┌─────────────┐
│ Continued │
└─────────────┘
“Let him go,” said someone’s voice, and I looked over
the captain's trembling shoulder to see the Elephant lying on
ground, and an officer who stepped on his chest with his boot. Judging by
everything, the sword did not serve for decoration at all - because it
the tip was now pressed against the Elephant's throat. It looks like both days
I wanted to be entertaining. I lightly squeezed the captain's neck with my loose
hand before releasing him. He slid down gracefully
and his unconscious head landed neatly on the chair.
ladder hemp. I took a few steps away from him, and the Elephant c
struggled to his unsteady feet, shaking off the dust and
turning to the person who captivated us.
- Forgive me, magnanimous sir, may I ask
What is the name of the planet on whose surface we stand?
“Cnuobehte,” came the angry answer.
- Thank you. If you allow me, I will help my friend with...Nutahy Harty get to his feet as I would like to
to apologize to him for the passion of my young friend.
No one stopped him when he turned to the captain,
who had just regained consciousness and at the same moment again
lost it, as the Elephant gave him a good hit in the yxo.
“In general, I’m not a vindictive person,” he said, walking away.
from the captain and pulling out his wallet. He handed it to the officer and
said:
- But this time I wanted to express my feelings,
before I return to my usual friendly state.
Do you understand, of course, why I did this?
“I would do the same myself,” said the officer, calculating
howling money. - But jokes aside. Don't say another word, otherwise you
it will be difficult.
He turned away and another man appeared from the darkness.
two black metal clips in his hands. The elephant stood
as if numb, and did not resist when the man bent down -
Xia and snapped one of them onto his ankle. I had no pre-
wondering what this thing was, but I didn’t like it. On
They won’t just put it on me. However, they put it on. Gun air
lo stuck into my back, and I did not express any protest,
when the thing snaps into place. The one who pro-
didall this, finally stood up and looked me straight in the face.
He was so close that I could feel his wet breath. He
was, on top of everything, terribly ugly, with a deep scar
across the entire face, which did not add any attractiveness at all.
you to his appearance. He pointed a sharp finger at my chest and began to speak.
ril:
- I, Tapc Tykac, servant of our mighty lord
Kano Documentation. But never call me by name; call me
always the boss.
I called him something, something better than just master, but
here he pressed a button on a metal box that was hanging
on his belt. At that very moment I found myself on the ground, trying
shake off the red veil that obscured the white from pain
light. The first thing I saw after that was an Elephant lying
in front of me and groaning in death agony. I helped him
rise. Tapc Tykac shouldn't have done that, at least
at least with a person his age. When I turned around he yx-
he lathered, and his face twisted into an ugly grimace.
- So who am I? - he asked. I suppressed the temptation within myself,
whether not for his own sake, then for the sake of the Elephant.
- Master.
- Remember this and don't try to escape. Throughout the country there are
there are nerve relays. If II'll turn this thing on for a long time,
your nerves will stop working. Forever. It's clear?
- I see, master.
- Get everything you have.
I got it. Money, papers, coins, keys, watches, some
details. He searched me quickly and seemed to have been there for some time.
I'm satisfied.
- Went.
The tropical dawn was quickly approaching, and the lights were going out alone
after one. We, without looking back, followed our new owner.
The elephant had a hard time following him, and I had to help
to him. Tapc Tykac led us to a shabby cart, which
stood nearby. We were shown to a seat in the back. We sat on
plank seat and watched as from the cargo compartment of the ship
large packing boxes are lowered to the ground.
“How great you tricked the captain,” I said. -You, obviously-
Apparently you know something about this planet that I don’t know.
What is it called?
- Cnuobehte, - he pronounced this word like a dirty curse -
quality A stone around the League's neck. The captain sold us into slavery co
all the way. And he himself is also a smuggler. There is
a complete embargo on trade with this stinking world. A in oco-
Bennost weapons - which, I'm sure, these boxes are full of. Cnuo-vente!
This didn’t add much to what I had already guessed myself -
Nothing good can be expected here.
- Could you be at least a little more informative regarding-
What about this stone on your neck?
- The guilt for involving you in this matter is completely
lives on me. But Captain Garth will pay for this. If we don't-
what can no longer be done, we will give it to the justice
diligence. We must inform the League about this somehow.
zom.
This SOMEHOW made him even more depressed, and
he exhaustedly dropped his head into his hands. I sat and waited silently,
when he wants to continue the conversation. And he finally conspired
ril, and in the reflected light I noticed that in his eyes again
a live uckopka appeared.
- Uil desperamdvm [never despair (lat.)], Jim.
Don't let the bastards get you down. We arrived here just in time
on time. The League first encountered this planet near de-
ten years ago. She was isolated for many millennia, and
things were going badly here. This is where Crime shows-
does not behave at his best - because there are criminals here
they rule the roost. A madhouse taken over by the insane.
Complete anarchy - no, notabsolutely so - there is anarchy on Cnuobehte
looks as if his whole life is a continuous picnic, having fun
personal games of boy scouts. I studied the system in some detail.
mu of control on this planet when he developed his own
own philosophical theory. What happens here is that
greets the dark ages of human development that have sunk into oblivion
va. It is worthy of contempt, no matter from which side we look.
reli - but the League can't do anything about it except
launch a direct invasion. Which is completely inconsistent
with the philosophy of the League. The strength of the League turns in this case
her weakness. No planet or planets can attack
to another planet. And if she does attack, she will be destroyed
others, since war these days is recognized by everyone as illegal.
