CV-ST-1: In the Line of Fire

CV-ST-1 In the Line of Fire	Come Catastrophes or Wakes of Vultures: Anemic Platform Next CV-1 (Story)
Everyone feels down on their luck, no matter where they come from.

Characters
"Clip" Cliff Franka Helena Jessica Laura Leone Liskarm Miles Blacksteel Operator Boorish Brute Cruel Snowfield Bandit Indifferent Snowfield Bandit Rude Ruffian Stubborn Snowfield Rioter ???
Backgrounds
1 2 3A 3B 4

“

While on a mission in eastern Columbia, Jessica finds herself separated from the rest of her team. In the blizzard, she remembers the special mission given to her by her boss, "Clip" Cliff: she must find a man named Woodrow.

”

<Flashback starts here>
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...
I really want to go back and have a look, too.
<Flashback ends here>
<Background 1>
[A Liberi miner by the name Leone walks amidst the snow-covered mines.]
Leone	Hfff—How is it so damn cold here? I don't get it! How the hell does this even happen? So goddamned cold!
[The door to a nearby diner opens.]
Helena	Get your ass inside then! If you know it's cold, why're you complaining about it with the door open?
<Background 2>
[Leone enters the diner...]
Leone	I don't want to get the floor dirty.
[...as its owner, a middle-aged Elafia woman by the name Helena, greets him.]
Helena	You say that like you can wipe your feet on the snow... Here, hot tea.
[Leone drinks the tea.]
Leone	Pff... That's hot! ...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. 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 looked at one of the chairs.]
Leone	Helena...
Helena	Now what?
Leone	Why do you have mud on your chairs— Hey you two, this ain't your home. Put your feet down!
[One of the two youngsters sitting nearby rudely slams his hand at the table.]
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. 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.
[The ruffians ran out of the diner. Helena then gives Leone the meal he is ordering before.]
Helena	Here, your meal.
Leone	Thanks... Yowch! It's hot!
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?
<Background black>
Lethargic Female Voice	Kids, you awake? 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.
<Background 3A>
[The door of a car opens...]
No-Longer-Lethargic Female Voice	Ugh, my eyes...
Comms	What's wrong?
[...as Franka steps out of it.]
Franka	It's the glare from the snow.
Comms	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. 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. What do you say, kids?
[Two Blacksteel Worldwide operators leave the car and responds,]
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. They reported the power plant explosion and subsequent fuel leakage to the state government at the start of the year, but nobody cared. 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. 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 draws out her rapier.]
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.
Franka	Okay, gotcha. I'll clean this up ASAP.
<Background 3B>
[A bandit asks someone...]
Cruel Snowfield Bandit	Hey. We've been hanging you here for an hour, old man. You thirsty? Need a sip of water?
[...tied to a wall, a Forte miner by the name Miles.]
Miles	......
Cruel Snowfield Bandit	If you ain't saying nothing, that means yes, right? (Picks up a handful of snow from the ground) Here, have as much as you want. No need to thank me.
[The bandit forces the snow to Miles' mouth.]
Miles	*cough* *cough*, *cough* *cough*... Please, let me go. I have nothing on me... *cough* *cough*!
Cruel Snowfield Bandit	What're you saying? It's so boring out here in the snow, and we finally run into you! Been a while since I had some fun.
Indifferent Snowfield Bandit	Enough messing around. I'd like some peace and quiet, so hurry up and deal with him.
Cruel Snowfield Bandit	You hear that, old man? You're so loud, you're bothering my buddy here. We gotta shut you up—
[The bandit kicks Miles in his gut.]
Miles	Ugh...!
Indifferent Snowfield Bandit	...Freak.
Cruel Snowfield Bandit	Everyone else's out ambushing the caravan, and we're stuck here guarding the camp. And when they get back, they'll be loaded with loot, and we'll have to settle for the scraps. You telling me you're okay with that?
Indifferent Snowfield Bandit	Tch... If you aren't going to, I'll take care of him myself.
Miles	Wh-What are you going to do?!
[The bandit draws out a dagger.]
Indifferent Snowfield Bandit	Quiet. It'll be over soon.
Miles	No!
<Background fades out>
[Sounds of a hook being released is heard...]
<Background fades in>
[...as one of the bandits got knocked down.]
Indifferent Snowfield Bandit	Ngh—
Cruel Snowfield Bandit	Who's there?!
[A hook hits the other bandit, knocking him down too...]
Miles	Wh-Who are you?
[...as a Perro BSW operator reveals herself.]
Blacksteel Operator	Shh! Quiet! I'm gonna untie you. Keep your voice down and follow me. Can you do that?
