Provence: A Perilous Road

Operator Record A Perilous Road
Catastrophe and man-made disaster; when both weave together, what should she do?

Unlock conditions

• Raise Provence to Elite 2 Level 1.
• Have 200% Trust with Provence.

Characters

Provence Local Judge A Local Judge B Medic Operator Rhodes Island Field Operator Rhodes Island Logistics Operator Townsfolk A Townsfolk B Catastrophe Messenger Old Granny Rhodes Island Messenger

Backgrounds

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

“

In a remote wilderness town, Provence realizes that Catastrophes may not be as chilling as the human hearts stained in the shadow of Catastrophe.

”

<Background 1>
[Provence picks up someone on the detector she is operating.]
Provence	Siv! The detector's showing one more person up ahead! Think you can hang in there?
[A Rhodes Island field operator walks to Provence.]
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Huff... Huff... I'm fine, let's go...
Provence	This place is way too remote, and wasn't in the area covered by the infrared detector... I applied to advance the range one kilometer this way, and discovered a survivor nearby, but haven't pinpointed the precise location yet. Hurry, hurry... This town is clearly within the local Catastrophe Messenger's detection range, so how did this happen?! An earthquake of this magnitude should've had obvious signs. There's no way anyone stationed here could've missed it.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	It's already been four and a half days. I'm starting to think it might be... Besides, Rhodes Island was just passing by, and we're not at all prepared for this level of rescue operation.
Provence	Don't talk like that! Let's go. There's still hope.
<Background fades out and in>
[Provence and Siv the R.I. field operator runs toward the site of a recent Catastrophe.]
Provence	Here, right here! They should be under the rubble. Hurry up, Siv! This is the rescue team! Do you hear me? We're from the rescue team, we're here to help you! Can you hear me? Please answer! ...... No response. Siv, try tapping a steel pipe!
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Got it.
Tap tap tap, tap tap tap...
Rhodes Island Field Operator	......
Tap tap tap, tap tap tap...
Provence	Any response?
Rhodes Island Field Operator	None... And we weren't assigned a life-detector. Is there a better way of confirming the exact location? There were survivors before who just didn't have the strength to respond. Maybe I should apply for a—
Provence	Ugh... It'll be too late by then. Plus, there's no guarantee they even have any to spare. We'll do this the old-fashioned way. Listen carefully—even the scratching of fingernails makes a sound. I'll try tapping the pipes over there. Or do you have any Originium Arts that can help locate them?
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Haha... If I did, then I wouldn't be digging through rubble with my bare hands...
Tap tap tap, tap tap tap...
<Background fades out and in>
[Provence and Siv continues searching the area, but found no survivors.]
Rhodes Island Field Operator	...... ......... I've knocked on this entire area and didn't get any responses. It's been so long, and this place is so remote. Were we... too late again?
Provence	No... there's still another place up ahead. I'll go over and take a look.
<Background fades out and on>
Tap tap tap, tap tap tap... *Scratch*... *Scratch*... *Scratch*... *Scratch*...
Provence	! I hear it! It's the sound of nails on pipe! Here, over here! Hurry, Siv!
Rhodes Island Field Operator	I'm coming! ...Gah! Hiss...
Provence	Careful! Take a break if you can't handle it anymore!
Rhodes Island Field Operator	I'm fine, I can keep going. We've got a life to save!
Provence	Can you hear me? We're from the rescue team, we're here to help you! Here, let's move this board out of the way. Careful not to hurt yourself. Three, two, one!
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Hnngh! We should still have some saline solution left, so let's pass it down with a hose.
Provence	There's saline water on the way! Drink up, and we'll begin the rescue!
Old Granny	*cough*... *cough*...
Rhodes Island Field Operator	It's an elderly person?
Provence	Granny?
Old Granny	Ugh... I thought... nobody would come...
Provence	No way! We're here for you!
Old Granny	Thank goodness...
Rhodes Island Field Operator	I've already started scanning the structure with radar. Hold on just a little longer!
Old Granny	......
Provence	Granny? Granny?
Old Granny	.........
