17-12 The First Handshake

Look out!

The plasma shield doesn't work either! Damn this thing!

Look oooooouuuuutttt!

Over here. Take your drone.

Stay behind me.

Is that a blast shield? But the material—

Why did you stay behind? You already got on the tractor!

You helped the Doctor, didn't you? Besides, some people have a knack for acting before thinking... just think of me as being their rear guard.

The door's shut, but at least they got in—

Push forward! Surround them and take them in!

Ugh—!

I got you. Looks like we'll have to run in the opposite direction.

Hey, you—are you Infected?

It's complicated, but vampires don't normally get Oripathy—

...I have no idea. You're the first Sarkaz I've seen...

Right now, though, it's a good thing.

Good? Why?

Hopefully, it means we'll only end up in a police station—

More reinforcements? Okay, NOW I'm done!

Wait, I don't think it's—

What did you say?

Do your drones still work? Can you use it to draw them to the other side?

I want to check—

—Bravo, turn around and attack the intruders!

Good, they're not on the same side. I don't know who they are, but we gotta run towards them!

Beats getting caught by the First Army.

They're distracted. Run!

You're—

You think there's time for self-introductions?

Come with me if you want to live.

They're still hot on our tails. We're outside the jamming area now, I can draw their attention with a drone.

Try.

Well, try is the only thing I can do—

No. 6 ready, max speed, high visibility mode—

*huff*... *pant*...

That should distract some of them...

Hey, are you okay? I'm taking off your mask—

What's your name? Are you hurt?

Me? I'm Tonya...

Nice name. The drones are off. Let me see if you're hurt. I know a thing or two about first-aid.

I'm just... cold...

You're losing blood. Did a bolt hit you?

I don't know...

I think... I've seen the mark on his back before...

Reunion...

Forget about that for now! There's a wound on your leg.

Take this.

What is it?

Medicine. Apply it and grab on—

I'm taking another route.

What's different about this one?

Narrower and more remote.

But not narrow enough that their vehicles can't get in.

Correct, but it'll buy us some time.

How many did the drone draw away?

A quarter, at most. They're probably just going after No.6 to make sure there are no loose ends.

We're dead if we can't shake at least half of them before they set up roadblocks ahead.

I-I'll think of something!

You'd better. We need to stop and find the entrance to the underground layer.

It's safer underground.

Wait, stop—we can't go around!

There's someone ahead!

A miner?

But not one of us. You're—

We met in the apartments.

This is no place to chat. Come with me if you trust me.

We found a place underground—

Let's go. We have people on our tail.

You all know each other?

Take her from the vehicle. I'll drive it off to somewhere hidden.

There's no need! We'll go together. I'll have a drone hide it for you.

It'll last until morning, at least. Let's go.

The scouts have returned!

No movement from the Army after we shook them. Rumor has it they're still trying to figure out what happened. Maybe it'll give us a breather.

We can't let our guard down. Plant some sentries amongst the local workers during the day to keep an eye on the Army.

What about the injured worker?

She's fine... the one who came with her is taking care of her.

(Whisper) You take care of the sentries. I need to talk to this gentleman.

I'm afraid the place is a little cramped. We don't have much space here.

It's alright. Our people have settled in. We appreciate what you've done very much... but I don't know your name yet.

...Ivan Tulin. We came from the Northern Tundra mines, seeking refuge.

It's clearly not the first time you've done something like this. I would have thought you were trained soldiers, if you weren't wearing miner clothes.

You're a fine leader.

They're fine people. Death has stalked us from the Northern Tundra all the way to Zelgrad. We had to learn how to survive, fast.

Now, if I might know your name as well...

I'm Red. We call ourselves... Reunion.

Reunion? Do you mean—

People have been talking about your exploits in Londinium. I'd heard you'd returned to southern Ursus.

I often told them about it while taking them southward...

Most of my group are Infected miners. I see hope in their eyes when I tell them stories about you.

I didn't expect to run into you here.

......

Did you come to Zelgrad because you heard they've started taking in Infected?

We had hope. But I needed to find out why Zelgrad was doing it.

No point in hiding it. We sensed something was off the moment we set foot in the city.

