Food For Thought

Barkeep, did you find it?

It exactly as you had predicted, Cetie. The evidence is there as well.

Thanks. I owe you one.

Did you get the Barkeep to look into something for you?

The orphan memory transplant case from before.

What? But I thought the Administrator closed that case?

I just couldn't accept the way that case ended. So I did a little private investigation of my own.

Oh, really?

And thanks to this latest piece of information, I'm one step closer to the scum behind this case.

But in order to get any hard evidence, I need to go back to Xeno-Domain. Can I count on your help again, Aldo?

Of course. You weren't the only one who didn't like the way that case ended.

Thank you, Aldo. Let's go.

Isn't this the terminal you looked at last time?

Clock, analyze the terminal again.

Understood.

I'll back you up this time.

You think I might get to see more action if I did the analysis thingy too?

Are you getting all the data on the trades?

No, it's all been completely erased.

What are we supposed to do now?

One identity match.

A hit! We gotta hit! The rascals who hired this hacker have been revealed!

Accessing the hacker's message history.

All the information here is falsified, but it's enough!

Looks like they had a little bit of "collateral," just in case they were double-crossed. All of the messages with their client have been saved. Their mistrust in their fellow man has saved us a lot of trouble.

Any leads?

Just one. The identity of the crook behind all this.

Who is it?!

It's the head of a very well known organization responsible for the well-being of orphans. They run most of the orphanages around here as well. All the pieces of the puzzle are fitting together now.

So the criminal was using their charity work as a front for all this?

We can't let them get away with this anymore. Let's go arrest them!

I wish it were that easy. I really do.

At this moment in time the probability of a successful arrest is zero.

What, why?!

I'll tell you why, it's because this scumbag's as corrupt as they come.

This guy's got his fingers in every major organization around. He's the one who ordered a stop to the investigation. By threatening their families, he has all the dirty officers, district attorneys, and other governing officials at his bidding. With that kind of power, he has been able to go unchallenged for as long as he has.

Even so, can someone really do that? It's not like when that district attorney used the dirty officer. This time you're saying a regular civilian did this?

That's right. It's had me stumped too. But I think I'm finally starting to understand what's going on here.

What's more important, is that we need more than just evidence.

Besides, all the evidence we did get was obtained without a warrant, it'd never hold up in a court of law.

If we're going to bring this guy down, we're going to have to get rid of the people protecting him first. Once he's defenseless, we have to hit him with something that can't be ignored. Infallible evidence.

Clock, anything on the network?

I'm coming up with no results. His slate is as clean as they come. A little too clean. We're lucky the hacker kept records or we'd be completely in the dark now.

So, digital evidence is out of the question, huh? We'll have to do this the old fashioned way then.

What are you thinking?

First things first, we go meet our target. We have the evidence they've come into contact with a criminal organization. That'll be enough to approach them for questioning.

I can't see him coming clean just like that though.

We're just trying to ruffle his feathers. A scared suspect always makes mistakes.

Clock, where is he now?

If I could access the Elzion network, I could be of assistance. But, without permission, that would be an infringement of personal privacy.

We're past worrying about that. Find him.

Understood. Searching incognito.

Search complete. Target is in Elzion's Theta District.

Let's get over there.

Oh poor, unfortunate children. I pray you find salvation's hand to guide you.

Excuse me.

Oh, hello there, young man. Have you come with some interest in charitable work?

I'm afraid not. I'm here on less pleasant business.

I believe you're aware of our operation.

Hmm, Agent Cetie, COA. Very impressive for someone as young as yourself. Now, how may I be of assistance?

We have the right to believe that your organization has become affiliated with a crime syndicate.

Is that so? Well, it's the first I've heard anything about it.

I'll help however I can with investigations. What do you need from me?

If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to analyze the personal device you have on you. Of course, this is completely voluntary. At this point in time at least.

Mind? Nothing to mind about it. I've nothing to hide on here.

I'll have it back to you as soon as I've analyzed it.

For someone so bad, he was really quite a nice old man, huh?

Bad? This man's the devil incarnate. Behind that smile lies nothing but a cackling skull.

Analysis complete. Scans came up clean.

Thank you for your cooperation.

I take it you'll stop suspecting a harmless old man now?

My apologies.

It's commendable that you take your job so seriously, but you'll make yourself ill if you go around suspecting everyone in Elzion.

I'll try and work on it.

Now, if you will excuse me. There are children waiting for me.

Because if I don't find them a home, who will. Heheheh...

Whoa, wait a second! That was so obvious!

Let's call it a day for now.

Don't think you're going to get away with this. I'm not giving up without a fight.

That's enough.

Administrator?! What are you doing here walking around with the normies?

Please accept my deepest apologies for this officer's insolence.

Not at all. If you don't mind I'll take my leave now.

It's not like you to go against orders, Cetie. I thought I had made myself quite clear when I said the investigation was over.

......

