Navygaming / Translation Service: Пролог к "Фениксу"
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Prologue DarkSkalD 16.07.14 в 15:57 |
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Sunset Ocean. Tekho island DarkSkalD 16.07.14 в 15:58 |
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19th day of Spring, Year 1914 of the Beginning of the Chronicles DarkSkalD 16.07.14 в 15:58 |
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- Lieutenant Commander! Skipper! DarkSkalD 16.07.14 в 16:01 |
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The voice of the approaching person drew Lieutenant Commander Isu Tagachi from his reflections. But it was for the better as his thoughs were not very pleasant. And there were no reasons for them to be. Standing at the edge of a low cliff Isu Tagachi was looking at the bay formed by two rocky ledges, which pierced the sea like predator’s jaws. They created a good enough natural shelter, protecting the bay both from the tide and hunter-killer ships. Each day Captain looked at the horizon expecting to spot their smoke in the distance. Amidst the bay one could see a dark long narrow low submarine silhouette. Here she was to some degree secure. And it was all Isu Tagachi could do for his ship. DarkSkalD 18.07.14 в 07:10 The voice of an approaching person drew Lieutenant Commander Isu Tagachi from his reflections. But it was for the better as his thoughs were not very pleasant. And there was no reason for them to be. Standing at the edge of a low cliff Isu Tagachi was looking at the bay formed by two rocky ledges, which pierced the sea like predator’s jaws. They created a rather good natural shelter, protecting the bay both from the tide and hunter-killer ships. Each day Captain was looking at the horizon expecting to spot their smoke in the distance. Amidst the bay one could see a dark long narrow low submarine silhouette. Here she was to some degree secure. And it was all Isu Tagachi could do for his ship. Zamuchryshkin 18.07.14 в 07:59 |
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He managed to lead his damaged submarine away from pursuers and get her here, to the only piece of land within his boat’s range. But that was the last of good news. Island Tekho was just an unpopulated and unexplored cold rock with some stunted trees, situated in the middle of nowhere (имхо так намного лучше – не посреди океана – а посреди пустоты). Nobody lived here but for seabirds and sigilands. Tekho became for Isu Tagachi’s submarine both a shelter and a trap. Damaged submarine managed to reach the island with the last drops of her fuel. And now Tenko-22 couldn’t leave her new refuge. DarkSkalD 18.07.14 в 07:10 He managed to lead his damaged submarine away from pursuers and get her there, to the only piece of land within his boat’s range. But that was the last of good news. Tekho island was just an unpopulated and unexplored cold rock with some stunted trees, situated in the middle of nowhere. Nobody lived here but for seabirds and sigilands. Tekho became for Isu Tagachi’s submarine both a shelter and a trap. The damaged submarine managed to reach the island with the last drops of her fuel. And now Tenko-22 couldn’t leave her new refuge. Zamuchryshkin 18.07.14 в 08:07 |
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The radiostation was still working, so one could request for help. Some of the staff including officers spok for this variant but Tagachi tarried. There was no guarantee that would help them to escape the trap - rather, to the contrary. As Aghinarra was defeated in the Battle of Tivarna, the Imperians and their allies from the Eastern Coalition rule these waters. It's questionable whether the Shogunate's Fleet Command would take the risk of the warships, which they had only a few after that damned battle, to save a single submarine. The Kzal-rhiumians would rather tap the signal, so Tenko-22 kept radio silence. Isu Tagachi prefered not to give away his submarine's location. Zamuchryshkin 18.07.14 в 08:07 The radiostation was intact, so they could still call for help. Some of the crew including officers spoke for this variant but Tagachi hesitated. There was no guarantee that it would help them to escape the trap - rather, to the contrary. After Aghinarra's defeat in the Battle of Tivarna, the Imperians and their allies from the Eastern Coalition dominated local waters. It was doubtful that the Shogunate's Fleet Command would risk the few warships, they still had after that damned battle to save a single submarine. Rather The Kzal-rhiumians would intercept the signal. So Tenko-22 kept radio silence. Isu Tagachi prefered not to give away his submarine's location. DarkSkalD 21.07.14 в 06:49 |
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"Inviting Kzal-rhiumians to visit us and wasting so much effort to loose them?" - Lieutenant Commander thought ironically, - "Well, not on my watch." DarkSkalD 17.07.14 в 05:05 |
