level_act38side_09_end

<p=2>November 9th, 1100 11:10 P.M.</>

What is this?

A list of people who have been coercing drivers to smuggle contraband into the city, compiled from the truckers' testimonies.

It is the same people behind the accident that night, the fire at Nuova Volsinii port, and the insurrection on the square that's happening right now. The mafia.

...I see.

You should have told me about the things that happened to the Truckers' Union. I went to the camp yesterday but didn't find you—

Too late for that now, Your Honor. The important thing right now is to put these people on trial.

Trial?

They want to take over the courthouse and eliminate their greatest threat before Carnevale is done... first Signore Leontuzzo, then you, Judge Lavinia.

They are no longer citizens of Nuova Volsinii. They have violated everything that the New Urban Management Act stands for.

The evidence is right before you. The drivers are the witnesses.

Signorina Texas here belongs neither to the government, the famiglie, nor the Truckers' Union. She is eminently qualified to be the jury.

Er...

And you are the Supreme Justice of Nuova Volsinii. The conditions have been met for emergency judicial procedures... did I get the term right?

Under extreme circumstances, the courts may, when the basic conditions have been fulfilled, try persons who present a significant risk to the public security of Nuova Volsinii in absentia.

The most important matter at hand is to bring the situation under control, to ensure the safety of the citizens and the smooth progress of Carnevale.

That's what I'm here for, Your Honor. Deliver your judgment, and the Truckers' Union will carry it out.

Is that so?

This list of names that you gave me—

It's a little too detailed, Eirene.

Venezia, Saluzzo, Medici, Leoti, Genovese... are all of these famiglie on the square outside?

Nobody on this list is innocent, Your Honor.

If emergency judicial procedures are activated, once I sign this verdict, everyone on this list becomes an outlaw under the New Urban Management Act...

By law, anyone may apprehend, even execute them at their own discretion, without legal consequence.

The present situation is not enough for me to justify such a measure.

But they're here for you, Lavinia, and they're not coming with good intentions.

That may be true, Eirene. But what intentions are YOU coming here with?

Why have you surrounded the courthouse with all these trucks? Is it to protect a friend... or to take the opportunity to solve all the problems you're facing?

When you came to the camp yesterday, I was trying to find Sommer's body...

Thank you for remembering him... yes, he's dead. I mobilized a lot of people, but we never found his body.

I don't know who killed him, but I know he—or she—is out there, in the darkness below.

It's not any one man or woman who killed him. It's a shadow that has always hung above our heads, one that has continued to stalk us, even after coming to this new city.

I want the murderers to get the punishment they deserve. I want to protect the rest of them and prevent the same fate from befalling anyone else.

That's my intention, Your Honor.

I should go. They're not used to this kind of stuff. I got to be by their side...

I know it's a lot to take in all at once, and you need time to process. I'll make sure you're not disturbed.

But don't take too long.

What's going on? An ambush?

Did City Hall know about our plans?

I saw their leader go into the courthouse. She must have gone to see that judge...

What'cha scared of? It's trucks, not tanks.

The government's so scared, they have to hide behind a bunch of truckers.

Forget 'em. We're going in!

E-Eirene! What do we do?

Give her some time.

Signore e signori, I know who you are, and I know what you're planning.

I suggest you go no further.

...It's quite a scene. I never imagined there would a festival in Siracusa like this, where everybody is part of it.

It's because this city belongs to all of them.

Tell me, Leon... in those grand dreams of yours, how many cities like this will there be in Siracusa?

You're quiet. It's not like you.

Just thinking about whether I should give you an actual figure, or just say, all of Siracusa.

If Nuova Volsinii is the only place where this legal system, this new order without the famiglie exists, then it will be nothing but a lonely island in the ocean...

This is something that Lavinia and I have taken to heart.

One lonely island in a swamp matters little. Before that, though, I must demonstrate to Signora Sicilia that this is possible in Siracusa.

How many people, how many things will you leave behind in the process?

You haven't changed one bit, Leon. You're firm, unwavering, and very talkative when you talk about your dreams.

But I'm not interested in engaging in a philosophical debate about the future of Siracusa with you here.

In the past few months, City Hall has rejected all applications by businesses associated with the Bellones. You're behind it, aren't you?

I won't deny it.

I can understand why you did it. You wanted to separate yourself from the past, to demonstrate the purity of City Hall...

