License to Kill/Story Dialogue

*Special order from the Central Government.
Terminate the designated target.*

## Trigger

D

> [Scene: Black][There is a man with his back turned.][From the back, he appears confident, but he cannot hide the fact that he is trembling.][Scene: Office][Meanwhile, the two with their guns drawn at him are both steady as a rock.][The man attempts to suppress the quivering of his voice when he speaks.]**President**Please, don't do something you'll regret.**President**What I've done, what I'm doing, and what I will do...**President**You've got to take it all into consideration.**President**You can't let your personal feelings get in the way of all this.**President**So please, think carefully**President**about what the right decision is.[The two figures who are pointing guns at the man begin to speak.]**D**Decide.**K**All you need to do is make a choice.**K**We'll handle the rest.**D**Just keep in mind.**D**You mustn't make it personal.**D**Whatever you decide, it has to be what you feel is best for everyone.**K**You shouldn't need a lot of time.**K**Especially since you've already made up your mind.**K**So out with it.**K**What do you think?**K**Shoud we kill him?
> Or should we let him live?

## Agency: A

D Commander

> [Scene: Command Center][It's been ages since I had some free time on my hands.][At long last, some precious time with no appointments or any work to do.][First, I'm going to hop in the shower, then I'll think about what I want to do today.][\*Zing\*][Scene: Shower][D and K are in my shower.]**D**We've received an assignment.**K**Let's get to work.**Commander**...**Commander**... I'm far too tired for all of this.[\*Zing\*][Scene: Command Center]**K**Why are you closing the door?**Commander**...[Scene: Shower][\*Zing\*]**D**You seem puzzled.**K**Perhaps I wasn't quite clear.**K**Sit over there. I'll explain everything in detail.**K**Everything will be made clear very soon.**Commander**I'm not confused, it's just...**K**Go on, sit. Let me fill you in.[Scene: Command Center][Soon after.]**D**The target is the president of C.O.L.**K**C.O.L. stands for "Cycle of Life". It's a company that buys used electronics, repairs them, then resells them.**K**Their expansion has been remarkable, in fact, so much that only the Big Three are valued higher.**K**In fact, some reports indicate that they are actually outperforming the Big Three in terms of purchasing and sales.**K**In other words, they're raking in the cash.**D**The money isn't what's important.**K**I know. I'm just saying.**K**Anyway, this guy used to be a real bigwig in the Central Government.**K**Until one day he retired and started this electronics business.**K**Then it blew up.**D**All of this is superfluous information.**K**Fine, then you tell it**D**...**D**This so-called "president" is making large donations to the Central Government.**D**He's also been investing in the medical industry, and making some hefty donations as well.**K**It sounds like he's a real standup guy.**D**But he's been targeted.**D**Why is that?**K**He's making waaaaay too much moolah.**D**What kind of a reason is that?**K**His income can't come just from trading electronics.**K**The Judges feel there must be something else going on.**K**It's up to us to figure out what exactly that is.**K**Once we have, we'll make our decision and carry it out.**Commander**What exactly do you mean?**K**Isn't it obvious?**K**Whether or not we kill this guy.

## Agency: B

Commander D

> [Scene: Command Center]**Commander**...**Commander**Wait... say that again?**K**We've got to decide whether or not we kill this guy.**K**The president. Our target. Kill him. Yes or no? Comprende?**Commander**But why does this guy potentially deserve to die?**K**There's a high chance he's got his fingers in some legally dubious pies.**K**That's evil.**Commander**You're going to kill him just for that?**D**No.**D**We will investigate.**D**If he has done something illegal, then we'll consider the severity of the crime.**D**We will be completely impartial in our investigation.**D**Once we've concluded said investigation, we'll reach our final decision.**K**You follow me?**K**To recap: We determine exactly what the target is, or isn't, up to.**K**Then we make a decision as to whether or not we kill him.**K**That's how Perilous Siege work.**K**This time, you'll be making the final decision, and we'll carry it out.**Commander**Why would I...**D**The Judges have decreed it.**D**This is a first for us as well.**K**Usually, our opinions are taken into serious consideration when making the final decision.**K**But this time, you're the one who gets to pull the trigger... figuratively speaking, that is.**K**Actually, I do have a guess as to why it's different this time around.**Commander**What's the reason?**K**Remember how the target donates a whole lot of money to the Central Government?**K**That's why.**K**If we eliminate the target, there goes the higher-ups' cash cow.**K**The target may be obtaining the money using underhanded methods,**K**but a whole bunch of those profits are being funneled straight to the Central Government.**K**So they've got cold feet.**K**Killing him means derailing the gravy train, but letting him live doesn't sit right with them either.**K**So they're leaving the hard part of making the decision to you.**K**Judges vote to select the next target.**K**Whatever this guy's done, he's obviously crossed the line far enough for the Judges to appoint him as a target,**K**despite the fact many of them are lining their pockets with his ill-gotten money.**K**That's why they're tossing this hot potato in your lap.**K**It might also be because you're part of the Central Government too.**Commander**In other words, they're hoping that I'll play favorites.**K**Potentially.**D**Don't say anything that you can't prove to be true.**K**Alright, alright.**K**We should get going.**Commander**How do we do this?**D**We are going undercover.**K**We've already completed the preliminary investigation.**K**All we have to do is figure out a few smaller details.**K**Going undercover is our best option for that.*Make a choice*
> 1. > **Commander**I'm not very confident in my clandestine capabilities.
> 2. > **Commander**Stand back and watch a master of disguise at work, ladies.
> **K**What are you babbling about?**K**What good would infiltrating the company do us?**K**You think they're gonna leave stacks of illegal paperwork laying around for us to find? How stupid do you think they are?**Commander**Well, what then?**D**We're going to**D**become company employees.

