Chapter 8. A fish in trouble waters.
Next day Albert visited the three apartments of Nadya's friends' and saw no one of them at home. In his own flat it was windy and the temperature was about zero. In the Sveta's flat it was cold too. The window panes of the door to balcony yesterday were broken by the butts of the machine guns and nobody replaced new ones.
-Nobody at home. No one of the three. Unlikely that it is a coincidence. There is something wrong, - concluded Albert after returning out of the short travel. - Especially if one takes into account that it is early morning in Moscow now.
-I, also, don't doubt, - the old man answered. - Being a savant, an analyst, try to consider, you, how every side will act and I'll try to complete the common picture after adding my own thoughts if something doesn't coincide. If I helped to pull from shit this stupid Tolik, but he again climbed into it and perished, God rest his soul, but regarding these girls, I just must help them out.
Meanwhile, Olesya went for a walk with the new skis. In her presence, they tried to keep silence about Moscow events at all to hide the data about the teleportation. Before, during hiding Nadezhda, Paul reported to the cashier in the Novosibirsk railway station, from where he with Olesya prepared to return to Krasnoyarsk, he paid good money to the cashier to buy the tickets for the planned place. Then he immediate teleported at home, left with Olesya for Novosibirsk, leading her out of home as usual, in order the neighbors would see nothing. Entering into the bus, they agreed to pretend as if they don't know each other, because the local people could see them. Only after boarding the train from Krasnoyarsk to Tashkent, they ceased to hide the fact from the people around that they are travelling together. Either the watching on the screen about Colonel's gangs, or the trip with Olesya to Novosibirsk, those were exceptions. But Paul tried to hide from Olesya the rest of the information, because he worried about her safety.
Nadya didn't cry, but was upset because disappearance all the three, especially Lena. The last worked for the illegally formed department, its organizers were aware all her conversations, secretly taping them. Also, they were well informed that it's impossible to learn yet something from her and soon they will not need her anymore. She already didn't work in the canteen, but pretended in front of them as if she continues to work over there. When she talked to the friends that she works, it was a truth. Untruth consisted of the fact, what is the enterprise she works.
Two hours passed.
-How are the things going? - the old man asked.
-There are a lot of versions. It's an embarrassment to choose. In a few of hours, maybe I'll be able to bring this information to an appropriate form, but all the same, this is like an equation with a lot of unknowns. We have better to get more of the data. I'm going to head there again.
-And check all their mailboxes.
-That's right, - Albert agreed. - Also, it couldn't hurt to sit in every flat during about ten minutes. Maybe a phone will ring, anybody will come, the neighbors will ask something, maybe some sort of information will be got by chance. And it would be better if we do it together. You take two flats and I do two ones. So to be faster.
-Act in apartments by yourself alone, - the old man answered. - Because at the same time I can climb over in the institutions you cannot visit. Paukov's office, for example.
-Still, it's true!
Albert has been sitting in every flat for the planned while with a resolution of one second, but in vain. In the mailboxes was nothing too. He checked his own flat at the last turn. But there was some paper in the mailbox. It was a telegram consisted only of the three words: "SAVE ALL ACCESSIBLE". It already was something.
Albert learned at once who is an author of the telegram ("Do you want I would become for you a girl, daring, mischievous and accessible one?" - Lena told him while their date). At the same time this telegram couldn't be a trap, because it did not invite anyone anywhere and didn't bring any information, excepting the only one: the worst version was affirmed. Lena apparently thought as if act like this would be less dangerous, but she likely has failed. Kashin and his team understood that she has turned against them and they locked up her somewhere. Maybe, they already have liquidated her, but it was better don't think about this. However, if she is alive, therefore, either the elimination of her was connected with technical difficulties, or finally they are going to use her as a hostage or a bait. It was the reason they didn't withdraw the telegram, which was sent from Moscow yesterday. It means, she was captured by them not more than two days ago, and Valya and Sweta were captured earlier. When Albert returned and shared his gained scarce information, the old man affirmed Albert's suppositions, but was worried, because he succeeded to learn, neither in Paukov's office, nor in the places of possible Kovalev's appearing, in which the old man had prepared for himself the "the points of appearance" under the desks, nor near the metro "Studencheskaya" in the apartments of the all three chiefs of the criminal illegal department, nor even in their "safe houses".
-No wonder, during such a short while we have learned nothing, - Albert concluded. - All of them have many different deals, they may sit in their offices during a lot of hours, keeping silent. Idea! We must loosen their tongues, it seems, I know how to act.
The old man wasn't against the plan Albert invented. They both started to laugh, when has Albert expounded it aloud. Just he advised to ponder the details more carefully, many times "to measure", before "cutting". From the enemy side, it's possible using some of the reagents to mark a person, even the cops have such things. Also, from the enemy side, it's possible using of a microscopic transmitter radiating some certain signal, to ping it to be aware the object's location, to discover every place of his possible appearance. And finally, it's possible the using of the radioactive substances. The last things are very dangerous for the health, therefore it's less probable, but not excluded in full. They may be ready in a case of possible object's appearance, do it quickly, it's possible, even using a special equipment, to attach to the body some bad thing. Extremely unlikely an ambuscade of the shooters with guns and safety's off, and they are given an order to shoot to kill in a case with some tricks. However, we have to take into account everything may be possible.
