A Valentine's Day Chord: 1-2 Waypoint

*Breaking News: Outstanding female pilot Charlotte Harris encounters trouble during flight!*

## Info

* **Recommended:** Pro Reporter Set
* **Rewards:** 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Bond of Unity

### Dialogue Choices

There are no dialogue choices in this stage.

## Transcript

Expand for script.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Colvin, buckle up!

* The piercing alarm rings shrilly over the strange noises coming from the engine. The red warning signal makes the snowflakes hitting the windshield look like sparks.
* Argo's fiery red fuselage cuts through the dense clouds like a bright scar. The icy wind threatens to chill me to the bone.
* **You:** Miss Harris, what's happening?

* **Charlotte Harris:** Just... a minor issue! I'll fix it soon!

* **Charlotte Harris:** Come on, Argo!

* Charlotte grips the control stick tightly. The plane struggles and sways from side to side in the strong wind, desperately trying to lift its head.
* I close my eyes tight, grip the seat, and brace myself, but in the end, I still scream as the aircraft completes a full rotation.
* Charlotte wipes ice chips off her goggles, his expression like that of a determined warrior.
* She supports her injured comrade Argo as we pass through the leaden clouds, approaching the flashing control tower in the distance.

* **You:** Runway lights! Look over there, Miss Harris, those are runway lights! You did it!

* **Charlotte Harris:** The real test is just beginning now...

* **You:** Can't we just land?

* **Charlotte Harris:** If we land now and don't have enough runway to taxi, we'll soar off the runway and have to circle around again.

* Black smoke rises from the front of the plane as a strong smell of engine oil and a pungent burnt odor hit us.
* The strange noises coming from the engine suddenly stop, and the propeller blades freeze. The plane plummets abruptly as the indicator lights flicker, and then go out.
* **You:** Miss Harris?!

* **Charlotte Harris:** Hold on, Argo!

* Charlotte tightly grips the control stick, using the pedals to exert her best effort in controlling the wings as they seek to find balance in the turbulent wind.
* Another gust of snow hits the glass. Like a giant wind, the strong wind lifts the Argo, causing the wings to tremble as they rise. She did it.
* But even if I don't understand the principles of flight, I know that this balance is only temporary.
* Having lost power, the plane can only rely on its current altitude and speed to make it to the runway.
* Charlotte calmly signals the control tower, and the runway on the ground is quickly cleared for us to land.
* **Charlotte Harris:** Are you ready?

* **You:** Uh... Of course!

* **Charlotte Harris:** Wish us good luck...

* I'm remiss in my duties as a reporter. Knowing full well that Miss Harris' taming of the runaway Argo must be wonderful...
* ...closing my eyes is the only way I can avoid panicking over losing control, the savage raking of the cold wind that chills us to the bone, and the terror of death...

* Finally, with the sounds of my hoarse screams and the tires exploding, the plane comes to a stop at the end of the runway.
* The airport staff run over to help us disembark.
* As soon as I exit the cabin, I feel dizzy. My knees go weak, and I collapse to the ground. Charlotte comes over to support me.
* **Charlotte Harris:** Colvin, how are you feeling?!

* **You:** I... I'm fine. How about you? Are you hurt, Miss Harris?

* My teeth are chattering from the cold. She drapes a blanket over my shoulders.
* **Charlotte Harris:** Not a scratch. We're very lucky that we didn't encounter a more serious situation.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Once during a training session, there was this rookie pilot who got so nervous that he flew the wrong route, and we...

* **You:** W-Wait! Hold on to that story for just a second...

* I breathe on my stiff fingers, but they still can't hold onto my notebook and pen.
* **You:** I-I really want to interview you right now, b-but I'm sorry, m-my fingers are frozen...

* **Charlotte Harris:** I can't believe it, you actually still want to conduct the interview?

* **You:** I was really honored you invited me to interview you again.

* **You:** Not every reporter gets the chance to interview an ace pilot who's just dealt with plane trouble, right?

* **Charlotte Harris:** And not every journalist is as diligent and responsible as you.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Come on, let's go back to the hangar.

* We've just entered the hangar when Argo is brought in, looking like a wounded bird.
* The propeller blades are broken, the tires on the landing gear are nowhere to be found, a few cables are broken, and the beams are damaged.
* Not to mention how the wooden boards of the wings are curling up, almost exposing the metal brackets. The whole plane is dripping water everywhere miserably.
* **Charlotte Harris:** Do you mind if I perform a check-up on an old friend first?