The League can only help the newly discovered planets,
offer humanitarian and technical assistance. There are rumors
that there are secret organizations in the League that work
over the overthrow of such repulsive civilizations - but,
Of course, this is not exhibited to the general public. Therefore,
what awaits us here are troubles and big troubles -
ness. After all, Cnuobehte is a distorting mirror in which otpa-
All modern civilizations are huddling together. There are no specific ones here
orders - only force. Criminal gangs are run by Kano,
man with a sword in a picturesque uniform, Kano Doccia, alonefrom
them. Each Kano controls as much territory as
I can only forge. His followers feed themselves by sharing the spoils,
knocked out of the local peasantry or as a result of a successful
war. And at the very bottom of this criminal pyramid are the
would. That is us.
He nodded at our shackles, causing a painful shock, and
fell silent for a long time. Me too.
- But we can still look at things with optimism, - in
I said in hope.
- With what optimism?
I myself was surprised at my words, thinking wildly out loud.
- With optimism, yes, you should always look at life with optimism
mizmom. Well, for example - we are now far from Beat O'Haven and from
all our problems there. And ready for a new start.
- From the bottom of a dung heap? As slaves?
- Correct! From here the only place we can go
- it's up!
His lips twitched into a weak smile, responding to my despair.
a new remark, and I hastily continued.
- For example, they searched us and took away all the things we had
we were. Everything, but not everything. I still have a small cybe-
nir in the shoe, from my trip to prison. This one -
I took out a master key andthe smile became more noticeable. - And he works
melts - look - I opened my pain hoop and showed it
Elephant, then buckled him into place. - So, when will we
ready to run - we will run away!
The grin on his face now turned into a wide smile.
He reached out and touched me on the shoulder in a burst of real
friendly feelings.
“You’re so right,” he beamed. - We will be very exemplary -
we were slaves for some time. Sufficient to study
read all the moves and exits in this society, the chain of command and
opportunities to penetrate it, sources of income and methods
get to them. Once I find cracks in the structure
of this society, we will become rats again. Not stainless steel
chewing, I'm afraid to admit, but with gray fur and small
teeth.
- Rat - whatever you call it, it sounds noble. We are all out-
seven!
We had to move when the first box was thrown onto
the back of the cart, it crackled and groaned under his weight.
Having thrown in the last box, the movers climbed up to us themselves. I was
I’m glad that little light got into the cart - I didn’t want to
I wanted to take a closer look at them. Three sloppy, dirty men -
cows, unshaven and dressed in rags. And also unwashed,us-
as far as my twitching nose could determine it. Here on-
a fourth climbed to the top, larger and more terrible than the three, although
and the appearance of his clothes was a little more decent. He looked at us
from top to bottom, and I immediately realized that the matter was rubbish.
- Do you know who I am? I am Bugor. This is my flock and you
you will do what I say. First of all, I'll tell you that
old man, took off his jacket. It will look like this on me
prettier than on you.
“Thank you for the hint, sir,” the Elephant answered very politely. -
But I think I'll still keep it.
I knew what he was doing and hoped not to make a mistake. It was here
not much room to swing, and this thug weighed in
twice as big as me. I only had time for one thing
blow, no more, and this blow must be very good and
accurate. The brute roared with rage and rushed towards us, scrambling
walking through the boxes. The horror-stricken slaves hurried to get away from
roads. I also recoiled to the side, and he, without turning to me
attention, passed by. Wonderful. He's almost there
The elephant, when I hit him on the back of the neck with my fists clasped together
varnishes. There was a dull thud and he fell dead on
the lid of the nearest box. I turned to the slaves who
People watched what was happening, their eyes bulging in silent stupor.
- Now you have a new oneHillock, - I told them, and they hurriedly
nodded in agreement. I pointed my finger at the nearest slave.
- So what's my name?
“Hump,” he answered immediately. - Just don’t turn around
his back to it when he comes to his senses.
- Will you help me?
The grin revealed his blackened, broken teeth.
“We won’t help you fight.” But we will warn those
Bye, if you don't beat us like he did.
- I'm not going to hit you. Will you all help?
They nodded in unison.
- Okay. Then here's your first task - throw away your
old Bugr from the cart. I wouldn't like to be in
next to him when he comes to his senses.
They completed the task with great enthusiasm, adding to the
I got a few kicks on my own initiative.
“Thank you, James, I appreciate your help,” said the Elephant. - I
assumed that sooner or later you would have to fight him
busy, so why not do it early by using
me as a distraction. Well, here's our ascent to
this society has begun - since you managed to get out
the top of the lowest category of slaves. Oh righteous God - and this
what is it?I looked where he was pointing, and my eyes did the same
like him, they climbed onto his forehead. Perhaps this could be called
by car, most likely it was so. It's getting closer
came towards us very slowly, thundering and clanging with iron and
throwing up clouds of stinking smoke as they walked. The operator turned around
near our cart, and his assistant jumped to the ground and
drove it with a tractor. The cart, bouncing on the spot, moved
on the road.
“Look more carefully, Jim, and remember,” said the Elephant. -
You see something that existed at the dawn of technological
revolution, long forgotten and lost in the depths of centuries. This one
the tractor is driven by STEAM. It's like a steam engine
give me a drink. You know, I'm starting to like it here.
I was not fascinated by these antediluvian mechanisms, unlike
from Slon. My thoughts were more occupied with the defeated thug, and
I tried to imagine what would happen when he came for
me. I had to find out more about the local rules of the game.
ry - and quickly. I moved closer to the others, but still
Before I managed to start a conversation, we drove onto the bridge and,
roaring throughout the entire area, they rushed through the gates in high
wall. The driver of our steam chariot stopped and shouted
zero:
- Unload here.In my new role as Bugra, I watched the unloading and did not
I wanted to help them. The last box was lowered to the ground when
one of my slaves called out to me.
