Глава 7

They are completely unaware that we are targeting their communications, or that we are able to work against the ancient Sarkaz witchcraft..

We do have our methods, limited as they may be.

After striking the runners, the guerrillas will respond. Within a half hour, they will have new runners working, and they will be hardened against further attacks.

They will be on high alert, and may not have weaknesses to exploit.

What's more, we will have exposed our positioning and tactics, putting us in a difficult situation.

However, we only need to execute a single surgical strike. With that one blow, we will force out their command unit.

The guerrillas won't be expecting another Infected spec ops team.

This is a tactical advantage.

I'm more concerned with implementation. Will it work?

—I'm not going to exaggerate.

Dr. {@nickname}, even with our three tactical advantages, we are more likely to fail than succeed.

Then why do it like this?

Because anything else would be even less likely to succeed.

...Rosmontis should have started her search. Hold your breath, and don't look.

—First—

I... found three.

Rosmontis... you're okay. Come here, a little closer.

...Four.

Your ear. I'm running my finger over your ear like this... you can hear it. These are just fragments of your imagination, and you've seen it all before.

Mm...

Five.

Doctor, are you afraid of getting hurt?

...Huh?

These three teams will split up for the fight. Each will be responsible for enemy teams and crippling the runners in a different sector. We cannot give them a chance to get the word out.

Each of our squads will also redistribute their power projection, which I have already planned for. Don't worry.

As for you, you're with me.

Me?!;...Use bait.;Do I have to?

Bring your security specialist. You can't refuse. I think.

The guerrillas' equipment is of excellent quality, similar to that of the Ursus military, and they keep to discipline and tactics even more harshly and effectively.

Sarkaz, Ursus, Liberi and other races all united under a single banner.

You are safe only under my protection. I don't want Rosmontis to kill you by accident, and I don't want Amiya to distract herself trying to protect you. And Raidian, you haven't even met.

You can't cause trouble with me.

...Wait.

—Rosmontis?

Ah... Nng...

Raidian, sever Rosmontis's connection. Now!

Amiya, her mental state?

But... Rosmontis... The scene I reached out to was stable, nothing strange was happening... It shouldn't have...

It's... falling? She's... looking at the sky?

...Lost. She's lost. She's falling.

Body temperature dropping, shortness of breath... Sharp decrease in endorphin levels.

Does she need the injection?

(Shakes her head)

This isn't like Raidian using supplements to replenish her energy. Rosmontis's Arts throw off a balance inside her body, but not an entirely biological one.

Injecting steroids to increase hormone production can seriously disrupt her endocrine system that could result in a failure of her inhibitor functions.

I... I...

You left me? Why... I have to...

—Why did you leave me...?

But this is very bad.

Bad is not an excuse to indulge my incompetence.

Dr. {@nickname}, I will not resort to emergency measures that cause permanent bodily harm... no matter how effective they may be.

Rosmontis's problem is not biological. She is the only one who can solve it.

Rosmontis.

Rosmontis, look at my hand.

Doc... tor... Kal... tsit..

Look at Dr. Kal'tsit's hand.

My hand is stroking your face now. Look, Dr. Kal'tsit is here. Look at me.

...Hnng.

Rosmontis, Kal'tsit doesn't have much time to stay with you. Neither does Amiya...

Outcast, Misery, Blaze, or anyone else.

But for now, Amiya and I are here.

Uh... huh.

Keep pushing, Rosmontis. Walk forward.

Yes, Rosmontis... over here. Walk this way. On the deck.

It's very hard, I know... But, Rosmontis, this is the deck, you can step on it. You won't fall through.

This is Rhodes Island.

We're here with you.

I'm here with you.

—I know.

Her breathing... it's stabilizing.

...Doctor... Kal'tsit... give me...

The... data.

—Okay.

Raidian, connect Rosmontis's terminal. She's okay.

I'm sure. Do it.

—Second.

Seven.

I see..

Her... Rosmontis is standing now. Her consciousness is peaceful and harmonious. Aw... it's like a fluffy basket holding her dreams.

We're fine, Dr. Kal'tsit.

Fluffy basket...

...a kitten?;Cute.;It suits... you.

(Oh...?)

Pfft.

Amiya's turning red, Dr. {@nickname}.

...I didn't want you to see that!

It's okay. Mmhm. Okay.

Again... again. Amiya, let's go forward a bit. I can feel it.

Third.

...Dr. Kal'tsit, I found them. All of them.

We're ready.

Yes, thank you. And thank you, Amiya.

Don't thank me for doing my job, Rosmontis... no need. You know I love saying that, don't you?

Uh huh. But you took me to the bridge, and to the mountain... and the clouds were so pretty.

It's a long road.

Let's go, Amiya. We can go down.

Raidian, split the connections. You can take five.

Amiya, Rosmontis, keep the channel clear.

Okay, now, Raidian, Dr. Kal'tsit, Rosmontis...

Time to fight.