Zeroth Directive

Archive III

On her journey home from Siesta, Swire received a total of three letters. One was neat and stately, with heavy strokes that nearly penetrate the paper. 'Adams has read your last letter. He was elated, and he both approves of the Mountaincomm Trade business and has high expectations of you.' ...... 'However, considering that you now hold an important position, it is paramount that you exercise prudence, maintain the appropriate demeanor, and refrain from making any ostentatious displays in public. This should go without saying. Now that your vacation is over, I must ask that you return to your duties at the L.G.D. with all haste. 'Further, your grandfather's condition has been deteriorating by the day. He is eager to see his granddaughter. Please pay him a visit as soon as possible.' —Wei Yenwu Another has beautiful handwriting, and even the paper itself gives off a pleasant aroma. 'I heard that your grandfather coughed up blood and fainted while watching your childhood tapes. I visited him in the hospital, but he was asleep. The doctor wasn't very optimistic about his condition. 'I know you two have never gotten along, but blood is thicker than water. There must be something he wants to tell you before he goes. Stop playing around all day and come back to see him as soon as you can. Think of it as giving yourself closure. You owe yourself that much. Don't end up regretting your decisions.' —Lin Yühsia Another letter has strokes as heavy as the first, though its handwriting is much cruder. The sender also practically dove towards Swire with the letter. 'Nei zek laan taan mao, I heard you pissed nei ah je off so much that he just up and zau maai?!' —Hoshiguma Swire held Hoshiguma down, and then continued her journey to Lungmen. The conversation in that extravagant sickroom between Swire and Old Mr. Schwire, her grandfather, will forever remain a secret to everyone else. However, the moment she closed the door, a satisfied laugh could be heard in the hallway, creeping through the door. A few months later, Swire, his heir apparent, announced she would leave the Schwire Group. That afternoon, she attended the Lungmen Guard Department's promotion ceremony and was promoted to the role of commissioner—the police chief.

Archive IV

There is a desk in the L.G.D. senior superintendents' office that has sat empty for two years. Thanks to Swire's promotion, there will now be another empty desk. When the last senior superintendent left, she didn't take any of her belongings with her. This time, Swire put them all away in a paper box labeled with the name of their owner: Ch'en Hui-chieh. Catalogue of Desktop Items Ch'en Hui-chieh: Felt-tip pen, previous years' documents pertaining to the Lungmen Infected, water cup. Swire: Business contract, letter from Lin, evidence bag, L.G.D. holiday attendance schedule, police work policy adjustment suggestions, situation analyses... Also a bowl of finball soup, still hot; I'll bring it over in a moment. The officers sometimes privately discuss how Swire's leadership compares to Ch'en's. Superintendent Ch'en always led the charge, and always capably divvied up the tasks among everyone. Those who worked under her would breathe a long sigh after missions and find themselves unable to loosen up for the better part of a day. On the other hand, Swire requires everyone to handle multiple tasks at once, but all the officers agree that, even at their most busy, the work is never unmanageable. No matter how many problems there are, they can always feel a clear through line in their work. This line threads together every problem and reaches the core of it all. But long story short, 'It's like both of them have eight brains each. If I were in their position, I'd be dead the first day on the job.' Aside from her work at the L.G.D., Mountaincomm Trade, which Swire founded with Bison, has expanded rapidly from only a small factory in a corner of Lungmen, allowing the city to gain an even firmer foothold in Terra's international trade as Yan's premier city of commerce. Lungmen's public order and economy are both undergoing rapid development. Swire still sits in her office, and her desk is just as messy and cluttered as before, but no one would ever claim that she got where she is because of the Schwire Group's backing, or that she took over for somebody. She is where she deserves to be, and is doing a terrific job, too. 'Young Ch'en's chase may have guided her onto a different path, but it's clear that this girl is a better fit for the role... The kids have their own paths to walk, and they're all well on their way now. Remember how you were worried sick all those years ago? Now you'll admit they're capable, right?' 'She is indeed doing a fine job. I can rest easy knowing the L.G.D. is in her capable hands.' 'You should watch your back, though. She might even be eyeing your Lungmen Chief seat.' 'She'll have to work much harder for it, then. Us old bones aren't THAT old yet—Hey, your beard got in my bowl!' —A casual conversation between two old men drinking tea in Lungmen's night market

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Swire the Elegant Wit

Archive I

Promotion record

Archive II

Outfits

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Archive III

Archive IV