Albert decided to begin the actions from the 40th deli, situated in one of the buildings of the infamous institution nearby the square Lubyanka. In order not to attract an attention, before he decided not to put on any mask, but he bought a quite standard and comparatively not expensive leather jacket and a cheap jumper, taking an example of the bandits who killed Tolik. In the 40th deli in the aisle of the expensive wines, a woman cashier enthusiastically and sweetly talked with a client dressed expensively, but swankily. She played for time, counted the change long. It seemed, it was not a flirt, just a "needed" person has come. Behind the client, a tail of three persons already was formed and they obediently waited, keeping silent, hiding their irritation. Suddenly one of them pulled the collar of his sweater, covering with it the lower part of his face till the nose, then he abruptly came up to the woman cashier and pecked her on the mouth through the sweater. At the same time he hugged her with his left hand and his right hand grabbed a bundle of the large bills, which were comparable with a good salary, at least, which would be paid during not less than for five months. The cashier loudly shouted, But Albert drowned her with his own shouting "Fire! Fire!" He hit with his foot on someone's hand, which tried to catch him and then he climbed up the rack of the bottles with wine, breaking a part of them. Everyone turned to the side of the show, but the troublemaker suddenly disappeared right in front of them.
However, the broken bottles and stolen money were quite real and no ghost could be blamed for this. A crowd gathered, a task force came, whose members were all in civilian clothes, but literally all the witnesses, answering the questions were spewing some gibberish. Just in case, the signs of the intruder were asked and the identity check began near every exit. Certainly, all this was in vain.
The exits still were blocked, but a noise and shouting began again. It was some invisible man just popped up from a "non-existence", a man whose face was half covered sweater collar. He snatched a bundle of money and... as if dissolved in the air. A chief of the task force already started to consult by the radio with the superior colleagues about some diablerie is taking place in the deli 40 and doesn't cease, in spite of the fact that every exit is blocked and because of this it's not enough of the colleagues, because in the given situation they are needed not only near the exits, but also inside of the deli. Also, it is necessary a lot of witnesses who are experts, because all the witnesses are civilians and they give absurd testimonies. The senior officials of the militia started to understand that the occurring things are going beyond their competence, and now they may with a clean conscience to place this headache on the FSB.
The operative and rubberneckers roamed in the whole deli, animatedly exchanging impressions, dangled hither and thither without taking into account a third dimension, the height. Suddenly, a shouting sounded from the height:
-Everyone looks here! Look here! Here is I! - plugging away some psycho shouted, unknown when he has succeeded to climb on the chandelier. - Stand back! Now it will be an explosion and fire!
A champagne bottle fell, loudly broke. It smelled like gasoline from there. Burning splinter falling from the height inflamed the puddle Everyone succeeded to run aside in enough security clearance. It begins the shots into the height, but "the hero of the occasion" already was absent over there. A few of the buyers were scared and rushed to the exit. Thanks to the fact that there were a bit of them, the hustle, which was formed in the doorway, it was harmless enough. Some of them were embraced by an ecstasy, but they hid such a look, being embarrassed because of this emotion. Their joy was natural: when and where they could see such a free spectacle, such "fireworks"? There were no victims. The fire quickly was extinguished, using the fire extinguishers. It didn't succeed to be spread further, only less than a liter of gasoline burned on the stone floor. All the same, it became smoky, but in spite of this, the lot of people preferred to stay in the deli to look what will go on.
At the same time in a dairy shop in the Sretenka street, a man in the leather jacket asked a woman seller, how to address by name to the chief: as if he wants to show and it's possible, to sell her a plush carpet he has brought from Baku. After asking, he passed in the corridor without hindrance, however, he didn't come to the chief, but to the group of the porters who were sitting in their service room and told anecdotes each to another, without paying attention on the strange guest.
-Hey, dude! Put back my robe! Where are you from such impudent one? Whether are you a newcomer? - after this replica, all of them turned to the side of a strange man who put on their clothes not without being allowed. Suddenly he disappeared in front of them and at once it formed a long dumb show.
In a few minutes in another place, it was nearby the Lubyanka again, a man was coming into the large book shop, if to look at his clothes, a worker. He with difficulty was carrying a huge pile of some junk by the armful. There was a paper, some things of cardboard, wooden boards. He came upstairs on the first floor. No one prevented him, even entering in, he was helped by holding the door. Who knows, what a mission was given, either to a worker, or to a janitor. Only when he had come to the first floor and threw this pile near the counters, a seller woman shouted:
-Who has allowed you to throw here the garbage? What are you doing?
-I'm going to start the fire here. Am I not allowed?
She just wanted to shout: "Militia! Here is a madman in the shop!" but suddenly fell silent, freezing scared, seeing the "Walter" aimed at her.
-Don't be afraid. You will not be burned. Even you may feast your eyes on this firework for a short while. It is so beautiful! - Albert softly pronounced, smiling, pouring a combustible mixture on the pile. He moistened a little wooden stick, set it on fire and threw it in the middle of the pile. After this, immediately he threw himself in the center of the raging flame and disappeared in it.
-Fire! There's a fire at the top! - A commotion starting at the top as if affirmed this loud message, but at once a strange continuation followed:
-Now it's going to be something! Look here everyone! You! Petty human crowd! You are cadavers! You are a herd of beasts! Is here among you, at least, one human being? Or everyone are the Soviet zombi?
In a few of second, almost everyone of those who were in this hall and could see, they indignantly were looking at Albert.
-Dickhead! - someone's evil voice sounded.