## Company Life: A

Commander D

> [Scene: Command Center]**Commander**... We're going to get jobs?**K**That's right. We'll get hired at the target's company, and see what we can dig up.**K**If we want to find out the truth, we've got to get on the inside.**Commander**How exactly do you plan on all of us getting hired?**D**Starting tomorrow, all we've got to do is show up at the office.**K**We've got it all taken care of.**K**We just need to start working from tomorrow morning.**K**Don't worry, we didn't do anything illegal.**K**We've got our official employee documentation all in order. They look so good, you'd never know they were fake.**Commander**That's illegal.**K**Don't be such a stick in the mud.**K**Anyway, good luck at work.**Commander**You talk as if you're not going.**K**That's exactly right. I'm not going to work.**K**I'm going to look into the medical institutions that the target has been putting money into.**K**That's important too, y'know.**K**You and D can handle this side of things without me.**Commander**Alright**K**Get some rest tonight. We put our plan into action starting tomorrow.**Commander**One last thing.**K**Ugh, what is it?**Commander**Why can't you just ask Enikk to make a judgment?**K**A fair question.**D**Enikk doesn't make judgments unless requested by the Judges.**K**The target has an uncomfortable association with the Judges. There's no way they'd take this to Enikk.[Scene: Enikk's Room (black and white)]**K**The only scenario where Enikk would act on her own**K**would be if someone was causing untold damage to the Ark or its inhabitants.**K**Otherwise, she grants the Judges full autonomy.[Scene: Command Center]**K**Basically,**K**regardless of what this guy is up to, it doesn't constiture a major threat to security, at least not in Enikk's eyes.**K**So long as that's the case, she won't act on her own.**K**I'll give you an example.**K**Human trafficking. An unforgivable offense, wouldn't you say?**Commander**Of course.**K**Not from Enikk's perspective.**K**Nobody gets killed. It's not a question of how traumatic an experience is or isn't. For Enikk, it's purely numbers. If they don't change, then it's not a problem.**Commander**...**K**Having said that, human trafficking often involves a litany of other heinous offenses.**K**However warped it seems, the essential act of human trafficking in and of itself is not a problem as far as Enikk is concerned.**K**She operates according to different standards than us.**K**Therefore, this case is something that the Judges and us need to figure out on our own.**K**Yourself included.**Commander**Okay. I understand.**D**Don't take this lightly.**D**This can be a heavy burden, but it is one you must carry.**Commander**I'll keep that in mind.[Scene: Warehouse][Next day.][D and I start work at the distribution warehouse.][We sort items, move others, and carry out inventory.][After moving around non-stop, it's finally break time.]**D**...**Commander**...**D**...**Commander**...**Commander**This is exhausting.**D**You think so?**Commander**Are you used to this kind of work?**D**Nope.**Commander**... Alright then.**D**...**Commander**You don't talk much, do you?**D**Nope.**Commander**... I see.**Supervisor**Hey there, you two. You're the new hires, right?**Supervisor**How's the work so far?**Supervisor**Nothing too difficult, I hope?**D**No, no problems.**Commander**!!**D**Are you the supervisor?**Supervisor**Guilty! I'm the supervising officer for this line.**D**In that case, if it's alright,**D**I do have a question for you.**Supervisor**Oh... um... sure. Go right ahead.**D**How's the cafeteria food here?**Supervisor**Haha, a very important question indeed! I think you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere with better lunch options than us.**Supervisor**I must admit that I haven't exactly eaten at many other companies, but I still stand by our food here.**Supervisor**Why, are you hungry already?**D**I didn't have any breakfast because I was nervous.**Supervisor**My goodness! You mustn't forget breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day!**Supervisor**I see that you bot started at the same time and are working on the same line.**Supervisor**May I ask how you two know each other?**D**We're newlyweds.**D**Just got hitched two weeks ago.**Commander**...**Supervisor**Oh, I see. Well, good luck with all of that!**D**We're very grateful for you giving us this job. Aren't we, honey?**Commander**Yeah...**Supervisor**You two seem like nice people, so let me say this to you.**Supervisor**This is a fine company to work for. It may be tough going at first,**Supervisor**but if you stick it out, you're sure to be noticed.**Supervisor**Take me for example. My legs aren't in the greatest shape, but they still let me work here.**Supervisor**As a matter of fact, I'll be working directly under the president starting tomorrow.**D**Wow, no kidding?**D**What does that position entail, exactly?**Supervisor**Actually, I don't know the details myself, but if it's directly under the president, it must be good, right?**Supervisor**Not to mention the pay...[The supervisor lifts his hand far above his head.]**Supervisor**Let's just say I might be in for an early retirement.**D**You lucky son of a gun!**Supervisor**All you need is a good work ethic. Work hard, and you'll reap the rewards.**Supervisor**The president admires people like that.**Supervisor**I've only been here 3 weeks as well.**D**You cam on as a supervisor, but you've moved up that fast in less than a month? Remarkable.**Supervisor**The president just takes a shine to people who put their noses to the grindstone.**Supervisor**So long as you two work hard, you can become like me too.**D**I certainly hope so.**Supervisor**Best of luck!**D**You too.[The supervisor walks away.]**Commander**...**D**...**D**You got something to say?**Commander**No, I was just admiring your acting skills back there.**D**Presenting an amiable and innocuous image is beneficial to gathering information.**Commander**I'm just surprsied you can turn on a dime like that.**D**...**D**You're starting to make me self-conscious.**Commander**... Sorry.[\*Zing\*][blabla app opens.]**K**When do you finish?**K**I know it's only been one day, but let's exchange information.**K**Come to the hospital when your're done.**K**This place is interesting.**D**Roger.[blabla app closes.][\*Ding dong dang dong\*][It seems that break time is over.]**D**Let's get back to it.[Scene: black][While walking back to the assembly line,][all i can think about is how I want to finish work quickly.]

