Глава 9

But all I wanted was to stop a bigger conflict... I thought, so long as I stood up, I could change...

We wouldn't call it fate if it always went how we wanted.

Jane, can I tell you a story?

Go on. I'll try to listen.

I'll keep it short.

Decades ago, when I was about your age... No, maybe a bit older, back when I worked for the Church—

You don't seem a thing like those Laterano clerics.

Years and experience are pretty good at changing a person.

They had me arbitrating a war. Who the sides were, or why they were fighting, that's not important anymore. The parties responsible for getting the ball rolling are probably all dust anyway.

I just remember, there was a city asking for my help. I told them to lay their weapons down, I was ready to be their go-between, and off I went for peace talks with a general from the side sieging the place.

The people in the city really weren't up for it, with the whole 'surrendering to tyranny' thing, so I took some drastic measures to get them talking, but we still never came to an agreement, in the end.

I gave up hope and left, bringing with me just a few who were willing to quit fighting, but the second day after I left, the city was breached.

Pretty much everyone who stayed ended up dead.

I believe... a good chunk of them all thought, nearing death's door, I'd still come and protect them in the end. But I didn't.

Looking back, I guess I was on the other side. I was the sinister pretender who'd given them hope, gotten them massacred.

But you're not!

You sure? Who can say?

After that, I renounced my appointment as a cardinal, and left Laterano.

It sounds like you tried your best...

Really? What if I kept at it, tried harder to stop the massacre that was coming?

Then you probably couldn't save a single one.

Or maybe I shouldn't have gone there with unrealistic hopes in the first place. Maybe I should've walked up and put a bullet in the head of the brute about to butcher an entire city.

Wouldn't that... have other consequences?

No one can tell you the consequences of opening fire before you do it.

But still, are you telling me you'd stand by and watch—just let evil happen over and over, and over again?

...I wouldn't.

You're right. No matter how I keep questioning myself... I don't regret it at all.

Bagpipe... I hope you can still make it.

Triangle?

You came in at the right time. I'm about to dash for a communications center, position not far from here. You don't have to enter the city, we'll rendezvous directly at the outskirts—

...Leader.

What happened to you?! You sound in awful shape! Were you wounded?

Hah... not a... big issue... ahah... forget it, it's a little big. But no need... to fuss about me.

Leader, I don't have much time. We've definitely found what we were looking for.

These Originium products were sent to the artillery battalion.

Artillery battalion?! The barracks' one?

Yes, absolutely. We're in here right now.

The barracks have already been breached by the spectre force?!

To be honest, I don't know.

Another thing you need to know. The Originium products we found had all gone through modification.

What kind of modification?

I only came by a part of it. Their structures aren't whole, someone's taken out the parts with active Originium... Do you still remember the serial bombing case at Stockton?

The offending group created a huge amount of incompletely combusting bombs, and caused grave Originium dust pollution in the core district, in retaliation against the government.

Right... hah... you get what I mean.

They have us surrounded... we're out of luck hiding...

And Snare? The others?!

Snare's... next to me. There's a bolt clean through her heart... she went without too much pain, fortunately. Bass and Mandolin are still in the warehouse. Sorry. I couldn't bring them...

You did all you could. You're a fine leader.

Am I, then...? Surely not as good as you, Leader.

These hostiles... they're bizarre. They use weapons just like ours. And on top of that, I can hear... familiar call-outs...

Just who... is our enemy?

That's not important, Triangle. You all come back alive for me, you hear that? This is an order!

Hah... got it, Leader. I'll keep it in mind.

Given I'm here, all of you can come out now.

Lieutenant.

How are my people?

Your subordinates are here. Rest assured, they're only unconscious.

I don't mean Cello's group.

You know who I mean.

Don't push me, or it won't be my shield against your chin.

*Cough*, *cough* *cough*... If you're going to draw your sword, you'll be attacking a colleague...

Heh. Colleague?

At what point, since the moment we entered County Hillock, have you ever treated us as colleagues?!

Answer me!!!

Hff—

Even supposing... you... cut my throat here... you can't alter... the Colonel's decision...

Is that so?

You've never heard the degree of what the Tempest Platoon's soldiers can do, have you?

How many did Triangle cost you? Half your own company?

It's just me alone here. But I guarantee you, you won't want to know how long it takes me to put you all to rights.

L—Lay down your weapons!

Or else, w... we'll kill her on the spot!

...Cello.

I mean it! Make one move, and my crossbow's shooting straight through her neck!

Alright.

You win.

Subdue her! Quickly, together now, we can't let her touch her sword and shield again!

Hill... you tell Hamilton...

Victoria is ashamed of him.

The Colonel has no need whatsoever for Victoria's gratitude.

Got the data all nice and pretty?

Yes, Lass, it's all in here.

Wonderful.

I see Oliver's all done with the comms too.

Collaborating businesses have received notice. As per the agreement clauses, they can either seek an office in another city nearby, or terminate the contract.

*Sigh*. Looking at it, these aren't losses for us to sneeze at.

Rhodes Island isn't the only company taking a hit in the chaos of war.

True, no way around that. I just look at the chairs and tables in here and there's a twinge in my heart. This place of ours was still empty, back when I first came to County Hillock.

A little early for separation anxiety, Oliver. How do you know we won't be right back, huh?

You're right. *Sigh*. I hope this city can return to the old peaceful everydays soon enough.

Storehouse medications, inventory finished.

I need you to ration out these meds. Each one of you needs to bring enough emergency medication, make sure everyone makes it smoothly to the closest branch office.

There's still a lot left over, sharing like that.

There'll be some pressure if we take it all. We don't have that many hands, after all.

Shredder's quiet as ever, but I can tell, you have your own ideas.

The people in the city... They need medicines.

Turns out I think so too. If this war scales up, everything's gonna be in short supply, especially Oripathy painkillers and suppressants that need to be taken long-term.

You must have a list of hospitals in the area?

Already sorted.

Think of a way to get it to them. No matter who these organizations serve, get as much as you can to all of them.