However, the troublemaker disappeared in front of them again. Soon the sellers and visitors ran away out in the street. Because of the people spontaneously gathering near the shop, a traffic jam started to form, but not for a long while. The building was saved, however, a fire brigade had to do a lot of work. Else in a half an hour, Paukov was aware of everything what was occurring in the shops nearby. Just in case he connected with Kovalev:
-Grisha, is there someone else, who is working with the paranormal, excepting Kashin?
-Uncle Kesha, unlikely, even with one ear I haven't heard about this.
-If you say, likely so it is. Nevertheless...
A phone rang now. Paukov in vexation picked up the phone.
-Attention! The money I've stolen from the deli 40 and in the burning "Book World", it is in the Kashin's apartment. I'm repeating: the money I've stolen from the deli 40 and in the burning "Book World", it is in the Kashin's apartment. I'm repeating...
-Fool! He has done because of his devilry! - the General of FSB blurted out. - Grisha, wait for a short while, now I have messages all around. Don't interrupt the connection.
He hung up, from where it was repeating the same phrase, as on a spoiled disk, took a radio from the desk and adjusted the aerial. When he was bending, it has seemed, as if under the heavy oaken desk some shadow has flickered and disappeared. It made him take a look at this place a second time to make sure there is nobody.
He tried long to get an answer from the air, but the insistence still has helped to succeed. Just heard Kashin's call-signs, which were pronounced with worried voice, Paukov at once has interrupted him:
-Comrade Kashin, what is your last mission?
-A deal of the smuggler from Sweden, his nickname is Black King.
-Have you succeeded to get something?
-The colleagues are working. If you need the urgent report, I can now ask the data from the air and give you the freshest information.
-I believe. You work good. I even would say, too good. The people say: "If you hew trees, the chips must fly!" But we already have no chips, but the wooden logs are flying!
-What do you say about, Innokenty Nikolaevich?
Not paying attention at his pretending, Paukov continued:
-Such things must be done with us together. You still have the possibility to rehabilitate. We can help you and formalize the legal status for your activity. But now your object, I know his name is Albert, he has got out of control, and using his abilities, he has robbed a few of the shops and committed arsons in the center of Moscow, he scares the people! Now I am urgently calling you in my office, because this problem is not in order to converse it in the air. Can you get here at three o'clock, afternoon?
After a short silence the answer followed:
-I'll try... I'll arrive for sure!
-I'm waiting. And be aware: If during your working you have committed some actions, which are able to cast a shadow on our Service, then you have to make amends as far as possible. I hope, you didn't commit anything stupid with irreversible consequences, did you?
-Yes, Sir.
-Well. All right. In general, I'm waiting. Saying this, the General switched off the radio and put it on the desk, without forgetting to sheathe the aerial. Suddenly Kovalev came in.
-Excuse me, uncle Kesha, there is an interesting data. Kashin's signal is traced. Now he is situated one hundred and thirty miles on the North direction from Moscow.
-Can you express more exact?
Kovalev approached the map hanging on one of the walls and began to paint an imaginary circle on the map with his finger. The General approached the map too.
-Huh, it's disappointing. The radius is about twelve miles. And I don't think that it is in a city. We have nothing there in order Kashin would work. We have to be aware, what a boiler room, he had organized there.
-Uncle Kesha. You said nothing to him about the wenches. They are just about to liquidate Redhead.
The General took a look at Kovalev, either interrogatively, or contemptuously, and after a pause, plunging his subordinate in the embarrassing position, he pronounced:
-Dear, Grisha. We need information. The way it is gained... in general, you understood. Kashin has brewed a mush, now let him eat it. We have no guilt it it and we may in a clear conscience... - it seemed, the General looked for an appropriate figure of speech.
-We are washing our hands. Is it right uncle Kesha?
-That's well, you are such an astute one.
Suddenly Kovalev rushed to the desk and leaned.
-What's wrong with you?
-It seemed to me that someone is sitting there.
-You should rest, Grisha. This is a tiredness because of the work. But nevertheless... - suddenly Paukov remembered, recently, he also noticed something similar to a silhouette. - What have you seen?
-Here... At first a bundle, as if clothes. I'd not attached importance, but taking a more attentive look at it, and it turned out as if a person, although he was sitting in an inconceivable position. Only a pro in the Yoga could sit so.
-Damn it! Just what we needed! Don't share with you people too much. You understand, it may adversely affect on your reputation. I have to ponder... There is an antidote for every poison.
This time in the snow-covered Siberian taiga on the edge of the village a man has appeared "from nothing" and almost running headed to the village, then came into the house.
-How’s tricks? - Albert asked, looking forward to the answer.
-Kashin is one hundred and thirty miles from Moscow to the North. The radius of the probable localisation is about twelve miles. Paukov is aware of everything, including Lena - the old was reporting, hard breathing. Then he told in detail he heard, finishing so:
-Do you see here? We have a good result. You've muddied the waters. I've caught the fish.
-Wait, wait, - Albert said anxiously, pressing his right palm against his forehead. What if their "probable localisation" would be in the my parents' dacha?
-Be the most careful! Have you a point, you could start up, at least, not too far from this house?
-I have. In no case appear inside at first. This is not only dangerous, but also, this may blow the whole operation.
-I understand.
-Well, God bless you.
Albert started up a third of a mile from the dacha and quickly headed for it. Instead of the accustomed fence, the dacha was surrounded by a new one. The new fence was wooden, but high and blind. He abruptly jumped up. Only at the second time he succeeded to grab the top part of the fence, did a pull-up. Holding to the fence with his feet, he rose higher and finally he was holding the fence with his hands from above. Inside the house didn't change, but a guard with a machine-gun was walking back and forth in the yard. He immediately noticed Albert.
