Arknights story · People, A People
PA-1 'Welcome to Katorga'
At the annual Winter Ball, Natalya meets many kinds of nobles as she probes for information alone. While the nobles bicker over politics, they find themselves surrounded by protesting students.
2 scenes, 401 lines
1. Before Operation
165 lines
Only candles lighting the corridors. Is the palace cutting back power usage too?
His Imperial Majesty wishes to share the conserved energy with the people.
Rest assured, this is simply a pragmatic measure of frugality. Life in the palace has not been affected, nor has this year's Winter Ball.
Here we are. May I take your coat, Miss Rostova?
That's very kind of you.
It is my duty.
So bright...
I will take my leave, then.
One moment. I have some questions—
—Natashenka?
Gosudar-batyushka... it's really you, poor girl!
The noblewoman hurriedly approaches Rosa, so excited she can hardly maintain her aristocratic demeanor.
She grabs Rosa's arm tightly, as though confirming she has not seen a ghost.
Natashenka... oh, I'm so glad to see you... alive and well...
It broke my heart to hear what happened in Chernobog. Why would fate be so cruel to such a kind family?
Thank you for your sympathy. We lost some property, but it's nothing compared to the safety of the family... and anyway, it's all in the past.
Yes, yes, let us leave all the painful memories in the past... you have no idea how glad I was to read your letter that you were coming to Deity Grypherburg.
I wish you could enjoy a peaceful time here, but the capital is hardly a peaceful place these days.
Malcontents and ingrates everywhere—as though the troubles stirred by those insolent military brutes were not enough, now unruly commoners want to turn Deity Grypherburg upside-down.
......
Oh, look at me, this is no way to talk to the daughter of an old friend that I haven't seen in years. You've only just gotten back, of course you have no idea! I'm afraid I'm always on edge these days, I hardly get any sleep at night.
Not at all. I'm glad you're sharing the news with me.
You're a good girl, but this is not a good time to talk of such things.
Is your mother well, Natashenka? What about your father, Andrey?
If he's in the capital without saying a word, sending you alone to the Winter Ball...
I suppose I've been a poor friend, and allowed our families to drift apart.
Countess, that's not it at all. Father asked me to send you his regards if I saw you, and to beg your pardon for falling out of touch.
And of course, I do not need to tell you that you are Mother's best friend, but the House of Rostov is focusing our full attention on what assets we have left in the Central Governorate.
'We must not lose any more prestige,' and I regret to say... they are fully occupied, for the time being.
I understand, but you should say, 'Therefore, I am here.'
Look at you, a proper young lady all grown up. You are a perfect representative of the House of Rostov!
I must say, you show better manners and dignity than many native Grypherburgers... I'm sure the Rostov name will be known throughout the capital before long.
No... I still have much to learn.
Speaking of which, I would very much like to ask about the present situation...
Have patience, young Natashenka. I understand your unease, but this is not something that can be explained in a few words.
Learn to observe with your own eyes. There is no better opportunity than this. What you should do now, is go enjoy the Winter Ball.
Until His Majesty arrives, set aside all the troubling questions, all the answers you eagerly seek, and all the wild theories about what the future holds. Enjoy the present.
Dance, laugh, do as youth ought to.
And if a young officer catches your eye, I will stake my reputation to be your matchmaker, for the sake of your mother, even if it's stubborn old Bolkonsky's—
Enjoy the peace of His Majesty's protection. It is a privilege for those of us who live here in the capital, those of us who are loyal.
You must learn this in order to fully integrate yourself, Natashenka.
'...You must learn this in order to fully integrate yourself.'
...The miners are still hungry. Even in Grypherburg, the residents of Odoyev Raion can no longer afford heating, while Katorga Raion has seen power and heat cut completely upon work stoppage.
But for them, the show must go on.
I don't understand... didn't that person say His Majesty is reducing the palace's electricity use? What happened to the energy conserved? Why—
This is all such nonsense. Dealing with big shots is such a hassle.