The military-assigned housing was suspicious, then we heard a civilian clinic was working with the Army. We suspected that they were conducting experiments on the Infected.

We wanted to find out the truth. Many of us have already given their lives to do so...

...I'm sorry for your loss.

Based on our understanding of Ursus, changes to Infected policy do not happen simply out of the kindness of some aristocrat's heart.

We need to learn more about what's behind it.

Perhaps we all have questions for the two ladies over there.

I should get some water... hang in there, Tonya.

Oh, Tulin—sorry, I heard the others call you that...

It's alright. I'm glad to help.

You and Red have already helped a lot. Thank you so much.

Since the situation's kind of desperate right now, I'm afraid I'll only be able to repay you once we're out of the woods...

That's not what I mean. But I would like to know why you were there, if possible.

Well...

I'm afraid I can't talk about it.

It's not that I have any suspicions about you, but the operation I'm participating in is top-secret.

Is it because of me?

......

No point denying it. I saw the surprise and wariness on your face when you saw me. You recognized me, or should I say, you recognized Reunion.

How did you know I was with Reunion?

Besides the symbol on your back, it was the Arts you used to get through, and your blade.

I've... read the files.

Files? Who are you?

There's no need to ask any more, Red.

Our friend here is from Rhodes Island. She goes by the name Closure.

Y-You're...

......

Talulah... I should have expected that you might be here when I saw Reunion members.

...I apologize, Closure.

I know Rhodes Island and I did not part on the best of terms.

What are you doing here? Were the Infected...

I heard about what happened in the Far North, and about Zelgrad...

I don't believe what Ursus is saying about these things, so I needed to know what they're doing to the Infected.

I expect that words alone will not change your mind, but Reunion is helping the workers here.

...I can't say I believe that's the only thing you're after...

But we agree that the walls of Zelgrad hide some kind of secret, not just about the Infected, but also something that I'm not at liberty to disclose.

If this is what Reunion is here for, I would say there is room for negotiation... I'll think about how to tell you, once this girl here gets better.

Thank you, Closure.

Thank you. For tonight, at least.

I guess I should give you some time to catch up. I'll go check on the sentry arrangements to make sure there's no mistake.

One moment, please.

Ivan Tulin... that's how you introduced yourself to Red.

......

May I talk to you in private?

I didn't expect to run into you here.

You know the name?

The words you wrote in the Northern Tundra mines have spread far and wide. I've had the fortune to read it... I was very touched.

I wanted to find your group... but circumstances did not permit it.

And then you went quiet, and people thought you were... I'm glad to see you here.

You're younger than I thought, though.

...I'm honored.

I want to ask... do you know a woman called Yelena?

Yelena told me she met a remarkable man when she was a guerilla in the Northern Tundra.

He told her stories about good people being oppressed... he wanted to teach them the meaning of resistance.

Then he bid farewell to the guerillas, because he had to cross the snowfields and journey across Ursus, in order to learn the ending of those stories.

I may need some help. What was Yelena like?

A white-haired Cautus... one of the most resolute warriors I've ever met.

I knew I would never forget her, the first time I saw her.

I know there are many honorable warriors in the Northern Tundra, but not all of them tell me their names... I'm sorry.

If your friend and I ever crossed paths, I hope it was good memories that I left behind.

Yes... the memories must have been precious.

Talulah... you are called, yes?

Yes.

I haven't heard much of the story associated with the name itself, but I have heard plenty about Reunion.

I suppose... it's not an entirely satisfying story.

I can't and I won't judge your group's resolve on rumors and hearsay. Now that we've met, however, I'm sure I'll have plenty of opportunities to know you.

Regardless, you have raised a banner that many can see. It's a great accomplishment.

Besides... I like the name 'Reunion'. We do need to unite our strength.

I believe we can walk together.

It's a pleasure to meet you, Talulah.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

Where is Father?

He went out early in the morning, ma'am.

What about the butler?

He went out with Master Vasily.

It's been a long time since you were back, ma'am. At least take off your coat and cloak so I can wash them for you—

No need. I'm not staying, just coming back to grab something.

