reports that Ranierov was released. He was held for two days and then released. In view of the fact that they found the real traitor. Grisha Listov.

Gora remembered the name perfectly well, and how he deliberately did not look at it, checking the lists of those who had escaped and comparing them with those who had stayed at the mine. Surrendering didn't suit him for two reasons: first, he was from the same soma as Maria, and if they found her, then with one traitor already in the same soma, they could obviously mistake her for a traitor as well. Of course, the chances that she was still alive and that she would come to them were slim, but even the slightest chance of that did not satisfy Horus. And secondly, it was not at all favorable to the prefect that the real informant in Squad 14 would stop snitching right now, when he could have such complications with the Maquis. Still, he didn't need a strong Squad 14 right now, and it was not a good idea to help him. The outcome was disappointing: somehow the Maquis had found out about the real traitor themselves, and knowingly or unknowingly denouncing an innocent man would obviously tarnish Gora's reputation. On the other hand, time had been gained, and the Maquis were no longer near Deez's sector, and that was the tactical objective.

However, the prefect was very unhappy. With himself. It was not the time to win tactical challenges when there were strategic ones. And strategically, the Maquis would only get unnecessary suspicions, if they hadn't already. And in the short term, there are no mechanisms to fix it.

— Any more bad news? — The prefect asked.

— The Inquisitors, including their battle drills, left the sector by surface. There's no definitive data on which way they went… Analysis of the railroad tracks indicates that the movement was back towards the Krito sector, but I wouldn't rely on that. There's a detour, and it's likely we'll see them somewhere near us soon….

— It is logical to think so… If I were them, I would not stop halfway, and even with such successes… And what interests me most of all is another point — they must be sure that the BCC will not forgive them… So what are they trying to achieve?

— I have no doubt, Mr. Prefect, that their plans are more than ambitious. And they are not made from nothing… Remember that plague I recruited?

— Shinhra.

— Yes, Shinhra… I did promise him protection from the Inquisition. Protection from everyone, especially the BCC. And it worked… How afraid of the Inquisition are they that they're willing to snitch on the CCC… I think that's just the tip of the iceberg. The Inquisition is far more dangerous than the CCC or the Imperial Army. The plagues themselves are afraid of it. And I think we have to be especially careful with them… — You're right. You're right.

— One last piece of news, Mr. Prefect.

Gora looked more closely into his eyes, and saw something unexpected in them. Apparently, this news Tikhomirov did not really want to give out, but assumed that it was obligatory.

— Go ahead.

— Mr. Prefect… Looks like we didn't just let the man who was going to kill you pass….

Such things can't be surprising when you're gaining power, and at such a rate. He'd thought of it himself, which was why he'd had a personal guard right out front and under the control of the person he trusted most six months ago. It's even natural, because there will be plenty of applicants for your place, especially secretive ones. But when it comes down to it, it's not what you'd expect.

— Speak more…

— He said he was coming from the Maquis… That immediately aroused suspicion. They rarely send anyone, usually just notes. But this one just showed up. Somehow he got past the hivy checkpoints, then up the stairs. They stopped him at the bottom of the stairs. He said, "I'm here to see the Mountain." He was examined, of course, and they reported him to me. And while I was getting there, there was an explosion. Those who were standing farther away said they found something there, they started asking questions, and then he clicked something… I have no doubt why he was coming here. That this "case" was definitely personal… But there's no indication of whose he really was.

— So you've decided it's not from the Maquis?

— It's possible. There's also this information that they've released Ranierov… But it doesn't seem like a good time. It doesn't add up… I wouldn't do that if I were them, even if I wanted to… There are many fugitives among their contingent, including those from our mines. Not many relatives left, but plenty of friends and acquaintances. Who knows what they think, but most of them want us as friends, not enemies. And making assassination attempts like this… And what will they say to their own people that the plague did it? Who would believe such a thing… In short, logical in a way, but not in time. It's not like them. Of course, there are guys of ramming type, but those who are smarter should be more cunning… They would rather shit us with something, so that the plagues really lynched us themselves… And to kill. To kill is, rather, to kill the plague administration… But their chief is Zubkov now. They say he's as cunning as a fox. He doesn't act directly… In short, nothing points to the Maquis.

Gora shook his head affirmatively. He was thinking exactly the same thing. That it could have happened, but it wasn't the time for it yet. And that if they wanted to hurt him, they would destroy the infrastructure, not him. Especially since, truth be told, someone else from the miners could nominally replace him, and it wouldn't make any difference. For them.

And if it's not the Maquis, it's the