Ðûáà÷åíêî Îëåã Ïàâëîâè÷ : äðóãèå ïðîèçâåäåíèÿ.

Yak'In Kai Na Stalin-12

Ñàìèçäàò: [Ðåãèñòðàöèÿ] [Íàéòè] [Ðåéòèíãè] [Îáñóæäåíèÿ] [Íîâèíêè] [Îáçîðû] [Ïîìîùü|Òåõâîïðîñû]
Ññûëêè:
 Âàøà îöåíêà:
  • Àííîòàöèÿ:
    Ya riga ya kasance Nuwamba 1942. Ya fara dusar ƙanƙara. Sojojin Birtaniya na mulkin mallaka sun koma tsakiyar Asiya. Amma da kyar Nazis sun sassauta harin da suke kai wa Moscow. Duk da dusar ƙanƙara, "yan matan Komsomol har yanzu suna faɗa ba tare da takalmi da bikini ba, har ma da "ya"yan majagaba suna baje kolin dusar ƙanƙara, ja saboda sanyi.
  YAK'IN KAI NA STALIN-12
  BAYANI
  Ya riga ya kasance Nuwamba 1942. Ya fara dusar ƙanƙara. Sojojin Birtaniya na mulkin mallaka sun koma tsakiyar Asiya. Amma da kyar Nazis sun sassauta harin da suke kai wa Moscow. Duk da dusar ƙanƙara, "yan matan Komsomol har yanzu suna faɗa ba tare da takalmi da bikini ba, har ma da "ya"yan majagaba suna baje kolin dusar ƙanƙara, ja saboda sanyi.
  . BABI NA 1
  Ya riga ya kasance Nuwamba 1942. Yaƙin ya ɗan rage kaɗan. Ya yi sanyi, dusar ƙanƙara ta fara faɗowa. Haƙiƙa ya zama abin ban tsoro a faɗa, musamman ga ƙungiyoyin haɗin gwiwa.
  Kuma babban harin da ikon Axis ya koma tsakiyar Asiya, inda yanayi ya yi zafi har ma a wannan lokacin. To, ba shakka, za ku iya amfani da raka'a na mulkin mallaka sosai.
  'Yan matan Komsomol sun yi kanana, bangaranci. Wannan ita ce dabararsu. Kuma ya yi wani tasiri.
  Natasha kuma ta shiga cikin yaƙe-yaƙe. Ga garken su a cikin bikini kawai suna kaiwa sojojin Jamus hari.
  'Yan matan sun jefa gurneti tare da tsirarun yatsunsu. Sai suka ruga da gudu, suna walƙiya babu ruwan duga-dugansu, ruwan hoda saboda sanyi.
  Natasha har ma ta rera waƙa da ƙwazo don faranta wa ƙawayen da suke baƙin ciki saboda rashin nasarar yaƙin;
  Lokacin da suka shiga Komsomol, sun yi rantsuwa,
  Don girmama tutar Soviet mai tsarki ...
  Membobin Komsomol za su kasance a lokacin girbi,
  Domin Uban ƙasa mahaifiyarmu ce!
  
  Sojojin Wehrmacht sun kai hari na mu,
  Babbar kasa mai haske...
  Kuma Krauts sun haɗu da porridge da jini.
  Kiran Shaidan cikin kawance da ƙahoni!
  
  Amma 'yan matan suna so su yi yaƙi da abokan gaba,
  Kuma tare da su wani kerub mai haske...
  Ba mu jin kunyar harshen wuta mai sheki,
  Bari mu ci nasara a sararin duniya!
  
  Mu jarumai ne, ko da yake mu 'yan mata ne,
  Kyawawan jajayen farin gashi...
  Ita kuma "yar muryar a fili take.
  Bari mu yi murna cosmic nasara!
  
  Don daukakar gurguzu, Lenin mai hikima.
  Ya sanya mana hatimi mai tsarki...
  Abin takaici, al'ummomi da yawa za su shude.
  Lokacin da muka gina duniyar kwaminisanci!
  
  Stalin ya ba mu umarni don yaƙar rundunar,
  Domin fatattakar farkisanci a wani kazamin yaki...
  Na dauki mashin din tare da jakata,
  Na yi karatu a cibiyar tsawon shekaru biyar kawai!
  
  Yanzu 'yan mata marasa takalmi a cikin sanyi.
  Dariya da murmushi, gudu mai girman kai...
  Cizon, ba ni fure, kyakkyawa,
  Bari a sami kwanciyar hankali a cikin sararin samaniya!
  
  Muna fada ba takalmi kusa da Moscow,
  Me yasa kyawawan 'yan mata ke buƙatar takalma?
  Kuma sammai sun yi shuɗi sosai...
  An kori wani dan fasikanci daga kafafunsa!
  
  Mu 'yan mata ne masu kyau mara misaltuwa,
  Muna da wuta, mafarkin iska...
  Ƙauna na iya zama da ban mamaki a wasu lokuta
  Lokacin da kuke tare da Guy kamar har abada!
  
  Ina sumba da kyau, na kai hari,
  Ana jefa gurneti - Tiger ya tashi...
  Kafarka mara sanyi,
  Ya dumama wutar, koda na ɗan lokaci ne!
  
  Kuma Krauts sun sami wahala sosai,
  Daga 'yan mata masu zazzafan zakka...
  Mu ci gaba da yin imani da kwaminisanci tsawon mil,
  Da kafarka ta mace mara kunya!
  
  Na yi jarumtaka, ban bar rayuwata ba.
  Ta yi irin wadannan abubuwan al'ajabi...
  Ita kuwa ba kunya ba ta doke abokin gaba.
  Bari marmaro mai nasara ya zo!
  
  Abin da Fuhrer ya manta da mu da gangan,
  Ina so in sami ƙasa, bayi masu sauƙi ...
  Amma Fritz ya yi kuskure, kun sani sosai,
  Yin la'akari da Rashawa kawai a matsayin masu lalata!
  
  A cikin martani, gurneti na tashi a cikin baka.
  Abin da wata yarinya ke jefawa da qafarta babu...
  Kuma bindigogin mashin sun yi harbi daidai.
  Kai ne Fuhrer ba tare da kowa ba, rufe shi!
  
  Mu 'yan matan Komsomol ne,
  Za mu riƙe Moscow, kun san cewa tabbas ...
  Kuma za mu ketare layin ba tare da shiri ba.
  Mu ma gina aljannar gurguzu!
  
  Za a yi kyau a cikin kasar Soviet mai tsarki,
  Kwaminisanci mai annuri zai taso...
  Kuma Hitler zai sami ramuwa tare da bayoneti,
  Mu kawar da farkisanci na hauka!
  
  Mu 'yan mata ne masu kishin kasa,
  Ba za ku iya samun mu mai sanyaya ba, ƙara ƙara ...
  Yayin da muke ba takalmi, amma sneakers suna jira,
  Bayan haka, ba ma ashirin ba tukuna!
  
  Irin wannan matashi, kuma yana da dadi.
  Zamu gano sai muga hayakin dake cikinta...
  Chocolate yana jiran mu ba da jimawa ba,
  Kuma kawai wata mahaukaciyar baiwa daga Allah!
  
  Ku ƙaunaci Kristi, ku bauta wa Allah,
  Idan ya zo da wuri da kyaututtuka...
  Domin Easter za a yi Easter cakes da qwai,
  Dukan waɗanda aka ta da - ɗaukaka da girma!
  
  To yan mata ku share hawayenku.
  Ya ku maza kada ku yi baƙin ciki ...
  Ku yi imani da ni, sanyi mai tsanani zai shuɗe.
  Kuma ku yi imani da ni, za mu sami koshin lafiya!
  
  Lokacin da Berlin tana da 'yan mata a ƙarƙashin mu,
  Za mu yi tafiya ba takalmi a kan tituna...
  Yanzu mun zama sarakuna kuma alkalai ga farkisanci.
  Kuma a cikin saura flax zai yi girma da zinariya!
  Wannan shi ne yadda 'yan mata masu hankali ke rera waka cikin sanyin jiki da kyau, nononsu da cinyoyinsu da kyar a rufe suke cikin sanyi tare da kunkuntar tarkace.
  To, 'yan mata ba su daina ba kuma ba su ba da kansu ba. Waɗannan ƙawayen rubutu ne kawai.
  Kuma irin waɗannan masu kyau suna barin alamun ƙafafu masu dadi da lalata.
  Warriors suna da ban sha'awa. Kuma kawai super class beauties.
  Tsananin fada a yanzu yana kudancin kasar. Dakarun hadin gwiwa sun yi kawanya a kusan Ashgabat. Kuma ana gwabza kazamin fada domin wannan birni.
  Dukan "ya"yan Turkmen ne majagaba da "yan Rasha sun yi yaƙi a nan.
  Akmal da Oleg - na farko tare da baƙar fata da duhu daga tan, na biyu tare da gashin gashi, har ma sai kusan baki a matsayin mummunan. Duk yaran biyun ba su da takalmi, sanye da gajeren wando, da jajayen laure a wuyansu.
  Suna yaƙi da fushi da ƙarfin hali. Suna nuna jarumtakarsu ta yara suna waƙa a lokaci guda;
  Ni yaron majagaba ne mara takalmi,
  Ina son Rasha, kasa mai tsarki ...
  Mun zama misali ga ƙasar Ubanmu,
  Ƙaunar sha'awa, ko da unearthly!
  
  Da gurneti, zan garzaya da sauri a tankin,
  Kar ku ji tsoro da rafin harbin bindiga...
  Fuhrer zai karɓi nickel daga gare ni -
  Bari a sami aiki mai sauri da sauri!
  
  Ni dan Soviet majagaba ne ga mutane,
  Stalin mai hikima da kansa ya ba mu odar...
  Kuma Hitler ne kawai abin tsoro,
  Bari jijiyoyinmu su kasance da karfe!
  
  Na yi imani cewa za mu yi nasara a kan farkisanci,
  More daidai, wannan gaskiya ne, na san wannan tabbas...
  Sama da mu akwai kerub na Yesu,
  Zai nuna muku hanyar da za ku sami sama da sauri!
  
  Domin daukaka kasarmu mai tsarki.
  'Yan mata mara takalmi za su yi fada...
  Kuma kun san jarumin majagaba yana da kyau,
  Kuma muryar mutanen a bayyane take!
  
  Za mu kai kololuwar sararin samaniya,
  Idan babu kasala da kasala...
  A gare mu, Stalin da kansa ya zama kamar Allah,
  Kuma Lenin yana haskakawa ba tare da kuskure ba!
  
  Ni majagaba ne, ku yarda da ni, zan zo Berlin,
  Ni da 'yan matan za mu yi gudu mai ban tsoro...
  Kuma Fuhrer zai gasa a cikin Jahannama,
  Da alama burger ya bugu daga giya!
  
  Za mu ɗaukaka Rus a cikin Orthodoxy,
  Ko da yake wani lokacin firistoci, kash, suna cin hanci da rashawa ...
  Amma ku yi mata yaƙi, kada ku ji tsoro.
  Kai yaron majagaba ne jajirtacce, ka yarda da ni!
  
  Ina kusa da Moscow, yaro ne kawai,
  Ina da shekara goma kacal a lokacin...
  Amma ya kuma nuna wa Krauts wani feat,
  Ya murza hancin abokin gaba da karfi!
  
  Kuma Stalingrad kamar mafarki ne ga Jamusawa.
  Kaburbura sun girma a can don Nazis ...
  Mun buga Wehrmacht,
  Kerubobi suna sa fikafikan karfe!
  
  Amma ni da yarinyar ba takalmi ne,
  Kuma sun yi ta tseren dusar ƙanƙara tare da sheqa mara nauyi ...
  Bayan haka, an dumama shi da ruwan zãfi.
  A cikin tunanin kwaminisanci suka bayar!
  
  Na harbi Krauts da bindiga mai sauƙi,
  Kuma, yi imani da ni, ya buge shi sosai...
  Bayan haka, a gare ni Suvorov ya dace.
  Kuma ba da daɗewa ba Hitler zai kasance a cikin keji mai ƙarfi!
  Zan azabtar da shi in harbe shi.
  Kuma za ku cika har abada, yara!
  Haka majagaba suke rera waƙa da ji da furuci. Kuma waƙarsu a zahiri tana taɓa zuciya kuma tana girgiza ta! Wannan hakika wani abu ne da ba za a iya kwatanta shi da shi ba.
  Kuma yaran suna harbi daga bindigogi. Baƙaƙe, ja, da kawuna masu launin fari suna walƙiya, samari da 'yan mata suna faɗa cikin jarumtaka. Kuma yana da kyau sosai.
  Haɗin gwiwar ya ci gaba da ci gaba, amma ya yi tuntuɓe a kan kawai abin ban mamaki da tsayin daka na jaruman majagaba.
  Yara a nan suna kawo harsashi zuwa cannons, da belts zuwa bindigogin injin. Kuma su kansu wuta. Tafarkinsu maras tushe, ɗan launin toka da ƙura, kawai flicker. Waɗannan mutanen su ne ainihin abin da muke buƙata.
  Matasa mayaka suna faɗa da tsananin zafin rai.
  Oleg ya jefa gurneti a kan wani Balarabe a cikin sojojin Burtaniya kuma ya rera waka:
  Ka ga, an gina ginshiƙan daga littattafai.
  Jarumai sun fito sun zama jarumai...
  Stalin ya aika da majagaba su ɓata -
  Za mu bude asusu mai nasara!
  Za mu bude asusu mai nasara!
  Akmal ya gyada kai sannan ya jefa gurneti da kafarsa na yara, ya ce:
  - Da sunan ra'ayin gurguzu mara mutuwa.
  Muna ganin makomar kasarmu...
  Kuma ja tuta, mai haske uban ƙasa.
  Za mu kasance masu aminci koyaushe!
  Don haka yaran biyu suka yi yaƙi da babban tasiri da sha'awa, kamar sauran yara.
  A lokaci guda, 'yan Komsomol suna fafatawa, suna nuna fitattun abubuwan motsa jiki da kuma rashin lankwasa.
  Dukansu jarumawa ne kuma masu fasaha. Kuma mayaƙan suna da sanyi sosai kuma na musamman. Menene za a kwatanta da irin su? Idan wani abu ya kasance daidai da mutane irin su?
  'Yan matan suna sassaka ginshiƙan abokan adawar masu tasowa kuma suna raira waƙa;
  Ni dan Komsomol ne, waƙara tana sauti,
  Ina alfahari da cewa an haife ni a karni na Oktoba...
  Raƙuman ruwa na gudana a cikin bazara.
  Ba za mu rayu don Uban a banza ba!
  
  Lokacin da Nazis suka koma Rasha.
  An busa ƙaho mai ban tsoro...
  Kuma ke yarinya, ki yi ƙarfin hali, kada ki zama matsoraci.
  Mutuwa a yaƙi banza ce!
  
  Kuma yanzu ina yaƙi da abokan gaba sosai.
  Ina harbi daidai daga bindigar mashin...
  Cikin sanyi wata yarinya sanye da siket, ba takalmi.
  Tsuntsu ce mai jajircewa!
  
  A'a, ba za mu mika wuya ga 'yan fasikanci ba, ku sani haka
  A garemu, ke kadai ce, Uwar Rasha...
  Mu gina aljanna mai ban sha'awa a duniya,
  Ubangiji, Maɗaukaki Allah Almasihu, zai zo!
  
  Kuma Lenin zai kasance tare da mu har abada,
  Mun ƙirƙira wasiyyar da ta fi ƙarfin ƙarfe na soja...
  Membobin Komsomol suna cikin kuruciyarsu,
  Kuma mahaifinmu abokin tarayya ne Stalin!
  
  Kuma ina son mara takalmi a cikin dusar ƙanƙara,
  Gudu, diddiginku suna walƙiya a cikin dusar ƙanƙara...
  Zan datse kan bastard na fasikanci,
  Hukunci yana jiran freaks Hitler!
  
  Mu kayar da wannan farkisanci,
  Kuma ba da daɗewa ba za ku kasance kusa da Berlin ...
  Don kada mugunyar fansa ta zo.
  Lokacin da Fuhrer ya kwanta, tare da alamun wawa!
  
  Ƙaunar Kristi ta hanyar shiga Komsomol,
  'Yan mata, maza - sun yi alkawari tare ...
  Fascist za a ci nasara gaba daya
  Kuma za mu ga kwaminisanci daga nesa!
  
  Lokacin da muka zo Berlin waƙa,
  Kuma za mu daga jajayen tuta a kan birnin...
  Za mu rera waƙa game da Kristi gabagaɗi.
  Wanene zai kasance tare da mu a yau!
  
  Kuma Lenin, Stalin - kuna cikin zukatanmu,
  Muna tafiya cikin samuwar 'yan matan Komsomol...
  Za mu farfado da wannan kwaminisanci a mafarki,
  Kuma zai zama sabuwar Adnin ga mutane!
  Da kyau da jin kyan gani suka dauka suka rera shi. Kuma yayi sanyi sosai.
  To, 'yan matan Komsomol - ku kawai manyan mata ne. Ajin ku shine mafi girma. Kuma musamman ma idan suka jefa gurneti da ƙafafu da ƙafafu suka farfasa motocin Nazi.
  Amma a sa'i daya kuma, akwai mayaka a bangaren Jamus.
  Anan Gerda tana aiki tare da ma'aikatanta a kan tankin Panther, suna harba sahihan harsashi ga abokan gaba. Kuma an harbe su talatin da hudu.
  Gerda ta buga k'afafunta ba tak'i tana kururuwa:
  - Glory to the Fatherland - daukaka,
  Panther sanda gaba...
  Rarraba tare da jan tuta -
  Gaisuwa ga mutanen Rasha!
  Kuma jarumin zai dauka ya girgiza mata abs tare da sandunan cakulan dinta.
  Har ila yau, Charlotte ta harba, ta farfasa igwar Soviet ta ce:
  - Jiƙa shi, jiƙa shi,
  Stalin da degenerate
  Jiƙa shi, jiƙa shi,
  Dan gurguzu da dimokradiyya!
  
  Mu wargaza duniya
  Wani vampire mai raɗaɗi yana tare da mu...
  Zai writhe a cikin Jahannama
  Kuma rataya a kan karama!
  Sannan Christina ta kori daga ganga Panther. Har ila yau, harsashin ya tashi da ƙarfi ya bugi turmi na Soviet, ya kashe bayin.
  Nan da nan 'yan matan za su yi tsalle a kan tanki kuma su yi kururuwa. Wannan yayi kyau sosai.
  Sannan Magda ita ce ta karshe da ta yi harbi. Ta dauki shi kuma ta shiga cikin rukunin Soviet, ta kashe 'yan bindigar kuma ta yi kuka:
  Babban abu, 'yan mata, kada ku tsufa a cikin zuciyarku.
  Ko da kun yi, to ku sa ido!
  Wannan shi ne yadda wannan kyakkyawan kyawun ya ba shi. Ita kuwa ta hargitse tana nuna hakora.
  To, tawagar ta taru a nan - fada daya, wani zai iya cewa.
  To, 'yan matan sun fi kyau.
  Amma sun azabtar da majagaba. Suka dauki yaron suka fara narkar da shi da rai da acid. Hakika zalunci ne. Irin wannan shi ne tasirin da ba za a yi tunani ba kuma mai mutuwa.
  To, matan nan suna da kyau sosai. Waɗannan 'yan matan gado ne masu tsafta kuma za su yi fushi da ba za su daina ba.
  Kuma narkar da yaro da acid irin wannan zalunci ne.
  Sai suka fara ƙone majagaba ɗin da wuta, har ma suka cinna wa gashin kansa wuta. Waɗannan bitches ne.
  A wani wurin kuma, Jamusawa masu aiwatar da hukuncin kisa sun yi wa wani ɗan Komsomol da aka kama tambayoyi. Kyakkyawar yarinya, ta tube wa pant dinta. Suka ɗaure hannuna a baya suka bi da ni ba takalmi a cikin dusar ƙanƙara. Kuma "yan sandan suka bi ta a baya suna yi mata bulala.
  Yarinyar ta bar sawun ta masu kyau, marasa takalmi na kyawawan ƙafafu masu ɗorewa, na mata.
  Kuma yayi kyau sosai kuma yayi sanyi. Wannan gaskiya yarinya ce. Kuma babu ƙafãfunta a cikin dusar ƙanƙara sun juya ja kamar ƙafafun geese, kuma ya yi kyau sosai.
  Ita kuma yarinyar nan ba takalmi, a karkashin bulala, tana takama ta mike siffarta, ta fidda kirjinta, tana waka;
  Uban ƙasa ya ba mu hasken 'yanci,
  Tekun soyayya mara iyaka...
  Jama'a su hada kansu
  Bayan haka, ba su da wata hanya ...
  Bayan haka, ba su da wata hanya ...
  
  Rus' shine fitilar duniya ga dukan duniya,
  Kasar uwa: babbar soyayya...
  Har yara ma suna dariya cikin farin ciki a ciki.
  Ko da yake wani lokacin jini na gudana kamar rafi.
  Aƙalla wani lokacin jini yana gudana!
  
  Akwai farkisanci, wanda aka fidda shi da bayonet,
  Mun yi karfin hali mun ci Wehrmacht...
  Duniya har tayi shiru.
  Rafi na karfen horde ya ragargaje.
  An murkushe magudanar ruwan karfe!
  
  Amma kuma tsawar ta sake haskakawa.
  Guguwa tana gudu, muguwar guguwa...
  Wani wuri sai yara suka zubar da hawaye.
  Teku yana nishi, teku tana nishi.
  Kuma teku tana tafasa kamar dutsen mai aman wuta!
  
  Mun bude duniya ga al'ummai,
  Hanyar zuwa talikai har abada...
  Ana rera ayyukan jarumtaka.
  Stalin tauraro ne na har abada ...
  Stalin tauraro ne na har abada!
  
  Za a sami zaman lafiya har abada, ku yi imani da ɗaya,
  Kwaminisanci mai tsarki zai hada mu!
  Kuma kerubobi suna tashi sama da mu.
  Sun murkushe farkisanci har abada,
  Rushe farkisanci har abada!
  
  Kuma a cikin Rasha tutar kwaminisanci.
  Zai kasance a saman duniya har abada...
  Rundunar jari-hujja ba za ta zo ba,
  An yiwa kasar fentin ja,
  An fentin kasar ja!
  Yarinyar Komsomol ta rera waka cikin tsananin sha'awa da tsauri. Kuma ya yi kama da ban mamaki da sanyi. Wannan shi ne ainihin jarumin da kuke buƙata.
  Kuma tabbas sun ci gaba da azabtar da ita. Suka kai ni bukka suka daure ni a sanda.
  Nan suka fara shafa sigari a kirjinta babu kowa.
  Yarinyar ta yi nishi da zafi, amma ba ta ce komai ba. Ta jure ana gasa mata wuta.
  Daga nan suka fara kashe tabarsu a tafin kafarsu. Kuma kun zaɓi maki mafi mahimmanci akan ƙafa. 'Yan matan sun yi nishi cikin raɗaɗi, kuma busassun laɓɓanta da suka fashe tana rada:
  - Ba zan ce ba! Ba zan ce ba! Ba zan ce ba!
  Eh, ta kasance kyakkyawa mara karyewa. Sabbin sojoji kuma da yawa sun shiga yaƙi. Lamarin ya ci gaba da girma. Lamarin ya zama mai ban tsoro da barazana.
  Natasha ta ce a fusace:
  - Bari wannan m Fuhrer ya mutu!
  Zoya ya yarda:
  - Babu wuri don dodon ruwan sama a Duniya!
  Haka 'yan matan suka yi. Kuma sun yi muguwar gaske kuma a kan sikeli mai girma.
  Kuma idan sun fara, babu wanda zai hana su.
  Yaron majagaba Gulliver ya tambayi "yan matan:
  - Zai yi yaƙi?
  Suka amsa baki daya:
  Dole ne mu, dole ne mu yi imani da abubuwan al'ajabi,
  Maimakon ko zan so ko ba zan yi ba.
  So! So! So!
  Su kuwa 'yan matan suka karbe, suka girgiza kafafuwansu mara-ba-da-kai. Kallonsu kuwa ya bata rai.
  Sai yaron majagaba Gulliver ya ɗaure hannunsa kuma ya fara rera waƙa;
  Don yin yaƙi don Motherland har ƙarshe,
  Kamar yadda Stalin mai haske ya umarce mu...
  Mu sanya zukatanmu su buga tare.
  Bari tsokarmu ta fi ƙarfin ƙarfe!
  
  Jarumtakar makomar uba,
  Don yin yaƙi don Mahaifiyata tsarkakakkiya...
  Muna da abubuwa da yawa masu mahimmanci da za mu yi,
  Bayan haka, Rashawa sun san yadda ake yin yaƙi koyaushe!
  
  Ko da yake ɗan majagaba ne kawai,
  Amma zan yi gaisuwa ga ƙasar Ubana...
  Kuma zan zama wanda yake ƙarami, san misalin,
  Na yi imani da Rasha don rayuwa a ƙarƙashin gurguzu!
  
  Za mu gina, gaskata ni, duniya mai ɗaukaka,
  A cikin wanda, ku gaskata ni, ba za a sami talauci ba...
  Muna yin liyafa a can kyauta,
  Kuma mutane suna farin ciki har abada!
  
  Sai mafarkin ya cika alkawarinsa.
  Don daukakar tsararraki masu haske...
  Stalin da kansa yana ƙonawa kamar tauraro mai haske,
  Kuma malamin mu Lenin!
  
  Mu kuma mun yi imani da Allah, mu yi imani da mu,
  Yi addu'a ga Kristi ba tare da tunani na biyu ba ...
  Bari dabba a cikin underworld na jahannama
  Za a gaishe mu da hoto mai kyau daga gumaka!
  
  Mu zo wurin Kristi a ƙarƙashin tutar jam"iyya,
  Za mu gina gurguzu da gurguzu...
  Na yi imani da haske, zan kawo shi bege,
  Ta yadda kowa ya zama babban jarumi!
  
  ALLIANCE NA CIA MOSADA DA RUSSIA MAFIA
  BAYANI
  Kishirwar riba ta haɗin gwiwa tana tura jami'an leƙen asiri, masu fafutuka iri-iri, da membobin ƙungiyoyin ƙungiyoyi don aikata laifuka. Kuma mafia na Rasha suna yada ginshiƙanta da ƙirƙirar rassa kusan a duk faɗin duniya. Kuma ana gwagwarmaya mai zafi don sake rarraba sassan tasiri.
  
  PROLOGUE
    
    
  Fansa wani nau'in adalci ne na daji.
    
  - SIR FRANCIS BACON
    
    
    
  SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
  AFRILU 2016
    
    
  "Ma"aikatan jirgin," ma"aikacin jirgin ya ce a kan tsarin adireshin jama"a na jirgin, "bari in zama farkon wanda zai yi muku maraba zuwa filin jirgin sama na Patrick S. McLaanahan da ke Sacramento, inda karfe takwas na safe agogon gida ne." Ta ci gaba da gargadin da ta saba zama a zaune da bel din da aka daure tare da sa ido kan abubuwan da ba su dace ba a cikin kwandon sama yayin da jirgin sama ya taso zuwa gate din da aka kebe.
    
  Daya daga cikin fasinjojin ajin farko sanye da rigar kasuwanci da farar rigar Oxford ba tare da taye ba, ya leka daga mujallarsa cikin mamaki. "Sun sanya wa Sacramento International sunan Janar Patrick McLaanahan?" - ya tambayi abokinsa dake zaune kusa da shi. Ya yi magana da ɗan ƙanƙantar turawa, wanda hakan ya sa da wuya a iya sanin ƙasar da ya fito daga sauran fasinjojin da ke zaune a kusa da su. Dogo ne, bawon gashi, amma yana da akuya mai duhu, kyakkyawa mai kyan gani, kuma kyakkyawa, kamar ƙwararren ɗan wasa da ya yi ritaya kwanan nan.
    
  Matar ta kalleshi da mamaki. "Ba ku san hakan ba?" - Ta tambaya. Tana da lafazin iri ɗaya-tabbas Bature, amma sauran fasinjojin da ke cikin kunne sun sha wahalar gane ta. Kamar abokiyar zamanta, tana da tsayi, kyakkyawa, amma ba sexy ba, tana da dogon gashi mai farin gashi, ƴar wasa da manyan kunci. Sanye take da kwat ɗin kasuwanci, wanda aka keɓance da shi kamar ba kasuwanci ba, don tafiya. Tabbas sun yi kama da ma'auratan wutar lantarki.
    
  "A'a. Kun tanadi tebur, kar a manta. Har ila yau, lambar filin jirgin sama a kan tikitin har yanzu tana karanta 'SMF' lokacin da yake Sacramento Metropolitan Field.
    
  "To, wannan filin Sacramento-McLaanahan yanzu," in ji matar. "Cikakken dacewa idan kun tambaye ni. Ina ganin babban abin alfahari ne. Patrick McLanahan gwarzo ne na gaske." Fasinjojin da ke kan hanyar daga ma'auratan, ko da yake sun yi kamar ba su ji ba, sun yi na'am.
    
  "Ba na tsammanin mun san rabin abin da wannan mutumin ya yi a cikin aikinsa - za a raba shi aƙalla shekaru hamsin masu zuwa," in ji mutumin.
    
  "To, abin da muka sani ya fi isa a rubuta sunansa a filin jirgin sama na birnin da aka haife shi," in ji matar. "Ya cancanci nasa abin tunawa a makabartar Arlington National." More nodes na yarjejeniya daga waɗanda ke kewaye da ma'auratan.
    
  An ci gaba da girmama Patrick McLanahan a ginin tashar bayan sun tashi daga jirgin. A tsakiyar babban tashar jirgin ya tsaya wani mutum-mutumi na tagulla mai ƙafa goma na Patrick akan wani ƙafar ƙafa shida, yana riƙe da hular jirgin sama na fasaha a hannu ɗaya da kuma PDA a daya hannun. Yatsan takalmin dama na mutum-mutumi ya haskaka yayin da masu wucewa ke shafa shi don samun sa'a. An lullube bangon da hotunan Patrick, wanda ke nuna abubuwan da suka faru a tsawon aikinsa na soja da masana'antu. A kan allon nuni, yara sun zana hotunan EB-52 Megafortress da EB-1C Vampire bombers tare da kalmomin "BOMBS AWAY, GENERAL!" kuma na gode da KA TSARE MU, PATRICK!
    
  Yayin da suke jira a karusar kayansu don ɗaukar kayansu, mutumin ya ɗaga kai ga allo na lantarki. "Akwai tallace-tallace don wannan yawon shakatawa na mashaya da gidan iyali na McLamahan da rukunin gidanta," in ji shi. "Ina so in ga wannan kafin mu tafi."
    
  "Ba mu da lokaci," matar ta nuna. "Jigilar daya tilo daga New York zuwa Sacramento ya makara kuma dole ne mu kasance a San Francisco da karfe goma na safe, makabartar ba ta budewa sai tara, kuma mashaya ba ta bude har sai goma sha daya."
    
  "Beraye," in ji mutumin. "Wataƙila mu je da wuri mu ga ko wani zai iya buɗe mana." Matar ta dafa kafadarta tana mai kau da kai.
    
  Basu dade ba suka tattara kayansu suka nufi wurin da ake hayar mota kusa da ayarin kayan. Ana cikin tafiya sai mutumin ya shiga wani shagon tsaraba sai bayan yan mintuna ya fito da wata katuwar jakar cefane. "Me kika samu?" matar ta tambaye shi.
    
  "Model jiragen sama," mutumin ya amsa. "Daya daga cikin EB-52 Megafortress, wanda Janar McLaanahan ya yi amfani da shi lokacin da ya fara kai wa Rasha hari, ɗayan kuma na EB-1C Vampire, daya daga cikin masu tayar da bama-bamai da ya yi amfani da su a kan ma'ajiyar shugaban Rasha bayan Holocaust a AMERICA." Babban harin da makami mai linzami na subatomic cruise missiles kan sansanonin tsaron jiragen sama na Amurka, da makamai masu linzami masu cin dogon zango da masu cin dogon zango an san shi a duk fadin duniya da sunan Holocaust na Amurka, inda sama da Amurkawa dubu goma sha biyar suka mutu. Patrick McLanahan ya jagoranci kai hari kan rukunin yanar gizo na wayar hannu ta ICBM na Rasha sannan kuma a karshe kan shugaban kasar Rasha Anatoly Gryzlov na karkashin kasa umurnin bunker, inda ya kashe Gryzlov tare da kawo karshen rikicin.
    
  "Ina tsammanin kun riga kun sami samfurin duk jirgin gwaji na McLanahan," matar ta ce.
    
  "Ina so," in ji mutumin, yana murmushi kamar wani yaro a safiyar Kirsimeti, "amma ba haka ba!" Mafi girma na samfura sune ma'auni 148, amma waɗannan mugayen yara sune ma'auni 124! Sau biyu fiye da na sauran!"
    
  Matar ta girgiza kai cikin izgili. "To, za ku ɗauke su," kawai ta ce, kuma suka tsaya a layi don motar haya don isa otal ɗinsu a cikin garin Sacramento.
    
  Washe gari su biyu suka tashi da wuri. Suka shirya suka yi breakfast a dining na otal suka dawo d'akinsu suka had'a kayansu suka duba sannan suka bar hotel d'in a motar haya da k'arfe bakwai da rabi. Titunan cikin gari na babban birnin California sun yi tsit a safiyar wannan makon, inda mutane kalilan suka yi ta tsere da cin kasuwa.
    
  Tashar farko ta ma'auratan ita ce Mclanahan's, ƙaramin mashaya da gidan abinci wanda ya shahara da jami'an tsaro tun lokacin da aka buɗe shi a farkon karni na ashirin. Wani dangi ya sayi kayan daga "yan"uwan Patrick McLanahan, dangin da suka tsira kawai banda ɗan Patrick, Bradley, kuma ya mai da gidan bene ya zama ƙaramin gidan kayan gargajiya na Patrick McLanahan. Har yanzu akwai mashaya da gidan cin abinci a kasa, amma mai shi yana da ɗaruruwan hotuna da aka zayyana da tarkacen jaridu da ke nuna abubuwan da suka faru a rayuwar Patrick McLanahan, da kuma rayuwar waɗanda suka yi aiki a Rundunar Sojan Sama ta Amurka a lokacin sanyi. Yaki "An rufe," matar ta lura. "Ba ya buɗewa har zuwa sha ɗaya na safe, Dole ne mu kasance a San Francisco da goma."
    
  "Na sani, na sani," in ji abokin tafiya. "Bari mu gwada shi a cikin columbarium."
    
  Ƙofar sabon ɓangaren makabartar Tsohon City na Sacramento yana da hanyar shiga tare da alamar "RUFE" a sama da shi, amma ma'auratan sun sami ƙofar a buɗe kuma wani dattijo yana goge wani tebur kusa da na'urar X-ray. Mutumin yayi murmushi ya jinjina kai yayin da ma'auratan suka nufo. "Barka da safiya, guys" ya gaishe su cikin fara'a. "Yi hakuri, amma ba za mu kasance a buɗe ba na wani sa'a ko makamancin haka."
    
  Bature bai yi wani yunƙuri ba don ya ɓoye baƙin cikinsa. "Dole ne mu kasance a San Francisco kan muhimman kasuwanci da goma, kuma ba za mu sami hanyar dawowa ba. Ina so in ga crypt ɗin janar ɗin sosai. "
    
  Mai gadin ya gyada kai, alamar nadama na haskawa a idanunsa, sannan ya ce, "Daga ina kake, yallabai?
    
  "Ni daga Vilnius, Lithuania ne, yallabai," in ji mutumin. "Mahaifina Kanal ne a Rundunar Sojan Sama ta Lithuania a ƙarƙashin Janar Palsikas lokacin da ƙasata ta shelanta "yancin kai daga Tarayyar Soviet, kuma ya ga abin da ya faru a lokacin da Rashawa suka kai hari don mayar da martani. Ya ba da labaru da yawa game da yaƙe-yaƙe masu ban mamaki da Patrick McLaanahan, Bradley Elliott da jarumai masu lambar sirrin aiki mai suna "Madcap Wizard" suka yi a madadin ƙasata. Ya yi magana game da Patrick sau da yawa har na yi tunanin danginmu ne. " Mai gadin yayi murmushi akan haka. "Kuma yanzu ina nan, ina tsaye kusa da kabarinsa, ina ƙoƙarin yin bankwana da ainihin gwarzon danginmu, kuma ba zan iya ba." Fuskarsa ta baci. "To, yallabai" ya juya zai tafi.
    
  "Dakata," mai gadin ya ce. Ba'in lithuanian ya juya, fuskarsa a annuri. "Ni docent ne a nan wurin memorial." Ya ɗan yi tunani, sannan ya ce, "Zan iya kai ku ku ga ɓarnar. Kawai leken asiri don kar mu sami ambaliyar mutane da ke son shiga ciki, babu hotuna saboda girmamawa-"
    
  "Wannan zai yi kyau, yallabai!" - Lithuanian ya ce. "Honey, kin ji haka?" Matar ta yi kamar ta yi farin ciki ga abokiyar zamanta. "Kallo kawai, babu taɓawa, babu hotuna. Ka sanya rana ta, yallabai!" Mai gadin ya shigar da ma'auratan ya rufe musu gate.
    
  "Ina buƙatar duba cikin jakar ku," in ji mai kula da. Dan kasar Lithuania ya zo da wata babbar jaka mai dauke da samfurin jirgin sama. "An kashe na'urar mu ta X-ray kuma za ta ɗauki lokaci mai tsawo kafin ta dumama ta"
    
  "Tabbas, ba shakka," in ji mutumin. Ya dauko daya daga cikin manyan akwatunan. Model EB-52 Megafortress. Ina da daya-"
    
  "Kadan, kana nufin," matar ta katseta da murmushi.
    
  "Eh, da yawa, amma ba ɗayan wannan girman ba!" Akwatin ya jefa a cikin jakarsa ya dauko akwati na biyu. "Vampire EB-1. Ba zan iya jira in hada su tare ba."
    
  Mai gadin yayi murmushi ya gyada kai. "A nan, mutane," in ji shi. Nan da nan ya fara rangadin jagorar da ya haddace: "An kafa tsohuwar makabarta a cikin 1849, a farkon California Gold Rush, kuma shine wurin hutawa na ƙarshe na rayuka sama da dubu ashirin da biyar," ya fara. "McLanahans sun kasance wani ɓangare na babban rafi na mafarauta da masu kasada daga Ireland. Amma sun ga ƙaramin garinsu na mafaka yana girma da sauri kuma ya zama daji, don haka suka daina farautar zinare da azurfa kuma suka koma ga jami"an tsaro don su taimaka wa doka da oda. Fiye da McLaanahan dari biyar jami'an 'yan sandan birnin Sacramento ne, ciki har da shugabannin 'yan sanda tara.
    
  "Wannan sashe na makabartar, wanda ya mamaye fiye da kadada, ya ƙunshi ragowar tsararraki bakwai na McLanahans, waɗanda suka haɗa da magajin gari huɗu, limaman cocin Roman Katolika guda biyu, gwamnan jiha ɗaya, "yan majalisar dokokin Amurka uku, janar-janarori da yawa da ɗaruruwan maza da mata waɗanda bautar kasar mu har yakin basasa. . Mahaifin Patrick da mahaifiyarsa su ne na ƙarshe da aka binne a nan domin sararin samaniya ya ƙare, sannan dangi da Janar Patrick McLaanahan Memorial Foundation suka gina ɗakin kwana ga janar da sauran danginsa."
    
  Sun zo wani daki mai katangar marmara jeri biyu. A bangon da ke gefen hagu akwai sandunan murabba'i inci goma sha takwas, wasu daga cikinsu an riga an yi musu ado da alamomi; a bangon dama akwai wani katon bangon bango wanda aka siffanta da marmara dauke da tutar Amurka, da wasu manyan jiragen yakin Amurka da dama suna shawagi zuwa ga mai kallo daga tsakiyar mikiya, da kuma kalmomin sonnet na John Gillespie Magee Jr. High" an rubuta a ƙarƙashin jiragen. Docent ya ce, "Za ku lura cewa kowane bango yana da tsayi ƙafa goma sha takwas, kauri inci goma sha takwas, kuma bangon yana da ƙafa goma sha takwas," in ji docent, "18 shine adadin shekarun da janar ɗin ya yi aiki a Sojan Sama."
    
  Mai gadin ya nuna bangon hagu, gefen tutar Amurka, kusa da shi kuma wata tuta mai shudi mai taurari uku na azurfa. "Wannan shine wurin hutawa na ƙarshe na Janar McLaanahan," in ji shi. Baƙi suka dube su da zazzafan idanuwa da fargaba. A tsakiyar saman katangar marmara akwai wani ɗan ƙaramin ƙarfe mai shuɗi mai shuɗi a cikin firam ɗin azurfa da taurarin azurfa uku a kansa. Matarsa Wendy's crypt yana kusa da kabarinsa a hannun dama, amma uwarsa babu kowa saboda tokarta ta warwatse a teku. Bisa umarnin shugaban kasar Kenneth Phoenix, a shekara ta farko bayan nadin janar din, sojoji sun taba gadin dakin taron na sa'o'i 24 a rana - shugaban ya bukaci wuri na musamman ga Janar a makabartar Arlington ta kasa a Washington, amma dangin ba su yi nasara ba. so shi. Da zarar an kammala rabuwa na McLaanahan Columbarium da sauran makabartar, an cire masu gadi. A lokuta na musamman kamar ranar haihuwar Patrick, bukukuwan tunawa da wasu yaƙe-yaƙensa, ko lokuta irin su Ranar Tsohon Soji, muna da ma'aikatan sa kai a nan don girmama Janar da Amurka.
    
  "A gefen hagu na Janar akwai ɓoyayyen ɗan'uwan Patrick, Paul, wanda jami'in 'yan sanda ne na Sacramento, wanda ya ji rauni a cikin aikinsa, sannan Sky Masters Inc ya dawo da shi. tare da manyan gaɓoɓin fasaha da na'urori masu auna firikwensin, sannan kuma ya zama memba na ƙungiyar yaƙi da ta'addanci ta sirri mai suna 'Night Stalkers'," mai kula da lafiyar ya ci gaba da cewa. "An kashe shi ne yayin wani aiki a asirce kan kwangilar gwamnati a Libya; har yanzu ana rarraba bayanai da yawa na wannan aiki. Sauran crypts a saman jere an kebe su ne ga "yan"uwan Janar guda biyu da kuma ga wasu makusantan Janar da mataimakansa-de-sansanin, ciki har da Manjo Janar David Luger, wanda kwanan nan ya yi ritaya daga aiki, da Brigadier Janar Hal Briggs, wanda ya kasance. kashe a mataki, inda plaque da guda azurfa star. Wurin da ke ƙasa da gidan Patrick da Wendy an keɓance shi ne don ɗan Patrick, Bradley, wanda a halin yanzu ke karatun injiniyan sararin samaniya a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo."
    
  Mataimakin farfesa ya juya ya yi nuni da bangon marmara. Ya ci gaba da cewa , "Janar din yana da babban iyali, don haka an gina wannan katanga ne domin daukar gawarwakin sauran "yan uwa, abokan Janaral ko sauran manyan hafsoshin da ke son a binne su a nan." "Akwai crypts anan ma, amma har sai an cika bangon farko, wannan kyakkyawan zane-zanen dutsen lemun tsami yana rufe fuska. Za a rushe diorama kuma a motsa lokacin da ... "Sai kawai mai kula da lafiyar ya lura cewa Lithuanian ya ajiye jakarsa a kan wurin zama tsakanin bangon marmara kuma ya ciro kwalaye na samfurin jirgin sama. "Me kake yi a can, yallabai? Ka tuna, babu hotuna."
    
  "Abokina, ba mu zo nan don ɗaukar hotuna ba," in ji matar da ke bayan mai kula da ita. Rabuwar dakika daga baya, an danna tsumma a bakin mai kula da hanci da hanci. Ya yi ta faman 'yantar da kansa, amma matar tana da karfin mamaki. Mai gadin ya fad'a yana shakar wani sinadari mai tsananin kauri mai kamshin asu. Bayan 'yan dakiku kadan sai ya ji kamar kolumbarium din yana jujjuyawa, sai ganinsa ya lumshe yana rikidewa daga kala zuwa baki da fari, sannan ya fara fashewa da kyalli. Bayan dakika 30, kafafun mutumin sun baci kuma ya fadi a kasa.
    
  Ya daɗe a faɗake don ya ga ɗan ƙasar Lithuania yana ɗaukar kayan aikin ƙarfe daga cikin kwalayen jirgin sama!
    
  "Wannan abu yana aiki sosai," in ji mutumin a cikin Rashanci. "Wannan abu yana aiki da kyau."
    
  "Ni kaina na daɗe," in ji matar, ita ma cikin harshen Rashanci. Ta yi amfani da rigar shafa don goge duk wani abin da ya rage na jijiya daga yatsunta. "Ina samun ɗan dizziness kaina daga dimethyltryptamine."
    
  A cikin 'yan daƙiƙa kaɗan, mutumin ya haɗa ƙugiya biyu da kayan aiki mai kama da maƙarƙashiya daga sassa a cikin kwalaye. Yayin da yake tattara kayan aikin sa, matar ta bar dakin taron ta dawo bayan wani lokaci, ta yi birgima da wani katon siminti na ado. Mutumin ya hau kan mai shukar, matar ta mika masa katanga sannan ya fara guntun dutsen marmara da aka zana da ke rufe bakin Laftanar Janar Patrick Shane McLanahan.
    
  "Kamaroriyoyin tsaro suna kan hanya," in ji matar. "Kyamaran tsaro suna ko'ina."
    
  "Ba komai," in ji mutumin. Bayan ya tsinke tsakuwar sirara da yawa, daga karshe ya sami damar cire dutsen da aka zana daga cikin ruffun, inda ya bayyana wani karfen karfe mai dauke da manyan kusoshi guda biyu wadanda suka tabbatar da dutsen. Yin amfani da maƙarƙashiya, ya fara kwance ƙulle-ƙulle. "Ka sanar da kungiyoyin barci cewa za mu yi tafiya nan ba da jimawa ba." Matar ta kira daga wayar hannu mai ƙonewa.
    
  Ba a dauki lokaci mai tsawo ba don buɗe crypt ɗin. A ciki sun sami ƙanƙara mai sauƙi na silinda aluminium, da kuma haruffa da yawa da aka hatimce a bayyane, kwantena mara iska da lambobin yabo na soja da yawa. Mutumin ya dauko daya daga cikinsu. "La'ananne!" ya rantse. "Ban san dan iska ya karbi Cross Force Cross tare da Silver Star!" Tauraron na nufin karbar lambar yabo mafi girma da rundunar sojin sama ta samu banda lambar girmamawa ta Air Force Cross sau biyar. "Daya daga cikinsu ya kamata ya kasance don kisan Shugaba Gryzlov. Ina tsammanin ba sa ba da lambobin yabo ga masu laifi."
    
  "Mu fita daga nan," matar ta ce. "An sanya cibiyar sadarwa a faɗakarwa."
    
  Cikin 'yan daqiqai komai ya kare. Abubuwan da ke cikin crypt din an loda su a cikin wata jakar cefane, sai 'yan Rashan biyu suka bar makabartar, suna tafiya da sauri suna komawa motarsu ta haya, amma ba gudu ba, don kada su jawo hankali. Sun yi tuƙi kaɗan kaɗan, zuwa wani yanki da aka riga aka sani cewa babu tsarin tsaro ko kyamarar zirga-zirga a kusa, kuma sun canza zuwa wata motar da wani saurayi ke tukawa. Suna ɗaukar lokacinsu da guje wa duk wani fitilun zirga-zirga ko alamun tsayawa, sun fita daga cikin birni a kan gadar Hasum zuwa Yammacin Sacramento. Sun sake sauya motoci sau uku a sassa daban-daban na birnin kafin su sauka a wani wurin ajiye motoci na tsakuwa da ba kowa mai dauke da 'ya'yan itace a yammacin Davis, California, inda da wuya a samu kyamarori masu tsaro. Mutumin ya tunkari wata babbar mota mai duhu da tambarin diflomasiyya. Tagan ya sauka; sai mutumin ya dauko kayan ta taga ya koma motarsa. Sedan baƙar fata ya bi hanyar har sai da ya isa hanyar fita wanda ya dauke su zuwa Interstate 80, ya nufi yamma zuwa San Francisco.
    
  "Kai cikakken wawa ne, Kanar," in ji dattijon da ke kujerar gaba. Doguwar farin gashi ne a tsanake cikin igiyoyin ruwa, wuyansa mai kauri, sanye yake da atamfa mai tsada mai tsada da ledar tabarau, ya yi magana ba tare da ya juyo ba ya yi wa mutanen da ke kujerar baya jawabi. "Kai cikakken wawa ne, Ilyanov," in ji wani mutum mai suna Boris Chirkov. Chirkov shi ne manzon da ke kula da karamin ofishin jakadancin Rasha da ke San Francisco, wanda ke gudanar da harkokin kasuwanci tsakanin ma'aikatar harkokin wajen Rasha, da ma'aikatar harkokin wajen Amurka da kuma harkokin kasuwanci a yammacin Amurka. "Kuna yin kasada da yawa."
    
  "Ina bin umarnin Shugaba Gryzlov da kansa, Mai Girma," in ji mutumin da ke kujerar baya, Bruno Ilyanov. Ilyanov wani Kanar ne a Rundunar Sojan Sama ta Rasha kuma, a hukumance, mataimakin hadimin jirgin da aka sanya wa ofishin jakadancin Rasha a Washington. Zaune kusa da shi wata mata ce mai gashin jet-bak'i, ga kumatun kunci mai tsayi da kuma wasan motsa jiki, duhun idanunta a boye a bayan tabarau. "Amma ina farin cikin bin waɗannan umarni. Waɗannan Amurkawa, musamman waɗanda suka fito daga garinsu, suna ɗaukar McLahan kamar allah. Wannan cin fuska ne ga dukkan 'yan Rasha. Mutumin da ya kashe mahaifin shugaba Gryzlov da gangan tare da jefa bam a babban birninmu bai cancanci yabo ba."
    
  "Kai - ko kuma mafi kyau a ce, kun kasance kafin ku taɓa waɗannan jakunkuna - wakilin jami'in soja na Tarayyar Rasha, Ilyanov," in ji Chirkov. "Kuma ku," ya juya ga matar, "wani babban jami'in tsaro ne da ke da gata na diflomasiyya, Korchkova. Dukanku biyu za su rasa shaidar ku na diflomasiyya kuma za a tilasta muku ficewa daga wannan ƙasa na dindindin, kuma za a dakatar da ku daga shiga duk ƙungiyar yarjejeniyar ta Arewacin Atlantic da ƙasashen NATO. Kasa da watanni shida a Amurka, a cikin babban ofishin ku na farko na Kremlin a waje, kuma a yanzu ba ku zama komai ba face barawo da ɓarna. Shin sana'ar ku tana da ma'ana sosai a gare ku?
    
  "Shugaban kasa ya ba ni tabbacin cewa makomara za ta kasance lafiya, yallabai," in ji Ilyanov. "Ko da an kama ni, duk abin da Amurkawa za su iya yi shi ne korar ni, wanda zan gani da farin ciki, don kawai in bar wannan kasa mai cin hanci da rashawa."
    
  Ilyanov wani wawa ne, Chirkov ya yi tunani - Gennady Gryzlov yana jefa mutane kamar kayan ado da aka yi amfani da su, kuma yana yin haka shekaru da yawa. Amma yanayin geopolitical na duniya ya kasance mafi tsanani fiye da ayyukan Ilyanov marasa kwakwalwa. Wannan zai iya lalata dangantakar Amurka da Rasha gaba daya, Chirkov yayi tunani, ko da yake, a gaskiya, waɗannan dangantakar sun riga sun kasance marasa kyau. Ya san cewa mahaifin Gennady Gryzlov, Anatoly Gryzlov, ya ba da umarnin da ya yi sanadin mutuwar dubun-dubatar Amurkawa da ma daruruwan 'yan kasar a kasar Rasha, kuma ba shi da tantama cewa dansa na iya yin irin wadannan munanan ayyuka. Duk da cewa Chirkov shi ne na hudu mafi girma a cikin tawagar diflomasiyyar Rasha zuwa Amurka, dangin Gryzlov sun fi nasa dukiya da kuma tasiri a siyasance. Duk abin da Gryzlov yake tunani, ban da fashin kabari, mai yiwuwa Chirkov ba zai iya hana shi ba. Amma dole ne ya yi ƙoƙarin hana shi ko ta yaya.
    
  Chirkov rabi ya juya a zaune. "Me kuma Shugaba Gryzlov da Ilyanov suke shirin?" Ya tambaya. "Lalata da kwasar ganima na crypt yayi muni sosai."
    
  "Lokacin da wannan crypt ɗin ya ƙunshi ragowar mafi yawan masu zubar da jini na mahaifiyar Rasha tun lokacin Adolf Hitler, na yi farin ciki da shiga cikin wannan," in ji Ilyanov. "McLanahan mai laifi ne wanda ya kashe shugaban kasata. Bai cancanci irin wannan karramawa ba."
    
  "Wannan harin ya faru ne da dadewa, kuma a lokacin yakin ne."
    
  Ilyanov ya ce "Yakin da McLaanahan ya fara, yallabai, ba shi da izini kuma ba bisa ka'ida ba." Chirkov ya zauna babu motsi, yana danne sha'awar girgiza kansa. Tsohon shugaban kasar Rasha Anatoly Gryzlov ya dauki fansa kan harin da Patrick McLanahan ya jagoranta ta hanyar harba manyan makamai masu linzami da ke dauke da makami mai linzami da kuma kusan lalata dukkan makaman nukiliyar Amurka da ke kasa-tare da Amurkawa dubu da dama-a cikin abin da aka fi sani da "Holocaust na Amurka." "Harin da McLaanahan ya kai kan kasar Rasha ba tare da makamin Nukiliya ba, ta hanyar amfani da Amurkawa na karshe da suka rage na dogon zango, wani martani ne da ya bar dukkan kasashen biyu da kusan nau'i-nau'i na makaman nukiliya. Harin na karshe, karkashin jagorancin Patrick MacLanahan da kansa, an kai shi ne kan wani sabon umurnin karkashin kasa na Gryzlov. a Ryazan, harin da aka kai wanda ya kashe shugaban na Rasha.
    
  Duk wanda ke da alhakin fara yakin bama-bamai wanda ya kai ga Holocaust na Amurka da harin da aka kai kan Ryazan, McLanahan ko Gryzlov ya kasance abin muhawara kuma mai yiwuwa ba shi da ma'ana, amma Gryzlov ba shakka ba mai gani ba ne. Tsohon janar na rundunar sojin Rasha mai dogon zango, ya mayar da martani ne ga wani harin da aka kai kusa da wuraren tsaron sararin samaniyar kasar ta Rasha, inda ya kai hari kan makamin nukiliya tare da kashe dubban Amurkawa a wani harin ba-zata. Waɗannan ba ayyukan mai hankali ba ne. Lokacin da McLanahan ya kame wani sansanin sojin saman Rasha a Siberiya ya kuma yi amfani da shi wajen kai hare-hare kan wuraren makami mai linzami na tafi da gidanka na Rasha, Gryzlov ya ba da umarnin sake kai harin makami mai linzamin na Nukiliya... amma a wannan karon ya nufi sansanin nasa na Rasha! Damuwarsa ta kashe McLahan ya kai ga mutuwar daruruwan Rashawa a Yakutsk, amma McLanahan ya tsere ya kashe Gryzlov bayan sa'o'i ta hanyar tarwatsa ma'ajin Gryzlov da kuma gidan umarni na sirri.
    
  "Ka ba ni urn da sauran abubuwa, Colonel," Chirkov ya nace. "Zan mayar da su a lokacin da ya dace kuma in bayyana cewa kun yi aiki a ƙarƙashin rinjayar motsin rai kuma an mayar da ku zuwa Moscow don ba da shawara na baƙin ciki ko wani abu da zai sa ku ji tausayi."
    
  "Tare da dukkan girmamawa, yallabai, ba zan yi ba," in ji Ilyanov a cikin murya mara launi.
    
  Chirkov ya rufe idanunsa ya girgiza kai. Ilyanov ya kasance henchman marar kwakwalwa na Gennady Gryzlov kuma tabbas zai mutu maimakon ya bar abubuwan da ya sata. "Me shugaban kasa zai yi da su Kanar?" - Ya tambaya a gajiye.
    
  "Ya ce yana so ya sanya kwandon a kan teburinsa kuma ya yi amfani da shi a matsayin abin toka," in ji Ilyanov, "kuma watakila ya saka McLaanahan lambobin yabo ga mai tukwatarsa a duk lokacin da ya leka." Bai cancanci komai ba sai wurin karramawarsa."
    
  Chirkov ya ce "Kuna yin hali kamar yaro, Kanar. "Ina rokon ku da ku sake duba ayyukanku."
    
  "An tilastawa shugaba Gryzlov na farko ya mayar da martani ga zaluncin McLahanan ko kuma ya fuskanci sabbin hare-hare da sabbin kashe-kashe," in ji Ilyanov. "Ayyukan McLanahan na iya yiwuwa ko a'a ba su da izini, amma tabbas sun sami izini daga Shugaba Thomas Thorne da janar-janar sa. Wannan karamin misali ne na abin da Shugaba Gryzlov ke niyyar yi don dawo da martaba da daukakar al'ummar Rasha."
    
  "Me kuma kake shirin yi Kanar?" Chirkov ya maimaita. "Ina tabbatar muku, kun riga kun yi isa."
    
  "Yakin neman zaben shugaban kasa kan tunawa da Janar Patrick McLanahan ya riga ya fara, mai girma," in ji Ilyanov. "Yana da niyyar lalata duk wata cibiya da McLaanahan ya taɓa samun wani abu da shi. Maimakon yin murna da tunawa da rayuwar Patrick McLanahan, nan ba da jimawa ba Amurka za ta la'anci sunansa."
    
  Wayar da aka boye ta Chirkov ta buga kuma ya amsa ba tare da ya ce komai ba, sannan ya karasa kiran daga baya. "Hukumar bincike ta tarayya ta sanar da sakataren harkokin wajen Amurka game da fashin da aka yi a Sacramento," in ji shi cikin wata murya mara sauti. "Wataƙila za a kama ma"aikatan ku cikin sa"a. Daga karshe za su yi magana." Rabin ya sake juyowa kan kujera. "Kun san cewa idan FBI ta Amurka ta sami sammaci daga wani alkali na tarayya, za su iya shiga harabar ku a Washington, kuma tun da ayyukanku ba aikin hukuma ba ne, za a iya kama ku a tuhume ku. Kariyar diflomasiyya ba ta aiki."
    
  "Na sani, Mai Girma," in ji Ilyanov. "A gaskiya ban yi tunanin Amurkawa za su iya mayar da martani cikin gaggawa ba, amma na shirya hakan idan an gano ni. Na riga na shirya wani jirgin sama mai zaman kansa wanda zai dauke ni daga Woodland, California zuwa Mexicali kuma daga can gida ta hanyar Mexico City, Havana, Morocco da Damascus. Jami"an tsaro na diflomasiyya suna nan don taimaka wa kwastan na cikin gida." Ya mika wa karamin jakadan katin kasuwanci. "Ga adireshin filin jirgin; yana kusa da babbar hanya. Fitar da mu kuma za ku iya ci gaba zuwa ofishin jakadancin a San Francisco kuma za mu kasance a kan hanyarmu. Kuna iya musun duk wani hannu a cikin wannan lamarin."
    
  "Me kuma kuka shirya a wannan kubucewar naku Kanar?" - Chirkov ya tambaya bayan ya mika katin ga direban, wanda ya shigar da adireshin a cikin na'urar GPS na motar. "Ina jin kamar wannan ya fi sata tsanani."
    
  "Ba zan yi illa ga matsayinka na diflomasiyya ko aikinka ba ta hanyar shigar da kai cikin ayyukan shugaban kasa, Mai Girma," in ji Ilyanov. "Amma za ku fahimce shi idan kun ji labarin abubuwan da suka faru, yallabai... na ba da tabbacin hakan." Ya zaro wata alwala daga cikin babban jakar kayan abinci, yana yawo da yatsunsa akan taurarin azurfa uku da ke gefe da kuma garkuwar rundunar tsaron sararin samaniyar Amurka da ke kan murfi. "Wani wasa ne," in ji shi. "Rasha ta kasance tana da rundunar tsaron sararin samaniya ta gaske kusan shekaru goma, yayin da ba a taba tura sashin ba sai a karkatacciyar kwakwalwar McLanahan. Me ya sa muka ji tsoron wannan mutumin? Ba wani abu ba ne face aikin almara, mai rai da matattu." Ya d'auko kud'in a hankali, sai ga wani irin rudani ya bayyana a fuskarsa. "Ka sani, ban taba ganin gawarwakin mutane da aka kone ba...."
    
  "Don Allah kada ku tozarta ragowar wannan mutumin," in ji Chirkov. "Ku bar su. Kuma ku sake duba ku bar su tare da ni. Zan iya shirya wani labari wanda ba za ku shiga ba, kuma fushin Shugaban kasa zai kasance a kaina ba a kanku ba. Barayi da "yan iskan Rasha sun yi aikinsu, amma da suka yi kokarin sayar da su a kasuwar bakar fata, mun kama su kuma muka kama su a ofishin jakadancin. Neman uzuri na gaske, dawo da kayayyakin tarihi, da yin alkawarin gurfanar da wadanda ke da hannu a gaban shari'a, da tayin biyan kudin gyara barnar da kuma maido da kwalta ya isa ya gamsar da Amurkawa."
    
  "Ba na so in shigar da ku kuma, Mai Girma," in ji Ilyanov, "kuma ba ni da sha'awar mayar da waɗannan abubuwa ko mayar da abin tunawa ga wannan ɗan banza da kansa. Da fatan, zubar da waɗannan abubuwan da bai dace ba zai haifar da ruhin McLahan na yawo a sararin samaniya har abada. "
    
  Wannan, Chirkov yayi tunani, shine ainihin abin da yake tsoro.
    
  Ilyanov ya sake tayar da tashin hankali. "Wannan ya fi sauƙi fiye da tunanina," in ji shi, sannan ya zare hular. "Bari mu ga yadda babban Janar Patrick Shane McLaanahan ya kasance bayan ya yi wanka na ƙarshe a cikin sauna a zafin jiki na digiri dubu Celsius."
    
  Chirkov bai waiwaya ya duba ba, sai dai ya kalli gaba ya yi kokarin boye kyamarsa. Amma ba da jimawa ba, bayan wani dogon shiru da ya yi, sai ya rikice ya juyo ya kalli kafadarsa...
    
  ... don ganin fuskar wani Kanal din sojan saman Rasha, farare ne a jikin teburin da ke kan teburin cin abinci na ofishin jakadancin, bakinsa a bude kamar yana kokarin fadin wani abu. "Ilyanov...?" Kanar ya kalli sama, idanunsa sun zagaya kuma manya kamar miya, kuma a yanzu Chirkov ya ga fuskar Korchkov da irin wannan firgita mai ban mamaki - sosai, da ban mamaki ga irin wannan ƙwararren jami'in tsaro da kisan kai. "Mene ne wannan?"
    
  Ilyanov ya yi mamakin shiru, har yanzu bakinsa a bude. Girgiza kai cikin rud'ewa yayi, ahankali ya karkatar da akwatin zabe zuwa ga Chirkov...
    
  ... daga nan kuma jakadan Rasha ya iya ganin cewa akwatin zabe ya kasance babu kowa.
    
    
  DAYA
    
    
  Je zuwa gefen dutsen kuma ku yi tsalle. Gina fikafikan ku a kan hanyar ƙasa.
    
  - RAY BRADBURY
    
    
    
  MCLANAHAN FILIN JIRGIN SANA'A, BATTLE MOUNTAIN, NEVADA
  BAYAN KWANAKI KADAN
    
    
  "Boomer, wannan mutumin yana barci?" Likitan jirgin da ke sa ido kan tsarin watsa bayanan ilimin halittar jikin ma'aikatan ya yi rediyo. "Abun zuciyarsa bai dan canja ba tun lokacin da muka dora shi a kan na"urori. Shin ya mutu ne? Duba shi, lafiya?"
    
  "An fahimta," in ji Hunter "Boomer" Noble, matukin jirgin da ke jagorantar jirgin. Ya tashi daga kujerar da yake zaune, ya koma tsakanin kujerun biyu da ke kusa da kujerun, ya bi ta makarar da ke tsakanin jirgin da jirgin, ya shiga cikin karamin dakin fasinja, wanda aka kera na mutum hudu. Ba kamar sauran kwat da wando na ruwan lemu na al'ada da fasinjoji biyu na jirgin ke sawa ba, Dogon Noble's doguwa, mara nauyi, jikin 'yan wasa an lullube shi cikin rigar da ta dace da ake kira EEAS, ko Lantarki Elastomeric Sports Suit, wanda ke yin ayyuka iri ɗaya kamar rigar sararin samaniya ta gargajiya. kwat, sai dai ya yi amfani da filaye masu sarrafa na'urar lantarki don damfara fata maimakon matsewar iskar oxygen, wanda hakan ya sauƙaƙa masa ya zagaya cikin ɗakin fiye da sauran.
    
  Noble, kwamandan mishan kuma mataimakin matukin jirgi, matukin jirgin ruwa na Amurka Laftanar Kanar Jessica "Gonzo" Faulkner mai ritaya, tare da fasinjoji biyu suna cikin kumbon Midnight S-19, na biyu na nau"i uku na jirgin saman fasinja mai hawa daya na Amurka. Wannan ya kawo sauyi game da balaguron sararin samaniya lokacin da na farko, S-9 Black Stallion, ya shiga sabis a cikin 2008. S-19 guda uku ne aka gina, don goyon bayan manyan jiragen sama na XS-29 na inuwa na gwaji. Duk nau'ikan jiragen sama na iya tashi da sauka a kan titin jirgin da aka gina don jiragen sama na kasuwanci, amma kowannensu ya sadaukar da injuna guda uku waɗanda zasu iya canzawa daga injunan turbofan supersonic mai ƙarfi zuwa injunan ramjet na hypersonic zuwa injunan roka masu tsafta waɗanda ke iya harba motar zuwa ƙasa. Duniya ta kewaya.
    
  Boomer ya haura zuwa ga fasinja na farko ya dube shi da kyau kafin yayi magana. Ta cikin visor na sararin samaniya, yana iya ganin idanuwan fasinja a rufe kuma hannayensa a dunkule a cinyarsa. Fasinjojin biyun suna sanye ne da lemu Advanced Crew Escape Suits, ko ACES, waɗanda aka matsa lamba da aka tsara don tsira daga asarar matsi a cikin ɗakin fasinja ko ma a sararin samaniya.
    
  Haka ne, Boomer ya yi tunanin, wannan kokwamba ne mai sanyi - jirginsa na farko zuwa sararin samaniya, kuma ko dai yana barci ko kuma yana kan hanyarsa, kamar dai yana cikin wani jirgin sama mai fadi yana shirin tafiya hutu zuwa Hawaii. Abokin nasa kuwa, ya yi kama da wani fasinja na farko a sararin samaniya - goshinsa yana kyalli da gumi, hannayensa sun dafe, numfashinsa na sauri, kuma idanunsa sun kai ga Boomer, sannan ta taga, sannan ga abokinsa. Boomer ya ba shi babban yatsan yatsan hannu ya karɓi ɗaya a mayar da shi, amma har yanzu mutumin ya yi kama da tashin hankali.
    
  Boomer ya juya baya ga fasinja na farko. "Yallabai?" - Ya tambaya a kan intercom.
    
  "Iya, Dr. Noble?" Mutum na farko ya amsa cikin sanyin murya, sanyin murya, kusan bacci.
    
  "Kawai duba ka, yallabai. Takardar jirgin ta ce kun sami nutsuwa sosai. Shin kun tabbata wannan shine karon farko naku a cikin kewayawa?"
    
  "Ina jin abin da suke cewa. Kuma bana jin ba zan iya mantawa da karo na farko, Dokta Noble.
    
  "Don Allah a kira ni Boomer, sir."
    
  "Na gode, zan yi haka." Mutumin ya dubi abokin tafiyarsa, yana mai daure fuska ga irin firgicin da mutumin yake da shi. "Shin sarrafa ƙasa har ma ya damu da mahimman alamun abokina?"
    
  "Shi al'ada ne ga mai kiba," in ji Boomer.
    
  "Me"?"
    
  "Paddy ɗan sama jannati ne na rokie," in ji Boomer. "An yi wa suna Don Puddy, mutumin NASA wanda ya kasance yana ba 'yan takarar jannati bishara cewa an yarda da su cikin shirin horar da 'yan sama jannati. Kasancewa mai tsananin juyayi abu ne na halitta har ma ga "yan sama jannati da kuma "yan wasa masu fafutuka - idan zan iya cewa, yallabai, abu ne mai ban sha"awa ganin wani ya natsu kamar yadda kake gani.
    
  "Zan dauki hakan a matsayin yabo, Boomer," in ji mutumin. "Har yaushe sai tashin jirgin?"
    
  "Babban taga zai buɗe cikin kusan mintuna talatin," Boomer ya amsa. "Za mu kammala binciken kafin tashin jirgin, sannan zan nemi ku je tashar jirgin ku zauna don tashi. Kanar Faulkner zai zauna akan kujerar tsalle tsakaninmu. Za mu nemi ku koma wurin zama a nan kafin mu tafi hypersonic, amma da zarar mun isa kewayawa, za ku iya komawa wurin ku idan kuna so.
    
  "Na yi matukar farin ciki da zama a nan, Boomer."
    
  "Ina son ka sami cikakken tasirin abin da za ka fuskanta, kuma kokfit shine wuri mafi kyau don yin hakan, yallabai," in ji Boomer. "Amma g-force yana da girma sosai lokacin da muke tafiya hypersonic, kuma ba a ɗora kujerar tsalle don jirgin sama. Amma lokacin da ka sake dawo da kanka cikin jirgin, yallabai, zai zama lokacin da ba za ka taɓa mantawa ba. "
    
  "Mun kasance muna kan iskar oxygen na dogon lokaci, Boomer," in ji fasinja. "Aƙalla awanni kaɗan. Shin za mu zauna a tashar ba tare da iskar oxygen ba?"
    
  "A'a, yallabai," Boomer ya amsa. "Matsayin yanayi na tashar ya dan yi kasa da karfin matakin teku a doron kasa ko kuma matsin lamba a cikin gidan jirgin sama-za ka ji kamar kana kusan kafa dubu takwas, kwatankwacin matsi a cikin gidan jirgin. Shakar iskar oxygen mai tsafta zai taimaka wajen kawar da iskar gas daga jikinka ta yadda kumfa mai iskar gas ba za ta shiga tasoshin jininka, tsoka, kwakwalwa ko gidajenka ba."
    
  "Curves"? Ta yaya masu ruwa da ruwa masu zurfin teku za su samu?"
    
  "Haka ne, yallabai," in ji Boomer. "Da zarar mun isa tashar, za ku iya cire wannan. Ga wadanda daga cikinmu da ke tafiya cikin sararin samaniya, muna komawa don yin numfashi kafin 'yan sa'o'i saboda matsi ya fi ƙasa a cikin sararin samaniya. Wani lokaci ma mukan kwana a cikin wani makullin jirgin da aka rufe tare da isasshen iskar oxygen don tabbatar da cewa mun sami wadataccen iskar nitrogen."
    
  Takeoff ya faru bayan mintuna talatin, kuma ba da daɗewa ba suka tashi zuwa arewa ta yammacin Idaho. "Speed one, sir," Boomer ya amsa a kan intercom. "Wannan shine karon farko da kuke tashi sama?"
    
  "Eh," in ji fasinja. "Ban ji wani abu na al'ada ba."
    
  "Ya game da motsi na biyu?"
    
  "Shin mun ninka saurin sauti? So sauri?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji Boomer, farin ciki ya bayyana a cikin muryarsa. "Ina so in yi amfani da damisa a farkon kowace manufa - ba na so in gano a mach goma ko goma sha biyar cewa za a iya samun matsaloli."
    
  "'Damisa'?"
    
  "Sunana na don turbofan-scramjet-laser pulse ƙwanƙwasa injunan injuna, sir," Boomer ya bayyana.
    
  "Kirƙirar ku, ina tsammanin?"
    
  "Ni ne injiniyan jagora a wata babbar tawagar injiniyoyin Sojan Sama da masana kimiyya," in ji Boomer. "Na rantse da Allah, mu kamar yara ƙanana ne a cikin kantin sayar da alewa, ko da a lokacin da kurar ta bugi fanka-mun bi da babbar fashewar "damisa" kamar yadda muka jefa wuta a bandakin "yan mata a makarantar sakandare. Amma a, ƙungiyara ta haɓaka 'damisa'. Injiniya ɗaya, ayyuka daban-daban guda uku. Za ka gani".
    
  Boomer ya rage kumbon na tsakar dare zuwa tsakiyar tsakiyar gudun, kuma nan da nan ya juya kudu a kan Nevada, kuma Jessica Faulkner ta dawo don taimaka wa fasinja a cikin kujerar kwamandan manufa a gefen dama na ɗakin, ta ɗaga sama tare da toshe igiyar kwat ɗin ta cikin kanti, sannan ta zare karamar kujeran dake tsakanin kujeru biyu a cikin gidan ta ajiye. "Zan iya ji na, yallabai?" - ya tambayi Faulkner.
    
  "Mai ƙarfi da ƙarfi, Jessica," fasinjan ya amsa.
    
  "Saboda haka, wannan shine 'matakin farko' na shigar da sararin samaniyar mu mai mataki uku, yallabai," Boomer ya bayyana a kan intercom. "Muna kan ƙafa dubu talatin da biyar, a cikin troposphere. Kashi 80 cikin 100 na yanayin duniya yana ƙasa da mu, wanda ke sauƙaƙa saurin sauri idan lokacin shiga sararin samaniya ya yi. Amma tankin namu yana da injunan turbofan masu amfani da iska na al'ada kuma an cika makil da dukkan man fetur ɗinmu da oxidizer, don haka dole mu tsaya ƙasa kaɗan. Za mu hadu nan da kamar minti sha biyar."
    
  Kamar yadda aka yi alkawari, wani jirgin saman Boeing 767 da aka gyara tare da kalmomin SKY MASTERS AEROSPACE INC a gefe ya shigo cikin kallo kuma Boomer ya yi amfani da jirgin na tsakar dare a bayan wutsiya tare da jujjuya maɓallin don buɗe kofofin zamewar sama. "Masters Bakwai-Shida, Tsakar dare Zero-One, matsayi na farko, shirye, da fatan za a fara bam," Boomer ya sanar a kan mita dabara.
    
  "An fahimta, Tsakar dare, Bakwai-Shida ya daidaita tuntuɓar tuntuɓar, muna shirye don "bam", muna matsawa zuwa wurin tuntuɓar, Bakwai-Shida yana shirye," muryar mace ta kwamfuta ta amsa.
    
  Wani fasinja a kujerar kwamandan mishan ya ce "Abin mamaki ne - jirage biyu suna shawagi sama da mil dari uku a cikin sa'a, 'yan taku kadan kawai."
    
  "Ina son sanin abin da ya fi ban mamaki, yallabai?" - Boomer ya tambaya. "Wannan tankar ba ta da mutum."
    
  "Me?"
    
  "Sky Masters yana ba da sabis na kwangila iri-iri ga sojoji a duniya, kuma mafi yawan jiragensu, motocinsu da jiragen ruwa ba su da mutum ko kuma ba da izini ba," Boomer ya bayyana. "Akwai matukin jirgi na ɗan adam da ma"aikaci a cikin ɗakin da ke Battle Mountain suna kallon mu ta hanyar bidiyo ta tauraron dan adam da abubuwan sauti, amma ko da su ba sa yin wani abu sai dai idan sun yi-kwamfutoci suna yin duka aikin kuma mutane suna kallo. Ita kanta motar dakon mai ba kowa ne ke sarrafa ta sai na"ura mai kwakwalwa - suna ciyar da tsarin jirgin a cikin kwamfutar, kuma tana aiwatar da ita daga tasi ta farko zuwa ta karshe ba tare da matukan mutane ba, kamar jirgin leken asiri na Global Hawk. Za a iya canza tsarin jirgin idan ya cancanta, kuma yana da tsare-tsare masu yawa da ba su da aminci idan aka sami gazawa da yawa, amma kwamfutar tana sarrafa wannan abu tun daga tasi ɗin da aka ƙaddamar har zuwa rufe injin a gida."
    
  "Abin mamaki," in ji fasinja. "Ina jin tsoron cewa wata rana za a mayar da aikin ku zuwa kwamfuta, Dr. Noble?"
    
  "Kai, zan taimake su su tsara wannan abu, yallabai," in ji Boomer. "Hakika, 'yan kasar Rasha sun kwashe shekaru suna aika jiragen ruwan Soyuz dakon kaya da kuma ci gaban da ba a samu ba zuwa tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa, kuma har ma suna da kwafin jirgin Buran wanda ya yi jigilar daukacin sararin samaniya ba tare da wani mutum ba. Ina tsammanin zan gwammace in sami ma'aikatan jirgin idan na tashi zuwa sararin samaniya a cikin kumbon Rasha, amma nan da 'yan shekaru fasahar za ta ci gaba sosai ta yadda fasinjoji ba za su taba lura ba."
    
  Yayin da fasinjan ya ke kallo cikin sha'awa, jirgin ya zame a karkashin jelar tankar, kuma wata doguwar hayaniya, wadda kananan fukafukai ke sarrafa ta, ta sauko daga karkashin wutsiya zuwa cikin jirgin. Ta hanyar koren fitulun walƙiya da layin rawaya da aka zana a ƙarƙashin cikin tanki, Boomer ya matsa gaba ƙarƙashin wutsiya har sai hasken wuta ya fita kuma fitilu ja guda biyu suka kunna.
    
  "Ta yaya za ku san lokacin da kuke kan matsayin da ya dace, Boomer?" ya tambayi fasinjan.
    
  "Akwai wani 'tsari' tsakanin kasan tanki da firam ɗin gilashin da za ku koyi ganewa," Boomer ya amsa . idan kun yi kusa ko kuma ku yi nisa sosai." ko da daddare".
    
  "Kuna yin haka da dare?"
    
  "Tabbas," in ji Boomer a zahiri. "Wasu ayyuka suna buƙatar ayyukan dare, kuma ba shakka, inda muka je, dare ne kullum." Yayin da yake magana, Boomer ya yanke wani ɗan ƙaramin yanki na iko kuma duk motsin gaba ya ƙare. "Zero Daya na Tsakar dare, yana daidaitawa a wurin tuntuɓar, a shirye don tuntuɓar," in ji rediyo.
    
  "An fahimta, sifili ɗaya," ya amsa kwamfutar da muryar mace. Wani bututun ƙarfe ya miƙe daga ƙarshen kibiyar sai ɗan lokaci kaɗan suka ji kuma suka ɗan ɗanɗana CLICK! a lokacin da bututun mai ya zamewa cikin mashigar ta zauna a cikin tankin don mai. "Nuna lamba," in ji muryar kwamfutar.
    
  "An tabbatar da lamba," in ji Boomer. A kan intercom, ya ce, "Abin da nake yi yanzu shi ne kallon siginar jujjuyawar kuma in tsaya a tsakiyar layin tankar."
    
  "Idan na'urar tana da cikakkiyar na'ura mai kwakwalwa, shin bai kamata jirgin da ke karba ya iya yin amfani da kwamfuta ba?" - ya tambayi fasinja.
    
  "Yana yiwuwa-Na fi son in tuka wannan abu da kaina," in ji Boomer.
    
  "Yana burge VIPs a cikin jirgin, daidai?"
    
  "Bayan abin da kuke gani a yau, yallabai," in ji Boomer, "ni da ƙarancin gwaninta na tashi zai zama mafi ƙarancin abin da kuke gani a wannan jirgin."
    
  "Kun ce 'bam', ba 'man fetur' & # 8197;" - inji fasinjan. "Ba ma shan mai?"
    
  , "Da farko muna amfani da wani ruwa mai oxidizer na musamman mai suna BOHM, ko boron hydrogen metaoxide, 'bam' - da gaske ana tsarkake hydrogen peroxide," in ji Boomer. a kalla da fasahar zamani, supercool liquid oxygen daga wani jirgin dakon kaya, 'bam' ba shi da kyau kamar cryogenic oxygen, amma yana da sauƙin sarrafawa kuma yana da rahusa. don adana nauyi; muna ɗaukar man jet na ƙarshe don haka muna da matsakaicin don kammala aikin. "
    
  Load da oxidizer mai kauri ya ɗauki fiye da mintuna goma sha biyar, kuma ana buƙatar ƙarin mintuna da yawa don share tsarin ciyarwar duk alamun Bohm oxidizer kafin a canza zuwa abincin mai na JP-8. Yayin da man jet ya fara kwararowa a cikin Jirgin saman Tsakar dare, Boomer ya ji sauki sosai. "Yi imani da shi ko a'a, yallabai, watakila wannan shine mafi hatsarin ɓangaren jirgin," in ji shi.
    
  "Me ya faru? Kuna jigilar Boma ne?" - ya tambayi fasinja.
    
  "A'a - sauyawa daga BOHM zuwa man jet a cikin tsarin mai na mai," in ji Boomer. "Suna zubar da bututun ruwa da bututun ruwa da helium don fitar da duk "bam" kafin man jet ya shiga ciki. Abubuwan ƙari na Boron a cikin oxidizer suna taimakawa ƙirƙirar ƙayyadaddun ƙayyadaddun ƙayyadaddun kuzari fiye da man jet na soja na al'ada, amma haɗa BOM da man jet, ko da a cikin ƙananan yawa, koyaushe yana da haɗari. Yawanci, ana buƙatar Laser don kunna gaurayawan biyun, amma duk wani tushen zafi, walƙiya, ko ma girgizar wani mitoci na iya tayar da su. Gwaje-gwajen da muka gudanar a wuraren gwajin Sky Masters da Air Force sun haifar da fashewar abubuwa masu ban sha'awa, amma mun koyi abubuwa da yawa."
    
  "Shin haka kika samu laqabinka 'Boomer'?"
    
  "Iya sir. Cikakke yana buƙatar kurakurai. Na dafa ton daga cikinsu."
    
  "To ta yaya kuke sarrafa wannan a cikin injuna?"
    
  "Laser igniters aiki a bugun jini, ko'ina daga ƴan microseconds zuwa 'yan nanoseconds, don sarrafa fashewa," Boomer ya bayyana. "Kayan yana aiki, yarda da ni, kuma yana da ƙarfi, amma takamaiman abin da ke motsa shi yana ɗaukar ɗan lokaci kaɗan, don haka za mu iya sarrafa ikon..." Ya dakata sosai don fasinja ya juyar da kansa zuwa gare shi, sannan ya ƙara da cewa, " ... mafi yawan lokaci".
    
  A zahiri suna iya jin fasinja na biyu a kujerar baya yana cikin tashin hankali, amma fasinjan dake kujerar gaba ya yi murmushi. "Ina fata," in ji shi, "ba zan ji komai ba idan wani abu ya faru, Dr. Noble?"
    
  "Yallabai, fashewar damisar ba ta da ƙarfi sosai," in ji Boomer, "wanda ba za ka ji komai ba... har ma a rayuwarka ta gaba." Fasinjojin bai ce komai ba, amma kawai ya ɗauki babban, "SILP."
    
  Canja wurin zuwa JP-8 ya yi sauri sosai, kuma nan da nan Kanar Faulkner yana taimaka wa fasinja wurin zama na gaba zuwa kujerar baya kusa da wani fasinja mai matukar damuwa. Ba da daɗewa ba kowa ya zauna kuma ƙungiyar ta shirya don juyin halitta na gaba. Boomer ya ce, "Motar tamu ta tafi, kuma kamar yadda aka tsara, ta sauke mu a kudu maso yammacin Arizona. Za mu juya gabas mu fara hanzari. Wasu daga cikin sautin ƙarar da muke ƙirƙira na iya isa ƙasa kuma a ji su a ƙasa, amma muna ƙoƙarin yin hakan a cikin babban yanki da ba kowa ba kamar yadda zai yiwu don kada mu ɓata maƙwabta. Muna sa ido kan kwamfutocin da ke kan jirgin yayin da suke cike duk jerin abubuwan da aka rubuta kuma muna kan hanyarmu."
    
  "Ze dau wani irin lokaci?" - ya tambayi fasinja na farko.
    
  "Ba da dadewa ba, yallabai," Boomer ya amsa. "Kamar yadda muka fada a kasa, za ku yi mu'amala da g-forces na kusan mintuna tara, amma hakan ya yi kadan fiye da abin da kuke ji idan kuna tashi a cikin wani bizjet mai sauri, wanda aka makale a ciki. mai ja, ko kuma hawan keken nadi mai sanyi sosai - sai dai kawai za ku ji su na tsawon lokaci. Kwat ɗin ku da ƙirar wurin zama za su taimake ku ku kasance da hankali - a zahiri, kuna iya "yi shuɗi" kaɗan saboda an tsara wurin zama don ba da damar jini ya shiga cikin kwakwalwar ku maimakon fitar da shi saboda g-forces, kuma mafi girman matsi, yawan jini zai kasance."
    
  "Har yaushe za mu zauna a cikin kewayawa kafin mu iya korar tashar sararin samaniya?" ya tambayi fasinjan. "Na ji cewa wani lokacin yana ɗaukar 'yan kwanaki kafin a kafa haɗin gwiwa."
    
  "Ba yau ba, sir," in ji Boomer. "Kyawun jirgin shi ne cewa ba a daure mu da wani makamin harba da ke a wani wuri guda a duniya. Za mu iya ƙirƙira taga ƙaddamar da namu ta hanyar daidaita ba kawai lokacin ƙaddamarwa ba, har ma da canza kusurwar kusanci da matsayi dangane da jirgin da muka nufa. Idan muna bukata, za mu iya tashi sama a cikin nahiyar cikin sa'o'i biyu kacal, mu sake sake mai, kuma mu yi layi a cikin kewayawa kai tsaye. Amma da yake mun tsara wannan jirgi da dadewa, za mu iya rage lokacin jirgin, mu sha mai mu tashi, mu ajiye mai, ta hanyar tsara lokacin tashi, lokacin da kuma inda za mu sha mai, da kasancewa a wurin da ya dace kuma mu doshi sararin samaniya. daidai. A lokacin da muka kammala harba sararin samaniyar mu da kuma shiga sararin samaniyarmu, ya kamata mu kasance kusa da tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong, don haka babu bukatar korar ta ko amfani da wani nau'in canja wuri na Hohmann daban. Ku shirya kowa, mun fara namu".
    
  Da kyar fasinjojin suka ji shi, amma S-19 Tsakar dare ya yi wani kakkausan juyi zuwa gabas, kuma ba da jimawa ba suka ji wani matsin lamba a ƙirjinsu. Kamar yadda aka umarce su, sun zauna tare da hannayensu da ƙafafu a kan kujerun, ba tare da ketare yatsunsu ko ƙafa ba. Fasinja na farko ya kalli abokin tafiyarsa sai yaga kirjinsa a cikin rigar matsi yana tashi yana faduwa cikin tsananin tsoro. "Ka yi ƙoƙarin shakatawa, Charlie," in ji shi. "Ka sarrafa numfashinka. Yi ƙoƙarin jin daɗin hawan."
    
  "Ya yallabai?" - Gonzo ya tambaya kan intercom.
    
  "Dan saurin numfashi, ina tunani." Bayan ƴan mintuna kaɗan, yayin da ɗimbin yawa ke ƙaruwa, sai ya lura cewa numfashin abokin nasa ya ƙara zama al'ada. "Yana da kyau," ya ruwaito.
    
  "Hakan ne saboda rahoton gida na ba shi da masaniya," in ji Boomer. "Kada ku damu - suna sa masa ido sosai. Dole ne mu sa ido a kansa idan ya tashi, amma idan ya sami harbin ciwon motsi kamar yadda aka umarce shi, ya kamata ya kasance lafiya. Ba zan so ya busa gungume a cikin kwalkwalinsa na iskar oxygen ba."
    
  "Zan iya yi ba tare da wannan cikakken bayani na ƙarshe ba, Boomer," fasinja mai hazaka ya yi murmushi a fusace.
    
  "Yi haƙuri, yallabai, amma wannan shine abin da muke buƙatar shirya don," in ji Boomer. Ya yi mamakin yadda fasinja kamar ba shi da wahalar numfashi saboda g-forces, wanda a yanzu ya zarce Gs biyu kuma ya karu a hankali yayin da yake kara sauri - muryarsa ta kasance kamar yadda ta saba kamar yadda ake yi a duniya. "Battle Mountain na iya daidaita matakan oxygen don sa shi barci har sai ma'aikatan lafiya sun zo."
    
  "Gidan gidana ba zai so wannan ba," fasinjan ya nuna.
    
  "Don amfanin kansa ne, ka yarda da ni, yallabai," in ji Boomer. "To shi ke nan, muna gab da kusan kafa dubu hamsin kuma Damisa sun fara canzawa daga injunan turbofan zuwa injunan ramjet supersonic, ko scramjet. Muna kiran wannan 'fantsawa' saboda hawan da ke cikin kowane injin yana motsawa gaba kuma yana fitar da iska mai ƙarfi a kusa da magoya bayan turbine zuwa cikin ducts inda ake matsawa iska a gauraye da man jet sannan a kunna wuta. Domin injin scramjet ba shi da sassa masu jujjuyawa kamar injin turbofan, matsakaicin gudun da za mu iya samu shine kusan ninki goma sha biyar na saurin sauti, ko kuma kusan mil dubu goma a sa"a guda. Injin jet za su fara aiki nan ba da jimawa ba. Muna shigar da mai a cikin tankunan mai tare da helium don hana iskar gas da ba a amfani da shi shiga cikin tankunan mai. Ku ci gaba da GS."
    
  A wannan lokacin, Boomer ya ji wasu gunaguni da nishi mai zurfi a kan intercom yayin da bayan ɗan lokaci injunan suka shiga cikin cikakken yanayin scramjet kuma Jirgin Tsakar dare ya ɗauki sauri. "Biyar swings daga baya ... shida swings," Boomer ya sanar. "Komai yayi kyau. Ya yallabai?"
    
  "Lafiya...lafiya, Boomer," fasinjan ya amsa, amma yanzu ya tabbata cewa yana yaki da nauyin da ya wuce gona da iri, yana matse tsokoki na ciki da na ƙafarsa tare da zana iska a cikin ƙirjinsa, wanda zai rage gudu zuwa jini. ƙananan sassan jikinsa da kuma taimaka masa riƙe shi a cikin ƙirjinsa da kwakwalwarsa, yana taimaka masa ya kasance cikin hayyacinsa. Fasinja ya dubi abokin tafiyarsa. Kujerarsa ta kwanta kai tsaye kusan digiri arba'in da biyar, wanda hakan ya taimaka masa ya ajiye jininsa a kansa tunda ya kasa yin G-crunches alhalin a sume. "Nawa... nawa...ya tsawo?"
    
  Boomer ya ce "Ba na son in fasa muku shi, yallabai, amma har yanzu ba mu kai ga gaci ba tukuna." "Injunan Scramjet za su ba mu iyakar gudu da tsayi yayin da muke amfani da iskar oxygen don ƙone mai. Muna so mu adana BOHM oxidizer na tsawon lokaci mai yiwuwa. Amma da kusan mil sittin - ƙafa dubu ɗari uku da sittin-iska ya zama sirara sosai don harba jiragen, kuma mun canza zuwa yanayin roka mai tsafta. Za ku ji ... sannan dan turawa. Ba zai daɗe ba, amma zai zama ... sananne. Yi shiri, yallabai. Wani dakika casa"in." Bayan ɗan lokaci, Boomer ya ruwaito, "Damisa ta nutse... nutse cikakke, scramjets yana ba da rahoton cikakken rufewa da aminci. Shirya don canja wurin roka, ma'aikatan jirgin ... Taimaka mini da turbo famfo zafin jiki da kuma karatun matsa lamba, Gonzo ... ƙara ƙarfin wuta, nan da nan ... mai kyau ƙonewa, roka mai sauri zuwa kashi sittin da biyar, man fetur kore, throttles yana tashi ... " Fasinja ya dauka a shirye yake don haka, amma numfashin ya bar huhunsa da "BAARK" mai kaifi! a wancan lokacin ... "Good farko ƙonewa, rated turbo famfo matsa lamba, duk Manuniya ne na al'ada, shirya don 100% iko, bari mu je ... shirye ... shirye ... yanzu."
    
  Ya yi kama da hadarin mota. Fasinjojin ya ji an sake mayar da jikinsa zuwa wurin zama - aka yi sa'a, kujerar da ke sarrafa kwamfuta ya hango hakan ta hanyar jingina baya, yana daidaita matattarar da kuma kiyaye nauyin jikinsa daga kwatsam. Bakan na tsakar dare ya yi kamar yana nuni a mike, amma wannan abin ya dau lokaci kadan, kuma nan da nan bai san sama ko kasa ba, hagu ko dama, gaba ko baya. Na ɗan lokaci yana fatan ya kasance a sume kamar abokinsa, bai san duk waɗannan baƙon baƙon sojojin da ke ratsa jikinsa ba.
    
  "Daya-shida ... daya-bakwai ... daya-takwas," in ji Boomer. Fasinjojin bai tabbatar da abin da ake nufi ba. "Mun wuce hudu-zero... biyar-zero... shida-zero..."
    
  "Mun...yi...komai lafiya, Boomer?" - ya tambayi fasinjan, yana ta faman danne duhun da ke kara girma a idanunsa, wanda ke nuna farkon rasa hayyacinsa. Ya yi kamar mai gina jiki, yana takura kowace tsokar da ke jikinsa, yana fatan ya samu isasshen jini a kansa don kada kansa ya fado.
    
  "Muna cikin yankin kore, yallabai," Boomer ya amsa. A karon farko a cikin wannan mummunan jirgin, fasinjan ya yi tunanin, zai iya gano alamar matsi ko damuwa a cikin muryar Hunter Noble. Har yanzu ana auna sautin muryarsa, a takaice kuma har ma na yau da kullun, amma tabbas akwai alamar damuwa a ciki wanda ke nufin, ko da wani sabon dan tafiya sararin samaniya, cewa mafi muni yana zuwa.
    
  La'ananne, fasinjan ya yi tunani, idan Hunter Noble-watakila ɗan sama jannatin Amurka da ya fi yawan tafiye-tafiye, tare da ɗimbin ayyuka da dubunnan yawo a ƙarƙashin bel ɗinsa-yana samun matsala, wace dama zan samu? Na gaji sosai, a tunaninsa, yana ƙoƙarin yaƙi damn overload. Zan kasance lafiya idan na huta kawai na bar jini ya zube daga kwakwalwata, ko? Ba zai cutar da ni ba. Matsawa ya fara yi min dan jin jiri, kuma don girman Allah bana son shiga cikin kwalkwali na. Zan huta kawai, na huta...
    
  Can bayan wani lokaci, ga mamakinsa, matsewar ya tsaya, kamar screws ɗin da ke jujjuyawa a cikin wani mugun hali da ke lanƙwasa a jikin sa gaba ɗaya ya ɓace bayan ƴan mintuna kaɗan. Sai ya ji wata tambaya mai ban mamaki, wadda ba zato ba tsammani: "Yallabai, kuna nan lafiya a wannan safiya mai albarka?"
    
  Fasinjojin ko ta yaya ya yi nasarar amsa a taƙaice kuma gaba ɗaya a hankali: "Shin da safe ne, Dr. Noble?"
    
  Boomer ya ce, "Yallabai ya riga ya waye. "Muna da sabon safiya a tashar kowane minti casa'in."
    
  "Yaya mukeyi? Muna lafiya? Mun yi shi?"
    
  "Duba bayananku, yallabai," in ji Boomer. Fasinjojin ya waiwaya sai ya hangi hannun mutumin suna shawagi sama da inci shida a saman jikinsa wanda har yanzu bai sani ba, kamar yana barci yana yawo a bayansa a cikin teku.
    
  "Ashe mu... ba mu da nauyi yanzu?"
    
  "A zahiri, haɓakar nauyi zuwa ƙasa daidai yake da saurin gaba, don haka a zahiri muna faɗuwa, amma ba mu taɓa ƙasa ba. Muna fama da Duniya, amma Duniya ta ci gaba da juyawa ta gefe kafin mu buge ta, don haka sakamakon ƙarshe yana jin kamar rashin nauyi, "in ji Boomer.
    
  "Me za a ce?"
    
  Boomer yayi murmushi. "Yi hakuri," in ji shi. "Ina son in faɗi haka ga Paddy. Eh yallabai, ba mu da nauyi."
    
  "Na gode".
    
  Boomer ya ci gaba da cewa, "A halin yanzu muna kan shawagi sama da Mach ashirin da biyar kuma muna hawan tsayin mil dari da ashirin da takwas zuwa tsayin mu na karshe na mil dari biyu da goma." "Gyara gyare-gyaren ƙima ne. Lokacin da muka dakatar da motsi a cikin hanzari na orbital, ya kamata mu kasance tsakanin mil goma daga Armstrong a daidai gudu, tsayi da azimuth. Wannan yayi kyau sir, yayi kyau sosai. Barka da zuwa sararin samaniya. Kai dan sama jannatin Amurka ne a hukumance."
    
  Bayan 'yan mintuna kaɗan, Jessica Faulkner ta koma ɗakin fasinja, idanunta har yanzu suna sha'awar bayan rufaffiyar visor na kwalkwali na sararin samaniya. Fasinjojin ya ga ɗimbin 'yan sama jannati suna shawagi a cikin talabijin da fina-finai, amma kamar ya gan shi da kansa a karon farko-haka ne, ba gaskiya ba ne. Ya lura motsinta a hankali ne da ganganci, kamar duk abin da ta taɓa ko zata taɓa ba shi da ƙarfi. Kamar ba ta kama wani abu ba, amma ta yi amfani da ƴan yatsun hannu don taɓo manyan kantuna, silin, ko bene don yin motsi.
    
  Faulkner ya fara duba yanayin Spellman ne ta hanyar duba ƙaramin faifan lantarki da ke gaban kwat ɗin sa, wanda ke nuna yanayi a cikin kwat ɗin da alamun mahimmancin mai sawa. "Yana da kyau kuma kwat ɗin sa ba shi da lafiya," in ji ta. "Matukar gyros dinsa ba zai tashi ba idan ya tashi, ina jin zai samu lafiya." Ta tako zuwa ga fasinja na farko ta yi masa murmushi mai dadi. "Sannu da zuwa, yallabai. Yaya jiki?"
    
  "Yana da matukar wahala lokacin da aka harba rokoki-Ina tsammanin zan wuce," ya amsa da murmushi. "Amma ina lafiya yanzu."
    
  "Lafiya. Bari mu kwance ku, sannan za ku iya shiga Boomer a cikin kokfit don kusanci. Yana yiwuwa ma ya ƙyale ka ka dakko shi."
    
  Doke jirgin sama? Zuwa tashar sararin samaniya? I? Ba zan iya tashi ba! Da kyar na tuka mota kusan shekara takwas!"
    
  Faulkner zai kwance fasinja daga wurin zama, ta amfani da Velcro don kiyaye madauri daga rataye a gabansu. "Yallabai kana yin wasan bidiyo?" - Ta tambaya.
    
  "Wani lokaci. Tare da dana".
    
  "Wasan bidiyo ne kawai - abubuwan sarrafawa sun kusan kama da masu kula da wasan da suka yi shekaru da yawa," in ji ta. "A gaskiya, mutumin da ya tsara su, John Masters, mai yiwuwa ya yi hakan da gangan - ya damu da wasannin bidiyo. Bayan haka, Boomer malami ne mai kyau.
    
  "Don haka sirrin yin motsi a cikin sifirin nauyi shine ku tuna cewa duk da cewa ba ku da tasirin nauyi, amma har yanzu kuna da taro da haɓakawa, kuma suna buƙatar magance su sosai, in ba haka ba za a iya kawar da ku. bango, "in ji Faulkner. "Ka tuna cewa wannan ba shine jin rashin nauyi ba da kake fuskanta lokacin da kake shawagi a cikin teku, inda za ka iya motsawa ta hanyar oars - a nan za a iya magance duk wani motsi da aka ba da izini kawai ta hanyar adawa da hanzarin taro tare da kishiyar karfi.
    
  "Da zarar mun isa tashar, muna amfani da takalma Velcro da faci a kan tufafinmu don kiyaye kanmu, amma ba mu da waɗannan tukuna, don haka za ku koyi hanya mai wuya," ta ci gaba. "Mai haske sosai, motsi a hankali. Ina so in yi tunanin motsi da farko. Idan ba ku yi tunani a hankali game da motsi ba kafin yin shi, za ku bugi rufin lokacin da tsokoki na tsakiya ke aiki. Idan kawai kayi tunanin tashi tsaye, za ku yi amfani da ƙarin ƙananan tsokoki. Dole ne ku shawo kan yawan ku don fara motsi, amma ku tuna cewa nauyi ba zai taimaka muku canza alkibla ba. Gwada shi".
    
  Fasinja ta yi yadda ta ce. Maimakon ya yi amfani da kafafunsa da hannayensa ya ture kanshi daga kan kujerar, sai kawai ya yi tunanin mikewa ta hanyar shafa "yan yatsun hannu daya a hankali zuwa dogo ko na hannun kujerar... da mamaki sai ya fara dagawa a hankali. kansa ya fice daga kujera. "Kai! Ya yi aiki!" - ya ce.
    
  "Madalla, yallabai," in ji Faulkner. "Lafiya kake? Na farko a cikin sifirin nauyi yana tayar da cikin mutane da yawa. "
    
  "Ina lafiya, Jessica."
    
  Faulkner ya bayyana cewa "Gabarun ma'auni a cikin kunnuwan ku ba da daɗewa ba za su daina samun alkibla' ' sama' ko 'ƙasa' kuma za su fara aika sakonni zuwa kwakwalwar ku waɗanda ba su dace da abin da kuke gani ko ji ba," in ji Faulkner. An sanar da fasinjojin wannan duka a gida, amma ba su sami wani horo na 'yan sama jannati ba, kamar kwaikwayon aikin sifirin nauyi a karkashin ruwa. "Zai dan yi muni idan ka isa tashar. Tashin hankali kadan ne na al'ada. Ku shiga ciki."
    
  "Ina lafiya Jessica," fasinjan ya maimaita. Idanunsa a lumshe, kamar na karamin yaro a safiyar Kirsimeti. "Ya Ubangijina, wannan wani abu ne mai ban mamaki - kuma a lokaci guda mai ban mamaki."
    
  "Kana yin kyau, yallabai. Yanzu abin da zan yi shi ne ka koma gefe in bar ka ka yi motsi zuwa tashar jirgin. Zan iya ƙoƙarin shigar da ku a cikin wurin zama, amma idan ban kasance daidai ba kuma in yi amfani da adadin da ya dace da kuma karfin iko, zan jefar da ku daga iko, don haka yana da kyau idan za ku iya yin hakan. Bugu da ƙari, kawai tunani game da motsi. Kada ku yi gaggawa."
    
  Shawarwarinta sun yi aiki. Fasinja gaba daya ya sassauta jikinsa ya juyo ya fuskanci ƙyanƙyasar da ke haɗa jirgin da ɗakin fasinja, ko kusa bai taɓa komai ba, sai ya fara nisa zuwa ga ƙyanƙyashe, sai Boomer ya kalli yadda yake tafiya a hankali a kafadarsa ta dama, murmushin gamsuwa na gani ta ciki. his visor oxygen kwalkwali. A cikin kiftawar ido, fasinjan ya yi shawagi kai tsaye zuwa wurin kurar jirgin.
    
  Boomer ya ce: "Kai na halitta ne, yallabai." "Yanzu Gonzo zai cire cibiyar ku daga kujerar fasinja ya miko min ita, kuma zan hada ta da soket a kujerar kwamandan mishan. Kuna buƙatar riƙe ƙyanƙyashe a hankali yayin da muke sake haɗa ku. Bugu da ƙari, kar a harba ko tura wani abu - tausasawa mai laushi. " Fasinjojin ya ji kuma ya ji ƙaramar ƙaramar iska mai sanyi a cikin wani sashi na matsi da aka yanke, kuma ba da daɗewa ba wani bututu mai haɗawa ya bayyana. Boomer ya isa kan gidan ya toshe shi. "Zaka iya ji ni lafiya, yallabai? Kuna jin kamar na'urar sanyaya iska ba ta da kyau?"
    
  "Eh iya kuma."
    
  "Lafiya. Mafi wahalar shiga shine wurin zama saboda yana da matsi sosai. Dabarar ita ce a hankali a hankali, a lanƙwasa a kugu kuma ku ja kwatangwalo zuwa kirjin ku, kamar dai kuna yin shimfiɗar ciki. Ni da Gonzo za mu jefa ku a kan na'ura mai kwakwalwa zuwa wurin zama. Kada ku yi ƙoƙarin taimaka mana. Ok, ci gaba." Fasinja ya yi dai-dai da yadda aka ce masa, ya dan sunkuyar da kai, cikin "yan cin karo da ba zato ba tsammani ya juyo yana kan babban fasinja mai fadi sosai a wurin zama, sai Faulkner ya dafe guiwa da madaurin kafadarsa a bayansa.
    
  "Shin, ka tabbata ba mu yi karo da juna ba a harabar filin jirgin sama a NASA horar da 'yan sama jannati a Houston, yallabai?" - Boomer ya tambaya, murmushinsa na iya gani ta visor na kwalkwali na oxygen. "Na san tsoffin 'yan sama jannatin da suke zafi, gumi da fushi suna yin abin da kuka yi yanzu. Yayi kyau sosai. Wannan ita ce ladarku ga duk wannan aikin." Kuma ya nufi wajen gidan...
    
  ... kuma a karon farko fasinja ya gan shi: duniyar duniyar ta bazu a gabansa. Ko da ta kunkuntar tagogin jirgin ruwa, har yanzu yana da ban sha'awa don kallo. "Wannan ... wannan abin ban mamaki ne ... kyakkyawa ... Ya Allahna," ya numfasa. "Na ga duk hotunan duniya da aka dauka daga sararin samaniya, amma ba su kwatanta da abin da na gani da kaina ba. Yana da kyau!"
    
  "Yallabai duk ƙwaƙƙwaran da kuka yi tsalle don zuwa nan, sir?" - Gonzo ya tambaya.
    
  "Zan yi sau ɗari kawai don samun dama," in ji fasinja. "Wannan abin mamaki ne! La'ananne, na ƙare da sifa!
    
  "Sa'an nan lokaci ya yi da za a koma bakin aiki," in ji Boomer, "saboda yana ɗan shagala a nan. Ku duba."
    
  Fasinja ya duba...sai yaga inda suka nufa cikin tsananin mamaki. Kusan shekaru talatin da haihuwa, an gina shi ne ta hanyar amfani da fasaha na shekarun 1970, har ma ga idon da ba a horar da shi ba ya fara nuna alamun shekaru, duk da ƙanana amma daidaitattun haɓakawa, amma har yanzu yana da ban mamaki.
    
  "Tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong, mai suna bayan marigayi Neil Armstrong, ba shakka, mutum na farko da ya fara tafiya a kan wata, amma duk wanda ya san wani abu game da shi yana kiranta da Hasumiyar Silver," in ji Boomer. "An fara ne a matsayin shirin Sojan Sama na sirri don haɗawa da haɓakawa kan aikin tashar sararin samaniyar Skylab da aikin 'Yanci na Shugaban Gidan Sararin Samaniya Ronald Reagan. A ƙarshe Liberty ta zama gudunmawar Amurka ga tashar sararin samaniya ta ƙasa da ƙasa, kuma an yi watsi da Skylab kuma an bar shi ya dawo ya ƙone a cikin yanayin duniya, amma shirin tashar sararin samaniyar da tallafin soja ya ci gaba da ɓoye-a matsayin sirri kamar yadda za ku iya kiyaye irin wannan dodo mai daraja. dala biliyan uku da ke kewaya duniya. Ainihin Skylabs guda hudu ne da aka haɗa tare kuma an haɗa su zuwa babban truss na tsakiya, tare da manyan filayen hasken rana da ingantattun na'urorin docking, na'urori masu auna firikwensin da kuma tsarin motsa jiki da aka tsara don amfani da sojoji maimakon binciken kimiyya."
    
  "Yana da alama mai rauni-dan kadan, kamar waɗannan samfuran za su iya faɗuwa a kowane daƙiƙa."
    
  "Yana da ƙarfi kamar yadda yake buƙatar kasancewa a nan cikin faɗuwa kyauta," in ji Boomer. "Tabbas ba shi da ƙarfi kamar ginin wannan girman a duniya, amma kuma, ba dole ba ne ya kasance. Dukkanin na"urori suna sanye da ƙananan injinan sarrafa kwamfuta waɗanda ke haɗa dukkan sassan wuri ɗaya saboda tashar tana jujjuyawa a kan kusurwoyinta don kiyaye eriya ta nunawa duniya."
    
  "Shin rufin azurfa ya kamata ya kare da gaske daga lasers na ƙasa?" ya tambayi fasinjan. "Shin an taɓa samun na"urar Laser ta same shi? Na ji cewa Rasha tana dukansa da lesar a duk wata dama da suka samu."
    
  Boomer ya ce, "A koyaushe ana buga shi, kuma ba daga Rasha kawai ba." "Ya zuwa yanzu da alama ba a yi barna ba; Rashawa sun yi iƙirarin cewa suna amfani da na'urar lesar ne kawai don sa ido kan kewayar tashar. Ya bayyana cewa kayan azurfa, aluminide polyimide da aka yi da sputter, garkuwa ce mai kyau ga micrometeorites, iskar hasken rana da sassan sararin samaniya, da kuma lasers, kuma yana da kyau insulator. Amma abin da ya fi dacewa a gare ni shi ne ganin tasha daga doron kasa idan rana ta fado ta kai tsaye - ita ce abu mafi haske a sararin sama in ban da rana da wata, kuma wani lokaci ana iya ganin ta da rana, har ma da jifa. inuwa da dare."
    
  "Me yasa kuke kiransa 'tasha' maimakon 'tasha'?" Ta tambayi fasinjan, "Na ji mutane da yawa kuna cewa haka."
    
  Boomer ya kalleta a bel ɗin kujera. "Ban sani ba - wani ya fara faɗin haka a farkon watanni na Skylab, kuma ya makale," in ji shi. "Na san cewa yawancinmu muna tunaninsa fiye da tarin kayayyaki ko ma wurin aiki - ya fi kama da muhimmin wuri ko wurin da aka fi so. Kamar zan iya cewa, 'Zan je Tahoe.' 'Zan je tashar' ko 'Zan je Armstrong' kawai sauti... dama."
    
  Suna isa tashar, fasinja ya nufi tashar. "Mene ne waɗannan abubuwan zagaye akan kowane modules?" Ya tambaya.
    
  "Lifeboats," Boomer ya amsa. "Spheres masu sauƙi na aluminum waɗanda za a iya rufe su kuma a jefa su a cikin ruwa daga tashar idan wani hatsari ya faru. Kowannen yana zama mutum biyar kuma yana da isasshen iska da ruwa wanda zai kai kimanin mako guda. Ba za su iya sake shiga cikin sararin samaniya ba, amma an tsara su don dacewa da mashigin kaya na kowane jirgin sama, ko kuma za a iya ja su zuwa tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa kuma a ba wa wadanda suka tsira. Kowane module yana da daya; Model na Galaxy, wanda ke hade da galley, dakin motsa jiki, dakin nishaɗi da asibitin likita, ya ƙunshi jiragen ruwa guda biyu.
    
  Ya yi nuni zuwa ga mafi ƙasƙanci na tsakiya, ƙanƙanta da sauran kuma a manne da "ƙasa" na ƙananan tsarin tsakiya, yana nuni zuwa Duniya. "To wannan shine ƙirƙirar Shafin Mataimakin Shugaban kasa, ko?"
    
  "A nan za mu tafi, sir: XSL-5 'Skybolt', & # 8202; - in ji Boomer. "Laser electron kyauta tare da klystron, ko amplifier na lantarki, wanda ke aiki da janareta na magnetohydrodynamic."
    
  "Me"?"
    
  "An samar da wutar lantarki ta tashar da farko ta hanyar hasken rana ko ƙwayoyin man fetur na hydrogen," in ji Boomer, "babu wanda ke samar da isasshen wutar lantarki don laser mai yawan megawatt. Mai sarrafa makamashin nukiliya a duniya yana amfani da zafi daga fission dauki don samar da tururi don jujjuya injin injin turbine, wanda ba zai yuwu a tashar sararin samaniya ba saboda injin din zai yi aiki kamar gyroscope kuma ya rushe tsarin kula da tashar - har ma da keken keken motsa jiki na motsa jiki. wannan. MHD yayi kama da na'urar samar da wutar lantarki irin ta turbine, amma a maimakon jujjuya maganadisu da ke haifar da kwararar electrons, MHD yana amfani da kadi na plasma a cikin filin maganadisu. Wutar lantarki da na'urar ta MHD ke samarwa na da girma, kuma na'urar ta MHD ba ta da wani sassa masu motsi ko jujjuyawar da za su iya yin tasiri a kewayen tashar."
    
  "Amma abinda ya faru...?"
    
  "Ƙirƙirar plasma yana buƙatar dumama abubuwan da ke samar da ion zuwa yanayin zafi mai yawa, fiye da tururi," in ji Boomer. "A sararin samaniya akwai hanya daya tilo da za a iya samar da wannan matakin zafi, wato tare da karamin injin sarrafa makamashin nukiliya. A zahiri, mutane da yawa suna tsoron duk wani abu na nukiliya, kuma hakan yana faruwa sau biyu idan yana tashi sama."
    
  "Amma masu samar da makamashin nukiliya sun yi ta kewaya duniya shekaru da yawa, dama?"
    
  "Gwargwadon MHD shine farkon mai samar da makamashin nukiliya na Amurka a sararin samaniya cikin shekaru ashirin, kuma yana da ƙarfi fiye da kowane abu a nan," in ji Boomer. "Amma SOVIET ta harba tauraron dan adam kusan dozin uku wadanda suka yi amfani da kananan injinan nukiliya don samar da wutar lantarki ta hanyar amfani da ma'aunin zafi da sanyio har sai da USSR ta yi fatara. Ba su taɓa yin kururuwa game da makaman nukiliyar su ba, amma lokacin da Amurka ta ƙaddamar da janareta na MHD guda ɗaya bayan da USSR ta soke shirinsu, sun tafi cikin sauri. Yawanci. Kuma har yanzu suna kururuwa duk da cewa ba mu kori Skybolt tsawon shekaru ba."
    
  Fasinja ya yi nazarin tsarin Skybolt na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya ce: "Ann Page ta tsara wannan duka."
    
  "I, sir," in ji Boomer. "Ta kasance matashiyar injiniya kuma masanin kimiyya lokacin da ta kirkiro shirye-shiryen Skybolt. Babu wanda ya dauke ta da muhimmanci. Amma Shugaba Reagan ya so ya kera garkuwar kariya ta makami mai linzami ta Star Wars, kuma ya kashe makudan kudade, kuma Washington ta hakura da neman shirye-shiryen kaddamar da su domin su kashe duk wadannan kudade kafin a je wani shirin. Shirye-shiryen Dr. Page sun fada hannun dama a daidai lokacin; ta sami kuɗin kuma sun gina Skybolt kuma suka sanya shi a kan Armstrong a lokacin rikodin. Skybolt yaron Dr. Page ne. Har ma ta yi mata magana game da yin wani ɓangare na horar da 'yan sama jannati don ta iya hau kan jirgin don kula da shigarwa. Sun ce ta yi asarar fam talatin na 'executive spread' don zabar ta don horar da 'yan sama jannati, kuma ba ta sake saka shi ba. Lokacin da jaririnta ya faɗi kalamansa na farko, abin ya girgiza duniya.
    
  "Kuma kusan shekaru talatin kenan da suka wuce. Abin mamaki."
    
  "Har yanzu na'ura ce ta zamani, amma idan muna da hanyar da za mu iya inganta ingancinta da daidaito sosai."
    
  "Amma za mu iya sake kunna Skybolt yanzu, ba za mu iya ba?" - ya tambayi fasinja. "Inganta shi, sabunta shi, eh, amma ku cika shi da mai ku kaddamar da shi yanzu ko cikin kankanin lokaci?"
    
  Boomer ya juyo ya kalli fasinjan nasa na dan wani lokaci da mamaki. "Kana da gaske akan wannan duka, ko ba haka ba, yallabai?" - a karshe ya tambaya.
    
  Fasinja ya amsa ya ce, "Na yi imani ka yi, Dr. Noble." "I bet you do."
    
  Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan, sun matsa cikin ƴan yadi ɗari na tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. Boomer ya lura cewa idanuwan fasinja suna ƙara girma yayin da suke matsowa. "Kamar kana cikin wani karamin jirgin ruwa yana tunkarar wani jirgin dakon jirgin, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Hakan yake daidai abin da yake sauti, Boomer."
    
  Boomer ya fitar da na'urar mara waya wanda a zahiri yayi kama da sanannen mai sarrafa wasan na'ura kuma ya sanya shi a gaban fasinja. "Yallabai, a shirye ka yi fiye da zama fasinja?" - Ya tambaya.
    
  "Da gaske kake? Kuna so in kai wannan abu zuwa tashar sararin samaniya?"
    
  "Za mu iya gudanar da shi ta atomatik, kuma kwamfutoci suna da kyau a hakan, amma menene abin farin ciki a cikin hakan?" Ya matsa da controller gaban fasinja. "Ina jin za ku yi nasara."
    
  Ya shigar da umarni a cikin faifan maɓalli da ke kan na'urar wasan bidiyo ta tsakiya kuma manufa ta bayyana akan gilashin gaban fasinja. "Madaidaicin kulawa yana motsa jirgin gaba, baya da gefe zuwa gefe - ba ma birgima kamar jirgin sama, muna tafiya ta gefe," Boomer ya ci gaba da cewa. "Ayyukan hagun sun ɗan bambanta: ta hanyar jujjuya kulli, kumbon ya zagaya tsakiyarsa, ta yadda za ku iya nuna hanci zuwa wata hanya dabam da jirgin sama; kuma zaka iya daidaita matsayi na tsaye na jirgin sama ta hanyar ja hannun don farawa a tsaye ko tura ƙasa don matsawa ƙasa. Yin sarrafa abubuwan sarrafawa yana kunna masu turawa-kananan injunan roka da ke cikin sararin samaniyar. Yawancin lokaci muna mai da hankali sosai kan yawan man da injinan docking ke cinyewa - wani dalili kuma da ya sa masu iko suka fi son mu yi amfani da kwamfuta don docking, saboda yana da kyau kuma mafi tattalin arziki a docking fiye da mu mutane kawai, - amma saboda wannan. jirgin mun dora man fetur da yawa a tashar domin cika tankunan kafin mu tashi, kuma komai yana cikin tsari.
    
  "Don haka, yallabai, aikinka shi ne ka sarrafa abubuwan sarrafawa don riƙe abin da kake gani kafin ka mai da hankali kan maƙasudin tashar jirgin ruwa, wanda shine babban "sifili" da kake gani akan tsarin docking ɗin. Yayin da kuke matsowa, fitilun darakta za su haska kuma za ku ga ƙarin alamu kan abin da za ku yi. Muhimmiyar sanarwa anan: Ka tuna cewa tashar tana jujjuya dogon zangon ta sau ɗaya kowane minti casa'in, don haka eriya da tagogi koyaushe suna nuni zuwa doron ƙasa yayin da take kewayawa, amma muddin ka bi siginar darakta zai rama wannan. Ka kuma tuna cewa ba wai kawai kuna buƙatar nufin mashin ne kawai ba, amma har ma da daidaita jirgin sama bisa ga fitilun bincike, da kuma sarrafa saurin gaba don kada ku lalata tashar sararin samaniya da kuma rushe tsakar dare, wanda zai yi mummunan aiki. ga duk wanda abin ya shafa. "
    
  "Zan yi ƙoƙarin kada in yi hakan," fasinjan ya ce a raunane.
    
  "Na gode yallabai. Kamar yadda Jessica ta umarce ku lokacin motsi cikin sifili nauyi, matsananciyar motsi mara kyau ne, amma ƙananan motsi da gyare-gyare suna da kyau. Mun gano cewa tunani game da motsi yawanci ya isa don kunna ma'auni, daidaitaccen amsa a cikin ƙananan tsokoki. Da alama kun fahimci wannan ra'ayi lokacin da kuka zauna a kujerar ku a safiyar yau, don haka ina da kwarin gwiwa cewa za ku iya yin hakan yayin da kuke sarrafa jirginmu don tsayawa." Fasinjojin ya amsa da hadiyewar hadiya.
    
  "Alamomin daraktan ku sun nuna muku cewa kuna kusantowa da inci goma sha biyu a cikin daƙiƙa guda, kuna ƙasa da yadi talatin, yadi goma zuwa dama, tazarar yadi ɗari da talatin da uku, kuma kuna zuwa digiri goma sha shida zuwa hagu don daidaitawa. " Boomer ya ci gaba. "Yayin da muka shiga yadi hamsin, sannu a hankali za mu rage saurin rufe mu, ta yadda a yadi biyar za mu yi kasa da inci uku a dakika daya. Kuna buƙatar yin hamma ƙasa da digiri ɗaya, daidai kan hanya da tsayi, kuma a cikin ƙasa da inci ɗaya a cikin daƙiƙa don buga idon bijimin, ko kuma mu soke tsarin kuma mu sake gwadawa."
    
  "Shin kuna son faɗakar da tashar, Boomer?" - Faulkner ya tambaya kan intercom. Yanzu tana zaune akan kujerar tsalle tsakanin Boomer da fasinja.
    
  "Ina tsammanin za mu kasance lafiya, Gonzo," Boomer ya amsa.
    
  Boomer yana iya ganin fasinja ya hadiye a firgice, har ma da kwat da kwalkwali. "Wataƙila ba mu da kyau..." in ji shi.
    
  "Ina tsammanin za ku iya yi, yallabai," Boomer ya maimaita. "Kana taba."
    
  Boomer ya lura da cewa fasinja ya mike yana rike da panel din da karfi fiye da da ya dora hannunsa a hannun hagunsa. "Dakata, yallabai," in ji shi. "Dakata. Jira kawai. Yi dogon numfashi, sannan ku fitar da numfashi a hankali. Da gaske. Numfashi yallabai. Boomer ya jira har sai ya ji fasinja ya yi dogon numfashi, sannan ya bar shi. "Mai kyau. Makullin wannan motsi shine gani. Yi tunanin tsarin tun kafin ku taɓa abubuwan sarrafawa. Ka yi tunanin abin da masu sarrafa za su yi lokacin da ka taɓa su kuma ka kunna su. Kuna iya tunanin abin da kowane iko da shigarwar za su yi? , idan ba za ku iya ba, kar ku kunna shi. Kafin ka ɗauki mataki, ka tabbata cewa abin da za ka yi la'akari shi ne ainihin abin da kake son yi. Yi taswirar wannan a cikin zuciyar ku kafin ku buga kowane canji. Kada ka yi mamakin abin da ke faruwa lokacin da kake jujjuya canji. Yi tsammanin cewa duk abin da ke faruwa lokacin da kuka danna maɓallin shine daidai abin da kuka yi niyya; kuma idan ba haka ba, nan da nan ƙayyade dalilin da ya sa hakan bai faru ba kamar yadda kuke so ku gyara shi. Amma kar ku wuce gona da iri. Duk martani da martani dole ne su kasance masu tunani, aunawa da ganganci. Kuna buƙatar sanin dalilin da yasa kuke motsa injin, ba kawai a ina da nawa ba. Mu yi shi, yallabai."
    
  Fasinja ya amsa ... ta hanyar yin komai ba komai, wanda Boomer yayi tunanin shine mafi kyawun abin da za a iya yi. Tsakar dare ya riga ya gabato wani wuri mai cike da cikakkiya, kuma fasinja ya sani sarai cewa fasahar da ta ba shi damar kaiwa ga wannan nisa ta yi nisa fiye da kankantarsa, don haka cikin hikima ya yanke shawarar barin injin din ya kammala juyin halittarsa. koyi abin da kuma ake bukata yi - idan wani abu - sa'an nan kuma kammala shi idan zai iya.
    
  Tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong ta matso kusa da jirgin tsakiyar dare, yana cike da kankanin, kunkuntar gilashin iska tare da babban girmansa tare da shafe duk sauran bayanan gani ... sai dai mai mahimmanci, wanda shine hotunan da aka samar da kwamfuta akan ayyuka masu yawa. nuni kamar a gaban kwamandan jirgin, da kuma gaban fasinja. Madaidaicin matsayi tare da tashar jirgin ruwa a tashar sararin samaniya ya bayyana a fili - yana buƙatar wasu la'akari game da abin da ake sarrafawa don taɓawa da daidaitawa don gyara motsin jirgin.
    
  "Ba zan iya fara motsi na gefe na jirgin ba," in ji fasinjan, an ji takaici a cikin muryarsa. "Na ci gaba da danna maɓallin, amma ba abin da ya faru."
    
  "Maganin da kuka nema yana nan - dole ne ku bar abin ya faru, yallabai," in ji Boomer. Muryarsa ta fara ƙara ƙaramar yaƙi kuma kamar ta shaman ko jagorar ruhaniya. "Madalla, haske, mai laushi, shigar da santsi. Ka tuna, kawai a hankali tura babban yatsan hannunka a kan sarrafa na'urori na vernier yana haifar da ɗaruruwan fam na roka wanda ke canza kewayawar jirgin sama mai nauyin ɗaruruwan dubunnan fam, yana motsawa sau ashirin da biyar saurin sauti, ɗaruruwan mil sama da Duniya. Nuna yanayin motsin kumbon ku hango ayyukan gyara da ake buƙata don gyara hanyar jirgin, sannan a yi amfani da abubuwan sarrafawa masu dacewa. Maida martani ba tare da tunani ba sharri ne. Dauki umarni."
    
  Fasinjojin ya zare hannayensa daga na'urar, ya bar mai kula da shi ya sha ruwa a gabansa a kan wani tether, ya lumshe idanunsa ya ja numfashi guda biyu. Lokacin da ya bude su, ya gano cewa duk bayanan da ya shigar sun fara shiga. "Menene wannan?" - ya yi gunaguni. "Ni ba cikakken wawa ba ne."
    
  "Yana da kyau, yallabai," in ji Boomer. "Ku tuna cewa babu yanayi ko saman hanya don haifar da rikici, kuma nauyi zai ɗauki juzu'i da yawa don aiwatarwa, don haka duk wani gyara da kuka yi ya kamata a kawar da shi. Wannan bayanan anan yana nuna adadin gyaran da kuka yi amfani da su kuma a wace hanya, wato, nawa kuke buƙatar cirewa. Hakanan ku tuna tsawon lokacin da aka ɗauka don amfani da abubuwan da kuka shigar, don haka wannan zai ba ku cikakkiyar fahimtar lokacin amfani da su. "
    
  Yanzu fasinja tabbas yana cikin yankin. Da mai kula da shi a cinyarsa, ya miƙe kamar yadda jirgin saman kansa yake, da ƙyar ya iya taɓa hannayen da yatsansa. Yayin da suka matso kusa da idon bijimin, gudun gaba ya ragu kadan, ta yadda a lokacin da giyar ta bugi idon bijimin, gudun gaba ya kai kusan sifili inci a cikin dakika daya.
    
  "Lambobi," in ji Boomer. Kafadar fasinja a bayyane ya saki jiki ya saki controller daga hannunsa. "Latches suna da aminci. Jirgin saman yana jibgewa. Barka dai yallabai."
    
  "Kada ka sake yi min haka, ka damu Dr. Noble?" Fasinjojin ya tambaya yana dubawa sama ya dan saki iska, sannan ya saki na'urar sarrafa hannu kamar makamin rediyo. "Abin da kawai zan iya tunani shine bala'in da kuma yadda dukkanmu muka makale a cikin orbit."
    
  Boomer ya ɗauki wani mai sarrafawa, mai kama da na farko. "Na dawo da bayanka, yallabai," ya fada yana murmushi. "Amma kun yi babban aiki - ban taɓa komai ba. Ban gaya muku wannan ba, amma yawanci muna buƙatar saurin ci gaba na aƙalla sifili ƙafa uku a cikin daƙiƙa guda don samun hanyar da za ta ɗaure - suna ɗaukar muku a hankali a hankali."
    
  "Wannan ba zai sauƙaƙa jijiyoyi na ba, Boomer."
    
  "Kamar yadda na ce, yallabai, kana da hazaka," in ji Boomer. "Gonzo zai shirya mu mu wuce tasha. Za ta fara shirya abokin tafiya, kuma wasu ƴan ma'aikatan tashar za su fara motsa shi, sannan mu tashi. Yawancin lokaci muna rufe makullin jirgin daga saman jirgin yayin da muke tsara hanyar canja wuri, idan akwai ɗigogi ko lalacewa, amma kowa yana cikin rigar, don haka ko da hatsari ko rashin aiki, za mu kasance lafiya."
    
  Boomer da fasinja sun juya suna kallon yadda Faulkner ya zaro jerin abubuwan dubawa, ya makala shi a kan babban kan saman tare da Velcro, kuma ya sami aiki. "Jirgin saman na tsakar dare yana da wani karamin jirgin ruwa, wanda ya fi S-9 Black Stallion girma amma bai kusan kai girman jirgin sama ba, amma ba a taba yin niyya ba da gaske ko ɗaukar kaya ko fasinjoji - ba da gaske ba kawai nunin fasaha ne. , " Boomer ya bayyana. "Daga baya mun mayar da shi dokin aiki. Akwai makullin jirgin sama a gaban tsarin fasinja wanda zai ba mu damar shiga jirgin da Armstrong ko tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa da kuma jigilar ma'aikata ko kaya baya da baya ba tare da shiga sararin samaniya ba."
    
  "Ku shiga sararin samaniya?" - maimaita fasinja. Ya nufi tagogin cabin. "Kana nufin sai ka je can ka isa tashar?"
    
  "Hanya ce kawai don isa tashar sararin samaniya akan S-9 Black Stallion da farkon S-19 Midnight," in ji Boomer. "Sky Masters sun tsara wani makullin jirgin sama tsakanin jirgin da jirgin ruwa tare da na'ura mai matsa lamba, wanda ya sauƙaƙa tashi daga jirgin zuwa tashar. S-9 ya yi ƙanƙanta don kulle iska, don haka canja wuri yana nufin tafiya ta sararin samaniya. Gajeren tafiya ne kuma mai daɗi. Ya kasance kusa, amma tabbas yana da ban sha'awa. "
    
  "Kofofin kaya suna buɗewa," Gonzo ya ruwaito. Suna iya jin shuru-shuru tare da rungumar jirgin. "Kofofin a bude suke gaba daya."
    
  "Da alama ƙofofin kaya a buɗe suke gaba ɗaya, Boomer," wata murya ta ce a kan intercom. "Barka da zuwa Armstrong."
    
  "Na gode yallabai," Boomer ya amsa. Da yake yiwa fasinjan jawabi, ya ce: "Wannan Trevor Sheil ne, manajan tashar. Dukkanin ma'aikatan tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong a halin yanzu 'yan kwangila ne, ko da yake kusan dukkansu tsofaffin ma'aikatan soji ne, wadanda ke da kwarewa a sararin samaniya, kuma kusan rabin sun yi aiki a tashar a baya. Muna buɗe kofofin jirgin ruwa don sakin zafi mai yawa daga jirgin sama." A cikin intercom ya ce, "Kyakkyawan tsarin, ba ku tunani, yallabai?"
    
  "Kada ka yi ma kanka tagumi ta hanyar yi wa kanka baya, Boomer," in ji Shale.
    
  "Ba ni ba ko Gonzo: fasinjan mu ne."
    
  Dakata mai tsawo, mai ban tsoro ya biyo baya; Sheil sai ya amsa da katako "Samu ka."
    
  "Da alama bai yi farin ciki ba," in ji fasinja.
    
  "Trevor ba ya son ra'ayin cewa za ku tashi a tsakar dare, yallabai," in ji Boomer. "Daraktan tashar, Janar Kai Rydon mai ritaya, ya amince da ra"ayin; sun bar min shi."
    
  "Zan yi tunanin zai zama mummunan ra'ayi ka ƙi mai kula da tashar ku, Boomer."
    
  "Yallabai, ina tsammanin na sani kuma na fahimci dalilin da yasa kake yin wannan duka," in ji Boomer yayin da yake kallon ci gaban da ake haɗa ramin canja wuri zuwa tashar jirgin sama. "Kun zo nan don yin wani muhimmin batu, kuma ni duka na yi. Yana da babban haɗari, amma ina tsammanin yana da haɗari mai daraja. Idan kun kasance a shirye ku yi wannan, a shirye nake in yi duk abin da zan iya yi don in shafe idanunku kuma ta haka ne in shayar da idanun dukan duniya. Idan zan iya cewa, yallabai, ina bukatar ka kasance da ƙarfin hali don gaya wa duniya abin da ka yi a wannan tafiya da abin da ka gani, akai-akai, a kowane wuri mai yiwuwa, a duk faɗin duniya. Kalmominku za su ingiza duniya don yin farin ciki game da balaguron sararin samaniya fiye da yadda na taɓa iyawa." Fasinja ya yi tunani na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya ɗaga kai.
    
  "An haɗa ramin watsawa kuma an kiyaye shi," in ji Gonzo. "A rufe airlock."
    
  "Don haka Gonzo shi kaɗai ne a cikin makullin jirgin, keɓe shi daga tsarin jirgin da fasinja?" ya tambayi fasinjan. "Me yasa kike yi?"
    
  "Domin kar mu rage karfin jirgin gaba dayansa idan ramin ya gaza ko kuma ba a rufe shi da kyau," in ji Boomer.
    
  "Amma Gonzo...?"
    
  Boomer ya ce, "Tana cikin rigar matsin lamba kuma mai yiwuwa ta tsira daga asarar matsi, amma ita da Mr. Spellman za su yi tafiya ta sararin samaniya don isa tashar, wanda ta yi sau da yawa a horo, amma ba shakka. , Da Mr. Spellman ya daure da kansa. Yana da haɗari, amma ta riga ta yi. Mr. Spellman zai iya tsira da kyau - shi mutum ne mai koshin lafiya..."
    
  Fasinja ya ce, "Ya Allahna." "Yana da ban mamaki nawa abubuwa zasu iya yin kuskure."
    
  "Muna aiki a kai kuma muna ci gaba da ingantawa da horarwa da horarwa da horarwa sannan kuma horar da wasu," in ji Boomer. "Amma dole ne ku yarda da gaskiyar cewa muna buga wasa mai haɗari."
    
  "Komai yana shirye don buɗe tashar," in ji Sheil.
    
  "Na fahimce ka. Armstrong, "Tsakar dare yana shirye don buɗewa daga gefen tashar," in ji Boomer. Ya nuna nunin ayyuka masu yawa a kan na'urar kayan aiki, wanda ya nuna karfin iska a cikin jirgin sama, a kan tashar tashar tashar jiragen ruwa, kuma yanzu a cikin tashar jiragen ruwa. Ramin da ke haɗa su.Matsin da ke cikin ramin ya nuna babu... A dai-dai lokacin ne matsin da ke cikin ramin ya fara tashi a hankali, ya ɗauki kusan mintuna goma kafin ramin ɗin ya tashi gabaɗaya. na raguwar matsin lamba, yana nuni da yabo, amma ya kasance a tsaye.
    
  "Matsi yana kan, Boomer," in ji Sheil.
    
  "Na yarda," in ji Boomer. "Kowa ya shirya don ko da maki?"
    
  "Ina lafiya, Boomer," in ji Gonzo. "Fasinja na biyu kuma."
    
  "A bayyane yake don buɗe shi, Gonzo."
    
  Sun ji wani dan matsa lamba a cikin kunnuwansu yayin da matsa lamba mafi girma a cikin dakin jirgin sama ya yi daidai da dan karamin matsin lamba a tashar, amma ba mai zafi ba kuma ya dade. Bayan ɗan lokaci: "Ƙarar ƙyanƙyashe a buɗe, fasinja na biyu yana kan hanya."
    
  "Na samu, Gonzo," in ji Boomer. Ya fara zare kansa daga zamansa. Ya ce wa fasinjan nasa, "Zan fara kwance bel ɗin kujerar ku, sa"an nan kuma zan shiga jirgin sama yayin da kuke kwance bel ɗin ku, ni kuma in fitar da ku sama." Fasinja ya kada kai amma bai ce komai ba; Boomer ya lura da yanayin nisa a fuskar fasinja na farko kuma yana mamakin abin da yake tunani sosai. Babban abin da ya fi wahala shi ne ya yi ta shawagi a babban tashar, ya duba ya zama mai yawon bude ido a sararin samaniya har lokacin komawa gida ya yi.
    
  Amma bayan da Boomer ya kwance bel ɗin kujerar a gwiwoyi da kafaɗunsa kuma yana shirin tashi daga wurin zama, wani fasinja ya riƙe shi da hannu. "Ina so in yi wannan, Boomer," in ji shi.
    
  "Me zan yi yallabai?"
    
  Fasinja ya kalli Boomer, sannan ya gyada kai a gefen dama na gidan. "Akwai. Akwai."
    
  Fasinjojin na iya ganin idanuwan Boomer sun hasko cikin kwalkwalinsa da rashin imani, har ma da ƙararrawa, amma jim kaɗan murmushi gamsuwa ya bayyana a fuskarsa. "Ka tabbata kana son yin hakan, yallabai?" - Ya tambaya cike da mamaki.
    
  "Boomer, Ina yin wasu abubuwa masu ban mamaki a yau," in ji fasinja, "amma na san zan yi fushi da kaina idan na dawo duniya na daina." Mun sami isashshen iskar oxygen, ko ba haka ba? Babu haɗarin samun 'kinks', akwai?"
    
  "Yallabai, yanayin rashin lafiya na iya zama mafi ƙarancin haɗari na tafiya ta sararin samaniya," in ji Boomer, a hankali yana bin jerin abubuwan da ke cikin kansa don ganin abin da zai hana. "Amma don amsa tambayar ku: eh, mun riga mun shakar iskar oxygen sama da sa'o'i hudu yanzu, don haka ya kamata mu kasance lafiya." Ya danna, yana buɗe intercom na jirgin zuwa tashar. "General Raydon? Yana so yayi. A yanzu haka. Daga cikin jirgin da kuma ta tashar jirgin sama, ba ta hanyar rami ba."
    