## Company Life: B

Commander D

> [Scene: Hospital Room][After work. Hospital.]**K**How'd it go? Did you find anything suspicious?**Commander**It was only the first day...**K**Even so, there must have been something that caught your attention.**K**I don't care how minor it seems. I want to hear everything.*Make a choice*
> 1. > **Commander**The lunch wasn't self-service.
> 2. > **Commander**The break time seemed a little short.
> **K**...**K**What, are you planning on starting a new career there or something?**K**Spare me the workplace complaints and give me the dirt!**Commander**Well... there wasn't anything really.**K**...**K**D, help me out here.**D**They seem to give out promotions like candy.**Commander**Oh, right. That was strange...**K**Tell me in detail.[I tell K that our supervisor has only been there for 3 weeks, but he's already going to be working directly under the president, starting tomorrow.]**K**That's odd, alright.**K**No on moves that quickly up the corporate ladder.**K**Does he have any connections within the company?**D**I did a background check on him, and didn't turn anything up.**K**Hmmm...**K**Any other ideas?**D**All I can do is assume, and you know what that does.**K**It only makes an "ass" out of "u" and "me".**D**How are things on your end?**K**Our target has been pouring money into this hospital almost non-stop.**K**But it's strange...**K**It's too clean.**Commander**It's a hospital. Shouldn't it be clean?**K**Are you intentionally trying to get on my nerves?**Commander**... Sorry.**K**I looked into the patients, and everyone under the sun is staying there.**K**Literally everyone from high-level executives to part-time students.**K**There's a wide age range too.**K**As far as I can tell, it doesn't seem like a hospital that focuses specifically on any age group or class.**K**The employess aren't skimming anything off the top, and there aren't any funds being misappropriated for unnecessary repairs or maintenance.**K**There was one crucial thing, however.**K**That.[K points to a girl off in the distance. She is holding the hand of a hospital staff member, and is struggling to walk unassisted.]**Commander**What's so crucial about that kid?**K**I'll tell you what.**K**This hospital is filled with people who have the same symptoms as that kid.**K**Only thing is, that's an incredibly rare disease. So uncommon, in fact, that only a couple dozen people in the entire Ark have it.**K**The mortality rate is quite high.**Commander**...**K**Not much research has been done regarding this disease because so little is known about it and there are so few recorded cases.**K**More than 80% of the donations the target has given are going towards the research and treatment of this disease.**K**He's poured so much money into this place, that research on the disease has progressed by leaps and bounds.**K**They're also trying to find a meaningful cure.**K**Nearly everyone who is suffering from this disease has gathered at this hospital.**K**You see that kid over there? 3 Days ago, she was bedridden.**D**What's your point**K**I need to do a bit more digging, but**K**this place looks clean to me.**K**For the moment, at leasts.**Commander**What's your next move?**K**I'm going to use my own methods to dig a bit deeper.**K**The simplest way of going about this would be to concentrate on a few key figures.**K**Using this.[Scene: black][\*Buzzz!\*][Scene: Hospital Room][The stinger attached to K's gun makes an ominous sound.]**K**It hurts like heck, but it won't leave any lasting damage.**K**If you want to get the truth out of someone, you can't beat this.**D**We mustn't resort to such underhanded tactics.**K**Not this again. We're going to be here forever if we don't.**D**Don't forget.**D**If you want clean results, then your methods have to be just as clean.**K**You go ahead and do that.**K**I'm doing this my way.**Commander**I don't think that's a good idea.**K**Not you too?**K**Do you have any idea that the lengths people go to cover up the terrible things they do?**K**If you want to bring them to justice, you've got to be willing to go just as far as they are.**K**Think of this as a "shortcut".[Scene: black][\*Buzzz!\*][Scene: Hospital Room]**K**I despise how these people cover everything up and manipulate the truth.**K**It sickens me how they keep it all under wraps.**K**They know what they're doing is wrong, but they do it anyway. They could care less.**K**We need to be strong in the face of evil, don't you think?**K**Well, it doesn't get much stronger than this.[Scene: black][\*Buzzz!\*][Scene: Hospital Room]**K**I'll give them a taste of their own medicine.**D**I don't agree with your methods.**K**Right back at ya.**D**We should go back.**D**We need to be at work by 8.**Commander**... Okay.**K**Have a nice day at work.

## A Foggy Day: A

Commander D

> [Scene: Warehouse][We've been showing up to work for 5 days,][but haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary.][Because we're new employess, and low-level ones at that, the information we're privy to is somewhat limited.][When I ask D whether the Judges could help get us a promotion of some kind,][she immediately rebukes me.]**D**If we pull any outside strings to attain a higher position,**D**the other workers might end up getting jealous, or it could ring alarm bells in upper management.**D**Either way, we don't want to draw unwanted attention.[Scene: black][Our only recourse is to work harder.][Our co-workers have taken a keen interest in us,][and we're bombarded with questions every time we are on break.][You look so young! Why did you marry so early?][Scene: Warehouse]**D**So that we'd have a joint bank account. Being together means you can make more money together.[Scene: black][How did you meet each other?][Scene: Warehouse]**D**We met at another job.
> We both wanted to make a lot of money, so we hit it off.[Scene: black][You both are such hard workers. You're not like most young people these days.][Scene: Warehouse]**D**We want to get promoted, so that we can make more money.[Scene: black][Why are you so fixated on making money?][Scene: Warehouse]**D**We want to buy a house, and be able to eat out whenever we want.**D**We also want children.**Commander**...[Scene: black][Have you ever considered getting a second, or even a third, job?][Scene: Warehouse]**D**Your focus suffers if you stretch yourself too thin.**D**We want to concentrate fully on working here. We like this company a lot.[Scene: black][Thanks to D's bravura performance,][we are regarded as newlyweds eager to prove themselves and get promoted][and keep ourselves from being in the poor house.][One day, I ask D something.][Scene: Warehouse]**Commander**Lying isn't eactly a "clean" way of going about things, is it?**D**No one's getting hurt, so it's fine.[Scene: City][On our 6th day on the job,][I meet D, and we head to work.][A dense fog lingers in the air, part of the Ark's effort to adjust the internal humidity.][Scene: black][\*Creek...\* \*Creek...\*][Scene: City]**Commander**How long do we have to keep this up?**D**One should always work hard.**Commander**I mean at this company specifically.[Scene: black][\*Creek...\* \*Creek...\*][Scene: City]**D**Until who we're after comes to us.**Commander**Are you sure they'll do that?**D**We're talking about a place where you can apparently make a fortune in just 3 weeks.**D**If we keep our heads down and appear eager, I'm sure someone will seek us out.[Scene: black][\*Creek...\* \*Creek...\*][Scene: City]**Commander**What you're saying is that we'll have to keep doing this for at least another two weeks...[Scene: black][\*Creek...\* \*Creek...\*][Scene: City]**Commander**Do you hear that? What is that?**D**Couldn't tell you.[I've been hearing a strange noise for a while now.
> It's starting to get on my nerves.][The closer we get to work, the louder it gets.][I squint and peer at where the sound appears to be coming from.][I can't see well because of the heavy fog, but...][Scene: black][\*Creek...\* \*Creek...\*][Scene: City][I can vaguely make out something swaying in the air.]**Commander**What is that?**D**...**D**!!**D**Turn around.**Commander**...Huh?**D**I said turn around.[Scene: black][I turn around.][\*Creek...\* \*Creek...\*][Scene: City]**D**...**D**Whatever you do, don't look behind you.**Commander**... What's going on?**D**Just don't look behind you.**Commander**... ?[Ahhhh!!][Argh! Ahhhh!!][Terrified screams echo near the company entrance.]**D**...**Commander**... D[Scene: black][\*Creek...\* \*Creek...\*][Scene: City]**D**Quiet.[Someone call the police!][Hurry! Hurry!][Scene: black][\*Creek...\* \*Creek...\*][Scene: City][An ominous feeling begins to overtake me.][The only thing I know is that I absolutely,][positively cannot turn around, or say anything.][Scene: black][\*Creek...\* \*Creek...\*]

