act10mini

Setting?! Someone set this place on fire?!

What about the owner here? Where's that Feline girl? Have you seen her?

No, we haven't, but no one was in there last night when the fire went up.

We're lucky no one's burnt, or worse.

Who the hell did this?!

Anger.

She clenches her fists tight.

The pub she visits practically every week, the adorable owner lady, the diverting guests... A moment of rare respite in this city, now turned to charred rubble.

The anger flooding Grani's mind is hard to keep in check—rarely is she ever this enraged.

She's reached the point of wanting to bring justice to the culprit herself, no matter who it is.

Hey! No going in! We still haven't cleaned up the debris yet!

That's fine, I'm looking over the scene of the crime. I might find something in this.

Don't bother, officer.

The Guards came over this morning. They looked all around, called it an accident, and left just like that.

An accident? But didn't you just say...?

That's just my opinion as a firefighter. We see a lot of things wherever we're called, and this we've seen.

What's this... a scrap of explosive?

Yeah, but the Guards had us keep out of this, so I didn't say much.

And nobody cares, really... about the Infected community. It's all less said, the better.

Can you pass this evidence on to me?

Sure, it was burning my hand, anyway. Didn't think I should hold it... and you're with the Guards, at any rate.

Let me see...

Wait, hold on... these are shards from a military-grade incendiary! I've seen this sort back in Mounted Police training.

Is it just me, or... are these shards familiar?

November 26th, 1097, 7:15 A.M.

So we meet again, Mr. Maud?

Th... The Mount?!

Did they just let you go? I thought they'd keep you in custody for longer than this.

Don't take me in again, officer, I'm begging you! All I am's a handyman!

I haven't bothered about with those Infected in recent, I swear!

Are you sure?

Do you still remember that incendiary we confiscated from your loot, a few days ago when I arrested you?

You said you'd only bought one for 'self-defense'.

But military-grade bomb shells have a very obvious unique design. They're not hard to identify even when shattered. Can you guess where I found this little piece?

If you're lying, it's another trip with me back to the Guards.

No! I'll tell you! Anything you want!

I bought a case, I confess it! I bought a case! But I sold it all on to other people!

The Danton brothers! I sold it to the Danton brothers!

The Danton brothers? Who are they?

Those two Siracusan immigrants! The two mafia henchmen! Go ask the people at the Boil! They know 'em!

Then do you know why they'd want to burn down an Infected community pub?

I don't know! I swear, no idea! I didn't hear a thing about the pub!

I got the firebombs from the—the black market at the Boil, too! I swear, that's the honest truth!

But the merchant there said, he's got ways of getting goods done directly at the factory...

(Factories in Caladon... I think there's only Count Bishmer's manufacturing military supplies...)

Do you know where the Danton brothers are?

I... I'm not 100%, I just know they always hang around in the Boil...

The Boil, huh...

November 27th, 1097, 6:15 P.M.

How many times have I had to tell you? Have you caught the burglar?! Have you finished your patrols?! Only you Mounted Police sideshow jugglers would obsess over the tiniest meaningless business.

You call this meaningless business?

Is it not?! Is a single Infected community pub burning down worth you spending three days to investigate?

A short-circuit in the mains, offended a gang, a lightning strike! I can think of a hundred other reasons still. Once you finally discover there was no culprit at all, who takes responsibility for all the cases this has held up? You?

So what about this evidence? These military incendiaries were made at Councilor Bishmer's factory, and were meant as supplies for the Victorian Army! But they circulated into the black market!

Doesn't this warrant investigating that factory?!

That's Count Bishmer's estate! You're saying you'll sweep a Member of the Council's factory?

You've got some brass!

Military incendiaries! The underground black market! The evidence is all in front of you! Why are you still playing the idiot here?

Don't tell me, you get a piece of these black market deals too?

You...! Do you know what you're saying? You dare tell me this to my face?!

Who do you think you're fooling? Count Bishmer's your own relative, isn't he?

You... you!

How did someone like you get into the position of Captain of the Guards?

You don't have a care in you for Infected community cases, and you turn a blind eye when gangs from the Boil cause disaster. And now you're not going to look into something this massive?

Then what IS your job? You've abandoned your duties!

Is there still anyone in the Caladon Guards qualified to enforce the law?

So you're going to mutiny?

I'm a Mounted Police Officer on temporary transfer here by the City Council! Right now, I'm the one in charge of the Mounted Police of Caladon City—you and I are of the same rank! You should have no authority to order me!

Fine, then! I just knew you bumpkin lot would...

You wait. You just wait until the Duke's back from Londinium. I'll report to him in full detail just the kind of attitude you 'Mounted Police' bring to your work!

Suit yourself! Goodbye!

Lowly circus spectacles, damned backwater blood... You wait until the Duke's back! You'll get your damn dues!

November 28th, 1097, 7:15 P.M.

White House Pub, The Boil, Caladon

What are they doin'? That sets us back a whole day!

You think it's some kinda slip-up at the factory?

Then what do we do now?

We hold on a little longer... If we still don't get news by this evening, we dip out, pronto.

Is there anything I can do for you?

Evening, I'm looking for two people they call 'the Danton Brothers' and I've heard some say they see them come by this pub sometimes...

Shit! What got the Guards in here?

Don't panic! We're in the Boil, what's she gonna try?

Ha! Found you!

So, what does, ah... a fine Mounted Police Officer want with a pair of law-abiding brothers?

I'll need you to come with me to the Guards about a case of arson in the Infected neighborhood, early morning on the 24th. I have a few questions I'd like to ask.

And if we politely decline?

Please, comply with law enforcement's work, Mr. Danton.

Easy there, Mount! This is the Boil you're in. Your word isn't law here.

Get out. You're not welcome at my bar.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the pub begins to strain. A few bruisers with vicious looks rise from their seats.

They pull out weapons, eyeing the pint-sized officer with malice.

Hahaha, this is Caladon's Boil, signora. You fancy coppers don't fit in here.

Go on back to helping the Infected scrub their chamber pots. That sounds about right for you.

*Sigh*.

(Nine people... I've got plenty to write once the report comes...)

November 28th, 1097, 7:50 P.M.

Streets of Caladon

Motor it! Quick, she's right behind us!

My hand's broken!

Suck it up and keep runnin'! This Mount's crazy!