-Where are you climbing, asshole!
-This dacha is not yours. Aged people live in it.
-And I guard this dacha against types you are. Do you have questions else?
Instead an answer, Albert jumped down back, in the snow.
Chapter 9. Baptism by fire.
Albert long ago have understood who he deals with. He understood it from the moment, when the gift of Paul, "Walter", was applied for the first time. Of course, being in his heyday, he was able to think not worse than Paul, who in spite of his age could very skillfully calculate a situation, but thought slowly and doubted his own decision if it was adopted quickly. Albert understood that Kashin with his assistants already left and approximately he knew where they were going by car now. There weren't reasons to keep here too powerful security, but with these ones Albert himself is able to win, disappearing and appearing and shooting to kill and after this to disappear again. However, for greater effectiveness the actions must be coordinated. The last idea made him teleport in Krasnoyarsk region.
Olesya, as usual, left for skiing, this time with Nadya. The old Paul was going to come home any minute. He really "arose" in about five minutes. Albert reported the situation.
-In such a case we have to act together. Regarding your parents' names, I know them. This time it is my turn to knock on the door and ask about their health. You already were seen by this turnkey.
-However, what a way you get there?
-Did you forget how we met at the first time? How I called you. How I watched every place of your possible visit, have you forgotten?
-Then let's ponder how will we act.
In ten minutes everything was decided, and Albert was filling his gun by the cartridges were not enough. Soon they both appeared near the dacha. Old Paul came up to the gate, failed to find the doorbell and began to knock. Albert watched from a shelter what is going on.
-What do you need? Is it with the butt to the head?
-Excuse me. Recently, I've arrived in my dacha and now I would like to meet my neighbors. I know them. They live in this house.
The narrow gate opened. The guard showed his certificate right in front of the old man's face.
-How many times I have to repeat to everyone. Temporarily, it is forbidden to come in. Don't you see? This is the Federal Security Service, okay? Security! Understood? Do you want I help you to get pushed into shit, like a shit cat?
-Excuse me, but I suppose that you have better to wipe your ass with your fake certificate.
-What?! You dare...
A shot rang out from behind the fir and enraged shout of the guard transformed into a howl. Albert was wondering, how the old man succeeded to grab the machine gun so quickly, and at the same moment he threw it to Albert.
-Throwing, be careful. All the way we dreamed of an accident. Lie down!..
The old man immediately reacted at the command and fell in the snow. They felt awful because of the deafening stutter of the machine gun. A few of bullets whistled passing. The door of the cellar blew shut as suddenly as before it had opened. Albert with the machine gun at once teleported into the cellar behind the type just was shooting, he smote him with a short gunfire and immediately looked back. After the daylight, his eyes failed to see at once, but he recognized Sveta's voice:
-Alik, help us. Beware!
He saw the two women hung on the guard's arm, screeching and attempting to deprive him of the machine gun. The guard pushed them and they fell, but at the same time the machine gun slipped from his hands away. Lena jumped up in time, attempting to hit him in the ball sack. Apparently, the attempt was succeeded only halfway, however, the time was gained. The guard could not reach the machine gun, because Albert was holding him at gunpoint.
-If you shoot, these bitches will get too, by the ricochet. A lot of bullets, a large probability, - the guard pronounced it in a threatening manner.
Using a short Albert's embarrassment, he suddenly pulled a grenade from the bosom, and screamed with a hysterical voice:
-We everyone will explode! We everyone will croak! Go away, otherwise I'll blow up everyone, including myself!
There was no time to ponder, but in the moments of this kind everything automatically occurs. Albert only noticed that the pin still is not pulled. The thinking took place without any words, but being translated, it would sound like this:
"Lord! Please don't let's mistake, please don't let me miss the target..."
Immediately Albert disappeared and at once appeared behind the enemy, then he wounded from his pistol the enemy's holding the grenade arm. The arm had swung down as a pendulum. Albert grabbed the grenade and directed the pepper spray into enemy's eyes. In spite of this, screaming, the guard grabbed his wounded arm, without clutching his eyes. Everyone was inside started to cough with the tears in the eyes. During the noise, no one heard a shot sounded above, on the ground.
But Albert gave a shout: "Be patient! Don't come out. It's very dangerous!" Providently, he teleported beyond the yard, near the narrow gate. Carefully creeping toward the opened gate, he saw his turned pale mother and father who came out on the porch. Old Paul was standing with the pistol in his hand near a lying guard who was smitten by him and kept asking:
-Is it exact, nobody is at home? They are able to kill Albert, your son.
-Certainly, no. He was the only who guarded us at home. Heard the noise, he came out on the porch and you've shot at him from the shelter, - the father answered.
-My God! I lived to see this! - the mother grieved.
-Paul, that's me! - Albert gave a shout. In the cellar I've disarmed two of them. The wenches are there. Is there someone else?
-Did you really become murderer now? - his mother with horror asked.
-Did you dream they would kill us both? They are criminals! So... Faster! Everyone! Into the house! It's dangerous to be standing like this!
Being sure, everyone has obeyed him, including old Paul, Albert rushed to open the cellar from the outside. He shoved a new, unfamiliar deadbolt but the door still was locked. He had to teleport inside.
-I've opened the deadbolt from outside, but I couldn't open the door.
