Operation story: 11-9

Operation

Story

Previous 11-8	Next 11-10
Characters
Doctor Ascalon Feist Paprika Allerdale Catherine Lt. Colonel Lettou Sanguinarch of Vampires Londinium Worker Londinium Worker Sarkaz Mercenary Sarkaz Mercenary Captain Sarkaz Warrior Slimy Noble ???
Backgrounds
1 2 3

Before operation

Summary The Sanguinarch of Vampires burns Cumberland Manor to the ground and executes many nobles. Catherine faces the Sarkaz mercenaries in order to protect the others in the factory.
<Background black>
There are some things that will never change, Ailshie! I'll grow up to be a Steam Knight, just like Sir Lynch! No, even greater than Sir Lynch! I'll protect you all, and I'll drive every scoundrel away. I'll uphold the glory of Cumberland, just like my great-great-great-great grandmother! I promise this, Ailshie! You'll see!
[Allerdale tries to break into the burning manor.]
Allerdale	Ailshie! Hold on! I, I'll... I promised that I'd...
[Someone speaks to Allerdale out of nowhere.]
???	Go, Allerdale. The Vampire is coming. He cannot find you.
Allerdale	Ailshie is here. I have to–
???	You have to follow her orders. She will not allow you to deviate.
Allerdale	Y-You can't...
???	We can. The Duke has ordered us to help you "complete your mission", but we are not your servants. Do not forget her instructions. Do not forget your place.
Allerdale	I...
???	There is only one thing that you must do. Fulfill your duty.
For an instant, Allerdale forgets where she is, and who is with her. She wants to run, towards the fire that is burning away at what little remains of her life. Just like that night twenty-six years ago, when she wanted to run towards another fire to stop Parliament's men from taking her father.
???	That is your sole responsibility.
Allerdale's eyes open wide. The tears in them evaporate before the fire. But she sees a great silhouette is rising in the burning garden. Is it the damaged suit of steam armor? The steam armor upon which she placed so many dreams and hopes?
???	Return to the person of interest. Now.
Through so many trials and tribulations, Allerdale had prayed that her great ancestor would descend into the steam armor and help her overcome all challenges. Now she sees the ancient armor breathing the flames of hell. She sees the shadow in the fire roar towards her. It is not her hope. She has strayed far from it. Even if her ancestor truly returned– Allerdale knows it could only be her worst nightmare.
Allerdale	......
[Allerdale pauses for a moment before saying,]
Allerdale	Tell her. I will obey her will, as always.
<Background 1>
Slimy Noble	I, I don't understand, Your Highness... I thought you were pleased with our hospitality... You even graced us with your presence at our banquets, did you not? You liked this place!
Sanguinarch of Vampires	I will not deny that you have brought me joy, from time to time. I find your petty flattery and exaggerated cordiality adorable.
Slimy Noble	You must be mistaken! I have no links to the dukes or the resistance! I swear... Any trouble must be the work of the Cumberland woman! I'll expose her! Sanguinarch... Your Highness... please, I'll give you anything! My collection, my money... take all of it! Just...
Sanguinarch of Vampires	What good are those to me, my dear?
Slimy Noble	You wouldn't kill me, would you? We should hold a wine tasting! You haven't sampled my private reserve yet... I'll be alright, won't I, Lt. Colonel Lettou? This is Londinium! They–the Sarkaz are just here to protect Londinium at the invitation of the Duke of Cavendish? They wouldn't kill an innocent, of course?
Lt. Colonel Lettou	...... Take him to the front.
Sanguinarch of Vampires	I tire of the noise. Begin.
Slimy Noble	B-Begin what?
Sarkaz Warrior	Run in when you hear the order. Confirm everyone is dead and you can come back alive.
Slimy Noble	In... into the fire? A fire that big? N-No! I'll burn to death!
Sarkaz Warrior	You're going to do exactly that.
Sanguinarch of Vampires	–
The ancient Sarkaz steps on the Heart of Victoria and raises a finger.
Slimy Noble	Argh–!
