Can we talk specifics, now that it's just the two of us? You might have fooled the others, but you can't fool me.
Scioppa
So that was enough to fool the others.
Oleg
What did Kuznetsov do to you? Did he put any holes in you? Let me see—
Scioppa
Ever since that purification operation in December, everybody had tons of questions for me whenever they ran into me on the training grounds, but no one said anything today.
Scioppa
Is it because optimism is our nature? Does nothing else matter?
Oleg
Because they believe in you, of course! The Ataman who lights the way, the war caster of legend, the great leader of the Volniki, who reap enemies like mossoat...
Oleg
Who would they believe in, if not you?
Scioppa
Wow, keep going, any other titles I haven't heard of?
Oleg
—But if you ask me, I would say that foolishness is our nature.
Oleg
Foolish enough to not remember old grudges, foolish enough to survive, foolish enough that people in power won't suspect that we might get back at them.
Scioppa
I'm glad Sirka isn't here to hear it.
Oleg
I'm your second-in-command now. Stop talking about our noble lady every opportunity you get.
Scioppa
Well, you don't like it when I bring up Pavel.
Oleg
He's been gone three years, he's probably hit it big again somewhere else. He doesn't need us to reminisce about him.
Oleg
In Baba's name, man was born to be a quartermaster. He can fill his pockets wherever he goes. If it wasn't for Oripathy...
Scioppa
He never wrote back.
Oleg
Were you robbing Messengers again?
Scioppa
Come on, you knew where I was these past two days, Gospodin Oleg, how would I find the time?
Scioppa
......
Oleg
Finally getting back on topic? Now talk. What happened?
Scioppa
What I said, basically.
Oleg
What about the part that's not 'basic'?
Scioppa
Not basic, eh... you were there when I killed Basmanov, weren't you?
Stop resisting, Basmanov. It was sheer madness to commit mutiny on the front lines, not to mention your second-in-command was leaking all your plans—
Officer
I don't blame him.
Scioppa
...What?
Officer
I don't blame him. I don't blame anyone...
Officer
I just blame myself for not seeing the truth sooner.
Scioppa
What truth? The obvious truth that you can't win?
Officer
The truth that the flames have already burned away houses and clothes, and will soon reach the skin and the flesh beneath... we should have awakened sooner.
Scioppa
What are you talking about—
Officer
I don't blame you, truly. I knew it was you who came, when even Private Vyacheslav made it to the bridge alive to deliver the news.
Officer
The Special Tactics Formation... the isolated, expendable, fickle executioners, the free Volniki who are never truly free—
Scioppa
All I know is that the arrival of Sechin means you won't even get a court martial.
Officer
Yet you're giving me a chance to escape, just like how you let the miners go.
Officer
On the surface, you're just doing everything Kuznetsov told you to do. Yet even now, you're trying to give me a way out, against his wishes.
Scioppa
The stalemate continues. Kuznetsov needs every soldier he can get. He will forgive, if you surrender.
Officer
Do you know the name Yakov Petrov, Major?
Scioppa
No.
Officer
What I shame.
Officer
It's only now that I realize that there was someone who saw that the house was burning, except no one was listening to him, and called him a madman.
Officer
That is what they will call me. Oczip Basmanov the traitor, disciple of Yakov Petrov.
Officer
That's all I have to say, Major. I'm not surrendering. You do what you must.
Scioppa
......
Officer
I only hope that your blade will always remember who you are.
<p=1>Assault Ship Volnov, Command Center</>Assault Ship Volnov, Command Center
<p=2> Jan 21, 1102, 09:21</> Jan 21, 1102, 09:21
Composed Soldier
Thirty-two klicks until the front, sir. We're seven hundred and fifty-one klicks from Zelgrad.
Composed Soldier
ETA is five hours for the former and seven days for the latter.
Scioppa
Good work.
Scioppa
Oleg will relieve you in half an hour.
Composed Soldier
I can go on—
Oleg
No you can't. Go to bed.
Oleg
This kid was on duty all day in the control room while you were away. He only took a two-hour break before coming back. Won't listen to me at all.
Composed Soldier
I was just worried!
Oleg
Stop worrying. If thinking about things ever did any good, I would have prayed to Baba for a bolt of thunder to smite Kuznetsov.
