Arknights story · Operator Records
Untimeliness
With a mutiny underway, old allies have turned their blades on each other, family and fellow have become enemies, soldiers of Sargon have become rebels, and in the midst of all this, Heavyrain is trapped in a dilemma.
1 scenes, 532 lines
1. Interlude
532 linesIn the blood-red glow of the fire, each person is reduced to a vague silhouette, cast over the mottled ruins.
Once they fought side by side, through the valley of the shadow of death.
Yet now, only hatred and animosity remain in their gazes towards one another.
Allaenat!
Do you even realize the hell I went through getting back here alive? And before I get even a single hot meal, you want me rushing off to the front lines again?
Fall back! All of you, fall back!
Is this a mutiny?!
Mutiny? I'm gonna kill you, ayyuha al'ahmaq.
Grab him! Don't let him get away!
Move it! Out of the way!
Heavyrain! Quick!
Stop him! Don't let him run!
What are you spacing out for?! Kill him!
MOVE!
Urgh!
Damn it!
Heavyrain, how could you let him get away?!
(All my comrades are staring at me. They look so hostile.) I'm sorry.
(It's like... I'm their enemy now too.) But I don't hurt my comrades.
Comrades? Heh...
You think any of those sacks of shit on our side?
His punch hits Heavyrain square in the face.
The veteran pants insatiably, just waiting for Heavyrain to hit back, dying to vent his anger in combat.
But she doesn't. She simply picks up her shield, her expression calm.
No hesitation, nor any show of fear.
......
*spit*! Coward.
Enough! This is no time to be screwing with our own.
Boss, we should make a break for it.
While we still have the chance.
Run? What about our families back home?
We're all brothers from the same hometown. If the lord ameer ever feels like going after them, his job will be easy.
Allaenat!
Those bastards were never going to let us live in the first place.
I told you to think before you act. Do you regret it now?
......
I can't take this. I can't watch my brothers be thrown out to die like this.
Enough, words won't solve this anymore. They can defend the entrance for now.
The janissaries and officers are all the children of nobles. With them as hostages, whoever's outside... won't be so quick to act.
Right.
The years-long campaign has taken these people—far from their homes and their families—and left them with no one but their fellow troops.
It's only natural for those from the same hometown to look after one another, unable to bear their companions suffering even the slightest abuse.
But under such innately oppressive circumstances, strife still remains common.
You cowards screwed up last time by being the first to run. I had the enemy tear at my ass for three whole days before I made it out.
Khalas! Who are you calling a coward?!
If it wasn't for you shit for brains, I wouldn't even be trapped in here!
Say that again, ya waghadi?
Wanna go, huh? Bring it! Put your money where your mouth is!
Fine, let's go!
......
Not going to help? You're just going to watch?
Who would I help?
Who do you care about more?
......
Then who do you think is in the right?
They... none of them.
Sargonian mercenaries shouldn't be fighting each other for no reason like this.
...*sigh* I knew you weren't like the others, Heavyrain.
What?
There's no should or shouldn't when it comes to soldiers...
Only want or don't want, obey or disobey.
How come you got even less food than me?
Don't vets get a little more?
......
Oh.
Hm?
You did? But the janissaries never associate with people like us.
In our last battle, it was me who pulled him out from a pile of bodies.
He told me his name was Ibrahim.
We hid from the Casters pursuing us together.
So he's your friend?
Not a friend. A comrade.
What's the difference?
Do you remember how this whole mess started?
The officer got the order to send everyone back to the front.
And then?
The veterans felt they were too injured from the last battle and wanted more supplies and rest. Then it got out of hand.
So, who do you think was in the right?
I understand what the veterans are thinking, but...
Regardless, you hesitated.
And to the others, it felt like a betrayal.
......
I'd never betray anyone.
I just don't understand...
We save him one moment, and then we have to kill him the next.
Then what if it was someone else running toward you back there?
Someone who'd clashed with you before, even.
Would you retaliate then? Would you want to?
No... Because I knew you'd say that.
You see everyone as a comrade.
Because we are. Because we're Sargonian soldiers. Because we swore an oath.
'Never kneel to the enemy in the face of danger. Never abandon your comrades in times of need.'
Personal grudges and desires... don't really matter to me much.
Eh...?
Look at this food they gave us!
You could turn the plate upside down and it wouldn't fall off!
