Operation story: CR-2

Operation

Story

Previous CR-1	Next CR-3
Characters
Catapult Tequila Iana Doc Ela Mateo Tecno Diaz Commanding Officer Gun-Wielding Soldier Squad Leader Community Resident Confused Community Resident Lazy Community Resident Cautious Passerby Timid Taxi Driver Street Photographer Diaz's Aide
Backgrounds
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Before operation

“

While transporting medicine to Dossoles, Tequila and Catapult are ambushed by the Capitán's men as soon as they enter the city. The pair manage to escape, but the medicine is stolen with tactics similar to those of Team Rainbow.

”

<Background 1>
[A Bolívarian officer enters Mateo's office.]
Commanding Officer	Sir!
Mateo	What is it?
Commanding Officer	I believe I found a lead on that thing you asked me to look into. Word around the casino is that a shipment of Oripathy suppressants is being delivered to that artist community. There are a lot of Infected in there. If we can stop the shipment, maybe...
Mateo	Who's delivering it?
Commanding Officer	A pharmaceutical company by the name of Rhodes Island. It has a bit of a reputation in Dossoles and is linked to Lady Candela... is it dangerous?
Mateo	Dangerous...? Let me think... By the way, did you get anything on the men who showed up at Reynell's office the other day?
Commanding Officer	Sorry, sir, we tried, but we couldn't find anything...
Mateo	What about our old rivals? The people behind them?
Commanding Officer	Nothing there either.
Mateo	Are you telling me they just dropped from the sky?
Commanding Officer	Maybe someone doesn't want us digging up their background?
Mateo	Then who is that someone? ... Ah... I see... why didn't I think of it?
Commanding Officer	What's that?
Mateo	What if it's in the Coalition government itself? Plenty of people would love to have my job. Perhaps even someone who's spent a lot of time under me... what do you think?
Commanding Officer	A-Absolutely not! I've always been loyal to you, and to you alone! I swear!
Mateo	Now that I think of it, you wouldn't have the guts.
Commanding Officer	Y-You're absolutely right!
Mateo	Well, I have my hands full with what's in front of me, anyway... is there a way to kill two fowlbeasts with one stone? Teach those gangs in the community a lesson, while taking those people down a peg... What do you remember about their tactics that day?
<Background 2>
[Tequila and Catapult's vehicle are driving through Dossoles.]
Catapult	I thought you had to wait in the customs line for a long time.
Tequila	It helps that I know the customs officer. I actually borrowed this car from him.
Catapult	I didn't know you had so many friends here. Let's get the meds delivered, then we can find a beach to lie down and relax.
Tequila	There's no rush. It's a very interesting neighborhood that we're headed to. I think you'll like it.
Catapult	What do you mean?
Tequila	A lot of them are engaged in very special creative, spiritual activities, expressing their sentiments about life and everything around them through unique language and media.
Catapult	I'm feeling a little confused... could you put it in a simpler way?
Tequila	There are a lot of artists there.
<Background 3>
[Meanwhile, a hidden officer is reporting back to Capitan Mateo.]
