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– Maltsev, are you in your right mind? They’ll shoot us immediately, without trial or investigation!
– Then what?
– For now, we’ll watch.
– For whom?
– Not for whom, but for what. For the construction of the institute! And when it’s built, we’ll just talk to the professor, their chief. We’ll explain everything to him.
– He won’t believe us!
– Then we must be very convincing so he believes!
– Can’t we talk with the leadership, with yours, from Moscow?
– Are you serious? And what will I tell them? That in 1983, green smoke will kill the whole city. And how do I know that? Well, I’m from there… from the future!
– Hmm. You’re right, they’ll fire you immediately.
– They’ll put you in a mental hospital, and then fire you!
– So what should we do then?
– Just watch, Maltsev. Watch and observe! I’ll call my UAZ now and we’ll go take a look at this construction site!
– Ah, Smirnov. How is he, by the way?
– No, Smirnov is at home now, – Orlov smiled, – walking with girls on Arbat. My driver now is… – he thought. – Zaitsev! Yes, Zaitsev! Serious. Even too much. I don’t really like such people.
– Really? – Andrey grinned. – Why is that? Why don’t you like serious people? You, I see, are quite the joker!
Orlov glared at Andrey. He quickly turned away fearfully.
– I am cheerful, – Orlov said sternly, – I just think one should have a reason to be cheerful. And in our life, unfortunately, there are few reasons for cheer. I would even say, none! Only you alone amuse me with your stories about the future! – he smiled.
– Andrey shook his head reproachfully:
– — I won’t waste my nerves on you. Someday you’ll believe me anyway. You’ll end up there and believe!
– Yes, – Orlov smirked, – that’s how it will be! I can’t wait! Okay, comedian, let’s go take a look at the institute.
– I’ll call the duty officer, call for a car.
Some time later
They went outside and, seeing his driver, Orlov smiled broadly and began to extend his hand to him:
– Oooo… Zaitsev, hello, how are you?
He was taken aback, his eyes bulged, and he began to stutter:
– Me… me? Good.
– Long time no see.
– What? But we… saw each other yesterday!
– Yes? Well… Yesterday… Good!
– Maybe we should go already, Comrade Captain, – Andrey intervened, smiling, – we seem to be short on time!
– Yes, yes… Let’s go, Zaitsev.
– Where are we going, Comrade Captain?
– Drive. I’ll show you the way.
The UAZ was driving on asphalt heated by the heat. Orlov stuck his elbow out the open window and, smiling, took deep breaths of the hot summer air. He watched the cars passing by and the people walking. He heard fragments of their conversations and the faint hum of a living city. How he missed all this! He squinted, looking at the sun, and enjoyed the chirping of birds hiding in the shade of dense poplars.
– Comrade Captain, – Andrey said in a whisper, leaning towards the front seat, – please tell me, why were you questioning me about everything if you remembered everything?
– When was that?
– At your home.
– Yes, I just wanted to understand what was happening. Thought maybe I was dreaming, or something else… In short, I was stalling for time. Thinking!
– I see.
– But, when I heard about the future, I immediately understood that you are the real one! – he smiled.
Andrey shook his head:
– The joke is starting to get old. – he muttered discontentedly under his breath.
– Zaitsev, turn here, – Orlov pointed with his hand, – and go straight to the construction site.
You’ll see it, you can’t miss it.
– Yes, exactly, Comrade Captain!
After five minutes, the UAZ stopped not far from the building under construction. Orlov and Andrey slammed the doors and walked with a slow gait towards the gates of the future institute. Noticing them, a stern man in a black leather jacket, unbuttoned, moved towards them.
– A special officer! – Orlov said quietly.
– What makes you think that?
– In a leather jacket, walking in such heat. And a pistol is peeking out from under his arm, see?
Andrey tensed.
– Comrades, – the stern man shouted, – you better go back to where you came from! This is a government secret object! You have no business here!
– Hello, – said Orlov, approaching closer, – I am Captain…
– I know who you are, – the man cut him off, – I’ve seen your photo in your personal file. You’re Orlov.
The local overseer.
– Overseers are in the prison zone, – Orlov answered sternly, – and in this city, I am responsible for the safety of the residents! I came for an inspection!
– An inspection? – the man sneered maliciously. – Have you lost your mind, Captain? You have nothing to inspect here! This is not your jurisdiction! And I don’t see you in uniform. Conducting inspections in civilian clothes?
– I’m on vacation. – answered Orlov.
