act28side

Please, let me go. I have nothing on me... *cough* *cough*!

What're you saying? It's so boring out here in the snow, and we finally run into <i>you</i>! Been a while since I had some fun.

Enough messing around. I'd like some peace and quiet, so hurry up and deal with him.

You hear that, old man? You're so loud, you're bothering my buddy here. We gotta shut you up—

Ugh...!

...Freak.

Everyone else's out ambushing the caravan, and we're stuck here guarding the camp.

And when they get back, they'll be loaded with loot, and we'll have to settle for the scraps. You telling me you're okay with that?

Tch... If you aren't going to, I'll take care of him myself.

Wh-What are you going to do?!

Quiet. It'll be over soon.

No!

Ngh—

Who's there?!

Wh-Who are you?

Shh! Quiet!

I'm gonna untie you. Keep your voice down and follow me. Can you do that?

Mm.

This is Laura. I've secured the hostage. How are things on your end?

All done, but...

Are you hurt?

N-No... but my comms... *bzzt*... broke... It's fine. I can deal with it...

*bzzt*... Thanks.

No need to thank me.

*bzzt*... Okay.

I'll take the hostage to the rendezvous point. See you later.

*bzzt*... later.

I'm taking you with me!

Coming at me head on? You're one brave fella.

Urgh—!

That was the last one.

Reporting in, Captain. All targets neutralized.

Okay. We're getting ready to leave too. We should be rendezvousing with you in a few minutes. Wait there for Jessica and Laura—

Hey. Hello? What's going on over there?!

There's no need for comms at this distance.

You just had to come early, huh?

Someone once told me that playing pranks after combat can help alleviate stress.

...Wow, you're getting better at this.

I learned from the best.

The weather here's real temperamental, huh? It was all clear just earlier, but it's already starting to fog up.

We've checked all your injuries, Mr. Miles. The bruise on your abdomen doesn't seem serious, but I suggest you visit the hospital as soon as can.

Hospital...? Davistown ain't had a hospital in a long, long time.

Uh... Good. We're heading to Davistown too. We can take you back.

What are you folks up to <i>there</i>?

Relax, sir. We were dispatched to help the plate restart its operations.

We brought some fuel and supplies. They should be enough for the residents to last until the power plant is repaired.

But... y'all bring any technicians?

The plant was already on its last legs. Without any technicians, the blasted weather will kill us the moment it goes out for good.

Calm down, sir. I'm the lead technician on the team. Call me Laura. Nice to meet ya.

I'm Miles... a Davistown boiler worker.

Thank you... thank you...

So, why'd you leave the plate? It's dangerous out here.

We're almost completely out of fuel, so I came out to try my luck... But if y'all are here to fix the plant, can we get going now?

One second. Let me ask Jessica where she is.

Hey, Jessica? It's Laura. You done there?

*bzzt*... I'm all finished— *bzzt*...

Then hurry up and get over here—

Hey? Jessica?

Jessica?!

Laura, where are you? I'll head over right now—

Laura? Hello? Hello?

Why did the communicator have to break down now of all times...?

Let me check the coordinates... Where's the camp?

How come there isn't so much as a marker? Where am I? I... I'm not lost, am I?

Calm down. Calm down... You're near Davistown. You aren't far from the plate...

I... I guess I'll have to wait for the wind to stop.

Brr... So cold.

Jessica breathes a sigh and puts her hand in her pocket.

Her fingers feel the velvet pouch in her bag, as well as the small, hard object inside.

She takes out the pouch and pours out its contents.

Reporting.

You, huh?

Captain Liskarm encountered a windstorm on her way back and hasn't been able to return to the landship. I'm standing in for her for debriefing.

Have you received the Davistown mission notice?

Yes, sir.

What about the details? Have you read it over yet?

We will be heading to Davistown, a mining platform with a small residential area.

The platform is currently stranded in the forests of eastern Columbia due to a power plant explosion. Our mission is to repair the plant and restore the plate's mobility.

Good. If I remember correctly, the supplies were issued today. What about the follow-up arrangements?

That's all it said in our orders.

Never mind... There's no harm in telling you. As soon as Davistown returns to its original route, Fort Barron will be there to tow it to a nearby nomadic city for merging and salvage.

Why are you telling me this?

Jessica, ever since you got back from Victoria, you haven't been putting in as much effort as before.

Sir... I'm not sure that's a fair appraisal.

I've been giving it my all in every mission, and have... fulfilled every mission objective.

Just last month, you refused an order to evacuate an area polluted with Originium dust.

There was someone nearby who needed rescuing...

Half a year ago, during an assault operation, you violated your superior's order and specifically chose a route away from the residential areas. Your entire team almost got caught up in an unnecessary battle.

The original plan would have caused significant damage to the local residences... I... I...

A year ago, when you had just returned from Victoria, you immediately charged into the command center. If you'd been carrying a firearm, I would've thought you were mutinying.

S-Sorry, sir... I wasn't able to control my emotions... but hundreds of Victorian citizens were—

I understand your anger, but have you ever considered what would've happened if we hadn't evacuated as soon as possible? If a duke were to find out that Blacksteel, a Columbian company, was in the area?

To the countries involved, this would've sparked a 'conflict.' But to normal folks, we'd call that a 'disaster.'

That does make sense when you put it like that, but... What does this have to do with our upcoming mission?

I'm just trying to remind you to avoid making the same mistake you made in Victoria.

The same mistake... What do you mean, exactly?

And while you're at it, take this pouch. Give what's inside to a man from Davistown named Woodrow Bianchi.

Could you describe him at all? Like, his features or race—

No need. You'll know who he is the moment you see him.

Sir... I still don't understand. It's just a power plant repair. Why—