He did not see what was chasing him. As the Sarkaz warrior said, he follows the order instinctively, running forward like a man possessed. In the fire, the slightest chance of survival. On his tail, the scent of certain death. But he only takes a few steps before stumbling in confusion. Blood spurts from his body. It no longer belongs to him. It serves another master now. At its new master's command, it charges forth towards the collapsing manor, towards the raging flames, chewing through the ruins, swallowing the rubble, covering the cinders. Nothing can stop the march of blood, not even fire.
Sanguinarch of Vampires	He was right, Lettou. I haven't sampled his private reserve. We should, shouldn't we?
<Background 2>
[Paprika's captain takes Catherine to a location.]
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	This is it. Wait here.
Catherine	Lund, Charlie... This is where you kill us.
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	...How do you know?
Catherine	Simple. You never told the workers what you were building for the past two years. But a factory boss gets a few clues. I guessed you were close to the final stages, the way you people have been pressing us lately. And that means it's time for those who know too much to die.
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	You lied to me.
Catherine	Just getting my affairs in order. What could lowly workers like us do, after groveling for the past three years?
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	Don't you dare try anything. You, you and you. Come with me; we'll take a look around. Keep a close eye on her, Paprika.
Paprika	Alright.
[The merc captain leaves.]
Catherine	Can I have a smoke?
Paprika	Hm... okay.
Catherine	Thanks.
[Catherine lights up her cigarette.]
Paprika	Did you ever consider running?
Catherine	Where? And anyway, it'd only make trouble for the workers left behind.
Paprika	......
Catherine	I've been thinking about what you'd do to us. Looks like whoever's giving the orders still has something of a heart.
Paprika	But... what do you mean?
Catherine	They said to get rid of us quietly so the workers don't panic, didn't they? If my life buys a chance for the others to live, then so be it. You think the rest of the old timers you brought here don't get that?
Paprika	I don't get it...
Catherine	Huff... How old are you, girl?
<Background 3>
[Feist asks the Doctor,]
Feist	Doctor, do you know the story of the Steam Knights?
Doctor	Yes. / I've heard of them.
Feist	Granny used to build them. It was a point of pride for us. With our own hands, we built the armor worn by the defenders of Londinium, the ones who defended our home. I wanted to see the birth of those great things, just like Granny... to take part in it. Granny's been through a lot. She saw how Londinium became what it is today. And I can see how disappointed she is. But I don't want to give up so soon.
[Feist notices a drawer.]
Feist	Must be this drawer. Hidden compartment... hidden compartment... ah, here it is. Granny's incredible. I'd never know this desk had been altered, if she hadn't told me. This is... my badge? And a notebook?
I don't know who I'm writing this for, what I'm writing this for. ...... Harvey died before Feist was born. Lindy tried to understand, but her sorrow turned into anger towards me. She blamed me for not stopping Harvey that day. I couldn't argue with her. I couldn't blame her for leaving Feist behind. I heard she remarried someone decent. Good for her. I never told Feist. I didn't want him to know that his father died for nothing, and that his mother left with hate in her heart.
Feist	......
<Background 2>
Catherine	So you grew up in Columbia.
Paprika	Yes, my grandma raised me. Mom and Dad were both mercenaries, but they're dead.
Catherine	Why did you become a mercenary, then?
Paprika	To feed myself, and grandma. Sarkaz aren't welcome most places, so I had to be a merc.
Catherine	What a good girl. So you agree with the Regent?
Paprika	You mean with occupying the city? Hmm... I don't know. We do what we're paid to do. I didn't know we were going to occupy such a big city. In Columbia, we were helping merchants smuggle goods that they didn't want people to know about, or hunting wild beasts. But I can tell you, that was the first time I saw Grimm so excited. He said the Sarkaz would get to live a decent life, if we were successful.
Catherine	Grimm? The smoker?
Paprika	Yes.
Catherine	Where's he now? I haven't seen him around in a while.
Paprika	He's dead.
Catherine	Aren't you sad about that?
Paprika	He always said that death and parting are a normal part of the mercenary life.
Catherine	Death and parting. All these years of chaos, and the Victorians haven't learned the slightest thing about the Sarkaz. Catch, girl.
Paprika	Huh?
Catherine takes a little thing from her cigarette box and tosses it at Paprika. It is small, soft, made of wool, and bright in color.
Paprika	This is... a finger sleeve... Grimm...
