Hell's army officers

by Andrew Komarowski

  I turned to his "Merlin" and stared to put his nose drawing. Feeling, for the first time tested at Newport, will not go away: red with a languishing glance of the Demon depicted on the nose of the car, gave madness a snide grin, mouth full of teeth, was caused by the desire to chill.

  — The idea of General Kharitonov... — plenty to admire in the character of the Project, I replied. — Remember a car the Cyclops, who challenged me to a duel? He decided that it was a picture of something in this style, and also wanted to revive the well-forgotten traditions of Old Earth.

  — Crazy picture... — without taking your eyes from the grinning monster, the Colonel said. — To the bone. By the way, if I understand correctly, what kind of tradition we are talking, on each of your machines needs to be depicted more and fighting through...

  Yeah! Schazz!!! displeased said Schwartz. — Battle through the Volkov. The rest poor excuse...

  Ridley laughed.

  — Come to the Blues! I saw the result of your miserable likes. Until now, the rubble collect... all Right, you jokers, the account view then. Went to me — I have some news that I must share...

  In the waiting room of the commander of the base was crowded. In addition to Paul Zabrodin glittering with our appearance, there were still six people. Two civilians and four officers. In the ranks from captain and above. Passing people willing to communicate with superiors and biting us in the office, the Colonel closed the door behind him and, with a gesture ordered to sit, sat down in his chair. In front of the barracks of captain Becker are brand new "Merlin". Ten. This is your new reserve. There you can find the mother ship "Poseidon." He also comes to your disposal. Interesting boat. The last "Central Speysship". Something like a aircraft carrier. Three planting table, the same freight decks. Capable of carrying up to thirty "Gyrfalcons" in the holds and as much again on an external sling. Four engine "FRP-600" shield generator "WDS-44", a pretty decent cruising range. Aboard deployed mers[40] Gnom, field medical facility of a class "Avicenna", VIC[41] "Alternative" PRK "Eden". With weapons slightly worse — it is standard for the class destroyer "Storm". With the vehicle commander, major Bourne, and will introduce later. Sitting in the waiting room...

  That's funny... within the General channel mileslas muttered Irina. Four "FRP-600" on a car is overkill. Although, I think she will be able to disperse themselves and sixty "Krechetov" somewhere in the regime of winder...

  — Yeah... — she assented Igor. — Judging by the description, something like "Bowls"[42], only designed for long raids...

  — Hex? — noticing that we look at each other, grinned Ridley. — The news is not Prime. The second is much more interesting: on Board twenty pilot suits and new weapons...

  — And what it is? — as the chief specialist division of land operations, concerned, asked Irina.

  And I know? he said Iron Joe. — You should have seen how many around the "Poseidon" "counterrevolutionaries"! Easier to access the vaults of the Central Treasury of the Confederacy, than to explain these figures, I lost them on a secure ship...

  All right... I smiled. — See for yourself. Something else?

  — Yeah. Your analyst had an interesting idea, and I'd like to discuss with you. But not now, and, say, tomorrow in the afternoon: first, it is already quite late and you are waiting for, and second requested for its normal calculation data has not yet come...

  — Waiting? The Commander Of "Of Poseidon"? — I asked.

  — No... — the Colonel's eyes narrowed shrewdly, and nodded toward the window: — Check in two hours in "Bent horseshoe"...

  — And not to look? sighed Williams. — Frankly speaking, formal events in Newport was enough for the eyes...

  — Just try it! indignantly exhaled Ridley. It's NOT an official event, but... Well, see for yourself...

  For three hours I will starve to death... did Helmut. — To fly, whether in the city?

  — No... — caught on Iron Joe. — I almost forgot: in ten minutes you must be on the "Poseidon". Major Rodriguez is waiting...

  — What is it? — protested Williams. — We are half an hour in and he's already tired? No, I missed him, but the chair, as you can see, do not fidget...

  — He's the fourth day on pins and needles. All my ears buzzed. Says rushing back... — explained the Colonel. — Come in, meet with major Bourne. It is you we came to see and take you...

