act28side

Everyone, please note that while most of the tower is basically safe due to the active Originium dust settling down over a long period of time, there are still areas where the index exceeds standard values.

I've already synced your devices with the specific danger zones.

This will be a hot repair, as the tower is still in operation, albeit at low output. So please pay attention to your personal safety, and report any accidents ASAP.

Thanks, you two. You saved us a lot of time poking around at the danger zones one by one.

I've worked here for most of my life. This place's more my home than that crappy room in the underpass.

Then sorry in advance for making a bit of a mess.

Wouldn't have it any other way.

Gah—!

...It's so badly damaged, but it's still burning? This is practically a miracle.

Miles and I reinforced the furnace a few years back, both to prevent accidents and to let it burn things other than Originium fuel.

Heh. The first time a winter like this struck, we still had some leftover Originium products lying around. But later we were lucky to have wood to burn.

As for now... all we can do is assess the situation.

Team A is in place. Everyone else, report your location and status. We'll begin diagnostics in one minute.

Team B in place. Visual inspection shows approximately thirty percent damage to the combined cycle unit.

Team C in place. The cooling system is completely wrecked, but since it's so cold outside we can throw together a makeshift air-cooling system.

Team D in place. The ash-discharging airduct is operating normally. We'll adjust our pace depending on the other teams' needs.

Well then, everyone—

—Let's get to work.

Captain, I've arrived at the last patrol point.

Any sign of bandits along the way?

No... I drove all the way out here without seeing anything.

Franka and I will be entering talks with the bank shortly. Be careful.

If you encounter any problems, contact us immediately. Don't worry about inconveniencing us. Do you understand?

Roger that.

Helena said that Woodrow often passes by here after hunting... I don't know if I'll be able to meet him today.

Why does it... smell like pine oil here?

Pine branches... Did someone start a fire?

Someone's been through here, but who? Could it be Woodrow coming back to the plate?

*huff*... W-Woodrow, wait for me!

Someone else is back there...

Oh no!

Woodrow, watch out!

Who's there?! Well shit, you've brought more bad news.

...What are you doing here?

Sir, there might be bandits roaming in the area. You should head back to safety on the plate as soon as you can.

Um, why do you look so angry?

You sure know how to be a pain in the rear.

But that man behind you just tried to snipe you... I came here to save you...

You have any idea how hard it was to lure that guy out? And now, all that evidence is down the drain, thanks to your bullet.

O-Oh no... Sorry, I...

A-Are you investigating something? Maybe I can help you somehow, to make up for it?

Okay, now that you know there are bandits out here, ever thought about what they might be after?

Probably looting supplies... Since it's tough getting by around here?

We can barely keep <i>ourselves</i> fed and clothed on the plate. You think they want our scraps? Their M.O. is to ambush and rob caravans.

Th-Then, what are they after here?

Lately, a bunch of people from the plate have gone missing. And my witnesses tell me some of 'em have been seen talking to bandits here before they vanished...

So my question to you is this: what're <i>you</i> doing here?

I... I was assigned to maintain security along the plate's outskirts, and ensure that any bandits wandering the perimeter don't interfere with the power plant's repair.

All on your lonesome?

No... I have teammates. Besides, aren't you also here?

Whatever. Bye.

Wait! The bullet—

Oh, he's already gone...

I must be seeing things.

What's wrong?

According to the results of the investigation, almost no part of the tower is intact. Everything's either damaged or ruined, and a lot of parts are flat out missing. It should've collapsed ages ago.

Same over here. Almost all the spare parts are gone. Even the conveyor belt has been dismantled.

*sigh*... A caravan stops by Davistown about once every two months. We have to trade for our necessities, usually with defunct industrial equipment.

Hmph, you call that a trade? More like robbing us blind! See that forklift? Hardly ever used and practically new! Well, at least eighty percent new!

And do you know how much the traders offered for it? Ten boxes of canned food!

Well, we gotta eat.

...By the looks of it, the plant was already in extreme disrepair even before the accident.

We used to have a whole lotta workers on the job, but now Miles is the only one left. It'd be great if he could keep things running on his own, but we'd need about ten more of him.

Tell me about it. Wish I could split myself into a hundred copies and put 'em to use right about now... This job's not as simple as the checklist makes it seem. If we don't play our cards right, we could be stuck here for a whole year.

C'mon, don't say that... I was counting on that 200 grand after a week.

200 grand is nothing. Land yourself a security job with a venture capitalist in Trimounts, I guarantee you'll earn a whole lot more than that.

When my employer was satisfied with my services, he waved his hand, gave me 200 mil, and whispered in my ear: 'Consider this an investment in you. You've earned it.'

Seriously? 200 mil?

With that much money, we could renovate all of Davistown.

Heh, just messing with you. I once blew that much money on a little project at Blacksteel, though... Totally not worth it, by the way.

Stop dreaming, girl, and get back to work.

Just so you know, old timer, count yourself lucky when you can hear Laura go off on her random tangents. Her mind's always racing while she's working, so she talks nonsense as a way to release the pressure. If she suddenly stops, it means...

It means what?

...It means the problem's too big, and her brain's short circuiting.

(*gulp*)

...Okay everyone, listen closely. Stop whatever you're doing, and leave the energy tower back the way you came, hurry!

I mean now!

Sylvia, can you finish processing the bank statements before nine tonight?

N-No problem.

Then I'll leave you to it.

Okay...

*sigh*...

Ugh, how long has the manager been talking with those two?

...the situation... the account does not look very optimistic...

...that is not... wise course of action...

Wait, Liskarm, I think I heard something!

A blackout... The energy tower?!

Sorry, something urgent came up. We'll need to confirm the situation first and explain things later.

I don't mind, go right ahead.

Aw, looks like the backup power is working. I was hoping we could clock out early because of the blackout.

What's the rush? Not like there's anything to do after work.

I've just about had it with this damn place. No bars, no nightclubs, just a tiny diner serving barely-edible slop. And now even the half-dead energy tower isn't working anymore.

Hey Sylvia, why didn't your mother open up more restaurants when she was mayor? Did she lose her sense of taste or what?

Sylvia?

Huh, did she slink away while the power was out?

What...

The plate... what's going on?

Laura?

Hello, Laura? Do you copy?

Laura?!