Catherine	You made it for the old merc, didn't you? His finger hurt because of an old wound, but he couldn't cut the smoking habit. I saw him hide it in his cigarette box. Guess he didn't want to get it dirty, even though you made it for him to use.
Paprika	......
Catherine	He gave me the box when he left. Payment for smokes, those few months. He never talked about you, but the moment I saw you, I knew you were the girl he was always thinking about.
Paprika	I... I don't...
Catherine	I don't know what he thought about the war. But I know, without hearing it from him... you don't know what war is.
<Background 3>
...... I had a feeling Feist would leave. He's too much like Harvey. He thinks he can solve every problem with his wits. Seeing him reminds me of Harvey. I can't tell if I'm disappointed because the protest failed, or because Harvey didn't understand what the nobles were made of. Maybe a little bit of both. I let Feist go. I knew I couldn't stop him. ......
Feist	Doctor, I thought about what I was going to say to Granny, before I brought you back. I thought I was prepared. We've seen so much in our time. But I think I owe her an apology.
Doctor	You're family. / She doesn't need your apology, does she?
Feist	...... Catherine always looks strict and solemn. People forget that she's just an ordinary woman, who lost her livelihood.
...... The Sarkaz don't let workers into certain areas of the factories. They're definitely preparing some sort of weapon. They shouldn't have the resources to hold out this long, not with the dukes breathing down their necks. But from the material being sent to the factories, with what I know of their situation, all the signs point to them having their own supply line. None of this was supposed to concern me. All I can do is protect the workers. But– I noted things I shouldn't have. Maybe, deep down, I thought I could do more than I did when I watched Harvey go out into the streets, if Feist came back to me for help someday. Workers aren't allowed near it, but I know the place too well. There are only a few places suitable for a supply depot.
Feist	Here, Doctor! Granny circled some places on the map.
<Dialogue branch starts here>
Doctor	They'll be heavily guarded.
Feist	Yes, it'll be hard to get close to the depots.
<Dialogue branch>
Doctor	I hope we get results on the other side.
Feist	This information will help, though, even if we can't get close.
<Dialogue branch ends here>
Feist	I wish I could say goodbye to Granny. Guess it'll have to wait until next time. Let's go, Doctor.
<Background 2>
Paprika	A lot of us don't actually know what we're fighting for. It's just, we don't have a place to go. We're not welcome anywhere. The King of Sarkaz promised us a home, a country, a future.
Catherine	I've spent time with you people. I can tell that some of you haven't actually fought before. What about you?
Paprika	I can fight!
Catherine	Have you killed anyone, girl? And I'm not talking about a villain you can kill without remorse... I mean real people.
Paprika	...... You're just a worker. You haven't killed anyone. Don't talk to me like you know what it means.
Catherine	You've been in Londinium for a while. You've heard of steam armor, haven't you?
Paprika	I heard it's a powerful weapon that hasn't been seen for a long time.
Catherine	Yes. It's a killing machine. I built killing machine after killing machine with these hands right here. I don't feel ashamed, because those machines were used to defend the land I lived on. What about you, girl? Do you know what your weapon is for?
Paprika	I...

After operation

Summary Feist rallies the workers and rescues Catherine, with the help of the Doctor and Ascalon.
<Background 3>
[An arsenal worker asks another,]
Londinium Worker	George, everyone willing to go is here.
Londinium Worker	What about Tommy?
Londinium Worker	No sign of him.
Londinium Worker	That's fine. Volunteers only.
[Feist joins in.]
Feist	George.
Londinium Worker	You found what Catherine left for you, Feist? Was it what you were looking for?
Feist	Yes.
Londinium Worker	I'm glad. Now get going, before you can't.
Feist	Wait, what's going on?
Londinium Worker	Do you know why the Sarkaz took Catherine? She knew too much. They're executing workers like her. Something didn't feel right, so I had Day climb to the top of the factory to check.
Feist	What...?
Londinium Worker	Catherine kept it from us. She thought we didn't know anything. But we aren't stupid. We guessed what's going on.
Feist	What are you gonna do?
Londinium Worker	Nothing in particular. We've put up with the Sarkaz for a long time. More or less gotten used to it. Some folk think the Sarkaz will let us go, so long as we put up with them a little longer. Now they want to do away with Catherine.