– Then go and rest peacefully, Captain. Why did you come here? – the man took a step forward.
– I conduct inspections whenever I want! And in any clothes. Even on vacation! – said Orlov and took a step towards him.
– Really? – the man took a step.
– Yes! – Orlov stepped forward.
They were face to face.
– Any questions, Captain? – the man sneered.
– One.
– I’m listening!
– Is the construction going according to plan? Will it be completed in ’83?
– That’s two questions, Captain. But I will answer them. I will be so kind!
Orlov clenched his fists.
– Yes. Everything will be completed exactly according to plan! Don’t even doubt it! Did I answer your questions?! Now take your friend and leave! Otherwise…
– Otherwise, what? – Orlov interrupted him.
The man smirked and spat on the ground:
– Otherwise, it will be bad for you! Dismissed, Captain!
Orlov looked at him intently and seriously, straight in the eyes, and, slowly exhaling his anger, silently turned around and walked quickly to the UAZ.
Andrey hurried after him, hastily moving his feet.
– What was that, Comrade Captain? My heart almost jumped into my heels!
– I don’t like insolent people! – Orlov said nervously.
– Can he harm you in some way?
– He can and he definitely will!
– Specifically what?
– For starters, he’ll write a complaint to Moscow, to his people. Well, they’ll give my leadership a reprimand!
– Can they fire you?
– They can, if we come here again. And we will definitely come! Or rather, I will come. There’s no other way! Watching and observing the object from a distance won’t work! So, I’ll be careful, that’s all!
– Why don’t you want to take me with you? I’m on vacation anyway!
– Maltsev, when I come here next time, your vacation will be over. Or do you think they’ll build the institute in a week?
– Sorry, didn’t think. – Andrey smiled.
They got into the UAZ:
– Zaitsev, let’s go! Take me home and you’re free for today. But first, we’ll drop this gentleman off at home.
– Oh, can we stop by a store first? – Andrey became agitated. – I urgently need to buy milk! If I come home without it, Lyuba will be very displeased!
Orlov smiled and shook his head:
– Maltsev, you are in your usual form!
– What? What are you talking about? – Andrey didn’t understand.
– Nothing! Let’s go, Zaitsev.
Some time later
– Well, that’s it, Maltsev, get out. Final stop! Your house. Don’t forget the milk!
Andrey got out of the UAZ and slammed the door:
– Thank you, Comrade Captain!
– For what?
– For the ride, for being alive! Glad to see you in good health!
– For the ride, thank Zaitsev. He’s at the wheel! And for being alive, it’s not my merit.
– Anyway, thank you!
– You’re welcome, Maltsev! – he smiled.
– Maybe you’ll come to my house? We’ll have tea, talk.
– Next time. Business!
– Well, then, goodbye!
– Good luck!
Orlov followed him with his gaze and, sighing heavily, said:
– Let’s go, Zaitsev. Just don’t speed. The day is wonderful! I want to fully enjoy it!
07:30 July 7, 1980
Apartment of Andrey Maltsev.
The alarm clock on the bedside table rang. And a moment later it was turned off by a quick movement of Andrey’s hand. He lay back in bed and stared at the ceiling. His gaze was anxious and fearful. Andrey quickly looked around the room with his eyes and, sighing heavily, slowly got out of bed and went to the kitchen.
Approaching the tear-off calendar, he began to examine it intently:
– Sixth, tear it off… – he said barely audibly. – A new day has come! – he exhaled with relief.
– He opened the top shelf of the kitchen cabinet and moved everything that was there to the bottom shelf. And into the freed-up space, he neatly placed the just torn-off calendar sheet.
– Then, trying not to wake anyone, he quietly returned to the bedroom and carefully lay down in bed.
– Lyuba stirred, stretched, opened one eye slightly, and asked in a sleepy, hoarse voice:
– Are you already awake? What time is it?
– Almost eight, – Andrey answered, smiling, – did I wake you? Sorry!
– It’s okay, I was about to get up anyway, – she said, yawning, hugged Andrey, and lay her head on his shoulder.
– Lyuba, don’t be surprised, in the kitchen, I moved all the spoons and forks to the bottom shelf. I need the top one for a project!
– For what project?
– I came up with a hobby for myself. I’ll collect sheets from the tear-off calendar!
– Lyuba was surprised:
– Oh… well… okay. A strange hobby, of course. Maybe it’s better for you to collect stamps or ancient coins?
– — No! Sheets from the tear-off calendar! And at the end of the year, or rather at the beginning of the new year, on January first, I’ll throw them away.
