Named Sherlock

by Bagatur Zhamkochyan

  Hastily removing part of the poultry body, I pulled out the unit with copper-wax cylinder outside and a special plate again smoothed the cut surface.

  - Well, now exactly, exactly six minutes. Good luck to you, sir!

  Mr. Jobson winked at me, grinned, causing his face took on an expression of defiant mischievous boys, and went out, finally jokingly saluted.

  Before I could sit back, his thoughts, as it were, with the use of pass the time, as in the drawing room, rolling in front of him covered with tea movable table, joined by his wife, Martha:

  - Sherlock, dear, do you want to drink tea with me?

  - With great pleasure!

  - Well, great! While Arthur there playing detective, by the way, he has always dreamed about it, you and I can talk nice! You probably want to know something about your family, do not you, dear?

  Frankly, busy with thoughts of nasty spider Volfish I completely lost sight of, that the couple Jobson might well be familiar, perhaps even friends with my parents.

  - Of course, ma'am! Really want to! Did you know?

  - Yes, we were familiar with, but, unfortunately, were not particularly close. George and Amanda were constantly busy travel and digging, they devoted little time to communicate outside of their work.

  - Excavations, ma'am?

  - Yes Dear. Your parents were archaeologists, specialists in ancient civilizations. They always something dug somewhere on the edge of the earth. Even your birth not unyalo fervor Amanda, though, a couple of years and she stayed home with you. With two years you spent more time with nurses and uncle than with their parents - in the voice of Martha slid a note of mild condemnation. Woman almost imperceptibly shook her head and reached for standing on a tray a cup of tea.

  - What happened, when and how they were gone?

  Missy sighed Jobson:

  - It happened about five years ago. They went to another expedition, somewhere to the east. I do not know all the details, but it seems to be somewhere in the mountains, the remains of civilization have been found, which used to be rather simple tale, frank fiction than even legend. Of course, it could not pass without attention of your parents. Rather, your mother. In this pair was leading it was she - a smart, strong, stubborn - it can even go on foot to the edge of the earth, following another mystery. And your father too fond of her to try to change something.

  - My father was not a researcher?

  - I Was. But he liked to explore the old manuscripts than to crawl with a torch to ancient crypto. Once upon a time, when your parents were first married, we sometimes spend time in the countryside, on a fine day - female lips touched dreamy half-smile. - Even then, it was clear who is worth what. While George was lying on a blanket with a book and a sandwich, Amanda had time to run around the whole neighborhood, to drag a couple of birds' eggs, tear in windbreaks dress and find in the creek bunch some shards.

  - Mrs. Jobson, say they loved each other?

  - Oh, of course, my dear. They were just the perfect couple. Young, in love ... Then all were young and happy - George and Amanda, Jeremy and Anna, and Arthur and were not so old and gray.

  - Do you still young and beautiful, ma'am.

  - Oh, the young ladies' man! - laughing woman. - to have fun. Wait, now I'll show you something.

  For a moment, coming out of the living room, Mrs. Jobson returned, holding a thick sheet of paper yellowed by time.

  - Look, - she handed it to me. - Arthur is interested in painting, so, at the amateur level. This watercolor he wrote after one of our walks together, almost fifteen years ago.

  I do not know why, but when I took a leaf in hand, my insides curled into a tight ball, and the palms sweat instantly. The figure is very talented, and very similar to ourselves, resting at a picnic people were depicted. Here are noticeably rejuvenated Mr. Jobson, here March - dark-haired, a little better than it is now, but with a recognizable kind smile. That is a tall man with whiskers hugs, as if trying to protect from all over the world, a pretty blonde fragile. And finally, my parents ... Dad, with an open book in her lap, mother, with a flowing mane of red hair and some snag in his hands.

  - Mom, Dad ... - I touched the painted figures, feeling heavy in my throat rises com.

  - Sherlock, did you know them? - excitedly I asked Mrs. Jobson.

  I can not say no sound, nodded. Of course, I found out. I saw them every day, from the minute I was born until the moment when I was twelve years old. It's been my, my real parents! Proteus Proteus ... Damn, why did you do it?

