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Deathworld by Harry Harrison, Chapter - IV

Chapter - IV

IV.

"Don't talk stupidly," Kerk said as he punched for a duplicate order of steak. "There are much simpler ways of committing suicide. Don't you realize that you're a millionaire now? With what you have in your pocket you can relax the rest of your life on the pleasure planets. Pyrrus is a death world, not a sightseeing spot for jaded tourists. I cannot permit you to return with me." Gamblers who lose their tempers don't last long. Jason was angry now. Yet it showed only in a negative way. In the lack of expression on his face and the calmness of his voice.

"Don't tell me what I can or cannot do, Kerk Pyrrus. You're a big man with a fast gun—but that doesn't make you my boss. All you can do is stop me from going back on your ship. But I can easily afford to get there another way. And don't try to tell me I want to go to Pyrrus for sightseeing when you have no idea of my real reasons." Jason didn't even try to explain his reasons, they were only half realized and too personal. The more he traveled, the more things looked the same to him. The old, civilized planets sank into a drab similarity. Frontier worlds all had the crude sameness of temporary camps in a forest. Not that the galactic worlds bored him. It was just that he had found their limitations—yet had never found his own. Until he met Kerk he had acknowledged no man his superior, or even his equal. This was more than egotism. It was facing facts. Now he was forced to face the fact that there was a whole world of people who might be superior to him. Jason could never rest content until he had been there and seen for himself. Even if he died in the attempt.

None of this could be told to Kerk. There were other reasons he would understand better.

"You're not thinking ahead when you prevent me from going to Pyrrus," Jason said. "I'll not mention any moral debt you owe me for winning that money you needed. But what about the next time? If you needed that much lethal goods once, you'll probably need it again some day. Wouldn't it be better to have me on hand—old tried and true—than dreaming up some new and possibly unreliable scheme?" Kerk chewed pensively on the second serving of steak. "That makes sense. And I must admit I hadn't thought of it before. One failing we Pyrrans have is a lack of interest in the future. Staying alive day by day is enough trouble. So we tend to face emergencies as they arrive and let the dim future take care of itself. You can come. I hope you will still be alive when we need you. As Pyrran ambassador to a lot of places I officially invite you to our planet. All expenses paid. On the condition you obey completely all our instructions regarding your personal safety." "Conditions accepted," Jason said. And wondered why he was so cheerful about signing his own death warrant.

Kerk was shoveling his way through his third dessert when his alarm watch gave a tiny hum. He dropped his fork instantly and stood up. "Time to go," he said. "We're on schedule now." While Jason scrambled to his feet, he jammed coins into the meter until the paid light came on. Then they were out the door and walking fast.

Jason wasn't at all surprised when they came on a public escalator just behind the restaurant. He was beginning to realize that since leaving the Casino their every move had been carefully planned and timed. Without a doubt the alarm was out and the entire planet being searched for them. Yet so far they hadn't noticed the slightest sign of pursuit. This wasn't the first time Jason had to move just one jump ahead of the authorities—but it was the first time he had let someone else lead him by the hand while he did it. He had to smile at his own automatic agreement. He had been a loner for so many years that he found a certain inverse pleasure in following someone else.

"Hurry up," Kerk growled after a quick glance at his watch. He set a steady, killing pace up the escalator steps. They went up five levels that way—without seeing another person—before Kerk relented and let the escalator do the work.

Jason prided himself on keeping in condition. But the sudden climb, after the sleepless night, left him panting heavily and soaked with sweat. Kerk, cool of forehead and breathing normally, didn't show the slightest sign that he had been running. They were at the second motor level when Kerk stepped off the slowly rising steps and waved Jason after him. As they came through the exit to the street a car pulled up to the curb in front of them. Jason had enough sense not to reach for his gun. At the exact moment they reached the car the driver opened the door and stepped out. Kerk passed him a slip of paper without saying a word and slipped in behind the wheel. There was just time for Jason to jump in before the car pulled away. The entire transfer had taken less than three seconds.

There had been only a glimpse of the driver in the dim light, but Jason had recognized him. Of course he had never seen the man before, but after knowing Kerk he couldn't mistake the compact strength of a native Pyrran. "That was the receipt from Ellus you gave him," Jason said. "Of course. That takes care of the ship and the cargo. They'll be off-planet and safely away before the casino check is traced to Ellus. So now let's look after ourselves. I'll explain the plan in detail so there will be no slip-ups on your part. I'll go through the whole thing once and if there are any questions you'll ask them when I'm finished." The tones of command were so automatic that Jason found himself listening in quiet obedience. Though one part of his mind wanted him to smile at the quick assumption of his incompetence.

Kerk swung the car into the steady line of traffic heading out of the city to the spaceport. He drove easily while he talked.

"There is a search on in the city, but we're well ahead of that. I'm sure the Cassylians don't want to advertise their bad sportsmanship so there won't be anything as crude as a roadblock. But the port will be crawling with every agent they have. They know once the money gets off-planet it is gone forever. When we make a break for it they will be sure we still have the goods. So there will be no trouble with the munition ship getting clear." Jason sounded a little shocked. "You mean you're setting us up as clay pigeons to cover the take-off of the ship." "You could put it that way. But since we have to get off-planet anyway, there is no harm in using our escape as a smokescreen. Now shut up until I've finished, like I told you. One more interruption and I dump you by the road." Jason was sure he would. He listened intently—and quietly—as Kerk repeated word for word what he had said before, then continued.

