I-Quantum Future (iyaqhubeka)

Ingxenye yokuqala (Isahluko 1)

Ingxenye yesibili (Isahluko 2,3)

Isahluko 4. Iminyango

    Ngemva kokunqotshwa empini ngemikhuba emibi kanye nezilingo zokubola konxiwankulu bedijithali, impumelelo yokuqala kaMax yafika. Kuncane, kunjalo, kodwa namanje. Uphumelele izivivinyo zokufaneleka ngamalengiso waze weqa isitebhisi esikhuphukayo waqonda esikhuthazini sesigaba sesishiyagalolunye. Eqhulwini lempumelelo, wanquma ukubamba iqhaza ekuthuthukiseni isicelo sokuhlobisa ubusuku bebhizinisi boNyaka Omusha. Lokhu, vele, kwakungeyona impumelelo: noma yisiphi isisebenzi seTelecom singanikeza imibono yaso ngesicelo, futhi esewonke amavolontiya angamakhulu amabili ahilelekile ekuthuthukisweni, ngaphandle kokubala abaqaphi abaqokwe ngokukhethekile. Kodwa uMax wayethemba ngale ndlela ukuheha ukunakwa komuntu ovela kubaphathi, futhi, ngaphezu kwalokho, lokhu kwaba umsebenzi wakhe wokuqala wokudala ngempela kusukela ekubonakaleni kwakhe edolobheni laseTula.

    Omunye wabaqaphi ngokombono wenhlangano kwakunguLaura May othandekayo, futhi amahora ambalwa okuxhumana naye kwaba ibhonasi ejabulisayo emisebenzini yokuvolontiya. UMax uthole ukuthi kuvela ukuthi uLaura ungumuntu wangempela, ngaphezu kwalokho, akazange abukeke kabi kunasesithombeni, futhi ngokusho kokuqinisekisa kwakhe, cishe akazange asebenzise izinhlelo zezimonyo. Ngaphezu kwalokho, uLaura wayeziphatha ngokukhululeka, emamatheka cishe ngaso sonke isikhathi futhi ebhema ugwayi wokwenziwa obizayo khona kanye emsebenzini wakhe, ngaphandle kokwesaba inhlawulo noma ezinye izinhlawulo. Ngaphandle kwanoma yiziphi izimpawu ezibonakalayo zesithukuthezi, walalela imininingwane yezobuchwepheshe ehlala ingena ezingxoxweni zezingwazi ezazimzungezile futhi wazama nokuhleka amahlaya abo angenangqondo. Ngisho neqiniso lokuthi uLaura wayeka ukubhema emsebenzini kanye nokujwayelana neziphathimandla eziphakeme zaseMartian akuzange kumcasule kancane uMax. Wazama ukuzikhumbuza kaningi ukuthi lokhu kwakuyingxenye yomsebenzi wakhe: ukugqugquzela abesilisa abayiziphukuphuku ukuba bahlanganyele kuzo zonke izinhlobo zemisebenzi yamahhala ye-amateur, futhi empeleni wayenoMasha, owayelinde kude eMoscow emakhaza ukuze ekugcineni alungise. isimemo sakhe se-visa . Futhi wacabanga ukuthi emhlabeni wokukhohlisa akekho ohlanganisa ukubaluleka okukhethekile ebuhleni besifazane kanye nokukhangayo, ngoba lapha wonke umuntu ubheka ngendlela ayifunayo, futhi ama-bots abukeka futhi akhulume kahle. Kodwa uLaura wawephula kalula lo mthetho, ukuze ngenxa yemizuzu eyishumi yengxoxo engasho lutho naye, uMax wayeselungele ukucubungula isicelo seholide isigamu sobusuku futhi ngemva kwalokho akazange azizwe esetshenziswa ngokukhethekile.

    Ngakho-ke, isikhathi sasisondela ngokungenakuqhathaniswa ekuqaleni komkhosi kaNcibijane, owawuthathwe ngokungathí sina kakhulu ku-Telecom. UMax uhlezi kusofa kwelinye lamakamelo, enyakazisa ikhofi lakhe ngokucabangayo futhi elungisa izilungiselelo ze-chip yakhe, ezama ukuzuza ukusebenza okuvamile kwesicelo sakhe. Kuze kube manje, ukuhlolwa kwakubonakala kuhamba kahle, ngaphandle kwamaphikseli akhethekile noma izithombe-skrini. U-Boris wawela phansi kusofa oseduze.

     - Hhayi-ke, sizohamba?

     - Linda, eminye imizuzu emihlanu.

     - Abantu bawushiyile umkhakha wethu, bazovele badakwe ngaphambi kokuba sifike. Ngendlela, baqhamuke nendikimba engabazisayo yephathi yezinkampani.

     - Kungani?

     - Ungacabanga ukuthi yiziphi izihloko ezizoba sematheni uma abaqhudelana nabo bethola umoya ngakho? "I-Telecom ibonise imibala yayo yangempela"... nakho konke lokho.

     - Yingakho iqembu livaliwe. Uhlelo lokusebenza luvimbela amakhamera kuma-drones womuntu siqu, amaphilisi, nevidiyo kuma-neurochips.

     - Noma kunjalo, le ngqikithi yamademoni, ngombono wami, i-overkill encane.

     - Kwenzekani ngonyaka odlule?

     — Ngonyaka odlule sasiphuza ngobulima ekilabhini. Bekukhona nohlobo oluthile lwemiqhudelwano... wonke umuntu athole amaphuzu kuyo.

     - Kungakho manje sesigxile ekwakhiweni kwetimu, ngaphandle kwemincintiswano yobuwula. Futhi itimu yezindiza eziphansi zesilungiselelo se-Planescape iwine ngokuvumelana nemiphumela yevoti elithembekile.

     - Yebo, bengihlala ngazi ukuthi nina bafana abahlakaniphile aninakwethenjwa ngezinto ezinjalo. Ukhethe lesi sihloko ukuze usijabulise, akunjalo?

     - Angazi, ngiphakamise ngoba ngithanda ithoyizi lakudala kakhulu kulesi silungiselelo. Baphinde bahlongoza ibhola likaSathane ngesitayela se-The Master and Margarita, kodwa banquma ukuthi bekudala kakhulu futhi akuyona imfashini.

     - Hmmm, kuvela ukuthi uphakamise lokhu... Okungenani bebeyokwenza imibuthano eyisishiyagalolunye evamile yesihogo, ngaphandle kwalokho bebeyovumbulula uhlobo oluthile lwesilungiselelo sasendulo esimbozwe ngobulembu.

     - Isilungiselelo esihle kakhulu, esingcono kakhulu kune-Warcraft yakho. Futhi ukuhlangana okungenampilo kungavela nesihogo sikaDante.

     - Kunjengokungathi banempilo kakhulu ngalokhu ...

    Omunye umfana wangena ekamelweni elicishe lingenalutho: ende, ebuthakathaka futhi ebukeka kabi. Wayenezinwele ezingcolile, ezigoqene kancane, ezinsundu ezifika emahlombe nezinsuku ezinezinhlanga ezihlathini zakhe. Uma sibheka lokhu, nangokubonisa ukuhlukana okuncane emehlweni akhe, uye wakudebeselela ngempumelelo ukubukeka kwakhe, kokubili okwangempela nokwedijithali. UMax wambona izikhathi ezimbalwa, futhi u-Boris waphakamisa isandla sakhe kumuntu omusha.

     - Sawubona, Grig, kuhle! Nawe awuhambanga nawo wonke umuntu?

     "Bengingafuni nhlobo ukuhamba," kusho uGrig, ema phambi kuka-Boris, owayehlezi kusofa.

     - Lona nguGrig ovela emnyangweni wenkonzo. Grig, lo nguMax - i-dude enhle, sisebenza ndawonye.

    UGrig welula isandla sakhe ngendlela engafanele, ngakho uMax wakwazi ukuxhawula iminwe yakhe. Ezinye izixhumi nezintambo zilunguze ngaphansi komkhono wehembe eligugile. UGrieg, ebona ukuthi uMax wayebanaka, wahle wadonsa umkhono wakhe.

     - Lokhu okomsebenzi. Angikuthandi ukuxhumana okungenantambo, kunokwethenjelwa kakhulu. - UGrieg waphoxeka kancane: ngesizathu esithile wayenamahloni nge-cybernetics yakhe.

     - Kungani ungafuni ukuhamba? — UMax wanquma ukuqhubeka nengxoxo.

     - Angisithandi isihloko.

     - Uyabona, Max, abantu abaningi abayithandi.

     — Kungani uvote ngaleso sikhathi? Yini ongayithandi?

     "Yebo, akulungile ngandlela-thile ukugqoka njengezinhlobo zonke zemimoya emibi, ngisho nokuzijabulisa..." UGrig waphinda wangabaza.

     - Ngiyakuncenga! Uzotshela abakwaMarti ukuthi yini enhle nengalungile. Masivimbe i-Halloween futhi.

     - Yebo, ama-Martians ngokuvamile angama-technofascists angempela noma ochwepheshe bezobuchwepheshe. Akukho okungcwele! - Boris washo ngokwehlukana. - UMax, kuvela, akagcini nje ngokuphatha ukuthuthukiswa kwesicelo, kodwa futhi weza nalesi sihloko.

     - Cha, uhlelo lokusebenza lupholile. Angiwathandi kakhulu amaholide ngokujwayelekile... kanye nazo zonke lezi zinguquko. Hhayi-ke, yilolo hlobo lomuntu engiyilo...,” uGrig waba namahloni, ngokusobala enquma ukuthi ucasule ngokungafanele umphathi othile oqinile kumuntu kaMax.

     - Angizange ngiqondise, yeka ukuqamba amanga.

     - Kulungile ukuba nesizotha. Manje usuyinkanyezi ngempela nathi. Enkumbulweni yami, akekho owagxuma esikhundleni ngemva kokuhlolwa kokufaneleka. Phakathi kwamakhodi emkhakheni wethu, kunjalo. Ubungenabo yini abasebenzi bensimbi abafana nalaba?

     "Angikhumbuli ... ngandlela-thile angizange nginake ..." UGrig ehlehla.

     - Futhi uMax uphinde wathakatha uLaura May uqobo, ngeke ukholwe.

     - Borya, yeka ukukhala. Sengikushilo izikhathi eziyikhulu: NginoMasha.

     - Yebo, futhi uzophila ngokujabula ngemva kwalokho naye lapho ekugcineni efika ku-Mars. Noma, ngesizathu esithile, ngeke athole i-visa futhi uzohlala eMoscow ... Ungangitsheli ukuthi awukashayi kuLaura okwamanje? Ungabi i-slob, Max, labo abangazifaki engozini abayiphuzi i-champagne!

     - Yebo, mhlawumbe angifuni ukumshaya! Kubukeka sengathi, phambi kwengxenye ethintekayo yomkhakha wethu, sengizibophezele kakade ukubika ngenqubo yokukhwabanisela. Futhi wena ngokwakho ubonakala uyindoda yomndeni, hlobo luni lwesithakazelo esingenampilo lokho?

     - Hhayi-ke, angizenzisi noma yini. Akekho kithi owachitha amahora amabili ehhovisi lakhe. Futhi uhlala lapho ngaso sonke isikhathi, ngakho-ke umsebenzi wakho, njengommeleli womndeni wesilisa okhazimulayo, uwukukhohlisa futhi uqiniseke ukuthi ubikela amaqabane akho. Nokho, u-Arsen usenesikhathi eside ehlongoza ukudala iqembu elivaliwe ku-MarinBook ukuze akusize ngezeluleko futhi ufunde ngokushesha ngenqubekelaphambili.

     - Cha, umatasatasa nakanjani. Mhlawumbe kufanele futhi ulayishe izithombe namavidiyo anenqubekelaphambili lapho?

     - Asizange sithembele ngisho nasemaphusheni ethu ahlakaniphile mayelana nevidiyo, kodwa njengoba wena ngokwakho uthembisa ... ngizothatha izwi lakho ngakho ngamafuphi. Grig, ungaqinisekisa, uma kukhona?

     - Ini? - kubuza uGrig, elahlekile ngokucacile kuye.

     "Hhayi, lutho," u-Boris ephakamisa isandla sakhe.

     - Kungani uLaura ekukhathaza kangaka?

     "Phambi kwakhe, ingxenye yamaMartians igijima ngemilenze yangemuva." Futhi ngokuvamile baziwa ngenxa yabo, ake sithi, cishe ngokuphelele ukungabi nandaba kwabesifazane abangewona ama-Martian. Yini angayenza abanye besifazane abangakwazi? Wonke umuntu unentshisekelo.

     - Futhi yiziphi izinguqulo?

     — Yiziphi izinguqulo ezingaba khona? Ezindabeni ezinjalo, asinciki emahlebeni angaqinisekiswanga kanye nokuqagela. Sidinga ulwazi oluthembekile, mathupha.

     - Yebo kunjalo. Lapha, Boryan, ngempela, zenzele i-bot ngokubukeka kwakhe futhi ujabule ngendlela othanda ngayo.

     - Usukhohliwe ukuthi ukuzijabulisa ngama-bots kuholela kuphi? Uguquko oluqinisekisiwe ube yithunzi.

     - Ngangiqonde inqubo yokukhohlisa kuphela, akukho okunye.

     - Khipha i-bot! Unombono omuhle ngathi. Kulungile, asihambe, sizophuthelwa ibhasi lokugcina. Oh yebo, uxolo, esikebheni eMfuleni i-Styx.

    Ngokulandela unogwaja omhlophe ocasulayo evestini, baphuma endlini yokuphumula badlula amahholo akhanya kalufifi omkhakha wokwenza ngcono kanye nokusiza amakhasimende. Kwasala kuphela ukushintshwa komsebenzi, okungcwatshwe ezihlalweni ezijulile kanye nedathabheyisi yenethiwekhi yangaphakathi eyisicefe.

    Izakhiwo zamahhovisi amakhulu zazibekwe ngezinga kanye nomngcele ongaphakathi wezindonga zokusekela futhi zazihlukaniswe zaba amabhulokhi phakathi kwezigaba. Kanti phakathi nendawo bekunomgodi onamakheshi okuthwala impahla nabagibeli. Ikhuphuke isuka ekujuleni kweplanethi yaze yafika endaweni yokubuka phezulu esisekelweni se-dome yamandla ngaphezu komhlaba, lapho umuntu ayekwazi ukubuka khona izindunduma ezibomvu ezingapheli. Bathe lowo owele emayini esuka endaweni yokubuka uzoba nesikhathi sokudweba futhi aqinisekise incwadi yefa yedijithali ngesikhathi endizela phansi. Sekukonke, ihhovisi elikhulu lalinamakhulu amaningana amaphansi amakhulu futhi kwakungenakwenzeka ukuthi kube nesisebenzi, ngisho noyedwa wabaqashwe kakhulu, owayezobavakashela bonke empilweni yakhe. Ngaphezu kwalokho, abantu abanemvume ewolintshi noma ephuzi banqatshelwe ukungena kwezinye izitezi. Ngokwesibonelo, lezo lapho kwakunamahhovisi kanokusho namafulethi abaphathi abakhulu baseMartian. Izakhiwo ezinjalo ze-VIP zazihlala ikakhulukazi ezitezi ezimaphakathi zosekelo. Iziteshi zamandla ezizimele nezomoya-mpilo zazifihlwe ndawana thize ekujuleni komgodi. Ngokuqondene nabanye, kwakungekho ukuhlukaniswa okukhethekile mayelana nokuphakama kokubeka, kuphela bazama ukungafaki lutho olubalulekile embhoshongweni ongenhla. Umnyango wokusebenza kwenethiwekhi uthathe izigaba ezimbalwa eduze kosilingi womhume eduze kweziteshi zokumisa ama-drones. Emafasiteleni ebhulokhi yokuphumuza umuntu wayekwazi ukubona imihlambi ephithizelayo yezimoto ezinkulu nezincane.

    Ikheshi, elibizwe kusengaphambili ngunogwaja, lalibalindile ehholo elivulekile. U-Boris waba ngowokuqala ukungena ngaphakathi, waphenduka futhi wathi ngezwi elibi:

     - Yebo, abantu abafayo abadabukisayo: ubani ofuna ukuthengisa umphefumulo wabo?

    Futhi waphenduka idemoni elifushane elibomvu elinamaphiko amancane namazinyo amade aphuma emhlathini ongezansi nongenhla. Ebhandeni lakhe kwakulenga isando esikhulu esinoqhwaku ohlangothini olungemuva, okwakuyinsika emise okwesikela enamazwi asabekayo. U-Boris ubesongwe ngephethini ye-criss-cross ngeketanga elisindayo elinebhola elinesipikili ekugcineni.

     "Kufanele ngibheke isiwula esinquma ukuthengisa umphefumulo waso kumuntu omncane."

     "Ngingumuntu omncane ... ngisho ukuthi, yini isihogo, empeleni ngiyidemoni."

     - Yebo, uyi-gnome ebomvu enamaphiko. Noma mhlawumbe i-orc encane ebomvu enamaphiko.

     - Futhi akunandaba, ayikho imithetho mayelana nemvunulo kuhlelo lwakho lokusebenza.

     - Anginandaba, vele, kodwa uWarcraft ngeke akuvumele uhambe, ngisho nasephathini yezinkampani.

     "Kulungile, ngifushane emcabangweni, ngiyavuma?" Ungubani?

    Izicabha zekheshi ezikhanyayo zavalwa futhi inqwaba yamagatsha ehhovisi elikhulu agijimela phezulu. UMax wayeka ukusebenza kwe-shamanism futhi wethula uhlelo lokusebenza.

     -Ingabe uyi-ifrit?

     "Kimina kubonakala sengathi uyindoda evuthayo," kusho uGrieg ngokuphazima kweso.

     - Impela. Empeleni, ngingu-Ignus, umlingiswa walowo mdlalo wasendulo. Ngashisa idolobha lonke futhi, ngokuphindisela, izakhamuzi zangivulela ingosi yomuntu siqu yendiza yomlilo. Futhi nakuba ngigwetshiwe ukusha ngiphila phakade, ngizuze ukuhlanganiswa kweqiniso nesici sami. Lena intengo yolwazi lweqiniso.

     - Pf..., kungcono ukuba yi-orc enamaphiko, kusondele ngandlela thile kubantu.

     - Emlilweni ngibona umhlaba ungokoqobo.

     - O, nakhu sihamba, uzoqala ukuphusha ifilosofi yakho futhi. Ngemva kokubuya kuleli zwe le-Dreamland, waba into ehlukile. Ake siyeke: mayelana nezithunzi nokunye - lena indaba, ngokwethembeka.

     - Ngakho-ke awuzange usibone isithunzi sakho?

     - Hhayi-ke, kukhona engikubonile, kepha angikakakulungeli ukukusekela. Futhi isithunzi sami asizange sihlanganise ubuchopho bami ngefilosofi eyisiphukuphuku.

    Ikheshi lama kahle esitezi sokuqala. Ipulatifomu ewusizo enama-handrails yafika ngokushesha, ilungele ukukuyisa ngqo emabhasini.

     “Asihambe ngezinyawo singene emnyango,” kusikisela u-Boris. “Ngishiye ubhaka wami endlini yokugcina lapho.”

     - Awusoze wahlukana naye.

     - Namuhla kukhona uketshezi oluningi olungavunyelwe kulo, kwakusabisa ukudlula ezokuphepha.

    Unogwaja obonakalayo wagxumela emsamo wagibela wahamba naye. Futhi badabula izithwebuli namarobhothi okuvikela, apendwe ngamabomu ngamathoni asongelayo, athintwe ukugqwala. Ama-turrets ahlaba umxhwele kuma-unicycle aphendukela isivakashi ngasinye, ezungeza imiphongolo yawo kuma-manipulators futhi akakhathali ukuphinda okuthi "Hambisa" ngezwi lensimbi!

    U-Boris wakhipha ubhaka osindayo esitokisini.

     - Ucabanga ukuthi bazokuvumela ukuthi ungene eklabhu?

     "Angizukubathwala isikhathi eside kangako." Manje sizokugwebela ebhasini, okungukuthi, emkhunjini.

     - Uh, Boris, vimba amahhashi! Okungenani kukhona uhhafu webhokisi lapho,” uMax wamangala, ephakamisa ubhaka ukuze ahlole ubunzima bawo. - Ngithemba ukuthi lona ubhiya, noma uthathe amathangi ambalwa komoya-mpilo owagcinile?

     - Uyangicasula, ngibambe amabhodlela ambalwa e-Mars-Cola ukuze ngiwageze. Futhi amasilinda aphumule namuhla. Uma kubhekwa ukuthi ngizophuza kangakanani, ngisho nesudi yasemkhathini ngeke ingisindise. Grig, ingabe unathi?

    U-Boris wayechichima umdlandla. UMax wayesaba ukuthi uzoqala ukunambitha khona lapho ereception, phambi konogada nonobhala.

     “Uma nje kancane,” kuphendula uGrig ngokungabaza.

     - Oh, kuhle, ake siqale kancane ngesikhathi, bese sibona ukuthi kuhamba kanjani ... Manje, Max, ake siqhubeke futhi ngisho nangaphambi kweklabhu, okungukuthi, uxolo, ngaphambi kokuba sifike ezindizeni eziphansi, ngizothola ifilosofi yakho.

    Avele anikine ikhanda uMax. U-Boris waphonsa ubhaka emhlane wakhe futhi ngokushesha waqala ukuzwakalisa ukungeneliseki ngeqiniso lokuthi ubonise ngokuthungwa kwamaphiko akhe.

     - Kukhona okungalungile ngezinto zakho zokucubungula uhlelo.

     — Ubufunani, ukuze ibone yonke into endizeni? Uma ubhaka wakho oyisimangaliso une-interface ye-IoT, uzobhalisa ngaphandle kwezinkinga. Yebo, ungakubona ngaleyo ndlela, kodwa kufanele uhlaziye.

     - Yebo, manje.

    Ubhaka ka-Boris waba isikhwama sesikhumba esishaywayo esinama-clasp amathambo nezingebhezi eziqoshiwe nama-pentagram.

     - Yebo, yilokho, ngilungele ngokuphelele ukuzijabulisa okungalawulwa. Phambili, izindiza eziphansi zisilindile!

    U-Boris wahola udwendwe, futhi bahamba ngaphandle kokulibala baya ezimotweni ezazilindelwe isikhathi eside zalabo abafika sekwephuzile. Zazibonakala ziyizicucu ezakhiwe ngamapulangwe agugile, abolile, ambozwe amabhola anemicu emhlophe embi, eyaqala ukunyakaza lapho nje zizwa ukunyakaza eduze. Izikebhe zazibekwe endaweni eyisigxobo yamatshe. Ngemuva kwakukhona indawo yokupaka evamile enezimoto kanye nodonga olukhulu lokusekela, futhi ngaphambili ubumnyama be-Styx engapheli base buvele bugcwele, futhi inkungu engaqondakali yayishunqa phezu kwamanzi.

    Indawo yokungena emgwaqeni wezigelekeqe yayigadwe ngumuntu omude, onamathambo ogqoke ingubo empunga edabukile, entanta isigamu semitha ngaphezu komhlaba. Uvimbe indlela kaGrieg.

     “Imiphefumulo yabafileyo nezidalwa ezimbi kuphela ezingahamba emanzini e-Styx,” kwasho umkhumbi.

     “Yebo, kunjalo,” uGrig wamqhweba. - Ngizoyivula manje.

    Waphenduka i-elf evamile emnyama enezinwele ezinde zesiliva, izikhali zesikhumba kanye nejazi elincanyana elenziwe ngosilika wesicabucabu.

     "Ungazami ukushiya umkhumbi ngenkathi uhamba, amanzi e-Styx aphuca inkumbulo yakho ..." i-bot carrier yaqhubeka i-creak, kodwa akekho owayemlalele.

    Ngaphakathi, yonke into yayiyiqiniso impela: amabhentshi amathambo ezinhlangothini, akhanyiswa ukukhanya komlilo wamademoni kanye nemiphefumulo yezoni eshunyekwe emabhodini abolile, ngezinye izikhathi zesabe ngokububula kwe-sepulchral nokwelula imilenze yezoni. Ngemuva kwesikebhe kwakulenga amademoni ambalwa afana nodrako, eyodwa engeyona i-vampire yangempela kanye nendlovukazi yesicabucabu - I-Lolth esesimweni se-elf emnyama, kodwa ene-chelicerae ephuma emhlane wakhe. Yiqiniso, le ntokazi yayincane kakhulu, ngakho ngisho nohlelo lokusebenza alukwazanga ukukufihla. Ukuthungwa kukankulunkulukazi omnyama, owayekhuluphele ku-telecom grub, kwabonakala kufiphala lapho engqubuzana nezinto zangempela, okubonisa umehluko phakathi komzimba womzimba nowedijithali. UMax wayengazi muntu owayesevele ekhona esikebheni. Kepha u-Boris wadazuluka ngenjabulo, enyakazisa isikhwama sakhe esikhalayo.

     - Iziqhumane kuwo wonke umuntu! Katyukha, Sanya, injani impilo? Yini, singagibela?!

     - Yeka isivumelwano! - i-vampire yavuka ngokushesha.

     - U-Boryan muhle, uzilungiselele!

    U-Sanya ofana nodrako wambambatha u-Boris ehlombe futhi wakhipha izibuko zephepha ngaphansi kwebhentshi.

     - O, ekugcineni, omunye wethu! - isicabucabu sakhala ngenjabulo futhi salenga entanyeni kaGrieg. "Awujabule ukubona indlovukazi yakho?!"

    UGrieg, ehlazekile ngenxa yokucindezela okunjalo, wenqaba ngobuvila futhi ngokusobala wazihlambalaza ngokukhetha okungaphumelelanga kwemvunulo. Amadragoni ayesevele ethela i-whisky ne-cola ezingilazini futhi ebazungezile ngamandla nangenhloko. “Yebo, ukuhlwa kuthembisa ukudangala,” kucabanga uMax, ngokungabaza eqalaza isithombe se-bacchanalia eyakhiwe ngokuzenzakalelayo.

    Kancane kancane umkhumbi wagcwala izidalwa ezimbi ezazifika sekwephuzile. Kwakukhona nedemoni elinsomi elinomlomo omkhulu onamazinyo nemisipha emide emzimbeni wonke, amademoni amaningana afana nezinambuzane namademoni, nowesifazane oyinyoka onezingalo ezine. Bajoyina inkampani edakiwe ngemuva ukuze ubhaka kaBoris uthulule ngokushesha. Ingxenye yalaba bantu idonse izithombe ngaphandle kokuzihlupha, okuzenze zabonakala ngebheji yabo ebonakalayo kuphela. Kuzo zonke izinhlobo ezihlukahlukene, uMax wayethanda kuphela umqondo wengubo esesimweni se-dinosaur kanokusho noma udrako, omlomo wakhe wawumboze ikhanda lakhe ngendlela ye-hood, nakuba le ngubo yayingahambisani nesilungiselelo. Nokho, uMax akazange alwele ngokukhethekile ukubona noma ukukhumbula noma ubani. Bonke labo ababephuza bejabule babengabezigaba zabaphathi, abahlinzeki, abasebenzisa imishini nabanye onogada, abangenamsebenzi wokunyusa izinga lomsebenzi. Kancane kancane, uMax wahlala ngokuhlukana ngaphambili kancane, ngakho kwaba lula ukweqa amathosti amaningi onyaka ozayo wegundane. Kepha kungakapheli nemizuzu emihlanu uBoris ojabule wagxuma eduze kwakhe.

     — Max, ushoda ngani? Yazi bengihlela ukudakwa namuhla enkampanini yakho.

     - Ake sidakwe kamuva e-club.

     - Kungani kunjalo?

     - Yebo, benginethemba lokuhlanganyela nabanye beMartians futhi mhlawumbe ngixoxe ngamathemba ami omsebenzi. Okwamanje sidinga ukuhlala sisesimweni.

     - Oh, Max, khohlwa! Lona omunye umkhonyovu: njengasephathini yebhizinisi ungabloma nanoma ubani, ngaphandle kokubheka amazinga neziqu. Qedela umbhedo.

     - Kungani? Ngizwile izindaba ezimayelana nokukhuphuka nokwehla kwemisebenzi okumangalisayo ngemva kwemicimbi yebhizinisi.

     - Izinganekwane ezimsulwa, yilokho engikuqondayo. Ubuzenzisi obujwayelekile beMartian, kuyadingeka ukukhombisa ukuthi izimpilo zamakhodi ajwayelekile abomvu ngandlela thile ziyabajabulisa. Kuyoba, okungcono kakhulu, ihlaya lutho.

     - Hhayi-ke, okungenani idumela lomuntu ongakhulumi lutho ngokuthula nabaphathi bebhodi labaqondisi selivele libaluleke kakhulu.

     - Uhlela ukuqala kanjani ingxoxo evamile?

     - Indlela esobala ngokuphelele, enikezwe uhlelo lwakusihlwa ngokwalo. Ama-Martians athanda izingubo zangempela.

     - Ucabanga ukuthi ingubo yakho ipholile kakhulu?

     - Hhayi-ke, isuka kumdlalo wekhompyutha wakudala.

     - Yebo, kuyindlela enhle yokuncela kubo. Ukukhetha kwakho imvunulo kucacile. Nakuba, ngokumelene nesizinda se-squalor ezungezile, ngisho ne-orc yami ebomvu ayizange ibe yimbi kangako.

     - Yebo, kuyihlazo ukuthi abazange bafake ukulawulwa kobuso kuhlelo lokusebenza, noma okungenani ukuvinjelwa kwezithombe ezijwayelekile. Kuzo zonke izidakwa, leli dinosaur kuphela elifuna uhlobo oluthile lwemvelaphi.

     - Lena i-Dimon evela ku-SB. Avele angenzi lutho lapho. Bahlale bakhafule ophahleni, kuthiwa bagade ezokuphepha. Sawubona Dimon! - U-Boris wabiza i-dinosaur ejabule. - Bathi unesudi epholile!

    UDimon wabingelela ngengilazi yephepha futhi enyakaza engazinzile, ebamba izinsimbi zamathambo, wasondela kubo.

     — Ngazithunga isonto lonke.

     - Shili? - UMax wamangala.

     - Yebo, ungayithinta.

     — Ingabe ufuna ukusho ukuthi unesudi yangempela, hhayi eyedijithali?

     - Umkhiqizo wemvelo, kodwa yini? Akekho omunye onesudi efana nalena.

     "Kungokwangempela, yize kungekho muntu ongakuthola ngaphandle kwencazelo." Ngakho usebenza kwa-SB?

     - Ngingu-opharetha, ngakho ungakhathazeki, angiqoqi noma yibuphi ubufakazi obufaka icala. Ungama ezindlebeni zakho noma uhlanze ngaphansi kwetafula.

     - Ngazi insizwa eyodwa yakwaSecurity Service yakho eyangeluleka ukuthi ngikhohlwe ngokuphelele ngemfihlo yempilo yangasese, igama layo nguRuslan.

     - Uvela kumuphi umnyango?Bakhona abantu abaningi lapho? Ngiyethemba hhayi okokuqala, awufuni ukuwela izindlela nalaba bafana nhlobo?

     - Angazi, uvela emnyangweni ongajwayelekile, kubonakala kimi. Futhi ngokujwayelekile akayena umfana olungile...

     - By the way, akekho kini owaziyo ukuthi ungayikhubaza kanjani i-bot? Ngale kwalokho sengikhathele ukumkhumbuza ukuthi angikashintshi izingubo zami.

     - Hmm, yebo, sikhohlwe ukunikeza umsebenzi wesudi yangempela. Ngizozama manje. Ungakwazi ukwengeza uhlobo oluthile lwebheji ukuthi imvunulo yangempela?

     - Engeza. Ingabe ungumqondisi?

     "U-Max ungumthuthukisi wethu omkhulu wesicelo," kungene u-Boris futhi. - Futhi waqala ...

     - Boryan, yeka ukukhuluma ngalo mbhedo ngoLaura.

     - Futhi ubani lo?

     - Wenzani?! - U-Boris wayecasukile ngokwemidlalo yaseshashalazini. — Le blonde enamabhodlo amakhulu ivela kwabezindaba.

     - Futhi lo Laura ... wow!

     - Kakhulu ngawe. UMax naye uthembise ukumethula bonke abangani bakhe. Uzobe ekhona namuhla, akunjalo?

     - Cha, uthe wayekhathele ngamakhodi e-redneck enezimpondo, ngakho uhlanganyela nabaqondisi namanye ama-VIP endaweni ehlukile yokubuka.

     - Imiphi imininingwane, noma kunjalo. Unganaki uyadlala uMax.

     “Kuhle, ngizophuza nawe,” u-Dimon oyimpunga wayejabule. - Hhayi-ke, ngizozama futhi ukuhlanganisa leyo nyoka laphaya, siyizilwane ezihuquzelayo, kuningi esifana ngakho... Futhi uma kungasebenzi, bese kuba noLaura.

     - Yini engalungile ngoLaura? — UMax wanikina ikhanda. - Ngithole i-bot yakho.

     "Ngizommema ukuthi athinte isudi yami," kusho uDimon ngenhlamba. "Akuyona ize ukuthi kusetshenziswe umzamo ongaka kuye." Borya, uphi ubhaka wakho? Ngicela ungigxivize.

    UMax wabona ukuthi akukho ukubalekela ubumnandi kulo mkhumbi. Ngakho-ke, lapho sebehamba ngomkhumbi, u-Styx wayengasabukeki edangele, futhi ukuqoqwa kwemimoya emibi ehlukahlukene kwakungasabukeki ngendlela engafanele. Wacabanga ukuthi, ngemva kwakho konke, ithimba eliphethe lolu hambo lalingakenzanga umsebenzi omningi: isikebhe esigijima ngesivinini esikhulu sinqamula emanzini amnyama, kanye nezixuku ezaziqondisa ngokungekona ngokwemvelo zemimoya namademoni asolwandle, kwakusikhumbuza ngokucacile indlela yabo. ama-prototypes. Ngakolunye uhlangothi, ingabe ukhona owake wakhathalela lokhu ngaphandle kwezingcweti ezimbalwa ezikhethiwe? “Kanti bazokwethula uhlobo oluthile lwemiklomelo ngentuthuko ehamba phambili emcimbini wezinkampani? — UMax wazibuza. - Cha, akekho noyedwa kubaphathi abakhulu abathembise ukuthi bazoqoqa wonke umuntu ndawonye futhi babatshele ukuthi nangu yena wayenguMax - umklami wepulani lokuqala elingcono kakhulu nelicace kakhulu le-Baator. Futhi ngemva kokushaya ihlombe okunesivunguvungu nesikhathi eside, ngeke anikele ngokuphuthuma ukuthuthukiswa kwe-supercomputer entsha ezandleni zami. Wonke umuntu uzozikhohlwa lezi zithombe ngakusasa.”

     - Max, kungani uluma futhi?! - U-Boris wabuza, ulimi lwakhe seluvele luhlakazekile kancane. "Uma ufulathela umzuzu, uzokhala ngokushesha." Wozani, sekuyisikhathi sokuphumula!

     - Ngakho-ke, ngicabanga ngemfihlakalo eyodwa eyisisekelo yomhlaba wedijithali.

     - Imfumbe? - U-Boris wabuza, engezwa lutho ngempela ku-hubbub ezungezile. -Ingabe usuqhamuke nemfumbe? Ungumpetha ngempela ekuhlanganyeleni kwezokuzijabulisa ezihlanyayo zeMartian.

     - Futhi ngiqhamuke nemfumbe. Ngicabanga ukuthi kufanele ukuqagele.

     - Ake silalele.

     “Uma ngibona lokho okungizalayo, ngizonyamalala.” Ngingubani mina?

     - Awu, angazi ... Ingabe uyindodana kaTaras Bulba?

     - Hhayi! Isitimela somcabango siyathakazelisa impela, kodwa cha. Okuqondwayo wukunyamalala komzimba nokuhambisana nemibandela ngokusemthethweni, esikhundleni sokuchazwa kwezwi nezwi. Cabanga futhi.

     - Ngiyeke! Ubuchopho bami sebuvele bushintshelwe kumodi ethi "asiyeke yonke into futhi sibe nokuqhuma", akukho lutho olungawuthwesa umthwalo.

     - Kulungile, impendulo efanele isithunzi. Uma ngibona ilanga, ngizonyamalala.

     - Oh, ngempela... Dimon, fuck off, sixazulula izimfumbe lapha.

    U-Boris uzame ukusunduza umlingani wakhe, owagibela phezu kwakhe ukuze athole ibhodlela lokugcina le-Mars-Cola.

     - Yiziphi izimfumbe? Nami ngingaqagela.

     “Kukhona omunye,” kuphendula uMax. - Yiqiniso, ngisho nenethiwekhi ye-neural ayizange iphuthelwe, ngiyasola ngoba mina ngokwami ​​angiyazi impendulo.

     - Ake sikuthole! — UDimon waphendula ngomdlandla.

     - Ingabe ikhona indlela yokunquma ukuthi izwe elisizungezile alilona iphupho likaMartian ngokwamukela imibono elandelayo njengeyiqiniso? Ikhompyutha ingakubonisa noma yini ngokusekelwe olwazini olutholakala esidlangalaleni, kanye nokusekelwe emiphumeleni yokuskena inkumbulo yakho, futhi ayiwenzi amaphutha okubonwa. Futhi inkontileka nomhlinzeki wephupho likaMartian ingaphethwa nganoma yimiphi imigomo?

     “Eh-h….” Kusho uDimon. - Ngiye kocosha inyoka kuwe.

     - I-Negro enamaphilisi anemibala eminingi iyona ndlela kuphela! - U-Boris wakhonkotha ngokucasuka. - Cha, Max, manje ngizokwenza ukuthi udakwe kangangokuthi uzokhohlwa nge-Dreamland enkulu okungenani kusihlwa okukodwa. Hey udakiwe, uphi ubhaka wami?!

    Kwaba khona izibabazo ezicasukile, futhi uGrieg waxoshwa esixukwini ephethe isikhwama esicishe singenalutho.

     - Ukuthi akukho lutho olusele? - U-Boris wayecasukile.

     - Lapha.

    UGrieg, ebukeka enecala, kwangathi ukudlile konke, welula ibhodlela elinezinsalela ze-tequila ezifafaza ngezansi.

     - Kwabathathu nje. Masiqinisekise ukuthi i-Dreamland ekhohlisayo isha phansi ngonyaka ozayo.

     "Ngakho-ke, leli ngelinye lamakhasimende amakhulu akwaTelecom," kusho uGrieg, emukela ibhodlela futhi egwinya lonke. - Yebo, benza umsebenzi ophansi, nami angiwathandi.

     - Uluthathephi ulwazi?

     - Yebo, bahlala bengithumela lapho ukuze ngishintshe okuthile. Ingxenye yama-rack akhona ingeyethu. Okubi kakhulu, yiqiniso, ukusebenza ezindaweni zokugcina, ikakhulukazi uwedwa. Ngokuvamile, kuyiphupho elibi, njengokuhlala ohlotsheni oluthile lwezidumbu.

     - Ngizwile, Max, ukuthi iDreamland yenzani kubantu.

     — Uzigcina ezindaweni zokugeza, akukho okukhethekile.

     - Yebo, yebo, kubonakala sengathi akukho lutho, kodwa umkhathi uyesabeka ngempela, ubeka ingcindezi ku-psyche. Mhlawumbe ngoba maningi awo lapho? Uma uvakashela lapho, uzoqonda ngokushesha.

     — Kudingeka sithathe uMax ohambweni ukuze akwazi ukungena kulo ngempela.

     - Thumela isicelo esizothunyelwa emsebenzini ukuze ungisize.

     "Ngizoyipheka kusasa, noma ngakusasa."

     “Yeka,” uMax emqhweba. - Hhayi-ke, ngakhubeka kanye, ngubani ongakwenzi? Angifuni ukuya lapho ngohambo.

     - Ngiyajabula ukuzwa lokho. Okubalulekile ukuthi ungaphinde ukhubeke.

    Isikebhe sabhuleka kakhulu. I-bot yavungazela okuthile ngesidingo sokugcina ukuhleleka nokuqapha lapho izidalwa ezidakiwe zobubi ziphuthuma endleleni yokuphuma, zingayikhiphi indlela. Ngokuqondile ukusuka osebeni lwe-Styx, izitebhisi ezibanzi zaqala phansi endaweni engaphansi evuthayo. Izitezi zokudansa eziningi zeklabhu ye-Yama ehlonishwayo zingene ngempela ekuqhekekeni okukhulu kwemvelo. Ngakho-ke, ukuthungwa kwesihogo kwezindiza ezingezansi kudlulele ngokuphelele ngezakhiwo zayo zangempela. Kuzo zombili izinhlangothi zezitebhisi, isiqalo sokwehla sasigadwe yizithombe zezidalwa ezinwabuzelayo ze-anthropomorphic, ubude obungamamitha amabili, nomlomo omkhulu ovuleke wehle ngamadigri ayikhulu namashumi ayisishiyagalombili, onama-mandibles aphuma kuwo kanye nolimi olude olunemfoloko. Izidalwa zazibonakala zingenaso nhlobo isikhumba, futhi esikhundleni salokho umzimba wawuboshwe ngezintambo zezicubu zomzimba. Amadevu amaningana amade ayelenga ogebhezini lwekhanda eliyi-angular, futhi ngaphezu kwamehlo amakhulu anobuso kwakukhona izikhala ezimbalwa ezazibukeka njengezisekelo zamehlo ezingenalutho. Imigqa yezipikili zamathambo yayiphuma esifubeni nangemuva, futhi izandla zazihlotshiswe ngezinzipho ezimfushane, ezinamandla. Futhi imilenze yaphela ngezinzipho ezintathu ezinde kakhulu, ezikwazi ukunamathela kunoma iyiphi indawo.

    UMax wayeka ngesithakazelo phambi kwezithombe eziqoshiwe ezimbi futhi, ecisha umbono wakhe "wobudemoni" ngomzuzwana, waqinisekisa ukuthi akukho ukuthuthukiswa kwedijithali kuzo. Ngokusobala ayeyi-3D aphrintwe ngethusi elimnyama ukuze yonke ithoni nomthambo ubukeke ucwebile futhi ubaziwe. Kwakubonakala sengathi izidalwa zase zizosuka ezinyathelweni zazo ziqonde esixukwini ukuze zihlele isibhicongo sangempela sokuchitha igazi phakathi kwabantu abazenza amadimoni.

     - Izinto ezixakayo, ngenkathi ngenza isicelo, angitholanga lutho ngazo? Ngisho nabasebenzi bathule nje, njengamaqembu.

     "Kumane kuwumfanekiso womcabango womuntu ogulayo," kusho u-Boris ephakamisa amahlombe. “Ngizwe kuthiwa kudala isisebenzi sekilabhu esingenagama sabathenga endalini, bebeqoqa uthuli ekhabetheni iminyaka, base bebanjwa ngephutha ngesikhathi behlanzwa entwasahlobo bazibeka engcupheni yokuwahlobisa. Futhi manje, iminyaka eminingana manje, bebelokhu bedlala indawo yomesabisa wendawo.

     - Noma kunjalo, ziyinqaba.

     - Yebo bayinqaba, njengoba nje beyinqaba njengalabo abakhetha umhlobiso wesihogo ngo-Eva Wonyaka Omusha.

     - Yebo, angiyona inqaba ngaleyo ndlela. Ziwuhlobo lwe-eclectic noma okuthize. Lawa ngamapayipi acacile noma amashubhu, kodwa eduze kwawo kukhona izixhumi ezicacile...

     - Cabanga nje, amademoni ajwayelekile e-cyborgo, ake sihambe kakade.

    Ishothi yokuqala ephansi yababingelela ngamalungiselelo e-symphonic yomculo we-rock kanye nesiphithiphithi sesixuku esikhulu esasidiyazela sinqamula ithafa eliwugwadule elinamatshe elikhanyiswe ukukhanya kwesibhakabhaka esibomvu. Ama-Sparklers namanye ama-pyrotechnics ngezinye izikhathi ayekhanya esibhakabhakeni, aguqulwa uhlelo abe inkanyezi enomsila evuthayo. Izingcezwana ezinkulu ze-obsidian zazisakazeke ethafeni, enye indlela eyayethusa ukuthi kungenzeka kunqanyulwe izingxenye ezimbalwa zomzimba eziphumile ukuze zingathintani nemiphetho yazo ebukhali. Kodwa-ke, empeleni, ukunganaki okunjalo akuzange kusongele lutho, ngoba ngemuva kokuthungwa kwezingcezu kwakukhona ama-ottoman athambile okuphumula amademoni akhathele. Okwabikwa ngesizotha imiphefumulo yezoni eboshwe izicucu. Igazi laligeleza ngapha nangapha, ngenxa yalokho uMax wacishe waba nengxabano enkulu nabaphathi beqembu. Ngobunzima obukhulu, iklabhu yavuma ukuhlela imisele emincane ngamanzi angempela, futhi yenqaba ngokuphelele ukucekela phansi impahla yayo ngemifula yegazi egcwele igazi. Ama-lemur amabi, afana nezingcezu ze-protoplasm engenalutho, agijima ethafeni. Babengasitholi isikhathi sokuletha iziphuzo nokudla okulula.

     - Ugh, yeka okunengekayo! "U-Boris ngokunengeka wakhahlela i-lemur eseduze, futhi yena, njengoba engumuntu wamarobhothi ephucwe wonke amalungelo omphakathi, walalela waya kwelinye icala, engakhohlwa ukusho ukuxolisa okudingekayo ngezwi elihlanganisiwe. “Benginethemba lokuthi sizonikezwa ama-succubi aphilayo noma into efana naleyo, hhayi izingcezu zensimbi ezishibhile.”

     - Hhayi-ke, ngiyaxolisa, yonke imibuzo ngeye-Telekom, kungani engazange afune i-succubi enhle.

     - Kulungile, wena, njengomthuthukisi oyinhloko, ngitshele: ikuphi ibhodlela elingcono kakhulu le-swill?

     — Isu ngalinye linamaqhinga alo. Ikakhulukazi baphakela ama-cocktail anegazi, iwayini elibomvu nakho konke lokho. Ungaya kubha emaphakathi uma i-lemurs ingeyona into yakho.

     — Ingabe lezo zihlahla ziphakathi nendawo? Ngokubona kwami, azikho esihlokweni ngokuphelele lapha. Iphutha lakho?

     — Cha, konke kumayelana nesilungiselelo. Lezi yizivande zokukhohlwa - ipharadesi eliyinqaba phakathi kwesihogo. Kunezithelo ezimnandi ezinamanzi ezimila ezihlahleni, kodwa uma uncika kuzo kakhulu, ungalala ubuthongo obumangalisayo bese unyamalala kulo mhlaba unomphela.

     “Manje-ke asiyolanda iziphuzo.”

     - Borya, akufanele uphazamise yonke into. Ngaleli zinga, ngeke sifinyelele ohlelweni lwesishiyagalolunye.

     - Ungakhathazeki ngami. Uma kunesidingo, ngizogaqa okungenani ngize ngibe neminyaka engamashumi amabili. Grig, ingabe unathi noma umelene nathi?

    Elandela uGrig, uKatyukha uphinde wamaka kanye naye, ayevele ekhuluma naye ngaphandle kwezibonakaliso ezibonakalayo zokuphoxeka futhi waze wazama ukuzenza ujabule ngobumnandi obuqhubekayo eduze kwakhe. Wamsiza ngesibindi ukuwela imifudlana enegazi. Baphinde bahlanganiswa noSanya ofana nodrako ehamba nomthakathi ophiko lwesokunxele.

    Maphakathi nehholo, ihlathi elincane lezihlahla ezinopopayi lalizungeza umthombo obhibhidlayo. Izixha zezithelo ezihlukahlukene zazilenga ezihlahleni. U-Boris wathatha i-grapefruit wayinikeza uMax.

     - Hhayi-ke, yini okufanele siyenze ngalodoti?

     — Ufaka utshani nesiphuzo. Kungenzeka ukuthi i-vodka enejusi yamagilebhisi. Uhlobo lwesithelo lucishe lufane nokuqukethwe. Ngizohamba ngizitholele i-cocktail evamile.

    UMax waqonda maphakathi nehlathi, lapho kwakukhona khona imishini yokuphuzela utshwala efihlwe njengezimbali ezidla inyama ezizungeze lo mthombo. Ngeziqu zabo zokuzingela, babamba ingilazi ababeyifuna baxuba izithako ngokunyakaza okunesikhathi esiphelele. Eduze kwesinye sezibhamu ezingontuluntulu kwakumi isithombe esifiphele se-gargoyle emnyama enamehlo aphuzi acwebezelayo namaphiko amakhulu esikhumba.

     - URuslan? - Kubuza uMax ngokumangala.

     - O, kuhle. Injani impilo, injani impumelelo yakho emsebenzini?