-Take the key, I've pulled from him, - a woman's voice answered, coughing. The gas, released from the can, forced to cough, stung the eyes. Finally, the door was opened.
-Come out in turn. Leave the machine gun and don't touch it. It may shoot. And at once into the house. Into the house! Don't stand in the yard!
In a few of minutes, it became clear out of the conversation with Albert's parents that there is not of efficient adversaries at home anymore. It seemed, all of them were alive, but with graved wounds. The parents told them, often being horrified and distracted to exclaim and complaint, that three chiefs had left the area by the same black car "Volga". When they described these chiefs, everything became clear. They were Kashin, Skolopendrin and Batogov. The parents remembered even the number of the boring black car, always was standing in the yard.
-Ah! I'm going to piss myself! - Lena exclaimed inappropriately. - I'll piss myself now! She abruptly sat down on the sofa, laughing uproariously and hysterically. The tears ran from her eyes, but she continued wildly to laugh, wriggling. Valya approached to her and with all her might she slapped her cheeks two times:
-Lena! Wake up!
She ceased to laugh and stared at her friend, as if astonishing.
-We are saved! They've saved us, either Albert, or Renald with his friend.
-Valya. There is no any Renald! He is the only! No one brother twin exists! Albert, he is the only! - suddenly she was embraced by the second fit of laughter, yet more hysterical than the first one.
-Girls! - Albert exclaimed. - There are a few of pieces of wire. Let's take them and push her on the floor and whip her with wire till blood, in order it would hurt to sit down. Saying this, he winked them with his right eye.
-That's right, - the two girl friends affirmed.
-Either we tie her to the desk, or there is a bench? - Valya asked.
-In fact, we have to thrash her! Let's do it! - Sveta approved merrily. Albert clearly saw her eyes shone with joy. He smiled, remembering that soon she has to get acquainted with Olesya, embraced by the same passion.
-Girls. Don't do. I calm down already. Do you know, what these scoundrels promised? As if today returning, they will torture her to death during a few of hours in front of us. And if she don't tell, where are Nadya and Albert, they will torture us by the same way. It's understandable, she is pretty hysterical now, - Valya explained with an anxious voice.
-Nevertheless, they are criminals or the FSB? - Albert father asked.
-To consider from the legal point, they are colleagues of the FSB who had violated their statute and created an illegal "left" department without reporting to the superiors, - Albert explained, - however, thanks to a valuable data they had gained, one may expect that superiors will try to turn a blind eye to the crimes as well as possible. Even if it's impossible to leave these facts without court and jail, the superiors will take advantage the possibility to get information and wash their hands, as if the institution does not engage in these deals.
-However, what crimes they had committed?
-Take a look at these pale Nadya's friends with the rattled nerves. They held them illegally in the unheated cellar, they had to sleep on the dirt floor and it still is unknown whether it affected the health negatively or no. And they hadn't any right to hold you and my mother under house arrest and rebuild the fence around the house. Maybe, to see from your point, all this is a nonsense, nevertheless, today they were going to torture this girl till the death in front of the rest. The only Lord knows, what would be if we haven't interfered.
-But one cannot by the only his own force to fight against a state institution, - the mother retorted. - You had better to turn with a complaint to their superiors.
-They had left for Moscow, because their superior, Major General, called them, using the radio. I possess an exact data, he knows about women illegally imprisoned and staying in the mortal danger and he didn't wish to do anything to save them. His subordinate asked him: "Do we wash our hands in which case?" And he answered: "You are such an astute one".
-Where did you take this data from?
-From a camel, - Albert answered, using a Russian pun. - Don't worry about me. I'll get out, I guarantee! Think about yourself. I'll bring a car here and pay for the journey. Urgently go to Moscow. Here are a few phone numbers. It' necessary to attract support of the human rights organizations, - Albert took a notebook, tore out a few of sheet and was writing something. - Here are addresses to tell everything, as it occurred and you've better to visit everyone, so it would be more reliable. It will save you, though they don't need you. They need me. This yet good, because under the Soviet power they would charge you of the complicity in banditry and in armed attacks against officers the KGB. But now they don't need you. Anyway, they will evade the publicity and will not to aggravate the situation.
-Oh, Lord! What a life is going! - His mother didn't calm down.
-By the way, you have remembered the Lord in time. "Repent and believe the good news!"
Unfortunately, the last words at all didn't console his mother.
-Soon I'll get the car. Wait for it.
Albert saw, the old man was standing, turning aside.
-Let's go, Paul. We've better together to do it.
Just as they entered into the forest, at once Albert explained:
-I take the first car for my parents, you take the second one for the wenches. Let's climb over together to the turn-off from the highway to this place.
They both disappeared and appeared in five miles from here, near an exit from the highway Moscow-Uglich.
-Do you know, your parents will have to help the investigation with a sketch of me? That's why I turned aside. In order the image of me would be less clear. I understand them. They are right from the point of their level of development, and it's impossible to do anything against this.
-I'm aware. And they will never go in America at any price. However, I'll succeed to direct them to the addresses I've given them. Otherwise, if they let it go, it would be dangerous for them. Regarding these three types, I'll blow them up. I got this grenade at just the right time. I got it in the cellar from the enemy.
-We have done something wrong, - the old man answered. - We risked as in war, though we could pass without things like this. Everything is good what finishes well. They say, success is never blamed, but it doesn't mean we always will be have such a luck. Remember the second temptation of Christ, that's to jump from the temple wing. You may consider we have done. We fought. We got the baptism by fire.
