Крип / Kryp: Отряд_32

Chapter 32

Camrad_RIP 25.12.21 в 17:35

Fidus pulled on his jacket, straightened the cuffs of the sleeves, and checked that the tiny aquiles on the brass buttons were oriented correctly, that is, strictly vertically, not obliquely. Given his somewhat "suspended" status as either "already an inquisitor" or "not yet," Fidus chose clothing that was neutral, without obvious military-inspired motifs, but austere. Despite his rather brief period of obedience, Kryptman was used to baggy jumpsuits and sweaters, so wearing tailored ones was... strange. He felt out of place and out of place, like a stranger in a foreign country. He wanted to leave the Beacon, the system, and the sector as soon as possible, frankly. But there was still business to take care of, the last on the short list.

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 10:43

Their ships departed a quarter of an hour apart, first the Martians, then the Inquisitors. The orbital station was almost intact, but the damage to the planet could be seen even from space, through the observation porthole. Fidus was just contemplating the dark patches that had taken the place of the shining cities and industrial centers (power had not been restored everywhere, and restoration promised to take many months) when the steps of a small group echoed under the high vaults of the dock deck. Kryptman looked away from the porthole but saw the unexpected ones.

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 10:53

"Hmm..." he chuckled indefinitely, looking at the Astartes captain, leading a company of two space troopers and three sororitas.

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 10:54

"And are you with them?" Fidus clarified.

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 10:56

"Yes, we'll go together," replied the captain, waving to his companions. They silently bowed their heads in identical gestures, as if they understood and accepted. They moved toward the platform marked by yellow lights. Kryptman glanced at a large clock embedded in the metal wall, its faceted dial indicating the time of Terra, the Commonwealth, the Ice Port, and something else. The Martians had nineteen minutes to go.

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 10:57

"I thought I'd meet you here," the Astartes muttered. The Order's armor was unnecessary in this setting, and he wore a loose, pleated cloak. On someone else, this "dress" would have looked funny and feminine. But when such a garment is worn by a muscular giant three meters tall, armed with a power spear, it immediately seems incredibly masculine to everyone.

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 11:02

"We never had time to ... talk," Fidus sighed. "Too many reports and interviews."

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 11:15

"That makes sense," the sleeper said neutrally. "Considering you were in the center of it all. By the way," he changed the subject. "I hear you've made up a team of former Squadmates?"

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 11:18

"Rather, I offered them some time to work together," the inquisitor corrected. "I need helpers. They were all forgiven of their sins and freed, so they were free to choose for themselves. Some agreed, some didn't."

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 11:20

"What about the priest of the Church?" the blue-eyed giant suddenly inquired. "He seemed to me to be in a crisis of either faith or self-determination. It would be unwise to take on such a disturbed companion."

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 14:48

He stayed. He voluntarily accepted the penance of eight years of service as a rank-and-file purifier. His faith, he said, was not strong enough, so he should either harden his spirit by trials or answer with his own life for a moment of mental weakness. At the choice of the Emperor. By the way, received the blessing of the planetary bishop.

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 14:49

"Worthy," the captain approved, "I'd make a note of it and be sure to come back in eight years. If he survives, your crew might have a worthy addition."

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 14:50

"I did. But I suspect if he survives the obedience, he will stay anyway."

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 14:51

"Perhaps. I hear the Squad is going to remain?"

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 14:53

"Yes, more than that, it will multiply. From the experience of this... incident, it has been concluded that the landing troops are too lightly armed and too few in number. The armored train system is cumbersome and expensive, but it alone provides the ability to strike hard and fast. So the Epidemic Squad will get more men and more weapons. More connection with the Inquisition, the Church, and the arbiters."

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:49

"That's good," the giant nodded. "Risk is a noble thing, but success is better achieved by the tried-and-true means."

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:50

They were silent for a minute, then the captain asked straight out:

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:51

"So you're waiting for her?"

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:51

"Yes."

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:51

"Why?"

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:51

"That's my business," Kryptman snapped back with unexpected harshness.

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:52

"Fidus, you're misinterpreting my intentions," the space marines shrugged his broad shoulders. "I don't intend to interfere with your meeting."

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:53

"Really?" The inquisitor asked incredulously.

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:53

"Yes. I just want you to look at the situation rationally. And act according to reason, not the impulse of your troubled soul."

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:54

"You can't read my soul," Kryptman was still angry.

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:54

"Yes, she's grateful to you now, and quite capable of being carried away by your great dream," the captain said as if he hadn't noticed his interlocutor's remark. "If you persist... If you ignite her heart with a duty to humanity, with fear of the hidden threat, she will follow you. But... Do you really want her to?"

