Unconquered Sun

by Philipp Bogachev

  - And I know an entrance to the Ant hill because I some time was there in captivity and I can specify it to you with an extreme accuracy …

  Here the storm rose such that it could not be constrained. Having used it, the Beautiful Fairy quietly descended from department, sat down at the place on the first tribune and again began to sob. But nobody condemned her, all thought that the Fairy is just infinitely offended by change of the husband and this insult burns down her such sublime, such thin and noble soul … Nobody knew about the original reasons of her grief, even Triune Knowledge.

  The rough pleasure of fairies could be understood and explained much more simply. Really, their main enemy - offsprings of darkness and the evil is so much thousands of years, vile Murin - it was impregnable, and now, for the first time for so many thousands of years, there is a real opportunity to strike it a final, mortal blow, and to kill with one shot at once two hares - to finish also the Invincible Sun, and the Ant hill at the same time. And to revenge at once for everything and for all, one resolute blow, once and for all!

  For the first time for so many weeks the meeting of the Supreme Privy Council of Community ended, at last, fruitfully, accepted, as always unanimously, - to begin with the resolution preparation for new storm of the Citadel of the Invincible Sun through the Ant hill and by that successfully to finish the begun operation "PUNISHMENT".

  2.

  The plan of invasion into the Ant hill was developed by fairies long ago. In secret laboratories of "STING" for many years special means of attack were created - armor mechanical "moles", the spells intended to burn and etch Murin in narrow passes of the Ant hill.

  However still fairies did not manage to find an entrance to the Ant hill in any way. All knew that it somewhere near the Rocky Mountains, but where - nobody knew precisely. The intelligence agents of "STING" who were looking for a mysterious entrance too often vanished completely so, eventually, on "top" the decision to stop searches was made.

  The invented late remotely-controlled avatars allowed to continue searches, but also they could not mark presence signs Murin. Possibly, Murin gained unique ability to extinguish emissions of magic energy, and can some in any other manner deceived Analyzers. Fairies do not knew it.

  At the same time, though the location of the Ant hill continued to remain the unknown, in it all the same carefully prepared for war, on a case of its detection. And therefore, when the Fairy specified exact location of an entrance to the Ant hill, it was necessary only to give the order on invasion.

  The first to the specified place about ten big green dragons flied. Of course, it were not the real dragons exterminated by fairies far back in the past without the rest, and the golems made of metal, but the golems possessing all properties of dragons of the presents. They refueled dwarfs mechanics special explosive mix, in accuracy corresponding to a chemical composition of drakony fire.

  Metal green creatures, remotely-controlled of the Command center, flew up to not remarkable cave specified by the Fairy in absolutely not remarkable mountain, approximately in ten miles from the Gold Hall. First of all they poured over it a liquid flame - it that even the stalactites which were hanging down from walls melted. Fire cleaned good one and a half miles of cave space.

  Only after that the first paratroopers - the fighting golems this time made of a fireproof alloy, but not of granite, doing them impregnable for underground fire entered a cave.

  And it was not the only innovation. For a short time, considering experience of the last fights, designers of "STING" provided also some other improvements.

  In I feast turn, decided to refuse the artificial intelligence which proved to be inefficient. Now all golems coped directly from the Command Center, telepathic. What was reflected and on their appearance - now it were not stupid monsters, but anthropomorphous warriors - the exact copy of soldiers of the Invincible Sun whose remains (as well as the remains of the gold dragons changed in green) found at the bottom of the Gorge.

  Growth from the tall person, completely chained in the fireproof armor given a mirror-like polish, and therefore the opponent, impregnable for luchemet, in the continuous, covering the face helmet with cuts only for eyes and a mouth. On a front plate of a smooth helmet and on a breast at them instead of an emblem of the Invincible Sun was two letters "P" (that means, "An order and Prosperity") with three crowns over them are traced.

