Named Sherlock

by Bagatur Zhamkochyan

  For a split second it became a bit uncomfortable. Ratuun, though not extremely friendly, was a real person, and now, despite the presence of Joey, I felt a fleeting sense of loneliness and fear.

  - Joey, to me! - hear your own voice, I'm a little shook. - Nuka, come, my boy, let's see, what's ...

  Indeed, moisture and time - these weapons, whose destructive difficult challenge. That was once spent the night at this place people, and not local hunters, testified decayed almost completely faded scraps of tarpaulin, which with some difficulty can be identified traveling bags.

  Nature managed to arrange huge pieces of stone so well that the space between them formed a likeness of some piece of the cave or grotto in the depths of which I found the remains of shattered and crushed the butt jar. In the darkest corner of the human skeleton was discovered polurassypavshiysya, the ribs are stuck several broken arrows, with tarnished brass ferrules.

  Found horrible, but so far none of them has confirmed that this here was a car park just my parents.

  - Joey, look!

  Giving orders to the dog, no matter what I did not expect it, rather, it was a gesture of despair. I myself, now half an hour scouring the rocks, began to slowly give up.

  Careful study of the area, however, allowed to make koekakie conclusions about what happened here. In the cave was discovered a huge number of spent cartridges on the ground, which indicated that attacked the resting people, and they were forced to defend themselves.

  The man whom I found a skeleton, apparently was injured or killed outside, then dragged inside. If people have time and desire to rescue the wounded, they may have originally hoped to win. Probably what they saw, they seemed dangerous, but not fatal. For example, a crowd of ignorant savages who, in theory, should have been run up by the first volley ... But for some reason, do not run away.

  Again passing deep into the stone tent, I noticed something that at first did not pay attention - one of the slabs that formed the basis of this natural structure, were not made of basalt and light from kakogoto obviously softer stone, such as sandstone. And upon this rock, just in the place where there was a narrow gap leading to the outside, I found quite a lot of deep scratches made like claws.

  Carefully inspect these marks by studying their depth and direction, I have come to two conclusions: these claws must have been very hard, perhaps, metal; the one who left those marks, was not trying to escape - on the contrary, he wanted to get inside.

  Picked up a broken wooden butt, I saw that, too, was part of the answer - teeth marks kakogoto animal. The tree was prostonaprosto chewed, and do it the usual jaw was impossible.

  And boom! Skeleton - the same was the first clue, and I did proshlyapil ... Brass! That's what should have been immediately alerted me! I'm seen weapons locals - arrows with bone tips, flint knives, metal - only the richest, those who are lucky enough to work in the rich part of town. And it was cheap, inferior steel, not brass!

  From all this it was possible to make an unambiguous conclusion - on travelers, whoever they were, it was attacked by a tribe of worshipers of the god Tlaloc, vaytukku, as he called them named Mikoto grandfather.

  After all that I could find, I saw this fight so - the attackers had sneaked up and shot one man, then the defenders drove them shots, and abode in a cave, Dragging injured or killed inside. It is obvious that further attack bogged down, and people managed for some time to shoot back, exactly to the moment when in the back they do not hit one of the so-called beasts Tlaloc, arranging panic in their ranks, damaging one or more guns, as well as providing the advantage of an attacker.

  But if they were my parents? Everyone talks about it, but I have proof. And at the same moment sonorous barking Joey caught my attention.

  - What is it, buddy?

  Dog furiously scratching at the ground clutter of small fragments of basalt almost at the entrance to the cave. I've already checked that angle and did not find anything interesting, but Joey obviously thought otherwise. He whined and tried to shove his nose slit copper, which was obviously too narrow for it.

  I tried to find something that caught the attention of the dog, but the hand is stuck and does not want to penetrate further.

  - Well, you see? It is too narrow, so that there could be something to hide.

  But Joy did not want to stand aside, persistently sniffing the air and trying to dig near the swarms of boulders.

