Читать книгу To The Stars - Назар Валерьевич Валеев - Страница 5

The car dissolved into the now-familiar crimson glow. Before Kane’s stunned eyes, the wreck of twisted metal began to transform: smoothing, unfolding, stretching into place, until familiar contours reemerged. From some unseen distance the hood and part of the engine came gliding back, settling neatly as though they had never left. The windows followed—splinters gathering into delicate webs before vanishing altogether. Moments later, a flawless car stood before him, without the faintest trace of damage.

«How… how is that even possible!» Kane cried, overwhelmed. «This is beyond belief!»

«There is nothing unusual about the regeneration of matter», Maarv answered almost indifferently. «Everything that exists carries what we call a memory. The device merely restores the molecules to their given state. The real danger lies in overreaching – or, in certain cases, in missing the mark.»

Kane gave a crooked smile. «I wonder, do you still have any ruins left in your world? Ancient monuments, crumbled stones, anything to remind you of history?»

They reached the stadium with the first rays of dawn. A soft pink sunrise spread across a clear sky, promising a beautiful day. Maarv, struck by the colors, stopped instinctively, staring in wonder at the rising sun. «Seldom have I witnessed such beauty», he murmured.

«Yes», Kane agreed. «Moments like this can almost redeem the sheer pointlessness of existence which, in our parts, is not so rare. The average citizen doesn’t get many chances.»

«One must never despair», Maarv said, this time using his voice. It was strong, resonant, and unusually deep. «The future always holds new and uncharted horizons.» He gestured toward Kane as the man handed back the small plate. «The confluator is no longer needed. The analysis of your language is complete, the upload finished. Now I can speak almost fluently, though without sophistication.»

Kane smirked. «That’s already a strong opening. I can’t imagine what it’ll be like once the sophistication comes in.»

The old man greeted Kane with his usual warmth, though with a hint of puzzlement. «Back for another run? And you’ve brought a friend?»

«I’m not that obsessed with my health», Kane said with a crooked grin. «Allow me to introduce my… er… yes, my new friend! That’s right. And he’s come to us from very far away», he added, casting a meaningful glance at the ceiling. «Practically dropped on my head – no better way to put it. And he’s very eager to change clothes!»

The old man, who even at his age caught on to things at half a word, jumped from his chair in surprise. «Well then, any friend of my friends is a friend of mine», he said with a smile. «Let me introduce myself – I’m John. John Bozen. Once a physicist, now retired.»

He opened a locker and pulled out several bags of clothing. «As it happens, only the largest sizes are left. So far, they haven’t fit anyone.»

Dressed in sweatpants and a hoodie, the massive Maarv now looked like a serious athlete straight out of a bodybuilding magazine.

«You could make quite a sporting career here», John remarked.

«Perhaps here – yes», Maarv replied, studying the shoes with curiosity as he pulled them on. «But by our standards I’m fairly average physically. I was always drawn to science rather than a military path. With us, it is mainly the warrior caste that devotes itself to heavy physical training, and to a much lesser extent, the long-range space explorers.»

«Well then, that’s just as well», the old man said with a smile. «Otherwise, I can’t imagine where we would’ve found clothes big enough to fit you if you were any larger. Now, we need to get something to eat. After that, we’ll head over to my shack.»