Oleg
Now get out of here, I'll be checking the quarters in two hours.
Scioppa
Good, looks like life will go on, if anything happens to me.
Oleg
Do you need your eyes checked? Did you see any of them listen to what I say?
Scioppa
They will when I'm gone. You're more of a leader than I am. It was a wise move to move you out of logistics—
Oleg
It was because I made good pies and didn't let you take extra ones, wasn't it?
Scioppa
Well, that's part of it.
Oleg
I knew you were out for vengeance.
Scioppa
Come on, don't say that—
Oleg
You're still thinking about what Basmanov said.
Scioppa
—Huh?
Oleg
Maybe his ramblings made sense in his own mind, but that last thing he said was clearly a taunt.
Oleg
You trust your blade more than you trust anyone else, don't you?
Scioppa
Now that's unfair, of course I trust you guys more.
Oleg
Idi v'banyu. We all know that they call us Volniki the free folk because we have the freedom to come together or part ways as we please—
Oleg
So, the only things we can and must trust is ourselves and our swords.
Oleg
Is that a sword, anyway? Or an Arts unit? What IS it?
Scioppa
......
Oleg
Never mind. Anyway, it will always know you, and it will never kill you. That's all that matters.
Scioppa
Oleg.
Oleg
Huh?
Scioppa
You like to talk about Baba. Do you know who she is, or what she looks like?
Oleg
No idea. She might be Kuranta, or Liberi, or Elafia, but she couldn't be Ursus.
Oleg
All old stories that we tell to pass the time. We need stories and song to bring us together. Isn't that what your precious Sirka always said?
Scioppa
...'Our Baba put a glass house upon the legs of a fowlbeast'...
Oleg
...Hmmhmm♪...Hmm♪......
Our Baba put a glass house upon the legs of a fowlbeast.
Not to move from place to place like us, but so that she could turn around and shut people out at any time.
She never asks what you want, but asks:
'What else can you lose?'
She takes your burdenbeast, your sword and bow, the wealth that you traded blood for;
Even the victory that made your mother proudest.
Our ancestors called her an evil witch, but they learned when they grew old—
She was simply collecting on death's behalf.
If one has nothing left to pay:
Their sword thrice-broken, their siblings all buried upon different battlefields, and with no strength left to even hate—
Baba would be silent.
She no longer blocks the way, but turns her hut around, and reveals the path without echoes.
Scioppa
'The last thing she said to us was...'
Oleg
'I can protect you no longer.'
Scioppa
Yes.
Oleg
You can't carry a tune, but you remember the words well.
Scioppa
Sirka sang it for me a lot.
Oleg
Alright, you can stop—
Scioppa
I often wonder, if there comes a day when even the all-powerful Baba can no longer protect us...
Scioppa
How far will we go to survive?
Oleg
......
Oleg
Message from central command.
Scioppa
Put it through.
Evgeny
I see you've left the base.
Scioppa
An astute observation, sir.
Evgeny
You should be reporting your position and status every two hours, Major Razin.
Scioppa
A report every two hours is impractical. Should I explain the reason in detail?
Evgeny
Do not waste time on long-range communications. Report on your progress.
Scioppa
Well, as you know, the Volnov has left the base and is currently approaching the front lines. Assuming we do not need to linger near the front lines and observe the situation—
Evgeny
There's no need. Proceed directly.
Scioppa
Even if it might cause the Second Army to attack?
Evgeny
I said, it is not your concern. What you should be concerned with is getting your men near the satellite city before you run out of power.
Evgeny
There's no time for you to stop, according to my estimations. The Volnov must arrive at the designated location in three days and complete the mission in conjunction with another unit.
Scioppa
I don't know anything about any other unit.
Evgeny
Now you do.
Evgeny
Now, what is the current progress of the Volnov?
Scioppa takes his time glancing at the control panel before answering.
Scioppa
Accelerating steadily. I can't give you an accurate figure, but it will eventually reach a figure that will allow us to arrive by the ETA.
Oleg
—?
Evgeny
Is that so...?
Evgeny
Then I hope that central command will not have to initiate the next communication.
Scioppa
......
Oleg
Why did you lie to him? How long can we keep this up?
Scioppa
In order to survive, we must first solve our most pressing problem.
Scioppa
Give the Second Army enough time to react, then pray that Kuznetsov's 'guarantee' pays off before we're blown to smithereens.
