Хроники Аскета: Вторжение / The Ascet Chronicles: Invasion: Глава 9

Chapter 9

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 09:41

We gathered near the helicopter, ready to leave for the base. In the two days that had passed since the liquidation of the Nest, the camp had changed greatly: most of the equipment had been removed, communications were working again, and the tent city was slowly winding down. Lying on the grass, Beerbrewer indulged in a dream aloud:

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 10:03

"If I'm released on leave, I'll go to a restaurant and eat to my heart's content. I'm tired of cafeteria food, I want delicious food, clean tablecloths, a waiter, soft music. A beautiful girl at the next table."

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 19:43

"I want a beautiful girl, too," said Wicked, "just not at the next table. When you go into town, tell me. Ascet, what will you do when we get back?"

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 19:44

"I will bow to Kotelnikov."

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 19:44

Wicked laughed:

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 19:45

"And after?"

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 19:46

"I don't know. I have to go to Peter."
T.N.

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 19:46

"I don't think so," Student interjected. "They'll let us out of the base for a couple of days, but no more. We'll write reports, the Research Department has probably already prepared a separate cell with a pen and a pile of paper."

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 19:47

We were happy. We could sit quietly among friends, talk about nothing, indulge in pipe dreams, knowing that no one would come running and send us into hell, that everyone was alive, that there was rest ahead. Even the upcoming tedious and uninteresting work did not embarrass - let's write what the bosses require. The wild training would begin later: now you could just lie there and think about nothing.

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 19:48

"They're supposed to give some kind of medal," said Whip.

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 19:49

"What the hell's the point of this medal?" snorted the Executor. "The main thing is that we survived."

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 19:49

"There are now eight Nests in Russia - two fours, two threes, and the rest are two-tiered." Student reasoned aloud, lying on the couch. "We recently demolished one, the searchers immediately found a new one on the Tura. Chizhov mentioned - the growth rate of Nests is growing, so if now the growth is one a month, next year it will be two a month, and what in the end? Sending ordinary people makes no sense: the losses are too great. So we have to use psions. If that's the case, we'll be going down to the cleanup missions more and more often, and there'll be casualties. What would you do if you were our wise leaders, huh?"

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 19:55

The conversation began after a week of rest, allocated to us "for a successful operation". Sergachev told us ten minutes ago that we should not relax, in two weeks you will fly to Ust-Salda to storm the Nest. Researchers have noticed initial signs of the formation of the third tier - it is necessary to clean it up as soon as possible. In the future, he said, our life will enter a strict rhythm - about a week for clearing, a week for rest, two weeks for preparation. We gathered in the break room to discuss the news.

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 19:56

"Clearly, we need new fighters." Whip was looking intently at the basket of apples, picking out the tastiest one. "Tomorrow the first group arrives, eight men. By the end of the week, two more eight and one seven. They say there's one girl."

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 19:57

"What the fuck do we need her for? We're not making a movie - a woman in the squad is sure to bring trouble, the men are getting mad!" Wicked waved his hand emotionally and cursed. "Ascet! Why did you put on the Armor, not in the Nest!"

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 19:58

"I'm practicing. I always hold it now." I saw the question building in his eyes and hastened to answer beforehand: "Yes, even there. It all goes free from the inside."

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 20:00

"And how do you sleep?"

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 20:01

"It's hard, but it's possible. You get used to it over time."

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 20:01

Immediately after our return, we were forced to write a report according to our fresh impressions. Especially Chizhov asked us to point out what shortcomings there were in the training methodology, and what we would like to study additionally. I pointed out the ability of some aliens to hide their auras, asked for a first aid course - preferably based on the developments of Daniel's department - and an increase in the number of training related to the holding of signs. I don't know what changes will be made to the newcomers' curriculum, but there was a stir among the instructors.

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 20:04

"Let's stay on topic," said Student, "or the thought will drift away. Two questions arise for me personally, because of the new members of the squad. First, where will we get the necessary number of people with the right qualities? Two: who will teach them? What I mean is that we only take people who are at least sixty or above: it makes no sense to take people with less than that. There aren't that many people with a strong shell. Besides, we've been trained for six months, and I think there will be the same with newbies. Where to find decent instructors?"

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 20:07

"Don't delay," the Executor, who was sitting in the corner, grimaced. "You always do this: first you think about it, then you consult with us. Tell us what you've decided."

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 20:08

"Well, not that I have decided. That's my reasoning: they're not stupid people above. They saw at once that psions of any power would be useful. Even if it's not clear, it's a benefit. Therefore, they will begin to drive as many people as possible through the Nests to gain our abilities. Along the way, they'll start looking for a way to enlarge their shells. In time, this will allow them to have more fighters, capable of killing the aliens without great casualties. They ran a battalion through the Nest a week ago, and next time there will be just as many. You will see, in time, they will organize excursions to un-cleaned Nests!" On seeing our incredulous smiles he corrected: "Ok, not excursions, but they will invite a lot of people for sure. Journalists, scientists e.t.c."

