Глава 16

Things being what they are, we have no choice.

Very well...

The Guardswoman pulls out some paper from her coat pocket, quickly writing down a few words on it before sealing it within an ornate envelope and handing it to the head miner.

Listen up. I have a suggestion that will make everyone happy.

Take this letter. The seal on the envelope will ensure that no Patrol Units harass you, so long as you do not provoke them.

Head north, to Bresk's sentry post. Hand the letter to the soldiers there, and they will find temporary shelter for you. As for what comes next... discuss it only after getting there.

Believe me when I say this is the only way to a peaceful resolution. In exchange, can you find it in your hearts to let these poor whelps go?

N-No! You can't!

If we don't bring them back, we'll be disciplined!

Enough. You're lucky to be alive as it is.

Why should we trust you?

Do you have anyone else you <i>can</i> trust?

Eloysius!

We...

If we go to this shelter you mentioned, will there be enough bread for everyone?

Rest assured. If bread is what you need, then bread you shall have.

The head miner takes the proffered letter, then turns to discuss the offer in hushed tones with the other miners.

They quickly come to a consensus, and with no hesitation whatsoever, the miners form one long line and start heading north, as if entering the mine, just like any other day.

The long stretch of miners slowly funnels through a gap between the huts. All the while, Amiya keeps looking towards the north, the procession fading into the distance.

This is the best outcome we could hope for under the circumstances.

I understand, Doctor.

We can't save... can't help everyone we meet.

But Rhodes Island will keep pressing on... until the last of our strength has left us.

You turn to look at the Imperial Guardswoman behind you, seemingly frivolous yet always able to take the initiative.

We never heard of any supply shortage in the mining district.;This is no ordinary control measure.

Yes, I know what you are about to ask me. Believe me, I know about as much as you do. We are of like mind when it comes to these misgivings.

The research institute is not far up ahead. Let us go and find answers there.

Let's go, Doctor.

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

As you walk along the corridor, the echoes of your footsteps are swallowed up by its unending length.

Its stone walls lean inwards, as if their grave majesty were about to smother everything upon the ground. Those who walk along it find themselves lowering their voices, then lowering them further.

(Whisper) It's so quiet here...

Rather, it seems there are no Infected here. Or anyone, for that matter.

Which means...?

I've been to several Army research institutes before. They tend to be places of chaos, with plenty of people coming and going. Sickbeds that don't fit in the wards are put in the corridors, not too different from a battlefield hospital.

There is yelling, wailing, screaming from the Infected, but at least they live, at least they struggle on. But here...

Hmph. Nothing.

There are traces of fighting in the corridor.;Was the institute looted?

The entire district appears to be in terrible disarray.

If all the abnormal Infected from the institute have escaped...

The soldiers of the district have been gravely derelict in their duty. Their leader will not shirk responsibility.

Who knows, there may be great change coming to all of Breskenoy...

If the miners have been here, there must be some clues to find.;We need to find out what happened here.

While we have no accurate blueprints on hand, these sorts of buildings usually follow a standard layout.

If things are as expected, this hallway should form a loop, with standardized linked rooms adjoining. Every floor will also have an enclosed observation deck, for easier viewing of what's going on in the mining area.

Are you able to detect any of those 'biosignals' you mentioned earlier?

(Silence)

Sorry, ma'am, but if you were hoping we could trace signals to a specific room in here, then no can do.

The best we can do is confirm signal waves are coming from a certain area. You'll need to go there and inspect things yourself if you want to find the source, like we're doing right now.

Alright, I was simply asking.

This is a big institute, so I'll head down to the basement to have a look. In the interests of efficiency, how about we split up?

It's dangerous to be alone here.;(Look at Amiya)

I'll go with you, Eloysius.

Sure, sure. I don't mind having someone else helping out.

Mon3tr and I will check upstairs then.;Mantra, you and your team search the ground floor.

Maintain comms at all times.;Prioritize your own safety, everyone.

(Nods)

This is a pretty spooky place, and it's an Ursine research institute. Who knows what strange things are hidden here, like maybe they were experimenting with fusing humans and burdenbeasts...

Mon3tr, if anything goes wrong, get the Doctor out of here pronto, no fighting!

I know, I know!

Mantra.;Report.

I am here.

We have found nothing unusual at our current position.

I have eyes on Amiya. She is safe.

About that biosignal.;We can trace it more precisely than we let on, correct?

Fourth floor, mineshaft side. Target is not moving.

Wha?

You never told me you could do that, Captain!

We need to be on guard.;Deception is not your strong suit.

I hope she's the Ksenia Mon3tr mentioned.

We are short on time, Doctor. The target's vital signs are unstable.

You seemed really sure we would find something down here, Eloysius—

Thanks to a little 'laziness', many Ursine government buildings follow the same standardized layout.

If this institute is like the others I've visited, especially when it comes to how they divide up the space for specific uses, then there should be something left in the basement.

The dead cannot get up and leave, after all.

Do you mean this basement is a morgue?

A temporary one, with incinerators equipped to handle the remains of the severely infected.

Aha.

I knew it.

Although power to the freezing mechanism had been cut, the basement was still colder than the snow-dusted outdoors.

The young Guardswoman runs her hand across the coffins, which leaves behind a layer of frosty condensation on her fingers.

These coffins have been used. They must have lost power just before the evacuation. Could you take the right side of the room, Gospozha Amiya? We'll open them up one by one to check—

Eloysius!

What is it?

Oh, how careless of me. You might never have seen a corpse before... Then call someone over. No need to trouble yourself.

No, that's not important right now!

The Infected remains are very dangerous. If they have disintegrated and we open the coffin lids, this entire room might become a high-Originium-dust environme—

Before Amiya has even finished speaking, the Guardswoman pushes open a coffin.

There is no release of Originium dust, yet Eloysius's expression turns grave.

What is going on here...?

Eloysius does not answer, instead turning to open another coffin, then yet another.

The corpses interred here...

None of them are Infected.

Wait. Stay back, Amiya.

They must have been performing some kind of experiments on the uninfected. That's all I can glean here, and that's all you need to know.

There is no need for you to... personally examine them.

Thank you for your concern, but I... I think I should.

Amiya anticipated something like this. The moment she stepped into the institute, sorrow shrouded her mind.

It chills and clings to her. Suffering is smeared onto every wall in this place. Humanity's frail fingers are too weak to leave any trace on the stone and steel. Not even blood can find purchase here. All that can remain is hate.

Only hate.