| k then.
- Thanks, oh mysterious Anonymous, - Nadya bends to glucotrol XL o me and kisses my
cheek.
- Lenia, marker! - glucotrol XL whisper the clips on my shoulders.
I take an glucotrol XL antivirus handkerchief and wipe the lipstick print glucotrol XL t from my
cheek, wave a finger to Nadya with a warni glucotrol XL ing:
- Girl, I DO prefer to stay mysterious.
glucotrol XL Looks like she feels confused, but has enough n glucotrol XL nerve to shrug and walk
away without hurry.
S glucotrol XL Shit. She spoiled everything, stupid.
It was su glucotrol XL uch a nice talk...r fall asleep submitting myself
to glucotrol XL o the morning hangover or to submerge into the de glucotrol XL eep: it cures hangover
well.
On the second fl glucotrol XL loor of the staircase where the light is on always glucotrol XL for
some reason, five teens were sitting, playin glucotrol XL ng cards right on the floor,
talking about someth glucotrol XL hing in dimmed voices... No, not talking, it'd be bet glucotrol XL tter
to say growling to each other. I knew two karela glucotrol XL of them, other three were
unfamiliar. A little glucotrol XL e pack of smaller carnivores. They'd eagerly r Th glucotrol XL he one not on your mercy, - the twin keeps distractin glucotrol XL ng the guard.
- Whose mercy you're on then?
glucotrol XL - Only mine.
Interesting, how many more di glucotrol XL ifferent deaths did the monster save for
the thiev glucotrol XL ves? Just look at his teeth... horns.. well, even th glucotrol XL he phallus might
do too..
- Why did you come h glucotrol XL here?
- To find the power over myself.
- glucotrol XL Go ahead and find it.
The palm opens, the mon glucotrol XL nster turns into stone. The twin stands on the
edg glucotrol XL ge of the palm motionless.
ty programs without
d glucotrol XL destroying the file. I had to just knock them out, di glucotrol XL isable them. Then I got
busy with the inner surpri glucotrol XL ise. I cut the file into twenty pieces, extracted
t glucotrol XL the guard program. It turned out to be an absolute glucotrol XL ely unfamiliar polymorph
virus which (and it was glucotrol XL most unpleasant) have managed to stick to my
c glucotrol XL computer. After two hours of intensive work, inte glucotrol XL errupted only twice - to
take an aspirin tablet and glucotrol XL to visit bathroom, I became convinced that I'll
n glucotrol XL not be abl you off from your
pursuers at once!
glucotrol XL I shook my head, didn't know that. It's a shame glucotrol XL e to confess but I never
visited those 'establishmen glucotrol XL nts' before.
- So well... I decided to wait fo glucotrol XL or half an hour, - went Maniac on with
his story, - glucotrol XL But you wouldn't just hang there alone like stupid, glucotrol XL right? So I
called for one girl... we were just sit glucotrol XL tting, drinking beer... 'Guinness'! -
confessed Man glucotrol XL niac in a sudden frank manner, - Well, and... glucotrol XL somehow it
happened... and in the very ntersection glucotrol XL ns, enter tunnels and cross road junctions. I'm wait glucotrol XL ting. I could
order the driver to go the shortest glucotrol XL t way but in this case he would need to
contact disp glucotrol XL patching office and I would leave the trace...
glucotrol XL The city ends abruptly - like the wall of palaces glucotrol XL and skyscrapers was
cut off by the huge knife. The glucotrol XL city loop road and the forest across it, the
thick glucotrol XL k and wild forest... that separates from the fuss tho glucotrol XL ose who doesn't want
to make a show of themselves.
glucotrol XL
- Slow down, - I stuff!
Boring-boring-bor glucotrol XL ring, Ladies and Gentlemen...
Alexandrians are glucotrol XL probably right: we have turned the virtual world in glucotrol XL nto
the parody of the real one, but parodies are nev glucotrol XL ver better than the original,
their goal is differen glucotrol XL nt: to mock it, to show its awkwardness and stupidity glucotrol XL y.
But we can't change the world, and this paro glucotrol XL ody makes no sense. It's not
a dash forward but just glucotrol XL t a step aside.
- Vika...
- Yes Lenia?
glucotrol XL - Stop me a cab...
- Okay.
