Глава 16

'Dispatch speaking.'

'Target acquired. They're moving toward Lake Neva.'

'Cease fire and surround the target coordinates.'

'Coordinates sent to your terminals.'

Are you out of the woods, Raidian?

Scout team here. We're at the rendezvous point.

The first batch of vehicles are here. We'll need to wait for the second batch to arrive.

Sorry, I didn't expect things to get so urgent.

Have you tracked more of the Armies' movements, Raidian?

Not yet... the military channel went dark after our broadcast. They're on guard now, and we're unable to get more information.

It's so quiet, it's making me uneasy...

Stay hidden, Amiya.

We'll be careful.

Stay in touch. How's Mantra?

Still exhausted. Vetochki and the others have made a stretcher for her—

Amiya.

Mantra! You shouldn't be 'talking'!

I'm awake. Tell Elysium that I can walk on my own.

No, not yet.

See? I told you so!

Remember how Blaze was bedridden for two weeks after getting injured on a mission? We didn't let her feet touch the ground for a single second.

So don't even think about it, dear Mantra.

...The situation is different.

Okay, here's a compromise. Once you're through the woods, you can choose me or Elysium to be your crutch.

Is G-Grypherburg, on the other side, of the frozen lake?

I heard, the Infected, can't enter n-nomadic cities.

I never went to the cities before I got infected. I lived all my life in the villages, until a Catastrophe infected most of us.

But they said we didn't need to walk, right? There'll be vehicles, like the ones we found.

I think Nikto was from Grypherburg. Too bad he isn't here.

Say, what do you think Nikto and Rankin are doing, Vetochki? Could they have already made it to that village they were talking about?

M-Maybe.

I hope so.

Everyone, take cover, now!

An explosion—from the forest? Is the Army here?

I just sensed it... Another army's attacking from the east.

They know where we are. They're trying to force us in the direction of Lake Neva.

They're out of their minds! We're already in the Central Governorate. The Armies must know what that means!

'Deity Grypherburg is under threat... the Army... will eliminate the enemy.'

It's a public broadcast. They're telling Grypherburg that they're putting down a rebellion!

I see... this was their plan all along...

All this killing and herding... they're planning to reach the capital under the pretext of putting down a rebellion, and negotiate with the State Council by pointing their guns at the gates of Deity Grypherburg!

This was what they're trying to achieve... by sacrificing hundreds of thousands in the Far North.

Can you hear me, Amiya?

There are Army units to your east—

...The magnetic storms are interfering with comms. I can't get a good signal at this range.

The rest of the group will arrive soon. Eloysius, I need you here to get them on the vehicles and evacuate in an orderly manner.

What about you?

I must go back and point the way for them.

You're leaving me here with these vehicles? Aren't you worried that I would abandon you and flee to Grypherburg?

If that's your decision, I would appreciate a heads-up.

Rhodes Island will find a way.

You...

Hah... is this 'Rhodes Island' full of people like you?

No. They're much braver than I.

Your command, <i>Sergeant.</i>

What the hell is that thing behind us? It appeared out of nowhere—

(Stumbles)

Look out!

The Army is shelling indiscriminately. Should we find another path?

Can you reach Raidian, Elysium? The scout team might be in even more danger than we are!

Amiya! Where are you?

We're still in the forest on the eastern shores of Lake Neva! We're being fired upon by the Army—

They have reinforcements coming from the east. We must get through the lake as quickly as possible! Grypherburg is on the other side.

The Armies cannot set foot on the western shore of Lake Neva without permission. That's our only chance.

We need to clear Lake Neva before the Armies complete their encirclement—

Raidian? Raidian?!

Magnetic storm—communications—

—southwest—ice—

No lights, everyone. We'll have to cross the lake in darkness.

Go southwest... I'll point the way.

I understand. The stars, show the way—

Cannon shells fall like thunder, exploding in the middle of the crowd. The shockwave and shrapnel split the procession in two.

Dyadya Volya!

A crack appears in the ice, and some people have fallen into it.

Aaagh!!

The ice is still cracking—we can't get through!

Go back! Now! Don't come this way!

They're getting closer!

Can you reach Raidian?!

We got separated. We have some straggling miners we need to pick up, to the northwest of where the shells fell—

Roger.

On my way.

Argh—ugh...

Darya, your leg, it's bleeding... I'll wrap it up!

I'll help—

...No, Vetochki. Leave me here.

I have flint and kindling. Give me a torch and go. I'll buy you what time I can.

I'll carry you, Darya!

Don't... don't give up.

Yes, don't give up! The bleeding will stop soon. You can get further treatment once we're on the vehicles—

But those bastards won't wait! They're herding us like wild manglers. Don't you see?

If they just wanted to kill us, they could have burned every inch that we passed through, blown every building up.

Do you think they couldn't do it?

That's no reason to give up...

You don't understand. I was a hunter before they threw me into the mines. I know what some of the cityfolk like to do on hunting trips.

They corral their game in one place, kill a couple, and watch the rest struggle.

Honestly, I don't know how much time I can buy, but I have to try.

It's just a hole in my leg. I'll crawl if I can't walk. I can get a few dozen meters to the east.

Stop wasting time. Leave the torch and go.

Go!