10-9 Friends in Far Places

Get moving! Don't just stand there! Get a move on!

The general said we gotta be done with these materials tonight and get them sent to the station!

Ungh...

What are you crying for? You slacking off?!

Ahh... P-Please don't hit me... I haven't slept for three or four days now... I'm really tired... Agh!

Stop it.

Who are you, and what gives you the right to stop me?!

Lady Heidi...

Don't worry, just get behind me.

I see. You're the new girl who just got here a couple days ago. You're... a teacher? A journalist?

Whatever, don't remember exactly, but you're one of those good-for-nothing scumbags. A dime a dozen in Victoria.

Save the smooth talk for the rich and noble. It doesn't work on us Sarkaz!

*cough* *cough*... *cough*.

Y-You're bleeding!

If you want to kill me and my friends, then do it, but don't forget that there are some hundred pairs of eyes staring at you right now.

What are you all looking at?!

They want to see how you're going to deal with me.

You think we'd be scared of a bunch of prisoners?

Of course not, but work waits for no one. Isn't that right? You said it yourself. Your general wants these materials done tonight.

Heh, maybe seeing how you two is about to end up will motivate them some.

If they figure out what awaits them tomorrow morning, do you think they'll still willingly spend their last night on Terra forging weapons for their enemies?

You...! How'd you know that tomorrow...

I also happen to know why you must let us live through the night.

......

Hey, she's taunting you. Don't be a moron and spill all the beans. Let's get going. We have work to do too.

I don't take orders from you!

That change of clothes really helped your temper, huh? Remember who was crying for his mother when he was fighting the Victorian remnants not all that long ago.

Piss off, you loudmouthed merc. Your head's gonna roll one day because of that tongue of yours.

You'll have that jerk who's been yelling about everything in my ears to thank. Trust me, I didn't use to talk like this.

I'm too busy to be wasting time on you morons. Fine, I'll let these people live a couple hours longer.

All of you... and you in particular. No funny moves.

......

Listen up! The Sarkaz got no tolerance for slackers! Anyone who's not working wins a date with our blades! Got it?!

Now get to work, if you know what's good for you!

We're safe for the time being.

I-I'm sorry, Lady Heidi. You got hurt because of me...

I'm fine. Just got my dress dirty.

You're always so calm and graceful... It puts my mind at ease just knowing you're here with us.

Then trust me once more, alright?

Go back inside and stay with your friends. The Sarkaz still need you to do their work. They won't hurt us, for the time being.

As for these mercenaries...

We'd better stop watching. We got work to do tonight, right?

But...

Come on, no buts. Hoederer told us to come and do whatever the soldiers say.

Okay, stop staring at the wall. This place is the farthest from the entrance. Not even a bug could fly in here. Look here—

—See how sturdy it is? Let's go.

Forward! Forward!

Report, Commander! The 3rd is all ready! Confirming Exit No. 9 clear—

Confirmed! We can exit safely!

......

Rockrock, what are you doing here? You're still wounded...

Captain, permission to rejoin the team?

But the commander said...

They have Bill. He covered me... and I can't just lie down here when I don't even know if he's still alive.

......

I will rescue him, Rockrock. I promise.

You might think I'm not a suitable leader...

If he was here, he would say that you are.

He always believed in you. We all believe in you.

You do...?

But this mission isn't like the covert rescue operations before.

We might run into a bunch of Sarkaz warriors head on and find ourselves in unprecedented danger.

Rockrock, before you joined the Self-Salvation Corps, you were just the daughter of a train stoker who'd only graduated secondary school.

You're just a mechanic yourself.

Haha, that's true.

The Sarkaz call us rebels... Does that really make us an army, though? We're just normal Londiniers.

You're absolutely right. I'm very normal.

I never remember all the righteous talk the commander preaches. The only thing on my mind is how to keep my family alive.

Feist, I'm actually really afraid of the Sarkaz...

But I'm more afraid of you dying somewhere when I'm not looking!

I know, Rockrock... I'm afraid too. I'm afraid of dying, and I'm even more afraid I could get the rest of you killed.

