Part 28: Rebel Alliance

: As the game just noted, you get different versions of act 4 depending on what you do at the end of chapter 3. Ending C, Fraternité, happens when you fail to save Cocorico's life. Let's go ahead and do that.



Catacombs

: The most obvious way to lose the trial is to avoid getting Gustave's Explorer-Extractor. But that would require replaying most of chapter 3, so that's something we'll leave for another time. Let's just make some seemingly reasonable objections instead:



: Torturing someone for any reason is horrific. I can't believe that none of you had a problem with it.

: You hypocrite. Do you know what the French legal system does to suspected rebels? Beatings. Whippings. Sleep deprivation. Mutilation. Sometimes the police even break out medieval torture devices. They act like we still live under the Ancien Régime.

: Yeah, and now you're no better.

: Spare me your infantile judgement. Do you want to stand here and lecture us, or do you want to carry on with this trial?

: ...

: As I thought. Proceed.



: What were you doing there?

: Just passin’ through.

: Okay, but where were you headed? For example, did you have business at the Conciergerie? Or were you heading home from the cathedral?

: To be honest, monsieur, I don't think that's none of your business.



: It most certainly is my business. Your reason for being there could be a key factor in this case.

: Pierro was running an errand for me.

: What kind of errand?

: A work errand.

: What kind of work errand could be done at midnight?



: I think you two are overstepping your bounds. Like Pierro said, this matter is none of your business.

Madame Beaumort scowls.

: No more stupid, probing questions, Falcon. Stick to the case at hand, or I end this trial. Understood?

: Fast forward to Fontaine's testimony.

: Fontaine, I have a question regarding Cocorico's Gendarmerie pistol. Pardon my ignorance, but I am not a gun connoisseur like yourself. What do you mean by “caliber”?

: A gun's caliber is the width of its internal barrel, and the width of the bullets that it fires.

: So you would use 15mm wide bullets for a pistol with a 15mm wide barrel. That makes sense. Did the bullet embedded in the Croc-Monsieur's chest match the caliber of Cocorico's pistol?

: I don't know for sure. I didn't have the time nor the equipment to dig the bullet out of the Croc-Monsieur's chest. Besides, lead bullets fragment. It would be difficult to properly piece together a fired lead bullet to assess its caliber with any accuracy.

: Then it's possible that the caliber of the bullet in the Croc-Monsieur’s chest doesn't match the caliber of Cocorico's gun.

: Do you know that for a fact, Falcon? Or is this just more vapid speculation on your part?

: I know that the caliber could not possibly match.

: Interesting. Prove it.



: Quit your tomfoolery, Falcon. If you make a claim, then I expect you to be able to back it up.

Madame Beaumort scowls.

: He's floundering, madame.

: Agreed. I've heard enough of these rambling theories. Falcon, your respect for your comrade is admirable, and you displayed great valiance by leaping headfirst into the lion’s den. But you have failed to convince me of this bird's innocence.

: Madame Beaumort, I implore you-

: Not another word. We humored you. We set up a court and went through the motions of a trial. And now, the rooster's guilt has been formally proven.

: We have more evidence-

: Enough! The trial is over!



: We have found you guilty on the counts of conspiracy, of the murder of the Croc-Monsieur, and of the murder of my father, Jean Beaumort.

: Madame, please-

: Jayjay. It's alright. I’ve made my peace.

: This is far from alright.

: Dying in the name of a new republic... at the hands of rebels... there are worse ways to go.



: Séverin-





: ...

: ... Tend to the body, Pierro.

: Yes, ma’am.

: Do you plan to kill us too?

: Why would I do that? You two have done nothing wrong. I see no reason for you to be tried, let alone executed.



: No, no! We promise to keep our beaks shut. Right Falcon?

: Ah, but we cannot trust the word of potential traitors. Madame, for the good of France, we must execute the birds right now.

: Some man of God you are...

: I hate to admit it, but you have a point, Remus. This is an unpleasant situation. Hmm... what to do, what to do...