I'm suspending you. And taking you off all of your cases for the time being.

You can't be serious!

Aldo, it's fine.

I'll need your badge and investigation device.

Yes.

What? These names...

Is something the matter, sir?

No, never mind. Looks like I'm going to be busy.

What are you going to do? Are you saying we just have to give up? Do we just let a bad guy like that get away?

I'm seeing this case through to the end. Clock, where is he now?

Currently approaching the airport. He appears to be heading to the location of an orphanage, likely for an inspection.

That doesn't match what was in his schedule.

He has canceled a dinner appointment with one of his benefactors.

Looks like he took the bait already. I bet he's trying to tie up some loose ends. Let's get after him.

Wait, but won't he just get away again?

Not this time. I've made some preparations so that won't happen again.

What? When?

No way!

You didn't notice? I knew you were a piece of scrap metal, but this really takes the circuit.

I, well, you, hey! Words hurt too, you know!

Let's go. We need to read our friend his final rights.

Cetie! We aren't going to make it in time before the suspect takes off.

I didn't want to have to do this, but we've got no choice. Upload a falsified traffic incident report, we have to buy some more time!

Understood. Executing...

Are...are you sure it's okay to do that?

It's not okay! No way Jose! You're in for some yelling later on!

Continued investigation after being suspended. I'll be the one in cuffs, if this doesn't go right.

It's not like Cetie at all to get all desperate like this.

If I let this chance slip through my fingers, then there's no telling how many more victims he'll create. I'm willing to put my life on the scales of judgment too, if it means justice.

That's the Cetie I know.

Hacking complete. I've successfully impeded his departure.

Now that he's been stopped in his tracks, let teach him a lesson!

Oh, what's happening now...

Well, well, back for more accusations are we? I took you to be a man of reason.

However, it seems I was mistaken.

You seem awfully relaxed.

Well what reason would I have not to be, hmm? My device came up clean as a whistle, did it not?

And even if I were to find anything, you would be confident that nothing would stick. Isn't that right? You think you're untouchable?

......

Still going to keep quiet? Fine, I guess I'll have to break this down for you, exactly just how cornered you are now.

After I handed over my badge and investigation device, I imagine the Administrator will have his hands full.

Ah yes, that's right. Suspended, weren't you? You have my condolences.

I was. But that's not why. He'll be busy making more than a few phone calls.

A list of the people you've been threatening, that is. Of course, every one of them has been confirmed with hard evidence.

Oh... Oh no.

I'll need your badge and investigation device.

Yes.

What? These names...

Is something the matter, sir?

No, never mind. Looks like I'm going to be busy.

It exactly as you had predicted, Cetie. The evidence is there as well.

You think something like that's going to...

Right now, all of the dirty officers and their families in the city are being brought in for questioning right about now. And it's only a matter of time until one of them sells you out for their own freedom. There's no one left in this city watching your back. And we'll soon have more than enough evidence to put you away for good.

You're not hurting any more children!

Heheheh. I can see now why a whippersnapper like yourself made it so far in the COA. But you've still much to learn about the world, and how things work here. And even more about who you're picking a fight with.

What's he going to do?

Call his "friends" for help no doubt.

Yes, hello? My apologies for calling you at a time like this. I've done just as you've asked. However, there's a problem, a certain investigator who doesn't seem to know when they're beat. I'd be grateful for your assistance.

What? What are you asking me to do? Why now? What has happened? I can't really speak right now but the orphans are... *mumble mumble* *mumble mumble*

I can't hear anything he's saying now.

I see. So the memory transplanted orphans have been "shipped," as per the client's request. Everything went smoothly, I presume?

What in, Impossible! Where is that voice coming from?!

Isn't technology amazing?

I made a few modifications of my own when I was analyzing your device. Any calls from that number would also be forwarded straight to Clock as well.

Im-Impossible! How could you have found out about their existence too?!

Everything you've just said is on record. Irrefutable evidence, no matter how you look at it. Have you finally got it now? It's over. You're over.

You really think that'll mean anything in court!

It might just. And if I decide to play dirty myself, there's more than one way of making it stick. Maybe I don't take this to court. Maybe I just leak it to every major media outlet out there.

There's always self-destruction as well!

Scrap metal, now is not the time.

Oh, what a mess...

It was you who didn't know who they were picking a fight with.

Very well. I'll admit it. You've got me in a rather unpleasant situation here.

But, what's a bit of murder to my list of crimes, eh!

Security Machines confirmed. Scans show they are equipped with non-regulation weaponry.

You've really done it now! Assaulting an officer and attempted murder!

You're under arrest. It's over!

It's not over. Not over, I tell you. Not as long as they still look over me.

Well, we made the arrest, but it still feels like there's something left. Just who was he talking to? You know, don't you, Cetie?

Yeah, I know all too well. I'm going to see them now.

