Operation story: CV-1

Operation

Story

Previous CV-ST-1	Next CV-2
Characters
"Clip" Cliff Franka Helena Jessica Laura Leone Liskarm Miles Seasoned Hunter Sylvia Bank Manager Blacksteel Mercenary Mayor's Secretary Pale Man
Backgrounds
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Before operation

“

In a mountain forest, an old hunter rescues Jessica from the jaws of a beast and takes her to Davistown, the designated site of her mission. At the same time, Jessica's teammates are heading towards the same place, harboring concerns for her safety.

”

<Background 1>
In a panic, Jessica reaches for the handgun at her waist. But fear keeps her fingers saddled atop the holster, unable to bend. She smells something vaguely rank upon the wind.
???	Don't do anything rash, now.
[The mysterious person fires, which hits a wild beast on its vitals, killing it.]
From the thicket, a hunter walks into Jessica's line of sight, smoking gun in hand and with a wide-brimmed hat covering his eyes. She turns and looks behind her to see the body of a wild beast lying in the snow, blood still flowing from the wound in its head.
Seasoned Hunter	You ought to keep your wits about you here.
Jessica	Thank you... for saving me.
Seasoned Hunter	Just passing by.
The elderly man stows his gun and walks straight towards the beast's body. He draws a knife and slices open its stomach. Clean and precise, to keep the blood from spilling out. He then sticks both hands into its belly and lets out a long sigh.
Seasoned Hunter	It's so damn cold around here.
Jessica	...Excuse me, sir, but are you a local hunter?
Seasoned Hunter	Suppose so.
Jessica	Do you know how to get to Davistown?
Seasoned Hunter	...The hell are you going there for?
Jessica	I'm meeting up with my teammates.
Seasoned Hunter	You ain't alone?
Jessica	Well, my team split up to rescue a hostage from some bandits, but afterward, I broke my communicator and got lost in the woods.
Seasoned Hunter	A hostage? Who?
Jessica	An elderly Forte man.
Seasoned Hunter	...Didn't expect it'd be you people. Alright then, follow me.
Jessica	Wh-Where are we going?
Seasoned Hunter	Didn't you say you were heading for Davistown?
Jessica	Umm, but...
Seasoned Hunter	Don't say I didn't offer.
The old man pays her no more heed. He stands up to sling the carcass over his shoulders and briskly walks deeper into the forest.
Jessica	W-Wait up!
[Jessica runs after the old Sankta hunter.]
<Background fades out and in>
Franka	Hrmm... You sure about leaving Jessica all alone out there?
Liskarm	I know you're worried, and so am I. But after fighting by her side for so many years, I trust that she's perfectly capable of handling herself.
Franka	I'm just worried there are more bandits out there. A couple of stragglers, sure, but what if they've got a whole band of reinforcements?
Liskarm	Jessica's been through much worse than a bunch of thugs.
Franka	......
Liskarm	Whether it's a rain of arrows whizzing past her scalp, blades nicking her throat... Or surroundings choked with active Originium, where even a single crack in her protective gear would be immediately evident... Each and every time, she completes the mission. Without our support, and without the company's supervision. She may be on her own, but she never fails to deliver results.
Franka	...I can't deny that. But I'm sure you also know that she comes back every time with red, swollen eyes. So before she returns, someone has to be there for her when she's bawling her eyes out, right?
Liskarm	What do those puffy eyes mean? They mean that she's wiped her tears before coming to see us. She doesn't want anyone to see her crying.
Franka	Yeah, she's only twenty-three...
Liskarm	Yes, twenty-three. And two-and-a-half of those last three years have been spent on the battlefield.
<Background fades out and in>
[The sound of a tree bursting is heard as Jessica and the hunter walks through the forest.]
Jessica	Excuse me, but did an explosion just go off nearby?
Seasoned Hunter	Nope.
[Another tree is heard bursting.]
Jessica	I could swear I heard something... Pretty sure I wasn't imagining it.
Seasoned Hunter	It was a tree, not an explosion.
Jessica	A tree?
Seasoned Hunter	If it gets too cold in the forest, the sap inside expands as it freezes, causing the trunk to burst.
Jessica	From a distance, it sounded... a bit like a firefight.
Seasoned Hunter	What are you, anyway? Soldier? Merc?
Jessica	I've been a mercenary for almost five years now.
Seasoned Hunter	Family in debt or something?
Jessica	No... I just... didn't want to always be sheltered by my family name. I don't want to follow the path that they laid out for me...
Seasoned Hunter	So you went and became a merc?
Jessica	Y-Yes...
Seasoned Hunter	Hmph. So, what're you looking for on the battlefield? Fame? Fortune? Or glory?
Jessica	None of the above. I want to eliminate crises, resolve conflicts, and protect those in dangerous situations...
Seasoned Hunter	Huh... So there are mercs who do that kinda stuff. News to me.
[Another tree is heard bursting.]
Jessica	Sir... We're no ordinary mercenary group. We're...
<Flashback starts here>
<Background 2>
"Clip" Cliff	Let me remind you, Jessica. You're a mercenary. This is about business, not duty.
