He was ready, thinking about what he could say to move the heart of the stubborn old worker before him.
Catherine has seen too much. Her temper is harder than the machines in the factory.
His cleverness with words has never been of any use before Catherine. Her fierce gaze sees through all, turning his wits to mush.
Feist feels a familiar sense of helplessness.
He always turns back into a little boy before his grandmother. Clumsy, excitable, prone to saying something he instantly regrets. He can only wait for his grandmother to speak first.
But Catherine says nothing.
She leads Feist down a long path. When they finally stop, he glances at her expression, and surprisingly sees no hint of anger.
Catherine
......
Feist
What's up ahead?
Catherine
Nothing.
Feist
I remember this workshop. You used to come here by yourself. Why is the production line empty, though?
Catherine
What did you think this place was?
Feist
The old workers wouldn't say, but Patto made a bet with Day that it's the secret workshop where they used to build steam armor.
Catherine
Tell Patto he won the bet.
Feist
So this is really the steam armor... no, I don't understand...
Feist
I've followed you down this path a few times. I heard... I heard the machines running, and the conveyor belt moving.
Catherine
They still run, if someone hits the switch.
Feist
Why was it abandoned? Because the Steam Knights disappeared? No, even without orders, these machines are too dear to be left idle.
Catherine
Why... why indeed?
The aging worker pats the machine, as though she was asking the cold metal.
Feist realizes that all the machines are spotless, with nary a speck of dust on them. It is as though time has stopped in this secret workshop.
Catherine
Do you know why I'm the only one who came here?
Catherine
Cam, Mike, Branson... they should have been standing there. And Harvey, he'd be responsible for watching the thrusters.
Catherine
When the production line moves as one... I guarantee you've never heard a song quite like it.
Feist
Harvey... isn't that Dad's name?
Catherine
Yes.
Catherine
Your dad was the smartest worker in the entire city. He came up with all sorts of crazy ideas.
Feist
I've only seen him in photos.
Catherine
I wish you could have seen him in the flesh. You're like him... too much so, at times.
Catherine
Harvey was an expert in steam engines. He was like an engine himself, going so fast that I couldn't keep up.
Catherine
I should've kept up.
Feist
Didn't Dad go missing after getting caught in some business on the streets? That's what you said whenever I asked.
Catherine
Some business... if what happened twenty-six years ago could be called as much.
Feist
Twenty-six years ago? Didn't His Majesty...
Catherine
Yes. Londinium fell into chaos overnight, the nobles were at each other's throats, and the dukes led the way.
Catherine
Lots of factories got hit, especially military ones making steam armor. We were forced to stop work.
Catherine
Harvey... he was young then. Almost the same age as you now. He loved the factory, and he loved this city.
Catherine
He left the factory with the other workers to protest against the nobles. He wanted the dukes to hear the voices of the workers, and protect our livelihood.
Catherine
Naive, wasn't he?
Feist
......
Catherine
I think back to it, on quiet nights... was it a cold one in December? Was his blood warm when it came out of his chest?
Feist
Dad did it... for his ideals.
Catherine
You want to say how noble it is to sacrifice for your ideals?
Catherine
The leaders of your Self-Salvation Corps and that 'Doctor' of yours... is that what they say when they mourn their dead friends?
Feist
It's what Commander Clovisia would say. As for the Doctor... the Doctor is even more quiet than usual at times like those. But I can feel the pure, heartfelt sincerity.
Catherine
The dead are in no position to appreciate their greatness.
Catherine
As for the ones they leave behind... these words of consolation are like cigarette smoke, light and fluffy, comforting for a moment, but when it leaves your lungs...
She takes a breath, a pause, then breathes out again.
The temperature is not low enough to leave a white fog.
Catherine
Only one thing is for certain. Forty-one workers walked onto the largest street in Central Londinium on that night, twenty-six years ago. None came back.
Catherine
Nothing changed about the city. The nobles, the wealthy, they pretend nothing happened, but this workshop would never be the same again.
Catherine
I'm too old to train another group of workers as good as them, Feist.
Catherine
They should've taken over for me. Harvey should've been the one to teach you all you knew.
Feist
Granny...
Catherine
Believe it or not, I've never blamed Harvey, and I've never blamed you.
Catherine
But think about it carefully. You should've thought about it carefully when you tried to lead Patto and the others into your rebellion.
Catherine
If you survive this war, but the others don't, will you be like me, fraught with grief and regret night after night, leaning over machines with no one to use them?
Feist
......
Feist
I didn't understand your decision three years ago, Granny.
Feist
But now, when I think back to that day, when I try to put myself in your shoes...
Feist
It would have taken me a long time to make that decision.
Feist
You're right. Being smart isn't enough to fool death.
Feist
But compromise and subservience won't get the job done either.
Catherine
......
Catherine takes a drag on her cigarette and says nothing.
Feist
I can't say I've thought this through.
Feist
I can't guarantee we'll be able to drive out the Sarkaz.
Feist
I've been feeling the weight on my shoulders, ever since Rhodes Island told us that we didn't have much time.
Feist
I'm afraid I'll do something stupid again.
Feist
But I can't stop here.
Feist
Otherwise, I'll never be able to face Johnny, Gabby, and the Self-Salvation Corps fighters who gave their lives.
Catherine
Too young... too naive, little brat.
Catherine
You there, 'Doctor'. You look like you've got a grip on yourself, unlike this boy.
Catherine
Would you kindly take care of him?
Don't worry.I'll do my best.
Catherine
There's a hidden compartment in the third drawer of my desk.
Feist
What?
Catherine
The Sarkaz are watching closely. There's no place for you here. Read it and get out.
Catherine
Don't bring trouble to anyone else.
Feist
...Thanks, Granny.
You catch a glimpse of Catherine's expression as she passes by you.