Is Rosa gonna be okay in there?
Natalya spoke to us a few days before the Student Assembly general meeting about going into the ball as the scion of House Rostov to gather information.
Certain things are known only to the aristocracy, after all. And more information never hurts, regardless of where it comes from.
Sonya believes she can do it, and I have no reason to object. The contents of these conversations are as expected. Things seem to be going smoothly so far, and the audio feed is clear.
We have to thank that student they call Botani for this. Her equipment has worked out even better than I hoped.
All we need to do is to cooperate with the protestors and follow the plan.
Zima's waving at us! We should go to her.
I think she's talked things over with the others. We'll pack up and head over.
Leto, are you staying here or...?
I thought this year's Winter Ball would be cancelled...
Those insolent traitors are attempting to coerce His Imperial Majesty by force of arms. But I'm not sure how the tsar intends to deal with them...
All the more important that we hold our heads high and continue doing what we must. His Imperial Majesty has both courage and vision.
This is the strongest possible response. It proves that there is nothing to be feared from the chaos, that we will not be beaten by traitors who have already failed once.
As for those who do not see clearly, and choose to stand with the traitors... we will place flowers on their graves, this time next year.
—I'm sorry—
You have ruined not only the young lady's dress, but also a cup of fine wine... sudar'.
I'm so sorry! Please forgive the offense, Duchess Volkina—
You did not offend me, but you should apologize to the young lady whose dress you have soiled.
Erm, I apologize, baryshnya...
It's alright.
Who let this buffoon in?
He could hardly be a nameless commoner if the servants let him in. What is your name?
Ah! Please call me Pavlovich, a humble deputy of the Duma. I was recently appointed magistrate by His Imperial Majesty, serving as special representative for recent matters in Katorga Raion—
A representative of Katorga Raion? Ah, I remember now.
You know me? I'm honored!
Of course, of course. I heard the State Council was having difficulty finding someone to deal with the Katorga problem. I'm sure you must be a remarkable talent, if the responsibility has fallen upon your shoulders.
I would have sent someone to congratulate you, if I was not busy arranging winter supplies for the Second Army.
You flatter me, Your Grace... I have been serving in Katorga for two months now.
In fact, I do not know why I was given such an important responsibility, but I certainly would not dream of disappointing His Imperial Majesty.
As you may know, Katorga Raion is not as worthless as people think. All this old industrial district needs is an opportunity to revitalize itself...
(Whisper) Why have I never heard of him?
Perhaps you've been spending too much time on your luxurious estate and grown out of touch with the personnel movements of the central government. At least read a few newspapers while you sit on your rocking chair in your garden.
All the news does is make one more troubled.
Of course, I am unworthy of Your Serenity's attention, Count Golitsyn—I understand that this has been an exemplary year for your winery, and you must be very busy...
Enough flattery. I believe you still owe this young lady a formal apology.
What is your name, baryshnya?
I am Natalya Rostova, Your Grace.
Rostova? I am not familiar with the name...
Neither am I.
Ah! Your father must be Count Andrey Rostov of Chernobog!
You know of my father?
Of course! His Serenity demonstrated such foresight when he pulled out from Chernobog just in time, narrowly avoiding complete ruin!
...That's all in the past now.
I see you are surprisingly... knowledgeable, Gospodin Pavlovich.
But you ought to get changed, young lady. Even the best wine was not made to be tasted by silk.
Yes, spasibo...
Rosa hurries away from the embarrassing scene. She can still hear the excited conversation going on behind her as she leaves.
Duchess Volkina! I hear that you oppose the motion to decommission Katorga Raion. I am naturally of the same mind...
...The factories are still...
...Perhaps we can work together...
...Watch your words, Melnikov. Not even His Imperial Majesty has made an official statement on the events of the Far North.
You misunderstand. I am not leveling an accusation towards you or the Grand Duchess.
