Volume 1 Chapter 1 Part2 (1/2)
Translator: DCEditor: PurpleUnisaurus, Monk PrestonProofreader: PurpleUnisaurusTLC: Yoaeru, shi+mizuA, Lox
Chapter One: The Blood Sucking Princess and the Winged Dragon
Jump to: [] [Part 3] [Part 4]
Part 1
Очи индиго - Indigo Eyes
First Lieutenant Liev Lepus was free-falling at two hundred kilometers per hour
He jumped from an aircraft at an altitude of three thousand plus s and rode on the layer of air
His goggles clung to his face
The hipped around hih his padded jacket
Below him were the open parachutes of the cosmonaut cadets which fell before hi the vast plains
He caught the sight of the Borik River flowing like a belt
He slowly drew closer to mother earth
”It's about time…”
As he pulled the ripcord with his freezing fingers, his parachute released
A canopy rushed outwards froely as it caught air, quickly and forcefully lifting his body
”Fuu…”
While rocking in the air, Liev muttered to himself
”This is cosmonaut Liev Lepus, I have returned from space just now…!”
His voice didn't reach anybody, as it dissolved into the air
”──Just kidding…”
If his superior officer heard such a joke, he'd get scolded severely
Liev's face winced as he tightly grasped his parachute cord
The grand evening sunset colored the desolate wetland red
Liev and the other cos, got on the air force bus directly headed towards the space development municipal, ”Laika 44” This city was an essential location to push forward the ”Miechita Project”, it was a recently established sector that underwent construction in March of 1960 of the Orthodox Calendar[1], where nine thousand authorized personnel ere involved in space development lived
However, ”Laika 44” was not listed on any state-issued istered inhabitants Further city located forty-four kiloh, the two are completely unrelated
This was a governainst the United Kingdom
”Laika 44”,[a closely adion] where Liev lived, was an existence which itself was a state secret The population was obligated to swear to confidentiality—it was strictly prohibited to speak of work content, residence, etc, outside of the city If violated, then the secret police, the National Preservation Committee—aka the [Express Co and have them dispatched to the mines
Thus, even though a majority of the nation's populace knew of the successful man-made satellite launch, they were not aware of the state of affairs of space development
”To deceive an enemy, first, you must deceive a friend”
This thorough secretiveness is a traditional means of the republic
Municipalities which were veiled in secrecy were troublesoions were prohibited, and railroads did not pass through them, so, they could only be reached by automobile
Departing froh a plain, there were signs which said ”Future Dead End” and ”Off-Lih the coniferous forest, having completely lost sense of direction and ti the city would coht
Going along the exterior of the outer wall, there is only one entrance and exit which had guards with ate to sniff the scents of suspicious characters
Liev, who had stepped off of the bus, went through the gate after showing is ID and residence license
”Oi, Liev!”
His supervisor, Lieutenant-General Viktor, with a drunken-red face hailed to him with a hoarse voice He was in afrom his muscularity and had an extraordinary anified that he was a war hero with unyielding strength
”What is it, comrade Lieutenant General?”
Liev straightened his back, preparing for a scolding—Lieutenant General Viktor furrowed his eyebrows intensely and glowered
”Co center The Chief wants to speak to you as soon as possible”
”The C-Chief!?”
That name was unexpected; Liev was struck with an icy shock that traveled down his spine
The chief, Slava Korovin, was the genius who n director Like ”Laika 44”, his existence was a state secret, and he hiilant of the United Kingdo assassinations, so Korovin was hidden from the world When it was only absolutely necessary to make an announcener”, and the results were confidential; the United Kingdom feared that ”there is a sorcerer in the east”
If he were called by such a big shot, then it wasn't for a trivial , the names of the twenty or so cadets would be whittled down even further, but had they started a cutback in advance??
—And Liev had a bad feeling; Lieutenant General Viktor raised his voice
”Head to the director's office!”
”Y-yes!”
Lieutenant General Viktor ser
Surrounding cadets unanimously called out to Liev
”What'd you do this time?”
”Finally de a spare huh…”
”Liev Stay healthy”
”Hold up, hold up! Don't drop me out of your own accord!”
Even though Liev brushed aside the grieving gazes, he was at a loss for an answer to ”Why were you called?”
”… anyways, I'll see you later”
Liev had been appointed as this year's cos; because of a certain incident in the summer, he was demoted to spare personnel Unless a er be able to be the ”first cosmonaut in human history”
”Still, I hope I could fly so is not to be the first in history It's getting to soar into the cosmos”
And, although it was good that Liev stayed positive and didn't get discouraged, the situation was intense
The Training Center, located within the city's develop; you couldn't feel any sense of space at all from its exterior
Liev anxiously proceeded through a corridor with a celestial globe on display and found himself before the chief's rooents] with long, black leather coats with National Preservation Co Liev's every movement
”… Alright”
Liev tightened his tie, knocked on the door, and stated his name
”Cadet Liev Lepus has come!”
The door slowly opened—cigar smoke streamed out
”How discourteous!”