: ...

: Okay. I know. I’m going to give you a choice. You have two options. The first is that I shoot you right here and now. That's not something either of us particularly want, but if it must be done...

: What's option number two?

: You join us. We need lawyers to help bring the new republic into fruition. Your skills would be very much appreciated.

: Our skills?

: Somebody has to draft new laws. Somebody has to file the paperwork to secure the new Republic's internationally recognized legal status. Somebody has to prosecute the officials who corrupted this country. Wouldn't that be a glorious job?

: You mean... prosecute the prime minister? Or the king?

: We can discuss the specifics later. For now, I need to hear a decision. What will it be?



: Fine. We'll work with you.

: Good. Then a verbal contract has been made.

: So... what happens now?

: Pierro and Fontaine will lead you to Le Canard Joyeux. I will finish up here and meet you in two hours. Needless to say, they shall be keeping a close watch on you. Don't even think about running.

: Of course.

: Then we're done here. Fontaine, lead the way.

: Yes, madame.

: Come along, you two.



: I do trust them. Throughout that trial, I got the impression that Falcon was trying to deescalate the situation. Avoid violence. Such a viewpoint is naive, but it is exactly what we need in this revolution.

: But they will betray you-

: If they are stupid enough to even raise one feather against me...







: You can come out now, brother.

Wolves



: Better than we ever hoped for. The rooster is dead, and the madame has tasted her first blood.

: Heh. Amazing. Completely worth getting shot for.

: A meddlesome falcon tried to disrupt the execution-

: Falcon?! Really? That tenuous wretch...

: Don’t worry. He floundered and bumbled around hopelessly. The madame thinks that he's of some use, but really, he's as good as dead.

: This is marvelous. Every piece is falling into place. Our dream will be a reality in no time at all.

: To Reason, brother!

: To Reason!





: ...

: ...

: ...

: I hope you don't harbor too much hate for the madame. I know that the rooster was your friend, but the madame does what she does for the good of France.

: ...

: ...

: Boy oh boy. This is awkward.

: It is a bit. Perhaps a round of drinks are in order. After all, this is a tavern. What do you two say?



: I'll take a wine. Make sure it’s a stiff one.

: I'll take two.

: Very well.



: My round?! No way. It’s your turn.

: Turns don't matter. You still owe me for that omelette I generously paid for last Friday.

: Yeah, well, you owe me for that coffee on Tuesday.

: Okay, so that's thirty cents of coffee deducted from a sixty cent omelette. Plus the twenty-five cent peanuts you swiped from my pantry.

: Hold up. I ain't so good at men'al arithmetic..

: (Listen, Sparrowson. You need to go.)

: (Go?)

: (Yes. I’ll create a distraction, you head straight for the back door.)

: (Is that such a good idea?)



: (If we both run, these two will probably shoot us in the backs.) (So the way I see it, one of us running is the most viable option.)

: (Falcon-)

: (Don’t argue. Once you're out, find Volerti and tell him what you've seen.)

: ... (Okay)

: So it's agreed. You get this round, and I'll owe you two cents.

: Yup. And I'll hold you to ‘em two cents. Be right back. Don’t you two move or nothin'.



: Anyway. I don’t feel like sitting in silence. Let's talk to pass the time.



: Fontaine, I have a gun question.

: A gun question? Do go on.



: What's better: flintlock or percussion cap ignition systems?

: What a delightful technical question. But I'm afraid there's no dispute here: percussion caps are the future, hands-down. You see, flintlocks are unreliable. A little light drizzle, and the ignition system no longer functions. The gun becomes worthless!



: But a percussion cap will always work, as long as its built correctly, and as long as the gun has enough gunpowder. I suppose there is the matter of material cost. How much does a brass cap cost compare to flint and steel? It's a little pricier, I think.



: Hey, where’s the li’le one?

: The little one? He's right... Oh. Merde. I lost him.

: You lost 'im?! How did you lose 'im?! I was gone for two minutes!

