Глава 9

Oh, it's just more and more rottin' leaves...

Come this way.

Eh, what?

'Reporting in, 9th Defence attacked...'

'Reporting in, 13th Defence currently in firefight...'

Send notice one more time, please. I want to see Colonel Hamilton.

The Colonel's handling urgent affairs.

You said that two hours ago.

I've already abided by strict process. I submitted description of my duty yesterday when entering County Hillock.

If the Colonel won't let us take part in suspect interrogations, and goes to lengths to execute them beforehand, and presently refuses my request to meet him—

To anyone else, don't you think this conduct might be taken as a deliberate hindrance to our fulfillment of orders?

I have no authority to answer your question, Lieutenant.

That's fine. I'll say my part, and it's enough if someone listens.

I've said before, the Originium products thieved are not small in number. It's sufficient arms to allow a detachment to attack a small town, or bomb a medium nomadic city's support tracks.

Who'd want to obtain these products?

Ordinary bandits wouldn't need them; it'd cost too much to smuggle them out. With Victorian military goods in this great a bulk, even a Sargon black market under Columbia's protection wouldn't dare provide a means for a deal.

Who else is left? A local private arms dealer, moneymaking off the costs of remodeling? They haven't got the appetite, let alone the guts.

Only a well-trained unit, well-versed in military methods would dare take it, and could evade our spies on top.

If this unit got hold of that large a quantity of Originium product, what would their goal be?

Conspiracy to overthrow? Taking the chance to embezzle far removed from Londinium, colluding with outside powers to fill their pockets, slowly and steadily?

Lieutenant...

No need to panic, this is all just baseless reasoning, no thanks to whoever's keeping me waiting. I can't get anything done like this.

(Subdued communications)

Lieutenant, the Colonel says he'll be here imminently.