I... like your apple tree. Besides—I don't want to stay there anymore...
That smell is everywhere in the room... I don't want to go back!
???
What smell? The smell of disinfectants, of bitter almond?
???
The smell is from things that help Mother. I put bitter almond fragrance in my room to stop myself from coughing, and to relieve the pain...
???
You know that.
...But you're not there either.
???
Because those people in black won't let me go in anymore.
???
They don't even want me to come near you.
Sister...
She picks a low-hanging fruit and puts it in the boy's hand.
The fruit is red like agate, like the culmination of the sun of countless summers at the palace, summers that he had forgotten.
He no longer sees the red corridor in the glass palace, only the rays of the sun shining through the leaves and branches like broken glass, and the cool apple upon his palm.
He hears only the sweet, glass-like voice in his ear.
???
But I'll pay them no heed.
???
You're my only brother. Nothing can break our bonds of blood.
...The summer palace? Why am I dreaming about something from so long ago...?
Fyodor
The one in the dream... a sister?
Fyodor
But I have no siblings...
Fyodor
Argh—
Fyodor
(The headaches are getting more frequent.)
Fyodor
(Ever since I came back from Katorga...)
Fyodor
......
Witte
Your Imperial Majesty, I bring the latest progress report on the citizen's forum.
Fyodor
Good timing. Saves me from thinking too much.
Witte
You look tired.
Fyodor
Strange, isn't it... I had a dream about the summer palace, which I have not seen in many years.
Fyodor
There's a beautiful apple orchard nearby. It'll be a good place to recuperate, if you feel the need.
Witte
...Apple orchard?
Fyodor
Yes...
Fyodor
Never mind, it's not important—what's the progress?
Witte
Most nobles who were already on our side are inclined to continue, following the Katorga Incident.
Witte
They have quickly accepted the decision to trial the citizen's forum, and a few of them are even willing to divert tax funds to establish similar pilot programs in their territories.
Witte
I believe it's a good start.
Fyodor
What's the catch?
Witte
I'm sure Your Imperial Majesty understands...
Witte
The Winter Emergency Resource Allocation Act will not convince the conservatives of the State Council just because it passed the citizen's forum.
Witte
It's not just the conservatives. No aristocrat will willingly give up their own profits, much less allow the council to dictate what little remains of the nation's Originium resources.
Fyodor
Even if it's the only way to save Ursus.
Witte
Not the only way, apparently, in the eyes of many.
Fyodor
The generals of the empire wallow in the dream that my father weaved for them.
Fyodor
Wasn't enough blood shed on Bloodpeak already? Did they think it was a glorious defeat? Ursine territory would be twice as large now, if they were half the geniuses they think they are!
Fyodor
Absurd... Ridiculous!
Fyodor
...*cough* *cough*!
Witte
Please, stay your anger, Majesty, as the doctor instructs.
Witte
I expect they understand these things full well. I believe they simply want to get as big a slice of Ursus's flesh, before chaos truly descends.
Witte
For some of them, the unity of the nation and the plight of her people pale in comparison to ensuring their own prosperity and that of their descendants.
Fyodor
What are you implying?
Witte
I have news.
Fyodor
Out with it.
Witte
Only a few people with access to the Amber Palace know that Project Zero's energy utilization research is not progressing as hoped, all of whom are under strict surveillance.
Witte
However, our intelligence indicates that the Fourth Army began moving almost at the same time that we received the news.
Witte
They are quietly amassing forces for another push along the front lines, while simultaneously moving in the direction of First Army territory.
Fyodor
They're ready on two fronts.
Witte
What this means is that the Fourth Army has thoroughly infiltrated not only Grypherburg, but Tsarevgrad itself.
Witte
This is a serious matter.
Fyodor
You wouldn't come to me with unfounded conjecture. Who do you suspect?
Witte
......
Witte
(Hushed) Vasily Gorchikov.
Fyodor
The Vice Chairman? But isn't he the representative of the new aristocracy in the Duma—
Witte
But his family business has longstanding ties with military nobility, and the family of his late wife, House Gorchikov, is a noble house with a long and storied history.
Witte
It was by marrying into his wife's family that he was recommended to the Imperial Guard.
Witte
Objectively speaking, Vasily's position was always uncertain.
