act37side

Two contracts. One, signed by your husband, the one you just paid. Another, signed by you on behalf of your husband.

But he's gone!

He's gone, but the medicine isn't. Here, do take it. Now, let's talk about your bill...

We accept credit, of course—

We don't.

Oh, boss. Er... Since when we don't—

Just now. Take her to 'get some rest'.

Alright. And then?

Send her to the Sineselde. The honorable MPs are waiting for me, aren't they?

<p=1>The Sineselde, Parliamentary Chamber</><p=2>December 15th, 1098, 5:58 P.M.</>

Out of the way! Let the doctors work!

We've identified the victim, Vina. One Mrs. Lawrence, of Norport.

Are the injures life-threatening?

No, the vital organs were unharmed. She's just lost a lot of blood. Millscar's people did it.

But rumors are beginning to spread, and that's not a good thing.

Her husband, Mickey Robinson, recently passed away from acute Oripathy after being unable to get proper treatment.

He was one of the Exemplars who came home with us.

This is her answer.

Escort Mrs. Lawrence to the Defense Forces medical camp, Delphine.

What about you?

...Two more minutes.

I will keep the word of the provisional court... and my own.

At Delphine's behest, several MPs carefully carry the unconscious woman out of the Parliamentary Chamber. The carpet on the floor, which has only recently been replaced, is soaked in her blood.

It was the Sarkaz who had bled here two months ago.

There is order on the floor again.

One more minute. There is no one, except two black feathers that seem to be staring at Vina.

They fell from the unconscious woman. As the group carrying her walked past, they were swept up into the air, only to slowly drift down.

That is the place where she should have stood.

The clock strikes six.

It is time. Esteemed members of Parliament, as Millscar has forfeited her right to a defense—

In accordance with the law, I, Vina Victoria, Speaker of the Parliament of Londinium, pronounce—

A special warrant is hereby issued for the arrest of Millscar, dead or alive. Defense Forces patrols are to apprehend Millscar personnel by any means necessary.

Effective... immediately.

Also, issue a city-wide announcement that Parliament will accelerate the enactment of the City Safety Act.

On behalf of Parliament, I vow to the citizens of Londinium that the curfew will be fully lifted within a month, when the reorganization of the police forces is complete.

The provisional court will complete the necessary personnel movement and additions within two months, at which point it will be renamed the Londinium City Court.

The court will continue to process backloaded cases concerning public safety following the conclusion of the war.

Parliament and I will ensure that everyone is treated in a fair and just manner—

Regardless of any privileges that one may have enjoyed, for whatever reason—

All shall stand equal before the law.

What kind of leader do you want to be, Vina?

I... I don't know, Doctor.

But I should at least know what is right and what is wrong, no?

Sometimes, right and wrong depend entirely on where you stand.

Then what should I do?

Accept those who despise you, for they keep you vigilant.;Stay true to what you believe in, to help you triumph over solitude.

I learned that from a friend who recently left us.

Bagpipe reporting in. Sweep complete in T-11 and T-32. No sign of Millscar.

How's things over there?

No sign of Millscar in C-11 and C-20, ma'am.

What about L-10? No reports yet?

Reynold? Is there a situation?

I-I'm here!

Th-There's nobody here in L-10—

His gaze alternates between the purple blade before him and Millscar, imploring for mercy.

(Nods)

I-I'm coming back now.

Did you find anything useful?

N-No! Nothing at all!

The purple blade is lowered. He slowly backs off.

Alright. Meet up at the rendezvous point.

B-Be there in a minute.

Leave the communicator.

O-Okay.

He keeps his eyes on Millscar in the shadows. Once he is sure that she is not going to kill him, he drops the communicator, and flees for his life.

<p=1>Cavendish Street, Londinium</><p=2>December 15th, 1098, 9:58 P.M.</>

So quiet...

I prefer the underground. At least the sound there doesn't make me feel—

Aha.

Parliament has yet to lift the post-war curfew. They are trying to protect the people... from people like her.

The communicator that she just obtained continues to supply the latest news about the patrols.

Millscar strolls past the shops by the roadside. She hears the faint sound of radio from one of them, and stops before the dimly-lit storefront.

What do you think about Madam Speaker's announcement that the curfew will be lifted in stages as law and order are restored, Hans?

Considering the current pace at which the police and courts are being reorganized? A joke, if you ask me. Who's arresting whom, and who's judging whom?

You don't trust Parliament? Many citizens sleep sounder in their beds, knowing that Parliament has been hard at work rooting out the remaining devils over the past two months.

Today's sweep of underground insurgents has been particularly effective, eliminating another long-term threat to public safety.

In the span of three hours, we have received thousands of messages from citizens expressing their gratitude to Parliament, in particular to our honorable—dare I say, majestic, even—Madam Speaker.

I do not deny that she has been a decisive leader, up till now. How long do you think she can keep it up, though?

I bet you ten pounds that in three months, you wouldn't be able to tell her from those fat, filthy, lying nobles—

Hmph.

A lavish car stops next to her. The door opens. There is only the driver... and a set of familiar clothing.

She recognizes the emblem of House Cumberland.

You're alive. Her Grace the Duke is willing to recognize your value.

She is giving you a chance to come back.

Tell her that Cumberland has died.

And one who has already died once is not afraid to die again.

The door closes, and the car leaves, disappearing at the end of the street.

Bloody hell... looks like it's not just you who want to kill me, Vina.

You'd better hurry...

She walks silently in the shadows by the side of the street, disappearing into the night.

At least there will be more people who believe that you can give them that most precious, most valuable of things right now—safety.

I hope you like my final gift to you, Alexandrina...

After this, we're even.

<i>Morale was high before our attack on the Nachzehrer position at the Palace of Westhaleg. Couldn't say the same about the people in the city though.</i>

<i>They had lived for so long under Sarkaz rule that they could hardly even conceive of resistance. Dagda and I found it difficult to persuade able-bodied citizens to join us...</i>

<i>Until Vina showed up.</i>

<i>She was wearing an outfit I never thought I would see her in... an outfit for a king. She never said who gave it to her, but we could all guess the answer.</i>

<i>Allerdale.</i>

<i>I was dumbfounded. I looked at Dagda, and saw her fighting to contain her trembling.</i>

<i>I saw the frenzied crowd rush through streets and alleys, scrambling over one another to join us.</i>