Specialty Change: Glenn

As those losers from the Core Tower said, Belian wasn't just Politia's leader, she was Politia itself.

But she's gone now.

Without her stabilizing presence, Politia fell into chaos. Many have taken the opportunity to sow division and rebellion.

To prevent the situation from spiraling completely out of control, the Core Tower decided to reward those who helped to stabilize the city.

That's why the boss is always attending all those meetings up there where they try to work out how to form a new government.

While I was gone? Again?

Yes... The victim was a cyborg, and they were damaged to the point where replacing parts wasn't going to help.

Ugh, I wasn't even gone for very long this time...

Whenever you go to any of these meetings, the Unregulated Area is without a leader.

As you know, there is a lot of instability. Now it seems like a power struggle is forming between the two factions.

It hasn't been long since we got rid of Belian, yet everything is falling apart faster than expected.

At this rate, this place will end up being ground zero for a rebellion.

I've been thinking along similar lines. So, what should we do...?

What CAN we do...?

You wanted to see me, Boss?

Shouldn't you ask how I've been doing, you punk? I haven't seen you in days!

Uhh, well... I just assumed you were doing fine as always, is all. Are the meetings going as you'd hoped? May said it's going well.

Still, you should ask any way out of common courtesy. Honestly, who raised you...?

Just tell me why you wanted to see me!

I need someone to look after this place when I'm away. But I'm not sure who I can rely on.

What's there to think about? I'm right here!

That was the original plan, yes. But seeing your attitude, now I'm not so sure.

Oh, come on! I can do whatever you need me to!

Hmm, are you confident?

What do you take me for?

My little Glenn.

...

*chuckling* All right, fine. I was just happy to see you still safe and sound, so I was teasing you.

I'm sure even you can work out that as the establishment of a new government progresses, I'll be away longer and more often

But I've been hearing that the fighting around here intensifies greatly every time I'm absent.

Yeah, it sure does... As soon as you're gone, they all realize there's nobody to keep them in line.

So, I need you to help me out. Honestly, you've been taking it a little too easy, lately.

...Meaning you want me to take your place at the Core Tower?

Don't be ridiculous. I'm asking you to keep everyone here behaving while I'm gone.

Me?!

You.

All alone?! Without you?!

Why? Are you not up to the job?

Of course, I am! Just... It's a little sudden, that's all.

I knew you'd accept.

So, what do I need to do? Go out on patrols and try to break up as many fights as I can with my guys?

That's enough for now. The most important thing going forward is to maintain at least the illusion of stability in order to calm things down.

All right, got it. That's what I've been doing with you all these years anyway.

That's true. Hmm, well, we'll see how it goes.

You don't sound very convinced...

We can't know if it will work until we try. Either way, I believe you can do it.

Let's see how my little Glenn copes without me.

Hmph, don't be too shocked when everything goes perfectly!

See you later!

You look more focused than usual.

What are you talking about? I'm the same as always.

Ah, I see. It's not focus, but nerves.

It's not nerves!

Don't worry. Even if you're technically in charge now, it won't be much different to what we've been doing so far.

How many times do I need to tell you I'm not nervous!? It's just another patrol, who cares?

If I'm nervous about anything, it's about my guys getting hurt. Got it?!

Sure, whatever you say. Come back safe.

...Me and my big mouth...

Even I can tell things have gotten a lot worse after what happened to Belian.

I may not have been able to see much for myself since I haven't been back for long, but it's clear enough just from what May has told me.

Everyone was so happy to hear Belian was gone, but without a leader, the city has been turned on its head.

It would be weirder not to feel nervous at a time like this! And if that wasn't bad enough, now I need to replace the boss!

I lost count of how many fights I saw just on the way over here. Sure, there was always the occasional fight going on before...

But it wasn't even close to being this bad!

Ahh! What was that?!... I think it came from over there...?

I guess it's my job to go have a look. Urgh, but I'd really rather not...

You stupid idiots!

Was getting humiliated not enough for you? Do you not realize that this is the only chance we'll ever have?!

Are you going to spend your lives being walked all over?! They aren't even Humans!

That's not living! Who would want a life like that?!

What use is there in making a fuss when things are finally starting to calm down a little?

So many of us have already been smashed into pieces because of people like you!

Maybe you shouldn't have barged in and interrupted our plan then! Did you consider that, smart guy?!

And what about the Automatic Dolls? How much have we suffered thanks to those tin cans!?

We need to show them where they belong! Shouldn't we be the ones running this place?

And will you take responsibility when it doesn't go to plan? Are you happy to go back to a life of feeling nothing but rage?

Are you done?! Why do you talk such nonsense?

Haven't you realized yet that you lot are more of a detriment to this city, even more than those arrogant Automatic Dolls up in the Core Tower!? Why not try thinking for once!?