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They had enough supplies, there also was a spring of fresh water; but among the staff strain was ripening - no one wanted to be lost on this cursed island. But Tekho was considered to be exactly cursed, there were worse rumors about the island among sailors for a long time. And rumor had it that there were ghosts and that the northern lights sometimes appear above the island situated far from the polar circle. That was one of the reasons why ships appeared in the local waters not often, but Isu Tagachi didn't believe in perditions or ghosts. Most of such stories is just sailor's fables invented to make an impression on wenches and credulous simpletons in port taverns. The Kzal-rhiumian warships were a much more serious threat than ghosts and perditions all together, and, above all, a real one. One of them could appear at the horizon at any moment. Zamuchryshkin 18.07.14 в 08:08 They had enough supplies, there also was a source of fresh water; but tension was growing among the crew - noone wanted to get stuck on that cursed island. And Tekho was considered to be cursed, for years sailors told each other dark rumors about the island. It was even said that somebody saw ghosts there and that the northern lights sometimes appeared above the island though it was too far from the polar circle. That was one of the reasons why ships rarely appeared in the local waters. But Isu Tagachi didn't believe in curses or ghosts. Most of such stories were just sailor's fables concoted to make an impression on wenches and credulous simpletons in port taverns. The Kzal-rhiumian warships were a much more serious threat than ghosts and curses all together, and, above all, a real one. One of them could appear at the horizon at any moment. DarkSkalD 21.07.14 в 07:05 |
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Sighed, Tagachi teared himself away from watching the bay and turned to meet a person hastening to him. That was a young - twenty five-years old that is three years younger than the Lieutenant Commander - shortish man in Lieutenant uniform. He almost ran from time to time stumbling on numerous slippery stones which covered land. Zamuchryshkin 18.07.14 в 08:08 Tagachi sighed and teared himself away from watching the bay, turning to meet a person hastening to him. That was a young shortish man in Lieutenant uniform, some twenty five-years old - three years younger than the Lieutenant Commander himself. He almost ran stumbling from time to time on numerous slippery stones covering the ground. DarkSkalD 21.07.14 в 07:12 |
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- Yes, Yuko? - asked captain of Tenko-22 dryly - What's the matter? DarkSkalD 17.07.14 в 05:06 |
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His second-in-command caught his breath loudly and stopped three steps away from Tagachi. DarkSkalD 17.07.14 в 05:09 |
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- Captain, we climbed the mountain as you ordered and... - he stopped short. DarkSkalD 17.07.14 в 05:11 |
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- And what? - asked Tagachi sharply - Is there a ship on the horizon? DarkSkalD 17.07.14 в 05:14 |
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Lieutenant Tetsu shook his head. DarkSkalD 17.07.14 в 05:14 |
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- No, skipper, it's ... it's different. In the crater we saw... - and he stopped again. DarkSkalD 17.07.14 в 05:16 |
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- In the crater? - Isu Tagachi had to prod his second-in-command, - Yuko, speak up. What did you see there? Ghosts? - and he laughted dryly. DarkSkalD 18.07.14 в 07:30 |
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Tetsu didn't share his irony. Young lieutenant nodded slowly. DarkSkalD 18.07.14 в 07:34 |
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- I don't know... - he said uncertainly. - It could be ghosts. It.. it's difficult to be described. You'd better see it yourself. Zamuchryshkin 18.07.14 в 08:09 I don't know... - he said uncertainly. - It could be ghosts. It.. it's difficult to describe it. You'd better see it yourself. DarkSkalD 18.07.14 в 08:40 |
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- Well, - agreed astonished Tagachi not deepening further. - But it'd better be something really important, Yuko. Zamuchryshkin 18.07.14 в 08:09 - Well, - agreed astonished Tagachi not prodding further. - But it'd better be something really important, Yuko. DarkSkalD 18.07.14 в 08:41 |
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An impressive rock was dominant over Tekho. Essentially, the rock took up the most part of the island. It wasn't the highest of those Isu Tagachi happened to see, but nevertheless it made an impression. Once the rock was breathing flame and scorching ashes; but that was far in the past. The volcano fell asleep - either forever, or just calmed down owing to remind of its existence by a new outburst. Sprouts of a sort of an exceptionally tenacious and spiny bush with tight lovat leaves thickly covered volcano's slopes making rising a long and unpleasant procedure. Zamuchryshkin 18.07.14 в 08:09 A massive mountain dominanted Tekho island. Basically the island was one big mountain. It wasn't the highest of those Isu Tagachi happened to see, but nevertheless it made an impression. Once the rock was breathing flame and scorching ashes; but that was far in the past. The volcano fell asleep - either forever, or just went quiet only to remind everybody about its existence by a new outburst. Sprouts of some exceptionally tenacious and spiny bush with tight lovat leaves thickly covered volcano's slopes making climbing it a long and unpleasant procedure. DarkSkalD 21.07.14 в 07:48 |
