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UNDERGROUND 83
Pustovalov noticed a change in Victor's behavior. Habitual good nature was replaced by defiant recklessness and inept irony. The guy seemed to be going through a belated transitional age. But Pustovalov did not at all see himself in the role of a parent, forced to endure all this. But still he endured. And not only because he needed Victor, but because he liked him anyway. At the Lubyanka, Pustovalov suggested moving to the next stage, and Victor deliberately slowly climbed onto the platform and imposingly crossed the hall, copying the apparently crazy old man. And although the station was empty, in a different scenario, such a trick could cost them dearly.Why hide when there are cameras all around? - Victor mowed down "for a fool". - I'm still silent about the volumes. I hope you know they're all over the place?Pustovalov pretended not to notice the barbs. He guessed that Victor was offended because of the incident with the hunter. Perhaps Pustovalov went too far then, which he reg
UNDERGROUND 84
You are a master no doubt. But there is no command. You just masterfully use everyone, including me.We are a team as long as we have a common goal.- In fact of the matter. We have no common goal. For example, I don't want to go to Komsomolskaya. Why am I going there? Just because you said.- Victor, we discussed this. There is an exit, a depot, and you yourself said that your home is there.“Home,” Victor smiled sourly, “do you know what my house is? A fucking cold empty room in a communal flat. With a fucking air mattress. With an empty refrigerator. I pissed on my last pair of jeans, ripped my only sneakers, my pockets were empty, my score was zero. Do you think this is the house you want to return to?- Do you have a family?“My father died when I was little. There is a mother who, immediately after his death, jumped out to marry an old man who looked like Belmondo and bore him three children. She loves them, but not me. 'Cause I look like someone she never loved.Pustovalov look
UNDERGROUND 85
– Are you out of your mind?! - Katya was taken aback.“They won’t kill you,” Victor supported Pustovalov and, pointing to Kharitonov, added, “but if he comes out first, he may be mistaken for one of them.”– We have no choice. There are no weapons. You can't go back. Victor and I have inherited too much there.- Yes, go fuck yourself! - Katya did not let up.“Perhaps they know you,” Victor looked at Dasha.Are you saying that there...“Their enemies are our friends.Dasha looked at Victor, trying to understand him. But the "new" Victor looked unperturbed.“I won't go ahead. – Completed the “discussion” Katya.“I’ll go,” Dasha stepped forward.Pustovalov sighed. He convinced himself that there was no other option.They walked in silence, stretched out in a chain. It was not much brighter at the Red Gate than in the tunnel. The only source of light was hiding somewhere in the hall. Toli from poor light, or from fatigue, it seemed to Pustovalov that the pylons and walls at the station we
UNDERGROUND 86
"Okay, what's the clue?"- We need to interrogate one traffic cop. There are few details, but something related to Daniker.– Yes, what is this “daniker”?- The name of the commander of the special forces group, who disappeared during the assault. He... Are you listening?Boris looked into the well of the tunnel.- It's hot out there...- What?- Yes, I understand, - Boris raised an unseeing glance at Yakov, - let's go.- Okay, I'll just wash my hands. Meet me at the car.When Yakov was washing his hands, a frightened Tkachenko burst into the toilet.- There ... Your colleague, he ....- What?“He seems to have gone mad. He undressed and...Yakov removed Tkachenko and returned to the basement. Vindman was nowhere to be found, only his clothes were scattered on the floor, and the sounds of blows could be heard from the tunnel.Yakov descended into the tunnel, lit only by a hand-held portable lantern placed on a stool. Behind her, Vindman, stripped to his underpants, was digging a tunne
UNDERGROUND 87
– Under the Sizigi building there is a protected bunker made of materials that are used in the construction of nuclear power plants. It is not on the inventory drawings and underground maps of Moscow. You can get into it only from the Sizigi office. The entrance is securely hidden. So, Comrade Colonel, you now have two options.- Only two? - Makarov was feignedly surprised.“Yes,” Vindman confirmed seriously, “the first one is to send me to hell and continue on with your plan.Makarov nodded contentedly.- Second ... I heard that I was forbidden to approach the Sisiji. So here's the second option: you can ask the general to lift this ban. So that my partner and I, - Boris pointed to Yakov, - could inspect the building.Makarov winced.“And keep in mind,” Vindman added, “if you choose the first option, then starting from this moment, right from this,” Boris pointed his index finger at Makarov, “only you are responsible for her life and health, if she is there.The smile that did not le
UNDERGROUND 88
– Is it possible? Jamming special communications?– How would you know?Pustovalov looked at Dasha and nodded. The girl took out "Fairy Tale-2".- Where did you get that? Daniker was surprised.- From my father.- Colonel General Afanasiev. Pustovalov explained.Daniker whistled.What are you doing here, daughter?- I was returning from work on the subway, and here it is.- So. Hold on to me, got it?! If something happens, don't you dare say who your father is, okay?– What will happen?- Something.- This phone does not work. Isn't that "something"?- It's all right upstairs.“It’s okay if the whole subway is captured!” Where is the army, assault and all that. Why is it only you?“Listen, I don’t know, daughter,” Daniker said with warmth in his voice, “but believe me, we heard the city, we heard the streets. Communication breaks through the jammers to the nearest subscriber. I personally heard the noise of trams, signaling and Sobyanin's crushers. Lays the tiles again. The guy I was
UNDERGROUND 89
- Why were they shooting? Daniker asked, also slowing down.- For anticipation. It's dark there.So he wasn't there at all? No trace?- Only shells.Now Pustovalov realized his mistake. But he should have understood everything even when he heard the first cry. A person thinking at such a speed will not wait while sitting on the balcony.Victor, noticing that Pustovalov was standing, also stopped before reaching the turn. But the first commando has already passed him.- Stop! Pustovalov called out to him, but it was too late. He didn't hear the shot, because it was a silent rifle. But I heard a scream and the movement of a shadow on the wall. Pustovalov knew that the commando was already dead. How logical and simple it is - having guessed their plan, move to the tunnel leading to the depot.Daniker and Boris rushed there and immediately ducked down and retreated. Pustovalov heard the sound of bullets striking through metal pipes.- Ambush. Daniker shouted angrily.- It's him.- What do
UNDERGROUND 90
From a distance of twenty meters, not everyone can see a human face well, but Yakov had excellent eyesight and clearly saw the unblinking ice-ice eyes fixed on him. Despite the twilight, which partially absorbed General Afanasiev - he was sitting at a table filled with antediluvian turntables literally on the border of light and darkness, Yakov saw a well-shaven chin and shoulder straps with new huge stars.Judging by the everyday expression of Yakov's face, it could be assumed that questions about why there was such a large distance between him and the general and why such large rooms in the control building did not bother him. And the point obviously was not that Yakov was not among the subordinates, who even mentally avoided sticking their nose into other than their own affairs. The thing was that he did not guess and did not make assumptions about new measures to protect top officials from viral infections. He was just one of the few who knew a lot more than you might think.Yakov