Arknights story · People, A People
PA-2 In Shackles
Witness No. 2 Ukusik recounted her story at the hearing: A man named Antosha took her in. He led a radical group calling itself the Unbound, opposing Pavlovich’s brutal rule in Katorga.
2 scenes, 486 lines
1. Before Operation
235 linesOrder! Order!
Answer the question, Young Zoya!
I already have, Your Honor.
I can't describe what I didn't see. I do not know if Sonya had anything to do with the assassination attempt on the Emperor.
The committee has heard that you are regularly seen together.
No, Your Honor.
I have already stated that I did not support them so strongly, and I am no member of the Ursus Student Self-Government Group. As you can see—
I know. They did not even give you a badge.
And, may I ask if the cross-examination proceedings have already begun?
According to the bylaws of the 87th Provisional Inquiry Hearing Committee, cross-examination proceedings can only begin once the relevance of all witnesses and evidence has been properly established.
Prior to this, the witness may decline to answer questions.
I have no further questions.
Arbiter...?
...Young Zoya, I have read your file, and certain things are very plain. For example—
You could choose to be a good girl.
......
Summon the next witness!
Summoning Witness No. 2. Witness No. 1, return to your seat.
......
Hmph.
What is your name, Witness No. 2?
Ukusik.
A strange name.
(Whisper) Here are the reference files, Councilor Artyom.
(Whisper) Orphaned vagrant who grew up on the streets, owing her survival to the protection of the older homeless. They say her de facto guardian died at the hands of the Ursus Student Self-Government Group.
(Whisper) She is no friend to the students... I instructed her on what she should and should not say.
......
Very well. You may speak, Ukusik. No need to be frightened.
There's nothing to be frightened of... ahem. 'Honored members of the hearing committee.' Did I get that right?
This is what happened—
I was selling newspapers on the street corner that night, waiting for Antosha to send someone to take over for me.
Antosha's my boss. I'll talk about him again later—anyway, I saw a bunch of people running to the ballroom, and I was thinking, did something happen to Antosha?
Then a bunch of cops showed up and blocked all the streets. That was when I realized I should have gotten out of there at the first sign of trouble.
I saw one of my pals just standing there blankly while the crowd pushed him around. He yelled something when he saw me—
But I couldn't hear what he said before the cop's bashed his head in with a nightstick, and then he disappeared...
Wait, wait!
Skip the extraneous details, child... no one knows what you're talking about.
What am I supposed to say, then? I don't even know how to read, did you think I would talk like a salesman?
How about you just tell me what to say, and I'll say it?
No!
The arbiter glares at the noble next to him, who avoids his stare while wiping the sweat from his own forehead.
Let's start from the beginning. What kind of organization do you belong to? Who's this boss you were talking about?
Why were you there that night? Tell us everything that you know. Conceal nothing.
Everything?
Yes, everything.
That's gonna take a while. Can I sit down?
No!
Start at the beginning, the beginning... where's the beginning?
From when I was born? Nothing to talk about there. My mom gave birth to me, then she died because she couldn't afford medicine.
The dad who abandoned me? There's even less to talk about. I barely remember him.
Getting drafted into the pipe cleaners, watching other three or four year-old kids like me die in the energy pipelines...
Oh, I can't talk about that? I thought it was legal.
Fine, fine, I guess I'll start with the day I met Antosha...
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, can I go home now? You've kept me locked up for so long, my parents are gonna be worried. They can tell you that I've always been a good girl!
But today is Monday.
What's Monday got to do with it?
Good kids are in school on Mondays, not stealing on the streets.
Let me see... three hours until school's done. Your parents won't be worried. No rush.
Let me out, you svoloch!
Hah, look at 'em.
Who are you laughing at?
Me? I'm not laughing...
Get lost, I'm not talking about you! You over there, kid, what are you laughing at?
I'm laughing at him. Look—
I followed the student's gaze and saw the lazy cop looking down at a pie, like he wasn't sure what to do.
It was almost teatime. If he filled his belly now, he wouldn't be able to enjoy the cookies fresh out of the oven at the crossroads.
But the pie filled with fruit and cream looked really good. My mouth was watering just seeing it. I didn't understand—
What's so funny about that?
Come closer and I'll tell you—
He won't get to enjoy his pie at all, if he hesitates any longer.
What do you mean?
Wanna bet? You're shaking your head? Don't have the guts? Hah, just you wait...
I didn't believe him at all. I don't make bets unless I've got a sure thing.
