GO-5 Scrap and Nail

There you are, Captain! Here, take a look at this blueprint. Occ has been saying it's pointless to design a new electrical transmission distribution valve.

But more and more big guys are gonna roll out from our factory to the other plates of Londinium!

I say we ought to make preparations ahead of time.

I don't want to hear people complain when they find that these things don't have enough power and torque—

'Those short-sighted idiots!'

Stop calling me captain. This is a factory; we're not in the Self-Salvation Corps anymore.

Besides, I'm sure Occ has thought about it too. It's just about saving costs where you can.

I know, I know... but it's the young ones coming after us who would have to deal with any problems.

I know how you feel, Martin.

But we have to take things one at a time. Closure shared a bunch of drone technology with us that I would love to put into our new four-legged crawler.

But problems like power supply and automation don't just solve themselves. It's all good to have them in the blueprints, but let's take one step at a time, starting with the present.

Let's do it Occ's way for now and get a basic version out to meet our present needs.

File your blueprint with the Londinium Industry Development Association. Don't lose it.

Its mission is to restore Victoria's technological superiority, with the support of Parliament. New ideas should be respected.

Whatever you say. You're a consultant for them, after all.

There have been so many new ideas lately that it's getting hard to keep up.

People are enthusiastic. They can feel that things are changing because of their ideas.

Yes. Factory production lines, a railway system that links all the districts, and walls and artillery that protect all of Londinium.

We can build them the way we want, with our own two hands.

I could agree with everything else, but please, not the way you want, Feist, or we're all gonna end up in one big amusement park, where the only form of transportation is ziplines.

Come on, that's just the one that drew the most laughs amongst the proposals that got shot down. Not all of my ideas are like that.

By the way, are you sure your factory wants to keep Occ in the core workshop? I heard he didn't get along with you at the old place.

Each factory has its own technical secrets, and there's been friction over competition for orders...

Well, that's true. Not all of our workers were in the Self-Salvation Corps.

But if Catherine could convince the other factories to join the association and share technologies, then there's nothing for us to hide—

Somebody! Help!

Matthew just got pummeled!

Have we met before, sir?

Not exactly, Madam Speaker.

The name's Matthew, a humble businessman who owns a little factory. I simply felt the need to speak up about the present situation.

You can write to Parliament, or seek assistance from the Industry Development Association. I have... other things that require my attention.

I have written to Parliament on behalf of a dozen factories that were shut down. My letter's gone unread for the better part of a month.

It was the decision of Parliament to shut down a number of factories. You know better than I the state of Londinium's logistics.

The burden of one factory's debt can crush hundreds of families in Sudean or Highbury.

We're just asking for the scales to be tipped a little towards us—even if only in a private manner.

Workers from factories that have been shut down could not even afford to buy medicine on the black market. An experienced line worker is worth ten pieces of machinery.

I believe in my workers. There is much that they can still do for the city.

Meanwhile, invaluable Oripathy suppressants are being wasted on dying soldiers on their beds in the Sanatorium.

What are you on about?!

Explaining the realities of economic—

You bloody—

I—

I understand why you're angry, Madam Speaker. I know... but someone has to say it.

I assure you it gives me no pleasure.

I was part of the Self-Salvation Corps that stayed in the city. You came with the Cautus girl, and then you left.

When the Exemplars came, and I learned from Catherine that you're their leader, I agreed to turn on the boilers to welcome you without a second thought.

But I didn't recognize you when I saw you standing in the middle of the street, dressed like a king, promising a better life for everyone on behalf of Parliament.

You knew that some promises could never be fulfilled. You chose to sacrifice some people to save others, didn't you?

We believed in you when we agreed to shut down and relinquish our Originium fuel. But now, we can only hope that we're not the ones being marked for sacrifice.

Not all problems can be solved by your fists... Siege.

Vina!

Let Matthew go. Please.

...Matthew's views don't represent those of all the workers.

