act37side

Huh?

I didn't mean to interrupt your writing, it's just that... that...

(Barnaby's late again, I'm thinking of going to look for him. I'm worried he's gone and gotten himself soused again.)

Well, Vina's not here yet. If you're gonna look, go look, no need to ask me—

Wait!

Now that I think about it, you said the same last time, and the two of you never came back the entire session.

W-We were just locked out last time...

In all honesty, Miss Morgan, I've been carrying around the factory's design sheets for near my entire life.

If you asked me to do a quality inspection, I'd know all the ins and outs of whichever part you'd like, and there wasn't a foreman out there who'd dare say I was wrong.

But sitting here with those lords and ladies, trying to read these documents covered in gobbledygook so we can manage such a ridiculously huge city...

(Biggest thing I've looked after in my life was my workshop. God, my heart's pounding like mad.)

With us at your back, why be scared of some tosspot nobles?

An elegantly-dressed member of parliament's eyes meets Morgan's gaze, and she smiles and nods her head in greeting.

Fine weather we're having today. I hope you are all in good health.

Ah, yeah. Good health to you too.

We're fine, just fine, thanks.

(Well... Just treat it as helping Vina fill the seats.)

(I suppose they're not <i>all</i> tosspots, but keep in mind that we put our lives on the line to take back the right to sit here.)

(Are you seriously thinking of going back to the days before that? If so, I'll have to sort you out first before these bastards ruin this city again.)

Alright, I get it, I get it. Are Miss Indra and Miss Dagda not showing up today?

They're busy handling some public safety stuff.

(*sigh* I'd rather hold my hammer tight and go back to bed too.)

Oh, Madam Speaker, you're here—What's this?

Vina! Wait, who's that you're carrying?

Barnaby!

C-Clive...

Help him to his seat, Delphine.

He drank until he passed out in front of the Sineselde's doors. Now he won't let go of Vina.

I'm waiting for the Speaker!

I've got... got a whole lot of proposals to help with the meds shortage—

Then you should include them in your formal petition. We reformed the rules issued by Parliament all so we could bind ourselves.

Lady Delphine, I swear Barnaby here's not trying to be a simpleton on purpose. He and I have talked about his ideas loads of times!

He's just like me, sick to our stomachs the moment we stepped foot into this bloody place, like the soul's getting sucked right out of us. It's not just that we can't speak right, all the brass courage we had while chopping down devils is gone.

So I came up with this stupid idea. That maybe a bit of drink would... would...

Relax, Vina's not going to get mad over something like that.

Right, you needn't worry. Parliament nowadays is incredibly complex by nature. Everyone here's on the lookout, getting used to things and learning on the job... That includes the Speaker.

If we're going to defeat those who wish us ill off the battlefield, we're going to have to learn how they think.

It's not going to be an easy process for any of us. The two of you have done pretty well, all things considered.

What if we become them once we learn enough about them...?

I-I certainly won't, Miss Morgan!

I'm not saying you will, Clive.

I can't guarantee that won't be the case, Morgan. Nobody can.

I believe in Vina. So do Hannah and Dagda... I don't care what you all think.

I'm sure we're all very clear on why we have convened this emergency meeting.

Ever since Parliament was reestablished, we have worked around the clock to resolve the issue of the Sarkaz who continue to operate within Londinium's walls.

We gave our citizens a promise. A promise of safety.

It matters not if it is the Sarkaz, or roving mercenaries such as Millscar hiding within the city; Parliament will strive to settle the matter.

We will brook no evil that threatens the safety of our people.

...You're putting me on trial?

There will be no trial, Sarkaz. Parliament's new interim bill dictates how we handle you. The provisional court has passed it as well.

You will be dealt with in a manner that all agree upon.

Not everyone. Just you people.

You caused grave injury to a kind-hearted shopkeep, all for a loaf of bread he had already set aside for you.

He's still alive?

He is.

Good. So, when's the execution?

You really should have left with the rest of your kind when the war ended.

You still remember me? Of course you do. You were the one who let me go during the big retreat, after all.

I'd say you were my savior, head of the Exemplars.

You—

'Longshot'. That's what my daughter calls me. You didn't ask me my name at the time, and I'm betting the people sitting by your side don't give a damn what it is.

But I'm going to ask everyone here something, on behalf of a few others.

Are Sarkaz born and bred in Londinium, who have never left the city, still considered Victorians?

<i>To be honest, I've never really thought about that question.</i>

<i>The Sarkaz who called himself Longshot never yelled or shouted, but the rowdy, chattering chamber went dead quiet as he spoke.</i>

<i>I looked at the people all around me, paying special attention to the nobles' expressions.</i>

<i>Those who had long made up their minds on the issue didn't feel like speaking up. As for those who hadn't, the more nervous of them had their eyes darting about, waiting for someone else to speak up first.</i>

<i>But me? I was part of the third kind of people. I didn't have to make up my mind, because Vina'd do it for me.</i>

<i>So that day, all I had to do was wait for her answer.</i>

<i>Just like the time I was up on the city walls, watching the Sarkaz troops leave the city, waiting for her to give me an answer.</i>

<i>I don't think I'm ever going to forget that sight, so long as I live.</i>

<i>Back then, I also had a question for Vina: Why're we allowing those Sarkaz who killed Baird to leave with so much pomp and circumstance?</i>

<i>She never said anything that day.</i>

<p=1>Atop Londinium's Walls</><p=2>October 8th, 1098, 8:48 P.M.</>

The Sarkaz troops are leaving.

The airship's shadow looms over the silent, orderly soldiers, the Lifebone tearing ripples through the dark clouds hanging above the ruins outside the city.

Vina stands atop the walls, quietly watching them march into the distance. Not too long ago, they were tearing apart her home.

The land is scarred and slick with blood.

How many years will it take to recover from the wounds Amnannam left on Londinium?

I don't know what you and the Doctor talked about, Vina, but there's still time to beat the shite out of all those bastards!

Our men and the boys from the ducal alliance are still waiting down at the foot of the walls. Just—

Hannah, we're the ones who most need to stay calm right now.

I'd like more than any of you to keep them here... But truth be told, we simply can't do it.

The dukes' main fleets haven't retreated too far away, Delphine.

Dagda's right! They can hem and haw all they like, but once we start the fight again, they'll have to help us out, even if it's just keeping up pretenses.

Then? Are you going to let these people who fought so hard to survive the war just throw their lives away?

Don't forget the ceasefire agreement. Now's not the time to act recklessly.

All you ever say is 'don't, don't, don't'! Screw this! Screw it all!

I can't take it any longer!

(Choking back tears) All those people... Our friends... Baird...

Indra stays not a moment longer. She fears she cannot stop herself from sliding down the walls to join the crowd below.

She fears she cannot stop herself from leading the charge, pulling her battle-worn yet battle-hungry fellows back into the fray.

Hannah...

She's been bottling herself up this whole time. Don't worry, Vina. I'll go keep an eye on her.

She's just venting. She's not the foolhardy type.

Vina. Why're we allowing those Sarkaz who killed Baird to leave with so much pomp and circumstance?

This is the best the Doctor and Wiš'adel could get us.

Londinium cannot withstand another war. There's... There's enough dead already.

You know this, Vina.

*sigh* Tell the Exemplars, no rash action from anyone—