They say there's gonna be another attack in about half an hour. You want some water?
Never mind. Look how tense you are. You'd just throw it up anyway... Breathe, breathe... Relax... Where are you from, girl?
Columbia, huh...? Ever heard of Davistown?
No? That's a shame. It's a pretty neat place. Its route takes it around the eastern forests, and the winters are long and cold, but its plate is home to a mine. Keeps its core's energy tower burning the whole time.
Just the heat generated from that keeps everyone warm all winter.
It can get pretty hot indoors, but it's also cold outside, so no matter where you go, as soon as you open the door you get puffs of white steam gushing out toward you. Which condenses on your eyelashes like teardrops.
You have to wipe them off quick, or the kids inside will laugh at you. But that's okay. That's when you fight back. Lift 'em by the armpits and toss them into the thick snowdrifts outside.
Now you get to laugh at all the snow on their faces.
Oh... Piqued your interest?
Yeah, it's a great place. Everyone wants to go see it for themselves. And I...
You say that like you can wipe your feet on the snow... Here, hot tea.
Leone
...The floor's pretty dirty in the diner today, huh? If I'd known, I would've just walked in.
Helena
We got some heavy snow. Every time someone steps inside, it just gets dirty again. I'll clean it up after closing.
Helena
So what're you having? Beans? Bread?
Leone
What kinda choice is that?
Helena
It's all we have. If you'd rather have nothing, suit yourself.
Leone
Can I get a little of both?
Helena
Fine, seeing how you're my first customer without a few screws loose. I'll even throw in a scoop of butter, on the house.
Leone
Helena...
Helena
Now what?
Leone
Why do you have mud on your chairs—
Rude Ruffian
You talking to us, old man?
Helena
*sigh*... Settle down, you two.
Boorish Brute
You stay out of this.
Helena
Don't be like that. Everyone's here for a hot meal. No need to get physical.
Rude Ruffian
Hey, why're you taking his side?
Helena
Because I'd rather not see every little quarrel in this joint end in a knife fight.
Rude Ruffian
Shut up, or I'll knife you too.
Helena
For the love of—
Leone
Stay out of this, Helena. I'll teach these hoodlums a lesson.
Rude Ruffian
Heh, your funeral!
The ruffian takes his knife and steps forward, only for a dinner knife to fly at him from the opposite side and embed itself in the ground near his feet.
Rude Ruffian
You?!
Helena
Not another inch, boy. It's late. Go home to your mommy.
Rude Ruffian
Right back at you, woman—
Before he can take another step, a second knife brushes past his cheek and lodges itself in the wall behind him.
A few drops of fresh blood drip to the ground.
Rude Ruffian
My ear?!
Helena
Stop whining. It's still attached.
Helena
But I can't promise it'll stay that way unless you scram. Now.
The restaurant's proprietor turns around and takes a cloth off the rack to start wiping the bar.
There is another knife wedged between her fingers.
Rude Ruffian
Shit...
Boorish Brute
Forget it, let's go. We can get them back for this later.
Helena
Here, your meal.
Leone
Thanks...
Helena
You're about the only person who can burn his tongue twice in one visit.
Leone
Hey, I was starving. Haven't had a good meal all day. Anyhow, don't you think we've been getting more and more of these thugs in town?
Helena
Probably because Woodrow's out searching for Miles... So they think nobody's gonna stop them.
Leone
Hmph... Miles sure knows how to be a pain in the neck. He left the plate without a word to look for fuel, only to disappear without a trace. And now Woodrow's gotta go look for him.
Helena
What choice did he have? We don't have enough fuel to go around. Besides, it don't matter what he ran into. He can deal with anything, man or beast, in three seconds flat.
Leone
But what if Woodrow's too late—
Helena
Alright, enough yapping. Finish your bean stew.
Leone
*sigh* I'm just worried...
Helena
Here, it's my last bit of butter. Now shut your trap, will you?
There may be ambushers in the forest. The recon team has gone ahead to scout the area, and if they need any fire support, we can't just be napping in the transport.
No-Longer-Lethargic Female Voice
So get off your butts, pick up your gear, and cover yourselves. On the count of three.
I'm pretty sure I gave you a reminder of what to look out for when fighting in a snowfield. Where are your sunglasses?
Franka
Guess I didn't think it through. Whatever, I'll have to make do with what I have on hand.
Franka
How are things looking up ahead?
Comms
Patience. The situation's a little tricky right now. The snow's too thick, so it's hard to spot any enemies in hiding. It'll take some time to pinpoint their location.