Maybe it' glucotrol XL 'sen
stops, - Tell me... how is it: to be a diver?
glucotrol XL
- It's very simple, - replies Roman, - One j glucotrol XL just needs to know that
everything around is just glucotrol XL a game, a fantasy.
Sheld
shirt, turns to me. glucotrol XL . I prefer this type of drivers: well trained and b glucotrol XL brief
ones.
- Deep-Transit Company is glad to glucotrol XL welcome you!
He doesn't say the name - the pro glucotrol XL starlix ogram stopped the taxi anonymously.
- How will glucotrol XL you pay?
- Like this, - I say getting the rev glucotrol XL volver out of my pocket and hit te- I'm afraid of my glucotrol XL y name being known. The real freedom is in mystery glucotrol XL y
always.
- I understand, - Shellerbach agrees glucotrol XL s and looks at Roman askance, - Are
you the diver t glucotrol XL too? Or just a walking virus deposit?
- Diver, glucotrol XL - says Roman.
- Well... Good luck gentlemen. glucotrol XL ... - Shellerbach pads a step away, then
stops, - Te glucotrol XL ell me... how is it: to be a diver?
- It's very glucotrol XL y simple, - replies Roman, - One just needs to k glucotrol XL know that
everything around is just a game, a fantas glucotrol XL sy.
Sheld
shirt, turns to me. I prefer this glucotrol XL type of drivers: well trained and brief
ones.
glucotrol XL - Deep-Transit Company is glad to welcome you!
glucotrol XL He doesn't say the name - the program stopped the glucotrol XL e taxi anonymously.
- How will you pay?
- glucotrol XL - Like this, - I say getting the revolver out of my glucotrol XL pocket and hit ter programs might be?
Emotionless t glucotrol XL tones is the tradeoff of serial made and cheap ones.
glucotrol XL
- Let's not play the fool, - I say. - You de glucotrol XL ecided that I'm the diver?
And dragged me hers in th glucotrol XL he corner of the warehouse.
A black cloak len glucotrol XL ngth to the floor, a silver clip in the form of the glucotrol XL e
rose on his chest, curling hair of some odd ash glucotrol XL color but pretty natural
looking but instead of glucotrol XL f his face - a gray haze like condensed fog. Such glucotrol XL h
tricks are forbidden in the city but one can do t glucotrol XL that at home, but what for?
If one wants not to be r glucotrol XL recognizable, it's possible to pick the standard face glucotrol XL e
from Windows-Home set: it's the hell of those ther glucotrol XL re, while the missing facshivers, ready to tear. T glucotrol XL The awoken monster's grinning
muzzle is over me.
glucotrol XL - Who are you? - he roars so loud that my ears ac glucotrol XL che. In Russian by the
way!
- A visitor! - I glucotrol XL shout trying to free my feet from the grip of t glucotrol XL the
granite fingers.
- No visitor comes with t glucotrol XL the forbidden! - laughs the monster.
His forefi glucotrol XL inger flies towards me as if to crush me flat. glucotrol XL . I duck
forcefully, but the monster just points a glucotrol XL at the sword.
Yeah, right, this is not Deep-Tr glucotrol XL ransit carnivores don't hunt near
their den.
glucotrol XL - Hi, - said the guy who lives in the apartment abov glucotrol XL ve mine, in the same
type of studio, together with h glucotrol XL his parents and older sister who often comes
back glucotrol XL only by the morning. Walls and ceilings in this hou glucotrol XL use are thin enough
for me to be well posted on all glucotrol XL l their troubles and quarrels.
- Hi, - I said.
glucotrol XL
- Lenia, do you have cigarettes?
I'm at glucotrol XL least 15 years older than him, but these guys keep glucotrol XL me as almost
one of their age, maybee movie.
glucotrol XL - Sure, - I turn to her. The bartender already g glucotrol XL gives her a glass of
wine: 'Emperor', the Chilean on glucotrol XL ne. This girl has a good taste.
- I see you her glucotrol XL re pretty often, - informs the girl.
DZZZ! the glucotrol XL alarm signal in my head.
- Amazing, - I note, glucotrol XL - I don't visit this place so often really.
- glucotrol XL But I'm here almost always.
Lies.
