The Snipe’s Flight

– Ki, – I have addressed him, trying to sound neutral efficiently. – Question on cargo. In the declaration the average coefficient of temperature expansion for containers is specified. But for exact setup of cooling systems of compartment I need exact data on everyone. Do you have access to specifications of Herpix?

Sintetik has turned to me the smooth head. Blue sparks eyes flickered.

– The inquiry is logical. However in the specification of cargo the provided corporation information in cut form. Full specifications are secret. My calculations of life support systems are based on the provided average values with margin of safety in fifteen percent.

– It is clear. Privacy, – I as though it has been expected have nodded. – And how you estimate risks of the delivery? In terms of logistics and the probability of external intervention.

Ki has stood for second, processing question.

– Risks are estimated as raised. Bases, following: short deadlines, the nature of cargo crucial for the customer’s infrastructure, political instability on Aurum-4. Probability of attempt of interception of cargo by competitors or illegal groups is twenty two whole and fairy percent. Probability of technical failures when unloading in the conditions of geological activity is eighteen whole and seven tenth percent. Probability of failure to follow the contract because of the customer and decrease in payment is thirty three whole and one tenth percent.

Figures flew from it equal, passionless stream. It was the car estimating probabilities. And its assessment confirmed: this trip as walk around the minefield.

– Thanks, – I have told. – I will mean.

– Performance of official duties is my optimum task for minimization of risks, – Ki noted and, having finished quietly left.

I remained one with plate of synthetic food. Ki’s figures were groundless. The highest percent of Ki gave on setup from Herpix. Not the consolatoriest chances. But I had not only role of the technician now. I had the purpose. And the first step was clear: to contact the agent Kuznets. He had to know more. About cargo. About realistic plans of Herpix. I have eaten up tasteless food, have put away ware in the utilizer and have looked at black window in which my new person was reflected. Blue eyes looked at me with cold determination.

The next day of flight was similar to dense, viscous syrup. Time passed strange: outside of it did not exist, inside it lasted infinitely. «Scythian» was steel puzyryom, mislaid in space, and its crew behaved, respectively, has fallen into similarity of hibernation. My observation of crew continued. I have noticed that each crew member had the ritual of murder of time. Gena, for example, with ecstasy was picked engines though, according to him, everything worked. It was its meditation. Alice solved on the personal tablet difficult puzzles – astronavigation tasks it seems: lay route through neutron star taking into account gravitational attraction of big star. Her eyebrows met in the thin, concentrated fold, with astonishment rose. Kim, after all all addressed not on his name Vlad, and Kim, from their words it is so more pleasant to it and to me very persistently recommended so it to call. He for hours sat not movably, but his fingers made the fast, perfected movements from time to time, it were virtual trainings with weapon as has prompted me memory. The captain Lavrov read. Is not present holograms, and surprisingly the present, shabby paper book with small print. I have somehow made out the name: «Psychology of mass riots in the conditions of limited space». He grumbled, did marks by pencil and lit smelly roll-ups, despite ventilation system protests.

Studying bracelet communicator became my ritual. During rest in the capsule I activated the hidden protocols. Memory of the Snipe gradually was restored to me, as well as skill of driving the bicycle. The bracelet was masterpiece of the espionage equipment of the Russian Empire. Besides the encrypted channel with Trianon, in it there was scanner of wide profile. Very useful function for detection of listening devices. In addition, the analyzer of materials which could be useful to me for scanning of cargo and that the most interesting, the limited module of breaking of any types of locks has been built-in there. Solenoidal Herpiksa locks were to it on teeth, but for work the physical contact and ten time for breaking was required minutes. It was very good news. Bad news has come from the bracelet in the evening. The short message from Trianon: «The confirmation code of the last transfer does not coincide with the reference sample Snipe. Repeat check of the personality. The biometric scanning beam will be directed to you within 10 seconds. Do not move».

There is devil, – has flashed at me in the head. I have forgotten or did not know about any idiotic signature of the agent which that had to put in each message. Not movably lying on bed, I have felt light heat in wrist. The bracelet let out the invisible beam which is reading out fingerprints, the drawing of veins, rhythm of heart, beating and probably dozen more of parameters about which I did not know.