-I'll blow them up without any risk for me. I have to become a killer.
-God is your judge, but you have better don't give them a chance. That devil near the narrow gate, he almost killed us with the fusillade. Thanks God. He has saved us. I didn't say to you at your parents' presence: he is dead. We have to sooner evacuate everyone of us away from this country.
-We will do.
Soon Albert took a car. After receiving one hundred dollars as an advance, the driver with pleasure started to lead the car to the dacha settlement. The parents were leaving, being upset not only because of everything has taken place, but also because Albert didn't want to leave together. Just as they had left the settlement, they met a car, which went in the opposite direction. It seemed them, as if near the driver the same old man sat, who helped Albert to fight against the state servants. May be it was not him. They doubted. They didn't suspect that now the released captives are rolling now, following them on the Uglich highway.
According to Albert's calculating, the three main adversaries now were approaching by car to the village Verigino. He didn't mistake, choosing a place a few miles closer than Verigino to Moscow, where the road was winding through the forest. He already have "climbed over" home in his apartment with broken windows in Perlovka to take his binoculars. Now he saw them. No doubt. He ran aside into the forest and teleported else about a third of a mile to the South. The tensions were increasing. Now he felt the awful power of the teleportation. Those who hunted him, now they themselves have become defenceless wildfowls. Just as the black car appeared coming around the corner, the grenade, being already without the pin had flown into it. They failed to do anything. Albert thought there is not necessary to lie down and he had teleported back, a third of a mile to the North and started to approach the car by foot. Road curve inexorably was approaching. Further than the curve was, a terrible picture of the burning car opened. Not without difficulty, Albert forced himself to approach closer. The black silhouettes of those who a few minutes ago were persons, now they didn't give any sign of life. There were no doubts, if there are some documents, in this flame everything will be burned to ashes. He felt terrible, but there was a cause to distract.
In Moscow, Sankt-Petersburg and Kiev Albert visited a few of sport shops he knows. Finally, in Kiev he found an appropriate four-person tent. At planned time he took an observing point. Soon passed the car he knew, it's with the parents. They were continuing their way to Moscow. Soon appeared the car with women, it has braked. The women payed and came out. The driver turned and rode back. The women began to turn around, marvelling but suddenly they noticed Albert with a big rucksack. Also, he was holding three small rucksacks in his hands. He gave them to the three friends.
Now they began to catch a car already to the west direction. In an hour they succeeded. When they reached the place and began to pitch the tent on the snow, it started to get dark. Yet he had to "fly" for the sleeping bags. Albert decided to reach from a shop in Sankt-Petersburg the closest entrance into the building and tried to "climb over" with one sleeping bag to the same forest, but he failed. Then he had to climb into every sleeping bag right in shoes, and only in such a case he succeeded to teleport. When Albert climbed in the fourth sleeping bag, by chance, a man come in the entrance, who was walking up the stairs home. The passer-by, seeing a man who is standing on the stairs within the sleeping bag, being in winter clothes and right in shoes, he long and amazedly looked back then went faster into his flat to share the news. However, Albert decided to honor nobody else with such a show and he had teleported away, just as the door into that flat was closed.
-Are we ready to stand this? - Valya asked. - Today at night, the forecast was till up to twenty degrees of a frost.
-With our equipment, it will be a little cold, but warmer than in the cellar you spent the nights. The equipment, especially the feather sleeping bags, which are designed to sleep in the freezing cold.
Valya already was explained that Albert is the only one and no lookalike Renald exists. The remorse beset her again. Also, Lena was preoccupied with thoughts about her former betrayal she would like to repent. She wanted to apologize, but she didn't know how to start. Everyone behaved as if it was all right. However, in the greatest degree the three women were astonished because of Albert's focuses of disappearing and reappearing again.
-What a way you do so? - Sveta was the first who asked.
-If you learn it, the World Disaster will approach. Doesn't it enough of adventures for you? You still aren't aware that the main our enemies' target to learn how to do so.
-They wanted yet to learn who is connected with you and whether it's possible succeed to find a secret laboratory, following and watching you. In one of the "safe houses", a recruited cop affirmed, as if some old man in other cities, being detained as a vagabond often disappeared away from the cells, but the doors and windows stayed intact. Also, at the place of his duty, that's in the metro station "Komsomolskaya" a few of witnesses affirmed that they saw a similar old "invisible man" and over there some strange things sometimes occurred, which were connected with him.
-Congratulations to you, daring, mischievous and accessible girl! Now you've become our agent and you have no reason to switch back.
The other two girl friends were wondering, hearing such a strange appeal to her.
-Forgive me for everything, - finally, Lena could pronounce.
-We will punish, then forgive, - old Paul said, joking and smiling, while he was approaching to them. - That's what, wenches. During a few of days you have to live in the forest. When all around will calm down, I'll make up you so, even your mothers could not recognize you. Still, I'm a former actor and I can do it. And you will go by train, in the same compartment to a safe place. Already, I've found an apartment.
-Do we have to hide during the whole life now? - Valya asked.
-However, do you want to be jailed? Also, instead jail you, they may force you to work for them and when they don't need you anymore, they will not to kill you openly, as Kashin was going to do, but they will nice and calmly arrange an accident or a criminal case. Is it better from your point? Don't worry, beauties. I will try in order you wouldn't become eternal refugees. Also, his wife Nadya is hidden with my help, - he turned, pointing to Albert, - and there is more a girl. That's clear, you will get along, for you belong the same thing - the old man said smiling and turning to Sveta. - Albert, let it be a nice surprise for her.
