Jawhar.
'Alien the Cat', Liv's store. She sells mobiles, robots, gadgets, and all kinds of semi-legal software.
We bought this place back in 2213...I think.
Olivia de Marco. Liv amongst friends. She probably has a million different aliases on the Wire.
Liv.
She's got about a million screens, and hook-ups to every service there is, but I don't think she ever watches anything.
Liv's workshop. It looks like a war zone. Total chaos. I'm afraid I'll crush something if I go in there.
Liv's workshop is back there.
Okay, so I can't fix either of these. They're totally fried.
Do you have any replacement parts?
I have a power source here somewhere. Hold on.
That should work just fine. But I don't have a processing crystal in stock, I'm afraid.
If you can't fix this one, then what about Lucia's memories?
The data's continuously backed up to a separate crystal. You can use any Watilla brain you want.
Okay. I'll have to figure it out myself. Thanks so much, Liv.
No way. Those things are loaded with nanites.
I'm probably being paranoid...but something feels off about her.
I should be able to climb up there.
The lab is filling with some kind of gas.
The pod's here.
Examine present
Downtown Casablanca. Impressive skyline.
I can almost see my house from here. Well, actually, that's the other direction. But, you know, I could.
The pod's gone.
Examine gone
It's the call button for the elevator pod.
Examine panel
The call button doesn't work.
Examine panel out of order
He's right outside. He's as short as he is loud. You cannot miss him.
After that, you will only need to follow Ayrede Avenue until you reach the South Gate.
Well, you look like you need all the help I can give you, child.
Hiya. Out for a jog?
Yup. Well, I'm actually heading down to the gym for a quick work-out before lunch.
Um, yeah, I'm running a bit late.
You should hurry. Jama won't be happy.
I know, I know. I'm on my way.
All right, I'll see you there!
We get dinner from Sushi-ya at least once a week.
So I spend a few hours at Moca Loco every day. What's the big deal?
I never knew they sold Bingo! Caffeinated baby food here. That stuff is tasty.
Everything looks so good.
The new issue of Aeons has an article about the Collapse. I should check that out at some point.
Corporate Weekly has an interview with that WATIcorp woman, Gilmore. Looks like they're about to announce something pretty big soon.
Magazines.
I've never seen that thing on. Jama doesn't watch anything.
And doesn't Jama always keep that screen switched off? This is getting a bit freaky...
Hey, weren't you supposed to be there already?
I don't know their names, but they live in the neighbourhood.
Um, what am I doing with these kids?
What would I say to them? 'Stay in school'?
Talk to boys
Jama's studio is on the top floor.
That's where my gym is. I've been going pretty much every day since I moved back, and I feel a lot healthier. And lighter.
My gym is in that building.
I don't like those old, elevated freeways. They should move all the traffic underground, just like they've done downtown.
The door is open. That's really strange.
The EYE's put a clamp on the door.
Examine bolted
I don't think Reza's home.
Knock
I think...she's dead.
What the hell is that thing?
I'm not touching it.
Olivia would probably know how to disable that...that horrible thing.
It's got some sort of logo on it. A golden lion's head.
I'll need to stay super quiet, especially if I wake it up. Otherwise...zap. Not pleasant. I saw it happen to a guy at a concert once.
Examine sneak
Olivia wired me the software I need to disable the spider. All I need to do is establish a remote connection with my mobile.
Examine hack
Okay. Let's try this. If I screw it up, I'll have to find some other way to disable the spider.
Damn. I screwed up. The spider's going to alter its security codes now.
Yes! I did it! The spider's been disabled! That was intense.
I'm so proud of myself.
Zoë one, spider zero.
Examine dead
Let's try this again.
Shit, it's scanning the room! I need to stay completely still.
Examine scanning
It's heading straight for me!
Examine alerted
Sorry, Lucia. This belongs to Wonkers.
Remove brain again
Lucia...?
Swordfish
Hiya, Zoë!
Please, please let this work...
That's the password, Zoë!
He keeps a notepad in his safe. It contains information about the stories he's currently working on.
Follow me, Zoë. I'll open the safe for you.
Lucia's shut down again. Probably some kind of safeguard Reza's installed.
Examine after safe
Reza's Watilla. Her name's Lucia.
The shower control panel.
