Глава 10

No, you're mistaken, Amiya. Most of us aren't worried about your strength. It might actually be the opposite, even.

Your mission is far too ambitious. Besides, you saw it yourself. The Self-Salvation Corps hides in the gaps and crevices of the city just to make it from one battle to the next.

If what you actually want is a larger battlefield, and it just so happens that the battlefield is Londinium—

You think we can defeat the Sarkaz occupying the city alone?;Only those on the same starting line have the right to vie for control.

Dr. {@nickname}, I'm surprised you are so honest.

You are admitting to me that although you don't currently have what it takes to face the Sarkaz—

When the time is right, Rhodes Island's objective is to depose the tyrannical Regent?

Our objective is much more concrete.;You think we aim to seize Central Londinium.;No harm in supporting an armed group ready to cooperate.

Doctor... *Cough*...

(That's not what we said before we came...)

Amiya, she's a military commander.

Politicians see nothing but bargaining chips.;Merchants smell nothing but profit.

And generals want nothing but power.

This isn't how we usually earn the trust of our collaborators...

No... You're right. Just like how even though we always seek to end wars, we have never been able to avoid one.

Clovisia, our objective is clear. Just like the Self-Salvation Corps, Rhodes Island will fight for the day we successfully stop the Sarkaz Regent.

Rhodes Island will provide you medical resources.;Closure's working with your engineers already.;We have other means to show our sincerity.

We will show you Rhodes Island's might in the next fight.

So, Commander Clovisia, is that to your satisfaction?

......Dr. {@nickname}... you and Amiya are excellent partners.

It seems Feist is right. You're the helpers we've been looking for.

What did Mr. Feist...

He spoke on your behalf in front of me and all the captains.

What about that problem earlier, then?

He's still young. Even though he has the courage to stand up and speak, he isn't ready to take responsibility for the outcome. This burden is for me to shoulder.

But you're young too.

Haha, but I'm their commander. In my position, you would do the same too, wouldn't you?

Yes... Right, I know you just wanted us to explain our position one more time.

I hope you don't mind.

O-Of course I don't mind! Both the Doctor and I are happy... to have found an excellent partner.

You're an excellent commander, Clovisia.;The Self-Salvation Corps is impressive.;Thanks, Feist.

Dr. {@nickname}, Feist told me about you, but you're still... not what I expected.

When the reconnaissance team comes back, let us plan out this operation together.

This will be a rescue mission. I believe your Operators are very experienced in such missions?

I look forward to working with Rhodes Island.

Rockrock, my men just got some news from Lady Golding.

Tell our contact we'll be there right away.

Phew... It's a good thing we got in contact with the Messenger. If it wasn't for her, I'm not sure we would've been able to locate the prison.

Yeah, I only hope this trip will be fruitful.

Right, what's going on with you and Feist.

Nothing.

I heard you squabbling. Ever since we formed a team together, the two of you always worked together so well, like hand in glove. I've never seen you fight like that.

We have differing opinions, that's all.

How do you know you aren't of one mind? You should've talked to him about the past long ago. He may always be banging away at his devices, but he'll listen to you.

Is this why you came along? I didn't know you liked mending relationships as much as welding things together.

Haha, it's all the same to me. You're both good soldiers, and I've always thought of you as siblings.

Watch your nine!

Phew, that was close... How come there are so many mercenaries out on the streets?

The Sarkaz are trying to catch us. Rock-5...

Hm... Rock-5 sees our contact. In the bakery up ahead. Go. I'll keep an eye on the mercenaries.

Hey, Bill, could you get this part over to Harmo? I think he could use it when he reinforces his grain lorry.

Uh... alright.

Hand me the wrench.

Franck's shield, too. I put on a new coat of paint on the surface. That should make it fireproof, but remind him that it's going to crack if he lets it get too hot for too long!

Hm... The technology behind this paint is obsolete.

Why don't you try out Raythean's latest formula? It's kinda expensive, but Engineering came up with a cheap generic version. If you're interested, I can give you a discount.

Huh?

Hot hot hot!

Whoa, you got a hole in your thermal gloves? Are you an engineer for real? Hands are like the most important thing to an engineer!

Gloves are a luxury! I can't grab new ones just because I want to!

Besides, how was I supposed to know you were here? My hands are usually a lot stabler.

Your eyes don't look so good to me either. That's like one of the ten must-have qualities of an engineer.

*Cough*, Old Bill's to blame for this...

Where did he go? Usually he's the only one to stand next to me.

Oh, when I got here, I saw a group following your lieutenant somewhere.

Didn't he promise to come help me out?

You worried about them?

Rockrock left in a hurry. I didn't even have the time to check out Rock-5.

I'm worried that brawl this morning could've damaged the drones somehow...

Hmm... If you're worried about other stuff, there's no way you'll pop out anything too sturdy.

This is all we can do, and it's only by doing it well that things will be safer for our friends aboveground, right?

Haha... I didn't expect Rhodes Island's engineer to be so good at comforting people.

Huh? What are you even talking about? I'll have you know I'm Rhodes Island's ace psychological consultant. Even Kal'tsit... uh, a real mean boss of mine comes to me and opens up to destress!

So, hurry up and hand me the wrench.

Huh?

Let's get working already! What, you want me to crack a few more jokes to lift your spirits?

There's gonna be some real intense battles soon. Us Engineering Operators are like the backbone of the backbone. There's no time for all that moping!

Ha... haha... Alright, let's get working.

Right, show me that drone... Rock-17. It's lacking a flight stability module. I took one off my broken babies.

Huh? You sure about that? Are there any patents or anything?

Shh, quiet! I did it behind Dr.{@nickname}'s back!

*cough* *cough* *cough*.

Now that you know how lucky you are, what are you standing there for? Get me my wrench!

W-What did you say...? You saw Lady Golding? What did she say?

Understood... We need to send word about this to the commander right now!

Nngh—! H-Hostiles! They found us! Rockrock, retreat!

Find the captain! Rebels spotted on Euston Road!

Seize them!

Run!

What's this buzzing thing...? A drone? I get it. You were at the port this morning!

Rock-5—! What's the matter? Did we miss?!

Is it because we didn't calibrate it...? We didn't spot the enemies just now, either... Nngh!

Feline, don't you think that's going to work. It might've worked on the Royal Court's squaddies, but it won't work on us.

Rockrock, is your drone dead?!

It's okay... Even without it, I can still fight.

Tsk... I didn't expect to take damage from you. Looks like your Arts are no less impressive than your courage.

I'll put in a word for you with my captain and let you die here. You don't have to go to the factory anymore. Saves you a painful death.

Ugh––!

Rockrock, get going! I'll hold it here!

No, we'll go together!