"Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. Probationers (engl) " - читать интересную книгу автора

- Here you are, please, - said Yura. He placed his reference on the
table and moved a few steps away.
Bykov produced from his shirt-pocket great old-fashioned glassed and,
holding them up to his eyes, very attentively and, as Yura decided, twice in
a row, read the document after which it was handed to Yurkovski.
- How did it happen, that you fell behind your group? - he asked
sharply.
- I... You see, it's a family matter...
- In more detail, young man, - thundered Yurkovski. He was reading the
professional reference, holding it in an outstretched hand and taking sips
from the glass.
- You see, my mum suddenly became ill, - said Yura. An appendicitis
attack. You see, there was no way I could leave. My brother is in an
expedition... Dad is at the North Pole at the moment... I couldn't...
- Does your mum know, that you volunteered to go into space? - asked
Bykov.
- Yes, of course.
- She agreed?
- Y-yes...
- Are you engaged?
Yura shook his head. Yurkovski carefully folded the recommendation and
laid it on the edge of the table.
- Tell me, young man, - he asked, - why weren't you... er... replaced?
Yura blushed.
- I really pleaded with them, - he said quietly. - And everyone thought
that I will catch up. I came just one day late...
Silence set in and one could here, how on Friendship walk the
'Varangian guests' yelled discordantly. Either drowning their sorrows or
sprucing up their fortune. Possibly, at Old Joyce's.
- Do you have... err... acquaintances at Mirza-Charlie? - Yurkovski
asked cautiously.
- No, - said Yura. - I only arrived today. I just met this one comrade
in a cafe. His name is Ivan and he...
- And where did you go for inquiries?
- To the duty officer at passenger communications and the hotel
administrator.
Bykov and Yurkovski swapped glances. It seemed to Yura, that Yurkovski
shook his head with slight negation.
- Well, this is not such a big deal, - grumbled Bykov.
Yurkovski suddenly spoke sharply:
- I really cannot understand, why we need a passenger.
Bykov was thinking.
- Honestly, I will not get in anyone's way, - said Yura with
conviction. - And I am ready to do anything.
- Even ready to die a beautiful death, - muttered Bykov.
Yura bit his lip. My chances are crap, he thought. God, how badly
stuffed I am. Oh, how badly...
- I really need to get to Rhea, - he said. He suddenly realised with
perfect lucidity, that this is his final chance and he cannot count on
tomorrows meeting with the director's deputy.