Penning Poetic Justice

Whew, this security is no joke! With the online systems being totally unhackable, comin' here to get the hard copies was our only option, but...

Starting to regret your life choices a little?

Well, it's still easier than tryin' to break into KMS! Besides, I think I've figured out a way to get through this security.

I have a SUPER bad feeling about this... But we gotta do what we gotta do!

Heheh... I love you, Macaron!

What a coincidence! I love you too!

Aldo? Boy am I glad to see you! Come help me out, will ya?

Huh?

There she is! Don't let her escape!

Renri!? Why's EGPD after you!? What did you do?!

Hey, you! Come help me out, will ya?

Huh?

There she is! Don't let her escape!

Is that the EGPD!? What did you do?!

I swear this is all just a big misunderstanding!

You're not getting away!

Hey, who're you? An accomplice?

What? No, I...

Sorry, boss! I did exactly what ya told me, but things went south fast, and...

I knew it! He must be the ringleader! Arrest them at once!

Wait! You've gotta listen to me, I...

Lemme handle this! Close your eyes for a second!

, Huh?!

Hurry!

...Tch!

Hey, what do you think you're doing?

Gyah! A flash shot! ...I-I can't see!

Make a break for it! Like it or not, we're on the lam together, now!

No thanks to you!

Less complainin', more fleein'.

...S-Stop right there!

I'm out of options here... I'm really sorry about this!

Phew... That should keep 'em off our tails for a while. Good work out there!

Sigh... Are you gonna tell me what this is all about?

It's all just a big misunderstandin', I swear.

I mean, sure, I might've snuck into a high-security corporate compound to borrow a little of their internal data... ...But who hasn't done that at least once or twice?

That doesn't sound like a misunderstanding to me! That's a clear-cut case of breaking and entering!

I did it for the right reasons, okay?! It was an unavoidable act of justice!

A lot of innocent people have suffered because of them, but they're so powerful even the EGPD can't do anything! That's why I'm gonna do everything I can to expose their crimes to the world!

It's my duty as a reporter!

Oh right, I almost forgot you were a journalist.

The pen is SO much mightier than the sword, Aldo! Don't ya ever forget it!

I'm gonna use my articles to expose all the corruption that runs rampant in this world!

A journalist?

Oh, I totally forgot to introduce myself, didn't I?

I swear I've got a business card around here somewhere...

I'm Renri, freelance reporter.

(Another Renri? What a weird coincidence...)

(Another Renri? Maybe she's from another time layer.)

The pen is mightier than the sword! My articles will expose all the corruption that runs rampant in this world!

And then there's me!

The pod is mightier than the sword, too! I'm Macaron, lady of the shadows, working to expose evildoers wherever they may hide!

Hey! Stop copying me, Macaron!

What's your problem? I'm only introducing myself.

Yeah, but it makes me sound less impressive if you come along and say the exact same thing! We reporters need to make an impact!

But you've already made one! Without even looking remotely like a reporter, might I add!

Hey, are you makin' fun of me right now? Well, let me tell ya, these clothes are really comfortable and adaptive to just about any situation, and...

Hey, um...

Ah, sorry about all that! You've met Macaron before, haven't ya?

Yeah. She's your partner, right?

Yep, and my camera operator while I'm on the clock.

And on that note, how would you like to help me out with this report I'm workin' on? I need to hire some muscle.

Ah, sorry about all that! This is Macaron. She's my partner and camera operator.

(Macaron sure looks a lot like one of Cetie's pods... I wonder if it's the same model?)

You're Aldo, right?

Huh? How did you know my name?

'Cause a newshound's gotta be two steps ahead of the next scoop.

I heard you're pretty handy in a fight, and we could really use some muscle right now. You in?

This company I'm pursuing is pretty shady.

If I keep investigatin' them, there's a good chance they'll try to hush me up, if ya know what I mean...

I don't mind being a bodyguard, but if you're planning any more breaking and entering, I'm out.

Look, I keep tellin' ya, that was all just a misunderstanding! Sigh... Fine. Macaron?

"Cosplayer launches calculated assault on local corporation, steals confidential data."

You wouldn't want a headline like that makin' the front page of every news rag on the continent, would ya?

But that's, ! I mean, it's not even true!