Neither do mine, of course.

All I know is that a few friends have reached out to Rhodes Island through me, hoping to improve the state of equipment at the Sanatorium. We can't make new equipment appear out of thin air, but maybe we can make the existing kit more efficient.

Most workers still support the current medical system, I think.

No, you don't have to explain, Feist. I was the one who let the blood get to my head.

You have done as much as you could possibly do.

Improved medical equipment effectiveness, reopening the fast transport tunnels, the central heating system under experimentation... a lot of people have benefited from the changes in a short period of time.

It's all thanks to how you've given us the green light and fended off trouble for us in Parliament.

That's my job. How is Catherine?

Granny?

Well... I doubt she would answer, even if I asked. She won't even let people see her cough.

Otherwise, she's the same. Still busy, even though she's not working at the factory anymore. I rarely get to see her.

I had a conversation with her like this last month. She sat on this very chair, and turned down my invitation for her to become a Member of Parliament.

The secret workshop that you kept hidden from the Sarkaz, and the weapon inside—

Londinium doesn't need it anymore.

Yes, I have reached a consensus with Catherine on this matter.

As long as you and Catherine are able to unite most of the workers, it's not a bad thing for the weapon to stay under your watch.

Parliament needs oversight. So do I.

...

The system of Parliament is yet immature. We're still searching, and there are people trying to get something done through it.

But sooner or later, they must understand that the Parliament which revolved around the king is long gone.

Was it when the king was—er—

No... nothing changed with Parliament when he was hanged, other than power being transferred from the king to the dukes.

It was only recently that the surviving fellows of the Royal Academy of Sciences were able to resume work on the chronicle of Londinium—

A million words that took half a lifetime to compile and edit, encompassing every aspect of Londinium.

I never thought I would get to know my own home again from this angle.

It was only after reading it that I realized the city's resistance began a long time ago.

'When the Sarkaz gained control of the city, it was the Londiniers who still lived within who had, of their own accord, come together to maintain the city's core functions, irrespective of upbringing and status.'

The Academy's fellows see it as the precursor to the new Parliament.

Seems a little... far-fetched? But it does make sense, in a way.

But I see another side, Feist. During the war, we were able to set aside our differences, our own interests, in our struggle to survive...

Now, though, I'm not sure.

There are times that I can't even guarantee my own reason. I need someone to pull me back when I—

You want it to be us?

That was my promise with Catherine. It was you lot who gave me my sword, after all.

The war destroyed many things. Londinium needs your help in order to not fall behind the changing times.

Some of your ideas may create headaches in Parliament and the Royal Academy of Sciences, but that's not such a bad thing.

Hehe.

A city defense system that belongs only to us, automation that the dukes have long ignored, and a new deterrent for a post-Steam Knight era...

Your help is needed in all of this. And it must be for Londinium, not for any individual.

I don't deserve your trust, Feist, and neither does Parliament in its current state... send Matthew my apologies again, if you see him.

I will continue to lobby Parliament for policies that will improve the condition of workers.

The medicine that we purchased from the dukes is on its way. Things will get better, once supply routes are secured.

Hah, who dares threaten the dukes' cargo ships?

...I'll continue to communicate with the ducal representatives in the city.

We're here for you if you need any help.

Granny always scolded me for my fancies.

But she said nothing the day I brought back the proposals for the future from the Industry Development Association.

She retired from the line soon after, claiming health issues.

We like to dream about the future, Vina. We'll pull through.

*Bzzt*—

Late afternoon today, citizens witnessed the Speaker of Parliament, Alexandrina Victoria, put a scoundrel in his place.

It was reported that a gentleman had attempted to bribe the Speaker for his own selfish interests, which the Speaker rejected in the most direct manner possible.

Many citizens speak highly of Speaker Victoria's charisma and believe that she—

...

I guess we've finally learned to trust each other a little bit.

