Chapter 15
Anna sat in the flat on the chair, looking out of the window and watching the snow gently fall on top of her yellow van. She was smiling absently, remembering with satisfaction the expression on Ignat's face every time he saw her with Semyon. The handsome Russian was surprised that a woman as young as 21 would feel an attraction for a man with the human appearance of 40. But what Ignat couldn't see was Semyon's pleasant face, his loyal attitude, his gentle nature and his loving smile. And he also had no idea of the side of Semyon that Anna now knew; his domestic side.
She came out of thought when she saw the light from headlamps appear besides her van. Semyon's yellow truck arrived soon after and came to a halt next to her's, the engine stopping and the lights switching off. Anna smiled warmly as Semyon got out of his van, walked through the snow and went out of sight into the flat block. There was something very warm and comforting about Semyon's presence and it made her feel wanted. She moved away from the window and leaned against the back of the sofa, waiting for her lover to return. Eventually, the van driver came into the living room and turned the main light on, walking over to Anna.
"You did wait then," he noted, smiling.
"Of course I did," Anna replied.
"You promised me something."
"Hmm, don't forget do you?"
She smiled and went up to him, slipping her arms about his shoulders and drawing herself in closer to him. She kissed him, stroking his stubble as she did so and beginning to unfasten his Gorsvet jacket. Semyon laughed and pushed her away.
"I didn't mean that!" he explained.
"You didn't?" She sounded a little surprised, even disappointed.
"No. You promised me to have a spin in your flying van."
"Oh yes! Now I remember."
"We can do that later."
She smirked. "Fly first, eh?"
"That's what I had planned."
"Then it's right this way."
Smiling, Anna fastened Semyon's jacket back up, he reaching forwards and taking her jacket off the back of the sofa. He helped her into it, smirking at her before slipping his hand into her back trouser pocket and taking out the keys to her van. They walked out together, the cold blast of the biting Russian air hitting them hard across the car park. They climbed into the flying van, Semyon getting into the driver's seat and Anna sitting in the passenger seat.
"So what are the controls?" he asked.
"The same as in an ordinary van," Anna replied.
"Where do I start?"
"Drive into that open space."
Semyon started up the engines and drove off into the clearing that Anna had indicated to. He left the engine running, the petrol fumes warming the air behind the van as he turned to Anna.
"That's the morph button," she began. "When you push that, all the flying gear comes out and the wheel sticks out a little bit. Don't worry; it's not enough to make your stomach uncomfortable. Then you use the wheel and the gears like normal, but you can pull the wheel towards you to pitch up and take off, and push it away from you to pitch down and land."
"Sounds simple."
"Jerking the wheel hard to the left and right make the van bank over."
"Hmm, so I could roll it over like a MiG jet?"
Anna smiled. "Exactly like a MiG jet, Semyon."
"I bet it won't take long to learn."
"I didn't think you had advanced learning techniques?"
"Not in the way you do, no. However, I am a top level Magician remember?"
He smiled and winked at her, pushing the morph button and transforming the van into the flying van. Semyon turned it round and bombed down the car park, reaching a fast velocity before taking off into the air. Anna sat back and relaxed, watching as Semyon worked his magical driving expertise on her van. It was as if he had driven it for all of his life; much like he had done with ordinary trucks. His control over the vehicle was supreme, not unconfident due to lack of experience. Although flying the van was similar to driving it on the road, there were subtle differences that forced the driver to alter their skills. Semyon had perfected it wonderfully.
Anna looked out of the window, watching in amazement as he drove them high into the sky above the clouds. As the driver, she'd never really managed to get a good look at the astounding view of Moscow below. They passed alongside an Aeroflot plane, its destination Sheremetyevo 2 and its origin possibly Vladivostok in the Russian Far East. Anna waved to the passengers that looked out and saw them, leaning back into her seat and laughing.
"We'll have Day Watch onto us," Semyon noted.
"No," Anna noted. "They'll take it as jet lag."
"Who?"
"The passengers."
"I see! I thought you meant the Day Watch."