Neither Hellagur nor Vetochki have access to the treatment center's administrative files. Looks like I'll have to wait for Dur-nar to come back.

Father's seal should give access to the treatment center's roster and guest list. The study...

......

The lock was changed?

Marsha!

No, the servants don't have the key either... who is Father trying to keep out? Why didn't he tell me?

He never stopped me from entering the study, nor does he have a reason to suddenly—

......

—There's a guest, ma'am. Should I have her come in?

What?

From House Volkina, it seems.

The Duchess Volkina? The 'shadow vice-chairman'? I thought she never communicated with other nobles in private—

Oh, well...

Take her to the reception room.

I'll greet the guest on Father's behalf.

Would you like something to drink? I'm afraid options are more limited than you might find at other places. Father went out and you missed our afternoon tea time, so the stove was turned off.

The cup of tea on the table is untouched, if you would like.

No, thank you. I'm not visiting any other place, nor am I here for tea.

In that case, what word do you bring from Duchess Volkina?

I have a letter for Duke Gorchikov.

For Father? I will accept it on his behalf.

To tell the truth, I did not expect to see you here, Lieutenant Gorchekova.

My impression was that you do not come home often.

You know me so well? I'm starting to like you.

Let me tell you the truth as well. I'm opening this letter if I get my hand on it. You can choose to give it to me now, or give it to my father directly when he comes back.

I don't know why they have private dealings with each other, but such an honor is not necessarily a good thing for House Gorchikov.

Now that I know, I must prepare.

Hm.

Huh?

Her Highness said I was to give the letter to you if I saw you here, that it made no difference whether it was delivered to you or your father.

I was wondering. In rumors and gossip, you have always been Eloysius of the Imperial Guard, not Eloysius of House Gorchikov.

...I am both. I have never tried to distance myself from either.

It seems Her Highness was correct.

Rumors are but rumors. Family is family.

Of course, I—

Here you go. The Duchess Volkina awaits a response, from you or your father.

But who truly lives in a vacuum?

......

Marsha.

...Marsha!

Yes, ma'am?

Why was the lock to the study changed?

Master Vasily ordered it two weeks ago, to prevent break-ins, given the situation in the city.

Two weeks... was there a break-in?

No, but one cannot be too careful.

Were the window locks changed?

No, they weren't.

Good.

Ma'am?

Wait for me outside the study. I need you to run an errand for me, for which I'll give you a token.

Go to Lunin Manor and send Lieutenant Platon Lunin an invitation in my father's name. He is a colleague of mine in the Imperial Guard, and I have something to discuss with him.

Take a car bearing House Gorchikov's coat of arms. Come back directly if he's not home. Do you understand?

It's important, and urgent.

......

Ma'am, the guest is here.

'Ma'am'...?

Bring him in.

You were looking for me, General—

......

There are plenty of things that even my father can't do.

He can't give you what you want, Platon.

......

What do you think you know?

You're the sole heir to one of the most powerful houses in Deity Grypherburg. What do you know of rejection?

You've always gotten everything you wanted. All I'm asking for is an opportunity... yet you will not suffer even that.

Why shouldn't I seek my own path? Just because the Lunin name is a rung below yours?

Tell me...

...It's not what you think.

Take a look at this.

......

I take it you didn't expect Marshal Volkina—Duchess Volkina to reject the request, even when it went through my father.

She is the commander of the Ursus Guard, but also one of the vice chairmen of the State Council. Don't you know that she and my father are not in the same faction?

Transferring from the Imperial Guard to the Ursus Guard used to be completely normal. She clearly refused because she suspected—

Suspected what? That you were a spy for my father, or for the Imperial Guard?

...I simply asked General Gorchikov for help. Am I not even allowed to do that, after you denied my application?

You know my father's military title is merely ceremonial, don't you?

And while you may think like a noble, believing that things that have been should always be, I don't think you're actually that stupid.

You think you're qualified to judge me just because you've been my superior officer for a year?

No, I'm assessing Platon Lunin, top student at the military academy.

I knew him, and I thought he would be like me, blyat...

Top student, as in always second behind someone who never shows up to the training grounds?

I already explained that I was not at school that year because I was accompanying Chairman Witte on his survey of Central Governorate.