But they'll never respond to my callout somewhere as populated as this. I'm going to the Industrial Ruins. From there I'll make the call. And there is where this case will finally come to an end.

This should be far enough. Clock, make the transmission.

Initiating encrypted transmission over concealed channel.

Just who could it be... More to the point, how did Cetie find out about them?

Transplanting happy memories into orphans and finding them homes. Providing homes without a child the warmth that they were missing. All while the people behind it get rich. If you disregard the moral implications, it's a plan which benefits everyone involved.

The only ones able to think up and pull this off, is them.

They have responded. Connecting...

Agent Cetie, it has been a while.

Thank you for taking my call.

You have done well to uncover the truth. Your recent efforts have been most commendable.

As a consequence, it has caused a fair disturbance to your organization... Cardinal Vestige.

Wait, you don't mean...

An organization that controls Elzion from the shadows. It's a group that has supreme authority, that is even above the law. Even above the Administrator.

So what you're saying is that Cetie will be just like Biaka?

That is merely a facade. Agent Cetie has been moving under our order in an attempt to monitor the Administrator. On the surface it may appear that Cetie works for him, but in reality he is one of our best agents.

The Cardinal Vestige?!

I see... Come to think of it, Cetie is an agent of the Cardinal Vestige.

The Cardinal Vestige?! You don't mean...

An organization that controls Elzion from the shadows. It's a group that has supreme authority, that is even above the law. Even above the Administrator.

H-Hold up... I thought Cetie was the Administrator's subordinate.

That is merely a facade. Agent Cetie has been moving under our order in an attempt to monitor the Administrator. On the surface it may appear that Cetie works for him, but in reality he is one of our best agents.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Aldo.

Don't worry about it.

Cardinal Vestige? What's that?!

An organization that controls Elzion from the shadows. It's a group that has supreme authority, that is even above the law. Even above the Administrator.

More powerful than the Administrator?! But wait, I thought you worked for the Administrator?

That is merely a facade. Agent Cetie has been moving under our order in an attempt to monitor the Administrator. On the surface it may appear that Cetie works for him, but in reality he is one of our best agents.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Aldo.

Don't worry about it.

So you mean Cardinal Vestige was controlling the orphanage owner?

Just why would you do that? Why did you have to involve innocent children?

Why? For astronomical profit, that is why. Tell me, were there any losers in the process?

That's not the point and you know it!

Don't waste your breath, Aldo. These people aren't the same as you and I. There's no emotion, just the drive for more profit in the most efficient way possible.

You're right, Aldo! And nothing has changed either. That's why I'm going to convince the Cardinal Vestige to stop. If money is all that matters to them, then I'll just have to speak a language they'll understand.

Agent Cetie, are you saying that we cease the memory transplants?

Yes. All it does is destroy those children's futures. Not only that, it destroys their possibility, worth far more than monetary profits.

I fail to see the logic there. What makes you so certain of this?

Because I was the same as them.

From living in the slums to working for you. A painful past doesn't have to mean a painful future. At times, it can even provide the motivation to go on.

I am living proof of that!

Interesting. A sound argument indeed. If you had been an orphan included in our program, it would stand to reason that you would not be here now, as our agent. A substantial loss for us. However...

Yes, I didn't think that alone would be enough. There has to be a replacement for the memory transplants.

I have a solution to that as well. Allow me permission to open and run my own orphanage.

I'll take in any of the victimized orphans for rehabilitation as well. I'll help them overcome the transplant's effects and be able to recall their old memories by themselves.

Then I'll make sure they do twice as well using those painful memories as fuel for their success!

Very well. We shall approve your appeal. The orphan owner you arrested will be released from our protection. In conjunction, we shall cease all memory transplants from here on in.

You have my gratitude. And my apologies for raising my voice.

An insignificant matter. Agent Cetie, we all expect great things of you in the future.

It's really over now, isn't it?

Yes. This case at least.

But how are you going to build an entire orphanage? I don't think they come cheap.

I wouldn't worry about that. It has been part of my plan for a long time now. I've headhunted staff I can trust already. As for funds, my savings should be more than enough. And if it isn't, then I'll get Cardinal Vestige to cover the rest.

Oh right. You really do have everything figured out, huh?

I haven't done anything yet. It's what I do from now that counts.

There's still so many out there becoming victims of crime as we speak. And still scum out there that need to answer for those crimes. Any awards or commendations can wait until I've cleaned up this world.

What are you going to do about Cardinal Vestige?

I have my reason for working under them. For now. But I don't trust them. One day they'll get their time on the scales of justice as well.

I'll help you however I can. For you, and for Elzion.

Thank you, I feel much better knowing I'm not alone anymore.

Cetie! You were never alone. You've had us by your side the entire time!

Haha, I suppose you're right. It's been a lot more lively ever since you two came along.

I owe you, Aldo. You've done so much for me, just tell me where to go and I'll be right beside you.

Well, at least until my suspension period is over, that is.