Звездопад / Starfall: Глава 20

Chapter 20

Camrad_RIP 25.07.23 в 08:45

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Camrad_RIP 25.07.23 в 08:45

"Are you sure there aren't any cameras in there?" Alex asked, staring nervously at the screen.

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 19:27

The yellow light of the street lamps caught the statues on low pedestals and the black paved pedestrian zone of the alley, squeezed between the rows of giant trees of unknown species, with thick, several girths, smooth trunks. In the spots of light, couples strolling leisurely appeared sometimes, and somewhere in the distance behind the dark columns of trees, among the bright squares of shop windows, slid the flowing lights of night traffic.

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 19:48

"The atmosphere is most peaceful, if not romantic." Alex was looking at the future meeting place, but he couldn't get over his nervousness. He didn't like the atmosphere. And he didn't like the future meeting either.

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 19:55

"At some store, for example?" He clarified, turning away from the screen. "There could be a camera pointed toward the square or something like that."

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 19:56

"No, Your Lordship," Dudo answered from the semi-darkness of the saloon. He was in his civilian clothes, and because of his black vest, under which it was convenient to hide things, he seemed even larger than his already heroic proportions:

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 19:59

"I checked everything out. Plus, it's against the law to film in public places. You'd have to get consent from everyone who might be on the tape, which is problematic. Sometimes they do it, but very rarely. And I checked the stores too." Just in case, he added.

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 20:00

"And then there are the droids," Alex muttered, turning to the screen again. There's one of them now, and it was broadcasting a picture of Victors' Alley for them. "And there's nothing you can do about them." He added, rather commenting on his own thoughts.

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 20:01

"If it's critical that you remain incognito, Your Lordship. Better take the orber."

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 20:02

"It's critical not to attract unnecessary attention." "Your Lordship" wrinkled his nose. "You said using the orber is like walking around with a sign that says 'nobles meet here'. What's all this for, then?" He asked, kicking the side of the van in frustration.

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 20:04

The landing bots had to be abandoned for obvious reasons. What kind of conspiracy is there with them if even the last dog will realize it was Prince Сassard who flew? We had to buy two air cargo cars, like flying vans. Secretly, for cash. With such transport, there was no question of any defense, and the load capacity suffered. The support team had only two men in armor, two snipers, and four men to support them, including Dudo. We could have bought more vans, but then the stealth of the operation would suffer again. But there was an advantage to having such a limited team:

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 20:56

// At least none of the scouts are in the group." That thought brought Alex some relief since the last thing he needed was for Countess Darrelarl or anyone else from his House to be aware of his contacts with the rebels.

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 22:09

That's why the support group was staffed only by Carpathians from Kayrin's hand. They, of course, could also snitch to their superiors, but Kayrin knew far worse secrets about him.

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 22:14

// And Dudo." Just because we couldn't do without him. "Besides, he's Navy, not intelligence. Though, hell hath no fury like a devil."

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 22:15

"Snipers report all clear." It came from behind.

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 22:15

Alex pulled out his comm and looked at the time. It was time to go out.

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 22:16

"Use weapons only when clearly threatened or on my signal," Alex repeated, fiddling with the settings of the personal shield on his belt, for which he had to unbutton his jacket and pull up his shirt with his chin. "This is just supposed to be a conversation, and I don't want it to turn into a gunfight and proceedings with the Metropolitan Police just because someone thought something was wrong."

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 22:18

"It will be done, Your Lordship."

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 22:18

Having waited for the characteristic beep that announced that the shield was in working mode, Alex adjusted his clothes and waved to the driver:

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 22:19

"Let's go."

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 22:20

The aerocar slowed down for a moment at the edge of the alley just to let him jump out and immediately picked up speed and disappeared into the flow of traffic, leaving him alone.

Camrad_RIP 30.07.23 в 22:21

It was damp and cool outside. It felt like twelve or fourteen degrees, so he was dressed for the weather: a light white jacket made of porous but very smooth, slippery material, simple black pants, and a collar, or a muff or a hard scarf. Alex sincerely didn't remember the name of this thing, which was worn separately and lay on his shoulders in a ring, covering his face up to his eyes. It was not only "very fashionable among the bourgeoisie this season", according to his droid, but also gave hope that he could remain incognito.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 09:13

Alex hid his nose deeper into his scarf and walked leisurely to the meeting place, listening to the steady noise of the night city. There was a thin drizzle of water in the still air, and the huge gas giant, which usually filled the whole sky, shifted to the horizon line, hiding behind the capital's high-rises and tree crowns, making the night darker than usual.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 09:15

// "I wish I could just walk around here." - He sighed wistfully. He would have loved to go out in this weather, and he'd have been happy to stroll around the capital, but the situation was not favorable. Assassinations, investigations, Taer, and now these 'freedom fighters' are here."