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:56

The giant raised his hand, decisively cutting off Kryptman's ready objections.

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:56

"Think about it. What can you offer her? What will the girl gain by following you? You know the answer to that question, don't you? Disaster. Danger. Mockery. Years of fruitless labor. And death in the end."

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:58

"But... Mars," Fidus muttered hollowly. "She will be a tech-priestess... most likely. She will be, in time."

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 18:58

"Yes, most likely," the marines confirmed. "It's inevitable. Theoretically, of course, it is possible to join the ranks of Mechanicus and keep the flesh in pristine purity. After all, the path of Magos Biologis is based on the perfection of living matter. But most likely Olga will step on the long path of transformation into an adept of the Machine God. And of her own free will. Gears are smart, they will not pressure her, but they will carefully, quietly show her all the advantages of artificial bodies, and these advantages are there, visible and quite weighty. Especially if you have already experienced death and the ease with which it takes people."

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 19:00

"Olga will lose her humanity and become... a tin can!"

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 19:00

"Yes," agreed with the captain. "And she will live a long, interesting life, full of amazing events. She will be exposed to the great mysteries of Mars and will communicate as equals with those who rule the world of knowledge and machines. Is that a bad thing? I'm not sure."

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 20:32

"She won't be happy," Kryptman said wistfully.

Camrad_RIP 27.12.21 в 20:32

"And it is possible. Although it is not predetermined. But in any case, the girl will find peace, respect, and security. All the things that fate has so deprived her of before. All that she deserves for her courage. Her nobility. Kindness."

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 05:57

The giant sighed and placed a heavy, powerful hand on Fidus's shoulder, lightly squeezing his fingers, not as a threat, but peacefully, in a gesture of friendly encouragement.

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 05:57

"I'm not going to stop you. I believe in the freedom of choice of people endowed with wisdom. But I also believe in responsibility. Before you decide and do, weigh your desire on the scales of impartiality. Answer the question, what do you really want? And for whom, for yourself or for her?"

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 05:58

In the transition tunnel that connected the pier to the orbital station array, a group of armed skitarians appeared. They were followed by an automaton, the Geller-drone, already familiar to Fidus. The guards dispersed quickly and skillfully, with machine-like precision, on the quayside deck, blocking off all approaches. Kryptman felt a strange chill, as if an invisible hand had run over his head and groped his missing pockets. It seemed that he had just been scanned, included in the control and security system. Kryptman smiled involuntarily, thinking that he was ostentatiously ignored, but if any trouble happened, the Inquisitor would be dead before he could even blink. By the way, it's curious that the Skitarians weren't interested in the angel's spear.

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 06:00

"They coming," commented the Astartes.

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 06:00

Kryptman smiled even wider, noting that for the first time he saw Olga washed, combed, well dressed. In general - quite happy with life. The girl was still very thin, but the well-made overalls no longer hung on her bones, and her face did not look haggard; the former novice was definitely well fed and treated.

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 06:04

Seeing Jennifer again with her head was strange and even a little creepy, because the metal sphere was different in design, color, and shape. Obviously, the Martian had used a temporary substitute. The third member of the small company was a tall and unkempt-looking tech-priest with an almost human face. Only a keen eye could tell that it was an elaborate mask with intricate actuators.

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 06:05

When Olga saw Kryptman, she faltered and lowered her head, then, as if making up her mind, proudly straightened up and stepped toward the inquisitor. The priestess and the tall mechanicum, without looking at each other or exchanging a sound, parted as if to show that they did not intend to interfere.

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 06:07

"Go on," Astartes said in a low voice of encouragement. "It's about time."

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 06:07

Fidus approached Olga and they stopped, looking at each other in silence, Kryptman from top to bottom of the girl with her head slightly tilted back. Martian surgeons had replaced the former miserable prosthesis with a magnificent eye, indistinguishable from the real one.

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 06:09

"Hello... Kryp," Olga hesitated with the name, and it sounded very kind, without the previous mockery.

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 06:09

"Hello..." In turn, Kryptman paused for a moment, considering whether to return "Olla" in response, but decided that it would be foolishly childish. "Olga."

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 06:10

On an instant impulse, he took her palms in his, feeling the thin, warm fingers that knew no rings. Olga squeezed his hands and said:

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 06:10

"It's all repeated."

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 06:19

"Yes," Fidus agreed. "It's just like before. But better."

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 06:20

"You promised," she said quietly.

Camrad_RIP 29.12.21 в 06:20