However, I have long expressed concerns about Breskenoy, long before Elisaveta's transgressions in the Far North, yet your camp unanimously swore to His Imperial Majesty that her loyalty should not be questioned.
You, and every single member of the old guard, have betrayed the trust of the State Council and His Imperial Majesty.
Then I look forward to your speech at the hearing. You would do well not to change a single word, that everyone might hear how you slander the foundations of our empire.
There is no need to wait until then.
I will expose your crimes to His Imperial Majesty when he attends tonight's ball!
The angry shouting has drawn the attention of the crowd. Several servants hurry to the scene, trying to placate the angry aristocrat.
Rosa pulls on her sleeves to ward off the cold, though the fireplaces in the ballroom burn hotter than anywhere else in Ursus, and the heat is always on.
A servant is replacing the fragrance. The smell of citron and neroli cover up the stinging scent of evaporating alcohol. Rosa lets out a long sigh.
Are you alright, Natashenka? Have you not yet found an appropriate conversation partner?
Oh dear, what happened to your dress? Did someone insult you? Give me a name, and I will teach them a lesson!
Please, Countess, there is no need to be angry. It's a mark of honor for assisting a noble lady.
You have a heart of gold, my child, but please, take care of your own safety first next time. Who knows what those sycophants might do?
I appreciate your concern, but that was the most interesting thing to happen to me tonight.
Most of what I've heard has to do with the Grand Duchess. I tried to understand and ask questions, but I lack the necessary knowledge to continue the conversation.
This is why your parents sent you to Grypherburg, my dear Natashenka.
I have seen many young ladies give their souls to cooks, tailors, and doctors, but not the great people who write laws, quell rebellions, and set taxes...
Even if they are always caring about us.
I understand, but today I'm simply the heir of a humble count with naught but a few small holdings in the Central Governorate. How might I catch a gaze that these busy lords only occasionally cast?
...I should make myself clearer, since you're my old friend's only daughter.
Politics is a part of all our lives. No one is immune, especially not those upon whom a title of nobility has conferred a heavy responsibility.
Are these responsibilities carried out by engaging in small talk in a place like this?
Natashenka...
You misunderstand the reason we talk here. These words are not necessarily announcements of measures certain to be implemented, nor do they necessarily represent our true views.
Then... why?
To fit in. To know which people to avoid, and which to befriend.
One signature may be all it takes to rebuild your parents' fortune, to keep your children out of the trenches, to allow your friends to sleep soundly on a grand estate.
Do not think you can avoid their gazes by indulging in pleasure. It will only cause those gazes to harden, and permit no question.
That is how a highly effective social scene operates, Natashenka.
...Looks like I still have much to learn.
And time is the one thing that young people have aplenty.
(Whisper) It's the Chairman—
And Vice Chairman Vasily Gorchikov! This is a rare sight. They are hardly ever seen together outside of the State Council...
The Chairman is rarely seen at the balls, but His Imperial Majesty has not yet arrived... is this a sign?
Perhaps they are trying to present a picture of calm.
It may be too late for that.
......
Those two...?
All eyes are on the two men who just entered. The crowd parts to allow them to proceed to the middle of the hall.
The greetings from the crowd are loud, though their sincerity is uncertain.
'Salutations, Chairman.'
'Health to you, Vice Chairman.'
......
Rosa carefully observes the pair from the crowd.
The black-haired man walks through the crowd in silence, not the slightest emotion on his face. His gaze is firm, but clearly fatigued, fixed on the empty space in front of him.
The man whom they call Vice Chairman walks behind the black-haired man who is a head shorter than he is, respectfully keeping a short distance while nodding and smiling in response to the crowd.
...The blonde one is Duke Vasily Gorshkov, colonel-in-chief of the Imperial Guard, and executive Vice Chairman of the State Council.
(Whisper) And the black-haired one in front of him is—
Chairman Islam Witte.
Yes... everyone in Grypherburg should recognize him.