No? So that's not you fleeing from EGPD in this picture? Looks pretty credible if ya ask me. So what are ya gonna do? Write an article to refute it? Cry about "fake news"? ...Or accept when you've been beaten and help us?

Okay...I'll help you. But if it turns out this company isn't doing anything shady after all, I'm out. Got it?

Aaand there's your pledge, caught live on film! No backin' out now, kid!

Sigh... So what's this report, then?

Basically, we're pursuin' this huge corporation called Izva Industries... We infiltrated their HQ and I acted as a diversion to draw EGPD's attention while Macaron here copied their data.

Take a look at this. It's a secret ledger showin' the flow of money between Izva Industries and its subsidiaries.

I'll tell you how this relates to my report as we walk.

Renri! I just finished overwriting EGPD's fugitive records. It should be safe to go back to Elzion now.

You can do that?

I can do just about anything! No more hiding in the shadows for you!

Right, let's go back to Elzion, then. The Gamma District is calling our name.

So anyhow, Izva Industries is a huge corporation. Everyone in Elzion knows their name.

What they don't know is that Izva's been accused of plagiarism and intellectual theft by a bunch of their smaller competitors.

Thing is, the majority of these lawsuits get withdrawn before ever going to trial.

Strange, don't you think?

Definitely. Why file a lawsuit only to drop it?

Each time, the complainant drops the suit after being contacted by one of Izva Industries' subsidiaries.

And according to this secret ledger we obtained...

Izva Industries makes a huge transfer to this subsidiary immediately after the suit is dropped. Every time.

Pretty fishy, right?

Yeah, that is pretty suspicious.

Now, the subsidiary in question is a wrecking yard... ...But people say it's actually just a front for some underworld outfit.

They say Izva Industries uses them to get the complainants to drop their claims by any means necessary... Threats, illegal negotiations, whatever it takes.

That's despicable...

Right? But I need more evidence before I can expose this scandal to the public...

...And none of the complainants would respond to my requests for an interview...

They've probably been forced to keep it hush-hush.

I was just startin' to think the trail had gone cold when the wife of one of the CEOs reached out to me. She wants me to try talkin' some sense into her husband.

Which means, we've got a house call to make.

Thank you for coming.

The pleasure is ours. So, where's your husband?

About that...

Ever since he dropped the lawsuit, he refuses to come out of the back room.

......

Um... Before we go any further here, ya DO know what kind of reporter I am, right?

...Yes. You're the kind who does whatever it takes to expose a scandal.

I called you here because I don't want him to spend another night crying himself to sleep.

So please talk to him. Even if you have to force it out of him. I'll do whatever I can to help.

You certainly seem determined. In that case...

OPEN UP, YA BIG CRYBABY!!!

What the, ?! That was totally uncalled for!

My, you certainly aren't shy, are you?

You're allowed to get angry, you know!

Hey! Who do you think you are breaking down my door like that! This is private property!

Yeah, well, I didn't think you were gonna be too keen on openin' it for us...

...Just like ya haven't been too keen on talkin' to anyone since the lawsuit fell through.

Why you, ! If you're with the media, then get out! I've got nothing to say to you!

That's fine. That's your decision.

But since we're already here, how about we dip the bills a little. I'm gettin' pretty thirsty.

How about no!

In that case, miss, might I suggest aiming your weapon at his personal collection instead?

W-Wait!

If you don't like it, then offer our guests something to drink. You used to try a new mix every day, but haven't had a sip lately...

All right, all right, if it will make you stop! Just one glass...

Great! Gimmie a glass of the...

No way! You know what you're like with that stuff!

What? She's a bit of a lightweight?

Nope, the opposite! The girl's like a sieve! She just keeps going and going, and it's totally wrecking her insides! You have to stop her, Aldo!

R-Right...

Oh relax, Macaron! I can't let him go it alone, can I?

Ugh... Fine. But just one glass, okay?

...And then the guys from that subsidiary told me they'd hurt my family and employees...

So what could I do? I... Sob...sniffle...

Oh, darling!

Well, that was simple.

Yeah. He was more loose-lipped than I thought.

They said if I told anyone, I'd be breaking my word...

They stole our ideas and technology that my employees worked so hard to create...

They're the ones at fault. So why are we the ones suffering?