– Then what’s the point of the collection?
– The point is to collect all year, and then throw it away at the end! – Andrey said confidently.
– Lyuba raised her eyebrows:
– Yes, dear, you’ve brought a new meaning to the concept of ‘collector’! – she smiled. – Maybe we can still get a little more sleep before the children wake up?
– But as soon as she said this, the children burst into the room with exclamations:
– Mom, dad, we want to be with you! – and jumped into bed with their parents.
– Didn’t make it! – Lyuba said, smiling. – That’s it, children, quickly wash up and to the kitchen. We’ll have breakfast!
Closer to lunch, Andrey called Orlov:
– Comrade Captain, hello!
– Maltsev, is that you?
– Yes!
– Do you work for the KGB?
– No! – Andrey was surprised. – Why do you think that?
– How do you have my home phone number?
– The duty officer told me.
– What? – Orlov choked. – Did the duty officer give you my address too?
– Yes. What’s wrong with that?
– What’s wrong? Maltsev, this is secret information! It can’t be told to just anyone!
– What do you mean, just anyone? He told me! And not to someone there!
– What are you saying? – Orlov got worked up. – Are you an important bird to us, huh?
– Yes. I’m your friend!
– Maltsev… – Orlov exhaled.
– What?
– Nothing! I’ll give everyone in the duty room a reprimand, a severe one!
– Please, don’t! – Andrey became agitated. – The duty officer didn’t want to tell me. I somehow persuaded him! I said I was your friend. Haven’t seen you in a long time. Three years! Theoretically, I didn’t lie. We really last saw each other in 1983, and now…
– Okay, I understand, – Orlov interjected, – what are you calling for, friend?
– I’m calling to say that a new day has come! – Andrey exclaimed joyfully. – Can you imagine? A new day!
Orlov smiled:
– I see and hear. The radio said exactly that: Happy new day to you, comrades!
– I was almost awake all night, – Andrey said with anxiety in his voice, – I was afraid to fall asleep! I kept thinking. It was scary to close my eyes! Only towards morning I passed out for a short while.
– And I, on the contrary, went to bed early. Didn’t even set the alarm, but still woke up at 06:00. Damn it! Habit is a terrible thing! I thought, if I end up in my office again, at least I’ll be well-rested. Just in case, I wrote my address on my palm with a pen. Didn’t need it!
– It’s good that it wasn’t needed, I’m so tired of this madness!
– It’s good for you, – Orlov broke into a smile, – you always woke up at home. And I, not only did I never sleep, but I always ended up at work. Bam… And I’m sitting at the table! Some kind of madhouse!
– But you didn’t need to wash, get dressed, go to work. You were already at work. Very convenient!
They laughed.
When the laughter died down, they both sighed heavily.
– Maltsev, everything is fine. Live an ordinary life. There is still time! Stop thinking about the bad. Better pay attention to your family! It’s summer now. You’re on vacation. Rest!
– Indeed, – Andrey thought, – maybe go to the river? Swim, sunbathe.
– There, there, you’re thinking right!
– That’s what I’ll do, I’ll talk to you now and we’ll go, rest!
– Well done! Keep it up!
– What will you do?
– I have an idea. I’ll tell you later.
– Okay. Then I’ll go, make my family happy. They love active recreation.
– Go, – Orlov smiled, – good luck!
– Goodbye.
Andrey hung up the phone and, after thinking for a couple of seconds, smiled and shouted:
– Children, dear, get ready, we’re going to the river.
– Hooray, we’re going to the river! – the children squealed joyfully and ran out of their room.
Some time later
Andrey sat on the riverbank and, smiling broadly, watched his children frolic happily in the water. Nearby, on a blanket, Lyuba was sunbathing. He raised his head and, squinting, looked at the sun and the large, fluffy clouds that were slowly and serenely floating somewhere beyond the horizon. For the first time in many days, Andrey was happy and calm!
– Everything will be fine! – he thought and, looking at Lyuba, said in a half-whisper. – I love you!
– Lyuba removed her panama from her face and, squinting from the bright sunlight, answered:
– And I love you! It was a good idea with the river, well done! The children are delighted! You’re watching them, by the way?
– I am, – Andrey answered, smiling broadly, – I am!
20:30 July 7, 1980
Apartment of Andrey Maltsev.
The children were sleeping peacefully in the nursery. Lyuba was in the bathroom.
Andrey dialed the number:
– Hello, Comrade Captain, it’s me.
– Why are you whispering?