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 09:16

The sudden appearance of the rebels is certainly not a disaster, but it is very unfortunate.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 09:17

// "Though, come to think of it, it's even weird that they only showed up now." -He grinned. The desire to meet was understandable. - "They couldn't have been happier when they found out about my assignment.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 09:20

It would not be a good idea to refuse them, but he had given them plenty of leverage. The fact he was connected to them was worth it. And judging by the letter he'd received, the rebels were well aware of that:

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 09:24

// "Well, I'll give them credit for helping me." Alex felt he owed these guys, maybe not the rebels in general, but at least those who'd risked their lives to find him on Tallane, like Krain, for example.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 09:25

The pedestrian part of the alley gradually widened, becoming more spacious and diverging to the sides, and along its edges appeared the statues that gave it its name. The statues of the triumphants made of silver-gray metal, were full-length but stood on very low pedestals barely protruding from the black slabs of the pedestrian part.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 09:27

// It's a weird decision." It seemed to him that such placement somehow "stole the grandeur" from the figures of the triumphant, making them look simpler and more ordinary.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 09:41

Alex paused for a moment at one of the statues, automatically glancing at the dedication plaque:

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 09:41

// ""Flag Admiral the Lordship Prince Almit Beru. In the sixth year of the declaration of the Empirium defeated the azure fleet of the Union of Orders in pursuit battles near Bright.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 09:45

The lordship prince was a short, overweight man with a very cheerful, round-cheeked face that one would rather expect to see on some cooking show host than an admiral crushing enemy fleets in pursuit battles.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 09:59

// Whatever they are, these pursuit fights." Alex smirked and walked on, taking his time.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 10:00

He wasn't afraid of being late at all:

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 10:01

// "Even better to be a little late. The guys have more time to reconnoiter, and maybe the people meeting them will have a surprise." - Not that he was expecting surprises from the rebels, not that they'd benefit from it, but the third assassination attempt in a row made him paranoid, just in case: "One who takes care of oneself is also taken care of by Ryan. Or as they say here?" he smirked at his thoughts.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 10:04

Breath floated white smoke in the light of the lanterns, and the statues of triumphants, one by one, were left behind. In fact, the Cassard family was represented here somewhere:

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 10:09

// I'd be curious to see it." But it was no time to look for a statue of Galen Cassard "for the conquest of Cholana".

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 10:10

Despite the "noon" standard time, passers-by were rare and passed by without paying attention to him, so this appearance must have been typical of the bourgeoisie at this season.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 10:10

A small oval square surrounded by statues appeared ahead. This was where the one-on-one meeting was to take place near the emperor's monument.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 10:12

The small earpiece embedded in his left ear beeped softly:

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 10:12

"We see you, Your Lordship." Dudo's voice came through. "No one matching the description has been seen in the square yet."

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 10:13

The connection was one-way, so Alex answer with a short nod and headed towards the Emperor's monument, as he had time to study the square well during the droid reconnaissance.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 12:10

The square, as well as the rest of the alley, was not crowded, with a few casual strollers, a few people who were also obviously waiting for someone, and one cooing couple, on a bench at the very edge.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 12:11

Not far from the Emperor's monument, a skinny teenager in a bright red jacket was hanging around, looking nothing like Krain or Lyora, even from a distance.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 12:12

Alex was immediately prickled with a bad feeling of foreboding, and as he came closer, it grew more and more outgrown the unpleasant anticipation of imminent trouble, settling heavily in his chest.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 12:13

// "Of course they didn't recognize him." he mused, trying to figure out how to proceed, "I only gave them a description of Liora, Krain, and the lizard-like that was with Liora at the voigrom."

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 12:15

Lord Brenor Lister was standing by the statue of the Emperor. His head cocked curiously around. He was wearing a large, oversized, bright red sports jacket and baggy white pants and looked like some kind of local hooligan.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 12:17

// And there's no way he could have gotten here by accident. I had to figure out what he was doing here and how to deal with it.

Camrad_RIP 31.07.23 в 12:17