In the head thoughts zaroitsya. What if I do not undergo testing? I am not the real Snipe. But the body was it! Same veins, same prints, same retina of eye. Heat has disappeared. There has passed minute of painful expectation. Then message: «The biometrics is confirmed. Deviations in neural patterns are explained by consequences of physical trauma. It is recommended to carry out self-diagnostics under the Delta protocol. Communication will be reestablished after successful exit to Aurum-4. Trianon».

I have exhaled. Has carried by. Mine allegedly falling from the platform was ideal cover for any strangenesses in behavior. Successful accident or part of the plan? Riddle on riddle. There was last day before going into orbit of Aurum-4. Tension increased as pressure before thunderstorm. Even unperturbable Ki began to carry out additional inspections of systems of the ship. Alice continually caused on the system screen card Helios-beta, studied routes of patrols of corporate safety and gray zones where pirates liked to hunt.

In the evening behind the synthesized dinner, the informal briefing has taken place. Everything, except Ki, have gathered in galley. Though I saw that it just stood behind wall and listened to us. The captain Lavrov, having postponed the book, has thrown out lot of the printed-out papers on table, but, probably, it is reliable in terms of protection against breaking.

– So, – it has begun, having gloomy inspected us. – Tomorrow at ten thirty in the morning in a ship way we approach Aurum-4. Alice, that on situation?

– The silence, the captain, – has responded it, without coming off the tablet. – Corporate patrols in standard orbits. Any abnormal movements of the fleet. Air is clean, except commercial traffic and negotiations of miner’s labor unions on the planet. The last … very expressivna.

– I do not doubt, – Lavrov has grumbled. – Gene, ship?

– It is intense as the string, but holds, – the engineer held mug which he considered with very great interest in hand. – Docking units are ready. Cargo life support systems in green zone. If only these eggheads from Herpix do not decide to warm to us brains the scanners of the fifth generation.

– Will warm, – without shadow of doubt Kim has said. He sat in corner, still motionless, but its voice was low and accurate. – Standard protocol. External inspection, scanning on the hidden compartments, verification of documents and removal of biometrics of crew. Will take hour. Two if you want to pull time.

– About time at them it is strict, – I have noticed, carefully getting into conversation. – The well waits. I think, will not begin to tighten just like that.

All have looked at me. I have turned to the captain:

– The captain, and if they try to beat down the price, referring on … – I have taken second break, considering the words. – Well, suppose, that because of unstable situation on the planet, they will ask to throw off cargo in other point? As though it is our risk.

Lavrov has grinned, and in this smile there was something wolf.

– Let will try. We have contract. Iron. With the registered penalties for delay from their party. And with very interesting point on force majeure which includes actions of the third parties, including the protesting groups. We are not guilty that there miners revolt. We haul freight. Want to receive it let pay. Everything, point.

– And if do not pay? – has asked Gena, tapping with fingers on table.

In reply the captain has only translated view of Kim. That slowly, has almost imperceptibly nodded. No word has been told, but the atmosphere in galley for moment became ice. I got it. «Scythian» was truck, but not toothless. Kim was their trump. Extreme, but effective.

– Mironov, – the captain has addressed me. – Your task always to be near the console of gravikomp during joining and unloading. Any failure, any anomaly in indications and at once you report to me. Do not try to repair. I see?

– It is clear, captain.

– Perfectly. All to have a rest. Tomorrow will be long.

We have dispersed. I have returned to the capsule, but there was no wish to sleep. Via the screen in ceiling showing simulation of space it was visible only flickering abstraction of hyper space. I have double-checked bracelet. In his memory there was encrypted tag for the first contact: the standard commercial terminal in port zone, public network. It will be necessary to send package of data with the Calibre code. The answer will come with the indication of the place and time of meeting. Primitively, but it is reliable. Lying in the dark, I listened to ship rumble. It was the sound of my new life. It has replaced hum of the hospital equipment. And instead of expectation of the end I waited for the beginning now. The fear was finally melted into the concentrated energy. I was ready. It is ready to play role of the technician. It is ready to perform the agent’s task. «Well, Vasily Ivanovich, – I have mentally told myself. – Tomorrow we descend in investigation. Let’s look what both of us are capable in this new, marvelous world of». And with this thought, at last, has fallen asleep.