I saw the cop look check the time—the head cop would be back soon, and then he wouldn't get to enjoy his pie at all.
So he opened his mouth...
Antosha! I'm here!
Antosha nodded at the student, then took out the cop clean and easy. He found the keys on the cop and gave it to the student.
Hurry. They'll be here soon to check the noise.
How was I to know that you would use a micro-Originium bomb? Aren't those supposed to be really expensive? How did you get Matvey to agree?
I don't need him to agree to do anything... besides, nothing is more worth more than human life.
I thought nothing was more valuable than liberty.
The student's chains dropped to the ground, and he walked out of his cell before punching Antosha in the shoulder. I learned later that's how they show trust and say thank you to each other.
Hey—wait for me! Take me with you!
Do you know this kid?
The student shook his head. I knew I had to seize the chance, or else those cops would take it out on the rest of us when they came back.
Those men... they're mean to me! I don't have anywhere else to go!
Not buying that one, huh? Well, you can't just leave me here to die!
I can do lots of things. I can help—I can tell you're not honest folk, and neither am I!
I heard the sound of a police whistle. It wasn't far. There was no change in Antosha's expression. Normally, that means my words didn't work.
You're right... we're not 'honest folk'.
Where's home? Maybe I can take you back—
Home? You mean the sewers of Odoyev? I don't need you to take me there.
......
Here, the keys. Catch—you know how to open a lock, don't you?
'Course I do.
Before running from the police station after Antosha, I picked up the pie from the ground. It was mostly clean.
I stuffed it in my mouth as I ran for my life. It was good, really sweet. The cop should've eaten it sooner.
We were going to Katorga.
We can't afford another failure. There are a hundred invalids here, plus the families taking care of them.
Pavlovich's forces keep growing by the day, and their equipment's getting better too. We blast open a way out, they block it again. And our explosives... we've got maybe two shots left.
Only by taking out Pavlovich as soon as possible do we stand a chance of turning this around.
Uh-huh.
Did you get a good look at him, Yura? How much security does Pavlovich have?
Two bodyguards in close company at all times. Anything else is unclear.
We've been planning based on your idea, and—
I'm done. Gone any more?
Give her the bread basket—look here, remember this face, and find him in Tsarevgrad Raion tomorrow, he'll help you—
You got water? I can't get this down...
Bottle's in the pantry, get it yourself—look at me, not her! The ball's a few weeks away. Do your job and don't get caught. You understand me?
I'll be fine. It's not the first time I've worked as a waiter at a ball.
This is the Winter Ball. You might be the nimblest amongst us, but you need to cut that absent-mindedness out if you want to get things done.
Who are you calling absent-minded? Besides, we pick the pockets of the rich and sell unattended bicycles every day.
Do you write your three or four daily love letters to the same person?
Come on, Antosha, you're no fun. The redistribution of wealth is serious work, but that doesn't mean everyone has to go around as stone-faced as you all the time.
I'm just reminding you that what we're doing is considered a crime by the ruling class, and we're doing it for—
For vengeance.
Yes, vengeance. But far more than that.
The professor was willing to die for us because he believed we can liberate Ursus and usher in a future of freedom... true freedom.
Creak—
I was standing by the wall and gulping from the bottle when the door suddenly opened.
It was a young man, much taller than I am. He looked really tired, but his back was perfectly straight, like it got a bar of steel in it.
He cocked his head questioningly when he saw me drinking from the bottle, but said nothing.
You're back, Matvey. We left some bread for you—
Hey, there's only half a piece left! Who ate the rest?
I said nothing and quietly put the bottle back.
Ahem. I brought the kid back from the police station. I thought...
What were you talking about?
Something failed because you underestimated the nobles, but you've learned your lesson for next time. Did I get all that right?
...You were talking about killing in front of a little girl?
Killing? Oh, so that's what you were talking about.
We unanimously agreed that we must assassinate the nobles on the list.
A list that keeps getting longer. I'm not sure which version you're talking about.
...I'll stop when Ursus is cleansed of all scum.
Matvey stared silently at Antosha for a long time, then tossed him the bottle that I put back.
Ahem. I don't really mind if you talk about it. People are either alive or dead. Why avoid talking about that?
Oh, for heaven's sake, just shut up!
We don't have any spare beds.
What?
Didn't you think about where she was going to sleep before you brought her back?
I can sleep on the floor.
You heard her. She can sleep on the floor.
......
......
............
