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Baccano! - Volume 20 - Chapter 3




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Chapter 3 Bunny & Honey

Lana was the one who’d named the gang of bandits “Vanishing Bunny.”

The trio hadn’t been called anything at first, until she randomly started introducing themselves by that name. Although whenever she tried to introduce them to someone else at all, Pamela invariably strangled her.

Pamela had neither agreed to nor actively rejected the name, while Sonia had smiled and said, “A bunny? Cute.”

Lana had begun as a petty luggage thief who worked alone. Some vicious men had caught her once and would have killed her if Pamela hadn’t been passing by and rescued her. After that, the two women had teamed up.

Pamela had started out as a gambler traveling around provincial underground casinos—although she’d actually been stealing money from them.

Their personalities were polar opposites, yet they got along oddly well. They went all over the country together, committing a string of minor heists at underground casinos and betting shops, but as they were passing through the wilderness, they’d found an odd little girl firing guns over and over.

The girl had introduced herself as Sonia. There was a horse-drawn wagon loaded with dozens of guns beside her. “They’re mementos of my parents,” she’d said, still firing all the while. Without ever making a formal decision, Pamela and Lana had taken her into their group.

As a result—they became a bandit trio.

When someone was after them, Sonia’s warning shots got them out of most situations.

She didn’t look like a gunslinger—at least not until someone saw her use them. She even managed to make good use of the recoil.

Pamela had acquired some entirely unexpected “muscle.” She felt rather guilty about that, since Sonia didn’t seem to really understand the situation. But that wasn’t enough to stop her from pulling off jobs with the smooth-talking Lana. They were just the sort of small-time villains you could find in any big city, plus a useful, trigger-happy girl.

Now that they’d picked up an unexpected windfall, they thought they might be able to earn a little coin. Anyone who was making enough to live in a grand mansion like that during a recession like this one had to be involved in at least a little dirty business. In that case, it might be fun to take a bit of that money for themselves.

Based on that self-centered thought, these small-timers had put their kidnapping plan into action, but now…

The driver’s seat of the jalopy

“Well, the plan’s already gone south. Now what, Lana?”

“…It’s not my fault.”

They’d designated this bungalow as the site for the ransom handoff.

Their truck was parked in the light from the lamp near the bungalow’s entrance.

In other words, the deserted bungalow they needed was now occupied.

Gazing at the two trucks that were parked in front of theirs, Pamela heaved a big sigh. “Right. It’s my fault for letting you call them before we got a look at the handoff site. I’ll apologize for that. I’m sorry.”

“Huh…?”

Her partner was giving her a genuine apology, and Lana didn’t know how to react. Flustered, she said the first thing that came into her head. “Th-that’s nothing to worry about! I mean, if you apologize, I’ll start thinking our situation’s really hopeless!”

“As a matter of fact, it is.”

“Stop that! Somebody just abandoned these trucks here! I’m telling you, there’s nobody inside! Even if there is, they’ll leave any minute now! I mean, you know… They’ve got trucks!”

“Quit talking applesauce. For now, let’s get out and see.”

Somber, Pamela opened her door, and Lana hastily prepared to get out as well. All she had to do was unfasten her seat belt and open the door, but Pamela’s sincere apology had boggled her mind enough to slow her down a bit. Lana, Sonia, and Cazze ended up leaving the truck at almost the same time.

For the moment, they all gathered around Pamela and began to discuss what to do next. Cazze still had no idea that he’d been kidnapped, so Pamela and the others had to talk around that important bit of information.

As a matter of fact, Sonia hadn’t been told about the kidnapping, either.

Considering the girl’s personality, Lana worried Sonia was likely to tell Cazze about it or let him get away out of sympathy. Pamela had agreed. Neither of them disliked Sonia’s tranquil personality, but she wasn’t wired for kidnappings, and the experience would be unpleasant for her as well. So Pamela and Lana were the only ones really implementing the plan.

…Come to think of it, this was pretty reckless. It was a little late for that sort of thing, but privately, Pamela had started to feel regret.

Until a short while ago, they’d been gearing up for a train robbery. The recklessness of that plan by comparison had given her the illusion that kidnapping would be extremely practical.