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Stopped to catch his breath, Isu Tagachi turned back again and reached for the binoculars hung from his neck in a shabby case made with stiff black leather. The movement was subconscious - Lieutenant Commander just wanted to make sure there was no any enemy's ship at the horizon - an excellent field of view opens up from the top of the mountains. Therefore, he ordered a little group of the submarine's staff to rise there for observation. So if ships appeared at the horizon, they would give the alarm. Besides, it was at least an occupation carrying people away from intentions of their hopeless situation. Zamuchryshkin 18.07.14 в 08:09 Isu Tagachi stopped to catch his breath, turned back again and reached for the binoculars hanging from his neck in a shabby hard black leather case. The movement was subconscious - Lieutenant Commander just wanted to make sure there were no enemy ships at the horizon and the top of the mountain offered an excellent view. That's why he ordered a small group of sailors to make there an observation post. If ships appeared at the horizon, they were to give the alarm. Besides, such a task carried crewmembers away from thinking about their hopeless situation. DarkSkalD 21.07.14 в 07:53 |
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But as before the ocean was clear - there were neither ships nor smokes at the horizon. Tshifted his gaze lower, Isu Tagachi found the the bay where the submarine was hidden out. From such a distance, even looking through the powerful naval binoculars, Tenko-22 seemed to be diddy like a miniature model which are sold in gift shops. A small temporary camp set up at the bay's bank could not be seen at all, it was hidden from view by some small sharp rocks. At the very beach near the camp one may see an ugly construction - an unfinished raft whick was made of wood and empty vessels - in fact, of everything found in the submarine or in the island. It was the only way to save oneself which came to Tagachi's mind. Fortunately, the seasonal stormes had already passed, and the nearest inhabited island was not too far. Zamuchryshkin 18.07.14 в 08:09 But the horizon remained clear, there were neither ships nor smoke. Shifting his gaze lower, Isu Tagachi found the bay where his submarine was hidden. From such a distance, even through the powerful naval binoculars, Tenko-22 seemed to be tiny like a miniature model sold in gift shops. A small temporary camp set up at the bay's bank was out of sight as it was hidden from the view by some small sharp rocks. At the very shoreline near the camp one could spot an ugly construction - an unfinished raft made of wood and empty barrels - in fact, of everything found on board of the submarine or on the island. It was the only way to save the crew Tagachi could think of. Fortunately, the seasonal stormes had already passed, and the nearest inhabited island was not too far. DarkSkalD 21.07.14 в 10:52 |
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Skipper glumly smiled, reflected on the latest campaign which became an excess reminder for the staff of Tenko-22 that Lady Fortune has a changeable character. Submarines were a new method of naval war - it passed not more than five years since the first efficient representative of this calss was commissioned. Among most of armchair commanders, and even some battle admirals, the attitude towards them remained to be skeptic - the general belief that a powerful surface fleet consisting of dreadnoughts and cruisers guarantees the sea domination occured everywhere. Alack, about a half a year ago the Shogunate's Fleet fall into a snare and lost most of its heavy units. That costed the enemy a lot, the Aghinarrian sailors fought to the last created such fear in their own victors. But... the defeat was still the defeat. Having missed out all the battleships, the Aghinarrians unintentionally had to go to off-centre weapons of war where submarines became a part of the new strategy. It's a pity there was just a few submarines, but submariners did everything in their power to sting the enemy as painfully as they could. Zamuchryshkin 19.07.14 в 07:07 Skipper smiled gloomily, thinking about the last patrol which became an excess reminder for Tenko-22's crew that Lady Fortune is a very inconsistent mistress. Submarines were a new means of naval warfare - no more than five years passed since the first combat-ready ship of this type was commissioned. Among most of military theoreticians and even some battle admirals the attitude towards them remained skeptic - the general belief was that a powerful surface fleet consisting of dreadnoughts and cruisers guaranteed the sea domination. Alas about six months ago the Shogunate's Fleet fell into an ambush and lost most of its heavy ships. That costed enemy a lot, the Aghinarrian sailors fought to the last striking the fear of God in their victors. But... the defeat was still the defeat. Having lost all the battleships, the Aghinarrians unintentionally had to shift to unconventional methods of warfare and submarines played an important role in that new strategy. A pity there were just a few of them, but submarine crews did their best to "sting" enemy as painfully as they could. DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 05:22 |