* **Charlotte Harris:** There's coffee in the coffee pot. You can have a cup to warm up while you wait.

* **You:** Go ahead. I don't mind at all. I'm also really curious to know what went wrong.

* Charlotte nods, indicating that I should explore on my own for a while.
* I head over to the workbench. On top of it rests a copy of the Sun News.

* To inspire the people of New York, ace pilot Charlotte Harris will perform a high-difficulty flight at dawn on Valentine's Day!

* **You:** (This news article takes up a lot of space, and the language is very provocative, but the content is all hearsay.)

* **You:** (Even if I don't interview Harris in person, I could still write a news report like this. Typical of the Sun News.)

* **Charlotte Harris:** The Sun News? It must have been delivered when we were on that test flight.

* **Charlotte Harris:** What nonsense are they spouting now?

* Charlotte takes off her gloves and claps her hands. I set a cup of coffee down in front of her.
* **You:** Nonsense? Well...

* **You:** They found some so-called flying experts to evaluate the difficulty of your stunts. They praised your "extraordinary courage".

* **Charlotte Harris:** Not bad.

* **Charlotte Harris:** I thought they'd definitely write something unpleasant about me after I kicked them out.

* **You:** You kicked them out? Why?

* **Charlotte Harris:** Because I never invited those scumbags in the first place. They're only after fame and fortune.

* **Charlotte Harris:** I only wanted to invite you, Colvin. I like your news reports, they're fair and objective. Unfortunately, you were in Chicago at the time.

* **You:** Thank you for speaking so highly of me.

* **You:** I was really disappointed that I couldn't make it to your charity gala in celebration of the establishment of the new foundation...

* **You:** ...which provides assistance to the families of police officers who have been killed in gang wars. The foundation not only encourages the civilians of New York, but also shows them your support.

* **You:** It also allows gangs to see the people's determination to live a peaceful life.

* **Charlotte Harris:** That's exactly what I meant for it to do. Thank you for your support, Colvin.

* **Charlotte Harris:** And don't feel bad about missing the gala. I really didn't want to put on a show, but my dad insisted—

* **Charlotte Harris:** "If you want to do good, you have to let everyone know how well you're doing it."
* I laugh when I see Harris imitating the councilman's serious manner.

* **You:** Tell me about what happened at the gala. You don't sound happy about how it went.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Just don't include any of this in your articles. My dad definitely doesn't want to see my complaints in the newspapers.

* **You:** Of course, this is off the record.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Now that I'm looking back on it, it really was a downer of a gala. Let me think about where to start...

* **Charlotte Harris:** First of all, please allow me to share my hopes for my upcoming flying display—

* **Charlotte Harris:** It's my hope that it'll help unite us again, after the tragedy of the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre that resulted from gang wars.

* **Charlotte Harris:** I am very grateful for my dad's suggestion now that I see so many people who were invited to this gala agreeing with my ideas...

* **Charlotte Harris:** Apart from the guests I invited myself, I suppose everyone else here must have heard about this from the newspapers or the radio...

* **You:** With so many celebrities in attendance, you must have raised a lot of funds. That sounds great!

* **You:** But earlier you said it was a downer...

* **Charlotte Harris:** Yes, things took a turn halfway through.

* Charlotte puts down her coffee, puts on her gloves, and returns to Argo's side. She turns the propeller and shines a flashlight into the depths.
* **Charlotte Harris:** Do you remember Diane Boseman? The Special Prosecutor I introduced to you at our class reunion?

* I nod.
* **Charlotte Harris:** Do you know what she said to me?

* **Diane Boseman:** Charlotte, if I had known your charity gala was going to be like this, I definitely wouldn't have come.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Have I done something to offend you, Diane?

* **Diane Boseman:** I thought you were going to hold a clean gala.

* **Diane Boseman:** I thought your ambition was the same as mine: to build a city that keeps everyone safe from violence and threats.

* **Charlotte Harris:** I thought that was what I was doing.

* **Diane Boseman:** No, it isn't.

* **Diane Boseman:** Take a look at your guests. Look at the wealthy businesspeople who are approaching Councilman Harris with their own agendas, trying to win over your father the politician.

* **Diane Boseman:** If you truly have pure intentions, don't let their money corrupt you.

* **Diane Boseman:** Cancel your plans for the flying display, and don't have anything to do with this foundation.

