act6d5

And here I thought you made a quick buck playing the forex market on Victoria's slide. I had you all wrong.

Hey.

Or did your investments in Rim Billiton pay off? It was a mining thing... I think I remember the transfer process wasn't exactly above board.

Y- you know a lot about this...

But of course. We're friends, aren't we? Be-a-trix?

I'm serious! You better not have been digging up dirt on me!

Why I never.

But maybe the L.G.D. would jump at the chance to get their hands on you. And wouldn't that be a great service?

Nooo way.

Anyway. There is one other bit of good news I won't keep from you.

Oh yeah. You're happy that we're out here having a nice stroll, that there's a party, and that all she can do is stare at L.G.D. data and maybe slip out on patrol for some fresh air.

You know all that too?!

Woman's intuition. How else do you think I passed that exam without studying?

Wha, no way! You didn't like bribe the L.G.D. or pull some other shady move...?

Ooh?

Wow, a firecracker! Now that's the sound of New Year's.

Huh? What's with you? Why'd you... Oh.

...What?

Are you still afraid of firecrackers at your age?

No. It just makes me uncomfortable that someone would use an uncontrollable explosive like that for such a frivolous purpose.

Explosive? A firecracker?

Yes. Firecrackers are an Originium explosive device, are they not?

Isn't that kind of blowing things out of proportion?

——Nonsense.

...Are you sure?

Yes.

Well, I'd like to relive my childhood for a bit, so why don't we go buy a couple bundles to play with——

Oh yes, I just remembered, there's a report on the investigation into you sitting in a certain drawer...

...W- we'd better get along to that party.

Attention all units: a vessel is mooring. Attention all units: a vessel is mooring.

Doctor, we've arrived.

This is Lungmen?;It's completely different now.;......

Is this your first time seeing Lungmen at New Year's?

It's easy to get distracted by the festive atmosphere. But don't forget we have a job to do.

To 'ring in the New Year,' right?;What's this 'Nian' anyway?;......

The 'Nian' is a legend... or so they say.

But the records show that it is a real, if anomalous phenomenon.

Around the turn of each year, Lungmen, actually all of Yan, and even the parts of Ursus that wander nearby, get attacked.

Attacked?;Anomalous phenomenon?;It's really hot out.

The documented records of damage to each city don't match up very well, and the earlier legends are pretty murky.

Some speak of giant, man-eating monsters. Some tell of a strange army. And still others speak of a group of mysterious casters.

There's even a conspiracy theory floating around that some organized crime syndicate or other shadowy group fabricated the whole 'Nian' thing to cover up their activities...

...Speaking of, weren't you listening in the meeting, Doctor?

......;......;......Sorry.

Welcome to Lungmen, Rhodes Island.

Chief Wei is waiting at the L.G.D. Please come with me.

The point is, we'll go see Chief Wei first. She'll explain the important details.

Say... Doctor, have you seen Lava?

H- how many bottles is this?

Madame Oni, let's not..

The number!

Seventeen!

Ugh... Since when... can you drink like this?

The L.G.D. has the occasional... get-together.

What ngaang gaau 'get-togethers' are you talking about... bullshit... ugh...

Gah, it's so hot! Hey, get some ice water, or beer or whatever!

I think you've had enough, Madame Oni...

Take care of her, and don't go anywhere.

*Sigh*, come on, Madame, have some water.

*GULP* *GULP* Ahh!

Hey, Ch'en... Next time you wanna pay a visit... *hiccup* You don't have to come up with some... crazy excuse, you know?

We live in different worlds.

Now, since you admit defeat, I'll... nnng...

Um...? Ch'en Sir, you're looking a little wobbly there.

I'm fine.

...You guys better get ready. If Chief Wei is right, then all of Lumgen is gonna hafta bland tofether...

Ch'en Sir, are you really okay?

*Deep breath* Pfft——

When she wakes up, you tell her, the L.G.D. got a lead on the 'Nian.'

A lead? Like a giant footprint or something?

Crazy huge craters, melted buildings, massive scorch marks.

Woah... I heard the Nian was actually a huge Originium slug thousands of miles long... is that true?

Who knows?

Our scouts couldn't find anything that looked like casting, but those marks definitely weren't there long.

Point is, if there's really something out there...

You guys gotta pitch in.

Why do we gotta help out the fuzz?

Because you can fight.

...Hey now, I like the sound of that. Ch'en Sir ain't all bad!

Don't you think it's really hot out today?

Early spring.

It's midnight. This is an early spring?

Whatever. Did that Lung get back to you yet?

Not yet. This isn't really what the L.G.D. messaging system is for.

Standard duty is off today, right? And it's my private channel anyway.

Heh heh. She's probably so pissed off she's moping around the alleyways cursing herself.

...Wei, is that a fire?

What are you on about?

It's just, why is it heating up even after the sun's gone down?

To tell the truth, I have a bad feeling about this.

It must be hard being apart from your beloved daughter. A man of your age, you've spoiled her rotten.

Like you would know.

Give it up. Don't change the subject. You think I'm going to let you cheat again?

...Hrm.

Shift's up.

Is your report ready?

It's been ready. If you get here first tomorrow, do me a favor and get me a coffee.

Honestly...

Oh, this is for you, to pass the time.

What is it?