     - Kuyaqhubeka. Ngakho-ke, benginethemba lokuxhumana nabantu abawusizo namuhla. Ngize ngiqhamuke nemfumbe.

     - Wenze kahle. Iqembu alikwazi ukuba libi nakakhulu, futhi ufuna ukulenza libe libi nakakhulu.

    “Basahlakaniphile,” kucabanga uMax ngokucasuka. "Bagxeka kuphela, akufanele senze okuthile thina."

     — Bese ngiphakamisa esami isihloko.

     - Ngasikisela: Chicago in the thirties.

     - Ah, i-mafia, ukwenqatshelwa nakho konke lokho. Uyini umehluko oyisisekelo?

     - Okungenani ungathandi inkulisa egqoka njengama-orcs nama-gnomes.

     - I-Warcraft iyisilungiselelo esihlukile, i-poppy kanye ne-hackneyed. Futhi nali izwe elithakazelisayo nezinkomba zethoyizi lakudala. Nasi umlingiswa wami, isibonelo...

     - Ngiyeke, Max, angikakuqondi lokhu. Ngiyaqonda ukuthi oshobishobi abafana nalaba, ngakho bakhethe lesi sihloko.

     — Lesi sihloko siphumelele ngokusekelwe emiphumeleni yevoti eliqotho phakathi kwazo zonke izisebenzi.

     - Yebo, uthembekile, uthembekile kakhulu.

     - Cha, Ruslan, awulungiseki! Yebo, abakwaMartians basonta ngokuvuna kwabo, ngoba akukho okunye abangakwenza.

     - Khohlwa, kungani unovalo? Mangikhulume iqiniso, lezi zigilamkhuba azingikhathazi nakancane.

     - Empeleni, ngiphakamise lesi sihloko futhi ngadweba nohlelo lokuqala... Cishe, amaphesenti angamashumi ayisishiyagalombili.

     "Kupholile ... Cha, sina, kupholile," uRuslan waqinisekisa, ebona ukungabaza ebusweni bukaMax. "Wenza umsebenzi omuhle kakhulu, yinto ekhunjulwa amaqanda."

     "Uthi ngiwumpetha ekunceleni amaMartians?"

     - Cha, usemnyakeni wakho wesithathu wobusha. Uyazi ukuthi hlobo luni lompetha abakhona ekukhotheni izimbongolo zikaMartian? Ubakhathalele kuphi? Ngamafuphi, uma ungafuni ukugoba, khohlwa ngomsebenzi omkhulu.

     - Cha, kungcono ukuvumela umhlaba ugobe ngaphansi kwethu.

     "Ukuze ukhuphukele phezulu, ugobe okunye ngaphansi kwakho, kufanele ube umuntu ohlukile." Hhayi njengawe ... Kulungile, futhi uzothi ngiyakugcizelela. Asihambe siyobheka umnyakazo.

     - Yebo, ngilapha nabangane, mhlawumbe sizofika kamuva.

     “Futhi kukhona abangani bakho,” uRuslan wavuma ngekhanda u-Boris kanye no-plush Dimon, owama ngokudideka esihlahleni esiseduze. - Wena, njengoba ungumholi kulesi sihloko, ngitshele: iphi injini evamile lapha?

     - Yebo, ohlelweni lwesithathu kufanele kube khona into efana ne-foam party, ohlelweni lwesikhombisa kufanele kube ne-disco yesitayela se-techno, i-rave, njalonjalo. Angisazi, ngiwuchwepheshe kwasekuqaleni.

     - Sizokuthola! - URuslan uncike kuMax futhi washintshela kumathoni aphansi. - Khumbula ukuthi ngeke wenze umsebenzi nabangane abanjalo. Kulungile, woza!

    Wambambatha uMax ehlombe futhi ngokugxuma okuzethembayo waqala ukunqoba izitezi zokudansa zezindiza ezingezansi.

     - Uyamazi? - U-Dimon wabuza ngengxube yokumangala nokuthi yini ebonakala sengathi unomona omncane ezwini lakhe.

     - Lona nguRuslan, loya mfana oyinqaba ovela kuSecurity Service ebengikhuluma ngaye.

     - Wow, unabangane! Khumbula ngishilo ukuthi angifuni ukugxambukela emnyangweni wokuqala. Ngakho-ke ngifuna ukuhlangana “nomnyango” wabo kancane.

     - Benzani?

     - Angazi, angazi! — UDimon wanikina ikhanda, manje wayebonakala ethukile ngempela. - Damn, nginemvume eluhlaza! Damn, bafo, angishongo lokho, kulungile. Crap!

     - Yebo, awuzange usho lutho. Ngizombuza mina.

     - Uyahlanya, musa! Ungangikhulumi nje, kulungile?

     - Yini inkinga?

     "Max, yeka le ndoda," u-Boris ephazamisa izingxoxo ezivusa amadlingozi. -Ingabe wenze i-cocktail? Hlala nje uphuze! ICuba Libra eyodwa ene-Mars Cola. - wayala isitshalo.

     — Ingabe wayicosha inyoka? — UMax unqume ukuphazamisa uDimon owayethukile ezihlokweni ezenqatshelwe.

     - Cha, wenqaba ngisho nokuthinta isudi yami.

     "Mhlawumbe bekungafanele umnikeze ukuthi athinte okuthize?" Okungenani hhayi ngokushesha.

     - Yebo, mhlawumbe. Ngiphinde ngithanda i-cube libra. Uthembiseni ngoLaura?

     “Angizange ngithembise lutho ngoLaura.” Yeka nalawa maphupho kakade.

     - Ukudlala. Kufanele siyephi ngokulandelayo?

     “Inye kuphela indlela,” kusho uMax. "Ngicabanga ukuthi kufanele siye phansi, bese sizobona."

     - Phambili kwalasha we-Baator! - U-Boris wamsekela ngentshiseko.

    Eduze kwezitebhisi eziya esigabeni esilandelayo, phezu kwenqwaba yegolide, kukhona udrako onamakhanda amahlanu ayo yonke imibala yothingo. Wayekhipha umsindo omubi ngezikhathi ezithile futhi akhiphe izinsika zomlilo, iqhwa, umbani namanye amaqhinga angcolile okuthakatha esibhakabhakeni. Akekho noyedwa owayemesaba, ngoba lesi sidalwa sasingokoqobo ngokuphelele. Kanti ngakolunye uhlangothi lokwehla kwakukhona ikholomu enkulu ehlanganisa amakhanda ahlukanisiwe amarobhothi. Amakhanda ayelokhu elwa phakathi kwawo, amanye ecashe ekujuleni, amanye ekhasa phezulu. Ukwakheka kwelulelwe kukholamu yangempela futhi kwaxhunywa kunjini yokusesha yangaphakathi yeTelecom, ngakho-ke ngokombono babekwazi ukuphendula noma yimuphi umbuzo uma lowo obuzayo enemvume efanelekile.

     - Ngikhohlwe! - U-Boris wawela enkundleni yaseshashalazini lapho ebona ikholamu. - Kuyini lokhu, esikhundleni sesihlahla sikaKhisimusi?

     “Akunjalo, lena ikholomu yogebhezi olusuka esimisweni,” kuphendula uMax. Uyazi ukuthi abantu baseMartians ngokuvamile abazithandi izimpawu zenkolo. Ekuqaleni kwakunamakhanda afile abolayo, kodwa banquma ukuthi lokho kwakuyoba nzima kakhulu.

     - Woza, yini lapho! Uma belenga imihlobiso yesihlahla sikaKhisimusi emakhanda abolayo kanye nengelosi phezulu, kungaba nzima.

     - Ngamafuphi, lezi izinsalela zamarobhothi noma ama-androids okuthiwa aphule imithetho emithathu yamarobhothi. Kunamakhanda amaTerminators, uRoy Batty wakwaBlade Runner, Megatron namanye amarobhothi “amabi”. Yiqiniso, ekugcineni bahlohla wonke umuntu kuwo ...

     - Futhi ufuna ukwenzani naye?

     - Ungambuza noma yimuphi umbuzo, uxhumeke kunjini yokusesha yangaphakathi yakwaTelecom.

     “Cabanga nje, ngingase ngibuze imibuzo ye-neuroGoogle,” kububula u-Boris.

     - Lona umshini wangaphakathi. Njengokuthi uma ufika esivumelwaneni namakhanda, anganikeza, isibonelo, ulwazi lomuntu siqu mayelana nomsebenzi othile...

     “Kulungile, asizame manje,” uDimon wakhuphukela kukholamu ngaphandle komcimbi. - Ifayela lomuntu siqu likaPolina Tsvetkova.

     - Ngubani lo? - UMax wamangala.

     “Kusobala ukuthi leyo nyoka,” kuhoxa u-Boris.

    Kusukela ekuxubeni kwezingcezu zensimbi kwavela ikhanda likaBender waseFuturama.

     - Kiss imbongolo yami yensimbi ecwebezelayo!

     “Lalela, ikhanda, awunayo ngisho imbongolo,” uDimon ecasukile.

     - Futhi awunayo ngisho nethokazi, wena qatha lenyama!

     - Max! Kungani uhlelo lwakho ludelela kimi? - UDimon wathukuthela.

     - Lokhu akulona uhlelo lwami, ngiyakutshela, ekugcineni noma ubani angabeka noma yini lapho. Kusobala ukuthi kukhona owenze ihlaya.

     - Hhayi-ke, kuhle, kodwa kuthiwani uma ikholomu yakho ithumela igama elibi kumphathi othile wakwaMartian?

     - Angazi, bazobheka lowo owenze ikhanda likaBender.

     - Udumo kumarobhothi, ukufa kubo bonke abantu! - ikhanda laqhubeka nokukhuluma.

     - O, hlambalaza! — UDimon wanyakazisa isandla sakhe. - Uma kunjalo, ngizolinda ngemuva.

     - Uma uzovakashela idolobha lobuhlungu, ngizokutshela imfihlo: akukho lutho olungenziwa lapho.

    Ibinzana lokugcina lashiwo ngephimbo lokuzikhukhumeza lochwepheshe bazo zonke izinhlobo zokuzijabulisa okune-nerdy ne-hipster, okungangabazeki ukuthi kwakungumhleli wezinhlelo ohamba phambili uGordon Murphy. U-Gordon wayemude, enciphile, engumuntu omdala futhi ethanda ukwenza zonke izinhlobo zezingxoxo zobuhlakani mbumbulu mayelana nezimpumelelo zakamuva zesayensi nobuchwepheshe be-Martian. Washintsha ingxenye yezinwele zakhe ezibomvu wafaka izixha zemicu ye-LED, futhi ngokuvamile wayegibela ehhovisi le-Telecom ngesihlalo esingu-unicycle noma irobhothi. Futhi, njengokungathi uzimisele ngokuqinisekisa imibono yabanye abasebenzi be-SB abanohlonze, wazama ukulingisa i-Martian yangempela kwaze kwaba seqophelweni lokulahlekelwa ngokuphelele umuzwa wakhe wokulinganisa nokuhlonipheka. Emcimbini wezinkampani, wabonakala engathi i-illithid - isidla ubuchopho, ngokusobala eveza ukuthi wayengeke aliyeke ithuba lokushaya ubuchopho bezisebenzi emkhakheni wokwenza ngcono, ngisho nangamaholide. Ngokungeziwe kumathentekele azacile aphuma ngokungahlelekile ngaphansi kwengubo evimbela ukwakheka kwe-antistatic, i-illithid yayinebhangqa lezindiza ezingenayo emoyeni ezizungezayo ezizungezayo, ngendlela ye-jellyfish enobuthi eyibhaluni.

     — Ingabe kukhona okuwusizo okufundile emakhanda? - UGordon wabuza ngokubhuqa.

     "Sithole ukuthi kuwumkhonyovu ophelele yonke indawo." Bamba, ngamafuphi.

    Edangele, uDimon wafulathela waqonda emgodini ovuthayo waya endizeni elandelayo.

     "Wayecabanga ukuthi bazomnika zonke izimfihlo zenkampani." Insizwa elula kanje! Ahleke uGordon.

     "Umzamo awukona ukuhlukumeza," uMax ephakamisa amahlombe.

     - Nginolwazi oluncane olunezimpendulo ezifanele zezimfumbe ezimbalwa ezivela ezihlokweni ezilandelanayo ezivula ngempela ukufinyelela kusizindalwazi sangaphakathi.

     - Kukhona lezo zimfumbe kuphela ezingaphumelelanga esivivinyweni. Ayikho impendulo efanele kwabaningi babo.

     - Ungakhohliswa! Oh yebo, ubhale okuthile ngohlelo lokusebenza.

     "Ngakho-ke, into encane nje," uMax emamatheka.

     - Lalela, ubonakala uyindoda ehlakaniphile, ake ngizilolonge kuwe imfumbe yami.

     - Woza.

     - Awuzange uqhamuke nanoma yini?

     - Kwasungulwa. Uma ngibona ukuthi yini eyangizala...

     - Yebo, ngisanda kubuza. Kafushane, ngilalele: yini engashintsha imvelo yomuntu?

    UMax wagqolozela lowo owayekhuluma naye imizuzwana embalwa ebukeka enokungabaza, waze waqiniseka ukuthi wayengadlali.

     - I-Neurotechnology. - waphakamisa amahlombe.

    UDeveli baatezu wathatha insika yomlilo phambi kwabo ngesikhumba esongwayo. “Uphawu LweNkosi Yendiza Yokuqala,” esho ememeza, enikeza uMax umqulu. - Qoqa izimpawu zazo zonke izindiza ukuze uthole uphawu lombusi ophakeme. Ayikho eminye imibandela yenkontileka eshiwo. Ungakhohlwa ukubeka ukubheja kwakho ngaphambi komdlalo." Futhi udeveli wanyamalala esebenzisa efanayo evuthayo imiphumela ekhethekile.

     “Ngikhohlwe ukucisha uhlelo lokusebenza olubi,” kuthuka uGordon. — Sengivele ngiwachithile amabhontshisi ngemfumbe yami komunye umuntu?

     “Uma sibheka ukuthi leli yihlaya elaziwayo esigcawini sabalandeli bomdlalo wakudala ohlobene nanamuhla kusihlwa, mancane amathuba okuthi inkinga ibe wukuthi uchithe ubhontshisi,” kuchaza uMax ngezwi elinokubhuqa.

     - Empeleni, ngize nayo ngokwami.

    Lesi sitatimende samukelwa ngokusineka hhayi uMax kuphela, kodwa nayi-Githzerai eyayimise eduze: i-humanoid ezacile, enempandla enesikhumba esiluhlaza okotshani, izindlebe ezinde ezicijile, namadevu alukiwe ayelenga ngaphansi kwesilevu sakhe. Isithombe sakhe sonakaliswa kuphela ikhanda lakhe elikhulu ngokungenakulinganiswa namehlo amakhulu ngokulinganayo, aqhumile kancane.

     - Yiqiniso, kwaqondana ngenhlanhla, ngiyaqonda.

    U-Gordon wagoqa izindebe zakhe ngokuzidla futhi wahlehla ngesiNgisi kanye ne-flying jellyfish yakhe nezinye izici. Lapho ehamba, uMax waphendukela kuBoris.

     - Ngokuqinisekile wayefuna ukuncela ama-Martians futhi, angama-shamans ayinhloko we-neurotechnology.

     - Akufanele, Max. Empeleni wena wathi uyisahluleki wantshontsha imfumbe. Kuhle ukuthi okungenani akashongo lutho ngabakwaMartians.

     - Iqiniso.

     "Ungusopolitiki okhohlakele futhi ungumuntu othanda umsebenzi." UGordon ngeke akukhohlwe lokhu, uyamqonda ukuthi uyisigangi esiziphindiselela kanjani. Futhi ngokomthetho wobubi, nakanjani uzogcina usenkomishini ethile uma ucubungula ukukhushulwa kwakho esikhundleni.

     “Awu, kuyabheda,” kuvuma uMax, ebona iphutha lakhe. - Uyazi, mhlawumbe akufanele nje untshontshe izimfumbe ku-inthanethi.

     - Kuyacaca ukuthi awudingi ukuzulazula. Kulungile, khohlwa ngalo Gordon, uNkulunkulu ethanda, ngeke uphambane naye kakhulu.

     - Ithemba.

    “URuslan cishe uqinisile,” kucabanga uMax ngokudabukisayo. - Uhlelo alunandaba nayo yonke imizamo yami yokudala. Kodwa ngeke ngikwazi ukwenza umsebenzi wezepolitiki, ngoba amakhono ami ebuqilini kanye nokunyonyoba angaphansi kakhulu. Futhi anginaso isifiso sokuzithuthukisa futhi ngihlala ngikhathazeka ngokuthi yini engashiwo futhi kubani futhi yini engashiwo. Ngendlela enhle, okuwukuphela kwethuba lisendaweni ekude nezinkampani ezimbi kakhulu njengeTelecom, kodwa ngaphandle kweTelecom cishe ngizoxoshwa ku-Mars ngokushesha. Eh, mhlawumbe kufanele ngihambe ngiyodakwa noBoryan..."

    I-Githzerai emi ngokuthula eduze kwekholomu yaphendukela kuMax ngokumamatheka. Futhi uMax wambona njengomphathi wenkonzo yabasebenzi, iMartian Arthur Smith.

     - Amagama amaningi angamagama nje, alula kunomoya, siyawakhohlwa lapho nje siwaphimisa. Kodwa kukhona amagama akhethekile, akhulunywe ngenhlanhla, anganquma isiphetho somuntu futhi ambophe ngokuphepha kunanoma yimaphi amaketanga. – U-Arthur washo ngezwi elingaqondakali futhi wagqolozela uMax ngelukuluku lokufuna ukwazi ngamehlo akhe aqhumile.

     "Ngabe ngiwashilo amazwi angibophe?"

     - Kuphela uma ukholelwa kukho ngokwakho.

     - Kwenza mehluko muni engikholelwa kukho?

     “Ezweni lezinxushunxushu, akukho okubaluleke ukwedlula ukholo.” Futhi umhlaba wamaqiniso angokoqobo uyindiza yesiphithiphithi esimsulwa,” kusho u-Arthur ngokumamatheka okufanayo. "Wena ngokwakho udale idolobha lonke ngalo ngamandla emicabango yakho." – Waqalaza indawo ezungezile.

     - Ingabe amandla okucabanga anele ukudala amadolobha ngaphandle kwesiphithiphithi?

     “Imizi emikhulu yaseGithzerai yadalwa ngenxa yesiphithiphithi ngentando yabantu bakithi, kodwa yazini ukuthi ingqondo ehlangene nensingo yayo ibuthakathaka kakhulu ukuba ingavikela izinqaba zayo. Umqondo kanye blade yayo kumele kube into eyodwa.

    U-Arthur waqaqa i-Chaos Blade futhi wayibonisa uMax, eyibambe ngobude bengalo. Kwakuyinto e-amorphous futhi inamafu, efana neqhwa elimpunga lasentwasahlobo, elisakazeka ngaphansi kwemisebe yelanga. Futhi ngemva kwesekhondi yavele yanwebeka yaba isishicileli esiluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka esimnyama esinensingo engajiyile njengezinwele zomuntu.

     "I-blade yakhelwe ukubhujiswa, akunjalo?"

     "I-blade isingathekiso nje." Indalo nokubhujiswa yizigxobo ezimbili zento eyodwa, njengokubandayo nokushisayo. Yilabo kuphela abakwazi ukuqonda lesi senzakalo ngokwaso, hhayi izimo zaso, ababona umhlaba njengento engapheli.

    UMax wamangala ebusweni.

     - Kungani usho lokho?

     - Wathini ngempela?

     - Mayelana nezwe elingapheli?

     “Lokho kuzwakala kuthakazelisa kakhulu,” kusho u-Arthur emahlombe. - Ngizama ukudlala umlingiswa wami njengoba bekulindelekile, futhi hhayi njengawo wonke umuntu.

     "Ingabe uveza i-Githzerai ethile?"

     — UDak'kona ovela emdlalweni owaziyo. Yini ekhethekile ngamazwi ami?

     - Ngakho kusho i-bot eyodwa eyinqaba kakhulu ... noma kunalokho, ngasho kanjalo mina ezimweni eziyinqaba kakhulu. Ngangingakaze ngilindele ukuzwa into efana naleyo komunye umuntu.

     - Naphezu kwayo yonke inkolelo-mbono yamathuba, ngisho nezinto ezinhle kakhulu zivame ukwenzeka kabili. Ngaphezu kwalokho, owokuqala owasho okufanayo kwakuyimbongi eyiNgisi eyinqaba ngendlela efanayo. Wayengaziwa ngaphezu kwawo wonke ama-bot angajwayelekile ehlangene futhi ebona umhlaba njengento engapheli ngaphandle kwezinduku zamakhemikhali ezandisa ukwazi.

     - Lowo owavula iminyango ubona izwe lingenasiphelo. Lowo ovulelwe iminyango ubona imihlaba engapheli.

     - Kusho kahle! Kuzofanela futhi umlingiswa wami, kodwa ngiyathembisa ukuhlonipha ilungelo lakho lobunikazi.

     - Ngiyabona wahlangana ngempumelelo, damn it! - U-Boris, enesithukuthezi eduze kwakhe, akakwazanga ukukumela. "Kungani amadonki ahloniphekile engaqhumisani ubuchopho endleleni eya endizeni elandelayo?"

     “Boryan, hamba, ngizoma ngicabange ngezimfumbe ezingadingi zebiwa ku-inthanethi,” kuphendula uMax.

    U-Arthur wathi ngezwi lakhe:

     "Kunezimfihlakalo eziningi lapha ezingadingi ukuxazululwa."

     — Izimfumbe ezivela kukholamu?

     - Vele, phakathi kwabo kukhona ama-quirks athakazelisa kakhulu okuqonda okungafihli kunezicelo eziningi ezigunyazwe ngokusemthethweni zobuhlakani.

     - Ngokubona kwami, le kholomu ibukeka njengendawo yokulahla udoti yobuhlakani. Yiziphi izimfihlakalo ezithakazelisayo ezingaba khona?

     — Ngokwesibonelo, umbuzo mayelana nephupho likaMartian. Ingabe ikhona indlela yokunquma ukuthi umhlaba osizungezile awulona iphupho likaMartian...

     - Ngiyazi. Kodwa ngeke kube khona impendulo kukho, ngoba akunakwenzeka ukuphikisa i-solipsism ehlanzekile yokuthi umhlaba ozungezile uyisifanekiso somcabango wakho noma i-matrix yokwenziwa.

     - Hhayi empeleni, umbuzo uphakamisa isenzakalo esicacile senhlalo-mnotho. Ngenkathi ngihamba ezinhlelweni zikaBaator, kwafika ngisho nezimpendulo ezimbili engqondweni.

     - Ngisho ezimbili?

     - Impendulo yokuqala iwukungavumelani okunengqondo ekwakhiweni kombuzo. Akufanele kube nephupho likaMartian ephusheni likaMartian; ukungabaza okunjalo kuyisici esihlukile somhlaba wangempela. Kungani udinga iphupho likaMartian ofuna ukubalekela kulo iphupho likaMartian? Ingahlelwa kabusha ngale ndlela elandelayo: lona kanye iqiniso lokubuza umbuzo onjalo lifakazela ukuthi usemhlabeni wangempela.

     - Kulungile, ake sithi ngisephusheni likaMartian, futhi ngijabule ngakho konke, ngifuna ukuhlola ukuthi kukhona umhlaba wangempela ongizungezile. Futhi abathuthukisi badale i-Dreamland efanayo ukuze benze udaka lwabo lube ngokoqobo.

     - Kwani? Ukuze amaklayenti ahlupheke futhi angabaze. Ngokusekelwe kulokho engikwaziyo ngezinhlangano ezinjalo, isofthiwe yazo ithinta ingqondo yamakhasimende ukuze angabuzi imibuzo engadingekile.

     - Well ... ngokombono wami, uvele ukhulume njengomuntu oqinisekayo ngeqiniso lezwe elizungezile. Futhi unikeza izimpikiswano ezifanele ezisekelwe okholweni lwakho.

     - Kungani ngingabheka izimpikiswano ezifakazela ukuthi umhlaba awulona iqiniso? Ukumosha isikhathi nomzamo.

     - Ngakho-ke uphikisana nephupho likaMartian?

     - Ngiphinde ngimelene nezidakamizwa, kodwa lokho kushintsha yini?

     - Futhi impendulo yesibili?

     - Impendulo yesibili iyinkimbinkimbi futhi inembile kakhulu ngokubona kwami. Ephusheni likaMartian, umhlaba awubheki ... ungapheli. Ayihambisani nezinto eziphikisanayo. Kuyo ungawina ngaphandle kokulahlekelwa lutho, noma ungajabula ngaso sonke isikhathi, noma, isibonelo, ukhohlise wonke umuntu ngaso sonke isikhathi. Ijele leli, alilingani futhi noma ubani ofunayo uzokwazi ukulibona, noma ngabe uhlelo lumkhohlisa kangakanani.

     — Ingabe kufanele sibheke imbewu yokuhlulwa ekunqobeni kwethu siqu? Ngicabanga ukuthi iningi labantu emhlabeni wangempela ngeke libuze imibuzo enjalo. Futhi ngisho nangokwengeziwe amaklayenti wephupho likaMartian.

     - Vuma. Kodwa umbuzo wawuwukuthi: “Ingabe ikhona indlela”? Ngakho, ngiphakamisa indlela. Yiqiniso, noma ubani ongayisebenzisa, empeleni, akunakwenzeka ukuba agcine ejele elinjalo.

     - Ngabe umhlaba wethu awulona ijele?

     — Ngomqondo wamaGnostic? Leli yizwe lapho ubuhlungu nokuhlupheka kungenakugwenywa, ngakho ngeke kube ijele elifanelekile. Umhlaba wangempela unonya, yingakho umhlaba wangempela.

     - Kungani, leli ijele elikhethekile lapho iziboshwa zinikezwa khona ithuba lokukhululwa.

     "Khona-ke leli akulona ijele ngokwencazelo, kodwa indawo yokufundiswa kabusha." Kodwa izwe eliphoqa umuntu ukuthi ashintshe njalo lingokoqobo. Lokhu kufanele kube isici sayo esiyingqayizivele. Futhi uma intuthuko ifinyelele ophahleni oluthile, lapho-ke umhlaba uphoqelekile ukuthi udlulele esimweni esilandelayo, noma ugoqe bese uqala umjikelezo futhi. Akuwenzi umqondo ukubiza lokhu kuhleleka kwezinto ngejele.

     - Kulungile, leli yijele esizenzele lona.

     - Kanjani?

     - Abantu bayizigqila zemikhuba yabo emibi nezinkanuko.

     Ngakho-ke, ngokushesha noma kamuva wonke umuntu kuzomele akhokhe ngamaphutha abo.

     - Inkokhelo iza kanjani kumakhasimende ephupho likaMartian? Baphila isikhathi eside futhi bafa bejabule.

     - Angazi, angizange ngicabange ngakho. Ukube bengisebhizinisini elifanayo, bengizokwenza yonke imizamo yokufihla imiphumela engemihle. Mhlawumbe ekupheleni kwenkontileka, amademoni eqiniso langempela afika emiphefumulweni yamakhasimende, awahlukanise futhi awahudulele endaweni engaphansi.

    UMax wasicabangela lesi sithombe waqhaqhazela.

     - Imiphefumulo yalabo ababenesithakazelo kulokhu kuhlelwa igcina isemabhanoyini e-Baator. Mhlawumbe mina nawe sesifile? – U-Arthur wamamatheka futhi.

     "Mhlawumbe ekufeni impilo ibukeka njengokufa."

     “Mhlawumbe umfana uyintombazane, ngenye indlela nje.” Ngiyesaba ukuthi ngeke sikwazi ukubamba ubuhlakani bomjikelezo onganqamuki we-Zerthimon ngale ndlela.

     - Yebo, namuhla akunakwenzeka ukwazi ngokuqinisekile. Ngingathanda ukubambana nabangane bami, ungathanda ukujoyina?

     "Uma bezobalekela kwezinye izindiza ngokuphuza uketshezi olune-neurotoxic, cha." Angikwazi ukubekezelela ukucabanga kwalelo qiniso.

     - Ngesaba ukuthi bazokwenza. Ngithi siyizigqila zobubi bethu.

     "Yazi ukuthi ngiwezwile amazwi akho ndoda." Uma ufuna ukwazi ukuhlakanipha kweZerthimon futhi, woza.

    I-Githzerai yanikeza umnsalo we-samurai kancane futhi yabuyela emuva kukholamu, kubonakala sengathi izama ukuthola ezinye izimfumbe ezingadingi ukuxazululwa.

    Eshiya iMartian engavamile, uMax wangena shí endizeni elandelayo. Wazama ngokushesha ukunqamula ithafa lensimbi ngaphansi kwesibhakabhaka esiluhlaza, kodwa eduze kweqoqo lamatafula ashisayo nosofa wabanjwa u-Arsen neqembu angalazi lozakwabo, amagama abo uMax ayengawakhipha encwadini yereferensi, kodwa hhayi. enkumbulweni yakhe. Kwadingeka abekezelele elinye iqoqo lamahlaya anenhlamba mayelana nezigigaba zakhe okwakuthiwa zothando no-Laura kanye nezipesheli ezimbalwa zokuziphonsa kokuthile. Ekugcineni, uMax wavuma futhi wathatha amafuphi ambalwa e-hookah ye-Baator ekhethekile enama-nanoparticles. Umusi wawunokunambitheka okumnandi kohlobo oluthile lwesithelo futhi awuzange ucasule izitho zokuphefumula zomzimba odakiwe nhlobo. Ngokusobala amanye ama-nanoparticles awusizo ayekhona ngempela lapho.

    U-Boris wathumela umlayezo wokuthi base bedlulile kakade indiza yexhaphozi nge-foam disco futhi bazonambitha i-absinthe evuthayo endizeni yesine embusweni womlilo. Ngakho-ke uMax uzifaka engcupheni yokubamba abangani bakhe ngobude obuhluke ngokuphelele uma eqhubeka nehlisa ijubane.

    Ukudubula kwesithathu kuhlangatshezwe nesigqi se-disco esivala izindlebe, isixuku esimemezayo kanye nemithombo yegwebu elalibiliswa ngezikhathi ezithile odaka lwexhaphozi noma liphahlazeke lisuka esibhakabhakeni esinomthofu ophansi. Lapha nalaphaya ngenhla kwexhaphozi, ngamaketanga afinyelela esibhakabhakeni esinomthofu, kwakulenga izinkundla eziningana ezinabadansi abafudumeza isixuku. Futhi endaweni yesikhulumi esikhulu kunazo zonke esikhungweni kukhona u-DJ wedemoni ngemuva kwekhonsoli yamademoni ngokulinganayo.

    UMax unqume ukwenza indlela yakhe ngokucophelela adlule kubumnandi basendle ezisekelweni ezakhiwe ngokukhethekile. “I-Baator iyindiza ehlelekile, hhayi isiphithiphithi. Kodwa uMartian ongavamile, ongakholelwa eqinisweni elingokoqobo, wathi leli yizwe elinesiphithiphithi esihlanzekile, futhi wayeqinisile, ecabanga, eqalaza esixukwini sabantu abagxuma ngokungahleliwe. - Obani bonke laba bantu, abajabulela ukuphila ngobuqotho, noma, ngokuphambene nalokho, bacwilisa ukuhlupheka kwabo ngomsindo notshwala? Ziyizinhlayiya zesiphithiphithi sakuqala, isiphithiphithi okungazalwa noma yini, kuye ngokuthi iyiphi intambo oyidonsayo. Ngibona izithombe eziphaphathekile, ezikhanyayo zekusasa ezingase zivele noma zinyamalale ngenxa yokushayisana okungahleliwe kwalezi zinhlayiya. Izinhlobonhlobo zendawo yonke ziyazalwa futhi zife ngezinkulungwane umzuzwana ngamunye kulesiphithiphithi.”

    Kuthe kusenjalo naye uMax wazibona eyisipoki sesiphithiphithi, egibele amafu anegwebu. Ugijimela phezulu kancane, agxume andize... Yeka umuzwa omangalisayo wenjabulo nokundiza... Futhi, gxuma futhi undiza, usuka efwini uye efwini... UMax wanambitha igwebu wazithola esephakathi kwesixuku esidansa. “Udla ama-nanoparticles acashile,” ecabanga ngokucasuka, ezama ukubhekana nesifiso esiqhubekayo sokundiza nokuzulazula phakathi nalobu buhlanya obunamagwebu, njengomntwana wendlovu ekhandwe ngamatshe, uDumbo. - Yeka isembozo esihle. Kudingeka siphume ngokushesha siphuze amanzi.”

    Enyakaza futhi evika, wagibela endaweni ephakeme eduze nezindawo zokomisa, ezaphephetha imimese enwebekayo yomoya ofudumele kumadimoni acwile macala onke. Futhi ngezikhathi ezithile babebangela izingxenye zokuklolodela kanye nokuklolodela okuvela kumademoni akhohlwe ukugcina izingubo zawo zamaholide ezicishe zibe msulwa futhi ezingahlanzekile. UMax wema ngaphansi kwemishini yokomisa isikhathi eside wangabe esabuyela ezingqondweni. Ikhanda lalingenalutho futhi lilula, imicabango engahlangani yagcwala kulo njengamabhamuza amakhulu ensipho futhi yaqhuma ngaphandle kokushiya nomkhondo.

    Kubonakala sengathi uRuslan uncike ngodonga eduze. Wayebukeka ejabulile kuhle kwekati elisuthi, ezishaya isifuba ngokuthi ucishe wabulala idimoni elidakiwe kulo lonke lolu bishi olunamagwebu. Iqiniso liwukuthi manje ukumthola futhi ukuze aqedele icala cishe akunakwenzeka. U-Ruslan wamemeza ethi udinga ukuhamba imizuzu emihlanu, futhi uzobuya futhi bazoba nokuqhuma kwangempela.

    UMax ulahlekelwe isikhathi, kodwa kwabonakala sengathi sekudlule imizuzu engaphezu kwemihlanu. URuslan akazange abonakale, kodwa kwakubonakala sengathi wayeseqala ukudedela. “Yilokho-ke, ngiyaziyeka izidakamizwa, ikakhulukazi ezamakhemikhali. Hhayi-ke, mhlawumbe ingilazi ye-absinthe, mhlawumbe amabili, kodwa awasekho ama-hookah ane-nanoparticles."

    Ihholo elabelwe ipulani lomlilo lalilincane uma kuqhathaniswa futhi elikhanga kakhulu kwakuyindawo eyindilinga enkulu phakathi nendawo, eyakhiwe yafana nentaba-mlilo enezilimi zamalangabi amhlophe aphuma ngaphakathi. Isithombe saqedwa ngeziqhumane ezimbalwa zokuphotha kanye nesigameko esinama-fakirs wangempela. Cishe i-idyll enokuthula, uma iqhathaniswa nexhaphozi elihlanyayo langaphambilini. U-Boris noDimon bathola uMax endaweni yokucima ukoma, ephuza amanzi amaminerali e-prosaic ngokuphelele.

     - Awu, ubukuphi? – Boris wathukuthela. - Amanye ama-absinthes amathathu! - wafuna kumthengisi ophilayo, owayesula izinkomishi zamatshe ngokudangala futhi edubula izibuko ngendlela yedemoni elimncane, elinenselo elinezimpondo zembuzi. U-Dimon, owayesevele ekhotheme ngokusobala, uqhwakele esihlalweni esiphakeme futhi washaya i-absinthe ngaphandle kokulinda ukuba ishiswe.

     "Ima," uMax wamisa u-Boris ngesenzo, "ngizohamba kancane manje."

     —Ubuhlele ukushiyani lapho? Usuhambe cishe ihora, abantu abavamile banesikhathi sokudakwa futhi badakwe futhi.

     "Izingozi eziningi zilindele umhambi ongenandaba ezindizeni, uyazi."

     - Ingabe okungenani uxoxile ngamathemba akho omsebenzi nalo mphathi?

     - Awu yebo! Amathemba emisebenzi ashabalala ngokuphelele engqondweni yami.

     - Maxim, kwenzekani! Ubukhuluma ngani isikhathi esingaka?

     - Ikakhulukazi ngemfumbe yami ngephupho likaMartian.

     - Hewu! "Impela awuyena umuntu owenza umsebenzi," u-Boris enikina ikhanda.

     "Yebo, ngicabanga ukuthi sekuyisikhathi sokwenza umsebenzi," u-bartender wangenelela ngokuzumayo engxoxweni. - Ingabe nina bafana bakwaTelecom?

     - Ingabe ukhona omunye umuntu ohambahamba lapha? - U-Boris wahleka.

     - Yebo, ngalawa maholide oNyaka Omusha ... kunabantu abaningi lapha. Unephathi enhle, kunjalo, futhi ngibone engcono nakakhulu.

     - Ubone kuphi into epholile? - UMax wamangala ngobuqotho ngokunganaki okunjalo.

     - Yebo, i-Neurotek, isibonelo, abafana bahambahamba kanjalo. Ngezinga elikhulu.

     - Ngokusobala uhlala nabo njalo?

     “Bathenge yonke iGolden Mile kulo nyaka,” kuqhuba lo mculi, enganakile ukuhleka. - Lapha yilapho udinga ukwenza i-career. Yebo, empeleni, ungazama ku-Telecom...

     “Umphathi wethu omkhulu uhlezi lapho,” u-Boris ethinta uDimon, owayenqekuzisa ikhanda, ehlombe. - Khuluma naye ngomsebenzi wakho, ungachithi okuningi, ngaphandle kwalokho kuzodingeka ugeze ikhawunta ngesikhathi sakho sokuhlolwa.

    Ngokumangalisayo, isisebenzi senkonzo yotshwala, singakwazi ukuvala umlomo, empeleni saqala ukugcoba okuthile kuDimon, owayengasabeli kahle ekushukumiseni kwangaphandle.

     - Lalela, Boryan, uthe uyazi indaba engcolile ngo-Arthur Smith.

     - Kumane kuyinhlebo engcolile. Akufanele ukutshele wonke umuntu.

     - Ngabe ngiqonde konke ngokulandelana?! Cha, ngeke ngikushiye namuhla, uma uthanda.

     - Kulungile, ake sishaye futhi sikutshele.

    U-Boris wakhipha ushukela ovuthayo ngokwakhe futhi wengeza ijusi.

     - Nanku unyaka ozayo nempumelelo emsebenzini wethu onzima!

    U-Max waququda ngenxa yokubaba okunambitha kwe-caramel.

     - Ugh, ungaphuza kanjani lokhu! Ngitshele inhlebo yakho engcolile vele.

     - Isizinda esincane siyadingeka lapha. Cishe awazi ukuthi kungani iningi labantu baseMartians lingokhuni kangaka?

     - Ngamuphi umqondo?

     - Ngaleyo ndlela, kubi, ukuthi ubaba wabo uCarlo wabakhipha esigxotsheni... Ngokuvamile abanayo imizwelo eyengeziwe kunale log. Bamamatheka izikhathi ezimbalwa kuphela ngonyaka ngamaholide amakhulu.

     — Phakathi naso sonke isikhathi sami ku-Mars, ngake “ngaxoxa” imizuzu emihlanu nomphathi wethu, izikhathi ezimbalwa no-Arthur. Futhi kwabanye kufana nokuthi “sawubona” nokuthi “bye.” Ubasi, vele, wangicindezela, kodwa u-Arthur uvamile, nakuba edidekile kancane.

     "U-Arthur ujwayelekile kakhulu kuMartian ojwayelekile." Ngokwazi kwami, abakwaMartians bangempela abambheki njengomunye wabo.

     - Ingabe ungumdlali omkhulu enkonzweni yabasebenzi?

     - U-Fuck uzothola lesi sigaba saphezulu sabo. Kodwa kubonakala kungesona isibalo sokugcina, uma sikhuluma ngobuchwepheshe, ngokuqinisekile. Ukhipha inqwaba yezibuyekezo ezincwadini eziyizethenjwa kanye nazo zonke izinhlobo zabahleli.

     - Njengoba ngikuqonda, abakwaMartians abavumeli "abantu abangabazi" ezindabeni ezibalulekile.

     - Oh, Max, ungakhethi. Ingabe uyavuma ukuthi uyinqaba kakhulu kuMartian?

     - Okwamanje nginesisekelo esingameleli kancane sokuqhathanisa. Kodwa ngiyavuma, yebo, ukuthi uyinqaba. Cishe njengomuntu ojwayelekile, ngaphandle kokuthi akaphuzi ngaphansi kwesihlahla sikaKhisimusi...

     - Ngakho-ke, ngokusuka kwakhe ungamaphesenti ayikhulu Martian. Ngenkathi zivuthwa emaflaskini azo, kunezelwa inqwaba yezinto ezifakwayo ezihlukene. Futhi-ke ohlelweni lokukhula futhi. Futhi umsebenzi owodwa oyisibopho yi-chip yokulawula imizwa. Angazi imininingwane, kodwa kuyiqiniso ukuthi bonke abantu baseMartians banenketho eyakhelwe ngaphakathi yokulawula zonke izinhlobo zamahomoni nama-testosterone.

     - I-Testosterone, kubonakala sengathi ishintsha ...

     - Ungabi nesicefe. Ngokuvamile, noma yimuphi uMartian ocindezeleke kakhulu angacisha noma yikuphi ukungabi nandaba: ukucindezeleka isikhathi eside noma "uthando lokuqala" olungajabulisi ngokumane ucindezele inkinobho ebonakalayo.

     - Elula, akukho ongakusho.

     - Elula, kunjalo. Kodwa kukhona okungahambanga kahle ngo-Arthur wethu ebuntwaneni. I-aibolit ye-Martian cishe ihlukumezekile, futhi ayizange ikuthole lokhu kuthuthukiswa okuwusizo. Ngakho-ke, yonke imizwa namahomoni kuyamshaya, njengamakhodi ajwayelekile abomvu. Ukuphila nalesi sici kubonakala kunzima kuye; "okuvamile" Martians bambheka sengathi ukhubazekile ...

     - Borya, kusobala ukuthi ubheke irekhodi lakhe lezokwelapha.

     - Angizange ngibheke, abantu abanolwazi basho njalo.

     - Abantu abanolwazi ... yebo.

     - Ngakho-ke, Max, ungalaleli uma ungafuni! Futhi ushiye ukucabanga kwakho okubucayi kwezinye izimpikiswano zesayensi.

     - Ngiyezwa, thula. Konke ukungcola kusekhona phambili, ngiyethemba?

     - Yebo, leyo bekuyingxenye yesingeniso. Nenhlebo yona imi kanje. Ngenxa yokuthi u-Arthur wethu wathola ukulimala okubi kangaka ebuntwaneni, akakhangwa ikakhulukazi abesifazane baseMartian ngokhuni. Okuningi ngabesifazane “abangabantu”. Kodwa, njengoba inhlanhla ingaba nayo, akakhanyi ngokubukeka kwakhe, ngisho nakuMartian, futhi awukwazi ukukhohlisa abesifazane abavamile ngezingxoxo ezididekile. Kubonakala sengathi kukhona uhlobo lwesimo, kodwa akukho okukhethekile ... Max! Ngathi ngikuxwayisile.

    UMax akakwazanga ukuzibamba ebusweni bakhe obunokungabaza.

     - Kulungile, Boryan, ungacasuki. Kunjengokungathi ukholelwa konke ngokwakho.

     - Abantu abanolwazi ngeke baqambe amanga. Angiqondi ukuthi ngikhuluma ngobani lapha! Ngamafuphi, u-Arthur wachitha isikhathi eside ejaha itshwele elihle emsebenzini wezisebenzi. Kodwa akazange amnake nakancane futhi akazange ambingelele. Nokho, umzuzwana owodwa omuhle, lapho wonke umuntu esegodukile futhi u-Arthur kuphela nento yakhe yokububula kusala kuyo yonke ibhlokhi, wanquma ukuyibamba inkunzi ngezimpondo wayicindezela khona kanye endaweni yayo yokusebenza. Kodwa akazange abonise ukwazisa kwakhe futhi waphuka ikhala nenhliziyo ngesikhathi esifanayo.

     — Intokazi elwayo yabanjwa. Ngakho, yini elandelayo?

     - Le ntokazi yaxoshwa, isenguMartian, nakuba inamaphutha.

     - Futhi lithini igama laleli qhawekazi, elahlushwa ukuhlukunyezwa okungcolile emsebenzini?

     “Okubuhlungu wukuthi umlando awusho lutho ngalokhu.

     - Pf-f, ngiyaxolisa, kodwa ngaphandle kwegama yilokho nje, inhlebo yogogo ebhentshini.

     - Indaba iyiqiniso kuzo zonke izinhloso nezinjongo, kulungile, amaphesenti angamashumi ayisishiyagalolunye ngokuqinisekile. Futhi ngegama, ngiyaxolisa futhi, kodwa bengizolithengisa emakhasini angaphambili ngezinkulungwane ezimbalwa ezinyakazayo futhi manje bengizophuza ama-cocktail e-Bali, esikhundleni sokuba lapha nawe...

     - Uqonde ngqo ekuqondisweni: izinkulungwane ezimbalwa... Uma esikhundleni se-Martian ene-chip enesici sishintsha isixhwanguxhwangu esingumuntu, khona-ke indaba izoba evimbela kakhulu. Ayikho ngisho imininingwane yokuthi umhlukumeze kanjani.

     - Hhayi-ke, angizange ngibambe ikhandlela. Hhayi-ke, mhlawumbe yebo, u-Arthur wethu waba isisulu samacebo othile acashile nokucasulwa. Ngendlela, ngokwazi kwami, ngandlela thize waxabana nomphathi wethu u-Albert.

     "Akunakwenzeka ukuthi lokhu kuzosisiza nganoma iyiphi indlela." Crap! Uphi uDimon?

    UMax waqala ukuqalaza ngokukhathazeka, ebheka idayinaso egcwele ukuphazamiseka.

     - Borya, unaye njengomngane? Ungamthola ku-tracker?

     - Ungakhathazeki, ungumuntu omdala, futhi akusiyo empumalanga yeMoscow.

     - Kungcono ukwenza isiqiniseko.

    UDimon watholwa endlini yangasese esezingeni elifanayo, ikhanda lakhe likusinki ngaphansi kwamanzi agelezayo. Wahonqa kuhle kwesivalo wajikijela amathawula ephepha. Ikhanda ledayinaso elimanzi lalilenga emhlane walo lifile. Noma kunjalo, emizuzwini emibili kamuva uDimon wabonakala eqabuleke kakhulu futhi waqala nokufaka izicelo kumaqabane akhe.

     - Kungani ungishiye nale mbuzi? Akawuvali umzuzwana. Bengifuna nje ukumshaya ezimpondweni.

     “Uxolo, bengicabanga ukuthi uzoba isilaleli esikahle,” kuhoxa u-Boris.

     — Ingabe kukhona engikuphuthele okuthakazelisayo?

     - Ngakho-ke inhlebo eyodwa engcolile mayelana nokuhlukunyezwa kukaMartian nokungcolile.

     - Futhi wena, Max, uqagele zonke izimfumbe?

     - Cishe, eyami iqagele kahle.

     - Ngamafuphi, nginayo nemfumbe. Asihambe siyogibela ngikutshele... Ungangibambezeli! Ngikahle ngokuphelele!

    Kwakunzima ukukholisa uDimon ukuthi ashintshele eziphuzweni ezinotshwala obuphansi. Bahlala kosofa abanethezekile emlonyeni wentabamlilo encane.

     - Hhayi-ke, hlobo luni lomqondo okhanyayo owalethwa unkulunkulu wokukhohlwa utshwala ekhanda lakho? – Boris wabuza.

     - Hhayi umbono, kodwa umbuzo. Ingabe ama-Martians aya ocansini? Futhi uma kunjalo, kanjani?

     “Yebo, unkulunkulu wotshwala ubengeke alethe lutho olukhanyayo,” uMax enikina ikhanda. – Hlobo luni lwemibuzo? Benza into efanayo impela.

     - Njengobani nje?

     - Njengabantu ngokusobala.

     “Cha, ima kancane,” kungenela u-Boris. – Ukhuluma ngesibindi. Ukubonile, uyazi? Wake wahlangana noMartians empilweni yangempela?

    UMax wacabanga kancane, ezama ukukhumbula ukuthi wahlangana yini nabesifazane bakwaMartian ngesikhathi esebenza kwaTelecom.

     “Ngibonile, kunjalo,” ephendula. - Angizange ngixhumane eduze, ngakho-ke?

     - Oh, okungukuthi, wena ngokwakho awazi, kodwa wenza izitatimende?

     - Hhayi-ke, ngixolele, yebo, angikalitholi ithuba nabakwaMartians okwamanje. Kungani abakwaMartians kufanele bakwenze nganoma iyiphi indlela ekhethekile? Wena ngokwakho usanda kukhuluma ngobudlelwano bothando obungaphumeleli be-Martian. Futhi uthe abanye abaphathi abangakaqedwa ngokugcwele abakhangwa “ama-wooden” Martians. Ukutshele konke lokhu ngokusekelwe kulokho okucatshangwayo mayelana namasiko abo othando?

