[Log №3 21.07.2ХХХ /science and research complex “Giga-Flexus” / outer ring / Europa]
This time Rofelman was exceptionally serious. The reason why he agreed to two suicide missions was worth all the risks. Under any other circumstances, but current, his plan would’ve been astronomically expensive to pull off. He was relatively fine and healthy and soon he was going to have an answer for his crew’s underwhelming pay-outs. Moishe felt that he could be a tiny bit happier once again. Long and bright corridor suddenly ended with a small dark room resembling a telephone booth. It contained nothing, but a lonely hanging intercom and a dim blue-green lamp. Behind the captain, an only door closed, making him feel that the room was even smaller now. “SPEAK” – intercom crackled in an emotionless mechanic voice. “”Speak” about what? You are perfectly aware why I came, it was discussed more than once or twice. I need my sh –“. “ENOUGH/ WE FULFILLED OUR PART OF THE CONTRACT, UNLIKE YOU/ REMEMBER, YOU – ARE A LAB RAT” – the monotone voice from the speakers uttered, sounding more like a chorus of dial-up modems, than anything resembling normal speech. THIS IS NOT AN INSULT/ STATEMENT OF FACT/ AN EXCERPT FROM THE CONTRACT”. For a moment Moishe forgot about a reason for his visit and spoke back with superfluous pride: “In what way did I not fulfill my responsibilities?”An answer he received was instantaneous and worrying: “APLLYING «COMPROMISE» PROTOCOL AS A SELF-DEFENSE MEASSURE DID NOT ALLOW THE CORE TO REACH ITS DESTINATION/ MISSION FAILED/ THE TESTING «ICARUS» PROGRAMM WAS SABOTAGED BY THE CREW/ MISSION FAILED”. For a minute the room was silent enough for Rofelman to hear the exact words with which “Mistress-luck” rudely told him to “♥♥♥♥ himself”. Intercom crackled again: “BOTH ASSIGNED MISSIONS ENDED IN FAILURE, - the sound coming from the speakers unexpectedly switched its timbre, now resembling a rough male voice - The fact that you and your crew survived is astonishing in of itself. But, if we close our eyes to the original established mission objectives, than the data acquired during the mission could be considered priceless for future testing.” As fast as it appeared, all the “humanity” left the voice once again: ”TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE DATA AQUIRED AND LOW NUMBER OF "ADMINISTRANTS”, THE CONTRACT IS CONSIDERED FULFILLED/ PARTIALLY.” From elation to terror, captain felt the entire emotional spectrum in mere moments. He was happy, that soon he is going to have his old battle-sub, which back on Earth became a second home for him. On the other hand, the exact words coming from the speakers, worried him more than a little. Moishe was feeling that trouble was coming…
- What is this thing called again?
- “Trouble”, numbered “sixty-ninth”. Old cargo sub of earth type, repurposed in someone’s private dock for combat usage, and rather hastily, judging by how the rail cannons were connected. – Goldman answered Izya, while lazily looking over weapon schematics.
Izya untied another knot of wires coming from the reactor with obvious annoyance: “Those knots, I swear, by the end I’m gonna leave a single knot on this damn ship and it’s gonna be on a noose.”
The captain entered “Trouble’s” engineering compartment in a nervous hurry: “Guys, we have a job…”