level_act28side_st02

Two weeks later...

Hey, Teacher's Pet? We've been waiting here for nearly a whole day already.

You saw the news that the Messenger brought us from HQ, didn't you?

They said the ETA is tomorrow afternoon.

And also that we needed to spend the day before preparing everything needed for the connection.

The Davistown connectors were working fine to start with. Laura got it all up and running in half a day, and now we're just standing around with our thumbs up our butts.

If you're cold, you're free to use the tent we set up, or warm yourself by the fire.

What if I'm not cold... what if I'm afraid?

Of what?

I don't know. I just... really can't tell how this whole thing will go down.

Liskarm brings her communicator to her ear, looking slightly impatient.

It's not receiving any signal. This proves that Fort Barron, known to Blacksteel's operators as 'the landship,' has yet to enter transmission range.

Not going to warm yourself up a little longer, Jessica?

I'll pass... It's almost dark. I'll feel cold regardless.

You shouldn't worry too much. I mean, yeah, I'm real mad about the bank too, but the landship is almost here.

The boss isn't about to let those banker bastards make a fool of us.

...Boss? Which boss?

Mr. Cliff, of course! Who else?

He...

It's hard to say. I mean... in the end, he's a businessman.

Jessica silently looks in the direction of the platform. Instinctively, she reaches into her pouch and rubs the bullet inside.

Hm...?

Look over there... Is that a fire...?

Where?

Right on the plate, close to the mining district... Maybe they started a fire by accident while heating themselves up—

Hold on, no, there's not just one... Wh-What is this...

Jessica?!

...team, Blacksteel... ship estimated to... arrive in...

Acknowledged.

Jessica, let everybody know—

Captain, there are multiple distinct fires on the plate! I don't know what's going on, but I have to go check!

Why now of all times... But we've already got the signal from the landship. Fort Barron shouldn't be far—

Jessica—Jessica! Where are you going?! Captain, what do we do?

Let her go. We'll continue the connection mission.

...What's with all the ruckus at this hour?

Where's that noise coming from...

Someone's pounding the plant?!

Woodrow grabs his firearm from under his pillow and listens closely to the commotion downstairs.

Hurry up and get down here, Woody! Someone broke in!

Bleuch... Feels awful.

If I'd known... I wouldn't have drank so much.

I'm so tired. Maybe I'll just lie down here... That way, I'll freeze to death on the street by tomorrow for sure...

*sigh*...

What's that noise? What's going on?

What the hell is this?!

R-Run... These people just... barged in... and started smashing and looting...

Who are they?

Huh... So it's you, gramps.

You're the one from the snowfield...

I'm a pretty lucky guy, gramps. Shh, don't make a fuss. You'll attract others.

You were real lucky too, getting away from me, but I wonder how long that luck will last.

Run! You can't take him on!

So you're here too, old timer. Good, saves us the trouble of looking for you.

What's going on, Helena? I figured you'd have knocked them all out by the time I got downstairs.

...They've gotten a lot more reckless. They've really gone nuts.

Hey now, no whispering. If you've got something nice to say, you can share it with the class.

You ignorant brat...

Those bullets must be real pricy, yeah? So expensive... you don't even have all six rounds loaded.

What are you getting at?

Makes sense. There ain't a whole lot of materials you can use on this plate.

I mean, if it weren't for that, how come you've been packing that piece every day for all these years, and I ain't never heard about nobody getting shot?

My friends, these two bastards are well past their expiration date. Put 'em out of their misery, then help yourselves to whatever you find.

What... What are you people doing?!

Out of the way, boozehound.

Wh-Who gave you the right to... to make trouble here... Ugh...

Here, lemme treat you to another bottle. Now get some sleep.

Heh, nice one. Died as he lived, with a drink in his face.

Hmph.

That's about everything there is to grab. Head to the next shop?

Are you okay, Leone? Let me help you up.

*sigh*... Those brats can be so cruel. Your face's all bloody...

I'm okay... Just a little dizzy...

Look at how they smashed the place up... It wasn't just the display windows?

Forget the windows... They cleaned out the whole store.

What the hell is going on tonight?

We're short on time here, gramps. Quit it with the hide-and-seek.

You're here, aren't you?!

What a pain. This place is so cluttered... No room to move at all...

Get out here already, you old bastard!

Mmm...

Heh, surprised you could dodge that with your leg. Guess I didn't give you enough credit. Let's see how long your luck's gonna hold out.

Gargh!

Heh, got you!

Honestly, you're lucky to die in this stinking place. Suits you just perfectly.

*pant*... *pant*...

(Just a little more... Hang in there, old bones. It'll work... It'll definitely work.)

Now I can finally say goodbye to you, old fart.

Not so fast...

It's over for you, punks.

What's this... Steam?!

It burns!

You're right, though. This stinking place is my home, so of course it's a great fit for me.

Phew... No one makes trouble in <i>my</i> house.

Nngh...

