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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Organization 1
A blast of laser light illuminates the ill-furnished room, revealing two naked female bodies. Dead butterflies. I killed them ten minutes ago, in an unexpected moment of cold reason. Then, to be honest, the man should have been shot. Only a miracle saved me from his scream after the shots, and it was completely unnecessary to torture him. Miracle. Or - the holy certainty of the victim that Ernest A.N. will not touch his old friend?Funny.I come closer. The last shot was a little blurry. Not so surprising, given that yours truly beat the deceased for most of those ten minutes. Knocked down the knuckles, bent the neuroshocker, scared the neighbors of a very decent condominium. Slightly went over the adrenaline, in general. In three minutes, people will be bold enough to call the local security service.Who is guarding them there now? Agni Corp? Half-dead "Gagan"? Maybe the ruthless Knox? Spit.Stool. The only place in this damn apartment that wasn't splattered with empty brains and dir
Organization 2
After the cryogenic fugue, Ernest, like the rest of the passengers on the shuttle, was in mixed feelings. He was slightly sick, periodically rolled drowsiness and hellishly, madly wanted to smoke. And if he partially leveled the first two points with good coffee in the “clean” zone, then he had to wait with nicotine - the luggage was still delayed. So far, the City has been no different from the usual train stations, airports, and hubs.On the other hand, there was time to look at the various creeping and walking alien living creatures and read the booklet for the first time visitors. "A City for Newcomers in Twenty-five Pages".“Blablabla, the right to the Charter…” Ernest’s eyes ran through, “the ensuing rights to social activities, the senior responsibility towards the “guests”, the junior one to the “owners”... Hmm, I would like to see those owners of the city.“Not cities, planets,” said a buoyant, squat man behind him in the baggage claim line. “Believe me, young man, if you see
Organization 3
Location: City Airspace.Location: Somewhere above the New City.Time: Monday, 12:30.They talked a lot. She talked about the importance of studying strangers, he - army tales. Over the Insectarium, Ernest poked fun at the habits of the Josers, and over the glass pyramids, Agnett commemorated her colleagues in the department. In general, it could be said that the flight was successful. Especially considering that the temporary unemployed and ex-combatant in general remembered the direction of the main streets and highways of the City.“You shouldn’t be looking at the roads,” the redhead said categorically. - Look at the rooftops.- Why did it happen?- From some rooftops of the Old and New Towns, you can see half of the city.Do you often jump on rooftops in heels?Agnett chuckled into her fist, and then poked them in the shoulder. Lightly. But, nevertheless - unexpectedly for A.N.- Fool. No, but they showed me one roof ... From it you can see four occultories, and the river. I reall
Organization 4
The newly minted charter decided to take a walk. The communicator worked, analyzed the route - forty minutes. Lanes "a" go from the river to the New City, lanes "b" - perpendicularly. Not as difficult as it might seem at once. In general, no "mazes of strangers", an ordinary city.Which in general he was already beginning to like. The atmosphere of Babylon. A bizarre combination of impetuous human architectural styles long forgotten in the Metropolis and "guest" and "master" styles never known there. Too chopped or too smooth, revealingly spitting on harmony or - built into the landscape. The city had character and was not shy about showing it. And to the freshly baked charter A.N. liked it.And after several months of fugue, Ernest wanted to stretch his limbs. At least the legs.He gladly walked through the "flea market", spending a hundred marks on outright knick-knacks. Old books from the most ordinary paper, a handmade tube. He looked closely at the brass knuckles blackened by tim
Organization 5
Location: New City.Location: Agni Corporation Security Headquarters.Time: Monday, 20-25 local time.The recruiting center was open 24/7. A typical building of glass, attached to the edge of a block of shabby, weathered warehouses. Or warehouses. As the network had previously suggested to Ernest, this particular block was the headquarters of AgniCorp. Where the future candidate went, barely paying for dinner. By the way, the price was really tolerable for the wallet.However, he was not received as kindly as in previous places in the city. Well, except for the memorial gate at thirteenth "A" lane. None of the employees even looked up when the bell at the front door tinkled. Finally, one of them stood up, shoved a packet of forms under his nose, and walked back to the desk. But not to work.“Lord God and Blessed Mary, meat again,” sighed the man, whose whole appearance (gray hair, windburn, a burn spider on his face, a crooked scar from the Djoser mandible) hinted at the characterizat
Organization 6
- How are you, three hundred and first?- Hooked a little, but you can live, - frowned partner. He got much more: the armor was dented, the rifle was smoking from overheating. When did you manage to?.. - Look, it seems that the opposing side has come out.Indeed, gloomy ragamuffins with various rubbish in their hands began to seep out of the adjoining alleyways.“I remind you that shooting to kill is prohibited against the Charterers in the absence of danger ...” the dispatcher muttered, but Ernest did not wait for the weapons to be blocked. He nodded to his partner and threw a gas grenade. Blue cloud, hacking cough. Someone began to puke right on the spot. Soon the coughing crowd dispersed. For a while.Because after a couple of minutes the cloud began to dissipate. Too fast.- Three hundred and first, step on the gas.The partner silently swung and threw a grenade. Flight - the cloud fell behind the squat barn opposite, causing a stream of curses. And without stopping the creeping c
