~ Act 7 ~
[It's No Crime]
Everyone has something they love.
Ferryman Trading Co., Sydney
9 May, 2011
07:32—?'s Perspective
:-:
Tension is high in New South Wales.
Less than an hour ago, Babyface contacted an associate at the local military base, Ft. Arista… A task force was dispatched; their assignment: To protect Babyface and ensure that no one enters the Ferryman building.
The main branch is under lockdown.
Per their superiors, the task force, led by Major Arturia M. Lewis, will be stationed there until further notice. For the preservation of their lord's sustenance, they must endure. Who do they think they are, giving us such a stupid assignment?
Aren't the holy ones much stronger than Gideon? I don't get it. The major frustrates in thought alone, remaining composed in front of her subordinates.
It is strange indeed, how the church employs underlings to handle what they could in mere seconds.
Protecting Babyface is understandable, but doing favors for the church is unheard of. No… That was said to make matters urgent.
We're here to cover the zombie, this has nothing to do with our lord.
"Major, a moment of your time."
"Hm—?"
One of her subordinates, Officer Joseph W. Simmons, approaches.
He seems tense at the moment, a bit shaken. This concerns the major.
"What is it, Simmons?"
He arrives, his voice drowned with trepidation. "Major, are you sure about this?"
"Sure about what? Doing my job?"
"Babyface is…you know…one of 'them'."
"—and so is our lord. Don't let it get to you, Simmons.
The last thing I need on *my* hands is explaining *your* death to *your* wife. So keep it together, alright?
*Don't* leave me with that burden. You hear me?"
Not all Gideonites think highly of their superiors. Some fear and avoid them like the plague, and others… The level of fear varies.
Simmons' fear is moderate, but, when encountering an *actual* nightwalker, he tenses up. He's not hearing me… This guy, always nervous.
What am I going to do with him?
Despite her sympathies, the major remains firm. "Simmons, get your act together. We're protecting a zombie, not fighting one.
Besides, we have nothing to fear right now.
The sun's out, so if anything goes down, he's our biggest asset. Besides, Babyface protects us; he's our supporter."
"He also made hamburgers out of my best friend's family."
—Babyface did *what*!?
After hearing something like that, the major's unsure what to make of their charge. Then again, Babyface is employed by the church, so perhaps it was an issue because…Babyface doesn't sell Gideonites as livestock.
"Yeah, you heard right, Major.
It happened seventeen years ago, but I remember it like it happened yesterday. Just thinking about it…
—we shouldn't be here, Major. Something doesn't feel right."
Simmons' suspicions are starting to become more vivid, more believable.
Observing her surroundings, the major realizes how eerie their post is: They're standing in the heart of a meat factory that distributes human body parts to church-sponsored buyers.
The smell of old flesh is weak due to constant maintenance; much too weak to be called "a stench". But the task force isn't on safe ground.
This place… "Return to your position, Simmons. There's eight of us against one nightwalker in his office. And the nightwalker in question is our ally.
Who you *need* to fear is the radicals, not Babyface."
"But, Major—"
"Wonderland is history, defunct, a faded memory… Ferryman is essential: If you want to keep your job, stop complaining and get serious.
But you can run if you want. I'm not stopping you… Heh."
It was a bit cruel of her to end her statement that way, but Simmons is struck with an unnecessary fear. He's not thinking clearly… As he is now, he'll endanger their mission, and cause them everything.
So, an ultimatum was presented to him: Stay or run.
Should he stay, Simmons *must* display courage and determination. He has a lot riding on this job, and years of service that would go to waste if he died here.
Should he run, Simmons would be penalized for his actions. He would undoubtedly lose his position, but he would be able to leave with his life.
Unfortunately, his contract with Gideon would be terminated; thus, he'd be doomed: His entire family would be processed before they could even blink.
"Sorry for troubling you, Major."
"You weren't 'troubling' me, Simmons. You were confiding in me, which I don't have a problem with.
And sorry for sounding a like a bitch. Just keeping you on your toes."
"Oh. Thanks, Major… I needed that." Simmons departs, lying to both himself and his commanding officer.
Fortunately, the major is sharp: She knows he's only saying that to avoid burdening her any further. Perhaps from reconsidering his position, and what would result from continuing down his current path.
We don't have time to be scared.
The major says this in thought, reminding herself of how serious this mission really is. Babyface, the church, it doesn't matter. I take my job seriously.
As long as the name "Major Lewis" is involved, no radical will enter this building. I *dare* Infinity to set *foot* in here; they're dead, instantly, if they do…
…I...I…
—I have someone else I must protect, not just our charge. So if I have to make a deal with the devil, so be it… I'd do anything—for her.
To put everything on the line for someone else: Motivation in the face of impending danger… Just *who* is responsible for the major's tenacity?