  "Ka shirya, Boomer," wata murya ta amsa.
    
  "Wannan shi ne mutum na biyu a tashar wanda da alama ya ji haushi ta yin magana da ku, Boomer," fasinjan ya sake lura da murmushi.
    
  "Ku yarda ko a'a, yallabai, mun yi magana game da shi ma," in ji Boomer. "Muna son ku sami cikakkiyar gogewa. Shi ya sa muka sanya ku a cikin cikakkiyar kwat da wando na ACES na ci gaba da tserewa daga tsarin ma'aikatan jirgin maimakon mafi kyawun kwat da wando na juzu'i - an tsara shi don gajerun hanyoyin zirga-zirgar sararin samaniya ko ayyukan wuce gona da iri. Shin kun tabbata mutanen gidan ku za su so abin da za ku yi? "
    
  "Wataƙila ba sa son hakan kwata-kwata, Boomer," in ji fasinjan, "amma suna can, kuma ina nan. Mu yi haka". Kamar alamar yarjejeniya, bayan wani ɗan lokaci wani hannu na injina ya fito daga ƙyanƙyashe a ɗayan ɓangaren tashar jirgin ruwa, ɗauke da na'ura mai kama da kujera mai ɗagawa da igiyoyi guda biyu a cikin katsewar injin.
    
  Boomer ya zagaya ƴan maɓalli, sannan ya duba kayan kwat ɗin fasinjansa da karatun kayan aiki kafin ya dafa kafaɗa ya ɗaga kai cikin aminci. "Ina son siffar jib ɗin ku, yallabai," in ji shi. "Ku tafi". Boomer ya bugi sauyin ƙarshe na ƙarshe, kuma tare da ƴan ƙara ƙarfi, dannawa mai nauyi da ƙara mai ƙarfi daga injuna, kwalayen da ke kowane gefe na tsakiyar dare kumbon S-19 na kumbon kumbo ya buɗe a sarari.
    
  Kafin fasinja ya gane haka, Boomer ya miƙe daga wurin zamansa, gaba ɗaya babu jirgin saman da siraran madauri ɗaya kaɗai ya riƙe shi ga wani abu, yana kama da wani ɗan duniya Peter Pan a cikin rigar sararin samaniyar sa marar fata da kwalkwali na oxygen. Ya dakko daya daga cikin igiyoyin da ke hannun sa na remote ya hada ta da suit dinsa. "Na dawo kan kafafuna," in ji shi. "Shirya sauka." Hannun mutum-mutumi ya sauke Boomer zuwa matakin daidai da waje na ɗakin da ke gefen fasinja. "Zan cire haɗin ku daga cikin jirgin, in haɗa ku da ni da kuma daga ɗagawa, in haɗa ku da wannan igiyar cibiya, yallabai," in ji Boomer. Cikin kiftawar ido aka yi. "Duk a shirye. Yaya kuke ji?
    
  "Boomer da ƙarfi," fasinjan ya amsa.
    
  "Lafiya". Boomer ya taimaka wa fasinjan daga wurin zama, wanda ya fi sauƙi fiye da shiga saboda yanzu an bude shi gaba daya. "Ba za mu iya zama a waje na dogon lokaci ba saboda ba a samun kariya sosai daga micrometeorites, radiation na sararin samaniya, matsanancin yanayin zafi da duk wani abu da ya zo tare da sararin samaniya, amma zai zama tafiya mai ban sha'awa yayin da yake dadewa. Igiyoyin cibi a fili suke, Armstrong. Shirya tashi." Hannun robobin ya fara dauke su a hankali ya nisantar da su daga cikin jirgin, sannan fasinjan ya tsinci kansa yana shawagi a sararin samaniya sama da tashar jirgin ruwa...
    
  ... kuma a cikin 'yan lokuta gabaɗayan tsarin tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong ya shimfiɗa a gabansu, yana haskakawa cikin hasken rana. Suna iya ganin duk tsawon tsarin, suna ganin manyan dakin gwaje-gwaje, na'urorin rayuwa, injiniyoyi da na'urorin ajiya duka a sama da ƙasan gonar, da kuma faɗuwar fa'idodin hasken rana a ƙarshen gonar biyun da alama yana ci gaba har abada - har ma yana iya gani. mutane suna kallon su ta manyan tagogi masu kallo akan wasu kayayyaki. "Oh...na...Allah" fasinjan ya yi haki. "Wannan abin mamaki ne!"
    
  "Wannan gaskiya ne, amma ba maganar banza ba," in ji Boomer. Ya dakko rigar fasinja ta baya ya ciro ta har ta kasa...
    
  ... kuma fasinja ya ga duniyar duniyar a ƙarƙashin su a karon farko. Suna jinsa gaba dayansu cikin tsananin mamaki. "Allah sarki!" - ya ce. "Wannan abin mamaki ne! Yana da kyau! Ina iya ganin kusan dukan nahiyar Kudancin Amirka a can! Allah na! Ya yi kama da daban-daban fiye da ta tagogin jirgin ruwa - yanzu ina iya jin tsayin tsayi. "
    
  "Ina tsammanin yana son shi, Janar Raydon," in ji Boomer. Ya ƙyale fasinja ya yi sha'awar duniyar duniyar na tsawon kusan minti ɗaya, yana shawagi cikin iska; sai ya ce: "Ba za mu ƙara tsayawa a nan ba, yallabai. Ka shigar da mu cikin wannan, Armstrong." Da fasinja har yanzu yana fuskantar duniya, hannun robobin ya fara ja da baya zuwa tashar sararin samaniya, yana jan mutanen biyu da shi. Boomer ya ɗaga fasinja zuwa tsaye tsaye kafin ya tunkari babban ƙyanƙyashe. Ya yi iyo zuwa cikin kuyangar, ya bude ya bude, ya yi iyo ta bude kofar, ya daure kansa a cikin makullin, ya daura wani madauri a kan fasinja sannan ya yi masa jagora zuwa cikin dakin da ke dauke da jirgin. Boomer ya cire haɗin su duka biyun daga igiyoyin cibi, ya bar su, sannan ya rufe kuma ya lalata ƙyanƙyashe. Ya hada kanshi da fasinja da igiyar cibi dake cikin jirgin, yana jiran matsi ya daidaita, amma fasinjan gaba daya ya rude bai ce uffan ba, ko da kofar kullewar ta ciki ta bude. Masu fasaha sun taimaka wa fasinjan ya cire rigarsa ta sararin samaniya, kuma Boomer ya nuna hanyar fita daga cikin jirgin.
    
  Da fasinjan ya fito daga cikin makullin jirgin, Kai Raydon, mai datsa, ɗan wasan motsa jiki mai aske gashin ma'aikatan jirgin azurfa, da sifofi masu launin shuɗi da haske, ya tsaya a hankali, ya ɗaga makirufo na lasifikan kai mara igiyar waya zuwa leɓunsa ya yi magana: " Hankali ga tashar Armstrong, wannan shine darekta, don sanarwar duk ma'aikata, Shugaban Amurka na Amurka, Kenneth Phoenix, yana cikin tashar." Reydon, manajan tashar Trevor Sheil, Jessica Faulkner da sauran tashar sararin samaniya da dama. ma'aikata sun tsaya a hankali yadda za su iya, yatsunsu sun yi kama, a bayan kafa suna hutawa yayin da suke ci gaba da bunƙasa sannan kuma "Long Live the Chief" ya yi sauti a kan tsarin adireshin jama'a na tashar.
    
    
  BIYU
    
    
  Yakamata a ji tsoron mutuwa fiye da mutuwar kanta.
    
  - PUBLLIUS SYRUS
    
    
    
  ARMSTRONG SPACE STATION
    
    
  "Kamar yadda kuke, mata da maza," in ji Shugaba Kenneth Phoenix lokacin da waƙar ta ƙare. "Zan sumbace benen idan na san ko wace hanya ce." Ma'aikatan tashar da suka hallara sun yi dariya, sun yi tafawa, da murna na wasu dogon lokaci.
    
  "Ni Kai Rhydon, darektan tashar, Mr. President," Kai ya gabatar da kansa, yana iyo har zuwa Phoenix kuma yana girgiza hannunsa. "Barka da zuwa tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong da taya murna saboda samun kwarin guiwar zama shugaban kasa na farko da ya fara tashi a sararin samaniya, kuma a yanzu shi ne shugaban kasa na farko da ya fara tafiya a sararin samaniya. Ya yallabai?"
    
  "Na yi matukar kaduwa, Janar Raydon," in ji Phoenix. "Na gani kuma na aikata abin da na yi mafarki kawai, godiya gare ku da mutanen ku. Na gode da ba ni wannan dama mai ban mamaki."
    
  "Mun ba ku dama, kamar kowane shugaban kasa tun Kevin Martindale, amma kun zaɓi ku ɗauka," in ji Kai. "Mutane da yawa sun ce wannan duk wani al'amari ne na siyasa, amma jajircewar da kuka nuna a yau ya nuna mini cewa wannan ya wuce siyasa." Ya juya ga wadanda suke kusa da shi. "Bari in gabatar da Manajan Tasha Trevor Sheil, Shugaban Ayyuka Valerie Lucas kuma, ba shakka, kun san Jessica Faulkner, Daraktan Ayyukan Jirginmu." Shugaban ya girgiza hannayensu, amma a lokaci guda ya gano cewa wannan ba abu ne mai sauƙi ba a cikin nauyin nauyi - wani motsi mai sauƙi ya yi barazanar jefa shi zuwa rufi.
    
  "Dokta Noble da Kanar Faulkner sun yi kyakkyawan aiki da suka kai ni nan, Janar Raydon," in ji Shugaban. "Tafiya mai ban sha"awa. Ina Dr. Noble?
    
  "Yana da wani shiri da zai yi don dawowarka, yallabai, kuma yana kula da mai da kuma kula da jirgin," in ji Raydon. "Boomer shine darektan ci gaban sararin samaniya a Sky Masters Aerospace, wanda shine babban dan kwangila na tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, kuma tabbas yana da aiki a gare su. Har ila yau shi ne babban matukin jirgin sama na kamfanin kuma yana da koyawa shida a cikin shirinsa na horo. Yaro ne mai aiki."
    
  "Sanin shi, Mr. Shugaban kasa, mai yiwuwa ya yanke shawarar yin barci," Jessica ta shiga tsakani da murmushi. "Yana son gabatar da kansa a matsayin mai sanyin sararin samaniya, amma ya shafe mako guda yana tsara jiragen da kuma gwada jirgin don wannan ziyarar."
    
  "To, aikinsa ya biya," in ji shugaban. "Na gode duka don tafiya mai ban mamaki."
    
  "Muna da kusan awa daya kafin watsa shirye-shiryenku, don haka muna da lokacin yawon shakatawa da wasu abubuwan shakatawa idan kuna so."
    
  "Yawon shakatawa zai yi kyau, Janar Raydon," in ji Phoenix. "Amma da farko zan so in duba Agent Spellman, abokin Sabis na Asiri."
    
  "Trev?" - Reidon ya tambaya.
    
  "Na samu," in ji Sheil, yana ɗaga makirufo mara waya zuwa leɓunsa. Bayan ɗan lokaci: "Wakili Spellman yana sane a cikin rashin lafiya, yallabai," in ji Sheil. "Abin takaici, ba ya kula da Gs da ba a saba ba sosai. A zahiri, shi ne mafi cancantar memba na ƙungiyar ku don sa kai don tafiya tare da ku a kan wannan manufa, mai girma shugaban ƙasa, amma babu wani alaƙa kai tsaye tsakanin ikon motsa jiki da ikon ku na yin aiki tare da matsananciyar matsananciyar damuwa da jin daɗi a jikin ku. Dole ne mu tuntubi ƙungiyar likitocin sararin samaniya don gano hanya mafi kyau don mayar da shi duniya. Ban yi imani mun taba kawo wanda ba shi da masaniya ta hanyar sake shigowa a baya."
    
  "Shi alama ce ta gaskiya ta ƙarfin zuciya a cikin wannan manufa," in ji Phoenix. "Sa kai don wannan ya wuce abin da za a iya yi, kuma hakan yana da yawa ga Sabis ɗin Sirrin. Bari in ziyarce shi tukuna sannan in je yawon shakatawa idan akwai lokaci."
    
  Rhydon ya jagorance mu ta hanyar hanyar haɗi zuwa tsarin farko. "Na tabbata Boomer da Jessica sun yi bayanin balaguron balaguro zuwa gare ku dalla-dalla, yallabai," in ji Raydon. "Za ku ga wasu ƙwararrun ma'aikatan jirgin suna yawo a kusa da manyan kwasfa kamar Superman, amma na gano cewa ga masu farawa yana da kyau a yi amfani da yatsa ɗaya ko biyu don motsawa ta amfani da hannaye da ƙafafu, kuma kuyi shi a hankali kuma a hankali".
    
  "Na tabbata zan sami 'yan raunuka da zan nuna idan na dawo gida," in ji Phoenix.
    
  Sun fito daga rami mai haɗawa zuwa cikin abin da ke kama da bangon madauwari na ɗakunan ajiya, tare da kewayawa madauwari a tsakiya. "Wannan tsarin ajiyar bayanai ne da sarrafa bayanai," in ji Reidon. "Bi ni". Ya taso a hankali ya haura tsakiyar titin, ya dora hannuwansa kan gefuna na majalisar ministocin, a lokacin da shugaban kasa da sauran su ke bi. Ba da daɗewa ba Shugaban ya gano layuka masu da'ira guda goma sha biyu da aka jera a ko'ina cikin tsarin kamar yankan abarba a cikin tulu, da manyan gibi a tsakanin su. "Ana shigo da kayayyaki ta hanyar makulli na sama da kasa, ana tattarawa ko sarrafa su yadda ake bukata, sannan a adana su a nan. Ma"aikatan jinya suna cikin tsarin da ke sama da mu."
    
  "Na fara samun dimuwa kadan daga dukkan nassoshi game da 'sama' da 'a sama," in ji shugaban. "Ba ni da ma'ana ko daya."
    
  "& # 8197; 'Sama' da 'kasa' suna nufin hanyar da kuke son zuwa," in ji Faulkner. "Kuna iya samun ma'aikatan jirgin guda biyu a gefe, amma ɗayan yana nuna hanya ɗaya ɗayan kuma ɗayan, don haka duka dangi ne. Muna amfani da kowane saman kayan aikin don yin aiki, don haka za ku ga 'yan sama jannati suna rataye a saman rufi yayin da wasu ke aiki a kan 'kasa,' ko da yake 'rufin' da 'bene', ba shakka, sharuddan dangi ne.
    
  "Baka taimaka min dizziness ba, Gonzo."
    
  Jessica ta ce "Bari mu san idan ruɗin ku ya fara bayyana kansa a zahiri, yallabai," in ji Jessica. "Abin takaici, abu ne da ke ɗaukar lokaci kafin ku saba kuma ba za ku daɗe a nan ba. Kamar yadda muka fada, ba sabon abu ba ne a fara jin tashin hankali jim kaɗan bayan motsi a cikin sifirin nauyi. "
    
  "Ina lafiya, Jessica," in ji shugaban, amma a wannan karon ya yi mamakin tsawon lokacin da zai kasance.
    
  A kan hanyar zuwa Galaxy, galey, tsarin horarwa, ofis, asibiti da kuma tsarin nishaɗi, shugaban ya tsaya sau da yawa don yin musabaha da ma'aikatan tashar, kuma tsayawa da farawa ya inganta sosai da fasaha. Ko da yake Raydon ya sanar da cewa Shugaban na cikin jirgin, yawancin ma"aikatan da ya hadu da su sun yi matukar kaduwa da ganinsa. "Me yasa wasu maza da mata dake cikin tashar suka yi mamakin ganina General?" A karshe Phoenix ya tambaya.
    
  "Saboda na yanke shawarar ba zan sanar da ma'aikatan jirgin ba har sai na yi haka da zarar kun shiga cikin jirgin, yallabai," in ji Raydon. "Ni kaɗai, Trevor, Sabis na Sirrin, wasu ƴan jami'ai a Sky Masters Aerospace, da ma'aikatan jirgin saman tsakar dare da ma'aikatan jirgin ƙasa sun sani. Na ji cewa aminci shine mafi mahimmanci ga wannan taron kuma yana da sauƙi ma'aikatan tashar su tuntuɓar Duniya. Ina tsammanin adadin saƙonnin zuwa ga "yan uwa da abokai za su ƙaru nan ba da jimawa ba, amma a lokacin da maganar ta fito za ku kasance a talabijin a duk faɗin duniya."
    
  "Kuma an zaɓi lokacin da za ku yi jawabin ne ta yadda lokacin da kuke tafiya cikin iska, ba ku cikin kewayon kowane sanannen makamin yaƙi da tauraron dan adam na Rasha ko China don kewayawa da yawa," in ji Trevor Sheil.
    
  Idanun Shugaban kasa sun zaro cike da mamaki - tabbas wannan wahayin ya dauki hankalinsa. "Anti-satellite makamin?" Ya tambaya cike da mamaki.
    
  "Muna sane da akalla rabin dozin shafuka a arewa maso yamma da gabashin Rasha da kuma shafuka uku a China, yallabai," in ji Raydon. "Wannan tasha tana da makaman kare kai - Laser gubar guba da makamai masu linzami masu cin gajeren zango - amma na'urorin yaki da makami mai linzami da tauraron dan adam na Kingfisher a sararin samaniya har yanzu ba su cika aiki ba, don haka jirgin ba shi da kariya kuma ba ma son yin kasada. ."
    
  "Me ya sa ba su gaya mani game da wannan ba!" - in ji shugaban.
    
  "Kalubale na ne, yallabai," in ji Raydon. "A gaskiya, a ra'ayi na, barazanar da ke tattare da makamin tauraron dan adam ya yi nisa a jerin hadurran da ke barazana ga rayuwa da kuke fuskanta kan wannan manufa-Ban so in ba ku ƙarin tunani." Shugaban ya yi kokarin cewa wani abu, amma bakinsa ya bude shiru. Raydon ya ci gaba da cewa, "A lokacin da za ku tafi, za ku kasance cikin kewayon abu ɗaya kawai, kuma Boomer ya tsara yanayin yanayin da jirgin ke ciki don guje wa yawancin sauran. Za a ba ku kariya daga makaman kare dangi kamar yadda za mu iya ba ku kariya."
    
  "Kuna nufin kun shirya wannan tafiya ne bisa tsammanin cewa wasu gwamnatin kasashen waje za su yi kokarin kai hari kan wani jirgin sama ko tashar sararin samaniya lokacin da nake cikin jirgin?" Shiru Trevor da Raydon suka yi da kuma kalaman da ke kan fuskokinsu ya sa Phoenix cikin amsarsa. Shugaban kasa bai iya tabuka komai ba face girgiza kai na wasu lokuta, yana kallon wani tabo akan babban kan, amma sai ya kalli Raydon yana murmushi . "Akwai wasu barazanar da ba a gaya mani ba, Janar Raydon?" Ya tambaya.
    
  "Eh, yallabai, lissafin ya fi hannuna tsayi," in ji Raydon a hankali. "Amma an sanar da ni cewa Shugaban Amurka yana son ziyartar tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, kuma aka umarce ni da in aiwatar da shi, kuma mun yi nasara. Idan umarni na ya yi ƙoƙari na hana ku zuwa nan, ina tsammanin zan iya samar da dogon jerin abubuwan da ke barazana ga iyalinku, da gwamnatin ku da kuma 'yan majalisa, wanda zai haifar da soke wannan manufa kuma." Ya nufi ƙarshen ramin haɗawa. "Ta wannan hanya, ya Shugaba."
    
  Ba kamar tsarin ma'ajiyar bayanai da sarrafa bayanai da ƙaramin gidan jirgin sama da tsarin fasinja ba, ƙirar Galaxy ɗin tana da haske, dumi da iska. A gefen bangon wannan rukunin akwai tebura irin na mashaya da dakunan dare tare da wuraren ajiye ƙafafu iri-iri, na'urorin kwamfuta iri-iri da kwamfyutoci, kekunan motsa jiki, har ma da allo na dart. Amma akasarin ma"aikatan tashar sun yi matsuguni a kusa da taga mai kafa uku da biyar, suna daukar hotuna tare da nuna duniya. Wani babban na"ura mai lura da kwamfuta ya nuna wanne bangare ne tashar sararin samaniyar ke wucewa, kuma wani allo ya nuna jerin sunayen da suka ajiye kujerar taga don yin fim din garinsu ko kuma wani alamar duniya.
    
  "Masu horar da 'yan sama jannati waɗanda dole ne su karkata baya don isa nan - kuma babban nau'in nishaɗin su shine kallon tagar?" - Shugaban ya lura.
    
  "Wannan, da aika imel da tattaunawa ta bidiyo tare da mutanen a gida," in ji Raydon. "Muna karbar bakuncin taron tattaunawa na bidiyo da yawa tare da makarantu, kwalejoji, makarantun ilimi, Scouts, ROTs da ƙungiyoyin sintiri na jirgin sama, da kuma kafofin watsa labarai, dangi da abokai."
    
  "Wannan dole ne ya zama kyakkyawan kayan aikin daukar ma'aikata."
    
  "Eh, haka ne, duka na soja da kuma samun yara suyi nazarin kimiyya da injiniya," Reidon ya yarda.
    
  "Don haka a wasu hanyoyi, na zo nan na iya zama mummunan tunani," in ji shugaban. "Idan yara sun koyi cewa kowane mai lafiya zai iya tashi zuwa tashar sararin samaniya - cewa ba dole ba ne su yi nazarin kimiyyar ci gaba don yin hakan - watakila waɗannan yaran za su zama masu yawon bude ido a sararin samaniya."
    
  "Babu wani laifi game da yawon shakatawa na sararin samaniya, Mr. Shugaba," in ji Sheil. "Amma muna fatan yara za su so haɓaka da kuma amfani da sababbin hanyoyin da za su bi don shiga sararin samaniya kuma watakila su tashi zuwa duniyar wata ko taurari na tsarin hasken rana. Ba mu san abin da zai haifar da tunanin matasa ba."
    
  "Kada ka damu, shugaban kasa," in ji Raydon. "Ina tsammanin kasancewar ku a nan zai yi tasiri sosai ga mutane a duniya na dogon lokaci."
    
  "Lallai; Yara za su ce, 'Idan wannan tsohuwar fart za ta iya yi, zan iya yi,' eh, Janar?" shugaban kasa bai damu ba.
    
  "Duk abin da ake bukata, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Valerie Lucas. "Duk abin da ya ɗauka."
    
  Shugaban ya yi mamakin samun Agent Charles Spellman a cikin wani bakon kwakwar lilin kamar jakar barci, wanda aka yi masa likkafani a tsaye zuwa babban kan - ya yi kama da wani babban kwari ko dabbar dabbar da ke rataye a jikin bishiya. "Mai girma shugaban kasa, barka da zuwa," in ji wata mata mai duhun gashi mai duhun ido, sanye da farar rigar tsalle, cikin basira ta ninkaya zuwa gareshi tare da mika mata hannu. "Ni Dr. Miriam Roth, darekta likita. Barka da zuwa tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong."
    
  Shugaban ya girgiza mata hannu, yana jin dadin yadda sarrafa jikinsa ke ci gaba da gyaruwa a hankali babu nauyi. "Yana da kyau sosai saduwa da ku, Doctor," in ji Phoenix. Zuwa ga wakilin Sabis na Sirrin ya tambayi, "Yaya kake ji, Charlie?"
    
  "Mai girma shugaban kasa, na yi nadama da wannan," in ji Spellman, muryarsa mai kauri mai kauri ba ta boye zurfin damuwarsa. Fuskarsa ta kumbura, kamar wanda ya yi fadan titi, ga kamshin amai da ke kusa da shi ba a gane ba. "Ban taɓa samun ciwon teku a rayuwata, ciwon motsi a iska ko a mota - Ban ma samun cushewar hanci tsawon shekaru. Amma yayin da wannan matsin lamba ya same ni, sai na yi dimuwa, kuma kafin in ankara sai hasken ya kashe. Ba zai sake faruwa ba, yallabai."
    
  "Kada ka damu da shi, Charlie - An gaya mini cewa idan ana maganar ciwon motsi, akwai wadanda suke da kuma wadanda za su yi," in ji shugaban. Da ya juya ga Roth, ya yi tambaya, "Tambayar ita ce, shin zai iya komawa duniya ba tare da samun wani labari ba?"
    
  "Ina tsammanin zai yarda, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Miriam. "Tabbas yana da koshin lafiya, cikin sauki kwatankwacin kowa a wannan tashar. Na ba shi ƙaramin harbin Phenergan, maganin da aka daɗe ana amfani da shi don hare-haren tashin zuciya, kuma ina so in ga yadda yake magance shi. Nan da kusan mintuna goma sha biyar, zan bar shi ya fito daga cikin kwalinsa ya yi ƙoƙarin zagaya tasha." Ta ba Spellman wani bacin rai. "Na yi imani Agent Spellman bai sha magungunan da na rubuta ba kafin a tashi kamar yadda aka ba da shawarar."
    
  "Ba na son harbe-harbe," in ji Spellman da kyar. "Bayan haka, ba zan iya shan magani yayin da nake aiki ba, kuma ban taɓa yin rashin lafiya ba."
    
  "Ba ka taba shiga sararin samaniya ba, Agent Spellman," in ji Miriam.
    
  "A shirye nake in tafi yanzu, Doc. Ciwon ya wuce. A shirye nake na dawo bakin aiki na, mai girma shugaban kasa."
    
  "Gwamma ku yi kamar yadda likita ya ce, Charlie," in ji shugaban. "Muna da dawowar jirgi a cikin 'yan sa'o'i kadan, kuma ina so ku yi wannan kashi dari bisa dari." Spellman ya yi matukar takaici, amma ya gyada kai ba tare da ya ce komai ba.
    
  Sun bi ta wani rami mai haɗawa, wannan karon ya fi tsayi, kuma sun shiga wani tsari na uku mai cike da na'urorin na'ura mai kwakwalwa da na'urori masu ma'ana mai girma. "Wannan shi ne tsarin umarni, Mista Shugaban kasa, babban tsarin tsakiya a tashar," in ji Raydon. Ya haye kan wani katon jere na consoles wanda ƙwararru shida ke kula da su. Masu fasaha sun yi shawagi a gaban na'urorin na'urorinsu a tsaye, an tsare kafafunsu a wuri ta hanyar kafa; jerin abubuwan dubawa, faifan rubutu da kwantena na abin sha tare da tsinke bambaro an rufe su a kusa. "Wannan cibiyar hada-hadar firikwensin. Daga nan, muna tattara bayanan firikwensin daga dubban radars na farar hula da na soja, tauraron dan adam, jiragen ruwa, jiragen sama da motocin kasa da kuma haɗa shi cikin hoto mai dabara da dabara na barazanar soja ta duniya. Tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong tana da nata radar, na gani da na'urori masu infrared waɗanda za mu iya amfani da su don kawo maƙasudai a sararin samaniya da kuma ƙasa a cikin kewayon, amma galibi muna haɗawa da sauran na'urori masu auna firikwensin a duniya don ƙirƙirar babban hoto."
    
  Ya shawagi a cikin na'urar zuwa ƙananan na'urori marasa ƙarfi guda huɗu a bayan saiti biyu na consoles guda uku da allon kwamfuta, kuma ba tare da mutum ba. Raydon ya ci gaba da cewa "Wannan cibiyar dabarun aiki ce inda muke amfani da makamai masu linzami." Ya dora hannunsa akan kafadar mashin din sai mutumin ya juyo yana murmushi ga shugaban kasa. "Mai girma shugaban kasa, zan so in gabatar da kai ga Henry Lathrop, jami'in mu na Makamai Aerospace." Mutanen biyu suka yi musafaha tare da Lathrop yana murmushi daga kunne zuwa kunne. Lathrop ya kasance a ƙarshen shekarunsa talatin, gajere, sirara sosai, sanye da tabarau masu kauri da wasa mai aske kai. "Henry, bayyana abin da kuke yi a nan."
    
  Bakin Lathrop a buɗe, kamar bai yi tsammanin cewa zai faɗa wa Shugaban ƙasar wani abu ba-wanda bai yi ba-amma dai a daidai lokacin da Raydon ke shirin shiga damuwa, sai matashin injiniyan ya ɗauko kansa tare da cewa: "Y-e, sir. Barka da zuwa tashar, mai girma shugaban kasa. Ni jami'in makamai ne na sararin samaniya. Ina sarrafa makaman tashar, wanda aka tsara don yin aiki a sararin samaniya da kuma cikin yanayin duniya. Muna da wasu makamai masu motsi, amma Laser Skybolt ba ya aiki ta umarnin Shugaban kasa, don haka makamin da na yi kawai shine nada, ko Laser chlorine-oxygen-iodine."
    
  "Me za ku iya yi game da shi?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar.
    
  Lathrop ya hadiye, firgigit ya bayyana a idanunsa a yanzu da ya kamata ya amsa tambayar da shugaban Amurka ya yi masa kai tsaye. Amma yana cikin yanayinsa kuma ya murmure da sauri fiye da da: "Za mu iya kare tarkacen sararin samaniya har kusan mil hamsin," in ji Lathrop. "Muna amfani da shi don karya manyan tarkace-ƙaramin tarkace, ƙarancin haɗarin da yake haifarwa ga sauran jiragen sama."
    
  "Kuma za ku iya amfani da Laser don kare tashar daga sauran jiragen ruwa?"
    
  "I, sir," in ji Lathrop. "Muna da radar da infrared na'urori masu auna firikwensin da za su iya ganin jiragen sama masu shigowa ko tarkace daga kusan mil dari biyar, kuma za mu iya haɗawa da wasu na'urori masu auna sararin samaniya na soja ko farar hula." Ya nuna masa na'urar sarrafa kwamfuta. "Tsarin yanzu yana aiki a yanayin atomatik, wanda ke nufin COIL zai kashe ta atomatik idan na'urori masu auna sigina sun gano barazanar da ta dace da wasu sigogi. Tabbas mun saita shi zuwa littafin hannu lokacin da kuka isa."
    
  "Na gode da wannan, Mista Lathrop," in ji shugaban. "Don haka Laser na iya kare tashar kuma ya lalata tarkacen sararin samaniya, amma shi ke nan? Shin ba ku taɓa samun ikon kai hari a kan duniya ba?
    
  "Eh, yallabai, mun yi," in ji Lathrop. "Laser na Skybolt yana da ƙarfi sosai don lalata abubuwan haske kamar motoci da jiragen sama, da kuma kashe ko lalata manyan hari kamar jiragen ruwa. Taron karawa juna sani na makaman Kingfisher ya adana tuhume-tuhumen da ake yi na motsa jiki da za su iya hada jiragen ruwa ko makamai masu linzami na ballistic, da madaidaitan makamai masu linzami da za su iya komawa sararin samaniyar duniya don kai hari kan kasa ko a teku."
    
  "Har yanzu muna da garejin Kingfisher? Na san Shugaba Gardner bai yarda da su ba - ya fi amfani da su a matsayin wani guntun ciniki da Rasha da Sinawa."
    
  "Shugaba Gardner ya yarda gareji guda bakwai su sake shiga cikin yanayin duniya kuma su kone," in ji Lathrop. "An sake gano wasu gareji goma sha uku kuma ana ajiye su a gonar tashar. Garages goma har yanzu suna cikin kewayawa, amma ba sa aiki. Jiragen sama na kan kwaso su lokaci-lokaci, su mai da su, su kula da su, sannan su mayar da su cikin sararin samaniya domin mu yi nazarin ayyukansu na dogon lokaci da kuma yin canje-canjen ƙira, amma a halin yanzu ba sa aiki."
    
  "Shin Laser nada ya bambanta da laser na VP Page?" - Phoenix ya tambaya.
    
  "Eh, yallabai, haka ne. An hana mu yin amfani da duk wani makami mai nisa sama da mil sittin, kuma Skybolt, Laser na'urar lantarki kyauta, zai iya kai hari a sararin samaniyar duniya da saman da ke da nisan mil dari biyar, don haka a halin yanzu ba ya aiki."
    
  "Ba a kunna ba?"
    
  "Ba mai aiki ba, amma ana iya kunna shi idan ya cancanta," in ji Raydon.
    
  "A cikin kankanin lokaci?" shugaban ya tambaya.
    
  "Henry?" - Kai ya tambaya.
    
  "Muna buƙatar wasu ƙwarewa daga Sky Masters ko wasu 'yan kwangila," in ji Lathrop, "da kuma 'yan kwanaki don samun aikin MHD da aiki."
    
  Raydon ya kara da cewa "Kuma umarnin daga gare ku yake, yallabai." "Rikicin Skybolt ya kusan kashe mana dukkan shirin mu na sararin samaniya."
    
  "Na tuna sosai," in ji Phoenix. "Na kuduri aniyar gyara wannan. Da fatan za a ci gaba, Mista Lathrop."
    
  Lathrop ya ci gaba da cewa "Coil yana amfani da cakuda sunadarai don samar da hasken Laser, wanda sai a kara karfi da kuma mai da hankali," in ji Lathrop. "Muna amfani da na'urori daban-daban fiye da na'urar lantarki ta Skybolt kyauta don mayar da hankali da kuma jagorancin katako na Laser, amma tsarin yana kama da haka. Muna amfani da radar da firikwensin infrared don bincika koyaushe a kusa da tashar don abubuwan da ka iya haifar da barazana - za mu iya ganowa da shigar da abubuwa masu girman ƙwallon golf. Matsakaicin matsakaicin iyaka na nada shine mil ɗari uku, amma mun canza saitin Laser ta hanyar kawar da wasu na'urorin da ke ƙara ƙarfin Laser, don haka muna kan iyakar yarda. "
    
  "Za ku iya nuna min yadda na'urori masu auna firikwensin ke aiki?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar. "Wataƙila kai harin da aka kwaikwayi akan manufa a Duniya?"
    
  Lathrop ya sake kallon firgigit sannan ya juyo ga Raydon, ya gyada kai. "Ku nuna wa Shugaban kasa yadda aka yi, Henry," in ji shi.
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji Lathrop, farin ciki ya bayyana a fuskarsa da sauri. Yatsunsa sun tashi sama da madannai a kan na'urar wasan bidiyo. "Daga lokaci zuwa lokaci muna gudanar da atisaye don kai hari kan wasu hari da ake sa ido akai-akai tare da ba da fifiko." Mafi girma na kwamfuta ya zo rayuwa. Ya nuna babban yanki na Duniya tare da yanayi da matsayi na tashar sararin samaniya da ke gabatowa da Pole Arewa daga gabashin Siberiya. Akwai jerin da'ira a kusa da maki da yawa a cikin Rasha.
    
  "Mene ne waɗannan da'irori, Mista Lathrop?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar.
    
  "Muna kiran su Delta Bravos, ko makafin agwagwa," in ji Lathrop. "Wurin da aka sani da makaman yaƙi da tauraron dan adam. Da'irar sune kusan iyakar makaman da ke wurin."
    
  "Muna kusa da wannan sosai, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  Lathrop ya ce "Muna shawagi da yawa daga cikinsu a rana guda, wadanda ke cikin Rasha, Sin da wasu kasashe da ke makwabtaka da su." "Wannan shi ne, musamman filin jirgin sama na Yelizovo, sansanin mayakan MiG-31D, wanda, kamar yadda muka sani, yana dauke da makamai masu linzami da za su iya harba daga iska. Suna yin sintiri akai-akai daga can har ma suna gudanar da farmaki."
    
  "Sun yi?" - shugaban ya tambaya cike da mamaki. "Ta yaya za ku san idan wannan hari ne na gaske ko a'a?"
    
  "Muna duba makamin," in ji Kai. "Mun ga makami mai linzami kuma muna da kasa da mintuna biyu don harba makaman kariya ko kuma mu buga shi da Laser. Muna bincika su kuma mu bincika duk siginar da suke watsawa, kuma muna iya nazarin su da radar da optoelectronics don gano ko suna shirin yin wani abu. Kusan koyaushe suna bin mu da radar mai dogon zango, amma daga lokaci zuwa lokaci za su buge mu da bin diddigin manufa da radar jagorar makami mai linzami."
    
  "Me yasa?"
    
  "Yi ƙoƙarin tsoratar da mu, yi ƙoƙarin sa mu buge su da Skybolt ko makaman hari na Duniya don su iya tabbatar da mugayen mu," in ji Trevor. "Wannan duk maganar banza ce da cat da linzamin kwamfuta. Mu yawanci muna yin watsi da shi."
    
  Valerie ta kara da cewa "Har yanzu, yana sa mu kan yatsunmu." "Umurni, wannan makasudin wasan kwaikwayo na yaƙi, wanda aka keɓe Golf Seven, zai kasance cikin kewayon cikin mintuna uku."
    
  Raydon ya ce, "Shirya don yin hulɗar da aka kwaikwayi tare da Skybolt," in ji Raydon. "Hanya kan tashar, ƙaddamar da ƙaddamar da manufa a cikin minti uku. Aiki na tsarin umarni. Duk ma'aikatan jirgin su je tashoshin yaƙi su bayar da rahoto. Tabbatar da duk docks da ƙyanƙyashe. Ma'aikata, ba a bakin aiki, bayar da rahoto ga tashar kula da lalacewa, ba da sutura kuma fara yin numfashi kafin tsakar dare.
    
  "Me wannan yake nufi General?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar.
    
  "Ma'aikatan da ba sa aiki suna da alhakin kula da lalacewa," in ji Kai. "A nan, wannan na iya nufin tafiya ta sararin samaniya don dawo da kayan aiki ko...ma'aikatan da suka ɓace a sararin samaniya. Kafin yin numfashi mai tsaftar iskar oxygen na tsawon lokacin da zai yiwu yana ba su damar ba da kwat da wando na ACES da yin ayyukan ceto, koda kuwa yana nufin shiga sararin samaniya. Suna iya buƙatar yin gyare-gyare da yawa da ayyukan sabuntawa a cikin sararin samaniya. Don haka, muna kwance duk wani jirgin ruwa da muke da shi a tashar don yin amfani da su a matsayin jiragen ruwa idan an sami matsala - za mu yi amfani da sassan kwale-kwalen da muke jira don ceto ta jirgin sama ko sufurin kasuwanci. Shugaban kasa ya hadiye da kyar da wadannan bakin tunani.
    
  "Umurni, wannan shine Ayyuka, neman izini don yin kwatankwacin juzu'i na MHD," Valerie Lucas ta ce daga wurinta a kan babban jigon, tana kallon tasirin da aka kwaikwayi.
    
  "An karɓi izini, kwaikwayi ƙaddamar da MHD, yi duk shirye-shiryen cimma burin da aka kwaikwayi na ƙasa." Shugaban ya lura cewa ya kasance kamar maimaita wasan tebur: kowa yana faɗin sashinsa, amma babu wanda ke motsi ko yin wani abu.
    
  "Na fahimce ka. Sashen injiniya, wannan shine sashin ayyuka, kwaikwayi ƙaddamar da MHD, kunna rahoto da matakin wutar lantarki a kashi hamsin."
    
  "Ayyukan, Injiniya, sun sami ku, MHD da aka kwaikwayi," in ji Jami'in Injiniya Alice Hamilton. Bayan 'yan mintuna kaɗan: "Ayyukan, Injiniya, MHD sun kwaikwayi aiki, matakin wutar lantarki a kashi goma sha biyu da haɓaka."
    
  "Umurni aiki ne, ana kwaikwayar MHD akan layi."
    
  "An karɓi umarnin. Yaƙi, menene sharadinmu?"
    
  Lathrop ya ce "Maƙasudin filin Golf bakwai da aka kwatanta shi ne radar da aka kashe akan layin ROSA a yammacin Greenland," in ji Lathrop. "Danyen bayanan daga na'urori masu auna firikwensin za su fito ne daga SBR. Shirya tushen firikwensin na biyu ya bayyana." Yatsunsa ya sake tashi sama da madannai. "Tsarin firikwensin firikwensin na biyu zai kasance USA-234, tauraron dan adam na radar wanda zai mamaye sararin Golf bakwai a cikin dakika sittin kuma zai kasance cikin kewayon manufa na maki uku na minti biyu."
    
  "Me duk wannan yake nufi General?" Shugaba Phoenix ya tambaya.
    
  "Za mu iya harba Skybolt daidai da na'urori masu auna firikwensin mu," in ji Kai. "SBR, ko radar sararin samaniya, shine babban firikwensin mu. Tashar tana dauke da radar roba guda biyu na X-band don samun hotunan Duniya. Za mu iya bincika manyan yankuna na Duniya a yanayin 'stripmap' ko amfani da yanayin 'haske' don niyya manufa da samun ainihin hotuna da ma'auni zuwa ƴan inci na ƙuduri.
    
  "Amma saboda muna harbi daga irin wannan nisa mai nisa, wanda ke ɗaukar ɗaruruwan mil a cikin minti ɗaya, za mu iya haɗawa da duk wasu na'urori masu auna firikwensin da ke faruwa a yankin a lokaci guda don ma fi daidaito," Kai ya ci gaba. "USA-234 tauraron dan adam ne na Sojojin Sama na Amurka wanda ke daukar hotunan radar yana aika su zuwa Ofishin Binciken Kasa da ke Washington. Mun yi sa'a don zama mai amfani da hoto, don haka za mu iya neman cewa tauraron dan adam ya mai da hankali kan takamaiman manufa. Za mu iya haɗa hotunan tauraron dan adam tare da namu don samun ingantaccen hangen nesa game da abin da ake hari."
    
  Lathrop ya shigar da wasu 'yan wasu umarni kuma hoton abin da aka kwaikwayi ya bayyana akan babban mai lura da ke gefen hagu na babban mai duba, wata tashar radar mai nisa mai babban radome a tsakiya, tsarin sadarwa da yawa suna nunawa ta hanyoyi daban-daban, da tsayi da yawa. ƙananan gine-gine kewaye da radome. "Wannan shine abin da yake kama a cikin hoto na kwanan nan daga sama," in ji shi. Bayan ɗan lokaci, hoton ya ɓace kuma an maye gurbinsa da wani hoto, wannan yana nuna ɗigon da ke kewaye da rectangle mai siffar H da akasari baƙar fata. "Wannan hoton radar ne daga tauraron dan adam na leken asiri. A baya baƙar fata ne saboda dusar ƙanƙara ba ta nuna ƙarfin radar sosai, amma gine-ginen a bayyane suke.
    
  "Ayyukan, injiniyanci, MHD a matakin kashi hamsin da aka kwaikwayi," in ji Alice.
    
  "Na fahimta, injiniya," in ji Valerie. "Yaƙi, wannan aiki ne, muna da kashi hamsin cikin ɗari, muna yin kwatankwacin buɗe ido na Skybolt, makamai a shirye, shirya don yaƙi."
    
  "Na samu, Operation, Ina yin kwaikwayon buɗe hanyoyin kunnawa Skybolt, makamai a shirye."
    
  Bayan 'yan wasu lokuta, hoton ya sake canzawa kuma ya yi kama da hoton da suka gani, tare da gajimare bazuwar da ke yawo a kan hoton. Lathrop yayi amfani da ƙwallon waƙa don daidaita hoton da ke kan allo daidai. "Kuma wannan godiya ce ga na'urori masu auna firikwensin lantarki na tashar da aka saka a hoton radar," in ji shi. "Aiki, wannan fada ne, ingantaccen gano maƙasudin da aka yi na Golf Seven, an kafa sa ido, mun kulle kuma a shirye muke."
    
  "Na same ka, yaro," in ji Valerie. "Umurni, ayyuka, mun mai da hankali kan. Jihar MHD?"
    
  "MHD a kashi dari cikin dakika goma."
    
  "Na samu," Valerie ta tabbatar. "Ina neman izini don yin kwatankwacin canja wurin Skybolt zuwa fagen fama da shiga cikin yaƙi."
    
  "Wannan Umurni ne," in ji Raydon. "Zaku iya canza ikon Skybolt zuwa yanayin yaƙi da kwaikwayi buga manufa. Tashar kulawa, wannan shine darektan, muna yin kwaikwayon buga wata manufa ta ƙasa tare da taimakon "Skybolt."
    
  "An fahimta, umarni, Ma"aikatar Ayyuka ta tabbatar da cewa an ba mu damar yin kwaikwayi buga harin. Yaƙi, ayyuka, "Skybolt" an ba da izinin yin kwaikwayon shiga cikin yaƙi, ana yin harbin makamin."
    
  "An fahimta, jami'ai, an saki makamin kwaikwayon." Lathrop ya danna maɓalli ɗaya akan madannai nasa, sannan ya duba sama. "Shi ke nan, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji shi. "Tsarin zai jira lokacin da ya dace don yin harbe-harbe, sannan kuma a ci gaba da harbawa har sai an gano cewa an lalata abin da aka sa a gaba, ko kuma sai mun kasa kasa. A gaskiya ma, ban da babban Laser, lasers guda biyu sun haɗa da: na farko yana auna yanayin yanayi kuma yana yin gyare-gyare ga madubi don gyara yanayin yanayi wanda zai iya lalata ingancin katako na laser; kuma na biyu yana bin maƙasudin yayin da tashar ke tashi sama, kuma yana taimakawa mai da hankali da daidaita daidaitaccen katako. "
    
  "Na gode Henry," in ji Kai. Lathrop ya yi matukar farin ciki yayin da ya koma kan na'urar ta'aziyyarsa bayan ya girgiza hannun shugaban kasa a tsorace. "Kamar yadda kake gani, mai girma shugaban kasa, tashar jirgin ruwa guda daya ne kawai ke aiki saboda ba a dawo da tarurrukan makaman mu na Kingfisher ba. Amma idan haka ne, masu sarrafa na'ura mai kwakwalwa suna gano, tantancewa da kuma rarraba duk wata barazanar da suka gani, kuma waɗannan barazanar suna nunawa akan waɗannan na'urori guda hudu da nake amfani da su; Valerie, shugabana na yaƙi; jami'in dabarun yaki na sararin samaniya da kuma jami'in makamin kasa. Sannan za mu iya mayar da martani da makamanmu na sararin samaniya ko kuma mu ba da amsa ta kasa, ko ruwa ko ta iska."
    
  "Mene ne waɗannan tarurrukan makaman Kingfisher?" shugaban ya tambaya. "Na tuna Shugaba Gardner ba ya son su."
    
  "Tsarin makamin Kingfisher jerin jirage ne da muke kira 'garages' a cikin ƙananan kewayar duniya," in ji Cai. "Ana sarrafa garejin daga nan kuma ana iya sarrafa su daga hedkwatar Hukumar Kula da Sararin Samaniya ta Amurka a Duniya. Garages suna da na'urori masu auna firikwensin nasu, injina da na'urori masu sarrafawa, kuma ana iya tsara su don zuwa tashar jirgin ruwa don mai da kuma sakewa. Kowanne garejin yana dauke da makaman kariya na tauraron dan adam guda uku ko kuma makami mai linzami da madaidaitan makamai guda uku na kasa."
    
  "Na tuna da gaske Gardner ya ƙi waɗannan abubuwa," in ji shugaban. "Lokacin da wannan harin ya ɓace kuma ya lalata masana'antar, na yi tunanin zai kashe wani."
    
  "To, Shugaba Gardner bai soke shirin ba, kawai ya buga shi," in ji Kai. "Cikakken ƙungiyar tauraro na Kingfisher yana da garejin Triniti talatin da shida a cikin kewayawa, ta yadda a kowane lokaci, kowane yanki na Duniya yana da aƙalla gareji uku a saman sama, kama da tsarin kewayawa GPS. Ana sarrafa duk a nan ko daga hedkwatar Rundunar Dabarun Amurka. "
    
  "Janar Rhydon, wannan bangare ne na Rundunar Tsaron sararin samaniya wanda ban taba fahimta ba: me yasa duk ya kewaya duniya?" Shugaba Phoenix ya tambaya. "Wannan yayi kama da cibiyoyin bayar da umarni da ke wanzuwa a Duniya, kuma a zahiri yana kama da tsarin faɗakarwa da sarrafa radar jirgin sama. Me yasa aka sanya abu ɗaya a sararin samaniya?"
    
  "Saboda mun fi aminci a nan sararin samaniya, wanda ya sa ya zama wuri mai kyau ga kowace cibiyar umarni, yallabai," in ji Raydon.
    
  "Ko da jerin haɗari idan dai hannunka, kamar yadda ka sanya shi, Janar?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai, har ma da dukkan hatsarin balaguron sararin samaniya," in ji Raydon. "Maƙiyi ba shi da wuya ya makantar da Amurka gaba ɗaya tare da cibiyar umarni ta orbital. Abokan gaba na iya lalata tushe, jirgi, ko jirgin sama tare da radar AWACS kuma za mu rasa wannan firikwensin, amma za mu iya samun bayanan firikwensin daga ko'ina ko amfani da na'urori masu auna firikwensin mu da sauri cike gibin. Bugu da ƙari, tun da muke kewaya duniya, ba a cika samun nasarar kai mu hari ba. An san kewayen mu, ba shakka, wanda ya sauƙaƙa ganowa, waƙa da manufa, amma, aƙalla cikin ɗan gajeren lokaci, kai hari wannan tashar yana da wahala fiye da kai hari kan ƙasa, jirgin ruwa ko cibiyar ba da izini ta iska. Mugayen mutane sun san inda muke da kuma inda za mu kasance, amma a lokaci guda mun san daidai lokacin da sanannun sansanonin ASAT za su zama barazana mai yiwuwa idan an kai hari. Muna sa ido akai-akai akan waɗannan shahararrun shafuka. Muna kuma binciken sansanonin hare-haren da ba a san ko su waye ba, muna kuma shirin mayar da martani gare su."
    
  Trevor Sheil ya ce, "Ina ganin a faffadar ma'ana, yallabai, cewa daukar ma'aikatan tashar tare da sanya ta zama wani gidan umarni na soja, maimakon tarin na'urori ko dakunan gwaje-gwaje, yana da mahimmanci ga makomar kasancewar Amurka a sararin samaniya. "
    
  "Yaya Mr. Sheil?"
    
  "Ina kamanta shi da fadada yammacin Amurka, yallabai," in ji Trevor. "Da farko, ƙananan ƙungiyoyin masu bincike sun tashi sun gano filayen, tsaunin Rocky, hamada da Tekun Pacific. Wasu ƴan ƙauyuka ne suka bi su, alƙawarin ƙasa da albarkatu suka ja hankalinsu. Amma sai da aka tura Sojojin Amurka aka kafa sansanoni, sansani, da sansani ne za a iya gina matsugunai da ƙauyuka da garuruwa sannan aka fara faɗaɗa ƙasar ta gaskiya.
    
  Sheil ya ci gaba da cewa, "To, tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong ba tazara ce kawai a cikin kewayar duniya ba, amma aikin soja ne na gaske," in ji Sheil. "Muna da yawa fiye da na'urori masu kwakwalwa da na'urorin kwantar da hankali - muna da maza da mata goma sha biyu a cikin jirgin wadanda suke sa ido kuma za su iya sarrafa ayyukan soja a duniya. Ina tsammanin wannan zai karfafa "yan kasada, masana kimiyya da masu bincike don shiga sararin samaniya, kamar yadda kasancewar sansanin sojan Amurka ya kasance abin ta"aziyya ga mazauna."
    
  "Space ya fi Midwest girma, Mr. Sheil."
    
  "A gare mu a cikin karni na ashirin da ɗaya, eh, yallabai," in ji Trevor. "Amma ga mai binciken ƙarni na goma sha takwas wanda ya fara ganin Babban Filaye ko Dutsen Duwatsu, na yi imanin ya ji kamar yana tsaye a gefen sararin samaniya."
    
  Shugaban ya dan yi tunani, sannan ya yi murmushi ya yi sallama. "Sa'an nan ina ganin lokaci ya yi da zan kai shi mataki na gaba," in ji shi. "Ina so in yi magana da matata da Mataimakin Shugaban Kasa Page, sannan in shirya don jawabina."
    
  "Iya, sir," in ji Raydon. "Za mu sanya ku a kujerar darekta." Shugaban ya matsa zuwa na"urar ta"aziyyar Raydon a hankali ya cusa kafafunsa cikin ma"aikatan da ke kasa, ya tsaya a gaban na"urar amma yana jin kamar yana shawagi a bayansa a cikin teku. Katon Monitor dake gabansa ya raye sai yaga wani dan karamin haske fari a karkashin karamin len din a saman Monitor ya san yana kan layi.
    
  "A karshe ka daina duba ko'ina kuma ka yanke shawarar kiran mu, eh, Mr. President?" - Mataimakin Shugaban kasa Anne Page ya tambaya, fuskarta tana bayyane a cikin ginin da aka gina akan na'urar. Tana cikin shekarunta sittin, siririya da kuzari, doguwar sumar da ba a kunyata ta bar su ta zama launin toka, an daure ta da kwala. Har zuwa kwanan nan, tare da duk kasafin kuɗin Amurka, Anne ta ɗauki ayyuka da yawa a Fadar White House tare da ayyukanta na mataimakin shugaban kasa: babban jami'in ma'aikata, sakataren yada labarai, mai ba da shawara kan tsaro na kasa da kuma babban mashawarcin siyasa; A ƙarshe ta ba da mafi yawan waɗannan ƙarin ayyuka ga wasu, amma ta ci gaba da zama mashawarcin Ken Phoenix na siyasa kuma amintaccen, da kuma Shugaban Ma'aikatan Fadar White House. "Na fara damuwa kadan."
    
  "Ann, wannan kwarewa ce mai ban mamaki," in ji Ken Phoenix. "Shi ne duk abin da na yi tunanin kuma da yawa."
    
  "Bari a san cewa ina da alkalin Kotun Koli daya wanda ke hannun 24/7 don gudanar da rantsuwar ofis idan daya daga cikin dubban abubuwan da ka iya faruwa ba daidai ba ya yi kuskure," in ji Anne. . "Zan ci gaba da dagewa akan hakan bayan kun dawo."
    
  Shugaban ya ce "Shawara ce mai hikima." "Amma ina lafiya, jirgin ya kasance mai ban mamaki kuma idan zan dawo in zama meteorite idan na dawo, aƙalla na san cewa al'ummar za ta kasance cikin kyakkyawan hannu."
    
  "Na gode yallabai."
    
  "Abin mamaki ne matuka, Anne," shugaban ya ci gaba da cewa. "Dr. Noble, bari in doki jirgin."
    
  Mataimakin shugaban kasar ya lumshe ido cikin mamaki. "Ya kika yi? Sa'a. Ban taba yin wannan ba, kuma na sha jigilar jiragen sama sau da yawa! Yaya abin ya kasance?"
    
  "Kamar yawancin komai a sararin samaniya: yi tunanin wani abu kuma zai faru. Yana da wuya a yarda cewa muna yawo a cikin mil biyar a cikin daƙiƙa guda, amma muna magana ne game da motsa jirgin sama da 'yan inci kaɗan a cikin daƙiƙa guda. Ba ni da ma'anar tsayi ko gudun gaske sai da muka shiga sararin samaniya na ga duniya a kasa...
    
  "Me?" - Na tambaya Ann ta ce, idanunta sun lumshe a gigice. "Me kika yi?"
    
  "Ann, kai ne ka fara ba ni labarin yadda ka isa tashar daga jiragen sama na farko," in ji shugaban. "Doctor Noble ya sake ambace ni da shi lokacin da muka sauka, kuma na yanke shawarar zuwa nema. Mintuna biyu kacal ya wuce."
    
  Bakin mataimakin shugaban kasa ya bud'e cike da mamaki, sai da ta girgiza kanta a lumshe ido tayi shiru. "Ni... ban yarda ba," a karshe ta ce. "Shin za ku kai rahoto ga manema labarai? Za su juye ... har ma fiye da yadda za su juya. "
    
  "Wataƙila irin wannan martanin ne lokacin da shugaba mai ci ya fara tafiyarsa ta farko a kan jirgin ruwan teku, ko kuma hawansa na farko a cikin mashina, ko mota, ko jirgin sama," in ji shugaban. "Mun shafe shekaru da yawa muna shawagi a sararin samaniya - me yasa yake da wuya a yi tunanin shugaban Amurka yana tafiya a sararin samaniya ko kuma yana tafiya a sararin samaniya?"
    
  Mataimakiyar shugabar kasa Paige ta sake komawa cikin yanayin rashin imani na kusa da ita, amma ta girgiza kai don yin murabus. "To, na yi farin ciki da lafiya, yallabai," in ji Anne. "Na yi farin ciki da kuna jin daɗin tafiya, da kallo, kuma" ta sake hadiyewa cikin rashin imani kafin ta ci gaba - "... filin jirgin sama, yallabai, saboda ina tsammanin muna cikin haɗari na gaske lokacin da kuka samu. dawo." Shugaban ya fito fili ya ƙarfafa Anne ta faɗi ra"ayinta a fili da kuma a ɓoye, kuma ta yi amfani da kowace zarafi don yin hakan. "Tuni dai an bayyana kyanwar - tabbas mutanen tashar sun riga sun kira gida don sanar da wasu cewa ka zo, kuma jita-jita na yaduwa kamar wutar daji. Na tabbata mai bugawa zai yi ban mamaki da gaske." Kamar duk 'yan sama jannati, Anne ta kira tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong a matsayin "tasha." "Ina fatan kun shirya don wannan."
    
  "Ni, Anne," in ji shugaban.
    
  "Yaya jiki?"
    
  "Mai kyau sosai".
    
  "Wani dizziness?"
    
  "Kadan kadan," in ji shugaban. "Lokacin da nake karama, ina da wani lamari mai laushi na anoblephobia - tsoron kallon sama - kuma wannan shine abin da yake ji, amma yana tafiya da sauri."
    
  "Nausea? Nausea?"
    
  "A'a," in ji shugaban. Anne ta kalleta cike da mamaki ta gyada kai cikin sha'awa. "Ina jin kamar sinuses na sun toshe, amma shi ke nan. Ina ganin saboda ruwan ba ya zubewa kamar yadda suka saba yi." Anne ta gyada kai - ita da matar Phoenix, likita, sun yi magana dalla-dalla game da wasu yanayin yanayin da zai iya fuskanta ko da a ɗan gajeren zama a tashar. Ta guji yin magana game da wasu matsalolin tunani da wasu 'yan sama jannati suka fuskanta. "Yana da ban haushi, amma ba muni ba. Ina jin kaina da kyau. Ba zan iya faɗi haka game da Charlie Spellman ba."
    
  "Mutumin Sirrin ku da ya ba da kansa ya hau tare da ku? Ina ya ke?"
    
  "Makaranta."
    
  "Oh, Allah," Anne ta yi magana, tana girgiza kai. "Dakata, 'yan jarida za su gano kana wurin ba tare da cikakkun bayanai ba."
    
  "Ya yi kyau. Ina tsammanin zai yi kyau don dawowar jirgin. Ban da haka, ba na jin wani makasa zai shigo nan."
    
  "Gaskiya ya isa," in ji Anne. "Barka da taron manema labarai. Za mu kallo."
    
  Daga nan aka hada shugaban da matarsa Alexa. "Ya Allahna, na gode da ganinka, Ken," in ji ta. Alexa Phoenix ta cika shekaru goma da mijinta, likitan yara wanda ya bar aikinsa na sirri, lokacin da Shugaba Joseph Gardner ba zato ba tsammani ya zaɓi mijinta a matsayin abokin takararsa. Kallon zaitun dinta, duhun gashinta da duhun idanuwanta sun sa ta yi kama da Kudancin Turai, amma ita 'yar Kudancin Florida ce ta zagaya. "Na samu kira daga Sky Masters Aerospace na ce ka isa tashar. Lafiya lau? Yaya jiki?"
    
  "Lafiya, honey," shugaban ya amsa. "Kadan cushe, amma ba babban abu ba."
    
  "Na ga ɗan kumburi a fuskarki - kuna fara samun fuskar wata ta sararin samaniya," in ji Alexa, tana ƙulla fuskarta da hannayenta a cikin da'irar.
    
  "Wannan an riga an lura?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar.
    
  "Ina wasa," matarsa ta ce. "Kinyi kyau. Ko ta yaya, alama ce ta girmamawa. Za ku lafiya bayan matsi?"
    
  "Ina jin dadi," in ji shugaban. "Kiyi min sa'a".
    
  "Na yi muku fatan alheri a kowace sa'a na kowace rana tun lokacin da na amince da wannan ɗan ƙaramin tafiya na ku," Alexa ta ce da alamar bacin rai a cikin muryarta. "Amma ina tsammanin za ku yi kyau. Ku buge su."
    
  "Iya, madam. Mu hadu a Andrews. Ina son ku".
    
  "Zan zo wurin. Ina son ku". Kuma haɗin ya katse.
    
  Kimanin mintuna goma sha biyar bayan haka, yayin da Kai Raydon, Jessica Faulkner, da Trevor Sheil suka tsaya a gefensa, an yi wa duniya kallon abin mamaki mafi ban mamaki da mafi yawansu suka taba gani: hoton shugaban Amurka a sararin samaniya. "Barka da safiya, "yan uwana Amurkawa, mata da maza masu kallon wannan watsa shirye-shirye a duniya. Ina watsa wannan taron manema labarai daga tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong, wanda ke kewaya sama da mil dari biyu a saman duniya."
    
  Wata 'yar karamar tagar da ke kan na'urar ta nuna dakin 'yan jaridu na Fadar White House ... kuma wurin ya zama cikakkiyar gado. 'Yan jarida da dama sun yi tsalle sun tashi tsaye cikin tsananin mamaki, suna jefar da allo da kyamarori; mata da dama har da wasu mazan suka firgita, suka rike kawunansu cikin kafirci ko kuma suna cizon guiwar da suka sanya a bakinsu don surkule kukan. A karshe daya daga cikin ma"aikatan ya yi magana da manema labarai inda ya mika musu hannu da su koma kan kujerunsu domin shugaban ya ci gaba.
    
  "Na tashi a nan 'yan mintoci kaɗan da suka gabata a cikin Jirgin Tsakar Dare, wani jirgin da ya fi ƙanƙanta da Jirgin sama amma mai iya tashi da sauka kamar jirgin sama, sa'an nan kuma ya harba kansa a cikin kewayawa da kuma shiga tare da Armstrong ko tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa." "Shugaban ya ci gaba da cewa. "Ba lallai ba ne a faɗi, tafiya ce mai ban mamaki. An ce duniyar duniyar ba wani abu ba ne face jirgin da kanta, tare da dukkanin albarkatun da ta kasance da ita kuma za ta kasance da su, wanda Allah ya riga ya yi lodi a cikin jirgin, da kuma kallon duniyarmu daga sararin samaniya a kan bango na biliyoyin. Taurari da gaske yana sa ka gane mahimmancin sadaukarwarmu na kare sararin samaniyar mu da ake kira Duniya da gaske.
    
  "Ina godiya ga ma'aikatan da ke cikin Armstrong da mutanen da ke Sky Masters Aerospace don yin tafiyata cikin nasara, aminci da ban tsoro," in ji shugaban. "A tare da ni akwai daraktan tashar, Janar din sojan sama mai ritaya kuma tsohon sojan sararin samaniya Kai Reidon; Manajan tashar kuma tsohon sojan jirgin sama Trevor Sheil; da kuma babban jami'in kula da zirga-zirgar jiragen sama da kuma ma'aikacin jirgin saman, Kanar Jessica Faulkner mai ritayar Marine. Matukin jirgin saman, Dokta Hunter Noble, ya shagaltu da shirin dawowarmu, amma na gode masa don ya ba ni ra'ayi na musamman da ban mamaki, da dama da dama don fuskantar kalubalen tashi da aiki a sararin samaniya. A duniya babu inda za ka sami ƙwararrun ƙungiyar maza da mata fiye da waɗanda ke gudanar da wannan kafa. Yau kusan shekaru talatin kenan da fara aiki da wannan tasha, amma duk da cewa ta fara duba shekarunta kuma tana buqatar sabunta ta, amma har yanzu tana cikin kewayawa, tana ci gaba da aiki, tana bayar da gudunmawa wajen tsaron qasar mu, har yanzu tana kula da ma"aikatansa.
    
  "Dole ne in yarda cewa ni da ma'aikatana mun kasance muna yaudarar kungiyar 'yan jaridu ta Fadar White House a cikin 'yan kwanakin da suka gabata: Na so in yi taron manema labarai, amma ban fadi inda zai kasance ba," in ji shugaban da dan kadan. murmushi. "Na san akwai jita-jitar cewa zan yi tafiya a asirce zuwa Guam don ganawa da mazauna yankin da jami"an soji da kuma duba gyare-gyaren da ake yi a sansanin sojojin saman Andersen bayan harin da jamhuriyar jama"ar China ta kai a bara. Amma na sami damar yin wannan tafiya mai ban sha'awa, da kuma shawarwari tare da matata Alexa da 'ya'yana, da kuma mataimakin shugaban kasa Paige, wanda, kamar yadda ka sani, gogaggen 'yan saman jannati kanta, ma'aikata na da majalisar ministoci , shugabannin majalisa da kuma likitoci na, na yanke shawarar yin kasada kuma in yi shi. Zan dawo Washington a cikin 'yan sa'o'i kadan a cikin Tsakar dare. Ina godiya ga wadanda na tuntuba da nasiharsu da addu'o'insu da kuma yadda suka rufa min asiri.
    
  "Manufar wannan tafiya mai sauki ce: Ina son Amurka ta koma sararin samaniya," in ji shugaban. "Ayyukanmu a tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa da Armstrong ya yi fice a tsawon shekaru, amma ina son fadada shi. Mista Sheil ya kwatanta sansanonin da ke sararin samaniya da katangar da aka gina a kan iyakar Amurka don taimakawa mazauna ƙaura zuwa yamma, kuma ina ganin wannan babban kwatance ne. Makomar Amurka tana cikin sararin samaniya, kamar yadda fadada soja zuwa yamma a Arewacin Amurka shine mabuɗin makomar Amurka a ƙarni na goma sha takwas, kuma ina son wannan makomar ta fara yanzu. Ina nan, ina magana da ku daga sararin samaniya, don tabbatar da cewa mutumin da yake da ɗan ƙarfin hali da zuciya, da kuma datsa kugu da kyawawan kwayoyin halitta, zai iya shiga sararin samaniya.
    
  "Tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong sansanin soja ne kuma yana bukatar a maye gurbinsa, amma ina son komawar mu sararin samaniya ya wuce na soja kawai - Ina son dawowarmu ta hada da karin binciken kimiyya da masana'antu," - Shugaba Phoenix ya ci gaba. "An yi mini bayani da kuma sake duba tsare-tsare na tsare-tsare masu ban mamaki da masana'antu da ke ci gaba da aiki a cikin sararin duniya da kuma bayan haka, kuma ina roƙon Majalisa da gwamnatin tarayya don tallafawa da taimakawa masana'antu masu zaman kansu aiwatarwa da haɓaka waɗannan sabbin abubuwa masu ban mamaki.
    
  "Alal misali, kamar yadda ka sani, tarkacen sararin samaniya babbar matsala ce ga tauraron dan adam, jirage masu saukar ungulu da kuma "yan sama jannati-ko dan kankanin barbashi da ke tafiya sama da mil dubu goma sha bakwai cikin sa"a na iya gurgunta jirgin ko kuma ya kashe dan sama jannati. Na ga tsare-tsare da kamfanonin Amurka ke yi na shiga wuraren tarkace su yi amfani da robobi don kwaso manyan tarkacen da ke haddasa lalacewa. Har ma na ga tsare-tsare na shirin sake amfani da tarkacen sararin samaniya: za a iya dawo da tauraron dan adam da aka kashe ko suka gaza, da cire man da ba a yi amfani da su ba, an dawo da na"urorin hasken rana da na"urorin lantarki da gyara, da sake caji da sake amfani da batura. Har ma suna magana game da samun wurin sararin samaniya a cikin sararin samaniya wanda zai iya gyara kumbon kumbo da mayar da su aiki - babu buƙatar bata lokaci, makamashi, ma'aikata da dala don dawo da tauraron dan adam a duniya lokacin da akwai ma'aikata a tashar sararin samaniya suna shirye su yi. haka. aiki.
    
  "Waɗannan ayyuka biyu ne kawai daga cikin ayyuka da yawa da na gani, kuma dole ne in gaya muku: bayan taƙaitaccen bayani, musamman ma bayan na zo nan na yi balaguro a sararin samaniya, ina jin kamar ina tsaye a kan layin farawa na babban maci don zuwa. yamma, karbar ragamar mulki Gwamnati tana hannuna, kuma "yan uwa, abokaina da makwabta suna kusa da ni, a shirye suke don fara sabuwar rayuwa da sa ido ga gaba. Na san za a yi hatsari, gazawa, rashin jin daɗi, asara, rauni da mutuwa. Zai kashe kuɗi da yawa, na masu zaman kansu da na jama'a, kuma zan soke, jinkirta, ko yanke wasu shirye-shirye masu yawa don samar da albarkatu don tsarin da nake jin zai kai mu cikin karni na ashirin da biyu. Amma bayan zuwa nan, ganin abin da ake yi, da kuma koyon abin da za a iya yi, na san yana da mahimmanci-a'a, mahimmanci-mu fara nan da nan.
    
  "Don haka jirgina na komawa Washington ya tashi cikin sa"o"i biyu. Ina so in shiga tare da Wakilin Musamman Spellman, duba yadda yake yi, cin abincin rana tare da ma'aikatan da suka sadaukar da su a cikin wannan wurin, bincika yankin wasu don in yi aiki a kan dabarar fashewar sifili, sannan in koma Duniya, amma ni Za a yi farin cikin amsa wasu ƴan tambayoyi daga Ofishin Yaɗa Labarai na Fadar White House a cikin Dakin Tattaunawa na Fadar White House a Washington." Ya kalli Monitor dake gabansa, ya kalli gyale-kwalen da ake yi, da kaduwa da furucin da masu aiko da rahotanni ke yi, dole ya danne murmushi. "Jeffrey Connors daga ABC, me yasa ba za ku fara da mu ba?" Wakilin ya tashi babu kakkautawa. Ya duba bayanansa ya gane cewa bai rubuta komai ba sai tambayoyin da ya dauka zai yi game da Guam. "Jeff?"
    
  "Uh...Malam...Ya Shugaba...yaya...ya kake ji?" A ƙarshe ɗan jaridar ya ce, "Kowane ... duk wani mummunan tasiri daga ƙaddamarwa da rashin nauyi?"
    
  "An yi min wannan tambayar kusan sau dari a cikin sa'o'i biyu da suka gabata," in ji shugaban. "Kowace lokaci nakan ji wani ɗan ruɗewa, kamar ina cikin wani dogon gini, ina kallon tagar, kwatsam sai na ji kamar na faɗo, amma yana tafiya da sauri. Ina jin kaina da kyau. Ina tsammanin sauran sabbin sababbin faɗuwar faɗuwa - sifili nauyi - ba sa yin haka. Sashen Sabis na Asiri na, Wakilin Musamman Spellman, yana cikin marasa lafiya."
    
  "Yi hak'uri yallabai?" - Connors ya tambaya. Abubuwan da suka gigice da rudani na sauran masu aiko da rahotannin nan take suka bace yayin da suke jin wani sabon jini a cikin ruwa. "Shin akwai wakilin Sabis na Sirrin tare da ku?"
    
  "Ee," shugaban ya tabbatar. "Hakika ya zama dole, kuma kewayawar duniya ba ta bambanta ba. Wakili na musamman Charles Spellman ya ba da kansa don ya raka ni wannan tafiya. Wannan ya yi nisa, sama da abin da ake kira aikin."
    
  "Amma ba shi da lafiya?"
    
  "Idan zan iya, Mr. President?" Kai Rhydon ya sa baki. Shugaban ya kada kai ya nuna kyamarar. "Ni Birgediya Janar Kai Rydon mai ritaya ne, tsohon jami"in sojan sararin samaniyar Amurka, kuma a halin yanzu ma"aikaci ne na Sky Masters Aerospace da Daraktan Tasha. Damuwar jirgin sama yana shafar mutane daban-daban. Wasu mutane, kamar Shugaban kasa, suna iya ɗaukar g-forces da rashin nauyi sosai; wasu - babu. Wakilin Musamman Spellman yana cikin kyakkyawan yanayin jiki, daidai da duk wanda ya taɓa tafiya kafin Armstrong, amma jikinsa ya ɗan ɗan yi haƙuri da ƙarfi da jin daɗin da ya samu. Kamar yadda shugaban ya ce, yana samun sauki sosai."
    
  "Shin zai iya jure damuwar komawa duniya?" Inji wani dan jarida.
    
  "Dole ne in koma ga darektan likitanmu, Dr. Miriam Roth," in ji Kai, "amma wakili na musamman Spellman yayi min kyau. Ina ganin zai samu lafiya da dawowar sa bayan ya huta da kuma jinyar rashin lafiyarsa."
    
  "Za a ba shi magani?" - mayar da martani ga wani wakilin. "Ta yaya zai yi aikinsa idan an shayar da shi?"
    
  "Wannan daidaitaccen magani ne da kusan dukkan ma'aikatan tashar ke amfani da su da ke fama da alamun cutar sararin samaniya," in ji Kai. A bayyane yake cewa bai ji daɗi kasancewar duk waɗannan tambayoyin gaggawar wuta ba, maimakon zargi. "Masu amfani da Phenergan na iya ci gaba da yin duk ayyukansu na yau da kullun na ɗan gajeren lokaci."
    
  Yanzu haka masu aiko da rahotanni sun yi gaggawar latsa allunan ko kuma cikin sauri suna rubuta wani abu a cikin littattafansu. Shugaba Phoenix na iya ganin fushin da ke kan fuskar Kai da sauri ya sa baki. "Na gode, Janar Raydon. Yaya game da Margaret Hastings daga NBC?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar.
    
  Fitacciyar "yar jaridar da ta dade a fadar White House ta tashi tsaye, idanunta sun lumshe don haka miliyoyin masu kallon talabijin na Amurka sun gane ta a matsayin tsohuwar "yar jarida da ke shirin nutse mata hannu. "Mai girma shugaban kasa, dole ne in ce, har yanzu ina cikin wani yanayi na kaduwa," in ji ta a cikin fitacciyar lafazin Boston da ba ta taba yin asara ba duk da shekarun da ta yi a New York da Washington. "Ba zan iya fahimtar babban matakin kasadar kasadar da kuka dauka ta hanyar zuwa tashar sararin samaniya ba. Ina kawai asara, ba ni da kalmomi. "
    
  "Miss Hastings, rayuwa tana zuwa da kasada," in ji shugaban. "Kamar yadda na ambata wa Mataimakin Shugaban Kasa Page, na tabbata cewa mutane da yawa suna jin cewa bai kamata shugaban da ke zaune ya fara tafiyarsa ta farko a cikin jirgi ba, motoci, mota ko jirgin sama - cewa yana da haɗari sosai kuma fasahar ta kasance sabo. Bai cancanci hadarin ba, rayuwar shugaban kasa tana cikin hatsarin da ba dole ba. Amma yanzu duk wannan ya zama na yau da kullun. Theodore Roosevelt shine shugaban farko da ya fara tashi a cikin jirgin sama, kasa da shekaru goma bayan Kitty Hawk. Amurkawa sun kwashe kusan shekaru sittin suna shawagi a sararin samaniya."
    
  "Amma wannan ya sha bamban, ya shugaban kasa!" - Hastings ya furta. "Space yana da haɗari marar iyaka fiye da tashi jirgin sama...!"
    
  "Za ku iya cewa a yanzu, Miss Hastings, a cikin shekaru goma na biyu na karni na ashirin da ɗaya, lokacin da jiragen sama ke tafiya sama da shekaru ɗari," in ji shugaban. "Amma a farkon karni na ashirin, na tabbata mutane da yawa sun fahimci cewa tashi ya fi hatsari fiye da hawan keke ko a kan doki, kuma tabbas yana da haɗari ga rayuwar shugaban kasa yayin da zai iya shiga cikin sauƙi. karusa ko jirgin kasa.ko jirgin ruwa. Amma na san cewa tafiye-tafiyen sararin samaniya ya kai matsayin da za mu yi amfani da shi wajen bunkasa kasarmu da bil'adama, kuma hanyar da na zaba na yin hakan ita ce ta wannan tafiya."
    
  "Amma wannan ba aikinka bane, mai girma shugaban kasa," Hastings ta fada cikin fushi, kamar tana karantar da wani karamin yaro. "Aikinku shine ku jagoranci reshen zartarwa na Amurka kuma ku zama jagora na duniya mai "yanci. Wurin da ake yin wannan muhimmin aiki a Washington, DC, yallabai, ba a sararin samaniya ba!"
    
  "Miss Hastings, na shafe shekaru ina kallonki a talabijin," in ji shugaban. "Na ga rahotannin ku daga rikice-rikice, da aka lalatar filayen yaƙi na birane, daga wuraren da ke cike da jini, da wuraren da bala"i ya rutsa da su, inda mahara ke bi ta kan tituna, suna yi muku barazana da ƙungiyar ku. Kuna cewa rahoton daga idon guguwar ya zama dole don aikin ku? Ka fita cikin iska mai tsawon mil dari da ashirin a cikin sa'a ko kuma sanya riga da hular kwano ka shiga tsakiyar kashe gobara saboda wani dalili, kuma ina ganin dalilin shi ne ka ci karo da sakon da kake son isarwa. zuwa ga masu sauraron ku .
    
  "To, ina yin irin wannan abu na zuwa nan," in ji Phoenix. "Na yi imani cewa makomar Amurka tana cikin sararin samaniya, kuma ina so in haskaka hakan ta hanyar karbar gayyatar zuwa nan don yin ta. Ina so in fuskanci yadda ake saka rigar sararin samaniya, in tashi a sararin samaniya, in ji g-forces, in ga duniya daga mil ɗari biyu zuwa sama, in shiga sararin samaniya, kalli wannan mai ban mamaki..."
    
  Girgiza kai da katon gadon da ke cikin dakin manema labarai na fadar White House sun sake barkewa, sai ga "yan jaridun da ke zaune sun yi tsalle sama da kafafuwansu kamar wani dan tsana ya ja su da igiya. "Tafiya zuwa sararin samaniya?" Gaba d'aya suka fad'a kamar a tare. "Shin kun yi tafiya ta sararin samaniya...?"
    
  Shugaban ya ce "Ya dauki tsawon biyu, watakila minti biyu da rabi." "Na bar gidan jirgin, sun dauke ni a kan rufin -"
    
  "Shin kuna cikin kurwar jirgin?" Hastings ta yi ihu.
    
  "Na sami damar zama a cikin jirgin a lokacin jirgin, kuma na yi amfani da shi," in ji shugaban. Nan take ya yanke shawarar kada ya gaya musu cewa shi ne ya yi jirgin. "Mataimakin Shugaban Page ya gaya mani cewa hanyar da suka fara zuwa tashar daga samfuran farko na jirgin shine ta hanyar tafiya ta sararin samaniya. Mun kasance a shirye don wannan, kuma babu wani hatsari a cikinsa fiye da kowane irin kwarewar 'yan sama jannati."
    
  "Amma kai ba dan sama jannati bane, ya shugaban kasa!" Hastings ya sake yin ihu. "Kai ne shugaban Amurka! Ba a biya ku don ɗaukar irin wannan kasada! Da dukkan mutuntawa, mai girma shugaban kasa...Shin gaba daya kai mahaukaci ne? "
    
  Kai Rhydon ta mayar da martani, "Ba shi da hauka, Hastings, ta fusata da fashe-fashenta na rashin sana'a. "Kuma yanzu da yake da ƙarfin hali don shiga sararin samaniya, hakika, ɗan sama jannati ne-la"ananne ne, kamar yadda ya fito. Ya tabbatar da cewa duk wani mai koshin lafiya, mai horarwa, mai daidaitawa zai iya zama dan sama jannati idan ya ga dama, ba tare da horar da jiki na tsawon shekaru ba ko horar da kimiyya ko aikin injiniya."
    
  Bedlam yayi kamar ya sauk'e, kaman raydon malamin sakandire ne yace ajinsa su nutsu su hau aiki, amma shugaban kasa yana ganin gungun 'yan jarida sun fusata sosai kuma a shirye yake ya kira ranar. "Akwai wasu tambayoyi?" Ya tambaya.
    
  Wani shahararren mai gabatar da shirye-shiryen talabijin, zaune a layin gaba, ya tashi tsaye. "Mai girma shugaban kasa, waɗannan shawarwarin masana'antar sararin samaniya suna da ban sha'awa, amma kuma suna da tsada, saboda na tabbata duk abin da ya shafi sararin samaniya zai iya zama kamar. Kuna yin kamfen don alhakin kasafin kuɗi sama da shekara guda kuma kuna biyan kowane sabon shirin gwamnati. Ta yaya kuke ba da shawarar biyan duk wannan? Kun ce za ku soke, jinkirta ko yanke wasu shirye-shirye. Wanne ne ainihin?"
    
  "Na shirya shirya shirye-shiryen da na yi imanin suna da tsada, marasa amfani, masu kumburi, dadewa da almubazzaranci, Mista Wells," in ji shugaban. "Ina da dogon jerin shawarwari da zan gabatar wa shugabannin Majalisa. Rukuni guda uku da ke kunshe da kashi tamanin na kasafin kudin kasa - fa"ida, tsaro, da kashe kudaden da ake kashewa - duk suna bukatar nazari. Zamanantar da tsaron al'ummarmu da kuma shirye-shiryen tunkarar kalubalen karni na ashirin da biyu shi ne babban fifikona."
    
  "Don haka za ku gina makaman sararin samaniya yayin da kuke yanke Tsaron Jama'a, Medicare, Medicaid da Dokar Kulawa mai araha?" - ya tambayi wakilin.
    
  "Ina so in daina ƙara sabbin shirye-shiryen haƙƙin gwamnati, kuma ina so in ga gyare-gyare na gaske ga duk shirye-shiryen haƙƙin don su tsira a cikin karni," in ji shugaban. "Ina tsammanin za mu iya samun nasarar tanadin farashi idan muka yi gyare-gyare na gaske da za mu iya amfani da su don sabunta tsaro. Haka za a iya fada game da sojojin da kansu. Misali ɗaya zai zama gagarumin raguwar makaman nukiliya a cikin makaman Amurka." Yana iya ganin wani motsin latsawa da rubutu yayin da masu rikodin dijital suka matsa kusa da lasifikan da aka saita a cikin dakin taron manema labarai. "Zan ba da shawarar cewa za mu rage yawan makaman nukiliya a faɗakarwa daga matakin na yanzu na kusan ɗari bakwai zuwa kusan ɗari uku."
    
  Murna a dakin taron manema labarai ya sake tashi. "Amma, mai girma shugaban kasa, kar ka yi tunanin cewa idan aka yi la"akari da abin da ya faru a tekun kudancin kasar Sin da yammacin tekun Pasifik, kasar Sin ta tayar da wani zurfin binciken makamin nukiliya, ta bude wuta kan jiragen ruwa, ta harbo jirginmu, ta kuma kai hari a Guam, ba tare da ma maganar na Rasha ba. sake dawowar soja, yanzu shine cikakken lokacin da ba daidai ba ne don rage hana mu makaman nukiliya? "
    
  "Ka amsa tambayarka, Mista Wells," in ji shugaban. "A halin yanzu muna da makaman nukiliya kusan dari bakwai a shirye su kai farmaki cikin sa'o'i, amma menene ainihin suka hana? Rasha, China da sauran kasashe sun mayar da martani ta hanyar kara karfi da karfin gwiwa. Kuma da muka buge, wadanne makamai muka yi amfani da su wajen hana su? An harba manyan makamai masu linzami da ba na nukiliya ba daga jiragen sama da na sama.
    
  "Ina jin cewa hana makaman nukiliya bai dace ba kuma dole ne a rage shi sosai," in ji shugaban. "Rashawa sun kula da yawancin raguwa a lokacin Holocaust na Amurka, tare da, ba shakka, mummunan asarar rayukan Amurkawa. Amma an yi ta magana game da maye gurbin maharin da jirgin ICBM, kuma ba zan goyi bayan hakan ba. Ina ba da shawarar cewa jiragen ruwa na nukiliya na dabarun nukiliya su zama kawai karfi a kan faɗakarwar nukiliya na dindindin, kuma za a rage shi don kawai jiragen ruwa na makami mai linzami na nukiliya guda hudu suna kan faɗakarwa, biyu a cikin Pacific da biyu a cikin Atlantic , kuma hudu sun kasance a shirye. don tafiya teku cikin gaggawa. Sanarwa. Dakarun dabarun yaki da dama da aka tura kan kasa da teku za su kasance a shirye don kawo rundunar zuwa yanayin shirin nukiliya cikin kwanaki idan ya cancanta."
    
  A gigice, kalamai masu ban sha'awa sun sake bayyana a fuskokin manema labarai - 'yan jaridar da ba sa mayar da martani ga editocinsu a kan na'urorin hannu sun yi tsokaci mai ban mamaki ga abokan aikinsu, matakin hayaniyar ya karu da sauri. Shugaban ya san cewa wannan taron manema labarai ya kusan ƙarewa, amma yana da wasu ƴan abubuwan da za su karya: "Ba duk yankewar za ta kasance da alaƙa da tsaro ba, amma yawancin za su kasance," in ji shi. "Ina ba da shawarar rage sojojin da na Marine Corps da na"urorin makamai kamar tankunan yaki da manyan bindigogi, a rage yawan kungiyoyin dakon kaya zuwa takwas, da kuma soke siyan jiragen ruwa a nan gaba irin su Littoral Combat Ship da jiragen sama kamar F-fighter. -Bam. 35 Walƙiya.
    
  "Amma, mai girma shugaban kasa, kana jin kamar kana yiwa sojoji zagon kasa a daidai lokacin da ya kamata mu shirya sojoji don tunkarar abokan gaba kamar China da Rasha, wadanda dukkansu suka kai mana hari a 'yan shekarun nan?" - ya tambayi wakilin. "Shin za ku maye gurbin waɗannan tsarin makaman da aka soke da wani abu dabam?"
    
  "Eh, a cikin muhimman abubuwa biyu na tsaron kasa na ƙarni na ashirin da ɗaya da ashirin da biyu: sararin samaniya da sararin samaniya," in ji shugaban. "Zan ba da shawarar cewa za a tura yawancin sojojin Amurka masu cin zarafi daga sararin samaniya ko duniya, kuma yawancin tsarin sojan mu za a tura su daga sararin samaniya. Dole ne Amurka ta mamaye bangarorin biyu, kuma zan tabbatar da cewa Amurka ta yi haka. Idan ba mu magance wannan ba, za mu yi hasara cikin sauri kuma babu makawa, kuma hakan ba zai faru ba yayin da nake kan aiki. Amurka za ta mamaye sararin samaniya da sararin samaniya, kamar yadda muka taba mamaye tekunan duniya. Wannan shine manufata, kuma zan sa ran Majalisa da jama'ar Amurka za su goyi bayana. Akwai wasu tambayoyi gareni?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai, ina da da yawa," in ji Margaret Hastings. "Me kuke nufi da 'mamaye' a sararin samaniya da sararin samaniya? Ta yaya za ku mallake su?"
    
  "Na farko: daina jure wa ayyukan da aka yi a cikin shekaru da yawa da suka gabata kuma waɗanda kusan ana ɗaukarsu wani ɓangare na farashin yin kasuwanci," in ji Phoenix. "Alal misali, an gaya mini cewa kamfanonin Amurka, hukumomin gwamnati da kwamfutoci na soja suna gano kutse da kai-tsaye daga gwamnatocin duniya a kullum, ko dai wata kungiya ce ke daukar nauyinsu ko kuma ta kai tsaye daga gwamnati. Ba za a iya jurewa wannan ba. Za a kula da harin kwamfuta kamar kowane harin. Amurka za ta mayar da martani yadda ya kamata kan duk wani hari ta yanar gizo.
    
  "An kuma gaya min cewa ana kai wa tauraron dan adam leken asiri na Amurka hari da na"urar lesar don makanta ko lalata abubuwan gani; cewa ana sanya tauraron dan adam jammer a cikin kewayawa kusa da tauraron dan adam don dakile ayyukansu; da kuma cewa siginar GPS na Amurka suna cunkushe akai-akai. An gaya mini cewa ƙasashe da yawa suna kai hari ga wannan tashar kullun tare da lasers, microwaves da sauran nau'ikan makamashi na lantarki don ƙoƙarin lalata ko rushe aiki a nan. Ba za a iya jurewa wannan ba. Duk irin wannan harin za a magance shi yadda ya kamata. Za mu sa ido sosai kan zagayowar duniya ga duk wata alama ta yuwuwar kutsawa ko farmaki daga kowace al'umma ko kungiya. Tauraron dan Adam na Amurka da ke kewayawa, da kuma sararin samaniyar kansa, yanki ne na Amurka, kuma za mu kare shi kamar sauran albarkatun Amurka."
    
  "Yi hakuri, yallabai," in ji Hastings, "amma kawai ka ce kana ganin kewayar kasa da kasa mallakar Amurka ce? Kuna cewa babu wata al"umma da za ta iya saka jirgin sama a sararin samaniya idan har Amurka ta riga ta mallaki tauraron dan adam a cikin wannan kewayawa?"
    
  "Hakanan shine abin da nake fada, Miss Hastings," in ji Phoenix. "Dabarun da aka saba kai wa kadarorin sararin samaniyar Amurka hari ita ce harba makamin da ke hana tauraron dan adam zuwa sararin samaniya guda, a bi shi da kuma lalata shi cikin kewayo. A haka ne Rashawa suka lalata garejin mu na Kingfisher, tare da kashe shi da makamin makamashi, wanda yayi sanadiyar mutuwar wani dan sama jannatin Amurka. Duk wani jirgin da aka harba zuwa sararin samaniya iri daya da tauraron dan adam na Amurka, za a yi la'akari da shi a matsayin mummunan aiki kuma za a dauki shi a matsayin haka."
    
  Bedlam wanda ya kasance yana girma kuma yana barazanar fita daga cikin ikonsa a cikin dakin taron manema labarai na Fadar White House bai ragu ba a wannan lokacin, kuma Shugaban ya san cewa watakila ba zai daɗe ba. "Na gode, 'yan uwa maza da mata, na gode," in ji shugaban, ya yi watsi da hannayen da aka ɗaga da su da ihu. "Ina tsammanin lokaci ya yi da za mu ci abinci tare da 'yan sama jannatin da ke cikin tashar..." Ya juya ga Raydon, ya yi murmushi ya kara da cewa, "... 'yan uwana 'yan sama jannati, kuma ku shirya komawa Washington. Barka da dare daga tashar sararin samaniya Armstrong, kuma Allah ya albarkaci Amurka." Yaga hayaniya sosai akan ma'ajiyar har yana shakkar ko akwai wanda ya ji siginarsa sarai.
    
  "Kyakkyawan magana da amsa masu kyau ga tambayoyi, Mista Shugaban kasa," in ji mataimakiyar shugaban kasa Anne Page bayan da hotonta ya sake bayyana akan na'urar lura da tashar darektan a cikin tsarin umarni. "Yawancin tsaffin "yan sama jannatin na fuskantar matsala wajen gudanar da taron manema labarai a duniya, balle ma "yan mintoci kadan bayan tashinsu na farko zuwa sararin samaniya. Ban fitar da wani cikakken bayani game da sake tsarin soja kamar yadda kuka nema ba, don haka kowa a duniya ya samu gaba daya. Ko a yanzu wayoyin suna kara ba kakkautawa. Shin za ku amsa wani kira zuwa tashar?"
    
  Phoenix yayi tunani na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya girgiza kai. "Zan kira Alexa, sa'an nan kuma zan sadu da ma'aikatan tashar sararin samaniya, gwada abincin su, duba matalauta Charlie Spellman, bincika tashar ta dan kadan, kuma in shirya don dawowa. Mun yi magana kan amsa wasu "yan tambayoyi da muke sa ran "yan jarida da shugabannin kasashe za su yi, kuma zan bar ku ku yi wa wadannan tambayoyi har sai na dawo na duba takardun. Abu na ƙarshe da nake so in yi shi ne na shafe sa'o'i biyu na ƙarshe a tashar ina magana ta waya."
    
  "Ina jinka, yallabai," in ji Anne. "Zan amsa kiraye-kirayen shugabannin kasashe, sai kuma na yau da kullun. Kuna son shi a can. Babu sauran zirga-zirgar sararin samaniya, lafiya yallabai? Ku bi ta hanyar jirgin ruwa kamar sauran mu, matafiya masu sauƙi a sararin samaniya. "
    
  "Idan ka nace, Miss Mataimakin Shugaban kasa," in ji Shugaba Phoenix da murmushi. "Idan ka nace."
    
    
  UKU
    
    
  Hasashen muguntar da ke gabatowa kawai ya sanya mutane da yawa cikin yanayi mai tsananin hatsari.
    
  - MARCUS ANNEAS LUCANUS
    
    
    
  HOTEL WATERGATE
  WASHINGTON, DC
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  "Tabbas na gani!" Tsohuwar "yar majalisar dattawan Amurka, shugabar masu rinjaye a majalisar dattawa kuma sakatariyar harkokin wajen Amurka Stacy Ann Barbeau ta yi ta murna ta wayar tarho, tana kallon wani babban gidan talabijin da ke dakinta na otal. "Kawo manyan ma'aikatan nan yanzu!"
    
  Ko da yake tana cikin shekarunta sittin, Stacy Ann Barbeau har yanzu kyakkyawar mace ce, mai kuzari, ƙwararriyar mace kuma ƙwararriyar siyasa. Amma wadanda suka sani sun san cewa Barbeau ba mai dadi ba ce ta Louisiana magnolia-ta kasance Venus flytrap, ta yin amfani da kyawunta da kyawawan kudancinta don kwance damarar maza da mata, ta tilasta musu su runtse tsaron su kuma su mika wuya ga sha'awarta, da son rai ta shiga tsakanin Ruby nata - jajayen lebe. Duk duniya ta san tsawon shekaru goma cewa tana da burin zama shugaban kasa, kuma a yanzu waɗannan buƙatun sun juya zuwa wani kamfen mai ƙarfi, mai samun kuɗaɗe mai kyau wanda ya ci gaba da yin nasara kaɗan amma daidaitacce a fafatawa da shugaba mai ci Kenneth Phoenix...
    
  ... tseren da wannan taron manema labarai na bazata ya girgiza daga sararin samaniya.
    
  Hedkwatar kamfen na Barbeau a Washington ta mamaye dukkan bene na Otal ɗin Watergate da ginin ofis. Ta dawo dakinta na otal daga cin abinci na tara kudi sannan ta kunna labarai don kallon taron manema labarai, cike da kuzari da jin dadi game da wani aikin nasara. Yanzu ta tsaya a gigice, tana sauraron masu sharhi da suka cika da mamaki suna ƙoƙarin fahimtar abin da suka gani yanzu: Shugaban Amurka yana magana da duniya daga kewayawa duniya.
    
  Luke Cohen, manajan yakin neman zaben Barbeau kuma babban mai ba da shawara, shine farkon wanda ya shiga dakin otal din ta. "Dole ne a yi karya ko CGI'd," in ji shi cikin numfashi. Cohen, doguwa, siririya, kyakkyawa New Yorker, ita ce shugabar ma'aikatan Barbeau a shekarunta na shugabar masu rinjaye na Majalisar Dattawa da sakatariyar harkokin waje. "Babu wani shugaban Amurka da zai yi wauta da zai shiga sararin samaniya, musamman watanni shida kafin zabe!"
    
  "A yi shiru, ina saurare," in ji Barbeau. Cohen ya juya don amsa wayarsa yayin da take sauraron sharhin.
    
  "CNN," in ji Cohen yayin dakatawar na gaba. "Suna son minti biyar."
    
  "Suna iya ɗaukar biyu," in ji Barbeau. Mataimakin, wanda aikinsa kawai shine rubuta duk wata kalma da ta fito daga bakin Barbeau, ya fashe cikin dakin da kwamfutar hannu a shirye. "Wannan shi ne mafi girman kai, mai ban sha'awa, haɗari da rashin gaskiya a shekarar zaɓen da na taɓa gani cikin shekaru talatin na aiki a Washington," in ji ta tana faɗin. "Shugaba Phoenix yana yin haɗari ga amincin al'umma da kuma duniyar 'yanci tare da ayyukansa na rashin kulawa. Ina matukar tambayar hukuncinsa, kamar yadda duk Amurkawa suke yi. Don amfanin al"umma, da zarar ya dawo, dole ne a yi masa gwaje-gwajen likita da na tunani, don tabbatar da cewa ba a yi masa wata illa ta tafiye-tafiye a sararin samaniya ba, idan kuma aka samu, sai ya yi murabus nan take. na post dinsa." Mataimakin ya danna maballin kuma an aika da kalmomin zuwa ga babban marubucin magana na Barbeau, wanda zai shirya mata abubuwan tattaunawa da yakin cikin mintuna.
    
  Barbeau ya ci gaba da cewa "Luka, ya nada wani mai bincike don gano alamun kowace cuta da aka sani ko bala'in da 'yan sama jannati za su iya fama da su," in ji Barbeau. wadannan alamomin." Nan da nan Cohen ya fitar da wayarsa ya ba da umarni. "To, me kuke ganin ra'ayin zai kasance?"
    
  "Na yarda da batunku, Madam Sakatariya," in ji Cohen. "Da farko, ina ganin mafi yawan masu kada kuri"a za su yi tunanin abu ne mai dadi da ban sha"awa cewa shugaban kasa ya shiga sararin samaniya ya yi tattaki a sararin samaniya ya yi magana a kan bajintarsa da sauransu. Amma ba da daɗewa ba bayan haka, wataƙila a lokacin da za a fara tattauna batun safiya kuma mutane suka fara koyan haɗari da haɗari, za su iya tambayar hukuncinsa da kuma ikonsa na yin aiki. Matsi na yin murabus na iya zama mai tsanani."
    
  Barbeau ya ce "Idan yana tunanin zai fara tara sojoji don biyan kyawawan makamansa na sararin samaniya da yakin yanar gizo, ya yi kuskure sosai," in ji Barbeau. "Cire ƙungiyoyin yaƙi masu ɗaukar kaya biyu? Sai a kan gawa na. Ina so in ƙirƙiri ƙarin ƙungiyoyin yaƙi masu ɗaukar kaya, ba lalata su ba! Ina so in ziyarci wuraren jirage na jiragen ruwa, kungiyoyin sojan ruwa, sansanonin jiragen sama da kuma kungiyoyin tsoffin sojoji da kuma yin magana kan irin tasirin da kawar da kungiyoyin yakin dako guda biyu zai yi kan tattalin arziki da kuma tsaron kasa. Rage ikon hana makaman nukiliya da rabi? Yanke tankuna da mayaka? Wataƙila ya rigaya yana fama da wani irin ciwon sararin samaniya. Kawai ya kashe kansa a siyasance. Zan tabbatar ya biya kudin wannan dabarar."
    
  "Ba zan iya yarda ya fara magana game da sake fasalin cancanta ba," in ji Cohen. "Yana da kyau a yi haka kafin babban taron idan kuna cikin tseren firamare, amma ya riga ya sami nadin. Babu wanda ke kalubalantarsa."
    
  "Shi ma zai yi nadamar hakan," Barbeau ya ce cikin tsanaki. "Bincika nawa daya daga cikin wadannan jiragen sama da wannan tashar ta sararin samaniya, sannan a gano mutane nawa ne za su yi kasala idan kowa ya rasa ko da kashi goma na fa"idarsa wajen biyan kudin jirgin wanda kashi casa"in da tara da goma na kashi daya cikin dari na Amurkawa. ba zai taba gani ba, balle ma jirgin. Ku nemo kudin da aka kashe wajen tashi da jakinsa baya da baya, sannan a lissafta yawan ilimi, ababen more rayuwa da binciken likitanci da za mu iya yi idan ba don ziyarar shugaban kasa ba."
    
  Stacy Ann Barbeau ta taka zuwa ga katon madubin da ke dakinta kuma ta duba kayan kwalliyarta. "Kana tunanin ka kafa tarihi yau, ya shugaban kasa?" - Ta ce. "Kana tunanin kai babban jarumin sama jannati ne? Kun tafka babban kuskure a harkar siyasar ku, buster, kuma zai jawo muku hasara mai yawa. Zan kula da shi." Ta kalli Cohen ta madubi. "Luka, ka tabbata daya daga cikin masu gyaran fuska ya shirya min kuma a shirye shirye-shiryen TV dina don watsa shirye-shirye, kuma ka gaya wa CNN zan shirya cikin biyar."
    
    
  KREMLIN, MOSCOW
  TARAYYAR RUSIYA
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  "Gaskiya mutumin ya haukace! Wannan mutumin ya haukace!" Shugaban kasar Rasha Gennady Gryzlov ya yi ta ihu a gaban talabijin a ofishinsa da ke fadar Kremlin. "Phoenix yana tunanin zai sarrafa dukkan sararin samaniya? Da sannu zai gane kuskurensa!"
    
  Gennady Gryzlov yana da shekaru arba'in ne kawai, ɗan tsohon shugaban ƙasar Anatoly Gryzlov, kuma aikinsa ya yi kama da na mahaifinsa. Gennady Gryzlov ya kammala karatunsa ne a makarantar horar da sojojin sama ta Yuri Gagarin sannan ya kammala horon jirgin sama na asali a Baronovsky Air Base da ke Armavir da kuma horar da jiragen bama-bamai a filin jirgin sama na Engels da ke kudu maso yammacin Rasha kafin a zabe shi zuwa makarantar kwamanda a birnin Moscow bayan shekaru biyu kacal. Ba abin da ya ke so face ya bi sawun mahaifinsa abin kauna, kuma ya kuduri aniyar yin hakan ba tare da ginshikin gwamnatin iyalinsa da hadin gwiwar masana'antar man fetur ba.
    
  Amma jim kadan bayan kammala karatunsa daga makarantar umarni a Moscow, amma kafin ya koma Engels Air Base don daukar kwamandan runduna ta 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Regiment, wani bangare na Tupolev-160 Blackjack supersonic bombers, wani lamari ya faru da zai canza rayuwarsa har abada: Engels. Wani Ba"amurke mai suna EB-1C Vampire da bama-bamai mara matuki ya kai wa sansanin Sojan Sama hari, wani Bom B-1 Lancer supersonic da aka gyara sosai wanda ya lalata dimbin "yan ta"addar Rasha da ke jiran umarnin tashi da lalata wani gida na "yan ta"adda a Turkmenistan. An kashe daruruwa a harin da aka kai ta sama, da suka hada da makusantan Gryzlov da abokan aikin jirgin. Mahaifi da ɗansa sun yi baƙin ciki kuma sun shafe fiye da wata guda suna halartar jana'izar da taron tunawa da kuma tsara yadda za a sake gina sansanin da masu tayar da bama-bamai.
    
  Ba a taba bayyana a hukumance ba, amma dattijon Gryzlov ya gaya wa dansa wanda ya yi imanin yana shirin kai harin ta sama: Janar Janar na Sojan saman Amurka Patrick McLanahan, yana aiki ba tare da umarni ko izini daga Fadar White House ko Pentagon ba. Dukkan mutanen biyu sun mai da bakin cikinsu na halaka zuwa farin-cikin sha'awar daukar fansa a kan McLaanahan.
    
  Tare da lalata Engels Air Base, Gennady ya juya hankalinsa daga mai tashi bama-bamai, kuma tare da taimakon mahaifinsa, ya shiga Kwalejin Sararin Samaniya ta Alexander Mozhaisky a St. Birnin Star. Amma kuma karatunsa a can ya katse. Wasu 'yan kunar bakin wake na Amurka sun kai hari kan batir anti-jirgin sama na Rasha a Turkmenistan...
    
  ...kuma, kamar yadda ya fito fili, Manjo Janar Patrick McLanahan ne ya shirya kuma ya ba da umarnin kai farmakin, kuma ba tare da cikakken iko daga manyan hafsoshinsa ba.
    
  Gennady ya san cewa wannan farmakin ya ture mahaifinsa. Shugaba Gryzlov ya kira dukkan ma'aikatan jirgin da ke dauke da bam din ya kuma tura su sansanin jiragen sama na Belaya da ke Siberiya domin samun horo. Gennady ya sami damar yin amfani da tasirin mahaifinsa don ci gaba da zama a Mozhaisk, amma ya sa ido sosai kan ayyukan manyan jiragen sama masu dogon zango a Belaya da sauran sansanonin kamar Irkutsk, Aginskoye da Yakutsk, gami da Tu-22 Backfires mai santsi, dogara turboprop Bears "Tu-95, supersonic Tu-160 Blackjacks da Ilyushin-62 iska tankers." Gennady ta san cewa wani babban abu yana shirin faruwa.
    
  A karshen lokacin rani na 2004 wannan ya faru. Tawagar jiragen Rasha masu cin dogon zango sun kai hari kan wuraren tsaron jiragen saman Amurka da na'urorin radar gargadin farko a Alaska da Canada da makami mai linzami samfurin AS-17 Krypton da kuma makami mai linzami samfurin AS-16 Otkat, sannan suka harba makamai masu linzami na AS-17 masu cin dogon zango. X-19 Koala tare da ƙananan makamai masu linzami na nukiliya a cibiyoyin harba makami mai linzami na ballistic da ke tsakanin nahiyoyi, sansanonin bama-bamai da sansanonin umarni da sarrafawa a Amurka. Amurka ta yi asarar kusan dukkanin sojojinta na kera makami mai linzami da ke kasa, wani muhimmin kaso na jiragenta masu sarrafa bama-bamai, da dubun dubatar jami'an soji, 'yan uwa, da fararen hula a cikin kiftawar ido.
    
  Ba da daɗewa ba ya zama sananne da "Holocaust na Amirka."
    
  Gennady ya yi farin ciki da farin ciki da jarumtakar abokan aikinsa masu tayar da bama-bamai, wadanda da yawa daga cikinsu sun mutu a Amurka da Kanada, kuma ya yi alfahari da mahaifinsa a karshe ya kai wa Amurkawa hari. Ya yi fatan McLahanan yana ƙarƙashin ɗaya daga cikin waɗannan makaman nukiliya. A halin da ake ciki, an soke duk wani horo a Mozhaisk kuma an umurci Gennady da ya kai rahoto zuwa Aginskoye Air Base a kudancin Rasha don samar da wani sabon tsarin bama-bamai, inda za a yi amfani da sababbin bama-bamai na Tu-160 Blackjack, wanda ke yin gyare-gyare da kuma komawa ga sabis. aika. Rasha ta fara matsawa zuwa dokar soja, kuma Gennady ya yi farin ciki da cewa ba zai kasance yana rataye a makaranta ba yayin da wasu jajirtattun ma'aikatan jirgin ruwa na Rasha suka fafata da Amurkawa.
    
  Da kyar aka fara shirye-shiryen yaki da Amurka lokacin da abin da ba a zata ba ya faru. Wasu "yan tsiraru na kwamandojin Amurka sun mamaye sansanin sojin saman Yakutsk da ke Siberiya, inda Amurka ta fara shawagi da jiragen ruwan bama-bamai masu cin dogon zango da tankokin yaki daga sansanin. Kwanaki, wasu bama-bamai na Amurka sun mamaye yawancin kasar Rasha daga Yakutsk, suna farauta tare da lalata na'urorin harba na'urorin harba na ICBM na Rasha da kuma cibiyoyin sarrafa harba karkashin kasa tare da madaidaitan makamai masu linzami da bama-bamai masu shiga kasa.
    
  Gennady bai yi mamakin sanin cewa ba kowa ne ya umurci sojojin da suka kai harin ba sai Patrick McLaanahan.
    
  An tilastawa shugaba Anatoly Gryzlov yanke hukunci mai tsauri: ruguza Yakutsk kafin sojojin ruwan Amurka su lalata karfin makami mai linzami na tafi da gidanka, kashin bayan dabarar Rasha. Ya umurci masu tayar da bama-bamai da su harba makami mai linzami samfurin AS-X-19 Koala mai dauke da makami mai linzami a sansanin da Amurka ta mamaye, ba tare da gargadin cewa har yanzu Rashan na ci gaba da tsare a can ba. Duk da cewa mafi yawan makaman linzamin da Amurka ta harbo daga iska zuwa iska da kuma na"urar Laser na zamani da wasu "yan bama-bamai na B-52 suka yi amfani da su, wasu "yan kalilan ne suka yi nasarar afkawa sansanin, inda suka kashe daruruwan mutane, "yan Rasha da Amurkawa ba su yi sa"a ba. da kagaran matsuguni na karkashin kasa
    
  Gennady ya ji tausayin mahaifinsa, wanda aka tilasta masa yanke hukunci mai muni kuma ya kashe Rashawa don hana lalata manyan makamai na ICBM na kasar. Ya so sosai ya kasance tare da mahaifinsa kuma ya ba shi goyon baya na ɗabi'a, amma dattijon Gryzlov ba shakka ya kasance lafiya a ɗaya daga cikin fiye da dozin madadin cibiyoyin umarni a yammacin da tsakiyar Rasha. Babban abin da ya fi damun Gennady a yanzu shi ne sansaninsa da rundunarsa, kuma ya umurci duk wasu ma'aikatan da ba su da mahimmanci da su fake da fargabar harin Amurka da kuma hanzarta shirye-shiryen masu tayar da bama-bamai na Blackjack da ake fatan za su iso nan ba da jimawa ba.
    
  Gennady ya nutse a cikin tsara tsarin mulkinsa da kuma tsara ayyukansu lokacin da washegari ya sami labari mai ban tsoro: wani rukunin bama-bamai na Amurka, wanda ya ƙunshi gyare-gyaren bama-bamai B-1 da B-52, sun shiga cikin hadaddun cibiyar tsaro ta iska a yammacin Rasha. sun kai hari a cibiyar kwamandojin soji na Ryazan, mai tazarar mil 120 kudu maso gabashin Moscow. Barnar ta cika ... kuma mahaifin Gennady, tsakiyar sararin samaniya, mutumin da ya fi so ya yi koyi, an hura shi zuwa ƙura. Nan da nan ya shirya komawa Moscow don kasancewa tare da mahaifiyarsa da danginsa, amma kafin ya bar Aginskoye ya sami labarin cewa mahaifiyarsa, bayan jin labarin mijinta, ta kashe kanta saboda yawan maganin barci ...
    
  ... kuma, kuma, ya sake samun labarin cewa kwamandan rundunar 'yan kunar bakin wake da ta kashe mahaifinsa, don haka mahaifiyarsa, ita ce Janar Patrick McLanahan. An kara wa matukin dan damfarar dan kasar Amurka karin girma zuwa Laftanar Janar jim kadan bayan harin kuma ya nada mai ba da shawara na musamman ga sabon/tsohon shugaban Amurka, Kevin Martindale, wanda ke da alhakin sake gina Rundunar Yajin Doguwa.
    
  Bayan wannan rana, Gennady Gryzlov ya koma wani daban-daban mutum. Ya yi murabus ya bar aikin soja. Ya kasance yana da ƙarfin kuzari sosai, amma yanzu halinsa ya zama kamar na dervish. Ya karbe ragamar kula da kamfanonin mai da iskar gas da kuma man fetur na iyalinsa ya sanya su da kyau a lokacin da farashin mai ya fara tashin gwauron zabi a karshen shekaru goma na farko na karni na ashirin da daya, kuma ya zama daya daga cikin attajirai a kasashen yammacin duniya. Ya ci gaba da zama dalibi kuma ya zama daya daga cikin fitattun "yan wasan kwaikwayo da aka fi sani da su a duniya, mata da maza masu arziki ne ke binsu a ko"ina. Ya mayar da dukiyarsa, shahararsa da kyawunsa zuwa babban birnin siyasa, kuma cikin gaggawa aka nada shi ministan makamashi da masana'antu da mataimakin firaministan kasar Rasha, sannan kuma ya zama firaministan kasar Duma, duk da cewa bai taba yin aiki a majalisar dokoki ba, yana da burin samun babban mukami. Daga baya ya tsaya takarar shugaban kasa kuma sama da kashi 80 na masu kada kuri"a ne suka zabe shi a zaben 2014.
    
  Amma a yanzu fuskar saurayi dogo, kyakykyawan saurayi, babu shakka fuskar namiji da aka fi daukar hoto a doron kasa, ta rikice da cakudewar rashin imani, fushi da azama. Sergei Tarzarov, shugaban gwamnatin shugaban kasa, ya shiga ofishin Gryzlov lokacin da ya ji kukan shugaban. "Samu Sokolov da Khristenko nan don yin kira sau biyu," Gryzlov ya yi wa shugaban ma'aikatansa tsawa, dogayen sumar sa mai duhu yana gudana a kansa yayin da yake zagaya ofishinsa. "Ina son wasu amsoshi, kuma ina son su yanzu!"
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji Tarzarov kuma ya ɗauki wayar a ofishin shugaban. Tarzarov ya kasance kusan tsarar da ya girmi Gryzlov, mutum ne mai sirara kuma ba shi da ban mamaki sanye da kaya mai launin ruwan kasa mai sauki, amma kowa da kowa a fadar Kremlin ya san cewa tsohon jami'in leken asiri da ministan cikin gida ne ke da karfin shugabancin kasar, kuma ya kasance tun lokacin da mahaifinsa ya karbi mulki. Gennady. "Sun ga watsa shirye-shiryen kuma suna kan hanyarsu, yallabai," in ji shi bayan 'yan mintuna kaɗan.
    
  "Hakika, wannan smug, preening, jahilci bastard - Zan nuna masa yadda za a yi wata sanarwa ga duniya," Gryzlov ya fashe. "Wannan ba komai ba ne illa na shekarar zabe. Ina fatan ya buge a fuskarsa! Ina fatan kwallon wuta ta kashe shi bayan dawowar sa. Sa'an nan gwamnatin Amurka za ta kasance cikin wani yanayi na rudani!"
    
  "Ina karɓar bayanai daga Ma'aikatar Tsaro," Tarzarov ya ruwaito bayan ya duba kwamfutar kwamfutar hannu. "Ministan Sokolov ya ba da umarnin sabunta sojojin mu na kai hare-hare a sararin samaniya da na tsaro, da kuma sojojin kasa da na sama da na ruwa da ke tallafawa ayyukan sararin samaniya. Shi da Janar Khristenko za su sanar da ku da zarar sun isa."
    
  "Me yasa jahannama ba mu san cewa Phoenix zai je wannan tashar sararin samaniya ba?" - Gryzlov ya yi ihu. "Mun san abin da dan iska yake yi kusan kafin ya san shi, kuma muna da kayan aiki, na'urorin saurare, kyamarori da masu ba da labari a duk faɗin Washington. Gayyato Kazyanov a nan kuma. A"a, ku tattara duk majalisar tsaro nan." Tarzarov ya sake kiran wayar tarho kuma ya ba da rahoton cewa Viktor Kazyanov, ministan tsaro na kasar, babban jami'in leken asiri da kuma yaki da leken asiri na Rasha, shi ma yana kan hanyarsa ta zuwa ofishin shugaban kasar.
    
  Ministan tsaro Gregor Sokolov ya ce, "Mai girma shugaban kasa, dole ne Phoenix ya zama mahaukaci gaba daya don cire irin wannan matakin," in ji Ministan Tsaro Gregor Sokolov, da sauri ya shiga ofishin shugaban bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan. "Idan bai lalace ba kafin ya tashi, hasken sararin samaniya da rashin iskar oxygen za su same shi - idan da gaske ya yi duk abin da ya yi iƙirarin yi, kuma ba duka ba ne na zaɓe na shekara-shekara - to, Amurkawa. Shirin sararin samaniya zai zama mutuwa fiye da yadda ta kasance bayan hadarin jirgin sama na Challenger."
    
  "Yi shiru, Sokolov," in ji Gryzlov. "Gaskiya shi ne ya yi shi kuma ina so in san ta yaya, ina so in san dalilin da ya sa ban sani ba, kuma ina so in san abin da za mu iya yi idan ya fara yin duk abin da ya ce ya yi." zai yi - kuma ina so in san shi a yanzu!"
    
  Tarzarov ya haura zuwa Gryzlov, ya juya baya ga sauran mutanen da ke cikin dakin kuma ya ce cikin taushin murya: "Abin da ya saba yi ne idan ba ni da kowa a dakin, Gennady, amma lokacin da jami"an tsaron kasar suka isa, kai ya kamata ki kwantar da hankalinki." Gryzlov ya kai ga shugaban ma'aikatan, idanunsa sun yi hasashe, amma lokacin da fuskarsa ta baci ta gamu da tsayuwar Tarzarov, yana kallon gargadi, sai ya saki jiki ya yi sallama. "Kuma kada ku sanya ra'ayoyinku na sirri. Kuna buƙatar goyon bayan majalisar ku, ba fushin su ba."
    
  "Ina son amsoshi, Sergei," in ji Gryzlov, yana rage muryarsa, amma dan kadan. "Ina son amsoshin da ya kamata in samu kwanaki da suka wuce!" Amma ya juya baya ga Tarzarov, ya sunkuyar da kansa dan kadan ga Sokolov don neman gafara, sannan ya koma kan teburinsa ya yi kama da ya kalli wasu sakonni a kwamfutar kwamfutar.
    
  Taron masu ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro na Gryzlov ya fara ne 'yan mintoci kaɗan bayan da ministar harkokin wajen ƙasar Daria Titeneva ta bi sahun Gryzlov da wasu a wani ɗakin taro da ke kusa da ofishin shugaban ƙasar. Babban hafsan hafsan hafsoshin sojojin Janar Mikhail Khristenko ya fara magana, ta hanyar amfani da kwamfutar kwamfutar hannu wajen nuna hotuna da nunin faifan bayanai a kan babban na"ura mai lura da kwamfuta mai labule: "Idan za ka ba ni uzuri, yallabai: Na duba bayanan sau biyu, kuma a haƙiƙa Hukumar Dabarun Amurka, wacce ke kula da dukkan ayyukan soji a sararin samaniya, ofishin jakadancinmu da ke Washington ya sanar ta ofishin hafsan sojin sama cewa za su harba kumbon S-19 da tsakar dare zuwa tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong."
    
  Gryzlov ya yi kama da zai sake fashewa, amma Tarzarov ya fara magana: "Ministan Titenev?"
    
  "Ba a sanar da ni ba," in ji Titeneva, wani tsohon soja na harkokin waje da duhu gashi da idanu da kuma m amma m jiki. "Ana aika saƙon gaggawa ga ofishina nan take, amma ana aika saƙon akai-akai zuwa hedkwatata da ke kula da irin waɗannan abubuwa, kuma suna cikin rahoton taƙaitaccen bayani guda biyu da nake samu kowace rana. Ana aika jirgin zuwa tashoshin sararin samaniya ko kuma yana kewayawa sau da yawa a wata - irin waɗannan jirage ana ɗaukarsu na yau da kullun."
    
  "Wataƙila a sanar da ofishin ku a duk lokacin da irin wannan jirgin ya faru," in ji Tarzarov.
    
  "Wannan na iya zama kyakkyawan ra'ayi ga sojoji, Mista Tarzarov, amma ban ga dalilin da zai sa Ofishin Harkokin Waje ya ba da rahoto ba sai dai idan sojoji ko tsaron kasa sun yi imanin cewa jirgin zai iya haifar da barazana ga Ƙasar Gida ko abokanmu," - Titeneva ta ce, a fili ta ji takaicin yadda babban hafsan hafsoshin ya bijire mata a wani taro na cikakken kwamitin tsaro. "Babban dalilin da ya sa muke bukatar Amurka ta sanar da mu jiragen kwata-kwata shi ne harba shi zuwa sararin samaniya zai iya kama da harba makami mai linzami da ke tsakanin nahiyoyi. Ba shakka ba su da wani takalifi na samar mana da jerin fasinja."
    
  "Za ku umurci ofishin ku da ya sanar da ku a duk lokacin da daya daga cikin wadannan jiragen sama ke shirin harbawa," in ji Gryzlov a fusace. "Sa"an nan za ku sanar da ni nan take tare da cikakkun bayanai na tashi da dawowar ranaku da lokutan tafiya da inda aka nufa. Ba zan bar waɗannan abubuwan da aka la'anta su tashi su tashi sama ba kuma ban san komai game da shi ba!" Ya juya ga Ministan Tsaro. "Kazyanov, ba ka bin diddigin inda shugaban Amurka yake ba?" Ya tambaya. "Yaya shugaban na Amurka zai iya watsa talabijin daga sararin samaniya kuma a fili babu wanda ya san wani abu a cikin wannan birni mai lalacewa?"
    
  "Muna yin iya ƙoƙarinmu don bin diddigin shugaban ƙasar Amurka, manyan jami'ai da manyan hafsoshin soja, yallabai," in ji Victor Kazyanov, dogo, mai sanko kuma mai kama da kwamandan tsohon kanar Sojan. Kamar Daraktan leken asiri na kasa a Amurka, sabuwar ma'aikatar tsaron da aka kirkira za ta hada da bayanan sirri na cikin gida, na kasa da kasa, da na soja, da kare lafiyar shugaban kasa da na jakadanci, da ayyukan tsaron kan iyaka a karkashin wani jami'in majalisar ministoci guda daya wanda ya kai rahoto ga jami'an tsaro. majalisa..
    
  Duk da haka, hukumomin leken asirin sun yi matukar jinkirin musayar bayanai kuma sun rasa damar shiga ofishin shugaban. Sanin kowa ne cewa Daraktocin Hukumar Tsaro ta Tarayya (wanda aka fi sani da Kwamitin Tsaro na Jiha, ko KGB), Hukumar Leken Asiri ta Waje, Hukumar Tsaro ta Shugaban Kasa, da Babban Daraktan Leken Asiri na Babban Ma"aikata (Main Intelligence Directorate) , ko GRU) ya ruwaito kai tsaye ga shugaban kasa ta hanyar shugaban ma'aikata. : sau da yawa Kazyanov shine na ƙarshe don koyon wani abu. "Amma ba za mu iya sanin ainihin inda shugaban Amurka yake a kowane minti daya na kowace rana," in ji Kazyanov. "Dukkanin 'yan jaridun Amurka sun yi imanin cewa yana zuwa Guam don wannan taron manema labarai, kuma a nan ne muke jiran sa. Idan zai bar babban birnin kasar na wani dan lokaci, mun san da shi.
    
  "To, zan ce ya bar babban birnin, ko ba haka ba?" Gryzlov ya mayar da martani cikin izgili. "Shin ba ku kallon Fadar White House da Capitol koyaushe?"
    
  "Duk wani motsi na shugaban kasa, mataimakin shugaban kasa, jami'an majalisar ministoci da mataimakan su, da kuma manyan hafsoshin soji da wakilan ma'aikatar tsaro na kawo gargadi daga gare mu, yallabai," in ji Kazyanov. "Shugaban kasa da duk wani jami"in da ke tafiya tare da runduna masu yawa, ko kuma duk wani bayani da muka samu game da shirin balaguro, abin damuwa ne. Idan ba su yi ba, ƙila ba mu san motsin su ba. Babu shakka, an kiyaye wannan tafiya cikin kwarin gwiwa, tare da karancin ka'idojin tsaro don kada a jawo hankali."
    
  "Yana da matukar muhimmanci ku samar da hanyar tantance lokacin da daya daga cikin wadannan jiragen sama ke shirin tashi da kuma wanda da kuma abin da ke cikinsa," in ji Gryzlov. "Idan suka tashi a kai a kai, watakila hanyoyin tsaron su sun fara lalacewa. Ya kamata ku kuma yi tunanin hanyoyin faɗakar da manyan jami'an Amurka game da motsin su, fiye da girman tawagarsu. Ku kasance a shirye don bayyana wa majalisar shawarwarinku a taronsu na yau da kullum a mako mai zuwa." A bayyane yake daga yanayin fuskarsa cewa Kazyanov ba ya son a yi masa ihu, har ma da shugaban kasa, amma ya ki amincewa. Gryzlov ya koma ga Janar Khristenko. "Ci gaba, Janar."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji Babban Hafsan Hafsoshin. Ya kira taron manema labarai na Shugaba Phoenix a shiru. "Ma'aikatana sun sake nazarin bidiyon taron manema labarai na Phoenix da kuma faifan bidiyo da yawa da aka ɗauka bayan taron manema labarai na Phoenix inda ya ci abincin dare tare da 'yan sama jannati da dama, kuma bisa ga waɗannan hotuna na farko, ma'aikatana sun yi imanin cewa wannan shi ne shugaban kasa Phoenix kuma yana cikin jirgin. jirgin sama a sararin samaniya, yana fuskantar rashin nauyi na gaskiya, kuma ya bayyana lafiya sosai kuma baya fama da wani mummunan tasirin jirgin sama ko rashin nauyi. Sauran mutanen da ke cikin faifan bidiyon sun hada da Birgediya Janar Kai Raydon mai ritaya, injiniya kuma dan sama jannati Trevor Sheil, da kuma Laftanar Kanar na Amurka mai ritaya da 'yar sama jannati Jessica Faulkner, matukin jirgin sama.
    
  Khristenko ya ci gaba da cewa, "Wataƙila, da gaske ya shiga cikin ƙasa mara ƙarfi a cikin kumbon da Hukumar Kula da Dabarun Amurka ta ba da rahoto ga ofishin jakadancinmu, a cikin kumbon S-19, wanda ake yi wa lakabi da 'Tsakar dare," in ji Khristenko. Jirgin sama mai saukar ungulu "Yana dauke da ma'aikatansa mutane biyu da kaya mai nauyin kilogiram dubu biyar. Da alama yana da na'ura mai matsa lamba a cikin dakin daukar kaya, wanda ke da dakin fasinjoji har hudu."
    
  "Ban damu da karfin sa ba, Janar," in ji Gryzlov a hankali. "Wace barazana ce wannan jirgin ruwan ke yi wa Rasha?"
    
  "Wannan yana wakiltar fasaha wanda har yanzu muna da shekaru da yawa daga haɓakawa: ikon tashi daga kusan kowace titin kasuwanci a duniya, tashi zuwa sararin samaniya mara nauyi, tashar jiragen ruwa tare da tashoshin sararin samaniya ko yin ayyuka daban-daban a sararin samaniya, shigar da yanayin duniya kuma sake sauka a kan kowane titin jirgin sama - kuma a sake yin shi a cikin 'yan sa'o'i kadan," in ji Khristenko. "Yana da tsarin motsa jiki mai rikitarwa ta yin amfani da man fetur na jet a shirye da kuma hydrogen peroxide oxidizer. Yana iya doki tare da tashar sararin samaniya da isar da kayayyaki ko ma'aikata kusan akan buƙata. Idan ya kasance a cikin sararin samaniya, zai iya tashi daga sansaninsa a yammacin Amurka zuwa Moscow cikin kasa da sa'o'i uku."
    
  "Sa'o'i uku!" Gryzlov ya ce. "Sa'an nan kuma jefa makaman nukiliya a kan kawunanmu!"
    
  "Kamar yadda muka sani, yallabai, jiragen sama sun yi amfani da makaman da ba na nukiliya ba ne kawai a sararin samaniya," in ji Kazyanov, "amma daya daga cikin makamin, wanda ake kira "Thor's Hammer," ya yi nasarar shiga sararin samaniyar duniya kuma ya lalata wata manufa a kan kasa."
    
  Ministan Harkokin Waje Titeneva ya ce "A lokacin ne muka yi magana game da kafa yarjejeniyar kiyaye sararin samaniya, yallabai." "Yarjejeniyar ta haramta duk wani makami da ya ginu a sararin samaniya da zai iya kai hari a duniya. Kasashen Rasha da China da sauran kasashe masu karfin sararin samaniya sun amince da yarjejeniyar, in ban da Amurka, duk da cewa suna aiki da ita."
    
  "La'ananne, Daria, Ina so a dakatar da makamai irin wannan ... kawai isa mu gina su da kanmu!" Gryzlov ya ce. Ya dunguma hannu cikin sumar sa mai kauri. "Kuma ba mu da fasaha kamar wannan jirgin sama?"
    
  "Mun gina wani kumbon da za a iya sake amfani da shi shekaru da yawa kafin Amurkawa su kera jirgin sama," in ji Ministan Tsaro Sokolov. "Jirgin na Elektron an harba shi ne a sararin samaniya da wata motar harba ta SL-16 kuma yana iya sauka a kan titin jirgi - har ma da makamai masu linzami. Mun kera jiragen sama da dama, amma ba a san matsayinsu ba. Jirgin saman Buran ya yi kama da na Amurka. Mun gina biyar daga cikinsu kuma muka yi jirgi daya mai nasara kafin daular ta fadi. Wasu Burans uku suna cikin matakai daban-daban na kammalawa; wani jirgin da aka kammala ya lalace a wani hatsarin kasa."
    
  "Kuma ku duba abin da ya faru: mun ba wa Amurkawa damar cin gajiyar mu a sararin samaniya," in ji Gryzlov. "Don haka dawo da su aiki kuma mu tashi nan da nan, kuma idan muka gina su sau ɗaya, za mu iya sake gina su. Ina son da yawa daga cikinsu su shiga samarwa nan take."
    
  "Phoenix wawa ne idan da gaske yana shirin rage sojojinsa da sojojin ruwa don neman makaman sararin samaniya," in ji Sokolov. "Kuma yana iya kera dukkan makaman na yanar gizo da yake so yayin da sojojinmu suka kwace garuruwansa."
    
  "Da alama a gare ni cewa Phoenix ba zai dade da bin duk wata yarjejeniya ta sararin samaniya ba," in ji Gryzlov. "Idan yana son inganta sararin samaniya, zai so ya kare shi. Idan ba za mu iya sa shi ya yarda cewa kada ya yi sojan gona a sararin samaniya ba, kuma ya sake lashe zabe kuma ya ci gaba da wannan shirin, me za mu yi tsayayya da irin wannan yunkuri? Me za mu yi amfani da shi don kai hari a sararin samaniyar jirginsa?"
    
  "Mafi girman makamin mu na rigakafin tauraron dan adam da ake turawa a halin yanzu shine tsarin makami mai linzami na S-500 Autocrat daga sama zuwa iska," in ji Khristenko. "Mafi girman girman nisan kilomita dari biyar da kuma iyakar kilomita dari bakwai ya sanya shi cikin kewayon tashar sararin samaniyar sojojin Amurka. Tsarin yana da wayar hannu, mai sauƙin motsawa da daidaita shi, don haka ana iya harba shi sannan a matsar da shi don gujewa hari ko kuma a sanya shi cikin sauri a cikin kewayar wani hari. Har ila yau, S-500 yana da tasiri sosai a kan makamai masu linzami na hypersonic, jiragen sama na sata, jirgin sama mai saukar ungulu ko makamai masu linzami da makamai masu linzami na ballistic. Ya zuwa yanzu shi ne tsarin makami mai linzami da ya fi karfin sama da iska a duniya."
    
  "A ƙarshe, wani labari mai daɗi," in ji Gryzlov.
    
  "Matsala daya tilo da S-500 ita ce mun gina kadan daga cikinsu ya zuwa yanzu," in ji Sokolov. "Akwai batura goma sha biyu kacal a cikin sabis, waɗanda ke kusa da Moscow, St.
    
  "Sha biyu?" Gryzlov ya nuna adawa da babbar murya. "Dole ne mu sami dubu goma sha biyu daga cikinsu! Za ku sami kuɗi don gina goma a kowane wata, kuma ina son da yawa daga cikinsu su tsaya a kowane sansanin soja na Rasha a duniya! Ina son wannan tashar sararin samaniya da duk jiragen ruwa na Yamma su kasance a cikin tsaka-tsakin Rasha 24/7! Ci gaba".
    
  "Tsarin rigakafin tauraron dan adam na gaba na gaba, kuma mafi sassaucin ra'ayi, shine MiG-31D anti-satellite mai ɗaukar makamai," in ji Khristenko, yana sake canza zamewar. Zauren ya nuna hoton wani katon jirgin saman yaki mai kama da tsoka mai wutsiya. "Mafi girman saurinsa ya kusan sau uku na saurin sauti, kuma tsayinsa ya wuce mita dubu talatin. Yana amfani da makami mai linzamin Osa mai lamba 9K720, wanda shine makami mai linzami da aka yi amfani da shi akan makami mai linzami na gidan wasan kwaikwayo na Iskander. Jirgin na MiG-31 yana jagoranta zuwa inda aka nufa ta hanyar radar kasa kuma yana harba makamin lokacin da ya kai tsayin mita dubu ashirin. Rokar Osa ba lallai ba ne ya dauki wani makamin nukiliya, don haka roka guda daya zai iya kai wa tashar sararin samaniyar Amurka hari. Makami mai linzami na Osa, wanda radar MiG-31 ke sarrafa shi, yana da ikon kai hari ga wasu hare-hare ta sama."
    
  "Wannan yana da kyau," in ji Gryzlov. "Masu aiki nawa muke da su a yanzu, Janar?"
    
  "A halin yanzu akwai masu jigilar makami mai linzami guda talatin kacal da ke aiki, yallabai," in ji Khristenko. "Squadrons biyu a yamma kuma daya a gabas mai nisa."
    
  "Yaushe jahannama muka daina kera kayan aikin soja?" Gryzlov ya yi nishi. "Me kuma?"
    
  "MiG-31 ya fara tashi sama sama da shekaru arba'in da suka wuce," in ji Khristenko. "An sabunta radar sa, amma ba shekaru da yawa don goyon bayan sababbin mayaka na ƙarni na biyar ba. A cikin rawar da yake takawa na yaƙi da tauraron dan adam, jirgin MiG-31 ya iyakance ga kusan kilomita ɗari takwas kawai. Amma makami mai linzamin mai lamba 9K720 yana da nisan kilomita dari hudu, wanda ya isa ya lalata duk wani kumbon Amurka a sararin samaniyar duniya."
    
  "Za mu iya gina ƙarin?"
    
  "A halin yanzu muna da MiG-31 kusan dari biyu da hamsin a hidima, yallabai," in ji Khristenko. "Kusan dari daga cikinsu suna aiki."
    
  "Fiye da rabin kayan ba su aiki?" Gryzlov ya sake yin korafi. "Idan kasarmu tana ninkaya da kudin man fetur, me yasa muke barin rabin jiragenmu suna zaman banza?" Khristenko bai amsa ba. "Sa'an nan kuma canza duk MiG-31s masu aiki zuwa masu jigilar makamai masu linzami," in ji Gryzlov. "Ina tsammanin kuna da wasu mayaka waɗanda za su iya ɗaukar matsayin mai shiga tsakani daga MiG-31?"
    
  "I mana, sir."
    
  "Ina son cikakken rahoto game da tuba, kuma ina son kimanta tsawon lokacin da za a ɗauka don gina ƙarin S-500," in ji Gryzlov. "Me game da kadarorin sararin samaniya?"
    
  "Muna da wani jirgin Soyuz na daukar kaya mai karfin dan Adam da wani jirgin daukar kaya mara matuki, yallabai, tare da rokoki masu matsakaicin tsayi da Proton da rokoki Angara," in ji Khristenko. "Muna da kwarewa sosai." tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa."
    
  "Kuma duk? Ayyukan bayarwa? "
    
  "Yallabai, Rasha ta kasance mai goyon bayan tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa, musamman tun lokacin da Amurkawa suka daina shawagin jiragensu," in ji Sokolov. "Ba mu buƙatar wani wuri a cikin kewayar duniya, tun da muna da damar shiga cikin sashin orbital na Rasha na ISS mara iyaka don gwaje-gwajen kimiyya."
    
  "Amma wannan ba tashar sararin samaniyar Rasha ba ce," in ji Gryzlov. "Ko muna da wani shiri na gina namu tashar sararin samaniyar soja? Me ya faru da namu ayyukan tashar sararin samaniya? Muna da da yawa kuma yanzu ba mu da ko?
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji Khristenko. "Aikin ana kiransa da Orbital Manned Assembly and Experimental Complex. Kafin a dakatar da tashar sararin samaniyar ta kasa da kasa kuma a bar ta ta sake shiga cikin sararin samaniya, kasar Rasha za ta cire na"urorin da ke cikin sashin sararin samaniyar ta na Rasha tare da sanya su a kan wata babbar titin tsakiya mai dauke da hasken rana da injuna masu hawa. Za a yi amfani da tashar ne wajen hada jiragen sama don tashi zuwa duniyar wata ko duniyar Mars, gudanar da gwaje-gwaje da...
    
  "Yaushe ne wannan zai faru?"
    
  "A cikin kimanin shekaru biyar, sir," Sokolov ya amsa.
    
  "Shekaru biyar? Wannan ba abin yarda ba ne, Sokolov!" - Gryzlov ya yi ihu. "Ina son ganin an inganta tsare-tsaren wannan tasha. Ina son hakan ya faru da sauri!"
    
  "Amma muna da yarjejeniyoyin da kasashe tara don amfani da wadannan kayayyaki a tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa, yallabai," in ji Ministan Harkokin Waje Titeneva. Idanun Gryzlov sun haskaka a wannan katsewar. "Haɗin gwiwar ya riga ya biya Rasha don amfani da goyon bayan ISS. Ba za mu iya ba-"
    
  "Sai dai idan Amurka ba ta sauya wannan gagarumin shiri na samar da makamai da masana'antu a sararin samaniyar duniya ba, duk wani kawance da yarjejeniyoyin da suka shafi sararin samaniya ba su da amfani," in ji Gryzlov. "Ka fahimce ni? Idan Phoenix ya ci gaba da wannan mummunan shirin, Rasha za ta ja da baya. Kowa a nan ya fi fahimtar cewa: Rasha ba za ta ƙyale wata ƙasa ɗaya ta mamaye sararin samaniya ba. Wannan bastard Kenneth Phoenix kawai ya ba da ƙalubale: Rasha ta yarda da shi, kuma za mu amsa... farawa daga yanzu! "
    
  Gryzlov ya rufe taron tare da daga hannunsa, kuma nan da nan ya bar shi da Tarzarov su kadai. "Na gaji da ci gaba da kunna wuta a ƙarƙashin jakunan waɗannan ƙwararrun ma'aikata," in ji Gryzlov, yana kunna sigari. "Muna iya buƙatar sake sabunta jerin sunayen ministocin. Sunan Titenov yana saman jerin sunayen da za a maye gurbinsu. Ta yaya ta kalubalanci burina? Ban damu da menene ka'idodin ba - Ina son abin da nake so, kuma aikinta ne ta samo min shi."
    
  "Yanzu da kuka ba su umarninsu, bari mu ga yadda suka yi," in ji Tarzarov. "Idan suka kasa samun kudi daga Duma suka fara ayyukan gine-ginen soja, kana da dalili mai kyau na maye gurbinsu. Kamar yadda na ce, Gennady, kada ku ɗauki wannan a zuciya. "
    
  "I, eh," in ji Gryzlov a wulakance.
    