Liev eyed everyone as expecting him inside; about two to three steps into the rooent] shut the door firulped
Next to Lieutenant General Viktor was aa white coat with a thin physique—Mr Mozhaysky, the head of bio, black hair that had been combed down and a pointed handlebar mustache He was a doctor that frequently experis into space
In the middle of the room, aout purple srey, swept back hair He was briy A firm body that was unexpected for a civil officer and thick skin that covered his hand was a sign that he has endured harsh labor in the es
Korovin shot an intense glint, like that of a bear, at Liev as if he were his prey
”It's been half a year, on(Zilant[2])”
”Yes, comrade Chief”
An unpleasant drop of sweat ran down the back of Liev's neck Although Korovin was the se aura
”As you are aware, we have beenproducts to help fulfill the (Miechita) dream and quickly advance the develop necessary to be successful at huer-eating assholes down to size!”
Korovin said imperiously Just the other day, due to the first Mars probe launch ending in failure, he ently ordered to succeed by First Secretary Gergiev Liev thought this to himself and silently listened to the story
”The plan can be successful, however, there is one ravity of space has not been verified Isn't that so, Dr Mozhaysky?”
Dr Mozhaysky twirled his mustache as he spoke
”Numerous plants and anis that were launched also returned safely, although, there were a few abnor Via telees, however, it's unreasonable to conclude that humans can be equally treated as the same”
Korovin stubbed out his cigar and stood straight up
”Under these circuovern the launch of a lobally through national broadcasting”
”Eh…?”
Liev couldn't believe what he was hearing
Up until now, the republic's government held the notion of ”There is no failure allohen it comes to space exploration”, and, as a result, only cases of success have been announced One previously failed mars exploration case was secretly dealt with behind closed doors without appearing at the table
In other words, it was an unusual exception for disclosure during an experiment
While Liev was lost in thought, Lieutenant General Viktor spoke
”If the live broadcast is successful, it will be a blow to the United Kingdoainst”
Korovin tightly balled and raised his fist
”We seek a one hundred percent success rate! The should be no i the return, and after the return! But, however, no-one has ever been out into space until now, so how can we verify that it is sufficiently safe?”
There were far too many uncertainties
Hoould space iions of the human brain and body?
Do hu from altitude?
Could one's spirit withstand ”seeing the earth”?
Would one behave abnor faced with death adjoined by dread?
If you returned safely, would any serious prognostic symptoms come up?
There were various issues with no answers surging through the exploration site
Korovin made a sour expression
”If the crew ely on the live broadcast and died, ould be blalobe Even I am extremely reluctant”
Dr Mozhaysky suddenly addressed Liev with a grand and overwhel question
”Mr Liev Would you think of using s for these experiments?”
”Eh, Ah… Yes”
A
On the contrary, though, Dr Mozhaysky discontentedly twiddled his mustache
”It's no good Monkeys were placed aboard acabin, then the switch and sensor which were installed were destroyed and torn out In co, which is cute and obedient, they were crafty and cunning, full of vihts There was also the issue of being unable to coe”
Korovin jested in an exaggerated tone
”It'd be a different story if the monkeys were influenced by cosmic rays and suddenly evolved into humans! Look, comrades! The first birth of an alien in history!”
It was a dicey joke; everyone forced asmile and went ”Haha…”
Though, Liev still did not know as to why he had been su to the conversation
The at
No way, is he going to secretly substitute me with a monkey?
The world would launch a false mannequin…
Did Korovin guess Liev's inner thoughts? He suddenly turned his body towards Liev and looked straight at him
”Comrade Liev Lepus”
”Sir…!”
Liev prepared himself
Korovin took a small pause, then spoke
”Do you know of bloodsuckers(Nosferatu)?”
Toward the unexpected question, Liev blinked in disbelief
”… I'm sorry, what now…?”
”The Bloodsuckers(Nosferatu)”
”… Ah, yes The fabled extraordinary bloodsuckers… or the bloodsucking races which dwelled in reions of the country of Lilith[3]…”
”Yes I' of the latter”
Lilith was a neighboring country west of the republic which had been invaded by an ene the Great War A bloodsucker(Nosferatu) clan, which lived in the quiet recesses of the overnment's ”Control Policy” due to its citizens which had a deeply ingrained idea that they had a ”Cursed Seed”
It was this reason why raphs either; Liev was the sa clans were grotesque ave the impression that they were ”fierce ht”
However
Liev cocked his head, racking his brain
Why did he start to talk about the bloodsuckers(Nosferatu)?
Being asked a question which was unrelated to space caused Liev to grow even more confused
”Listen carefully”
Korovin coughed, clearing his throat
”Fro to keep what I'm about to inform you of confidential”
”Y-yes sir……!” Liev's heart hammered
Lieutenant General Victor and Dr Mozhaysky completely turned their eyes to Liev
And, to break the unpleasant silence, Korovin spoke in a low and severe tone
”Prior to launching huher-ups decided to do an experiment, the ”Nosferatu Project”, to send bloodsuckers(Nosferatu) into space
”…… Eh?”
