Крип / Kryp: Отряд_пролог

Prologue

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 09:00

"Why have you come, Kryptman Junior? My Order is not welcome to you."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 09:01

Even seated, the giant seemed two heads taller than Fidus, who was standing. The shapeless cloak-like garment, with its many pleated folds, slid down to the floor, widening like the base of a spire. The cloak seemed to show a deliberate peacefulness on the part of its wearer. To reach the power spear, which rested on a stand of plain wood without polish or varnish, one would have had to tear through the fabric, wriggle out of his clothes. But Fidus wasn't fooled; if anything happened, no obstacle would stop the spear's master.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 09:02

Kryptman averted his eyes; it was too hard to bear the unblinking gaze of his interlocutor. The dark dots of his pupils stared fixedly, immovable, like laser sights. The blue irises were a remarkably clear shade, without a single speck or string of blood vessels, multiplying the impression of inanimate optics. Nevertheless, the spacemarin's eyes were real, alive. They had simply seen a lot in their owner's long life. Perhaps too much.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 09:07

"I have enough time ... Inquisitor..." the giant paused for a barely perceptible moment, a graceful stroke of disregard for his guest's status. "I can afford to spend it lavishly, without being stingy. The question is whether you're in a hurry."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 09:12

The captain of the thirteenth squadron finally took his eyes off the inquisitor and looked out the window. An ordinary wide window with an angular frame. A perfect copy of the original from times immemorial, when Terra was not yet the center of the universe, the wellspring of the true faith and the luminous Astronomicon. The porthole of the captain's prayer room now faced the shaded side, so there was half-darkness behind the armored glass. But soon the cruiser would change course, and the fierce light of the yellow star would flood the octagonal chamber.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 09:15

The smoke from the incense lamps flowed low as if clinging to the wooden floor. On it was the symbol of a two-pointed arrow, inscribed in a circle, with a steady hand. A barely perceptible circulation of air pulled gray streams along the walls, stripped of ornamentation and decoration. Only pristine metal, steel with frequent rivets, just like a thousand years ago, the hour the cruiser came off the shipyard slipways. The metal, though, was almost hidden beneath the scrolls that covered the ten-foot walls in several layers, like fresh shavings. Precious parchment, cheap paper, scraps of leather from devoted adepts, even wooden planks. With seals of consecrated sealing wax, simply glued, in some places nailed through metal like soft wax. Different material, different words, but the handwriting is the same, machine-accurate. Not prayers, more like notes. The memory of the ages.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 13:14

"My Order is not pleased with you," the giant repeated. "Neither am I. But now that you're here, it would be impolite to chase away... the Inquisitor."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 13:15

There was that pause again, barely noticeable, almost imperceptible. Clear and direct clarification of what the speaker was thinking about Fidus. The big man's voice sounded smooth and deep, with an intangible warmth. It was the humming of an engine, all its parts fingering together and working in perfect harmony, under the meticulous supervision of a well-tempered spirit. Fidus was not deceived, the warmth was not for him. The great warrior was simply at peace with himself and saw no reason to be annoyed by an insignificant visit from an insignificant man.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 13:17

"I see that your soul is in turmoil and your thoughts are confused. We could pray together," the captain suddenly suggested. "Then you'll tell me what your concern is. But I'll tell you right away...:

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 13:21

The giant shook his head, the snow-white strands of hair trembling in time with the movement. Usually, warriors of the Order shaved their heads to make it easier to maintain and repair interface connectors, and to treat head wounds. But Sage was the exception, perhaps because he rarely participated in combat. Now the Order claimed his other talents.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 13:58

"You definitely came with a request, but given the preceding events, this is a drum whose pounding will not reach my ears."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 13:59

"I don't understand..." Now the inquisitor shook his head. He wanted to put his hands in his pockets, cross his arms over his chest, or otherwise build a psychological defense. Fidus was in no danger here, and yet he felt awkward and uncomfortable.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:01

"Well, let me be clear," the captain's voice had lost much of its good-naturedness, and now it reeked of the coldness of a cryogenic chamber. "Inquisitor Kryptman, you did not kill two of my brethren, but you are responsible for their absence. You can justify yourself all you want, but your words are like a distant drum in the night. It sounds, but its thumping doesn't touch my heart. I think that analogy makes sense to you?"