<Flashback ends here>
<Background 1>
Jessica	We...
Seasoned Hunter	Alright, enough of that. Don't give me your whole spiel.
[Jessica and the hunter continues their trek.]
<Background fades out and in>
[Laura joins with Franka and Liskarm.]
Laura	Sorry to bother you two, but are you talking about that "seasoned" mercenary with five years of combat experience?
Franka	Yeah. Why, got anything to add, Laura?
Laura	You two have worked with Jessica a lot longer than me, so you've got a much better grasp of her abilities and limitations than I do, right?
Franka	What, so you think she can handle it on her own?
Laura	Of course. Captain Liskarm is right – she's been to far more dangerous places over the last three years. While I can't help but worry when I think about that crybaby side of her, we all know she's going to be perfectly fine. Am I wrong?
Liskarm	She doesn't know that.
Laura	Yeah, she's the only one... But maybe she just needs a chance. Just one chance to see her own worth.
Franka	And you're saying that this is her opportunity?
Laura	Uh... I wouldn't go that far...
<Background fades out and in>
[As Jessica and the hunter walks through the forest...]
Jessica	S-Sir... Excuse me, sir!
Seasoned Hunter	You're awful noisy, young lady.
Jessica	I, uhh, didn't mean to bother you... But if you could please take a look over there?
Jessica points to a trap next to a tree in the distance. There, a beastcub's forelimbs are tightly clamped between metal teeth. The cub whines as blood seeps out from the trap's steel bite. After the old hunter takes notice, he sets down the beast carcass, walks over to the tree, unties the trap, and frees the cub.
Jessica	It's just a cub... Maybe we can let it go. If its mother is in the area, we could take a quick look around. Also, I heard that during the winter, hunters will often let mothers and cubs go so that the pack can reproduce...
Seasoned Hunter	Its mother is right here.
Jessica	You mean... the beast you just killed?
Seasoned Hunter	I've seen this female with her cubs a few times before. Now, the mother's been shot to death, and the cub stepped in some sloppily-placed trap, so its pelt is all ruined.
Jessica	So... what should we do with it?
Seasoned Hunter	Wring its neck. Put it out of its misery.
Jessica	How could you say that?!
Seasoned Hunter	What else? It won't last long on a broken leg with no mother. You wanna leave it here to die a slow death, you won't hear me complaining.
Jessica	...So, there's no way for it to survive?
Seasoned Hunter	Nope.
Jessica	Could you please hand it to me then...?
Seasoned Hunter	You want to finish the job? Be my guest.
Jessica	Shh... It'll be alright, little fella... Everything will be alright.
Jessica holds the cub in her arms and gently runs her fingers down its fur. She doesn't do anything else. She patiently waits for the cub's whines to gradually fade away until they disappear completely.
Jessica	I couldn't save it, but at least... I can let it go in a warm embrace.
Seasoned Hunter	Mercs doing hospice care, huh? That's another first for me.
Jessica	...Do you mind if I leave it here? I think... the mother is a good enough catch on its own.
Seasoned Hunter	What, you want me to bury it for you, too? Hold a funeral while we're at it?
Jessica	No... Every animal in the forest is hungry during the winter. If we leave it here... maybe one of them can have a good meal.
Seasoned Hunter	......
Jessica	I might be a bit of softy, but... that doesn't mean I'm completely oblivious.
Seasoned Hunter	If you get it, then try to keep up, Miss Mercenary. I'm guessing you don't wanna get lost in the woods again.
<Background fades out and in>
Liskarm	The wind's cleared the fog... Sir, did you bring us here just to get a view of Davistown?
Miles	...When I was little, I loved running to the high places near the plate, just to get a good look at the town I lived in.
Liskarm	What was it like back then?
Miles	Livelier, more glamorous... More full of life.
Liskarm	......
Miles	As for now... Well, there's no going back. No turning back the clock.
[Franka joins in.]
Franka	Brrrr... It's freakin' cold. Can't believe they shipped us off to a place like this.
Laura	Franka...
Franka	What's on your mind?
Laura	I was just... thinking about Jessica again.
Franka	What about her? Didn't you say you weren't worried?
Laura	...I was thinking about that "opportunity" we were talking about.
Franka	Oh, you mean the chance for her to see her own worth?
Laura	Who knows? Maybe one day... it'll come to her in a gust of wind. A freaking cold one, so cold it makes her shiver all over. But it'll sweep away all the fog before her eyes, and everything will become as clear as day.
[The group continues with their trek, until...]
Liskarm	I just hope that what she sees then... won't be anything like what we're looking at.
Amidst the dispersing fog, huge tracks formed of fallen trees and broken branches can be seen winding down the hillside towards the center of the valley. At their end is an abandoned plate. Despite the distance, everyone can clearly see an energy tower rising from the middle of it, feebly wheezing out puffy white breaths. Like a dying patient, struggling for air.

