Глава 10

What's going on? The southern zone's blown up? You mean, the entire wall? It could only be done from the inside... Dammit!

Hurry, let's back them up—

Is this the signal for us to evacuate?

Uh... The Doctor never told me anything... but since the Sarkaz are gone, I guess our mission is over?

You two should go on ahead.

Who's there?

You're with Rhodes Island...

I'm taking over from here.

Captain, the Sarkaz evacuated! This is the perfect opportunity! Should we head inside or...?

Let's go.

Horn does not take her hand off her crossbow. Her glare closely follows Mandragora as she leaves.

A single bolt. From this distance, that's all it would take. All she has to do is pull the trigger, and her opponent's chest would be torn open, splattering blood everywhere, just like what happened to Cello.

Having retrofitted this crossbow herself, Horn knows its limits very well, but they're so close to each other. With the two of them now within a hair's distance...

Horn, they're gone.

I was really worried about controlling myself, Horn... Thanks for holding me back. You're right. We shouldn't fight Dublinn here.

If we actually started fighting each other, the Sarkaz would've found us.

I'm surprised Mandragora could hold herself back, though. She was hounding us like crazy... What are they doing?

What is Dublinn doing?

Horn refuses to analyze this question. Her fingertips are still from the boiling blood. Why didn't she pull the trigger?

Why didn't Mandragora raise her hand?

These voices are clashing in her chest. She can feel a clear sense of regret.

But she can't say that.

That's not what her men want to hear.

Forget Mandragora. She's not our objective.

Okay, Horn. What should we do now? Follow Dublinn inside?

Yes.

Everyone, we're cancelling our original plan. From here on out, we will stay dark.

Blake, you'll continue to be point man. If you run into any Sarkaz guards, take them down. Robben, you'll follow Blake and provide fire support when necessary.

Everyone else, follow me.

Do you see the opening up ahead? Our Dublinn friends left us that. We should take advantage of it when they're dealing with our enemies.

Remember, we came as a team of five, so we'll leave as a team of five. No... We'll leave this Sarkaz prison with even more of our friends.

Watch my hand signal—

Move out!

*Cough*... *cough*... What was that explosion? Miss Closure. That wasn't you, was it?

Error—Error—Restarting—

Err, it wasn't her. She wouldn't have blown up her own drone.

Doctor, is this part of your plan? It's a little... flashy, isn't it?

Nope.;......;Maybe?

Doctor, is it...?

Look, someone's walking past the dust! It's... It's another Sarkaz! Rock-17—

Again with the weapons? Not to mention... More fresh meat?

Is this Sarkaz one of yours...?

Miss Rockrock, please keep your weapon trained on her.

C'mon, little bunny. It's been aaages! Are you really so heartless? That hurts... it cuts deep, you know?

Mr. Feist, please check for any Originium explosives in our immediate vicinity.

No time. We have people to rescue...

Aw man, what a shame. Looks like we don't have time for proper hellos.

C'mere, Heidi.

You're here for me?

Hey now, can't you at least sound a little more enthusiastic? We only just met, and it's not like you're the biggest fan of {@nickname} anyway.

If it wasn't for that stinking old bitch... the one you love ever so much, asking me to come get you, I wouldn't be here either.

Ask any Sarkaz here, I don't come cheap.

Kal'tsit sent you?

A Sarkaz mercenary... an explosives expert...

Are you... W?

Whoa, she told you about me? Should I be breaking down in tears of joy? Look at that, out of all my old friends running around, there's actually somebody who still cares about me.

This way, through the smoke! Follow the light of the fire!

Devil...!

What's this? An egg mixer?

Did you think you could hurt a Sarkaz mercenary with a toy like this?

S-Stay back!

Calm down. Over here, behind me.

This one's on our side... for now.

Your side? Better not be too sure of yourself on that one.

W... it would be wise if you made an effort to be easier to work with. That is, if you hope to get any information out of me.

That's a pretty roundabout threat there...

Say... you wouldn't happen to be Kal'tsit's illegitimate daughter, would you?

What are you—

Nah, you two look nothing alike. Plus, how could that icy old hag have any kids?

Screw it. No way I could ever get buddy buddy with a lady like you.

Suits me just fine.

Don't you worry, I won't be here long. I know how much my head's worth in merc circles, and I'm not in a generous mood.

Alright, there.

Bombs... you buried more bombs. Did you blow up the other paths?

Where are your men? Aren't they still fighting the Sarkaz in the plant?

Do you really want to know?

Explaining the whole deal would be a huge pain. Let's skip right to the good part.

They're all dead.

Dead?

Did you think it would be easy to scoop you out of there? I lost most of the Londinium recruits I picked up the past few months in that nasty old factory.

So this had better be worth it. Can we go now?

Let me do a head count...

Alright, everyone in the southern plant escaped.

I was hired to snag you, not an entire congregation. Tell Kal'tsit I'm charging double for this mess.

Bring your hooded monster and let's—what are you standing around for?

W, was it you who blew up this path?

Duh. Not about to give our pursuers any chances.

But Feist and his team just left.

They went to rescue people.

Hail them, Closure.

Oh, come on... getting lost like this, at your age?

What's the situation, Blake?

They're down.

Good. Keep moving.

Horn, to your left!

Dublinn... I'll have your head!

Not Dublinn here. Not that you'll get the chance to wallow in your disappointment.

Another? How many Sarkaz bodies have we seen?

All Dublinn?

Looks like it.