Тейлор Поттер и философский виал / Taylor Potter and the Philosophical Vial: Глава 9. Квиддич

Chapter 9. Quidditch
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Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 14:35

The first Quidditch match, Herofindor versus Eidolorin, was scheduled for mid-November. Taylor's appointment as Tactician was kept relatively secret; Carlos hoped to surprise his enemies. Taylor herself was less optimistic: she had seen Lisa's abilities and skills, and suspected Eidolorin had its share of Thinkers.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 14:37

The day was crisp and cold, and Taylor felt a little chilled by the time she reached the field. Three antigravity discs carrying boxes filled with insects followed her. Taylor couldn't place her insects on the field in advance; they would have frozen or hibernated, but Lisa had given a wise suggestion, and now Eidolorin's team was in for a surprise. Nothing deadly, but still, three meter-long boxes are a lot of insects. During the match, the field was covered with a force field to prevent spectators from being harmed, and the temperature under the energy dome was set at around eighteen degrees. Roughly, because there was also a "weather factor," a random parameter independent of teams and capes.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 14:50

"So, I'm Ethan Lee, the all-time great Quidditch commentator. Today, Herofindor faces Eidolorin, and we all know how that ended the last six years. But today, Herofindor has a new Tactician, and it's Taylor Potter!"

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 14:51

The stands, where the spectators were comfortably seated, erupted in applause and shouts. The additional distraction, the noise from the stands, was transmitted into the training ground, and now Taylor perceived it as the sound of a beehive or an anthill stirred up by a stick. Her attention was focused on Eidolorin's team, as it was too early to consider the landscape. Unlike Taylor, who wore a standard black suit, all the other participants in the battle wore individual gear, varying in color and capabilities.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:09

Tinker armor, powerful muscles, beautiful suits. Taylor looked like a small, poor orphan, accepted into the team out of pity. The Eidolorin Protector, Brad Bletchley, stood out especially, bare-chested despite the weather, flexing his muscles.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:10

"Everyone knows the rules," Jamie Hooch said to both teams. "Captains, shake hands."

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:21

Carlos Wood shook Justin Flint's hand, and they walked over to the terminals.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:22

"The most crucial moment!" Ethan continued to broadcast.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:22

Taylor knew he was Madam Hooch's favorite, a friend of the Weasley twins, and a constant commentator since their early days at Wormwarts. Unfortunately, Ethan had no desire to participate in the battle; in fact, he was more interested in talking about Quidditch than participating.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:32

"Captains and Tacticians determine their bases and defense systems! The Eidolorin team, given its powers composition, is more inclined toward ranged attacks, but their Protector, Brad Bletchley, is unlikely to yield the flag to anyone in close combat!"

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:33

Taylor's cheek twitched. Yes, Brad, who could transform himself into blades, spikes, and a moving metal statue, was a problem. A big, spikey problem, but not an insurmountable one, so to speak.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:34

"One minute," Jamie said, activating the terminals.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:34

The time limit for "setting up the base" was imposed to avoid protracting matches. The ideal configuration could be calculated in advance, taking into account the strengths of both teams, but try implementing it in that minute! It's possible to bring in Thinkers to make everything in time, but Thinkers usually end up being a dead weight in the fight. Taylor had some thoughts on this, too, but it was too early to add Lisa to the team; first, she needed to solidify her reputation and win the School Cup.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:36

"So, a minute flies by, and Madam Hooch starts up the weather generator, so, light crosswind, washed out ground, but no precipitation, just cloudy!"

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:37

Taylor caught her breath. She was afraid of heavy rain and wind; then the insects' flight would be greatly hampered, and she wouldn't be able to sense the entire battlefield. The stands were shouting something, but Taylor couldn't hear the words.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:45

"Teams, retreat to your bases!" Madam Hooch commanded.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:45

Taylor's eyes lingered for a moment on the Eidolorin Tactician, Victor Higgs. The longer the teams fought, the more Victor would be able to absorb her powers, her skills. Not fatally, but in a fight, every factor, every power, even the seemingly useless, was important. Quirrell's lessons meshed perfectly with Quidditch training, complementing each other, providing theory that now needed to be translated into practice.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:48

Jamie Hooch pressed a few more buttons and quickly disappeared from the field.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:48

The terminals disappeared, a force field dome appeared, and the landscape began to change. The team bases were separated by three hundred meters, and now a patch of rural landscape emerged in that space. A few houses with barns, a cornfield, a grove, even a grazing flock of sheep, and a muddy, clay road leading from base to base.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:50

"Crystal, Dean, attack," Taylor commanded, grabbing the straps of her jetpack.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:50

Crystal Weasley took off, followed by Dean Johnson, in tinker armor with built-in antigrav.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:55

"Eric - the far right house, Browbeat - the woods, Dennis is at the base, ready for takeoff. Carlos, we're working on option three."

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:56

With these words, Taylor took off, a trail of insects from three crates trailing behind her like a cloak. Eidolorin's team was already rushing to attack. Six phantom Justin Flints, accompanied by L33t Montague, on a flying disc he had built himself. Crystal began firing indiscriminately at the phantoms and the ground beneath them, trying to locate the real Justin and knock him unconscious. The phantoms aimed their spears, and the disc carrying L33t began to spin, ejecting inflating, glowing spheres into the air.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:58

Victor hovered behind them, giving commands into the microphone.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 15:58

"Carlos, discharge!" Taylor ordered.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 16:00

Half the points were spent on this ridiculous-looking electromagnetic cannon with its stubby, wide barrel. A lightning-like discharge struck, disabling communications devices, jetpacks, and other Tinker devices. Destroying the enemy's communications, bringing the battle to the ground, and limiting visibility immediately gained an advantage, since Taylor could "see" the entire field, regardless of whether she was in the air or on the ground.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 17:56

The ruse was only partially successful; L33t's disk didn't even think about falling, let alone Justin's phantoms. But Victor began to fall, and Taylor commanded Dennis, speaking through insects.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 18:18

"Target: Victor, freeze."