: I think I dropped the ball on this one.

: I'll say! The madame's gonna string us up for sure. Actually, we should make up a cover story. We can't let her find out about this.

: You can't let me find out about what?



: Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum over here weren't paying attention and let Sparrowson walk casually away.

: About twenty years too early for that reference.

: M-madame...

: We can explain...

: I swear, I give you two bozos one damned job... ~Sigh~ It doesn't matter. That little bird was dispensable for our plans. But Falcon isn't. What's important is that he is still here.



: Agreed. Falcon, let me quickly fill you in. As you probably know, we are planning to form a protest. An enormous protest on the fourteenth of this month. We intend to draw a massive crowd at the Place de la Concorde, and then we shall march across Tuileries garden.

: A march across Tuileries... you intend to storm the Louvre?

: No. The Palais-Royal. That's where the king and prime minister will be residing. I would like it to go peacefully, but...

: Peaceful uprisings have a habit of turning violent, don't they?

: Exactly. And we can't let the leaders of this country escape amidst the chaos. They must be tried for their crimes against the French people. On that note, I want you to lead the prosecution.

: You want me to prosecute... the king of France?

: The king and the prime minister. They are both responsible for the rampant inequality that plagues this country. On the day of the revolution, we will drag both of those overpaid bourgeois onto the streets, and you shall prosecute them then and there.

: I think I understand. Prosecuting the pair for... crimes against humanity, I suppose. It could certainly be done. If I were to interview a lot of citizens, gather a lot of evidence, file some paperwork... I could probably prepare a case in around two months.

: We don’t have the luxury of time. Use your ingenuity on the day, just like you did in the catacombs.

: You can't be serious...

: There is no alternative. The wheels of the revolution are already turning, and the revolution will ignite in under a week. The question on my mind is, what do we do with you until then?



: After seeing the atrocious job you two did guarding the little bird, I think not. I’ll just have to guard you myself, Falcon. You shall spend this week at my side while I complete our preparations.

: At your side? All day and night?

: Absolutely. I'm not going to let you out of my sight for one minute.

: That seems excessive. You can trust me, madame.

: No, I can't. You've promised to help me, but I know that you don't actually believe in the cause of the Second Republic. If I give you one grain of freedom, you will undoubtedly flee.

: ...

: This meeting is over. Come along, Falcon.











: He created a distraction, and I sneaked away and went straight to the police. Then you called a meeting, and well, here I am. So... yeah. That's the whole story.



: That's right.

: ...And Falcon revealed his true colors as a traitor.

: A... traitor? No, no, that’s not right, inspector. Falcon's not a rebel. He's just playing along so he can save his own life.

: Don't be so naive, Sparrowson. Put the puzzle pieces together.

: Falcon willingly leapt into the lion's den for the specific purpose of siding with the rebels.

: He let you escape because he could see that you weren't truly sympathetic to the rebel cause.

: That doesn't make sense at all. Falcon’s never shown a rebellious streak.

: ...

: Tell me, Sparrowson. What do you know about Falcon's past?

: Not a lot. He's a private person.

: Has he ever told you what he did during the July Revolution? Before he changed his name?

: Before he... no, he hasn’t told me anything, really.

: ...

: Sparrowson, let me tell you about the man they call the Viridian Killer...









: Les Halles, huh. Let me guess. You have a weapons supplier somewhere around here.



: Actually, I’m here for groceries.

: ...

: There's no need for that look. You think that just because I'm a gun-toting rebel, I don't need to buy food?



Kangaroos

: Well, well If it isn't Sautanne and little Gambade. You’re growing bigger every time I see you.

: Ma'am, you have to hear this. Something big went down here yesterday.

: A policeman! A nasty, ugly policeman!

: Let me guess. He was bullying people into revealing secrets on the whereabouts of the revolutionaries.

: Well, that’s how it started, ma'am. Same ol' bullying tactics. He was pushin' round this ol' beggar rat who hangs around the market sometimes. But then, when the rat wasn’t speakin’ up, the policeman drew his gun and shot him!



