Fix and Fishermans Software
presents
-W-O-R-L-D-S
- Novella -
Special for ZX POWER.
________________________________
I just woke up. Consciousness gradually returned,
anabioznogo recent spell of sleep
left my brain. I looked around,
trying to understand where I am.
Appliances, fluorescent light power
lamps, porthole - a reality
poured into my mind. I sat down,
legs dangling from the base anabioznoy cab again looked around.
Normal anabioznaya cutting, such
well as on hundreds of other spacecraft, except that
smaller size. All systems
worked in his usual mechanical rhythm. I scanned the
instruments: the work of the heart, brain and spinal cord,
heart rate, blood pressure. Everything was normal, there was
evidence of that overcoming the enormous
distance my body moved normally.
I got up, walked across the room and, as stated in instruction
checked other devices. Making sure that no problems
I left the cabin. Going into the cargo compartment I inspected
containers. Just as I thought they were empty. Hence Agency not
deign to give me the goods, fine! The mood immediately is
spoiled. A vague and bitter feeling came over me.
Once inside the control cabin, I
inspected equipment. Here too
reigned its order, as if
time, stopping their endless running, died on the spot.
Looking at the monitor, I called
card system. "The sun of Hell -
big star, comparable to the
size of the Sun Solar
System and only two of the planet: Fons and Kritt. Both planets
were similar to the Earth, and differed very little. On one of
the They had registered intelligent life forms.
I called information for the shuttle. Thus, the space shuttle
BARS-172157; crew: 1 person;
recommended: small trade
operation of small planetary systems; capacity: 30 tons;
board number: VZ-5.
A hasty bite, I once again
inspected the ship. Small room, only four cuttings -
standard for at least one
the pilot, any hints on usability. Fully automated control
system, everything was just and understandable. Configures the
computer falls into suspended animation, prosypaeshsya and you
had already arrived. Just to tupoty. Even a complete idiot
would be able to manage this tub.
I swore. "Very well then I cheated! Perfect maneuverable
craft, advanced civilization! ".
We have nothing. Agency
simply unwilling to risk their money. Why would they give me
over a new boat? Why?
After all, if I die here, far away
from the busy space trails
they will not be able to regain their property. They have all
been thoroughly thought through. Hands clenched fists. "Never
mind, we 'll see whose take it! ". I have
possession of a cold determination.
Now that it happened, we'll have to get used to the good
this world, to learn all of its laws. To know to survive.
I thought of the Agency. He remembered how it was. For a
certain amount to pay students for admissions, the Agency was
taken to teach them. They trained at a special
program, taught everything: from
ability to provide first aid to control
sophisticated machines and aircraft
apparatus. After passing
the course of the Agency came out completely different
chelovek.Chelovek, knows its place in society,
ability to respond adequately
to various life situations,
person who can protect their
name. The agency gave to the pilot
new ship, betrayed him
weight and direction to one of the
systems of the galaxy. Little
Part of the proceeds went to the pilot
by the Agency. If the pilot does not
able to do business, it is fully covered by the money he had
paid for admission to the Agency. The firm prospered. Many of
the pilots tried to get here.
I remembered the last examination day. Everything behind:
positioning ships, extraterrestrial contacts, Engineering and
more another. The long-lit
tunnel, I went to the last
test - suspended animation. Meet me
were these the same drivers as I do.
The faces of many of them expressed satisfaction. They take the
exam. I also walked with a slight heart, because after a few
hours, I get the key to its
fate. And I was sure that I will make my career!
The exam takes two familiar
my instructor. Clearly and quickly
I answered the questions of the examiners, looking askance at
their stern faces. To them I was just just another student, one
of thousands, the same is not conspicuous,
like all the others. It was them
everyday work.
I was finishing my explanation of the structure device for
hibernation, as One of them stood up, turned
me:
- Mr. James, we would
make some measurements. Not
Could you go to anabioznik?
This will be your last test.
- Of course ... Yes, sir!
A childlike rejoicing, I lay in
booth. Does not in itself
doubting, I was prepared for
controlled trial of my body. A few moments later I get a diploma
Agency. Everything was going as
can not be better!
Cover and gently lowered me
began to sink into a dream ...
I woke up from the memories.
Yes, after all, they cleverly framed me. Neither Georgia nor
the direction of the old ship ...
After sitting a little, resulting in their
thoughts in order, I ran his fingers over the keyboard. Screen
blinking, was filled with information. Once again, I re-read
the history of space exploration.