-I've understood, - Albert answered, smiling.
Everyone started to bring the boughs, therefore the campfire was made quite quickly.
-Well, it's becoming more merrily now, - Valya said, and she only was going to propose to sing, but Sveta's voice already has outstripped all the rest:
An unknown star shines in the sky.
We again are torn from our home.
And at once everyone has caught up:
We're divided by the airfield lights,
And large cities lie between left alone...
To the end of the song a joyful feeling embraced everyone. Albert called Paul aside and shared a thought:
-Today, I've croaked four ones, one of them is killed in his back from the machine-gun. And regarding the rest of three, I blew them up with a grenade. And I wonder at myself: I sing songs with the girls, as if nothing occurred.
-You are not a criminal, but a warrior, and today we won. You've got your first baptism by fire, therefore everything is natural.
That time in Moscow Paukov already was informed about Kashin's death, also, about the death of the two accomplices of his shady transaction. Kovalev was sitting in his office, trembling like a leaf and the General was walking back and forth and exclaiming:
-Idiots! Now they are blown up as fishes and all data are buried with them together! What the hell, to irritate someone who holds a huge force in his hand?! Couldn't they sneak up on them, carefully, being invisible? He might blow up a half of Moscow because of his sluts! And you, fool, do you want it? Because you proposed to get posters up all over city for them, as for dangerous offenders!
-No excuse, uncle Kesha.
-I'm not uncle Kesha anymore, but comrade Major-General!
-Oh! Oh! Who is under the desk!
-Fucking bullshit!!!
Old Paul, at once appearing in the taiga "from nothing" without any witnesses, crying from laughing, he was approaching to his Siberian home.
It still isn't the end but almost.
The novel was written from January 1 to July 13 in 2000.
Postscript to the novel "The teleportation" or what was going on farther.
Perhaps, a lot of the readers guessed, that the novel hasn't finished. Yes, the heroes got out of the difficult and dangerous situation, the enemies are destroyed, but to see from the reader's position, I would be disappointed because of the point gotten at the end of the ninth chapter "Baptism by fire", even in spite of the happy end. Therefore, those who felt that the novel still isn't over, they didn't mistake. It was planned to write three more chapters, probably long ones, as it is a distinct characteristic of the second part of the novel.
The whole difficulty is that the action of the last three chapters was planned to take place in the United Stations of America. Sometimes the main characters appeared in New-York also in the middle of the novel. I cannot surely say how accuracy New-York is described I never was in. An abandoned landscape, for example, there is an industrial dump with construction waste, where criminal identities inhabit, it was inspired by a comedy French movie "Banzai" (1983) and in addition by my own imagination. If the description is not enough truthful one, then some superficiality and the brevity of description help to decrease the distortion. It's possible, some anachronism takes place: the movie was making still before 1983, when the crime rates in New York were enough high, although at present these rates decreased in such degree that sociologists were interested this phenomena. But the last three chapters are quite another matter. This is not a fleeting appearance in America, thanks to the teleportation, but a permanent stay, describing in details the local large-scale geography and social nuances. I wouldn't like to turn out in one French writer's position in the past. He never was in Russia, but daring to describe it, he described a person who was sitting under a big branching cranberry. (The cranberry is a grass up to 3-5 inches).
In the literary history you can see a lot of the unfinished novels from the known classics till the modern ones. There is nothing eternal, a writer lives, dies, leaving the contemporaries or readers of the future generations with an unpleasant feeling of the unsatisfied curiosity, "what still was going on farther?" Proceeding from incomplete notes in author's notebooks in the margins, literature scholars make an attempt to restore a plan of the continue of the plot. This kind of attempts often can be vain one and similar to divinations. For example, whether Dubrovsky and Masha stayed separated forever or he will appear to her pretending an Englishman and they finally will stay together? The "Mystery of Edwin Drood" by Charles Dickens forever remained as a mystery. There are a lot of such examples.
However, I wouldn't like to abandon a reader in the dark, because I don't know, whether I'll be inspired to write this ending at the same time with the possibility to travel in the USA to examine and learn everything needed for the plot or I'll move on to the other side. Although, maybe one may travel in the Otherworld, but unlikely I would succeed to connect with you and share the impressions. So I am going briefly to tell how the plot thickens farther, but with a description in detail, neither beautiful areas, our heroes would choose areas only of such a kind, nor the modern American mode of life. And I'll do it here and now.
We left them in a difficult situation, though in an invulnerable condition, that is in an invulnerable one for any mafia, for any police, for any special services. They will hide at the nature with an excellent equipment, with the money, but in Russia the cold is starting more than twenty degrees (C) lower zero. The equipment gives the possibility to stand them, but there is another problem. It is unlikely, that the special services will leave them alone. The ability to teleport is a very tempting thing. And it would be very dangerous for the humanity to give such a gift to it.
After counting every pro and contra, the heroes concluded that they have better don't defer with the escape out of the country in spite of the fact that it would be impossible to emigrate in a conspiratorial manner, also, legally and quickly at the same time. But in order to keep in the security the five representatives of the marvelous gender who cannot teleport, they have to act only like this. Also, they go there not to cause a disturbance, as a few of the Russians. They already are not going, but they had arrived one a month ago and bought a house in a picturesque place with fake ID cards, and they reminisce the described above adventures. Quite so the next tenth chapter "A fisherman" would begin, it was intended to name it so.
