Глава 16

Fine, fine I'll come. Like I don't know you just wanted to use my lab.

And what about it? Yours is the tidiest...

Indeed. How could a fault turn Originium ore from solid to liquid?

But there was no need for us to doubt the truth that was plain as day. After swift analysis and comparing the results, we confirmed that it was a substance the likes of which we've never seen before, and we named it 'Oka'.

Then, the Grand Duchess' orders came.

Go straight into human testing? Who ordered it, the director?

No, not even on the director's orders. We don't understand its nature, and we haven't even begun animal testing or energy testing. We're being too hasty. I'm going to find him—

There's no point talking to the director. The volunteer quota has already been filled, and Lakoda is moving forward with the tests.

Besides, this comes directly from the Grand Duchess. She wants results in two weeks.

Two weeks? That's not even enough to find out its half-life.

I don't like this. I—

If you don't like it, you can leave the Oka research.

I was in charge of extracting the active component of Oka, and I worked with Lakoda to develop the animal testing reagent. Of course I want to continue!

I just—I just don't think this is right, to go straight to human testing with zero idea about what might happen.

The sooner we get results, the sooner the Grand Duchess lets me go home. That's my only concern right now.

Like I told you, not everyone is as carefree as you are.

But—

I...

The human experiments began regardless. I was excluded and did not have access to the experiment data.

I wanted to figure out the nature of Oka and why it appeared in the mines. So...

The experiments on lab musbeasts showed no progress. At my wits' end, I even thought about experimenting on myself.

I never did, of course, because I learned that those so-called volunteers were not volunteers after all.

You need to get out of here, Ksenia.

Serafina? How did you get in here? I thought there were guards at the door. Are there new volunteers from the miners—

Listen to me, Ksenia. Those miners never volunteered!

Even the patients who were in our medical post were forcibly conscripted. Your colleague was such a smooth liar that I didn't detect she was lying at first, when she said they volunteered.

What?

All those 'volunteers' who participated in the experiments never volunteered! They never came back! Whatever's happening here goes against all scientific ethics.

You remember Vetochki? The bell toller, the one who stammers a little?

Good girl. She remembers everyone in the mining district, and she told Rankin, the foreman, as soon as she noticed that people had gone missing.

First, the Infected miners, then their non-Infected families...

Rankin went missing for a while too, reappearing with the bodies of a few miners who had gone missing.

<i>Gosudar-batyushka</i>... so when Lakoda said that the experiments were paused because of 'equipment theft'...

I don't know the details about your situation, but the miners have left their quarters and are coming to the lab. They want an explanation.

The miners are mostly Infected, and they have the strength of numbers. The guards can't stop them if they're determined to force the issue. There will be blood.

But... but I've never heard about any volunteers showing rejection symptoms, much less death—

Are you sure?

I... no, I'm not.

Do you have the experiment data?

No. I've been looking for the director all day to request access, but I haven't been able to find him.

I don't know what you're researching here. Ultimately, the worst that can happen to the Infected is to be incinerated.

If this place still retains the function of a hospital, as His Imperial Majesty hoped, you can check the incinerator or morgue.

After that, you can come to the medical team's camp if you want to come with me.

I didn't accept Serafina's invitation.

But she was right.

Clothing without owners was stacked haphazardly in the basement. The incinerator was still running. The last person keeping watch over the place had left, leaving behind bodies that had not yet disintegrated scattered like the clothes.

The volunteers who participated in the experiment died en masse in the span of just two weeks. The impact of Oka on the human body was beyond doubt.

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

As was the case with the human experiments, I was excluded from the evacuation.

The lab was empty by the time I went to the basement, learned the truth, and put all the still-intact bodies in cold storage.

In fact, I can only guess that there was an evacuation. I don't know where they went—the director, Lakoda, or anyone else.

Thinking back on it, it was just like Chernobog, except this time I was the one in the lab.

You were too young at the time, and you were on the project as a student intern. You were not on the list of core staff.

H-How did you know?

Were you—

I understand.

We found 'Dominion' pollution in the mining district.

The Royal Guard was here. Not anymore.

Before you passed out, you said that Oka could kill a Royal Guard.;Then you said the miners killed a Royal Guard.

Which one is true? Or are they both true?

(Mutters) ...<i>Chyort.</i>

I don't think there's anything to talk about.

How does an ordinary person who was born and raised in Ursus describe the sudden collapse of the violence that had dominated her life for so long?

The Royal Guards are the stuff of nightmares to the children of Ursus. They watch your every word and action, so you are cautious and careful, so you are well-behaved and obedient.

They are invincible, undefeatable.

When you suddenly witness the death of one... it only means that something even more terrible has appeared.

The miners touched by Oka killed the Royal Guard.

No, no... I don't know anything about it. Forget I ever said anything.

I didn't see anything, and you didn't hear anything. Just leave.

I've told you everything you wanted to know, everything that I can tell you.

Even if all it does is accelerate the deaths of the Infected...;It would be an unimaginable disaster if it got out.

Leave aside the question of who killed the Royal Guard, or even if anyone killed him at all.;We don't know if the fleeing Infected miners came into contact with the substance.

If they did, and it is contagious, they would not have allowed the researchers to leave.

The changes brought about by Oka are not necessarily contagious. At least, based on the experiment data that I managed to find, they haven't begun comparative observation yet—

Do you still have a sample of Oka?

No... What would you intend to do with it?

It's not about what we intend to do. It's about what we can do.

We'll have to get our hands on a sample to find out.

But all the samples are... you're going into the mines?! Now?

It seems to be the only option.

Don't you want to find out what Oka really is?

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

Do you need a break?

Huh? Oh... uh, no.

I just...

If you have reservations...;We can look for it ourselves.

(Shakes head)

I chose to be your guide. Besides, I want to know the truth about Oka too.

Worst case scenario, I guess they exile me...

The path ahead seems to be safe, Doctor. I do not detect any lifeforms—

Huh?

Ksenia glances at Mon3tr, then quickly and awkwardly looks away.

You notice the researcher has been following Mon3tr quietly, looking to her from time to time. Even Mon3tr has noticed it now.

You keep glancing at me, Ksenia... do I look weird?

What? No, no!

It's just, seeing you brings back memories.

What memories?

You see... the problem is that I don't remember them clearly.

It's so distant that it's become faded and indistinct, like ink on a piece of paper that's been submerged in water...

But... may I ask you a couple of questions?