  Tarzarov ya duba wayar sa don samun sakonni. "Ilyanov yana nan."
    
  "Lafiya. Ku kawo shi nan," in ji Gryzlov. Bayan wani lokaci, Tarzarov, dauke da kwalin kayayyaki, ya raka Bruno Ilyanov da Ivetta Korchkova zuwa ofishin shugaban kasa, sannan ya ajiye akwatin a kan teburin shugaban. "Na ji kun yi nasara, Kanar, duk da cewa an kama ma'aikatan ku," in ji shi, yana tsaye daga teburin don gaishe su. Ilyanov yana sanye da kayan aikin Sojan Sama na Rasha. Ba tare da ƙoƙari ya zama mai hankali ba, Gryzlov ya gudu idanunsa sama da ƙasa a jikin Korchkova yayin da ta matso. Sanye take cikin rigar kasuwanci mai duhu, wanda aka keɓance don nuna haske da ƙirjinta, amma ta sa manyan takalmi masu ɗorewa waɗanda suka fi dacewa da bikin hadaddiyar giyar fiye da ziyarar kasuwanci a ofishin shugaban ƙasar Rasha. Korchkov ya amsa kallon Gryzlov ba tare da wani magana ba. Ya mayar da hankalinsa ga Ilyanov kuma ya mika hannunsa. Kanal ɗin Rasha ya ɗauki shi, kuma Gryzlov ya riƙe hannunsa, yana kiyaye Ilyanov kusa da shi. "Kame mutanenka abin takaici ne, Kanar," in ji shi. "Ina fatan za su iya rike harsunansu."
    
  "Ba komai, yallabai," in ji Ilyanov. "Za a tabbatar da labarinmu. Waɗannan mashahuran ƴan fashi ne da ƴan kishin ƙasa na Rasha waɗanda suka nemi daukar fansa akan Janar Patrick McLaanahan. Sun ba wa wasu "yan gudun hijira da ba a san su ba. Idan sun yi magana sun zarge ni, zan karyata komai. Kuna iya goyan bayan yadda suke ji, amma fara bincike, kora ni kuma ku ba da kuɗin gyara. Zagayowar labarai cikin sauri na abin ba'a na kafofin watsa labarai na Amurka da jahilcin komai banda jima'i da tashin hankali zai kawar da duk abin da ke faruwa cikin sauri."
    
  "Zai yi kyau haka, Colonel," Gryzlov yayi gargadin. Ya koma kan teburinsa, ya jefar da abubuwan da ke cikin akwatin a kan murfinsa, ya ɗauki kullin, ya auna shi, sannan ya dubi Ilyanov. "Ba komai?"
    
  "Hakane, yallabai," in ji Ilyanov. "Me yake nufi?"
    
  "Wannan yana nufin cewa wani ya riga ya zubar da shi a cikin magudanar ruwa," in ji Gryzlov a hankali, "ya hana ni damar yin hakan." Ya duba sauran abubuwan. "Don haka. Wannan shi ne duk abin da ya rage na babban Patrick Shane McLanahan, mai kashe iska," in ji shi.
    
  "Ba komai bane, sir," in ji Ilyanov. "Danginsa na kusa. "Yan"uwa mata biyu da ɗa guda."
    
  "Ban ba da umarnin kashe mata ba, Colonel," in ji Gryzlov, yana sake kallon Korchkov. Ya san cewa kyakkyawa na Rasha wani kwamandan Vympel ne na musamman da aka horar da shi, wanda ya kware a kisan gilla ... kusa da kusanci. "Amma duk sauran kadarorin McLanahan suna zuwa wurina. Shin kun sami ɗanku?
    
  "Ba ya yin yunƙurin ɓoye wurinsa, yallabai," in ji Ilyanov. "Yakan yi rubutu akai-akai a shafukan sada zumunta - duk duniya ta san inda yake da abin da yake yi. Har yanzu ba mu gano alamun tsaro da ke kewaye da shi ba."
    
  "Saboda kawai bai sanya wani abu game da jami'an tsaro a Facebook ba yana nufin babu shi," in ji Gryzlov. "Ina fatan kun zabar mutane masu aminci don wannan aikin."
    
  "Babu karancin mutanen da ke shirye su gudanar da wadannan ayyuka," in ji Ilyanov. "Mun zabi mafi kyau. Yanzu suna kan matsayi kuma a shirye suke su yi yajin aiki. Jama'ata za su ji kamar dana ya kashe kansa ta hanyar shan hodar iblis, kuma zan tabbatar da cikakkun bayanai sun fito a kowace jarida da talabijin a duniya. Zan kuma bayyana a fili cewa yaron ya kamu da shaye-shaye da shaye-shaye saboda rashin kula da mahaifinsa, kuma uban yana da irin wannan jaraba da matsalolin tunani."
    
  "Madalla," in ji Gryzlov. Ya danyi ja mai zurfi a kan sigarinsa, yana amfani da damar tsayawar don sake duba Korchkov sama da ƙasa. "Me ya sa ba za a aika Captain Korchkov ba?" Ya tambaya. "Na tabbata matashi McLahanan zai yi murmushi mai kyau a fuskarsa... 'yan kwanaki kafin a yanke rayuwarsa." Kortchkova ta kasance gaba ɗaya ba ta da hankali, hannayenta sun naɗe a gaban jikinta, ƙafafunta kusan faɗin kafaɗa a cikin shirye-shiryen motsa jiki.
    
  "Mutanen da na zaɓa ba za su sami matsala ba, yallabai," in ji Ilyanov. "Aika da kyaftin din zuwa Amurka don McLanahan zai zama kamar amfani da sledgehammer don fasa kwai."
    
  "Kawai ka tabbata an gama, Colonel," in ji Gryzlov. "Na dade da jira don in rama na a kan Patrick McLanahan. Ina so duk abin da yake nasa ya mutu a lalace. Abin da ya rage masa shi ne dansa da mutuncinsa, ni kuma ina son a halaka duka biyun".
    
  "Iya, sir," in ji Ilyanov. "Zan bayar da rahoton nasarar kungiyar ta gobe."
    
  "Zai yi kyau idan komai ya tafi daidai, Colonel," in ji Gryzlov. "Ina son a bata sunan McLahanan ba tare da gyarawa ba." Ya sake duban Korchkova, yana tunanin ko zai gaya mata ta zauna ko kuma a tuntube ta daga baya, sannan ya daga hannunsa. "Kana da oda, Kanar. Yi su." Ilyanov da Korchkov sun juya suka tafi ba tare da sun ce uffan ba.
    
  "Wannan ba aikin Shugaban Tarayyar Rasha ba ne, yallabai," in ji Tarzarov bayan tafiyar su biyu.
    
  "Wataƙila ba haka ba, Sergei," in ji Gryzlov, fuskarsa mai wuyar gaske ta hanyar hayaƙin sigari, "amma wannan hakika aikin ɗan Anatoly Gryzlov ne. Da zarar an kawar da ɗan McLanahan, zan iya mayar da hankali sosai ga sake gina ƙasarmu da mayar da ita kan hanyar girma. Mun daɗe muna yin tara kuɗi daga albarkatun ƙasa tare da cusa su a ƙarƙashin katifa na dogon lokaci, Sergei - lokaci yayi da za mu fara kashe su kuma mu ɗauki matsayinmu na gaskiya a duniya a matsayin mai ƙarfi na gaske."
    
    
  CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
  SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  "Wannan abin ban mamaki ne?" - Bradley McLanahan ya ce. Shi da wasu dalibai hudu suna ofishin farfesa a Ginin Injiniya na Reinhold Aerospace da ke babban harabar Jami'ar Kimiyya da Fasaha ta California a San Luis Obispo, wanda aka fi sani da Cal Poly, kusa da tsakiyar gabar tekun California, suna kallon talabijin a daya daga cikin kwamfutocin ofishin. "Shugaban Amurka yana kewaya tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong! Idan zai iya, na tabbata kamar yadda jahannama zai iya yi! " Sauran daliban suka jinjina kai.
    
  Brad McLanahan ya kusa kammala shekararsa ta farko a matsayin dalibin injiniyan sararin samaniya a Cal Poly. Komai na rayuwarsa, tun daga jikinsa har zuwa iliminsa da abubuwan da ya faru, ya zama kamar ya dan yi sama da matsakaici. Ya ɗan ɗan fi tsayi, nauyi, kuma ya fi matsakaita, yana da idanuwa shuɗi da gashin gashi wanda ya ɗan yi girma fiye da yawancin ɗaliban injiniyan da ke harabar. Makin nasa tabbas sun yi sama da matsakaita, kawai ya isa ya sami karbuwa a kwalejin injiniya ta UC Poly, wacce ta karbi kasa da kashi uku na duk masu nema. Godiya ga karimci mai karimci da fa'idodin manufofin inshorar rayuwa na iyayen marigayi, Brad ya kasance cikin mafi kyawun yanayin kuɗi fiye da sauran ɗalibai yayin halartar kwaleji: ya hau keke mai kyau zuwa makaranta daga gidan sa na harabar a San Luis Obispo. har ma a wasu lokuta yakan tashi a cikin jirgin baban nasa Cessna P210 Silver Eagle daga wani filin jirgin sama da ke kusa da shi, duk tsawon lokacin da ya san cewa ba zai sami takardar karatun jami'a ko lamunin dalibai ba saboda karatunsa na digiri ko na digiri. ilimi.
    
  "Ba za mu iya zuwa a mafi kyawun lokaci don wannan ba, Brad," in ji Lane Egan. Lane mai shekaru goma sha biyar ya fito daga Roseburg, Oregon, ya sauke karatu daga makarantar sakandare bayan shekaru biyu kawai tare da GPA a cikin stratosphere, kuma an karɓi shi cikin Cal Poly tare da tallafin karatu na shekaru huɗu. Karami, ɗan ƙwanƙwasa, tare da tabarau masu kauri-ya yi kama da sigar Hollywood na al'ada na maƙarƙashiya-Lane ya kalli Brad a matsayin babban ɗan'uwa. Lane ya kasance sabon dalibi a Kwalejin Injiniyan Lantarki, wanda ya shahara a fannin kwamfuta da ƙirar microchip da shirye-shirye. "Ina fata Farfesa Nukage ya so shawararmu."
    
  "Har yanzu ina ganin yakamata mu tafi tare da ra'ayin satar sararin samaniya, Bradley," in ji Kim Jong-bae. Jung Bae-kowa ya kira shi "Jerry" saboda yana son fina-finai Jerry Lewis, sunan laƙabi da ya yi amfani da shi tare da fahariya - ya fito ne daga Seoul, United Korea, wanda, bayan shekaru biyu na karatu a Jami'ar Kimiyya da Fasaha ta Pohang, ya koma karatu a Jami'ar Kimiyya da Fasaha. Amurka. Doguwa da jingina, ya ɓata lokaci mai yawa a filin ƙwallon kwando kamar yadda ya yi a cikin laburar injiniya. Jerry ɗalibin injiniyan injiniya ne wanda ya ƙware a cikin injiniyoyi da fasahar adana makamashi. "Kun san Nukaga: ba shi da sha'awar harkokin soja."
    
  "Starfire ba shirin soja bane, Jerry," in ji Casey Huggins. Casey kuma ta kasance wacce ta karɓi tallafin karatu na shekaru huɗu a farkon shekararta a Cal Poly. Hadarin tseren kankara na ruwa lokacin tana ƙaramar yarinya ya sa ta gurgu daga kugu zuwa ƙasa, don haka makaranta ta zama muhimmin sashi na rayuwarta. Ta yi yaƙi don rage nauyinta ta hanyar amfani da keken hannu na hannu a kusa da babban ɗakin karatu na UCSC, mai girman eka dubu shida da kuma shiga cikin wasanni masu daidaitawa kamar ƙwallon ƙafa da wasan harbi. Casey ɗalibin injiniyan lantarki ne wanda ya ƙware a ayyukan samar da makamashi. "Muna amfani da wasu kayan aikin soja, amma wannan ba shirin soja bane." Jung Bae ya gyada kai, bai gamsu ba, amma baya son tada wata hujja.
    
  Jodie Cavendish ta ce "Ina son ra'ayin junk na sararin samaniya na Jerry, amma musamman bayan ɗan ƙaramin jawabin Shugaba Phoenix, ina ganin ya kamata mu tsaya kan shawararmu, jama'a," in ji Jodie Cavendish, tana goge dogon gashinta mai farin gashi daga kafaɗunta sannan ta juya a cikin ƙirjinta. . Jodie ta fito daga Brisbane, Ostiraliya, kuma ko da yake ta yi kama da doguwa, dacewa, yarinya mai hawan igiyar ruwa mai launin shuɗi, daga Kudancin California, ta zauna kusa da teku a gida kuma tana son tuƙi, hawan igiyar ruwa da kayak, fiye da duk abin da take son koyo da gwaji. , kuma ana iya samuwa ko dai a cikin dakin gwaje-gwaje ko a ɗakin karatu a kan kwamfutar. Ta kusa kammala shirye-shiryen musayar dalibai na shekaru biyu tsakanin Cal Poly da Jami'ar Fasaha ta Queensland, tana karatun injiniyan injiniya tare da manyan kayan fasaha da nanotechnology. "Baya ga haka, mun kwashe lokaci mai yawa muna sake karanta hirarmu."
    
  "Kamar yadda Jodi ya ce, Ina buɗe ga kowane ra'ayi, kuma za mu iya samar da ra'ayin tabarbarewar sararin samaniya - a shirye muke," in ji Brad. "Amma yanzu, da wannan jawabin da wannan kalubale, ina tsammanin Starfire ne zai yi nasara."
    
  "Yanzu kana can, Mr. McLanahan?" - sun ji muryar mutum, kuma Toshuniko Nukaga, Ph.D., farfesa a fannin injiniyan sararin samaniya a Jami'ar California Polytechnic, ya shiga ofishin. An haife shi, ya girma kuma ya yi karatu a Berkeley, California, Nukaga, wanda aka sani a da'irorin ilimi da kuma abokansa na kud da kud a matsayin "Toby," bai yi komai ba sannu a hankali, ko tseren keke ne, koyarwa, ko rubuce-rubuce da gabatar da takarda na gaba a gaba. ci gaba.a cikin duniyar kimiyyar sararin samaniya. Nukaga mai shekaru sittin da haihuwa, wanda ya yi ritaya daga masana'antar sararin samaniya, ya kasance daya daga cikin kwararrun da ake nema ruwa a jallo wajen kera sabbin jiragen sama da jiragen sama. Ya na da zabi tsakanin yin hidima a kwamitin gudanarwa ko jagorantar daruruwan kamfanoni da jami'o'i a duniya, amma ya zabi ya kashe sauran shekarunsa na ritaya a yankin California ta Tsakiya, yana ba da iliminsa da sha'awar bincike da tambayar hikimar al'ada zuwa ga sabbin injiniyoyi da masu tunani. .
    
  "Barka da rana, Dr. Nukaga," in ji Brad. "Na gode da samun mu a makara da rana."
    
  A lokacin da Brad ya gama magana, Nukaga ya duba imel ɗinsa a kan kwamfutar tebur ɗinsa, ya fitar da kwamfutar kwamfutar hannu daga cikin jakar baya, kuma ya sanya ta a caji. Ya gyada kai tare da karbar godiyar saurayin, sannan ya koma ya jingina da kujerarsa yana takawa yatsa tare da rike kansa da motsi duk da cewa yana zaune. "Marabanku. Bari mu ji ta bakin 'wanda ya yi nasara', Mista McLahanan."
    
  "Iya, sir," Brad ya ce. "Kwanan nan na sami labarin cewa Sky Masters Aerospace a Nevada ya ba da buƙatun shawarwari ga jami'o'i da kamfanoni kan ayyukan sararin samaniya na gaba. Ya bayyana cewa kamfanoni kamar Sky Masters suna aiki tare da gwamnatin Phoenix saboda kawai shugaban ya ba da shawarar irin wannan abu a cikin adireshinsa daga tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong. Iyayen Sama suna so-"
    
  "Ka ce shugaban kasa ya yi wa al'ummar kasar jawabi daga tashar sararin samaniyar soja?" - Nukaga ya tambaya cike da mamaki. "Yanzu yana cikin orbit?"
    
  "I, sir," Brad ya amsa. "Ya kuma gama taron manema labarai. Ya ji kyau kyakkyawa, mara nauyi da duka. Ina tsammanin mutumin na Sabis ɗin Sirrin bai yi kyau sosai ba."
    
  "Mene ne jahannama shugaban Amurka yake yi a tashar sararin samaniyar soja?" Nukaga yayi maganar cikin daci. "Da alama bai dace da ni ba. Abubuwa dubu na iya faruwa kuma yana iya kamuwa da cututtuka guda ɗari, waɗanda wasu za su iya shafar tunaninsa, kuma shi ne babban kwamandan sojojin da ke da makaman nukiliya. Wannan hauka ne". Shiru ya d'anyi sannan ya d'aga hannu yana goge zancen a ransa. "Don Allah a ci gaba, Mr. McLanahan."
    
  "Muna neman kwamfuta, injiniyoyi da sararin dakin gwaje-gwaje na sararin samaniya da albarkatu na makonni goma sha biyu a wannan lokacin rani don aikin da muke fatan za a iya kaddamar da shi a cikin orbit kuma a gwada shi kafin karshen shekara," in ji Brad. "Muna kiran shi Project Starfire."
    
  Girar Nukagi ya tashi da mamaki. "Ina tsammanin sunanka Mista McLaanahan?"
    
  "Nawa ne, yallabai," in ji Lane Egan cikin alfahari.
    
  "Tabbas, Mr. Egan," in ji Nukaga, yana ɓoye wani ɗan murmushi a bayan yatsa guda biyu yana danna lebbansa. Da farko bai amince da saurayin ba - yaro, a zahiri - saboda iyayensa duka suna da digirin digiri da yawa kuma sun kasance masu arziƙi, masu tsaurin ra'ayi, masu neman masana kimiyyar bincike, kuma ya yi imanin cewa nasarar Egan ta kasance galibi saboda ƙarfi, tasirin tuki. iyayensa. Amma tabbas hakan bai kasance ba. Ko da yake matashin Egan cikin sauƙi yana komawa ga kuruciyarsa lokaci zuwa lokaci, haƙiƙa ya kasance matashi mai hazaka wanda ba shakka ba da jimawa ba zai sami nasa tarin digiri na uku, yana lalata nasarorin da iyayensa suka samu.
    
  Farfesan ya share duk alamun murmushi, ya sake zama dutse, sannan ya ce: "Hakika. To me ya sa ba za ka ci gaba da gabatar da jawabinka ba, Mista Egan?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Lane ta amsa ba tare da bata komi ba. Kamar haka, matashin ya tafi, wanda ya maye gurbinsa da wani matashi mai ilimin kimiyya na gaba. "Kamar yadda ka sani, yallabai, ra'ayin girbi iko daga Rana daga wani jirgin sama a sararin samaniya da kuma watsa wutar lantarki a duniya an tsara shi shekaru da yawa, amma muna tunanin mun shawo kan matsalolin fasaha kuma muna iya tsarawa. cibiyar samar da wutar lantarki mai amfani da hasken rana mai yuwuwar kasuwanci."
    
  Nukaga ya kalli Casey da Jody. "Tunda kuna da Miss Huggins a cikin ƙungiyar ku, ina ɗauka cewa sararin samaniyarku yana amfani da wani nau'i na makamashi da aka sarrafa, kamar microwaves," in ji shi. "Miss Huggins?"
    
  "Ba da gaske ba, yallabai," in ji Casey. "Mafi yawan bincike kan samar da hasken rana a sararin samaniya, sun yi amfani da na"urar microwaves ko Laser wajen isar da wutar lantarki da aka tattara daga rana zuwa duniya. Lasers suna da wasu cikas na siyasa. Microwave tanda yana da inganci sosai kuma yana iya canja wurin makamashi mai yawa cikin sauri. Amma microwaves na buƙatar babban dubura, ko eriya mai watsawa, aƙalla murabba'in kilomita a cikin yanki, da madaidaicin dubura, ko eriya mai karɓa, watakila sau goma fiye da eriyar watsawa. Abokan hulɗarmu a duk faɗin duniya kuma mu a nan Cal Poly mun haɓaka masar: injin microwave. Muna iya motsawa da haɗa katako a cikin bakan microwave domin yawancin kuzari za a iya matse shi cikin ƙarami, katako mai ma'ana. Yana da wasu mafi kyawun microwave da aikin laser haske na bayyane, yana amfani da ƙananan eriya, kuma yana da inganci sosai. Bugu da kari, masu gyara masarrafa, wadanda ke canza makamashin microwave zuwa wutar lantarki, sun fi kankanta, suna iya daukar nauyi kuma ana iya shigar da su kusan ko"ina."
    
  "Bugu da ƙari, yallabai, an riga an shigar da manyan abubuwan haɗin gwiwa da kayan aikin samar da wutar lantarki a tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong," in ji Brad. Nukaga ya kalli Brad ya lumshe idanunsa cikin rashin yarda da katse shi, amma ya bar shi ya ci gaba. "Laser na Skybolt Laser na"urar lantarki ne na kyauta wanda klystron ke tukawa ta hanyar janareta na magnetohydrodynamic. Za mu iya gina rami na microwave a cikin Laser kanta kuma mu yi amfani da wutar lantarki da aka tattara daga Starfire don kunna Laser, don haka ba ma buƙatar amfani da MHD. Har ma muna iya amfani da tsarin jagora da sarrafa Skybolt."
    
  "Ya kamata a cire wannan dodo daga orbit shekaru da suka wuce kuma a bar shi ya kone bayan sake shiga," in ji Nukaga. Ya sake ba Brad wani yamutse fuska, kamar dai Laser da ke sararin samaniya nasa ne. "Kuna ganin wata matsala game da harba katako daga sararin samaniya, Miss Huggins?" Ya tambaya.
    
  "Akwai yuwuwar cikas na siyasa, yallabai," in ji Casey. "Yarjejeniyar Kare Sararin Samaniya ta 2006 tana da nufin kawar da duk wani makamin da ke sararin samaniya. Musamman ma, ya ambaci tsarin makamashin da aka ba da umarni waɗanda ke iya samar da makamashi fiye da megajoule ɗaya a kan nisan fiye da kilomita ɗari. Laser na Skybolt da ke tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong ya kai hari a sararin samaniya, yanayi, har ma a doron doron kasa da ya wuce nisan kilomita dari, tare da karin kuzari." Nukaga ya yi wani kalami mai tsami a fuskarsa-babu shakka ya san abin da ke faruwa sosai. Laser yayi tushen sararin samaniya, kuma bai gamsu da hakan ba.
    
  Casey ya ci gaba da cewa, "Tare da sake kunna Laser na kariyar makami mai linzami na Skybolt a tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong da kuma tura masu shiga sararin samaniyar Kingfisher, taron Majalisar Dinkin Duniya ya sake dawo da shi kuma ya karbe shi a shekarar 2010," in ji Casey. "Kwamitin sulhu ya nemi a daidaita yarjejeniyar; {Asar Amirka, a ƙarƙashin gwamnatin Gardner, ta zaɓi ta kaurace wa maimakon yin watsi da shi, kuma an zartar da yarjejeniyar. Ko da yake majalisar dattijan Amurka ba ta amince da shi ba, Amurka ta - aƙalla har yau - ta zaɓi ta bi ta. Don haka, idan Majalisar Dinkin Duniya ta dauki manufar mika wutar lantarki a sararin samaniya, ba za a iya amfani da shi ba sai dai kawai Amurka ta yi watsi da yarjejeniyar."
    
  "Wanda nake fata da gaske ba a yi ba," in ji Nukaga. "Wane kalubale kuka samu kan wannan aikin? Miss Cavendish, tunda ke ƙwararren ɗalibi ne, me yasa ba za ki ci gaba ba?" Duk sun san cewa Nukaga ba zai taɓa ƙyale wani memba na ƙungiyar ya gabatar da irin wannan gabatarwar ba, don haka dole ne su kasance daidai da wannan tsari kuma a shirye su yi shi a kowane lokaci.
    
  "I, yallabai," in ji Jodi. "Nauyin daidaitattun sel na photovoltaic na silicon shine kawai kisa-zai buƙaci ɗaruruwan manyan kumbon jirgin sama, waɗanda ba mu da su, sai dai wasu kumbon na Rasha waɗanda wataƙila ba za mu iya amfani da su ba, ko kashewa. Motocin harba nauyi masu nauyi, don shigar da isassun fatunan hoto a sararin samaniya don yin aikin. Amma mu da abokan aikinmu mun ƙirƙira fasahar kama hasken rana ta amfani da nanotubes masu yawa da aka ajiye a kan madaidaicin madaidaicin abin da zai iya ba da damar gina tantanin halitta na hotovoltaic mai tsayin mil don farashin farawa ɗaya kamar tantanin hasken rana na silicon guda ɗaya wanda aka ƙera don dacewa. a cikin jirgin, tare da ƙarin ƙarfin samar da wutar lantarki sau da yawa."
    
  A karon farko a yayin taron, Nukaga ya daina firgita na ɗan lokaci, kuma nan take duk ɗaliban suka lura da canjin, har ma da matashi Lane. "Abin sha'awa," farfesa ya yi sharhi, yana ci gaba da danna yatsa. "Kabon nanotube na kwayoyin halitta wanda ya fi inganci fiye da kwayar siliki?"
    
  "Ba carbon nanotube ba ne, yallabai," in ji Jodie. Ta yi murmushi, ta sunkuyar da kai gaba, sannan ta ce a cikin ƙasantacciyar murya mai haɗa baki: "Wannan eriya ce ta gani tare da tsarin inorganic titanium dioxide mai faɗi daban-daban, wanda ya ƙunshi nanotubes."
    
  Girar Nukagi tayi, na dan wani lokaci, amma ga daliban da ke kusa da shi ji yake kamar wuta ta tashi a dakin. "Abin sha'awa," in ji shi, ko da yake duk ɗaliban suna iya gano ɗan numfashi a cikin muryarsa. "Eriya na gani".
    
  "I, yallabai," in ji Jodi. "Amfani da nanotubes na inorganic, mun ɓullo da wata hanya ta canza hasken rana zuwa wutar lantarki tare da inganci sau dubbai fiye da silica na hasken rana. Har ma mafi kyau, sifofin sun fi sau ɗaruruwan haske da ƙarfi fiye da sel na hasken rana na silicon. "
    
  Yayi qoqari sosai don ya 6oye mamakinsa, amma Toshuniko Nukagi ya yi kamar zai zame daga kan kujera. "Intering," ya yi nasarar maimaitawa, amma bugun yatsansa ya daina gaba daya. "Shin ka ƙirƙiri irin wannan tsarin?"
    
  "Ban yi ba tukuna, yallabai," in ji Jodie, "amma na yi magana kuma na yi magana da masu bincike a Cambridge da Palo Alto, kuma za mu iya yin hakan a cikin dakunan gwaje-gwajenmu, tare da tallafin da ya dace. Kuma, godiya ga shugaban ƙungiyarmu Brad, muna da damar yin bincike a duk faɗin duniya. "
    
  "Kuma menene amfanin wannan tsarin nanotube na inorganic, Mista Kim?" Jerry ya zama kamar yana ɗan wahala wajen amsa tambaya game da wani yanki na injiniya wanda bai saba da shi ba kamar yadda wasu suke, don haka Nukaga ya juya ga Brad. "Wataƙila za ku iya taimakawa Mista Kim, Mista McLahan?"
    
  "Samar da makamashi yana da mahimmanci fiye da siliki na hasken rana, amma a wani nauyi mai yawa," Brad ya amsa. "Bugu da ƙari, masu amfani da hasken rana suna gyara kansu."
    
  "Yaya suke yi?"
    
  "Saboda substrate wanda aka gina nanotubes ba karfe ba ne, amma kayan aikin sol-gel mai sassauƙa wanda ba wai kawai ya ba da damar electrons don gudana daga nanostructure zuwa tsarin tarin da kyau ba, amma kuma yana aiki a matsayin mai ɗaukar hankali," in ji Brad. . "Idan kwayar hasken rana ta sami tarkace ta orbital, ana gyara fashewar ta hanyar lantarki, kamar lalacewar fata. Yana samar da nau'in nau'in tabo mai kama da fata na mutum, wanda ba shi da matsayin photovoltaic kamar na asali, amma akalla matrix har yanzu yana aiki. Bugu da ƙari, ana iya amfani da na'urorin tsaro da ke cikin tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong don kawar da tarkace da za su iya yin illa ga tsarin nantenna."
    
  "Laser na tsaro? Ba na tunanin haka, "in ji Nukaga. "Ci gaba".
    
  "Titanium dioxide nanotubes ba su da kariya ga radiation na sararin samaniya da kuma iskar hasken rana, kuma sol-gel substrate na iya jure wa manyan canje-canje a cikin zafin jiki tare da ƙananan canje-canje na wucin gadi," in ji Brad. "Tsarin da za mu iya haɗawa na iya zama manya, ƙila ya kai tsawon kilomita da yawa. Wannan zai ba mu damar harba harbin makamashi da yawa zuwa wurare daban-daban na duniya a cikin kewayawa guda. "
    
  Babu shakka Nukaga bai gamsu da amsar Brad ba - babban sauƙaƙa ne na wani tsari mai rikitarwa wanda ƙungiyar ke buƙatar yin aiki kafin jami'a ta nemi ta ba da dubban ko ma miliyoyin daloli don bincike. "Kuma ta yaya aikin tura Starfire zai yi aiki?" - Tambayi Nukaga. Ya juya ga Jerry. "Fara, Mr. Kim."
    
  Jung Bae ya daure fuska, yana tattara tunaninsa, amma ya ci gaba da dan jinkiri. Jerry ya ce "Daya daga cikin abubuwan da muke bukata akan wannan aikin shine iyaka girma, yallabai." "Sarkin dare S-19, motar isar da muka fi so don abubuwan da ke tushen sararin samaniya, na iya ɗaukar nauyin kusan fam dubu tara a cikin mashin ɗin ta cikin ƙaramin sawun ƙafa. Wannan matsala ce da farko. Ko da yin amfani da na'urori masu ƙarfafawa tare da jiragen sama, zai ɗauki shekaru masu yawa, watakila ma shekaru da yawa, don gina Starfire."
    
  "Kuma ta yaya kuka yanke wannan shawarar? Fam dubu tara yana kama da yawa, amma ba lokacin da za ku gina sararin samaniya gaba ɗaya daga karce ba. "
    
  Jerry ya ce "Ba zai kasance daga karce ba, yallabai." "Shawarwarinmu ta ƙayyade amfani da tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong, tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa, ko Sinawa ... Sinanci..." Har yanzu, ya sami matsala wajen dawo da ƙwaƙwalwarsa.
    
  Nukaga ya dubi Brad, shiru ya ba shi damar taimaka. "Yallabai, dakin gwaje-gwajen sararin samaniyar Tiangong-2 na kasar Sin," in ji shi.
    
  "Mene ne waɗannan jiragen ruwa na sararin samaniya? Malam Egan?
    
  "Saboda ban da Tiangong, sauran sun tsufa kuma suna shirye don maye gurbinsu da dandamali marasa matuka," in ji Lane. "Armstrong yana da kusan shekaru talatin kuma shekaru goma ya wuce rayuwarsa ta zane. ISS tana da shekaru ashirin kuma tana gabatowa iyakar ƙirarta - an tsara shirinta na deorbit a cikin shekaru biyar."
    
  "Kuma Tiangong-2?"
    
  "Ana sa ran Sinawa za su kaddamar da Tiangong-3 a cikin 'yan makonni kadan," in ji Lane. "Muna tsammanin ba za su damu da yin amfani da dakin binciken su don wannan aikin ba. Idan Starfire ta yi aiki kamar yadda aka tsara, za mu iya samar da wutar lantarki a yankuna mafi nisa na kasar Sin - har zuwa kololuwar Himalayas!"
    
  "Waɗanne matsaloli ne ke gabansu? Menene Cavendish?
    
  "Yana da batun samun nanotennas, capacitors, kayan sarrafawa, injin injin lantarki, injin janareta da kayan aiki masu alaƙa zuwa tashar," in ji Jodi. "Mun yi kiyasin cewa za mu iya shigar da dukkan bangarorin zuwa sararin samaniya a cikin jiragen sama goma kacal, ko hudu idan muka yi amfani da rokoki masu tsada."
    
  "Da alama abin ban mamaki," in ji Nukaga. "Yaya kika kimanta hakan, Miss Huggins?"
    
  "Wannan ya dogara ne akan kiyasin Jody na kauri na nanten da girman jigilar kaya na jirgin saman S-19 na tsakiyar dare," Casey ya amsa. "Mun ƙididdige cewa nantenna guda ɗaya na nantenna, tsayin mita ɗari biyar da faɗin mita talatin, zai iya dacewa da ɗaukar kaya na tsakar dare, wanda ke cikin iyakar nauyi tunda tsarin nanotube zai yi haske sosai. Tsarin mu na asali yana ba da duka nau'ikan nau'ikan nau'ikan guda takwas. Daga nan za mu buƙaci ƙarin jirage biyu don kawo ƙarin kayan aikin."
    
  "Wannan da alama ba gaskiya bane, Miss Huggins. Mr. McLanahan?"
    
  "Muna ba da shawarar yin amfani da yawancin kayan aikin da ke cikin tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong don wannan aikin, yallabai," in ji Brad. "Armstrong ya dace da aikinmu musamman saboda yana da kayan aikin tuƙi mai yawa, capacitors da tsarin manufofin da muke buƙata ga maser. Ya riga ya isa - ba ma buƙatar gudanar da shi, kawai sabunta software da wasu kayan aiki. Wannan ya fi kyau fiye da yadda duk ya ƙone bayan ya bar sararin samaniya. "
    
  Nukaga ya ce "Da alama ya dogara da ko gwamnati za ta ba ku damar amfani da tashar sararin samaniyarsu don aikin ku."
    
  "Na tuntubi mutanen a Sky Masters Aerospace, wadanda ke kula da tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong har sai sun yanke shawarar abin da za su yi da shi," in ji Brad. "Suna bude wa aikin Starfire. Suna son ganin bayananmu da sakamakonmu kafin yin alƙawari, amma suna son ra'ayin siyan tashar sararin samaniya da kansu, mai da shi da kuma sa shi aiki."
    
  "Ina tsammanin Sky Masters Aerospace na gaba ne ga Hukumar Leken Asiri ta Tsakiya ko ma wani rukunin leken asirin gwamnati," in ji Nukaga. "Ina jin wani ɗanɗano a bakina a duk lokacin da na ji sunan." Amma duk da haka ya gyada kai, kusan ba zato ba tsammani, amma ga daliban wannan alama ce mai kyau. "Ku gaya mani game da ɓangaren ƙasar aikinku, Mista Kim," in ji Nukaga. "Na ji abubuwa da yawa game da sassan da ke kewayawa, amma kaɗan game da tsarin ƙasa da matsalolin da kuke aiki da su."
    
  Kim ya yi kamar bai sake ba da amsa ba, amma bayan ɗan lokaci ya amsa, "Yallabai, tsarin sayan bayanan ƙasa ya haɗa da eriyar mai gyara matattarar mita 200, musanya janareta na yanzu, sarrafa sakawa, tsarin muhalli, da kuma hanyar ko dai adana bayanan. kai tsaye wanda bututu mai gyara ke samarwa."
    
  "Madaidaicin bututu mai mita ɗari biyu?" Nukaga ya lura. "Ban dace da Himalayas ba, shin, Mr. Egan?"
    
  "Girman eriyar gaba yana dogara ne akan tsarin tuƙi na katako a halin yanzu a kan tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, yallabai," in ji Lane. "Wannan fasaha ce ta shekara arba"in, mai yiwuwa an sabunta ta sau da yawa, amma ba ta zamani ba. Ban ga lambar su ba tukuna, amma na tabbata zan iya inganta software don yin nuni da mai da hankali mafi daidaito, sannan mu iya gina ƙaramin eriya madaidaiciya. Maser katako ba ya faɗaɗa kamar injin microwave, kuma yaduwa a cikin lobes na gefe yana da ƙasa sosai kuma ana iya daidaita shi. "
    
  "Duk da haka, yallabai, tsarin ƙasa sun fi kowane nau'in wutar lantarki da yawa," in ji Brad. "Ba mu amfani da albarkatun kasa face hasken rana, kuma wata rana ta hasken rana na iya samar da karin wutar lantarki fiye da yadda duniya ke samarwa a cikin shekara guda."
    
  "Zai yi kyau a gidan yanar gizon, Mista McLaanahan, amma ba ni da sha'awar kamfen ɗin talla a yanzu," in ji Nukaga a maimakon haka yana jin haushi, yanzu yana nuna rashin jin daɗin kutsawar Brad. Ya dakata yana tunani sannan ya cigaba da buga yatsa. "Kuma wane ci gaba kuka samu zuwa yanzu?" - Ya tambaya bayan wasu 'yan lokuta.
    
  "Jodie da Casey sun ɓullo da tsare-tsare na nantenna da maser kuma za su iya fara ƙirƙira da zaran mun karɓi laser da kayan lab yarda da kudade," Brad ya amsa. "Suna da shirye-shiryen rage shi don a sanya shi a cikin jirgin sama, amma mun mai da hankali kan nuna cewa nanotube nanotene mara kyau yana yiwuwa a fasaha. Suna da yakinin za su iya yin hakan a karshen bazara."
    
  "Karshen bazara?" Nukaga ya fada. "Ƙirƙirar hadaddun sifofi daga nanotubes a cikin ƴan watanni na aiki?"
    
  Jodie ya ce: "Na yi aiki a kan nanotubes sama da shekaru huɗu, amma yawanci a Ostiraliya. Brad ya neme ni bisa la'akari da gabatarwa na tsawon shekaru. Ya tattara ƙungiyarmu kuma har yanzu yana neman masana da masana kimiyya daga ko'ina cikin duniya don taimakawa. Komai yana faruwa da sauri."
    
  Nukaga ya gyada kai kadan, sannan ya nuna wa Brad ya ci gaba. "Ni da Jerry muna da shirye-shiryen haɗawa da sarrafawa, wutar lantarki, muhalli, sadarwa da tsarin firikwensin, amma ba mu da jirgin sama, don haka har yanzu muna bazuwa," in ji Brad. "Lane ya rigaya yana da software da aka rubuta don tsarin kula da sararin samaniya da kuma tsarin kula da ƙasa na rectenna, kuma a shirye yake ya fara yin kuskure da kona kwakwalwan kwamfuta da zarar mun sami izini. Ya riga yana da zanen ƙirar software don rukunin sarrafa katako na Armstrong, amma Sky Masters ba su fitar da software ɗin su ba tukuna, don haka wannan zanen farko ne kawai."
    
  "Kuma kun yi duk wannan a cikin lokacinku na kyauta, tsakanin azuzuwan da sauran nauyi?" Nakuga ya lura. "Kuma, ban da Mista Kim, duk kun kasance shekarun farko, ko?"
    
  "Jodie dalibi ne na shekara ta uku, yallabai," Brad ya amsa. "Lane, ni da Casey sabo ne."
    
  Nakuga ya dan yi tsaki, a fili ya burge. "A ina kuke nufin samun jirgin ruwa, Mr. McLaanahan?"
    
  "Sky Masters Aerospace in Battle Mountain, Nevada, sir," Brad ya amsa. "Na riga na gano tsarin Triniti kuma na ba da rancen, kuma da zaran mun sami sarari don dakin gwaje-gwaje, zan iya tura mana shi. 't tashi, amma jirgin ruwa ne na gaske, ba kawai abin izgili ko sikeli ba."
    
  "Trinity?"
    
  "Wannan daya ne daga cikin nau'o'i daban-daban na motoci masu sarrafa kansu na Sky Masters Aerospace wadanda Rundunar Tsaron sararin samaniya ta yi amfani da su shekaru da yawa da suka wuce," Brad ya bayyana. "Jirgin sama na tsakar dare ne ya harba shi cikin kewayawa. Yana da na'urori masu auna firikwensin kansa, ko kuma yana iya karɓar bayanan da aka yi niyya daga ma'ajiyar makaman Kingfisher ko tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong; ana iya sake mai da shi kai tsaye daga Armstrong ko wani tsarin sabis mara matuki; iya iya...
    
  "'Targeting'? "Garajin makamai?" Nukaga ya katse shi. "Shin duk makaman ne a sararin samaniya?"
    
  "To, Triniti wani nau'i ne na orbital module, amma a, yallabai, ana amfani da shi a cikin nau'o'in makamai na sararin samaniya," in ji Brad. Ya yi fatan kada ya gaya wa Nukuga cewa Triniti wani makamin sararin samaniya ne - farfesa sanannen kuma mai fafutukar yaki da yaki - amma a cikin jin dadinsa game da gabatar da aikin da samun sararin dakin gwaje-gwaje, ya fadi kalmomi da fatan ba zai ' t kashe aikin.
    
  Nukaga ya fara lumshe ido cikin wani rudani. "Ban san kana kera makaman sararin samaniya ba, Mista McLahan," in ji shi.
    
  "Ba za mu je ba, yallabai," in ji Brad, kwarin gwiwarsa na gushewa da sauri, kamar tayoyin keke da ke kwarara a hankali. "Starfire tashar wutar lantarki ce ta orbital bisa tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. Mun ji cewa ba dole ne mu tsara abubuwan da ke cikin tsarin motsa jiki kawai ba, amma kuma mu nemo hanyoyin da za mu iya isar da duk abubuwan da ke cikin sararin samaniya cikin aminci da inganci ta hanyar amfani da fasahar zamani. Za mu iya nuna hakan idan muka kasance-"
    
  "Ko kadan ba na jin dadin yin aiki da wani kamfani da ke kera makaman sararin samaniya," in ji Nukaga cikin tsanaki, yana kallon Brad da zagi. "Idan wannan kamfani ya sami bayanai game da Starfire ɗinku sannan kuma ya yanke shawarar yin amfani da fasaha don kera ƙarin makaman sararin samaniya, wannan jami'a za ta zama mai shiga tsakani a tseren makamai a sararin samaniya. Fasahar da za ta iya sarrafa makamashin maser zuwa eriya kai tsaye a duniya tabbas za a iya amfani da ita wajen kashe wani jirgin sama ko ma lalata abubuwan da ake hari a kasa."
    
  "Sky Masters Aerospace yana ba da tallafin dala miliyan hamsin don sabbin fasahar kera sararin samaniya, Dr. Nukaga," in ji Brad. "Ina ganin ko da wasu daga cikin waɗannan za su yi matukar amfani ga jami'a. Muna fatan samar da sarari dakin gwaje-gwaje da lokaci a dakunan gwaje-gwajen makamashi da na'urorin kwamfuta zai nuna jajircewar jami'ar kan aikin da kuma taimakawa wajen samun wani kaso na wannan tallafin."
    
  "Ba kudi ne kawai abin la'akari ba a nan, Mista McLanahan," Nukaga ya mayar da martani cikin fushi ... mutuncinsa, tabbas. "Ta yaya kuka ci karo da wannan tsarin Triniti, Mista McLahan?" - Ya tambaya.
    
  "Mahaifina ya kasance babban jami'in gudanarwa na kamfanin," in ji Brad. "Na yi aiki na ɗan lokaci kaɗan kuma ina da abokai a wurin. Ina ci gaba da tuntuɓar mutanen da ke cikin sassan injiniya da gwajin jirgi kuma ina fatan yin aiki a can wata rana. "
    
  "'Ya a baya'? Babanka yayi ritaya?".
    
  Brad ya haɗiye sosai, kuma lokacin da bakinsa ya buɗe, babu wani sauti da ya fito.
    
  "An kashe mahaifinsa, yallabai," in ji Lane cikin taushin murya. Nukaga ya kalli saurayin, sannan ya koma kan maganar Brad, har yanzu a rude.
    
  "Dr. Nukaga, mahaifin Brad shine Janar Patrick McLaanahan," in ji Casey, yanayin muryarta da ke bayyana cewa ba za ta iya yarda da shi ba - Bradley McLaanahan, dan babban jarumin sararin samaniya Janar Patrick McLanahan, ya kasance. wani abu na ƙaramin mashahuri a harabar.
    
  A karshe Nukaga ya gane abin da ya faru, amma kallan gigice da rud'ani a fuskarsa ya d'auki d'an lokaci. "Ni... hakuri na, Mr. McLanahan," ya ce a karshe, ya miƙe a kan kujera ya dubi kafadar Brad a wani wuri a bango. "Ban san haka ba". Har yanzu yana kallon nesa, ya share makogwaronsa, sannan ya nuna jakar da ke hannun Brad. "Zan sake nazarin aikin ku, gabatar da shi ga kwamitin aikin kuma in sabunta ku da sauri," in ji Brad yayin da yake mika masa babban fayil ɗin. "Nagode duka". Daliban suka yi shuru suka fice. "Malam Kim. Don Allah 'yan kalmomi kaɗan."
    
  "Za mu kasance a Starbucks a kasuwa, Jerry," Casey ya rada wa Jung Bae yayin da suke kan hanyarsu. Jerry ya gyada kai, sannan ya koma wurin zamansa.
    
  Nukaga ya jira wasu 'yan lokuta har sai da ya tabbatar babu kowa a cikin dakin jira; sannan: "Ba na tsammanin kun yi shiri sosai don wannan gabatarwar, Mista Kim," in ji shi. "Kowace bazara, ina karɓar buƙatun dozin da yawa don ɗaukar nauyin sararin dakin binciken bazara tare da sarari uku kawai. Ƙungiyoyin da na gayyata don ba da gabatarwa ɗaya-ɗaya sun shafe daruruwan sa'o'i suna shirya kuma duk suna kan gaba a wasanninsu. Amma ka ga kamar ba haka kake ba a yammacin yau. Za a iya gaya mani dalili, Mista Kim?"
    
  "Ina jin tsoron ba zan iya ba, yallabai," in ji Jerry. "Wataƙila ɗan tsoro mataki."
    
  "Ba na tunanin haka, Mista Kim," in ji Nukaga. "Idan an ba da izini, wannan zai zama aikin lab ɗin ku na uku da za ku ɗauki nauyi a cikin shekaru biyu a makarantar da kashi uku na ɗaliban injiniya kawai ke samun aƙalla ɗaya. Kai ne mafi kyawun ɗaliban injiniya a Koriya ta Kudu kuma ɗayan ƙwararrun masu hankali a duniya. Na yi farin ciki da kuka zaɓi Cal Poly, amma kuna a MIT ko Stanford."
    
  Jerry ya kalleta na dan wani lokaci, sannan ya kalli Nukaga. "A gaskiya, yallabai... kai ne dalilin zuwana," in ji shi. "Na bi aikin ku shekaru da yawa."
    
  "To me yasa ba kwa aikin injiniyan sararin samaniya, ɗa?" - Tambayi Nukaga. "Muna iya aiki kafada da kafada idan ba ku kasance a bangaren injiniya na harabar ba. A cikin duk shekarun da kuka kasance a nan, 'yan azuzuwa ne kawai na samu tare da ku."
    
  Jerry ya ce "Kamfanina da masu tallafawa gwamnati a gida ne suka zabe ni injiniyan injiniya. "Saboda girmama su, ban canza sana"ata ba. Manjona na biyu iyayena ne suka zabe ni, kuma yaro na ya kamata ya kasance a fagen da ba na kimiyya ba, don haka na zabi kasuwanci. Amma da zarar na kammala kuma na karbi takardun shaidara a gida, zan sami yancin yin wasu manyan makarantu, kuma ina da niyyar komawa nan don yin digiri na na biyu da na uku a karkashin jagorancin ku.
    
  "Wannan zai zama abin ban mamaki, Jung Bae," in ji Nukaga. "Kusan zan iya ba da tabbacin karbuwar ku. Zan ma yi la'akari da canja wuri zuwa Stanford idan kuna son samun PhD a can maimakon - sun yi ƙoƙari su sa ni in shiga makarantarsu har tsawon shekaru kuma watakila ma zama shugaban kwalejin injiniya." Idanun Jerry sun zaro cikin mamaki ya fashe da wani murmushin jin dadi.
    
  "Amma bari mu dawo kan wannan aikin da ake kira Starfire, ɗa," Nukaga ya ci gaba da cewa. "Na rude. Kuna makarantar grad, amma kuna tare da gungun ƴan aji. Malam Egan ya kusa zama danka. Babu ɗayan waɗannan yaran da ke kan matakin hankalin ku. Me ke bayarwa? Ko da kuna son aikin-wanda ba na tsammanin kuna yi ba - me yasa ba a kalla ba ku jagoranci shi ba? Kuna da sabon wanda ke tafiyar da shi, kuma shi ma bai fi kowa wayo a cikin ƙungiyar ba." Jerry ya daga kafada ya kalleta. Nukaga ya dakata, sannan ya lumshe ido da makirci a kan Jerry yayin da kallon dalibi ya dawo gare shi. "Wannan ita ce Miss Cavendish, Jung Bae? Tabbas ta zama cute. Har ma zan ba da kai don ɗaukar Miss Huggins ciki da waje daga keken guragu, idan kun san abin da nake nufi. "
    
  Kim bai mayar da martani ga kalaman sirri game da ƴan uwansa ɗaliban ba. Ya sake daga kafada, alamar yara da Nukaga ya fara bata rai ga wannan dalibi mai hazaka. "Ni... Ina girmama Mista McLanahan, yallabai," a karshe ya amsa.
    
  "McLanahan? Girmamawa, me ke damun sa? Shi dai dalibin injiniya ne na shekarar farko da ke da maki mai kyau amma ba a sani ba. Ban san shi ɗan Patrick McLanahan ba ne, amma hakan ba shi da wahala a gare ni - a zahiri, yana ɗauke shi ƙasa kaɗan gwargwadon abin da na damu. Mahaifinsa ya kasance matukin jirgi dan damfara wanda a kodayaushe yana ganin ya gujewa rage girma, idan ba gidan yari ba, bayan ya haifar da munanan abubuwan da suka faru a duniya ba tare da umarnin da ya dace ba. Ni kaina ina da yakinin cewa ayyukansa ne suka sa Rasha ta kai hari ta sama kan Amurka, wanda ya yi sanadin mutuwar dubun dubatar mutane."
    
  "Mista McLaanahan bazai zama mafi kyawun ɗaliban injiniya a Cal Poly, sir, amma ya ... ya san yadda ake gina ƙungiyoyi," in ji Kim. "Ba wai kawai ya fito da ra'ayin Starfire ba, amma ya tattara wata ƙungiya mai ban sha'awa, ya bi mu cikin matakai huɗu na ci gaban rukuni na Tuckman - kafa, guguwa, daidaitawa, da kuma yin wasa - kuma ya horar da mu ta hanyar gabatar da ku. Idan bai fahimci wani abu ba ko kuma ya fuskanci matsala, ya sami wanda zai bayyana masa ilimin kimiyya kuma koyaushe suna shiga cikin tawagarsa. Kamar yadda za ku gani lokacin da kuka karanta gabatarwar, yallabai, Mr. McLaanahan ya tattara jerin sunayen ɗalibai, malamai, masana kimiyya da injiniyoyi daga ko'ina cikin duniya waɗanda suke son ba da gudummawa ga aikin."
    
  "Wannan kwalejin injiniya ce, Jung Bae, ba 'yan uwantaka ba," in ji Nukaga. "Mista McLaanahan zai yi hikima ya ba shi shawarar ya ƙara yin aiki tuƙuru a kan maki kuma ya ɗan ɗan ji daɗin kansa." Ya daure fuska, sannan ya ci gaba da cewa: "Kuma ina matukar taka-tsan-tsan da alakar da ke tsakanin Mista McLanahan da wannan kamfanin tsaron soja a Nevada. Ba zan bari kwalejin injiniya ta Cal Poly ta zama shimfiɗar jariri na wasu sababbin fasaha na mutuwa da halaka ba - Ban damu ba idan sun ba mu dala miliyan hamsin. ka'ida kuma ba gaskiyar siyasa ta jami'a ba. Ya d'an yi tunani, sannan ya jinjina kai. "Zan sake nazarin shawarar in gabatar da ita ga kwamitin," in ji shi, "amma kuma zan ba da shawarar amincewa da duk wani albarkatun da kuke bukata."
    
  "Na gode sosai yallabai," in ji Jerry.
    
  Nukaga ya sake gyada kai alamar an gama taron. Jerry ya tashi tsaye, kamar yadda Nukaga ya yi. Ya mika hannu Jerry ya girgiza. "Zan gaya muku cewa babban dalilin da nake ba da shawarar wannan aikin shine saboda kuna da hannu a ciki, Jung Bae," in ji farfesa. "Ina fata sunanka ya kasance a saman jerin shugabannin ayyukan, amma a yanzu kun isa tawagar McLanahan. Ina tsammanin shigar ku a cikin aikin zai tabbatar da cewa mun sami wani muhimmin kaso na babban birnin farawa daga wannan dan kwangilar tsaro na Nevada. "
    
  "Na gode yallabai," Jerry ya ce, yana rusuna.
    
  "Amma kuma zan yi maka tayi mai karfi, Jong Bae: idan ya bayyana cewa sashin sararin samaniyar Sky Masters yana son yin amfani da fasahar ku a matsayin makami ta kowace hanya, ina rokon ku da ku bar kungiyar ku ba ni rahoto." " in ji Nukaga. "Kudi ko babu kudi, ba zan bar wannan jami"ar ta zama masana"antar fasahar makamai ba. Akwai isassun jami'o'i a kasar nan da suke son yin karuwanci da 'yan kuɗi kaɗan, amma ba zan bar Cal Poly ya zama ɗaya daga cikinsu ba." Ya ɗan dakata na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya tambaye ni, "Faɗa mini, Jung Bae: kuna da wata hanya dabam. aikin da zai yi kyau a gabatar da ni ga wannan abin Starfire a maimakon haka?"
    
  "Eh sir, na yi."
    
  Ido Nukagi ya zaro dan sha'awa ya nuna masa ya koma office dinsa. "Ka ba ni ƙarin minti goma sha biyar na lokacinka, Mista Kim," in ji shi. "Ina so in san komai game da shi."
    
    
  SANA'AR ABINCI DA GINA KASUWA
  CAL POLY
  Daga baya kadan
    
    
  "Na lalata shi, mutane," in ji Brad. Shi da takwarorinsa na Starfire suna zaune a kan teburi a barandar Starbucks a Kasuwar Campus. Ginin sarrafa Abinci wani tsari ne mara kyan gani, amma gefen kudu maso gabas an gyara shi da kyau a cikin kantin kofi da kantin sayar da kayan abinci inda ɗalibai za su iya siyan kayan abinci da aka riga aka shirya da sauran abubuwa masu yawa, da kuma wani katon wurin zama na waje na rana. yankin da ya shahara da dalibai da malamai. "Bai kamata in faɗi cikakkun bayanai game da tsarin Triniti ba. Yanzu Nukaga yana tunanin za mu haifar da hasken mutuwa. Yi hakuri."
    
  "A ƙarshe zai gano idan ya karanta shawararmu, Brad," in ji Jodi. "Kada ku damu. Tuffa ne".
    
  "Kin sani, na lura cewa lafazin ku da lafazin ku sun kusan bacewa gaba ɗaya idan kuna magana da furofesoshi irin su Nukaga," in ji Casey. "Yaya zakiyi, Jody?"
    
  "Ba zan iya yin lafuzza da yawa ko kaɗan ba," in ji Jodi. Ta canza zuwa Rashanci mai kauri. "Yaya kike son wannan? Ya kike son wannan?"
    
  "Ina tsammanin lafazin Australiya da lafazin ku suna da ban dariya, Jody," in ji Lane, tana dariya.
    
  "Ni mai ban dariya, ta yaya - kana nufin mai ban dariya, kamar ni ɗan wawa ne, ina ba ka dariya? Dariya nake miki?" "Jodie ta ce a cikin mafi kyawun lafazin Brooklyn, tana yin ra'ayi mai gamsarwa game da halin Joe Pesci, Tommy DeVito, a cikin fim ɗin Good Boys, da ƙoƙarin kada ku yi amfani da kalmomin haruffa huɗu. "Lane ta sake yin dariya, masanin kimiyyar ya tafi, kuma wani matashi dan makaranta ya maye gurbinsa. Jodie ya canza zuwa harshen Australia mafi kauri kuma ya kara da cewa: "Lalle, abokai, amma zan iya cin doki kuma in bi dan wasa. "Sauran suka kalli juna. , sai a Jody: "Yana nufin "Ina jin yunwa." Bari mu sami abin da za mu ci."
    
  "Zan je ɗakin karatu," in ji Lane, ba zato ba tsammani ya tashi tsaye ya ɗauki jakar jakar kwamfutarsa. A cikin kiftawar ido, yaron makarantar ya bace, wani masanin kimiyya mai tsanani ya maye gurbinsa. "Mu hadu anjima, mutane."
    
  "Ku ci abinci tare da mu, Lane," in ji Casey. "Za mu jira mu ga ko Jerry ya bayyana."
    
  "A'a, na gode," in ji Lane. "Mahaifiyata da baba za su zo su ɗauke ni daga nan. Ban da haka, ina bukatar in gama takardar tarihina." Brad ya lumshe ido a waccan bayanin na karshe, amma bai ce komai ba.
    
  "Yaushe ne wannan zai faru?" Casey ta tambaya.
    
  "Makonni biyu," in ji Lane, "amma na ƙi shi idan akwai ayyukan da ba a kammala ba." Ya saka mafi kyawun lafazinsa na Australiya ya ce, "Barka da rana, abokai. Ashe yanzu ba ku rube ba ko?"
    
  Jodie ta dunkule rigar ta jefa masa. "Damn bojik, Doug!"
    
  Lane ya nufi hanyar Jami'ar Avenue, zuwa ga Laburaren Robert E. Kennedy, kaɗan kaɗan. Brad ya kama shi bayan wasu 'yan lokuta. "Zan tafi tare da ku, Lane," in ji Brad, jakar jakar kwamfutarsa ta baya ta jingina bisa kafadarsa.
    
  "Ba sai ka zo da ni ba, Brad," in ji Lane. "Ni ba yaro bane".
    
  "Kuna goma sha biyar," in ji Brad. "Har ila yau, mun yi magana game da tsarin aboki. Koyaushe nemo jami"in tsaro ko wanda ka sani ya tafi tare da kai."
    
  "Ina ganin yara suna yawo a cikin birni su kadai."
    
  "Na sani, kuma ba wayo ba ne," in ji Brad. "Nemi abokin. Ku kira ni idan ba za ku iya samun mai aikin sa kai ko mai gadi ba." Ya ɗaga kai ya ga Lane yana murmushi, a fili yana jin daɗin cewa Brad yana tafiya tare da shi yana ba shi lacca game da lafiyar mutum. "Mene ne wannan shirme na jarabawar tarihi? Na san hakika kun gama duk aikin kwas ɗin ku na duk azuzuwan ku na tsawon shekaran nan 'yan watannin da suka gabata, kuma kun kasance madaidaiciyar ɗalibi don yin kora."
    
  "Na sani," in ji Lane bayan ɗan lokaci. "Ni kawai..."
    
  "Me kawai?"
    
  "Ba komai".
    
  "Tofa shi, Lane."
    
  "Ai kawai... Ina tsammanin ku mutane za ku fi jin daɗi a Kasuwa idan ba na nan," in ji Lane. "Ni... Ina jin cewa ba za ku iya ba ... kun sani, ku ji daɗi saboda 'yaro' yana tare da ku."
    
  Brad ya ce: "Wannan baƙar magana ce, Lane. "Dukkanmu abokai ne. Muna yin abin da muke so mu yi. 'Yan matan suna tafiya suna yin abin da suke yi kullum. Idan suna son zama tare da mu, sun yi. " Sun yi tafiya cikin shiru na kusan minti daya, sannan Brad ya kara da cewa, "Amma dole ne ya yi wahala kasancewar shekaru goma sha biyar manya sun kewaye."
    
  "A'a. Na saba da shi, "in ji Lane. "Ban taɓa tuna mahaifiyata da mahaifina suna bi da ni kamar ƙaramin yaro ko matashi kamar yadda suke bi da abokaina ko wasu yara. Ina jin girme ni sosai, kuma haka nake tun da na bar makarantar firamare. Amma na gan ku a Starbucks ko cikin gari lokacin da ba na tare da ku, kuma kuna kama da kuna jin daɗi sosai. Lokacin da nake tare da ku, kun kasance duka ... Ban sani ba, ajiyewa, ƙuntatawa, tabbatar da cewa ba ku ce ko yin wani abu da zai iya tayar da yaron ko lalata ba."
    
  "Duba, dukkan mu abokai ne," in ji Brad. "Mu..." Kuma ba zato ba tsammani, a daidai lokacin da suka isa bishiyoyin da ke kan titin Jami'ar da ke kewaye da filin ajiye motoci a kan titin daga ɗakin karatu, ya yi tsalle saboda wani ya tona kusoshi a cikin haƙarƙarinsa ya yi ihu "BOO!" bayansa. Brad ya juya don ya ga Jodie Cavendish yana raha a hankali, kuma ba da daɗewa ba Lane ta haɗa shi. "Ya Allahna, Jody, na kusa cire min wando!"
    
  "Dole ne ku koyi sanin abubuwan da ke kewaye da ku, aboki," in ji Jodie. "Duniya wuri ne mai wahala, har ma da ƙaramin California Poly. Ina tsammanin zan yi yawo da ku." Ta gaya wa Lane, "Na san komai game da manufofin abokin Brad, kuma na yi tunanin bai kamata ya kasance yana tafiya a kan titunan UCLA ba."
    
  "Manufar Aboki na Lane," in ji Brad, amma lokacin da Jodi ta yi masa murmushi a hankali ta lumshe ido, ya kara da cewa, "Amma kamfani mai kyau. Menene Casey?
    
  "Mun yi watsi da Jerry-Na tabbata yana filin wasan kwando," in ji Jodie. "Casey ta samu kira daga saurayinta du jour kuma za ta koma dakin kwanan dalibai don Allah ya san dalili. Ina mamakin abin da Dr. Nukaga yake so da Jerry?"
    
  "Jerry yana tunanin Dr. Nukaga yana da sanyi," in ji Lane.
    
  "Haka rabin duniyar injiniya, Lane," in ji Brad. "Na san Jerry ya fusata cewa ba mu zabi ra'ayinsa ba na tsaftace tarkacen sararin samaniya tare da na'urar ion don gabatar wa Dr. Nukage. Watakila yanzu ya gabatar masa da shi."
    
  "Shin za ku iya yin ayyukan lab biyu da aka tallafa a lokaci guda?" Jodie ta tambaya.
    
  "Idan kowa zai iya yin hakan, Jerry ne," in ji Brad.
    
  Sun tsallaka titin Northern Perimeter, suka shiga ɗakin karatu suka nufi Café é a ƙasan bene. "Ka tuna, kada ka je yawo a cikin harabar kadai, Lane," in ji Brad. "Kira iyayenki su zo su dauke ki ko ki kirani."
    
  "Eh, Uncle Brad," Lane ya fashe da kuka, amma ya damke Brad da hannu ya yi murmushi, yana jin dadin cewa wani yana nemansa, kuma ya ruga zuwa tashar kwamfuta da ya fi so.
    
  "Zan iya siyo miki kofi, Jody?" - Brad ya tambaya bayan Lane ya bace.
    
  "Me yasa bazan bi da ku da gilashin giya a wurina ba?" - ta amsa. "Na yi parking daga Reinhold."
    
  "Ne ma. Yayi kyau," Brad ya amsa.
    
  Tafiyar bulogiyar gajeriyar tafiya ce zuwa filin ajiye motoci. Sun haura cikin ƙaramin sedan na Jody kuma suka nufi arewa maso yamma tare da Village Drive zuwa rukunin gidaje na Poly Canyon Village. Tayi parking a katon filin ajiye motoci na arewa sannan suka yi dan nisa zuwa falonta. Ginin ya yi kama da wani karamin fili na gari mai yawan gine-gine mai hawa biyar, wasu da shagunan sayar da kayayyaki a saman benaye na kasa, wanda ke kewaye da wani babban yanki na gama gari tare da benci, kujeru da wuraren shakatawa. Elevator bai yi aiki ba, don haka dole ne su ɗauki matakan zuwa ɗakin bene na uku na Jodie.
    
  "Shigo buddy" ta fad'a ta bud'e masa k'ofa sannan ta ajiye laptop d'inta akan tebir ta kunna tana caji. A ciki, Brad ya sami ɗan ƙaramin gida mai daki ɗaya mai daɗi amma mashaya da ke kewaye da ƙaramin ɗakin dafa abinci amma mai aiki, da ɗakin falo/nook/abincin abinci hade. Falo kuma ya zama ofishin Jodie da dakin kwamfuta; Brad bai yi mamakin rashin TV ba. Wani karamin patio da ke kallon wurin gama gari ana iya gani ta kofar gilashin da ke zamewa, kuma kana iya ganin birnin San Luis Obispo daga nesa.
    
  "Wadannan gidajen suna da kyau sosai," in ji Brad.
    
  Jodi ya ce: "Sai lokacin da iskar yamma ta kama kuma kuna jin kamshin rumbun ajiyar jami'ar," in ji Jodi. "Za mu iya yin aikin injiniya da yawa a nan, amma koyaushe kuna iya faɗi menene tushen UC Poly: noma da kiwo." Ta zubo Chardonnay gilashi biyu na kwalbar a cikin firij dinta ta mika masa daya. "Baka yi tunanin zuwa nan badi ba? Yawancin ɗaliban injiniya suna zama a Poly Canyon. "
    
  Brad ya ce "Ina da aikace-aikacen nan da Cerro Vista, amma kowa yana son zuwa nan, don haka tabbas na kasance a kasan jerin sunayen, kuma hawan keke zai dauki tsawon lokaci," in ji Brad. "Ban ji ko daya ba."
    
  "Kina shirin samun mota da wuri?"
    
  Brad ya ce: "Na shagaltu da yin tunani akai. "Kuma tare da babur ina samun ɗan motsa jiki kowace rana."
    
  "Ina kake zama?" Ta tambaya. "Abin dariya ne; Mun yi "yan watanni muna aiki tare, amma muna ganin juna ne kawai a harabar."
    
  "Kusa. A ƙasan tuddai, ƙetare Babbar Hanya 1, bayan Foothill Plaza."
    
  Jodi ya ce: "Ina ganin hanya ce mai nisa. "Ya kuka so shi?"
    
  Brad ya girgiza. "Bai da kyau. Karamin kiwo ne, kusan kadada, an katange shi daga sauran yankin. Ƙungiyoyin da ke kewaye a wasu lokuta suna da ɗan daji. Na wani abokin mahaifina ne. Ina tsammanin ya yi ritaya daga Marine Corps, amma kullum yana kan hanya, don haka ina zaune a gidansa ina kula da shi. Ban taba haduwa da wannan mutumin ba - muna imel ne kawai. Mafi yawan lokuta shiru ne, ban taba ganin mai shi ba, kuma komai an tsara shi sosai."
    
  "Don haka wannan wuri ne na bohemian don bikin bachelor?" Jodi ta tambaya tana murmushi.
    
  "Ban san mai shi ba, amma na san ya kasance mai koyar da horo ko wani abu," in ji Brad. "Ba na yin liyafa a gidansa. Na yi sa'a ne ya shigo gari ana biki ya buga min gindi. Ni ba dan biki bace. Ban san yadda wani daga cikin waɗannan sabbin yaran zai iya jefa duk waɗannan liyafar hauka ba, musamman a cikin mako. Ba zan taba samun lokacin yin wani abu ba."
    
  "Kana a Cal Poly, aboki," in ji Jodi. "Mu makarantar biki ce idan aka kwatanta da UC ko USC."
    
  "Jami'o'in Australiya fa?"
    
  "Babu shakka ku mazan dabbobi ne idan aka kwatanta da manyan makarantunmu," in ji Jodie. "Mu 'yan Australiya muna yin kwakwalenmu don shiga mafi kyawun makarantu tare da mafi kyawun guraben karatu, sannan kuma ba komai sai fushi da zaran mun bar gidan kuma muka tafi jami'a."
    
  "To kin koma 'yar biki kuma?"
    
  "Ba ni ba, aboki," in ji Jodie. "A gaskiya na je jami"a domin na yi ilimi. Dole ne in bar wurin kuma in je makarantar Amurka ta yau da kullun don in yi ɗan aiki kaɗan."
    
  "Amma za ku dawo da wuri, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Daman kafin Kirsimeti," Jodie ta amsa da nishi da shan giya. "Semesternmu na farko a gida yana farawa a watan Fabrairu."
    
  "Wannan yayi muni matuka. Starfire dole ne kawai ya yi zafi idan aikinmu ya ci gaba."
    
  "Na sani," in ji Jodi. "Har yanzu zan ci gaba da taimakawa ta hanyar Intanet, kuma ina so in kasance a wurin lokacin da muke jujjuya wutar lantarki da aika watts na farko zuwa Duniya, amma ina so in tsaya don ganin kaddamar da aikin. Na nemi tallafi da tallafin karatu don sabuntawa, amma har yanzu babu abin da ya shigo."
    
  "Shin za ku biya kuɗin karatun ku, ɗakinku, allo da littattafai?" - Brad ya tambaya.
    
  "Eh, kuma jami'o'in Amurka manyan masu keke ne idan aka kwatanta da makarantun Ostiraliya, musamman ga baƙi," in ji Jodie. "Iyayena mayaka ne, amma ina da "yan"uwa maza da mata biyar, dukansu ƙanana ne. Da na samu gurbin karatu ko ban je jami"a kwata-kwata ba."
    
  "Wataƙila zan iya taimakawa," in ji Brad.
    
  Jodie ta kalli Brad a gefen gilashin ta. "Me yasa Mr. McLanahan, kake min dariya?" - Ta tambaya tana shan taba.
    
  "Me?"
    
  "Kada ka damu Brad," in ji Jodie. "Ba zan taba rancen kudi daga wurin kowa ba, musamman daga cobber. Ba a dabi"ata ba ne kawai." Idanun Brad sun runtse kusan miliyan goma sha shida. "Daga abokina, wawa. Ba zan taba rancen kuɗi daga aboki ba.
    
  "GAME DA". Ya yi jinkiri na ɗan lokaci; to: "Amma idan ya ajiye ku a nan har sai Starfire ya ƙare, to zai zama zuba jari a cikin aikin, ba rance ba, dama?"
    
  Murmushi ta sake masa tana k'ok'arin gane duk wata boyayyar nufi a cikin maganarsa, amma daga k'arshe ta girgiza kai. "Bari mu ga abin da zai faru da duk aikace-aikacena da aikin, aboki," in ji Jodie. "Amma kai ne alewar da za a bayar. Karin ruwan inabi?
    
  "Kadan kadan, sannan ina bukatar komawa Reinhold, dauko kekena na nufi gida."
    
  "Me yasa bazaki zauna ba zan dafa mana wani abu?" Jodie ta tambaya. "Ko kuma mu je kasuwa mu sayi wani abu." Ta matso kusa da Brad, ta ajiye gilashin ta, ta sunkuya gaba ta dasa sumba mai taushi a lips ɗinsa. "Ko kuma za mu iya tsallake shayin mu ɗan ɗan ji daɗi."
    
  Brad ya sumbace ta a hankali, sannan ya ce, "Ba na tsammanin ina buƙatar ƙamus na harshen Aussie don gano wannan." Amma, cikin tsananin takaici, ya kalleta. "Amma ina da budurwa a Nevada," in ji shi.
    
  "Ina da maza ɗaya ko biyu a gida, mutum," in ji Jodi. "Bana maganar dangantaka. Mu abokai biyu ne daga gida, Brad - Ina ɗan nesa da gida fiye da ku. Ina tsammanin kai jarumi ne kuma na ga yadda kake karkatar da ni.
    
  "What! A'a, ban ... me?"
    
  "Ina nufin, kina da zafi, kuma na ga yadda kike min kallo," in ji Jodie da murmushi. "Ba wai ina cewa za mu yi aure ba, abokina, kuma ba zan sata maka daga manyan sauran naka ba... ko kadan ba nan da nan ba kuma ba har abada ba... watakila. " Ta miqe zata rik"o hannunsa, da sauri ta kalleta har falon falon ta nufi bedroom d"inta. "Ina so kawai...me kuke kiransa Yankees, 'samu kwanciya'?" Brad ya lumshe ido cikin mamaki kuma bai - kasa - ya ce komai ba. Ta karanta shak'a a fuskarsa da yanayin jikinsa sannan ta gyada kai. "Babu lafiya, abokina. Kar ku zargi Sheila don ƙoƙarin... ko don sake gwadawa, daga baya. "
    
  Brad ya ce: "Ina tsammanin kina da zafi, Jodie, kuma ina son idanunki, gashinki da kuma jikinki, amma ba ni da halin kwanciya, kuma ina so in ga ko zan iya yin dogon lokaci. aikin dangantakar nesa. Ban da haka, ni da ku muna aiki tare kuma ba na son abin da zai lalata hakan."
    
  "Ba komai, Brad," in ji ta. "Ina tsammanin mu duka mun isa mu ci gaba da aiki tare ko da muna da wasu lokuta marasa kyau, amma ina girmama yadda kuke ji." Ta ga tsananin fuskar Brad ta karye cikin murmushi, sannan ta shiga dariya. "Ka daina yin ba'a da lafazi na, ɗan iska!"
    
  Dariya sosai ya sakar da sabuwar wakar. "Ina tsammanin zan ji dukan kalmomin Ostiraliya, Jodie! A yau na sake jin wasu sabbin waƙoƙi guda goma!"
    
  "Shin kuna sake yin ba'a da lafazina, Mista McLahan?"
    
  "Yi hakuri".
    
  Jodie ta yi nuni da hancinta, sannan ta ce da murya kasa-kasa, "Kada ka yi hakuri: alamar rauni ne."
    
  "Kai! Kuna wasa John Wayne kuma! Van soja, dama?" Ya tafa.
    
  "Na gode, yallabai," in ji Jody, tana rusuna, "sai dai tana sanye da ribbon rawaya. Yanzu bari mu fita daga nan kafin in taka kasusuwan ka, drongo!"
    
  A lokacin da suka koma filin ajiye motoci a gaban ginin Reinhold Aerospace Engineering, dare ya fara yi. "Zan yi farin cikin mayar da kai gida in dauke ka da safe," in ji Jodi yayin da Brad ta fito daga motarta, ta dauki jakarsa ta taka tagar direban. "Duk abin da za ku yi shi ne siyan brekkie."
    
  "Ina tsammanin hakan yana nufin karin kumallo," in ji Brad da murmushi. Zaro ido tayi cikin bacin rai. "Zan iya ɗauka a kan tayin ku lokacin da yanayi ya yi rauni, amma zan yi kyau. Har yanzu bai yi duhu sosai ba."
    
  "Kowane lokaci, aboki," in ji Jodie. Ta yi mamaki sosai lokacin da Brad ya matso kusa da ita ta taga buɗaɗɗen ya sumbace ta a leɓe. "Kowane lokaci, Brad," ta ƙara da murmushi. ""Dare". Ta saka motan ta tafi.
    
  "Ni ne ɗan BITCH mafi sa'a a duniya?" Ya tambayi kansa cikin sanyin murya. Ya zaro makullin daga cikin jeans dinsa, ya cire makullan daga hanyarsa ta Trek CrossRip hybrid road/keke-keken kasar, ya kunna fitilun mota da fitulun tsaro na LED mai haske ja da fari da ya saka a cikin babur din, ya daure a kan kwalkwalinsa ya juya. kan fitulun, ya ajiye jakar bayansa da bel din hip, sannan ya tashi.
    
  An yi ta zirga-zirgar ababen hawa a manyan tituna, amma San Luis Obispo birni ne mai matuƙar son keke, kuma sai da ya yi watsi da masu ababen hawan da ba su kula ba sau ɗaya ko sau biyu a cikin tuƙinsa na mintuna goma sha biyar kafin ya isa gida. Gidan bene mai hawa daya da daki uku da wanka daya da rabi yana tsakiyar kadada daya da garejin mota guda biyu kusa da shi; An kewaye wurin da wani tsohon katanga na katako amma yana da kyau. A cikin wannan yanki mai cike da cunkoso da cunkoson jama"a, ya kasance abin tunatarwa ne kan faffadan gonakin noma da kananan wuraren kiwo da yawa da suka mamaye yankin kafin jami"ar ta kara yawan jama"a.
    
  Brad ya shigo da babur dinsa cikin gidan - garejin ya sha karya, don haka babu wani abu mai daraja a ciki - kuma ko a cikin gidan ya kulle shi da wata katuwar sarka mai kyawu da katon makulli. Babu wani laifi a yankin, amma yara sun kasance suna tsallen shinge, suna duba ta tagogi, wani lokacin kuma suna ƙoƙarin buɗe kofa suna neman wani abu da za su iya sata cikin sauƙi, kuma Brad yana fatan cewa idan sun ga keken da aka daure, za su ci gaba da sauƙi. ganima. Haka yasa ya boye jakar bayansa da laptop dinsa a cikin kabad bai taba barin laptop din akan tebur ko teburin kicin ba, koda yana tsakar gida ne ko yaje shago kadan.
    
  Ya lallaba ta cikin firij domin ya ci abinci. Ya tuna da mahaifinsa, uba daya bayan kisan mahaifiyarsa, wanda sau da yawa yakan yi macaroni da cuku da yankan karnuka masu zafi ga ɗansa lokacin yana gida, kuma koyaushe yana faranta Brad rai, don haka koyaushe yana da rabin kwalba. daga gare ta. a cikin firiji.
    
  Damn, Jodie ma ya ji daɗi, ya gaya wa kansa. Wanene ya san cewa abokantaka amma yawanci shiru geek na kimiyyar Australiya zai so wani abu kamar "ƙugiya"? Ta kasance da gaske a cikin aji ko a lab. Waye kuma ya yi mamakin haka? Casey Huggins ya kasance ɗan ƙara tashin hankali, amma kuma ya kasance mai tsananin gaske mafi yawan lokaci . Ya fara shiga cikin jerin ƴan matan da ya sani, yana kwatanta su da Jodi...
    
  ...sai kuma ya fizge wayarsa, ya gane cewa babban dalilin da ya sa bai kwana da Jodi ko wani ba, watakila don yana jira ya kira shi. Da sauri ya danna lambarta.
    
  "Hi, wannan shine Sondra," sakon ya fara. "Wataƙila ina tashi, don haka yi abinku lokacin da kuka ji ƙarar."
    
  "Hi Sondra. Brad," ya yi magana bayan da siginar ta yi sauti. "Kusan takwas ne. Ina son a gaisa. A yau mun shirya gabatarwa don Starfire. Yi mana fatan alheri. Daga baya."
    
  Ya bayyana cewa Sondra Eddington da Jodie Cavendish sun kasance kama da juna sosai, Brad ya gane lokacin da ya sami tulun taliya. Dukansu masu gashin gashi ne masu launin shudi; Sondra ya ɗan fi tsayi, ba sirara ba, kuma ya girme ƴan shekaru. Ko da yake Jodi daliba ce, kuma Sondra ta riga ta sami digiri na farko da na biyu a fannin kasuwanci, da kuma takardar shedar matukin jirgi da yawa, dukkansu ƙwararru ne a fanninsu: Jodi ta kware a dakin gwaje-gwaje, yayin da Sondra ta kasance mai daɗi sosai kuma ta yi fice a jirgin sama. jirgin sama - kuma ba da daɗewa ba zai zama jirgin sama, da zarar ta kammala horo a cikin jirgin ruwa a cikin tsaunuka.
    
  Kuma mafi mahimmanci, dukansu biyu ba su da wani shakku wajen faɗin tunaninsu da gaya muku ainihin abin da suke so, na ƙwararru ne ko na sirri, kuma tabbas akan kowane matakan sirri. Ta yaya zan iya jan hankalin mata haka? Brad ya tambayi kansa. Tabbas tsohon bebe ne kawai sa'a, domin ba shakka bai...
    
  ... kuma a lokacin ya ji creak na taya a kan katako na dafa abinci bene kuma ya ji, maimakon ya gani, kasancewarsa a bayansa. Brad ya sauke tukunyar a ƙasa ya juya ya tarar da mutane biyu a tsaye a gabansa! Daya daga cikinsu yana rike da jakar baya, dayan kuma yana da irin wannan, tare da riga a hannun damansa. Brad rabi ya taka, rabi ya yi tsalle ya koma kan firij cikin mamaki.
    
  "Amfani mai ban tsoro," mutumin farko ya yi fushi da ɗayan a cikin abin da Brad ya ɗauka na Rasha. "Wawa mai ban tsoro." Daga nan sai ya zaro bindiga mai sarrafa kansa a hankali tare da mai shiru da ke makale da ganga daga kugun wandonsa, ya rike ta a matakin kugu, ya nufi Brad. "Kada ka motsa ko ku yi kururuwa, Mr. McLanahan, ko za ka mutu," in ji shi a cikin Ingilishi mai kyau.
    
  "Me kike yi a gidana?" Brad ya faɗa cikin rawar murya mai tsaga. "Kina min fashi? Ba ni ka kome!"
    
  "Bari ka tafi, wawa," mutumin na farko ya ce a cikin sanyin murya. "Bari shi ya tafi, ka yi daidai wannan lokacin."
    
  Yana tafiya da sauri mai ban mamaki, mutum na biyu ya ɗauko wani abu daga bel ɗinsa ya murɗe shi. Taurari sun haska a gaban Brad, kuma bai taba tuna yadda wani abu ya same shi a cikin haikalin ba ko kuma yadda jikinsa ya fadi a kasa kamar jakar wake.
    
    
  HUDU
    
    
  Ku kasance kamar fox wanda ya bar waƙoƙi fiye da yadda ake bukata, wasu a cikin hanyar da ba ta dace ba. Yi aiki da tashin matattu.
    
  - WENDELL BERRY
    
    
    
  SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
    
    
  "A ƙarshe, kun yi wani abu daidai," in ji mutumin na farko da Rashanci. "Yanzu kalli kofar baya." Mutum na biyu ya mayar da sandar a cikin wando, ya zaro bindigar da ba a yi shiru ba, ya dauki wuri inda zai kalli bayan gida ta labulen da ke jikin tagar kicin.
    
  Mutum na farko ya fara jera kayayyaki daga jakar bayansa a kan teburin cin abinci: kananan jakunkuna masu dauke da farar foda masu girman fis, cokali da aka rufe da zoma, butane lighters, nadi dala dari, kyandir na tunawa, kwalbar rum mai sheda 151. , alluran hypodermic da sirinji. Bayan an shimfida su a kan teburi yadda mai shan muggan kwayoyi zai iya tsara ayyukansa, mutumin na farko ya ja Brad zuwa kan teburin, ya cire takalminsa na wasan motsa jiki na hagu da safa, ya fara zuga shi a tsakanin yatsunsa da allurar hypodermic. , jawo jini. Brad ya yi nishi, amma bai farka ba.
    
  Ya ji ƙafafu suna rawa a ƙasa a bayansa. "Yi shiru, la'ananne ku," in ji maharin na farko a cikin Rashanci ta hanyar datse hakora. "Yi shiru, kai wawan bugu. Ka sanya tsinannun kafafunka sama." Daga nan sai ya fara zuba jita-jita a fuska da bakin Brad, da kuma gaban rigarsa. Brad ya yi tari, ya yi nishi, ya tofa ruwa mai ƙarfi. "Damn, ya kusa farkawa," in ji shi. Ya fiddo wuta ya dora yatsa akan mai kunna wuta. "Sharafe hanya kuma mu fita daga wuta-"
    
  Nan take mutumin ya ji an dauke jikinsa daga kasa, kamar an tsotse shi a cikin guguwa. Ya hango mataimakin nasa, ya dunkule da zubar jini a kasa ta kofar baya, kafin ya ji an juyo da shi... har sai da ya tsinci kansa da wani irin mugayen siffofi na mutane masu ban tsoro, murgude, da mugun nufi. An taba gani a cikin shekaru ashirin da ya yi yana aikata kisan gilla ga Ofishin Tsaro na Gwamnatin Tarayya na gwamnatin Rasha, wanda aka sani da KGB, ko Kwamitin Tsaro na Jihohi, ofishin tsaro na Tarayyar Soviet Socialist Republics. Sai dai ya ga fuskar na dan lokaci kafin wata katuwar hannu ta fito daga inda take ta dafe fuskarsa a tsakanin idanuwan, bai tuna komai ba bayan haka.
    
  Sabon zuwa ya bar Rashan da ba su sani ba ya faɗi ƙafa huɗu zuwa ƙasa, sannan ya jingina don duba Brad. "Yesu, yaro, tashi," in ji shi, yana duba ko an toshe hanyoyin iska na Brad kuma idan almajiransa sun nuna damuwa. "Ba zan ja jakin kiba ba." Ya fiddo wayarsa da sauri ya danna lambar. "Ni ne," in ji shi. "Sharfa ranch. Cire haɗin gwiwa." Bayan ya gama zance, sai ya fara naushi Brad a fuska. "Tashi, McLahanan."
    
  "Kiyi hakuri me...?" Idanun Brad a ƙarshe sun buɗe ... sannan suka buɗe sosai cikin tsananin mamaki lokacin da ya ga fuskar sabon shigowa . Ya sake tuntuɓe a gigice yana ƙoƙarin fita daga riƙon mutumin, amma ya yi ƙarfi. "Kash! Kai wanene?"
    
  "Abin tsoro," in ji mutumin, a firgice. "Ina kayan makarantar ku?"
    
  "My... menene...?"
    
  "Zo, McLanahan, hada kanku," in ji mutumin. Ya leka dakin cin abinci da falon sai ya hangi wata kofar wardrobe da jakar baya a kan shelf. "Ku tafi". Rabin ya ja Brad ta ƙofar gida, yana ɗauko jakar bayansa daga cikin shelf kafin ya fita da sauri.
    
  Wata katuwar bakar SUV ta ajiye akan titi kusa da kofar shiga. An danne Brad a kansa kuma aka rike shi ta hanyar dora hannu a kirjin sa yayin da mutumin ya bude kofar fasinja ta baya, sannan ya kama shi da rigar ya jefa shi ciki. Wani ne ya ja shi ya kara shiga ciki lokacin da wani mutum mai ban tsoro ya kutsa kai, kofar ta rufe, sai SUV din ta fice.
    
  "Me ke faruwa?" - Brad ya yi ihu. An matse shi sosai tsakanin manya-manyan mutane guda biyu, matsin ya yi kamar da gangan. "Hukumar Lafiya ta Duniya-"
    
  "Rufe jahannama, McLanahan!" Mutumin ya ba da umurni a cikin sassaƙaƙƙen murya mai ban tsoro da alama ta sa kujeru da tagogin girgiza. "Har yanzu muna cikin gari. Masu wucewa za su ji ku." Amma ba da jimawa ba suka hau Highway 101, suka nufi arewa.
    
  Mutum na biyu a kujerar baya ya koma layi na uku, don haka Brad ya kasance a jere na biyu tare da babban baƙo. Basu ce uffan ba sai da suka samu lafiya a wajen garin. A ƙarshe: "Ina za mu?"
    
  "Wani wuri lafiya," in ji baƙon.
    
  "Ba zan iya barin ba. Ina da aikin yi."
    
  "Kina son rayuwa, McLahan? Idan ka yi haka, ba za ka iya komawa can ba."
    
  "Dole ne," Brad ya nace. "Ina da aikin da zai iya samun tashar wutar lantarki ta sararin samaniya ta fara aiki a cikin shekara guda." Bakon ya kalle shi bai ce komai ba, sannan ya fara aiki da wayar salularsa. Brad ya kalli mutumin yayin da hasken wayarsa ya haskaka fuskarsa. Hasken ya bar zurfin rami a fuskar mutumin, wanda a fili ya haifar da wani nau'i na rauni ko rashin lafiya, watakila wuta ko ƙonewa. "Kun ga kun saba," in ji shi. Mutumin bai ce komai ba. "Menene sunanka?"
    
  "Ox," in ji mutumin. "Chris Wohl."
    
  Ya ɗauki ɗan lokaci kaɗan, amma fuskar Brad a ƙarshe ta haskaka. "Na tuna ku," in ji shi. "Marine Corps Sgt. Kai abokin mahaifina ne."
    
  "Ni ban taba zama abokin mahaifinka ba," Wohl ya ce a cikin rarraunar murya, kusan a raɗawa. "Shi ne kwamandana. Shi ke nan".
    
  "Kin mallaki gidan da nake ciki?" Wohl bai ce komai ba. "Me ke faruwa ne Sajan?"
    
  "Babban Sajan," in ji Vol. "An yi murabus." Yana gama abin da yake yi a wayar, sai ga fuskarsa da ta tabo ta koma cikin duhu.
    
  "Yaya kika san mutanen nan a gidan?"
    
  "Duba," in ji Vol.
    
  "Kina kallon gidan ko kina kallona?" Wohl bai ce komai ba. Brad ya yi shiru na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya ce, "Wadannan mutanen kamar su 'yan Rasha ne."
    
  "Wannan gaskiya ne".
    
  "Su wa ne?"
    
  "Tsohon jami'an Ofishin Tsaro na Tarayya da ke aiki da wani mutum mai suna Bruno Ilyanov," in ji Wohl. "Ilyanov jami"in leken asiri ne wanda a hukumance yake rike da mukamin mataimakin hafsan sojin sama & # 233; a Washington tare da ikon diflomasiyya. Yana bayar da rahoto kai tsaye zuwa Gennady Gryzlov. Ilyanov ya kasance kwanan nan a gabar yamma. "
    
  "Gryzlov? Kuna nufin shugaban kasar Rasha Gryzlov? Dangantaka da tsohon shugaban kasar Rasha?"
    
  "Babban dansa".
    
  "Me suke so a wurina?"
    
  "Ba mu da tabbas," in ji Wohl, "amma yana da hannu a wani irin yakin neman zabe a kan McLanahans. Wakilansa sun shiga rugar mahaifinku suka sace masa kayansa da sauran kayayyaki a ciki."
    
  "Me? Yaushe wannan ya faru?"
    
  "Asabar da safe da ta gabata."
    
  "Asabar da ta gabata! Me yasa wani bai gaya mani ba?" Wohl bai amsa ba. "Auntyna fa? An gaya musu?
    
  "A'a. Muna kuma sanya su a karkashin sa ido. Muna tsammanin suna cikin koshin lafiya."
    
  "Lafiya? Lafiya kamar ni? Wadannan mutanen suna da bindigogi kuma suka shiga gidan. Suka ce za su kashe ni."
    
  "Sun yi ƙoƙari su sa ya zama kamar haɗari, ƙwayar ƙwayoyi," in ji Wohl. "Sun kasance marasa hankali. Mun gano su kwanaki biyu da suka wuce. Ba mu sami kowa kusa da ƴan uwanka mata ba. Wataƙila ba su san su ba, ko kuma ba za su kasance masu hari ba. "
    
  "Waye mu'? Kuna daga 'yan sanda? FBI? CIA?
    
  "A'a".
    
  Brad ya jira ƴan lokuta don ƙarin bayani, amma bai sami komai ba. "Wa kuke yi wa aiki, Sajan Major?"
    
  Vol ya ja dogon numfashi sannan ya sauke shi a hankali. "Mahaifinka na cikin kungiyoyi masu zaman kansu da dama ... kafin ya karbi Sky Masters," in ji shi. "Wadannan ƙungiyoyi sun yi aikin kwangila ga gwamnati da sauran ƙungiyoyi ta hanyar amfani da wasu sabbin fasahohi da tsarin makaman da aka ƙera don sojoji."
    
  "Kayan sulke na Tin Woodman da na'urar ta hanyar yanar gizo sun sarrafa robobin," in ji Brad a zahiri. Vol ya girgiza da mamaki, Brad ya ji maimakon ya ga numfashin babban mutum a hankali ya tsaya. "Na san game da su. Har an horar da ni a CID. Na tuka daya daga cikin wadannan a Dutsen Battle. Wasu mutanen Rasha sun yi ƙoƙarin kashe mahaifina. Na murkushe su a cikin mota."
    
  "Damn," Vol ya fad'a a k'ark'ashin numfashinsa. "Shin kuna tukin CID?"
    
  "Tabbas na yi," Brad ya ce da babban murmushi.
    
  Wohl ya girgiza kai. "Kin so shi, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Sun harbe gidana suna neman mahaifina," in ji Brad, a ɗan karewa. "Zan sake yin hakan idan zan yi." Ya yi shiru na wasu 'yan lokuta, sannan ya kara da cewa: "Amma eh, na yi. CID shine ɗayan jahannama na kayan aiki. Dole ne mu gina dubban wadannan."
    
  "Ikon ya shige ku," in ji Vol. "Abokin mahaifinka-kuma nawa-Janar Hal Briggs ya bugu kuma ya kashe shi. Mahaifinku ya umarce ni da in yi... mishan tare da CID da Tin Woodman squads, kuma mun yi nasara, amma ina ganin yadda ikon ke shafar ni, don haka na daina. "
    
  "Mahaifina bai mutu ba a cikin wani mutum-mutumi na binciken laifuka."
    
  "Na san ainihin abin da ya faru a Guam," in ji Wohl. "Ya yi watsi da tsaron rukunin sa har ma da dansa ya kai wa Sinawa hari. Me yasa? Domin yana da bama-bamai da makamai, kuma ya yanke shawarar yin amfani da su da kansa. Ya kasance kawai ƙwanƙwasa..."
    
  "Chinawan sun mika wuya nan da nan bayan yajin aikin, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  Wohl ya ce, "Wasu shugabannin sojojin China da na farar hula sun shirya wani harin ta'addanci a karkashin kasa kwanaki bayan harin." "Ba shi da alaka da harin na ku. Hakan ya kasance kwatsam."
    
  "Ina tsammanin kai kwararre ne," in ji Brad. Vol ya girgiza kai, amma bai ce komai ba. "Wa kuke yi wa aiki, Sajan Major?" - Brad maimaita.
    
  "Ba na nan don amsa tarin tambayoyi, McLahanan," Vol ya ɗauka. "Umurnata ita ce in katse tawagar yajin aikin da kuma tabbatar da tsaron ku. Shi ke nan ".
    
  "Ba zan bar harabar ba, Sajan Major," in ji Brad. "Ina da aiki da yawa da zan yi."
    
  Vol ya ce "Ba na da damuwa." "An umarce ni da in kare ku."
    
  "Order? Umarnin waye?" Babu amsa. "Idan ba za ku amsa ba, to zan yi magana da maigidan ku. Amma ba zan iya barin makaranta ba. Na fara." Vol ya ci gaba da yin shiru. Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan, Brad ya maimaita: "Tun yaushe ka yi wa mahaifina aiki?"
    
  "Na ɗan lokaci," in ji Wohl bayan 'yan lokuta. "Kuma ban yi masa aiki ba: Ina ƙarƙashin umarninsa, Sajan ma'aikatansa."
    
  "Ba ka ga kamar kana farin ciki da wannan."
    
  Wohl ya kalli hanyar Brad, sannan ya juya ya kalli tagar, ya yi shiru na wasu lokuta masu tsawo; daga karshe: "Bayan... bayan an kashe mahaifiyarka, mahaifinka... ya canza," Vol ya fada cikin sanyin murya. "A duk tsawon shekarun da na san shi, ya kasance mutumin da ke kan manufa, mai jajircewa kuma mai tauri, amma..." Ya sake nunfashi kafin ya ci gaba, "Amma bayan an kashe mahaifiyarka, ya zama mafi mugunta kuma m. Ba wai batun kare al'umma ba ne ko cin nasara a wani rikici ba, amma game da...kisa, ko da kisa ko barazana ga Amurkawa, duk wanda ya tsaya kan hanyar samun nasara. Ƙarfin da ya samu kamar ya tafi kansa, ko da bayan ya bar Scion Aviation International kuma ya ɗauki aikin kamfani a Sky Masters. Na daure da shi na dan lokaci har sai da na yi tunanin abin ya fi karfin, sannan na daina."
    
  "Dakata? Me ya sa ba ka yi ƙoƙarin taimaka masa ba?"
    
  "Shi ne kwamandana," Vol ya amsa da katako. "Ba na ba da shawara ga manyan jami'ai sai sun nemi hakan."
    
  Brad ya ce: "Wannan bacin rai ne, Vol." "Idan ka ga mahaifina ya ji rauni, ya kamata ka taimaka, kuma ka yi lalata da wannan babban jami'in. Kuma ban taba ganin wani daga cikin wadannan sauran abubuwa. Mahaifina uba ne nagari, mai aikin sa kai kuma shugaba mai kwazo mai son iyalansa, al'ummarsa, kasarsa da kamfaninsa. Shi ba mai kisan kai ba ne."
    
  "Ba ku taɓa ganinsa ba saboda yana kare ku daga duk wannan," in ji Vol. "Wani mutum ne kwata-kwata kusa da ku. Ban da haka, kai ɗan yaro ne-mafi yawan lokuta, an ɗaga kan ka sama aka binne a cikin jakinka."
    
  "Kana da himma, Sajan Major," in ji Brad. Ya sake hango fuskar Vol a kulluɓe a fitilun motar da ke gabatowa. "Me ya faru da fuskarki?"
    
  "Babu kasuwancin ku," Vol ya yi gunaguni.
    
  "Kinyi min leken asiri don Allah yasan yaushe ne kuma bazan iya tambayarki wata tambaya ta sirri ba?" - Brad ya tambaya. "Ina tsammanin kun daɗe a cikin Marines."
    
  Vol rabi ya juya ga Brad, kamar zai yi jayayya da shi, amma bai yi ba kuma ya koma tagar. Bayan wasu 'yan mintuna ya ja dogon numfashi ya sauke shi a hankali. "Holocaust na Amurka," in ji shi a karshe. "Ina tsammanin kun ji wannan?"
    
  "Bagishi, Sajan Major? Bai dace da ku ba kuma bai dace ba. An kashe dubunnan dubbai."
    
  "Mahaifinka ya shirya kuma ya aiwatar da harin Amurka," in ji Vol, yana watsi da maganar Brad. "Rashin bama-bamai ya bazu ko'ina cikin yammacin duniya da tsakiyar Rasha, inda suke farautar makamai masu linzami da ke tsakanin nahiyoyi. Ni ne ƙaramin hafsansa mai kula da Yakutsk, tashar jirgin saman Siberiya da ya umarta."
    
  Ya ɗauki ƴan daƙiƙa kaɗan, amma sai Brad ya gane sunan tashar jirgin kuma ya faɗi cikin mamaki. "Oh, banza," ya numfasa. "Kana nufin... sansanin da aka harba makami mai linzami na nukiliyar Rasha?"
    
  Vol bai amsa ba, amma ya sake yin shiru na ƴan wasu lokuta. "Tabbas ban sami kashi mai kisa na radiation ba - Ina sanye da sulke na Tin Man - amma an fallasa ni ga mafi yawan radiation na kowa in banda Janar Briggs," in ji shi a karshe. "Mutane arba"in da bakwai da suka tsira daga wannan matsugunin karkashin kasa na Rasha sun mutu daga cututtukan da ke da alaka da radiation tsawon shekaru. Yana ɗaukar ni ɗan lokaci kaɗan."
    
  "Ya Allahna, Sajan Major, yi hakuri," in ji Brad. "Dole ne zafin ya zama mai muni." Wohl ya kalli Brad, ya ɗan yi mamakin jin tausayin saurayin, amma bai ce komai ba. "Wannan na iya zama abin da ya kashe Janar Briggs. Wataƙila radiation ta tilasta masa yin kasada. Watakila ya san yana mutuwa sai ya yanke shawarar fita ya yi fada."
    
  "Yanzu ku duba wanene gwaninmu," in ji Vol.
    
  Sun bi Highway 101 arewa, lokaci-lokaci suna bin titina da baya, suna kallon duk wani alamun sa ido. Duk ƴan mintoci kaɗan idan suka sami wata babbar hanya ta wuce gona da iri, sai su tsaya, sai ɗaya daga cikin mutanen da ke cikin SUV ɗin ya fita, ɗauke da abin da ake ganin kamar manya-manyan binoculars. "Me yake yi, Sajan Major?" - Brad ya tambaya.
    
  "Ina neman masu bin iska," in ji Wohl. "Mun san cewa Rashawa suna amfani da jirage marasa matuka don leken asiri kan sansanonin soji da sauran wurare masu mahimmanci a kan Amurka, kuma Gryzlov jami'in sojin saman Rasha ne. Tabbas zai sami irin wannan kayan aiki . Yana amfani da infrared binoculars wanda zai iya gano tushen zafi a cikin iska ko a ƙasa daga mil da yawa daga nesa." Bayan 'yan mintuna sai mutumin ya koma cikin motar SUV suka ci gaba da tafiya.
    
  Kusan awa daya da barin San Luis Obispo, sun juya kan hanyar zuwa filin jirgin sama a wajen Paso Robles. Direban ya shigar da code a cikin makullin lantarki, sannan doguwar gate ɗin ragargaza ta buɗe, ta basu damar shiga filin jirgin. Taxi suka shiga cikin shuru, duhun duhu, ƙananan fitilu masu launin shuɗi ne kawai ke haskawa a gefen gefuna, har suka isa ga wani katon hangar jirgin sama, wani shingen shinge na gefe uku ya kewaye shi, ƙofar filin ajiye motoci da titin taxi kawai a buɗe. A wannan karon, maimakon code, direban ya danna babban yatsa a kan na'urar karantawa, kuma kulle ya buɗe tare da shuru.
    
  Cikin babban babban hangar ya mamaye wani babban jirgin sama mai launin toka General Atomics MQ-1B Predator da ya yi fakin a gefen hagu na hangar. A gaban jirgin an zana kalmomin "CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION" da kuma garkuwar hukumar a gaban jirgin, amma tabbas bai yi kama da hukumar gwamnati ba. Brad ya zagaya ya kalle shi, amma wani gaye sanye da wando jeans da bakar T-shirt sanye da mashin bindiga daga belin da aka saki da sauri a kafadarsa ya tsaya tsakaninsa da Predator ya haye hannayensa a gabansa, shiru. a fili ya gargade shi ya nisance.
    
  Brad ya koma wurin Chris Wohl, wanda ke magana da mutanen da ke cikin SUV ɗinsa da wasu kaɗan. A cikin duhun haske na rataye, zai fi iya ganin zurfin zurfafa a fuskar Vol, sannan kuma ya ga lalacewar fata a wuyansa da kuma a hannayensa biyu. "Mene ne wurin nan, Sajan Major?" - Ya tambaya.
    
  "Wani wuri lafiya, a yanzu," Vol ya amsa.
    
  "Su wane ne waɗannan-"
    
  "Ba zan amsa kowace tambaya ba a yanzu," Vol ya ce da kyar. "Idan akwai wani abu da kuke buƙatar sani, za su gaya muku." Ya yi nuni da wata majalisar ministocin da ke gefen daya daga cikin bangon da ke kusa da Predator. "Akwai kofi da ruwa idan kuna so. Kar ku sake zuwa kusa da jirgin." Ya juya daga Brad kuma ya sake magana da sauran.
    
  Brad ya girgiza kai ya yanke shawarar ya je ya duba ko suna da abin da za su ci, yana nadamar cewa bai dauki wani abin da ta ba ta ba - abinci ko wani abu. Ya sami kwalbar ruwan sanyi a cikin firij, amma maimakon ya sha sai ya shafa a gefen kansa don tausasa tasirin inda Baturen ya buge shi da sandarsa. Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan sai ya ji wani jirgi a wajen rataya yana nufo wurin, daga jin sautinsa kamar yana tafiya da sauri. Wohl da sauran mutanen sun daina magana suka juya zuwa ga ƙofar hangar yayin da sautin jirgin a waje ya ɗan yi shiru yayin da injin ɗin ke aiki. A dai-dai lokacin da Brad ke shirin komawa Vol ya tambaye shi abin da ke faruwa, fitulun suka kara dimaucewa kuma kofofin hangar biyu suka fara budewa.
    
  Bayan da aka bude kofar, wani karamin jirgin sama mai dauke da kaya C-23C Sherpa ya shiga tasi a ciki. Tana da tutar Amurka da lambar farar hula N a wutsiya, amma babu wata alamar soja, kuma an yi mata fentin baƙar fata na jet maimakon launin toka da aka saba yi. Taxi kai tsaye cikin rataye, tana jujjuya manyan turboprops, kuma Brad, Vol, da sauran an tilasta musu ja da baya yayin da jirgin ya shiga ciki. Wani layuka ne ya sarrafa shi da bindigar mashin a kafadarsa, ya yi taxi gaba har aka ba shi siginar ya tsaya, sannan injuna suka tsaya. Manyan kofofi biyu na hangar sun fara rufewa da mota yayin da injinan suka fara tsayawa. Kamshin hayakin injin jet ya yi ƙarfi.
    
  Bayan wani dan lokaci, kofar fasinja da ke gefen hagu na jirgin, a wajen tagogin jirgin, ta bude, sai ga wani katon mutum mai kama da soja ya fito, sanye da kwat da taye - kuma da wani gaggarumin harba makami a karkashinsa. jaket - wanda nan da nan wani ɗan gajeren mutum ya bi shi, sanye da kwat da wando, amma ba tare da ɗaure ba, mai tsayi mai tsayi mai launin toka da gemu mai launin toka mai kyau; a lokaci guda kuma, ƙyanƙyashe kayan da ke bayan jirgin ya fara buɗewa ta amfani da injin. Wohl da sauran mazan sun tunkari sabon shigowar na biyu duk suka yi musafaha. Sun yi taɗi na ɗan lokaci, sa'an nan Wohl ya gyada kai a cikin jagorancin Brad kuma sabon shiga na biyu ya zo wurinsa, yana kwance jaket ɗinsa.
    
  "Mista Bradley James McLanahan," sabon shigowar ya ce a cikin wata babbar murya, mai ban mamaki, mai sautin siyasa yayin da yake da 'yan matakai daga gare mu. "Lokaci mai yawa ya wuce. Wataƙila ba za ku tuna da ni ba. Tabbas ba zan gane ku ba."
    
  "Ban tuna da kai ba, yallabai, amma na tabbata na gane ka: kai ne Shugaba Kevin Martindale," in ji Brad, bai yi ƙoƙarin ɓoye mamakinsa da ruɗani ba. Martindale ya yi murmushi sosai kuma ya ji daɗin cewa Brad ya gane shi, kuma ya miƙa hannunsa yayin da ya matso. Brad ya girgiza shi. "Naji dadin haduwa da kai, yallabai, amma yanzu na kara rudewa."
    
  "Ba na zarge ka ko kadan, ɗa," in ji tsohon shugaban. "Komai yana faruwa da sauri kuma mutane suna kokawa don ci gaba. Sannan wannan lamarin da ya faru da ku a San Luis Obispo ya taso kuma dole ne mu mayar da martani." Ya kalli raunin da ke gefen kan Brad. "Yaya kan ka, dan? Kuna da mummunan rauni a wurin.
    
  "Komai yana lafiya, sir."
    
  "Lafiya. Ni, na tambayi Sajan Mejo me ya kamata mu yi lokacin da muka gano kutsen, sai ya ce a cire ka, na ce eh, sai ya yi. Yana da matukar tasiri a abubuwa kamar haka."
    
  "Ban ga abin da ya yi ba, amma ina nan, don haka ina tsammanin ya kasance," in ji Brad. "Idan Sajan Major yana yi maka aiki, yallabai, ko za ka iya gaya mani me ke faruwa? Bai gaya min komai ba."
    
  "Ba zai gaya maka komai ba idan yana da baturin mota da aka haɗa da ƙwayoyin sa," in ji Martindale. "Kamar kowane daga cikin mutanen da ke cikin wannan hangar. Ina tsammanin ni ne shugaban wannan kungiya, amma a zahiri ba na tafiyar da ita. Yana yi."
    
  "Iya? Wanene?"
    
  "Shi," in ji Martindale kuma ya yi nuni ga tudun kayan jirgin kamar yadda ya bayyana. Na'ura ce ta yanar gizo - wani mutum-mutumi da aka kera don Sojojin Amurka a matsayin wanda zai maye gurbin filin yaƙi don daidaitaccen rukunin runduna, gami da motsi na ƙarshen, juzu'i, da duk ƙarfin wutarsa - amma ba kamar kowane CID Brad zai iya tunawa ba. Wannan ko ta yaya ya zama sleeker, mai sauƙi, tsayi kuma mafi ladabi fiye da wanda Brad ya yi tuƙi a ƴan shekaru da suka wuce. Dogon robobin mai tsayin kafa goma sha biyu da kafa yana da babban gawu wanda ke gudana daga faffadan kafadu zuwa wani kugu mai dan siriri, slimmer hips, sai dai hannaye da kafafu masu kama da sirara a manne da gangar jikin. Kamar an shigar da na'urori masu auna firikwensin a ko'ina - a kan kafadu, kugu da hannuwa. Kan wani akwati ne mai kusurwa guda shida mai kambun baki kuma babu idanuwa, kawai tabo a kowane gefe. Da alama ya ɗan fi wanda Brad ke tuƙi.
    
  Abin da ya ji na tuƙi na'urar ɗan wasan ƙwallon ƙafa ta cybernetic ba komai ba ne kamar wani abu da Brad ya taɓa fuskanta a baya. Da farko, ya sami taswirar dijital na tsarin juyayinsa kuma ya loda ta cikin na'urar sarrafa na'urar na'ura mai kwakwalwa. Daga nan ya hau cikin mutum-mutumi ta bayansa, ya kwanta a mirgice a kan sanyi mai sanyi, mai jan tabarma, ya makale kansa a cikin kwalkwali da abin rufe fuska na oxygen. Ƙanƙarar ta rufe ta bayansa, komai ya shiga duhu, da sauri ya haifar da ƙwaƙƙwaran claustrophobia. Amma bayan wasu 'yan mintuna sai ya sake gani ... tare da tsaunukan bayanan da aka samu daga robobin, aka gabatar masa da na'urorin na'urar gani da ido, aka sanya shi cikin tsarin ma'auni na jikinsa, ta yadda ba wai kawai yana karanta bayanai daga allo ba. amma hotuna da bayanai sun bayyana a zuciyarsa a matsayin ƙwaƙwalwar ajiya ko ainihin shigarwa daga taɓawa, gani da ji. Yayin da ya fara motsi, sai ya gano cewa zai iya gudu da gudu mai ban mamaki, ya yi tsallen kafa da dama, ya farfasa bango, ya kifar da motoci masu sulke. Mutum-mutumin yana da manyan makamai masu ban mamaki a makale da shi, kuma yana iya sarrafa su duka da sauri mai ban sha'awa da madaidaici.
    
  "Binciken Laifuka," in ji Brad. "Yana da alama sabo. Sabon zane kuma."
    
  "Wannan shi ne misalin farko na sabon samfurin rundunar CID da muke shirin turawa," in ji Martindale.
    
  "Cool," in ji Brad. Ya daga hannu ga robobin. "Wane ne matukin jirgin? Charlie Turlock? Ta koya min yadda ake tashi sama shekaru biyu da suka wuce." Ga CID ya ce, "Hey Charlie, ya kake? Za ka bar ni in hau?"
    
  TIE ya yi tafiya har zuwa Martindale da Bradley, motsinsa na ɗan adam ne duk da girmansa da gaɓoɓinsa na mutum-mutumi, ya ce a cikin muryar ɗan adam ta lantarki, "Hi, ɗa."
    
  Ya ɗauki Brad ƴan lokaci kafin ya gane cewa abin da ya taɓa ji gaskiya ne, kuma fahimtar ta shiga ciki, amma a ƙarshe idanun Brad sun zaro cikin mamaki da kaduwa kuma ya yi kururuwa, "Baba?" Ya kai ga CID, bai san inda zai taba ta ba. "Ya Allah baba kaine? Kuna raye? Kuna da rai! "
    
  "Eh, ɗa," in ji Patrick McLanahan. Har yanzu Brad ya kasa gano inda zai taba robot din, don haka dole ne ya daidaita don rike cikinsa. Ya fara kuka. "Ba komai, Bradley," in ji Patrick a ƙarshe, yana miƙe ya rungume dansa. "Ya Allah, yana da kyau na sake ganinka."
    
  "Amma ban gane ba, Baba," Brad ya ce bayan wasu dogon lokaci a hannun mahaifinsa. "Sun... sun gaya mani cewa ka ... mutu daga raunin da ka ji..."
    
  "Na mutu, ɗa," in ji Patrick a cikin wata murya da aka haɗa ta hanyar lantarki. "Lokacin da suka fitar da ni daga jirgin B-1 a Guam bayan da kuka saukar da B-1, na mutu a asibiti kuma kowa ya san ta kuma kalmar tana can. Amma bayan an kwashe ku da sauran ma"aikatan jirgin zuwa Hawaii, sai suka loda ni a cikin motar daukar marasa lafiya suka fara farfadowa, na dawo."
    
  "Ba za su bar ni in zauna tare da ku ba," Brad ya ce a tsakanin kuka. "Na yi ƙoƙari in zauna tare da ku, amma ba su ƙyale ni ba. Yi hakuri baba, na yi hakuri, da na bukata-"
    
  "Babu lafiya, ɗa," in ji Patrick. "Duk wadanda abin ya shafa sai sun jira a tantance su kuma a tantance su, kuma ni ne wani wanda abin ya shafa a cikin daruruwan a ranar. Likitoci da masu aikin sa kai na yankin sun kula da wadanda abin ya shafa, yayin da sojoji da "yan kwangila suka tafi da su. Sun tsare ni da rai na yini daya da rabi a cikin wani karamin asibitin da ke kusa da tushe, inda aka ajiye ni daga komai. Mutanen da suka fara zuwa don taimako mazauna yankin ne, kuma ba su san ko ni wanene ba. Sai suka kai ni wani karamin asibitin Agana suka tsare ni."
    
  "Amma yaya...?"
    
  "Shugaba Martindale ya same ni kwanaki biyu bayan harin," in ji Patrick. "Masu Masters na Celestial har yanzu suna iya bin ni ta hanyar haɗin bayanan subcutaneous. Martindale ya lura da duk ayyukan Sky Masters Inc. a yankin tekun Kudancin China kuma ya aika da jirgin zuwa sansanin sojojin saman Andersen don tattara bayanan sirri da bayanai game da harin. Daga karshe suka same ni suka yi safarar da ni zuwa Jihohi."
    
  "Amma me yasa CID, baba?"
    
  "Ra'ayin Jason Richter ne," in ji Martindale. "Na yi imani kun haɗu da Colonel Richter a Dutsen Battle?"
    
  "Iya sir. Ya taimake ni da shirye-shiryen don in gwada kaina a cikin CID piloting. Yanzu shi ne shugaban ayyuka a Sky Masters Aerospace."
    
  "Mahaifinka yana cikin mawuyacin hali kuma ba a tsammanin zai tsira daga jirgin da zai koma Hawaii," in ji Martindale. Jirgina da ya kwashe shi yana da ma'aikatan lafiya kadan kuma babu kayan aikin tiyata ko rauni ... amma yana da na'urar cybernetic na yara a cikin jirgin wanda ya taimaka wajen ceto a Guam. Jason ya ce CID na iya taimakawa wanda abin ya shafa numfashi da sarrafa sauran ayyukan jiki har sai ya isa asibiti. Richter bai san cewa wanda aka kashe shi ne mahaifinka ba. "
    
  "To...lafiya kuwa Baba?" - Brad ya tambaya, farin ciki da farko. Amma da sauri ya gane baban nasa yayi nisa, nisa da lafiya, in ba haka ba ba zai ci gaba da zama a CID ba da dansa tilo a gabansa. "Baba...?"
    
  "Ba na jin tsoro, ɗa," in ji Patrick. "Ba zan iya rayuwa a wajen binciken laifuka ba."
    
  "Me?"
    
  "Na iya tsira, Brad, amma da tabbas na kasance cikin injin iska da bugun zuciya kuma mai yiwuwa a cikin yanayin ciyayi," in ji Patrick. Idanun Brad sun ciko da kwalla bakinsa ya bude a gigice. Hannun mutum-mutumin biyu ya miƙe ya tsaya a kan kafaɗun Brad-taɓawarsa tana da haske, ko da taushi, duk da girmansa. "Ban yi nufi ba, Brad. Ba na son zama nauyi ga iyalina tsawon shekaru, watakila shekaru da yawa, har sai sun sami fasahar warkar da ni ko kuma har sai na mutu. A cikin CID na kasance a farke, ina aiki, sama da motsi. A waje, da na kasance cikin suma, akan tallafin rayuwa. Lokacin da nake cikin CID kuma na zo, Ina da zaɓi na ci gaba da tallafawa rayuwa, ja da toshe, ko zama a cikin CID. Na yanke shawarar cewa zan gwammace in zauna a ciki inda zan iya amfani da shi.
    
  "Ke...zaki zauna a ciki...har abada...? "
    
  "Ina jin tsoro haka, ɗa," in ji Patrick, "har sai mun sami damar warkar da duk raunukan da na samu." Hawaye sun k'ara gangaro kan fuskar Brad. "Brad, ba laifi," in ji Patrick, muryarsa mai taushi, mai ƙarfafawa a bayyane ko da a cikin muryar lantarki na robot. "Da na mutu, ɗa-na mutu. An ba ni kyauta mai ban mamaki. Yana iya zama ba kamar rayuwa ba, amma haka ne. Ina so ka yi mini farin ciki."
    
  "Amma ba zan iya ba... Ba zan iya ganin ku ba?" Brad ya kai hannu ya shafi fuskar mutum-mutumin. "Ba zan iya taba ku ba... da gaske?"
    
  "Ka amince da ni, ɗa, ina jin taɓawarka," in ji Patrick. "Ki yi hakuri ba za ki ji nawa ba sai hadaddiyar sanyi. Amma zabin ya kasance ba a yarda da ni ba. Ban shirya mutuwa ba tukuna, Brad. Yana iya zama kamar ba daidai ba ne kuma marar tsarki, amma har yanzu ina raye kuma ina tsammanin zan iya kawo canji. "
    
  "Memorial service fa... The urn...Shaidar mutuwa...?"
    
  "Wannan shine aikina, Brad," in ji Shugaba Martindale. "Kamar yadda mahaifinku ya ce, ya mutu na ɗan lokaci kaɗan, yana cikin mawuyacin hali, kuma ba a tsammanin zai rayu ba. Babu wanda sai Richter da ya yi tunanin cewa sanya mutumin da ya ji rauni a sashin binciken laifuka zai dauki kwanaki kadan. Da zarar mun dawo Jihohi, mun yi ƙoƙari sau da yawa don fitar da shi daga CID don mu tura shi tiyata. Duk lokacin da muka yi ƙoƙari, ya yi kama. Ya kasance... kamar jikinsa baya son barinta.
    
  "Ni ma na kasance cikin ɗan ɗaure," in ji Patrick. "Na ga hotunan. Babu sauran yawa a gare ni. "
    
  "To me kuke so ku ce? An warkar da ku daga CID? Ta yaya wannan zai iya aiki?
    
  "Ba a warkar da su ba, amma a maimakon haka ... an goyi bayan, Brad," in ji Patrick. "CID na iya lura da jikina da kwakwalwata, isar da iskar oxygen, ruwa da abinci mai gina jiki, sarrafa sharar gida da sarrafa yanayin cikin gida. Ba zai iya gyara ni ba. Watakila zan samu sauki da lokaci, amma babu wanda ya sani. Amma ba na bukatar jiki mai lafiya don tukin CID ko amfani da makamansa."
    
  Brad ya fahimci abin da mahaifinsa ke magana a kai, kuma hakan ya sa fatarsa ta rarrafe kuma fuskarsa ta rikiɗe cikin rashin imani, duk da farin cikin da ya sake yi da mahaifinsa. "Kana nufin... kana nufin kai kawai kwakwalwa ne ... kwakwalwar da ke sarrafa na'ura ...?"
    
  "Ina da rai, Brad," in ji Patrick. "Ba kawai kwakwalwa ba ce ke tafiyar da injin." Ya buga kirjin sa mai sulke da yatsa mai hade. "Ni ne a nan. Wannan ubanku ne. Jikin ya lalace, amma har yanzu ni ne. Ina tuka wannan motar kamar yadda kuka dawo a Dutsen Battle. Bambancin kawai shine ba zan iya sauka kawai a duk lokacin da nake so ba. Ba zan iya fita in zama baba na yau da kullun ba. Wannan bangare na rayuwata ya lalace ne da harsashi daga igwan wannan mayakin na kasar Sin. Amma har yanzu ni ne. Ba na son in mutu. Ina so in ci gaba da aiki don kare kasarmu. Idan dole in yi shi daga cikin wannan abu, zan yi. Idan dana ba zai iya taba ni ba, ba zai iya ganin fuskata ba, to wannan shine hukuncin da nake samu na karbar rayuwa. Kyauta ce da azaba da nake karba da farin ciki."
    
  Hankalin Brad ya tashi, amma a hankali ya fara fahimta. "Ina jin na gane Baba," ya fada bayan dogon shiru. "Naji dadin kana raye." Ya juya ya fuskanci Martindale. "Ban fahimce ka ba, Martindale. Ta yaya ba za ka gaya mani cewa yana raye ko da yana CID ba ne?
    
  "Ina gudanar da wata kungiya mai zaman kanta wacce ke gudanar da manyan bayanan fasaha, hana kaifin basira, sa ido da sauran ayyuka masu hadari," in ji Martindale. Ya lura Chris Wall yana tafiya zuwa Brad kuma ya girgiza kai, yana gargadin shi ya tashi. "A koyaushe ina neman ma'aikata, kayan aiki da makamai don inganta aikinmu."
    
  "Kana magana game da mahaifina, ba wani kayan aikin banza ba, yallabai," in ji Brad. Bakin Martindale ya budi cike da mamakin layin Brad, Vol ya fusata har ya ciji wani farfela na jirgin dakon kaya. Brad ya lura da wani abu da bai taɓa lura da shi ba a baya: nau'i biyu na gashi mai launin toka sun naɗe sama da goshin Martindale akan kowane ido, kama da ƙahonin shaidan. "Kuna fara jin kamar mahaukacin masanin kimiyya Dr. Frankenstein."
    
  "Yi hakuri Brad," in ji Martindale. "Kamar yadda na ce, duk likitocin da muka yi magana da su ba su yi tsammanin mahaifinku zai tsira ba. A gaskiya ban san abin da zan ce da Fadar White House ba, da ku, ga "yan uwanku... jahannama, abin da zan ce wa duniya duka. Don haka, na ba da shawara ga Shugaba Phoenix: Ba mu gaya wa kowa cewa mahaifinka yana raye a CID. Mun yi taron tunawa a Sacramento. Lokacin da mahaifinku ya rasu, kamar yadda muka yi imani da gaske ba makawa, da da gaske mun dawo da gawarsa kuma labarin Patrick McLanahan ya zo ƙarshe. Martindale ya dubi na'urar cybernetic na ɗan wasan da ke kusa da shi. "Amma, kamar yadda kuke gani yanzu, bai mutu ba. Har yanzu ya yi nasarar firgita da mamakin jahannama daga gare mu. Amma me za mu iya yi? Mun riga mun binne shi. Muna da zabi: gaya wa duniya cewa yana raye amma yana zaune a cikin CID, ko a gaya wa kowa. Mun zabi na karshen."
    
  "To me yasa yanzu ka gaya min?" Brad ya tambaya, kansa har yanzu yana jujjuyawa. "Na yi imani mahaifina ya mutu. Kuna iya barin shi ya mutu kuma zan iya tuna shi kamar yadda yake kafin harin.
    
  "Dalilai da dama," in ji Martindale. "Da farko "yan kasar Rasha sun sace makamin da mahaifinka ya yi maka konawa, kuma sai mu dauka sun bude ta ne suka same ta babu kowa - ba mu taba mafarkin cewa wani zai taba sace ta ba kuma muna tunanin ba za a dade ba kafin a bukaci hakan, don haka abin takaici ba mu yi hakan ba. 'Kada ka sanya ragowar kowa a ciki. Mun yi tunanin cewa Rashawa za su iya amfani da wannan gaskiyar don matsa wa Shugaba Phoenix lamba ko ma bayyana wannan gaskiyar a bainar jama'a, sannan za a tilasta masa ya mayar da martani."
    
  "Kun san abin da suke cewa game da zato," in ji Brad acidly.
    
  Patrick ya sanya hannu mai sulke a kafadar Brad. "Ka kwantar da hankalinka, dan," muryar lantarki ta ce a hankali. "Na san wannan abu ne mai yawa don ɗauka, amma har yanzu kuna buƙatar nuna ɗan girmamawa."
    
  "Zan gwada Baba, amma yana da ɗan wahala a yanzu," in ji Brad da zafi. "Na biyu kuma?"
    
  "Rashawa suna zuwa gare ku," in ji Patrick. "Wannan shi ne bambaro a gare ni. Na kasance a wurin Utah lokacin da duk wannan ya faru kuma na nemi in kasance tare da ku.
    
  "Wani abu?"
    
  "Vault," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Ajiya?"
    
  "Muna iya magana da yawa a cikin jirgin sama zuwa St. George," in ji Kevin Martindale. "Mu yi lodi kuma-"
    
  "Ba zan iya barin nan ba, yallabai," in ji Brad. "Ina gama shekarar farko ta a Cal Poly kuma na ba da gabatarwa don aikin dakin gwaje-gwaje na bazara wanda zai iya samun sashen injiniya babban taimako daga Sky Masters Aerospace. Ba zan iya barin kawai ba. Ina jagorantar babban ƙungiyar masu bincike da masu haɓakawa, kuma duk sun dogara gare ni. "
    
  "Na fahimta, Brad, amma idan ka koma San Luis Obispo da Cal Poly, za a iya fallasa ka sosai," in ji Martindale. "Ba za mu iya yin kasada da lafiyar ku ba."
    
  "Na gode da Sajan ma'aikacin ya fitar da ni daga wurin, yallabai," in ji Brad, "amma -"
    
  "Na nemi a fitar da ni, ɗa," Patrick ya katse. "Na san wannan zai lalata rayuwar ku gaba ɗaya, amma ba mu san adadin wakilan Rasha ba ko kuma za su iya shiga ba. Gryzlov yana da hauka kamar mahaifinsa, kuma yana iya aika ƙungiyoyin yajin aiki da yawa. Na tuba. Za mu sanya ku a hannun kariya, za mu ƙirƙira muku sabuwar shaida, mu tura ku wani wuri don kammala karatunku, kuma ...
    
  "Ba komai, Baba," in ji Brad. "Dole ne mu gano wata hanya. Idan ba ka daure ni ka jefa ni a kujerar baya na jirgin ka mai sanyin kaya ba, zan dawo ko da na yi tahowa."
    
  "Ina jin tsoron hakan ba zai yiwu ba, Brad," in ji Patrick. "Ba zan iya barin wannan ba. Yana da haɗari sosai. Ina bukatan ku-"
    
  "Ni babba ne yanzu, Baba," Brad ya katse shi, yana samun ɗan ban dariya don jayayya da mutum-mutumi mai ƙafa goma sha biyu. "Sai dai idan kun kwace min hakki na da kundin tsarin mulkin kasa ya ba ni da karfi, ina da damar yin duk abin da na ga dama. Ban da haka, ba na jin tsoro. Yanzu da na san abin da ke faruwa - aƙalla kaɗan fiye da abin da na sani kawai sa'o'i biyu da suka wuce - zan yi hankali sosai."
    
  Kevin Martindale ya jingina ga Patrick ya ce, "Ina tsammanin yana kama da yin lalata da McLanahan, haka ne," ya yi sharhi da murmushi. "Yanzu me za ka yi General? Ya bayyana cewa wani abu a tsaye ya yi karo da wani karfi da ba za a iya jurewa ba."
    
  Patrick ya yi shiru na wasu dogon lokaci. Daga karshe: "Babban Sajan?"
    
  "Yallabai?" Vol ya amsa nan take.
    
  "Haɗu da Bradley da ƙungiyar ku kuma ku samar da mafita ga wannan matsala," in ji Patrick. "Ina so in san kasada da kima na yadda za a rage ko rage waɗancan hadurran ga halin Bradley idan zai koma wannan harabar. Ku kawo mini rahoto da wuri-wuri."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Vol ya amsa, yana fitar da wayarsa ya hau aiki.
    
  "Brad, ba za ku koma makaranta ba har sai an daidaita wannan ga gamsuwa na, kuma idan ya cancanta, don tabbatar da biyan ku, zan ɗaure ku in jefa ku a cikin ɗakin kaya - kuma ba zai zama bakin teku na jirgin ba. , amma mafi ƙarami." - Patrick ya ci gaba. "Yi hakuri, dan, amma haka zai kasance. Da alama za mu zauna a nan don nan gaba mai zuwa." Ya dakata, shiru yayi yana duban abubuwan da ke cikin kwamfutarsa dake cikin jirgi. "Akwai gidan otel da gidan abinci ba da nisa da nan ba, Sajan Major," in ji shi. "Suna nuna guraben aiki da yawa. Zan nemi Kylie ta yi muku hayan dakuna kuma ta aiko muku da bayani. Ku zauna a can dare kuma za mu tsara tsarin wasan da safe. A sami ɗaya daga cikin mutanen da zai kawo wa Bradley abinci, don Allah."
    
  "Eh, sir," Wohl ya amsa, ya juya ya tafi.
    
  "Amma me za ka yi Baba?" - Brad ya tambaya. "Ba za ku iya duba cikin otel ɗin ba."
    
  "Zan kasance lafiya a nan," in ji Patrick. "Bana buƙatar gadaje otal ko gidajen cin abinci kuma, wannan tabbas ne."
    
  "Sa'an nan zan zauna a nan tare da ku," in ji Brad. TIE ba ta motsi kuma tayi shiru. "Ina zaune a nan tare da ku," Brad ya nace.
    
  "McLanahans suna sake haduwa," in ji Martindale. "Madalla." Ya ciro wayarsa ya karanta nunin. "Jigina yana sauka. Da zarar ya shigo, zan koma St. George in kwanta a gado na don canji. Kuna iya yin cikakken bayani kan yadda ake mu'amala da ƙaramin McLahanan, Janar. " Ya dakata, kowa ya yi shiru, tabbas sun ji karar shigowar jet a wajen hangar. "Motar tawa ta iso. Ina yi muku fatan alheri. Ka ajiye ni, Janar."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," muryar da aka haɗa ta hanyar lantarki ta Patrick ta amsa.
    
  "Barka da dare, kowa," in ji Martindale, ya juya kan diddiginsa ya tafi, masu gadinsa suka bi shi.
    
  Patrick ya ce a cikin iska ta hanyar tsarin sadarwa mai yawa na CID, "Kylie?"
    
  Bayan 'yan mintuna: "Eh, yallabai?" ya amsa "Kylie," mataimakiyar muryar dijital ta atomatik wanda aka ba shi suna iri ɗaya da mataimaki na ainihi na Patrick a Sky Masters Inc.
    
  Patrick ya ce "Muna buƙatar dakunan otal biyu ko otal a kusa da daddare kuma watakila uku don gobe da jibi na tawagar sajan," in ji Patrick. "Zan dakata a nan da daddare; 'Dan sandan' yana komawa hedkwatar." "Cop" shine sunan lambar Shugaba Martindale.
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Kylie ta amsa. "Na riga na sami sabunta hanyar 'Cop'. Zan tura bayanan turawa ga Sajan Major nan take."
    
  "Na gode," in ji Patrick. "Fita." Don Brad ya ce, "Jago kujera, ɗa. Ba zan iya jira in kamu ba." Brad ya sami kwalabe na ruwa a cikin ƙaramin firiji. Dan sandan ya zaro wata igiya mai kauri daga aljihun da ke kan bel dinsa, ya cusa ta a cikin wata ma"ajiya mai karfin volt 220, ya mike tsaye, sannan ya daskare a wurin. Brad ya kawo kujera da ruwa zuwa CID. A cikin robobin, Patrick ya kasa hakura, sai dai murmushi ga yanayin fuskar dansa. "Kyawawan ban mamaki, ba haka ba, Brad?" - ya ce.
    
  "'Mai ban mamaki' bai ma kusa kwatanta shi ba," in ji Brad, yana girgiza kai, sannan ya danna kwalban sanyi ga kumburin kansa. Ya yi nazarin sashin binciken laifuka a hankali. "Kuna barci lafiya a can?"
    
  "Na fi yawan barci. Bana bukatar barci da yawa. Haka abinci yake". Ya isa wani sulke mai sulke a bel dinsa ya ciro wata kwantena mai lankwasa kamar babban flask. "Ana zuba min abubuwan gina jiki masu yawa. Sashen Binciken Laifuka na gwada jinina da daidaita tsarin abinci mai gina jiki." Brad kawai ya zauna a wurin, yana dan girgiza kai. "Ci gaba, tambaye ni wani abu, Brad," in ji Patrick a ƙarshe.
    
  "Me ka yi?" Brad ya tambaya bayan wasu 'yan lokuta don ya kawar da tunaninsa na shawagi. "Ina nufin, menene Shugaba Martindale ya umarce ku da ku yi?"
    
  "Ina ciyar da mafi yawan lokutana horo tare da Chris Wall da sauran kungiyoyin kai tsaye ta hanyar amfani da makamai da na'urori iri-iri," in ji Patrick. "Suna amfani da kwamfutoci na da na'urori masu auna firikwensin don tsara yiwuwar ayyuka da gudanar da sa ido." Ya ɗan dakata na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya ce a cikin wata murya mai daɗi, "Amma galibi ina tsaye a cikin rumbun ajiya, an haɗa ni da wuta, magani, zubar da shara da bayanai, na'urorin binciken firikwensin da intanet, ina hulɗa da duniya. . irin. Dijital."
    
  "Kina zaune a dakin ajiya?"
    
  "Ba ni da dalili mai yawa na kasancewa a nan sai dai idan muna kan horo ko manufa," in ji Patrick. "Ina jin tsoron mutane sosai."
    
  "Babu wanda yayi magana da kai?"
    
  "Lokacin horo ko ayyuka, ba shakka," in ji Patrick. "Ina tattara rahotannin abin da na gani kuma in aika su zuwa Martindale kuma za mu iya tattauna su. Zan iya saƙon nan take da tarho tare da kusan kowa."
    
  "A'a, ina nufin... kawai magana da ku kamar yadda muke yi yanzu," in ji Brad. "Har yanzu kai ne. Patrick McLanahan ka.
    
  Wani dakata; sai: "Ban taɓa zama mai yawan magana ba, ɗa," in ji shi a ƙarshe. Brad bai ji daɗin wannan amsar ba, amma bai ce komai ba. "Baya ga haka, ban so kowa ya san cewa ni ne daga sashin binciken laifuka. Suna tsammanin ba kowa a cikinsa lokacin da yake cikin ɗakin ajiyar kuma gungun matukan jirgi sun fito don yin horo tare da shi. Ba su san cewa yana aiki awanni ashirin da huɗu a rana / minti bakwai ba. Wani irin bacin rai ya gani a fuskar d'an nasa da tsananin so ya rungume shi.
    
  "Shin bai zama ba... kun san menene darajar?" - Brad ya tambaya.
    
  "Idan akwai, ba zan iya gano shi ba," in ji Patrick. "Amma suna tura ni lokaci-lokaci zuwa wani sashin binciken laifuka."
    
  "Sun yi? Don haka za ku iya zama a wajen CID?"
    
  "Na ɗan gajeren lokaci, eh," in ji Patrick. "Suna canza bandeji, suna ba ni magunguna idan ina bukata, duba abubuwa kamar sautin tsoka da yawan kashi, sannan su saukar da ni cikin wani mutum-mutumi mai tsabta."
    
  "Don haka zan iya sake ganin ku!"
    
  "Brad, ba na jin kana son ganina," in ji Patrick. "Na gaji sosai da zama a cikin iska daga fashewar bam na B-1 na dogon lokaci. Af, mun gode da dawo da mu lafiya."
    
  "Marabanku. Amma har yanzu ina son ganin ku."
    
  "Za mu yi magana game da shi idan lokaci ya yi," in ji Patrick. "Suna ba ni sanarwar kwana biyu. Ina kan tallafin rayuwa yayin da nake waje. "
    
  Brad ya dubi ma fi ɓacin rai fiye da da. "Mene ne wannan duka, baba?" - Ya tambaya bayan dogon shiru. "Shin za ku zama wani nau'in na'ura mai fasaha kamar yadda Sajan Major ya ce kun zama?"
    
  "Majojin sajan na iya zama sarauniyar wasan kwaikwayo wani lokacin," in ji Patrick. "Brad, na fahimci mahimmancin baiwar rayuwa domin an kusa kwace mini. Na san yadda rai yake da daraja a yanzu. Amma kuma ina so in kare kasarmu, kuma a yanzu ina da babban ikon yin hakan. "
    
  "Sai kuma me?"
    
  Na ɗan lokaci Brad yana tunanin ya ga mahaifinsa yana dafa kafaɗunsa masu sulke. "Gaskiya, ban sani ba," in ji Patrick. "Amma Shugaba Martindale ya shiga cikin ƙirƙirar ƙungiyoyin sirri da yawa waɗanda ke ba da kariya da haɓaka manufofin ketare da na sojan Amurka shekaru da yawa."
    
  "Akwai wani abu da za ku iya gaya mani?" - Brad ya tambaya.
    
  Patrick ya dan yi tunani, sannan ya gyada kai. "Kun ga Predator dauke da garkuwar Hukumar Kwastam da Kariya, amma ina ganin kun lura cewa masu gadi da sauran ma"aikatan a nan ba CBP ba ne. Wannan hanya ɗaya ce ta gudanar da sa ido a cikin Amurka amma ta kasance gaba ɗaya cikin ƙi. Wannan yana ba Fadar White House da Pentagon daki mai yawa don yin motsi. "
    
  "Babu haramun kamar jahannama, Dad."
    
  "Hakan na iya zama gaskiya, amma muna kuma yin babban aiki da na ji ya hana duniya fita daga yaki sau da yawa," in ji Patrick. "Ni da shugaba Martindale mun kasance tare da wani kamfani mai ba da kwangilar tsaro da ake kira Scion Aviation International, yana ba da sabis na kwangila don sa ido kan jiragen sama da kuma, a ƙarshe, kai farmaki kan sojojin Amurka. Lokacin da na shiga Sky Masters na rasa abin da Scion yake yi, amma yanzu na san ya ci gaba da tafiya. Yana yin ayyuka da yawa na sa ido kan ayyukan ta'addanci a duniya a karkashin kwangilar da gwamnatin Amurka."
    
  "Martindale ya fara bata min rai," in ji Brad. "Shi giciye ne tsakanin dan siyasa mai kishi da kuma dan siyasa."
    