Phew... Haha.

It feels much better getting it off your chest, doesn't it?

Now, let's go.

Doctor.

Indra and I will guard this place with the Self-Salvation Corps. Dagda and Morgan are rendezvousing with Amiya.

There's no hiding anything from you, is there?

It's nothing important. There are just certain things that we have to deal with sooner or later, and we needed a suitable time for them.

......

Are you all ready?

You've just arrived at the exit closest to the objective. From here to the factory, we'll have to cross two underground blocks.

Our squads are in position. They will make sure our trip to the objective goes smoothly.

I will leave you in command for the rest, Dr.Doctor.

Clovisia is a capable leader, and everyone has expectations of her and Amiya.

Doctor, There's been a lot on my mind throughout this journey, but there is still one thing that I haven't entirely thought through.

If there is one thing I have to take care of myself, this is it. If I can't even keep my closest friends in check, then what's the point of coming back here?

Doctor, we got a transmission from Feist. They've made it aboveground already. We need to rendezvous with them right away—

Right, we'll be ready.

Haha... I would like to know, too.

I wish you... a safe journey.

Blake, give me a report of the situation up ahead.

The path is clear, over.

Robben?

Sniper team is in position.

Good. How many hostiles?

I got twelve in sight. All of them Sarkaz.

What about their commander? Do you see him?

I don't.

Stay frosty. Wait for my signal.

Aaah... ah...

Ha... Haah... ah...

Benny, who's in that room?

Uh... the Self-Salvation Corps soldier they captured this afternoon.

Are they interrogating him?

The Sarkaz won't let the chance to get some Self-Salvation Corps intel slip away. That soldier... probably doesn't have much longer to live.

I hope he'll hang in there for a little longer. It won't be much longer now...

Are they here...?

No signs of anyone yet.

Then stay on the lookout.

How's Hoederer's search going?

The mercenaries are watching our prisoners in the cells. They've been working all day, but we have too many prisoners. It'll take time to check each one of them.

What's more, this guy we have in here is a stubborn one. We haven't managed to beat anything out of him...

Hm... Make good use of what time we have left, then. If he still doesn't give us anything...

Is it my time to shine, then?

Ugh—You, you...!

Put your blade down.

General! How did he...?!

Wait outside. I will take care of this.

Yes... Please be careful!

......

I'm sure you know that even if he actually tried to attack us, that blade wouldn't have done him much good.

Please... I would rather you stop startling my men. They're all fairly anxious as is.

Very well. We just didn't want to be late. Especially considering the guy inside isn't even breathing anymore.

You came at just the right moment, then.

Who's in charge of the south side of the factory?

Schwab's squad, Captain.

Schwab, huh...? He was in my squad five years ago.

......

Is that what you meant when you said I should pay attention to the shadows beneath my feet?

Get ahold of Schwab's position. No, have him come see me right now.

Benny, it's a little quiet outside the building, isn't it? Where are the mercenaries guarding the place? Are they gone?

Right, not one of them's still here.

They are acting quite strange...

They were strange to start with, no? The Sarkaz never made any sense, whether making friends or killing.

Don't say that unless you're trying to anger them.

Sorry, Lady Heidi... but I've been locked in here for two weeks. It's hard for me not to hate the Sarkaz.

No one blames you. You're doing very well.

Right, I heard the Sarkaz general paid us a visit at noon, with the mercenary leader.

Manfred did...?

Manfred... that's not good.

What's the matter?

This is a trap. Clovisia... and maybe them...

Are you worried that the commander will start the operation tonight? We need to find a way to get in touch with them... Uh... but it's been so many days, and we still haven't found a way to get any news past these walls.

......

No, I'm sure they've considered that this could be a trap. This might perhaps... be an opportunity too.

Benny, let everyone know that our operation might need to be pushed up. Anyone who can fight should get ready to fight.

But even if we can make it out of the factory building, it won't be easy to push through all the defenses outside the gate...

Then let's come this way.

