Глава 16

We'll meet you ASAP.

Understood... Doctor.

We'll be right there.

What is it? Have your companions discovered something?

I'm afraid we can only explain after we regroup.

Eloysius, are there any other leads here we should be aware of?

There are limits to what I know, and I can't draw any more useful conclusions. If needed, it would be acceptable to let your Doctor come here to investigate.

Though, this only makes me even more certain the Army has no moral baseline whatsoever...

Could I ask if you know anything else about what happened in the mines?

Hm? What do you want to know? The experiments conducted here, or something about the mutated Infected?

What's wrong?

Amiya has always resisted using her powers in such situations and in such a manner, but still she tries to probe the Imperial Guard's mind.

Eloysius's head shows only her hazy doubts, and no guilty conscience.

Nothing. Let's go.

Doctor, these papers... and the suicide note. What should we do with them?

This note barely mentions the Sarcophagus.;That Guardswoman gave us information, so we should repay the favor.

Is it over here? What a quest...

Oh, I'm sure there's a secret or two buried here, searching this deep—

—Wait, who is this?

The Guardswoman's gaze rests on the pale-faced woman leaning against the wall, eyes shut.

A researcher who didn't evacuate. Her name is Ksenia.

We wanted to ask her if she's seen our friends, since the researchers should have bumped into our mobile medical team, but she's been in a daze and is severely dehydrated, so it's unwise to press her.

And these candles and wires on the ground...?

My guess is, her attempt to take her own life. Doctor, what exactly happened here?

We came just in time to prevent an explosion.;The situation is complex.

And what are those papers in your hand?

A suicide note. You should take a look.;(Hand it to her)

A researcher who achieved nothing, a mysterious substance called 'Oka'... and human experimentation.

It seems the dead we saw down below were killed by this 'Oka'.

They were really conducting human experiments here?

Damn, I was just making an offhand remark back there—

(Shakes head)

Hmph, I see the Grand Duchess has truly hidden many things.

But what was the point of the experiment? I'm not surprised the researchers resorted to such base methods, but they should have had some sort of goal!

And this researcher? Hasn't said anything?

It seems like some research materials have been destroyed on purpose.;But it's unclear if that was done by the miners or researchers.

So, we still don't know how those mutated Infected came about.

Though, we know now at least that the miners who were still alive have escaped, and save for this one researcher, they're the only clue to cracking this case.

The Infected miners left after ransacking the place.;They went south. Our only clue.

We should hurry... How long will it take, until this researcher is well enough to field questions?

Hard to tell. She's severely dehydrated, and in a pretty bad state too, so we should prioritize her recovery.

What a pain...

We don't know how long it's been since they left, but we should grab the chance to catch up, since we know where they went.

Though, there's no way we can bring this woman along with us who can't even move on her own.

Mon3tr and I will stay here to look after Ksenia.;The rest of you, go after the miners.

Ah... Are you sure you want to stay here by yourselves?

It is your choice, but I still have to remind you.

No one knows what's going on with the mines in the Far North, so no one can guarantee your safety.

We'll keep ourselves safe.

You can trust in Amiya's command.

Doctor?

You can do it, Amiya.;Trust your own judgment.

I will go with Amiya.

Doctor, I hope your efforts prove fruitful.

Once Ksenia can move again, we'll come find you.;Signal should gradually improve upon leaving the contaminated zone.

So it's settled.

Doctor, if the signal doesn't improve, we'll come back here after we find the miners to regroup with you.

(Nods)

Very good then, that is our backup plan. Let us hurry now.

<p=1>Central Far North Mining District, Ursus</> <p=2>Three days ago...</>

Over here... hurry!

Gah, what's the rush? This lousy positioning system works only half the time, it might not even be here.

Last time it was a burdenbeast that escaped just to find some grass to chomp on, and this thing only sent a signal to the outpost after it ran more than ten miles away. How do you know if it won't be the same this time?

Technically, no one should be at the south exit, since it's been sealed for a long time—

Huh? How did you get here from over there?

No, you're not even a member of our squad. What are you doing here?

That's my question to ask. This area isn't under your jurisdiction, is it?

It's past the time to care who's covering where. The one who gets the news and catches the runaway Infected first gets the credit.

Now get lost. You're in my way.

According to you, I was here first, so the credit goes to my squad, no?

Whoever finds those gavno first gets the credit.

What are you doing, Tosha? Stop wasting your time with him and continue your search.

Over here! They're all hiding—Hahahahaaahaha!

What did he find to laugh like that?

Go and see.

There's a hole up ahead, and they're just huddled in there, thinking we wouldn't find them—

<i>O bozhe moy,</i> hahahahahahaha... this is too funny.

Heh. Did they think it was a trench?

Tosha, Gesha. Take everyone and drag those burdenbeast brains out here.

The positioning data show there are quite a few of those runaway Infected miners. Do you need our help?

How many heads are in your squad?

We're a small one. Just six of us.

That's a big group.

If you say so. We're the only two remaining idle squads around here, and we got here first.

So you have to share the spoils even if you don't want to.

What—

Arrrggghhh!!!

A shrill shriek breaks off the stale standoff.

Sounds of struggle and bones broken by blunt instruments immediately follow.

What's going on—

Help! Save me! They've gone mad—

<i>Blyat!</i> These Infected are all crazy!

You're not wrong...

You'll witness both the wrath and madness of the Infected.

<p=1>Central Far North Mining District Laboratory, Ursus</>

Ugh...

Ksenia!

Ksenia, are you awake? How are you feeling?

Feeling? I don't know. Am I supposed to feel something?

...You...