Why you little...! Why don't we settle this with our fists!?

What on Orbis happened here? When did they start fighting? There are parts all over the street...

Hey! Do you have to be doing this in the middle of the street!? Stop this!

You wanna fight too!?

Stop interfering and get out of the way!

Urk...!

Urgh, these blockheads don't look like they'll listen to a word I say. Just doing a few patrols isn't going to solve any of this!

I didn't expect it to get this bad so quickly. It's nowhere near this bad when the boss is here.

What do I do about this?

Oh, Glenn! Is something wrong? You said you would be out on patrol for a while...

Oh, yes! Absolutely! Patrols!

Everywhere I turn, there's a fight! I can't even keep track of how many I've stopped already...

In the end, I had to call in backup because there was no way for me to deal with it all myself.

But in the time it took to do that, the situation had deteriorated so much! Many of our guys were injured.

Unbelievable... Has everything calmed down now?

The idiots who started the fight refused to stop even when they were on the verge of falling apart. I had to get the help of some police nearby...

The police?!

We were able to clear it up, but I doubt it has done much good for their opinion of me. Automatic Dolls were already unpopular anyway...

*sighing* Why would the boss leave this all to me? Does she know how serious the situation is?

...For now, just come with me. You need some repairs.

Right...

Did the boss say when she'll be back?

Well, it was supposed to be tomorrow, but she called earlier to say that might be a little difficult. It seems like there were some delays with the work.

So, we just need to keep holding on for as long as we can, hoping she comes back soon?

There are already so many internal conflicts... How do I deal with this? At this point, I wouldn't be shocked if war broke out.

Glenn, I think...

Glenn! Are you in there!?

What's so urgent?

There's another big fight over in the vacant lot in the east! It's even worse than last time!

Isn't that the area where they've even driven out the police?

Right! I think something really bad might happen this time!

G-Glenn? Please says something... What do we do? Has the boss not said anything?

...

...Right. This isn't something I can deal with on my own. I need to tell the boss she has to come back immediately.

What? But...

What other choice is there?! Even if she did leave me in charge, I'm still not her!

How can I deal with what she was worried about? I can at least leave her a message...

Glenn, I... I believe you can deal with this all by yourself.

And how, exactly? That's absurd! You're only saying that because you haven't seen what it's like out there yourself...

Who was the one keeping you up to date on what was happening here until you got back? Seeing it all firsthand isn't going to change my mind.

Why do you think you were entrusted to deal with what's going on here?

Eh? I don't know. Probably just because boss and I have worked together a lot...

Do you really think that's the only reason? I'm sure she said something when she gave you the job.

Said something...?

That's enough for now. The most important thing going forward is to maintain at least the illusion of stability in order to calm things down.

We can't know if it will work until we try. Either way, I believe you can do it.

Let's see how my little Glenn copes without me.

She said she she'd be watching to see how well I did, and that she believes I can do it.

Exactly! And that's all that matters. She holds your abilities in high regard.

Yeah, she must be testing me, huh?

While also testing her own judgment for putting her faith in you.

So, what do you think will happen when she sees you acting so wimpy? Knowing her, she'll be incredibly disappointed, in both you and herself.

...

Hearing you say that is making me angry! What do you mean, "being so weak"!? I'm not going to disappoint anybody!

You were the one insisting you can't do this on your own.

Of course, I can't! How can one man take on so many others all at once! I'm going to need my fellow vigilantes to back me up!

Just you watch! I'll smash them all into tiny little... Wait, no, I shouldn't do that, should I? I'll just go knock some sense into them!

So... What're we going to do about it?

Send out an emergency notice to all vigilantes to meet up over there. There's no time to waste, so I'll go ahead first.

Forget the police, we can deal with this just fine on our own! There's nothing we can't do! Let's give it a try!

You've definitely gotten into a better mood. I've finished your repairs too. I modified your plating so the material is a little stronger than what you had before.

Still, that doesn't mean you should recklessly run in and start swinging.

I know that, even without your nagging. You're becoming more like the boss with every passing day.

I'll just calm them down, like the boss asked. Get ready to be surprised!

Glenn! What are you doing!?

Why do you always have to interfere in everything!?

Calm down, you brainless thugs! Do you ever do anything but fight each other?!

I know none of you think this is really a good idea! Don't you remember why our lives were so hard before?!

What do you want us to do then, huh?! Are we just supposed to let this chance slip by and be content settling at the bottom of the society!?

You don't believe their sugar-coated crap about a government for all, do you?

That's not what I meant!

What is it you really want? Honor? Power? Revenge against Automatic Dolls? I understand you are fed up with living like this...

Didn't we all fight together against Belian for a city where everyone was equal?

