Darcy's Starry Sky

by Theodore Daniels

  - A unknown race?

  - Alas. I spoke with Yavikom, looked through all the material. It seems that somewhere in the galaxy there are more collectors base. Most likely - the major work carried out with such prisoners there. When the direct control of the Reapers. Behind closed deactivated transponders. Somehow, it seems to me that such bases is no longer in the open parts of the galaxy. But the fact that the base - not the only one, I am convinced.

  - Well, Karin. - Shepard stood up, put the reader. - Let go?

  - Go on, John. And remember - all you have to be parked next to Svetlana. In the "Omega" or "Volga" - all the same. I know that you can not constantly be just the two of us, but the situation is too unusual. So, honor, glory and respect will also be. And it will be nice to Svetlana. Its people are also involved in this. A raised and prepared them their paratroopers cruiser, she - the captain. So they fought for it. Just like you, John. But you fought for their children. Go.

  Completion of "Omega-4" operations. A short period of calm before the invasion of the Reapers

  Stanislav Romanovich Titov was sitting in a chair in the XO central station "Volga". The cruiser was on the outer roads "Omega" in readiness for the exit to the "Omega-4". Minutes passed starpomovskogo four-hour watch, habitually referred to as the watch. The clock on the top screen Lent figures show the second hour of the night on the ship's time. Most of the ship's crew rested, more often - the most familiar and usual way - sleep.

  Titov had just returned from work around. The landing of the ship has been unusually quiet, and in cargo compartments - unusually empty. A lot, a lot had to pass on the "Normandy". People, equipment, weapons and equipment. The overloaded frigate plunged into the blood-red repeater. And - how to cut. Neither Collectors cruisers or frigates and trucks "Cerberus".

  Lookouts brought Titov intercept information - frigate several tens of minutes ago on the system circuit zaretranslyatornogo intelligence apparatus, in the words of a senior officer of the watch - probed the situation in ordinary space. So, they are alive and back: alone such equipment to enable and use almost impossible - need to participate so many crew members. So far Titov gave the command to enable equipment tracking zaretranslyatornogo mounted on the cruiser - did not want to provoke tserberovtsev. No impact on the cruiser or the attack on the frigate returns.

  No information. Almost no information about what happened there, for "Omega-Four" was not. Titov as no one knew how worried Svetlana, how does not find a place in the world as worried about the deceased for repeater normandovtsah many inhabitants of "Omega". Mate knew that the World knows and knows more, but it's not to say, is not going to happen something terrible. So normandovtsy work, it means that there is, for the most part - everything is normal. Normal operation. Normal service. Ordinary activities. "Yes, what usual - he broke off Titov, -. No normal They are there and we are here, however ... We have to be calm While Miral calm -.. We can also calm down she knows better and more and it can and should be trusted.. It will not ship us volgovtsev, the details are not yet there will be bad ... ".

  The officer got up, walked across the "Piglet" remote commander. Svetlana clearly not asleep. Rest, but not asleep. Waiting. Worry, worry, restraining himself. Waiting. It was possible with the help of the same Selezneva remove it from most commanding watches - term pregnancy is a big, it is necessary that she paid attention to the children, not just the ship and crew.

  - Repeater activated. - I reported to the duty of the control post. - Mark ... "Normandie". And ... no, I check it out. I rechecked. I do not understand. Another three marks. For the "Normandy" are three cruisers collectors.

  - Ready - first. - Titov returned to his chair, turned on the screens. Yes, "Omega - the fourth" flashed in operation. Mark "Normandy" - how many times he had seen her - really was accompanied by three marks Cruisers collectors. Obviously not pursuing frigate, going back a little.

  Announcement of the first XO readiness meant that night shifts including automation of the ship in battle mode. Now cruiser was ready to fight, ready to, to protect returning "Normandy" from possible attacks by going after cruisers collectors. The central station "Volga" people tensely watched the way out of the catapult glow more and more bulk cruisers collectors. First second Third. Get out and go quietly, gradually pulling ahead of going to "Normandy". There was a report on the readiness for the opening barrage. There was a report on the readiness to roll across the path of reaching for Collectors frigate ships. The cruiser came to life, more and more people, attracted by an unusual report, issued in text form on the screen and all instrumentrony ship sought to prepare for possible scenarios. But Collectors ships were calm, showing no activity towards the frigate. And the frigate did not look that runs away or goes under the supervision of the Collector.

