act32side

It's written all over your face.

Ooh, scary man we have here.

By the way, I already knew this morning we would be late, and I appreciate that you've been waiting for me the whole time, but we've already missed our appointment with Diaz, you know?

—Oh, shit!

Well then, Mr. Reynell Kowalski. Please get in the car while I fetch your luggage.

Reynell sits in the back with a blank expression. The door shuts, and it feels slightly warm, so he takes off his coat and leans back as he begins to loosen his collar.

A strange noise outside the car interrupts him, and he turns to look out the window. The General Chamber of Commerce employee lies on the ground, unconscious.

He then hears a tapping noise from the opposite window, and follows the sound to see a familiar face standing outside the car.

Reynell rolls down the window and sees a pair of dark eyes.

Mind giving me a ride, sir?

And where are you wanting to go?

Hasn't that always been up to you to decide?

You've been following me for a while, so maybe this time you take the lead and decide our destination.

Do you really have nowhere you want to go, Miłosz?

It'll be the same as before, no matter where we go, yes?

Things are different this time. I'm broke, aside from the two suitcases in the trunk.

Then I'll drive until our fuel runs out, and we'll go wherever the car takes us.

Well... fine, you're the one in charge now.

Miłosz smiles at Reynell, and gets into the driver's seat, looking at the other face through the rearview mirror before starting the engine.

There is a blend of confusion, delight and a slight hint of hesitation on Reynell's face.

You seem like you have something to ask me.

Why did you come back? Why didn't you leave?

Don't you already know the answer?

Maybe my question was to confirm that answer.

Don't be so sure. My patience might run out on you and you'll find I leave pretty soon.

But not today.

No, not today.

Miłosz looks away from the mirror, starts the engine, and the silver car sets off.

Galería Krysztauowa's exhibition hall is still the same as it was the other day.

Shattered glass cases, scorched ground, cracks in the walls; colorful spotlights, wanton graffiti, and frantic music going wild...

Everything is the same except the additional presence of a big round table in the center of the room.

A grill sizzles on the table at the perfect temperature, emanating an enticing aroma.

Well, why isn't anyone ordering? Not hungry?

I didn't expect you to turn the place into a barbecue restaurant.

Hah. The building got bombed into a war zone, and the art can't stay here anymore. So I thought, we might as well turn it into a side gig instead of leaving it empty.

The TV stations in Dossoles lost their money-maker Reynell, so now they've started sticking their noses here and spreading rumors that none of our artists can cook and just survive on dried cactus.

So I have to show them what true Bolívarian cuisine is!

Then, I'll have one of those onion and mushroom meat skewers—

Make it two.

Coming right up!

Hmm... Mr. Diaz's really good at this.

I have to be honest, we've traveled all over Terra, but this is the first time we've tasted Bolívarian BBQ.

Where have you all been?

We started from the Sargonian desert, and after a brief stay on Rhodes Island where we got our 'Team Rainbow' moniker, we each went off to a few more places.

The rainforests of Sargon, the icefields of Sami, Columbia's mines and cities, villages in the Ursus taiga...

Even so, we've only ever set foot on a small piece of these lands.

My only regret is burying Levi Klitschko under the sands of Sargon along with his mad lab.

If you're homesick, you'll have to start thinking of a different way to go back.

Have you found one?

(shrugs) Not even a lead.

I guess you wouldn't mind a few more traveling companions on your quest?

Hahaha. The more the merrier!

Uh, Lord, what is that...?

Everyone, let me, on behalf of Lord, introduce this 'Ursus Specialty Beverage'—

There is a sudden noise outside the window.

The members of Team Rainbow turn their heads full of food and drink toward the source of the noise, wondering what kind of trouble has erupted this time—

And then, the first one to realize what is going on shrugs in resignation.

Papá says it's our turn to dance our Vulpo minuet today, so turn off your classical music!

But Tecno says she likes our triple meter waltz! Go and ask her if you don't believe me, she's over by the wall!

Yeah, exactly!

Come over here, Tecno. What do you make of this?

Hmph, don't bother me with this kinda stuff!

If you can spare the time to argue over what music to play, then maybe take a look at my work!

Your work? But your hand...

Oh, just come over and you'll see.

Wow! You... you drew this yourself?

Haha! I practiced a lot, and I'm finally used to drawing with my left hand—

Forget about the doodles and get your butt inside, Tecno! You have to try this 'Ursus Specialty Beverage' before they down the last drop of it! It's truly something else!

I've arrived at the target zone.

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Visibility's fine, should make a good deployment point...

Wait!

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The enemies here will launch a <@tu.kw>'Straight Shot'</> against an Operator in the <@tu.kw>same straight line</>, posing a threat to our Operators deployed on high ground.

Sorry... I guess my armor isn't thick enough...

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We can position ourselves behind a <@tu.kw>Barricade</> to avoid being hit by these <@tu.kw>Straight Shots</>. These objects block the enemy's line of sight, and they normally won't make a <@tu.kw>Straight Shot</> at an operator behind an obstruction.

Of course, you can also deploy an Operator within the enemy's line of sight in order to bait out the <@tu.kw>Straight Shot</>.

Leave the baiting work to me!

Huh? Why are they attacking the <@tu.kw>Barricade</>?

The drone we just took down has <@tu.kw>'Exposed'</> our Operators around its crash site.

Once an Operator is <@tu.kw>'Exposed'</>, enemies can launch a <@tu.kw>'Straight Shot'</> at them even if they are behind a Barricade. An <@tu.kw>Exposed</> Operator takes <@tu.imp>more</> damage as well.

Thank goodness the <@tu.kw>Barricade</> will take a few <@tu.kw>'Straight Shots'</> before it crumbles... We must take out the enemies now!

All units, find cover behind <@tu.kw>Barricades</> and take up combat positions.

I scouted out the situation above. The enemies are gathering near cover.

Then it's time for a Cluster Charge.

Careful, there are enemies waiting to strike down below as well.

Don't worry, I'm here.