............
Alright, I'll think of something! I should have thought about it before I brought her back!
You can sleep in his bed until he figures out something. He can make do with a corner of the workshop.
Fine, whatever you say. Couldn't have built this house without you anyway.
We can get you something to eat, girl, then we'll take you home once you've rested.
Home? Where?
Matvey, she's—
I'm sorry...
Still, you shouldn't be with us.
Why? Because you're all nobles who get to go to school? I never went to school, but there's lots that I can do!
We're not the kind of students you're thinking of...
(Whisper) Antosha, you know these are dangerous times. We shouldn't—
I know! You pick pockets too, don't you? I can help, I'm good at it! Well, I did screw up that last time, but still...
Please, I can help, all I ask is a bit of bread, I don't eat much anyway...
I have nowhere else to go.
......
...You heard her, Matvey. She's another one without a home.
With her size, she is less likely to be noticed. We could use a backup plan for communicating with the topside.
Alright, listen up. We're sharing our bread with you, but this is not charity, just extending a hand to someone in need—you don't need to live off anyone's charity.
Everyone has a right to live with their heads held high. If someone is unable to live decently through honest labor, the fault does not lie with that person.
Now, let me ask you something.
Do you believe that there will come a day when we bring down the privileged class, when all of us share equal rights in everything?
Honestly, I didn't really understand what he was saying, but he was pretty excited and all I could do was nod.
Good.
Welcome to the Unbound—
It looked like he just remembered he never asked me my name.
What's your name?
I don't have a name. 'Kid' isn't a name, right? Or 'Girl'? Well, I'll know you're talking to me, if you call me that.
You talk like you're always trying to bite.
Ukusik—'little thing that bites'. That's your name!
What? I don't—
Come, Ukusik, let's get you a clean pillow.
Of course, I ended up answering to it. What a strange name.
Maybe it meant they accepted me as one of them.
For the first time, I found a place that wouldn't kick me out.
Is Yura ready?
Yes. I gave him the knife and poison. When the ball begins, he will approach the target with a tray of champagne.
Killing is easy. The hard part is getting away afterwards... knife or poison. Which will he choose?
The one that draws more attention.
That's what I would do.
The professor said that simply carrying out justice is not enough...
It must be seen by all.
This is a dangerous mission, but also our best opportunity, given that guests are not permitted to bring their own security into the Winter Ball. Yura... never mind. I trust him.
Have more faith, Antosha. We didn't follow you to watch you hang your head.
You don't follow me. We all chose to be here of our own accord.
I know. You're not our leader, of course.
But ideals must have direction. It was your idea to come to Katorga to continue the struggle.
When Pavlovich is dead, we can leave this place together, and our long struggle will be over.
Antosha.
I saw several people walk in. They were the same age as the students, but wearing worker clothes. They were Antosha's friends, gathered here to do something important.
Important things come together to make great things. That's what Antosha told me.
I saw the crowd gather around Antosha, waiting for him to speak. Antosha took a deep breath. The light shined through the window and fell on his chest.
I see you. My fellow students, my brothers, my comrades.
I see you as I did the first time we met.
We were gathered around a great man, listening to his teachings.
I see you thinking of the same questions that you did at the time—
How did Ursus come to this?
Where will Ursus go?
What can we do?
I can see it in your eyes that you have lost all hope for this country, and I am the same!
We tried. We are not like those incompetent successors who only dream and talk! We tried!
Peaceful means did not work. We paid the price.
Words were too weak to move an empire steeped in rot and decay.
The professor lost his life because of the 'peace' that we chose, giving his life in exchange for ours.
I see you as I saw our comrades through prison bars, as I fought back tears, witnessing his blood on the execution ground—
Blood that flowed for us!
Blood that has long run dry. None of us fear punishment or death.
We want...
Liberty.
We need...
To destroy.
We betray the laws that bind us, for they betrayed the people!
Destroy all the rotten and pointless systems and institutions, for they are beyond repair!
Burn them and hang them, and tear it all down for bread and liberty! Only on the ruins of everything that came before can Ursus finally find—
Rebirth!
We are the Unbound. We shall be bound no more.
Their voices were stacked one on top of the other, making me dizzy. I stood next to Matvey, the only one who remained quiet throughout.
I didn't really understand the meaning of those words, but I noticed that Antosha looked this way every so often.
He wasn't look at me, of course... it looked like he was after Matvey's approval.