: Yup. But then the coward cop went an’ ran before we could turn on him.

: I find this difficult to believe. A policeman wouldn't openly shoot a beggar without just cause.

: Open your eyes, Falcon. This is the regime us Parisians live under. We are ignored by the government, oppressed by the police, and hanged by the courts. Why do you think I'm fighting so hard to make a change? We can't put up with this sort of bullying.

: ... No. This can't be right. Something has to be missing from Sautanne's story. Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions, madame?

: Sure. Ask away.

: Make it quick, Falcon.



: What did the policeman look like?

: Well, I didn’t get a good look, but...

: He was tall and ugly and mean-looking, and, and..



: One eye?!

: Yup. Had one of them pirate patches.

: There's no way...

: Ring any bells, Falcon?

: I know a man who fits the description... but it simply couldn't be him. He's a bitter individual, but he's morally righteous. I can't imagine him shooting an innocent person so recklessly.

: Don't let your bias towards the justice system affect your judgment, Falcon. If you think you know who did this, then please, name and shame him.

: I think I should bite my tongue until I'm a little more certain.

: Did ya want to know anything else, monsieur?

: If a policeman did shoot an innocent person, then there would surely be an investigation.

: Ha! Your naivety knows no bounds, Falcon. You think the police care if one of their own is out of control?

: Actually, there was one bloke asking around. But I don't think he was a policeman.

: Oh? Go on, madame.



: Renard...

: A friend of yours, Falcon?

: Something like that. We should probably pay him a visit to see what he’s up to.

: Pay him a visit? I suppose we can set aside a little time.

: Did ya want something else?

: Just who was this beggar rat?

: I didn't really know him well, monsieur. None of us did. He was kinda a loner who hanged around, asking for scraps of food and cents. I don’t even know his name.

: That's so sad. Did he have no family? No means of support?

: Falcon, do you have any idea how many beggars there are on the streets of Paris? How many people go hungry? How many people are forced to turn to crime?

: I'm well aware, madame. I'm asking these questions to see if there was perhaps some reason why that particular rat was killed.



: That it is, monsieur. Is there any other way that I can help?

: That’s all, madame. Thanks for all your help.

: No problem. Anything to help Ma'am Beamort!

: We'll try to get to the bottom of this, Sautanne. Just... make sure to stay safe when the revolution starts. Stay inside. Keep Gambade safe.

: Of course, ma’am. You stay safe yourself, y’hear?











Renard Vulpes

: Visitors, Monsieur Vulpes, visitors!



: Sleazy?

: Madame, my back-alley office is perhaps a little cluttered and eclectic, but I resent the accusation of sleaze!

: Uh... maybe I should do the introductions. Monsieur Vulpes, this is Madame Beaurnort, a, um, friend of mine. Madame, this is-

: Renard Vulpes, private investigator, at your service. It is a pleasure to meet you, madame.

: ...

: Ah, how stoic. I'm sure you have some pressing question to ask, Falcon, but before we get started there is something I must tell you. Monsieur Sparrowson dropped by earlier. He informed me of your situation.

: Sparrowson? Is he alright?



: Just as I thought. It appears that your lackey has solidified his position as a traitor to the Second Republic, Falcon.

: Perhaps. Perhaps not. Sparrowson doesn't strike me as a person who sides with any ideology. But, you know, he asked me the most peculiar question. Would you like to know what it was?

: Of course.

: Such information is quite valuable. It would cost, say... thirty francs.



: Yeah, yeah. I know how this works. Here's your money, monsieur.

: Very good. So, on to the question... Sparrowson asked if you were the Viridian Killer. The one responsible for the random bombings during the July Revolution, eighteen years ago.

: Why on Earth would he ask that?

: Perhaps the Inspector had been telling him stories.

: So what did you tell him?