  - If normandovtsam managed to capture all three monsters - the Alliance will have to give Shepard Hero. As Anderson. - Said glavvahtenny officer of the cruiser, a questioning glance at the Titov. - Notify the Commander?

  - She knows. I am convinced that she already knows. - Said Titov. - Prepare an appointment. Warn "Omega". The entire Council. Every. - XO voice sounded relieved. - It seems even afraid to jinx it, they served their purpose. Although - still silent.

  - Confirm. - I responded to the liaison officer, who was sitting at a nearby console. - They keep radio silence. All channels are closed. But the damage or signs of external control is not marked. All data on scanning - on the screens.

  Svetlana woke up with a jerk, as has happened often. Zirda stood next to the bed and poked cold and wet nose in the palm of his left hand hostess.

  - Do you feel? - Whisper asked Streltsov, carefully lift and keeping your feet on the floor. - They're close?

  Shepherd dog licked her hand and walked away. Svetlana got up, straightened bedspread, looked familiar bedroom. Quiet and empty. Shepherd came from his pad, apparently really felt something. And Svetlana somewhere inside the mind appeared warm. "Normandy" is returned.

  - Stanislav ... - Streltsov said quietly, knowing that the equipment at the name, immediately connect it with Titov. - The situation? - Within all froze - she was very afraid to hear something bad. Something bad about the fate normandovtsev. But, appearing on the bedroom screen Titov was calm:

  - I give the image with external probes, the commander. Recordings and live broadcast. - Said the first mate of the cruiser. - See for yourself.

  Svetlana glared at the screen from which the image has disappeared exec, who was sitting in the control room of "Volga". From repeater away from the work area, closer to the border of the security zone, the release of "Normandy". And it was followed by three cruisers "Collectors". Not pursued, they walked side by side. Svetlana shook her head, trying to get rid of possible infestation. But the picture has not changed. Do not pursue. Go there. Do not shoot. Do not show aggression. What else uchudil her John, if these monsters go behind the frigate as attached?

  Hands Strel'tsova mechanical mistress clothed in the usual suit. Zirda carried her into the hall and gave Zordu Gray. The display hall also continued broadcasting - Titov gave an image almost all screens cruiser. In the corridors and passages - exactly as in the cabins - who is included and left "for the night", and someone - no. While it was possible to wait and choose, no one really did not leave the monitor on. Looking at the ship, John, Svetlana could not resist, I went over and patted the image of the frigate. It became easier. The most little easier.

  - Commander. The first connection with the frigate. Automatic transmission. If this is true ... - Titov read from the screen of the Central Post Incoming texts. - I have to say, Commander. Race collectors - destroyed. Collector Base, the main base of the race - destroyed.

  - P-loss? - Svetlana felt like cracked voice.

  - Three. Cops paratroopers. There are wounded, there are injured, including - and hard. - Said Titov, keeping calm. - In the "golden channel" with "Normandy" a moment ago I left the data packet in the Command Headquarters of the Alliance VKS information about the vi
ctims. A complete set of documents. With the signatures of all four of the spectrum.

  Svetlana felt like she had a little, just a little weak legs, hurried closer to the chair, clutched the back, waiting for an attack of weakness. She was so afraid to hear that something happened to John. So afraid ...

  - Commander Shepard ... I injured, but not injured. According medkanala - it is normal. - Said Titov, seeing the state Strel'tsova. - They have already submitted to the Council of "Omega" All the preliminary information. Council en banc interrupted vacation. Now they are going in the control room. The station is ready to receive the ships and crews Squad. Although ... - Titov looked somewhere upwards and to the right. - Now Squadron. Three cruisers collectors.

  - P-empty? - Voice Svetlana treacherously flinch a second time.

  - No. The equipment, data carriers. - Titov looked down to his screen instrumentrona, which, obviously, there were more and more data is not displayed on the main screens of the remote commander and the screens on the walls of the control room. - Fourteen prisoners Generals Collectors ...

