act18mini

Brigadier, sir.

What's the situation with our target?

She's been treating any wounded on her way, but otherwise has been headed straight towards our camp. She'll soon reach the Gastrell's gangway.

What of the Sarkaz and the other Dukes' movements?

The Sarkaz have made a few probing attacks with small squads, but are evidently unaware of the situation and have failed to slow her down.

Continue surveillance, and prepare for her to board. Eliminate any threat to her life.

Yes, sir.

Another thing, Brigadier, sir. We and you Tarans... have already become companions on the battlefield after risking our lives together, yes?

No need to beat around the bush. Ask me any question you have.

I've heard some rumors regarding the target. That you once planned to get rid of her.

So why are you protecting her now?

Reporting in. Target is at the gangway!

(Inquiring look)

Let her board. Bring her to the command center.

(Mouthing) The bridge?!

...Let her board, and bring her to the Gastrell's command center.

Yes, sir!

I thought... you would have welcomed her personally.

Me?

I'm no longer qualified.

Your Grace?

I thought the one waiting for me... would be my sister.

It is inconvenient for Princess Eblana to meet you at the moment, Miss Loughshinny.

But I am quite interested in how you managed to obtain the G-0 high ground coordinates. Is it the pharmaceutical company you stay at? That Doctor?

...Yes.

Then, milady, would you kindly pass along a message? The Doctor will have to personally come and get whatever is wanted from Tara.

The Doctor was only helping me meet my sister, expecting nothing from Tara. Only hoping to end the war sooner. And I agree.

Pardon my frankness, Miss Loughshinny, but I see only a mouthpiece here, and I believe mouthpieces have no authority to make suggestions.

I am no go-between. I represent only myself.

Then I shall hear you out.

What exactly do <i>you</i> want?

Peace.

Peace?

The cannons still ring, the Sarkaz witchcraft still hovers above our heads, and you speak of peace?

It is only because I am meeting you in good faith that I will choose not to regard that as an insult to this war.

That is absolutely not my intention.

This war continues not because it cannot be ended, Your Grace. Even I can tell the Sarkaz are running out of time.

The Victorians have surrounded the city but have refrained from an assault, in order to preserve their strength.

I suppose they plan to starve out the city.

They do not care if any of their own countrymen remain inside. It does not matter if there actually are, so long as they don't see a single one when they eventually enter the city.

An ugly tactic, if there ever was one.

The root of ugliness is cowardice, as it always has been.

The morality of one's actions does not diminish its cowardice, Miss Loughshinny. Cowardice is when you hesitate to take responsibility.

...Which is why I am standing before you now.

I hope that you and your forces can put an end to this ugly siege, break the Sarkaz's fragile front, and spare every Victorian in the city from the calamity created by their own people.

I see. Now I understand why you have come.

As Her Highness Eblana has said, you show both compassion and nobility. But these virtues of yours are far from a reason for the Tarans to once again involve themselves in a conflict between the Sarkaz and the Victorians.

The Gastrell would not be stationed here if intervention was never an option.

I asked for a reason, Miss Loughshinny.

I, the Gastrell, and the countless other Taran warriors require a reason good enough for us to risk our own lives.

Please, Your Grace.

'Please' has no power on the battlefield.

Reed tries her best to look straight into Wellington's eyes.

She knows well what holds the most power on the battlefield. She knows she is qualified to wield it—and that that right is all she has.

She also knows that once she uses it, there will be no turning back.

But she was never uninvolved, and that is precisely why she came here.

(Takes a deep breath)

Then, Your Grace, I... I order... you.

In the name of Tara.

I order you to rescue the Victorian civilians inside the city.

I order your fleet to smash the weak Sarkaz defense line, to bring Londinium the relief she should have had long ago.

I order the Taran army to demonstrate noblesse oblige, not for material benefit, but for all to see our glory.

As you command.

Any other orders?

You've been stationed outside Londinium this whole time, yet you acquiesced to my command so easily... Could it be because my sister...?

No.

My presence here means only one thing: that once again, I was able to witness the cowardice and evil of the Victorians.

As long as you are willing to give orders, you will have command.

You merely made a choice. To align yourself with Her Highness Eblana, and the newborn Tara.

...I did.

I would have come here even if the city was not being besieged.

If so, then I believe Her Highness will soon find the time to grant you an audience. I'm sorry to say, but this truly is an inconvenient time for her to meet you.

What is she planning?

Does it matter? Whether it succeeds or fails, it will nonetheless benefit Tara.

...Truly?

She made a promise. And she will honor it.

Do excuse me.

The command center returns to silence as Reed scrutinizes the conversation they just had.

She completed some of her objectives and learned a few things, but is left even more puzzled.

She has stepped in, and can no longer turn back.

Miss Loughshinny.

You are...?

The general ordered me to escort you out and show you to your cabin.

You may spend your time aboard the Gastrell as you please before we reach Taran territory.

My apologies, but there are people waiting for me.

Do you mean the Tarans who have been following you?

The general did consider this. He is willing to send a squad to lead them to our camp here, and let them board a ride on a support ship back to the capital, Na Saoirsí.

No, I promised them I would return.

I...

Just as I am promising you right now, and have promised His Grace, that I will return to Na Saoirsí.

I believe we made that clear in our earlier exchange.

My apologies, but I'll need to ask the general about this...

He's busy? Ugh... But...

What?! With your busy schedule, even...

Y—Yes! As you command!

Miss Loughshinny.

I'm listening.

Direct orders from The Leader. She has instructed us not to interfere with your movements.

'The Leader'?

Yes.