I don't know what kind of agreement they had, but I knew Matvey would tell Antosha if he went wrong.
And then...
We saw the one we were meeting with—Yura. He was standing in the crowd, looking confused and lost...
He didn't manage to kill his target. The plan got interrupted.
Maybe he was thinking, why were there so many students and police outside the ballroom?
'What were they fighting for?'
2. After Operation
251 linesStop your futile resistance right now!
Your actions this night are unlawful! Admit your wrongdoing!
We don't want to hurt you! Cooperate—
Blyat! You hit me!
Filthy beasts! Lunatics!
All streets surrounding the ballroom are under control. We have the suspects in custody here.
Madness... utter madness.
Students out of school, Armies out of their regions... is anyone in Ursus where they should be?
Should we take them in for questioning?
You can't say you don't recognize their uniforms! How many commoners do you think there could be in those schools?
You want to take all these noble sons and daughters back to the station, and wait for the counts and dukes to show up to claim them?
I...
So... do we just let them go?
Use your brain, mudak! There might be assassins among them. Who am I supposed to hand over to the council if they come looking, you?
I...
Gosudar... one more year and I'll be in the Duma and out of this hellhole...
Why did it have to be now? Damn it all!
How much room do we have in the prisons?
Well, if we clear out everyone who's about to lose their head, we might have room for—
...Think carefully. Can our prisons really take so many?
Uh... maybe not?
Of course, of course.
But I know the perfect place to hold these lawless lunatics...
Gosudar-batyushka... can someone tell me how I come back to this trash heap to find a dozen trucks filled with kids waiting for me?
Oh, the police say they're out of space in the jails and needed to borrow Katorga for these prisoners who were causing trouble at the ball.
Never seen the cops so polite! And they left you a letter.
'Honorable'... 'Katorga'... 'useless things'...
Give it to me. I'll read it myself.
Honorable Gospodin Pavlovich,
Katorga is already holding plenty of useless things. A few more will hardly make a difference.
My regards on behalf of Duke Treplev.
......
'Useless things'? That fool of a superintendent has no idea how valuable this opportunity is.
Bring me Gromov. I will be making numerous visits to important people starting tomorrow. He's in charge while I'm away.
Boss got drunk last night, he's not up yet—there must be something in that backstreet bar's drinks!
Mudak, how much am I paying you scum to keep the peace?
Dump a bucket of ice water on his head NOW, and tell him to take good care of our guests.
Not one musbeast gets out of Katorga without my say-so.
You want us to 'take care' of them? You want them alive, or?
My dear Khvoin, I know your little brain can't handle complex instructions, so I'm trying to use language that even YOU will understand.
Do NOT engage in your usual habits. Do NOT touch a single hair on these people's heads... you understand who 'these people' are, don't you?
Tch.
Do not forget who pays you the money that you waste in those dirty little bars. And don't you dare forget my words.
Their lives have been worth more than yours since the day they were born into their noble names.
My luck had been really good ever since I ran into Antosha's guys.
I got separated from the others in the crowd that night. Maybe I was just too small, but the cops didn't notice me, and I got out of there on my own.
I didn't know if I would ever see Antosha's crew again. Katorga was completely locked down after that night, and there was no way in.
I thought maybe I was meant to be back on the streets...
It didn't take long for me to decide.
I would go look for them.
Energy pipelines can never be completely blocked off, no matter where you are.
I make a good sewer musbeast.
Phew... almost there.
Good... didn't see anyone on the way... don't seem to be any guards around...
Hmm... is there somebody behind me?
Hello?
You scared me!
Who are you? Why are you in the energy pipes—I mean, I'm here too, but you gotta explain!
Oh, I can explain later, but right now, I could really use some help...
I think I might have misjudged the width of this pipeline before I squeezed in.
Could you maybe give me a push?
Phew... thanks.
I didn't think there'd be somebody else sneaking in with me. Are you looking for someone too?
You too?!
My friends got arrested a couple of days ago. I heard they might be inside, so I came to check it out.
I'm Rosalind, but my friends call me Leto. What about you?
Ukusik... stupid name that my friends gave me.
Student Assembly? Never heard of it. We've got our own name, the Unbound!
Cool name! But I've never heard it either.
I figure they must be good people, if you're crawling through energy pipes to help them.
They're... really good people. And my home is here.
Good heavens, did you just crawl out of the sewers or something?
Well, yeah actually.
Alright, that's close enough. We can talk at this distance. Gosudar...
