To the beach was no more than a hundred meters, and no right time has not yet. I do not know how good was my plan, nothing better to just not come to mind, but he was the one fairly serious flaw. Langdon sat too far away to reach it, it will take me at least two seconds. And in two seconds an excellent shot, which he certainly is, can uhlopat all three of us, and it was impossible to avoid.
And, whether the fortune was on my side today, or simply a system I shamelessly played up, but from the bottom of the boat suddenly there was quiet, barely audible wheeze.
- Session? - Langdon stood up from his seat. - Session, buddy, are you alive?
I froze. Here it is, the most time ... But he's going to do, I do to help? No. Sound trigger vzvodimogo put things in order.
Another step, yet here he is very close ...
- Come on!
I do not know what happened before - I shouted and jumped on Langdon caught or breast first bullet, possibly all at the same time. Slammed a shot for a split second it seemed that was blind, so bright was the flash. There was no pain, only a strong blow to the chest, then another and another. After an eternity felt that I could not breathe, somewhere above his head he heard the rumble of thunder, the fingers, which I clutched the revolver Langdon became soft and very weak. The last thought that flashed through my head was that I think I stepped on Tennyson.
interlude 3
- What do you mean, there is no data? You understand that disappoint me? - man on the screen of the ancient holoprojector not changed in the face, but the light notes of dissatisfaction in his voice was traced very clearly.
- I'm sorry, Mr. Akira ... - his companion stood with bowed head, like a schoolboy, report a strict teacher.
- Look, Mr. Prilepov, I have always had a high opinion of you as an artist, but now, you made me very sad. How can I expect you to perform serious assignments, if you can not even remember that you should not call me by my name!
- I…
- I do not need your excuses! - the voice of Mr. Akira finally froze. - Meeting of the Council in five days, and all that we have - this is zilch! All the facts and developments provided by you to duplicate the data that we have and so there. I'm starting to doubt that Sušica so much confidence in you.
- Sir, I am sure, that the old man believes me as myself, maybe he did not quite understand what is happening. I watch Sušica many years and began to understand his mood.
- Really? And what conclusions did you come?
Igor mentally going. Now the main thing to convince Mr. Akira in its absolute usefulness, because it depended on him further career Chief Security Corporation "VirtArt" who hoped to continue it in the same position, but in «Aspai».
- Sušica confused. A feeling that he was waiting for permission kakogoto crisis awaits the moment when he will be able to control everything. He does not respond to the situation as it should be, given that fact, soon meeting of the Council, and he knows that Mr. Mackenzie aware of the critical situation. He has not been working to strengthen its shaky position, although aware that the head that will fly one of the first - will be just him.
- Do you think he expects something?
- Yes! This is the right word, hope. A feeling that he believes that all somehow fix itself. Perhaps he simply incompetent and, in principle, is not able to manage the situation.
- Mr Prilepov, you disappoint me even more. For so many years, you could not see in his head shefe. Mr. Sušica - formidable opponent, and never, ever hoped for, as you say, "maybe". If he chegoto waiting, so he has something to wait for. Well, let's leave. Tell me, what happened with the people you missed.
- Yes, parents Dmitry Shandin. Sušica decided to send them back to Earth, probably as a potential instrument of pressure. Although, considering that the possibility of contact with the player not, the value of this tool goes to zero. But, on the other hand, this further confirms the assumption that Sušica waits until the situation changes, and then, perhaps, these people will need it.
- Mr Prilepov - Asian voice was dry and dispassionate - I is not interested in your fantasies, just the facts, please.
- Excuse me, sir. At the initiative of Sušica their contracts were bought from CRSI Reserch, and they are immediately transported to Earth. I was instructed to meet and accompany these people in a small guest house in the Alps belonging "VirtArt". But they did not arrive! Rather, they came, but were intercepted by someone else.
- by someone else? And you do not know by whom?
- No, sir. I was going to meet them at the last station on the basis of the Borough, where the crew of "Victorious" was supposed to be delivered to the orbital shuttle. Among the newcomers, Shandin not there. At my request the captain of the corvette reported that after them came the personal transport, a small canoe belonging to the corporation "VirtArt" with representatives of the company on board and all documents confirming their powers, as well as the originals of the contracts redeemed.
- That is, it turns out that someone else has posted Sušica bypassing you?
- I asked him the same question. But he said he has no idea what was going on, and instructed to throw all their forces to search for the missing.
- Well, Mr. Prilepov, I will take this information into account. I think before the end of the Council meeting we are with you no more sense to meet. Unless there is nothing supernatural, even without your information likelihood that «Aspai» will lead the combined unit is maximized.
- Mr. Aki ... Sir, can I hope for our further cooperation with you?
- Mr Prilepov, hope must always be. This is a wonderful, light feeling. As for our further cooperation with you, I think that my answer will be rather positive. People like you, are also needed. You will be contacted.
Screen holoprojector off. Remaining in a dark room alone Prilepov Igor, who has just spoken with Mr. Akira Tooshi, head of the corporation «Aspai», pissed out of his chair and powerful kick sent him flying over a small room.
