Preface: John Reed, but in the Terra continent.
-- Chapter 1: Prelude --
"News reporter?"
In the dim light, inside the train carriage, an unfinished newspaper was placed on the dining table, accompanied by the endless noise of the train.
"Yes," Reed replied with a smile to the casually dressed girl.
However, the girl's face showed a difficult expression.
"Well, you're in trouble. The track we're on doesn't lead to Ratland..."
Reed just looked at her silently, lighting up a fine Bolivar cigar.
"Ussas has been restless lately. Have you heard about the riots in Chernoborg? It's terrifying. The infected ones are going crazy. Do you think it's because of the Stone Disease affecting their brains, burning their nerves?"
"Anyway..." The girl finally agreed to sit down.
"Be careful, or you might be wiped out by the Integration Movement gone mad."
"What about you?"
Reed carefully examined the girl in the gray coat. He knew she wasn't an ordinary person because her clothes looked low-key but were actually made of top-quality leather that cost tens of thousands of Longmen coins.
"You don't seem like a Ussas immigrant who couldn't stay in Colombia or something else."
"How, how, how did you find out?"
Reed smiled helplessly.
"It's your clothes that gave you away. This coat can't be bought for less than tens of thousands of Longmen coins. Anyone can tell that something's off about you."
"Oh? Are your parents Ussas people?"
"Well... we got separated during the Third Ussas War... I was saved by the Terra Medical Association and brought to the Federation..."
"Judging by your appearance, your foster parents must have treated you well. Why did you want to run away?"
"Mind your own business! It's none of your concern!" The girl turned her back, muttering something under her breath.
Reed chuckled.
"When you're done playing, go back home. Your family might be going crazy with worry. Ussas is not like the Federation, it's not as peaceful there."
"Who asked for your opinion? I, I'm not going back!"
"Beep—" The train whistle roared, and they arrived in Ussas.
Reed stood up and bid farewell to the girl.
"Well then, goodbye, runaway princess."
The girl followed suit, but with a sarcastic tone.
"Goodbye, strange journalist big brother."
No one welcomed these strange outsiders in the night of Ussas.
"Goodbye, Colombia."
-- END --