Lana was still plenty eager to go ahead with it. On the way here, she’d gone so far as to say, “If we play our cards right, we’ll be able to get both the ransom and the train passengers’ money!” Pamela had smacked her upside the head and shut her up, but Lana wouldn’t let go of the idea so quickly.

Although Pamela had thought kidnapping would be relatively easy, now they’d run into other people at the handoff site, which should have been deserted. She was regretting all her choices, and her nerves were starting to fray.

It isn’t as if we can pick another handoff site now.

If the other party had already left the mansion with the money, they’d definitely miss them on the way. Unless both Cazze and their target were at the handoff, the target would probably report them to the police with no regard for appearances. Actually, it was best to assume they’d already done so.

That made it all the more important for the transaction to go off without a hitch.

In the worst-case scenario, if their plans went any further off course, they could leave Cazze here and make a run for it. If the other party showed up, no doubt they’d take the boy home, and while the trio wouldn’t get the money, they’d be much more likely to make a clean getaway.

That was why Pamela had exited the truck in order to get a better picture of what they were dealing with.

Unfortunately, when she looked at the bungalow, she saw the face of the earlier visitor in the window.

Well, visitors in the plural, actually.

“……”

Having all those eyes staring at her through the window was incredibly disturbing. But Pamela hid it well as she looked away and spoke to Lana and Sonia. “…That’s the place I was planning to use today. Apparently, someone beat us to it.”

“Awww. What’ll we dooo?” Sonia asked, although she didn’t sound concerned.

Quietly, Pamela scanned the area nearby, then focused on the remaining huts.

“…For now, let’s go look at the other bungalows.”

His ears began to pick up another sound.

It was the engine of the bandit trio’s worn-out truck.

Two other engines had passed by a little while earlier, but he’d still been dozing then. Now that he was gradually waking up, he caught the sound clearly. There was something nostalgic about it. A very similar noise had been his constant companion.

It was the sound of a vehicle that had carried him.

There was no telling what went through his mind when he heard that noise, but the thought made him sit up sluggishly.

Soon, the engine shut off, and the noise fell silent.

He swayed a little, then lay down on the floor again. With that big mound of food in front of him, he strained his ears again. He wouldn’t let the tiniest sound from outside slip past him.

A memory rose in his half-awake brain.

Back when he’d been surrounded by human voices.

When countless sounds had been all around him.

When humans had approached him without fear.

In the end, it wasn’t clear whether he had drawn any distinctions between humans and himself.

Had he accurately understood the difference? Humans couldn’t tell. There was no way they could know.

Several images flashed into his mind from the ocean of his memory. Voices rang out. Sounds echoed. A multitude of different noises rained down over him. Yet his memories showed him more than that.

Someone who attracted more of those noises than he did.

The image of the one he’d had the most contact with—a man with blazing-red hair.

It might have been because he’d gotten to his feet earlier. The cycles of sleep and wakefulness began to grow shorter, and his blood started moving faster.

Quietly, he raised his head, then raised his voice.

He wanted to make his drowsy mind catch up with his waking body.

He just called out. That was all.

Bungalow Number 3

“OoooooOOoooOoOOOOooough…”

“Hmm?”

Just outside the door, Lana paused for a moment. She thought she’d heard a beast growl somewhere.

I wonder if they’ve got coyotes here.

She listened carefully for a little while but didn’t hear anything else. Without giving it any further thought, she went inside.

“All right. Question of the hour: Should we stay in this bungalow tonight?” As Pamela spoke, she was looking around the interior of the barren hut.

She’d parked the truck in front of the bungalow, facing backward, as a theft deterrent. Now she was acquainting herself with the contents of the shed.

It held a single large table, iron hooks that were probably used to hang up captured prey, and wooden shelves. The hut wasn’t even half the size of the first bungalow, but it was plenty big enough for four people—one of whom was a child—to spend half a day in.

“Are you okay? You’re not cold, are you?” she asked Cazze.

Cazze was wearing a baggy winter coat they’d had in the back of the truck. He peered up at her with innocent eyes, answering honestly, “No, miss, thank you very much!”

“O-oh, okay…” Pamela averted her eyes; his straightforward reply had landed a direct strike to her heart.


Drat. Maybe we really should have called this off.

