story_almond_1_1

Laura? Fort Barron's nothing new to you, is it?

Oh... Sorry, I was just thinking about something...

I saw you staring at the model on the desk. You almost had me thinking maybe there was something wrong with it.

I heard from the senior operators that the engineering team made this model as a memento, after Fort Barron's retrofit was completed and delivered.

So, there's nothing wrong with it, right?

It's fine. It looks... just like the base does now.

Good to hear. Shall we continue, then?

Okay.

I'm ready. Let me take a look at your report... Ahem...

Laura, what did you do after you received the order to catch the bank robbers?

At the time, I was leading the engineering team to double-check the structural integrity of the plate connection, and after we got the news...

I chose to continue the work we were already doing.

Could you go into the reasoning behind your decision?

The orders I received were that, aside from those participating directly in the plate's connection work, all other teams were to start pursuing the bank robbers.

And I made the determination that the connection work still needed the manpower of our engineering team.

So I chose to follow orders and not divert anyone from our work.

But according to the report, one of the bank robbers was your partner at Davistown. Were you aware of that?

I... I knew about that, yeah.

Regarding that, what was your determination at the time?

Determination... My determination?

'Don't make me repeat myself.'

My determination... I didn't make any...

I'm an employee of Blacksteel, and following my orders...

...is my responsibility.

(Frowns) ......

'Following orders. Laura, you made the right decision.'

How's that? I do a pretty good impression, right?

And that 'Don't make me repeat myself' was, like, exactly the same, wasn't it?

*sigh* What's wrong, Laura? You look so out of it. It can't be because I'm putting too much pressure on you, can it?

It's okay... I'm just...

Please, let's just get back to it.

Um... That was the last question.

I need to tell you this, Laura. Ever since we got back from Davistown, you've looked kind of uneasy.

We all know that it was a very special operation, and you happened to be at the heart of the vortex.

I really can't imagine what you went through, but even then, you can't let yourself be tied up by something like that.

What you need now is rest.

Rest...

And some very good rest. So stop thinking about the mission report. You should apply for leave instead.

You're right... I can't stay so depressed.

So Aliza, can we do this again, please?

You haven't been listening at all, have you...?

If you ask me, you'd best forget about the report.

It's been two weeks. No one's ever going to bring it up again.

In the long history of the company, this was only a tiny interlude. You can be as serious about this as you want, but the supervisor's only going to pretend to be interested.

She's right. You should be asking them for a long vacation.

No... I have to finish this report.

I was in Davistown from the start. I saw most of what happened with my own eyes. I experienced most of it personally.

It's a Blacksteel employee's responsibility to execute their orders during a mission, and to compile a report on it afterwards. Besides...

You saw what I wrote, didn't you? Don't you think the higher-ups should be informed of everything that happened in an organized report?

Laura, I...

Frankly, there's no need to report anything. What happened in Davistown couldn't be any clearer.

While completing a government-sanctioned mission, a Blacksteel employee participated in criminal activities and greatly damaged our company's image and reputation.

Everyone here already knows all that. It isn't something worth bringing up over and over again. Especially not... two weeks after the fact.

We need paychecks to put food on the table. We need to follow orders and not get fired.

So there's no reason for you to work yourself up over this.

I... I still think I want to talk to somebody.

It hurts...

Where does it hurt?

My... butt.

Nothing wrong with that. That's how you learn discipline.

Are you going to do it again?

I won't do it again, Mamá. I shouldn't have made a mess under the bed...

But... Mamá, I really love those machine parts. I know you don't like me playing with them, so I had to...

Sounds like you still don't realize what I'm punishing you for.

Follow me once you're done eating.

What's the matter, Laura? You asked to talk to me all of a sudden.

Um, Franka, there's something I want your opinion on.

Is it about Davistown?

Is it that obvious?

Our little pistachio who's always cheering everyone up is suddenly acting all sulky. It'd be harder <i>not</i> to figure it out, don't you think?

I put together a report on Davistown.

Liskarm already submitted one.

Like, a good while ago?

I know, but—

Alright, I can more or less guess what you wrote in there.

And I can tell you what's going to happen if you submit it.

It'll be ignored, your issues won't be addressed, and if whoever has to read it is in a bad mood that day, you may even be disciplined.

It's that simple.

It's been two weeks, but sometimes I still think about what happened back there.

All of us saw what was going on in Davistown. Jessica did so much for them, but even that wasn't enough for her.

Hasn't she always been like that though?

Franka... Do you think I did poorly in Davistown?

Wow, who knew pistachios were so rich in vitamin justice?

This isn't about justice—

At least you two got to see her in the end. What was I doing while all that was going on...?

She was in such a dangerous situation, but I was just hanging out on the ship.

Even though... Even though I really wanted to be with her...

'We're wearing Blacksteel uniforms and following the orders of the higher-ups. It's not your fault if you weren't able to do something.'

If our good captain Liskarm were here, I'm sure she'd say that in the sincerest, most heartfelt way you ever heard.

Then, she'd probably give you a warm hug and make sure you knew you had someone to lean on aboard the landship.

Franka, are you—

All I'm saying is that if you turn around and go run into Liskarm's arms right about now, you'll get all the well-meaning advice and comfort you could ever want.

But me? All you're gonna get from me is my sharp tongue and some finely aged sarcasm.

...I think that's what I want.

Alright then. Do you feel bad because you weren't able to help Jessica, or are you just jealous that she made a choice when you couldn't?

Did you write that report because you believe it's the truth, or are you just trying to convince yourself that you're not a coward?

I was born to a normal family. My mother is an ordinary doctor, but I didn't have a lot of freedom.