  "Shi ne irin mutumin da ke tunani a waje da akwatin kuma yana samun aikin - koyaushe yana sanya iyakar ta tabbatar da hanyar," in ji Patrick. "A matsayinsa na mataimakin shugaban Amurka, Martindale shine ya jagoranci yin amfani da jiragen sama na gwaji na gwaji da kuma makamai da aka kera a wuraren gwajin asirce a Dreamland da sauran wurare a cikin abin da ya kira "jirgin gwajin aiki," kuma a matsayinsa na shugaban kasar. Amurka, ya kirkiro tallafin leken asiri na Hukumar da ke tallafawa CIA da sauran hukumomi a asirce a ayyukan duniya, ciki har da cikin Amurka."
    
  "Sake, Baba, wannan yana kama da ba bisa ka'ida ba."
    
  "A kwanakin nan, watakila," in ji Patrick. "A lokacin yakin cacar baka, 'yan siyasa da kwamandoji sun nemi hanyoyin da za su cim ma aikin ba tare da keta doka ko tsarin mulki ba. Dokar ta haramta CIA yin aiki a kasar Amurka, amma sa ido na farar hula da kungiyoyin tallafi na leken asiri ba bisa doka ba. Ma'anarsu, asalinsu da manufarsu an ɓata da gangan."
    
  "To me kake son yi Baba?" - Brad ya tambaya.
    
  "An ba ni wani abu da ba zan iya biya ba: kyautar rai," in ji Patrick. "Ina bin wani abu ga Shugaba Martindale don ya ba ni wannan kyautar. Ba na ce zan zama dan amshin shatan sa daga yanzu ba, amma a shirye nake in bi wannan hanyar domin in ga inda zai kai ni". Brad ya daure fuska a fuskarsa. "Bari mu canza jigo. Ɗaya daga cikin abubuwan da nake sa ido a kai a kowace rana shine ku, aƙalla rayuwar ku ta dijital, wacce ta yi yawa a kwanakin nan. Zan iya shiga shafukanku na sada zumunta kuma zan iya shiga wasu kyamarori masu tsaro a harabar har da kyamarori masu tsaro a gidan ku da kuma a filin jirgin sama a cikin hangar jirgin sama. Ban dauke idona daga kai ba. Ba ka yi tukin jirgin sama da yawa ba, ban da aikin makaranta. Na ga kun shagaltu da aikin Starfire."
    
  "Mun gaya wa Dr. Nukaga game da wannan da yamma," in ji Brad. Yana da kyau ganinsa ya haskaka lokacin da ya fara magana game da makaranta, Patrick ya yi tunani. "Matukar ban sanya shi a kansa ba cewa wannan aikin soja ne na sirri, wanda ba haka ba ne, ina ganin muna da kyakkyawar dama. Ɗaya daga cikin jagororin ƙungiyarmu, Jung Bae Kim, yana da kyau sosai tare da Nukaga. Zai iya tabbatar da cewa shi ne ace mu a cikin rami."
    
  "Dukkan ƙungiyar ku tana da ban mamaki," in ji Patrick. "Iyayen Lane Egan ƙwararrun masu bincike ne a duniya, kuma tabbas ya fi su duka biyun wayo. Jodie Cavendish fitacciyar tauraruwa ce da ke karatun kimiyya a makarantar sakandare a Ostiraliya. Ta karɓi haƙƙin mallaka guda goma sha biyu kafin ta kammala shekarar farko ta kwaleji."
    
  Gaban Brad ya sake faɗi. "Ina tsammanin kuna da lokaci mai yawa don yin amfani da Intanet, ko ba haka ba, Baba?" - Ya furta cikin sanyin murya mai ban tausayi.
    
  A wannan karon, Patrick ya zare igiya ya wuce wurin dansa, ya nannade masa makamai masu sulke a kusa da shi. "Ba na son ka ji tausayina, Brad," in ji shi bayan dogon lokaci. - "Ba na son ku ji tausayina." Ya koma zaune ya jona network sannan ya mike ya daskare. "Don Allah kar. Kamar yadda na ce, Ina jin alaƙa mai ƙarfi da ku saboda zan iya kallon ku kuma in duba ku akan layi. Har sau biyu na yi muku sakon Twitter."
    
  Kamar walƙiya na hoto ya kashe, fuskar Brad ta haskaka da mamaki. "Kuna da? Kai wanene? Menene sunan ku na Twitter?"
    
  "Ba ni da daya. Ni ganuwa ne."
    
  "Ba a ganuwa?"
    
  "Ba a bayyane ga mai amfani ko wasu baƙi." Brad ya dubi shakku. "Ina da ikon yin birgima a shafukan sada zumunta na wani ba tare da 'abota' su ba, Brad. Yawancin hukumomin gwamnati da ma kamfanoni suna da wannan damar. Ina nemo saƙonni ta amfani da keywords kuma ina bar muku saƙonni. Wani lokaci 'kamar' ne kawai ko kalma ɗaya ko biyu. Ina son kallon ku. Na gamsu da kallo da karantawa kawai."
    
  Duk da damuwar farko da ɗansa ya yi game da tunanin mutane, kamfanoni ko hukumomin gwamnati waɗanda ba a san su ba suna samun damar shiga shafukansa na sada zumunta, Patrick ya yi tunanin wannan shine mafi farin ciki da Brad ya duba tun barin Sherpa. "Ka san me baba? A koyaushe ina ji, ba mai ƙarfi sosai ba, amma kawai wani wuri a cikin zurfin raina, cewa kuna kallona. Ina tsammanin wani abu ne na addini ko na ruhaniya, kamar fatalwar ku ko kuna cikin sama ko wani abu. Ni ma ina tunanin mahaifiyata."
    
  "Kunyi gaskiya. Ina kallon ku... har ma da yin magana da ku a dijital. Kuma ina jin inna ma tana kula da mu."
    
  "Kwarai. Ku amince da yadda kuke ji, ina tsammani, "in ji Brad, yana girgiza kai cikin rashin imani.
    
  "Bari muyi magana game da Cal Poly."
    
  "Dole ne in koma, Baba," in ji Brad. "Zan dawo. Starfire yayi girma da yawa. Idan kun kasance kuna kula da ni, kun san muhimmancin wannan.
    
  "Na san kun yi aiki tuƙuru a kan wannan," in ji Patrick. "Amma ba zan barki ki dawo ba har sai na tabbatar kina lafiya. Gidan da kuke ciki yana rufe - ya keɓe sosai."
    
  "Sa'an nan kuma zan zauna a dakunan kwanan dalibai kuma in ci abinci a gidajen cin abinci," in ji Brad. "Suna da cunkoso. Ban san yawan aikin da zan iya yi a can ba, amma ina da damar yin amfani da 24/7 zuwa ginin Reinhold Aerospace Engineering - Zan iya yin aiki a can."
    
  "Idan kowa zai iya gano hanyar da zai dawo da ku can cikin aminci da lafiya, Chris Wohl ne," in ji Patrick. "To ta yaya kuka zabi Cal Poly?"
    
  "Mafi kyawun makarantar injiniyan sararin samaniya a gabar yamma da zan iya shiga tare da makina," in ji Brad. "Ina tsammanin yawan wasan ƙwallon ƙafa, sintiri na jirgin sama da jiragen sama na Angel Flight West a makarantar sakandare sun shafi maki na sosai." Ya ɗan dakata na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya tambaya, "Don haka ba kwatsam ba ne Rancherita ya kasance lokacin da nake neman wurin zama?" Shin da gaske wannan na Sajan Major ne?"
    
  "Nasa ne na Scion Aviation," in ji Patrick. "Na ji ya fi sauƙi a kula da ku a can fiye da dakunan kwanan dalibai. Don haka kuna son Cal Poly da gaske?"
    
  "Cal Poly babbar makaranta ce, ina son yawancin farfesa na, kuma yana cikin nisan tuki don P210, don haka zan iya tashi zuwa Dutsen Battle don ziyarci Sondra Eddington a duk lokacin da zan iya."
    
  "Ku biyu sun yi kyau sosai, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Eh, amma yana da wuya a ci gaba," in ji Brad. "Koyaushe tana nan kuma ba ni da lokacin kyauta."
    
  "Har yanzu kuna son zama matukin gwaji?"
    
  Brad ya ce: "Ina tsammanin zan yi, Dad." "Na ci gaba da tuntuɓar Boomer, Gonzo, Dr. Richter da Dr. Kaddiri daga Sky Masters da Colonel Hoffman daga Warbirds. Wataƙila za su iya ba ni horon horo a Makarantar Pilot a Nevada tsakanin ƙarami da manyan shekaru idan na ci gaba da digiri na, kuma watakila Sky Masters za su tallafa mini don samun tabo a cikin aji kamar Warbirds na Har abada tare da horar da Sondra na tashi. jiragen sama a Sky Masters." Warbirds Forever" wata cibiyar kula da jiragen sama ce a filin jirgin sama na Steed da ke Reno, Nevada, wacce kuma ta horar da matukan jirgin farar hula akan nau'ikan jiragen sama iri-iri, daga tsofaffin jiragen sama masu saukar ungulu, bizjet na miliyoyin dala da jiragen soja zuwa ritaya; Sondra Eddington na daya daga cikin malaman da suka koyar da jirgin "Dala miliyan daya da rabi don samun digiri na biyu da kuma shaidar gwajin matukin jirgi, daga karshe ina so in tuka jiragen sama zuwa sararin samaniya, watakila Sondra ne zai zama malami na."
    
  "Ina taya ku murna. Ina ganin kana kan hanya madaidaiciya."
    
  "Nagode baba". Brad ya dakata, yana kallon CID sama da ƙasa, ya yi murmushi. "Yana da kyau in sake yin magana da kai, Baba," in ji shi a karshe. "Ina tsammanin na fara saba da cewa kun kulle cikin mota."
    
  "Na san zai yi muku wahala da farko, kuma watakila daga baya ma," in ji Patrick. "Ina tunanin ba zan bar Sherpa ba ko kuma in ce muku ni ne, don kawai ku tsira daga radadin da ta haifar. Ni da Shugaba Martindale mun yi magana game da shi, kuma ya ce zai buga ta yadda nake so. Naji dadin gaya miki, kuma naji dadin kin fara sabawa da shi.
    
  "Ina jin ba ku da gaske a wurin," in ji Brad. "Kace kai babana ne, amma ta yaya zan san hakan?"
    
  "Kina so ki gwadani?" - Patrick ya tambaya. "Ci gaba".
    
  "KO. Koyaushe kina dafa min wani abu na cin abincin dare mai sauki a gareki da lafiyata."
    
  "Macaroni da cuku da soyayyen karnuka masu zafi," in ji Patrick nan da nan. "Kuna son sigar MRE musamman."
    
  "Inna?"
    
  "Kun watsar da tokarta a cikin tekun kusa da Coronado," in ji Patrick. "Abin mamaki ne: tokar tana haskakawa kamar azurfa, kuma da alama ba ta taɓa ruwa ba. Sun ruga, ba kasa ba."
    
  "Na tuna wannan ranar," in ji Brad. "Mutanen da ke tare da mu sun yi baƙin ciki, amma ba ka yi baƙin ciki ba."
    
  "Na sani," in ji Patrick. "Na yi imani cewa a matsayina na kwamanda bai kamata in nuna bakin ciki, tsoro, rauni ko bakin ciki ba, har ma da matata. Wannan ba daidai ba ne. A koyaushe ina tsammanin ba ku lura ba. Babu shakka kun yi." Bayan dan lokaci kadan, ya kara da cewa, "Yi hakuri dan. Mahaifiyarka ta kasance mace mai ban mamaki. Ban taba ba ku labarin abin da ta aikata ba. Nima nayi nadama. Zan gyara muku."
    
  "Hakan zai yi kyau Baba." Brad ya nuna kan kafadarsa a C-23C Sherpa. "Wannan jirgin naku ne?"
    
  "Daya daga cikin da yawa a cikin tarin Shugaba Martindale," in ji Patrick. "Rara sojojin saman Amurka a Turai. Wannan shine mafi ƙanƙancin jirgin dakon kaya da zan iya shiga. Yana da jirgin Boeing 737-800 na daukar kaya don balaguro zuwa ketare. Ya yi musu fenti baki dayansu, duk da hatsarin da ke tattare da shi, da kuma yadda ya sabawa tsarin kula da muhalli na jirgin. Ya kasance haka tun da na san shi: komai hanya ce ta kamewa da tsoratarwa, har ma da launin fenti a cikin jirgin sama, kuma bai damu da sakamakon injina, zamantakewa ko siyasa ba.
    
  "Shin za ku taɓa gaya wa Anti Nancy da Anti Margaret?" - Brad ya tambaya.
    
  "Ba zan taba cewa ba, Brad, amma a yanzu ina son rayuwata ta zama sirri," in ji Patrick. "Ba za ku iya gaya wa kowa ba. Shugaba Martindale kawai, Shugaban Phoenix, Chris Wall da wasu tsirarun wasu sun sani. Hatta Dr. Kaddiri da Dr. Richter daga Sky Masters ba su sani ba, kuma kamfaninsu shi ne babban dan kwangilar kera na"urori masu amfani da intanet na "yan sanda. Ga kowa, ni alamar kira ce kawai."
    
  "Mene ne wannan?"
    
  An ɗan dakata, sai Patrick ya amsa: "'Tashi daga matattu.' "
    
  "Muna tunanin za a iya yi, yallabai," in ji Chris Wall yayin da shi da mutanensa suka shiga rataye da sassafe. Ya ajiye jakar abincin karin kumallo akan tebur a dakin taro inda Brad ke barci.
    
  Nan take Brad ya farka ya bi Vol da mutanensa zuwa babban wurin da ake binciken laifuka. "Ya kika fito da wani shiri da sauri haka?" ya lura. "Ba ko shida na safe ba."
    
  "Janar ya ce da wuri-wuri," Vol ya ce kamar babu abin da ya faru. "Mun yi aiki dukan dare." Da yake magana da Patrick daga CID, ya ce, "Yallabai, mun zazzage taswirar harabar da kewaye kuma mun sami bayanai game da Sashen Tsaro na Campus, "Yan sandan City, Sashen Sheriff na gundumar San Luis Obispo, sintiri na babbar hanyar California, da kuma dokar tarayya. Hukumomin tilasta bin doka da oda a ciki da wajen birnin San Luis Obispo. Dukkan hukumomi suna da ma'aikata da horarwa sosai. 'Yan sandan harabar suna da tsarin sa ido na bidiyo mai yawa- kusan kowace kofa da falo a gine-ginen ilimi da gudanarwa, kusan kowane kusurwar titi, da kowane kofar waje a cikin kowane ginin harabar ana sanye da kyamara da nadi. Manyan laifuffuka a harabar ba ze zama babbar matsala ba.
    
  "Akwai kusan dalibai dubu goma sha tara a harabar," in ji shi. "Daliban sun fito ne daga California, galibinsu farare, Hispanic da Asiya; kashi biyu ne kawai na dalibai daga wasu kasashe, kuma kashi goma sha biyar ne kawai na daliban kasashen duniya daga Gabashin Turai. Gundumar na karkara ne kuma tuddai kuma ba a ga alama tana da gungun ƙungiyoyi masu yawa, duk da cewa akwai rahotanni da yawa na meth labs da kuma gonakin tabar wiwi a yankunan karkara waɗanda hukumomin gundumomi, jihohi da na tarayya suka yi gaggawar wargaza su da alamun suna aiki tare tare. tare da aboki.
    
  " Kalubale: Samun shiga harabar harabar da galibin gine-gine gabaɗaya ba su da iko, kodayake gine-ginen harabar, dakunan gwaje-gwaje, da azuzuwan ana iya kulle su ta hanyar amfani da tsaro na harabar na lantarki; kuma sadarwar gaggawa ta hanyar saƙon rubutu suna da kyau kwarai, "Wohl ya ci gaba. "Duk da haka, tun da ba a sarrafa hanyar shiga, zai kasance da sauƙi ga ƙungiyar ta shiga cikin harabar idan ya cancanta. Gano mai kutse ko sa ido a tsakanin dukkan ɗalibai zai yi wahala, kuma horo kan dabarun sa ido ya kamata ya zama tilas domin Bradley ya gane inuwar. Ba a yarda da bindigogi a cikin harabar jami'a, kuma boye takardun izinin bindigu kusan ba zai yiwu a samu ba a wannan karamar hukuma, ko jihar gaba daya, amma an samu rahotannin dalibai masu dauke da makamai. Wani 'dan sanda' zai iya taimaka maka samun izini don ɗaukar ɓoyayyiyar bindiga. Gidan yarin gundumar bai wuce mil biyu kudu ba, kuma Mazajen maza na California, ƙaramin gidan yari da matsakaicin tsaro, bai wuce mil uku arewa maso yamma ba . Filin jirgin saman yankin San Luis Obispo yana da nisan mil huɗu kudu.
    
  "Shawarwarina, yallabai, bisa ga bincikenmu na farko, zai kasance ga danka ya koma harabar da wuri-wuri, amma ba zuwa wuraren zama na jama'a ba," Vol ya kammala. "Za mu ba da shawarar ya ƙaura zuwa wani katafaren gida da aka sani da Poly Canyon. Ya zama kamar rukunin gidaje, yana da ƙananan ɗalibai, yana da nisa daga babban harabar, kowane ginin yana da nasa manajan cikakken lokaci da ƙungiyar tsaro ta cikakken lokaci, kuma akwai mataimakan ɗalibai masu juyawa a kowane bene- mazauna, da yawa. da alama sun bude ido dare da rana. bakwai. Mun yi kiyasin cewa da ya sami matsakaicin matsakaiciyar damar rayuwa idan ya sami horon da ya dace kan sa ido, kariyar kai da sanin makami kuma ya dauki bindiga."
    
  "Ina so in yi duka!" - Brad ya ce. "Yaushe zan fara?"
    
  TIE ya kasance baya motsi na wasu lokuta masu tsawo, amma a ƙarshe ya motsa kansa. "Kyakkyawan rahoto, Sajan Major," in ji Patrick. "Na gode".
    
  "Sannu da zuwa yallabai."
    
  "Shirya jadawalin motsa jiki don Bradley a dakin motsa jiki na gida ko makamancin wannan," in ji Patrick. "Na yi imani Cif Ratel har yanzu yana yankin. Fara da wuri-wuri. Zan tuntubi "'Dan sanda" kuma in tambaye shi ya yi aiki a kan izinin ɗaukar kaya da aka ɓoye da kuma shiga Poly Canyon. Koyar da Brad yadda ake amfani da bindiga da ɗaukarsa a kowane lokaci har sai mun sami izinin ɗaukar kaya mara izini mara izini.
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Wohl ya amsa, ya juya ya shiga dakin taron tare da abokan wasansa.
    
  "Kylie." Patrick yayi magana a cikin tsarin waƙafi.
    
  "Iya, yallabai?" ya amsa mataimakan na'ura mai kwakwalwa.
    
  "Ina buƙatar zama cikin gaggawa na bazara da shekara-shekara a mazaunin ɗaliban Poly Canyon da ke Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Campus na Bradley McLanahan," in ji shi. "Ina kuma buƙatar izinin ɗaukar kaya na ƙasa baki ɗaya ga Bradley, gami da izinin ci gaba da harabar kwaleji. Bayar da wannan bukatar ga hedkwata da kuma 'Dan sanda' - yana iya buƙatar taimako don shawo kan duk wani cikas na ofis ko siyasa."
    
  "Iya sir".
    
  "Har yanzu ban gamsu da wannan ba," in ji Patrick, yayin da yake cire haɗin gwiwa daga mataimakinsa na lantarki, "amma idan za mu iya kai ku Poly Canyon kuma Sajan ma'aikaci zai iya horar da ku, zan ji daɗi. Ina fatan mutanen Rasha ba za su dame ku ko "yan uwanku ba bayan haduwa da Sajent Major Wohl, amma muna tsammanin za su dawo su sake gwadawa bayan sun sake tattara ku sun gano ku, don haka za mu yi iya ƙoƙarinmu don kiyaye ku da zama. a makaranta. Na tabbata Gryzlov zai aiko da ƙarin ƙungiyoyi bayan ku da zarar kun isa, don haka muna da ɗan gajeren lokaci don horar da ku, kuma Chris da tawagarsa ba za su kasance a koyaushe don kula da ku ba, don haka yana da muhimmanci ku sami horo da wuri. mai yiwuwa"
    
  "Na gode Baba," in ji Brad. Ya wuce CID ya rungume shi yana tunanin babban robobin da mahaifinsa ke samun sauki cikin minti daya. "Zai yi kyau. Zan yi aiki tukuru a kan wannan, na yi alkawari. Ɗaya daga cikin shugabannin ƙungiyara yana zaune a Poly Canyon, kuma idan Sondra bai dawo gida ba, tabbas zan so kasancewa tare da ita. "
    
  "Kawai ku tuna ku buɗe idanunku da kunnuwanku kuma ku saurari wannan ƙaramar murya a bayan kai wanda ya gaya muku cewa mahaifinku yana kula da ku," in ji Patrick. "Wannan zai faɗakar da ku game da haɗari."
    
  "Zan yi haka, baba."
    
  "Lafiya. Yi magana da Sajan Major kuma ku shirya shi ya kai ku otal a cikin gari har sai mun sami daki a cikin harabar. Wataƙila kuna buƙatar share labarin ku kuma ku yi magana da 'yan sanda game da abin da ya faru a wurin kiwo. Zan koma St. George da yammacin yau."
    
  "A dawo lafiya?"
    
  "Inda zan iya gwada burina kuma in sake kamawa," in ji Patrick. "Zan tuntube ni, Brad. Ina son ka, dan."
    
  "Nima ina son ka, Baba," in ji Brad. Ya sake rungumo CID, sannan ya shiga dakin taron ya sami Chris Wall. "Na gode da samun wannan rahoton da sauri, Sajan Major," in ji shi. "Ban gane jami'ar tana da lafiya sosai ba."
    
  "Ba haka ba ne," in ji Vol, "akalla ba a gare ku ba game da masu kisan gilla na Rasha."
    
  Murmushi Brad yayi a bace. "Me za a ce?" Ya tambaya fuskarsa a daure.
    
  "Ka yi tunani game da shi, McLanahan: dalibai dubu goma sha tara, watakila wasu malamai dubu biyar da ma'aikatan tallafi, sun cunkushe a wani yanki mai kasa da murabba'in mil uku," in ji Wohl. "Kowa zai iya zuwa ya tafi sa"o"i 24 a rana a ko"ina a harabar da yake so. Akwai jami'in 'yan sandan harabar da aka rantse ga kowane dubunnan dalibai da ke kan aiki, kuma ba su da manyan makamai ko horo na SWAT. Kun kammala dukkan kwasa-kwasan karatunku na farko, don haka girman ajin ku zai zama ƙanana daga yanzu, amma har yanzu za ku kasance kuna halartar azuzuwan da labs tare da yara da yawa."
    
  "To meyasa kika ce in koma?"
    
  "Saboda ina tsammanin mahaifinku ya damu da ku sosai - zai yi farin ciki sosai ya kulle ku kawai, ya sanya ku a cikin akwati mai kyau, mai tsaro kamar yadda yake yi, kuma ya ba ku damar shiga duniya ta hanyar Intanet," in ji Wohl. "Ba zai damu da yadda ba za ku yi farin ciki ba, domin a tunaninsa, za ku tsira daga duniyar haɗari da ya rayu kuma ya yi yaƙi a cikin kusan dukan rayuwarsa."
    
  "To me yasa ka damu da abinda mahaifina ke son yi min, Sajan Major?" - Brad ya tambaya. "Ban san ku ba kuma ba ku san ni ba. Ka ce kai ba abokin babana bane. Me ya sa ka damu?"
    
  Vol ya yi watsi da tambayar. "Bayanin da na bayar daidai ne: wannan yanki ne mai aminci da birni," in ji shi maimakon haka. "Tare da wasu shirye-shirye, ana iya magance haɗarin, watakila ma a rage girmansa." Ya yi murmushi sosai ga Brad, wanda har yanzu yana kallon fushi, ya kuma kara da cewa, "Bayan haka, yanzu ni da jama"ata muna da ku, kuma an ba mu dama don samar da shirin horarwa don samun siffar jakinku da koyarwa. ku hanya madaidaiciya don kallon duniya. Kowace rana, awa daya a rana."
    
  "Kowace rana? Ba zan iya yin horo kowace rana ba. ina da..."
    
  "Kowace rana, McLanahan," in ji Vol. "Za ku yi horo kowace rana, ruwan sama ko haske, mara lafiya ko lafiya, jarrabawa ko kwanan wata, ko kuma in aike ku zuwa wurin mahaifinku, kuma zai kulle ku da farin ciki a cikin jajayen duwatsun kudancin Utah. Za ku yi nauyi da horo na cardio don dacewa da jiki; sanda-Jah da Krav Maga don kare kai; da kuma gudanar da azuzuwa da zanga-zanga a cikin sa ido, hana sa ido, bincike, lura da dabarun ganowa." Ya sake yin wannan mugun murmushi, sannan ya kara da cewa, "Kana tunanin Dabba ta Biyu a Makarantar Sojan Sama ta yi sanyi? Ba ka ga komai ba tukuna, Bubba. Murmushi Vol yayi a bace sai wani tunani na tunani ya bayyana a fuskarsa. "Abu na farko da muke buƙatar yi shine ba ku alamar kiran ku," in ji shi.
    
  "Alamar kira? Me yasa nake buƙatar alamar kira?"
    
  "Saboda na gaji da kiran ku 'McLanahan' - lafuzza masu yawa," in ji Vol. "Ya dubi abokan wasansa da suke tare da shi a cikin dakin taro, dukansu uku suna da tsayi, murabba'i-jawed kuma suna da karfin jiki, Hollywood version na Navy SEAL wanda Brad ya yi tsammani sun kasance sau ɗaya. "Me kuke tunani. ?"
    
  "Farji," in ji ɗaya. Shi ne mafi girma a cikin ukun, tsayinsa ya haura ƙafa shida, kuma nauyinsa ya haura fam ɗari biyu, yana da kauri mai kauri, da faffadan kafaɗa wanda ya matse zuwa siririyar kugu, ya sake faɗaɗa zuwa cinyoyi masu kauri da maraƙi, sa'an nan kuma ya sake matsewa zuwa siririyar idon sawunsa. Ya yi kama da ƙwararren mai gina jiki, Brad ya yi tunani. "Mafi kyau kuma, kawai a ba maigidan. Zai tauna shi ya tofa, Janar zai tura shi St. George, sannan ba za mu yi maganinsa ba."
    
  "Flex, muna da aikin da za mu yi," in ji Vol. "Ki ajiye ra"ayin ku a kanku. Dice?"
    
  "Kolobok"
    
  "Weirdo," in ji na uku.
    
  "Ka kasance mai kyau ga saurayi," in ji Vol, yana sake yin wannan murmushi mai ban sha'awa. "Ya sami kwarewa mai ban tausayi sosai kuma dalibin injiniya ne mai aiki tukuru."
    
  "Smart guy, ya?" - ya tambayi wanda ake kira Dice. "Yaro na ya kasance yana kallon wani zane mai ban dariya mara kwakwalwa a TV mai suna Dexter's Laboratory inda wannan yaro mai wayo yake ci gaba da lakada masa wawa. Bari mu kira shi 'Dexter'. "
    
  "Har yanzu ina son 'Doughboy' mafi kyau," in ji na uku.
    
  "Wannan shi ne Dexter," in ji Vol.
    
  "Alamar kira ce mai ban dariya," in ji Brad. "Zan zabi kaina."
    
  "Dexter, abokan wasan ku ne suka samu kuma suka zaba, ba da kanku ba," in ji Vol. "Ba ku sami komai ba tukuna. Amma alamun kira na iya canzawa, duka don mafi muni da mafi kyau. Yi aiki tuƙuru kuma watakila mu ba ku wani abu mafi kyau."
    
  "Mene ne alamar kiran ku?"
    
  "A gare ku, 'Sir' ko 'ma'aikacin sajan," in ji Vol, yana kallon Bradley da mummunar barazana. "Gwamma ku samu daidai a karon farko." Bi da bi, ya gaya wa mutanensa, "Dice, nemo mana. Otal mai aminci don zama a San Luis Obispo, kusa da harabar. Flex, tuntuɓi Cif Ratel kuma ku tambaye shi ko zai iya saita mana dabarun yaƙi, sa ido, da shirin horar da bindigogi da wuri-wuri." Ga Brad, ya ce: " Mu ga yadda kuke harbi."
    
  "Hannun harbi? Ba ni da hannun harbi."
    
  "To, da wanne hannu kuke ɗaukar hancin ku, Dexter? Ku zo, ba mu da dukan yini a gabanmu." Ox ya kama hannun dama na Brad kuma Brad ya saki hannunsa. "Ya Ubangijina, ƙananan hannaye, kamar na babanka. Watakila dalilin da ya sa ya shiga aikin sojan sama ke nan - ba shi da manyan hannaye da za su iya rike bindigar "ya mace." Ya daga hannunsa don memba na uku ya ga hannun Brad. "Rattlesnake"?
    
  "Smith & Wesson M da .40 cal," in ji memba na uku a cikin murya mai zurfi, mai girma. "Ko bindigar harbi."
    
  "Wannan calometer arba'in ne," in ji Vol. "Ku tafi." 'Yan tawagar uku sun fitar da wayoyinsu sun fara aiki. "Abu na ƙarshe, Dexter."
    
  "Na riga na ƙi wannan alamar kira," in ji Brad.
    
  "Na riga na tsani wannan alamar kiran, sir," Vol ya gyara masa. "Na gaya muku: yi wani abu mai dacewa ga ƙungiyar da kanku, kuma kuna iya samun ingantacciyar alamar kira. Kuma ku fara nuna girmamawa ga manyan ku anan. Da ma na yi wa jakinka mari a kan hanyar da ka yi magana da Shugaba Martindale jiya. Zan yi a karo na gaba, na yi muku alkawari." Brad ya gyada kai kuma cikin hikima ya yi shiru.
    
  Vol ya ci gaba da cewa "Za mu iya yin 'yan abubuwa a yanzu don taimaka muku ganowa da kare kanku daga haɗari, amma babu abin da za mu iya yi wa abokan ku." "Mun lura cewa ba kwa yin mu"amala da kowa da gaske sai ƙungiyar ku ta ƙwaƙƙwaran ƙwaƙƙwaran wannan aikin na Starfire, wanda yana da kyau, amma ina so ku iyakance lokacinku a bainar jama"a tare da kowa. Idan ƙungiyar kamawa ta fara kai hari ga abokanka don zuwa gare ku, zai iya zama matsala ta gaske ga kowa da kowa wanda ba za mu iya ɗauka ba. fahimta?"
    
  "Iya," Brad ya ce. Ya ji haushi ya bayyana a fuskar Vol. "Eh yallabai" ya gyara zama.
    
  "Lafiya. Ki yi breakfast, ki shirya kayanki ki shirya ki fita nan da mintuna goma."
    
  "Iya, sir," Brad ya ce. Ya koma dakin taron ya lura duk abincin karin kumallo ya tafi. "Wannan ita ce farkon rana mai ban tsoro," in ji shi. Amma ya waiwaya can gefen hangar, sai ya ga sashin binciken laifuka tare da mahaifinsa a ciki, sai ya yi murmushi. "Amma mahaifina yana raye. Ba zan iya yarda da wannan ba. Ina rayuwa a mafarki... Amma ban damu ba saboda mahaifina yana raye!"
    
    
  SAKE GININ INGANCI Aerospace
  CAL POLY
  DA safe
    
    
  "Brad! Menene jahannama ya same ku?" Lane Egan ta faɗa yayin da Brad ya shiga ɗakin. Sauran sun yi tsalle zuwa kafafunsu kuma suka shiga cikin firgici lokacin da suka ga dogon lokaci, mummunan rauni a gefen kai da fuskar Brad - babu adadin kankara da zai iya boye shi har yanzu, kodayake kumburin ya ragu sosai.
    
  "Hey mutane," in ji Brad. Dukansu sun zo wurinsa kuma ya ji daɗin kulawa da Jodie. "Lafiya lau, ina lafiya."
    
  "Me ya faru da ku?" - Tambayi Kim Jong-bae. "Ina ka je? A asibiti? Mun damu da kai matuka!"
    
  "Ba za ku yarda da wannan ba, Jerry: Na shiga cikin wani hari gida jiya da daddare bayan mun gabatar da mu," Brad ya yi ƙarya. Idanu suka zaro daga cikin kwasfansu suka bude baki da mamaki. "Mutane biyu ne suka kutsa cikin gidan kuma suka buge ni a gefen kai da sanda ko jemage na baseball ko wani abu."
    
  "Ba abin mamaki bane?" duk suka fad'a. "Me ya faru?"
    
  "Babu ra'ayi," Brad ya yi ƙarya. "Na farka kuma akwai "yan sanda a ko"ina. Ma"aikatan lafiya sun duba ni, na gabatar da rahoto, kuma hakan yayi kyau. Sun sami kwayoyi a kan teburin dafa abinci kuma suna tunanin watakila wasu masu shan muggan kwayoyi suna so su yi girma a wani wuri."
    
  "Ya Allahna, Brad," Casey ta yi ajiyar zuciya, "Na gode Allah da ku."
    
  "Ina lafiya, ina lafiya, Casey," Brad ya tabbatar musu. "Gyros dina suna ɗan murɗawa lokaci zuwa lokaci, amma har yanzu ina iya hawan babur."
    
  "A ina kika tsaya?" Jodi ya tambaya, kuma Brad yana tsammanin ya ga wani lumshe ido a idonta da alamar murmushin marmari. "Ba za ka koma gidan nan ba, kawata?"
    
  "A'a," in ji Brad. "Maigidan ya kamu da cutar. Yana da ma'aikata masu motsi da kayan da ba a karye ba, zai hau wurin. Ban san abin da zai yi bayan wannan ba. Ina zama a ɗaya daga cikin otal-otal na alfarma a kan titin Monterey. Zan iya zama a wurin har zuwa karshen semester har dalibai sun bar garin. Zan nemi Cerro Vista da Poly Canyon kuma zan yi ƙoƙarin guje wa dakunan kwanan rani gwargwadon iko. "
    
  "Sa'a da wannan, aboki," in ji Jodie. "Ya kamata ka'idodin Cerro Vista su fito watanni biyu da suka gabata, kuma ya kamata ka'idodin Poly Canyon su fito a bara. Kila ku sake zama daga harabar idan ba ku son zama a cikin dakunan kwanan dalibai."
    
  "Ok, wannan duk ana yin aiki ne, don haka bari mu fara kasuwanci kafin mu yi asara," in ji Brad, kuma taron nasu ya fara. Sai da ya ɗauki 'yan mintoci kaɗan kawai, ya isa kowa ya sabunta matsayin ƙungiyar su, yarda da jadawalin lab, da aika buƙatun zuwa Brad don kayayyaki ko bayanai na mako mai zuwa, sannan suka yi sauri zuwa aji.
    
  Jodi ya yi tafiya kusa da Brad. "Ka tabbata kana lafiya, abokin?" - Ta tambaya. "Ina tsammanin wannan shine mafi munin rauni da na taɓa gani."
    
  "Ina lafiya, Jody, godiya," in ji Brad. "Da ma in ce, 'Ya kamata ku kalli ɗayan,' amma na kasance a sume."
    
  "Me yasa ba ka kira ni ba, Brad?"
    
  "Ba ni da lokaci kawai, Jody," Brad ya yi ƙarya. "Ni baƙar fata ne a matsayin wuta sannan na yi maganin 'yan sanda, ma'aikatan lafiya da kuma mai gida."
    
  "To a ina kuke jiya duka?"
    
  "Zaune da fakitin kankara a kan bugu na, ina sauraron umarnin mai gidana da bacin rai game da masu shan muggan kwayoyi da aikata laifuka da rushewar al'umma," Brad ya sake yin karya. "Sai ya taimake ni in sami otal. Kaina ya yi mugun zafi har na fadi bayan haka."
    
  "Me yasa bayan class bazaka zo ganina ba?" Ta tambaya. "Ba kwa so ku je otal kadai, ba ku, ba tare da wanda yake kula da ku ba?" A wannan karon Brad bai kamata yasan manufarta ba - ta miqe ta tabe hannunsa. "Me ka ce abokin?"
    
  Ya dan kau da kai ga duk wani abu da ya faru da shi a cikin "yan kwanakin da suka gabata, don haka amsarsa ta dan yi kasala, sai Jodie ta yi murmushi. "Da kyau, Jodie," in ji shi, kuma murmushinta ya dawo. "Amma da farko ina da alƙawari bayan laburarmu."
    
  "Don ganin likita?"
    
  Brad ya yanke shawarar cewa ba zai yi wa wannan matar ƙarya game da komai ba idan zai iya guje wa hakan kwata-kwata. "A gaskiya, mai gidana tsohon sojan ruwa ne , ina tsammanin na fada muku, yana hada min shirin horarwa. Horon jiki da kariyar kai." Ba zai gaya wa Jody game da rashin hankali da sauran horo na leken asiri, ko horar da makamai ba - hey, ya yi tunani, rashin faɗi wani abu ya bambanta da ƙarya, daidai? "Yana ganin ina da laushi sosai kuma ina buƙatar yin ƙarin don taimakon kaina a cikin yanayi kamar mamaye gida."
    
  "Kai," in ji Jodie, tana lumshe ido cikin mamaki. "Kana da gaskiya akan hakan?"
    
  "Hakika," in ji Brad. "Ina ciyar da lokaci mai yawa a zaune a kan gindina - ƙaramin horo na jiki zai yi min kyau. Awa daya a rana. Zan iya kasancewa tare da ku kusan bakwai."
    
  "Madalla, Brad," in ji Jodi, yanayin damuwa da damuwa da sauri ya ɓace. "Zan dafa mana wani abincin dare. Zan iya ɗauke ku in kai ku wurin alƙawuranku idan ba ku da lafiya don hawan keke."
    
  "Ina da kyau ya zuwa yanzu, Jody," in ji Brad. Ya ji daɗin ra'ayin, amma bai san yadda gidan motsa jiki zai kasance ba, kuma yana so ya sami ra'ayi daga Vol da wanda zai kasance mai horar da shi kafin ya kawo wasu. "Amma na gode." Rungumeta yayi yana karbar kiss a kumatu. "Sannun ku wajen bakwai."
    
  "Sannun ku, cum," in ji Jodie kuma ta tafi da sauri zuwa aji na gaba.
    
  Ya yi mamaki da yawa har ma da maganganu masu ban mamaki lokacin da ɗaliban da ke cikin harabar suka ga babban rauni, mummunan rauni, kuma Brad ya yi la'akari da siyan kayan shafa har sai ya warke, amma yaran da ke cikin harabar sun kasance masu basira da haƙuri - kuma ya tabbata a matsayin jahannama. ba ya so, don Chris Wall ko membobin tawagarsa su kama shi sanye da kayan shafa! - don haka ya ture tunanin daga kansa yana ƙoƙarin yin watsi da kamannin. An yi sa'a, ba ya buƙatar magunguna don rage radadin, don haka ya ci gaba da karatunsa da kuma zaman dakin gwaje-gwaje na injiniya na Starfire ba tare da wahala ba, kawai lokaci-lokaci yana fama da ciwon kai wanda ya tafi lokacin da ya daina tunaninsa kuma ya mayar da hankali kan wani abu. .sai wani. Bayan haka, sai ya kulle jakar bayan kwamfutarsa a cikin mabad, ya ciro jakar motsa jiki, sannan ya hau kan keken nasa ya nufi wurin horonsa na farko.
    
  Sunan wurin Chong Jeontu Jib, wanda aka rubuta da haruffan Koriya da na Roman, a kudancin birnin, kusa da filin jirgin sama. Ginin firam mai hawa biyu ne mai sauƙi, tsohon amma yana da kyau sosai, tare da shingen shinge mai shinge wanda ke riƙe da wasu inji da ma'aunin nauyi a cikin ƙaramin yanki na motsa jiki. Bayan katangar da ke bayanta akwai layin harbe-harbe da aka kafa a kan wata katafariyar katangar kasa mai madauwari wadda a baya ta yi wa tankokin mai da ke rike da mai a lokacin yakin duniya na biyu na horar da jiragen yaki. An lullube tagar ta gaba a ciki da tutocin Koriya ta Amurka da AMERICA, kuma an lulluɓe ƙofar gaban gilashi da babbar tutar sojojin saman Amurka. A ciki ya sami counter, a bayanta wani katon dakin motsa jiki ne wanda aka lullube da tabarmar motsa jiki shudiyya. An lullube bangon da kyaututtuka iri-iri, kofuna, hotuna da makaman yaki.
    
  Wani dan gajere, siririn mutum mai aske kai da akuya mai launin toka suka nufo daga dakin baya. "Dexter?" Ya kira. "Nan". Brad ya zagaya kan kanti sai kawai ya taɓa tabarma a lokacin da mutumin ya yi ihu, "Kada ka taɓa tabarma da takalmanka, kuma kawai da girmamawa." Brad ya tsallake tabarmar kan titin linoleum. Daki na biyu ya dan karami fiye da na farko, da wani tabarma shudin gymnastics a kasa, amma a maimakon kayan ado da kyaututtuka, yana dauke da na'ura mai nauyi, injin taka, jakar naushi don gudun gudu, jakar bugawa, da fosta masu dauke da kibau. yana nuna wurare daban-daban a jikin dan Adam Brad yana da yakinin cewa nan ba da jimawa ba zai gano duk abin da yake bukatar sani game da wadannan abubuwa. A kishiyar kusurwar akwai fitowar gaggawa da abin da yake kama da ɗakin kulle.
    
  Mutumin ya ce: "Ka makara. "Yau zan bar ku ku huta saboda wannan shine karon ku na farko a nan, amma yanzu kun san inda wannan wurin yake, don haka kar ku sake makara."
    
  "Ba zan yi ba."
    
  "Ba zan yi ba, yallabai," in ji mutumin. "Sajan Manjo ya gaya mani cewa ka yi aiki a Sintirin Sojan Sama kuma ka halarci Makarantar Sojojin Sama na dan lokaci, don haka ka san wani abu ko biyu game da karamcin soja. Yi amfani da wannan lokacin da kuke hulɗa da ni ko wani a cikin ƙungiyar. Za ku san lokacin da za ku iya tuntuɓar mu ta kowace hanya. An fahimta?"
    
  "Iya sir".
    
  "Lokaci na gaba zo a shirya don horarwa. Bana son bata lokaci ina jiran ku canza. Wannan ba gidan shakatawar ku ba ne mai zaman kansa inda za ku iya zuwa ku tafi yadda kuke so."
    
  "Iya sir".
    
  Mutumin ya yi sallama ya nufi kofar dakin. "Kuna da daƙiƙa talatin don canzawa." Brad yayi sauri ya haye shudin kafet zuwa ɗakin kabad. "Dakata!" Brad ya daskare. "Ki dawo nan." Brad ya dawo. "Tashi daga kan tabarma." Brad ya tashi daga shuɗiyar shuɗi zuwa kan linoleum. "Dexter, kana cikin dojang na Koriya," in ji mutumin a cikin ƙananan murya mai aunawa. "Cibiyar dojang, tabarma, shine ki, wanda ke nufin 'ruhu'. Kuna horar da ku koyi rungumar ruhun wasan ƙwallon ƙafa, haɗuwar zaman lafiya na ciki da tashin hankali lokacin da kuka hau kan tabarmar, wanda ke nufin dole ne ku mutunta ruhun da ke mulki a kai. Wannan yana nufin ba za ku taba taba tabarma da takalmanku ba, kun shirya don horo kuma kada ku sanya tufafin titi sai dai idan an buƙata, maigidan ya ba ku izinin shiga ku fita daga tabarmar, kuma kuna fuskantar kugu daga kugu. tsakiyar tabarma kafin ka taka da kuma kafin ka sauka. In ba haka ba, ketare shi. Ku tuna da wannan".
    
  "Iya sir".
    
  "Yanzu fara motsi." Brad ya gudu a kan tabarma kuma ya dawo cikin kayan horo a lokacin rikodin.
    
  "Sunana James Ratel," in ji mutumin lokacin da Brad ya dawo, "amma ba dole ba ne ka damu da ainihin sunaye ko kira, saboda a gare ka ni "Sir" ko "Chief." Ni babban babban hafsan sojin saman Amurka ne mai ritaya, tsohon soja ne mai shekaru talatin da uku, wanda a baya-bayan nan na yi aiki a matsayin Babban Babban Sajan na Rundunar Sojan Sama na Bakwai a Osan Air Base, Koriya ta Kudu. Ni gogaggen ma'aikacin fasinja ne tare da tsalle-tsalle sama da ɗari biyu a Panama, Iraki, Koriya da Afghanistan, da kuma wurare da yawa da aka keɓe, na kammala makarantar Sojan Ranger, kuma ina da Zuciya Purple biyu da Tauraron Bronze. Har ila yau, ni digiri na biyar baƙar fata bel kuma babban malami a Kane Ja, ƙwararren ƙwararren ƙwararren baƙar fata na digiri na biyar a Krav Maga, kuma ƙwararren bindigogi da kuma malamin sanda na ƙasa. A nan ina koyar da darussan kare kai da na bindigogi, musamman ga jami"an soja da suka yi ritaya. Ina kirga kashi dari da goma a kowace dakika kana cikin dojang dina. Ku nuna girmamawa kuma za ku karɓe shi a madadin; shakatawa kuma lokacinku tare da ni zai zama jahannama mai rai."
    
  Ratel ya ciro wata karamar na'ura mai madaurin wuya ya jefa ta ga Brad. "Koyon kariyar kai yana ɗaukar watanni, wani lokacin shekaru, kuma haɗarin da kuke fuskanta a bayyane yake," in ji shi. "Don haka suna ba ku wannan na'urar. Sanya wannan kullun. Yana aiki kusan ko'ina cikin ƙasar tare da siginar salula. Idan kuna cikin matsala, danna maɓalli kuma ni, ko duk wani ɗan ƙungiyar da zai iya kasancewa kusa, zai iya samun ku kuma ya taimake ku. Mafi mahimmanci, idan aka ba abokan adawar da za ku fuskanta, wannan zai taimaka mana mu sami jikin ku da sauri, amma watakila za mu yi sa'a. " Brad ya dubi Ratel, ya daure.
    
  "Don haka, tunda rana ce ta farko, mai yiwuwa har yanzu kuna fama da ciwon kai da aka yi muku da sanda, kuma kun shigo a makare, wanda na ba da hakuri, yau za mu yi gwajin lafiyar jiki," Ratel. ya ci gaba. "Ina so in ga iyakar adadin ku na ja-up, crunches, lanƙwasa-overs, da tura-up zuwa gazawar tsoka, ba tare da fiye da dakika casa'in hutawa a tsakanin, da kuma mafi kyawun lokacin ku a kan gudun mil biyu a kan tudu. ." Ya nufi 6angaren d'akin, inda ake jira tela da sauran kayan motsa jiki. "Fara motsi."
    
  Brad ya gudu zuwa wurin horo a daya gefen dakin. Ya yi godiya da ya hau babur dinsa sosai, don haka a tunaninsa yana da kyau sosai, amma ya dade da zuwa dakin motsa jiki, kuma bai taba son jan-up ba. Da su ya fara da shida kafin ya kasa ja da kansa. Turawa yayi da sauki-ya iya yin su tamanin da biyu kafin ya tsaya. Kasawa sun kasance sabo a gare shi. Ya tsaya tsakanin layin dogo masu layi daya a kwance, ya kamo su, ya mika hannayensa, ya dauke kafafunsa daga kan linoleum, ya jingina da karfinsa, sannan ya sake mika hannayensa. Uku ne kawai yake iya rikewa, na ukun kuwa sai da ya takura hannayensa na girgiza ya karasa.
    
  Yanzu hannuwansa suna magana da shi a zahiri, don haka Brad ya yanke shawarar yin gwajin gudu na gaba, kuma bai sami korafe-korafe daga Ratel ba, wanda ke kallo kuma yana ɗaukar bayanai daga ko'ina cikin ɗakin. Yanzu ya fi a cikin kashinsa. Ya murza injin ɗin har zuwa tafiyar mil tara kuma ya same shi da sauƙi. Ya yi amfani da wannan lokacin don kwantar da tsokar hannunsa da ya gaji don turawa, wanda a tunaninsa zai yi sauki. Bayan gudun mil biyu, hannunsa ya yi kyau ya tsuguna ya yi tura-up, amma ya tarar zai iya yin su ashirin da takwas ne kawai kafin hannayensa su kare.
    
  "Dexter, ba za ka iya samun digiri daga Air Force Basic Training da wadannan lambobin, balle Air Force Academy," Ratel ya gaya masa bayan ya zagaya blue tabarma ya tsaya a gabansa. "Ƙarfin jikin ku na sama ba shi da komai. Na yi tunanin kai dan wasan kwallon kafa ne na makarantar sakandare - tabbas ka kasance dan wasan kwallon kafa. A gaskiya ma, Brad ba kawai dan wasan kwallon kafa ba ne kawai, amma mai bugawa kuma zai iya buga kwallon kafa yadi ashirin. "Za mu iya yin aiki a kan wannan. Amma Abin da ya fi ba ni haushi game da abin da kuka yi kawai shine warin ku na 'kar ku ba da hali'.
    
  "Yallabai?"
    
  "Kuna yin atisaye sosai a kan injin tuƙa, Dexter," in ji Ratel. "Na fahimci cewa kai ɗan tseren keke ne kuma kana cikin kyakkyawan yanayin iska, amma da alama a gare ni kamar kana shakatawa ne kawai a kan injin tuƙi. Kun saita tafiyar mil na minti tara mara kyau-ba ma 'matsakaicin' a cikin horon tushe ba. Na ce ina so ku gudanar da mafi kyawun lokacin ku a kan gudun mil biyu, ba lokacin jinkiri ba. Menene uzurin ku?
    
  "Ina buƙatar in huta hannuna kafin in gama gwaje-gwaje," in ji Brad. "Na yi tunanin mil na mintuna tara wuri ne mai kyau don farawa." Duk maganar da aka yi sai kananan idanuwansa suka kara fusata da bacin rai, har sai da kamar za su yi tsalle daga kansa. Brad ya san cewa akwai amsa mai karɓa ɗaya kawai: "Yi haƙuri, shugaba. Babu uzuri."
    
  "Kai da gaske ne, Dexter, babu uzuri," Ratel ya yi kara. "Na gaya muku game da girmamawa. Babu wani abin girmamawa game da yin abubuwa rabin hanya. Ba ka nuna mini girmamawa, kuma ka tabbata a matsayin jahannama ba za ka nuna wa kanka ba. Yau ce ranarku ta farko a nan kuma ba ki nuna mani wani mugun abu da zan iya girmama ki ba. Kun yi latti, ba ku shirya don horo ba kuma kun yi wa kanku sauƙi. Ba kuna nuna mani squats ba, Dexter. Wani zama kamar wannan kuma muna iya soke wannan taron. Ki tattara kayanki ki fita daga gani na." Brad ya ɗauki jakar jakarsa a gidan wanka kuma lokacin da ya dawo, Ratel ya tafi.
    
  Brad ya ji kamar bacin rai yayin da ya hau babur dinsa ya koma Cal Poly, kuma har yanzu yana cikin bacin rai yayin da ya nufi gidan Poly Canyon da gidan Jodie Cavendish. Rungumeshi tayi a k'ofar, bai dawo ba. "Ooh, wani yana rashin hankali," in ji ta. "Shigo, ka sha gilashin giya ka yi min magana."
    
  "Na gode Jody," in ji Brad. "Yi hakuri, kamshin kafafuna nake. Ban yi wanka ko canji ba bayan na bar dakin motsa jiki."
    
  "Za ka iya amfani da shawa a nan idan kana so, aboki," in ji Jodie tare da lumshe ido. Brad bai lura da tayin a bayyane ba. Ya wuce d'aya daga cikin stools d'in dake kan counter ɗin dake zagaye da kicin ta zuba chardonnay ta ajiye a gabansa. "Amma hakan bai dame ni ba. Ina son mutanen da suke wari kamar maza, ba kamar lolly ba." Ta jira 'yan dakiku, amma Brad bai ce komai ba. "Ba za ka tambaye ko menene ba? Kai, tabbas kun kasance da gaske a yau. Ki fada min abin nan, masoyina."
    
  "Ba lallai ba ne wannan babban abu," in ji Brad. "Na dan makara don wannan horon, amma ya ce a karon farko an gafarta masa. Malamin babban Sajan Babban Sajan mai ritaya ne tare da kyawawan halaye. Ya sanya ni yin gwajin kwarewa. Ina tsammanin na yi lafiya, amma ya hore ni saboda kamewa da kasala. Ina tsammanin na gano komai. Ina tsammanin ban yi ba."
    
  Jodi ya ce: "To, akwai lokaci na gaba. "An horar da malaman motsa jiki don tsoratar da ɗaliban su, kuma ina tsammanin yana sanya Claytonian akan ku. Kar ka damu, Brad-mu biyu mun san kana cikin siffa mai kyau, ban da wannan rauni da ke kan ka. Yaya jiki? Ciwon ku har yanzu yana kama da zubar jini. 'Wataƙila ya kamata ku tsallake waɗannan motsa jiki har sai wannan ya tafi.'
    
  Brad ya girgiza. "Na ce musu zan yi, don haka ina tsammanin zan ci gaba da tafiya har sai na wuce ko kaina ya fashe," in ji shi. Abu na ƙarshe da yake so ya yi shi ne ya jawo wa Vol fushin barin nan da nan bayan ranar farko. Ya jingina da kujera ya kalli Jody kai tsaye a karo na farko. "Ki yi hakuri Jodie. Ya isa game da sabon malamin motsa jiki na. Yaya ranar ku?"
    
  "Apple, aboki," in ji Jody. Ta jingina gare shi ta haye kan teburin dafa abinci ta ce a cikin ɓacin rai na yau da kullun da ta yi amfani da ita lokacin da take son faɗi wani abin da ba ta tsammani, "Na yi shi, Brad."
    
  "Me ya faru?" - Brad ya tambaya. Sannan yana nazarin fuskarta da yanayin jikinta ya gane. "Tsarin inorganic nanotubes...?"
    
  Jodi ta ce cikin sanyin murya, kusan a raɗaɗi, amma ta ji daɗi sosai. "Dama a cikin dakin gwaje-gwajenmu a Cal Poly. Ba wai kawai 'yan nanotubes ba, amma miliyoyin. Har ma mun iya ƙirƙirar nantenna na farko."
    
  "Me?" Brad ya tambaya. "Ya riga?"
    
  "Ude, nanotubes a zahiri suna haɗuwa da kansu," in ji Jodi. "Har yanzu ba a dora su a kan sol-gel substrate, har yanzu ba mu hada su da mai tarawa ko ma fitar da su waje ba, amma nanotenna na farko, wanda aka gina daga nanotubes na inorganic, yana cikin dakin gwaje-gwaje a daya bangaren wannan. harabar... akan teburin aiki na! Ya ma fi sirara da ƙarfi fiye da yadda muke zato. Ina karɓar imel daga masana kimiyya a duk faɗin duniya waɗanda ke son shiga. Ya bayyana wannan shine ɗayan manyan ci gaban nanotechnology a cikin 'yan shekarun nan!"
    
  "Wannan abin ban mamaki ne!" - Brad ya ce. Hannunta ya d'auka a nashi suka had'a kiss suka wuce d'akin. "Nagode Jodi! Me yasa baki kirana ba?"
    
  "Kun riga kun yi aiki kuma ba na so in dame ku," in ji ta. "Baya ga haka, na so in gaya muku da kaina, ba ta waya ba."
    
  "Wannan babban labari ne! Mun kuduri aniyar samun sararin dakin gwaje-gwaje da kudade yanzu!"
    
  "Ina fata haka," in ji Jodi. "Zan iya ma cancanci samun gurbin karatu na Cal Poly - ba za su so in dawo Ostiraliya da irin wannan nasarar ba, ko?"
    
  "Tabbas za ku sami tallafin karatu, na san hakan," in ji Brad. "Mu fita mu yi biki. A wani wurin da ba shi da kyau sosai, har yanzu ina jin kamshin dakin motsa jiki."
    
  Wani wawan murmushi ne ya bayyana a fuskarta ta kalleta a taqaice a falon da ya kaita bedroom d'inta, a fili take nuna son biki. "Na riga na yi abincin dare," in ji Jodi. "Ba zai kasance a shirye don ƙarin minti goma sha biyar ba." Ta sake rik'o hannunsa tana murmushin rainin wayo. "Wataƙila za mu iya sabulun bayan juna a cikin shawa?"
    
  Brad yayi murmushi sosai sannan ya kalli idanunta, amma ya girgiza kai. "Jodie..."
    
  "Na sani, na sani," in ji ta. "Na gaya muku zan sake gwadawa, kuma mai yiwuwa sau da yawa. Ta yi sa'a da samun ku, abokina." Firinji ta nufa ta ciro kwalbar Chardonnay ta sake cika gilashin sa.
    
  Brad ya ji wayar wayarsa tana rawar jiki a cikin jakar dakin motsa jiki, ya fitar da ita ya karanta sakon. "Eh wannan fa?" - Ya ce. "Yana ƙare har ya zama babbar rana sosai."
    
  "Me ke faruwa, love?"
    
  "Na yi hayan daki a Poly Canyon," in ji shi. Jodie ya yi matukar mamaki a fuskarta. "Bene na biyar a Aliso. Zan iya shiga gobe, kuma zan iya zama don bazara idan muka sami tallafin laburar rani, kuma zan iya zama na tsawon shekaru na biyu da na ƙarami.
    
  "Me?" Jodi ta fada.
    
  "Wannan yayi kyau?"
    
  "Aliso shine ginin da aka fi nema a UC!" Jodie ta bayyana. "Sun fi kusa da shaguna da wuraren ajiye motoci. Kuma saman benaye koyaushe suna cika farko saboda suna da mafi kyawun ra'ayi na harabar da birni! Kuma ba sa barin ɗalibai su zauna a Poly Canyon don lokacin rani, kuma dole ne ku sake yin aikace-aikacen kowace shekara kuma kuna fatan kiyaye ɗakin ku. Yaya kika yi haka, abokina?"
    
  "Ba ni da masaniya," Brad ya yi ƙarya - ya tabbata cewa mahaifinsa da watakila Shugaba Martindale sun ja wasu igiyoyi don yin hakan. "Wani ya ji tausayina."
    
  "Madalla, aboki," in ji Jodie. "Kan ku yana jujjuyawa a nan." Ta lura Brad ya sake yin murmushi a bakin Aussie, don haka ta ɗauki tawul, ta jefa masa, sannan ta wuce ta yi masa sumba a leɓe. "Dakatar da ni da dukan sha'awar ku na yara, aboki, ko kuma in ja ku zuwa wani babban gida in sa ku manta da abin da ke-suna a Nevada."
    
    
  BIYAR
    
    
  Ba a taɓa samun uwa da ta koya wa ɗanta kafiri ba.
    
  - HENRY W. SHAW
    
    
    
  Filin Jirgin Saman Masana'antu MCLANAHAN
  BATTLE MOUNTAIN, NEVADA
  DA safe
    
    
  "Masters Zero-Seven, McLaanahan Range, an share ku don tashi Romeo hudu takwas daya uku Alpha da Bravo da Romeo hudu takwas daya shida Nuwamba, a kowane tsayi, bayar da rahoton lambobin da aka sanya, bayar da rahoto ga Cibiyar Auckland lokacin barin yankunan, hasumiya mai nasara, nasara. flight".
    
  "An Fahimta, Duniya," Sondra Eddington ya amsa akan lambar rediyo ta VHF. Ta sake karanta cikakken izinin, sannan ta canza zuwa mitar hasumiya. "Hasumiyar McLaanahan, Jagora Zero-Bakwai, lamba ɗaya, titin titin jirgi uku-sifili, shirye-shiryen tashi."
    
  "Master Zero-bakwai, Hasumiyar McLaanahan, iska mai kwantar da hankali, titin titin jirgin sama da sifili uku, saurin iskar da ke iyakance ga kullin sifili biyu, yayin da a sararin samaniyar aji na Charlie, an share fage."
    
  Sondra ta amsa, "Master Zero-Seven a shirye take don titin titin jirgin sama da sifili uku." Ta taka motar jumbo jet kan titin jirgin, ta daidaita kanta da layin tsakiya, ta riqe birki, ta shafa magudanar a hankali kuma a hankali, ta ji motsi yayin da injinan ke motsawa. zuwa zone one afterburner, ya saki birki, a hankali ya canza throttles zuwa zone biyar, kuma ya haura ƙafa dubu biyar kawai, har sai da suka bar sararin samaniyar filin jirgin sama na McLanahan, wanda ba ya ɗaukar lokaci mai tsawo.
    
  "Da kyau tashi, Sondra," in ji Hunter Noble, malamin Sondra a kan jirgin horo. Ya kasance a cikin kujerar baya na Sky Masters Aerospace's MiG-25UKS, Mikoyan-Gurevich tandem supersonic fighter ba tare da kayan yaƙi ba, wanda aka gyara don tashi cikin matsanancin gudu da tsayi mai tsayi. Asali na Rasha MiG-25RU shi ne jirgin yaƙi mafi sauri a wanzuwa, yana iya kusan sau uku saurin sauti da tsayin ƙafa dubu sittin, amma bayan gyara ta hanyar Sky Masters Aerospace jet ɗin ya iya kusan ninki biyar saurin sauti. sauti da tsayin ƙafa dubu ɗari. "Lokaci mai kyau na birki da ƙarfi. Yanki na farko da aka kunna birki yana da kyau, amma duk wani abu bayan haka zai sa birkin ya fashe.
    
  "Boomer, na same ku," in ji Sondra. A cikin harshen matukin jirgi, "An karɓe" bayan sukar wani malami yana nufin cewa ɗalibin ya riga ya sani kuma ya gano rashin daidaituwa. "Na gode" yawanci yana nufin cewa ɗalibin ya yi watsi da shi kuma ya yarda cewa malamin ya kama. "Na samu."
    
  "Ina nuna cewa mun bar sararin samaniyar Charlie class," in ji Boomer. "Kwas biyu-zero-zero zai kai mu yankin da aka takaita."
    
  "An fahimta," in ji Sondra. A cikin ƙasa da mintuna biyu sun kasance a R-4813A da B, wuraren gwajin soja guda biyu da aka rufe a rukunin tashar jirgin ruwa na Fallon Naval a arewa ta tsakiyar Nevada, wanda Sky Masters Aerospace ya ba da hayar tare da haɗin gwiwar Cibiyar Kula da zirga-zirgar Jiragen Sama ta FAA a Oakland don gwadawa. manyan jiragen sama. "A halin yanzu ina yin lissafin bincike kafin tashi sama da tsayi. Bayar da rahoto idan an gama."
    
  "Zan yi," in ji Boomer. Lissafin binciken ya shirya ma'aikatan don yin aiki a kan tsaunuka masu tsayi da jiragen sama na yau da kullun ba su isa ba. Sai da ya ɗauki 'yan mintuna kaɗan. "Cikakken lissafi. Ina nuna mana abubuwan cikin R-4813A. Ana share idan an shirya."
    
  "Na samu, Boomer," in ji Sondra. "Ki shirya." Sondra ta yi amfani da cikakken iko, a hankali kuma a hankali tana ci gaba da tururuwa a kan MiG-25 har sai da suka isa zone biyar afterburner, sa'an nan kuma a Mach 1 ta daga hanci har sai da suka yi hanci a digiri sittin kuma har yanzu suna accelerating. Yayin da saurin ya karu, karfin nauyi ya karu, ba da jimawa ba duka biyun suna gunaguni saboda g-forcen da ke danna jikinsu, suna kokarin hana jini ya kwarara daga huhu da kwakwalwa. Dukkanin matukan jirgin biyu sun sanya akwatunan matsa lamba da kwalkwali na sararin samaniya, da manyan kayan aikin lantarki na zamani wadanda suka rufe kafafunsu da kasan ciki tare da masana'anta masu takurawa don hana jini daga haduwa a kafafunsu saboda G-forces - amma har yanzu yana daukar aiki don tsayayya da tasirin tasirin. wuce gona da iri. Ba da da ewa ba suka yi tsayin ƙafa dubu sittin kuma suna tashi sama da ninki huɗu na saurin sauti, ƙarfin nauyi ya ninka sau bakwai a jikinsu.
    
  "Yi magana da ni, Sondra," in ji Boomer. "Lafiya...lafiya?"
    
  "Ina...lafiya... Boo...Boomer," in ji Sondra, amma a fili take cewa tana faman shawo kan damuwar da ke jikinta. Nan da nan sai jirgin MiG-25 ya karkata sosai zuwa hagu ya ruga kasa.
    
  "Sondra?" Babu amsa. An nuna hancin mayaƙin zuwa ga ƙasa. Tun kafin ya kusa ɗaukar iko, Boomer ya ji kuma ya ji motsin motsin motsi ya koma aiki yayin da yake saukowa kuma fikafikan fikafikai.
    
  "Lafiya, Sondra?" Boomer ya maimaita.
    
  "Iya". Ya ji a cikin intercom cewa numfashinta ya dan yi aiki, amma in ba haka ba kamar yadda ya saba. "Lafiya nake".
    
  Boomer ya kalli altimeter kuma ya yi saurin gudu sosai, yana tabbatar da cewa Sondra yana da cikakken iko da jirgin. A cikin akwati na baya, yana iya ɗaukar cikakken iko da jirgin idan ya cancanta, amma taɓa abubuwan sarrafawa zai zama gazawa ga matukin jirgin, kuma ba ya son yin hakan sai dai idan ya zama dole. Bayan ta rasa ƙafa dubu goma ne kawai, Sondra ta fara hancin baya zuwa sararin sama, kuma yayin da jirgin ya daidaita kuma saurin iskar ya faɗi zuwa subsonic, ta ƙara ƙarfi don kiyaye tsayin daka da saurin iska. "Yaya kake, Sondra?" - Boomer ya tambaya.
    
  "Ina lafiya, Boomer," Sondra ya amsa, yana jin gaba daya kuma yana cikin iko. "Zan koma ƙasa zuwa ƙafa dubu talatin kuma za mu sake gwadawa."
    
  "Ba mu da isasshen man fetur don wani babban tsayi, babban zanga-zangar G," in ji Boomer. "Za mu iya yin 'yan hanyoyi masu sauri ba tare da kullun ba sannan mu kira shi a rana."
    
  "Muna da isasshen mai, Boomer," in ji Sondra.
    
  "Ba na tunanin haka, baby," in ji Boomer. "Bari mu yi hanyar zuwa tsayin ILS a Dutsen Battle kuma mu yi tsarin ba-flaps, yi kuskure a tsayin yanke shawara, sannan mu sake yin wata hanyar zuwa cikakkiyar tasha. Yana da zahiri?"
    
  "Duk abin da kuka ce, Boomer," in ji Sondra, rashin jin daɗi a cikin muryarta.
    
  Hanyoyi masu sauri na kayan aiki sun kwaikwayi saukowar jiragen Black Stallion ko Tsakar dare. MiG-25 wani muhimmin mataki ne ga masu neman tukin jirgin sama domin shi ne jirgin daya tilo da zai iya kwaikwayi manyan rundunonin g-force da matukan jirgin suka samu a lokacin hawansu. Sky Masters Aerospace centrifuge zai iya samar da G-forces na sau tara na al'ada nauyi a ƙasa, amma MiG-25 ya kasance mafi kyawun dandamali saboda matukin jirgi ya tashi da jirgin yayin da aka fallasa shi ga sojojin G. Sondra ya aiwatar da hanyoyin kayan aiki tare da daidaitaccen tsari, kuma saukarwar ta tafi daidai kan jadawalin.
    
  Jumbo jet suka yi parking, suka nufi kantin rayuwa don sauke kayan sararin samaniya da na'urorin lantarki, sun yi hira da ma'aikatan kula da lafiyarsu, da sauri suka duba likitan, sannan suka koma class suka tattauna jirgin. Sondra na sanye da suit blue din jirgin sama, wanda aka kera don haskaka lungun dinta, sannan takalmin jirginta ya kara mata kyau. Ta sauke gashin kanta a mik'e ta zubawa kanta kofi; Boomer, sanye da rigar jirgin saman zaitun na Air Force, ya riga ya ɗauko kwalbar ruwansa na ƙanƙara.
    
  "Tsarin tashi sama, tashi, tashi, hanyoyin, saukowa da shirye-shiryen bayan tashi duk suna cikin tsari," in ji Boomer, yana duba littafinsa na rubutu. "Bani labarin hawan."
    
  "Ina lafiya-Ina tsammanin na tafi da wuri," in ji Sondra. "Koyaushe kuna cewa yana da kyau a daina gudu-g-g da wuri ba da jimawa ba. Wataƙila na ɗan ji tsoro. Na yi lafiya."
    
  "Ba ki amsa ba lokacin da na kira."
    
  "Na ji ku sosai, Boomer," in ji Sondra. "Ina da abubuwa da yawa da zan yi. Abu na ƙarshe da nake so in yi shi ne dakatar da compressor ko jujjuyawar." Boomer ya kalli Sondra, wacce ta kau da kai, tana shan kofi, sannan ta yanke shawarar karbar amsarta. Sauran bayanin bai ɗauki lokaci mai yawa ba. Sun tattauna shirin ajin na gobe da ayyukan horar da jirgin sama, sannan Sondra ya tafi wayar don duba saƙonnin kuma Boomer ya tafi ofishinsa don daidaita saƙonni da takardu tare da duba ɗakunan labs da ofisoshin ƙira da yawa da ya lura.
    
  Da yammacin ranar ya fara ne da taron tawagar gudanarwar kamfanin, wanda da kyar Boomer ya jure, amma wani bangare ne na sabon aikinsa na shugaban ayyukan sararin samaniya. Sabon mataimakin shugaban aiyuka na kamfanin Jason Richter ne ya jagoranci taron, Laftanar Kanal mai ritaya kuma injiniyan injiniyan na"ura mai kwakwalwa a rundunar sojan Amurka wanda aka dauka hayar ya maye gurbin marigayi Patrick McLanahan. Jason yana da tsayi, dacewa kuma mai wasan motsa jiki, tare da kyakkyawar siffa mai kyau. Sky Masters Aerospace ne ya dauke shi aiki saboda aikin injiniyan sa, musamman a fannin fasahar mutum-mutumi, amma an same shi daidai gwargwado a harkokin gudanarwa, don haka aka kara masa girma ya zama shugaban bincike da ci gaba na kamfanin. Ko da yake yana gida a dakin gwaje-gwaje ko ofishin zane, yana jin daɗin iko da martaba na jagorantar yawancin mafi kyawun tunani da haske a duniya.
    
  "Bari mu fara," in ji Richter, yayin da ya fara taron da karfe daya daidai, kamar kullum. "Bari mu fara da sashen kula da sararin samaniya. Mafarauci, taya murna saboda samun nasarar isar da shugaban kasar zuwa tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong tare da dawowa lafiya. Nasara ta hakika." Sauran taron sun ba wa Boomer wani haske mai haske-Hunter "Boomer" Noble an ɗauke shi a matsayin babban hali a cikin ɗakin gudanarwa na kamfanin, wanda ba shi da mahimmanci, don haka an yi masa ladabi. "Shugaban bai bayyana yana shan wani mummunan sakamako ba. Abin lura?
    
  "Mutumin ya yi aiki mai ban sha'awa," in ji Boomer, ya yi shiru yana mai da martani mai kyau daga membobin kwamitin nasa amma kuma yana lura da mummunan halayen. "Ya natsu kuma bai damu da jirgin gaba daya ba. Ban yi mamaki ba sosai lokacin da ya yarda ya yi tashar jirgin ruwa, amma na kasa yarda da hakan lokacin da yake son yin tafiya ta sararin samaniya zuwa makullin jirgin. Ya yi kamar ya kwashe shekaru yana horon 'yan sama jannati. Irin wannan jaruntaka abin ban mamaki ne."
    
  "Mun rigaya muna samun buƙatun jiragen sama, kuma an yi magana game da samar da ƙarin S-19s da XS-29s," in ji Jason.
    
  Boomer ya ce, "Na yarda da hakan, amma ina tsammanin muna buƙatar jawo hankalin albarkatun don fara aiki mai tsanani a jerin tashoshin sararin samaniya na gaba. Armstrong yana rataye a can, amma kwanakinsa sun kidaya, kuma idan aikin Brad McLaanahan na Starfire ya ci gaba, kamar yadda na yi imani zai yi, Armstrong na iya ficewa daga kasuwancin makaman sararin samaniyar soja gaba daya. Ina da mutane biyu, Harry Felt da Samantha Yee, waɗanda ke aiki akan kayan tashar sararin samaniya, galibi suna haɓaka tsarin haɓaka Armstrong. Ina so in sanya su jagorancin sabon ƙungiyar ƙira na mutane uku ko hudu don farawa, waɗanda ke haɓaka ƙira don sabbin tashoshin soja da masana'antu daidai da shawarwarin Shugaba Phoenix. Muna kuma bukatar mu aike ku da Dr. Qaddiri nan da nan zuwa birnin Washington domin ganawa da masu fafutuka da neman sanin ko wane ne ke da alhakin wannan sabon ci gaba a sararin samaniya." Ya yi jinkiri na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya ƙara da cewa, "Wataƙila ku ko Helen ya kamata ku ba da kai don yin wannan, Jason."
    
  "I?" - Jason ya tambaya. "In Washington? Gara a binne ni har zuwa wuyana a cikin jeji. Amma ina son ra'ayoyin ku. Aiko min da shawara da kasafin kudin nan take kuma zan mika wa Helen."
    
  Boomer ya yi ƴan famfo a kan kwamfutar hannu. "Yanzu a cikin akwatin saƙonku, Comandante."
    
  "Na gode. Na san kun riga kun fito da wani abu. Zan tabbatar da cewa Helen ta samu yau."
    
  A wannan lokacin, shugabar kamfanin kuma babban jami'in gudanarwa, Dr. Helen Cuddiri, ta shiga dakin taron. Kowa ya tashi tsaye sai ga wata doguwar mace mai duhun ido "yar shekara hamsin da biyu da doguwar sumar gashi daure da wani rikitaccen kulli a bayan kai sanye da rigar kasuwanci mai launin toka, ta fito a kofar. An haifi Helen Qaddiri a Indiya amma ta yi karatu a farko a Amurka, inda ta sami digiri da yawa a fannin kasuwanci da injiniya. Ta yi aiki a Sky Masters tsawon shekaru da dama, inda ta hada kai da Jonathan Masters wajen samun kamfanin da suka yi aiki da shi wanda ya fara fatara da kuma gina shi ya zama daya daga cikin manyan kamfanonin kere-kere da ci gaba na duniya. "Kowa, don Allah ku zauna a kujerunku," in ji ta cikin haske, murya mai ban sha'awa. "Yi hakuri ka katse, Jason."
    
  "Ba komai, Helen," in ji Jason. "Kuna da wani abu mana?"
    
  "Sanarwa," in ji ta. Ta wuce gaban dakin ta tsaya kusa da Jason. "Hukumar gudanarwar ta zabo ayyuka guda uku don bayar da tallafi a wannan shekarar, dukkansu a jami"o"i: Jami"ar Jihar New York da ke Buffalo don aikin tauraron dan adam swarm; Allegheny College of Pennsylvania don tsarin sadarwa na laser; kuma mafi yawan kyautar, dala miliyan ashirin da biyar, za su je Cal Poly San Luis Obispo don wani gagarumin aikin samar da hasken rana a sararin samaniya." An sake fashe da tafi daga shugabannin reshe a zauren.
    
  "Brad McLanahan ne ke jagorantar wannan aikin," in ji Boomer. "Wannan mutumin yana da ban mamaki. Na yi wa saurayin tambaya game da wani bangare na aikin sai ya ce bai sani ba kuma zai sake kirana, kuma abu na gaba da na sani shi ne kiran waya daga wani wanda ya lashe kyautar Nobel a Jamus tare da amsa. Yana da jerin gwanaye da masana kimiyya a cikin tawagarsa da za su zubar da hawaye a idanunku."
    
  "Mun riga mun saka hannun jari sosai a aikin su," in ji Jason. "Mun riga mun samar musu da tsarin na Triniti, wanda suke amfani da shi don aunawa da kuma yin gwaji. Lokacin da suka fara yin subsystems, za su so su ɗaga sassan tsarin sararin samaniya zuwa tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong a kan Midnight da Black Stallion, don haka sun nemi sigogi kamar girman kaya, tsarin, iko, yanayi, yanayin zafi, girgiza, da kuma haka.. Sun kuma nemi ganin lambar komfuta don tsarin jagora na Skybolt - suna son amfani da ita don watsa makamashin maser zuwa eriya kai tsaye a duniya, kuma shugaban rukunin kwamfutocinsu na ganin zai iya inganta daidaito."
    
  "Suna wasa tare, tabbas," Boomer ya kara da cewa.
    
  "Zan gaya wa jami'o'i albishir," in ji Helen. "Shi ke nan. Wani abu gareni?"
    
  "Boomer yana da kyakkyawan ra'ayi: ganawa da Shugaba Phoenix da duk wanda ke jagorantar wannan sabon shirin sararin samaniya, raba wasu ra'ayoyi tare da su kuma ga abin da suke sha'awar yi," in ji Jason. "Har ila yau, yana son kafa wata tawaga da za ta fara kera tashoshin sararin samaniya, sojoji da masana"antu. Shawararsa da kasafin kudinsa suna kan kwamfutar hannu na."
    
  "Babban tunani, Boomer," in ji Helen. "Aiko min da shawararsa a ofishina da sauri bayan taron."
    
  "Zan yi," in ji Jason.
    
  "Na kuma ba da shawarar ku ko Jason ku sa kai ku jagoranci shirin gwamnati na sararin samaniya, idan ba a bayyana sunan kowa ba," in ji Boomer.
    
  "Ina da aiki, na gode sosai, kuma Jason ba zai je ko'ina ba - na kawo shi nan bayan lallashi da lallashi da yawa," in ji Helen, tana murmushi. "Amma zuwa Washington yana da kyau a gare mu." Ta amsa wasu 'yan tambayoyi da sharhi, sannan ta fice. Jason ya ci gaba da jagorantar taron, yana zagayawa kan tebur yana karbar rahotanni daga dukkan daraktocin gudanarwa, kuma an kare bayan kusan awa daya.
    
  Jason ya haura zuwa ofishin Helen bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan kuma ya buga bakin ƙofar ofishin da aka buɗe. "Ina da wannan rahoto a gare ku," in ji shi ta bakin ƙofar, yana riƙe da kwamfutar kwamfutar hannu a hannunsa.
    
  "Shigo, Jason," in ji Helen, tana aiki da kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka a teburinta. "Rufe kofar". Jason ta yi yadda ta umarce ta, sannan ta wuce kan teburinta ta fara canja wurin fayil daga kwamfutar hannu zuwa kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka.
    
  "Yana da dogon fayil," in ji shi. "Ka san Boomer - me yasa ka faɗi wani abu a cikin kalmomi biyu kawai lokacin da zai iya fitowa da ashirin?"
    
  "Wannan abin mamaki ne," in ji ta. "Me ya kamata mu yi yayin da muke jira?"
    
  "Ina da 'yan ra'ayoyi," Jason ya ce, yana murmushi yayin da ya durƙusa ya sumbace ta sosai, wanda ta amsa daidai da sha'awa. Sun yi sumba na wasu lokuta masu tsawo, marasa rauni. "Da ma zan iya sauke gashin kanki a yanzu," in ji shi a cikin murya mai zurfi, shiru. "Ina sha'awar kallon gashin kan ku bayan da kuka sanya shi ... Musamman idan ya fada a kan kirjina." Ta amsa tare da janyo shi tare da yi mashi kiss. "Kin kyauta a daren nan? Ban kasance tare da ku ba tsawon kwanaki da yawa."
    
  "Jason, da bai kamata mu yi wannan ba," in ji Helen. "Ni ne shugaban ku, kuma na girme ku fiye da shekaru goma."
    
  "Ban damu da shekarunka nawa a tarihin lokaci ba," in ji Jason. "Ke ce macen da ta fi ban sha"awa, mafi yawan lalata da na taɓa kasancewa da ita. Jima'i na haskaka muku kamar laser. Kuma kila ka girme ni, amma da kyar zan iya ci gaba da tare da kai a kan gado."
    
  "Dakatar da shi, dan iska mai ban tsoro," in ji Helen da murmushi, amma ta sake yin wani sumba mai zurfi, mai tsayi a matsayin alamar godiya. Ta kamo fuskarsa tana girgiza shi da wasa. "Kar ku manta, ina da jawabi a taron "yan kasuwa na gundumar Lander a daren yau, kuma manajan birnin, shugaban hukumar tsare-tsare da shugaban "yan sanda suna son tattaunawa bayan. Ina tsammanin wannan shine game da faɗaɗa kayan aiki don gina ƙarin raka'a kusa da filin jirgin sama da kuma sake duba wasiƙar yarjejeniya tare da tsaron filin jirgin sama, gundumomi da kamfanin tsaro. Ina so in tabbatar da cewa gidajen suna wajen filin jirgin sama mai hayaniya, kuma ba na son jami"an tsaron mu su kasance da sheriffs da yarjejeniyar tsaro ta tarayya da ta jiha. Charles Gordon na ofishin gwamna ma zai kasance a wurin, kuma ina so in yi magana da shi game da samun kudin iri don fadada filin jirgin."
    
  "Karfi".
    
  "Me ya sa ba za ku zo da ni ba? Kowa ya san ku a matsayin mutumin da ya tsara kuma ya kera na'urar ta hanyar yanar gizo wanda ya ceci birnin daga Juda Andorsen da Knights of the True Republic - Na tabbata za su so haduwa da ku."
    
  "Ba na yin siyasa," in ji Jason. "Ina son ku. Ba na tsammanin zan iya cire hannuna daga gare ku."
    
  "Oh, ina tsammanin kuna da ƙarin iko mai ƙarfi, Jason," in ji ta. "Bugu da ƙari, na tabbata za su so saduwa da shugaban da kuma Shugaba na Sky Masters Aerospace."
    
  "Muna buƙatar ƙara magana game da wannan kadan," in ji Jason. Gabanta ya zauna. "Ba na jin ban dace da zama Shugaba ba. Dole ne ku gamsar da ni in zama Babban Jami'in Ayyuka bayan an kashe Patrick McLahanan-"
    
  "Kuma kuna yin kyau," in ji Helen. "Kungiyar ku ita ce mafi kyau a cikin kasuwancin. Kun kasance cikin wannan matsayi na 'yan watanni kawai. Zai zama yanayi na biyu kafin ku gane shi. Kuna buƙatar ƙarin ilimin kasuwanci, watakila MBA akan duk sauran digirin da kuke da shi, amma tabbas kai jagora ne. "
    
  "Na fi jin a gida a cikin lab fiye da a teburina."
    
  "Babu wanda ya ce dole ne ku zauna a teburin," in ji Helen. "Shugabannin suna yin abubuwa ta hanyoyi daban-daban. Kun san yadda ake sanyawa, ba da izini, da tsarawa-wanda ke ba ku lokaci da damar da za ku ciyar da ƙarin lokaci tare da injiniyoyinku kuma ku yi duk abubuwan da shugabannin kamfanoni ke buƙatar yi. " Ta mik'e daga d'akinta ta nufo shi tana matsa k'irjinta kamar yadda ta san yana so. "Ku zo da ni a daren nan. Sa'an nan, idan bai yi latti ba, ina so in gayyace ku ku ziyarta."
    
  "Na dauka ka ce kada mu yi wannan."
    
  "Eh, bai kamata mu yi ba," Helen ta ce da murmushi. Jason ya miƙe suka raba wani zurfafa, sumba mai daɗi. "Zan iya rasa aiki na idan hukumar ta gano cewa na kwanta da daya daga cikin mataimakan shugabana, duk da cewa ni mai kafa kamfanin ne." Sumba ɗaya. "Tabbas za a kore ku kuma tabbas za a tuhume ku kan kudin sa hannun ku." Sumba ɗaya.
    
  "Don Allah, Miss President, daina magana yanzu," in ji Jason.
    
  "Eh, Mista Mataimakin Shugaban kasa," in ji Helen, kuma sun sake sumbanta, kuma wannan sumba ya dade fiye da sauran.
    
  Yayi kyau bayan faduwar rana lokacin da Boomer ya bar Cibiyar sararin samaniya ta Sky Masters ya nufi gida. A baya barci, keɓe ƙananan ƙananan ma'adinai na Battle Mountain a arewa ta tsakiya Nevada sun sami canji mai ban mamaki a cikin shekaru uku kacal tun Sky Masters Aerospace Inc. ya koma can daga Las Vegas: yawan jama'a ya ninka fiye da sau uku, ayyukan gine-gine na kowane iri sun kasance a ko'ina, da kuma zaman da ba a haɗa ba - ya ci gaba da kasancewa a matsayin sansanin ma'adinai da tashar jirgin kasa tun lokacin da aka kafa shi a cikin 1840s, ko da yake shi ne kujerar Lander County - a ƙarshe ya zama sabon birni na Nevada kuma ɗayan mafi girma a cikin ƙasar. Boomer ya yi hayar gida a ɗaya daga cikin sabbin unguwannin da ke tsakanin filin jirgin sama da sabon gari, kusa da isa don ziyartar sabbin gidajen caca da manyan gidajen cin abinci a duk lokacin da ya ga dama, amma ya dace da tafiya zuwa aiki, musamman yanzu da safiya ke tafiya a tsakanin jihohi. 80 zuwa filin jirgin sama da alama yana ƙara sha'awar kowace rana, godiya ga yawancin kasuwancin da suka taso a yankin tun lokacin da Sky Masters Aerospace ta fadada ayyukanta.
    
  Boomer yayi fakin Lincoln MKT a cikin gareji, yana sa ran samun kyakkyawan yamma mai annashuwa. Ya kasance na yau da kullun a yawancin sabbin gidajen caca a garin, kuma bai biya kuɗin abinci ko abin sha ba a cikin sama da shekara guda-ya tabbata zai ba wa casinos isassun kuɗi a teburin katin fiye da yin. don asararsa - amma daren yau zai zama mummunan dare. Wataƙila ɗan giya kaɗan, watakila fim, watakila-
    
  "Kin dawo gida da wuri," in ji wata murya daga kicin. Sondra Eddington ce, sanye da T-shirts na Boomer's Sky Masters Aerospace Inc. T-shirts, dogon gashinta mai farin gashi ya faɗo daidai a jikin ƙirjinta, kamar ita ce ta tsara shi haka da kanta - wanda, Boomer yana tunanin, tabbas yana da. "Zan fara ba tare da ku ba."
    
  "Ban san kuna zuwa ba," in ji Boomer.
    
  "Na ɗan yi baƙin ciki bayan na tashi a safiyar yau," in ji Sondra a cikin rabin gajiya, sautin tsokana. "Na yi kokarin gudu da kuma motsa jiki mai wuyar gaske a dakin motsa jiki, amma har yanzu ina ... kadan a gefe." Ta zo ta sumbace shi a lebe. "Don haka na yanke shawarar shiga in tambayi ko kun san wasu hanyoyin da zan iya kashe kuzari?"
    
  Boomer ya gwada amma ya kasa daurewa kanshi, idanunsa na yawo a jikinta wanda yasa ta murmushi. "Ina motarku?" - Ya tambaya.
    
  "Na ajiye shi a kantin sayar da kayan dadi," in ji Sondra. "Na ga mutane da yawa daga Sky Masters a yankinku kuma ba na son su ga motata da aka ajiye a gaban gidanku da yawa."
    
  Yayi kama da kyakkyawan ra'ayi, tunanin Boomer. Ya rik'e ta a tsayin hannu yana kallonta cikin idanuwansa. "Ko kuma za mu iya yin abin da ya dace, kamar yadda muka yarda, kuma ba za mu kwana da juna ba."
    
  "Oh, na san mun yi magana game da wannan," in ji Sondra tare da ɗan ɗaki, ta ɗora hannayenta a kan kafadunsa tare da nannade hannayenta a wuyansa, "amma ba zan iya taimakawa ba. Kuna da irin wannan matse jiki mai zafi kuma kuna da wannan murmushin daɗaɗɗen murmushi da wannan hali na shaiɗan mai iya kulawa wanda kawai ya haukata ni. Ba ma maganar, kai damisa ce a kan gado."
    
  "Na gode," in ji Boomer. "Kana da zafi sosai."
    
  "Na gode".
    
  "Amma saurayinki, Brad, yana zama abokina, kuma idan ya sami labarinmu, zai yi wuya mu yi aiki da shi nan gaba kaɗan. Aikin sa na Starfire ya sami amincewar tallafi kawai."
    
  "Sai na rabu da shi."
    
  Boomer ya lumshe ido cikin mamaki. "Yana da sauki haka?"
    
  "Lokacin da lokacin barin ku ya yi, zai kasance da sauri," in ji Sondra. "Ina son Brad, kuma yana da taurin kai kamar ku, amma ya fi ni shekaru da yawa, kuma ba ya zuwa jami'a, kuma ya shagaltu da ziyarce ni ba da jimawa ba, kuma ba ni da gida ni kaɗai. Ban da haka, ba na son a daure ni. Ina son abin da nake so, lokacin da nake so, kuma a yanzu ina son ku."
    
  "Kuma idan Brad yana nan, za ku so shi ma?"
    
  Sondra ta gyada kai. "iya iya. Ba na tsammanin zai dawo da ni bayan rabuwa - ya ɗan yi rashin girma game da mata da dangantaka kuma ba na tsammanin zai iya magance zama kawai abokai ko abokan jima'i na yau da kullum." Ta matso dashi. "Yaya fa? Ka fara injuna ka ba ni abin hawa?"
    
  Boomer yayi murmushi amma ya girgiza kai. "Bana tunanin haka, Sondra," in ji shi.
    
  Ta dau mataki ta koma ta dunkule hannayenta ta cikin gashinta mai farin gashi wanda ya zubo mata a kirjinta. "Bakwa bukatara kuma? Na ce zan rabu da Brad. "
    
  "Mun yi jima'i sau ɗaya kuma mun yi magana game da shi daga baya kuma mun yanke shawarar cewa ba daidai ba ne," in ji Boomer. "Za mu yi atisaye tare har tsawon wata goma sha biyu. Ni ne malaminku. Barci tare ba abu ne mai kyau ba."
    
  "Idan ka ce haka," in ji Sondra cikin taushin murya. Sannan a hankali da lallashi ta cire T-shirt dinta, tana bayyana jikinta mai dauke da shakku, kirjin ta da karfi da ciki. Ta miko T-shirt din, ta tabbatar bai hana Boomer kallon jikinta mai dadi ba. "Dokta Noble kina son T-shirt dinki ta dawo?"
    
  Boomer ya miko ya dauko mata T-shirt din... sannan ya jefar da ita a kafadarsa. "Damn, zan je jahannama ko yaya," in ji shi, ya rungume Sondra ya sumbace ta sosai.
    
    
  GINA GOMA SHA HUDU, KREMLIN, MOSCOW
  TARAYYAR RUSIYA
  BAYAN KWANAKI KADAN
    
    
  Manyan ofisoshin shugaban kasa Gennady Gryzlov a cikin ginin gwamnatin Kremlin suna cikin ginin Majalisar Dattawa, wanda kuma aka fi sani da Ginin Farko, amma ya fi son ofishin shugaban kasa da ke ware wanda aka fi sani da Ginin Goma Sha Hudu. A baya-bayan nan ya gyara ginin gaba daya, inda ya mayar da shi wani nau"in fasahar zamani na ofisoshin kamfaninsa na mai da ke St. kuma ta hanyoyi da yawa sun zarce mafi kyawun fasahar Rasha; akwai kuma hanyar jirgin kasa ta karkashin kasa domin gudun hijirar gaggawa wanda zai kai shi filin jirgin sama na Chkalovsky, mai nisan kilomita goma sha takwas arewa maso gabashin Moscow, wanda filin jirginsa na horon sararin samaniya ne da ke hidima ga Star City kuma a yanzu yana da ayarin jiragen yaki na soja da za su iya dauke shi cikin aminci idan ya cancanta.
    
  Ya ƙudura cewa ba za a kama shi a cikin wani gidan umarni na karkashin kasa ba a lokacin wani hari ta sama, kamar yadda ya faru da mahaifinsa: a farkon gargadi na kowane haɗari, Gryzlov zai iya barin Ginin Goma sha huɗu a cikin ƙasa da minti daya, ya bar birnin a kasa da biyar. , da kuma shiga jirgin sama, a shirye don isar da shi a ko'ina cikin Turai a cikin ƙasa da talatin.
    
  Gryzlov ba kasafai yake gudanar da tarurruka a ginin na goma sha hudu ba, inda ya gwammace a gudanar da dukkan tarukan manyan jami'an gwamnati a ofishinsa da ke Ginin Farko, amma ya kira ministan harkokin wajen kasar Daria Titeneva zuwa ofishinsa dake ginin na sha hudu da sanyin safiya. Shugaban gwamnatin Sergei Tarzarov ne ya shigar da ita ofishin, wanda daga nan ne ya dauki matsayinsa "ba tare da gani ba, a cikin tunaninsa" a cikin gwamnatin shugaban kasa, amma Gryzlov ya kori shi da kallo daya. "Sannu, Daria," Gryzlov ya ce daga bayan babban teburinsa. "Sannu da zuwa. shayi? Kafi?"
    
  "A'a, na gode, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Titeneva. Ta d'an d'auki d'an k'ara duban ofishin. Teburin Gryzlov yana da tagogi daga bene zuwa rufi tare da ra'ayoyi masu ban sha'awa na Kremlin da Moscow, kuma a bangon da ke gaban teburin akwai manyan masu saka idanu masu girman gaske waɗanda ke nuna bayanai iri-iri, daga labaran duniya zuwa ciyarwar rahotannin gwamnati zuwa hannun jari. quotes da stock kundin daga ko'ina cikin duniya. Teburin taro na mutum ashirin yana gefen hagu na shugaban kasa, kuma wurin zama mai dadi ga mutum goma sha biyu da ke kewaye da teburin kofi yana hannun dama. "Ban ga ofishin ku na sirri a nan ba tun lokacin da kuka gama gyara shi. Kamar kasuwanci. Ina son shi, ya shugaban kasa."
    
  "Ba zan iya yin aiki da yawa a ginin Majalisar Dattawa ba lokacin da ma'aikatan suka yi hauka," in ji Gryzlov. "Na je Ginin Farko don sauraron yadda kaji suka yi kururuwa, sannan na dawo nan in yanke shawara."
    
  "Ina fata ba ni daya daga cikin kajin da kuke magana akai, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Titeneva.
    
  "Ba shakka ba," in ji Gryzlov, yana tafiya a kusa da teburinsa, yana zuwa Titeneva kuma ya sumbace ta a hankali a kumatu, sa'an nan kuma ya karbi sumba mai ladabi. "Kai aboki ne abin dogaro. Kun yi aiki tare da mahaifina shekaru da yawa, tun lokacin da kuka kasance tare da sojojin sama."
    
  "Ubanku babban mutum ne," in ji Titeneva. "Na sami damar bauta masa."
    
  "Ya ja ki da shi har zuwa, ko ba haka ba?" Gryzlov ya ce. "Ku biyu kun tashi tare da sojojin sama, sannan ya dauke ku a matsayin gwamnati, eh?"
    
  "Mahaifinka ya san yadda yake da muhimmanci a amince da mutane a kusa da ku, a cikin sojoji da kuma wajensa," in ji Titeneva. "Ya kuma tabbatar da cewa na koya daga kwararrun masana a Kremlin."
    
  "Kai ne shugaban ma'aikatansa na ɗan gajeren lokaci, a gaban maci amana Nikolai Stepashin, idan na tuna daidai," in ji Gryzlov. "Ina sha'awar: me ya sa kuka bar shi kuka shiga aikin diflomasiyya? A yanzu za ku iya zama Firayim Minista ko ma shugaban kasa."
    
  "Dukanmu mun yi tunanin cewa za a iya amfani da basirata da kyau a Washington da New York," in ji Titeneva a hankali. "A wancan lokacin, mata ba su mamaye manyan mukamai a Kremlin ba."
    
  "Na gani," in ji Gryzlov. Kai tsaye ya juyo gareta. "Don haka jita-jitar da na ji game da dangantakar jima'i da mahaifina na dogon lokaci ba gaskiya ba ne?" Titeneva bai ce komai ba. Gryzlov ya tako wajenta ya sumbace ta a lebe. "Mahaifina mutum ne mai farin ciki. Watakila zan samu sa'a iri daya."
    
  "Na kusa isa zama mahaifiyarka, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji ta, amma Gryzlov ya yi gaba ya sake sumbace ta kuma ba ta ja da baya ba. Gryzlov yayi mata murmushi, ya sakar mata ido sama da kasa, sannan ya koma kan teburinsa ya dauko sigari daga drawer dinsa. "Ka gayyace ni cikin ofishinka na sirri don sumbace ni, Mr. President?"
    
  "Ba zan iya tunanin dalili mafi kyau ba, Daria," in ji shi, yana kunna sigari yana hura babban hayaki mai kamshi zuwa rufi. "Me yasa ba kwa yawan ziyartara?"
    
  "Mijina, misali."
    
  Gryzlov ya ce "Mijinki Yuri mutumin kirki ne kuma fitaccen tsohon soja, kuma na tabbata cewa abin da yake yi lokacin da ba ku da Moscow ba komai ba ne a cikin kasuwancin ku muddin bai yi illa ga matsayinki a cikin gwamnati ba," in ji Gryzlov. Titeneva bai ce komai ba. Ba tare da ya juyo gareta ba ya nuna sigari kan kujerar dake gaban teburinsa, ta dauka. "Shin kuna samun rahotanni kan tashin jiragen saman Amurka?"
    
  "Eh, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Titeneva. "Yawan tashin jiragen zuwa tashar sararin samaniyar sojoji ya karu kadan, daga uku a kowane wata zuwa hudu."
    
  "Wannan karuwa ne da kashi talatin cikin dari, in ji Ministar Harkokin Wajen Madam - Zan ce wannan yana da mahimmanci, ba maras muhimmanci ba," in ji Gryzlov. "Kayan su?"
    
  Titeneva ya ce "Rahotanni na hankali sun nuna cewa tashar ta sami wasu ci gaba mai mahimmanci, mai yiwuwa a cikin sarrafa katako na laser da tsarin rarraba wutar lantarki," in ji Titeneva. "Na'urori masu auna firikwensin gani na iya ganin canji kaɗan kaɗan a wajen tashar."
    
  "Kuna da kanku da kuma a hukumance kuna sha'awar abubuwan da ke cikin jiragen sama, eh?"
    
  "Tabbas, Mr. Shugaban kasa, da zaran na sami sanarwar cewa ƙaddamarwa yana nan kusa," in ji Titeneva. "Amsoshin da aka saba daga Amirkawa sune 'ma'aikata', 'kayyade' da kuma 'rarrabuwa'. Ba sa ba da wani cikakken bayani ba."
    
  "Kuma unofficially?"
    
  "Har yanzu tsaro ya taru sosai, yallabai," in ji ta. "Jigin sama na Spaceplane da galibin ayyukan da ke cikin tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, "yan kwangila ne na farar hula ne ke yin su, kuma tsaronsu yana da sarkakiya da yawa. Babu daya daga cikin abokan hulda na da ke Washington da ya san komai game da "yan kwangilar, sai dai kamar yadda muka gani, da yawa daga cikinsu tsofaffin jami"an soja ne da kwararrun kwararru. Ina jin yana da wahala a gare ni in sami bayanai da yawa game da shirin sararin samaniyar ɗan kwangila. Minista Kazyanov na iya samun ƙarin bayani. "
    
  "Na gani," in ji Gryzlov. Ya yi shiru na wasu lokuta; sannan: "An ba ku izinin yin magana a gaban Kwamitin Sulhu kafin a kada kuri'a kan kudurinmu kan yunkurin Amurka na wuce gona da iri, daidai?"
    
  "Iya, Shugaba."
    
  Gryzlov ya hura hayaki a cikin iska a saman teburinsa, sa'an nan kuma ya sanya sigari a cikin toka kuma ya tashi daga wurin zama, kuma, kamar yadda ake bukata, Titeneva ya tashi nan da nan. "Ka bar mahaifina, Daria, saboda ba za ka iya jure wa matakin nauyi da himma da mahaifina yake so ya ba ka ba," in ji Gryzlov, ya matso kusa da ita ya huda matar da wani sanyi, kallon kai tsaye. "Ba ki yi taurin zama tare da shi ba, har ma kamar uwargidansa. Kun bar Moscow zuwa jam'iyyun zamantakewa a New York da Washington, maimakon taimaka masa ya yi yaƙi a cikin ramukan siyasa na Kremlin. "
    
  "Wa ya faɗa maka wannan ƙaryar, ya shugaban ƙasa?" Titeneva ta tambaya, idanunta suna walƙiya da fushi. "Wannan tsohuwar akuyar Tarzar?"
    
  A cikin wani motsi mai banƙyama wanda Titeneva bai yi tsammani ba, Gryzlov ya buge ta a fuska tare da bude hannun dama. Ta tashi daga bugun da aka yi mata, tana girgiza taurarin daga kai, amma Gryzlov ta lura cewa ba ta ja da baya ba ko kuka, amma bayan wani lokaci ta mike ta koma ta tsaya a gabansa har zuwa tsayinta. Kuma cikin kiftawar ido ya sake yi samanta, lebbansa ya kulle a kan nata, yana jan kai zuwa gare shi da hannun damansa yayin da na hagu na yawo bisa kirjinta. Sannan, bayan doguwar sumba, ya ture ta daga gare shi. Ta dan shafa kuncinta, sai lebbanta, da bayan hannunta, amma ta sake mikewa gabansa, ta ki komawa kasa.
    
  "Ki je New York ki yi magana a Kwamitin Tsaro na Majalisar Dinkin Duniya," in ji Gryzlov, yana kallonta kai tsaye a idanuwanta, "amma ba za ki zama wannan balagagge, mai hikima, mutunta, jami'in diflomasiyya da aka kebe ba, kin fahimce ni? Za ku zama tikitin da mahaifina yake so kuma ya horar da shi, amma bai taba samu ba. Ina ganin wannan tiresin a idanunki Daria, amma kina cikin jin dadin rayuwa a ma'aikatar harkokin waje tare da mijinki jarumin yaki, kina jure kananan al'amuransa domin kina son ci gaba da aikinki. To, ba kuma.
    
  "Za ku je Kwamitin Sulhu, kuma Rasha za ta samu duk abin da nake bukata, ko kuma ba za mu da wata alaka da Majalisar Dinkin Duniya," in ji Gryzlov. "Kuna samun wannan ƙuduri, ko ku busa wannan wurin. Za ku nuna bacin raina da fushina ba tare da kokwanto a zuciyar kowa ba, ko kada ku damu da dawowa daga New York."
    
  "Amurka za ta yi watsi da kudurin, Gennady," in ji Titeneva. Gryzlov ya lura da canjin sautin muryarta kuma yayi murmushi - kamar zakaran tseren tseren tsere, ta amsa da kyau ga ɗan ƙaramin horo, ya yi tunani. "Kin san wannan kamar yadda na sani."
    
  "Sai ku lalata wannan wuri," in ji Gryzlov. "Wannan gidan da duk duniya mai ban tsoro ya kamata su fito fili game da fushin da zan yi idan wannan kudurin bai zartar ba." Ya damk'e sumar da ke bayan kanta ya ja ta zuwa gare shi ya sake yi mata wani irin sosae sannan ya janye ta daga gare shi. "Idan ka yanke shawarar zama zomo ba damisa ba, kuma ka kuskura ka koma Kremlin, to zan tabbatar da cewa ka zama ƙaramin zomo na wani. Wataƙila ma nawa. Kuma ina ba da tabbacin ba za ku so shi ba. Yanzu ku fita daga nan."
    
  Sergei Tarzarov ya shiga ofishin shugaban 'yan mintoci kaɗan bayan Titeneva ya tafi. "Ba taron ma'aikatan ku ba ne, na ɗauka, yallabai?" - ya fada yana shafar labbansa a matsayin alama.
    
  Gryzlov ya fada da kyar, yana goge bakinsa da bayan hannunsa. "Ina Ilyanov?"
    
  "Ta hanyar amintacciyar waya daga Washington, tashar ta uku," in ji Tarzarov.
    
  Gryzlov ya ɗaga wayar, ya danna maɓallin tashar kuma yana jira ba tare da haƙura ba don da'irar zazzagewa don kafa haɗin gwiwa. "Kanar?"
    
  "Lafiya, sir," in ji Ilyanov.
    
  "Me ya faru a can?"
    
  "Ba zato ba tsammani, yallabai," in ji Ilyanov. "A fili McLaanahan yana da tsaro saboda sun lalata tawagara, suka dauki McLamahan suka kulle gidan kafin fitowar rana."
    
  "Ina tawagarku?"
    
  "Ba a sani ba, sir," in ji Ilyanov. "Ba sa hannun jami'an farar hula na yankin, abin da na sani ke nan."
    
  "Damn," Gryzlov ya yi rantsuwa. "Ko dai FBI ko tsaro na sirri. Za su raira waƙa kamar tsuntsaye a lokacin rikodin, musamman idan sun ƙare a hannun jami'an tsaro na farar hula. Na ce maka Kanar, kada ka dauka komai. Ina McLahanan yake yanzu?"
    
  "Yallabai kawai ya fito," in ji Ilyanov. "Ya yi rajista a matsayin mazaunin daya daga cikin rukunin gidaje na harabar. Ya ji rauni a lokacin harin da tawagara ta kai masa, amma da alama ba shi da lafiya yanzu. Muna nazarin motsinsa, tsarin tsaro na rukunin gidaje, da kuma neman kasancewar jami'an tsaronsa na sirri. Ba za mu ƙara yin mamaki ba. Ya zuwa yanzu ba mu sami komai ba. Da alama McLahanan ya ci gaba da motsin sa na yau da kullun tun ma kafin mamayar. Ba za mu iya gano wani tsaro da ke kewaye da shi ba."
    
  "Sai ku duba da kyau, Colonel, tsine ku!" Gryzlov ya yi nasara. "Ina son ya lalace. Ban damu ba ko dole ne ka aika da wani runduna gaba daya a bayansa - Ina son ya hallaka shi. Ci gaba da shi!"
    
    
  ZAUREN NORWAY, ZAUREN TSARON MAJALISSAR UNITED
  NEW YORK
  BAYAN KWANAKI KADAN
    
    
  Ministan harkokin wajen Rasha Daria Titeneva ya ce "Wannan ba bisa ka'ida ba, mai hatsari da tsokana na neman mamayar Amurka a sararin samaniya dole ne a dakatar da shi nan take." Ta yi magana ne a taron kwamitin sulhu na Majalisar Dinkin Duniya a birnin New York, wanda ke zaune a kujerar jakada kusa da jakadan Rasha a MDD Andrei Naryshkin. "Rasha ta sami karuwar kashi talatin cikin dari na yawan jiragen sama da kuma jiragen marasa matuka zuwa tashar sararin samaniyar sojojin Amurka tun lokacin da shugaban kasar Phoenix ya ba da sanarwarsa game da ikon Amurka. Rasha na da shaidar cewa Amurka na sake kunna tauraron tauraron dan adam na makamin sararin samaniya da ake kira Kingfishers, da kuma sake kunna wani na'urar Laser na'urar lantarki kyauta mai suna Skybolt tare da ingantattun tsarin jagora da kuma kara karfin wuta, wanda hakan zai iya lalata wuraren da ake hari a ko'ina a duniya. Wannan duk da alama ba komai bane illa nuna karfi a shekarar zabe, amma shugaban kasar Phoenix yana buga wasa mai matukar hadari, yana barazana ga zaman lafiya da kwanciyar hankali na duniya baki daya don kawai ya samu kuri'u kadan.
    
  "Gwamnatin Rasha ta shirya wani daftarin kuduri domin tantancewa daga kwamitin sulhu na neman Amurka ta soke shirin sake harba dukkan makamanta na sararin samaniya da kuma lalata wadanda ke cikin sararin samaniyar duniya, tare da umurtar shugaba Kenneth Phoenix da ya sauya matsayinsa na cewa duk wani abu da ya ce zai yi. sararin samaniyar da wani jirgin sama na Amurka ya mamaye shi ne yankin Amurka mai cikakken ikon da za a iya kare shi da karfin soja. sararin samaniya ba kuma bai kamata wata al'umma ɗaya ko ƙawance ta mamaye shi ba. Ina neman izinin majalisar don gabatar da kudurin Rasha ga kwamitin tsari sannan kuma ga kwamitin tsaro don kada kuri'a, sannan a aiwatar da shi nan take bayan kuri'ar "e". Na gode ya shugaban kasa." Bayan da Titeneva ta gama jawabinta, an yi ta tafi da yawa - ba daidai da wata babbar alamar amincewa ba, amma wata alama ce ta wahala ga Amurkawa.
    
  "Na gode, Madam Ministar Harkokin Waje," in ji Sofyan Apriyanto na Indonesia, shugaban rikon kwarya na Kwamitin Tsaro na Majalisar Dinkin Duniya. "Shugaban ya gayyaci Ambasada Ells na tsawon mintuna goma don amsawa."
    
  "Na gode, shugaban kasa," in ji Paula Ells, Jakadiyar Amurka a Majalisar Dinkin Duniya. "Ba zai dauki mintoci goma ba don karyata kalaman Ministan Harkokin Wajen Rasha. Maganganun ta da zarginta gaba daya ba su da tushe balle makama kuma gaskiyarta ba daidai ba ce a mafi kyawu kuma karairayi ce mafi muni."
    
  "Yaya kai Ambassador!" Titeneva ta yi kururuwa lokacin da ta ji fassarar. "Yaya kai kace min karya! Shaida a bayyane take ga duk duniya! Ku ne da dukan gwamnatin Phoenix ku ne maƙaryata kuma masu tayar da hankali a nan!"
    
  Jakadiya Paula Ells ta lumshe ido cikin mamaki. Ta taba haduwa kuma ta shafe lokaci tare da tsohuwar jami'ar Kremlin a lokacin aikinta kuma ta san ta a matsayin mutum mai natsuwa, haziki, kwararre sosai, amma tun lokacin da ta isa New York ta zama kusan ba a san ta ba. Ta yi hira da yawa ga manema labarai na duniya, inda ta soki Shugaba Phoenix da shirinsa na sararin samaniya, ta hanyar amfani da kalmomin Ells ba ta taba jin amfani da ita ba. Wannan hali ya ci gaba a nan, tare da ma fi girma acrimony. Ells ya ce "Bayanan abubuwan da kuka bayyana na gaskiya su ne karuwar jiragen sama da kuma jiragen roka marasa matuka," in ji Ells, "amma kamar yadda kuka saba, kuna gabatar da rabin gaskiya ne kawai kuma kuna yin zarge-zargen da ba a tabbatar da gaskiya ba:
    
  "Yawancin tashin jirage na kumbon namu ya karu, gaskiya ne, amma saboda wasu dalilai da ba a san ko su waye ba, Rasha ta rage yawan jiragen Soyuz da Progress zuwa tashar sararin samaniyar kasa da kasa, kuma Amurka ta yanke shawarar kara karfi da kuma kara karfinta. ayyukanmu na cike gibin da aka samar," Ells ya ci gaba da cewa. "Jirgin sama da na mu na kasuwanci ba wai kawai a tashar Armstrong ba ne kawai, kamar yadda Sakataren Harkokin Waje ya yi ikirari, har ma da tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa. Idan Rasha tana tunanin za su iya yin tasiri a cikin harkokin kasa da kasa ta hanyar jinkirtawa da soke muhimman ayyuka na mayar da martani - ayyukan da aka riga aka saya kuma an biya su, zan iya ƙarawa - sun yi kuskure gaba daya.
    
  "Game da wannan daftarin kuduri, Mr. Shugaban kasa, harshen yana da fadi kuma yana da ban sha'awa wanda zai iya zama mafi kyawun rubuta ta dalibi mai aji bakwai," Ells ya ci gaba da cewa. Titeneva ta buga tafin hannunta a kan tebur kuma ta ce wani abu ga Naryshkin, cikin fushi tana nuna yatsanta ta farko a Ells, sannan a gare shi. "Idan har wannan kuduri ya tabbata, Majalisar Dinkin Duniya za ta iya yin amfani da dukkan dalilai na amfani da su wajen hana tsarin sanya Amurka a duniya, tun da yake wani bangare ne na tsarin makaman sararin samaniya, amma bai ambaci tsarin tauraron dan adam na GLONASS na Rasha ba, wanda ke da iyawa iri ɗaya .
    
  "Bugu da kari, kudurin ya nemi a haramta duk wani tsarin makamin da ke da wani abu, ko da a nesa, da ya shafi jiragen sama sama da sararin samaniya, wanda ke nufin Majalisar Dinkin Duniya za ta iya haramta duk wasu manyan jiragen Amurka masu nauyi saboda wata rana suna gwajin makami mai linzami daga jiragen sama, ko kasa. - Jiragen dakon kaya saboda sun taɓa ɗaukar sassa na makaman sararin samaniya," Ells ya ci gaba da cewa. "Kudirin ba shi da alaka da zaman lafiya da tsaro da kuma duk wani abu da ya shafi gabatar da wani kuduri ga kwamitin sulhun da ya ki amincewa da Amurka ta yadda Tarayyar Rasha za ta iya nuna firgici ga Amurka tare da fadawa duniya cewa Amurka na neman mamayewa. sararin samaniya . {Asar Amirka na fatan sauran membobin Majalisar za su ga irin waɗannan dabarun don abin da suke: dabarar siyasa mai arha ta yin amfani da ƙagaggun hujjoji, gurbatattun bayanai da tsoratarwa. Ina kira ga majalisar da ta ki mika wannan kuduri ga kwamitin kar ta kara yin la"akari da shi."
    
  Ells yayi magana da Titeneva kai tsaye. "Miss ministar harkokin waje... Daria, mu zauna a teburin tattaunawa da sakatariyar harkokin wajen Morrison, mu yi sulhu," in ji ta, ta daga hannayenta kamar mai mika wuya. "Tsarin shugaban Phoenix ba shine sake yin amfani da sararin samaniya ba. Amurka a shirye take ta yi duk abin da kasashen duniya ke so don gwada niyya da kadarorinmu a sararin samaniya. Dole mu yi-"
    
  "Kada ku dauke ni kamar mu kanne ne, Ambassador Ells!" Titeneva ta rasa fushinta. "Ku nuna girmamawa. Kuma lokacin tabbatarwa ya wuce dogon lokaci mai tsawo - yakamata Amurka ta yi tunani game da wannan kafin sanarwar Phoenix daga tashar sararin samaniyar soja! Amurka na da zabi daya tilo don nuna gaskiyarta, bude baki da kuma sha'awar zaman lafiya: nan da nan ta wargaza dukkan kayayyakin makaman sararin samaniya!"
    
  Kafadar Ells ta saki yayin da ta lura da tsananin fushin Titeneva. Yayi mata magana kawai. Kamar dai ta koma wani nau'in dodo mai ban tsoro a cikin kayan ado na Daria Titeneva. Ells ya juya ga Shugaban Kwamitin Tsaro kuma ya ce: "Ba ni da wani abin da zan ƙarawa, Mr. Na gode ".
    
  "Na gode, Ambassador Ells," in ji Shugaba Sofyan Apriyanto. "Shin akwai wasu maganganu kan shawarwarin gabatar da kudurin Rasha ga kwamitin?" Akwai wasu gajerun jawabai da dama, na gaba da gaba. "Na gode. Idan babu wani karin bayani, zan yi la'akari da kudirin mika kudurin ga kwamitin."
    
  Jakadan Rasha Andrei Naryshkin ya ce: "Na ji daɗi sosai, Mr. Shugaban ƙasa."
    
  Nan take jakadan Jamhuriyar Jama'ar kasar Sin ya ce, "Ina goyon bayansa, da alamu sun shirya tun da wuri don kasar Sin ta goyi bayan matakin a hukumance.
    
  "An matsar da kudurin kuma an goyi bayansa," in ji Aprianto. "Ina ba da wata dama don tattaunawa da gwamnatocinku ko gabatar da duk wani gyare-gyare." Babu masu ɗauka, kuma Sakatare Janar ya yi sauri ya fara aiki: "Madalla. Idan babu adawa, ina kira a yi zabe. Duk abin da ya dace, don Allah ku nuna wannan ta hanyar ɗaga hannun ku, kuma don Allah ku ɗaga hannun ku don a iya ƙidaya daidai.
    
  Hannu sun tashi sama, ciki har da na Biritaniya da Faransa...sai daya, na Jakada Paula Ells ta Amurka. "Duk wanda ke adawa da shi, don Allah ya nuna hakan ta hanyar ɗaga hannuwanku." Duk hannayen sun fadi banda na Paula Ells. "Shugaban ya amince da kuri'ar Amurka ta "a'a," in ji Apriyanto, "kuma saboda haka, ba a aiwatar da kudurin ba."
    
  Ministan Harkokin Wajen Rasha Titeneva ya yi ihu: "Wannan abin ban tsoro ne!" "Kungiyar Tarayyar Rasha ta yi zanga-zangar a cikin tsauraran sharuɗɗan da za a iya adawa da wannan ƙuri'ar! Sai dai al'umma daya duk sun kada kuri'ar amincewa! Kowa ya zabe e, sai daya! Wannan ba zai iya ci gaba ba!"
    
  "Madam Ministan Harkokin Waje, tare da dukkan girmamawa, shugaban bai gane ku ba," in ji Shugaba Apriyanto. "Kwamitin tsaron ya ba ku damar yin magana a gaban mambobinta kan wannan batu a madadin Jakadan ku, amma ba ta ba ku damar yin tsokaci ba dangane da sakamakon ko wace kuri"a. Kamar yadda kuka sani, {asar Amirka, da Tarayyar Rasha, da sauran mambobin Majalisar, suna amfani da damarsu ta ha]in kai, a lokacin da suka kada kuri'ar "a'a." Tarayyar Rasha da Tarayyar Soviet Socialist a gabanta sun sami irin wannan gata sau da yawa a baya. Na gode. Zan iya jawo hankalin Majalisar zuwa ga abin da ke gaba-"
    
  "Kada ku ƙi ni kamar wani yaro!" Titeneva ta yi kururuwa. "Ya Shugaba, wannan ba zai sake faruwa ba! Shugaba Kenneth Phoenix na gab da kwace iko da sararin samaniya ba tare da kayyadewa ba kuma kwamitin tsaro ba zai yi wani abin da zai hana shi ba? Wannan hauka ne!"
    
  Apriyanto ta ɗauki ɗan ƙaramin guduma ta danna na'urar sauti a hankali da hannunta, tana ƙoƙarin kwantar da hankalin Ministan Harkokin Wajen Rasha ba tare da ya kira ta ta yi shiru ba... ko mafi muni. "Madam Ministar Harkokin Waje, kina dagula wannan tsari. Don Allah-"
    
  "A"a, wannan Majalisar ba ta da tsari! Wannan ginin gaba ɗaya ya ƙare!" Titeneva ta yi kururuwa. "Rasha ba za ta yarda da wannan ba!"
    
  "Madam Ministan Harkokin Waje, don Allah-"
    
  Titeneva ya ce da babbar murya, "Maigidan shugaban kasa, kalaman shugaban kasar Phoenix ya saba wa Babi na bakwai na Yarjejeniya ta Majalisar Dinkin Duniya, wanda ya haramtawa kasashe mambobin kungiyar barazana ga zaman lafiya ko kuma aikata ta'addanci." "Babi na bakwai yana ba wa Kwamitin Tsaro ikon yin aiki don wanzar da zaman lafiya da dakatar da ta'addanci."
    
  "Amurka ba barazana ce ga kowa ba," in ji Madam Sakatariyar Harkokin Waje," in ji Ells. "Shirin shugaban Phoenix dakin gwaje-gwajen fasaha ne don inganta samun damar shiga sararin samaniya cikin lumana. Ba mu kunna kowane makaman sararin samaniya ba. Muna so-"
    
  "Za ku iya faɗi duk abin da kuke so, Ells, amma kalmominku ba su sa haka ba," in ji Titeneva. "Mai girma shugaban kasa, dokar ta veto ba ta shafi wannan batu domin Amurka na da hannu kai tsaye a cikin kudurin, kuma kasar da ke zama mamba ta dindindin a kwamitin sulhun ba za ta iya yin watsi da wani kuduri da aka yi wa kanta ba. Dole ne su kaurace saboda haka an zartar da kudurin."
    
  "Kwamitin majalisar ya riga ya yanke hukuncin cewa kudurin, duk da cewa an yi nuni da shi a fili a kan shirin Amurka na kwanan nan da aka sanar, ya shafi kowace kasa mai nisa a sararin samaniya don haka yana karkashin veto," in ji Apriyanto. "Madam Ministar Harkokin Waje, kina dagula wannan tsari. Kuna iya shigar da zanga-zangar a gaban Sakatare Janar kuma ku daukaka kara zuwa babban taron, amma ba a amince da kudurin ba kuma an rufe batun. Kuna iya ci gaba da kallon ayyukanmu, amma...
    
  "Ba zan ci gaba da zama ina kallon wannan farce ba," in ji Titeneva, ta yi tsalle zuwa kafafunta ta jefar da na'urar fassara a kan teburin da ke gabanta. "Ku saurare ni da kyau. Idan kwamitin sulhun bai yi aiki ba, Rasha za ta yi hakan. Rasha ba za ta hada kai da duk wata al'ummar da ke adawa da kudurinmu na tabbatar da tsaro game da shirin sararin samaniyar sojojin Amurka ba, kuma idan Rasha ta gano cewa Amurka na yin sojan gona da kowane bangare na na'urorinta na sararin samaniya, Rasha za ta dauki wannan a matsayin yaki kuma za ta mayar da martani daidai da haka.
    
  "Shugaban Rasha Gryzlov ya ba ni izini in sanar da ku cewa Rasha ba za ta sake tallafawa ayyukan mutane ba ko kuma marasa matuka don kai kaya zuwa tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa," Titeneva ta tsawa. "Bugu da kari, Rasha ta bukaci a ware na"urorin da ke tashar sararin samaniyar ta kasa da kasa da ke na kasar Rasha kuma a shirya su don jigilar su cikin gaggawa zuwa nasu. Ana ɗaukar nau'ikan na'urorin na Rasha a matsayin wani yanki na Rasha mai cikakken iko kuma dole ne a sake su kuma a tura su zuwa ikon Rasha. "
    
  "Ya kamata mu cire haɗin kayan aikin Rasha?" Paula Ells ta ki. "Ba abin wasan Lego bane a can, Daria. Samfuran sun kasance gudunmawar Rasha ga haɗin gwiwar kasa da kasa. Wannan haɗin gwiwar yana biyan kuɗin kula da kayayyaki, kuma haɗin gwiwar ya biya Rasha don amfani da kayayyaki da kuma ayyukan tallafi na Soyuz. Ba za ku iya ɗaukar jemagu da ƙwallon ku kawai ku koma gida ba - muna magana ne game da nau'ikan ton ashirin da ke tafiya cikin dubban mil a cikin awa ɗaya a cikin ɗaruruwan ɗaruruwan ...
    
  Titeneva ta ce: "Ba na so in saurari furucin ku na Amurkawa mai gajiyarwa, Ells," in ji Titeneva, "kuma na gaya muku kada ku taɓa kirana da sunana a wannan ko wani wuri! Rasha ba za ta yarda abin da ake kira haɗin gwiwa ya yi amfani da tsarin da Rashawa suka ƙirƙira ba sai dai idan al'ummomin duniya sun yi wani abu don ci gaba da tsaron lafiyar Rasha, kuma ba za mu so wata al'umma mai adawa da Rasha ta yi amfani da tsarinmu ba. Nan take za ku sake su ku mika su ga Rasha, ko kuma mu dauki mataki." Kuma tare da wannan, Titeneva ya juya ya bar zauren, Naryshkin ya bi diddiginta.
    
    
  SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
  BAYAN SATI DAYA
    
    
  James Ratel ya shiga cikin dakin bayan dojang dinsa a kudu da San Luis Obispo don samun Brad McLaanahan ya riga ya yi tura-up a kan linoleum. "To, da kyau, minti biyar a baya ... Ya fi kyau," in ji Cif Ratelle. "Kuma kun zo a shirye don yin horo. Wataƙila za a iya horar da ku bayan duk. "
    
  "Eh, Cif," Brad ya amsa, yana tsalle zuwa ƙafafunsa kuma ya tsaya kusa da hankali a gefen shuɗin tabarma.
    
  "Kin ji dumi?"
    
  "Iya, boss."
    
  "Ok," in ji Ratel. "Ya zuwa yanzu muna mai da hankali kan horar da karfi kuma ina iya ganin ci gaba. Daga yanzu, za ku ci gaba da waɗannan darussan da kanku, a cikin lokacinku na kyauta. Ba kwa buƙatar zuwa wurin motsa jiki don samun motsa jiki mai kyau. Tura-ups, crunches, lankwasa da ja-up- duk sun gaza, tare da hutun da bai wuce daƙiƙa casa'in ba. Kowane mako zan sake gwada ku, kuma kowane mako ina sa ran ganin ci gaba."
    
  "I, Chief," Brad ya amsa.
    
  "Yau zai zama darasi na farko na kariyar kai," Ratel ya ci gaba. Ya mikawa Brad kunshin. "Daga yanzu, za ku sanya bel, ko rigar horo, da ake kira gi a cikin Jafananci. Da zarar mun fara zaman horo, za mu yi shi a cikin tufafin titi don ku koyi jin daɗin gaske, amma a yanzu za ku sa wannan. Kuna da daƙiƙa talatin don canzawa." Brad yana bukatar kasa da goma sha biyar. Ratel ya nuna masa yadda ake ɗaure farin bel ɗin daidai, sannan suka shirya.
    
  "Za mu fara da mafi ainihin kayan aikin kariyar kai da farko." Ratel ya ɗauki itace mai sauƙi na tafiya tare da ƙugiya mai nuni da hannaye guda biyu da aka sassaƙa a cikin itacen, ɗaya kusa da kullin ɗayan kuma ya kara ƙasa da sandar. "Shekaru da dama da suka gabata, bayan yakin Koriya ta farko, wani ubangidan Koriya ta Kudu ya koyar a wata makarantar kare kai da ake kira "Joseon", inda ya rika amfani da sanduna da kayan aikin gona wajen kare kai, an koyar da wannan salon ne saboda a lokacin da Japan ta mamaye kasar. Koriya a lokacin yakin duniya na biyu da kuma lokacin mamayar Koriya ta Arewa, ba a ba wa "yan kasar Koriya ta Kudu damar daukar wukake ko bindigu ba, amma an yi amfani da gwangwani, sandunan tafiya, da kayan aikin gona irin su rake, zato, da guduma sosai. Wani sojan sojan Amurka ya lura da shi. cewa mutanen yankin sun yi amfani da sanduna a matsayin makamai masu inganci don kare kai, kuma ya samar da wata hanya ta koya wa wasu yadda ake amfani da sanda don kare kansu, wannan ya zama sunan Kane-Ja, ko kuma horar da sandar, nan da 'yan makonni masu zuwa, za ku iya. Yi tafiya da sanda kuma ɗauka tare da kai a kowane lokaci, ko da kuna tafiya cikin jirgin ruwa, a cikin jirgin sama ko kuna shiga makaranta ko kotu, da zarar kun kware wajen harbin sanda, za ku matsa zuwa wasu nau'ikan tashin hankali. kariyar kai, inda ba za a buƙaci sanda ko kuma a yi amfani da ita ba idan ka rasa ko karya shi."
    
  "Kane? Kana nufin kamar dattijo ne?" Brad ya nuna rashin amincewa. "Ya kamata in yi kamar tsohuwar gurgu kuma in yi yawo da sandar wawa, shugaba?"
    
  "Kada ku zama kamar tsoho," in ji Ratel. "Kada ku yi ƙoƙarin zama wani abu da ba ku ba - yawancin mutane suna kasawa, yawancin wasu suna iya lura da shi kuma za ku jawo hankali. Ci gaba kamar yadda aka saba. Ba dole ba ne ka yi tafiya tare da gurguwa, ɗaukar kowane nauyi a kai, ko ma sa saman sandar ya taɓa ƙasa a kowane lokaci, amma ya kamata ka ɗauka tare da kai, shirya shi, kuma kada ka taɓa ajiye shi. Jefa shi a hannunka ko bel, amma kada ka ajiye shi saboda za ka manta da shi. Kuna iya yanke shi zuwa madauri na jakar baya idan yana iya isa. Kuma kada a kira shi makami ko wani abu da ake bukata don kare kai. Tukunyar tafiya ce, kawai kuna koyon yadda ake amfani da shi ta wata hanya dabam."
    
  "Wannan wauta ce, yallabai," in ji Brad. "Ko sai in dauki sanda a ko"ina? Ta keke? Ina class?"
    
  "A ko'ina," in ji Ratel. "Ya kamata duk wanda ke kusa da ku ya haɗa ku da sandar, kuma ya haɗa ku da sandar tare da ku. Wannan ya kamata ya zama abokin tarayya na dindindin. Mutane za su ga wannan rauni a kai da fuskarka, za su ga sandar su sanya daya da daya, kuma wannan dangantakar za ta dade bayan raunin ya warke. Su kuma "yan ta"adda za su ga ku biyu, su yi tunanin cewa ku masu rauni ne kuma masu rauni ne, wannan ya ba ku dama."
    
  Ratel ya daga sandarsa. "Yi la'akari da cewa sandar yana da zagaye na zagaye wanda aka nuna a karshen kuma an yanke shi a cikin shaft a wurare biyu da kuma abin da aka yanke a cikin kullun," in ji shi. "Har ila yau, akwai wani tudu a gefen rafin. Za mu daidaita wannan sandar zuwa tsayinku , amma na ga ya kamata wannan ya dace da kyau. " Ya ba Brad. "Kamar kowane sanda, ya kamata ya kasance tsayin daka don tallafawa jikinka lokacin da kake jingina da shi, amma ba gajere ba har ya rage tasirinsa ko kuma ya sa ka ɗauki matsayi mai rauni. Ka kiyaye shi kusa da jikinka." Brad ya yi kamar yadda aka gaya masa. "Lafiya. Hannunka bai mike tsaye ba. Muna so mu dan lanƙwasa gwiwar gwiwar ku kaɗan. Idan da gaske kun dogara da shi, ya kamata ya yi kama da na dabi'a, kamar za ku iya sanya nauyi a kai.
    
  Ratel ya ɗauki nasa sandar, sawa sigar Brad's, don nunawa. "Yawanci kuna sanya hannu ɗaya ko biyu a kan mashaya kuma ku samar da triangle tare da ƙafafunku, kamar wannan," in ji shi, a hankali yana tsayawa a gaban Brad. "Wannan matsayi ne na 'hutawa'. A zahiri ba ku shakatawa ba, amma ra'ayin shine ku bayyana cikin annashuwa da kwanciyar hankali, amma duk da haka ku ƙyale wanda zai iya kai hari, wanda kuka gano ta hanyar lura ko ilhami, don ganin kuna da sanda, wanda zai iya tsoratar da shi ko dai. karfafa masa . Babu shakka, tare da nau'in maharin da muke shiryawa, kallon sandar ba zai hana su ba, amma suna iya tunanin kai mai rauni ne. Idan kuna buƙatar hannayenku, zaku iya yanke sandar zuwa kugu, amma ku koma wurin 'shakata' lokacin da za ku iya. Wannan shine matsayi na farko na gargadi ga maharin, koren haske."
    
  Ya zare hannunsa daga gindin gindin zuwa ga mafi girman saitin guraben riko, ta yadda budadden ginshikin yana nuni da kasa. "Yanzu maharin naka yana zuwa wajenka sai ka ganshi, don haka ka dauki wannan matsayi da muke kira "interception", yellow light. Hannun sandar yana gaban ku kuma kuna amfani da riko da hannu. Wurin giciye yana fuskantar ƙasa. Wannan shi ne gargaɗi na biyu. Ga mai kallo na yau da kullun ko abokin gaba, wannan na iya zama kamar matsayin mara gargaɗi.
    
  "Daga can, akwai abubuwa da yawa da za ku iya yi," in ji Ratel. "Hanya mafi sauƙi, ba shakka, ita ce amfani da sanda don harba wani ta hanyar buga su kawai." Ya sauko guda biyu akan wata dummy dake tsaye a kusa. "Wannan, tare da faɗakarwa ta baki, yawanci yana da tasiri sosai don hana ɗan fashi ko matashin ɗan fashi. Babu shakka, tare da abokan adawar da muke shiryawa, wannan bazai isa ba. Daga baya zan koya muku yadda zaku bijire wa wanda ya kama sandar ku.
    
  "Daga wurin shiga tsakani, idan an kai muku hari da dunƙule ko wuƙa, kuna karkatar da sandar daga waje, kuna bugun hannun maharin tsakanin wuyan hannu da gwiwar hannu gwargwadon iyawar ku. Wannan yana motsa jikinsa daga gare ku kuma kuna da fa'ida. Kuna iya buga masa gwiwa, cinya, ko makwancinsa tare da murguɗin yajin aiki. Ku sani, bugun kai da rikon sanda zai iya kashewa ko kuma ya yi rauni sosai. Kisa a cikin kare kai abu ne mai karbuwa, amma ainihin abin da ya ƙunshi "kare kai" yana da rikici a kotu. Ka kare kanka a kowane lokaci, amma koyaushe ka tuna cewa ayyukanka suna da sakamako."
    
  Ratel ya sa Brad ya yi motsin sa a kan ƙwanƙwasa, yana yin kowane motsi kamar yadda Ratel ya umarta, yana ƙara saurin sa yayin da yake tafiya. Ba da da ewa sai wani gumi ya fito a goshin Brad. Bayan ƴan daƙiƙa kaɗan na aikin, tabbas hannayen Brad sun fara gajiya. "Break," in ji Ratel a ƙarshe. "Da zarar mun sami waɗannan makamai da kafadu suna aiki, za ku iya haɓaka duka da haɓaka ƙarfin bugun ku."
    
  "Amma ba zan daɗe da buga abokin hamayya na ba, ko ba haka ba, Shugaba?" - Brad ya tambaya.
    
  "Manufarmu ita ce haɓaka ƙwaƙwalwar ƙwayar tsoka don motsin ku ya zama yanayi na biyu," in ji Ratel. "Zai ɗauki lokaci da aiki." Ya yi nuni da Brad daga mannequin, sannan ya ɗauki hoton koren haske, yana riƙe ƙugiya da hannaye biyu. Sai ya ajiye kansa a wani rawaya sannan kuma jajayen haske, da babbar murya yana ba da umarni "Tsaya!" tare da nuna sandar kai tsaye ga dummy. A cikin nan take na gaba, sandar ta zama ɗan ƙaramin motsi kamar yadda Ratel ya bugi dummy daga ga dukkan alamu, yana ɗaukar cikakken minti ɗaya kafin ya matsa zuwa dukkan wurare uku har zuwa matsayin "haske kore".
    
  "Mai tsarki," in ji Brad. " Abin mamaki!"
    
  "Har yanzu akwai harbi da dabaru da za mu koya," in ji Ratel. "Har zuwa lokacin, babban aikinku shi ne kawai ku saba da sanya sanda. Wannan shine aiki mafi ƙalubale ga sabbin ɗaliban Cane-Ja. Ya kamata ku san wuri mafi kyau don adana shi lokacin da ba a amfani da shi, ku tuna fitar da shi bayan sanya shi a kan motar bas ko kujerar mota, kuma ku ajiye shi tare da ku a kowane lokaci. Ina ba da tabbacin cewa za ku rasa sandar ku fiye da sau ɗaya. Ka yi ƙoƙarin kada ka yi hakan."
    
  "Iya, Chief," Brad ya ce. Ratel ya sa Brad ya yi motsa jiki da jujjuya motsi a kan gungumen azaba har sai zaman su ya ƙare; Daga nan Brad ya sake komawa cikin tufafinsa na motsa jiki, ya bar beol a cikin ƙaramin akwati a cikin dojang, ya koma Cal Poly.
    
  Makon ƙarshe yana gabatowa da sauri, don haka bayan saurin wanka da canza tufafi, Brad ya nufi ɗakin karatu na Kennedy don yin karatu. Ya sami tebur, ya toshe kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka, ya fara duba bayanan lectures da faifan PowerPoint da farfesoshi suka yi masa. Ya yi kusan sa'a guda yana yin haka sai Jodie Cavendish ta matso kusa da shi. "Kai buddy" ta gaishe shi. "To, to, dubi magudanar ruwa. Ina tsammanin zan same ku a nan. Shirya shan taba?"
    
  "Ban san abin da kuka kira ni kawai ba," in ji Brad, "amma ina fata yana da wani abu mai kyau."
    
  "Kawai cewa kai mutum ne mai aiki tuƙuru kuma ina tsammanin lokaci ya yi don hutun kofi."
    
  "Sai na shiga." Brad ya kulle kwamfutarsa a cikin ƙaramar hukuma kusa da teburinsa kuma ya tashi ya bi Jodie.
    
  "Kina bukatar amsa wannan?" Ta tambaya tana mai nuni da kan teburin.
    
  Brad ya juya ya ga ya bar sandarsa a kan tebur. "Oh... eh" yace sannan suka nufi matakalar. "Na san zan manta da shi."
    
  Yayin da suke tafiya ƙasa, Jodie ta lura cewa Brad ba ya amfani da sanda don tafiya. "Me kike bukatan sanda, aboki?" - Ta tambaya. "Ina jin kamar kuna tafiya da kyau."
    
  "Har yanzu ina samun dimuwa a wasu lokuta, don haka ina tsammanin zan ɗauka," Brad ya yi ƙarya.
    
  "Amma har yanzu kuna hau keken ku da gudu, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Iya," Brad ya ce. "Ba na bukatar hakan a kowane lokaci. A gaskiya abin da nake bukata shi ne ya tsaya cak."
    
  "Ina fatan kan ku lafiya, aboki," in ji Jodie. "A ƙarshe dai ciwon ya ƙare, amma tasirin na iya har yanzu yana shafar ku."
    
  "Ina da MRI kuma ba su sami komai ba," in ji Brad. Ya buga kansa ya kara da cewa, "A gaskiya, ba su sami komai ba." Jodie ta yi dariya game da barkwanci kuma ta canza batun, wanda Brad ya yi farin ciki da shi. Watakila lokaci ya yi da za a ba da sandar, ya yi tunani. Cif Ratel ya ce nan ba da dadewa ba zai fara wasan motsa jiki ba tare da makami ba, kuma lokacin da ya kware sosai kamar Kane-Ja, watakila Kane ba zai kasance tare da shi a koda yaushe ba.
    
