The boat for ten minutes covered the distance from cruisers to frigates entered the hangar and paused, squeezed legs stabilization device.
- Ready, Captain. - Shepard saluted Anderson stood at the gangway.
He saluted responsively, waited until the XO is come down and shook hands with him:
- Come on. Time does not wait. Departure a bit earlier to journalists got wind of what not to. - Said the commander of the frigate, heading out of the hangar. - As soon leave to the course repeater - will be able to go back to the cabin. And while moving away from the station - your presence is required at the card, John.
- It is clear, Commander. - Shepard sat down in front of the star chart, exchanged nods with the officer of the watch.
The usual patter predotlёtnoy control checks. Reports of the services - in accordance with established procedure with fixed completeness. Frigate smoothly moved from the parking place with the maneuvering speed, lay down on the course and gone beyond the outer road.
- "Volga" turned on the engines. Cruiser takes the orientation of the parking space flight. - Metrist reported. - There is a movement. Prior to the adoption of orientation course for a repeater - a half minutes. - A short pause and sound in the ship's communication konferentssisteme final part of the report. - Cruiser - on course to repeater. Everything is okay!
Shepard stared at the screen side of the Star Maps. Yes, indeed, razvedkreyser firmly "stuck" in the wake from the frigate. Involuntarily thought Shepard went on a working setup and exec recalled eyes followed him Svetlana. Now he, Briton John Shepard is that it will protect and keep - his wife and two children. Girl and boy. His own children. And waiting for his friend to return. Full family. Most relatives and friends of people for him.
Path to kroganskomu freighter. Part 1
Output relay has passed normally. We managed to sneak ahead of hulking container, immediately converted into an auxiliary cruiser with numerous artillery container plants. Looking at the lump, bristling stems and guides, Shepard habitually wondering how much ammunition hidden in the guts of the mastodon. It turned out that a lot.
Lighteneth relay took a frigate and a cruiser, there was the usual overboard "corridor". Now you can be free.
- Thanks, John. - Anderson looked up from the screen seawater environment, brushed look at screens shipboard environment. - You can go to him. Your watch two hours.
- There is. - Shepard leaves starpomovskoe chair, vaguely feeling that it would be in this flight to a very familiar. Of course, until such time as will not have to lead the landing. And for some reason me now seems to him that these landings will be at least two, if you count and interaction with the freighter krogan - the three.
While he habitually colleagues nodding in greeting - yet he had long been absent from the frigate and politeness protocol requires not only a nod, but also to exchange two-three when nothing particularly significant, and when and meaningful phrases. On tour, of course, is the movement of the ship clearly does not pull, but Shepard and does not set itself the goal. He just wants to get to their cabins and little to reflect on what had happened, as far as possible combining meditation with routine work XO combat reconnaissance ship.
Finally the door is covered, and even locked in the latch. Shepard takes the suit, removes formёnku and immediately gets into the shower - perhaps this is a familiar ritual, and maybe now it is something more. Refreshed, the captain comes out of the shower. On the desktop instrumentrone - scattering signals of unread messages from different destinations and, of course, varying degrees of importance. Not sitting down in the usual chair, Shepard browses files, typed on the keyboard when the brief when complete responses, sends the read messages in the store - will be useful later. Fewer remains unread, everything is cleaner screen.
The subconscious mind completes testing of information about what happened in the last few days. Too much has happened and although Shepard trained to handle and not with the information overload, yet he felt an easy fatigue. The pleasant fatigue. For what happened during those days had a direct relation to it, as a person, as an earthling, as a man. He became a father, he took up the defense of her son and daughter. He is now in the full sense of the word family man.
Thoughts flow as usual, a ray of consciousness, the search ray fumbles on them in search of problems and shortcomings. Habit. Not everything he did wrong, well, that did not allow a lot of mistakes and errors made by them are not so much something critical. Defects and disadvantages of it correct, as they are now known to him.