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 20:10

"However, a second problem immediately arises: such people need to be trained. We, who are present, have had military experience before, in the Nest have come down more than once. The exception is Ascet, but he is a unique person. ( Where is this coming from?) And then we had half a year to retrain. Among the beginners, I'm sure almost all are the same. If before required one instructor, but now we need three or four, and a very high level, otherwise the quality of training will fall. Finding people with the right skills is very difficult - so they will involve us. We were taught by the same methods. Again, we have experience - we know and can show things that our teachers don't know. What do you think?"

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 20:12

Those present were silent, digesting the information. Student had a rare and useful peculiarity: he drew far-reaching conclusions from well-known facts and was almost never wrong. Usually, Hawk and Beerbrewer argued with him, but the former was now in the doctor's office, the latter was sitting in the canteen: the kind-hearted cooks were feeding him before tomorrow's torment began. He himself did not consider the training to be torture, but he did not refuse a supplement. So the others took Student's words at face value and were now considering the pros and cons of their future situation.

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 20:14

There will be more of us. It would be possible to go down to the Nests not accompanied by ordinary machine gunners, even if very experienced, but by psions like ourselves. I respected those who went down without our abilities, who could not see the enemy until the very last moment and yet continued to do their duty. But I preferred to work with psions like myself. You must go into battle with people you trust; my orders to a nonpsion might seem rather pointless. Besides, I don't mix well with people: a stranger behind my back makes me nervous. Even in the group, I trusted perhaps only Student, Wicked, and the Executor. I understood them.

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 20:15

At the same time, if we have to act as instructors, our own training time will be reduced. That's much worse. It cost the whole group a lot of effort to deal with one five-level creature, but sooner or later we'll have to climb to the fourth tier, where fifth-level aliens are commonplace. So we have to be able to deal with them alone, at most in pairs. There's no telling when they'll send us to such Nests, or even in a couple of months, in the euphoria of success.

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 20:17

"We need to build up our teams," concluded Student. "It's just us at first, then we'll gradually accept newcomers."

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 20:17

You'll have to concentrate on working in pairs or threes: there are no other options.

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 20:17

The next day the newcomers arrived. To be precise, they were experienced specialists in the military - it was just that they would have to learn things that were new and unknown. Imagine that you grew a new arm, or a tail, or completely new senses. How long will you have to master them? Wouldn't six months be long enough? The bosses thought it was enough, there were even voices to shorten the training period. Sergachev fought back, but no one knew how long it would last.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:39

Such details from high places were told to us by Korobok, to whom I went to talk about the last assault. Moses Lvovich belonged to the camp of "spellcasters" and was highly respected in the scientific community, which allowed him to enter very high offices. At first, he thanked me for the Sword of Light for a long time, like a child rejoicing over a new toy, then he listened attentively to my comments. When I asked him to develop a method of copying signs, he grudgingly grimaced:

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:40

"My dear, what you're asking for is a pipe dream of mine. I've got a whole department sitting on this subject, trying to work out some general principles. Nothing. Not even a theoretical hint."

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:41

"Pity." What else am I interested in? "I would also like to speed up the growth of the shell. Is that possible?"

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:41

"Yes, they'll show you some of the techniques, and you'll do them. We've developed a technique for artificial growth, but it has side effects that are so disconcerting."

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:42

When I talked to him on professional topics, Korobok became different - dry, terse in his words. The first time he persuaded me to go to work with him, he was too excited and had little control over his emotions, but now he was not a mad scientist with fanatical glitter in his eyes, but an old and intelligent man who loved his job and was not ashamed to show this love. However, when the conversation turned to abstract topics, it became impossible to communicate. For example, when discussing the quality of food served in the canteen, he managed to lecture me on the comparative merits of ancient Egyptian - a lot of sand, coarse grinding - and ancient Greek bread.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:43

The past week was well spent. I managed to get access to the Research Department. Chizhov got me permission to take part in some experiments on the effects on the human aura. Such research was conducted under the strict supervision of the security guards - they tried not to involve outsiders, but the developmental scientists needed people with a high filling of the aura. "Supers" were in short supply in Research, so the deal was struck. I considered mental influences promising in terms of combating aliens, especially in terms of detection: the so-called "lurkers" - creatures capable of hiding their aura - were a serious problem. Sergachev promised to find a suitable specialist in this field, but it was better to make a move myself.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:46