"The official car gate will probably be wide open with the traffic through it. And a lot of the agents will be in plain clothes. We might even get onto the field without being recognized, though I doubt it. It is of no importance. We will drive through the gate and to the take-off pad. The Pride of Darkhan , for which we hold tickets, will be sounding its two-minute siren and unhooking the gangway. By the time we get to our seats the ship will take off." "That's all very fine," Jason said. "But what will the guards be doing all this time?" "Shooting at us and each other. We will take advantage of the confusion to get aboard." This answer did nothing to settle Jason's mind, but he let it slide for the moment. "All right—say we do get aboard. Why don't they just prevent take-off until we have been dragged out and stood against a wall?" Kerk spared him a contemptuous glance before he returned his eyes to the road. "I said the ship was the Pride of Darkhan . If you had studied this system at all, you would know what that means. Cassylia and Darkhan are sister planets and rivals in every way. It has been less than two centuries since they fought an intra-system war that almost destroyed both of them. Now they exist in an armed-to-the-teeth neutrality that neither dare violate. The moment we set foot aboard the ship we are on Darkhan territory. There is no extradition agreement between the planets. Cassylia may want us—but not badly enough to start another war." That was all the explanation there was time for. Kerk swung the car out of the rush of traffic and onto a bridge marked Official Cars Only . Jason had a feeling of nakedness as they rolled under the harsh port lights towards the guarded gate ahead.

It was closed.

Another car approached the gate from the inside and Kerk slowed their car to a crawl. One of the guards talked to the driver of the car inside the port, then waved to the gate attendant. The barrier gate began to swing inwards and Kerk jammed down on the accelerator.

Everything happened at once. The turbine howled, the spinning tires screeched on the road and the car crashed open the gate. Jason had a vanishing glimpse of the open-mouthed guards, then they were skidding around the corner of a building. A few shots popped after them, but none came close.

Driving with one hand, Kerk reached under the dash and pulled out a gun that was the twin of the monster strapped to his arm. "Use this instead of your own," he said. "Rocket-propelled explosive slugs. Make a great bang. Don't bother shooting at anyone—I'll take care of that. Just stir up a little action and make them keep their distance. Like this." He fired a single, snap-shot out the side window and passed the gun to Jason almost before the slug hit. An empty truck blew up with a roar, raining pieces on the cars around and sending their drivers fleeing in panic.

After that it was a nightmare ride through a madhouse. Kerk drove with an apparent contempt for violent death. Other cars followed them and were lost in wheel-raising turns. They careened almost the full length of the field, leaving a trail of smoking chaos.

Then the pursuit was all behind them and the only thing ahead was the slim spire of the Pride of Darkhan .

The Pride was surrounded by a strong wire fence as suited the begrudged status of her planetary origin. The gate was closed and guarded by soldiers with leveled guns, waiting for a shot at the approaching car. Kerk made no attempt to come near them. Instead he fed the last reserves of power to the car and headed for the fence. "Cover your face," he shouted. Jason put his arms in front of his head just as they hit.

Torn metal screamed, the fence buckled, wrapped itself around the car, but did not break. Jason flew off the seat and into the padded dash. By the time Kerk had the warped door open, he realized that the ride was over. Kerk must have seen the spin of his eyeballs because he didn't talk, just pulled Jason out and threw him onto the hood of the ruined car. "Climb over the buckled wire and make a run for the ship," he shouted. If there was any doubt what he meant, he set Jason an example of fine roadwork. It was inconceivable that someone of his bulk could run so fast, yet he did. He moved more like a charging tank than a man. Jason shook the fog from his head and worked up some speed himself. Nevertheless, he was barely halfway to the ship when Kerk hit the gangway. It was already unhooked from the ship, but the shocked attendants stopped rolling it away as the big man bounded up the steps.

At the top he turned and fired at the soldiers who were charging through the open gate. They dropped, crawled, and returned his fire. Very few shot at Jason's running form. The scene in front of Jason cranked over in slow motion. Kerk standing at the top of the ramp, coolly returning the fire that splashed all about. He could have found safety in an instant through the open port behind him. The only reason he stayed there was to cover Jason.

"Thanks—" Jason managed to gasp as he made the last few steps up the gangway, jumped the gap and collapsed inside the ship. "You're perfectly welcome," Kerk said as he joined him, waving his gun to cool it off. A grim-jawed ship's officer stood back out of range of fire from the ground and looked them both up and down. "And just what is going on here?" he growled.

Kerk tested the barrel with a wet thumb, then let the gun slide back into its holster. "We are law-abiding citizens of a different system who have committed no criminal acts. The savages of Cassylia are too barbarous for civilized company. Therefore we are going to Darkhan—here are our tickets—in whose sovereign territory I believe we are at this moment." This last was added for the benefit of the Cassylian officer who had just stumbled to the top of the gangway and was raising his gun.

The soldier couldn't be blamed. He saw these badly wanted criminals getting away. Aboard a Darkhan ship as well. Anger got the best of him and he brought his gun up.

"Come out of there, you scum. You're not escaping that easily. Come out slow with your hands up or I'll blast you—" It was a frozen moment of time that stretched and stretched without breaking. The pistol covered Kerk and Jason. Neither of them attempted to reach for their own guns.

The gun twitched a bit as the ship's officer moved, then steadied back on the two men. The Darkhan spaceman hadn't gone far, just a pace across the lock. This was enough to bring him next to a red box set flush with the wall. With a single, swift gesture he flipped up the cover and poised his thumb over the button inside. When he smiled his lips peeled back to show all of his teeth. He had made up his mind, and it was the arrogance of the Cassylian officer that had been the deciding factor.

"Fire a single shot into Darkhan territory and I press this button," he shouted. "And you know what this button does—every one of your ships has them as well. Commit a hostile act against this ship and someone will press a button. Every control rod will be blown out of the ship's pile at that instant and half your filthy city will go up in the explosion." His smile was chiseled on his face and there was no doubt he would do what he said. "Go ahead—fire. I think I would enjoy pressing this." The take-off siren was hooting now, the close lock light blinking an angry message from the bridge. Like four actors in a grim drama they faced each other an instant more.

