Chapter II - 4: Road To Sustainability

"A marvel of reverse-engineering, isn't it?" filled with wonder, yet still disciplined, Lennox spoke as a group of soldiers took away the package, "With this amplifier, our crops will soon diversify and improve."

Back to the abandoned construction site, the moonlight shone through the window, illuminating the room.

Wynd Ville was still bustling as ever from the recent 'care package' it received from Alice.

Said Gigan was cross-legged a few metres away from the town's entrance. Meanwhile, facing the gates too but a lot closer, Yuri and Mack stood in a line. The three had straightened their backs in the presence of the Mayor.

"Still, what happened to the Viridastekans and Professor Veridas is regrettable… They may have been ‘allies’ of Requiem but Viridastek was a local technological pillar... " she sighed, "Private Dereznov, Major Hudson. Dismissed."

The duo walked past Lennox as Yuri mumbled, "I sure hope this solves the potato problem."

"Come on, lad. We ought to try that foodstuff that Alice brought. I heard it actually tastes really good."

"Sure old man. That is, if there's still stock left..."

Their voices faded out of Alice's earshot as they got deeper in the settlement.

The Mayor and Alice were now alone, notwithstanding the whole town next to them. The former spoke as she pulled the HGCO chip out of a luggage she had held, "Most information on it was either that outdated or already known."

Sullen, Alice took back her circuit, Did I kill for nothing then?

Lennox continued without a hitch, "However, we found data that had slipped past by our intelligence network."

Good... Good... That wasn't all pointless.

"What is it and what can I do to help?" Alice's response was quick and held no hesitation.

"Now, hold your horses, Lieutenant, we'll tell you soon enough," The Mayor's face imperceptibly softened and she sighed, "Plus, as much as I'd like to shove another one of Requiem's problems your way, you ought to think of your health. I doubt you have an unlimited supply of rations on you. Your long term plan is non-existent, isn't it?"

Well… She's not wrong… Last time I ate was around seven hours ago… and I'm feeling a bit hungry right now. I could last an hour or two more, but that's clearly not enough in the long run… And I only have one bar of MRE left… I… I don’t want to lose control of myself…

Alice’s face slightly reddened.

"Ma'am, I… You're right. Currently, I'm homeless. Essentially a NEET… Do you… Have any contacts I could use?"

Internally, she was digging her grave, Aaugh! Asking a human officer such a question. That's low, Alice. Embarrassing!

"And I thought you wouldn't ask, Gigan pride and all," the Mayor had a thin smile on her lips, "I had an address imported to the chip. The marker on your HUD should delete itself once you get there."

***

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She ate her last MRE packet and moved out.

The walk was uneventful as Alice avoided patrols once more.

Now, facing her was a simple one story restaurant. It was inconspicuous and the windows blended well with the background. The only obvious indication of its existence is the neon sign atop the door.

'The Red Toaster?' Interesting name… Sign looks vintage. Neat.

Reattaching her gun to her back, she entered through the doorway despite the notice saying they were closed.

The Mayor did insist I just get in.

As Alice did as instructed, she heard a gasp. It came from a female Gigan of Centrist origins. The latter was short even by Gigan standards and looked a few years younger than her, possibly in her late teens. She had shoulder-length straight black hair and had an apron over her clothing.

A civvy…?

"E-e-excuse me. I-It's past midnight. W-w're closed," she was a fidgety mess and stuttered as she spoke.

An armed stranger in power armour suddenly barges into your workplace during closing hours… Well, I can't really blame her.

Before Alice could comfort the girl in any manner, an elderly Gigan revealed himself from behind the counter.

His white-tinged facial hair boiled down to a well-groomed and well-maintained beard that extended up to his cheeks and around his sideburns. He seemed to be of Southern Eastern ancestry.

"Zoey, you can go home. I'll take it from here."

"S-sir," the employee briskly nodded and quickly left.

The remaining Gigan sighed.

"She took the pinafore..." Alice could hear him mutter in exasperation before he faced to her.

With a forced artificial sense of reverence he spoke, "Ave Legionem," and he slightly bowed, "My sincerest apologies. Zoey is but a sheltered girl; she doesn't know the norms of society. In any case, what does a Knight of the Legion seek in this humble restaurant? I'm afraid we don't serve them here."

That's... Disconcerting. Feels like the first contact with Wynd Ville again.

Intending to ease the tension, Alice unhelmeted herself and held a hand up in a placating manner, "Sir, hold up. Alice Armiger - the Mayor sent me."

He looked at her, seemingly confused.

"Ah! Um…" Alice recited, "'Helion and Helen: Matrices of the conviction and tranquility.'"

He stood still as this grovelling persona crumbled away. He tensed his shoulders and squinted his eyes, carefully scrutinising her.

"Hmmm… A bit taller than average, neck-length red hair, hazel eyes, armour bearing uncanny resemblance to the Division's… Yet no markings…”

This 'Division' again…

As he made his observations, he grew less weary and was now more at ease,"And I thought Eliza got drunk again and hallucinated everything…"

The old Gigan shook his head in dismissal, "Glad I was wrong. Nilklas Kumar, the restursteur. Follow me."

He started heading to the back of the house. Obliging , Alice asked, "Sir-"

"Nils. I'm old but don't 'sir' me. I don't need another reminder," was the gruff reaction.

Now both passing by the kitchen, she continued, "Sir - I mean, Nils, what's this 'Division'? I keep being told I look like a member of it?"

At that, Nils stopped himself as he opened a door with a sign labelled 'Break Room.'

He turned around and deadpanned at Alice, "I guess Eliza was being literal when she said you 'weren't from here.'"

Alice shook her head, "No, I'm not."

Nils simply sighed, "I don't have time for this."

"But I need to know."

He pointed his index finger at her, "Do you?"

"Y-yes, I do."

In her mind, she had the feeling that she would not like the answer. Yet, she also felt the need to know.

He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, "Okay… You asked for it. The Lightning Division, or simply called 'The Division', is essentially a government paramilitary organisation working in tandem with the military."

He waved his hands around, annoyed, "Now, you're happy? I've got no time for the obvious. Come on, just follow me."

Resuming his stride, Nils went

through the entryway.

A government paramilitary organisation… That sounds like an apt description of the HGCO… That's… No. Don't. Focus on the present. Like, where's Nils leading me to?

Nothing really stood out in the staff room other than the red tinted wallpaper.

Next to the door was a coat hanger. A little fridge and a microwave were at the far right of the room while a rectangular table with integrated seats stood in the middle.

To the far left, was a curtail door labelled the manager's office. It seemed that this was where they were headed.

Inside was a humble office. Two simple chairs along with a simple desk in-between. Stationaries and any miscellaneous items on the desk were all neatly organised.

Nils tapped on the table's integrated interface.

Bip. Click.

A drawer opened by itself. Then, he reached out for something inside it.

Kling.

A key chain?

"Door A5, of the apartment on the other side of the road. I'm also the complex's owner, so come to me if there's any trouble. Also, due to your… Circumstances, the first month is free of charge. Just get back to the Red Café tomorrow morning for food and work."

Alice blinked at the unexpected development. She barely managed to catch the keys as Nils flung them at her," I-I… Thank you."

"Don't thank me. Thank Eliza."

He then shooed her away, "Now, it's way past closing hours. Go away."