Глава 10

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.

Horn, I don't know how to put this, but...

Dublinn saved us a lot of effort.

There's no shame in admitting it. How long have you been with me here in Sudean? We need to use every means at our disposal if we want to survive.

Come on, left door here.

Ready?

Clear.

Good. Now the right side.

Watch the corners, Robben. I don't want any surprises.

Roger.

Go!

*Cough* G-Go away, devil! We're not talking!

Found them.

Y-You're...

Friends.

I never thought... we heard sounds of fighting, saw the flicker of Arts... I thought it was some new devil torture method.

Sorry we couldn't get here earlier.

Can you stand, soldier?

Soldier... haven't heard that in a long time.

You an officer? You've got nerve to come here—

What are you doing? We're here to save you!

Save me? Why? So I can get tricked again? So I can die in your next plot with the foreigners?

In your dreams, 'sir'! We'd rather die here!

Very well.

Robben, your crossbow.

Horn? What are you—

Ammo is precious and not to be wasted.

But these are compatriots, loyal soldiers of Victoria.

If their last wish is to die here, then we'll grant it.

You'll really kill me?

Yes.

You'll die as you wish in this dark room, forgotten by Londinium.

You'll turn to bleached bones in this old abandoned factory, until the dust and dirt bury you.

Or, you could do something different with this crossbow.

You could take it, come with us, and fight your way out.

Perhaps you'll still get your wish and die trying.

But you'll have a chance to see the night sky, breathe the air full with the smell of rust and oil—

And think about your loved ones, breathing that same air.

I swear on my life that they'll remember what you gave.

Yes... they... they could still be alive...

I...

Have you made your choice? Time's flying.

I'll go with you. Give me a weapon.

What about the others? Are you coming too?

Good. Blake, you have seven... nine new men.

Tell me your names before we move out, soldiers.

Closure, have you made contact with the Self-Salvation Corps team?

Hold on... I just got this drone restarted... it's different from the other one...

This isn't good.

Heidi, lead the other civilians out of here. The 3rd regiment will be waiting—

W?

Hey, all the mines I left behind got blown up! Do you know what that means? Means a lotta guys are chasing us right now.

Using up my men wasn't enough for you, huh? You gotta use up my bombs too?

Five minutes.;We can't wait any longer.

Alright, five minutes it is.

Closure, get in touch with Feist and tell him that he and Rockrock need to be back within 5 minutes.

Doctor, we'll have to join the battle.