Since he was the son of a rich man, she’d assumed he’d be a naïve, pampered boy, a spoiled little brat with aristocratic demands. In reality, this kid was very practical for his age, and he was ignorant of the world in a different way. He’d believed in them easily. He seemed oblivious to the possibility of bad people in the world, and his gaze was making her feel terribly guilty.

“Well, play with Sonia for a little while longer. Lana and I are going to go say hello to the people in the other bungalow.”

“Okay!”

“We’ll be back… Come on, let’s go.”

“Huh? Wait, I just got inside— Ow-ow-ow-ow, that hurts; you’re hurting me!”

Pamela had begun feeling uncomfortable, and she pulled on Lana’s arm, marching her outside. After they’d walked a short distance, she turned to her. “Listen, let’s not do this after all.”

“Wh-where did that come from?!”

“I’m not sure how to put it… Using a little kid like that is…you know…”

“What are you talking about?! It’s no different from our robberies. Crimes are crimes! Why are you acting all goody-goody now?!” She scowled behind her glasses. Although her words were sharp, her eyes were clearly anxious and bewildered, and there was hesitation in them.

“…Well, maybe so, but not all crimes are created equal. Some people act like saints most of the time and still violate the Prohibition Act. Besides…”

“B-besides…what?”

“Even you aren’t actually sure about this, are you, Lana?”

Instantly, Lana’s face froze.

She started to argue, but Pamela got in first. “Why can’t there be different types of villains, too? When we pull off robberies, maybe the person in charge of that casino or bank gets fired, or has a finger or two cut off, or gets rubbed out altogether. We say ‘So what?’ and keep knocking places over anyway. We’re lowlifes. But even we hate the kind of lowlifes who’d lie to a kid right to his face, then take advantage of family ties to milk his folks for money. It all comes down to our personal preference. Right?”

“…Well, now you’re being hypocritical. Just because the kid is right there… The person in charge of that casino might have a family, too; you’re gonna ignore them? I never took you for a self-centered hypocrite, Pamela—” Lana couldn’t seem to meet her eyes, and when she’d gotten that far, Pamela put her index finger against Lana’s lips, silencing her. “Mrgle…”

Pamela leaned in close. There was a shrewd smile of amusement on her lips. “Aren’t you forgetting something? Sonia’s different, but both you and I are lowlifes. Bad guys, enemies of society at large. Remember?” That grin was still pasted on her lips, but the eyes she fixed on her friend had her usual twinkle in them. She spoke like a child revealing a prank.

“Of course villains are hypocrites. What else would we be?”

“……”

Lana gazed at her for a little while. Then she sighed, giving up. “Fine. I’ll consider that proposal. That’s all I’ll do, though. Think about it.”

“Thanks. But there’s no telling how many years it’ll take you to reach a conclusion, so don’t brood too much.”

“…I would’ve appreciated that comment more if it didn’t have that middle bit…” Watching Pamela from beneath half-lowered lids, she went over her plan again, reluctant to part with it. “I really don’t think we need to feel all that guilty, though… I mean, if they’re living in a palace during a recession, you know they’re doing something at least a little crooked to get their money.”

“I thought so, too, but looking at that kid makes me think I might be wrong.”

“Besides, when I demanded the ransom, I told them, ‘Bring as much as you can of what you’re able to pay.’”

“…If their kid hadn’t actually gone missing, that condition would make anyone think this was a prank.” Pamela pursed her lips.

Lana blushed a little, looking away. “Aw, geez. Don’t compliment me like that.”

“Uh, I’m not.”

“Compliment me more directly, then!”

Are you stupid or something?! She almost screamed it at her, but before she could—

“Those glasses are the elephant’s instep! I could tell you you’re gorgeous a hundred times!”

The words had come from a young man who was standing right next to them.

““?!””

Pamela and Lana turned in unison. A boy dressed like a thug was there, all alone. He strode right up to Lana and clasped her hand firmly in both of his. “There, I complimented you! So please be my little sister, ma’am!”

“Wha—?! Um, huh?!” Lana was flustered.

Pamela cut in between them, her voice tense as she spoke to the boy. “W-wait a second. Who are you?! You just came out of nowhere— What do you want?”