– The children are already asleep. And if Lyuba hears – there will be problems!
Orlov smiled:
– Were you at the river?
– Yes! It was good, but tiring! We decided to go to bed early. Very tired!
– I see.
– What were you doing?
– Reading! A lot!
– What do you mean?
– I went to the city library and got a bunch of books. I’ve been reading all day!
– Wow. And what books, if it’s not a secret?
– Physics, chemistry, biology. And various magazines on the topic. Interesting articles there! I’m exhausted! My eyes hurt. I’ve never read so much in my life!
– Why were you reading all this?
– I wanted to understand what we’re dealing with?!
– You mean the green smoke?
– About it!
– I see. Did you understand anything?
– Not sure, I need to digest the information! And in general, it’s unlikely that anyone else has encountered this before us. Therefore, tomorrow I will read more. Read and think!
– I see.
– Okay… friend Maltsev, – Orlov smiled, – I’m going to sleep. And you go too. Everyone had a busy day. We need to rest! Tomorrow will be a new day!
– I hope so! – Andrey swallowed convulsively.
– Don’t even doubt it! And when the day X comes, we will be fully armed! We’ll prepare!
– Yeah. I’d like to avoid this day X altogether!
– We’ll live – we’ll see. Maybe we will avoid it. Who knows? Time will tell!
– Okay, I’ll go, – Andrey whispered, – Lyuba will come out of the bathroom now. Good night.
– Until tomorrow! – Orlov smiled.
06:30 July 8, 1980
Apartment of Andrey Maltsev.
Andrey woke up in a cold sweat. Sitting in bed, he very slowly looked around. His breathing was heavy and fast. His heart was pounding in his chest. His head was spinning.
– Andrey, what’s wrong with you? – Lyuba asked, waking up, – dear, are you feeling bad? – she touched his forehead, – you’re cold as ice. What’s wrong with you? Lie down, I’ll bring you some water.
– No need, – Andrey answered. – Everything is fine. I just had a bad dream. A scary one.
– Lie down, I’ll bring some water, you’ll drink.
– Thank you, my love! I’ll do it myself. I’ll go wash up. Sleep. It’s just a dream!
– It’s no trouble for me, I’ll go.
– Everything is fine, sunshine, – he smiled, – I’ll be quick, sleep.
Andrey got out of bed and went to the bathroom.
He washed his face with cold water and, looking in the mirror, said:
– It’s just a dream!
After that, looking around, he went to the phone in the hallway and dialed the number:
– Comrade Captain, hello, it’s Andrey.
– Good morning. Or… judging by your voice and the early call, not so good! Right?
– Right!
– Let me guess, you had a scary dream?
– How do you know? – Andrey was stunned.
– I guessed!
– No, seriously, how?
– I had one too. Like I’m in that institute… Pressing the detonator button. Explosion. Everything to shreds! I feel pain! And then… All over again. Pressing the button, explosion, pain… And so on without end! Again and again! Woke up in a sweat. My whole body aches. Can’t move. Somehow recovered! And what did you dream about? Probably your last minutes of life? How you burned alive in the embrace of the green smoke?
– Yes, – Andrey said in a trembling voice. – What’s happening? Comrade Captain, what is this?
– Maltsev, I was right! We did die after all!
– What? No! Nonsense. No! We are alive. Alive!
– Do you have another explanation for all this?
– I don’t know. Need to think. No thoughts yet.
– Maltsev, both of us dreamed about how we died…
– We are alive! – Andrey interrupted him nervously. – Enough already! It’s just a dream. Just a scary dream!
– You think it’s a coincidence?
– Yes! Exactly. A coincidence! A scary dream and a coincidence. That happens! We experienced horror! Therefore, it’s just a dream!
– Well, I’d like to believe it’s a coincidence. I prefer being alive to being dead, – he smiled. – Yes, I like your version! Although, it’s debatable.
– We are alive! – Andrey repeated confidently.
– Well, alive, so alive, I don’t mind! Besides, my mom is coming soon. I really want to see her, hug her!
– Everything will be fine!
– I hope! – Orlov exhaled anxiously. – Okay, I’ll go make breakfast. And then I’ll continue the epic with reading smart books. Didn’t manage everything yesterday. Need to finish today! And tomorrow I’ll call my leadership in Moscow. I’ll try to carefully find out more about this damned institute.
– Seriously? – Andrey was surprised. – That’s good! Although, they are unlikely to tell you anything.