Commanding Officer	Everything is in place, sir. Don't worry, sir, we're properly dressed, and we've memorized the phrases that they used. Reenacting their accents and tactics won't be easy, but we've got a former Blacksteel guy here who'll take point. We've handed out the guns, as well as Originium explosives and launchers. Yes, the medicine first, and the fewer people around the better. I know, leave witnesses alive. I've got this, sir, no worries.
[The officer ends his transmission.]
Gun-Wielding Soldier	They're one block away, sir.
Commanding Officer	Move, move!
<Background 2>
[Catapult spots something ahead.]
Catapult	Ernesto, what's that in the middle of the road?
Tequila	Maybe someone dropped it. We'll just go around.
Catapult	Wait—it's an Originium explosive!
Tequila	A what?! No time to brake. Jump!
[The two promptly jump out of the vehicle before it explodes.]
Catapult	The medicine!
Tequila	It's in a special container. It should survive the explosion... hopefully... Can you stand?
Catapult	Just a little scratch.
[Several uniformed men approach the wreck.]
Catapult	They're running towards the car! Guys! There's no one inside! We're here! No response. Is it just me, or do they look more like mercenaries than tourists?
Tequila	They could have something to do with that explosion. Let's go—
The men find what they need in the car and run away before Tequila can finish. The remaining men point their guns at Catapult and Tequila.
Catapult	Guns?! Who are they, Ernesto?
Tequila	That's what I want to know. Why are you after the meds?
Squad Leader	Open fire!
Tequila	Damn—
Catapult	Ernesto, get down!
[The two duck behind cover as the soldiers toss a frag grenade.]
Squad Leader	Engaging! Six o'clock! Fire! Fire! Keep them pinned down!
<Background flashes repeatedly>
[The soldiers launch a heavy assault with their guns.]
Tequila	Are you okay, Arleta?
Catapult	I'm fine. Only one of them is actually shooting properly. The others are just popping launchers—
Gun-Wielding Soldier	Reloading! Cover me!
[The reloading soldier gets shot.]
Gun-Wielding Soldier	Twelve o'clock... our man down...
[Catapult and Tequila fire back.]
Catapult	Too many of them. We can't reach the meds.
Tequila	Let's get to the alley over there. There's a way out that way.
Catapult	(Whisper) Gotcha. I'll cover you.
[Catapult launches a smoke grenade, covering Tequila.]
Tequila	(Whisper) Ten meters, five meters, three meters... Arleta!
[Catapult swiftly follows him.]
<Background fades out and in>
Cautious Passerby	The street art community? Why do you ask?
Iana	I'm interested in the arts festival on this flyer.
Cautious Passerby	I wouldn't go there if I were you. They aren't people you want to mess with.
Timid Taxi Driver	I agree. There are a lot of Infected there.
Doc	Infected? Are they sick?
Timid Taxi Driver	Are you kidding me?
[The man fumes and drives away.]
Doc	No one will show us the way. It sounds like a dangerous place. Are we still going?
Iana	Taxis won't even take us there.
Doc	Maybe we should report back to Ela and go together with the others.
<Background flashes>
Street Photographer	Look what we've got here. The perfect angle, subject and expression. A true work of art.
Iana	Did you just take our photo without permission, sir?
Doc	Give me the camera, please.
Street Photographer	Come now, handsome, don't get angry, take a look. I guarantee you'll love it. Here.
The screen shows the duo frowning at the taxi driving away, as though bothered by its wake, one putting her hands on her hips in frustration, the other covering his nose. A snapshot of everyday life at its most amusing, condensed into a single picture.