Do you think you can truly achieve that through violence and force? Will you be any better than Belian?!

What right do you have to lecture us?! You think you're all that just because you're a vigilante?!

The boss gave me the right! She asked me to deal with you idiots!

...She did?

She did! You haven't forgotten, have you? Even disregarding the vigilante leader title, she's basically a savior to us all!

And she asked me personally to stop you!

...

The boss and I want a better life just as desperately as you all do.

The boss is so busy these days because the autonomous government she wished for so much is finally taking shape.

But what you're doing now threatens to destroy that dream before it even gets started! Can you betray all she did for you so easily?

Don't trust in the government, but in the boss! Is it too much to ask to give her a little more time?

...Hmm.

Glenn is right! If we just quietly wait and see if Politia really can make positive changes...

What do you mean "quietly"!?

Huh?

Because the boss is working hard to build a government for everyone, you think you can just sit around doing nothing!?

Are you happy to set all your anxieties on the boss's shoulders!? What if it turns out to be too much for her and she trips up!? What will you do then!?

I refuse to let that happen! If we want things to get better as soon as possible, then we need to play our part in helping make it a reality!

Or do you prefer to keep whining about how hard life is and fighting with each other?

...You have a point. I was being thoughtless.

*sighing* Are you finally willing to listen? You guys really are exhausting...

If you understand, then calm down and go back home.

*panting* Glenn?! Are you in there?!

Godmother? Did you run here?

Phew... I'm completely out of breath. I'm getting too old to be running around like this, but I'm too much of a fool to listen to my body.

I was so worried. The work kept dragging on longer, but Glenn left me an urgent message to get back here as soon as I could.

Now that you're here, you should sit down and catch your breath. I'll bring you something to drink.

*sighing* But is Glenn not here?

He's out on patrol. He hardly gets a moment's rest himself either these days.

Is that so?

There was a big fight, but Glenn managed to settle everything down. Now he's got people coming to ask him for help all the time.

Of course, part of that is only because he's taking over your job while you're gone, but he actually has quite a talent for mediation.

*chuckling* He does, does he?

I'm seeing him in a whole new light recently. I was worried he'd always rush in to fix things with his fists, but he's surprised me with how level-headed he is.

I was thinking it was rather quiet on the way here despite the urgency of his message.

When did my little Glenn grow up so much? All this time I assumed he was just blindly following after me.

*chuckling* He learned it all looking over your shoulders. You left it up to him because you believed he could do it, didn't you?

That's true...

Now I can leave everything to him, and this old lady can finally step back.

Now you have even bigger responsibilities.

*sighing* I'm not the woman I once was. I don't have the strength to take everything upon myself like I once did.

I've worked tirelessly raising that boy for years, it's about time he picked up some of the slack.

Knowing him, he'll be a little overwhelmed and may fumble with things at first. I'll need to keep a close eye on him from a distance.

That sounds like a good idea. Just tell me if you ever need some help, and I'll be happy to give it.

I would be grateful for that, May. Tell Glenn to come to my room when he gets back. I have a few things to talk with him about.

Imagine that. My Glenn has grown into a respectable leader of vigilantes. Time sure does fly.

Oh, stop that. You're talking like an old lady.

Haha, I suppose I am. I'm getting sappy because I'm so proud of you. So, how did things go today?

I walked all across the Unregulated Area. Not much different than usual.

There were some small altercations, but everyone around started telling them off for causing a scene over nothing, so they fizzled out before the situation could escalate.

Good work. I can see you've been working hard while I was gone.

Which is why... I prepared a gift for our new leader.

A gift?! What is it?!

Have a look for yourself.

Huh? A chip? It looks pretty old, too...

Oh? Is that a look of disappointment I see on your face?

No... Not exactly. I'm just a little confused what I do with it.

My gift isn't the chip, but the important information held within it.

O-Oh? Should I put it in right now?

If you wish.

Let's see... If I open up this...

Whoa, there sure is a lot of stuff in here... What's it all about? Hmm...

District D, West... Current status report? A list of vigilante complaints? Central market security analysis data?!

What IS all this!?

The complaints and reports you'll need to be dealing with today.

But... But there's so much...!

I'm sure you'll get through them all eventually.

How can you call this a gift?! Are you playing a prank on me?

Now why would I ever do something like that? It's in celebration of you taking over.

If this is already too much for you, you won't like the mountains of stuff I still need to give you...

Eventually, you'll probably have too much of this kind of work to deal with so you won't have any time to run around by yourself.

Come on! I've never done anything like this before! When am I supposed to get any rest?!

I won't do it! I can't!

Too late, you're already in charge. Now, I'll leave you be. I know you have a lot of work to get on with.

And if you want my advice: Don't even dream of trying to run away from it.

Arghhh!