Operation story: 12-15
< 12-15
| Operation | Story |
| Previous 12-14 | Next 12-16 |
| Characters | |
 Royal Court Soldier | |
| Backgrounds | |
 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8 | |
Before operation
| “ | The Damazti Cluster of all their endless years bares their soul to the young Lord of the Banshees. In the wake of a fire at the hotel, true chaos in Norport finally sets in. | ” |
| <Background 1> | |
|---|---|
| [The scenery shifts into an Iberian town.] | |
| Logos | So this time it's Iberia. |
| "Iberian" | Patience, Banshee. These were the most unforgettable days for me. |
| Logos | I thought you wouldn't like it there. |
| "Iberian" | I certainly didn't like Iberia before that disaster. All that self-aggrandizing, all so self-obsessed. I was through with it. They didn't understand fear. |
| Logos | Whereupon that disaster satisfied you? |
| "Iberian" | I'm not some twisted psychopath like Old Red-Eye is. The disaster itself was nothing unordinary. When has the land ever been short of disaster? But those creatures fascinated me. |
| Logos | I've only heard rumors. If I'll be honest, those things duly disturb me. They are too removed from us. |
| "Iberian" | Then how removed do you consider me from you, Banshee? You should know, no matter what aspect I take, none of it is the real me. Originium leaves an irrefutable brand upon all. It has you walk in the forms you do upon this terra firma. But the one thing it forgot was the Damazti. Only we still preserve our firstborn form. |
| Logos | Are you proud of your purity? |
| "Iberian" | No, no. With this world in the state it is, what does purity even mean anymore? I can only chase after the changes it brings. I can only chase after you. Chase all you create. Every manner of means possible I used. I found in Iberia a wasted town. I moved in there. We moved in there. We made that town run anew. Work, communication, trade, traffic... Two hundred mes made up one small town. |
| Logos | I can't say whether you're lucky or unlucky not to have fallen into insanity yet. |
| "Iberian" | Hah. Who knows. In any case, the time I spent there left a deep impression on me. With so much to manage, I was drowning every day in it. It gave me the false sense... that we lived meaningfully. But weariness came in the end, as it always does. Giving my undivided attention to the trivial was very amusing, but even summed all together, it still could not give me the answer I was seeking. Until I found them. I heard some call the things "Seaborn." I observed them for a very long time. |
| Logos | They reminded you of yourself. |
| "Iberian" | No. In terms of unity, we far surpass the Seaborn and their many. No matter how many appearances we divide into, we are in the end a whole, while the Seaborn have only the choice of joining with the many. But, you know what? I envy them. They need nothing more than to heed their instincts. Find food, find nutrients, multiply, evolve. Perhaps that word you slung just now, "purity," should be falling on them. While I... I remain where I was, watching it all, watching those variegated little beings assimilate a swathe of seagrass with them. They think nothing. They do what they're meant to do. And what of us? What are our instincts? And what are we meant to do? Banshee, can you give us any suggestions? Are you laughing? |
| Logos | Apologies, Damazti. I am not mocking you, by far. They who could proclaim themselves the oldest King of the Royal Court, Their Majesties the Damazti, are simply looking for the meaning of their life. It's a very important thing, of course it is. I just never would've thought, that standing before me... was a wayward philosopher. |
| "Iberian" | Would you ever guess the years I've spent a professor of philosophy at Victoria's universities? To you, seeking meaning is easy. Excluding the least minority of existences, life can always be considered brief. You find a goal for yourself, to stuff the days full with so that it isn't so tough. But we cannot do that. |
| <Background 2> | |
| [The scenery shifts back to normal with the Damazti Cluster back in their usual form.] | |
| Damazti Cluster | From your suggestions to Theresis's future, none of it holds our interest. To us, it is no more than passing the time. Why do we hold affection for these things that pass in the blink of an eye? We've exhausted practically every possibility, and practically every delight too. |
| Logos | I'm beginning to pity you, Damazti. |