Who's the one who hasn't let the famiglia go?

You remember how some associates of the famiglia chose to stay one year ago, even after most left because of what the old man did.

What you don't know is that, as we discussed where we would go from there, there was unanimous agreement from the remaining associates to keep the Bellone name.

Even if the name put a target on our backs for the other famiglie, for all our enemies, and gave us trouble after trouble...

Even if it forced us to seek new opportunities in Nuova Volsinii...

They don't regret it. They had lived together, fought together, and bled together under the Bellone name, carved out our own bit of turf together, earned the respect of everyone together...

Not even the betrayal of the Don and his heir could shake this sense of belonging.

You and the Don wanted to do away with the old and bring in the new, to change this country from the foundation. How admirable. How determined.

But isn't it a little cruel, if there is no room in your great ambitions for the fratelli who have had your back all this time, who had gone through hell and high water with you?

They respect you, Leon. But they're also...

Disappointed.

Yes, disappointed... you knew.

How cold of you, Leontuzzo.

If Nuova Volsinii rejects purely because the mayor was once the heir of Bellone, because of the potential backlash that permitting the entry of Bellone business might bring—

The problem can be solved by taking you out of the equation.

You men are in place nearby. The reveling crowd pays no heed to us. It's not hard for you.

Barely an inconvenience.

I said a year ago that I am responsible to those left behind.

I had intended to tell you this, that night at the restaurant. I've had to push it back for a few days.

I didn't have anything to do with your accident, Signor Mayor. But I will not hesitate to get you out of our way, if you become an obstacle to us.

I believe it. You were never the joking type.

So—

What's that sound?

An even bigger float? Did the City Hall plan a surprise for the parade?

I don't know how many of you are skulking out there tonight, but I can tell you pretty much every driver from the guild is here, be it full members or temporary contractors.

Hah, strength in numbers, she says.

What's next? You'll whip out a spanner from the trunk or something?

I'll tell you what, get out of my sight right this instant, all of you, and I'll pretend I didn't see you tonight.

I never thought we could stop you through strength of numbers alone.

A bunch of haulers who could hardly hold their own in a drunken brawl, much less fight to the death. Life's already hard enough. There's too much in life that we have to give up.

You've proven one thing: The famiglie will never give a second thought about us. Not then, not now, not ever.

Continue to cower, and all we'll continue to see is blood. Our own, our friends', our family's...

It's been a full ten minutes.

Can you reach Gambino?

No, I ain't getting through at all...

Something's not right...

The landship shoulda reached the rendezvous point and made port, and the convoys shoulda been on their way already. But there's no movement at the docks at all...

Are you going to listen to that driver talk until morning, Capone?

They're just a bunch of haulers, Antonio. Are you sure—

They're in the way, Capone.

What's going on? Feels like the whole plate is shaking...

It came from the direction of the port—

Hey, that way—

That's our landship... right?

A balloon escapes the thread that bound it and rises into the air for a dozen seconds, until it comes to an abrupt end when it meets a corner at the top of a massive object.

It is a custom-built cargo landship.

A massive vehicle that travels from city to city, its enormous, resilient hull able to protect massive amounts of cargo from Catastrophes and hazardous terrain. It is not an object that one would expect to see inside a city.

But it has forced its way into Nuova Volsinii by brute force, its tracks crushing the ground underneath it, sending gravel flying. It tears buildings apart like paper as it brushes past them, and the resultant rubble falls from the sky like a rain of stone.

It shows no sign of stopping even as it enters the square, casually brushing aside the trucks that surrounded the courthouse, while mafioso and truck drivers alike scatter, fleeing for their lives.

Finally, slowly, the landship comes to a rumbling halt.

That was when they noticed that there are ribbons and balloons all over this behemoth of steel, meant to roam the wilderness. It is here for the festival.

Ciao!

*cough* *cough* Why so serious, wolf pups? It's Carnevale! A time to celebrate and party!

Be it admonishment or taunt, all could hear the voice coming from the deck of the landship.

The White Wolf removes her mask. No one can take their eyes off her.

Beams from spotlights sweep away the darkness around her. The tactful night breeze brushes open the bright red on her shoulder.

The best tailor in Siracusa has weaved roses and blood into the dress of the White Wolf, equally at home on stage or in the wilds.

