Глава 16

Later, I heard that other people were doing the same things in other places... it's a pleasant surprise to find that this tunnel looks relatively safe.

Where does it lead?

The Volgrad Mining District, southeast of Grypherburg, in the southernmost part of Ursus. If we can reach it through the tunnels, we'll be able to circumvent the capital's defenses.

But you better pray there's no army on our tail, or it'll be an easy opportunity to wipe us out all at once.

No such thing as a path without risk.

Wait... I smell alcohol.

Impossible. How could there be—

Get down!

A flash of cold light lunges out from the darkness, breaking the only lit lamp.

What the—

Get down! Don't move, and don't fire back!

<i>Blyat!</i> They found us!

Call for help!

Wait! Stop! We're friends!

Rankin stands and shouts at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing in the deepest reaches of the cavern.

You...

You're not the Patrol Units?

That's what we were about to ask... I suppose the answer is no.

Thank goodness! I thought they found our position.

Where did you come from?

The Central Mining District.

Central? I didn't know there were any survivors there!

We heard the guards started a massacre. We thought there wasn't anybody left alive.

I can see why there would be such rumors...

But they're not true. We're still alive. We defeated the Patrol Units and escaped. We haven't given up on our struggle.

That's the best news I've heard in a while!

One moment.

We're trying to get to the Volgrad Mining District, in the south, through these tunnels. Can we—

The south? It's no good. The tunnel leading to the south has collapsed. That's why we've been stuck here.

I see...

Again, Rankin! Again! Why is every path a dead end?

Wait... Rankin? THE Rankin?

My name's Rankin. I don't know anything about 'The' Rankin.

It's really you! Rankin from Central! You're real—you're alive!

I see my name has taken flight on its own...

We can talk about that later! Let me take you to the living area.

You folks look like you're in real bad shape. We have some food and water, not a lot, but we can spare some.

Living area? Are there a lot of you living here?

Yes...

A lot.

They follow the lone light of the lamp and walk into the tunnel. Gradually, they begin to see the light at the end, and hear the faint sound of talking.

They go around a corner to see a large number of people—there must be hundreds of them—living in a tiny space.

Some are wearing miner's outfits, others simple cotton clothes. There are elderly, and there are children... with simple living tools around them.

This is where they live.

You...

What's going on? Didn't you guys go on patrol? Why did you bring so many people back? Who are they?

Friends! Let me introduce this man here—Rankin!

Rankin! He's Rankin!

I've heard the name before! You were the one who had the idea of linking all the mining districts!

You're not as tall as the stories say, but I guess you're tall enough...

Did you fight the Kazimierzians? Do the Firewatch really exist?

They rush forward to see the figure of legend. There is reverence, there is joy, and there is a little bit of disappointment in seeing the real man behind the myth, but all culminate in an excited call for his name.

Rankin, Rankin.

Alright, that's enough. Our friends have run into some trouble and they need rest.

Get some bread from the storage room, Zoya. The big loaves.

...Why are you living here?

That's a long story...

The Neva Dam burst three years ago, flooding the nearby mines. The overseer refused to let us come out from underground, fearing that we might flee to a nearby city.

The mine eventually collapsed, splitting it in half. Half of us were drowned. We were the lucky half.

We thought all we could do was wait for death, until we found a passage below that led to another mine.

We got some food from there, but we didn't dare go above ground, so we stayed underground...

And you've been living here? How?

We helped deliver cargo for other mines. Some kind-hearted people shared food with us. Sometimes we stole from the Patrol Units... just like musbeasts, eh.

We continued to expand the passages, to the Ural in the east and Kras in the west, linking up a lot of mines and districts.

We've taken in refugees who fled the other mines. We've got maybe a thousand people who are somewhat fit to move.

There are children here...

Yes... she's two years-old, and she's never seen the sun...

<i>Blyat!</i>

No matter what, we're still alive! All thanks to you, Rankin!

We'd have been long dead if you didn't come up with your idea!

No... I did nothing. Don't thank me. You found your path of life on your own.

But it shouldn't have been like this. This shouldn't have been your life.

But... what could we do, Rankin?

Of course we don't want to live in this hole forever, but where else can we go?

...Come with me.

Where to?

South.

To the Kazimierzian border. We'll find the village that belongs to the Infected, land that we can live on.

We'll go together.

Calm down, Rankin.

Did you forget about the Lake Neva Outpost? Did you think you could sneak past them with so many people?

Then we'll take it by force.

You're out of your mind—

I know what I'm talking about, Nikto!

I'm confident.

The Lake Neva Outpost will have at most a hundred men, and no heavy weapons.

Three hundred. Give me three hundred pairs of hands that can hold a crossbow and a hoe, and we'll take the Lake Neva Outpost before they have a chance to send a distress signal.

By the time the regular supply delivery arrives weeks later, we'll be long gone, on the vast Barton Plains!

We'll only be one step away from the goal. Nothing can stop us.

No... you've gone mad.

I don't understand... why do you always force yourself into the riskiest option? Why do you—

Rankin ignores his objections and extends his hand to the crowd.

I see your vision, Rankin, and I'm willing to go with you to take the outpost.

But I can't make the others follow you. They'll have to decide their own fates.

The miner shakes Rankin's hand and goes to stand behind him.

All who are willing to go with Rankin to take the outpost, come forward.

Feet shuffle in the crowd, and several youths take their place behind Rankin.

Others remain hesitant, or find their own family hanging onto their shirts.

Whatever the others say, I'm with you, Rankin.

I don't know what that place for the Infected on the Kazimierzian border is like, but it can't be worse than here.