Глава 5

第一关（前）

We'll be friends from now on. Those adults won't be able to bully us anymore!

Don't be afraid. From now on, I'll help you no matter what happens.

If something bad happens to me, you'd better help me too! That's what friends are for!

Hehe, we'll always be together, right?

Do you still remember what you did when that old duke snatched her away?

Can you really do whatever it takes for the sake of Lungmen?

Now, Wei Yenwu, what - or who - are you going to sacrifice this time?

Nngh... Ugh...

Hey, wake up!

Save her...

Officer Ch'en, wake up!

...Let me through! Let me...

Puk gaai, I don't have time to deal with this right now!

*splash*—

Hnnf!

*cough* *cough*...

Finally awake?

Ack...

What...

Hoshiguma, hurry! Reunion—

Are you done daydreaming? Good grief, you're a mess.

Why are you here? Where's my squad?

What if I told you that they were all killed in action?

If you're itching for a beating, then you'd better queue up behind Reunion.

I see your tongue is as sharp as ever. How come your performance in battle doesn't follow suit?

What's going on over here? I leave for a moment, and you two are already at each others' throats?

Miss Swire, would it kill you to be a little less sarcastic towards her?

Hmph.

You too, Ch'en, you only just woke up...

Wait, why do you look like you just got into a fight with a watering cart?

Ask her.

Young lady, what's this empty glass doing here? I remember pouring a glass of water for each of you.

She was spouting nonsense in her sleep.

Good grief...

Where are we?

In a cabin in Rhodes Island.

Officer Ch'en, you and your team retreated to Lungmen about 45 minutes ago.

You might've thought that you hid your tracks well, but Reunion did not think that was the case.

第一关（后）

7:55 A.M. \ Overcast

Rhodes Island Cabin #7, Lok Tai Chau, Lungmen Harbor

I teamed up with Rhodes Island to clear out the Reunion forces that were blocking your way. Your squad is pretty much fine as well. Heheh~ You can finally go back to Lungmen.

Just when you thought that everything had settled down, you took a blast head-on and got knocked out.

...Really?

Are you asking if you really let someone sneak up on you like that, or if you really managed to get hit with explosives but only end up unconscious?

Forget it, stop pulling my leg. What's the situation in Lungmen now?

It's a terrible mess. Read the report yourself if you'd like.

Regardless of what happened before, the fact is that our counterattack has been significantly set back because of you.

Right now, the Special Ops Division should be assembling the remainder of your squad, then joining up with the rest of the L.G.D. along with Rhodes Island.

So we'll be fighting our way straight to the heart of the city. Maneuver warfare, huh? That does seem promising.

What's the purpose of that kind of strategy though?

Destroying all of Reunion's rally points. We'll fully utilize the advantage you've created for us.

In other words, a siege.

That's right, we have to seize this opportunity when Reunion is still trying to establish a foothold.

However, in doing so, we'll be forcing their remnants to converge faster.

You can't guarantee that you'll be able to hold them off until the L.G.D. is reassembled, much less ensure that the Reunion remnants are all dealt with.

We don't need any of your 'advantages,' nor do I need to hear you lecture me about strategies.

You don't have a say in the matter, Ch'en. Even if you are the head of the Special Ops Divison and enjoy a certain degree of autonomy during times of war, you cannot absolve yourself of all accountability.

Judging by your tone, you're trying to challenge me. I'll take you on, but not right now.

We each have our own orders. The only thing that matters is that we do our job.

Ch'en, the L.G.D. has fallen, and Reunion has taken control of the L.G.D. Headquarters. This is your fault.

Why were you not here when Lungmen needed you?

Was that also an order?

If you weren't neglecting your duties, Lungmen wouldn't have fallen.

I'm ashamed of you, Ch'en. You should resign immediately, and let me take over the Special Ops Division.

第二关（后）

Swire, you're not authorized to make such a demand.

Hey.

Even setting aside our bad blood, I don't think you're capable of taking on this responsibility.

You very well could have declared—

'Chief Wei Yenwu has issued an order for the incumbent operations leader of the L.G.D. to step down and transfer all responsibilities to Superintendent Swire.'

Can you do that? Does an order like that exist?

Tch... Don't call me that.

If you can't, then just worry about your own job. Nothing good will come of you catching this hot potato, 'Miss S.'

How many times do I have to tell you, that's not my last name? Listen here, Swire is just my code name. Otherwise, call me Beatrix Schwire, got it?

I don't give a damn what you call yourself. Nobody can tell the difference anyway.

Hey...

I'm not in the mood to play with you. Run along and find something else to do, kid.

Ch'en... you really are a piece of shit.

And you can shove it up yours.

I'm leaving, Hoshiguma. I'd recommend you keep that crazy reptile on a leash. Don't come running to me if she ends up dead in a ditch somewhere.

Uhh, sorry, li'l Miss. Both of you sure are ill-tempered. Despite everything she said, we're still grateful for your assistance.

Never again. I want to see her bleed.

What happened to her back? It looks like a fresh wound.

When she was carrying you to cover, a Reunion caster blasted the wall just a few meters behind her.

You should try being a little nicer to her. I'm sure it won't kill either of you to stop acting like archenemies once in a while.

...I know.

(*knock* *knock*)

May I come in, Madam Ch'en of Lungmen?

Come on in. She doesn't mind. Sorry to keep you waiting.

Not at all, it's fine.

Pleased to meet you, Madam Ch'en. Um... Are you available to talk with Rhodes Island right now about our mission?

We already have a few squads assembled on the deck. We're ready to start the mission with you at any time.

Got it. I'll be right there.

I'm sorry that I overheard your earlier conversation with that blonde inspector... We understand that the L.G.D. has sustained heavy losses. However, you can trust us to do everything in our power to help.

...This isn't something we should be talking about right now.

Don't worry, Hoshiguma. You should also know that Swire is trying to stabilize the situation.

Both of you are too hot-headed.

I just gave it to her straight. Lungmen's casualties are heavy, and this is the 'truth' that they're supposed to 'know.'