Arknights story · Critical Phase Transition
17-6 Brewing Storm
After being released from jail, the washerwoman Tonya decides to bring attention to the strange illness by blowing up the wall, but her reckless action is stopped by Crownslayer. A trained band of Infected is gathering in secret. Raidian falls unconscious during the Doctor's intelligence summary, while Sirka's assassination attempt on the Generalik fails.
1 scenes, 314 lines
1. After Operation
314 linesThis is your last warning, Tonya.
You'll be dealt with harshly, if you're caught spreading rumors and inciting panic again. You'd better stay on the straight and narrow!
......
Doing it by day doesn't work. I'll have to...
Are you alright, Tonya?
Mark? Were you waiting for me?
We all saw the way the soldier grabbed you downstairs. Did they throw you in jail again?
You shouldn't do this... think of your family.
All those things you keep talking about every day, there's no proof at all.
Yeah. More importantly, are you hurt? I just came back from the clinic. We'll have to go back if you're injured.
I'm fine. Were you at the clinic, Mark? What did Nadezhda say? Is my sister getting better?
Her condition's holding stable right now. No need to be too worried.
It was my fault for bringing back the work jacket to wash at home. How could I—
Let the government folks worry about any strange illnesses. We just take care of ourselves.
We'll have a barbecue and celebrate once your sister gets better!
Great! I just made sausages!
Finally! I haven't had them in ages. I started to miss them my second day here—
But I haven't found Kirill yet...
See? This is all good stuff. I just cut a couple, and my hands are already all greasy.
They'll taste so good cooked in soup. My mouth's already watering...
Guys! I haven't seen Kirill for days, and no one answers when I knock on his door. None of you have seen him either, have you?
This is no joke! This is no time to relax.
...Didn't we already tell you, Tonya?
You're pushing yourself too hard.
I—
Did you forget that Kirill just lost his wife and kid? I guess staying in this place brings back bad memories.
Maybe he left Zelgrad and went home.
It's unusual that he didn't say goodbye to us, but you can't just assume he's missing, or that it has anything to do with your sister's illness...
Surely the police will come if something's not right.
Are we just going to pretend that nothing's happening? You saw the strange spots and bruises on Nina—
And that's all there is, a little bit of rash. Happens all the time in this environment and weather. A little bit of rest is all it takes.
You said it's the clothes of those white coats, but I've been washing the same clothes, and there's nothing wrong with me.
With a smile, he puts a hand on Tonya's shoulder. Faint green spots are visible underneath the tiny hairs.
Tonya jumps, causing the others to look at each other in confusion as she struggles to explain her actions.
...Tonya?
Well, she's under a lot of stress.
Look, Tonya, I know you have our best interests in your hearts, but it's best if you don't talk about those strange things anymore.
We're so happy here. Living in Zelgrad is like springtime compared to life elsewhere in Ursus. We should cherish it.
We'll go and see Nina tomorrow, then pick up the other kids from school. Have a good meal, drink to your heart's content, and forget all those things, alright?
......
That's right, Tonya.
Things will get better.
Night falls, and a stiff silence comes upon the city.
A dark shadow vaults over the wall, arriving at an abandoned warehouse, avoiding the things scattered on the ground on tiptoes.
...Good, the stuff's all here.
I can't wait. Tomorrow has to be the day—
The day for what?
—Who's there?!
...Who are you... ugh—
Quiet, unless you want your arm broken.
W-Who are you? What do you know?
Y-You're interfering with the Reunion! My comrades will have your head!
......
Enough bluffing. I've been following you, and I can tell that you and your 'comrades' have nothing to do with the Reunion.
Five bottles of flammable liquid, a bundle of Originium explosives... the Reunion isn't dumb enough to attack a gate guarded by the First Army with just this.
...I didn't think it would defeat them. But what they're doing behind those walls must have something to do with the strange events that have been happening lately.
So you want to blow a hole in the wall, set a fire, get people's attention.
You think the things the Army's hiding in the labs will come to light if you make enough of a commotion.
But these cans and bottles are all the preparation you've made...
You haven't even investigated what that wall's made of.
A wall is a wall! Stone or steel, what else could it be? If it could be made, it could be destroyed.
You think you can set the explosives under the patrols' noses, when I managed to pin you to the ground by myself?
I practiced! I'm prepared!
Did you practice on location? You think you can deploy and detonate it at a range that they won't find out?
You don't understand! You never saw—you don't know that all of Zelgrad is now in danger from some unknown source. I need to get people's attention, even if—
You still don't understand?