Whether you're confident that this supply route is safe enough for one person to manage... or that most of you have left Victoria, just as you said.

Some sign of trust when you have your little trinket in plain sight.

This is a city full of homeless, desperate people. Who knows if somebody won't get ideas?

Never said you're not part of the threat, of course.

Not that many people in Londinium remember Reunion's past.

Go ahead, check. Everything on the list is here, and I'll deliver the next batch of medicine on time.

You said most of you have left. What about Nine?

Left. Along with many people for whom there is no place in the city.

Our factories outside the city won't be affected, of course. And the routes you found for us will continue to be useful.

You're not going with them? Londinium isn't a great place for Infected anymore.

'Isn't a great place.' Spoken with true Londinier irony.

When I was little, I was fascinated by the Londinium in the storybooks. The palaces and the gardens where the king and the young princess lived, the adventures to be found in the maze-like factories.

Now I find that Londinium is no different from anywhere else in Victoria. It's no place to make a home.

I stay because somebody has to, and I like doing good, honest work. Besides, the treatment of the Infected in Londinium today is... not terrible.

Really?

I followed them because they saved my life. I'm not like those who are ready to die, who've already figured out how to die for something worthwhile.

Besides, in the end, it usually isn't worthwhile. Nobody deserves to die.

You saved a lot of lives. Thank you, on behalf of the workers.

Stop by Highbury the next time you're passing out pamphlets in the city. I'll see right through that disguise.

...

The goods check out. I'm off, then.

One more thing, Catherine...

Go ahead.

...If the rocks hurt at night, I know a few techniques to make you feel better.

I think you know... our medicine doesn't work as well as the stuff from the big pharmas.

Yes. It may fool the other workers, but it can't fool me. Same for most of the suppressants you can get in Londinium right now.

At my age, though, I don't have too many lucid days ahead of me. And I guess you could say I've seen worse.

One more day with my senses is one more thing I can do. That's plenty.

Our men have tracked down Reunion's hideouts outside the city, two major factories, and their supply routes.

Should we shut them down?

...

No need. Based on available information, they are not a threat to the citizens of Londinium.

Vina says she has personal reasons to be wary of Reunion.

But even she admits that they were a big help to us when they incited the citizens to oppose the dukes.

As for the gray market... just make sure we keep track of everything that's going on. Percival is not stupid. She knows what she's not supposed to touch.

The Reunion threat is much diminished now that their main members have left Londinium. Continue to monitor the situation.

I will even go so far as to say that establishing contact at a private level is an option, if there is consensus about improving the Infected situation.

Understood. We will continue to monitor Reunion activity without taking direct action.

I suppose I'm wasting you lot on this kind of work.

Of course not, Lady Delphine!

From the day we left the Duke of Windermere's ship, to setting intelligence work aside to focus on the assault of Londinium, and now...

...Do you miss the waters of Lynncardine?

It's hard to believe that you're leaving, Lady Heidi, after all the effort it took to return to this great city.

But perhaps it's time you returned to your father.

Back to Toron? Well... maybe I'll go further than that. My father is not the only guide I have in life.

Your advice has been most enlightening, of course, such as your story of dinner with the envoy of the Earl of March.

It's my pleasure to offer first-hand information to an aspiring novelist who is not involved in the political world.

Or perhaps, I will write my familiar homeland of Toron into the story of this terrible war in Londinium.

Yes, it can be painful to recall those shameful times, but someone must remember the heroic deeds we performed for the city.

Heroic... you're right. Maybe we're all heroes.

How about a love story: a girl from the Victorian borderlands falls in love with a young man who came on holiday, but the young man dies on the battlefields of Londinium.

In the end, though, the news of the young man's death turns out to be false, and he returns to her side a hero.

A brilliant idea, Lady Heidi. A love lost and found again, just like a city trampled by outsiders, but saved by our hands.

Hear, the orchestra plays. There is no wine or dessert, and the candles do not burn as bright, but the music remains beautiful.