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:03

Fidus clenched his teeth and bowed his head low, trying to hide the blush of anger. It was more of an instinctive reaction, though. He can't fool the giant's supernatural senses anyway.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:06

"Sleepless men can think what they like," Kryptman lifted his chin and looked straight into the captain's blue eyes. "I don't take the blame! I didn't call them to break the embargo!"

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:08

"That's a fact," the space marines agreed sadly. "But your report number four, written in panic ink on a sheet of horror, encouraged them to do so. However, your mistake could be understood. Not forgive, but understand ..."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:10

The giant sighed with an unpretentious sadness that, for his size and chest width, looked like a gust of warm air from a small blast furnace.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:11

"We could if you admitted your guilt and repented. Instead of persisting in tales of some terrifying xenos that no one has ever seen and that guard in the darkness like wolves against lambs. The bona fide delusion of the seasoned inquisitor is an original quirk. But when performed by a young boy, it is no longer a stylish folly, but annoying foolishness."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:15

Fidus was silent because there was nothing to say. More precisely, there was a lot to say, but it was all useless. Kryptman had already realized clearly that they did not believe him, just as they did not believe his father, and it was useless to persist. At least, to persist openly and directly.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:21

"I need help," he finally said. "I've really come to ask... for advice."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:22

"Advice?" The giant seemed genuinely surprised. "From me? What could a lone servant of the Order of the Sleepless say to you?"

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:23

"I need your wisdom," Fidus said firmly. "The knowledge of a man who has lived for centuries, and though he was born for war, he has made a name for himself in another field."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:24

The captain smiled coldly, with a faint note of superiority.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:25

"I am not a human being, young inquisitor. I am both more and less than mortal. But in a way, you're right, I have seen many things... Well, let your drum sound in the darkness."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:27

Fidus inhaled and exhaled as if to oxygenate his blood before throwing himself into the abyss, toward the invisible beasts.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:28

"I need to save a woman."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:29

The captain's thin eyebrows raised by themselves, his eyes gleaming in the distant glow of the star. "Wrath of the Righteous" was completing a U-turn maneuver, the line separating light and darkness sliding across the hull as it approached the prayer hall. Suddenly the bloodless lips of the thirteenth squadron commander stretched into a miserly smile.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:30

"That girl? The young creature that has been transported through the millennia? Are you talking about her?"

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:31

"Yes," it sounded like an exhale of relief, and Fidus was glad that there was no need to go into a long explanation. However, the captain's next question was expected and heavy.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:32

"Why?"

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:32

Kryptman thought for a while.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:34

Why? Why indeed?

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:34

"I owe it to her," Fidus said through gritted teeth.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:35

The Inquisitor repeated these words many times, imagined the conversation with the sage, and seemed to have achieved perfection. But now the usual smoothness of speech was gone, melted under the gaze of the Emperor's angel.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:36

"She saved me despite the horrors that surrounded her. She saved me without even knowing who I was. Simply because she was compassionate."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:38

Each word was literally forced through his throat, clawing at the sharp edges, scratching at the very soul.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:38

"I owe it to her. And I want to help."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:39

"You had an opportunity to simply prevent such an outcome. But you didn't use it at the time," the captain reminded him impassively. He remained motionless, only the bright eyes gleaming in his stone face and the cape barely visible rising on his chest.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:42

"Yes, it's true."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:43

A wave of searing shame came again, burning Kryptman's soul.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:44

"I had an opportunity, but I didn't use it. I chickened out."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:45

The main thing was said, and Fidus exhaled, feeling a little better, just a little.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:47

"I want to get her out of the Purification Service," he said firmly as if cutting the safety strings. "I want to save her from death."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:48

"In Adepto Purificatum, people survive."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:48

"Three percent. That's common knowledge. One and nine-tenths percent. That's for real."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:49

"But how can I help you?" surprised the captain. "You're still an Inquisitor, that's your business. I am infinitely far from the Purification. Though, if one accepts that any act for the glory and good of the Imperium are uniting, then we are all, of course, brothers in service."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:51

"I tried, but I did not succeed. My group was disbanded, and the adepts were transferred to other inquisitors. The Council strongly advised me to refrain indefinitely from any investigative action. I'm almost under house arrest. I have contacted our archivists and lawyers, and they have found no way to resolve the matter officially and legally. Until the term of obedience expires, it is impossible to get a person out of Adepto Purificatum."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:54

"You forgot the case of the Great Deed," the captain reminded.

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:55

"No, I haven't. She is a weak girl, she will not survive even docility. What to speak of Deed..."

Camrad_RIP 08.11.21 в 14:57