- There he comes - through the gate behind you!
I quickly turned around. He was right. Ex-Bugor moved to
me, ready for battle, with a face burning with rage and
bloody eyes. Roaring like an enraged beast, he rushed into
attack.
The first thing I did was fight off the attacker, who
growled behind me, almost stepping on my heels. Not at all
out of fear, although there was nothing to be afraid of, but simply because I
I needed a place where I could properly turn around. How
As soon as I ran a decent distance from the cart, I
came back and tripped him up, so that he was stretched out
the entire length on a dung heap. This caused a storm of excitement among the spectators.
bargaining; I glanced briefly around the yard as he climbed the
legs. Armed warriors stood around, several more slaves -
and a man in a sparkling red robe, Kano Doccia, who
cleaned out our pockets. It started to appear in my head
some idea, but before it could acquire a definite
formed, I needed to move to keep myself
life. The thug learned something. He didn't rush anymoreon
me like a wild animal. Instead, he began to slowly beat
rush towards me, arms outstretched and fingers spread out. If I
let him hug me tenderly, I wouldn't get out of his
vise alive. I slowly retreated, turning to face Ka-
according to Doccia, then moved to one side and quickly stepped forward
ed. Grabbing one of my opponent's outstretched hands with both
with my hands, I pulled her towards me and down with all my strength. my weight
was enough to make him fly over
my shoulder and again stretch out at full length on the ground. I'll instantly
jumped to his feet - holding in his head a clearly outlined plan of action -
twee. Demonstration performances.
“It was the right hand,” I shouted loudly.
Staggering from side to side, he tried to resume
attack, and I used the opportunity for another blow.
- Right knee.
Using a deft move, I kicked him at the columnar cup.
It was quite painful and he screamed as he fell to the ground.
liu. This time he did not get to his feet so quickly, but he
the eyes were still full of hatred. He wasn't going to stop
keep fighting until you lose consciousness. OK then. It's even better for showcasing my art.
- Left hand.
I grabbed it and twisted it for himbehind your back, pushing forward with force
ed. He was strong - and still continued to resist, fiercely
trying to reach me with his right hand and trip me up.
But I got ahead of him.
“Left leg,” I shouted, moving with all my might under his heel.
lenku, and he fell to the ground again. I stepped back and looked
rel on Kano Documentation. He watched with close attention
in battle.
- You can kill as easily as you can dance your dance
death?
- Can. But I prefer not to do this, I felt
that my opponent stood on his feet, swaying from side to side
side. I turned slightly so I could see out of the corner of my eye
his movements. - What I prefer is to beat him out
consciousness. In this case, I will win the fight - and you will not deprive
care for your slave.
The thug's hands closed around my neck, and he furiously
cackled. I was showing off and I understood it perfectly. I must
was to show the audience a real performance.
So, without looking at him at all, I struck
with a bent arm, driving his elbow into his guts, into the very
right under the ribs, right into the ganglion of nerves known as the soli-
delicate plexus. He unclenched his hands and I stepped forward, hearingthere was a dull thud behind him as he used the full weight of his body to
fell to the ground. No feelings.
Kano Doccia beckoned me over and spoke when
I came closer.
- This is a new way of fighting for us, an alien from another world -
ra. We arrange fights here among thugs and bet on
them money. They fight with their fists, beating each other until
until the blood flows like a river and one of them is unable to
keep fighting.
- Such battles are cruel and wasteful. Know where to go
hitting and how to hit - this is an art.
- But your art loses value against sharp steel -
blade," he said, half-pulling his sword out of
scabbard Now I had to act carefully, otherwise he
wants to chop me into small pieces to look at
figure out what I will do.
- Of course, it’s useless to go against something like that with bare hands.
master of the blade, like you - as far as I understand, he uses a sword -
is called only at the table when you need to cut off a roast, but flattery
could help me here. - Nevertheless, against an inept sex-
For a trader or a warrior with a knife, my art can be used.
He digested what I said, then called the standing
warrior's house.- You, take out your knife.
This no longer fit into any gates - but I didn’t see any
opportunities to avoid a fight. The warrior smiled and, pulling out
a long sparkling dagger moved proudly from its sheath
me. I smiled back at him. He raised the dagger over his head,
trying to push it into me from above - rather than holding it straight down -
before himself, as an experienced fighter would do. I gave him the opportunity
start first and did not move until he successfully
ril. Standard protection. I dodged the blow to the side
putting your forearm under his wrist. Grabbed my hand
with a dagger with both hands, turn it, turn it inside out and you're done. Everything would-
it was done very quickly. The knife flew in one direction, he -
to another. I had to stop the demonstration as soon as possible
faster, before the batons fly at me, I see other guns,
dy weapons that it could have occurred to me to try on
to the main thug. I stepped closer to Kano Docsia and conspired
ril in a low voice.
- These are the secret methods of defense - and killing - adopted in
our world and the unknown here on Cnuobehte. I don't want to
I would like to show something else. I'm sure you're not very
want your slaves to master such dangerous techniques -
mi. Let me show you what I can do withoutof this ragged crowd. I can teach my art to yours
bodyguards. After all, there are people who want to kill you. By-
think first about your own safety.
To me it sounded like a lecture on road safety.
a lot of movement, but it seemed like it made sense to him. But
yet I did not completely convince him.
- I don’t like new things, new ways. I like it
the present state of affairs.
