Глава 9

Watch your words. We all stand by our Leader.

Say what you will, I don't care what you do with Harmonie, but Mandragora's a good girl. Don't you dare drag her down.

Why would we, my friend? She's an inseparable part of our team. Like us, she longs to demonstrate her talents and loyalty to the Leader.

I've no idea what Harmonie said to Mandragora, or why it has her hanging onto every word. She's too happy to be doing it, too, almost like she expects something.

What's so important about a transmitter that it's worth delaying our victory?

The Leader still hasn't shown any hint of approval toward our plans.

As long as we can prove to her that we've done no wrong, we still have a chance to persuade her yet.

So you mean, we still have to look for her?

Even if we must search the entire city.

Alright. Enough chit-chat, then. Let's move!

Wait, wake 'The Convict' up.

Huh? Us five aren't enough to drag her back?

Don't forget our agreement. We all will take credit for our achievements.

Get a load of you... You'd sell your own mother.

If the idea's to keep the outside from catching wind of this, then what are we doing with these troops?

Naturally, we'll bring them with us. After all, the more hands, the better, until we find our quarry.

And once we do...?

I'm sure we all know what comes next.

No one can escape Dublinn—

And no one may ever glimpse its secrets.

We need to get rid of these bandages—

But I washed them already...

That's not going to help. The whole box has been contaminated by the Originium on the ground. We can't be sure the dust's been completely washed off.

Jane, look, I know you're speaking sense, but we don't have enough supplies.

Look over there. They're carrying even more people in. Look at how seriously wounded they are...

Are those...

Do you know them?

I... yes, I... knew them.

But I don't think they'd want to see me here.

Could you look after them? I'll head for the clinic and see if I can find some supplies.

Jane, look! Someone's here!

Out of the way!

Sir, are you here to help us?

Out of the way means out of the way.

Wait, are you... Ronan?

Go block-by-block, and make sure you're thorough! There's a lot of alleys around here, and she could be hiding anywhere! Got it?

What are you doing, Ronan? It's us! Your neighbors! You put on new clothes and suddenly you don't know us?

I have... an important mission. Piss off, or don't say I didn't warn you!

Craig's hurt. Please, help him. He's helped you out so much...

What are you talking about?!

*Whimpers*... I...

(The wounds on her back are serious...)

(And her kid, Craig... he's had a bad wound to his head too.)

(I need to stop their bleeding, but I know they don't look kindly on me...)

You've searched this whole place?

Are you positive no one here matches her description?

(Are they looking for somebody?)

Ugh. No... no. All these people shoving in here, it's a mess. What do we say to the higher-ups if more of them sneak in once we turn and leave?

(Are they... looking for the woman Outcast saved?)

(Does that mean she's in danger...?)

(I need to go.)

Oi, you lot. Get up, and leave at once!

Sir, we have far too many wounded here. None of them can move...

I give no shit you can't move. Get up and go!

I want all these Oripathics out of this district! Keep an eye out in case they pop. Even the Originium shards outside aren't as dangerous as this lot!

Let's take a fine example. This boy with the bloody face—

*Whimpers*... M—Ma...

Craig, Craig! No, please don't take him! I beg you!

You! You're not just abandoning them, you're going to kill them?!

What's your bloody problem?! We're Tarans, all of us! What's wrong with a sacrifice for Tara's great cause?!

Ronan, that's what you said last time, and that's when we lost Saoirse!

(Saoirse...?!)

(It's him... He's the one who betrayed Saoirse...)

(And then they took her and... they...)

(He traded Saoirse's life for that uniform!)

She deserved it! She betrayed—our—trust!

That's what you get for failing to understand our great Leader's struggle! And if you don't cooperate, you're next!

Enough.

Jane? I... I thought you'd left?

And who do you think you are? Wait, I've seen you before... You're not Taran, are you?

Please, stop.

You talk like it sounds so light. Who are you to decide who should sacrifice for anything?

What's that you're holding... A banner?!

You... You're a Victorian soldier!

Am I...?

No, not anymore.

But. If you insist on trampling the lives of the innocent, then I am your enemy.

Innocent...? Do you know what they've done? You call them innocent?

This child, and everyone here... None of them's got clean hands.

Then... what about you?

You traded your own people for your position, and now you turn around to oppress them... Who will judge you?

And who are you standing up all cocksure for? Come on, get her out of here! And round up all the Infected mingling with the Victorian deserter! It's time we clean them up!

Please, help us! Help...

That's far enough.

What are you trying here? Bugger off already!

Look at you carrying that tatty banner wherever you go. You don't have what it takes to be a real soldier, do you?

Whether that's so, or whether it's not, I will not let you continue doing evil here.

Oh, can you not even cop on? What do they have to do with you? You're going to let them fiddle you like this? Thick as a brick up there, you are!

I...

...*Sobs*...

True, I can't speak Taran.

I can't cross my heart and claim I've experienced the life you all have.

I don't have Oripathy, either.

But...

For the past two years, every day, I've walked the same streets as you.

I've heard your tears. More than that, I've seen your smiles.

I know deep down that we are all the same people, living our lives.

As long as we're human, we will make mistakes. Those who do—should be stopped, and judged. They should be tormented by their own hearts—

But. It's not for some ungrateful brute to decide their fates.

You... You're going to protect us? You don't hate us?