Organization 7
Location: Old City.Location: Cafe-bar "Dirty Harry".Time: 22-10 local time.Although the establishment was proudly called a "cafe-bar", in Ernest's hometown these were usually called "The Hole in the Wall". A narrow room, the smoke stands in a column so that you can hang a holster on it, normal tables are only on the street. True, unlike the memorable "holes", this one, at first glance, looked very decent.Wooden wall panels (albeit withered), not devoid of grace lamps (albeit providing little dim light). Visitors drink cocktails not entirely from Collins and shots. The ash is shaken off not on the floor, but in ceramic ashtrays. And even the bouncer was dressed clean, and not in work overalls. In general, at first glance, not bad.Landing Page : Lights in the Wasteland!Headline : Expert: Bars of the so-called "Powerless" are steadily losing popularity.Host Approved : yesVideo broadcast. A small room crammed with emphatically archaic radio equipment. Electronic lamps burn through
Organization 8
Location: Old City.Location: Cafe-bar "Dirty Harry".Time: 23-25 local time.Agnett, Agnett. I thought good parents...The girl rolled her eyes and pulled out a dainty little folder from somewhere. Cigarette case, long and thin mouthpiece. The process of collecting smoking accessories (cigarette filter mouthpiece) reminded him of assembling a poly-mode and he smiled. Agnett felt the gaze and for the first time in the evening smiled warmly, and not in response to a joke. Or a lucky hit. And just like that. It was unusual.Ernest asked the bartender for a busy sign, and left a new (and again opened) bottle as a deposit. During this time, the red-haired woman threw on the coats already familiar from the airship and a small backpack. They left, taking compliments for blows along the way. Moreover, all those who voiced approval agreed that the bottle of Aperol played a decisive role in the tavern fight.Apart from them, no one dared to smoke outside, and as soon as they left, the freshl
Latest Chapter
- Organization
Epilogue
Location: Landing Archipelago.Location: Giraffe Neck IslandTime : Friday, 01:50Barry made the most of his emna-infused combat body. Maneuvering between the few land-paying mobiles, he ran straight to the first pier. He held back the urge to jump into the water right there, turned left and ran all the way to a bend in the river. There, closer to the opposite shore, lay the northernmost, small island from the Landing group. Too narrow and too swampy for anything to be built on.But overgrown with small shrubs, with the ruins of a mansion. In which was the last unopened cache of the merry fellow Dimmy. He really wanted to retire. But I didn't, ha.The downpour caught Lean in the middle of the river. Chemistry in the blood seethed, making it difficult to get hypothermia. And, of course, get under the propellers of ships passing by. In every distant hum of Barry's clapping his arms wide, there were biobots flying over his soul. And in every dissatisfied snort of the urdaleb, who came ou
- Organization
76
Location : Old CityLocation: Stanton Furnished Rooms.Time : 14:44. Thursday.I haven't felt this bad in a long time.I've been in bed for five days now. Plast. I go out to the nearest shop for beer and soup concentrate. From any solid food - vomiting. Especially if it is with the aroma of the sea or seafood.I was also glad, idiot, that they didn’t put a bomb in my neck. It would be better to sew.How do you want to take a break sometimes? Well, you know it. Bitterness somewhere in the region of the cephalothorax. Coffee does not give strength. You lie in bed and think about everything that you lied to. Better to die than to live like this. White handkerchiefs, varnished coffin. Lamentations of the former.So, this is all complete nonsense. Parents, of course, if you have any, will not stint on a good house, in which their blood will lie. But believe me, an old visitor to the funeral of suicides - if the former appear on the mortal field, they behave more qui
- Organization
75
Location : WastelandsLocation: Lair.Time : 11-54. Monday.The guards stood at a respectful distance from the atrium. No one was to disturb the two men in their conversation. Especially when one is an ippie, and the second is a Master who burns him. Katerina, assistant to the all-powerful leader, frantically endured meetings and politely refused visitors. And she prayed that the Third would come out of the fenced corner with the waterfall in his usual icy calm.Because she knew perfectly well what a one-eyed leader in a bad mood is capable of. If anyone were in Nick's place, they would most likely go to a special block of the Lair. From which no one came out by himself.Outwardly, the ippie was impenetrably calm. No, of course, the dressing did not give him any pleasure. Yes, and he perfectly remembered the worst days of his career, one of which was not so long ago. Today is not even close to them. After all, no one from the Organization died. Still, Nick hadn't seen the Third in suc
- Organization
74