Then the Cassylian officer, growling with unvoicable frustrated anger, turned and leaped back to the steps.

"All passengers board ship. Forty-five seconds to take-off. Clear the port." The ship's officer slammed shut the cover of the box and locked it as he talked. There was barely time to make the acceleration couches before the Pride of Darkhan cleared ground.

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Chapter - IV Kapitel - IV Capítulo IV Capitolo - IV Capítulo - IV Глава - IV Bölüm - IV Розділ - IV 第四章

IV.

"Don't talk stupidly," Kerk said as he punched for a duplicate order of steak. do not|||||||pressed a button|||copy||| ||дурно|||||вдарив|||дублікат||| "There are much simpler ways of committing suicide. ||||||taking| ||||||вчинення самогубства| "მხოლოდ უფრო მარტივი გზები არსებობს თვითმკვლელობისათვის. Don't you realize that you're a millionaire now? ნამდვილად არ ხვდებით, რომ ახლა მილიონერი ხართ? With what you have in your pocket you can relax the rest of your life on the pleasure planets. რაც لديك جيبში, შეგიძლიათ ორგანიზაციის პლანეტებზე დარჩენილი სიცოცხლე გაატაროთ. Pyrrus is a death world, not a sightseeing spot for jaded tourists. ||||||a death world||||cynically disinterested| ||||||||||飽き飽| |||||||екскурсії|||втомлені туристи|туристи პირრუსი სიკვდილის მსოფლიოა, არა ტურისტების თვალისმომჭრელი ადგილებისათვის. I cannot permit you to return with me." ||дозволити||||| არ შემიძლია, გაწვდო დაბრუნება ჩემთან ერთად. Gamblers who lose their tempers don't last long. ბედი თამაშის დროს გაღიზიანება არ გრძელდება. Jason was angry now. Yet it showed only in a negative way. In the lack of expression on his face and the calmness of his voice. |||||||||в|спокій|||

"Don't tell me what I can or cannot do, Kerk Pyrrus. You're a big man with a fast gun—but that doesn't make you my boss. All you can do is stop me from going back on your ship. But I can easily afford to get there another way. And don't try to tell me I want to go to Pyrrus for sightseeing when you have no idea of my real reasons." Jason didn't even try to explain his reasons, they were only half realized and too personal. The more he traveled, the more things looked the same to him. The old, civilized planets sank into a drab similarity. |||||||Dull and monotonous| ||||потонули|||похмурий|однаковість Frontier worlds all had the crude sameness of temporary camps in a forest. |||||грубий|однаковість|||табори|||ліс Not that the galactic worlds bored him. |||interstellar or cosmic||| It was just that he had found their limitations—yet had never found his own. ||||||||обмеження|||||| Until he met Kerk he had acknowledged no man his superior, or even his equal. ||||||||||досвідченіший|||| Пока он не встретил Керка, он не считал никого выше себя или даже равным себе. This was more than egotism. ||||егоїзм ეს იყო უფრო მეტი ვიდრე ეგოტიზმი. It was facing facts. ეს იყო ფაქტების წინაშე ვიდვა. Now he was forced to face the fact that there was a whole world of people who might be superior to him. ახლა ის ვალდებული იყო შეუიარაღებლად გაერკვია, რომ იყო целый მსოფლიო ხალხი, ვინც შესაძლოა მასზე უკეთესი ყოფილიყო. Теперь он был вынужден признать тот факт, что существует целый мир людей, которые могут быть выше его. Jason could never rest content until he had been there and seen for himself. |||be satisfied|at ease||||||||| Джейсон никогда не успокоится, пока не побывает там и не увидит все своими глазами. Even if he died in the attempt. |if|||||спробі

None of this could be told to Kerk. Ничего из этого нельзя было сказать Керку. There were other reasons he would understand better. Были и другие причины, которые он лучше понимал.

"You're not thinking ahead when you prevent me from going to Pyrrus," Jason said. ||думаєш||||||||||| "I'll not mention any moral debt you owe me for winning that money you needed. «Я не буду упоминать о моральном долге, который ты передо мной задолжал за то, что выиграл те деньги, которые тебе были нужны. But what about the next time? If you needed that much lethal goods once, you'll probably need it again some day. Wouldn't it be better to have me on hand—old tried and true—than dreaming up some new and possibly unreliable scheme?" |||||||||trusted and reliable|tested and proven||||||||||unproven| |||||||||||||||||||можливо ненадійний|непевний|план схема Не лучше ли иметь под рукой меня — старый, проверенный временем — чем выдумывать какой-то новый и, возможно, ненадежный план?» Kerk chewed pensively on the second serving of steak. ||in deep thought|||||| |жував|задумливо|||||| კერკმა გულმოდგინედ დააგემოვნა სტეიკის მეორე პორციას. Керк задумчиво жевал вторую порцию бифштекса. "That makes sense. "ეს ლოგიკურია. And I must admit I hadn't thought of it before. |||визнати|||||| და უნდა ვაღიარო, რომ ადრე არასდროს მიფიქრია ამაზე. One failing we Pyrrans have is a lack of interest in the future. |shortcoming||||||||||| |невдача||||||||||| У нас, пиррян, есть один недостаток — отсутствие интереса к будущему. Staying alive day by day is enough trouble. ||daily||||| So we tend to face emergencies as they arrive and let the dim future take care of itself. ||||||||||||uncertain||||| ||схильні|||надзвичайні ситуації|||||||туманне||||| You can come. I hope you will still be alive when we need you. As Pyrran ambassador to a lot of places I officially invite you to our planet. All expenses paid. On the condition you obey completely all our instructions regarding your personal safety." ||||підкорятися|||||щодо||| "Conditions accepted," Jason said. And wondered why he was so cheerful about signing his own death warrant. ||||||радісний||підписання|||смерть|смертний вирок 并想知道为什么他对签署自己的死刑令如此高兴。

