Hell's army officers

by Andrew Komarowski

  Judging by the expression of major, my hunch was right. Well, somewhere halfway.

  — Well, gentlemen, a debriefing will be held at nine o'clock in the conference hall, and while we can congratulate the "Quartet" and "five" with the delivery of the standard.

  What of the others? — I asked.

  — "Deuce" spent ammunition and "shot" to hundred meters away from the exit. The Troika was not more fortunate: Krause broke away from the Konti and fell into quicksand. To help him, Ricky didn't and he had to go alone. As a result, he was stuck in the windbreak and took a bullet in the head. All four are now sent to the hospital to heal the wounds. I think the next day will be already on his feet. By the way, in my opinion, and the Quartet, too, need a visit to the doctors...

  — Come on, heal! — tried to argue Hasek, but ran into a reprimand.

  — Your orders. Get in the car! And wolves with Orlova way, too. I will get you to your bot... And you boys can go back home!

  Grinning "unity", he first climbed into the boat and, pausing in the doorway, waving his pen:

  — Don't forget debriefing — nine! You should have time...

  Surprise promised by Rodriguez, was permission to take some of the Colonel Edwards is designed specifically for our ships. Naturally, we agreed and half an hour later flew to the spaceport of the largest VCS in the new Georgia — as it turns out, was the name of the planet where was located the laboratory complex.

  The spaceport struck me as the abundance of totally different equipment — from heavy cruisers of the era of the First galactic to the latest battleships of the class "Viking-2", which I only saw at the Academy. Moreover, in the educational holofilm. On the approach to the Tower — control tower item — I stumbled upon a look at five similar ships with a completely different hull shape. Comparing their coordinates with those obtained from major Rodriguez, I educated poked sitting next to eagles and looked very different from the standard "Tornado" machines.

  — Go around in a circle... Want to look at their appearance... — she asked me. And included shoulder camera. Apparently, to be able to analyze them later.

  I dutifully slowed down, approached the landing to the square and completing the necessary evolution, bot gently squeezed between the cap loading terminal and one of the new ships.

  Colonel Edwards looked too white, too clean and too carefully shaved. Seeing his face in the hatch of a small boat parked directly under the weapons pylon of one of the fighters, I quizzically looked at her and mentally asked the reason for such a strange color of the face.

  Second day after the procedure rejuvenation. The process of restoration of normal pigmentation. Probably came out of the hospital earlier than necessary...

  OK... First getting out of the bot, I went to the Colonel and, without waiting, while he asks the purpose of our arrival, threw him on the comm our tolerances...

  — Lieutenant Volkov and Orlov, sir! Arrived for making a test flight, sir! On all vehicles in the queue!

  — At ease! And you little one?

  Colonel Rodriguez allowed me to choose a car, sir!

  Something I never noticed Ramon for such kindness... surprised Edwards and immediately smiled: — What do you care, they're just from the factory. What you will understand? By the way, what have you done, boy?

  Eight courses of the Academy of Werewolves, sir. Minus one month.

  And who taught you to fly? — new question sounded a little respect.

  — Captain Koshcheev, sir!

  — Alex? Then it is clear. It makes sense to choose. Take the key-card and tries two extreme. The other slightly worse.

  — Thank you, sir! Can we do this?

  — Yeah. So: for the border of the zone of responsibility of orbital fortresses did not go into hyperspace jump, civilian ships do not frighten them. In fact, everything. I'll be in touch. Frequency now skins. By the way, the boat is called "Merlin"...

  ...All the time it took to warm up the engines and request permission to take off, Ira was tortured me with questions:

  — Tell me, why choose? What's the difference, because the "Merlin" brand. And all exactly the same!

  — Schazzz... — I smiled. — Each car has character: some slightly better gains altitude — Wow, I remembered koshcheeva and your damn Academy!

  — I'm sorry, but I gave only fifty percent... I put on the tactical screen helmet information with the navigation system and was she-We're almost through the atmosphere! I think it's time to slow down!