  Shagon kofi da ke kasa ya yi kusan cunkoso kamar rana, sai da suka sha kofi a waje. An yi sa'a yanayin yana da kyau a farkon maraice. "Yaya karatun ku yake tafiya?" Brad ya tambaya yayin da suke samun benci.
    
  "Waɗannan apples ne," in ji Jodie. "Ba zan iya yarda cewa na kasance ina yin karatu don jarrabawar ƙarshe ba tare da kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka ba da duk fassarori na furofesoshi na PowerPoint - a wancan lokacin na dogara da kaina da kaina don cin jarrabawar! Hauka!"
    
  "Abu iri ɗaya ne a gare ni," Brad ya yarda. "Ina ɗaukar bayanin kula." Wayar sa ya d'aga alamar yana da sak'o, sannan ya kalli lambar. "Wani daga cikin gwamnati, amma ban gane shi ba. Ina mamakin me ke faruwa?
    
  "Me yasa suka makara haka?" Jodie tayi tunani da karfi. "Kwarai ka dawo."
    
  Brad ya buga lambar akan wayarsa ya jira. "Sannu, wannan shine Brad McLanahan, yana amsa kiran da ya zo cikin 'yan mintoci kaɗan da suka gabata. Yanzu na sami sako... waye? Shugaba Harris? Kana nufin shugaban jami'a? Eh tabbas zan jirashi".
    
  "Me?" Jodie ta tambaya. "Shin Shugaba Harris yana son yin magana da ku?"
    
  "Wataƙila wannan shine abin da muka jira, Jody," in ji Brad. "Eh... eh, shi ne... Eh sir, a gaskiya, ina nan tare da daya daga cikin shugabannin kungiyar... eh sir, na gode." Ya danna screen d'in sannan ya d'aura wayar a speaker. "Ina nan tare da Jodie Cavendish, yallabai."
    
  "Barka da yamma a gare ku duka," in ji shugaban jami'a Marcus Harris. "Ina da labari mai dadi. Labarin ya fito ne kimanin mako guda da suka gabata, amma mun kammala yarjejeniya tare da sanya hannu kan takaddun. Aikin ku na Starfire yana ɗaya daga cikin ayyuka uku da aka zaɓa don bincike da tallafin haɓaka ta Sky Masters Aerospace. Ina tayaka murna." Jodie da Brad sun yi tsalle sama, Jodie ta saki kukan farin ciki, ita da Brad sun rungumi juna. Harris ya bar su su yi bikin na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya ce, "Amma wannan ba duka ba."
    
  Dalibai suka zauna. "Yallabai?"
    
  "Na kuma yi farin cikin sanar da ku cewa aikinku ya sami rabin tallafin tallafin sararin samaniya na Sky Masters - dala miliyan ashirin da biyar," Harris ya ci gaba da cewa. "Wannan ya sa Starfire ya zama aikin binciken injiniyan sararin samaniya mafi girma a tarihin UC."
    
  "Dala miliyan ashirin da biyar?" Jodie ta ce. "Ba zan iya yarda da wannan ba!"
    
  "Na taya ku biyu," in ji Harris. "Brad, sami lokacin da dukan ƙungiyar ku za su iya haɗuwa da wuri-wuri, kira ofishina kuma ku tsara lokacin taron manema labarai. Na san muna kusa da ƙarshe kuma ba na son ɗaukar lokaci mai yawa, amma muna so mu yi babban fantsama game da wannan kafin kowa ya tafi rani."
    
  "Iya, sir!" Brad ya ce. "Zan tuntubi kowa da yammacin yau. Yawancin lokaci muna yin taron tawagar kowace rana da karfe sha ɗaya na safe, don haka watakila gobe zai fi kyau. "
    
  "Mai girma," Harris ya ce, yana ƙara jin daɗi da na biyu. "Zan samu jadawalin ku kuma in aika wa malamanku saƙon imel don sanar da su cewa za ku makara don yin karatu saboda na tabbata taron manema labarai da ɗaukar hoto za su ɗauki ɗan lokaci. Za mu tafi duniya tare da wannan aikin, mutane, kuma muna fatan za mu karya wasu bayanan kuɗi da shi. Sanya wani abu mai kyau. Ina taya murna kuma. Oh, ƙarin abu ɗaya yayin da Miss Cavendish ke kan layi. "
    
  "Yallabai?"
    
  "An ba Miss Cavendish cikakken guraben karatu ga Cal Poly don ci gaba da karatun digiri na biyu, gami da koyarwa, littattafai, kudade da gidaje," in ji Harris. "Ba za mu iya barin ɗaya daga cikin ƙwararrun ɗalibanmu masu karatun digiri na farko ta tafi ba lokacin da ta taka rawar gani wajen samun irin wannan babban tallafi, ko za mu iya? Ina fatan za ku karba, Miss Cavendish."
    
  "Tabbas zan yi, yallabai!" Jodie ta yi kuka cikin tsananin murna. "Tabbas na yarda!"
    
  "Madalla," in ji Harris. "Ina taya murna ga daukacin tawagar Starfire. Babban aiki. Barka da dare, mustangs." Kuma haɗin ya katse.
    
  "Ba zan yarda da wannan ba!" - Brad ya ce, yana ratayewa. "Dala miliyan ashirin da biyar ne kawai suka fada hannun mu!" Ya rungume Jody sosai. "Wannan abin mamaki ne! Kuma kun sami tallafin karatu da kuke nema! Taya murna!"
    
  "Saboda kai ne duka," in ji Jodi. "Kai jackaro ne. Kai dan iskana ne." Kuma Jodie ta dora hannuwanta a kan fuskar Brad kuma ta sumbace shi da karfi a kan lebe.
    
  Brad ya ji daɗin duk lokacin wannan sumba, ya janye, sannan ya ba ta ɗaya. Lokacin da suka rabu bayan sumba, idanuwan Brad suna gaya wa Jodie wani abu, wani abu mai ƙarfi kuma mai ban sha'awa na sirri, kuma idanunta nan da nan suka ce eh. Amma ga firgita ta, ta ji Brad yana cewa, "Na fi dacewa in yi hulɗa da sauran. Gobe zai zama babbar rana."
    
  "Iya," in ji Jodie. Ta gamsu, aƙalla a yanzu, don rungumar Brad da shayar da kofi yayin da yake yin rubutu a wayarsa.
    
  Brad ya tuntubi dukkan shugabannin kungiyar ta hanyar saƙonnin rubutu, sannan ya haɗa da injiniyoyi na Cal Poly, furofesoshi, da ɗaliban da ke taimakawa da aikin, sannan ya yanke shawarar haɗa duk wanda ke taimakawa da aikin wanda ke cikin tafiyar awanni biyu. jami'ar, har zuwa Stanford da Jami'ar Amirka - ya ƙudura ya cika ɗakin taron manema labarai tare da magoya bayan Starfire. Lokacin da ya gama da hakan, sai ya yanke shawarar rubutawa duk wanda ya goyi bayan aikin, ba tare da la"akari da ko za su iya halartar taron manema labarai ko a"a ba - ya kamata duk wanda ke da alaka da aikin ya san taron manema labarai da kuma yadda za a yi talla a duk duniya, in ji shi. Shi. Duk wanda ke da alaƙa da wannan aikin bai kamata ya ji labarin tallafin daga kowa ba in ba shugaban ƙungiyar ba.
    
  Ya karanta duka, sai ɗaya daga cikin tabbaci na rubutu na Jodi. Ita ce kawai lambar ƙasar tsakiyar Asiya a cikin duk saƙonnin da ya karɓa, kuma daga Kazakhstan ne, wanda ba shi da marubuta a cikin Starfire. A sauƙaƙe sakon ya karanta: Barka da zuwa. D.
    
  Lokacin da Brad ya sanya wasiƙun akan faifan maɓalli na wayar sabanin lambobin da suka bayyana akan allon saƙo, an rubuta sunan mai aikawa da tashin matattu.
    
  'Yan kwanaki sun shuɗe kuma yanayin, wanda ya yi kyau ga yawancin Afrilu, har yanzu ba zai iya girgiza lokacin sanyi ba, don haka suna da kwanaki masu sanyi sosai tare da hazo da ruwan sama. Kwanaki uku da suka gabata, Brad yana hawa bas maimakon hawa babur ɗinsa. Ya kasance tafiya mai kyau da annashuwa zuwa dojang kudancin gari: tafiya mai sauƙi daga Poly Canyon zuwa tashar bas ta Hanyar 6B kusa da ɗakin karatu na Kennedy; tafiyar bas mai sauƙi ta mintuna bakwai zuwa cibiyar zirga-zirgar cikin gari; canja wuri zuwa hanyar layin bas 3; doguwar bas na mintuna ashirin zuwa Cibiyar Siyayya ta Marigold; sai kuma wani saukin gudu daga can kan titin Tank Farm zuwa dojang dake arewacin filin jirgin. Yana da ɗimbin lokaci don yin ɗan karantawa ko sauraron littattafan sauti ko laccoci da aka naɗa a kwamfutar hannu. Brad ya yi fatan zai iya hawa bas ɗin kowane lokaci- kyauta ne ga ɗaliban UC-amma yana son motsa jiki, don haka ya hau ta duk lokacin da yanayin ya haɗu.
    
  Makon ya fara, tare da ruwan sama, tare da gabatarwa ga Krav Maga. "An kirkiro Krav Maga a Isra'ila don aikin soja," James Ratel ya fara ranar Litinin da yamma. "Ba horo bane kamar karate ko judo; ba wasa ba ne kuma ba zai taba kasancewa a gasar Olympics ko a talabijin ba. Krav Maga yana da manyan manufofi guda uku: kawar da kai hari ta hanyar toshewa da tarwatsewa da hannuwanku, tare da yin taka tsantsan don kare kanku; matsawa daga tsaro zuwa kai hari da sauri; da sauri kawar da maharin ta hanyar yin amfani da haɗin gwiwa da kai hare-hare masu rauni a jiki, ta amfani da duk wani kayan aiki da zai iya kasancewa a hannu. Muna tsammanin kun karya ko kuskuren sanya sandar ku, don haka yanzu dole ne ku kare kanku ba tare da makami ba kuma mai yiwuwa a kan maharin fushi.
    
  "Wasu malaman suna gaya wa dalibansu cewa yawan karfin da ake bukata don kawar da maharin ya kamata ya yi daidai da karfin harin, wanda ke nufin, alal misali, ba za ku yi amfani da karfi a kan maharin da ya yi amfani da hannu ba fiye da wanda ya yi amfani da shi. jemage ko wuka." - Ratel ya ci gaba. "Ban yi imani da wancan ba. Burin ku shine ku saukar da maharin don ku iya tserewa. A aikace za ku jefa naushi uku don nuna cewa za ku iya jefa su, amma a kan titi kuna ci gaba da kai hari har sai maharin ya sauka. Manta da kowane fim ɗin Bruce Lee da kuka taɓa gani: ba parry ɗaya ba ne, naushi ɗaya, sannan ku bar mutumin ya tashi ya sake kawo muku hari. Da zarar kun toshe maharin, za ku ci gaba da buga maƙasudinsa masu rauni da haɗin gwiwa har sai ya faɗi, sannan ku yi sauri kamar yadda kuke iya kuma ku fita daga yanayin da sauri. fahimta?"
    
  "Iya, Chief," Brad ya ce.
    
  Ratel ya nuna babban fayil da ke zaune a kan counter a waje. "Wannan aikin gida ne," in ji shi. "Za mu horar da kai farmaki a wurare masu rauni a jiki ta hanyar amfani da lambobi, daga kai zuwa ƙafa. Tuna wurare da lambobi. Za ku kuma koyi game da dukkan gabobi ɗari biyu da talatin na jikin ɗan adam, musamman yadda suke fayyace yadda za ku iya kai musu hari. Ku shirya ku nuna min su zuwa ranar Laraba mai zuwa."
    
  "Iya, boss."
    
  "Mai kyau. Kabe waɗancan takalma da safa, sannan a kan tabarmar." Brad ya cire sneakers da safa, ya sunkuyar da kai tsakiyar katifa mai shuɗi ya tafi tsakiyar, Ratel yana biye da shi. Brad yana sanye ne da rigar horo na beol, yanzu yana da bel ɗin ja da baki maimakon farare, tare da matakin daraja ɗaya na poom wanda ke nuni da cewa ya kammala zagayen farko na horo na asali.
    
  "Muna farawa da abubuwan yau da kullun, kuma a cikin Krav Maga yana yin fare," Ratel ya fara. "Ka lura ban ce 'block' ba. Toshewa yana nuna cewa zaku iya ɗaukar wasu ƙarfin kuzarin da maharin ke amfani da shi akan ku, kamar 'yan wasan ƙwallon ƙafa biyu akan layi suna karo da juna. Madadin haka muna amfani da kalmar 'parry', wanda ke nufin kuna karkatar da mafi yawan ko duk ƙarfin harin zuwa wata hanya mai aminci."
    
  "Hakane da motsin sanda na asali, yallabai?" Brad ya kallo.
    
  "Gaskiya," in ji Ratel. "Makullin fara taron farko a Krav Maga shine jira, kuma hakan yana nufin sanin abubuwan da ke kewaye da ku. Idan mai yuwuwar maharin da ke zuwa kusa da kai yana da hannun dama a aljihunsa, to makamin na iya kasancewa a hannun damansa, don haka tsarin aikin tunaninka shi ne ka shirya don karewa daga maharin da ke hannun dama." Ratel ya ɗauki wukar roba daga tarkacen da ke bayansa ya jefa wa Brad. "Kwarai".
    
  Brad ya sa hannunsa na dama da wukar a bayansa ya tunkari Ratel, sannan ya daga hannunsa zuwa wajensa. Hannun hagu na Ratel ya harba, yana tura wukar ya wuce kirjinsa da rabi na murguda jikin Brad. "Na farko dai, wukar ba ta kusa da jikinku, kuma da wanda ya kai harin yana da wani makami a hannunsa na hagu, to da yanzu ba zai iya amfani da shi ba saboda na mayar da shi. Kamar dai sanda, yanzu kuna ganin wuraren da ba a san su ba na jiki." Ratel ya jefa naushi ga jikin Brad da kai. "Ko kuma zan iya kama hannun dama da hannun dama in toshe shi, in ajiye wukar a nesa da ni, kuma ta hanyar kulle hannuna, na sarrafa maharin." Ratel ya kama hannun dama na Brad daga kasa, ya dora tafin hannunsa akan triceps na Brad ya tura. Ko da dan matsi kadan, sai ya ji kamar hannun zai shiga biyu kuma Brad ba zai iya motsawa ko'ina ba sai wajen kasa.
    
  Ranar farko ce ta horo, kuma bayan ƙarshen na uku, Brad ya fara tunanin ko zai iya sanin kowane ɗayan waɗannan motsi na Krav Maga, balle ya yi amfani da su. Amma ya tunatar da kansa cewa ya yi tunani iri ɗaya game da Kane-Ja, kuma ya yanke shawarar cewa yana da kyau a ciki. Ya fita daga cikin dojang, ya ja murfin motarsa mai launin kore da zinare Cal Poly Mustangs, ya gudu zuwa gabas kan titin Tankfarm zuwa Broad Street da tashar motar bas. Ko da yake ba a gama faduwar rana ba tukuna, tana ta digo, an yi sanyi, duhu ya yi sauri, kuma yana so ya sauka daga wannan titin marar haske zuwa babban titin da sauri ya hau bas.
    
  Yana tsakiyar hanyar Broad Street, a kan mafi duhun hanya, sai ga wata mota zuwa yamma ta taso. Brad ya tashi daga kan titin kuma ya hau kan tsakuwa "hanyar gargadi," amma ya ci gaba da gudu. Motar ta dan matsa ta hagu ta tsaya tsallaka layin tsakiya, da alama zata wuce shi da yalwar daki...
    
  ... a lokacin da ba zato ba tsammani ya kara karkata zuwa hagu, sa'an nan ya fara skid zuwa dama a kan m hanya, mota a yanzu perpendicular zuwa hanya, birki da taya squealing - da kuma kai tsaye zuwa Brad! Ba shi da lokacin da zai mayar da martani ga motsin nan da nan. Motar ta dan rage gudu, amma da ta buge, ta yi wuya sau goma fiye da duk wani bugun da ya taba yi a wasan kwallon kafa na sakandare.
    
  "Ya Allah, ka yi hakuri da wannan, Mista Bradley McLanahan," mutumin ya ce bayan wani lokaci ta hazo a zuciyar Brad. Brad ya kwanta a bayansa a gefen hanya, a ruɗe da ruɗe, hip ɗinsa na dama da hannunsa suna ciwo kamar jahannama. Sai, da Rashanci, mutumin ya ce: "Yi haƙuri. Na tuba. Hanyar jika, kila na yi tuki da sauri, wata kwarya ta fito a gabana da kyar na iya ganinki cikin ruwan sama, blah blah blah. Aƙalla wannan shine labarin da zan ba wa wakilai idan sun same ni."
    
  "Ni... Ina jin ina lafiya," in ji Brad, yana haki.
    
  "V samom dele? Da gaske? To abokina, za mu iya gyara wannan." Kuma ba zato ba tsammani mutumin ya zaro wata baƙar jakar lambun filastik daga aljihunsa, ya danna fuskar Brad kuma ya danna. Har yanzu Brad ya kasa yin numfashi saboda iskar da aka buga daga gare shi, amma firgita na tashi daga kirjinsa cikin raƙuman ruwa masu ban tsoro. Ya yi kokarin ture maharin, amma ya kasa samun wani bangare na jikinsa ya yi aiki yadda ya kamata.
    
  "Ka huta kawai, ka huta, abokina matashi," in ji mutumin, yana haɗa Turanci da Rashanci kamar dai shi ɗan baƙo ne ko kuma ɗan'uwan baƙo daga tsohuwar Ingila yana ba da labarin lokacin kwanciya barci. "Zai ƙare kafin ku sani."
    
  Brad ba shi da karfin cire robobin da ke fuskarsa kwata-kwata, sai ya yi la"akarin bada kai ga rurin kunnuwansa da radadin radadin da ke cikin kirjinsa... amma ko ta yaya ya tuna abin da ya kamata ya yi, maimakon haka. na fada da hannayensa rike da ledar a fuskarsa ko kokarin gano sandarsa, ya mika hannu ya danna maballin na'urar da ke rataye a wuyansa.
    
  Maharin ya ga abin da ya yi kuma a wani lokaci ya saki matsin lamba a fuskar Brad, ya gano na'urar, ya yage ta daga wuyan Brad ya jefar da ita. Brad ya ja dogon numfashi. "Kwarai da gaske, dan iska," in ji maharin. Ya danna robobi a fuskar Brad kafin Brad ya yi numfashi mai zurfi uku. "Za ku mutu tun kafin ma'aikatan jinya na ku su zo."
    
  Brad bai iya gani ba, amma bayan ɗan lokaci fitilun mota sun matso. "Ka ajiye su," in ji mutumin a kafadarsa cikin harshen Rashanci ga maharan na biyu, wanda Brad bai taba gani ba. "Ki ajiye su. Bari su kira 911 ko wani abu, amma kiyaye su. Ka gaya musu cewa ina yin CPR."
    
  "Zan nisance su, abokin aiki," in ji mataimakin. "Zan ajiye su, yallabai."
    
  Maharin na farko ya daina danna jakar filastik a kan bakin Brad da hanci har sai da sababbin masu zuwa suka bar, amma ya jingina a kan Brad kamar yana yin farfaɗo da baki , amma kuma ya rufe bakinsa don haka Brad ba zai iya yin kururuwa ba. Bayan 'yan mintuna kaɗan sai ya ji: "Haka ne. Komai ya wuce".
    
  "Same. Haka nan," in ji maharin na farko... sai kuma hangen nesansa ya fashe a cikin tekun taurari da baƙar fata yayin da riƙon sandar ya rutsa cikin haikalinsa na hagu, nan take ya buga shi a sume.
    
  "Yesu, Dexter, kai shudi ne a matsayin fucking Smurf," in ji James Ratel, yana haskaka wani ƙaramin walƙiya a fuskar Brad. Ya ja Brad zuwa ƙafãfunsa ya ajiye shi a gaban wurin zama na Ford pickup. Daga nan sai ya loda 'yan Rashan guda biyu a cikin yankin dakon kaya na wata motar daukar kaya sannan suka koma kan titin Tankfarm zuwa dojang. Ya sanya marikin robobi a wuyan hannu, idon sawu da bakin "yan Rashan biyu sannan ya aika da sakon tes zuwa wayarsa. A lokacin, Brad ya fara zuwa a wurin fasinja na motar daukar kaya. "Dexter!" Ratel ya yi kururuwa. "Kana lafiya?"
    
  "W- menene...?" - Brad ya yi murmushi.
    
  "McLanahan... Brad, Brad MacLanahan, amsa mani," Ratel ya yi ihu. "Tashi. Kuna lafiya?"
    
  "Ni... me...me ya faru...?"
    
  "Ina buƙatar ku farka, McLanahan, a yanzu," Ratel ya yi ihu. "Za a iya kai mana hari a kowane lokaci, kuma ba zan iya kare ku ba sai kun farka kuma za ku iya kare kanku. Tashi uwar iska a yanzu. Tabbatar da oda na, matukin jirgi, nan da nan."
    
  Ya ɗauki ɗan lokaci kaɗan, amma a ƙarshe Brad ya girgiza kai, yana share shi, kuma ya iya cewa, "Shugaba? Y-e, na farka... Ina... Ina lafiya, shugaba. W-me zan yi? Me ke faruwa?"
    
  "Ku saurare ni," in ji Ratel. "Ba mu da lokaci mai yawa. Ina tsammanin za a kai mana hari ta hanyar yajin aikin kowane daƙiƙa guda yanzu. Mu kaɗai ne kuma muna cikin haɗari sosai. Ina bukatan ku a hankali da amsa. Kuna jin abin da nake cewa, McLanahan?"
    
  "Y-eh, shugaba," Brad ya ji da kansa ya amsa. Har yanzu bai san inda yake ko me ke faruwa ba, amma a kalla ya iya amsawa Chief Ratel. "Fada min me zan yi."
    
  "Ku shiga ciki ku sami tabarma da nauyi don rufe waɗannan mutane," in ji Ratelle. Su biyun suka shiga ciki. Brad sami horo tabarma da barbells. Ratel ya buɗe nunin gani na gani na gani na yau da kullun a gaban dojang; An boye bindigogi da bindigu da bindigu da wukake a cikin wata majiya ta sirri a karkashin akwatin nunin.
    
  "Na rufe su," in ji Brad.
    
  Ratel ya zare bindigar ya mika wa Brad, sannan ya yi haka da bindigogin biyu. "Saba bindigogin ku a bel ɗinku." Ya yi wa kansa makamai da bindigogi biyu, bindiga kirar AR-15 da mujallu da dama. "Za mu yi ƙoƙari mu isa wurin rataye a Paso Robles - yana da sauƙin kare."
    
  "Ba za mu kira 'yan sanda ba?"
    
  "Ina so in guje wa wannan, amma watakila ba mu da zabi," in ji Ratel. "Ku tafi".
    
  Sun hau Highway 101 arewa. Duhu ya faɗo kuma ruwan sama ya ci gaba da zubowa, wanda ya rage ganuwa sosai. Ba su fi minti biyar a kan babbar hanya ba sai Ratel ya ce, "Ana biye da mu. Mota daya tana tare da mu wajen yadi dari a baya."
    
  "Me ya kamata mu yi?"
    
  Ratel bai ce komai ba. Bayan 'yan miliyoyi, a hanyar fita Santa Margarita, ya ja daga babbar hanyar, kuma a karshen fitowar suka yi makamai da jira. Mota ko daya ba ta bari saboda su. "Wataƙila ba su bi mu ba," in ji Brad.
    
  "Wataƙila suna da na'urar bin diddigin GPS a wani wuri a kan babbar motata, don haka ba sai sun sa ido sosai ba-Ban samu lokacin dubawa ba," in ji Ratel. "Wataƙila suna da ƙungiyar masu neman fiye da ɗaya. Tawagar farko za ta ci gaba, sannan ta tsaya wani wuri, kuma ta biyu za ta karbi ragamar aiki. Za mu je filin jirgin ta kofar baya."
    
  Sun yi tafiya a kan hanyoyin gundumar na tsawon sa'a guda har suka isa filin jirgin saman Paso Robles. Bayan sun wuce ta kofar jami'an tsaro, sai suka nufi hanyar hangar tawagar, amma suka tsaya da nisan mil kwata. "Har yanzu yana da shagaltuwa a filin jirgin sama don jawo wadannan mutanen ciki," in ji Ratel, yana ajiye bindigar AR-15 a cinyarsa. "Za mu jira har sai an yi shiru." Suna jira, suna faɗakar da kowace hanya zuwa gare su. Bayan kusan awa daya, wani karamin jirgin sama mai injinan tagwaye ya nufo tasi kusa da shi, matukin jirgin ya faka "yan rataye. Sai da matukin jirgin ya dauki kusan awa daya kafin ya fito da motarsa daga cikin hangar, ya ajiye jirgin a ciki, sannan ya hada kayansa ya fita, filin jirgin ya sake yin shiru.
    
  Bayan mintuna talatin, ba tare da ƙarin alamun aiki ba, Ratel a ƙarshe ya kasa jira. Ya tuko har zuwa rataye, shi da Brad sun ja maharan ciki. Daga nan sai Ratel ya tuka motar dakon mai kimanin mil kwata ya ajiyeta, sannan ya koma hangar da gudu.
    
  "Ya yi aiki," in ji Ratel, yana goge ruwan sama daga kansa da AR-15. "Kungiyoyin tallafi za su bi diddigin isar da sako sannan su bi mu a nan. Sannan tabbas za su jira 'yan sa'o'i kafin su kai hari."
    
  "Ta yaya za su bi mu a nan?"
    
  "Zan iya tunanin hanyoyi guda goma sha biyu," in ji Ratel. "Idan suna da kyau, za su kasance a nan. Ina fatan taimako ya zo kafin lokacin."
    
  Ba a yi sa'a guda ba, cikin ruwan sama mai karewa da iska a wasu lokuta, sai suka ji karar karafa a wajen kofar shiga. "Bi ni," in ji Ratel, kuma shi da Brad sun koma rataye. A ciki akwai ƙaramin jet ɗin kasuwanci, launin baƙar fata wanda ya nuna cewa na ƙungiyar Scion Aviation ta duniya ce ta Kevin Martindale. Ratel ya sami wani katon akwatin kayan aiki mai tayaya girman girman kabad a jikin bangon rataya, ya zare shi daga bangon, su biyun suka tsaya a bayansa. "Lafiya, aikinku shine ku sa ido kan waccan kofa ta kan can," in ji Ratel, tana nuni ga babbar kofar hangar jirgin. "Zan duba kofar babban ofishin. Shots guda ɗaya kawai. Ka sanya su ƙidaya."
    
  Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan sai suka sake jin ƙarar ƙarafa da aka danna a ciki, bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan kuma sai suka ji ƙarar ƙarfen a jikin ƙofar hangar, alamar an buɗe ƙofar. Bayan ɗan lokaci, ƙofar ta buɗe kuma Brad ya ga wani mutum sanye da tabarau na hangen nesa na dare yana tsugunne kuma yana tafiya ta bakin ƙofar, yana riƙe da bindigar submachine. Bizjet yana ɓoyewa yanzu. Mahara na biyu ya shigo kofar ya rufe ya zauna yana lullube ta. A lokaci guda kuma, Ratel na iya ganin wasu maharan guda biyu sun shiga kofar ofishin, su ma sanye da tabarau na gani na dare da kuma dauke da bindigu.
    
  "Shit," in ji shi. "Mutane hudu. Lokaci yana kurewa". Ya fitar da wayarsa ya buga lamba 911, ya bar ta a kunne, ya kashe karar gaba daya, sannan ya makale a karkashin akwatin kayan aiki. "Amfani da bindiga. Fitar da mutumin daga kofa. Watakila dayan mutumin zai buya a bayan madaidaicin madaidaicin jirgin." Brad ya leko daga bayan akwatin kayan aiki kuma ya nufa ga mutumin da ke bakin kofar gida, wanda wani bangare ya haskaka ta wata alama ta fita gaggawar. Ratel ya ja dogon numfashi, sannan ya rada, "Yanzu."
    
  Brad da Ratel sun yi harbi kusan lokaci guda. Harin na Ratel ya sauka kuma maharin daya ya fadi. Brad bai san inda harbin nasa ya faru ba, amma ya san cewa bai kai komai ba sai watakila bangon hangar. Mutumin da ke bakin kofa ya ruga tare da bangon rataye zuwa dakin taron, yana tsugunne. Kamar dai yadda Ratel ya yi hasashe, sai dayan ya fake a bayan motar jirgin... sannan kuma rataya ta fashe da harbin bindigar da ke fitowa daga ko'ina a lokaci guda. Ratel da Brad sun yi watsi da akwatin kayan aiki.
    
  "Bude wuta lokacin da harbi ya tsaya!" Ratel ya yi kururuwa. Akwatin kayan aiki yana cike da harsashi, amma kayan aikin da ke ciki kamar sun sha harsashi. Bayan wani ɗan lokaci, an ɗan ɗan yi sanyi a harbin, Brad ya leƙa daga bayan akwatin kayan aikinsa, ya ga motsi kusa da taya jirgin, ya harba. Harsashin ya afkawa tayar motar, inda nan take ta fashe, lamarin da ya sanya girgiza a fuskar maharin. Ya fad'a yana kafe fuskarsa cikin tsananin azaba. Da alama bizjet din na shirin rugujewa a hannun dama, amma da kyar motar ta hana ta tasowa gaba daya.
    
  Yanzu harbin yana canza hanya - ƙarin harsasai suna bugun gefen akwatin kayan aiki, maimakon gaba. "Duba!" Ratel ya yi kururuwa. "Zasu gwada... ahhh! Abin banza! Brad ya duba sai yaga Ratel ya rik'e hannunsa na dama, wanda yayi kama da harsashi ya tsage. An fesa jini a ko'ina. "Ɗauki bindigar kada ku bar su kusa!" Ratel ya yi kururuwa, yana rike da hannunsa da ya ji rauni, yana kokarin tsayar da zubar jini.
    
  Brad yayi ƙoƙari ya leƙa daga bayan akwatin kayan aiki, amma lokacin da ya motsa, harsashi sun fara tashi, kuma a yanzu yana jin suna ƙara kusantar su, kamar gungun jemagu suna bugi sama. Ya yi kokarin nuna bindigar a akwatin kayan aiki da wuta, amma bakin bindigar ya yi birgima. Ratel ya nade hannunsa na dama ya harba bindigar da hagun, amma da kyar din ba ta tsaya ko kadan ba sai ya ga kamar zai mutu a kowane lokaci. Brad ya ji matakai da muryoyin gabatowa cikin Rashanci. Wannan shi ne, ya yi tunani. Harbin na gaba da ya ji ita ce ta karshe a rayuwarsa, ya tabbata...
    
    
  SHIDA
    
    
  Ƙarya ba ta wanzu har tsufa.
    
  - SOPHOCLES
    
    
    
  PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA
    
    
  Nan da nan sai ga wani mummunan fashewa a bayan rataya. Nan take iska ta cika da ƙura da tarkace. Muryoyin sun yi ihu a cikin harshen Rashanci... Kuma ba da daɗewa ba kukan ya ba da damar yin kururuwa, kuma daga baya kukan ya yi shiru.
    
  "Duk a bayyane, Brad," ya zo wata murya da aka haɗa ta hanyar lantarki. Brad ya duba sama ya ga wani na'urar cybernetic na ɗan gajeren lokaci a bayan bizjet.
    
  "Baba?" - Ya tambaya.
    
  "Lafiya kuwa?" - Tambayi Patrick McLanahan.
    
  "Shugaban Ratel," in ji Brad, sama da karar da ke kunnensa daga duk harbin da aka yi a cikin rufaffiyar hangar. "Ya ji rauni." Bayan wani lokaci, maza biyu suka yi sauri suka fitar da Ratel. Brad ya ruga ya hau robot. Ya ga inda mahaifinsa ya fashe ta kofar gidan, ya ruguza mafi yawan katangar kofar dake tsakanin rataye da babban ofishin. Dukkanin maharan guda shida, hudu da suka kai hari kan hangar da kuma biyun da suka kai wa Brad a kan titin Tankfarm, an riga an tafi dasu.
    
  "Lafiya ka, Brad?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  "Iya. Ba na ji sosai game da harbin da aka yi, amma banda wannan ina lafiya."
    
  "Lafiya. Mu fita daga nan. Masu sintiri na babbar hanya da sheriff za su yi nisa da mintuna biyar." Patrick ya ɗauki ɗansa ya ɗauke shi ya haye wani babban fili zuwa wani wurin ajiye motoci a ƙarshen titin jirgin, inda wani baƙar fata mai ɗaukar kaya Sherpa ya jira, turboprops ɗinsa yana jujjuya su ba aiki. Patrick ya saukar da Brad a ƙasa, ya shiga ta hanyar tudun kaya a baya, kuma ya zauna a kan titin kaya, tare da Brad yana hawa a bayansa. Ma'aikacin jirgin ya zauna Brad a kujerar gidan yanar gizon kaya, ya taimaka masa ya ɗaure, ya ba shi belun kunne. Bayan wasu 'yan lokuta suna cikin iska.
    
  "Chief Ratel fa?" Brad ya tambaya, yana zaton mahaifinsa zai iya jin shi ta hanyar sadarwa.
    
  "Za a fitar da shi a yi masa magani," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Me "yan sanda za su yi idan suka ga wannan hangar? Kamar yankin yaki. Yankin yaki ne."
    
  "Shugaba Martindale zai kula da wannan," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Yaya kika isa nan da sauri baba?"
    
  "Na kasance a St. George lokacin da ƙararrawar ku ta tashi a San Luis Obispo," in ji Patrick. "Ba a wuce awa biyu da Sherpa ba. Na gode Allah Chief Ratel ya same ku cikin lokaci kuma ya fitar da ku daga gari."
    
  "St. George? Yanzu ina muke dosa?"
    
  "Iya, Brad," in ji Patrick. CID ta juya ga Brad kuma ta ɗaga hannu mai sulke, tana tsammanin zanga-zangar Brad. "Na san kuna so ku dawo Cal Poly, Brad," in ji Patrick, "kuma yanzu da kuka sami tallafi daga Sky Masters, aikinku ya zama mafi mahimmanci. Ina kuma son ganin ku ci gaba da karatun ku. Don haka, zan ba da tawagar Sajan Major Vol's don ganowa da kama duk wani sojan da ya zo bayan ku. Za a kasance kusa da harabar jami'a, don haka ba za ku yi tafiya zuwa gefen kudu na gari don horo ba. Za su karbi horon ku har sai Cif Ratel ya isa yin hakan."
    
  "Kina nufin zasu zama masu tsarona ne ko?"
    
  "Duk da yake ina da yakinin za su iya rike su, ba a gina kungiyoyin Wohl don aikin tsaro na sirri," in ji Patrick. "Suna horar da dabarun yaki da basira da ayyukan kai tsaye. Amma yanzu muna fuskantar gungun mutane biyu na masu kashe Rasha hudu. Ba zan ba da damar duk wani dakarun yajin ya yi yawo a Amurka yadda ya ga dama, musamman ma wanda ke kai wa dana hari. Don haka muna buƙatar samar da tsarin aiki. Za mu yi wa sababbin sababbin tambayoyi, mu yi bincike, mu fito da wani tsari."
    
  "Don haka zan zama kamar koto, na lallashe mugayen mutane don Sajan Major ya fitar da su?" Brad ya lura. Ya gyada kai yana murmushi. "Yana da kyau idan dai zan iya komawa Cal Poly. Zan iya komawa Cal Poly, dama, Baba?"
    
  "A kan mafi kyawun hukunci na, eh," in ji Patrick. "Amma ba yau ba. Ka sa Sajan ma'aikaci da tawagarsa su yi tambayoyi ga sabbin fursunonin, su tattara wasu bayanai, su zagaya harabar jami'a da birnin. Zai ɗauki kwana ɗaya ko biyu kawai. Na san kun kasance kuna yin mafi yawan shirye-shiryen jarrabawar ƙarshe ta kan layi, kuma yawancin karatun ku sun ƙare don ku iya aiki a hedkwatarmu. Kafin karshen mako ya zagayo, yakamata ku iya komawa harabar."
    
  "Ina buƙatar kawai in zo da uzuri don gaya wa Teamungiyar Starfire game da wannan," in ji Brad. "Aikin yana tasowa cikin sauri, baba. Jami'ar na samun kudi da tallafi daga ko'ina cikin duniya."
    
  "Na sani, ɗa," in ji Patrick. "Don darajar jami'a, suna kiyaye Starfire sosai a cikin iyakokin aikin Cal Poly - sauran jami'o'i, kamfanoni, da ma gwamnatoci sun ba da tayin su karbi ragamar mulki. Da alama za ku ci gaba da kasancewa mai kulawa a yanzu. Kawai ku fahimci cewa matsin lamba don mika aikin ga wani a matsayin aikin kasuwanci tabbas zai hauhawa - Zan yi wasa da alama Sky Masters Aerospace, yanzu da suka saka hannun jari sosai a ciki - kuma jami'a na iya karkata ga nuna cewa manyan kudade za su ba wa wasu kamfanoni damar karbe su. Kada ka ji haushi idan abin ya faru. Jami'o'in suna yin kudi ne."
    
  "Ba zan yi fushi ba."
    
  "Lafiya". TIE ya juya katon kan sa mai sulke zuwa Brad. "Ina alfahari da kai, ɗa," in ji Patrick. "Na gan shi a cikin daruruwan imel daga ko'ina cikin duniya: mutane suna sha'awar jagorancin ku wajen ciyar da wannan aikin gaba, gina babbar ƙungiya, da samun goyon bayan fasaha. Ba wanda zai iya yarda cewa kai ɗan sabo ne."
    
  "Na gode Baba," in ji Brad. "Ina fatan zan iya cimma ko da wani bangare na nasarorin da kuka samu a rundunar sojin sama."
    
  "Ina tsammanin hanyarku za ta bambanta da tawa," in ji Patrick. Ya juya baya yana fuskantar bayan jirgin. "Koyaushe ina so in sami dabarun jagoranci kamar ku. Da rayuwata ta bambanta sosai idan ina da ƙwarewar ku kuma na koyi amfani da su. Babu shakka kun koyi su daga wurin wani ba ubanku ba, ko wata ma'aikaciyar sintirin jirgin sama."
    
  "Amma ka kasance... Ina nufin, kai janar ne mai taurari uku, Baba."
    
  "Eh, amma ci gaba na ya kasance saboda abin da na yi, ba saboda halayen jagoranci na ba," in ji Patrick, tunani a cikin muryarsa har yanzu yana bayyana duk da na'urar muryar lantarki ta CID. "Na sami mukaman umarni da yawa tsawon shekaru, amma ban taba zama kwamanda na gaskiya ba - na yi kamar yadda na saba: ma'aikaci, matukin jirgi, ma'aikacin jirgin, ba jagora ba. Na ga wani aiki da ya kamata a yi sai na fita na yi. A matsayina na babban jami"in fage ko janar, yakamata in gina ƙungiyar da za ta yi aikin maimakon in tafi in yi da kaina. Ban taɓa fahimtar ainihin abin da ake nufi da jagoranci ba."
    
  "Ina kuma tsammanin samun aikin shine abu mafi mahimmanci," in ji Brad. "Ni dalibin injiniyan sararin samaniya ne, amma da kyar na iya fahimtar yawancin ilimomin da ake sa ran koya. Ina aiki ta hanyarsa, ina samun wanda zai bayyana mani. Amma duk abin da nake so shine in tashi. Na san ina bukatan digiri don in je gwajin gwajin jirgi in tashi da jiragen sama masu zafi, amma ban damu da digiri ba. Ina so in tashi ne kawai."
    
  "To, yana aiki a gare ku, ɗa," in ji Patrick. "Ku ci gaba da mai da hankali kan burin. Kuna iya yin hakan".
    
  Sherpa ya sauka bayan sa'o'i biyu a Janar Dick Stout Airfield, mil goma sha huɗu arewa maso gabas da kudancin Utah garin St. George. An faɗaɗa filin jirgin sama sosai a cikin ƴan shekarun da suka gabata yayin da yawan jama'ar St. George ke ƙaruwa, kuma yayin da Stout Field har yanzu filin jirgin sama ne mara hasashe, yankin yammacinsa ya zama cibiyar sufurin jiragen sama na masana'antu da kasuwanci. Bakar Sherpa ta hau tasi zuwa wata katuwar hangar da ke gefen kudu na bangaren masana"antu na filin jirgin kuma an ja ta a cikin hangar kafin a bar kowa ya sauka. Katafaren hangar ya ƙunshi jirgin kasuwanci na Challenger-5, jirgin sama mara matuƙi mai ɗauke da makamai masu ƙarfi, da ƙaramin sigar jirgin V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor, duk fentin baki, ba shakka.
    
  Patrick ya kai dansa wani gini da ke kusa. Nan da nan Brad ya lura cewa rufin ya kasance mafi girma, kuma duk kofofi da ƙofofin sun fi faɗi kuma sun fi yadda aka saba, duk an tsara su a fili don ɗaukar Na'urar Infantry na Cybernetic da ta ratsa ta cikin su. Brad ya ji kulle ta atomatik yana buɗewa yayin da suke kusa da ƙofar, kuma suka shiga wani daki a tsakiyar ginin. "Wannan gidana ne," in ji Patrick. Ba wani abu ba ne illa ɗaki maras tagogi, tebur ɗin da ke da ƴan gwangwani na gina jiki a kai, wurin da Patrick ya toshe don yin caji...
    
  ... kuma, a lungu mai nisa, wani sabon samfurin wani ɗan fashin mutum-mutumi na cybernetic. "Na ga ina da maye," in ji Patrick a cikin muryar katako. "Yawanci muna buƙatar wata rana ko makamancin haka don gudanar da cikakken tsarin bincike akan sabon CID kafin a canja wurin."
    
  "To zan iya ganinka baba."
    
  "Ɗana, idan ka tabbata wannan shine abin da kake son yi, to zan ƙyale shi," in ji Patrick. "Amma ba kyakkyawa ba ne."
    
  Brad ya kalli dakin. "La'ananne, ba sa barin ma ku rataya hotuna a bango?"
    
  "Zan iya buga duk hotunan da nake so, a duk lokacin da nake so, daidai a raina," in ji Patrick. "Bana bukatar su rataye a bango." Ya maye gurbin kwantena na gina jiki a cikin chassis ɗinsa da sababbi akan tebur, sannan ya tsaya a wurin da aka keɓe a tsakiyar ɗakin, kuma igiyoyin wutar lantarki, bayanai, tsafta, abinci mai gina jiki, da na'urorin ganowa suna saukowa kai tsaye daga silin kuma suna haɗa su zuwa ɗakin. daidai wurare a kan CID. Patrick ya daskare a wurin, ya miƙe tsaye, kamar mutum-mutumin da ba shi da mutun a kusurwa. "Sajan Major zai zo nan da 'yan sa'o'i kadan don yi muku bayani kuma ya tattauna da ku game da abin da ya faru, sannan zai kai ku otal din ku," in ji shi. "Zai dawo da ku da safe sai mu zaunar da ku don ku sami motsa jiki."
    
  Brad ya yi shiru yana tunanin abin da zai ce na ɗan lokaci; sannan: "Baba, ka gaya mani cewa a cikin wannan mutum-mutumin kai har yanzu kanka ne."
    
  "Iya".
    
  "To, 'ku' na tuna yana da kyaututtuka da alluna da hotuna a bango," in ji Brad. "Ko da a cikin ƙaramin tirela mai faɗin ƙafa shida a Dutsen Battle, kuna da tsoffin kwalkwali na jirgin, abubuwan abubuwan tunawa, samfuran jiragen sama, da duk wasu ƙananan abubuwa waɗanda ban ma san ko menene suke ba, amma sun kasance. a fili yana nufin ku da yawa. Me ya sa ba ku da komai a nan?"
    
  Mutum-mutumin ya kasance babu motsi kuma yayi shiru na wasu dogon lokaci; sa'an nan, "Ina tsammani ban taba gaske tunani game da shi, Brad," Patrick karshe ya ce. "Da farko ina tsammanin saboda bana son kowa ya san ni ne a nan, amma yanzu duk mutanen da nake mu'amala da su a cikin wannan ginin sun san ni ne, don haka bai dace ba".
    
  "To, mutum-mutumi ba zai sami komai a bango ba," in ji Brad, "amma mahaifina zai yi." Patrick bai ce komai ba. "Wataƙila lokacin da komai ya nutsu kuma ya dawo daidai-ko kuma kusa da al'ada kamar yadda zai taɓa faruwa - Zan iya tashi zuwa nan in tsara wasu abubuwa. Ka sa ya zama kamar ɗakin ku kuma ƙasa da kamar kabad.
    
  "Ina son hakan, ɗa," in ji Patrick. "Ina son hakan."
    
    
  OFISHIN SHUGABAN KASA
  GINA GOMA SHA HUDU, KREMLIN
  MOSCOW
  BAYAN KWANAKI KADAN
    
    
  "Tabbas akwai alamun karuwar aiki a tashar sararin samaniyar sojojin Amurka," in ji Ministan Tsaro na Jiha Viktor Kazyanov ta hanyar hanyar sadarwar bidiyo daga cibiyar leken asirinsa zuwa ofishin shugaban. Ya nuna gabanin da bayan hotunan tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. "Akwai harba roka mai nauyi guda daya wanda ya isar da wadannan dogayen gine-gine tare da kananan kwantena da yawa, duka masu matsa lamba da kuma marasa matsi. Ba mu san tabbas abin da ke cikin kwantenan da aka rufe ba tukuna, amma sauran abubuwan da ba a rufe ba sun yi kama da batura da aka riga aka girka a gonar, don haka muna ɗauka cewa su ma batir ne.
    
  "Ba na son wani zato daga gare ku, Kazyanov," in ji shugaban kasar Rasha Gennady Gryzlov, yana nuna sigarinsa a hoton Kazyanov a kan na'urar sa ido na kwamfuta. "Nemo min bayani. Ka yi aikin banza."
    
  "I, sir," in ji Kazyanov. Ya share makogwaronsa, sannan ya ci gaba da cewa: "Haka kuma an sami karuwar yawan jiragen sama, wani lokacin uku zuwa hudu a kowane wata, yallabai." Ya canza nunin faifai. "Sabon samfurin jirginsu mai hawa daya mai hawa daya, S-29 Shadow, yanzu ya kammala gwajin aiki tare da kammala jirgi daya zuwa tashar. A girmansa da karfinsa, ya yi kama da jirgin mu na Elektron, amma, ba shakka, ba ya bukatar roka don harba sararin samaniya."
    
  "Hakika a'a," in ji Shugaba Gennady Gryzlov a hankali. "Don haka. Yanzu suna da jirgin sama mai inuwa guda daya, wanda yayi kama da girman Electron namu. Nawa electrons muke da su, Sokolov?
    
  Ministan Tsaro Gregor Sokolov ya ce: "Mun sake kunna jiragen sama guda bakwai na Elektron," in ji ministan tsaron kasar Gregor Sokolov. "Daya daga cikinsu yana shirye don harba shi a Plesetsk, kuma daya daga cikin kumbon roka ya isa can kuma za a iya harba su zuwa wurin harba cikin mako guda. " muna da..."
    
  "Sati daya?" Gryzlov ya yi tsawa. "Ministan, na gaya maka, ina so in cika sararin samaniyar duniya da jiragen sama da makamai na Rasha. Ina so in harba jiragen sama guda biyu a lokaci guda."
    
  "Yallabai, guda ɗaya kawai na ƙaddamarwa a Plesetsk an ɗora wa motar ƙaddamar da Angara-5," in ji Sokolov. "Kudaden da aka yi niyyar gina wani wuri a can an karkatar da su zuwa gina Vostochny cosmodrome da tsawaita hayar Baikonur. Dole mu yi-"
    
  "Ministan Sokolov, ina jin wani tsari a nan: Ina ba da umarni, kuma kuna ba ni uzuri maimakon sakamako," in ji Gryzlov. "Shin akwai kushin ƙaddamarwa akan Vostochny wanda ya dace da motar ƙaddamar da Angara-5 ko a'a?"
    
  "Ba za a kammala Vostochny Cosmodrome a cikin shekaru biyu masu zuwa ba," in ji Sokolov. Gryzlov ya zare idanunsa a fusace a karo na dari yayin taron wayar tarho. "Baikonur shine kawai sauran rukunin ƙaddamarwa da ke akwai don ɗaukar nauyin Angara 5 a wannan lokacin."
    
  "Don haka me yasa babu jirgin sama na Elektron a Baikonur, Sokolov?"
    
  "Yallabai, kamar yadda na fahimta, ba kwa son sake harba sojoji daga Baikonur, kawai kaddamar da kasuwanci," in ji Sokolov.
    
  Gryzlov da kyar ya iya jure fushinsa. "Na ce ina so, Sokolov, ya isar da jiragen sama masu yawa zuwa ga na'urorin harba kumbon da wuri-wuri domin a kalla mu sami damar kalubalantar Amurkawa," in ji shi. "Muna biyan kuɗi mai kyau don amfani da wannan wurin - za mu fara amfani da su. Me kuma?"
    
  "Yallabai, muna ci gaba da sabunta Plesetsk, Vostochny da Znamensk cosmodromes," Sokolov ya ci gaba da cewa, "amma aikin yana raguwa saboda yanayin sanyi kuma dole ne a dakatar da shi gaba daya nan da wata guda, in ba haka ba ingancin simintin gyaran kafa zai lalace. "
    
  "Don haka muna da wuraren harba jiragenmu guda biyu ne kawai, kuma daya ba ma a kasarmu?" Gryzlov ya ce cikin tsana. "Cikakke".
    
  "Akwai wata hanya da za mu iya bi, Mr. "Saboda irin matakan da Amurka ta dauka kan kasashenmu biyu, dangantakarmu da kasar Sin ba ta taba yin kyau ba. Na bincika wannan yiwuwar tare da ministan harkokin wajen kasar Sin, kuma na yi magana da mai ba shi shawara kan harkokin soja, wanda ya ba da shawarar kafa sansanin a yammacin China mai nisa: Xichang. Tare da bude sabuwar cibiyar harba tauraron dan adam ta Wenchang a tsibirin Hainan, an kwashe dukkan ayyukan harba rokoki masu nauyi zuwa can daga Xichang, wanda ya sa tushe ya bude, samun dama da kuma sanye take da sabuwar fasaha. Suna da fakitin ƙaddamarwa guda biyu waɗanda aka keɓe don rokoki na Angara-5 da kuma jerin Proton ɗin mu. Akwai damuwa da yawa cewa gazawar ƙaddamarwa na iya haifar da tarkace ta faɗo a garuruwan da ke kusa da masana'antu tare da raguwa mai yawa, amma ina tsammanin ƙarin kulawa ga 'yan siyasa na gida da na larduna zai iya rage damuwarsu."
    
  "Babban aiki, Daria," in ji Gryzlov, yana murmushi a karon farko yayin taron. "Ya, Sokolov? Ga yadda ake yi. Tunani a wajen akwatin."
    
  "Kuna ƙin harba daga Baikonur, amma kuna tunanin aika rokoki da jiragen sama zuwa China, yallabai?" Sokolov ya ki. "Na tabbata cewa sojojin kasar Sin suna son yin nazari sosai kan Electron da Angara-5.
    
  "Na ba da umarnin jiragen sama na Rasha a wuraren harba, Sokolov!" Gryzlov ya yi kururuwa, yana nuna sigarinsa ga hoton Ministan Tsaro a kan sa ido. "Idan ba zan iya kaddamar da su daga wuraren Rasha ba, zan yi daga wani wuri." Ya koma Titeneva. "Ci gaba da shirye-shirye, Daria," in ji shi. "Me kuma Sinawa suke magana akai?"
    
  "Suna magana ne game da musayar don amfani da Xichang, yallabai, tare da tsabar kudi, ba shakka," in ji Titeneva. "Sun ambaci wasu 'yan abubuwa, wasu 'yan manufofin siyasa, irin su goyon bayan ikirarin da suke yi na tsibirin Senkaku da tekun kudancin kasar Sin, da kuma yiwuwar sake yin shawarwari kan bututun mai da iskar gas zuwa kasar Sin daga Siberiya, amma mafi yawansu suna da sha'awar. a cikin nau'ikan makamai masu linzami na S-500 sama-da-iska, sabon samfurin da zai iya kai hari kan tauraron dan adam."
    
  "Kwarai kuwa?" Gryzlov ya ce, yana gyada kai cikin sha'awa. "Musanya na"urorin harba makami mai linzami na S-500, wanda zan so in sanya a duk wuraren da ake kira cosmodromes na Rasha da na soja a duniya. Babban ra'ayi. na yarda".
    
  "Yallabai, S-500 shine makamin kariya ta iska mafi ci gaba a duniya," in ji Sokolov, fuskarsa ta zama abin rufe fuska yana gaya wa kowa cewa ya kasa gaskata abin da shugaban ya fada. "Wannan aƙalla ƙarni ne gaban duk wani abu da Sinawa ko ma Amurkawa suke da shi. Kayan lantarki, firikwensin da fasahar motsa jiki da aka yi amfani da su a cikin S-500 sune mafi kyau a Rasha ... a'a, mafi kyau a duniya! Za mu ba su abin da suke ƙoƙarin sace mana shekaru da yawa!"
    
  "Sokolov, Ina so Electrons da Burans su kasance a kan kullun ƙaddamarwa," Gryzlov ya yi kuka. "Idan Sinawa za su iya yin hakan, kuma suna son S-500, za su sami S-500." Ya fusata a lokacin da ya ga irin firgita a fuskar Sokolov. "Yaya sauran shirye-shiryen mu na mayar da makamai suke tafiya? Duma ya kara yawan kudaden tsaron mu da kashi talatin cikin dari - wannan ya kamata ya kai ga daruruwan S-500s, tsarin anti-Satellite MiG-31D da fiye da jiragen sama biyar kawai."
    
  "Yana daukar lokaci don sake kunna shirye-shiryen makaman da aka soke shekaru da yawa da suka gabata," in ji Sokolov. "S-500 ya riga ya shiga samarwa, don haka za mu iya tsammanin tsarin daya zuwa biyu a kowane wata na gaba -"
    
  "A'a, Sokolov!" Gryzlov ya katse. "Wannan ba abin yarda ba ne! Ina so akalla goma a wata!"
    
  "Goma?" Sokolov ya ki. "Yallabai, a ƙarshe za mu iya cimma burin raka"a goma a kowane wata, amma haɓaka samarwa zuwa wannan matakin zai ɗauki lokaci. Bai isa kawai samun kuɗi ba - muna buƙatar ƙwararrun ma'aikata, sarari akan layin taro, kwararar abubuwan da aka dogara da su akai-akai, cibiyoyin gwaji - "
    
  "Idan S-500 ya riga ya fara samarwa, me yasa duk wannan bai kasance ba tukuna?" Gryzlov ya yi tsawa. "Shin kun shirya gina daya zuwa biyu ne kawai a wata? Mafi kyawun tsarin tsaro na iska a duniya, ko don haka ku ce, amma ba mu gina ƙarin su ba? "
    
  "Yallabai, an mayar da kashe kudaden tsaro zuwa wasu abubuwan da suka fi ba da fifiko kamar makamai masu linzami na jiragen ruwa, masu jigilar jiragen sama da jiragen yaki," in ji Sokolov. "S-500 da farko dai makamin kariya ne na iska, wanda aka kera don yin amfani da shi wajen yakar makamai masu linzami da jiragen sama masu satar iska, sannan daga baya aka daidaita shi a matsayin samfurin "S" na yaki da tauraron dan adam da makami mai linzami. Bayan da maharan mu da makami mai linzami suka kaddamar da hare-hare kan Amurka da suka kusan lalata masu bama-bamai da ICBM, ba a ba tsaron iska muhimmanci sosai ba saboda barazanar ta kusan bace. Yanzu da sararin samaniya ya fi fifiko kuma S-500 ya tabbatar da samun nasara, za mu iya fara gina ƙarin, amma kamar yadda na ce yallabai, yana ɗaukar lokaci don ...
    
  "Ko da ƙarin uzuri!" Gryzlov ya yi ihu a cikin makirufo na taron bidiyo. "Duk abin da nake so in ji daga gare ku, Sokolov, shine 'eh, yallabai,' kuma duk abin da nake so in gani shine sakamakon, ko kuma in sa wani ya yi umarni na. Yanzu fara aiki!" Kuma ya danna maballin da ya katse sadarwa da ministan tsaronsa.
    
  A wannan lokacin, Tarzarov ya aika wa shugaban kasa saƙon rubutu na sirri wanda ya gungura ƙasan allon taron bidiyo: ya karanta: Yabo a bainar jama'a, suka a ɓoye. Gryzlov zai amsa "Fuck ku," amma ya canza ra'ayinsa. "Daria, kyakkyawan aiki," in ji shi akan hanyar sadarwar tarho. "Bari in san abin da kuke bukata in yi don taimakawa."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Titeneva ta amsa da murmushi mai karfin gwiwa sannan ta katse wayar. Gryzlov ya yi murmushi. Daria Titeneva tabbas ya canza a cikin 'yan makonnin da suka gabata: m, m, m, ko da m a wasu lokuta ... a ciki da kuma daga gado. Gryzlov ya ci gaba da taron bidiyo tare da wasu ministoci a cikin majalisarsa na wasu 'yan mintuna, sannan ya katse.
    
  Tarzarov ya ce, "Ba dade ko ba dade ba za ku yi fushi da fushinku, za su yi nasara da ku, Gennady, da zarar an katse duk wata alaka da ministocin shugaban. "Gargadin ku akai-akai game da hakan ba zai taimaka ba."
    
  "Fiye da shekaru goma ke nan da halakar sojojin Amurka na masu kai hare-hare da makamai masu linzami na duniya, Sergei," Gryzlov ya koka, ya sake yin watsi da shawarar Tarzarov. "Amurkawa sun sake kunna tashar sararin samaniyar sojan su tare da canza makaman da suke amfani da su a sararin samaniya maimakon sake gina masu bama-bamai da makami mai linzami, kuma ba su boye shi ba. Menene jahannama Zevitin da Truznev suke yi duk waɗannan shekarun-wasa da kansu?"
    
  "A mafi yawan lokutan, tsoffin shugabannin suna da matsalolin hukumomi, siyasa da na kasafin kudi," in ji Gennady, Tarzarov, "da kuma bukatar dawo da makaman da Amurkawa suka lalata a lokacin hare-hare. Ba amfanin nuna yatsa ga shugabannin da suka shude. Shugabanin kasa kadan ne, ciki har da ku, ke da cikakken iko kan makomar kasarsu." Ya duba wayarsa, sannan ya girgiza kai cikin bacin rai. "Ilyanov da Korchkov suna jira a waje. Yallabai har yanzu kun gama wannan aikin? Ilyanov 'yar daba ce kawai a cikin kakin sojojin sama, kuma Kortchkova bindiga ce marar hankali wacce ke kashewa saboda tana son hakan."
    
  "Zan gama wadannan biyun idan aka kammala aikinsu," in ji Gryzlov. "Amma a yanzu su ne mutanen da suka dace da aikin. Kawo su nan." Tarzarov ya raka jami'in Rasha da mataimakinsa zuwa ofishin shugaban kasa, sannan ya dauki "wurin da ba shi da kyau" a cikin ofishin kuma ya shiga cikin halin da ake ciki. Ilyanov da Korchkov sun kasance a cikin kayan soja, Ilyanov a cikin kayan soja na iska, da Korchkov a cikin baƙar fata mai sauƙi da wando, ba tare da umarni ko lambobin yabo ba, kawai alamar epaulettes halayyar ƙungiyar musamman na musamman "Vympel" Commandos. Gryzlov ta lura cewa ta kuma sa wuka a cikin baƙar fata a kan bel ɗin ta. "Na sa ran jin ta bakinka kwanakin baya, Kanar," in ji shi. "Ban kuma ji komai kan labarin mutuwar ɗan McLahanan ba, don haka ina tsammanin ƙungiyar ku ta gaza."
    
  "Iya, sir," in ji Ilyanov. "Kungiyar farko ta ba da rahoton zuwa Alpha Command cewa suna da McLahanan, sannan Alpha ya rasa hulɗa da su. Tawagogin na biyu da na uku sun dauko McLanahan da wani mutum da McLaanahan ke yin horon kare kai da kwantar da hankali yayin da ba ya gari."
    
  "Waye wannan mutumin?" - Tambayi Gryzlov.
    
  "Wani jami'in da ba ya aiki mai ritaya mai suna Ratel, yanzu mai koyar da kariyar kai da bindigogi," in ji Ilyanov. "Yana saduwa lokaci zuwa lokaci da mutane da dama wadanda kuma suke kama da tsohon soja - yanzu muna kan aikin gano su. Wani mutum yana kama da wani sinadari ko radiation ya kone shi. Da alama shi ne ke jagorantar tsohon sojan."
    
  "Wannan ya fi ban sha'awa," in ji Gryzlov. "Masu tsaron lafiyar McLaanahan? Wani irin rukunin ma'aikatan tsaro masu zaman kansu? An bayar da rahoton cewa McLahan Sr. na cikin irin wadannan kungiyoyi ne, a ciki da wajen sojoji."
    
  "Tunaninmu daya ne, yallabai," in ji Ilyanov. "Tawagar ta biyu sai da ta cire wutsiya saboda yana tunanin an gano shi, amma kungiyoyin suna amfani da fitilar lantarki a motar Ratel, don haka aka umarce su da su cire wutsiyar, su jira fitilar ta tsaya. Ya sauka a wani karamin filin jirgin sama a tsakiyar California. Ƙungiyoyi sun gano motar da aka yi watsi da ita, amma sun sami damar tantance ko wane filin jirgin saman da ke gina Ratel da McLaanahan ke ɓoye a ciki, wani babban rataya na jirgin sama. Rundunar ta umurci kungiyoyi biyu da uku da su jira harabar filin jirgin su daina, sannan suka kai hari daga wurare daban-daban, abin da suka yi."
    
  "Kuma a fili ya gaza," in ji Gryzlov. "Bari in tsinkayi sauran: Membobin kungiyoyin uku sun bace, ba a hannun "yan sanda ba, kuma McLaanahan ba ya nan. Wane ne ya mallaki hangar, Colonel?" Ya daga hannu. "Dakata, bari in sake zato: wasu kamfanonin jiragen sama masu gudu tare da manyan jami'ai da ƴan ma'aikatan da ba su daɗe a yankin ba." Maganar fuskar Ilyanov ta gaya wa shugaban cewa ya yi hasashe daidai. "Wataƙila hangar ita ce hedkwatar wannan ƙungiya, ko ta kasance. Babu shakka za su yi shawagi daban-daban a dukkan bangarori hudu. Tawagar ku ta iya binciken hangar?"
    
  "Rundunar 'yan sandan ta kasa shiga saboda 'yan sanda, sannan kuma saboda wani jami'in tsaro na sirri dauke da makamai," in ji Ilyanov. "Amma shugaban tawagar ya lura da cewa maza da mata da yawa suna cire fayiloli da kayan aiki a manyan motoci, kuma wani jirgin kasuwanci da ke cikin hangar a lokacin aikin ya fita da dare bayan kammala aikin. An yi wa jet ɗin kasuwanci fenti baki ɗaya."
    
  "Na yi tunanin cewa ba bisa ka'ida ba ne a yawancin ƙasashe sanya baƙar fata ga jirgin sama sai dai idan jirgin gwamnati ne ko na soja," in ji Gryzlov. "Haka kuma, mai ban sha"awa sosai. Wataƙila kun yi tuntuɓe kan wasu gungun ƙungiyoyin sa-kai, Kanar. Me kuma?"
    
  "Shugaban tawagar ya iya lura da cewa an hura babbar hanyar shiga hangar jirgin a ciki, watakila wata motar da ta bi ta babban ofishin kai tsaye ta fada cikin ratayar kanta," in ji Ilyanov. "Duk da haka, babu alamar wata mota da ta lalace a wajen rataye."
    
  Gryzlov ya yi tunani na ɗan lokaci, ya ɗaga kai, sannan ya yi murmushi. "Don haka abokan aikin McLanahan sun ceci mutane ta hanyar yin karo da mota a kofar gida? Ba ya jin ƙwararru sosai. Amma sun sami aikin yi. " Ya tashi daga teburinsa. "Karnel, mutane goma da ka aika a wurin an kashe su ko kuma aka kama su, mai yiwuwa ta hanyar sa ido ko kuma jami"an tsaro da ke kusa da McLaanahan. Komai wanda kuka dauka a cikin Amurka, ba su da amfani a zahiri. Kuna ja da baya kuma muna jira don ba da damar yanayi a wurin ya dawo daidai. Babu shakka, McLanahan ba shi da niyyar barin wannan makarantar, don haka zai yi sauƙi a sake mayar da shi.
    
  Gryzlov ya bincika jikin Korchkov daga kai zuwa ƙafa. "Kuma idan lokacin ya zo, ina tsammanin lokaci ya yi da za a aika Kyaftin Korchkov - shi kadai," in ji shi. "Kungiyoyin ku na mutum biyu wawaye ne ko kuma ba su da kwarewa ko kuma duka biyun, kuma yanzu an yi gargadin wannan tawagar jami"an tsaro. Na tabbata kyaftin din zai yi aikin. Wataƙila ta fara kawar da kaɗan daga cikin waɗannan tsoffin sojojin kafin ta isa McLaanahan." Korchkova bai ce komai ba, amma akwai alamar murmushi a fuskarta, kamar dai ta riga ta fara jin daɗin ƙarin kisan kai. "Amma ba lokaci guda ba. Bari McLanahan da masu tsaron sa su yi tunanin mun daina farauta. Ɗauki ɗan lokaci don sanya kyaftin a cikin cikakkiyar murfin, kusa da McLanahan kuma kusa da isa don samun kyakkyawan kallon wannan ƙungiyar ma'aikatan. Kada ku yi amfani da ikonta na diflomasiyya - na tabbata dukkan ma'aikatan ofishin jakadancin da ofishin jakadancin za a duba su na wani lokaci."
    
  "Iya, sir," in ji Ilyanov.
    
  Gryzlov ya matso kusa da Korchkova kuma ya kalli idanunta da ba sa kyaftawa. Kai tsaye ta kalleshi da dan murmushinta. "Sun bar ku a nan tare da wuka, Korchkov?"
    
  "Ba za su iya ɗauke ku daga wurina ba," in ji Korchkov, kuma waɗannan su ne kalmomi na farko da, a cikin ƙwaƙwalwar Gryzlov, kyakkyawa ya taɓa ji. "Ba su kuskura su kwace min ba. Yallabai."
    
  "Na gani," in ji Gryzlov. Ya sake duba jikinta daga kai har zuwa ƙafafu, sannan ya ce, "Ba zai dame ni ba kwata-kwata, Captain, idan ka yanke shawarar azabtar da McLanahan kaɗan kafin ka kashe shi. Sa'an nan za ku iya dawowa gare ni ku kwatanta shi duka dalla-dalla. "
    
  "Tare da jin daɗi, sir," in ji Korchkov, "Da jin daɗi, yallabai."
    
    
  CIKIN KUSA-KASA
  OKTOBA 2016
    
    
  "Kai, duba duk sabon bling," in ji Sondra Eddington. Ita da Boomer Noble sun kasance a cikin kumbon S-19 na tsakar dare, inda ya nufi bakin tekun tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, mai nisan mil mil. Wannan shi ne jirginta na hudu na jirgin sama, na biyu a cikin jirgin sama na S-19-sauran kuma suna kan karamin S-9 Black Stallion - amma a karon farko da ta yi tafiya a sararin samaniya kuma ta fara tashi da tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong. Duka ita da Boomer sun sanye da ƙwanƙwasa kayan waƙa na elastomeric na lantarki da kwalkwali don riga-kafin numfashin iskar oxygen idan yanayin damuwa mara ƙarfi.
    
  "Sashe na aikin wutar lantarki na Starfire," in ji Boomer. Yana ganin Sondra ta dan girgiza kai lokacin da ya furta kalmar Starfire. Suna magana ne game da ƙarin saiti biyu na masu tara hasken rana da aka sanya a kan hasumiya tsakanin "na sama" na tashar, da nufin rana. "Yana da wuya a yi imani, amma waɗannan sabbin masu tarawa na photovoltaic suna samar da ƙarin wutar lantarki fiye da duka ƙwayoyin siliki na hasken rana a hade, kodayake girmansu bai kai kashi ɗaya cikin huɗu ba."
    
  "Oh, na yarda," in ji Sondra. "Kusan zan iya bayyana muku yadda aka gina su kuma in zana muku tsarin kwayoyin nanotubes."
    
  "Na yi imani Brad ya gaya muku game da su fiye da sau ɗaya."
    
  "Har sai ya kara a kunnuwana," in ji Sondra a gajiye.
    
  Wannan bangare na horon jirgin sama na Sondra gabaɗaya ana sarrafa na'urar kwamfuta, don haka duka ma'aikatan jirgin sun zauna suna kallon kwamfutocin suna yin abinsu. Boomer ya yi tambayoyi game da matsalolin da za a iya yi da ayyukanta, ya nuna wasu alamu kuma ya yi magana game da abin da zai sa ran. Ba da jimawa ba sai kawai suka iya ganin tsarin tashar tashar, kuma ba da jimawa ba abin da kawai suke gani shi ne wurin da jirgin ya tashi, kuma bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan aka dakatar da jirgin na tsakar dare. "An tsare latches, an yi nasarar dokin jirgin," in ji Boomer. "Yana da matukar ban sha'awa lokacin da kwamfuta ta yi shi."
    
  Sondra ya gama sa ido kan kwamfutar yayin da ta kammala jerin abubuwan da aka bincika bayan docking. "Lissafin bayanan baya ya cika," in ji ta yayin da kwamfutar ta kammala duk matakan. "Ba na son kome fiye da jirgin sama mai ban sha'awa - yana nufin komai ya tafi daidai kuma komai ya yi aiki. Ya ishe ni."
    
  "Ina so in tabbatar da shi," in ji Boomer. "Idan muna da karin man fetur na Armstrong ko Tsakar dare, zan yi. In ba haka ba, kwamfutar ta fi amfani da mai, na ƙi yarda da ita. "
    
  Sondra ta ce: "Kuna nunawa kawai. "Amince kamar kullum."
    
  "Ni ne". Ya dan yi shiru, sannan ya ce, "Me ya ke ji na tashi? Ina jin har yanzu kuna da ɗan wahala tare da ingantaccen Gs."
    
  "Zan iya zama a gabansu da kyau, Boomer," in ji Sondra.
    
  "Da alama kuna mai da hankali sosai kan kasancewa a saman."
    
  "Mene ne aikin, daidai?"
    
  "Na dan damu game da raguwa," in ji Boomer. "G-forces sun fi nauyi kuma sun fi tsayi. Kuna samun Gs biyu ko uku akan hawan, amma hudu ko biyar akan gangarowa."
    
  "Na sani, Boomer," in ji Sondra. "Zan samu lafiya. Na wuce duk jirage a MiG-25, kuma na yi kyau a kan S-9 da sauran jiragen S-19."
    
  "Dukkanin su na karkashin kasa ne - za mu iya guje wa Gs cikin sauki saboda ba lallai ne mu rage gudu ba," in ji Boomer. "Amma yanzu za mu sauka daga Mach ashirin da biyar. Don rage Gs, zan iya rage kusurwar deorbit kadan, amma sai ku ci gaba da sabawa Gs na dogon lokaci."
    
  "Na taba jin lacca a baya, Boomer," in ji Sondra, a ɗan bacin rai. "Zan yi lafiya ko da wane kusurwar zuriya kuka zaba. Na kasance ina yin M-maneuvers na." M-maneuvers wata hanya ce ta takura tsokoki na ciki, da kumbura huhu, sannan kuma gunaguni daga matsewar kirji don tilastawa jini ya kasance a cikin kirji da kwakwalwa. "Har ila yau, EEAS yana taimakawa da yawa."
    
  "Lafiya," in ji Boomer. "Shin wannan yana kama da motsa jiki na Kegel?"
    
  "Wani abu kuke so ku ji da kaina?"
    
  Boomer ya yi watsi da sharhin na kud da kud kuma ya nuna nunin kan dashboard. "Wannan yana nuna cewa kwamfutar tana shirye don fara jerin abubuwan dubawa na 'Tunnel Biyu Kafin Watsawa' ," in ji shi. "Zan ci gaba da fara wannan. Tun da na'ura za ta haɗa ramin canja wuri - shi ya sa muke sa tufafin sararin samaniya - idan ramin ba shi da lafiya lokacin da muke son fita, za mu iya shiga sararin samaniya cikin aminci don sake haɗa shi ko isa tashar."
    
  "Me ya sa ba za mu yi tafiya ta sararin samaniya kawai don isa tashar kamar yadda Shugaba Phoenix ya yi ba a bara?" Sondra ta tambaya. "Ya yi kama da fun."
    
  "Za mu yi wannan a cikin juyin halitta na gaba," in ji Boomer. "Aikin ku a cikin wannan juyin halitta shine koyan sarrafa jirgin ruwa da tashar daga jirgin, don gane abubuwan da ba su da kyau kuma ku ɗauki mataki."
    
  "Har yaushe ake ɗaukar kaya?"
    
  "Ya dogara. Babu kayayyaki da yawa akan wannan jirgin. Watakila ba dadewa ba."
    
  Yayin da aka zame ramin canja wuri a saman wurin da ake canjawa wuri tsakanin jirgin jirgin da tashar jiragen ruwa, Boomer ya kalli yadda makamai masu linzami daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong suka cire kayan aikin da aka matsa daga buɗaɗɗen kaya tare da isar da su zuwa inda suke. Ƙananan na'urorin sun kasance don abubuwan sirri na ma'aikatan - ruwa, abinci, kayan gyara, da sauran kayan masarufi - amma mafi girma samfurin shine na ƙarshe. Wannan shi ne ɗayan sassa na ƙarshe na Project Starfire da za a isar da shi zuwa tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong: injin injin microwave wanda za a girka a cikin na'urar Laser ɗin da aka riga aka girka ta tashar don samar da makamashi mai ƙarfi daga girbe makamashin lantarki da Rana ke samarwa.
    
  An yi ƙara a cikin kwalkwali na 'yan sama jannatin kuma Boomer ya taɓa maɓallin makirufo. "Battle Mountain, wannan shi ne Stallion na uku, ci gaba," in ji shi.
    
  "Sondra, Boomer, Brad ne!" Brad McLanahan ya ce cikin zumudi. "Ni da membobin ƙungiyara ina so in taya ku murna game da sakin sabon babban bangaren Starfire."
    
  "Na gode abokina," in ji Boomer. "Don Allah ku isar da sakon taya murna ga kungiyar ku. Kowane mutum a Armstrong da Sky Masters sun yi farin cikin fara shigar da yanki na ƙarshe na wannan aikin da kuma shirya gwajin gwajin nan ba da jimawa ba. "
    
  "Haka nan, Brad," in ji Sondra a sauƙaƙe.
    
  "Lafiya kalau Sondra? Yaya jirgin ku na farko ya kasance a cikin kewayawa?"
    
  "Na fi zama kamar yar yarinya a nan: komai yana sarrafa kansa wanda ba na yin komai, kawai kalli kwamfutoci suna yin dukkan aikin."
    
  "To, tashin ya kasance mai ban mamaki, mun kalli yadda kuka tashi daga sarrafa manufa kuma taron ya kasance cikakke," in ji Brad. "Muna iya ganin su suna loda rami na microwave a cikin tsarin Skybolt a yanzu, tsine. Kuma kawai kun yi jirgin ku na farko zuwa sararin samaniya. Abin mamaki! Taya murna!"
    
  "Kana jin kamar ƙaramin yaro, Brad," in ji Boomer.
    
  "Ƙungiyar da ni ba za mu iya zama da farin ciki ba, Boomer," in ji Brad. "Ba zan iya yin barci kwata-kwata a daren jiya - jahannama, ba na makon da ya gabata ba!"
    
  "To yaushe zamu saki wannan mugun yaron, Brad?" - Boomer ya tambaya.
    
  "Abubuwa suna tafiya da kyau, Boomer, watakila a cikin mako guda ko makamancin haka," Brad ya amsa. "An kammala ginin duburar farko kuma yayin da muke magana ana gwajin gwaji da kuma shirye-shiryen gwada gobara a yankin White Sands missile Range. Kwamfuta guntuwar kwamfuta da sabbin software na sarrafawa suna kan layi kuma an gwada su. Mun ci karo da wasu glitches tare da capacitors lithium-ion a cikin Laser Skybolt gaba daya, amma muna da rundunar mutane da ke aiki a kansu kuma muna ƙara ƙarin masana da masu fasaha a cikin aikin kowace rana. Har yanzu ina kokarin shawo kan Dr. Kaddiri kuma Dr. Richter ya lallashe ni in tashi zuwa tashar. Sanya min kalma mai kyau, lafiya?"
    
  "Hakika, Brad," in ji Boomer.
    
  "Sondra yaushe zaki dawo?" - Brad ya tambaya.
    
  "Ba zan iya gaya muku hakan ba, Brad, ba kan watsawar da ba ta da tsaro," in ji Sondra a fusace. "Na san ina da wasu azuzuwa da motsa jiki da zan yi a nan tashar, kuma ba na tsammanin za mu koma kai tsaye zuwa Dutsen Battle."
    
  "Dole ne in koma Cal Poly gobe da safe," Brad ya ce da bacin rai a cikin muryarsa. "Na riga na rasa isassun darasi."
    
  "Lokaci na gaba, Brad," in ji Sondra.
    
  "To, zan bar ku ku koma bakin aiki," in ji Brad. "Za mu yi magana da masu fasaha na Armstrong game da fara haɗa ramin microwave zuwa Skybolt, sannan ƙungiyar za ta nufi gari don murnar kammala Starfire. Ina fata ku kasance tare da mu. Na sake godewa jirgin mai ban sha'awa da nasara."
    
  Boomer ya ce: "Ka yi tsammani, aboki." "Kuma zan yi magana da hukuma game da daukar ku da sauran tawagar ku a jirgin sama zuwa Armstrong. Ya kamata ku kasance a nan lokacin da kuka fara harbin ku na farko."
    
  "Cool, Boomer," in ji Brad. "Na gode kuma. Yi magana da ku anjima."
    
  "Tsakar dare kyauta ne." Boomer ya katse haɗin. "Mutum, yana da kyau ka ji wani mutum yana jin dadi game da wani abu," in ji shi a cikin intercom. "Kuma ina so in ji 'kungiya wannan' da 'tangiyar da', shi ne manajan aikin da ke da kusan mutane ɗari da kasafin kuɗi, a ƙarshe an ƙidaya sama da dala miliyan ɗari biyu, amma har yanzu yana kan ƙungiyar. cool." Sondra bata ce komai ba, Boomer ya kalle ta, amma ta kasa karanta komai a fuskarta ta cikin kwalkwali na oxygen. "Ina da gaskiya? Ya tambaya.
    
  "Lalle".
    
  Boomer ya bar shirun ya shimfiɗa na ɗan lokaci kaɗan; sai: "Har yanzu ba ku rabu da shi ba, ko?"
    
  "Bana bukata," in ji Sondra a fusace. "Na ga wannan mutumin ne kawai a karshen mako uku a cikin watanni shida, kuma idan muka hadu duk abin da yake magana game da shi shine Starfire wannan ko Cal Poly wannan kuma duk abin da yake yi shine aikin makaranta da abubuwan da suka shafi Starfire, sannan ya hau babur ko yana yin ɗaruruwan turawa da zama don yin aiki. Yakan yi haka a kowace rana sa"ad da nake ziyara."
    
  "Shin yana horo kowace rana?"
    
  "Aƙalla minti casa'in a rana, ba tare da kirga lokacin da aka kashe a kan keken ku zuwa aji ko dakin motsa jiki ba," in ji Sondra. "Gaskiya ya canza kuma abin ban tsoro ne. Yakan yi barcin sa'o'i hudu ko biyar kawai a dare, kullum yana waya ko kwamfuta-ko duka-kuma yana cin abinci kamar tsuntsu. Na dawo gida daga ziyarce shi kuma ina so in yi odar babban pizza tare da cuku da pepperoni kawai a gare ni.
    
  "Dole ne in yarda, ya yi kyau sosai lokacin da na gan shi kafin tashi a yau, fiye da lokacin da na gan shi lokacin da mahaifinsa ke kusa," in ji Boomer. "Ya rasa nauyi da yawa kuma da alama yana da bindiga yanzu."
    
  "Ba wai na taɓa harbi ɗaya daga cikinsu ba," in ji Sondra cikin bacin rai.
    
  Boomer bai nemi ta yi karin bayani ba.
    
    
  DOWNOWN BATTLE MOUNTAIN, NEVADA
  BAYAN 'YAN SA'O'I
    
    
  "Ƙarshe na ƙarshe na Starfire a cikin orbit!" - Brad ya yi ihu ga 'yan ƙungiyar da suka taru a kusa da shi. "Cikakke!" Duk membobin ƙungiyar sun maimaita sabon taken su, wanda shine Latin don "har ma mafi girma."
    
  "Na yi mana tanadi a Harrah's Battle Mountain Steakhouse," in ji Casey Huggins yayin da ta gama aiki a wayar ta. "Za su jira mu a shida."
    
  "Na gode Casey," in ji Brad. "Zan tafi dan gudu. Ku gamu a gidan babban gidan caca."
    
  "Za ki tafi jogging?" - Tambayi Lane Egan. "Yanzu? An isar da injin microwave na Casey da Jerry zuwa tashar sararin samaniya kuma za a sanya su cikin kwanaki biyu, bayan haka Starfire zai kasance a shirye don ƙaddamar da shi. Ya kamata ku ji daɗi, Brad. Starfire ya kusan shirya don ƙaddamar da gwajinsa! Kun cancanci hakan".
    
  "Zan yi nishaɗi, mutane, ku amince da ni," in ji Brad. "Amma idan ba zan iya yin gudu ba, sai in yi fushi. Sai mun hadu da ku nan da awa daya a tebur din da ke Harrah's." Sai da ya gudu kafin kowa ya hana.
    
  Brad a guje ya koma dakinsa, ya canza kayan motsa jiki, ya yi squats dari biyu tare da turawa, sannan ya kama sandarsa, ya sauko ya fita waje. A farkon Oktoba, arewacin Nevada ta tsakiya yana da yanayi kusa da cikakke, ba kamar dumi ba, tare da alamar hunturu a cikin iska, kuma Brad ya sami yanayin da ya dace. Cikin mintuna talatin ya gudu kusan mil hudu ya ratsa wurin shakatawar RV na otal din, wanda ba cunkoso ba fiye da inda ake ajiye motoci, sannan ya nufi dakinsa ya yi wanka ya canza.
    
  Ya fara cire kayan jikinsa sai yaji hayaniya a daya gefen kofar. Ya dauki ledarsa, ya leko ta ledar da ke kofar, sannan ya bude. Ya iske Jodi a waje tana buga rubutu a wayarta. " GAME DA! Kin dawo" ta fada cike da mamaki. Brad taja gefe ta shige ciki. "Na kusa bar muku saƙon da ke neman ku sadu da mu a wurin hakar ma'adinai na Silver maimakon - suna da kyakkyawar ƙungiyar jazz da ke wasa a yanzu." Kallonta yayi akan kirjinsa da kafadarsa ta bude da mamaki. "La'ananne, aboki, me kake yi wa kanka?"
    
  "Me?"
    
  "Wannan ke nan, abokina," in ji Jodie kuma ta sa yatsanta kan biceps da deltoids. "Kuna kan steroids ko wani abu?"
    
  "A'a. Ba zan taba yin kwayoyi ba."
    
  "To, daga ina waɗannan ƙwanƙwasa masu tsinke suka fito, Brad?" Jodi ta tambaya yayin da yatsunta suka ruga saman kirjin sa. "Na san kuna horo, amma Dooley mai tsarki! Kuna da wasu kunci masu daɗi a can kuma. " Ta ruga hannunta akan cikinsa. "Shin fakiti shida na gani, aboki?"
    
  "Masu horar da nawa kyawawan mutane ne masu kuzari," in ji Brad. "Muna ɗaukar nauyi sau uku a mako, tsakanin yin cardio. Suna ƙara jakar gudu har ma da wasu calisthenic don kawai a haɗa abubuwa." Har yanzu bai gaya mata game da sandar, Krav Maga, da horar da bindiga ba, amma ya san dole ne ya yi hakan nan ba da jimawa ba. Ba su kasance ma'aurata a hukumance ba kuma ba a zahiri suke saduwa ba, sun ɗan ƙara ganin juna sau da yawa a wajen makaranta. Sun ɗauki jirage biyu a kan turbine P210, amma duk sun kasance gajerun tafiye-tafiye na yini don kallon wasan ƙwallon baseball a San Francisco ko siyan abincin teku a Monterey.
    
  "To, yana aiki a gare ku babban yaro," in ji Jodi da murmushi. Ta k'arasa k'arar hannunta a gaban k'irjinsa, amma da ya k'araso yanda take fata sai ta janye. "Amma ban fahimci dalilin da yasa kuke buƙatar wannan sandar ba. Kun ce kuna tsammanin kuna buƙatar sa kowane lokaci bayan harin da aka kai a bazarar da ta gabata, don kawai ya taimake ku ku huce. Shin har yanzu kuna jin daɗi? Kuna gudu da keke koyaushe."
    
  "Eh, zan yi ɗan dimuwa lokaci zuwa lokaci," Brad ya yi ƙarya. "Ban isa ya hana ni gudu ko hawan keke ba. Na saba da shi tare da ni, ina tsammani."
    
  "To, kun yi kama sosai a ciki," in ji Jodie. "Kuma na ci amanar mutane za su bar ku ku ci gaba da gaba da su a kan layi a super kuma."
    
  "Ba na barin abin ya kai haka sai dai idan na yi gaggawar gaske," in ji Brad.
    
  Ta wuce ta d'auki sandar sa tana tafa hannunta. "Ga alama abin banƙyama ne, kamar katsin rai, aboki," in ji ta, tana gudu da yatsarta tare da fiffiken ƙugiya tare da sassaƙaƙƙun hannaye tare da ramin. Wannan ya dan yi ado fiye da wadanda ta fara ganinsa a ciki; yana da ƙarin hasashe a cikinsa da tashoshi uku waɗanda ke tafiya tare da tsayin duka. "Wannan ba sandar kakana ba ce, tabbas."
    
  "Na gano game da shi daga Babban Ratel lokacin da ya lura cewa ina jin dimuwa kaɗan," Brad ya sake yin ƙarya, yana amfani da uzuri da labarun da ya yi kuma ya sake karantawa a cikin 'yan watannin da suka gabata. "Ban taɓa kusantar siyan wani ba, kamar waɗanda suka tashi da kansu, kuma bai taɓa neman sa ba."
    
  Daga yanayin fuskarta, Brad ya kasa gane ko Jodi ya yarda da wani abu ko a'a, amma ta jingina da sandarta a kan gadon, ta sake kallon jikinsa, ta yi murmushi. "Sannu da zuwa club, jarumi," in ji ta kuma tafi.
    
  'Yan tawagar sun shirya liyafar cin abincin dare na ban mamaki. Bayan da iyayen Lane Egan suka kai shi filin jirgin sama don kama jirginsa zuwa California, Brad, Jodie, Casey da wasu 'yan wasu 'yan kungiyar sun yanke shawarar duba wani sabon gidan caca akan Hanyar 50 wanda ke da kyakkyawan kulob na wasan kwaikwayo. duhu ya yi kuma yana samun sanyi, amma har yanzu yana da daɗi don yawo. An rufe hanyar da aka saba yi a gefen titi, don haka sai da suka yi tafiya gabas da misalin rabi zuwa ƙofar ta biyu na filin ajiye motoci na gidan caca, wanda ba shi da haske kamar babbar ƙofar.
    
  A daidai lokacin da suka fara komawa gidan caca, wasu mutane biyu sun fito daga cikin duhu kuma suka tare hanya. "Ba ni kudi biyar," daya daga cikin mutanen ya ce.
    
  "Yi hakuri," Brad ya ce. "Ba zan iya taimaka muku ba."
    
  "Ban nemi taimakon ku ba," in ji mutumin. "Yanzu zai biya ku goma."
    
  "Ka yi asara, dan iska," in ji Casey.
    
  Mutum na biyu ya zage damtse yana harba keken guragu na Casey har aka jujjuya ta gefe. Ya ce, "Ka yi ƙasa, ɗan iska. Brad, wanda ya taimaka tura Casey lokacin da ta buƙaci shi, ya miƙe don ɗaukar keken guragu. Mutum na biyu ya dauka yana biye da shi, sai ya zaro wuka ya karkata, ya yage rigar Brad a goshinsa na dama ya zana jini.
    
  "Brad!" Jody ta yi ihu. "Wani ya taimake mu!"
    
  "Yi shiru, yar iska," mutumin da ke da wukar ya yi tsawa. "Yanzu ku jefar da wallet ɗinku a ƙasa a yanzu, la'ananne shi, yayin da ni-"
    
  Motsin ba wani abu ba ne illa ruɗewa. Brad ya damk"e rikon sandarsa da hannunsa na hagu ya murza shi, ya sauko da ita a guiwar maharin da sautin fasa itace, wanda hakan ya sa ya zube wukar da kukan ciwo. Nan da nan Brad ya kama ƙarshen sandar da hannunsa na dama kuma ya zazzage shi, ya bugi mutumin na farko a gefen kai. Dan fashin ya fadi, amma sandar Brad ta karye gida biyu.
    
  "Bastar ka!" ihu na biyu maharin. Ya mayar da wukarsa a wannan karon ya rike a hannun hagunsa. "Zan sanya ku kamar alade mai ban tsoro!"
    
  Brad ya ɗaga hannayensa, tafin hannu. "A'a, a'a, a'a, a'a, a'a, don Allah kar ka sake cutar da ni," in ji shi, amma sautin muryarsa ba wani abu ba ne face ɗaukar hankali - kamar yana wasa da wannan maharin, yana zazzage shi da izgili. murmushi.cikin sautin murya kamar da gaske yana kwadaitar da mutumin da wukar ya kai hari! Brad ya ce, "Don Allah, ɗan iska, kar ka kashe ni." Kuma sai ga kowa ya ba kowa mamaki, sai ya matsa yatsansa zuwa ga maharin, kamar yana yi masa ba"a, sai ya ce: "Ka zo ka kama ni babban mutum. Kokarin dauke ni."
    
  "Mutu, wawa!" Maharin ya ɗauki matakai biyu gaba, kuma wuka ya nufi cikin Brad ...
    
  Amma a cikin wani motsi mara kyau, Brad ya toshe hannun maharin da hannunsa na dama, ya sa hannunsa a ƙarƙashin hannun maharin ya kulle shi tsaye, ya durƙusa maharin a cikin cikin sau da yawa - babu wanda ke kallon wannan fadan da zai iya ƙidaya sau nawa. ya yi haka, - har sai da maharin ya jefa wukar kuma ya kusa lankwasa rabi. Daga nan sai ya murda hannun hagu na maharin zuwa sama har sai da suka ji sautin CLAPKS da yawa yayin da jijiyoyin kafada da jijiyoyi suka rabu. Maharin ya ruguje kan titin, yana kururuwa mahaukaciya, hannunsa na hagu ya lankwashe baya a wani kusurwa mara kyau.
    
  A wannan lokacin, wasu jami'an tsaron gidan caca biyu dauke da makamai sun gudu zuwa bakin titi, kowannensu ya kama Brad da hannu. Brad bai ba da juriya ba. "Hello!" Casey ta yi ihu. "Bai yi komai ba! Waɗannan mutanen sun yi ƙoƙari su yi mana fashi!" Amma an jefa Brad a kan titi, ya juya kuma an ɗaure shi da hannu.
    
  "La'ananne, 'yan sanda, ba za ku iya ganin an yanke shi ba?" Jodie ta yi kuka bayan masu gadi sun saki Brad. Kai tsaye ta matsa akan raunin. "Ba da agajin farko a nan, yanzu!" Daya daga cikin masu gadin ya ciro wayar tafi da gidanka, ya kira "yan sanda da motar daukar marasa lafiya.
    
  "Da alama hannun mutumin nan ya karkace kusan nan da nan," in ji wani jami'in tsaro na biyu bayan da jami'an lafiya suka iso don duba mutumin da ke kururuwa a bakin titi. Ya duba dan fashi na farko. "Wannan mutumin bai sani ba. Na taba ganin wannan mutumin yana bara, amma bai taba yi wa kowa fashi ba. Ya haska tocila a guntuwar karaya, sannan ya kalli Brad. "Me kuke shaye-shaye da mabarata, kuna tafiya tare da yara don burge 'yan matan ku?"
    
  "Sun yi ƙoƙari su yi mana fashi!" Jodie, Casey da sauran sun yi kururuwa kusan tare.
    
  Ya ɗauki fiye da sa'a guda, a lokacin Brad yana zaune tare da daure hannuwansa a bayansa a ƙofar motar 'yan sanda bayan da aka ɗaure raunin da ke hannun damansa, amma a karshe bidiyon sa ido daga wasu gidajen caca guda biyu da kyamarar garejin ajiye motoci ya nuna abin da ke faruwa. ya faru , kuma aka sake shi. Dukkansu sun ba da sanarwar rahoton 'yan sanda kuma kungiyar ta koma otal din nasu.
    
  Yayin da sauran suka tafi dakunansu, Brad, Jody da Casey sun sami mashaya shiru a gidan caca kuma suka sayi abubuwan sha. "Ka tabbata kana lafiya, Brad?" Casey ta tambaya. "Bastard ya ba ku wahala."
    
  "Ina lafiya," Brad ya amsa, yana taɓa bandeji. "Ba yanke mai zurfi ba ne. Likitocin sun ce watakila ba zan bukaci dinki ba."
    
  "To ta yaya kuka koyi wannan duka abin cane, Brad?" Casey ta tambaya. "Shin waɗannan dabarun kare kai ne da kuke aiki da su tun lokacin da kuka mamaye gida a watan Afrilu?"
    
  "Iya," Brad ya ce. "Cif Ratel da sauran malamansa suna koyar da kare kai na Koriya da Cane-Ja, kare kai da sanda, da kuma lafiyar jiki. Ya zo da amfani."
    
  "Zan gaya muku," in ji Casey. "Har yanzu dare ne mai daɗi. Zan kunna wasu injunan ramummuka, watakila in ga ko mutumin da na sadu da shi a kulob din yana nan, kuma in kira shi a rana. Mu hadu da safe." Ta gama gilas dinta ta mirgina.
    
  Brad ya ɗauki ɗan leƙen asiri, sannan ya juya ga Jody. "Kin yi shiru bayan yakin, Jody," in ji shi. "Kana lafiya?"
    
  Fuskar Jodie ta kasance cakuda rudani, damuwa, tsoro ... kuma, kamar yadda Brad ya gane nan da nan, rashin imani. "Hujja?" Ta fada a karshe, bayan dogon lokaci, mai zafi. "Kuna kiran wannan da 'husuma'?"
    
  "Jodie...?"
    
  "Ya Allahna, Brad, ka kusa kashe wani mutum kuma ka kusa fille hannun wani!" Jodie ta fada cikin sanyin murya. "Kin karya sandar ku a kan skull!"
    
  "Damn dama nayi!" Brad ya kori baya. "Wannan mutumin ya yanke hannuna! Me ya kamata in yi?
    
  "Da farko, abokina, mutumin da ya caka maka ba shine mutumin da ka buga a kai ba," in ji Jodi. "Duk abin da ya yi shi ne neman kudi. Da ka ba shi abin da ya roke, da babu wani abu da ya faru a cikin wannan.
    
  "Muna fuskantar hari, Jody," in ji Brad. "Wannan mutumin ya zaro wuka ya sare ni. Zai iya yin hakan a gare ku ko Casey, ko mafi muni. Me ya kamata in yi?
    
  "Me kike nufi da kin yi?" - Jody ta tambaya cike da mamaki. "Ku Yankees duk daya ne. Wani ya ci karo da ku a kan titi kuma kuna tunanin ya kamata ku shiga kamar Batman kuma ku buga jaki. Kai drongo ne? Ba haka yake aiki ba, Brad. Wani ya kawo maka hari haka, ka ba shi abin da yake so, ya tafi, kuma kowa yana cikin koshin lafiya. Kamata ya yi mu jefar da wallet ɗinmu, mu ja da baya mu kira "yan sanda. Mu ne mafi wawaye daga cikin waɗanda suka shiga cikin wurare masu duhu maimakon tsayawa a wuraren da aka haskaka da kariya. Idan suka yi ƙoƙarin shigar da ni cikin motarsu, zan yi yaƙi da haƙori da ƙusa, amma kuɗaɗe biyar, goma, ko miliyan ɗaya ba su cancanci ran kowa ba. Bai ma cancanci yanke a hannunka ba. Sannan, bayan da kuka karya kan mutumin na farko, kun far wa mutumin da wuka, kuma ba ku da makami. Kuna hauka ne? Kai har kace kana zagi mutumin ya kai maka hari! Wannan wane irin iskanci ne?"
    
  Wow, Brad ya yi tunani, ta yi matukar bacin rai game da wannan - wani abu ne da bai yi tsammanin komai ba. Rigima da ita ba zai taimaka ba. "Ni... Ina tsammanin ban yi tunani ba," in ji shi. "Na amsa kawai."
    
  "Kuma da alama kuna ƙoƙarin kashe mutanen biyu!" Jodi ta ci gaba da kara, muryarta na tashi har ta ja hankalin na kusa da ita. "Kin doke wancan da karfi na dauka zai yi amai, sannan kin kusa karkade hannunsa! Menene jahannama haka?"
    
  "Darussan kare kai da nake dauka..."
    
  "Oh, shi ke nan, yaya?" Jodie ta ce. "Sabon abokin ku Chief Ratel yana koya muku yadda ake kashe mutane? Ina tsammanin idan kun sami nisa daga wannan mutumin, zai fi kyau. Yakan wanke ku da tunanin cewa ba za ku iya yin nasara ba, cewa za ku iya fada da wani mutum da wuka kuma ku dasa kansa da sanda." Ido ta zaro cikin ganewa. "To shiyasa kike dauke da wannan sandar mai ban tsoro? Shin Chief Ratel ya koya muku yadda ake kai wa mutane hari da shi?"
    
  "Ban kai hari ga kowa ba!" Brad ya nuna rashin amincewa. "Na kasance-"
    
  Jodi ya ce: "Kun raba kan wannan talakan da wannan sara. "Bai yi miki komai ba. Dayan kuma yana da wuka, don haka kare kansa ne.
    
  "Na gode!"
    
  "-amma da alama kuna ƙoƙarin kashe mutumin!" Jodie ta ci gaba. "Me yasa kika ci gaba da dukansa haka, me yasa kika murguda masa hannu har zuwa baya?"
    
  "Jodie, mutumin yana da wuka," in ji Brad, yana kusan rokon ta ta fahimta. "Mai hari da wuka yana daya daga cikin mafi hatsarin yanayi da za ka iya samun kanka a ciki, musamman da daddare kuma a kan mutumin da ya san yadda ake amfani da shi. Kun ga ya zo mana da hannun hagu bayan na buge wukar daga hannun damansa - a fili ya san yadda ake fada da wuka, sai na buge shi. I-"
    
  "In cire shi?" Mutanen da ke kusa da tebura sun fara lura da sautin muryar Jodie. "To ka yi kokarin kashe shi?"
    
  "Krav Maga yana koyar da ƙididdiga, sarrafawa da hare-hare, gabaɗaya -"
    
  "Na ji labarin Krav Maga," in ji Jodi. "Don haka a halin yanzu kuna horo don zama mai kashe kwamandojin Isra'ila?"
    
  "Krav Maga wani nau'i ne na kariyar kai," Brad ya ce a cikin murya mai laushi, yana fatan Jodie za ta bi shi. "Wannan an yi shi ne don hana maharan da ba su da makamai. Dole ne ya zama mai sauri da rashin tausayi don kada mai tsaron gida ya yi-"
    
  "Ban sake sanin ku ba, Brad," in ji Jodie, tana zuwa ƙafarta. "Ina ganin wannan harin da aka kai a gidanku a San Luis Obispo tabbas ya dan yi kasa a gwiwa - ko kun yi min karya ne da wasu?"
    
  "A'a!"
    
  "Tun daga wannan lokacin, ka zama wannan mutumin mai ruɗar nau"in A, mai ruɗi, daidai da mutumin da na sadu da shi a farkon shekarar makaranta. Ba kwa cin abinci, ba kwa barci, kuma ba kwa yin cuɗanya da abokanka ko yin cuɗanya a harabar jami"a kuma. Kun zama wannan ... wannan na'ura, tana haɓakawa da nazarin dabarun kashe kwamandojin Isra'ila tare da yin amfani da sanda don fasa wasu kwanyar. Kun yi min karya game da sandar. Me kuma kuka yi min?
    
  "Ba komai," Brad ya amsa nan da nan-watakila kuma da sauri, domin ya ga idanun Jody sun sake haskawa sannan kuma cikin tuhuma. "Jodie, ni ba inji ba." Na san daya, Brad ya yi tunani, amma ba ni kadai ba. "Ni mutum daya ne. Watakila wannan mamayewar gida da gaske ya jefa ni cikin rashin daidaituwa. Amma ni-"
    
  "Saurara, Brad, Ina bukatan yin tunani game da wani abu game da mu," in ji Jodi. "Na yi tunanin za mu iya zama fiye da abokai, amma wannan yana tare da Brad, wanda na hadu da shi tuntuni. Wannan sabon abu ne mai ban tsoro. Da alama kuna shanye duk abin da Babban Ratel ke ciyar da ku, kuma kun zama dodo."
    
  "Dodo! ban-"
    
  "Ina ba ku shawara don amfanin kanku cewa ku gaya wa wannan mutumin, Chief Ratel, ya yi wasa kuma watakila ku je wurin wani masanin ilimin halayyar dan adam kafin ku yi hauka gaba daya ku fara yawo a kan titi a cikin abin rufe fuska kuma kuna neman mutanen da za ku iya doke ni." " Jodie ta fada tana nuna Brad da yatsa. "A halin yanzu, ina ganin zai fi kyau a gare ni in nisance ku har sai na sake samun lafiya." Ita kuma ta fice.
    
    
  MARICOPA, CALIFORNIA
  BAYAN DARE
    
    
  Wata mata mai dogon gashi, sanye da rigar fata, wando mai duhu da ruwan tabarau mai ruwan hoda, tana cika motar hayarta a wani gidan mai da aka watsar, sai ga wata sabuwar motar da ba ta da tagogi, ta shiga wani duhun filin ajiye motoci kusa da ofishin tashar. Wani dogo, kyakykyawan namiji sanye da wandon jeans da rigar budaddiyar riga ya fito daga cikin motar, ya dauki dogon lokaci yana sha'awar matar da ke gidan mai, ya shiga ciki ya siya. Bayan ya fito mintuna kadan sai ya taho wajen matar yana murmushi. "Barka da yamma, mai dadi," in ji shi.
    
  Matar tace "Barka da yamma."
    
  "Nice dare, ko?"
    
  "Kadan sanyi, amma nice."
    
  "Sunana Tom," in ji mutumin, yana mika hannunsa.
    
  "Melissa," matar ta ce, tana girgiza hannunsa. "Na ji dadin haduwa da ku".
    
  "Hakane, Melissa," in ji mutumin. "Kyakkyawan suna".
    
  "Na gode Tom."
    
  Mutumin ya yi shakka, amma na daƙiƙa guda, kafin ya matsa kusa da matar ya ce, "Ina da ra'ayi, Melissa. Ina da kwalbar bourbon a cikin motar, wasu kujerun fata masu kyau a baya, da dala dari suna kona rami a aljihuna. Me za ka ce mun ɗan ɗan yi nishadi tare kafin mu sake taka hanya?"
    
  Matar ta kalli Tom tsaye cikin ido, sannan ta ba shi alamar murmushi kawai. "Dari biyu," in ji ta.
    
  "Mun yi wannan a baya, ko ba haka ba?" Tom yace. "Wannan dan tsayi ne ga rabin motar da nake ciki." Matar ta cire gilashin tabarau, wanda ya bayyana duhu, idanu masu lalata da dogayen gashin ido, sannan ta cire maballin fata nata, ta bayyanar da wata rigar riga mai ja mai kankanin wuyanta da tsinke. Tom ya washe baki cike da gamsuwa, yana kallon ko'ina. "Kiyi parking a kusa dani."
    
  Matar ta ajiye motarta na haya kusa da motar sannan Tom ya bude mata kofar gefe. Cikin motar yayi kyau sosai da sofa na fata a baya, da kujerun captain na fata a bayan kujerar direba, TV mai dauke da tauraron dan adam da na'urar DVD, da mashaya mai jika. Melissa ta ɗauki ɗaya daga cikin kujerun kyaftin yayin da Tom ya zuba gilashin bourbon biyu. Daya mika mata, sannan ya karkatar da gilashinsa zuwa nata. "Barka da yamma, Melissa."
    
  "Haka zai kasance," in ji ta. "Amma da farko?"
    
  "Tabbas," in ji Tom. Ya sa hannu a aljihun wandon jeans dinsa, ya zaro faifan kudi, ya zaro kudi dala dari biyu.
    
  "Na gode, Tom," in ji Melissa, tana shan bourbon.
    
  Tom ya daga masa hannu a bayansa, sai kawai matar ta lura da kyamarar wasanni a kusurwar, tana nufin ta. "Ba ku damu ba idan na kunna karamar kyamarata, kuna Melissa?" - Ya tambaya. "Ina son adana tarin abubuwan tunawa."
    
  Matar ta dan yi jinkiri kadan, dan rud'ani a idanunta, sannan ta yi masa lallausan murmushi. "A'a, ci gaba," in ji ta. "Ina son kasancewa a gaban kyamarori."
    
  "Na yi imani za ku yi, Melissa," in ji Tom. Juyowa yayi ya haura zuwa wajen kamara ta baya, sannan ya danna maballin ya kunna. "Ina da wani abin biya wanda nake son samu kuma." Ya juya...
    
  ... kuma ya sami kansa fuska da fuska tare da Melissa, yana duban idanunta masu duhu, masu lalata. Murmushi yayi yana yaba manyan kuncinta da jajayen labbanta. "Kai baby, nima ba zan iya jira ba, amma bari na..."
    
  ... a lokacin ne wukar ta huda kogon cikinsa, ta ratsa diaphragm, huhu, ta kai ga zuciyarsa. Hannu ya rufe bakinsa, amma bai yi kuka ba, ya mutu kafin ya buga kafet.
    
  Matar ta cire kyamarar kallon wasan baya daga kan dutsen ta, ta ɗauki faifan kuɗaɗen, ta buɗe ƙofar gefe, ta ga ba baƙo ba ne, da sauri ta fito daga motar, ta shiga motarta ta tafi. A lokacin da suka gano gawar, tana da nisan mil dari.
    
    
  FARIN GIDA
  WASHINGTON, DC
  BAYAN KWANAKI KADAN
    
    
  "To, shi ke nan," in ji Mataimakin Shugaban Anne Page. Ta kasance a cikin dakin Hali na Fadar White House tare da Shugaba Kenneth Phoenix; Mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro William Glenbrook; Harold Lee, Karkashin Sakataren Tsaro na Sararin Samaniya; da Rundunar Sojan Sama Janar George Sandstein, kwamandan Rundunar Sojan Sama, sun kalli shirin bidiyo kai tsaye daga sararin samaniya a kan babban bangon bango a cikin dakin halin da ake ciki. A gigice suka kalli wani babban sashe na tashar sararin samaniyar kasa da kasa ya rabu da sauran tsarin ya fara nisa da ISS. "A karon farko a cikin kusan shekaru ashirin, tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa tana da 'yanci," Ann ta numfasa, "kuma a karon farko a duk wannan lokacin babu kayan aikin Rasha."
    
  "Me ake kwace mana, Anne?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar.
    
  "Ana kiranta da Rasha Orbital Segment, ko ROS, sir," mataimakin shugaban kasar ya amsa, ba ta bukatar wani karin bayani - a matsayinta na tsohuwar injiniyar sararin sama da sararin samaniya da lantarki, ta kasance kwararre a duk tashoshin sararin samaniya na Amurka, farawa daga Skylab." . "Akwai jiragen ruwa guda uku da na'urorin kulle iska, docking daya da na'ura mai ajiya, dakin gwaje-gwaje daya, tsarin wurin zama daya, tsarin sabis daya, na'urorin hasken rana hudu da magudanar zafi biyu."
    
  "Shin an cire wasu abubuwa masu mahimmanci? Idan muka aika da ma"aikata a wurin, shin akwai wani hadari a gare su?"
    
  "Mafi mahimmancin tsarin Rasha shine Zvezda, ko "tauraro," tsarin sabis," in ji Ann. Zvezda wani babban tsari ne wanda yake gaba daya "a bayansa" na jirgin tashar, don haka yana ba da hali da sarrafa kewayawa kuma ana amfani da shi don yada tashar zuwa sararin samaniya mafi girma lokacin da ake bukata. Daga cikin wasu muhimman ayyuka, har ila yau yana samar da wutar lantarki. , oxygen da ruwa."
    
  "Yanzu kuma?"
    
  "A ƙarshe za a maye gurbin Zvezda da na'urori na Amurka guda biyu, na ISS propulsion module da na wucin gadi na sarrafawa," Ann ya bayyana. "An gina waɗannan nau'o'in biyu kimanin shekaru ashirin da suka wuce, lokacin da aka jinkirta aikin Zvezda, kuma an yi nufin amfani da su kamar yadda ya kamata. tsarin sarrafa madadin da kuma motsa jiki idan Zvezda ya gaza ko ya lalace; Hakanan an tsara tsarin motsa jiki don lalata ISS idan lokaci ya yi."
    
  "Wannan lokaci na iya zuwa da wuri fiye da yadda muke zato," in ji mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro William Glenbrook.
    
  "Dukkanin kayayyaki biyu suna cikin ajiya a dakin gwaje-gwaje na Naval," in ji mataimakin shugaban. "Lokacin da Rashawan suka ba da sanarwar cewa za su cire ROS daga ISS, NRL ta ƙaddamar da gwaje-gwajen aiki na samfura biyu. Yanzu an gama wannan kuma yanzu muna jira kawai don haɗa kayan aikin zuwa na'urar haɓakawa kuma a aika zuwa ISS. Matsalar ita ce, an gina na'urori biyu don jigilar su zuwa ISS a cikin jirgin sama, don haka za a buƙaci wasu injiniyoyi don shigar da su a kan roka. Wannan na iya ɗaukar wasu 'yan makonni."
    
  "To me yasa aka watsar da tashar?" shugaban ya tambaya. "Ba za su iya samar da wuta, ruwa ko oxygen ba, ko sarrafa tashar?"
    
  "Tsarin Harmony akan ISS na iya samar da abubuwan amfani, amma ga 'yan sama jannati biyu kawai, ba shida ba," in ji Anne. "Jirgin sama marasa matuki da mutane na iya sake samar da ISS kuma su doki tare da ISS don sarrafawa da haɓaka shi sama da haka idan ya cancanta, don haka sarrafa tashar da tanadin bai kamata ya zama matsala ba. Don dalilai na tsaro, an yanke shawarar ficewa daga ISS har sai an kammala aikin wargazawar Rasha-" Anne ta tsaya ba zato ba tsammani ta kalli babban mai saka idanu. "Ya Ubangijina! To, da kyau, tabbas abokanmu na Rasha sun kasance kamar suna shagaltuwa cikin ƴan watannin da suka gabata, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Mene ne wannan?" - Phoenix ya tambaya.
    
  "Wannan," in ji Anne, ta tashi daga wurin zama, tana tafiya zuwa ga allon da ke gaban ɗakin Halin da kuma nuna wani ƙaramin abu mai siffar triangular akan allon. "Daskare shi," in ji ta, kuma kwamfutar ta amsa ta hanyar dakatar da ciyarwar kai tsaye. "Wannan, Mista Shugaban kasa, idan ban yi kuskure ba, shi ne jirgin Elektron na zamanin Soviet."
    
  "Shin mutanen Rasha suna da jirgin sama kamar wanda na tashi?" Shugaba Phoenix ya tambaya cike da mamaki.
    
  Anne ta bayyana cewa, "Yallabai kamar ƙaramin jirgin sama ne, a ma"anar cewa ana ɗaukarsa a kan abin ƙarfafawa sannan kuma ya dawo cikin yanayi kuma yana tafiya ba tare da samun wutar lantarki ba zuwa titin jirgin. Ko da yake ya fi ƙanƙanta da jirgin kuma yana ɗaukar ɗan sama jannati ɗaya kawai, nauyinsa ya kusan ninka na jiragenmu S-19, kusan fam dubu goma sha biyar. Suna dauke da makamai masu linzami da aka tsara musamman don ganowa da lalata tauraron dan adam na Amurka da Hasumiyar Azurfa. Tun bayan rugujewar Tarayyar Soviet ba a ga jirgin ba. Soviets sun ce za su gina ɗaruruwan su. Wataƙila sun yi." Anne ta dakata, ta shagaltu da tunani mai raɗaɗi na shekarun da suka gabata. "Ina cikin tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong lokacin da Soviets suka kai hari da uku daga cikin wadancan "yan iska. Sun kusan halaka mu."
    
  "Shin mun san za su harba jirgin sama, Janar?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar.
    
  "Ba da gaske ba, yallabai," in ji Rundunar Sojan Sama Gen. George Sandstein, kwamandan Rundunar Sojan Sama kuma mataimakin kwamandan sararin samaniya a Dokar Dabarun Amurka. "Kusan kwanaki uku da suka gabata, mun sami sanarwar ƙaddamar da shirin daga Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Launch Pad 41, na wani roka na Soyuz-U ɗauke da kayan ci gaba mara matuki don sauƙaƙe aikin rusa ROS, yallabai. Ba a ambaci komai game da jirgin ba. Mun bin diddigin nauyin da aka biya kuma muka gano cewa lallai yana shiga sararin samaniya kuma yana kan hanyarsa ta yin aiki da ISS, don haka muka sanya shi a matsayin manufa ta al'ada."
    
  "Shin ba sabon abu bane ga Rashawa suyi amfani da Plesetsk maimakon Baikonur, Janar?" Anne ta tambaya.
    
  "Eh, ma'am- kusan an watsar da Plesetsk bayan da Rashawa suka kulla yarjejeniya da Kazakhstan don ci gaba da amfani da Baikonur," in ji Sandstein. "An yi amfani da Plesetsk da farko don gwada makamai masu linzami na ballistic masu linzami da sauran ayyukan soja masu haske da matsakaici-" Sandstein ya tsaya, idanunsa sun kaɗa cikin kaduwa, sannan ya ce, "ciki har da jirgin sama na Elektron da samfurin BOR-5 Buran."
    
  "Buran"? - ya tambayi shugaban kasar.
    
  "Kwafin jirgin saman fasinja na Tarayyar Soviet, yallabai," in ji Anne. "An kirkiro Buran tun daga farko a matsayin shirin soja, don haka an gudanar da gwaje-gwaje na kananan kayan gwaji daga Plesetsk, wanda ke cikin Rasha, ba Kazakhstan ba. Jirgin Buran da kansa ya yi harba guda daya ne kawai daga Baikonur Cosmodrome kafin rugujewar Tarayyar Sobiet, amma aikin ya yi nasara sosai-cikakkiyar ikon kai, harba marar matuki, kewayawa, dawowa, da sauka. An gina Burans biyar, daya ya lalace, uku kuma suna cikin matakai daban-daban na kammalawa."
    
  Glenbrook ya ce "Idan Rashawa suka sake tashi da jiragen sama, zai iya zama farkon wani sabon shiri na Rasha na komawa sararin samaniya." "Suna da ROS kuma ba za a ƙara ɗaure shi da tashar sararin samaniya ta Yamma ba, don haka za su iya yin abin da suke so ba tare da sa ido sosai ba. Idan suka fara shawagi a kan na"urorin lantarki, za su iya yin shiri a wasu fannoni da dama, wadanda dukkansu sun hada da gina nasu karfin da kuma dakile namu."
    
  "Gasar makamai a sararin samaniya," in ji shugaban. "Kawai abin da muke bukata a yanzu. Shin ba dole ne mu sanar da Rashawa ba idan za mu harba jirgin sama zuwa sararin samaniya?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai, kuma muna yin hakan a kowane lokaci," in ji Sandstein. "Ƙaddamar kwanan wata da lokaci, hanyar farko ta orbital, manufa, manufa, abin biya, da kwanan wata da lokacin dawowa."
    
  "Za mu ba su duk wannan?"
    
  "Jirgin saman mu sun fi na sararin samaniyar sararin samaniya, yallabai," in ji Sandstein. "Hanyoyin jirginsu sun fi sauƙi fiye da lokacin da aka ƙaddamar da su daga tashar harba ta duniya, kamar yadda ku da kanku kuka dandana. Domin kaucewa rikici, mun amince da mu ba su bayanai kan kowane jirgin domin su rika lura da jirgin da kuma mayar da martani ga duk wani sabani da ba a bayyana ba."
    
  "Don haka Rashawa sun san cewa ina shawagi a cikin jirgin sama?"
    
  "Ba mu ba su dalla-dalla ba, yallabai," in ji Sandstein da alamar murmushi.
    
  "Don haka ya kamata mu sami bayanai iri ɗaya game da jiragen sama na Rasha, ko?"
    
  "Idan muna so mu nuna cewa mun sani game da shi, yallabai," in ji Anne. "Wataƙila zai fi kyau idan ba mu bayyana abin da muka sani game da Elektron ba a yanzu. Za mu iya ɗauka sun sani, amma ba wajibi ne mu bayyana duk abin da muka sani game da ayyukansu ba. Shiru zinare ne".
    
  Shugaba Phoenix ya gyada kai - yanzu da aka fara tattaunawa daga aikin soja zuwa fagen siyasar kasa, yana bukatar masu ba da shawara na daban. "Menene Rashawa za su iya yi da wannan sashe na tashar sararin samaniya?"
    
  "ROS kanta ya riga ya zama tashar sararin samaniya mai cikakken aiki ga mutane biyu ko uku," in ji Anne. "Wataƙila za su iya amfani da wasu ƴan na"urori masu amfani da hasken rana don samar da wutar lantarki, kuma ba su da sarƙaƙƙiyar sararin samaniya da na"urorin firikwensin ƙasa ko sadarwa kamar ISS, amma suna iya haɗa wasu jiragen sama zuwa gare shi don sake samarwa; yana iya motsawa, hanzari lokacin da ake buƙata, samar da makamashi, ruwa da oxygen, komai."
    
  "Kuma sun warware shi kawai saboda Gryzlov yayi fushi da ni?" - Shugaban ya lura. " Abin mamaki."
    
  "Abin takaici, dabarunsa na iya aiki, yallabai," in ji mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro Glenbrook. "Wataƙila Hukumar Kula da Sararin Samaniya ta Turai ta gwammace ta soke tsarin bincikenta na Columbus fiye da yin haɗari da tada hankalin Rashawa - suna da shirin yin aiki tare da Rasha don haɓaka kasancewarsu a sararin samaniya tun kafin su yanke shawarar ba da haɗin kai kan ISS. Idan sun yi haka, ko kuma idan na'urorin da muke shirin aikawa ba su kai ga aikin ba, Jafananci na iya cire haɗin na'urorin Intanet ɗin su kuma su yi watsi da aikin. Har yanzu Kanada tana da makamai masu nisa a tashar, amma ba mu da tabbacin ko za su ajiye su a ISS idan Rasha, ESA da Japan suka bar. "
    
  "Don haka idan duk sauran abokan hulɗa na ISS sun tafi, menene muka bari?"
    
  "Har yanzu ISS wani bangare ne mai matukar muhimmanci na binciken kimiyyar Amurka, ko da ba tare da sararin samaniya ba, Columbus ko ROS, yallabai," in ji Anne Page. "Mun riga mun sami babban jari a IT, kuma muna samun ilimi da gogewa a rayuwa da aiki a sararin samaniya. Idan muna so mu koma duniyar wata ko aika 'yan sama jannati zuwa duniyar Mars da kuma bayan haka, ISS ita ce mafi kyawun wurin yin ta. Musamman Jafanawa suna da shirin bincike mai zurfi kan ISS, don haka ina tsammanin za su so su ajiye ISS a cikin iska har tsawon lokacin da zai yiwu har sai sun ƙaddamar da nasu tashar ko haɗin gwiwa tare da wani. Dukansu ISS da tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong za su kasance mafi kyawun dandamali don aiwatar da yunƙurin samar da sararin samaniya da kuka riga kuka sanar.
    
  "Okay," in ji shugaban. "Ina so in yi magana da firaministan kasar Japan da kuma firayim ministar kasashe na Hukumar Kula da Sararin Samaniya ta Turai, kuma ina so in tabbatar musu da cewa mun himmatu wajen kiyaye ISS da kuma ci gaba da duk ayyukan da muke yi, duk da bacin rai da cewa; Rashawa suna ji."
    
  "Eh, shugaban kasa," in ji Anne.
    
  "Bill, idan da gaske 'yan Rasha suna shirin komawa sararin samaniya," in ji shugaban ya gaya wa mai ba shi shawara kan harkokin tsaro, "Ina bukatar in gano abin da suke tasowa da kuma nawa - soja, masana'antu, kimiyya, komai." Ba na so in yi mamakin sabbin jiragen sama za su bayyana kwatsam a kusa da tashoshin sararin samaniyar mu. Ina so a sami sabbin bayanai kan duk tashoshin jiragen ruwa na Rasha da China. Rashawa sun yi hadin gwiwa da Sinawa a baya, a cikin tekun Indiya da kuma tekun Kudancin China - watakila suna shirin sake yin hakan."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Glenbrook ya amsa.
    
  "Gabaɗaya, ina buƙatar bayyani cikin sauri game da duk kadarorin da muke da su don tallafawa ISS da tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong bisa la'akari da wannan tsari na wargajewar da yuwuwar shigar Rasha cikin sararin samaniya, da kuma abin da za mu iya buƙata da kuma nan da nan," in ji shugaban Sandstein. . "Idan akwai tseren makamai a sararin samaniya, ina so in ci nasara."
    
  "Tabbas, yallabai," in ji Sandstein. Shugaban ya yi wa Janar din mai taurari hudu hannu ya kore shi.
    
  "Da yake magana game da shirin samar da sararin samaniya," shugaban ya ci gaba da tafiya bayan Janar din ya tafi, "me ke faruwa da tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong da sauran ayyukan mu na sararin samaniya?"
    
  "A kan hanya madaidaiciya, Mr. Shugaban kasa," Mataimakin Sakatare Lee ya ce cikin alfahari. "Yallabai, bisa ga zane-zanen ku, muna da shirye-shirye guda uku da muke tallafawa: nasarar gwajin jirgin saman XS-29 Shadow, babban nau'in jirgin da kuka tashi; goyan bayan manyan roka na kasuwanci don isar da manyan kaya a sararin samaniya, gami da wasu fasahohin da za a sake amfani da su; da shirin masana'antu na farko: shigar da tashar wutar lantarki ta hasken rana a tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong."
    
  "Tashar wutar lantarki ta hasken rana?"
    
  "Za ta tattara hasken rana, ta mayar da shi wutar lantarki da adana shi," in ji Li. "Lokacin da ya zo a cikin kewayon mai tattara ƙasa mai suna rectenna, yana canza wutar lantarki zuwa wani nau'i na makamashin lantarki da ake kira maser-haɗin microwave da Laser - kuma yana watsa makamashi zuwa duniya zuwa dubura, wanda ke canza maser. makamashi ya koma cikin wutar lantarki, sannan ya adana makamashin a cikin manyan batura ko ciyar da shi cikin grid na lantarki. Idan abin da suka shirya ya kai ga nasara, a cikin harbi na minti hudu - iyakar lokacin da tashar sararin samaniya ke ɗauka daga sararin sama zuwa sararin sama - za su iya isar da isasshen iko don kunna cibiyar bincike mai nisa ko ƙauye na mako ɗaya ko fiye."
    
  "Ba abin mamaki ba," in ji shugaban. "Babban aiki."
    
  "Kuma kamar yadda ka nuna, yallabai," in ji Lee, "gwamnatin tarayya tana ba da tallafi ne kawai ta hanyar amfani da kayan aikin tarayya, irin su dakunan gwaje-gwaje na kasa, kaddamar da kullun, da kuma hanyoyin sadarwar kwamfuta - abubuwan da aka riga aka yi amfani da su don wasu ayyuka. Ba mu ba "Kamfanoni da jami'o'in da ke cikin waɗannan shirye-shiryen dole ne su zuba jari mai yawa, kuma suna yin hakan. Idan sun yi nasara, suna fatan za a biya su diyya ta hanyar kwangilar gwamnati don gudanar da tsarin da suka bunkasa."
    
  "Madalla," in ji shugaban. "Don Allah a sanar da ni, Mr. Mataimakin Minista." Ya miƙe, ya girgiza Lee ya sake shi ma, ba da daɗewa ba bayan Glenbrook ya tafi. Bayan tafiyar mutanen biyu, shugaban ya gaya wa Ann Page cewa, "Da zarar an sami hoton bidiyo na sashen Rasha na ISS na rabuwa da gidan rediyon, Ann, za mu yi wa kafofin watsa labarai zage-zage da zaben kasa da wata guda. tafi."
    
  Ann ta ce: "Na ɗan fi ƙarfin zuciya," in ji Ken. Ta san cewa lokaci ya yi da za ta cire hular mataimakinta ta saka na babban mai ba da shawara kan harkokin siyasa Ken Phoenix, wani abu da ta saba yi. "Sakatare Barbeau ya buge shirin ku na sararin samaniya kamar yadda kawai na Reagan na Star Wars wauta. Lokacin da jama'a suka ga Rashawa sun fara ja da baya a sararin samaniya, za su gane cewa Barbeau yana kan kuskuren batun."
    
  "Ina fata haka," in ji Phoenix, "amma watanni da yawa sun shude tun lokacin da na sanar da shirin a cikin tashar sararin samaniya, kuma ya zuwa yanzu 'yan Rasha ne kawai suka cika alkawarinsu na cire kayan aikin su daga ISS. Shin kowane ɗayan waɗannan shirye-shiryen sararin samaniya zai kasance a gare mu don amfani da shi a cikin yaƙin neman zaɓe?"
    
  "Kwarai kuwa, Ken," in ji Ann. "Jirgin sama na XS-29 ya kammala gwajinsa na farko a sararin samaniya kuma ya riga ya kammala ayyukansa zuwa duka ISS da tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. Aikin samar da wutar lantarki mai amfani da hasken rana na iya zuwa ta yanar gizo kafin zabe, kuma za mu iya kwatanta shi a matsayin wani aiki da Barbeau baya goyon baya, wanda masu biyan haraji ba su ba da tallafi ba, kuma zai zama misali na wani abu da zai bushe ya mutu sai dai idan an sake zabe ku. . Sabbin ingantattun roka ba su yi nisa ba, amma za mu iya yin rangadin gine-ginen Majalisar da tunatar da masu kada kuri"a muhimmancin wadannan abubuwa."
    
  "Ina muke a tashar wutar lantarki ta hasken rana?"
    
  Anne ta ce: "An hade su duka - suna gwaji ne kawai a minti na karshe," in ji Anne. "Kimanin jiragen sama guda goma sha biyu da roka mai daukar nauyi guda daya, dukkansu sun hadu ne ta hanyar na"ura mai sarrafa kansa a cikin sararin samaniya biyu ko uku kacal. An yi niyya ne tun daga farko ta ƙungiyar ɗaliban koleji tare da tallafin masana kimiyya da injiniyoyi daga ko'ina cikin duniya ... wanda Bradley James McLanahan ya jagoranta.
    
  "Brad McLanahan?" in ji shugaban. "Kuna wasa! Patrick McLanahan's son? Na ji tausayinsa lokacin da ya fita daga Makarantar Sojan Sama da kuma lokacin da aka kashe mahaifinsa - ina tsammanin ya koma kan kafafunsa. Sannu da aikatawa." Ya dakata, yana tunani sosai, sannan ya ce, "Abin da ake ji kenan, Anne: bari mu samu Brad McLanahan da watakila daya ko biyu daga cikin ma"aikatansa zuwa tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong."
    
  "Har sai ka gaya mani kana so ka sake hawa can, yallabai."
    
  "Ina tsammanin na kasance cikin damuwa a tsawon rayuwata," in ji shugaban. "Wannan zai sa Brad ya zama matashi na farko a sararin samaniya?"
    
  "Sai dai karnuka da chimpanzees da aka riga aka aika, eh," in ji Anne. "Na ji Brad yana neman zuwa tashar na ɗan lokaci yanzu." Kallonta yayi da gaske. "Matsalolin farko, yallabai: mai haɗari. Idan jirgin ya gaza, ɗan sanannen mutum mai mahimmanci zai mutu, kuma shirin ku na sararin samaniya na iya yin ƙasa da magudanar ruwa, kamar bayan Challenger da Columbia. Ba kyau."
    
  "Amma idan ya yi nasara, zai iya zama abin ban mamaki, daidai?"
    
  "Eh, tabbas hakan na iya faruwa, yallabai," in ji Anne Page.
    
  "To bari mu sa abin ya faru," in ji shugaban. "Za mu aika McLahanan da wata kila mace a cikin tawagarsa don amfani da wannan abu a karon farko." Ya girgiza kai. "Na tuna lokacin farko da Patrick ya kawo Brad zuwa Fadar White House. Ya dubeta ya ce, 'Allah Baba, tabbas kana aiki a tsohon wurin.' "Maganar Shugaban ya zama da gaske. "Magana da Brad McLanahan..."
    
  "Iya, yallabai?"
    
  "Ban gaya muku wannan ba saboda ina tsammanin mutane kaɗan sun fi sani, amma Brad McLanahan ya gano a bazarar da ta gabata, don haka ina tsammanin ya kamata ku ma."
    
  "Me kika gano?"
    
  Phoenix ya ja dogon numfashi, sannan ya ce, "A bara, nan da nan bayan harin da Sinawa suka kai a Guam, wata tawagar jami"an leken asiri ta sirri karkashin jagorancin tsohon shugaban kasar Martindale, ta je birnin Guam domin tattara bayanai kan kayayyakin da aka yi wa kutse, da kuma duba ko akwai wata shaida ta kasancewar kasar Sin. hankali a Guam."
    
  "Tsarin jirgin sama baƙar fata ne," in ji Anne. "Na tuna. Menene alakar wannan da Brad McLanahan?"
    
  "Daya daga cikin gungun Scion ya sanya Brad a cikin sa ido bayan wannan fashewar a Patrick McLaanahan Columbarium a Sacramento," in ji shugaban. "Sun so su tabbatar da cewa jami'an Rasha iri ɗaya da suka shiga cikin crypt ba za su kai hari ga Brad ba. Sai ya zama sun kai masa hari kuma sun kai masa hari sau uku. Mutanen Scion sun cece shi."
    
  "To, yana da kyau," in ji Anne, "amma har yanzu ina cikin rudani. Me yasa Scion Aviation International ke sa ido akan Brad McLahan? Shin wannan ba aikin FBI bane? Idan har wata kungiya ce ta ketare kai tsaye ta kai masa hari, to ya kamata ya kasance karkashin cikakken kariya ta sirri na FBI."
    
  "Saboda daya daga cikin membobin Scion ne," in ji shugaban. Ya kalli mataimakin shugaban kasar kai tsaye cikin idanunsa ya ce, "Patrick McLanahan."
    
  Amsar da Anne kawai ta gani shine lumshe ido kawai. "Ba shi yiwuwa, Ken," in ji ta cikin wata murya mara launi. "Kun sami wasu bayanan da ba daidai ba. Patrick ya mutu a China. Kun san wannan kamar yadda na sani. "
    
  "A'a, bai yi ba," in ji shugaban. "Martindale ya same shi kuma ya farfado da shi, amma yana cikin mummunan hali. Don a ci gaba da raye, sun sanya shi a cikin na'urar da ake kira cybernetic, daya daga cikin manyan mutum-mutumin." Fuskar Anne ta fara rikidewa zuwa abin rufe fuska na rashin imani. "Yana da rai, Anne. Amma ba zai iya rayuwa a wajen robot ɗin ba. Idan ba za su iya warkar da shi ba, zai kasance a wurin har tsawon rayuwarsa.
    
  Ido Ann ta zaro bakinta ya yi wani mamaki O. "I... I can"t believe it" ta fad"a. "Kuma zai iya sarrafa robot? Zai iya motsawa, sadarwa, komai?"
    
  "Yana da wasu iyakoki masu ban mamaki," in ji Phoenix. "Yana sarrafa na'urori masu auna firikwensin da duk karfin robot kuma yana iya sadarwa da kowa a cikin duniya - Ba zan yi mamakin idan yana saurarenmu a yanzu ba. Patrick McLanahan da mutum-mutumin da mutum-mutumin sojan soja ne, mai yiwuwa bataliyar soji da na Sojan Sama a hade. Phoenix ya numfasa ya dubeta. "Amma ba zai taba iya barin wannan motar bace. Kamar ya makale ne a cikin Twilight Zone."
    
  "Abin mamaki. Abin ban mamaki ne kawai, "in ji Anne. "Kuma Martindale ya sanya shi kula da ayyukan Scion?"
    
  "Ina da yakinin cewa yana tafiya a kan iyakar doka, kamar yadda ya saba," in ji Phoenix.
    
  "Ken me yasa kika gaya min haka?" Anne ta tambaya. "Ba zan taɓa sani ba."
    
  "Na san ku da Patrick abokai ne," in ji shugaban. "Amma babban dalili shi ne ina jin laifin rashin gabatar da ku ga wannan tun farko. Kai ne mashawarcina na siyasa kuma babban abokina, ban da matata Alexa. Wannan duk abin da Brad McLanahan ya tuna da ni game da kuskuren da na yi lokacin da ban amince da ku ba da shawarar da na yi na kiyaye Patrick da rai kuma ban gaya wa kowa ba. Ina so in gyara wannan kuskuren."
    
  "To, na gode da hakan, Ken," in ji Ann. Ta girgiza kai, har yanzu cikin rashin imani. "Abin da za ku ajiye wa kanku. Babu wanda ya sani sai Brad? Har da danginsa?"
    
  "Kawai Brad da wasu 'yan Martindale," in ji Phoenix.
    
  "Naji dadin cire shi daga kirjin ki, yallabai?"
    
  "Na yi imani za ku yi," in ji shugaban. "Yanzu mu koma wata duniyar da ba ta dace ba: siyasa da zaɓe. Ina so da gaske in tura shirin sararin samaniya gaba a cikin kwanaki na ƙarshe na kamfen. Ina so in yi magana da matasa a sararin samaniya, akai-akai kuma in ba da jawabai ga jirage masu saukar ungulu da makaman roka, da taimakawa kunna wutar lantarki da aka samar a sararin samaniya. Za mu iya yin kasa a rumfunan zaɓe a yanzu, Anne, amma za mu yi kyau-Ina jin haka!"
    
    
  BAKWAI
    
    
  Bai cancanci saƙar zuma ba. Wanda ya guje wa amya saboda ƙudan zuma suna yi.
    
  - WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
    
    
    
  SAKE GININ INGANCI Aerospace
  CAL POLY
  RANA MAI ZUWA
    
    
  "Wannan shine dakin kula da manufar mu, wanda aka sani da ɗayan dakunan gwaje-gwajenmu na lantarki," in ji Brad McLanahan. Ya tsaya a gaban gungun 'yan jarida na kasashen waje, masu rubutun ra'ayin yanar gizo, masu daukar hoto da masu fassara su, yana ba da rangadin aikin Starfire a Cal Poly a karo na goma sha uku. Tare da shi akwai Jodie Cavendish, Kim Jong-bae, Casey Huggins da Lane Egan. Dakin ya cika da kwamfutoci guda goma sha biyu na kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka, na'urori masu sarrafawa da na sadarwa, da akwatunan sadarwa na cibiyar sadarwa tare da ɗaruruwan ƙafafu na igiyoyin CAT5 suna shiga cikin bango da ƙarƙashin benaye masu sarrafa yanayi. "Ba shi da girma ko zato kamar cibiyar kula da manufa ta NASA, amma ayyukan sun yi kama da juna: muna sarrafa manyan abubuwan Starfire kamar janareta na microwave, nantenna da tuƙi, sarrafa wutar lantarki da sarrafa katako, da sauransu da yawa. Duk da cewa 'yan sama jannatin da ke tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong suna da cikakken iko, muna iya ba da wasu umarni daga nan, wato za mu iya rufe hanyar sadarwar idan wani abu ya faru."
    
  "Shin yanzu kuna girbin makamashin hasken rana, Mista McLahan?" wani dan jarida ya tambaya.
    
  "Muna tattarawa da adana makamashin hasken rana kusan makonni uku yanzu," Brad ya amsa. "Tsarin girbi makamashin hasken rana da na'urorin ajiya sune na farko da aka fara sanyawa a tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong." Ya yi nuni da babban samfurin tashar da tawagar ta kafa don manema labarai. "Waɗannan nantennas ne, ko masu tattara hasken rana na nanotube, wanda Jodie Cavendish ya haɓaka tare da taimakon Kim Jong-bae, wanda muke kira Jerry a nan. Suna da gefe biyu, don haka za su iya tattara hasken rana kai tsaye daga rana ko yin tunani a cikin duniya. Anan a gonar akwai masu ƙarfin lithium-ion mai nauyin kilogiram ɗari biyu, kowannensu yana iya adana kilowatt ɗari uku, wanda Jerry Kim ya tsara. Ba za mu cika su ba don wannan gwaji, amma za ka ga cewa muna da ikon adana megawatts na wutar lantarki a wata masana"anta, kawai da wannan dan karamin tsarin gwaji."
    
  "Nawa makamashi za ku yi amfani da shi don wannan gwajin?"
    