Provence	She's losing consciousness! We can't let her fall asleep here!
Rhodes Island Field Operator	I'll handle the scan. Head over and keep her awake!
Provence	Granny, Granny? Don't go to sleep just yet, let's have a little chat first!
Old Granny	......
Provence	It's dangerous to fall asleep right now. Wake up, and we'll talk, okay?
Old Granny	...... How many days has it been...?
Provence	...Um, two! Two days! We were nearby and came as soon as we could! Everything will be okay!
Old Granny	Ngh... My grandson... Have you seen my grandson?
Provence	(Have you seen him? Any young kids?)
Rhodes Island Field Operator	(No, I haven't...)
Provence	Granny, we're divided into teams who are all responsible for different areas. Maybe another team has already taken him to safety. We'll have a look after we get you out of here!
Old Granny	My grandson... is a little troublemaker... I don't know where he's run off to...
Provence	Don't you worry, I'm sure he's just fine!
Rhodes Island Field Operator	(Looks like they also raised fowlbeasts here. The coop has collapsed, and there's nothing left.)
Provence	(*Sigh*...) Granny, your grandson must've been real lucky. Is that a fowlbeast coop I see over there? I love me some fowlbeast eggs!
Old Granny	Is that so... Oh my... little fowlbeasts... golden and shiny... The eggs... are probably crushed now... If there are any left... you can try some...
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Don't worry, it'll be fine! I'm sure we can have some later! You're the 30th person we've rescued today. We just dug through an entire house somewhere else, and rescued a whole family...
Old Granny	Mm... Mm...
Provence	(Is the scan done yet?)
Rhodes Island Field Operator	(Here you go.) (Is the sinking severe?)
Provence	(...It's messy.) (The sinking's already begun over here, but the other side of the house hasn't collapsed. Probably a different soil layer. The terrain here is... complex. The seismic waves were reflected by its shape as they passed through.) (The whole house is twisted, and if this side is demolished, the other will lose its support and collapse. It's not an option.) (Do we seriously have to dismantle and clear out the other side first, just to ensure stability?)
Rhodes Island Field Operator	(Do we have time for that...?)
Provence	(Not a chance in hell. It's too big of a job for just the two of us anyway.) (We'll have to talk the old lady through it first, but... if we clear out what we can and think on our feet, there might still be a way.)
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Huff... Huff... Ugh... Ever seen a Lupo before, Granny? We'll remove the stuff on top first, clean up a little, and get you out of there! Then you'll get to see a purple Lupo with the biggest, bushiest tail there is!
Provence	You know it! Once you're out, you can pat my tail! I bet you've never seen one as big as mine!
Old Granny	Mm... Mm... ......
Provence	Hurry up, she can't hold out much longer.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Don't fall asleep just yet! You know, my grandma is about the same age as you... And I want to try some of those eggs too! I've already cleared all the rubble that can be safely removed. Next I'll try propping up this beam. You think it'll be stable enough? Three, two, one... Hup!
Provence	No good! It's already starting to loosen!
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Let's try over here then! I'll hold up the middle. Head over and chip off that half while I support the other half!
Provence	Alright, just tell me when you're reaching your limits.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Don't panic, Granny, we'll... we'll definitely to save you!
Old Granny	......
Provence	One more time! I'm going to knock down this section!
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Nngh! So... just you wait! We'll go find your grandson once you're safe!
Provence	Keep it steady! We've already cleared one of the beams, Granny! Hang in there!
Old Granny	......
Provence	Hang in there, hang in there... The beam over here, once it's cleared...
Old Granny	......
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Granny?
Old Granny	......
Provence	Don't fall asleep!
Old Granny	...... I can't... Two days is... a pretty long time... ...... Don't... worry about me...
Rhodes Island Field Operator	No, don't say that! Keep going, Provence!
Old Granny	...... I... ...... .........
Provence	Can you still hear her breathing underneath? She hasn't responded for a while now... ...... It's been too long. Let's stop. She's probably already...