Seemingly satisfied at the reaction of the audience of mafioso and truck drivers, Lappland delivers her brightest smile, and takes a graceful bow.

Shall we dance? Fall behind, lose your tail.

Well, why are you standing there like a bunch of statues? The least you could do is blow a kiss or two.

This is the final stop of the night of wonders. What are you doing, if you're not welcoming the parade with the grandest show of them all?

Oh, I see! Most of you are still empty-handed!

My bad, my bad. A game has got to be fair, and a performance has got to be grand. Thankfully, someone has prepared the props ahead of time—

Music begins to play, and Lappland puts her foot forward to the rhythm. Acting like she owns the place, she kicks box after box off the deck; all the while, she never stops talking.

The boxes break apart in mid-air, sending their contents scattered across the plaza—Arts units, guns, staves, crossbows, Originium explosives...

It is a rain of weapons that falls everywhere. All one has to do is stretch out their hand to pick up the raindrops.

Don't be shy, don't be shy! It's what you've been waiting for, what you've been looking for, isn't it?

No rush, no hurry! There's plenty for everybody!

The night is young, Nuova Volsinii!

The White Wolf of Saluzzo has hijacked our landship...

Is this Alberto's doing? No, the use of the landship was a last-minute decision. Alberto hasn't shown any sign of intervening, other than the two of us butting heads on the matter of the Truckers' Union.

What is that Lappland thinking? She's not doing this just for fun, is she?

Still can't get through to Gambino.

You better pray he's still alive.

Uh...

No need to be anxious.

Lappland just spared us the effort of delivering the weapons to the square. Other than the commotion being a little bigger than expected, things are going largely according to plan.

I'm going to the docks. Lappland is just one Lupo. Even if something did happen at the Nuova Volsinii port, there will be enough time to deal with it.

You take care of things here at Court Square. Get the guys from adjacent districts to come over towards Court Square. Take inventory and make sure the goods are delivered properly.

The city's brain and heart is what's really important. Once that's under control, everything else will fall into place.

You got it.

I had the boys clear a path that takes you away from the parade and cops, so that you can get to the Nuova Volsinii port in the shortest amount of time.

The route has been sent to your terminal.

I'm on my way—

Capone?

Wasn't easy to get you out of the shadows, boss.

Is betrayal a proud Sicilian tradition too?

Who are you wagging your tail to? City Hall? Saluzzo? Or one of the other famiglie that's trying to take advantage of the situation in the city?

Oh, just putting you in touch with somebody who wanted to meet you.

Antonio hears footsteps behind him. He turns around and sees the familiar figure at the end of the alley, walking slowly towards him.

As for your question...

You weren't such a bad boss, you know. Temperamental, but sharp. I actually felt pretty guilty when that crazy Lappland came knockin'.

Glad I don't feel that way now. Thanks for that one.

The famiglie got a hundred ways to deal with enemies and traitors. Cut their tongues, slit their throats, bury 'em alive with their families...

We're villains through and through, and there ain't much we wouldn't do... but no famiglia would raise a hand against honest folk who pay their protection money.

What?

Times may change, but there's some rules in Siracusa that never do.

I guess, when all's said and done, you're still a Bolívarian, Antonio.

That was quick.

You need to get your news faster.

I was waiting nearby all this time.

Still, thank you.

If you wanna thank someone, thank Lappland. Not that I got any clue what she's planning.

...If I get a chance.

Need a hand?

You can go.

Ingrid...

Texas stands on the roof of one of the administrative buildings.

She had came here from the courthouse's rooftop. The night wind rustles her clothes. She tries to keep herself pressed against the fence as she moves towards her mark, ignoring the commotion on the ground.

That landship... it's registered with Venezia Trucking.

They secretly brought an entire ship's full of weapons...

It's no longer a secret.

Lappland's actions threaten to cause the situation to spiral out of control.

Maybe that's what she wants... never expect an attention-seeking lone wolf to act rationally.

It's not me that Lappland is after this time. I'm concerned that she might not stop at this.

She once said that all of Siracusa is her enemy.

Go, Texas.

But you'll be by yourself...

Not much we can do here, trapped in the courthouse. The best we can do is to neutralize potential risks as best as we can.

Both Venezia and the Truckers' Union are here for me. That's why I must stay... besides, I can't really move like you do.

I don't think Eirene intends to do anything to me, for the time being at least.