Svetlana was tired - this is for Shepard apparently without further explanation. No wonder: the first pregnancy - and immediately twins. Yes, even the combination of the service. Thank Stanislaw, in the last weeks it via Alla virtually took over all the duties of the commander of the cruiser and Svetlana, making sure to deal with XO is in its "position" is not in a state conceded, especially as Alla repeatedly reliably limited the scope of the permissible service for Svetlana loads and responsibilities, while generally not written off her in sickbay on the same "conservation", Kojima is not used to scare anyone. It is either directly applied to the patient is the most "preservation", or simply informed the patient that this situation - and confinement in sickbay it can not be avoided,
Yes, now Svetlana appear small, but new powers, because children - something that habitually and generally for any woman. But, nevertheless, Svetlana tired beyond measure and help Alix - eternal kiborgessy, to feel alive there will be an extremely important and necessary. Well, that Svetlana took her, he took her not just as a helper, as a guard and as a companion but also as a member of his family. Has she, by his own choice.
Too much, he had to take in his subconscious that expired for a few days. Too much - he admits it openly and honestly. If what happened in these days, in these few days, it is not directly concerned, he would, of course, took it easier and safer - would work protection defined in the VCS SWAT manuals as "detachment." And it affected it directly. Strong and deeply touched. In another could be simply and prepare for this can not be completely in advance.
It's hard to believe you forever. And in times like this moment, stretched for a few days really want to believe it at that. After all, I do not want to get used to the idea that you could die, and your son, and your daughter will be one parent. Svetlana ... Yes, she will do everything possible and even impossible, to raise children, but it is unlikely to be able to trust someone else to believe so that children will no longer father and stepfather.
Of course, it would be possible for such embodiments, not to think. And indeed it would be possible for them, these embodiments are not to think, if not around there was a war with the extragalactic enemy. And if so, then we have to think in advance and that, in what conditions intragalactic fights, of which there were plenty in thirty years - so this would not persuade Shepard is necessary, none of the organics and reasonable to think not. Especially if this sensible organic belongs to humanity and is a professional riot policemen. A small clarification - especially would not think. And, of course, I would have thought from time to time. When barely noticeable, and when - is very noticeable. Because the life of a man is given only once, even if that person never shot out of nothing but feeble civilian weapons. And even more so - he never fired on other living people.
Svetlana wanted him to come back as often as possible for her and the children. He returned alive. She does not want him to die, did not want to hurt him, do not want him missing. She wants to live his life a married wife and wants her children to have a father. She wants John felt like a father, dad to the full, so that he could hear his son and daughter for the first time will say the word "dad" and "mom" that he saw them make their first steps, go to the kindergarten, overstep threshold of the school and the university, receive diplomas, will gain the right to the first job. As there is a certain imperial song? "There will then grandchildren - all once again first." Yes, Svetlana wants her and John had grandchildren, next to which they repeat the wonderful way that
in these few days was started ... and can be interrupted,
We must do everything to solve this problem with rachni ... We need to find these missing scouts, it is necessary to do everything to get to the space krogan entire staff of the special forces detachment "Aralllah". We must do everything to Gryunt survived, because he is - Rex in his rare letters repeatedly pointed out that the young krogan neuёmen pure in his desire to test themselves on the strength of the most risky military operations. Although ... Otherwise he would not become the commander of the detachment of special forces kroganskogo better ... Yes, he would have become a prominent warrior, but to the commander "Arallaha" he would not have managed to reach. In a sense, become the commander of the special forces detachment. Gryunt really did not want to fly away with the "Normandy". Yes, he Croghan, but he - Croghan, grown in vitro, and then - to bring on board the "Normandy" and "Volga". He - a special destiny.
Reflections XO were briefly interrupted by the call instrumentrona.
- John. After starpomovskoy watch me go down. - Anderson took advantage of an audio channel, video did without that Shepard liked - commander understands that the XO does not want to see anyone. Of course, the commander would come and now him directly into the cabin, but decided to watch starpomovskoy should not venturing any specific conversations. And in that conversation with Anderson at this time is special, Shepard did not doubt, just let go of his finger PTT Speaker commander heard the usual response:
- All right, David. - Shepard then switched channels, stood up, looked at his watch - before the beginning of his watch had less than half an hour. Just time only in order to prepare and get to the pedestal of the Star Maps.
