People stream in from all directions.
They stand now at the crossroads of the town's fate.
Bertolt: clears throat People of Rayashki, my dear friends, good day to you all.
Bertolt: Over the past two days, Zeno has assessed the potential risks and benefits in the area, and held hearings on what should be done about the future of this town.
Bertolt: Our hearings saw very limited attendance. We've taken that to be a gesture of approval.
Bertolt: Mr. Evgeni has put in a great effort helping to make these changes happen. We all owe him a great deal. Thank you, sir.
He motions to Evgeni at his side.
A freshly printed document unfurls before all present, Zeno's seal stamped deliberately in the most prominent position.
Bertolt: Please believe that we have made the best decision we could for you.
Bertolt: We all know the runium here has run dry, and the land has been exhausted of all further material wealth, now and into the foreseeable future.
Bertolt: As a result, your local processing factory has lost its intended purpose.
Bertolt: What's more, Zeno has changed our cooperation strategy. Though your town's loyalty will never be forgotten, we must have a sober-minded view of its costs and benefits.
Bertolt: To sum up, our final decision is that ...
Bertolt: We will be ending operations and all future cooperation between Zeno and Rayashki.
A heavy hammer swings in the square, producing a whistling wind.
Knut: Well, Mr. Bertolt, you have just got here; perhaps you didn't have enough time to get to know us well enough. Rayashki's value is not just in our runium. We have many other factories, too.
Urgent words of protest flood in from all sides.
Bertolt: Yes, you have a brick factory, a power plant, many forklifts, a smattering of conveyor belts. But all these were all built and suited for only the processing of runium ore.
Bertolt: Without the ore, they simply have no benefit to us.
Residents: ...
The crowd murmurs, voices bubbling up and simmering like boiling water.
Bertolt raps the table, ending the broil.
Bertolt: Now that you have full knowledge of the situation and our intentions, we want to assure you that your loyalty has not been forgotten, so we have generously prepared two choices for the future of Rayashki.
The assembly hushes.
Bertolt: Firstly, Zeno believes that you have many valuable qualities. The determination and skills you've shown in the past year of our cooperation have proved that your people can be a great asset to us.
Bertolt scans across the faces looking back at him.
Bertolt: Indeed, many of you already meet the entrance requirements to join Zeno.
Bertolt: Therefore, on behalf of Zeno Arms Academy, I wish to extend a heartfelt invitation to you.
Bertolt: Leave Rayashki. Join us and work for one of our other branches as members of Zeno.
Knut: What are you saying!? You want us to abandon our home for some promise of a job?
Bertolt: Calm down, Mr. Knut. This is not about abandoning your home. It's about joining us in our efforts to contribute to world peace. Through a more optimized allocation of manpower.
Resident I: So you're just going to pack us all up and ship us away to work for Zeno?
Bertolt: You misunderstand, madam.
He closes the folder, looking conspicuously towards the children beside Windsong.
Bertolt: Every year, Zeno dismisses 4% of our employees because they failed to pass our rigorous work reviews. And the number of our colleagues that are killed in the line of duty is even larger still.
Bertolt: Working for Zeno is a privilege, not a gift.
Bertolt: That's why only a small number of you will be allowed to come and work for us.
Resident II: What?
Bertolt: Now, according to Article 58 in the section on "protection of arcanist rights" signed at the Event Horizon Convention ...
Bertolt: We will provide basic supplies for any residents who haven't been offered a position with Zeno. They will be transferred immediately to the nearest relief station until our social workers contact them for further arrangements.
Knut: So then, you're suggesting you will send our children and elderly away to some kind of refugee station?
Knut: And the rest of us must go to work for Zeno without any questions?
Knut: You ****! This is total rubbish!
He waves off, then pushes aside the Zeno soldier in front of him.
Zeno Soldier: Sir, please lower your voice.
Bertolt: Well. You would be glad to know that your work experience in particular is valuable to Zeno, Mr. Knut.
He attempts a pat on Knut's shoulder, who shrugs him off.
But Bertolt acts entirely unfazed, unfolding the document further.
Bertolt: If you're not interested in our first plan, we have another.
Bertolt: If the residents in the area prove reluctant to relocate, Zeno can offer another alternative. As stated earlier, Rayashki is a remote town that possesses some significant industrial infrastructure.
Bertolt: Therefore, it could be considered an ideal location for a new complex of arms factories.
Vila: ...!
Bertolt: There would be a need to substantially upgrade the Rayashki wharf. To turn it into one of the seaports Zeno plans to build across the globe.
Bertolt: Additionally, a radio station will be constructed within the town.
Bertolt: Which will better facilitate our communication throughout the Arctic region so as to stabilize and coordinate with other powers in the area.
Bertolt: ...
Bertolt: We will now be passing out forms, listing the options I've presented. Please fill them in with your choice.
Vila: So your only other option is to turn Rayashki into some kind of military base under Zeno's control?
Bertolt: I won't put it so bluntly, but you're not incorrect.
Bertolt: Our resources, as much as anyone's, are limited, and they must be put to good use. We cannot afford to waste them on strategically usele- ... costly people and places.
