Wilderness Wanderers Camp
"What information do you want?"
"An unusual armed squad?"
"You mean a mercenary squad from one of the corporations?"
"What do you mean by an independent armed squad?"
"There are plenty of independent armed squads in these wildernesses. Which one are you talking about?"
"An independent armed squad capable of attacking corporate mercenary teams? One that has launched attacks recently?"
"There are squads capable of attacking mercenary teams, but I don't know whether any of them have launched attacks recently."
"To be honest, I think you came to the wrong place. There are indeed quite a few capable armed squads in the nearby wilderness, but they all have more or less some connection to the corporations. There really aren't any that would dare attack them."
"Follow that direction, and after a few dozen miles, you'll reach Aines. Do you think they're crazy? Dare attack the corporations? That would be suicide. Any armed squad around here with even a name is registered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On the surface, they all do legitimate business."
"Wouldn't they attack non-corporate merchant caravans? What kind of question is that? Is this your first time making a living in the wilderness? I can't answer that unless you give me a little—"
"Have any outside teams come near this camp to resupply recently? Plenty of people resupply near this camp every day, but if you want specific information, I know where to get it. It's all firsthand, most accurate intelligence. I even know where to get information about the neighboring camp, as long as you give me a little—"
"Hey, don't leave. The price is negotiable, negotiable—"
The gaunt man with a large mole on his face rose from his seat, looking toward the white-haired Old Man disappearing into the crowd