Глава 13

Get up! Stay with the armor if you want to live!

I... I need to catch my breath, sir... I have a condition...

No dawdling. This isn't just about your life—

Hands off, Norport hoodlum. I'm just carrying out my orders.

They're not trained soldiers. They've been at a forced march for five straight hours. They don't have any strength left.

Then they can lie down and die.

We're trying to save their lives! Everything can still be salvaged, if we make it back to Irnclad Galavae.

They need to stop and rest.

I said—

It's not just for them. It's for you too, Ensign. I know your condition.

Not many soldiers were left behind, but I know almost all of you are Infected—

Shut up!

I'll let that slide... this once.

You're Duke Windermere's man. Do not let your actions defile her memory.

I—

Infection, a curse they fear more than any other.

Catch up to the ship that abandoned them. Hide the growing black crystals under the bandage.

Fool yourself.

I'm sorry... It's just, don't say that blasted word!

I'm fine... I'm fine!

I said to keep a low profile on the barrens and avoid drawing Sarkaz attention.

Sir, I...

It's getting dark. The civilians trying to keep up with you need to rest, Lieutenant.

No. We continue the march as planned.

We can reach Hill 31 by midnight at our current pace.

We'll reestablish communication with Irnclad Galavae there. Only once we're in touch with the nomadic fortress are we truly safe.

If we wait until morning, I doubt this group is ready to face the Sarkaz and—

You're the ranking officer and de facto commander here, and the ship's doctor.

You know as well as I do that we're trying to catch a fast battleship with our own feet and a few tanks.

I respect your decision, Lieutenant, but we don't even know why those battleships left.

If they didn't respond to your hails at the time, why do you think the fortress will open its gates to us?

I checked on the group. We have less than three companies of combat-effective soldiers, and nearly a thousand refugees following in tow.

By the time the march that you had in mind is done, there will be less than twenty percent left.

Vina, right? Listen—

He avoids my gaze.

I mean twenty percent of your soldiers.

And none of the refugees.

Sir... (whisper)

I need not hear what they're saying. I saw what happened.

Someone bled his last in the long, silent wall of people.

He left behind a long trail of blood, mixed in with the mud.

The Lieutenant's silence hardly lasts two breaths.

Slow down a little...

We'll keep going—

Idiot.

My fist leaves its mark on his face.

I heard a crisp sound. I think I dislocated his jaw.

...Argh...

He quickly puts his jaw back in place. Must have dealt with this sort of thing a lot.

You assaulted a soldier, hooligan.

I could have you executed, according to Victorian Service Law.

You—

Stand up.

You could try to execute me. Or we can keep going.

The fist is a solution that can only be used once in a while.

Dagda, Morgan, and Indra stand in front of the soldiers on edge.

The civilians surround us silently.

It reminds me of how we used to fight turf wars on the streets.

Stand down! Do NOT open fire!

They called you Siege, didn't they? They were telling stories that you're actually highborn or something, and with that accent...

I'm a hooligan... leader of the Glasgow Gang.

Fine, I don't care. Listen, I'm a soldier who has pledged his loyalty to the Duke of Windermere...

My duty is to fulfill the mission handed down by my commander!

I'm waiting for you to wipe the blood from your mouth.

Give up. Your elbow is about to dislocate.

Some... sacrifices are acceptable in order to protect the many.

And just who are the many?

Have you taken a good look at who you're leading?!

I...

Frightened soldiers, silent civilians, the Infected, the wounded.

The people standing around us.

I'd had enough.

I want to tell them, those who escaped hell in Norport...

I'm still looking out for them. There's still someone who cares about them.

Might makes right. Law of the streets, Lieutenant.

I'm telling you now that they're going to make camp here, and they're going to rest. We must reconsider our course of action.

If we're cut off from the main force at Irnclad Galavae, everyone is going to die when we run into the Sarkaz. Every last one—

Enough.

Don't insult the memory of the Duke of Windermere any more, Lieutenant Shearer, if you still think you're part of her army.

How could you—

Delphine clutches the hilt of her sword.

It surprises me. Even more than it surprises Lieutenant Shearer. He's surprised, and angry.

I'm suddenly reminded that he had provided medical aid to everyone on the ship, before Irnclad Galavae abandoned us.

Delphine. Your clothes, and the sword...

A little big for me, is it?

But I need you all to hear me out.

Is the Lieutenant leaving?

Yes. They formed a small squad and picked the tank in best condition. He can leave at any time.

That squad will travel light and quick. They can reach the marked location before dawn.

You put those clothes on.

Maybe what they represent still means something to someone.

I've spoken to my troops, Lady Delphine. They will follow your orders until I return.

For the last time, my lady, you're the heir to Windermere. No matter what happens, you should come with us—

Sorry, but I must stay.

This was my promise to the people. They need to know that Victoria has not abandoned them.

They need this hope to keep going... we can only trust each other now. We must trust each other.

If the departure of the escorts was just a misunderstanding or a mutiny by a few, then Irnclad Galavae will welcome us, whether I'm there or not.

And if not...

The Lieutenant's eyelid twitches. Delphine's words are certainly subversive.

My presence will only make things worse. At least you'll live.