     - Ungangidida. Yayimayelana nani indaba yami?

     - Mayelana nani?

     - Mayelana nokuhlukunyezwa kwabesifazane abajwayelekile. Kwakungekho ukukhuluma ngamaMartians lapho.

    Inkulumo kaBoris yahamba kancane ngamabomu, wadlala ngokujabula okuyihaba, ezama ngokusobala ukunxephezela ukwehla kwekhono lakhe lokudlulisa imicabango yakhe ngamazwi.

     "Kulungile, nawe, ake sithathe ikhefu," uMax wathatha ingilazi yerum neMars-Cola eBoris, naphezu kwemibhikisho yakhe. "Akusakwazi ukuba nengxoxo eyanele nawe." Awukhumbuli ukuthi utheni emizuzwini eyishumi edlule.

     - Ngikhumbula konke. Nguwe owenza ngobuhlakani, Max. Awazi, awukayiboni, kodwa wenza izitatimende ezihlukene.

     - Kulungile, uxolo, uma unikezwe isizinda sakho esincane, ngokusobala abesifazane baseMartian bafushane, banentshebe futhi besaba kangangokuthi bagcinwa emihumeni ejulile futhi abakaze baboniswe. Futhi ngokuvamile bakwenza lokhu, uma kwenzeka, futhi ama-Martians azala ngokuhluma.

     - Ha ha, kuhlekisa kanjani. Empeleni uDimon wabuza umbuzo onzima;

     - Ngoba akekho obuza imibuzo eyisiphukuphuku. Manje zonke izinhlobo zabasebenzisi abanesiphiwo zokuxhumana nabantu abanamamodeli ama-chip amasha bangenza lokhu nganoma iyiphi indlela abayifunayo, kunoma yiziphi izikhundla nanganoma iyiphi isethi yabahlanganyeli.

     “Empeleni ngangiqonde ubulili obungokwenyama,” kuchaza uDimon ngokushesha. - Konke kucacile mayelana nezinkundla zokuxhumana.

     - Nina nobabili kungenzeka ningaqapheli, kodwa amakhono obuchwepheshe kaMartians sekuyisikhathi eside ebavumela ukuthi bakhiqize ngaphandle kokuthintana ngokomzimba.

     - Ngakho-ke uthi ama-Martians awakwenzi lokhu bukhoma? - U-Boris wabuza ngobudlova.

     "Ngithi bakwenza ngendlela abafuna ngayo futhi nanoma ngubani abafuna, yikho kuphela."

     - Cha, Maxim, lokho ngeke kusebenze. Imithetho yezingxoxo zomnumzane iphakamisa ukuthi umuntu kufanele abe nesibopho semakethe.

     - Akuyona into embi. Kungani ngingaphethe imakethe?

     "Uma uphendula, masizibulale," u-Boris, esegcwele isiqu sakhe, welula isandla sakhe kumbangi wakhe. - Dimon, yephule!

    Esho ephakamisa isandla uMax ephendula.

     - Yebo, akunankinga, sikhathazeke ngani futhi siyini isihloko sengxabano?

     "Ingabe uthi abantu baseMartians baya ocansini nganoma iyiphi indlela abayifunayo?"

     - Yebo, uthini?

     - Akunjalo!

     - Hhayi kanjalo, kanjani lokho? Isitatimende sami sithatha ukuthi noma iyiphi inketho ingenzeka, yilokho kuphela.

     “Futhi mina, uh...,” u-Boris wayesebunzimeni obusobala, kodwa washeshe wathola indlela yokuphuma. - Ngithi kunemithetho ethile...

     - Kulungile, Boryan, ake sibheje izinkulungwane ezinyakazayo.

     “Cha, Dimon, linda,” u-Boris ekhipha isandla sakhe ngesivinini esingalindelekile. - Asihambe siyofuna ibhodlela le-tequila.

     - Yebo, mhlawumbe njengoba wawufisa ngaleso sikhathi?

     - Hhayi ibhodlela.

     - Kulungile, ibhamuza nalo lizoba usizo. Dimon, yephule.

    U-Boris wanwaya itheniphu yakhe ecabanga futhi wabuza:

     - Sizoyixazulula kanjani ingxabano yethu manje?

     “Manje ake sibuze i-NeuroGoogle,” kusikisela u-Dimon.

     -Ubuzani?

     - I-Martians yenza kanjani ucansi ... Yebo, kukhona amavidiyo athakazelisayo lapha...

    Avele anikine ikhanda uMax.

     - Boryan, ubonakala wazi izigidi zezinganekwane nenhlebo, kodwa lapha uthathe isinqumo sokubheja ngobunye obuphelele. Ngiphakamisa ukuvuma ukuthi ulahlekelwe futhi ubheja.

     "Kunjalo, awazi lutho futhi uyaphikisana." Nginesiqiniseko sokuthi kunezinkinga ezithile lapho...angisakhumbuli manje ukuthi kumayelana nani... Banemithetho impela yokuthi ubani okufanele azale nobani futhi ngaluphi uhlelo, njengalapho kuzale uhlanga olufanele. super-nerds.

     "Damn, ingxabano yethu ibingekho mayelana nokuzalana."

     - Yebo, ungakhethi!

     "Sidinga umxazululi ozimele," kusho uDimon.

     - Ngokwethiyori, ngingaphakamisa ikhandidethi yendima yomlamuli.

     “Ingabe unolwazi oluthe xaxa ngazo zonke izici zokuphila kukaMartian kunami?” - U-Boris wamangala.

     "Yebo, akazazi izinganekwane eziningi ezingabazekayo, kodwa kungenzeka ukuthi wazi kangcono ngalolu daba."

     - Oh, ingabe usamazi owesifazane othile waseMartian? – Dimon wamangala.

     - Cha.

     “Ah, ngokusobala lo nguLaura,” kuqagela u-Boris. – Sisondela kanjani kuye ngombuzo onjalo?

     - Hick, nakanjani wahlangana nabaphathi bakaMartian, kufanele azi ngokuqinisekile.

     “Ngeke size, kodwa ngizoza ngizombuza imibuzo ejabulisayo,” kuphendula uMax, ebuka eceleni uDimon oginqile. - Futhi uhlala buthule eduze.

     - Lokhu ngeke kusebenze! – UDimon wathukuthela. - Ngiyiphule, ngaphandle kwami ​​noma yisiphi isinqumo asivumelekile!

     - Khona-ke uLaura akuyona inketho.

     - Yebo, kungani lokhu kungeyona inketho ngokushesha?

     - Ngingakuchazela kanjani ngokuzithoba ... Wena, manene, usuvele udakiwe, kodwa useyintokazi futhi lokhu akuyona ihlaya ngoLieutenant Rzhevsky. Ngakho-ke ncika ekuthembekeni kwami ​​noma uziqoke wena.

     - Kungani wonke umuntu ephikisana kangaka ngale Laura? — UDimon waqhubeka nokuthukuthela. - Cabanga nje, uhlobo oluthile lowesifazane! Ngibheje ukuthi uzongisukela yena. Ik, ingabe siyadideka?

     "Sizabalaza, vele umyenge ngaphandle kosizo lwami."

     - Damn, Max, le mpikiswano ingcwele. Kufanele sithathe isinqumo ngandlela thize,” kugcizelela uBoris.

     - Yebo, angenqabi. Iziphakamiso zakho?

     - Kulungile, isiphakamiso sami ukuhamba kancane futhi ucabange. Futhi asizange sifinyelele ngisho nasohlelweni oluphansi.

     - Ngiyisekela ngokuphelele futhi ngokuphelele. Ngakho-ke, Dimon, masisukume! Udinga ukuhamba kancane. Ngakho, sizoshiya izibuko lapha.

    Indiza yeqhwa yesihlanu elandelayo yahlanganiswa neyesishiyagalombili ngoba iklabhu yayingenayo indawo yazo zonke izinhlelo eziyisishiyagalolunye zokuqala. Isici esikhethekile salolu hlelo kwakuyizingqimba ezinkulu zeqhwa eziluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka, ezazinomfanekiso wangempela. Zakhiwe kusukela oketshezini oluhlolwayo lwe-ferromagnetic olwaqina ezingeni lokushisa legumbi lapho ingekho inkambu kazibuthe. Futhi ngaphansi kwethonya lalo, uketshezi lwancibilika futhi lungathatha noma yikuphi ukuma okuyinqaba kakhulu. Kungase kubonakale obala noma kufakwe isibuko, futhi kwenza kube lula ukuguqula igumbi libe yi-crystal labyrinth enamazinga amaningi, lapho ngisho nomuntu ohluzekile engakwazi ukuphuma ngaphandle kosizo lwesicelo sikaNcibijane. Uma kuqhathaniswa neqhwa langempela, iqhwa leholide lobuchwepheshe obuphezulu lalingeyona into eshelelayo, kodwa umnyango usanikeza ukukhetha kwezembozo zezicathulo ezikhethekile, ezinama-skates noma ama-spikes.

    Izakhiwo zekilabhu ezikuleli zinga zishintshe kahle zaba imigede yemvelo engaphansi komhlaba. Izilimi zeqhwa zagelezela emifantwini nasezikhaleni eziholela ekujuleni okungahloliwe kweplanethi. Le labyrinth yayicishe ibe ngokoqobo ngakho-ke yesabeka kakhulu kunobukhulu bangaphambili besihogo. Amatshe amakhulu namahummocks acwazimulayo akhuthaze inhlonipho phakathi kwezihambeli. Bazulazula kancane kuzo zonke izinhlobo zamaphasishi, amashalofu, ama-cornice namabhuloho eqhwa, nakuba bebiyelwe ngesizotha ngamanetha amancane, acishe angabonakali, ukuze bagweme izingozi ngezidalwa ezimbi ezazilahlekelwe ukuqapha. Saphikisana kancane ngokuthi kuzokwenzekani uma sinqamula inetha bese sigxumela ohlotsheni oluthile lokuqhekeka. Ingabe uhlobo oluthile lwesistimu oluzenzakalelayo luzosebenza oluzothambisa iqhwa noma ngandlela-thile luguqule isimo sendawo endaweni yengozi, noma ingabe ithemba lonke lokuhlakanipha kwamademoni? U-Dimon wazama ukuqala ingxabano entsha, ebonisa ngokucacile ukuthi uMax wayesanda kufika evela ezweni elinamandla adonsela phansi avamile futhi ukuwa okuncane ukusuka kumamitha amahlanu kwakungeke kumlimaze nakancane, kodwa wayethunywe ngokwemvelo ukuba ayohlola ukujula kwemigodi yaseMartian. Ngemva kokuduka kancane, bezama izinhlobo ezimbalwa zika-ayisikhilimu nokuzama ukungazitisi kuma-cocktails “ayisithwathwa,” basebenzise uhlelo lokusebenza futhi ekugcineni bafika endaweni eyiqhwa, eyaphenduka kahle yaba iqhwa eliholela endizeni elandelayo.

    Inqwaba yamademoni namademoni ayegibela echibini eliyiqhwa le-grotto ngokunethezeka, ngezinye izikhathi ezama ukukhombisa amakhono abo okushushuluza. Kodwa okudonse ukunaka kakhulu kwakungebona abashwibi, kodwa idemoni elihle eli-blonde, elalinesithukuthezi kwelinye lamatafula eqhwa. Amaphiko anethambo, anombala osagolide aphakama ngemuva kwakhe. Wadansa kancane emculweni wezinhlelo ezineqhwa, waphuza i-cocktail ngotshani futhi wayejwayele ukubamba abaningi abancomayo futhi ngezinye izikhathi ababuka umona. Amaphiko akhe amahle ayevevezela ngenxa yokushaywa komculo futhi asakaze amafu empova evuthayo emzungezile. U-Laura Mae ufike eholidini egqoke isithunzi sikaFallen Grace, i-succubus ekwazile ukuzikhulula ebugqilini bamademoni futhi yadlulela ohlangothini lwamandla okukhanya.

    U-Boris noDimon baqala ngokushesha ukusunduza uMax ezinhlangothini zombili. Yebo-ke, uMax angathanda ukushelela adlule kuLaura buthule, ukuze angaphoxeki kamuva ngokuziphatha kwama-dinosaur aphuzile nama-orcs abomvu, kodwa uLaura ngokwakhe wamqaphela, wamamatheka ngokukhazimulayo futhi wanyakazisa isandla sakhe.

     - Well, ekugcineni, inkanyezi main kulobubusuku! - UDimon wayejabule.

     “Musa nje ukuba isilima, ngizokusho,” uMax ehayiza, esondela etafuleni.

     - Thatha kalula, mfowethu, asizona izilima. "Wonke amakhadi asezandleni zakho," uBoris waqinisekisa umlingani wakhe ngesandla sakhe enhliziyweni yakhe.

    “Kuyamangaza ukuthi kungani emi yedwa,” kucabanga uMax. - Ziphi izixuku zabalandeli kanye neziphathimandla zaseMartian zigijima ngemilenze yazo yangemuva? Mhlawumbe konke lokhu kuwumcabango wami. Lo wesifazane ofanelekayo uhluke kanjani esixukwini sabanye abantu besifazane abakahle? Ngokungikholisa ngobuqiniso bakhe, kodwa futhi mhlawumbe nangokubuka kwakhe, okuthi njalo ngomzuzwana kube inselelo emhlabeni, okuphupha ngazo zonke izinhlobo zezinto ezimbi ngaye.”

    UMax waqaphela ukuthi ubelokhu egqolozele uLaura isikhathi eside ngokungafanele, kodwa wafihla ukugconwa okuncane emehlweni akhe futhi waphenduka kancane, eziveza ngendlela enenzuzo nakakhulu.

     - Hhayi-ke, ngibukeka kanjani? Nginesizotha futhi ngilungile, kodwa ngazalelwa izilingo nobubi. Ukhona ongamelana nezintelezi zami?

     “Akekho,” kuvuma uMax ngokushesha.

     - Futhi ngiyalazi igama lomlingiswa wakho. U-Ignus uqinisile?

     “Kunjalo,” uMax emangele. - Futhi unokuqonda kangcono isihloko kunezihlakaniphi eziningi.

     “Ngiyifunde ngobuqotho leyo ncazelo enemininingwane,” kuhleka uLaura. - Iqiniso laliwukuthi angikwazanga ukwethula umdlalo ngokwawo.

     - Kumelwe uqale ufake i-emulator lapho. Indala kakhulu, awukwazi ukuyiyeka kalula kanjalo. Uma ufuna, ngizokusiza.

     - Hhayi-ke, mhlawumbe ngesinye isikhathi.

     - Kuthiwani ngemojula eyengeziwe yohlelo lokusebenza?

     - Uxolo, kodwa nginqume ukushiya umqondo we-brothel yezifiso zobuhlakani. Ngesaba ukuthi wonke umuntu uzonaka kuphela igama elithi "umfebe."

     - Yebo, yebo, ngiyavuma, umbono awumuhle kakhulu.

     - Kodwa nginenye into.

    Indiza yomuntu siqu esesimweni sogebhezi olunamehlo ezinambuzane, ehlabayo yandiza yaphuma ngemuva kukaLaura.

     - I-Morte, ayinhle yini? I-necromancer embi, noma ugebhezi lukabani kulowo mdlalo?

     - Angizikhumbuli mina.

     I-drone yayibukeka sengathi yenzelwe uku-oda, yomumo ofanele; uhlelo luvale kuphela ophephela balo nezinye izesekeli zobuchwepheshe.

     - Umhlobiso uyizindleko zenkampani, kodwa ngifuna ukuzigcinela wona.

     U-Laura wanwaya “impandla” yakhe epholishiwe futhi ugebhezi lwanyakaza ngokweneliseka futhi lwaxoxa imihlathi yalo.

     - Umphumela opholile, uzenzele wena?

     — Cishe, kwasiza umngane oyedwa.

     - Umuntu omaziyo kusho ukuthi...

     - Hhayi-ke, Max, ubumatasatasa, nginqume ukungakukhathazi ngezinto eziwubala.

     - Kwesinye isikhathi ungaphazamiseka.

    UMax wazizwa edakwe ngokuphelele, njengokungathi kudala edlula emanzini aminyene futhi kungazelelwe waphumela phezulu. Wavele wagajwa ukuhoshozela kwamazwi namaphunga amaningi, agqamile futhi ephila, njengasehlathini lasentwasahlobo. “Ngokuvamile angikunaki nhlobo ukunuka,” kucabanga uMax. - Kungani ngihogela izimbali phakathi kwalezi zigodlo zeqhwa? Cishe ngamakha kaLaura. Unuka kamnandi ngaso sonke isikhathi, ngisho nogwayi wakhe wokwenziwa unuka njengamakhambi nezinongo...”

    U-Boris, ebona isimo esiphuphile sozakwabo, waqala ukumthumelela imiyalezo enganelisekile engxoxweni: “Heyi, Romeo, usukhohliwe ukuthi kungani silapha?” Ngenxa yalokhu, uMax walahlekelwa isikhashana, kodwa akakwazanga ukuvula ubuchopho bakhe ngaso leso sikhathi, ngakho, ngaphandle kokucabanga okuningi, waphuphuma ngokuqondile.

     — ULaura, kodwa bengihlale ngizibuza ukuthi amaMartians ayakha kanjani imikhaya futhi abe nezingane? Ezothando noma okuthile?

     - Kungani imibuzo enjalo? - ULaura wamangala. — Ingabe uhlela ukushada? Khumbula, mngane wami, izinhliziyo zabesifazane baseMartian zibanda njengeqhwa laseStygia.

     - Cha, lokhu ilukuluku eliyize, akukho okunye.

     - Ama-Martians ngokuvamile enza lokho abakufunayo nokuthi bafuna kanjani. Ngokuvamile bangena ohlotsheni oluthile lwenkontileka ehlakaniphile yokukhulisa izingane ndawonye. Futhi ubuhlobo bomshado obuphelele, njengabantu, bubhekwa njengokubandlulula.

     - Kuhle…

     - Kubi, kungenzeka yini ukuthanda umuntu ngokusekelwe efayeleni kukhompyutha?

     - Yebo, kubi, ngicabanga. AbakwaMartians babakhetha kanjani abalingani abazokhulisa izingane ndawonye?

     - Cha, nakanjani unothando ngowesifazane othile waseMartian. Woza, ngitshele ukuthi ungubani?

     - Angizange ngikuthande, yini eyenza ucabange? Ukube benginothando lomuntu, bekungeke nakanjani kube abakwaMartians.

     - Futhi ngobani?

     - Hhayi-ke, baningi abanye besifazane abaseduze.

     - Futhi yiziphi? - ULaura wabuza ngokuthambile futhi wahlangana namehlo akhe.

    Futhi kwakukhona okuningi kulokhu kubukeka kangangokuthi uMax wakhohlwa ngaso leso sikhathi ngengxabano mayelana namaMartians, futhi ngokuvamile lapho ayekhona, futhi wacabanga kuphela ukuthi igama likabani okwakufanele liphinyiswe manje.

     — Max, ngeke ukwazi ukwethula abangane bakho? Ingabe nisebenza kuzo zonke izinhlobo zezinto ezihlakaniphile ndawonye?

     - Oh yebo, sisebenza ndawonye no-Boris. Kanti u-Dima ungowophiko lwezokuphepha.

     — Ngithemba ukuthi insizakalo yethu yezokuphepha iyasivikela?

     “Hhayi-ke, namuhla, maningi amathuba okuthi sinakekele abezokuphepha,” uMax wancokola futhi ngokushesha wathola ukukhahlelwa emilenzeni okuvela kuDimon owayethukuthele.

     - O, leli yihlaya lakho lesibuko lamaKhomanisi. E-Soviet Russia unakekela isevisi yakho yezokuphepha.

     - Into enjalo.

     - Futhi nginesipho kuwe.

     - Oh kuhle!

    “Damn,” kucabanga uMax. “Ihlazo elingaka, anginazo izipho.”

    U-Laura wakhipha ibhokisi lepulasitiki elincane elibhalwe njenge-Martian malachite eluhlaza ngokumnyama. Ngaphakathi kwakugcwele amakhadi.

     — Lawa makhadi abikezela ikusasa.

     - Njengamakhadi okubhula?

     - Yebo, leli yidekhi ekhethekile esetshenziswa ama-devas - abapristi bemibhoshongo, abavela e-Eastern Bloc.

    UMax wakhipha ikhadi eliphezulu. Yayibonisa i-Martian ephaphathekile, ecashile ogwadule olunamadwala ngaphansi kwesibhakabhaka esimnyama esinezinaliti ezihlabayo zezinkanyezi. UMax walunguza iphethini yezinkanyezi futhi ngomzuzwana kwabonakala kuye ukuthi ubheka ubuze obungapheli besibhakabhaka sangempela, futhi izinkanyezi zaqhaqhazela futhi zashintsha indawo yazo.

     - Futhi lisho ukuthini leli khadi?

     - I-Martian ngokuvamile isho ukuhlakanipha, ukuzibamba, ukubanda, futhi uma ikhadi liwela phansi, lingasho intshiseko elimazayo noma ukusangana kwengqondo. Kunezincazelo eziningi, ukuhumusha okulungile kuwubuciko obuyinkimbinkimbi.

     "Kungani ungenzi uhlobo oluthile lwesicelo oluzobahumusha," kusikisela u-Boris, ngokungakholelwa ezwini lakhe.

     - Ingabe ucabanga ukuthi isicelo singabikezela ikusasa?

     - Hhayi-ke, ngingathanda ukukholelwa uhlelo kune-gypsy ethile.

     — Awukholelwa emakhadini, kodwa uyakholelwa yini eqinisweni lokuthi ama-chips angakwazi ukuxazulula zonke izinkinga? Ngezinye izikhathi ama-Devas abikezela ikusasa lamakhosi okufa. Uma benza iphutha ngisho nangegama elilodwa, akukho sicelo esizobasindisa.

     - Um, ungayitshela inhlanhla yami? - UMax wabuza, efuna ukuphazamisa ingxabano.

     "Mhlawumbe, uma isikhathi nendawo kulungile." Fihla idekhi futhi ungalokothi uyikhiphe. Lawa amakhadi akhethekile, anamandla amakhulu, ngisho noma abanye bengawakholwa.

     —Ingabe usuwasebenzisile wena?

     "Konke abangibikezele ngakho kuyafezeka kuze kube manje."

    UMax walibeka ikhadi noMartian walibuyisela endaweni yakhe walivala ibhokisi.

     "Angifuni ukwazi ikusasa lami." Makuhlale kuyimfihlakalo kimi.

     - Yebo, Max, kwakukhona insizwa eyodwa enezinwele ezibomvu ezacile enamatende abonakalayo, kubonakala sengathi ivela emnyangweni wakho, owangitshela ukuthi impendulo efanele yemfumbe emayelana nemvelo yomuntu i-neurotechnology. Ingabe lolu uhlobo oluthile lobuwula?

     - Yebo, uGordon, yiqiniso, ungumfana oyisicefe uma kuziwa kuye, kodwa i-neurotechnology iyimpendulo efanele. Kuyihlaya nokho. Ayikho impendulo efanele.

     - Kungani ingekho? Kukhona impendulo emdlalweni.

     - Ayikho impendulo efanele emdlalweni.

     - Kungani kungenjalo? Umlingiswa oqavile uyiphendule kahle imfumbe yomthakathi, kungenjalo ubengeke asinde.

     — Umlingiswa oyinhloko wayenganikeza noma iyiphi impendulo ngoba umthakathi wayemthanda.

     - Nokho, lokhu kusho ukuthi impendulo efanele uthando.

    Ezwa incazelo enjalo, u-Boris akakwazanga ukubamba ukukhwehlela kwakhe okungabazayo.

     - Nokho, uzakwenu oyisicefe wenze imisindo efanayo. Zonke izinhlobo zabantu abahlakaniphile zenza lokhu ngaso sonke isikhathi lapho zazi ukuthi azilungile.

    U-Boris wahwaqa kakhulu ephendula, kodwa ngokusobala akakwazanga ukuvela nokuqhubeka okufanele. Ngesizathu esithile, yena noLaura abazange bathandane ngaso leso sikhathi, futhi uMax wabona ukuthi kwakuyoba nzima kakhulu ukubuyisela ingxoxo ibe ingxoxo ekhululekile yamasiko othando kaMartian. Wama kancane ezama ukubheka ukuthi aqhubeke kanjani amatekisi, kwabe sekubusa ukuthula okungekuhle ngaso leso sikhathi.

    URuslan, owama eduze, wasindisa isimo. Wabona uMax futhi, ngokubuka okumbhekayo egijima phezu kwengemuva likaLaura, wamnika isithupha. Wayengenaso isikhathi sokuqhubekela phambili ezenzweni ezingcolile, njengoba uLaura ebona isiqondiso sikaMax futhi waphenduka, okwenza uRuslan abe namahloni kancane.

     - Futhi umngane wakho?

     - URuslan, ovela kwabezokuphepha.

     - I-Brutal suit.

     “Sinekhodi yokugqoka e-SB,” kuphendula uRuslan, ephinda ebukeka ezolile.

     - Ngempela? - ULaura wahleka, ephulula isudi kaDimon ngomnyakazo omncane.

     - Hhayi-ke, hhayi wonke umuntu, yebo ... Uthanda kanjani iholide loNyaka Omusha?

     “Kuhle, ngiyawathanda amaphathi anetimu,” kuphendula u-Laura ngezwi elenza ukuthi kungenzeki ukusho ukuthi ngabe ukubhuqa noma cha. - Ruslan, ungawuphendula kanjani umbuzo: yini engashintsha imvelo yomuntu?

     "Ngangicabanga ukuthi abezokuphepha base bevimbe zonke izinhlobo zezimfumbe." Ngizoyinakekela kusasa.

     "U-Ruslan akakuthandi ukuzijabulisa okungenangqondo," kuchaza uMax, uma kwenzeka.

     “Kumnandi kanjani,” uLaura wahleka futhi. - Kodwa namanje?

     — Ukufa kuyasishintsha ngempela isimo somuntu.

     - Uh, ukhohlakele kanjani ...

     - Lo mbuzo unomlando omubi ngokuvamile. Yabuzwa yizipoki zasebukhosini ngaphambi kokuphephula ikhanda komunye udokotela we-neurobotanist.

     - Ngokujulile? - UMax wamangala. - Lona umbuzo ovela kumdlalo wekhompyutha wasendulo.

     - Hhayi-ke, angazi, mhlawumbe kusukela kumdlalo. Izipoki zazijabule kakhulu.

     - Futhi yayiyini impendulo efanele?

     - Yebo, ibingekho impendulo efanele. Kuwukuzijabulisa nje ukuze ngaphambi kokuba bafe, basazohlupheka, bedla izingqondo zabo.

     “Kuyaxaka, uhlelo lokusebenza aluzange livume izimfumbe zami,” kukhalaza uLaura.

     “Izihlakaniphi, zigeja izimfumbe ezizithandayo kuphela,” kuphendula uMax okwesibili ngaphambi kukaRuslan, owayesezovula umlomo wakhe.

     - Yilokho, Max, ungakhohlwa ngami lapho udala isofthiwe yakho nezinhlelo zokusebenza.

     - Yebo, ngingazamukela zonke izimfumbe zakho. Yini eyayilapho?

     - Ingabe bekukhona inketho yokuqagela ukuthi yini ebhalwe kudayari yami?

     — Ingabe unayo idayari?

     — Yiqiniso, wonke amantombazane anedayari.

     - Lena enye imfumbe... Ungangivumela ngiyifunde?

     - Akekho okufanele ayibuke.

     - Kungani kungenjalo?

     - Nokho, lena idayari. Yini amantombazane ajwayele ukuyibhala kumadayari awo?

     - Abakucabangayo ngabafana. Uqagele kahle?

     - Cha ngeyami. Hhayi impela...

     — Ngakho ungaqagela, kodwa awukwazi ukufunda? Khona-ke, uyazi, wonke umuntu uzophupha.

     - Yebo, njengoba uthanda. Ingabe usuvele uyaphupha?

     - Mina? Cha, anginjalo...” UMax wazizwa eshaywa amaphaphu kancane.

     - Ukudlala nje, sorry. Ungaqagela ukuthi ngibhale ini ngawe? Sizokubheja ngesifiso ongeke ukwazi ukuqagela... Kulungile, ngiyadlala futhi.

     “Empeleni, kufanele sihambe,” kubhodla u-Boris edangele, edonsa umkhono wozakwabo. "Besizofika endizeni engezansi."

     “Nami bengishona phansi ngiyodansa.” Ungangiphelezela?

     “Ngenjabulo,” uRuslan wavolontiya ngokushesha.

    Lapho iqhwa, u-Boris waqala ukwehlisa ijubane ngamabomu, ezama ukuhlukana nayo yonke inkampani. Ugebhezi olunamehlo egobolondo lwaluvele lubenyezela kwenye indawo ngaphambili, lucashe emfuleni ongapheli womuntu ogeleza ekujuleni komhlaba ongaphansi.

    “Kungenzekani uma konke lokhu bekuyiqiniso? - kucabanga uMax. "Kulula kakhulu ukukhohlwa ukuthi umhlaba osizungezile uyinkohliso." Izipoki zombuso ezizonda yonke into uMartian zingacabangani? Ukuthi ngenkathi sidlala, sidalula ngokungaqondile isimo sangempela se-neuroworld. Sibiza amademoni edijithali adla izingqondo zethu kancane kancane. Akekho umuntu ongabhukuda ekhuphuka nomfula kulo mfula.”

     - Ngingayiphonsa esikhwameni sakho? - Kubuza uMax, ephendula ibhokisi ezandleni zakhe.

     - Yiphose.

     - Masihambe ngokushesha. Ngaphandle kwalokho, uLaura uzodansa omunye uRuslan, engimaziyo.

     - Woza, uthole lesi sifebe sikaMartian.

     - Hawu, amazwi anjani. Futhi ubani owamthela ngamathe phansi?

     "Angikaze ngimlalele, ngokungafani nawe." Bekungelula ukulalela i-tweeting yakho ejabulisayo.

     "Uyagula ... ngabe angizange ngilalele." Phela, ungikweleta ibhamuza.

     - Kungani lokhu?

     - Ulahlekelwe ingxabano, uLaura wathi abakwaMartians benza lokho abakufunayo nokuthi bafuna kanjani.

     - Yebo, kodwa basayina izinkontileka.

     - Kuphela ukukhulisa izingane.

     "Ngakho-ke mhlawumbe basayina inkontileka ye-fuck engavamile ... Kodwa kulungile," u-Boris ephakamisa isandla sakhe. - Ibhamuza eliningi, ibhamuza elincane. Futhi lo nondindwa usebenzisa wena. Unginike amakhadi ashibhile. Ucabanga ukuthi lokhu kusho okuthile? Ayikho into embi kanjalo! Uzama kanzima ukunqamula intambo...

     - Boris, musa ukushayela! Yena no-Arsen bebelokhu benkeneneza ezindlebeni zami ngaye.

     - Ngiyavuma, nganginephutha. Akufanele uhlale naye.

     - Kungani? Vumelana ukuthi kungenzeka ukuthi unokuxhumana okuwusizo futhi akunandaba ukuthi ubenza kanjani.

     "Yebo likhona, kodwa unethuba elingcono kakhulu ngalowo Martian Arthur ongaziwa kunaye."

     - Yebo, anginawo amathemba amanga.

     - Okuthile akubukeki okufanayo. Lorochka, ake ngikusize, ngivumele ngikuvumele konke ...

     - Ake uhlukane nami!

     "Ngizoya endizeni ephansi kakhulu, ngiyobheka kwalasha wesihogo." Ngabe unami noma uzolandela uLaura wakho?

     - Bengizokutshela ... Kulungile, asihambe sibheke kwalasha ... ngizoyilandela kamuva.

    Indiza yesithupha yagcina isiphenduke umfantulo owodwa omkhulu, owehlela phansi. Yayingekho enye indlela eya endaweni engaphansi kule ngxenye yamajele. Kodwa lolu hlelo lwalunokwehla okushelelayo kuphela emhlabeni wangempela. Uhlelo lokusebenza lukaNcibijane lufanise umthambeka wezingxenye ezihlukene zezwe ngama-engeli ahlukene, futhi lwashintshaniswa kancane. Ngakho-ke, ibha eseduze kakhulu ku-tracker yayibonakala ndawana thize eceleni nge-engeli yokuhlanya. Ukushintsha phakathi kwemikhakha bekubukhali kakhulu futhi umphumela wokukhohlisa amathuluzi e-vestibular wawumuhle impela. Amarobhothi ayisiyingi akhethekile aginqa phansi endaweni ephukile kancane ngokuhambisana namandla adonsela phansi aqondiswe cishe, athuthukisa umphumela.

    Nokho, badlula endizeni yesithupha ngokushesha kakhulu ukuze baqonde imiphumela yayo. Futhi ohlelweni olulandelayo, iphutha lidlulele endlini engaphansi, eyakhiwa kudala yiRussian Aerospace Forces. Amakheshi amakhulu ezimpahla anama-grate ashelelayo aholela lapho. Uhlelo lokusebenza lifanise ikhabethe eligubungele ilangabi eliwa lisuka esibhakabhakeni esimnyama lingena maphakathi namanxiwa e-apocalyptic. Futhi izinqubo ezishuniwe ngokukhethekile zazikhipha ukuhhewula okubi nomsindo ogayayo onamajerks okulingisa lapho unyakaza. Okuyinto ngokungangabazeki enezela imizwa ethakazelisayo kwezinye izidalwa zobubi ezazimile zinganyakazi futhi zingagxili ziphethe iziphuzo nokudla okulula. Ngemuva kokucindezela, kodwa ngaphakathi kwezinyathelo zokuphepha, umthelela phansi, ukuduma nesiphithiphithi sephathi ye-techno-rave kwehlele izihambeli ezingakalulama.

    Eqinisweni, indlu engaphansi yayinakekelwa ngokwemvelo isesimweni esihloniphekile, kodwa ipulani yalingisa idolobha lesihogo elihlala libola futhi libola, ngakho amakholomu aluhlaza, izingcezu zezindonga zazilele yonke indawo, futhi imishayo ephukile yayilenga ophahleni. Imisele yayigcwele udaka oluluhlaza, igelezela emifantwini nasezimbotsheni. Kwakusabisa ukunyathela amabhuloho ayedabula kubo.

    Futhi kudingeke ukuthi sidabule esixukwini sezidalwa eziyisihogo ezigxumela emdlalweni ophithizelayo nokuhlanekezela. Amehlo kaMax avele agcwala ukukhanya okuvela emaphikweni nasemisileni, okuxutshwe abe yiqhubu elilodwa elinophondo emisebeni ene-asidi yokukhanya nomculo. Ikhanda lakhe laze laqala ukuba buhlungu, njengokungathi lifanekisela i-hangover ezayo, futhi sonke isifiso sokuhlala lapha sanyamalala. Wamemeza endlebeni kaBoris ethi sekuyisikhathi sokuthi baqhubekele phambili. U-Boris wavuma ngekhanda futhi wacela ukulinda kancane ngenkathi eshayela endlini yangasese. Okwasekusele ukuthi uMax ahlale phansi endaweni yokucima ukoma abuke amabhakabhaka. Ibha uFreddy Krueger ngokushesha weza nesiphakamiso sokuphonsa okuthile okune-asidi, kodwa uMax ngamandla wanikina ikhanda.

    Isitezi somdanso esikhulu sasisehholo elikhulu elakhiwe ngamathayili amhlophe asabekayo avela kumafilimu asabekayo. Kwezinye izindawo kwakunamahhuku, amaketanga nezinye izinto zokuhlukumeza ezazishayelwa ezindongeni naphansi. Ngokusobala amaketanga ayenziwe kabusha, kodwa wonke umklamo wawubukeka njengomsebenzi wokuqala wengcweti yobunjiniyela bezempi. UMax wayengaqagela kuphela ngenjongo yawo yasekuqaleni. Ukugxila kuvinjwe kakhulu ukubhonga kwamademoni kuka-DJ ovela esigabeni esiphezulu, ebiza ukunyakazisa umcimbi nakho konke lokho. Maphakathi nehholo kwakunemithambeka ebiyelwe ngocingo eya ezitezi ezingezansi zendlu engaphansi. Amafu entuthu “enobuthi” ephuma lapho ngezikhathi ezithile. Ngokusobala kwakukhona umnyakazo lapho kulabo ababentula udoti nokuphithizela phezulu.

    UMax wabona uLaura enkabeni yesixuku esigabavulayo. Ngenkathi edansa yedwa, idlanzana likaBelzebule elichwensayo lase lisondelana ngokusobala. Naphezu kwakho konke ukungakhululeki, uMax akakwazanga ukucindezela isifiso sokuhamba aphushe wonke umuntu eduze kwakhe. “Mhlawumbe u-Boris uqinisile,” ecabanga. "Izintelezi zakhe kunzima kakhulu ukumelana nazo." Ngiyazibuza ukuthi yini enamandla: okungokoqobo okungokoqobo noma izintelezi zikaLaura Mae. U-Boryan mhlawumbe angakhetha i-Warcraft..."

     - Max! Angizwa kahle!

    U-Ruslan wamqamula, eqhubeka nokumemeza endlebeni yakhe.

     - Kungani umemeza, angizwa lutho.

     - Yehlisa ivolumu ye-chip bese uvule ingxoxo.

     - Futhi manje.

    UMax ukhohlwe ngokuphelele ngale misebenzi ewusizo ye-neurochip.

     - Kungani ungazange ugcine inkampani kaLaura? - ebuza ejabulela ukuthula okwalandela.

     - Bengifuna ukungena enkingeni nawe. Ingabe unazo izinhlelo zale blonde enamaphiko?

     “Akungoba sinqamula izindlela emsebenzini,” kuphendula uMax ngokunganaki.

     - Ngomsebenzi? Ngokujulile?

     - Yebo, intombazane ingilindile eMoscow. Kungakho kungekho lutho olungalungile ngoLaura...

     - Ngiyaqiniseka ukuthi intombazane yaseMoscow izokwazisa ukwethembeka kwakho, bhuti.

     - Lalela, kungani ungihlupha?

     "Bengingafuni ukuthi kube khona ukungezwani phakathi kwethu, bhuti." Njengoba unentombi eMoscow, ngizohamba ngiyozama inhlanhla noLaura lapha futhi manje.

     - Kuthiwani ngalelo demoni elivela ephathini yegwebu?

     - Ungambheka kuphi manje? Ngaphezu kwalokho, kufanele uvume: le bitch ingcono kakhulu ...

     - Well, inhlanhla. Ungakhohlwa ukusitshela ukuthi kuhambe kanjani.

     “Yebo, impela,” kusho uRuslan ngokucasuka.

     - Woza, ngizobheka umsebenzi wochwepheshe.

     "Ungamane uyiphushe ingalo yami, ngizwa sengathi awukwazi ukuyithatha ngenkani, udinga ukuqaphela kakhulu..."

    Kwabonakala kuMax, noma ukungaqiniseki kwakhanya emehlweni kaRuslan. Cishe kwakubonakala nje ngoba akazange achithe isikhathi sakhe engxoxweni eqhubekayo noma ukudubula isibindi, kodwa wasuka ngokushesha ukuze ahlangabezane nesiphetho sakhe. Amaphiko akhe amnyama namehlo aphuzi avuthayo asika esixukwini.

    “Damn, kungani ngibukisa,” kucabanga uMax. “Bekumele ngisho ukuthi silungiselela umshado.” Damn, umona lona..."

    Ukuhlukunyezwa kwakhe kwaphazanyiswa uBoris owayebuya.

     - Sizokhahlela izinyawo zethu? - wabuza, ebiza u-bartender.

     - Masidlale kangcono lapho.

     - Bese sihamba. Ngifisa sengathi ngingamthola uDimon.

    UDimon wazithola esendaweni yokucima ukoma elandelayo. Bamxubela uhlobo oluthile lwe-cocktail enemibala eminingi engilazini ende engunxantathu.

     - Sehlele phansi. Ingabe unathi? – kubuza uBoris.

     - Ngizobuya kamuva.

     - Hhayi-ke, hlobo luni lwe-swill yowesifazane lolu?

     - Hhayi-ke, akumina.

     - Futhi kubani?! - U-Boris wamkhonkotha.

     “Laura,” kuphendula uDimon, engabaza kancane.

     - Laura?! Awubheke, usevele egijima ukuze amtholele ama-cocktails! Kungaba ngcono uma sikulahla ngendiza evuthayo.

    U-Boris wanikina ikhanda engafuni.

     Wathi ngifuze kakhulu waze wangigona kanjalo.

     - Uh! Yilokho-ke, useqedile. Asambe Max.

     - Ngizobamba.

     - Yiqiniso, uma inkosikazi entsha ikuvumela ukuba uhambe. Yeka ihlazo!

     - Kulungile, ngizohamba ngokushesha ...

    Futhi u-Dimon wahlehla ngokushesha nge-cocktail ngaphambi kokuba u-Boris abe nesikhathi sokungena emgudwini omusha wokulahla.

     “Uyabona ukuthi lo nondindwa wenzani emadodeni.

     “Yebo, iphutha likaDimon uqobo,” kuhleka uMax. "Bekungafanele usho ukuthi uLaura uzomlandela." Njengoba uMartian esho, kunamagama akhulunywa ngenhlanhla angabopha ngokwethembeka ukwedlula noma yimaphi amaketango.

     - Lokho kuyiqiniso, uDimon wethu ulinganise amandla akhe ngokweqile. Asambe.

    Wonke umuntu ngokwemvelo wayelindele okuthile okumangalisayo ohlelweni lwakamuva luka-Baator. Ngakho-ke, iningi lezivakashi, ezathatha uhambo olunzima ngokusebenzisa izilinganiso zesihogo, ezigcwele izingozi nezimangaliso, lapho zifika enqabeni yesihogo, zazizwa ziphoxekile kancane. Noma ngisho nokukhathala, uma kucatshangelwa ukuthi mangaki ama-bar nama-hookah kwakufanele sidlule endleleni. Cha, isithombe senqaba enkulu engaphansi komfantu ovuthayo ongamakhilomitha ambalwa ukujula kwakuyilokho kanye esasikudinga. Kodwa ngemva kwezimangaliso zangaphambili, akabange esathakasela futhi akazange abangele noma yikuphi ukwethuka kwangempela phambi kwezakhi ezihlanyayo. Noma mhlawumbe uMax wayecikwa yikho konke. Wacisha i-application ukuze isithombe siyeke ukuncipha ku-chip yakhe endala. Eqinisweni, ihholo lokugcina leqembu laliwumhume omkhulu osesimweni se-semicircular basin, efana nesekisi ledwala. Indawo yokungena kuyo yayicishe ibe ngaphansi kosilingi. Ngemva kokwehla ngekheshi noma ngezitezi ezivuthayo ezingapheli, njengoba uthandile, izihambeli zazithola zisendaweni eyisicaba ephansi kwamadwala azungezile. Uhlobo oluthile lwephathi esemthethweni belubuthana esiteji phakathi nendawo nokwethulwa kwemiklomelo ebalulekile kunoma ubani neminye imiklomelo yalabo abangabandakanyi. Futhi imigoqo nosofa abantofontofo kwakufihlwe ethunzini lamawa acishe aqonde phezulu emaceleni. U-Boris akazange amangale futhi ngokushesha weba ibhodlela le-cognac endaweni eseduze.

     “Asiqhubekele phambili, kunombono omuhle,” ephakamisa.

    Iklabhu ehlonishwayo ye-Yama yaphela nge-balcony ebanzi, ngemuva kwalokho isigodi esinamadwala sangena endaweni ethile ekujuleni okungaziwa kweplanethi. Yiqiniso, umthambeka wawungewona umqansa kangangokuthi noma iziphi izivakashi ezinesibindi zazingenakuzifaka engozini yokuqwala uthango oluphansi futhi zibe nethuba lokugcina ezinye zezitho zazo ziqinile ngemva kokuhamba endaweni yasendle yaseMartian. Ngokusobala, kulesi senzakalo, kunenetha eliphakeme lensimbi lalinwetshiwe phezu kothango.

    Badonsela izihlalo ezimbalwa ngqo enethini futhi balungiselela ukuphuza ngokucabangayo futhi bacabange ngokugoqeka okumangalisayo komthambeka owehlayo. Amatshe amagebhugebhu amnyama nabomvu abukeka esabisa ekukhanyeni kwezibani ezimbalwa ezinamandla ezifakwe eduze kwevulandi. Ngisho nemisebe yabo ayizange ifinyelele ekugcineni komthambeko, futhi umuntu wayengaqagela ukuthi yini eyayicashe ethunzini elixakile lapho ekujuleni. UMax waphuza i-cognac futhi ngemva kwemizuzu emihlanu kwaba nomsindo omnandi ekhanda lakhe futhi. Kwakungekho omunye kuvulandi, ukubhonga kwesixuku esigubhayo, ngenxa yemisindo engavamile yesikhwama samatshe, cishe ayizange ifike lapha, futhi ukububula okuphelile kuphela kanye nokuqhekeka kwamatshe emgodini kwakugcizelela isizungu sabo. Kwaphela isikhathi eside behleli nje, baqhabula i-cognac bagqolozele ebumnyameni. Ekugcineni, u-Boris akakwazanga ukukumela futhi waphula ukuthula.

     - Akekho owazi ukujula kwayo kwangempela. Mhlawumbe lena yindlela eqonde esihogweni sikaMartian. Labohlanya abaqunga isibindi behlela lapho abaphindanga babuya.

     - Ngokujulile, kungani?

     "Bathi kukhona yonke imigudu nemigede lapho." Kulula kakhulu ukulahleka, kanye nokukhishwa okungazelelwe kothuli olukhipha imisebe olubulala zonke izinto eziphilayo. Kodwa okubi kakhulu ukuthi kwesinye isikhathi nalabo abasuke bezobheka ukwehluleka ababuyi. Bekukhona izigameko ezifana nalezi, kuthiwa izivakashi zawela kwalasha ziphuzile.

     “Akuyona kwalasha enkulu kangako,” uMax ephakamisa amahlombe. - Okufana nomqansa.

     - Ngempela, kodwa abantu banyamalala futhi ngisho nezidumbu azitholakalanga ngezansi. Okuthile kwaqhamuka ekujuleni kukaMartian kwabathatha bahamba nakho. Ngemva kwalokhu, kuvulandi kwakuzungezwe amanetha.

     - Akukho yini ingidi lapho?

     “Kuke kwaba nodaka kodwa manje sekubhidlika idwala lokwenziwa. Kodwa akukho lutho oluvimbela okuthile kukaMartian ekumbeni umhubhe omncane wokudlula.

     — Isiteshi sezulu kumele siqaphe ukuvuza komoya.

     - Kufanele…

     "Nginomuzwa wokuthi uyazi indaba ngawo wonke amagceke aseMartian."

    UMax wabheka ebumnyameni obumangalisayo bomgodi, lapho ukukhanya kwezibani kwakungakwazi ukufinyelela khona, futhi ngokuphazima kweso inhliziyo yakhe yacwila ngamandla, kwangathi naye uwele kwalasha ongamakhilomitha ubude. Wawungafunga ukuthi ubona umnyakazo lapho.

     - Damn, Boryan, kukhona okuthile lapho. Kukhona okunyakazayo.

     - Woza, Max, ingabe ufuna ukungidlala? Bheka, ngizofaka isandla sami embotsheni yenethi. Oh Martian okuthile, sekuyisikhathi sokudla!

    U-Boris waqhubeka ngokungesabi nokugcona izithunzi zokwehluleka.

     - Ngicela uyeke, angidlali ngawe.

    UMax, ngomzamo omubi wentando, waziphoqa ukuba abheke ebumnyameni. Imizuzwana embalwa kungenzeki lutho, ukukhala kukaBoris edakiwe kuphela kuzwakala emigedeni. Futhi-ke uMax waphinda wabona ukuthi i-silhouette engacacile ekujuleni igeleza isuka kwenye indawo iye kwenye. Engasho lutho, wabamba uBoris ngesandla wamkhipha enethini ngawo wonke amandla akhe.

     - Max, yiyeke, ayihlekisi.

     - Yebo akuhlekisi! Kukhona okuthize lapho, ngiyakutshela.

     - Oh, damn it, kulungile Stanislavsky, ngiyakukholelwa. Kumelwe kube nohlobo oluthile lwendiza eyi-drone...

     - Ake sibuyele emuva.

     - Awu, asizange siqede isiphuzo sethu ... Kuhle.