As for Lappland...

Leave her to me.

The landship's tore up the ground, the square is in mayhem, and the courthouse door is blocked...

How will you get to her?

Texas suddenly misses her friends at Penguin Logistics.

Croissant would bash a path through the chaotic crowd with her shield. Exusiai would probably come up with something even more outlandish.

Texas takes one look to estimate a direction.

She takes a deep breath, and takes a leap of faith.

(Claps)

What a dramatic entrance, Texas!

What, not happy that I stole the show?

Why would I be, when you're so eager to come and see me?

Did you break your leg? Do you need a doctor?

Well, it's not like a doctor could get here in this mess. Just find a place and sit down.

Sit where?

You've turned the deck into a... stage?

Did you seriously get this costume custom-made just for this?

It's the Carnevale, after all.

Looks better than what you're wearing, doesn't it?

Hey, Gambino!

(Panting)

Have you given out all the candy?

...There's a little left in the hold.

Go deal with that candy thief in the hold... I think he came up with you.

Leave the front-row seats for me and Texas.

Look, the poor child. The box cracked next to him, and a whole box of weapons spilled into his arms.

See how he stares with mouth agape. Does he not know how it works? The ones in the masks have seen him. He raises the gun in his hand by instinct...

Finally talking, Caesar?

What did you think?

It's not just I who didn't want to speak. Agnese, Vargo... we were ready to rip your throat out, until your little pup showed up.

Is this what that Lappland wanted to show us?

Only a little better than those colorful streets and flippant fireworks.

Does the 'human game' refer to how those humans still refuse to remove their absurd masks and show their true face?

Is this worth all the Signori dei Lupi gathering here tonight?

Are you anxious, Caesar?

Well, Vargo is the one who should be anxious right now.

Thanks to your help, Red should be paying a visit to the Tailor de Montano as we speak.

I am ashamed of you, Zaaro.

Hah, is that an emotion worthy of the Signori dei Lupi, Vargo?

Besides, you were the one who broke the rules first.

You interfered directly in the game. The killer that you had the Higashi dog find attacked the fangs of Caesar and Agnese in public.

Hmph.

There have been too many irregularities in this round. Agnese, Vargo... it is a position shared by more than one kindred. The game itself must be reviewed.

But—

The wolves that laid lazily upon the deck suddenly spring up.

With Caesar, the Signori dei Lupi surround Vargo and Agnese, shifting and crouching while bellowing belligerently.

If not for the night wind that drowned out the sound of the Signori dei Lupi's hunt, those on the ground would have been overwhelmed by terror beyond fathoming.

Well, well. After all these years, we're going back from using our literal fangs.

...Shut up, Zaaro.

The last three fangs have revealed themselves. The Signori dei Lupi shall stay here until this round is decided, and shall not intervene in any manner!

Any in violation shall be exiled from the pack, and be punished in the most cruel way for eternity!

The pack has spoken!

Let us watch with patience.

We will see if the human game is truly so much more interesting, as Lappland said.

Vargo?

Didn't nobody tell you that by the rules of Siracusa, sneaking onto somebody else's turf gets your leg cut off at the knee?

Now get outta those boxes and go sit in a corner.

It's you who should sit down, big guy.

Oh, it's you, the little de Montano tailor.

So, after I spared your life, you tailed me to the Nuova Volsinii port, and sneaked onto this landship?

You got talent on this front, I'll give you that.

I wouldn't have known that you were smuggling so much weapons into the city if I didn't! What's Venezia junior planning?

Whaddya think?

Have you any idea how many people will die?

Didn't you wanna join a famiglia and become somebody? Never thought about what the somebody had to do to get there?

Nonno was right...

A somebody like you keeps ordering new clothes because they keep getting soaked in blood...

You're no big shot! Nonno's too good for people like you!

If I was you, I'd listen to my nonno, swallow my tears, and learn how to sew buttons.

I won't let you!

Who's gonna stop me? You?

G-Get back!

Luchino kicks open a plank. Red sewing threads nimbly weave through it, with Luchino holding the end.

...Explosives? You learn that from the movies?

All the Originium explosives are connected by this thread. All I need to do is pull it, and these weapons will burn to ash...

You know what's gonna burn to ash? You.

Or you give up that dream of becomin' a famiglia somebody? Decided to be a hero who teaches the famiglie a lesson?