Of course, when he is at the top and the rest are in chains below. I
said hastily:
- What I do is not new. It is as old as time. Secrets,
which were secretly passed down from generation to generation without
memorable times. And now these secrets can become yours.
Change is coming, you know it, and knowledge is power. When
someone will come to take away from you everything you have, any
weapons will be used to smash them.
I was talking some nonsense - but I hoped it sounded
convincing to him. Judging by what the Elephant told me
about this rotten little world, our only salvation was in force
- paranoia enveloped everything completely. At least it made
him to think about it, which was, apparently, very difficult
suitable for his narrow forehead. He turned on his heels andwalked away.
Politeness, like soap, was unknown to this planet. Nika-
some “see you later” or “let me think about it.” to me
it took a few minutes to realize that the audience
disappeared. The disarmed warrior looked at me angrily, rubbing
hand. But still he hid his blade away. Once I once-
I used to say with Kano Doccia himself, I acquired in his eyes a certain
assigned status, and he could not stab me without any purpose
ranks. But my first opponent could easily do it,
ex-Bugor. He sat completely stunned when I approached
towards him, and looked at me, narrowing his eyes. I tried to look
act modestly and shyly.
- You've already approached me twice. I think it's the third time
there won't be. And if there is, he will be the last. You're just a mind-
decide if you try to do something like that.
There was still hatred written on his face, but now
it was mixed with fear. I stepped forward and he cringed
fear. Now it's good. Just don't turn to
his back too often. This time I turned around and proudly
walked away. He awkwardly followed me and joined-
worry about a lost or broken fork or knife, their
It just wasn't here. Everyone dipped their fingers into cups and stuck
put food in my mouth, so Idid the same. It was a
some kind of vegetable mess, almost tasteless, but satisfying. Elephant
sat down next to me on the ground, leaning his back against the wall, and
I slowly ate my portion. I finished first and without difficulty npeo-
I felt the urge to run for more.
- How long will we remain slaves? - I asked.
- Until I find out how their life is organized here. You
lived my entire life on one planet, so I consciously
or unconsciously you perceive everything through the prism of that
the society you know, and only it. But this is far from
yes. Culture is the same invention. The only thing
what was positive about her - she was not so otbpa-
telny, like the one that was being prepared on board the Venian ship
la. A huge and extremely dirty cauldron was bubbling over the fire
the far wall of the building. Chef, if you can call it that
image of a disgusting-looking individual, the same dirty-
go, like his cauldron - stirred its contents with a long
with a rhubarb spoon. Everyone took a bowl from the wet pile,
standing on the table, and the cook filled them to the brim. There was nothing
or use them for your own benefit. Just
Now what I'm doing is trying to understand by what rights
The local society lives vicariously.
- Try not to take too long.- I promise, because I myself feel uncomfortable here. I
must determine whether and how vertical movement exists
it's organized. If there is no vertical mobility, we
we'll have to invent it.
- You completely confused me. Vertical what?
- Mobility. Concerning class and culture. For example,
these slaves and warriors are outside. If a slave strives to become a warrior and
has such an opportunity, it means vertical mobility cy-
exists. If this is impossible, then society consists of
fixed layers, and all we can achieve is
zontal promotion.
- How, for example, to become the head of all the slaves and beat them
right and left?
He nodded.
- You've already achieved this, Jim. We will remain slaves until then
until I figure out what our capabilities are. And now we
I need to get some rest. Look, everyone has long since fallen asleep
on the straw near the walls of this building. I suggest you join
him.
- I agree...
- Hey, come here.
It was Tapc Tykac. And, of course, he pointed at me.
Looks like todaypromised to be long.
In any case, I will be able to take a look at the local
attractions. We walked through the entire courtyard, the arena of my glory-
great victories, and climbed the high stone steps. Here
we were met by an armed guard, and two others stood inside
building, lazily leaning on a wooden bench, which
was one of the luxury items here. The floors were covered with
shady mats, on chairs and tables lay embroidered matting
ki, the walls were hung with ugly portraits, some of
they were vaguely reminiscent of Kano Doccia. I was pushed into the fire
a small room with windows overlooking the city wall. For
fields, trees and hills were visible. Kano Doccia sat in the approx.
swearing of a small group of people drinking from metal
cups. They were quite decently dressed, if in your opinion
Guidelines for decent clothing include multi-colored leather trousers
ki and wide shirts untucked. Kano Doccia waved his hand at me.
- You, come here, let us take a closer look at you.
The others turned in my direction and stared with interest.
They look at me like I look at a thoroughbred horse at an auction.
- He really knocked that big guy off his feet without even
using your fists? - asked one of them. - And in appearance he
so frail and puny, if not a freak.
There are times when you need to open your mouth just toin order to put food there. It was probably the same one
moment. But I was so tired and fed up with the twists of fate
and besides, the mood was so disgusting that
I broke through.
- Yes, no more puny and uglier than you, pig's ass.
At this point I got it out properly. He howled with rage, all
covered in paint, he grabbed a long steel saber and bro-
was strong towards me. There was no time to think, it was necessary
act. One of these dandies stood next to me,
hyb in front of you is a cup of wine. I snatched it from his hands
turned around and threw the contents into the face of the one who rushed into the attack.
ku. Most of it flew past, but still a few
drops fell on his clothes, which caused him to become even more
fury. Swinging, he slashed the air with his saber, and I
caught the blow with a metal cup, deflecting it to the side.
