11-5 Equivalent Exchange

Lady Golding, at last, you're back!

Did I make it in time?

Of course. You've rehearsed this play for well over a year, and this is the first time the children are performing the whole thing. We couldn't possibly start the show without you.

I must find myself a good seat, then.

Children, are you ready?

Ready!

Let's begin, then.

Lights—

Good morning, sir! There is a look of concern on your face. Is something worrying you?

The horn of victory has blown atop the walls for three days and nights, but why do I feel uneasy?

Has our great general not returned triumphant? Praise his bravery and fearlessness!

Bravery? Fearlessness? Perhaps. But you did not see the light in his eyes when he returned? When he gazed upon the crown, he was like a condorwing circling above a limping meatbeast.

Greed can send the most kindhearted man straight to hell.

And the masses will forever believe he reaped only what he had sown.

These are our terms, Miss Allerdale.

You need certain... 'goods' transported into Londinium, and this is nothing like what we usually carry. Both the quantity and the weight... are highly unusual.

I shan't ask what it is you need transported and why you need them brought into the city, but you must know that the risk we will carry for transporting them is immense.

And I'm certain you know there are not many men out there who can do this for you.

The Sarkaz keep a close eye on all ports of entry. Should they learn of this under-the-table deal, not one of us will leave Londinium alive.

Even if your background and the greed of your friends watching your back are enough to keep your lifestyle in Central Londinium as is, I'm afraid they won't help with this affair.

If you want this deal to go through, you must put something worth the risk on the table.

......

Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Mr. Bader. I will consider your proposal.

Time waits for no one. You must make your decision soon.

Their asking price is high.

We've discussed this situation. The Royal Mint is in Sarkaz hands. News of this must've already spread throughout the entire country via the Magna bankers.

Merchant smugglers are worried that the payment they earn will be worthless by this time next month. Naturally, they demand a method of payment that will keep its value in the long term.

You intend to accept his terms?

Mr. Bader was right. 'Time waits for no one.'

We have at most five more days to prepare. If we are to ambush the Defense Forces' command tower, we need to bring more weapons into the city.

But... what they demand is very dear to you.

......

Hah.

But this is the position we are in, Clovisia.

This is the position I am in.

How would you figure what it means to me?

I'm afraid...

No, I can say this for sure. Your speculations are all wrong.

Do you think of me simply as the magnificent Duke of Cumberland?

You likely weren't even born yet, but I...

I saw them hang Victoria's magnificent Lion King in the palace gardens with my own two eyes.

My name is Cumberland, and everyone knows Cumberland was His Majesty's most faithful friend.

Do you think the reason I stand here in front of you completely unharmed is because the bigwigs in Parliament had mercy on me?

Even now, I still regularly attend Lt. Colonel Lettou's cocktail parties. My words still carry some weight there, and they still need me to soothe the masses.

Of course, this is for our cause. It is also my own means.

I understand your sacrifice. Without your protection, the Self-Salvation Corps could not have made it to this day.

I'm not a girl anymore...

That thing in the attic means nothing.

It is a pile of scrap.

...Ailshie.

Make the arrangements and have it brought down from the attic.

......

You disagree with my decision?

I dare not speak, Miss.

I demand it of you.

Lady Allerdale, no matter what you say, it... it's still House Cumberland's steam armor!

The blood of your ancestors—that most esteemed Duke's blood flows within that armor. It is an honor that Victoria bestowed upon House Cumberland, and it is the symbol of your house, 'Ever on High.'

It can be destroyed in the flames of war, it can be given to another who is noble and unsullied. It can't... It can't be traded to a greedy merchant.

You don't think Mr. Bader is worthy?

An ancient set of armor! Treated as a lowly collectible! And then traded away at a bargain price for just—

Ailshie, you've been at my side all these years, ever since I was born.

We've kept the long fallen 'House Cumberland' alive.

My house was built on nothing but a bunch of empty words. 'Glory,' 'loyalty,' 'nobility,' or perhaps, 'benevolence?' But none of them hold any meaning today.

It's you and I upon whom this house now stands.

I understand, Miss.

Have we gotten a letter from them today...?

Not yet.

......

You know? The music of the past... as if it still rings loud in my head.

This manor once hosted a king, but where is he now?

......

My apologies, Your Highness—

...Call me Vina.

Welcome, Vina.

I've returned from patrolling with the fighters.

You're still willing to go on missions with the fighters of the Self-Salvation Corps. Splendid.

I want to do as much as I can.

It's more than enough for the men to simply know you are here.

I've heard from Clovisia...

Hah, the attic is absolutely cluttered with rubbish. I've got to pull myself together and clean up a bit.

Lots of dust there. I mustn't have Your Highness helping me with such things.