By all means, join the dance. Leave me on this balcony with the inspiration you've supplied.

What about your friends here—

Uh...

An emissary from a foreign land, yet unfamiliar with Victorian customs. Surely you will forgive him?

Of course, of course.

...

Lady Heidi, is that right?

—Ah, I can show you around the place.

N—No, we shouldn't bother you any more than we already have. Thank you for the assist.

This place turns away no one. Next time, you should come in through the front door rather than the balcony, though.

Thank you for the offer, but... I'm not that interested in noble parties, to be honest.

Victorian noble politics was the first thing I studied before I came. I'm familiar with your customs, your attitudes toward the Infected, even your dance steps...

Setting aside whether a third-rate novelist would call herself noble... have you asked this soldier why she brought you here?

Sh—She didn't make me come here. I insisted on coming.

I apologize, Lady Heidi. He said he wanted to stay in Londinium and learn more about our Infected problem, so I was taking him around... in less-than-conventional ways, sometimes.

You can laugh if you want. You see how he is; not at all adept at lying or concealing his thoughts.

Rather fits the Pure Heart name, doesn't it?

Eliseo, representative of Pure Heart Medical?

I didn't expect our reputation to precede us...

It's easy to recognize the people who are interested in the Infected problem.

Less easy to see through the concerted deception of the nobility.

—Like how most of the people stepping onto the dance floor are Infected.

...

That's to be expected, in theory at least. The Originium particles that the Sarkaz spread don't discriminate according to social status. But...

Nobody will say it out loud. Nobody asks if they're standing next to an Infected. It's about appearances... and a dream.

...

You could call it meaningless self-consolation, at a time when basic livelihood is in question.

No, not at all.

Just different ways of living.

What is that?

The shadow of a synopsis... and a little extra information. I would like you to take it.

I have a feeling we will meet again, Eliseo.

Thank you.

If you don't mind me asking, though—you seem to be holding onto some pain that this banquet can't soothe.

I'm just missing a friend of mine.

There's one less person who will speak with me frankly, now that she's gone.

The Summit of Nations?

The Lateran is paying close attention to the events in Victoria. After all, this is a disaster caused by the Sarkaz.

However, the decisiveness that you and Parliament have shown on the Sarkaz question gave me hope for the city's revival.

Of course, His Holiness sincerely wishes to build the bridge of peace for the nations of Terra, in order to prevent another tragedy from happening.

You're not only here on behalf of His Holiness the Lateran Pope, are you?

I am but a humble Messenger, here to deliver a message to you and Parliament.

Then please send my apologies to His Holiness. I appreciate the kindness that Laterano is demonstrating, but Parliament is not in a position to address matters beyond Londinium.

Kindly inform the duke currently playing host to you that I am not going to Laterano in any capacity. As for his own plans, those have never been any business of Parliament nor myself, have they?

Of course. That's what Messengers are for.

Oren Argiolas. He was on Duke Gododdin's battleship during the war, but never participated directly on behalf of Laterano.

Just as I thought. Does Gododdin have a sweet tooth too?

If so, we don't have much for him here in Londinium.

So much for Parliament's day off.

One interesting tidbit. The Lateran Messenger went onto the ship with a group of refugees. He made an oath by placing his hand on his gun, in order to convince the Duke to accept the refugees.

And?

The scorching hot barrel gave him a blister on his hand.

Hah, that's out of nowhere. Is it important?

Day off.

Alright, I've been off. Now, which message should I read first? Investigation report on the Arts Circle remnants?

Oh?

Delphine, is this—

Hey, Vina! We caught those robbers you were on about and taught 'em a lesson!

Targeting frail Oripathy patients. Scum.

You know what's even worse? We got a bunch of cowardly wankers who wanted to join the ranks.

It's a good job you got the news quick and didn't give them a chance to grow.

I wish I could go out and move about.

Don't worry, I gave 'em an extra punch for you.

