Звездопад / Starfall: Глава 20

Chapter 20

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 19:23

* * *

Camrad_RIP 07.03.23 в 19:23

The flyer ahead flashed sunlight on the silver plating and swerved sharply to the side, flashing a scarlet griffin on the hollow side. Alex craned his neck, glancing over the pilot's shoulder to see what was going on ahead, but at that moment, the engines of their vehicle shrieked and squealed, straps slamming into his shoulders, a sudden jerk which almost resulted in a tongue bite. The flyer, tilted, went up and to the right. In the long narrow window above the head of Taër sitting opposite, the white rectangle of the roof of the horny cargo platform flashed, which seemed to be the reason for the abrupt maneuver.

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:14

"I can only imagine how much the Retainer Service will write off after this trip..." she commented, sending back the loose strand.

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:15

Alex was about to say what he thought Retainer service was for, but the flyer shook sharply again, and he prudently covered his mouth for fear of losing his tongue.

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:16

In the side windows the silhouettes of blurred vehicles whizzed by, some of them able to react to a trio of flyers suddenly appearing in front of them - and the track was rattled by a thunderous howl of sirens. The pilots, when told that "the only thing you have to worry about is the maximum defense of the lord", go crazy. They ended up flying most of the way in some narrow tunnels, among houses, and on-ground equipment tracks, where it appeared flyers were forbidden to fly. At least there were no other flyers in sight - the other machines flew in a dignified manner about half a meter from the grey-steel surface of the track.

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:19

Alex glanced at Itori Lieutenant Vodin, who was driving their flyer. He sat unmoving and unblinking, his eyes wide, staring through the windshield, where the scarlet line of the route was winding, and an absent-minded smile wandered across his lips.

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:20

///I bet it had nothing to do with safety - these maniacs just wanted to drive around town their whole lives, shitting on the rules," Alex thought grudgingly after another jerk caused the fliers to dive into some side tunnel.

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:21

Judging by the fact that just a few moments later, a train whizzed underneath at breakneck speed, it was the local underground tunnel.

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:22

"Are we sure we won't have too much trouble after this trip?" Alex asked, taking advantage of the fact that the flyers were going through the tunnel without making any sudden maneuvers, so he could speak without fear of biting his tongue.

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:23

"No," Taer shook her head. "Diplomatic immunity!" she shouted, trying to break through the howls of the engines that filled the cabin. "As with all high nobles, Copeira is considered neutral territory. The only thing that matters is that there are no casualties."

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:25

//At this rate, I wonder if there won't be any casualties.

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:25

"What happens if we hit someone?"

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:26

Taer thought for a moment, raising her eyes to the ceiling:

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:26

"A lot of unnecessary noise and unnecessary fuss, but nothing serious," she finally answered. "There might be trouble if we hit a nobleman, but that's unlikely."

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:27

//How delightful! - Alex marveled. - What directness of impunity!

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:27

"And what prevents the nobles from racing like this all the time?" he asked aloud.

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:28

Taer, who must have had enough of shouting, quickly unbuckled her harness and, in one sliding step, crossed the cabin and sat down next to Alex:

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:30

"Clan usually gets in the way," she replied, buckling up. "There's always a lot of noise from races like this, and a young jackass can be pressured by older relatives. For example, by cutting back on the allowance."

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:32

"Is it work?"

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:32

"I don't know. There are a lot of young people who like to drive, but mostly at night and in deserted areas, so it usually doesn't cause too much trouble for anyone," she added, seeing the disapproving expression on Alex's face. "By the way, you, my lord, used to be a big fan of this kind of entertainment."

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:48

"Me?" Alex raised an eyebrow skeptically. "I didn't seem to drive the Flyer myself before the poisoning."

Camrad_RIP 08.03.23 в 19:49

"You used to be a passenger with your close friend Marquise Turang, and she is a big racing fan."

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 09:42

"Good then! Don't worry, I'm sour from lack of sleep," he saw fit to explain. "And I don't really care how anyone has fun."