Kerk was shoveling his way through his third dessert when his alarm watch gave a tiny hum. ||eating quickly|||||||||alarm watch||||| ||прибирати лопатою||||||||||||||гудіння კერკი თავისი მესამე ტკბილეული გადაფარვას ცდილობდა, როცა მისი გაზიდვის საათმა პატარა ძილი გააკეთა. Керк пробирался к третьему десерту, когда его будильник издал еле слышный звук. He dropped his fork instantly and stood up. მან სასწრაფოდ გადააგდო დაკაზე და წამოდგა. "Time to go," he said. "დასასწრებელია," თქვა მას. "We're on schedule now." «Теперь мы по расписанию». While Jason scrambled to his feet, he jammed coins into the meter until the paid light came on. ||hurriedly got up|||||||||parking meter|||||| ||підскочив|||||засунув||в вартість|||||||| ხოლო ჯეისონი ფეხზე წამოდგომას ცდილობდა, მან მონეტები ჩაბღვირა მეტრში სანამ გადახდის სინათლე ჩართულდებოდა. Пока Джейсон вскакивал на ноги, он засовывал монеты в счетчик, пока не загорелся оплаченный свет. Then they were out the door and walking fast. ამას შემდეგ ისინი კარს გარეთ გავიდნენ და სწრაფად გაიარეს.

Jason wasn't at all surprised when they came on a public escalator just behind the restaurant. |||||||||||||||the eatery ჯეისონს არანაირი კონკრეტული სიურპრიზი არ მოეჩვენა, როდესაც ისინი რესტორნის უკან საზოგადოებრივ ესკალატორზე გადმოვიდნენ. He was beginning to realize that since leaving the Casino their every move had been carefully planned and timed. ||||||||||||||||||заплановано ის იწყებდა გარჩევას, რომ კაზინოს დატოვებიდან მათი ყოველი ნაბიჯი ყურადღებით იყო დაგეგმილი და გაწვდილი. Without a doubt the alarm was out and the entire planet being searched for them. Without a doubt|||||||||||||| დაუგვიანებლადalarms გამორთული იყო და მთელი პლანეტა ეძებდა მათ. Несомненно, сработала тревога, и их искали по всей планете. Yet so far they hadn't noticed the slightest sign of pursuit. ||||||||indication||following or chasing |||||||найменший|||переслідування თუმცა ჯერ კიდევ არ შეუმჩნევნიათ ნებისმიერი დევნის ნიშნები. Однако до сих пор они не заметили ни малейшего признака преследования. This wasn't the first time Jason had to move just one jump ahead of the authorities—but it was the first time he had let someone else lead him by the hand while he did it. |||||||||||||||||||||||||||вести|||||||| Это был не первый раз, когда Джейсону приходилось опережать власти всего на один прыжок, но это был первый раз, когда он позволил кому-то другому вести себя за руку, пока он это делал. He had to smile at his own automatic agreement. He had been a loner for so many years that he found a certain inverse pleasure in following someone else. ||||solitary individual||||||||||opposite kind of||||| ||||одинак||||||||||обернений|задоволення|||| Он был одиночкой столько лет, что находил некое обратное удовольствие в том, чтобы следовать за кем-то другим.

"Hurry up," Kerk growled after a quick glance at his watch. |||spoke gruffly||||||| поспішай|||||||погляд||| — Поторопись, — прорычал Керк, бросив быстрый взгляд на часы. He set a steady, killing pace up the escalator steps. ||||вбивчий|темп|||| Он задал ровный, убийственный темп вверх по ступеням эскалатора. They went up five levels that way—without seeing another person—before Kerk relented and let the escalator do the work. |||||||||||||gave in||||||| |||||||||||||уступив||||||| Так они поднялись на пять уровней — не заметив никого, — прежде чем Керк уступил и позволил эскалатору сделать свою работу.

Jason prided himself on keeping in condition. ||||staying in shape|| |пишався||||| Джейсон гордился тем, что поддерживает себя в форме. But the sudden climb, after the sleepless night, left him panting heavily and soaked with sweat. ||раптовий|підйом|||безсонний||||задихаючись|важко сильно||потонув у|| Но внезапный подъем после бессонной ночи оставил его тяжело дышащим и мокрым от пота. Kerk, cool of forehead and breathing normally, didn't show the slightest sign that he had been running. |||лоб||||||||||||| Керк с холодным лбом и нормальным дыханием не подавал ни малейших признаков того, что бежал. They were at the second motor level when Kerk stepped off the slowly rising steps and waved Jason after him. |||||||||got off|||||||||| |||||моторний|||||||||||||| Они были на втором двигательном уровне, когда Керк сошел с медленно поднимающихся ступенек и помахал Джейсону вслед за собой. As they came through the exit to the street a car pulled up to the curb in front of them. |||||||||||||||sidewalk edge|||| |||||||||||||||бордюр|||| Когда они выходили на улицу, перед ними к бордюру подъехала машина. Jason had enough sense not to reach for his gun. At the exact moment they reached the car the driver opened the door and stepped out. Как раз в тот момент, когда они подошли к машине, водитель открыл дверь и вышел. Kerk passed him a slip of paper without saying a word and slipped in behind the wheel. Керк молча передал ему клочок бумаги и сел за руль. There was just time for Jason to jump in before the car pulled away. The entire transfer had taken less than three seconds.

