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

Well, maybe he's right. Hell, I'm not going to let anyone ever take a shot
at me again." He remembered that freezing night in the quarry, the luminous,
lifeless sky and the cold, sticky puddle he lay in. "No, I've had enough of
that. From now on, I'll do the shooting."
"I believe him," said Ordi suddenly. "What he says doesn't make sense,
but that's because he's an unusual man. It's impossible to make up a story
like that: it would be too ridiculous. If I didn't believe him, I'd shoot
him right after hearing such a story, Maybe he's crazy. That's possible. But
he's not a provocateur. I'm for him," she added.
"That's enough, Ordi," said Broadshoulders. "Shut up for a while." He
turned to Maxim. "Were you examined by the commission at the Public Health
Department?"
"Yes, I was."
"And you were certified?"
"Of course."
"Any restrictions?"
"The card just said 'Certified.'"
"What is your opinion of the Fighting Legion?"
"I think that it is a mindless weapon controlled by others, most likely
the All-Powerful Creators. But there's still too much that I don't
understand about it."
"What is your opinion of the All-Powerful Creators?"
"I think they are the ruling clique of a military dictatorship. They
are unscrupulous, but I'm not familiar with their aims."
"And what is your opinion of the degens?"
"I think the term is unfortunate. I think you are conspirators. I don't
quite understand your aims. But I like the people I've seen. All of them
seem honest and - how should I put it - well aware of their actions."
"All right," said Broadshoulders, "what about the pains... do you get
them?"
"Those splitting headaches? No, never."
"Why ask him about that?" said Forester. "If he did, he wouldn't be
sitting here now."
"That's exactly what I want to know. Why is he here?" Broadshoulders
turned to Maxim. "Why did you come to us? Do you want to fight with us?"
Maxim shook his head.
"I couldn't say that. It wouldn't be true. I want to find out what it's
all about. Right now I'd rather be with you than them. But I know so little
about you, too."
His questioners exchanged glances.
"We don't operate that way, my friend," said Forester. "Here's the way
we work: either you're one of us and you go out and fight, or you're not. In
that case, then we... you know what I mean. Where did you say you'd have to
get it, in the head, eh?"
The doctor sighed and knocked out his pipe against the bench.
"An unusual and difficult case. I have a suggestion. Let him question
us. You do have questions, don't you, Mac?"
"That's why I'm here."
"He has a lot of questions." Ordi grinned. "He didn't give my mother a
moment's peace. And bothered me, too."