act28side

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?

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?