Iana	Pff... that's not bad.
Doc	You do have a good eye.
Street Photographer	I'm glad you like it. Fifteen gold certificates, or equivalent in soles or ducats. I'm not picky.
Doc	I'm afraid we have no intention of buying it. And you'll have to delete it as well. We don't want our image to end up somewhere we wouldn't expect.
Street Photographer	Well, if you want it deleted... twenty gold certificates, not a penny less.
Iana	We're not paying.
Street Photographer	Well, we're not deleting anything unless you pay up.
Doc	Bastard.
Street Photographer	Yeah, I'm a rascal alright. Problem?
[The photographer revs his motorcyle...]
Iana	He's getting away!
Street Photographer	Keep your eyes open for your photos out there! Adios, amigos!
[...and speeds away.]
Doc	*French swearing*, he's too fast!
Iana	Not to worry, Kateb. He left a long trail of tire marks behind.
<Background 4>
[The photographer parks his motorcyle at a back alley.]
Tecno	I've been looking for you. Is your photo portfolio ready?
Street Photographer	Just making a couple of quick bucks. Don't worry, I'll have it ready tonight.
Tecno	You always leave it to the last minute.
Street Photographer	I'll buy you fruit soda to make up for it.
Tecno	Forget that, just get your photos ready by tonight, or I'll break your nose.
Street Photographer	Ha. See ya!
[The photographer runs off.]
Iana	We're going to lose him... that girl is in the way.
Doc	We have to think of something.
They peek out from behind cover to see the girl pick up a spray can and begin spraying graffiti on the alley walls.
Doc	(Whisper) Don't tell me... has she noticed us?
Iana	(Whisper) What do you mean?
Doc	(Whisper) Look at the way she's turning to the left and wincing... is she communicating with someone?
Iana	(Whisper) It's possible... their ears work differently. Maybe they can hear us, even when we try to be quiet.
[The girl is spraying paint on the walls when she suddenly grimaces...]
Tecno	Damn... why now...? Argh...
[...and falls to the ground.]
Doc	Did she just collapse? She's ill! Meijer, keep watch!
Iana	Be careful—
[Doc runs to check on the girl.]
<Background fades out and in>
Iana	What's going on, Kateb? You're really frowning.
Doc	Don't move.
Doc crouches down and examines the girl. A strange expression comes over his face, and his brows furrow even deeper.
Iana	What is it?
Doc picks up the fallen spray can while covering his mouth and nose.
Doc	I'm guessing this can hasn't passed inspection.
Iana	I'm not sure you can get knocked out by spraypaint, even if it's poorly made.
Doc	I don't know... I can only do what I can. Are you feeling better, girl?
Tecno	Injector... in my pocket...
Doc	Let's see... this one?
Tecno	(Nods slowly)...
[Doc injects the medicine into the girl's arm.]
Doc	Good thing you have your own medication, otherwise there wouldn't be much I could do to help you. I thought maybe the spraypaint fumes knocked you out.
Tecno	Ha... I smell it every day... it's nothing.
Doc	You already look much better.
Tecno	That's my last one...
Iana	Here, have some water.
Tecno	Thanks.
Doc	Where do you live, girl? We'll take you home.
Tecno	Don't call me "girl"... You're not afraid of me?
Doc	I'm from Paris. I've seen my share of street gangs.
Tecno	Gangs? That's not what I'm talking about.
Doc	Then what is it?
Tecno	Huh? You're kind of a weirdo...
The girl lifts the gauze from her right leg, revealing the Originium crystals on her knee.
Tecno	Aren't you scared of this?