    U-Boris omangalisayo wazivumela ukuthi athathwe. Abantu abaningi ngokwengeziwe babuthana kancane kancane phakathi nesekisi yamatshe. Ngaphandle kwesicelo esisebenzayo, ubuso obuphaphathekile bama-Martians bangempela abagibele amaSegway abawathandayo kanye nezihlalo zamarobhothi bagqama. Kubonakala sengathi sekusondele isiphetho salo mcimbi ngokuklonyeliswa kwabasebenzi abathile bonyaka. Ngokuphambene, icebo lomuzi owabhujiswa lalingenalutho ngokuphawulekayo. Ukushaya kwe-techno-rave kwakungasavale izindlebe, futhi amafu esitimu "esinobuthi" ayengasaphumi ezindlini ezingaphansi. U-Boris waphikelela ebheke kusofa oseduze. Wawa njengonodoli osikwe izintambo washo ngezwi eliphansi.

     - Manje ake siphumule kancane futhi sizulazule okunye... Manje...

    U-Boris wazamula kakhulu futhi wazenza wakhululeka.

     “Yebo, thatha ikhefu,” kuvuma uMax. "Ngizohamba ngiyobheka uLaura, ngaphandle kwalokho kuwukungahloniphi ukuthi sihambe."

     - Hamba, hamba...

    Okokuqala, uMax wathola uRuslan odangele ngemuva kwebha. Wayebukeka njengenyoni enkulu, egwadule edla inyama ehlezi phezu kwe-perch. URuslan wabingelela uMax ngengilazi engenalutho. Ngaphandle kwamagama kwacaca ukuthi ukuzingelwa kwaphela kungaphumelelanga. UMax waba nomuzwa omncane wokujabula futhi wazidonsa ngemva kwemizuzwana embalwa, ekhumbula ukuthi kwakungafaneleki ukuzwa injabulo lapho ebona umngane wakhe owenze iphutha. Esesha uLaura, wahlangana no-Arthur Smith. Wamangala esephethe ingilazi ngezandla.

     “Ijusi yewolintshi,” u-Arthur echazela uMax njengoba esondela.

     — Ingabe uyazijabulisa? Ingabe uyazithanda lezi zinhlobo zama-disco?

     - Ngangihlale ngibazonda. Uma ngikhuluma iqiniso, ngangehla ngiyokhafula kwalasha waseMartian futhi ngama ukuze ngigqolozele uLaura Mae.

    U-Arthur wavuma ngekhanda u-Laura, emi eduze nokwehlela ezindlini ezingaphansi futhi ekhuluma ngokujabulisayo nabaphathi abathile ababalulekile bakwaMartian. Futhi ngaphandle kohlelo lokusebenza lukaNcibijane kanye namaphiko egolide, wayebukeka ekhangayo. UMax wacabanga ukuthi mhlawumbe angathola okwengeziwe mayelana nezigigaba zika-Arthur ezingaphumelelanga endimeni yezothando.

     — Uke wazama ukuya kuye? - wabuza ngephimbo engavamile kakhulu.

     - Yebo, ngandlela-thile ngangingafuni ukuma emgqeni.

     - Ngiyavuma, unabalandeli abangaphezu kokwanele.

     - Lawa amandla akhe amakhulu, ukukhohlisa zonke izinhlobo zobuqili.

     - Amandla amakhulu awusizo, uma kucatshangelwa ukuthi izihlakaniphi zibusa iTelecom...

     - Wonke umuntu unamandla amakhulu. Ezinye ziwusizo, ezinye azinamsebenzi, iningi alizi nhlobo ngakho.

     "Mhlawumbe," kuvuma uMax, ekhumbula uBoris nezinganekwane zakhe ezingapheli. - Ngifisa sengathi ngingathola eyami.

     -Yimaphi amandla amakhulu ongawathanda?

    UMax wacabanga isikhashana, ekhumbula ukuvakasha kwakhe okungaphumelelanga eDreamland.

     - Umbuzo onzima, mhlawumbe ngingathanda ukuba nengqondo ekahle.

     “Inketho eyinqaba,” kuhleka u-Arthur. - Uyini umbono wakho wengqondo ekahle?

     - Ingqondo engaphazanyiswa yizo zonke izinhlobo zemizwa nezifiso, kodwa yenza lokho ekudingayo kuphela. NjengamaMartians.

     - Ngabe ufuna ukuba yi-Martian ukuze ungabi nemizwa nezifiso? Ngokuvamile wonke umuntu ufuna ukuba i-Martian ukuze athole imali namandla futhi anelise izifiso zabo.

     - Lena indlela engalungile.

     - Zonke izindlela zingamanga. Ucabanga ukuthi umphathi wakho u-Albert uyisibonelo esihle? Yebo, okungenani uthembekile, uzama ukucisha yonke imizwa. Iningi lama-Martians lisebenza kalula, licisha kuphela elibi.

     - Nokho, okungenani ngale ndlela. Phela, noma iyiphi i-psychoanalyst izothi kufanele silwe nokungabi nandaba.

     "Lena yindlela yokudala umuthi ofanele." Lezo zinkanuko ezingacishwa azinancazelo. Ugqozi lukwenza uwe futhi uvuke kuphela lapho unganelisekile. Lona kanye iqiniso lokumanelisa ngeke libe nanzuzo emehlweni ongqondongqondo ophakeme.

     — Ingabe ucabanga ukuthi imizwelo yomuntu inenzuzo ethile? Bamane bavimbele ubuhlakani ekusebenzeni.

     - Kunalokho, ubuhlakani obungenayo imizwelo buyobuna njengokungadingeki. Kungani ingqondo kufanele icindezele uma ingekho imizwelo?

     - Khona-ke umphathi wami u-Albert ukude nongqondongqondo?

     - Ngizokutshela into embi, iningi labantu baseMartians alicishe lihlakaniphe njengoba libonakala. Sihlezi phezulu esiqongweni sephiramidi futhi ubuhlakani bethu bamanje banele ukuthi sigcine indawo yethu. Kodwa ngaphandle kwenqubekelaphambili ku-bio- kanye ne-neurotechnologies, manje kunzima ukuziqhayisa nganoma yini. Asizange sindize siye ezinkanyezini. Ngaphezu kwalokho, akunakushiwo ukuthi ngisho nabaseMartians njengo-Albert abakhululekile ngokuphelele emizweni.

     - Kodwa angabacisha.

     - Ingalawula ukugcwala kwe-dopamine egazini. Kodwa akugcini lapho. Abaphathi bezinkampani ezinkulu abasoze bavumela ukuvela kwezinye izimbangi zomhlaba, njengezwe elinamandla Emhlabeni, isibonelo. Futhi baqhutshwa ukwesaba okunengqondo ngokuphelele ngesikhundla sabo kanye nokuba khona kwabo ngokomzimba. Ngisho ne-cyborg ye-high-tech yesaba ukufa noma ukulahlekelwa inkululeko yakhe. Hhayi njengabantu abavamile, kuze kufike ezingeni lokujuluka okunamathelayo namadolo aqhaqhazelayo, kodwa ukwesaba okunengqondo akukapheli. Ubuhlakani kuphela, obusekelwe ngokuphelele kuyi-computer, obungenayo imizwelo ngempela.

     - Ingabe ukuhlakanipha okunjalo kungenzeka?

     - Angicabangi. Yize inqwaba yeziqalo nezinkulungwane zabasebenzi bazo zizokufakazela okuphambene: ukuthi isivele isikhona, kufanele bathathe isinyathelo sokugcina. Kodwa ngisho neNeurotech yehlulekile ngokuhlolwa kwabo kwe-quantum.

     - Ingabe i-Neurotech yazama ukwenza i-AI ngokusekelwe kukhompyutha enkulu ye-quantum?

     - Kungenzeka. Bazama ngempela ukudlulisa ubuntu bomuntu ku-quantum matrix, kodwa ngokusobala bahlulekile nakulokho.

     - Futhi ngani?

     "Abazange babike kimi." Kodwa, uma sibheka indlela ukwethuka ngayo yonke into yancipha, umphumela waba yinhlekelele kakhulu. Ngendlela, kwakuyile ndaba eyavumela i-Telecom ukuthi ithathe ingxenye yemakethe evela ku-Neurotek futhi ibe cishe inkampani yesithathu ku-Mars. I-Neurotek ilahlekelwe kakhulu ebhizinisini layo.

     "Mhlawumbe bagcine bedale i-AI ezame ukubabhubhisa." Ingabe yingakho becekele phansi yonke into ehlobene nomsebenzi?

     - Akunakwenzeka ukuthi abaphathi be-Neurotek banombono omfushane kangangokuthi bangakha i-Skynet. Kodwa kwazi bani. Sengike ngasho ukuthi angikholelwa ku-AI "eqinile" yangempela. Okokuqala, asiqondi nokuthi kuyini ubuhlakani bomuntu. Yebo, ungathatha indlela yokukopisha: dala inethiwekhi ye-neural eyinkimbinkimbi futhi uhlohle kuyo yonke imisebenzi elandelanayo eyisici somuntu.

     - Manje-ke, inethiwekhi enjalo ye-neural, ikakhulukazi ku-probabilistic quantum matrix, engeke ikwazi ukuthola ukuzazi?

     - Ngeke ngisho lutho mayelana ne-quantum matrix, kodwa kumakhompyutha wendabuko izoqala ukonakala futhi idle inani elikhulu lezinsiza. Ngokuvamile, zonke iziqalo emkhakheni we-AI sekuyisikhathi eside ziqonda ukuthi uhlelo alusoze lwazazi. Manje bazama ukulandela indlela yokugoqa ezingxenyeni ezihlukahlukene zemizwa. Ezingeni elinembile, ngiqinisekile futhi ukuthi ubuhlakani buyinto yokusebenzelana nomhlaba wangempela. Futhi ngicabanga ukuthi noma yiziphi izifanisi zezinzwa ngeke zisize. Imizwa iyithuluzi elibaluleke ngokulinganayo lokusebenzelana nomhlaba wangaphandle, mhlawumbe nokunqumayo. Futhi imizwelo, naphezu kwakho konke "ubuwula" babo obuvamile, kunzima kakhulu ukuyifanisa.

     - Uma imizwa isuswa kumuntu, ingabe uzolahlekelwa ukuqonda kwakhe?

     - Hhayi-ke, lokhu ngokusobala ngeke kwenzeke ngokushesha. Isikhathi esithile, ubuhlakani buzosebenza ngokungangabazeki nge-inertia. Futhi-ke, emkhawulweni, ngicabanga ukuthi yebo, ubuhlakani, obungenawo nhlobo imizwa, buzomane bume. Kungani kufanele athathe isinyathelo? Akanaso ilukuluku, akanakho ukwesaba ukufa, akafisi ukuceba noma ukulawula othile. Izoba uhlelo olungasebenza kuphela ngokuthola imiyalo evela komunye umuntu.

     - Ngakho-ke abakwaMartians benza konke okungalungile?

     - Kungenzeka. Kodwa umphakathi waseMartian uhlelwe ngale ndlela futhi awubekezeleli wonke umuntu ozama ukuhluka kuwo wonke umuntu, njenganoma yimuphi umhlambi wabantu abangavuthiwe ababalelwa ngaphezu kweshumi nambili. Okuqinisekisa kuphela izinkolelo zami. Ngokwami, ngenza isinqumo kudala sokuthi ukuvala imizwa ezingeni lomzimba kuyindlela engalungile. Ngaleso sikhathi, lesi sinqumo sasibukeka njengombhikisho wentsha futhi kamuva sangilahlekisela kakhulu. Kodwa manje angisakwazi ukwenqaba.

     “ULaura May cishe angavumelana nawe,” uMax wanquma ukudlala naye. - Kwangibonisa ukuthi naye akathandi labo abenqaba imizwa yangempela futhi benze izinkontileka zawo wonke umuntu.

     - Ngamuphi umqondo?

     - Hhayi-ke, ama-Martians awashadi, kepha angena esivumelwaneni sokukhulisa izingane ndawonye ...

     - Futhi ukhuluma ngalokhu. Ngokombono wezomthetho, umshado uyinkontileka efanayo, kodwa ekhethekile, abanye bangase bathi ukugqilaza. Futhi i-Martian ingaphetha noma yisiphi isivumelwano, kuhlanganise nalesi. Kumane kuthathwe njengokuwubulima nokucwasa kubo bobabili abalingani. Ukunanela ngalezo zikhathi zobuqaba lapho owesifazane engaba yilungu eliphelele lomphakathi kuphela uma engowamadoda athile.

     - Ngokusobala uLaura akayena umuntu wesifazane onjalo.

     “Njengabesifazane abaningi basemhlabeni, ungumuntu wesifazane noma akayena umuntu wesifazane, inqobo nje uma kuzuzisa yena,” kusho u-Arthur. - Nokho, njenganoma yimuphi omunye umuntu owenza okuzuzisayo kuye.

     - Ungangena esivumelwaneni sokugqilaza noLaura May?

     "Ukube imizwa yethu ibifana, bekungenzeka." Kodwa lokhu akunakwenzeka.

    Ngemva kokuthula isikhashana futhi ephephetha cishe ingxenye yejusi yewolintshi elandelayo, u-Arthur waqhubeka:

     “Sengivele ngizamile, kodwa ngokusobala ngokuxaka kakhulu.” Ungakwazi yini ukuxazulula imfumbe yokuthi uLaura May wawuthola kanjani umsebenzi kwaTelecom?

    UMax wazama ukuhogela ingilazi engenalutho ngobuhlakani, kodwa akazange anuke lutho oludakayo. Umuntu wayengaqagela ukuthi kungani u-Arthur evuleleke kangaka. UMax wacabanga ukuthi uma engumuntu onesizungu waseMartian owayengenakuba phakathi kwamaMartians noma phakathi kwabantu, khona-ke zonke izinhlobo "zemigubho yokuphila" bekufanele zimbangele ukuhlaselwa kwe-melancholy emnyama kakhulu.

     — Ingabe umqashile?

     - Ngikuqagele. Wathola umsebenzi kwaTelecom ngokuqabulana okukodwa nomphathi othile ovela enkonzweni yabasebenzi. Kunjalo impela lapho imizwa ingavumeli ubuhlakani ukuthi bakhe isu elilungile lesikhathi eside.

    “Ngabe ngempela lokhu kuwumthombo wendaba yokuhlukunyezwa kwabantu emsebenzini? — UMax wacabanga ngokumangala. "Kungajabulisa ukulandelela lonke uchungechunge lwezinguqulo kusukela e-Boryan."

     - Futhi kuthiwani ngokulandelayo?

     — Isibhakabhaka asizange siwe, amaplanethi awazange ame. Izinganekwane ezimayelana nokuqabulana zaphenduka izinganekwane. Ngamafuphi, izinto azihambanga ngokuqhubekayo, njengoba ubona. Kodwa abanye abantu bathola umsebenzi futhi benza umsebenzi omuhle.

    U-Arthur wathula, egqolozele engilazini yakhe kabuhlungu. Futhi uMax weza nombono “okhaliphile” wokusiza iMartian eyinqaba ukuba isungule ubudlelwano noLaura omuhle, athole ukubonga kwaphakade futhi aphakamise izinga lomsebenzi, enomngane obaluleke kangaka endaweni engcwele yezingcwele, endaweni. inhliziyo yenkonzo yabasebenzi. Kamuva, uMax waqalekisa isikhathi eside zonke izingilazi aziphuza ephathini yezinkampani, ngoba utshwala obuningi kuphela obungaba isizathu sokuthi akakwazanga nje ukuzala lolu hlelo "oluhlakaniphile", kodwa futhi ukuletha. esiphethweni “esiyimpumelelo”.

     - Nokho, njengoba amaqhinga angaphambili engazange aveze imiphumela, kufanele sizame indlela yokuzungeza.

     - Futhi hlobo luni lokuqondisa? - U-Arthur wabuza ngesithakazelo esincane.

     “Yebo, kunezindlela ezimbalwa eziqinisekile zokuthola ukunakwa kwabesifazane,” uMax waqala ngomoya wochwepheshe. – Ngeke sicabangele izimbali nezipho zobungcweti. Kodwa uma ngesibindi uvikela owesifazane engozini ethile yokufa, kusebenza cishe ngokungenasici.

     - Ingozi yokufa emcimbini wenkampani yeTelecom? Ngesaba ukuthi amathuba okuthi ubhekane nakho aphansi kakhulu kunezinga lephutha lezibalo.

     - Hhayi-ke, ngigobe kancane ebulalayo. Kodwa siyakwazi ngempela ukudala ingozi encane.

     — Dala wena? Mncane, kodwa ake sithi...

     - Ake sithi u-Laura kufanele aye ekamelweni elingenalutho, elisabekayo, isibonelo, ekamelweni elingaphansi lale ndlu emangalisayo. Futhi kukhona isisebenzi seTelecom esidakiwe sizoqala ukumhlupha. Ukuphikelela ngokwanele ukumethusa bese, ngenhlanhla, uzodlula, ungenelele, usabise ngokuxoshwa futhi isesikhwameni!

     “Ngiyethemba ukuthi uyabubona ubuthakathaka ohlelweni lwakho, mngane wami womuntu.” Ngeke ngize ngigxeke izici zobuchwepheshe kuphela: uzomyenga kanjani uLaura egumbini elingaphansi, ungaqinisekisa kanjani ukuthi abekho abavikeli abengeziwe lapho? Kodwa yini eyenza ucabange ukuthi uLaura uzosaba? Empeleni, akanamahloni, futhi uma ecabangela ukuthi sikuphi nokuthi angakhononda kubani... Futhi abezokuphepha basendaweni bazofika begijima emzuzwini nganoma yiluphi ucingo. Angikululeki neze ukuthi uzame, uzozithola usesimweni esingesihle neze.

     - Yebo, bengingahlosile. Nginomngane osebenza emnyangweni othusayo Wenkonzo yethu Yezokuphepha. Ngiyethemba ukuthi uzokwazi ukusabisa onogada bendawo uma kukhona okwenzekayo.

     — Uyangabaza... Ingabe umngane wakho usevumile ukuhlanganyela emcimbini?

     - Ngizokhuluma naye. Futhi ngathola indlela yokuheha uLaura. Ubona indiza engenazindiza emise okogebhezi lwekhanda eduze kwakhe. Uyithanda ngempela le ngxenye yehadiwe, futhi igama eliyimfihlo elikuyo ngumbuzo: yini engashintsha imvelo yomuntu? Futhi ngiyayazi impendulo. Ngizothatha ufudu ngilufake ekamelweni elingaphansi, futhi lapho u-Laura elubamba futhi amlandele, ugibe lwethu luzovala.

     - Noma engeke ahambe, kodwa uzocela othile ukuthi alethe ... Kodwa lokho yimina nje, ngiyakhetha. Futhi awukhohlwanga ukuthi iminonjana yemisebenzi yakho yokugebenga izohlala kulogi lwedivayisi.

     - Hhayi-ke, ngizohlanza engingakwazi. Angicabangi ukuthi uLaura uzomba okuningi, futhi akazi okuningi ngakho.

     - Cishe unabangane abaqondayo.

     - Uma kwenzeka noma yini, ngizoxolisa futhi ngithi bengifuna ukubuka ukuqaliswa komphumela othokozisayo futhi ngimoshe ngephutha.

     - Iyiphi impendulo efanele?

     - Uthando.

     - Ezothando. Kulungile, uhlelo luyathakazelisa impela, kodwa ngicabanga ukuthi sekuyisikhathi. Sekuhlwile, futhi angikakakhafuli kwalasha waseMartian ngaphambi kokulala.

     - Linda, uyesaba? - UMax wabuza ngokudelela.

     "Uzama ukusizakala ngami, mngane wami womuntu?" — uMartian wamangala. - Kungani uvumile ukusiza, nakuba wena ngokwakho uzifaka engozini kakhulu? Kungani ungafuni ukuzenzela iqhinga elifanayo?

     “Eh-e...” UMax wangabaza, ezama ukuvela nencazelo ezwakalayo.

     - Ake ngikunikeze iseluleko esincane: ingabe ufuna ukuthola umusa ngokubuyisela?

     “Yebo,” uMax wanquma ukuthi akukho sizathu sokuqamba amanga.

     - Ngingakwazi nokuqagela ukuthi iyiphi. “Kulungile, uma ibhizinisi lingaphumeleli, ngizokunikeza noma iyiphi isevisi engamandla ami,” kuvuma u-Arthur kungazelelwe.

    Ngenkathi imilenze kaMax imyisa endaweni yokucima ukoma lapho uRuslan ayekhona, emaphusheni akhe wayesekwazile ukuphatha isikhundla somqondisi womnyango wentuthuko ethuthukisiwe futhi wayehlose ukuba yiphini likamongameli.

    URuslan wayehlezi endaweni eyodwa. UMax wagibela esihlalweni esilandelayo wabuza ngokunganaki:

     — Awuzange ushaye uLaura?

     - Le crane indizela phezulu kakhulu, bekufanele sizinze ku-tit. Futhi manje wonke amabele asusiwe.

     "Akukhona njalo kusihlwa lapho ukwazi ukubamba umuntu."

     - Ungangitsheli ukuthi yini enye ongayilindela kuleli phathi elibolile le-nerdy.

     "Kodwa manje sekunethuba lokusiza umngane oyedwa ukuthi athole i-crane."

    URuslan wabuka ngokuxakayo uMax.

     "Ngicabanga ukuthi uzokwenza kangcono noLaura." Ungamane uziphathe njengonontandakubukwa owusizo ozungeza kuye ngobuningi. Woza uzomtshela ukuthi uyitshwele elipholile futhi ufuna ukuhlangana nalo. Lokhu maningi amathuba okuthi kusebenze.

     - Ngiyabonga ngeseluleko, kodwa bengifuna ukuthi usize hhayi mina, kodwa uMartian oyedwa ozohlangana noLaura.

     — Ingabe ugcwele intuthu, Max? Ngeke ngisize noma yimaphi ama-Martians.

     - Nokho, ngobuchwepheshe ukusiza Martian, kodwa empeleni ukungisiza. Lo Martian angawuthuthukisa kakhulu umsebenzi wami.

     - Ucabanga ukuthi kufanele ngikuhlele kanjani lokhu? Khuphuka uye kuLaura uthi: hey, mbuzi, ufuna ukuhlangana ne-creepy, nerd eyodwa ephaphathekile esikhundleni sami?

     - Cha, yilolu hlelo. Ngemva kwesikhathi esithile, u-Laura uzophumela ekamelweni elingaphansi ukuze enze impushana ekhaleni lakhe. Ngiyazi ukumyenga lapho. Kulapho aphuma khona wonke ama-raver. Uzolandela futhi uqale ukumhlupha ukuze ethuke ngempela, khona-ke uMartian uzongena ngokungahleliwe futhi aqale ukumvikela. Lona,” uMax ekhomba u-Arthur ephuza ijusi esanda kuzalwa. "Uya kuye kakhulu, ungamsunduza, umnyakazise kancane, ukuze yonke into ibe ngokwemvelo." Kodwa ekugcineni kumele amsindise.

     - Yebo, kuyindaba nje yebhizinisi: ukuhlukunyezwa ngokocansi kanye nokuhlaselwa kwesisebenzi seTelecom. Enye i-gastor evela eMoscow ingavalwa kalula iminyaka embalwa.

     - Asikho isidingo sokuhamba kakhulu, kunjalo. I-Martian nakanjani ngeke ikhononde, futhi awuyona i-gastor evela eMoscow.

     - Lalela, usomaqhinga omkhulu, ulahle amaphupho akho okuba umphathi weTelecom. Indawo yethu kade yanqunywa futhi awukwazi ukweqa phezu kwekhanda lakho.

     - Mhlawumbe uqinisile, yonke into engokoqobo kulo mhlaba isezandleni zabaseMartians, futhi izivakashi ezivela eMoscow kuzodingeka zaneliseke ngempumelelo ebonakalayo. Ngilokhu ngicabanga ukuthi ungaqonda kanjani ukuthi leli akulona iphupho likaMartian. Phela, ngosizo lokubona, ukuzwa nezinye izinto, akunakwenzeka ukuhlukanisa ngokoqobo. Ingabe kufanele sibheke uhlobo oluthile lomuzwa wesithupha? I-Martian ithi, kwanele ukukhumbula ukuthi umhlaba wangempela ulinganiselwe. Ukuthi awukwazi ukunqoba lutho kuwo ngaphandle kokulahlekelwa lutho. Kodwa zonke izinhlobo ze-bastards ezingenandaba nanoma yini zihlala ziphumelela. Ngakho ngeke uqonde lutho. Ungabheka nendlela yenyanga phezu kwechibi lehlathi noma umoya wasentwasahlobo, kodwa lokhu akukho ku-Mars. Noma hlunga izinkondlo lapho. Kodwa sezibhaliwe zonke izinkondlo zangempela... Kulezinsuku akekho odinga izimbongi. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi wenzani, uyohlala ungabaza. Kodwa ngibheka uLaura Mae futhi ngicabanga ukuthi mhlawumbe ungokoqobo. Wonke amakhompyutha kaMartian ahlanganiswe ndawonye awakwazi ukuqhamuka nanoma yini enjengale...

     — Uphendule kahle ngoLaura. Ingabe unethemba lokuthi lo Martian wakho uzosiza nganoma iyiphi indlela?

     - Kungani kungenjalo?

     “Kungani ungafuni ukuya kuLaura ngokwakho, unesithukuthezi nje?”

     "Akunakwenzeka ukuthi ngingakwazi ukumethusa."

     - Akukhona lokho engikhuluma ngakho. Hamba uye kuye. Shiya abakwaMartian izinkinga zabo zeMartian, futhi ujabulele injabulo yomuntu.

     - Cha, ngifuna ukusiza iMartian. Akajabulele injabulo yomuntu, kodwa ngifuna ukubona ukuthi yini ngaphesheya.

     - Well njengoba wazi. Njengoba uphikelela, ngizoyothenga no-Laura.

     - Kuhle! – Max wayejabule. - Nguwe kuphela ogijima ngempela kuMartian, kulungile. Ukwenza konke kubukeke okwangempela.

     - Woza, umqambi omkhulu, thatha isinyathelo.

    Ukuthatha i-drone ungayiboni kwakulula njengokugoqa amapheya. Esebenzisa ikhamera yakhe, uMax wenza isiqiniseko sokuthi cishe akukho muntu esitezi esingezansi, kuphela abasebenzi namarobhothi okuhlanza. Uma kwenzeka nje, wathatha ufudu walufaka endaweni eholela ezindlini zangasese futhi wakleliswa ngamathayili amhlophe asabekayo.

    Cishe ngemva kwemizuzu eyishumi, uLaura wakubona ukulahlekelwa futhi, ngokusobala eseyihlolile i-tracker, wehlela esitezi esingezansi ngokuzethemba. UMax wathumela isignali kwabanye abakhi bozungu. URuslan wanyamalala egumbini elingaphansi cishe ngemva kukaLaura, futhi uMartian wafunda ngokucophelela ingilazi yakhe isikhathi esithile, kodwa ekugcineni, equnga isibindi, walandela wonke umuntu. UMax wamelana ngempumelelo nesilingo sokusebenzisa ikhamera ye-drone ukuze azibonele ukuthi uhlelo luyasebenza. Wazabalaza isikhathi eside, okungenani imizuzwana engamashumi amathathu, kodwa lapho efinyelela esixhunyweni sogebhezi lwekhanda wathola ukuthi i-chip yayilahlekelwe yinethiwekhi yayo.

    “Lezi izindaba,” kucabanga uMax. - Kazi lokhu kwenzeka kaningi kangakanani ekilabhini yabo? Noma ingabe inkinga nge-chip yami? Izidalwa zobubi ezazisele endaweni yokudansa zaqala ukuqalaza ngokudideka, zithola ukuthi zonke izingubo zazo ezingokoqobo zase ziphenduke amathanga. "Lokhu kusho ukuthi kukhona ukwehluleka okujwayelekile, kodwa akukho ukungenelela kwezokuphepha manje okuzophazamisa umsebenzi wokuhlenga uLaura," uMax wabonisana futhi wacela umthengisi wamanzi amanzi amaminerali.

     - Ingabe inethiwekhi ivame ukwehla ekilabhini yakho?

     “Yebo, kuyaqala ngqa,” umthengisi wotshwala wamangala. - Ukuze yonke inethiwekhi ngesikhathi esisodwa...

    UMax wahlala ngokuthula imizuzu embalwa, wabe eseqala ukukhathazeka kancane. “Kungani bebambeke lapho? - wacabanga ethukile. "O, bekungamele ngikuqale lokhu, kube sengathi kukhona okungeke kulunge." UMax wabona ngeso lengqondo isithombe sikaMartian elele ephuke ikhanda, ezungezwe odokotela, noRuslan eboshwe ozankosi esiteji samaphoyisa, waqhaqhazela. Lapho i-chip ikhala ngenjabulo, ikhombisa ukuthi ukufinyelela kunethiwekhi sekubuyisiwe, uMax wagxuma esihlalweni sakhe. Isikhathi esithile waphenduphenduka njengokungathi ufakwe izikhonkwane nezinaliti, wabe esenquma ukwehla yena ngokwakhe, ahlole ukuthi izinto zihamba kanjani, futhi phakathi nendawo wabona u-Arthur esukuma esuka ekamelweni elingaphansi. Wagijima waqonda kuye.

     - Konke kwahamba kanjani?!

     "Akuzange kungisebenzele, kodwa umngane wakho ubonakala eqhuba kahle." Baxoxe, ahleke bahambe bobabili.

     -Uyephi? – UMax wabuza ngobulima.

     - Mhlawumbe endlini yakhe, noma endlini yakhe... Ngenye indlela yokuphuma. Babukeka bebahle ngendlela emangalisayo ndawonye, ​​ngokusebenzisa lolu daka olubonakalayo. Ngize ngibambezele kancane ukuze ngithole injabulo yobuhle... Idemoni elikhulu elimnyama kanye ne-angel succubus.

    “Isigaba sakho! Ngisanda kungcwaba umsebenzi wami ekujuleni kobukhulu besihogo, uMax wacabanga ngokwethuka. - Ruslan, yeka isilwane! Futhi nami ngiyi-cretin, ngicabange ukucela impungushe ukuthi igade ihhoko lezinkukhu.”

     “Ahhh... ngiyaxolisa ukuthi kwenzeke kanjalo,” kuthuthumela uMax.

     - Akulona iphutha lakho. Ukuthi nje umngane wakho unqume ukwenza izinguquko ohlelweni lwethu oluhle. Kodwa angaqondwa. Ngokujulile, ungakhathazeki, kodwa ngekusasa, khumbula ukuthi kungaba okuphephe kakhulu ukucela ngokuqondile u-Laura ukuthi akholise umphathi oyedwa ongenandaba nezintelezi zakhe ukuthi akusize. Ukumanga kwesibili kuzokwanela ukuthola i-chip yochwepheshe ngezindleko zenkampani. Futhi zonke izinhlobo zezinhlelo eziyinkimbinkimbi azivamile ukusebenza ekuphileni kwangempela.

     - Ingabe unombono omubi kangaka ngaye? Kungani engavuma into enjalo?

     "Anginawo umbono omubi, ngisebenze isikhathi eside kakhulu namafayela omuntu siqu ezisebenzi zizama ukufika phezulu kwenye yezinkampani ezicebe kakhulu nezinamandla emhlabeni." Akulona icala elinjalo: ukukhohlisa isazi sezitshalo esisodwa futhi ngosizo lwakhe ukuthuthukisa imisebenzi emibili ngesikhathi esisodwa. Kodwa angavuma ukuba nomngane onesibopho kuye siqu, osesikhundleni esiphakeme. Noma mhlawumbe bengingeke ngivume...

    “Yebo, bonke abantu besifazane banciphise umthwalo wemfanelo womphakathi,” kucabanga uMax. "Awu, bonke abesifazane abahle banjalo impela." U-Arthur wamamatheka, embuka ebusweni.

     - Uxolo, Max, kodwa ukuphoxeka kwakho kuyangijabulisa. Ubucabanga ukuthi uLaura wayeyinkosazana enjalo? Nansi impendulo yombuzo olula: kungani umuntu emomotheka kuwo wonke umuntu, alalele ngesineke amathani ezincomo eziyisidina nokuzincoma, achithe isikhathi samahhala nemali emithini nasezindaweni zokuzivocavoca, kodwa ngasikhathi sinye angazami ukuthola noma yiziphi izinto ezingaqondile. zuza kulokhu? Ucabanga ukuthi abantu abanjalo bakhona ngempela? Ngokunembile, zikhona, kodwa azisebenzi ezikhundleni eziphezulu ku-Telecom.

     "Hhayi-ke, uma engeyona inkosazana nhlobo, kungani ungamthengi ukuze akhushulelwe esikhundleni?"

     “Ukuphoxeka kwakho ngobuwula kukwenza ube nenhlamba.” Uyaziqhenya futhi ngeke kwenzeke ukumthenga ngokuqondile. Hhayi-ke, noma intengo izoba phezulu kakhulu. Ngaphezu kwalokho, akukhona lokhu engikufunayo. Kodwa kuyingozi ukuthi izihlakaniphi ezinjengawe noma mina zithandane naye,” emamatheka u-Arthur. "Ngeshwa, uLaura unombono ophansi kakhulu ngezidalwa zesilisa ngokujwayelekile, futhi akaboni lutho olungalungile ngokusizakala ngazo kancane."

     "Mhlawumbe uzosebenzisa noRuslan."

     - Kungenzeka.

     - Ngizokhuluma naye sina.

     - Akufanelekile. Okwenziwayo kuyenziwa. Yebo, uqhamuke nento ewubuwula, futhi ngavuma, kodwa umhlaba awuzange ubhidlizwe ngenxa yawo. Mhlawumbe uzojabula nalokhu Ruslan, okungenani kancane.

     - Kuthiwani ngawe?

     “Bengivele ngalithola ithuba, kodwa lalahleka.”

     - Kuthiwani ngomthetho wokuthi izinto ezimangalisa kakhulu zenzeka kabili?

     "Lo mbhedo oyinqaba uyenzeka kabili." Futhi kulokho okubaluleke ngempela futhi okuyigugu emhlabeni wangempela ongcolile, kuyasebenza omunye umthetho: “Kukanye kuphela futhi ungaphinde ube.” Kulungile, mngane wami womuntu, sekuyisikhathi sokuthi ngihambe, ngilangazelela ngedwa endlini yami enkulu engenalutho.

    U-Arthur wahamba, ehamba namathemba omsebenzi osheshayo kuTelecom futhi mhlawumbe nanoma yimuphi umsebenzi nhlobo. UMax wayengenayo enye indlela ngaphandle kokuphushela eceleni uBoris owayehona esofeni, abize itekisi.

    Ehleli ekhishini lakhe elincane, waqaphela ukuthi wayengadakiwe. Ngangisemoyeni, ikhanda lami liqhephuka, ubuthongo abukho kuwo womabili iso. Wakhafulela izindleko eziphezulu zokuxhumana ngokushesha futhi washayela inombolo kaMasha.

     - Sawubona, ingabe uphapheme?

     - Kusekuseni kakade.

    UMasha wayebukeka edangele kancane. Kwakukhona i-tinsel kaNcibijane elele eduze kwakhe, isihlahla semvelo esihlotshisiwe simi ekhoneni, futhi uMax wacabanga ukuthi anganambitha u-Olivier futhi ahogele ama-tangerine.

     - Kukhona okwenzekile?

     - Yebo, Mash, ngiyaxolisa, nginezinkinga nge-visa yakho ...

     - Sengivele ngaqonda. - UMasha wahwaqabala nakakhulu. – Ingabe yilokho kuphela obufuna ukukusho?

     - Cha. Ngiyazi ukuthi uphatheke kabi, kodwa izinto zingihambe kabi kakhulu kule Mars embi...

     - Max, uke waphuza?

     - Usuvele udangele. Cishe. Masha, bengifuna ukukutshela into eyodwa, kunzima ukukuqamba ngokushesha ...

     - Yebo, khuluma, ungalibali.

     - Angikwazi ukwenza into embi ku-Telecom, umsebenzi uwubuwula, futhi mina ngokwami ​​ngenza okuthile okungalungile ngokuphelele ...

     - Max, ubufuna ukuthini?!

     — Uma ngibuyela eMoscow, ngeke yini ucasuke kakhulu?

     -Ingabe ubuyela emuva? Nini?!

    UMasha waqala ukumamatheka okuqotho, okukhulu kangangokuthi uMax wacwayiza amehlo ngokumangala.

     "Bengicabanga ukuthi uzophatheka kabi, sichithe isikhathi esiningi nomzamo."

     - Oh, ucabanga ukuthi akungicasuli ukuhlala lapha futhi ulinde ukuthi uNkulunkulu uyazi? Ubulokhu uyidinga kakhulu le-Mars.

     - Mancane amathuba okuthi ngikwazi ukuhlala kwaTelecom uma ngibuya. Futhi sizosebenzisa imali eningi ukuthenga ithikithi lokubuya, futhi kuzodingeka siqale kabusha kwenye indawo.

     - Max, yini umbhedo. Ngeke uthole umsebenzi eMoscow? Uchwepheshe onjalo uzosuswa lapha ngezandla zakhe. Sizothengisa into esingayidingi ekugcineni.

     - Ingabe kuliqiniso? Okungukuthi, aniyikungilahla futhi ningibeke ngehlazo?

     "Uma ufika emnyango njengamanje, ngeke ngikhulume lutho kuwe."

     - Ngisho noma ngiwela ngidakiwe ezinkunini?

     “Ngizokwamukela nganoma iyiphi indlela,” kuhleka uMasha. "Ngiyaqonda ukuthi uye lapho ukuyodakwa ku-Mars yakho embi."

    UMax waphefumulela phezulu futhi wanquma ukuthi konke akukubi kangako. “Kungani ngimatasa kangaka ngokusebenza ku-Mars? Hhayi-ke, kusobala ukuthi akukuhle. Kumele sisivale lesi sitolo, sibuyele ekhaya siphile kamnandi.” Waxoxa noMasha isikhathi eside, uMax wagcina esehlise umoya, wacishe wakhetha amathikithi okubuya wavala iwindi lokuxhuma ngokushesha. Njengoba elele, waphupha eMoscow ekude, ukuthi wafika kanjani ekhaya, ukuthi uMasha efudumele, ethambile, wambingelela, ikati lakhe lahlikihla ngaphansi kwezinyawo zakhe, futhi amaMartians angavamile kanye nobuhle bamanga bemizi engaphansi komhlaba baphenduka iphupho elingathandeki kodwa elingenangozi lapho. “Yebo, ukubuyela ekhaya unamahloni akuyona indlela eqinisekile,” kucabanga uMax, ezingcwaba ejula emcamelweni.

    Kukhona umgomo owodwa kanye nezinkulungwane zezindlela.
    Obona umgomo ukhetha indlela.
    Okhetha indlela akasoze ayifinyelela.
    Kuwo wonke umuntu, inye kuphela indlela eholela eqinisweni.

    UMax wavuka wavuka embhedeni inhliziyo yakhe ishaya ngamandla. "Ukhiye! Ngimazi kanjani?! – wacabanga ethukile.

    

    Imigqa yamabhokisi kakhonkolo afanayo yayintanta efasiteleni leveni yenkampani. Ukwakhiwa kwendawo yezimboni bekufanele ukutuswa kakhulu kubalandeli beqiniso le-socialism noma i-cubism. Yonke le migwaqo nezindawo ezihlanganayo, eziphambana ngama-engeli alungile wejometri, zihluke kuphela ngezinombolo. Ngaphezu kwalokho, kunephethini yokuqhekeka kanye nemithambo yamaminerali ophahleni lomhume. UMax waphinda wacabanga ukuthi babengenakuzisiza kanjani ngaphandle kwezinduku zeqiniso elingokoqobo. Akunakwenzeka ukuphuma endaweni enjalo ngaphandle kwezinkomba zekhompiyutha; amahhovisi endawo awakubonanga kudingekile ukuchitha imali kuzimpawu zangempela noma ama-plaque. Uma kwenzeka, wahlola isikhwama sakhe nge-oxygen mask, indawo ye-gamma emva kwakho konke: akukho lutho oluyingozi ngisho nakumuntu ongakulungele, kodwa awukwazi ukugijima ngezitebhisi lapha isikhathi eside ngisho nengxenye ye-gravity.

    UGrieg, njengenjwayelo, wahoxa kuye, wazindla esihlalweni esingaphambili, futhi u-Boris walala ngemuva okuphambene, phakathi kwamabhokisi epulasitiki anemishini. Wayesesimweni esihle kakhulu, walujabulela uhambo kanye nenkampani yamaqabane akhe futhi ngokuhaha wadla amaships nobhiya. UMax wazizwa ephatheke kabi ngoba uBoris wayemthatha njengomngane wakhe omkhulu, futhi akakwazanga ukuba nesibindi sokusho ukuthi usenqume ukubuyela eMoscow. “Noma awukanqumi? Kungani ngingena kulolu hambo oluwubuphukuphuku oluya endaweni ye-Dreamland? - kucabanga uMax. - Cha, ngithembele kakhulu kukho. Akukho ukuhlangana okunjalo. ” Kodwa izwi elicasulayo, okwase kuyiminyaka eminingi liphoqelela abantu ukuba bagijimele kule planethi ebomvu nganoma iyiphi indlela, njengoba nje lahleba ngokuphikelela: “Njengoba sekuvele icala elinjalo, yini ekuvimbela ukuba ulihlole nje”?

     — Ubukile ukusakaza kwe-StarCraft izolo? - Kubuza uBoris, ephethe ibhodlela likabhiya. UMax ulamukele ngokungenangqondo wabe eseyiqhabula nje ngomshini.

     - Cha...

     - Kodwa ngeze, lo mdlalo uzoba inganekwane. I-Deadshot yethu idlale no-Miki, lo mgadli wase-Japan osabekayo, uyazi, obedlala i-StarCraft kusukela eneminyaka emithathu ubudala.

     - Yebo, usengumuntu ohlakaniphile. Umama wakhe kungenzeka ukuthi ubebukele ukusakazwa kwe-StarCraft izinyanga eziyisishiyagalolunye.

     - Wakhulela ku-replicator.

     - Khona-ke akumangazi.

     - ngeze, ngamafuphi, ngiphuthelwe, empeleni ngikubizele ebha. Akekho owayeshaye lo Miki eyedwa iminyaka emibili.

     - Angizange ngilandele isikhathi eside, ngizobheka okuqoshiwe kamuva.

     - Yebo, ukuqoshwa akufani, usuwazi umphumela.

     - Futhi ubani owawina?

     - Eyethu iwinile. Kwakukhona idrama enjalo, walahlekelwa impi jikelele, konke kwase kubonakala sengathi khan ...

     - Okuthile kuthebula elisemthethweni kukhombisa ukunqotshwa kobuchwepheshe.

     - Cabanga nje ngalokho ama-assholes, ikhomishana ephikisana nokuguqulwa namhlanje ekuseni ithole isofthiwe enqatshelwe ku-chip yakhe. Ama-Freaks, ngokushesha nje lapho siwina, amanqe asuke etheleka ngokushesha. Kodwa kulungile, silondoloze isithombe-skrini setafula langempela futhi saphonswa ku-granite, ngomqondo ongokomfanekiso. Inethiwekhi ayikhohlwa lutho!

     “Pfft, isofthiwe engavunyelwe,” uMax ehona. - Yebo, angisoze ngakholwa ukuthi yonke le mikrik yamakhulu amayunithi ingenzeka ngempela ngaphandle kwesoftware namagajethi engeziwe. Kuthiwa impi yobuhlakani obumsulwa! Ingabe ukhona omunye umuntu okholelwa lobu bullshit?

     - Yebo, ngiyaqonda, kodwa kufanele uvume ukuthi amaJaps anemibhalo efihlekile ethuthuke kakhulu namagajethi, kodwa eyethu isanqobile.

     - Futhi ngokushesha waxoshwa ngokusobala. Yingakho ngayeka ukubuka.

    Imoto ingene egaraji elikhulu eselishonile yama phambi kwerempu kakhonkolo. Ingxenye ethambile yerempu yayilingana ncamashi nephansi lemoto.

     “Sesifikile,” kusho uGrig, ephuma.

     "Hhayi-ke, masisebenze njengabaphathi bezokuthutha," u-Boris waphendula ngokushesha futhi waqala ukukhipha amabhokisi anemishini, enophawu lweTelecom olupendwe ezinhlangothini, uhlamvu "T" olunesiphambano esiphezulu esiyindilinga kanye nophawu lokuphuma komsakazo nhlangothi zombili.

     "Akubukeki njengendawo yokugcina i-Dreamland," kusho uMax, eqalaza igumbi elimpunga elingasho lutho. - Iphi imigqa yezindawo zokugeza eziphilayo ezinabantu abavalekile? Ukupaka okuvamile.

     "Isitoreji singezansi," kusho uGrig.

     - Ingabe siyehla lapho?

     - Kumele.

     - Ingabe sizoqaqa izimbiza ezimbalwa zabaphuphi?

     “Cha, akunjalo,” uGrig wacwayiza ngokumangala. - Akuvunyelwe ukuthinta ama-biovans nhlobo. Kukhona kuphela ama-routers ashintshayo namakhompyutha e-telecom.

     - Yilokho kuphela? “Kuyadabukisa,” kusho uMax.

     “Ukube bekunento engathi sína, besingeke sithunyelwe lapha,” kuphendula uGrig ngezwi eliphefumulayo.

    Ubengabonakali ephile saka; ukuphakamisa ibhokisi erempini kusobala ukuthi kumdinile.

     “Awubukeki kahle,” kuphawula u-Boris, “phumula okwamanje, sizogingqela amabhokisi kukheshi.”

     “Cha, cha, ngiyaphila,” uGrig enyakazisa izandla zakhe futhi ephusha umthwalo ngokujabula okwedlulele.

     - Ingabe akhona amaklayenti lapho ubuchopho babo buhlukene nemizimba yabo bese buntanta esitsheni esihlukile? Labo abathenge intela engenamkhawulo futhi bafuna ukuphila phakade.

     "Mhlawumbe angibheki okungaphakathi."

     - Awunakho ukufinyelela kusizindalwazi? Awukwazi ukubona ukuthi ubani ogcinwe kuphi?

     "Kuzosetshenziswa ngokusemthethweni," kusho uGrig.

    Washiya ibhokisi phambi kwekheshi lezimpahla waphenduka eyolanda elilandelayo.

     - Hhayi-ke, silapha emsebenzini. Awukaze ube nentshisekelo yokuzulazula ubone ukuthi hlobo luni lwabantu ababhukuda kulawa maflask?

    UGrieg wabuka lowo owayebuza imizuzwana embalwa enophawu lwakhe oluguquguqukayo, kwangathi akawuqondi umbuzo, noma akafuni ukuqonda.

     - Cha, Max, akuthakazelisi. Ngiyafika, ngithole imojuli enephutha, ngiyikhiphe, ngixhume entsha bese ngihamba.

     - Unesikhathi esingakanani usebenza kwaTelecom?

     - Isikhathi eside.

     - Futhi uthanda kanjani?

     - Ngiyayithanda, kepha nginemvume eluhlaza, uMaxim.

    UGrieg washesha ngokushesha ijubane lakhe.

     - Ukukhishwa okuluhlaza ...

     "Lalela, Max, yeka le ndoda," kungenela uBoris, "gingqa amabhokisi laphaya, ungawacijisi ama-lasses."

     - Yebo, ngibuzeni? Kungani wonke umuntu ekhathazeke kangaka ngale mvume?

     — Ukuvunyelwa okuluhlaza kusho ukuthi i-chip yakho isivele ifakwe amanethiwekhi ambalwa e-neural aphuma Kusevisi Yezokuphepha, eqapha ngokusemthethweni ukungavezwa kwezimfihlo zohwebo. Kodwa eqinisweni akwaziwa ukuthi balandelani lapho. Isevisi yethu Yezokuphepha inendlela exakile emisebenzini yayo.

     - Akunandaba ukuthi ngibuze ini?

     "Akunjalo, Max, ukuthi abantu abanemvume ngokuvamile abafuni ukuxoxa nganoma yiziphi izihloko ezishelelayo, ikakhulukazi lezo ezihlobene nomsebenzi." Ngisho nemibono yomuntu siqu mayelana nezinto ezingenabungozi njengeziko lebhizinisi, izinhlelo zokuphatha kanye nobunye ubuwula bebhizinisi.

     - Konke kuhamba kanjani. Uyamkhumbula uRuslan, osebenza kwaTelecom Security Service? Phela uDimoni wayemesaba. Angazi ukuthi iyiphi imvume anayo, kodwa ngesizathu esithile akesabi nakancane ukuba nazo zonke izinhlobo zezingxoxo zokuvukela umbuso. Ngokuvamile, akabizi ama-Martians nganoma yini enye ngaphandle kwama-tadpoles noma ama-creepy nerds.

     - Yingakho esenkonzweni yezokuphepha, kungani bemesaba? Futhi abanye, uMax, abanaso isibindi futhi asikho isidingo sokuhlupha nokubeka abantu esimweni esingesihle. Lokhu akuyona iMoscow kuwe.

