act9d0

I guess it's more 'was intercepted by' than 'ran into.'

...So, we've been caught again?

Wouldn't be the first time. We could take the initiative here...

By the look of things, we don't have a choice. The Messenger came back with an order.

...An order? For us? From who?

Since when do we take orders from anyone?

I've gone through the options. Just let me finish.

They want us off the battlefield and up to a remote mountain pass. Looks like it might take us through a canyon.

...To protect a transport team.

Escorting transports is a pretty run-of-the-mill job. There has to be more to it, right?

...I don't know.

...Excuse me?

Really sorry. The situation's spiraled out of control—

But this could be a rare opportunity for us.

Now that we're responsible for the entire team, the situation has changed. Everyone else is looking for an opening, and we can't just sit around waiting to die.

You and W are in charge of this job.

...I have some issues here.

First of all, I won't go with W.

She's made some waves, but I don't think she's ready yet.

She's totally proven herself.

I see things you can't. I trust my Arts.

Hoederer's team shows up with a new demolitions expert, and suddenly the battlefield is one big fiery explosion.

The other mercs are all playing it cool. The 'battlefield' changes every day, and you never know when it might swallow up your base camp.

...I know.

She doesn't hesitate; not when she's lying, not when she's killing. She is too 'qualified' a mercenary. I can't tell how deep she is.

I'm not looking for a knife in my back, and I don't think she's cut out for this 'escort' job. No matter how great you think she is, now's not the time to send out your greenhorn.

Or did you have some ulterior motives?

I'm working with the tools I've got.

Look at where we are. We can't leave people on the sidelines anymore.

Mercs don't have a dog in the fight, really. But that also means we don't belong anywhere. When the dust settles, we'll fade away, along with the war.

The difference is, war will return one day. But we have only one chance to live.

I'm not going to be fatalistic about this... and neither should any of you. That's the deal.

We have to play the hand we've been given. Stand out from the crowd, and stake out our own position.

...That group's here from Rim Billiton. I'm willing to bet they get raided not long after crossing into Kazdel territory.

A lot of our people won't take the job. We'll have to change the teams up a bit, but it doesn't matter in the end.

It's a dangerous contract, but worth the risk. We, or at least you—

Hold up.

Not that I question your decision... It's just that...

...Ah, forget it. Anyway, you don't need to be so uptight. I'll follow your orders, as always.

But first, you need to calm down, then take a look at your own feet.

...Hm?

Oh... Are you talking about my shadow?

I can't read your eyes. What am I looking for?

Your shadow. It's trembling.

...It's windy. And the campfire is flickering.

You know what I'm talking about. All you Sarkaz are like this.

Don't always try to plan too far ahead. There are too many things you can't control. We're just mercenaries, after all.

...I'll keep that in mind.

So, if you want me to bring W with me, what about you?

What are you planning?

That's on a need to know basis. You're safer this way.

If you can't trust the other teams, you should at least trust your own.

I'm not hiding anything from you, it's just...

Out with it then.

Spill it!

Who was it our Messenger met?

...'Babel.'

A sleeper cell Babel left in Kazdel.

Tsk... Those are the same goons as last time— How'd they find us here?!

Hurry up and retreat! Don't waste time!

They've got us surrounded. And outnumbered.

Then we gotta find a way to break through!

Their scouts took out all our sentries. We're in the dark here...

Bullshit! Are you gonna stand around and wait for their Casters to fry you?

Hey, you... You're with Hoederer... What are you doing here?

Where's Hoederer? And his men? He's supposed to be—

Wh-what are you doing to my comms?! What gives—!

...Would you shut up already?

Remember how I was on patrol here? That made it real easy to plant bombs all over your camp.

...You! Hoederer! You sold us out...!

Don't make it sound so bad.

We're headed out on a long, long trip. And wouldn't you know it? Some guests showed up just as we're leaving. So someone's gotta stay behind to hold the fort.

Now if we leave some snacks out for our guests like a good host, maybe that'll get them to stop chasing us?

Gotta say, I appreciate all you're doing for us~

Damn you... You knew they were coming the whole time... And you're just going to leave us here to die—?!

Hmmm...

Well, at least try to put up a bit of a fight. The more you struggle, the bigger our head start.

But seriously, thanks a kiloton.

I ordered you to help the teams that didn't have time to escape, but...

...Why didn't anyone else make it out?

They volunteered to stay behind.

Don't worry. I left them a little gift... So they were more than happy to help us hold off the bad guys.

...I doubt anyone here would be willing to sacrifice themselves.

No need to lie about it. Nobody's going to blame you for sacrificing others to save your own squad.

But lying to your commander is another story.

You can't fool my eyes, W. You're on thin ice here.

Don't forget how green you are.

...I'll be sure to reflect upon my actions, Captain Ines.

Because we'll be working together... for a very long time.

So, what's the plan now?

No harm, no foul. What's done is done, and it was probably going to turn out like this anyway.

W might have made the right call.

...Do you seriously believe that?

The Sarkaz over there have nothing to do with us.

Who they were, what they did. How they lived, how they died. None of our business.

Brutal.

Let's talk work first. Ines, you and W split up and lead your teams away. Messengers stay radio silent, then regroup at the rendezvous point.

...I'll catch up later.

...One more thing.

I don't care what kind of mischief you get up to, how one of you exploits the other or whatever, but I won't stand for you actually, directly fighting.