Звездопад / Starfall: Глава 19

Chapter 19

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 19:42

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Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 19:42

//Great shadows, how things have changed."-Wimo Derbal wondered in his mind as he walked leisurely towards the sanctum sanctorum of the Imperial Intelligence Headquarters.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 20:09

The long corridor was perfectly clean and perfectly empty. The sound of footsteps echoed off the marble slabs of the floor and bounced off the walls, echoing somewhere in the dark height of the ceiling. The walls of black stone with golden veins were slightly sloped inward, giving a kind of unerring monumentality to the situation. Every ten steps, the wall's mirrored surface interrupted to form wide darkened niches. Some of them had doors leading into offices, and some of them stood guard like statues. Six years ago, the last time Wimo had been in the office, the corridor was crowded with people, someone eating something, someone discussing something, and the atmosphere was much simpler.

Camrad_RIP 06.03.23 в 20:25

//You were also six years younger, the ladies of the capital were still crazy about officers, and the Old Man was in charge..." he grinned absently, glancing absently at his reflection in the mirror-polished wall surface.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 07:52

There, a tall, fair-haired man, in his "mature age", was walking with a confident gait. He wore the snow-white uniform of a senior naval officer, and on his sleeve glinted a metallic insignia: three stylized intersecting vectors connected by a circle, indicating his affiliation to the Imperial Intelligence Service. A gold epaulet on his right shoulder and an axel band with a sword suspended from it indicated that he was a full Sain Major in Imperial Intelligence.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 07:54

"Do you have an appointment?" Cautiously asked a young blonde with the shoulder straps of a stack cadet as Vimo approached her desk at the end of the corridor.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 07:54

"I think so." He smiled. "Sain Major Vimo Derbal."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 07:55

"О! You are expected, Mr. Sain Major." The girl stepped out from behind the desk and opened the massive double doors with a touch of the test unit, making an inviting gesture. "Please follow me."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 07:56

//Artie's always been exceptionally good at arranging things," thought the sain major thoughtfully as he watched the blonde's "stern," who was strutting ahead, her pretty heeled feet in clear contradiction to the formal regulations.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 07:58

The small corridor, designed in soft golden colors, ended with a single door with a golden sign: 'Head of the Fourth Department, Artul Traveri'. The girl knocked briefly and opened the door in front of him.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 07:58

"Sain Major Vimo Derbal, Sir." The pretty guide announced him, stretching out at attention.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 07:59

"Thank you, Stack Cadet, you are dismissed." said the Ergo Captain, seated at the massive, wide aryat table. He too was wearing a white ceremonial uniform. His narrow face, with its predatory eagle nose, was earnest, his dark hair slightly touched with a white dusting of gray, and his light brown eyes gazed fixedly at the entrant. But as soon as the door was closed behind her, all seriousness vanished from the master of the office:

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 08:01

"Wim, you scorched face," the Ergo Captain threw himself into a hug, "it's a long time since I've seen you, a demon..."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 08:02

Wimo, ignoring his friend's rhetorical question, hugged him silently. If you've served two years on advanced reconnaissance ships without taking your spacesuit off for months at a time. Because on scouts, there is no bio-defense field. And your only entertainment is to communicate with your partner, who as well as you, is locked in a cramped dark chamber of the cabin for the next couple of months, then you either become best friends for life or will hate each other. The latter happened a lot more often than the former. But he and Artie became best friends, and when the "Old Man" set up a reconnaissance unit from scratch and invited Stack Captain Artul there, he "dragged" his friend Wimo Derbal after him.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 08:09

"I see you've got yourself settled in." Wim grinned meaningfully, nodding towards the door behind which the pretty stack cadet had disappeared.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 08:09

"Oh, don't remind me..." Artie sighed sadly and pointed to one of the chairs. Can I get you something to drink?

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 08:10

"Well, I'm sort of on holiday," he shrugged, "so I won't say no. Why are you sighing? Girl's a..."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 08:10

"I'm scared of her at all." Artie declared, taking out glasses and a bottle of dark yellow glass from the mini-bar. He sat down in the opposite chair and poured the amber liquid over the glasses. "She's the boss's niece, so no affairs... And I'm not cut out for a serious relationship."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 08:12

"What boss?" Wim wondered, taking a sip from his glass and feeling the thick, slightly tart liquid with a soft honey tone melt into his mouth:

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 08:12

"It's Bentar's Dew..." Wim exhaled in admiration and raised his glass to the light. "Your salary seems to be in line with rumors about it."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 08:14

"It's from an untouchable and carefully saved for an occasion like this." Artie smiled slyly. "And which boss's niece... Admiral Durav, of course, the Old Man had no nieces."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 08:15

Wim shrugged indifferently and took another sip. He frankly didn't like the new 'Chief' even though all their communication had been reduced to a dozen comm talks. Admiral Asunho Durav had succeeded "The Old Man" as head of Imperial Intelligence, who had retired four decades ago due to his advanced age. One hundred and eight years old was certainly not a small age from any angle, but the "Old Man" was as strong as the frontal armor of an attack cruiser and lived up to his job. //In any case, Their Imperial Majesty knows best..." And the "Old man", when Wim visited him, didn't seem particularly upset by his retirement. But the one who replaced him... Frankly speaking, everyone thought that the new chief would be Arti, who was the right hand of the "Old Man". But instead, the Emperor put Admiral Durav, from Wim's point of view a rather dumb soldier, in charge of Intelligence. //Especially since he's from the fleet's line forces and has the faintest idea about intelligence." And if only the admiral had been quietly enjoying the privileges and "shining" in society, leaving all the real work to the deputies. But no, he wanted to command...