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 09:43

Taer shrugged and remained silent with a "yeah, and I just said that" look.

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 09:44

On another sharp manoeuvre, the flyer shook. And again. The sky flashed through the narrow window, and the vehicle turned and went upwards, making a steep arc. He felt the weight, like lead, weighing down on his chest and pulling his cheeks up toward his ears. Alex thought he was going dark in his eyes when suddenly it stopped abruptly.

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 09:46

"Can someone explain to me why we're so bent out of shape?" he was relieved that he was no longer squeezed in his chair and could change the uncomfortable subject. "Are there supposed to be compensators, or did they forget to turn them on?"

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 09:46

"This model was originally designed to transport miners and geologists," replied Taer. "They're not the pickiest of people, and they don't do a lot of maneuvering, either. Good compensators are very expensive, so there's a simpler model here - it only works well for one vector, and there's no, or delayed, compensation for the others.

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 09:47

"That's great! I'll have to give the pilots a hint later that I'm excited about them, but I really don't like it when lunch gets to my throat. Is there any way to change the compensator to a more advanced one?"

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 09:53

"It's easier to order a bespoke flyer," the "specialist" sniggered. "The Fyson, for example. But that would take three or four decades, minimum, and we needed the cars right away."

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:00

"Got it."

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:00

He turned again to the window, where the turquoise waves and the white sandy coastline were glimpsed - they had clearly left the city limits, and, therefore, Marquise Turang's estate was not very far away.

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:01

Alex tried to concentrate on his upcoming conversation with Isalaya. The conversation promised to be anything but easy...

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:02

//So what was it you said about assassins? I could use a couple here.

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:02

Even though the motives of the lovely Marquise were clearer to him than, for example, those of Kay... - with women, one could never be entirely sure. He had to decide what to say to his "mistress" and what not to say. And - how to say it. But, as luck would have it, my thoughts were barely moving, my head was throbbing, and my face was slowly starting to burn.

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:04

//Shit! How long have we been awake?

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:04

The last time he slept on the station before Voigrom, they went down to hunt in the afternoon, but it was still morning on the planet. Then there was an assassination attempt and an orbital evacuation, followed by a nine-hour jump to Copeira. As it turned out after landing, it was morning again on Copeira. Now the sun, which left a long golden trail on the surface of the water, was clearly approaching sunset.

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:06

//I wonder what time it is? Six o'clock?

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:06

Alex glanced around the Spartan interior, trying to find anything resembling a clock, but to no avail.

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:13

//I should get myself a watch or whatever they use here. One can go crazy with these different daily cycles!

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:14

He fumbled in his pocket for a jar of Fenote and looked at the light - there was less than half left. The flyer was moving smoothly, so Alex dropped the blue sparkly capsules onto his palm without fear. The capsules were soft and smooth as if made of transparent rubber, and there seemed to be liquid inside. Counting out seven pieces, he popped them into his mouth and chewed them with a thoughtful expression. The pensive expression was instantly replaced by a twisted grimace. His mouth felt like it was bursting with a frozen, wormwood-flavored concoction.

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:15

//God! It's so disgusting!

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:15

"Nasty?" Taer watched Alex's actions with curiosity.

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:16

"It's bearable," he replied when the cramp in his cheekbones had finally subsided. "It makes my whole body brighten up, though."

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:17

Alex handed the jar to the "specialist", who, judging by her red eyes and staring into the void, could also use a more adequate state of mind.

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:18

//With this lifestyle, we're both going to be hooked on this thing soon.

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:18

Taer, with a silent shrug, took a few capsules and chewed them with the same thoughtful look... with predictable results:

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 10:18

"Great shadows, what an abomination!" she shivered. "Are you sure you have to chew it?"

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 18:46

"No," Alex hummed. "You have to swallow them whole. I was just curious what would happen."

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 18:46

From the look on the "specialist's" face, though she was silent, she clearly thought something obscene about her lord.

Camrad_RIP 09.03.23 в 18:47