✦✦✦
”The mission code is 'N44' ”
”… Y-yes…”
Liev blankly stared as Dr Mozhaysky gave a lengthy explanation at a level which exceeded his ability to understand
”Compared to monkeys, Nosferatu are , to huical structure, but tests reveal that their blood has sie human They are a suitable replacement for these experiments However, since they are not taxonoory as humans, even if they were launched into space it wouldn't be recognized as 'a milestone for mankind'”
Lieutenant-General Viktor nodded his head deeply
”The first for ht to be from our motherland”
Dr Mozhaysky tautly pulled on his mustache
”The experiment will be ready for launch within two months The contents of the experis' Verification of the safety of the boarding cabin, the ravity, and investigating any abnormalities upon return”
Liev finally caught up and understood Long story short,the Nosferatu as substitutes
No matter how you put it, Liev felt that it was inhumane, but he couldn't comment on the decisions of the country
Korovin turned and faced Liev
”You will now be informed of your mission”
”Yes”
”I want you toit in its training… a er, so to speak”
”Ehh, er…?”
At the astounding proposal, Liev's eyes blinked with excitement Several questions came to mind, but his most primary concern was the reason as to why he was selected
”Chief, may I speak…?”
”Perranted”
”Why was I nominated…?”
”You don't need to know It has already been decided”
”Forgive me”
Liev felt re Korovin for his reasoning
”To succeed in code 'N44' is the sa the 'Miechita Project'… ae?”
Indecisively, Liev cast his gaze doards Keeping watch over test subjects was not a task given to cadets He wondered if he was being given this duty out of pity for his job as a spare Or, did all of the technical officials refuse to take over?
There was also the fear of Nosferatu in the rear of his ht away
Liev, as courageous, passed with flying colors, and knew no fear, was the kind of person that wasn't good withhis childhood, he was scared by his parents countless tiree
However-
Now, in his position as a spare, if he were to refuse, then he would be labeled as a disqualified cadet later on On the contrary, if he were to be stripped of his qualifications as a pilot, then his path to space would be cut off forever
He wanted to avoid that
Liev lifted his gaze, catching Korovin's gaze right in front of him
”If you do not mind, it would be my pleasure to serve”
The corners of Korovin's mouth rose with satisfaction
”I a the launch to Lieutenant-General Victor and Dr Mozhaysky You are to follow their orders”
”Acknowledged!”
Lieutenant-General Victor slapped Liev's back in response
”I will inform all of the cadets”
With the co a spare and this Nosferatu situation, his position aly complicated Liev broke out in a cold sweat internally
”Now, Liev I think that you already understand, but the test subject needs to be treated as an 'object' Now is especially not a time to be conceited”
”Yes!”
Unease rose in Liev's chest as he wondered if he would have to deal with those terrifying monsters in a manner like that
”Well then, Liev, come with me”
Dr Mozhaysky bowed to Korovin then briskly made his way to the door
Liev bowed to Korovin and tried to exit the room, but was stopped, however, when Korovin called out, ”One last thing”
”To be selected as a cosht now, as a spare, is currently zero”
”Yes…”
Though he already knew that, it was tough to be told so
”—Yet, I have great expectations from you in the future”
”Eh…?”
Korovin estive smile
”Go, my Zilant”
”Yes, Sir!”
Liev stood at attention again, then bowed for the second ti reinstated as a cadet
✦✦✦
Part 2
As the hue of the sky changed and the afternoon turned to dusk, Liev walked with Dr Mozhaysky through the red-pine forest behind the training center Eventually, Liev's nose becaiven off, and finally arrived at a quaint, hospital-like building
”This is the innermost facility for the experiment”
It was a separate biological research institution from the animal development and experimentation facility There were a lot of facilities in the city that the cadets were not allowed to enter—this was one of them
Dr Mozhaysky presented his identification card to the guard stationed at the entrance, which was surrounded by a steel fence
Liev entered the building, nervously wondering about being experimented on himself
In the hallway the walls were covered with linoleu like a fat serpent The ventilation was poor and the air was dense Fro's barks could be heard
Coloomy atmosphere
Feeling unco through the section where the anional room
Each and every wall had a series of Roman numerals from 'I' to 'V' over thick iron doors; in the center stood a small cubicle with a note which read ”Guard Office” attached to it
Witnessing such a bizarre sight, a shi+ver went down Liev's spine
”What exactly is this place…?”
”They are cells for hus”
Replied Dr Mozhaysky forthrightly
”N-no way, you're doing human experimentation…!?”
”No These were made just in case the occasion ever came up, but they have never been used The subject of this experiment is the first one ever to use one”
Though he'd suspected it, Liev shuddered at the thought of such a facility existing Suddenly, a densely covered fuzzy object euard office
”Huh!?”
Is that perhaps an escaped beast, or maybe a Nosferatu?
Liev readied hiirl in a fur coat
The girl, as small and probably a head shorter than Liev, looked towards Dr Mozhaysky with a bright expression
”Sir!”
”Did anything unusual occur?”
”Sir, it has been peaceful!”
When the girl saw Liev, she immediately bowed
”Pleased to meet you!”