Soon the climb gradually stopped, but the path for our unlucky travelers did not get any easier - the next section of the road was clearly invented by the devil himself if you look at the fact that the path kept turning in different directions; in some places, the cave became so narrow that the couple could only crawl. However, thanks to such wonders of local nature, Katya was able to overcome moments of despair, focusing on not getting into the wrong place.
Neither Leo nor Katya knew where they were going - they were only driven by a longing to leave Hascosay. Besides, they are running out of supplies – another reason to leave this place before they die or stare at each other with predator's eyes. Anything to stay alive. Leo once wondered what he would do if the question arose between starving to death or killing a human, but the Order commander threw such thoughts away – he will never do anything like this and find another solution at any cost. Leo thought there should be a colony where they could get everything they needed. Somewhere on Hascosay.
After a while, the cave widened again and led the guys to another underground lake, but there were no luminous walls, so flashlights were their only source of light here. Finally, Leo said:
- The lake is quiet. I didn't even know there was water here. Stay on the shore and walk carefully.
His words make sense - the shore rested against the cave wall, making the path very narrow. Cautiously, meter by meter, Leo and Katya moved along the lake. The girl wanted to hold the guy's hand as he led them forward.
- Leo, are you sure we are surrounded by Nomads? I can’t remember they could ever settle planets, so what makes you think they are here?
- Maybe you don’t know, but the case already happened. Two years ago we knew Nomads settled on a planet in the remote Omicron system, but never could able to discover what the local hive would look like because of much more severe conditions, but believe me, Katya, Nomads have the capability to occupy planets and I would be surprised if they couldn’t do it, - Leo answered, trying to move carefully along the wall.
A little later he saw the edge of the lake in the light of both flashlights and rejoiced. What could go wrong? The answer is simple - Katya. Turning back, our girl didn't notice that her foot slipped over the edge of the trail and she squealed and fell into the water. When Leo heard a squeal and a splash of water, he cursed everyone in the world, threw down his backpack, and helped her out of the lake, where fortunately it was not too deep. Katya's clothes were soaked through, forcing them to make a halt, and she was shivering from the cold, but first, they had to walk quickly to the end of the lake, where there was already a wide coast.
- Take off your clothes, we need to dry them off. We're not going anywhere else today, - Leo said, quickly building a fire. They had one last cell left for this, but the guys had no other option. Katya looked at him with a mix of incomprehension and embarrassment, - What are you waiting for? Undress, I don't want you to get sick.
- Ok-kay… - she didn't know what to say or how to act, but the growing cold under the suit won out and Katya undressed, leaving only her underwear. - Sit closer to the fire and warm up, I'll take care of the rest, - trying not to look at the girl, he took off his outer garment and threw it over her shoulders to keep her warm and covered.
The flame burst into full force, giving them a saving light and warmth, and Katya stopped shivering from the cold. Meanwhile, Leo has set up an overnight placement for them, since the underground trip is hard for them. They could only hope that the exit to the surface was not far away, no matter what awaited them there. The girl lay down, trying to cover herself with what the pilot gave her, and carefully looked at him.
- I am sorry for what I have done, Leo, - she made an apology. - Do not worry about it, better try to sleep, - Leo answered, looking at the slightly smiling girl, who closed her eyes in mental fatigue.
Order agent stared into the cheerful playing flames of the fire, enjoying the spectacle and not thinking about anything else, and soon he did not understand how he fell asleep. And he did not see how the artifact lying on the backpack began to glow bright red.
This time their dream was much more conscious, and more surprisingly, the two of them were alone in the middle of it. In the middle of nowhere, trapped in a thick purple fog. “Am I dreaming? Where am I?”
“Leo, why the hell can I see you in my dream?”
“I can ask you the same, Katya”
They stood here in their usual clothes in the midst of a flurry of silent voices, but a weird red aura surrounded their bodies - everything became silent. But the dream had not ceased, and the guys couldn’t escape the feeling that something else, much more powerful, was looking at them, their every step. It looked like they were in a cage and pinned to the ground. “What now? I can’t wake up, it's like I'm being held by force” “Intruders.”
Suddenly they were thrown out of the dream back into reality, where Leo and Katya sat and looked at each other frightened, not understanding what had just happened. They found another problem.