## A Foggy Day: B

Commander D

> [Scene: black][Did you ever get the impression something was off about the supervisor?][Scene: Warehouse]**Production Line Employee**I seem to remember hearing something about him having a lot of debt from illegal gambling,**Production Line Employee**but he never mentioned anything about it himself.**Production Line Employee**I never saw any warning signs, not from what I remember...**Production Line Employee**He was such a good worker... How...[Scene: black][Did the supervisor recently seem upset or perturbed in any way?][Scene: Warehouse]**Material Sorting Employee**He did seem a bit downcast the past few days.**Material Sorting Employee**I think it was after he started working for the president.**Material Sorting Employee**Whenever I asked if something was wrong, he would just shake his head.**Material Sorting Employee**I never thought he'd do such a thing...[Scene: black][Did he have any complaints about the company?][Scene: Warehouse]**Transportation Employee**Not a one. He would havae died for this company.**Transportation Employee**He had a bad leg, but they hired him anyway, and paid him a full salary. Management rewarded him for his hard work...**Transportation Employee**Complaining about this place is just about the last thing he'd ever do.**Transportation Employee**So then why did he...**Commander**The most logical thing would be that something happened after he started working for the president.**D**What exactly do you do when that happens?**Commander**... That I can't say.**D**The onyl thing we can do is wait.**Commander**How about we search his house?**D**I already did.**D**The place was immaculate.**D**A little too clean in fact.**Commander**...**D**...**Commander**Let's expedite our plan.**D**What plan?**Commander**I'm saying we should make getting noticed by the president our top priority.**D**Don't lose your head.**D**We've cultivated a good image at this point.**D**If we move too quickly, people might sense something is up.**Commander**How about we come up with a situation where we need money, and fast?**Commander**That'll be in line with the image we've set up for ourselves.**D**Good idea.**D**But I can't seem to think of anything that'd work.**Commander**What's our relationship status again?**D**Newlyweds.**D**...**D**You don't mean...**Commander**That's right. If we go with that, no one will suspect us.

## Approach

Commander D

> [Scene: Warehouse]**Production Line Employee**Oh my stars! How wonderful it is to hear some good news in a dark time like this.**Production Line Employee**How far along is she? Did the hospital tell you?**Commander**5 weeks**Production Line Employee**Oh! So it's a recent development!**Production Line Employee**But what are you doing[*sic*] to do? Before long, you won't be able to work...**Production Line Employee**And you'll be needing more money than ever.**Commander**Funny that you mention that. Would it be possible to take on another job at this same company?**Production Line Employee**Two jobs? I'm not sure.**Production Line Employee**If you bring it up with them, I don't think it'd be an issue.**Production Line Employee**...**Production Line Employee**Woudl you like me to try and have a word with the higher-ups?**Production Line Employee**I can tell them the new hire could use the extra money.**Commander**If you can, that'll be great.**Production Line Employee**Okay, I'll see what I can do.**Production Line Employee**The president is a good person. I'm sure he'll work something out for you.**Production Line Employee**Don't you worry.[The lady scurries off the production line.]**D**...**Commander**\*Sigh\*...**D**Is there a problem**Commander**I feel rotten.**D**Why?**Commander**I feel like we're taking advantage of that lady.**D**...**D**I feel the same way.[Scene: Seedy Back Alley][On the way home after work,][as soon as we enter an area with no other people, someone calls for us to stop.]**President**Excuse me.**President**You're Diana and Steve, right?**President**Nice to meet you.**Commander**Hi, nice to meet you.**D**It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. President.**President**I heard from some of the other employees that you're looking to take on some additional responsibilities?**Commander**Yes. We're in urgent need of some additional funds.**President**Mmm, they informed me of your situation.**President**I've also heard a few things about both of you.**President**You two are real hard workers with a whole lotta passion, or so I'm told.**President**Since you could use a little help financially,**President**how would you like to come work for me personally?**Commander**!!**Commander**What would our job be, exactly?**President**It's quite simple, really.**President**C.O.L. is also involved in the transportation business.**President**We do deliveries to certain special areas.**President**You'll be responsible for making those deliveries.**Commander**What is this "special" lcoation?**President**The Outer Rim.**Commander**... The Outer Rim?**President**Oh, don't worry. It's nothing illegal.**President**I've been donating electronics to the Outer Rim for some time now.**President**You know tough [*sic*] it can be out there.**President**The people there should have the right to have access to technology, even if it may not be the latest models.**Commander**You must have a lot of people willing to carry out these deliveries.**President**If only that were true.**President**The Outer Rim is a dangerous place,**President**or at least that's what most people think.**President**If you ask me, it's not dangerous at all.**President**The people there know we have good intentions, and have been nothing but friendly to us.**President**That I can guarantee.**President**Anyway, that long-standing prejudice means that a lot of people are hesitant to go to the Outer Rim.**President**But from what I've heard about you two, something tells me you won't feel that way.**D**How much does it pay?**President**Five times what you get now.**D**F-Five times?**President**Please don't think I'm giving you that much because it's illegal.**President**It's nothing like that.**President**It's just my way of showing a little appreciation to those working for me who go above and beyond.**President**Well, what do you say?**D**Can we think ab--**Commander**We'll do it. When do we start?**President**Very good.**President**Be at the number 3 inventory warehouse by 6 o'clock tomorrow morning.**President**I'll have an employee there waiting. They'll explain everything.**President**Look forward to working with you both.[The president nods and turns around.]**D**...**D**That was fast.**Commander**Because his last assistant is gone.**Commander**At any rate, something fishy is definitely going on. We'll see for sure tomorrow.**D**Right.