They laughed together, Semyon banking the truck down and passing back through the clouds. They flew around the top of the state Duma, sincerely hoping that no one was photographing it tonight or they'd get a shock. He swooped in low to trail the wheels into the Moscow River, cracking the ice but not quite reaching the water below. Semyon pulled them back up and took them home again, bringing the van in for a soft landing. He morphed it back into the ordinary van, parking it alongside his own and turning off the engine. Smiling, Semyon turned to face her.
"Easy," he noted with a shrug.
"Show off," Anna grumbled.
"One of my many charms."
He winked at her again.
"And your other promise?" he queried.
"Still not forgotten?" asked Anna, smirking.
"Never in a million years."
They got out of the van together, Anna drawing herself closer to Semyon's side as they approached the concrete flat block. They entered the building and got into the lift, climbing up to the stop and walking into their flat. They left their jackets on the back of the sofa before entering the bedroom, shutting the door behind them. However, Anna remembered something as Semyon reached for her.
"What did Vyacheslav say?" she asked.
"Not much," Semyon replied, nonplussed.
"He said he wanted to speak to Geser."
"Oh yes, about your father! I don't know, the boss sent me home."
"Did he say why?"
"I guess it was private."
Anna paused. "Maybe."
"I'll ask Slava in the morning."
Taking that as a sign to get on to other things, Anna didn't reply to that, but responded to Semyon's affections.
---
Back at the Gorsvet Headquarters, Vyacheslav and the boss were still talking about what had happened tonight. Geser had taken note of what Semyon had said about Yuri and he now needed to hear the hypothesis that Vyacheslav had formulated, along with his other evidence. As a psychic, Geser knew that his opinions were very accurate, and he was always good at finding the hidden information in any investigation.
"You had more news for me?" asked Geser.
"Yes," Vyacheslav replied.
"Can you trust it enough?"
"It was a little out of focus."
"Hmm. Still, let's hear it."
"I caught two brain wave patterns tonight that were wondering about elsewhere. They were of Nadya, the Dark Seer and Zavulon himself. They were not at the car park, but they were heading to where Vsevolod's flat was.
"Did you catch why?"
"Not to visit him."
"Anything else?"
"They went out of range quite quickly, possibly because Nadya detected me; I wasn't able to catch all of what they said because of that. But I got the impression that Zavulon wanted to try and get Nadya to listen out for Vsevolod. Now, if the Day Watch are assigning a Seer to Vsevolod, they could easily fool the Inquisition into believing it's for protection. I on the other hand, believe there are different motives involved."
"That's a solid theory."
"But a dangerous one."
"The Inquisition won't like to be fooled.
"Except I don't want to bring it up in case they then start getting confused and believe we are the ones doing the fooling. I know that's happened before, and I'd end up getting punished for doing the right thing… like many of us."
He glanced at the owl in the cupboard.
"It's too ambitious," he added.
"I understand completely," Geser replied.
"I'd like to investigate it."
"You are welcome to."
"Of course, I have to take into account the possibility that Zavulon is only looking out for Vsevolod's safety, with the Truce and all, and the agreement between the Light and Dark about his freedom. However, as Zavulon's enemy and an officer of the Light, I also have to think that he is trying something else."
"I'm sure the Inquisition will take that fairly."
"Do you think we should check out Nadya?"
"Don't worry, I'll send out Ignat."
"Is that wise? She'll see straight through him."
"I know, but you know how Ignat loves a pretty face."
"Nadya's like a… err…a dark version of Tiger Cub; a hard woman to break and very much a tomboy. There is no way that Ignat would be able to seduce a Seer, especially one as good and emotionless as her."
"I'll send him anyway."
"Is he getting board?"
"I think so."
"I'm sure Semyon will find his defeat amusing."
"And not just Semyon, I imagine."
"Naturally!"
Geser smiled. "Good night, Vyacheslav."
"Thank you, I could do with one."
Vyacheslav went to leave, but the boss called him back for one last word.
"Just something before you go," he began.
"Something forgotten sir?" queried the psychic.
"No, just something I believe you may have overlooked in my reasons for sending Ignat to investigate Nadya. I'm aware that if you follow Ignat's thoughts and listen in on his conversations, you might find what you're looking for."
Geser was normally like this; he never stated the obvious, but this time Vyacheslav knew what he meant.