After operation

“

After helping Tecno, Iana and Doc visit the street art community, but get into a misunderstanding with the respected firefighter Diaz, and take their first tour of the community's culture while on the run.

”

<Background 5>
Doc	Anything else I can help with?
Tecno	No, my friend is coming. She'll take care of the rest.
[A female Lupo rushes to the scene.]
Community Resident	I came as soon as I heard. What happened? Let me take a look.
Tecno	Hey, don't grab my head. And don't lift my skirt with so many people watching.
Community Resident	Well, you look alive enough.
Tecno	Thanks to these two. They helped me when I had a flare-up.
Doc	Just doing what any doctor should.
Community Resident	There aren't many doctors like you left. Most can't run away fast enough when they find out about our condition.
Doc	If you're here to take care of her, then we'll be leaving.
Community Resident	Wait! Here's my card. Please feel free to visit my massage parlor any time. 20% off for you amigos!
Iana	Thank you, but I don't think we'll need—
Tecno	She's good, you know. Whenever we get an ache or pain, all of us go right to her.
Doc	I'm a physician, I know how to take care of myself. I don't need any help.
Community Resident	Just try it, sir.
Iana	Please, keep your distance, ma'am.
The woman takes a few steps back, puts on a pair of gloves, then snaps her fingers.
Community Resident	Sure. I can do it from this distance.
Iana	You can touch me from there?
Doc	Ahem... I've heard of people claiming the ability to perform therapy from afar. Whether it's called "Qi" or some other name, most research indicates that it's pseudoscie—
As the woman's fingers move through the air, the pair feel a warm sensation on their shoulders, and soon feel a sense of comfort that envelopes them gently.
Doc	Oh... my stress and anxiety... all gone...
Iana	Am I imagining it? I feel so good... oh...
Doc	Well... I guess I can forget the research...
<Background 6>
Diaz	What? Someone stole the meds? This is no joke, Ernesto. We have a lot of Infected in the community who need those meds.
Tequila	We apologize for failing to deliver. We'll try to make up for it.
Diaz	You don't really think money will do it, do you?
Tequila	If we can't find the meds, I'll try to obtain an equivalent amount of medicine in a timely manner.
Diaz	Sorry, Señor Ernesto. I'm just nervous. Did you see the robbers? We have plenty of eyes and ears here. Maybe we can help.
Tequila	That's what felt strange. It looked like a prepared ambush. Rhodes Island has always treaded carefully around here, trying not to make enemies... I can't imagine why anyone would target us.
Diaz	Maybe they had their eyes on your meds. Suppressants fetch a good price on the black market.
Tequila	They were very professional. Quick and efficient. Are our meds really worth that kind of effort? And also, I think I heard the sound of gunfire while we were running.
Diaz	Guns... pros, again. I'm glad Reynell thinks so highly of us.
Tequila	You think someone is targeting your community?
Diaz	Our grudge with Reynell goes back a long way. But I never thought he would do something so dirty...
[Tequila hears a bunch of noise from below.]
Tequila	What's with the commotion downstairs? Sounds like someone's condition flared up while they were outside and got help from kind passersby. People are gathering to thank them.
Diaz	We always repay acts of kindness. Let me see their faces... Say, haven't I seen them before?
The man picks up yesterday's newspaper and flips to the gossip section, pausing at its title: "No one can stand him! Reynell changes bodyguards AGAIN." Subtitle: "Exclusive report: Four guards, two shifts? Who are they?"
Tequila	Hey... they look really like the ones down there.
Diaz	Looks like we really have to "repay" their "kindness."
<Background 5>
Iana	I feel like I've been born again... It's hard to describe.
Doc	Thank you... It's such an astonishing massage technique.
Community Resident	I learned it in Kjerag. I had to climb Mt. Karlan in a snowstorm to convince the Saintess there to teach me.
Tecno	Pah, you came here from Siracusa what, seven or eight years ago? When did you have the time to go to the Snow Realm? Don't believe her tall tales.
Community Resident	Hey, I resent the accusation!
Doc	Well, thank you for the massage. But we should go—
???	Reynell has a lot of people working for him. A couple less won't make any difference. How about you stay a little while longer and enjoy our hospitality?
[Diaz approaches the group with an angry look on his face.]
Doc	Er...
Tecno	Papá? What's the matter?
Diaz	Why are you with these medicine robbers? Why did you bring them here?
Tecno	...Medicine?
Diaz	Yes, medicine for Oripathy! They stole it!
Tecno	Stole? It couldn't be them! They don't even know what Oripathy is!
Doc	We don't know anything about any medicine. Could there be a misunderstanding?
Diaz	Misunderstanding? Who else but Blacksteel and you dress like mercenaries and use guns in these parts?