* **Diane Boseman:** It's really hard not to make people suspicious of your intentions when you do something like this just before an election.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Do you suspect that my dad is using me to get votes?

* **Diane Boseman:** Not only that.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Diane, if you want to try to convince me, you should just speak your mind.

* **Diane Boseman:** Who do you want to convince you right now?

* **Diane Boseman:** Your friend? Or the Special Prosecutor?

* **Diane Boseman:** As your friend, you should have considered how inviting me to this kind of event would affect my position.

* **Diane Boseman:** And as the Special Prosecutor, I should ask you outright if you're trying to test me in order to achieve your own goals.

* **Charlotte Harris:** I wasn't thinking about any of this!

* **Charlotte Harris:** Alright, I'm really sorry I put you in a difficult position. I just... thought you would be happy about what I was doing...

* **Diane Boseman:** I'll be happy if you have a clear conscience.

* **Diane Boseman:** Of course, I still hope that you'll think about this again. Cancel the flying display, won't you?

* **Charlotte Harris:** I can't back out now...

* **Diane Boseman:** Sorry, Charlotte, I have to go.

* **You:** (It seems like Special Prosecutor Boseman is determined to maintain a spotless reputation in New York.)

* **You:** (Indeed, just like she said, considering Councilman Harris' situation, holding the flying display right now isn't wise.)

* **Charlotte Harris:** Diane handed me a check, and then turned and left.

* **Charlotte Harris:** She's right, I overlooked that this is a sensitive period. The invitation put her in a difficult position. That was my fault.

* **Charlotte Harris:** But I can assure you, this flying display is definitely not to get my dad votes!

* She raises her voice and stands tall on the ladder, like a resolute sculpture.
* **You:** Miss Harris, just like Prosecutor Boseman said—

* **You:** "I'll be happy if you have a clear conscience."

* **You:** The reason why you invited me to report on this flight is to prove that you have no secrets, right?

* **Charlotte Harris:** That's right. And it seems like I chose the right person.

* Her emotions have calmed down a bit. She continues to inspect the propeller.
* **Charlotte Harris:** But those uninvited guests wouldn't think so.

* **You:** The people from the Sun News?

* **Charlotte Harris:** The people from the Sun News.

* **Charlotte Harris:** I see something. What on Earth is this...?

* **Charlotte Harris:** Colvin, can you give me a hand?

* She turns back and points to the wall behind me.
* **Charlotte Harris:** There's a coat hanging on the wall. You'd better put it on first. There are gloves on the workbench, put those on too.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Ah, when you're wearing that outfit, you look just like the real thing.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Is today your first day at the hangar, my new co-pilot?

* **You:** Yes, is there anything I can do for you, pilot?

* I have to admit that her sense of humor is infectious.
* **Charlotte Harris:** No need to be so polite, just call me Charlotte.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Your only task is to hold the propeller blade and make sure it doesn't hit me while I'm inspecting the engine.

* **Charlotte Harris:** This task is very important. Can you handle it?

* **You:** Of course.

* After I secure the propeller blades, Charlotte shines her flashlight into the engine.
* **You:** So, can I also ask you to call me Elizabeth, Charlotte?

* **Charlotte Harris:** You're really good at seizing opportunities. Sure, why not?

* **Charlotte Harris:** What is this...?

* **Charlotte Harris:** Oh no! Oh my god!

* Charlotte suddenly shrinks back in fright, accidentally hitting her head on the propeller.
* **You:** What's wrong?

* **You:** Charlotte!

* She instinctively clutches her head and loses her balance, falling backwards.
* I don't have time to think. Straddling the ladder, I grab onto her coat.
* She grabs my wrist with difficulty, hooks her legs back on the ladder, and trembles as she regains her balance.
* I steady myself on the ladder, struggling to pull her back up, but I never imagined this scene—
* —which must look like an overly enthusiastic air kiss, resulting in sore cheeks and us seeing stars. Clearly, both of us were thrown off balance.
* I can't tell who bumped into whom, but when we come to our senses, we're like startled kittens, holding each other tightly and swaying on the shaking ladder.
* At this moment, I notice a faint floral fragrance on her person that is completely different from her demeanor.
* **You:** Iris?

* **Charlotte Harris:** Yes... I... I really like iris perfumes.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Why are you looking at me like that, Elizabeth? Does this surprise you so much?

