Alice flinched as the madman before her started yelling. How dare he yell at her? He deserved to die several times over now, but... those samples might not be a bluff...

Without realizing it, Alice began chewing on her lip. She looked weak right now - she knew she did! But what was she supposed to do when her own life was being threatened? She didn't want to die... the guards weren't supposed to have allowed anything so suspect in...!

"Oracle," whispered a soft voice. Alice jumped a little, but turned to find Katie, a nineteen year old blonde girl who was among her loyalest, longest-standing servants. "It's not safe for you here - nor is it prudent to dispose of a medic. Please, retreat to safety and allow me to handle this. I will not fail you, I swear."

Safety? When was the last time Alice had really been safe in this messed up world? She was always putting herself in danger... it was ludicrous to expect one of her followers to be able to protect her from doing so! But, still...

An image flashed before her eyes; water surrounded her on all sides, and her arms flailed weakly, uselessly, as the last of her breath left her. Then, as if from nowhere, a woman's face - her mother's - emerged from the blue, and she wrapped her arms around Alice, pulling her...

Katie. She was like Mama. 

"F-fine," said Alice, hopping to her feet. She allowed two armed guards to escort her toward quarters; there, she would be able to observe the scene from a safe distance. As she hurried through the door, she heard Katie ask, "Now, Charon, you have shown disrespect our Oracle, chosen by the Highest, and by extension, you have insulted us all. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"