No. 700672. The Hale Restoration Project was officially drafted.
As the first stages:
- Restore Hale's oceans.
- Restore Hale's vegetation.
"I'll build a golem corps specifically for the restoration effort. I think we'll need about a thousand units to start. Then, I'll dispatch a spaceship to conduct a thorough search of space to see if the seawater is being stored out there somewhere."
And so, the long, long journey of the Hale Restoration Project began.