Rhodes Island Field Operator	No, no! No!
[A R.I. logistics operator contacts Provence.]
Rhodes Island Logistics Operator	Provence squad? Survivors have been found near point 28, 575. Please hurry.
Provence	...We've received new coordinates. 1673, 589. One victim, about 2.7 meters deep. Heavy equipment is needed to dismantle the rubble. We'll head straight there... Mhm, I'm fine. ......
[Provence signs off.]
Provence	I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. We're... We're going to rescue someone else.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	......
Provence	Let's go, Siv. We've got someone else to save. The team responsible for finding the casualties will come around later. Are you okay...?
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Aaaaaaaaargh!! Aaaaaagh!
[Siv forcefully tries to dig through the rubble...]
Provence	Stop it! You're not good at—
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Aaaaaaaaargh!! I'm going to dig her out!
[...which strains his own body after repeated tries.]
Rhodes Island Field Operator	*gasp*... *gasp*... Urgh...
Provence	Stop, Siv! You're only destroying your own health, and it's not helping anyone! There are still so many more people to save!
Rhodes Island Field Operator	No! I have to— Aaaaaagh!
Provence	I told you, stop! What more do you want?! Are you going to sacrifice yourself here? Nothing we do will change the situation! Don't sacrifice yourself for someone who's already dead! We still have others to save! And until we do, your own life takes priority!
Rhodes Island Field Operator	......
Provence	We need to go, now! We can't afford to fall behind!
Rhodes Island Field Operator	......
Provence	The team searching for casualties will be here soon. We'll ask where the old lady ended up later, okay? There's someone else waiting for us. Someone once told me that to save more people, you must first protect your own life. No matter what happens, you must always value your own life... All lives are equally important, including your own. So let's go. Together.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	...... Okay...
<Background 2>
[Provence found a Catastrophe survivor while searching through the site.]
Provence	Over here! Found another one over here! Hang in there a bit longer! Hold onto my hand, we'll have you out soon! Alright, you're safe now!
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Your family? Don't worry, see that tent up front? All our personnel should be over there, so go take a look! If you have any questions, you can talk to any of the operators there and they'll be glad to help you! Don’t you worry!
Medic Operator	It's okay, calm down. I assure you, you won't have to pay for the treatment. Yes, yes, I guarantee it. Just sit over there and don't go running off again. No need to be nervous. You'll be fine.
<Background 3>
Provence	......
Rhodes Island Field Operator	......
Provence	......
Rhodes Island Field Operator	......
Provence	I'm too tired to even speak.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Same.
Provence	It's quiet here... Brush away the rocks and come lie down.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Ugh... Ow ow ow, my waist... Ah... How many... did we manage to save today...?
Provence	Dunno... I feel like I can't move a muscle... But I still find it so weird...
Rhodes Island Field Operator	What's weird?
Provence	I've been thinking... We're in Victoria, right? This place is pretty remote, but the town's not exactly small, and there was supposed to be a Catastrophe Messenger here.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Uh huh...
Provence	So how did all this happen? No Catastrophe Messenger could've failed to detect a Catastrophe of this scale, even if it wasn't obvious.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	No idea... Maybe they skimped on the disaster avoidance procedures...
Provence	No way... What happened here wasn't just poorly done. It's more like... there were no efforts at all. Everyone was basically trapped in their homes. No way they'd be indoors if they knew a Catastrophe was coming. Maybe some kind of fringe belief about accepting Catastrophes...? None of it makes any sense.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Maybe they just didn't believe what their Catastrophe Messenger had to say... That happens too, doesn't it?
Provence	Yeah, it happens... and I've been there myself. But a whole town? Never. Ugh... So many dead...
???	...How could I... not know... who... ...Right now... they... ...Why... you... should have...