After operation

“

Jessica follows the hunter to the diner, where she learns that the target for her special mission is none other than the hunter himself. After the team arrives at the plate, Liskarm discovers that the local government is actually under the control of the bank.

”

<Background 3>
[Leone enters Helena's diner.]
Leone	Brrr... Helena, ain't it way too cold in here today?
Helena	Almost out of charcoal. Have to save some for later.
Leone	Just burn that mountain of bills piling up at my place. The bank's just gonna send more anyhow.
Helena	*cough*
Leone	Did you catch a cold? C'mon, let's swing around to my place and grab a stack of that waste paper.
Helena	(*whispers*) Why do you think I'm coughing? Not in front of her...
Leone	Oh, if it ain't Sylvia!
[A Liberi woman by the name Sylvia joins in.]
Sylvia	G-Good morning, Mr. Theremin...
Leone	What brings someone from the bank out here to our shabby little establishment? Something wrong?
Sylvia	S-Sorry...
Leone	Hmm.
Helena	*cough* *cough*... Leone, I ain't seen Benny in a while. What's the kid been up to?
Leone	Busy with his studies. Got his nose in a book till dawn every night.
Helena	Didn't the school close down a while ago?
Leone	Our neighbor, Ms. Selena, used to be a schoolteacher. She reckoned it'd be a real shame for Benny to miss out on all that book learning, so she's been letting him study at her place.
Helena	Huh, good for him. Benny's always been a smart kid, and he was real shook when he learned he wouldn't be able to go to school no more.
Leone	Yeah. He was so anxious that whole year.
Sylvia	M-Mr. Theremin, actually, I... I could teach Benny too...
Helena	Oh right, you graduated from the best business school in Columbia—
Leone	And what's he supposed to learn from you? How to become a banker so he can bury people in bills too when he grows up?
Sylvia	I...
Helena	Leone, eat your damn breakfast before it freezes over!
Leone	Hmph!
Sylvia	I-I need to get to work, so I'll be leaving now... I'll leave the money on the table.
[Sylvia leaves.]
Helena	You know she ain't responsible for any of the loans here in Davistown, right? What're you giving her lip for?
Leone	Then let her have a heart-to-heart with the others. They'll be even harsher, I guarantee it.
Helena	But still, we watched her grow up...
Leone	That's exactly why! Pisses me off even more!
Helena	*sigh*...
<Background 4>
Liskarm	Sorry to keep you waiting, ma'am. I hope we're not too late.
Sylvia	Oh... H-Hello. It's fine, you're not late at all.
Liskarm	What would you like me to call you?
Sylvia	You can call me, uh... Achoo—!
Liskarm	How long have you been standing here, ma'am?
Sylvia	Since... this morning. The message only said you'd be arriving today, but not the specific time.
Franka	But it's already afternoon. You've been standing here this whole time?
Sylvia	Yes...
Liskarm	Three hours ago we sent a notification to the plate, updating them on our ETA.
Sylvia	...I-I didn't get anything of the sort.
Franka	That's weird. Who sent you?
Sylvia	Um... the manager.
Franka	Manager? That's not a title I'm used to hearing in government work.
Sylvia	Actually, I... I'm not from the government. I work for a local bank.
Franka	Since when is a bank in charge of this?
Sylvia	Actually... Um, actually, Davistown is... ......
[Laura joins in with Miles in tow.]
Laura	We're here, Captain Liskarm. Is this woman the one in charge of our reception?
Miles	Wait, Sylvia? They sent you out here for this?
Sylvia	Th-That's right, sir.
Franka	Hey, old man, any idea why the government sent a banker to pick us up instead?
Miles	*sigh*... You'd best ask the bank directly. I sure ain't gonna be able to explain all the twists and turns.