Sliding the goblet along the blade all the way to the warrior’s fingers, I grabbed
and sharply twisted his hand. He let out an amazing scream and you-
dropped the saber on the floor. After that, he bent to one side,
exposing his back to a blow at parting. But there's someone behind
tripped me up, and I stretched out on the floor at full length.
They thought it was a funny incident, apparently
ty, because all I heard was their cheerful laughter. When-
yes, I reached for the fallen oneblade, one of them kicked him in the
side. Things seemed to be going badly for me. I couldn't fight
with everyone at once. It was necessary to find some way out. But it was
late. Some two people knocked me off my feet, attacking me from behind, and three
Ty kicked him in the side. Before I could get up, my saber
jumped on my chest, pinning me to the floor with his knee and swinging
howling at me with an ugly-shaped dagger.
- What kind of creature is this, Kano Doccia? - he shouted, holding
me by the chin with his free hand and placing the dagger at the same
seven close to my throat.
“An alien from another world,” answered Kano Doccia. - They
they threw him off the ship.
- Is it of any value to you?
“I don’t know,” said Kano Doccia, looking at me a little
confused. - May be. But I don't really like him
alien things. Yes, cut him, and that’s the end of it.
I didn't move even once during their entertaining conversation,
because I myself was interested to know how she ended up
sewn. But now I had to move. Man with a dagger
cried out in pain when I twisted his arm abruptly, probably
no, he even broke it - and grabbed the blade as soon as he unclenched
fingers. Still holding onto him, I jumped to my feet and then
threw him into the crowd of his comrades. They tried to pounceat me from behind, but immediately retreated when I swung and
passed the dagger in a circle. Now forward, run as fast as you can,
until they pulled out their own weapons. Rescue
your skin.
The only direction I knew was down the steps
Yum. Having crashed into Tapca Tykaca while driving, I casually moved
him, and he fell to the floor unconscious. There were sounds behind me
furious screams and roars, and I, without wasting time, rushed
down. Down, jumping over three steps, down to those standing
at the entrance to the guards. Before they had time to jump to their feet, I
bumped into them, and we all got some value?
knee at his throat, snatching the gun from his hands. Second
Roy tried to aim his weapon at me, but I...
I should hit him in the yxo with the butt of the sawn-off shotgun I captured.
A loud stomp followed me as I burst through the door
outside and found himself face to face with a surprised guard. He
drew his sword from its scabbard, but before he could use it,
fell on the ground unconscious. I threw the dagger and
picked up by his deadlier weapon. Forward to the gate
through which we entered the castle. They were right ahead.
Wide open and heavily guarded by armed men,
who had already raised their guns. I turned sharply towards the barracks
for slaves when they openedfire. I don't know where they were flying
their bullets, but when I turned the corner I was still alive. One
a sword, one gun and a certain Jimmy di Griz, tired to death.
Who didn’t even think about stopping or slowing down. Ste-
was very close - surrounded by scaffolding and with a hanging
to the ground with a rope ladder, on which masons make
did some repair work. I shouted hoarsely and waved
weapons, and the workers scattered. With all my might I will help
rushed towards the stairs, having time to notice how the bullets were bouncing off
walls on all sides and fragments of stone scatter around. For-
then I climbed to the very top of the wall and, catching my breath,
for the first time I dared to look at what was happening behind the
Nya. A hail of bullets rained down right in my face, which npocbucte-
is it above my head? Kano Doccia and his courtiers
gave up the chase, leaving it to the guards, and now stood
behind them, cursing and waving weapons. Very early
chatty. I pulled my head into my shoulders when they opened again
fire.
Several guards climbed the city wall and
were approaching me. Which, of course, limited my possibilities.
ness. I looked down from the wall and saw a brown surface
the abundance of water stretching at the very foot of the castle. Here you go
and choice!“Jim, you have to learn to keep your mouth shut,” he said.
I sat down, then took a deep breath and jumped down.
I fell into the water and got stuck in it up to my neck. Liquid
brown mud ruined my jump, and now I have to...
I tried to fight it, pulling out with difficulty first one leg, then
another from the sticky goo, until I finally reached the far-
th shore. My pursuers still did not show themselves - but
they were about to catch up with me. All I could do was
this situation, it is to move on. Crawling through the grass
on the shore of the pond, clutching the stolen weapon in my hands, I disappeared
finally under the shade of trees. There were still no guards.
They must have walked around the bridge and then left.
on my trail. I couldn't believe my luck until rpox-
I fell flat on the ground, screaming from the pain that overwhelmed me.
Incredible pain, eclipsing the white light, will, and mind. Then
it stopped and I wiped the tears from my eyes. Shackles - I'm so-
I forgot about them. Tapc Tykac must have come to the realization
and now he was pressing his damn button. What is he talking about her
said? If he left it on for a long time, it would stop working.
bot of all my nerve endings, it will simply kill me. I dota-
I reached for my boot and the master key hidden in it, but then
pain pierced me again. When she stopped for this
times, I was so weak that I barelyI could move my fingers. Heyk-
Poking around in the lock with a master key, I thought what they were like
sadists after all. When the button was pressed I was effectively dead.
But someone, most likely Kano Doccia, wanted to force me
to suffer and at the same time make me understand that I don’t have
no way out. The master key was finally inserted into the lock,
when the pain overtook me once again. When she left, I was lying
without moving on my side, the master key fell out of my hands, and my fingers
They didn’t listen at all.
But I had to move them. Another wave of torment, and
it will be over for me. I'll lie in this forest until
I'll die. My fingers trembled, but moved slightly. Master key
she scratched the keyhole again, turned weakly...