  The demon five! I — Tower! You have everything in order? Something I thought you rushed it a bit during takeoff.

  Tower, I am the Demon five! All is normal, the machine allows... Start the first test... I returned back to the atmosphere, moved the fighter into a horizontal flight and began to chase him on the most complex aerobatics, all increasing speed and decreasing radius turns. Deletables to black spots in the eyes, I respectfully ran his hand along the arm of the chair and excitedly said: look at that car! No limiter maneuver, and completely lack protection from the fool. What are the engines and maneuverability...

  — I noticed! — barely moving his tongue, muttered Irina and wiped off the face of the speakers sweat. — Try the second?

  ...The second "Merlin" I liked a little less: it's a little late with a response to evolyutsionnyi[10] and sometimes in the sharp turns, started to vibrate unpleasantly the body. Limiting ten minutes of the flight, I put the car back, got to the tarmac and immediately went to the first tested the car. Stood in front of her for about five minutes, trying to get used to the unusual contours. Irina, realizing that I have gone to, scratched his head and said that he will lead the boat, sauntered lazily to his side.

  ... — Picks on the bends? This is a what overload? surprised in listening to my insights Colonel. — I somehow did not notice!

  Somewhere in the sixteen-eighteen "same"!

  Remembering the pleasure tested during the piloting first, I sighed and handed him the key cards from both fighters.

  — From the "Merlin" can keep... — Edwards scratched his nose and asked: — You do not confuse?

  Data can be downloaded from the onboard computer. There is no permanent record, sir! — I was offended — If that is not enough, I can throw files from komma and a helmet...

  Perhaps I'll look into the records of ships... — crooked smile Colonel, drove to the nearest place of Manager, clicked the keys and getting to the file with the correct information, immersed in their viewing. Ten minutes later, scrolling on the screen an animated model of the flight with all speeds, turning radii, congestion and similar nonsense, he got up, for some reason, smoothed by hand and without the floppy hair and turned to me.

  — I am shocked! The best flight tests, I have never seen. You'll go far, Lieutenant. By the way, how do you like the machine overall?

  — I liked it. Except that ordinary pilots there can not be planted. Will die like flies...

  Six months of testing we lost four... confirmed Edwards. Three died from the overload, and one simply did not have time to slow down and crashed into a weather satellite. Okay, let's not about sad. Thank you, Lieutenant! Believe that the car passed. Say Hello to Rodriguez...

  — How much did you say you paid for this record? — pulling eye transparent frame portable monitor and returning to reality, asked Groner.

  Two hundred thousand credits... Not counting the cost of living not one of the cheapest mercenaries... not taking his eyes off his fingers still fluttering over an invisible virtual keyboard, said Brian.

  — It is worth it... Ben pulled out of the commu the data crystal and placed it on the polished surface of the table. — You made the right decision...

  — I know that without you... did the banker. — Come out with what we can say now. About the fact that the detected location of the lab, CCA HQs, don't tell me — you do.

  So... Returning the eye of the frame and having looked through made for viewing notes, Graner paused for a moment and leaned back in his chair. — Th
e first thing that catches the eye is the number obtained for a project ships. There are only five. Each is designed for two crew members. So, from one hundred and twenty six people selected Kharitonov and his men survived in the best case ten or twelve. That is more than a hundred failed of graduates of elite higher Educational institutions of the Confederation rejected. Or, in ordinary language, died. A good basis for the beginning of the PR campaign from the face of the grieving parents, relatives and friends. Next, the appearance and some features of both Demons and these two men, as I understand it, is the very modificati — clearly shows the deep intervention in the human genome. Violated at least four laws and pieces of eight regulations. In order to initiate a serious investigation, it will be enough of this record. However, I think, from our side it would be logical to do the opposite...

  — In terms of?

  We must make every effort to ensure that the laws that prevent to change the genome, were eliminated as early as possible... — shrugged Ben. — Our help Kharitonov will not prevent...

  — I'm not in the mood to play charades... — angry Olsen. — Why do we need to help him?