## Cross to Bear: A

Commander D

> [Scene: Warehouse][Next day. 6 in the morning. Number 3 inventory warehouse.]**Young Employee**About time you showed up.**Young Employee**Get in.**Commander**Who are you?**Young Employee**Your bodyguard.**Young Employee**The president may like to pontificate about how safe the Outer Rim is,**Young Employee**but it's filled with all sorts of seedy characters.**Young Employee**Hurry up and get in. We've got a schedule to keep.**D**Who's driving?**Young Employee**I am.**D**Can I drive?**Young Employee**Think you can handle it?**D**Of course.**Young Employee**Go right ahead. Gives me some time to relax for a bit.**D**Can I open the trunk before we go?**Young Employee**... Why?**D**I need to know what's inside. It could affect how I have to drive.**Young Employee**Electronics.**D**I know that, but I need to know how it's all laid out.**Young Employee**A real professional, I see.**Young Employee**Be my guest. Look, but don't touch.[Scene: black][D and I head to the back of the semi-truck and open up the trunk.][It is filled with various household appliances.][At first glance, nothing seems out of the ordinary.][Scene: Warehouse]**D**Alright, got it.**D**Let's hit the road.

## Cross to Bear: B

D Commander

> [Scene: Outer Rim Gate][D drives the truck towards the Outer Rim, and passes through the boundary wall without issue.][We're allowed to pass after a simple inspection.][The perks of being tight with the military, I suppose.][Scene: black][We bob and weave our way through the Outer Rim.]**Young Employee**Taka a right here.[The truck enters a narrow alley.][Scene: Rubbish-filled Alley][After a while, we reach a small clearing.]**Young Employee**Here. Stop.[The clearing is completely empty and desolate.][That is, except for another truck similar to the one we're diving, which is parked opposite us.][We get out of the truck.]**Young Employee**Good deal. We leave the truck we rode on here.You see the truck parked there?
> That's the one we'll drive back.**D**So we're just leaving this entire truck here?**Young Employee**Right. Someone from the Outer Rim will come and take the items inside.**D**Why aren't we giving them out ourselves?**Young Employee**You're awfully inquisitive. The last guy asked too many questions as well.If we hand them out ourselves, we'd in close proximity to the general population.Do you have any idea how dangerous that would be?Let's get a move on. I don't want to linger here.**D**You got it,Oh, darn.I screwed up.**Commander**...?**D**I think I left my wallet in the trunk earlier when I was checking it.**Young Employee**What? Hey, wait...[D jogs over to the back of the truck and opens the door.]**D**...**Young Employee**Hey! You can't be opening that without permission.**D**You know, I just thought of something.When I was driving, the truck felt awfully loaded down.When I picked up speed or took a turn, I could really feel the weight bearing down.But these electronics here couldn't possibly account for all that weight.**Young Employee**... So?**D**Mind if I take a look inside?**Young Employee**Yes, I do mind.**D**Just a quick peek.**Young Employee**It ain't gonna happen, lady.[\*Grab\*][The employee moves twoards D and grabs her shoulder.]**Young Employee**Move aside. Why are you so damn nosy, anyway?[\*Whip\*]**Young Employee**??[D produces some kind of canister from her pocket and tosses it into the back of the truck.][\*Bang!!\*][\*Whhhhssssssssss!!\*]**Commander**A smoke grenade?**Young Employee**Wh-What is this? What's going on?[\*Baaang!\* \*Crashhh!\*][The appliances that were piled in the back come tumbling down with a resounding crash.][Revealing...][approximately 10 mass-produced Nikkes.][They come rushing out from the truck and look themselves over.][Once they've confirmed they haven't sustained any injuries, they stare at us nervously.]**Young Employee**This can't be happening...**D**Who are these people?**Young Employee**Are you blind? They're Nikkes.**D**Are they being sent here to volunteer at the Outer Rim?**Young Employee**In a way.**Commander**Are you selling Nikkes to the Outer Rim?**Young Employee**Don't act so surprised.Do you really think we'd come all the way to the Outer Rim just to deliver electronics?Give it up acting all innocent.You should have known something was up when they were willing to pay you a king's ransom for this job.Who in their right mind would pay you five times your salary for a basic delivery?**Commander**What will happen to these Nikkes?**Young Employee**How should I know?Cannon fodder for some local insurrection, maybe. Who cares?**Commander**You son-of-a...**Young Employee**Jeez, another boy scout? First the guy before, now you two.So I'm the bad guy, is that it?Just shut up and take the money. We're all out here trying to make a living, aren't we?So stop glaring at me, and hurry up and get in the truck.We've got another stop to make.**D**Does the president know this?**Young Employee**What do you think, genius?**D**How long have you been doing this?**Young Employee**6 months, give or take.I had my misgivings in the beginning, but then I remembered the Central Government would only scrap these Nikkes anyway.It's easier if you just think of them as objects. That's pretty much what they are, anyway.**D**I see.Die then.**Young Employee**... Huh?[Scene: black][\*Swoosh!!\*][D's axe flies through the air.][Scene: Rubbish-filled Alley][I quickly grab onto the employee's shirt and yank him back.][Scene: black][D's axe whirls past and embeds into the side of the truck with a loud thud.][Scene: Rubbish-filled Alley]**Young Employee**Gahh!**Commander**What are you doing?!**D**I was about to kill something that shouldn't be considered human.**Young Employee**Y-You were gonna kill me?!**Commander**You were going to kill someone just because you got riled up?**D**No.I don't act based on emotion.If there is someone who has acted immorally,and I can prove it beyond a reasonable doubt,I am authorized to use deadly force.Should any evidence be brought into question, I will take my own life.This is the cross I bear.I carry it with me always.**Young Employee**Ah! Arghhh!![In a panic, the employee flees.]**D**...Wait here.[D takes off in a flash.]**Commander**Wait! D!![She is already out of sight.][Scene: black][A few minutes later,][she comes ambling back.]**D**...**Commander**... What did you do?**D**Do you really want to know?**Commander**I asked, didn't I?**D**I did what I had to.**Commander**...*Make a choice*
> 1. > **Commander**Well done.**D**...!Alright then.
> 2. > **Commander**You'll come to regret it.**D**I have never regretted any of my actions.That man got what he deserved....
> **D**Let's go back.[Scene: black][We usher the mass-produced Nikkes back into the truck and head back to the Ark.][Neither of us utters a single word to each other the entire way back.]