2089 ... Humanity has finally started to master space. Master
for real. Those fruitless attempts, which were made before this
came to nothing led. As a result, thousands of startups entire
orbit was literally packed with fragments of ships and all
sorts of technical garbage. At that could expect when
to enter into orbit
spent rocket fuel in tens of times its weight? But
Yet humanity is gradually
looked out into space. Was built base on the moon, does
investigated closest to the Earth planet. But on further manned
flights of the question could not. Interstellar Journeys
seemed so, well out of reach as ever. And only the countless
testimonies and Thousands of pictures of UFOs endowed
people hope.
And so 12 years ago there was
event, which helped mankind to really get into
space. March 1, 2077 was recorded by astronomers
object of enormous proportions, which appeared suddenly in the
orbit of Mars. Space object, in the early taken as a huge
meteorite, with great speed approaching
Land. When it became clear that
its collision with Earth is inevitable, it was decided
Elimination of outer tela.Odnako released super-missiles at the
target were not included, but were as would be absorbed by
objects. Several days Merging State Government was in turmoil.
It was clear that conflict is inevitable ...
Object, faced with fragments of ships in orbit a bit
slowed its decline, but still
fell to the ground in the area of Siberia.
Taiga, an area of about three hundred
square killometrov was
almost completely erased.
After the shock of the fall
such a huge body, PhD, the Government is seriously
embarked on a study of "guest"
from outer space ...
But what is found at the bottom
crater, the meteorite could call it was impossible. It was a
huge spaceship ...
After some time, began painstaking work on his
study. On board the "wanderer", as it was called money
media, there is still no deal. Most items ship had been damaged
in result of the collision. However,
that really interested
scientists, so is the engine. He
almost completely escaped.
After his studies, it became clear that the material being
energy source engine is not
can be produced on Earth
since its production was
requires a vacuum and requires enormous expenditures of energy.
"Wanderer" was a cargo ship, as evidenced by the cargo
compartment, occupying almost the entire area. Surviving
containers cargo space were filled with
some breed in early adopted for pieces of meteorites. But
after a comparative
analysis revealed that this
the same material that is used as an energy source for engines,
"wanderer." The material was named "kriptolitom. Kriptolita
found the ship was sufficient to
several thousand spaceships.
Hundreds of ships, the scouts went in search of planets
suitable for life ...
It was about four hundred and fifty years ago. Now
things have changed radically.
People - full masters of space. Among the stars were found
dozens of intelligent races. There were days of joy
novootkryvaniya, and the bitterness hostilities, of which
Earthlings came out victorious.
Humanity is proud to conquer the space ...
But one event has called into
questioned not only the further
the conquest of space by mankind,
but also the existence of mankind,
as a race at all.
Shuttle intelligence discovered the solar system with
intelligent life forms on one planet. It was noted that living
conditions on this planet suitable for humans.
Fifty years later began
relocation, which is already over
two years, ended abruptly.
Government Planets visas are not betrayed, displaced on the
planet not allowed. The same as before
arrived in the system did not return. Anxious relatives
more than once appealed to the Intergalactic Service with a
request to find out something has happened, but positive
results were not. Several times the ships service is trying to
make a landing on the planet systems, but each time they
intercepted before landing time to do anything. Pilots
also did not return. After
several unsuccessful attempts
Service was announced that if
intrusion into the system will continue, this will entail more
serious action than the intercept intelligence shuttles. In
order to do the first step to war, the Service has ceased to
intrude into the System.
But this step is not voltage
removed, but rather increased. Relatives earthlings, including
were very influential people,
created a grouping of sympathy and
began to try all sorts of spobami
access to the System. Since
Central Government for war
was undesirable, the grouping of Compassion exist semi-legally
and naturally no access to the system did not have. On
This was all over, if not
for one thing. After the incident on the Martian base detainees
were captured by five warships. Demonstrating resourcefulness
Grouping misappropriated warships currently. And after a while
radar systems spotted a group of five ships of war in their
border. Once the same have been raised
flotilla defense. Struck up a battle in which earthlings was
assigned the unenviable fate of the vanquished. The battle is
coming to an end, shipwrecks earthlings soared in
space, but something happened.
The main government only watch the group until recently, sent a
flotilla Support. And again, silent space lit flare. Armada
faced with a another. Now ships systems lost. Their blue and
white the case becomes less and less
and less. And so, when was the last
was destroyed and the Terrans
congratulated himself on his victory, the event has happened,
abruptly turn the tide of battle.
