The Empire of Reimia (3)

Meanwhile, Xenomia, Linnea, and Lattro rested in the infirmary along with the other patients. While they were in such a helpless state, soldiers in imperial uniforms began to enter the room, among them was Sergeant Nanako, whom, however, few people here knew. One of the newcomers, judging by the insignia on his uniform, was a lieutenant.
“You deserve this, dogs of Rynze!” he declared loudly, and then began methodically killing the defenseless patients with the help of his comrades.

Despite the war raging around them, Miya, though feeling ashamed of herself, simply slept, lacking the strength to stay awake. It felt like sleeping at such a time was another betrayal of her friends, who were trying their best, but what could she do...
However, the sound of footsteps and screams nearby quickly shattered Xenomia's sleep.
"How? Already here, so fast? But why, how? And shouldn't we have guards? Are they alive? Is anyone... Alive?!"
With eyes full of horror, the girl watched as the patients were killed. And then she realized that she was standing in the front row, next to this insane woman. Strangely, this brought her more relief – perhaps, if the guards were still alive, at least Xenomia's death would prevent someone else from dying. There was also Linnea, Lattro... What would have happened if they had started with them?
"No... No... Wait... Think."
The infiltrator approached the next patient. Thoughts raced through her mind.
"I also... I still want to live!"
A shot rang out.
"I don't have enough strength for a full-fledged battle. But I don't need that. I need a moment."
Nanako is walking towards Xenomia.
"Two moments! Throw the blanket over her to disorient her, and then hit her with an uppercut! I'm not... Helpless... I just need to hold on for these two moments with adrenaline..."
Miya tightly gripped the edge of the blanket.

“I’m sorry, dear,” Nanako said to Xenomia when it was her turn, “nothing personal.”

"You're wrong!" Xenomia thought, barely holding back tears. "War is personal!!! Right now!"
And a burst of automatic gunfire followed from behind.
Only later, as Xenomia's consciousness calmed down, did she realize that the plan was foolish. Even if she had managed to throw the blanket before the shot, even if she had the strength to jump up, the other soldiers would have immediately shot her, intercepting her. And even if not, where would she get the strength to strike with these weak, disease-ridden hands?
Nanako's blood, surprisingly, did not cause disgust; instead, she felt pity for the woman who had been so beautiful but ended her life in such a terrible way, committing the most heinous crime, and would never be able to make amends, if she could. At the same time, this was a kind of comfort. It wasn't her, Xenomia's, blood. And not Lattro's, and not Linnea's...
Her heart was still pounding, her eyes were blurry, and she felt very sleepy again.
“Gilbert... I owe you... Thank you...”