Hmm, it's not like Reza to make his own bed...
I'm not particularly tired.
It's a top-of-the-line Swedish power shower, complete with a surround sound system.
Maybe I could get the spider in here...
Examine spider
The music's on. This ought to attract the spider.
Examine music
Um, no.
Reza likes it dark in here.
Bathroom door.
Oh...my God.
She's...cold.
Oh no, not again. What the hell is going on?
Those are...those are EYE commandos. Downstairs.
(Gasps)
Aaah!
Fried
Hey. Hey! What are you doing here? Who are you?
Please, no―
Don't...
What...just happened? Who were they?
There must be security cameras in all the rooms.
Maybe...maybe I just had to leave. Quickly.
Hey, you got yourself a VIP booth?
Convenient, 'cause I brought some friends along, and they'd love to say hello. In private.
Can you help me get back to my world?
No, I cannot. It's too dangerous. But I can point you in the direction of someone who might be able to help you.
You will need to enter Oldtown. They call it the 'magic ghetto' these days, after our protectors rebuilt the wall.
The entrance to the ghetto is across the square. The gate is usually open, but right now the soldiers are conducting a raid.
Where do I go once I'm on the inside?
Seek out an artisan of the magic craft. Their skills have been mostly outlawed by the Azadi, except inside the ghetto.
Hey. Hey!
What the hell are you doing? Help! Kano! Kano!
Let me out!
I― I don't understand. Please...what do you want with me?
Find April Ryan! Hurry, Zoë. Hurry!
But what do―
Two weeks earlier
I guess you received the message. Don't worry, Reza's probably okay, but he needs you to do him a favour.
Olivia will know how to open it.
Success
Yes! That was too easy.
Not too bad for a first attempt.
Finally. I definitely need more practice.
He never leaves the apartment unlocked. This is weird.
Crap. All right, it's not like I expected to get it in one try.
Failure
This isn't easy. I'll have to try again.
This is really hard. Maybe I should call Olivia and ask her to help me?
Tainted
―static's getting worse by the hour. Parts of the Wire are down. Can you hear me?
Nice. Chilly, but nice. What's going on?
In the meantime, you'll need to find a way inside the corporate campus.
Okay, that's good. I should get going. Oh, and Olivia?
Don't be silly―
The connection's deteriorating, sweetie. I'll get back to work and ring you up as soon as I have something. Bye!
If he's not on the Wire, he must be at work. Either that or the Static's messing things up.
We'll have to bet on the former, since I'm already heading into the lion's den. Where exactly does he work?
Don't know. I could dig into the WATI databank, but it might trigger some alarms. And we don't want to trigger any alarms, sweetie.
I do know that Rio Kuroki worked as a systems analyst in biotech, and that Cavanaugh's in software.
Okay. I will find him. I have to find him.
I'll keep digging, and I'll send you a message if I find any more info on the guy. We should stick to just messages from now on.
Good luck, sweetie. And be caref― Shit, agents have locked on! Gotta run―
My name's Zoë. What's yours?
Uh? Oh! I'm Riko, miss Zoë-san.
Nice to meet you, Riko.
That doesn't sound very nice of Ren.
But then Ren met this girl, and he left me here by myself. Now Obaasan and Hiro are at the museum, and I don't have a ticket!
He likes girls. More than he likes me, anyway.
Well, honey, that's men for you. Can't you just call your grandma?
I tried, but I can't get through, and since the machine is broken, I can't buy a ticket. So now I have to wait here until they come back.
Do you know how to get to the museum?
Maybe she knows how I can get to the museum?
Sad
She looks so sad
Hmm? Oh! Yes, you have to ride the cable car. But you need a ticket to do that.
The ticket office is closed on Sundays, and the machine is broken, so you can't.
Where can I buy a ticket?
When's your grandma coming back?
I don't know. Obaasan really wanted to go to the museum, and she's very slow sometimes...so maybe at closing time?
I have to go now, Riko.
I need to get going
Oh! Thank you for chatting with me, miss Zoë-san. Maybe I'll see you later?
Bye, Riko.
Oh! Bye!
I managed to get hold of an extra ticket for you.
That's not for several hours. You'll catch a cold.
Oh! Really? Thank you so much, miss Zoë-san! Now I can go to the museum to find Obaasan and Hiro!
