Нова Проспект / Nova Prospect: Phantom Battle (Адам)

"I thought," he finally said, "you mentioned that the girl was prevented from leaving our world by some kind of... waves. The elf has different magic, then?"

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 18:20

The question caught Adam off guard.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 18:20

"It's magic," he replied cautiously, "how can the laws of logic be applied to it?"

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 18:20

The uncertain answer gave Sharif carte blanche for a condescending fatherly smile.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 18:22

"The laws of logic can and should be applied to everything, Adam," Sharif made an eloquent gesture with his hand. "We just don't know which ones yet. By the way, why did the girl throw herself at Belltower?"

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 18:23

Adam didn't have many guesses, and those that he did have would have sounded very ambiguous. Making sure that Sharif would not be satisfied with a simple shrug, Adam said:

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:05

"Ciri was trying to protect me," and added: "I guess."

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:05

"Ciri," Sharif repeated thoughtfully. It struck Adam for the first time that he didn't call anyone else by their first name. "Have you two gotten close?"

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:05

An ambiguous smile appeared and instantly disappeared on Sharif's tanned face. The sun began to glare his eyes, and Adam covered them with his lenses. He noticed that Farida was eagerly but ineffectually trying to listen to their conversation.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:06

"Not in that way, Chief," he replied nonchalantly. "I'm the only person she can trust."

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:06

"And that's why she decided to sacrifice herself to save you?" Sharif interjected, before continuing in an extremely friendly manner: "In whatever sense you've become close, her feelings will be to our advantage."

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:08

"Chief, Jensen," Pritchard unceremoniously joined the video chat, something he never allowed himself to do with Sharif.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:09

Sharif arched an eyebrow in surprise before pulling back politely:

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:18

"Frank, can't this wait?"

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:19

"No, Chief," Pritchard ran his palm nervously through his hair, "there's no way. Picus news, channel one."

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:19

In front of a rested Sharif, Pritchard looked absolutely exhausted. Sharif turned on the news on his gargantuan-sized television.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:20

"With you today is Andrew Wyatt, breaking news reporter for Picus News."

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:20

Andrew Wyatt? Instead of Elise Kassan? If the TV presenter who has been in the news every day for the past five years is sick for the first time, the world is definitely going to go to hell.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:21

The Henscha Towers appeared on the TV screen, the smallest of which would fit the Empire State Building.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:22

"On October 2, at fifteen o'clock local time, a man-made disaster of enormous proportions occurred on Hensha Island," the diction of the starched jacket-wearing anchor was as perfect as his teeth. "Under Daigong Square, a massive ground collapse occurred, resulting in the death of..."

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:23

What was shown resembled a scene from a not-too-skillfully shot amateur movie. The fountain in the form of an atom fell through a hole in the ground that appeared like a cheap special effect and began to grow rapidly.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:24

There was nothing natural about the blackness of the abyss. It was the kind of color you could only get in a laboratory. The picture hit him hard on the brain, and Adam had a sudden urge for a drink.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:24

"Where did he drop to?" Pritchard snorted nervously. "Straight into the underworld? Do they think we're idiots?"

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:25

Sharif waved his hand impatiently:

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:26

"It's been going on for years. What's the square footage?"

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:44

"Daigun," Adam repeated, "which is where Tai Yun Medical's headquarters are located."

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:44

The reporter's face remained carefully blank, which in his mind probably expressed sympathy.

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:45

"The island is under a state of emergency and air traffic over the city limits has been cut off. Level two of Hensha is in danger of collapse. Evacuation list..."

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:45

The structures of the two-story city against the backdrop of the hole did look like a death trap. The news, meanwhile, had changed to an express report, ++"WHAT HAPPENED TO ELIZA KASSAN?" There was no mention of the attack on Red Bank.

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:46

Adam looked at the ticker of the stock quotes. Tai Yun Medical was down twenty percent. VersaLife, on the other hand, had gained fifteen. While the former was understandable, the latter struck him as damned odd. The biochemical company was not a direct competitor to the largest Chinese concern.

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:47

"The air traffic is closed?" Pritchard interjected. "Afraid the hole will eat the planes? Not even trying."

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:48

"They don't need to. Panic, chaos, turmoil: all security protocols have gone to hell, and all resources are devoted to evacuating people. The timing couldn't be better."

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 21:48

"Chief," Adam said with pressure in his voice. "It's not a coincidence."

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 22:01

Sharif could not have run one of the most successful companies if he did not anticipate people's intentions ahead of time.

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 22:02

"No."

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:26

How do you sell him on the idea? Ciri's in there. She's got to be.

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 22:02

"Chief," Adam said, "we won't get that chance again. Their best mercenaries are out of action, the building is in the process of being evacuated."

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 22:30

No. We need something that will advance Sharif Industries. A direct and tangible benefit. An incoming e-mail about interviews for a new department popped up in the corner of the TV.

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 22:30

"Chief," Pritchard interjected, "I recall a psychiatrist warning us to be on the lookout for suicidal tendencies after an augmentation of this magnitude. I think it's time."

Camrad_RIP 18.03.24 в 22:31

Adam immediately replaced one cigarette with another.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:31

"There's evidence of Tai Yun Medical's attack on our headquarters," Adam said before hitting the most precious thing to Sharif - his creations. "And the stolen prototypes."

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:39

The more he could shift the focus from Ciri to confronting Tai Yun, the better.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:31

"Fruit of the poisonous tree (1), Adam," Sharif objected, but with less iron hardness in his voice.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:30

On those rare occasions when Adam really needed something, he had the grip of a bull terrier.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:29

"We'll disguise it as a leak."

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:29

Sharif grinned.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:26

"I didn't realize you were such a public speaker, Adam. Should I move you to the Sales Department?"

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:27

Pritchard rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair, still in his theatrical pose. Adam waited.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:28

"Give me a couple of hours to think," Sharif straightened up and crossed his arms over his chest.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:28

Judging by the position of his body, the conversation was over. Under any circumstances, he always had the last word.

Camrad_RIP 17.03.24 в 19:29