Fyodor
I seem to recall that there was a servant in the Amber Palace from a branch of his family. Saveliy.
Witte
I see you catch my meaning.
Fyodor
If someone in legislative leadership goes over to the pro-war faction—
Fyodor
Wait. Volkina, the honorary Vice Chairman who never attends meetings. She's a military noble too!
Witte
But she never expresses her opinion.
Fyodor
It's her actions, not her words, that are important. The same goes for Vasily...
Fyodor
Keep a close eye on them. Do not let anyone get away. We must put a stop to any sign of a schism, whether superficial or material.
Witte
Understood...
Fyodor
...Are you tired, Witte?
Witte
Of course not... Majesty.
Fyodor
I'm beginning to feel powerless, Witte... can we really change anything? Is there anything we can do?
Witte
There is still much we can do.
Witte
You have cast aside the shadow of your father. You must demonstrate to them that your kindness is not weakness, that it requires even greater strength.
Witte
We must not surrender to the things that you rejected.
Fyodor
Enough... I do not want to hear such flattery, least of all from you.
Fyodor
The citizen's forum is a necessary reform. We need more people to stand with us. Time is short.
Fyodor
The empire cannot afford any more internal strife. We cannot use violence against these dissenters.
Fyodor
More patience... continue to work to persuade them, try to awaken their love for this nation, or at the very least, a little bit of conscience...
<p=1>Rhodes Island Temporary Treatment Center, Odoyev Raion, Deity Grypherburg</>Rhodes Island Temporary Treatment Center, Odoyev Raion, Deity Grypherburg
Eloysius
...I should have come in the last time I passed by. It's totally different inside!
Hellagur
Why didn't you?
Eloysius
Well, I thought I would do that when there's no longer a line of patients outside the door waiting for treatment.
Eloysius
Now it looks like they all fit inside, even if it does get a little crowded.
Hellagur
I heard you helped a lot.
Eloysius
Not nearly enough.
Eloysius
Do you know, there's a girl here, one of the surviving miners from the Far North who told me the entry hall was the first area to be completed. She likes it because it's always warm and bright, even at night.
Eloysius
But I know that Rhodes Island had to invest in appearances first, just to satisfy the nobles and facilitate further operation.
Eloysius
Otherwise, they would hardly have paid attention to an Oripathy treatment center in downtown all of a sudden.
Hellagur
It is warm and bright, though.
Eloysius
...Sometimes I wonder whether you're just acting dumb, or—
Intermittent Voice
...think, it's important.
Intermittent Voice
But, should we wait...
Intermittent Voice
For Dur-nar to, come back?
Eloysius
Oh, that's the girl I was talking about.
Vetochki
Get everyone, indoors... warmer than, outside.
Vetochki
As for where, to put...
Vetochki
Oh. I can help, to carry some—
Eloysius
Vetochki.
Vetochki
—Oh!
Eloysius
Sorry, did I scare you?
Vetochki
No, no! I just didn't, hear you...
Vetochki
You came again! Thank you!
Eloysius
Just happened to pass by. I see the streets outside are empty, and the stoves have been taken away. Have the rooms been cleared? Enough furniture and equipment for everyone?
Vetochki
No, not yet. Some mattresses and, sheets have arrived, but not enough, and it's so, cold outside...
Vetochki
Better to have, everyone, in the hall.
Vetochki
Oh! At night, we'll try to, get everyone, a bed!
Vetochki
There won't be, anyone in the, hall, when there are, inspections...
Eloysius
...Tsk.
Eloysius
Listen, Vetochki, we both know that the requirements for the treatment center to be perfectly clean and tidy aren't realistic.
Eloysius
Forget about those for now. Just let me know if you need anything. I'll do what I can—
Vetochki
But you sent, the mattresses, and sheets, didn't you?
Eloysius
...What? But I haven't gotten the new supplies yet—
Hellagur
......
Eloysius
Who came?
Vetochki
A man, wearing clothes, like yours... he brought, the things, and a few, people.
Vetochki
Just now...
Vetochki
That's him!
Eloysius
...Platon?
Platon
...Tsk.
Eloysius
What are you doing here?
Eloysius
I thought you took leave to see your sick mother?
Platon
Yes, this is one of the charities that my mother sponsors. But I'm surprised you found the time to come to Odoyev and look after these commoners, busy as you are.