"I see!" he laughed.
"I thought you might."
The boss sat back down at his desk.
"See you in the morning."
---
By the morning, Semyon and Anna arrived into work at the Gorsvet Headquarters, both still feeling the bliss from last night. Anna couldn't help feeling a little jealous that Semyon could fly her van better than she could, but at least he had a sense of ownership and knew it was not his vehicle. That was satisfying enough. Even more satisfying was Semyon being able to prove that his talents were not just in fighting for the Night Watch. However, what even managed to top that was the state in which Ignat walked in. Clearly he must have been feeling down about something because all of his shirt buttons were done right up to the collar.
"Why so glum Ignat?" asked Semyon with false concern.
"My latest job," Ignat grumbled.
"Did it fail then?"
"The boss sent me after Nadya."
"The Day Watch's best Seer?"
"Who else."
"I bet you went down well."
"She saw straight through me before I even started to talk to her, never mind flirt with her. She sat there and watched me, listening to me and waiting for me to work my magic. The instant I tried, she used a repulsion defence and shot me straight through a brick wall."
"Painful?"
"Very."
Ignat staggered off down the corridor, Semyon saving his laughter until he was out of earshot. Bear came up from behind, placing his Tiger Cub free hand on his comrade's shoulder.
"Every time you see him, mention bricks!" he noted.
"For the rest of his existence, comrade!" Semyon added.
They laughed, exiting the Gorsvet building at the back and standing under a shelter, its roof covered with snow. Semyon took out a pack of Red Square cigarettes, lighting up and leaning against the wall. Bear, Tiger Cub and Anna took one from him in turn, the two Shape Shifters surprised that the young Magician actually smoked.
"When did you take that up?" asked Tiger Cub.
"Semyon introduced me," Anna replied.
"Do you like to smoke then?"
"Where's the harm? Semyon taught me this nice little trick where you can remove all the tar from your lungs and freshen your breath up. He's also taught me how to remove alcohol toxins from your body, so I've no need to get drunk now."
Bear and Tiger Cub glanced at Semyon.
He shrugged. "She's under my tuition."
"What about Stingray?" Bear asked.
"He finished training a few years ago, remember."
Anna glanced at her partner. "Stingray?"
"Also known as Lev Mikhailovich Tupolev. He's at the Moscow State University studying physics with a few friends, but he is also a young Magician. Geser dumped him on me for reasons he will tell you if he wants to; it's very personal. He was 14 when I began training him and he finished at 19. He's not all that confident, but he's learnt a few things and it took him a while. He's nothing that special like some, but trust me, he's such a polite young lad. Loves to study, never be seen dead in a club, doesn't want a girl friend, you know the type."
"Very keen," Bear added. "Great with energy auras, too."
"Sounds a bit like me pre-Semyon," Anna noted.
"You'd get on with him well," Tiger Cub said with a smile.
"Does he work for the Night Watch?"
"His place is reserved when he's finished his course in 2 years," Semyon replied.
"Does he really need to carry on there?"
"Of course not, but he loves to learn. So we let him."
"I trust Ignat returned home?" asked a voice.
The four of them watched as a woman appeared in front of them out of the Gloom. She was rather pretty, slightly stocky and not a trace of a smile on her pale face. Her dark hair was cut short, she wore narrow, square framed glasses and was built rather like a javelin thrower. She was dressed in a long black skirt down to her Caterpillar boots, a baggy KGB T-shirt and a long red coat trimmed with black Cossack's furs.
"You could say that," Tiger Cub replied with a smirk.
"Good. Tell him I fixed the wall," the Cossack woman replied.
"Certainly Nadya."
"Thanks Lena."
"No, we need to thank you!" Bear added.
"I am ware that Ignat is not popular in your domain of the Night Watch."
"Your statement is correct."
"Why not remoralise him?"
"He resists," Semyon replied. "I've tried."
Nadya shook her head. "What came over your boss?"
"What do you mean?"
"He knew Ignat would fail."
"He had his reasons," cut in another voice.