  Staring at the picture, I did not even notice how quietly left Mrs. Jobson. I do not know how much time passed, but entered the room the lawyer as if pulled me out of a deep trance. I did not immediately began to understand exactly what he tells me.

  - Sherlock! Well, come to his senses, are you asleep here? I'm telling you, we did it, must dance! - Mr. Jobson was in such a joyful excitement that seemed ready to dance himself.

  - You could, sir? It's great - no matter how I tried immediately to portray the enthusiasm in his voice I did not work, but fortunately, no one but me noticed.

  - Yes, everything turned out exactly the way we conceived! But I confess to you, I'm just amazed at what a terrible woman. This surprisingly crafty, unscrupulous, cruel umm ... being a man, I would not venture to call it, the light is not seen before.

  Old lawyer pacing the room steps, unable to cope with the emotions came over him. He raged like a geyser:

  - Emma Volfish met me quite nicely, invited into the living room. When she told me, the grief experienced after your loss, then, I do not know the truth, no doubt believed it. This is a brilliant actress, really talented. I'm sure I saw tears in her eyes - a man shook his head.

  - But when I told her what I know, and demanded a share it instantly calculate all. In a second, in front of me he was a hard-headed businessman, she fought for every copper coin, both for their own lives. Realizing that does not succeed, then I dressed up on a new mask and began openly to seduce me, trying, instead of money, to pay off access to its charms. I'm amazed that Jeremy resisted for so long, now I understand what the hell has become his life.

  - Sir, you have got the bird, she wrote down?

  - Oh, yes, she recorded everything. And the recognition of this creature in an attempt to kill you, by the way, she still believes that you are dead, and the idea to fake a testament Jeremy and then divide the inheritance, and even that still drives me the creeps, a proposal to get rid of Martha and marry herself! Moreover, he promised to poison his wife so that no one would have guessed then that this is no ordinary illness. I believe that I, after marriage, would be destined to the same fate.

  - So keep Sherlock, decide for himself what to do, - Mr. Jobson thrust cage with a bird in my hand - but if you need advice, middle-aged, have pozhivshego man know - the snake can not bite it in her nature. And if you can not pull out her teeth, you just need to destroy it, without pity or doubt.

  - Congratulations! Quest: "The weight of evidence" is made.

  - Reward: 2500 experience (0/10000), the continuation of the quest chain.

  - gained a level!

  - Stage 6 (available for allocation characteristics points - 1).

  And expectedly, the finale:

  - to offer you the quest: "retribution".

  - Quest Conditions - you have to decide the fate of Emma Volfish. Will you trust the law of justice, or prefer to administer their justice?

  The award - variability.

  Penalty is not a failure.

  Accept the quest?

  Difficult ... How difficult. On the one hand, the example of a series of investigations Night Strangler, I saw how awkward and clumsy local law-enforcement system. And then, using his remarkable acting ability and devilish trick, Miss Volfish could get out, reducing life itself as much as possible.

  On the other hand - that I could do myself? How to punish? And most importantly, how to protect yourself and others from repeated bites of snakes that are sure to follow, because it
is in her nature? Kill? But I have to do it yourself. And if I can take the life of a man, even one? No. Without hesitation, no. Protecting life, his or someone else - perhaps, as well, calmly, carefully ... Never.

  Well, then, we can only detective March. Oh, he is, with his desire to find the truth, I hope, will not miss her in the swamp of lies, which, no doubt, will spread to the first interrogation housekeeper.

  But first, you need to become familiar with the evidence. By shifting the lever on the poultry breast in listening mode, I firmly reached for the crown when the world froze.

  Struck by the silence that followed, I was not a little frightened. The first thought that flashed through my mind was that the game had somehow turned bad, and I will stay forever in this terrible nightmare stationary. But a second later, a calm female voice that emanated appeared out of nowhere, made a bit of clarity: "Prepare Emergency stop Emergency stop!!!"