  To finish in three hours failed: the process of adjustment to new suits to our BK-askam was rather tedious and lasted until eleven in the evening. Therefore, spilled from the "Avicenna", we were a little crazy, and the only topic I wanted to discuss is the prospects for the use of a new weapon system "Guardian".

  Because to call what us created by scientists, just a "suit" did not turn the language.

  However dressed and wearing a forearm on his comm, we were pretty surprised: I don't know how the rest of the guys, and on my "P And the rest would be enough and one.

  — Vic! — The voice of Tolstoy Ted sounded somewhere from behind, forced me to be distracted from their conversation, and deploy the chair around its axis. — Here my son was tortured and asks to meet with any of you. Maybe tell him a few words? — crushed in the hands of a chef's hat, timidly asked the owner of the "Horseshoe".

  — No problem! Call! — I grinned. — If it is, of course, still awake...

  Mary, of course... Tommy! Come and join us! — shouting over the hum of voices, called Ted, and from behind the counter seemed a cunning face of a boy of eight years.

  Proshmygnet deftly between the tables, the boy hid behind his father and enthusiastically looked at me.

  — Sit here, fear not! — Potashev close empty seat, smiled at him, Irina.

  I'm not afraid! — sticking out his chin, with a trembling voice replied Tommy took two steps forward. — You are terrible! You just kill the Cyclops, and his protect! Dad says you were great warriors and even flies do not hurt nothing!

  — Correctly saying... holding the kid's hand, I said. — Little enough to offend the weak...

  And compared to you all look weak! — a little bit bolder, the boy took another step forward and closing his eyes, he shook my hand. — There, you have fists! As the head of the Pope. And I saw trains Jacob Hasek. And take off all of your "Merlin". However, when I talk about it in school, don't believe me...

  — But in vain! Irina patted him on the head and promised: — you Will learn, and ride on your fighter...

  Really? — The kid's jaw dropped and his eyes lit up. — And "good" is like? I don't have any four. I want to be a Demon, and dad said that you only take straight a students and top students. Tell me what I need to do to get you screwed me?

  — Excellence? — surprised Orlov. — Then nothing more! Ride just...

  And you can make holovideo amid ship Big Demon? — in the eyes of Tommy was the cry, I laughed.

  And who's this Big Demon?

  You, of course! — surprised looking at me, replied the boy. — You called! And Irina Orlov — Shadow...

  — Why The Shadow? — asked Ira.

  — And you know how you fly? — Tommy realized that lashing out, and blushed. In General, when your line breaks away from the landing square of the first two cars are closely. Like man and his shadow. And "Merlin" by Mark Gomez flies a bit further...

  — ...As a service dog named Fluffy! — I chuckled listening to our conversation, Ellen.

  Nothing like a dog! — the boy indignantly furrowed his brow. — And like a real bodyguard!

  — Not... to the body of the wick will pick up! Orlov stands out... he said mark, rising from his chair, dragged it closer to us. — Do not pay for Williams attention: she loves all of us, just can't make jokes...

  — I understand... — timidly smiling, he turned to Williams and, after a pause, he added: — I respect you. Very much: you are the flight leader, and it's very cool. But that's a Great Demon, and Shadow, I still respect stronger.

  — Well, pretending sighed Helen. Then maybe instead of fly Irka wil
l be asked to "Merlin" to Vic?

  — Can't... Although that would be creepy cool... — sighed the boy. But how could I refuse? Because I'm a man and already she was promised...

  We laughed wildly, while Irina, confined to a slight smile, softly said:

  — You're the man! I see. Do you have a girl that you love?

  — There! The kid hesitated. Only she doesn't know it yet... But I will give my life if need be!

  — She is studying with you? — I asked.

  Yeah! Sitting at the next Desk.

  — Then do so... — I slyly looked at the guy and winked at Ted. — Today you fly with the Ira to get used to our ships, and if you want me to make a couple of movies, holovideo on the background of any of them. And tomorrow morning we'll fly to your school and meet with your class. And if you don't mind, after lessons all of all your classmates. And you will fly in the cockpit of my ship, your beloved — in "Merlin" Shadows, and all the rest — in the fighter the other guys...