Stop messing with it. If it does fall, you'll have nothing to eat.
Mm-hmm.
If that happened, would you give me yours?
Yes.
Because I'm your comrade?
Because you're my friend.
Friend, comrade... you keep repeating those words.
Is there really a difference?
Devotion? Honor? Oaths? Is there a point?
Can you rebels inside hear me?!
Everyone here is an ordinary Sargonian! We fight to put food on the table, to support our families. That's all we want!
Drop your weapons and surrender immediately! Free the hostages!
Yes, ağa! Chorbaji on high!
You don't even care how many of our brothers died in that battle.
This is your final warning!
Fine... we're all dead either way.
This is your final warning!
Heavyrain.
Wake up.
Lower your blade...
It's me, no need to panic.
It's fine. But I need your help right now.
Come with me.
Okay.
Here's the situation. Neither of their fevers are breaking, and they've been shaking the whole time.
If we don't cure them ASAP, they're dead for sure.
(Their wounds haven't been treated at all.)
(There's so much rot.) What do you need me to do?
The vets are watching all the supplies, and refuse to help in any way.
I assume you know where they keep them. Can you think of a way to bring anything back?
They're your comrades, after all.
(Comrades...) You don't need to convince me.
(Did she really have to stress it like that?) I'll go and try.
If you didn't stop me just now, I swear I would've taken them on.
Can we trust her?
Have faith. Heavyrain's a good person.
She gave her word, so she'll do it.
A good person?
There's no such thing as a good person in the army, only fools and idiots.
......
True.
Who's there?!
Shit, we've been noticed!
Deal with them! Don't make too much noise.
Wait! We're in a tough spot too!
So... can we make a deal?
(So dark...)
(I know this is where they put the medicine...)
(These are the bandages, so the disinfectant should be right next to them.)
Who's there?
What was that noise?! Who is it?!
...Me!
I'm looking for something.
Oh.
......
......
Heavyrain, was it meds you took?
All by yourself?
Relax, you don't want anyone else finding you here, right?
Okay, so what's going on? Who's hurt?
If you don't want to say... the door's over here. Be sure not to make any more noise.
What meds did you take?
These.
Hm... disinfectant and bandages. You know how to treat wounds, then?
Yes. I've learned before.
Good. Remember to remove anything that's rotting.
We're out of anesthetics... They'll just have to grin and bear it.
Take these antibiotics too, they'll be key to saving their lives. That's about all I can give you, though.
Obviously, it'd be best to get them to a hospital. But clearly that's not on the table.
......
Wait, Heavyrain.
Hm?
Are you hurt? Do you feel bad anywhere?
No.
*sigh*... I remember trying to reason with your mother, when she handed you over to me.
You were barely out of diapers...
......
Never mind. Hurry. Stay out of sight on your way back.
Huh? What?
Where's this coming from? You haven't called me that in years.
We swore, before, that we'd root out all of Sargon's enemies.
But now it's Sargonian soldiers surrounding us.
It's Sargonian soldiers we're holding hostage.
Everyone here's a Sargonian soldier, and they fight each other every day.
Who is our enemy? What is an enemy?
What do I... do?
Heavyrain.
Let me ask you something first.
Okay.
If I was hurt, you would help me too, wouldn't you?
Definitely.
Why?
Because we're Sargonian soldiers. We never abandon our comrades.
Then suppose I wasn't your comrade, and I wasn't wearing this uniform.
I was just some stranger, begging for your aid. Would you help me?
Yes.
Then what if I asked you to risk your life to rescue me?
Put everything on the line to help a stranger. Would you?
To put it frankly, serving Sargon, eh... it just means you wear these clothes. Seems like they're all that ties us together.
But even without them, you'd still be you, I'd still be me, and anyone'd still be anyone. Everyone has their own identities, their own perspectives, their own goals.
Even you. You have little ideas of your own, don't you? You'd risk your life to steal meds for your comrades.
Hahaha, I know.
You're a good kid. You regard every soldier as an comrade.
But what about if you took off the uniform? Who are you then?
(If I left this uniform behind, if I wasn't a Sargonian soldier anymore...)
(What would I do?)
(Go home?)
Enough, I'd better get back to checking on the lookouts.
Heavyrain... take care of yourself.
We can execute traitors on the spot. What matters most is we ensure the hostages are safe.
Will you keep your word? That if we work with you...