  "Muna shirin samar da jimillar megawatts daya da biyar," in ji Brad. "Tashar za ta kasance a cikin kewayon madaidaicin na kusan mintuna uku, don haka za ku ga cewa za mu aika da makamashi mai yawa zuwa duniya cikin kankanin lokaci." Ya yi nuni da wani katon hoto mai girman fosta wanda ya nuna wani abu mai zagaye da ke tsaye da wani yanki na hamada. "Wannan ita ce rectenna, ko karɓar eriya, wanda zai tattara makamashin maser, wanda Jodie Cavendish ya tsara tare da Casey Huggins," in ji shi. "Ya kai mita dari biyu a diamita, wanda aka sanya shi a cikin White Sands Missile Range saboda babban yanki ne mai aminci wanda za a iya kawar da jirgin cikin sauki. Kamar yadda kuke gani a wannan hoton, muna da na'urar gyarawa kawai, da wasu na'urori masu sarrafa bayanai, da na'urorin lura da bayanai - za mu auna yawan wutar lantarkin da ke shigowa, amma ba za mu adana ko ciyar da wutar lantarki a cikin wutar lantarki ba. grid a lokacin wannan gwaji na farko . Lane Egan ya rubuta software kuma ya tsara kwamfutoci a nan Duniya da kuma Armstrong don ba mu daidaitattun da ake bukata don cimma wannan karamar manufa mai nisa daga mil biyu zuwa dari biyar."
    
  "Me ya sa za a yi gwajin a babban keɓe wuri, Mista McLaanahan?" - ya tambayi wakilin. "Me zai faru idan maser makamashi daga tashar sararin samaniya ya buga jirgin sama ko wani abu a kasa, kamar gida ko mutum?"
    
  "Kamar sanya kayan ƙarfe ne a cikin microwave," in ji Brad. "Masar ta farko ta ƙunshi makamashin microwave, wanda Casey Huggins da Jerry Kim suka tsara kuma suka ƙera su, amma sun haɗu tare da na'urorin Laser na Laser na kyauta na Armstrong don haɓakawa da taimakawa sarrafa makamashi."
    
  "Za ku harba Laser Skybolt?"
    
  "A'a, a'a," Brad ya amsa. "Tsarin Laser na Skybolt yana amfani da jerin bawuloli na solenoid don daidaitawa, haɓakawa da daidaita katakon Laser na laser kyauta. Mun kashe Laser na'urar lantarki kyauta kuma muka shigar da janareta na microwave Casey Huggins wanda aka adana ta hasken rana. Za mu yi amfani da tsarin Skybolt don yin abu iri ɗaya tare da makamashin microwave: haɓakawa, haɗawa da mayar da hankali kan shi, sannan amfani da tsarin tsarin Skybolt da ke niyya, godiya ga Jerry Kim, don aika makamashi zuwa ƙasa.
    
  "Amma don amsa tambayarka, ba mu san ainihin abin da zai faru ba, don haka ba ma son kowa a kusa da katako lokacin da muka harba shi," Brad ya ci gaba. "Za mu rufe sararin samaniya da yawa kafin mu kaddamar da Starfire. Babu shakka, Starfire ya fi dacewa da keɓance wurare, jiragen ruwa, ko ma wata, don haka ƙaddamar da maser zuwa wuraren da jama'a ke da yawa ba lallai ba ne ya zama matsala ba, amma za mu sa ikon sarrafa niyya da katako mai kyau da kyau yayin da muke tafiya. , ta yadda eriyar kai tsaye za ta iya zama ƙarami kuma hadurran sun ragu sosai."
    
  Brad ya yi wasu ƴan tambayoyi, amma na ƙarshe ya kasance wawa: "Mr. McLaanahan," ta fara wata "yar jarida mace mai ban sha"awa da ke tsaye a gaba, mai dogon gashin jet-baƙar gashi, idanu masu duhu, cikakkun jajayen lebba, adadi mai ban sha"awa da kuma sosai. kadan daga turawa, "kai Yana da kyau ka baiwa sauran membobin kungiyar ku godiya ga duk abin da suka yi don ba da gudummawa ga wannan aikin... amma me kuka yi? Wadanne abubuwa kuka kirkira? Meye ruwan ku da wannan aikin idan na tambaya?"
    
  "In gaya muku gaskiya, ban ƙirƙiri wani abu ba," Brad ya yarda bayan tunani mai yawa. "Na dauki kaina a matsayin marowaci, kamar halin jirgin Lieutenant Hendley a cikin fim din The Great Escape." Matar ta lumshe ido a rud'e, a fili bata san wanda yake nufi ba, sai dai ta yi rubutu don ta gano. "Na fito da wata dabara, na sami mafi kyawun ɗalibai, masana kimiyya da injiniyoyi da zan iya samu kuma na neme su su bayyana min ilimin kimiyya, na ba da gudummawar wasu ra"ayoyi na kaina, na sa su aiki kuma na maimaita aikin. Ina ba ƙungiyar duk abin da suke buƙata don tsarin aikin su: kuɗi, taimako, lokaci na kwamfuta ko lab, kayan aiki, sassa, software, komai. Na kuma jagoranci tarurrukan ci gaba kuma na taimaka shirya ƙungiyar don gabatar da mu ga makaranta don sararin dakin gwaje-gwaje na bazara kafin aikinmu ya sami tallafi daga Sky Masters Aerospace.
    
  "Don haka kun fi zama kamar koci ko manajan ayyuka," in ji matar. "Da gaske ba kwata-kwata ba ne: ba a zahiri ba za ku wuce kwallon ba, amma kuna horar da kungiyar, kuna samun kayan aiki kuma kuna sarrafa ma'aikatan kocin." Ba ta jira amsa ba, kuma Brad bai da amsar da zai ba ta ko ta yaya. "Amma kai dalibin injiniya ne na farko, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Dalibin injiniyan sararin samaniya na shekara ta biyu, eh."
    
  "Wataƙila ya kamata ku yi la'akari da wani fannin nazarin daban?" In ji matar. "Wataƙila kasuwanci ko gudanarwa?"
    
  "Ina so in zama matukin jirgi na gwaji," in ji Brad. "Yawancin makarantun gwaji mafi kyau a Amurka suna buƙatar digiri a fannin kimiyya mai ƙarfi kamar injiniya, kwamfuta, lissafi ko kimiyyar lissafi. Na zabi injiniyan sararin samaniya."
    
  "Kuma kun yi kyau, Mr. McLahanan?"
    
  Brad ya ɗan yi mamakin samun kansa ana yi masa tambayoyi da yawa na sirri-yana shirin amsa tambayoyin fasaha daga ƴan jaridun kimiyyar sararin samaniya da masu rubutun ra'ayin yanar gizo, maimakon amsa tambayoyi game da kansa. "Na yi nasarar kammala kwas na farko kuma na fara na biyu," in ji shi. "Ina tsammanin maki na matsakaici ne. Idan ina buƙatar taimako, kuma na yi, ina neman shi. Idan ban gane wani abu ba, zan sami wanda zai bayyana mani. Ya sake duba lab'in ya sake d'aga hannuwa, sannan ya juya ga matar ya sameta ta mik'e ta kalle shi da d'an murmushi, ya ba ta d'aya. "Idan haka ne, mutane, na gode da-"
    
  "Ina da wata sanarwa mai ban mamaki da zan so in raba tare da ku duka," in ji shugaban UC Poly Dr. Marcus Harris daga bayan ɗakin. Ya yi tafiya har zuwa lectern kusa da Brad. "Shugaban tashar ta tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, Janar Kai Radon mai ritaya, ya yi magana da fadar White House kwanan nan, kuma ya samu izini daga shugaban Amurka na jigilar shugabannin tawagar Starfire guda biyu zuwa tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong don kallon gwajin gwajin da aka yi na Starfire. ." 'Yan jaridan suka fashe da tafi.
    
  Harris yasa hannu a kafadar Lane. "Yi hakuri Lane, amma kun yi yawa, amma zai faru nan ba da jimawa ba. Jirgin zai gudana ne cikin mako guda kawai, kuma za su kasance a tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong na tsawon kwanaki uku. Amma Brad, Jodi da Casey, idan sun amince da tayin, za su zama matasa na farko a sararin samaniya, kuma idan Jung Bae ya amince, zai kasance dan Koriya ta biyu ne kawai da zai tashi zuwa sararin samaniya, kuma zuwa yanzu shine mafi karancin shekaru." Yawa mai yawa, sai rubutu mai zafi.
    
  "Fadar White House ta ce sun fi son shugabannin kungiyar maza da mata," Harris ya ci gaba da cewa, "amma wannan ya rage ga tawagar Starfire su yanke shawara. Za a buƙaci 'yan takarar da aka zaɓa don yin cikakken gwajin lafiya, amma kamar yadda muka gani a bazarar da ta gabata tare da Shugaba Phoenix, da alama kawai dole ne ku zama mutum mai lafiya da ƙarfin hali don tashi zuwa sararin samaniya - kuma ina alfaharin cewa haka lamarin yake. Casey kuma Huggins, wanda, idan ta yarda, ba kawai za ta kasance matashiya ta farko a sararin samaniya ba, amma har ma ta farko mai quadriplegic a sararin samaniya. " A wannan karon tafawa ta ma fi tsayi.
    
  "Zan bar ƙungiyar ta yi magana tsakanin su da iyayensu, sannan zan so in sadu da su da kaina," in ji Harris. "Amma wannan wata babbar dama ce da babbar daraja ga Mustangs ɗinmu, kuma ba za mu iya yin alfahari ba." Ƙarin tafi, wanda Harris ya jagoranta, kuma taron manema labarai ya ƙare.
    
  "Shit mai tsarki!" - Brad ya yi ihu lokacin da aka bar ƙungiyar Starfire ita kaɗai a cikin dakin gwaje-gwaje. "Wace dama ce! Ta yaya za mu magance wannan? Yi hakuri, Lane."
    
  "Babu matsala," in ji Lane. "Har yanzu ina fama da rashin lafiya a cikin iska."
    
  "Wane ne ke son tafiya?"
    
  "Dole ne ku tafi, Brad," in ji Lane. "Kai ne manajan aikin. Ba za mu iya yi ba tare da kai ba."
    
  "Damn dama," in ji Casey.
    
  "Baya ga haka, kamar yadda sabon abokinku- waccan kyakkyawar 'yar jaridan mata a gaba wacce ke kallon ku - ta ce, "Me kuke yi har yanzu a nan?" Jodie ta yi dariya, kuma kowa ya yi dariya sosai. Daga nan sai ta canza muryarta zuwa na James Garner, wanda ya buga halin Hendley a cikin fim din: "'Kuna so ku yi magana game da haɗari? " Wani fashe da dariya.
    
  "Ok, okay, mai ban dariya sosai," in ji Brad. "Bari mu ga abin da ya faru. Zan shiga sararin samaniya nan ba da jimawa ba, zan iya ba ku tabbacin cewa, don haka idan wani yana so ya yi amfani da wannan damar, zan daina. Jody?
    
  "Ba ni ba, aboki," in ji Jodie. "Ina son yashi, hawan igiyar ruwa da matakin teku - har ma da California Poly ya kusan yin tsayi sama da matakin teku kuma ya yi nisa da bakin teku a gare ni. Bayan haka, ba na son zama a wani wuri sai dai a nan cikin wannan dakin binciken, ina kallon masu saka idanu lokacin da Starfire ya saki."
    
  "Jerry?"
    
  Tunanin shiga sararin samaniya bai yi wa Jung Bae dadi ba. "Ban sani ba," ya fada cikin damuwa. "Ina so in ƙirƙira da gwada jirgin sama wata rana, amma har zuwa shawagi a sararin samaniya a cikin ɗaya ... Ina tsammanin zan wuce. Hakanan, Ina so in kasance a White Sands don saka idanu akan fitar da eriya ta gaba da maser. Har yanzu muna da matsaloli tare da capacitors lithium-ion. Muna adana isasshen kuzari, amma wani lokacin muna samun matsalolin canja wurin makamashi zuwa kogon microwave. "
    
  "Zan tambayi wasu ƴan ƙwararru don su taimaka maka da wannan, Jerry," in ji Brad. Ya juya ga Casey. "To ni da kai ne kawai, Casey. Me za ku ce? Masanin ku ne - yakamata ku kasance a can."
    
  Fuskar Casey ta hade fuska da fargaba. "Ba na tunanin haka, Brad," in ji ta. "Ba na jin daɗin sa"ad da mutane suka zuba mani ido a filayen jirgin sama ko kuma shagunan sayar da kayayyaki-na shanye cikin "yan sama jannati goma sha biyu a tashar sararin samaniya? ban sani ba..."
    
  "To, kawai ka yi tunani game da shi, Casey-abu na ƙarshe da kake buƙata a sararin samaniya shine ƙafafu, dama?" Brad ya ce. Za ku zama kamar kowa a can. Babu keken guragu a sararin samaniya, uwargida."
    
  Ta dade tana kallon keken guragu, tana kawar da idanunta... Sannan kai da hannayenta suka harba, ta yi kururuwa: "Ina tashi sama!"
    
  Tawagar ta shiga busasshiyar hanyoyin harba gwajin har zuwa maraice, sannan ta gana da shugaban jami'ar Harris kuma ta ba da labarin wanda zai tashi zuwa tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. Nan da nan Harris ya tsara gwajin lafiyar jirgin don gobe da safe, bayan an shirya zai yi sanarwa ga manema labarai. Da magariba kawai suka iya komawa gida. Brad ya isa ginin gidansa da ke Pauley Canyon kuma yana shirin ɗaukar kekensa da jakunkuna sama da matakalar sai ya ji, "Sannu, baƙo."
    
  Juyowa yayi sai yaga Jody rike da jakar jakar laptop a hannunta. "Sannu da zuwa," in ji shi. "Mu ba baki ba ne. Ina ganin ku kowace rana."
    
  "Na sani, amma a makaranta kawai. Muna zaune a cikin hadaddiyar giyar, amma da kyar na gan ku a nan." Ta gyada kai wajen keken Brad. "Menene, abokina, kawai za ka ja keken ka da jakunkuna zuwa hawa biyar na matakala?"
    
  "A koyaushe ina yin wannan."
    
  "Kai. Na gode, ina." Ta kalle shi. "Na lura cewa ba kwa ɗaukar sanda."
    
  "Ban taɓa maye gurbinsa ba."
    
  "Shin Chief Ratel ba zai yi fushi da ku ba?"
    
  "A bazarar da ta gabata ya ji rauni, ya rufe kantin kuma ya koma Florida, ina tsammanin," in ji Brad. Gaskiya ne - tsoron cewa Rasha za su yi wa Brad kawai hari, amma shi ma, Kevin Martindale ya shawo kan shi ya dauki matarsa ya bar garin, wanda ya yi ba tare da so ba. "Ya kamata in gaya muku game da wannan, amma ... kun san yadda abin ya kasance."
    
  "Kai. Ina ganin an daɗe da yin hakan," in ji Jodi. "To bazaki kara zuwa gym ba?"
    
  "Zan dauki ajin kare kai lokaci zuwa lokaci a dakin motsa jiki a cikin gari," in ji Brad. Wannan galibi gaskiya ne, amma yana da ban sha'awa na mako-mako tare da memba na ƙungiyar Chris Wall, kuma yana samun horar da bindigogi kowane mako biyu. Brad yana da izini wanda ya ba shi damar ɗaukar bindiga a harabar-bai taɓa gaya wa Jody ko wani a Team Starfire game da shi ba. "Ina ciyar da mafi yawan lokutan hutuna a cikin falo na, hawa babur na ko yin abubuwa kamar ɗaukar babur na zuwa cikin ɗakina."
    
  "Mai girma". Sun tsaya shiru na wasu dogon lokaci; to, "Hey, kuna so ku ɗauki kofi kafin su rufe?" Kukan nawa."
    
  "Lalle". Sun je wani karamin kantin kofi dake kasan bene na gaba suka sha kofi a bakin titi. A ƙarshen Oktoba, yanayin har yanzu yana da kyau a kan Gabar Tsakiyar California, kodayake tabbas ya faɗi. "Mutum, ya yini mai tsawo," in ji Brad bayan wasu mintuna na shiru. "Lafiya ajin ku?"
    
  "Mafi yawa," in ji Jodi. "Farfesoshi suna ba ni hutu har sai an gama gwajin harbi."
    
  "Abu iri ɗaya a gare ni," in ji Brad.
    
  Sun sake yin shiru na ƴan mintuna kaɗan, sannan Jodie ta ajiye kofi, ta kalli Brad tsaye cikin idanunta ta ce, "Ina neman afuwar raina a otal ɗin Battle Mountain, aboki. Ina tsammani na gigice na fitar da ku. Lallai kun kare mu daga mai wukar."
    
  "Ki manta, Jody," in ji Brad.
    
  Jodie ta kalli kofi dinta, sannan ta kalli saman teburin. "Zuwa tashar sararin samaniya a cikin kwanaki biyu kacal," in ji ta a cikin rarraunar muryarta, "ya sa na gane cewa ... Ina nufin, idan ... idan wani abu ya faru, ni ... zan iya. ba zan kara ganinku ba kuma ba zan taba samun damar neman gafara ba."
    
  Brad ya miqe ya riko hannunta cikin nashi. "Babu lafiya, Jody," in ji shi. "Ba abin da zai faru. Zai yi nasara jirgin da gwajin harbi, kuma zan tashi da baya. Zai zama kasada. Wannan ya riga ya zama kasada ta gaske. Ina so ku zo tare da ni."
    
  "Brad..." Ta matse hannayensa tare da sauke kanta, lokacin da ta sake ɗagawa, Brad na iya ganin kyalli a idanunta, har ma da hasken titi. "Ni... Ina tsoro, abokina," in ji ta da dan rawar jiki a muryarta. "Na san nawa kuke so ku shiga sararin samaniya, kuma na yi farin ciki da ku sami damar, amma har yanzu ina jin tsoro."
    
  Brad ya haye kan kujeran da ke gefen teburin Jody, ya sa hannu a kusa da ita ya rike ta da kyar. Bayan sun rabu ya dan shafa fuskarta ya sumbace ta. "Jodi... Jodi, ina so."
    
  "Kazo tare dani" ta fad'a lokacin da sumbatarta ta k'are. Ido ta bud'e ta kalleshi, shiru tayi tana roko. "Yauwa, kar ka daure ka sake barina ni kadai. Barka da zuwa, Brad. Ka ɗauke ni kafin ka rabu da ni."
    
  A wannan lokacin, a lokacin sumba mai zurfi na gaba, babu shakka a cikin tunanin Brad McLanahan.
    
    
  ZAUREN FARIN GIDA
  WASHINGTON, DC
  DA safe
    
    
  "Yana da kyau da kuka yanke shawarar sanya ni duba sauran wuraren harbawa da filayen saukar jiragen sama, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji mai ba shugaban kasa shawara kan harkokin tsaro William Glenbrook bayan da Shugaba Ken Phoenix da mataimakin shugaban kasa Anne Page suka shiga dakin yanayi suka zauna. "Rashawa sun shagaltu sosai."
    
  "Me kika sameki Bill?" - Phoenix ya tambaya, yana ajiye kofi na kofi, na biyu na safiya. Ko shakka babu shan kofi ya karu yayin da ranar zabe ta gabato.
    
  "Akwai wani gagarumin shirin sake samar da sararin samaniyar Rasha da ke gudana, yallabai," in ji Glenbrook. Ya danna maballi kuma hoton farko ya bayyana akan allo a gaban dakin yanayi, yana nuna makami mai linzami mai dauke da fikafikai a samansa yana maye gurbin hancin makamin. "Wannan shi ne Plesetsk cosmodrome a arewa maso yammacin Rasha. Jirgin da muka gani yayin da ROS ya tashi daga ISS an tabbatar da cewa jirgin Elektron ne, mai yiwuwa ya harba daga Plesetsk.
    
  Glenbrook ya ci gaba da karanta bayanin kula a kwamfutarsa ta kwamfutar, "Akwai wani jirgin sama a can a kan harba kushin, "kuma mun yi imanin cewa waɗannan kwantena da wannan babban wurin ajiya da ke kusa da kushin harba wani Electron da roka-Proton. Muna tsammanin Proton ne maimakon motar ƙaddamar da Angara 5 saboda rashin ajiyar oxygen na cryogenic a kusa. Angara-5 yana amfani da ruwa oxygen da kuma RP-1 kerosene, yayin da Proton yana amfani da ruwaye na hypergolic: dimethylhydrazine da nitrogen tetroxide, sinadarai guda biyu masu guba da ke ƙonewa idan aka gauraye ba tare da buƙatar tushen wuta ba. Motar ƙaddamar da Angara 5 ta fi ƙarfi, amma ruwan oxygen ɗinta dole ne a sake cika shi da zarar ya hau motar ƙaddamarwa saboda ta tafasa; Proton yana da isassun man fetur da zai šauki kusan har abada, don haka zai iya kasancewa a kan kushin ƙaddamarwa ba tare da buƙatar kulawa ba. "
    
  Hotunan sun canza. "Wannan shi ne Baikonur Cosmodrome a Kazakhstan," in ji Glenbrook, "kuma kamar yadda kuke gani, da alama akwai wani Electron a kan kushin harba, wannan lokacin akan motar ƙaddamar da Angara-5." Waɗannan su ne guda biyu waɗanda za su iya tashi da aiki cikin ɗan gajeren tsari, watakila cikin kwanaki ko ma sa'o'i. Electron, wanda ya riga ya ƙaddamar lokacin da ROS ya janye daga ISS, ya taɓa titin jirgin sama a Baikonur jiya. Don haka mun kirga watakila electrons guda hudu. Mun yi imani akwai biyar a cikin kaya, ko da yake za a iya samun ƙari. Don haka, mun tafi neman jirgin saman Rasha na biyar. Ba za ku ga wannan a ko'ina a cikin Rasha ba.. "
    
  Glenbrook ya canza hotunan kuma wani hoto ya bayyana na jirgin sama na Electron a saman wani babban roka na Rasha. "Mun same shi - ba a Rasha ba, amma a cikin Jamhuriyar Jama'ar Sin," in ji shi. "Wannan ita ce tashar jiragen ruwa ta Xichang a yammacin kasar Sin. An yi amfani da Xichang wajen harba rokoki mafi girma, mafi karfi da aminci na harba rokoki na dogon lokaci na kasar Sin, amma duk wadannan ayyuka an dauke su zuwa cibiyar harba tauraron dan adam ta Wenchang dake tsibirin Hainan, don haka ba a yi amfani da Xichang akai-akai ba."
    
  "Don haka, Sinawa suna ba da izinin harba jiragen sama na Rasha daga na'urorin harba kumbon Sinawa?" Ann ta lura.
    
  "I, ma'am," in ji Glenbrook. Ya kara girman hoton. "Ba wai kawai ba, amma waɗannan gine-gine suna kama da gine-gine a Plesetk. Mai yiyuwa ne wadannan gine-ginen ko dai gida ne, ko kuma an yi niyyar gina su, tsarin harba jirgin sama na Electron na biyu, kuma idan haka ne, hakan na nufin akwai yiwuwar akwai Electrons guda shida, da ma fiye da haka. Muna sa ido kan duk waɗannan wuraren don harbawa da murmurewa nan gaba, amma bisa ga bayananmu lokacin da aka fara tura waɗannan na'urori, Rasha za ta iya sake harba jirgin kowane kwanaki goma zuwa goma sha huɗu bayan murmurewa. Yana da saurin gaske. Yanzu zai iya yin sauri."
    
  Ya zauna tare da hoton Sinawa amma ya fadada wani yanki. "Ga wani ci gaba mai ban sha'awa." Ya haskaka wasu abubuwa tare da alkalami na laser. Ya ce, "Russia yawanci suna shigar da makamai masu linzami na S-400 Triumph na zamani a duk tashoshin jiragen sama da manyan sansanonin soji," in ji shi, "amma a nan muna duban S-500, makami mai linzami mafi ci gaba a duniya. "Sif-to-iska", sau da yawa mafi iyawa da ƙarfi fiye da S-400 ko ma namu PAC-3 Patriot. S-500 ya fi kama da makami mai linzami mai matsakaicin zango fiye da makami mai linzami na sama-da-iska na al'ada, wanda aka kera don harba iska da sararin samaniya a kan jeri mai tsayi. Wannan shi ne karo na farko da aka tura S-500 a wajen Tarayyar Rasha, kuma kasancewarsa a sansanin sojan kasar Sin yana da ban mamaki - muna zaton Sinawa za su iya samun bayanan fasaha a yanzu game da tsarin tsaron iska mafi kyau da aka taba yi.
    
  "Tsarin 'S' ya nuna cewa an ƙera shi don yin tasiri sosai a sararin samaniya - musamman, tashoshin sararin samaniya na Amurka, jiragen sama da ma'ajiyar makamai a cikin ƙananan sararin samaniya, da kuma makamai masu linzami na ballistic, makamai masu linzami masu saukar ungulu da jirgin sama," - Glenbrook ya ci gaba. "Mun binciki sanannun wuraren harba S-500 a kusa da Moscow da sauran wurare, kuma an tabbatar da zarginmu: suna motsi wasu S-500s, yawanci suna kewaye da wasu garuruwan su, kuma suna tarwatsa su a sararin samaniya. Har ila yau, muna nazarin wuraren samar da Almaz-Antni kusa da Moscow da St. Petersburg. Petersburg don ganin ko akwai wata shaida da ke nuna cewa Rashawa suna haɓaka kera S-500. Muna sa ran nan gaba kadan za su rubanya samar da S-500 kuma za su sami akalla batir S-500 da aka sanya wa kowane sansanin sojan Rasha a duniya."
    
  "Da alama a gare ni suna shirye-shiryen ba kawai don gudanar da ayyuka a sararin samaniya ba, har ma don tunkarar wani harin da aka kai kan sansanonin su da ke ware," in ji Anne. Ita da Phoenix sun yi musanyar kallon sani-harin na karshe da Amurka ta kai kan sansanin sojojin kasashen waje shi ne harin bam na B-1B Lancer a kan cibiyoyin soji a jamhuriyar jama'ar China, karkashin jagorancin Patrick McLanahan, wanda ake kyautata zaton ya mutu a harin.
    
  "Don haka 'yan leken asirin sun yi tunanin cewa yayin da muke duban wasu makaman kare dangi da Rasha ko Sinawa ke jibgewa, za su kalli makamai masu linzami da mayakan ke harba," in ji Glenbrook. "Akwai sansanoni guda uku na jirgin saman Mikoyan-Gurevich 31D, wanda ke dauke da makami mai linzami na gaba da Rasha. Mun ƙidaya kaɗan fiye da adadin da aka lura da shi, kuma mun ƙidaya ƙarin tankunan jiragen sama na Il-76 a kowane tushe. Dukkanin sansanonin suna aiki kuma 'yan Rasha suna sintiri a kowane lokaci - tare da aƙalla jirage masu hana tauraron dan adam guda biyu a cikin iska sa'o'i ashirin da hudu a rana. /bakwai. Musamman aiki shine sansanonin a Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Yelizovo Air Base a Gabas mai Nisa na Rasha, Filin jirgin saman Bolshoye Savino a yammacin tsakiyar Rasha, da Chkalovsky Air Base kusa da Moscow. Suna gudanar da sintiri da gwaje-gwajen gwaji da yawa, suna ɗaukar mayaka kusan a tsaye zuwa tsayin daka.
    
  "MiG-31 ya ƙare kusan shekaru arba'in, amma yana da wasu ci gaba," Glenbrook ya ci gaba. "Jirgin da kansa yana daya daga cikin mafi sauri a duniya. Ɗaukar rokar ASAT ta juya ta zama alade mai hulking, amma tsarin har yanzu yana aiki. Yana harba makami mai linzami guda 9K720 da aka gyara, daidai yake da sabon makami mai linzami na gidan wasan kwaikwayo na Iskander, amma tare da babban bama-bamai masu fashewa da ke jagorantar radar na millimita don ayyukan sararin samaniya. Akwai kusan nau'ikan D-ɗari a cikin sabis - watakila ƙari idan sun canza wasu ƙira zuwa waɗanda ke da ƙima ko kuma cire wasu daga ajiya." Ya rufe murfin kwamfutarsa, alamar an gama bayaninsa.
    
  "Don haka da alama 'yan Rasha suna mayar da martani ga shirina na sararin samaniya ta hanyar shirya rundunarsu ta sararin samaniya, kuma Sinawa suna taimaka musu da akalla harba padi da tallafi," in ji shugaba Phoenix. "Tunani?"
    
  "Babu wani abu da ba zato ba tsammani," in ji Anne. "Mun ga duk waɗannan suna aiki a cikin 'yan shekarun da suka gabata, ban da jiragen sama."
    
  "Dole ne mu ɗauka cewa za su yi amfani da waɗannan jiragen sama na Electron kamar yadda suka yi shekaru goma sha huɗu da suka wuce," in ji Glenbrook. "Sun yi amfani da makamai masu linzami guda goma masu saurin-sauri masu jagora. Babu kai, amma ba a bukatar kai - idan wani abu ya bugi tasha ko tauraron dan adam da ke tafiya da nisan mil dayawa a cikin dakika daya, to ko shakka babu zai lalata shi kuma zai iya lalata shi. Kuma makamai masu linzami da aka harba a kasa za su iya daukar wani makami mai linzamin nukiliya, irin wanda aka yi amfani da shi a harin da Amurka ta kai kan Holocaust, wanda idan aka tayar da shi a nisan mil mil daga tashar, zai iya kai shi ga mantawa. Ko da ya rasa fiye da haka, da alama radiation da bugun jini na lantarki zai iya lalata tashar sosai."
    
  Anne ta ce "Jirgin namu yana da kariya da kyau daga radiation, Bill, musamman kumbon mu na mutane - suna aiki a sararin samaniya tsawon shekaru, wani lokacin shekaru da yawa," in ji Anne. "Amma duk wani makamin motsa jiki da aka kaiwa tashar yana haifar da babban hatsari."
    
  "Tashar tana da makamai masu kariya da za ta iya amfani da su, daidai?" shugaban ya tambaya. "Na samu rangadin cibiyar umarni a Armstrong. Sun ce za su iya kunna babban Laser na Skybolt a cikin 'yan kwanaki, kuma suna magana ne game da wani ƙaramin lesar sinadari da za su iya amfani da shi, amma wuraren ajiyar makamai na orbital ba sa aiki."
    
  "Haka ne, yallabai, bayan an cire kayan gwaji na Starfire," in ji Anne. "Wataƙila ya kamata mu kunna tarurrukan makaman Kingfisher kuma mu mayar da waɗanda ba su da aiki don kewayawa."
    
  "Ban shirya yin wannan ba tukuna, Anne," in ji Phoenix, "amma ina so in kasance cikin shiri idan har muka gano wani motsi a cikin hanyar kadarorin mu na sararin samaniya, musamman Armstrong. Za a iya kaiwa hari da makami mai linzami da sansanonin jiragen sama tare da waɗannan MiGs na rigakafin tauraron dan adam a kan harba ballistic ko makamai masu linzami na teku, daidai?
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Glenbrook ya amsa, "amma zai dauki lokaci kafin a matsar da jirgin karkashin ruwa zuwa matsayi, kuma harin Rasha a tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong na iya faruwa da sauri. Idan har Rasha za ta iya mamaye tsaron tashar, za ta iya fitar da shi daga sama. Haɗin kai harin jirgin sama na Electron, da makamai masu linzami da aka harba ta iska, da kuma makaman yaƙi da tauraron dan adam da ke kai hari lokaci guda zai iya yin hakan."
    
  Shugaban ya jinjina kai, amma ya yi shiru na wasu dogon lokaci; sannan: "Bari mu baiwa diflomasiyya da masu sanya ido damar yin amfani da wasu makaman sararin samaniya," a karshe ya ce. "Kwantar da Armstrong saukar zai zama kamar kai hari kan wani jirgin sama ko sansanin soja: aikin yaki. Gryzlov ba mahaukaci ba ne. "
    
  "Rasha ta yi duka a baya, yallabai," Anne ta tunatar da shugaban. "Mahaifin Gennady ya kasance kwararre a harin sa-kai da aka kai a Amurka lokacin Holocaust na Amurka, wanda ya kashe kusan mutane goma fiye da na Pearl Harbor."
    
  "Na san haka, Anne, amma har yanzu ban kasance a shirye don ta'azzara wannan lamarin ba idan zan iya guje wa hakan," in ji Phoenix. "Na ba da izini a yi amfani da dukkan makaman kariya da ake amfani da su a halin yanzu, gami da Laser mai guba, amma babu wani makami mai ban tsoro."
    
  "Zan iya ba da shawarar kunna janareta na magnetohydrodynamic a cikin tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, yallabai?" Anne ta tambaya. Anne Page ita ce ta ƙera ba kawai tsarin tsaro na makami mai linzami na Skybolt ba, har ma ɗaya daga cikin manyan fasahohinsa masu yawa: MHD, ko kuma janareta na magnetohydrodynamic, na'urar da ke amfani da makamashin nukiliya wanda ya samar da ɗaruruwan megawatts na iko don Skybolt free electron Laser. ba tare da tarwatsa tsarin kula da hanyar tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong ko hanyar jirgin sama ba. "A zahiri an kwashe shekaru biyu ana yin asu kuma za a ɗauki kwana ɗaya ko biyu kafin a kunna shi a gwada shi. Idan da gaske abubuwa sun yi muni, zai yi kyau idan Skybolt ya kasance da wuri-wuri."
    
  "Shin kuna magana ne game da janareta wanda ke ba da ikon babban Laser Skybolt?" - Phoenix ya tambaya. Anne ta gyada kai. "Na san ba mu taba amincewa da yarjejeniyar hana makaman sararin samaniya ba, amma mun kasance kamar yarjejeniyar tana aiki. Shin wannan zai karya yarjejeniyar?"
    
  Anne tayi tunani na ɗan lokaci, sannan ta daga kafada. "Ni ba kwararre kan kula da makamai ba ne ko kuma lauya, yallabai, amma a gare ni injin samar da wutar lantarki ba makami ba ne, ko da kuwa yana da injin sarrafa makamashin nukiliya. "Skybolt makami ne, kuma wasu daga cikin abubuwan da ke cikinsa daliban Cal Poly na amfani da su wajen isar da wutar lantarki zuwa doron kasa." Ta yi jinkiri, sannan ta kara da cewa, "Za su iya ba mu wani tsaro na diflomasiyya idan bukatar hakan ta taso, yallabai."
    
  "Ba za su yi amfani da babban janareta ba, ko? Ban taba ba da izini ga wannan ba.
    
  Anne ta yi bayanin cewa "Starfire's microwave Laser beam yana aiki da makamashin da aka tattara daga hasken rana na ɗalibai," in ji Anne. "Har yanzu janareta na MHD yana haɗa jiki da Skybolt, amma ba za a iya harba Laser ɗin electron kyauta ba tare da cire haɗin abubuwan Starfire da haɗa sassan Skybolt a wurin ba. Ban san tsawon lokacin da zai ɗauka ba, amma ɗaliban sun sami Starfire a wurin da sauri, don haka idan ya cancanta, ina tsammanin za mu iya dawo da Skybolt da sauri da sauri. "
    
  Shugaban ya yi tunani a kan haka na ƴan lokaci kaɗan, sannan ya ɗaga kai cikin yarda. "Matukar babban laser mai lalata jirgin ba ya aiki ba tare da umarni na ba, na ba da izinin kunna janareta kuma a gwada," in ji shi. "Ina tsammanin za mu jira don sanar da Rashawa cewa muna gwada wani babban janareta har zuwa wani lokaci nan gaba."
    
  "Na yarda," in ji Anne. "Amma idan kuna son yin hulɗa da Rashawa, ƙila ku sake yin la'akari da manufofin ku na sararin samaniya da raguwar soja. Misali, kawo karshen ayyana mamayewa a matsayin mallakar Amurkawa - Gryzlov ya fusata musamman da hakan. "
    
  "Zan yi wannan idan ya cancanta, da fatan ba kafin zaben ba," in ji shugaban. "Wannan ya fi harsashi ga Barbeau."
    
  "Muna iya fitar da bayanan da Bill kawai ya sanar da mu," in ji Anne. "Idan muka nuna wa Rasha tana gina makamanta a sararin samaniya, manufar ku ta sararin samaniya za ta yi kama da halaltacciyar tsaron kasa."
    
  "Amma Barbeau na iya cewa Rasha tana mayar da martani ne kawai game da shirina na sararin samaniya," in ji shugaban. "Na fi son kada in bi wannan hanyar. Zan yi la'akari da sassauta manufofina, musamman game da kariyar kadarorin sararin samaniya da kewayawa - kuna da gaskiya, ina tsammanin wannan shine ɓangaren da ya sa Gryzlov ya yi zafi da damuwa. Da fatan hakan na iya jira har sai bayan zabe." Ya juya ga mai ba shi shawara kan harkokin tsaro. "Bill, Ina buƙatar sanin ainihin tsawon lokacin da za a ɗauka kafin in fara nazarin makaman Kingfisher, kuma ina so in kai hari ga masu haɓaka jirgin sama da yawa kamar yadda zai yiwu. Ba na so in tura wani runduna, amma ina so in san tsawon lokacin da za a dauka don lalata duk wani abu da ke barazana ga albarkatun sararin samaniya. Na tuna cewa muna da tarin makamai don harba sararin samaniya - Ina so in gano abin da Joe Gardner ya yi da su."
    
  "Eh, sir," Glenbrook ya ce ya tafi.
    
  Bayan tafiyarsa, shugaban ya zuba wa kansa kofi na uku a safiyar wannan rana - wanda a ra'ayinsa, ba alama ce mai kyau ba. "Na ƙi in kawo siyasa cikin waɗannan shawarwari, Anne," in ji shi. "Wannan ba yadda ya kamata a yi ba."
    
  "Wataƙila ba haka ba, amma wannan ita ce rayuwa a duniyar gaske, Ken," in ji Anne. "Shugaban Amurka ba zai taba iya raba kansa da siyasa ba, musamman a lokacin zabe. Haka abin yake.
    
  "Sai mu koma yakin neman zabe, Anne," in ji Phoenix. "Mene ne akan ajandanmu na yau?"
    
  "Kuna da ranar hutu, kuma ina ba da shawarar ku ciyar da shi tare da dangin ku saboda za ku kasance a cikin yakin neman zabe kusan kowace rana har zuwa ranar zabe," in ji mataimakin shugaban. "A gobe da safe za a fara gasar karshe ta yammacin gabar teku. Muna da Phoenix, San Diego da Los Angeles booking, amma yaƙin neman zaɓe ya kuma ba da shawarar tsayawa a arewaci da tsakiyar California. Ya makara - Hukumar ta FAA ta fi son samun sanarwar fiye da kwanaki biyu don rufe sararin samaniyar filayen jiragen saman da kuke shiga zuwa Air Force One, amma idan muka sanar da su yau da safe, za mu kasance lafiya.
    
  "Ina ba da shawarar mu tsaya sau uku kafin mu isa Portland da Seattle," Anne ta ci gaba da karantawa daga kwamfutar ta kwamfutar hannu. "Na farko, Cibiyar Bincike ta Ames ta NASA da ke kusa da San Jose, wacce ke gudanar da gwajin hanyoyin gwajin iska na fasahohin sararin samaniya daban-daban; da Aerojet Rocketdyne shuka a gabashin Sacramento, wanda ke yin injuna don sabon nau'in nau'i na manyan motoci masu ɗaukar nauyi; da kuma San Luis Obispo don halartar taron kaddamar da gwajin wutar lantarki ta hasken rana ta Starfire. Akwai taro guda ɗaya a kowane birni da kuma abincin dare ɗaya na tara kuɗi a San Jose. Bayan haka, ya nufi Portland da Seattle, zuwa wani taron tunawa a tsohon sansanin sojojin sama na Fairchild kusa da Spokane don bikin tunawa da ranar Holocaust na Amurka, sa'an nan kuma zuwa Boise don kammala balaguron yammacin gabar teku. Sai ku yi gabas. Garuruwa uku a rana kafin ranar zabe. Zan yi ƴan tasha a bakin tekun gabas sa'an nan in nufi yamma yayin da kuka nufi gabas."
    
  "Phew," in ji shugaban. "Na yi farin ciki cewa wannan zai zama kamfen na na ƙarshe - yana da kyau saduwa da mutanen, amma tabbas yana da tasiri ga natsuwar ku." Ya yi la'akari da canza tsare-tsare, amma ba da daɗewa ba: "Ci gaba da ƙara tsayawa a Arewacin California, Ann. Zan huta idan na mutu."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji mataimakin shugaban kasar, ya dauki wayar ya sanar da ma'aikatanta don daukar matakin da ya dace. Lokacin da ta gama, ta tambaya, "Kafin mu faɗakar da FAA, yallabai, ina da tambaya: Shin za ku so ku jinkirta gwajin na'urar sarrafa hasken rana da kuma tafiya ta tashar Brad McLanahan da Casey Huggins, daliban koleji. daga California?" Halin Matsalolin sararin samaniya "Yana fara zafi, kuma wannan gwajin gwajin yana samun kulawa sosai a duniya. Mutane da yawa, ciki har da 'yan Rasha da gungun kungiyoyin yaki da kare muhalli, suna son wannan. gwajin da za a soke kuma a bar tashar sararin samaniya ta ƙone a cikin sararin samaniya."
    
  "Na karanta game da waɗannan zanga-zangar," in ji shugaban, yana girgiza kai. "Wannan da alama kusan abu ɗaya ne da muke ji daga masu sassaucin ra'ayi na hagu shekaru da yawa: ci gaban fasaha ba shi da kyau ga mutane, dabbobi, zaman lafiyar duniya, matalauta da duniya. Armstrong musamman yana samun mummunan latsawa, galibi ina tsammanin saboda ana iya gani sosai a sararin sama kuma hagu yana tunanin muna leken asirin kowa a duniya kuma muna shirye mu yi amfani da hasken mutuwa don harbi kowa. Ba su da masaniyar abin da suke yi a tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. Zan iya yin magana har sai na yi shuɗi a fuska game da abubuwan da na fuskanta da fasahar da ta sa hakan ya yiwu, amma zan ɓata lokaci na. "
    
  Ken Phoenix ya yi tunani game da shi na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya girgiza kansa. "Ann, ba na dakatar da yunƙurina na fasahar sararin samaniya da masana'antu ba saboda 'yan Rasha ko wasu nau'in goro na hagu suna tunanin wannan shine farkon ƙarshen duniya," in ji shi. "Bari mu yi kokarin hangowa da kuma shirya abin da wadannan kungiyoyi ko ma Rashawa za su iya yi bayan harbe-harben gwajin, amma ba zan soke su ba. Zai zama cin fuska ga kwazon da daliban suka yi a wannan aiki. Wannan aiki ne na zaman lafiya: aika makamashi ga duk wanda yake buƙatarsa, kusan ko'ina cikin duniya. Wannan abu ne mai kyau. Hagu za su iya cewa duk abin da suke so game da wannan, amma haka abin yake. A'a, muna ci gaba."
    
    
  SAN LUIS OBISPO RANAR JIRGIN SAMA
  DA YAMMA
    
    
  Brad ya zauna a tebur a cikin rataye na jirgin sama a filin jirgin saman San Luis Obispo, yana kallon ci gaban da aka samu akan kwamfutarsa yayin da sabon kewayawa, taswirori, ƙasa da cikas da aka yi ta hanyar tauraron dan adam kai tsaye zuwa jirgin mahaifinsa Cessna P210 Silver Eagle da ke bayansa. Mikiya ta Azurfa karama ce amma mai tsananin karfi Cessna P210 wadda aka gyara ta da injin turbine mai karfin doki 450 da kuma jerin dogayen jerin manyan injinan jiragen sama da sauran tsarin, wanda ya sanya jirgin mai shekaru talatin ya zama mafi ci gaba a duniya.
    
  Wayar sa ya d'aga ya kalli ID na mai kiran, bai yi mamakin rashin gane ta ba-ya yi ta yin tambayoyi da yawa a kafafen yada labarai har ya amsa ba tare da ya kalle ba, "Hi. Wannan shi ne Brad, Project Starfire."
    
  "Malam McLahan? Sunana Yvette Annikki, Babban Mai bincike a sararin samaniyar Turai Daily. Mun yi magana a takaice a taronku na manema labarai a dakin binciken ku kwanakin baya."
    
  Bai gane sunan ba, amma tabbas ya gane lafazin sultry. "Ba na tsammanin na kama sunanka a taron manema labarai," in ji Brad, "amma na tuna ganin shi a jerin kafofin watsa labarai. Lafiya lau a daren nan?"
    
  "Madalla, na gode, Mr. McLanahan."
    
  "Brad, don Allah."
    
  "Na gode Brad," in ji Yvette. "Na dawo San Luis Obispo ne don halartar bikin maraba da ku yau da dare da kuma kallon gwajin gwajin na Starfire, kuma ina da wasu ƙarin tambayoyi a gare ku. Har yanzu kuna garin?
    
  "Iya. Amma da sassafe zan tafi Dutsen Yaƙi. "
    
  "Oh, ba shakka, tashi zuwa tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong a cikin jirgin tsakiyar dare. Ina tayaka murna."
    
  "Na gode". Damn, wannan muryar tana da ban tsoro, Brad ya yi tunani.
    
  "Ba na so in dame ka, amma idan kana da 'yanci, zan so in yi wasu 'yan tambayoyi kuma in sami ra'ayinka game da zuwa tashar sararin samaniya," in ji Yvette. "Zan iya zama a harabar a cikin 'yan mintoci kaɗan."
    
  "Ba na cikin harabar," in ji Brad. "Ina shirye-shiryen tashi sama a cikin jirgin sama na a shirye-shiryen tashin zuwa Dutsen Battle."
    
  "Kuna da jirgin ku, Brad?"
    
  "Wannan na mahaifina ne. Ina tashi a duk damar da na samu."
    
  "Yaya ban sha"awa! Ina son 'yancin tashi. Yana da ban al'ajabi don samun damar yin tsalle a kan jirgin ku kuma ku tashi zuwa wani wuri a ɗan lokaci kaɗan."
    
  "Wannan tabbas ne," in ji Brad. "Ashe matukin jirgi ne?"
    
  "Ina da lasisin matukin jirgi na haske na Turai kawai," in ji Yvette. "Ban iya tashi daga San Luis Obispo zuwa Dutsen Battle. Na yi imani tafiya ce mai sauƙi a cikin jirgin ku. "
    
  "Tafiya tana ɗaukar kimanin sa'o'i tara," in ji Brad. "Zan iya yin shi a cikin kadan fiye da biyu."
    
  "Abin mamaki. Dole ne jirgin ya kasance mai kyau sosai."
    
  "Kuna son ganin wannan?"
    
  "Ba na so in dora ka, Brad," in ji Yvette. "Kuna da wasu muhimman kwanaki a gabanku, kuma ina da 'yan tambayoyi."
    
  "Ba matsala ba ne," in ji Brad. "Ku tafi kudu kan titin Broad, ku juya dama kan titin filin jirgin sama kuma ku tsaya a hanyar fita mai alamar 'General Aviation' a hagu. Zan fito na bude muku shi."
    
  "To... Ina son ganin jirgin ku, amma ba na so in dame ku."
    
  "Ba komai. Ina jira kawai jirgin ya sabunta kansa. Kamfanin zai yi kyau. "
    
  "To, a wannan yanayin, zan yi farin cikin kasancewa tare da ku," in ji Yvette. "Zan iya zuwa nan da kusan mintuna goma. Ina tuka farar Volvo na haya."
    
  Bayan mintuna goma daidai, wata farar mota kirar Volvo ta tashi zuwa ginin tashar. Brad ya bi ta gate ɗin da ake tuƙi sannan ya zazzage katin shigarsa kan mai karatu, gate ɗin ya fara buɗewa. Ya yi tsalle kan babur dinsa ya koma hangarsa, Volvo ba a baya ba.
    
  Brad ya bar ƙofofin hangar biyu a buɗe kuma fitilu na ciki a kunne don Yvette ta iya ganin Silver Eagle yayin da ta tashi. "Na yi farin cikin sake ganin ku, Brad," in ji ta yayin da take fitowa daga motar. Ta girgiza masa hannu, sannan ta mika masa katin kasuwanci. "Ina fatan za ku tuna da ni?"
    
  "Eh, tabbas ina so," in ji Brad. Damn, ya lura da kansa, ta ma fi jima'i fiye da na baya. Ya juya ya nufi jirgin. "Ga ta taho."
    
  "Wannan abin mamaki ne!" Yvette ta lura. "Kamar kuna kiyaye shi a cikin marar kyau."
    
  "Har yanzu ina tsammanin jirgin mahaifina ne, don haka ina aiki da shi a duk damar da na samu kuma in tsaftace shi bayan kowane jirgin," in ji Brad.
    
  "Mahaifinka babban mutum ne," in ji Yvette. "Na yi hakuri da rashinka."
    
  Brad ko da yaushe ya tuna da wasa har zuwa wadannan ji da kafofin watsa labarai akai-akai shawarar zuwa gare shi - yana da wuya, amma ya samu da kyau da kuma kyau a riya cewa mahaifinsa ya mutu da gaske. "Na gode," ya amsa.
    
  Yvette ta shiga cikin hangar kuma ta fara sha'awar jirgin. "Don haka. Fada mani game da jirgin ku na sexy, Brad McLanahan."
    
  "Ana kiransa da Silver Eagle, Cessna P21¢ Centurion wanda injin piston mai karfin 310 ya maye gurbinsa da injin turboprop mai karfin doki 450," in ji Brad. "Hakanan yana da tarin wasu gyare-gyare. Gudun tafiye-tafiye kusan mil ɗari biyu da hamsin a cikin sa'a guda, ya kai mil dubu ɗaya, rufin ƙafa dubu ashirin da uku."
    
  "Ooo". Ta yi wa Brad wani mugun murmushi ta ce, "Hakan zai sa ya cancanci shiga Babban Klub din Four Miles, ba kawai Miles High Club ba, ko?" Brad ya yi ƙoƙari ya yi wa baƙuwarta dariya, amma sai ya fito a matsayin rashin kunya yayin da ya shagala, yana mamakin yadda jahannama ya yi nasarar shiga wannan kulob a rumfar Eagle Silver. "Kuma kun ce jirgin ya sabunta kansa?"
    
  "Ana watsa sabuntawa ta tauraron dan adam," in ji Brad, yana girgiza kansa daga tunaninsa. "Lokacin da nake buƙatar su, kawai in shigar da jirgin zuwa wani tushen wutar lantarki na waje, kunna shi kuma in jira."
    
  "Wannan ba kamar yadda aka saba ba ne na sabunta abubuwan hawa da bayanan bayanai."
    
  "Wannan jirgin yana da kayan haɓaka da yawa waɗanda har yanzu ba su samu ga sauran jama'ar sufurin jiragen sama ba," in ji Brad. "Mahaifina ya yi amfani da jirginsa a matsayin gadon gwaji don abubuwa da yawa na fasaha." Ya yi nuni da wata "yar karamar kwallo da aka dora a tsakiyar reshen hannun dama na kasa. "Ya yi amfani da wannan jirgin ne wajen gudanar da aikin sa ido tare da hukumar sintirin jiragen sama na Civil Air shekaru da yawa da suka wuce, don haka ya sanya wadannan na"urori masu auna fikafikan su. Girman wasan kwallon tennis ne, amma suna iya duba kadada ashirin a cikin dakika guda, dare ko rana, daga bangarorin biyu na jirgin da girman inci shida. Hotunan ana watsa su zuwa masu karɓar ƙasa ko kuma ana iya nunawa akan nunin ayyuka da yawa a cikin jirgin tare da lulluɓe da bayanai na jirgin sama ko kewayawa a kansu. Na yi saukowa da yawa a cikin duhun duhu ba tare da wani haske ta amfani da wannan firikwensin ba."
    
  "Ban taɓa jin wannan ba tare da ƙaramin firikwensin irin wannan," in ji Yvette.
    
  "Zan iya yin abubuwan da ke cikin wannan jirgin wanda ba zai kasance ga jama'a ba har tsawon shekaru biyar, watakila goma," in ji Brad. "Cikakken sharewa ta atomatik, shawarwarin kula da zirga-zirgar jiragen sama, tsara jirgin sama ta atomatik da sakewa, sarrafa murya mai sarrafa murya, kuri'a."
    
  "Zan iya rubuta game da wannan, Brad?" Yvette ta tambaya. "Zan iya gaya wa masu karatu game da wannan?"
    
  Brad yayi tunani na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya daga murya. "Ban ga dalilin da ya sa ba," in ji shi. "Ba a sanya shi a matsayin 'babban sirri' ko wani abu makamancin haka - ba a samo shi ba tukuna. Duk wadannan hukumomin tarayya sun amince da su, amma har yanzu ba a samar da su ba ko kuma a ba su sayarwa.
    
  "Amma wannan yana wakiltar makomar zirga-zirgar jiragen sama," in ji Yvette. "Na tabbata masu karatu na za su so su karanta game da shi. Zan iya samun kwafin ƙarin nau'ikan takaddun shaida da yarda don waɗannan kyawawan tsare-tsare?
    
  "Hakika, wannan duk bayanan jama'a ne," in ji Brad. "Bayan na dawo, zan iya tattara muku duk wannan."
    
  "Na gode sosai," in ji Yvette. "Na ga cewa dole ne in sake ziyartar San Luis Obispo bayan dawowar ku..." Ta kalli idanunsa kuma ta dan yi murmushi. "Ba don kawai ku ba ni labarin jirgin ku zuwa sararin samaniya ba, har ma don ku ba ni ƙarin bayani game da jirgin ku mai ban sha'awa. Zan iya duba cikin hedkwatar kulob din mai tsayin mil hudu?"
    
  "Hakika," in ji Brad. Ya bud'e mata k'ofar falon, sannan ya kalleta ya kalli business card d'inta tana sha'awar ciki-kuma eh taji dad'in jakinta mai dad'i, wanda ya rik'o idonsa a cikin jirgin. "Kuna zaune a San Francisco? Wannan kuma jirgi ne mai sauki. Wataƙila zan iya ɗauke ku a San Carlos kuma za mu iya ɗaukar jirgin gwaji kuma wataƙila mu ci abincin rana a Half Moon Bay?"
    
  "Wannan yana da kyau, Brad," in ji Yvette.
    
  "Yvette. Sunan mai kyau ne, "in ji Brad.
    
  "Na gode. Mahaifiyata Faransa ce kuma mahaifina ɗan Sweden ne. Ta juyo gareshi. "Kuna da karimci sosai tare da ku - Oh!" Brad ya juya ya nufi inda take kallo sai yayi mamakin ganin Chris Wall tsaye daf da ita, hannunsa cikin aljihun rigar sa. "Hello yallabai. Za mu iya taimaka muku?"
    
  "Shi abokina ne," in ji Brad. "Yvette, hadu da Chris. Chris, Yvette, ɗan jarida daga Daily Space Daily. Kai tsaye suka kalli juna. "Me ke faruwa, Chris?"
    
  Vol ya yi shiru na wasu dogon lokaci, yana kallon Yvette; to: "Akwai wasu abubuwan da ya kamata mu tattauna kafin ku tafi, idan kuna da ɗan lokaci."
    
  "Tabbas," in ji Brad, yana lumshe ido cikin mamaki. Akwai wani abu da ke faruwa a nan - me yasa Brad bai gano shi ba...? "Yvette, iya ka..."
    
  "Na ɗauki isasshen lokacin ku, Brad," in ji Yvette. "Zan iya imel ɗin tambayoyin da nake da su. Idan kuna da lokaci kafin tashin jirgin, da fatan za a amsa; in ba haka ba, za su iya jira har sai mun sake haduwa bayan jirgin ku." Ta mika hannu Brad ya girgiza shi, sannan Yvette ta matsa gaba ta sumbace shi a kumatu. "Bakomai da jirgin ku da gwada harbin ku. Ina fatan za ku yi tafiya lafiya da babban nasara." Sannan ta mika hannunta ga Sa. "Na yi farin cikin haduwa da ku, Chris," in ji ta. Bayan wasu ƴan ɓacin rai da bugun zuciya, Vol a hankali ya zaro hannunsa na dama daga aljihunsa ya girgiza mata hannu, bai taɓa ɗauke idanunsa daga kanta ba. Yvette ta yi murmushi ta gyada kai, ta yi wa Brad wani irin murmushi, ta shiga motarta ta tafi.
    
  Lokacin da ba ta gani, Brad ya juya zuwa Vol. "Me ke faruwa ne Sajan Major? Kun ba da kalmar gargaɗin kalmar 'abubuwan da ake buƙata'. Me ke faruwa?"
    
  "Wacece?" Vol ya tambaya cikin sanyin murya mai tsoratarwa.
    
  "Mai rahoto na Daily Space Daily, shafin yanar gizon sararin samaniya da ke Ostiriya." Brad ya ba shi katin kasuwanci na Yvette. "Na yi magana da ita a baya, a taron manema labarai."
    
  "Shin ka duba ta kafin ka gayyace ta nan don saduwa da kai daya-daya?"
    
  "A'a, amma jami'a ta tantance ta kuma an ba ta takaddun shaida da samun damar shiga harabar," Brad ya amsa, yana bincika Vol, wanda ya damu da gaske game da haduwar.
    
  "Chimp na iya samun takardun shaidar aikin jarida da damar shiga harabar tare da isasshen ayaba, Trigger," in ji Wohl, ta amfani da sabon alamar kira na Brad, wanda aka ba shi bayan harbin Paso Robles - bai sani ba idan wannan yana nufin harbi ko gaskiyar cewa jakin doki ne. "Ba ka duba ta ba, amma ka gayyace ta cikin hangar ku, da dare, ita kaɗai?"
    
  "Baba yana duba ni," in ji Brad. Ya manta cewa mahaifinsa zai iya shiga kyamarar tsaro a cikin hangar kuma ya kula da kiran wayarsa, kuma ya gane cewa Patrick ya kira duk wanda ke kusa da shi nan da nan ya je filin jirgin sama ya duba dan jarida.
    
  "Wataƙila ya ceci jakar ku, Trigger," in ji Vol.
    
  "Ok, lafiya, na keta daidaitattun matakan tsaro da matakan sa ido," in ji Brad. "Ku da tawagar ku kun kasance a cikin birni tsawon watanni ba tare da ƙararrawa ɗaya ba, ba tare da gargaɗi ko ɗaya ba. Yanzu, me yasa kalmar wucewar gargadi kwatsam? Ta yaya kuka san barazanar ce?"
    
  "Ban sani ba tabbas-har yanzu-amma ina da zato mai ƙarfi, kuma shine kawai abin da nake buƙata," in ji Wohl. A karo na farko tun lokacin da Brad ya yi aiki tare da Chris Wall, ya ga babban sajan mai ritaya mai jinkiri, kamar dai ya ... kunya? Chris Wohl, wani sojan sojan ruwa na Amurka mai ritaya Sajan Major wanda ya damu da menene jahannama kowa yayi tunaninsa...?
    
  "Mene ne jahannama, Sajan Major?" Brad ya ce.
    
  "Na sami ma'auni da ... tsammanin amsa daga mutane lokacin da na fara saduwa da su, musamman ... musamman mata," in ji Wohl.
    
  "Bari in yi tsammani: sun koma cikin firgita mai jujjuyawar ciki a ganin hasken hasken ku kawai," in ji Brad cikin nutsuwa. "Nima naji kamar yadda na fara ganinki."
    
  "Tare da dukkan girmamawa, Trigger, yi muku wasa," in ji Vol. Wannan, Brad yana tunanin, shine ainihin Chris Wall da ya sani. "Ba ka lura da wannan tare da abokiyarka Yvette ba, ko? Kun kasance cikin sakaci a cikin dabarun dabarun ku, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Me kake magana, Sajan Major?"
    
  "Shin ka ga yadda abokinka Yvette ya amsa lokacin da ta gan ni?" - Vol ya tambaya.
    
  "Iya. Tayi mamaki. Kadan." Amma Brad ya tuna kuma ya sake bitar amsarsa. "Kuma mai dadi."
    
  "Kana tunanin haka, Trigger?" - Vol ya tambaya.
    
  "I..." Brad ya dakata. Allah, a tunaninsa, gaba daya na rasa abin da ke damun babban tsohon Marine, watakila ma... ya firgita shi? Ya yi tunani sosai, sannan ya ce, "A gaskiya, an tattara ta sosai. Gaskiya ba ta mayar maka da gigita ko mamaki ba, kamar yadda na ga har manya suna yi. Amma ta kasance mai ladabi."
    
  "Lafiya, eh," in ji Vol. "Me kuma? Me da gaske take ƙoƙarin cimma ta hanyar kyautatawa ga wani mummuna, baƙo mai ban mamaki wanda ba zato ba tsammani ya bayyana a bayanta, wani abu da ba ta tsammani? Me kuma ta gano, Trigger?"
    
  "Ita..." Hankalin Brad ya tashi, yana ƙoƙari ya cim ma abin da Chris Wall ya rigaya ya gani a baya, abin da shi da kansa ya kamata ya gane idan ba a shagala da abubuwan waje ba - wato, jima'i - abubuwan. "Ta ... tana ƙoƙarin gano yadda za ta ... mu'amala da ku," in ji Brad a ƙarshe.
    
  "'Ma'amala da ni?"
    
  Brad ya sake jinkiri, amma amsar a bayyane take: "Kawar da ku," ya gyara kansa. Mai tsarki, Brad yayi tunani, idanunsa sun lumshe yana girgiza kansa cikin rashin imani. "Tana bin jakina ne, amma ka fito ka kama ta, kuma ba ta san abin da za ta yi ba," in ji shi. "Dole ne ta yanke shawara na biyu na ƙarshe game da ko za ta kai hari ko kuma ta ja da baya, kuma ta yanke shawarar ja da baya. Oh shit...!"
    
  "A ƙarshe, kuna tunani da dabara," in ji Vol. "Kina tunanin idan kun yi "yan watanni ba tare da wani abu ya faru ba, za ku zauna lafiya? Ba za ku iya yin kuskure ba. Lokaci koyaushe yana jin daɗin mafarauci mai haƙuri. Wannan yana ba abokan gaba ƙarin lokaci don lura, tsarawa, sake tsarawa da aiwatarwa. Kuna tunanin haka ne saboda miyagu ba su kai hari tsawon wata shida ba har suka daina? Ba daidai ba. Haka kuma, ba za ku iya samun ƙarin yin kuskure ba. " Vol ya murtuke fuska, hakan ya sa ƙullun fuskarsa ya zurfafa. "Faɗa min, Trigger: za ka sake ganin abokinka?"
    
  "Tabbas, lokacin da ta gama bin ni kuma ta shigo don kisan," in ji Brad. "Amma a matsayin dan jarida? Taba. Za ta nutse a karkashin kasa."
    
  "Gaskiya," in ji Vol. "Ba ta gama farauta ba, amma ba za ku sake ganin ta yi hira da kowa ba, aƙalla ba a Arewacin Amirka ba." Ya dubeta cikin duhun da ke kara girma. "Ta samu dama da dama ta yi maka fim a nan filin jirgin sama, daga nesa, ba tare da jami"an tsaro ko na"urar daukar hoto ta lura da su ba, kuma ba ta yi amfani da su ba. Me wannan ke gaya muku, Trigger?"
    
  "Cewa ba ta son yin hakan daga nesa," in ji Brad. "Ta fi so ta yi kusa."
    
  "Me kuma?"
    
  Brad yayi tunani na ɗan lokaci; sannan: "Ba ta tsoron a dauke ta. Ta yi imanin cewa za ta iya tserewa, ko kuma tana da raga a bayanta da ta tabbata za ta iya fitar da ita."
    
  "Ko duka biyun," in ji Vol. Ya kalli katin kasuwanci. "Sai. A cikin Yaren mutanen Sweden yana nufin 'takobi'. Na yi imani cewa ta zaɓi wannan sunan don murfin don wani dalili." Brad ya haɗiye sosai a waɗannan kalmomi. "Ta kasance da taurin kai, tabbas: ta zaɓi murfin da ke nuna mata a cikin ɗakuna masu ɗauke da kyamarori da microphones, kuma ba ta jin tsoron yin sutura ta hanyar da za ta jawo hankalin kanta - daidai da abin da ta koya. Ita ko dai wawa ce ko kuma mai hazaka mai kisa. Lallai ita cucumber mai aji ce. Nasan akwai hotunanta da yawa a wurin. Zan sa tawagar ta fara bin ta." Ya dan yi tunani. "Huggins ya riga ya kasance a Dutsen Battle, dama?"
    
  "Casey ta tafi da wuri don su dace da kwat ɗin ta," in ji Brad.
    
  "Mene ne yanayi tsakanin nan da Dutsen Battle wannan maraice?"
    
  "Girgije kan Saliyo, watakila ɗan tashin hankali a saman, amma in ba haka ba lafiya."
    
  "Kuna da wani abu da aka shirya a harabar daren nan, dama?"
    
  "Kwalejin Injiniya za ta yi ɗan biki don Team Starfire."
    
  "Wani abu ya faru kuma dole ne ka ba da rahoto zuwa Dutsen Battle da wuri don shirya jirgin zuwa tashar sararin samaniya," in ji Wohl. "Za ku yi hakuri anjima. An gayyaci sabon abokinku Yvette zuwa wannan liyafa, ko?" Brad bai ce komai ba, amma fahimtar ya fito fili a fuskarsa. "Da na yi ƙarfin hali na sake gwadawa a wannan rana, a nan ne da na yi ta jira. Ba za ku dawo zuwa makarantar ba." Bai sami wani raddi daga Brad-wanda ya san kusantar da zai zo ya zama wanda aka azabtar da matar ta gaba, idan da gaske ita ce wacce suke tsammani ita ce. "Ku yi shirye-shiryen kafin tashin jirgin, sannan ku hau hanya da wuri-wuri. Zan jira a nan sai kun tashi."
    
  Brad ya gyada kai ya shiga hangar. Amma kafin ya fara shirye-shiryen tashi sama, sai ya juya kan kyamarar tsaro da ke lungu ya ce, "Na gode Baba."
    
  Bayan 'yan dakiku kadan ya samu sako a wayar salularsa. Aka ce: sannu da zuwa, ɗa. Tashi lafiya.
    
    
  SAMA DA SABON TSAKIYAR MEXICO
  RANA MAI ZUWA
    
    
  "Yanke matsi," in ji Boomer. Brad McLanahan ya yanke wasu daga cikin wutar lantarki kuma ya ba da damar jirgin saman S-19 na tsakar dare ya koma wurin tuntuɓar juna a baya da kuma ƙarƙashin jirgin sama na Sky Masters Aerospace B-767. Rikicin mai ya ja baya a ƙarƙashin wutsiyar tankar.
    
  "Komai a bayyane yake, Tsakar dare ta Bakwai," in ji muryar macen na'urar kwamfuta na ma'aikacin katanga. "Akwai wani abu kuma da za mu iya yi muku, Bakwai?"
    
  "Zai yi kyau a sha kofi," in ji Boomer, "amma idan hakan ya kasa, za mu ce adios."
    
  Tanker 767 ya fara juyawa hagu mai kaifi. "Master Uku-Daya a bayyane yake, Bakwai," in ji muryar. "A yini lafiya".
    
  Boomer ya ɗaga visor ɗin iskar oxygen ɗin sa na elastomeric na lantarki, ya kalli kwamfutoci na Tsakar dare Spaceplane suna gudanar da jerin abubuwan dubawa na "Bayan Refueling" da "Kafin Jirgin Sama", sannan ya kalli Brad a kujerar kwamandan manufa. kwalkwali; safofin hannu hannayensa na kwance akan controls na gefe yana murzawa a kan na'urar wasan bidiyo na tsakiya, ya zauna cikin nutsuwa, yana kallon gaba, kai tsaye, kamar yana kallon talabijin a kan kujera. Brad ya ɗaga visor na hular sa lokacin da ya lura da Boomer yana yin haka.
    
  "Ka sani, Brad, kai ne fasinja na biyu a jere da na yi wanda ya sa idanuna suka yi ruwa."
    
  "Zan sake cewa?" Brad ya ce.
    
  "Shugaban farko Phoenix, kuma yanzu ku: ku biyu ku yi kamar kun kasance 'yan sama jannati tsawon shekaru," in ji Boomer. "Kuna tashi jirgin sama kamar pro. Ka ga dama gida."
    
  "Hakika wannan bai bambanta da mai fashewar B-1B ba, Boomer," in ji Brad. Sky Masters Aerospace, karkashin jagorancin Patrick McLanahan, ya gyara wasu bama-bamai na B-1B Lancer da aka kori tare da mayar da su aiki, kuma Brad ya sami horon jigilar jiragen sama daga Dutsen Battle zuwa Guam don magance mummunan ayyukan Jamhuriyar Jama'ar Sin a kan su. makwabta a Kudancin China. teku. "Yana da yawa da za a iya jujjuya shi a cikin mafi girman saurin iska, amma a subsonic yana sarrafa ƙashi-kamar, kuma hoton da ke gani a wurin tuntuɓar mai a ƙarƙashin tanki kusan daidai yake da B-1."
    
  "To, na burge," in ji Boomer. "Kun sarrafa shi da hannu don yawancin jirgin, daga wurin zama na dama ba kaɗan ba, kuma kuna sanye da rigar sararin samaniya da manyan safofin hannu don yin taya. Kun shirya don mataki na gaba?"
    
  Brad ya ce: "Na yi imani da ku, Boomer."
    
  "Ina son yin fare kawai," in ji Boomer. "Don haka, ya zuwa yanzu mafi munin G-force da kuka samu ya kusan biyu, amma yanzu zai ɗan ƙara tsananta. Za mu yi amfani da matsakaicin kusan Gs huɗu, amma za ku ji su na tsawon lokaci. Zan bar ku ku tashi da hannu, amma idan g-forces sun yi yawa, sanar da ni kuma zan bar George autopilot ya tashi. Ka tuna cewa yatsunka zasu auna kusan fam guda kowanne. Kada ku yi ƙoƙarin yin tsayayya - faɗi wani abu kuma zan shiga cikin autopilot."
    
  "Zan yi, Boomer."
    
  "Lafiya. Casey?
    
  "Iya, Boomer?" Casey Huggins ya amsa. Ta kasance a cikin tsarin fasinja na jirgin a cikin mashigin kaya tare da Jessica "Gonzo" Faulkner. Casey yana sanye da wani sashi na matsi mai rufaffiyar visor; Gonzo yana sanye da matsattsen EEAS.
    
  "Ku tuna da abin da muka gaya muku game da yin nauyi," in ji Boomer. "Idan kun kasance kan abin nadi a baya, kun ji irin matsi kamar yadda za ku ji a yanzu, kawai zai daɗe. Wurin zama zai taimake ka ka guje wa matsin lamba. A shirye?"
    
  "Na shirya, Boomer."
    
  "Gonzo?"
    
  "Shirya".
    
  "Brad?"
    
  "Na shirya".
    
  "Sai ku shirya don jin daɗi, Kwamandan Ofishin Jakadancin," Boomer ya gaya wa Brad. "Direktar jirgin ku na gaban ku. Ina rike da ku da magudanar ruwa. Ci gaba da daraktan jirgin a tsakiya, kamar yadda za ku yi idan kuna tashi siginar tsarin saukar kayan aiki. Za mu fara da kusan digiri goma sha biyu tare da hanci sama, amma zai karu yayin da saurin ya karu. Kamar yadda ka ce, S-19 yana son tafiya da sauri, don haka tuƙi zai ji sauƙi da sauri yana ɗaukar sauri, har sai mun kasance sama da yanayin kuma sandunan sarrafawa suna canzawa zuwa yanayin sarrafa amsawa, sannan kuma yana da nau'i mai girma. Yanzu ina nuna mana taga saka. Jerin abubuwan dubawa sun cika. Ku tafi."
    
  Boomer a hankali ya ci gaba da magudanar ruwa. Brad ya tilasta wa kansa kwantar da hankali yayin da yake jin haɓakawa da G-forces sun fara ginawa. Yaga fukafukan daraktan jirgin ya hau sama sai ya zaro sandar control din da karfi sannan fukafukan sun gangaro kasa wanda hakan ke nufin hancinsu ya yi yawa. "Ki kwantar da hankalinki, Brad. Ta yi zamiya. Ikon taɓawa haske." Brad ya sassauta rikonsa akan abubuwan sarrafawa kuma a hankali ya jagoranci fikafikan darektan jirgin zuwa ga dala. "Shi ke nan," in ji Boomer. "Kada ku yi tsammani. Kyakkyawan shigarwa mai sauƙi."
    
  Lambobin Mach sun ragu da sauri kuma sun tashi daga yanayin turbojet zuwa yanayin scramjet da sauri fiye da yadda Brad zai yi tsammani. "Miloli sittin da biyu a sama, Brad da Casey - taya murna, ku 'yan sama jannatin Amurka ne," in ji Boomer. "Yaya kowa?"
    
  "Kyakkyawan ... mai kyau," in ji Casey, a fili yana takura daga iri. "Nawa...ya...ya tsawo?"
    
  "Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan sannan za mu canza zuwa yanayin makami mai linzami," in ji Boomer. "Yawan lodin zai yi tsalle daga uku zuwa hudu - kadan mafi girma, amma ba zai dade ba." Ya dubi Brad, wanda da kyar ya motsa ko kadan a lokacin hanzari. "Lafiya kuwa, kwamandan mishan?"
    
  "Ina lafiya, Boomer."
    
  "Kuna yin kyau. Kuna da wata gasa a nan, Gonzo."
    
  "Ban yi hutu ba da dadewa-Brad zai iya daukar sauyi na," in ji Gonzo.
    
  Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan, injunan scramjet suna da cikakken ƙarfi kuma Boomer ya sanya Leopards cikin cikakken yanayin roka. Ya lura da ƴan ƙarin karkata a kujeran darektan jirgin, kodayake Brad yana zaune a tsaye kuma ba ze motsa tsoka ba. "Ba komai lafiya, Brad?"
    
  "Ni... ina tunanin haka..."
    
  "Yi yawo a wurin shakatawa," in ji Boomer. "Kada ku yi tunanin gaskiyar cewa idan kun zame sama da digiri biyu, za ku iya aiko mana da faduwa daga sararin sama har mil dubu biyu har sai mun yi karo da mu dawo duniya cikin ƴan wuta."
    
  "Na gode ... na gode, aboki," Brad ya yi gunaguni.
    
  "Na ga kun cire tunanin ku daga GS," in ji Boomer, "kuma tsarin ku ya daidaita sosai." Kuma a wannan lokacin "damisa" ya kashe, kuma nauyin ya tsaya. "Duba? Babu matsala kuma muna kan hanya. Zan kunna George don ku huta na minti daya kuma ku sake numfashi a kullum." A karo na farko a cikin sa'o'i, Brad ya cire hannunsa daga controls da throttled. "Zai ɗauki kusan rabin sa'a kafin mu isa tashar."
    
  Brad ya ji kamar ya kwashe sa'o'i biyu ne kawai Chris Wall da tawagarsa suka doke shi a dakin motsa jiki. "Za mu iya tayar da visor?" Ya tambaya.
    
  Boomer ya bincika karatun muhalli. "Eh, za ka iya," in ji shi. "Matsi na gida kore ne, a sarari don ɗaga visor. Za mu ba Brad minti daya ya huta - yana da ɗan motsa jiki mai kyau, yana tuka jirgin da hannu daga sifili zuwa mach ashirin da biyar. A cikin 'yan mintoci kaɗan, zan tambaye shi ya dawo kan tsarin fasinja kuma in nemi Casey ya zo don tashar jirgin ruwa. Kowa yana jin daɗi kuma cikin kwanciyar hankali yana zagayawa cikin ɗakin."
    
  Brad ya ɗaga visor ɗinsa, sannan ya sami kwalbar ruwansa ya ba shi rafi mai zurfi, yana tabbatar da kiyaye laɓɓansa a kusa da bututun kuma ya zurfafa ruwan cikin bakinsa don haka tsokoki na makogwaro su iya ɗaukar shi cikin cikinsa - nauyi ba zai iya ƙara ba. yi masa. Ya taimaka ya kwantar da cikinsa, amma kaɗan. Ya ajiye kwalbar ruwan, sannan ya ce, "Lafiya, Casey, na shirya."
    
  Ya ɗauki yawan gunaguni, nishi, buge-buge da buga kwalkwali, amma Brad a ƙarshe ya sami damar tashi daga wurin zamansa ya yi tafiya zuwa wurin jirgin. "Ba mummuna ba a karon farko, Brad," in ji Boomer, "amma Shugaba Phoenix ya fi kyau."
    
  "Na gode abokina," in ji Brad. Zero Gs ya zama kamar baƙon abu - ya kusan fi son Gs masu kyau, yana tunani, har ma da murkushe su. Ya bud'e k'ofar airlock, ya shiga ciki ya rufe k'ok'arin. "An rufe ƙyanƙyashe," in ji shi.
    
  "Komai ya dace a nan," in ji Boomer.
    
  K'ofar fasinja ta bud'e, Casey na can gefe tana shawagi a kwance kamar aljana mai lemu da murmushi a fuskarta. "Wannan ba abin mamaki bane, Brad?" - Ta ce. "Kalle ni! Ina jin kamar girgije!"
    
  "Kuna da kyau, Casey," in ji Brad. Da ma na ji haka, ya yi tunani. Ya koma baya daga ƙyanƙyashe don barin Casey ya wuce, kuma an ba shi lada da bugun kan babban dutse, bugun da dama a kan bene da silin yayin da yake ƙoƙarin tsayawa da ƙafafu, da kuma wani bugun kansa.
    
  "Nice, sauki motsi, Brad," Gonzo ya gaya masa. "Ka tuna..."
    
  "Na sani, na sani: babu wani nauyi da zai iya hana ni," in ji Brad.
    
  "Kalli Casey za ku koya," Gonzo ya ce da murmushi.
    
  "Sannun ka, Brad," Casey ya ce cikin fara'a. Da kyar ta taba babban kan, ta zame kamar fatalwa cikin makullin iska.
    
  "Ka nuna," Brad ya yi magana yayin da yake taimakawa rufe ƙyanƙyashe. Bai iya jira ya shiga kujerarsa ba, ya daura bel dinsa da kayan aikin kafada, sannan ya kara matsawa irin wannan madaurin.
    
    
  TAKWAS
    
    
  Nasara tana da ɓangarorin duhu masu yawa.
    
  - ANITA RODDICK
    
    
    
  PLESETSK COSMODROME
  YANKIN ARKHANGELSK, AREWA MASO YAWA NA TARAYYAR RUSIYA
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  "Uku ... biyu ... daya ... ƙaddamarwa ..." ya sanar da babban mai kula da cibiyar ƙaddamarwa. Jirgin ya yi rawar jiki, sannan ya girgiza, sannan ya yi ta ratsawa kamar zai karye, amma sai dan sama jannatin ya ji an ware hasumiya mai riko. Rikicin ya tsaya, ba da jimawa ba dakarun g-force sun fara ginawa yayin da motar harba Angara-A7P ta fara hawanta.
    
  "Babban injuna suna da ƙarfi a kashi ɗari, duk tsarin al'ada ne," in ji wani ɗan sama jannatin kaɗai. Kanar Mikhail Galtin shi ne na daya mai aiki da sararin samaniya a Tarayyar Rasha kuma kwamandan sashin horar da 'yan sama jannati a Star City kusa da Moscow. Ya kasance tsohon soja na shekaru ashirin da biyu na Tarayyar Soviet da Rasha Space Corps, bayan da ya kammala jigilar jama'a har guda hudu, ciki har da jigilar farko daga tashar sararin samaniya zuwa wani. Ya kuma yi jirage da yawa zuwa sararin samaniya kan ayyukan sirri, ciki har da tashoshin sararin samaniyar soja guda biyu da ke kan Salyut 7 da Mir. Amma an san shi a cikin da'irar 'yan sama jannati a matsayin memba na tawagar zane, daya daga cikin matukan jirgi na farko, kuma a yanzu matukin jirgin sama mafi kwarewa na Electron, jirgi daya tilo da aka kera musamman a matsayin jirgin sama mai kai hari - mayaƙin sararin samaniya.
    
  Galtin ya kasance mataimaki na mafi hazaka da ƙwararrun ƴan sararin samaniya na Tarayyar Soviet tun Yuri Gagarin: Laftanar Janar Alesandr Govorov, Kanar Andrei Kozhedub da Kanar Yuri Livy. Govorov majagaba ne na gaskiya, uban Rundunar Tsaron Sararin Samaniya ta Tarayyar Soviet, rukunin soja na farko a duniya wanda ya sadaukar da kai wajen gudanar da ayyukan sararin samaniya don kare ƙasarsu. Babu wani jirgin saman soja daya da ya taka kafarsa a cikin wani jirgin sama sai dai in Govorov ne ya fara yi, ko da kuwa wani kwafin Electron ne ko Salyut. Kozhedub da Libya sune "Red Barons" na Rundunar Sojan Sama na Tarayyar Soviet, Govorov's wingmen a kan ayyukan yajin aiki da abokan gaba masu haɗari a sararin samaniya ko a duniya. Galtin ya kasance matashi ne kawai mai horarwa lokacin da waɗannan kattai na sararin samaniya suka mamaye Amurka da tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong a yaƙi.
    
  Kumbon na Electron ya mamaye matakin sama na motar harba na Angara, inda aka dora shi a tsaye saman motar harbawa da jelansa da fukafukansa a dunkule, a cikin wata rumbun kariya da za ta bude bayan ya isa kewayawa da kuma ba da damar jirgin ya tashi cikin walwala. Duk da cewa Galtin na da shirin na'urar Elektron mai kujeru biyu, duk jiragen saman da ke tashi a halin yanzu suna da kujeru guda, kuma su ne jirgin sama daya tilo a duniya da ya dauki fasinja daya kacal zuwa sararin samaniya.
    
  A cikin ƙasa da mintuna goma, Galtin yana cikin kewayawa. Ya gudanar da gwaje-gwaje masu yawa a kan jirgin sa na Electron da nauyinsa yayin da yake jiran abin da ya sa a gaba ya shigo cikin kewayo.
    
  "Electron One, wannan shine iko," in ji mai kula da aikin sa'o'i biyu bayan haka. "Nisa zuwa Cosmos-714 bai wuce kilomita ɗari ba."
    
  "An yarda," in ji Galtin. Ya kunna radar Electron kuma cikin dakika kadan ya gano abin da ya nufa. "Electron One" ya yi hulɗa da radar." Kosmos 714 wani tauraron dan adam ne na sauraren kunne na lantarki wanda ya kasa kuma ya kasance a cikin ruɓaɓɓen kewayawa na shekaru da yawa - da ya yi manufa mai kyau . sun ratsa nisan kilomita biyar a kusa da su.
    
  Kamar yadda yake tare da kowane matukin jirgin yaƙi, ya zama dole a yi ɗan ƙaramin aikin harbi lokaci zuwa lokaci.
    
  Galtin ya shiga umarni wanda ya bude kofofin kaya a saman fuselage kuma ya ciro wata katuwar gwangwani mai suna Nail ko "Nail Pull" daga wurin da aka ajiye da kuma kulle. A cikin tazarar kilomita hamsin, ya shigar da umarni a cikin matukin jirginsa, wanda zai kula da halayen Electron kuma ya juya kumbon don bin diddigin tauraron dan adam yayin da yake wucewa. Jiragen saman guda biyu suna gabatowa a cikin gudun sama da kilomita dubu talatin a cikin sa'a guda, amma wannan ba zai shafi wannan makami ba.
    
  A nisan kilomita talatin ya kunna makamin. Babu wani abu da za a gani a wajen Electron, amma akan allon radar, Galtin ya lura da yanayin da tauraron dan adam ya yi niyya a cikin radar, kuma bayan 'yan dakiku, ya lura cewa abubuwa da yawa sun bayyana a kan radar - tauraron dan adam ya tsage. ban da.
    
  Hobnail shine laser carbon dioxide coaxial kilowatt dari tare da fitarwar lantarki. Matsakaicin iyaka na Laser ya fi kilomita hamsin, amma ko da a irin wannan nisa Laser na iya ƙone ta cikin santimita na ƙarfe mai ɗorewa a cikin daƙiƙa guda - harsashin da ke kan Cosmos-714 ya fi siriri sosai. Batura na Laser sun ba shi damar yin wuta kusan kusan daƙiƙa talatin, ba za su wuce daƙiƙa biyar a kowane fashe ba, wanda yayi daidai da fashewar abubuwa shida zuwa bakwai dangane da tsawon lokacin da aka kunna na'urar. Wannan ya kai kusan rabin girman makamin Electron na yanzu, makamai masu linzami na Scimitar masu saurin gudu, amma Hobnail yana da iyaka da daidaito sosai kuma yana iya kaiwa hari ta kowace hanya, har ma da maƙasudin tsallakawa cikin sauri. Wannan shi ne gwajin farko na nasara na Hobnail a sararin samaniya, kodayake an yi amfani da Laser cikin nasara a cikin dakin gwaje-gwaje shekaru da yawa. Kowane jirgin sama na Elektron zai karɓi guda ɗaya a ƙarshe, haka kuma sashin Orbital na Rasha, wani yanki da Rasha ta gina na tashar sararin samaniya ta ƙasa da aka raba kwanan nan da ISS.
    
  Galtin ya shigar da umarni a cikin kwamfutarsa don mayar da ƙusa zuwa cikin mashigar kaya kuma ya kashe radar harinsa. Ba zai fara saukowa daga sararin samaniya ba har tsawon sa'o'i bakwai masu zuwa, amma yana da ƙarin aiki guda ɗaya don kammalawa.
    
  Bayan sa'o'i uku, sai ya kunna radar, kuma ga shi, daidai inda ya kamata, kilomita talatin kawai, a cikin kewayon Hobnail: Armstrong, tashar sararin samaniyar sojojin Amurka. Ya kasance a wani tsayin da ya fi tsayi kuma a cikin wani yanayi daban-daban - babu wani hadari na karo - amma tabbas da Amurkawa sun yi kaca-kaca game da irin wannan jirgin sama da gangan.
    
  Yayi muni sosai, Galtin yayi tunani cikin farin ciki. Sarari ba na Amurka ba ne. Kuma, idan ya cancanta, zai sake zama fagen fama.
    
    
  ARMSTRONG SPACE STATION
  RANA MAI ZUWA
    
    
  "Ya Allahna, ba zan iya yarda da abin da nake gani ba!" - Jodie Cavendish ya furta yayin da mai duba ya zo rayuwa. Bayan ta ne aka yi ta yawo da 'yan kallo da hukumar leken asirin Amurka ta ba su damar kallon harbin gwajin da aka yi - suna dakon isowar shugaban Amurka cikin sa'o'i biyu. Abin da suka gani shi ne Brad McLanahan da Casey Huggins, dukansu suna sanye da riguna masu shuɗi tare da tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong da Project Starfire, suna iyo cikin faɗuwa kyauta a bayan na'urar wasan bidiyo. Bayan su akwai Kai Raydon da Valerie Lucas. "Ka yi! Kun yi shi!"
    
  "Hi Jodi; hi Jerry; Hi Lane, "in ji Brad. "Gaisuwa daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong!"
    
  "Ba zan iya yarda da abin da nake gani ba," in ji Jodie, hawaye na farin ciki na bin kuncinta. "Ba zan taɓa yarda cewa wannan zai faru ba, abokai."
    
  Lane ta ce: "Ku mutanen kun yi kyau." "Yaya tafiyar jirgin ya kasance?"
    
  "Abin mamaki, Lane," Brad ya amsa. "Yawan lodin bai yi muni kamar yadda na zata ba."
    
  "Ka yi magana da kanka, buster," in ji Casey. Wani abin al'ajabi ne ka ga wata budurwa tana shawagi babu nauyi, kafafunta a matse a karkashinta, kamar kowane dan sama jannati - abu ne mai ban mamaki ba a gan ta a cikin keken guragu ba. "Na dauka zan juyo a ciki."
    
  "Ya ku mutanen kuna lafiya?"
    
  "Ba mara kyau ba," in ji Brad.
    
  Casey ya yi dariya ya ce, "Ya kasance yana zubar da hanjinsa."
    
  "Sau biyu kawai," in ji Brad. "An yi min allura kuma na ji dadi yanzu."
    
  "Ina jin dizziness lokaci zuwa lokaci, amma ina jin dadi, Lane," in ji Casey. "Ko da yake har yanzu ina da jakar barf dina."
    
  "Mun ji cewa kun iya tuka jirgin sama har ma da tashar jirgin," in ji Lane. "Yaya kyau! Yaya abin ya kasance?"
    
  "Na sami wasu lokuta marasa tabbas, amma komai ya yi kyau," in ji Brad. "Ina fata matukin jirgi Boomer ya kasance a nan, amma dole ne ya dauki jirgin zuwa tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa - tun lokacin da Rashawa suka rufe tsarin aikinsu, ba za su iya samar da ruwa mai yawa da oxygen kamar yadda suke yi ba, don haka wasu daga cikin masu fasaha. dole ya tafi. Menene kama daga can, Jody?"
    
  "Apple, Brad," in ji Jodie. "Duk da haka, har yanzu muna samun gazawa ta lokaci-lokaci a cikin fitar da kayan aikin lithium-ion capacitor, wanda muke aiki akai na makonni biyu yanzu."
    
  "Shin Jerry yana kan tashar tare da mu?"
    
  Jodi ya ce "Yana ganawa da tawagarsa a kan taron bidiyo don neman mafita," in ji Jodi. "Yana tunanin matsalar zafi ce - ya ce lokacin da tashar ke cikin hasken rana, relay yana aiki da kyau, amma idan suka koma cikin inuwa matsalar wani lokaci tana tasowa."
    
  "Abin takaici, wannan yana nufin shiga cikin sararin samaniya don maye gurbin relay ko na'urar sarrafa zafin jiki," in ji Kai Rydon. "Yana iya ɗaukar kwana ɗaya ko biyu."
    
  "Wannan ba zai shafi matsayin duburar mu ba, yallabai?" - Brad ya tambaya.
    
  " Jinkirin zai sa gwajin ya ɗan yi muni, ya danganta da yawan kwanaki da ake ɗauka don gyarawa," in ji Kai. "Don wannan gwajin, mun sanya Armstrong a cikin abin da ake kira raɗaɗɗen rana, wanda ke nufin za mu haye wuri ɗaya a duniya - wurin da ake kira da White Sand Missile Range - a daidai lokacin hasken rana a kowace rana. . Amma saboda tsayin mu ya yi ƙasa da ƙasa, muna matsar da ƴan digiri daga wurin da ya dace kowace rana, don haka lokacin da muke ganin eriya kai tsaye zai zama gajarta da gajarta, ƙasa da minti ɗaya. A ƙarshe lamarin ya koma baya, amma ana ɗaukar kwanaki ashirin da huɗu don komawa ga yanayin da ya dace. A yanzu muna a daidai lokacin, tare da mafi girman bayyanar da ake samu a wurin da ake niyya. Dole ne mu yi fatan cewa relay zai yi aiki idan lokacin bude wuta ya yi. "
    
  "Allah, hakan zai fi kyau," in ji Jodi, tana shafa kwamfutarta. "Zo baby, za ku iya."
    
  "Yana iya zama abin ban tsoro idan bai yi aiki ba saboda dole ne shugaban kasa ya kula da gwajin," in ji Brad. "Akwai wani abu kuma da za mu iya gwadawa?" Ya kalli cibiyar umarni kuma ya lura da na'ura mai sarrafa Laser Skybolt. "Skybolt fa?" Ya tambaya.
    
  "Skybolt Laser na'urar lantarki ne na kyauta, Brad," in ji Kai. "An kashe shi don mu iya shigar da microwave din ku."
    
  "Me game da tushen wutar lantarki na Skybolt, mai samar da wutar lantarki na magnetohydrodynamic?" - Brad ya tambaya.
    
  "Kina nufin, yi amfani da makamashi daga MHD maimakon hasken rana da kuka tattara?" Valerie Lucas ta tambaya da alamar murmushi. "Shin ba zai zama kamar yaudara ba?"
    
  "Mun girbe makamashi tare da eriya kuma mun adana wutar lantarki a cikin capacitors, Sajan, don haka mun san cewa duk yana aiki," in ji Brad, "kuma mun yi gwaje-gwajen fitarwa a cikin injin microwave, don haka mun san za mu iya samar da makamashi mai yawa. Abin da kawai muke buƙatar yi yanzu don tabbatar da ƙirar shine buga eriya kai tsaye tare da maser kuma mu sanya shi samar da wutar lantarki a ƙasa. Wataƙila za mu iya yin wannan tare da MHD maimakon makamashi a cikin capacitors wanda ba za mu iya isa ba."
    
  Valerie ta juya ga Kai ta daga kafada. "Mun sami izini don kunna MHD da gwada shi," in ji ta. "Mun yi gwaje-gwaje da yawa a cikakken iko." Ta juya ga Casey, ta tambayi, "Wane irin iko kuke bukata, Casey?"
    
  "Mun shirya wuce kilowatts dari biyar a cikin minti daya ta cikin kogon microwave," in ji Casey.
    
  Valerie ta sake daga murya. "Mun yi fiye da sau goma, amma a cikin gajeren lokaci," in ji ta. "Amma ba ni da shakka cewa MHD zai iya yin hakan. Dole ne mu saka idanu akan matakan dumama a cikin injin injin injin ku da kuma a cikin injin maganadisu, collimator da taruka na lantarki na Skybolt, amma mun riga mun ƙaddara cewa tsarin tsarin Skybolt na iya ɗaukar makamashin da ke fitowa daga masu ƙarfin lithium-ion - Ina da yakinin cewa sun zai iya ɗaukar ƙarfin matakin daidai da lokacin fitarwa kamar janareta na MHD."
    
  "Sa'an nan akwai abu na ƙarshe da za a yi: samun izini daga mutumin da kansa," in ji Kai.
    
  Ba su daɗe ba. Bayan kusan mintuna casa'in, shugaba Kenneth Phoenix ya shiga dakin gwaje-gwaje ya gai da kowa a wurin, ya ƙare da Lane da Jody. Shugaban UC Marcus Harris ya gabatar da mahalarta. Phoenix ya girgiza hannun Jodie da farko. "Lafiya kuwa, Miss Cavendish?"
    
  "Madalla, ya shugaban kasa. Ni ne shugaban kungiyar nanotechnology. Lane Egan shine Jagoran Kwamfuta da Software. "
    
  Shugaban ya girgiza Lane. "Ya kake yau saurayi?"
    
  "Madalla, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Lane. Ya mika wa shugaban kasa alamar tawada ta azurfa, sannan ya zana sarari a gaban gaban injinsa mai shudi da ja na Project Starfire nailan. "Don Allah Malam?" Phoenix yayi murmushi ya zana gaban jaket ɗin Lane cikin manyan haruffa masu lanƙwasa.
    
  "Zan iya gabatar da ku ga sauran shugabannin ƙungiyar Starfire Project, Mr. Shugaba?" Jodie ta ce. Ta yi nuni da katon Monitor dake jikin bango. "Inset a kusurwar hagu na sama shine Jerry Kim, jagoran rukuni don iko da tsarin sarrafawa, wanda aka haɗa ta hanyar tauraron dan adam daga White Sand Missile Range inda eriyar karɓa take; kuma a cikin babban tagar da ke kan tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong - Casey Huggins, darektan rukunin makamashin da aka ba da umarni, da kuma babban jagoran tawagarmu - "
    
  "Brad McLanahan, na sani," shugaban ya katse. Kusan duk wanda ke cikin dakin binciken ya lumshe ido cikin mamaki - shin Brad McLanahan ya san shugaban Amurka? "Mun hadu sau da yawa, ko da yake kun kasance matashi kuma mai yiwuwa ba ku tuna ba."
    
  "A'a, yallabai, na tuna," in ji Brad. "Naji dadin sake ganinka, sir."
    
  "Ya ku mutanen kuna jin daɗi a can?" shugaban ya tambaya. "Na san tafiyata akwai wani abin da ba zan taɓa mantawa da shi ba."
    
  "Muna ta kai ruwa rana, Mr. Shugaba," in ji Casey. "Na gode sosai don ba mu wannan dama mai ban mamaki."
    
  "Don haka, tare da kwakwalwa, duk duniya ta san cewa ku mutane kuna da karfin gwiwa," in ji shugaban. "Saurayi maza da mata na farko da na farko masu hudu a sararin samaniya, kuma su Ba"amurke ne. Ina taya ku murna. Duk ƙasar tana alfahari da ku, kuma na tabbata duk duniya ta burge. Ina muke gwada harbi, Brad?"
    
  "Mun ci karo da wata matsala mai yuwuwa da muke fatan za ku iya taimakawa, yallabai," in ji Brad.
    
  "I? Yaya?"
    
  "Mun tattara makamashin da muke so mu aika zuwa Duniya," in ji Brad, "amma muna jin tsoron cewa ba za mu iya fitar da shi daga na'urorin ajiya a cikin ɗakin microwave don aika shi zuwa duniya ba."
    
  "Wannan mummunan abu ne, mutane," in ji shugaban. "Ina fata wannan gyara ne mai sauƙi a gare ku."
    
  "Komai yana aiki, yallabai, kuma mun tabbatar da cewa za mu iya samar da katako mai mahimmanci," in ji Brad. "Abin da ba mu tabbatar da shi ba shine cewa katakon ya bugi Duniya kuma an canza shi zuwa wutar lantarki."
    
  Shugaban kasan ya kalli manajan yakin neman zabensa da kuma babban jami"in tsaro na sirri, ya yi shiru ya yi musu nuni da cewa su fara shirin kafa ayarin motocinsa, sannan ya kalli agogon hannunsa. "Na yi nadama da wannan, mutane," in ji shi, "amma ban san yadda zan iya taimakawa ba, kuma muna da jadawalin -."
    
  "Mai girma shugaban kasa, muna tunanin muna da hanyar da za mu bi," in ji Kai Rydon.
    
  "Mene ne wannan, General?"
    
  "Maimakon amfani da makamashin da aka adana a cikin ma'ajin Starfire, muna son izinin ku don amfani da janareta na Skybolt magnetohydrodynamic," in ji Kai. "Har yanzu MHD tana da alaƙa da Skybolt, amma Laser ɗin lantarki kyauta ba shi da rauni, don haka janareta na microwave na ɗalibai na iya amfani da tsarin Skybolt. Za mu iya sarrafa wutar lantarki daga MHD zuwa Starfire a daidai adadin da na'urorin. Abinda kawai ya canza daga ainihin shirin ɗaliban shine tushen wutar lantarki. Kun riga kun ba mu izini don gwada janareta na MHD, kuma yana aiki cikakke. Muna son izini don amfani da shi don kunna Starfire. "
    
  Fuskar shugaban kasa ta yi duhu ya kalli duk fuskokin dake cikin dakin gwaje-gwaje da na duban. "Gabaɗaya, kun tabbata cewa babban Laser ɗin ya katse kuma ba zai ƙone ba?" Ya tambaya, muryarsa a kasa cike da damuwa.
    
  "Eh sir, na tabbata."
    
  "Ba watt daya na Laser radiation?"
    
  "Ba komai yallabai," Kai ya tabbatar masa. "Zai ɗauki lokaci mai tsawo kafin a dawo da Skybolt akan layi. A'a yallabai, Skybolt ba zai yi wuta ba. Na tabbata da wannan."
    
  Ya sake dubawa, sannan ya ciro wayarsa mai tsaro. "Ina buƙatar tuntuɓar wasu mutane kaɗan," in ji shi. "Ina jin tsoron wasu na iya yin imani cewa ma'anar ku ainihin Laser Skybolt ne. Ina son ra'ayin doka kafin-"
    
  Jodie ta ce, "Yallabai, ka gafarce ni, amma muna bukatar mu tsai da shawara da sauri-tashar ta tashi sama da yadda aka nufa cikin kusan mintuna goma." Ta kalli katon wayar tarho. "Sajan Lucas, za ka iya gaya mani tsawon lokacin da za a ɗauka don haɗa MHD zuwa Starfire?"
    
  Valerie ta juya zuwa na'ura mai kwakwalwa kuma ta shigar da umarni. "Haɗin da aka haɗa ya riga ya kasance," in ji ta. "Gwajin da"ira ya kamata ya ɗauki "yan mintuna kaɗan kawai idan ba mu sami matsala ba. Babu tabbacin, amma ina tsammanin za mu iya yin hakan cikin lokaci. "
    
  Jodi ya juya ga shugaban kasa. "Yallabai?"
    
  Phoenix ya yi kama da duhu fiye da da, amma bayan wasu lokuta masu tada hankali, ya gyada kai ya ce, "Ka yi. Sa'a."
    
  "Na gode yallabai," in ji Jodi. Hannunta na yawo akan madannai na kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka, Lane kuwa da gaske tana buga umarni cikin kwamfutoci biyu a lokaci guda. "Sajan Lucas, kana da tsarin sarrafa wutar lantarki a kan jeri na biyu da goma sha biyu, bravo."
    
  "Na samu," in ji Valerie. "Sashen injiniya, wannan sashin Ayyuka ne, kunna MHD, canza zuwa shafi na biyu da goma sha biyu "bravo", kunna tsarin ja na sha bakwai da tsarin sarrafa wutar lantarki na MHD da dubawa sau biyu."
    
  "A taɓawa," ya zo da amsa daga Alice Hamilton daga injin injiniya, yana jiran tabbaci daga kwamandan tashar.
    
  "Injiniya, wannan umarni ne," in ji Kai a kan intercom. "An ba da izini don fara MHD kuma haɗa shi zuwa Starfire. sanar dani idan kun shirya." Ya danna maɓallin intercom na duk tashoshi. "Tashar kulawa, wannan shine darakta. Za mu kunna janareta na MHD kuma muyi amfani da shi don aika Project Starfire maser makamashi zuwa Duniya ta hanyar tsarin Skybolt. Tun da muna kunna MHD a kowane lokaci, Ina so a matsar da duk nau'ikan kayayyaki, ma'aikatan jirgin da ke aiki don karɓar iskar oxygen, da ma'aikatan jirgin da ke aiki don lalata tashoshin sarrafawa da kwat da wando. Bayar da rahoto ga sassan idan kun shirya."
    
  "An karɓe, umarni," Alice ta tabbatar. "Ayyuka, MHD na haɓakawa. Ki shirya."
    
  "Na samu," in ji Valerie. Ta buga umarni akan madannai nata. "Henry, Christina, shirya don yin abinku."
    
  "Iya, Ma'am!" Henry Lathrop ya ce. Shi da jami"in kula da makamai na kasa Christine Reyhill sun kasance a ofisoshinsu sanye da abin rufe fuska na iskar oxygen, suna cike jerin abubuwan dubawa. Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan, mai sa ido na umarni ya sauya daga sama har yanzu hoton tauraron dan adam na duburar zuwa wani hoto na ainihi daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, wanda ya nuna a sarari wata babbar, duhu, na'urar zagaye ita kaɗai a cikin hamadar New Mexico. "Yakin yana kan manufa," in ji Rayhill. "Babu wasu ƙarin na'urori masu auna firikwensin da ake samu banda kyamarori na Starfire Project."
    
  "Muna son wannan ya buga alama, Christine," in ji Valerie. "Yi amfani da duk abin da kuke da shi."
    
  Ya kasance kusa sosai. Bayan an gano wasu kurakurai da gyare-gyare, kuma bayan kusan daƙiƙa talatin da tashar ta wuce sararin sama na duburar, sai suka ji: "Aiki, injiniyanci, sadarwa da aka kafa kuma an gwada su. Kuna da iko kuma an tsara matakan ciyarwa. Injiniyoyin sun canza ikon MHD zuwa Yanayin Ayyuka kuma sun shirya."
    
  "Na samu," in ji Valerie. "Ƙungiyar, na ba ku izinin canza ikon Starfire don yin yaƙi."
    
  "Tabbatar Skybolt yayi sanyi, Valerie," Kai ya umarta.
    
  Bayan ƴan lokaci kaɗan, Valerie ta amsa, "Na tabbata, yallabai. "Skybolt yayi sanyi."
    
  "Canza ikon sarrafa wuta na Starfire don yaƙi, Valerie," in ji Kai. Ya dubi Brad da Casey. "An halatta a saki. Jama"a barkanmu da warhaka," ya kara da cewa.
    
  "Yaro, kana da iko," in ji Valerie bayan shigar da umarni a cikin kwamfutarta.
    
  "Na fahimta, komai yana karkashin iko a cikin yaki. Starfire, me yayi kama?"
    
  "Komai yana da kyau, Armstrong, in ban da na'urar fitarwa ta capacitor, kuma an kashe shi," in ji Jodi, a firgice tana yamutsi da doguwar gashin gashi. "Starfire ya shirya."
    
  "Na samu, Starfire. Sa'a." Rayhill ya shiga umurnin. "Starfire yana da rai, mutane."
    
  Babu shakka babu abin da ya canza ko dai a tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong ko a dakin gwaje-gwaje a Jami'ar California na tsawon lokaci masu tsayi da yawa. Alamar kawai da ke nuna cewa wani abu yana faruwa ita ce Fuskar Jerry Kim ta damu ba zato ba tsammani yayin da yake duba karatunsa: "Rectenna yana karɓar iko, sarrafawa!" Ya daka tsawa. "Bayyana ta biyu ... maki hudu ... maki biyar ... yana aiki, mutane, yana aiki!" Cibiyar kulawa da ke Cal Poly ta fashe da sowa da tafi, kuma Brad da Casey sun kusan shiga cikin wani yanayi mara misaltuwa, suna kokarin rungume juna.
    
  Jodie ya ce "Makarfin na'urar tana yin dumi, amma a lokacin da muka kashe shi, ya kamata har yanzu zazzabi ya kasance cikin kewayon al'ada," in ji Jodie. "Masu kallo, masu haɗawa da sigogin sarrafa katako sun zama mafi girma, amma har yanzu suna cikin yankin kore. Injiniya?"
    
  "Komai kore ne, Starfire," in ji Alice. "Za mu isa iyakar zafin jiki na rawaya cikin kusan mintuna uku."
    
  "Megawatt daya!" Jerry ya yi kururuwa kadan bayan minti daya. Yana tsallen murna gaban kyamarar har suka kasa ganin fuskarsa. "Mun sami megawatt guda na wuta daga Starfire! Matsakaicin zafin jiki na dubura suna kan manufa - yakamata su isa layin rawaya cikin mintuna hudu. Jodi, kin yi! Adadin juyawa ya wuce abin da muka annabta! Wataƙila za mu iya samun megawatts biyu kafin mu kai ga iyakar zafin jiki! Za mu iya ma-"
    
  "Na sami faɗakarwa daga Hukumar Kula da Yankin Farin Sands, mutane," in ji Valerie. "Shiga jirgin sama ba tare da izini ba cikin filin horo. Kashe Starfire, fada. Sashen Injiniya, tabbatar da amincin MHD da reactor."
    
  "Na gane," in ji Henry. Yatsansa ya riga ya kasance a kan maɓallin "kill" kuma nan take ya shiga umarnin. "Kungiyar tana da hanci mai sanyi."
    
  "An kashe Starfire," in ji Alice. "MHD yana jujjuya ƙasa. Reactor yana da lafiya. Komai kore ne."
    
  "Barka da warhaka, mutane," in ji Kai, yana cire abin rufe fuska na oxygen. "Kun sarrafa shi. Kun watsa makamashin lantarki daga sararin samaniya zuwa duniya." A cikin intercom, ya ce: "Ga duk ma'aikata, wannan shine darekta, zaku iya haɗawa da tashoshin MHD. Da fatan za a kasance tare da ni wajen isar da sakon taya murna ga daukacin tawagar Starfire bisa nasarar gwajin gobarar." Tsarin umarni ya fashe da tafi.
    
  "Ba za mu iya yin hakan ba tare da kai da kowa da kowa a tashar ba," in ji Brad, yana cire abin rufe fuska na oxygen. Ya sake rungume Casey. "Ya yi aiki, Casey. Injin injin microwave ɗinku ya tafi!"
    
  Casey ya ce "Gwargwadon microwave ɗinmu." "Gobarar tauraruwarmu! Ya yi aiki! Ya yi aiki!" Ita kuma ta kara biki ta ciro bag dinta ta yi amai a ciki.
    
  Duk da rufewar ba zato ba tsammani, an ci gaba da bukukuwan a cikin dakin gwaje-gwaje na Cal Poly, tare da Shugaba Phoenix ya yaba da farin ciki kamar kowa. "Ina taya ku, Miss Cavendish, Mista Egan," in ji shi. Manajan yakin neman zabe ya nusar da shi inda zai tsaya da fuska, kuma shugabannin kungiyar biyu suna gefensa, tare da babban na'ura mai kulawa da ke nuna sauran a kafadarsa yayin da kyamarori suka fara birgima.
    
  "Na sami damar kasancewa tare da shaida wani lamari mai ban mamaki a nan Cal Poly: nasarar farko ta watsa makamashin lantarki daga sararin samaniya zuwa duniya," in ji shi. Ma"aikatansa sun yi masa tanadin rubuce-rubuce da dama, ciki har da jawabin da zai yi idan jirgin Starfire ya gaza yin aiki, ko jirgin ya bata, ko kuma na"urar ta lalata tashar. Ya yi matukar farin ciki-kuma ya huta-ya gabatar da wannan sigar. "Ko da yake yana cikin ƙuruciyarsa, babban nasara ce, wanda bai ƙara ba da mamaki ba ganin yadda ƙungiyar ɗaliban kwaleji suka tsara ta, gina su, girka su da sarrafa ta. Ina matukar alfahari da wadannan matasa saboda nasarorin da suka samu kuma ya nuna daidai abin da zuba jari a fannin ilimi, fasaha da kimiyyar sararin samaniya zai iya cimma. Taya murna, Jody, Brad, Casey da Jerry, da dukan tawagar Starfire. " Shugaban ya dakata na wasu mintuna don daukar hotuna, sannan ya tafi.
    
    
  JERIN GWAJIN FARAR YANCIN MIJI
  ALAMOGORDO, NEW MEXICO
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  "Yaya nisa muke da wannan eriyar, yar uwa?" - ya tambayi matukin jirgin Cessna 172 Skyhawk, yana goge layuka na dreadlocks daga idanunsa. "Komai anan yayi kama."
    
  "Sauran mintuna goma," in ji mutumin da ke wurin da ya dace. Ya yi amfani da manhajar taswira a wayar salularsa wajen kewaya karamin jirgin. Kamar matukin jirgin, yana da dogon gashi, tsawon kafada, gashi mai datti, gemu, gashin baki da tabarau masu kauri. Matukin jirgin yana sanye da rigar Hawai, guntun wando na Bermuda mai tsawon gwiwa da kuma sneakers; Wanda ke zaune a hannun dama sanye yake da T-shirt, wandon jeans da aka yanke da takalmi. "Tsaya hanya."
    
  "Lafiya, lafiya," in ji matukin jirgin. Kimanin rabin sa'a ne suka taso daga filin jirgin saman Alamogordo-White Sands inda suka nufi arewa maso yamma, inda suka shiga sararin samaniyar rundunar sojojin sama ta Holloman Base Class D ba tare da yin magana da kowa a gidan rediyo ba. "Ka tabbata kana wurin da ya dace, dude?" - ya tambayi matukin jirgin.
    
  "Rahotanni game da shari'ar sun bayyana hakan a fili," in ji wani mutum. "Ya kamata mu gan shi lokacin da muka kusanci - yana da girma sosai."
    
  "Mutum, wannan goro ne," in ji matukin jirgin. "Labaran ya ce ba za a bari wani jirgin sama ya yi shawagi kusa da eriya."
    
  "Me za su yi, ka harbe mu?" - ya tambayi mai kewayawa.
    
  "Ba na so a harbe ni, mutum, ba da sojoji ba, ba ta wannan ba ... katako na katako, katako na laser, duk abin da yake."
    
  "Ba na son tashi sama da eriya, kawai kusa da su don su soke gwajin," in ji mai binciken. "Wannan gwajin makamin sararin samaniya ba bisa ka'ida ba ne, kuma idan gwamnatin tarayya ko jihar New Mexico ba su dakatar da shi ba, dole ne mu yi."
    
  "Kamar yadda ka ce," in ji matukin jirgin. Ya daure ya kalli tagar. "Muna samun... tsattsarka! "A can, a gefen hagunsu, wanda bai wuce ƙafa ɗari ba, akwai wani helikofta mai saukar ungulu na Black Hawk na soja tare da USAF a cikin manyan baƙaƙen haruffa a gefe, yana tashi a cikin tsari. Ƙofar dama ta helikwafta a buɗe, ta bayyana wani ma'aikacin jirgin sanye da koren rigar jirgin sama, kwalkwali da duhun visor a ƙasa. "Muna da kamfani, mutum."
    
  Ma'aikacin jirgin mai saukar ungulu da ke cikin budadden kofa ya dauko wani abu mai kama da babban hasken tocila ya fara haskawa matukan jirgin Cessna. "Daya...biyu...daya... biyar," in ji matukin jirgin. "Wannan shine mitar siginar damuwa na gaggawa." Ya canza radiyon sa na daya zuwa waccan mitar.
    
  "Jirgin Cessna mai girma-inji guda ɗaya, lambar wutsiya N-3437T, wannan rundunar sojojin saman Amurka ce a reshenku na hagu, tana watsa 'jijjiga," suna magana akan mitar VHF na gaggawa na duniya. "Kun shigar da ƙuntatawa yankin." sararin samaniyar sojojin da ke aiki a halin yanzu. Canza hanya nan da nan, yankin yana aiki kuma kuna cikin haɗari mai girma. Ina maimaita, canza hanya nan da nan.
    
  "Muna da hakkin zama a nan, mutum," matukin jirgin ya yi rediyo. "Ba mu yin komai. Bari".
    
  "Nuwamba 3437T, wannan ita ce Rundunar Sojan Sama ta Amurka, kuna jefa kanku cikin babban hatsari," in ji mataimakin matukin jirgin helikwafta. "Canja kwas nan take. An ba ni izinin ɗaukar duk wani matakin da ya dace don hana ku ci gaba zuwa cikin takunkumin sararin samaniya."
    
  "Me za ka yi, dude, ka harbe mu?" - ya tambayi matukin jirgin Cessna. A kan hancin jirgin mai saukar ungulu, hakika akwai wani dogon bututu mai kama da igwa - bai san cewa binciken ne kawai don neman mai a tsakiyar iska ba. "Duba, muna son dakatar da gwajin Starfire sannan mu koma gida. Bari".
    
  Da wadannan kalmomi, ba zato ba tsammani, Black Hawk ya yi sauri ya yi wani kaifi mai kaifi, ya wuce gaban Cessna a nesa da bai wuce ƙafa ɗari ba, faifan farfaɗonsa ya rufe gilashin Cessna. Matukin jirgin a firgice ya yi kururuwa ya damko lever din na'urar a baya da hagu, sannan sai da ya yi yaki don ya dawo da iko yayin da karamin jirgin ya kusa tsayawa. Suna iya jin rotors na helikwafta suna bugun fuselage na Cessna yayin da yake kewaye da su.
    
  Black Hawk ya bayyana daga reshensa na hagu na daƙiƙa guda, kusa da wannan lokacin, sautin rotor ya zama kurma, kamar dai wani katon hannu da ba a iya gani yana buga gefen ƙaramin jirginsu. "N-3437T, canza hanya nan da nan! Oda kenan! Miƙa kai tsaye!"
    
  "Wannan bawan nan mahaukaci ne, mutum?" - in ji matukin jirgin. "Na kusa zubar min wando!"
    
  "Na gani! Ina gani, ina ga eriya!" - Inji wanda ke zaune a hannun dama. "Kadan zuwa dama, a sararin sama! Babban zagaye!
    
  Matukin jirgin ya bi yatsa na fasinja. "Ba na ganin komai, mutum, ban ga ba - Dakata, na samu, na samu," in ji shi. "Wannan babban abin zagaye a jeji? Zan nufi wajensa." Ya aika da ƙaramin Cessna zuwa wani kaifi banki dama ...
    
  ... kuma da zaran ya yi haka, jirgin Black Hawk mai saukar ungulu ya yi wata kaifi mai kaifi ta hagu, inda ya bugi Cessna da bugu mai karfi daga rotor. Wannan aikin ya juya Cessna gaba ɗaya a kai. Ya shiga wani jujjuyawar lebur ya fado cikin hamadar New Mexico bayan dakika kadan.
    
    
  SEATTLE, WA
  BAYAN 'YAN SA'O'I
    
    
  "Ina taya ku murna, Jong Bae, kan nasarar gwajin Starfire," in ji Dokta Toshuniko "Toby" Nukaga, farfesa na injiniyan sararin samaniya a Cal Poly, ta hanyar haɗin bidiyo a kan kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka daga ɗakinsa a wani otel mai girma a Seattle, Washington. "Na ji labari. Na yi hakuri ba zan iya kasancewa a wurin ba, amma ni ne ke jagorantar taron a Seattle."
    
  "Na gode yallabai," in ji Jerry. A cikin wata tirela mai nisan mil mil daga wurin gwajin madaidaicin madaidaicin madaidaicin Starfire a White Sands Missile Range arewa maso yammacin Alamogordo, New Mexico, wanda ke kewaye da kwamfutocin kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka da ake amfani da su don sa ido kan tsarin wutar lantarki da tuƙi a tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. Bakwai 'yan tawagar suna tare da shi, suna nuna girman kai yayin da suka fara nazarin dutsen bayanan da suka samu. "Yi hakuri ba za ka iya zama a nan ma ba, yallabai. Tun farko ku ne ke jagorantar wannan aiki."
    
  "Yabo ya zo gare ku da sauran membobin ƙungiyar aikin, Jung Bae - Ni mai gudanarwa ne kawai. To nawa kuka yi transfer?"
    
  "Maki daya hudu megawatt bakwai, yallabai."
    
  "Fitaccen! Babban aiki!"
    
  "Dole ne a zubar da shi saboda wani jirgin sama mara izini ya shigo cikin iyaka."
    
  "Na ji cewa wasu masu zanga-zangar za su yi kokarin kawo cikas ga gwajin ta hanyar jigilar wani jirgin sama mai zaman kansa a kan bututun," in ji Nukaga.
    
  Jerry ya lumshe ido cikin mamaki. "Yallabai ka gama?" - Ya tambaya cike da mamaki.
    
  "Jung Bae, Ina nan a Seattle don taron shekara-shekara na Ƙungiyar Ƙwararrun Masana Kimiyya ta Duniya," in ji Nukaga. "Akwai kungiyoyi sama da dari na masana kimiyya, "yan siyasa, masana muhalli da shugabannin masana"antu daga ko"ina cikin duniya da ke wakilta a nan-har ma muna da "yar takarar shugaban kasa, tsohuwar Sakatariyar Harkokin Wajen Amurka Stacy Ann Barbeau, tana ba da jawabi mai mahimmanci daga baya a yau.
    
  "Har ila yau, muna da wasu kyawawan kungiyoyi masu tsattsauran ra'ayi a nan, kuma daya daga cikinsu, Students for Universal Peace, ya zo mini da korafin cewa Cal Poly yana da hannu a cikin shirin makamai tare da Starfire," Nukaga ya ci gaba da cewa. "Na tabbatar masu cewa ba haka lamarin yake ba, amma sun dage. Sun ce aikinsu ne su yi duk abin da za su iya don hana Starfire gwajin harbawa, ko da ta jefa rayuwarsu cikin hadari - a zahiri ina tsammanin suna fatan wani zai buge shi, don kawai tabbatar da hakan ya kasance. makami"
    
  "Wannan abin mamaki ne, yallabai," in ji Jerry. "Me yasa baki gaya mana wannan ba?"
    
  "Rabi ne kawai na gaskata da kaina, Jung Bae," in ji Nukaga. "Gaskiya mutanen da suka tunkare ni sun yi kama da ba su san inda za su ci abinci na gaba ba, balle a ce suna da hanyar da za su yi hayan jirgin da zai yi shawagi a kan iyakokin da gwamnati ta ke da shi da fatan za a harbo masar katako daga wajen. sarari. Don haka. "Nukaga a fili yana ƙoƙarin canza batun." Mista McLanahan da Ms. Huggins sun yi kyau a cikin tashar sararin samaniyar sojoji. Na ga daya daga cikin taron manema labarai da suka yi a daren jiya. Suna lafiya?"
    
  "Nagode sosai sir."
    
  "Lafiya. Akwai matsala? Shin kuna fuskantar matsala da hardware ko software?" Jerry ya yi jinkiri ya kau da kai daga kyamarar na ɗan gajeren lokaci, kuma Nukaga ya lura nan da nan. "Jung Bae?"
    
  Jerry bai tabbata ba ko zai yi magana game da wani abu da ya shafi Starfire da tashar sararin samaniya a kan hanyar sadarwar da ba ta da tsaro - shugabannin ƙungiyar sun yanke shawarar tattauna a tsakanin su abin da aka bayyana da abin da ba a bayyana ba - amma Nukaga yana ɗaya daga cikin malamansu. kuma daya daga cikin na farko, amma dan kadan, masu goyon bayan aikin. "Akwai yuwuwar matsala tare da relay da na tsara wanda ya ba da damar canja wurin wutar lantarki daga masu ƙarfin lithium-ion zuwa injin injin microwave, yallabai," a ƙarshe ya ce.
    
  "Matsala mai yuwuwa?"
    
  "Ba a yi kasa a gwiwa ba a yau, amma ... ba abin dogaro bane dari bisa dari," in ji Jerry cikin damuwa, "kuma tun da Shugaban Amurka ya halarci gwajin harbi a Cal Poly, muna so mu sanya. tabbas za mu iya buga duburar da makamashi mai yawa."
    
  "To, kun yi," in ji Nukaga. "Gwajin ya yi nasara. ban gane ba."
    
  "To, mu... ba mu yi amfani da makamashin da muka tara da eriya ba kuma muka adana a cikin capacitors."
    
  "To wane irin makamashi kuka yi amfani da shi?"
    
  "Mun yi amfani da wutar lantarki daga ... janareta na magnetohydrodynamic," in ji Jerry.
    
  An yi shiru a kan layin na dogon lokaci, kuma a kan mai lura da bidiyo Jerry yana iya ganin girman bayyanar rashin imani a fuskar Nukagi; sannan: "Kuna nufin kun kunna Laser a cikin tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong, Jung Bae?" Nukaga ya tambaya cikin shagwa6a, maras nauyi, sautin ban mamaki.
    
  "A'a, yallabai," in ji Jerry. "Ba laser. Laser ɗin laser kyauta da kansa an kashe shi don haka za mu iya amfani da tsarin tsarin Laser don Starfire. Mun dai yi amfani da tushen kuzarinsa wajen...
    
  "Shin wannan janareta na MHD yana aiki?" - Tambayi Nukaga. "An kai ni ga yin imani cewa an kashe duk abubuwan da ke cikin Laser sararin samaniyar Skybolt." Jerry bai da amsar hakan. "To daya da hudu bisa goma na megawatts da kuka tara tare da rectenna sun fito ne daga MHD ba Starfire ba?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Jerry ya amsa. "Mun gwada duk wani abu: mun tattara makamashin hasken rana, adana wutar lantarki, samar da injin injin microwave da shi, kuma mun fitar da makamashi mai yawa ta hanyar amfani da Skybolt reflectors, collimators da tsarin tuƙi. Mu kawai muna buƙatar buga dubunnan da makamashin maser. Mun so mu yi shi a farkon gwaji, a gaban Shugaban Amurka. MHD janareta ne kawai mu...
    
  "Jung Bae, kun harba wutar lantarki da aka kai ga wani manufa a duniya," in ji Nukaga. "Shin kun saki makamashin megawatt daya na fiye da mintuna biyu sama da mil dari biyu? Wannan shine..." Ya dakata yana yin lissafin tunani. "Wannan sama da joules miliyan uku ne na makamashin da MHD ya saki daga tashar sararin samaniyar soja! Wannan ya ninka ƙayyadaddun doka sau uku, a nesa kusan ninki huɗu na shari'a! Wannan babban cin zarafi ne na yarjejeniyar sararin samaniya! Wannan laifi ne da kotun kasa da kasa za ta iya gurfanar da shi ko kuma kwamitin sulhu na Majalisar Dinkin Duniya ya sake duba shi! Makaman sararin samaniya, musamman makaman makamashi da aka sarrafa, ba a yarda kowa ya yi amfani da shi ba, har ma ɗalibai!"
    
  "A'a, sir, wannan ba zai yiwu ba!" Jerry ya ce, a rude, ya ji tsoron ya fadi da yawa kuma ya ci amanar abokan aikinsa, kuma yana tsoron ya jawo fushin farfesa da mai ba shi shawara. "Starfire tashar wutar lantarki ce ta hasken rana, ba makamin sararin samaniya ba!"
    
  "Wannan shi ne, Jung Bae, har sai kun daina amfani da makamashin hasken rana kuma ku yi amfani da tushen wutar lantarki na laser sararin samaniyar soja ba bisa ka'ida ba!" Nukaga yayi kuka. "Ba ku gane ba, Jung Bae? Kuna iya amfani da wasan wuta don bikin Sabuwar Shekara, amma idan kun yi amfani da makami mai linzami na Scud don yin hakan, ya canza kuma yana gurɓata yanayin ruhin da kuke ƙoƙarin bayyanawa, ko da ba ku kai hari ga kowa ba ko kuma ba ku fasa wani abu ba. Shi ya sa muke da dokar hana amfani da irin wadannan abubuwa ta kowace irin manufa". Ya ga irin firgici a idanun Jerry kuma nan da nan ya ji tausayinsa. "Amma kun kasance a New Mexico, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Iya sir".
    
  "Shin sun yi shawara da ku game da shawarar yin amfani da janareta na MHD?"
    
  "A'a, yallabai," in ji Jerry. "Babu lokaci, kuma na kasance a kan kiran taro tare da tawaga na kokarin neman mafita ga matsalar relay."
    
  "Shin kun san wanda ya fito da ra'ayin yin amfani da MHD?"
    
  "Na yi imani Mista McLanahan ne, yallabai," in ji Jerry. Nukaga ya gyada kai cikin fahimta - zai iya yin hasashen hakan cikin sauki. "Ya raba ra'ayin tare da Janar Rydon, kwamandan tashar, da Sajan Lucas, jami'in gudanarwa na tashar."
    
  "Shin duk ma'aikatan soja ne?"
    
  "Na yi imanin cewa dukkansu sun yi ritaya," in ji Jerry, "amma sun kware wajen tafiyar da tashar sararin samaniya kuma wani dan kwangilar tsaro mai zaman kansa ya dauke su hayar don sarrafa ta."
    
  "'Dan kwangilar tsaro mai zaman kansa', eh?" Nukaga ya yi dariya, "Shin kamfani ne a Nevada wanda ya ba jami'ar kuɗin tallafin iri?"
    
  "Eh... I... I, sir, ya kasance," in ji Jerry ... kuma daga baya fahimtar ta fara bayyana a kaina.
    
  "Yanzu kun fara fahimta, ko ba haka ba, Jung-bae?" - Nukaga ya tambaya, ganin yadda Jerry ya canza magana. "Bradley McLamahan, dan Janar Patrick McLaanahan, wani jami'in sojan sama mai ritaya kuma tsohon ma'aikacin wannan kamfani a Nevada, ya zo da ra'ayin wani abin da ake kira tashar wutar lantarki ta sararin samaniya, kuma a cikin kawai "yan watanni ya tara gungun injiniyoyi kuma ya yi manyan nasarorin kimiyya da fasaha da dama. To shin kwatsam ne Cal Poly ya sami kuɗin tallafin? Shin ko dai kwatsam ne Mista McLaanahan ke son yin amfani da tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong don Starfire, wanda dan kwangilar tsaron Nevada daya ke tafiyar da shi? Ban yi imani da daidaituwa ba, Jung Bae. Kuma bai kamata ba."
    
  "Amma sun sami izini daga Shugaban Amurka don amfani da MHD," in ji Jerry, "kawai idan Skybolt laser free electron laser ba zai iya ƙaddamar da shi ba."
    
  "Lallai. Ba za su iya harba Laser ba tare da keta Yarjejeniyar Kare sararin samaniya ba, don haka sun sami abu mafi kyau na gaba: masar da gungun ɗaliban koleji suka gina, duk suna da kyau kuma masu ban sha'awa da marasa laifi - baƙar fata, duk abin kunya," Nukaga ya tofa. "Da alama a gare ni cewa matsalolin da ake kira matsaloli tare da relay ɗinku na iya kasancewa cikin sauƙi da magudi, don haka dole ne su yi amfani da janareta na MHD don nuna ikon babban makamin. Joules miliyan uku! Na yi imanin sojoji sun gamsu da wannan zanga-zangar. "
    
  Jerry ya ce "Na tsara tsarin watsa wutar lantarki, yallabai, kuma ni kadai ne ke da alhakin sanya ido kan lamarin." "Ina tabbatar muku cewa babu wanda ya tsoma baki cikin wannan da gangan."
    
  "Jung Bae, na yi matukar farin ciki da kuka gaya mani game da wannan," in ji Nukaga. "Bana zarginki da komai. Ya bayyana cewa Mista McLanahan yana da nasa manufa lokacin da ya kirkiro wannan aikin. Kamar yadda na yi zargin tun farko, Mista McLanahan yana aiki tare da wannan dan kwangilar tsaro, kuma mai yiyuwa ne sojojin da kansu, a matsayin dan wani fitaccen jami'in soja, don kera makaman sararin samaniya da boye su daga duniya. Babu shakka, yana da taimako daga wannan ɗan kwangilar da kuma gwamnati-ta yaya kuma ɗalibi na farko zai iya tattara duk abubuwan da ake buƙata don kammala irin wannan aikin cikin ɗan gajeren lokaci?"
    
  "Ni... Ban sani ba, yallabai," in ji Jerry, idanunsa suna komowa a rude. "Mista McLamahan, ya... Da alama yana da jagoranci na ban mamaki da ƙwarewar ƙungiya. Ya kasance koyaushe yana buɗewa da bayyana gaskiya game da komai. Ya raba duk albarkatunsa tare da kowane ɗan ƙungiyar. Mun san kowane lokaci na kowace rana abin da ake buƙata da kuma yadda ya yi niyya ya samu. "
    
  "Har ila yau, Jung Bae, ba na zarge ku don fadowa saboda wannan ... wannan huckster na fili," in ji Nukaga. Ya gyada kai, yana murna da cewa yana kan hanya madaidaiciya. "Yana da ma"ana a gare ni. Jami'armu ta shiga cikin wani shiri na hadin gwiwa na McLaanahan - na farko mai yiwuwa mahaifinsa marigayi ne, sannan kuma dansa da aka rene - wanda wannan dan kwangilar tsaro ya goyi bayan, sojoji da magoya bayansu na gwamnati irin su Shugaba Kenneth Phoenix da Mataimakin Shugaban kasa Anne Page don ƙirƙirar a asirce. makamin makamashin da ya dogara da sararin samaniya da kuma canza shi a matsayin wani abu da ya wuce aikin injiniyan ɗalibai. Yaya tsananin wayo. Jami"o"i nawa ne masu ci gaba, masu son zaman lafiya suka yi amfani da wannan shiri a kai? Abin sha'awa."
    
  Hankalin Nukagi yayi zafi na 'yan wasu lokuta kafin ya gane cewa har yanzu yana kan taron bidiyo tare da Jung Bae. "Yi hakuri Jung Bae," in ji shi, "amma ina da wani abu mai mahimmanci da zan yi. Ya kamata ku bar wannan aikin nan da nan. Hasali ma idan na samu labarin jami"ar na da alaka da wannan shirin na soja, ko kuma jami"ar ba ta kubuta daga shiga aikin ba, ta mayar da kudaden da aka karba daga hannun wannan dan kwangilar tsaro, nan take zan yi murabus daga mukamina. mukamai, kuma ina ba da shawarar ku da ku canza zuwa wata makaranta. Na tabbata dukanmu za mu yi farin ciki sosai a Jami'ar Stanford. Ina fatan haduwa da ku nan ba da jimawa ba." Kuma ya katse alakar.
    
  Allahna, Nukaga ya yi tunani, wane shiri ne mai ban mamaki! Dole ne a bayyana hakan nan da nan. Wannan dole ya tsaya. Shi ne shugaban wannan taro, kuma an watsa shi a duk faɗin duniya - ba shakka, yana da damar yin amfani da kyamarori, microphones da kafofin watsa labarai, kuma ya yi niyyar amfani da su.
    
  Duk da haka, ya yarda da kansa cewa masu sauraronsa, ko da yake na duniya, ba su da yawa. Yawancin duniya sun ɗauki mahalarta ba komai bane illa magoya bayan Occupy Wall Street masu zaman lafiya, mahaukacin hippies. Daya daga cikin dalilan da ya sa aka bukaci ya jagoranci taron shi ne kokarin baiwa kungiyar da taron halaccinsu. Ya bukaci taimako. Yana bukatar...
    
  ... nan take ya tuno ya ciro katin kasuwanci daga aljihunsa, sannan ya zaro wayar wayarsa ya buga lambar Washinton mutumin da ya san kadan ne a sama. "Mr. Cohen, wannan shi ne Dr. Toby Nukaga, shugaban taron ... Abin mamaki yallabai, na gode, kuma na sake gode maka da Sakatare Barbeau da ka halarta.
    
  Nukaga ya ci gaba da cewa, "Yallabai, yanzu na sami wasu bayanai masu tayar da hankali wadanda nake ganin yakamata Sakataren Gwamnati ya sani kuma watakila ya dauki mataki." "Wannan shi ne game da aikin Starfire ... a, abin da ake kira tashar wutar lantarki mai amfani da hasken rana ... a, na ce "wanda ake kira" saboda a yau na koyi cewa wannan ba ta wata hanya ta hanyar hasken rana ba, amma rijiya. -Shirin makaman kare-dangi na sararin samaniya...eh yallabai, wani makamin da sojoji suka jagoranta a sararin samaniya wanda aka canza a matsayin aikin injiniyan dalibai...eh yallabai, wannan bayanin wani babba ne a cikin aikin ya ba ni, mai girman gaske... eh yallabai, na amince da tushen gaba daya. An jawo shi a cikin wannan, kamar yadda ni, jami'a, da daruruwan injiniyoyi da masana kimiyya a duniya aka yi wa igiya ta hada kai da shi, kuma ina so in fallasa wannan shiri mai ban tsoro da ban tsoro kafin a sake yin barna . . . . . ... eh yallabai, zan iya hawa sama a cikin 'yan mintuna kaɗan. Na gode, Mr. Cohen."
    
  Nukaga yayi sauri ya fara harhada kwamfutar kwamfutarsa lokacin da sakon tes ya bayyana akan allonsa. Ya fito ne daga shugaban Students for Universal Peace, daya daga cikin kungiyoyin zaman lafiya na kasa da kasa da muhalli da na duniya da ke halartar taron, kuma sakon ya ce: An harbo jirgin mu na zanga-zangar da wani makamin sararin samaniya na Starfire da ke kusa da wurin dubura. Muna cikin yaki.
    
    
  BABBAN MAGANA NA CONLAVE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODERATION OF INTERNATION OF UNIVERSITY OF SCILES.
  SEATTLE, WA
  BAYAN WATAN MARAR
    
    
  Dokta Toshuniko Nukaga ya fara karantawa daga wani rubutun da aka ba shi daga ofishin kamfen na Sakatare Barbeau, ya ce: "Ina jin daɗin gabatar da mutumin da ba ya buƙatar gabatarwa, musamman don wannan taron. "Stacy Ann Barbeau ta bayyana kanta da farko a matsayin 'yar iskan Sojan Sama. An haife ta ne a sansanin sojin sama na Barksdale da ke kusa da Shreveport, Louisiana, ta ce hayan bama-bamai na B-47 da B-52 a wajen gidan danginta ne kawai ya sa ta barci, kuma kamshin man jet ya ratsa cikin jininta. 'Yar wani Janar din sojan sama mai tauraro biyu mai ritaya, ta koma tare da danginta jimlar sau goma, gami da ayyuka biyu na kasashen waje, kafin ta koma jiharta ta Louisiana don halartar kwaleji. Digiri na farko a fannin shari'a, kasuwanci da gudanar da jama'a daga Tulane, digiri na doka daga Tulane, sannan ya yi aiki a ofisoshin masu kare jama'a a Shreveport, Baton Rouge da New Orleans kafin ya tsaya takarar Majalisa. Wa"adi uku a Majalisar sun biyo bayan wa"adi uku ne a Majalisar Dattawan Amurka, shekaru hudu da suka wuce a matsayin Shugaban masu rinjaye, kafin a zabe shi a matsayin Sakataren Harkokin Waje na sittin da bakwai. A yau ita ce "yar takarar shugabancin Amurka, kuma idan ta yi nasara, za ta kasance mace ta farko da za ta rike wannan mukami. Ba zan iya tunanin mutumin da ya fi dacewa da wannan matsayi ba, zan iya?" Nan fa aka yi ta yi mai ban mamaki wanda ya kai kusan minti daya.
    
  Nukaga ya ci gaba da cewa "Wannan ita ce asalinta a hukumance, abokaina da abokan aikina, amma bari in gaya muku wasu abubuwa game da wannan mata ta musamman da ba za ku sani ba." "Akwai bangarori biyu ga Sakatare Barbeau. Akwai mai ba da shawara mai zafi amma mai kulawa don fasahar kore, yanayi, mataki kan dumamar yanayi da sarrafa carbon. Amma yana da ƙarfi kuma yana da himma don ƙarfafawa da kuma zamanantar da sojojin mu. Ba abin mamaki ba ne cewa ita ce babbar murya ga rundunar sojojin sama, amma kuma ita ce mai ba da shawara ga kasarmu ta ci gaba da jagorancinta a kan tekuna na duniya da kuma kiyaye rundunar da ke shirye don taimakawa wasu kasashe a lokacin da suke bukata da sauri, dawwama. , da kuma taimako mai ƙarfi amma mai tausayi. Na san ta mutum ce mai ƙarfi, mai kulawa da kuzari, amma tabbas ita ce abin da Humphrey Bogart zai iya kiranta da 'mai faɗi mai sanyi'. "Nukaga ya saki jiki da jin an kyalkyale da dariya da tafawa a kan wannan layin - wannan ne da zai share daga gabatarwar da ya shirya idan an bar shi.
    
  "Stacy Ann Barbeau tana magana da harsuna biyar sosai. Stacy Ann 'yar wasan golf ce. Stacy Ann ta san Washington ciki da waje, amma tushenta da zuciyarta suna tare da mutane, tare da kai da ni. Stacy Ann ta sani kuma ta damu da sojojin Amurka, karfin da ke kare al'ummarmu da kuma duniya mai 'yanci, amma Stacy Ann ta san cewa sojoji karfi ne ba kawai na yaki ba, amma don kare wadanda ba za su iya kare kansu ba." Nukaga ya daga muryarsa a lokacin da ya fara wakar, sai yabon da jama'a suka yi masa ya sanya shi duniya mai kyau - har ya tsinci kansa ya daga hannayensa yana damke hannunsa, abin da yake tunanin ba zai taba yi ba. "Stacy Ann Barbeau shugaba ce, mayaki kuma mai ba da shawara, kuma tare da taimakonmu da goyon bayanmu, Stacey Ann Barbeau za ta zama shugabar Amurka ta gaba!" Ba a jin maganar Nukagi na gaba saboda amo, kurmamar da ta tashi a daidai lokacin. "Mata da maza, abokai da abokan aiki, don Allah ku kasance tare da ni wajen maraba da tsohuwar Sakatariyar Harkokin Wajen Amurka kuma Shugabar Amurka ta gaba, Stacey Ann Barbeau!"
    