Check the suit, fasten your weapons and change the stores of ammunition, control system completely isolated, fasten your helmet. Conventional motion hundreds of times spent in training and exercises are now operated at the exec soothingly. It is not so drawn to think about the bad, including about his own possible death. Do not think about it - then tease a higher power, and they really try to punish "legkostupayuschego" so that what exactly will not find it. And, most likely part of the upcoming conversation with David, and will deal with this point. What then, the commander John can talk about it. David realizes it, it is probably the only one on the ship, with whom Shepard can talk about this. Alone, of course. Yes, talk like Anderson himself is not satisfied with the public.
Hands methodically checking equipment, weapons, suit, eyes look around the cabin in search of forgotten, not made, not off. No, it's okay, though ... after what happened with Shepard over the next few days and wonder what ever forget. As they say in the circles of knowledgeable, dizziness and forgetfulness after the event for all men - are not painted in weakness and unworthiness, as usual, and even somewhere and expected state. It is now not just a special forces officer and videoconferencing husband imperial commander razvedkreysera he - the father of two children. Girls and boys.
Everything is checked, no errors and shortcomings have been identified. It's time to go out and go to the Star Map.
Armchair commander empty - Anderson does not want to duplicate the XO and Shepard, exchanged with Smer officer statutory verbal formulas, it takes the chair Exec.
Troop ships follow the corridor, laid catapults repeaters. A lot of effort and money spent resistance, but the most next to the Citadel repeaters placed under enhanced protection and Reapers have lost the ability to control them - both direct and remote. In their hands, it left a lot of repeaters and Shepard watches in disarray and chaos are changed, disappearing and appearing in the depths of the virtual space of the Star Maps line connecting repeaters. The unique graphics game in which involved and broken and is now working repeaters. While the frigate and cruiser followed the tunnel between repeaters this game lines will continue. It will end when the squad will be released in normal space and go to the next repeater. And there she repeated.
So far, no problems. Although the headquarters of videoconferencing there are persistent rumors that the Reapers are trying to master forced redirection tunnels repeaters. That's right all being in them, in these tunnels ships. Time - and instead of one repeater ship falls out completely from the other, respectively - in a completely different nebulae or in a completely different cluster. Yes, it will be chaos, but chaos is certainly manageable. Reapers managed. So work on Protheans Ilos really important and necessary - associates Yavika headed taels not simply seek to improve its model, working model of the repeater, but also to master the management of the majority real repeaters. Really exists. If they succeed - at the Reapers will be knocked out of the hands of a solid trump. Very solid. Maybe it's not even very much, but will bring the final victory over these polumashinami? How do you want to believe it ...
On the screens, close the necklace surrounded the area of the Star Maps - a scattering of green lines and green signals. Green - the color of the usual meaning for earthlings safety. And there are no problems. For those who are not important color, such as the Turian and salarian Mordina proteanina Yavika and there is always the possibility to read tips or explanatory lines themselves strings of information updates. Everything is provided. How you would have said before - on the ship international crew is working. Now they say - interrasovy.
Calm no lulls, no lulls. On the contrary, the mind of Captain Shepard professionally wary, is searching for problems and inconsistencies. The ideal attitude for starpomovskoy watch.
Svetlana has received from Alix general information about the status of the ship. The most common. However, experience and practice helped her feel very much and feel. She is now engaged in a dip children. It is comforting, enabling you to relax and think about pleasant. And so, it is becoming so commonplace worries she began to consistently worry about Shepard. While Troop ships follow the corridor between repeaters, the crew of the cruiser and the team is preparing. The situation is very similar to how kaperang understood, that with which normandovtsy faced before his first appearance on Eden Prime. And now, we have a lot to look first zaretranslyatornymi methods, not appearing in the space newfound star system.
