Глава 14

No need to worry, though. We haven't heard about any attacks on HQ. Plus, they have Her Highness and the Doctor there.

We're one step away from winning this war.

Where's the vehicle? We're going back now.

But we haven't received further instructions.

We could upset the Doctor's plans if we move without orders—

Wait, I'm getting a message... it's from Scout!

Scout says...

Babel was merely a temporary refuge, no different from the countless others before it. Or so W had believed.

True, there was always clean food and water, the badly wounded were not just left to die, and there were a few interesting guys around.

But at the end of the day, it was all the same. Just a place to stay.

It was not the first time W had lost her home, before she joined up with Hoederer and Ines.

Sometimes, she would return to camp and find it in flames. Sometimes, she was the one who set it on fire.

It was what she was used to. No Sarkaz truly believes in peace and quiet. Destruction was the norm. Conflict was the spice of life.

But when she saw the collapsed columns, the blood stains in the corridors, and the doctors yelling instructions...

For the first time, she felt a profound sense of... collapse.

What happened—

Out of the way! Out of the way! Make way for the wounded!

Make room in the sickbay—

Out of the way!

Where's Her Highness?

No idea. All security systems have failed. Dr. Kal'tsit is—look out!

Did you do this?

Sarkaz.

It's over.

Don't say that.

Now I see.

Her blood was no different from ours.

You—

Everything turns dark once more, like a curse that refuses to lift.

Darkness engulfs the light, consuming it completely. No one can escape the night.

The war is over, along with its strife.

Listen, Sarkaz. Victory belongs to—

...Urk.

A blade penetrates the assassin's chest.

Babel didn't give you any orders, W. What are you doing here?

You want to talk to me about violating orders? Now?

Ascalon looks at her.

W had worked with Ascalon for a while now, but this was the first time she saw that look on her face, that look in her eyes. She did not even know that Ascalon was capable of such sorrow.

...Is what Scout said true?

You shouldn't have come back. Not now.

Where's Her Highness?

Sweep the ship, W.

Rhodes Island is not out of danger yet. Dr. Kal'tsit is busy dealing with emergencies. We're the only ones.

I'm asking you, where is Theresa?

Go to the mobility level. That's the most likely point of entry.

Are you bloody deaf?

You said she's dead. I want to see it with my own eyes.

Listen to me, Sarkaz mercenary W.

Fulfill your duty, unless you want Babel to fall, and all her effort to be for naught.

Ah...

Hah! You're worthless. All of you. Worthless.

Why did I ever trust you? Why did I ever believe that you could—

Nothing's changed.

Nothing ever did.

All high and mighty, were they not, everyone on this ship?

Didn't they spend all their time talking about their dreams, all their lofty ideals?

Then why couldn't they even protect one person?

All the things they've said, the things that I thought could be...

I was the fool who believed.

I...

I saw it.

The blood and footprints in the Chairman's Room.

There was nothing else left.

It was like nothing was ever there.

The darkness was thick and sticky. It always is.

Theresa is dead.

And I didn't even get to see her one last time.

Your Highness? What are you doing here...?

The door's still—when did it get fixed?

Guess Closure's good for something after all.

The old hag too... Rhodes Island stayed together, barely, after you were gone. She did her best. So did the little bunny.

I... I did my part, too. I... I wanted to see you again. Ever since I got to Londinium, I've wondered when I could...

I never understood. Why did you always... always put yourself through so much...

Just like how I never understood why you cared so much about that broken door...

Theresa is gone.

What?

Then who's standing right there? No... I must be dreaming. Why would Her Highness talk to me? Am I talking to myself?

But the work of the Sarkaz is not done. I will give myself to our cause.

For a future where all of us can sleep without fear.

I don't understand, but I believe you.

What about you, then...?

Theresa turns around and pushes the door.

It opens.

Theresa walks through the door, followed by countless silhouettes.

Their voices booming, their questions piercing.

'The Sarkaz will never be saved.'

'No one can escape suffering, for we had once suffered. No one can escape hatred, for we had once hated.'

'All the senseless deaths, all the shattered hopes... where is paradise? Where is peace?'

Theresa's steps are slow and heavy.

W opens her mouth. What should she say? What could she say?

She finally realizes that it was not a conversation she had just experienced, but an echo of Theresa.

But she could not resist asking the shadow.

How can I save you, Your Highness, if you're still alive?

Keep going. You will go further than I ever have.

How will I know I've gone far enough?

If I killed you... will you be saved?

There is no answer.

Theresa does not turn back. Neither do the silhouettes.

Their footsteps are slow, but their direction remains unwavering.

Theresa walks further into the light, almost out of sight.