Нова Проспект / Nova Prospect: Phantom Battle (Адам)

Adam stepped over the bodies, breaking into a sprint. Moans echoed in his skull. If he had to kill, he did it in such a way that his victims didn't have to suffer an extra half hour with a torn belly.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:40

Farida's soft voice reported the coordinates. She had landed a kilometer north of Red Bank. He wouldn't need Wintermute again. Adam had locked down the Infolink data.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:41

* * *

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:39

When Adam saw the angular and squat flying machine from afar, he realized that Sharif had increased their budget. It was a stealth model - the pilot in the windowless cockpit was guided by video cameras and laser sensors.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:22

As Adam climbed into the passenger compartment, Farida, dressed in her unchanged orange jumpsuit, jumped up from her seat as if she wanted to hug him, but limited herself to a hand on his shoulder.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:23

"Adam, thank God!" she blurted out and added hastily: "What happened to your face?"

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:45

Farida greeted him after each mission as if she never hoped to see him again.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:47

"Tomato juice knocked over," Adam grinned, wiping his face with his fist. "It's good to see you, Malik. Go."

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:47

Adam plumped down in the uncomfortable passenger seat. He really hoped the Tyrans had worn the elf down enough that he wouldn't try to teleport to his magical land.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:48

"We need to fly along the shoreline," Adam commanded.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:48

What he liked most about Farida was that she never asked unnecessary questions.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:49

As the helicopter hovered over the shoreline, Adam jumped down. The impact on the ground sent pebbles flying in all directions, and a small storm of stone chips rose around him. By the sea itself, amidst the bags and plastic bottles, lay the corpse of a seagull.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:49

No one else was there.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:49

Damn!!!

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:56

But they were here, judging by the traces of blood on the stones and a couple of ashy hairs that only a mechanical eye could distinguish on the ground. Adam picked up the pistol that had been tossed aside with an empty magazine. He was burned at the thought of Ciri trying unsuccessfully to defend herself.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 21:00

She'd saved his ass by sacrificing her own, even though no one had asked her to. Trusted him, counted on him, and now... Adam walked along the shore twice, looking for something unknown. Farida was getting nervous, which she reported on the Infoline.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 21:00

Will he even be able to save anyone?

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 21:00

+"There's no one here," Adam reported dryly. - Release the rope."

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 21:01

The cockpit of the helicopter suddenly felt hotter and more cramped. Adam patted his pockets, hoping that cigarettes would magically appear there. Where the hell was magic when you needed it?

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 21:01

"Adam," Farida said quietly, "don't blame yourself."

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:37

How does she know? Did he have it so clearly written all over his face? Adam leaned back, slumping his shoulders helplessly, and mumbled something unintelligible.

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:37

The cabin shook. The helicopter was flying so low that no radar could detect it, repeating all the contours of the coastline. It didn't make for a smooth flight.

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:38

"I've got Royal Hellhounds in the glove compartment," Farida sighed. "I thought you were broke."

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:38

Adam reached for the indicated locker, turning over all of its contents. Pulling out a pack, he shook out a single cigarette.

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:39

"What would I do without you," Adam flicked his lighter and inhaled the smoke with relish.

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:39

Farida smiled weakly and concentrated on piloting. Hell knows how long she'd been at the wheel, but she had dark circles under her eyes and gray skin. He'd have to get her a special vacation from Sharif.

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:40

Where did Eragon take Ciri? To the land of the elves? Adam imagined lacy turrets on a schizophrenic green background, but he didn't look like a fairy tale character. Adam preferred not to answer the question of what the elf was going to do with Ciri in this country, even mentally.

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:40

"Where are we going, Malik?"

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:40

" Hong Kong," Farida wiped the sweat from her forehead. "There are automated border controls there, but the facial recognition system has failed, and instead of control, it's a mess. We'll get through!"

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:42

In Sharif's team, Farida was the only one distinguished by an unbridled infectious optimism, or, as Pritchard would say, a pathological inability to assess the situation.

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:43

There he is.

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:43

"Sharif will be in touch in half an hour," Pritchard had already forgotten the mortal danger he'd just passed and was once again speaking to him as if Adam owed him money. - He's eager to discuss your dizzying progress."

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:43

Does he ever sleep?

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:44

+"In half an hour? - Adam was totally reluctant to report on the most failed mission of the last six months, and rubbed his beard irritably. - It's four in the morning in Detroit."

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:45

++"You haven't heard yet? - Pritchard marveled. - Sharif has canceled sleep, common sense, and after-hours pay since the beginning of the operation. Welcome to capitalism, Jensen!"

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:44

The longer it was before payday, the more the commie in Pritchard raged. Putting his cigarette on the first object, which more or less resembled an ashtray, Adam returned to the passenger seat. He closed his eyes, wondering how best to wrap the shit in a colorful wrapper.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:44

Yes, that's exactly the kind of hopeless cases he uses CASIE for.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:42

If Sharif said half an hour, it meant exactly half an hour and not a second later or earlier, so Adam doomedly turned on the video link at the appointed time.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:41

Against the nighttime backdrop of Detroit, dressed in a perfectly tailored Italian gray suit, at two fucking o'clock in the morning, Sharif managed to look like he'd just returned from Hawaii. Gold cufflinks were visible on the immaculate white cuffs of his shirt. Adam had even wiped the blood from his stubble.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:41

"Adam," Sharif said, "son. What happened?"

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:40

It was an address Sharif used on special occasions, and each time the Pygmalion-like ambition in his voice inwardly shook Adam.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:40

"I'm wondering the same thing, Chief," Adam answered quickly. "We were being chased by the mercenaries who attacked the Detroit headquarters. They work for Tai Yun. One of them had a stolen Typhoon prototype."

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:39

A bit more cheerfulness in his voice, and you'd think this investigation was his mission, which he'd done a fine job of. Sharif wasn't too convinced by the report.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:38

"What's with the girl?" He asked with his hands behind his back in a familiar gesture.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:37

Adam took a puff, filling his lungs to capacity with the nicotine-free smoke. Sharif tapped his heel impatiently on the ornate Renaissance Italian parquet.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:37

"The elf took her after she threw herself at the Tyrans," Adam replied

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:36

"Elf?" echoed Sharif. That word stuck in everyone's throat. 'Interesting. Tai Yun Medical encourages racial diversity in employees. Where did he take her?"

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:33

Really? Because Adam forgot to check his inbox.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:32

"He didn't report to me, Chief."

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:31

Judging by the impenetrable expression on his face, Sharif didn't appreciate the sarcasm. He strolled slowly and expressively around the office while Adam looked at the flashing neon sign on one of Detroit's skyscrapers, visible through a rain-drenched window. It was a holographic image of a woman dancing in a champagne glass.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 20:26