act37side

You heard the man. This isn't your average union tosser. He's got the backing of a duke. Why's he going out of his way to play tyrant in some little factory, though?

Who cares why?! Since when did we need a reason to take out buggers like him?

I know Londinium's rather restless these days. The dukes've been playing their games around the clock. Don't tell me you haven't noticed all these fresh faces on the street lately?

Time to come up with a plan, Vina. We're all ears.

Since we've taken their protection money, it's up to us to do the legwork.

Let's go have a chat with this bastard of a foreman. Doesn't matter if he's got a duke behind him.

That's more like it!

Alright, if you say so, Vina...

But just to be safe, we should scope out the factory a bit, get some info. You're with me, Baird.

Sure.

Hey! Why didn't you ask me?!

What's wrong? You've been looking rather glum lately.

It's nothing. I was just thinking... I might be enjoying myself a little <i>too</i> much.

What, not too happy here?

You have a duty, Siege.

I've told you before, Dagda.

I've found a life for myself now, so why—

Is this life of yours helping your neighbors seek the justice of the streets, then heading to the noble manors to lob a few bricks?

There's no escaping some things.

You promised me you wouldn't talk about this in the gym.

Then I'll stay by your side, waiting for the day you have your answer.

<i>Life is long, but the pivotal moments that change you? They're over in an instant.</i>

<i>I recall that one afternoon, before the chaos of the storm struck us, when we could still enjoy those peaceful hours.</i>

<i>Indra didn't speak to me the whole day on account of my hesitation. Baird had to step in and smooth things over between us, and by nightfall we were all happy as could be, buying hot dogs and beer.</i>

<i>But I couldn't shake off the feeling that the Glasgow Gang was about to enter the craziest chapter of this story yet.</i>

<i>It wasn't until those wild dreams of ours came to an end that I realized the most pressing issue...</i>

<i>The main character of this tale wasn't the Glasgow Gang. It was Vina. Just Vina, all along.</i>

What's the matter, Ailshie?

Did you not instruct us to keep a close eye on Her Royal Highness Alexandrina's whereabouts?

The chief of the Royal Police has just looked over the case file of that ghastly brawl in Norport.

It involved a video shop known as McClaren's Place and a street gang going by the name of Glasgow.

Here is the original copy of the file.

It's rather vague, merely a record of the involved parties, but I thought you ought to know.

Upon a fuzzy black-and-white photograph, a woman sucking on a lollipop stares indignantly at the camera.

'Person of Interest: Siege (self-identified)'

Miss Allerdale, if you are near-certain she is Her Royal Highness... Why not seek her out immediately?

And what then? I bring her back to Cumberland Manor? Or send her off to Caster?

Whether or not she is Alexandrina no longer matters. The dukes are watching her closely. She can escape them no longer.

It sounds to me like she would be swallowed by the city itself.

Hah. We'll be swallowed too, Ailshie.

I'm willing to bet we're not the only ones with an interest in her. This matter has long since grown out of my control.

Considering Duke Caster's orders, should you not find her and bring her to Her Grace?

I need some time to think, Ailshie.

I saw her once before. I saw...

Her Royal Highness.

But no matter how you put it, it was all such a long time ago. Things being what they are, is an unknown heir truly so important?

It's merely an inkling... From the very first time I saw her, so many years ago, I always believed she would change things.

Let's go. There's a few workers I need to pop in on. I would also like to know how Her Highness has been doing these past few years.

Who's there?!

Grk—

The coast is clear.

I've handled this side too.

This is it. The place Charlie told us about.

We heard some chatter. Lately, the union's been keeping a whole bunch of goods inside this old factory, like they were a smuggling ring.

Johnny seized control of the union not just to skim some funds, but to do this sort of business.

What's inside those containers?

Just open 'em up and we'll find out—

Hannah! Slow—

Are those...?

...Originium weapons.

They're not standard Victorian issue. No idea of their actual provenance though.

Duke Cavendish's man sneakily taking over a factory, all so he can move weapons from God-knows-where into Londinium? What's he playing at here?

The dukes quietly stockpiling weapons within the city can only mean one thing.

And now we've left our fingerprints all over the place...

What do we do now, Vina? Looks to me like it's something way bigger than we can handle.

We can't handle it ourselves, but we can tell others.

Got a light, Hannah?

Bloody hell, you can still see the factory burning from all the way out here!

This is no laughing matter, Indra!

Of course it is! We messed up some wicked duke's scheme!

We... did something really big here.

At least we can say we've done nothing wrong, yeah?

Let the coppers handle the rest of it.

They say Londinium's so big it defies borders, but at times I feel it's rather small. Wouldn't you agree?

Who would have thought I would meet you here, Alexandrina. Your Royal Highness.

Who are you?!

I'm Morrill, a humble guest at the Cavendish estate. Nobody in particular. And yet, I would say I'm one lucky chap.

You know about the factory... You know what Duke Cavendish is up to.

Though I can boast of sharing some of the Duke's burdens, I was not wholly in the know about His Grace's plans for Londinium.

However, at this moment, my only concern is you, Your Royal Highness Alexandrina.

I must say, seeing Your Highness standing before me really does call to mind the sight of His Majesty, all those years ago.

You and he are so very alike. The same childish sense of justice, the same... price you must pay for clinging to it.

What do you want?

Your little adventure with your friends this evening... Hardly matters, I say. A few boxes of lost merchandise is hardly anything compared to meeting you.

Come now. At the very least, I'll let your chums leave alive. How about that?

Why should I believe a word you're saying?

Excuse my impertinence, Your Highness, but the truth is you have no other choice.

Or should I say, you are free to try and escape, but I will be keeping a close eye on your whereabouts.

No.

Vina! The hell're you doing?!

Stop swinging already! You've nearly beaten him dead!

*huff*... *huff*...

I...

It's fine, he's still breathing.

Vina... What's this all about?

You lot... Get out of here.

The factory, all this, it was all my doing. Nothing to do with anyone else.

Are you havin' a laugh?!

Vina... What was he saying? Why'd he keep calling you 'Your Royal Highness'?

...Because she's the heir to the throne of Victoria.