"Arcady And Boris Strugatsky. Prisoners of Power" - читать интересную книгу автораWell, 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?" 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." |
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