I hear ya. Wouldn't it be nice if we lived in a world where criminals actually got what they deserved? But you know, it takes determination to stand up for what's right, and strength and skill to maintain it.

That's what you were lacking, and that's why you're suffering now.

So people like me will always end up crying themselves to sleep? Is that what you're saying?

Don't be such a drama queen! Your wife called me here for a reason didn't she?

If ya don't have the strength and skill yourself, you enlist the help of someone who does. How I wish I could have introduced ya to this lawyer friend of mine, but, well... Look, the important thing is, ya won't regret this. I promise ya that much.

Very well... I'll accept your help. Just please...make them pay. Let the world see what they've done!

Alright, the CEO pretty much confirmed our suspicions.

Yeah. So now what?

Now, we head to the Industrial Ruins to get our next piece of evidence. I'll tell ya more when we get there.

Chop chop! This corporate scandal isn't gonna uncover itself!

Gah! You filthy, underhanded coward!

Ouch, that hurts my feelings, you know? I haven't even done anything...yet.

Just swear to me you'll drop the lawsuit, and nobody needs to get hurt. Capeesh?

See there? That man surrounded by the drones is an engineer who recently sued Izva Industries. The tough guy shakin' him down is an executive of their subsidiary.

You can save the details for after we rescue him!

Already on it. Macaron, ya got the photos and videos?

You know it!

Then, let's go.

That's enough barkin' from you, Izva dog.

Wha, ?! Who're you?!

Renri, freelance reporter. You've been caught red-handed, chum. Why don't you talk me through what you're up to here?

Get lost. I ain't talkin' to no newsie.

You got a problem with me, take it up with the EGPD.

Why? So your handlers can line the pockets of some corrupt official?

No, I think I'm gonna handle this one myself. Ya see, I happened to get my hands on this rather enlightenin' cash book...

Do ya recognize this ledger?

That's, ! I, erm...no...never seen it before...

That so? Because your parent company, Izva Industries, seemed to be VERY familiar with it...

Y-Yeah? Well, I dunno what you're talkin' about...

There's a MAJOR power struggle brewin' at Izva Industries by the looks of things.

Everyone's out to drag each other down, even if it means exposin' the company's dirty laundry. Hell, this ledger was SENT to me by an Izva exec.

Wh-What?

Boy, I wouldn't wanna be one of the subsidiaries listed in here right now. If their patron loses in the power struggle, Izva Industries'll throw 'em under the bus real quick.

Those backstabbing, ! They can't treat me like this, not after the things I've done for them!

Oh? But I thought this had nothin' to do with you?

Just one question, lady. Is this information already public?

Nope. I've got the only copy.

Good...

'Cause as long as the evidence disappears, I'm in the clear.

Then you acknowledge the ledger is genuine?

Uh-oh! I think someone's planning to bump us off...

Typical underworld thug. They only have one way of solvin' problems.

Anyhow, thanks for your cooperation. You've just made my job a lot easier.

Looks like it's your time to shine, Aldo. Go do your thing.

Gladly. No one intimidates innocent people on my watch!

I'd take this opportunity to flee if I were you.

Grrr!

Renri! We're all good on the photos and video!

Heheh, perfect. Now how 'bout I let ya in on a little secret of my own, This ledger? We actually stole it.

Not the kind of evidence that would hold up in a court of law, ya know what I mean?

...So instead, I used it to bait ya into giving me more solid information. Thanks for bein' so cooperative, numbskull.

Why you...

Whether it was intentional or not, I can't imagine Izva'll take too kindly to ya rattin' 'em out. You could try to find a new outfit I suppose, but we both know how much reputation matters in your line of work. Ya really think anyone's gonna trust ya after this?

, Damn it all!

So let me give ya a choice.

Eh?

Either I publish this article and ya lose everything...

...Or you keep doin' what ya do and work as my informant on the side. What's it gonna be, tough guy?

Huh?

Ummm...

Renri! I thought we came here to help the CEO!

I already told ya, I'm willing to use any means necessary to bring these people to justice.

Sometimes that means gettin' your hands dirty.

Besides, I never made any promises to the CEO about writin' an article.

But...

...Can I trust you?

Yup. As a freelancer, my credibility's all I've got. I don't have any highbinders backin' me up. Give me the information I need, and I'll make sure none of what happened here goes to print.