Liskarm	Alright then. Franka, go ahead and take the gentleman home. And while you're at it, take a walk around Davistown to get a better grasp of the situation here.
Franka	...Understood.
Liskarm	Laura, bring the others with you and find a good place for a safe house where we can securely stow our supplies and vehicles. If you manage to get a hold of Jessica, report it to me right away.
Laura	Got it.
Liskarm	Sylvia and I will head to the bank... to find out what exactly is going on here.
Franka	That's our teacher's pet for you. Thanks for volunteering for the hard part.
Liskarm	......
Laura	Where should we regroup once we're all finished?
Miles	Y'all can meet up at the only diner still open in town. It's right by the only road to the mine. Run by a real nice lady named Helena. And if this Jessica of yours finds her way into town, I reckon that's where she'll end up too.
Liskarm	Mm... It's decided, then.
<Background 5>
Sylvia	The bank is right up ahead, Miss...
[As Liskarm follows Sylvia, she noticed that the townsfolk are steering clear from her.]
Liskarm	People have been avoiding us the whole way here... Had I known, I'd have asked Franka to take my equipment back with her first.
Sylvia	N-No, that's not why...
[A Perro man bumps into Liskarm, causing her to fall into the ground.]
Liskarm	Oof...
Blacksteel Mercenary	You asshole, you run into someone and don't even apologize?
Pale Man	It's over...
Liskarm	Sir? Are you okay?
Pale Man	...It's all over.
[The pale man walks off.]
Liskarm	Sir? Sir! What happened?
Blacksteel Mercenary	What's going on... He looks like his soul has left his body. Where's he going?
Liskarm	Do you recognize him, Sylvia?
Sylvia	No, I... umm... Let's, um... h-head to the bank first.
<Background 6>
Advertising Board	...Along with the rapid development of pioneer settlements, nomadic plates both large and small have also been springing up. But at the time, very few financial institutions in Columbia were specialized in pioneering. ...After looking deeply into the living conditions of the countless pioneers on the frontier's edge, our founder decided to plant his roots alongside them and established the first bank to provide practical financial support to the lower and middle classes. He prided himself in building trust, showing kindness, and doing his best to provide attentive service to everyone who walked through his doors in the rough-and-tumble frontier. It wasn't long before his hard work and empathy won him wide recognition. Then, we began forming close and fruitful partnerships with local governments, working together with mining and pioneering companies to help them flourish and expand rapidly into settlements just like Davistown.
Liskarm	......
Bank Manager	Quite the legend, wouldn't you agree?
Liskarm	And who might you be...?
Bank Manager	Sorry for keeping you waiting, Miss Liskarm. I am this bank's manager. My sincerest apologies for not being able to welcome you in person earlier.
Liskarm	We are aware of the problems facing Davistown. A few inconveniences are to be expected. However...
Bank Manager	No need to be reserved. Feel free speak your mind.
Liskarm	We were planning to liaison with the local government, not a bank. What exactly happened to the government here?
Bank Manager	Sylvia, did you not explain the situation?
Sylvia	Manager, I...
Liskarm	Sylvia stood alone in the cold for the better part of the day. If you ask me, what she needs right now is hot water and a blanket.
Bank Manager	Of course. Sylvia, take half a day off to go home and get some rest.
Sylvia	Okay... I'll see you later then, Miss.
[Sylvia leaves.]
Liskarm	Oh, Sylv—
Bank Manager	Miss Liskarm, if there's anything else you need, please let me know. Resources are scarce on this plate, but we will do everything in our power to accommodate you.
