<p=1>Adeptus Sprawiedliwi Kazimierz Headquarters</>Adeptus Sprawiedliwi Kazimierz Headquarters
<p=2>Nov 1101</>Nov 1101
Russell
I understand the situation.
Russell
My concern is, will this information also cross the desk of the General Chamber of Commerce as we are speaking?
Adeptus Messenger
I expect so. Something on this scale cannot be covered up completely. The G.C.C. will find out.
Adeptus Messenger
Intel from multiple sources indicates a high likelihood that something abnormal is happening to the Kolossal Prime Vein, and that Ursus is facing an energy crisis.
Adeptus Messenger
This is corroborated by the recent movements of the First Army on the border... it's certainly cause for concern.
Adeptus Messenger
We do not know if the energy issues will spread to other regions, nor how Ursus may react.
Russell
Has there been any official communication from Grypherburg?
Russell
In the face of such a crisis, the empire's first reaction is to hide the truth, rather than seek cooperation. Their stance is clear as day.
Russell
A dying beast is a dangerous one. Even without its energy advantage, the Ursine war machine remains terrifying.
Russell
We have defeated many foes. We are not afraid of war. But we must be even more vigilant about threats from within.
Adeptus Messenger
You are concerned that the G.C.C. will use this as leverage against the Adeptus?
Adeptus Messenger
Even they must know the threat we will face if Ursus chooses to expand at this time. Kazimierz cannot afford another incident!
Russell
Do not underestimate the merchants' thirst for profit.
Russell
They're already making their move. The invisible war already began when they framed their first innocent campaign knight.
<p=1>Second Army Frontline Territory</>Second Army Frontline Territory
<p=2>Jan 1102</>Jan 1102
Soldier
...That concludes my report.
Soldier
Intercepted communications indicate that the Third Army has received news and announced a ceasefire with the Seventh. Only mobile units remain on standby.
Officer
Where was the explosion?
Soldier
In the wilderness of Central, roughly 2300 km in a straight line from our front lines with the Fourth Army, with no nomadic cities making their winter transit nearby.
Soldier
But the scattered settlements in the area were not evacuated in advance. Rumors are that the people and animals were annihilated instantly, leaving behind only strange-colored soil and ash... it must have been incredibly powerful.
Officer
......
Soldier
Has the First Army really developed such a terrible weapon?
Officer
Stand by for further instructions from Command.
Officer
The Marshal will make the right decision. Until then, as soldiers of the 6th Artillery Regiment of the Second Army's 2nd Division...
Officer
We will continue to stand against the traitors outside Grypherburg.
<p=1>Upper Deck, Flagship of the Fourth Army's main fleet</>Upper Deck, Flagship of the Fourth Army's main fleet
<p=2>12 Jan 1102</>12 Jan 1102
Messenger
...Here ends the Grand Duchess's message.
Messenger
The last batch of supplies has been delivered, and what information we have on the First Army's new weapon is included in the letter.
Messenger
Her Imperial Highness wishes to communicate that this is the full extent of the help that the Far North can provide to the Fourth Army.
Messenger
We have fulfilled our end of the bargain. We pray that you do not forget yours, even in the current stalemate with the Second Army.
Sullen Soldier
......
Sullen Soldier
I understand. But I hope Her Imperial Highness sees the present situation clearly.
Sullen Soldier
The conservatives maintain an iron grip over the Council. Backed by the First Army's research, they deny our legitimate claims, our desire to make Ursus great again.
Sullen Soldier
Time is precious. We will be handing over the nation if the Fourth Army does not achieve the expected aim, and Bresk will hardly be immune if that happens.
Messenger
It is not my place to respond on behalf of Her Imperial Highness, but I shall deliver your message faithfully to her.
Messenger
Perhaps I could also tell you an old fable, on her behalf.
Messenger
The north wind and the sun made a wager on who could get a passing traveler to remove his cloak—
Sullen Soldier
......
Sullen Soldier
Escort the honorable herald out.
Sullen Soldier
Make sure she leaves the base and delivers my message to Bresk safely.
Messenger
I'm afraid I have another important matter to attend to on this trip, and will not be returning to Bresk immediately.
Messenger
I wish you the best of luck. For the glory of Ursus.
The young man kicks away the body of the soldier whose throat he just cut, and walks toward the depths of the command center.
The path leading from the deck is littered with bloody bodies, some of which are still twitching. None of the onlookers dare come any closer.
Dignified Soldier
......
Dignified Soldier
Anatoliy.
Footsteps. The crowd quickly disperses.
Against the crowd, a pair of boots steps through puddles of blood, stopping only at the sound of metal clanging against blade.
The soldier gazes down at the young man.
Dignified Soldier
Are you done fooling around?
Hoarse Youth
......
Dignified Soldier
Then put your sword down.
Dignified Soldier
As I've told you before, while you're free to punish those who anger you, showing your rage is simply showing your weakness.
Dignified Soldier
It is disgraceful, Anatoliy.
Anatoliy
But you've imprisoned me here. While I'm in pain and life has lost all meaning, you just keep me locked up here!
Anatoliy
You would not even allow me to witness the birth of Kushkina.
Dignified Soldier
It's for your own safety.
Anatoliy
Safety? Hah, safety!
Anatoliy
I'm in the heart of the First Army's territory under your great leadership, Marshal Buterina! Is there any place in Terra that is safer?
