CR-3 Masquerade

The meds are in the underground warehouse, sir.

As you instructed, we imitated them, set up a bomb, caused a little bit of chaos, and got the stuff.

Good...

You don't look happy, sir.

We need to get rid of the stuff... It's hard to not leave a trail, even if we change the packaging and sell it on the black market.

You think it'll get tracked down?

I got word that Rhodes Island sent someone with an... atypical background to make the delivery.

I noticed. The man looked familiar...

But old Pancho is in jail, and his people are scattered. Just being his son won't carry much influence.

Not necessarily. Someone from the city council let slip that Candela is looking for a successor, and the kid is a candidate.

But I thought Pancho and Candela...

Candela cares more about ability than a personal grudge.

What can we do?

Reynell's secretary shared some resources with us the last time he came by.

Yes... a few shops and warehouses.

Wasn't there a warehouse that belonged to a pharmaceutical company?

Yes.

One box of meds more or less won't catch their attention.

You mean, pin it on Reynell?

That's not how I would put it. They came asking for our help. It's only natural that we asked for something in return.

Apologies for keeping you waiting, Señor Ernesto.

No problemo, I just got here.

Excuse me, one...

I got your drink, Señor Burke. A double, right?

I'm glad you still remember what I like, after so much time away.

Our time together was much longer.

Here's your coffee.

Thanks. Mm... everything is just right.

After you left, there was no one who could take care of things like you could. Young people these days...

Have patience. You can change quickly in an environment like that.

By the way, Lady Candela wanted me to give you this document.

Document? Does she want me to do something for her?

No, it's what you're looking for.

I haven't even said why I'm here today.

Lady Candela knows the exact moment that you entered Dossoles. She knows that your shipment was stolen, and that you're anxious to get it back.

This is a record of all unusual traffic and cargo movement, including locations and persons involved.

I don't know how I can thank her.

No need for thanks, just don't forget us.

*cough* *cough*...

There's more dust here than cargo.

What's your mission, Ela?

The stuff here has been stuck in the warehouse for the past six months, with only a single watchman keeping an eye on it.

That's like an invitation for people to help themselves.

Yes, Miłosz says there are reports of stolen goods every day.

Are we tracking down where they went?

No, it's normal for stuff to go out, but yesterday the watchman got a call to expect a delivery of medicine.

Miłosz is suspicious and wants us to investigate.

Hostile intent?

Hard to say. I don't know what they would want with a warehouse like this.

Maybe Miłosz just wanted an excuse to get you and Shuhrat out of the way now that he finally has time to get something done with Reynell.

All he needs to do is ask, and I won't go within a kilometer of either of them.

You really don't like him, do you?

I just don't like having to watch him play golf on the balcony every day.

At least he kept his promise to behave.

...

This is where the clues from the document lead, but...

But it's just an old run-down warehouse.

There's a shipment of medicine coming to the warehouse in a bit. Let's see if it's the one we're looking for.

Only one watchman at the warehouse. No threat.

Once the truck comes in, Tecno is going to turn off the security systems and let us go in to check it out.

Well, we still have to wait...

(Yawns)

*yawn* Sleepy...

When is that shipment going to arrive?

I can't believe they're actually sending someone to inspect it. What for? The weather is so good, I just want to find a beach to lie down on, have a cup of coffee, listen to a song or two.

Dancing a soundless tango at night♪

Where's the CD? Ah.

Dancing a soundless tango at night♪

I can't see your face, only the warmth of your hand♪

Now this is life.

(He's not even trying...)

(If you want to sleep so badly, I'll lend you a hand.)

Oomph...

That was easy. Let's see, where are the controls?

I thought there was just one manager. Why are there four people here? Who are they?

The security systems are down. I have good news and bad news. The good news is that we know those meds are the ones we're looking for.

The bad news is that Reynell's bodyguards are here. Four of them, all in the warehouse.

I thought nobody ever came here.

