act28side

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—

Let me remind you, Jessica. You're a mercenary. This is about business, not duty.

Now go.

Jessica picks up the bullet that fell from the pouch, and holds it under the sunlight to examine it.

Rimmed cartridge, .44... There's a pattern etched into the bottom.

No... It's too faint. I can't make it out.

Sankta ammo... looks pretty much like the etched ammo we use at Blacksteel.

The casing is rusted, and the surface's copper has browned. Even under the direct sunlight, there is hardly any luster.

Jessica breathes a sigh and puts it back inside the pouch.

'Make the same mistake I made in Victoria'...?

What's going on in Davistown?

Suddenly, she hears a sound that isn't the wind.

Don't move, girl.

Not unless you want a bullet through the chest.

Two weeks later...

Hey, Teacher's Pet? We've been waiting here for nearly a whole day already.

You saw the news that the Messenger brought us from HQ, didn't you?

They said the ETA is tomorrow afternoon.

And also that we needed to spend the day before preparing everything needed for the connection.

The Davistown connectors were working fine to start with. Laura got it all up and running in half a day, and now we're just standing around with our thumbs up our butts.

If you're cold, you're free to use the tent we set up, or warm yourself by the fire.

What if I'm not cold... what if I'm afraid?

Of what?

I don't know. I just... really can't tell how this whole thing will go down.

Liskarm brings her communicator to her ear, looking slightly impatient.

It's not receiving any signal. This proves that Fort Barron, known to Blacksteel's operators as 'the landship,' has yet to enter transmission range.

Not going to warm yourself up a little longer, Jessica?

I'll pass... It's almost dark. I'll feel cold regardless.

You shouldn't worry too much. I mean, yeah, I'm real mad about the bank too, but the landship is almost here.

The boss isn't about to let those banker bastards make a fool of us.

...Boss? Which boss?

Mr. Cliff, of course! Who else?

He...

It's hard to say. I mean... in the end, he's a businessman.

Jessica silently looks in the direction of the platform. Instinctively, she reaches into her pouch and rubs the bullet inside.

Hm...?

Look over there... Is that a fire...?

Where?

Right on the plate, close to the mining district... Maybe they started a fire by accident while heating themselves up—

Hold on, no, there's not just one... Wh-What is this...

Jessica?!

...team, Blacksteel... ship estimated to... arrive in...

Acknowledged.

Jessica, let everybody know—

Captain, there are multiple distinct fires on the plate! I don't know what's going on, but I have to go check!

Why now of all times... But we've already got the signal from the landship. Fort Barron shouldn't be far—

Jessica—Jessica! Where are you going?! Captain, what do we do?

Let her go. We'll continue the connection mission.

...What's with all the ruckus at this hour?

Where's that noise coming from...

Someone's pounding the plant?!

Woodrow grabs his firearm from under his pillow and listens closely to the commotion downstairs.

Hurry up and get down here, Woody! Someone broke in!

Bleuch... Feels awful.

If I'd known... I wouldn't have drank so much.

I'm so tired. Maybe I'll just lie down here... That way, I'll freeze to death on the street by tomorrow for sure...

*sigh*...

What's that noise? What's going on?

What the hell is this?!

R-Run... These people just... barged in... and started smashing and looting...

Who are they?

Huh... So it's you, gramps.

You're the one from the snowfield...

I'm a pretty lucky guy, gramps. Shh, don't make a fuss. You'll attract others.

You were real lucky too, getting away from me, but I wonder how long that luck will last.

Run! You can't take him on!

So you're here too, old timer. Good, saves us the trouble of looking for you.

What's going on, Helena? I figured you'd have knocked them all out by the time I got downstairs.

...They've gotten a lot more reckless. They've really gone nuts.

Hey now, no whispering. If you've got something nice to say, you can share it with the class.

You ignorant brat...

Those bullets must be real pricy, yeah? So expensive... you don't even have all six rounds loaded.

What are you getting at?