  Tare da murmushi mai ƙyalli da ƙwaƙƙwaran hannu biyu, Stacey Ann Barbeau ta ɗauki matakin. Ta yi abin da Stacey Ann Barbeau ta san yadda za a yi daidai: duba ƙwararru, shugaban ƙasa da lalata a lokaci guda. Gashin gashinta mai kauri da kayan shafa babu aibi; Rigar ta ta kasance irin wadda ta fito da surar ta mai lankwasa ba tare da nuna kyama ba; kayan adonta sun ja hankalin mutane da yawa, amma kawai ya isa ya sanya ta zama mai nasara ba tare da an bayyana ba.
    
  "Na gode, na gode, 'yan mata da maza!" Barbeau ta fada cikin makirifo bayan ta isa lectern. Daga nan ta faɗi sanannen taken yaƙin neman zaɓenta da aka maimaita akai-akai a cikin wata babbar murya ta Cajun: "Bari mu fara gina gaba tare, ko?" Tafi da kururuwa sun bata rai.
    
  Shiru Barbeau ya tsaya a kan mumbari har ihu da tafi ya kare, sannan ya dakata kusan minti daya, haka dai jama"a suka dakata suna jiran kalamanta. A ƙarshe, ta fara da cewa: "Abokina, da farko, zan kauce wa maganganun da na shirya domin an yi abubuwa masu tsanani cikin ƴan sa"o"i da suka gabata waɗanda nake ganin ya kamata ku sani.
    
  "Na tabbata dukkanku kun san cewa ni ba babban mai goyon bayan sabon shirin da shugaba Kenneth Phoenix ya yi na samar da sararin samaniyar masana'antu ba," in ji ta. "Ina ba shugaban kasa dukkan yabo a duniya na tashi zuwa tashar sararin samaniyar soja don yin babban sanarwarsa - duk da cewa ya kashe masu biyan haraji na Amurka dubun-dubatar daloli a kan abin da ya zama mafi barna kuma ba dole ba ne a duniya. , - amma a gaskiya, abokaina, komai ya ragu daga nan: dangantaka da Rasha da kasashe da yawa a Turai da Asiya sun kasance a cikin mafi ƙarancin lokaci kuma suna barazanar fashewa a cikin rikici na diplomasiyya mafi kyau, da kuma komawa ga Cold War a mafi muni.; Sojoji sun daina aminta da shugaban kasa saboda duk irin wannan gagarumin ragi da yake shirin yi wa sojojin mu na alfahari; Rashawa sun yi watsi da tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa, Tarayyar Turai da Japan suna tunanin yin haka; kuma har yanzu tattalin arzikin kasar na cikin mawuyacin hali shekaru hudu bayan hawansa karagar mulki, duk kuwa da yunkurin tsuke bakin aljihu da aka yi, wanda ya sa aka kawar da dukkanin ma"aikatun a matakin majalisar ministoci. Wannan shine abin da muke so mu ci gaba har tsawon shekaru huɗu?" Masu sauraro sun fara rera wata magana da aka saba da ita da aka yi ta maimaitawa a lokacin yaƙin neman zaɓe na Barbeau: "Ka yi wani abu game da shi yanzu, Ken Phoenix, ko ka fita daga cikin mota!" " cakuda Cajun da Creole maganganu.
    
  Bayan ta jira 'yan dakiku, Barbeau ta daga hannayenta, tana murmushi sosai, har aka kare wakar. "Amma yayin da ya gargade mu kan shirinsa na rage yawan sojoji a daidai lokacin da hatsarin da ke kara ta"azzara ga kasarmu da kawayenmu; yayin da ya gargaɗe mu cewa a shirye yake ya yanke shirye-shirye da fa'idodin da aka tsara don taimakawa mafi rauni a cikinmu; yayin da yake barazanar haifar da babbar gaira don ƙoƙarin tura waɗannan abubuwan sararin samaniya masu girman gaske, kun san abin da ya yi a baya yau, abokaina? A yau ya harba wani makamin makamashi da aka ba da umarni, na'urar laser na microwave, daga sararin samaniya, wanda ya saba wa yarjejeniyar kare sararin samaniya kai tsaye. Ko da yake har yanzu Majalisar Dattawa ba ta amince da yarjejeniyar ba - wani rashi da zan gyara idan na karbi ragamar mulki, na yi muku alkawari - an kiyaye sharuddan ta a hankali cikin shekaru takwas da suka gabata don tabbatar da zaman lafiya. Kuma kun san abin da ya fi muni? Don ɓoye shirinsa daga duniya, ya mayar da wannan aikin a matsayin gwaji marar laifi na daliban koleji.
    
  "Gaskiya ne abokaina. Kun ji ko karanta labarin matasa na farko a sararin samaniya, kuma ba shakka Casey Huggins, nakasassu na farko a sararin samaniya, haziƙan matasa masana kimiyya waɗanda ke da ƙarfin hali don shiga sararin samaniya don gudanar da wannan gwaji. To, duk karya ce babba. Tare da taimakon wani ɗan kwangilar tsaro na Nevada da goyon bayan Shugaba Phoenix da Mataimakin Shugaban Page, waɗannan ɗaliban sun ƙirƙira makamin makamashin da ke kewaye da kai a yanzu, kuma an yi nasarar harba shi a yau a wani hari a duniya, duk a ƙarƙashin rigar tashar wutar lantarki mai amfani da hasken rana., wacce za ta iya ba da wutar lantarki ga kowane yanki na duniya don taimakawa al'ummomin marasa galihu ko masu bincike a sassan duniya masu nisa. Kamar yadda muka ce a can, a kan tashar, abokaina: wannan kare ba ya farauta.
    
  "Sun yi ƙoƙari su yaudare mu, abokaina," Barbeau ya ci gaba da cewa. "Sun yi ƙoƙari su yaudare mu. Amma wani memba na kungiyar da ake kira Starfire Project ya kasa daukar munafunci, sai ya kira shugaban taronmu, Dokta Tobi Nukage, ya gaya masa gaskiya. Wannan jajirtaccen matashin shine Kim Jong-bae, hazikin dalibin injiniya daga kasar Koriya ta United wanda shi ne jagoran tawagar domin gudanar da aikin amma ba a bar shi ya bayyana adawarsa ga harbin gwajin ba. Jarumi ne da ya karya wannan hali."
    
  Fuskarta a duhu. Barbeau ya ci gaba da cewa, "Mun kuma koyi a yau cewa akwai wani mummunan bala'i da ya shafi wannan makamin makamashin da aka kai ka - watakila kun ji labarinsa." "Daya daga cikin kungiyoyin da ke wakilta a nan, Students for Universal Peace, sun shirya zanga-zangar game da wurin gwajin Starfire. Sun dauki hayar jarumai guda biyu don su tuka wani karamin jirgin sama kusa da inda Starfire ta nufa. Sun san hatsarin, amma suna so su yi duk abin da za su iya don dakatar da gwajin. Na yi nadamar bayar da rahoto... An harbo jirgin ne da haramtacciyar makamin sararin samaniya. Ee, na'urar lesar injin microwave ta harba daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. An kashe jarumai biyu da ke cikin jirgin nan take." Shiru yayi gaba daya a falon, banda kukan da kuma haki na firgici, nan da nan duk wanda ke wajen tebur daya ya zabura ya tashi tsaye cikin firgici da radadi suka nufi hanyar kofar falon.
    
  Barbeau ya ƙyale shirun ya daɗe na ɗan lokaci. Sa'an nan, a hankali, a hankali, yanayinta ya canza: ba ta da duhu, amma ja-zafi da fushi. "Dakatar da zama munafuka, Mista Phoenix," in ji Barbeau, tana faɗin kalmominta a fili tare da nuna yatsa kai tsaye a cibiyar sadarwa da kyamarori na labarai na USB waɗanda aka yi gaggawar shigar da shawararta don bayyanarta. "Babu ƙarairayi da yaudara, babu sauran ɓarna da dalar kuɗin harajin da muke tarawa a kan shirye-shiryen makamai masu haɗari da haram, kuma babu sauran kashe Amurkawa marasa laifi waɗanda ba su son komai face nuna fushinsu da yin wani abu, da sunan zaman lafiya. Nan da nan kashe wannan makamin sararin samaniya, watsar da shi a bar shi ya bushe, ya ƙone kuma ya fada cikin teku. Yi yanzu". Ƙarin tsawa da waƙoƙin "Yi yanzu!" Yi shi yanzu! Yi yanzu!"
    
  "Lokacin da na zama shugaban Amurka, abokaina," Barbeau ya ci gaba da cewa bayan minti daya na tafi da rera wakoki, "Zan dawo da imani da martabar wannan kasa, sojojinmu, fadar White House da kuma a idon kowa da kowa a kusa da kasar. duniya mai burin samun 'yanci da addu'a ga mika taimako. Sojojin mu za su sake zama na daya ba tare da kokarin ci gaba da zama na uku ba. A lokacin da al'ummar duniya da ake zalunta da masu son zaman lafiya suka kalli sama, ba za su ga makamai masu linzami da gwamnatinsu ta harba musu ba, kuma tabbas ba za su ga tashar sararin samaniyar sojojin Amurka da ke shirin mayar da kauyensu toka ko harbin bindiga ba. jirgin sama daga sama da hasken da ba a iya gani - za su ga jirgin jigilar kaya mai dauke da tutar Amurka ja, fari da shudi, dauke da abinci, ruwa, magunguna, likitoci da dakarun wanzar da zaman lafiya don taimaka musu. Kuma lokacin da Amurkawa suka nemi taimako suka nemi gwamnatinsu ta taimaka wajen ciyar da "ya"yansu da samun ayyukan yi, ba za su ji labarin shugaban nasu ya kashe makudan miliyoyin daloli a raye-rayen farin ciki a sararin samaniya ko kuma a asirce ya haifar da hasarar mutuwa - za su samu taimakon da suka yi da gaske. bukata . Wannan shi ne abin da na yi alkawari!"
    
  Murna da rera sun ma fi na da ƙarfi, kuma a wannan karon Stacy Ann Barbeau ta ƙyale shi ya ci gaba.
    
    
  KREMLIN
  TARAYYAR RUSSIA MOSCOW
  BAYAN 'YAN SA'O'I
    
    
  "Yan uwana 'yan Rasha, jawabina na wannan safiya zai kasance gajere kuma kai tsaye," in ji Shugaba Gennady Gryzlov a cikin kyamarar daga gidan talabijin a Kremlin. Wani duhun fuska ya yi, kamar zai sanar da mutuwar wani masoyi. "Ya kamata a yanzu kun ji labarin furucin da "yar takarar shugabancin Amurka kuma tsohuwar sakatariyar harkokin wajen Amurka Stacey Ann Barbeau ta yi a safiyar yau game da gwajin harba makamin makamashi daga sararin samaniya a wata manufa a duniya daga tashar sararin samaniyar sojojin Amurka da kuma harbin. saukar jirgin Amurka da wannan makamin. Ni da ministocina mun tsorata da jin wannan batu. Muna aiki don tabbatar da wannan bayanin, amma idan gaskiya ne, waɗannan ayyukan za su zama babbar barazana ga zaman lafiya a duniya - a gaskiya ma, sun kasance cin zarafi ga yarjejeniyar, gargadi ga sauran duniya, tsokana da aiki na kama-da-wane. yaki.
    
  "Lokacin da muka yi la'akari da zaɓuɓɓukanmu, mun damu da cewa za mu iya haifar da tsoro a cikin Rasha, kuma a duk faɗin duniya. Amma mun ji ba mu da wani zabi, shi ya sa nake magana da ku a yammacin yau. Bugu da ƙari, mun yanke shawarar yin aiki da hankali da sauri don kare rayukan Rashawa da abokanmu da abokanmu, kamar haka:
    
  "Na farko: Daga nan da nan, Rundunar Tsaron sararin samaniya ta Rasha za ta ci gaba da watsa shirye-shiryen da aka annabta na tashar sararin samaniyar sojan Amurka da kuma damar da za a iya amfani da ita da kuma azimuth na makaman nukiliya da aka jagoranta, da kuma ba da gargadi game da lokacin da kuma inda makaman makamashin da aka ba da izini zai iya yin barazana ga makaman nukiliya. Rashawa, abokanmu, da abokanmu a duniya," Gryzlov ya ci gaba da cewa. "Lokacin da makamai suka yi muku barazana, muna rokon ku da ku fake a karkashin kasa ko kuma a cikin gini mafi karfi da za ku iya ficewa cikin sauri. Ba a san ainihin kaddarorin makamin ba, don haka har yanzu ba mu san abin da mafi kyawun murfin zai iya kasancewa ba, amma kuna iya samun mafi kyawun damar tsira daga harin idan kuna cikin gida maimakon a waje. Barazanar na iya wucewa har zuwa mintuna hudu. Kai da masoyanka na iya kasancewa cikin haɗari daga bindigogi sau da yawa a rana.
    
  "Fashewar wadannan makaman na iya lalata na"urorin lantarki, don haka ku shirya gidajenku da wuraren sana"o"inku su kasance babu wutar lantarki na kwanaki ko ma makonni: tara barguna, abinci da ruwa; tattara itace don wuta; kuma ku tsara unguwanninku domin ku taru ku taimaki juna." Ya ci gaba da cewa. "Idan har za ta yiwu, a guji yin shawagi a cikin jiragen sama, hawa lif ko jiragen kasa masu amfani da wutar lantarki, ko yin amfani da manyan injina yayin da makamin ke cikin hadari domin kamar yadda muka gani, makamai na iya saukar da jirage cikin sauki kuma suna kawo cikas ko ma lalata wutar lantarki. kewaye.
    
  "Na biyu: Ina buƙatar duk makaman Amurka da ke tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong a kashe su kuma a lalata su nan da nan," in ji Gryzlov. "Wannan ya hada da Skybolt Laser free electron Laser, da Hydra chlorine-oxygen-iodine Laser da Kingfisher orbital makamai bita; Starfire, abin da ake kira gwajin ɗaliban kwaleji wanda a zahiri ya zama makamin laser na microwave; da duk wani makaman da ke sararin samaniya, hanyoyin samar da wutar lantarki da dukkan abubuwan da suke da su, ko Amurkawa sun sanya su a matsayin makaman kariya kawai ko a'a. Musamman kasar Rasha ta bukaci a raba na'urar ta Skybolt daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong cikin sa'o'i arba'in da takwas, sannan kuma idan ta daina yin hadari ga kowa ko wani abu a doron kasa, a cire shi daga sararin samaniya, kuma an tura shi domin ya kone a cikin sararin samaniya. yanayin duniya ko karo a cikin teku. Muna da na'urori masu auna firikwensin a ƙasa don tantance ko an yi shi. Idan ba a yi haka ba, dole ne in ɗauka cewa Amurka na da niyyar ci gaba da yin amfani da makamai kuma nan take Rasha za ta ɗauki dukkan matakan kare kanta.
    
  "Na uku: Ina bayyana cewa, daga cikin kwanaki goma, sai dai idan Amurkawa sun lalata dukkan makamansu na sararin samaniya, duk sararin samaniyar da ke kewayen Tarayyar Rasha tun daga sama zuwa tsayin kilomita dari biyar an hana sararin samaniyar sararin samaniya kuma an rufe shi ga duk wani jirgin sama mara izini." "- Gryzlov ya ci gaba. "Tsawon shekaru da yawa, dukkan kasashen sun fahimci cewa sararin samaniyar da ke kasa da kilomita ashirin ne kadai za a iya takaita ko sarrafa shi, amma kuma ba za a iya sarrafa shi ba. Masana kimiyyar mu sun yi kiyasin cewa, Amurkawa za su iya harba makamansu na makamashin da ya kai kilomita dari biyar da isassun karfin kashe mutum a kasa, don haka sararin samaniyar da za mu kare kenan. Duk wani jirgin da ba a ba shi izini ba a kan Tarayyar Rasha da ke ƙasa da ƙayyadaddun tsayi, ba tare da la'akari da nau'in jirgin sama ko jirgin sama ba, za a yi la'akari da shi a matsayin maƙiya kuma yana ƙarƙashin kariya. Na san wannan yana shafar ƙasashe da yawa, amma Amurkawa sun canza yanayin tsaro a duniya da muni, kuma ba mu da wani zaɓi face mu ɗauki mataki. Yakamata kwanaki goma ya ishe duk kasashen da ba sa son junansu su canza kewayawar jirginsu ko kuma samar mana da cikakkun bayanai game da nau'i, manufa da kewayar jiragen sama da jiragen da ke shawagi a sararin samaniyar kasar Rasha domin bin wannan umarni.
    
  Gryzlov ya ce "Wannan iyakance gaskiya ne musamman ga jirgin sama guda daya musamman: motocin harba na'ura mai saukar ungulu na Amurka," in ji Gryzlov. "Saboda iyawar da suke da shi na hawan hawan sama da kuma karfinsu na hanzarta zuwa sararin samaniyar duniya, da kuma nuna karfin da suke da shi na harba makamai ko harba tauraron dan adam masu dauke da makami zuwa sararin samaniya, suna yin barazana musamman ga Tarayyar Rasha.
    
  "Don haka, tun daga kwanaki goma don baiwa jiragen sama lokaci don kwashe duk wani ma'aikaci daga tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa ko tashar Armstrong, ba za a yi maraba da jiragen sama na S-series na Amurka a sararin samaniyar Rasha ba kuma za a yi aiki tare da harbo su ba tare da wani gargadi ba," Gryzlov ya ci gaba da cewa. . "Bari in maimaita wannan don kada a sami rudani ko shakka: daga yau, a cikin kwanaki goma, za a kunna jiragen saman Amurka idan sun tashi sama da Tarayyar Rasha. Barazanar harin da wadannan jiragen sama masu karfin gaske suke yi babbar barazana ce ga al'ummar Rasha. Amurka tana da jiragen sama da dama na kasuwanci da ke amfani da kumbon dan Adam wadanda ke iya yin hidima ga tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa da makamantansu, kuma za a ba su izinin yin hakan bayan sun nemi izinin tashi sama da Rasha, amma jiragen ba za a ba su izinin tashi sama da Rasha ba ko dai. a cikin wane yanayi.
    
  "Ban so in ɗauki irin wannan tsattsauran matakan, ya ku "yan ƙasar Rasha, amma bayan tuntuɓar masu ba ni shawara kuma bayan addu"a da yawa, na ji cewa ba ni da wani zaɓi idan na so in kare "yan ƙasar Rasha daga haɗarin da suke fuskanta a yanzu sama da kawunansu. ", - Gryzlov ya kammala. "Ina kira ga dukkan "yan kasar Rasha da su dauki duk matakan da suka dace don kare kansu da iyalansu daga hadarin harin da makamai masu linzamin sararin samaniya ke kaiwa. Idan Amurkawa ba su amsa buƙatu na ba, ina tabbatar muku, Rasha za ta yi aiki. Ku kasance da labari kuma ku zauna lafiya, ya ku masoyi na Rasha. Allah ya albarkaci Tarayyar Rasha."
    
  Gryzlov ya tashi daga kujerarsa ya fita daga dakin talbijin na Kremlin, tare da rakiyar shugaban ma'aikatansa, Sergei Tarzarov. Bai gaisa da kowa ba ko ya tsaya hira, da sauri ya nufi ofishinsa. Wadanda suke jiran shi a ciki akwai Ministan Harkokin Waje Daria Titeneva, Ministan Tsaro Gregor Sokolov da Babban Hafsan Hafsoshin Sojojin Janar Mikhail Khristenko, wadanda duk suka tashi tsaye lokacin da Tarzarov ya bude kofa ga shugaban na Rasha. "Madalla da magani, yallabai," in ji Sokolov. "Ina ganin kwanaki goma za su ishe Amirkawa su fara tattaunawa kan samun damar shiga sararin samaniyar Rasha don samun jiragensu."
    
  Gryzlov ya zauna a teburinsa kuma ya kalli Sokolov. "Ba zan ba kowa kwana goma," in ji shi, yana kunna sigari, "kuma ba zan yi shawara da kowa game da komai ba."
    
  "Yallabai?"
    
  "Sa'o'i arba'in da takwas, Sokolov," in ji Gryzlov. "Idan ban ga na'urar Skybolt ba ta katse daga wannan tashar sararin samaniya, ina so a kai wa tashar sararin samaniya hari a gaba da za ta wuce Rasha, tare da kowane makami a cikin makamanmu. Haka yake da kowane jirgin su. Ba zan zauna baya yin komai ba yayin da Amurkawa ke tashi sama da makamin makamashin da aka kai. Na gwammace na jawo kasar nan cikin yaki da in bar hakan ta faru."
    
  Sergei Tarzarov ya ɗauki mai karɓar tarho a ƙarshen ofishin Gryzlov, ya saurare shi, sannan ya mayar da shi. "Shugaba Phoenix yana nan, yallabai," in ji shi.
    
  "Ba a dauki lokaci mai tsawo ba," in ji Gryzlov. Ya nuna wa wadanda ke cikin dakin da su dauko karin wayoyi da aka cire don su saurari fassarar, sannan ya dauki wayar a kan teburinsa. "Me ke faruwa Mr. Phoenix?"
    
  "Wannan ba makamin makamashi ne da aka kai shi ba, Mista Shugaban kasa," in ji Phoenix ta wani mai fassara. "Aiki ne na injiniyan kwaleji, cibiyar samar da wutar lantarki ta sararin samaniya. Kuma ba Starfire ne ya harbo jirgin ba - ya rasa yadda zai yi a lokacin da yake kokarin kaucewa wani jirgin sama mai saukar ungulu na sintiri bayan ya keta iyakokin sararin samaniya, mintuna kadan bayan kammala gwajin. Ban san inda Sakatariya Barbeau ta samo bayananta ba, amma ta yi kuskure kuma an yaudare ku ku gaskata. Tana yakin neman zaben shugaban kasa kuma tana son kanun labarai."
    
  "Dakata". Gryzlov ya danna maɓallin jiran aiki kuma ya juya ga waɗanda ke cikin ɗakin tare da shi. "To, da kyau," in ji shi, "Phoenix ta fara wannan tattaunawar ta ƙoƙarin yin bayani. Wannan na iya zama mai ban sha'awa."
    
  "Watakila a shirye yake ya tattauna," in ji Tarzarov. "Bari ya ba ku wani abu, sa'an nan kuma ku ba da wani abu a mayar da shi."
    
  "Me kake magana akai, Tarzarov," Gryzlov ya ce a fusace, amma da murmushi a fuskarsa. "Ba zan ba da inci daya ba ga wannan ra'ayi mai rauni na shugaban kasa." Ya sake danna maballin rikewa. "Shin kuna cewa Barbeau yana ƙarya, Phoenix?" - ya tambaya, baya amfani da sunan Phoenix ko ma kiransa a matsayin "Maigida" - Matakin farko na Phoenix shine tsaro, kuma Gryzlov yana so babu shakka game da wanda ke da iko a halin yanzu.
    
  "Na ba ku gaskiya, Mista Shugaba: Starfire ba makamin makamashi ba ne," in ji Phoenix. "Wannan wata masana'anta ce ta gwaji ta samar da wutar lantarki ta sararin samaniya wanda ɗaliban injiniyan California da yawa suka haɓaka. An kashe Laser electron kyauta na Skybolt. Gwajin daliban dai ya hada da isar da wutar lantarki daga sararin samaniya zuwa doron kasa. Wannan duka . Karamin jirgin ya fado ne domin matukinsa wawa ne, ba wai don wani masarrafa ya buge shi ba. Tashar wutar lantarki ta hasken rana ba ta yin barazana ga kowa a duniya kuma tabbas ba za ta kashe jirage, lif, jiragen kasa, ko wani abu ba. Kuna haifar da tsoro game da gwajin kwaleji mara lahani. Wannan aikin ko tashar sararin samaniya ba sa yin wata barazana a gare ku."
    
  "Phoenix, kawai ban yarda da ku ba," in ji Gryzlov. "Akwai abu ɗaya kawai da za ku iya yi don dawo da bangaskiyata cikin kalmominku: nan da nan cire haɗin na'urar laser daga tashar sararin samaniya. Idan kun yi haka, ba zan sanya ƙarin takunkumi a sararin samaniyar Rasha ba kuma zan shiga tattaunawa da ku don ƙirƙirar yarjejeniya ta dindindin kan makaman sararin samaniya. Duk abin da nake kula da shi shine makamai masu tayar da hankali a sararin samaniya wanda zai iya yin barazana ga Rasha. Wataƙila na sami bayanan da ba daidai ba game da yanayin na'urar, amma har yanzu wannan bai canza gaskiyar cewa kun yi amfani da tsarin Skybolt don sakin makamashi kai tsaye a saman Duniya ba, kuma wannan ba abin karɓa ba ne."
    
  Gryzlov ya lura da tsayin shiru a ɗayan ƙarshen layin; sannan: "Zan tuntubi masu ba ni shawara, Mr. Shugaban kasa," a karshe Phoenix ya ce.
    
  "Madalla," in ji Gryzlov. "Kuna da kwanaki biyu, Phoenix, sannan Rasha za ta kare sararin samaniyarta da ƙananan sararin samaniya kamar yadda za mu kare ƙasarmu, tare da kowane namiji, mace da yaro da kowane makami a cikin makamanmu a hannunmu. Wannan shine alkawari na, Phoenix. "Kuma da wadannan kalamai ne ya sake jefa wayar a wurin.
    
  Sergei Tarzarov ya mayar da igiyar tsawo da aka yanke zuwa wurin ta na asali. "Ina tsammanin zai yi kamar yadda kuka tambaya kuma ya cire haɗin na'urar laser daga tashar sararin samaniyar soja," in ji shi. "Hakika ya yarda da hakan. Zan iya ba da shawara-"
    
  "A'a, ba za ku iya ba, Tarzarov," Gryzlov ya katse shi. Ya juya ga Ministan Tsaro Sokolov da Babban Hafsan Hafsoshin Khristenko. "Zan ba Amurkawa kwanaki biyu su cire wannan manhaja ta Skybolt daga tashar sararin samaniya, kuma zan ba su damar isar da kafsul din zuwa tasharsu ta sararin samaniya idan sun gaya mana ainihin hanyar jirginsu da inda za su tashi kafin a harba su, kuma idan sun yi hakan. 'Kada ku karkata daga wannan hanyar jirgin ba da digiri ko mita ba. Idan ba su sanar da mu ba, ko kuma idan sun kauce daga hanyar jirginsu, ina so jirgin ya lalata. Za a jibge jirage masu saukar ungulu a duk lokacin da suka zo iyakar makamanmu."
    
  "Yallabai, bayanin kayansu ko fasinja fa?" Ministan harkokin wajen kasar Titenov ya tambaya.
    
  "Ban damu da abin da za su iya ɗauka kuma," in ji Gryzlov. "Daga yanzu ina tsammanin cewa duk wani jirgin da Amurkawa suka harba na dauke da makamai a sararin samaniya kuma yana kawo hadari ga Rasha. Amurkawa da wannan shugaban kasa Phoenix makaryata ne kuma suna kawo hadari ga Rasha. Zan dauke su kamar abokan gaba da suke, ba zan yarda da komai ba, kuma zan yi aiki da tunanin cewa Amurka kawai tana jiran damar da ta dace ta kai farmaki, don haka dole ne mu kasance a shirye mu fara kai farmaki."
    
    
  TARA
    
    
  Ana yin harbe-harbe daga masu laifi, ba jami"an tsaro ba.
    
  - JOHN F. KENNEDY
    
    
    
  A CIKIN JIRGIN JIRGIN FARKO NA AREWA CALIFORNIA
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  Shugaba Phoenix ya katse wayar. "Komai ya tafi lami lafiya" ya fad'a a gajiye. Ya nufi arewa zuwa Portland, Oregon, don tsayawar yakin neman zabe gobe. "Ko za ku iya jin duk wannan?" - Ya tambaya a cikin kyamarar taron bidiyo. Dukkan mahalarta ukun da suka halarci taron na bidiyo - mataimakiyar shugaban kasa Anne Page, mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro William Glenbrook da sakataren tsaro Frederick Hayes - sun amsa da gaske. "Na zage damtse. Ya kamata in kira ku mutane kuma in tambayi ra'ayinku kafin barin daliban Cal Poly suyi amfani da janareta na nukiliya. Godiya ga Barbeau, Rasha tana tunanin kawai na harba hasken mutuwa. Ba na jin kamar ina da wani zaɓi a nan mutane sai dai in cire haɗin wannan tsarin Skybolt. Tunani?"
    
  "Da na ba da shawarar ƙarin gwajin janareta na MHD idan kun tambaye ni a gaba," in ji Anne. "Duk abin da muka yi shi ne bari ɗaliban UC su nuna fasaharsu-ba mu harba makaman sararin samaniya ba. Starfire ba makamin sararin samaniya ba ne, komai Barbeau da Gryzlov suka ce."
    
  "Yanzu tambayar ita ce, shin muna tunanin Gryzlov zai kuskura ya kai hari idan muka tashi jirgin sama a sararin samaniyar Rasha?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar.
    
  Glenbrook ya ce "Yana daukar matakai don kokarin gamsar da mu cewa wannan shi ne ainihin abin da zai yi." "Shin harba wannan jirgin sama na Electron zuwa cikin sararin samaniyar da ke tsaka da tashar sararin samaniya? Wannan aiki ne da gangan."
    
  "Sun yi nisa mil," in ji Hayes. "Babu hadarin karo."
    
  "Amma rashin kirga na 'yan dakiku kuma zai iya yin muni sosai," in ji Anne. "Bill yayi gaskiya: wannan aikin ganganci ne kuma mai haɗari."
    
  "Kin ambaci wani abu kuma da ya faru kafin wannan labarin na tashi, ko ba haka ba, Fred?" shugaban ya tambaya. "Mene ne?"
    
  Hayes ya ce, "Kafin jirgin saman Rasha ya wuce tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, mun kalli yadda yake tafiya daf da tauraron dan adam na Rasha da ke da matsala." "Yayin da muke kallo, mun lura cewa tauraron dan adam yana fadowa ba zato ba tsammani."
    
  "Jirgin sama ya kai masa hari? Yaya?"
    
  "An samo bayanan farko game da wannan taron daga hotunan radar, kuma ba su gano wani makami mai linzami kamar Scimitar hypervelocity missiles da suka yi amfani da su a baya," in ji Hayes. "Mun nemi rundunar sojin sama da ta sake duba hotunan tsarin tauraron dan adam infrared da aka yi a sararin samaniya don ganin ko za su iya gano Laser."
    
  "Laser?" - in ji shugaban. "Laser mai lalata tauraron dan adam a cikin jirgin sama?"
    
  "Mai yiwuwa ne, yallabai," in ji Hayes. "Mun daɗe muna da shirye-shiryen ƙirƙirar ƙananan lasers don lalata tauraron dan adam, kamar na Rasha - watakila sun shigar da daya a cikin mashigin dakon kaya na jirgin Electron."
    
  "Za mu iya amfani da wani abu kamar wannan yanzu," in ji Anne.
    
  Hayes ya ce, "Mun zabi tauraron dan adam na Kingfisher, madam, saboda suna iya daukar makamai masu linzami da tauraron dan adam, da makami mai linzami da kuma kai hari, yayin da tauraron dan adam na Laser ba zai iya kai hari a doron kasa ba."
    
  "Shin mun yarda cewa aƙalla Rashawa sun bayyana a shirye, suna shirye kuma suna iya kai hari kan jirgin mu?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar. Tambayarsa tayi shiru da lumshe fuska. "Ina son yarda, mutane: Gryzlov ya fusata, kuma shi mai hankali ne, kuma tare da wannan gwajin Starfire, ya ga damar da ya samu don ci gaba da batun makaman sararin samaniya - kuma yana iya samun kulawar al'ummar duniya cikin sauki. Zai iya kai hari kan daya daga cikin jiragen mu kuma ya yi iƙirarin cewa an tsokane shi da yin hakan." Ya kalli fuskokin da suka daure akan allon taron bidiyo. "Shin akwai wanda ke tunanin Gryzlov zai gudanar da wata tattaunawa kan wannan batu?"
    
  "Ya riga ya gaya wa duniya abin da zai yi," in ji Glenbrook. "Ya yi kira da a kare lafiyar al"ummarsa baki daya - har ma ya ce wa "yan kasarsa su fake a yayin da tashar ta tashi sama! Duk wani abu da ya kasa juya Skybolt zuwa meteorite ba zai zama abin karɓa ba. Zai yi kama da mai rauni idan ya fara tattaunawa."
    
  "Mene ne zabina na soja? Fred?"
    
  "Ba mu gama da dukkan zabukanmu ba, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Sakataren Tsaro Hayes da karfi. "Ba komai. Laser na'urar lantarki na kyauta da ke cikin tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong da kuma wuraren tarurrukan makaman Kingfisher sune mafi kyawun zaɓuɓɓuka don lalata pads harba Electron, sansanonin MiG-31D da masu harba makami mai linzami na S-500, yallabai. Idan muka tura dukan ƙungiyar taurarin Kingfisher, za mu iya riƙe kowane rukunin kariya na makami mai linzami na Rasha da tashar sararin samaniya cikin haɗari awanni ashirin da huɗu a rana/minti bakwai. Rashawa sun sanya makamin kariya ta iska S-500 akan madafunan harba su, amma ba za su iya taba makami mai linzami na Thor's Hammer da ke fitowa daga sararin samaniya mai nisan mil dubu goma cikin sa'a ba - kuma ba shakka Skybolt na tashi da saurin haske. . Da zarar ya tsaya ya saki, ba za a iya dakatar da shi ba."
    
  Shugaban ya yi la'akari da hakan na 'yan wasu lokuta, a bayyane yake cewa bai ji dadin amfani da makamai masu linzami ba. "Akwai sauran zaɓuɓɓuka, Fred?" Daga karshe ya tambaya.
    
  "S-500 mai sauya wasa ne, yallabai," in ji Hayes. "Sauran zaɓin da ba na nukiliya ba shine hare-haren da sauran 'yan bindigar B-2 da suka rage da kuma makamai masu linzami da aka harba daga 'yan bama-bamai na B-1 da B-52, da kuma makamai masu linzami na jiragen ruwa na yau da kullum. Kai hari tasoshin jiragen sama na Rasha da na China yana nufin tashi sama da yankin Rasha da China-makamai masu linzami na jiragen ruwa na yau da kullun suna da nisan mil ɗari bakwai kawai, wanda ke nufin za mu iya kai hari kan wasu hare-haren S-500, amma ba tashoshin jiragen ruwa ba. S-500 yana da ikon yin tir da makamai masu linzami masu saukar ungulu masu saukar ungulu, yana da karfin fada da maharan B-1, kuma yana da kisa ga B-52s."
    
  "Wace dama ce makamai masu linzami da masu tayar da bama-bamai ke da su, Janar?" - Tambayi shafin mataimakin shugaban kasa.
    
  "Babu fiye da hamsin da hamsin, ma'am," in ji Hayes. "S-500 yana da kyau sosai. Kewayon makami mai linzami na jirgin ruwa da aka harba ta iska ya ninka na S-500 sau biyu, amma S-500 na hannu ne kuma ana iya motsa shi da sauri kuma a daidaita shi, don haka yuwuwar makami mai linzami mai jagora mai niyya kawai yana yin niyya ne kawai na daidaitawar yanki. a karshe sanannun batura da kuma shiga daya daga cikinsu ba su da girma sosai. Tsawaita kewayon nau'in makami mai linzami na Jirgin Jirgin Ruwa na Haɗin Jirgin Jirgin Jirgin Ruwa yana da firikwensin hoto na infrared don haka zai fi tasiri a kan maƙasudin motsi da fashe-fashe, amma yana da subsonic kuma S-500 zai yi tasiri sosai a kan hakan. Bama-bamai na B-1 goma sha biyu da aka gyara da muka samu suna da kyau, amma har yanzu ba mu sami gogaggun ma'aikatan ba. B-52 ba zai sami dama ba. Dole ne su ketare babban tsarin tsaron iska na Rasha, S-400, sannan su dauki S-500, wanda ke ba da kariya ga cosmodromes da harba pads." Ya juya ga shugaban kasa. "Makaman sararin samaniya shine mafi kyawun zaɓinmu, yallabai. Bai kamata mu kashe tsarin Skybolt ba - a zahiri, shawarar da nake da ita ita ce a kunna tauraron dan adam Skybolt da Kingfisher da ke cikin sararin samaniya, a aika da jiragen sama a sa su tashi da garejin da aka adana su koma cikin falakinsu domin kammala kafa kungiyar."
    
  A fili yake cewa shugaban kasar bai ji dadin wannan shawarar ba. "Ba na son Rashawa su yi harbi a kan jiragen mu, Fred," in ji shi bayan dogon tunani.
    
  "Har yanzu za su iya yin hakan idan muka cire haɗin na'urar Skybolt, yallabai, sannan kuma da mun bar babban tsarin makaman da zai taimaka wajen yaƙar harin da aka kai tashar ko kuma wuraren da ake yin makaman."
    
  Shugaban ya jinjina kai. "Har yaushe za'a ɗauki kafin a dawo da garejin Kingfisher cikin kewayawa?"
    
  "Makonni kadan, yallabai," in ji Hayes, yana duban wasu bayanai akan kwamfutar kwamfutarsa. "Ana adana garaji a kan Armstrong. Dole ne su loda na'urorin da ke cikin jirgin, sannan ko dai su jira lokacin da ya dace ko kuma su tashi zuwa cikin abin da ake kira transfer orbit don shiga wurin da ya dace don harba na'urar zuwa sararin samaniya."
    
  "Kuma Rashawa za su kasance suna kallon wannan aikin duk tsawon wannan lokacin, ina tsammanin?"
    
  "Tabbas, yallabai," in ji Hayes. "Suna iya gani, kamar kowa, abin da ya kamata a ɗauka don kammala ɗaukar hoto - abin da kawai za su yi shi ne bin diddigin waɗannan kewayen. A halin yanzu, za su iya sanya S-500 da MiG-31D a wuraren da suka dace don harbi a gareji a duk lokacin da suka ga dama, kuma ba shakka za su iya yin hakan a yanzu tare da Armstrong - a gaskiya, mun yi imanin cewa suna da kusan S-6. - 500 da MiG-31D tare da makaman kare-dangi da ke da nufin Armstrong a halin yanzu a cikin kewayarsa na yanzu. Idan muka canza kewayawar tashar, to kawai za su motsa makaman ASAT zuwa inda ake bukata.
    
  "Don haka Armstrong yana da rauni don kai hari?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar.
    
  "Hydra COIL Laser karewa yana aiki, kuma Kingfishers a halin yanzu a cikin orbit da Skybolt Laser za a iya kunna su cikin sauri," Hayes ya amsa. "Kowane garejin Kingfisher yana da makaman kare dangi guda uku, da kuma zagayen kai hari kasa guda uku. Na yi imanin tashar za ta iya kare kanta sosai da zarar duk tsarin ya dawo kan layi." Ya fad'a hannunsa. "A karshen kwanaki biyu, Rashawa za su ga cewa ba mu nakasa Skybolt ba, sannan za mu ga ko za su aiwatar da barazanarsu."
    
  Gryzlov ya riga ya bayyana a gidan talabijin na kasa da kasa - idan ya ja da baya, zai rasa fuska a idon duniya baki daya," in ji mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaron kasa Glenbrook. "Yana iya yin ƙaramin hari don ƙoƙarin kama shi da gaske..."
    
  "Gryzlov ba ya buge ni a matsayin wanda zai yi abubuwa da rabi," in ji Anne. "Ba na tsammanin ya damu da rasa fuska - mutumin ya kasance mahaukaci ne kawai. Ina ganin idan ya yanke shawarar barin, zai ba da komai nasa."
    
  "Me za mu yi asara idan muka rasa Armstrong, Fred?"
    
  "Ma'aikata goma sha huɗu, ciki har da daliban koleji biyu," in ji Hayes. "Zuba jari na biliyoyin daloli. Nau'ikan makamai da na'urori masu auna firikwensin da yawa tare da iyawar ci gaba. Duk da haka, za mu ci gaba da sarrafa ma'ajiyar makaman daga hedkwatar Hukumar Kula da Sararin Samaniya ta Amurka."
    
  Glenbrook ya kara da cewa "Armstrong ya kasance mai karfin gaske, yallabai-kamar jigilar jirgin sama da ke zaune a gabar tekun wani." "Idan muka rasa shi, zai iya ba da hoto mai ban tsoro a duniya. Ba za a ci mu gaba daya ba, amma tabbas za mu rasa mukamai kadan."
    
  Anne na iya ganin cikakkiyar azabar da ke fuskar shugaban yayin da yake kokawa da shawarar. "Yallabai, babban abin da za mu rasa shine tsayi," in ji ta. "Gryzlov yana so, kuma yana fatan za mu ba shi kawai. Na yi imani Armstrong yana da makaman da zai tunkude Rashawa. Ba na so in ba da tsoro ga Gryzlov. Starfire ba makamin sararin samaniya ba ne kuma ba ya barazana ga Rasha. Gryzlov ba zai iya faɗi abin da ya kamata mu yi da sojojin mu ba. Menene zai nema a gaba - cewa mu kawar da duk jiragen ruwa na nukiliya da na jiragen ruwa saboda suna iya yin barazana ga Rasha? Shawarata: ka gaya wa dan iska ya tafi yashi famfo."
    
  "Damn," in ji Phoenix. Lokaci ne da ya ji tsoron dukan rayuwarsa ta shugaban kasa: makomar jamhuriyar ta dogara ne da kalmomin da zai iya furtawa a cikin 'yan lokuta. Ee ko a"a, a je ko a"a, a kai hari ko a"a. Da ya umurci sojojinsa su ja da baya, da sun rayu sun sake yin fada. Idan ya umurci sojojinsa su kara karfi kuma su shirya don yaki, tabbas abin da za su yi ke nan ba da jimawa ba.
    
  "Mutane, na ƙi in shiga Gryzlov," in ji shi bayan dogon tunani, "amma ina jin kamar ba ni da zabi. Ina so a kashe Laser na Skybolt kuma a cire haɗin na'urar daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong." Glenbrook da Hayes sun sami kwanciyar hankali; Anne ta yi baƙin ciki. "Me aka bar mu a tashar bayan an kashe Skybolt, Anne?"
    
  "Tsarin Laser na Skybolt yana sanye da na'urori masu auna firikwensin da yawa da na'urorin da za a kashe lokacin da aka katse na'urar," in ji Anne, "amma tashar za ta kasance tana da gajeriyar Laser na Hydra Laser, Trinity modules, waɗanda aka adana a gonar. tashar, da ma'ajiyar makaman Kingfisher Constellation tuni suna cikin kewayawa."
    
  "Duk makaman kariya?"
    
  Anne ta ce "Trinity na'urorin kowannensu yana dauke da masu kai hari kasa guda uku da motocin yaki da tauraron dan adam guda uku." "Wannan za a iya daukarsa a matsayin makami mai ban tsoro. Yallabai, ina so ka sake duba shawararka," ta kara da cewa. "Ba za mu iya kashe duk wani tsarin soja da Gryzlov yake so ba."
    
  "Abin takaici, na yanke shawarar ba da damar yin amfani da tsarin makamin soja don wannan gwajin kwalejin," in ji shugaban. "Mutane da yawa suna yin labarai, suna nuna bacin rai da tsoro kuma suna barazanar yaƙi, amma gaskiyar ita ce na yanke shawarar yin gwajin makami a kwaleji. Dole ne in rayu tare da sakamakon. Kashe shi kuma cire shi, Fred."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji Sakataren Tsaro Hayes.
    
  "Ya Shugaba, Ina so in je tashar don taimakawa wajen kashe Skybolt," in ji Mataimakin Shugaban Page.
    
  "Me?" Idanun Phoenix sun zaro daga cikin kwas ɗinsa cikin tsananin firgita. "An ƙi wannan buƙatar, Miss mataimakin shugaban ƙasa! Wannan tashar ta riga ta kasance a gaban Rasha kuma ana iya kaiwa hari a kowane lokaci!"
    
  "Yallabai, babu wanda ya fi ni sanin wannan tsarin. Na yi shekaru uku ina zayyana shi, na yi shekaru biyu na gina shi. Na san kowane tsari da rivet domin ni da kaina na zana su da hannu a kan allon zane na gaske kuma na yi komai da kaina ban da aikin siyar da ƙarfe da riveter." Shugaban kasa bai kalle kowa ya gamsu ba. "Wata tafiya zuwa sararin samaniya ga tsohuwar matar. Idan John Glenn zai iya yin hakan, na tabbata zan iya. Me ka ce yallabai?
    
  Shugaban ya yi jinkiri, yana nazarin fuskar Anne a hankali. "Na fi son ku kusanci Fadar White House ko kuma ku yi yakin neman zabenmu, Anne," in ji shi, "amma na san Skybolt jaririnki ne." Girgiza kai yayi cike da bacin rai, sannan ya gyada kai. "Ina iya zama mahaukaci don yin wannan, amma an amince da buƙatar ku. Shugaban farko, wakilin sirri na farko, matasa na farko, na farko quadriplegic, kuma yanzu mataimakin shugaban kasa na farko a sararin samaniya, duk a cikin shekara guda. Kaina yana jujjuyawa. Allah yasa mu dace".
    
  "Na gode yallabai," in ji Anne.
    
  "Zan koma Washington nan take," in ji shugaban. "Ina shirin zuwa talabijin don bayyana cewa Starfire ba makamin sararin samaniya ba ne kuma Amurka za ta kashe nan take tare da cire haɗin na'urar na'urar laser."
    
  "Madalla, yallabai," in ji Anne. "Sannunku a tashar. Kiyi min sa'a". Kuma an dakatar da taron bidiyo.
    
  "Dukkanmu za mu bukaci sa'a kadan," in ji shugaban a cikin karamar murya, sannan ya kai wayar don kiran ma'aikatan jirgin na Air Force One. Bayan ɗan lokaci, jirgin shugaban ya nufi gabas zuwa Washington.
    
  Sannan shugaban ya kira Moscow. "Me kuka yanke shawara, Phoenix?" Gryzlov ya tambaya ta hanyar mai fassara ba tare da wani jin daɗi ko gabatarwa ba.
    
  "Amurka ta amince ta kwance na'urar Skybolt daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong," in ji Phoenix, "kuma a lokacin da ya dace a cire shi daga kewayawa da kuma ba shi damar sake shiga cikin sararin samaniya. Duk wani yanki da ya tsira daga sake dawowa zai fada cikin teku."
    
  "Sai kuma Rasha ta amince da kada ta takaita sararin samaniyarta sama da kilomita ashirin," in ji Gryzlov, "ga dukkan kumbon kumbon samame ... ban da jiragen S-series na ku da kuma wuraren binciken makamanku na Kingfisher."
    
  "Muna buƙatar waɗannan jiragen sama, Mr. Shugaba," in ji Phoenix.
    
  "Suna haifar da haɗari iri ɗaya ga Rasha kamar yadda Skybolt ɗinku da Laser Phoenix," in ji Gryzlov. "Wataƙila ma hatsari mafi girma. A'a yallabai. Amurka ta kasance tana shawagi a sararin samaniya tsawon shekaru da dama ba tare da jirgin sama ba, kuma a yanzu kana da kamfanonin kasuwanci da yawa wadanda za su iya kula da tashoshin sararin samaniya da sauran ayyuka. An ba da izinin jiragen sama na kasuwanci su yi shawagi a sararin samaniyar Rasha muddin suna ba da cikakkun bayanai kan aikinsu kafin harba su. Amma bayan kwanaki goma daga yau, za mu dauki duk wani sama da fadi na jiragen sama ko ma'ajiyar makamai a matsayin wani mummunan aiki kuma za mu mayar da martani daidai. Muna da yarjejeniya, Phoenix?"
    
  "A'a, ba ka gane ba, yallabai," in ji Phoenix. "Jirgin saman sararin samaniya suna ba mu damar yin amfani da sararin samaniyar ƙasa da wuraren da muke kewayawa. Wannan ba makamin soja ba ne. Za mu yarda mu ci gaba da ba ku labarin harbawa nan gaba da kuma yanayin tashin su, kuma za mu hana jiragen sama shawagi a sararin samaniyar Rasha idan ya yiwu, amma mun dage da samun sararin samaniya ga dukkan motocinmu, ciki har da jiragen sama. Shin mun yarda ya shugaban kasa?"
    
  Bayan dogon hutu, Gryzlov ya ce, "Za mu sa ido kan tashar ku ta sararin samaniyar sojan ku don alamun cewa an kashe na"urar Laser kuma an cire haɗin. Sai mu sake magana." Kuma aka katse kiran.
    
  Phoenix ya danna maɓallin don kiran jami'in sadarwa. "Iya, Shugaba?" Nan take ta amsa.
    
  "Ina son sake magana da tawagar tsaron kasa a Fadar White House," in ji shi. Bayan wani lokaci, mataimakin shugaban kasa, mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro na kasa da sakataren tsaro sun sake bayyana a allon taron bidiyo. "Na yi yarjejeniya da shaidan, mutane," in ji shi. "Ina son a ware tsarin Skybolt daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong da wuri-wuri. Ann, tashi a wurin da sauri."
    
    
  AKAN TASHAR SARKIN KARYA
  Daga baya kadan
    
    
  "Shin mahaukaci ne?" Brad ya fada. "Gryzlov yana so mu cire haɗin Skybolt kuma mu fitar da shi daga orbit? Yanzu kuma zai takaita dukkan sararin samaniyar Rasha zuwa tsayin mil dari uku? Wannan hauka ne!"
    
  "Mutane, na yi nadama da wannan," in ji Kim Jong-bae ta hanyar taron bidiyo na tauraron dan adam daga Yankin White Sands Makami mai linzami. "Ban taba cewa makamin sararin samaniya ne ba - wannan shine karshen Dr. Nukaga. Yi hakuri na ce masa mun yi amfani da janareta na MHD, amma duk abin da na yi shi ne na yarda da shi cewa wutar lantarki ta ba ta aiki, sai ya tambaye ni ta wane tushe muka yi amfani da shi. Yi hakuri mutane. Ban san zai fashe kamar yadda aka yi ba."
    
  "Ba laifinka bane Jerry," in ji Brad. "Ina tsammanin Dr. Nukaga ya dauka makami ne tun ranar farko. Amma ya goyi bayan aikin saboda ku, sannan lokacin da Cal Poly ya sami wannan babban tallafi kuma muka je kasashen duniya, yana tare da mu gaba daya." Jerry har yanzu ya yi kama da komowa da bacin rai, kamar dai ya rasa manyan abokansa a duniya bayan an kama shi yana satar su. "Tambayar ita ce, me za mu yi yanzu?"
    
  "Yana da sauƙi, Brad; Da zaran za mu iya, za mu daga jirgin mu dauke ku da Casey daga tashar," in ji Daraktan Tashar Sararin Samaniya na Armstrong Kai Rydon. Ya zauna a ofishin bayar da umarni, kuma duk sauran wuraren da ake yaki su ma suna da iko - ciki har da tashar Skybolt, duk da cewa har yanzu ana girka janareta na microwave na Starfire. "Bayan haka, ina so in shirya wannan tashar don yaki, ba kawai a duniya ba, har ma a sararin samaniya."
    
  "Shin wani jiki na orbital zai iya guje wa tashi sama da Rasha gaba daya?" - Tambayi Casey Huggins.
    
  Valerie Lucas ta ce "Duk wani zagaye da ke da karkata zuwa kasa da digiri talatin da biyar ba zai tashi sama da Rasha ba." "Har yanzu muna iya zurfafa zurfafa cikin Rasha, kodayake mun rasa mafi yawan yankunansu na arewa, dangane da tsayin daka. Sabanin haka, idan muka sanya irin wannan iyakancewar, jiragen saman Rasha ba za a iyakance su ba fiye da digiri ashirin da biyar. Amma, in ban da kewayawar geosynchronous ko kallon teku, kewayen equatorial ba su da amfani sosai saboda kadan daga cikin al'ummar duniya suna rayuwa a ma'aunin."
    
  "Amma wannan ba batun bane, Valerie," in ji Kai. "Akwai dubban jirage masu saukar ungulu da ke shawagi a kan Rasha a kowace rana - Gryzlov ba zai iya gaya wa kowa cewa dole ne ya motsa su ba. Wannan duk alfahari ne. Ko da yana da isassun makamai da zai kai hari kan tauraron dan adam da ke shawagi a sararin samaniyar Rasha, ya san zai iya haifar da yakin duniya idan har ya yi yunkurin harbo tauraron dan adam na kasashen waje. Gryzlov yana yin zarge-zarge tare da yin amfani da kage-kagensa na al'amuransa don kokarin sanya dokar ta-baci da keta dokar kasa da kasa." Maganarsa mai tsanani ta ƙara yin duhu. "Casey, har yaushe za'a ɗauka don cire janareta na microwave daga Skybolt?"
    
  "A kasa da kwana biyu, yallabai," Casey ya amsa, "tare da aƙalla tafiya ta sararin samaniya ɗaya."
    
  "Da sauran kwanaki biyu, watakila uku, don samun Laser na'urar lantarki kyauta, kuma aƙalla tafiya ta sararin samaniya," in ji Valerie Lucas. "Hara kwana ɗaya ko makamancin haka don gwada shi. Tabbas za mu iya amfani da wasu taimakon fasaha da ƙarin ma'aikata."
    
  "Trevor, tara Alice tare da mutanen Starfire kuma ku fara aiki don wargaza janareta na microwave," in ji Kai. Manajan tashar, Trevor Sheil, ya juya ga kwamitin sadarwarsa kuma ya fara yin kira a kan intercom. "Zan kira US Space Command in fara samun taimako da izini don sake shigar da Laser na'urar lantarki kyauta kuma in shirya don ƙaddamarwa."
    
  "Yallabai, kuna tsammanin Gryzlov zai kai hari tashar?" - Brad ya tambaya.
    
  "Ka ji shi, Brad; Mutumin yana tunanin za mu fara lalata birane, ƙauyuka da ƙauyuka tare da hasarar mutuwa," Kai ya amsa. "Ya ba mu wa'adin kwanaki goma kacal, kuma duk wanda ya tashi sama da Rasha zai fuskanci abin da ya kira 'neutraralization', duk abin da yake nufi. Waɗannan kyawawan barazana ne masu tsanani. Ina son wannan tashar ta fara aiki sosai idan har da gaske yake."
    
  Kai ya ji karar shigowar kira sannan ya danna maballin kan Command console nasa. "Kawai ana shirye-shiryen kiranka, Janar," in ji shi bayan an haɗa tashoshi na ɓoyewa.
    
  "Ina tsammanin kun ji kalaman Gryzlov, Kai," in ji Janar George Sandstein, kwamandan Rundunar Sojan Sama.
    
  "Kyakkyawan rashin hankali, Janar," in ji Kai, "amma na yarda da kowace kalma. Ina so in sake kunna laser electron kyauta kuma in fara dawo da ƙungiyar taurarin Kingfisher a yanzu. "
    
  "Abin takaici, umarni daga Fadar White House shine a kashe Skybolt da kuma cire haɗin tsarin daga tashar," in ji Sandstein.
    
  "Me kuma zan iya cewa General?"
    
  "Wannan umarni ne daga shugaban kasa da kansa," in ji Sandstein. "Muna ƙaddamar da S-19 da S-29 da wuri-wuri don fitar da ɗalibai daga tashar da kuma kawo ƙarin ma'aikata, ciki har da mai tsara Skybolt."
    
  Duk mazaunan rukunin kwamandan sun yi haki cikin mamaki. "Suna tura mataimakin shugaban kasa?"
    
  "Ka ji ni daidai, Kai," in ji Sandstein. "Yana da ɗan ban mamaki, amma ita ƙwararriyar 'yar sama jannati ce, kuma babu wanda ya fi sanin Skybolt. Yi hakuri da Skybolt, Kai, amma Shugaban kasa yana so ya kwantar da hankulan lamarin kafin al'amura su fice. Ko komai a kore ne?"
    
  "Laser na Hydra yana aiki," in ji Kai, yana girgiza kai cikin rashin imani. "Muna kuma iya amfani da na'urorin Kingfisher a kan gonakin tsakiya don kariyar kai."
    
  "Madalla," in ji Sandstein. "Bakomai a can. Zamu kallo. Ina fatan kowa ya zauna da kyau da sanyi kuma duk wannan zai ƙare nan ba da jimawa ba. "
    
    
  MCLANAHAN SARKIN SARAUTA, BATTLE MOUNTAIN, NEVADA
  BAYAN RANAR
    
    
  "Na gode da zuwan da sauri, mutane," in ji Boomer yayin da yake shiga dakin taron ma'aikatan. Dakin ya cika da matukan jirgin sama na dalibai shida da kwamandojin kumbo guda hudu, da kuma kwararrun masu ba da tallafi na manufa da kuma masu gyara. "Wannan na iya zama kamar wani labari na yakin duniya na biyu, amma na tabbata kun ji Gryzlov ya yi tagumi, kuma ina tsammanin muna kusa da yaki da Rashawa. Shugaban ya soke sauran yakin neman zabensa na sake tsayawa takara tare da komawa Washington don yin jawabi game da lamarin Starfire. Ya ba da umarnin kashe Laser na Skybolt kuma a cire shi daga Armstrong."
    
  Duk wanda ke cikin dakin taƙaitawa ya yi kama da tsoro. "Wannan shi ne bullshit!" - Sondra Eddington ya ce. "Gryzlov ya baci, yana yin wasu kalamai masu ban tsoro kuma yana yi mana barazana, kuma mun yi gunaguni a gabansa? Me ya sa ba za mu kore shi ba?"
    
  "Na yarda da ku, Sondra, amma muna da umarni, kuma lokaci yana da daraja," in ji Boomer. "An dora mana alhakin isar da kayayyaki da masu fasaha don taimakawa wajen kawar da tsarin Skybolt, kuma za mu kai karin kayayyaki ga ISS. Ina tsammanin za mu yi shawagi da yawa a cikin makonni biyu masu zuwa." Ya kalli ma'aikatan jirgin da ke gabansa. "John, Ernesto da Sondra, kuna da horo na shekara ko fiye da haka, kuma an gwada ku a matsayin kwamandojin a kalla jiragen sama guda biyu, don haka za ku fara aiki da kuma tashi a matsayin kwamandojin manufa kafin ku kammala karatun." Duk su ukun suka yi murmushi cikin jin dadi tare da nuna shakku kan junansu, yayin da sauran suka yi kasala. "Don, Mary da Kev, ku mutane ba za ku sami lokaci mai yawa don tashi a sararin samaniya na 'yan makonni ba, amma kuna iya ci gaba da karatun ku kuma ku ninka lokacinku a cikin na'urar kwaikwayo da kuma MiG-25. Kevin, kai ne mafi kusa da iyakar shekara guda, kuma an gwada ka a matsayin jagora a cikin S-9 da S-19, don haka za a iya kiranka idan wannan shari'ar ta ci gaba.
    
  "Yanzu shugaban kasar Rasha Gryzlov ya yi barazanar kai hari kan duk wani jirgin saman da ke shawagi a sararin samaniyar Rasha nan da kwanaki goma," Boomer ya tunatar da su duka. "Ina ganin mutumin ba ya yin komai sai bugun kirji, amma ba mu sani ba. Don haka idan kuna tunanin akwai haɗari da yawa - har ma fiye da yadda muke shiryawa a kowane jirgi - ba lallai ne ku tashi ba. Babu wanda zai zarge ku ko kaɗan idan kun yanke shawarar barin. Ba mu cikin soja: mu 'yan kwangila ne, kuma ko da yake muna hadarin rayukanmu a duk lokacin da muka shiga wadannan jiragen, ba a sa ran za mu yi aiki a yankin da ake fama da yaki ba. Mun riga mun ɗauki isasshen kasada ba tare da tashi a ƙarƙashin wuta daga makamai masu linzami ko lasers ba, daidai? Ba sai ka gaya mani yanzu ba - gaya mani a ofishi na, a cikin sirri, kuma za mu sake tsarawa."
    
  "Zan gaya maka a yanzu, Boomer: Ina tashi," in ji Ernesto Hermosillo, daya daga cikin manyan dalibai matukan jirgi. "Gryzlov na iya zama mi culo peludo." Duk sauran mutanen dake dakin briefing suka tafa suka ce suma zasu tafi.
    
  "Na gode duka," in ji Boomer. "Amma na san ba ku yi magana game da wannan da danginku ba, kuma ya kamata ya zama shawarar iyali. Bayan kun yi magana da danginku, idan kuna son sokewa, kawai ku gaya mani. Kamar yadda na ce, ba wanda zai yi tunanin ku kaɗan.
    
  "Muna da S-29 daya da S-19 guda daya akan layi, da kuma wasu 19s guda biyu a shirye su tafi a cikin 'yan kwanaki, don haka waɗannan su ne manufa," in ji Boomer. "Gonzo da Sondra muna cikin S-19, kuma ni da Ernesto's culo peludo muna cikin S-29. Tun da ina sa ran yin tafiye-tafiyen sararin samaniya da yawa, idan muka isa, zan yi numfashi na farko." Ya ba da wasu ayyuka, koyaushe yana haɗa gogaggen kwamandan jirgin sama tare da kwamandan manufa na ɗalibai. "A sami likita, duk za mu kasance cikin kwat ɗin EEAS ko ACES kuma wataƙila za mu zauna a cikinsu na ƴan kwanaki. Ernesto, za mu sami taƙaitaccen bayani nan da nan bayan mun sanya kayan aikin mu na sararin samaniya, yayin da nake numfashi. Tambayoyi?" Boomer ya amsa ƴan tambayoyi kuma ya ɗan yi dariya tare da ƙungiyoyin sa. "Lafiya mutane, an fara kirgawa tsuntsaye biyun farko. Mu mai da hankali, mu yi wayo, mu yi aiki tare, kowa zai dawo gida. Go".
    
  Sondra ta tsaya a baya bayan sauran sun tafi, da ƴar ƙaramar fushi a idanunta. "Me yasa nake tashi da Gonzo?" - Ta tambaya. "Me yasa ba zan iya tashi tare da ku ba?"
    
  "Sondra, ba a yi maka rajista a matsayin mai gabatarwa akan S-29 ba," in ji Boomer. "Ernesto haka yake. Bugu da kari, Ina ba ku da Gonzo tasha a Washington. Za ku gana da mataimakin shugaban kasa ku kai ta Armstrong."
    
  Maimakon ya yi mamaki ko farin ciki game da jirgin mataimakin shugaban kasa, Sondra ya yi fushi. "Ya rage watanni biyu da kammala karatuna na kwamandan mishan na S-29," in ji ta cikin fushi. "Yanzu ni ne shugaba mafi kyau a kowane jirgin sama fiye da Ernesto da zai kasance."
    
  Idanun Boomer sun juya baya da mamaki. "Iya, iya Sondra. Ba ma faɗin munanan kalamai game da ƴan uwansu matuƙa, ko da a cikin sirri. Mu kungiya ce".
    
  "Ka san gaskiya ne," in ji Sondra. "Baya ga haka, abin da ya lalace a zahiri yana tashi da kansa - ba ya buƙatar ma MC. Kun yi haka ne saboda fushin da kuke yi cewa ba za mu kwana tare ba kuma".
    
  "Na yi haka ne saboda ba a tantance ku a matsayin MC a cikin S-29, Sondra, don sanya shi a sauƙaƙe," in ji Boomer. "Bayan haka, na yanke shawarar ba zan kwana da ku ba. Ni da Brad muna aiki kusa da kusa tare akan Starfire, kuma ban yi tsammanin hakan yayi daidai ba."
    
  "Amma ya kasance al'ada lokacin da na fara horo a nan, ko ba haka ba?" Sondra ya tofa albarkacin bakinsa. "Kin san ina son shi a lokacin."
    
  "Sondra, ba zan canza jadawalin ba," in ji Boomer. "Tashi da Gonzo ko kar a tashi." Ya kalli agogon hannunsa, sannan ya kalle ta. "An fara kidayar jama"a. Zaki tafi ko?" Amsawa tayi ta kalleshi a fusace ta juyo da gudu ta fita.
    
  Boomer ya ruga hannunsa a fuskarsa cikin bacin rai, cikin rudani da rikici game da abin da zai yi a cikin wannan yanayin. Amma ya yanke shawarar kawar da wannan al'amari na kashin kansa a zuciyarsa kuma ya mai da hankali ga aikin da ke gabansa.
    
  Dole ne kowane ma'aikacin jirgin ya yi gwajin lafiya kafin jirgin, don haka wannan shi ne tashar farko ta Boomer. Daga nan ya tsaya a Mission Planning domin duba jadawalin jirgin, wanda aka tsara kuma aka duba ta kwamfuta sannan kuma aka saukar da shi cikin kwamfutocin jirgin. Jirgin sama na S-29 Shadow na kansa yana loda kayan da ake bukata na Armstrong da ISS, don haka zai fara zuwa. Jirgin na Gonzo S-19 na tsakar dare yana da na'urar fasinja a cikin jirgin a cikin tekun dakon kaya. An shirya za ta tashi, ta isa Joint Base Andrews a wajen Washington a cikin 'yan sa'o'i biyu kacal, ta dauki Mataimakin Shugaban kasa da tawagarta na Sabis na Sirri, sannan ta kai ta zuwa Armstrong kimanin sa'o'i hudu bayan ya isa Armstrong.
    
  Tasha ta gaba ita ce tallafin rayuwa. Duk da yake Hermosillo yana buƙatar taimako don ba da rigar sararin samaniya don ceton ma'aikatan jirgin, Boomer yana da sauƙin lokacin samun dacewa. EEAS, ko kayan wasan motsa jiki na lantarki, ya kasance kamar rigar sararin samaniya mai nauyi, wanda aka yi da zaren fiber carbon fiber mai jurewa da siliki wanda ya rufe kowane sashe na jiki tun daga saman wuya zuwa tafin ƙafafu. Sanye da keɓaɓɓen rigar da ke sarrafa na'urar lantarki waɗanda za su lura da zafin jikinsa yayin tafiyar sararin samaniya, Boomer ya ba da EEAS, sannan takalmi da safar hannu, yana kiyaye mahaɗin kowane ɗayan, ya haɗa kwat ɗin sa zuwa na'urar wasan bidiyo, sannan ya ba da abin rufe fuska kafin numfashi.
    
  Bayan ya tabbatar da cewa babu zurfafan wrinkles a cikin kwat din kuma an daidaita al'aurarsa da azzakarinsa yadda ya kamata, sai ya hada kwat din da na'urar gwajin gwaji sannan ya danna maballin. Kwat ɗin nan take ya matse duk wani inci murabba'in na jikinsa da ya yi mu'amala da ita, wanda hakan ya sa shi yin kururuwa ba da gangan ba - tushen laƙabin kwat din da kuma laƙabin EEAS: "AHHHSS!" Amma motsawa, musamman shiga sararin samaniya, zai fi kowa sauƙi a gare shi fiye da kowa a cikin ACES mai iskar oxygen, saboda kwat ɗin zai daidaita jikin sa kai tsaye don ci gaba da matsa lamba akan fatarsa ba tare da ƙirƙirar wani ɗauri ko haifar da matsa lamba ba. An riga an kulle tsarin jijiyoyin jikin ɗan adam ta hanyar hermetically, amma a cikin wani wuri ko ƙasa da matsa lamba na yanayi fatar za ta yi kumbura a waje sai dai idan an matsa; ACES ya yi haka a ƙarƙashin matsin lamba na oxygen, yayin da EEAS ya yi shi a ƙarƙashin matsin lamba.
    
  "Koyaushe ina tsammanin ina so in gwada wasu daga cikin waɗannan abubuwan," in ji Ernesto a kan intercom, yana murmushi tare da girgiza kai yayin da yake kallon Boomer yana shirya kwat ɗin sa, "sannan ina kallon ku don turawa zuwa canjin gwaji kuma da alama kamar Kullum ana buga ku a cikin ƙwallo, don haka na canza ra'ayi."
    
  Boomer ya kashe maɓallin sarrafawa don raunana tasirin kwat ɗin. "Yana ɗaukar ɗan saba," in ji shi.
    
  Sun gama ba da rigar sararin samaniyarsu, sannan suka zauna a cikin kujeru masu daɗi yayin da Babban Jami'in Tsare-tsare na Ofishin Jakadancin Alice Wainwright ya yi wa ma'aikatan jirgin bayani ta hanyar haɗin bidiyo. Nan da nan hanyar jirgin ya ja hankalin Boomer. "Iya, Alice? Ganin dalilin da ya sa muke yin wannan duka, shin da gaske wannan hanyar jirgin ne ya kamata mu bi? - Ya tambaya a kan intercom.
    
  "Kwamfutoci ba sa fahimtar siyasa ko Gryzlov, Boomer - duk abin da suka sani shine matsayin karshe da ake so, azimuth, gudun, nauyi, injiniyoyin orbital, turawa, matsayin tashar da duk wannan jazz," in ji Alice. "Tashar tana buƙatar kayan aiki da wuri-wuri."
    
  Boomer ya san cewa akwai wani tsari da ake kira "sarkar haɗari": jerin ƙananan ƙananan abubuwa da alamun da ba su da alaka da su wanda ya haifar da haɗari-ko, a wannan yanayin, karo da makamin tauraron dan adam na Rasha. Ɗaya daga cikin abubuwan da aka fi sani shine "cika aikin yana da mahimmanci; yi watsi da aminci da hankali kuma kawai a yi aikin. " Wannan shi ne ainihin abin da ke faruwa a yanzu - mahada lamba ta daya a cikin jerin hadurran ya bayyana. "Wannan ba zai iya jira wata rana ko ma 'yan sa'o'i ba?" - Boomer ya tambaya.
    
  "Na tsara dukkan tagogin da za a kaddamar da jirgin, Boomer," in ji Alice. "Kowa yana shawagi a kan wuraren da jama'a ke da yawa, kuma mutane sun koka game da karuwar sonic." Link lamba biyu. "Tun lokacin da Rashawa suka katse hanyar sadarwa ta ROS daga tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa, kasashen Canada da Mexico da kuma wasu kasashe da dama sun bayyana ra"ayinsu game da barin jiragen sama su yi shawagi a yankinsu zuwa matakin K& # 225; rm& # 225; n. Wannan jirgin ko ba komai na kwana biyu."
    
  Waɗancan ƙararrawar ƙararrawa sun yi ƙara a kansa lokacin da jirgin na Uku ya haɗu da sauran, amma ya san cewa Armstrong da ISS suna buƙatar kayayyaki, kuma waɗanda suka rage a ISS suna buƙatar su da mugun nufi - ko yanzu yana ƙirƙirar nasa jiragen a cikin sarƙoƙin haɗari? "Za mu sanar da Rashawa game da ayyukanmu?" Ya tambaya.
    
  "Tsarin daidaitaccen tsari ne," in ji Alice. "Tabbas, Space Command ya yi imanin cewa Gryzlov yana bluffing. Za mu ci gaba da bin ka'idoji na yau da kullun."
    
  Hanya na hudu a cikin jerin hatsarori an halicce shi ne kawai, Boomer yayi tunani - bai yi kyau ba. Ya juya ga Ernesto. "Me ke damun ki amigo? Me kike tunani buddy?"
    
  "Vamos, Comandante," in ji Ernesto. "Mu tafi kwamanda. Gryzlov ba shi da kwakwalwa. " Wannan wata hanyar haɗi ce? Boomer yayi tunani game da shi.
    
  "Akwai ƙarin tambayoyi, Boomer?" Alice ta tambaya bata hakura ba. "Za ku tafi nan da mintuna goma kuma har yanzu ina buƙatar taƙaitawa Gonzo da Sondra."
    
  Hanya ta biyar a cikin jerin hatsarurruka an haɗa su ne kawai, amma Boomer bai gane shi ba. Shi ne kwamandan jirgin ruwa - wannan shine shawararsa ta ƙarshe ... amma bai yi ba. Ya dan yi tunani a kai, sannan ya gyada wa Ernesto. "Babu tambayoyi, Alice," in ji shi a kan intercom. "Mun dage." Mintuna goma bayan haka, Boomer ya kama na'urar sanyaya iska mai ɗaukar nauyi da tankin oxygen, shi da Ernesto suka nufi motar ma'aikatan da za ta kai su layin tashi.
    
  Inuwar S-29 ita ce samfurin jirgin sama na uku kuma mafi girma, tare da injunan damisa guda biyar maimakon hudu da nauyin nauyin fam dubu goma sha biyar. Bayan masu fasahar sun kammala shirye-shiryensu na tunkarar jirgin, Boomer da Ernesto sun shiga cikin kumbon ta cikin budaddiyar kwale-kwale, suka hada igiyoyinsu da na'urar, suka shiga. Inuwar ta fi "yan uwanta "yan"uwa "yan"uwa "yan"uwa "yan"uwa "yan"uwa "yan"uwa "yan"uwa "yan"uwa "yan"uwa "yan"uwa "yan"uwa "Yan Uwanta gyare-gyaren gyare-gyaren gyare-gyaren gyare-gyaren gyare-gyaren gyare-gyare gyare-gyaren gyare-gyare gyare-gyare gyare-gyare gyare-gyare gyare-gyare gyare-gyare gyare-gyare gyare-gyare gyare-gyaren gyare-gyare gyare-gyaren gyare-gyare gyare-gyaren gyare-gyaren gyare-gyaren gyare-gyaren gyare-gyare gyare-gyare gyare-gyare gyare-gyare gyare-gyare gyare-gyaren gyare-gyaren da kwamfuta ta ɗauka don tabbatar da cewa an kammala kowane jerin abubuwan da suka dace, sannan a jira su kunna wuta - injuna, taxi da lokutan tashi). .
    
  A lokacin da aka tsara, injinan sun raye kai tsaye, an gudanar da jerin abubuwan dubawa bayan injin, an share titin tasi, kuma a daidai lokacin da tasi ɗin ke ci gaba da tafiya, sai mashin ɗin suka shiga kai tsaye, inuwar ta fara hawan tasi a babban titin jirgin a Battle. Dutsen don tashi. Ernesto ya ce "Ba zan taba saba da jirgin da tasi kadai ba." "Kadan mai ban tsoro."
    
  "Na san abin da kuke nufi," in ji Boomer. "Na nemi sau da yawa a bar ni in tuka shi da kaina, ba tare da sarrafa kansa ba, amma Richter koyaushe ya ƙi ni, yana gargaɗin da kada in gwada. Bayan an sami fiye da ɗaya daga cikinsu, zan sake tambaya. Kaddiri da Richter ba sa son sabuwar 'yarsu mai haske da wani irina ya wulakanta su. Shin suna ƙazantar da juna sosai, Corregir? Ernesto ya ci karo da Boomer ya yi sallama.
    
  'Yan sama jannatin biyu a zahiri sun zauna a wurin don sauran jirgin, suna hira, suna bin jerin abubuwan dubawa da tabbatar da kammalawa da ƙaddamarwa, kuma suna kallon Shadow yana yin abin da ya dace: ya tashi zuwa wurin mai mai, wannan lokacin ya wuce arewacin Minnesota; wani jirgin dakon man da ke sarrafa na"ura mai kwakwalwa; ya juya zuwa wurin shiga orbital a kan Colorado, ya juya zuwa arewa maso gabas kuma ya buga gas a daidai lokacin. Sun yi bitar duk karatun da aka yi kuma sun tabbatar da cewa an gama tantancewa, amma a ƙarshen ranar, masu kula da jarirai ne kawai.
    
  Amma a yanzu da suka doshi sararin samaniya, sai suka daina hira, suna cikin shiri, domin hanyarsu ta ratsa arewa maso yammacin Rasha...
    
  ... kawai ɗari uku mil arewa maso yammacin Plesetsk cosmodrome da kuma kusan kai tsaye sama da hedkwatar sojojin ruwa na Rasha Red Banner Northern Fleet a Severomorsk.
    
  "Magana game da tsuke wutsiyar damisa, Comandante," in ji Ernesto. "Ko a wannan yanayin, wutsiyar bear."
    
  "Ka yi daidai, amigo," in ji Boomer. "Ka yi daidai."
    
    
  KREMLIN
  TARAYYAR RUSSIA MOSCOW
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  "Yallabai, an gano wani jirgin sama na Amurka yana shawagi a kan Plesetsk cosmodrome!" - Ministan tsaro Gregor Sokolov ya yi ihu a cikin mai karɓar tarho lokacin da Gryzlov ya ɗauka.
    
  "Me kika ce?" Gryzlov ya yi gunaguni da wani abu a cikin wayar a cikin ɗakin kwana. Ministar harkokin wajen kasar Daria Titeneva, tana kwance tsirara kusa da Gryzlov, nan take ta farka, ta tashi daga kan gadon ta yi gaggawar yin sutura - ba ta san abin da kiran ya kunsa ba, amma duk wanda ya kuskura ya kira shugaba Gennady Gryzlov a tsakiyar kasar. lallai dare yayi wani babban dalili na hakan, kuma ta san cewa za a kira ta ofishin sa da sauri.
    
  "Na ce, Amurkawa sun harba wani jirgin sama zuwa sararin samaniya - kuma ya sauka da yawa kilomita dari daga Plesetsk cosmodrome!" Sokolov ya maimaita. "Ta tashi daidai hedkwatar Red Banner Northern Fleet a Severomorsk. Tabbas yana cikin kewayawa kuma yana kan hanya don kutse tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong cikin sa'a."
    
  "Haka!" Gryzlov ya yi rantsuwa. "Yaya wadannan "ya"yan bitches su yi haka bayan na ba da odar? Shin suna yin banza da ni? Shin an sanar da mu wani tashin jirgin sama?"
    
  "Muna duba ofishin ma'aikatan jirgin sama a Washington, yallabai," in ji Sokolov. "Har yanzu babu wani martani daga gare su."
    
  "Wadannan 'yan iska!" Gryzlov ya yi ihu. "Phoenix zai biya wannan! Ku tara duk majalisar tsaro a ofishina nan take!"
    
  Bayan mintuna ashirin, Gryzlov ya shiga ofishinsa, dogon gashinsa mai duhu yana gudana da sauri a bayan wuyansa. Sai kawai Tarzarov da Sokolov isa. "Iya Sokolov?" Ya daka tsawa.
    
  "Hukumar kula da sararin samaniya ta Amurka ta shawarci Air Attaché a Washington cewa za a harba S-29 Shadow daya da S-19 Tsakar dare a cikin sararin samaniya cikin sa'o'i shida masu zuwa," in ji Sakataren Tsaron, yana mikawa shugaban taswirori da dama da radar. . "S-29 za ta yi tattaki zuwa Armstrong, ta kai kayayyaki da kuma daukar fasinjoji, ta shiga sararin samaniya, ta wuce zuwa tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa don kai kayayyaki da daukar ma"aikata, sannan ta dawo washegari. Jirgin S-19 zai tashi zuwa Joint Base Andrews kusa da Washington, ya dauki fasinjoji, sannan ya tashi zuwa Armstrong. Sun kuma sanar da cewa, za su aika da na"urorin sayar da kayayyaki da dama zuwa tashoshin biyu cikin sa"o"i saba"in da biyu masu zuwa."
    
  " Jiragen sama guda biyu?" Gryzlov ya yi tsawa. "Shin suna harba jiragen sama guda biyu? Kuma daya daga cikinsu ya riga ya kewaya, kuma ba a cikin sa'o'i shida ba? Wannan ba abin yarda ba ne! Kuma hanyoyin jirginsu?
    
  "Duk wani hanyar jirgin da zai kai ko wace tasha ta sararin samaniya zai tashi sama da Rasha, yallabai," in ji Sokolov.
    
  "Wannan ba abin yarda ba ne!" Gryzlov ya sake ihu. "Na umurci jirage masu saukar ungulu da kada su tashi sama da Rasha! Shin akwai wata shaida da ke nuna cewa suna aiki don cire samfurin Skybolt daga tashar sararin samaniyar sojoji?
    
  "A'a, sir," in ji Sokolov. "Muna leka tashar yayin da take wucewa kusa da wurin da ake kallon sararin samaniya kusan kowane awa hudu zuwa shida, kuma ba mu ga wani canji na waje a tashar ba."
    
  "Ba a daɗe ba tun lokacin da kuka yi jawabin ko kuma ku yi magana da Shugaba Phoenix, yallabai," in ji shugaban ma'aikatan Tarzarov. "Wataƙila manufar waɗannan jiragen shine aiwatar da abin da kuka umarta. Kuma, yallabai, ka ce za ka ba Amurkawa biyu...
    
  "A daina ba da uzuri ga Amurkawa, Tarzarov," in ji Gryzlov. "Ba zan yarda a yi watsi da ni haka ba! Ba zan yarda a mai da kaina akuya kamar waccan wawa ta Phoenix ba!" Ya kalli madafan radar na hanyar jirgin saman. "A ganina wannan harin gwaji ne akan cosmodrome din mu! Wannan ba abin yarda ba ne! "
    
  "Shin zan saka ka a waya tare da Shugaba Phoenix, yallabai?" - Tarzarov ya tambaya. "Wannan yana buƙatar bayyanawa."
    
  "Babu bukata, Mista Tarzarov," in ji Daria Titeneva, da sauri ta shiga ofishin shugaban kasar bayan da ta jira cikin ladabi na wani lokaci bayan ta bar ɗakin kwana na Gryzlov. Ta dauko folder. "Rubutun roko da Phoenix yayi a gidan talabijin na Amurka kwanan nan. Ya kuma musanta cewa wani makamin makamashi ne da ke kan sararin samaniya, ko kuma makamin ya harbo wani jirgin farar hula; babu maganar kashe Laser Skybolt; sannan ya ce babu wata al"umma da ke da hurumin hana duk wani motsi na kowane jirgi ko jirgin sama sama da layin K& # 225; rm& # 225;n, wanda shine tsayin da ke sama wanda ba za a iya ɗaukar hawan aerodynamic ba...
    
  "Na san menene jahannama layin K& # 225; rm & # 225;n, Daria - Na yi horo a matsayin ɗan sama jannati, tuna?" Gryzlov ya katse shi cikin baci. Ya gyada kai sannan ya koma kan teburinsa ya leka tagar. Duk suka lura ba zato ba tsammani ya kasance cikin nutsuwa - suna tsammanin zai ci gaba da bacin rai da ya fara wannan taron. "Don haka. Wannan ya kasance ba zato ba tsammani. Kenneth Phoenix ko ta yaya ya dawo hayyacinsa a cikin 'yan kwanakin nan, duk da yarjejeniyar da ya yi na bazata na cire haɗin tsarin Skybolt. Muna da abubuwa da yawa da za mu tattauna, abokaina. Mu je dakin taro. Kofi ko shayi?"
    
    
  HADIN GASKE ANDREWS, KUSA WASHINGTON, DC.
  BAYAN 'YAN SA'O'I
    
    
  A cikin wani babban rataya na jirgin sama, Jessica "Gonzo" Faulkner da Sondra Eddington sun tsaya a gindin jirgin saman S-19 na tsakar dare lokacin da wani limousine ya tashi. Gonzo na sanye da suit dinta na EEAS yayinda Sondra ke sanye da kayan ACES orange dinta. Babu daya daga cikinsu da ke sanye da hula. A kowane bangare na su akwai jami'an Sashin sirri guda biyu wadanda suka riga sun duba ciki da wajen jirgin S-19 da suke tsaye kusa da su - sun yarda cewa ba su san abin da za su kalli jahannama ba, amma nasu aikin shine duba duk wani yanki da za'a iya samun wani mugun aiki. shugaban kasa zai iya aro, sai suka yi. An ajiye jirgin ne a wani wurin ajiye motoci na jiragen sama a Joint Base Andrews, tsohon sansanin sojojin saman Andrews, wani babban filin jirgin sama na soja da manyan jami'an gwamnatin Amurka ke amfani da su a lokacin da suke tafiya a cikin jirgin soji. An kewaye titin da matakan tsaro da yawa, duka a ƙasa da sama.
    
  Wani jami'in Sashin sirri ne ya bude kofofin motar, mutane biyu suka fita, dukkansu suna sanye da kayan sararin samaniya na ACES orange: wata ma'aikaciyar sirri ta mata da kuma mataimakiyar shugaban kasar Amurka, Anne Page. Ann ta haura zuwa Gonzo ta mika hannunta mai safar hannu. "Karnel Faulkner?"
    
  "Eh, madam," Gonzo ya ce yana girgiza mata hannu. "Na ji dadin haduwa da ku. A yau zan zama kwamandan jirgin ku. Wannan shine Sondra Eddington, kwamandan aikin mu." Sondra da mataimakin shugaban kasar su ma sun gaisa. "Sannu da zuwa".
    
  "Na gode. Ina fatan hakan," in ji Anne, idanunta na kyalkyali da tashin hankali. "Wannan wakili na musamman ne Robin Clarkson, ma'aikacin Sabis na Asiri." Clarkson ya girgiza ma matukan jirgi hannu. Ta yi ɗan firgita, Gonzo ya yi tunani, amma ba ta kusa da tashin hankali ba kamar yadda matalauci na Musamman na Musamman Charlie Spellman ya kasance lokacin da zai tashi tare da Shugaban ƙasa. Ann ta tsaya tana sha'awar S-19 Tsakar dare da murmushi a fuskarta. "Lokacina na farko bayan tsakar dare akan S-19. Na yi 'yan jirage a cikin baƙar fata S-9, amma wannan ya kasance a farkon kwanakin. "
    
  "Ba na tsammanin za ku sami bambanci da yawa, ma'am," in ji Gonzo. "Tsarin fasinja yana da daɗi sosai, amma na ɗauka za ku so ku kasance a cikin jirgin don wannan jirgin."
    
  "Iya iya," in ji Anne. "Ina fatan ba za ku damu ba, Miss Eddington. Ban taba yin watsi da damar da zan iya hawa a cikin jirgin ba."
    
  "Tabbas a'a, ma'am," in ji Sondra, amma a bayyane yake cewa da gaske ta ƙi. Ita ma ban daina kasala da ita ba, amma ina tsammanin ba komai a wurin nan kuma.
    
  "Dole mu tafi?" Anne ta tambaya cikin zumudi. "Ba zan iya jira in sake ganin tashar ba."
    
  "Muna da isasshen lokaci, ma'am," in ji Gonzo. "Kada ka yi gaggawar komai. Tagan ƙaddamar da mu yana buɗewa cikin kusan awa ɗaya."
    
  "Madalla, Colonel Faulkner," in ji Anne.
    
  "Gonzo, don Allah. Ba zan sake amsa taken ba."
    
  "Wannan shine Gonzo." Ta kalli kwat din EEAS. "Ina son wannan kwat din," in ji ta. "Yana nuna siffar ku da kyau sosai, fiye da wancan tsohon abu. Kuna son shi?"
    
  "Yana da ɗan harbi a cikin jaki lokacin da aka kunna," Gonzo ya yarda, "amma yana ba da damar mafi kyawun motsi da aiki."
    
  Sun hau kan tsani zuwa ƙyanƙyasar shigar da jirgin sama a rufin jirgin saman Tsakar dare, sannan suka sauko da gangar jikin jirgin cikin jirgin fasinja, kuma Gonzo ya taimaka wa Clarkson da Sondra suka ɗaga kwalkwalinsu, sannan suka yi musu bayani game da al'ada da hanyoyin gaggawa. "Na san ka'idojin wasan, Gonzo," in ji Sondra, cikin damuwa yayin da Gonzo ya yi ƙoƙarin taimaka mata don haɗa igiyar cibiya.
    
  "Dole ne in shiga cikin al'ada tare da kowa da kowa, Sondra - kun san hakan," in ji Gonzo a cikin wata karamar murya, yana ba wa budurwar kallon gargadi da dubawa don ganin ko Clarkson ya lura da wani abu. "Haba kanki, lafiya?" Da take jawabi Clarkson, ta ce: "Saboda dalilai na tsaro za mu sa kwalkwali da safar hannu, amma za ku iya buɗe idanunku. Idan ya cancanta, duk abin da za ku yi shi ne rufe su kuma za ku kasance lafiya. Sondra zai taimake ku. Jirgin dadi". Clarkson ya gyada kai amma bai ce komai ba.
    
  Bayan masu fasaha sun tabbatar da cewa komai na fasinja ya kasance amintacce kuma a shirye suke, sai suka taimaka wa Ann Page zuwa kujerar gaban dama na tsakar dare, suka ɗaure ta, suka ɗaure ta, suka taimaka mata ta saka kwalkwali. "Ba zan iya jira ba, ba zan iya jira ba," in ji ta cikin zumudi yayin da intercom ta shigo. "Ina kewar tafiya a sararin samaniya sosai. Wataƙila ya zama kamar na yau da kullun a gare ku, amma a zamanin jirgin da jiragen sama na farko, ya zama kamar kowane jirgin gwaji ne. Kafofin yada labarai ko da yaushe suna ba da rahotonsa a matsayin 'wani harba jirgin sama', amma mun kasance jahilai. Ba ku da wani tunani."
    
  "Oh, na yi imani, ma'am," in ji Gonzo. "Na san mutumin da ya kera injinan damisa, kuma yana iya zama dabba na gaske a wasu lokuta. Rayuwarmu tana hannun wannan mutumin a kowane jirgi."
    
  "Gonzo, don Allah a kira ni Anne akan wannan jirgin," in ji Anne. "Ina so in ji kamar ma'aikacin jirgin, ba fasinja da aka bari ya hau bindiga ba."
    
  "Ok, Anne."
    
  "Hunter"Boomer" Noble," in ji Ann. "Na tuna da zama kuli-kuli na fanjama a injiniyan sararin samaniya har sai da ya zo. Sunansa ya wuce tawa kamar mahaukaciyar guguwa."
    
  "Daliban da ke aiki a kan Project Starfire za su zarce Boomer nan ba da jimawa ba, na ba da tabbacin hakan," in ji Gonzo, "kuma makarantar su, Cal Poly, ba ma makarantar injiniya ce mafi kyau a kasar ba. Ina tsammanin za mu ga wasu ci gaba masu ban mamaki nan ba da jimawa ba."
    
  Su biyun suka ci gaba da hira har lokacin tasi ya yi sannan su tashi. Gonzo ya gano cewa mataimakin shugaban kasar ya saba da jerin abubuwan binciken jirgin da kuma sauya matsayi, kuma ta gudanar da aikinta na kwamandan mishan sosai. "Na burge Anne," in ji ta. "Kun san da yawa game da Tsakar dare a matsayin mai masaukin baki."
    
  Ann ta ce "Na taimaka wajen kera jiragen S-9 kuma na koyi yadda ake tuka su, ko da yake a mafi yawan lokuta ni fasinja ne kawai." "Ina tsammanin yana kama da hawan keke: da zarar kun yi shi, ba za ku taɓa mantawa ba."
    
  Tashi, motsi zuwa hanyar iskar mai da haɓaka ta amfani da injunan jet ya yi kyau. Domin lokutan tashinsu ya sha bamban da na S-29 na sa"o"i da yawa, hanyoyin jiragen biyu sun rabu da nisan mil dubu da yawa-lokacin da S-19 Midnight ya tashi a kan jirgin scramjet, sun tashi sama da Indiya, China, da kuma Farjin Rasha. Gabas
    
  "Ina son shi, ina son shi, ina son shi," in ji mataimakin shugaban kasar yayin da suke fara hawan hawan. Kwata-kwata babu alamun overload a cikin muryarta, murmushi kawai a fuskarta. "Wannan ita ce kawai hanyar tashi!"
    
    
  Sama da Jirgin Sama na ELIZOVO
  YANKIN KAMCHATSK, BANGAREN GABAS NA RUSSIA
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  "Jirgin Harpoon," wannan shine Malami, odar ku hasken rana ne, ina maimaitawa, hasken rana," babban jami'in kula da rediyo ya ce "Hasken rana, hasken rana. Ci gaba bisa ga tsari."
    
  "Kwamandan jirgin Harpoon ya tabbatar," matukin jirgin saman mayakan biyu na MiG-31D Foxhound ya yi rediyo a cikin martani. " karya. Harpoon biyu, kun fahimta?"
    
  "Eh, shugaba," in ji matukin jirgin MiG-31 na biyu. "Na biyu ya shirya."
    
  Matukin gubar ya kammala tantancewa kafin a fitar da shi, ya juya zuwa tsakiyar ma"aunin sarrafa jirgin da ke nuni da shi, a hankali ya kara karfin wutar lantarki har sai da ya shiga dakin bayan wuta, ya jira har sai da iskar ya zarce 1 Mach, sannan ya fara hawan hazaka sannan ya ci gaba da kara wuta. har sai da bai shiga na biyar afterburner zone ba. Yana samun gudun kafa dubu goma a cikin minti daya, ya rufe kafa dubu hamsin. Gudun iskar ya kai Mach 1.5, amma a hankali a hankali yana raguwa yayin da matukin jirgin ya bambanta saurin iska da tsayi, amma hakan bai dame shi ba: babban aikinsa shi ne kula da alluran sarrafa jirgin, wanda ke nuna hanyar da ake buƙata da kusurwar hawa, wanda aka watsa daga. hedkwatar tashar sa ido
    
  "Haɗin bayanan ya ɗora bayanan ƙarshe na niyya," in ji jami'in tsarin makaman a bayan matukin jirgin. "An fara canja wurin bayanai zuwa Osa. saura dakika goma."
    
  A tsayin ƙafa dubu sittin matuƙin jirgin ya sami gargaɗin farko game da ƙarancin amfani da mai - manyan injunan Solovyov D30-F6 guda biyu a cikin shiyya-biyar afterburner suna cin fam dubu hamsin na mai a sa'a guda, kodayake yana ɗaukar fam dubu talatin kacal a jimlar. - gudun iska ya ragu zuwa kulli dari uku kacal, kuma an rage yawan hawan zuwa kafa dubu uku a cikin minti daya. "An kammala canja wurin bayanai, daƙiƙa biyar har sai an ƙaddamar da shi," in ji jami'in tsarin makaman. Matukin jirgin ya numfasa - cikin dakika goma, idan ba su daina hawan ba, za su tsaya su fadi kamar dutse daga sama. "Uku ... biyu ... daya ... roka a kan tashin."
    
  MiG-31D ya dan juyo zuwa hagu, kuma dukkan ma'aikatan jirgin biyu sun iya kallon yadda rokar Wasp ta harba roka mai karfi sannan ya fara hawansa zuwa sararin samaniya kan wani dogon ginshikin wuta da jajayen rawaya. Wasp ya samo asali ne na makami mai linzami na gajeren zango mai lamba 9K720 Iskander. Ta karɓi bayanan hanyar jirgin daga tashar sa ido ta ƙasa, ta yi amfani da tsarin jagorar sa marar amfani don bin hanyar jirgin, sannan ta kunna tsarin jagorar tashar infrared don yin niyya. Ko da motsi kusan a tsaye, yana tafiya da gudu sama da mil ɗaya a cikin daƙiƙa guda. Bayan dakika ashirin, MiG-31 na biyu ya harba nasa makami mai linzami na Wasp...
    
  ...a kan hanyar da za ta katse jirgin S-19 na tsakar dare a lokacin da yake bi ta sararin samaniyar Rasha don yin katsalandan a tashar Armstrong.
    
    
  ARMSTRONG SPACE STATION
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  "An gano harba roka!" Christine Rayhill, jami'in makamin kasa a tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong ta yi ihu. "An harba tauraron dan adam guda biyu Wasp daga Kamchatka!"
    
  Kai Raydon ya danna maballin "duk kira" akan na'urar wasan bidiyo. "Yaki posts!" - ya yi ihu yana kokarin sarrafa muryarsa. "Duk ma'aikata ya kamata su dauki matsayi na yaki, wannan ba motsa jiki ba ne!" Da ya juya ga Valerie Lucas, ya ce, "Dukkanin tsarin tsaro suna kan atomatik, Valerie - dole ne mu mayar da su a kan MANUNIYA idan jirgin ya matso kusa. Menene matsayin Skybolt?"
    
  "Har yanzu an kashe," in ji Valerie. "Mun fara rufe Starfire."
    
  "Mado da shi - muna iya buƙatarsa," in ji Kai. "Ina daliban?"
    
  "Ina nan," in ji Brad, amintacce zuwa babban kan gaba da na'urar wasan bidiyo na Valerie. "Casey yana cikin tsarin Skybolt. Me zan yi?"
    
  "Ku sa ido kan masu duba kuma ku yi kururuwa idan kun ga wani abu mai kama da haɗari," Kai ya amsa. "Ka nuna wannan ga Sajan Lucas ko wani idan ta shagala. Koyaushe zan iya amfani da wasu idanu biyu."
    
  "Shin zan sa rigar sararin samaniya?" Brad ya ce a kan intercom yayin da yake sanya abin rufe fuska na oxygen kuma ya kunna ta.
    
  "Ya yi latti," in ji Kai. "Ya zuwa yanzu ya kamata a rufe dukkan kayayyaki. Dole ne ma'aikatan tsarin umarni su dogara ga membobin jirgin don sarrafa lalacewa." Kai bai so ya yi tunanin abin da zai faru da su duka ba idan aka keta hurumin da gaske, tare da ko ba tare da iskar oxygen ba, amma 100% oxygen shine mafi kyawun da suke da shi. Ya danna wani maballin intercom. "Boomer, gaya mani matsayinka?"
    
  "Muna tafiya nan da mintuna goma, Janar," Boomer ya amsa. Shi da Ernesto Hermosillo sun tsaya tare da tashar jirgin sama na Armstrong tare da kula da yadda ake sauke kayayyaki daga tashar jiragen ruwa da kuma mai da man fetur, da zarar an kara kararrawa, sai suka daina sauke kaya, suka fara shirin kwancewa.
    
  "Dukkanin makaman kariya banda Skybolt ana kunna su kuma akan atomatik," in ji Valerie. "Starfire, za ku iya ba ni-"
    
  "S-19 ne!" Christine Rayhill ta yi ihu. "Wasp yana hari S-19! Tsangwama a cikin mintuna biyu! Makamai biyu suna gabatowa!"
    
  "Kwarai!" - Kai ya rantse. Ya danna maballin nasa. "Na biyu tsakar dare, wannan shi ne Armstrong, ja Wasp, na maimaita, ja Wasp." A cikin intercom, ya tambayi: "Mene ne kewayon su zuwa tashar?"
    
  "Bayan abin da Hydra ya kai," Valerie ta amsa.
    
  "Ƙara kewayon harbinku zuwa iyakar," in ji Kai. Laser na chlorine-oxygen-iodine na Hydra, wanda ke da iyakar mil dari uku, an daidaita shi zuwa mil sittin bisa ga yarjejeniyar, amma Kai Rhydon ba shi da niyyar kula da yarjejeniyoyin a yanzu. "Ku shirya masu kifin don tashi zuwa tashar. Za a sake su da zarar kun sami mafita don ƙaddamar da su. "
    
  Henry ya ruwaito cewa: "Tsakar dare yana kara sauri kuma yana samun tsayi." A cikin kewayawa, gudun yana nufin abu daya ne kawai: tsayin daka sama da duniya.
    
  "Yanzu muna gano mafita don ƙaddamarwa," in ji Valerie. Garajin makaman Kingfisher, da aka ajiye a tsakiyar gonar Armstrong, an haɗa su da tsarin yaƙi kuma makamai masu linzami nasu suna nan don kare tashoshi.
    
  Bayan ɗan lokaci Henry Lathrop ya yi ihu, "I! An saita kwas ɗin shiga tsakani! An shirya masu shiga tsakani shida!"
    
  "Yaƙin, batura sun yi ƙasa," in ji Valerie. "Janye waɗannan tsotsa ƙasa!"
    
  "A ajiye makamin!" - Henry ya yi ihu. Ma'ajiyar makaman guda biyu da ke gonar tashar ta saki dukkan na'urorin da suka kama tauraron dan adam guda uku. Waɗannan kwalaye ne masu sauƙi, waɗanda ba na iska ba - tun da yake ba su taɓa tashi a cikin yanayin duniya ba, suna iya zama kowane nau'i - tsayin ƙafa shida, tare da radar da tsarin homing na infrared a gaba, suna sarrafa nozzles na roka a cikin jiki a bangarorin biyu, kuma babban motar roka a baya. Masu shiga tsakani sun yi amfani da siginonin sarrafawa daga Armstrong don yin motsi har sai sun sami damar kulle kan masu hari ta amfani da na'urori masu auna firikwensin nasu. "Kyakkyawan hanya ga dukan Triniti. Daƙiƙa sittin har sai an shiga tsakani. Ina tsammanin za mu yi shi akan lokaci, yallabai. Tsakar dare yana tashi sama da sauri. Masu kutsen za su kasance cikin kewayon Hydra a cikin dakika saba'in."
    
  Kai ba zai huta ba sai da aka lalata dukkan wadannan makamai masu linzami na Rasha. "Trev, tuntuɓi Space Command, gaya musu abin da ke faruwa," ya ba da umarnin. "Ka gaya musu cewa ina son izini don lalata duk filayen jiragen sama na anti-satellite da kuma kaddamar da wuraren da muke-"
    
  "Pop-up orbital scarecrow!" Henry Lathrop ya yi ihu. Wani sabon gunki ya bayyana akan babban nunin dabara. Ya kasance a cikin kewayawa fiye da mil ɗari daga Armstrong's kuma tare da raguwa daban-daban, amma yana kusa da kuskure a cikin sharuddan orbital. "Ba inda ya fito, yallabai! Zabi Oscar lamba daya." Da alama ba zai haifar da barazana ga tashar ko S-19 Tsakar dare ba, amma gaskiyar cewa ba su gano shi ba har sai da yake kusa da shi ya shafi, sosai-
    
  "Yallabai, na rasa Triniti!" Henry ya yi ihu.
    
  "Me?" Kai ta fada. "Me ke faruwa?"
    
  "Ban sani ba, yallabai!" - Lathrop ya yi ihu. "Rasa hulɗa da ɗaya... biyu... uku, yallabai; Triniti uku, mummunan lamba!"
    
  "Wane ne wannan sabon shigowar?" Valerie ta yi kururuwa. "Za ku iya tunanin wannan?"
    
  "Trinity intercepts suna amfani da duk na'urorin sa ido na lantarki," in ji Lathrop. "Ina da sa hannun radar mai kyau, amma rashin gani mara kyau." Bayan ɗan lokaci: "An yi asarar tuntuɓar Triniti huɗu. Zan iya shiga Scarecrow Oscar One, yallabai?
    
  "Wannan ba barazana ba ce ga tashar ko S-19, ba a tsayin daka ko kewayen mu ba, kuma ba mu da wani abin gani na gani," in ji Kai. "Ba daidai ba. Kada ku shiga cikin yaƙi. Kaddamar da ƙarin Triniti don samun waɗannan makamai masu linzami na ASAT, yanzu."
    
    
  A CIKIN JIRGIN SARARIN RASHAWA "ELECTRON"
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  Ba za su iya zaɓar lokacin da ya fi kyau ba, kuma Kanar Mikhail Galtin ya san cewa ya kasance kamar kaddara da sa'a kamar yadda aka yi niyya, amma ba kome ba - duk abin da ya yi aiki daidai. Bayan zagaye hudu da suka yi karo da tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, amma a kasa da kasa da kuma tazarar kilomita sittin, ya kasance a wurin da ya dace ya isa daidai wurin da za a lalata makamai masu linzami na tsaron sararin samaniyar Amurka. Ya san cewa yana da daƙiƙa guda kawai don yin aiki ... Amma daƙiƙa sun kasance madawwama ga makamin Laser na Hobnail.
    
  Da zaran an harba makaman kare-dangi na Amurka daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, radar sarrafa wutar lantarki ta Galtin Elektron ta fara bin diddiginsu daga nisan kilomita dari: masu shiga tsakani na Amurka guda shida - ba wani abu bane illa injin roka mai shiryarwa tare da mai nema a kai, sai dai sauki. kuma mai tasiri a matsayin makaman kare dangi da makami mai linzami. Gaskiyar cewa an saki masu shiga tsakani daga tashar da kanta ya kasance mai ban sha'awa: rahoton cewa Shugaba Joseph Gardner ya lalata dukkanin na'urorin makamai na Kingfisher ba gaskiya ba ne. A bayyane yake akwai wasu da ke makale a tashar sararin samaniyar sojoji kuma suna aiki gaba daya.
    
  Ba komai. Ƙaddara ta ba shi kyakkyawan matsayi don shiga tsakani. Galtin ya yi mamakin sa'ar da ta zo da ita, ya yi mamakin jajircewar shugabansa, Gennady Gryzlov, wajen ba da umarnin kai harin, ya yi mamakin tunanin abin da zai zo. Rasha na shirin kai hari kan wani jirgin sama na wata kasa mai karfi a duniya. Sun kai hari kan wani jirgin ruwa na dala biliyan 3 tare da farar hula Amurkawa a cikin jirgin. Ya kasance m. Babu wani lokaci don shi: m. Idan aka ce an tada kadarori a yakin neman sararin samaniya, zai zama babban rashin fahimta.
    
  Galtin ya ɗaga murfin kariyar ja na maɓalli mai ɗaukar makami kuma ya matsar da mai canzawa a ƙarƙashinsa daga matsayin SAFE zuwa matsayin ARMED. Yanzu ana sarrafa kwamfutar da ta kai harin. A cikin 'yan daƙiƙa kaɗan duk abin zai ƙare. Jiragen ruwa guda uku da rokoki shida da ke tafiya a kan dubun dubatar kilomita a cikin sa'a guda, daruruwan mil sama da duniya, za su hadu a wannan wuri a sararin samaniya. Ba kome ba ne mai ban sha'awa. Kimiyya, siyasa, ƙarfin hali da kuma, a, sa'a duk sun kasance a gefen Tarayyar Rasha a yanzu.
    
  Kai hari.
    
    
  A BAYAN SARKIN DARE S-19
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  Da ta ji gargadin "jajayen zarra", Gonzo ya harba manyan injinan roka. "Mene ne wannan? Me ya faru?" - Tambayi Anne Page. "Mene ne jan zare?"
    
  "Makaman anti-satellite na Rasha," Gonzo ya amsa. "Fatan mu kawai shine mu zarce ko wuce gona da iri. Kowa, rage jijiyar ku, kiyaye su, kuma tabbatar da iskar oxygen ɗin ku. Sondra, duba Agent Clarkson." Gonzo da Anne sun fara yin jerin gwano a cikin shiri don yuwuwar arangama.
    
  "Tsakar dare, ka tuna, mun rasa tuntuɓar masu shiga tsakani huɗu da muka ƙaddamar a kan Wasp," Kai ya yi rediyo. "Har yanzu ana bin mutum biyu. Muna da abin da ba a sani ba a sama da kuma hannun dama, kusan mil arba'in daga nesa, ba kamar yana kan hanyar shiga ba."
    
  "Jirgin sama na Rasha ne," in ji Ann. "An sanar da mu cewa 'yan Rasha sun yi amfani da Laser a cikin jirgin akalla daya daga cikin Electrons. Ya harbo tauraron dan adam kuma mai yiwuwa yana kai hari ga masu shiga tsakani na Triniti."
    
  "Damn," Gonzo ya zagi. "Armstrong, tsakar dare ne. Fasinjan namu ya ce wani abin tsoro ne, watakila electron ne, kuma yana harbi...
    
  "Gonzo, maneuver!" Kai ya sa baki. "Akwai gyale a wutsiya! Maneuver!"
    
  Nan da nan Gonzo ya tsunduma cikin masu tuƙi, inda ya jefa jirgin cikin wani yanayi mai kaifi na gefe, sa'an nan kuma ya sake yin wani yunƙuri wanda ya motsa shi "sama" - nesa da duniya. Daga nan ta fara juyowa tana murza hanci ta nufi hanyar jirgin don gabatar da mafi ƙanƙanta bayanan da za a iya...
    
  ...da kuma tsakiyar tafiyar, wani makami mai linzami na anti-satellite ya harbo. Tana da wani karamin kango na fam goma wanda ya kunna man jet din da Bohm oxidizer da ya yoyo daga tankunan mai da suka fashe, lamarin da ya haifar da fashewar wani abu da ya ratsa cikin jirgin.
    
  "Ya buge shi! Ya buge shi!" Valerie ta yi ihu. "Wasa na farko ya bugi jirgin!" Ma"aikatan jirgin sun yi kallo cikin firgita a hoton na"urar gani da ido na jirgin da ya fado yayin da wani mugun fashewa ya cika allon.
    
  "An kama makami mai linzami na biyu na Wasp kuma an lalata shi," Henry Lathrop ya ruwaito a cikin muryar shiru kan intercom. "Manufar a bayyane take."
    
  "Boomer?" Kai radio.
    
  "Zan gama a cikin minti biyar," in ji Boomer.
    
  "Ka riga ka numfasa?"
    
  "Eh, ina da," in ji Boomer. "Ba shugabana ba."
    
  "Trev, gano ko wani a tashar yana sanye da rigar sararin samaniya kuma yana shan iska."
    
  "Ka shirya," in ji Trevor Sheil. Bayan ɗan lokaci: "Yi haƙuri, Kai. Mu uku ne a cikin rigar sararin samaniya, amma babu daya daga cikinsu da ya yi numfashi a baya."
    
  "Ka ba su oxygen nan da nan," in ji Kai. A rediyo ya ce, "Da alama kai ne, Boomer. Ba mu ga wanda ya tsira daga nan ba, amma zo a duba. Kar ku manta da shigar da kayan ja.
    
  "Na samu," in ji Boomer. Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan: "Mun shirya don farawa." Da ya rabu da tashar, sai ya karbi masu kula da wurin karshe na Midnight Spaceplane, kuma ya fara fafatawa zuwa gare shi - an yi sa'a, yayin da S-19 ke gabatowa Armstrong, yana shirin tashi, duk suna cikin sararin samaniya daya. , don haka kawai wani lamari ne na karkata zuwa gefe zuwa gare shi, maimakon a harba zuwa wata tawaga ta daban mai tsayi ko alkibla daban.
    
  "Valerie, kunna ƙungiyar taurarin Kingfisher kuma ku haɗa Starfire zuwa Cibiyar sadarwa da wuri-wuri," in ji Kai. "Lokaci ya yi da za a yi ɗan farauta." Ya kira hedkwatar Hukumar Kula da Sararin Samaniya ta Amurka daga na'urar na'urar sa. "Gabaɗaya, mun yi asarar jirgin S-19," in ji shi yayin da aka haɗa tashar mai tsaro. "Mataimakin shugaban kasar na cikin jirgin. Muna binciken wadanda suka tsira, amma ya zuwa yanzu yana kama da asara gaba daya."
    
  "Ya Ubangijina," in ji Janar George Sandstein. "Zan sanar da Fadar White House nan take."
    
  "Neman izini don kai hari ga rundunar sararin samaniyar Rasha, Janar," in ji Kai a fusace.
    
  "Ba daidai ba," in ji Sandstein. "Kada ka yi wani abu face ka kare kanka. Kada ku yi harbi har sai sun bude muku wuta."
    
  "Zan ce sun bude mana wuta, Janar," in ji Kai. "Ban sani ba ko abin da aka nufa shi ne jirgin ko kuma akwai tasha, kuma jirgin ya shiga hanya. Ko ta yaya, an kai mana hari."
    
  "Bari in sanar da Shugaban kasa tukuna, in ga menene martaninsa," in ji Sandstein. "A halin yanzu, na ba ku izinin kunna duk tsarin makaman kariya da kuke da shi kuma ku fara ƙaddamar da samfuran Triniti da kuka adana a tashar zuwa sararin samaniya. Kuna da jirgin sama a tare da ku yanzu, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "I, S-29," Kai ya amsa. "Yana nemo masu tsira, sannan muna buƙatar sauke kayayyaki a nan da kuma na ISS."
    
  "Waɗanne jiragen sama ne akwai?"
    
  "S-19 guda biyu za su kasance a cikin 'yan kwanaki, kuma muna da S-9 guda biyu da za su iya kasancewa a shirye a cikin 'yan makonni," in ji Kai yayin da yake duba matsayin kumbon nasa. "Gabaɗaya, ina da ma"ajiyar makamai guda goma a cikin orbit, wanda ya sanya yawancin dakarun yaƙi da makami mai linzami na Rasha cikin tsaka mai wuya, kuma nan ba da jimawa ba za a kunna su. Na fara aiwatar da cire haɗin na'urar maser na Starfire daga Skybolt, amma dole ne ƙungiyoyi na su sake haɗa shi. Ya kamata a shirya nan ba da jimawa ba. Ina neman izini don lalata duk wani shigarwa na anti-satellite na Rasha wanda ya zo tsakanin kewayon. "
    
  "Na fahimci manufar 'lalata', Kai," in ji Sandstein. "Ina son izini daga Fadar White House kafin ku fara kai harin bama-bamai daga sararin samaniyar Rasha. An umurce ku: kare tashar ku da duk abin da kuke da shi kuma jira ƙarin umarni. Maimaita na ƙarshe, Janar Rhydon. "
    
  Kai ya ja tsaki har ma yayi tunanin rashin amsawa; maimakon: "Na samu, Janar," a karshe ya ce. "Janar Sandstein, wannan shine Daraktan Tasha Raydon, a cikin Armstrong. Na kwafi: umarnina shine in kare tashar da duk abin da muke da shi kuma mu jira ƙarin umarni."
    
  "Zan tuntube ni," in ji Sandstein. "Wannan ba zai yi nasara ba. Ki shirya." Kuma haɗin ya katse.
    
  "Damn," Kai ya zagi. "Wataƙila an tarwatsa mataimakin shugaban ƙasar Amurka a cikin tarkacen sararin samaniya, kuma yakamata in 'tsaya a tsaye'. & # 8197; Ya duba masu dubansa. "Valerie, menene matsayin Kingfishers a cikin kewayawa?"
    
  "Shida cikin goma an riga an haɗa su zuwa cibiyar sadarwa, sauran ana sa ran a cikin kimanin sa'a guda," in ji Valerie Lucas.
    
  Kashi na biyar ne kawai na dukan ƙungiyar taurarin, amma ya fi abin da suke da shi 'yan mintuna kaɗan da suka wuce. " Sanya wuraren da aka kai hari a Rasha da China a cikin iyakar karfinmu na kai hari."
    
  "An fahimta." Bayan wani lokaci, jerin abubuwan da aka kai hari sun bayyana akan baje kolin babbar cibiyar bayar da umarni, da kuma jerin makaman da za su iya kare su. Jerin ya hada da makasudi ban da makami mai linzami: duk wani muhimmin hari na soja yana cikin jerin, kuma lokacin da taron bitar makamai na Kingfisher ko tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong ya tashi daga ketare, abin da ake nufi ya bace, sai dai an maye gurbinsa da wani wanda ya ketare sararin samaniyar makamin. wani wuri a wani wuri na duniya. Tare da ma'ajiyar makamai goma kacal da tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, jerin abubuwan da aka nufa sun kasance gajeru sosai, amma kowane ƴan mintuna wani sabon makasudin zai bayyana, ya tsaya na mintuna biyu zuwa huɗu, sannan kuma ya ɓace.
    
  Layi ɗaya a cikin jerin manufa ya canza launi daga kore zuwa rawaya. "Sichang Spaceport," in ji Kai. "Me ke faruwa a Xichang?"
    
  "S-500 Autocrat radar a cikin kewayon echo-Foxtrot daga Sichan Cosmodrome ya rufe mu," in ji Christine. "Tun lokacin da Rashawa suka shigar da S-500 a China, suna bin diddiginmu kuma wasu lokuta suna ɗaukar mu akan radar yayin da muke wucewa. Ina tsammanin gyare-gyare ne kawai ko horarwa - yana duban nesa ne kawai. Babu wani abu da ya taɓa faruwa."
    
  "Sun kulle mu, ko?" - Kai ya murmusa. "Ko wani abu banda sauƙaƙan scan?"
    
  Christine ta ce "Kowace lokaci kuma muna samun kururuwa daga radar jagorar makami mai linzami 30N6E2 Indiya-Juliet, kamar suna harba mana makami mai linzami," in ji Christine, "amma duk siginonin suna ɓacewa cikin 'yan daƙiƙa kaɗan, har ma da alamun bincike, kuma Ba ma gano injin injin ko makami mai linzami a cikin iska ba - a fili ba sa so mu yi tunanin cewa suna nuna mana mai shiga tsakani ta amfani da radar ko na'urar gani ko wani abu. Wasan kyanwa da linzamin kwamfuta ne, yallabai - sun aiko mana da siginar radar don ƙoƙarin tsoratar da mu, sannan suka yi shiru. Wannan shi ne jajircewa."
    
  "Bullshit, iya?" Kai yace. "Bari in sani idan wannan ya sake faruwa."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Christina ta amsa.
    
  Kai yayi shiru na wasu lokuta yana tunani sosai. "Christine," in ji shi, "Ina bukatan cikakkun hotuna na wannan rukunin S-500. Ka ba ni ƙunƙuntaccen haske na SBR daga babban radar mu. Matsakaicin ƙuduri."
    
  Christine Rayhill ta yi jinkiri na ɗan lokaci, sannan ta yi sharhi, "Yallabai, za a iya bincika hasken binciken-"
    
  "Yi shi, Miss Rayhill," Kai ya ce da rashin jin daɗi. "Ƙananan binciken katako, matsakaicin ƙuduri."
    
  "I, sir," in ji Christina.
    
  Yayi shiru na kusan dakika sittin; to: "Sir, S-500 manufa sa ido radar gano, da alama ana niyya mu," in ji Christine. "Azimuth kawai, tsayi da kewayo-babu sigina masu tasowa." Wannan shi ne ainihin abin da ta damu da shi: idan baturin S-500 ya gano cewa radar Armstrong na bin su, suna iya tunanin an kai musu hari kuma za su iya ramawa.
    
  "Ka saita manufa kuma ka shiga yaƙi, Christina," Kai ya umarta. "Ci gaba da dubawa."
    
  Akwai wasu ruɗani a cikin muryar Christina: wannan, ba shakka, ba irin wannan babban abu bane, bai cancanci lambar tantancewa ba. "Uh... nada manufa Golf One, sir," ta amsa bayan shigar da umarni cikin kwamfutar da aka kai harin. "An toshe makasudin a cikin kwamfutar da ke kai hari."
    
  "Umurni, wannan shine sashin ayyuka," in ji Valerie. "Na tabbatar da cewa makasudin Golf-one ya shiga yakin. Hummers biyu daga Kingfisher 09 suna shirye, ɗaya hagu, daƙiƙa arba'in da biyar har sai sun bar yankin kisan. "
    
  "An tabbatar," in ji Kai. "Christine, sanar da ni idan sunan da aka yi niyya ya canza."
    
  "Wilko, yallabai," in ji Christina. Tafukan hannunta suka fara zubowa kadan-kadan: ya fara yi kamar share fage.
    
  Nan da nan siginar ID ta canza daga TARGET TRACK zuwa ROCKET TRACK. Canjin ya kasance nan take, kuma bai tsaya kan nunin sama da daƙiƙa ɗaya ko biyu ba, amma ya isa Christine ta yi ihu, "Umurni, Ina da tr-makami mai linzami."
    
  "Yaƙi, umarni, batir da aka saki akan Golf One," Kai ya umarta. "Na maimaita, batura ba su da yawa."
    
  "Batura sun yi ƙasa, sun same ku," in ji Valerie. "Yaƙi, makasudin Golf One shine shiga cikin yaƙi!"
    
  Garage na Kingfisher Weapons, wanda ke kusan mil dubu hudu daga Armstrong - duk da cewa tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong ta fi kusa da wurin da aka kai harin, rokoki na bukatar lokaci da nisa don komawa yanayin duniya, don haka Garage na Kingfisher Weapons, wanda ke gaba, ya jimre da aikin. - ya canza zuwa kwas ɗin da kwamfutar ta tsara, kuma an jefar da motoci guda biyu masu motsi daga garejin makamai da tazarar daƙiƙa talatin. OMVs sun juya har sai da suka fara tashi wutsiya, kuma rokoki na harba su ya tashi. Konewar ba ta daɗe ba, wanda ya rage jinkirin jirgin da 'yan mil ɗari kawai a cikin sa'a, amma ya isa ya canza yanayin su daga kewayawar duniya zuwa yanayi, kuma OMVs sun juya baya, sun bar garkuwar zafin su a cikin sararin samaniya. encroaching yanayi.
    
  Yayin da kumbon ya shiga sararin sama, hasken da ke fitowa daga iska ya canza launi har sai da ya zama fari-zafi, kuma rafukan plasma masu zafi suna bin bayan kowace abin hawa. Ƙananan igiyoyi masu sarrafa ruwa da tuƙi a jikin wutsiya na OMV sun taimaka wa kumbon yin jujjuyawar S-juyawa a sararin samaniya, wanda hakan ya taimaka ba wai kawai ƙara lokacin da ya ɗauka don rage jinkirin jirgin ba, har ma ya rikitar da duk wani radar da ke cikin sararin samaniya yana bin manufar sa. . Daya daga cikin tutocin da ke kan OMV na biyu ya gaza, lamarin da ya sa ya karkata daga sarrafawa, galibi yana konewa a sararin samaniya, kuma abin da ya rage ya fada cikin jejin Siberian.
    
  A tsayin ƙafa dubu ɗari, ɗigon kariyar da ke kewaye da OMVS ɗin ya watse, yana bayyana wani injin tungsten carbide mai nauyin fam ɗari biyu tare da radar-millimita da shugaban homing na infrared a cikin hanci. Yana lura da siginar sarrafawa daga ɗakin ajiyarsa har zuwa lokacin da na'urar radar ta kulle akan wurin da aka nufa, sannan ya gyara manufarsa ta hanyar kwatanta abin da ya gani daga na'urori masu auna firikwensin da hotuna na abubuwan da aka adana a cikin ƙwaƙwalwar ajiya. Sai da ya ɗauki kaɗan na daƙiƙa guda kawai, amma hotunan sun yi daidai, kuma shugaban yaƙin ya yi niyya a kan abin da ya sa a gaba - mai harba makami mai linzami samfurin S-500. Ta kai hari ne a yayin da take tafiya kusan mil dubu goma a cikin sa'a guda. Shugaban yakin ba ya bukatar wani abin fashewa - wani tasiri a wannan gudun ya yi kama da fashewar fam dubu biyu na TNT, gaba daya ya lalata na'ura da duk abin da ke cikin radiyon ƙafa dari biyar.
    
  "Golf tee - wanda ya lalace, yallabai," in ji Christina bayan 'yan mintuna kaɗan, muryarta ta bushe kuma ta yi kauri, karo na farko da ta lalata komai a rayuwarta, balle wani ɗan adam.
    
  "Aiki yayi kyau," Kai ya fada cikin sigar dutse. "Trev, Ina son ma'aikatan jirgin mutum biyu su dace kuma su fara shirye-shiryen numfashi, suna shiga cikin jiran aiki na gaggawa na sa'o'i shida. Sauran ma'aikatan da ba sa aiki za su iya barin wuraren fama. Kowa, idanu da kunnuwa a buɗe - Ina tsammanin za mu shagala. Menene matsayin Starfire? Nawa kuma?"
    
  "Ban sani ba, yallabai," in ji Casey Huggins daga tsarin Skybolt. "Wataƙila awa ɗaya, watakila biyu. Yi hakuri yallabai, amma ni dai ban sani ba."
    
  "Da sauri Miss Huggins," in ji Kai. Ya danna maballi akan na'urar sadarwar sa. "General Sandstein, gaggawa."
    
    
  KREMLIN
  TARAYYAR RUSSIA MOSCOW
  Daga baya kadan
    
    
  "Wadancan 'yan iskan Amurka sun buge tashar jirgin sama ta da roka daga sararin samaniya!" Zhou Qiang, shugaban jam'iyyar jama'ar kasar Sin, ya yaba da taron wayar tarho da aka amince da shi. "Zan ba da umarnin harba makami mai linzami na nukiliya nan take zuwa Hawaii! Idan suka kashe Sinawa ɗari, zan kashe Amurkawa miliyan ɗaya!"
    
  "Ki kwantar da hankalinki, Zhou," in ji shugaban Rasha Gennady Gryzlov. "Kun san ni ma idan kun kaddamar da ICBM ko makamancinsa a ko"ina kusa da Amurka ko dukiyarta, za su rama da duk wani abu da suke da shi a kan kasashenmu biyu. Yanzu sun yi nisa da ja da baya, saboda harin da kuka kai wa Guam."
    
  "Ban damu ba!" - Zhou ya girgiza. "Za su yi nadamar asarar Sinawa guda sau dubu, na rantse da shi!"
    
  "Kwamandojina a kasa sun ce baturin ku S-500 ya kulle tashar sararin samaniya ta hanyar amfani da radar jagoran makami mai linzami," in ji Gryzlov. "Wannan gaskiya ne?"
    
  "To ina tsammanin kun san cewa Amurkawa suna hari kan S-500 da makaman microwave?"
    
  Gryzlov ya ce "Na san cewa sun yi maka leken asiri ta hanyar radar mai saukin motsi, Zhou, na'urar radar sararin samaniya da aka sanya a tashar kanta," in ji Gryzlov. "Ina da masu fasaha da jami"an leken asiri a can kasa, ka tuna? Sun san ainihin abin da suka bincikar ku da shi. Ba makamin makamashin da aka kai shi ba. Babu shakka sun so su tura ka ka ba da amsa, kamar yadda wawayenka, marasa horarwa suka yi."
    
  "Don haka yanzu suna ƙoƙarin tura mu don faɗaɗa rikici, mu mai da shi musayar makaman nukiliya?" - Zhou ya tambaya. "Idan haka ne, to suna yin nasara!"
    
  "Na ce, Zhou, kwantar da hankali," Gryzlov ya maimaita. "Za mu amsa, amma dole ne mu yi haƙuri kuma mu tsara wannan tare."
    
  "Wannan duk saboda harin rashin hankali da kuka kai kan jirginsu, ko ba haka ba?" - Zhou ya tambaya. "Kana ce mini in natsu, amma sai ka yi wani abin hauka kamar lalata daya daga cikin jiragensu! Mun bi diddigin waɗannan mayaka da makaman ku na yaƙi da tauraron dan adam. Wanene a cikinmu yake mahaukaci yanzu? Shin kuna son hana jiragen sama mara izini shawagi a saman Rasha? Wannan ma ya fi hauka! Me ya same ku, Gryzlov? Kun fi rashin daidaituwa fiye da waccan wawa Truznev a gaban ku. "
    
  "Kada ka yi min magana game da ayyukan soja na hauka, Zhou!" Gryzlov ya ki. "Mun yi sa'a bama yaki da Amurka bayan mahaukacin Janar Zu ya kai hari Guam!"
    
  "Zan iya faɗi haka game da harin makami mai linzami da mahaifinku ya kai kan Amurka kanta!" Zhou ya harbi baya. "Amurkawa dubu goma, dubu goma sha biyar sun bace? Dubu dari suka raunata? Babanka ne-"
    
  "Ka yi hankali, ina yi maka gargaɗi, Zhou," Gryzlov ya tofa albarkacin bakinsa. "Ka kula da abin da za ka ce gaba idan har ya shafi mahaifina." Shiru yayi gaba daya a daya karshen layin. "Ku saurare ni, Zhou. Ya ci gaba da cewa, "Kamar yadda na sani cewa, makaman da Amurka ta saba da su da za su iya isa tashoshin jiragen ruwa da sauran wuraren harba makaman na ASAT, ko dai su ne makami mai linzami da aka harba daga shiga cikin 'yan kunar bakin wake ko makaman da aka harba daga tashar sararin samaniyar sojojinsu ko ma'ajiyar makamai," in ji Gryzlov. "Tashar sararin samaniyar sojoji mabudi ce domin tana sarrafa dukkan ma"ajiyar makaman, tana amfani da radar da ke sararin samaniya wajen sa ido da kuma kai hari, kuma tana da Laser na Skybolt wanda ba zai iya karewa ba. Dole ne a kashe shi ko kuma a lalata shi kafin Amurkawa su yi amfani da makamansu."
    
  "An katse? An lalace? Yaya?" - ya tambayi Zhou.
    
  Gryzlov ya ce "Dole ne mu zabi lokacin da ya dace lokacin da za a iya harba mafi girman adadin makaman yaki da tauraron dan adam na Rasha da Sinawa a lokaci guda." "Akwai makaman kare kai a tashar, amma idan za mu iya shawo kan su, za mu iya yin nasara. Sakataren tsaro na kuma babban hafsan hafsan hafsoshi za su sanar da ni lokacin da tashar sararin samaniyar Amurka ke cikin kyakkyawan yanayi, sannan mu kai hari nan take. Sananniya ce ta kewaya tashar. Sun canza kwanan nan don gwada Laser microwave na Starfire, kuma suna iya sake canza shi, amma za mu duba mu jira. Lokacin da orbit ya daidaita, muna kai hari tare da komai a cikin kewayon.
    
  "Amma ina bukatar alƙawarin ku, Zhou: lokacin da na ce kai hari, muna kai hari da dukkan makamai a lokaci guda," Gryzlov ya ci gaba da cewa. "Wannan ita ce hanya daya tilo da za mu yi fatan murkushe ko lalata tashar sararin samaniyar soja ba tare da ta iya kai mana hari ba, domin idan ta yi hakan, tana iya lalata duk wata manufa a doron kasa da saurin haske."
    
  An yi dogon shiru a ɗayan ƙarshen amintaccen haɗin; to: "Me kuke so, Gryzlov?"
    
  "Ina buƙatar cikakken bayani, iyawa, matsayi da wurin kowane tsarin makamin tauraron dan adam a cikin makaman ku," in ji Gryzlov, "ciki har da jiragen ruwa na makami mai linzami na anti-satellite. Kuma ina buƙatar kafa hanyar sadarwa kai tsaye, amintacciyar alaƙa tare da kowane wuri da jirgin ruwa don in iya kai hari tare da haɗin gwiwa kan tashar sararin samaniyar sojojin Amurka."
    
  "Ba zan iya de fēng ba?" Zhou ya yi ihu a baya. Gryzlov ya san isashen la'anar Sinanci don fahimtar cewa ya ce, "Shin kuna hauka ne?" Maimakon haka, ya ji mai fassarar ya ce: "Shugaban ya ki amincewa da karfi, yallabai."
    
  Gryzlov ya ce, "Rasha tana da makaman kare-dangi fiye da China, Zhou-idan na aiko muku da wani dan kankanin bayanan bayananmu, da sauri za ku gaji," in ji Gryzlov. "Baya ga haka, ba na tsammanin sojojin ku ko fasahar ku ta sararin samaniya ba su da ikon tsara yadda za a kaddamar da wasu da dama na masu shiga tsakani da suka bazu a cikin dubban mil, na kasashe biyu, a lokaci guda a sararin samaniya. Muna da gogewa sosai a cikin injiniyoyin orbital fiye da China. "
    
  "Me yasa ba zan ba ku duk lambobin ƙaddamar da duk makaman nukiliyar mu ba, Gryzlov?" Zhou ya tambaya cikin izgili. "Ko ta yaya, China ta mutu."
    
  "Kada ku zama wawa, Zhou," in ji Gryzlov. "Dole ne mu yi aiki, kuma mu yi aiki da sauri, kafin Amurkawa su iya sanya ƙarin ajiyar makamai a cikin orbit kuma su sake kunna Laser Skybolt, idan wannan maganar banza game da wani dalibin kwalejin microwave Laser ya maye gurbin laser na lantarki kyauta. Ka ba ni wannan bayanan-kuma zai fi kyau zama daidai kuma abin dogaro-kuma zan tantance ainihin lokacin da mafi girman adadin makaman kare tauraron dan adam zai kasance cikin kewayo don buge Armstrong... sannan kuma za mu kai hari."
    
  "Kuma me, Gryzlov? Ku jira makaman nukiliyar Amurka su yi ruwan sama a manyan biranenmu?"
    
  "Kenneth Phoenix mai rauni ne, kamar duk 'yan siyasar Amurka," in ji Gryzlov. "Ya kai hari a wannan wurin na S-500, da sanin cewa za mu kai hari. A daidai lokacin da ya harba laser microwave daga tashar, ya san tashar za ta zama manufa. Ya yi duka biyun, yana tunanin ba za mu amsa ba. Yanzu na mayar da martani ta hanyar lalata jirgin nasa, kuma yana da zabi: hadarin da ke tsakanin kasashen nahiyoyi da makaman nukiliya a kansa, ko kuma ya bar tashar sararin samaniyar soja domin samun zaman lafiya. Yana da tsinkaya, matsoraci kuma mai yiwuwa ya gurgunta a rai. Ba shi da komai. Babu wata barazana ga ko wanne daga cikin kasashenmu da yakin nukiliya idan aka lalata tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong, kuma ban yi imani Phoenix ko wani a Amurka yana da ciki ga kowane yaki ba, balle yakin nukiliya. "
    
  Zhou bai ce komai ba. Gryzlov ya jira wasu 'yan lokuta, sannan ya ce: "Yanzu yanke shawara, Zhou, tsine ki! Yanke shawara! "
    
    
  GOMA
    
    
  Allah na Yaƙi yana ƙin waɗanda suka yi shakka.
    
  - EURIPIDES
    
    
    
  A CIKIN KASASHEN DUNIYA, MISA TALATIN DAGA TSARAR SARARIN ARMO.
  Daga baya kadan
    
    
  Daga kimanin mil mil, Boomer da Ernesto kawai suna iya ganin gajimare mai tsananin farin iskar gas, kamar a ce gajimare mai tarin yawa ya balle daga sararin duniya kuma ya yanke shawarar yawo a kewayar duniya. "Har yanzu babu abin da ke gani, Armstrong," in ji Boomer. "Kawai babban gajimare na mai daskararre, oxidizer da tarkace."
    
  "An yarda," Kai ya amsa. "Ku kusance kamar yadda zai yiwu, amma kalli mai da oxidizer - kar ku kusanci isa don kunna shi. Ko da tartsatsin wutar lantarki guda ɗaya a cikin wannan rikici na iya kashe shi."
    
  "An fahimta."
    
  An ɗauki mintuna kaɗan kafin a rufe tazarar, amma har yanzu gajimaren ya rufe wurin. "Ina kusan yadi hamsin daga nan," in ji Boomer. "Wannan yana kusa kamar yadda na kuskura in zo. Ba zan iya fitar da komai ba. Ernesto, kuna ganin wani abu a wurin?"
    
  "Ba daidai ba," in ji Ernesto. "Wannan yana da kyau sosai... Dakata! Ina gani! Ina ga tsakar dare! Ga alama reshe na dama da ɓangaren wutsiya an yayyage, amma fuselage da cockpit sun yi kama!"
    
  "Nagode Allah," in ji Boomer. "Zan je can in duba." Ya zare kanshi ya koma airlock. Don tafiye-tafiyen sararin samaniya mai tsawo, ban da sanya EEAS don ƙarin kariya daga micrometers da tarkace da kuma ingantaccen yanayin zafin jiki, Boomer ya ba da suturar sararin samaniya mara nauyi, mara nauyi mai kama da tsalle, sannan ya ba da babbar na'ura mai kama da jakar baya da ake kira tallafin rayuwa ta farko. tsarin ko PLSS, da kuma haɗa EEAS da igiyoyin cibi zuwa gare shi don kare muhalli. Jakar baya ta ƙunshi iskar oxygen, abinci, gogewar carbon dioxide, sarrafa muhalli, kayan sadarwa da na'urar da ake kira "SAFER," ko Sauƙaƙe EVA, wanda ƙaramin siga ne na na'urar motsa jiki wanda ke ba 'yan sama jannatin da ke haɗe damar kewayawa da kansu a sararin samaniya. SAFER kawai ya kamata a yi amfani da shi a cikin gaggawa don mayar da wani ɗan sama jannati da ba a haɗa shi ba zuwa cikin kumbon-da kyau, tabbas gaggawa ne. "Yaya ka ji, Ernesto?" - ya yi jawabi a rediyo.
    
  "Kara kuma a sarari, Boomer."
    
  "An rufe ƙyanƙyasar ƙyanƙyashe," in ji Boomer bayan duba karatun. "Bari mu depressurize da airlock." Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan: "Buɗe ɗakin ɗaukar kaya." Ya buɗe ya buɗe ƙyanƙyasar ya shiga cikin ma'ajiyar kaya, ya tsare kansa da igiyar igiya, sannan ya rufe ya rufe ƙyanƙyasar a bayansa.
    
  Har yanzu dai bakin kaya ya cika saboda suna jigilar dukkan kayayyakin da za a yi amfani da su a sararin samaniyar sararin samaniya kuma har yanzu suna da wasu kayayyaki da ba a kai ga Armstrong ba. Boomer ya fitar da madaurin kaya mai tsayin yadi ɗari da ake amfani da shi don jigilar kayayyaki zuwa tashar sararin samaniya, ya tabbatar da ƙarshen madaurin yana makale da jirgin sama, ya makala madaurin a faifan hoton da ke kan ribar jakarsa ta baya, sannan ya zare shi daga cikin jirgin. cargo bay na USB. "Barin kayakin kaya," in ji rahoto, sannan ya miƙe ya haura daga mashigar dakon kaya ya nufi cikin jirgin sama na tsakar dare, madaurin kaya yana kwance a bayansa.
    
  Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan, ya shiga cikin gajimare na iskar gas - abin farin ciki, injunan SAFER sun yi amfani da iskar gas don motsawa, don haka babu haɗarin fashewa - kuma yana iya ganin jirgin a fili. Kusa da kusa lalacewar ta yi muni, amma fuselage da kokfit ɗin sun bayyana ba daidai ba. "Ina kimanin yadi ashirin daga tsakiyar dare," in ji Boomer. "Zan shiga ciki." Ta hanyar amfani da ƴan ƙanƙanta SAFER, ya matsa zuwa ɗakin tsakiyar dare...
    
  ... kuma ta tagogin kokfit ya ga Jessica Faulkner da mataimakin shugaban kasa Anne Page, har yanzu suna zaune a tsaye kuma sun ruɗe, shugabannin sun sunkuyar da kai, kamar suna dozing a cikin kujerar jirgin sama, amma ba motsi. "Ina ganin Gonzo da Mataimakin Shugaban kasa," in ji Boomer. "An daure su a tsaye. Ba zan iya ganin idan idanunsu a bude suke ba." Ya fitar da tocila a hankali ya tabe visor din kokfitin Tsakar dare - babu amsa. "Kwayoyin su sun yi kama da juna kuma ina iya ganin LEDs a kan matakan kwat ɗin su - heck, suna iya zama -."
    
