Глава 8

The, um... the, um!

Take care. Mm-hm... take care.

We're not elite operator Rosmontis's squad for nothing. Don't you worry about a thing!

...Put your own safety first.

If you wanted us to listen, you wouldn't have used those Arts just now!

Ah...

Engineering group, move out! Hustle your bustles!

...They're gone.

Oh. Amiya. You shouldn't use up your strength here. Let me handle all that.

...This way, you'll be able to do less harm.

Does Rhodes Island not want me to do things this way?

That's not it. It's just... if we could, we obviously don't want things done this way.

And the only thing I've used up is strength. What you use up is... your awareness.

I don't really care.

But... we should care.

Amiya! This fellow wants a few words with you.

Ah...

...You're from Reunion, Infected friend. Can I call you that?

Whatever. Just... whatever. We're all... done for. I wanted to ask where you're gonna go.

And if... we can go with you, maybe. We've got nowhere to really go. The Sarkaz'll kill us, and we don't want to fight our own people anymore. The guerrillas'll kill us for sure, too.

Why do you feel that way?

They'd kill anyone if they wanted, wouldn't they? I've heard there's times they say they'll kill the Infected, just because someone did something or other wrong!

...I'm not sure. They might do that, but they might not.

My belief is, you have to see how they truly are to reach the facts. You can't just go on hearsay.

But we won't force you off to where they are. You're afraid of them, and the things they're doing don't sit well with you.

And that's why I wanted to... to ask where you're all going.

—We're heading for the core command tower.

...Are you insane?

Mm.

We want to put a stop to this turmoil, so we have to head for the command tower.

Can I ask you for a favor, Infected friend?

If it's killing—then—then no.

It's not. I'm hoping you can all... safeguard the bystander Infected on this block.

Be careful. They might not like you... they might not like your uniforms.

Then what do we do?

I think you have two options. One is, take off that uniform, and be Reunion no longer...

And the other is, wear your uniforms, but do what you should do.

One option is easy, and one's very hard, but I believe... this is something you should choose for yourselves.

Command tower entrance

Curs! The cowards! They're blocking off the tower entrances with the sealing layers!

Have we still not breached them?

The Sarkaz mercenaries are entrenching every sealing sector's in-roads! Other Infected have constantly been harassing us! We can't concentrate our attention!

You, repeat. You're asking us and Rhodes Island to cooperate?

I am!

If Rhodes Island is unworthy of your trust, then you don't need to think about any of this city's people for a second more.

Even if the rules are going out of style, they'll still play by them.

Even if they still owe the Captain their lives?

If we all die here, who'll carry on Patriot's spirit?

We have strength, and Rhodes Island has knowledge. At the last, Kal'tsit's incredible on both counts. I personally think she's on par with the Captain. And you saw, even the Captain gave her his recognition!

The sealing layer's still rising! You'd better decide, because we don't have much time left!

That's more or less the shape of things. I've already told them about things, so, Amiya...

I'm not asking you to agree to this. I'm just thinking it might be good for us, right?

It'll lead to a little less wounded all around...

...I'm not really on top of things. I just...

It's alright, Guard. Your proposal is reasonable. It's just that we... we won't do things the same way the Shieldguards do.

We don't have any right to exercise over the Infected, and we won't adopt their... disciplinary methods.

Are they almost here?

Should be.

...Amiya, I'm making less and less sense of anything.

—Feline. I'm looking for your leader.

If you want revenge, is now a good time?

Don't think you can try pissing me off just because you know a bit of Arts, white cat!

I don't like you.

Am I making you realize? The way you do things, you're no merchant's underling, eh? You're more like some Infected warrior hero, aren't you?

What are you talking about?

...Guerrilla fighter.

You can't threaten our employees. You don't have the authority.

...The Lord.

Can you command those Sarkaz?

...I can't, and I couldn't. Please don't call me that. All I am is a member of Rhodes Island. Nothing to do with race, nor any arbitrary form of power.

Then that makes things simple, if you and them have absolutely no blood affinity.

You're going to team up with us here? Wreck the command tower together?

What're you so on guard for? We're obviously the ones yielding here.

The other guerrillas still don't know what I'm up to, but I have faith you feel the same way as them. This city's people are enslaved by Talulah and her wicked plans, and you too want to liberate them.

We want to revive hope for the Infected, so let's light one more flame for this city!

if you truly fight for the Infected, then you're sure to agree.

Now answer, Rhodes Island!