Vyacheslav joined them outside in his favourite long leather coat, screwing the cap back on his Soviet Army flask. Anton came in behind him, rubbing his tired eyes and suppressing a massive yawn that may have been enough to blow away a metre high black vortex.
"Mr. Berezkev," Nadya greeted, flatly.
"Why are you here?" asked Vyacheslav.
"A warning to keep Ignat away from me."
"Yes, he didn't look too good when I saw him."
"Surely Boris Ignatovich knows he'll have no effect on me like so many weak minded girls."
"Believe it or not, that was not his intention."
Nadya's eyes flashed dangerously.
"He was a trap," Vyacheslav continued. "I had tapped into Ignat and used him to figure out what Zavulon sent you to do last night. You went to tap into Vsevolod, didn't you? Why?"
A small smirk touched Nadya's emotionless features.
"Clever Vyacheslav," she noted, slyly.
"What was your purpose there?" Vyacheslav asked.
She sighed and closed her eyes, peering into the Gloom to give the message Zavulon had given to her.
"An agreement was signed between the Lord of Light and the General of Darkness," she began. "Vsevolod was to be de-initiated from the Day Watch and to remain a Dark Other living and working alone. The agreement stands that he may not be troubled by either side; he is to be guided to pursue a regain in humanity by the Night Watch, but observed by the Day Watch to make sure he cannot switch sides."
She opened her eyes again.
"I am acting under the Truce."
"Clearly you are," Vyacheslav replied. "My apologies."
"Light Others, you will do well to stay out of my business."
"But Vsevolod is my father," Anna protested.
"And he shall not be harmed by me."
Nadya observed Anna respectfully.
"I am not licensed for that," she added.
"Indeed not," Semyon replied. "I licensed the Nadya the Dark Seer to look out for protected and young Dark Others. And also to make sure that no uninitiated Other is forced to turn either way. As for her other purpose, that is also to make sure no Dark Others acts outside the Truce."
"I respect your choice Anna," Nadya told her.
"Sadly your boss doesn't," Semyon pointed out.
"My boss resents Vsevolod's decision, yes."
"Anna has now become a very powerful Light Magician."
"Any Seer can respect that."
"Your friend Alisa doesn't either."
Nadya's expression turned sour.
"Friend is a strong word, Semyon Pavlovich," she said acidly.
"Indeed it is."
"My time here is up."
"I'll tell Ignat about the wall," Tiger Cub added.
"Do not forgot to Tiger Cub."
Nadya bowed her head politely and vanished into the Gloom, no doubt returning to her ground floor apartment in central Moscow. Vyacheslav sighed and leaned against the wall, steeling a cigarette from Semyon. Anna wasn't sure, but she got the slight impression that Vyacheslav's relationship with the Dark Seer Nadya wasn't always just professional. Perhaps Semyon would know.
"She's a Dark Other?" Anna queried instead.
"Difficult to believe isn't it?" Vyacheslav replied.
"Why is she so different?"
"Nadya's been around for 300 years now and she has seen many visions in her not so happy life. But do not make the mistake to believe her visions have softened her; it's quite the opposite. She hates the corruption in life and having worked hard for her beloved KGB, she finds that there needs to be a person to keep order. So she came willingly to our boss and got a licence off Semyon to make sure not Other is forced to good or evil."
"You know a lot about her."
"Her story is… interesting."
Semyon nudged Anna, his expression saying it all.
"She's so polite as well," Anna added.
"She's very strict with the Truce," Tiger Cub replied.
"That I can see."
"If it weren't for her, two thirds of Others on this planet would be dark, and that may include my former pupil Stingray," Semyon noted. "Zavulon has a tendency to try and cheat the rules, bending them his way a little; nothing he admits of course, but Geser knows the truth."
"Can we trust her?" Anna asked.
"Of course, no reason why not."
"I mean about what she said about Vsevolod."
"Oh I have no reason to doubt she'd telling the truth," Vyacheslav cut in. "I imagine that Nadya has every intention on looking out for Vsevolod to make sure we don't turn him to the Light, or the Dark don't hurt him. But I imagine also that was what Zavulon led her to believe she was doing. Only three known Magicians have fooled her; Geser, Zavulon and Semyon."
"Certainly not Ignat," Bear laughed.
