Крип / Kryp: Отряд_4.22

Chapter 22

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 20:12

Olga was drowning in the lilac fog, dissolving like a sugar cube in warm water - slowly and inevitably at the same time. The brain seemed to work like a broken computer with a shrunken memory. The consciousness was enough to understand fragmentary moments, but when one tried to put the mosaic together into a coherent memory, there was invariably a glitch. Even an attempt to pull oneself together, to clench one's will into a fist, and to concentrate was beyond, beyond the hardware capabilities of one's mind.

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 20:21

There was something... something bad... Or not bad, just unusual. Yes, something happened. Something was... It turned out that if you didn't try to comprehend, fragments of memory were easier to catch. They melted, disintegrated into fragments, like decayed leaves, but still...

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 20:24

A bright, dark purple flash. Or not purple, the color was more complex, more interesting. As a former beauty salon worker, Olga was more or less familiar with the color scheme, and she hesitated, choosing between dark purple and Persian blue. No, dark indigo was more likely.

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 20:24

So there was an explosion. There was a flash.

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 20:48

The girl did not see it, but rather felt it, saw it, but not with her eyes, but as if the image itself appeared on the retina, maybe born in the optic nerves, or perhaps...

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 20:48

No, too many thoughts at once, everything swam, the rate of decay increased.

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 20:49

The Flash. Purple... Indigo...

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 20:49

It was like a special effect from a movie when you have to show a shockwave beautifully and spectacularly, whether it was nuclear or magical or something else. The hemisphere expanded rapidly, leaving only fire behind it. Or rather, light, an indomitable, divinely beautiful glow that united all the colors of the rainbow in a harmony beyond words.

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 21:13

Olga saw it through the metal of the wagon armor, through the concrete of the heavy, sullen buildings of the railroad terminal. The light was both an energy and a gateway, a pathway open to one and everyone to some wondrous place. And this delightful essence was expanding, consuming the world. The girl wanted to raise her hand and point out to Jennifer the infinite beauty of what was happening, to warn the priestess to be ready and not miss a second to enjoy a moment of perfection. She didn't have time, however.

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 21:16

Light engulfed the world, and the world became the light of dark indigo. It warmed like a living fire enclosed in an exquisite fireplace. It brought a welcome coolness, like a light breeze at a hot hour. Filled the crippled soul with peace. Made Olga happy, just like that, without any conditions. Because happiness is what lilac light was ready to bestow without counting, just like that. Because he could and wanted to.

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 21:17

Foolish people think that happiness is like an ordinary resource. It must be mined through hard work, and it certainly is limited. Happiness can be traded, given away gratuitously or for a fee, shared with someone, or taken for sole possession. But this is not true at all, for happiness is infinite. All you have to do is stand up, roll your shoulders, and realize that you have lived as a gravely ill person - in pointless suffering, in excruciating hopelessness. And then you have to start living differently, that's all.

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 21:20

Happiness overwhelmed the girl, permeated every cell of her body, warmed every thought with sunlight. It was amazing, and it didn't end. After all, happiness...

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 21:21

/'No,' Olga said.

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 21:23

The dark indigo turned to wisteria with a dash of gray, like clouds on the horizon ready to bring a storm. A refreshing chill sparkled with the sharp blades of snowflakes, and warmth thickened like red-hot desert air. The world around Olga froze in a mute question, and the question concealed something sinister, hidden for the time being, like a sharpened nail in a sleeve or a hammer in a bag.

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 21:24

Olga collected, restored her soul from the shards, dispersed the fog, concentrated, and snatched pieces of her former self out of the dreamlessness. It wasn't easy, but the main thing was to begin, to concentrate consistently on thoughts and feelings, attaching them to the backbone of consciousness. To the point where you can finally ask yourself a direct question, and then the next:

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 21:25

"What's wrong with this?"

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 21:25

"Where have I seen this before?"

Camrad_RIP 29.11.21 в 21:25

/Too much, you scum of a thistle! - thought the girl to the light. - 'I've been caught on that before.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 11:50

Yes, what was going on had nothing to do with the three-armed monster that nearly caught the girl at the Ballistic Station. Everything is better, brighter, more honest. But the essence - if you peel the phenomenon, like a cabbage head, leaf by leaf, down to the core - the essence is the same.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 11:51

The promise of everything for nothing. No obligations, no conditions, no labor, no effort. Happiness for everyone, and no one leaves offended.
111

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 11:52

But it doesn't work that way, and Olga knew that better than anyone.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 11:52

It doesn't happen that way.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 11:53

Never.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 11:53

Happiness for free costs the most in the end, and when it comes time to pay, the price is not asked but taken.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 11:54