The space was lit up by a powerful directional beam, coming
from one of the planets. Ships Earthlings began to melt, as
svechki.A after a while there was an explosion, after which,
small sparks began to explode fused ships earthlings. It seemed
that the space vibrates to the beat blasts. Was
It can be seen as yet dnem.Prostranstvo
once lit up. And then there was
powerful explosions which shook the
space. One of the planets
system exploded with a furious
force. Her pieces have filled the void. With the breakneck
speed they raced into space. Wisps of matter
hail fell upon the planet.
Such rain has never seen!
From the sky rained stones: large and
small, all of this squall struck the planet, sweeping away
everything in its path. The day was like the night.
Few survived.
The incident caused a shock among
inhabitants of the galaxy. It was clear that
The system has adopted some powerful weapons. Immediately, the
same was convened Big Board, which included
All representatives reasonable races.
At the Council it was agreed that this type of weapon to
threaten the inhabitants Galaxy and the race, has applied
this weapon must be destroyed.
In same-day invasion of the system again. But Well see
captains? Planet, descended from orbit, covered with stones,
the space filled with dust .. The system was dead!
It took about two hundred and fifty years. Clash of the System
almost forgotten, but the secret weapon was legendoy.No proved
planet systems that are alive! The local form of life once
again revived, and the people who lived in these planets, not
all were killed.
These long two hundred and fifty
years, the system restores itself. The stones were transported
to space, restored buildings, civilian and military objects.
During this time, around the next systems form a ring
asteroydov, transported to the planetary systems. As the
recovery of the planets inhabitants are redistributed, and the
natives - Terumah remained at home planet, and gradually
replaced out of people. People are the same settled on Gvitole.
Although Government Systems and consisted
of Truman and the people. As
formation generation gap
between the scatter gradually
increased. At Terumah Only qualified lyudyu. In
government dominated Terumah. In foreign policy Terumah
occupied the extreme right side
Considering that the earthlings need to fight and eradicate,
the same people think it is better to establish friendly
relations.
And when, after a while,
The system began to go into space, intergalactic service again
stirred. Now the ratio of earthlings to System was extremely
negative and Everything indicates that a new war is brewing.
Perhaps takby was, if people in the government system is not
convinced Truman of the need for a peace treaty.
And now, after three hundred and ninety
years from the date of the open system was
signed a peace treaty between
Galaxy and the system. Anyone not
warship could penetrate
galactic space, or systems to trade, exchange, extraction of
resources, the recruitment of workers etc. etc.
To earthlings, this meant that
War postponed indefinitely. After another
meeting of the Grand Council was
permitted to conduct reconnaissance missions in the system.
Pilots fly in the system as a voluntary merchants and trying
learn as much as possible. It is not excluded that the Terumah
will also be conduct reconnaissance work, so in the Galaxy have
been strengthened Ny all services. Enemy intelligence system
can not be issued, and after questioning just destroyed.
Under the guise of peace grinned wickedly bloody jaws of the
war ..
I moved away from the monitor. World
with the system lasts for several years now. And even I, a man
far removed from big-time politics, It was clear that the world
is this very tensioned. Well, okay, you need to start thinking
about yourself.
Once again, I re-read information
about the system in which turned out to be.
Planetary system Hellman.
Received its name from the star
Hellman, who was discovered as early as 2010 the Danish
astronomer. Soon on the orbit
star was discovered two planets: Kritt and Fons. Both planets
had similar climatic
terms and conditions were suitable for
human life. At Fons existed even a form of reasonable
zhizni.Pervye settlers appeared
on Kritte about three hundred years ago and organized a small
colony.
Star Hellman, called the pilots "Sun Hell, rather
accurately reproduce the meaning of its
prozvischa.Ne one pilot paid with his life when using
giperperehoda near the star. In the outskirts of the Sun Ada
existed some anomalous zone. When the ship got into this zone,
then no reason obesnimym He suddenly found himself near the Sun
Ada. A few seconds, enough to boarding the ship melted.
Pilots were forbidden to use near giperperehodom
this star, so to bridge the gap in the system used by Hellman
usual stellar engine.
Yes, the information was not much,
shows will have to be tried
place. But what I can do
away from home, without cargo and money?
The future seemed bleak to me. My view has attracted
main screen. I slowly approached one of the planets of Hellman.
Computer hard squeaked, with the message: - On-board VZ-5, you
are welcome on Kritt.
I smiled. Maybe here
I have better luck than in the Agency?
Setting up a computer, I started
descent into the unknown ...
(C) FISHER 'FIX production
Kharkov, 1997.
Coming soon: WORLDS game.
________________________________