Rhodes Island Field Operator	There are still people over there? I'll ask them to come rest with us. Huh? (They're not with Rhodes Island?)
Provence	(Townsfolk?)
Rhodes Island Field Operator	(Not sure. Doesn't seem like it? The locals should all be recovering in the tents. What are they doing all the way out here?)
Provence	(Should we sneak a peek?)
[Provence and Siv eavesdrops on the talk between the local townsfolk and a Catastrophe Messenger]
Townsfolk	We already got the money. What now?
Catastrophe Messenger	Bloody hell! You're the one who said to put on a show and make it convincing! Who the hell would care if a Catastrophe Messenger wasn't at the site of the disaster? 'Struggled to evacuate everyone but couldn't make it in time' my ass, now I'm all covered in soot! Look at what happened! The box is buried under the house. Where's the money now, huh? Under a pile of bloody rubble, that's where! You gonna go dig it up?
Townsfolk	I... Was it really okay to cause this big of a scene?
Catastrophe Messenger	The hell are you talking about? Now's the best time for us to bounce! Everything's a bloody mess outside, so hurry up and dig out the money so we can leave by tonight! Change our names, leave the country. This money should last for a while, and with so many bloody Catastrophes everywhere, there'll never be a shortage of ways to make more.
Townsfolk	Fine...
Catastrophe Messenger	So stop dilly-dallying and dig it up already! I'm covered head-to-toe in dust, and you expect me to do it?
[Siv is shocked on what he saw.]
Rhodes Island Field Operator	(Those bastards...!) (It's not that the townspeople didn't believe it, they weren't even warned!) (They... got all those people killed!)
Provence	(Wait, cool your jets!)
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Hold it right there!
Townsfolk	Who the hell are you?!
Catastrophe Messenger	That uniform... From that rescue organization...?
Rhodes Island Field Operator	It doesn't matter who I am, but you're not getting out of here! Dereliction of duty! And you call yourself a Catastrophe Messenger?!
Catastrophe Messenger	......
Townsfolk	Think this kid overheard us? We can't have him spilling the beans!
Provence	*Sigh*...
[Provence contacted the R.I. command.]
Provence	Provence squad here. Is this the landship? Requesting field op support at 683, 447. Our goal is just to detain them... Don't go overboard.
<Background 1>
[Siv returns from questioning the Catastrophe Messenger from before.]
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Provence, we finished our investigation... ......
Provence	What's wrong? You don't look so good.
[An R.I. logistics operator accompanying Siv steps to Provence.]
Rhodes Island Logistics Operator	So, you're already aware of what happened. Here's the rub: the Catastrophe Messenger DID report this... to the nobles. If that's true, the only error is that many people who should've been taking refuge died instead. But as you know, nobles... don't exactly care about human lives, as long as there are enough left to collect taxes from. And these two scumbags are on the nobles' side. If they grease the right palms, they might even be spared from legal action. We're leaving the day after tomorrow, first thing in the morning. We only stopped here for the rescue operation, and we don't have the luxury of getting involved in some drawn-out court case.
Provence	...So you're saying that's it? We should just give up, because there's a chance we might not get the outcome we want?
Rhodes Island Logistics Operator	No... That's not what I'm saying. Why do you have to make me feel like the bad guy here?
Rhodes Island Field Operator	I REALLY don't want hear that from you. There was no need for any of those people to lose their lives. Not a single one should've died! I, I...
Rhodes Island Logistics Operator	......
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Suing them is one thing, but I've seen their victims with my own eyes... Those people who should not have died... If we just walk away, how are we supposed to make those bastards pay for this? For all the lives they snatched away?
Rhodes Island Logistics Operator	I get where you're coming from... But we'll still be bringing a case against them. We've already prepared the documents, but there's no telling what the result might be. And we can't afford to wait either, just for the sake of intervening in a process that we're far from sure will produce a favorable outcome.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	So you're telling us to not get our hopes up... I suppose I've been naive about this from the start. ...... What's the point of even filing it then? Forget the death penalty, they'll probably get away with a small payment and a slap on the wrist. It'll mean nothing to them, and make us look like fools. Damn it all! All those people, dying for nothing!
