"Sergey Lukjanenko - Labyrinth Of Reflections" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lukjanenko Sergey)

* PART 1. The Diver *

I want to close my eyes. This is normal: a colorful kaleidoscope, a
whirlwind of bright sparks - it looks beautiful, but I know what is behind
this beauty.
The Deep. It is called so in English but it seems to me that the
Russian word {glubina} sounds better. Having broader meaning, it changes an
attractive label into the warning: THE Deep! Sharks and octopuses live here.
It's quiet, and presses, presses, presses by the endless space which doesn't
really exist.
In general the deep is kind, in its own way of course. It accepts
everybody. It requires just a little strength to dive, but so much more - to
reach the bottom and to return. The first thing to remember: the deep is
dead without us. One must believe and not believe in it at the same time.
Otherwise one day you'll not be able to surface.


The first movements are the most difficult. The small room, the table
in the middle of it, computer wires from the UPS go to the computer, the
thinner wire plugged into the phone jack. The sofa stands by the wall, under
the luxury carpet, the small fridge is by the opened door to the balcony.
The necessary minimum. Five minutes ago I checked what's in the fridge, so
I'm not threatened by hunger for today.
I turn my head, to the left, to the right - the light darkens in my
eyes for the moment, but it's only a moment. Nevermind, it happens.
- Are you okay, Lenia?
The speakers are set for the full volume, I frown and say:
- Yes.. Lower the volume.
- Lower the volume... lower... lower... - agrees Windows-Home .
- Enough, Vika. {complete form: Victoria, never used in the novel}
Good program, docile, quick-witted and friendly one. Not without too
much self confidence, as any Microsoft product, but I have to put up with
it.
- Good luck, - says the program, - When should I expect you back?
I look at the screen: the woman's face is floating there, framed by
orange sparks, the young and cute face but nothing special. I'm tired of the
model beauty.
- I don't know.
- I'd like to have 10 minutes for self adjustment..
- Okay, but not more. I'll need all resources in 10 minutes.
The face on the screen frowns: the program extracts the keywords.
- Only 10 minutes, - says Windows-Home obediently, - But I must draw
your attention one more time to the fact that the level of the tasks you set
for me does not always correspond to the volume of my RAM. The desired
extension is...
- Shut up. - I rise. "Shut up" is a definite order, the program doesn't
dare to argue after that. I pad to the fridge and get a can of Sprite. The
liquid cools the throat. It's almost a ritual - the deep always dries the
throat. With the can in my hand I come out on the balcony, into the warm
summer evening.