How can you talk about credibility after betraying the CEO's trust like this?

Macaron, if you'd be so kind...

You got it!

Leave this one to Renri, Aldo. You and I have got places to be in Elzion.

Wait! I'm not, !

Sorry, Aldo, but I'll have to explain later. I promise I won't do anything you wouldn't.

...Alright.

So, what d'you wanna know?

Have there been any big changes behind the scenes lately? Like, a mysterious gang appearin' out of nowhere and expandin' its influence...or something?

......!

I'm impressed, newshound. Just how much do you already know about them?

Not enough. That's why I came to you.

Do you recognize this man?

Yeah, but I've only met him once. People say he's top dog in that outfit.

......!

Really?! Do you know where they usually operate?

Well...

......

Heheh... You just can't accept it, huh?

Of course not! We made a promise to that CEO!

Yeah, well... Hey, you mind waiting for Renri at the tavern? I have a li'l job to do. See ya!

Hey, wait!

Sigh... The tavern it is, then...

Sorry to keep you waiting, Aldo.

...It's fine.

I feel bad for offerin' him that deal without consultin' ya first...

Oh yeah? Then why'd you go through with it?

I guess maybe I should've taken the time to explain beforehand.

Hmm... Where do I even begin?

This is gonna sound hard to believe, but I actually come from another world.

Huh?!

Or, another time layer, I guess. It's like, another version of this world.

In my time layer, there's a huge syndicate that controls everything. Even the law-abiding world. A lot of good people suffered at the hands of their cruelty, and anyone who tried to stand against them met a bleak end.

Recently, this syndicate crossed the time layers into your world, and whatever it is they're plannin', it can't be good. To make matters worse, a friend of mine who used to be Macaron's master also got himself caught up with them.

A man named Cetie.

(Cetie? No, it can't be... The Cetie I know is a COA agent.) (Besides, if he came from another world like Renri, then this must be a whole other person, right?)

......

My primary objective is to reunite with this friend and ask him why he really joined this gang of criminals.

My other objective is to find out what the syndicate is up to and stop it.

I see...

I understand where you're coming from, but what about that CEO? Unless you help him, he'll...

Oh, don't worry about that. I left all my information in safe hands.

Huh?!

I never promised him I'd write about Izva...

But I did say that he wouldn't regret it.

And when I made that deal with the exec from the subsidiary company... I told him I wouldn't write an article about the incident... But I never said I'd destroy the information.

Come to think of it, you're right.

Some might call it a cowardly deceit, but if it works it works. Whatever it takes.

So relax. The CEO didn't speak out for nothing.

...Sorry for jumping to conclusions.

So? Did you end up getting any information about your friend and this syndicate?

Sort of. I know that he definitely came to this world...

But I couldn't find out anything about his whereabouts or what the syndicate is up to.

Still, progress is progress.

Right...

Hey, would you mind if I spent some time alone? Today was the first time I've ever told anyone about this...

It's dredged up a lot of painful memories. I might not be the best company right now.

(Poor Renri... Having a friend go and work for a criminal syndicate is bound to be a lot to process.)

Of course. Let me know if you need my help again.

Thanks, Aldo.

......

...... Now, then.

Dammit! Both COA and the EGPD?!

It would save us all a lot of time and effort if you'd just quietly give yourself up and come with me.

I have some questions for you concerning Izva Industries and allegations of blackmail.

That lying snake! She sold me out!

I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. COA collected this evidence ourselves.

No bad deed goes unpunished forever, you know.

Grrr!

Escort him back, will you?

(An anonymous email was sent to me saying to use the attached information for a COA investigation.) (The report had clearly been thoroughly researched. Everything was backed up with evidence.)

(I've been getting a lot more of these emails lately. Is it all the same person? And who is it?)

That's what I like to see! Renri's information being put to good use!

Aldo? Didn't Renri come to find you?

She did. We were talking at the tavern until just now.

She was telling me all about her friend from her home world and her plans to find him.

She said she wanted to be alone, so I stepped out. She's probably still there, if you're looking for her.

You left her in the tavern? Alone? Are you crazy?!

Huh?

She just wanted to get rid of you so that she could let loose!

She'll drink the place dry unless we drag her out of there!

She will?!

Come on, quick! We gotta go stop her!