act28side

They've recovered a lot of the fallen platform's assets through loan contracts and risky ventures, and they've sent a lot of people to the frontier too.

Methods like these are perfectly legal... there's nothing for us to object to.

Are the people really gonna take it though?

Maybe they don't have a choice...? You've been here a lot longer than I have, so I'm sure you know better than I do.

Heh, we still have a few tough nuts to crack.

...Which is why they've engaged a mercenary group like Blacksteel.

And what about after your undoubtedly thorough investigation? Do you plan to keep the detainees at Fort Barron?

I may as well ask how you've dealt with them in the past.

We used to ship guys like them off to the frontier, when we still had police.

Then we'll do the same.

Thank you for doing all this for us.

It's no big deal. Looking forward to our meeting tomorrow.

Hold on. Could I make a small request? Could we have additional security deployed at the bank?

No problem. I'll have my subordinates make any further arrangements.

Right. See you tomorrow then.

What do you think, Tila?

That we're getting our hands dirty again.

What else can they do? They're all respectable people who can't sully their reputations. So it's up to us mercs to be the bad guys.

So how should we handle that last request from the bank?

Did they suffer any damage last night?

Just some obscene graffiti scrawled all over the building.

Whatever... Emotional damage counts as damage too. Just dispatch some people familiar with the situation.

The important thing for now is to figure out how to clear all these irrelevants off the board before the plate starts moving.

So... your landship ain't here just to tow the plate away, is it?

Helping the bank evict debtors and recover non-performing assets are both on the to-do list.

As for the methods... I don't think they'll leave any room for concessions.

...And what do you want <i>me</i> to do about it?

Before I came here, someone asked me to bring a bullet to you.

A bullet?

...Who?

My boss, 'Clip' Cliff.

And who's that?

When I was looking for you that day, there was an open drawer with a photo inside. Cliff is the man who had his arm around your shoulder.

...So he changed his name. Huh. And now he's your boss.

I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to look.

But if you have a history with each other, then maybe you could have a word with him? I don't know...

If there's anyone he'd listen to, it's you, right? I really don't have any other ideas...

Jessica, I appreciate you helping out Leone, Helena, and who knows who else. But I just can't wrap my head around why you're being so stubborn about this.

You're a merc. You've got no duty to us. You don't have to stick your nose into every little thing you see.

Back in Victoria, I... sat back and just let things happen. And it ended horribly...

It was all my fault.

Thanks for bringing me the bullet. I've been looking for it for a long, long time now.

You should get back to your friends first. Some things, all I can do is give it my best shot.

But...

Woody—!

The bed's empty, Woody! Did Leone go out?

I ran into him this morning. He's off looking for Miles.

Then why didn't you tell me earlier—

Let's just say... I forgot.

Come again?

My apologies, sir, but this place has been sealed off and no one's allowed in or out.

What do you mean no one's allowed in or out? I spent half my life here! Let me through!

I'm sorry, sir.

Hey, wait—what are you doing to me?

This...

Please forgive me, sir. But this is my job.

Get your ass back here—

Leone?

Miles? I was just about to go in there looking for you! You alright after that huge mess last night?

I'm good, but... what's with the huge wound on your head?

I ran into that gang of troublemakers yesterday, and... we exchanged a few blows. Why aren't you in the tower?

Those people barged in here after things quieted down. Said Blacksteel would be taking over the maintenance work and 'kindly escorted' me out.

They do anything to you?

(Glances at the mercenary standing guard) No...

Let's get out of here first. Not exactly the best place to talk.

Leave the door open, Leone. We have to get back to the plant later.

How can anyone get in there with their eyes all over the place?

I know an abandoned path into the tower, hasn't been used in years.

Then let's get going.

What's the rush? I need to fetch some tools to clear the road, among other things...

Need any help?

Don't bother, I got everything here. Let's go.

*cough* *cough*

There's so much dust here. Just how long has this path been here?

Has to be at least thirty years since anyone last came through here... *cough* *cough*

Who's there? You already called me over, there's no need to send an escort—

Huh, Miles and Leone? What are you guys doing here? How'd you get them to let you in?

Shh. Keep it down, Laura. We just wanna take a look around. Won't be long.

Fine... I'll let you know if the patrol comes around, but keep it quick.

...Lucky we ran into her, and not anyone else.

*sigh*

What are you doing? There's already fuel in there, so why throw in more stuff to burn?

Remember what happened in July? So many people finally caved in and signed agreements to go to the frontier.

...How could I forget?

Well, the bank's been putting on the pressure again, and this time there's even more people talking about it.

I asked a few families and some of 'em are already waiting for the frontier convoys. Others still want to hold out here, but... how long can they keep it up?

Just get to the point, Miles.

...I'm planning to leave too. No one needs the Davistown mine no more. Even if they fix up the plate, no one's gonna care about us miners. Without jobs, we'll all end up leaving in disgrace anyhow.

So, y'know... Come with me, Leone.

Maybe you're right, but I still ain't leaving.

...Yup, that's the Leone I know.

So is that why you wanted to come here? Just to tell me that?

No, I came because I wanted to... burn what needs burning, I guess. Before I leave.

Wait, but there's so many photos of people in that album. You plan on burning all those too?

I ain't like you, Leone. I don't wanna spend the rest of my life here.

I figured you were just dead-drunk when you said that last time...

I had a notion of leaving this town even when I was young, but no way my parents could take care of all my younger siblings on their own. That's how I ended up stumbling into the mines in a stupor when I was fifteen.

My eyes were scorched by the heat and sweat of the boiler room, while the older guys bossed me around. I hated every goddamn minute of it, but could only press on through clenched teeth while thinking about my family.

And by the time I realized it, all I knew was taking care of the furnace. Didn't know any other way to live.

You never told me all this...