"Donald Malcom - The Iron Rain" - читать интересную книгу автора (Malcom Donald)

"… are vague, but the meteorite has gouged a channel from the Clyde to
the Forth and destroyed parts of Edinburgh. Fires have broken out in
many places and authorities are trying to keep control. Keep listening for
more news. You are urged not to panic."

"Well?" I didn't conceal my haste to be away.

"You're right, the line's dead." She winced as she stood up and we
hurried out to the empty corridor. I had the radio. We reached the
elevator, but it failed to come up when I pressed the button; someone had
left the door open and the elevator wouldn't operate. We went down the
stairs.

The place was deserted. The noise of our heels echoing eerily was
drowned out by the roar of another meteorite rushing by somewhere to
the south. Instinctively we clung together. The building shook again and a
crack appeared in the wall.

We pulled apart and ran down the remaining stairs until, gasping for
breath, we reached the street. Miss Field's face was drawn with pain.
Everyone had headed for the open at the same time, so we were jostled
and buffeted about. By now it was dark. Lights had been left blazing
everywhere, lending the scene a false festive atmosphere like Mardi Gras
gone mad. High overhead, a long, brilliant streak scored the sky.

The crowds, spilling from the pavements onto the road, were pushing to
no purpose. Cars were marooned in the living sea, and at the foot of John
Street, where my own was parked, police cars were trying desperately to
clear a way through to George Street for ambulances and fire engines. Two
more meteors flashed by.

Taking Miss Field's elbow, I began to push toward my car. If we
couldn't move it anywhere, we might at least be safe inside it for a time.

A voice from a police car blared, miraculously managing to make itself
heard above the din. "Please keep off the road! Ambulances and fire
engines are trying to get through to stricken areas. Please keep…" The
officer was making little impression.

There was a gurgling cry just ahead as a woman tripped and
disappeared under the feet of the crowd. No one picked her up. I pushed
the radio at Miss Field and battled my way to the fallen woman. As soon
as I had helped her, she disappeared into the crowds again, shoving as
hard as ever. My companion was beside me again and gradually we forced
our way to the car.

It was already occupied; the youth glanced up in fear as I grabbed his
collar and pulled him out. The keys he'd been using dropped to the floor.
With a twist, he was out of my grasp and away. I got into the car just after
Miss Field. Suddenly the commotion was dwarfed by a horrible roar and a