– So this is, must be, such a check, damn it, – said the Colonel, taking off his helmet (a simple combined arms helmet in case), putting it on its top at the feet and pulling out a large handkerchief from the pocket of the tactical vest. His Colonial irritation has already extinguished, only the human remained, which was not interfering with the work of the brain. A fright is necessary in the Zone. You can even pump in pants, it's not forbidden, the main thing is that the brain then starts to work.
– Most likely it's a ritual, – said Nabis. – Something took a look at you. And you rushed into the Zone in vain, comrade Colonel.
– So the old Colonel, the whole Commandment… was fucked over, that's how it turns out.
– You did not want to listen to anything… Yes you are not the first. And the circumstances.
– What circumstances? – asked Blinchuk unkindly.
Nabis was silent, looking at his stomach. Blinchuk blew his nose. Looked around.
– Ensind Glyzin! – he barked and, immediately lowering his voice, asked Nabis: – Is the screaming forbidden?
– Me! – Glyzin muffly responded from the booth. And banged something, apparently with a trunk, against the wall. – It's to blame, it's not over!
– All is allowed on the “neutral”, comrade Colonel, – answered Nabis. – For now. Only the Trouble knows what will happen in a week. But it's better not to scream. Everything should be quiet in the Zone. Hands should be bared, and ears should be opened.
– The Trouble – that is how you call it… – Blinchuk shook his head towards the housing estate “Kapustin” in particular and the Polygon in general. Towards the Zone. Nabis nodded. Blinchuk frowned and began to fold his handkerchief. The vomiting Ensign Shultsev finished etching, lay a bit in waiting, slid from the car almost to his puddle, but happily missed and, stepping unsteadily, headed for the washbasin. Blinchuk, Nabis and Korostylyov were watching as he was pottering with the tap.
– And you, comrade Nabis, are you local? Civilian under a contract? – asked Blinchuk.
– Yes, I lived in the Dog's. One street away from your tower.
Blinchuk chuckled. Hid the handkerchief.
– Where did you serve? Ah, yes…
– I worked at the Polygon, as the inspector of heating plants. And the main occupation was a poacher. Cathroughr.
Blinchuk raised the rare eyebrows.
– The past life, you mean, – he said. – Is it the way it works here? To confess?
– Yes. The Trouble wrote off.
– I don't like poachers, – remarked Blinchuk.
Nabis shrugged the shoulders.
– And I don't like fishermen, but what can I do?
– Well, ok. The Father, you say… I need to get him out and question him. A living child is with him! She’s alive, right? – he appealed to the Major. Kororstylyov nodded the head.
– She is, I clearly saw.
– Accordingly, – said Blinchuk. – This is our aim. To find and to bring out. What shall we do, comrade Nabis? How do we solve the task? What do you know about the Father? What will be your essential advice?
– Most likely, we do not need to move anywhere. We must sit right here and wait, – said Nabis. – Most likely, he is coming to us. Most likely, he got caught in your TV camera intentionally. He wants to meet you. He or the Zone… This I don't know. He can walk fast, but today he has nowhere to hurry. After all, because of him you rushed into the Trouble, without preparation, on personal orders, with only one guide. So that means you can also wait now, when the Trouble stooped you a little.