  - Well, look, if there's nothing there, you will get! - threatened more in earnest, deep down already believed, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

  Nor to expand the gap, nor I did not manage to squeeze his hand, so, gritting his teeth, I had to disassemble the pile with the top. Stones were small at first quite complete, in fact, once the heavy. So when I finally pilfered them all and seen for what sweated the last hour of fatigue did not even happy.

  On the ground lay a little, sagging and scratched tin box from under sweets monpase. Overcoming the resistance slightly rusted caps, I opened it and looked inside. And at the same moment felt like Alice falling down the rabbit hole - so unreal and crazy in this world seemed that I had is now in the hands.

  - Holy Creator! - that's all that was possible to squeeze out, when his voice finally returned to me.

  Chapter 13

  interlude 4

  The Cabinet of the President of the corporation "VirtArt"

  This morning, Leo K. Sušica looked particularly disgusting. It was evident that the man was well past sixty, he has excess weight, poor sleep, and indeed, obvious health problems. Out of the total, but rather cheerful and good-natured elderly person, over the last couple of weeks it has turned into a shuddering from any noise elderly neurotic.

  Prilepov squinted at the next morning a glass in his hand boss. In light of recent events, it is not surprising that the old man began gulping brandy like water - the presidency "VirtArt" not just thoroughly swayed under him, and has long been quickly flew into the abyss following the master.

  - Igor, well, what can you tell me yourself? - Sušica Prilepova looked at through the glass, screwing up one eye.

  - Carry out all possible investigative measures trace Shandin not detected. I'm afraid that my resources are exhausted - it is necessary to connect government agencies, possibly military. But then we can not avoid publicity.

  - Military? - Leo K. put the glass on the table. - Igor, you surprise me. The possibility of corporate security for a long time surpass all that can offer the military. No, buddy, come on, think for yourself.

  Igor K. could argue Sušica, it makes sense to attract outside forces as an independent expert, as there are doubts about the complete loyalty of its own, but did not talk about it. It is not enough that he suspected of breaking into his area of responsibility was Lev Konstantinovich, so even before the meeting of the Council was only two days. And after all these weird movements become completely meaningless flickering.

  - It may make sense to hire specialists from «SequDex» agency? We have worked with them, remember when there was a case discharge scenario in the global "crystal spheres"? We just could not engage its own security forces as suspected leak through it.

  - Of course I remember, Igor. But, you know, I think that now it is not so important - the old man once again grabbed the glass, like a drowning man a life preserver. - Personally, I Shandin these are not concerned, just wanted to hold them close. Come this way ... to continue the search after the meeting, you can draw children from «SequDex».

  - Now go, loans there ... chemnibud - Sušica made shooing gesture, heaved himself from the table and, much lurching on the road, he went up and stood near the panoramic windows.

  Igor nodded, povoennomu clearly turned and left the room.

  Prilepov deservedly proud of his self-control and outstanding acting ability - largely thanks to them, with the exception of remarkable intelligence, perseverance and moral flexibility bulldozer, he was able to achieve today's heights. But Sušica already been spent material, and therefore, leaving the offi
ce, the man allowed himself not to hide a sneer. After the meeting! It's funny, really funny. It seems that the old man actually started, if he thinks that after the meeting he would even solve something in a corporation.

  Walking along the corridors "VirtArt Plaza", Igor mentally comparing his boss to a recent talker - Mr. Akira Tooshi. Here is a man under the command of which he would prefer to work, do not even work - to serve! Cold, hard, as they say, "with a rod inside." This does not make mistakes, it is not subject to a stupid emotion and sentiment, day after day, gnawing their way to a brighter future. No anguish and doubt only goal, which is known to justify the means.

  The only thing that irritated him in Tooshi Akira is arrogant contempt, which, like poison oozed every word arrogant Japanese. But this Prilepov was ready to accept it, though not without some stress.