* Hearing her call me by my name so naturally, my rationality finally returns. I feel terribly foolish.
* **Charlotte Harris:** Get up, your hair is tickling my chin and it itches.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Whew, that was a little too exciting. I really shouldn't have dragged you into doing this kind of work.

* **Charlotte Harris:** I would have been able to ask my co-pilot Summer for help, but it's too late now, he must have already left.

* **You:** It's okay. That was my first time handling something like that. The experience has been... novel.

* **You:** Speaking of which, did you find something scary just now?

* **Charlotte Harris:** A dead bird... It's probably the culprit. Poor little guy accidentally flew into the engine...

* **You:** A bird? In this season? That's a little hard to believe. Can I take a look?

* **Charlotte Harris:** You'd better not, it'll ruin your appetite.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Look, I was so busy asking for your help... Where were we in our conversation?

* **Charlotte Harris:** ...right, the people from the Sun News.

* **You:** How did you discover them?

* **Charlotte Harris:** I wanted to give the check back to Diane.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Like she said, it was very inappropriate for her to donate the money. I didn't want to put her in a bad position.

* **Charlotte Harris:** When I caught up to her, those guys who had been waiting at the door had surrounded her.

* **Charlotte Harris:** They keep asking about the gala, who attended, and how much each person donated.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Someone even asked Diane directly if she would give my father's background check a green light just because of her relationship with me.

* **You:** (Every candidate has to undergo scrutiny. A question like that is practically accusing Councilman Harris of foul play.)

* **You:** (He has always had a clean reputation. Why would these people harbor such suspicions?)

* **Charlotte Harris:** This is just ridiculous! It not only insults Diane, but also slanders my dad and me!

* **You:** They really shouldn't be asking such biased leading questions.

* **You:** Prosecutor Boseman wouldn't pay attention to those guys, did she?

* **Charlotte Harris:** I guess not... Before she could answer, I had the security personnel chase away those pests.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Don't be mad at the term, I'm only referring to reporters who lack professional ethics.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Can you wait for me here? I'll go and bring some rope over.

* **Charlotte Harris:** That little accident just now has shown me that the two of us alone might not be able to handle this propeller.

* **You:** No problem.

* **You:** So... that's what ruined the whole gala, huh?

* **Charlotte Harris:** That's not all. Do you remember when we flew past the Vosse Building earlier, and I said I had to do a flying stunt there?

* Her voice echoes in the hangar amidst the buzzing sound of iron chains and motors.
* She did mention that before the plane started having trouble.
* **You:** I remember. What, did the owner of the Vosse Building attend the gala too? Did he ask you to do it?

* **Charlotte Harris:** Nothing escapes you.

* **Charlotte Harris:** But he's no friend of mine. I never like dealing with businessmen.

* **Charlotte Harris:** The most infuriating thing is, he even said—

* **Charlotte Harris:** "Just do a few little loops in the sky, sweetheart, and this check will be all yours—guaranteed to be the biggest in the room!

* **Charlotte Harris:** "All the other female pilots to come will all thank you."

* **You:** How dare he say that? He wasn't showing you an ounce of respect!

* **Charlotte Harris:** My dad felt the same way. He told the guy off for that remark, but I still have to go along with it.

* **You:** I thought... outstanding women like you wouldn't encounter this kind of harassment anymore.

* **Charlotte Harris:** I can only say that there's been quite a bit less since I became a pilot.

* The motor's roar abruptly stops. She repeatedly presses a few buttons, but there is no response.
* The rope hangs at a distance from me.
* **You:** What's wrong?

* **Charlotte Harris:** This is really bad luck. Last time, Summer reminded me I should check this thing if there was a problem.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Right, Summer, oh, speaking of him... that's kind of a downer too...

* **Charlotte Harris:** I didn't expect to see him bring a friend to the gala. The two of them were talking so animatedly that he didn't even hear me say hello to him.

* **Charlotte Harris:** Alright, come down now, Elizabeth, there's nothing else to do tonight.

* She returns to the side of the ladder and extends her hand towards me.
* **You:** Thanks. It looks like we can start the interview now?

* **Charlotte Harris:** You really are an outstanding woman... I need to brew another pot of coffee for us to finish our chat.

* **You:** I'm happy to help. Where's the coffee?

* **Charlotte Harris:** In the storage room behind the workbench. Thanks, I'm really exhausted.

* As I walk towards the storage room, something flashes past the darkened window.
* I quickly run over and turn on the light, but I don't see anything unusual inside...