Read Aloud the Text Content

This audio was created by Woord's Text to Speech service by content creators from all around the world.

Text Content or SSML code:

9-8.2 As for you, what's wrong with you today? Dragging your heels so hard, the soldiers saw. Even thought their Leader would be soft on traitors. Hey, you can't really be turning soft, can you? It's one girl! You and your fire burned most of the street in a snap yesterday! Here I thought you finally seemed the part a bit, "Leader." Do I seem the part? Seem what part? I haven't been able to tell what I seem for a long time. Ever since I was little, I've only seen her appearance, her speech, her fire. She had me become this way too. I couldn't do it, so I was bound to hide under her fire's light. She's a million miles off again. Every time I see her looking like that, I just want to get up in her face and scream. Jealous, now? Don't give me shit. I just can't stomach seeing the face she puts on. Must be nothing but drainwater soap bubbles in that head. Why'd The Leader put her in this position? If it weren't for the face she was born with, she'd be a waste of space. Can't even execute a traitor properly. So you did it for her. She hasn't the capacity to tell herself, but I saw it as quite obvious. Before her fire caught, an unseeable rock had already bored through the girl's chest. I just couldn't hold on! All because of this shameless traitor. I broke my back gathering all those rich and powerful supporters, and you know what? Dead. Dust to dust. Farewell. Oh? I didn't think you had even a lick of the pitying type in you. Ha... even a bunch of meatbeasts would show some use before they died, right? Well done, now, you, well done! Turned to coke with a bump. Good enough, perhaps, that they died so simply. Don't forget, that little greedy plan of yours nearly buried us all deep, deep under. I... I did it for The Leader, and Dublinn! You can't tell me you don't think she's unsuited. Even if she didn't bring all the people, I could've handled County Hillock fine. No, even better. I could've done even better. If The Leader could just trust me some more... Unsuited? Well, I won't say you're not right. People, well, they're best off understanding, after all, not to yearn day in and day out about clambering up where they don't belong. Or else, you know, they miss one tiny thing, trip and fall all the la-dee-da way down... bang, and it's flesh and bones everywhere. Are you getting on my case? How could I be? Let's go. You're just pissing yourself off staring at her. We still have to discuss the next step. "The Bandit," "'The Immolator," "The Accountant," "The Toxicologist," "The Convict," and "The Elocutionist." We sent the notice out yesterday, so gauging the time, they should all have arrived. The city hall's ours now, and we've got quite a few VIPs and nobility under control too. But it's still not enough. We need to have County Hillock totally occupied before The Leader gets here. ...Nrgh. Keep biting, and you'll clean your nail off before you know it. Much bloody appreciated. When it happens, don't you come begging me in tears to paint you a new design. When've I ever cried in front of you?! I just don't like letting the credit go to others. Alright, alright, you think I don't know you? You were one of the first to start following The Leader. You ought to set your sights a bit farther some. But one single Hillock, and you're in this frenzy of a state. You don't even think it's embarrassing. You mean... Once things are all done here, The Leader needs someone to run a trip to Londinium in her stead. Say that sooner! Quick, let's get going, I need County Hillock won within half a day! Each one of them has their own greed inside, wild and wondrously formed, and not even the fiercest fire could burn them all through. So what about mine? I only want to–hide... Yet, does a shadow have the right to flee? Dublinn Soldier Leader. Mm... Dublinn Soldier Madam Harmonie's inviting you to hold the meeting. Do I... have to go? Er, Madam did say, if you really don't want to go, they can respect your wishes. Respect...? How kind of her. Soldier, go and tell them, carry it all out according to plan. They know their own duty. They don't need me pushing them. As for me, I need to think in peace. Order your people to keep proper watch, and let nobody disturb me. Dublinn Soldier Yes, Leader. [The Dublinn soldier leaves.] I need... a little time... ...... What... is this? In the ruins of the village, I found a piece of paper. It was fragile, very much so, all four corners charred black, and as I picked it up, half fell to ash, and sadly, only half of the words were left upon it. "Why should I lose heart" "A great flame may have burned the whole land to its end" "But I see someone's soul, on the other side of the scales" It was a poem, a verse missing its beginning. These words seemed freshly written, the ink still not naturally set, before fire scorched it