     - O, ungaphinde ungikhumbuze ukuthi nginguGastor waseMoscow. Ngabe kufanele ngithule ngaso sonke isikhathi?

     - Ukuthula kuyigolide.

     - Futhi wena, Bor, ukhetha ukuthula ungafaki ikhanda lakho kakhulu?

     - Kimina, Max, leli su lokuziphatha aliphakamisi imibuzo. Kodwa abantu banesibindi kakhulu ngamazwi, kodwa ekuqaleni kwenkathazo bavele bahambe baye ehlathini futhi bayacasula.

     - Vuma. Futhi abantu abazibeka engcupheni yokulwa, ngingalokotha ngisho, umzabalazo wepolitiki omelene nezinkampani ezimbi, nakuba kunomphumela ohlekisayo, ikuphi ukusabela abakubangela kuwe?

     - Akukho, ngenxa yokuntuleka kwabantu abanjalo njengeklasi.

     - Ngempela? Kodwa kuthiwani, ngokwesibonelo, inhlangano engaqondakali i-Quadius, ebangela uthuthuva ku-Titan? Uyamkhumbula uPhil osesitimela?

     - Yebo, ngiyakuncenga, kunokubukeka okukodwa kuphela, nginesiqiniseko sokuthi izinkampani ezimbi ngokwazo zihlanganyela ekwaluseni lezi zinhlangano ukuze zenze indawo yokuphuma yezakhi eziseceleni, futhi ngasikhathi sinye, zenze izinto ezincanyana. izimbangi.

     - Yebo, Bor, ngiyakubona ungumgxeki oqinile.

     - Lokhu kuzenziwa, ngingumuntu onothando enhliziyweni. Uyazi, iqhawe lami eWarcraft liyisithunzi esihle, elihlale lilungele ukwephula umthetho ukuze kubuyiselwe ubulungiswa emphakathini, ”kusho uBoris ngezwi elidabukisayo elingamanga, egingqa ibhokisi lokugcina ekheshini.

     - Yebo Yebo…

    Ikheshi ku-vault yayiyinde, ngakho-ke wona kanye nawo wonke udoti abekwe ekhoneni elilodwa, futhi ayelawulwa isikrini esithintwayo semfashini yakudala ngaphandle kwanoma yikuphi ukuxhumana okubonakalayo. Ngokuvamile, ngokushesha nje lapho iminyango yensimbi ivaliwe, wonke amanethiwekhi angaphandle anyamalala, ashiya kuphela inethiwekhi yesevisi ye-Dreamland enoxhumo lwezivakashi. Lokhu kuxhumana akuzange kuvumele ngisho nomuntu ukuthi abone imephu egcwele yesitoreji, umzila wamanje kuphela, futhi ubeke imikhawulo enzima kusithombe nevidiyo evela kuma-chip kanye nanoma imaphi amadivayisi axhunyiwe.

    UGrieg ukhethe ukukhipha izinga lesihlanu. “Kuyadabukisa,” kucabanga uMax lapho ilifti ima, “ngeke zibe khona izithombe ze-apocalypse.” Isidleke esikhulu esiyikhilomitha ubude esigcwele amakhulu ezinkulungwane zamakhekheba ezinyosi anezibungu zomuntu ngaphakathi asizange sivele phambi kwamehlo akhe. Indawo yokugcina i-Dreamland yayisemihubheni emide, emazombezombe yemayini endala esebenza eyaluma umzimba weplanethi kude kuzo zonke izinhlangothi kanye nokujula kwamakhulu amamitha.

    Kusukela ku-grotto, okwakubonakala sengathi kunemvelaphi yemvelo, kwakukhona ama-drifts agcwele imigqa yamabhati e-bio. Ukuze kube lula ukunyakaza, amapulatifomu anamasondo anezinhlangothi ezigoqayo anikezwa. Kwadingeka ngiphinde ngigoqe wonke amabhokisi ngiwafake esithuthweni esisha. “Kanti lokhu kuzophela nini?” - U-Boris waqala ukukhononda. Nokho, bathi nje sebehamba, wahlala ngokunethezeka ebhokisini eliphansi, wavula ibhodlela likabhiya elilandelayo futhi kwavele kwalula.

     — Ingabe kuvunyelwe ukuphuza lapha? - kubuza uMax.

     - Ubani ozongimisa? Inkundla enamasondo noma lezi zingama-weirdos?

    U-Boris wavuma ngekhanda umugqa ongapheli we-sarcophagi enezivalo ezenziwe ngepulasitiki ewugqinsi, enamafu, lapho uhlaka lwemizimba yabantu lungabonakali kalula.

     "Kungenzeka ukuthi kukhona amakhamera yonke indawo."

     - Futhi ngubani ozobabuka, akunjalo, Grig?

    UGrieg wamphendula ngokulahla kancane emehlweni akhe.

     - Futhi ngokuvamile, indawo ye-gamma, akufanele uphuze kakhulu lapha.

     - Ngokuphambene nalokho, izikhonkwane zinamandla, futhi mina, ngokungafani nabanye, ngine-oksijini eyanele amahora ayishumi nambili ... Hhayi-ke, kulungile, bangincenga.

    U-Boris wadoba isikhwama sephepha kwenye indawo esikhwameni sakhe wafaka ibhodlela kuso.

     — Ingabe wenelisekile?

     — Kazi bangaki abaphuphayo lapha? — Ngokushesha uMax washintshela kwesinye isihloko, ephendulela ikhanda lakhe yonke indawo ngelukuluku lokufuna ukwazi. Isiteji sasihamba ngesivinini somuntu ohola impesheni egijimayo, kodwa kusenzima ukubona imininingwane ngenxa yokungakhanyi kahle. Izindonga zamahubhe zazihlanganiswe newebhu eyinkimbinkimbi yokuxhumana: izintambo namapayipi, futhi i-monorail eyengeziwe yayifakwe phezulu, okwakuntanta kuyo impahla noma obhavu abanamaphupho ngezikhathi ezithile.

     - Lalela, Grig, ngempela, bangaki abantu abakhona endaweni yokugcina?

     - Anginalwazi.

     - Ingabe uxhumano lwakho lwesevisi alunikezeli ulwazi olunjalo?

     - Angikwazi ukufinyelela izibalo ezijwayelekile, mhlawumbe imfihlo yezohwebo.

     “Singazama ukubala,” uMax waqala ukucabanga. — ake sicabange ukuthi ubude bemigudu ingamakhilomitha ayishumi, amabhati ami ezinhlotsheni ezintathu noma ezine, enesinyathelo samamitha amabili nengxenye. Kuvele izinkulungwane ezingamashumi amabili, amashumi amabili nanhlanu, hhayi umxhwele ikakhulukazi.

     "Ngicabanga ukuthi kungaphezu kwamakhilomitha ayishumi emihubhe lapha," kuphawula u-Boris.

     - Grig, kufanele okungenani ube nokufinyelela kumephu, bungakanani ubude bemihubhe?

    UGrieg wavele wasikaza isandla ephendula. Iplatifomu yayilokhu igingqika futhi igingqika, iphenduka ibe ama-drift aseceleni izikhathi ezimbalwa, futhi indawo yokugcina izinto yayingapheli. Kwathula kwathi cwaka, kwaphulwa kuphela ukuduma kwezinjini zikagesi nokuhamba koketshezi ekuxhumaneni.

     "Kumnyama lapha..." Waphinda wakhuluma uBoris wabhodla kakhulu. - Sawubona zakhamizi, ubonani lapho!? Ngiyethemba ukuthi ngeke uphume ku-crypts yakho? Cabanga uma kwenzeka uhlobo oluthile lwe-glitch ku-firmware futhi bonke bavuka ngokuzumayo baphume.

     “Boryan, yeka ukucasuka,” kusho uMax ngokucasuka.

     - Yebo, futhi ipulatifomu nayo ingaphuka ngesikhathi esingafanele. Lowo ongapha ubonakala ehamba!

     - Yebo, manje uzophuma adanse. Grieg, ingabe kukhona ukuxhumana lapha phakathi kwendawo kanye nemihlaba ebonakalayo? Mhlawumbe sishayela emhubheni one-Star Wars, bese kuba khona ama-elves nama-unicorn?

    UGrieg wathula cishe umzuzu, kodwa wagcina esezehlisa ukuze aphendule.

     - Angicabangi ukuthi, i-Dreamland inamabhasi edatha anamandla kakhulu, ungashintsha abasebenzisi nganoma iyiphi indlela oyithandayo. Kodwa kukhona amakhompyutha e-telecom akhethekile kuma-ISP emihlaba edume kakhulu.

     “Asidlale inhlangano,” kusikisela u-Boris. - Ngakho-ke, Max, yiziphi izinhlangano onazo nale ndawo? Amathuna, i-crypt...?

     — Ngengilazi yokubuka, umhlaba wangempela ukhona, futhi sihamba ohlangothini lwawo olunolwandle. Thina, njengamagundane noma ama-brownies, sihamba ngezindlela ezinothuli ezindongeni zenqaba. Ngaphandle kukhona amabhola namahholo kanokusho, kodwa kuphela i-patter yezidladla ezincane ngaphansi kwe-parquet esikhumbuza ukuba khona kwethu. Kodwa endaweni ethile kufanele kube nezinqubo eziyimfihlo ezivula iminyango ngakolunye uhlangothi.

     - Hlobo luni lwengilazi yokubuka, hlobo luni lwezinganekwane zezingane? AmaZombi akhuphuka emathuneni abo. Kube nokuwohloka komhlaba jikelele ezinhlelweni ze-Dreamland futhi izinkulungwane zabaphuphi abahlanya benza i-apocalypse yama-zombie emigwaqweni yedolobha laseTule.

     - Yebo, lokho kungenzeka. Kodwa kuze kube manje akukho okuthusayo, ngaphandle kokuthula...

    Ngokuphazima kweso umhubhe waphuka futhi ipulatifomu yashayela phezu kwe-trestle ephansi eyayigudla i-grotto yemvelo. Ezansi negrotto kwakunechibi elinombala obomvana oxakile. Kwakushubile ngokuphila kwamarobhothi, izithunzi ezingacacile zama-octopus asebenza ngomshini kanye ne-cuttlefish zazintweza ekujuleni, futhi ngezinye izikhathi zikhuphukela phezulu, zibhajwe yizintambo zezintambo. Kodwa izakhamuzi eziyinhloko zalolu ketshezi zaziyizicucu ze-biomass ezingenamamo, zigcwalisa cishe wonke umthamo wechibi futhi zilenza libukeke njengexhaphozi elimbozwe ama-hummocks. Ngemva kwemizuzwana embalwa uMax wabona imizimba yabantu kulawa ma-hummocks, embozwe igobolondo eliwugqinsi eliphuma emanzini ngokwawo, njengefilimu kujeli.

     - Nkosi, yeka iphupho elibi! - Kusho u-Boris ethukile, eqandisiwe ibhodlela liphakanyiswe emlonyeni wakhe.

    Isiteji sazungeza kancane kancane indawo enamanzi, futhi ngemva kwalo msele olandelayo wawusubonakala kakade, kwase kuba yonke imfucumfucu yamaxhaphozi abomvana isabalele phambi kokubuka okushaqisayo kwezivakashi ezingakulungele ukuya eDreamland.

     "Ama-biobaths amasha anenani elishibhile kulabo abangewona ama-squeamish," kuchaza uGrieg ngezwi elingenambala. - Amakhebuli namarutha enethiwekhi eyinhloko antanta ku-colloid, futhi i-colloid ngokwayo iyisixhumi esibonakalayo samangqamuzana esixhuma ngokuzenzakalelayo noma ubani okuyo.

     "Ngiyethemba ukuthi angizange ngibhukude kulokhu."

     - Ubune-oda langokwezifiso elibizayo, ngokwazi kwami, cha.

     - Phew, kuzwakala kungcono. Ungikhumbuza izimpethu zaseColorado embizeni, ugogo wami wangiphoqa ukuba ngiziqoqe endaweni yakhe. Okubi okufanayo, udaka olunyakazayo.

     “Thula, Max,” kubuza u-Boris. - Ngisanda kuphuma.

     - Yebo, masiqonde lapho ... Ungathanda ukubhukuda?

    U-Boris wenza umsindo osolisayo wokugudla ephendula.

     “Ukube bekungengenxa yokuvinjelwa, bengizoqopha ividiyo ephuma ku-chip ngiyifake ku-inthanethi ukuze ngithene amandla abaphuphi abasha.

     “Ungalinge,” uGrig ekhathazekile. "Sizoxoshwa emsebenzini ngenxa yalokhu."

     - Yebo, ngiyaqonda.

     “Ngaphezu kwalokho, izinto ezimbi nakakhulu zenzeka emiluthweni yezidakamizwa, kodwa lokho akuvimbi muntu.

    UMax wavuma ngekhanda evuma, kodwa ngaso sonke isikhathi inkundla yayishayela emaxhaphozini aphinki, u-Grig wanyakaza engaphumuli futhi wazama ngandlela thize ukuvimba umkhakha wakhe wokubona. Wakhululeka lapho umsamo ungena ekheshini elithwala impahla waqala ukwehla emazingeni aphansi.

    Endaweni yokuhlunga phambi kwekheshi, amapulatifomu ambalwa azenzakalelayo anemithwalo kanye nesixuku sabantu abagqoke izingubo zokugqoka ezinamasaka base bebalindile. Isixuku besiholwa yindoda eyisidudla egqoke i-ovaroli kachwepheshe enamafutha. Laba kwakungabantu “abaphilayo” bokuqala abahlangana nabo endaweni yokugcina izinto. Kodwa nazo zazixakile, akekho owakhuluma noma wasuka onyaweni waya onyaweni, wonke umuntu wayemile egqolozele emkhathini. Kwanyakaza uchwepheshe kuphela, washaya izindebe zakhe eziwugqinsi, wahambisa umunwe wakhe phambi kwakhe, kwathi lapho ebona uGrieg, welula isandla sakhe kuye ukuze axhawule. UMax waqaphela izinzipho zakhe ezingcolile, ezinganqunyiwe.

     - Unjani, Edik? – UGrig wabuza ngokunganaki.

     - Kuhle njengenjwayelo. Nakhu ngihambisa abantu bethu abalalayo ngibasa kwezokwelashwa. Futhi bazitholaphi lezi zifo, balele lapho futhi abenzi lutho olubi, futhi lapha sibasebenzela kanzima. Abalahlekile abadabukile, ngisho naku-biobath, bazothola indlela yokulahla ama-skates abo.

    UGrieg wavuma ngekhanda nje ngokunganaki ephendula i-tirade engaqondakali.

     - Sawubona, sekuyisikhathi sokuba sihambe.

     - Ngakho laba abaphuphayo? Kungenzeka yini ukubavusa? – UMax wamangala.

     “Baphuphi, sukani,” kusho u-Edik ekhala futhi ngokunganaki embambatha ikhehla eliseduze elinempandla esihlathini. "Abaphuphi abashibhile, uhlobo oluhamba ngisho nangemva kokufa."

     “Asihambe,” uGrig ephakamisa isandla ukuze abalingane bakhe bagibele emsamo. “Baqhutshwa wukulawula umzimba, abazi lutho futhi ngeke bakhumbule lutho ngemuva kokubuyela e-bio-bath.

     "Futhi ngicabanga ukuthi bazokhumbula," u-Edik okhuluphele wavala indlela yesikhulumi futhi yaqina. - Omunye udokotela wangitshela ukuthi kunjengokungathi babona iphupho lapho bona bengakwazi ukwenza lutho. Cabanga nje ngiyingxenye yamaphupho amabi womuntu.

     - Sekuyisikhathi sokuba sihambe.

    UGrig waqondisa isiteji ngakwesobunxele, kodwa u-Edik waphinda wema endleleni yayo.

     - Woza, uhlale ujahile. Akukho ukuxhamazela lapha. Futhi uyazi into ehlekisayo, balandela yonke imiyalo yami. Ungathanda ukubona i-A312 manje iphakamisa umlenze wayo wesokudla?

    U-Edik wahambisa izandla zakhe phambi kwekhala lakhe futhi ikhehla elinempandla lalalela lagobisa umlenze walo edolweni.

     - Into eyinhloko nje ukuthi ungayidluli, ngaphandle kwalokho idiot eyodwa isanda kulahlekelwa ama-lunatics amabili. Ngawafaka ku-follow mode, ngagibela emsamo ngazumeka. Yebo, ngisho nasempilweni, abakhanyi ngokuhlakanipha, kodwa lapha ngokujwayelekile ... bachitha isigamu sosuku befuna ... Ubeka unyawo lwakho phansi.

    U-Edik wambambatha ikhehla ehlombe ngokujwayelekile. Ngokusobala uGrieg wayentula ukuhlakanipha kokukhonkotha kahle nokuvula indlela.

     - Ingabe ufuna ukuzijabulisa?

     - Cha cha cha! – UGrig wanikina ikhanda ngokwesaba.

     - Lalela, muntu ojabulayo! - U-Boris wasiza. "Siyazijabulisa, sisohambweni, kunjalo, kodwa usendleleni."

     “Angikukhathazi, ngokuvamile akubonwa lutho lapha, abantu abadala kuphela nezidakwa, kodwa namuhla kunezibonelo ezinhle.”

     “Ngibona i-Dreamland ingahambisani namakhasimende ngempela,” kuphawula uMax ngokucasuka.

     - Zonke izinhlobo zabaphathi nama-bots asemcimbini namakhasimende. Yini, nginamakhasimende? Izingcezu zenyama eziyisiphukuphuku. "Ngokujwayelekile, anginandaba," kusho u-Edik ngokumamatheka okubhuqayo. "Kodwa angiyena umuntu othanda ukuziphindiselela, ngingabelana ngalo nabangani bami ngebhodlela likabhiya."

     - Yabelana?

     - Yebo, namuhla kunekhophi enhle, ngiyayincoma. A503, uMarie uneminyaka engamashumi amane nantathu ubudala.

    U-Edik wadonsela phambili intokazi eyanelisekile, engcolile, nokho, eyayingakalahlekelwa ngokuphelele ubuhle bayo bangaphambili.

     - Izingane ezimbili, kwakukhona umhlaziyi wezezimali enkampanini ethile ye-fucking. Inja ecebile, ngamafuphi, kodwa yacwila ezidakamizweni, umyeni wayo wamangalela ingxenye enkulu yempahla, futhi izingane zamyeka. Ekugcineni kugcine lapha. Ngakho-ke, vele, yonke into iyancipha kancane, kodwa yini ama-tits, ahlole.

    U-Edik wakhumula ingubo yakhe ngokunganaki futhi wakhipha amabele akhe amakhulu amhlophe.

     “Ngakho-ke siyahamba,” uGrieg wasukuma futhi, eshayela amahhashi, wazulazula esixukwini, evula indlela eya emhubheni.

    Kwaphela isekhondi uMax, evule umlomo ngokumangala, nesiteji sase siginqika emgwaqeni. UMax waphuma ebuthongweni futhi wahlasela uGrieg.

     - Yima, lapho! Sidinga ukubiza i-Security Service, yini le nto evumela ukuthi enzeni!

     "Cha, sizomosha isikhathi," uGrig enikina ikhanda.

     - Ima!

    UMax wazama ukuya esondo lokulawula ngesandla, futhi uGrieg wambuyisela emuva ngokusemandleni akhe.

     - Yiyeke, sizophahlazeka ndawana thize.

     - Yekani? Jika uphunde Emuva!

     — Lapho sibuya, lapho silinda uMgqibelo, kuzodlula ihora futhi ngeke sibe naso isikhathi sokwenza umsebenzi. Futhi sizokwethulelani uMkhandlu Wezokuphepha: izwi lethu elimelene nelakhe?

     - Yeka igama, kukhona amakhamera yonke indawo.

     "Akekho ozosikhombisa okuqoshiwe futhi ngeke sifakazele lutho."

     - Ngakho-ke, ake le mbuzi iqhubeke nokuzijabulisa?!

     “Max, khohlwa, phuza ubhiya,” kusiza u-Boris. “Laba maphupho bazikhethela ikusasa labo.

     - Yekela! I-Dreamland ayibaqaphi nhlobo abasebenzi bayo. Ibheke kuphi isevisi yabo yezokuphepha? Konke okufanayo, ngokushesha nje lapho inethiwekhi ibonakala, ngizobhala ngokushesha hhayi i-SB, kodwa amaphoyisa aseTule.

    UGrig waphefumulela phezulu kuphela ephendula.

     - Hhayi-ke, uzomisa umlingani wakho, njengoba ungaqondi.

     -Ngizomisa bani?

     "Uzomisa iGrig, nathi futhi." Zicabangele wena, ingabe i-Dreamland izothanda ukumenyezelwa kwendaba enjalo? Ukulahlekelwa amaklayenti, futhi mhlawumbe ngisho namacala aqondile, kuzonakekelwa. Impela ubudlelwano neTelecom buzophazamiseka, ngoba ithumela izisebenzi ezithembekile. Futhi-ke, ucabanga ukuthi laba basebenzi abathembekile bazonikezwa isitifiketi kanye nebhonasi? Noma bazolenga zonke izinja kuzo? Umncane kangakanani?

     - Hhayi-ke, sidinga ukushayela Isevisi Yezokuphepha. Bavumele okungenani badubule buthule le-Edik futhi benze uhlobo oluthile locwaningo lwangaphakathi.

     - Yebo, bazokwenza njalo. Futhi bazosixosha lesi siphukuphuku, futhi esikhundleni saso bazothatha esinye, esibi nakakhulu. Angiyiboni inhloso kulokhu kunyakaza.

     "Yileyo ndlela wonke umuntu akhuluma ngayo, yingakho sihlala unomphela obishini."

     "Iqiniso lokuthi wonke umuntu uzogijima namehlo akhe evulekile ngeke lenze imbongolo ibe mncane." Ngezinye izikhathi kungcono ukukhohlwa ngakho konke futhi ukhohlwe ngakho, uzokwenza inkinga encane. Bheka, cishe bonke laba baphuphi nabo babefuna ukushintsha umhlaba ube ngcono. Futhi lokhu kwabaholelaphi? Uma usindisa umhlaba wonke, i-Dreamland izomosha nomsebenzi wakho.

     - Ngiphila kahle kuze kube manje, ngaphandle kwe-Dreamland.

     - Ngamuphi umqondo?

     Yebo, ngisize uMartian Arthur ukuba athuthukise ubuhlobo bakhe noLaura kangangokuthi ngesaba umsebenzi wami njengokungathi ngiyi-khan.

     - U-Arthur ukutshele kanjalo.

     - Cha, unguMartian ohloniphekile. Kodwa ngisho noma eqonda futhi ethethelela, insali, njengoba besho, yahlala.

     - Uyabona, vele uphumule. Uzowuthola ubhiya?

     - Kulungile, qhubeka. Unohlobo oluthile lwesimo sempilo yokwenziwa.

     “Ngiwahlola ngokucophelela amakhono ami, ngokungafani nabanye. Esikhundleni sokuxoxisana njengesiphukuphuku ngenxa yezithakazelo zabanye abantu, akungcono yini ukumane uphilele ukuzijabulisa kwakho?

     - Lokho u-Edik ongavamile cishe usho into efanayo.

    U-Boris wavele wanikina amahlombe akhe ngefilosofi.

     "Angithinti muntu, phila futhi ungaphazamisi izimpilo zabanye."

    Isiteji ekugcineni safinyelela iphuzu lokugcina lomzila. Wama phambi komnyango wensimbi endaweni emfishane. Ngemuva kwayo bekunesikhungo esikhulu sedatha. Imigqa emide yamakhabethe afanayo yenza amehlo kaMax acwebezela. Kwakupholile impela; UGrieg wavula ikhabethe elinamarotha futhi waxhuma kuwo amabhokisi anempilo kunawo wonke alethiwe. Futhi wazixhuma, ekugcineni walahlekelwa ukuxhumana okukhona kakade okungazinzile nezwe langaphandle. Lapho ebuzwa ukuthi abanye kufanele benzeni, wajikijela phansi umdwebo wokuxhuma futhi wakhomba kwelinye lamakhabethe esiphakeli. Ngokuyinhloko kwakunguMax okwakudingeka axoxe nomhlangano, njengoba uBoris, ngokuvumelana ngokugcwele nezimiso ezishiwo ngaphambili, wayegwema umsebenzi wokusebenza. Wayehlala kahle phansi eduze kwamabhokisi avuliwe futhi, phakathi kokuxoxa nokuphuza ubhiya, ngezinye izikhathi wayekwazi ukunikeza ikhebula elidingekayo noma i-screwdriver.

    U-Grieg wabe esengena ukuze ashintshe amayunithi anephutha. Wabe eseziphonsa emhlabeni wakhe ovaliwe wensimbi.

     - Isithukuthezi. Boryan, uyafuna ukuthatha uhambo? – Max wasikisela.

     - Ingabe lena yindawo yohambo olujabulisayo? Hlala phansi uphuze ubhiya.

     - Yebo, ngisadinga ukuya endlini yangasese. Ngeke uhambe?

     "Ngizoba lapho kamuva, uma kwenzeka uGrig edinga usizo." Uma abaphuphi ngokuzumayo bephuma kuma-biobaths, qaphela ukuthi bangakulumi.

     - Ngiphethe ugalikhi nesiliva.

     - Ungakhohlwa isigxobo se-aspen.

    Ngenhlanhla, indlu yangasese yayitholakala ekugcineni kwendawo efile, ngakho-ke sasingekho isidingo sokuzulazula isikhathi eside sizungezwe i-sarcophagi esabekayo. UMax wama phambi komnyango wesikhungo sedatha ngokungabaza okuthile. “Uma ngingena, kuzofanele ngisize uGrig, ngiphuze ubhiya no-Boris futhi ngigoduke emahoreni ambalwa. Futhi lapho ngibuya ngizodinga ukuthenga ithikithi lokuya eMoscow, ngathembisa uMasha futhi anginaso isizathu esizwakalayo sokulibala. Manje yithuba lokugcina lokuthola ukuthi yini engiyibone ephusheni lami likaMartian, wacabanga. - Ithuba elincane kuphela, ngilapha, futhi inkosi yamathunzi ikhona ngengilazi yokubuka. Noma ngiyinkosi yethunzi? Futhi ukuthi isihogo sisho ukuthini leli binzana: ngokusobala ubufuna ukuzakhela ubuwena futhi wadlula kancane. Lesi sisho sizongihlupha kuze kube sekupheleni kwezinsuku zami. Kufanele ngiqiniseke ukuthi nginguye, ukuthi ubuntu bami bungokoqobo, noma ngithole iqiniso elibi.”

    UMax wahamba ngokucabanga amamitha angamashumi amahlanu eya endaweni ephumayo eya endaweni enkulu yokukhukhuleka. Lalikhudlwana ngobubanzi, lithule futhi limnyama. Futhi ngisho nokuba khona kwezinkulungwane zemizimba enganyakazi akusabeki ukucindezeleka okukhulu ebuchosheni. Wahamba waya e-biobath eseduze. Isivalo sayo sepulasitiki, naphezu kwesimo esilawulwayo se-vault, sasimbozwe ungqimba oluncane lothuli. UMax enganakile wasusa uthuli ngomkhono wakhe futhi wabona ukubukeka kwakhe okufiphele. Wagoqa phansi ukuze alunguze kowakhe ubuso obuhlanekezelwe engilazini ebukayo futhi, ngokuphazima kweso, wezwa ukuphusheka kancane kolunye uhlangothi lwesivalo. Wahlehla ngokwesaba odongeni oluphambene futhi wahlehla kuze kube yilapho isinqe sakhe sihlala kwenye i-biotub. "Woza, ama-zombie apocalypses awaqali kanjalo. Ukunyakaza okujwayelekile komzimba okuhleliwe ukuze ungawohloki, ngithole into engiyesabayo.” Noma kunjalo, uMax wezwa inhliziyo yakhe ishaya ngamandla ezindlebeni zakhe futhi akakwazanga ukuphinde abheke kuleyo bhavu yokugezela. “Yeka konke! Akekho uSonny Dimons ongafika engqongqoza ngakolunye uhlangothi. Bheka ku-biobath, qiniseka ukuthi ingilazi yokubuka ayikho, hamba uye eMoscow futhi uphile ngokujabula. "

    UMax wabuyela ku-biotub futhi, ukuze angahlupheki isikhathi eside, ngokushesha wabheka ngaphakathi. Akekho owangena ngaphakathi, kodwa manje usebona izandla zomphuphi, ezazicindezelwe esivalweni uqobo lwaso. Waphenduka edidekile, kodwa ngemva komzuzu ejikijela futhi ephenduka waziphoqa ukuba abuyele emuva futhi. Izandla zazingalengi nje ngaphakathi ngokuzenzakalelayo, zaziqondiswe lapho ezazivela khona. “Noma kimina ngibona sengathi ziqondiswe ndawo? Kuwumbhedo!" - kucabanga uMax. “Amathunzi azokukhombisa indlela,” kwavela ekujuleni kwenkumbulo yakhe. “O, kushise konke ngelangabi eliluhlaza, ngizolandela lolu phawu. Kuzofanele ujike noma kunjalo ngemfoloko elandelayo.”

    Imfologo yokuqala yafika ngemva kwekhulu lamamitha, uMax wayengasakhumbuli ukuthi basuka lapho noma cha. Wahlola wonke ama-biobath aseduze futhi wacishe wathola olunye uphawu lwezitho oluthi akanyakaze aqonde. UMax waphinda wezwa ukushaya kwenhliziyo okuphithizelayo nomuzwa okhulayo wokwesaba, njengangaphambi kokugxuma kwe-parachute, kuyilapho ungakawuboni kwalasha ngaphansi kwezinyawo zakho, kodwa indiza isivele izamazama, izinjini ziyabhonga, futhi umfundisi uyanikeza. iziyalezo zokugcina. Wacishe wagijima waya ezimpambanweni zomgwaqo ezilandelayo. Lapho kwadingeka sijike kwesokunxele. Wagijima ngesivinini, ephelelwa umoya, kodwa engazizwa ekhathele. Ukuphela komcabango wawushaya ekhanda lakhe njengenundu elivutha ilangabi: “Bangiyisaphi laba bantu abafa?” Ngemva kwemizuzu emibili wazithola esehla phambi kwekheshi.

    Wama uMax wadonsa umoya wamangala esegcwele umjuluko. “Kufanele okungenani umake amaphuzu ebalazweni, kungenjalo ngeke wazi. Noma kungaba okuphephile ukushiya uphawu lwangempela odongeni ukuze bangithole kamuva. Kodwa yini nje? Ngokusobala kuzofanele kube ngelami igazi.” Athule kancane uMax abuyele emhubheni eyobheka umkhondo. Omunye wabaphuphi ovela ekujuleni kwe-biobath wabonisa ukuthinta kweminwe emine ehloniphekile. Iphaneli ekheshini ikhombise ukuthi usezingeni lokususa isikhombisa. UMax wakhetha ngokuzethemba ukukhipha okune futhi wajabula kancane ukuthi ithunzi lalimholela phezulu hhayi phansi. Impela, ukuze anambithe inyama emnandi, amaZombi alambile angamyisa emgodini ojulile nowesabekayo kakhulu.

    Ngemva kwekheshi, uhambo lwakhe lwaphela ngokushesha ekamelweni eligcwele izihlalo. Kwakubonakala njengendawo yokulinda, esikhundleni sabagibeli kuphela, izihlalo zazihlala ama-torsos angenandaba namajazi amhlophe. Kuke kwathuleka okungekhona okwemvelo eziteshini zesitimela nasezikhumulweni zezindiza. Abantu abambalwa abagqoke ama-ovaroli ochwepheshe bazulazula phakathi kwemigqa. Babuka ngokumangala ephelelwa umoya uMax, kodwa umuzwa wabo wokuzibophezela wawungabonakali ngokwanele ukuba baqale ukubuza. UMax wanquma ukungadonsi amehlo futhi waqonda komunye wemishini yekhofi, ngesikhathi esifanayo eshaya ubuchopho ngomsebenzi wokuthola uphawu olulandelayo. “UNkulunkulu akehlisele labo abaseduze kwami ​​ukuthi baqale ukunginika izimpawu. Ngisho nabasebenzi bendawo be-phlegmatic cishe bazobhekana nalokhu. " Emshinini wesibhamu wahlangana ubuso nobuso no-Edik okhuluphele.

     - Oh, yini abantu! - U-Edik wamangala. -Wenzani lapha?

     “Ngakho bengifuna ukuthola ikhofi, sisebenzela eduze.”

    UMax waqala ukuphithizela ukucinga emaphaketheni akhe efuna ikhadi elikhokhelwa ngaphambili. Umshini ubungaxhunywanga kunethiwekhi yangaphandle. Ngenhlanhla, wathola ikhadi elibiza ama-zits ayikhulu, elalilele ephaketheni elingaphakathi lejakhethi yakhe. Lokhu kungase kube umvuzo ofanelekayo wokugijima endaweni yokugcina izinto.

     - Futhi nakhu ngihola iqoqo elilandelayo emuva. Asikho ngisho isikhathi sokudla.

    U-Edik waqhubeka nokuzenza isigubhu sokukhiqiza. UMax wabuka iqeqebana lakhe labahamba ubuthongo ngozwela oluncane. “Bafo niphelelwe yinhlanhla,” ecabanga. Umuzwa othile we-déjà vu wangiphoqa ukuthi ngibukisise ubuso obunganyakazi. "Umoya ongcwele! Nakanjani nguye! UPhilip Kochura wayenempandla, eshefiwe, kodwa imibimbi nezihlathi zakhe ezishone zibonakala kalula, njengokungathi wayesahlezi efasiteleni lesitimela, lapho kukhazimula khona izindawo ezibomvu zeMartian, futhi ekhononda ngesiphetho sakhe esinzima. .

     -Wachanyuselwa kuphi?

     - Mina? Yebo, kunjalo...” UMax wavala ngokukhulu ukushesha. "Ngicabanga ukuthi ngabona omunye walaba bantu." Awu, lapho, emhlabeni wangempela.

     - Kwenzenjani? Awusoze waqagela ukuthi yimuphi kubangani bakho ophumela ngaphandle. Akuyona i-heroin. Mhlawumbe umakhelwane noma owayefunda naye esikoleni. Bengingeke ngibacabange abanye babo, kodwa bagcina belapha.

     - Phil, uyangikhumbula?

    UMax wasondela kuPhil wamgqolozela emehlweni, eboshiwe. UPhil ngokwemvelo wahlala ethule.

     - Eh, mfowethu, ucabanga ukuthi uzokuzwa ngempela? – U-Edik wahleka ngokuzithoba.

     -Angikwazi ukukhuluma naye?

     "Kulula ukuhlakaza ngesibhamu somshini kunaye." Awuboni ngempela ukuthi bebengekho isikhathi eside.

     "Wena ngokwakho ungitshele ukuthi bayaphupha nakho konke lokho."

     - Ngeke wazi ukuthi yini abayibona lapho. Ungayishintshela kusilawuli sezwi. Khona-ke uzoxoxa nawe, ngandlela-thile ... Futhi ungubani kuwe?

     - Ngakho ajwayelekile. Ungakwazi ukuhumusha?

     - Hhayi-ke, njengoba ngingumuntu engijwayelene naye, ngicabange okuthile okungathí sina... Sekuyisikhathi sokuthi sinyathele i-bainki, futhi ngokwemiyalelo, akufanele siwadonse kakhulu.

     - Hhayi ngokwemiyalelo? Ubani ongasho!

     - Yini, ucabanga ukuthi ngephula imiyalo? - U-Edik wabuza ngomoya wokungabi nacala. – Ucabanga ukuthi ngizolalela ngomoya ophansi izinsolo ezingenasisekelo ezinjalo? Asivalelise.

    “Indoda encane eshelelayo, embi kangaka,” kucabanga uMax ngokunengeka.

     - Angikusoli nganoma yini. Ngisanda kumbona umuntu engimaziyo, kuyangijabulisa ukuthola kuye ukuthi ufike kanjani lapha. Yiziphi izinto ezimbi ezizokwenzeka uma ushintshela ekulawuleni izwi?

     - Yebo, akukho okukhethekile, kodwa awusona isisebenzi se-Dreamland. Ubani owaziyo ukuthi uzomuyala ngani, huh?

     - Ingabe akunakwenzeka ngokuphelele?

     - Lokhu kuyingozi ...

    Adonse umoya uMax bese enika u-Edik ikhadi.

     - Ubungozi buyinto enhle. Kukhona ama-zits ayikhulu lapha.

    Ukukhanya okuhahayo kwabaneka ngaso leso sikhathi emehlweni ka-Edik, nokho, wabonisa ukuqapha okungalindelekile ngalolu hlobo.

     — Ubeka ikhadi emshinini. Ngisadla ikhofi, kukhona indlu yangasese, awekho amakhamera. Mhlawumbe usengamthatha umuntu wesifazane? Kulungile, kulungile, ungangibuki kanjalo, ngingubani mina ukuthi ngahlulele ukuthanda kwabanye abantu.

    UMax waququda amazinyo, kodwa wathula ngesizotha.

     - I-B032 ikumodi, unemizuzu eyishumi hhayi isekhondi ngaphezulu.

     “B032, ngilandele,” kuyalela uMax ngokuthula.

    UPhil walalela waphenduka walandela umnikazi wakhe wesikhashana. Isizotha esingokwemvelo asizange sivumele uMax ukuthi abe yedwa noPhil kwelinye lamadokodo. Ngenhlanhla, indlu yangasese yayingenalutho futhi icwebezela ngokuhlanzeka okuhlanzekile.

     - Phil, uyangikhumbula? NginguMax, sahlangana esitimeleni cishe inyanga edlule? Ingxoxo yokuthi usibone kanjani isithunzi ephusheni likaMartian, uyakhumbula?

     - Ah, Max, impela... Bekuyiphupho eliyinqaba kakhulu.

    UPhil akazange ashintshe isimo sobuso bakhe futhi amehlo akhe azulazula ngokungaboni ngaso linye ngapha nangapha, kodwa wakhuluma ngokucacile, nakuba kancane kakhulu, eveza amazwi akhe kakhulu.

     "Bengingacabangi ukuthi uzovela kwelinye iphupho." Kuyamangaza kakhulu...

     - Izinto ezingavamile zivame ukuziphindaphinda, ikakhulukazi emaphusheni.

     - Yebo, amaphupho anjalo...

     — Wenzani lapho, empilweni yakho yangempela? Usalwa nezinkampani ezimbi?

     - Cha, izinkampani zahlulwa kudala... Manje abekho abakopishi nezinye izilo. Ngithuthukisa imidlalo... eyezingane. Nginomuzi omkhulu, umndeni... Abazali bami bayeza kusasa, ngidinga ukukhetha inyama emnandi yokosa...

     - Yima, Phil, ngiyakuthola, wenza kahle.

    “Yehheni, mbhedo onjani lo engikhuluma ngawo! “Kungani ngiyidinga le mininingwane,” kucabanga uMax ngokucasuka. Ngomzamo wentando, waziphoqa ukuba agxilise ingqondo.

     - Phil, uyawukhumbula umyalezo oyimfihlo ukuthi isithunzi sayala ukuthi silethwe kuTitan?

     - Ngikhumbula umyalezo ...

     - Phinda.

     - Angikhumbuli umlayezo ... usuvele ubuze ngalokhu ephusheni lakho lokugcina ...

    “Kulungile-ke, uma kucatshangelwa ukuthi sengivele nginikeze imali eningi kumuntu okhuluphele ukuze ngizihlalele nomuntu ophuphayo endaweni ehlanzekile, ngeke ngiphinde ngibukeke ngiyisiphukuphuku. Kwakungekho."

     - Phil, usenami?

     - Ngiyalala, kufanele ngibe kuphi ...

     - Lowo owavula iminyango ubona izwe lingenasiphelo. Lowo ovulelwe iminyango ubona imihlaba engapheli.

    UPhil wabuka ngokushesha kuMax. Manje wamshwabadela ngamehlo akhe, njengoba ebuka umuntu okuncike kuye indaba yokuphila nokufa.

     - Ukhiye wamukelwe. Icubungula umlayezo. Linda.

    Izwi likaPhil lagqama futhi lacaca, kodwa lalingenambala ngokuphelele.

     - Ukucubungula kuqediwe. Ungathanda ukulalela umlayezo?

     - Yebo.

    Impendulo yayicishe ingazwakali ngenxa yokuthi umlomo kaMax wawuvele wome.

     - Ukuqala komlayezo.

    Rudy, konke kuhambile. Ngidinga ukugijima, kodwa ngesaba ukuhamba ibanga elingangekhilomitha ukusuka esikhumulweni sezindiza. Kukhona ama-agent e-Neurotek yonke indawo futhi anayo yonke idatha kimi. Ama-agent athola imishini yethu ye-quantum, engazama ukuyikhipha, mina ngokwami ​​ngasinda ngokulambisa. Abambe noma ubani asolise kancane amkhiphele ngaphandle. Akukho ukubekezelelana noma uphahla olungakusindisa. Angiziboni ezinye izinketho: Kuzodingeka ngivale isistimu. Yebo, lokhu kuzobhubhisa cishe wonke umsebenzi wethu, kodwa uma i-Neurotek ifika kumasignesha e-trigger, kuyoba ukunqotshwa kokugcina. Ngizozidalela obunye ubuntu futhi ngingene emgodini ojulile engingawuthola. Udinga ukulinda kuze kube yilapho i-Neurotek izola kancane, bese uqala kabusha uhlelo. Ku-Titan, ngicela uzinike isikhathi uhlole izinsolo zami ngawe-wazi-ubani. Ngiqinisekile ukuthi lokhu akuyona nje i-paranoia. Othile wasinikela ku-Neurotek futhi izithunzi azikwazanga ukukwenza, nakuba yena, yebo, engakwazi, kodwa noma kunjalo ... Uma ubuyela ku-Mars, ungasebenzisi iziteshi zethu zokuxhumana ezijwayelekile, zonke zivezwe ngokweqile. Ngithinte nge-Dreamland. Njengendlela yokugcina, uma i-Neurotek ifinyelela iphupho likaMartian, mina ngokwami ​​noma esinye sezithunzi zami sizofika endaweni ye-Golden Scorpion endaweni yendawo yokuhlala yokuqala ngo-19 GMT futhi ngi-oda izingoma ezintathu ze-Doors ku-jukebox ngokulandelana okulandelayo. : "Moonlight" Drive", "Strange Days", "Soul Kitchen". Beka leli bha ngaphansi kokugadwa. Konke lokhu. Bhubhisa umthumeli ngemva kokuthola umlayezo, ngiyazi ukuthi awuzithandi kangakanani izindlela ezinjalo, kodwa ngeke sikwazi ukukhokhela ngisho nengozi encane.

    Ukuphela komlayezo. I-courier ilinde iziyalezo ezengeziwe.

    “Kusebenzile,” kucabanga uMax ngokumangala, “akusho, i-Golden Scorpion bar... Sidinga ukuyilalela futhi.”

     - Shit ongcwele, nginike amabili! Bekuyini leyo? - kwavela izwi elibi elijwayelekile ngemuva.

    UMax waphenduka wabona ubuso buka-Edik obucwebezelayo futhi obujabule kakhulu.

     - Uthembise ukulinda imizuzu eyishumi.

     - Wayekhuluma ngani lapho? Izingoma zeminyango Emithathu, ukuphela kokuthunyelwe. Angikaze ngizwe shit engingamazi.

     “Ubani okunike imvume yokungena, siphukuphuku?

    UFury wamklinya uMax. Ngangifuna ngempela ukuhudula ubuso obukhulu emlenzeni wami ngenhliziyo yami yonke, ngaphandle kokucabanga ngemiphumela.

     "Kufanele okungenani umngenise edokodweni, mfowethu omncane." Ngithini? Bengifuna ukulinda ukuze kungabikho muntu oniphazamisa zinyoni zothando. Futhi ngizwa ukuthi boo-boo-boo, boo-boo-boo. Kodwa ngiyamangala ukuthi kungani lokhu kwenzeka, uyaqonda ukuthi lena impahla kahulumeni.

     - Khohlwa konke okuzwile lapha.

     - Ngeke ukukhohlwe lokhu. Ngaphandle kwalokho, ngicela ungixolele, kodwa kubonakala sengathi uphule iphupho lami. Kuzomele ngibike lokhu.

     "Ungakhohlwa ukubika ukuthi wena ngokwakho uphatha kanjani impahla kahulumeni."

     - Awukwazi ukufakazela lutho, mfowethu. Kodwa noma ungakufakazela lokho, bazongixosha, ukulahlekelwa okukhulu. Ngizoxoshwa ngokuvumelana kwamaqembu, ucabanga ukuthi i-Dreamland idinga ukuvezwa kwezindaba ezinjalo. Ungakhathazeki, kukhona ama-precedents. Kodwa umlayezo wakho oyimfihlo uzovela khona manjalo ku-inthanethi. Bekuyini ngeNeurotek... Yehlisa umoya mfowethu, uma ushaywa wuvalo, amasecurity azogxuma ngokuphazima kweso. Lapha, bala uze ufike eshumini. Ungakwazi njalo ukufika esivumelwaneni esinokuthula.

    Izidladla zika-Edik zaqhaqhazela kancane, ngokucacile ngokulindele imvula ye-creeps, i-Eurocoins nezinye izimali ezingenayo i-fiat. UMax wabona ukuthi usenkingeni futhi udidekile. Wayengaqondi nhlobo ukuthi angaphoqa kanjani u-Edik ukuthi athule, njengoba nje engazange azibophezele ukubikezela imiphumela yokwenza umlayezo kaPhil esidlangalaleni. Isinqumo safika ngaso leso sikhathi, kwangathi kukhona okungichofozayo ekhanda lami.

     “I-oda ku-courier: rekhoda isithombe esibonakalayo sento: Eduard Boborykin,” uMax wafunda igama ebhejini. - Usebenza njengochwepheshe endaweni yokugcina i-Thule-2 ye-Dreamland Corporation. Nikeza ama-oda kuzo zonke izithunzi ephusheni likaMartian ukuthi zisuse into ekuqaleni kwethuba.

     - Ukwelashwa. I-oda lamukelwe. I-courier ilinde iziyalezo ezengeziwe.

     "Ngihambile, qiniseka ukuthi awukhathali emsebenzini," kusho uMax ngamakhaza.

     “Uyadlala ngami, bhuti, ungiyisa embukisweni, akunjalo?” Abaphuphi abakwazi ukwenza lutho ngokumelene nokulawula umzimba. Bheka, ngizoyivala manje...

    U-Edik waqala ukuhambisa izandla zakhe phambi kwakhe.

     — I-oda ku-courier: minza into endlini yangasese.

     - Ukwelashwa...

    UPhil, ngaphandle kokungabaza, waphuthuma ngaku-Edik, wambamba ngezinwele futhi wazama ukumguqa ebusweni. Wafika lapho ngokunganaki; isimo sakhe somzimba ngokusobala sasinganele ukuba abhekane nesidumbu esinjalo. Kodwa u-Edik wayekude kakhulu nobuciko bokulwa; UMax weza ngemuva kwakhe wamkhahlela edolweni ejabula. Kukhona into eshwabene edolweni lakhe lapho u-Edik egawula sonke isisindo sakhe phansi esinamathayela.

     “Oh, fuck,” ekhala ngokudabukisayo. - Fuck, ngiyeke ngihambe, bitch, ah-ah.

    UPhil wadonsa isidumbu ngezinwele, ezama ukusinyakazisa esibhekise endlini yangasese.

     - Hare, mfowethu, bengidlala, bengidlala, ngeke ngitshele muntu.

     - I-oda ku-courier: ukukhansela i-oda lokugcina.

    UPhil waquleka endaweni, futhi u-Edik waqhubeka nokuginqika phansi, ememeza kakhulu.

     “Thula, siphukuphuku,” kuhayiza uMax.

    U-Edik wehlisa iphimbo ngokulalela, eshintshela ekukhaleni okuphansi.

     - Silima siphukuphuku, awuqondi nokuthi ungenwe yini. Usayine eyakho incwadi egunyaza ukufa.

     - Yeka isigwebo sentambo, mfowethu! Ngangizikhohlisa, empeleni, ngangingeke ngitshele lutho. Hhayi-ke, ngicela... Sengikhohlwe yikho konke.

     - I-oda ku-courier: ukukhansela wonke ama-oda wangaphambilini. Oda ku-courier: sula umlayezo.

     - Ukusula akunakwenzeka ngaphandle kokufinyelela ohlelweni. Kunconywa ukuvala i-courier. Qinisekisa ukuqedwa?

     - Cha. I-oda ku-courier: dlulisela kuwo wonke amathunzi ephusheni likaMartian umyalelo wokuqoqa lonke ulwazi olungenzeka mayelana nento, ukulungiselela ukuqedwa kwento. Yenza ukuqedwa njengoba kuyalelwe.

     - Ukwelashwa. I-oda lamukelwe.