Feist	You'll die.
Londinium Worker	Better than standing around and watching them kill Catherine. No one standing here has anything left to lose.
Feist	I...
Londinium Worker	Stop. You're with the Self-Salvation Corps. We've heard about you. Lots of us are happy for you. You've got more important things to do. Don't let Catherine's sacrifice be in vain.
Feist	...No. Doctor, I may have gotten some information from Granny... But as the leader of this factory, Granny knows more about the Sarkaz production lines than anyone else. She has significant strategic value, doesn't she?
Doctor	Without a doubt. / Undeniably.
Feist	...I request help from Rhodes Island.
Doctor	Are you there, Ascalon? / I know you're watching... here with me.
Ascalon	Here.
Doctor	I'm sure you've identified the hostiles in this sector. / Describe the enemy deployment.
Ascalon	They've tightened defenses, leaving gaps on the outside. It's mostly loosely-organized mercenary bands guarding the outer area.
Doctor	We need time. / Distract the mercenaries and take out the sentries.
Ascalon	...... On it.
Feist	Thank you, Doctor, Ascalon.
Feist takes a deep breath.
He sticks his badge to his chest and goes in amongst the workers.
Londinium Worker	Don't make any rash decisions, Feist.
Feist	I'm not here as a member of the Self-Salvation Corps. I'm here as the grandson of Catherine, as someone who grew up in this factory. I belong here. Just like you, I don't want Catherine to die. I'm not gonna let her die, and I won't let you die either. The Doctor's people will cut off Sarkaz communications. Once we rescue Granny and the other factory bosses, we'll have plenty of time to get out of Highbury. I'll lead you to the Corps. Everyone will be safe. ...Everyone should be safe.
The workers exchange stunned looks. But they see the fire of hope beginning to burn in each others' eyes. One by one, they get behind Feist. They have decided to trust Feist.
<Background 3>
[Tommy the worker runs toward Feist.]
Londinium Worker	Feist! I-I'm going too!
Feist	Tommy... thanks. But don't.
Londinium Worker	Why?
Feist	You hesitated because your dad's not well, right?
Londinium Worker	But–
Feist	And there's something I need you to do. No matter the outcome, you will report to the Sarkaz that we staged a riot.
Londinium Worker	But...
Feist	It's important. I have to keep the ones who stay behind safe.
Londinium Worker	...Alright.
Feist	Let's go, then. We'll get the old hands back.
Londinium Workers	Right!
<Background 2>
Catherine smokes her cigarette quietly. She watches as the Sarkaz drag one familiar face after another to the makeshift firing range. She sees on those familiar faces anger, disgust, resignation. Then, in the end, peace. She knows her turn will come soon. She feels a sense of calm that she has never felt before. Feist was right. Compromise and subservience will solve no problems. She must pay for her choices. But she got to see her grandson one last time, and left him a little gift, before she had to pay. That's enough.
[The merc captain approaches Catherine.]
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	You're up, grandma. Take her.
Catherine	I can walk on my own.
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	Oh. Paprika. Grimm never had you kill anybody, did he?
Paprika	...Never.
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	Here's your chance. Learn to kill.
Paprika	......
Catherine	This is how the Sarkaz treat a kid?
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	I heard what you said to her. You're right. She doesn't know what war is. I didn't want to know what war was, if I could help it. No Sarkaz does. But you left us no choice. None of you did. That's why it's time for her to learn.
Catherine	......
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	I like that look in your eyes, grandma. It's the same look I've seen on buddies who died with their eyes wide open.
[A Sarkaz merc walks toward Catherine.]
Sarkaz Mercenary	I've killed a lot. But it doesn't sit right with me, killing someone who can't fight back.
Sarkaz Warrior	You can go back where you came from, if you don't have the stomach for it. How do you know these workers didn't build the weapons that were used to kill your own people? Morals are for peacetime. This is war. It's an argument we never got to have on fair, equal ground.
Sarkaz Mercenary	I don't need you to tell me that. I just...
[A drone flies by the Sarkaz troops...]
Sarkaz Warrior	Huh? A drone?
