the young man approached him. – May I sit down?
– Yes, I have been to competitions many times, and my team always win prizes.
– Really? And you, probably, are perfectly oriented in these places? Arthur looked at the Evenk with interest. The elderly man was wearing a leather jacket with fur and warm quilted trousers. The weather-beaten face of an Evenk and a serious look, said that this man had seen a lot, but was not used to sharing his thoughts with anyone.
– Well, yes. Recently, I even helped one of your scientists get to the valley where you mine ore. He was a good man.
– Do you remember his name?
– And then, how! His name is Alexander Karpatov.
– And your name?
Evenk gave Arthur a suspicious look.
– Why do
– Excuse me, please. My name is Arthur Dalivin, I am a professor’s student.
– Well, yes?! True, right? I am glad! What brought you to us?
– That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. But, if possible, as they say, face to face.
Loko nodded and they paid and went out into the street. Arthur looked around and, making sure that no one was interfering with them, said:
– It concerns your journey with him. The professor was very grateful to you for the help rendered to him then and told a lot about the places where you visited with him. And especially about that mysterious clearing.
Evenk nodded.
– So, the professor, unfortunately, did not have time to tell anyone about what he saw, except for close friends, before the epidemic claimed his life.
Loco interrupted him.
– Did professor die?”
Arthur nodded. Loko lowered his head and sighed heavily.
– Very sorry. He was a good man, not like some of yours. The mind was open, understood a lot… But why did you come here?
Arthur lowered his voice.
– There is a reason. Now everyone is only interested in money and, in addition, everything has been swallowed up by the global market economy. And in what ways to sell a product and how to produce it – it does not matter to anyone. And so, recently, the board of directors decided to build a huge nuclear power plant on your river. Previously, people thought about environmental protection and anomalous zones, sent expeditions to these places, but everything has changed. Now for such stories, unless, of course, you can provide evidence, it is quite possible to lose your job. Therefore, the professor informed me of this under the strictest confidence. In secret from everyone, we gathered an expedition and decided to go in search of these places. If our enterprise succeeds, then it will be possible to declare your land reserved and inviolable for such encroachments. And if you help us…
Loko thought for a moment, and for a moment there was silence, broken only by the rustle of the beginning of rain. Then he looked at the young man again and nodded.
– Okay, I’ll be happy to help you. But remember, these places are for those who know them and whom they know. Therefore, we must be very careful…
– Thanks, Loco. We will try.
***
The next morning, having collected the necessary provisions, the detachment set off. It was decided to move along the river, as going straight ahead would have taken too much time. Trees dressed in gold and scarlet outfits and untouched by man, nature, beautiful in its originality, and clean air fascinated. It seemed as if you were transported to another planet, and the smog and stuffiness of the cities was just a forgotten dream. During the campaign nothing unusual happened, except that several times small herds of deer were shown in the distance, still living in the local forests. Finally, on the fifth day of the journey, the travelers, accompanied by Loko, approached the foot of the hill, all overgrown with young birches and pines, where an amazing phenomenon awaited them – the trees were dancing. Their trunks bent into sometimes simply incredible shapes – from helical to intricately curved,
– Incredible! – Stas approached one of the trees. – How is this possible?
– It’s impossible to explain this logically, – Arthur examined the tree from all sides. – Although I saw something similar on the Curonian Spit on the Internet…
– Of course, while sitting at the institute, there is little you can see with your own eyes, – Ushakov grinned and turned to the conductor. So, it looks like we’re almost there?
– No, for a long time. From this hill, do you see the trail going up? We’re just there. Then everything is straight and straight. Go to the valley a day and another day.
When the group climbed to the top of the hill, they saw a stunning view of the river and the hills overgrown with forest. And behind them was an open space with the tops of rocks of bizarre shapes rising to the sky.
It was decided to arrange a halt in a small clearing. The sun went down, the temperature dropped sharply, and a fire had to be lit. The rising flame dispersed the cold, and everyone felt quite comfortable. After supper with stew warmed over a fire, the expedition members went back to their tents.
Chapter 5 Not one step back
Anna woke up early in the morning. All around you could hear the predawn singing of birds and the sound of the river in the distance. She stretched and, trying not to disturb Alla, who was sleeping sweetly nearby in a sleeping bag, left the tent. To the surprise of the girl, the whole space around was filled with a milky-white fog, in some places the outlines of tents were still visible, but everything else was hidden by a white curtain. Anna hesitated in place, as strange sounds were heard in the distance, like call signs. Taking a long stick she had saved up from the evening, the girl, as if enchanted, unconsciously moved towards these sounds. They became clearer and clearer, when suddenly Anna slipped and felt herself falling. She screamed loudly and plunged into darkness…
She woke up from the fact that someone gently moistened her forehead with an alcohol wipe. Opening her eyes, the girl froze. Most likely she is still sleeping… How else can one explain the conditions in which she found herself? An oval-shaped white room, bright light reflecting off the walls, and a young blond woman in light silver jumpsuit leaning over her.
– Who you are? Where am I?
The young woman smiled.
– Don’t worry, Anna, you’re safe. My name is Saima, I’m the chief paramedic of Aldabra Medical Bay.
– Aldabra? The girl looked at the young woman in disbelief. – What is it?
Saima spread her hands.
– I think you should meet with the captain, he will explain everything to you. Just be careful not to make sudden movements.
– But what happened, may I ask? I was walking along the path, I heard strange sounds and… I blacked out.
– No wonder, – Saima helped the girl to get up. – You have to look at your feet. Then you would see an open hatch… and a ladder.
The girl frowned angrily. So here’s the thing… Rubbing her bruised head, she got to her feet. Apart from a slight dizziness, Anna felt quite tolerable, so she followed the doctor without much difficulty. Leaving the medbay, they descended a long spiral staircase down. Touching the wall, she felt metal. So it is – the stairs and the walls of this strange room were metal! Finally, the stairs ended, and Anna, accompanied by Saima, went out into a large hall, consisting of several levels, where battened-down compartments opened. An incredible guess flashed through Anna’s head: “Really… An alien ship… I’m in an alien ship! Fantastic …” However, all her doubts disappeared