Baths were always calming. Queen Vraxi's stress would ebb away into the ripples of the water, leaving her free to focus on what mattered. And with the impending announcement of her great exodus, she needed every mental advantage she could get.

The Dynix family's bathhouse was a well-lit, tiled chamber with a grand pool in the centre, big enough for several genofexians to bathe in. A set of pillars encompassed the pool, each supporting its own bushy, vine-like plants with gentle streams running down into the water. All in all, it created an exceptionally relaxing atmosphere.

The queen's choice of aromatic flowers and leaves dotted the water's surface, infusing the water with a calming, delicious essence she could “taste” with the exposed skin between her exoskeletal plates. Her flesh would absorb the water via osmosis, hydrating her for at least half of the coming day.

It was exactly what Vraxi needed after Zexterze's strange cave revelation. Tranquility granted her mental clarity, giving her time to arrange an effective speech in her head. Public speaking was hardly ever a concern to her, but the idea of her plans being ill-received by the public was a nightmare scenario to avoid at all costs. Naturally, a strong speech would reduce that risk.

Then, the click of a door caught her attention. She looked over to the far right side of the room – the entrance was ajar with a silhouette in the doorway. She couldn't make out many details from that far away, but there were only two people it could have been: Daxtra or Fortress. As the figure closed the door and approached, Daxtra's familiar visage stepped clearly into view.

Vraxi tried to greet them, but no words came from her ruxvy. She quickly remembered she'd removed it while disrobing for her bath, leaving her without the ability to speak.

“Hello,” she signed to them instead. “Here to join me in the water?”

“You tempt me so,” Daxtra answered, signing back despite wearing their ruxvy. They walked closer and undressed to the nude before dipping their toes into the pool, slipping into the water beside Vraxi.

“The announcement,” the queen began, skipping over the usual pleasantries. “I speak, you sign, yes?”

“Of course. Do you have a speech ready?”

“I'm working on it.” It was a not-so-subtle hint that she required the tranquility to continue her planning. But to show her good graces, she reached over and clasped two of their hands.

“...Would a wash help?” Daxtra offered.

A fleeting thrill washed over Vraxi's senses. It was a loving, intimate request that would certainly lead to a passionate encounter between the two genofexians, but that day, time was a scarce and precious resource.

“I would love nothing more... but I can't. Not now, at least. Perhaps tonight, if you're free?”

“As you wish, my queen.” Daxtra squeezed her hands.