I see. You're using your father's name to summon me so that you can insult me with this piece of paper and the past.

Insult you? No, no, you think too highly of yourself.

What's your point?!

Let me ask you again, Platon.

Why did you go to the Oripathy treatment center in Odoyev?

Where did you get those military supplies, and how have you taken advantage of the facility's acceptance and transfer of the Infected?

...So that is what you're after.

Fine. I was spying for the Grand Duchess. I went to the treatment center to find a chance to kill all the miners.

There. Happy?

No, I'm not happy.

Der'mo—

I really feel the military academy should work with intelligence agencies to teach a practical counterintelligence course based on real scenarios, rather than just do written exams.

It's second-rate, responding emotionally to questioning and trying to distract the interrogator with the most obvious undercover identity. I'm not happy with your answer.

I'll give you one last chance, Platon. For old times' sake.

Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and I will ask Chairman Witte for leniency. I share responsibility for your mistake, after all. At least your family will be unscathed.

How noble, except for one problem...

Who's asking you to 'share responsibility'?

...?

You're just speculating. You know those military supplies were clean, and the letter only proves that I asked General Vasily for help, nothing more.

You don't have any other evidence, and you won't find any. Whatever conjectures you have about my dealings with your father, about the treatment center, what's done is done—

Why are you still so obsessed?

I need to know the truth! I need to know—I need to know if you were the one who let the assassins in and helped them escape when they made the attempt on the Chairman's life!

I need to know what my father made you do—

Hah, I see you don't trust your father... guess what, your father doesn't trust you either.

He doesn't believe you will achieve anything with your sword. You were already beyond his control, long before the Far North Incident.

No, you couldn't have known his thoughts.

Couldn't I? He talked a lot, about you. Oh, old Vasily loved you alright, but his contempt of you was such that he would turn to the pro-war faction to protect you—

What did you say?!

You didn't know, did you? He prepared a way out for you through that treatment center, because he knew you were weak.

If you ask me, you should run away before everything goes to hell in the city, just like he arranged.

You see? There's nothing you can do, even if you know I was a spy. I'm not about to prostrate myself before the tsar to beg forgiveness, and you don't have the guts to take my head and claim the reward.

All we can do is exchange words like some third-rate talk show...

An intelligence contact point disguised as an Infected treatment center, payment made in supplies instead of cash...

All the threads lead to this place, sticking out like a sore thumb.

What are you hiding here? Who are you harboring?

What...

What did Father offer to the pro-war faction?

Hah, look at you now! So pathetic you're not even worth hating anymore.

Hvatit etogo breda, Platon! Tell me—

Tell me!

Why do you ask if you already guessed? I'm just following orders, as a soldier should.

......

You knew security measures were relaxed for the treatment center's patient transfers. You took advantage and let the assassins in—

...You've gone mad! All of you have gone mad!

Hah... you finally got it right, for once.

No...

You and I...

Hey, Eloysius.

You will come with me to see the Chairman and admit your crimes.

To hell I will. Unless your father sells me out, why would I betray him when you have no evidence?

Your father is much better at winning people over than you are, Elotta.

Don't make me do this, Platon—

You have another choice, but you won't take it.

On the hunting grounds, you always killed your prey in one blow, even when it was prepared in advance.

You don't have the stomach to torture me.

You... the Chairman is still alive, but...

......

Did you know that the Emperor's Blade showed up at the treatment center right after you left?

What?

You left plenty of loose ends, but the Royal Guard doesn't care. All they want is results. If—If there didn't happen to be someone there who can stop them...

There would have been no one left alive that day.

And what of it?

You would be dead, along with those Infected who should have been! The perfect outcome!

Platon...

...You're right.

I see you've stopped thinking.

No. I've found the answer. I must make a choice.

What the—

You were slow. You had a chance to fight back.

Argh—

Platon...

I won't let you compound your mistakes.

I can't allow you to drag more people into this.

...Perhaps I'm doing this wrong.

But if the price to pay is that there will be no place for Father or me in Ursus, then so be it.

This is what I must do.

......

Proshchay, Platon.

I'll try to protect your family.