  My last thought before the world was plunged into darkness, was, oddly enough, that I had not paid his debt Constable Joyce who helped me in the beginning.

  1. Andrei Dementyev, the poem "In the Garden".

  Named Sherlock. Book 2

  Annotation

  Draft without proofreading, finished. Sherlock's adventures continue! Where zavedut his quest for the real murderer and the Dark Gods? Will he be able to become a true master-mechanic, Do the mystery unravel the mysterious hours? In a strange expedition lost parents and uncle? How many questions and few answers. But still there is the real world, which also throws puzzles, sometimes more difficult game. The murder of the players - who or what is behind this? Answers to all these questions, as well as many others - in front of you, in the second part of the novel "Po named Sherlock." Welcome to my world.

  Chapter 1.

  Interlude 1.

  "VirtArt" Hall Board of Directors meetings.

  - Gentlemen, I ask you! Minute attention! - Leo K. Sušica lazily raised his voice. - Let the man finish. - Continue, Nicholas - he turned to the speaker. He instantly measure, rustling papers.

  - So, as I said, to track where the signal came, we did not succeed. Furthermore, all parameters of the system were normal and nothing to arouse suspicion, until the very moment of momentum. Proteus reports, which are also actively engaged in the analysis, show the same thing - the absolute zero.

  - And what do we now turn off the project? - his voice from the place one of the participants of the meeting, a tall man with a thin, intelligent face and deep widow's peak.

  - Minimize the project? What nonsense. Due to the three deaths? You're kidding, Sergey G.? - Leo K. smiled.

  - Yes, and here the death, it is the little things. I am more concerned that even Proteus could not trace the source of momentum, and this is about something said. Someone is playing against us, and that someone is strong enough to not let yourself discover the most perfect machine intelligence on the planet in their own global network.

  - Nicholas, and that says analytical department? Have any suggestions?

  - Yes, we did some calculations, but they are very approximate, because virtually no data. The probability of occurrence of such a pulse force and frequency due to a system failure is 1.6%, respectively, the likelihood of exposure to the outside - 98.4%. And most likely, but there is no numbers will not be, it's just a guess - is a diversion to the alliance level. Escape from the MI-level Proteus in his own network is virtually impossible, it requires intelligence not inferior and sometimes superior to him, and quite specialized and does not have the basic constraints.

  - Diversion to the alliance level? You have that there, in your research department, henbane overeat?

  - This assumption Proteus - spread Rapporteur hands.

  - It's funny. If there is now present our Chief of Security, he would have guessed that this case "hands" of the Proteus and it just eliminates the competition, to promote the project.

  - What are you, Leo K., it is absolutely impossible. Limitations inherent in any AI, and Proteus including, under no circumstances will not allow harm to humans. They are absolutely reliable, they will not be able to circumvent any machine intelligence, no matter what the level of development it has reached.

  - Well, let's say. Information we do not, then we will wait for our analytical department something naroet. The question remains, what do we do with the project? To hide the death of late, we can only try to minimize the consequences. Have any ideas? Svetlana? - Sušica turned to the only woman in the room, brown hair with pleasant features:

  - Yes, thank you, that given the floor. No specific ideas, there are some thoughts. I do not know, maybe they will be obvious to everyone, but, nevertheless, I do not be lazy voice.

  - Lord, I beg you, do not, in an attempt to completely divert the blow from the corporation, to bury themselves in the long term. In no case do not need to say that people were killed in an accident. This is absolutely unacceptable - all need to be confident that such cases occur, in principle, can not, under any scenario. Our systems are completely reliable, it is a fact that requires no proof. In general, even the idea that the system can be rendered any effect, it does not matter - a deliberate sabotage or just a technical fault should never occur, or coming panic.

  - It should be a man. The ordinary man, let the envious. Someone did not pass the test, filled with hatred for the participants of the project and went to take revenge. Yes, we have to make excuses for poor security, pay some compensation may increase the prize fund. But, at the same time, no one in the head does not appear vague little thought, that it could also accidentally something happened in that moment, when it is in the virtual. And interest in the project is, of course, podhlestnet. By the way, these worlds are killed, as in the ranking were located?