| Damazti Cluster | You've found out we're just some old decrepit nothing gets to anymore, no matter how loud you shout it. Not many know this secret. |
| Logos | A few friends of mine taught me this silly game... No, never mind. |
| Damazti Cluster | Go on, Banshee. We're more interested than you suppose. But–you may have to wait a moment. Some bothersome work has come a-knocking. Not here, that is, but I'm afraid we'll need to divert a little attention. |
| <Background 3> | |
| Amiya | What do you mean... not there? |
| Delphine | I mean it's not there, for god's sakes! The comms post isn't there! There's nothing there! Someone's made off with it! |
| Amiya | Was it the Dublinn forces? |
| Delphine | Afraid it was long before that. Judging from how thick the dust was, someone must've been eyeing it when Norport was just setting course away from Londinium. |
| "Trilby Asher" | The Redsteel Guard captain would never genuinely be fooled by us. He'd be very quick to realize the projected message was never sent. But at the very least, we're back at the same starting line. We have a renewed opportunity to go for the gold. |
| Delphine | First there was you for the Duke of Caster, now there's Dublinn's spectre force... You've all secretly infiltrated to get onto this plate, which means, you want to keep up Norport's surface appearances. Without any way to force the dukes' main armies into mobilizing, our plan's dead in the water. |
| Ines | Never try that excuse again, Delphine. As long as your duke mother learns you're still here, she'll find some way to save you, won't she. |
| Delphine | ...... I can't guarantee... |
| Ines | Admitting you get along with your mother is nothing to be ashamed of. |
| Doctor | Do you have an idea, Ines? |
| Ines | What a pain in the ass. |
| Doctor | Looks like you can do it. |
| Ines | ...I really hate that part of you. But alright. I can try. I need high elevation. Don't get your hopes up. |
| Amiya | Miss Ines, how much time will your idea need? |
| Ines | Until sunup. Tell Siege and her city friends to get ready. |
| Colbert | May I wish you all godspeed, and I look forward to you choosing the Sunset Street Hotel again. I've spent some wonderful times here, and gotten to know some very fine people. Norport is a lovely, thriving place. Don't let it be reduced to memories and rubble like this. |
| Amiya | We promise, sir. There'll come an end to the conspiracy and dispute. There's... a person I truly, truly miss, who once told me... That perhaps, one day... everyone on this vast land can fall into peaceful slumber. |
| [Amiya and the others leave.] | |
| Colbert | *sigh* There's a back-breaker. This hotel's even messier than it was before. People who don't do their own cleaning never know how difficult it is to maintain a bit of order. Percival! Percival! Where's she run off to now... Fine, go and leave this old codger by himself for a bit. |
| The age-riddled hotel owner finds an equally age-riddled armchair, and opts to find a comfortable position before sitting down. | |
| Colbert | So that... Cautus girl, she's the King of Sarkaz? It's getting harder and harder to keep up with all this change. Even I'm a little shocked by it. Change... change. Maybe I've been slacking on that sort of change myself. Change isn't progress, after all. Alright, about time I bid farewell to this old friend. To tell the truth... I really did love this place. *sigh*... Two more months you should've kept this up, Colbert. Who would've imagined, after two months of the Sarkaz army in the city, an old devil would go from cleaner to hotel owner. I just can't wrap my head around it. |
| The elderly Sarkaz stands up, and scans over the grand lobby of the public house. Every single article in here is near and dear to him. | |
| Colbert | That Ines Caprinae says war doesn't do metaphor. Well, then. Let's restore its original looks. |
| Upon a finely woven rug that's seen more political players and aristocrats than anyone could know, the elderly Sarkaz drops a lighter lit aflame. And swiftly, the fires rage high. | |
| <Background 4> | |
| Paprika | The... The soldiers here, were they all killed? Is the enemy here?! If I'd found this earlier... |
| Manfred | ...... Their families will receive compensation payouts. If they have families. |
| Paprika | We have to be on guard... |
| Manfred | No. |
| Paprika | Do you look like that... because you already knew about this? You... This was part of your plan too... |
