story_tachak_1_1

'It should be almost winter where you are by the time this letter arrives.'

'I imagine winter in Ursus is even harsher.'

'I hope you can come back sooner rather than later.'

'I hope you haven't been dragged into the mess over there.'

'One last friendly reminder.'

'I know your style, but don't get too involved.'

'Good luck, Lord.'

'Don't get too involved'?

It's a little too late for that.

Sigh.

Alexsandr looks at the device before him, sighs, and puts away the letter.

His breath turns to white fog in the cool air.

It is a strange piece of machinery, with roughly polished metal rails and slightly rusted plates.

Alexsandr carefully maneuvers a wooden crane, putting in the finishing touches next to the strange device.

An Originium engine hangs beneath the crane, the last piece of the puzzle for this strange device.

Done!

Coupling, check. Where's my wrench?

Where on Earth is my level?

The soldier reaches into a box and takes out a level made from birch and glass, calibrating the connection between the engine and the machine.

Let's see...

Power supply, check. Voltage...

Where am I supposed to find a voltmeter in this place?

How the hell did they do this in the 50s?

This torque better be enough.

After a few minutes, the sound of machine rumbling begins to echo in the warehouse.

Aha!

There we go! Hahaha!

It's moving! It's moving!

Mr. Alexsandr?

Good morning, Mr. Alsu.

You're up early.

Oh, it finally started?

I know, right? It's been two frustrating months, but at least it paid off.

Too bad we're out of booze. Who knows when the next caravan is coming.

They don't like going out too far in winter.

Using this machine, I'll be able to make some simple parts even without the caravans.

We could fix that hand pump, for example.

We can teach the others how to use it. It'll make life a lot easier.

What do you call it... a lathe?

I've heard my son talking about it.

I've been here a while now, but I've never met your son.

He doesn't work too far from here, but it's on the other side of the mountain, and the roads get really bad in winter.

The east side? There's a mining zone over there... owned by a nomadic city, I think?

Looks like you know the area.

I asked some questions when trading with that drifter group.

I might have to go again in a few days. Let's hope the snow isn't too bad.

You should stay away from the wastelanders for a while...

The taxmen are coming soon. There'll be trouble if they find out we were dealing with the wastelanders.

Trouble?

I don't know about other places, but Lord Fetisov doesn't like us talking to them too much.

Why?

People from the army say that many of them are Kazimierzian spies.

Along with outlaws like the Rusthammers.

I see.

But most of the drifters in that group look like Ursus people.

It didn't use to be that way...

In the past, wastelanders mostly came from outside Ursus. They were quickly chased away by Lord Fetisov's guards.

But now...

Plenty of Ursus have been fleeing their villages and joining the drifters.

We had more than two hundred people in this village a few years ago, but so many ran in the last couple of years.

There's no one left to till the soil, and the traders aren't coming anymore.

The only thing that's increasing is taxes...

Your standard formula for depopulation.

What about your Lord Fetisov? Does he just sit on his thumb while his serfs run away?

I... I'm not sure.

But he's probably busy dealing with the highwaymen up north.

Highwaymen?

Oh, the bandits the villagers have been talking about?

Who exactly are they?

It's been a month. What is your lord doing?

Ursus's armies wouldn't have trouble with common bandits, would they?

I'm not sure, but rumors say that they're well-trained, targeting nobles specifically. They're even attacking the army.

I don't know how bandits manage to do that...

Well-trained 'bandits' fighting against the nobility. I've heard that story before.

Too many times.

What do they say? History repeats itself.

Er, you've seen this before?

Oh, no, just an off-hand comment

Old man! What are you doing here? They're all looking for you!

Take your time, catch your breath.

You need to hurry home! Your son...

My son's back?

Wait... why?

Just go! He's in bad shape!

What?!

Alsu! You're here! Your son...

What happened to my son?

I was getting firewood in the morning when I saw someone lying at the south edge of town.

I realized it was Anwar when I got closer.

Who knows what might have happened if I didn't stumble across him.

Thank you so much.

I bandaged up wounds. There's no frostbite, so I guess he wasn't there for too long.

But...

What is it?

Listen to me carefully... your son has Oripathy.

What?!

Look at his shoulder.

Oh my...

The old man takes a step back in shock.

In the span of a few seconds, a multitude of expressions flash across his face - fear, worry, doubt.

At last, it settles on sorrow.

Who else knows?

I haven't told anyone yet.

Please, I beg you...

I know. He's your only son.

I'll tell people he has wet flu, tell them to stay away from your house for a few days.

But this is Oripathy. You know what I mean, right? You have some thinking to do.

Thank you... very much...

Doesn't look good?

M-Mr. Alexsandr?

Y-You shouldn't be here... my son...

Oripathy, right?

Mr. Alexsandr...

Don't worry. I'm here to help.

But... it's Oripathy...

It's fine. I've seen plenty of Oripathy patients.

Alright.

Take off his shirt and rub this on the crystalline regions.

This is...

Like I said, I've seen my share of Oripathy patients. Do as I say.

This is for injection. Give me a hand; I need to get some hot water.

If the crystals begin to seep blood, drip it on this piece of test paper.