Chapter 3

The planet Aurum-4 outside reminded the body covered with ulcers. They were on all planet, and heap of rusty domes of the buildings, towers and trellised docks which have stuck into the gray-brown planet. Reminded me my old body covered with tumors. Air in the shuttle, even after recirculation, kept caustic smack. But now the crew of «Scythian» did not pay attention to it.

Unloading has taken place not smoothly, but after all has taken place. Five hours of nervous bustle under sights of staner of corporate safety, an hour and a half altercations with the clerk from Herpix smelling of cheap cologne and arrogance. Have ended for us safely. Lavrov, grabbed as the ram, pointed a finger at clauses, Gena gloomy tapped with wrench up to palm, looking very much not good at the representative of corporation, and Kim stood slightly behind, silent and motionless, but in hands it had weighty argument in the form of laser automatic rifle. As a result the credits have been transferred into the account of Guild. Everything can be exhaled. The task is performed. Cargo is handed over, money is received. Tension on saved, was splashed out outside, in a word, by the thrown captain: «In bar. All! At my expense!». All have applauded such news and have gone to gather. To send messages about the arrival coherent I did not become now. For safety reasons. I will sit in bar, and there we will look.

We have gone to the nearest bar from the spaceport. We went on the narrow, filled-in with yellow light tunnel conducting to port zone. In my ears still there was rumble of «Scythian», but it was gradually forced out by sounds of the spaceport: ventilation buzz, the remote hails, drumming of someone’s boots which are lined with metal. Thoughts have feverishly twirled in my head: bracelet. Nonsense inexcusable for such professional, as I. In unloading turmoil, at the moment when the clerk has gone into hysterics concerning the unforeseen, but already expected by us circumstances of revolt, I, left it in the capsule. Also has forgotten. Without it I was blind and deaf. The agent so does not do. The agent does not leave weapon unguarded. The pressing sense of danger has appeared in my breast. Our company already approached the bar lit with neon with the blinking sign «Old Mine». The rumble of voices, sourish smell of the reek of alcohol and synthetic beer was heard.

– Mironov, you what have braked? – Alice, in expectation from holiday anticipation has turned back. Her face has blurred in smile.

– Has forgotten … the tablet on the ship, – I have told lies, trying that the voice sounded with disappointment. – With calculations for the following flight. The captain, you asked to throw off to you on check today. Alice, I fast run, and in ten minutes I will return. Will you cover?

Lavrov who was already pushing door has waved hand and without turning around has told:

– Only be not late. And everything we will drink that without you.

Alice has darted the fast, studying glance at me, but has turned and has followed the captain. Kim has only thrown cursory glance on my person and has nodded – like, do that has to. I was immediately developed and have almost run back, to the «Scythian» docked on external ring of docks. Having reached the shuttle, I began to consider it. It stood, grown quiet, with the put-out running fires, only emergency indicators blinked red in step to my rapid pulse. The lock with hissing has let in me inside. The familiar smell – oil, ozone, dead air has struck in nostrils, but now it has seemed to me not opposite, but the acquaintance. And how we here all this breathe? The ship was empty. When I have already almost reached inhabited compartment, have out of the corner of the eye noticed that light indication on door in cargo compartment burned not with habitual green, but dim yellow. This color meant «Maintenance» or «The entrance is limited». But we have already unloaded cargo. Why there to someone to be? Instinct, that, hunting, has forced me to shorten stride. The door has not been simply blocked. It has been slightly opened on centimeter. From crack the stream of cold, not retsirkulirovanny air with smack of metal flew. At this moment everything in me has cried: «Go, take bracelet and leave!». But legs have incurred me to door. I was silently driven into the corner nearby and have listened. Silence. The deep, ringing silence of empty cargo compartment. Too quietly. Now sounds of the working ventilation system, clicks of sensors had to be distributed. But it was silent.