Thank you so much! Thank you!
And in just a few months, WATI will unveil a revolution in home entertainment with the most exciting new product in our two hundred year history:
This is a great time to be part of our ever-expanding happy family! The future of entertainment is WATI bright!
―should be here by now...
I see. Uh, so what happened?
Cable car. Right there. The museum's on the other side of the canyon.
Museum
He probably knows how to get to the museum
Who did you think I was?
Someone
He thought I was someone else?
She's late. She's not usually... Ah, who am I kidding. She's not coming.
We were supposed to go to the museum today, Yuriko and I. She's my fiancé.
I can't wait for her anymore. I have to go.
Tell her what's going on at work, ask for her advice. If you include her, it'll bring the two of you closer together.
Didn't I see that same cat yesterday?
What a pathetic performance!
You boys might make warriors some day!
Bad
Good
Garmon has been my mentor and guide for as long as I can recall. He saw potential in me when I was just a motherless boy. For that, I will always be grateful to him.
Examine first
Meeting
So there it is, my story.
It sounds pretty unbelievable, I know. Parts of it still feel like a dream to me. But it did happen, all of it.
I helped send Faith on her way, the Static is gone, things are back to normal - all should be well with the world.
She's dead, Chawan. Dead!
Mmm, one moment.
Mhm. Pardon me. The dust here isn't any good for my lungs.
I represent the tower. I am told you have a prisoner.
Tut-tut! We don't use that word here. They are our guests, until your people come to pick them up.
I wish to speak with this prisoner.
Mmm. So I see. Am I to understand that you have all the paperwork in order?
The Emissary insists that I should speak with your prisoner. Now.
Mmm. I will never understand this blatant disregard of a proper bureaucratic process. But as you wish.
Guard? If you please?
There she is, all ready to be, mmm, interviewed.
I shall be alone with her.
I beg your pardon? No, no, that's not how things are done here. Local laws apply, and they are abundantly clear.
"During interrogations, an independent body must be present to ensure the legality of said process."
And I am that independent body.
I am here to―
Mmm. Please. A moment.
The tower shall hear of this.
I'm sure it will. Carry on.
I take it she will be loaded onto the next airship bound for Sadir, yes?
I don't think she is a spy. Or a witch.
Does your opinion make a difference? Guilty or not, they all go across the sea to be, mmm, tried. Do they not?
I think she should be released.
No-no-no, that is quite, quite impossible. She has been left in my care, and in my care she shall remain...until she's sent off to Sadir. Those are the laws.
And so you shall. Good day, then. My best to the tower and your, mmm, mistress.
Good day to you.
Good day
Yes? May I help you?
(Clears his throat)
The Tower. The supreme authority of the Azadi Empire in the Northlands. I am Apostle Alvane, personal envoy of the Six.
I don't know what any of that is. I don't know anything. I haven't done anything.
She keeps saying that. She's a bit whiny, this one.
The warden butts in
Do not interrupt. Please.
By the Mo-Jaal's―!
You stand accused of being a spy. You will be transported to Sadir, our capital, at our earliest convenience, where you will be tried as a spy.
Mmm.
I'm not a spy!
Then what are you? A witch? You were spotted practising magic.
Very close. Go to other side of Crossroads, find Via Milano. Go through tunnel to Florence Square, and there you are.
Other side of Crossroads. You follow?
Today it's green.
I'm most grateful, petal. Ye've earned yourself a silver star in Blind Bob's book.
That's a, wossname, old chestnut 'round these parts. Still as true as the sky is green.
Potions! Herbs! Curiously shaped cookies!
Everything a wizard, witch, or warlock may require!
At your service, m'lady.
What may I do for―
Wait. I know you. Where do I know you...from...
April! April Ryan!
Uh, well―
How lovely to see you!
Say what?
It's been too long, my dear. Too long!
Uh, yeah. I guess it's been...long.
What have you been up to?
This and...that.
How lovely. Me, I'm rehabilitated.
Rehabilitated? How so?
Rehabilitated?
How can an evil wizard be rehabilitated?
That's nice, but I don't have time to chat.
Don't care
I couldn't care less about how or why he was 'rehabilitated'
Why, of course. You're a busy woman! Off to save the world again, hmm?
Not so much, no.