There had been only a glimpse of the driver in the dim light, but Jason had recognized him. |||||brief look|||||||||||| В тусклом свете мелькнул водитель, но Джейсон узнал его. Of course he had never seen the man before, but after knowing Kerk he couldn't mistake the compact strength of a native Pyrran. |||||||||||||||||компактна сила||||| Конечно, он никогда раньше не видел этого человека, но после знакомства с Керком он не мог ошибиться в компактной силе туземца Пиррянина. "That was the receipt from Ellus you gave him," Jason said. |||чек||||||| — Это квитанция от Эллуса, которую ты ему дал, — сказал Джейсон. "Of course. That takes care of the ship and the cargo. |піклується||||||| Это заботится о корабле и грузе. They'll be off-planet and safely away before the casino check is traced to Ellus. ||||||||||||відстежений|| Они будут вне планеты и в безопасности, прежде чем чек из казино будет отслежен до Эллуса. So now let's look after ourselves. |||||себе I'll explain the plan in detail so there will be no slip-ups on your part. |||||||||||mistakes|||| ||||||||||||помилки з вашого боку||| Я подробно объясню план, чтобы с вашей стороны не было ошибок. I'll go through the whole thing once and if there are any questions you'll ask them when I'm finished." The tones of command were so automatic that Jason found himself listening in quiet obedience. |manner of speaking||||||||||||| |||команди|||||||||||покора Though one part of his mind wanted him to smile at the quick assumption of his incompetence. ||||||||||||||||lack of ability |||||||||||||припущення|||некомпетентність Хотя одна часть его разума хотела, чтобы он улыбнулся быстрому предположению о своей некомпетентности.

Kerk swung the car into the steady line of traffic heading out of the city to the spaceport. |||||||||||||||||space travel hub ||||||||||направляючись|||||||космодром Керк направил машину в полосу движения, направлявшуюся из города к космопорту. He drove easily while he talked.

"There is a search on in the city, but we're well ahead of that. «В городе идут обыски, но мы намного опережаем их. I'm sure the Cassylians don't want to advertise their bad sportsmanship so there won't be anything as crude as a roadblock. ||||||||||||||||||||obvious obstruction |||Кассилійці||||показувати|||спортивна е||||||такого як|грубий|||перешкода Я уверен, что кассилийцы не хотят афишировать свою плохую спортивную манеру, поэтому не будет ничего такого грубого, как блокпост. But the port will be crawling with every agent they have. |||||filled with agents||||| |||||повзати|||агенти|| They know once the money gets off-planet it is gone forever. Они знают, что как только деньги улетают за пределы планеты, они исчезают навсегда. When we make a break for it they will be sure we still have the goods. ||||escape attempt||||||||||| Когда мы сломаемся, они будут уверены, что у нас все еще есть товар. So there will be no trouble with the munition ship getting clear." ||||||||ammunition supply ship||| ||||||||боєприпаси||| Так что проблем с кораблем с боеприпасами не будет». Jason sounded a little shocked. |звучав|||шокований Джейсон казался немного шокированным. "You mean you're setting us up as clay pigeons to cover the take-off of the ship." ||||||||decoy targets|||||||| |||||||глиняні птахи|підстрільні голуби|||||||| — Ты имеешь в виду, что выставляешь нас тарелками для прикрытия взлета корабля. "You could put it that way. "Можно и так сказать. But since we have to get off-planet anyway, there is no harm in using our escape as a smokescreen. |||||вибратися|||||||шкода||||втеча|||димова завіса Но поскольку мы все равно должны покинуть планету, нет ничего плохого в том, чтобы использовать наш побег в качестве дымовой завесы. Now shut up until I've finished, like I told you. |замовкни|||||||| One more interruption and I dump you by the road." ||перерва|||викину|||| Jason was sure he would. He listened intently—and quietly—as Kerk repeated word for word what he had said before, then continued. ||уважно|||||||||||||||