You're facing the First Army. Fighting them by yourself is futile.
Your 'comrades' are just ordinary people whose eyes aren't open yet. No one is truly on your side.
Besides, how can you be sure that the incidents have something to do with the experiments behind the wall? You know the experiments exist, but you have no inkling about the details...
How do you intend to explain to the people once you've gotten their attention?
...At least, I have to make them look up...
You want them to look. How about we look at the present? Forget your neighbors. Do your closest family fully believe what you're saying?
Will you come and pick me up today, Tonya?
I don't want to stay at Uncle Mark's house anymore. It's not our home, and I don't want to bother them...
...I'll take you out to picnic once spring comes and Nina has gotten better, alright?
Has Nina gotten better? You've been so busy, we hardly see you other than bedtime.
......
It's like you're not around even when you're at home. We have to call your name several times to get you to answer. You're not at the table or in bed—
You don't hug us any more. Why?
What are you doing, Tonya...
......
But what else can I do? I...
I tried everything I could think of. Nina's still in the clinic. That strange bruising might have spread already. I don't even dare go and see her—
What can I do...
Calmed down a little?
You... you sound like you know Reunion well.
That's not important.
You want to know what you can do? There's always one thing, and only one thing—
Find more evidence.
More evidence...
You need more evidence to prove that your sister's condition is not an isolated incident, and that it could affect everyone.
Convince them that this is a matter of life and death to them. Only then would they listen to you.
......
......
......
Let go, Valiya.
(Whisper) There's a soldier with them.
Thank you...
What—
Oh, I forgot, somebody has moved into the second floor.
Follow me.
Did you also arrive in Zelgrad today?
We—
That's enough chit-chat.
You'll be working in the same district, there's plenty of time for you to talk then. Let's go.
......
Who's coming with me to registration?
Excuse me, I have a question... if there are other people on the second floor, while the first floor is the security room and public spaces, where do the rest of us stay?
There are three of us who are not yet housed.
Can't you squeeze in? Or I could take them to another building.
But maybe there'll be room here in a few days...
(In a few days...?)
What's your plan?
The youth exchanges a glance with the miner and shakes head at the soldier.
We'll find a way to squeeze in.
'Has it lathered up yet?'
'The blade's still hot.'
Excuse me... excuse me.
Sorry, those guys were a pain! Team A should be all present now.
Captain Pavel!
The man gives the miner at the front a crooked salute.
(Nods)
Good work, lads.
We had been operating according to the original plan, but we realized we had lost contact with your group after we found a good gathering spot. If you didn't find a way to reestablish communication...
Good thing we had the contingency. What's the current situation here?
This location is temporary. The residential layer is connected to the apartments and some districts. Land is at a premium in the satellite city, and this place isn't likely to remain abandoned for long based on the frequency of patrols.
We can't stay too long. I have an idea what you're trying to do and I support you, but you should explain it to the others. We'll get this done quickly.
Alright.
Everybody, listen up.
Our primary objective is to ascertain what's going on here, then try to find the Infected who came before us but seem to have gone off the grid.
Something's clearly off about this place. There is surveillance everywhere. Things are even harder than the last time we entered a nomadic city.
We still need a few more days to plot the patrol routes, but we already understand that the Infected in the satellite city are separately housed.
That's the question that I want to discuss—we've passed through many towns and villages, but never before have we seen soldiers patrolling the streets and residences with such frequency.
There were more guards around our apartments than there were on the streets along the way. That alone is suspicious enough.
Right, that's why I decided to test them while there was still daylight.
This is your last warning! Not one step further!
Sorry, sir, I didn't mean to—
we just did a head count, and some people were missing. We were concerned that they might get into trouble wandering around the city.
You can't go through here! Give me their names and descriptions, and the Army will find them.
Wait... I think that's—
Karl! Is that you, Karl?
The soldier instinctively looks in the direction in which the youth is calling. The seemingly frail figure quickly slips underneath his arm and gets through.
Blyat! I need backup! Get that one!
More shouting and the rattling of boots, and the youth is quickly surrounded by a circle of black military uniforms.
Several hands reach out to grab those thin arms, but none of the soldiers pull their weapons, despite their fierce expressions.
That's dangerous! You should tell us before taking such risks.
Thank you, but the reason I dared to try was that I noticed that the soldiers weren't equipped with lethal weapons.
And I was right. They seem unwilling to harm me for some reason.
You mean they want to keep an eye on us, but not hurt us?
Sounds like a glorified prison.