- Devil's Asian! Such people are also needed! It yato - too? - grimace of hate contorted his face, but just for a second. A moment later, he pulled himself together, and once again turned to deadpan, cold, calculating man, as he was known friends and subordinates. - Do not worry, we'll see.
Igor was always aware of their uniqueness and the need to grovel before the arrogant Japanese, was cutting his pride, like a knife. In this respect, working with Sušica was much easier. The old man is not too strictly abides by the rules of communication with subordinates, and to the very Prilepova treated as what seemed to some extent pootecheski. However, for such a display of feelings Igor felt not the slightest sign of gratitude, just taking advantage of this and contempt for the chief weakness.
Straightening his jacket and tie a complex knot, re-entering the fashion tie Prilepov left the room with a faint smile on his face, gently closing the door behind him, as if there was this recent outbreak of rage.
Thousands of kilometers away from this place, but if only a few meters, a short, middle-aged man of Asian appearance, with a sigh, leaned back in his chair. He looked thoughtfully at the frozen image on the screen is now an empty room, held a look at just a lazy chair by the wall.
For a moment, his head flashed the thought to warn Sušica a traitor, but then disappeared. No, that will not do now is not the time, twenty years ago, when they were younger, more naive and could play in the nobility, giving each other an equal chance. The old man himself took the risk, suggesting the idea of this competition, and even gave carte blanche to develop one of the game worlds and a choice of party's challenge, despite the disapproval of the Small Council. It is clear that he was counting on something, he had a card up his sleeve, but only not burnt matter, all obviously did not go as conceived scenario ...
Mr. Akira stood up, walked around the virtually empty, bright office, picked up a glass with fresh vegetable juice. Unlike Sušica, he did not drink, did not smoke and otherwise taking care of their health.
- What are you up to, Leo? You and your damn
mind? - The man glanced at the almost empty glossy surface of the table on which lay a working tablet and old, made of tsellyuplasta magazine titled «Technology Review», dating back two thousand twenty-fourth year. Huge, for the rest of the cover headline read: "Proteus - the latest development of the genius of Yegor Korenev, easily passes Marcus tests, Lovelace and grapes!".
Chapter 10
Consciousness slowly returned, along with the noise, the blood throbbing in my ears and a heavy dull pain in the chest. About a minute I'm floating somewhere on the border between dream and reality, and for the first time in my life I have the feeling that thoughts really are material. I feel like they are painfully born in the head, which they have rough surface, any sharp edges. The very first cause so much pain that I almost do not dissolve again in blissful oblivion, but forbear kakimto miracle.
Giving me a tiny break, thought becomes bolder and more confident already knocking at the gates of consciousness. No matter how I try, I can not dismiss from her. And here is another, followed by the first in a hurry disturb my fragile peace. And behind them suddenly appear questions, memories ...
Memories are torn muddy stream in the narrow strait, trodden the very first thought, expanding it, blur, and now I'm drowning, choking them, I want to call for help, but there are no forces. With lips that I finally began to feel breaks thin, plaintive, half-grunt, half moan.
- Glory to the creator, he is alive!
Glory to the Creator? Who is this for? Who's the creator of all things, ay! Answer me!
No answer, or maybe I just did not hear it over the flat, then increases, the sagging again rustle, as if the tide turns billions of grains of sand - shshshur, shshshur ... splash, rustling. But, it seems, really wave, surf rolls on the sandy shore and recedes again.
Consciousness returned all the more clearly, I gradually become aware of the space around them, to distinguish the individual sounds - the cries of birds, the rustling of leaves, the splash of water. All lives and moves and I, it seems, it is certainly not dead. I make a valiant effort, and finally open my eyes.
- Sherlock! - tears in the eyes of Marissa? Here is a miracle, for this would be to die once. - Rather, drink this.
Under my nose suddenly appears twisted in a tight bag sheet kakogoto local plants. In an impromptu glass splashing water. I try to drink a sip. Ugh! The bitterness of it is! Trying to dismiss the head, but Marissa suddenly fills the entire contents into my mouth so as not to choke, I swallow.
- And now, sleep.
To beg I do not need, weakness again covered the stifling wave sounds kudato gone aside, denunciation as if because of the glass cover, the thought has spread again in the haze of the nauseating, and I again fell into a feverish slumber.
* * *
- What do you want to know?
Deja vu! Again this absolute void, this terrible spanning an infinity when not feel either top or bottom, the lack of body and mind, which do not hide that run, torn outwardly from the skull, filling the space. And again, the voice - both my own and a stranger, he rustles and rattles, barely smoldering spark and weak flashes blinding fireworks.
- You called me, I came. Speak.
Yes, I did not call anybody, it's been a rhetorical question ... But the space asks, and I can not disobey.
- What will be there at the end? - I say the first thing that comes to mind, do not know what else to ask him all the words flew in the void.
- At the end? As always, the choice.
- Choice? Which, from what I have to choose? - I do not know why, but I feel that accidentally ask the right questions, and now we are talking about something very important, about something that is a cause and a consequence of what is happening in this world.