Well, we've got a disadvantage in numbers... can you cut the lights, Tecno? Arleta and I might be able to sneak in under the cover of darkness.

Sure, I could try...

It's off.

Alright, we're moving.

Well, this guy knows how to live alright. Music and coffee... is that this year's crop?

(Sniffs)

It smells good…

Ouch! Too hot!

Shoot, spilled it all over the keyboard.

Where's a napkin when you need it?!

When is it coming?

Don't worry, we have time.

...

I guess that's normal for an old warehouse like this.

Dancing a soundless tango at night♪

I can't see your face, only the warmth of your hand♪

...

Fuze, check out the control room.

In a dark corner♪

You step on my toes, but I'm head over heels♪

Shouldn't have drank that stupid cup of coffee!

(Someone's coming...)

(I need to hide.)

Excuse me?

The watchman has been knocked out. There are signs of sabotage in the security and lighting systems.

Someone has infiltrated the warehouse.

They spilled coffee and pressed the wrong button... not a professional, from the looks of it.

(Ugh...)

I'll try to get the lights back up.

(Looks like Ernesto isn't in yet. Got to put you to sleep too then, big guy.)

Hm?

(Oh, he's fast!)

A kid?

Not so fast!

What?! This kid's stronger than a grown man!

I'm not a kid!

Oof—

Walking on the streets, we let each other's hands go♪

Far away you go, never seen again♪

I'm left alone, searching in the dark♪

Oh, the silent, unfinished tango♪

(Whisper) Stay close.

(Whisper) Alright.

(Whisper) Fuze?! He's not answering.

(Whisper) Should we look for him?

(Whisper) No, I'll go. You wait here for the truck. There must be more than one infiltrator.

(Whisper) Be aware that we can't use lights if someone is lying in wait. We'd be sitting ducks.

(Whisper) Do you want to use my night vision goggles?

(Whisper) You hold on to it. I'll be careful.

(Damn... where did Arleta go? I told her to stay close.)

(It's just so hard to do anything in the dark.)

(Was it this way? I might have taken a wrong turn. There shouldn't be another corner.)

So many times, brushing past each other♪

(There shouldn't have been a corner here! Not this way!)

So much searching, so much lost♪

Maybe we'll see each other again, at the next corner♪

(I hope not.)

(Whisper) Ernesto?

...

(Uh oh, I lost him.)

Who's there?!

(Whisper) Did the girl not realize she was walking in circles around the same wall?

(Whisper) Not everyone has night vision. Say, I think I've seen her before.

(Whisper) She was in that art community yesterday... should we leave her here?

(Whisper) I think her friends will come for her. I'll wait.

(Whisper) Alright, I'll look elsewhere.

(Mm... he's heavy.)

(I should have stuffed you in the cupboard with the other poor bastard.)

(Why would people from that neighborhood be here? This doesn't make sense.)

(*sigh*...)

(What's that noise?)

(Hm?)

So many times, brushing past each other♪

So much searching, so much lost♪

Maybe we'll see each other again, at the next corner♪

—!

Freeze!

Doc?!

Gustave?!

Tecno?!

Well, you can blame your bad luck!

What is that?

Arts flash! Get to cover, Ela!

Wait, Tecno, don't do it here—

No wrong moves, girl! I've got your friend here!

Oh no, they've got Arleta!

Hmph, we have a hostage too.

Shuhrat!

(Whisper) Well, this is awkward... how did we end up here?

Maybe we can exchange hostages and each go our own way?

Wait!

What are you doing here?

We have to find out who's been using this warehouse for smuggling. What about you, girl?

Looking for the meds we lost.

We've already said we didn't steal the meds.

Really? Then what are you doing here?

I told you, we're trying to find out who's smuggling stuff into this warehouse. What about you?

I said, this is where our meds are!

You people are just impossible!

Hey, anybody home? Your stuff's here!

Man, all the way out in the middle of nowhere...

...

So... if we all want to know what's up with that shipment of meds, why don't we ask the guy who's delivering it?