: The truth, of course. That is, that I have no idea who the Viridian Killer is, but that I knew that it couldn't possibly be Falcon (sic).

: Oh? And how do you know that I’m not the Viridian Killer?



: Anyway. I’ve started my own investigation into the Viridian Killer. It's fascinating stuff. Apparently he was seen in multiple places at once, which leads some to believe that “he” was actually more than one person.

: Huh.

: And do you know why they call him - or should I say, them - the "Viridian” Killer?

: Viridian is a greenish color, isn’t it? No, I don't have a clue. “Crimson Killer” would be a much cooler name.

: It appears that no one knows the origins of the name. Which leads me to suspect that he - or, indeed, they - chose their own name.

: This is all fascinating. Truly, fascinating. But perhaps we can return the conversation to why we're here.

: Of course. Monsieur Vulpes, we heard that you were investigating the murder at Les Halles.

: I was. That victim was a friend of Mousey’s.

: More of an acquaintance, really...

: Well, we want to know if you managed to uncover anything. Did you find any leads? Any juicy clues?

: Not as such.. it’s quite a peculiar case.



: I did.

: You know what that implies, don't you, Falcon? You only know of one police officer - or, indeed, one person - who wears an eyepatch.



: The Inspector... But that can’t be right. You wouldn't describe him as a murderous man, would you, Monsieur Vulpes?

: Murderous? I don't know. He's certainly passionate about finding the Viridian Killer. Who's to say that he wouldn't kill in the pursuit of his arch-enemy?

: ...

: Falcon, I want to solve this mystery as much as you do, but time is pressing and we have other matters to attend to. We must take our leave.

: Understood. Until next time, Monsieur Vulpes.



: Um, Monsieur Vulpes... That lioness looked pretty angry.



: ...







: Let me think...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>





: ... But the crowd will be fairly large and slow. It may take twice, maybe three times as long to make the move...

: Having a logistics problem, madame?

: Perhaps. The plan is to walk the crowd from here, through Tuileries, to the Palais-Royal. But if we take too long to pass through Tuileries, the police will trap us in. We could be flanked and slaughtered.

: That is quite an issue.



: Why not just get the protesters to meet at the Palais-Royal itself?

: Because the Place de la Concorde is an ideal meeting location. It's enormous and easy to get to.

: I see. But even if you got, say, half the protesters to meet at the Palais-Royal, you would cut down on traveling time.

: I get it. A smaller crowd would be easier to direct across the garden.



: That bird-brained parrot would probably just shoot the idea down, right?

: Probably. But I appreciate your input. I don't know if you genuinely want to help, or if you're just telling me what I want to hear out of fear, but... thank you, Falcon.

: It's no problem, madame. For the Second Republic, right?

: Right. For the Second Republic.









: The king is probably in there as we speak. Probably sitting in his highchair, stuffing his bloated face with cake and wine while he boasts about being the perfect Citizen King...

: Did you come here just to moan about the king?

: No. I've come to assess the potential battleground. On the day of the rebellion, I might order Pierro to set up a barricade over there. What do you think?



: Of course. It's the perfect place for a defensive garrison. We can gather furniture from nearby buildings, build a wall, and position rifles to fend off the police. When the time is right, it will serve as the ideal location to launch our assault on the palace.

: So you weren't just throwing empty words in the tavern. You actually do intend on dragging the king out of the palace through violence.

: Of course. He will never abdicate on his own volition.

: ...

: It's not as if I want to see bloodshed, Falcon. It's necessary. It's inevitable. I mean, we have to be realistic. There is no way to bring change to a country without using violence, is there?



: I don't think there's any way. Throughout history, great change has only ever come about with great sacrifice. Wars. Assassinations. Executions. No country has been won over through passive demonstrations alone.

: I see. So it’s as I feared.

: But that doesn't mean you can't try. Violence can work as a last resort, not as a first call to action. Set an example for the kind of nation you want to see.

: ...



: At least, until it's clear that violence is inevitable.

: That's good. That's a good compromise, madame.