act32side

It's my first time taking a partner operator home to Dossoles, so I asked Orchid about you before we left.

Then you know what happened when I left my homeland...

A brave act.

And when I went back...

An honorable choice.

Well, it's not something I'm ashamed of... it's just a little more fit to be shared over a drink or two, not like this...

Well, you can buy me a drink when we get to Dossoles. That's my price for hearing the story. Deal?

Deal.

Sir!

What is it?

I believe I found a lead on that thing you asked me to look into.

Word around the casino is that a shipment of Oripathy suppressants is being delivered to that artist community. There are a lot of Infected in there. If we can stop the shipment, maybe...

Who's delivering it?

A pharmaceutical company by the name of Rhodes Island. It has a bit of a reputation in Dossoles and is linked to Lady Candela... is it dangerous?

Dangerous...? Let me think...

By the way, did you get anything on the men who showed up at Reynell's office the other day?

Sorry, sir, we tried, but we couldn't find anything...

What about our old rivals? The people behind them?

Nothing there either.

Are you telling me they just dropped from the sky?

Maybe someone doesn't want us digging up their background?

Then who is that someone?

Ah... I see... why didn't I think of it?

What's that?

What if it's in the Coalition government itself? Plenty of people would love to have my job.

Perhaps even someone who's spent a lot of time under me... what do you think?

A-Absolutely not! I've always been loyal to you, and to you alone! I swear!

Now that I think of it, you wouldn't have the guts.

Y-You're absolutely right!

Well, I have my hands full with what's in front of me, anyway... is there a way to kill two fowlbeasts with one stone?

Teach those gangs in the community a lesson, while taking those people down a peg...

What do you remember about their tactics that day?

I thought you had to wait in the customs line for a long time.

It helps that I know the customs officer. I actually borrowed this car from him.

I didn't know you had so many friends here.

Let's get the meds delivered, then we can find a beach to lie down and relax.

There's no rush. It's a very interesting neighborhood that we're headed to. I think you'll like it.

What do you mean?

A lot of them are engaged in very special creative, spiritual activities, expressing their sentiments about life and everything around them through unique language and media.

I'm feeling a little confused... could you put it in a simpler way?

There are a lot of artists there.

Everything is in place, sir.

Don't worry, sir, we're properly dressed, and we've memorized the phrases that they used.

Reenacting their accents and tactics won't be easy, but we've got a former Blacksteel guy here who'll take point.

We've handed out the guns, as well as Originium explosives and launchers.

Yes, the medicine first, and the fewer people around the better. I know, leave witnesses alive.

I've got this, sir, no worries.

They're one block away, sir.

Move, move!

Ernesto, what's that in the middle of the road?

Maybe someone dropped it. We'll just go around.

Wait—it's an Originium explosive!

A what?!

No time to brake. Jump!

The medicine!

It's in a special container. It should survive the explosion... hopefully...

Can you stand?

Just a little scratch.

They're running towards the car!

Guys! There's no one inside! We're here!

No response.

Is it just me, or do they look more like mercenaries than tourists?

They could have something to do with that explosion. Let's go—

The men find what they need in the car and run away before Tequila can finish.

The remaining men point their guns at Catapult and Tequila.

Guns?!

Who are they, Ernesto?

That's what I want to know.

Why are you after the meds?

Open fire!

Damn—

Ernesto, get down!

Engaging! Six o'clock!

Fire! Fire! Keep them pinned down!

Are you okay, Arleta?

I'm fine. Only one of them is actually shooting properly. The others are just popping launchers—

Reloading! Cover me!

Twelve o'clock... our man down...

Too many of them. We can't reach the meds.

Let's get to the alley over there. There's a way out that way.

(Whisper) Gotcha. I'll cover you.

(Whisper) Ten meters, five meters, three meters... Arleta!

The street art community? Why do you ask?

I'm interested in the arts festival on this flyer.

I wouldn't go there if I were you. They aren't people you want to mess with.

I agree. There are a lot of Infected there.

Infected? Are they sick?

Are you kidding me?

No one will show us the way. It sounds like a dangerous place. Are we still going?

Taxis won't even take us there.

Maybe we should report back to Ela and go together with the others.

Look what we've got here. The perfect angle, subject and expression. A true work of art.

Did you just take our photo without permission, sir?

Give me the camera, please.

Come now, handsome, don't get angry, take a look. I guarantee you'll love it.

Here.

The screen shows the duo frowning at the taxi driving away, as though bothered by its wake, one putting her hands on her hips in frustration, the other covering his nose.

A snapshot of everyday life at its most amusing, condensed into a single picture.

Pff... that's not bad.

You do have a good eye.