I have carefully pushed door with shoulder. She has silently moved, opening part huge, empty space now. Lighting has been muffled to minimum. Corrugated floor shone in the twilight. And in the middle, at the basis of that power beam where earlier container number five fastened, the motionless dark figure lay. I have entered inside, have quietly covered door for myself. Has approached closer. It was Ki. Sintetik lay on one side, one hand is unnaturally twisted back. On smooth, opaque forehead the deep dent as if from blow by blunt heavy object gaped. Blue sparks of eye-sockets were extinct. Nearby on floor the massive adjustable spanner rolled – from personal set Genes. On its handle the spots similar to oil or on that liquid darkened that exuded from the damaged joint on Ki’s shoulder.

Thoughts have rushed whirlwind, cold and accurate. It is not accident. This intended removal from system. After delivery of cargo. Means, it was necessary for someone that Ki has not seen, has not written down something. Or on the contrary – that could not tell something later.

I have sat down on hunkers, have run hand over the cold case. Total absence of energy. But sintetik of such class as has prompted me memory of the Snipe, had emergency accumulator with independent food. I have darted off and have run to the capsule. In the head knocked: «Bracelet, bracelet, bracelet». Having flown inside, I with scope have pulled off blanket. Where I left it, dark, not remarkable bracelet lay. I have seized him, having felt simplification wave, and have immediately stood. Time. It catastrophically was not enough. The crew waits for me in bar. My long absence will raise questions. But to leave Ki here, with possible proof in memory. I have returned on the ship, and except me nobody came here. Suspicions first of all will fall on me. It is necessary to do something urgently. The decision has ripened instantly, as well as half a century back on dangerous task. I have run back in cargo compartment. On the run activating bracelet, I have caused the hidden diagnostic interface. Having sat down near Ki’s body, I have groped on his neck, under composite plate, the hidden diagnostic port. From bracelet has moved forward thin as needle, the probe. I have inserted it into the port. On the mini-screen of bracelet lines of the code have started gleaming. About … and our Ki is not so ordinary as he can seem at first sight. All right, we will deal with it later. «The damaged synthetic mind of class KI-7 is found. Level of damages: critical. The dump of emergency memory is found. To restore memory?»

«To restore. And to restart kernel in the diagnostic mode», – I have given the command chosen on bracelet. The bracelet has begun to squeak. Ki’s body has moved, from the injured shoulder sparks have scattered. There have passed ten seconds, each of which lasted as hour. At last, in eye-sockets synthetics weak, uneven blue light has blinked. The mechanical voice interrupted by hissing and clicks has sounded from the built-in loudspeaker:

«The system … is started in emergency operation me. Level of damages critical. Report: attempt of unauthorized access to onboard the log din … after unloading of cargo. Found and stopped. The forward … is not identified. Physical impact the Viy … is applied»

The voice has broken. Access to logbooks. Someone tried to erase or copy data how cargo has left. And Ki, faithful to the program of protection of the ship, has prevented. And for it has been switched off. In the head has clicked: container number five. That, with anomaly of weight.

– Ki, – it is silent, but I have accurately told. – Can you support the main functions? Navigation? Monitoring?

«Negatively. Computing power is reduced by 94%. Only passive collecting data is possible. Recommendation: to tell the captain …»

– Let’s report, – I have promised. – But later. Now pass into the mode of restoration of dump of memory. Write down everything: any attempts of access to systems, all external signals, all movements on the ship. Keep data in the protected buffer. Got that?

Brain synthetics, even damaged, weighed logicality of the order. I, the technician instead of running for help, give him teams.

«You … do not tell the captain. Your actions contradict the protocol of safety», – the voice creaked.

I needed strong argument. Logical. The one that will understand the car.

– The attacker – someone from crew. Or someone who has access. If I give the alarm now, it will disappear or will destroy proofs. I need your data to calculate it. It is optimum way for preservation of the ship. Trust me.

Pause. The silence was broken by only weak hissing from the damaged case synthetics.

«Logically. Purpose: maintaining functionality of „Scythian“. Data will be written down. The mode of passive observation is activated. The mode of restoration is started».