Being soundly walloped by you was the best thing that's ever happened to me!
Really.
Oh yes. It gave me perspective. Time to think.
When I finally escaped that confounding device, I joined WWWA.
Uh...
Wicked Witches & Warlocks Anonymous. It's a marvellous support group for wizarding professionals.
It helped tremendously to find others who shared my...affliction.
Affliction?
A desire for evil deeds and world domination. Your basic EDWD syndrome.
I see. And now...?
Cured! I'm free of my desire to conquer and control, and I'm happy to be a simple merchant. And published author.
I guess that's a...a good thing.
Still, if there's anything I can do to help? Anything at all? Just say the word.
I actually do need some help.
I hate to say it, but I do need his assistance
It is. It is indeed!
So, April Ryan, is there anything I can do to help repay what you did for me?
Using only the finest organic ingredients! Elgwan bladders! Rat tails! Dung!
Hold on. Benrime needs the spices right now. You can just give them to me, and I'll deliver them for you.
Why, yes. Yes! I could give the spices to you. What a wonderful idea!
There are dozens of them!
Aah!
Uhh!
I'm hit!
By the Six, they're everywhere!
Goddess help me...
Rebel scum!
Hah!
Everything else is secondary.
And we do not engage the enemy within scouting distance of the city.
Marcuria.
When things returned to normal, we were too busy putting our own lives back together, and by the time we started looking for her again―
April was gone. Vanished. If it hadn't been for the things she'd told us, I would have simply believed that she was another victim of the Collapse.
Maybe Reza's tried to contact me. I'm going to try his mobile again, and check in with my friend Olivia back in Casablanca, in case she's heard from him.
How did you get into town?
Conversation
We took the jet. I just don't trust the 'trax these days.
Tell me about it. This Static thing is getting out of control. Why doesn't the Syndicate do something?
I've heard it's solar storms...
That's bullshit. I'm telling you, it's a global conspiracy. Digital terrorism, electronic warfare, that sort of thing. Solar storms? No fucking way.
Really? So who's behind it?
Who knows? That's why it's called a conspiracy.
It's like the dark days of the Collapse all over again.
Jesus, don't remind me. My stocks hit rock bottom back then. Took years to rebuild business.
So are you staying over tonight?
I know what you mean. Lost my first billion during the Collapse. Let's pray that never happens again.
Screw praying. I'm not Manichaean. Let's drink to it instead!
I hope not. I'm looking to hook up.
Shouldn't be too hard. Got your eyes on anyone?
Not yet. There's nothing here. The tasty ones don't show up until after two.
I guess we're in for a long night.
Okay with me. I'm buzzing. The synth will keep me going until midday tomorrow.
I'm having coffee with Reza at Moca Loco today.
Liv wants to see me in her shop. I wonder what she wants...
I should get this package to Reza ASAP. He said he'll be in his apartment. He's got a LOT of explaining to do, that's for sure! I can't believe what he's gotten me involved in.
Venice, Newport
The dog seems used to the train. It didn't even bat an eyelid, despite the racket.
That is Charlie. And those two girls...?
Maybe this used to be Charlie's room. But why did the little girl point to his closet? What's his connection to all of this?
Winter
I...don't... Where am I? What is this place?
何が…何だか…。私はどこにいるんです? ここはどこですか?
How did you get here? Go back the way you came! Quickly! You cannot stay!
どうやってここに来た? 引き返せ! 早く! ここにはおれんぞ!
I don't...know how to go―
私には…その方法が―
It is here. (Beat) What have you done? What have you done?
ここにある。(Beat) おまえは何をした? 何をしたんだ?
What do you mean? What―
どういう意味です? いったい―
Benrime? Visitor.
What are you on about, Brynn?
She's standing right next to you.
Hello, dear.
Thank you. Again.
You watch yourself out there. Don't get in the way of the Azadi soldiers. If they knew whence you came...
I'll be careful. Bye.
You be careful, dear.
Very well, dear. I do believe that you are as lost as you seem to be.
But I was told that you...that Minstrum―
Like I said, there are none left.
I didn't know that. I don't know anything. I was just told that...that Magda could help me.
And who, pray tell, told you that?
But be discreet. Like I said, there are ears. Everywhere.
I will. Thank you.
So in order to get home, I need to go to the magic ghetto?