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The high command didn't dream of victory by this time. Of course, no one talked aloud about it, but Isu Tagachi was clever enough to realize the evident. To maul enemy as much at it was possible and to make the allies sign a peace treaty on articles more or less acceptable for the Shogunate had recently became a new war's purpose. Zamuchryshkin 19.07.14 в 07:07 By this time the high command had lost any dreams of victory. Of course, no one talked about it aloud, but Isu Tagachi was clever enough to see the evident. The new objective of the war was to maul enemy as much as possible and to make them sign a peace treaty on terms more or less acceptable for the Shogunate. DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 05:26 |
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And the latest mission of Isu Tagachi and his Tenko-22 served the same purpose. That was far from the first Tagachi's campaign, and up to now he was shamelessly lucky, but the Imperians, we have to give them credit, were quick learners. An endeavour to attack a Kzal-rhiumian cruiser didn't hardly come to a fatal end for Tagachi's submarine; the heavily damaged warship had to disappear at depth and run away. And now the escape led them to the island of ghosts. A disgraceful finale. Zamuchryshkin 19.07.14 в 07:07 And the latest mission of Isu Tagachi and his Tenko-22 served the same purpose. That was far from the first Tagachi's patrol and up to now he was lucky, but Tagachi had to admit that the Imperians were quick learners. In an attempt to attack a Kzal-rhiumian cruiser Tagachi's submarine was almost sunk; the heavily damaged boat had to disappear in the depths of the sea and run away. And now the escape led them to the island of ghosts. Such a disgraceful end. DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 05:32 |
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- Lieutenant Commander? - Tetsu hailed from above. While Tagachi was looking at the empty sea through his binoculars, his second-in-command had time to go far ahead. Zamuchryshkin 19.07.14 в 07:07 |
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- Yes, yes, - responded Tagachi. - I am rising. Zamuchryshkin 19.07.14 в 07:07 |
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He made the last effort to get over a steep zone came up to the Lieutenant. Tetsu was pensively looking at the sea, and Tagachi automatically reached for the binoculars again. Zamuchryshkin 19.07.14 в 07:07 |
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- What's there? - he asked. Zamuchryshkin 19.07.14 в 07:07 |
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- Skipper?.. - Tetsu turned away from the distant horizon. - No... nothing. I just thought of Mirio. Zamuchryshkin 19.07.14 в 07:07 |
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Shortly before Tanko-22 sailed away on her last patrol, lieutenant received news from home about his wife being ill. It was a severe stress for Yuko, especially lately though he tried to conceal his feelings. DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 09:43 |
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- I havn't seen her for a year, - he said, clenching his fists, - My son was born and I haven't seen him yet. Maybe I won't see him at all... - lieutenants scowled at the horizon and Tagachi understood that they were thinking about the same thing. DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 09:47 |
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He desisted from statements like "We will certainly get out of there". They may not get out, or they may be even captured - and it is still a question what's worse. The Aghinarrian submarines did a lot of damage to Kzal-rhiumians and their allies, and the Imperial sailors returned concentrated hate to enemy submariners. The fear of an unexpected thrust was great. The southerners looked at submarines' crew as if they were pirates but not Navy sailors. And if they managed to capture these submainers, they'd rather give short shrift to them right there and right now without any trial. So to be captured by the Imperians was even not better than to say at Tekho and starve when supplies end. Zamuchryshkin 22.07.14 в 15:52 He kept from saying something like "We will certainly get out of here". They might not get out, or even get captured - and it was still a question what' would be worse. The Aghinarrian submarines did a lot of damage to Kzal-rhiumians and their allies, and the Imperial sailors in return showed fierce hatred to enemy submariners. The fear of a sudden attack was terrible. The southerners looked at submarines' crew as if they were pirates but not Navy sailors. And if any submainers were captured, Kzal-rhiumians could lynch them on spot. So to fall into Imperial hands was even worse than stay at Tekho and starve to death when supplies came to an end. DarkSkalD 23.07.14 в 05:53 |