Anatoliy
Yet you would not allow me to step out, not even onto the deck...
Anatoliy
Have I become your prisoner just because I have Oripathy? Am I no longer your son, no longer a glorious soldier of Ursus?
Svetlana
Nothing has changed, Anatoliy. I treat you as I always have.
Anatoliy
Then let me go! I want to go to Zelgrad. I want to patrol and watch over my city as I always have—as you promised!
Svetlana
......
Anatoliy
Silent again. You're going back on your word, aren't you?
Svetlana
Get someone to clean up, Yasha. As usual.
Diligent Servant
Yes, madam.
Anatoliy
Mother!
Svetlana
Yes, synochek, I promised you that Zelgrad will be yours. But not yet.
Svetlana
You must not leave my sight until your condition is stable. Do you understand?
Anatoliy
No, I don't!
Anatoliy
If you won't let me go, I'll keep killing with this sword that you gave me until there's no one left to guard me. These kozyols wouldn't dare raise a finger against me anyway—
Svetlana
I said, until your condition is stable. Once it is, you can go and do whatever you want to do.
Anatoliy
You're playing word games now. Have those handsome Grypherburg bureaucrats changed how you feel about words?
Anatoliy
I should have killed them all.
Svetlana
I captured that Cautus who claims to heal Oripathy.
Anatoliy
What?
Svetlana
Her companions were all Infected, as the rumors say. They feel no pain and show no symptoms.
Svetlana
I think it is worth seeing her, even if she's a fraud.
Anatoliy
You would show my pain and weakness to a fraud?
Svetlana
Of course not.
The soldier touches the blade at her chest with her finger. Trembling, the young man finally lowers his sword.
Then, the mother pulls her son into a tight embrace.
Svetlana
If she is truly a fraud, then neither she nor her companions will leave here alive. But if she can truly stabilize your condition, even heal it...
Svetlana
Then I shall embrace her, as I embrace you now.
Svetlana
A lowly Cautus who came from nothing will become a member of the glorious First Army. Because she helped you.
Anatoliy
Mama...
Svetlana
Wipe your tears, synochek. Our guest will be here soon.
The blood and gore is quickly cleaned up, and the floor once again sparkles as new.
Heavy, orderly footsteps approach, but there is discordance in the order. A lighter footstep, decidedly out of place, causes everyone to look up.
Its source soon reveals itself.
Cautus
......
Anatoliy
What—
Neither a middle-aged man raggedly dressed in self-styled piety, nor a well-dressed charlatan.
Just a girl with a delicate frame and eyes wide open, herded along the dark carpet like a burdenbeast.
Cautus
Uh...
Anatoliy
She's the one?
Anatoliy
What could she possibly do? A stiff breeze could blow her over. She wouldn't even make good firewood.
Svetlana
Do not be deceived by appearances. She is indeed the leader of those vagrants.
Svetlana
My personal guard found her surrounded by adoring vagrants, as at the Grypherburg trial over two years ago.
Svetlana
It made our removal of her from the crowd seem shameless and preposterous, just like that trial.
Anatoliy
You would compare her to the Yurodstvo?
Svetlana
Enough of that. As long as she can help you, I do not care what she is, whether she's a peasant or the Yurodstvo.
Svetlana
Come forward.
The girl shakes her head hesitatingly without moving her feet.
Cautus
Uh...
Cautus
Are my companions being taken care of?
Cautus
I want to make sure of that.
Svetlana
You certainly have nerve.
Cautus
I only hope to protect my companions.
Svetlana
You must recognize that you are in no position to bargain.
Svetlana
This is your last chance. Come forward.
Cautus
......
The Cautus seems to recognize the situation and comes forward as instructed, but Anatoliy begins backing off hastily.
Svetlana
Anatoliy?
Anatoliy
She's Infected! Why doesn't she heal herself, if she can heal the Infected?
Anatoliy
She's a fraud, Mother. I don't want to waste time on such fruitless endeavors. I don't have time—
Svetlana
Take it back.
Anatoliy
Mother?
Svetlana
Take it back! You must not say such things. You have time. You'll get better. You must.
The tall woman turns to the girl and peers into her eyes.
Svetlana
You will heal my son, as you have healed those vagrants.
Svetlana
If you can heal him...
Svetlana
I, Svetlana Ulyanova Buterina, Marshal of the First Army, vow that the First Army shall protect you and your companions for the rest of my days.
Cautus
......
Cautus
I have to assess his condition, but my presence seems to bring him discomfort?
Cautus
How can I heal him if I can't even touch him?
Anatoliy
As if a little distance would be a problem if you really had the power to heal Oripathy!
The young man turns his head, as though trying to hide the Originium crystals on his cheeks in his hair, refusing to even look at the girl, much less approach her.
The Cautus girl seems to make up her mind. She takes one look at the commander who forcibly 'invited' her here, then approaches the young man.
<span style="color: #d41f1f">Detest the Infected, do you?</span>
<span style="color: #d41f1f">Then you will become what you hate the most.</span>
<span style="color: #d41f1f">You trampled upon what little dignity we had left, <i>Generalik</span>, just because you have a marshal for a mother, never tasting the mud and blood of true battle...</color>
<span style="color: #d41f1f">You should have paid for your arrogance long ago!</span>
