grani

So, did you not notice... how quiet it's been in here?

Grani suddenly lifts her head. When she senses the gazes fixed on her from all directions, she feels like a fowlbeast perched alone on an empty branch.

Her surroundings are deathly quiet. Even their eyes are full of empty silence, like the wilderness itself.

Her throat starts to feel tight.

Hey there, guys...

A rock lands on the table with a heavy thud, knocking over the full glass of Big Johann's Special.

It's clear that it came from the street outside, shattering the glass and sailing over her head in a dangerous arc before landing front of her.

Grani sprints out of the bar.

Who's there?!

Who did that?! Show yourself!

Her voice echoes through the night streets.

Not a soul is there to answer her.

Sorry for calling everyone here even though the Mounted Police have already been disbanded.

You all remember the case with Kurt Jr., right? Well... I got my hands on new evidence confirming that Bolton Chemicals increased production capacity and created new work hazards in violation of safety regulations.

But I still don't have conclusive evidence proving that the explosion did in fact take place, meaning I don't have anything to submit to the relevant departments to force Bolton to admit fault for his injuries.

A number of you... should be with the guards by now, so I'd like to ask for your help.

I borrowed a high-precision Originium detector in case I could find a way of getting back into the factory to do some investigating.

...So is anyone on board?

Chief...

I'm not your chief anymore. Just call me Grani.

Grani... It's way too dangerous to be investigating Bolton right now.

I know, I know. You've just taken your new posts, and you'd have to get your hands dirty for this. You might even take some heat for it.

But... Kurt Jr.'s situation isn't looking very good, and they're still putting more pressure on their other workers. This is urgent.

Do you still remember? The day we left the Mounted Police, we were all so upset that we couldn't scrounge up any evidence to keep this case alive. But now we have!

Maybe I don't even have to go in myself. If any of you can come up with a reason to take a look around and find some evidence, that's more than enough.

Grani, we...

And after Kurt Jr. recovers, we can all go for some apple pie together. How nice would that be?

Chief, I'll give it to you straight. The captain warned all of us former mounties that we are strictly prohibited from pursuing any further investigations relating to Bolton.

In particular... we were forbidden from having any contact with you.

What the...?

We're all taking a big risk just to meet like this, because we know the captain's a huge douche, and you're... always gonna be our chief.

Always have been, always will.

Lily... You guys...

Chief, I miss fighting alongside you, really. All we had to do was follow the shorty and charge forward without thinking. And somehow, everything would work itself out.

But since I left the Mounted Police, I came to a realization– outside of endlessly fighting and solving other people's problems, I also have a life of my own.

...So I'm sorry, Chief.

C'mon, don't give up. There has to be a way... We can talk it through, just like how we used to. Am I wrong?

Chief, Bolton controls the fate of so many people, including our neighbors, relatives, and loved ones.

They're serious this time. Even if we still wore our old uniforms, there'd be nothing we could do in the face of such a behemoth, let alone...

Just forget about the case already, Chief!

All the more reason we can't stop now! If we don't make a stand, who will? Who's going to protect the next person to get hurt?

Listen up, you guys–

Grani! Have you never wondered why our city's Mounted Police was first to get disbanded?

Wasn't it just a reassignment–– Oh...

There was nothing we could do back then, and there's nothing we can do now. Protecting others and stuff? Leave it to the powerful. It's not our job.

...I see, I get it now. Sorry, guys. I'm the one who should be apologizing. Don't let me keep you, then. I'll figure something out myself.

Chief, there's still room in the Toron Guards. I'll put in a good word for you.

Thanks. But... you know how I am.

Can there really be no clues in all these investigation files?

Think Grani, think.

No evidence of contaminant leakage was found in the factory, which means they must've had some way of moving it out.

Of course! They moved it out!

If I can find evidence that they left traces of contaminants in the nearby environment, we can submit that to the Department of Oripathy Prevention and Control and request that they shut down the factory! And they absolutely can't afford to lose the factory!

Which means they'll have no choice but to admit fault while downplaying the issue and promising to improve their contamination treatment system.

But the question is, HOW did they manage to transport the contaminants?

I can't contact my informant anymore, can't get inside the factory, and can't go walking around the city waving an Originium detector around, so... what other options do I have...?

*sigh* Guess I'll start at the outskirts of town and get familiar with the equipment first... Rhodes Island's stuff sure is high-tech, though. I think this is how you turn it on?

Beep. Active Originium particles detected. Risk: Low...

Huh? In my room?!

(Picks up the detection probe)

Beep– Originium particle concentration increasing.

Is this... the mud I got on my clothes when I was searching for Deedee?!

No way, don't tell me...

The domestic drainage pipes...

We've been going at it all wrong from the start. We assumed they secretly treated the contaminants before transporting them away, but if they never bothered to treat them in the first place...

They discharged contaminants directly into the pipelines of the Infected communities! Even if an outbreak took place, it'd just be blamed on the Infected!

Those bastards! How dare they stoop this low!

The black mud from before is gone, and the readings are back to normal... I guess they went and cleaned it up.

But... when we inspected the discharge facilities in Work Area #3, we found no signs of pipes being replaced.

Well, I'll worry about that later! Now that I know what they were doing, I'll find the evidence as long as I keep digging. This'll prevent it from spreading to the Infected communities, too!

Or... maybe I could ask Rhodes Island for help.

Huh? Lily? At this hour...?

Hello? Is something wrong?

The case is about to be closed? Kurt Sr. agreed to sign a Letter of Understanding?

At the factory? I'll be there right away!

Hey, you! Hold up, you're not allowed inside!

Out of the way!

Is that the former Mounted Police officer from before? Let her in.

Good day, Miss Grani... Former Mounted Police.

The agreement was signed by both parties, and handled without issue by the guards. Of course, we do appreciate the Mounted Police's previous cooperation on this matter.

...Don't care to shake hands? So be it.

You... Do you have any idea what you've done?

Calm down, ma'am. I'm just doing what I'm paid for, so don't take it out on me.

Go back and tell your boss this: I've found evidence that the factory has been leaking contaminants and dumping them into domestic pipelines! And they're not gonna get away with it!

I'll pass it on verbatim. However... as it stands, the case is legally closed.

Out of respect for you, I must remind you that you are no longer a Mounted Police officer. With no one to back you up, waving a weapon around like that is most disgraceful.

Whatever you think you're about to do, you may find it difficult to retain legal assistance in the matter.

...They should just surrender themselves! They'll be brought to justice for their arrogance!

Thank you for your contribution to Rydell City. I sincerely hope that you have a long and successful career ahead of you.

Also, in your future endeavors, please double check that the work area number wasn't changed.

What?!

I'll be taking my leave. Oh right, Kurt Sr., the compensation funds will be transferred to your account shortly. Please take a look.

Mm...

Why, sir?! We were so close to getting justice for your son! You didn't have to sign off on this!

...Grani, you're a good kid, and you've always been a good officer.

But... you're not one of Rydell City's laborers. I've worked here my entire life, and the same goes for my son.

And I can help you both! Please believe me! I'm not gonna give up on this!

My son, he... he's already gone.

Grani can only stand there blankly.

She walks down the street, alone.