"The official car gate will probably be wide open with the traffic through it. |||||||широко відкрита|||||| «Официальные автомобильные ворота, вероятно, будут широко открыты для движения транспорта. And a lot of the agents will be in plain clothes. We might even get onto the field without being recognized, though I doubt it. Мы можем даже выйти на поле незамеченными, хотя я в этом сомневаюсь. It is of no importance. We will drive through the gate and to the take-off pad. |||||||||||launch platform ||||||||до|злітна площад||платформа для зльоту Мы проедем через ворота и на взлетную площадку. Ми проїдемо через ворота і на платформу для зльоту. The Pride of Darkhan , for which we hold tickets, will be sounding its two-minute siren and unhooking the gangway. |||||||||||||||||detaching from dock||boarding ramp |||||||||||звучати||||сирена||знімаючи||підйомник Гордость Дархана, на которую у нас есть билеты, включит двухминутную сирену и отцепит трап. Гордість Дархана, на яку у нас є квитки, звучатиме свою двохвилинну сирену та від'єднає трап. By the time we get to our seats the ship will take off." К тому времени, когда мы займем свои места, корабль взлетит». До того часу, як ми дійдемо до наших місць, корабель злетить. "That's all very fine," Jason said. "But what will the guards be doing all this time?" "Shooting at us and each other. Стрілянина||||| We will take advantage of the confusion to get aboard." |||перевагу|||плутанина|||на борт Мы воспользуемся замешательством, чтобы подняться на борт». This answer did nothing to settle Jason's mind, but he let it slide for the moment. |||||calm or reassure|||||||pass without comment||| |||||вгамувати|||||||пройти повз||| Этот ответ никак не успокоил Джейсона, но на данный момент он оставил его без внимания. "All right—say we do get aboard. «Хорошо, скажем, мы поднимаемся на борт. Why don't they just prevent take-off until we have been dragged out and stood against a wall?" |||||||||||витягли||||||стіна Почему бы им просто не предотвратить взлет, пока нас не вытащат и не встанут у стены?» Kerk spared him a contemptuous glance before he returned his eyes to the road. |gave him only|||Disdainful||||||||| |пощадив|||зневажливий||||||||| Керк бросил на него презрительный взгляд, прежде чем снова взглянуть на дорогу. "I said the ship was the Pride of Darkhan . |||||корабель||| If you had studied this system at all, you would know what that means. Если бы вы вообще изучали эту систему, вы бы знали, что это значит. Cassylia and Darkhan are sister planets and rivals in every way. |||||||суперники||| Кассилия и Дархан — планеты-сестры и соперники во всех отношениях. It has been less than two centuries since they fought an intra-system war that almost destroyed both of them. |||||||||билися||всередині системи|системи||||||| Прошло менее двух столетий с тех пор, как они вели внутрисистемную войну, почти уничтожившую их обоих. Now they exist in an armed-to-the-teeth neutrality that neither dare violate. |||||озброєний||||нейтральність||ні один|сміти|порушити Теперь они существуют в вооруженном до зубов нейтралитете, который ни один из них не осмеливается нарушить. The moment we set foot aboard the ship we are on Darkhan territory. There is no extradition agreement between the planets. |||екстрадиція|||| Cassylia may want us—but not badly enough to start another war." ||||||погано||||| That was all the explanation there was time for. Kerk swung the car out of the rush of traffic and onto a bridge marked Official Cars Only . |||||||потік|||||||||| Jason had a feeling of nakedness as they rolled under the harsh port lights towards the guarded gate ahead. |||||оголеність|||котили|||жорсткий|||||охороняється|| У Джейсона возникло ощущение наготы, когда они катились под резкими огнями иллюминаторов к охраняемым воротам впереди.

It was closed.

Another car approached the gate from the inside and Kerk slowed their car to a crawl. |||||||||||||||very slow speed ||наближалася|||||||||||||повзти Еще одна машина подъехала к воротам изнутри, и Керк замедлил их движение. One of the guards talked to the driver of the car inside the port, then waved to the gate attendant. |||||||||||||||||||працівник воріт Один из охранников поговорил с водителем машины в порту, затем помахал дежурному по воротам. The barrier gate began to swing inwards and Kerk jammed down on the accelerator. |бар'єр||||коливатися|всередину|||натиснув||||акселератор Ворота барьера начали поворачиваться внутрь, и Керк нажал на педаль газа.

Everything happened at once. The turbine howled, the spinning tires screeched on the road and the car crashed open the gate. |engine component|roared|||||||||||||| ||виючи||що обертаються||скреготів|||||||||| Завыла турбина, завизжали по дороге крутящиеся шины, и машина с грохотом распахнула ворота. Jason had a vanishing glimpse of the open-mouthed guards, then they were skidding around the corner of a building. |||||||||||||sliding uncontrollably|||||| |||||||||||||skid = to slide sideways or to lose traction while moving|||||| A few shots popped after them, but none came close. ||shots|пролунав постр||||||

Driving with one hand, Kerk reached under the dash and pulled out a gun that was the twin of the monster strapped to his arm. |||||||||||||||||||||fissato||| Ведя машину одной рукой, Керк сунул руку под приборную панель и вытащил пистолет, который был близнецом монстра, привязанного к его руке. "Use this instead of your own," he said. "Rocket-propelled explosive slugs. |||Explosive projectiles rocket|propulsato|esplosivo|slugs "Rocket-propelled explosive slugs. "Ракетные разрывные пули. Make a great bang. |||bang Сделать большой взрыв. Don't bother shooting at anyone—I'll take care of that. |to bother|||||||| Не пытайтесь стрелять ни в кого — я позабочусь об этом. Just stir up a little action and make them keep their distance. |provoke|||||||||| |підбурюй||||action|||||| Просто возбудите небольшое действие и заставьте их держаться на расстоянии. Like this." He fired a single, snap-shot out the side window and passed the gun to Jason almost before the slug hit. ||||швидкий|||||||||||||||slug| Он выстрелил из бокового окна одиночным мгновенным выстрелом и передал пистолет Джейсону почти до того, как пуля попала в цель. Він вистрелив один раз, знявши з вікна, і передав пістолет Джейсону майже перед тим, як куля влучила. An empty truck blew up with a roar, raining pieces on the cars around and sending their drivers fleeing in panic. ||||||||||||||||||втікаючи в|| Пустой грузовик с грохотом взорвался, осколки посыпались на машины вокруг, а их водители в панике бежали. Порожній вантажівка вибухнула з гуркотом, посипаючи шматки на автомобілі навколо і змушуючи їхніх водіїв втікати в паніці.

After that it was a nightmare ride through a madhouse. |||||nightmare||||manicomio После этого это была кошмарная поездка по сумасшедшему дому. Після цього це була нічна жахлива поїздка через божевільню. Kerk drove with an apparent contempt for violent death. ||||apparent = apparent|contempt||violenta| Керк ехал с явным презрением к насильственной смерти. Other cars followed them and were lost in wheel-raising turns. ||||||||spinning circular object|| Другие машины следовали за ними и терялись в поворотах с подъемом колес. They careened almost the full length of the field, leaving a trail of smoking chaos. |sped uncontrollably||||||||||||| |sbandarono||||||||||||| Они пронеслись почти по всей длине поля, оставляя за собой след дымящегося хаоса.