  - Repeat. - Svetlana first and second thought she misheard.

  - Fourteen prisoners Generals Collectors, Commander. - Titov repeated it quietly, evenly. - Anyone who commanded Base. Taken into captivity as a result of clashes. One general was completely destroyed. Details - to be confirmed.

  - And ...

  - Several thousands of former prisoners who were kidnapped Collectors. - Titov got a grasp. - I'm sorry, Commander. All races. Including humans. Even the witch is. Three.

  - People ...

  - They were saved by recycling. Collectors were trying to process them immediately. Minute. - Titov pereschёlknul instrumentrona on the remote sensors, got a grasp. - Base Collector destroyed. It explodes. Collectors ... built humanoid Reaper. It destroyed as a result of clashes.

  Svetlana squeezed his chair so that his fingers were white. John. He could not sit on the frigate. So here he said.

  - The rest were kept almost in a concentration camp. - Said Titov. - Saved all of whom could have been saved. Some of the information sent by the Council glubokoshifrovannym channel stations. Probably, we are talking about "Omega" fellow tribesmen Council. What we learned here is ... a moment ago, according to data packets autosend that not all freed will immediately return to the family. They need a deep rehabilitation. In the medical frigate lot of work. Dr. Chakwas - on the "Normandy," she advises. Surgery, fortunately, it took a little bit. And Dr. Michel - one of the cruisers, working with patients. She has a lot of volunteers.

  - W-well. - Svetlana with an effort unclenched zadubevshey fingers, took two steps, he sank into a chair, trying not greatly disturb the stomach. - Thank you, Stanislav.

  - Cruiser prepares to meet the commander. Duty shift - already at their posts. Information from the repeater output frigate received by almost all members of the crew of the cruiser. No one sleeps. All are prepared. And ... wait.

  - Good. - Unlikely at this point Streltsov could say anything else. Titov understood and disappeared from the screen, behind the display space of the picture of the approaching frigate with three huge cruisers in aregarde. Forces Svetlana to come to the screen was gone.

  A moment of weakness, but what is it lengthy. Sixty seconds Strel'tsova seemed like an eternity. "He's alive. Not injured. Injured. Heal. Integrally. Zaobnimayu. Put on your feet. And to elicit all the details. - Thought Svetlana. - All items elicit. Hours will talk to him, will not let go, even in the Council. It will be with me and . children near as much will I know, I guess that has already started in another dangerous travel sang it with Anderson -... sweet thought Svetlana -. Guys What to take with them -.. big kids, the boys would only checkers wave, shoot and compete silushkoy and us women -. wait, afraid, worried, crying into the pillow and, in a handkerchief, and sobbing Fifteen Collectors, Reaper humanoid, the Collector base, perhaps the main central and very do not understand... if the Alliance does not usyplet the crew of the frigate honors. It does not understand. Lord, well, Ashley away. Already on the Citadel, but I know, I feel - she already knows too. I will reward his paratroopers royally. They deserve it. Empire of them just do not forget. Their contribution to this - is huge. They seized the cruiser, stormed compartments Base. They fought with collectors, and destroyed the General. Taken prisoner by the other leaders.

  - The commander of an hour the frigate will enter an external station raid. - To communicate by video again came Titov. - Collector Cruiser on the raid will not remain on the approaches to the station. In the "Omega" has almost no sleep - all watching the live broadcast from the probe. Turian Hierarchy has sent a data packet - they got all the information. All of the soldiers who participated in Zaretranslyatornom Trek, will be awarded. Military awards, commander. Exceptionally combat. The alliance also knows everything. All the soldiers of the Alliance will also be awarded. Also, only military awards. The question of awarding the crew and "Normandy" the team decided at the highest level. It seems they will get the highest military awards. Or some of the higher commander. Russia has sent a data packet. I convey. - Titov touch sensor. He waited until Streltsov read the texts. - Our soldiers are not deprived of the commander. Their work is appreciated. Good otsenёn.