My family moved from Bolívar to Columbia when I was younger. I managed to get into college, but then I caught Oripathy right before I graduated.

None of the tech companies I was aiming for would give me a second glance. Blacksteel was the only place I could go.

And when I got here, the first thing I learned was to follow orders and do whatever the rest of the team does.

I'm not jealous that she made a choice...

The name Brynley gave Jessica more trouble than it ever helped. We could all see that.

So I'm not jealous of her wealth either. I know she carries a much bigger burden than I do.

But that's exactly why I don't get it. How come Jessica was able to make that choice?

A silence falls between the two of them.

After some time, the brown-haired Vulpo looks up at the nightfall and breathes a sigh.

So, if you'd gone after Jessica with us after you got that order, would you have pointed your gun at her?

I wouldn't.

What if you were ordered to?

I...

I still wouldn't.

Why not?

Because—

I don't want to hurt her.

So, don't you think you've already made a choice too?

But, how's that—

How is it <i>not</i>?

None of us are from a big, famous family like hers.

When someone important makes a decision, it affects a lot of people, but for grunts like us, it doesn't have to matter to anyone but ourselves.

Is that really enough?

Why wouldn't it be?

Let's take a step back. Admitting that you just don't want to be a coward... would honestly be more honest than the truth.

But isn't it important to tell the truth?

Sometimes, what's more important to the truth is being remembered.

Right.

I'm just gonna throw this out there, so you just listen.

You know that place called Rhodes Island, where Liskarm and I are dispatched—

The missions there are tough, but they offer some pretty nice benefits, and the people there are all pretty kind.

If some little pistachio thinks there's no room in Blacksteel for her to grow...

Then a change in soil isn't such a bad idea.

...Yeah.

Thanks, Franka.

Everyone always says that you're the lady to talk to about this sort of thing. And they're right.

Wait, hold up, <i>what</i> exactly are they saying about me?

They all told me that Franka's got a foul mouth, but she'll help you solve your troubles.

Which numbskulls are out there ruining my street cred?!

Mamá, why are we... back in the room again?

Are you really interested in that equipment?

Mhm.

Then why didn't you just ask?

Ask... ask?

Right, I don't like it when you play with these parts, and I definitely don't want to see you end up like Grandma, holed up in the garage all day long.

But you should've asked.

I was worried you'd say no...

Right, I could say no, but maybe I wouldn't have. There could be a different outcome, another choice.

But if you never try, you'll never have another choice.

You see that table? That's your workbench from now on. Take out everything you've been hiding under your bed.

Now!

Come in.

Boss.

Do you need me for something?

I'm sure you know that my last mission was in Davistown, right...?

I'm aware. What's up?

About that, I wrote up a mission report as per protocol.

Since when did we have a protocol like that?

Well, we do...

Mission report... Oh, now I remember. Yeah, I guess you're right.

That was a big mission, with plenty of twists and turns. Good work getting a report out of all that.

No, it’s nothing.

So I trust this will fill in a lot of blanks about the incident.

The man on the other side of the desk quickly reads through her report as she watches.

There's a sigh.

That's not what she expected.

This isn't what you should be writing reports on, Laura.

We're in charge of technology. There shouldn't be anything in here unrelated to our engineering work.

I understand that, but I saw so much more than that while carrying out my mission.

I can't pretend I didn't.

*sigh*

Whatever. No one's going to read this anyway, so it'll do.

He flips to the last page of the report and briskly signs his name.

You still have a long career ahead of you.

You really need to learn to sort out what you've seen and what you haven't.

Sorry, Chief, I'm just an engineer. I'm not too good at that sort of thing.

Which is why I have a request.

Go on.

I want to apply for the next round of exchange projects and be dispatched to Rhodes Island.

*cough* Let's continue, then.

W-Wait. I'm not ready yet. Let me get myself together first...

Okay, okay. Let's go.

Hm... So what's the story behind that puppet you carry on your waist?

The puppet on my waist... What? Is that really an interview question?

Of course it. It's right here in the <i>Big Book of Interview Questions</i> Franka gave me. 'Every now and then, interviewees should be asked questions about the accessories they're wearing.'

Alright then... My mother made me this, and I've been carrying it around ever since. Is that good enough?

Shorter than the expected answer length, but it shouldn't be a problem.

Besides, you've already been through so many terrifying tests before this.

Didn't Franka tell you? As long as you pass the tests, the interview's just a formality and an excuse to chat. The way I see it, there's nothing to prep for.

Oh, no no no. If I'm doing something, I've gotta do it <i>right</i>! I'm not taking any chances. Quick, next question!

Ooh, this question seems pretty reliable...

Laura! Let's hang out!

Oh, are you studying for your Rhodes Island interview?

Looks like you've made up your mind.

What'd you expect? Shh, we'll talk later. Let me finish this question first.

Laura, what are your thoughts on your future?

My future?

My... future...

Mamá, do we really need to go?

It's too dangerous here, mija. We can't stay anymore. I don't want to see you grow up in a warzone.

I don't want this either, but...

A lot of times, we don't get to decide our own fate. I... I don't have a choice.

Choice... I don't get it. What's a choice...?

Please don't cry, Mamá... You still have me. I can make choices for you.

Ah...

Yes, mija. Yes, you're my choice.

Come, we'll go somewhere new, where you'll see a lot of new things, meet a lot of new people, and there will be a whole new fate waiting for you.

One day, you'll find yourself between a rock and a hard place like this, and unsure of where the future will lead you.

When that time comes, remember that as long as you keep moving forward, you'll find that your choice is there.

And this time, you'll be brave enough to make it.