Franka
*sigh* This was supposed to be a power plant repair job, and now we've gotta clear out bandits, too? Guess I'll just think of it as charity work.
Franka
What do you say, kids?
Blacksteel Operator
Ready to go.
Franka
Seems my lackeys can't wait anymore, Captain. Can we get in touch with the Davistown officers?
Comms
They said they'll send someone to meet us at the entrance to the plate, but there's not much they can do in the way of combat support outside.
Franka
Wow, such hospitality. Good to know I won't be getting lost in town, at any rate.
Comms
It's a nearly bankrupt mining platform. We can't ask too much of them.
Comms
They reported the power plant explosion and subsequent fuel leakage to the state government at the start of the year, but nobody cared.
Comms
All things considered, they've dealt with it pretty well. So the pollution hasn't spread much, but the plant itself is almost beyond repair. Certainly more than the locals can handle.
Franka
Hold up. The start of the year? How come they're only contacting us now?
Comms
You think a tiny municipality has the budget for that? They never spend a dime until they're out of options.
Comms
At the time, the plant could still barely support the platform's movements. A few months ago, it stopped working entirely. Now, I doubt it can provide its most basic function, heating.
Franka
It's minus 14 degrees here...
Comms
And colder at night.
Franka
So, is it all bad news, or...?
Comms
Based on the map, Davistown is just up ahead. You should see it as soon as you get out of the woods.
Franka
Anything more exciting?
Comms
...Perfect timing. We've located all our targets. You can start clearing them out.
Franka
Lovely.
Franka
One last thing before I hop to it. Where are Jessica and Laura? You send them somewhere?
Comms
The enemy camp. There's a local being held captive there, without too many guards. It wasn't a good idea to send too big of a force.
Captain Liskarm encountered a windstorm on her way back and hasn't been able to return to the landship. I'm standing in for her for debriefing.
'Clip' Cliff
Have you received the Davistown mission notice?
Jessica
Yes, sir.
'Clip' Cliff
What about the details? Have you read it over yet?
Jessica
We will be heading to Davistown, a mining platform with a small residential area.
Jessica
The platform is currently stranded in the forests of eastern Columbia due to a power plant explosion. Our mission is to repair the plant and restore the plate's mobility.
'Clip' Cliff
Good. If I remember correctly, the supplies were issued today. What about the follow-up arrangements?
Jessica
That's all it said in our orders.
'Clip' Cliff
Never mind... There's no harm in telling you. As soon as Davistown returns to its original route, Fort Barron will be there to tow it to a nearby nomadic city for merging and salvage.
Jessica
Why are you telling me this?
'Clip' Cliff
Jessica, ever since you got back from Victoria, you haven't been putting in as much effort as before.
Jessica
Sir... I'm not sure that's a fair appraisal.
Jessica
I've been giving it my all in every mission, and have... fulfilled every mission objective.
'Clip' Cliff
Just last month, you refused an order to evacuate an area polluted with Originium dust.
Jessica
There was someone nearby who needed rescuing...
'Clip' Cliff
Half a year ago, during an assault operation, you violated your superior's order and specifically chose a route away from the residential areas. Your entire team almost got caught up in an unnecessary battle.
Jessica
The original plan would have caused significant damage to the local residences... I... I...
'Clip' Cliff
A year ago, when you had just returned from Victoria, you immediately charged into the command center. If you'd been carrying a firearm, I would've thought you were mutinying.
Jessica
S-Sorry, sir... I wasn't able to control my emotions... but hundreds of Victorian citizens were—
'Clip' Cliff
I understand your anger, but have you ever considered what would've happened if we hadn't evacuated as soon as possible? If a duke were to find out that Blacksteel, a Columbian company, was in the area?
'Clip' Cliff
To the countries involved, this would've sparked a 'conflict.' But to normal folks, we'd call that a 'disaster.'
Jessica
That does make sense when you put it like that, but... What does this have to do with our upcoming mission?
'Clip' Cliff
I'm just trying to remind you to avoid making the same mistake you made in Victoria.
Jessica
The same mistake... What do you mean, exactly?
'Clip' Cliff
......
'Clip' Cliff
And while you're at it, take this pouch. Give what's inside to a man from Davistown named Woodrow Bianchi.
Jessica
Could you describe him at all? Like, his features or race—
'Clip' Cliff
No need. You'll know who he is the moment you see him.
Jessica
Sir... I still don't understand. It's just a power plant repair. Why—
'Clip' Cliff
Let me remind you, Jessica. You're a mercenary. This is about business, not duty.
