– We have discussed this option with all of You, colleagues – sounded calm voice, creeping soft wave for all areas and steps of a closed space, having neither Windows nor doors. All here was strange or more accurately say – other. Other forms of interaction, other forms of life, other matter, if you can even call it matter… Even the location of this room was difficult to determine, because – nearby hovered only emptiness – while we thought, reasoned, planned and expected, the situation on Earth has worsened significantly. It is not a secret for any of you that time has changed its course, given that a day some hundred years ago, now fits a little more than three days, and then this dynamics will grow rapidly-we have almost no time left. Now there is simply nowhere to retreat, it's time to act.
The room is clearly something began to happen. Voices were not heard, but the color scheme of the space has changed. In a closed room felt the excitement and tension began to appear countless images, mixing with each other, incredible colors and even muffled inaudible human ear sounds filled the space.
– We are launching the project on the Ground…
***
Artem was on the bus home and was thinking about what to do tomorrow. After all, tomorrow he had to go to two interviews in related areas in the field of it-technologies. Its advantages were there and there, but how will communication with the authorities, what a team, pitfalls. There were many questions. Imagination drew countless scenarios. Anything that plays in the head guy, but one of the most banal variant of the rejection of his candidacy. Artem knew that he would successfully pass the interview stage both there and there, because he was really a rare specialist and a Pro in the intricacies of software.
Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by sitting in front of the drunk young boy. He strangely smiled and tried to reach out a hand to her left cheek Artem.
The situation looked quite ridiculous and obscene, but curiosity about the further development of events took up. Tom, completely forgetting about work and related experiences, began to watch the silent boy, still oddly smiling at him, the word old friend. How difficult it was for this black-haired shaggy guy to catch the right focus in a shaking bus, and even in a state of not light intoxication in tandem with something Smoking potent, a state that has already passed into the next more aggravated stage. And finally, having gathered all the attention, skill and God knows what else, he finally managed to bury a few fingers in the cheek of Artem.
Curiosity and attention next to seated and standing passengers was entirely confined to this ridiculous situation. Artem was not less surprised, but still kept calm and did not interfere, watching what is happening, as if these strange machinations do not produce with him.
The black-haired boy squeezed the left cheek of Artem, then smiled more than before and suddenly said quietly:
– Almost.
Many questions now wandered in the head of Artem, but he did not have time to ask them, because a strange neighbor in the seat immediately provoked another dumb question, pointing now on the wrist of his right hand, saying at the same time:
– And I, you see, will not last, so live – he swept carelessly forefinger some area on his right wrist, clearly showing the oblong and quite wide scar from the canteen cutlet. However, the strange thing was that neither Artem on the cheek or on the wrist of this strange passenger, nothing happened.
And here's what happened. The guy riding in the bus under strong intoxication weakened the vigilance of the controlling brain structures, in turn, the Smoking mixture briefly activated the memory of the epiphysis of his past life, seeing in the bus Artem, or rather his essence, he instantly remembered how in the early 90's being forty-year-old Alexei Vorontsov was making his capital in one of the gangster groups.
Things didn't go according to plan that time. The firm that he ran into with his brothers, was not as harmless as expected. Guys pretty battered, their leader almost lost his hand, badly injured wrist. Needed backup. For a substantial percentage were invited to shreds of "Oskolkova". He was famous for the fact that instead of the usual at the time style of solving problems – waving his legs and gunshot, calmly conducted dialogues. I came to Strelka alone, but always came back and came back as a winner. No one knew why Tolik was not afraid to die, which gave him confidence and peace. But the rumor was not in vain. Thus, Anatoly arrived to the rebellious firm, by prior agreement. He waited a few armed ruffians on the threshold of the building and fifteen people scattered across the organization, ready at any moment to erase it into a powder, if it take not the desired turnover.
In the Director's office he was accompanied by two men. They closed the door behind them and stood ready at arm's length from the visitor.
– So here you are, Tolik. Of you legends go among the lads, and mind you're not really cool – sounded haughty voice of wide seats that belonged to a balding middle-aged man fad physique.