......

Allerdale.

I don't want you to sell the armor.

Is that an edict from Your Highness?

I have no right to issue one. You're the one responsible for the Self-Salvation Corps, not me.

You know better than I what's right for the Corps, and I understand that the armor can buy us an opportunity.

But... Please give me some time.

I will find a way.

Vina... You needn't worry yourself over this.

Is that an order from the Self-Salvation Corps' Auchterigg District leader?

Very well.

If nothing ever happened, perhaps...

Never mind, it's all in the past.

Lady Heidi!

What is it? Do we have any news from Golding?

Yes, she just sent us a message through the transmitter at the bookstore. It's been forwarded to your terminal.

Good... Very good.

She says she's safe. Everything in Auchterigg is proceeding according to plan.

Please send a reply. The Doctor's squad has successfully slipped past the checkpoint and infiltrated Highbury. Thanks to the mercenaries working with Rhodes Island...

Catherine, there's a problem with the conveyor belt at Loading Area No. 9!

Let's have a look.

......

There's a loose nut.

Patto!

I'm here.

You're on shift today, and we're running shorter and shorter on time. What are you doing?

If we don't speed things up, the Sarkaz will smear your brains across this steel here!

Sorry, Catherine.

Now hand me the spanner.

Okay...

Here.

Quick on your feet, all of a sudden...

......

You.

Long time no see, Granny.

I'm back.

......

Patto!

Catherine...

See your team leader after work for a write-up.

What?!

You let unauthorized personnel into the factory's most important landing zone. You're lucky you haven't been sacked.

Granny, this isn't Patto's fault. It wasn't him who let me in.

Good. Patto, bring Tommy and Day with you to get written up. I'd better not see a single one of you trying to wiggle out of this.

......

You, and the strange character from god-knows-where next to you...

Come.

Sir, why is the palace so quiet?

Palace? What palace?

You are facing the outer walls of the palace.

Move aside, big heap of metal. You're blocking the sunlight.

I'm facing nothing but an empty house.

I am a Steam Knight. I purge all evil and injustice!

Young man, it's over.

No, it is not, nor shall it ever be!

So long as we still know what is right and what is wrong, so long as we never hesitate to make the right decision, it shall never be over!

I made my way here precisely for that reason. I invite all men to join me!

Even you have yet to relax your tightly clenched fist, am I right?

Amiya, our cover's blown!

How many hostiles?

Recon operators report four mercenary patrol teams headed in our direction.

We have to pass through the district to reach the Defense Forces' command tower.

And we've only just made it inside...

The Sarkaz forces are way too quick to react. We're being ambushed.

How is the backup route looking?

If the mercenaries have been lured to the front here...

No, it won't work!

There's another squad coming up fast! The Self-Salvation Corps just spotted them!

What did they say?

They had a run-in with this squad when they evacuated from Sudean! They say these Sarkaz fight... well they're...

Inhuman.

The Vampire's men...

Notify all units. The operation has been cancelled. Prepare to pull out immediately.

There's no time. The Vampire fighters are moving way too fast... The Self-Salvation Corps has engaged them!

Change of plans. We're aiding the Self-Salvation Corps!

Where's the Cautus?

What Cautus?

Don't play dumb with me. She's been with you lot the last couple days.

I've no idea what you're talking about, and I'm not talking. Not even if you kill me.

Another stubborn bunch.

Urghh—! What's this... Bugs?! Bloody...!

Hang in there, friend!

Back in formation. Don't let the bugs on the ground separate you.

Defender operators, cover our allies' retreat!

Rhodes Island and the Self-Salvation Corps came here together, and so we will leave together!

We have a signal, Amiya!

Good.

Casters! Hold the shield with me!

Everyone else, get to the corner!

Nngh—!

There's too many of them!

Stop.

Casualties?

We're fine. We got out quick enough.

I hope we've delayed the Sarkaz, made things safer for Allerdale and Siege...

Thanks, everyone, especially our Self-Salvation Corps friends. Thank you for being willing to take this risk with us.

Commander Clovisia calls Rhodes Island our most important ally. We're always ready to do what we have to.

Plus, if this Rhodes Island operator here hadn't helped us, that Vampire would've done all of us in a long time ago.

No need to thank me.

I've seen too much meaningless killing in Londinium. I must stop my compatriots who have gone too far.

Sorry, Doctor...

I had, er, a little fight with Granny when I skipped out of the factory last year.

I guess Granny is still sore at me...

I've got no reason to be sore at a dead man. I didn't even know my only grandson was still alive, 'til a minute ago.

I wanted to send a message, but it was too risky. The Sarkaz monitor all communications into Highbury.