  In hands they already had not the bludgeons which showed earlier the inefficiency, and powerful flame throwers with the mix identical to a drakony flame which is contained in naspinny cylinders. Flame throwers switched also to other mode - on production of poisonous drakony gas. Fire and sulfuric gas of the fairy hoped "to clean" fairly the Ant hill that any Murina did not escape, having hammered into some cave or a crack.

  These that fighting golems, having been built in several chains, dashes went in a cave, watering each suspicious crack with streams of liquid fire and poisonous gas.

  And afterwards dragons unloaded party of dwarfs and boxes with details from which those, having put on big dark glasses and black leather gloves, began to bring together first "moles".

  "Moles" were huge, in three human growth, armored vehicles on wheels working at "drakony fire" and equipped with also powerful flame throwers and gazometa. On a nose of each "mole" there were huge drills and two mechanical hands for punching of openings in any, even to the strongest and firm rock - similar cars dwarfs use for mining operations, only without flame throwers, of course.

  To the 6th department of "STING" - responsible for production of arms, both magic, and usual - it was necessary to work fairly. For only a few weeks they managed to create new army of golems almost from scratch, having brought it to fifty thousand cars, to increase number of "moles" up to five thousand (the quantity prepared earlier was counted insufficient and decided to double), from scratch to create three hundred green dragons.

  For carrying out so large-scale works it was necessary to mobilize all dwarfs of Tselestiya - only they can work around the clock without a break, only they can do heavy-duty alloys with the help only to them known confidential, karlichy charms.

  However, for all this pleasure it was necessary to lay out nearly a half of gold reserves of the Community which removed to banks of Federation of the free cities of Podzemya, but … but the new army was ready to storm at once as from memory of the Fairy information on location of the Ant hill was obtained.

  Soon first five "moles" were brought together, part of fighting golems took places in them, part took seat on armor, and the operation "Punishment" entered the new phase.

  3.

  "Moles" passed the first one and a half miles which are smoothed out by drakony fire without adventures. The cave the farther, the more is more spacious, however, constantly it extended, became necessary to maneuver in a thicket from thick stalactites.

  The fiery spheres which were remotely operated by fairies from the Command Center satisfied need for lighting much. Everything was silent. Only certain bats continually vsparkhivat under a ceiling. Couple from them paid for it - they became the first victims of flame throwers of vigilant golems. But further golems became more careful - the reserve of fuel was better to be saved.

  But here "moles" crossed the line to which the "cleaning" made by dragons stretched and reduced the course - here it was possible to expect attack. Their fears were confirmed soon.

  The first of "moles", having passed about a quarter of mile deep into of a tunnel, suddenly unexpectedly failed under the earth, in the abyss which yawned under wheels. Fairies in the Command center counted to thirty and only then heard a falling sound - "mole" was smashed somewhere at a depth of 30 miles.

  Other four cars rose, the jumped-out golems immediately began to construct the bridge from in advance prepared materials. And here, one of "moles" carefully moved on him, the others prepared for a crossing.

  Suddenly all cave was filled with a roar, the rockfall began. One of the largest stones got on just built bridge and one mor
e "mole" failed in a chasm, other stones, having broken in flat cake of several golems sitting "on armor" however did not do any harm to cars. But pass farther appeared is filled strongly up with stones.

  It was necessary to construct anew the bridge, to transport cars and to drill and rake a blockage - on it left without small hour. But during this time new five cars approached and work went quicker.

  When the blockage, at last, was sorted, "moles" moved further.

  After a while the tunnel began to be narrowed gradually, the way began to branch on a set of narrow passes through which "moles" could move only on the single, and that hardly - working drills and mechanical paws hard. But now flame throwers and gazometa could prove better - in case of attack from their volleys it was impossible to evade.

  Murin did not prove in any way. Perhaps, they decided not to accept battle in such adverse conditions and receded on in advance prepared positions.

  The command Center knew from stories of the Fairy that somewhere in depth the original Ant hill - secret laboratories, masterful, torment, halls of meetings begins. There it was also worth expecting the main resistance. And fairies were going to suppress it - "moles" were only investigation, they had the main weapon still "in a sleeve".

