THE OUTLAND

9

The midshipman turned over his right shoulder and, without looking back, hurried somewhere deep into the port, past the creaking beams of supporting structures where automatic loaders were working. And they say that people used to do a lot here, with their hands. To be honest, it didn’t fit in my head how a person could do at least something with a five-ton container. But perhaps they managed somehow?

— We to "Flying"? - I asked the broad back, covered in black cloth.

Without turning around, he shook his head and turned a few times. It seemed that he was either winding, covering his tracks, or…

It finally arrived. Cameras! Well, of course. If you work here long enough, you will learn both the location of the surveillance devices and their sectors of view. And if you wish...

As if guessing my thoughts, the midshipman chuckled approvingly and quickened his pace, sped up.

“Keep up, boy.

And he jumped out through the half-open gate at the checkpoint. The attendant, as if by magic, was no