– It is accepted, – I have disconnected the probe. – Remain, here, you will not restore the main functions and chains of system yet. As you will be ready, let me know on my communicator. I will give you the following instructions. Do not give signs of activity yet.

I have got up, have taken view of dark bulk of compartment. Who it could be? Gena? In principle it is logical, the key belonged to him and was on the crime scene. But why to it it? Alice? Vlad? The captain? Or … someone the stranger who has made the way aboard after mooring? Thoughts ran, were confused among themselves, but one was crystal clearly: game only began, and in this game I am definitely not one.

I left cargo compartment, have made sure that the door of lock was closed and the bulb was lit green, almost run has moved to exit. The bracelet was on the place, its cold metal soothingly pressed on wrist. Now I was fully equipped again. But now I had also ally – the Dumb, dying Witness hidden in empty belly of the ship. In several minutes I have reached bar and, having opened heavy metal door, have entered.

The Old Mine bar has met me by noise wall, clouds of tobacco smoke and roar of the hard rock flowing from cheap columns. Air was dense as soup. My workmates have already strongly located at the table in corner. Before Gena empty and thin circles flaunted. The captain Lavrov, having thrown off jacket, argued about something with Alice with fervency, swinging hands. Kim sat, having leaned back on the back of chair, his eye cold and estimating, slowly slid on the hall. He the first has noticed my emergence and has hardly considerably nodded.

– And, Mironov! – Gena has bellowed, having noticed me. – Nearly has overslept all fun! Drag chair and the back to us here!

I have squeezed through crowd dancing to table, representing the confused smile.

– Forgive, was late. This tablet … well, you understand.

– I understand nothing, – Lavrov, but without rage has grumbled. – Work is finished. Now have a rest. Hey, bartender! One more portion for my friend!

Have driven mug with muddy, foamy liquid to me. I have pretended that I take a sip, actually having only moistened lips. Inside everything has been compressed in hard, intense knot. I sat among these people, laughed at their jokes, Genya who already began to tell the bike about repair of the engine in orbit of Jupiter assented. And itself scanned their faces, looking for crack, hint, on fault shadow.

Gena was sincerely happy with our company. Alice, though smiled, but in eyes the habitual care was read. She continually darted the interested glance at me, and then is somehow confused it took away. The captain … the captain was oneself – rough, direct, looked at all as on the, a little eccentrical, but native team. Kim … and here he has not been readable. His face remained stone mask. Though I also saw that he has drunk three big mugs, what here was called beer. Only eyes were bright, and in them as it seemed to me, for instant something has flashed it seems … interest. Or it was play of light from the neon sign?

«He suspects, – cold stated in me part of the Snipe. – He is professional. He sees that you have not just forgotten the tablet. You have returned another. Alerted. He could feel it».

I with force have forced itself to relax, lean back on chair back, to take one more sip of opposite beer. It was necessary to merge with background, to become part of this noisy holiday. But somewhere in the depth of my consciousness, clear understanding ripened. By the ship, in dark cargo compartment, something has occurred. And here, in bar, among laughter and binge, the one who has struck it with wrench sat. Sat and, perhaps, looked directly at me.

Game took already deadly turn. I needed to wash to gather thoughts.

The bathroom in Old Mine bar was predictably dirty and become permeated with the smell of the chemicals masking absolutely other smells. I have splashed ice water in the face, looking at the reflection in the cracked mirror. Blue eyes of Sergey Mironov looked at me with cold confidence. In them there was no hint on intoxication also only concentration. I was as the ball of nerves wrapped in the weakened cover. I left the bathroom, intending to slip out imperceptibly on the street, to take couple of detours in circle of the building and to return to the ship while the crew was in separation. But plans – thing fragile, especially where women, alcohol and stress removed after long flight are involved.

– Mironov! Where has gathered?

The hand, tenacious and strong, has clasped my wrist. It was Alice. Her cheeks have turned pink, eyes shone not only intelligence, but also that fire that wakes up after the third mug of cheap, but strong ale. In them the call was read.

– So we go to dance with me. Do not shirk, Mirovnov. Someone has to entertain the girl.