Liskarm	I appreciate the sentiment, but please don't try to change the subject. Why is it that Blacksteel's client was the local government, but we're being greeted by your bank's employees? Where are the heads of the local government agencies?
Bank Manager	...... Please come with me.
<Background 7>
[As the bank's manager explains the situation while the staff are working...]
Liskarm	Are you telling me that your government officials are in the bank's garage?
Bank Manager	During last year's bankruptcy liquidation, the local government cut most of their departments and laid off most of their employees. But that wasn't enough to pay off the massive debts they still held. In the end, the remaining government buildings were put up for auction as well.
Liskarm	What about the mayor, then? Where is he?
Bank Manager	Unfortunately, after the last mayor ran off with hardly a penny to his name, the townsfolk never found a suitable candidate to replace him. As you can see, all that remains today is... the mayor's secretary, and a few temporary employees.
Mayor's Secretary	Ha... Haha, it's okay. If the bank hadn't generously provided us with free office space, we'd be out on the streets.
Bank Manager	It's just the right thing to do. Besides, it's nothing compared to what you've been through.
Liskarm	Seeing as the government is still functioning, can we—
Mayor's Secretary	No! I mean, as much as we'd like to help you, we simply don't have the manpower to support your work.
Liskarm	...Then, who's in charge of matters concerning our job here?
Mayor's Secretary	We've given full authority over that to the woman standing next to you. Go to her for anything you might need.
Bank Manager	Absolutely. My door is always open.
Liskarm	...I certainly hope you can issue a formal document showing this authorization.
Bank Manager	Mr. Secretary, when can she expect that document?
Mayor's Secretary	I'll have it ready right away! The official seal somehow went missing yesterday, so I've sent someone to go look for it!
Bank Manager	Thank you. Now then... I'm very much looking forward to a mutually beneficial partnership.
Liskarm	......
Bank Manager	I'll show you to my office. Try not to dawdle, as we have many things to discuss before our work begins in earnest.
Liskarm	Sure.
Mayor's Secretary	Wait, just a moment, ma'am!
Bank Manager	What is it now?
Mayor's Secretary	Um, well... It's been way too cold in here recently. W-Would you mind turning up the heat in the garage a smidge? Everyone's freezing down here.
Bank Manager	...Of course. I'll always do my best to accommodate your needs.
<Background 4>
[As Jessica and the hunter walks through the snowfields...]
Seasoned Hunter	Have you and your teammates decided on a rendezvous point?
Jessica	Um... N-Not yet. B-But, it'll be fine. I'll find somewhere to wait for them on my own... Achoo!
Seasoned Hunter	There's a diner in Davistown. Wait in there.
Jessica	Wh-Where is it? Oh, um, you don't need to take me there. General directions should be fine...
Seasoned Hunter	...... Forget it, just come with me.
[The pale Perro man from before walks by Jessica and the hunter.]
Pale Man	...... ......
Jessica	Huh? Is he.... one of the plate's residents? That man... Why doesn't he have anything with him? Excuse me! Sir! Where are you going? Hello? Are you leaving the plate? It's not safe out here! Over here! I'm talking to you! Look, over here! Can you hear me?!
[The pale man continues walking.]
Jessica	Sir? Sir!
The man doesn't respond to Jessica's calls, and simply continues shuffling towards the snow in silence. In front of him, the vast white stretches far into the distance, blending into the dark, ashen sky. From Jessica's perspective, the vast snowfield gradually squeezes the man into a pale blue line. After a short while, he shrinks into a small dot, then finally disappears into the white. Nothing remains to prove he was even there, save for the tracks he left behind.