Wait, you're from the Self-Government Group... I almost mistook you for those Unbound tramps.
Unbound...
Rude, uncouth ruffians... their leader is the worst of the lot. Who does he think he is, acting like he's in charge? What titles do his parents hold?
You saw Antosha? Where are they?!
Just go east from here, and you'll find them behind those filthy factory buildings.
Don't thank me, just... keep moving.
Naum... why don't we go back?
We don't know the situation, and those thugs don't look like they can be reasoned with... besides, I heard there are already students who have gone missing.
Enough, 'Pencil Stub'. You want to hang out with those peasants, you go back on your own. I will not stay and listen to another uncouth word they say.
Hey! Why are you talking about them like that?
What's going on? Who locked you up? What's up with this factory?
We have no idea. The cops grabbed us the night before last outside the ballroom. We're not sure why they took us here.
No cops in this place, but it's patrolled by some street thugs. I overheard them say that the man in charge is named Pavlovich...
I'll remember that. There will be hell to pay when I get out of here.
We must be here by some mistake. I don't know how the misunderstanding happened, but I don't plan on accepting his apology so easily.
Did you sneak in from outside? Is there a way out?
You could get out through the energy pipes, but I'm not sure if big guys like you will fit.
Maybe we, er...
What? You want to crawl through these pipes that can barely fit a musbeast?
I guarantee somebody will be here to pick us up soon.
Shh—someone's coming!
I swear I saw something go past!
You swear? Hah, mochi perkhoti, just fart next time, at least you'll make a sound!
What a waste of time! Even tuskbeasts know to look for a dry slope to dig a hole in on a day like this, and we gotta watch this stupid hole on this ugly wall!
You still got booze?
Blyat, stop drinking! We only need to watch this hole for another day, then someone will be here to fill it up. You give me that look again, and I'll smash your skull with this bottle!
Oh, you wanna see whose skull is harder? Go on, try. You better kill me in one hit, because if you don't, I'm gonna kill you and sell your skin to Gromov for booze.
(Seething) Alright, you want a fight, you'll get one! Chort, I love your crazy. Say, you wanna try some wine made from blood?
Human blood? You can make wine from human blood?
Tuskbeast blood, dura. Whose blood did you think it was, mine? I'm not as crazy as you.
Say... how far do we have to haul this?
Beats me. Hide it where nobody goes. Pavlovich won't let us do this stuff.
I hate taking orders from that mudak.
What can you say, he pays the bills.
I'm tired. What do these students eat? How did they get so fat?
Hey, I've got an idea.
There's a hole here, and we've got a thing. We put the thing in the hole—
And we'll be free to go drink.
You're a damned genius!
Come, I'll take you to my vodka stash.
Oh, how sweet. Come, lemme give you a big, warm hug...
What are they doing...?
What's in that sack?
They watch from the shadows as the thugs stuff a filled sack into the pipeline.
The sack gets stuck, and the woman irritably pulls it open, revealing black pants and shoes covered in mud and dirt—looking suspiciously like a school uniform. She tries to stuff the leg deeper into the sack.
—!
No... no—!!!
(Whispers) Shh! Shut up!
I told you, I saw something.
Sure, sure, smart guy.
Pavlovich says we can't kill them.
He was talking about the nobles, mudak... besides, there must be hundreds of them. He wouldn't know if a few went missing.
You... you're going to...
No... no...
I'll hold them off! Go on without me—
Don't be a hero! Look at their weapons!
Run—!
Did you see how many there were?
We would have been screwed if we fought them!
Are these the people watching over this turf?
Who are they? Why do they have military-grade weapons, if they're not cops?
No idea. Here, they're the same as the police... all meanies.
Didn't you say Antosha's guys were here? I didn't see them.
I... I...
Looks like this one's scared stupid.
Hey, Leto, we gotta find a way to get around this corner. Do you see those two—
Block 7 clear. You can come out and clean now.
Antosha! Found you!
Ukusik?
What are you doing here? I thought you got away that night—
You're alive! Some people said you're dead, some people said you got locked up, I didn't know what to do.
Where's Matvey? Are you alright? Are you listening to me?
We're fine. We'll be even finer if you raise your voice any louder and draw the attention of those thugs.
Hey! Stop making fun of me!
We're fine. Matvey, Yura... everyone's here.
Ukusik!
Uwah...
Well... glad you're alright.
You... you killed people...
You're barbarians... murderers...
Where are you going? Come back!
Forget him... where did you find this fool?
