33 Questions

Makhos looked at Zemin, waiting for an answer to an unasked question.

<Warning: the analysis of emotional cues angels Makhos and Mordechai suggests inferior motives with a high chance negative consequences for your wellbeing, Master.>

The warning was so sudden in the tense silence that Zemin barely suppressed a jolt.

'There's nothing wrong with their emotions, Void System. Why are you telling me this now?' Zemin protested on reflex. Mordechai's face was stone-like, and Makhos looked as kind as ever. Or were they?

Makhos's ghostly wings were fluttering slightly, but did that mean anything?

Zemin frowned. 'Master Makhos wouldn't have put me up to anything THAT dangerous.' He could've asked, but that would've just shown him to be a coward unworthy of a rank of an Esquire.

And if there were other details Zemin should have known, Makhos would've told him already.

So, ignoring Void System's warnings, Zemin bowed his head in agreement.

"I will be proud to learn skills I can use to protect the Holy Dominion, Master Makhos."

"As expected from my protégé. You make me proud—but you will make me even prouder after the training is over."

Mordechai tapped his fingers on the table. "Esquire Devi will still join your squad. Your demotion is canceled, Esquire Zemin, and for the duration of this training sequence, you become a full responsibility of Inquisitor Makhos."

He turned to the other angel.

"I hope that won't take too long, Inquisitor."

"Just enough for the rest of Zemin's squad to heal, Master Mordechai. You have other things to be busy with for now, don't you? The attacks on inner settlements have slowed down, but didn't fully stop."

Zemin frowned. 'My squad was pulled from our scouting mission, but someone still needs to do it. And the demons will be on high alert now… What is happening in our sector? What will happen?'

Thinking about the big picture was for officers, not common Soldiers or Esquires like Zemin. 'Too much knowledge poisons souls with a sin of sorrow', as they said.

He should put the questions out of his head.

***

1 DAY LATER

Zemin's rating points went from 0 to 30. This was more than he expected.

He requested more Psi-retaining bullets with the next supply shipment.

2 DAYS LATER

Zemin couldn't stop thinking.

He was given a few days to rest while Makhos arranged everything for his training—which Zemin still knew little to nothing about. The angel was so busy that he barely spared Zemin two words after their last meeting.

Zemin spent most of his free time talking with other people on the base about what was going on in the 4th Sector.

The only Exemplar squads left on the base were ones where too many people at once were put in the base's hospital ward. Most people weren't eager to share any details with him, but he still came—at least to visit Citri, who always smiled at him and complained about being forced to bed rest when Danis was already walking outside.

The scout was still walking with a sling, though, and was twice as prickly as usual because of it.

Something crashed in Danis's room early in the morning.

"Fucking hell!"

Zemin hurriedly put on his clothing and went to knock on Danis's door.

"Are you alright in here?"

"Yes, I'm fine, kid! Damned arm…"

Frowning, Zemin reached out with a probing tendril of Psi-energy. He felt Danis's telekinesis moving things around his room—he must've forgotten about his injured arm (again) and dropped something.

Since his help wasn't needed, Zemin was about to leave.

"Wait, don't run away, kid! I couldn't catch you for the past day, so you aren't leaving just yet."

"Huh?" Puzzled, Zemin opened the door and stepped in. There was nothing out of place anymore, except for visibly irate Danis in the center of the room. "You wanted something from me? I was mostly in the hospital…"

"And I wasn't," Danis cut off. "I can't chase after you every time I decide to share something useful for YOU, kid."

"How would I know you wanted to talk? This makes no sense, Danis. For God's sake, we live almost next to each other."

Danis waved his healthy arm in the arm. "I'm a busy person, kid. Look, I just heard about you being even more stupid than for the entire last week, and wanted to put a stop to it before you dug yourself and us an even deeper hole."

"What are you even talking about?" Zemin asked flatly.

"You were asking about military plans. When there's an Inquisitor in our camp. When you are in hot water with the Exemplar Commander himself. Do you realize how that looks, kid?"

Zemin raised his brows, then frowned as the meaning of Danis's words sunk in.

"But I was just asking…"

"Just asking, my ass! Look, if you want to know so much—just ask me next time. It won't be free, but it will be pri-va-te."

Zemin narrowed his eyes. "Does that mean that YOU have been asking around?"

"I am just keeping my hand on the pulse. It's better to know beforehand what equipment we will need, after all."

"Alright. Then tell me, Danis—what's going on in our sector? In the Glass Fields and around… Is anyone searching for Angor?" Zemin paused. "I can pay with Psi-retaining bullets, but the shipment hasn't come yet…"

"Forget the payment. Consider this one a congratulatory gift for completing your first mission, kid."

Danis went to sit down on his bed, but didn't invite Zemin anywhere. The youth kept standing nearby, somewhat awkwardly.

"The short story, kid, is that we are fucked—as always. The long story…"

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