act28side

Makes sense. There ain't a whole lot of materials you can use on this plate.

I mean, if it weren't for that, how come you've been packing that piece every day for all these years, and I ain't never heard about nobody getting shot?

My friends, these two bastards are well past their expiration date. Put 'em out of their misery, then help yourselves to whatever you find.

What... What are you people doing?!

Out of the way, boozehound.

Wh-Who gave you the right to... to make trouble here... Ugh...

Here, lemme treat you to another bottle. Now get some sleep.

Heh, nice one. Died as he lived, with a drink in his face.

Hmph.

That's about everything there is to grab. Head to the next shop?

Are you okay, Leone? Let me help you up.

*sigh*... Those brats can be so cruel. Your face's all bloody...

I'm okay... Just a little dizzy...

Look at how they smashed the place up... It wasn't just the display windows?

Forget the windows... They cleaned out the whole store.

What the hell is going on tonight?

We're short on time here, gramps. Quit it with the hide-and-seek.

You're here, aren't you?!

What a pain. This place is so cluttered... No room to move at all...

Get out here already, you old bastard!

Mmm...

Heh, surprised you could dodge that with your leg. Guess I didn't give you enough credit. Let's see how long your luck's gonna hold out.

Gargh!

Heh, got you!

Honestly, you're lucky to die in this stinking place. Suits you just perfectly.

*pant*... *pant*...

(Just a little more... Hang in there, old bones. It'll work... It'll definitely work.)

Now I can finally say goodbye to you, old fart.

Not so fast...

It's over for you, punks.

What's this... Steam?!

It burns!

You're right, though. This stinking place is my home, so of course it's a great fit for me.

Phew... No one makes trouble in <i>my</i> house.

Nngh...

You asked for this.

You're right. It's not fully loaded, and it took quite a bit of trouble to get these to fire in my gun.

Which is why... I ain't wasting any on you. It's not worth it.

The old man holsters his gun and removes his cufflinks. He then rolls back his sleeves to reveal his arms.

Really, Woody? At your age?

When's the last time you saw me use my whip?

When you sold those stockbeasts to the caravan for supplies, outside the plate... So three or four years ago?

Right. Only three or four years ago.

I'll take care of their leaders. Can you take care of the rest?

Sure thing, leave it to me.

Make it quick... There's still time before dawn. Maybe we can catch some beauty sleep.

Too bad there ain't any trees around to hang you from. I could try it from the roof, though...

What's wrong? You got us surrounded, but none of you have the balls to lead the charge?

Don't get cocky, you old bastard. This show's just getting started.

What's the word on the street? What's going on tonight?

These are all the bandages I have left. It's not enough to wrap your head, but... press them against the wound. Helps stop the blood.

I'm fine. Just tell me what you know.

At first, I heard some things from the east side of the plate. You know, where all the thugs gather.

They say lots of folks in town think that, since we ain't ever gonna pay the banks back... they might as well...

Might as well what?

...Might as well rob everyone... then flee to the frontier for a fresh start.

You saw it. It's like they all went crazy. They're beating people up, smashing up stores, stealing everything...

Wait, Leone... Look. That's... the direction of your home...

Dammit!

Manager, I... I heard the situation outside is pretty bad.

Calm down, Sylvia. We're all safe here inside the bank.

They're a despicable bunch beyond redemption, but before us and only us, they're perfect gentlemen.

If you're afraid, get some sleep. By the time you wake up, you'll never see them again.

What do you mean...?

Has no one told you? Our business partners will be here soon. Before you know it, those men will be useless to us.

Which is why when they suggested they'd leave town with some... souvenirs, we had no reason not to go along with it.

All we have to do is wait patiently, like we've done so many times. Hold tight, and everything will be as it should be—

Manager, I just got a transmission from Blacksteel! Their landship is arriving sooner than expected!

Tsk, not only are they here, they're here sooner than we thought...

But it's all the same to us.

Looks like you didn't learn your lesson.

Shit... Every damn time, it's either a lesson or a warning. You ever going to fight for real?!

My hand!

If you're that eager to eat a bullet, I could oblige.

Left foot, or left hand? Pick one.

You have no idea... You can chase us off today... but there's more where we came from...

Not one of you is ever gonna get away...

I'd worry about myself first, if I were you.

What's that noise—?

Fire! Help—!

Ma'am, is Leone still inside?!

I-I don't know. When I came out, the house was already on fire!

Please make way, ma'am!

What are you doing, girl?! You can't go inside. The fire's too strong! You won't make it back out!

Ma'am, please go find more people to help fight the fire. I'll go inside to look for Leone.

Who is he to you anyway? Why put your life on the line to save him?

An acquaintance. Now please, let me go!

That's it? Not even a friend? Don't do this! Ah—

Jessica, why are you here? Wh-What are you doing?

Leone?!

So you weren't inside...

I saw it, Jessica. I saw it.

Leone, she said she was gonna run into the fire looking for you...

I-I thought you—

Don't cry, my girl. I'm doing just fine.

B-But your house...

It doesn't matter... It's okay... I can sleep over at Helena's.

Good thing no one else lives here. I had nothing but empty walls to look at anyway. It was suffocating... It's not so bad it got burned down.

Now... There's nothing to dwell on anymore.

What's that noise?