You asked for this.

You're right. It's not fully loaded, and it took quite a bit of trouble to get these to fire in my gun.

Which is why... I ain't wasting any on you. It's not worth it.

The old man holsters his gun and removes his cufflinks. He then rolls back his sleeves to reveal his arms.

Really, Woody? At your age?

When's the last time you saw me use my whip?

When you sold those stockbeasts to the caravan for supplies, outside the plate... So three or four years ago?

Right. Only three or four years ago.

I'll take care of their leaders. Can you take care of the rest?

Sure thing, leave it to me.

Make it quick... There's still time before dawn. Maybe we can catch some beauty sleep.

Too bad there ain't any trees around to hang you from. I could try it from the roof, though...

What's wrong? You got us surrounded, but none of you have the balls to lead the charge?

Don't get cocky, you old bastard. This show's just getting started.

What's the word on the street? What's going on tonight?

These are all the bandages I have left. It's not enough to wrap your head, but... press them against the wound. Helps stop the blood.

I'm fine. Just tell me what you know.

At first, I heard some things from the east side of the plate. You know, where all the thugs gather.

They say lots of folks in town think that, since we ain't ever gonna pay the banks back... they might as well...

Might as well what?

...Might as well rob everyone... then flee to the frontier for a fresh start.

You saw it. It's like they all went crazy. They're beating people up, smashing up stores, stealing everything...

Wait, Leone... Look. That's... the direction of your home...

Dammit!

Manager, I... I heard the situation outside is pretty bad.

Calm down, Sylvia. We're all safe here inside the bank.

They're a despicable bunch beyond redemption, but before us and only us, they're perfect gentlemen.

If you're afraid, get some sleep. By the time you wake up, you'll never see them again.

What do you mean...?

Has no one told you? Our business partners will be here soon. Before you know it, those men will be useless to us.

Which is why when they suggested they'd leave town with some... souvenirs, we had no reason not to go along with it.

All we have to do is wait patiently, like we've done so many times. Hold tight, and everything will be as it should be—

Manager, I just got a transmission from Blacksteel! Their landship is arriving sooner than expected!

Tsk, not only are they here, they're here sooner than we thought...

But it's all the same to us.

Looks like you didn't learn your lesson.

Shit... Every damn time, it's either a lesson or a warning. You ever going to fight for real?!

My hand!

If you're that eager to eat a bullet, I could oblige.

Left foot, or left hand? Pick one.

You have no idea... You can chase us off today... but there's more where we came from...

Not one of you is ever gonna get away...

I'd worry about myself first, if I were you.

What's that noise—?

Fire! Help—!

Ma'am, is Leone still inside?!

I-I don't know. When I came out, the house was already on fire!

Please make way, ma'am!

What are you doing, girl?! You can't go inside. The fire's too strong! You won't make it back out!

Ma'am, please go find more people to help fight the fire. I'll go inside to look for Leone.

Who is he to you anyway? Why put your life on the line to save him?

An acquaintance. Now please, let me go!

That's it? Not even a friend? Don't do this! Ah—

Jessica, why are you here? Wh-What are you doing?

Leone?!

So you weren't inside...

I saw it, Jessica. I saw it.

Leone, she said she was gonna run into the fire looking for you...

I-I thought you—

Don't cry, my girl. I'm doing just fine.

B-But your house...

It doesn't matter... It's okay... I can sleep over at Helena's.

Good thing no one else lives here. I had nothing but empty walls to look at anyway. It was suffocating... It's not so bad it got burned down.

Now... There's nothing to dwell on anymore.

What's that noise?

What do I do...? What do I do...?

What do you do? I told you. It's burned down. Let it stay that way.

What do I do... what do I do... what do I do...

No, what do you mean, 'what do I do?' What's wrong?

Tila, I see you going in and out of Mr. Cliff's office. Did Liskarm's squad screw this up?

No, there's an emergency situation on the plate, but they've completed their mission. The landship will connect to Davistown very soon.

Got it. All those debtors will know better than to hang around once we're there, so—

Watch what you say.

Sorry, my bad.

But what did the boss say about it? Don't tell me he had a change of heart just because people are making trouble?

Everyone is to proceed according to plan.

Alright—

...At last, looks like we're almost there.

First, there was a strange gust causing everyone's hair to flutter.

Next, there was the rumble they felt beneath their feet.

Finally, there was a loud boom in the sky, hundreds of yards away.

Breaking through the dense fog of the winter night, Fort Barron has finally arrived after its two week journey.

Everyone is gathered on the streets or standing by the windows, watching it intently.

Whether they welcome it or reject it, it arrives.

Whether this has been a nightmare or a pleasant dream, they are all jolted awake.

Woodrow weighs the gun in his hand. He's not very pleased at being interrupted.

He looks away from the vessel in the distance to find that the man on the ground has scurried away, leaving only a long, bloody trail.

Heh... Should've shot his foot when I had the chance.

Goddammit.