A mercenary told me this wall here... is very safe.

Higher... A little higher... Yep, this is a nice view, stable and all.

Closure, what do you see?

Hm... Three entrances. Each of 'em have some thirty men standing guard.

The ones guarding the entrance to the east are all Sarkaz. So are the ones to the southwest, actually... Uh, different outfits, though. Looks like they might be mercs.

And there's the main entrance to the north... It's the Dublinn forces who're guarding that one.

Then there are also some five or six squads patrolling the campus, going about between each factory building...

Huh? Wait up... The south... like, the wall closest to us... This place's empty.

Empty?

Going by how things are laid out everywhere else, there should be a squad patrolling here, too... but there doesn't seem to be one.

Doctor, should we proceed as planned?

We need to rescue Lady Heidi, and we also need to get to Central Londinium as soon as possible... No matter the case, we don't have any time to waste.

We'll do as you say in this operation. Commander's orders.

We have someone to rescue too.

Doctor, I was going to say that no matter what your call is, we've got our operation... but my brothers in the 3rd are right. You're the commander.

Alright, Doctor. Dagda, let's go.

Roger that. Let's move!

No problem. Leave it to me.

Others? Are there other Rhodes Islanders aboveground?

Right, Mr. Feist. As soon as they get our signal, they'll know that we'll have an operation here tonight.

Do you see them, Doctor? I'm guessing not yet, right? They aren't close enough.

You said they aren't nearby? Uh, does the Doctor have some kind of special Arts?

What... That sounds like some amazing technology.

Doctor, you have to tell me more about it once we get back.

Doctor, you aren't pulling my leg, are you?

You have to have some kind of special terminal. The kinds with displays and all!

But if someone is here, should we wait outside?

No need. If they determine there's a need to rendezvous with us, it'll be after we head inside.

Then the problem at hand is still how we get inside...

Doctor, it's your call. Which way?

That's a wall...

Ah! I get it.

Closure, Mr. Feist, do you have any way for us to climb over there?

We could blow it up? We made a buncha new demolition devices. Couldn't have blown Londinium's outer walls, but they could work here.

Uh... it might be difficult.

Londinium's factories are usually built with reinforced outer walls. Unless you blow it up from the inside, it probably won't have as much of an effect as you'd expect.

Then... How about if I pack in some more firepower?

No, that'll attract too much attention. Morgan's efforts will go to waste.

Alright... I guess we should've had Morgan take some with her.

How about we use grappling hooks? Rockrock and I use them sometimes to hide from the patrols.

Johnny, bring the stuff over here.

You got it, Captain. I almost thought I was carrying it for nothing.

Preparedness averts peril.

I need Rock-5 to mark the position...

Oh, right, I almost forgot. Here!

Is this... Rock-17? Why do you have it?

Because I was working on it the whole time on our way up! Look, it's all done. It's got Closure's Seal of Quality on it!

Uh... I'm not sure my Seal of Quality is any good to you, though...

I checked it out. It's running well.

What's this ear?

I added it while I was at it! All Closure brand drones get one!

......

Crap... You don't like it? If you don't like it...

No, no need to fix it.

......

Thanks.

Nothing wrong with the drone, then? I'll take the Doctor, Johnny, and Gabby with me. Rockrock... Can you take Amiya with you?

Alright.

I'll launch the device, then—

Rock-17, aim!

Anchor secured!

Let's do this, Miss Rockrock.

Hold tight, Doctor. The wall isn't that tall, but they call these things ziplines for a reason.

Alright... Are we all ready?

This might be our only chance—

3, 2, 1—Launch!

Enemy sighted! She's got steel claws—

That's one.

You took a Sarkaz down with just one hit? Not bad, Feline. You in the Victorian Army?

Stuff it!

You're strong, not like those Dublinn weaklings. Very well, Feline, you're worthy of dying by my blade!

—Watch out!

Let's not jump to conclusions about who's dying by whose blade just yet.

Ahh—

Sarkaz, you can't imagine how much I want to end your life right now... Too bad my sword is broken, thanks to your friend there.

