act28side

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...

Leone. It hurt when Benny said he was leaving, but even then I felt he made the right choice.

So this has been a long time coming?

Yeah. Let him go before this plate ties him down. Maybe he can go to college. Ironforge City, Trimounts... anywhere's fine as long as it ain't here.

So you're saying I should be glad he got out in time?

This land here's been squeezed dry, Leone. And those guys from the government are just gonna abandon it entirely, or scoop in new soil from elsewhere...

To them, we're just old straw refusing to rot away. Nothing but trouble.

...Wait, what's that?

Why's there a photo of your family in there—

Leone reflexively moves to stick his hand into the furnace, but the photo vanishes in a puff of blue smoke before he can even feel the heat.

Benny must've left that one in. I wasn't too careful when packing it all up, sorry.

It's fine. Don't know why I wanted to grab it in the first place. Wonder how long it'll take these blisters to heal without treatment or medicine.

The flames in the furnace blaze brightly, and a few sparks sputter from within. They cool in the air and turn into smattering specks of gray, falling onto the man's shoes.

He sighs as he rubs the corners of his eyes, only to realize that the wetness that had been there has already dried up from the high temperature.

Sir, this must be a misunderstanding. I stayed home all night yesterday!

Please cooperate with us, ma'am.

Sir, please! Can't you talk your superiors into being a little flexible? How can I leave for the frontier mid-winter with a child in tow?!

It seems you do know where we're taking you. So please, just cooperate. We don't want to have to resort to force.

Nooo—!

Hey! What are you doing?!

And which squad are you from?

Jessica, Department of Equipment and Applied Technologies. Temporarily transferred to B.P.R.S's Liskarm Squad.

Oh, so you're <i>that</i> little princess I've heard so much about. An honor to meet you.

We're under orders to trace the source of last night's unrest. Locals with heavy debt are our prime suspects, so that's where we're starting our investigation.

Does your list include a single mom with a child too?

Just following orders. Besides, even if she's innocent we still have to repossess her mortgaged property.

Repossess mortgaged property... So this is why the boss had that word with me?

Listen, I don't see what the boss has to do with this, but I do know you're hindering my work here.

Don't you realize that you're doing the exact same thing as those gangsters you arrested?!

Orders, princess. Just following orders. Don't make me repeat myself.

Reporting. I've found the woman.

Sir... Please, I'm begging you...

Let that lady go!

What?

I—I said, let her go.

We're not the same as you, princess. We need these paychecks to eat.

Paychecks... paychecks!

Is your paycheck—No, no! I mean, I'm saying...

I... I can pay you!

What's this now? Bribery? Raythean's little lady is actually trying to bribe me?

Yes, I'm just a stupid little rich girl who throws money at all her problems, okay?!

Guess there's no need for professional integrity when you've got a family like that at your back. But me? I can only trade my conscience for cash at Blacksteel.

I'm glad you're so self aware, but it really doesn't matter. Just stop making things difficult for us lowly peasants.

If you've got money to burn, why not head on over to the bank and pay off all their debts?

You—

Easy there, princess. Take your finger off the trigger, yeah? I know you lost your head for a bit there, but we still have to act according to our stations.

Wh-What?

Jessica lowers her head to find that at some point, her hand had moved to her holster.

When she sees what is probably an expression of both wariness and disdain on the mercenary's face, she ends up swallowing her apology as she turns around and runs towards the bank.