dry. Yes. My fire. My soul... 9-9.1 I'm back. I found some bread and clean water. Craig's been running about most of the night, he needs to fill up his stomach... Er, what's wrong with everyone? What... happened? It's her! She's the one who tipped the Victorian Army off... She killed Saoirse! What... What are you talking about?!?! Saoirse... What happened to Saoirse?! You're asking? She's dead! You black-hearted Victorian soldier! You got close to her just so you could pluck intel from her own mouth, didn't you? And now she's been executed–are you happy?! I... I never even thought... How could this... I'm sorry... I'm sorry... Saoirse... Save your tears! You've no right to be sad for her! And you've no right... to be standing here! I was sincere with her, always... Sincere? A Victorian soldier, telling us Tarans sincerity? What a joke for the ages! Aren't we all... countrymen? Countrymen? What do you know of our country? Have you eaten the grains we eat, spoken the language we speak, felt the pain we feel? But I've always wanted to help you... Don't come any closer! Put down your flag! You're not calling for backup on us! I don't want to... I wasn't... Get out of our land! Never again will the home of the Tarans need Victoria's ensign! You want... me gone? We've got no choice. You saw how... I never even did any wrong, and yet... none of you would just let me go... I think... Ronan was right, we have a chance now. If we can just win, then nobody will ever come hassling me or Craig again... *sob*... Craig... do you...? We don't need you! [Someone throws a stone onto Janie.] A... stone? "Have you seen the looks in their eyes before?" "In their eyes, no matter how you behave..." We aren't the same kind. <Background black> Janie So it was... me who never figured it out. I should go. The troops are retreating in defeat. Over half the blocks in this city will very soon fall into the spectre force's hands. How'd they break so quick?! I was thinkin', even if their organization and trainin' was rock-bottom level, at least they could hold out until tomorrow mornin'. You noticed how that squad from the barracks behaved just now, didn't you? I saw it. We were holdin' the stadium together, but then once the enemy came, they all ran for the rear in a flash. Would've been useless no matter how we held out. They seem to have completely lost their will to fight. That might be it. After all, it was a situation just now. The enemy shows up, the residents in refuge all cheer for 'em and open the gates in. Any soldier'd be a little deflated watchin' a scene like that. But Colonel Hamilton doesn't seem in any way like the kind who gives up this easily. He especially values County Hillock. The barracks might be at a disadvantage right now, but they didn't seem to be in any chaos at all when they retreated. They still had firm organization. I can only believe that this present state still falls into the Colonel's plans. He has some other intent in this war situation. Closest forces are County Kevin's barracks. If we sent out the signal for help, they could get here by evenin' soonest. ...Assuming they receive the signal in the first place. Worried about problems with the comms system? our third day since coming here, and we still haven't received any news from Londinium. County Hillock is like a lone island at this moment. [Sounds of fighting are heard across Hillock.] No problem, just a few grenades and a wee squad of mixed forces. I'll sort it out. This street's still safe for the time bein'. Bagpipe... remember in training when you just joined us, I gave you two hours of weighted handstand push-ups as a punishment. Course I'd never forget, Leader. Wasn't much of a bad punishment as far as I'm concerned, but for a while, I really thought you didn't like me too much. [Explosions and shots are heard in the distance.] I never told you why. Actually, it was because you told me as you were reporting in, you'd stuffed mince pudding and blankets in your marching bag. Eh? That's a hometown treat. It's good, honest. You said much the same at the time. On the day of the solo cross-country test, you were already starving when you came back, and you obviously kept food in your bag, but you still wouldn't eat it. Bagpipe Couldn't really bear to... I was goin' to have it as a reward for myself, once the trainin' was over. Scoff it down at the happiest moment. I once maintained that a person too attached to her home, unable to surmount the past, could not become a good officer. So, though your grades at Royal Guard were exceptional, and Instructor Slim spared no effort in recommending you to me, I still had doubts as to your potential. So that's what it was! But you've been awful nice to me since. proved yourself. I gradually came to understand. It's only because you have an indestructible attachment in you, that you could become who you are today, a most excellent Victorian soldier, someone to surpass me. [More explosions are heard.]