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Hi guys, sorry that you had to wait for this update for so long. For those who didn't know, I was on a vacation abroad for little over a week so I wasn't able to do much for the adventure. But now I'm back and we can continue with the story.
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Valeria: Examine the festivities
Go look out the window and take in the view
Examine the festivities from somewhere inconspicuous.
Take a look out the window.
You take a glimpse out the window.
The usual route has been partitioned off for the parade. Under your feet, you feel the familiar rumble of tanks, airships, and fighter planes as they pass by. The tangerine gleam of a thousand waving flags is stark against the rigid architecture of the city. Countless citizens have gathered in solidarity to celebrate the might of Protaskov.
It’s all very flashy and imposing and could probably level a country ten times over. You honestly find the whole display to be a bit brash, considering Grisbania has been securely at peace for the last decade, but you’re not in any position to argue with the loyalists. Most are willing to chalk up the extended arsenal as a “preventative measure”, but you’d much sooner call it warmongering.
Not like you would ever say that out loud, of course.
Regardless, it’s nice to see your taxes are going to such effective use. You just
can’t wait for another war. All Hail The Supreme Capital and all that.
By the looks of it, the parade is beginning to wind down, and the sun is getting pretty low. You should probably pack it up and head to pick up your daughter pretty soon. Protaskov isn’t exactly the safest city after nightfall.
Decide you've seen enough, and then go see if anyone else is actually doing any work today.
>Go check on your coworkers, realize that everybody else but Stanley has left for the parade. This is going to be awkward...
Though you’ve always got time to gloat to Stanley.
>Chat with any remaining coworkers.
>Chat with your coworkers, obviously! Why bother having a new name if you aren't going to use it?
Dee's got a point, might as well introduce yourself and start getting used to your new name.
: Hey, Stanley! How’s it hanging?
Stanley: Why aren’t you at your station? What do you want?
Valeria: It’s Valeria Vetrov.
Stanley: You want me to get Valeria Vetrov? I have no knowledge of such a person.
Valeria: No Stan, that’s my name. That’s what it says on the forms and everything. As proven by this completely authentic pile of documentation I have right here in my hands.
Valeria: Just thought I’d remind you that my name is, and has always been, Valeria Vetrov.
Valeria: So if your banks aren’t up to date, you should probably correct them.
Valeria: As soon as possible.
Valeria: Please.
Stanley: …
Stanley: You committed an unauthorized modification of registry information, didn’t you?
Valeria: What gives you that impression?
Stanley: The ink on those forms is still wet.
Valeria: Alright, fine. I made a
minor adjustment to my full legal name. Just for the sake of accuracy, you know?
Stanley: This is the Capital Archive and Record Administration. We pride ourselves on following procedure to a T. You have no right to jeopardize the legitimacy of our operations.
Valeria: Oh, step off, Stan! Nobody even touches these forms except for me! You know as well as I do that small-scale data correction is entirely within my jurisdiction, and I considered it my
civic duty to right this injustice in file management.
Stanley: Your personal opinion on the matter doesn’t really apply here.
Stanley: According to the Grand Archive Board, the intentional falsification of official records is to be viewed as treason. The penalty for such a crime is capital punishment.
Valeria: Goddamnit, Stan! That’s not a real law! I’ve read those books!
Stanley: The law was put into effect last week.
Stanley: You were at the hearing.
Valeria: Yeah?
Stanley: And you were sleeping.
Stanley: The rule of code dictates that I’m obligated to report such felonious activities to law enforcement, which will have you swiftly brought to High Rule Court for prosecution.
Valeria: Fuck.
Stanley: Lucky for you, I don’t give a mountain hog’s behind about the code.
Stanley: You think they coop me up in here after years in the field and I’d honestly still care about their protocol? It’s like you don’t even know me.
Valeria: Holy shit, Stan.
Valeria: I actually thought you were serious for second.
Valeria: Goddamn.
Stanley: Not bad for a dingy synthoid, right?
Valeria: Ugh.
Valeria: I’m still shaking.
Valeria: You know I’ll have to get you back for this one, right?
Stanley: I’m sure you will.
Valeria: Was that law even a real thing?
Stanley: Yes, actually.
Valeria: Really? Shucks.
Valeria: Guess I should probably change this back before I get executed for real.
Stanley: Are you about to commit unauthorized modification of registry information again, Valeria?
Stanley: Tsk tsk. The higher-ups aren’t going to like that.
Valeria: Oh, um, yeah. Definitely not. Wouldn’t want to become a repeat offender or anything like that.
Stanley: Certainly not.
Stanley: Oh, and one more thing.
Valeria: Hm?
Stanley: I was informed that there’s going to be a military airship with some important cargo arriving tomorrow morning.
Valeria: They’re using an airship for cargo transport? What exactly is in this shipment?
Stanley: No idea.
Stanley: The boss said something about keeping it housed in a secure location, but he was a bit sparse with the details.
Valeria: But why here? Large-scale military vehicles aren’t exactly designed for home defence.
Stanley: Beats me. I just take the orders.
Stanley: All he said was to be ready on the roof tomorrow, and file a report once the cargo is secure. He recommended that you arrive early in case they get here ahead of schedule.
Valeria: Earlier than usual? Can’t wait.
Stanley: And Valeria…
Stanley: I know you. I know how you think. I know you’re going to get involved and consider it another one of your “tiny rebellions”.
Stanley: But I’m telling you right now.
Stanley: This is above you and me.
Stanley: The boss is already suspicious of you, and the last thing you need right now is to get caught sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.
Stanley: Hopefully the whole name change affair served as a wake-up call, and you’ll know to let this one go.
Valeria: Relax, Stanley. I’m not a child.
Valeria: I promise that
absolutely nothing will come out of this. I’ll do my job and be done with it.
Stanley: If you say so.
You take a minute to reflect.
A cargo shipment important enough to warrant a military escort is being held right here in the Archives.
In a location which you’ll have extremely easy access to for a good majority of the day.
This could get interesting.
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Additional Credits
Bin - Editor & Assistant Writer