  — Wow! Tommy has surprised jaw dropped from what he just lost his "solidity". — Just arrive?

  — I give you my word! — I seriously looked at him. — Want to meet those who will come after us. How many people in your class?

  Twenty.

  — Excellent! Nine people on the link plus you and your friend. And one free ship. Such a prospect is for you?

  — Still! — Tommy exhaled and grabbed his go-ovoo. — Oh, what will happen tomorrow at school...

  — All right, go on, prepare for flight. In ten minutes, be ready. Shadow now finish second and will be waiting for you outside...

  — Yes, sir! Tommy stood at attention, giving me a military salute, disappeared.

  — Vic, are you serious? — asked in surprise me Ted.

  — Of course! It's time to get acquainted with the youth. And then fed to stew in its own juice. And then, General Kharitonov's rights: what about us kids think, really important. So explain to me where his school is and how much there is better to come...

  In school we went to three in the afternoon. Immediately after a morning workout. — If I came to the school for the real Werewolves, then I'd probably die of pride...

  — I would... — she assented Harry. What if I allowed them to fly...

  — Well, let us no luck — but will rejoice more... — chuckled Helmut, and, waiting till "Drop" hangs over the site for the planting of emergency vehicles, first emerged from the bot.

  A crowd of children, teachers, and several civilian, most likely, the parents, stood fifty meters away from us and did not dare to budge. I had to move forward. Stunned students face looked so funny that I couldn't keep a smile. Tommy hesitated slightly, barely having stuffed standing at the forefront of high school students escaped on operative open space and going to our company reached out to me:

  — Thank you for coming, captain! Thank you, gentlemen! Allow me to invite you into the school building?

  — Hello, Tom! also seriously we said Hello. — Lead...

  Smiling at the silent crowd, I asked:

  — Dear teachers! Be so kind to take us somewhere where we could have a little chat with everyone at once. For example, in the sports hall. Guys! You face there. We're real! What do we fear? Close the mouth and blow to get the best seats...

  A crowd of children with a satisfied roar, disappeared in the building, and a young but already quite full, the man who introduced himself as the Director of the school, bowing humbly, trying to figure out we have the name of the person who gave permission for the meeting. And the reasons why it was not warned about our arrival in advance.

  — Dear Mr. Blanchett. We arrived without any permission. Fulfilling the request of one of the students in your school... ' I said, trying not to wince from the sight of sugary faces of the interlocutor. — It seemed to us that that is enough. There is not planned anything official. A normal conversation with those whom we must protect. So you can relax and go about their business. Or, if there is a desire to take a place among his players...

  — But, you first come to me, you talk to teachers, and I will be in contact with the guide... — zagundosil it.

  We came to children. And we'll be communicating only with them. If you wish to arrange a meeting with the team of teachers, please send a formal request to the office base on the name of the commander of the videoconferencing system of Colonel Ridley, He necessarily will consider in the next couple of months will send an answer. If you are not satisfied, then... you can talk now. With that sullen and unsmiling captain. I think after talking with him you lost all the questions... I nodded at captain Ievleva, just choose from the accompanying boat "Condor". And, pushing aside a little stunned Director, moved there, which pulled clung to my index finger That.

  The children stood in formation, shivering under the strict attitudes of the teachers, and I felt sorry for them:

  — Dear teachers! I will ask you to briefly forget about your responsibilities. Give the children an opportunity to relax. If I made myself unclear — when he saw one of the teachers demonstrates the fist possibleplease child, I was a little angry — to put it simply. All the adults are COMPLETELY FREE. Yes, Yes, you can go! I'm not stopping you. Don't worry here no one will hurt you... — And then, moving his gaze towards the children, in a calm voice he added: — Well, who's gallant and brave enough to bring chairs to our ladies?

  Seeing what happened after those words, I mentally grabbed his head. But it was too late: after a short scuffle over chairs, half the guys were on the floor. However, the massacre did not happen — apparently, they immediately realized that we may be offended, and quickly extinguished the conflict. However, in the end, every chair dragged the man by fifteen, as the chairs were only nine, and "gallant" and "brave" at school was just Nemer.

  — Now take the mats, throw it on the floor and sit back. Honestly, I'd prefer to chat, lying on the mats, but I'm afraid to bend the form. And the mint Shade in the barracks will not be allowed. Know what she's strict?

  Under the General laughter around us was instantly formed something like a living black carpet, and a few minutes later, the children forgot all the valuable guidance received from teachers. The questions came one after another: about the appearance of the Cyclopes, the number shot down by our ships, the conditions of admission to various Academies videoconferencing. To our surprise, it turned out that they know far more about us than we thought: most of the boys appeared to be recording all fights, laid out in Galanta, as well as quite large amounts of personal information about each of the officers of our unit, assembled from what was available in the public domain.

  Master, boys and girls foaming at the mouth arguing about the tactics of space combat, advantages and disadvantages of certain classes of ships, about the performance characteristics of weapons and the prospects of defeating the Cyclops. Some shared their dreams, two thirds of which dealt with service in the elite units of SCD, including those under my command. Then I dropped them on the comm small file with records of fights of his element and almost deafened by the enthusiastic roar. And when, two hours later I announced that we must go, and asked classmates Tommy to gather around the "Drops" in the hall established a dead silence in the eyes of the children, do not fall among the lucky ones, like turn off the lights. And hear the talks in the General channel. Therefore, since departing "Krechetov" from the landing square and back to landing, the flight taxied to our passengers. They requested permission to take off and talked with the managers of the orbital fortresses and Towers, and perform simple tasks for orienteering. Sight training attack intentionally left without passenger Mark on a patrol of four "Tornado" caused the children of such a flurry of emotions, that after landing from the "Krechetov" they had to pick out.

  Giving each of them a memory t-shirt with the emblem of the Demons, Irina and took them back to the school and passed on the hands of dying from anxiety to parents. Tommy, after shaking hands with me, really looked me in the eye and sighed.

  Today was the happiest day of m
y life. Thank you, Demons! Now we know you much better than before. And we will worry about you even more. Take care of yourself, okay? And you, Shadow, hold back, commander! You have it one...

  I tried really hard, baby! Ira sat down in front of him on his haunches. — You know, he's more to me than the commander. I love him very much! Same as you Lisa! And when we deal with the Cyclops, I will marry him...

  — Then I relaxed... concluded the boy and moving away from the bot away, goodbye, and waved at us...

  You know, I'd like to give you such a serious little boy... — dreamy smile, mentally whispered Ira, when we picked up "Drop" into the air, flew to the base. — And forget about the war. You have done that brought me to this school. I felt so warm inside that I want to cry...

  — ...well, boss, the other option I see...

  Ben! Are you... sure? — to cope with surprise, inquired the banker.

  — Yeah. To teach a Zombie to fly level modificando Kharitonov we will not be able will not allow the source material. Yes, in theory, can be found and used as raw material for several dozens of retired pilots, but that still doesn't solve the underlying problem. Born to crawl can not fly...

  — I can pay for the services of the best instructors... — tried to argue with Brian.

  — What? Don't forget that our Zombie is not skiny, and one program at all will not do here. Each one of those brains that we put in their bodies, you need to train. And among our donors the genius of the pilots there. And nejanilini too. Marginal, sir. Yes, killing a lot of time and effort, they can drive simple skills control your units, but the Demons of drivers for their zombies, we will not surpass. So the solution is: to use our products where they are GUARANTEED to be better.

  And I have to go cap in hand to Kharitonov?! — outraged Olsen.

  — Why do you? And why a bow? — confusedly asked Groner. — I think that with the right approach to the issue Kharitonov will come to see you myself!

  — How is it?

  — I would use the General Belotserkovsky, If my memory serves me, Anatoly Pavlovich — a classmate of Mr. McGregor, and thus be able to interest him in another project...