Sergio wanted to know more about what she had heard, but worried that asking about it might bring her to tears again. He wondered if her being able to hear such things was some leftover side effect from the encounter with the anomaly, when she had heard music and saw her father, and supposedly Sacco as well. Had it bestowed some kind of special gift unto her? Khan had mentioned that it ‘took a liking to her,’ could that be what he had actually meant? Sergio had never taken notice of this kind of meditation before, although it had also been a practice that Khan had talked about vaguely. Could one simply close their eyes and connect to some higher level of consciousness? A level which spoke unknowable things to you and gave advice on which tunnels were dangerous or safe? He intended to try it for himself at a later time; perhaps Marco would be willing to show him how.
Chapter 21: Thread Cutter
“You know, I’ve been thinking about something and meant to ask you earlier.” Sergio said as they exited the lift at the lowest level.
Marco turned her head towards him, her eyes showing concern.
“Well, when I agreed to leave Venice with Nikolai – he had promised me some books as payment.” Sergio grinned lopsidedly, hoping his gesture would lift her spirits.
“Oh?” Marco said with surprise, seemingly relieved that it was an innocent question on a completely different subject than the depressing one they had just been speaking of. “I’m sorry; I didn’t know anything about that.”
“It’s okay, I don’t really mind. I guess I forgot all about it when I saw you standing there.” Sergio recalled the image of their first meeting; her imposing figure being revealed to him like a performer from behind a stage curtain. She was his true prize, and having met her was payment enough for walking to Avtozavodskaya with Nikolai and Dmitri.
“I have an old book I could give you, if you want. I don’t know if you would like it or not.” Marco grabbed at her other arm awkwardly and stared at the floor. “It’s a copy of Ivan Turgenev’s most famous novel.”
“Maybe I will borrow it, and give it back to you when I’m done.” He tried to come up with any excuse he could to see her again at later dates. “Even if you go back to Avtozavodskaya, I’ll bring it to you there.”
“If I go back…” She mused aloud, still appearing as if she were caught between this plane and the ethereal one. “I don’t know what I’ll do yet.”
“So, you are going to stay?” Sergio said hopefully, and stopped just outside of the armory doors.
“You’ve been listening to everyone talk.” Marco dropped her head, and then looked straight up at him. “Vera wants to test me. Sacco wanted me to join the Order, but I told him… I can’t just leave my home, my people. And without him here it’s just… so empty.”
Sergio couldn’t quite tell if she was referring to D6 or to life itself but he listened to her anxiously, his heart pounding as he waited for her final decision. It’s not that he couldn’t agree with her reasoning, it’s just that he really wanted her to stay. What would Nikolai say if she returned to Avtozavodskaya without an escort? What would Sacco say if she were not protected, if his final wish was never realized? He could almost see the Hunter’s stern face looming over him, and shuddered at the thought.
“I told you about my true mission. I don’t want to be stuck living under this dead city forever, and now that D6 has been discovered, there will surely be more conflict. What difference will it make if I am in one station or another? Now that Sacco is—” Marco bit her lower lip hard, not able to finish the sentence.
“I know but…” Sergio took in a breath, trying to slow his heartbeat and focus on making his words come out right this time. “I wish you would stay.”
Marco had begun to reach out to him and say something, but just then the doors to the armory slid open and Maro came stumbling out. He had a large crate in his arms; apparently he had become part of the crew that was moving things around upstairs.
“Woah! Sorry to interrupt you kids.” Maro laughed and kept walking away as he talked to them, trying to press the button for the lift with his elbow. “Vera is waiting for you, Sergio.”
“Yes sir.” Sergio parroted flatly, not even turning his head to answer his partner who at the moment only annoyed him. It had not been the proper moment for humor, orders, or disruption.
“I haven’t told Vera anything about Emerald City; I don’t think it’s the right time, yet. And with so many silly stories going around about it, I don’t want him to get the wrong idea about me.” Marco continued as if the thirty seconds of Maro walking by hadn’t even occurred. “For now, I’m keeping my promise to Sacco as best as I can.”
“I didn’t mention it to him, either.” Sergio finally caught her gaze as he revealed his loyalty.
“Then my trust in you was well-placed.” She smiled back at him weakly and then turned to go inside.
The armory proved to be surprisingly deserted, even though Maro had just come out with a box at the worst possible moment. Looking around, there was only Vera speaking with Vladimir who was standing behind a workbench along the right wall. Vladimir had been severely wounded during their search for D6 and had since taken up a stationary role in the armory, helping to outfit Hunters for each mission, repair weaponry, and manufacture ammunition from the spent cartridges. A stack of several more crates was piled in the left corner by the door, and Sergio wondered if Maro would be coming back soon.
“Sergio, you’re just in time.” Vera turned as he had heard footsteps inside the door. “Ah, Marco you’re here too. I’ve been considering where to send you for your trial. I spoke with Anna.” He said ominously.
“I’m sorry—” Marco began solemnly, but Vera cut her off. Sergio wondered what she was trying to apologize for.
“She isn’t the easiest to get along with.” The Colonel admitted reluctantly. “But I have had some trouble deciding who else to send you with. Although I understand your desire is to become a Stalker, Katya and Tatiana are unqualified for the type of assignment I have in mind.”
“Send me.” Sergio took in a deep breath and puffed up his chest as convincingly as he could. Ordinarily he would find himself wondering why he had spoken without thinking, but on the inside he knew exactly what the reason was – his mind just wouldn’t form the exact words for him.
The shocked look on Vera’s bearded face subsided into deep contemplation. Marco glanced back and forth between both of them, trying to understand why Sergio had volunteered and why Vera seemed to be considering it.
“Hrm, I will give it some thought.” He grumbled, putting a clenched fist to his chin pensively before reaching into his pocket for something. “Bring Marco to the storage room and take this key. Sacco’s things are with my own gear.”
Saying nothing more, for fear that the commander begin to change his attitude, Sergio took the key from the stalker’s massive palm and turned in the direction of the storage lockers. But Marco had lingered and so he stopped just within the frame of the corridor, he was out of the way, but still within earshot.
“Has anyone even gone looking for him?” Marco said quietly, as if trying to keep the conversation between herself and the Colonel. Vera seemed to understand just what she was talking about.
“I’ve been sending out reconnaissance teams in shifts every day, combing the area from Prospekt Mira to Sviblovo. We’ve even gone back to keeping a watch at Medvedkovo. Any leads or tips we get from inside the Subway are dealt with by telephone and radio with local officials.” Vera reported flatly, but then softened and put both his hands on her shoulders, having to lean down to reach them. “I want to find him just as badly as you do. Sacco was my closest comrade, my most trusted friend, my best soldier – but the situation doesn’t look good, and there’s been no trace of him, so far.”