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

"Then go," said Rada without turning around.
"Let's go, Mac." Guy pulled his beret over his eye.
"Call me if you're delayed," said Rada.
The orderly obligingly opened the door for Guy. They climbed into the
car and set off for headquarters. Evidently they had been summoned because
of an emergency. Turning the siren up full blast, the driver raced toward
their destination. Guy thought, with some regret, about the pleasant evening
they had left behind. But that was the life of a legionnaire. In a few
minutes they would receive their orders, pick up their guns, and start
shooting. Right on top of a cozy evening: beer, warm pajamas, singing to the
accompaniment of the guitar. Ah, yes, that was the life of a legionnaire,
the best of all possible lives. Wives, girlfriends? No need of them. Mac
didn't want to marry Rada. Never mind, she'd wait. If she loved him, she'd
wait.
The car tore onto the parade ground and braked at the entrance to the
barracks. Guy leaped out and ran up the steps. He stopped short at the door,
checked his beret and belt buckle, gave Mac a quick once-over and fastened
his collar - massaraksh, it was always open! - and knocked.
"Come in!" barked a familiar voice.
Guy entered and reported for duty. Captain Chachu, wearing a cap and
woolen cape, sat behind his desk, smoking and drinking coffee. The cartridge
case in front of him was filled with butts. Two submachine guns rested
against the side of the desk. He rose slowly, leaning heavily on the desk
with both hands. Staring at Mac, he began to speak.
"Candidate Sim! You have shown yourself to be an extraordinary fighter
and a loyal comrade. I applied to the brigade commander for your early
promotion to the rank of regular private in the Fighting Legion. You passed
the test by fire very successfully. Now you will be tested by blood."
Guy was overjoyed: he hadn't expected this to happen so soon. "There's
an old soldier for you!" he thought. "What a fool I was to think he had it
in for Mac." Guy glanced at Mac, and his joy paled at the sight of Mac's
wooden countenance and bulging eyes. All according to regulations. But at
this particular moment it wasn't necessary.
"I am about to hand you an order. Candidate Sim," continual the
captain, handing Mac a document. "It is the first order addressed to you
personally. And I hope not the last. Read it and sign it."
Mac took the order and skimmed through it. Guy's heart skipped again -
not from joy, but from a vague and fearful premonition. Mac's face remained
immobile, and everything appeared to be in order, except that he hesitated
almost imperceptibly before he picked up the pen and signed the document.
The captain examined the signature and placed the paper in his map case.
He picked up a typed envelope from his desk. "Corporal Gaal, go to the
guardroom and bring the condemned prisoners here. Take a gun - no, here,
take this one."
Guy took the envelope, slung the gun over his shoulder, ei-ecuted an
about-face, and marched toward the door. He could still hear the captain
telling Mac: "Don't worry, candidate. No need to get jittery. It's only
frightening the first time."
Guy crossed the field on the double, heading toward the guardhouse. He
handed the chief sentry the envelope, signed in the designated places, and