Actually, I watched the Speech at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Tulskaya Special Technical School on the intercity net. It was an impressive speech, concise and sincere.
Ah, the intercity net... I will never understand such newfangled things.
Go before them, Natashenka. Listen to what these people talk about. This is a learning opportunity.
Yes, Countess, I will—
The sharp sound of glass cracking interrupts the cheerful conversations around the hall, as everyone looks around for its source.
Count Osadchy, are you feeling unwell?
...No, no! It's them! They're downstairs!
What? Who turned off the lights—power outage?
The palace wouldn't lose power just like this! It must be the mob—
Are the duty officers of the palace so incompetent they can't even maintain an electrical switch—
...Look outside!
There's a mob right outside the window!
2. After Operation
236 linesFree Rania! Free all political prisoners!
Release the reserves! Share the energy! Heat for all the people!
Liberty for the people! Bread for the people!
Today's silence is tomorrow's slavery! Make our voices heard!
Show yourselves! We demand parley!
I believe those present know the rest better than I do.
The ballroom was in chaos. In their panic, some attendees removed their gowns, snatched women's hats out of the servants' hands and ran outside...
Preposterous! You weren't even at the ball! Who told you these rumors?
They're all over the police force, and it's hard to tell where they come from. I offer you my apologies, if the rumors are unsubstantiated—
Not me!
N-Not to me! Apologize to everyone who was at the ball!
Order!
This hearing is not interested in street rumors. It is what happened with the students that we wish to know.
For example, who spoke those foul words of sedition?
Which words?
Which else? The foulest, most treacherous ones.
People were saying all sorts of things. I'm not sure what you're referring to—
The most treasonous, blasphemous, sacrilegious words... the ones that no one in this room may utter!
Oh, I get it.
Death to the mudak Emperor!
Death to the mudak Emperor!
Death to the mudak Emperor!
Death to the mudak Emperor!
Death to the Hippogryph-blooded filth! Ursus belongs to the Ursus!
Bring out the bloodsucker Witte! Bring out the imbecile Fyodor!
You mean to say every student blasphemed against His Imperial Majesty that night.
Maybe, other than the few who kept cool heads. The young can be hot-blooded, and become incited to speak with a voice that does not belong to them.
Or perhaps you are exaggerating in order to cover up for a few of their number.
I am only telling the truth. You're jumping to some shocking conclusions.
Let us go back to the previous statement. You explained why Baryshnya Rostova failed to notice His Imperial Majesty's absence. Do you know where he was?
I learned a few things through my police contacts, but they are vague and uncertain.
You know of his whereabouts?
I know he was in the palace, but not why he did not appear at the ball as scheduled.
No, you know.
I'm sorry?
My evidence indicates that the Deity Grypherburg Police Night's Watch was the first to learn of His Imperial Majesty's disappearance, which means that you, too, were in a position to know.
Answer, Young Zoya. Why are you hiding the truth about the attempt on the Emperor's life, and his subsequent disappearance during the protests in question?
Well...
If you knew, your friend, Sonya Mykhailivna, knew too.
Was the violence that she incited in the quarantine zone aimed at finishing what the assassin attempt began?
(Murmurs) So the Emperor went missing that night. That explains everything.
...What?
Natalya mentioned something in particular. Before the protests began, she was heading to where the chairman and vice chairman were, but her attention, like the others, was drawn to the light outside the window.
Both of them had left by the time she looked back.
Day of the hearing, a Tsarevgrad Office
If you don't want to appear at the hearing, I can go in your place, at least minimize the impact of the Emperor's disappearance by influencing the direction of the hearing.
There is no longer a need to hide, Vasha.
Virtually every major noble in Grypherburg has learned about His Imperial Majesty's 'act of whimsy'. No number of gag orders will wipe away the shock that the event has caused.
Right now, I don't give two hoots about the hearing or the public opinion. The only thing on my mind is His Majesty's safety. You must find out what happened that day, before we move to eliminate the issues that put the Emperor in danger.