– I think so too! But, an attempt is not torture, as they say. Okay, Maltsev, I have to go. And don’t stress yourself out. You said it yourself, it’s a coincidence. Therefore, live as you lived! Visit someone, have fun. Spend more time with your family! In short, you’ll figure it out, you’re not a little kid. That’s it, keep in touch. If anything, call.
Andrey slowly put down the phone and thought:
– I won’t ruin my life because of some stupid dream, – he smiled, – I’ll go with my family to Vitya’s. Yes! He’s always glad to see us. I’ll call him after breakfast.
Andrey returned to the bedroom and lay down on the bed.
He lay silently and stared into space.
When Lyuba woke up, he talked to her, and she supported his idea of visiting.
The rest of the day passed for Andrey as if in a fog…
He had a good time, talking with Vitya and his wife Tamara. He talked, joked, hugged Lyuba, and played with the children.
But no matter what he did, he couldn’t distract himself and forget. Before his eyes constantly stood pictures from the night nightmare. The terrible scenes of his death!
He impatiently waited for the night, hoping that the next day would bring relief and deliverance from the tormenting memories. Andrey couldn’t sleep for half the night. As soon as he closed his eyes, the fear came alive again! He terribly wanted to sleep, but fought against it. His fatigue turned out to be stronger than him… Towards morning, Andrey fell asleep.
06:39 July 11, 1980
Apartment of Andrey Maltsev.
– Andrey, Andrey… the phone, – Lyuba, without opening her eyes, pushed him on the shoulder, – Andrey, the phone is ringing throughout the apartment! Go, answer. It will wake the children now!
Andrey didn’t immediately understand what they wanted from him. But, in the end, he got out of bed and, squinting at the light, wandered into the hallway to the phone:
– Hello, – he said, yawning, – who is this?
– Maltsev, it’s me, – a loud voice sounded, – Captain Orlov. Are you already aware? Did you see what happened?
– What? Who is this?
– Maltsev, are you deaf? Or… are you sleeping, or what?
– Well, yes, – Andrey yawned and scratched his back, stretching, – it’s a day off. That is, vacation. I’m on vacation! What, what happened?
– It happened, Maltsev! We jumped over three days! Understand?
Andrey winced:
– To be honest, not really!
– What’s the date now?
– I don’t know. What is it?
– July eleventh. Friday.
– So what?
– Maltsev, wake up! – Orlov shouted. – Yesterday was Tuesday, July eighth. And now it’s already Friday! Eleventh! Nothing suspicious?
– What? – Andrey became alert.
– I repeat once more for those who like to sleep too long. We jumped… stepped over… ugh, I don’t know how to say it correctly! In short, three days passed during this night! Understand?
Andrey was petrified with fear, his heart began to beat wildly in his chest:
– I’ll just… – he put down the phone and walked with quick steps to the kitchen.
He looked at the tear-off calendar on the wall. July 11, Friday. He broke out in a sweat.
His head spun.
– No, no, no, not this! – he repeated again and again, returning back to the hallway. – Comrade Captain, hello.
– Hello, Maltsev, where did you disappear to? Is everything alright?
– No! Everything is bad! Everything is very, very bad! – Andrey cried hysterically. – It’s starting again! Why? What happened?
– Quiet, quiet, – Orlov raised his tone, – pull yourself together! Nothing has started. We need to think. Figure it out!
– Figure out what? We were thrown forward three days. A time jump occurred!
Everything is clear anyway!
– Maltsev, I don’t know what’s clear to you there. But you said it well! Need to remember. Time jump. And I was talking some nonsense! Jumped over, stepped over. Sometimes it happens, you want to say something, but you just can’t find the right, needed words! There’s mush in your head. And a lot can depend on these words! – he sighed heavily.
– Comrade Captain, what are you even talking about? – Andrey began to stutter nervously. – I’m scared! Understand?
– I understand. Me too, Maltsev. But I’m holding myself together! Which I advise you to do too! Get dressed and come outside. Zaitsev is waiting for you there. Remember him? My driver. You’ll get in his UAZ, he’ll bring you to me. Here, in a calm environment, we’ll discuss everything with you. All these time jumps!
– Are you at home now?
– No! In my office! Get dressed faster, don’t waste time in vain. It’s playing against us now!
– Okay. I’m coming out now!
Andrey put down the phone.
A sleepy Lyuba came out of the bedroom:
– What happened? Where are you going out to?
– I urgently need to go to work!
– But you’re on vacation.
– Sanych asked me to come by. I won’t be long. Go lie down, it’s still early. Sleep!