Conversation · Pain Threshold

You feel something -- like a swarm of hornets buzzing under your scalp. A strange tingling you can almost smell.

[Discard thought.]

You can't, the sensation won't go away. It only gets worse...

"Lieutenant, do you feel something?"

"No. What do you mean?"

"Nothing. It's just my mind playing tricks."

"Hmm..." He looks ahead, beyond the arch. "Either way, we ought to be careful. There were footprints back there. And I'm pretty sure they were fresh."

"I saw them too. Footprints with the right sole worn smooth."

"Looks like our suspect -- if she's in here, we need to plan our next step carefully."

"What do you mean?"

He lowers his voice. "Once we detain a credible suspect, who knows what the Union and the Wild Pines will do? We'll set in motion events we have no control over."

You will upset the balance of power in Martinaise. The deadlock between the company and the Union will destabilize.

This part of town is a fine clockwork puzzle. Disturb its peace and it will start breaking down -- uncontrollably.

Keep calm. Go over the whole situation in detail.

"Do you think whatever happens will affect our cryptozoologists?"

"You mean Morell? I don't see how cryptozoology and the murder investigation are connected. But... the situation in the city will get tense for everyone."

If it gets that tense, the amateur zoologists might not be able to do their job.

"You mean Lena? I don't see how cryptozoology and the murder investigation are connected. But... the situation in the city will get tense for everyone."

"We know Evrart's true intentions and his plan for Martinaise. What more is there to do with the Union?"

"I don't know, little things?" He pauses. "But you're right. We've gotten everything we can from the Union."

You've been very, very thorough there. Your fingers approve.

"We still don't know the full extent of Evrart's plans. I told Joyce -- maybe we should see Evrart again?"

"I'll leave that to your judgement. You already know what I think about cross-pollinating information like this. It's dangerous, but..."

He just can't be sure -- maybe it will yield something useful?

"We've met Joyce, but we don't know what she knows yet. We should probably find out."

"Definitely. I think she knows something -- about the mercenaries, maybe. And she won't be around if the situation explodes."

"We haven't met the Union leader yet. We should maybe get into the harbour before this?"

"You're right, there won't be time to do that when the dominoes are falling. At the first sign of danger, they will shut the place down for good."

He's right. That place is like a fortress. It's already almost impenetrable.

"We've met the Union leader, but haven't gotten any info from him. Maybe we should talk to him more first?"

"You're right, however corrupt he may be, nothing happens in Martinaise without him knowing. We might have to dirty our hands, but..."

...in this case, we can't afford to be squeaky clean.

"We know what Joyce knows about the murder -- but I may have other things to discuss with her."

"Ah, yes. There won't be time for that once things go down. Matter of fact -- I don't think there's time for it now, but..."

...if you must.

"I suddenly remembered -- we were running the serial number on the victim's armour..."

"You think we should finish running it now?" he whispers. "Maybe you're right. It might not be as useful later..."

It's a minor point. Don't worry too much about this. There are bigger fish.

"How bad do you think things could get?"

"Well... we're not responsible for what we can't predict, are we? I don't think the entire city will be razed to the ground." He smiles in the dark.

Let's try not to worry, he thinks.

If you can't predict it, there's nothing you could have done.

"We haven't even met the company rep yet. We should find them first, no?"

"Definitely. It amazes me how we've managed not to... The Wild Pines has information that may be critical to our case."

"We've found out Evrart's plan to take the harbour -- maybe we should tell Joyce about it?"

"We solved the strike deadlock by telling Joyce about the Union's plans."

"I still don't think that was a good idea, but, yes -- our affairs with the Wild Pines are in order. Since she isn't in Martinaise anymore."

Someone's been a very busy boy. Good on you...

"We've still got a date with The Pigs... and my gun."

"We absolutely cannot skip that appointment." His face is stone. "Consider that 100% confirmed. I fear you'll need your gun for this..."

His hand rests on his holster. It's not enough -- you need a gun in your hand, too. Your gun.

"Maybe we should finish looking into the Speedfreaks FM mystery?"

"If you want to do that, then yes. We'd be advised to finish every lead. I don't think we'll have the chance to after..." He looks down the dark tunnel. He does not finish the thought.

"Evrart knows more than he's told us. Maybe we should continue working for him?"

"What do you think is waiting for us there?" (Conclude.)

"I think I see a cavern..." The lieutenant's whisper echoes down the tunnel. "Maybe more cellars? I think we've been careful enough -- we still have the element of surprise."

I wouldn't be so sure. You haven't exactly been sneaking.

"Or... maybe not." He puts his hand to his holster. "Either way, once we go deeper, there will be no turning back."

"We've checked the buoy with Klaasje's documents. I want to hear her take on why it was empty before."

"Okay -- why not. Whatever goes down might also affect her. The Union is watching her closely now..."