As you say...

A few minutes later.

Where... where am I...

Anwar! You're awake!

D-Dad? How did I...?

It's fine, don't speak, I'm just glad you're back...

Is this... home?

No, I can't stay here! I have Oripathy! I...

I know, I know. Say no more.

Sani was the one who found you. She didn't tell anyone else.

I'll take you into the woods once you're better.

There's an abandoned hunter's hut there. You can stay there while we figure out what to do.

Dad... I...

It's fine.

Rest for a bit, while I get you water. Stay put.

You're awake?

Y-You're a mercenary! Why are you in the village?

Don't worry, I'm a friend of your father's.

Your Oripathy is relatively mild.

I've never seen you before...

The name is Alexsandr. I came this year.

What happened? I thought you were working at the factory.

There was a boiler explosion two weeks ago.

A few of us came down with Oripathy...

So the overseer kicked us out.

That's all? Were you followed?

We thought we were being followed at first, but we stopped paying attention after a few days.

I wouldn't expect them to let you go so easily...

Never mind. Get some rest.

Are you okay?

Mr. Alexsandr... what can I do?

You face reality.

But... it's Oripathy...

A mild case of it. There are many ways to control the symptoms.

How do you know so much about it?

It's a long story. There's a more pressing issue right now.

Life in Ursus will not be easy for your son, even if his symptoms are mild.

Argh...

He'll need to learn to live like the wastelanders.

What?

Like hunters that catch manglers in the wild, he will need to learn to fend for himself.

I can teach him a few things.

A week later...

Steady...

(Focuses)

Steady...

(Pulls trigger)

Argh! I missed...

Don't squeeze the trigger too hard. It'll throw off the bolt's trajectory.

I guess I'm just not cut out for this...

It's too early for that. You've made decent progress, considering it's only been a week.

Live targets are a different animal altogether. Practice makes perfect.

One hour break, then it's physical training.

You have a lot to learn, if you want to survive in the wild.

You know so much, Mr. Alexsandr... did you used to be a soldier?

You're a far cry from the typical Ursus soldier.

I'm still a soldier.

Where's your dad? It's almost noon.

Maybe he got held up by something?

Anwar! Pack your things, now!

What's going on?

No time! The Infected Patrol Unit is in the village! They've gone to your house!

What?!

Pack your things and get out of here! This place is too close to the village. They'll be here any minute!

What about dad? I can't leave him...

Just go! The whole village will be in trouble if they find you!

Run!

How many?

Two inspectors and five brawlers. They look like they're out for blood.

They're all Ursus?

The two inspectors are, I think. Not sure about the others.

Anyway, this is no time to chat. You should get out of here too, Mr. Alexsandr.

Anwar, take your weapon and put on the camo. You're coming with me.

...Alright.

Well? Where is he?

He... he didn't...

Don't give me that. We saw him come into the village. Hand him over.

I-I never saw him!

I swear! It's all true!

Do I look stupid to you?

If your son's not here, whose overalls and boots are those? Huh?

Fine don't talk. We've got plenty of time.

Please, take me! I'll do hard labor for Lord Fetisov! I'll do anything!

Please, just let my son go!

Pfft. You think hard labor's gonna do it?

Round up everyone in the village.

Aye.

W-What are you doing?

What are we doing? Harboring the Infected is a serious crime.

In the name of Lord Fetisov, all your lands are now forfeit!

What?!

We don't know anything about it! This doesn't have anything to do with us!

We didn't do anything!

Shut your trap and fall in line!

Oh no... I knew this would happen...

So that's what they're doing.

Letting the Infected escape on purpose, following them home, all in order to enslave free peasants and confiscate their land.

The perfect excuse.

This, too, is an old story.

I'll get those criminals, if that's the last thing I do!

Hold on. Don't make any hasty moves.

You have a plan?

Go to the high ground to the east of the village and stay out of sight.

Fire at the brawlers on my signal.

Doesn't matter if you miss. I'll take care of the rest.

Gotcha.

Time to clean up.

House to house? Are you serious?

Cut the crap and go. You're being paid for a reason.

Fine...

Someone's shooting at us!

What?! From where?

East side! On that hill!

You two! Go around and get him!

Take cover! Take cover!

What the hell's going on?!

What are you doing? Return fire!

No! No!

Where is everybody?

There is no one else.

My leg! My leg!

Stay down.

Or test my patience. Your choice.

Mr. Alsu.

M-Mr. Alexsandr！

Tell everyone else to go indoors and stay there.

A-Alright.

H-How dare you... peasants...

Not so cocky now that it's just you, eh?

Y-You'll pay for this!

Colonel Lomono's unit is just over the hill!

Lord Fetisov won't let this go unpunished! You're dead, you hear me? Dead!

Nobles, magnates, boyars.

Is this the best that Ursus has to offer?

Y-You're not Ursus!

No, I'm not.

I don't really care to meet those high and mighty lords of yours, but I have a friend who wants to meet you.

Let me introduce you to Comrade Degtyaryov.

Tachanka pats his machine gun fondly, cracking a smile beneath his heavy helmet.

Gunshots ring through the winter forest, startling a flock of fowlbeasts.