Jessica	......
Seasoned Hunter	Are you coming or not?
Jessica	I... I'll be right there!
<Background 3>
[Jessica and the hunter enters Helena's diner.]
Seasoned Hunter	I'm back, Helena.
Helena	Woody? About time!
Leone	Wait... Where's Miles?
Seasoned Hunter	He was rescued by this girl's friends.
Leone	Um, and who are you?
Jessica	I'm, umm...
Seasoned Hunter	...She's a merc I met on the way. Her communicator broke, and she got separated from her teammates. So I brought her into town to wait for them.
Leone	Mind if I take a look at the communicator? Might be able to fix it up for you.
Jessica	H-Here... Sorry to bother you like this.
Leone	No problem. You guys saved Miles, so what's a little communicator between friends?
Helena	That said, why come here of all places?
Jessica	...We received a commission from the local government to help Davistown restore its power facilities and get the plate back onto its navigation route.
Leone	Hold on, girl, could you repeat that? Restore our power facilities? You ain't pulling my leg, are you?
Helena	You should see the goofy grin on your face. Young lady, regardless of why you and your companions are here, thank you so much for rescuing Miles... I've been so worried I ain't slept a wink in days.
Seasoned Hunter	Alright... All's well that ends well? Then, got anything to eat?
Helena	Didn't have nothing ready, but looks like you brought something back for me.
Seasoned Hunter	Oh, right.
[The hunter sets down his quarry.]
Helena	A mother beast?
Jessica	Sorry... It was my fault...
Seasoned Hunter	No use fretting over something like that, this time of year. Nothing beats meat.
Helena	Fair enough... Okay, you two, sit your butts down and grab something to drink. I'll prepare the meat—
[The hunter walks away...]
Helena	Hey, why're you getting up to leave? Weren't you gonna eat?
Seasoned Hunter	Change of plans.
[...and leaves the diner.]
<Background fades out and in>
Jessica	Sir... How badly damaged is the communicator?
Leone	Nothing serious. C'mon, let's go take a look around my warehouse. Might be some spare parts we can use—
Helena	Stop tinkering for a second and give this a try.
Leone	Deep-fried? Now this is the good stuff! But... this definitely ain't enough for everyone.
Helena	If you're worried about that, then stop scarfing it all down! The poor girl still ain't had a piece!
Leone	Haha...
Jessica	It's totally fine. He helped me fix my communicator, so... he deserves to eat his fill.
Helena	That barely counts for anything. It's so cold round these parts, we all gotta help each other out, just to get by. Give us a holler if you ever need anything.
Jessica	Thank you. I appreciate it, ma'am. By the way, I happened to see someone a ways out from the plate. He wasn't carrying anything, and wouldn't respond when I called out to him... He just kept walking deeper and deeper into the snow, until I couldn't see him anymore... Did something happen to him?
Helena and Leone	......
Helena	You're a guest here, young lady. Don't worry your pretty little head over stuff like that and just fill your tummy first, okay?
Jessica	Then... would you mind if I asked you two about someone else?
Leone	*sigh*... Kids these days. Barely stepped on the plate, and already so many questions. Alright, fine, ask away.
Jessica	I wanted to know about a man named Woodrow Bianchi—
Helena and Leone	Who...?
Jessica	Sorry, I guess you're not familiar with him. I'll try asking someone else.
[Leone and Helena looks surprised.]
Leone	No, that ain't the problem... You sure you're not confused?
Helena	Woodrow's the man who brought you here, though?