Worse. We have soldiers instead of prison guards, and we know nothing about what the Army's intentions are.
Perhaps this intention is the reason why they've suddenly opened their doors to the Infected.
Uh—
...I've been talking to the local Infected all afternoon.
They said most of the Infected are under the care of the Army and housed in designated apartments.
Prior to that, however, they were sent to a local clinic, where the doctors don't care whether you're Infected, and accept the factory scrips that only circulate in the industrial districts.
You mean those paper-thin metal plates that are only seen in this place?
Yes, some of us who came in earlier got it yesterday. Strangely enough, wages here are issued daily...
Anyway, after Zelgrad's recent Infected policies were introduced, everyone assumes that clinic is working with the Army.
Maybe collecting data for them for Oripathy research? If the Army's really holding us like prisoners, then this so-called clinic...
...I see. Good work.
The clinic sounds suspicious. We should investigate.
Go back and prepare, wait for my word. Be discreet when moving weapons.
Alright!
Have you finished your checks?
We'll talk once the room is secure.
No problems. The room's clean, no surveillance or recording equipment.
I put jammers by the wall, just in case. It's one-time, but it'll be useful until they find out.
The soldiers said the Marshal of the First Army is treating Rhodes Island like VIPs, arranging the best accommodations and heavy security...
In other words, we're being watched.
So the soldiers outside the hotel...
Probably here to keep an eye on us.
They must be hiding something.
Yeah, everything feels so eerie here.
Like that woman who stopped us at the transfer area earlier today!
She was talking about 'dust never seen before that infects people'.
But there are already a lot of Infected living here.
Unless... she wasn't talking about Originium dust or Oripathy.
If there's another illness that we're not aware of...
Could it be a new symptom of Oripathy? I remember that Raidian raised a hypothesis in her report about why news of Infected mutation first spread from the Far North.
Even though we know now that it was likely a ruse by the Grand Duchess, wouldn't those involved have come to the conclusion of Oripathy mutations too?
As was the case the last time, we can't jump to a conclusion until we learn more.
I tried asking questions during the day, but the locals don't want to talk.
Or rather, they're quite happy to talk, but as soon as you ask whether there has been anything unusual going on, they either ignore the question, or fall silent altogether.
The officer who led the way was the same. He reminded me not to have too much contact with the locals.
Was it for our own safety, or something else?
Remember the buildings hidden behind the wall?
What the Army is trying to hide is probably in the buildings behind the wall.
The locals don't know what's behind the wall either. It's like an entirely different city to them.
It's strange. It seems like the First Army's research doesn't rely on the Infected here for labor—why do they do this, then?
The open areas of Zelgrad are no different from the average nomadic city. The First Army's research institute must lie behind the wall.
Based on the officer's reaction, the letter of safe passage from Chairman Witte isn't enough to get us through that wall.
And we've heard nothing from the Marshal who was supposed to welcome us.
Grypherburg has no reason to deceive us.
Grypherburg doesn't control the First Army.
Did you notice?
Zelgrad is particularly warm.
It's like spring.
Is that so? I didn't quite feel it.
I noticed too... this sort of weather is not normal.
Doctor, do you remember about the mysterious new bomb that Hellagur mentioned?
It might have something to do with the Sarcophagus... we need more information, and quickly.
We've got just the right woman for the job—you up for it, Raidian?
Yes, I should be able to intercept some of the communications.
The code the USSG obtained which Dur-nar sent us is used by large military installations. These facilities often send electrical signals at a specific frequency.
What do you think, Doctor?
Try it, Raidian.
Be careful.
Here we go—
The crack of static electricity echoes through the empty room.
Everyone present has seen Raidian's Arts many times, but they cannot help but hold their breath, watching her furrowed brows and twitching lips.
(Whisper) Raidian, are you really gonna be okay?
(Whisper) Trust her, she's master—
Ugh—argh!
Raidian barely took a step before stumbling and falling.
Raidian—
Overload! I brought emergency meds. Hang in there, Raidian!
Raidian!
The night is deathly silent, except for the echoing of orderly footsteps in the distance, magnified by the emptiness.
There was food and clean water in the break room by the sentry post prior to the shift change in the patrols in this district, a perk that other units do not enjoy.
Ever since the Generalik returned to Zelgrad, they occasionally got off an hour or two early, and extra supplies began appearing in the break room, which they were even allowed to bring home to their families.
No one knew why. No one asked, because why would they mess with a good thing while it lasts?