| Manfred | It was per Military Commission of Kazdel arrangements. Sacrifice is unavoidable, mercenary. I thought your captain would have taught you this long ago. |
| Paprika | You're a general! And they're your soldiers! |
| Manfred | Yes. I am a general, and this is my work. Be it our enemies or ourselves, I must cast each and every life into this gaping maw we call war– And pray it spits out the best ending we could wish for. That is all I can achieve in my position. |
| Paprika | You– |
| Manfred | Hence why I came; I came to give this all my full attention. To look over every pale, young face here. I must remind myself that this was a decision I made. I will not say this is the price the Sarkaz must pay, mercenary. The Victorians killed them, but it was I that let them be killed by the Victorians. |
| Paprika | Why do you have to do it this way? |
| Manfred | To light a fire. Light a fire that will extend across this great land. And we... the Sarkaz, can find a place for ourselves, the room for us to exist, only on such a divided land. Mercenary, you must learn to familiarize yourself with it. Be familiar with it. Hate it. And finally, accept it. Because this is the only way. |
| A bright blaze flames high from the lockdown zone, an old building fiercely burning. | |
| Paprika | Another... accident? |
| Manfred | No. That is the first flame. Mercenary, come with me. We must return to the airship. Our guests have already taken their seats. |
After operation
| “ | The "Trilby Ashers" ascertain Amiya's status as the King of Sarkaz. Siege draws up plans to rouse Norport's citizens for self-salvation. | ” |
| <Background 5> | |
|---|---|
| Amiya | We're only a few hours away from the sunrise Miss Ines stipulated. We need to hurry up the pace of our evacuation op. |
| "Trilby Asher" | Say, haven't you forgotten something even more important, Doctor of Rhodes Island? |
| Doctor | There's the airship too. |
| "Trilby Asher" | Yes, we and Dublinn are starting from the same line again. Which means, time is of the essence. To forever abide by commitments is not solely what we ask of ourselves... but of those we make deals with, too. |
| [Several more Trilby Ashers show up.] | |
| "Trilby Asher" | You've finally made it. I almost got offed by that Redsteel Guard boy. |
| "Trilby Asher" | Her Grace is very dissatisfied with your indolence. Your methods are too tepid. Or is it that you're coaxing Alexandrina? Playing on her sympathies? |
| "Trilby Asher" | That's a very grave accusation. I'm unconditionally loyal to Her Grace, that much is obvious, I'm just... |
| "Trilby Asher" | We'll review your excuses in hindsight. For now, though, there's no time. |
| [The Ashers pointed their swords at the Doctor...] | |
| Doctor | ...... |
| "Trilby Asher" | Stay put, Rhodes Islanders. |
| [...as Amiya channels her Arts to protect them.] | |
| Amiya | What are you doing? |
| "Trilby Asher" | Arts in black... Just as the fresh intel described. You've kept it very well hidden, Rhodes Island. To think this Cautus is the Sarkaz's very Lord of Fiends. Very interesting... Perhaps this is an issue that can't be solved without you. Poet, to not have recognized this is a further failure of your duties. |
| "Trilby Asher" | By what means does Her Grace hope for me to remedy this? |
| "Trilby Asher" | While you were chatting with Dublinn, we've had the position of the airship's dock confirmed. It's... treacherous in there. But our fresh intel tells us the "Lord of Fiends" will have some way to handle it. So, little Lord of Fiends, you'll cooperate with us, won't you. |
| Amiya | ...... |
| "Trilby Asher" | And what about that Windermere girl? |
| "Trilby Asher" | Forget trying to make up for things. The technology of the airship is our number one priority. |
| <Background 6> | |
| Baird | Think we've notified about everyone we could find. And that... caps off all we can do. |
| Siege | Amiya isn't back yet, and neither the Doctor nor Ines have been in touch. |
| Baird | Looks like somewhere's caught fire outside again. |
| Siege | That's–where the hotel is. |
| Baird | We'd better go take a look. |
| [Delphine rushes into the gym.] | |
| Delphine | *pant*... *pant*... |
| Baird | Delphine? What are you sprinting like that for? –Where's that Rhodes Island lot? |