Location : New City.Location: Port area.Time : Sunday, 19:23.Ernest moved calmly. A twitchy person always raises questions. Calm and knowing what to do (even if it is filled with vomit and blood) - no. The candidate resolutely moved towards the snow-white "waffle iron", the first one he met on the way. He raised his hand, wondering who would dare to take it in this form. He was surprised at the sight of a cab diving right in front of him. The side window did not open (safety is paramount), but a friendly voice came from the speaker:- Buddy, give me a lift? I have all-weather seats, at least dry your ass!- Can you smoke inside? Ernest inquired lazily. He didn't want to talk to anyone right now.“Any whim for your glitters, mate. And if you pay with “beads”, then at least I’ll pick up a girl raging with boredom at the Token.“Then to Besilnya, street of the third Highest, house 24,” Ernest decided and climbed into a cab. In Besilna, he had a wretched apartment bought according to a
- Organization
73
Location : Old CityLocation: Smiling BuddhaTime : Sunday, 17:14Ernest pretended to think. The data from the sleuth biobot flooded his snail. So far, on the first floor, there are only eight “bulls” around it in a semicircle. And three more are on the way. There could not have been a better moment. He tipped the wine down his throat and set the glass down.“Then now,” he said calmly.“I hope you haven’t smoked for the last hour,” Lemai chuckled. - I don't like tobacco smoke. Physically nauseous.“Not at all,” the candidate smiled broadly.Approach the scary woman. Take a look from top to bottom. To see a slight triumph in the eyes of Lemay, who threw back her head. Gently touch your head with your fingers. Kiss, remembering a thousand kinds of poison, slightly surprised at Lemay's activity. Activate routertier. Insert a blade into the white throat of a "respected merchant". Jump back, noticing genuine surprise on the face of Danielle, who is clamping a wide wound. Hear hysterical:"
- Organization
72
Location : Besilnia, Old Town.Location: Lane 13a, building 35Time : Saturday, 20:41“No,” Ernest muttered in disgust.- Well, he could become another victim if he drank poisoned beer.“That’s why I don’t drink with strangers,” A.N. lied. and vowed to stop. Speaking of strangers. Recently I was in Malaya Besilna. And imagine, they began to read predictions to me there."Oh," asked Hildur. - Do you remember the name? Some prophets are popular on the net, I can tell you about the accuracy of their forecasts.- Surname Kenard, and the name of some ... meat.- Meat?- Well, Kebabus, or Roll, or Sausages ...Jonsdottir laughed again.— Ruland? - Ernest shook his head positively and waved to the bartender - pour another one. And when he returned his head, he realized: the girl suddenly raised her blue eyes and stuck her unblinking gaze at the candidate. If so, then you should take his words more seriously. Sometimes, for general development, the "masters" give him the insides of impaled cr
- Organization
71
Location : Besilnia, Old Town.Location: Lane 13a, building 35Time : Saturday, 20:20.Ernest found this bar by accident. Once, almost in a past life, he went to Igni after a case. The denouement there had a frankly brown aftertaste (not chocolate), and the detective wanted to unwind. Dry cleaning, as damned Lemay rightly pointed out, could remove external dirt. For the rest, wise people came up with something else. Snooker, alcohol and corrupt women. A palliative who has repeatedly removed burnout syndromes. It was to him that A.N. decided to apply while watching a smart automaton clean the traces of blood from an innocent victim from a random gunfight from his trench coat. Marlin gang, racketeering case. Old city, spring season.However, that evening he was still really lucky. First, he calculated his meager savings and decided to spend some crowns on a beer at a random bar. Anything is better than a few tokens - at Igni. The brothels were as good as the spaceports at making money o
- Organization
70
Location : Old CityLocation: Smiling BuddhaTime : Saturday, 17:21.Ernest relaxed and reached for his glass. He knew perfectly well that nervous bandits (even if they were packaged in the "guise" of the security service) could do stupid things. Perhaps Daniel Lemay will tug at his old-wheat curl, twist his mouth (admitting a couple of wrinkles on his smooth face) and scold them for screwing up the deal. But the candidate will lie in the middle of a tasteless interior and spoil the carpet with his liquids. From such a distance and with such a number of trunks, the carapace is unlikely to save.Therefore, take a small sip of wine. Refrain from blowing out the entire glass at once. Still, it is quite possible that the twitching, dumb-headed bighead with a plasma pistol is just an element of the entourage. Still, Lemay loves to bring his guests to a nervous tick. Quietly put the glass on the tablecloth. Smile into cold eyes.“Mrs. Lemay,” A.N. began softly, “some
- Organization
69
Location : New CityLocation: Newlow, level 3bTime : Friday, 20:24Krzysztof Boltzmann hesitated. The candidate noticed that the conversation had touched something unsettling in the fat man. An old humiliation pacified by complacency and a hefty security deposit. But, fortunately, the lover of watchmaking did not possess oratory.— What a stupid question, Sir Ernest...“Krzysztof,” the candidate interrupted softly, his eyes flashing. - Please reply.“Okay, okay…” The pawnshop scratched the back of his head. - After the first, yes, there were several unpleasant incidents. Ordinary punks and "bulls" who somehow learned about the "bead". I then reinforced the rear airlock and began to constantly carry a pistol. But after the second it was all very calm. Even the tax inspector, so that his Cordul devoured, did not visit more often than necessary.- I understood you. Well, Krzysztof. Your debt is closed.- Truth? the pawnbroker inquired incredulously.- Truth. How