  - At the top, the first three places - consulting the document, Nicholas said.

  - And who belonged?

  - All three - different corporations.

  - Amazing ... - woman frowned, then she shook her head. - So, if the worlds top, we can even try right now to gain additional profit. You need to open them to the user, well, at least the world that belongs to us. To dedicate it to the victims, to call his name, maybe put a monument, people are fond of snot. Let the marketing department will, it will come up with a story poslezlivee should shoot. Well, we need this whole thing is not to hide, but rather emphasize the attention of the crowd. Connect to the investigation reports regularly publish - to maintain interest.

  - Svetlana, bravo! Never in you no doubt I applaud standing - Sušica made a few claps his hands, out of the chair, however, still not getting up. The woman blushed. - I think it is in this direction we will go, if you do not mind. In parallel, of course, will be, as far as possible, try to find the real cause of our troubles.

  - Lord, thank you for your attention, work, - Leo K. rose heavily from the table, making it clear that the meeting was over.

  ***

  Heck! It hurts! Yes, I just feel like photons dig into my eye rods and cones, leaving behind a very real burns. What can not be a bright light that during the torture? Tears rolled down hail from the eyes, did not bring any relief.

  - Light ... clean - I croaked.

  - Cut down light, emergency gang click there, the door panel - a man's voice. Because of the closed eyes, the tears still flowing, I can not see the owner. - Dmitry, lighting almost cleaned, try to open his eyes.

  The room was really dark. Near the capsule should vaguely familiar man. Twilight interferes see his face, but, yes, exactly, was he prepared me to dive. Two unknown treading water near the front door.

  - What happened? - Hell, I have a voice, hoarse, like an old man. Water would be now ...

  As if reading my thoughts, Constantine, I remembered his name and handed me a glass.

  - Have a drink and try to get up. This vitamin-energy drink, you now can not hurt.

  Gratefully took the glass. While drinking the cool, sour-sweet, with a touch of menthol flavored liquid, I tried to collect a bunch of thoughts scatter. Naturally, t
he emergency shutdown of the world, without any preconditions on the somewhat knocked me out, and I felt myself now a little confused. There was also a bit of irritation - pulled me just at the moment when I almost reached of what was the last two weeks. Homecoming. Considering that in the real world of his home at home I did not, it was a strong motivation. House, the parents - a hook, which caught me Proteus was equipped with a very, very fat worm.

  - Dmitry, we have little time, get up - brought me back to the reality of Constantine.

  - What happened then, can you tell me? - my voice was confident, and I even managed to raise his exasperation.

  - You talk about everything, my task is only to disable you and pass an accompanying.

  Well, he's just a technician, certainly nothing really does not know. Well, wait until I delivered to those who can tell me all about it. I hope I have not just thrown out of the project due to low ratings.

  Surprisingly easy jumping out of the capsule, I reached for his clothes. He dressed, listening to their feelings, in terms of ownership of the body. Despite the fact that I was told when you connect to the capsules prolonged immersion, still subconsciously expect muscle weakness, some discomfort. However, none of this was not. On the contrary, I felt courage, unusual tone. Perhaps it is the contrast of the transition from children's to adult body?

  - You are ready? - after my nod, Constantine pointed gelkapsuly standing near a chair. - Sit down, ease your suffering. Look up at the ceiling, do not blink.

  I tried as best I could, though, as soon as the children were afraid of injections, and I was afraid of handling the eyes. As I tried to look where told they still uncontrolled closing and rolling. But, as it turned out, I did not suffered in vain, a medication that dripped techniques I instantly shot irritation and pain, light no longer scare.

  I thanked him and shook his hand, I confidently walked to the door, where more and more impatiently shifting from one place to another two thugs. I wonder, where are we in such a hurry?

  Observant person knows how to read people. So, according to these individuals seemed carved from a single piece of granite, nothing was impossible to read. Assessing the chances to learn the details of what happened in these giants around as zero, I sighed and sat down in the lounge precautionary unbuttoned black aircar.