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- Captain Tagachi, does anybody wait for you at home? - Yuko asked suddenly. DarkSkalD 21.07.14 в 13:40 |
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- No, - answered Tagachi and for the first time in several years remembered his former fiancee Satzume. She was a real beauty, but, unfortunately for Isu Tagachi, was very ambitious. Manufacturer's son seemed to her a more suitable pair than a Navy Lieutenant. DarkSkalD 21.07.14 в 13:45 |
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- I wasn't that lucky, - he said curtly. DarkSkalD 21.07.14 в 13:42 |
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- I don't even know if it should be considered luck or not, - sighted Lieutenant. DarkSkalD 21.07.14 в 13:47 |
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- Aren't we there yet? - Tagachi asked again, - What did you want to show me, Tetsu? DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 09:48 |
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- Five more minutes, skip. DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 09:48 |
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At last they reached the crater rim. There Tagachi saw two of his subordinates sitting on hard stones and smoking. When the officers appeared, they leaped to feet in a hurry. DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 10:19 |
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- Lieutenant Commander Tagachi. Lieutenant Tetsu. DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 09:50 |
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- At ease, - Isu Tagachi waved his hand, - So? DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 09:52 |
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Yuko Tetsu carefully, keeping balance with his hands made few steps down a steep slope. DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 09:54 |
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- Here it is, Lieutenant Commander. Have a look! DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 09:52 |
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Tagachi followed his second-in-command and looked down. At first, he didn't understand what Yuko was pointing at. But then he saw something dark among conglomeration of grey stones. The sunlight reverberated from a glossy-black surface resembling mica; but that could not be mica. With growing bewilderment Isu Tagachi was browsing through smooth lines of a long... hull? Exactly hull! Looking at the strange object buried on half under enrockment, the Aghinarrian realized that it was without doubt a man-made structure. But, in the name of the great Dragon Divinity, was it man-made? And how did it fall within Tekho? Zamuchryshkin 22.07.14 в 16:30 Tagachi followed his second-in-command and looked down. At first, he didn't understand what Yuko was pointing at. But then he saw something dark among conglomeration of grey stones. The sunlight reverberated from a glossy-black surface resembling mica; but that could not be mica. With growing bewilderment Isu Tagachi was tracing smooth lines of a long... hull? Exactly hull! Looking at the strange object half-buried under rockslide, the Aghinarrian realized that it was without doubt an artificial structure. But, in the name of the great Dragon-God, who made it? And how did it get to Tekho? DarkSkalD 23.07.14 в 06:01 |
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Not waiting for Yuko, Tagachi hastened down the slope. He came near crushing his legs while going down and joined a pair of sailors of Tenko-22 crew who stayed looking up in the shade of the mysterious... object - Tagachi didn't simply know how to call it. Hence he seemed immense, but it really wasn't small - not smaller than a cruiser. Zamuchryshkin 22.07.14 в 16:46 Not waiting for Yuko, Tagachi hastened down the slope. Almost breaking his legs on descend he came down and joined a pair of sailors from Tenko-22 crew who stayed looking up in the shade of the mysterious... object - Tagachi didn't simply know how to call it. From that spot it seemed immense, and true it wasn't exactly small - no smaller than a cruiser. DarkSkalD 23.07.14 в 06:04 |
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- Daemons of the Deep, what could that be? - murmured Tetsu, following his captain, who had already descended. DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 09:55 |
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Tagachi chuckled dryly. DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 09:56 |
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- Are you asking me, Lieutenant? I'm afraid I can't answer your question. DarkSkalD 22.07.14 в 09:56 |