The two royals leaned back and enjoyed the serenity together, with Vraxi's mind busy forming the announcement for later that day.

~~~

Rejuvenated after their soak, Vraxi and Daxtra walked through the citadel's halls in their most elegant attire, heading for the building's topmost balcony. The queen had ordered her four remaining attendants to gather the staff needed for a live broadcast, which would play in every home with an electronic screen connected to Zetomerxy's local network. She expected the crew to be ready by the time she arrived.

“You're prepared, I assume?” Daxtra asked.

“As prepared as I can be on short notice.”

“Remember, we all support you.”

Vraxi remained stoic, even if the reassurance did help ease her mind.

After ascending the stairs to the balcony's entrance, Daxtra opened the door for her, revealing a domed room with a large curtain on the opposite end. Her attendants were lined up on the left side of the room, staring ahead in perfect formation.

Everything must be prepared, then. Excellent.

The two rulers pushed past the curtain, stepping out onto the balcony illuminated by Ytti's star. Several citadel staff members were standing with electronics and cameras all prepared. One of the staff – a relatively short, pure white genofex – guided Vraxi to a precise position in front of the camera, and then brought Daxtra over to a spot just beside her. Vraxi would be in the forefront of the shot, with Daxtra visible enough for the public to read their sign language.

The worker circled the royals, looking them over, checking for any visual imperfections. Satisfied, they hustled over behind the main camera.

“Ready, Mother?” they signed.

Vraxi raised one of her left hands beside her head, and the worker mirrored her response.

Above the camera, they raised a few fingers. Three... two... one... and then a clenched fist. A small magenta light on the front of the camera blinked to life.

“Awoken again, citizens of Zetomerxy. The following is a message of critical importance that affects every living genofex.” Vraxi paused for a few moments, staring directly into the camera. “As you are aware, the DT-Breach pandemic has eliminated billions of our species. The suffering and grief caused by this plague is unprecedented for our kind, and many of you have looked to the Dynix family for protection, relief, and guidance.

“When the devastating nature of Breach became apparent to us, we immediately sought methods to halt its spread among our population. Unfortunately, we soon discovered that Breach is like nothing we've ever encountered before; it is not a virus or bacteria, but an unidentified form of amoebic parasite that we are not able to resist in any capacity, even with our latent medical technology. We are not the only ones at risk, either – the environment outside Zetomerxy is succumbing to the effects of Breach, destroying both flora and fauna.

“There is a harsh truth that must be well understood by all genofexians: Ytti is no longer hospitable to us. If we remain here, if our border malfunctions in even the smallest manner, DT-Breach will invade Zetomerxy and we will cease to exist. Even under the most optimal conditions, Zetomerxy will only be able to support us for two years, at most, before we start seeing widespread economic collapse due to the fall of other major nations. An enormous overhaul would have to be made to our industry and society to become sustainable without any trade routes, but due to this pandemic, we no longer have the luxury of time to make such changes.

“I say this not to spread fear and panic, but to convey how important the following announcement is for the continued survival of our species. Grand Devotion – the largest spacecraft our kind has ever seen – is nearing completion. It is capable of sustaining several million genofexians; more than enough to house the entire population of Zetomerxy. With it, our species can finally rid itself of the constant fear and terror of Breach, and we will no longer have a deadline for our society's collapse.

“To survive DT-Breach, we must become a spacefaring species. We no longer have any other choice.

“Each and every genofex listening to this message has a home in the Grand Devotion. The ship is currently being outfitted with the luxuries and comforts you are familiar with in your daily life here in Zetomerxy, and while it may require some adapting, you will find that life in the Grand Devotion is equally as pleasant as Zetomerxy once was, pre-pandemic. Homes are larger, more furnishings are available, internal transportation is more efficient, bio-decks mirroring Ytti's natural environment are open to all, and most importantly, it is safe.

“I estimate that the Grand Devotion will launch two seasons from now. After it launches, it will not return to Ytti. It will remain in the planet's orbit until we are certain we have not left anyone behind, after which point we will begin our journey as spacefarers. Our leading astronomers have identified at least one habitable planet within our subspace range that we may travel to. We are not yet sure if we will colonize this planet, or any planet at all, for that matter. However, we will have more than enough time to make an informed decision on the matter once we are aloft, and every genofex will have a chance to voice their opinion on our future.”

Vraxi paused again, collecting her thoughts before announcing that royal couriers dressed in black and gold robes would be contacting market owners, guild members, and other genofexians who handled valuable goods with instructions on how to transfer their property to the mothership. She gave out Zetomerxy's local network address for her royal council – 111000-LKR-XI – that anyone was free to contact with questions or concerns.

“Currently, hundreds of thousands of genofexians are working hard to complete the Grand Devotion as soon as possible. Beginning today, I will broadcast daily announcements with updates and instructions on how to proceed. If you would like to volunteer to expedite our mothership's production, please contact the Zetomerxy network address 111000-VD-XI.

“These are tough times for all of us, but please remember: right now, you are still safe inside Zetomerxy. This is not the end for us; it is a new era of genofexian history in the making, not one of grief and despair, but of strength, unity, and discovery. My council and I are here to support you in this challenging transition period. No genofex will be left behind.”

Vraxi remained silent and still. A hand extended above the camera with two fingers pinched together; the queen responded with a slow blink, signaling the end of the speech. The device's little magenta light turned off a moment later.

“That's it, then.” She turned to her partner, looking deep into their eyes. “Our new beginning... begins now.”

“It amazes me how much dialogue you can store in that head without a script,” Daxtra remarked.

The queen's gaze drifted to the sky. With the announcement finished, a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, only for another to replace it.

“Now we wait to see how my people take the news. Public uproar is the last thing I need to deal with right now.” She began walking back inside.

Daxtra remained by her side. “That kind of incident crosses far enough into my jurisdiction that I would be happy to help if it came to that. But I don't expect it to happen at all – you have promised your citizens relief.”

Knock-knock. Someone was at the stairwell's door. Knock-knock-knock-knock-knock-knock-knock-knock–

Vraxi glared at the door. “Who would be so rude to–”

The door flung open, revealing a panicked Zexterze. The four attendants by the entrance readied for combat, revealing high calibre needle rifles from beneath their robes, aiming at the seismologist.

Zexterze raised his hands to his sides.

“Stop!” Vraxi ordered. “He is not a threat!”

A few tense moments passed before the attendants lowered their weapons, allowing Zexterze to sign “sorry” to them. He looked over at Vraxi.

“Mother!” he shouted, speed-walking towards her.

“Zexterze, what are you doing?!”

“Your announcement, you said two seasons until launch, but... it's... I don't think...”

Vraxi felt her body tensing up again.

“...There's been a development. There's something you need to see. We might not last that long,” he murmured.