Ch.107Ch.7 – Elegy for Reason (14)

The final schedule for the Congressional Investigation Committee was to report their findings and hear opinions. Typically, such events are held in small conference rooms with only a few officials including the mayor and one or two local press members in attendance. However, this time, considering “the special nature of the case and public interest,” they decided to hold it in an open space—the circular plaza in front of City Hall.

Thanks to Catherine Scully, we sat on benches at the back of the platform, near the City Hall entrance. Though somewhat distant from the stage and plaza, it was a good spot to observe the overall situation.

The plaza was equipped with a stage, speakers, and chairs. Under a large event tent were seats reserved for the Congressional Investigation Committee members, the Innsmouth mayor, and city council members. Next to the podium was a separate press area. For the general public, only the ground was available, and even that was about 15 meters away from the stage. Massachusetts State Police and Innsmouth Police had set up barriers, while Federal Security Bureau agents kept watchful eyes from various positions.

The atmosphere was hardly welcoming, but when our protagonist, Aide Klein, took the podium and began reading his prepared statement, the mood shifted.

Klein’s speaking style was straightforward. He used clear, pleasant vocabulary, and his content was concise. He didn’t bore the audience with chronological details of where the committee went and what they discovered.

“Innsmouth’s problem is the lack of jobs. Jobs are scarce because businesses don’t come here, and businesses don’t come because of poor transportation.

Therefore, we need to start by repairing railways and roads to Innsmouth, which will provide more jobs for Innsmouth residents during the infrastructure development. Additionally, new businesses will receive subsidies and tax benefits.

The question is: what industries do the people of Innsmouth hope to attract? On this point, we’d like to hear your opinions.”

Klein skillfully led the proceedings. “There, the young lady with the red hat raised her hand first!” When Klein pointed to someone, an official would hand them a microphone.

The shy Innsmouth residents would mix in unnecessary phrases like “um, well, I mean, for example,” trying to use intelligent expressions. “You see, Innsmouth people tend to exhibit very peculiar behavioral patterns…”

Still, Klein never reprimanded or criticized them. He would gently respond with comments like, “If I understand correctly, you’re saying that Innsmouth needs to improve quality of life, starting with water infrastructure improvements, is that right?”

This continued until a young man raised his hand.

“Yes. Please speak.”

The young man took the microphone but hesitated to speak. He was catching his breath.

“Do you need more time to prepare?”

“No. I’m ready.”

The young man brought the microphone to his lips.

“I’m an Innsmouth citizen. I’m here to reveal the truth about Innsmouth. Our ancestors, the fish people, sleep in the waters off Innsmouth, and they’re kidnapping outsiders to use as breeding tools!”

“That’s right!”

“It’s true!”

Young people unanimously agreed. But Klein was trying not to laugh. Mayor Isaac Allen, looking somewhat embarrassed, stepped onto the stage.

“Mr. Mayor, what do you think about this promising young man’s statement and the support it’s receiving?”

“It’s like an outdated April Fool’s joke.”

Whether it was meant to be a witty retort or not, only some older residents chuckled. Klein shrugged.

“Well. Since arriving in this town, I’ve heard such claims repeatedly. Always from young people, and always with similar content. But ladies and gentlemen, let me give you the Congressional Investigation Committee’s official response: Such things don’t exist. It’s all conspiracy theories.”

“No, it’s not!”

The young man cried out in anguish.

“The mayor knows! Last night, the mayor summoned the Deep Ones, our ancestors! Devil’s Reef is where monsters disguised as humans…”

Only other young people supported him. In fact, the young people were causing such a commotion, trying to rush forward, that police had to struggle to hold them back. Even civil society representatives, who typically favor young people, looked embarrassed and uncomfortable, but Klein handled it skillfully.

“Alright, let’s move on to the next person! This time… yes, good! The woman with a headscarf, behind the front row. Young people over there, please quiet down! That’s not how ladies and gentlemen behave!”

Federal Security Bureau agents and police forcibly pushed back the young people. They drew their batons and shoved them away with stern warnings. The young people of Innsmouth seemed to lack rebellious spirit, as they trembled and retreated. It took a moment before everyone’s attention focused on the woman with the headscarf.

“Give me back my husband.”

“Pardon?”

The woman spoke quietly but clearly.

“The Federal Security Bureau has detained my husband and imprisoned him. That was early last year. They won’t even tell me if he’s alive or dead. My husband worked as a manager at the Dagon Church, and several others who worked similar jobs were also taken.”

Her chest heaved.