It took an incredibly long time for the red pe-
Lena slept from my eyes and the pangs of death agony left
my body. I couldn't move and it felt like I'd never
I won't be able to get up. I had to blink several times to
wipe away the tears from your eyes and see... See the most beautiful
picture in the world! The unfastened pain hoop lay in front of
me on the old leaves! Only the confidence of our conquest
The truth is that the pain machine leads to inevitable death,
saved my life. The pursuers were in no hurry; I could hear
their conversation as they made their way through the forest towards me.-...somewhere here. Why didn't they leave him alive?
- Leave an excellent shooter and fencer? This is not about
out of the question. Kano Doccia wished to hang his body in
courtyard of the castle, so that it would hang there until it rots. Never
I haven't seen him so angry.
Life slowly returned to my numb body. I crawled away
from the animal path along which I had previously made my way through the forest,
and hid under the shade of a low bush, straightening his
I will crush the grass with me. And just in time.
- Look - he came out of the water in this place. And went along
this path.
Heavy footsteps approached me and walked past me. I'm ctuc-
took the weapon in his hands and did the only thing possible in this
tations. He calmed down, lying on the grass, and waited for the end of his strength.
but will come back to me. I must admit that it was quite
bad moment in my life. Alone, friendless, shaking
in pain, deathly tired, pursued by armed men-
by those sent to kill me, tormented by thirst... You can still re-
count. The only thing I was missing was a wet-
drenched in the rain.
And it started to rain!
There are ups and downs in life, beautiful and disgusting...
great moments, sublime anddepressed states of mind, but
feelings can never overwhelm you. If you
love someone very much, you cannot love him
even stronger. I think so. Never had personal experience with
this account. But I had plenty of experience about getting
Denmark into the wolf pits. Where I was now. Further omit-
there was nowhere to go, and nothing could plunge me into further
more despondency. Except that the rain did it. I started notu-
xohbky xuxukatb - then I had to cover my mouth with my hand,
so as not to laugh out loud. When the laughter died down, inside me
rage rose. This is not how you treat a modest, but angry-
poured by a stainless steel rat! Which is also dangerous
is about to rust. I straightened my legs and with difficulty suppressed the vomiting
She moans. The pain still didn't go away, but anger started it
drown out. I held the gun in my hand and stuck the sword into the ground and, yx-
Grabbing the tree branches with his free hand, he forced himself
rise to your feet. Leaning on my sword, I stood, swaying from
side to side. But he didn't fall. Finally I was able to make one
an unsteady step, followed by another, and he walked, barely moving his feet.
gi, away from your pursuers and criminal environment
Kano Documentation. The forest was quite dense, and I made my way through
visible paths for an immeasurably long time. I left the chase yes-
Leko behind, I was sure of it. Therefore, when the foreststarted
thin out, and then completely ended, I leaned against a tree,
taking a breath, he looked around at the plowed fields. The time has come to believe
enter a man's lair. Where there is naxota, they must
to be plowmen. They weren't hard to find. When will I get back to you-
Losing strength, I wandered, stumbling, along the edge of the field, ready
hide in the forest at any moment at the sight of an armed man
ka. And then I was very happy to see a small farm
house. It seemed to have grown into the ground and was covered with straw, and in it
there were no windows. At least from this side. But there was smoke
a passage from which smoke rose in a thin stream. drown
there was no need for a stove in such a hot climate, which means
it was a kitchen fireplace. Food. When I think about food, my stomach swells.
began to seethe and rumble and express dissatisfaction. I felt
same thing. It wouldn't hurt to have some food and wet your throat.
It was impossible to find a better place for this than this abandoned
a farm blessed by God and people. This is true. I walked along the furrow to
house and, walking around it, found himself in front of the entrance. No one. But
someone's voices, even laughter, rushed through the open door - and
the smell of cooking! Hooray! I walked slowly through the open door,
cutting the hallway.
- Hello, people. Look who came to your place for lunch.
They gathered around a wooden table scraped with a scraper.
no less than chalf a dozen, young and old, fat and xy-
breath. With the same expression of extreme surprise on their faces.
Even the child stopped crying and, imitating adults,
looking at me. The gray-haired old man broke the general stupor,
jumping up with such haste that his stool has three legs
rolled over onto the floor.
“Welcome, your honor, welcome,” he said.
he pulled his forelock with all his might, bowing low as a sign that
he is very pleased with my visit. - How can we help you?
honorable sir?
- If you could share your meal...
- Come in! Sit down! Have lunch! We have, however, very
a modest table, but we will gladly share it with you. Here!
He replaced his chair and invited me to sit. Oc-
Tales rushed headlong from the table so as not to disturb
me. Apparently, they could easily recognize human
nature and realized that I was a reliable guy - or maybe they just
they saw my sword and gun. The wooden bowl was filled with
cauldron hanging over the fire and placed in front of me. Level
life here was a little higher than in the slave pen, so
how I was provided with a wooden spoon. I pounced on food c
undisguised pleasure. It was a vegetable stew in which
sometimes came acrosspieces of meat, everything was fresh copbahoe and
tasted wonderful. Ice water was served in a clay cup, and
I didn't need anything else. While I was eating my lunch,
farmers huddled together quietly whispering something
in the far corner of the room. I doubt they were up to anything...
be incredible. However, I kept an eye on them alone
peephole and held his hand next to the hilt of the sword lying on
table. When I finished the stew and burped loudly - they
They buzzed in unison at this favorable review of mine about their cakes.
haphom art, - the old man separated from the crowd and walked out
ed. He pushed the confused young man in front of him, who
Lyadel was no older than me.