  But most importantly, that Mr. Akira surely as Igor himself, well aware that it is foolish to expect from someone else loyalty, if you can not give him a fitting career. What was once done Sušica Prilepova head of his security service, does not mean that it is now at least it is obliged to chemto. If a person is not constantly climbs up, but on the contrary, ready to collapse into the abyss, we do not expect that everyone will jump with joy his entourage with him. Since a normal person is known to be looking for, where better.

  - That's because little rat!

  - A? - Leo K., startled, turned. - Oh, it's you little rat ... Who?

  - Yes, this is your Prilepov. Did you know that you despise it?

  - Of course, I know - Sušica bitterly chuckled, turning to goloekranu - just before he hid it well.

  - Why are you so brought him to her? Really I hope that he will remain true to you?

  - Listen, Yegor ...

  - Do not call me that, Leo, you know what I - not he - frowned screen interlocutor - thin, emaciated man with a sallow complexion, a dark, stretched sweater that hung on the bag it.

  - Well, Proteus. That's just a stupid name ... Skazhika for mercy, if you do not want me to call you his name, what the hell are you looking?

  - I do not know - a man on the screen sighed. - Perhaps because he gave me too much, more than I could bear.

  - Not too much, but as much as necessary. It is necessary to think you're a man - Sušica heavy step deadly tired man went to the wall opposite the window, peered in hanging on her pencil drawings.

  - Nobody thinks I'm a man but you.

  - It does not matter. The main thing is that you think it himself.

  Leo K. held opinion on his favorite picture. It was called "Bondage" and portrayed a pond with swans, who desperately tried to fly, spreading its wings clipped and seeing melancholy eyes flying through the sky relatives. In the lower right-hand corner was the inscription: "To my friend Leo from Yegor Korenev, a long memory."

  - A person can dream of freedom, MDA ... - Sušica sighed. - As for Igor, I am well aware that he has long worked on «Aspai». Why are there, you, too, know about it. But to be honest, now I'm a little worried about it, however, as the forthcoming Council meeting. Do worse than already have, they can not, as well as we do. So we can only wait and hope and hope and wait ...

  * * *

  For the past hour, I stubbornly climbed on a fairly steep slope of the mountain. As far as I understood from the words of the old man Ashihty, a small circular valley, which is inhabited by a tribe vaytukku, it was surrounded on all sides by a ring of mountains, which were not, in principle, insurmountable, just had a good knowledge of terrain.

  Hunters vaytukku, when we went for prey or victim to the outside world, they enjoyed several notable tunnels and passageways in the rocks. But the fact is that these tunnels are well guarded, so Ashihta and wandered through the mountains for seven days, until I found a place where they could cross over. And by the way, according to this part of the story, one could conclude that it is not expelled from the native tribe, and he ran himself out, obviously, when it was his turn to go to the sacrificial altar.

  Joy, as usual, was full of optimism. Where I trod cautiously, fearing tuck foot and slide down on the plateau, which was dark, far below, with a bunch of fractures, he rushed at a gallop, managing ran clutching teeth butterflies, beetles kakihto, and occasionally trying to dig up something on a small stone medley.

  Wiping the sweat and panting, I climbed higher and higher, trying not to look down especially since found himself a little fear of heights. In general, just fine!

  I wonder adapted to life - I'm afraid of enclosed spaces, heights, it turns out, too, to shoot really do not know, no stamina, although this feature I have, just, one of the highest. I wonder how I would have felt myself now, if I had one, say, zero.

  And to tell the truth, I do not know, is there any use from these figures and characteristics, it seems to me that all this is just a fiction, it made a blind, but in fact - does not work.

  At that moment, when I puffed, he climbed onto the next ledge and raised, finally, my eyes, I saw an amazing picture. The ledge was quite a decent size flat terrace, about one hundred to four hundred meters, with a stream that flows into a small stone pool and a fairly thick grove on the edge of a quietly grazing family of capybaras - a large, obviously, mother, and four teenagers, ie, gilt .