Sure, the headlines will all be talkin' about the young hero Luchino who saved Nuova Volsinii. Maybe you'll get a medal from the Mayor.

You won't be that little tailor anymore. Everyone'll tip their hats when they see you on the streets...

That's enough, pup. I don't got time to play What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up with you.

I-I don't need that.

What're you talkin' about?

I caused trouble, I'll deal with it myself. Nobody needs to know.

Luchino de Montano won't spend his entire life as a nobody... Maybe I'll never be more than a tailor, but right now, I don't think so!

And I don't like the way you were talking, big guy.

Don't look down on tailors! You don't know what we can do with a needle and a thread!

Hmph.

You know, kid, I'm startin' to like you. You remind me of me, when I was a pup.

Huh?

Two things was common knowledge by the time I got old enough to know my own name—Sicilia is the oldest famiglia in Siracusa, and it ain't around no more because of Signora Sicilia.

All who tried to curry favor with Signora Sicilia came up empty, and all who tried to revive the famiglia were banished. The name 'Sicilian' was a big, fat joke.

But it became my label without my say-so! Just like how everyone calls you 'little tailor'.

That's why I told myself I was gonna be somebody. All Siracusa's gonna know the name of Gambino Ricci, the Sicilian!

Um... and how'd that go?

Didn't go.

If you just want Venezia Junior to suffer, he's sufferin' enough right now.

This ship ain't under his control. You're barking up the wrong tree, kid.

You see that crazy bitch on the deck? Stay clear of her. She's trouble.

You think I'd believe—

I'm just too young, thought Luchino when it happened.

Gambino had been drawing closer and closer. Even worse, Luchino had accidentally snapped the thread in his panic—

But there was no explosion, nothing. Everything was obscured by fog.

The next instant, he saw Gambino floating in mid-air, then he finds himself in mid-air too, falling off the landship and heading straight towards the ground.

He seems to hear a faint sigh.

Cazzo! Cazzo! What is wrong with that white wolf?! What is she doing?

Form up and pick up the weapons. Have the guys nearby join up here.

Get a group to board that landship. It belongs to us!

Gotcha.

S-Stop right there!

E-Eirene's orders, nobody gets through.

Merda, when will these haulers learn to give up?

Well, looks like we won't be disturbed for a while.

What's that look on your face?

I was expecting more gratitude for exposing a famiglia plot to bring violence back to Nuova Volsinii. Maybe even a medal.

Like THIS?

This is not Sauin in Lungmen, Lappland, and those Arts units and explosives aren't candies.

Hundreds of mafiosi are trying to take over the courthouse and city hall. And there are many out there in that revelry who want to see things get worse.

You know what this means as well as I do.

That famiglia haven't changed their ways and incited another civil disorder?

That Nuova Volsinii isn't really any different from the other twenty-two nomadic cities in Siracusa?

Or that Carnevale is finally living up to its name?

There are almost a thousand truck drivers on this square.

The mafiosi are picking up the weapons, and these ordinary folk have to do the same in order to protect themselves—

Why did you decide to come down from the sky, Texas? Who blocked the courthouse doors?

The mafiosi are not the only ones wearing masks on this square.

Famiglia Venezia has been plotting to take over the city with these weapons. You needed to discover their plot. Those drivers needed to protect themselves...

All I did was bring out into the open what everybody wanted.

You know how much I hate chess players. I prefer to put my foot down on the chessboard.

Tonight is Carnevale. It's a time to review the progress that this new city has made in the past year. Everyone has the right to express their views and their demands about it, don't they?

Candy alone isn't enough to make everybody happy.

Look over there...

No rush, Texas.

I know you have a lot of questions. but why don't we make a bet first.

Not interested.

I'll take that as a yes.

You were always more alert, more vigilant than anyone.

You never claimed to have high and lofty ideals, but you have a funny way of ending up on whichever side stood for justice, whether in Yan or Siracusa.

The time now is 11:30. The parade procession will arrive at Court Square in fifteen minutes.

Who do you think will fire the first shot?

Will hundreds of thousands of Nuova Volsinians see two groups lining the streets to welcome them in perfect peace and harmony...

Or will they see the streets run red with blood, and bring this truly Siracusan festival to a climax?

I've seen the weather forecast. Clear skies are expected tonight. There will be no rain to wash away the blood.