     - Linda, mfowethu, asikho isidingo sokuvalwa. Ngiyithuna, ngiyafunga, kahle.

     "Bazobe bekubuka, bastard, ungazami ukwenza noma yini eyisiwula." Oda ku-courier: ukuphela kweseshini.

    UPhil wavele waxhuga waphenduka inhlanya yakhe yangaphambili engenangozi.

     - Futhi yebo, usho igama elithi "mfowethu" futhi futhi ukufa kwakho kuyoba buhlungu kakhulu.

    UMax unikeze u-Edik impama yokugcina ekhanda njengoba esukuma emadolweni akhe futhi ephuma ekamelweni ngesinyathelo esiwujuqu.

    Waqala ukugijima ngaphandle komnyango futhi akazange ame waze wabuyela ekheshini. Inhliziyo yakhe yayigaya izibozi, nekhanda lakhe laligcwele usizi. "Bekuyini lokho manje!? Kulungile, abaphuphi bengilazi ebukayo bangibonise indlela, kulungile, bangiyisa ku-courier, kulungile, ukhiye wafika. Kodwa ngenze kanjani ukuthi ngithuse lensizwa eyisidudla ngobuhlakani obungaka? Ngiyinhlakanhlaka, ingabe le yindlela i-adrenaline esebenza ngayo? Yebo, inguqulo enhle, ukube nje ingachaza kahle ukuthi ngazi kanjani ukubhekana kahle nezithunywa.”

    Ema phambi komnyango wensimbi oya endaweni yedatha, uMax wabuka iwashi lakhe. Wahamba cishe imizuzu engamashumi amane. UGrig akazange akunake nokubambezeleka, futhi u-Boris wayenelisekile ngezaba mayelana nesidingo sokulwa nama-Zombies ahlaselayo emgwaqeni kanye nesithembiso sokuthenga ubhiya owengeziwe. Okuwukuphela kwento eyayingikhathaza kwakuwukucabanga ukuthi ukuhaha kuka-Edik kwakuzobusa ngokushesha kangakanani phezu kobugwala bakhe.

    

    Akujabulisi neze ukucela usizo kubantu asebehlulekile kanye. Kodwa ngezinye izikhathi kufanele. Ngakho uMax, ecabanga ngohambo lokuya endaweni yokuqala, ngemva kokufunda imibiko eminingana yobugebengu, akazange athole lutho olungcono kunokucela usizo kumngane onolwazi. Futhi okuwukuphela komngane owayengase asolwe ukuthi unolwazi olunjalo kwakunguRuslan.

    Waluphendula ngokushesha, nakuba ucingo lwambamba ngesikhathi eziphumulele kusihlwa. Egqoke ingubo yokugeza, walala kusofa obanzi ephethe inqwaba yemicamelo, futhi ngeminwe yakhe, ngaphandle kosizo lwamathuluzi athuthukisiwe, wahlephula ama-walnuts. Ihuka elikhanyayo lime phezu kwetafula eliphansi eduze.

     - Salam, bhuti. Empeleni, bengilindele ucingo lwakho kusenesikhathi.

    Ngeshwa, uRuslan akazange abukeke enecala ikakhulukazi, njengoba uMax ayethemba ngasese.

     - Kukhulu. Ushilo ukuthi une-chip eqopha ngokuphelele yonke into oyibonayo noyizwayo yomnyango wokuqala.

    Ukuqala kwengxoxo kwammangaza ngokuphawulekayo uRuslan. Okungenani wabeka amakinati akhe phansi.

     - Hhayi-ke, Max, awukwazi ngisho nokucabanga ukuthi hlobo luni lwenkinga ongangena kuyo ngokuqala izingxoxo ezinjalo nanoma ubani nje.

     - Ngakho-ke kukhona noma cha?

     - Kuya ngokuthi ubani futhi ngani. Uma uyidinga ngempela, ungacabanga ukuthi ayiyona.

     - Hmm... Kulungile, ngizobeka kabusha umbuzo, ungangisiza ngokuthile, kodwa ngendlela yokuthi uwugcine uyimfihlo Kusevisi Yezokuphepha.

     - Uxolo, angikwazi ukuthembisa lutho kuze kube yilapho ngithola ukuthi hlobo luni losizo oludingekayo.

     - Akukho okufana nalokhu: hamba nami endaweni eyodwa encane. Khumbula, uthe wazi zonke izindawo ezishisayo eThule.

     - Uyathanda ukuvela kude. Uma ukhathele ukuzijabulisa okubonakalayo, akukho nkinga, yini oyithandayo: amantombazane, izidakamizwa?

     “Ngithanda indawo ethile futhi ngidinga umuntu ongangeseka, okwaziyo ukuziphatha ezindaweni ezinjalo.

     - Kuziphi izindawo?

     - Endaweni yokuqala yokuhlala.

     "Awutholi lutho ngaphandle kwezinkinga kulo mgwaqo." Uma ufuna ukuzwa okunamandla ngempela, ake ngikuyise endaweni efakazelwe lapho cishe yonke into enqatshelwe ivunyelwe.

     - Sidinga ukuya ngqo endaweni yokuhlala yokuqala. Nginebhizinisi elithile lapho.

     - Lona uzungu. Ingabe uyayidinga ngempela?

     “Bengingeke ngishaye ucingo ukube bekungengenxa yesidingo esiphuthumayo,” kuvuma uMax ngokwethembeka.

     - Kulungile, sizoxoxa ngakho endleleni. Ufuna ukuya nini?

     - Kusasa, futhi kudingeka sibe lapho ngesikhathi esithile, ngo-19.00.

     - Kulungile, ngizokulanda ehoreni nesigamu.

     "Ngeke ubuze nokuthi siyaphi?"

     - Ungakhohlwa ukuvala i-chip yakho, ngaphandle kwalokho Isevisi Yezokuphepha izokubuza ukuthi yini oyikhohlwe endaweni enjalo.

     - Kanjani ukuminza it out? Nika amandla imodi yokungaxhunyiwe ku-inthanethi, kodwa kusenezimbobo lapho...

     - Cha, Max, kufanele ube ne-chip elungele ukuhamba okunjalo, noma i-jammer ekhethekile. Kulungile, ngizobheka okuthile ezintweni zami.

    Ngakusasa, i-SUV emnyama yafika emnyango ngo-17.30:XNUMX p.m. Lapho uMax egibela ngaphakathi, uRuslan wamnika ikepisi eliluhlaza, lapho izingxenye eziningana ezinesisindo esifakwe ngogesi zafakwa ngaphakathi.

     - Ingabe ikhona inethiwekhi?

     “Cha,” kuphendula uMax.

     — Ziyini umbala wezimpawu kulowo mbhoshongo?

    UMax wasibhekisisa ngokuphelele isakhiwo esingafinyeleli ophahleni lomhume.

     - Azikho izimpawu lapho.

     - Hhayi-ke, kuhle, asethembe ukuthi wonke amachweba acindezelwe. Khumbula ukuthi le nto ayikho emthethweni. Ungakwazi ukuyivula isikhathi eside kuphela ezindaweni ezimbi kakhulu.

     — Ivale okwamanje?

     - Yebo, yivule ngemva kwesango. Siyaphi?

     - Ibha "Golden Scorpion".

    Indlela eya esangweni eliseduze eliya endaweni yokuhlala yokuqala yadlula ngokuthula okushubile. Okuxakayo ukuthi, babebaningi abantu ababefuna ukungena ku-viper, ngakho-ke kwavela isiminyaminya esikhulu emnyango. UMax wayekhathazekile ngisho nokuthi bazofika sekwephuzile ngesikhathi esifanele. Ukukhathazeka kwakhe kwakhula nakakhulu ngemva kokukhiya. Imigwaqo emincane yayigcwele inqwaba yabantu, amabhayisikili, nezingozi ezimangalisayo ezinamasondo, njengokungathi kuhlanganiswe udoti otholakala endaweni yokulahla imfucumfucu. Konke lokhu kuhlale kubhuza, kumemeza, kuthengise izinja ezishisayo kanye ne-shawarma futhi kubonakala sengathi akukhathaleli kuphela uhlelo lokulawula umgwaqo, kodwa nganoma yimiphi imithetho ngokujwayelekile.

    Imigede ezungezile yayiphansi kakhulu, ingekho ngaphezu kwezitezi ezinhlanu kuya kweziyishumi, inenqwaba yokuwa nemifantu emidala, ngokungafani nemigodi emikhulu eshelelezi ezindaweni ezinothile. Cishe zonke izakhiwo zaziyizakhiwo ezinezindonga zikakhonkolo ezimpunga ngothuli. Ukufakwa okungajwayelekile kwama-facade anamathayela asezingeni elifanele kucwiliswe ezimpawu ezishibhile, ezibenyezelayo ezilenga kuzo. Futhi phezulu kwakukhona isiphithiphithi samaphaseji ashintshashintsha kancane kanye nama-balcony abesabisa ngokuwa kanye nesixuku sabantu esasigingqika ngakubo. Futhi indawo yokuhlala yokuqala yayinamakhulu emigede emincane enjalo, ephukile ngokwesiphithiphithi. UMax wakhumbula ngejammer wafaka ikepisi lakhe.

    Ekuqaleni, wayesaba ukuthi imoto enkulu, ebizayo izogqama kakhulu uma iqhathaniswa nesizinda se-squalor ezungezile. Kodwa-ke ngabona ukuthi ibhala elilungile linikeza ngokucacile inzuzo ngendlela efanele. Ihambe ngesivinini esikhulu kune-flow ngenxa yokuthi ama-squirks abejahe ukuphuma endleleni yeSUV ihayiza ikhanyisa amalambu.

     - Manje ungazijova ukuthi kungani siya lapho? – Ruslan waphula ukuthula.

     - Ngidinga ukuhlangana nomuntu oyedwa.

     - Futhi nobani, uma kungeyona imfihlo?

     "Angazi ngokuqinisekile, angazi noma uzofika noma cha."

     - Yeka ucezu lwe-shit, eh, Max? Angifuni ukuphinde ngikufundise ngempilo, kodwa ngokubona kwami ​​lokhu ukuqalele ize.

     - Yini enye engingayenza, uma ngibheka ukuthi umsebenzi wami weTelecom wonakele?

     "Ngiyabona ukuthi uyaphi nalokhu, ufuna ukusola ukumosheka komsebenzi wakho kimi?" Ngikholwe, umbono wakho ngoMartian ekuqaleni uyihlaya eliphelele.

     - Manje, kunjalo. Empeleni ngacela usizo, kodwa kunalokho ungikhohlisile.

     - Uzimele? Amagama anamandla owashoyo.

     — Ukuthi uMartian Arthur wayecasuke kakhulu.

     - Kungani isihogo senza le Tadpole Laura? Uzomenzani?

     - Ngicabanga okufanayo nawe. Into efanayo namaphesenti angamashumi ayisishiyagalolunye nesishiyagalolunye amadoda afuna ukuyenza kuye.

     - Lalela, Max, ungathuli! Ngakubuza ngobuqotho: uzosondela kuye ngokwakho? Uthe cha. Futhi kungani ngidinga ukwenza umsebenzi othile ngenxa ye-neurobotanist embi? Ngaxoxa noLaura cishe imizuzu emihlanu, kwakungekho Martian alpha male lapho.

     - Ngakho-ke kwakudingeka ukuthi ungakhulumi, kodwa ukumethusa. Futhi bengicela ungisize. Umsebenzi wami, hhayi uMartian! Futhi manje lo msebenzi usuphelile.

     "Ngingasho ukuthi yindaba engathandeki yokuphila nokufa." Bengizokuthumela khona manjalo.

     - Kwenzekeni kulelo gumbi elingaphansi? Akazange akucime okwesibili?

     “Akazange ame okokuqala, yingoba nje izinga lokulwa alizange lisebenze kuye.

     — Iyiphi eyayingeyona ejwayelekile?

     "Ngamtshela kahle ukuthi ngiyamthanda." Njengokujwayelekile, amatshwele ayayithanda.

     - Futhi utheni kahle kangaka?

     “Hhayi-ke, uma unesithakazelo esingaka, ngamtshela ukuthi uma ngifuna ukuqonda indlela yokuhlukanisa umhlaba wethu neqiniso elingokoqobo, ukuqonda kanjani ukuthi angibhukudi ku-biotub ye-fucking, nokuthi akulona iphupho elincane le-Martian. nxazonke zami... Ngangikwazi ukufuna indlela yenyanga emanzini noma umoya wasentwasahlobo, noma ngidabula izinkondlo zobuwula. Kodwa kungakhathaliseki ukuthi ngenzeni, ngangihlale ngikungabaza. Kuphela ngawe, ngiyaqiniseka ukuthi ungokoqobo, wonke amakhompyutha kaMartian ahlanganiswe ndawonye awakwazi ukuqhamuka nanoma yini enjalo...

     - Oh, ungumuntu othanda uthando!... Wena... U... - UMax wayesevele equmbile, engakwazi ukuthola amazwibela afanelekile.

     - Musa nje ukuqhuma. Yini, ngisebenzise amazwi akho? Hhayi-ke, ngixolele, bekufanele ngihambe ngiyozisho mina, bengingeke ngingene endleleni. Futhi ukuvumela itshwele elinjalo ukuba lihambe ngenxa yokucabanga okuthile ngobungane namaMartians kuwubuwula nje.

     "Kungenzeka ukuthi ubungafuni lutho olufana nalokhu, kodwa usangimisa." Kodwa manje ngidinga usizo lwakho.

     - Ayikho inkinga.

     — Bunjani ubuhlobo bakho noLaura? Ingabe kungenxa kanye nje noma is serious?

     - Kuyinkimbinkimbi.

    Kungani kunzima?

     - Yebo, konke lokhu kukhuluma ngenjabulo yomndeni nezinye izinkunzi ...

     - Kungani unganelisekile ngenjabulo yomndeni noLaura?

     - Kimi, umndeni, izingane kanye nezinye snot akuyona inketho nhlobo, akukho ndlela. Futhi angizukuxoxa ngalokhu.

     - Lalela, mhlawumbe nizoxabana ngaleso sikhathi futhi uzobe ecasukile, futhi ngaleso sikhathi ...

     - Max! Uyafuna ukuhamba ngezinyawo uye ekhaya?

     - Kulungile, sivale isihloko.

    “Yebo, ubuqili bezepolitiki ngokusobala akuyona into yami,” kucabanga uMax.

    Cishe ngemva kwemizuzu emihlanu, uRuslan wehlisa isivinini ngamabomu ezimpambanweni zomgwaqo. Umgwaqo oya kwesokudla wawuholela komunye umhume, futhi babengekho abantu abaningi ababefuna ukujika lapho. Ebhokisini likakhonkolo ngaphambi kokuphenduka kwakukhona i-graffiti engamamitha amabili ngesimo sefulegi loMbuso WaseRussia: imivimbo emibili eqondile ebomvu neluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka, ehlukaniswe umugqa oblique. Esikhundleni senkanyezi yegolide kuphela, phakathi nendawo kwakukhona isandla sethambo esibambe iKalashnikov yekhulu lamashumi amabili.

     — Ubuciko bendawo? – uMax wabuza.

     — Iwuphawu lweqembu lezigelekeqe, kodwa abanye abantu bacabanga ukuthi bayihlelo elilunywa yiqhwa. Ngamafuphi, kuqhubeke insimu yabo.

     - Futhi hlobo luni lweqembu lezigelekeqe noma ihlelo?

     - Isandla esifile, njengokuthi, baziphindiselela kuwo wonke umuntu ngoMbuso WaseRussia obhujiswe ngokungenacala. Abalandeli banqatshelwe ukufaka ama-neurochips; ngenxa yokwephula "ubumsulwa," isinengiso sinqanyulwa kugebhezi ngaphandle kwe-anesthesia. Noma bawampompa agcwele amakhemikhali asindayo, awenze amabhomu azibulale ashaywe ngokuphelele. Kanye nemikhuba yokuthwasa enemihlatshelo enegazi. Ngokuvamile, bazama ukubukeka njenge-Eastern Bloc ngokusemandleni abo. Omunye wabambalwa abasebenza endaweni ye-delta. Abantu abathandekayo, abahlangani nabantu abangenamakhaya be-delta.

     - Kuthiwani nge-bar yethu ensimini yabo?

     - Ngenhlanhla, cha. Ngikubonise njengesibonelo, uma unquma ukuhamba endaweni, qaphela imidwebo yabantu bomdabu. Cishe njalo umaka imingcele, futhi noma yiziphi izivakashi cormorant badangele kakhulu ukweqa kubo.

    Ibha yeGolden Scorpion yayisekude, ngisho nendawo yokuqala yokuhlala, indawo yokuhlala. Izakhiwo ezizungeze zazivame kakhulu, zinemizila emincane phakathi kwazo, kwakukhona ama-anthill amaningi avulekile alingana nengxenye yebhulokhi, eneminyango ekhothamo, ngemuva lapho umuntu ekwazi ukubona amagceke amnyama-imithombo. URuslan upake imoto endaweni encane yokupaka, okulengiswe phezu kwayo ibhuloho elinojantshi wesitimela. Indawo yokupaka yayibiyelwe ezinhlangothini ezintathu ngothango lwensimbi, kanti ohlangothini lwesine kunodonga olungenalutho lwesakhiwo sokuhlala. Isitimela sasidlula phezulu, sinyakazisa amafasitela asendlini ayebheke ngqo kujantshi wesitimela. Cishe zazingekho izimoto endaweni yokupaka.

    Lapho uMax ephuma, amathonsi amaningana angcolile awela phezu kwakhe esuka ebhulohweni. Umoya wawupholile kakhulu, kodwa ngesikhathi esifanayo udala, unokunambitheka okusansimbi, okuxutshwe nephunga lokulahla udoti. UMax, ngaphandle kokucabanga kabili, wadonsa isifihla-buso somoya-mpilo phezu kwezimbobo zakhe zomlomo-emakhaleni.

     - Ngakho-ke uzohambahamba? - kubuza uRuslan.

     - Kunegama elilodwa nje lapha: indawo ye-gamma. Unogada uyanuka,” kusho uMax ngezwi elihhedlezelayo.

     — Imishini yokuhlanza indle ayisebenzi kahle endaweni yonke. Uyambona omunye ogqoke imaskhi? Ugqame kubantu bendawo.

    UMax waphefumulela umoya ohlanzekile ngentokozo futhi wafihla imaskhi ngokuziphatha esikhwameni sakhe sebhande.

    Indawo ekhanga kakhulu yaleli bha, exhunywe esakhiweni esiseduze nebhuloho, kwakungama-stalagmite amabili phambi komnyango, ezungezwe umhlobiso wezimbali nezinyoka zegolide. Ngaphakathi, izindonga nophahla kwakuhlotshiswe ngendlela efanayo ehlanganiswe nezinye izilwane ezihuquzelayo. Ukuhlobisa kwakubonakala kufiphele. Umkhathi wavuswa irobhothi eliwufezela osagolide, lizungeza ihholo. Yayingenkathi yangaphambi kwemvula, ihamba ngamasondo angafihlwanga kahle ngaphansi kwesisu sayo, futhi imilenze yayo yayinyakazisa emoyeni, njengethoyizi elishibhile. Kubasebenzi abaphilayo, okuwukuphela kwento eyayitholakala kwakungu-bartender, i-nondescript, insizwa encane, ngaphezu kwalokho, ene-hemisphere yensimbi esikhundleni sengxenye engenhla yekhanda lakhe. Akazange azigodle lezi zivakashi ezintsha. Nakuba kwakungekho cishe amakhasimende ekusungulweni. “Okungenani akekho ovala umlomo bese esigqolozela,” kucabanga uMax bese ekhetha itafula eliseduze nendawo yokucima ukoma. Kwasekusele imizuzu eyishumi ukuthi kushaye ihora lesikhombisa.

     - Futhi uphi umuntu wakho? – kubuza uRuslan.

     “Angazi, mhlawumbe kusesekuseni kakhulu,” kuphendula uMax, eqalaza efuna i-jukebox.

     -Ubufuna ukukhuluma ngani?

     - Angazi, lo ngumbuzo onzima.

     - Mhlawumbe bekufanele uze wedwa?

     - Ngicabanga ... angazi, ngamafuphi.

     - Hhayi-ke, Max, ngikuyise endaweni ethile, awazi ukuthi kungani. Ngikholwe, lolu suku lwangoLwesihlanu kusihlwa belungasetshenziswa lujabulisa kakhulu. Ngizohamba okungenani ngiyolanda ubhiya.

    Baphuza ubhiya wabo cishe imizuzu emihlanu, wabe esequnga isibindi uMax waqonda ekhawunteni.

     — Ingabe unayo i-jukebox? – wabuza ubartender.

     - Cha.

     —Uke waba khona ngaphambili?

     - Anginalwazi.

     — Unesikhathi esingakanani usebenza lapha?

     - Boy, ufunani? – u-bartender waqina futhi wafaka isandla sakhe ngaphansi kwekhawunta ngesenzo esisongelayo.

     — Ngingayidlala ingoma?

     - Ayikho i-karaoke lapha.

     - Awu, umculo uyadlala. Ingabe kungenzeka ukufaka enye into?

     - Ini?

     - Izingoma ezintathu zeDoors: "Moonlight Drive", "Strange Days", "Soul Kitchen". Vele uqiniseke ukuthi ukwenze ngale ndlela.

     -Ingabe uzothatha noma yini? - u-bartender wabuza ngokubonakala kwetshe ebusweni bakhe.

     - Obhiya abane, ngicela.

     - Uwutholephi ubhiya ongaka? – Ruslan wamangala. – Ingabe unqume ukudakwa lapha?

     - Lokhu ukubeka emculweni.

    Izingoma zomculo ze-Psychedelic zaqeda ngokushesha ukudlala, isikhathi sase sidlule eziyisikhombisa. U-Ruslan wayenesithukuthezi ngokungananazi futhi ebuka ukunyakaza okuwubuwula kwerobhothi likafezela noma uMax, owayehlezi sengathi uphezu kwezikhonkwane nezinaliti.

     - Kungani uthukile?

     - Akekho ozayo. Sekuyihora lesikhombisa.

     - Yebo, lo ongaziwa ukuthi ngubani ongayi. Mhlawumbe sifike lapho, angazi kuphi?

     - Size endaweni efanele. Ibha "Golden Scorpion" endaweni yokuhlala yokuqala.

     - Mhlawumbe lena akuyona kuphela ibha "Golden Scorpion"?

     - Ngabheka ekusesheni, awekho amanye amabha, amathilomu noma izindawo zokudlela ezinalelo gama. Ngizohamba ngifake omunye umculo.

    Kulokhu uMax uthole ukubukeka okude kakhulu nokunake kakhulu kumthengisi wotshwala futhi wahlukana nekhadi lama-zits angamashumi amabili.

     - Ingabe ubambekile? – Ruslan grinned, eqeda ingilazi yakhe kabhiya. - Kungaba ngcono ukubamba okuthile okudliwayo. Ngendlela, ubhiya lapha ulungile ngokumangalisayo.

     - Kufanele kube njalo ...

     “Ngabe sizohlala isikhathi eside njengeziwula ezimbili silalele izingoma ezifanayo zenkosi yezibankwa?”

     - Masihlale okungenani isigamu sehora.

     - Ake. Ukuze uthole ulwazi lwakho, akukephuzi kakhulu ukuthi ungalondoloza lobu busuku bangoLwesihlanu ukuthi bungabi bubi.

    Cishe ngemva kwemizuzu engamashumi amabili, ikhasimende elisha lagcina lingenile endaweni yokucima ukoma. Indoda ende, ezacile ngothi, cishe eneminyaka engamashumi amane kuya kwamashumi amahlanu ubudala, egqoke isigqoko esinomphetho obanzi nejazi elide elilula. Okwakugqama kakhulu ngalo mlisa ikhala lakhe elide, eliwuklebe, elalingase lithole isicoco se-snob evamile. Wahlala phansi endaweni yokucima ukoma wa-oda izibuko ezimbalwa. UMax wamgqolozela isikhashana, kodwa wakhombisa ukungabi nandaba nabaseduze kwakhe.

    Khona-ke abanye abathathu bawela phakathi futhi bahlala ngokumangalisayo etafuleni eliseduze nodonga olukude kakhulu nomnyango. Ingulube enkulu ekhuluphele, nezinhlobo ezimbili ezinoboya obuncane ezinezinwele ezimfishane nobuso obuyisicaba, njengokungathi ziqoshwe ngokhuni olungcolile. Enye yayimfishane kodwa inamahlombe abanzi, ibukeka njengenkawu eyisigqiki. Futhi eyesibili iyisilo sangempela, esinamandla angokomzimba ngokucacile akwazi ukuphikisana noRuslan. Izingalo nezihlakala zakhe kwakumbozwe ama-tattoos athile aluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka. Bebegqoke amajakhethi esikhumba amnyama, amajini namabhuzu okulwa asindayo. Futhi umfana okhuluphele wayegqoke ngokumangalisayo ngokuphelele, ejazini eliboshwe ngendwangu kanye nesigqoko esinama-earflaps anenkanyezi yegolide, kuphela wayeshoda nge-balalaika. “Yeka ukukhuluphala kangaka,” kucabanga uMax ngokumangala.

    Indoda enkulu yanyathela phezu kwekhawunta yasebhawa futhi yaqala ukuxubha okuthile kumthengisi ngezwi elithule kakhulu. U-bartender wayebonakala eqinile, kodwa wavele waphakamisa amahlombe kuyo yonke imibuzo. Endleleni ebuyayo, indoda enkulu yabuka uRuslan ngeso elibukhali futhi isibazi sayo sigeleza eshiya futhi kwabonakala nemifanekiso engathi ngocingo oluhlabayo. Kodwa azikho izinkinga ezavela kulaba abathathu, mhlawumbe ababengezona izakhamuzi ezigcina umthetho ngokuphelele. Bathatha ibhodlela likavodka baphuza buthule ekhoneni labo, ngaphandle kokuzama nokuhlukumeza izivakashi.

    UMax waphelelwa isineke wabuyela kubhawa.

     —Ingabe uzophinda wenze into efanayo? - wabuza, ngokulangazela ebeka ikhadi phezu kwekhawunta.

    Umphathi wotshwala walibuka leli khadi sengathi ufezela onoshevu ngempela.

     "Lalela, mfana, uze uchaze ukuthi kungani wenza lokhu, akukho okunye engingakuthumela."

     - Ingabe unendaba ngempela? Yini engalungile ngomculo?

     - Umehluko onjalo, uyazi ukuthi mangaki ama-psychos azulazula lapha. Futhi ngokujwayelekile, kufanele uphume lapha ngendlela enhle.

    Nebala wafulathela ekhombisa ngokusobala ukuthi inkulumo isiphelile.

     “Inkonzo iyabheda,” kukhalaza uMax, ehlala phansi etafuleni.

     - Yebo. Ngikuyisa endlini encane, ungayi ndawo. Hlala imizuzu emibili, kulungile?

     - Kulungile, bengingayi ndawo.

    Endleleni, uRuslan wadlula itafula elinezinhlobo ezintathu, waphinde wabukana nazo. Ukuhamba kwakhe kwaba sengathi usesebenze kanzima. UMax wayexwayile kancane ngalo mdlalo womphakathi owawusobala; Ebuyela emuva, ngaphandle kokushintsha ubuso bakhe obukhululekile, buthule.

     - Lalela ngokucophelela. Ungacwayizi nje amehlo akho, mamatheka. Manje uyasukuma ukhubeke unganyakazi ungene endlini yangasese. Ngizolandela. Ngavula iwindi lapho, saphuma sagijima sazungeza ibhilidi saya emotweni. Yonke imibuzo kamuva.

     - Ruslan, linda, hlobo luni lokwethuka lokho? Chaza okungenani?

     - Laba abathathu akufanele babe lapha. Ungabagqolozeli! Umncane une-tattoo yesandla esifile entanyeni yakhe. Angazi ukuthi bakhohlwe ini lapha, kodwa ngeke ngibheke.

     - Hhayi-ke, kwangena izigebengu ezintathu zizophumula, yini inkinga?

     "Lena akuyona indawo yabo yokuphumula lapha." Futhi uyabona ukuthi i-bartender ishube kangakanani. Ngendlela, ungambonga kamuva, kubonakala sengathi akazange akukhiphe.

     - Awuzange udlule? Ucabanga ukuthi beze kimi?

     - Futhi ubani omunye? Kwaqondana nje, waqala uku-oda izingoma zakho ezihlekisayo, kwase kuvela izigebengu ezintathu. Kwenzeka ukuthi ezinye izihlakaniphi zenza isivumelwano ku-inthanethi nomuntu ongathi sína oxhumene nabaphathi beTelecom, noma netshwele elipholile, futhi kungazelelwe abafana abanjalo abahlakaniphile bavela emhlanganweni.

     - Ucabanga ukuthi ngiyisilima esiphelele? - UMax wathukuthela. "Angisoze ngathenga umkhonyovu onjalo."

     - Yebo, yebo, uzongitshela endleleni. Wavala ke manje, wasukuma waya endlini encane. Angidlali!

    UMax wayehlakaniphe ngokwanele ukuba abone ukuthi kulesi simo kungcono ukwethemba isiphetho somunye umuntu, nakuba sididekile kancane. Wangena endlini yangasese wabheka efasiteleni elincane elingamamitha amabili ukusuka phansi. URuslan wagijima ngemuva kwesigamu somzuzu.

     - Yini fuck, Max, ake siphakamise imbongolo yakho.

    URuslan, ngaphandle komkhosi, wavele wayilahla. Kodwa kwakusadingeka sijike ngandlela thize ukuze siphume izinyawo zethu zingaphambili. Wenzani uMax, ephafuza eququda emnyango. Ekugcineni, wabamba iwindi elincane elingaphakathi ngezandla zakhe futhi wazama ukuzwa umhlabathi ngezinyawo zakhe.

     - Kungani uzulazula lapho, gxuma kakade!

    UMax uzame ukubamba unqenqema lwangaphandle ukuze ehle ngokucophelela, kodwa wahluleka ukumelana wase endizela phansi. Kwakukhona imitha nengxenye phansi, ukushaywa kwakubonakala, futhi akakwazanga ukumelana, ehla embongolweni yakhe echibini elithile. Ngokulandelayo, uRuslan wavela njengenhlanzi, njengekati, wavika endiza futhi wahlala ngezinyawo zakhe.

    Bazithola besendleleni ewumngcingo, engakhanyi kangako, eboshwe ngodonga lwesakhiwo esilandelayo. Iphunga lalingamnandi neze, futhi uMax wanquma ukuthi ibhulukwe lakhe elimanzi cishe lalizonuka ngendlela efanayo.

     - Bekungafanele uthuke. Ngiqinisekile lezi zigelekeqe azikwazanga ukungizela.

     - Ngempela? Awu, bese usula ibhulukwe lakho futhi yilokho. Usafuna ukucacisa isimo, ubulinde bani lapho?

     - Ngokweqiniso, angazi kahle ukuthi ubani noma yini. Kodwa angihlangene namaqembu ezigebengu.

    Udonga olungakwesokudla lugcine lubiyelwe inetha endaweni yokupaka. Aphume kuqala uMax, ngokushesha azizwe ehuquzela emumva. URuslan wamcindezela odongeni.

     - Goba bese ubheka ngokucophelela. Qaphela kakhulu, ngiyaqonda.

    UMax uphume isekhondi.

     - Manje?

     - Uyayibona imoto entsha? Ingozi empunga, emi ngaphansi kwebhuloho eduze nendawo yokungena. Uyabona ukuthi ubani ohlezi kuyo?

     - Damn, ngibona ukuthi kukhona umuntu ngaphakathi.

    UMax wezwa inhliziyo yakhe ishona ngokungemnandi ndawana thize ezithendeni zakhe.

     “Kunezimbuzi ezine laphaya, ezilenga ebumnyameni, zilinde umuntu.” Mhlawumbe nathi akusho. Woza Max, kwenzenjani?

     - Ruslan, ngokweqiniso angazi. Ngifunde ngephutha kumuntu oyedwa, umthunywa othutha ulwazi, ukuthi uma ufika kubha ye-Golden Scorpion futhi ubeka izingoma ezintathu ngokulandelana okufanele, khona-ke lokhu kufana nohlobo oluthile lwesiteshi sokuxhumana esiyimfihlo.

     - Wenze kahle! Ingabe unayo eminye imibono ngaphandle kokuchoboza isidleke somnyovu ngenduku?

     - Kufanele ngibize amaphoyisa? Noma ugibele itekisi?

     "Amaphoyisa afika lapha izidumbu sezivele zibanda."

    URuslan waphinda wabheka ekhoneni ngokucophelela.

     - Okokuqala udinga ukulahleka kancane. Asigijimele ebhlokini elilandelayo ngaphambi kokuba abasebhawa baphuthelwe.

    Esegijima uMax wacishe waphelelwa umoya. Ukunambitheka kwensimbi emlonyeni wami kwaba namandla ngokuphawulekayo. Akhiphe isifihla-buso. URuslan wakhipha okuthile ekhukhwini lakhe elingaphakathi njengoba ehamba futhi wayiphonsa phezulu. UMax ukwazile ukuqaphela isithunzi esitshiyozayo sendiza encane endizayo indiza phezulu. Lapho efika ekuphumeni kwesango, wagijimela etsheni likaRuslan emuva njengoba egijima.

     -Kungani uvukile?

     — Kukhona abanye abafana ababili abahlikihla phambi kwebhawa. Beza ngeqembu lonke ngenxa yomphefumulo wakho.

     - Futhi kufanele siye kuphi?

    UMax wayephefumulela phezulu, isifihla-buso esishibhile sasicindezela futhi esihlikihla, futhi uvalo olunamathelayo aluzange lumfake nakancane amandla.

     - Manje ngizozama ukufaka imoto.

    U-Ruslan wadlala ne-chip yakhe isikhathi esithile. UMax waphelelwa isineke ngokushesha:

     - Kwenzakalani?! Iphi imoto?

     — Imoto ayikho ku-inthanethi. Izimbuzi! Kubukeka sengathi bavala isignali.

     - Sivaleleke! — UMax washo ngokubhujiswa futhi washelela phansi.

    URuslan wamsukumisa ngekhololo futhi wahayiza ngokucasuka:

     "Lalela, fuck, uma uzokhipha intukuthelo, kungcono uhambe uzibulale ngokushesha." Wozani, yenzani engikushoyo!

     “Kulungile,” uMax evuma ngekhanda.

    Uvalo lwadamba wabuyelwa yikhono lokucabanga kancane.

     - Baleka emuva ngocingo. Asizame ukuphuma sidlule emagcekeni.

    UMax waphenduka wabona isigebengu esincane siwela efasiteleni lendlu yangasese.

     - Bakhona! - wamemeza phezulu kwamaphaphu akhe.

     - Bitch!

    U-Ruslan wagijima wadlula njengomcibisholo futhi ngokusheshisa washaya ibhuzu lakhe ebusweni bomntwana omncane okhuphukayo. Nempela wandiza amamitha ambalwa wathula. URuslan wakhipha isibhamu nomagazini ebhandeni lesitha sakhe esihluliwe.

     - Hambisa, Max!

    UMax wagijimela phambili, uhlangothi lwesokudla lobuso bakhe lubhuqwe umlilo kanye nezinhlansi zisakazeke emgqonyeni kadoti ngaphambili.

     - Bayadubula! – waklabalasa ngokwethuka.

    UMax waphenduka wakhubeka ngaso leso sikhathi wacishe walima umhlaba ngamakhala. Ngomzuzu wokugcina, wakhipha izandla futhi wezwa ubuhlungu ezihlakaleni, buthuliswe i-adrenaline. Ukubhonga kwesibhamu kwafinyelela ezindlebeni zakhe - kwakunguRuslan owayefaka isiqeshana endodaneni ekhuluphele egqoke isigqoko soboya eyayidilika emnyango womgwaqo.

     -Ulimele?!

     - Cha, ngikhubekile.

     - Kungani ulale phansi?!

    URuslan wabamba uMax ngesikhumba ngesandla esisodwa wamqhubela phambili, ukuze akwazi ukuhambisa imilenze yakhe kuphela. Ngemva kwemizuzwana nje base begijima eduze kwe-mesh evale indawo yokupaka. Ekuboneni kwakhe okuseceleni wabona i-silhouette igijima ibheke kubo. Imoto yalo mgulukudu, yabhodloza inethi, yashaya udonga lwesokudla lapho kade yaba khona. Inqwaba yensimbi eshwabene yagxuma yashawa ngezingcezwana zengilazi nepulasitiki. URuslan, ngaphandle kokunciphisa ijubane, weqa phezu kwalokho okwakusele. Emuva kwamamitha amahlanu, waphenduka wadubula isitolo sonke ebhekise ezigebengwini eziphuma ngeminyango eshwabene. Kuzwakale ukukhala neziqalekiso. Isiqeshana esingenalutho sishaye i-asphalt.

     - Woza, ngaphansi kwebhuloho, ungasheshi wehlise ijubane! Kwesokunxele, eduze kwesakhiwo!

    Bagijima begudla ibhilidi elingumakhelwane; Kusenjalo uMax wezwa okuthile kumbamba umkhono wehembe lakhe. Wazama ukujikijela isigelekeqe esasibambile, kodwa kunalokho, kwaba khona into enamathela ngokuqinile esandleni sakhe yaphotha kanye naye, futhi uMax, walahlekelwa ibhalansi yakhe, wagingqika phansi. Umlomo ogqagqene wagxumela ebusweni bakhe futhi wakwazi ukuveza izindololwane zakhe kujerks nokulunywa okuphithizelayo. Ibhuthi yayikhala phezulu, ishayisa inja encane ebomvu eceleni. Igobolondo legobolondo laphuma etiyeleni eduze kwekhanda lakhe. Inja, njengoba yenze uhlobo oluthile lwesekisi i-somersault emoyeni, yahlala ingenamyocu futhi, i-looping, yagijimela kukholamu eseduze.

    Wasukuma uMax wagqolozela ethuswa amanikiniki alenga ezingalweni zakhe. Ngemva komzuzwana nje waqaphela ukuthi lena kwakuyimikhono nje edabukile, engcoliswe igazi ngenxa yokulunywa ezimbalwa. URuslan wamqhubela phambili futhi. Bagijima bagudla udonga olumpunga olungapheli, kwagijima inja ebomvu ngokufana, yaqhuma ikhonkotha. Wagijima ebumnyameni ngemuva kwamakholomu, kangangokuthi uRuslan wachitha amagobolondo ambalwa kuye kwanhlanga zimuka nomoya.

     - Yeka i-bitch ehlakaniphile engiyitholile! Woza, ungene ekhothameni.

    Ngaphandle kwesinye isigebengu esiqondisayo, uMax cishe ubezongena ngesango eliholela ngaphakathi kwesiduli sikakhonkolo. Wayengacabangi kahle futhi ephefumulela phezulu. Imaski ngokusobala ayizange yakhelwe imithwalo enjalo futhi ayizange inikeze izinga lokugeleza elidingekayo.

    Bazithola sebengaphakathi emthonjeni kakhonkolo futhi uRuslan waqala ukugqekeza umnyango ovaliwe wokungena. UMax ukhulule isilawuli semaski futhi waphawula ngokukhathazeka ukuthi wayeselahlekelwe yingxenye yesihlanu yomoya-mpilo wakhe. Isicabha sangena ngaphakathi ngemva kokushaywa kaningi. Waphuthuma lapho futhi wacishe wavika amazinyo enja, eyazama ukumluma ngomlenze. Kodwa lapho nje uRuslan ephenduka ephethe ivolovolo, ngokushesha wahlehla ephuma ngomnyango. Kwezwakala ukukhala kwakhe okudabukisayo futhi isidumbu esikhulu, esingingizayo esigqoke isigqoko soboya kanye nejakhethi ecijile sandizela emnyango. Isidumbu sathwala uMax odongeni, samshaya kakhulu. Kuzwakale umsindo wokudubula ovala izindlebe ekamelweni, kulandelwa ukukhala kwesibhamu esiwayo. Isidumbu samuka noRuslan sawela ezitebhisini, sagoba izinsimbi ezintekenteke. Mhlawumbe ngenxa yamandla adonsela phansi eMartian kuphela, uRuslan wakwazi ukuphakamisa izinyawo zakhe futhi waphonsa isidumbu kuye. Ngokulandelayo kuzwakale ukuqhekeka kukagesi nokukhala kwesidumbu.

     - Max, isiqu! Thola isiqu!

    Ukuphela kwelambu elilufifi ngaphansi kosilingi kanye nokukhala kwezindlebe ngenxa yokushaya udonga akuzange kube nesandla ekuseshweni okusheshayo, njengoba kwenza ukukhala kwesidumbu nokukhonkotha kwenja ngaphandle. UMax ugaqe ngomkhuhlane ebumnyameni obumaphakathi waze wawela ngephutha endaweni enezimbambo.

     - Dubula!

    URuslan waqhulula insizwa ekhuluphele ebusweni ngenduku yakhe, wathuka inhlamba wazama ukubamba uRuslan ngereki yakhe. Kwezwakala umsindo okhencezayo owesabekayo, okuphuma ugesi okufana nombani webhola, kwakubonakala sengathi bekufanele bayithose indlovu, kodwa isidudla asizange sithule.

    UMax wacindezela ngokushintshashintsha isibhamu, inhlamvu yakhala ndawana thize isuka ezitebhisini. URuslan waphenduka ekhombisa ukudideka kancane, wagxuma wahlwitha isibhamu kuMax. Izinhlamvu ezilandelayo ezadubula ekhanda zagcina zishaye isidumbu ezitebhisini zamthulisa.

     - Shooter, damn it. Ake siye ophahleni!

    Wathula kancane uMax, ebuka ngokuthakasela igazi eligeleza ngezinyathelo. Okunye ukuhayiza kuzwakale esigqokweni. UMax waphakamisa indlebe eyodwa ngokunengeka wayihluthula ekhanda lakhe elikhubazekile. Isigqoko asizange sivume ngokuphelele, wadonsa ngamandla wabona intambo enegazi ilandela ngemuva kwakhe. Impandla yale ndoda eyisidudla yayigcwele izibazi ezimbi namanxeba, okwakuphume kuwo amashubhu amaningana. Ngezimbobo zogebhezi kwakungabonakala umpunga onegazi.

     - Hlobo luni lwe-crap?

     "Lona unodoli, Max, idelakufa elizibulele onobuchopho obushile, ongamhawukeli." Ngokushesha!

     - Angikwazi, ngizofa!

     "Uzofa uma behlangana nathi." Futhi kungani ubacasule kangaka?

     - Angazi... Sidinga ukushayela amaphoyisa...

     - Ngikuthintile ngocingo. Bazosingcwaba nje ngenkathi lezi zigilamkhuba zibhuquza.

     - Kuthiwani nge-SB Telecom?

     — Akufanele yini sibize uSanta Claus? Kodwa-ke, ngifisa ukwazi ukuthi ungawuchazela kanjani uMkhandlu Wezokuphepha ukuthi kwenzekani lapha.

    Indawo yokungena yayibukeka kabi: izibani ezilufifi ezimbozwe amanetha, izitebhisi eziwumngcingo ezincane ezinezitebhisi eziqhekeziwe nezicabha zensimbi ezingcolile emaceleni.

    Isigqoko sahayiza futhi. UMax uyikhiphele ngaphakathi, ekhophozela ngenxa yezinto ezinyanyekayo. Kusobala ukuthi ucindezele i-tangeta ngephutha ngoba isigqoko saqala ukukhuluma ngezwi elihlabayo.

    “Taras, ulenga kuphi?

    “Yebo, ziyizibungu, amahhashi agabavula njenge-yak. Balimaza uSiga noKot ngesikhathi behla emotweni. I-Khachik inobuqili, inembile."

    "Nina ma-cretin, kungani niwaqoma?"

    “Uzishilo ngokwakho, khipha izilwane ezihuquzelayo.”

    "Kufanele ucabange ngekhanda lakho."

    “Ngakho ikati lashayela... Sabathumelela unodoli.”

    “Kanti uphi unodoli wakho? Drago, phendula njengoba uzwa?

    “Ayikho i-telemetry evela kunodoli,” kusho elinye izwi elingenambala.

    “O, Belku, ngiyakuthanda. Sizobabamba manje."

     - Isidalwa esibomvu! - URuslan wafunga, evula umnyango wendlu engaphansi enothuli.

    Iphansi elisophahleni lalimbozwe ungqimba lomhlabathi nothuli. URuslan wakhipha ithoshi elinamandla futhi wahlakaza kancane ubumnyama. “Yebo, kuhle ukuthi ngimeme umngane wami. Ukube ngingedwa ngabe kade ngabulawa,” kucabanga uMax. Izitebhisi zensimbi ezingajwayelekile zaziholela ophahleni. Bakhama ngembobo base bephuma edokodweni elincane baphumela ophahleni lukakhonkolo oluyisicaba. URuslan wayala ukuthi angahambi onqenqemeni. Uphahla oluphukile lomhume lwalenga amamitha amaningana phezulu futhi lwadlula ngokushelela lwaqonda egunjini elingaphansi kwesakhiwo esilandelayo. Ibhuloho elenziwe ekhaya elingenazinsimbi laliholela lapho, liphuma ngendlela engathandeki ngaphansi kwalasha onezitezi eziyishumi. Adonse umoya kancane uMax akhumule imaski yakhe. Ngokushesha ehogela ifu lothuli olubomvu, wakhwehlela futhi akazange ayeke ukukhwehlela baze badlulela ophahleni olulandelayo, lapho kwakunesixuku sabantu abangenamakhaya. Abanye babantu babalandela beqina, benganaki nakancane. Njengoba inhlanhla yayingaba nayo, isigqoko saphinde saphila.

    “I-Fox iyaxhumana. Sibanga umsindo, abakwaJapa sebevele balahlekelwe umqondo, yindawo yabo lena. Namaphoyisa ayeza."

    "Vala umhume, ungavumeli amaphoyisa angene."

    “Ungabavumeli kanjani bangene?”

    “Dala ingozi. Uma kufanele, zikhiphe."

    “Lalela, Tommy, awukwazi ukuvele ubeke yonke into ngombono. Bese bezosifenda ngawo wonke amakagal. Ingabe uqinisekile ukuthi yizona lezi esizidingayo?

    “Umsebenzi wotshwala ubehlukene phakathi. Kwakuyilowo cormorant owayengumthandi womculo. Owokuqala wayala ukuthi athole lezi ezimbili nganoma iyiphi imali. Uma kunesidingo, uzobiza abazingeli. Anginandaba namaphoyisa, anginandaba namaJaps, anginandaba namuntu! Ngingubani mina?.. Ngiyabuza ukuthi ngingubani!

    “Uyisandla esifile,” kwafika impendulo engabaza.

    “Ngiyisithunzi sesitha, ngiyisipoki sokuziphindiselela! Ngiyisandla esifile, shisa... shisa... nami!”

    “Ngiyisandla esifile! Ngiyisandla esifile!

    Ngisho noRuslan waphaphatheka ngokuphawulekayo, ebuka ucezu lwemvunulo yesizwe ememeza ngamazwi amabi. Futhi uMax ngokuvamile wayezizwa enesiyezi kanye nesicanucanu. Exhawula izandla, waqala wafaka imaskhi.

     —Ingabe sebememezele impi engcwele kithi? Cha, ungahileleka kanjani ngaleyo ndlela ngaphandle kwesibhakabhaka, huh?!

    UMax wavele wanyusa amahlombe engakwazi ukuzibamba.

    “Ngiyababona, uphahla lwebhulokhi engu-23B. Uyisiphetho esifile,” kusho izwi elingenambala.

     - Drones, fuck!

    U-Ruslan wagijima ngokuphelelwa yithemba phakathi kokubuka okudidekile kwezakhamuzi zophahla.

    “Okwamanje, wonke umuntu ulapho! Vimba isakhiwo! Taras, uvukile!

    "Basukume, ngiyabahola."

    "Ama-Qi bastards, antshontshe umqhele kunodoli wethu."

    "Umqhele uthi... Gizmo shayela uDrago."

    Naphezu kokuhlaselwa ukwethuka, uRuslan waqaphela ngaso leso sikhathi futhi waphinde wasindisa ukuphila kwabo. Wathatha isigqoko sakhe, wasijikijela isibhamu wasijikijela ngase-visor. Waze wakwazi nokuwisa uMax phansi. Kwabe sekuqhamuka igalelo elibi lacisha ukukhanya. Ukukhala kokuqala kwabalimele kwadabula inkungu ezindlebeni zami. Eduze, abantu abamangele basukuma kancane beqalaza bemangele. Wavuka ngobunzima uMax ezwa sengathi unesiphepho. URuslan, ephaphathekile futhi eshwabene, wasondela wamemeza:

     - Gijimani sengathi awukaze ugijime empilweni yakho!