## Light and Shadow: A

Commander D

> [Scene: Command Center][We don't report to work the next day.][D is out taking care of an errand.][I lie on my bed, staring at the ceiling.][\*Zing\*]**Commander**Is that you, D?**D**Yeah.**Commander**What were you up to?**D**Doing some investigation. And extermination.**Commander**What?**D**I focused my investigation on what transpired yesterday.Read this.[D hands a file over to me.][I parse through the file and read its contents.][Scene: Seimeikai Chambers][The president was a former member of the Seimeikai who left in disgrace. After that, he linked up with a smaller splinter group.][With their help, he began cutting deals with the Outer Rim.][At some point during the investigation process, this splinter group was eradicated.][Scene: Rubbish-filled Alley][The Central Government sold mass-produced Nikkes which were near the end of their life cycles, as well as a variety of weapons, to the president.][He then sold those mass-produced Nikkes and weapons under the guise of giving a charitable donation.][...][The mass-produced Nikkes who were sent to the Outer Rim ended their own lives for a variety of reasons.][Scene: black][I'd rather not read through the sordid details.][The mass-produced Nikkes and weapons were purchased by various factions in the Outer Rim, both big and small.][Scene: City][The president of C.O.L. grew the company by leveraging the benefits and connections he had garnered through all these backdoor deals.][He has, however, engaged in some genuine philanthropy, such as his investing in the hostpital.][The president is closely connected to several high-ranking officials in the Central Government's Nikke Management Department,][and lines their pockets often.][Scene: Restaurant][That's not all.][He periodically makes donations to various other departments.][He's been invited as an honored guest to several official events.][Scene: Command Center][...]**Commander**Now i see why Enikk can't pass judgment.Because no one would ever give up their golden goose and send him to her.**D**Precisely.**Commander**What does K have to say about this?**D**She'll be here soon.[Scene: black][\*Zing\*][Scene: Command Center]**K**How's it hangin', everyone?**Commander**...**D**...**K**Well, aren't we a cheery bunch.Did you guys forget how to talk or something?**Commander**Tell us what you've turned up.**K**Yikes.You guys are wound tight today.You didn't do the deed, did you?**Commander**Excuse me?**K**You know...[K takes her finger and slides it across her neck dramatically.]**Commander**...**K**Gotcha.What did the Judges say?**D**Justified. Sentence upheld.**K**Nicely done.You've always been good at that part of the job. Catches me a little off guard sometimes.**D**What'd you find at the hospital?**K**Oh, that?I used a variety of different "methods".I couldn't turn up an ounce of dirt on the place.Far as I can tell, it's a perfectly respectable establishment.The place is squeaky clean. So much so, that I'm starting to wonder if I'm missing something.At any rate, I'm calling it. There isn't anything suspicious about the hospital.Right, that reminds me.Our target is attending an event today.Do you want to go?

## Light and Shadow: B

D Commander

> [Scene: City][We are standing in front of a crowded building filled with people.][The president stands in front of a small podium.][He makes an excited declaration:]**President**The biomedical center is finally completed!This building will focus specifically on treating rare, harmful diseases.It is a monumental place that will help countless people live longer, happier lives.No longer will anyone be refused proper medical treatment purely because they have a rare disease.No longer will they be denied the necessary governmental care.As of today, they will find help here at the biomedical center.Everything from preliminary examinations, to exhaustive treatment, will all be offered free of charge.You may be asking: Why would we do something where we know we won't make any money?My answer is: Because all lives are equal!All lives deserve the same amount of respect, no matter what.That is what we believe here at Cycle of Life.[The crowd erupts into raucous cheers and applause.]**K**Everything for free? That's incredible.[I fell as if something has crawled deep up inside me.][I stand there for a while, thunderstruck.][Scene: black][\*Tap\*][Scene: City]**D**Let's head back.It's dangerous to stay here.In more ways than one.[Scene: black][All three of us head back to the Commander's Room.][Scene: Command Center]**D**The target knows about us.Our cover is blown since we sabotaged the delivery and quit our jobs.We need to act now.**K**Let's go over everything one more time.Reasons why we should kill the target:He sells mass-produced Nikkes and weapons to the Outer Rim.And it goes deeper than that.That merchandise gets utilized in civil conflicts, further destabilizing the situation at the Outer Rim and resulting in additional casualties.Reason why we shouldn't kill the target:He built a hospital specializing in rare diseases that offers free treatment for patients.That gives hope to those who are suffering from these diseases, as well as their families.This is a tough one.If we're going by tmy standards, this guy is a positive and a negative put together, which adds up to zero.**D**What should we do?**Commander**I want to hear more about what you two think.**D**I would kill him if I were you.**K**I wouldn't.**Commander**Can I ask why?**D**Because he deserves to die.**K**Because he doesn't deserve to die.**Commander**... Right....I wan't to speak with the president.**K**???**D**...**Commander**Is that not possible?**K**I don't see why not.But he's amped up security in light of what's happened.I don't know how you'll be able to get close to him.**D**Quit joking around, will you?**K**Hehe, sorry. Couldn't resist.It's true that he's amped up security,but that won't be a problem for us.The cross that we bear is heavy indeed,but if you can endure it,you're capable of anything.**Commander**So how do we get close to the president?**D**??Show up at his front door. I'm sure he'll be at home.**Commander**But what about the security?**D**We'll mow through them easily enough.**Commander**Wouldn't that only cause us more problems?**D**It's fine. The Judges will take care of it.**Commander**I thought you two were all about subterfuge and keeping a low profile.**D**Sure, until we've reached a final decision.Once we're certain what needs to be done,it's full steam ahead.**K**Put this on.[K hands me a mask.]**K**It doesn't matter to us, but if you get recognized, it could be an issue for you later on.Time to move out.