Rubber circle donated children Alix fell and Alexander and Mary for the soul - they quickly got used to it, because it protected them from the soap, that and strive to get into your eyes. Let the children, but from their point of view - more harmful to the fragile eye. And if it is still in the nose or in the mouth climb? And if in the ears? Crying want to immediately and very quickly. And so - yes, he barely barely squeezes his head, but the soap will not go into the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and Svetlana can not worry about them again and again have to be washed.
The first bathing. She wanted to present him with John, but it did not match. Yes, Alla could allow children to bathe before, but apparently she had her reasons for not to give such permission. And now Svetlana bathing children. Alix helped mostly in silence. Children used to kiborgessy presence, it was enough to feel her soft and warm hands.
The first few days the most complex neonatal life came to an end. Now, I remember, Svetlana, you will need every morning, as soon as the children wake up, perform a series of hygiene: wash away the children to change diapers - no matter how clean they are, or are already "used", rinse them eyes, certainly - from corner of the eye to the middle and nothing else, so that dirt can not stay hard without the help of a doctor places children clean ears and do not forget to clean their noses. Normal hygiene, the only difference is that while kids can not do it yourself. Over time, they will learn this all, master. The time will come - and will acquire full adult morning hygiene ritual.
Alix helped wrap children in bath towels, wet their calf. Alexander and Maria immediately cheered, it was obvious that they felt more comfortable. After waiting half an hour, until they are a little otpyhnut after the first swimming and dry out, Svetlana fed them and made sure that the kids and appetite improved.
After making sure that the children were asleep, Svetlana returned to the big bed, keeps the warmth of John. Sela, climbing to his feet on the ma
ttress, tried his back to the wall, though Allah would be against such an afterburner. I Thought, looking at the crib. Alix returned to his chair, again plunged into work with threads. Yes, now Svetlana such procedures will be done every morning and every day to bathe the children will too. Maybe John will be able to take part - it will be the participation of very happy and very satisfied.
Yes, now the children are sleeping twenty hours a day, and wake up only to eat. Over time, of course, the sleep period will inevitably decrease, they will stay awake longer, but it still will not be so soon. Alla said Svetlana and recorded in the reader, that during the month of children permanently reduced physiological muscle hypertonicity and poomu arms and legs gradually learn to unbend on an increasingly long time.
Mites learn to do more and more successful attempts to hold the head lying on his tummy. The periods of wakefulness increase to a quarter of an hour. The kids are comfortable with the sight and hearing, by the end of the month will try to vote - to utter sounds like "a" and "e", but mostly try to do groaning and crying, though try to tell my mother that they are concerned at the moment .
Svetlana herself repeatedly made sure that her voice and Masha and Sasha will know immediately, from the first seconds of sound and therefore tried to talk to them invariably gentle voice. Over time, as explained by Allah, I will have to start doing massage crumbs, but now you can do stroking pens.
The only pity is that the will is still very bad to see the entire month crumbs, but, according to Alla, they now acknowledge the excellent and delicate hearing, and therefore would be happy to listen to my mother's execution of poems and songs, quickly pick yourself your favorite tunes, under which I would be happy to watch and even sleep. Chakwas claims and her Chloe agrees that both children have all the signs of an ear for music, which is necessary to develop and maintain.
Take the children to bed with Svetlana will not. She wants to become accustomed to crumbs of his crib to teach yourself to sleep. Of course, when John will be there, it will be a short time to allow them to sleep in the big bed, next to his parents, but the main thing - to get used to the fact that they have their own bed. What to do, children should be taught to discipline and order immediately. Especially now, when John will not be able to be with them all the time. And she wants to see and feel him beside me all day ... the way he s very expensive. And now even more expensive than before. She has no doubt that the son and daughter will learn a lot from John. Masha will then look at human husbands, similar to Shepard, let alone talk about Sasha and especially it is not necessary - it will largely imitate the father.
Darcy's Starry Sky Page 254