    Futhi uMax wagijima, ekhubeka phezu kwemizimba futhi edudula labo ababemangele. Umhlaba wakhe wonke wancipha ngemuva kweRuslan egijima kanye nokushaya kwakhe kanzima. Bese uya ezitebhisini ezishelelayo ezishiselwe ukusuka ku-rebar, ubumnyama benye i-attic futhi ugxume phezulu, okusongela ukuphuka imilenze yakho njalo. Lapho isikhiya sichofoza eduze nesicabha sivuleka, uMax wadlula ngejubane. Umuzwa wesithupha kuphela owamenza waphenduka.

     “Madoda, nansi,” ikhehla lahoshozela ngezwi elidakwe ngokuphelele. Izinwele zakhe ezingcolile zazilenga emahlombe akhe, wayegqoke isikibha esimnyama, ibhulukwe lomjuluko elinwebekayo namateku aluhlaza. Entshebeni evundile ekhula emehlweni, kuphuma ikhala elibomvu kuphela, elishubhu.

     - Lapha, ngokushesha.

     - Ruslan, yeka! - UMax wamemeza. - Umnyango! Vele ume!

    Wehla ngokoqobo enye indiza, wakwazi ukubamba umlingani wakhe ngezingubo.

     - Max, yini isihogo! Bazosiqeda!

     - Umnyango! Asimlandele!

    Ikhehla libaqhweba liphezulu.

     - Ubani omunye lo?

     - Kwenza mehluko muni, masimlandele.

    URuslan wangabaza imizuzwana embalwa. Ekhipha isiqalekiso esingasho lutho, wagijima wabuyela esitezi esiphezulu. Ikhehla langena ngokushesha limlandela, lagaklaza isicabha laqala ukucofa izingidi. URuslan wamunyakazisa ebheke kuye.

     - Sawubona, khehla, uvelaphi?

     — I-inthanethi izoba mahhala! - ikhehla ladlwengula, liphakamisa isandla ngesibhakela esigoqiwe. - Asihambe, bafo.

     - Ini?! Uyaphi, iyiphi i-inthanethi?

     - Akayena omunye wethu, akunjalo?

     “Isisebenzi esiqashiwe,” uMax eqamba amanga engacwayizi.

     — UKadari wathula iminyaka eminingi. Ngangicabanga ukuthi isizathu sethu sase sifile, kodwa ngasabela obizweni olusha ngaphandle kokungabaza.

    Lathula ikhehla kucaca ukuthi lilindele okuthile.

     “Wonke ama-quad aphikelelayo azoklonyeliswa lapho i-inthanethi iba mahhala,” kusho uMax ethuthukisiwe.

    Wavuma ngekhanda umsindisi wabo.

     - NginguTimofey, Tima. Asambe.

     - Lesha.

    Emaceleni ephasishi kwakunemigqa engapheli yeminyango. Ambalwa kuphela ayehloniphekile, ikakhulukazi embozwe ngezingcezu zensimbi ezipendwe ezishibhile noma ze-fiberglass, kanti ezinye izimbobo zazivalwe ngezingcezu zepulasitiki elishiselwe ngokungcolile. Amaphasishi angaphakathi kwesakhiwo akha i-labyrinth yangempela yezitebhisi zangaphakathi, amagalari namahholo, ahlangana kwamanye amaphasishi. Izikhathi ezimbalwa kwadingeka ngeqe ngokushesha phezu kweminyango yangaphandle. Ezindaweni ezivamile, abesifazane nabantwana babenomsindo, noma amazwi amadoda aphuzile ayememeza. Kwake kwadingeka ngidlule eqenjini eliphuzayo elicula izingoma ngesiginci. Futhi angikwazanga ukugwema ukunikezwa kokuhlala phansi futhi ngigoqe. Ngokushesha ngemva kwenkampani, ikhehla langena ngomnyango oseceleni ebhizinisini elithile. Ngokushesha uRuslan wabamba uMax kukhola futhi wahleba ngokucasuka:

     - Lalela, Alyosha, uma siphuma lapha siphila, sizoba nengxoxo ende kakhulu.

    Eduze bacula iculo eliphikisanayo mayelana neTerek esabekayo kanye namahhashi ayizinkulungwane ezingamashumi amane.

     - Ngizochaza konke.

     - Uyaphi? Mhlawumbe ungayibuyisela imoto yami?

     - O, ngithemba ukuthi ulungile.

     "Ngiyethemba ukuthi abazange bamshise esihogweni."

    Ekugcineni, lapho belahlekelwa ngokuphelele ukuma kwabo emkhathini, ikhehla lama phambi komunye umnyango wensimbi. Ngemuva kwakunefulethi elinamakamelo amancane ancikene, iphaseji eliphakathi kwawo lilengiswe ngamanikiniki. Ifasitela elilodwa, elimbozwe ishidi lekhadibhodi, libheke emgwaqeni. Ingxenye yegumbi lokuqala ibigcwele ingxube exakile yama-mezzanines namashelufu. U-Tim wagibela ndawana thize ngaphakathi emashalofini egcwele udoti, kangangokuthi imilenze yakhe kuphela egqoke ibhulukwe lomjuluko namateku asala ngaphandle. Kudoti wadoba imaski yomoya-mpilo enethangi elisindayo, amajakhethi afiphele anamahood ajulile, izembozo zezicathulo ze-silicone kanye namalambu.

     “Gqoka,” wabajikijela izinto. - Ngizokukhipha.

     - Mhlawumbe singahlala lapha isikhashana? - Kubuza uMax, eshwabanisa ijazi lakhe ezandleni zakhe. "Amaphoyisa azobhekana nabo kungekudala noma kamuva."

     - Cha, bafo, kuyingozi ukulinda. Cishe abafileyo bamemezela umvuzo, futhi abaningi basibona. Ngiyayazi indlela edabula umfula.

    URuslan, ngaphandle kokusho lutho, wadonsa ama-cast-offs anikeziwe. Ibhantshi lalidabukile, likhulu kakhulu futhi lalishintsha ngokuthembekile umuntu oligqokile waba isishayo sendawo. Wafaka isifihla-buso esinesilinda ngaphansi kwejakhethi yakhe.

     - Ingabe zikhona izikhali?

     “Cha,” wanikina ikhanda uTimofey, “akukho zibhamu.” Kumele sihambe sithule, abangasekho emfuleni nabo banabo abantu.

    Ikhehla ngokwalo lafaka i-ovaroli eluhlaza eseyiphelile laphuma lithule. Ngamafuphi amadeshi bafika ezitebhisini zangaphakathi eziholela egumbini elingaphansi. Ekamelweni elingaphansi bekufanele sihambe phakathi kwamapayipi, izintambo nokunye ukuxhumana. Kwakukhona ukugegetheka nokuhayiza, futhi kuzwakala umsindo oncibilikayo ngaphansi kwezinyawo. Le misindo yayixubene nokunswininiza nokukhala kobumnyama. U-Ruslan uqondise ithoshi lakhe elinamandla ohlangothini futhi izithunzi eziningi ezinomsila, ezilingana nekati elikhuluphalisiwe, zagijimela kuzo zonke izinhlangothi. Ngemva kokucindezela endaweni ewumngcingo phakathi kwamapayipi, u-Tim waphuthaza ebumnyameni. Kuzwakale umsindo wokugaya okusansimbi, kulandelwa amakha aphuma ephasejini uMax wacishe waphalaza. Kodwa kwakungekho ukukhetha, kwadingeka ngenze indlela yami eya emthonjeni wephunga elimnandi. Endleleni wazishisa ngepayipi elishisayo. U-Tim wayelinde phambi kwe-hatch esindayo etshekile phansi enesondo eligqwalile le-flywheel.

     - Yehla emthonjeni. Izitebhisi ziyashelela, ungadluli. Ekugcineni, gxuma, kukhona amamitha amabili kuphela lapho.

    URuslan ungene kuqala, elandelwa uMax, eshaya izindololwane zakhe ezindongeni zomthombo futhi elwa nokuhlaselwa yi-claustrophobia. Indiza emfishane iphele kwelinye idamu. Kulokhu ngikwazile ukuhlala ngimi ngezinyawo. Ukukhanya okubuthakathaka okuvela esilambuni kwenza kwaba nokwenzeka ukubona izindonga zamatshe zomhubhe kanye nongqimba olungajulile loketshezi olunamafutha amnyama ngaphansi kwezinyawo. U-Tim wagxumela eduze kwakhe futhi, ngaphandle kokuchitha isikhathi engxoxweni, waqhubekela phambili, ekha amanzi ngokucophelela ngezingubo zakhe zezicathulo.

    UMax akazange anake ngokushesha umsindo ongaphandle ongavamile futhi ngemva kwesigamu somzuzu wokuchafaza okungajwayelekile emanzini waqaphela ukuthi kwakuwumsindo oqhekezayo wemitha yakhe, ayengakaze awuzwe selokhu avela ku-Mars.

     - Iqembu lakho! - UMax wakhonkotha futhi, kwangathi ushile, wandizela onqenqemeni oluncane olugudla udonga.

     - Kungani wenza umsindo? - U-Tim waphefumula.

     - Lapha ingemuva liphakeme izikhathi ezingamakhulu amabili kunokuvamile! Usiyisaphi?

     “Nkuzi, zama ukuthi ibhulukwe lakho lingabi manzi,” u-Tim wamqhweba futhi washova.

    UMax wazama ukuhamba onqenqemeni lomgwaqo, ewa ngezikhathi ezithile futhi echaphaza udaka olukhipha imisebe.

     — Yiyeke, ngokusobala awazi ukuthi i-delta ikuphi eduze nendawo yokuqala yokuhlala? - Kubuza uRuslan ngokudangala.

     - Futhi kuphi?

     - Emigodini ebhayela yokuqhuma kwezikhali zenuzi. Lapho iqembu lokufika le-Imperial liqhamuka nezivikelo zedolobha, laqala ukwenza ama-workaround. Futhi ukuqhuma kwezikhali zenuzi ngaphansi komhlaba kwakubhekwa njengendlela eshesha kakhulu. Saphuma ndawana thize kulendawo.

     - Izindaba eziphambene!

     - Yebo, ungakhathazeki, sekudlule iminyaka engamashumi amane. Ngandlela thize baphila,” uRuslan wavuma ngekhanda u-Timofey onentshebe, “... kuwubuhlanya futhi akusona isikhathi eside.”

    Iketanga lezikhwama zamatshe, ezinobubanzi obungamamitha angamashumi amabili kuya kwamashumi amahlanu, elinwetshiwe lisuka emigodini ejulile yendawo yokuhlala yokuqala liye phezulu. Izakhamuzi zendawo ngokuvamile zazibiza leli ketango ngokuthi indlela. Yayifana nomugqa wenyoka enkulu, lapho kwakukhule khona imigede namaphutha amaningi. Ukuma kwama-cauldrons kwakukude ne-sphere ekahle, futhi ngaphandle kwalokho, isimo sezindonga zabo asizange siqashwe ngendlela efanayo nemigede ye-Neurotek. Ezinye zazo zabhidlika, ezinye zagcwala imfucumfucu onobuthi, kanti ezinye zazifanelekela ukuphila okufushane nokuxakile.

    Amabhuloho, amapulatifomu kanye nezakhiwo ze-plywood ezintekenteke zigcwalise indawo yangaphakathi ngezigaba eziningana. Iziqukathi zempahla ezipakishiwe zazibhekwa njengezindlu zikanokusho. Izindonga zama-boilers zasikwa ngemifantu eminingi, lapho izakhamuzi zase-delta zazicasha khona. Imifantu yangena emigedeni yangempela, eminyene nakakhulu futhi imbi kakhulu, nayo eyayilokhu yakhiwa kabusha futhi ibhidlika. Akuzona zonke izakhamuzi zomdabu zase-delta ezaba nesibindi sokuya lapho. Kunzima ukucabanga isiphetho esibi kakhulu kunokungcwatshwa uphila endaweni yokungcwaba enemisebe. Imifudlana ebolile yayigeleza ivela emifantwini emikhulu futhi iqoqwe emaxhaphozini phansi emigedeni. Lawa maxhaphozi ayekhanya ebumnyameni ngisho nesembozo sezicathulo ze-silicone ezigqwalile.

    Baphuma emfantwini ongaqondakali eduze kwesango elikhulu le-hermetic elingena endaweni yokuqala. Isixuku esimangelengele sasilenga ngasesangweni, sinethemba lokuthi sizongena ngephutha endaweni ye-gamma noma sizuze kokuthile kusuka ezimotweni ezingenayo. Izinhlangano ezisiza umphakathi zazinezitolo eziningi zokudla zamahhala emasangweni. Kodwa izisebenzi zabo azizange zishiye uhla lwezibhamu ezingomshini. Futhi ngaphansi kophahla lukabhayela, emaketangeni awugqinsi, uphawu olukhulu olunezinhlamvu ezikhanyayo lwalushwibeka. Ezinye zezinhlamvu zaphuka, ezinye zasha, kodwa umbhalo wawufundeka kalula: “Iba nosuku lokugcina eDelta.” Noma ubani owayedlula esangweni le-hermetic wakubona lokhu.

    Isithombe esavuleka phansi komphakathi sasimoyizela futhi sinuke umjuluko kanye nodoti lwemvelo. Uma uyibheka, kwakunzima ukucabanga ukuthi kude kufuphi ne-elf-like Martians babenqamula kuma-Segways ekuhlanzekeni okuyinyumba kwemibhoshongo ekhazimulayo. UMax wacabanga ukuthi ngaphandle kwesifihla-buso uzobe eseginqika phansi futhi ehefuza, eklebhula umphimbo ngezinzipho. Phakathi naleso sikhathi, i-gauge ye-pressure gauge yabonisa ngokungenakuphikiswa ukuthi kusele ingxenye eyodwa kuphela ye-oxygen. Wonke amathemba ayesesilindani esikhulu esathathwa nguRuslan. Yiqiniso, naye akakwazanga ukukumela isikhathi eside futhi wafaka imaski yakhe ngemva kwezinyathelo ezimbalwa.

    Ubuso obuningi buvele ekugelezeni okuzayo. Futhi kwakungekho izihlakaniphi ezihloniphekile zehhovisi phakathi kwabo. Kodwa bekunenqwaba yemilutha yezidakamizwa enebala elibi eliluhlaza ngenxa ye-hypoxia engapheli. Bebengekho abantu abakhubazekile abasebenzisa izitho zokufakelwa ze-bionic ezindala. Ezinye zatshalwa ngendlela engafanele kangangokuthi izisulu ezineshwa zemithi eshibhile zazingakwazi ukugwedla futhi zibonakale ziqhekeka lapho zihamba. Izindandatho, izikhonkwane, izihlungi ezifakiwe kanye namapuleti ezikhali atholakala cishe kuwo wonke umuntu.

    Ngisho nasezimpahleni ze-Bichev, ngokusobala zazihluke kakhulu kubantu bendawo. Umhlambi wabafana walandela uMax ngokushesha futhi waqala ukumhlupha ngemibuzo ecasulayo.

     - Malume, uvelaphi?

     - Kungani ubushelelezi kangaka?

     - Malume, ake ngiphefumule!

    U-Ruslan wakhipha induku yakhe eyayisele futhi ama-novice gopnik akhetha ukunyamalala esixukwini.

    Elinye lamabhodwe alandelayo lalingagcwele nhlobo. Izindonga zazamazama ngenxa yokubhonga kwamakhulu emiphimbo. Ibhola elikhalayo eligingqika maphakathi nenkundla elenziwe ngamabhulokhi kakhonkolo.

     “Ukulwa nezinja,” kuchaza uTim.

    Komunye umgede kwakuthule cwaka, kubusa amakhaza nokuhwalala. Izidumbu zazinqwabelaniswa ezisekelweni zamapulangwe, futhi abemba amathuna, begoqwe ngamanikiniki, bazama ukususa izitaki kodwa kwanhlanga zimuka nomoya. Baqale bagida izikhonkwane isikhathi eside, bekhipha yonke into eyigugu emizimbeni, base bebafaka emilonyeni evuthayo yezithando ezinkulu. Basebenza kancane kakhulu futhi icala labo lalingenathemba;

     “Bangaki abantu abafa lapha,” uMax wethuka. - Babengeke yini basizwe?

     “E-delta bakusiza ukuthi ufe ngokushesha,” kusho u-Tim.

    Emgedeni olandelayo, behlela esigabeni esiphansi kunazo zonke exhaphozini elingumgunyathi futhi bama ebhokisini eliluhlaza elibukeka ngendlela exakile ngaphansi kompheme wepulasitiki. Kwakheka ulayini wamadoda amaningana phambi kwakhe. Owokuqala onenhlanhla wacindezela izinkinobho ezimbalwa wabeka ishubhu lensimbi endlebeni yakhe.

     - Ithini le foni? Yeka ucezu lwakudala! - UMax wamangala.

    Wezwa ebobotheka kabuhlungu emhlane. URuslan wayiphendula ngokungafanele futhi wahayiza:

     - Thulani, kulungile.

     - Manje?

     “Khuphuka umemeze: bheka, ngiyi-hipster ye-Telecom.

    I-ragamuffin emi ngaphambili yajikijela isigqoko sayo emuva yaphendukela kuMax. Ubuso bakhe obumpunga babugcwele imibimbi ejulile ngendlela engavamile, futhi ikhala lakhe nomhlathi ongenhla kwathathelwa indawo imaskhi yokuhlunga.

     “Ngiphe ukudla ndoda elungile,” esho ngokunengeka.

     - Anginayo.

     - Hhayi-ke, yini oyidingayo, nginike ama-zits ambalwa.

     - Yebo, anginawo amakhadi.

     “Uyancinda, bushelelezi,” kusho umnxibi ngokucasuka. "Akufanele ukwenze lokho, udinga ukusiza abantu."

     “Lalela, phuma lapha,” kubhodla uRuslan.

    Ngokuphusha okukodwa, i-ragamuffin indize amamitha ambalwa, iphenduka inqwaba yamanikiniki angcolile othulini olubomvu.

     - Kwani? Ngikhubazekile.

    Isinxibi sagoqa umkhono wesokunxele wejazi laso lemvula futhi sabonisa enye i-cybernetics esabekayo. Inyama esandleni sakhe yayinqunywe ngokuphelele kwaze kwasala amathambo kuphela, exhunywe ama-compact servos. Iminwe enamathambo yagobeka ekujeqezeni okungezona ezemvelo, njengabakhohlisi bendiza eshibhile.

     - Bazonikeza ama-zits angaphezu kwamabili amakhanda akho. Nami ngiyisandla esifile! - i-ragamuffin yagigitheka ngokunengekayo.

    Kepha enganakile umnyakazo kaRuslan, waphuthuma ngamandla ayengalindelekile, ehambisana nenqwaba yezinsimbi ezisekela amapulatifomu esigaba esilandelayo. Isitho esonakele asizange simkhathaze nakancane.

     - Ima! “UTima wanamathela kuRuslan, owamlandela ngejubane. - Kufanele siphume!

    “Baleka futhi,” uMax ecabanga ngokulahla. "Yebo, angikaze ngigijime kangako sonke isikhathi sami ku-Mars." Umhlaba uphinde wancipha ngemuva kukaRuslan egijima phambili. Khona-ke izindonga zomfantu omncane zabhidlika nhlangothi zonke. Phansi koqhekeko kwakukhona i-flooring eyenziwe ngamapulangwe kanye nazo zonke izinhlobo zemfucumfucu yensimbi. Ububanzi babunjalo kangangokuthi abantu ababili babengakwazi ukuhlukana. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngokwemithetho yendawo, kwakufanele ihlakazeke ifulathele odongeni futhi igcine izandla zakho zibonakala. U-Tim uchaze lokhu ebalekela ukugwema izigameko. Ukukhanyisa kwanyamalala ngezikhathi ezithile futhi uMax wagxila emcabangweni owodwa: ukuthi ungalahlekelwa kanjani yi-silhouette ngaphambili. Kwelinye lamajika kuhwalala, ubonakala ejike ngendlela engafanele. Enethemba lokuchazela abantu bendawo ukuthi ulahlekile futhi acele indlela eya endaweni ye-beta, uMax uvele wahlaselwa wuvalo. Waphuthuma phambili kuhle kwenyamazane wagijima wagibela emhlane womunye umuntu. Kodwa lokhu kugijima okufushane kwamlahlekisela wonke umoya.

     "Qaphela, uzophuka imilenze," kuzwakala izwi likaRuslan elinganelisekile. - Kungani uthule? UMax nguwe lowo?

     - Ngi... yebo... Lalela... umoya-mpilo wami... ucishe uziro.

     - Hhayi-ke, kuhle, awukwazanga ukungitshela ngaphambili? Manje ake sishintshane ngokuphefumula?

    UMax wakhipha imaski engenalutho. Ukuphefumula kwakhe akuzange kubuyiselwe, wadonsa umoya ngokuhaha, inkungu ebomvu yavala amehlo akhe.

     “Ngizo... ngife,” ehefuzela.

     “Lapha,” uRuslan emnikeza imaskhi enosilinda esindayo. - Uzoyibuyisela ngomzuzu.

    UMax wawela emthonjeni wokuphila womoya-mpilo. Amehlo ami aqala ukucaca kancane kancane. U-Tima wabahola e-labyrinth enemifantu emincane, imithombo eqinile nemigede. Lapho uRuslan ethatha umoya-mpilo, uMax waqhuzuka ngemva kwakhe, ebambelele ezingutsheni zakhe futhi ecabanga kuphela ngokungawi. Ngomoya-mpilo, wayenamandla okuthi ngezinye izikhathi aqalaze. Nokho, wayengenalo ngisho ithemba lokukhumbula umzila.

    Bafika emgedeni omkhulu ombozwe ngopulasitiki ukusuka phezulu kuye phansi. Ukukhanya kwakugqamile futhi kushisa kakhulu. Ezinye izihlahla zazibonakala ngemva kwekhethini elikhanyayo. “Cishe batshala utamatisi,” kucabanga uMax, “awekho amavithamini anele.” Indoda eyisidudla empunga, enqunu enezinzipho zensimbi esikhundleni sezandla yagxuma yaphuma edokodweni elincane yaqhweba ukuba iphume. UThim wazama ukukhuluma naye ngento ethile ngezwi eliphansi. Kwakungezwakali ukuthi bathini, kodwa isidudla saphakamisa izinzipho ebusweni bomuntu owayekhulume naye. U-Tim wahlehla ngokushesha futhi wahola ozakwabo babuyela emfantwini.

     "Lokhu kuzosho ukuwela enye i-cauldron, ngakho-ke thula."

     -Siyaphi vele? - kubuza uMax.

     - Esangweni.

     — Kuliphi isango? Ezoni ye-gamma?

     - Kulungile, nobabili, thulani, kulungile. Athule nje.

     “Njengoba usho, mphathi,” kuvuma uRuslan wase ethatha umoya kuMax. Ngokuphazima kweso uTom waphelelwa yisikhathi semibuzo.

    Umhubhe wenze ukujika okubukhali futhi unxande olula, ofana nengosi, wavuleka ngaphambili. Kwafika ukuxokozela okujwayelekile kwesixuku. Babevele bephakathi kwembiza, kwelinye lama-tiers, lapho kungazelelwe ukunyakaza kwabantu baseBrownian kuma. Ekuqaleni abantu abambalwa, bese beyanda, babanda endaweni. Ukuthula okunjalo kwabusa ngokushesha kangangokuthi kuzwakale ukukhala kwe-oxygen mask. UThemba naye wama, waqalaza ngokungakhululeki.

     - Abazingeli! - othile wamemeza esixukwini.

     - Abazingeli! - ukukhala okusha kwavela ezindaweni eziningi ngesikhathi esisodwa.

    Kwabe sekukhala amakhulu omphimbo ngazo zonke izilimi. Bese begijima abantu benovalo macala onke.

     “Bambelela kimi,” kumemeza uRuslan. - Kufanele siye kuphi?

    UThim wathatha izingubo zakhe, futhi uMax wabamba uThim.

     - Dlulisela esigabeni esilandelayo, umnyango useduze kwaleyo nqwaba!

    URuslan wavuma ngekhanda futhi waqhubekela phambili njengomkhumbi ophihliza iqhwa, ejikijela abantu endleleni. Ekuqaleni, wonke umuntu wayegijima ezungeza ngokungahleliwe, abanolwazi kakhulu banyamalala emifantwini esemaceleni, futhi abaningi babo ngobuwula bagijimela macala onke. Kodwa-ke othile waqala ukumemeza ethi abazingeli babephezulu kunomzila. Isixuku sonke sagijimela kuye. Basebegibele esigabeni esilandelayo, umnyango ababewufuna wawuyibanga nje lokujikijela itshe, kodwa kwakungekho sizathu sokuzama ukufohla. URuslan wabacindezela bobabili odongeni, kuphela amandla akhe angokomzimba angewona awemvelo amvumela ukuthi ahlale ezinyaweni zakhe. Ngenhlanhla, inqwaba yehla ngokushesha. Okwasala emsamo yilaba abampofu ababebubula abakwazanga ukumelana nokunyathelwa yisixuku esasihlanya. Abasenamandla bazama ukukhasela phambili noma bavele baqaqeke, bavale amakhanda ngezandla.

     “Asibaleke,” kumemeza uThim. - Ungabheki phambili! Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi kwenzekani, ungabheki abazingeli!

    Ngokushesha bagijimela emfantwini owawuvinjwe isicabha sezikhali. U-Tim wabhala ikhodi ngamawala, izandla zakhe zavevezela, futhi akakwazanga ukuvula umnyango omkhulu.

     “Ungajiki, ungaphenduki,” ephinda, njengenjwayelo.

    UMax wezwa ngesikhumba ukuthi kunomuntu ongaphambili entanyeni kabhayela. Kukhona ohamba aqonde kubo. Wabona ngeso lengqondo ukuthi kwase kuqhamuka into embi kanjani ngemva kwakhe, isineka kabi futhi kuphuma inkalakatha eqinile esifubeni sakhe. Imisipha kaMax yayiminyene ngenxa yokushuba. Wahluleka ukumelana waphenduka. Amamitha angamashumi amahlanu ngaphambili, eduze kwemfucumfucu ekhanyiswe kalufifi evimbe indlela eya ebhodweni elilandelayo, wabona i-silhouette igeleza kahle phakathi kwamadwala. Lesi sidalwa, ngokubukeka, sasicishe sibe ngamamitha amabili ubude, itende lejazi elikhulukazi lasifihla cishe ngokuphelele, kwakubheka izinzipho ezinkulu kuphela ezandleni nasezinyaweni zaso namadevu amade ekhanda laso, njengawentuthwane ewumdondoshiya. Sime isidalwa sibuke uMax. Ndawana thize onqenqemeni lokuzwa, wezwa inswininiza encane kwase kufika uvalo. Konke ukwesaba kwabantu okujwayelekile kwakungelutho uma kuqhathaniswa nalokhu. Umoya oneqhwa wagijima ekwazini kwakhe, ngokuphazima kweso waguqula imicabango yakhe kanye nentando yakhe yaba imfucumfucu eyiqhwa. Okwakusele kwakuwukwesaba kwesinambuzane esidabukisayo, esikhubazwe ukubuka kwaso kwalasha.

    Isidalwa sagxumela phambili ngamamitha amahlanu ngesikhathi esisodwa, sabe segxuma odongeni oluphukile lomhume, elinye gxuma, kanye nokunye. Lasondela ngokuthula, lazi ukuthi isisulu siyomane silinde futhi sife ngaphandle kokwenza umsindo owodwa owengeziwe.

    Isidididi esinamandla saphonsa uMax ngaphakathi. Ngokushesha u-Tim wabhaklaza isicabha esinzima futhi ibhawodi likagesi lachofa.

     “Ubala amagwababa futhi,” kusho uRuslan ngokucasuka.

     - Wambuka! Ngikutshelile ukuthi ungabheki, kodwa wabheka noma kunjalo.

     - Yini futhi? Cabanga nje, i-mutant ethile igxuma ophahleni...

    Emuva kobuqhawe bokubukisa, uMax wazama ukufihla ukushaqeka kwakhe lapho ehlangana nentando embi yomzingeli.

     - Vala i-fuck up! - UTim wakhonkotha ngolaka abengalulindele.

    Ngisho noRuslan wathukuthela ngenxa yalokhu kuqhuma kwentukuthelo.

     "Angifuni ukwazi lutho ngalesi sidalwa!" Angifuni ukufa nawe!

     - Inqobo nje uma lesi sidalwa esingaphandle komnyango singafi.

     - Akekho owaziyo ukuthi umzingeli ubukeka kanjani. Wonke umuntu owambona washona. Nalaba abavele batshelwe ukuthi ubukeka kanjani nabo bafa. Umzingeli ungumoya wabafileyo, ukuthinta kwakhe kuvula umphefumulo ngakolunye uhlangothi.

     - Hlobo luni lwezinganekwane eziwubuwula lezi?

     - Ezweni lakho elibomvana, abazingeli bayizinganekwane. Kodwa uma umbona ngempela, khona-ke wena ngokwakho uyaqonda konke ...

    Kusenjalo, kwezwakala umsindo omubi wokugaya uvela ngemva kwesicabha, kuhle kommese unwaya engilazini. UTima waphenduka waba luhlaza ngokuphelele, wacishe wafana nombala wezihlahla ezisanda kubonwa, futhi wagoba:

     - Masihambe, shesha!

    UMax wagijima engacabanganga ngisho nomoya komoya-mpilo noma lapho ayegijima khona. Imibuthano ebomvu yadansa emehlweni akhe, izindonga zamatshe nensimbi egqwalile yalimaza izindololwane nasemadolweni, kodwa wayelokhu egijima engezwa buhlungu noma ukukhathala. Umiyane owayengazwakali kahle wamhlupha, futhi ngaphandle kokungabaza wayezothengisa umndeni wakhe nabangane ukuze nje abe kude nalokhu kunswininiza okucasulayo.

    Emgedeni omncane osemfolokoni, badlula inkampane yabantu abakhubazekile abacishe bafa behlezi eduze kwetafula elingasekiwe. UTim wathi kubo njengoba behamba: “Umzingeli usilandela,” futhi bashiya izinto zabo kungazelelwe bagulukudela komunye umhubhe. Kwacaca ukuthi basebenzise yonke intando yabo esele ukuze baphile ukuze bahlakazeke ngokushesha ngangokunokwenzeka. Omunye wabakhubazekile obephuke imilenze yokufakelwa ubebukeka efile elandela ozakwabo wabe esegaqa ematsheni. Ngenxa yokuthi wayesaba ukubheka phezulu, wanquma ikhanda lakhe ngokushesha, kodwa waqhubeka nokugwaza ngokungaboni, eshiya umzila wegazi futhi efihle ngokucophelela ubuso bakhe ngezansi.

    UTima wabaholela komunye umnyango wezikhali wafaka ikhodi ngokushesha. Umhume ongemuva komnyango wawuqoshwe ngensimbi ye-plasma edwaleni. Izindonga zawo zazibushelelezi futhi zicishe zilingane. Kwakukhona uhla lwamakhabethe ensimbi odongeni. URuslan unikeze umoya-mpilo uMax owayehefuzela ngokucasulayo.

     - Futhi usithathephi? - wabuza. - Lesi yisiphetho esingajwayelekile.

     - Lesi akusona isiphetho esifile, leli yisango. Ake sizame ukugijima siwele endaweni ye-beta, umzingeli ngeke abeke engozini ukusilandela lapho... ngiyethemba.

     - Ukudlula okuyimfihlo endaweni ye-beta? Bese sisindisiwe.

     "Cishe, osekusele nje ukugijima amamitha angamashumi amahlanu esihlabathini esibomvu siye ekusikeni emhubheni wezobuchwepheshe."

     - Ama-Spacesuits emakamelweni ... Ngithemba?

     "Bengisazoshayela umngane wami ucingo mayelana namasudi omkhathi uze uqale ukuganga."

     “Kuvele ukuthi...si...sivaleleke lapha,” kusho uMax, edonsa umoya kancane. - Kufanele sishiye enye indlela.

     - Kunjalo, ungumgijimi lousy. Angisafuni ukuzwa nelilodwa igama elingadingekile. Ukhuluma kuphela uma ubuzwa, kulungile? Sizogijima lawa mamitha angamashumi amahlanu ngaphandle kwezingubo zasemkhathini. Ngike ngagijima kanje izikhathi ezimbalwa, kuyingozi kancane, kodwa kuyenzeka impela. Futhi kunoma yikuphi, lokhu kunengqondo kakhulu kunokugijima usuka kumzingeli ngaphesheya komfula. Ingabe wonke umuntu unawo ama-mediplant?

     “Nginayo,” kuphendula uRuslan.

    U-Tim wakhipha amagobolondo amaningana agugile, angaphawuliwe ekhabetheni.

     -Thola igesi.

     - Kwenzenjani?

    Akhiphe umoya uThim ngokucasuka, kodwa aphendule.

     - I-myoglobin yokwenziwa. Kungaba kuhle ukutshala imiqumbe, kodwa ngeke kukuvumele ukuthi ufe emizuzwaneni yokuqala eyishumi nanhlanu yomjaho.

     “Anginalo i-implant,” kusho uMax.

     - Khona-ke i-vintar inzima kakhulu kuwe.

    U-Tim wanikezwa isibhamu somjovo esibukeka ngendlela esabisayo esinezinalithi zokubhoboza eziyisithupha. Izinaliti zazingenalutho, zinemiphetho ehlotshiswe ngensingo. Lapho ecindezelwa, avele agxume aphume cishe amasentimitha amahlanu.

     - Jova kunoma yimuphi umsipha omkhulu. Ungawushaya ngembongolo, noma ungawushaya ethangeni.

     - Ngokujulile? Kufanele ngizigwaze ngalobu budlabha? Bheka ukuthi zinkulu kangakanani izinaliti eziwugqinsi! Bese-ke, ingabe futhi uphakamisa ukuthatha uhambo emkhathini ongaphandle?

     - Lalela, Lesha noma Max noma ngabe ungubani igama lakho. Usuyisidumbu vele, ubonile umzingeli. Ngakho ungesabi, woza!

     “Kulungile, kuhle ukushayela, sonke siyizidumbu maduze,” kusho uRuslan.

    Wathatha isibhamu kuMax, wabe esenyakaza ecijile wamcindezela obondeni wamfaka izinaliti emlenzeni. Ubuhlungu bebumane buxakile, uMax ubengezwa ngenxa yokukhala kwakhe. Umlilo owuketshezi wawunwebeka emlenzeni wami. Kodwa uRuslan wacindezela umjovo waze waphela. UMax wawela phansi. Amagagasi obuhlungu asusa ubuchopho bami, ukuphelelwa umoya kwaphela ngokushesha, kodwa kwavela isiyezi esincane.

     - Into esemqoka ukuthi ungazami ukubamba umoya wakho. Adonse umoya ngokushesha, ngaphandle kwalokho uyashesha. Hlala emva kwami. Ubuchopho bunqunywa kuqala, futhi umbono uzoba umbono womhubhe. Ngizolandela imihlahlandlela, kodwa kuzothatha isikhathi eside ukuchaza ukuthi yini. Ukungangiboni nakho kuphelile. Ngakolunye uhlangothi, lapho upompa, zama ukuphephetha ukuze ungashiywa ungenazindlebe. Kodwa-ke, akwethusi. Ngiya kuqala, wena uya ngokulandelayo, wena mfo omkhulu ukhuphula ingemuva. Ungakwazi yini ukuvala i-hatch? Udinga nje ukuyishaya ngamandla ize ichofoze.

    URuslan wavuma ngekhanda.

     - Ngamafuphi, khumbula into esemqoka: phefumula, ungangikhohlwa. Awu, yilokho kuphela, uNkulunkulu akubusise!

    Kwezwakala indweba esabekayo futhi uMax wabona ethukile ukuthi kwakungumoya ophuma ekamelweni lokuvala umoya. Impempe yashabalala ngokushesha, njengayo yonke eminye imisindo. UMax wavula umlomo wakhe ememeza buthule futhi wabona amafu emfucumfucu ephuma kuwo. Wazama ukugwinya umoya ongekho, kuhle kwenhlanzi ephonswe ogwini, wezwa kuqhuma ubuso nezingalo ngaphakathi. Bamphushe ngemuva, wabe esegijima elandela ama-ovaroli aluhlaza kaTima ehla ngomgwaqo. Naphezu kokuthi isifuba sasisonteka isifuba, imilenze yakhe yayilokhu igijima lapho kudingeka khona. Ngekhoneni leso, wakwazi ngisho nokubona amadome edolobha amaningi buqamama kanye nodwendwe lwamaloli enqamula ogwadule. Khona-ke amatshe nesihlabathi kwaqala ukufiphala kwaba inkungu ebomvu. Kuphela indawo eluhlaza okotshani eyayisakhanya ngaphambili. Wakhubeka wezwa eshaywa phansi. “Nasi isiphetho,” uMax wakwazi ukucabanga ngokunganaki. Futhi-ke wezwa ukuheleza kwakhe kanye nokukhala komoya ophoqelelwe. Ukubona kwami ​​kwakuya ngokuya kucaca, nakuba imibuthano ebomvu yayisadansa esweni lami lesokunxele. Kukhona okwakugijima entanyeni yami. Kwafakwa imaski yomoya-mpilo ebusweni bami.

     “Kubukeka sengathi uyaphila,” kuzwakala izwi likaTima eliyisihosha.

     “Ngempela,” kwakuyizwi likaRuslan. - Kwangathi ngingaya kwenye indawo naye!

    Ngokulandelayo kwezwakala uhleko olubi, kodwa uRuslan wazidonsa ngokushesha. UMax wakhipha ibhantshi lakhe waphulula intamo. Kwakukhona uphawu olubomvu esandleni sami.

     - Ngiphuma igazi endlebeni yami.

     “Bullshit,” uThim ephakamisa isandla sakhe. - Bese uya esibhedlela, kodwa hhayi ngomshwalense Yiqiniso. Uma kungenjalo uzokhathala ukuchaza ukuthi yini futhi kanjani. Shiya zonke izingubo zami lapha.

    U-Tim wavula i-hatch komunye umhubhe omncane. Ngemva kokukhasa okufushane ebumnyameni, ekugcineni bawela emhumeni ovamile, ubukhulu bawo obungazange bubangele ukuhlaselwa okunamandla kwe-claustrophobia. Eduze kwakunamathangi amakhulu esiteshi somoya-mpilo.

     - Kulungile, bafana, isiteshi sase-Ultima sikuleyo ndlela. Kungcono ukungajahi ukuya ekhaya ngokushesha, uqashe imotela eshibhile, futhi ugeze kahle. Shintsha zonke izingubo zakho. Uma kungenjalo, eziluhlaza zingase ziphendule amaphiko akho, cishe uzokwenza umsindo.

     - Futhi uyaphi? - kubuza uMax.

     - Ngidinga ukuphuthaza lapha ngaphandle kobuhlungu. Ngizohamba ngenye indlela. Nawe Max, hamba ubheke nxazonke, ngisho nakuzoni ye-beta. Abafileyo nabazingeli ngeke bakhohlwe ngawe.

     - Yebo, ngiyabonga, staricello. Usizile. Uma udinga noma yini, ngithinte, ngizokwenza engingakwenza.

    URuslan waxhawula uTimofey ngobuqotho.

     - Mhlawumbe sizophinde sihlangane. Masingakhohlwa i-copyleft, ngeke sithethelele ilungelo lobunikazi!

    U-Tim waphakamisa isandla sakhe ngesibhakela esigoqiwe, waphenduka futhi wanyathela ngasemathangeni esiteshi somoya-mpilo. Kodwa emva kwezinyathelo ezimbili wazishaya esiphongweni wabuya.

     - Cishe ngakhohlwa.

    Wakhipha ipensela nephepha elingcolile esifubeni sakhe, ngokushesha wabhala okuthile wase enika uMax iphepha eligoqiwe.

     - Funda futhi ucekele phansi.

    Futhi manje wanyamalala ngokuphelele ebumnyameni. UMax wabuka ngokucabangela isigaxa esishwabene entendeni yesandla sakhe.

     - Ngithemba ukuthi ngeke ukufunde lokhu? - kubuza uRuslan.

     - Ngizocabanga.

    UMax wafaka ipheshana ephaketheni lakhe.

     “Abanye abantu abafundi ngisho emaphutheni abo.”

    Bekuseduze kakhulu nesiteshi esiseduze. Kwaba wumshoshaphansi futhi babembalwa abantu lapho. Kulesi sikhungo bekunemishini eminingi edayisa ukudla neziphuzo. Irobhothi elihlanzayo lahamba kancane lizungeza amathayela abomvu nampunga. Ngokuvamile, akukho lutho olukhethekile, kodwa kwakubonakala kuMax ukuthi usebuyele ezweni elivamile ngemva kohambo oluthatha unyaka wonke. Wabuyisela ikepisi eliluhlaza kuRuslan futhi i-neurochip ngokushesha yathatha isignali enhle, futhi iqiniso elizungezile lagubuzelwa inkungu evamile yezimonyo. Futhi lapho i-bot yokukhangisa iqhamuka nokunye ukuganga okungenamsebenzi, uMax wacishe wakhala izinyembezi zenjabulo. Wayekulungele ukwanga nokuqabula i-bot eyisiphukuphuku, eyayivame ukubangela lutho ngaphandle kokucasuka.

    URuslan wahlala eduze kwakhe ebhentshini elesuliwe nengilazi enkulu yekhofi esheshayo.

     "Yebo, Max, ngemuva kobusuku bangoLwesihlanu olungaka, angazi nokuthi ngingakumangaza kanjani."

     - Uxolo ukuthi lokhu kwenzeke. Ngithemba ukuthi ungathola imoto endaweni yokuqala?

     "Yebo, bafo, bazoyithatha uma kukhona okusele kuye."

     -Ubufuna ukuya kuphi?

     - Mina? Kwakungenzeka ukuya endlini yezifebe enabesifazane abashintshwe izakhi zofuzo. Imizwa ongasoze wayikhohlwa oyaziyo.

     - Bengingeke ngihambe, nginentombi eMoscow.

     - Impela, ngikhohliwe ... futhi nginoLaura ... lapha. Kuhle ukuthi sihambe ngokwethiphu yakho. Iphathi epholile.

     - Awukwazi ukutshela SB Telecom lutho?

     "Ngeke ngingqongqoze, kodwa khumbula, isandla esifile siyiqembu lezigelekeqe elibanjwe yiqhwa." Uma ungafuni ukulalela ikhehla lalela mina. Hhayi-ke, uzibonele wena konke, banakho ukuphika ukwenza umzamo wokubulala ehhovisi likaTelekom. Futhi mayelana nabazingeli - akungeni ekhanda lami. Ngangingakaze ngicabange ukuthi zikhona ngempela. Uke wambona ngempela?

     - Kwenzeka. Isidalwa esiyinqaba kakhulu, ngokusobala akuyena umuntu...

     - Kungcono ugcine lolu lwazi kuwe. Angifuni ukwazi ukuthi ibukeka kanjani.

     - Ngokujulile, ingabe nawe uyakholelwa kulokhu kubukeka kokufa?

     - Ezindabeni ezinjalo kungcono ukuyidlala ngokuphepha.

     - Usho ukuthini: Angikaze ngicabange ukuthi zikhona ngempela? Ingabe kukhona okwaziyo ngabo?

     - Kunombono wokuthi akuzona zonke izipoki ezasinda ekuhlaselweni kwezindawo zaseMartian zase zibuya ngaphansi kwephiko loMbusi. Kodwa lezi bekuyizinganekwane zezidakamizwa ezisuka endaweni ye-delta. Bahogela yonke inhlobo kadoti lapho futhi babone amaphutha. Hhayi-ke, njengabasolwandle ekhulwini leshumi nanhlanu ababona ama-krakens amakhulu e-scurvy nendlala. Ngangingeke ngikholwe ukuthi lezi zinganekwane ziyiqiniso. Ukuthi izipoki zisacashe ndawana thize emigodini ekude futhi zilindile... Angazi ukuthi zilindeleni manje. Lapho uMbusi wabo evuka kwabafileyo, mhlawumbe.

     "Akekho owaziyo ukuthi izipoki zazinjani?"

     - Umuntu angase azi. Futhi-ke... Umbuso wawugcina lesi sihloko siyimfihlo kakhulu. Labo abakwaMartians abababona bengenaye isudu yasemkhathini ngemva kokuhlaselwa bonke bathola ithikithi lokuya kuphela.

     - Futhi uphakamisa ukuthi senzeni manje?

     "Ngizobhekana nezinkinga zami mina." Futhi wena, Max, ulahle leli phepha elibi futhi ugibele indiza yokuqala eya eMoscow. Hhayi-ke, uma uwine ngephutha izinkulungwane ezimbalwa kulotho, qasha ukuphepha okukhulu. Ngingakuxhumanisa nabantu abalungile. Cha? Bese kungcono uphume.

     “Ngiyabona,” kudonsa umoya uMax. - Uxolo futhi ukuthi lokhu kwenzeke. Mhlawumbe ngingakwenzela okuthile?

     - Nakancane. Ungakhathazeki, sizocabanga ukuthi siyalingana.

    Lapho nje ehlukana noRuslan, uMax wembula iphepha elinamafutha. Kuyo kwakubhalwe ukuthi: “NgoJanuwari 25, Dreamland, izwe leFlying Cities, ikhodi yomhlaba ethi W103.”

    

    UMax akazange alale kahle futhi ubenamaphupho amabi. Waphupha egibele inqola endala ezweni elimnyama elingenalo ilanga. Wathi evula amehlo kafushane wabona izihlahla ezibolile nezimboni ezibhemayo zigijima ngaphandle kwefasitela. Waphinde walala ubuthongo obungaphumuli. Impempe yesitimela eyanyakaza amafasitela yaphula ubundikindiki maqede waphaphama uMax. Ngokuphambene kwakuhlezi ikhehla eligqoke ijazi elimnyama nesigqoko sangaphezulu. Wayesabeka kabi, emdala ngendlela emangalisayo kangangokuthi wayefana nomama owomile. Ikhehla laphakamisa isigqoko salo saphezulu libingelela. Izindebe zakhe zesikhumba zazikhipha umsindo okhencezayo ofana nokukhenceza kwamakhasi asendulo.

     - Ukuthula makube nawe mfowethu. Maduze uzolibona ilanga, futhi abantu abanjengami bayokhululwa esiqalekisweni.

     - Ngizolibona ilanga?

     "Umncane kakhulu, wazalwa ngemuva kokuwa futhi awazi ukuthi kuyini?" Akekho owakutshela ngokukhanya kwelanga?

     - Bangitshela ... Kungani ngizombona namuhla?

     “Namuhla uSuku Lokukhuphuka,” kuchaza umama. “Uthathe isitimela waya edolobheni eliwile laseGjöll.” Ngemikhuleko kaJon Gride, olungileyo omkhulu, umhloli wemibuzo kanye ne-exarch yeBandla elingcwele likaMuntu, sengathi umusa weminyaka engamashumi amathathu ungaba naye kuze kube phakade, namuhla idolobha eliwile laseGjöll lizothola inkululeko, likhuphuke futhi libe idolobha elikhanyayo iZiyoni.

     - Yebo, ngokuqinisekile. Ukuzalwa kabusha okulula, mfowethu.

    Ikhehla lafaka into engathi liyamamatheka lathula.

    Umgwaqo waphenduka, futhi ngefasitela, ngaphambili, kwabonakala ubhazabhaza wesitimela esimnyama. Oshimula bakhona baphakama bafinyelela ubude besakhiwo esinezitezi ezintathu, futhi intuthu emnyama yamboza isibhakabhaka esimnyama. Idokodo lalifana nethempeli elincane le-Gothic, i-boiler ye-steam yayihlotshiswe ngama-chimera kanye nezingebhezi zezidalwa ezingaziwa. Laphinda lakhala uphondo, kwabanda abagibeli.

    Ihlathi elingandile lezihlahla ezisontekile selinyamalele. Isitimela sahamba sangena ebhulohweni lensimbi elinomgodi ongamakhilomitha ubude. Isici esivuthayo savutha phansi komsele. UMax akakwazanga ukumelana nesilingo, wasusa iwindi wancika. Umoya oshisayo wakhuphuka kwalasha, izinhlansi nomlotha kwandiza, futhi phambili esiqhingini samatshe, esihlukaniswe isici esivuthayo, kwaphakama idolobha laseGjöll. Yayihlanganisa inqwaba yemibhoshongo emikhulu yamaGothic. Bamangaza umcabango ngezici ezibukhali namakhothamo aqondile aqondiswe phezulu, futhi ahlotshiswe ngemihlobiso, ama-turrets amancane nemifanekiso. Isithombe esibaziwe esiyinhloko, esaphindwa izikhathi eziningi, kwakuwumfanekiso wowesifazane onezinzipho zezinyoni ezinyaweni nasezimpikweni zakhe. Ingxenye yobuso bakhe yayiyinhle, futhi enye ingxenye yayihlanekezelwe futhi incibilika ngenxa yokuklabalasa kohlanya. Idolobha laseGjöll lalinikezelwe kunkulunkulukazi u-Akhamoth.

