Глава 7

Chernobog Underground Base

10:30 a.m.

Were you waiting for me here?

Yes.

It took me a long time to find you.

We'll begin the operation after we finish collecting all the environmental information. Before that, it'll benefit you to hear exactly what's going on inside Chernobog's core city.

Amiya's a bit tied up on the scene, so she won't be able to join this discussion.

You've already read the information in the mission briefing, but that kind of information is not good enough for a mind like yours.

Did you finally realize that you need me?;......;I'm glad you see me as more than a simple battlefield commander.

If the worst comes to pass, I don't want you to sacrifice yourself while still not knowing a single thing.

If you've taken interest in some part of me, you can just come out and say it. No need to stare so much.

You might not remember, but I do. I remember you had quite a talent for heating up rations by pouring boiling water directly into your mouth at four in the morning.

If you don't believe me, you can try for yourself.

But skip the chatter. We don't have much time.

Rhodes Island and the L.G.D. worked together to take down Reunion, and neutralized the forces controlled by Mephisto and Crownslayer.

After that, Reunion's deployments in Lungmen fell apart completely.

Amiya reported to me that you had a difficult fight with a 'FrostNova,' an Infected serving Reunion as leader of a special squad, at the bottom of Lungmen.

The battle ended in your victory.

There was no victor.;No.;I wouldn't call that a victory.

I understand. According to the data from PRTS, you had the cooperation of our operators when you brought the enemy's body back to Rhodes Island for treatment.

I don't consider her an enemy.

Dr. {@nickname}, 'distinguish your friends from your foes.'

...No. You might get the wrong idea, but you must hear me out.

I am not trying to blame you, Dr. {@nickname}.

Amiya told me what happened between you and the enemy commander. Only those who were there at the time had the information to decide what to do.

I don't have the right to overreach and criticize your judgment.

You tried to understand the motives of that Infected. You were willing to bear the consequences for the things she, FrostNova, did.

That is what you did.

If you plan to use this method to make sense of the suffering in this world, I have no reason to blame you.

I am even willing to vouch for you before the operators of Rhodes Island. Dr. {@nickname}, make your own decisions, and I will try not to interfere.

After that, I will determine the part of the responsibility that belongs to Rhodes Island.

Your powers and responsibilities compliment one another. 'Distinguish your enemies from your friends.' Those are your words, not mine.

(Whispers) If you really want to breathe as one...

You're actually... siding with me?

I never said that.

More accurately, FrostNova and her Yeti Squad were a guerilla team of elite Infected.

Right now, there are still two elite forces that Reunion is still able to mobilize. These guerilla warriors are the first.

The second is the Sarkaz mercenary, W, and her team of sellswords.

According to my intel, W used some underhanded tactics to seize leadership of the Sarkaz mercenaries working with Reunion.

We don't have time to go over what should be common historical knowledge, but let me say this frankly — Sarkaz mercenaries are unreliable, a problem W faces just as much as Reunion.

Sarkaz mercenaries are unlike normal agency mercenaries. They are the overflowing military might of Kazdel, spilling out across the land.

Trying to control them is an act of folly. It will only anger the forces backing them.

You seem to have a pretty deep understanding of the Sarkaz.

I haven't even gotten to the important part.

The point is, the Infected guerrillas of Yeti Squad are completely different from the Sarkaz mercenaries.

There are no similarities between them in terms of their form, organization, behavior, or creed.

Before joining Reunion's ranks, they were an independent guerrilla force of Infected, and their prestige was even greater among certain groups of Infected than that of Reunion.

...And before they formed this guerrilla force, they used to be a part of the mighty Ursus military.

The Guerrillas of the Northwestern Tundra?

I'm not sure where you learned that piece of information, Doctor, but I color me impressed.

Though that piece of information itself is fairly basic, I am relieved that you're able to proactively gather intel on your own.

You just had to tack that bit onto the end...;......;Why does it feel like you're poking fun at me?

I only give what you deserve.

We've arrived at the foundations of the industrial sector at Chernobog's core city.

Next, we'll lead three teams through the complex underground passages, take the sewer pipes into the industrial layer, and come up in the heart of the core city.

Be aware that any enemies you see patrolling these areas are not the ordinary Reunion thugs you're used to fighting.

We will meet rigorously trained... 'soldiers.' Reunion's 'soldiers,' trained in the tactics of Ursus's own army by the guerrillas.

Our recon operators discovered that communication networks have been forcefully cut off within the core city. Rather, it seems that Reunion didn't even try to maintain these channels.

This is a severe constraint upon modern-day squads who rely on the most common modes of communication.

What this means is Reunion either already has some special way of communicating, or they simply aren't prepared to fight.

Based on what we saw in Chernobog a month ago, don't expect that second scenario. However, if communication is cut off, the lower-ranking Reunion members won't receive direct commands.

Most of the time, expect them to act independently.

I fear they won't know signals they cannot receive— a signal that only countries and city-states can distinguish. One that marks the territory of Ursus.

A terrible storm is brewing within this city. Chaos, whether caused accidentally or deliberately, will permeate everywhere like thick smoke.

They're a step ahead of me, and the seeds of ruin have already been sown.

What's your conclusion?

Conflict is brewing within Reunion.

How are you so sure?

I've seen the same thing unfold countless of times across this land.

Is there something you're not telling me?

I've said pretty much everything I needed to say. As for the rest, we'll cross those bridges when we get to them.

Even if we're still just preparing for war, efficiency still matters.

Please help me notify the members of Team R-4, Doctor. Have them take these devices.

Hold on...

Is there a problem?

Don't these belong to Rosmontis?

Yes.

You seem to know more about Rosmontis than the conversation you had in the bioprocessing unit indicated.

I saw her getting ready to fight.

Never expected she'd have the power to use a device like this.

Every elite operator has a considerable amount of strength. We expect them to take charge.

...So, you haven't had the time to understand how Rosmontis fights.

But just to get this out of the way, there are some things they should not be shouldering alone. As a field commander, a necessary part of your job is to help relieve the pressure on these operators.

In this upcoming battle, you may make some shocking discoveries.

Huh...?

Very few people aren't shocked after watching Rosmontis fight.

Make sure you're ready for it.

Dr. {@nickname}, you're here!

We intercepted an enemy patrol squad, steadily handling the situation.

Has the fighting started already?

Doctor, your position there is kinda risky...

I think you'll probably want to move.

I just got here.

Right there... Behind you...

Doctor, it's really dangerous to stand next to her!

...Enemy.

What do you mean...

...Rosmontis?

Enemy.

Doctor, those are the ones who killed my family... Enemies!