  — If CCA ATT not prolobbirovat the new law, we will be able to attach our "Zombie" in the best case in criminal structures. If Kharitonov will push both projects need a resolution, we will enjoy the fruits of his labours. And THEN bury him and his Demons. What is there to understand?

  — Logical... — Brian's Lips twisted in a barely perceptible smile. — A small investigation initiated by the parents of missing graduates, you can start now...

  — It is possible. Only better without fanaticism: let CCA ATT press on the investigative departments in the places of residence of their parents and closed a few dozen cases. In this case, at a time when we will need this trump card, we can kill two birds with one stone: to announce the loss of a huge number of young people and to draw out evidence of the impropriety of those who have to the project "the Demon"...

  — I agree... — by making a note in his comm, nodded banker. — Come on...

  — I thought, or in the protection modificando there is a rather large hole? thoughtfully looking at the boss, asked Groner.

  — You mean the lack of their control? — Brian smiled wryly and tapped his knuckles on the table. — I would not say. "Led" them tightly. To the spaceport and back. Eight pairs of "Tornado", raised allegedly for practicing exercises on the interception, blocked all possible vectors of approach to their bot and the place where they were conducting sea trials. Two companies, planetary landing, raised the alarm, four hours stuck in the troop compartments of their "Buffalo", in addition, KDP[11] new Georgia struggled with the "failure of the drive system", and within two hours the normal operation of the spaceport was almost paralyzed. And agent, metamorficheskogo under Edwards, was tested twenty times. However, mostly hardware and...

  — Well, he managed not only to reach most of these "falcons", but also to communicate with their pilots, so to bypass the hardware check you can still...

  — It WAS possible... again pissed off banker. — Was the one and only loophole is about to block. Once you have your first test scan of the Edwards and see the changes caused in his mind by hypomaturation. I think Kharitonov will put on the ears of all the intelligence agencies of the Confederation. Okay, this is all irrelevant stuff. You explain to me what exactly can be said about it modificaton?

  — Hmmm... Demons... In principle, the information is not too much. Although on this basis it is possible to make a lot of interesting insights. Let's start with the results of bioscanner agent...

  — Is there something there? — surprised Olsen. — As far as I remember, except elevated body temperature both modificato, he showed almost nothing...

  — Well, don't tell. ' smiled Ben. — Increased body temperature — a consequence of the accelerated metabolism required for the normal functioning of their organisms. However, I will start from afar. According to AutoTest "Merlin", was copied, false Edwards, gravitometer ships usual. So, during sea trials both modificata still experienced considerable congestion. For example, along the axis of the head — pelvis — more than thirty-two units[12]. With the gradient increase of more than four units per second. Within two tenths of a second. Or prolonged overload, reaching eighteen to twenty units...

  — Spare me the numbers! I need the essence... — angrily interrupted him, Olsen — it's not too short, but as clear as possible...

  — I'm sorry — Ben stared thoughtfully at the ceiling and thought for a moment, continued:

  — The spine of an ordinary man with a long load can withstand fourteen and a half units. And then destroyed. As you saw, after flying both felt fine. Further, each successive unit operating on the normal pilot, causes a decrease in blood pressure twenty-two millimeter of mercury... Sorry, boss, it's a habit I have... the eyeballs and the brain is developing quite rapidly hypoxia. That is, oxygen starvation, And the person loses consciousness. In order to deal with it, apply all kind of compensating layers combat suits. Kharitonov and his men, without abandoning the use of the latest achievements of technical thought, most likely were able to increase the tensile strength of the bodies of the pilots. That is why the attempt to scratch the object "Viktor Volkov" gave no results. The skin is too durable. In addition, one of her layers were impermeable to bioscanner. Which indirectly indicates less susceptibility modificaton to radiation. The absence of skin edema, redness of the eye and hemorrhages in the sclera after SUCH a flight — the same result. More robust blood vessels and, most likely, increased heart thus it is possible to improve blood supply to the brain. I would be in their place at the same time would have worked over the strength of bones, ligaments, fascia and... understand, understand, understand... Ben raised his hands as if in surrender.

