"George Zebrowski - Stranger Suns" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zebrowski George)

the passage seemed new, with no sign of wear. Not one light was out.

“A culture so advanced,” Lena said, “existing long before us. Could they still be here?"

The passage continued to the right, its black walls displaying the same endless frieze of markings and
oval, doorlike depressions.

Rassmussen said, “It's demoralizing. The lock back there implies a fantastically sophisticated
power-handling capacity."

They entered a large oval area, with a large circular opening in the black floor. The spiral passage
continued to descend on the far side. Juan approached and looked down.

The shaft was lit by orange-yellow light, with no sign of bottom. Warm, oxygen-rich air pumped up from
below. He looked up and saw that the shaft did not continue through the ceiling, then took a coin from his
pocket and dropped it in. It fell slowly, as if held by a force.

Rassmussen said, “It keeps a flat angle."

“An elevator?” Malachi asked, standing on the edge as he peered down.

“Heeeey!” a voice cried behind them. Juan started. The sound echoed through the passage. He turned to
look back.

“Help!” Malachi shouted suddenly.

Juan spun around as his friend fell into the well. “Jesus,” Lena said, dropping to her knees. She reached
out with both hands, but Malachi was already too far down.

“Bloody stupid!” Malachi shouted, waving his arms. His figure dwindled.

“Mal!” Juan called, kneeling next to Lena.

“It's okay,” Malachi answered faintly.

“I can't see him,” Lena said.

Juan glanced up at Rassmussen. The older man seemed confused. “It wasn't a normal fall,” he said,
stepping back from the opening.

“We've got to do something,” Lena said as she and Juan got up.

“Heeeeey!” the cry echoed again behind them.

“Over here!” Lena called back.

Juan heard footsteps. Two silhouettes came around the curve and stopped; a third dark shape joined
them.
“Who are you?” Juan shouted.