Глава 12

Should I go take a look, sir?

If a fire spreads...

Then it's no skin off your nose, little girl.

Do your own job. Don't let me see anything funny.

No one's going to look out for you here.

A... Aye-aye, sir!

Sir! What brings you here in person?

There's nothing you need to worry about here, it's all under control!

Paying no heed to the Sarkaz soldier's report, Manfred walks over to the foot of the blockade zone's wall, gazing far off at the buildings within.

Is... Is something off, sir?

The war continues to proceed smoothly.

Paprika, what have you witnessed in these past days?

I...

They've just been—slaughtering each other.

No, it's not even that, really... they've just been... so scared.

Fear and mistrust divide a people. Pacts, customs and morals all collapse forthwith under extreme conditions.

The Kazdel of old attested to that.

Kazdel...

Hence do our two leaders take a stand.

You mean...?

What if I were to ask you—what can bind a people?

Maybe... patience? We can try and win people over, or use our own kindness to move others...

I think, as long as you have enough time...

She failed.

Any ties that such things build are too frail.

But he told me. The most efficient thing... is hate.

Manfred throws an indifferent glance at the young mercenary girl, her breaths bound tight by nerves, daring only to stare at the tips of her own shoes.

You have persistently been sharing your own supplies with those behind the blockade.

N—No! That was a Sarkaz! I thought...

What?! How could you—

Sarkaz who serve Victoria should make you even more sick!

Sir, I assure you, I will immediately...

Continue.

...Sir?

We cannot have everyone inside dying of starvation yet.

In time... they will be of great use to the Military Commission.

Not much has changed around here.

Morgan, all your graffiti's still up.

I'm looking now. My standards must have been terrible back then.

You haven't got much better, though?

Oh, you wanna go, Hannah?!

As the two argue, Siege and Baird look on, then make brief eye contact, and break into laughter, shaking their heads.

If you overlook the sealed-up entrance, the boarded-up windows and the weariness in their expressions, it might all seem like nothing's changed.

But everyone knows deep inside. 'We haven't changed' is self-consolation at most, a kind of illusion.

Every minute and second that's ever passed has left an unquestionable mark on them.

Long time no see, Baird.

True that, Vina. Long time no see.

The fact you're still around and kicking is probably the best news I've had in a long while.

I've never said die, you know that.

That I do.

Vina, I'm... just as happy to see you back here. Happier than you could imagine.

I always believed you'd come back. We put up the sign for the Slobberknocker together and all, back in the early days.

Just, it's been hard for me to grin and bear it. In these times.

I know.

And I know you didn't come back just for my sakes.

Five whole years ago you scrambled out of here... I remember Norport was practically open season already, all those bastards after your neck.

I... wasn't ready then.

I didn't want to tow anyone else into my business. It was leave or nothing.

So? You're back here now, back on our street. Now you're ready.

...I hope I am.

The Rhodes Islanders want to look for that Sarkaz airship here. I'll be assisting them as a Rhodes operator and all.

But I've never stopped being a member of the Glasgow Gang.

I'll get you out of this mess. That's my duty to you. Always has been.

Hah, same as ever, you are, Vina. Not one bit different.

Hah. Just like it used to be, eh.

Just, there's one thing. I don't know if...

Baird, we're skint on supplies as is. Now you bring in all these people.

You want everyone to split up once we're done eating? Or are you hoping I'll go rob some blockhouse with security up to here?

Shut it with that, Cador.

Although our stockpile's definitely...

Please, it's okay. We've brought rations with us. We even have some surplus.

Hmm. Not... the biggest amount, but enough to put us out of dire straits for now.

We can change this zone together.

As long as we can unite everyone on the plate...

Pff. Unite?

Listen, Cautus runt, 'unite' is an easy word to toss around. But you lot are more than welcome to try.

Fingers crossed... you're what makes the difference.

This room...

Take a look, Dagda, this is our old home!

Oooh!

Must've been pretty good, living here!

No shit it was!

Hannah never did the cleaning, though.

Oi, Vina! How many more times do you want me to fess up to my mistakes?!

I dropped in now and then after you left, tidied things a little. Been a few years, but shouldn't be much different than it was?

My whole stash is still here! Always knew you were tight, Baird!

*sigh* Fancy me having to be the poor girl left behind.

Don't give me that, Baird. You told us you were going to stay!

How you need to be in your own bed, be shambling the moment you were out of Norport!

Yeah, well, maybe I should've tried and put up with it.

Stuff that! You think I don't know you? We're all stuck in hell when you can't sleep!

If I'm tired enough to go six feet under, the last thing I want is you trying to chinwag with me again!

Hahah, well, I've been falling asleep just about anywhere these days.

What, too tired?

Might be.

Just, found out sleeping's the... best way to empty your head.

...Once my Rhodes Island mission's done, Baird, I'll bring you lot out of here.

All of you.

Here, here, here, let's pop some bottles to celebrate getting back together after all these years!

It's cheap stuff, but hey, maybe leaving it so long made it better?