It was more than just Grypherburg's guards that went out of control that day. It was a warning sign, and a lesson to learn from.
Forgive my imprudence, Chairman Witte, but I understand that you had an argument with His Imperial Majesty prior to the ball, where he expressed his displeasure with the State Council's handling of the Katorga matter.
If that is what you are referring to, people on the outside would not be surprised, for His Imperial Majesty is ever caring of all who walk upon this land, even if his kindness is often mistaken for weakness.
No, not that.
His Majesty was indeed in a bad mood, but he agreed to attend the ball, until I received a tip prior to the event—
Someone was attempting to place an Originium bomb in the ballroom. He was caught by a maintenance worker.
Attempting to assassinate His Imperial Majesty?
It is not so simple. I thought the same as you did, so I followed emergency protocols and instructed the Royal Guard to go to His Majesty's chambers and escort him through the underground tunnel, while I interrogated the assassin personally.
He claimed he was here to assassinate Baron Kamshalov, at the behest of the baroness.
It would be a captivating family drama, if circumstances were different...
As the interrogation continued, however, he mentioned something even more unsettling—
Damn... come on, Geil, keep it together, you can do it...
Crouched on the floor, he wipes the sweat from his eyes, while haphazard parts are scattered across the red carpet.
A round 'alarm clock', three sticks of explosives bundled together like sausages, and numerous wires. A simple bomb that even a novice could assemble by following the instructions.
But the sweat has soaked through the paper he is holding, blurring the writing to illegibility.
Okay, I can still read this... connect the blue wire, then the green one, then a funt of... a funt of...
A funt of canned stew?
Blyat! Ivan! The baroness paid so much, and you're passing off a recipe as bombmaking instructions?!
......
Alright, calm down, it's up to me now... maybe this green one goes into this connector.
Wrong, the green one goes below the blue one.
Let's give that a try...
It worked! Thank you, kind-hearted—
Who the khuy are you?
(Hushed) Calm down and don't yell! Do you want to bring the whole police force down on our heads?
I had to stop you. If you really put that wire in, we'd have one more, no, two more 'canned stews' here in this room.
Don't worry, we're fellow travelers, I'm not gonna sell you out.
We're what?
Are you in a noblewoman's pocket too?
What are you talking about? We're both assassins, aren't we?
Sorry, I... it's my first time. I'm not really familiar with this stuff.
Hey, everybody's gotta start somewhere. Who's your debut job? Is it a big one?
I don't know if he's big or not. All I know is that he's a baron with a casino.
Well, that's not a bad one to pop your cherry. You'll get jobs for bigger fins with some practice under your belt.
What about you?
Heh, cover your mouth first. Don't want you freaking out and drawing unwanted attention.
(Hushed) I'm here to kill Duchess Volkina.
......
Who's that?
...What?
You don't know her?!
Quiet, quiet—
She's one of the few hereditary dukes in Ursus, a thorn in the side of the old guard nobility, and blood relative to the Emperor himself!
Okay, okay, don't shout, I'm sorry...
My employer searched across all of Ursus for an assassin who could take the job, and I was the only one who would do it! How could you—
...?
...You—
Shh—
...Shh?
The surprise visitor shakes his head and gestures to the table on the other side. The nervous assassin hesitates, then walks over slowly.
Give it to me.
You want this bread?
The man shakes his head.
Don't tell me you want the table knife?
The man nods.
Wait, tell us what you're gonna do with it first. Giving a knife to a stranger is not exactly becoming of a professional assassin.
Give it to me, and I'll tell you.
The nervous assassin dares not approach. He tosses the knife to the man, who picks it up silently, then makes a sign with two fingers.
Go out the door, go through the kitchen, climb the ladder to the roof, and get into the room on the west side via the sunroof.
Shh—
...Shh.
The edge of the visitor's mouth twitches. He nods and departs, leaving behind the two stunned assassins.