If you're willing to turn back and cease this crime of betraying the lord ameer...
Then I trust our superiors will reconsider your punishment.
...They... We all got dragged into this, no one asked us.
We never intended to betray the lord ameer!
Of course.
I swear!!!
The only thing that matters is how you choose to act.
Anum, someone's coming!
We can't wait for you forever.
Make up your minds.
I'm back. How are they?
Still running a high fever. Did you find the meds?
Yeah. Help me redress their wounds.
They need to tough it out. I have to cut away all the rotting parts.
Then get them to take these antibiotics.
Heavyrain...
Thank you.
Alright.
You treat their wounds. I'll get some people to fetch things.
Okay.
(Whisper) You, all of you, come with me.
This is our last chance. Are you in?
I...
But the veterans...
You're scared, aren't you?
......
Do you want to die here? With those idiots?
How about the rest of you, then?
...Do you really think we have a chance? It's not like we outnumber them.
And will the lord ameer really let us go?
You said it yourself, didn't you? What's the difference between us, when we all make our livings as soldiers?
Or do you want to explain to the people outside how you're innocent while they have a blade against your throat?
(Deep breath)
Khalas! Fine. Lead the way.
Your friend there, is she going to help us?
Heavyrain... I'll ask her.
If it comes down to it...
You're going to kill her? Isn't she your friend?
She is, and a good person too.
But she can never figure out where she stands, or what matters. She's too nice to everyone.
......
You said it yourself, didn't you?
There's no such thing as a good person in the army, only fools and idiots.
Right?
You got me there.
What... What are you looking at me for?!
I... I'll go with you.
Their wounds are redressed now, and they've taken the drugs.
Their foreheads aren't as hot anymore.
(Something's not right about Anum's expression.) They'll recover.
Heavyrain.
If the war ends, and you leave the army, what would you want to do?
You've really never considered what you want to do? Or who you care about?
Oh, honestly, Heavyrain.
(Everyone here is gauging me. They're looking to see how I react.)
(And they're packing their gear.)
(......)
Anum, if there's something you want to say...
You can just tell me.
......
Then if I asked you to help me capture the mutinying soldiers, would you say yes?
What?!
Regardless of what you think, you're out of options. We're all enemies of Sargon at this point.
But just now, we were lucky enough to get one last chance.
We can survive this.
(Is that really lucky?)
(Survive...)
(For a reason like that, and nothing else...) Is there no other way?
No.
You can't avoid the problem anymore.
You treat them as comrades, but they don't see you that way.
Do you still not get it?
(The way they treat me...) I do.
(...doesn't really matter...) But I don't mind.
I just can't do it. Not when it's just to survive.
Then I'll do it for you.
(Am I too weak...?) Anum!
I'm sorry.
Hyah!
Ugh!
Are we killing her?
I'll be honest, I've been afraid of you stabbing me in the back at some point.
......
Tie her up.
Right... She did save our lives, after all.
Heavyrain, you were never weak. You're just shackled by that oath of yours.
The lord ameer doesn't want you to have your own desires. The officers are scared of seeing your hatred.
You're a good person.
So this time, I'll do it for you.
But you owe me one.
Because you promised you'd protect me.
Because I want to survive.
I want to survive with you.
What's that little wench's problem?
She's been with us for half a year now and she still doesn't talk. She just stands there by herself, watching us.
Children are scared of strangers.
She's a good person, once you get to know her.
......
Girl!
Get over here, help us out.
(Does he mean me?)
Go, take this roll call. You see that lost-looking bunch over there?
Them. Go fetch those recruits.
Hey.
Are you a vet here?
You see this gold star?
Mm.
This is a spoil of war. I got it from some ruins.
I'll give this to you, so protect me if they try to bully me, okay?
Huh? Because I hear the vets always bully the new recruits here.
But from where I'm standing, you seem different.
No, I mean, why give this to me?
It's yours. I don't need it.
And besides, I wouldn't bully my own comrades.
......
You're a weird one.
I'm Anum.
The choking scent of smoke—and the familiar-yet-terrifying battle cries—bring Heavyrain out of her daze in a snap.
Instinctively, she tries to reach for her weapon, but quickly discovers that she has been bound fast to a pillar.
Tear gas fills the room.
Heavyrain grits her teeth and after some effort dislocates her own arm to writhe it free of the rope. Her clenched jaw manages to stop her from screaming in pain.
