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Chapter 9: Return to Longreach

Part 1: War Zone

Hold up folks, you can't disembark here. There's a general order for evacuation of the entire province. Please, get back and follow the signs and stewards eastwards.

I tried to tell them, officer, but they won't listen. Apparently they're going to save the country. Craziest hitchikers I've ever picked up. I've never seen anyone so anxious to get to their own funeral.

I'm sorry, but we don't have much time to explain. You need to find your section commander. Tell them to stop and detain Parliamentarian Batiste and his staff at all costs. They mustn't be allowed into Longreach.

I have absolutely no idea, and pretty soon I don't think it'll matter. The poor bastards are going to get themselves killed running in that direction. We're three companies short of a general retreat, and I think Longreach is about to fall...

I don't know, and I don't think we have long to find out. Let's hope that she's gone with the evacuees already. We must find Captain Hardcastle and see if he knows anything about her whereabouts.

Longreach has seen better days!

I'm not sure what this is, but I want one.

If I may say so, sir, I don't understand why you've asked for her. Surely you have more important matters to deal with.

I made a promise to take care of her, and a man must honor his word. I want you to take this young lady and personally secort her to safety, whilst the thirty-third can still hold the eastern gate.
You are to be her guardian until such time as you can deliver her into safe custody. I'm trusting you, Lansdale. You've always been a fine soldier and a good man. This will be my last order to you as captain.

I understand, sir. I shall heed no others.

Are you alright, Isabelle? I expect you must be eager to leave. I wish that we could do more for you, but I'm afraid the current circumstances are somewhat beyond my control.

I'm fine, Mister Hardcastle. I wish people would stop asking. Are you coming with us, sir? It isn't safe here. You should leave, too, before you get hurt.

Please, Captain, she's right. You must join the evacuation! The North Wall is shattered, the great cannons silenced and even the small batteries will not be capable of returning fire for much longer.

...

Longreach is lost! The Yaegarans are at West Ascension and Overhawk can still pound us with their remaining cannon. Under such volume of fire, it's only a matter of time before the Hall is struck, and...

Kill him. We don't have time for pleasantries.

Mister Hardcastle?! No! W-Why are you doing this?

Get the girl, we're leaving. Clay 13, make us an exit.

You're not going anywhere, Batiste. Hold it right there!

I'm done talking to you. Time is short, and I'm not in the mood to humor you any more. What exactly do you intend to do if we just... leave?

One explosive shell into the left column. I'll bring all of what's left of this hall down in an avalange of rubble. You and we might survive, but the girl dies, and without her you've lost.

Interesting... But if you were serious, you'd have already fired. You've still got some time, so go ahead. Kill her.

...

Damn it! I'm trying to pull the trigger, but I can't do it.

I thought not. You've already lost. Shana, guardsmen, no leniency this time. Kill them all. We must be kept free of further disruption if our nation is to ascend.

Yes, my Prince. I will make you proud.

Be brave, Isabelle! We're coming for you.

I don't know how you managed to catch up with us, but you should have stayed in the Traverse. We have a destiny to fulfil and we shall not be stopped.

You don't have to do this, Shana. Batiste is crazy, surely you can see that?
He's already killed thousands. What do you think he'll do when he gets his hands on whatever power lies beneath Medea? He'll bring nothing but ruin to the entire continent, Amara included!

Crazy? The narrow-minded often use such terms to dismiss those who see uncomfortable realities.
Our prince is no madman. He is a visionary. The only leader principled enough to admit that this hollow sham of a society is not worth the slavery of our souls.
You all knew that this world was built to control us. You knew that your thoughts were not your own. But you made acceptance of your fate a rite of passave and taught your children that they had no choice but to serve the system.
You chose to ignore your instincts because ignorance kept you warm and safe. Do you think we should all be so happy to liev and die as slaves to this dreamworld?
We paid the price for your comfort in Amara, and when we objected, we were crushed at the whim of those monsters. No more will our people suffer! We'll free ourselves from you, and from the Rakari!

All that you've managed to free so far is a great many poor, innocent people from this mortal coil. A change for the better cannot be achieved with the bloodbath Batiste is planning!

Give it up, both of you. She's already stalled us for long enough. This is only ending one of two ways.
Stand down or perish, woman. Choose your next words carefully.

Don't think that I'm afraid to fight. If my fate is to become history today, then at least it will be written ast he first chapter of a new dawn for all humanity. I shall not be forgotten!

I wouldn't be so sure. Our memory seems so fragile, so selective and so easily deceived. History is what the victor makes of it, so let's stop sparring with words and see who gets that privilege.

BOSS BATTLE
Shana

I am very nearly fighting another adventurer party! The two mooks are riflemen with similar abilities to Ionae. Shana is SORT of a knight, but faster and crazier.