"He's too vulnerable."
"But what about Vsevolod?" Anna asked.
"Nadya will look out for him and feed Zavulon with any information he desires. As for what he wants with Vsevolod, I have no idea. But we're all keeping an eye out for him, especially Anton and me. Geser is also on his guard."
They were soon interrupted as Anatoly rushed in.
"Geser needs to see you all!" he exclaimed.
"What is it?" Anton asked.
"Something's come up; he has Ignat and Stingray with him."
"Lev?" Semyon queried.
"Yeah; it's really urgent!"
Looking amongst each other, the six of them left with Anatoly back inside the Gorsvet building after putting out their cigarettes in the snow. They climbed up a small flight of stairs and down the narrow passageway into the analytical department, feeling the cool air conditioning used to keep the computers at a healthy operating temperature.
"They're here boss," Anatoly noted.
Geser turned to face the team, Ignat and Stingray looking around from behind him. The young Stingray looked typical for a Russian student of his age; messy black hair, bits of stubble that stuck out longer than the rest, a slight case of acne, curious wide brown eyes and an absent smile.
"Stingray and Ignat are here to join you," Geser stated.
"Hello Semyon Pavlovich," Stingray greeted politely.
"Lev, what are you doing here?" Semyon asked.
"I've got a fortnight off; Boris Ignatovich called my tutor and managed to convince them to give the entire physics department a two week holiday. Apparently this little mission is good enough that we need all the field operatives we can get."
"I bet that pleased Kostya," Anton smirked.
"Hell yeah, you know what he's like!"
"What's all this about?" queried Bear.
"This old office block down here," Geser began.
He glanced over to Anatoly, who brought up the street map.
"We've got some of our operatives there at the moment overlooking things," the boss continued. "There are some Dark Others holding up there; the Vampire Boris, the Shape Shifters Wolf and Fox, and also the Shifting Magician Falcon."
"Hmm, Vladimir," Semyon noted. "Easy to handle."
"What are they doing there?" Vyacheslav asked.
Geser sighed. "They're holding Vsevolod Kepalenko hostage in the building, threatening to reinitiate him using Boris. That's a clever trick, seeing as Boris is licensed, but it's just his methods aren't very nice. The contract sighed for Vsevolod states clearly that he is not to be bothered by either side, so Zavulon must be using someone to keep us off our guard."
"Nadya."
"Quite."
"What do we do sir?" Anton asked.
"We first need to get inside; Vladimir was able to lock the door from within the Gloom, so we need people to get through using the Second Level. Semyon, that's what I'll need you to do."
"Yuri's been teaching Volodya a few tricks," Semyon noted.
"You know Vladimir?" asked Anna.
"Yeah; crap Magician, his best trick is to change into a falcon."
"Everyone's a crap Magician to you," Bear added.
"Can Anna use the Second Level?" Geser cut in.
"Not yet," Semyon replied. "But I can teach her."
"Excellent. I want this operation to run smoothly, so please no hiccups, especially you Anton. I don't want any injuries, and I certainly don't want anyone dead; on either side! Is that perfectly clear?"
"Yes sir," they noted simultaneously.
"But what do you need me for?" asked Ignat.
"In case Alisa shows up."
"I see."
Bear rolled his eyes skyward.
"Can you all get there?" Geser asked.
"We're a little tight for van space," Semyon stated.
"Not to worry," Tiger Cub cut in. "Bear and I can get there without a van, I have my own mode of transport. See you down there!"
Waving cheerfully and taking Bear's hand, Tiger Cub left the room in a hurry and practically leapt down the staircase. She was beginning to feel the excitement of a good mission, much like the rest of them.
"Good," Geser continued. "Now it's simple. Semyon, you can drive Anton and Vyacheslav. Anna, you can drive Stinger and Ignat, but be careful, don't take to the skies in broad daylight!"
"Why are the Dark Ones out then?" Anna queried. "In daylight?"
"Because it's the Day Watch who are doing this."
"I see, and they're active during the day."
"Yes, like Vsevolod is now; and us, unfortunately.
"I'll get the hang of all this soon."
"Don't worry," Stingray noted. "It took me years to figure it all out!"