You will have to wait until they open the gates again.
Into Oldtown, yes. But you will need to wait until the raid is over.
Very well, dear. Come back if you change your mind.
Very well, dear.
Freedom! Hah! Freedom for who? From what? It's not like the Azadi are keeping us imprisoned.
I―
But, I―
Not a day goes by without them troublemakers making...trouble for the rest of us.
Uh, I mean the Six. I don't worship no Mo-Jaal. Never heard of the bugger. Ahem.
Ye gods― I mean, 'goddess'. There's only one, blessed be her name, etcetera.
You are so annoying. Listen to me! I just spoke with the spice merchant at the South Gate market.
Well, he sent me to pick up a delivery of, um, 'Mrs Mulllins' Mixed Spices'.
He'll have to wait until they reopen the ghetto, just like everyone else.
You can ignore me all you want, but I'm not leaving. If you think you're having a bad day, you should try mine on for size.
I mean, by the grace of the Six - blessed be their names - if you'll leave me be, I'll give you the bloody spices!
And now, for the love of the goddess, and for the sake of my sanity, let me be miserable in peace!
Absolutely. Won't bother you again. Thank you.
You see, the thing is...I don't actually have any spices at all this morning.
They close the ghetto down, search the buildings for criminals and contraband...a sort of spring cleaning, if you will.
Last thing I remember, I was at The Fringe. I was going upstairs to make a call, and then... Black.
When I first came here, I refused to believe what my eyes and ears were telling me.
You're in Arcadia.
Look, Zoë, I'd let you go, but I don't want you walking around out there asking questions, drawing attention to yourself.
You got problems, you figure them out. That's what I had to do.
What if something big is going down, and―
May the stars guide you and light your way, April-an.
They claim to shun magic, even though this 'technology' of theirs relies on it. Maybe the tower is such a device, a magical machine.
Um, to pick up the spices?
Ah, yes! Wonderful! Fantastic. Your assistance is much appreciated, young lady.
I'll have them sent right up. Fantastic. Next!
Saves me from having to deliver them, doesn't it? Fantastic! No problem, none at all. Except...
In fact, I'm the exclusive distributor of Mrs Mullins in Marcuria! Best spice mixes in the Northlands! Or any lands!
This is the only store that carries 'Mrs Mullins' Mixed Spices' in Marcuria, I'm afraid.
Right! Well, the Azadi have set aside a section of Oldtown for the magicals.
So what about the ghetto?
He'll be up Burrow Crook, right below the Journeyman Inn. You can't miss him.
Ask him for 'Mrs Mullins' Mixed Spices'. He'll try and get some money from you, but the order's been paid for already.
Come right back here with the spices, and I'll give you Benrime's order. Wonderful! Fantastic!
Hmm? Who? Benrime? Oh, yes! One pouch of 'Mrs Mullins' Mixed Spices' for the best mulled wine in Marcuria!
You're welcome. Now, about Benrime's order...?
Did you find my man? And the spices? Did you get the spices? Hmm?
Don't you worry, I'll figure something out. I'm...I'm sure of it. Wonderful. Fantastic. (Sighs)
I am a very, very bad person.
The Azadi are probably quite reasonable, I would think. Quite, quite reasonable. Yes. Mmm. Wonderful.
We can work around this, I'm sure.
What's next for WATI's favourite toybot? We aren't telling, but the future sure looks WATIrrific!
With its complex emotional response system and friendly demeanor, the Watilla is a beloved friend and companion for billions of children and adults.
Crazy as a turnip, Clara is. But she's also got a scoutwing's eyes. She knows more than she lets on.
Oh, thanks, petal. You've made a theoretically blind man happy.
Don't you mean 'commodity'?
No. Commode. Information's where I keep my valuables, see?
For starters, you seem to be chummy with Benrime, the innkeeper.
Mind it's made with 'Mrs Mullins' Mixed Spices'. Anything else is a waste of hot wine.
Alms! Alms for a poor old blind bastard!
Beggaring
So cold, so hungry, so blind. Alms!
Don't mind me, good sir or madam! I'm just a poor old blind bastard with nowhere to go and nothing to eat.
Make a donation to the welfare of old Blind Bob, and ye'll receive yer award in the afterlife of your choice!
Excuse me, what's through this gate?