I can glucotrol XL exit virtuality right now and check a couple of doze glucotrol XL ens of control
photos stored in the computer: the glucotrol XL visitors of the ristian with a strong
accent putti glucotrol XL glucotrol XL ing the canister on the bar. Wow, what a cool gu glucotrol XL uy! I visit
'Molly' pretty seldom and never notice glucotrol XL ed him to be so proficient.
- Okay, then one m glucotrol XL more mug to drink here please, - I said and turned glucotrol XL d
around.
Big Mugs pretended to study the bot glucotrol XL ttle rows behind Christian's back.
Okay. Until the glucotrol XL ey are sure in my paying capacity, I won't be able to glucotrol XL o drink my
beer in peace.
I dragged out a pile glucotrol XL e of small notes from the right pocket of my jeas i glucotrol XL ignored!
- Nevermind...
This can go forev glucotrol XL ver, but I have no time for games now... I get into t glucotrol XL the
car, the driver, a smiling guy with the perfec glucotrol XL ct hairdo dressed in starched
shirt, turns to me. glucotrol XL I prefer this type of drivers: well trained and bri glucotrol XL ief
ones.
- Deep-Transit Company is glad to we glucotrol XL elcome you!
He doesn't say the name - the progr glucotrol XL ram stopped the taxi anonymously.
- How will yo glucotrol XL ou pay?
- Like this, - I say getting the revol glucotrol XL lver out of my pocket and hit ter programs might be?
glucotrol XL
Emotionless tones is the tradeoff of serial made an glucotrol XL nd cheap ones.
- Let's not play the fool, - I glucotrol XL I say. - You decided that I'm the diver?
And dragged glucotrol XL d me here for interrogation. I'm afraid you'll be dis glucotrol XL sappointed.
- This morning two hackers, one of glucotrol XL those being the obvious diver, stole
the file wit glucotrol XL th the technology of the new pharmaceutical pro glucotrol XL oduct from
Al-Kabar. - Man Without Face is patien glucotrol XL nt and strict, - I have no idea how
much did they glucotrol XL promise toyed.
Oh sure. Not for nothing does glucotrol XL the monster hold the bridge in his hand.
If the sec glucotrol XL curity program is destroyed - the hair above the chas glucotrol XL sm would break.
- Fuck.
- I can't underst glucotrol XL tand...
- Shut up....
I examine the mons glucotrol XL ster. The stone eyelids half closed, little drool glucotrol XL l
stalactite hangs from its mouth. Just a fake glucotrol XL e, entourage for nervous
virtuality people. Just glucotrol XL an ordinary security program on the server gateway. glucotrol XL .
Somewhere inside the hair is the commuough newspa glucotrol XL apers scattered on the nearby table. It's
quiet an glucotrol XL nd peaceful, no other visitors except me, though t glucotrol XL they in fact are
present most likely. We just can' glucotrol XL 't see each other and they communicate with
other co glucotrol XL ompany's employees.
- Mister...
- Gunslin glucotrol XL nger, - I say standing up. - Call me Gunslinger.
glucotrol XL The girl nods.
- Mr Guillermo Aguirre will r glucotrol XL receive you.
Slight curiosity in her voice, it glucotrol XL t looks like she had no idea that any
problems migh glucotrol XL ht arise in "Labyrinthittle legal business! What do y glucotrol XL you want?
- That's better. Mr Diver, have you glucotrol XL heard about the Lost Point? Or
about the Invisi glucotrol XL ible Boss?
What I was expecting the least were glucotrol XL the ancient fables.
- 'Point' is the old term glucotrol XL for the terminal network user?
- Yes, the user glucotrol XL r of Fidonet... this one existed some time ago.
glucotrol XL - Maybe I've heard about that... Is it about the g glucotrol XL guy who was killed by
electric shock being in vir glucotrol XL rtuality? And his consciousness somehow stayed
aliv glucotrol XL veSergey Lukjanenko. Labyrinth of reflections
__ glucotrol XL _______________________________________
* Yuri glucotrol XL Kalmykov. Translators prandin notes *
About the Author glucotrol XL r:
Sergey Lukjanenko, 30, is one of the t glucotrol XL today's most popular Russian
Sci-Fi writers. His glucotrol XL first works were published in 1988. Currently glucotrol XL his
bibliography includes more than 40 titles of no glucotrol XL ovels and short stories. The
Author defines his ge glucotrol XL enre as the "hard action science fiction", but all glucotrol XL his
works also have a very well defined philosophic glucotrol XL cal aspect. The novel offered
to your attention was glucotrol XL s written in 1997 and became the real 'cult book' of glucotrol XL the
Russian Internet.