Death to the rebels!
(Heavy breathing) Huff... huff...
Hahaha, we're all comrades, huh?
*spit*! You betrayed us after all.
Stay back!
Haram alayk, trying to trick me like the hypocrite you are.
You think I'm your path to glory?
Bring it!
Allaenat, I'll go out with honor!
And you? Selling out your own comrades to survive?
Honor? Oaths? You're nothing but a coward!
You're just scared to do wrong, scared of being blamed, scared to be a bad person.
And for what? Even if my brothers choose wrong, I'd still give everything I have for them! I don't fear it!
There's no true right or wrong when you're a soldier, anyway.
(I...)
Come. Aren't you going to kill me?
Even if I die, I have my brothers with me. Lucky me!
What about you? What's waiting for you, even if you survive?
*spit*!
...You're right.
Heavyrain, you were never weak. You're just shackled by that oath of yours.
So this time, I'll do it for you.
(My parents always told me to obey, to listen.) I never did wrong at home. I tried hard to show them I was a good kid, but in the end I was still kicked out.
Because our harvest was bad, and we couldn't survive. No other reason.
(Oaths, virtue, honor...) I think of everyone as a comrade, and try to help them, and I'm scared of doing the wrong thing.
(...are they really just lies here?) But even so, this is how it all turned out...
If it's like you say... there's no should or shouldn't, no right or wrong...
(Just like Anum said.) Then I'm willing to bear it... to bear all of the consequences for Anum.
I'll protect her.
(Forgive me.)
Agh!!
(I can just use my shield...) Huff...
(I don't need to actually kill him.)
Anum!
Where are you?
Once we have you, this entire clown show will be over.
We'll all still have a chance to survive.
Survive? Aren't you a greedy one...
You're not fit to be a soldier of Sargon.
A soldier?
You really think anyone gives a damn?
Drop dead.
Heavyrain!
Help me.
......
Made up your mind?
(I'm sorry...) Abi, I didn't want it to be this way.
(If there was any other choice...) But Anum's my friend, so...
I can't let you hurt her.
Friend...
Hahahaha! Come on! Show me then!
Heavyrain! Watch out!
I'm coming!
Move it!
Argh!
For your friend's sake, eh! Good on you!
Now again, Heavyrain!
Urgh!
You're not going to defeat me just by defending. You know.
You're still wavering?
You need to protect your friend, and right now, I'm your enemy.
(The worst outcome...)
Heavyrain! Dammit... ufff...
Guys! Help us!
Seize the traitor!
*sigh*... Looks like we're out of time.
You'll have to forgive me for taking the reins, then.
What?
Hyah!
Agh!!
Heavyrain!
The finishing blow!
Come!!!
Abi slashed at Heavyrain. Heavyrain lifts her shield with all she has, every drop of strength poured into her charge against him.
Yet in the single moment her view is blocked...
The old vet...
Turns his blade...
And plunges it into his own body.
Take my blade.
No...
Take it! Quick!
While they still haven't noticed.
Astamaʿa li!
Al-'aan! I'm telling you to take it!
TAKE IT!
Abi...
Heavyrain, you're a good child.
You protect your comrades, care for your friends, even watch out for my useless old ass.
I'm so... very happy.
Stop it...
*cough* *cough*... If you're willing to see everyone as a comrade, to help them, to lay your personal grudges to rest...
Then you're so much stronger than us elderly morons... but still... *cough* *cough*...
Never let yourself be so easily bound. Be firm in your own steps.
You're a good child, I trust that.
But there are times, when kindness is a little inappropriate, that's all.
Don't let it weigh you down. Whatever else, we need someone left to bring our letters back.
After so long away, it's about time we old men... went home.
These tags––these comrades... you protect them well. I believe in you...
Bring... *cough* *cough*... everyone...
Dammit... Heavyrain...
Move aside! Everyone move aside!
Any more fighting, and you'll all be executed on the spot!
Mm...
Enough! Do you not think your crimes are sufficiently grave yet?
Unit 0374! You have betrayed the lord ameer, and spurned your soldier's oath.
This is your last chance to wash yourselves of guilt!
We hope for you to prove your loyalty through your actions in this assignment.
*sigh*... And here I thought we might have a chance to live.
I should have expected that the lord ameer was never going to let us go.
Now what?
......