[Siv leaves in frustration.]
Rhodes Island Logistics Operator	*Sigh*... I know it's a bitter pill to swallow.
Provence	Let's not overthink this and focus on what we CAN do. Let me see those documents. We're leaving the morning after, right?
Rhodes Island Logistics Operator	Around 10 AM.
Provence	Alright. I won't be leaving with you then.
Rhodes Island Logistics Operator	What will you do...?
Provence	Only what I should do... What I can do.
[Provence heads off.]
<Background 4>
[Provence walks into a courthouse and approaches one of the judges.]
Provence	Excuse me, sir, are you the judge here? I'm Provence, Rhodes Island Operator—
Local Judge A	—Don't bother me! Can't you see we're busy with repairs here?!
Provence	I know, but it's really important and—
Local Judge A	I told you not to bother me!
Provence	I... Eh...?
<Background fades out and in>
[Provence walks into a local building's front door...]
Provence	Hello, is anyone here? I'm Provence, Rhodes Island Operator.
[...and knocks the door...]
Provence	Hello?
[...twice, but met with no response.]
Provence	Nobody's in, huh...
[Provence leaves.]
???	She left. Don't open the door for strangers at times like these! You never know what kind of misfortune you might invite!
<Background fades out and in>
[Provence enters a building...]
Provence	Thank you so much for letting me in. These are Rhodes Island's documents regarding the Catastrophe. We wanted to file an action against the Catastrophe Messenger Whelan...
[...whose door closes after she enters.]
Provence	Ah! ......
<Background fades out and in>
Local Judge B	File for legal action? With me? Matters concerning Catastrophe Messengers should be brought to the High Court, and it's up to their discretion whether to...
Provence	I know, I know, but can you hear me out first? Just take a look at these documents, please!
Local Judge B	...I suppose I can do that.
[Provence handed over some documets to the judge.]
Provence	So there's the situation. We're holding two of them at Rhodes Island for now, but we don't have the right to detain them indefinitely. Besides, we're leaving the day after tomorrow. If this is turned over to the High Court, the nobles might just refuse to even hear it. This is brought up in the documents as well—the case may well be left without a conclusion. Exploiting Catastrophes to make money, trampling over peoples' lives, knowing the horrors to come yet deliberately not informing people—only truly vile people would do these things! To him this was simply a way to make money. If he cannot be punished under the law, in a situation we can control, who knows how many more murders he will go on to commit?
Local Judge B	I understand. But... even if I do file the case at the local level, once it's submitted up the chain, it may inevitably end up...
Provence	I'll inform the townspeople! I'll get in touch with the locals, and even people from neighboring towns! I'll take care of all that!
Local Judge B	Fine... Alright, I'll see what I can do. Given the situation... I can apply for a higher court to accept the case after about half a month.
Provence	Thank you so much, Mr. Tal! I'll go hand the culprits over to a security guard. Please, send me a Messenger as soon as you get a follow-up!
<Background 5>
[Provence enters a refugee camp of the Catastrophe victims rescued earlier.]
Provence	Here's the temporary shelter for the townspeople we rescued... Sorry for bothering you, everyone, but I have an announcement to make!
Townsfolk A	What's the matter?
Townsfolk B	Oh, it's the purple lass! She rescued me with one of her buddies!
Provence	I am a Catastrophe Messenger and one of the Rhodes Island operators involved in the rescue operation. The earthquake was indeed a Catastrophe, but the local Catastrophe Messenger failed to inform you!
Townsfolk B	What?
Provence	Instead, he took advantage of it—and your very lives—to make money. Yesterday, he was going to flee with the cash in hand!
Townsfolk A	What?! Where is he now?! We'll kill the bastard!
Provence	Judge Tal will be reviewing the case, but the nobles may let it go unresolved in order to help the two criminals escape the reach of the law. Therefore, I would like to ask this of all of you— Can we work together to keep the nobles from interfering in this case?