The memory of the great Russian language came back instantly, the whole pseudo-Latin 'Gothic', which looked like a wild mixture of French and German, jump out of her head at once. Olga did not say, but thought, distinctly, hoping that lilac understood everything:

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 11:55

/Fuck you, asshole.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 11:55

The girl had the strange feeling that in front of her, around her, and in herself was not a living being, but some kind of element. It was like an ocean that moved, obeyed some rules, existed in an infinite number of interconnected elements, but had no independent mind. And she feared that what she was thinking would be unheard. Or misunderstood. Or misunderstood, which would be a shame, considering how much emotion Olga put into three short words. But she was well understood, and her understanding was followed by surprise, which was followed by inevitability. And there followed an answer that was inexpressible in words, but as clear and understandable as Olga's message.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 12:00

/Whoever doesn't want happiness seeks its opposite.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 12:01

/The one who rejects heaven longs to be cast into hell.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 12:01

/The one who doesn't want peace welcomes pain.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 12:02

The lilacs darkened even more, icy needles pierced the body, the heat scorched the nerves, barely at first, as if preparing for further torment. The breath of decay and death drank precious drops of will and energy from the soul. And then Olga heard something that was not and could not be here. The most terrible sounds in the world, which were repeated enough to be permanently imprinted in her memory for the rest of her life.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 12:03

Door creaking.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 12:04

The clatter of a bottle placed on a crooked, rusty table. Regular, zero-five liter, priced at forty-seven rubles. Always filled to exactly a quarter to polish up afterwards. A very distinctive clatter, it is quite different from that of a bottle, empty or full of, say, half.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 12:04

The long grinding of the lock being locked, very diligent. The creak of the door boards, pressed by a strong hand, checking to see if it was secure if it wouldn't open at the most inopportune moment.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 13:12

Olga cringed, whimpering softly in horror. The memory, like a digitized photograph, was rapidly becoming reality, gaining color, volume, and smell. The smell of damp dust - it had rained too much that fall - of street dirt on badly wiped boots. Very bad vodka, so cheap that they don't even dilute it with water to make it bulkier, because water would cost more.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 13:13

/It can't be, it can't be, it can't be!!!

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 13:13

And then a familiar and infinitely hateful voice said somewhere over the head:

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 13:14

"Who's the best today? Who was waiting for her beloved brother?"

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 13:22

A firm palm came down on her neck, and Olga screamed, realizing that she was in hell after all.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 13:23

* * *

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 13:23

Bertha had expected anything from a slaughter to a bloody orgy, but her squad was quiet, disciplined, and ready for action. The flamethrowers were ready, the equipment on the move and checked, the personal weapons issued from the safe on the Holy Man's personal initiative. Strictly speaking, the fireproof cabinet was simply broken into, but the mentor decided to leave the decision for later. And so was her reflection on exactly why her team was beyond the reach of the rapidly spreading madness.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 14:55

"What orders?" The Holy Man asked cheerfully, and the question stunned the mentor.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 15:02

Indeed, what now? But the Emperor is always on the side of the righteous, and then the Priest came to the rescue. The speaker of general communication turned on, emitting a series of wheezes, hinting at the need to update the equipment. And then it cleared its throat and reported:

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 15:03

"My brothers and sisters. We are under attack. Let us be firm in our faith and...'

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 15:04

The Priest described the situation briefly and quite exhaustively. Berta, meanwhile, was thinking intensely. At the same time, the new commandant tried to stifle the sprouts of schadenfreude. 'That's for you, not disbanding! The armored train will show itself yet!'

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 15:07

By the time the Priest encouraged everyone to be strong and brave, and to strike the wicked with both hands, the Mentor already had a rough idea of what to do next. She quickly assigned the duties, ordered the mechanic to sit in the tank, keep the hatches open in readiness to receive the entire crew, and, if necessary, ram the wagon from the inside.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 15:09

"We'll roll over," Driver remarked melancholically. "Too high. Then we'll have to keep the ramp extended."

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 15:10

"The Emperor will help," said Bertha significantly. "Now, where's the brat...?"

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 15:10

A sharp knock was her answer. The pounding came from outside, and with such force, it looked as if there was at least a servitor on the other side of the door. Without a command, Luke and Kryptman raised their weapons simultaneously; the flamethrowers regrouped, aiming at the doorway. It smelled of gun oil and flamethrower chemicals. To complete the composition of 'the Emperor's servants holding up a heroic defense,' the turret drives hummed. The small-caliber cannon turned, and the bolt clanked loudly, so audible even behind the armor.

Camrad_RIP 30.11.21 в 15:12