Chapter 4: Exchange

There are bad guys here...

(Is that... the guy who intercepted us at Hazlitt before?!)

(The Union's intelligence network sure know how to do their job. They've detected that Yamato's whereabouts are connected to Triki.)

(So the Shadow Decree also got word of that, and surrounded the Hunter's Guild in advance.)

(That spells trouble. The Shadow Decree is too fast. How are we supposed to...)

You two can't get in from here...

Come with me.

You're here to meet President Triki?

That's right. We need to ask about Mr. Yamato.

You should know that the Shadow Decree is after you two...

And giving you intel would be considered assisting you.

We might be the Hunter's Guild, but we still wouldn't want to provoke the Shadow Decree.

If there's nothing to discuss, then why'd you bring us here?

Everything has a price. What do you want?

Now's not the time to haggle for a deal.

If you want to do business, first you have to prove...

... that you're worth a seat at the bargaining table.

President Triki's not in right now.

He'll return to the Hunter's Guild in three days...

So if you can manage to evade the Shadow Decree for three days, you'll get to meet him.

President Triki's who you'll need to bargain with to get intel on Yamato.

Alright, see you in three days then.

Enjoy your game of hide-and-seek.

Here's a friendly tip:

I'd take the back door unless you want your game to end early.

If I spotted you that quickly, so will the Shadow Decree.

They're already here.

(Looks like the Shadow Decree has got lots of eyes in Graywater.)

(Can we really hold out for three days?)

Let's ask the Union for help, Captain.

The Union?

I know you don't trust the Union much, Captain...

But I think most Union members can be trusted.

They'll help us out!

(Come to think of it, I've never seen the Union as a helping hand...)

(But Sachiko's words made me realize something.)

(I don't trust the Union because of how easily the Shadow Decree picks up intel from them...)

(But couldn't I actually use that to my advantage...)

(...and carry out a plot of my own?)

Get in touch with the Union, Sachiko.

Let's see how they can help us.

Still no luck?

No, it's like they disappeared.

... So that's why we couldn't find them!

They've activated a Union safe house!

The little bunny and the headset punk are hiding away!

And the safe house location?

Of course...

What happened?!

A safe house?

Is that some kind of secret stronghold?

But... What do we do if the Shadow Decree finds it?

It's more than just a secret stronghold!

The Union builds their safe houses with a particular principle in mind...

... the best defense is a good offense!

So safe houses aren't just secret. They're also packed with tons of firepower!

It'll be like a little fortress!

Even if the Shadow Decree finds us, we'll be able to fend them off for a long time!

Mr. Drew already gave us the key, so let's get over there fast!

Curse them! They're holed up in there and shooting at us!

The safe house is equipped to defend itself...

So they must be holding out for reinforcements.

Councilor, can you arrange for the safe house defenses to be disabled?

I can't. The defenses can only be controlled from inside the safe house.

But that shouldn't be a problem.

After Anesidora arrives, she'll be able to organize an effective attack quickly.

If they want to make a deal with Triki, they'll have to leave the safe house.

Keep them surrounded. Focus your firepower.

Don't leave them any room to breathe, and don't give them a chance to leave.

For them to hold out...

They'll need reinforcements.

But no support will arrive from the Union this time.

And their safe house...

Will be nothing more than...

Tenacious as...

... cornered beasts.

Keep placing assets!

They've got a limited supply of ammo in that safe house.

But we've got plenty of assets.

How long can they hold out?

You're back, President Triki.

Looks like that punk couldn't escape the Shadow Decree's net!

What a shame.

A shame? I'd say it's a bit too early to call.

We meet at last, Mr. Triki.

Oh, what fun! I see!

So at the safe house...

Sachiko's all alone, eh?

That's right. I had Sachiko tell the Union that we'd hide away in the safe house together.

The Shadow Decree spy intercepted that message.

So as the Shadow Decree deployed all their forces to surround the safe house...

You stayed outside, didn't you?

Exactly. Perhaps the Shadow Decree relies too heavily on their spies.

Ahahahaha! Splendid!

Bravo...

It's been quite a while since I've seen the Shadow Decree be handed one loss after another.

However, to have a seat at the bargaining table, a test of strength is required. Cunning is not enough.

Sachiko's not with you now, but I can "lend" you some of my men.

I know you have the power to boost the combat strength of Espers.

So now's the time to show me what you're made of.

It appears that your strength merits a seat at the bargaining table.

Now let's get down to business...

...regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Yamato.

(Eh, I do have a plan for this situation.)

(But... If Sachiko leaks it to the Union, I won't be able to pull it off...)

(I'd better keep it a secret for now...)

As a businessman, I value trust more than you would know.

After all, people have done business since before the invention of coins.

Coins came later. A footnote in history, compared to the value of trust.

What are you getting at?

Mr. Yamato is a dear friend of mine.

To violate his trust and trade you for his whereabouts...

That would be difficult for me.

Just like betraying your friend Sachiko would be for you.

If you're trying to drive up the price, just say so.

Don't insult the trust between me and Sachiko.

Whatever so-called "trust" there is between you and Yamato, it's nothing like the bond between me and Sachiko.

Ahahaha, my apologies!

It's just my habit as a businessman. I didn't mean to offend.

Let's get back to the deal itself, then.

I want you to give me a copy of the data from the Shadow Decree Lab.

Give me that data, and I'll tell you where Mr. Yamato is. It's that simple.

Triki... Couldn't you get anyone to do that for you?

Of course I could, but I want you to do it.

I see. I'll need to think about it.

Sure, give it some thought.

And as a show of good faith...

I'll give you some intel for free.

Do you know how many cases of Nexus Crystal ammo the Union normally stocks in their safe houses?

They usually stock twenty cases. That's plenty for most situations.

But it's quite inadequate to fend off this kind of focused, sustained offensive from the Shadow Decree.

Take a guess: how long until your little Sachiko...

... runs out of ammo?

(Impossible. I checked with Sachiko on my communicator before I came over here. There should be plenty of ammo...)

Sachiko! What's the situation over there?!

Everything's fine...

Why's your voice so weak? What happened? Are you out of ammo?!

Everything's fine...

Enough with the noise! Are you welding over there or something? Is the safe house holding up?!

Why didn't you tell the Union I wasn't in there like we'd planned?

Everything's fine...

I'm done thinking about it, Triki...

I'll answer you now! In exchange...

I want you to help me with something!

And I want you to do it right now.

We've been pumping that gas in through the vent for so long, but they're still not coming out.

The door's too thick, and it jammed the cutter.

We're fixing it, but it'll be another hour before we can use the cutter again.

How big of a hole have you cut so far?

About 3 by 42 centimeters.

That's enough. Go get the flamethrower.

She's... crazy...

Miss Anesidora, I've got some news for you!

I've got my hands full at the moment, President Triki.

You'll want to hear this, I promise!

I've just had a chat with a guy wearing a headset.

You know who I mean, I'm sure.

Yes, and?

After our chat, he hurried into my convoy...

And drove off.

Why are you working with them? You know what happens when people go against the Shadow Decree.

I do, but...

Maybe you guys should... cut to the chase!

Curses! Captain has played us!!!

Check the surveillance for the Hunter's Guild convoy, now! And get after those trucks!!!

Oh... Captain?... Is that you?

I... I had a really long dream!

I was floating... I floated far, far away!

I was watching the world from a distance, watching you, Captain.

And then right when I wake up... To see you...

Makes me really happy!

You came to see me, haha!

Sachiko, please don't be so foolish ever again...

Never again!

But... It's hard...

After all, I'm not so smart, ha!

But it's okay, right? Because...

We got to see each other again! Right?