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UNDERGROUND 179
For four days the dog had not bothered Boris, although once in a dream, he still heard a hoarse and annoyingly ringing bark, but he did not see the dog itself. He returned home and told his wife that the business trip was over, after which he went to the shower, but did not reach the bathroom - he sat down on the sofa and passed out for twenty hours. I woke up in absolute cosmic silence, which happens only early in the morning, had breakfast, watching the adventures of a plasticine man on TV in the kitchen.Then he got up, looked out the window and realized that his former life was over: he would never see the general again, nor Makarov, nor Yakov, and the saddest thing - he would not see Dasha Afanasyev either. He only hoped that the dog would not torment him about this.The next day, the old boss, Lieutenant Colonel Kolmogorov, called and said that on Wednesday he should come to work. The business trip was really over, the captain's rank was returned to him.Boris went with his fami
UNDERGROUND 180
“The main problem is that everyone underestimates her,” Uncle Yegor said, buttering a piece of baguette, “even when you directly tell them that disguise increases the likelihood of surviving in battle by sixty percent, they still don’t take it seriously. It flies past the ears.Uncle Yegor scooped up a spoonful of red caviar and bent over the table, looking at Boris.The one who understands its true meaning wins. He continued even more quietly. - In twenty-five years, I have met only two cadets who realized that it was impossible to disguise an armored personnel carrier in three minutes. Only these two got their fair fives. No, of course, I gave fives to those who did not deserve them, otherwise I would have been sent to the reserve ahead of time. But only these two. Only these two deserved it. I even remember their names.– What did they do? One of the boys asked.Uncle Yegor smiled phlegmatically.- And to this, son, you must come yourself, otherwise ... Do you want to be a good mil
UNDERGROUND 181
Boris went to a two-story old house, on which hung a sign with a dog. On the narrow porch at the door stood two large guards in suits.- Me there. Boris said.- Do you have an invitation?- Which?The guard silently pointed to a small poster by the door. Boris read:"Sunday. The end of the world with the blue dog! Only for the chosen ones. The bar is closed to visitors.- They are waiting for me! - Boris got angry and moved to the guard. He pushed him away, so that Boris almost fell off the porch onto the sidewalk.- I'm from the police. - Boris said, regretting that he could no longer name a more influential department. However, he remembered that he also did not have an investigative committee certificate with him.The door of the bar opened, and a strong, muscular Caucasian man stepped out. A t-shirt draped over ribbed pecs and under an unbuttoned leather jacket bore slanted letters: UFC.Boris felt the heavy scent of men's eau de toilette and some spices.- What's going on here? -
UNDERGROUND 182
In the cosmically vast corridor, the two figures seemed so tiny that I wanted to reach out, grab them and put them in my pocket. Sharp eyesight allowed them to look after them for a long time, until they were swallowed up by an alarming haze. He gave them everything he could - weapons, knowledge, his own experience and something else that they did not know about - like that couple thirty years ago. And still it was very little. But alas, their time had come, and there was nothing he could do about it. Perhaps he would have come up with something more reliable if he knew that the pendulum of fortune had begun to swing in the opposite direction, but he was only a man.At the moment when Pustovalov was saying goodbye to Dasha and Viktor, seventy-three floors above in a spacious room, the former investigator of the military prosecutor's office of the Baltic garrison, Krutilov, who was acting deputy head of the security service for operational work in U-4, got up from his chair. He went up
UNDERGROUND 183
Having launched the most important organizational mechanism, Krutilov approached Igor Nikolaevich, who, seeing the first results, was about to leave the premises.– Igor Nikolayevich, I don’t see Savitsky here.He reports directly to management.“I know, but he usually attends security meetings…”- AND?“If Maurice comes back today…Igor Nikolaevich shook his head.- Such information is not subject to dissemination."Even with what's going on?"Igor Nikolaevich was very tall and in his student years he was a member of the junior basketball team of the city of Bologna. Therefore, he had to lean towards Krutilov so that only he could hear the answer.- Listen, Krutilov, I have already said: this situation is not capable of harming the system. This means that the rules regarding key issues must be strictly observed.“But I can act on my own assumptions?”“Nothing inside is capable of harming the system. I think my answer is clear to you. To complete the task, do whatever you think is nec
UNDERGROUND 184
In the tenth block, Victor outlined the main and alternate routes to the backup operator's room, drew a map and memorized it. There were many reasons for unrest, but Victor tried not to think about it, repeating the algorithm of actions to himself, although Pustovalov said that you should not program yourself for only one course of action - it was still easier for him. In addition, there was another source of excitement nearby - Dasha.Although Dasha was in a medical uniform, disguised with the help of large glasses and a special medical helmet, she frowned all the time and looked at the floor, she was still beautiful and Viktor (also well disguised with the help of Pustovalov) noticed that she attracted too many curious male views, especially the views of the guards.In the end, Victor, seeing several people in dark uniforms ahead, suggested that Dasha turn onto the nearest stairs.It was quiet on the stairs.- Too many of them. That usually doesn't happen! Like something happened! -
UNDERGROUND 185
Dasha turned and approached the monitors.- He is there?Victor pointed to one: a top view of the door and a large elongated "two". A figure of a guard just appeared at the door, and immediately disappeared. Dasha recognized Pustovalov's movements and felt a surge of strength. She put her hand on Victor's shoulder.He is ready to wait. Do not rush.Victor couldn't shake his excitement. Figures, windows jumped before his eyes, and he thought about how they tied him to an iron chair so that he would not kick when they sawed off his leg. But as soon as he pulled himself together and began to think in his usual way, he realized that the “problem” was not worth a damn. The control program simply used the old interface.Victor quickly opened the necessary tabs and finally opened the door to the second block.- I'm just an idiot. – Guilty ascertained he.- Happened? Dasha turned around.He's already inside! Three more times left, and we can get out of here!Dasha nodded.***Pustovalov and K
UNDERGROUND 186
Victor had been staring intently at the small screen for several minutes now, distracted only by a quick glance at his watch. His palms were sweaty, his heart was beating loudly, his leg twitched under the chair. Finally, a little belatedly, two black shapes appeared on the bluish screen. One of them touched the door twice - a conventional sign. Victor pressed the button on which his finger had been lying for a long time. The door of the residential block "2s" quickly went to him. Victor's heart was relieved, closing the door behind those who had passed, he jumped up, unable to contain his excitement any longer.- There is! One more time and that's it!Dasha silently looked at him. She stood at the door, watching the corridor and hall through a small gap. Victor could not now think about safety either, and now he understood why Pustovalov had sent them together. But after all, someone here ate cheburek and read a magazine? Why has he been gone for so long? Or maybe he noticed them? Pa