"Arcady And Boris Strugatsky. Prisoners of Power" - читать интересную книгу автора

radiation emitters. Is that true?"
"It is."
"So you could swim across the Blue Snake River at any time and you
wouldn't be harmed?"
"I've already told you that I could escape right now if I wanted to."
"We don't want you to escape. So, as I understand it, the patrol cars
don't bother you either?"
"You mean the mobile emitters? No, they don't bother me."
"Very good," said Vepr. "Then your assignment for the present is
completely settled. You'll be our messenger. When I give the order, you'll
swim across the river and send telegrams from the nearest telegraph office.
Is that clear?"
"Yes, that much is clear, but something else isn't."
Vepr 1ооkеd at Mac without blinking. This aloof, sinewy, crippled old
man was a cold and merciless soldier, a fighter since birth, a terrifying
and intriguing product of a world where human life was worthless; he knew
nothing but struggle, had experienced only struggle, pushed aside everything
but struggle. In his attentive narrowed eyes Maxim read his own fate.
"Yes?" said Vepr.
"Let's settle this right now," said Maxim firmly. "I don't want to act
blindly. I don't intend to get involved in operations that I feel are
foolish and unnecessary."
"For example?"
"I know the meaning of discipline. And I know that without it our work
is useless. But I feel that discipline should be rational, that a
subordinate should feel that an order makes sense. You are ordering me to be
a messenger, and I'm prepared to be one. I can perform more demanding tasks,
but, if necessary, I'll be a messenger. But I must know that the telegrams I
send out will not result in senseless deaths."
Zef started to interrupt, but Vepr and Maxim gestured to him to wait.
"I was ordered to blow up the tower," continued Maxim. "I was not told
why it was necessary. I saw that it was a foolish and deadly plan, but I
carried out the order. I lost three comrades, and then it turned out that
the whole operation was a trap set by government provocateurs. Well, I'm
telling you right now that I've had enough of that kind of stuff. I refuse
to blow up any more towers! And I'll do everything in my power to block
similar plans."
"Well, you are a damned fool!" said Zef. "A pantywaist."
"Why do you call me that?"
"Hold on, Zef," said Vepr, his eyes still riveted on Maxim. "In other
words, Mac, you want to know all the staff's plans?"
"Right. I don't want to work blindly."
"You're downright insolent," declared Zef. "Just too damned insolent!
Listen, Vepr, I still like him. And I know - I've got a good eye for the
right material."
"You're demanding far too much trust from us," said Vepr coldly. "That
kind of trust must be earned."
"And for that, I suppose I'll be expected to knock over those idiot
towers? True, I've been in the underground only a few months, but I've heard
only one thing all this time: towers, towers, towers. I don't want to topple