act25side

I'm afraid the Tin Man has forgot to send me any copies.

And that's why I've come to answer your question personally. As long as it's something I know, I'm happy to tell all.

Alright, you're the primary representative for the Maylander Foundation's Rhine Lab desk. So, tell me—

Where exactly is the main instigator of all this malarkey? Where is Kristen Wright right now?

She's in a place that not even the finest of Columbia's commandos are able to reach, a place never documented by the Maylander Foundation.

There's nowhere in Columbia like that.

It's not on any map of the country, at least for now. Even though the location might overlap with our territory, it is truly out of our line of sight.

So you mean...

Mr. Vice President, you are no doubt familiar with 'Project Exploration', an archaeological undertaking spanning multiple years led by the Maylander Historical Association... or rather, our Tin Man.

Those ancient ruins buried under the vast wasteland.

Exactly. Coincidentally, we also came across this information during a recent raid operation on Rhine-related personnel.

Exploration records?

These records are currently in the hands of a former executive of Rhine Lab, a close friend of Kristen Wright's... as well as an offshore company with an existing criminal record in Columbia.

And it is the most coincidental thing, that this company called Rhodes Island has a working relationship with my dear leader, the Tin Man.

...A water purification and circulation system.

You could also call it a 'sewage drain.'

It used to have another name, 'Locus of Sorcery.' Once the most primitive weapons of witchcraft from the Teekaz.

So that's its actual full name. To think that it was installed on the Pioneer Team's nomadic temporary housing.

Though it's certain that the device's core components have already long been lost.

All that is left are the outermost pipes, and you people... had a reasonable idea of how to recycle it.

I will take that as a compliment on behalf of the Columbians, Madame.

This country has gone through hard times. During the Great Expansion when supplies were scarce, every object was classified into only one of two qualities: useful or useless.

This may be a medium of some magnificent memories in your eyes, but to the ordinary people living in Columbia, they are useful pipes that will not be rusting anytime soon.

After all, no matter how old an object is, or how great an era it has seen, those unable to be comprehended by people of the current era will be no different from scrap.

Our own levels of understanding are but restricted by our own time and space. You and I are not exempt either... and the same goes for Kristen Wright.

She couldn't have drawn her power from a Teekaz-like legacy, and whatever outside force she has borrowed power from is much more powerful than that.

There are still thirty-two technologies waiting to be ruled out. Most of these are not on the Maylander Historical Association's exploration records.

I presume you won't be needing my company for whatever is coming next.

Sure enough. But this will not affect our partnership with Maylander.

Yes, indeed. This has always been your way of going about things.

You're hoping that Kristen will not get hold of that technology... but you also hope that Columbia won't be able to prematurely pocket that fortune for themselves. Still the same as always... selfless and neutral.

I have one more thing to ask of you.

We can discuss that first, Madame.

Dr. {@nickname}... and those two girls.

As you've said, there are some roads that only I can take. I'd like to trouble you to take care of them when it's inconvenient for me to do so.

Oh, I've misjudged you. You <i>have</i> changed after all, Madame. You're more humane than you once were.

No one, or thing is forever unchangeable, Revenant... Mr. Tin Man. All we can do is to accept these changes.

Hey, Doctor, you good?

Hmm, I should rein in the water and not let it enter the respiratory tract...

Or could it be... that my skills have gotten rusty after not using them for so long?

The Doctor probably bumped that hood on something and passed out.

Ahh—so sorry!

It's all cause of that Justin Jr., he suddenly dumped a stack of papers on me, said all the directors have to fill them out or we won't get our funding for next year.

That was close, I almost didn't make it.

*cough* *cough*...;......;Didn't make it to what?

Oh, you're awake, Doctor.

Good morning... no, good evening.

This isn't Rhine.;......;I remember being in a ventilation duct—

Yup. I was manipulating my water around when I knew you were in trouble.

The two of you were about to be discovered when I found you, so I wrapped you up in water and brought you here.

I was in a hurry, so excuse the bumpy ride, 'kay?

I owe you one.;......;I can't repay the kindness you've shown me.

You've saved me once, and now I got you back... Oh, who knows whose turn it'll be next?

Doctor, you're not thinking of how you're gonna repay me, are you?

Um... how about you go shopping with me next time?

It's not that great a deal, hehe.

But you know, if you insist on returning the favor, just sign this employment contract I got here! I wouldn't mind having an assistant with brains as big as yours.

Doctor... I know you just woke up, but, I gotta tell you some bad news.

It seems like Saria got attacked at the same time you were.

Is she okay?;......;What about Ifrit?

I'm not sure about the specifics, but that's Saria, you know? Harder than diamonds! She wouldn't be in any serious danger, right?

The big question is what you do next. You must've gotten the feeling that once the military gives you a warning, they don't give up so easily.

So your situation here is... Actually, Rhodes Island's situation is far from hunky-dory.

Iffy should be fine and dandy, but Saria...

I'm not sure about the specifics, but that's Saria, you know? Harder than diamonds! She wouldn't be in any serious danger, right?

The big question is what you do next. You must've gotten the feeling that once the military gives you a warning, they don't give up so easily.

So your situation here is... Actually, Rhodes Island's situation is far from hunky-dory.

Rosmontis...

Rosmontis?

Outside...

The corridor... someone is walking toward us.

Huh?

But I was so cautious on the way here, the army couldn't possibly have tailed us that easily.

Or could it be the Maylander guys? Like... Mr. Tin Can and his pets...? Secret agents like to pop up like this, don't they?

Rosmontis, is it the Tin Man?

I don't know.

I don't feel anything special... the feeling I'm getting is... um, very normal...

Muelsyse, can you take a look around the area?

Hm? You want me to send a few 'eyes' out there? You got it.

Huff...*pant*...finally...

Sorry, am I late?

I wanted to see you as soon as you got to Trimounts. Unfortunately... my work took much longer than expected.

You're...

Wait, I remember that mug from the docs... You're Loken Williams?!

Lo...ken?

Yes. It is I.

You must have received my letter, Narcissa.

Who is Narcissa?

My name is Rosmontis. It's my only name.

You... no matter. What's important is that you've come. To tell the truth, I've been a bit nervous ever since I sent the letter.

To see that you're willing to meet me... makes me a very happy man.