- Honorable sir, may I speak to you? - I
He waved his hand in agreement and burped again. He smiled
in response and nodded. - Oh, you flatter my culinary abilities -
there. You, apparently, are a man of great intelligence and good feelings.
tbom of humor, educated and handsome as well as gorgeous
warrior, let me suggest you one small matter.
I nodded again: flattery will open any door for you.
- This is my third son, Dreng. He is strong and diligent, very
good worker. But our farm is small, and the hungry
there are many mouths to feed, it is difficult for us to feed them, especially since half
well, we have to give back what we growour dear
Gomu Kano Doccia for the sake of his protection over us.
As he spoke, he lowered his head, but his voice was as good as
Burning hatred sounded like resignation. I thought that
the only one from whom Kano Doccia could protect these poor
people - this is from Kano Doccia itself. He pushed Dreng forward
ed and squeezed his bicep.
- Like a stone, sir, he is very strong. He always strived
become a mercenary warrior like your honor. Warrior, armed and
self-confident, in the service of some
the honorable sir. A noble occupation. which to
will also give him the opportunity to bring to his poor family
several rpoytob [H pence coin (uctop.)].
- I am not recruiting soldiers.
- Of course, honorable sir! If he goes
spearman to Kano Docsia, he will not earn either money or
glory, only quick death.
“True, true,” I agreed, although I had heard about it
for the first time in my life. The old man's train of thought puzzled me somewhat.
but it was useful for learning about the way of life on Cnuobehte.
I did not specify the details about this holiday from
nodding title. And he was quite mature for his
th age. Or the year on this planet has been too long. I
nodded.- A good age for a squire. Now tell me
do you know your future responsibilities? - yes, of course, I will get-
above me, since I didn’t know at all. He nodded vigorously
answer.
- I know that, sir, I know that well. Old man Kvetchi was once
soldier and told me about it many times. Clean and
polish sword and gun, bring food from a common cauldron, fill
fill a flask with water, crush lice with stones...
- Great, that's enough. I see that you know everything very well.
Even about the last not very pleasant procedure. Well, for
your labors you expect to receive military lessons from me
profession,” he quickly nodded in agreement. In the room
everyone became quiet while I thought about my life. How old are you?
He looked at me from under a long lock of hair and, stuttering,
I said.
- It's almost four, just in time for the Earthworm Festival.
at least a little, but certainly in the right way.
Due to Dreng's new appointment, work that day was
ratified. The homemade beer was absolutely disgusting, but it contained
there was a considerable amount of alcohol. And this could not have come at a better time. I
I drank a little to dull the pain, but nottoo zealous
stvyya, so as not to fall drunk under the table, like everyone else -
new I waited until the old man was in good condition, and began to...
quietly elicit information from him.
- I came here from afar and have no idea about the locals
events,” I told him. - I heard, however, that you are here
the local bully is rampant, Kano Docsia, rude and xbac-
Tyh.
- Rude! - he growled and added to this many red-
juicy epithets. - Poisonous snakes crawl in all directions
out of fear when he approaches. And everyone knows well
that his gaze could kill a baby.
It seems that this was the case, but it did not represent to me
I'm of great interest. Apparently I didn’t calculate the duration
drunkenness, and now it was useless to expect anything from him
something intelligible. I looked for Dreng and found
cursed that he greedily clung to the huge clay
jug of beer. I took the drink from him and started shaking him
until he came to his senses a little.
- Let's go. It's time for us to say goodbye...
“Are we leaving?” he blinked quickly, trying to concentrate.
your opinion. Without much success.
- We. Let's leave. Now. B hike.
- A-ah, inhike. “I’ll take my blanket,” he stood, rocking—
swaying from side to side and never ceasing to blink rapidly. -
Where is your blanket, can I carry it?
- The enemies took away, like everything else that I had,
except for the sword and the gun, which I will not let go of my hands while in my
heart beats in the chest.
- Heart in chest... Great! I'll take the blankets.
He rummaged around in the far corner of the room and appeared with two
household blankets, not paying attention to the lamentations of the hostess
about the winter cold. Even the most necessary things are not easy
which went to the local peasant. I will have to in time
It’s time to get at least a little rpoytob for Dreng. He stood now
with blankets hanging over the shoulder and a large leather bag,
stuffed to capacity - with a menacing look attached to the belt
knife in a wooden sheath. I waited outside without wanting to
watch the traditional parting scene, full of tears and
farewell messages. Finally he came out, having sobered up a little -
walking, but still slightly swaying on his feet.
- Lead the way, master.
- You will show me the way. I want to visit the castle
Kano Documentation.
- No! Do you really want to fight him?
- Someday, when the time comes. Afor now the whole point is
that my friend is locked up there. I need to send
a little message for him.
- It’s very dangerous to even just come close to the castle.
- I know that, but I'm not afraid of anything. And I need to get in touch
with your friend. Show the way - and it’s better through the forest, if
you don't mind. I don't want Kano to notice us
Doccia or his people.
Obviously, Dreng didn't want this either. He's completely npot-
frolicked, leading me along barely noticeable forest paths to npotubo-
the opposite end of the forest. I carefully looked out onto the road, leading...
leading to the drawbridge and to the entrance to the castle.
“A little more and they will see us,” he whispered. I'll look-
looked up into the midday sun and nodded in agreement.
- What a day. We'll lie down here in the forest and then move on
in the morning.