Nor did anyone suspect that the foodstuff had been tampered with. Tonight, someone has made sure that they would not leave the break room for a while after their usual little feast.
(Their replacements should appear in four minutes, based on the patrol routes.)
(Even if Anatoliy doesn't show up personally, his bodyguards should be here to 'act in his capacity'.)
Mmph—mmph!
Have you thought it over? You can talk if you have, or you can join your comrades on the floor.
(Nods frantically)
Sirka
Hff... ha—
Was it the Generalik's unit who replaced you today?
I-I've never seen them, I don't know—
(Raises hand)
We don't know who takes over the shifts! We get notified to stop at the sentry post, and that someone will take over the next shift, but no one tells us who's taking over.
Although, it will certainly make sense if it was the Generalik...
What if it isn't?
Then there should be another unit on patrol, but everyone's schedule is packed, and no one can be in two places at the same time.
Unless there's a unit that's not on the shift schedule—the Generalik's bodyguards.
What do you mean?
It could only be his bodyguards. If he doesn't show up personally, his bodyguards would be patrolling on his behalf.
......
(Quietly) He's here.
...How's the fuel?
As you commanded.
Is there enough?
There have not been any reports about shortages.
Keep an eye on them. Our people need to be involved in every step. There must be no mistake...
You should understand.
The source of the young voice appears in Sirka's field of vision.
She has never seen the Generalik before, but she is certain that she has found him.
The tyrant of Zelgrad, the only son of the First Army's marshal...
(Softly) Anatoliy Svetlanov Buterin.
Gazing upon the malicious visage illuminated by the flickering searchlight, so reminiscent of the Marshal's younger days, Sirka clutches her dagger and hides herself in the darkness.
The guards around her mark do not matter. The unfamiliar girl next to him does not matter. All that matters is the spot that her blade needs to find, the neck, the heart, or one of the arteries, where a single well-placed stab will kill—
She is ready, as she has been so many times before. But she did not expect the prey to detect her.
—Who's there?!
Huh?
Sirka
!
Anatoliy—
But Originium Arts have set up the perfect environment for the assassin, and the prey's awareness cannot stop the killer's blade.
A sudden breeze rustles clothes and masks the approaching footsteps, the leap, and the sound of dagger ripping through air—
Sorry, Generalik.
I need to 'borrow' your life.
—!
The bodyguards have detected the intruder, even without hearing her sound.
But the weapon has already pierced the target's neck, and withdrawn as slickly as it went in.
Sirka is not in a hurry to escape. Without a pause, she proceeds to make her next stab, only to realize that there is no blood flowing from the first wound.
What—
It seems she has simply cut a gap in some kind of hard, golden substance.
It does not even look human.
Ugh...
What... is this?
How could this be? I had—
There's the assassin! Get her!
......
After her... hurry—
After her!!
After her! Don't let her get away!
You two, stay here and protect the Generalik and Hierda! The rest of you, with me!
Generalik, your injury—
...Let me.
Let me see his wound...
The girl lays her hands on the young man's neck.
There was a piece of Originium crystal hidden underneath the collar, which should have been ripped open along with the flesh around it to reveal the bone beneath.
Underneath her palms, however, the injury is less serious than first imagined.
...It seems the Originium has already begun to repair the wound. There's no need to worry.
What did you say?
I said, it seems the Originium is repairing your wound. Are you in pain?
I don't feel anything. But that suka pierced my neck— I felt it!
I couldn't speak, couldn't make a sound... I felt like I had died.
Maybe she only cut the Originium crystal on the surface of your body. I'm sorry I wasn't able to stop the assassin...
Hah, what can you do? A sword would go right through you without even slowing down.
Maybe she did kill me. Maybe I would be a corpse, if not for you—your miracle.
I can tell the difference between having my skin cut and having the artery in my neck cut.
It's not a miracle... *sigh*.
What I want to know is, what does this mean? Does it mean I can't die? Not even after a thousand assassination attempts?
And it's all because of you, even though you claim you can't save me, that you only remove my pain...
You're the real deal, my friend. You've saved me twice now...
Argh...
The young man's voice grows weaker after his initial excitement. The repairing of his wound has drained him.
You need to rest.
Tell me, how can I repay...?
...you...?
He soon falls unconscious.
...I don't need repayment, Anatoliy.
I never have...
Hierda looks up in the direction where the assassin escaped, soldiers in hot pursuit.
She recalls those eyes that she saw in the darkness, bright and calm.
Desperate and dangerous.
She was Infected too...
How did it come to this? Is there anything I can do?