It was three days after the new group started classes when the Student's predictions began to come true. From time to time we were called in to demonstrate signs, and sometimes we led some classes. Mostly we worked with the most promising students, "polishing" them. To be precise, I rarely worked with newcomers: all my time was taken up by independent training and research in the laboratory. I did not always have enough time just to eat. An interesting schedule was established: rise at six o'clock, two hours of physical training - running, hand-to-hand combat, working with weapons - an hour break for a shower and breakfast. After breakfast, we went to the classrooms, where we listened to the lecturers from the scientists until 1 p.m. and immediately on the spot practiced the material, reinforcing what we had heard.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:47

We have two hours for lunch and rest, then the exhausting training went on again. During this time we might have a few rookies attached to us, especially Student and Executor. What could you do: the bosses always noticed our good pedagogical skills. We worked until 7 p.m., and then there was free time: showers, supper, and a lounge. Lights out were officially at ten o'clock, but in fact, after supper classes continued, at least in my case - the lab, practicing the techniques Daniel had shown me, working independently with Executor or Wicked. Although my altered body needed only six hours of sleep to fully recover, there was too much unstudied material, and I didn't have time.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:51

On those rare occasions when I was assigned to teach novices, I taught them mental influences. It was a broad field of knowledge, not just for combat use, though we were primarily interested in it. How to inspire fear. How to find the hidden one. How to recognize a lie. The ability to cut off the pain, to make the body move and fight without regard for wounds. The ability to sense danger. Entering into an accelerated mode, when time becomes thick and transparent, the mind slips to the edge of the impossible, information is viewed from several points of view at once and movements become so rapid that the human body cannot endure and begins to collapse. It's complicated and insanely interesting. Walking on the edge, the easiest exercise, carried the danger of getting lost in the abstractions of the mind working at its limit. So far, beginners had been given preparatory exercises: it was foolish to hope that they would be able to achieve anything serious at once.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:53

Among our new colleagues were people from the same environment as my friends, i.e., professional military personnel. There were two outsiders, too, who happened to be in the initiation area. Ivan Sergeyevich, a big Siberian hunter, nicknamed Grandpa for his fifty years of age, and Olga, the only girl in the squad. It was frightening to look at her aura - so black it was. I do not know what grief the girl had experienced in the recent past, but the effects of shock will not go away for a long time. Looking at her fanatical determination and persistence in class, one might have suspected a personal hatred of aliens.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:54

Our acquaintance took place under somewhat amusing circumstances. In order to increase my sensitivity, I wore a blindfold for the third day, and a stranger could mistake me for a blind man. So when I entered the classroom and the instructor announced to the students that a new instructor was before them, the auras of all the fighters flashed with surprise. It increased even more when it became obvious that I could do just fine without sight. Of course, I explained why I wore the blindfold, but after that, strange rumors began to circulate among the newcomers.

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 20:20

"Why are you surprised, Ascet?" said Executor after a joint training session. "Imagine, the boys are sitting quietly, waiting for the teacher, when suddenly a blind man with a perfectly straight posture, a bony face like a medieval inquisitor, and a habit of answering a question before it is asked out loud, walk into the classroom. Clearly, they wondered who you were. And ever since Wicked told them how you cut your first creature to pieces with a hiker's ax, you've got a place in the legends."

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 10:58

"Wicked shouldn't talk about it. As for their questions... They should learn to disguise their aura, their emotions are too strong and attract attention. It's easy to guess what they're thinking."

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 10:59

A week before the assault on the second Nest began, fate had a little surprise. Right after breakfast, there was to be another class on the Sign theme. As I entered the classroom, I felt a strange sensation. There was no one in the classroom, and yet I was ready to swear that someone was watching me - someone vaguely familiar. Reacting to my frozen pose, the rest of the class had also alerted.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:56

"What happened?" Student carefully scanned the space, probing not only this room but as much further as he could.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:57

"Strangers' presence. There is no threat.'

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:57

The guys relaxed a little. It's one thing when your comrade is frozen in full readiness, and another when the instructors have prepared another test.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 06:58

The subtle presence of an unfamiliar mind eluded me, and I could identify the intruder more intuitively. Anyone sometimes gets the feeling that someone is looking at them - it was the same way, only a little different. There was a foreign imprint in the aura of the room; the intruder couldn't hide it. Or didn't want to. Closer, closer... There was constant interference in the path of the sensors. It was like trying to smell a dead mouse in the dark, I had to clamp my nose shut and use only my nose at the same time. Nevertheless, I found it.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 07:00

The newcomer disguised himself perfectly, but he did not manage to extend his coverage to the entire range of the brain's radiation. He hid his aura, using an unknown technique to look away from his physical shell, but he forgot about the mind radiation. Or he couldn't cover himself properly. I'd been using supersensory perception lately, and I'd become more proficient than the rest of the team. It took an effort to switch to a more complex level, but I succeeded. I pointed confidently:

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 10:56

"Here."

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 10:55