skfire

Don't be too disappointed with what you've seen. Putting all that aside, you've noticed, haven't you?

The surveillance and riot control staff, and the armed installations. You can't make all your money in the open, you know that.

What's down below us is the real deal.

But it's too filthy underground. You won't need to cast your own eye.

I see.

Mm. I am very—satisfied with what you've just told me.

It's very interesting.

Once again, the alumnus feels the temperature rise a notch.

He ascribes this to Skyfire's excitement at the opportunity. To make money, to continue trampling over the disgorged masses.

Even beasts in the wild know they should only pounce when they see prey. If I didn't show you the genuine article, I worry you'd be left cold.

Factories are a garden variety thing. I need something new in the works too, you know?

Ha! So I see.

Hah-hah-hah-hah, well, come, Miss Mountbelan. I've had this fine tipple stashed for years. Let's toast!

To your sponsoring a factory of much potential, and my soon-to-be debut upon a bigger stage!

Hahaha.

Cheers.

Skyfire's temperature rises, starting from underfoot.

In just a blink, a fraction of a second, she could burn this whole factory to nothing, and save all the people trapped below.

But in another blink, she suppresses the smoldering rage in her head.

Professor, did you need me?

'Infected rioters identifying as 'Reunion' gravely hurt by organization known as 'King's Wand.'' That's what the news is reporting.

Professor, they killed Phil!

And how you resolved the issue was hardly the only way to do so.

If you let an eye for an eye blind you, Miss Mountbelan, then that is altogether contrary to how I've taught you.

Have you forgotten what I first told you?

The issue of the Reunion Movement is not solely a matter of the Infected. If you wish to continue the way you're going, then go to the place I recommended you. Deepen your studies. See the outside, and I mean that.

Don't disappoint me, Miss Mountbelan. You're a student of plentiful notions. Don't let your own emotions stifle you. Look past them.

Flames can burn anything you want to cinders, but they can't solve problems.

Stood there in the factory, she pinches the wine glass and settles her somewhat unsteady breathing.

I imagine you know when the next council meeting is.

Look forward to the good news.

Hah, hahahah, thank you, Miss Mountbelan!

Here's the long and short of it, Professor.

Barum's Works. One of the factories on the list when we put together the investigation into Infected rights.

I'd consulted you on it, whereupon we decided to send a spy to sniff around in secret. I've assembled a file on the inner workings of his factory.

On top of which, I find out just a few days ago that this factory's owner was one of my very own classmates.

I initially wanted to send the whole thing up in flames—of course, I knew that was utterly wrong, and it wouldn't solve a single thing, just pile meaningless hassle on instead.

But I revile, HATE, what he did. Seeking me out at a dinner function hoping for a backdoor into the council, brazenly spilling all about his factory's machinations right in front of a Member—

His doing so is evidence that dozens upon dozens before him did the same, that countless people took to the same methods for their own underhanded gains.

Professor, it's obviously afoul of current regulations. But they've tried it, and they've found out they don't get punished, they just reap the benefits. That's what got them all to start doing it.

Truth be told, I do remember him, and I know that 'sat behind me' spiel he gave was <i>true</i> in my case.

He said the same thing to every noble there, but he did sit in the seat right behind me.

He used to... not <i>be</i> like this.

He used to be—a good egg?

Not particularly, but he was hardly what he is now... I just wonder, was this all in his nature? I don't feel like it was, Professor.

He just... tried slipping through a regulatory loophole, and found nobody even cared. And he just kept inching on and on until he got to this state.

I...

Are you—very conflicted right now, Miss Mountbelan?

No, Professor, I'm not conflicted at all. I just feel a little...

I'm not sure how to put it. But I know crystal clear what I ought to do.

Anne-Moses, if you could further debrief the Professor on this unscrupulous factory.

Yes, Miss Mountbelan.

I went into hiding near the factory per the intel Miss Mountbelan provided. My comms signal suffered severe interference whenever I approached its basement levels.

I speculate an internal comms shield is installed. The Infected workers within are completely cut off from the outside world.

Based on my observations over several days, deceased Infected have even been ported out in secret, and sent for disposal.

And armed personnel inside are dedicated to guarding the underground factory and its facilities. The Infected workers above have no inkling of what's going on. They simply assume it must be vital products or something being watched.

Based on the data provided by Miss Mountbelan, I surmise it's the previously missing groups of acutely ill Infected workers inside—

Being acutely ill makes treatment unnecessary, so they're used as disposable labor, shut in the factory underground to work to their deaths. Then the factory tosses them out, and replenishes with a new batch of Infected workers.

Hm... I see the picture now.

So, Miss Mountbelan, your method for dealing with this?

My report concludes here.

Mm, and why did we have to sit here for over ten minutes listening to you talk about this one piffling factory?

This has little bearing on us. I hope you realize that.

Did Councilor Angst really bring you here just to yank this little factory by the collar?

What I wish to point out to you all is that the core of this incident is the missing Infected workers locked away here under armed surveillance, the curtailing of personal freedoms, even the covert disposal of the <i>dead</i>.

Adding to which, they work in environments of excessive Originium particulate concentration, <i>without</i> corresponding protective measures or communications equipment. Every point here is in violation of currently enacted policy.

Said enacted policy has led Caladon to be considered relatively relaxed on the Infected, hence why it could even draw such numbers of them to work here. It's the root of the city's development.

Should this incident leak, Caladon's external image will be in smithereens, and no more Infected will think to come here for work, full stop.

All present, I trust this scenario would not be to your delight.

Thus, this will amount to no proposal, but simply a factory... cleanup. And for Caladon's reputation, the proper proceedings will be needed for a rescue of the Infected workers in the council's name.

This seizure, too, must be in the council's name, for all the wider world to see.

As for the perspectives of all present—

We'll take a vote.

Everyone, your views?

Three days later

Wh—What the—?! Who are you?

What are you coming in here for?!

Ah, er, it's all Infected in here, you see...

You lot, downstairs.

Downstairs? But downstairs is—

Sir! Large number of unlawfully armed personnel discovered!

Sir! Unlawful communications shielding terminal discovered and dismantled!

Large quantity of Infected found underground!

Basement levels have been identified as an illegal factory!

Mm. Situation verified.

Per council regulations, we are hereby shutting this location down as the law compels.

And you—as stipulated by law—may not engage in any similar business for a five-year period.

—Evacuate the Infected!

Miss Mountbelan!

Miss Mountbelan!!

Ah, it's you... what is it?

You—My factory?!

I had people turn up at my factory out of nowhere this morning, and even the underground to boot, they—what the hell happened?!

Oh! You mean the factory seizure.

Didn't you ask me for help before?

There you go. I've helped you.

Wh...?!

You caught word about me, yes, but you didn't <i>catch on</i>.

I'm not just a Member of the Council, I'm also a Rhodes Island Operator. If you're not familiar, perhaps I can illuminate you—

I work to resolve issues for the Infected.