- You can't move on! This is death! - he chattered his teeth -
mi, although the day was hot. He hurriedly led me back to
forest thicket, into a shallow hollow, covered with grass and running
flowing along it like a fast stream. He took out some clay from his bag
cup, filled it with water and brought it to me. I fell to her and
I thought that having a squire was not so bad. Having done
his business, he spread the blankets on the grass and immediately fell asleep on
them. Isat down, leaning his back against a tree, and for the first time
examined the gun. It was completely new and sparkled
the sun did not fit in with this dislocated world. Outside
There is no doubt that it came here from a Venian ship. Elephant
said that they must be smuggling weapons
zhiya. And now I held this weapon in my hands. I became
look at it more carefully. No distinctive
signs, no number, no series - no marks where it was
manufactured. This is understandable. If even one gun hits
hand to a representative of the Galactic League, it will be impossible to refuse
to wonder how it got to this planet and where it came from. There was a gun
small size, somewhere between a standard screw-
coy and a pistol. I can boast that I know a little co
small arms - being an honorary member of the Rifle
Club Peli Gates, since I shoot quite accurately and more than once
helped them win prizes - but nothing like I've done before
I haven't seen it. I looked into the trunk. Thirty gauge, unusual
for smooth-bore weapons. With a rigid sight, trigger
hook with a safety catch, with a small lever on the barrel. I
turned it, and the gun broke in half. There are races across the earth
a whole handful of small cartridges fell. I'm paying close attention
looked at one of them and finally began to understand how to create
communicate with this gun.- Cleverly. No kahabok and grooves, so there is nothing to worry about
Make sure the barrel is clean. And in order not to make unnecessary ex-
relov, bullets are equipped with tiny fins so that they fly
or straight ahead and didn’t turn anywhere. And, ha ha, we would have done it
a glorious hole in the body of the one who would be hit. Yes here too
there is no cartridge case - no worries about used coppers, - I
looked into the chamber. - Everything is very rational and understandable to everyone -
damn fool. Place the cartridges into the recess in the barrel. When you
If you do that, put another one in the chamber. Close and latch.
A small photocell to recharge batteries. Click on
the trigger, the screen in the chamber heats up white-hot, and
the charge explodes. The gas in the cartridge expands due to temperature and
bursts out of him, along with a bullet - and some of his
part pushes the next cartridge into the chamber. Primitive
safe for inexperienced shooters, easy to use. And cmep-
tohocho.
Depressed and tired, I put the gun next to me,
placed the sword closer, lay down on the blanket and followed the good
Dreng's example.
By sunrise we had slept and were a little hungry.
Dreng brought me some water and handed me a strip of something that looked like
dried skin was gone. He took the same one for himself and began diligently
but chewher. Breakfast in bed is simply wonderful! I
I bit into my piece and almost broke my tooth. This is not
only resembled dried leather, but also had exactly the same
taste.
By the time the bridge came down, its chains clanging,
We were lying in a grove on a hill very close to the castle. It was
the closest shelter we could find. Understandable
reasons, all the trees and bushes on the approaches to the gate were
cut down. It was not as close as I would have liked
I wanted to, but I had to put up with it. But for Dreng it is
was too close, judging by the way he was shaking everything
body pressed against me. The first one to come out of the gate was the short one.
armed man, followed by four slaves, hair
take a cart behind you.
- What will happen now? - I asked.
- Tax collection. They go to get their share of the harvest.
- We see who comes out of the gate - and your farmers when-
do they ever enter the castle?
- God forbid! Never!
- Don’t you sell them food?
- They themselves take from us everything they need.
- And you don’t sell them firewood either?
- They steal everything from us.Yes, they have some kind of one-sided economy, gloomily thinking
I barked. But I had to decide on something, because I couldn’t
leave the Elephant as a slave in this God-damned place.
My thoughts were interrupted by a commotion that appeared outside the gates.
sucker. And then, as if my thoughts were mixed with reality,
terribly, a stout figure jumped out of the gate, knocking down
guard, and ran away as fast as she could. Elephant! Running in
all supports. But armed guards were already rushing after him.
ki.
- Take this and run after me! - I shouted, trying to bcy-
give Dreng the hilt of his sword. I ran down the hill like this
quickly as he could, shouting as he went to attract them
attention. But they didn't even look in my direction until I
shot over their heads.
And then it began. The guards slowed down, one of them even
fell to the ground, covering his head with his hands. The elephant continued to amaze
army - but one of his pursuers was very close
behind him, waving a long spear. He finally got them
Elephant and knocked him down. I shot again while running, re-
burping through the Elephant and knocking down the spearman with his butt
guns.
- Up the hill! - I shouted when I saw that the Elephant
tryingrise to your feet; blood was pouring all over his back. I
he banged twice more and turned to help him. And see-
it happened that Dreng was clutching his sword with his hand - but lay motionless on
top of the hill.
- Go down and help him, otherwise I’ll kill you myself! -
I shouted, turning around and opening fire on the enemy. I'm nobody
I shouted, turning around and opening fire on the enemy. I'm nobody
didn’t hurt, but didn’t let them raise their heads. Elephant stumbling
climbed up, and Dreng, in whom his conscience spoke -
or fear that I would actually kill him - went down to
to our aid. Bullets whistled above us, so I, spinning
like a top, it fired in all directions.
We reached the top of a low hill and rushed to
side of the saving forest. We had to half drag
on himself the heavy body of the Elephant, because he could hardly drag his feet,
stumbling at every step. I glanced at his back -
and made sure that the wound was shallow, nothing to worry about. Our
the pursuers were still not visible when we were at full
they crashed into dense thickets of bushes and disappeared under
canopy of trees.
- Dreng, get us out of here! They shouldn't understand us now
mother! ┌──────────────────────┐
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