[...and emits a flash which blinds them...]
Feist	Now!
[...allowing the arsenal workers to take down the Sarkaz troops.]
Feist	This is the place! I've scanned the area with the drone! Move!
<Background fades out and in>
Paprika	C-Can't I let someone else do it?
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	No. I'm sure Grimm taught you not to question your captain's orders. Either you kill her, or drop your weapon and I kill you.
Paprika	I...
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	Do it.
Catherine	......
Paprika	But...
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	Do it!
Paprika	I... I can't!
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	...I always said Grimm was too soft on you. We're not here to convince the Victorians to give our homeland back. If you can't do it, you're going to get it–
[Feist's drone flies past the merc captain.]
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	Huh–a drone?
Sarkaz Mercenary	Captain! The workers are revolting!
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	What?
Londinium Worker	Feist, we've got the Doctor giving orders here. We'll keep the mercenaries pinned down. Go and get Catherine!
Feist	Alright!
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	Are you out of your minds?
[The merc captain tries to stop Feist and the workers, but they managed to overwhelm him.]
Feist	No, we're not. Do you know how valuable an experienced worker is? They're in high demand, you know.
Catherine	Feist! You–
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	Hmph... You could have lived longer if you pretended not to know anything.
Feist	Too bad Granny always says I never know when to shut up.
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	You think you can beat me?
Feist	No, but maybe she can.
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	Wha–
[Catherine grabs a spanner from George the worker and strikes the merc captain with it...]
Sarkaz Mercenary Captain	Umph...!
[...so hard that he is knocked down.]
Catherine	Bollocks, that thing was heavy... Thanks, George. That felt good.
Londinium Worker	Thank Feist. What about you, Sarkaz? Not gonna fight?
Paprika	......
Catherine	...Girl. Your captain was right. This isn't the time to talk about right or wrong. We can't. But if you don't know what you're fighting for...
Paprika	...No. Y-You can't go...
[The Sarkaz mercs back Paprika up.]
Sarkaz Mercenary	......
Feist	Guess I've got no choice then. Charge!
<Background 2>
[The Kazdelian Sarkaz warrior watches the chaos...]
Sarkaz Warrior	What's going on? Where is everybody? I'm gonna have to report this, if I don't get a response–
[...and suddenly got stabbed in the back.]
Sarkaz Warrior	Argh...
The Sarkaz warrior feels weightless. In his blurring vision, he sees a black figure just before he collapses. It was another Sarkaz.
Sarkaz Warrior	Why... Sarkaz...
Ascalon	Last one.
Ascalon is talking to herself, but she puts away the weapon with complete confidence that she is right. She can clearly see the angry workers routing the Sarkaz mercenaries from her position. Violence without strength of numbers was easily broken before years of pent-up anger. The balance of power is reversed. Memories float to the surface. She casts her gaze in another direction. The center of Londinium.
<Background 2>
Feist	We've tied up all the mercs. How many injuries?
Catherine	Not many. The mercenaries with this kid were in a panic and slow to react. They didn't even make up their mind to fight.
Paprika	W-We–! We... we just...
Catherine	You tried to resist, but you were ambushed by cunning Londiniers.
Doctor	Ascalon has cleaned up outside. / We don't have much time.
Catherine	Their way, only a few old timers had to die. Now the Sarkaz will have all your heads. Is this your clever idea, Feist? Put all these years of patience to waste?
Feist	No. If we watched you sacrifice yourselves to save our skins today, there'd be another group of victims tomorrow. Until everyone only cares about themselves.
Catherine	......
Feist	And... that's not your choice to make for all of us.
Catherine	You're right. But it's not yours either.
Feist	This time, though, everyone came to rescue you of their own accord. The Sarkaz have occupied the city for years... life is hard, but there are some red lines we can't let them cross. If we didn't come here today, we–
[George the worker joins in.]
Londinium Worker	The Sarkaz will eventually boil us all.
Catherine	George... you too. It's not all of you here. That means there are some who don't want to see me come back alive.
Feist	......
Catherine	Reality is crueler than you think, Feist. Right and wrong isn't so simple. But what's done is done...
Catherine looks at Feist. It seems like she wants to say something. She does not, however.
Catherine	Let's go.