  - I agree, Stanislav. Prepare proposals for the award of our soldiers the power cruiser command. - Streltsov said softly, gently rising from his chair and heading for the door of the commander's cabin. - I'll sign.

  - Commander ... - Titov's voice cut through the anxiety.

  - I ... until I get to the hangar ... I have to run hard, Stanislav. So this time I will not be superfluous. - Svetlana opened the shutter doors, noted that sobachatami took her under protection, Zirda slipped in the first corridor, Zord and Gray habitually stood back a few steps. - If...

  - Frigate "Normandy" produces its shuttle commander. - Titov nodded. - Lookouts you spend.

  - I see. Already go. - Svetlana crossed the threshold, looked to the left, at the end of the corridor there were two watchkeeping officers cruiser, hurrying to the wing commander's residential area of the ship. - I'll go. No need for any honor guard, Stanislav. While it is not necessary. Everything is then in working order.

  - On the sides of the shuttle, all four - our soldiers, the commander. - Titov looked up to the top row displays the remote commander. - And ...

  - I know, I feel, Stanislav. John there. Thank you.

  Titov nodded and the screen went blank. Svetlana went to meet both the officer of the watch. Accompanied sobachatami on watch and she got to the hangar, where according to the small ships of the control station, intended to take shuttles to the "Normandy". Accessible on foot, ignoring the elevators. Allah, of course, will be unhappy, but she needed time. She did not want to stand in an empty hangar, wait and worry about several tens of minutes. Better to let it go down to the hangar, where there will be to sit down with the envoys of the frigate. It will be better this way. And an empty hangar ... For her, now it's unbearable.

  As always, Shepard came last. Marines "Volga" lined up, welcoming Svetlana. contingent commander gave a brief report to rely on the statute. Svetlana congratulated his colleagues and with the return of the successful completion of the mission, and then sent them to the location of residential areas - albeit too rested. They deserve it. All the awards - and then, a little later. And now - John. John only.

  She did not notice that was in his warm embrace as her face covered him with kisses. He had, he was ahead of her. And she wanted to kiss him. Nothing, she still has time. How nice, how nice to feel him close. His John. Returning to her. To hide the pain of the injury, but kissing it gently and carefully, hugging her bear-like, but gently.

  She felt was on his hands, he is fast, very fast, followed sobachatami rejoiced, suffered her back into the commander's cabin, he laid her on the bed and sat down. Only views. Only the views and silence. Nothing. No words are not necessary - she feels it. It is for her - is fully open.

  Sobachatami ... sobachatami convinced that all i
s well with the hostess - she was happy and she was safe. They left the bedroom, went to the carpet. Let rest. Also alarmed.

  God, how nice one only his presence nearby. How much time she spent alone, worrying, worrying, fearing for him, for her, John. And now he - together. He realized that it would be laying easier, more convenient. Stomach large, little movement, not a little, but very fetters, but still. He understood - and this is important. And she - will suffer. The main thing - the children will feel close to his presence. His father, his dad. Himself a native person in the entire universe.

  A few hours of silence. Only views. Only kisses. Hot, deep, full and very carefully. For any such kiss Svetlana would have given a lot and now she was happy. John returned. He returned to her, came to her in the cruiser. Brought all its Marines, which kept alive. Prevent their destruction. She then must come to them in the layout of the living area. Talk to anyone acquainted with the results of their work. Congratulated. Awards. Everything - then. And now - only John. John only. John only.

  Shepard tenderly looked at Svetlana. She waited for him, continued to wait, believing worry. She still loves him. Afraid for him. Very afraid. And now glad that he was there with her. Soothing, relaxing. It is hard she had to. Excitement, anxiety, operation commander, and pregnancy. The main thing is that there is nothing wrong with children did not happen. As far as he knew this - it did not happen. Titov had not made Svetlana nothing dangerous. And Allah would not have allowed.

  Well, that settles Svetlana. Here she closed her eyes, tears, spoke at the corners, dry. The tracks do not. She did not cry, to sob. Even with joy. The Iron Lady. Dead keeps himself in hand. And it at all enough? Let slumbers. And he will sit side by side, he looks at his beloved Svetlana. On that thought, I think and think all the time.