"Alexander Kazantsev. The Destruction of Faena (ГИБЕЛЬ ФАЭНЫ, англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

As it drew nearer, Deimo became a gigantic, irregularly shaped lump of
rock, and soon a small star became visible next to it. This was Space
Station Deimo, the Faetians' destination.
Then they were able to see that this star was a ring inclined at slight
angle to the mass of Mar. Comparable to the planet Sat, it was a satellite
of Mar's satellite. Finally, their eyes began to ache with staring at this
artificial metal structure, which was reflecting the rays of Sol.
The first pilot of Quest, Smel Ven, the celebrated astronaut of the
Superiors, was executing a complicated manoeuvre to approach the axis of the
station's wheel and dock on to the central compartment. The silvery tail of
the greenhouse extended from the station, a bright line receding into the
darkness.
When Quest moved up to Deimo station, engineer Tycho Veg summoned Brat
Lua to the central compartment as the mechanic who did the heavy work. Mrak
Luton, the chief of the station, did not consider it necessary to go up to
the central compartment in order to "float about on the loose" in null
gravity. He preferred to stay in the ring corridor and paced round it,
important and pompous, with his hands thrust behind his back.
The name Mrak (Gloom), given to him in his early youth, suited him: a
pudgy, rectangular face, sparse grey hair and small, suspicious eyes under
the tufted eyebrows.
He did not linger by the lift-cage but continued promenading in the
same direction all the time until finally, after he had gone round the whole
outer ring, he turned up in the corridor on the other side.
However, all three Faetesses, unable to restrain their curiosity, met
at the lift-cage.
The first to come out into the corridor was the exceptionally tall Dm
Sat.
The ladies respectfully inclined their heads.
Two Faetians came next.
The giant Gor Terr, up to the eyes in whiskers, was the ship's flight
engineer and one of the men who designed it. He had a pronounced stoop,
thanks to which his arms seemed uncommonly long. His friends used to joke
that in height, strength and appearance he resembled the ancestors of the
Faetians. However, his low, hairy brow hid an exceptional mind.
His new friend, Toni Fae, educated and refined, wrote poetry. He had a
round face, a thin nose and wide-open eyes behind big spectacles.
Nega Luton took charge of the gigantic Gor Terr. Ala Veg took the
youthful Toni Fae under her wing.
Um Sat went of his own accord to the roundhead Lada Lua.
"Will the gentle Faetess show me to where I can have a rest?"
Lada Lua blushed and, beside herself with happiness, led the great sage
to his appointed cabin.
Ala Veg ran down the corridor with a provocative laugh, beckoning Toni
Fae to catch up with her. She conducted him into a comfortable cabin and sat
down in a light chair.
"And so is it not true, Toni Fae, that we have kindred souls. Is it by
chance that we are both astronomers, that we find ourselves amid the stars
and are sitting within reach of one another?"
Toni Fae took off his spectacles to see more clearly.