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Not even the betrayal of the Don and his heir could shake this sense of belonging.

You and the Don wanted to do away with the old and bring in the new, to change this country from the foundation. How admirable. How determined.

But isn't it a little cruel, if there is no room in your great ambitions for the fratelli who have had your back all this time, who had gone through hell and high water with you?

They respect you, Leon. But they're also...

Disappointed.

Yes, disappointed... you knew.

How cold of you, Leontuzzo.

If Nuova Volsinii rejects purely because the mayor was once the heir of Bellone, because of the potential backlash that permitting the entry of Bellone business might bring—

The problem can be solved by taking you out of the equation.

You men are in place nearby. The reveling crowd pays no heed to us. It's not hard for you.

Barely an inconvenience.

I said a year ago that I am responsible to those left behind.

I had intended to tell you this, that night at the restaurant. I've had to push it back for a few days.

I didn't have anything to do with your accident, Signor Mayor. But I will not hesitate to get you out of our way, if you become an obstacle to us.

I believe it. You were never the joking type.

So—

What's that sound?

An even bigger float? Did the City Hall plan a surprise for the parade?

I don't know how many of you are skulking out there tonight, but I can tell you pretty much every driver from the guild is here, be it full members or temporary contractors.

Hah, strength in numbers, she says.

What's next? You'll whip out a spanner from the trunk or something?

I'll tell you what, get out of my sight right this instant, all of you, and I'll pretend I didn't see you tonight.

I never thought we could stop you through strength of numbers alone.

A bunch of haulers who could hardly hold their own in a drunken brawl, much less fight to the death. Life's already hard enough. There's too much in life that we have to give up.

You've proven one thing: The famiglie will never give a second thought about us. Not then, not now, not ever.

Continue to cower, and all we'll continue to see is blood. Our own, our friends', our family's...

It's been a full ten minutes.

Can you reach Gambino?

No, I ain't getting through at all...

Something's not right...

The landship shoulda reached the rendezvous point and made port, and the convoys shoulda been on their way already. But there's no movement at the docks at all...

Are you going to listen to that driver talk until morning, Capone?

They're just a bunch of haulers, Antonio. Are you sure—

They're in the way, Capone.

What's going on? Feels like the whole plate is shaking...

It came from the direction of the port—

Hey, that way—

That's our landship... right?

A balloon escapes the thread that bound it and rises into the air for a dozen seconds, until it comes to an abrupt end when it meets a corner at the top of a massive object.

It is a custom-built cargo landship.

A massive vehicle that travels from city to city, its enormous, resilient hull able to protect massive amounts of cargo from Catastrophes and hazardous terrain. It is not an object that one would expect to see inside a city.

But it has forced its way into Nuova Volsinii by brute force, its tracks crushing the ground underneath it, sending gravel flying. It tears buildings apart like paper as it brushes past them, and the resultant rubble falls from the sky like a rain of stone.

It shows no sign of stopping even as it enters the square, casually brushing aside the trucks that surrounded the courthouse, while mafioso and truck drivers alike scatter, fleeing for their lives.

Finally, slowly, the landship comes to a rumbling halt.

That was when they noticed that there are ribbons and balloons all over this behemoth of steel, meant to roam the wilderness. It is here for the festival.

Ciao!

*cough* *cough* Why so serious, wolf pups? It's Carnevale! A time to celebrate and party!

Be it admonishment or taunt, all could hear the voice coming from the deck of the landship.

The White Wolf removes her mask. No one can take their eyes off her.

Beams from spotlights sweep away the darkness around her. The tactful night breeze brushes open the bright red on her shoulder.

The best tailor in Siracusa has weaved roses and blood into the dress of the White Wolf, equally at home on stage or in the wilds.

Seemingly satisfied at the reaction of the audience of mafioso and truck drivers, Lappland delivers her brightest smile, and takes a graceful bow.

Shall we dance? Fall behind, lose your tail.

Well, why are you standing there like a bunch of statues? The least you could do is blow a kiss or two.

This is the final stop of the night of wonders. What are you doing, if you're not welcoming the parade with the grandest show of them all?

Oh, I see! Most of you are still empty-handed!

My bad, my bad. A game has got to be fair, and a performance has got to be grand. Thankfully, someone has prepared the props ahead of time—

Music begins to play, and Lappland puts her foot forward to the rhythm. Acting like she owns the place, she kicks box after box off the deck; all the while, she never stops talking.

The boxes break apart in mid-air, sending their contents scattered across the plaza—Arts units, guns, staves, crossbows, Originium explosives...

It is a rain of weapons that falls everywhere. All one has to do is stretch out their hand to pick up the raindrops.

Don't be shy, don't be shy! It's what you've been waiting for, what you've been looking for, isn't it?

No rush, no hurry! There's plenty for everybody!

The night is young, Nuova Volsinii!

The White Wolf of Saluzzo has hijacked our landship...

Is this Alberto's doing? No, the use of the landship was a last-minute decision. Alberto hasn't shown any sign of intervening, other than the two of us butting heads on the matter of the Truckers' Union.

What is that Lappland thinking? She's not doing this just for fun, is she?

Still can't get through to Gambino.

You better pray he's still alive.

Uh...

No need to be anxious.

Lappland just spared us the effort of delivering the weapons to the square. Other than the commotion being a little bigger than expected, things are going largely according to plan.

I'm going to the docks. Lappland is just one Lupo. Even if something did happen at the Nuova Volsinii port, there will be enough time to deal with it.

You take care of things here at Court Square. Get the guys from adjacent districts to come over towards Court Square. Take inventory and make sure the goods are delivered properly.

The city's brain and heart is what's really important. Once that's under control, everything else will fall into place.

You got it.

I had the boys clear a path that takes you away from the parade and cops, so that you can get to the Nuova Volsinii port in the shortest amount of time.

The route has been sent to your terminal.

I'm on my way—

Capone?

Wasn't easy to get you out of the shadows, boss.

Is betrayal a proud Sicilian tradition too?

Who are you wagging your tail to? City Hall? Saluzzo? Or one of the other famiglie that's trying to take advantage of the situation in the city?

Oh, just putting you in touch with somebody who wanted to meet you.

Antonio hears footsteps behind him. He turns around and sees the familiar figure at the end of the alley, walking slowly towards him.

As for your question...

You weren't such a bad boss, you know. Temperamental, but sharp. I actually felt pretty guilty when that crazy Lappland came knockin'.

Glad I don't feel that way now. Thanks for that one.

The famiglie got a hundred ways to deal with enemies and traitors. Cut their tongues, slit their throats, bury 'em alive with their families...

We're villains through and through, and there ain't much we wouldn't do... but no famiglia would raise a hand against honest folk who pay their protection money.

What?

Times may change, but there's some rules in Siracusa that never do.

I guess, when all's said and done, you're still a Bolívarian, Antonio.

That was quick.

You need to get your news faster.

I was waiting nearby all this time.

Still, thank you.

If you wanna thank someone, thank Lappland. Not that I got any clue what she's planning.

...If I get a chance.

Need a hand?

You can go.