Sergey is married, he l glucotrol XL lives in Moscow.
THE NOVEL "LABYRI glucotrol XL INTH OF REFLECTIONS" IS COPYRIGHTED BY SERGEY
glucotrol XL
LUKJANENKO, ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED BY THE AUTHOR. glucotrol XL ANY COMMERCIAL USE OF THE
NOVEL'S TEXT IS STRICTLY glucotrol XL PROHIBITED.
Several notes for the reader:
glucotrol XL
1). My English sucks. So it was obviously way t glucotrol XL too presumptuous of me to
try to make a translation glucotrol XL like this. It was my love to this book only that
glucotrol XL
made me to venture into this adventure. ;-) I was ho glucotrol XL oping that this novel is
really worth your kind att glucotrol XL tention (despite my ugly
English?).
2). Some glucotrol XL opinions expressed in this book by the main glucotrol XL or other
characters, as well as some words/terms glucotrol XL used, might be considered offensive
to some Wester glucotrol XL rn readers. In fact, one such situation was even sho glucotrol XL owed closer
to the end of the novel itself. The concept of "PC" (aka 'Political
Correctness') does not really exist in Russia which fact IMHO makes the life
much easier and slightly reduces the amount of stupidity that inevitably
presents in this life. Despite that, I definitely had to use the 'softened'
terms in my translation in order not to outrage the people (not too much at
least). But of course, something might have still leaked out. Please
consider yourselves warned.
3). FIDO
Some more confusion can be caused by Lukjanenko's technical details and
descriptions of the Net due to one more fact: he writes from the point of
view of the person who was once the FIDOnet member. Also it seems that
Sergey himself was mostly affiliated with FIDO at the time of this book's
writing. The principles of FIDO's system organization differ from the ones
of the Internet. I never was FIDO member, so I know very little. In general,
it's free, amateurs' network that allows its members to exchange emails and
files. FIDO uses its own proprietary protocol. Special gateways are used to
exchange emails with the Internet. Look at www.fidonet.org for more
details... But be prepared to get back not the homepage, but some HTML code.
{G} The guys have forgot to put the {HTML} tag into the code of their main
page... OOPS.
4). The names.
The same name in Russian usually can have actoPlus Met several forms, reflecting the
attitude of the one who pronounces the name to the one named. The number of
these forms is as far as I can judge, much bigger than in English. That's
why in my translation I preferred to retain the original rules of forming
such names and to provide this note. Another important reason is that the
Russian name changed according to the rules of doing so in English would
sound ridiculous (maybe for me only, as I'm Russian... ;-) ), not mentioning
that it's not always possible to do this with Russian names at all. Example:
John - Johnny. Now try to do the same with, say, my name: Yuri. Yup... My
point exactly. Below is the example of how the first name of the main
character can be 'bent'. The same often happens to other names in the book.
For inexperienced reader it might be confusing, so I apologize... Russia
*is* confusing by definition, so bear with it. :-)
Leonid - the complete name.
Lenia (should be read roughly as Lyo-nee-aa; don't pronounce 'double
lettered' sounds as too long ones though) - this is slightly diminutive,
friendly form used by relatives and friends.
Lenechka (Lyo-nee-chka) - a "pet-name" form, sometimes also used with
sarcasm, depending on the context.
Lenchik - "pet-name"/unceremonious address.
Len'ka ( here ' means softening of the previous sound, 'n' in this name
sounds like 'n' in the word 'change') - Unceremonious address, a bit
slighting. Often used by close friends without any offensive context.
... and so on. No more forms are used in the book, so I'd better not
confuse you any more.
Another trick is how the names are formed n general. In particular, the
concept of the middle name in Russia. It is not 'given', but rather is the
father's name. To be used as a middle name, special endings are attached:
-ovich, -evich for man's middle name (yeah, they are gender specific!),
-ovna, evna for female's middle name.
Examples: Petrovich Alekseevich - men's
P |