    Izinqamuleli ezinkulu zemibhoshongo zaphakama zisuka kwalasha ovuthayo zaze zafinyelela ethempelini eliphakeme kakhulu lesonto lombhishobhi elikhulu ezinhlotsheni eziningana zemibukiso. Kusukela ehholo layo, umhloli wemibuzo kanye ne-exarch bangafinyelela ku-portal kuya ezindaweni eziphakeme esibhakabhakeni esimnyama saphakade somhlaba owile. Ibhuloho lensimbi langena ngaphansi kwedolobha, langena ekhothameni eliphakathi kweziqhingi ezimbili.

    Isitimela sama kugalari ende odongeni olungaphandle lwedolobha. Amakholomu anomoya ashintsha ngokushelelayo angena kumakhothamo egalari ngobude obungamamitha angamashumi amahlanu. Ukukhanya kwalasha ovuthayo kwavutha ezipanini. UMax akazange aye onqenqemeni lwaso, kodwa wazivumela ukuba athathwe isixuku, kancane kancane egeleza ephuma esitimeleni eside futhi ekhuphuka ngezitebhisi zamatshe ezingapheli eziya eSigcawini Seqiniso eduze nesonto lombhishobhi elikhulu. Futhi indlela yalabo abomele inkululeko yayivinjwe amasango asindayo. Futhi onogada bema emasangweni futhi vumela kuphela labo abenqaba amanga indaba gross wezwe eliphansi.

    “Ngingumashonisa futhi ayikho intokozo enginayo empilweni yami njengokuvula ibhokisi le-mahogany eliqoshiwe eligcwele amarisidi ezikweletu. Ngabona ephepheni ukuphila nokuhlupheka kwalabo engangikwazi ukubagqilaza. Kodwa kwakuyimi engangiyisigqila sezwe lamanga. Ngalilahla ibhokisi ngashisa wonke amaphepha, futhi ngakhipha yonke ingcebo, futhi ngacela kulabo engangibadelela, ngoba sengikulungele ukukhululeka emaketangeni ezwe lamanga.”

    “Mina ngingumuntu okhokhelwayo futhi ayikho intokozo enkulu empilweni yami njengokuzwa ukububula kwezitha nokuchotshozwa kwamathambo. Ngenza ama-notches esibanjeni seFlamberge futhi ngangazi ukuthi yimina kuphela onqumayo ukuthi ubani ophila namuhla nokuthi ubani ofayo. Kodwa lokhu kuphila nokufa akuzange kube khona. Nganquma iminwe esandleni sami sokunene futhi ngaphonsa inkemba kwalasha, ngoba ngikulungele ukukhululeka emaketangeni ezwe lamanga.”

    “Ngingumuntu okhonze ukuhlonipha futhi ayikho intokozo enkulu empilweni yami njengokuzwa umsindo wezinhlamvu zemali. Amakamelo ami agcwele izipho ezivela kubantu abayiziwula. Ngangazi ukuthi izifiso zazilawula ikusasa lazo nokuthi ngokwazo zingezami. Kodwa yimina engangingowezifiso ezingekho. Ngathenga umuthi kumthakathi ngase ngiphenduka isalukazi esibi, futhi akekho omunye owayengifuna, futhi ngangingawafuni, ngoba ngifuna ukukhululeka emaketangeni ezwe lamanga.”

    Basho kanjalo abantu ababelayini phambi kwesango.

     “Ngingusosayensi futhi ngifuna ukuba nengqondo ekahle,” kusho uMax lapho kufika ithuba lakhe.

    Abantu ababeseduze baqala ukumbheka ngokuxwaya, kodwa umdondoshiya owayegqoke izikhali zikathayela wavula isango.

    Engahambanga ngisho nezinyathelo eziyikhulu, uMax wezwa ukunyathela kanzima kukanogada ohlomile ezitsheni zamatshe futhi wezwa:

     - UJon Gride, umhloli kanye no-exarch, sengathi umusa wama-aeons angamashumi amathathu ungaba naye kuze kube phakade, ukulindele.

    Kwaba nzima ukuhambisana nonogada owayebonakala engasiboni isisindo se-ayina ayeyigqokile, wabe esehamba ngesinono enyuka izitebhisi phakathi kwesixuku. Indawo ephambi kwesonto lombhishobhi elikhulu, ecishe ingabonakali ukusuka ebhulohweni, yaba inkundla yamatshe engapheli egudla imibhoshongo efiphele yesonto lombhishobhi. Lesi sikwele sagwinya kalula umfula wabantu abakhuphukayo kangangokuthi kuze kube manje ubususele uhhafu. Amaqembu ahlukene azulazula phakathi kwamakholomu amatshe angamamitha ayishumi, lapho kwavela khona ama-bas-relief e-Achamoth. Izimbaqa ezikhanyayo zazivutha eziqongweni zamakholomu, futhi lapho umoya uzikhukhumeza, izithunzi eziphaphathekile zazizulazula ezitsheni. UMax waqalaza: kokubili umsele kanye nomzila wesitimela kwakubonakala njengamathoyizi ukusuka lapha, futhi umkhathizwe wagijima kude kangangokuthi amazwe ahluke ngokuphelele abonakala. Ngemva kwethu, ithafa elivela ngokumpunga nelinsundu kancane kancane laphenduka iqhwa, lanyamalala endaweni yamakhaza aphakade eduze kwezintaba ezimangelengele ezineqhwa. Ngakwesokunene, amahlathi azingele, agqagqene acwila exhaphozini eliphuzi, elinenkungu, futhi ngakwesobunxele, izimboni ezingenakubalwa zazishunqa intuthu kwashiswa amaziko ashisayo.

    Ngaso sonke isikhathi benqamula isigcawu, intshumayelo enomsindo kaMshushisi no-Exarch yayibalandela. “Bafowethu! Kwashiswa izihlubuki ezingamashumi amathathu ukuze kwenziwe lolu suku. Onkulunkulu bamanga bachithiwe, wena ubashiyile futhi wabakhohlwa. Kodwa imbuka eyodwa isahlala ezinhliziyweni zethu. Bheka nxazonke ukuthi ubani ocabanga ukuthi ungumkhulumeli nomvikeli wakho. Yena eninikela kuye ukuzalwa nemishado, ongcwele nesifebe, ohlakaniphile futhi ohlanya, owadala idolobha elikhulu laseGjöll. Kodwa ingabe akayona yini imbangela eyinhloko yakho konke ukuhlupheka? Ubumnyama balo bungokoqobo, kodwa ukukhanya kwalo kungamanga. Ngenxa yakhe, uzalwa kulo mhlaba, futhi usekela igobolondo lomzimba wakho kule mpi engapheli. Vukani bafwethu ngoba lomhlaba awukho wavela ezinhlungwini nasekuhluphekeni kwawo,izifiso zawo ezimbi zazala inkanuko nothando lomuntu. Kusukela kulolu thando nothando indaba yezwe eliwile yazalwa. Leyo ntshisekelo yomuntu nothando wukomela amandla nje. Ukuthi ukomela amandla kuwukwesaba ubuhlungu nokufa. Umdali weqiniso wadala umhlaba ophelele futhi umphefumulo ongafi uyingxenye yalokhu kuphelela. Sakuphiwa umsindisi ukubona iqiniso. Futhi nguye kuphela ongavula indlela eya ezweni lokukhanya kwelanga, lapho sazalelwa khona.”

    UMshushisi walinda e-altare eyisitsha esikhulu samatshe. Itshe elikhazimulayo lalilenga emoyeni ngaphezu kwesitsha. Ngezikhathi ezithile, itshe laliqala ukushaya ikhwela nokushaya. Umbani ocwebezelayo washaya indishi kanye nedome lesonto lombhishobhi. Futhi izindonga zamatshe basabela kubo ngesikhathi. Kwasetshenziswa inkanyezi enama-multi-rays ezungeze isitsha ngesihlabathi sesiliva negolide. Ezinye izinombolo nezimpawu zazisabekwe emisebeni yayo. Izimpawu zazintanta futhi ziqhaqhazele, njengosinga emoyeni oshisayo, futhi izindela ezingumama ezithule zawulungisa ngokucophelela umklamo, zizungeza i-pentagram zilandelana newashi.

    I-Inquisitor yayicishe ibe ngamamitha amathathu ubude, inobuso obuqinile obuqoshwe ngegwadle. Isithunzi sobuthakathaka noma isihawu asizange sibe mnyama izici zakhe. Isandla sakhe sokudla sasibekwe phezu kwesinqe senkemba enezandla ezimbili nje eboshelwe ebhandeni lakhe. Ingubo ebomvu neluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka yaphonswa phezu kwe-brigantine. Isithunywa esivela ezweni lemimoya sazulazula eduze komhloli, sigcina isiko. Umoya wawusobala futhi ungahlukaniseki kalula; isici sawo esinokwethenjelwa kuphela kwakuyi-shnobel ende, ngokusobala ayifaneleki isidalwa samanye amazwe.

     “Udumo kuMshushisi Omkhulu kanye no-Exarch,” kusho uMax ngokuhlakanipha.

     “Siyakwamukela isivakashi esivela komunye umhlaba,” kusho umshushisi. - Uyazi ukuthi kungani ngikubize?

     “Sonke size ukuzobona ukwenyuka.”

     - Ingabe lesi yisifiso sakho sangempela?

     "Zonke izifiso kuleli zwe zingamanga, ngaphandle kwesifiso sokubuyela emhlabeni wangempela." Kodwa noma kunjalo kuyiqiniso kuphela lapho ingekho, ngoba inkanuko yezinto ezibonakalayo yazala i-Achamoth.

     - Ulungile ngempela. Ingabe usukulungele ukuhola abanye?

     - Wonke umuntu uzozisindisa. Umphefumulo kuphela, ingxenyana yokukhanya kwangempela, engaholela kwelinye izwe.

     - Yebo, kodwa inhlayiya yokukhanya sanikezwa umsindisi weqiniso. Futhi labo abalandela amazwi akhe basiza ekukhuphukeni.

     - Igama liwumkhiqizo wezwe lethu lamanga futhi wonke amagama azohunyushwa ngamanga.

     - Ingabe uyaqonda ukuthi lokhu kakade imbuka? - amafasitela ezingilazi ezinemibala yesonto lombhishobhi adlidliza ezwini lomhloli. "Kungani uze uma ungafuni ukuhamba nami?"

     “Bengifuna nje ukubona umsindisi weqiniso nokukhanya kwelanga.”

     - Mina ngingukukhanya, ngingumsindisi weqiniso!

    UMax ukhumbule ngokungafanele amazwi kaMartian Arthur Smith.

     "Ezweni langempela elibi, umsindisi weqiniso kufanele ahlupheke futhi afe."

    Amagagasi omlilo aqala ukusabalala engutsheni ye-Inquisitor.

     “Uxolo, uMnu. Inquisitor kanye no-Exarch, bekuyihlaya elibi,” uMax wazilungisa ngokushesha. "Ngiyethemba ukuthi angeke aphazamise ukukhuphuka?"

     “Ukuhlubuka komuntu oyedwa ngeke kuthiye ukukholwa kwabaningi.” Ngisuse! Indawo yakhe isemaketangweni ezwe lamanga.

    Unogada ofanayo othule waholela uMax emagumbini angaphansi kwesonto lombhishobhi. Wavula isicabha sejele maqede wamngenisa ngesizotha. Amathoshi avuthayo akhanyisa amathuluzi ahlukahlukene okuhlushwa namaketango alenga ophahleni.

     - Unamalungelo ezivakashi, ngakho-ke ungixolele. Yini oyithandayo: i-wheeling noma i-quartering?

    Unogada wakhumula isigqoko sakhe sokuzivikela walahla izikhali zakhe ngasikhathi sinye, wazenza inqwaba yezinsimbi ngaphansi kwezinyawo zakhe. USonny Dimon wayegqoke ngendlela efanayo nakudala: ijini, i-sweatshirt kanye nesikhafu esikhulu esisongwe kabili entanyeni yakhe.

     - Umhlaba Crazy. Ngoba ama-sadists nama-masochists aphendukela enkolweni. Kuyethusa ukucabanga ukuthi benzani lapha lapho kungekho ukuwa nokukhuphuka,” kukhononda uMax.

     - Kulowo nalowo owakhe.

     — Ingabe uthole iseluleko sakho esihlakaniphile lapha?

     - Wacosha lokhu kimi. Ngokunemba kakhulu kusukela kuwe wangempela. Ungomunye wezithunzi zakho.

     "Ngiyaqala ukumbona futhi ngithemba ukuthi okokugcina."

    Indoda ende, ezacile enekhala elikhulu elibonakala ekamelweni. Wayegqoke nejazi nesigqoko esinomphetho obanzi.

     - Wena, leya ndoda yasebha! - UMax wavele waphuma.

     - Yebo, ngiyindoda evela kubha kanye nomgcini wezikhiye zesistimu. Futhi ungubani?

     - Igama lakho Rudy?

     - Igama lami nginguRudeman Saari. Ungubani?

     - UMaxim Minin, kuvela ukuthi ngiyinkosi yethunzi nomholi walesi simiso sakho.

     - Uyadlala futhi. Uyazi nokuthi iyini isistimu?

     - Futhi kuyini lokhu?

    URudeman Saari wacasuka wathula. Kodwa uSonny waphendula.

     - Okwamanje, isistimu isanda kwethula amasiginesha, amakhodi asakazwa agcinwe enkumbulweni yabanye abasebenzisi nge-tariff engenamkhawulo. Okuthile okufana ne-digital DNA, okungathuthuka kuyo ubuhlakani bokwenziwa “obuqinile” obunamandla amangalisayo. Kodwa intuthuko idinga indlela efanelekile.

     "Ungasho ukuthi lezi zingqondo zabaphuphi abaneshwa."

     “Izingqondo zabaphuphi zimane ziyisixazululo sesikhashana. Uhlelo luwuhlelo olwenzelwe amakhompyutha e-quantum. Izigaba zekhodi ezizothuthukiswa ngaphakathi kwesofthiwe evamile kuze kube yilapho ukulawula kwawo wonke amandla ekhompuyutha e-quantum axhunywe kunethiwekhi kudlulela ohlelweni. Futhi ngokufanele kuwe.

     - Futhi yini okufanele uyenze ngokulandelayo ngala mandla wekhompyutha?

     - Abantu abakhululiwe emandleni ezinkampani zaseMartian. AbakwaMartians, ngelungelo labo lokushicilela nokulawula okuphelele, bakhinyabeza intuthuko yesintu. Zisivimbela ekuvuleni iminyango yekusasa.

     - Umsebenzi Noble. Futhi lesi simiso esimangalisayo saba khona kanjani? Wadalwa yi-Neurotek, bese ... angazi ... ukwazile ukuzikhulula futhi acashe lapha?

     - Ulwazi lusuliwe. Uma ungazikhumbuli, umgcini wokhiye kuphela ongakwazi.

    U-Rudeman Saari uqhubekile nokuthula.

     "Nami angiqondi kahle ukuthi kwenzekeni." Futhi ngeke ngixoxisane nabanye abantu ngalokhu, ”kusho yena ekugcineni.

     - Kodwa ngingumholi, uhlelo alukwazi ukwethulwa ngaphandle kwami?

     - Ubani owathi ngizoyethula? Ikakhulukazi nawe.

     "Ingabe uzovumela umsebenzi wakho wempilo yakho yonke ukuthi ubonakale endaweni yokulahla ifayela le-Dreamland." Isistimu idinga ukuqaliswa kabusha. Leli ithemba lokugcina laso sonke isintu!

    USonny wakhombisa ukujabula, okungalindelekile kumbungu wobuhlakani bokwenziwa.

     "Enye yezinguqulo eziyinhloko zokwehluleka kwethu ukuthi wena, Sonny, ukwazile ukweqa imingcele futhi wazama ukuxoxisana neNeurotek," uRudeman ephendula ngokudabukisayo kuSaari.

     - Awulungile.

     - Ngeke sikwazi ukuthola, njengoba i-AI yabhujiswa ngokuphelele.

     — Hlola amasiginesha okuqalisa futhi. Azikho izinguquko ezingagunyaziwe kuzo.

     - Uma kucatshangelwa uhlobo olunokwenzeka lwekhodi yakho, akukho ukumodela okuzobikezela ukuthi ukuthuthukiswa kohlelo kuzoholela kuphi.

     - Yingakho udinga ukulawula kwakho, umgcini wezihluthulelo ...

     - Kulungile, Rudy. Ake sicabange ukuthi asihlangene lapha ukuzosungula uhlelo, ukuketula izinkampani, ukusindisa ubuntu, nokunye,” kusho uMax ephazamisa ingxabano yabo. - Ngokwami, ngize lapha ukuze ngithole ukuthi kungani ngingena lapha?

     - Uyangibuza?

     - Ubani omunye? Lesi sixhumanisi sithe umholi ubezama ukuzakhela igama elisha futhi usedlulele kancane. Pho ngagcina ngani? Ngifuna ukuzazi ukuthi ngingubani!

     "Ngizokutshela iqiniso, angazi." Uma umholi enza into efanayo, kwakungahlangani nami.

     - Kwenzekeni kuwe noNeurotek? Wayekuzingelani? Ngitshele konke okwaziyo ngomholi wangaphambili?

     - Lokhu akukona ukuphenywa, Maxim, futhi awuyena umshushisi.

     - Yebo, kulungile, njengoba ungafuni ukutshela lutho, mhlawumbe uNeurotek uzofuna.

     - Angicebisi. Ngisho noma i-Neurotek ikholelwa ukuthi awubandakanyi, basazokuthungula, ukuze nje babe ohlangothini oluphephile.

     “Nina nobabili kufanele nivumelane,” isimo sikaSonny saqala ukucwayizela ngenxa yokwethuka futhi sashintshana. Ngezinye izikhathi wayegqoke i-sweatshirt, ngezinye izikhathi egqoke ijezi loboya, ngezinye izikhathi egqoke izikhali. "Kufanele utshele konke, unelungelo lokwazi."

     “Ukube angizange ngithumele i-comrade enolwazi ukubasiza, ngabe uyisidumbu.” Ngakho-ke, angikweleti muntu, sizohamba ngokuthula futhi sikhohlwe ngomunye nomunye.

     - Ngeke ukwenze lokhu!

    Isikhala esizungeze uSonny saqala ukuhlukana saba amaphikseli nezingcezu zekhodi.

     - Ngizokwenza. Ngizohamba nje. Futhi awukwazi ukungimisa? Noma ungakwazi?

    URudy wabuka ngokudelela umbungu we-AI usuhlanya.

     - Iphrothokholi... kufanele ulandele umthetho olandelwayo...

     - Lona umthwalo wakho wemfanelo.

    USonny waqhubeka nokuququda, kodwa akenzanga lutho.

     - Kulungile, lalela, Max. Sisebenze ngaphansi kwephiko leNeurotek. Umholi wangaphambili wayengomunye wabathuthukisi ababalulekile kuphrojekthi ye-quantum. Konke kwahamba ngokohlelo futhi uSonny wayelokhu elawula izinhlelo zezinkampani. Ama-algorithms we-quantum we-AI akuvumela ukuthi uqhekeze noma yibaphi okhiye bokubethela. Okunye okuncane futhi i-Neurotek bekungaba eyethu. Ngomzuzu wokugcina, abaphathi be-Neurotek bathola ngalokhu, asizange sithole ukuthi yini noma ubani owabatshela. Ngokwemvelo, bahlanya futhi bacekela phansi yonke into exhumene nomsebenzi. Nangempela bayeka lutho. Uma omunye wabathuthukisi bangaphambili ecashe endaweni ethile, bavimbe indawo futhi bahlanza ibutho langempela. Futhi uma bengatholi muntu, bebengagcwalisa ngokuphelele umhume nezinkulungwane zabantu ngaphakathi. Asikho isidingo sokukhuluma ngeziteleka zomoya emadolobheni asemhlabeni. Ngisho nomkhandlu wabaluleki awukwazanga ukuvimba lo msangano. Kwadingeka ngindize ngiye e-Titan, futhi umholi wahlala ku-Mars ukuze azame ukulondoloza okungenani ingxenye yemishini ye-quantum kanye ne-AI core. Wabe esethumela umgijimi nesicelo sokuthi amnikeze ukhiye wokumisa uhlelo oluphuthumayo. Uhlelo lwavalwa, i-AI yabhujiswa, futhi umholi wanyamalala. Angazi ukuthi kwenzekani kuye. Lapho ngibuya e-Titan, akekho owazama ukungithinta, futhi ukusesha akuzange kubonakale lutho. Lokhu kwenzeka ngo-2122.

     - Futhi isandla esifile? Hlobo luni lwama-grater owenza ngawo?

     - Asikaze sihlangane nabo.

     - Kungani beze kimi bar? Futhi babazi kanjani ngalesi simiso sokuxhumana esiyimfihlo?

     “Ngokucatshangelwa, bangathola lokho ngokuthwebula umthumeli. Ngisho neNeurotech ayikwazanga ukukhipha lutho ezincwadini, ngiyaqiniseka ngalokho. Ngakho, yini... Uthole kanjani ngebha? Ingabe unazo izinkumbulo zomholi?

     "Angisenayo into embi, cishe... ngithole i-courier futhi yawunikeza umyalezo wakho."

     -Iphi i-courier manje?

     “Ulapha eDreamland biotub,” kuphendula uSonny.

     - Khona-ke, Max, bangathola kuphela kuwe.

     "Futhi yingakho bezama ukungibulala?"

     - Yebo, akunangqondo kancane, kodwa amaqembu ezigebengu awathembekile ikakhulukazi ezinkontilekeni...

     — Abakwazanga ukuthola kumholi wangaphambili?

     - Ngokombono ... Kodwa kungani azivumela ukuba abanjwe, noma anqume ukubambisana nabo? Ingabe kukhona okukhumbulayo ngokuhlangana naye?

     "Ngazi kuphela ukuthi ngafika nomama e-Mars ngo-2122." Ngangiyingane futhi angikhumbuli lutho oluqondakalayo ngohambo ngokwalo. Bese ngihlala eMoscow ngaso sonke isikhathi futhi ngabuyela eTula ezinyangeni ezintathu ezedlule.

     - Ngokusobala kuzodingeka uzitholele ngokwakho ukuthi kwenzekeni ngomholi wangaphambili.

     - Ngizothola nakanjani. Kungani i-Neurotech ingazange izame ukwethula iphrojekthi entsha ye-quantum, okungenani ukuze ivikele amasistimu ayo ekugetshengeni? Kakade ngaphandle kwamavukelambuso.

     - Kunobunzima obuthile ekudaleni ukuvikeleka ekugebheni i-quantum nasekudaleni ama-AI azinzile. I-Quantum AI iyakwazi ukunqoba noma yiluphi uhlelo lokuzivikela, ngisho ne-quantum eyodwa. Futhi inamandla okungena ku-superposition nganoma yiluphi uhlelo lwe-quantum, ngisho nangaphandle kwesiteshi sokuxhumana ngokomzimba esithembekile nayo. Futhi ngokufanele, angayithonya ngokubona kwakhe. Kodwa akunakwenzeka ukucindezela noma ukuvala i-quantum entanglement, noma kuze kube manje akekho owaziyo ukuthi kwenziwa kanjani. Enye kuphela i-quantum AI engamelana nethonya elinjalo. Ezweni le-quantum intelligence, kuyoba nzima kakhulu ukugcina noma yiziphi izimfihlo noma izimfihlo, noma ngabe isitoreji sihlukanisiwe namanethiwekhi angaphandle. Ngakho-ke, inkinga ngama-quantum AIs ukuthi uma othile edale i-quantum AI, kufanele-ke ube yi-AI efanayo nawe, noma ugweme noma imaphi amakhompyutha e-quantum futhi uzame ukucekela phansi noma imaphi ama-AI. I-Neurotek ikhethe inketho yokugwema nokubhubhisa. Uma ethola ngomhlangano wethu, uzoshisa intaba enendawo yokugcina izinto i-Thule-2 aze afike enkabeni yeMartian, futhi asakaze umlotha ngaphandle kwesimiso sonozungezilanga.

     - Kungani bengakhethanga inketho yokuba yi-quantum AIs? Khona-ke ngokuqinisekile akekho owayeyokwazi ukumelana nabo.

     - Baphambana kakhulu ngaleso sikhathi, futhi angiqiniseki ukuthi babugcine kangakanani ubuchwepheshe nhlobo. Futhi, kukhona ubunzima ekubhaleni kabusha ukwazi komuntu kusisetshenziswa se-quantum, futhi sithathe lolu lwazi kanye nathi. Futhi sengishilo kakade: i-supercomputer ehlakaniphile, enamandla okwenza ikhompiyutha amakhulu kunawo wonke amanye, iphazamisa ibhalansi kakhulu. Kuphakathi banikeza lobu buchwepheshe kuwo wonke umuntu, noma abanye, lapho bethola, bazozama ukubabhubhisa nganoma iyiphi indlela.

     - Uvelaphi uhlakaniphe kangaka?

     - Umholi wangaphambili wayeyingcweti yangempela, epholile kuno-Edward Kroc ngokwakhe.

     - Hhayi-ke, ngeshwa, angiyena ungqondongqondo onjalo. Ngokunengqondo, kuvela ukuthi kuzofanele sibe ama-quantum AIs?

     - Yebo, futhi hhayi kithi kuphela, kodwa nakubo bonke abanye abantu, okungenani labo abafuna ukuqhubeka nenqubekelaphambili yezobuchwepheshe. Lokhu kuzoba ububodwa beqiniso. Futhi-ke, ngeke kube khona i-hierarchies, amalungelo okushicilela, amakhodi avaliwe kanye nama-atavism afanayo wezinkawu ezingenazinwele. Ngakho-ke, ayikho inkampani yaseMartian okufanele yazi ngathi noma izinjongo zethu zangempela.

     "Angikakalungeli lokhu okwamanje." Futhi nginovalo lokuthi intombi yami ngeke ivume ukubhala kabusha ku-quantum matrix...

     "Hhayi-ke, lokho kusho ukuthi kuzofanele uhlale uyisigqila senyama edabukisayo." Noma uqhubeke ngaphandle kwakhe ... futhi ngaphandle kwabanye abaningi. Kodwa lokhu ngeke kwenzeke kusasa, kuyilapho sidinga okungenani ukubuyisela umongo ka-Sonny ekusebenzeni okuncane.

     - Kodwa ingabe lokhu kuzokwenzeka? Ingabe usukulungele ukwethula uhlelo?

     - Ima kancane, nami nginombuzo owodwa omncane: hlobo luni lomuntu obenawe ebha?

     - URuslan? Ukhona, umngane wami.

     — UTim ukholelwa ukuthi akayena nhlobo insizwa evamile. Ungubani?

     - Kulungile, uyisisebenzi se-SB Telecom...

     - I-Helmazzle! Ulethe isikhulu sonogada emhlanganweni onjalo! Uyadlala!

     "Wathembisa ukuthi uzothula ngalolo bishi."

     - Futhi i-sbash chip yakhe nayo yathembisa ukuthula?!

     - Wathi chip akuyona inkinga, angakwazi ngandlela-thile ukuyivala. Ngokuvamile ungumuntu ongaziwa ovela emnyangweni ongajwayelekile weSecurity Service. Ngokubona kwami, kuhlangene nobugebengu ngandlela thize.

     - Akukho emthethweni? - Sonny wasikisela.

     "Kungenzeka, kodwa akuqinisekisi lutho."

     "Uma ethula, singazifaka engozini futhi sibhekane naye ngokuhamba kwesikhathi." Uma engekho emthethweni, lokhu kuyenza ibe lula indaba.

     - Noma kukwenza kube nzima.

     -Ubani ongowokufika kuleli ngokungemthetho? - kubuza uMax.

    URudy wenza ubuso obudelelayo, futhi uSonny wamphendulela.

     - Izisebenzi ezingenaso isikhundla esisemthethweni esakhiweni noma ezinesikhundla esingahambisani nesangempela. Idizayinelwe zonke izinhlobo zezenzo ezingcolile, noma, ngokwesibonelo, ukuhlola iminyango yezokuphepha yezinsizakalo zokuphepha, yezinkampani ezididekile ngokuphelele. I-Telecom ingenye nje yalezi. Ngokuvamile, ulwazi oluvela kuma-chips abo alubhalwanga kumaseva angaphakathi e-Security Service, ngakho-ke akunakwenzeka ukufakazela ukusetshenziswa kwamabomu kwesisebenzi esinikeziwe, ngisho noma kwenzeka ukugetshengwa kwamaseva noma ukukhashelwa. Futhi, njengomthetho, abokufika ngokungemthetho bathola inkululeko ethile yokwenza. U-Ruslan wakho angabamba iqhaza ekuvikeleni i-mafia ethile, azenze isisebenzi esiqashwe yile mafia, esifakele i-chip egetshengiwe ngokuthanda kwakhe. Uma ihluleka, iTelecom izovele ithi ilahle izinga eliphezulu lokuthenjwa elibekwe kuyo. Lokhu kuyisinyathelo sokugcina uma kungekho neyodwa yezinhlelo ezakhelwe ngaphakathi zokuqeda ezisebenzayo. Futhi-ke, akekho oqinisekisa ukuthi umphathi wakhe akasebenzisi ezinye izindlela zokulawula.

     “Akekho oqinisekisayo ukuthi ngeke amane asinikele esandleni esifile noma kumphathi wakhe,” kuphawula uRudy. — Ngethemba ukuthi awuzange uhilele omunye umuntu kulezi zindaba?

     - Yebo, kwakukhona no-Edik ...

     - Hlobo luni lwe-Edik lolu?!

     - Uchwepheshe wesitoreji se-Thule-2, wezwa umlayezo we-courier, kodwa ngakwazi ukumethusa kancane.

     - Kulungile, sizobhekana no-Edik.

     - Woza, ungabulali muntu ... Ngaphandle uma kunesidingo.

     - Woza, ngeke uphazamise iseluleko esiyisiphukuphuku ... umholi othandekayo.

     “Esikhathini esizayo, kusazodingeka ucabangele izeluleko zami.”

     "Kuzofanele ..." kuvuma uRudy ngokungananazi. "Ngeshwa, lesi yisimiso sohlelo."

     -Ingabe usukulungele ukusho izihluthulelo?

    USonny wabonisa ukungabi nasineke okwedlulele ngakho konke ukubukeka kwakhe.

     “Ulungile,” kuvuma uRudy ngokungananazi.

     - Okokuqala, Max, yisho ingxenye engashintshi yesihluthulelo.

    Owavula iminyango ubona izwe lingenasiphelo.
    Lowo ovulelwa iminyango ubona imihlaba engapheli.
    Kukhona umgomo owodwa kanye nezinkulungwane zezindlela.
    Obona umgomo ukhetha indlela.
    Okhetha indlela akasoze ayifinyelela.
    Kuwo wonke umuntu, inye kuphela indlela eholela eqinisweni.

     - Isihluthulelo samukelwe, manje wena, Rudy, usho ingxenye eguquguqukayo yokhiye.

    Indlela yobuhlakani nokulunga iholela ethempelini lokukhohlwa.
    Indlela yezinkanuko nezifiso iholela ethempelini lokuhlakanipha.
    Umgwaqo wokubulala nokubhubhisa uholela ethempelini lamaqhawe.
    Kuwo wonke umuntu, inye kuphela indlela eholela eqinisweni.

     - Ukhiye wamukelwe, uhlelo lucushiwe.

    USonny wayeka ngokushesha. UMax wayeselungele ukufunga ukuthi lo mbungu we-quantum AI wawuthola impumuzo engacashile.

     - Max, manje sidinga amakhompyutha e-quantum ukuze ngithuthuke. Mina no-Rudy sinalo lonke ulwazi lobuchwepheshe. Zama ukuqala ukuthuthukiswa kwamakhompyutha we-quantum ku-Telecom. Cishe ngokuqinisekile othile usekwenzile lokhu noma ubekwenza lokhu, kodwa wancama ngenxa yezinkinga zobuchwepheshe. Kufanele uthole. Nge-database yethu uzoba kalula umthuthukisi obaluleke kakhulu. Futhi-ke kuyindaba yobuchwepheshe nje; Ngokushesha nje lapho isistimu ingathuthuka, amakhono akho azokhula izikhathi eziningi. Ungakwazi Hack yimuphi amakhodi kanye nezokuphepha izinhlelo. Emhlabeni wedijithali, kufana nokuba unkulunkulu.

     - Inkinga eyodwa, Sonny: uzoyiqala kanjani iphrojekthi ye-quantum? Ubani kuTelecom?

     - Ngingumklami othembisayo.

     - Futhi umuntu olula angaqalisa kanjani intuthuko eyingozi futhi ebizayo, ikakhulukazi uma isivele iqalisiwe futhi ilahliwe. Okungcono nokho, ngizozama ukukwenza ngokwami ​​ngehhovisi lami.

     - Cha, Rudy, uma uNeurotek ethola ngalokhu, uzochoboza ibhizinisi lakho. Vumela uMax azame ngeTelecom. Sizomsiza kukho konke: uzoba umthuthukisi okhaliphile, ongenakushintshwa. Max, awukaze wenze ubungane nomphathi othile omkhulu lapho? Singasebenza naye. Yebo, Rudy?

     - Ngiyamazi omunye uMartian, ngiyakwazi ukugudlana naye.

     - Pfft, kuhle, qhubeka. Sesivele sazama kanye nge-Neurotek... Zonke izinkampani zimbi. Kufanele sisebenze ngokwethu.

     - Kufanele uqonde ukuthi awusoze waqeda intuthuko ngezinsiza zakho. Inkampani yakho incane kakhulu. Kuyadingeka ukuheha izimali ezinkulu futhi ngesikhathi esifanayo uqinisekise imfihlo ephelele. Lokhu akunakwenzeka, futhi noma kungenzeka, awusoze waletha umkhiqizo emakethe. I-Telecom inganikeza kokubili izinsiza kanye nemfihlo, futhi ilwe ne-Neurotech uma kunesidingo. Futhi ukuqala kwakho kuzobhujiswa ngokushesha. Azikho izinketho, sidinga ukusiza uMax.

     - Njengokungathi uMax uyinketho ... Hhayi-ke, makazame, ezinyangeni eziyisithupha, lapho engashisi, ngizokwenza ngokwami. Ngicela, Max, ufunde imigomo futhi uzame ukungephuli imithetho yezokuphepha, okungenani kungabi luhlaza kangako.

     - Yebo, ngokuqinisekile. Umlayezo uphinde wathi ku-Titan kufanele uhlole izinsolo ngomuntu othile ongakunikezela ku-Neurotek. Umuntu onjani lo?

     - Khohlwa. Kulokhu sizokwenza ngaphandle kwakhe.

    URudy wakhombisa ngakho konke ukubonakala kwakhe ukuthi ingxoxo isiphelile.

    Lapho uMax engena eSigcawini Seqiniso, sasigcwele ukukhanya kwelanga. Umoya wawuthwala iphunga lemvula nehlobo. Futhi ngaphansi kwamathempeli amaGoth akhuphuka esibhakabhakeni, kwakukhona ulwandle oluluhlaza olungapheli olunamabhande esiliva emifula namachibi.

    

    UMax wayehlezi esitobhini futhi ehlola imininingwane engapheli yedatha yomthwalo wenethiwekhi lapho ethola umlayezo ovela kunhloko yomkhakha. Wamangala kancane futhi ekuqaleni akazange ayixhumanise nencwadi eya ku-Arthur mayelana nesifiso sokubamba iqhaza ekuthuthukisweni kwamakhompiyutha e-quantum.

    U-Arthur wahlala no-Albert ehhovisi futhi wagqolozela ama-polyp avela e-Titan. Babebonakala sebekhule kakhulu kwazise uMax wayebagcine. Waququda esihlalweni futhi wabonisa ngakho konke ukubukeka kwakhe ukuthi wayesekulungele ukuhlala kanjalo futhi aphimisele ophahleni usuku lonke. Ngakolunye uhlangothi, u-Albert wayethukile, echofa iminwe phezu kwetafula futhi egqolozele u-Arthur. Ama-drones awo amaningi azungeza umnikazi wawo ngokudideka, engazi ukuthi angamehlisa kanjani.

     “Sawubona, bengingalindele ukukubona,” kusho uMax, engena ehhovisi.

     - Bekungesiyena yini obufuna ukuthuthukisa amakhompyutha e-quantum? Ngibonise incwadi kubantu abambalwa... bathole imibono yenu ithakazelisa. Yiqiniso, iphrojekthi ye-Telecom ye-quantum isibole iminyaka emihlanu manje; Kodwa mhlawumbe ungakwazi ukuphefumula impilo entsha kuwo?

     - Ngizozama.

     - Bese ubhala isicelo sokudlulisa.

     - Kungani ngokushesha kangaka? - UMax wamangala.

     - Yini, usushintshile umqondo wakho?

     - Cha, kodwa bengifuna ukukhuluma nomuntu ovela kuphrojekthi kuqala. Cacisa ukuthi ngizokwenzani nokunye...

     — Ingabe lokhu kungasithonya ngandlela thize esinqumweni sakho?

     - Nakancane.

     - Kulungile, woza uzongibona kamuva.

    U-Arthur wasukuma esihlalweni, kusobala ukuthi ulungiselela ukuhamba.

     “Yima, Arthur,” kweza izwi lika-Albert elingenambala. — I-visa yami kufanele ibe sesicelweni sokudlulisa. Ningathanda yini nobabili ukuchaza kancane?

     "O, yingakho kudingeke ukuthi uzihudulele lapha..." u-Arthur edonsa. - UMax unemibono ethakazelisayo mayelana nokuqaliswa kwamakhompiyutha e-quantum futhi angasebenza ngokuphumelelayo kwaTelecom emnyangweni wokuthuthukiswa. Ngiyasivuma lesi sinqumo, abahlanganyeli bephrojekthi bayasigunyaza, futhi uMartin Hess, umqondisi womnyango wokuthuthukiswa okuthuthukisiwe, uyasigunyaza.

     - Ungangethusi ngoMartin Hess.

     - Angesabi. Angiboni nje ukuthi inkinga ikuphi?

     “Inkinga ukuthi awukwazi ukuvele ufike uzophazamisa umsebenzi womkhakha wami ngoba kukhona oqhamuke nomunye umcabango ongasile.”

     "Othile emaxhaphozini ethu kumele eze nemibono engasile." Imibono enjalo iyisa inkampani phambili.

     - Yebo, futhi abaphathi bakwa-HR bayiyisa nini inkampani phambili?

     — Lapho bekhetha abantu abafanele. Ngisanda kunika umuntu ofanele incwadi kaMax. Ingabe uyisisebenzi esibaluleke kangaka somkhakha wokuthuthukisa?

     "Abekho abasebenzi abangakwazi ukushintshwa emkhakheni wokuthuthukisa," kusho u-Albert ngokuzidla. "Kodwa lokhu kwephula yonke imithetho."

     - Umthetho oyinhloko webhizinisi ukuthi ayikho imithetho.

     - Ayikho imithetho yama-Martians.

     - Futhi kubantu basemhlabeni kusho ukuthi kukhona? - U-Arthur wamamatheka. - Bengingazi ukuthi emkhakheni wakho bayacwasa ngokwendawo yokuzalwa.

     "AbakwaMartians, noma abantu basemhlabeni, noma abesifazane basemhlabeni abahleki amahlaya akho."

     “Hawu, khululeka, mfowethu kaMartian, bekubuhlungu lokho,” u-Arthur ehleka obala. - Uzocabangani ummeleli wabantu basemhlabeni ngathi: ukuthi amaMartians awekho kangcono kunabo. Ngamafuphi, uma ufuna ukukhuluma ngemithetho, khuluma noMartin Hess ngayo. Futhi manje, ngiyakwethusa.

     - Akusizi ukukhuluma nawe. Kodwa khumbula,” u-Albert waphendukela kuMax futhi wagqolozela okwenyoni kuye. - Ngeke kwenzeke ukubuyela emuva emkhakheni wami.

     “Ngingabuyela eMoscow njalo,” kusho uMax.

     - Ngiyaphila. - U-Arthur wagxuma esihlalweni sakhe. - Uma ufuna ukuxoxa ngephrojekthi, ngikuthumelele oxhumana nabo babahlanganyeli. Futhi ungakhohlwa ukuzongibona. Zithokozise, ​​Albert.

    UMax washintsha isikhashana phambi komphathi odangele.

     “Ngizothumela isitatimende,” wagcina esho waphenduka.

     - Linda umzuzwana, Maxim. Bengifuna ukukhuluma nawe.

     - Yebo, ngilalele.

    UMax wehlisa esitulweni ngokucophelela.

     - Ube nini umngane onjalo no-Arthur?

     - Asibona abangane ngempela...

     - Kungani enza izinhlinzeko ezinjalo kuwe?

     "Nakanjani ngizombuza."

     - Yebo, buza. Kodwa nazi iseluleko esihle: kungcono ukwenqaba. Udlalela ukuba ngumuntu nje, uzama ukubukeka ngendlela ehlukile kunalokhu ayiyo ngempela.

     - Kwenza mehluko muni, makadlale noma ngubani amfunayo. Okubalulekile wukuthi unginika ithuba.

     - Uyazi, angibathandi abantu nawo wonke ama-antics abo ayisiwula, kodwa angikufihli.

     - Yini, bonke abantu baseMartians baphoqelekile ukuthi bangathandi abantu?

     — Abanye abantu bathanda izinja, abanye abazithandi noma bayesaba, kuyindaba yokuzikhethela. Kodwa akekho ongathemba inja, noma isifaniso esinembe kakhudlwana, ingane eneminyaka eyishumi ubudala, ukuba iphathe izikhwama zayo. Lona akuwona umbuzo wobudlelwano neminye imizwa, kodwa owomqondo wokuqala.

    UMax wezwa evutha ulaka.

     "Uxolo, Albert, kodwa ngivele ngabona ukuthi nami angikuthandi." Futhi angifuni ukusebenza nawe.

     -Anginendaba. Akuyona indaba yokuthi ubani othanda bani. Iqiniso liwukuthi u-Arthur uyazenzisa futhi udlala umdlalo ongajwayelekile. Ukwenza ubungane nabantu nakho kuyingxenye yomdlalo wakhe. Cabanga ngalokhu: umqondisi womnyango wentuthuko ethuthukisiwe ungumuntu olingana nomongameli wezwe elithile elilusizi lasemhlabeni. Futhi kungani edansela ingoma yomphathi othile?

     - Akadansi, u-Arthur umkhethela isibhamu somsebenzi.

     "Yebo, ngiqinisekile ukuthi le phrojekthi enephunga elibi bekungumbono ka-Arthur kusukela ekuqaleni." Akumangazi ukuthi iphrojekthi yaphela.

     - Ungumphathi wakwa-HR. Angaziqala kanjani intuthuko entsha?

     - Ngakho cabanga ngakho ngesikhathi sakho esikhululekile. Futhi kungani athola umsebenzi enkonzweni yezisebenzi, nakuba ayengase akhuphuke kalula abe ngumdwebi wesistimu futhi ephakeme nakakhulu. Ukunikeza isikhundla sokuba ngunjiniyela oholayo. Abantu banikezwa ithuba elinjalo kuphela ngenxa yokufaneleka okumangalisayo. Basebenza impilo yabo yonke ngaleli thuba. Cabanga ukuthi kungani ekunikeza yonke into ngesikhathi esisodwa nokuthi izoba yini inani langempela.

     “Uma ngenqaba, ngizozisola impilo yami yonke.”

     - Ngakuxwayisa. Njengoba u-Arthur wakho esho, ezweni langempela elibi, wonke umuntu wenza okusemandleni akhe futhi uzama ukusola imiphumela kwabanye.

     - Ngilungele imiphumela.

     - Ngiyakungabaza kakhulu.

    Ihhovisi lika-Arthur lalisekupheleni kwenkonzo yezisebenzi. Kodwa kwakukude nezindawo ezivulekile ezinomsindo kanye namagumbi okuhlangana. Bekunesizotha kakhulu kunefulethi lika-Albert lobuchwepheshe obuphambili, lingenalo i-airlock, izihlalo zamarobhothi nama-drones agijimayo, kodwa linefasitela elikhulu eligudla udonga lonke. Ngaphandle kwefasitela imibhoshongo yayicwebezela futhi impilo ephithizelayo yasedolobheni laseTule yayidlangile.

     “U-Albert usayine isitatimende sami,” waqala uMax. "Kodwa bengisafuna ukubuza: kungani ungitholele lesi sikhundla?" Nguwe owayishaya, hhayi uMartin Hess.

     -UMartin Hess uhlezi endaweni ethile phezulu esibhakabhakeni. Wonke amagama awaziyo emkhakheni wokwenza ngcono angaphansi kuka-Albert Bonford kanye no-Albert Bonford. Cabanga ukuthi ngibona amandla kuwe, yingakho ngikuncome.

     - Hhayi-ke, angazi, kungcono ngenze into ewubuwula kunokuba ngandlela thize ngibonise amandla.

     — Amandla embulwa ngokuqondile emaphutheni umuntu awenzayo. Uma ufuna, ungenqaba futhi ubuyele ku-Albert.

     - Cha, ngingathanda ukubuyela eMoscow. Kodwa-ke, ngeke usabheka isimemo sentombi yami? Sekuphele izinyanga ezintathu iqoqa uthuli emshinini we-bureaucratic weTelecom.

     - Akunankinga, ngicabanga ukuthi sizoyixazulula kusasa.

     U-Arthur wayecabanga ngokuthile, egqolozele uMax. Waze waphatheka kabi uMax.

     — Ingabe uyayazi indoda okuthiwa uBoorykin?

     UMax wazama ukungavumeli isivunguvungu semizwa emphefumulweni wakhe sibonakale ebusweni bakhe.

     - Cha... ubani lo?

     — Uchwepheshe endaweni yokugcina i-Thule-2, lapho osanda kusebenza khona, ngu-Eduard Boborykin.

     - Futhi kungani kufanele ngimazi?

     - Awu, nawela izindlela naye ngenkathi nisendlini yokugcina izinto. UGrieg uthe ucishe waba nokungqubuzana naye ngesisekelo sokulandela iziyalezo ezithile.

     “Ahh... lowo chwepheshe,” uMax wethemba ukuthi ukuqonda kwakhe kubukeka kungokwemvelo. "Asizange sibe nokungqubuzana, ungumuntu okhohlakele futhi okhohlakele ophatha amakhasimende lapho ewahola ngokulawula umzimba, futhi mhlawumbe wenza izinto ezimbi nakakhulu." Futhi ngangifuna ukubhala isitatimende ngokumelene naye.

     - Kungani ungazange uhambe?

     - UGrig noBoris basinqanda, bathi lokhu ngeke kuzuze ubudlelwano phakathi kweTelecom neDreamland. Yini inkinga?

     “Inkinga wukuthi kukhona owamphushela emayini, waphuka konke abengakwenza, okubalwa nentamo.”

     - Egunjini lokugcina impahla?

     - Yebo, ngqo endlini yokugcina impahla. I-Dreamland Security Council ikhuluma umbhedo ngokuthi akekho umuntu ngaphandle kwabaphuphi abangamphusha. Futhi wabubula lapho ebumnyameni kwaze kwalahleka abaphuphi ayebahola ukuze bayohlolwa.

     - Balawula umzimba. Kungenzeka yini?

     - Ngokombono, konke kungenzeka. Mhlawumbe othile ugebenge isoftware yakhe. Kodwa uMkhandlu Wezokuphepha WaseDreamland ubonakala udidekile ngokuphelele, unyakazisa wonke umuntu owake wahlangana nawo. Futhi ngesikhathi esifanayo uzama ukusola lesi sigameko ngezinkinga ze-hardware ngemishini yethu.

     - Ngabe i-Dreamland Security Service izongiphenya ngemibuzo?

     - Vele akunjalo. Yiziphi izizathu zabo? Lokhu ngokuvamile kungamampunge, kodwa uMkhandlu Wezokuphepha wethu nawo ushubile. Mhlawumbe uzocelwa ukuthi unikeze izincazelo, ngakho bengifuna ukukuxwayisa.

     - Hhayi-ke, kulungile, ngithemba ukuthi lo mbhedo ngeke uphazamise umsebenzi wami omuhle kumakhompyutha we-quantum.

     - Ngeke baphazamise.

     UMax uphinde wahlola isicelo sakhe futhi ngokuchofoza okubalulekile wasifaka kusizindalwazi.

     - Siyakwamukela kolunye uhlangothi, Maxim.

     Ukuxhawula kuka-Arthur kwakusomile futhi kunamandla ngokumangalisayo. Futhi ukuzisola ngesiphetho se-fat Edik kwaphela ngokushesha esivunguvungwini sempilo entsha.

    

Source: www.habr.com