## Go Time: A

D Commander

> [Scene: City]**Guard**Hold them back!Agh! Who are these guys?![We decide to charge in and take everyone head-on.][Scene: Lobby][We kick down the main door to the house, and fight our way through the guards waiting in the garden.][D and K knock every one of them unconscious without firing a single bullet.][Before I know it, we're in front of the president's private office.][Scene: Office][\*Thud\*][Behind the door is the president, alongg with 4 of his bodyguards, staring at us.]**President**Are you here to kill me?Was ruining my deal not enough for you?I don't understand this.Do you have something against me? Do we know each other?**D**Need to know basis, and you don't need to know.**President**Fine. If I'm being honest, I wasn't overly curious.[The president lifts his hand,][\*Cluck\*][and the bodyguards all aim their weapons at us.]**President**You did a good job with those documents. I had no idea they were forged.I gave you that job because I took pity on you, since you needed money so badly.And now you've come here to take me down?No, this isn't some personal vendetta.Who sent you?**D**Again. Need to know basis.**President**Fine.There's always been plenty of people who have wanted me dead.I took care of them all exactly the same way.This time won't be any different.This isn't my first rodeo.Say goodnight.[\*Whoo!\*][\*Crunch!!\*]**Guard**Ugh![Scene: black][D hurls her axe at the bodyguard's gun, shattering it into pieces.][Scene: Office][She rushes forward, retrieves the axe, and tosses it to the side.][\*Crumble!\*][Scene: black][It hits another bodyguard in the side.][Scene: Office][He emits a pained groan as he slumps to the ground.][As he falls, D knocks over another bodyguard who is standing frozen in terror.][It's all over in less than 10 seconds.][All I can think is that it's a good thing that the axe didn't have a sharpened edge.]**President**Tsk!![Scene: black][\*Tang!\* \*Tang!\* \*Tang!\*][Scene: Office][As D kneels down to pick up the axe, the president grabs a pistol and fires at her head.][Scene: black][D lowers her head slightly.][Scene: Office][After gathering herself as if nothing happened, she glowers at the president.]**President**A Nikke?!But how can you harm humans?...You are Perilous Siege...!Those infernal Judges! They've already taken so much, yet they're coming after me?!**K**Whoa, you know us?You really are in the upper echelons.**President**... Have they sent you to kill me?**K**Not yet.**President**What?**K**Our client here would like to have a word with you.**Commander**Is that supposed to be referring to me?**K**For crying out loud, would it kill you to just play along? What, then? An adjudicator?**President**It sounds like I might live, depending on how this conversation goes.**K**You never know.**President**...Very well. Let's talk.**Commander**...How are you committing such diametrically opposed acts?One minute you're an illegal arms dealer, and the other you're a philanthropist. What's going on?**President**That's the cycle of life, is it not?**K**Huh?**President**The mass-produced Nikkes. Right. I feel bad for them.Being sold to the Outer Rim to be used and abused during their final days, which are numbered to begin with. A sorry fate, to be sure.But if they didn't go to the Outer RIm, they would have just been scrapped, quietly swept under the rug like discarded refuse.They would have disappeared without a trace.I took those miserable fates and turned them into an opportunity to make money.Money that I can use to better other people's lives.I buy life, and repay it with new life.**Commander**What about the people in the Outer Rim? Do their lives not count?**President**I simpley provide them with Nikkes and weapons.What they decide to do with them is out of my hands.They have other options available to them.They could have used the Nikkes for labor and dismantled the weapons, using the parts to improve their own livelihoods.But they didn't.**Commander**Why did you leave it to your employees to make the deliveries?**President**Out of kindness. It's as simple as that.I merely wanted to give back to those who had worked so hard for my company.**Commander**Don't lie to me.**President**...It was to create distance between me and the deals.I couldn't have people know I was involved in such a shady business. How could I continues with my philanthropy otherwise?**Commander**So it doesn't matter what happens to the delivery person?**President**I made sure to request not inspect the cargo.Some choose not to heed my warning and end up feeling remorse. Some end up taking their own lives.There's nothing I can do about that.**Commander**... Are you going to keep doing this?**President**Yes.I am.Think about this.Killing me will mean you'll be cutting off support for those people with incurable diseases.A lot of people will lose thier jobs.**D**If we let you live, those Nikkes and countless people in the Outer Rim will keep dying.**President**... Mass-produced Nikkes and the people of the Outer Rim.People in the Ark, who have a future.Take your pick.**Commander**...**K**That's enough questions.Turn around. Don't even think about trying to look back.It's time for us to decide.