  At last, "having hardly drilled" through narrow pass, the first of "moles" drove in a spacious grotto. After it from pass came up a remote fiery ball. It rose to the ceiling to light all space.

  The first golem "on armor" raised the metal head in a black impenetrable helmet up. The fairy operating it was stupefied. ALL ceiling was covered moving a carpet from bodies arachnoid Murin, ready to a jump.

  He in them did not manage to discharge the flame thrower as one of Murin waved a long scorpion tail, and the fiery sphere was scattered on thousands of sparks. Light went out, the grotto was embraced by outer darkness. And then something unimaginable began …

  The golem did not manage to press a trigger as the dense sklizky network, unusually strong so "mole" instantly started slipping fell to "mole", and from above on it as a rain black bodies fell down. The golem on armor received such blow a tail that his head a rag ball flew away from a body. Other golems were comprehended by the same fate - nobody managed to shoot.

  The triumphing Murin during only a few moments forced locks of hatches long curve thin claws, instantly got inside and hurt the metal heads of golems in blows of scorpion tails or twisted them a web so those could not move, and then already finished them tails.

  Prompt actions of hundreds Murin made success in outer darkness. The same destiny comprehended two more got-out "mole".

  But others two were already warned, and before leaning out of an opening, they struck with all the power.

  The next ten Murin safely as autumn leaves flaw. From them there is no nothing left, except an ashes handful, with gas choked, turning over on backs, convulsively pulling spidery paws, about ten more, but the others, having left already finished "moles", rushed to shooting.

  "Moles" watered them with clouds of fire and gas, golems "on armor" joined them, Murin sustained big losses - the first three rows coming were swept away, however the others, and also coming on a ceiling, reached cars and were accepted for good reason. At last, "moles" stood forever.

  The cars which got stuck in narrow passes created a stopper - what Murin tried to obtain - so the "moles" following them could not move further. It was necessary to leave to golems cars and to go for storm under the own steam.

  But Murin also did not think to leave positions. Once golems bypassed a jam, from all directions clots disgusting green muck which was spat out by these vile creatures departed to them, having hidden under a ceiling. The green muck stronger than any acid decomposed heavy-duty steel and in several moments fireproof metal turned into a shapeless heap of fragments. Firing by poisonous saliva was such intensive that any of golems did not manage even to shoot. They stopped incorporeal attempts of direct break only after disgraceful death nearly hundreds of cars.

  Remained, by order from the Command center, got back into cars and the "moles" who corked narrow passes from all dispersal tried to ram. But nothing was impossible! "Moles" were under construction dwarfs on conscience - could get moving forward them, perhaps, only cave dev. Murin did not hurry to advance to the attack - they quite accepted defense.

  But right now time for operation of the real weapon also came! Thanks to "moles" fairies managed to find out location of troops of the opponent that there and to strike the main blow.

  To the place of fight couple of tens of avatars - flying monkeys of blue color flew up - and through them fairies began to create the main spell.

  Huge fiery spheres swept on all five narrow transitions as if huge "tumbleweed", and from all move hit in the "moles" who got stuck at an exit from narrow passes. Deafening explosion from which even at fairies in the Command center stuffed up ears was distributed (though they was in earphones!). All space of a grotto was in a flash lit is dazzling this world and the liquid fire burning everything, even air, the melting stone and steel, filled all grotto. Without having managed to publish a sound, Murin holding the fort broke up even not to atoms, and to quarks. Even from the "moles" neutralized by moray eels there is no nothing left, except the small "pancakes" from the melted metal tightly welded to as if to the polished stone floor. And after that five "moles" who remained in a reserve victoriously drove in completely "smoothed out" Gate in the Ant hill.

  4.

  Prinze and Lily had dinner together, sitting the friend opposite to the friend, in a favourite Emerald Hall when the deafening roar, from where from below from which at both stuffed up ears was distributed. From above gold plaster fell down, several emeralds, one of them fell - directly to a table, and several stained-glass windows at windows scattered on pieces.

