Chapter I. Honest deed

:30 by cosmic time. Living cabin 432.

The bedroom was filled with a blueshade. The dim light of night lamp was nearly lighting next to the dark silhouette of the door. There were three beds in a room: Lietsov was sleeping on the one, and the otherswere usedas place for clothes. Near exit therewas a wardrobebuilt-in a wall. It was nearly opened. In a wardrobe there were different costumes and suits from casual to the most parade hanging. Next to Lietsov’sbed, there was a bedside table standing and the low-lighted alarm clock was floating above.

The tousled hair, nearly opened mouth, huge hands were lyingunder synthetic pillow. Silver blanket, hiding the entire body under was stretching from shoulders to feet.The pictures in accurate wooden frames were hanging above the bed in gloom.

The conditioner hissed. Daylight lamps began lighting up, slowly increasing brightness. An alarm-clock ringed. Sergei lazily opened his eyes, turned onto his back and yawned widely.

—Dear captain! Time to get up! The spaceship for Hydra…

— …Ah, yeah, is flying at five past ten,—the doctor finished the sentence for it,—and that time is it now?

Computer silenced for a while.

—It’s quarter to eight.

—Wha-a-at?— The question wasasked with such irritation, that even artificial intelligence couldbe able to feel that. Sergei covered himself with a blanket.

—Doctor! You don’t give me another choice…

—I don’t care about your choice! I just want to sleep a little bit longer in my warm bed.

Suddenly Sergei began shaking. His hands and legs started chaotically moving. The blanket, warming Sergei for the whole night fell to the floor. Lietsov jumped off the bed.

—Computer!!! —He yelled.

— Yes?

—What the devil are you doing!

—My respectations to you, doctor, but I had toswitch a low electriccurrentthrough the bed on, ‘cause you did not want to get up.

Sergei hid hisface in hands and slowly wiped his cheeks stretching softened skin under eyes.

—Your deeds don’t surprise me…—he squinted andlooked the entire room, —is a bathroom ready?

— Of course!

—Brilliant! I am going to wash myself and you will prepare an exoskeleton for me.

Barefooted Lietsov, dressed in a striped night pants walked to the bathroom.

The warm pink-hued mist has cloudedfrom the bathroom. There was hot and humid in the room. The doctor came out.His head was covered with a layer of towels, and red body was nearly smoking.

The room changed: the bedhas beenaccurately made. An alarm clock has beenturned off.On the writing table that was standing next to bedside table, there were three boxes. The one box had a picture of wings. The other one had a picture of crossed blades. But Lietsov paid no attention to them. He walked to the wardrobe, putting the blue T-shirt, gray pants and leather boots out. When all was put on, the white medical gownhas been dressed above.

—I’m going to canteen, —he said and walked out from the cabin.

The five-minutes-journey throughout the labyrinth of corridors led to the destination. The canteen was rather wide: the rectangular hall with a high ceiling and huge panoramic window on the right entire wall.A violet mist was sparkling behind force-field. Thousands of tiny lamps were built-in a patterned ceiling.

There wasconstantly rumbling. A large part was occupied with a long line, and the last part was also occupied with a long tables overcrowded by people.

Sergei raised his eyesight to the bright lamps, lowed hands and sighed.

A happy short melody sounded obviously foreshadowingthe “Commander’s” dispatcher’s speech:

— Dear citizens! The spaceship to Hydra flies at 10:05. Pilots and passengers! Please go to the staff room forgetting a day food amount.

The crowd moved. People that were coming through it were apparently receiving rations out of turn.

— It can’t be so! — Sergei thought, coming to the second floor.

Ten men were already standing before staff room. The only one of them, big, tall, dressed in green striped coat and black trousers was counting all attending in a harsh voice.

Lietsovcame up. A mighty hero turned around. His eyes widened, a shiver ran down his spineand hair stood on end.

It was Maxim Sidorov, the second pilot of the defeated “Cuckoo”starship.

Maxim’s reaction was the same as Sergei’s. They shook hands to each other and deeply hugged.

— Sergei!We haven’t met for ages!

— Oh yeah! Many years has already passed.

— Are you flying to Hydra, aren’t you?

Lietsov was puzzled, pointing his look to the floor.

— Where are Artem and Elizabeth? — Asked doctor strictly.

— Lad!Not here! — Maxim nervously pointed to the empty room’s door.

They entered.

— So, where are they?

— Ah… When you flied to Phuria with Zhukov, I drove my spaceship to Hydra. Artemhas assured me.

— Oh my Gosh! — gasped Sergei.

— When we landed we’ve been captured at once. Phuriahas been defeated by you then and Hydra has been captured byCSPR.Thrintonhas legalized Russian population’s genocide. Artemand I have been brought to the lowest floor. Elizabeth has been freed.

Lietsovwas carefully watching Sidorov, stroking chin with right hand.

— “The Slaughter”!That was oursentence!Thank goodness and to your Titan work! Elizabeth has freed us. We‘ve sneaked out. However, the spaceship has flied to Prometheus. Artemhas been captured and I could not do anything… — Maxim was tearful, he could hardly breathe, — that’s my fault!

Sergei sat next to Maxim, putting hand onto his shoulder.

— If you want to make amends, let’s fly with me after Hydra to Prometheus. But be sure: I don’t blame you.

— We’ll fly! Obviously fly! — said Maxim,wiping tears with a sleeveof his coat.

— We’ll meet in a spaceport.

Sergei stood up, looked at his companion, and walked out of the room, closing the door quietly.