...My head hurts.

There you are, big guy. Here, ice for that bump on your head.

Y-You're the kid who attacked me?

Call me a kid again, and you'll get another bump on the back of your head.

What happened?

They found the meds they lost, so the misunderstanding with us has been resolved...

Meds? Misunderstanding? Resolved?

It wasn't so hard persuading that poor driver to cooperate, after all.

Wha... I'm even more confused now... where are we?

Come, see for yourself.

Here's your medicine. Careful with it.

Th-Thank you...

What's your name? Check it off the list.

Mike... there.

Two portions left.

Let me check the list again. Maybe someone forgot to come... see if anyone hasn't signed.

The last two are mine.

Here you go.

*cough* I-I'm sorry about today. We didn't know someone else was behind the robbery...

It's ok. Glad to see that the medicine ended up in the hands of those who need it.

Gustave told me that a lot of people here are afflicted with a special condition that requires these suppressants to control.

So... wasn't that Capitán at odds with Reynell? Why is he stealing our meds to suck up to Reynell now?

Miłosz told me that he's after Reynell's development rights in this district.

And what if he gets it? Reynell had the rights himself, and he couldn't do anything about us.

Good thing too. It would be a shame if the local culture here got replaced by hotels and casinos.

You've only been here half a day, and you're talking like you know the place well.

And in this half a day, everyone who came for their medicine was trying to promote their artwork to me.

People have to eat, after all... what's that on your arm?

A braided wristband. I didn't plan on buying it, but then I saw the kid's hands full of needle marks...

(Whisper) Who could be so clumsy?

What did you say?

Uhh... I mean... would you like to take a break in my workshop?

50 million Columbian gold certificates! 50 million going once, 50 million going twice!

Sold for 50 million gold certificates!

What did you say? The warehouse that kept losing stuff? Which one?

The one from the pharmaceutical company that shut down six months after you acquired it.

I seem to remember something of the sort... so, some people stole meds meant for that neighborhood, framed you for it, then tried to sneak those meds into that warehouse.

To be precise, they tried to frame you.

What do you want me to do, then? Thank you for resolving the misunderstanding?

There's no need for that, Mr. Reynell.

Miłosz says you're leaving the accommodations I arranged for you. Have you found your friends?

No, we just found another place to stay.

Where?

That neighborhood.

There? Not that I'm against it or anything, but why?

I saw something interesting.

This is my workshop. There's a lot of space here. I work together with other artists, looking for inspiration, sometimes exhibiting our work.

Are those wet papers abandoned drafts?

No, they're finished artwork.

Finished?

There's a guy who leaves his paintings outside and lets the rain dissolve the paint. The work isn't finished until that step is done.

Hm...

The man who's flexing his muscles... is he looking for inspiration?

Strictly speaking, he's a work of art too.

Performance art?

Read the plaque in front of him.

'Name: Pepe Turrión. Artist: Pepe Turrión's parents.'

'Description: Six months after creating this work, the artists abandoned it in the suburbs of Dossoles due to lack of economic value.'

'Little could they imagine that Pepe Turrión would become one of the greatest masterpieces of Dossoles twenty years later. Eat shit, jerks.'

Wow...

I am the greatest Originium Artist in Dossoles. Would you like to see my Arts?

Is he better than you, Tecno?

No one's better, when it comes to Originium Arts.

Hm.

Be careful and don't hurt our guests.

Of course.

I thought Arts was about flashing lights and fireballs... that's Originium Arts?

What is this, if not Originium? What did I demonstrate, if not arts?

I... see...

We're here.

My biggest work lies beyond this door.

I think I've said this not too long ago, but I want to say it again—nothing could surprise me now.

Two mannequin heads? So big?

Those are just the heads. You haven't seen the bodies yet.

They'll be dancing the night our arts festival begins.

They will dance when the twin moons begin to set, and the sunlight has yet to shine.

They will be the center of attention, the stars of the show. They will turn and pirouette on the streets, stepping in tune and gracing the entire community.