- The choice, as always, at the same time simple and complex. True or false, life or death, freedom or eternal slavery ... What will you choose? What do you allow to choose?
- I do not understand, can you explain, what should I do? - I wanted to scream, but the emotions again let me down, left somewhere out there, far away, a part of the material world.
- You just have to go ahead, you're close. But hurry, time is short, do not let them do it for you.
- Do what? - Why, why can not we just say, why do we need all these puzzles?
- Think only about the goals on your way there are no more obstacles, do not be afraid - the voice thundered, not paying attention to my words. - Make a decision and accept his fate. His and others!
And again I was drawn, whirled like an autumn leaf, with a force which I could not resist. Short rapid flight and here I am again falling into the icy, dazzling sea of light.
* * *
The first thing he saw, opened his eyes, a bright, unnatural in its pure blue sky. The sun was at its zenith, fries just mercilessly.
Carefully, trying not to cause yourself unnecessary pain by negligence, he raised his hand, touched his chest. I felt a tight bandage. Thorax tightly strapped but breath is not particularly hinders, and pains like no. Well, let's try to roll ... Cheers! It was possible, even without much difficulty.
After a few seconds I was standing, albeit slightly unsteadily on his own feet, looking completely empty, except for the boat pulled out onto the sand, the beach. Strange, but where Donnie where Marissa? And where, in the end, the body? After all, should be the body, I remember everything ... So much Dvata exactly should be.
- Well, I told you a couple of hours to get up, and you did not believe - as if in answer to my thoughts, from a strip of thick bushes that lined the beach, made friends.
Marissa hatless, barefoot, her shoes were lying on the sand near the water, Donnie - obviously tired, with hands soiled in the ground, and sweaty, sometimes ragged shirt.
- All buried - she sat on board the boat, and one fell exhausted on the sand.
- Who? - I asked as an afterthought, the answer was obvious.
- The three - Donnie kakimto replied flatly, apparently, really fatigue. - We could not keep them longer in the heat, you know, especially since I was not sure that you will soon wake up. So we had to be buried here.
Donny pointed at the bushes adjacent to the beach:
- Not sure deep enough, but, as they were able. Knife and your hands are not ochento and digging. And how are you, hurts more strongly?
Having said that, I feel fine, I began to ask Donny that missed, and, as he said, guilt stronger and stronger pressed on my shoulders.
As soon begin with the fact that at the time when I rushed to Langdon, Tennyson was indeed alive, but as a result of the fight, two of the four bullets that were meant me, caught in a dying man. But even then it could still be saved.
And in general, everything was extremely ridiculous. When the battle ensued, Donnie caught lying on the bottom of the boat and began firing a gun, but the fear hit me in the end did not get, and Langdon. The situation was saved by Marissa, who has never left the house without two knives hidden under clothing. And considering that she skillfully threw them with both hands in the villain simply had no chance.
As a result, when the mercenary fell with his throat ripped open, first began to rescue me, and only then, when made sure that I will live - drew attention to Tennyson. Yes, but by the time he was already dead. But that is easier - it was necessary to take instead of this damned revolver your trusty crossbow, which is all the way in his bag lay next to Joey, and they would have had!
- I think we just missed a couple of minutes - Donnie ruefully shaking his head. - If he was alive, my elixir would have saved him from any injury, but would still breathing. And here…
- It's my fault - I was not going to shift it to someone else another.
Completely my fault that killed a good man, I just do not reviewed, is not understood. And all because of the fact that deceived shell instead to peer into the contents. And after the first bell sounded even in the conversation, when Tennyson mentioned natives hanged for poaching. How then reacted Langdon? As if it was not about the people and about the wild animals, the
killing of which is not even worth a mention in polite society. And I did not pay attention to it.
- So, let's not argue, who is to blame. Let's decide better what to do - practical and tough Marissa was right as ever. - We need to return to the city. We have no supplies, water, food, and ammunition there was only one clip. And do not forget that somewhere nearby may well be accomplices of our late handsome, no wonder he was ordered to rule here. We need to go back, and, preferably, without attracting undue attention.
- Wait a minute, are you trying to say that we will not go to the authorities? - Donnie surprise turned to the girl. - But how? Three people were killed!
- Marissa law, we can not afford it now afford. Three people were killed, and we with it did not do anything. But if we do not hurry, there will be something more terrible. I know it, I feel it!
I do not know whether I was somehow very persuasive, whether in fact no one wanted to communicate with local authorities and get involved in the investigation, but, having come to an agreement, after half an hour we hardly scraped, pushing hard the boat back to the city.
Before leaving, I asked to take me to the place of burial, and stood for a few minutes before the two low mounds, saying goodbye and asking for forgiveness. Big gray cobbles, playing the role of a tombstone, was one for two. Chernografitovym make a simple pencil, circled for reliability several times, it was a short inscription: "Session Tennyson. Sailor John. Killed in battle. "
Fumbling look around, I saw a tree, a few meters away, a third grave. No markings on it was not, no stones, no inscriptions. In any case, remember that place, I went back to the shore.
Named Sherlock Page 74