What were you talking about? I didn't understand a word.
He's here to kill... the Emperor.
So you mean palace security allowed all these myriad assassins into the ballroom, and it took a maintenance worker to discover them.
How many more surprises do the Grypherburg's guards have in store for us?
The capital-wide power outage happened soon after.
While not entirely unexpected, given the recent energy shortage, it coincided with the matter of the assassins, which led to an overreaction.
That is why, after we left the scene of the ball, I instructed you to head to police headquarters and search for suspicious persons amongst the protestors.
You saw their crude, ineffective methods.
It's a good thing that your daughter is hardworking and motivated. If she was unambitious and went into the Guard by pulling strings, you would be the one with the constant headaches.
I am glad for Eloysius that you are willing to mentor her. Our entire family is very proud.
But how could these absurdly incompetent assassins have affected His Imperial Majesty?
Do you remember who I sent to find him, according to emergency procedures?
The Royal Guard?
That's what I don't understand. Why would the Emperor need to flee, if he was protected by the Royal Guard?
......
(Hushed) Because the loyalty of the Royal Guard is to Ursus, not the Emperor.
What?
Why are you still here?
You're late, Witte.
...Where is His Imperial Majesty? Did you not go with him?
Your orders were to go to his room and guard against assassins.
I ordered you to protect the Emperor! This is a plan that's long been in place. In the event of any emergency, you are to personally escort him through the secret passage.
Unfortunately, your best intentions do not seem to be appreciated.
Do you mean...?
Have you not realized, Chairman?
The one you're sworn to protect has been thoroughly disappointed by all that has happened here for years, decades even.
Of course, given your unreserved loyalty over such a long period of time, he would trust you, even if he sees all the other nobles as traitors.
But he will not put the same trust in me.
What happened to His Majesty?
He left by way of the secret passage, as planned, but he steadfastly refused my escort.
Didn't you stop him?
Why would I stop him?
You may not understand how I think, but you should try to understand how he thinks, 'Caretaker'.
Let him go out and see for himself what Ursus is truly like, beyond the window.
......
Which means that His Imperial Majesty has disappeared from under the watch of the Royal Guard.
Even if it was of his own volition.
The air itself seems thinner in the tightly packed formation of students, but they make room for their leader, Olga, giving a small but isolated space.
Fellow students! Unite and bring down the establishment!
The young noble lady stands proudly upon a battered oak casket, a faded family emblem faintly visible upon it.
Her shouting is drowned out by even more radical chants, but she squints as if to take in this Grypherburg night that belongs to them, until someone makes it to her side.
Time to put this to bed, Olga!
Sonya?
No marching, not even unified slogans... I see booze in the crowd. This is too risky.
Don't pour cold water when morale is at its highest—
Listen to me! These streets are lined with noble townhouses. Look how narrow the path is, it'd make any retreat really bad.
More than that, I haven't seen a single cop.
There's more to this than we know. Let's march south, shout our chants that way. It'll be easier to respond to any surprises.
I know what you're trying to say, but all this is normal. Faddey already explained that police operations are disrupted during the Winter Ball due to the personnel changes.
Besides, given our background, activism for our friends' rights, within reason, is seen as a sort of youthful experience, not rebellion.
Set your heart at ease and stand with us, Sonya.
Right... given your background.
If you're gonna be stubborn about this, I'll have to take the SSG and go.
This is not like you, Sonya. I thought you would be the bravest and firmest at a time like this.
We have caught their attention and left an impression. All that is left is to negotiate for Rania's release, and enjoy the fruits of victory.
If victory is so close, you can enjoy it yourself! No need to save any for me.
No sooner has she said these words than the ballroom's lights turn off, plunging the scene into darkness. Several screams can be heard from inside, then hushed conversations and sobbing.
The students fall silent, looking at each other in bewilderment. This is the quietest moment of this Grypherburg evening.
Did your group do this, Sonya?
No, we didn't do anyth—
Beautifully done!