Bertolt: If you want Zeno to help you, you should be able to give us something in return, don't you agree?
He folds the proposal again with satisfaction.
The crowd heaves in protest, held at bay by the soldiers around Bertolt.
Knut: So, Evgeni, this is "the best choice" you made for all of us?
Bertolt: Ahem! I must speak in Mr. Evgeni's defense. He is committed to his duty and only wishes to do what he can for his compatriots.
Knut: Shameless! All you've done is sold us out!
Resident I: You tell them, Knut!
Resident II: Do you think it's getting a bit windy lately? Clearly, with all the hot air in Evgeni's head, his mind has been blown away!
Countless eyes fall on Evgeni. Disappointment, sadness—perhaps something more complex.
Evgeni: ...
Evgeni: I swear to you, I am not doing this out of my own interest.
Evgeni: Comrades, there are many better places in this world, and you have better purposes to fulfill.
Evgeni: You shouldn't waste your time here.
Knut: Bah!
The bear of a man puffs up with anger.
Bertolt: Let's all calm down, my friends! It's time to be reasonable!
Bertolt: Think carefully. Zeno has been very generous regarding the offers before you.
He readies himself, as if about to launch into a grand prepared speech, but his hand trembles.
A chill wind sweeps over him.
Vila: Generous? Now that's ridiculous!
Vila: We won't let you take away our family and friends, nor are we about to let you turn our town into a puppet state!
Resident II: We will stay here! No matter what!
Evgeni: Comrades, I understand how you feel right now.
Evgeni: But we must face the cruel reality of our situation.
Vila: And you're willing to send away our own people or give up on all we've built here because of this so-called "reality."
Evgeni: It is the only way forward.
Evgeni: If we continue to stay here without any help, it will be the end of us either way.
Vila: Do we have to turn to Zeno for this help?
Evgeni fails to react at first, but a defeated expression comes over him.
Evgeni: The truth is, just as Rayashki's economy has been dependent on runium, we remain dependent on Zeno.
Evgeni: Without them, at the present rate of consumption, we will be out of supplies and materials within a year.
Vila: ...
A silent tidal shift sweeps over those assembled.
The researcher observes the change with harsh recognition.
Windsong: This situation looks bad.
Windsong: Zeno is determined to gain control over this place.
She touches the unsealed letter. Her fingers jump away, as if it had been electrified.
Windsong: ...
Windsong: But if I complete the task as Zeno requested, does it mean ...
Bertolt's words echo in her ears.
Windsong: I will shatter their dream?
Windsong: And what about my dream?
The words stick in her throat.
Windsong: Did the people who refused to acknowledge the study of ley lines act out of the same self-interest?
Windsong: I've seen this happen so many times before.
Windsong: A simple dream is made to face a cruel reality. Where the clever ones give up and leave, and the stubborn fools remain, waiting to be crushed.
Windsong: "We asked for our misery."
She turns, her mixed feelings refusing to settle.
The wall of soldiers has suppressed most of the dissent in the square.
But still, some bravely charge forward.
Vila: Wait!
Vila: I'm not finished.
Bertolt dismisses her with his hand as he leaves the stage.
Bertolt: But I am, Ms. Vila.
The researcher remains stunned, but this potent chemistry of hope and resolve begins to catalyze something in her.
Windsong: ...
Windsong: Sir! With all due respect. I can't complete this task alone.
Windsong: As an ordinary researcher, I can relate to them. Please forgive me for interrupting.
She lifts her head proudly, looking out in the direction of the crowd.
Windsong: I have heard so much about Rayashki these days.
Windsong: They started from nothing, but bit by bit, they accomplished the impossible.
Windsong: Their voice should be heard.
Windsong: Природа это числа и черты.
The soil and snow under her feet becomes imbued with new life, rising up around her.
They clamp onto military boots and surge up and into gun barrels, plugging them up in a comical fashion.
Zeno Soldier: ...?!
Vila: ...!
The teacher seizes on this opportunity.
She climbs over the wall of confused soldiers and charges forward.
Zeno Soldier: Miste- ... Mister Bertolt.
Zeno Soldier: We can't hold them any longer!
COMBAT
Their conflict ceases.
Scaly palms forcefully grab Bertolt's arm, sharp nails tearing at his sleeve.
Vila: Now, will you listen to me?
A clean, new ledger is stuffed into Bertolt's hands.
Vila: We don't need your help. Your soldiers and your tyranny are no longer welcome here.
Bertolt: ...
Vila turns around to face her people.
Vila: Comrades, what do you say? Shall we solve the problem with the strength of our own hands and hearts?
Evgeni: ...
Knut: What else can we do? This is what we've always done when there was a problem!
Resident I: There will be more solutions than problems if we work together!
Resident II: If I must die, I will die here with all of you!
Knut: Just stop talking nonsense, you idiot! Nobody is going to die!
Vila: Rayashki belongs to all of us. We will stand with it till its last moment!
The sudden surge of conviction and unity cows the guards as they move backwards.
Many blush with shame.
Some of them quietly withdraw.
Windsong: Huh, they might say they're just ordinary people, but they are so brave and noble.