Miles	Mm.
[The BSW operator contacts the others,]
Blacksteel Operator	This is Laura. I've secured the hostage. How are things on your end?
Jessica	All done, but...
Laura	Are you hurt?
Jessica	N-No... but my comms... *bzzt*... broke... It's fine. I can deal with it... *bzzt*... Thanks.
Laura	No need to thank me.
Jessica	*bzzt*... Okay.
Laura	I'll take the hostage to the rendezvous point. See you later.
Jessica	*bzzt*... later.
<Background fades out and in>
[A rioter fires his crossbow.]
Stubborn Snowfield Rioter	I'm taking you with me!
Franka	Coming at me head on? You're one brave fella.
[Franka thrusts her rapier at the rioter...]
Stubborn Snowfield Rioter	Urgh—!
[...neutralizing him.]
Franka	That was the last one.
[Franka contacts her captain...]
Franka	Reporting in, Captain. All targets neutralized.
Comms	Okay. We're getting ready to leave too. We should be rendezvousing with you in a few minutes. Wait there for Jessica and Laura—
[...but sounds of gunfire are heard on the communicator as the transmission abruptly cuts off.]
Franka	Hey. Hello? What's going on over there?!
[Liskarm joins with Franka.]
Liskarm	There's no need for comms at this distance.
Franka	You just had to come early, huh?
Liskarm	Someone once told me that playing pranks after combat can help alleviate stress.
Franka	...Wow, you're getting better at this.
Liskarm	I learned from the best.
<Background 3A>
Franka	The weather here's real temperamental, huh? It was all clear just earlier, but it's already starting to fog up.
Liskarm	We've checked all your injuries, Mr. Miles. The bruise on your abdomen doesn't seem serious, but I suggest you visit the hospital as soon as can.
Miles	Hospital...? Davistown ain't had a hospital in a long, long time.
Franka	Uh... Good. We're heading to Davistown too. We can take you back.
Miles	What are you folks up to there?
Liskarm	Relax, sir. We were dispatched to help the plate restart its operations. We brought some fuel and supplies. They should be enough for the residents to last until the power plant is repaired.
Miles	But... y'all bring any technicians? The plant was already on its last legs. Without any technicians, the blasted weather will kill us the moment it goes out for good.
Laura	Calm down, sir. I'm the lead technician on the team. Call me Laura. Nice to meet ya.
Miles	I'm Miles... a Davistown boiler worker. Thank you... thank you...
Franka	So, why'd you leave the plate? It's dangerous out here.
Miles	We're almost completely out of fuel, so I came out to try my luck... But if y'all are here to fix the plant, can we get going now?
Laura	One second. Let me ask Jessica where she is.
[Laura contacts Jessica.]
Laura	Hey, Jessica? It's Laura. You done there?
Jessica	*bzzt*... I'm all finished— *bzzt*...
Laura	Then hurry up and get over here—
[The transmission abruptly cuts off.]
Laura	Hey? Jessica? Jessica?!
<Background 3B>
[A snowfall brews up as Jessica, now older and sporting new gear, receives the transmssion from Laura.]
Jessica	Laura, where are you? I'll head over right now—
[The transmission is cut off.]
Jessica	Laura? Hello? Hello? Why did the communicator have to break down now of all times...? Let me check the coordinates... Where's the camp? How come there isn't so much as a marker? Where am I? I... I'm not lost, am I? Calm down. Calm down... You're near Davistown. You aren't far from the plate...
[A strong wind blows.]
Jessica	I... I guess I'll have to wait for the wind to stop. Brr... So cold.
Jessica breathes a sigh and puts her hand in her pocket. Her fingers feel the velvet pouch in her bag, as well as the small, hard object inside. She takes out the pouch and pours out its contents.
<Flashback starts here>
<Background 4>
[Jessica enters the room...]
Jessica	Reporting.
[...as the CEO of BSW himself, the grizzled Sankta known by his nom de guerre "Clip" Cliff, noticed her entry.]
"Clip" Cliff	You, huh?
Jessica	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. 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. 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? 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	......
[Cliff takes something from a box.]
"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. Now go.
<Flashback ends here>
<Background 3B>
Jessica picks up the bullet that fell from the pouch, and holds it under the sunlight to examine it.
Jessica	Rimmed cartridge, .44... There's a pattern etched into the bottom. No... It's too faint. I can't make it out. Sankta ammo... looks pretty much like the etched ammo we use at Blacksteel.
The casing is rusted, and the surface's copper has browned. Even under the direct sunlight, there is hardly any luster. Jessica breathes a sigh and puts it back inside the pouch.
Jessica	"Make the same mistake I made in Victoria"...? What's going on in Davistown?
Suddenly, she hears a sound that isn't the wind.
???	Don't move, girl. Not unless you want a bullet through the chest.