Currentscroll Extract
(Hydrarchy Internal Report — Declassified Fragment)
INCIDENT 447-Δ // JUVENILE UNAUTHORIZED EXCURSION
Sector: Midspan Coastal, Hull designation: K-Precursor-3
Reporting Officer: Acting Lieutenant Kael Marren
Summary:
Three local minors (approx. ages 13–15) took an unregistered rowboat from a dockyard in violation of curfew and perimeter regulations, with stated intent "to meet pirates." Subjects are identified as:
J.M. (male) — dock laborer's son.V.H. (male) — clerk's ward.[Name redacted/unknown] (male) — fishmonger's son. Deceased.
At 0300 hours, patrol skiff detected distress flares off the scheduled trade lane. Visual confirmed an active raid: pirate cutter engaging a Hydrarchy-licensed merchant ferry. Unauthorized rowboat was present in the crossfire zone.
Upon approach, pirates opened fire on patrol skiff, using the minors' vessel as partial cover. One juvenile (later ID'd as J.M.) was observed attempting to shield the others with his own body, displaying reckless disregard for safety and untrained combat instincts. Notably, preliminary scans indicated latent Floodborn signature activity in J.M.: elevated core temperature, anomalous bioflux through dermal layers consistent with emergent reef bonding (strain undetermined).
During the engagement, the third juvenile was struck by shrapnel and lost overboard. Recovery was not possible without further loss of Hydrarchy personnel.
Patrol response neutralized the pirate threat within standard parameters. Merchant vessel sustained moderate damage; losses acceptable.
Post-action, two surviving minors were recovered from the water. Both exhibited signs of acute shock and minor physical injuries. J.M. repeatedly attempted to re-enter the kill-zone, exhibiting atypical resilience and fixation. V.H. demonstrated rapid situational adjustment, providing accurate account of pirate movements and assets despite stress.
Recommendations:
J.M. classified as potential Floodborn asset. Subject exhibits strong survival drive, willingness to interpose self between others and lethal force, and high tolerance for pain. Psychological profile suggests susceptibility to authority figures offering structure and "second chances." Recommend conscription under controlled conditions. Suitable roles: beast-hunter, enforcement, or other high-risk labor where expendable but resilient assets are required.V.H. exhibits complementary traits: observational acuity, emotional detachment, facility with numbers and procedure. Recommend placement in compliance training track. Possible candidate for the synthetic Floodborn program.Families to be informed of casualties in language emphasizing Hydrarchy protection and the dangers of unauthorized behavior. Pirate threat to be highlighted as justification for increased security measures in sector.
Personal note (sealed):
J.M. clung to the dead boy's hand until my crew pried his fingers loose. He did not scream. He did not beg. He stared at me and asked if we were "the good pirates."
I informed him we were Hydrarchy.
Subject later agreed, without significant resistance, that he "owed" his continued life to Hydrarchy intervention.
Debt is a useful frame for certain personalities. Recommend it be reinforced.
— K. Marren, Acting Lt., filed and sealed under Juvenile Asset Assessment δ-class.
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Gin staggered, grabbing onto the present with both hands.
Marren watched him, expression smoothed into something cold and hard.
"You want to rewrite the ledger?" the administrator asked. "Fine. Let's see what that costs."
He lifted the reef sword.
Venn pushed himself off the wrecked desk with a groan, jellyfin glow crawling up his spine like angry lightning.
"Round two then," he snarled, eyes locked on Jakk. "Always wanted to see what happens when we stop pretending we're on the same side."
Venn moved.
The room exploded into motion.