Звездопад / Starfall: Глава 18

Chapter 19

Camrad_RIP 05.03.23 в 12:33

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Camrad_RIP 05.03.23 в 12:33

The golden threads of the tablecloth stretched as far as the eye could see. The scarlet threads of embroidery flowed across it, now in thin, curving branches, now in dragon-like curves. Small lakes of light, honey-colored tea froze motionless in a haze, smooth with the porcelain shores of the saucers.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:36

Above this pastoral scene towered mountains of cakes, topped with snowy caps of icing sugar and glittering peaks of bottles. In the gaps in the confectionery landscape, somewhere behind, the silhouettes of servants glided in vague white shadows. With quiet tinkling and faintly audible chatter, they set out, corrected, and checked.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:36

The view, however, was very poor - it was literally being recorded from the table. So the cups, teapots, and cakes blocked a large part of the view. Alex was about to rewind that part and go straight to the interesting part when part of a perfectly white sleeve of cloth, similar to gauze, appeared in the frame, and a swarthy palm placed a pyramid of a suppressor on the table very close to the recording device.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:38

The control light at the top of the pyramid glowed dimly yellow, streaks and rhythmic waves of distortion went across the screen, and the sounds became quieter and more metallic and scratchy, but the camera continued to work, and, in principle, everything was visible and audible.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:39

"I wonder if that's how someone's writing us, too." Alex glanced at the suppressor pyramid next to him, which also had a yellow control light on it. "What's the use of them, then?"

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:40

"It's certainly the best thing to do," Taer frowned, taking the passage about the suppressors as a rebuke to herself.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:40

//Perfectionist! - Alex sighed, watching the gloomy face of his 'personal security specialist', //And a resentful perfectionist.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:41

He leaned towards the screen again. This movement was echoed with a painful wave in his bruised ribs.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:41

But brave and with a frenzied reaction.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:42

Meanwhile, there was movement on the monitor again. Someone, judging by the build, a man appeared on the opposite side of the table opposite the recorder. He was dressed in something between a kimono and a gown of a delicate cream color. This something was adorned with massive dark stones around the collarbone. The man sat down at the table, and his face became visible, broad with a strong chin, a predatory nose with a slight hook, rather large lips, and brown, almost black, eyes.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:45

"I think it's the same guy who met us at the station." Alex tried to remember the name, but the only thing he could remember was the 'wrong' handshake.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:45

"Lord Velaske," Taer prompted.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:46

Next to him sat a grey-haired man with a small "academic" beard and lively, slanted eyes that stood out in his wrinkled face.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:47

"The professor the Marquis Degrasto was talking to!" Alex was surprised and raised his eyes to the ceiling and tried to remember his name as well. "I think. Takkar, and the name was something complicated... Fayur, or something..."

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:48

"Fayor," the "specialist" corrected without taking her eyes off the monitor.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:48

In the meantime, a third person joined the crowd. Judging by the hand that flashed in the frame, it was probably a woman. And a young one at that. But that was all I could see - she sat behind the camera.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:49

"I'm glad you were able to find an opportunity for this meeting!" Lord Velaske smiled, pressing his left hand to his chest. "I hope that we will have time to discuss what is happening and make any necessary adjustments," he took the saucer of tea in his hands and took a small sip.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:50

"I am primarily concerned about Lord Cassard," he looked expressively at the professor. "Frankly, we didn't think it would be so difficult for you, given your capabilities. My colleagues and I have already had to improvise a lot."

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 13:51

"Inevitable accidents in such circumstances," remarked Professor Takkar philosophically. "I'm sure it will be a success tomorrow. The group is already in position, and the HGM is not a weapon that leaves any alternative for the outcome of this attack."

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 14:20

"I would like to hope so, Professor," a distorted, interfering female voice came from somewhere outside the camera's field of vision. "The inability of your people to cope with such a simple case is the main reason why my deadline is being disrupted in the first place!"

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 14:21

"I think it will go well this time," Lord Velaske hastened to put an end to the conflict. "And even if, by some improbable coincidence, Lord Cassard were to survive, the matter would be handled by the experts I've already summoned. And the professor's men can concentrate on their main task on Tallan."

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 14:22

"It's taking too long as it is," objected the lord's unseen interlocutor. "I can't wait for your 'specialist' to get to Cassard as well. The ships..."