Dagda, snap out of it!

......

I know what you're thinking. You want revenge, right? This isn't the time. We promised the Doctor we'd make a ruckus, draw the enemies here, and then leave—

Heh... Feline, you've killed a Sarkaz or two before! Your life... a Sarkaz will claim your life one day!

I don't care about my life all that much.

If it was up to me, I wouldn't have run away from you people.

What's gotten into you? You aren't even dodging their Arts!

I can take a few more Sarkaz down before I die...

I shouldn't have brought you here... Don't forget, Vina's still waiting for you down below!

Siege...

If you want to die, suit yourself, but don't get the Doctor and Amiya killed! You'd bring shame to Vina's name!

Fine. Morgan, tell me. How much longer do we need to hold them?

Five minutes. Then the Doctor said someone would be here to pick us up.

There's a fight up ahead.

Right, don't know who they are, but looks like they beat us to the bunch, fighting the Sarkaz.

Blake, do you remember how I said I got away from Dublinn?

You said someone helped you...

Right. I didn't see his face, but I knew he's strong. So strong that he could walk into their campground alone even though there were hundreds of them.

Oh? If he was that strong, why'd he need such a ruckus?

It's not necessarily him, but he definitely isn't alone. There's a team who've been fighting Dublinn and the Sarkaz in Sudean.

Blake, I've never been so sure—

We aren't the only resistance members left. We... still have friends out there, spreading fire under the night sky.

Should we go help them, then?

No, we can't change our objective just yet.

Let's move up and sneak inside while our friends have the Sarkaz distracted.

Horn! There's a Dublinn team closing in on you. Watch out! Their leader is... is...

Mandragora.

......

Soldier.

A fire...?

Right. They reported to me they heard fighting just now.

Hm. Where are the guards?

Most of them are still here. They haven't been drawn away yet.

I knew it... They came prepared.

Should we proceed, then?

Let's watch the fire outside for the time being. Our operation has begun.

Have everyone get ready.

Remember. This is our only chance.

Hey you! What's this? Did you break the factory's machinery?!

Who let you in here... It's you?!

Hello there.

Heh, I knew you were planning something. Get over here!

Whatever I, of all people, might be planning shouldn't mean anything to a warrior like you.

Ever since the Steam Knights vanished without a trace, and the Knights of the Tower fell one after another, how many warriors are there in Londinium... no, all of Victoria, worthy of your attention?

What's with the flattery all of a sudden, Feline? Trying to get me to let my guard down? You underestimate the Sarkaz.

You're right. I can't kill you tonight. Not yet. But that's not going to stop me from sticking this arrowhead against your throat.

Ngh...

A pampered, high-class lady like you is going to bleed with just a little scratch to your throat, I'm sure.

Haha, I'll let you stand here and watch your friends die one by one. By next morning, you'll've bled completely dry too—

If... If my blood will satisfy you...

Take this!

Ahhhh! W-What is this?! My eyes! It burns!

Ugh––!

Lady, are you alright?!

It's just a scratch. It'll stop bleeding soon.

Did you see that? The Sarkaz fell for it! The reagent you told me to keep actually worked!

Let's have him lay down here for a little. Just taking his crossbow and knocking him out almost broke my hand...

The Sarkaz are a hardy bunch. If their eyes weren't always full of blood and hatred, he would've noticed you sneaking up to him.

Never mind... Benny, how is everyone else doing?

We did what you said and took over the factory. We probably won't be able to hold it for too long, though. The Sarkaz are on their way, and they won't fall for this twice.

We'd better hurry, then.

General, they're here.

Which entrance?

All three are under attack.

I'm not surprised.

What about the Dublinn forces?

They're fighting the rebels.

Where's Mandragora?

We haven't seen their leader.

I see. Perhaps she'd be interested in what is about to take place here.

What about Hoederer?

Er...

I'm here.

I thought you were meant to guard the southwest entrance?

Before I head back to the fight, there is one thing I have to tell you.

*cough*... hah...

An injured mercenary... Who is he?

His name is Schwab. We had some dealings with each other, but he betrayed me, leading to some unexpected hiccups.

Betrayed...? That's an awfully terrible way to put it. Hoederer... Have you forgotten who you are?

Maybe you're the one who's forgotten himself, Schwab.

We're mercenaries... Hah... we've never been... anything else.

Hoederer, she's here... I haven't told her about you... Now don't you see what a great friend I am? Haha... I really can't wait to see... the look on your faces...

I have no idea what you are talking about.

I have no need to listen to a traitor talk.

Manfred—

Hoederer, you needn't explain anything.

All I need to know is if you still serve me.

No question there.

Good, then. I have a new mission for you.

Rockrock, Johnny, Gabby... All of you landed? Good.

Phew... We've made it in. Doctor, are you doing okay?

Sorry, I haven't ever had a passenger, and all I could think about was what if the grappling hook couldn't support the two of us.

That's why I had to hold you so tight.

Closure, can you see what's going on inside?

I can see everything no problem, Amiya. Even the fur in your ears...

*Cough*, why is your drone so close?! I-It's too loud!

Besides... Why can I hear you speaking through it? Why aren't we using the comms?

The comms could be bugged! I mean, you said Sarkaz commander's a real smart cookie!

Not my Cloclo-1651 though. It's running an all-new security system. That's right. The one I was installing on the whole ship before we left...

Cloclo-1651?

Uh... Rockrock...? You don't mind, right? I kind of took some inspiration from your drones...

......

It's okay. I like the name... It's cute.

Awesome!

Cloclo-... uh, some number... start scanning! Our target—Heidi Thomson!

Target... The target's not far off. The target... Crap! Sarkaz troops! Enemies closing in!

Everyone, be careful. Get ready to fight!

What are you people doing here?

Watch out!

Are you... rebels? Like a finfish caught in a net... Haha!

Miss Amiya, there are a dozen Sarkaz behind him!

Rock-17—

Let me do it.

Black lines—You're the Cautus!

Warrior.

I will ask you this. Are you willing to surrender?

Surrender...? Cautus, what kind of joke is that?! Just watching you wield this power makes me sick to my stomach!

I'll never let you touch my emotions!

You've seen Arts like this before?

Don't make me laugh! All the Sarkaz here have seen it before!

......

I'd like to kill you myself... but before that, I have to tell the general...

Uh, someone attacked him from behind? A crossbow bolt... Where from?

Rock-17, aim!

Hello, my Self-Salvation Corps friends, and also... my Rhodes Island friends whom I haven't met.

Good evening, everyone.

Lady... Heidi?

That's right. We meet at last, Miss Amiya.

I don't have time to explain. Doctor... You're the Doctor, right? You're exactly as Kal'tsit described.

Yes... even your reaction is about what I expected. Doctor, have you thought through how we'll make it out of here?

Over here! They're here! Come—

Urghh—

Quiet down, Sarkaz. I won't let you draw the other fighters here that quickly.

Thanks, Benny. Where are the others?

Milady, we've taken the factory on the south side.

The methods you taught us are working really well... Even the frailest weavers are managing to fight off the Sarkaz guards.

Everyone's using the tools and machines they're familiar with, after all.

These factories are ours, Benny. The Sarkaz can't control everything here as easily as they thought.

Lady Heidi... I never expected you to be such a formidable fighter.

Miss Amiya...

Please, call me Amiya. Just like Dr. Kal'tsit does.

Okay, Amiya.

Kal'tsit taught me a lot of things...

And yes, that includes fighting.

Too bad I wasn't her best student.

I was never able to help her with much.

But I will do my absolute best to help Rhodes Island in this battle, just as I fought alongside the Self-Salvation Corps.

Another team of Sarkaz soldiers is coming our way.

Right, I don't want to be a killjoy... but things are pretty tense right now. There's not just one team... Uh, it looks like all the Sarkaz fighters in the factory are coming our way.

Right, Doctor. We did our best, but this bought us very little time.

That's why I need you to think of a way to get out of this right now...

A friend...?

And 'he...?'

Is it just a single man? Or a whole team?

Doctor, the Sarkaz soldiers that Manfred trained are very hard to deal with. They could be hiding anywhere... We mustn't let our guard down.

Everyone, I... I'm seeing something really strange! It's way too weird! The Sarkaz up ahead are fighting... Uh, I mean, they're fighting other Sarkaz.

Wait, are those... Sarkaz mercs?

It's the strange mercenaries... One of them seemed to have lent us a hand this afternoon, too.

Sarkaz mercenaries?

No, we can't trust them! They're the ones who took Bill this afternoon... *cough*! I...

Rockrock, calm down. You're still wounded.

I'm fine, but I can't say that about Bill!

Captain, help me out... They need to understand.

Lady Heidi, you said the Sarkaz mercenaries helped you. Could you be more specific about that?

It was like they were sending me a signal...

But I wasn't entirely sure...

What kind of signal?

......

......

All these Victorian soldiers... Should we kill them?

Bloody Dublinn! I'll...

Captain, why aren't you attacking?

......

Horn! Why are you stopping me? Have you forgotten how many of our brothers and sisters died at their hands?

......

What's going on? The southern zone's blown up? You mean, the entire wall? It could only be done from the inside... Dammit!

Hurry, let's back them up—

Is this the signal for us to evacuate?

Uh... The Doctor never told me anything... but since the Sarkaz are gone, I guess our mission is over?

You two should go on ahead.

Who's there?

You're with Rhodes Island...

I'm taking over from here.

Captain, the Sarkaz evacuated! This is the perfect opportunity! Should we head inside or...?

......

Let's go.

Horn, they're gone.

......

I was really worried about controlling myself, Horn... Thanks for holding me back. You're right. We shouldn't fight Dublinn here.

If we actually started fighting each other, the Sarkaz would've found us.

I'm surprised Mandragora could hold herself back, though. She was hounding us like crazy... What are they doing?

......

Forget Mandragora. She's not our objective.

Okay, Horn. What should we do now? Follow Dublinn inside?

Yes.

Everyone, we're cancelling our original plan. From here on out, we will stay dark.

Blake, you'll continue to be point man. If you run into any Sarkaz guards, take them down. Robben, you'll follow Blake and provide fire support when necessary.

Everyone else, follow me.

Do you see the opening up ahead? Our Dublinn friends left us that. We should take advantage of it when they're dealing with our enemies.

Remember, we came as a team of five, so we'll leave as a team of five. No... We'll leave this Sarkaz prison with even more of our friends.

Watch my hand signal—

—

Move out!

*Cough*... *cough*... What was that explosion? Miss Closure. That wasn't you, was it?

Error—Error—Restarting—

Err, it wasn't her. She wouldn't have blown up her own drone.

Doctor, is this part of your plan? It's a little... flashy, isn't it?

Doctor, is it...?

Look, someone's walking past the dust! It's... It's another Sarkaz! Rock-17—

Again with the weapons? Not to mention... More fresh meat?

Doctor, is this how you always greet your heroes?

Is this Sarkaz one of yours...?

Miss Rockrock, please keep your weapon trained on her.

C'mon, little bunny. It's been aaages! Are you really so heartless? That hurts... it cuts deep, you know?

Mr. Feist, please check for any Originium explosives in our immediate vicinity.

No time. We have people to rescue...

Aw man, what a shame. Looks like we don't have time for proper hellos.

C'mere, Heidi.

You're here for me?

Hey now, can't you at least sound a little more enthusiastic? We only just met, and it's not like you're the biggest fan of Doctor anyway.

If it wasn't for that stinking old bitch... the one you love ever so much, asking me to come get you, I wouldn't be here either.

Ask any Sarkaz here, I don't come cheap.

Kal'tsit sent you?

A Sarkaz mercenary... an explosives expert...

Are you... W?

Whoa, she told you about me? Should I be breaking down in tears of joy? Look at that, out of all my old friends running around, there's actually somebody who still cares about me.