Mercury: Street Tempest/Memory

## Chapter 1: Gossips

Bright lights stayed on all night in the Lodden Hotel.
Waiters in white gloves shuttled trays back and forth, delivering wine and desserts to the guests.
Music wafted out into the garden, lingering in the night air and mixing with the mellow aroma of champagne.
The gentlemen had handkerchiefs and roses in their breast pockets. The ladies wore long skirts and smiled behind their fans.
All of the guests were either Lodden aristocrats or tycoons.
A beautiful lady was sipping champagne and chatting with the gentleman in front of her.
Lady
Where is the host of this party?
Narration
She looked around, seemingly a little disappointed.
Gentleman
I heard he rarely shows up. He just hosts parties to stay relevant.
Lady
Mercury? I don't think there's anyone in Lodden who doesn't know him.
He's a Pigeon aristocrat who rose to fame in the past two years. I didn't think he'd buy New Wing Island so quickly.
Look at how grandiose this party is. I'd dare to say Winslet is probably furious right now.
Narration
Hearing that name, the gentleman smiled.
He refilled her glass, with a know-it-all face.
Gentleman
It wasn't easy for Mercury to outbid old-money Winslet for New Wing Island.
Winslet thought New Wing Island was a done deal.
After Mercury bought New Wing Island, he started a mystery project. No one knew what it was...
Narration
The chit chat gave way to violin playing in the night.
A black cat leaped out of the bushes and jumped up to the second floor, interrupting the conversation.
Lady
Where did the cat come from?
Narration
The lady looked in the direction the cat had disappeared and caught a glimpse of a gray figure on the second floor terrace.

## Chapter 2: Crossing Swords

Lodden News: A major building has collapsed on New Wing Island. 12 killed, 17 injured. Some workers are still buried underneath.
The Lodden government quickly launched a rescue effort. The accident is likely caused by illegal construction underground.
Our reporter contacted Mercury Group that is responsible for the construction, but so far no response.
In the empty conference room, a video of the collapsed New Wing Island project played on a big screen.
The giant dust cloud that rose when the building collapsed took up most of the screen amid screams from workers on scene.
The locals' panic turned to outrage.
They demanded the responsible party to come forward, while rumors ran rampant of an underground base.
Player Selection
▸ Did you win New Wing Island in an auction?
[Player]
Did you win New Wing Island in an auction?
Narration [Mercury appears onscreen]
Yes
It shouldn't be a surprise.
▸ How did the accident happen?
[Player]
How did the accident happen?
Narration [Mercury appears onscreen]
It was a matter of time.
It shouldn't be a surprise.
Player Selection
▸ How are you going to explain this to the residents of the island?
[Player]
How are you going to explain this to the residents of the island?
Narration [Mercury appears onscreen]
That's none of my business.
▸ Is there a secret base underneath New Wing Island?
[Player]
Is there a secret base underneath New Wing Island?
Narration [Mercury appears onscreen]
That's none of your business.
Narration
I muted the video. The black cat was still sleeping soundly on my lap.
There was a knock on the door. My secretary walked in with papers and bowed.
Secretary
We found out what happened, sir.
Your were right, the engineer who carried out the operation once worked for the Winslet Group. They're behind it. [In-game text reads "Your were right" instead of "You were right"]
We got the guy before Winslet's people could silence him.
Mercury
You know what to do, right?
Secretary
Yes.
[*Scene change to building hallways*]

Narration
The secretary left the room and dialed the phone in the hallway.
Secretary
Hello, is this the chief editor of "Lodden News"?
Narration
Public opinion is so much mightier than the sword, and one you can exploit.
People will flock to the bigger news like moths to a brighter flame.
With the semiopaque glass keeping noises out, only a black cat's purring could be heard in the enormous conference room.
[*Scene change to streets*]

Narration
A few days later, the masses have been completely swayed.
Every news feed on every phone and every headline was about the New Wing Island incident.
But the Winslet Group was now the culprit.
The latest investigation revealed that the engineer responsible for the accident actually works for the Winslet Group.
The furious comments denounced Winslet as a murderer.
[*Scene change to Mercury's office*]

Narration
The phones in all major Mercury offices, meanwhile, never stopped ringing.
The secretary repsonded to the media in an organized fashion and cut off unnecessary lines.
[*Sound of a phone buzzing*]

Narration
But soon his phone received a clip of an interview.
I let him play it.
Winslet's face took up the entire screen.
His face scrunched, bloated, and flushed with red, with blue veins popping out of his neck.
Poor overwrought puppet.
President Winslet
This is nonsense! It's slander! I've been framed!
We will find out who's the real culprit!
We won't let this tarnish our name. We'll make sure the true mastermind is brought to justice!
I'll expose you, Mercury! Everyone will see the real you!
Narration
The secretary turned the phone off. Winslet's voice vanished.
Secretary
That was a press conference held by Mr. Winslet. He denied the accusations and believes we framed him.
Moreover, he's seeking alliances with other corporations to try to turn the table back on us.
Also...
Mercury
Keep going.
Narration
The secretary leaned closer and whispered into my ear.
Secretary
We intercepted someone trying to sneak into our building this morning.
Mercury
Found out who that was?
Secretary
Of course. Someone with the Winslet Group, looking to assassinate you.
That makes it third time this month.
Narration
I rose from my chair.
The black cat stopped grooming istelf and arched its back, then quickly plopped down again.
Secretary
Should we send someone...
Narration
I calmly watered the roses on the desk.
Time ticked by slowly.
The red flowers seemed inviting.
Sunlight showered the roses through the window, as beads of water glided down their sides.
The distant buildings of New Wing Island cast large shadows under the sun.
Mercury
Send them an invitation.