I can't let the Sarkaz tie you to the Self-Salvation Corps.

So you joined that band of crackpots.

...The Londinium Citizens' Self-Salvation Corps.

We did a lot in Sudean, Granny. The Sarkaz control the media, and they call us an 'unnamed violent gang'...

You're the ones who blew up the wall.

Er... it was the Do...

Right... it was mostly the Sarkaz who did it.

Thanks, Doctor.

I didn't know you had such high regard for my rope work.

So you're here to blow up the armory?

Of course not!

What did you say to your Self-Salvation Corps friends? We're making weapons for the Sarkaz, to use against Victorians?

No, Granny. What I told them was...

My granny stands up to protect their livelihoods.

......

I know you think I'm a brat with little more than a couple of silly tricks.

But I didn't come back to drag the workers into this. And I'm not here to try to convince you, either.

I have my goals, of course, and it'd be brilliant if you were able to help me. But first—

I just wanted to see that you're safe.

Come here, and let me have a look at you.

Granny...

You've put on a few inches, brat.

Yeah, I grew a little bit.

I'll have the goods soon.

A suit of steam armor... how many men would kill to get one like it?

The nobles of Leithanien love to flaunt such storied antiques.

Oh, and do be sure to ask those Columbian firms as well. They might be interested, even if the tech is centuries old.

Getting it out will be no trouble at all. What business do you think I'm running in Londinium these days?

The Sarkaz are a gang of raving psychopaths, and they alone can't rule Londinium.

I have friends in the Defense Forces. They'll take care of it for me.

I've heard it has a few external blemishes, however. I do hope that won't hurt the price?

Why not cancel the deal, if you're so worried about the price?

Who's there?!

Don't worry, we just happened to be traveling the same way.

Get this intruder out of here!

Say... where are my bodyguards?

I've asked them to take a short nap. You can go and wake them once we've finished our chat.

All of them...? Against just one of you?!

One? Oh, my, no.

Look behind you.

You... this is Londinium! I've got friends in high places!

Oh? Where are they? Do tell, I bet I'd get on famously.

Eek! D-Don't do anything rash, now!

Play nice with us and nobody has to get beat.

Whatever Siege says, you do.

Otherwise, my claws won't be aimed at the wall next time.

A-Alright! I understand!

...Seriously?

You really got into it there.

I learned it from you lot.

Now then, let him go.

*whimper*...

You can open your eyes and put your hands down now, Mr. Bader. We're not going to hurt you... at least not yet.

What do you want?

My terms are clear. Cancel the deal for the Cumberland steam armor.

And you'll let me go if I agree?

Yes.

But I'll make sure you keep your side of the bargain.

Show Mr. Bader our map, Morgan.

With pleasure.

The marks on the map... those are my warehouses! How do you know about them?!

You don't pay much attention when you're out and about.

You shadowed me?

Correct. The Sarkaz cannot be bribed. If they learn that you've smuggled so much contraband into Londinium through your 'connections'...

How helpful do you think your friend will be? Will he be in any position to protect you?

......

You're considering tipping off the Sarkaz.

That may well get us all killed, but they won't have to know anything if you continue to work with us.

Do I have a choice?

I understand your circumstances, and I appreciate the opportunity to work with you. You will be compensated fairly.

Wait a second...

What is your relationship to Allerdale Cumberland? Are you her attendant? I can't imagine House Cumberland is in any position to hire one...

Watch your mouth! The Cumberland serves Vina, not the other way 'round!

She's the daughter of a duke! You don't mean...

No. I'm nobody.

Lady Cumberland and I are comrades, along with thousands upon thousands of Londiniers who long for peace.

I do hope you're one of them, Mr. Bader.

All those loyal to this land stand with me. The final battle against evil lies before us.

Children... do you live here?

Hide not in the corners and shadows. Even if you cannot hold a sword...

There is more to being a warrior than simply holding a sword. Open your eyes. Watch, listen, think.

Tell me what is right, what is wrong, and what kind of life you wish to live.

I march onwards, with you as my witnesses.

Brilliant! Look how good Ralph is, Lady Golding... how much he's grown. And to think he was a mischievous little beastling just four years ago!

Yes, I'm delighted. A handkerchief, Molly?

Handkerchief? Oh, yes, I can't stain my clothes with tears in front of the children... Oh, but I just can't stop crying, to think that Ralph and the other kids will be leaving school so soon...

It's time for them to have a rest. And us, too.

Yes, the final scene... that's the best part.

Who's clapping?

You didn't invite anyone to the rehearsal today, did you?

......

What a splendid performance.

...Lt. Colonel Lettou.

I didn't think the Commander of the Defense Forces would grace this classroom with his presence.

Good afternoon, ladies.