  — How much can. I do not ship stock indices and similar nonsense? irritably, muttered Brian. — Anyway, if I understand correctly, the poor cadets were given a new body?

  — Well, you can say so. I think that to find data of their medical examinations on the last courses of the special problems will not make. The only question is whether it is necessary. The fact that they certainly were significantly higher, heavier and sturdier, of course. A hair, drop of saliva or blood, sebaceous secret... Yes, would be anything!

  — Yeah. Such a task is confronted. Only here, its implementation did not have enough time. Say thank you that the crystal was taken! — Brian looked at the assistant and with his head bowed to the shoulder, asked: — You'd better tell me what our Zombies are better than these Demons?

  — If you take the current state of the project and the goal is fighting against Cyclops, then nothing. Our Zombie is much worse...

  — Gentlemen! In three days I will begin the fourth phase of your training... — On the face of Rodriguez, strolling in front of our formation, suddenly appeared a satisfied smile. — Command, evaluating your progress in the third phase, decided to give you some rest, And not in your residential units, of which you had to ostochertet, but in the present dismissal. Can you please — from six in the morning tomorrow, and for two days you will be left to themselves. Well, almost... — ensuring the secrecy of the Project no one, of course, not canceled, so in order for you two days could in what does not deny, our security service will have to sweat a lot. However, it's their job, and each of you will have to thoroughly study the instructions for behavior outside of the Complex, Now I will focus on just two points. All your movements on the planet, with the exception of the way there and back, should be limited to the territory of Blackwood, the capital of new Georgia. Of any suspicious activity in your address you are required to immediately notify the security service. The rest not so much, furthermore, I recommend to visit the service and find a suitable civilian clothes. Attacks activate credit chips your comm on your account are listed on the allowances assigned to a Senior Lieutenant Volkov. Questions?

  Stunned looking at each other, we helplessly shrugged, waiting until satisfied with the effect produced major go about th
eir business, excited was zagolosili.

  — Crazy, but it's been seven months, as we're worried! Ellen just in case looked at the calendar in your smartphone and fun added: — So soon everything will change!

  — Yeah... first of all your appearance! I haven't seen girls in mini neckline with... — Ricky licked his lips and expressively looked at the chest begins to frown Williams. — Can I help you pick out underwear? As you know, I will do it only for the love of art...

  — You can... — clapping eyelashes, nodded the girl. And, clutching the lapel of his jacket Conti, pulled him to her, — Come on! Only to find you had it under the nozzle of my engines "Merlin", which I did, so be it, I'll drop. I have long wanted to understand what for the love of art capable of real Demons...

  ...At eleven o'clock in the morning we disembarked from the Shuttle orbital to the VIP Parking lot of the Central spaceport of Blackwood, or Rather, hopped in the cab, ordered another orbit. Both of our chaperone — unremarkable guy in absolutely stunning costumes, — closing the door behind us, turned her back to the car and lazily walked toward the parked nearby aerobika. Having watched both broken on the car, I reached over to the console of the coordinator. Alas, the experiment with choice of destination I failed Ellen and Conti, mentally swearing, have already introduced their chosen options, with the result that the AI taxi that had received two conflicting orders, tried to fall into a coma. After my suggestion Ricky, sighing heavily, still canceled the route, and the car, gradually gaining altitude, took the upper corridor leading to the city traffic flow.

  The first ten minutes we looked outside and exchanged impressions: during my studies few of us had to visit the big cities, and everything seemed interesting to us. However, overkill with advertising, holographic beauties and Babes in incredible outfits, provocatively slogans of major hotels and entertainment centers, hot deals leading corporations and similar nonsense soon forced us to darken the transparent roof of the cab, And switch to a contemplation of the roof floating at the bottom of skyscrapers. And to do this extremely dull affair until, while Helen, ceaselessly tormenting the coordinator machine, not whistled and turned to us: