[ Ah. He was starting to understand, now. Infected used more as a control mechanism for the populace. Fear to keep them in line. A plague taxation. His lips thinned.

And this time, it was his fault. ]

There is no fault in survival, [ He said finally. ] I would not ask why you did not fight. You survived. It is not a miner's duty to keep that kind of terror at bay. It is not for ordinary people.

[ A pause. ]

... These red-sleeves... They can speak, can't they?