## Chapter 3: Grand Feast

Narration
Lodden Hotel was dazzling. Butterflies fluttered in the garden, indulging in the moving lights.
Rows of luxury cars parked outside. Couples clad in formal wear held hands and walked through the gate.
White-gloved waiters zipped through the crowd. Musicians played out in the garden.
Besides Lodden celebrities and politicians, the heads of several mega conglomerates also showed up, all with bodyguards.
All ignorant fools.
Secretary
Everything's set, sir.
Narration
I let the curtains down. They served as a barrier to separate the inside and outside into different worlds.
[*Scene changes to hotel room*]

Narration
Behind me was a seemingly mundane room on the second floor of the Lodden Hotel.
On the table was a vase with red roses, shockingly crimson in the light.
The black cat sat up on the table upon hearing footsteps approaching the door.
[*Scene change to fancy hallway*]

Narration
In the garden, the band played dance tunes. The guests began to waltz on the lawn.
They were too busy carousing to notice the unrest underscoring the festivity.
Finally, someone sensed something was wrong.
Lady
Isn't Mr. Winslet supposed to be here tonight? Where is he?
Gentleman
Maybe too embarrassed and angry to come?
Lady
I prefer Mercury, anyway. At least he's younger and hotter.
Gentleman
Mercury cannot hope to supplant Winslet in Lodden, especially when many smaller corporations are now on his side.
Narration
The Winslet they spoke of finally knocked on the door.
Winslet was walking toward my room. I could hear the footsteps approaching.
[*Scene change to hotel room*]

Narration
The door opened and in strode Winslet.
He was an overconfident businessman, just like all of the guests in the garden below.
Winslet
Mercury.
Narration
Winslet was clad in expensive evening wear and holding a cane studded with jewels.
It flaunts his clout and authority.
But the more dignified he looked, more anxiety I could sense from him.
Winslet
Finally decided to negotiate?
Narration
I didn't respond.
Winslet raised his head slightly, but showing a crack in his calm demeanor.
My silence told him he was in a stickier situation than he'd bargained for.
He felt humiliated. His voice was boiling with anger when he spoke again.
Winslet
I've allied with other corporations and the media. We'll lynch you tomorrow!
What's the matter? You scared speechless?
Narration
Bloated, perverted fool.
I raised a gun.
Winslet overlooked the fact that there was an easier solution.
As far as I'm concerned, this would suffice.
He was visibly shocked and shaking, then signaled his bodyguards to protect him.
The two bodyguards didn't move.
Winslet
What are you doing, Mercury?
You're in Lodden!
Narration
Still a bloated, perverted fool. Noisy, too.
Mercury
For you, this party is over.
[*Scene change to black*]

Narration
Suddenly, every light in Lodden went out.
It was like the whole city bowed in submission.
[*Scene change to fancy hallway*]

Narration
Only the Lodden Hotel stayed lit.
Lady
What happened? What's going on? Hey, waiter...
Narration
Just then...
[*Scene change to starry sky*]

Narration
Bang!
Huge, brilliant fireworks burst across the night sky, illuminating the entire city.
The fireworks shot off one after another, breaking up in the sky into little colorful stars.
Under the twinkling lights, Lodden Hotel came off like a stage at the center of the universe, and the show was just starting.
Champagne sprayed everywhere as the guests partook in a glorious feast.
Under the explosion of fireworks, no one could hear the gunshot.
[*Scene change to hotel room*]

Narration
The rose behind me lost a petal. It floated gently down on the tabletop.
The black cat walked over the fallen Winslet and sat at my feet.
I nodded to the secretary, who slowly closed the door. Before it had shut completely, I raised a glass to the late Winslet.
I was the host of the party and should never be rude to a guest.
[*Scene change to fancy hallway*]

Narration
The garden lights started to dim.
The waiters were still busy, continuing to zip back and forth with their trays.
The band began to play a song no one had ever heard before.
I held a glass of drink and greeted guests below from the terrace.
Fireworks boomed behind me like a magnificent backdrop.
[*Scene change to bar*]

Mercury
Let the party begin.
Narration
A round of cheers rang through the crowd. They were happy to finally see their host.
They stopped talking and looked at me in awe.
The heads of the other corporations learned what had just happened. They knew what to do next.
The rumors about New Wing Island subsided and no one noticed Winslet's absence.
I paid no attention to the garden, just gazing at the distant skyline of New Wing Island.
The secretary stood behind me as usual, running down the progress.
Secretary
The New Wing Island project is expected to wrap at the end of the month.
Mercury
Got it.
Narration
The secretary turned and left.
New Wing Island was covered in darkness, looking like a sleeping giant.