ayer

Maybe they did give warning in time... but someone intentionally prevented the notice from reaching the population.

By the time anyone realized, it was too late.

Delay the Catastrophe warnings? Why would anyone do that?

This is Rim Billiton. The mining companies run the show.

Catastrophes reveal ore veins, so every time one happens it results in a scramble by the companies to claim the new ones.

Sometimes, this takes the form of delaying the communication of evacuation notices... if you're unscrupulous enough.

Bastards...

Cowell planned this well, but he didn't count on your survey team moving even quicker than he did.

You must have a good Catastrophe Messenger on your side. Anyway, it threw a wrench into his plans.

I guess that piece of fowlbeast dung has turned to kidnapping now.

Leon...

Like I said, you shouldn't be too optimistic about your employer's prospects in Cowell's hands.

We keep going.

Didn't find anything.

You searched the entire area?

I scanned every inch, but nothing. No new markings.

...You're right, the trail ends here.

The prospective mining area was in the south. If that's their target...

Compass doesn't work here.

We'll expand the search radius. You said there were signs of an approaching sandstorm. How far away is it?

20 minutes, tops.

Oh, right! I think I caught a glimpse of a cave behind that hill.

Could be man-made. There might be enemies.

Lead the way.

It's dark...

Do you smell that? Seems like blood.

Keep going.

...Didn't think you'd need someone to scout the way for you. And to think I worked so hard to help you avoid polluted areas and secondary disaster zones.

You were the one who insisted on coming with me.

Fine, fine...

Whoa!

Get back!

Ayerscarpe? It's me!

You're... Cruise Jr.? From the survey team?

Thank goodness you remember me.

Just you here? Where are the others?

...Let me take a look at your arm.

Blunt trauma and some deep cuts... properly treated, though. You'll be fine.

This bandaging... did Leonhardt do this?

...Yes.

Injuring an arm. Cowell's favorite punishment. Can't do anything in Rim Billiton without a good pair of hands.

Where are the others? Where's Leonhardt? Is he with the rest of them?

I'm the only one here. Leonhardt saved my life...

What did he say to you?

He told me to wait here for you... before he died...

What did you say? He died?

Yeah...

Are you sure?

I know it's hard to accept... but no one could have survived that explosion.

Explosion... Tell me everything. I need to know what happened to him.

Every last detail.

Ayerscarpe...

Hey, don't give him such a scary look. He just had a brush with death. Cut him some slack.

Leonhardt told me to give you this.

His gaze moves slowly to the bundle of clothing.

The clothes he had seen so many times before look so unfamiliar now. Just looking at the blood stains makes his eyes hurt.

Leonhardt always kept his clothes sparkling clean, not a speck of dust on them. Annoyingly so.

How could this have happened?

He also asked me to pass on a message...

'Stay away, Ayers.'

I couldn't hear the next part very clearly, but I think he said...

'I'm terminating your contract.'

The words were like a needle piercing his ear. His hand trembles as he receives the clothes.

There is a lump in his throat that he cannot swallow.

In the end, all he does is take a deep breath.

I see...

Ayerscarpe...

Your employer... your friend. Was he a Catastrophe Messenger?

A decent one. It's a shame, but it is what it is.

I'm sorry.

It's okay. I guess I'm no longer contracted.

I'll get some rest, then head back the way we came.

Okay.

Why are you just staring at me? Sit down.

He leans against the rock wall and slides down, setting the clothes aside.

Then he feels something heavy inside the clothes.

He reaches into the pocket.

There is a box of edamame inside.

Hey! Where are you going?

Out of my way!

Are you crazy? There's a sandstorm outside!

That's nothing! Leon... he wouldn't die so easily!

And even if he's dead, I'll...

Calm down!

You need to keep a cool head! You won't achieve anything if you don't take stock of the situation.

Trust me, no one wants a piece of Cowell more than I do.

We've come so far! There are only so many places he can run, this deep into the disaster zone.

Be patient. We're so close.

Mm.

At least wait for the sandstorm to subside.

15 minutes later.

The mine exploded as soon as I got out, throwing me off my feet.

I got up and ran without looking back, all the way here.

Just to double-check, towards the south, along that crag, right?

Yeah, that's the way I came.

The sandstorm has mostly subsided.

You could stay here, Ayerscarpe, if you need some time to collect your thoughts...

No.

Let's go.

The mine entrance is blocked. We can't get in on our own.