Глава 8

Honestly I was worried you'd head to military intelligence. My little Chenchen is scary enough, I can't imagine how scary she'd be as a spook.

And I'll have your bloody head off.

Hey! No need to get angry. *Sigh* Alright, I can take it!

Hah. We'll see how much you can take.

Oh, someone's at the door. Just a sec! Coming!

Message for Miss Ch'en Hui-chieh, post-transcribed. Check your terminal. I have to confirm in person that you've read it yourself.

Why all the trouble? I'll take a look.

...What? What... is this?

I'd say that counts as you having received the message. The academy doesn't review highly classified material, so if you have any further inquiries about the content, I'll advise you to reply to the sender.

Anything else I can do for you? If that's all, I'll be on my way. Have a good afternoon.

There we go.

Why do they walk so funny?

I don't like the look of your face there. Did that message sock you in the jaw?

I don't even know what I'm feeling.

They picked up my friend's trail.

Well isn't that good?!

No.

It just led to her disappearing again. She...

She... killed the one who took her. And then... we lost her again.

Erm.

But at least... she's still alive?

That's true.

I'm going right back to Lungmen after graduation.

Huh? But... well, isn't your friend in Ursus? I really thought you'd be heading that way. I was thinking of knitting you a few scarves as a goodbye gift.

I wouldn't be able to do much in Ursus. But back in Lungmen, I'll have a chance to spread my influence. The city of Lungmen is a lot stronger than me alone.

...I am going to find her.

'As move at teardrop's point, once known be deft.'

现在线5

Transmission went through!

Captain? Do you copy?

I'm here! It's me! What's your status?

Most of us are fine. We're trapped under this building at the moment, but we found an access hatch.

We'll regroup with you if we find another exit.

We disabled the restart function. Rest assured, we've got a very defensible position. Make your way here and you won't have to worry about getting caught flat-footed.

But...

Bluishsilver, she's...

Gah!

...No, no, Rosmontis! Wait!

Focus on the mission... don't come for us! You promised us before we set out!

But!

Keep your promise! We wouldn't have followed you into Chernobog without it.

Remember our talk back when we joined your team?

Listen to me, Rosmontis... we talked about how elite operators and their teams are all different.

You can do so much. You Arts are so strong. There's not much we can do for you in a fight.

But when you can't handle the burden, we'll share it with you. Just like Amiya and the other elite operators.

But you're my team!

Calm down!

Bluishsilver's last wish...

Was that we help you grow as a warrior, not a soldier, and not a weapon.

Captain, you get your job done. We'll make it out of here safe.

Listen, Rosmontis. This might be hard to do. But it's what Bluishsilver wanted.

'You're not just an elite operator, you're Rosmontis. We all love you, not just your team, but Rhodes Island and the Infected, everyone who hates loss and destruction... we all love you.'

So, Captain, 'Think about what 'Rosmontis' would do, okay?'

Over and out. Tell Amiya hi for us.

Don't leave me. Please come back.

We will.

They cut the transmission.

What's the situation?

Oh, Amiya. We lost one member of the engineering team, but the rest are safe for now.

Rosmontis... We need a little more firepower. The guerrilla mortar team needs supplies. We'll ambush them.

Are you okay?

Amiya, after Ace died, what did you think?

Oh!

You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But I want to know.

Sorry, I don't want to think too much about it.

You want to run away too?

No, it's just not the time to face up to it. Tears are for the end, when it's all over.

I only remember the very end, I was thinking...

That I didn't want to let him, or any of our Rhodes Island operators, die in vain.

Good.

Recon Operator, tell me where. I'm going.

Reunion is totally out of control. Watch yourself.

Because we're their enemy?

Because everything is their enemy. Without an enemy to fight, sometimes people make their own.

What are you worried about? Vanguard group, attack!

Sniper group, fall back!;Defender operators, cover them!;Casters, cease fire!

Roger! Form up and reload!

Roger! Hold fast! Don't let them cut off the corridor!

Stop casting! Watch for friendly fire!

No further! Too scary.

Don't hit! Pain! Pain everywhere.

That's an unpleasant infection symptom.

They are no longer human.;......;More disturbing than the Infected mutants in Lungmen.

If you want to ask if I worry about Rosmontis, Amiya, and their teams...

I have to confess, there's no use worrying.

We settled on the plan, and it all runs on a predesigned track. If you squeeze onto someone else's rail, you'll just end up derailing two trains.

The herd doesn't look like it's pushing up!

Stay focused! We want to pass through, not wipe them out!

Clear them in waves. We don't have the capacity to take on an entire battlefield.

I'm worried about Amiya.;I'm worried about Rosmontis.;I'm worried about the operation.

Amiya is a mature leader and an excellent fighter. She knows the team, the operation, and our objectives.

Rosmontis is a powerhouse and the elite operator best supported by her team. She clears her mission objectives cleanly and decisively, as long as the operation utilizes her properly.

Chernobog is in the midst of a raging storm, and given the circumstances there's not much worrying about the situation can accomplish.

The most important thing we can do for them is accomplish our own team's strategic objectives.

That's it?! ;......;Isn't that a little cold?

I don't think so.

She's through all seven training segments and passed every test given to her. There were three in which she showed particular promise.

I have no faith in casters like this. Kalt'sit, I pride myself on my skill with Arts, and I hope to help others with it.

That's not what Rosmontis is. Her Originium Arts are not those that serve to benefit mankind.

I want her to fight, but for one consideration.