Iana	We were just bringing the girl back.
Diaz	Well, if there's a misunderstanding, we'll clear it up. Take them in!
The duo see Diaz's aide raise his staff. While they cannot imagine how the light at the tip of the staff would do damage, they instinctively sense the approaching danger.
Iana	Run, Kateb!
[Doc dodges the incoming flash of Arts.]
Doc	Look out!
[Iana and Doc flee.]
Diaz	Come on, you gun-toting thugs! I dare you to set foot in this neighborhood!
[Tequila arrives at the scene.]
Tequila	You were too fast, I couldn't catch you. Where are they?
Diaz	Hiding. What are you doing standing there? Find them!
Diaz's Aide	Move, move!
[The residents spread out to search.]
<Background 7>
[Iana and Doc run into an alleyway.]
Iana	What was that? Magic?
Doc	I think they called it Originium Arts. But I guess magic is fine. We need to find a way out. The exits are all guarded.
Iana	Cover me. I'll control the replicate.
Doc	Ready.
[Iana activates her Gemini Replicator, creating a hologram of herself.]
Iana	Gemini Replicator active.
<Background 5>
Confused Community Resident	Hey, where did they go?
Lazy Community Resident	Not here, not there...
[The projection of Iana suddenly appears.]
Confused Community Resident	Where did she come from?! Right in the middle of the road!
<Background flashes>
<Background glitches>
Bows, crossbows, launchers, Arts Units... all sorts of weapons point towards the gemini decoy in the middle of the road. Even Iana is speechless at the reception.
Iana	Well... talk about a warm welcome.
<Background 7>
Iana	Bows, crossbows, bombs, 'magic'... hmph.
Doc	Let's go while they're distracted by the decoy. It won't take long for them to figure it out.
Iana	Maybe we should get in touch with Ela, see what's going on. I'm just so confused right now...
<Background fades out and in>
Ela	No, I'm sure it's not Reynell's guys. His guards have been busy getting whipped by Shuhrat.
Iana	Are you sure he's telling the truth?
Ela	I'm sure. He hasn't had a chance to give an order like that today.
Iana	But the people here seem sure that we stole their medicine.
Ela	That's not important. What's important is that we get out of that neighborhood ASAP... It's dangerous for you two to continue, given their special powers. Do you need support?
Iana	No. Their Originium Arts are impressive, but they're just a disorganized mob. I know how to protect myself, and Kateb's here with me.
Ela	...Get in touch if anything happens.
Iana	I will.
[Iana ends the transmission.]
Doc	They've dispersed, Meijer. Time to move.
Iana	Okay, let's go. Alright, I've taken a look from up high. The district is roughly divided into three areas: the outer ring, the residential district, and that building at the center.
Doc	Which is always patrolled by guys with magic wands. There must be someone or something important there.
Iana	That's not important. We're steering well clear of it anyway.
Doc	What about going through the residential area? I didn't see anyone armed. It seems to be a safe path.
Iana	Or it could be more dangerous.
Doc	True... common sense doesn't apply to this planet.
<Background 4>
Sound from Window on the Right	Wah—Wah— Don't cry, babe, daddy will sing you a song. Where are you flying, tired fowlbeast♪ Towards tomorrow's wind♪ Don't you know♪ Your wings are for today♪ (Whisper) Asleep, finally...
[Doc and Iana cautiously walk through the alleyways.]
Doc	I didn't think I would hear a song like that here. Yikes!
Iana	What happened?
Doc	Something just dashed past my feet. Rat, snail... I'm not sure. It's too dark.
Iana	This is their garbage dump. No wonder no one comes here.
Doc	The way out is just ahead. You should be glad that people don't come to this stink heap.
<Background flashes>
Iana	Hostiles?!
Doc	No, just light from that window.
Iana	Why would they do this in their own home?
Sound from Window on the Left	Oh, thank you so much, honey. That fowlbeast just kept running. Well, it's not running anymore. Now we can— Oh no, it's waking up again! Arts like that just don't work here! (Loud fowlbeast crowing)
Sound from Window on the Right	Oh no, she's waking up again! (Loud baby crying)
Iana	Ha...
Doc	I guess Originium Arts isn't the answer to everything.
Iana	Look at the colored acrylic boards on the walls. Only people who think of this place as home would put up decorations with no practical use like those.
Doc	Same goes for the graffiti on this side. The scenes, figures and decorations don't look like casual doodles. Every picture seems to tell a story.
[Tecno passes by and notices them.]
Tecno	Wh-What are you doing here?
Doc	Er, girl, we...
Iana	Calm down. We didn't do what that gentleman accused us of... It's a misunderstanding.
Tecno	I... I don't know. You helped me, but...
Doc	We mean no harm... You know that, girl.
Tecno	... Go right once you leave the alley. The left side may look empty, but sometimes Papá goes out there to smoke. I was just taking out the trash. I didn't see anything.
[Tecno runs away.]
Doc	You...
Iana	(Whisper) We should go, Kateb.