A beautiful picture.

I'm sure many people will be dancing with them.

No, maybe...

...I don't know.

You don't know?

Nobody has danced in a long time, ever since that dance hall fire.

I told you, they've got innovative structures, deep emotions, delicate expressions.

Interesting... you've piqued my interest in what those people are doing.

If you're going to that neighborhood, will you see what they're doing on my behalf?

I thought you weren't happy that they planned their arts festival on the same day as your opening ceremony.

Doesn't mean I can't be interested in what they're doing.

I can observe what they're doing on your behalf, but I have no reason to intervene in your conflict with them.

Of course not! Not that I wouldn't appreciate it if you could convince them to change the date.

I can't make you any promises.

You can't succeed if you don't try.

Anyway, I'm surprised you're willing to learn more about what they're doing.

...

You wouldn't be surprised if you were willing to learn more about me.

I thought...

Collection No. 257, antique music box, starting price 15 million gold certificates. Any bidders?

Shh... I have to focus.

(Raises bid card)

20 million! Anyone else? 20 million!

(Raises bid card)

Er... same bidder to 25 million?

(Raises bid card)

There's no one bidding against you.

(Raises bid card)

I don't care what anyone else bids. I just want to raise it to the price I think it's worth.

I-I apologize for my rash decision...

But we didn't think they would have the nerve to openly insult Coalition government forces that...

I-I understand! Next time—there won't be a next time!

I'll accept any punishment if this happens again! You can fire me, court-martial me, anything!

Capitán...

Shut up. Now the brass knows about that stupid truck driver.

They stripped him naked and dropped him at our front door. The brass considers it an open insult to the Coalition government.

They asked whether our relationship with Reynell can continue, whether there is hope of obtaining the land. What am I supposed to say?

Stupid, incompetent idiots.

Capitán, Reynell's secretary is here... do you want to see him?

Show him in.

If you're just here to complain on Reynell's behalf, you can save it.

Of course not, Mr. Mateo. Reynell is satisfied with your efficiency. You were just a little... reckless.

There are many Infected in that community. Stealing their medicine is one way to take them down. But you must understand that, if many Infected die because of it...

Making a big mess does none of us any good.

We understand. What else did he tell you?

What he means is that, if you were too reckless before, perhaps a more cautious approach now can bring about a peaceful resolution.

We've gotten to this point, and you want me to negotiate with those people?

No, Mr. Mateo. There's no need for you to worry about it. Mr. Reynell has already sent someone to do it.

Who?

Miss Ela and her squad.

You're familiar with them, no? Your men have had dealings with them, and people have even confused them with your men.

We have an agreement, Miłosz. Don't forget it.

No need to get excited, Mr. Mateo. Reynell doesn't intend to terminate his cooperation with you. He just asks for cooler heads.

We can talk about the land once you're calm enough to do so.

Is there any message that you would like me to deliver to Mr. Reynell?

...

I take my leave, then.

You were playing games with me, weren't you, Reynell?!

You're dead, Reynell, DEAD, if I don't get that piece of land from you!

150 million? He bid a music box to 150 million on his own?

He may be eccentric, but he shows respect to what he considers art, in his own way.

It sounds like you're starting to change your mind about him.

I've never made up my mind about him, Meijer. He's not easy to make up your mind about.

Is that what makes him interesting?

I'll admit that he's not your traditional, boring art dealer.

That's saying quite a bit, coming from you. You're not big on compliments usually.

What now? Will you continue to work with him?

I'm not sure... but I'll think about it.

Come to think of it, we couldn't have adapted to this place so quickly without his help.

We did save his life, so we're even on that.

*sigh*...

Hey, Ela... do you have a moment?

Of course. What is it?

Papá wants to see you.

Mr. Diaz? Why?

He has some questions for you.

Very well, I'll go and see him.

And just so you know... he might act pretty... angry.

He wants to intimidate me.

He may not admit it, but... yes.