Then the pursuit was all behind them and the only thing ahead was the slim spire of the Pride of Darkhan . ||||||||||||||narrow and tall|tall, pointed structure||||| ||переслідування||||them||||||||slim|spire|||||

The Pride was surrounded by a strong wire fence as suited the begrudged status of her planetary origin. ||||||||||||resented||||| ||||||||||||begrudged||||| Прайд был окружен прочной проволочной оградой, что вполне соответствовало завистливому статусу ее планетарного происхождения. The gate was closed and guarded by soldiers with leveled guns, waiting for a shot at the approaching car. |||||||||наведеними||||||||| Ворота были закрыты и охранялись солдатами с наведенными ружьями, ожидающими выстрела по приближающейся машине. Kerk made no attempt to come near them. Керк не пытался приблизиться к ним. Instead he fed the last reserves of power to the car and headed for the fence. ||||||||||||headed||| Вместо этого он пустил в машину последние запасы мощности и направился к забору. Натомість він подав останні резерви енергії на автомобіль та вирушив до огорожі. "Cover your face," he shouted. "Закрий обличчя," закричав він. Jason put his arms in front of his head just as they hit. Джейсон сложил руки перед головой как раз в тот момент, когда они ударили. Джейсон поставив руки перед головою саме в той момент, коли вони вдарили.

Torn metal screamed, the fence buckled, wrapped itself around the car, but did not break. |||||Bent under pressure||||||||| |||||згинув||||||||| Рваный металл заскрипел, забор вздулся, обвился вокруг машины, но не сломался. Рваний метал закричав, паркан зігнувся, обвився навколо автомобіля, але не поламався. Jason flew off the seat and into the padded dash. ||||||||cushioned or soft|dashboard ||||||||padded|dashboard Джейсон слетел с сиденья и рухнул на мягкую приборную панель. Джейсон вилетів з сидіння і врізався в м'яку панель. By the time Kerk had the warped door open, he realized that the ride was over. ||||||кривий||||||||| К тому времени, когда Керк открыл покоробленную дверь, он понял, что поездка окончена. Коли Керк відкрив деформовані двері, він зрозумів, що поїздка закінчилась. Kerk must have seen the spin of his eyeballs because he didn't talk, just pulled Jason out and threw him onto the hood of the ruined car. |||||rotation|||occhi|||||||||||||||||| Керк, должно быть, заметил, как у него закружились глаза, потому что он ничего не сказал, а просто вытащил Джейсона и швырнул его на капот разбитой машины. "Climb over the buckled wire and make a run for the ship," he shouted. |||зігнутому|||||||||| «Перелезай через погнутую проволоку и беги к кораблю», — крикнул он. "Перестрибни через зігнутий дріт і біжи до корабля," — закричав він. If there was any doubt what he meant, he set Jason an example of fine roadwork. |||||||||||||||дорожні роботи Если и возникали сомнения в том, что он имел в виду, он подавал Джейсону пример отличного дорожного дела. Якщо у когось були сумніви в його словах, він продемонстрував Джейсону приклад прекрасної роботи в дорозі. It was inconceivable that someone of his bulk could run so fast, yet he did. ||inconceivable|||||bulk||||||| Было немыслимо, чтобы кто-то такого размера мог бегать так быстро, но он бежал. Було неймовірно, що хтось його розміру міг так швидко бігти, але він це робив. He moved more like a charging tank than a man. |||||що атакує|||| Он двигался скорее как зарядный танк, чем как человек. Jason shook the fog from his head and worked up some speed himself. |||fog||||||||| Джейсон стряхнул туман с головы и сам прибавил скорость. Nevertheless, he was barely halfway to the ship when Kerk hit the gangway. ||||||||||||boarding ramp Проте||||||||||||підйомник Тем не менее, едва он был на полпути к кораблю, когда Керк врезался в трап. It was already unhooked from the ship, but the shocked attendants stopped rolling it away as the big man bounded up the steps. |||відчеплене|||||||персонал|stopped||||||||bounded = he bounded (he jumped or leaped)||| It was already unhooked from the ship, but the shocked attendants stopped rolling it away as the big man bounded up the steps.

At the top he turned and fired at the soldiers who were charging through the open gate. Наверху он повернулся и выстрелил в солдат, которые бежали через открытые ворота. They dropped, crawled, and returned his fire. ||crawled = it crawled|||| Они упали, подползли и открыли ответный огонь. Very few shot at Jason's running form. Очень немногие стреляли в беговую форму Джейсона. The scene in front of Jason cranked over in slow motion. ||||||moved dramatically|||| ||||||turned|||| The scene in front of Jason cranked over in slow motion. Сцена перед Джейсоном закрутилась в замедленном темпе. Kerk standing at the top of the ramp, coolly returning the fire that splashed all about. |||||||||firing back|||||| |||||||||||||splashed = splattered|| Керк стоял на вершине рампы, хладнокровно отвечая на залпывавший все вокруг огонь. He could have found safety in an instant through the open port behind him. Он мог бы найти безопасность в одно мгновение через открытый порт позади него. The only reason he stayed there was to cover Jason.

"Thanks—" Jason managed to gasp as he made the last few steps up the gangway, jumped the gap and collapsed inside the ship. ||||задихаюч||||||||||пандус|||||||| «Спасибо…» Джейсону удалось выдохнуть, когда он сделал последние несколько шагов вверх по трапу, перепрыгнул через щель и рухнул внутрь корабля. "You're perfectly welcome," Kerk said as he joined him, waving his gun to cool it off. «Всегда пожалуйста», сказал Керк, присоединяясь к нему, размахивая пистолетом, чтобы охладить его. A grim-jawed ship's officer stood back out of range of fire from the ground and looked them both up and down. ||з серйозним||||||||||||||||||| A grim-jawed ship's officer stood back out of range of fire from the ground and looked them both up and down. Корабельный офицер с угрюмой челюстью отошел в сторону от огня с земли и оглядел их обоих сверху донизу. "And just what is going on here?" — И что же здесь происходит? he growled. |spoke angrily — прорычал он.