| Delphine | I'll lay this out straight. Listen up, Alexandrina Vina Victoria. Amiya and the Doctor got pushed by the "Trilby Asher" into fulfilling that deal. They need to find the airship. Duke Wellington's army is on this plate already. Afraid Duke Caster's reinforcements are here too. They're all out to win the technology behind that Sarkaz airship. None of them will let their rivals have the advantage of getting it first. Norport's become the dukes' wrestling ring. {{sc|Cador|Hah. Surprising exactly no one. |
| Delphine | ...... Miss Ines says she'll do all she can to make it happen. |
| Cador | To what? What are you telling us? |
| Delphine | She says, she needs until sunrise. |
| Siege | Got it. Assuming the dukes go with direct confrontation after all, how much time do we still have? |
| Delphine | As long as Miss Ines succeeds... the Duke of Windermere's high-speed warship should be approaching not long after the sun comes up. You've got a hell of a lot of people gathered here. |
| Baird | The people who aren't here probably already got the news. Anyone who does want to come with us'll keep with the procession. |
| Delphine | So I suggest before the Duke's warship officially encroaches, we continue to wait here. With the present circumstances... going out in the street's not a good idea. Doesn't matter if it's Wellington or Caster, they won't hold back against anyone they think's in the way. |
| Siege | No. We're best off leaving now. The Sarkaz barracks around the barricade wall got ambushed. Odds are more than likely some duke's forces did it. We should get as close as we can to the part of the wall that's thin on defenses, while it's still night. More importantly... we need to let them all know, everyone still peeping out from behind their windows, that what we said was true. This evacuation isn't some scheme to nab the last of their reserves. It's not some Sarkaz trap to wipe them out. Reestablishing trust is a challenge, and the one and only way to do it– Is for them to see real action. |
| <Background 7> | |
| Hoederer | ...... |
| Royal Court Soldier | Here, the books you asked me for last time. I had to spend an age searching in those Londinium libraries, not even knowing Victorian. Grabbed some poor Feline in the end to find your stuff. |
| Hoederer | Thank you. |
| Royal Court Soldier | Sometimes I see you writing and drawing in this blank book too. You don't just read, you write your own stuff too? I've never been to Kazdel, but I hear they've got a whole Sarkaz university underground there. Are you a teacher there? |
| Hoederer | No, I'm just like you. Putting my life up for sale. |
| Royal Court Soldier | Are these books really that fun to read? |
| Hoederer | They all end fine enough, but similar events keep happening over and over. All the authors can do is keep writing fine enough endings. And I've gotten sick of it. |
| Royal Court Soldier | General Manfred made us lock you in here, but hasn't given any further orders since... How did you offend him? |
| Hoederer | Maybe, he just thought jail would be more peaceful for me. It's easier in here... to do whatever I'd actually like to do. |
| Royal Court Soldier | And that's reading? You really are a boring guy, then. I hear... us Sarkaz are going to get some real good news, real soon. So good it'll stun the entire land! |
| Hoederer | It's just going to be another war. |
| Royal Court Soldier | Has anyone ever told you you're a drag to talk to? |
| Hoederer | Honestly, yeah. |
| Royal Court Soldier | Seriously... what a drag. Alright, I'm changing shifts. You behave in here. Don't forget, you promised to pay me for the books– |
| The Royal Court soldier's silhouette disappears with a wobble into the end of the prison corridor, and very soon, a different set of footsteps comes into earshot. Hoederer waits. But there is only quiet. | |
| <Background 8> | |
| Manfred | ...... |
| Royal Court Soldier | The crew are all aboard the airship now. |
| Manfred | Understood. Paprika. |
| Paprika | Urk... Here! |
| Manfred | Have you ever read a book called... A History of Sarkaz War? |
| Paprika | No. |
| Manfred | You should. I have a copy in my drawer. You can take it. |
| Paprika | Is it a very fancy story? |
| Manfred | It is a history annals. |
| Paprika | You said that already... |
| Manfred | Then you shouldn't be asking that sort of question. I disapprove of near to every viewpoint expressed in it. The weakness, the grief, the crushing. But still, I recognize that it is a book whose pages are soaked in blood. |
| Paprika | How would the writer describe the war we're seeing right now? |
| Manfred | ...... I'm as curious as you. |