## Go Time: B

D Commander

> [Scene: black][The president has his back turned to us.][From the back, he appears confident, but he cannot hide the fact that he is trembling.][Scene: Office][Meanwhile, the two with the guns drawn at him are both steady as a rock.][The man attempts to suppress the quivering of his voice when he speaks.]**President**Please, don't do something you'll regret.What I've done, what I'm doing, and what I will do...You've got to take it all into consideration.You can't let your personal feelings get in the way of all this.So please, think carefullyabout what the right decision is.[The two figures who are pointing guns at the man begin to speak.]**D**Decide.**K**All you need to do is make a choice.We'll handle the rest.**D**Just keep in mind.You mustn't make it personal.Whatever you decide, it has to be what you feel is best for everyone.**K**No need to drag it out.Especially since you've already made up your mind.So out with it.What do you think.Should we kill him? Or let him live?**D**This is the cross you must bear.Can you endure it?
> 1. > **Commander**Kill him.**D**Affirmative.Any last words? The last request is fine as well.**President**Bite me. You're nothing but Central Government lapdogs.**D**CommanderGo home.Take a hot shower and get some sleep.Tomorrow is a new day.**Commander**I have to see this to the end.**D**No.Go.It's for the best.You've set down your cross, but the weight of it remains.Don't make it any heavier than it already is.Let us carry if the rest of the way.Go.[...][Scene: black][I turn and start walking.][\*Bang\*][Scene: Lobby][I can't tell whether it was the sound of the door closing or a gunshot][And I don't want to know.][Scene: Command Center][Two days have passed.]I haven't gotten any sleep.On the news, I keep seeing stories about the missing C.O.L. president.There's also plenty of coverage detailing how the biomedical center is having difficulty keeping its doors open.Finally, there are reports about the hardships faced by C.O.L. employees.All I can do is continue to stare blankly at the ceiling.**D**How are you feeling?**Commander**Not like I thought I would.**D**...C.O.L. will be taken over by the Vice President.I'm told everything will be the same as before.As for the biomedical center...**Commander**...**D**The Sovereigns came forward to lend a hand financially.**Commander**!!**D**I always envision the world as being ruled by a cosmic scale.On one end, you've got good, and evil on the other. All in perfect balance.The scales occassionally skew to one side or the other.Evil tends to win out more easily,where good has a tougher time coming out on top.Thtat's because it's dependent on sacrifice.Your money, your time, and your feelings... they're all part of it.Even after all that, when there are so many people giving so much of themselvesto committing good deeds, it can still be difficult to get the scales to balance.So I kill the ones who commit evil deeds.So long as I do that,I'll tip the scales in good's favor.Until one day,the scales will skew towards good permanently, and the world will follow suit.That is what I believe. That is why I do the work I do....Because of your decision,I believe the world is a better place.So don't let the burden consume you.This cross is no longer yours to bear.[After D leaves,][for reasons I'm still not clear of, I sleep soundly for the first time in ages.]
> 2. > **Commander**Let him live.**D**Are you sure?**K**Consider yourself lucky, mister.**President**...**K**Let's get out of here.Oh, and a friendly reminder.One word about us, and there won't be enough Judges in the world to protect you.We'll make sure you disappear without a trace.Don't forget that.**President**I'll... keep that in mind.**K**Farewell.[Scene: black][\*Craaack!!\*][Scene: Office]**President**!![\*Thud\*][The president slumps to the floor after being hit byt the stun gun.]**K**Let's go. The Judges will handle the rest.**Commander**Alright.[Scene: Park][I sit on the park bench, looking up at the empty sky.][Nothing has changed.][If not today or tomorrow, then the next day,][mass-produced Nikkes will head to the Outer Rim crammed in a small storage container.][Civil conflict will continue to rage in the Outer Rim, using Nikkes and weapons that have been sold to them.][Many lives will be lost.][Hahahahah!][I hear the unbridled laughter of a little girl.][I turn to look.]**Commander**I can't believe it...[It's the little girl from the hospital who was having a hard time walking before.]She has a big smile on her face...as she runs around the park....**K**Hey.Feeling a twinge of regret?[I don't answer.]**K**I have good news, so listen up.They're going to be building more biomedical centers.They're being proposed by our target... I mean... a certain someone who apparently was deeply affected by your generosity.He's back on the straight and narrow as well.**Commander**... What?**K**It was inevitable.The rumor about a certain individual selling mass-produced Nikkes to the Outer Rim has spread to the upper echelons of the Central Government.I think you can guess as to who started those rumors.**Commander**... D.**K**At any rate, he's out of our hands now.I'm sure he'll try something the next chance he gets, but for now, we've put a stop to it.So let it go.You don't have to carry this burden with you everywhere you go.**Commander**...**K**... In life, you come across many different scales.We can add a bit here and take some there to tilt the balance, butthere's no such thing as perfect balance.When that happens, I just tilt my head to the side, so that everything looks to be in perfect balance, at least to me.Rather than trying to make everything perfect, just tilt your head.It makes getting through life a heck of a lot easier.I gotta go. See you next time.[After K leaves,][I can't take my eyes off the girl who is running around with[*sic*] park with gleeful abandon.]
> [Scene: black][LICENSE TO KILL: END]

## Return to Darkness

D Commander

> [Scene: black][\*Zaaaaahhhhh\*][I left my place without looking at the weather forecast.][Scene: Seedy Back Alley.][As a result, I'm stuck in an alley, hiding under an awning, seeking shelter from the rain.][I check my phone. Apparently it's going to last another 10 minutes.][Looks liek I've got some time to kill before I can set out again.][\*Crumble\*][I look towards where the sound came from.][Scene: Return to Darkness (animated)][D is walking with her hatchet in one hand.][There's something dripping from the tip of the hatchet that most assuredly isn't rain, but I choose to ignore it.]**D**Are you watching the rain?**Commander**No. I'm hiding from it.**D**They say it will stop in about 10 minutes, so you'll be able to leave then.**Commander**Okay. Thanks.[Scene: black][D turns and starts to walk away.][I suddenly remember something I wanted to ask her.][Scene: Return to Darkness (animated)]**Commander**D.**D**Yes?**Commander**Are you... okay?**D**...I...I'm not sure if I know what being okay feels like.My life's been hard, and always will be.It's heavy.But I'm enduring it.I believe thatI'm doing the right thing.I believe that I'm making this world a better place.It's what makes me able to endure it.It's okay.**Commander**... Okay.**D**See you next time.[Scene: Seedy Back Alley.][D walks away in the rain.][The weight of the cross I bore was enough to bring me to my knees,][even though I only had to carry it for a short time.][The cross she carries is far heavier than I can imagine,][more than I could bear.][Yet she endures.][I watch her in silence.][I can only hope that one day,][Scene: black][she will finally be able to put down that cross.]