I'll pretend I didn't hear what you said before. The Self-Government Group has done a great service to our protest!
She pats Zima's shoulder excitedly. Zima hears a soft, indistinct sound coming from the end of the street, so quiet that it is almost drowned out by Olga's patting.
...Look out!
She pulls Olga and runs. A few black cans fall to the ground, leaving light tracks on the snow, before emanating a white smoke.
The nearest student screams, his voice rasping, before it is interrupted by violent coughing as sulfuric smoke attacks his eyes, nose and mouth like tiny gravel.
Then another, and another, as more students find their sight and breath stolen, screaming and twitching as they clutch at their faces. The others cry out in terror and disperse.
Many have fallen to the ground, calling for their friends in vain. They press their faces to the stone and hear the sound of approaching footsteps.
Tear gas deployed! Take the injured, leave the rest!
The late-arriving guardsmen raise their flashlights, casting powerful beams of light upon the young, frightened faces of the students.
The students that can still move run to the end of the street, crying and screaming, half-stumbling and half-crawling, their clothes soiled with muddy snow, footsteps, even blood.
General! We're here!
She went to look for you! Didn't you see her?
Zima turns and charges into the chaotic crowd without a second thought, ignoring the calls of Istina and Leto behind her.
It takes some time for her to get back to where Olga was, a scene of bedlam with guardsmen clubbing the remaining resisters with nightsticks.
Gummy is standing in front of Zima, slowly walking to a policeman, staring at his stick-wielding hand.
—Freeze! Get on your knees!
A nightstick swings for Gummy. She dodges instinctively and sees the man before her tackled to the ground by a black shadow, causing a slushy splash.
Zima?!
Run!
Guardsman down! I need backup!
A dozen guardsmen rush in from every direction, grabbing Zima's shoulders and trying to separate her from their colleague on the ground, but she does not budge in the slightest. They begin striking her in the back with their nightsticks.
Chase them off. We're pulling out.
Sonya!
Hmph... not gonna happen!
Zima! No, I'm helping you—
Don't try to be a hero, Sonya! Take our hands!
You're out of your mind too? There's more of them back there, and they've got crossbows.
Retreat! That's an order!
Don't try to pull rank with me! It won't work!
I need you to take them away, and the students out there need you! Help them!
That's not an order then. It's a favor, from a friend!
Listen to me, just this once! Go—
...And that's all that happened that night.
Some here may find it hard to accept, but Sonya should be considered a victim in this incident, regardless of which angle you take.
The parliamentarian has noted the witness's account, which will be used in conjunction with the statement Zoya previously submitted to compile an official report.
Any further questions for the witness?
Your Honor, Young Zoya, perhaps some of us have misunderstood the purpose of the hearing.
The reason that many have called for the student groups' actions to recognized as treason is not the protest alone, but also their disruptive behavior in the quarantine zone.
Of foremost concern to us is this: Where was His Imperial Majesty Fyodor in the course of these events?
There have been various rumors running through the people, some claiming that His Majesty mobilized the students against the nobility.
I am therefore quite curious; for example, on the night of the protests, why did His Imperial Majesty—
Forgive the interruption, Count Troyan.
I must emphasize that the Chairman will not be present today, in order to reduce the pressure on the committee, nor has he made any implicit suggestion.
The reason I questioned the witness concerning His Imperial Majesty's whereabouts was only to understand the relationship between the attempted assassination, the Emperor's subsequent disappearance, and the actions of the student leader Sonya Mykhailivna.
If the committee still has doubts, we can clarify them here and now.
Please answer, Young Zoya.
Do you think Sonya Mykhailivna's actions during the protest had anything to do with the assassination attempt on His Imperial Majesty or his disappearance?
The decision of the Royal Guard...
The part that is most important, yet one that no one can know. It will not be part of the hearing's findings.
Did His Majesty say anything to you upon his return?
No, Vasha, no...
We can all see how taciturn he has become since.