Kerk tested the barrel with a wet thumb, then let the gun slide back into its holster. |||gun's cylindrical part||||||||||||| Керк проверил ствол мокрым большим пальцем, затем вернул пистолет в кобуру. "We are law-abiding citizens of a different system who have committed no criminal acts. |||Following the law||||||||||| «Мы законопослушные граждане другого строя, не совершавшие никаких преступных действий. The savages of Cassylia are too barbarous for civilized company. |uncivilized people|||||||| Дикари Кассилии слишком варвары для цивилизованного общества. Therefore we are going to Darkhan—here are our tickets—in whose sovereign territory I believe we are at this moment." Поэтому мы отправляемся в Дархан — вот наши билеты — на суверенной территории которого, как мне кажется, мы находимся в данный момент». This last was added for the benefit of the Cassylian officer who had just stumbled to the top of the gangway and was raising his gun. ||||||||||||||tripped or faltered||||||||||| ||||||||||||||had just stumbled||||||підйомник||||| Последнее было добавлено для удобства кассилианского офицера, который только что, спотыкаясь, взобрался на трап и поднял пистолет.

The soldier couldn't be blamed. ||||звинувачений Солдата нельзя было винить. He saw these badly wanted criminals getting away. Он видел, как эти разыскиваемые преступники убегают. Aboard a Darkhan ship as well. Также на борту дарханского корабля. Anger got the best of him and he brought his gun up. Гнев взял над ним верх, и он поднял пистолет.

"Come out of there, you scum. |||||worthless person "Come out of there, you scum. «Выходи оттуда, мразь. You're not escaping that easily. Come out slow with your hands up or I'll blast you—" |||||||||blast = to shoot| Выходите медленно, с поднятыми руками, или я вас взорву… It was a frozen moment of time that stretched and stretched without breaking. ||||||||||si allungava = it was stretching|| Это был застывший момент времени, который тянулся и тянулся, не разрываясь. The pistol covered Kerk and Jason. |The gun aimed|||| |pistola|||| Пистолет накрыл Керка и Джейсона. Neither of them attempted to reach for their own guns. |||they attempted||||||

The gun twitched a bit as the ship's officer moved, then steadied back on the two men. ||it twitched|||||||||stabilized||||| Орудие немного дернулось, когда офицер корабля двинулся, а затем вновь нацелилось на двоих мужчин. The Darkhan spaceman hadn't gone far, just a pace across the lock. ||space traveler||||||крок||| Космонавт Дархана ушел недалеко, всего на шаг через шлюз. This was enough to bring him next to a red box set flush with the wall. ||||||||||||flush||| Этого было достаточно, чтобы привести его к красной коробке вровень со стеной. With a single, swift gesture he flipped up the cover and poised his thumb over the button inside. |||швидким|жест|||||||поставив|||||| Одним быстрым движением он поднял крышку и провел большим пальцем по кнопке внутри. When he smiled his lips peeled back to show all of his teeth. |||||pulled back||||||| Когда он улыбался, его губы оттягивались назад, обнажая все зубы. He had made up his mind, and it was the arrogance of the Cassylian officer that had been the deciding factor. ||||||||||arrogance = arrogance|||||||||| He had made up his mind, and it was the arrogance of the Cassylian officer that had been the deciding factor. Он принял решение, и решающим фактором стало высокомерие кассилианского офицера.

"Fire a single shot into Darkhan territory and I press this button," he shouted. «Выстрелите по территории Дархана, и я нажму эту кнопку», — крикнул он. "And you know what this button does—every one of your ships has them as well. «И вы знаете, что делает эта кнопка — они есть на каждом из ваших кораблей. Commit a hostile act against this ship and someone will press a button. ||hostile|||||||||| Совершите враждебное действие против этого корабля, и кто-нибудь нажмет на кнопку. Every control rod will be blown out of the ship's pile at that instant and half your filthy city will go up in the explosion." ||safety device|||||||||||||||dirty, contaminated, polluted||||||| |||||||||||||||||dirty|||||||explosion Every control rod will be blown out of the ship's pile at that instant and half your filthy city will go up in the explosion." Все стержни управления будут вырваны из штабеля корабля в тот же миг, и половина вашего грязного города сгорит во взрыве». His smile was chiseled on his face and there was no doubt he would do what he said. "Go ahead—fire. «Давай — стреляй. I think I would enjoy pressing this." The take-off siren was hooting now, the close lock light blinking an angry message from the bridge. |||||hooting|||||||||||| Теперь завыла сирена взлета, мигал сигнал закрытия шлюза, сердитое сообщение с мостика. Like four actors in a grim drama they faced each other an instant more.

Then the Cassylian officer, growling with unvoicable frustrated anger, turned and leaped back to the steps. ||||growling||unvoiced|фрустрованого|||||||| Затем кассилианский офицер, рыча от невыразимого гнева, повернулся и прыгнул обратно к ступеням.

"All passengers board ship. Forty-five seconds to take-off. Clear the port." The ship's officer slammed shut the cover of the box and locked it as he talked. |||slammed|||||||||||| There was barely time to make the acceleration couches before the Pride of Darkhan cleared ground. ||||||||seats for acceleration||||||| ||||||||couches = seats||||||| Едва успели разогнаться, как «Гордость Дархана» очистила землю.