Глава 9

You've probably heard it in me... I'm not a Taran. My wife was. She only taught me a word or two while she was still alive.

Yet nowadays, you see that gradually dying language all over the newspaper.

Plus, I just overheard someone outside the window teaching kids how to call each other in Taran.

Until you mentioned it... I never noticed.

Language binds a people together tighter than most things. A language doesn't get diluted over time like bloodlines do, and it doesn't get weighed on the scales of cost-benefit analysis like everything else.

Looks like there's some out there who want to exploit those ties, bring back together the community that's been loosening away. But with that, the gatherings that already were, lose their stability.

Victoria won't just sit back and let this play out right under its nose. And yet, the harder you pull, the harder the backlash will snap.

You all know why I came, don't you?

Actually... I'm not that sure. I just feel like, you wouldn't need to bother an elite operator to go fetch data in person.

Numbers on paper don't mean a thing against seeing it with your own two eyes. Put it that way, I really am here fetching data.

Could you just tell me one more time, in the last six months, how many local businesses suspended collaboration with us?

Seven.

That's three on top of last month's report. In modern Victoria, when any wind stirs the grass, it's the big merchants' wallets that feel it first.

I need to head out, get a few more eyefuls of this place—make it before this city gets drowned under dirty rain.

Leader, you've had your eyebrows wrinkled ever since morning.

We don't have much time to go.

This spectre force move is inconsistent in ways with past incidents.

Their execution was covert before, rapid. Every time we thought to chase them, we'd find the leads wiped clean.

But now...

Oh, like they finished knittin' a jumper and just tossed yarn ends on the floor? Barely an idea of how each end is linked, too.

And moreover... these leads have all cut off at County Hillock.

It's not just you. I'm feelin' trapped as all heck too.

This city is just like a pressure cooker sealed shut. The residents, the barracks, everyone's twitchy, and people are gettin' up in arms anywhere and anytime.

Everyone's waiting. Waiting for when the first bolt strikes.

But if it does truly strike, what will this city... no, what will Victoria become?

(Leader...!)

(Hm?)

(Someone's tailin' us!)

(So they are... See that alley to the west?)

(Understood.)

Stop where you are!

Urghh—

Eh, hold on, what? It's a little bairn... and you look kind of familiar, too?

Uwgh, ow...

Ah, sorry! I'll let go now. I thought it'd be some baddie followin' us.

...Ball.

You dropped your ball, so you came here to pick it up?

I'll ask you to hurry home now, it's not too safe here. Your mam and dad'll worry for you if you go runnin' all over.

False alarm, Leader.

Just one child? No, that doesn't seem quite right.

It wasn't just one person following us, and the fact they could go several streets without us noticing means they definitely have experience tailing.

Did you see anyone out of the ordinary just now, when you hid up high?

Ah... if I have to say, there was a street not far away with a particularly bright ring I caught a glimpse of...

...Sankta.

Lemme get a... piece of cake, and this apple pie... and I'll have some of those cookies, too.

Tough call... Warfarin has been telling me to lay off the sweets...

Hey there. Quick question, which of these cakes is the sweetest?

Like you don't know? C'mon, you've been in County Hillock a while, haven't you? If I had to guess, probably over three years of service—

Who are you?!

Calm down. I could tell, and the nice folks you're following sure could too.

Your cover's blown anyway. Why don't you try some of this apple pie I bought? It's good, I'm telling you.

You weird, mad Sankta. Where did you come from? Why are you trying to get in my way?

Me? I'm not, I'm just passing by.

Team 12, target lost, but judging by the direction they disappeared, it's likely they're heading for Dam Street.

Alright... I understand, I'll bring them straight away...

We'll check through one by one.

I'm warning you, Sankta, if it's not yours to meddle, don't meddle.

Warning me...?

If I had a nickel for every time I heard that... You know, I ain't exactly used to walking around unarmed.

...I've got no time to listen to you talk big. Soldiers, we're moving.

You can breathe now, shopkeep. The soldiers are all gone.

Mind bagging up the sweets for me? I got some folks back at the office who oughta try them.

After all... it's about time I called all my little friends back from their field work.