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 14:24

What kind of ships were meant remained unknown. The picture froze - the recording came to an end.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 14:25

"And why so much attention to me alone?" Alex sighed heavily as he watched the screen that hung in the air slowly fade away, scattering golden sparks.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 14:25

Taer remained silent, ignoring the clearly rhetorical question. She sat absentmindedly with her head slightly tilted, clearly in contemplation and mechanically twirling a strand of hair around her finger. Not wanting to disturb the thought process of his 'security specialist', who was, in any case, more knowledgeable, Alex took advantage of the pause to gather his thoughts:

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 14:27

First, the "specialists" to whom the honorable challenge to "whack Lord Cassard in the shortest possible time" had been passed on. The thought of another assassination attempt sent an unpleasant chill down his chest. He had always thought he had no fear of death at all, but the determined consistency of these guys was beginning to act depressing, to say the least.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 14:29

//Second, what was it about me that displeased them so much? Third, who is Lady "X" and what interests do they have in common - the Lord of House Melato, the Professor of the University of Tallana, and the mysterious stranger? Fourthly, can't we just turn these woeful conspirators into the local police? Or the Security Service or whatever.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 14:42

"It's pointless, even dangerous, to go to the Security Service with this recording," Taer's voice, which came out of her stupor, sounded like a commentary on his thoughts. "We can't prove the authenticity of this recording, and investigating its origin by the SS or Imperial Intelligence could create complications of such magnitude that it would be better not to even begin."

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 14:44

"Well, let's just say." Alex looked at Taer with interest. "What are your suggestions then?"

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:09

"Contact Countess Durlurl as soon as we get to the secure terminal and show her this recording," she stated flatly. "They're clearly plotting something against our entire House, and your murder is just a cover-up. Intelligence must be aware of that."

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:10

"I don't mind intelligence knowing about the threat to the House. But as soon as Daim Esta sees the video, she'll claw its source out of me and then eat them alive with their guts. I wouldn't want Lord Cassard's gratitude for providing vital information to be expressed in this form."

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:11

//And I certainly didn't want to give Countess Durlurl any more leverage on myself. This time the very real fact of my association with the anti-imperialists

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:12

Taer thought for a moment, then snapped her fingers in triumph:

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:15

"I can tell her that the bag with the stick was amongst the mail. Or it was just planted. And you don't have to explain anything then. Let them think for themselves. You can even say if you like, that you don't know anything about it yet."

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:16

"And you really think Daim Esta would believe that?" Alex asked with an extremely skeptical expression on his face.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:17

"What is there for her to do?" Taer shrugged her shoulders innocently. "She has no other sources of information. And I'm not going to tell her anything."

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:24

//Except that some of the guardsmen react to Countess Durlurl like a rabbit to a boa constrictor.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:25

"And then," the specialist pushed, "In any case, something has to be done about Lord Velaske and the Professor..."

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:25

//For example, to kill so they don't try to kill peaceful lords

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:26

"... and House Fyron's intelligence has the means to deal with such a problem," Taer continued. "After all, it is their direct task! We, on the other hand, can't do anything about it."

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:27

//Well, according to Isalaya, they managed to order the Ruling Lord with the Head of Intelligence. With a professor and just a lord, with four million danarii in cash, the matter would probably be resolved even faster,// mentally objected Alex, but did not say anything aloud because deep in his heart, and understood that so, out of the blue, without connections and other things, to take and "order" someone - would be more expensive. //But I don't want to go and bow down to that bitch...".

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:28

"All right," he sighed heavily. "You get in touch with Countess Durlurl, tell her you were planted with the tape, and you contact her immediately without even telling me so as not to worry me unnecessarily."

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:29

"That's good!" Taer got up from the sofa. "I can go and change now, can't I, Your Lordship?"

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:33

Alex just nodded wearily and waited for her to come out, then began to pull off his overalls as well:

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 15:34

//I think she's having a nervous breakdown," he thought aloof as he stretched out on the couch. //Just fifteen minutes ago, she was tearing and thrashing and ready to tear Lieutenant Sarvola apart with her teeth... and now she's smiling and cheerful, even trying to joke...

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 19:25

//Though there's no point in nagging at the girl," Alex grinned grimly as he stared at his reflection in the dark mahogany panel, polished to a high shine. - You're freaking out, too... deep down.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 19:26

He was not allowed to lie on the sofa in peace. In just a few minutes, a call came on the communicator, and the captain of the yacht apologetically warned that the shuttle with Baroness Rional and the Marquis Degrasto would be arriving in just a few minutes.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 19:30

Realizing that he was about to be jumped on and expressing his concern, //perhaps even sincerely," Alex began to put the overalls back on, picking up the many fasteners, cords, and some wires that had previously belonged to the overalls and were picturesquely scattered around the bedroom. The lord was too lazy to go to the wardrobe to find something more appropriate.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 19:34