“How can kidnapping and detention be carried out in the name of law enforcement in this country? And then you talk about Innsmouth’s bright future? Don’t make me laugh, don’t you dare!”

Aide Klein flashed another charming smile.

“That issue has also been brought to our committee multiple times. Your report isn’t the first. And it probably won’t be the last. However, our official response here is this: That’s a Federal Security Bureau matter, not a Congressional one.”

The woman trembled in shock. But Klein wasn’t finished.

“However, I will ensure it’s formally reported as an agenda item. Now, next!”

“Why did you come here?!”

The woman, now without the microphone, shouted.

“Why did you come! You said you’re from Congress. You said you came beyond party lines! Give me back my husband, you bastards! Why are you other party idiots just sitting there with your mouths shut?!”

“I think that lady needs to cool down.”

As soon as Klein gave the order, a security agent dragged her away.

“That bastard…”

Crayfield glared at Klein.

“That bastard. I really don’t like him. The stench is already irritating enough. Isn’t this almost at the level of the Dagon Church basement? Agent Scully, are we supposed to just sit by and watch this?”

Catherine Scully’s face was also troubled.

“For now, I’m just doing my job. Contrary to my personal conscience. Who wants to look like the bad guy? But maintaining order…”

Scully couldn’t finish her sentence. An employee from City Hall was running toward us.

“Agent Catherine Scully? There’s a phone call for you at the first-floor reception desk. They say it must be delivered to you personally.”

“Who is it?”

Scully gestured to Crayfield and me. We got up from the bench and headed to the desk. The receptionist handed the receiver to Scully.

“Hello? I’m on the… Oh. Professor Hartwell?”

It was Professor Hartwell from MIT, who had explored the church basement with us. The voice coming through the receiver was extremely urgent. Her exclamations were disorganized, and male and female voices alternated, as if they were fighting over the receiver.

“Just a moment, Professor Hartwell. I don’t know who’s with you, but if you both shout like that, I can’t hear anything. Let me speak to the gentleman first. Who is this?”

Scully pointed back and forth between me and the receiver. Sensing she wanted me to listen in, I stood beside her. An impatient male voice came through the receiver.

“Pleased to meet you, Agent Scully. I’m Dr. Jonathan Morris from MIT. Let me get straight to the point. Get out of there immediately. Take everyone with you!”

“Why?”

Creak-creak-creak.

Suddenly, the City Hall building violently shook. A startled Crayfield ran outside. Screams could be heard from outside as people panicked.

“Hello? Hello? Agent?”

“I’m listening.”

Scully carefully examined the ceiling and floor.

“I’m a geologist, Agent. Plate tectonics is my specialty, and I’ve written columns about Innsmouth’s coastline. I don’t know if you’ve seen them. I analyzed Chemistry Professor Hartwell’s samples, and there’s no doubt. It’s volcanic gas. There are some impurities, but volcanic activity is occurring beneath Innsmouth!”

Creak-creak!

“The Black Reef is irrefutable evidence of volcanic activity! What else besides fire could burn sand like that? Listen to me, whatever is beneath Innsmouth, a major earthquake…”

Creak-creak-creak-creak!

“Hello? Hello!”

Nothing came through the receiver anymore. Only silence.

Pop.

With a loud noise, all the lights in City Hall went out. City Hall employees began murmuring anxiously.

“The phone’s not working.”

The desk woman muttered fearfully. Even Scully briefly covered her mouth before biting her lower lip.

“Alright. Your role is crucial now. Tell everyone from the top floor down to evacuate City Hall immediately. Federal Security Bureau orders. In emergency situations, the Federal Security Bureau has unified command over all police, fire, and medical forces to protect American lives and property. Forget the latter part, just get everyone out!”

“W-what? Emergency… emergency what?”

“Fire!”

Crayfield shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Fire! Fire! There’s a fire!”

He ran frantically through City Hall, waving his arms. Hearing the word “fire,” officials began shouting “Fire! Fire!” and rushed out. Scully stared blankly at Crayfield’s retreating figure for a moment, then said,

“Let’s go.”

She grabbed my hand and ran outside. There was a military police vehicle in the City Hall parking lot. Scully knocked on its window.

“Emergency situation! Reports indicate an earthquake is coming to Innsmouth. Electricity and communications are down! Contact any military command facility and the Federal Security Bureau with this alert! Urgent!”

After hearing the situation, the military police vehicle sped away with sirens blaring.

Rumble-rumble-rumble!

This vibration came from a bit further away, but the sound was more massive. The stench had now reached an unbearable level. Yet our protagonist still hadn’t put down his microphone. Scully and I hurried toward the podium.