I haven't stepped forward.
You're in violation of Azadi martial law regarding loitering. Move along.
Okay. Fine. I won't loiter.
Blessed be the Goddess, blessed be the Path, blessed be the Word, blessed be the Mission.
My baby, my baby, gone, gone, gone.
And then you turn into a spook.
"Clara has been bad, she must be punished!"
No more. Please, no more...
"Sleep now, beautiful. Everything will be better in the morning. I'm sorry, flower. I'm sorry."
"You'll never have friends, you've been bad!"
Mmm. Saltnut soup. Our favourite.
You ask her nicely, I'm sure she'll give you a cup, too.
Take good care of your baby, okay? He's a beautiful pet.
I'm almost starting to think that those stories Charlie told me about April Ryan are true.
If you ever need anything, come see me. I'll help you the best I can.
Where did you say I could find Blind Bob again?
Yes, child?
Mulled wine. He wants mulled wine, made with, uh, Mrs-something-or-other spice mix.
'Mrs Mullins' Mixed Spices'. For a beggar, Blind Bob is quite particular.
And be sure to mention that I'm not happy he did not make his delivery as scheduled.
Wait, how do I get to the market?
The quickest way would be through Oldtown, but they have closed it off this morning.
You will have to go the long way around. Walk east, towards the tower. When you get to the tower square go south.
That will take you onto Ayrede Avenue, which leads all the way down to the South Gate.
East, then south. Okay. Thank you.
How come everyone speaks English here?
English
If this is a different world, why does everyone speak English?
Eng...lish? No, child, we speak Alltongue. As do you.
All-what?
Alltongue. Na'ven. It is the common tongue of our world.
But we're speaking English now...right?
No. Na'ven is a magical tongue. It is learned quickly by those who know how to listen.
Really? So...what, I can speak a magical language? That's incredible.
Incredible? No, it is quite ordinary, child.
I have so many questions about this place, I don't even know where to start.
Questions
I have a million questions about this place
You should start with Minstrum Magda, like I told you, child.
Okay. I will.
Kill them!
These are not men, they are Daemons!
Goddess take my soul...
The Six have called, boy! You must answer.
Kian must go
Do not linger here while the Six are waiting! Do you want to lose your head, boy?
What are you still doing here, you brainless fool? Heed the call of your Empresses!
What is this place? Who are you?
State your name and CID number for the record.
Look, I don't― The datacube was inside a package. I wasn't supposed to open it, but I did.
Opened package
Didn't open package
I didn't want to be carrying something illegal, so I looked inside. It was just a datacube.
That datacube contains highly sensitive information.
I didn't know. I was just delivering a package.
I'll take her to that Indian―
Thank you so much for your help. You saved our relationship. Thank you.
Hi, Charlie. It's Zoë.
You must hurry! Go! Now!
Evil! No, no, I can't.
Me? I can't even find a good date for myself.
We'll just have to make it a girl's night in, then. Later!
Open this door right now!
What are you doing? Kano! Kano!
Gone, gone, gone...
"Never fraternise with spooks, Clara. They can eat your soul."
My baby is gone, gone, gone.
All gone, all gone.
"No, please no! It burns!"
"Pretty thing, pretty thing."
No. Please, no. My friend.
Be advised, Temiz is now our prime target. He may be considered armed and dangerous.
I found your lighter. And there was...blood. Everywhere.
I'm not about to give up on you, but I need to know that you're not... I need to know that you're okay.
Talk to you soon. Bye.
What's inside?
That's the ghetto. It's not a good place for humans. I'd stay away if I were you.
Why's it closed?
We're cleaning out the trash and confiscating contraband. The magicals don't have any respect for the law.
Okay, fine, so I don't have much of a choice. But if you're lying to me...I'll scream. I can scream pretty loud.
Raven will be pleased that we bagged us a spy.
Careful, Chawan. She's a screamer.
Who are you? What do you want?
So who gave you the idea to seek out Magda in the first place?
All profits go to the refuge. We shelter and feed the homeless and the penniless.
Theoretically Blind Bob was the one who led me to Clara. He said she would know where Magda was.
See, the innkeeper at the Journeyman, she was the one who told me to talk to Magda.
I will try and assist you with any questions that you may have, and maybe even point you in the right direction.