Platon
I thought His Imperial Majesty and your bright future were the only things on your mind.
Vetochki
No—
Bodyguard
Get back.
Hellagur
Behind me, Vetochki.
Eloysius
Is that so? What a coincidence.
Eloysius
Since when did House Lunin become a sponsor of Rhodes Island? When my family is taking full responsibility for this matter?
Platon
...Perhaps you should make sure a contract is exclusive before you sign it.
Eloysius
I could say the same to you.
Eloysius
What ARE you doing here, Platon? You have never had the slightest interest in commoners or charity.
Eloysius
Yet you've started doing these things all of a sudden, with a whole retinue of bodyguards... either you've suddenly discovered the goodness in your heart, or you're putting on a performance.
Eloysius
But where are your cameras and lights, if you just want to take a few touching photos for the newspapers and intercity net?
Platon
None of your business. Do you want my sponsorship or not?
Eloysius
Of course. Every little bit counts. Next time, however, I suggest you go through official channels.
Eloysius
After all, it's not just Oripathy patients here, but also a group of witnesses under His Imperial Majesty's protection... you don't want to be in the position of having to explain if anything happens to them, do you?
Platon
...Hmph!
Eloysius
......
Eloysius
Where are the supplies he brought, Vetochki?
Vetochki
The blankets, have been, handed out... the mattresses are, still in the, warehouse.
Vetochki
We're planning to, clear out, more rooms, then t-take the, mattresses out.
Eloysius scans the faces of the patients in the hall. They are draped in new blankets, some huddled together, others curled up on the floor.
Care to give a hand, Gospodin Hellagur? I would like to perform another check.
Hellagur
You suspect him.
Eloysius
I didn't think you would be interested.
Eloysius
Not so much a suspicion as a hunch... but maybe it's just all the assassinations and talk of spies that's gotten me on edge.
Eloysius
When you think about it, procuring this stuff represents no difficulty for his family whatsoever. It just never occurred to them to do so.
Eloysius
I'm supposed to be his superior, sort of, but I never managed to have a good influence on him—
Hellagur
My impression is that rank works differently in the Imperial Guard from the Armies.
Hellagur
Unlike the Armies, which have a strict promotion hierarchy, Imperial Guards mostly graduate directly from the military academy. As members of the aristocracy, all of you start as lieutenants.
Hellagur
You are equal in rank, even if you hold different positions, and this will not change in the near future.
Eloysius
Are you saying it's normal that he resents me?
Hellagur
I've seen it many times. Besides, the Imperial Guard doesn't have automatic promotion by tenure.
Eloysius
Not to mention these are peaceful times, and not even the Great Rebellion could breach the walls of Grypherburg. There are few opportunities for merit and promotion.
Hellagur
You're complaining.
Eloysius
Of course I'm not! Besides, things are changing. What I wouldn't give to not have the opportunity to earn merit now...
Eloysius
Platon's family has been trying to get him into the Central Army and onto the front lines. I rejected the reassignment. I suppose it's another reason why he doesn't like me.
Eloysius
If things have gotten to the point when the Central Army is mobilized, no one in Grypherburg is immune.
Eloysius
The Capital Ursus Guard, part of the Central Army, must stand with the Imperial Guard as the final line of defense.
Hellagur
It's disunity that you're concerned about.
Eloysius
You're much easier to talk to when you don't play dumb, you know? If the vice-chairman was here, he would tell me to stop wearing myself out and put myself and family first.
Eloysius
The Far North Incident has brought the schism amongst the factions of Grypherburg to the surface, while the insurrection in Katorga has raised the alarm for the fence-sitters.
Eloysius
I have no doubt that Grypherburg would have fallen apart in the literal sense of the word, if any of the recent assassination attempts had succeeded—
Eloysius
Wait, these supplies...
Hellagur
Is something wrong?
Eloysius
They're all military supplies. They're usually only seen in the military and the factories that supply it.
Eloysius
The council may occasionally divert military supplies in the event of an emergency, but Platon? How did he get his hands on these things?
Eloysius
What was he doing here?
???
Hmph... hah.
Eloysius
...Who's there?!
Emperor's Blade
Colluding with traitors under the pretense of an Infected treatment center. Just as I thought.
