act47side

What the freak is with that tree up in the air?

There are only a few days until the exhibition! How many stands does that thing take up? Rhine Lab didn't apply for upper-level exhibition rights!

Rhine and the ATAO must be colluding! I saw Gordon Tannen on that tree that night!

Gustave, former ATAO Director, promised in a broadcast that he'd have an explanation the next morning. And what actually happened?

Not one word from the committee! I bet they're stalling for time!

Please remain patient.

The credibility of the Propeller Paradise administration and engineering departments is at stake here. We need to deal with this carefully and come up with a plan that can satisfy the hundreds of corporations that have an interest in the project.

Who's asking you to deal with it carefully?

Yes?

Who gives a crap? It's not like this is another Ring Lab.

The engineering department's inspections have stopped, and the administration's vetting is over. Who cares if Propeller Paradise officials are doing their jobs or not?

But the hearing is a necessary part of the oversight process...

Investigations and trials, those are your problem. We just want to know the result of the hearing—

The Air Expo Columbia we expected to make a splash in Columbia and even all of Terra—is it gonna happen or not?

Out of the way.

I said, out of the way.

You really think that sitting here puts your illegal equipment out of our reach?

It remains Rhine Lab property until the hearing is underway. Besides, what are you calling 'illegal equipment'?

Don't you recognize a floating botanical unit when you see it? The saplings floating around you are no different from the one behind us.

You insolent little... I need more men over here!

Sky, we don't have the numbers. We can only hold out for so long, if they decide to use force.

Besides, we don't know whether this tree-like device behind us is legal, or whether it's safe. After all, it's only been two years since Control Wright...

I'll ask you one question. As a scientist, are you willing to just hand over the product of Director Lunorey's sweat and blood?

No, but...

Then take action. Leave no regrets.

If only we had more people. But Rhine only has so many people on Propeller Paradise...

Did you forget that we're Rhine Lab people too, Mr. Jagger?

I didn't want to drag you into this.

You're worried about the hearing? Hah, it's not like we haven't seen our share of trumped-up charges.

Those guards wouldn't have gotten onto this platform if you called us sooner.

Bunch of slumslugs trying to play the hero?

Possession of illegal equipment, destruction of property, aiding and abetting... there's enough to keep all of you locked away for years!

I'd already be locked away if Director Lunorey didn't take me in.

You wanna touch the tree, you have to go through us!

Don't threaten me with a good time!

Rhine researchers and testers form a wall against the guards attempting to enter, while curious onlookers on the outside look up at the towering 'tree'.

A tall, dark figure walks past the rear of the crowd, footsteps clanking.

So... this is Rhine's 'tree'.

It's an honor to see you here.

Oh, you flatter me, Mercia. I've been on an extended holiday and it's about time I got back in the saddle.

Are you here for the hearing?

Yes. The design of the Maylander Emergency Management Council badge is pretty nice. You should try one on.

Is my mission over?

Our mission has only just started.

What are your orders?

No rush. These past few days have been quite eventful. Other than Nasti and Gordon Tannen, are there any other stories that I should hear?

...No.

Good.

See you at the ropeway station in five minutes. There's so much going on with Propeller Paradise that I'm sure I'll need a local guide.

Understood.

(Broken muttering)

Sorry, I should have closed the window.

Company reps and testers are protesting on the streets. The longer the hearing takes, the more restless they get.

Are you feeling better?

(Weak breathing)

You're in poor shape.

You've already seen Director Lunorey. Perhaps I should send you back to the Convallis—

No... no...

Another no, just like last night.

Things will only get messier on Propeller Paradise in the coming days.

It'll be even more difficult to leave.

We're in jail again! They didn't even bother to change our cell!

The time of the hearing keeps changing... you think they might be looking for more evidence and stack even more charges on us?

Look, if they ask, I'm telling the truth that you're the impostor!

Come on, say something, you're scaring me...

You know, nomadic prisons on the barrenlands could become tourist attractions. The only problem is that it's much easier to get in than out.

You're still thinking about tours at a time like this?

You've already lost one client, and now you're putting your other one in jail?

I'll find her. And there's no need for you to worry.

How do you figure?

No trial, no ID check, no notice to appear... you think the guards are just stalling for time to find a way to charge us?

Yes.

I don't think so. I think it's a sign—

You and I are not the focus of this hearing.

Ferne and Oakley are in jail. Merry hasn't been seen since last night. All the phone lines at the registrar are busy. Everyone and their Originium slugs are looking for me and Nasti.

It's time I put what I learned from the old man into practice. I'll have an answer for everything. I have nothing to fear!

Looks like the old fox has lost his touch. No one's come to interrogate me yet.

Wait a second!

Phew... alright, I still show up as the chief executive of Propeller Paradise on the terminal.

Beep—'Sky Conqueror' is currently under excessive stress. Please remember your health. We are on a long journey that leads beyond Terra.

Dammit, are they gonna start that hearing or not? Everything would be over and done with if I were in charge! That old coot just keeps tripping me up. It's been this way for seven years!

Why haven't you gotten one bit better in the past seven years?

Gustave...

How would YOU do it, if you were in charge?

Uh...

You thought you could pat yourself on the back for stopping the Rhine inspections, thinking you could continue to run your little hustle worry-free...

What do you think ATAO was, a kindergarten? Is that how you ended up this naive?

Everything would have gone smoothly if not for that bloody tree! This is all Nasti's fault!

Smoothly? Even a junior assistant under Nasti saw through your tricks.

The whole country would've seen your dirty laundry if he weren't every bit as naive as you, so much that he came to me for help.

So tell me, how do you plan on dealing with it?

...Please... help me... sir...

Hmph. Whatever the reason Rhine had to build this floating unit, we can't let them continue to define their own creations.

The administration should have had full authority over this, but it has been excluded from the assessment, thanks to your incompetence.

You mean, we'll need a third party?

A scientific consultant who is objective, professional, with the appearance of impartiality.

Mr. Tannen. It's a pleasure.

He doesn't look like a scientific consultant at all... can he really handle this Rhine stuff?

I visited the floating platform in order to familiarize myself with the assessment subject.

It's certainly an impressive 'tree'. And there was plenty of activity in its shade.