Townsfolk A	Alright! You saved my life, lassie. Whatever you say, we're behind you!
Townsfolk B	But how is that even possible...? How can we get the nobles to listen to us?
Townsfolk A	Lass! Do you think we'll have enough people?
Provence	What if I recruited people from other towns too?
Townsfolk B	Maybe... but even that might not be enough to persuade the nobles!
Townsfolk A	Yeah. When have they ever lifted a finger for us?
Provence	I... I'll do whatever I can!
<Background 6>
[Provence walks through a town square.]
Provence	This is the center of town. Hello? Excuse me, I'm from the next town over...
Townsfolk A	What? I'm busy right now, so scram!
Provence	The neighboring town was just hit by a Catastrophe...
Townsfolk A	Catastrophes, huh? Yeah, we get plenty around here too! Lost half the town to one. Thought we'd never seen one before?
Provence	I know! And they can be avoided, but because of the Catastrophe Messenger—
Townsfolk A	Whatever, I've heard enough. I told you, I don't have time for this!
[The townsfolk leaves Provence.]
Provence	......
[Provence tries to approach other townsfolk.]
Provence	Excuse me, the neighboring town suffered a terrible tragedy because their Catastrophe Messenger hid the truth from them. We hope you can support us in preventing the nobles from interfering with the case...
Townsfolk B	Is that supposed to be a joke? Where's the punchline?
Provence	No, I'm serious! We're planning to escalate the case, so if you're—
Townsfolk B	You wish.
[The townsfolk follows Provence.]
<Background fades out and in>
Provence	Yes, so that's what happened... Please, are you able to help us? We really need all the help we can get... Thank you so much! Here's my contact information; I'll be reaching out in about half a month! Thank you so much!
<Background 4>
[Provence approaches a townsfolk...]
Provence	Hello, I was wondering...
[...before approaching another one...]
Provence	Sorry to bother you, but...
[...and asks yet another one.]
Provence	Thank you so much! I'll be contacting you in about half a month!
<Background 7>
Four months later...
Rhodes Island Messenger	Provence! There's a letter for you!
[Provence picks up the letter from the Messenger.]
Provence	Coming! I wonder who'd be writing me...
Good day. This is Tal, the judge from the town you helped out before. It is with great excitement that I write this letter to you, and I hope it reaches you soon. Through our efforts, Whelan and his accomplice have been sentenced to death. They are to be executed in the rebuilt town square tomorrow morning, as of this writing. The blood money they applied for was used in the post-Catastrophe reconstruction, and things have been gradually improving. Also, the townspeople asked me to pass on their greetings. They are truly appreciative for everything you've done, and we wish the best for you and Rhodes Island. Bless you, and stay safe. Tal
Provence	...... Take a look at this.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	What?
Provence	Remember that town that suffered an earthquake? They sent a letter.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	......
[Provence handed the letter to Siv.]
Rhodes Island Field Operator	They did it... They... They really did it?
Provence	Yeah... They really did it.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	Really? They got the sentence? I... *sob*... I never thought... I didn't think it was possible, but you...
Provence	Stop bawling your eyes out already. Here, a handkerchief.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	*sob*... Ugh, th-thank you... Is this the reason you were away from the landship for so long, Provence?
Provence	More or less. It wasn't quick, that's for sure...
Rhodes Island Field Operator	I never knew... I, I've been wallowing in misery, but you... I'm such a letdown.
Provence	Don't say that. Practically speaking, we couldn't really intervene in what happened afterwards. But call this my own selfishness. I just couldn't leave things hanging like that. And even if we did manage to secure some kind of justice... It's still too late for those who already suffered in the Catastrophe.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	......
Provence	Ugh, but that's enough of that! Let's pay a visit to that Granny's grave some time.
Rhodes Island Field Operator	I'd like to put some yellow rocks in front of her resting place... to remind her of all those little fowlbeasts she raised...
Provence	Mhm, let's do that then. I'm sure she'd be happy.

See also

• Coworkers