Глава 10

Dagda, I await your answer.

Understood, Siege.

Commander Clovisia, have you thought about our cooperation proposal?

Amiya... May I call you Amiya? Please call me Clovisia.

Ah... Of course, Clovisia.

Dr.{@nickname} and you have more than sufficiently explained what your purpose here is. If I'm understanding you correctly, Rhodes Island is a pharmaceutical company that focuses on solving Infected issues?

To that end, your company has worked with cities and even countries... I also know that most Sarkaz are infected.

But... I just wanted to make sure about this. Did you come to Londinium with this objective too?

Or is it part of Rhodes Island's business to solve the Sarkaz question as well?

The Sarkaz are not a question.

Clovisia, the way we see it, the real issue at hand is the war between the Sarkaz and the Victorians.

This war has already seen more than enough bloodshed on both the Victorian and Sarkaz sides...

If the war escalates further, what happens then? How many countries will be dragged into it? How many people?

We can't allow that to happen.

Amiya, your ideals... are noble. You are Infected, and you want to fight for the Infected. I can understand that... but what do you have to do with the Sarkaz?

I... I inherited my ideals from a Sarkaz. She was a Sarkaz, but she loved me, a Cautus, and she loved everyone.

And Rhodes Island... Rhodes Island was born from her feelings.

Rhodes Island fights for the Infected, the Sarkaz, and all those who are oppressed because we know very well that, in war, they are always neglected by those cruel men who stand at the top.

It doesn't matter how many of arrogant men in positions of power we have to deal with. Our focus will always be those who truly need our help.

The cruel men who stand at the top... eh?

I see. I can empathize with how you feel, and I very much respect Rhodes Island's ideals.

However... I hope you can understand that the Self-Salvation Corps is not the same as Rhodes Island. Our people come from different backgrounds and have different ideals. And even so, we are all fighting for the same goal.

—We want to take back Londinium.

If we can't be sure that Rhodes Island will always be on our side, even if you could persuade me, I wouldn't be able to persuade my men.

We will stand together.

Dr. {@nickname}... Do I have your word?

You don't need my word.;What you need is our deeds.

Right, I admit. You've seen for yourself that the Self-Salvation Corps is low on manpower. We can't spare anyone to your cause.

Rhodes Island will not be a burden to the Self-Salvation Corps.

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?