Picked him up over there.
This is not a shelter. We don't have time for people like these.
So we chase them away? Is it okay if those thugs kill them?
Antosha, you need to be careful. You may not care whether he lives or dies, but allowing him to run around may draw unwanted attention.
Antosha! Someone's coming!
She's armed, and there's blood on her weapon. She looks dangerous.
Just one? I'll deal with her.
I thought those bastards had rounded up all the students in the area. Looks like you've protected a good bunch.
Your name's Antosha? I'm Sonya.
You're a student at University of Deity Grypherburg too?
Not exactly... but I'm working with them, for now.
I heard your people surrounded the ballroom that night just to shout a few slogans.
Yeah, it wasn't the best idea.
I don't know Grypherburg so well... what can you tell me about what's going on? What is this place?
This is Katorga Raion, a former penal industrial plate. It's been derelict for a long time, and even the power supply has been cut.
I heard the city was planning to abandon the place entirely and discard it in the wilderness.
But there are so many people here now, including us...
I'm guessing it's because of the aristocratic students on your side.
The police didn't want to have to deal with them, so they sent you here... Katorga is nominally a place for the government to hold criminals, after all.
Alright. I guess it's not that complicated.
The problem is, Katorga is now being run by a bunch of lunatics.
Armed with weapons that no one knows how they got, killing for the sheer fun of it... something seems to be holding them back, for now, but no one knows what will happen if things continue on like this.
Maybe we can work together.
How many people do you have?
Well... they're not exactly my people, but there are around two hundred students trapped here with me.
Spoiled nobles aren't good for much, no matter how many there are.
I'm in no position to protect you.
General Zima doesn't need your protection!
At least we want the same thing, for now. And if you can trust what you just saw me do, you can believe that we'll fight those thugs and get out of here together.
Sonya is silent for a long time, then takes a big step forward, and Antosha follows at almost the same time.
Antosha extends his hand first.
Sonya takes it. They shake hands briefly, then quickly break apart.
Sorry for attacking you.
It's all good. Fists can talk, and yours told me you're an okay guy. Where did you learn your moves?
Plenty of opportunities on the streets.
Let me make this clear: just because we're working together doesn't make us allies. Our camps will remain separate, but we can spare you some supplies.
Much appreciated. We will do as you say, and make these supplies count. We can discuss joint operations when the time comes.
Deal. See you around, Sonya.
And take your friends... minus one now, I suppose.
(Shivers)
...Thank you for protecting them.
Thanks for the help, little Ukusik.
You look terrible, General! Are you alright?
I'm fine... how's everyone? Anybody hurt?
Zoya's got a scratch, but nothing serious.
Couldn't wait for a plan. I was afraid it might be too late, so I left a note and came.
Sorry for acting without permission. If you're mad—
Don't be stupid.
It's alright! I'm here now. Put us together, and we can take down anything.
If two fists won't do it, add two more!
Besides, there are so many people out there, and so many more fists!
......
'Sonya.' The name is unfamiliar to us. She was not one of them.
I know. I won't take it out on her.
...I'm just reminded of the professor.
Same here, Antosha.
Do you remember why I was the first person you thought of when you formed the Unbound?
You were one of the few in the old gang who came from commoner stock. You knew hardship, knew how to produce, and how to survive in Ursus.
Yes, survive. Only through survival can we achieve our ideals. We have to get out of this alive.
The others need your command now. You must pull yourself together.
......
Yura, why does Antosha look so terrible?
That one's wearing a Student Assembly badge. That was our design, from back when we were all in the Petrachevsky Group.
The Petrachevsky Group? What's that?
No one told you? Antosha was the first leader of the Petrachevsky Group. After the death of our professor, we were reported by the other students and expelled.
But others escaped punishment because of their upbringing, and they continue to do stupid, despicable things under the group's old name.
Especially their leader, Olga! We will never forgive her!
This Petrachevsky Group... several dukes had children in it, and a group went to His Imperial Majesty to beg for amnesty.
Wait a second.
Who's this Petrachevsky?
Professor of Literature at the University of Deity Grypherburg, and one of those traitors who printed pamphlets slandering the tsar. How could you not know the name?
There are more traitors in the universities than papers they've published! How am I supposed to remember them all?
Order!
(Whisper) Your Honor, the next two witnesses are of the nobility. They may need more time to prepare...
...Very well.
While some of this information has already been made public, we will now once again review Sonya's deeds in Katorga Raion...