Albert and old Paul conclude that a full security is an illusion, even here. The Russian special services, also other ones, have very long arms. Therefore, they find an area in the jungle, which is safe at all, on the distant side of the world. Albert's wife recollects Lena's joke about the teleportation (Part 2, chapter 2 "In the role as a night ghost"). She more and more suspects that he cheated her not only with Olesya. Also, she cannot ignore that he all the same continues to love her.
Lately Albert begins to go in for fishing. Another fisherman appears who tries to make friends with him. As if he had arrived in this area to spend his vacation to the buddies. He knows a lot about fishing and as if doesn't see that Albert not enough correctly speaks English. But, as it's known, Albert and Paul are clever and careful ones. The fact the fisherman "doesn't see" not exactly correct Albert's English, it causes suspicion. Also, in spite the fact he is an usual American, he is too communicative one. When the next time the women leave for the jungle, they are warned not to return.
In the eleventh chapter "A free tribe", the "fisherman" tips his hand. She shows a certificate of an American special service. He thinks as if the women are hidden nearby (he sees they leave and arrive), and he even tries to blackmail. He needs the only thing: to get the ability to teleport; and he swears that in the case of the agreement, not only the police, but even the FBI will close the eyes for their illegal immigration and they will be helped to legalize their new citizenship. The women with the understanding consider the fact, they have to stay in the jungle forever. It is more difficult to become four wives of the only husband, but they gradually accustom to living like this. They will love him, give birth to children for him and a free tribe will be formed. As opposed to the wild tribes, they will be literate ones, with better manners, they will be not behind, but ahead of the general mass of the humanity. Regarding to return into the world, they already lived in terror in Kashin's captivity and they are aware what this seduction may transform into. At the second time a disaster may occur. Observing, how Albert and Paul are able to teleport, they understand that the special service's hunt for them is not a joke.
Still at the beginning of the novel, the old man told to Albert, there is a person, whom Albert will teach the teleportation after his natural death. Now he discovers, this person is Olesya.
Now it might be the end, but 1994 year is over and begins the war against Chechen Republic Ichkeria. Albert is furious. The last twelfth chapter of the part 2 begins. It would be named "The choice". Firstly, believe as if Russia is going to better, it would be unthinkable. The devil's state relapsed again, starting to oppress, to inhibit, to dominate. Secondly, the people will become a victim now, whom Albert sympathized and even named himself "a friend of the Chechen people", as it's known out of the part 2, third chapter "A steeplechase". When it is declared publicly, as if all this occurs, including the bombing of the peaceful residential blocks of the Grozny city only to put Constitutional order, it is not necessary to be a genius to understand what such an "order" will transform into. Albert craves revenge. Together with old Paul they decided what to do.
Albert show his ability to teleport to a CIA officer. The officer quickly understood what is the matter and proposes to Albert to do the same thing in front of a few witnesses, his colleagues, and Albert readily agrees. He is given one agent from his superiors, who is going to teach and check him. Albert names him "chief" and he doesn't mind. Albert imposes the only condition, never to ask him, what a way by, he succeeds to do such tricks. Working with Albert, the chief more and more perceives Albert's honesty and sincerity. Albert doesn't hide that he illegally arrived in the USA, in the hope to save a few of people from a dangerous persecution. Also, he confesses that an officer of an American special service blackmailed him, pretending a passionate lover of the fishing at the beginning of the "friendship". Without expecting this, because of reports about this story he has helped to discover an agent of the Russian intelligence, in spite of the fact that he really was an indigenous American, but being a sleeper Russian agent initiated by General Paukov who worked for money. When Albert receives a status allowing legally to live in the USA, almost at the same time he legally becomes an agent of the CIA. When the chief congratulates him on the beginning of his work in favor America, Albert answers that it would be more correctly to say, in favor the liberty, because any state changes, but the liberty is an eternal value. From one side, the chief thought: " What an unbearable type he is with his challenge!" But on the other side, he was even moved. The agent is invaluable with such abilities, therefore, an admiration for him wouldn't be a contradiction in the behavior of an American who thinks practically. Also, of course, there is not a large lot of honest people who craves to work by conviction.
The chief was born and raised in a family of the Baptists, and now he has come to his senses and remembered, that being distracted by his work, he begins to forget the God, the eternity. One day on the weekend, he comes out in the countryside to pray. Now he understands, the faith without an obscurantism never would interfere with an intelligence officer to work, but it only helps. However, the Teacher said: "Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s". So the novel is over.
Thus Albert has brought a good fruit once more, turning back a human being to the faith. It succeeded so to portray the protagonist, sometimes he is abrupt right up the rudeness when he deals with the evil, but still in depth of the soul he is drawn to the good. He loves four women at the same time, however, he never considers them as a means to reach another target, but he sees every of them as a beautiful being, and his love is sincere. He is sympathetic to the amusing relationship of Paul with Olesya and becomes not only Paul's deserving successor, but also a good friend. Nevertheless, the major test is the test by teleportation. After receiving the awful force he remains a human. The way of a monster who would be embraced by the lust for power, this is not his way. Regarding his wife, her three friends, though they aren't completely without sin, but there are so few of such people in our grey environment, but I think, a small number of readers would confess of this.
The novel was written from January 1 to July 13 in 2000.
The postscript was added 5 of July, 2011.
The whole novel was translated into English by the author from September 29, 2017, to 1 March, 2018.