“If you’re asking me who I am… Yeah, I’m your big brother! As for what I’m after, I just want to make you two my little sisters. That’s all!”

“What in… Wh-what? You’re talking bunkum; what do you mean?!”

I seriously don’t understand what he’s saying, but…, Pamela thought.

Did he…hear us?! Lana thought. Both were in a panic.

If this kid had in fact overheard them, it wouldn’t be a question of whether to carry out the kidnapping anymore. They’d have to choose whether to cut and run, silence this boy, or cover for themselves somehow.

“Sh-she’s right! Just telling us to be your little sisters out of the blue… A girl’s got to prepare herself for these things!”

“You be quiet, Lana.” Shutting up her partner before she could make things worse, Pamela turned back toward the boy—and then she noticed something alarming.

Huh?

The kid who was yelling about little sisters wasn’t the only one there.

From behind the truck, silently, truly without a sound—

—the group of girls and boys who’d been in the first bungalow a moment earlier were watching them.

?! ! ?! ? ? ?!

She couldn’t have been more confused.

The darkness had probably helped, but a group this big had crept up behind them without making any noise. She shuddered.

“EEeeeEEEeep?!” Lana had also registered the “throng” of gazes. With a wild shriek, she ducked behind Pamela.

“Are you, um…the kids who are using the bungalow next door? Are you camping out here?” Operating on a faint hope, she tried to muddy the waters with a question, but—

—a girl with sleepy eyes and watches on both arms gave a languid smile, then struck Pamela and Lana with despair as she said: “No, we were just killing time. It’s nice to meet you, kidnappers.”

Savoring both anticipation and happiness, like a child who’d found a favorite toy, she cheerfully smiled, and smiled, and smiled.

“So can you give us the lowdown on what you were discussing forty-seven seconds ago?!”

Meanwhile In the woods

“Comrade Sarges. We’ve uncovered something concerning.”

“What?”

“The negotiators have found a potential obstacle.”

“Just a minute.”

A wide river cut through the forest.

A long bridge bisected that river.

The tracks of the transcontinental railway ran over that bridge, and a local train was currently crossing them, spewing noise and soot.

Having made their camp in the woods not too far from that bridge, the men in military uniforms were conversing calmly. Sarges made sure the train had completed its crossing, then turned to his subordinate. “Let’s hear it. What is this ‘potential obstacle’?”

Although they wore military uniforms, it was likely that even someone who was well versed in such matters wouldn’t have been able to tell what unit, or even which army, they belonged to. Their uniforms were the only ones of their kind in the world. Paired with their design, it made the group seem like the ghosts of a ruined country.

“The young people we saw in the forest earlier have relocated to the bungalows at Point K.”

“…Point K?” The name made Sarges grimace. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, sir. The two trucks we saw were parked there, and one bungalow’s lights were on.”

“There, of all places…” The man tsked.

“The negotiators will pass that point on their way back,” his subordinate reminded him, although his face was still calm. “They may be seen.”

“Can we contact the negotiators?”

“Not immediately. Our wireless is out of range.”

They were members of the Lemures, a terrorist group run by Huey Laforet. While another unit was occupying the Flying Pussyfoot, their job was to negotiate with the government, using the train’s passengers as hostages.

There was only a little time left before the train’s occupation was scheduled to begin.

The five who were directly in charge of the negotiations were supposed to return to this camp at fixed intervals during the operation, one at a time, to deliver status reports.

They’d plotted a route that would prevent the police from following them, and that route went right past the bungalows.

If they were going to be absolutely sure, they needed to eliminate any risk that they might be spotted, but—

“With numbers like that, even liquidating them wouldn’t be a sure thing.” Sarges said liquidate as if it meant nothing to him, then went on impassively. “Let’s send two scouts. If they seem unlikely to cause trouble, don’t disturb them. If they do pose a problem, they’re obstacles. Get rid of them. Don’t use guns if you can help it.”

Choosing two men who were nearby, he sent them off toward the bungalow.

From the shadows, Sarges watched his subordinates go. “All right… Eight hours remaining until the appointed time.”

He spoke to himself—and in the darkness, where no one could see him, he smiled quietly.

“Let’s give Senator Beriam an opportunity to demonstrate his character and skills.”



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