And I saved your share of the thank-you gift.

Wait, we're not collecting protection money—

When was the last time you had candy since we got back to Victoria?

Indra...

The lad who got robbed said he made 'em himself. A risk with every mouthful! It's not like you ever liked normal candy sticks.

He said he couldn't get his hands on regular sweeteners, so he's tried potatoes, carrots, Originium slug fluids...

I tried all of 'em. Didn't throw up or nuffin.

Sounds like a real pick-me-up. Can I try one?

Sure! There's plenty.

Are you okay, Vina?

Fine. I've had worse.

What about your Speaker duties?

Yeah, what are you worried about right now? New laws? Announcements? Reports?

Any work you need us to do? Especially the ones that involve punching which you can't do yourself.

I even took on a new lackey today! He's built like a straw, but I can teach him a few moves to defend himself.

It's time for Glasgow to rebuild. When can we go back—

...

...

I think it's time to give a public answer to the issues that concern our citizens. Most don't come to listen to Parliamentary debate, but they'll listen to the radio at the end of a long day.

The situation in the city is stabilizing. I've requested a third engineering team for Norport. Soon, our home will be back to the way it was.

BETTER than the way it was.

You can go back to Lynncardine, Delphine, once we've taken care of this business.

Diane?

Lieutenant?!

I'm retired... Sarah.

Oh, okay. Sir.

...

I thought you had declined the Sanatorium's invitation.

Just coming to visit, and to thank you again... I hope you don't mind.

I don't remember much, to be honest. The doctors say the rocks have gone into my head—your hands are trembling.

No need to hide it from me, sir. I haven't forgotten what you taught me.

Looks like addiction symptoms. From the war?

Excessive painkiller use. After that thing at the walls.

—!

You must stay. I'll go for a doctor. Maybe they can...

At least find you some—

More painkillers? Yeah, maybe that would soothe the pain.

That's why you're here, isn't it? Supplies are short, but maybe they can spare some.

Lady Delphine has been very good to the Sanatorium, and to us.

...

Just a moment. I'll be right back.

...

Phew—

Oh, where did he go?

Hey, watch where you're going!

...

Whoa, keep your distance. Something's not right with him.

The Speaker's office is... this way... argh...

He just toppled over! Another of those poor Infected sods?

Stay away from him! We're all goners if he shatters...

I'm... not... argh... my body... I can't...

I'll go get someone! Keep your distance, everyone!

...Lieutenant...

Lieutenant... Shearer... wake... up...

—?

...Lady Delphine?

I have been waiting for you, Lieutenant.

I saw the letter you wrote to Vina... but you avoided me, just like you refused my offer of treatment.

She never read my letter... did she, Lady Delphine?

I can guess what you wrote.

...

I'm sorry, but I can't help you here. We both know the state of medicine availability in Londinium. You can't stay here.

Where can I go?

Lynncardine.

No! I...

I wasn't asking, Lieutenant. This is an order. And don't give me that excuse about being retired.

I know why you hesitate. I know what you fear.

You're afraid to face the senior officers who betrayed and abandoned you at Irnclad Galavae...

You're afraid that you won't come good on your loyalty to me and my mother, and you're afraid to return home like this. Aren't you?

I... I don't know...

You're not as strong as you think, Lieutenant. And I'm not as weak, or noble, as you think.

Our home is Lynncardine. Not here.

The war is over, Lieutenant. This soldier should go home.

...

Don't be afraid. I'm going home with you.

Let's go.

(Sob) But how... how do I make it home, when I'm like this...

I'll take care of it. Did you really think I would abandon you just because you didn't come looking for me?

Thank you... Lady Delphine...

Will you return to Londinium?

Yes. I promised Vina. But she may have to wait.

I'll make arrangements for you to get treatment. We'll depart once I've taken care of what I have in front of me.

Yes, my Lady.

Lynncardine... I'm coming home, Mother.