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 08:24

"And then count the Bentar dew as an advance for your next assignment." Artie broke the silence.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 08:26

"You must want me dead if you have to give me Bentar's dew before the mission."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 08:28

"Have you heard about the Lord Director...?" Instead of answering the question, Artie asked.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 08:29

Being in the capital and not hearing about the death of Lord Director of Imperial Security Renis Teito as a result of the shuttle disaster was almost impossible. Absolutely all the holo channels and all the news lines of the com networks were full of it. "Tragic accident that cut short the life of a great man". The shuttle exploded on an 'aggressive' landing, a power shield failure, and a minor disturbance in the outer shell on a normal glide path and speed would not have led to disaster. But Lord Teito didn't like to wait - that's what ruined him. Of course, there were theories of an anti-imperial alliance assassination. But Wim didn't believe that; he was familiar enough with the way the Lord Director was guarded. //No, the rebels don't have the arms for that sort of thing..."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:09

"You want me to take over this investigation?" Wim almost choked on his wine. He didn't want to become "guilty beforehand" by taking on a clearly failed case. And the attention to the results would be the most intense.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:10

"No, you didn't." Artie shook his head. "I was at the Chief's today. He's furious. You wouldn't believe it. He even yelled at me. Intelligence and Security are not going to look into this. The investigation has been entrusted to the Emperor's Shadows."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:12

//Wow. - Wim was surprised in his mind.- Either the Emperor decided to show the highest degree of displeasure with Intelligence and SS. Or he really believes that the death of the head of the Security Service is not accidental." He was about to open his mouth to share the thought with his friend when he noticed that here staring intently into his eyes, making a circular motion with his index finger. That was how they signified that they were being eavesdropped on.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:14

"That's how..." he muttered aloud, looking questioningly at his friend. //I wonder who has the nerve to eavesdrop on the Head of the Fourth Department in his own office? The new 'Chief' might well be looking out for an overly talented deputy... Or maybe we should look higher. The Emperor's doubts engendered by the death of the Lord Director may well have found material embodiment..."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:16

"That's the way it is..." Still nodded gravely Artie. "By the way are you aware of the Astrese rumors?"

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:16

"No. What about the rumors?" Asked Wim in a very calm voice, remembering that when he had visited the "Old Man", he had also remembered the court adept Astreus, who was still alive at the time. Suddenly he asked if he - Wimo - had ever thought of resigning because: "It's about time, son." He took it as a joke at the time.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:18

"I don't know anything myself." Artie sighed, emphasizing the word "anything." "They say he made some kind of prediction before he died. But in my opinion, that's nothing more than idle gossip; the death of an adept is always a mystery in the eyes of the court drollers."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:18

Wim shrugged, letting his friend decide what to say out loud and where to hint, and went for a cigarette - prayer always helped him to concentrate.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:31

"So what's this appointment that's got me kicked out of my cozy military attaché's job at the Sociara Mission, and now they're giving me Bentar Dew?" he asked, holding out a second cigarette to Artie.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:33

"Well, you know I'm not religious, unlike you." He started to object but still took a cigarette. It was their old ritual. He always refused first and then smoked one with him.

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:34

"The flames are ready to receive all." Wim grinned, giving his friend a light. "Yes, and the Lord Director, it is worth remembering, though he was a scum but he knew his job well. May the Patroness watch over his soul."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:35

"Let her keep it..." Artie agreed, inhaling. He let out a puff of smoke and suddenly coughed heavily:

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:36

"I think I've had enough of this stuff." He said in a slightly husky voice, handing the lighter back. "How do you keep it up... One word fanatics."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:37

"It's all about constant training. So what about the appointment?"

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:37

Artie grimaced like a toothache and took another puff:

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:38

"Eight days ago, we had a group missing in the Tail sector." He reported in an even huskier voice and took a big sip from his glass."And there's something murky going on. I don't know what."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:39

"Sector Tail..." said Wim. "It's a delicate matter, and I don't know much about their cuisine. I'd get embarrassed. Or mix up the lordship with the lord, and there'd be a political scandal."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 09:40

"Don't insult your superior." Artie sighed wearily. "I understand all that... And that it's impossible to work there. I know. I'd rather stick my dick in a beehive with a pearly wasp than work with the local aristocracy. But there's no one else. They're all dumb kids. They only know how to push straight ahead, waving their IDs like some SS."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 10:22

"There seemed to be a confidante there specifically for this purpose."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 10:22

"I'm afraid the confidant has a vested interest in the muddle that's gone up in Tail's Sector. That's why we need someone on the outside. Besides, you're a Fire Worshiper, so you can visit the shrines as well."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 10:24

"Fire worshippers." Wim grimaced. "Don't say that in a public place, Mr. Ergo-Captain, or there might be a scandal. "Servants of Rhyne," or "Secondaries" at the very least. And from the Fire Throne's point of view, I'm a heretic, so I can't go there."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 10:26

"The main thing is not to tell His Purity "Guardian of the Fire" your original theory, and you can visit the shrines all right. And as for the name, the shadows will sort you out. I was recently persuaded by the protocol department that the correct name to call them is "Ir'Rhynists".

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 10:28

"Look, Artie, let's be serious. What kind of field agent am I? I'm not so young anymore. I can't remember the last time I was in the field. For the last six years, I've been working with Sociara's top brass."

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 10:31