  Lily fatally turned pale and dropped a spoon which plaintively tinkled, having fallen to a floor. The prince hardly managed to jump up to its chair to keep him from falling. Lily scaredly grabbed the volume stomach both deeply and often began to breathe.

  - Darling with you everything is all right? - with alarm Prinze asked, having taken it by hand.

  Lily some time did not answer, continuing to pant with a great effort.

  - Punishment … The pendulum … shook … They … … will be soon … here … I feel …

  - More quietly, more quietly, expensive, you cannot worry, calm down, - Prinze quickly whispered, convulsively stroking her hand. - Perhaps we will go to a bed, and, Poured? You will lie down, you will have a rest, we will go-will go, give I you I will carry …

  - At me … fights begin … … carry … to the room … call … Animals … they are trained … … it is not necessary to deliver … dwarfs … … I do not trust … Animals … only … quickly … - she began to breathe very often, deeply and falteringly. On a forehead the perspiration acted.

  - Darling where I will find Animals? I already few weeks did not see them, and even it is more!

  - Silly … they hide … in ventilation … between Malachite … and the first … a tier … rather, darling, rather!!! - Lily cried, biting till it bleeds the turned white lips.

  Without thinking twice, Prinze took Lily on hands and carefully carried in a bedroom then rushed to the Malachite room, quickly got on a step-ladder into a ventilating outlet. It did not creep and hundred steps as heard familiar voices:

  - Stand who goes whoever you were, and I will bite that - very much, very painfully, and-av!!!

  - And I am scratched, I will scratch eyes, the villain, m - meow!!!

  From such "threats" Prinze nearly burst out laughing, but the thought of a desperate situation of Lily returned him to reality.

  - Animals? Kitten and Puppy? It I, Prinze, and well quickly here! Immediately!

  - Ha … Owner!!!!!! Ur-ra!!!! The owner returned!!!! - unanimously plush Animals cried and on all fours rushed towards to Prinze, nearly strangled him in plush embraces. The soft pink uvula of the Puppy and rigid as a brush for footwear - the Kitten - isslyunyavil
to it all person, Prinze hardly beat off them.

  - Not time for embraces, friends! I am glad that you survived in all this bedlam, we will talk then! Lily dies, run, quickly, for me!

  And with these words it spread back on low pass, behind it - wondering Animals. Having jumped out in Malachite, Prinze at full speed ran to Lily's room, and behind him - his loyal friends.

  The most gloomy fears of Prinze came true. Already in three hundred steps from the room he heard heart-breaking cries of Lily and internally shuddered - childbirth for fairies many times more painfully and more dangerously, than for human women and furthermore for the fairy deprived of pink food.

  When Prinze with Animals ran in to the room and Lily saw them, she has a snack till it bleeds a lip, but ceased to shout, having only darted an imploring look towards Animals.

  Animals with astonishment exchanged glances - to see Lily in such "interesting" situation they did not expect in any way! But their confusion lasted only a moment. The practical Kitten left the first a stupor.

  - So, the Puppy, quickly - connect a pillow under the head, hands by a sheet over the head, - to remove clothes - immediately! The prince, and you I will ask to leave and to densely close a door. And also immediately to nakipyatit as much as possible hot water and to bring pure sheets how many you will find. Try to make it as soon as possible when you bring - be knocked. To the room - a leg! It is our work.

  The prince obediently nodded and rushed on kitchen, in passing remembering household spells to which he was learned on "ground" for start of automatic process of heating of water. And after it the constrained wild, animal shouts rushed already nothing …

  In kitchen he quickly said the necessary spells, and already buckets departed to be filled with water, the blue magic flame which was not demanding firewood flashed in an oven, and soon boiled water was ready. And during this time Prinze ran to the former room of the Fairy and brought about ten golden silk sheets from cases. A simple spell - and sheets together with buckets flew behind it afterwards to Lily's room.