The Toxic Village

Goani, a village owned by Dosco and Karthus Steel Co., comprised entirely of steel and construction workers employed by the company.

And due to unregulated river dumping by Dosco and Karthus it has become the most toxic village in all of Tulaan.

That would be cause enough for fury.

Except...the village is hardly abandoned and the tram to the factory still runs. One day a severely deformed child will be buried, & next day the grieving will get on the tram & go to the factory just to support whoever's left.

Quayoffi Asset Protection soldiers patrol the hills in double the numbers of other worker villages, the only response the company bothered to have to the poisoned village.

The message is clear: no matter what, on the blood of Rocarius, nobody will ever leave.

Salinae trudged through dead grass, brushing away brittle branches of dead trees that crumbled to the touch. She took measured breaths, her gasmask clinging tightly to her face.

Anyone visiting Goani needed one. The residents, meanwhile, seemed to be used to the noxious air.

Her companions, Nexakii and Oushiqae, trailed behind her, equipment in hand. Salinae's air purity sensor held a red light at 'danger'. Whenever it flashed for 'extreme danger' she'd stop the group and redirect their trudge away from the extra toxic spots.

The group passed asset protection soldiers, gasmasks on their faces as well.

These monsters always made Salinae's blood boil, but Oushiqae insisted on peace, keeping a low profile around Asset Protection.

The bell rang. Time for work. Asset protect escorted workers from their home at gunpoint. No uprisings, no unions, no complaining.

Oushiqae would rebuff Asset Protection soldiers that mistook them for escaping workers. Best Oush do the talking, Salinae's trigger finger itched.

The village cleared out. The many dead from toxins meant a worker shortage which meant spouses and children were forced make up the difference.

When the tram took off, only the soldier were left, searching the houses for any union correspondence or letters or secret radios.

Oushiqae put a hand on Salinae's shoulder, Nexakii following as the group left the village.

Up the river. That's where the company would be. Oushiqae advised against it, but Salinae trudged deeper into Old Illamini, straight towards the deadly titan.