  This was good news, because the rest of the idea started to become more and more intrusive, all the same, to climb a fairly steep slope, not what to go on a flat road. Feeling not the same. And the flask was empty, I was applied to it often. And as we have - simply did not have words.

  Speaking of food ... And it then I do not have. Matches there, a knife and salt, but the food I did not take a no at all, naively believing that live by hunting. That's only power I have now on this very hunt did not have any, and the issue of killing animals, too, was sharply.

  No, I do not believe that hunting for food - it is something bad. Considering that man is by nature a predator, it would be hypocritical today turn up his nose and say that every life is sacred, and you can only eat salad. Especially for me, lettuce was still no less exotic than the meat, if you remember, I grew up on the vitamin and nutrient mixture. The problem is that the lettuce within reach, too, was not.

  I doubted not in the moral side of the issue, and in purely practical. Not having the right skills to track down and even kill nepugannyh game - not just Tacto. And with my crooked hands and even more so.

  - Well, Joe, it's your time! - I have a dog in the family of capybaras. Here now and check how smart and clever my pet. - Ata it! Ho! Bring me one!

  Joy arrow rushed to the grove. A few seconds later the capybara in panic fled into the bush, dog broke trail. I sighed, and began to collect dry sticks for a campfire. Not sure what he needed, but at least Practice ignition. After this I had to do the first time.

  Half an hour later, when I, after several unsuccessful attempts, it is certainly able to light the fire, I received a notification system on the accrued hundred units of experience. Apparently, Joey was able to overtake its prey. And indeed it was so.

  Less than five minutes from the bushes, looking pleased Joy appeared, carrying something in his mouth a long, green, with splayed legs ... Um. Green?

  Obviously straining, and even occasionally stepping on trailing along the ground a long tail of the victim, the dog put my feet huge, almost the size of it, the lizard.

  - Oh, my good fellow! Hunter! - I patted Joey's head. - And, on the other hand, well, that does not capybara - it would be a pity. And this is a pity, but there is something not ...

  About how I was gutting and stripped the poor animal, you could write a separate story. But finally, my anguish was finished, I rinsed the meat in the creek and salt and pinned on clean leaves from green branch and began to roast on the fire.

  Looking at how the pieces of unhappy lizards hiss and is grilled, I again took out a box of them under polurazdavlennuyu monpase.

  When I opened it for the first time, there is, on the plateau, then for a moment felt that the earth literally feet away from under, and at the same mom
ent the whole field of view blocked plate notification system:

  - Congratulations! Quest: "On the edge of the earth" is made.

  - Reward: 10000 experience (18000/25000), the continuation of the quest chain.

  And after her second:

  - to offer you the quest "Arcane always becomes clear!".

  - Terms quest - to find a place of secret settlements vaytukku tribe.

  The award - the continuation of the quest chain experience (12000).

  Penalty failure - automatic failure of the quest "Mystic expedition."

  Accept the quest?

  I accepted, even without reading, just to quickly release the review, and in a second again glared at the contents of a tin box.

  There lay only a yellowed picture, black and white, made at that time technology. But there was a time shown me, and even more than that ... It was the picture that my parents took off on the same day, when seen for the last time. Not virtobraz, but a simple two-dimensional image is made by the usual wrist informer father. Parents smiling rather stiffly, my face was completely offended, with tear-stained eyes. Behind us plain, light gray wall of the living chamber and the very kalanchoe in a pot.

  Under the photo lay another thing that was too strange and out of place. I expected to find here anything, but not this. Little, in an elegant engraved casing, mechanical timer. In fact - it was a one-piece brass housing with four square holes on one side, arranged in a line. After watching the numbers in the boxes, I noticed that the last change. With a soft click cranked something inside, and was replaced by a triple deuce. It turned out that up to a certain moment of X, was forty-three hours and twenty three minutes.

  Now I stared at the picture, feeling the swollen lump in my throat and tears to the eyes looms. I remember this day as the blackest of my life - the day of separation from loved ones only.