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 18:19

And at the same time, Browbeat:

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 18:23

"Attack Eidolorin's base," followed by another command, this time to Eric. "Defend Dennis."

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 18:23

An arrow of insects appeared in front of Crystal, and an identical one pointed to the spot where the real Justin was hiding. The phantoms were already flying very close, but Crystal easily and gracefully dodged them, blurring in mid-air as she closed in, attacking Captain Eidolorin with a stream of laser beams.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 18:24

"Enrage L33t," Taylor ordered Dean, and he started shooting.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 18:33

Small balls, charges of emotion, flew toward the Tinker. The Elite disk continued to release glowing balls and maneuvered wildly, dodging attacks. One of Taylor's swarms swirled below, waiting for the right moment to attack. If the plan succeeded, the captain and Tactician of Eidolorin would be incapacitated, giving Herofindor the upper hand in the air.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 18:41

Clean and fast snitch.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 18:41

"Why did Taylor take off?" Amy exclaimed.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 18:43

They could see on huge screens and with their own eyes how the electromagnetic pulse disabled the jetpacks. They could replay the battle scenes on their visors, complete with explanations and diagrams, but that didn't change the fact that Herofindor's team had begun the battle with a highly unexpected move.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 18:43

"To deceive Eidolorin," Lisa replied in a tense voice. "She knew Crystal and Dean would remain in the air, and she was counting on clearing the skies. Now, if her plan succeeds, Eidolorin's Tactician will be taken out of the battle."

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 18:44

"And we see Uber Pucey coming to Victor's aid!" Ethan continued to babble loudly, loud enough for the entire field to hear. "He's firing at Eric Weasley with both hands, trying to overload his force fields, preventing his Tactician from attacking, covering him! Meanwhile, Dorothy Derek and Jeff Bole have skirted all the obstacles along the edge of the field and attacked Carlos Wood! Herofindor's counterattack on Eidolorin's base isn't very successful! Browbeat Bell retreats under the explosions and uses her limited telekinesis to prevent herself from being injured! Herofindor's initial attack was unexpected, but now Eidolorin has pulled herself together and is showing off her skill and composure — it's no wonder they've won the Cup six years in a row!"

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 19:16

Carlos was having a hard time, so Taylor sent one of her swarms to help him. She hid in one of the barns, trying to avoid detection from Justin's phantoms.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 18:44

"I see you! I see you!" the swarm buzzed, swirling around Dorothy.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 19:17

Carlos tried to avoid being surrounded by the fog Jeff had transformed into. A toxic, deafening, dissolving fog, thick and impenetrable. Dorothy, whose powers worked as long as no one was looking, usually used Jeff to hide and transform herself into something hyper-mobile and invincible. But this time, things went a little wrong. The invincible connection between Eidolorin's two capes was severed, and Taylor's swarm was forcing Dorothy into a precisely designated square. Jeff abandoned the pursuit of Carlos, attempting to cover Dorothy while simultaneously infiltrating the base to find the flag.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 19:17

He couldn't find it, but he covered Dorothy, and she immediately moved to help Victor.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 19:18

"And we see that Herofindor's plan has failed!" Ethan almost shouted. "Eric Weasley is retreating, and the Eidolon Tactician is coming to his senses! Browbeat has also been driven back, and Bletchley is giving him no cover, hot on his trail! Justin Flint has cornered Crystal, surrounded by his phantoms, and Dean Johnson's blows are blocked by the L33t device! It was a very good plan, but it seems Herofindor's Tactician lacked experience!"

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 19:19

"Oh!" Amy clenched her fists in frustration.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 19:19

“Wait,” Lisa grinned.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 19:20

Chris, sitting next to him, said nothing, watching the L33t's flight and his fight with Dean in tenfold magnification. Yes, Dean had managed to enrage L33t, but that only resulted in Johnson now being flung through the air, and only the strength and durability of his armor saved him from plummeting down on Carlos's head. The L33t's disk spun and spun, attacking Dean, while avoiding the laser turrets of the Herofindor base.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 19:26

"Now!" A buzzing sound came from Browbit's ear, and he grabbed Wolf with his telekinesis.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 19:26

The blades froze a centimeter from Browbit's body, just for a second, but it was enough. Crystal grabbed Dennis and threw him at Wolf. One touch, and the Eidolorin Flag Protector was frozen in place, for an indefinite period of time, anywhere from thirty seconds to ten minutes. In any case, Taylor's third swarm was already flying out, carrying the flag in its wake. The spiders continuously spun new threads, strengthening the web around the flag, and the bees buzzed furiously.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 19:27

The next second, Justin's phantoms attacked Crystal, pinning her to the ground, and Uber, arriving just in time, began firing at Dennis and Browbeat with both hands. L33t turned and rushed toward the flag being carried away, activating something. The glowing orbs burst at once, and Taylor bit her lip, feeling the death of her insects. The glowing powder, most reminiscent of fairy dust from cartoons, killed all insects it came into contact with.

Camrad_RIP 03.01.26 в 19:37