  Kuma a dai-dai wannan lokacin, mataimakiyar shugaban kasa Anne Page ta daga kai, sannan hannunta na dama, kamar ana dagawa. "Mataimakin shugaban kasa yana raye!" Boomer ya ce. "Ina jin tana daga min hannu!" Ya gane cewa zai iya zama motsin jirgin ruwa ne kawai, amma dole ne ya manne da kowane irin begen da zai iya. "Har yanzu Gonzo bai motsa ba, amma mataimakin shugaban kasa yana sane! Wutar lantarki ta kare. Ƙyanƙƙarfan makullin iska da jirgin ruwa suna bayyana amintacce ba tare da alamun lalacewa ko raguwa ba. Dole ne mu mayar da su tashar."
    
  Ya tashi sama da tsakar dare don ya kalli bakin kaya. "Gashin dama na fuselage inda fikafikan ke haɗe da alama ya lalace sosai." Ya zagaya gadar kaya a gefen dama. "Damn" ya fad'a bayan 'yan mintuna. "Ya bayyana cewa tsarin fasinja ya lalace. Yi shiri. Zan gani ko zan iya duba fasinjojin."
    
  A cikin tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, Brad McLanahan ya ja numfashi. Ya san Sondra yana cikin wannan jirgin sama kuma ya canza zuwa tsarin fasinja don ba da damar Mataimakin Shugaban kasa ya tashi a cikin jirgin.
    
  "Brad," Jodi ta rediyo daga UC Poly - babu wani a cikin tawagar Project Starfire da ya bar tashar su bayan zargin fashewar Stacy Ann Barbeau. "Na ji komai. Ba... ba abokinka Sondra bane...?"
    
  "Iya," Brad ya ce.
    
  "Addu'o'i," Jodie ta numfasa.
    
  Boomer ya sami damar duba tazarar da ke cikin ƙugiya da fasinja. "Babu isasshen dakin da zan iya shiga cikin tsarin," in ji shi. Ya haska tocila kan Sondra da wakilin Sabis na Sirri. "Ba su san komai ba, amma ina iya ganin halin da ake ciki a cikin kwat da wando, kuma gaɓoɓin su a ƙasa kuma sun kulle. Mu-"
    
  Kuma a wannan lokacin, lokacin da Boomer ya wuce fitilar fitilarsa tare da visor na kwalkwali, Sondra ya ɗaga kai. Idanuwanta a bude suka zaro saboda tsoro. "Mai tsarki, Sondra yana da rai!" Boomer ya yi ihu. "Wakilin Sirri ba ya motsi, amma kamar yadda zan iya fada, rigarta ba ta nan! Wataƙila muna da masu tsira huɗu a nan!"
    
  "Cikakke!" Kai radio. Shi da sauran tawagar sun kalli ci gaban Boomer ta hanyar bidiyo da ciyarwar sauti daga kyamarori da aka sanya akan Boomer's PLSS. "Dawo nan sau biyu. Za mu fadada ƙetare don shiga cikin tsarin fasinja, sa'an nan kuma za mu iya ɗaukar fasinjoji sannan mu shiga tashar jirgin ta hanyar kulle jirgin."
    
  "An fahimta." Boomer ya yi hanyarsa zuwa gaban jirgin saman Tsakar dare, ya sami bututun sarrafa dauki a hanci, kuma ya tsare madaurin kaya a cikinsa. Daga nan sai ya makala zoben da ke kan abin dokin jakarsa a kan bel dinsa sannan ya koma cikin jirgin sama mai inuwar S-29, yana zira bel din sama. Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan ya wuce ta cikin makullin iska na Shadow, ya sanya PLSS a cikin shimfiɗar sakewa da sakewa, sannan ya koma cikin kurwar Shadow.
    
  "Babban aiki, Comandante," in ji Ernesto bayan da Boomer ya tashi. Suka yi musabaha. "Kina tunanin zamu iya fitar dasu mu kai su tashar, shugaba?"
    
  "Ban tabbata ba," in ji Boomer, yana ɗaukar 'yan daƙiƙa don numfashinsa da bugun zuciyarsa ya fara komawa daidai. "Tabbas na"urar fasinja ta lalace, amma jirgin ya bayyana ashe. Na ga ledojin a kan kwat ɗin su, amma ban iya sanin ko fitilun sigina ne ko menene ba. Za mu iya samun saƙon zuwa ga VP game da yadda za a buɗe makullin iska ko masu hangen nesa, sannan da fatan za su iya tsira daga canja wuri. Mu koma tasha."
    
  Sai da suka dauki rabin sa'a suna yin taka-tsan-tsan don ja da jirgin da ya lalace a tsakiyar dare S-19 zuwa tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. Ma'aikatan jirgin sun riga sun tsaya a shirye tare da ƙarin madauri da masu yankan nauyi, kuma an mika hannun ma'aikacin nesa gwargwadon iya yin duk abin da ake buƙata. Boomer ya doki S-29 tare da tashar.
    
  "Aiki mai kyau, Boomer," Kai rediyon, yana nazarin hotuna na S-19 Tsakar dare da kuma ma'aikatan jirgin da ke aiki don samun dama ga tsarin fasinja. "Na ba da umarnin a shaka wa S-29 mai kuma a sauke kaya gwargwadon iko. Za mu iya amfani da ɗaya daga cikin makullin iska azaman ɗakin matsi. Ina so ku da shugaban ku ku tsaya a cikin jirgin sama. Muna da kusan sa'o'i uku kafin mu isa wurin bayanai na gaba, don haka idan kuna buƙatar fita don amfani da 'wicks', yi haka yanzu." Ernesto ya daga hannu, yana nuna abin da yake so kenan. Wicks, ko WCS, shine tsarin ɗaukar shara, ko bayan gida, akan tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong.
    
  "Na samu," in ji Boomer. "Wane makahon agwagwa muke zuwa?"
    
  "Mafi munin," in ji Kai. "Delta Bravo Daya. Cikin gari. Dama a tsakiya." Boomer ya saba da inda suke: Moscow da St. Petersburg. Suna da da'irar kisa da yawa daga makasudin hana tauraron dan adam da yawa waɗanda suka mamaye yankin daga Tekun Barents zuwa Tekun Azov. "Tunda an katse sashin orbital na Rasha kuma ba mu da namu na'urar motsa jiki, ba za mu iya matsar da tashar zuwa sararin samaniya mai haɗari ba."
    
  "Ernesto ya bar yin amfani da 'wicks' & # 8197;" Boomer ya sanar yayin da Ernesto ya fara kwance kansa. "Ina so in sarrafa gidan mai. Ina bukatan wani a wurin da zai sa ido kan kurakurai."
    
  "Muna fama da karancin ma'aikatan jirgin sama," in ji Boomer. Ya juya ga manajan tashar Trevor Sheil. "Trev, kana so ka saka kwat da kuma-"
    
  "Aika Brad McLanahan," in ji Boomer. "Ba ya aiki. La'ananne shi, a zahiri matukin jirgin sama ne tukuna."
    
  Brad ya yi shiru tun lokacin da tauraron dan adam na Rasha ya harbo Midnight C-19, yana kallon tagar ma'aikatan da ke kewaye da tsakar dare kuma yana fatan ya hango Sondra, amma ya haskaka lokacin da ya ji sunansa. "I bet I will!" - Ya ce cikin zumudi kan intercom.
    
  "Jeka makullin iska kuma wani zai taimake ka ka zama dan wasa," in ji Kai. "Dole ne ku kasance cikin cikakken kwat da wando da iskar oxygen. Ba mu da lokacin da za mu sanya ku a cikin LCVG. " LCVG, ko Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Tufafin, ya kasance kwat da wando mai dacewa da bututun ruwa da ke gudana ta cikinsa wanda ke ɗaukar zafi daga jiki. "Trev, taimaki Brad ya isa makullin jirgin." Trevor ya jagoranci Brad zuwa ƙyanƙyashe yana kaiwa ga tsarin ajiya da sarrafawa. Tun da ba zai sa LCVG ba, yana da sauri da sauƙi don ba da kwat da wando na ACES, safar hannu da takalmi, kuma a cikin ƴan mintuna kaɗan Brad yana kan hanyarsa ta zuwa rami mai haɗa jirgin sama na S-29 Shadow zuwa tashar. .
    
  A kan hanyar zuwa jirgin saman da ke kwance, Brad ya wuce Ernesto Hermosillo, wanda ke kan hanyar zuwa tsarin samfurin Galaxy. "Hey, labari mai kyau game da Sondra, mutum," in ji Ernesto, yana ba Brad bugun hannu. "Ina fatan za ta kasance lafiya. Za mu gano nan ba da jimawa ba, amigo."
    
  "Na gode, Ernesto," in ji Brad.
    
  Ma'aikacin ya taimaka wa Brad ta hanyar tashar jirgin ruwa, kuma Brad ya bi ta cikin makullin jirgin zuwa cikin jirgin. Boomer ya mika masa igiyar cibiyansa. "Hey Brad," in ji Boomer a kan intercom. "Duk abin da za a iya yi wa Sondra da sauran ana yin su. Ina tsammanin ita da Wakilin Sabis na Sirrin dole ne su kwana a cikin makullin jirgin da aka matse da iskar oxygen. Watakila su kasance a sume na wani lokaci, amma idan sun tsira daga harin da rigar su, to su fito."
    
  "Na gode, Boomer," in ji Brad.
    
  "Na gode da yin wannan, Brad," in ji Boomer. "Wannan ba komai ba ne illa aikin renon yara mai sauƙi, amma dokokin da na rubuta da kaina, sun bayyana cewa dole ne mutum ɗaya ya kasance a ƙarƙashin ikon S-29 yayin da ake ƙara man fetur a sararin samaniya, sanye da rigar sararin samaniya da iskar oxygen. Taurarin sararin samaniya Black Stallion da Tsakar dare suna buƙatar membobin jirgin biyu saboda ba su da sarrafa kansa kamar Shadow. Ina so in duba gidan mai kuma watakila ya buge shi a kai, kuma Ernesto yana kan hanyarsa ta zuwa Makonni, shi ya sa kuke nan.
    
  "Shadow yana sarrafa kansa sosai, don haka zai gaya muku da baki kuma akan wannan allon abin da ke faruwa," Boomer ya ci gaba, yana nuna babban nunin multifunction a tsakiyar dash. Abubuwan da aka bincika an nuna su cikin rawaya, sannan wasu ƙananan igiyoyi na ayyukan kwamfutar, layin rawaya ya zama kore, kuma a ƙarshe sakamakon ƙarshe tare da ƙaramin maballin rawaya akan allon taɓawa yana tambayar ko kwamfutar za ta iya ci gaba. "Idan wani abu ya faru, zai sanar da ku kuma ku jira tabbatarwa, wanda kuke yi ta danna maɓallin laushi da ya bayyana. A mafi yawan lokuta, kawai zai gyara matsalar kanta, ya sanar da ku cewa an gyara shi, kuma ya jira tabbatarwa. Idan ba zai iya gyarawa da kansa ba, zai sanar da ku. Kawai gaya mani idan wannan ya faru kuma zan nemi masu fasaha suyi aiki akai. Kamar yadda na ce, ke ce ke renon yara, sai dai "baby ya fi ku wayo da girma, ko wata tambaya?
    
  "A'a".
    
  "Lafiya. Zan iya jin kwamfutar idan ta sanar da wani abu. Ba zan yi nisa ba. Kira idan-"
    
  Kuma a wannan lokacin suka ji: "Armstrong, wannan shine Tsakar dare, yaya kuke ji?"
    
  "Gonzo?" Kai ta fada. "Kai ne?"
    
  "Iya," in ji Gonzo. Muryar ta a hargitse take kamar tana kokarin magana da nauyi a kirjinta. "Idan za ku ji ni, ku kawo rahoto. Miss Vice President?"
    
  "I... Ina jinka... Gonzo." Mataimakin shugaban kasar ya mayar da martani cikin sanyin murya da kakkausar murya da sannu a hankali. "Ni... Ba zan iya numfashi da kyau."
    
  "Taimako na zuwa, ma'am," in ji Gonzo. "Agent Clarkson." Babu amsa. "Agent Clarkson?" Har yanzu ba kalma ba. "Sondra?"
    
  "Mai ƙarfi... da... kuma a sarari," Sondra ya amsa a raunane. Brad ya ja numfashi, na farko a cikin lokuta masu yawa. "Zan...Zan yi kokarin duba Clarkson."
    
  "Muna da iko har zuwa tsakar dare," in ji Trevor. "Za mu duba yanayin burbushin jirgin, sannan mu gano ko za mu iya yin sauye-sauye ta hanyar rami da aka rufe ko kuma za mu shiga sararin samaniya. Numfashinsu yana nuni da cewa kwat da wando ba zai iya samun iskar oxygen daga jirgin sama ba, don haka sai mu yi sauri mu ga ko za mu iya...
    
  "Umurni, sa ido, na gano harba makamai masu linzami da yawa!" - Christine Rayhill ta yi ihu a kan intercom na dukkan tashoshin. Ƙaddamarwa ɗaya daga Plesetsk, ɗaya daga Baikonur! Ana sa ido kan ƙaddamar da ƙididdiga a yanzu... a shirya... Yanzu an gano harba na biyu daga Baikonur, na sake maimaita, harba guda biyu daga... An gano harba roka daga Xichang, ƙungiyar, wannan roka ne guda huɗu. An harba makamin roka na biyar, a wannan karon daga Wenchang Cosmodrome da ke tsibirin Hainan. Wannan shine harba rokoki guda biyar! Babu sanarwar gaba na kowane ƙaddamarwa."
    
  "Tashoshin yaƙi, ma'aikatan jirgin," Kai ya ba da umarnin kan intercom. "Dukkan ma'aikatan jirgin su dauki matsayinsu na fama."
    
  A cikin inuwar jirgin sama, Boomer ya bi ta cikin makullin jirgin sama da sauri fiye da yadda Brad ya taɓa ganin wani yana motsawa a sararin samaniya, tare da iyawa mai ban mamaki ga mutum a cikin faɗuwa kyauta, ya zauna a kujerar matukin, ya tsare igiyoyinsa, ya fara ɗaure kansa a ciki. "Me zan yi, Boomer?" - Brad ya tambaya. "In fita in bar Ernesto?"
    
  "Ya yi latti," in ji Boomer. "Kullin jirgin na waje yana rufe kai tsaye yayin da muke kan hanyar zuwa tashoshin yaƙi a shirye-shiryen rabuwa da tashar. Za su daina mai da sauke kaya, kuma da zarar sun yi haka, za mu hau hanya."
    
  "Kana nufin komawa ga kewayawa?"
    
  "Ee," in ji Boomer, cikin hanzari ya tattara yana mai da martani ga sanarwar kwamfutar. "Muna tashi da sauri kamar yadda za mu iya. Akwai jerin takaddun takarda da aka lulluɓe zuwa babban kan gwiwa ta hannun dama. Matsa shi zuwa kugu. Bi tare da kwamfutar yayin da kuke tafiya ta kowane kashi. Lokacin da ya neme ku don tabbatarwa kuma kun yarda cewa ya bi matakan daidai, ci gaba da danna maɓallin akan allon. Idan ya fadi ko kun sami saƙon kuskure, da fatan za a sanar da ni. Zai daidaita saurin kowane sashe dangane da saurin tabbatar da kowane aiki, amma kuma ya san cewa muna kan wuraren fama, don haka zai yi ƙoƙarin wucewa cikin sauri. Bincika igiyoyin cibinku da iskar oxygen kuma ku ɗaure sama sosai kamar yadda zai yiwu - wannan na iya zama mummunan tafiya.
    
  "Wannan ba ya zama yanayin yanayin makami mai linzami," in ji jami'ar sa ido Christine Rayhill, yayin da take nazarin na'urorinta na kwamfuta guda biyu. "Roka guda biyu na farko sun shirya... suna kama da za su shiga sararin samaniya, umarni, maimaitawa, hanyoyin jirgin sama."
    
  "Jirgin sama na Rasha," in ji Valerie. "A salvo na kusan ƙaddamar da guda biyar a lokaci guda."
    
  "Menene matsayin Starfire?" - Kai ya tambaya.
    
  "Har yanzu yana aiki a kai," in ji Henry Lathrop. "Ban san tsawon lokacin da wannan zai dore ba."
    
  "Da sauri Henry," in ji Kai. "Valerie, yaya al'amura ke tafiya da Kingfishers da Hydra?"
    
  "Kingfisher 9 ya rasa zagaye na biyu na Mjolnir, kuma na'urorin Trinity guda uku da ke tashar sun kashe jimillar zagaye na yaki da tauraron dan adam guda shida," Valerie ta ruwaito. Hydra ta shirya, kusan layi talatin ya rage."
    
  Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan: "Umurni, rokoki biyu na farko sun bayyana sun harba lodin kaya zuwa sararin samaniya, mai yiwuwa jiragen sama," in ji Christine. "Ayyukan su ba su zo daidai da namu ba."
    
  Trevor Sheil ya ce "Suna iya samun na'urori masu taimako tare da kaya masu nauyi wanda zai kai su cikin hanyar canja wuri," in ji Trevor Sheil. Modular kayan cajin taimako shine ƙarin matakin ƙara haɓakawa da ke haɗe zuwa mafi girman sashin ɗaukar nauyi wanda zai iya allurar wannan lodin zuwa wani orbit a lokacin da ake so ba tare da ya cinye nasa injin ba. "Ya kamata mu sa ran wadannan jirage masu saukar ungulu za su yi tafiya cikin sa'o'i daya zuwa goma."
    
  Kai Rhydon ya kalli tsarin umarni kuma ya lura cewa Brad baya cikin wurin da ya saba, an haɗe shi da babban kan babban kundin umarni. "McLanahan, ina kake?" - Ya tambaya a kan intercom.
    
  "Wurin kwamandan mishan yana kan Inuwa," Boomer ya amsa.
    
  "Zan sake cewa?"
    
  "Ya rike kujerar anga yayin da Ernesto ya dauki hutu daga makonni, kuma yanzu da muke kan aiki, ya manne da ita," in ji Boomer. "Ya zuwa yanzu da alama yana da kyakkyawar kulawa akan komai."
    
  "Ceshe makullin iska," in ji Kai. "Mayar da shugaban ku a can."
    
  "Ba mu da lokaci, Janar," in ji Boomer. "A lokacin da Ernesto ya sake saka katunansa, za mu yi bankwana. Kar ku damu. Brad yana da kyau. A ganina ya riga ya fara horo a matsayin kwamandan mission."
    
  Kai ya girgiza, abubuwan da ke faruwa sun yi yawa wadanda ba su da iko, ya yi tunani cikin nadama. "Yaya za ku cire haɗin, Boomer?"
    
  "Kofofin kaya suna rufewa, Janar," in ji Boomer. "Wataƙila minti biyu. zan baka shawara."
    
  "Umurni, rokoki uku da hudu su ma suna shiga sararin samaniya," in ji Christina bayan minti daya. "An shigar da kayan aikin Rasha na daya da biyu a cikin kewayawa. Babu wani aiki daga duk wata kadara ta ƙasa." Hakan ya canza kadan bayan haka: "Umurnin, an gano jirage masu inganci da yawa suna tashi daga filin jirgin sama na Chkalovsky kusa da Moscow. Biyu, watakila jirage uku a cikin iska."
    
  "Jirgin Anti-Satellite zai harba," in ji Trevor. "Suna tattara 'yan jaridu a gaban cikakken kotun."
    
  "Ka gaya wa komai ga Space Command, Trev," in ji Kai. "Ban san tabbas ko wanene wanda ake hari ba, amma zan ci amanar mu ne. Christine, Ina tsammanin manufarsu ita ce su kai ga tsayin daka da kuma sararin samaniyar da ya dace don kutsa kai cikinmu. Ina buƙatar hasashen sararin samaniya don duk waɗannan jiragen sama na Rasha - Ina buƙatar sanin ainihin lokacin da za su shiga sararin samaniyar canja wuri. "
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Christina ta amsa. "Ina lissafin yanzu." Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan: "Umurni, lura, da ɗauka cewa suna so su matsa zuwa kusurwar sararin samaniya da tsayinmu, ina sa ran jirgin saman Saliyo uku zai isa wurin harba a cikin motsi na Hohmann a cikin minti ashirin da uku, ya isa tsayinmu da jirgin sama. cikin mintuna bakwai. Saliyo Daya za ta yi haka nan da mintuna arba'in da takwas. Har yanzu muna aiki kan wasu jiragen sama guda uku, amma dukkansu za su iya kasancewa a sararin samaniyar mu cikin kasa da sa'o'i hudu. Zan lissafta inda za su kasance danginmu idan sun shiga sararin samaniyarmu."
    
  "Sa'o'i hudu: wannan shine lokacin da za mu wuce Delta Bravo One," in ji Valerie, yayin da yake magana akan nunin orbital akan babban mai saka idanu. "Sun tsara lokacin da ya dace: za su sami jiragen sama guda biyar, mai yiwuwa dauke da makamai, a cikin sararin samaniyar mu yayin da muka wuce wuraren makami mai linzami na tauraron dan adam a Moscow da St. Petersburg."
    
  "Trevor, ina so in matsar da tashar kamar yadda zai yiwu, da sauri-wuri," in ji Kai. "Za mu canza yanayinmu gwargwadon iko, amma ina so in kara girman tsayi - watakila za mu iya wuce iyakar S-500. A yi amfani da kowane digon man da muka bari, amma ku fitar da mu daga yankin da ke cikin hadari."
    
  "Na samu," in ji Trevor, sannan ya jingina ga aiki a wurin aikinsa.
    
    
  FARIN GIDA
  WASHINGTON, DC
  Daga baya kadan
    
    
  Shugaban kasar Kenneth Phoenix ya shiga cikin dakin da ake ciki a fadar White House, inda ya yi nuni ga sauran wadanda ke wurin da su hau kujerunsu. Fuskar sa tayi furfura da lumshe ido, ga shi kuma a tsawon wannan rana, sakamakon tsayawa da zama a teburinsa yana jiran labari daga mataimakinsa, babban mashawarci da abokinsa. "Wani yayi min magana," ya umarta.
    
  Mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro William Glenbrook ya ce, "Russia sun yi ta kewayawa da wasu jiragen sama guda biyar na Electron," in ji mai ba shugaban kasa shawara kan harkokin tsaro William Glenbrook. Janar Timothy Spelling da Daraktan Hukumar Leken Asiri ta Tsakiya Thomas Torrey da wasu mataimaka da dama sun tsaya a kusa da wayoyin. An raba babban na'urar duba da ke gaban dakin zuwa fuska da dama, daya daga cikinsu ya nuna hoton kwamandan rundunar Amurka. Admiral Joseph Eberhart, da kwamandan hukumar kula da sararin samaniyar Amurka, Janar George Sandstein, sun shiga taron ta hanyar taron bidiyo. jirgin sama."
    
  "Samu Gryzlov a waya a yanzu," in ji Phoenix. "Me kuma?"
    
  Glenbrook ya ci gaba da cewa "Ya kamata mu sani cikin 'yan mintoci ko jiragen sama za su yi barazana ga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong." "Ma'aikatan da ke cikin Armstrong na iya yin hasashen lokacin da jiragen sama za su bukaci daidaita yanayin tafiyarsu domin ya yi daidai da na tashar, ko kuma idan za su shiga sararin samaniyar da zai kutsa tashar."
    
  "Gryzlov yana kan layi, yallabai," jami'in sadarwa ya ruwaito bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan.
    
  Phoenix ya kama wayar. "Me kake tunanin kana yi, Gryzlov?" ya bata rai.
    
  "Ba abu ne mai kyau ba a sami jiragen saman sararin samaniyar abokan gaba da ba a tantance su ba, ko, Phoenix?" - Inji mai fassara. "Na tabbata cewa makanikan da ke kewaye da ku za su sanar da ku nan ba da jimawa ba, amma zan gaya muku yanzu da kaina, don kubutar da ku daga wannan matsala: tashar ku ta sararin samaniyar sojan ku za ta yi karo da dukkan taurarinmu na sararin samaniya da makaman kare-dangi a cikin kimanin sa"o"i uku, a a wane lokaci ne zan umurci rundunar ta sararin samaniya da ta harbo tashar sararin samaniyar sojojin ku."
    
  "Me?"
    
  "Kuna da sa'o'i uku don ficewa daga tashar kuma ku ceci rayukan mutanen ku," in ji Gryzlov. "Ba zan bar wannan dodo ya sake shawagi a sararin samaniyar Rasha ba yayin da makamanta ke aiki - kamar yadda muka gani a China, tashar sararin samaniya da makaman da take sarrafa su suna yin babbar barazana ga Rasha."
    
  "Kore tashar sararin samaniya?" Phoenix ya mayar da martani. "Akwai maza da mata goma sha hudu a cikin jirgin! Yaya zan yi haka nan da awa uku?"
    
  "Ba damuwata ba ce, Phoenix," in ji Gryzlov. "Kuna da jiragen ku da na fasinja na kasuwanci mara matuki, kuma an gaya mini cewa tashar tana da jiragen ceton gaggawa waɗanda za su iya kiyaye ma"aikatan su tsawon lokacin da za a ɗauke su a mayar da su duniya ko kuma a ɗauke su zuwa tashar sararin samaniya ta ƙasa da ƙasa. Amma wannan ba shine damuwata ba, Phoenix. Ina son a ba da tabbacin cewa an kashe makaman sararin samaniya, kuma hanya mafi kyau da zan yi tunanin yin hakan ita ce lalata tashar sararin samaniya."
    
  "Tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong mallakar Amurka ce da kuma wurin soji," in ji Phoenix. "Harin kan wannan zai zama kamar hari a kan duk wani sansanin sojan Amurka ko wani jirgin dakon jirgi. Wannan aikin yaki ne."
    
  "Don haka ya kasance - ci gaba da sanar da shi, Phoenix," in ji Gryzlov. "Ina tabbatar muku, Rasha da kawayenta a shirye suke su yaki Amurka. Na yi la'akari da gaskiyar cewa Amurka ta shafe shekaru da yawa tana yawo makamai a kan yankin Rasha wani aikin yaki - yanzu, a ƙarshe, za a yi wani abu game da shi. Ba abin da nake yi face kare Rasha daga ɓarkewar injin yaƙin Amurka wanda ya yi ƙoƙarin ɓad da kanta a matsayin gwajin ɗaliban kwaleji. To, an yaudare ni. Ba zan ƙara bari a yaudare ni ba."
    
  "Shin kun yi tunanin abin da zai faru idan ba a lalata tashar gaba daya ba bayan sake shiga, Gryzlov? Mutane nawa ne a duniya za su mutu daga faɗuwar tarkace da kuma babban janareta na MHD? "
    
  "Hakika, na yi tunani game da shi, Phoenix," in ji Gryzlov. "Za a buga tashar a yammacin Rasha. Mun yi hasashen za ta sauka ba tare da lahani ba a yammacin China, Siberiya ko Arewacin Atlantic. Kuma idan har bai yi fadowa ba kafin ya isa Arewacin Amurka, to da alama zai yi hadari a yammacin Canada ko kuma yammacin Amurka, inda babu yawan jama'a. Ya dace, ko ba haka ba? Tunda duk al'ummai ke da alhakin nasu jiragen ruwa, ko ta yaya aka mayar da su, za a iya mayar da dodonku daidai ƙofar ku.
    
  "Sa'o'i uku, Phoenix," Gryzlov ya ci gaba da cewa. "Ina ba da shawarar ku gaya wa 'yan sama jannatin ku su hanzarta. Kuma wani abu guda, Phoenix: idan muka gano duk wani makamin da aka harba a sararin samaniya a kowane wuri a Rasha, za mu yi la'akari da wannan farkon yanayin yaki tsakanin kasashenmu biyu. Kun fara wannan yakin ne lokacin da kuka harba makamin makamashi da aka kai tsaye - farashin da kuka biya shine asarar wannan tashar sararin samaniya. Kada ku kara wahalhalun da za su same ku da mutanen ku ta hanyar fara yaki da makamin nukiliya." Kuma haɗin ya katse.
    
  "La'ananne wannan dan iska!" - Phoenix ya yi ihu, yana mayar da wayar a kan tsayawar. "Fred, ka tura mu DEFCON uku. Ina so in san duk wuraren da za a iya samu a Amurka inda wannan tashar za ta iya fadowa."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Sakataren Tsaro ya amsa, kuma mataimakinsa ya dauki wayar. DEFCON, ko Tsarin Shiryewar Tsaro, wani tsari ne na mataki-mataki don ƙara shirye-shiryen sojojin Amurka don yaƙin nukiliya. Tun bayan kisan kiyashi na Amurka da sojojin ruwa na rundunar 'yantar da jama'ar kasar Sin suka yi amfani da tuhume-tuhumen zurfafan nukiliya a tekun Kudancin China, Amurka ta kasance a mataki na 4 na DEFCON, mataki daya da ya wuce lokacin zaman lafiya; DEFCON Daya shine matakin mafi hatsari, wanda ke nufin yakin nukiliya ya kusa. "Shin kuna son yin odar ƙaura a wuraren da za a iya samun rikici, yallabai?"
    
  Shugaban ya yi jinkiri, amma kawai na ɗan lokaci: "Zan je gidan talabijin da rediyo na ƙasa don bayyana halin da ake ciki," in ji shi. "Zan gabatar da wannan ga jama'ar Amurka, in gaya musu yiwuwar shukar ta afkawa Arewacin Amurka, in gaya musu muna yin duk abin da za mu iya don ganin hakan bai faru ba, kuma bari su yanke shawara ko suna so. a kwashe ko a'a. Har yaushe zai dawo ya dawo, Fred?"
    
  "Kusan mintuna goma sha biyar, yallabai," Hayes ya amsa. "Lokacin jirgin sama na yau da kullun na ICBM daga farawa zuwa tasiri shine kusan mintuna talatin, don haka rabin hakan zai kasance daidai."
    
  "Da kasa da sa'o'i hudu don yin hijira, ina tsammanin yawancin Amurkawa za su ci gaba da kasancewa a wurin," in ji mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro Glenbrook.
    
  "Ina fatan ba za mu haifar da firgita ba," in ji shugaban, "amma 'yan abubuwan da suka faru ko mutanen da suka ji rauni a cikin firgita za su fi Amurkawa mutuwa daga tarkace kuma ba mu yi musu gargadin hakan zai faru ba." Ya juya ga Admiral Eberhart. "Admiral, menene Gryzlov ke da shi a yammacin Rasha wanda zai iya kashe tashar sararin samaniya?"
    
  "Sakamakon harba makami mai linzami na anti-satellite da kuma S-500S makami mai linzami na anti-aircraft," Eberhart ya amsa. "Dukansu Moscow da St. Petersburg sun tura batir S-500 guda daya. Kowane baturi yana da na'urori guda shida; kowane na'ura yana da makamai masu linzami guda hudu tare da sake lodi guda hudu, wanda za'a iya shigar dashi cikin sa'a guda. Akwai sansanoni biyu kusa da Moscow da St.
    
  "Kuma wannan zai iya kaiwa tashar sararin samaniya?"
    
  "Tashar tana kan iyakar tsayin makami mai linzami, idan abin da muka sani game da S-500 gaskiya ne," in ji Eberhart. "Tashar tana cikin iyakar iyakar makami mai linzami da aka harba ta iska."
    
  "Shin za mu iya matsar da tashar sararin samaniya zuwa wani wuri mafi girma?"
    
  "Ana yin haka a yanzu, yallabai," in ji Eberhart. "Draktan tashar Kai Rydon ya ba da umarnin a daga tashar zuwa iyakar da za ta iya kaiwa kafin man fetur ya kare. Suna kuma kokarin canza kewayanta don gujewa wucewa ta Moscow da St. Petersburg, amma hakan na iya daukar lokaci mai tsawo."
    
  "Me kuma za mu hana mu harba wadannan makamai masu linzami?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar.
    
  "A yammacin Rasha: ba yawa, yallabai," ya amsa Hayes. "Muna da jirgin ruwa mai linzami guda ɗaya mai jagora a cikin Tekun Baltic wanda zai iya kai hari kan sansanonin yaƙi da tauraron dan adam a St. Petersburg, kuma shi ke nan. Za mu iya lalata tushe cikin sauƙi, amma tushe ɗaya ne kawai, kuma daga baya jirginmu na ƙarƙashin ruwa zai zama naman kare ga masu sintiri na yaƙi da ruwa na Rasha - tabbas Rashawa suna sarrafa Tekun Baltic. Kudin asarar jirgin ruwa na karkashin ruwa zai ninka na asarar tushe na Rasha."
    
  Glenbrook ya kara da cewa "Bugu da kari muna fuskantar hadarin musayar makaman nukiliya idan aka gano wadannan makamai masu linzami." "Mun yi sa'a cewa harin daga sararin samaniya bai kai ga abu daya ba."
    
  "Don haka ba mu da zabi?" shugaban ya tambaya. "Shin tarihin tashar sararin samaniya?"
    
  "Muna da zabi daya, yallabai: kai hari kan sansanonin jiragen sama da wuraren makami mai linzami na tauraron dan adam daga sararin samaniya," in ji Glenbrook. "Tashar tana da makamai masu kariya, amma kuma tana iya kai hari a wurare na kasa, kamar yadda muka gani a wurin makami mai linzami a China. Wataƙila ba za su sami dukkan rukunin yanar gizon ba, amma za su iya samun isasshen su don ceton kansu. "
    
  "Kuma fara yakin duniya na III?" - Sakataren harkokin wajen Amurka James Morrison ya nuna rashin amincewarsa, idanunsa sun lumshe saboda tsoro. "Kun ji Gryzlov, Bill - mutumin kawai ya yi wa shugaban Amurka barazana da yakin nukiliya! Shin akwai wanda ke tunanin mutumin bai isa ya yi haka ba? Zan yi mamaki idan ba ya kan hanyar zuwa ga umarnin bunker a yanzu. Yallabai, ina ba da shawarar mu cire wadannan daliban nan da nan da dukkan ma'aikatan jirgin da ba su da mahimmanci daga tashar sararin samaniyar soja tare da baiwa sauran ma'aikatan jirgin damar yakar duk wani makami mai linzami da ke shigowa iyakar karfinsu. Idan tashar ta ga kamar za ta yi lodi fiye da kima, to sauran tawagar su fice."
    
  "Ban yarda ba, yallabai," in ji Sakataren Tsaro Hayes. "Don amsa tambayarka, Jim: Ina tsammanin Gryzlov mahaukaci ne kuma mai ban tsoro, amma ban tsammanin ya isa ya fara yakin nukiliya ba ko da mun lalata duk tushen sa na tauraron dan adam daga sararin samaniya. Gryzlov matashi ne kuma yana da tsawon rai da jin dadi a gabansa. An kashe mahaifinsa a wani hari da Amurka ta kai masa - tabbas hakan ya yi masa nauyi. Ina tsammanin ya fi damuwa da rayuwar siyasa da kuma adana dukiyarsa fiye da fara yakin nukiliya. Haka kuma, dabarun makaman nukiliyarta ba su fi namu ba."
    
  "Gaba ɗaya rubutu?"
    
  "A matsayin wani bangare na DEFCON Uku, muna sanya dukkan sauran 'yan ragowar masu bama bama-bamai da mayaka a cikin faɗakarwar nukiliya tare da tura yawancin jiragen ruwa na ballistic da na cruise masu linzami kan sintiri kamar yadda ya kamata," in ji Shugaban Hafsan Hafsoshin Sojojin, yana mai cewa. Ina ganin kwamfutar kwamfutar hannu. "Za a dauki kwanaki daya zuwa uku kafin maharan namu su fara aiki, kwanaki uku zuwa bakwai na mayakan, sannan sati daya zuwa uku kafin a samu jiragen ruwa na karkashin kasa. Sakatare Hayes yayi gaskiya game da lambobin, yallabai: Sojojin Amurka da na Rasha sun yi daidai da girman. Muna da ƙarin jiragen ruwa sama da jiragen ruwa na makami mai linzami; suna da karin jiragen sama da makamai masu linzami da aka harba a kasa."
    
  Hayes ya kara da cewa, "Bayan barazanar Gryzlov, dole ne mu dauka cewa suna kawo karfin makaman nukiliyar su zuwa wani matakin shiri yayin da muke magana." "Wataƙila ma fiye da namu."
    
  Shugaban ya yi shiru na wasu dogon lokaci, yana lekawa a fuskokin mashawartan sa. A ƙarshe: "Ina so in yi magana kai tsaye da Janar Rhydon," in ji shi.
    
  Bayan 'yan mintuna kaɗan, bayan an kafa layin taron bidiyo mai aminci: "Janar Raydon yana saurare, Mr. Shugaba."
    
  "Da farko: matsayin mataimakin shugaban kasa da ma'aikatan jirgin sama."
    
  "Muna aiki don shiga cikin tsarin fasinja, amma na soke zirga-zirgar sararin samaniya lokacin da waɗannan na'urorin lantarki suka harba," Kai ya amsa. "Har yanzu babu wani martani daga kowannensu."
    
  "Nawa oxygen suke da su?"
    
  "Sa"o"i kaɗan, idan rigarsu ta sararin samaniya ko tsarin muhalli na jirgin ba su lalace ba. Mun duba karatun da aka yi a kan kwat din su kuma muna tsammanin har yanzu suna samun iskar oxygen daga jirgin, ba kawai daga nasu kwat din ba. Idan har ya zama ba haka lamarin yake ba, ba su da sauran lokaci mai yawa."
    
  Shugaban ya gyada kai a fusace. "Ga halin da ake ciki, Janar: Gennady Gryzlov kai tsaye ya bayyana cewa yana so ya harbo ginin Azurfa," in ji shi. makamai na tauraron dan adam a kusa da Moscow da St. Petersburg. Tambayata ita ce: shin za ku iya tsira daga harin da aka kai a tashar sararin samaniya?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai, za mu iya," Kai ya amsa nan da nan, "amma ba dadewa ba. Muna da alƙawarin ASAT guda goma sha shida da kusan ayyukan Laser na Hydra COIL talatin. Har ila yau, muna da ma'amala guda goma sha shida tare da ma'ajiyar makamanmu a cikin kewayawa, amma damar da za su iya kare tashar yana da yawa sosai. Da zarar an yi amfani da su, dole ne mu dogara da mai da kuma sake samar da kayan aiki."
    
  "Sannan kuma Gryzlov na iya kai hari kan jiragen da ke samar da sararin samaniya da jiragen dakon kaya," in ji shugaban.
    
  "Saboda haka nake ba da shawarar cewa mu kai hari kan duk wani hari da ASAT za mu iya da makami mai linzami na Mjolnir," in ji Kai. "Sauran ma'ajiyar makaman mu tara suna cikin kewayon cibiyar ASAT kowane minti ashirin zuwa talatin. , da goma sha biyar daga ma'ajiyar makamai ta tashar. Wannan zai haifar da barna mai yawa ga sojojin Gryzlov na yaki da tauraron dan adam."
    
  "Gryzlov ya yi barazanar yakin nukiliya idan muka kai hari ga wani sansaninsa a Rasha."
    
  Maganar Kai ta fara juyowa da mamaki, sannan da gaske kuma daga karshe ta fusata. "Mai girma shugaban kasa, wannan batu ya fi darajar albashi na," in ji shi, "amma idan wani yana barazana ga Amurka da yakin nukiliya, ina ba da shawarar mu yi ƙoƙari mu yi masa hidima a kan faranti."
    
  Shugaban ya sake duba irin kalaman da masu ba shi shawara suka yi a fuskokinsu - sun kasance daga tsattsauran ra"ayi zuwa azama, fanko, da rudani. Ya sami ra'ayi daban-daban cewa duk sun yi farin ciki ba lallai ne su yanke shawara ba. "Sakataren Hayes," in ji Shugaban bayan 'yan kwanaki, "sa mu zuwa DEFCON Biyu."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Sakataren Tsaro ya amsa, yana mika wayar.
    
  "Janar Raydon, na ba ka izinin kai hari tare da lalata duk wani na'ura mai yaki da tauraron dan adam na Rasha da ke yin barazana ga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong," in ji shugaban a fusace. "Haka kuma za ku yi amfani da duk wani makaman da ke akwai wajen kare tashar daga harin. Ku ci gaba da sabunta mu".
    
    
  AKAN TASHAR SARKIN KARYA
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  "I, sir," jawab Kai. A duk fadin gidan rediyon, ya ce, "Dukkan ma"aikata, wannan shi ne Darakta, shugaban kasar Amurka ya ba mu izinin kai hari kan duk wani sansani na Rasha da ke kawo mana barazana, kuma mu yi amfani da dukkan makaman da ke hannunmu wajen kare tashar. . Wannan shi ne ainihin abin da nake niyyar yi. Ina son Casey Huggins ta sami iskar oxygen kuma ta zama ɗan wasa, kuma ina son tallafin rayuwa don koya mata yadda ake amfani da jirgin ruwa na ceto. "
    
  "Gabaɗaya, na kusa gama haɗawa da Starfire," Casey ya amsa. "Sa"a daya, watakila kasa. Idan na tsaya, mai yiwuwa ba za ku iya shirya shi cikin lokaci ba."
    
  Kai yayi tunani na d'an lokaci; to, "Ok, ci gaba da kyakkyawan aiki, Casey," in ji shi. "Amma ina son ku da iskar oxygen yanzu, kuma da zarar kun gama, zan sanya muku suturar sararin samaniya."
    
  "Ba zan iya aiki da abin rufe fuska na oxygen ba, yallabai," in ji Casey. "Idan na gama, zan saka suturar sararin samaniya."
    
  Kai ya san ba shi da kyau, amma yana son a sake kunna Starfire. "Ok, Casey," in ji shi. "Da sauri kamar yadda za ku iya."
    
  "Iya sir".
    
  "Mene ne gwaggon makaho na gaba?" - Kai ya tambaya.
    
  "Gidan gwajin S-500 na kasar Sin a tsibirin Hainan," in ji Christine Reyhill. "A cikin kewayon Kingfisher - Biyu a cikin mintuna biyar. Yelizovo Air Base, MiG-31D Base, S-500 Range a Yelizovo da S-500 Range a Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Naval Base za su kasance cikin kewayon jim kadan bayan haka, kuma ga Kingfisher-Biyu.
    
  "Ɗaya daga cikin uku a kan kowane S-500s kuma daya a kan tashar iska, Valerie," in ji Kai.
    
  "Iya, sir," in ji Valerie. "Yi yaƙi, tsara maƙasudin ƙasa don-"
    
  "Umurni, sa ido, jirgin sama na farko Electron, Daddy One da alama yana canza hanya," in ji Christina. "Wannan yana hanzarta... yana kama da motsin canji na orbital, yallabai. Yana kama da zai kasance a cikin kishiyar shugabanci zuwa namu, kuma dan kadan ya rage - Ba zan iya tantance tsayi ba tukuna. Ina sa ran Papa Biyu don hanzarta zuwa canja wuri a cikin 'yan mintuna kaɗan. Jirgin na Electron Papa Three zai tashi cikin mintuna goma sha biyar. Ba zan iya cewa game da na huɗu da na biyar ba tukuna."
    
  "Boomer, kuna da isasshen mai don canjawa zuwa ISS, dock, sannan ku dawo mana?" - Kai ya tambaya.
    
  "Ki shirya. "Zan duba," Boomer ya amsa. Bayan ɗan lokaci: "Ee, gabaɗaya, akwai, amma bai isa ya dawo daga baya ba tare da mai ba. Har yanzu man fetur da oxidizer nawa ne a tashar?"
    
  Trevor ya duba karatunsa. "Fam dubu ashirin na JP-8 da 'bam' dubu goma." "
    
  "Ya kamata ya isa sai dai idan na yi motsi da yawa," in ji Boomer. "Zan ji daɗi idan za mu iya tsara aikin mayar da kaya-"
    
  "SBIRS ta gano harba makami mai linzami, yallabai!" Christine ta yi ihu a kan intercom. SBIRS, ko Tsarin Sa ido na Infrared Based Space, shine sabon tsarin tauraron dan adam infrared na Sojojin Sama na Amurka, wanda ke iya ganowa da bin diddigin makamai masu linzami har ma da jiragen sama ta injinsu masu zafi ko hayakin hayaki. "Ayyukan da aka sanya a kan Novosibirsk. Kaddamarwa biyu... uku, tabbas akan kwas ɗin shiga tsakani, ba tare da ƙaddamar da ballistic ba. Interception a cikin mintuna shida!"
    
  "Da alama sun motsa wasu MiG-31s zuwa tsakiyar Rasha," in ji Trevor.
    
  "Nuna abubuwan da ake hari, Dad-Shida, - Bakwai da - Takwas, Combat," in ji Valerie.
    
  "An hango mu ta hanyar radar bin diddigin niyya ... muna canzawa zuwa radar jagorar makami mai linzami ... Harba makami mai linzami, S-500 ... Salvo mai shiga tsakani hudu, mintuna bakwai don kutse!" Christina ta ruwaito. "Bisa makamai masu linzami ... Wani salvo na hudu, na biyu na ƙaddamarwa, yayi kama da ... salvo na uku na S-500s yana tashi, yayi kama da zobe na S-500 a kusa da Novosibirsk! Na yi imani ... salvo na huɗu, S-500s goma sha shida suna gabatowa daga Novosibirsk! Masu shiga tsakani goma sha tara suna gabatowa, ma'aikatan jirgin!"
    
  "Wannan ya fi yadda muka taɓa yin motsa jiki," in ji Trevor.
    
  "Matsayin makamanmu na tsaro, Valerie," in ji Kai.
    
  "Komai kore ne, yallabai," Valerie ta amsa. "Haɗuwa goma sha shida da Kingfisher a kan keel, da kusan harbi talatin a Hydra."
    
  "Yaya girman mu, Trev?"
    
  "Dari biyu da hamsin da bakwai," Trevor ya amsa. "Mafi girman iyakar harbin S-500 ya kamata ya zama mil dari biyar. Za mu kasance kusa."
    
  "Minti hudu akan masu shiga tsakani na Wasp," in ji Christina.
    
  "Baturan da ke kan dukkan makaman sun mutu, Valerie," in ji Kai.
    
  "An fahimta, yallabai, an saki batura, fama, shirye-shiryen yaƙi an ba da izini."
    
  "An fahimta, don kawai-"
    
  "Batsa!" Henry Lathrop ya yi kururuwa. "An raba kawunan da ke kan makamai masu linzami na S-500 zuwa biyu - a'a, uku, uku!"
    
  "Za ka iya raba su, Henry?"
    
  "Har yanzu-har yanzu yayi nisa," in ji Henry. "Lokacin da suka isa nisan mil ɗari uku, zan fara duba su da firikwensin infrared don ganin ko akwai bambanci a yanayin zafi, sannan tare da firikwensin gani-electronic don ganin ko akwai siginar gani."
    
  "Minti uku akan Wasps."
    
  Henry Lathrop ya ce "makamai masu linzami sun tafi." "Biyu Triniti suna fitowa, suna bin diddigi. Na gaba a ƙaddamar a cikin daƙiƙa goma da ashirin." Daidai dakika goma bayan haka: "Masu linzami sun tashi. Kyakkyawan farkawa a kan salvo na farko - tsine, rasa iko akan Triniti na biyu a yakin na biyu, ya harba salvo na uku a hanya ta biyu ... salvo na hudu a kan mai shigowa na uku, kyakkyawar hanya ... kyakkyawar hanya bayan salvo na farko, interception yayi kyau... Hydra a shirye don duk hanyoyin, hanya mai kyau, shirya... Za mu fita don shiga tsakani na farko... yanzu. "
    
  A wannan lokacin, duk fitilu a tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong sun zama fiye da sau biyu haskensu na yau da kullun, sannan suka yi fintinkau suka fita. Tashoshin kwamfuta da yawa sun yi duhu na ɗan lokaci, amma bayan ƴan daƙiƙa kaɗan sai aka fara sake yi ta atomatik. "Mene ne?" - Kai ya yi ihu. Intercom ta mutu. "Me ya faru?" Ma'aikatan jirgin sun kasance cikin natsuwa, amma sun kalli baje kolin kayan aikin da ba su da amfani na ɗan lokaci, sannan suka kalli juna - wasu kuma sun yi kiyasin nisa zuwa ƙyanƙyasar jirgin ruwan ceto. "Me kake da shi, Valerie?"
    
  "Ina tsammanin bugun bugun wuta ne, yallabai!" - Valerie ta yi ihu. "Ina tsammanin cewa Wasp interceptor yana da makamin nukiliya a kai!"
    
  "Damn," Kai ya zagi. Ya kalli duk ma'aikatan da ke kusa da shi. An yi sa'a, ba su ƙone ba - tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong tana da kariya da kyau daga radiation na sararin samaniya - amma ƙarfin wutar lantarki ya sake kunna dukkan kwamfutocin su. "Yaushe komai zai dawo?"
    
  "Mafi yawan za su murmure a cikin dakika casa'in," in ji Trevor ta hanyar tsarin umarni, "amma radar na iya ɗaukar mintuna uku ko fiye."
    
  "Har yanzu kuna hulɗa da Triniti?"
    
  "Ban samu komai ba sai da kwamfutoci na suka sake yi, yallabai," in ji Valerie. "Kusan minti daya. Da fatan EMP ta lalata masu amfani da Wasp da duk kayan aikin mu. "
    
  An daɗe jira mai wahala, amma ba da daɗewa ba tsarin umarni ya fara dawowa rayuwa yayin da kwamfutoci suka sake kunnawa kuma aka sake kunna sauran tsarin. "Makami mai linzami na Wasp daya yana kan hanya!" Henry ya yi kururuwa yayin da mai kula da kwamfuta ya fara nuna bayanai masu amfani. "Dukkan S-500 makamai masu linzami har yanzu suna kan hanya, kusan mintuna biyu kafin kutsawa!"
    
  "Nail that Wasp missile, Valerie!" - Kai ya yi ihu.
    
  "Trinities tafi!" Valerie ta ce. Har yanzu Hydra bai kan layi ba - ba za mu iya tabbatar da tsangwama tare da Hydra a wannan yakin ba! "Trinity zai fara kai hari ga S-500 a cikin dakika goma sha biyar!"
    
  "Crew, bayar da rahoton lalacewa ga umarni," in ji Trevor a kan intercom. "Casey?"
    
  "Na samu kwamfuta ta gwaji ta dawo da aiki," in ji Casey daga tsarin Skybolt. "Kara minti arba'in."
    
  "Wannan lokaci ya yi yawa," in ji Kai. "Casey, kunna iskar oxygen, saka kwat ɗin matsa lamba kuma kai ga jirgin ruwan ceto da aka ba ku."
    
  "A'a! Zan iya yin shi a kan lokaci!" Casey ya harba baya. "Zan yi sauri. Zan iya yi!"
    
  Kai ya buga iska a gabansa. "Yi sauri, Casey," ya ce a karshe.
    
  "Za mu shiga tsakani a kan Wasp na uku," in ji Henry. "Triniti" akan makamai masu linzami na S-500 - muna harba duk abin da ke kan allon, ciki har da abin da zai iya zama yaudara. Tsage "Wasp" a cikin uku ... biyu ... daya ..." Fitilolin sun sake haskakawa, sannan yawancin na fitilu da nunin a cikin tsarin umarni sun yi duhu...
    
  Amma a wannan karon ba duk masu lura da kwamfuta ba ne suka fara sake yin aiki ta atomatik. "Kwamfutar sarrafa kashe gobara ta Triniti ba ta sake kunnawa ba," Henry ya yi wa wasu tsawa a cikin Module Command. "Dole ne in yi cikakken sake saiti."
    
  Christina ta ce "Sakamakon kashe gobara na Starfire yana sake kunnawa." "Dole ne in yi cikakken sake saiti akan Hydra."
    
  "Umurni, injiniyanci, sake kunnawa na kwamfutocin muhalli da daidaitawa na tashar yana ci gaba," in ji jami'in injiniyan. "Canja zuwa madadin kula da muhalli, amma ba zan iya bin diddigin idan sun bayyana tukuna. Zan karɓi rahoton a ciki-"
    
  A wannan lokacin, wata girgiza mai ƙarfi ta ratsa tasha gaba ɗaya, kuma ma'aikatan jirgin sun ɗan ji wani ɗan juyi mara kyau. "Mun buga?" - Kai ya tambaya.
    
  "Duk karatun da aka yi har yanzu babu komai," in ji Trevor. "Aika sako zuwa ga sauran kayayyaki don sa su duba ta tagogi don lalacewa." Bayan dakika guda, sai suka sake jin wani rawar jiki, tashar ta fara jujjuyawa ta wata hanya ta daban. "Muna da wani abu, Valerie? Babu shakka wani abu yana afka mana."
    
  "Ina bukatan dawo da sarrafa wutar Hydra a cikin 'yan dakiku," in ji Valerie. A wannan gaba, yawancin fitilun module ɗin da intercom sun dawo.
    
  "...ji ni, Armstrong," sun ji a rediyo. "Wannan inuwa ce, yaya za ku ji ni? Karshe."
    
  "Kara kuma a sarari yanzu, Boomer," in ji Kai. "Ci gaba".
    
  "Solar array lamba bakwai da truss da ke tsaye a kan jirgin ruwa mai lamba biyu sun lalace," in ji Boomer. "Tashar ta fara ɗan karkata mara kyau. Shin tsarin sakawa naku yana aiki?"
    
  "Muna yin cikakken sake saiti," in ji Trevor. "Ba mu san matsayin ba tukuna."
    
  "Radar yana sake aiki," in ji Christina. "Burin a bayyane yake. Babu abokan hulɗa. Muna da fadace-fadace guda uku da suka rage a kan masu kamun kifi a gona."
    
  "Na sami wata alamar rashin aiki akan Hydra," in ji Henry. "Ina yin wani cikakken sake saiti." Kai ya kalli Trevor da Valerie, maganganunsu cikin shiru suna isar da saƙo iri ɗaya: muna gudu da makaman kariya kuma ba mu kai ga mafi ƙasƙanci na orbit ba.
    
  "Gonzo? Yaya kuke ji?
    
  Gonzo ya amsa, "Sukayi da karara, General," muryarta kusan kamar al'ada. "Muna karɓar iskar oxygen da bayanai daga tashar, amma yanzu an kashe."
    
  "Za mu dawo gare ku da wuri-wuri, Gonzo," in ji Kai. "Ku zauna a kulle. Wadannan hare-haren sun dan gurgunta tashar, kuma tsarin halayenmu ya ragu a yanzu, amma za mu dawo da su nan ba da jimawa ba."
    
  "Iya sir".
    
  "Akwai labari akan waɗannan jiragen sama?"
    
  Christina ta ruwaito cewa, "First Electron yana cikin kewayawa ɗaya da namu, kimanin mil dubu." "Babu lamba a kan na huɗu da na biyar. Na biyu da na uku sun bayyana a cikin sararin samaniya ɗaya kuma a tsayi ɗaya da namu, amma kewayawa daban da tamu, nan da kusan awa daya za su fi kusa da mu..." Ta juya ga Kai ta kara da cewa, "Kusan mintuna biyar kafin mu tashi sama da DB-One.
    
  "Russia sun dauki lokacin harba wadannan jiragen sama har zuwa nanosecond," in ji Valerie.
    
  "Wataƙila za mu yi sa'a kuma za su harbo nasu jiragen sama," in ji Kai. A kan intercom ya ce: "Hankali a tashar. Ina son duk ma'aikatan da ba sa aiki su sa rigar sararin samaniya. Koyi hanyoyin kwashe kwale-kwalen da kuma tabbatar da cewa kun shirya don shiga kwale-kwalen da zaran na ba da gargadin. "Yan fafatawar ne kawai suka rage da makamanmu na tsaro, kuma har yanzu Hydra bai dawo ba. Casey, lokaci ya yi. Ina so ka sa rigar sararin samaniya nan take. Wani daga taimakon rayuwa, ku taimake ta."
    
  "Minti talatin zuwa DB-One," in ji Christina.
    
  "Hydra status?" - Kai ya tambaya.
    
  "Har yanzu akwai," in ji Henry. "Zan yi wani cikakken sake saiti. An maido da wutar lantarki ta Trinity, amma jujjuyawar tashar na iya haifar da matsala wajen harba masu shiga tsakani."
    
  "Umurni, wannan shine Jessop daga tallafin rayuwa," kiran ya zo cikin 'yan mintuna kaɗan.
    
  "Ci gaba, Larry," Trevor ya amsa.
    
  "Ba zan iya buɗe ƙyanƙyashe zuwa tsarin Skybolt ba. Da alama an kulle shi daga ciki."
    
  Kai ta lumshe da mamaki. "Casey, me kake yi?" ya yi girma a kan intercom.
    
  "Zan iya gyara wannan!" Casey rediyo. "Na kusa yin hakan kafin rufewar ƙarshe! Wasu "yan mintoci kaɗan!"
    
  "Bari! Fita daga wannan module a yanzu! "
    
  "Zan iya gyara wannan, yallabai! Ya kusan shirya! A bit more-"
    
  "Labaran Radar, jirgin ruwa," Christine ta katse. "Tsawon tsayi ɗaya, kewayawa daban-daban, tsayin mil ɗari huɗu da hamsin! Zai tashi ta nisan mil hamsin!"
    
  "Matsayin Triniti da Hydra?" - Kai ya tambaya.
    
  "Hydra yayi kama da zai bayyana," Henry ya ce, "Kusan mintuna goma kafin a shirya. Trinity ya shirya, amma saboda jujjuyawar tashar, za su iya yin amfani da karin mai don tayar da rikici. .
    
  "Tsarin radar na biyu, jirgin ruwa," in ji Christina. "Madaidaicin kewayawa, yana da nisan mil ɗari huɗu da tamanin, yana tafiya kusan mil talatin!"
    
  "Fara bikin ƙaddamar da Triniti, Valerie," Kai ya umarta.
    
  "Trinity ya shirya, tabbatar da ƙaddamarwa yana nunawa," in ji Valerie. "Ya kamata kwamfutoci su daidaita ƙaddamarwa don juya tashar."
    
  "mil dari uku akan jirgin ruwa na farko."
    
  "Triniti daya a nesa ... Triniti biyu a kan hanya," in ji Henry. Bayan ɗan lokaci: "Trinity ya ƙare... jira, Ina sake kafa kwas... Ina dawowa kan hanya, kyakkyawan hanya... Triniti uku da huɗu suna da nisa... tr-" Kuma ba zato ba tsammani sai aka yi wata ƙara mai ƙarfi! Tashar ta girgiza kuma an yi ƙararrawa da yawa. "Uku-Uku-Uku-Uku-Uku-Uku-Uku-Uku-Uku-Uku-Uku-Uku-Uku-Uku-Uku ta Uku ta fado a cikin wata tashar hasken rana!" Henry ya yi ihu. "Trinity Five yana zuwa!"
    
  "Ba a cika cajin baturan ba," in ji Alice Hamilton daga tsarin injiniya. "Yawan fitar da ruwa yayi ƙasa, amma sauran na'urorin hasken rana ba za su iya rama wannan ba."
    
  "Kashe kayan aikin da ba su da mahimmanci," in ji Kai. "Casey, fita daga wannan tsarin yanzu! Zan kashe shi!"
    
  "Hydra ta ba da rahoton shirye-shirye!" Henry ya ce.
    
  "Tsarin radar tare da jirgin ruwa!" Christina ta ce. "Obit guda ɗaya, mil ɗari huɗu kuma a hankali yana gabatowa."
    
  Henry ya yi ihu ya ce: "Tuntuɓi da Allah-Uku-Cikin-Ɗaya da na biyu ya ɓace. "Wataƙila an harbe shi da Laser daga wannan Electron!"
    
  "mil dari biyu kuma jirgin sama na gabatowa daya."
    
  "Haɗa Hydra," Kai ya umarta.
    
  "Na fahimta, kwamandan bataliya, a shirye muke mu yaki Hydra!" - in ji Valerie.
    
  "Kwafin yaƙi," in ji Henry. "Hydra na harbi!"
    
  "An gano harba roka!" Christina ta ruwaito. "An harba S-500 da yawa daga tashar jirgin sama a yankin Chkalovsky!"
    
  "An buga kai tsaye a kan jirgin sama na daya!" Henry ya ruwaito. "Kuna masa! Ina canza hanya zuwa manufa lamba biyu!"
    
  "Ƙungiyar, injiniyanci, ƙarfin baturi zuwa kashi saba'in da biyar," in ji masanin. "Za ku iya harba biyu, watakila sau uku a Hydra! Na'urorin mu masu amfani da hasken rana kawai suna cajin batura rabin hanya - zai ɗauki sa'o'i don cika su sosai, koda kuwa ba ku sake harba bindigar ba!
    
  Kai yayi tunani da sauri; sannan: "Samu wannan jirgin sama na biyu tare da Hydra kuma ku yi amfani da dukan Triniti da muka bari a cikin jirgin sama na uku," in ji shi.
    
  Kawai sai suka ji Casey yana ihu: "Komai ya shirya! An shirya komai!"
    
  "Casey? Na ce ku fita daga wannan tsarin!"
    
  "Duk an shirya!" - ta maimaita. "Kwarai!"
    
  "Hydra na kai hari kan jirgin sama na biyu!" Henry ya ruwaito. A wannan karon hasken da ke cikin tsarin umarni ya dusashe sosai.
    
  "Hydra ta naƙasa!" Valerie ta ce. "Ya zubar da batura kasa da kashi arba'in kuma ya kashe kansa!"
    
  "Jirgin sama na biyu na ci gaba da zuwa."
    
  " Gwada shi, Janar!" Casey ya ce a cikin intercom.
    
  "Valerie?"
    
  "Starfire yana da cikakken ci gaba," in ji Valerie. Ta kalli Kai, wani kyalli na bege a idanunta. "Bani damar kunna MHD, Janar."
    
  "Tafi," in ji Kai. A cikin intercom, ya ce: "Injiniya, ƙungiya, na ba da izinin tura MHD."
    
  "Kwafin injiniya," Alice ta tabbatar. Bayan wani lokaci hasken ya sake dushewa. "Batura sun ragu zuwa kashi ashirin da biyar."
    
  "Abin takaici ne cewa ba za mu iya haɗa janareta na MHD zuwa tashar ba," in ji Kai. "Za mu sami duk ƙarfin da za mu taɓa buƙata."
    
  "Lokaci na gaba za mu yi hakan," in ji Trevor.
    
  "MGD yana cikin kashi ashirin da biyar," in ji Alice.
    
  "Spaceplane biyu yana gabatowa mil ɗari," in ji Christina. "Na gano radar da aka yi niyya daga wannan jirgin sama - an daidaita shi a kanmu. Jirgin sama mai lamba uku yana gabatowa mil dari biyu. Har yanzu makamai masu linzami na S-500 da dama suna gabatowa."
    
  "Gargadi game da yawan zafin jiki na yanayin yanayin Galaxy!" Alice ya ruwaito. "Zazzabi na ci gaba da hauhawa!"
    
  "Kowa a cikin tsarin Galaxy, shiga cikin kwale-kwalen ku!" - Kai ya yi ihu. "Matsar! Injiniya, tabbatar da tsarin Galaxy...
    
  "Zazzabi yanayin yanayi yana kan iyaka!" Alice ta ruwaito kusan dakika talatin daga baya.
    
  "Lifeboat lamba daya an rufe," in ji Trevor.
    
  "Jirgin ruwa na biyu, rufe shi yanzu! Jirgin ruwa na biyu, kai-"
    
  Ba zato ba tsammani, ƙararrawa sun tafi a ko'ina cikin tsarin umarni. Alice ya ce: "Kwallan na'urar galactic module ta lalace." Kai ya kalli Trevor, wanda ya girgiza kai - jirgin ceto na biyu har yanzu ba a rufe shi ba. "Matsi a cikin tsarin ya ragu zuwa sifili."
    
  "Spaceplane biyu yana tafiya daga gare mu," in ji Christina. "Spaceplane lamba uku na gabatowa mil ɗari."
    
  "Hobnail yana kan hari," Kanar Galtin ya ruwaito ga ofishin kwamandan sa. "Ina neman izinin shiga yaƙi."
    
  "An karɓi izini," in ji mai aikawa. "Na"urar lantarki ta biyu ta samu nasarar kai hari. Sa'a."
    
  Bana buƙatar sa'a, tunanin Galtin-Ina da lantarki da ƙusa. Bayan dakika guda, radar ya ba da rahoton hanyar, kuma Galtin ya danna maɓallin don kunna Laser na Hobnail.
    
  "A hankali, yanayin yanayin shari'ar a cikin tsarin umarni yana tashi!" Alice ta yi kururuwa. "Wannan zai kai iyakarsa a cikin dakika ashirin!"
    
  "Lifeboats!" Kai ya yi ihu. "Matsar!" Amma babu wanda ya motsa. Kowa ya zauna a kujerunsa...tunda Kai bai fiddo kanshi daga kujerar ba, suma ba zasu je ba.
    
  "MGD dari bisa dari!" Alice ta ruwaito.
    
  "Valerie, go!"
    
  "Yi yaƙi, Starfire, shiga! Harba!"
    
  Alamar farko da ke nuna wani abu ba daidai ba ita ce kamshin kona na'urorin lantarki, duk da cewa an rufe Galtin a cikin kwat dinsa. Na biyu kuma shi ne abin mamaki na dashboard dinsa yana kyalli, yana harbawa daga karshe kuma ya kama wuta, duk a cikin kiftawar ido. Na uku shi ne karar gargadi a cikin belun kunne, wanda ke nuni da gazawar tsarin gaba daya, duk da cewa ya kasa ganin matsayin kowane tsarin nasa. Abu na karshe da ya ci karo da shi shine suit din sa na sararin samaniya ya cika da hayaki, sai a taqaice ya ji iskar oxygen dake cikin suit dinsa ta fashe...
    
  ... ƴan daƙiƙa kaɗan kafin jirgin sa na Electron ya fashe cikin guda biliyan guda ya watse a sararin samaniya kamar mashin wuta; sai aka yi amfani da Oxidizer kuma wuta ta tafi da kanta.
    
  "An lalata jirgin sama na uku," in ji Christina. "Har yanzu akwai makamai masu linzami na S-500 da dama suna gabatowa, kusan dakika sittin."
    
  "Zazzabin jiki yana daidaitawa," in ji Alice. "MGD da Starfire suna cikin yankin kore. An cire batir ɗin kashi goma. Idan aka kai kashi biyar cikin dari, tashar za ta rufe ta yadda sauran wutar lantarkin za ta iya sarrafa na"urorin harba kwale-kwalen da ke cikin jirgin, da fanfunan iska, da fitilun haɗari da ƙararrawa, da kuma tasoshin ceto."
    
  "Za mu iya samun sauran S-500s tare da ikon da muka bari?" - Trevor ya tambaya.
    
  "Ba mu da wani zabi illa gwadawa," in ji Valerie.
    
  "A'a, ba makamai masu linzami ba - S-500 radar da motar sarrafawa," in ji Kai. "Wataƙila wannan zai kashe makamai masu linzami."
    
  Da sauri Valerie ta kira wurin da aka sani na ƙarshe na S-500 a Chkalovsky Air Base a arewa maso gabashin Moscow kuma ta yi amfani da radar mai ƙarfi na tashar Armstrong da na'urori masu auna wutar lantarki don bincika yankin. S-500 na sufuri da na'ura mai saukar ungulu an koma zuwa gefen kudu na filin jirgin a wurare uku masu nisa da juna, amma motar radar, motar umarni da makamashi da injin janareta na ruwa sun kasance a wuri guda kamar da. kataloji. An ajiye motocin a wani fili na wani babban filin ajiye motoci na jirgin sama, inda aka jera dogayen layuka na Antonov-72, Ilyushin-76 da -86 na jigilar kayayyaki; A ci gaba da tudun mun tsira, jiragen yaki masu linzami samfurin MiG-31D guda biyar da ke harba tauraron dan adam an ajiye su a layi biyu, kowanne yana dauke da makami mai linzamin tauraron dan adam mai lamba 9K720 da ake jira a dora shi a cikinsa. "An cim ma burin!" Christina ta yi ihu.
    
  "Yaƙi, harbi!" - Valerie oda.
    
  "Starfire yana aiki!" Henry ya yi kururuwa...
    
  ... kuma bayan ƴan daƙiƙa kaɗan, an yanke duk ikon da ke kan tsarin umarni gaba ɗaya, ya bar fitulun fita na gaggawa kawai. Kai ya danna maɓalli a kan na'urar na'urar sa kuma an ƙara ƙararrawa tare da kalmomin na'ura mai kwakwalwa "Duk ma'aikata zuwa ga kwale-kwalen ceto nan da nan! Duk ma"aikata su kai rahoto ga kwale-kwalen ceto nan take!"
    
  Maser beam daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong ya harba cikin kasa da dakika biyu...amma, yana tafiya da nisan mil biyar a cikin dakika daya, katakon ya iya share kusan dukkan tsawon sansanin sojojin sama na Chkalovsky kafin ya fita.
    
  S-500 na umarni, wutar lantarki da na'urorin radar sun taso yayin da katakon ya ratsa su, kuma bayan wani lokaci tankunan mai nasu ya fashe, ya cinna musu wuta. Sai kuma jiragen dakon kaya, wanda daya bayan daya ya fashe kamar kankana, inda nan take suka mayar da dubunnan galan na man jet zuwa katon naman wuta. Haka makoma ta jira mayakan MiG-31D, masu karfin rokoki guda goma masu karfin fashe 9K720, wadanda suka harba makamai masu linzami da yawa da suka yi ta yawo a sararin sama har tsawon mil mil - kuma suka yada kayan aikin rediyo daga manyan makamai masu linzami guda biyu. Itacen ya lalata ginin ginin tushe, ya lalata wasu jiragen da ke faka da hayaki, sannan ya tarwatsa jirage da dama a cikin ratayoyin kula da su, tare da lalata kowace hangar a cikin wani wasan wuta mai ban mamaki.
    
  Casey ta ji ƙararrawar kuma da sauri ta fara kwancewa kanta daga kujerar da take a cikin tsarin Skybolt. Babu jirgin ruwa mai rai a cikin tsarin Skybolt, amma ta san mafi kusancin yana cikin tsarin injiniya, kai tsaye "a sama" ta. Ta sanya abin rufe fuska na gaggawa na iskar oxygen, sannan ta kalli sama don ganin Larry Jessop, mutumin da ke tallafawa rayuwar, yana duba ta taga ƙyanƙyashe yana jiran ta. Murmushi tayi tana shirin bude kuyangar...
    
  ... a lokacin da wata fashewa mai karfi ta girgiza tashar. Rushewar umarni da wuraren sarrafawa na S-500 a Chkalovsky ya rushe jagorancin dukkan makamai masu linzami 9K720 ... ban da hudu na farko, wanda tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong ta harba kuma ta gano su ta hanyar amfani da na'urori masu aunawa. Dukkaninsu hudu sun sami bugun kai tsaye, kuma makami mai linzami na hudu ya bugi tsarin Skybolt kai tsaye.
    
  Casey ya juya bai ga komai ba sai duniyar duniyar da ke ƙarƙashinta ta cikin rami mai walƙiya wanda daƙiƙan daƙiƙan da suka gabata ya kasance kogon microwave na Starfire da Skybolt. Murmushi tayi tana tunanin shine mafi kyawun abin da ta taba gani a rayuwarta. Tana kallo, shuɗi da fari na duniyar duniyar da ke kasan kafafunta suna shuɗewa a hankali, launin toka ya maye gurbinsu. Bai yi kyau ba kamar da, amma duk da haka tana sha'awar duniyarta ta gida a can - ta yi tunanin za ta iya ganin gidanta, sai ta yi murmushi, tana tunanin lokaci na gaba za ta koma gida ta ga iyayenta, 'yan'uwanta da mata da mata. gaya musu game da wannan kasada mai ban mamaki. Murmushi mom da baban ta suka yi mata suna mata murmushi, jin dadi da jin dadi kadan sai da ganinta yayi baki dakika kadan bayan iskar oxygen ta bar jikinta.
    
  Roka S-500S sun fado a tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. Boomer da Brad sun kalli cikin tsananin firgici yayin da aka harba na'urorin ko dai a kashe su yayin da tashar ta fara zazzage sararin samaniya. "Tsakar dare, wannan inuwa ce," in ji Boomer. "Ku dakata, mutane. Zan kasance a wurin nan da minti daya. Za mu kai ku ta cikin jirgin da kuma ta cikin rami a cikin fuselage."
    
  Na wasu dogon lokaci babu amsa; sai wata murya mai barci, gajiye ta watsa rediyo, "Ba na tunanin... ko da... babban matukin jirgin sama... Mafarauci 'Boomer' Noble zai iya ... zai iya rayuwa har zuwa wannan nunin," in ji mataimakin shugaban kasar Anne Page. . "Ajiye mai. Tada kwale-kwalen ceto. Ni... Ina da hauka, ba zan iya gani ba... Ban ga wani fitulu a kan kwat din Gonzo ba... Ajiye mai da... kuma sami kwale-kwalen ceto, Boomer. Oda kenan."
    
  "Ba ni cikin jerin umarnin ku, Miss mataimakin shugaban kasa," in ji Boomer. "Jira. Zauna da ni ".
    
  "Brad?" - sun ji. "Brad, za ka iya ... za ka iya ji na?"
    
  "Sondra!" Brad ya ce. "Za mu sadu da ku! Jira!"
    
  An yi shiru na dogon lokaci, kuma bakin Brad da sauri ya bushe. Sai suka ji wata karamar murya: "Brad?"
    
  "Sondra, kada ki damu," in ji Brad. "Za mu zo wurin da sauri kamar yadda za mu iya!"
    
  "Brad? I... Yi hakuri. I..."
    
  "Sondra!" Brad ya yi kururuwa. "Jira! Za mu cece ku! Jira!" Amma yayin da suke kallon tashar sararin samaniyar da ta lalace, sun san ba zai yuwu a yi ƙoƙarin ceto ta ba.
    
    
  Hamadar BAKAR DUWAN
  AREWA NA RENO, NEVADA
  BAYAN SATI DAYA
    
    
  Bisa bijirewa umarnin gwamnatin tarayya, dubban motoci iri-iri ne aka ajiye su a bakin hamadar Black Rock da ke arewa maso yammacin Nevada a tashar babbar hanya ta 447 domin shaida abin da babu wanda ya yi imanin ba zai taba gani ba a rayuwarsa. Black Rock Desert ya kasance gida ga shahararren Burning Man Festival, inda dubban masu fasaha, masu sha'awar sha'awa da ruhohi masu kyauta suka taru a kowane lokacin rani don bikin 'yanci da rayuwa ... amma wannan rana a kan wasan kwaikwayo zai zama alamar mutuwa.
    
  "Ina tsammanin dawowar gida ce," in ji Brad McLahan. Zaune yake akan kujeran falo akan rufin motar haya. Kusa da shi a gefe guda shine Jodie Cavendish, a ɗayan kuma Boomer Noble, kuma a bayansu, a fili ya raba kansa da sauran, Kim Jong-bae. Sun kammala tattaunawa da manema labarai da dama da suka zo shaida wannan abin ban mamaki, amma a yanzu sun rabu da manema labarai mintuna kadan kafin lokacin da aka ayyana su kadai.
    
  Jodie ta juya ga Jung Bae ta dora hannunta akan kafarsa. "Ba komai, Jerry," in ji ta. Jung Bae ya sauke kansa. Tun da suka isa bakin ruwa yake kuka ya ki magana da kowa. "Ba laifinki bane".
    
  "Laifina ne," in ji Jung Bae. "Ni ke da alhakin wannan." Kuma a karo na miliyan na biyu bayan gwajin harbi, ya ce: "Na yi hakuri, mutane. Yi hakuri sosai".
    
  Brad yayi tunani akan abubuwan da suka faru a makon da ya gabata. Ganin cewa ba za su iya kubutar da mutanen da suka makale a cikin tsakiyar dare ba, shi da Boomer sun koma yankin da aka jefar da jiragen ruwa guda uku kafin makaman S-500 na Rasha su afka tashar. Boomer ya fito daga cikin jirgin, ya sa rigar sararin samaniya, ya shiga cikin mashigar kaya ya jefar da sauran kayan da suka rage a cikin ruwa. Tare da Brad a ikon sarrafa jirgin sama na Shadow, ya motsa su zuwa kowane kwale-kwalen ceto kuma Boomer ya jagorance su zuwa cikin jirgin ruwa. Bayan sun hada igiyoyin iskar oxygen da wutar lantarki da na sadarwa, sai suka kammala zagayawa da kewaya sararin samaniyar sararin samaniyar sararin samaniyar duniya.
    
  Ya ɗauki kusan kwanaki biyu, amma a ƙarshe sun sake komawa da ISS. Skymasters sun yi jigilar masu fasahar tashoshi biyu a cikin kumbon kasuwanci don inganta tashar da isar da kayayyaki, kuma sun yi amfani da makamai masu linzami wajen makala kwale-kwalen ceton zuwa tashar jiragen ruwa. Duk ma'aikatan jirgin na Armstrong sun kwana a cikin wani makullin jirgin da aka matsa tare da tsantsar iskar oxygen don guje wa narcosis na nitrogen, amma an ayyana su duka sun dace da tashi kuma sun dawo duniya washegari.
    
  Wayar wayar Brad ta ba da faɗakarwa. "Lokaci ya yi," in ji shi.
    
  Kallonsu sukayi suna jira. Ba da daɗewa ba suka sami damar ganin abin da ya zama tauraro yana ƙara haske da haske a sararin samaniyar Nevada marar gajimare. Ya kara haske da haske, duk wanda ke fakin a kan playa ya yi tunanin cewa a zahiri za su ji zafin abin... sai ga wata muguwar kara mai ban tsoro, kamar an harba bindigogi guda dubu daya. Gilashin motar sun fashe kuma motocin sun yi ta girgiza kan ƙafafunsu - Brad yana tunanin za a tura shi daidai daga rufin motar.
    
  Tauraron ya zama wasan wuta mai ban sha'awa wanda ya girma kuma ya girma, yana barin wuta tsawon mil ɗari har sai ƙwallon ya fara raguwa. Bayan dakika guda, an sake jin wani fashewa mai karfi, kuma mil ashirin zuwa arewa masu kallo sun ga wata katuwar kwallon wuta a kalla mil biyar a diamita, sai kuma gajimaren wuta da yashi da tarkace. Sai ga wata katuwar katangar yashi da hayaki mai tsayin dubunnan taku tana tahowa da su, amma da suka yi tunanin ja da baya a cikin motocinsu sai ga bangon ya fara watsewa, sa'a ya bace tun kafin na isa gare su.
    
  "Wallahi, Hasumiyar Azurfa," in ji Boomer. Jung Bae ya yi kuka a fili da babbar murya a bayansu, yana kuka cikin zafin da ba zai iya jurewa ba a tunanin abokinsa Casey Huggins a cikin wannan tashin hankali. "Abin farin ciki ne tashi tare da kai, tsoho."
    
    
  SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY FILIN JIRGIN SAMA
  YAMMA MAI GABA
    
    
  Bayan kallon jirgin karshe na tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, Brad McLaanahan da Jodie Cavendish sun ba da karin hirarrakin watsa labarai da dama a Reno da San Francisco, sannan suka dauki turbine na P210 Silver Eagle zuwa San Luis Obispo. Dare ya riga ya faɗi. Sun jima sun matsar da jirgin zuwa cikin rataya kuma suna zazzage wasu ƴan kaya lokacin da Chris Wohl ya bayyana a ƙofar hangar. "Dole ne ku zama Staff Sergeant Vol," in ji Jody, tana mika hannunta. Bayan ɗan lokaci, Chris ya ɗauka. "Brad ya gaya mani da yawa game da ku."
    
  Chris ya kalli Brad cikin tambaya. "Eh, da yawa," in ji Brad.
    
  "Na yi nadama da abokanka," in ji Chris. "Na yi farin ciki da dawowa, Brad. Kun sami isassun tafiye-tafiyen sararin samaniya na ɗan lokaci?"
    
  "A yanzu," Brad ya yarda. "Amma zan dawo. Tabbas."
    
  "Shin kun gama da duk abubuwan watsa labarai na ɗan lokaci kuma?"
    
  "Ba shakka ba kuma," in ji Jodi. "Ba zan iya jira sai rayuwarmu ta dawo daidai ba. Jahannama, ba zan iya ma tuna abin da al'ada yake ba."
    
  "Ko dayanku yana bukatar wani abu?" Chris ya tambaya. "Tawagar za ta dawo da safe. Idan kun ji daɗin hakan, zaku iya fara horo. "
    
  Jodie ya ce: "Ya koma ayyukansa na yau da kullun." "Watakila daga yanzu zan shiga dashi."
    
  "Hakan zai yi kyau," in ji Chris. "Shin ka shirya komawa Apartment?"
    
  "Za mu sauke kaya sannan zan rufe wannan," in ji Brad. "Zan goge shi gobe."
    
  "Zan mayar da ku Poly Canyon sannan zan tafi otal," in ji Chris. "Sai da safe. Ina tsammanin za mu sabunta alamar kiran ku a lokacin." Ya bai wa Brad da Jody wani murmushin rabin-murmushi mai faɗi da ƙa'idodin Wohl, sannan ya makale hannuwansa a cikin aljihunsa saboda tsananin sanyi, ya juya kan diddige da ...
    
  ... ya gudu kai tsaye cikin wukar da Yvette Korczkova ya rike, wacce ta zurfafa cikin cikinsa. Yana da isasshiyar karfi da nufin danne maharin nasa kafin ya fada kan kwalta, ya damke cikinsa.
    
  Korchkova ta yi rantsuwa tana rike da goshinta na jini. "Bastard." Brad ya tura Jody a bayansa. "Mun sake haduwa, Mr. McLanahan. Na gode sosai don sanar da duniya inda zaku kasance. Bibiyar ku wasan yara ne."
    
  Brad ya ja Jody zuwa bayan rataye, sa'an nan ya wuce zuwa akwatin kayan aiki kuma ya sami maƙarƙashiya mai siffar jinjirin wata. "Kira 911," in ji shi. Da ya juya ga Korchkov, ya ce: "Sv ä rd, ko wane irin jahannama ne sunanka, idan ba ka so a kama ka, ya fi kyau ka tafi. Akwai kyamarori na tsaro a wannan wuri kuma sojojin Vol za su kasance a nan kowane minti daya."
    
  "Na san inda duk mataimakin sajan majors suke, Brad," in ji Korchkov. "Suna da sa"o"i kuma zan tafi da wuri kafin "yan sanda su iso. Amma aikina zai cika."
    
  "Wane manufa? Me yasa kike biye dani?"
    
  "Saboda mahaifinku ya yi mummunan abokin gaba a Gennady Gryzlov," in ji Korchkov. "Ya ba da umarnin a lalatar da dukiyoyin ubanku, kai ne kan gaba a jerin sunayen. Kuma dole ne in ce bayan halakar da kuka yi a kusa da birnin Moscow a makon da ya gabata, zai kasance da sha'awar ganin kun mutu."
    
  "'Yan sanda suna kan hanyarsu," in ji Jodie.
    
  "Za su yi latti," in ji Korchkov.
    
  "To, to zo ki same ni, bitch," Brad ya ce, yana daga mata hannu. "Kuna son kiyaye shi kusa da sirri? Sai ki rungume ni, yar iska."
    
  Korchkova ya motsa kamar cheetah, duk da raunin da ya faru a goshinta, kuma Brad ya yi latti. Ya karkatar da wukar da maƙarƙashiya, amma ruwan ya yanke gefen hagu na wuyansa. Jodie ta yi kururuwa yayin da ta ga wani zubin jini ya fito tsakanin yatsun Brad yayin da yake kokarin dakatar da zubar jinin. Wuta ta fado daga hannunsa lokacin da dakin ya fara juyi.
    
  Korchkov yayi murmushi. "Ga ni, kyakkyawar matafiyi sararin samaniya," in ji ta. "Yanzu ina kalamanki masu tauri? Wataƙila kuna ɗan rauni daga tafiye-tafiyen sararin samaniya, a'a? Ta daga wukar don Brad ya gani. "Ku rungume ni wallahi."
    
  "Ga rungumarki, yar iska," in ji wata murya a bayanta, kuma Chris Wohl ya bugi Korczkova a kai da tsintsiya. Ta juya za ta sake soka masa wuka, amma Chris ya fadi kasa ya daskare.
    
  "Dakatar da zubar jini kuma ku mutu, tsoho," in ji Korchkov.
    
  "Ba dattijo ba ne - shi babban sajan ne," in ji Brad kafin maƙarƙashiyar ta fashe a bayan kan Korchkov. Ta fadi. Brad ya soki wukar da karfi a hannu yana rike da wukar, ya ture wukar, sannan ya ci gaba da buga mata mari a fuska har sai da ya daina gane ta. Ya fadi a saman jikinsa da aka yi masa tsiya yayin da Jody ta ruga da gudu ta nufo shi, ta mirgine shi daga Korchkov ta danna yatsunta zuwa ga raunin da ke wuyansa.
    
  Brad ya buɗe idanunsa ga sautin siren a wajen hangar, sai ya tarar da Jodi har yanzu tana kan sa, hannunta na dafe a wuyansa na zubar jini. "Brad?" - Ta tambaya. "Ya Allah na..."
    
  "Hello" yace. Murmushi a raunane ya mata. "Wane ne ya ce ba zan iya jin daɗi da budurwata ba?" Shi kuwa, an yi sa'a, ya sake fadawa cikin sumamme.
    
    
  EPILOGUE
    
    
  Kowane gida yana da kwarangwal.
    
  - MAGANAR ITALIYA
    
    
    
  SCION AVIATION INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
  ST. GEORGE, UT
  BAYAN KWANAKI KADAN
    
    
  Brad ya tsaya a kan gungun 'yan ta'addar cybernetic yayin da madauri suka fara ja da baya a hankali zuwa rufin, kuma bayan wani lokaci Patrick McLanahan ya janye daga robot. Jikinsa ya kasance kodadde kamar takarda, kuma ya kasance sirara fiye da yadda Brad zai iya tunawa, amma bai kasance kamar ƙashi kamar yadda yake jin tsoro ba-ya yi kama da wiry, tare da sautin tsoka mai kyau a ƙarƙashin fatar sa-fararen dusar ƙanƙara. Wani matashin matashin kai da ke manne da madaurinsa. Likitoci da ma'aikatan jinya sun ruga zuwa gefensa, suna ba da magunguna tare da haɗa na'urori a cikin jikinsa. Sun sanya abin rufe fuska na oxygen tare da makirufo a cikin bakinsa da hancinsa.
    
  Patrick ya juya ya buɗe idanunsa, yana kallon Brad, ya yi murmushi. "Hi, son," in ji shi. "Na yi farin cikin ganin ku a cikin mutum, kuma ba ta hanyar firikwensin gani-lantarki ba."
    
  "Hi, Baba," Brad ya ce. Ya dan juyo zuwa dama. "Ina so in gabatar muku da Jodie Cavendish, abokina kuma ɗaya daga cikin shugabannin ƙungiyar ta Starfire. Jody, don Allah ki sadu da mahaifina, Janar Patrick S. McLahanan."
    
  Patrick ya rufe idanunsa har ma ya sunkuyar da kansa kadan. "Na yi farin cikin haduwa da ku, Miss Cavendish," in ji shi. "Na ji abubuwa da yawa game da ku."
    
  "Abin alfahari ne na sadu da ku, yallabai," in ji Jodi.
    
  "Na yi nadama game da Casey Huggins da Starfire," in ji Patrick. "Kun yi aiki mai ban mamaki."
    
  "Na gode yallabai."
    
  Patrick ya dubi Brad. "Don haka ku koma makaranta," in ji shi. "Ban tabbata ko za ku iya yin wani aiki da duk wannan tallan da ke faruwa a kusa da ku ba."
    
  "Muna dogara da saurin labarai masu sauri da kuma gajerun ƙwaƙwalwar ajiya," in ji Brad. "Cal Poly wuri ne mai kyau. Mu ne muka rasa tashar sararin samaniya. Mu ba jarumai ba ne."
    
  "A idona, abin da kake kenan," in ji Patrick.
    
  Ba a dau lokaci mai tsawo ba. Tare da dakatar da Patrick a sama, tsohon CID ɗin ya tafi da ƙafa kuma wani sabon ya shiga don ya maye gurbinsa. An saukar da jikin Patrick a ciki, an saki madauri kuma an rufe ƙyanƙyashe na baya. Jodie ya cika da mamaki yayinda TIE ta mik'e yana motsa hannayensa da kafafunsa kamar wanda ya farka daga barci, sannan ya mika mata hannu. "Ya yi farin ciki da saduwa da ku, Miss Cavendish," in ji Patrick a cikin muryar da aka haɗa ta hanyar lantarki. "Ina fatan sake ganin ku."
    
  "Muna zuwa karshen mako mai zuwa don yin ado da dakin ku," in ji Brad. "Na fitar da tarin kayan sojojin ku daga wurin ajiya. Za mu sa wannan wurin ya zama kamar gida. "
    
  "Ba zan iya ba da tabbacin zan kasance a nan ba," in ji Patrick, "amma za ku iya yin duk abin da kuke so. Ina son hakan." Brad ya rungume mahaifinsa shi da Jody suka tafi.
    
  Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan bayan sun tafi, lokacin da Ma'aikatar Binciken Laifuka ta haɗa da wutar lantarki, abinci mai gina jiki, muhalli da kuma bayanan bayanai, tsohon shugaban kasar Kevin Martindale ya shiga cikin dakin. "Kin yarda Miss Cavendish ta ziyarce mu," in ji shi. "Na yi mamaki".
    
  "Ta yi alƙawarin ɓoye shi," in ji Patrick. "Na yarda da ita."
    
  "Abin takaici ne cewa Phoenix ya fadi zaben a hannun Barbeau," in ji Martindale. "Wannan na iya zama ƙarshen kwangilolin gwamnati da yawa."
    
  "Akwai abokan ciniki da yawa," in ji Patrick. "Muna da wasu ayyuka da yawa da za mu ƙaddamar."
    
  Martindale ya girgiza yatsa ga Patrick. "Dole ne in ce, wayo daga gare ku," in ji shi. "An ba da labarin labarai na Brad da bayanai game da tsire-tsire masu hasken rana da na'urorin lantarki na microwave. Lallai kun sa ɗanku ya yarda cewa Starfire shine ra'ayinsa."
    
  "Na fitar da ra'ayoyi kuma dole ne ya gudu tare da su," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Dama, dama," in ji Martindale. "Amma lokacin da ra'ayin ya yi tasiri, ya kasance da wayo daga gare ku don aika masa masana a asirce da hikima, ku nuna shi ga Cavendish, Kim, Huggins da Egan kuma ku gayyaci Sky Masters don tallafa masa da wannan tallafin."
    
  "Ɗana shugaba ne na gaskiya," in ji Patrick. "Mai yiwuwa ya kasance mugun ɗalibin injiniyan sararin samaniya, amma ƙwararren matuƙin jirgin sama ne kuma babban jagora. Duk abin da na yi shi ne sanya albarkatu a hannunsa - dole ne ya hada su ya gina su. Ya yi aiki mai kyau."
    
  "Amma kun yi amfani da danku wajen kera makaman sararin samaniyar da ba bisa ka'ida ba wanda ya saba wa dokokin kasa da kasa," in ji Martindale. "Mai hankali sosai. Ya yi aiki. Abin takaici, Rashawa ne suka lalata shi, amma ya tabbatar da darajar laser na microwave. Yayi kyau, General." Martindale ya yi murmushi ya tambaya, "To, me kuma kuke da shi don matashi Bradley, zan iya tambaya?"
    
  "A yanzu dole ne mu yi hulda da Shugaba Stacy Ann Barbeau," in ji Patrick. "Babu shakka za ta yi watsi da shirin sararin samaniya. Amma abin da ke da kyau shi ne cewa tana so ta kera bama-bamai, masu jigilar jiragen sama, jiragen ruwa na arsenal, makamai masu linzami da duk wani abu mara matuki. Na tabbata Brad zai iya tsarawa da gwada yawancin waɗannan abubuwan. Zan fara aiki a kai nan da nan."
    
  "Na tabbata za ku yi, Janar McLanahan," in ji Martindale da murmushin mugunta. "Na tabbata hakan zai faru."
    
    
  GABATARWA
    
    
  Bayani game da Cane-Ja an ɗauke shi daga littafin "Street Tricks" na Mark Shuey Sr. da Mark Shuey Jr., Babu Canemasters.com.
    
  P210 Silver Eagle, Cessna P21¢Centurion wanda aka gyara tare da turboprop powerplant (ban da yawancin fasalolin fasaha da na ƙara da shi), samfurin O&N Aircraft ne, Factoryville, PA, www.onaircraft.com.
    
  Angel Flight West wata sadaka ce ta gaskiya wacce ta dace da mabukata da ke samun tallafin likita ko na jin kai tare da matukan jirgin da ke ba da gudummawar jirginsu, farashin man fetur da kwarewarsu don jigilar su inda suke buƙatar zuwa don likita ko dalilai na tallafi, ba tare da tsadar fasinjoji ba. . Na yi tafiya zuwa Angel Flight West na tsawon shekaru hudu, kuma ina tsammanin wannan shine watakila babban dalilin da yasa na zama matukin jirgi: don amfani da basirata don taimakawa wasu. Nemo ƙarin a www.angellightwest.org.
    
    
  GAME DA MARUBUCI
    
    
  Dale Brown shine marubucin litattafai masu yawa na New York Times, wanda ya fara da Flight of the Old Dog a cikin 1987, kuma mafi kwanan nan The Tiger's Claw. Tsohon kyaftin a rundunar sojin saman Amurka, sau da yawa ana iya samunsa yana shawagi da jirginsa a sararin samaniyar Nevada.
    
  Ziyarci www.AuthorTracker.com don keɓancewar bayani akan marubutan HarperCollins da kuka fi so.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  Dale Brown
  Tawagar Inuwa
    
    
  SADAUKARWA
    
    
  An sadaukar da wannan labari ga duk wanda ya yanke shawara mai wahala sau da yawa don yin abu ɗaya mai sauƙi: kuskura. Lokacin da kuka ga ya faru, yana da ban sha'awa fiye da harba sararin samaniya kuma yana da ƙarfi sau biyu.
    
    
  HALAYE
    
    
    
  AMURKA:
    
    
  JOSEPH GARDNER, Shugaban Amurka
    
  KEN T. PHOENIX, Mataimakin Shugaban Kasa
    
  CONRAD F. CARLISLE, mai baiwa shugaban kasa shawara kan harkokin tsaro
    
  MILLER H. TURNER, Sakataren Tsaro
    
  GERALD VISTA, Daraktan leken asiri na kasa
    
  WALTER CORDUS, Shugaban Ma"aikatan Fadar White House
    
  STACY ANN BARBEAU, Babban Sanatan Amurka daga Louisiana da Shugaban Masu Rinjaye na Majalisar Dattawa; Colin Morna, mataimakinta
    
  JANAR TAYLOR J. BAIN, USMC, Shugaban Hafsan Hafsoshin Soja
    
  GENERAL CHARLES A. HUFFMAN, Babban Hafsan Sojan Sama
    
  AIR FORCE JANAR BRADFORD CANNON, Kwamandan, US Strategic Command (STRATCOM)
    
  RUNDUNAR SOJOJIN KENNETH LEPERS, Kwamandan, Babban Rundunar Amurka (CENTCOM)
    
  MAJOR JANAR HAROLD BACKMAN, Kwamandan Rundunar Sojan Sama na Sha Hudu; Hakanan Babban Kwamandan Kayan Aikin Haɗin gwiwa-Space (JFCC-S), Dokar Dabarun Amurka
    
  Lt. JANAR PATRICK MCLANAHAN, Kwamandan, Babban Cibiyar Makamai Aerospace (HAWC), Elliott AFB, Nevada
    
  BRIGADIER JANAR DAVID LUGER, Mataimakin Kwamanda na HAWC
    
  COL MARTIN TEHAMA, sabon kwamandan HAWC
    
  Manjo Janar REBECCA FURNESS, Kwamandan, Ayyukan Jirgin Sama na Farko, Base na Tsararrun Jirgin Sama (ARB), Nevada
    
  BRIGADIER JANAR DAREN MAYS, Jami'in Aiki na Sojan Sama, Kwamandan Bam na 111 da Kwamandan Ofishin Jakadancin EB-1C.
    
  MAJOR WAYNE MACOMBER, Mataimakin Babban Kwamandan (Ayyukan Ground), Rundunar Sojan Sama na Farko, Yakin Mountain Air Reserve Base, Nevada
    
  MASTER SERGENT, MARINE CORPS CHRIS WALL, Sajan, Sojan Sama na Farko
    
  WASANNI NA KASASHEN SOJAN US CAPT CHARLIE TURLOCK, CID Pilot
    
  CAPTAIN Hunter "Boomer" NOBLE, Kwamandan, XR-A9 Black Stallion, Elliott Air Force Base, tafkin ango
    
  Kwamandan Sojojin Ruwa na Amurka Lt. Kwamandan LISETT "FRENCHY" MOULIN, Kwamandan XR-A9
    
  JIM TERRANOVA, kwamandan manufa ta XR-A9
    
  ANN PAGE, Ph.D., tsohon Sanatan Amurka, dan sama jannati da injiniyan sararin samaniya
    
  Sojan Sama MASTER Sajan VALERIE "FINDER" LUCAS, Armstrong Space Station firikwensin firikwensin
    
    
  IRAN:
    
    
  JANAR HESARAK AL-KAN BUJAZI, jagoran juyin mulkin sojan Farisa
    
  AZAR ASIA KAGEV, magajin da aka zaci ga Al'arshin Peacock na Farisa
    
  LIEUTENAT COLONEL PARVIZ NAJAR DA MAJOR MARA SAIDI, adjutants to Azar Kagev
    
  COLONEL MOSTAFA RAHMATI, Kwamanda, Brigade na hudu, filin jirgin saman Tehran-Mehrabad.
    
  MAJOR KULOM HADDAD, Shugaban rukunin Tsaro na sirri na Bouzhazi
    
  MASUD NOSHAR, Lord High Chancellor of the Royal Household of Kagewa and Marshal of the Court Military Council.
    
  Ayatollah HASAN MOHTAZ, Jagoran juyin juya halin Musulunci na Iran a gudun hijira
    
    
  RUSSIA:
    
    
  LEONID ZEVITIN, Shugaban Tarayyar Rasha
    
  PETER ORLEV, Shugaban Ma"aikatan Fadar Shugaban Kasa
    
  ALEXANDRA KHEDROV, Ministan Harkokin Waje
    
  IGOR TRUZNEV, shugaban Hukumar Tsaro ta Tarayya
    
  Anatoly VLASOV, Sakataren Kwamitin Tsaro na Rasha
    
  MIKHAIL OSTENKOV, Ministan Tsaro na kasa
    
  JANAR KUZMA FURZIENKO, Babban Hafsan Hafsoshin Rasha
    
  JANAR NIKOLAI OSTANKO, babban hafsan hafsoshin sojin kasar Rasha
    
  JANAR ANDREY DARZOV, babban hafsan hafsoshin sojin saman Rasha
    
  WOLFGANG ZYPRIES, injiniyan laser na Jamus wanda ke aiki tare da Rundunar Sojan Sama ta Rasha
    
    
  MAKAMAI DA GASKIYA
    
    
  9K89 - wani karamin makami mai linzami daga saman Rasha
    
  ARB - Rundunar Sojojin Sama
    
  ATO - hanya don saita ayyuka a cikin iska
    
  BDU-58 Meteor shine motar da aka tsara daidai don kare kaya daga zafi yayin sake shiga; zai iya ɗaukar kusan 4,000 lbs.
    
  CIC - Cibiyar Bayanin Yaki
    
  kunass - mutumin Cajun
    
  E-4B - Cibiyar Ayyukan Jirgin Sama ta Ƙasa
    
  E-6B Mercury - Sadarwar jiragen ruwa na sojojin ruwa na Amurka da jirgin sama na umarni
    
  EB-1D Bom-B-1 Lancer, wanda aka canza shi zuwa wani jirgin sama mai cin dogon zango mara matuki.
    
  ETE - kimanta lokacin tafiya
    
  FAA Sashe na 91 - Dokokin Gudanar da Matuki Masu zaman kansu da Jirgin sama
    
  FSB - Ofishin Tsaro na Tarayyar Rasha, magajin KGB
    
  HAWC - Cibiyar Kera Makamai ta Fasaha ta Fasaha
    
  ICD - defibrillator cardioverter wanda za'a iya dasa shi
    
  Ilyushin - jirgin ruwa na Rasha a cikin jirgin
    
  MiG-Mikoyan-Gureyvich, Rasha manufacturer na soja jirgin sama
    
  OSO - Jami'in Tsarin Laifi
    
  RQ-4 Global Hawk - tsayi mai tsayi, jirgin leken asiri mara dogon zango.
    
  SAR - radar buɗaɗɗen roba; kuma bincike da ceto
    
  Skybolt - Laser don kariyar makami mai linzami na tushen sararin samaniya
    
  SPEAR tsarin kariyar kutse ce ta hanyar sadarwa ta lantarki tare da sassauƙan martani ga kariyar kai
    
  sun-synchronous - Duniya ta kewayawa wanda tauraron dan adam ya wuce wuri guda a lokaci guda na rana.
    
  Tupolev - tagwayen-injin Rasha jet bam
    
  USAFE - Sojojin saman Amurka a Turai
    
  VFR - Dokokin gani na Jirgin sama
    
  Vomit Comet jirgin sama ne da ake amfani da shi don yin jiragen sama marasa nauyi.
    
  XAGM-279A SkySTREAK (Rapid Tactical Attack, ko "Sky") mai nauyin fam 4,000, tsayin ƙafa 12, diamita 24-inch iska wanda aka harba makami mai linzami na hypersonic; yana amfani da injin roka mai ƙarfi don haɓaka roka ɗin zuwa Mach 3, sannan ya canza zuwa injin jet JP-7 ta amfani da man jet da matse iskar oxygen don tashi a Mach 10; inertial da babban madaidaicin kewayawa GPS; Ana sake tsara ma'aikacin hanyar haɗin bayanan tauraron dan adam a tsakiyar hanya; matsakaicin iyakar jirgin sama tare da bayanin martabar ballistic shine mil 600; bayan haɓakawa zuwa Mach 10, ƙaddamar da babban madaidaicin warhead tare da radar-milimita mai raɗaɗi da tashar infrared mai niyya tare da ƙaddamar da manufa ta atomatik ko zaɓin manufa ta mai aiki mai nisa na watsa bayanan tauraron dan adam; ba tare da warhead; Ana iya ɗaukar guda biyu a cikin jirgin EB-1C Vampire Bom a cikin aft bam bay; hudu dauke a ciki ko hudu a waje a kan EB-52 Megafortress; hudu dauke a cikin wani bam B-2 stealth
    
  XR-A9 - Jirgin sama mai hawa daya "Black Stallion" ya harba cikin sararin samaniya
    
    
  CIGABAN LABARAN DUNIYA NA GASKIYA
    
    
    
  Rahoton STRATFOR SAFIYA, Janairu 18, 2007 A 12:16 GMT - CHINA, Amurka
    
  - Hukumomin leken asiri na Amurka sun yi imanin cewa, kasar Sin ta lalata tauraron dan adam na Feng Yun 1C da ya tsufa a sararin samaniyar duniya a lokacin da aka yi nasarar gwajin makamin da tauraron dan adam (ASAT) ya yi. A ranar 11 ga watan Janairu, jaridar China Daily ta ruwaito a ranar 18 ga watan Janairu, inda ta buga labarin da aka buga a mujallar Makon Jiragen Sama da Fasahar Sararin Samaniya ta 22 ga Janairu. Hukumomin leken asirin Amurka na ci gaba da kokarin tabbatar da sakamakon gwajin da aka yi wa ASAT, wanda zai nuna cewa kasar Sin na da wani sabon karfin soja...
    
  ...Wani sabon gajimare na tarkace da ke zagayawa a duniya ya yi nuni da abin da zai faru idan masu iko da sararin samaniya guda biyu suka yi arangama. Musamman a yanayin Amurka, kadarorin sararin samaniya sun zama kayan aiki mai mahimmanci don ci gaba da yin watsi da su a lokutan yaki.
    
    
    
  Rahoton STRATFOR KULLUM, Afrilu 3, 2007 - Amurka/IRAN:
    
  Hare-haren da Amurka ke kai wa Iran ba zai kai ga gallazawa Tehran gallazawar soja ba, kuma zai zama kuskuren siyasa, in ji babban hafsan hafsan hafsoshin kasar Rasha J. Yuri Baluevsky. Ya kara da cewa Amurka na iya lalata sojojin Iran ba tare da cin nasara a yakin ba.
    
    
    
  Rahoton STRATFOR HANKALI, Satumba 7, 2007
    
  - Hadin kai tsakanin hukumar tsaron tarayyar Rasha da ma'aikatar harkokin cikin gidan Iran zai kara tabbatar da tsaron iyakokin kasar Iran, in ji mataimakin darakta na farko na hukumar tsaron tarayyar Rasha da hukumar kan iyakokin kasar Viktor Shlyakhtin, a cewar rahoton IRNA. Shlyakhtin ya je Iran ne domin duba ayyukan Iran da Rasha a yankunan lardin Sistan-Baluchistan na Iran da ke kan iyaka da Afghanistan da Pakistan.
    
    
    
  JAN OKTOBA: RUSSIA, IRAN DA IRAQI
    
  - STRATFOR
    
  Rahoton Geopolitical Intelligence Report, Satumba 17, 2007-Haƙƙin mallaka Babu Dabarun Hasashen Inc.
    
  "...Amurkawa na bukatar Rashawa kada su samar da jiragen yaki, ci-gaban umarni da tsarin sarrafawa, ko duk wani tsarin soji da Rashawa suka kirkira." Da farko dai suna son Rashawa kar su baiwa Iraniyawa duk wata fasahar makamin nukiliya.
    
  Don haka ba kwatsam ba ne Iraniyawa suka ce a karshen mako cewa Rashan sun ce za su yi haka.
    
  ...[Shugaban Rasha Vladimir] Putin na iya shiga cikin Iraniyawa kuma ya jefa Amurka cikin mawuyacin hali fiye da yadda idan ba haka ba. Zai iya cimma wannan ta hanyar tallafawa Siriya, ba da makamai a Labanon, ko ma haifar da manyan matsaloli a Afghanistan, inda Rasha ke da tasiri a Arewacin ...
    
    
    
  STRATFOR HANKALI, 25 ga Oktoba, 2007, No. STRATFOR INC.
    
  - A ziyarar da shugaban kasar Rasha Vladimir Putin ya kai birnin Tehran a ranar 16 ga watan Oktoba, Jagoran juyin juya halin Musulunci na kasar Iran Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Khamenei ya bukace shi da ya tura kwararrun kasar Rasha don taimaka wa Iran din kan yadda Isra'ila ta toshe radar na kasar Siriya kafin kai farmaki ta sama a ranar 6 ga watan Satumba, kamar yadda wata majiya ta Hezbollah ta shaidawa Stratfor. Majiyar ta kara da cewa Iran na son gyara matsalar radar Syria ne saboda Iran na amfani da makamantansu.
    
    
    
  RUSSIA, IRAN: MATAKI NA GABA A TANGO
    
  - STRATFOR
    
  Takaitaccen Bayanin Hankali na Duniya, Oktoba 30, 2007, No. 2007 Stratfor, Inc. -...Rasha tana da ingantacciyar dabarar amfani da muradun kawayenta na Gabas ta Tsakiya don manufofinta na siyasa. Iran ita ce 'yar takarar da ta dace. Kasa ce mai karfi ta Musulunci da ke takun saka da Amurka kan shirinta na nukiliya da kuma Iraki. Duk da cewa Washington da Tehran suna ci gaba da yakar maganganun yaki a cikin jama'a, amma akwai bukatar su yi mu'amala da juna domin cimma manufofinsu.
    
  A halin da ake ciki kuma, Rasha na yakar nata yakin da ake yi da Amurka, wanda ya kunshi batutuwa masu zafi da suka hada da tsaron makamai masu linzami na kasar, da sake tattaunawa kan yarjejeniyoyin yakin cacar-baka da kuma tsoma bakin kasashen yammacin duniya kan yankin Rasha. Ta hanyar nuna cewa Moscow tana da wani tasiri na gaske akan Iraniyawa, Rasha ta sami wani fa'ida mai fa'ida a cikin tattaunawa da Amurka ...
    
    
    
  ALTAI OPTICAL-LASER DIRECTORY, Disamba 28, 2007
    
  - Cibiyar Binciken Kayan Aikin [Russia] Daidaitawa ta kafa reshen sa ido kan tauraron dan adam mai suna Altai Optical Laser Center (AOLS) kusa da karamin garin Savvushka na Siberiya. Cibiyar ta kunshi cibiyoyi guda biyu, daya daga cikinsu yana aiki a halin yanzu, dayan kuma ana shirin fara aiki a shekarar 2010 ko kuma bayan wannan rana.
    
  A wurin da ake ciki yanzu, an shigar da na'urar gano kewayon Laser don tantance yanayin sararin samaniya daidai, kuma a karon farko a Rasha an sanye da wani na'urar hangen nesa mai buɗaɗɗen 60 cm tare da tsarin daidaita yanayin gani don samun manyan hotuna na tauraron dan adam. Wuri na biyu za a sanye shi da na'urar daukar hoto ta tauraron dan adam mai tsawon mita 3.12, mai kama da wanda Amurka ke amfani da shi a Hawaii.
    
  Nasarar aiwatar da tsarin AOLS na mita 3.12 zai ba da damar hotunan tauraron dan adam tare da ƙudurin 25 cm (inci 9.8) ko sama da haka a nisan kilomita 1000 (mil 621).
    
    
    
  PROLOGUE
    
    
  Kada ku kasance mai kunya da ƙwazo a cikin ayyukanku. Duk rayuwa gwaji ne. Yawancin gwaje-gwajen da kuke yi, mafi kyau.
    
  - RALPH WALDO EMERSON
    
    
    
  KASASHEN GABASIN SIBERIA
  FEBRUARY 2009
    
    
  "Ku shirya... shirye... shirye...fara hawa, yanzu," mai kula da ƙasa ya yi rediyo.
    
  "An yarda," in ji matukin jirgin na Rasha Mikoyan-Gurevich-31BM dogon zangon interceptor na Tarayyar Rasha. A hankali ya sauke sandar control ya fara shafa wuta. Tagwayen injunan Tumanski R15-BD-300, injina mafi ƙarfi da aka taɓa haɗawa da jirgin sama na yaƙi, sun yi ruri sau ɗaya yayin da masu wuta suka kunna wuta, sannan da sauri suka raye yayin da turbopump ɗin man injin ɗin ya kama iska mai ƙarfi da ke shiga ciki, suna mai da iska da mai. .zuwa danyen iko da hanzari.
    
  Idanun matukin jirgin sun zazzage da komowa daga alamun wutar lantarki zuwa nunin, wanda ke nuna kibiyoyi guda biyu da suka ƙetare tare da da'irar a tsakiya, kama da tsarin saukar kayan aiki. Ya yi tausasawa, sarrafawar da ba za a iya fahimta ba don kiyaye allurar da aka ketare a tsakiyar da'irar. Gudunmawar da take bayarwa dole ne ta zama "yan kankanuwa, domin kuwa kadan kadan a yanzu, tare da hancinsa kusan digiri arba"in sama da sama da sama da sama, zai iya kawo cikas ga lallausan iskar da ke kwarara cikin tashoshin da ke dauke da injin, wanda hakan zai sa na"urar damfara ta buso ko ta tsaya. Jirgin Mig-31, wanda aka fi sani da Yamma a matsayin Foxhound, ba na'ura ce mai gafartawa ba - a kai a kai tana kashe ma'aikatan jirgin marasa hankali. An gina shi don gudun, yana buƙatar madaidaicin iko a iyakar iyakar aikinsa mai ban sha'awa.
    
  "Muna wuce mita dubu goma... Kashi biyu na goma na mach... dubu goma sha biyar... digiri arba'in a kan hanya... Airspeed yana raguwa kadan," matukin ya ce. Jirgin MiG-31 ya kasance daya daga cikin 'yan tsirarun jiragen da za su iya yin sauri a cikin wani tudu mai tsayi, amma don wannan jirgin na gwaji za su tashi sama da rufin sabis na mita dubu ashirin, sannan aikinsa ya ragu sosai. "Muna tafiyar kilomita ashirin, saurin iska yana kasa da Mach biyu ... Muna tafiyar kilomita ashirin da biyu ... ku shirya ... Muna gabatowa da sauri da tsayi na asali ... "
    
  "Ka ajiye shi a tsakiya, Yuri," in ji mutumin da ke zaune a kujerar baya na Miga a kan intercom. Allura sun matsa kadan zuwa gefen da'irar. A daren yau, da'irar ta wakilci manufarsu, ba ta hanyar radar MiG-31 mai ƙarfi mai ƙarfi ba, amma ta hanyar hanyar sadarwa na radars masu bin sararin samaniya a kusa da Tarayyar Rasha, wani jirgin da ke kusa ya isar da su zuwa gare su. Ba za su taɓa ganin burinsu ba kuma wataƙila ba za su taɓa sanin ko manufarsu ta yi nasara ba ko kuma ta gaza.
    
  "Yana samun raguwar amsawa...Da wuya a gyara," matukin ya numfasa. Dukkan ma'aikatan jirgin biyu sun sanya rigar matsa lamba da kuma matsi da kwalkwali masu rufe fuska gaba daya, kamar 'yan sama jannati, kuma yayin da tsayin gidan ya karu, matsa lamba a cikin kwat din ya karu don ramawa, yana yin motsi da numfashi mafi wuya. "Har yaushe.....sai kuma?"
    
  "Dakika goma... tara... takwas..."
    
  "Zo, tsohon alade, sami tsayi," matukin jirgin ya yi gunaguni.
    
  "Dakika biyar... An shirya roka... itace, biyu, adin... pajar! Kaddamar da shi!"
    
  Jirgin Mig-31 ya kasance a tsayin mita dubu ashirin da biyar a saman duniya, yana gudun kilomita dubu daya a cikin sa'a guda, hancin ya kai tsayin digiri hamsin a saman sararin sama, lokacin da na'urar kwamfutocin jirgin ta bayar da umarnin harba jirgin. , kuma an harba makami mai linzami guda daya daga wurin mayakin. Bayan 'yan dakikoki da fitar da injin roka na matakin farko na rokar ya kunna wuta, wata katuwar ginshikin wuta ta tashi daga bututun, rokar ta bace daga gani cikin kiftawar ido.
    
  Yanzu lokaci ya yi da za ku tashi da kanku, ba don manufa ba, matukin jirgin ya tunatar da kansa. Ya mayar da magudanar a hankali, a hankali, kuma a lokaci guda ya fara ɗan birgima zuwa hagu. Nadi zai taimaka rage dagawa da rage wuce kima gudun, kuma zai kuma taimaka runtse hanci ba tare da sa ma'aikatan zuwa ga mummunan G-forces. Matsawa ya fara saukowa ya dan samu saukin nunfashi ko kuwa saboda bangaren aikin su ne...?
    
  Matukin jirgin ya rasa maida hankali na tsawon daƙiƙa guda, amma hakan ya isa. Lokacin da ya ba da izinin zamewa gefe guda mai digiri ɗaya, mayaƙin ya tashi ta cikin ruɗewar iskar da ta haifar da wutsiyar babbar roka, kuma iskar da ke bi ta injin hagu ta kusa katsewa. Inji guda ya yi tari, ya yi gurguje, sannan ya fara kururuwa yayin da man ke ci gaba da kwararowa a cikin tankunan wuta, amma ba a sake fitar da iskar gas mai zafi ba.
    
  Yayin da injin daya ke gudana daya kuma yana cin wuta, kuma da rashin isashshen iska don sake kunna injin din da ya tsaya, jirgin MiG-31 ya lalace. Amma rokar da ta harba ya yi aiki mara kyau.
    
  Bayan dakika 15 da injin matakin farko ya harba, sai ya rabu da roka, sai injin mataki na biyu ya harba. Gudu da tsayi sun ƙaru da sauri. Ba da daɗewa ba roka ɗin ya kasance mil ɗari biyar sama da ƙasa, yana tafiya sama da mil dubu uku a cikin sa'a, kuma injin mataki na biyu ya rabu. Yanzu mataki na uku ya rage. Yana da tsayi sama da yanayin, baya buƙatar kowane saman sarrafawa don motsawa, a maimakon haka ya dogara da ƙananan injunan iskar iskar nitrogen don motsawa. Radar da ke cikin hancin mataki na uku ya kunna ya fara duban madaidaicin wuri a sararin samaniya, sannan dakika daya daga baya ya yi kasa a gwiwa.
    
  Roka din ba ta da isasshen gudun da zai fara zagayawa duniya, don haka da zarar mataki na biyu ya rabu, sai ya fara fadowar dogon zangonsa, amma ba ya bukatar shiga sararin samaniya: kamar makami mai linzami na yaki da tanki, sai ya fado tare. yanayin bala'i zuwa wurin da aka ƙididdige shi a sararin samaniya, inda abin da ta gani zai kasance cikin daƙiƙa kaɗan. Halin da aka annabta, wanda aka tsara tun kafin ƙaddamar da masu kula da ƙasa, ba da daɗewa ba kwamfutocin ja-gora sun tabbatar da cewa: kewayawar da aka yi niyya ba ta canza ba. Tsangwama ya tafi daidai yadda aka tsara.
    
  Dakika 20 kafin tasiri, mataki na uku ya tura da'ira mai da'irar yadi hamsin fadi-daga sama da yanayin, gidan yanar gizon bai shafe ta da iska ba kuma ta kasance mai zagaye da karfi duk da gudun mil dubu da yawa cikin sa'a. Gidan yanar gizon ya kasance inshora akan kuskuren kusa ... Amma wannan lokacin ba a buƙata ba. Saboda mataki na uku an kulle shi cikin aminci akan abin da aka sa a gaba kuma yana buƙatar ɗan ƙaramin motsi ba tare da wahala ba saboda daidaiton ƙaddamarwa da hanyar tashi, mataki na uku ya sami bugun kai tsaye akan abin da aka nufa.
    
    
  ***
    
    
  "Rigizo, yallabai," in ji masanin injiniyan. "Ba a karɓi telemetry daga samfurin da ake gwadawa ba."
    
  Babban kwamandan rundunar, babban hafsan hafsoshin sojan saman Rasha, Andrei Darzov, ya gyada kai. "Amma hanyar jirgin fa? Shin sigogin ƙaddamar da ba daidai ba sun shafi wannan?
    
  Mai fasaha ya dubeta. "Uh...a'a yallabai, bana tunanin haka," in ji shi. "Ƙaddamarwar kamar ta tafi daidai."
    
  "Ban yarda ba, sajan," in ji Darzov. Ya juyo wurin mai gyaran jiki ya yi masa kallon bacin rai. Kallon fushin ya yi muni sosai, amma Darzov ya aske kansa don ya fi nuna manyan raunin da ya samu a yakin da ya kone a kansa da jikinsa, kuma ya fi tsoratar da shi. "Wannan makami mai linzami ya yi fice sosai kuma yana iya yin kuskure da kai hari kan tauraron dan adam."
    
  "Yallabai?" - ya tambayi ma'aikacin, a rude. "Abin da ake nufi shine ... uh, tauraron dan adam na Amurka Pathfinder? Ya kasance-"
    
  "Abin da muka shiga kenan Sajan?" - Darzov ya tambaya. "Me ya sa, ba a haɗa wannan a cikin shirin gwajin jirgin kwata-kwata. An yi mummunan kuskure kuma zan tabbatar da an yi bincike sosai a kansa." Siffar sa ta yi laushi, ya yi murmushi, sannan ya matse kafadar ma'aikacin. "Tabbas ka rubuta a cikin rahoton ku cewa rokar ta bar hanya saboda zamewar gefe a na"urar harbawa - Zan kula da sauran. Kuma ba SBSS na Amurka ba ne makasudin, amma jirgin Soyuz da muka nufa, ya harba cikin sararin samaniya a watan jiya. Wannan a bayyane yake, Sajan?"
    
    
  BABI NA FARKO
    
    
  Zai fi kyau mu yi zalunci idan akwai tashin hankali a cikin zukatanmu da mu sanya rigar tashin hankali don a rufe rashin ƙarfi.
    
  - MAHATMA GANDHI
    
    
    
  ARMSTRONG SPACE STATION
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  "To, masu tsotsa, ku zo ku manne kan ku - kadan kadan," in ji Captain Hunter "Boomer" Noble. "Kada ku ji tsoro - ba zai yi zafi ba." Kwanaki na biyu kenan da sabon sintiri nasu, har ya zuwa yanzu ba su cimma komai ba, sai dai ciwon kai da kullum suke fama da su na kallon masu lura da tabawa na tsawon sa'o'i.
    
  "Yallabai," in ji Babban Jami'in Sojan Sama Sajan Valerie "Manemin" Lucas cikin fara'a. "Kuna jira, kuma wannan mummunan kuzarin kawai yana rage kawunansu."
    
  "Ba makamashi mara kyau ba ne, Mai nema, duk abin da yake," in ji Boomer, yana shafa idanunsa. "Wannan hoton TV ne - yana kashe ni." Hunter ya rintse ido. Sun kalli wani babban hoto na wani yanki na kusa da kudu maso gabashin Tehran, a cikin abin da a da ake kira Jamhuriyar Musulunci ta Iran amma a yanzu da dama a duniya ke kiransa da Jamhuriyar Dimokaradiyyar Farisa. Hoton, wanda na'urar daukar hoto ta wayar tarho ta dauka da ke cikin wani jirgin leken asiri na Sojan Sama na Amurka RQ-4 Global Hawk mara matuki wanda ke kewaya birnin sama da kafa dubu sittin, ya yi daidai da kwanciyar hankali, amma kowace girgizar kasa, ko ta yaya bazuwar, ta ji kamar wani. Boomer. ɗan yashi da aka jefa a cikin idanu.
    
  Su biyun ba su zauna a na'ura mai kwakwalwa ba a cibiyar kula da yaki ta duniya ta al'ada, amma a cikin babban tsarin kula da yaki na tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, mai nisan mil dari biyu da saba'in da biyar a sama da Duniya a cikin kewayawa mai karkatar da digiri arba'in da bakwai zuwa gabas. . Noble da Lucas na daga cikin karin ma'aikata hudu da aka kawo a cikin jirgin domin aikin sa ido da kuma ba da umarni ga sojojin sama na sojojin sama na Amurka a kan Jamhuriyar Dimokaradiyyar Farisa. Ko da yake Boomer ya kasance tsohon sojan sararin samaniya tare da dozin dozin na jiragen sama har ma da tafiya ta sararin samaniya don darajarsa, yana iyo a cikin sifiri yayin da yake kallon mai duba ba shine abin da ya shiga Rundunar Sojan Sama ba. "Har yaushe zamu a tashar?"
    
  "Sai da ƙarin sa'o'i biyar, yallabai," Lucas ya ce, yana murmushi tare da girgiza kai don rashin imani yayin da Noble ya yi nishi da amsarta. Seeker yar shekara goma sha takwas tsohuwar soja ce ta Sojan saman Amurka, amma duk da haka ta gagara girmewa da kyar a ranar da ta shiga cikin Janairu 1991, lokacin da Operation Desert Storm ta fara, kuma tana son sana'arta kamar yadda ta yi a lokacin. Hotunan bama-bamai masu jagorar laser da talabijin suna ta shawagi ta tagogi da iskar gas sun burge ta kuma sun burge ta, kuma ta fara horo na asali kwanaki biyu bayan kammala karatun sakandare. Ta halarci kowane makarantar sakandare da kuma yanayin binciken lantarki da na lantarki tana iya samun, da sauri ta zama masani mai ƙwarewa cikin nesa da tsarin ja-goranci. "Baya ga haɓakawa, tsarin muhalli da na lantarki, tsarin mafi mahimmanci a cikin dabarun dabarun shine haƙuri da ɗan ƙaramin ƙarfi."
    
  "Na fi so in tashi da kaina," in ji Boomer a fusace, yana komawa kan babban dutsen sa a gaban babban mai duba. Ya dan yi tsayi fiye da matsakaicin dan sama jannatin Amurka, wanda bisa dukkan alamu an kera yawancin kayan aikin da ke tashar sararin samaniya, don haka ya gano cewa kusan duk wani abu da ke tashar ya yi daidai da girmansa, tsayi, ko kuma yanayin da bai dace ba don harzuka shi. Duk da cewa matukin jirgin mai shekaru ashirin da biyar da haihuwa, injiniya kuma dan sama jannati tsohon soja ne a sararin samaniya, ya shafe mafi yawan lokutansa a sararin samaniya makare da kwanciyar hankali na jirgin sama a wurin sarrafawa maimakon yawo cikin sifiri. "Duk waɗannan abubuwan sarrafa nesa na tsuntsaye ne."
    
  "Yallabai kana kirana da 'tsuntsaye'?" Ta tambaya tare da nuna rashin yarda.
    
  "Ba na ba da shawarar komai ba, Babban Sajan - Ina bayyana ra'ayi na kan wannan hanya ta musamman," in ji Boomer. Ya nuna allon. "Hoton yana da kyau kwarai da gaske, amma wannan abin da ke jagorantar radar yana sa ni hauka."
    
  "Wannan sigar SAR ce, yallabai," in ji Seeker. "Aperture radar ne ke tafiyar da shi kuma zai haskaka duk wata babbar mota ko na"ura da ta shigo fagen kallon firikwensin kuma ta yi daidai da sigogin bincikenmu. Idan ba mu da shi, da da hannu za mu duba kowace mota a cikin birni - da gaske za ta haukace ku."
    
  "Na san mene ne, Jagora Sajan," in ji Boomer, "amma ba za ka iya samun shi don dakatar da sara da girgizawa da girgiza ko'ina a kan allo sosai ba?" Mai saka idanu ya nuna akwatin rectangular wanda ya bayyana kuma yana ɓacewa akai-akai a wurin. Idan ta bayyana, akwatin zai kewaye motar, ya daidaita girmansa don dacewa da abin hawa, sannan idan ya hadu da ma'aunin girman da aka tsara, za a yi karar karar sauti kuma kyamarar za ta kara ta yadda mutane za su iya ganin abin da kwamfutocin suka gano. Amma kawai ya tsaya mai da hankali kan abin hawa ɗaya na daƙiƙa biyar kafin sake kunna cikakken yanki, don haka Boomer da Seeker dole ne su kalli allon kusan koyaushe kuma a shirye su danna maɓallin HOLD don nazarin hoton kafin kwamfutar ta sake rufewa. "Yana bani ciwon kai."
    
  "Ina ganin yana da ban mamaki cewa ya yi abin da yake yi, yallabai," in ji Mai neman, "kuma ni fiye da yarda in jure da wani shakku idan ya taimake mu mu samu-" Kuma a lokacin ne kwamfutar ta gano wata mota. wanda kawai ya bayyana a cikin filin ajiye motoci kusa da rukunin gine-ginen gidaje. Bayan dakika guda, mai neman ya danna maɓallin riƙewa. "Kai, mun kama daya!" - ta yi ihu. "Katyusha ce...amma ina jin roka Ra"ad ne! Mun tilasta musu kai farmaki!"
    
  "Ku nawa ne, masu tsotsa," in ji Boomer, nan take ya manta game da ciwon kai da ya zaci. Ya kalli mai duba, amma ya riga ya shagaltu da duba cewa an loda madaidaitan ma'aikatun da Global Hawk ta karba. Hoton kai tsaye ya yi cikakken cikakken bayani. Suna kallon wasu mutane hudu dauke da wata katuwar roka mai kama da wani babban harsashi mai dauke da filaye, daga cikin gareji da kuma bayan wata babbar mota kirar Toyota pickup - tabbas ta yi nauyi sosai domin da alama sun sha wahalar daukar ta. . An dauko wani katon karfen karfen da aka dora a cikin firam din karban, tare da tsayawa a saman. Mutanen sun ajiye makamin a bayan motar, sannan biyu daga cikinsu suka yi tsalle suka fara kokawa don daga makamin zuwa wajen harba.
    
  "Kada ku daina, mutane," in ji Mai neman. "Ba kwa son ɓata mana nishaɗin mu, ko?" Ta juya ga Boomer. "Har yaushe yallabai?"
    
  "An ɗora matakan haɗin kai," in ji Boomer. "Yanzu an fara kirgawa. Yaya lokaci nawa muke da shi?"
    
  "Da zarar sun sanya shi a cikin mai ƙaddamarwa, za a iya ƙaddamar da shi a cikin ƙasa da minti daya."
    
  Boomer ya zaro ido ya kalli mai duba. Yara da dama ne suka haura zuwa babbar motar domin duba aikin "yan ta"addan - da farko an kore su, amma bayan wasu "yan wasu lokuta aka bar su su duba. "Da alama akwai 'Ranar Sana'a' a Tehran," in ji shi cikin murmushi.
    
  "Ku tashi, yara," in ji Mai Neman. "Ba lafiya gare ku a can."
    
  "Ba saboda mu ba," in ji Boomer a sanyi. Ya danna maballin watsawa a kan na'urar sa. "The Ripper Kiran Farawa."
    
  Laftanar Janar Patrick McLanahan ya ce, "Ina nan, Boomer," in ji Laftanar Janar Patrick McLanahan, "yana tsaye" a kan babban kan bayan Boomer yana kallon kafadarsa. Tsohon sojan Sojan Sama na shekara ashirin da daya kuma janar na taurari uku shi ne kwamandan Elliott Air Force Base, Lake Groom, Nevada, gidan Babban Cibiyar Makamai Aerospace, ko HAWC. HAWC ta kera jirgin saman XR-A9 Black Stallion, tare da wasu makamai da jiragen sama marasa adadi, amma shugabanni irin su Patrick McLanahan ne suka ga yuwuwar wadannan na'urori na gwaji suka sanya su cikin mawuyacin hali inda Amurka ko kawayenta za su sha wahala. babban hasara ko ma a sha kashi. Gajere, mai ƙarfi ba tare da ƙato ba, tare da kwance idanu shuɗi da murmushi mai sauri, Patrick McLaanahan bai yi kama da ƙwaƙƙwaran ƙwaƙƙwaran ƙwaƙƙwaran bam ba, ƙwararren ƙwararren bama-bamai a duniya kuma ƙwararren masani da aka bayyana sunansa. Kamar Boomer da Seeker, McLaanahan ya kasance gogaggen ɗan sama jannati-tafiyarsa ta uku zuwa tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong cikin watanni masu yawa.
    
  "Muna da zabi mai kyau, yallabai," in ji Boomer, yana gyada kai a duban sa. "A wannan karon kuma, ba ƙaramin Kassam ko Katyusha na gida ba." Boomer yayi nazari akan fuskar matashin janar din sojan sama mai taurari uku, inda ya lura da cewa idanunsa suna ta kai-da-kawo a kan na'urar binciken - Boomer ya yi tunanin ba makamin ne kawai yake kallo ba, har ma da yaran da ke daure a kusa da wani makamin ta'addanci na gida. mai ƙaddamarwa. "Master Sajan yana tunanin makami mai linzami Raad ne."
    
  Patrick bai ji shi ba, amma ƴan daƙiƙa kaɗan ya ɗaga kai cikin zumudi. "Na yarda, Mai nema," in ji shi. "Makamin Hezbollah wanda ya dogara da makami mai linzami matakin bataliyar Rasha. Fam ɗari biyu, mai sauƙi amma yawanci tasiri barometric fuze, tsakiyar iska fashewa tare da madadin tasiri fashe, fashewar radius na yadi ɗari ko fiye, yawanci cushe da gilashi, ball bearings da guda na karfe, kazalika da m fashewar zuwa kara yawan wadanda suka jikkata. Makamin ta"addanci na gaske." Ya girgiza kai. "Amma akwai farar hula da yawa a kusa. Rahoton namu ya nuna cewa ba a samu hasarar fararen hula ba kuma barnar da aka samu ba ta yi kadan ba. Zaɓi wani manufa, Boomer, ɗaya inda za a sami ƙarancin baƙi. Za mu sami dama da yawa..."
    
  "Ba ma ganin makamai masu linzami na Raad da yawa, yallabai," in ji Seeker. "Wannan ba makami mai linzami na gida ba ne - makami mai linzami ne mai cin gajeren zango."
    
  "Na sani, Jagora Sajan, amma umarninmu na musamman ne kuma -" A wannan lokaci, 'yan tawayen sun sake harba yaran, a wannan lokacin da karfi, yayin da wani dan tawayen ya haɗa wayoyi masu kunna wuta zuwa wutsiya na roka, suna yin shirye-shirye na ƙarshe don kaddamar da. "Yanzu," in ji Patrick. "Cauke shi."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Boomer ya amsa da farin ciki. Ya shigar da umarni a cikin kwamfutarsa, ya duba martanin kwamfutar, sannan ya yi sallama. "Mu tafi... Ƙididdigar roka ta ƙare... Ƙofofin sun buɗe... Shirya... shirye... Yanzu harba roka." Ya duba mai kirgawa. "Kada ka bar kowa ya lumshe ido, saboda wannan ba zai dauki lokaci mai tsawo ba."
    
  A saman Tekun Caspian mai nisan mil dari biyu da ashirin a arewacin Tehran, wani dan kunar bakin wake na EB-1D Vampire mara matuki ya bude kofofin hadakar bam na gaba da tsakiyarsa sannan ya harba babban makami mai linzami guda daya. D-model Vampire wani gyare-gyaren bama-bamai ne na Sojan Sama na Amurka B-1B wanda Cibiyar Kula da Makamai ta Ci Gaban Aerospace ta canza zuwa wani jirgin ruwan yaki mara matuki mai dogon zango. Yana da ikon yin gwajin kansa da kansa daga tashin jirgin zuwa saukar ƙarshe ta hanyar amfani da tsarin jirgin sama mai iya sake fasalin, ko kuma ana iya sarrafa shi ta hanyar sarrafa nesa ta tauraron dan adam, kamar babban wasan bidiyo na miliyoyin daloli, daga kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka da ke kusan ko'ina.
    
  Makamin da Vampire ya harba shi ne wani makami mai ci gaba da injiniyoyin HAWC suka kera. Sunan da ba a bayyana shi ba shine XAGM-279A "SKYSTRICK", amma duk wanda ya san wani abu game da wannan makami mai linzami - kuma akwai mutane kaɗan a duk duniya waɗanda suka yi - ya kira shi "Swift". Ya yi kama da giciye tsakanin harsashi da manta ray, tare da hancin fiber carbon mai nuni da wani sashi na gaba mai siffar harsashi wanda ke kaiwa zuwa sirara, lebur fuselage da wutsiya mai nuni. Da zarar an daidaita a sararin samaniya, wasu ingantattun injunan roka guda huɗu sun harba, inda suka harba makamin zuwa rijiyar da ya wuce Mach 3 da ƙafa dubu ɗari cikin yan daƙiƙa kaɗan.
    
  A cikin dakika takwas, injinan sun kone kuma an bude wani faffadan iskar oval mai fadi a karkashin rokar. Supersonic iskar da aka nutse da kuma matsa zuwa cikin siffar yanzu fanko roka motor gidaje, gauraye da jet man fetur da kuma ƙone da high-makamashi bugun jini na Laser makamashi. Sakamakon makamashin da ya haifar ya kara tura makamin zuwa fiye da ninki goma na saurin sauti a cikin 'yan dakikoki kadan, kuma makamin ya rufe tazarar da ke tsakanin wurin harbawa da kuma kiftawar ido, inda ya tashi kafa dubu dari biyu yayin da zangon ya ragu. Roka din ya kona dukkan man jet din cikin "yan dakiku kadan, inda nan take ya sauko, ya fara komawa ta cikin sararin samaniya. Da zarar zafin jiki na waje ya kasance cikin ƙayyadaddun tsaro, ɓangaren gaba mai siffar harsashi ya rabu da ɓangaren da aka kashe, wanda ya fashe kai tsaye zuwa guntuwa bayan ɗan lokaci.
    
  Ƙananan na'urori masu daidaitawa sun miƙe daga gaba kuma ya zama babban filin jirgin sama, wanda na'urar kwamfuta mai kewayawa ta jagoranta zuwa ga manufa ta hanyar siginar tsarin sakawa na duniya. Dakika goma sha biyar kafin tasiri, hular da ke dauke da ita ta kebe, tana bayyana hadewar radar kalaman millimita da na'urar daukar hoto infrared, kuma warhead ya fara watsa siginar bidiyo ta tauraron dan adam zuwa Boomer da mai neman a Dreamland. Juya siginar da ke kan hoton bidiyon yana da nisan yadi da yawa, amma mai neman ya yi amfani da ƙwallon waƙa kuma ya juya rectangle a baya a kan abin da aka ɗauka, wanda ya aika da siginonin gyare-gyare ga kan yaƙin.
    
  Hoton bidiyo daga kan yakin ya bayyana a fili har zuwa tasiri. Patrick ya hango wani matashi mai shekaru goma sha biyar zuwa sha shida, sanye da abin rufe fuska dauke da bindiga kirar AK-47 mai kama da girmansa, kai tsaye ya kalli makamin da ke gabatowa na mil dakiku kafin hoton ya bace. Patrick ya san cewa an shirya kan saman yaƙin ya fashe kashi goma na daƙiƙa kafin tasiri, ya raba kan yaƙi zuwa dubban ƙanana, guntu masu saurin gudu, yana ƙara fashewar makamin zuwa kusan yadi arba'in zuwa hamsin.
    
  "Bugu kai tsaye!" Boomer ya yi kururuwa da farin ciki. Ya kalli control Monitor ya tafa hannuwa. "Jimlar lokaci daga ganowa zuwa tasiri: maki arba'in da takwas da daƙiƙa tara. Kasa da minti daya ya rage!"
    
  "Ya fi kama da makami mai linzami na Maverick-ko harsashi na maharbi-amma an harba shi daga mil dari biyu!" - Mai Neman ya ce. Ta koma ga hoton Global Hawk na yankin da aka yi niyya kuma ta zura ido don duba kusa da inda kanwar Swift ya yi tasiri. "Kyakkyawan kyakkyawan makamin birni yana tasiri yallabai, kawai abin da kuke fata. Wannan rami ne mai girman gaske mai kyau, kimanin taku goma sha biyar zuwa ashirin a diamita - da alama an bugi cibiyar ta rufin siminti na garejin da ke kasa - amma ban ga wata barna ga gine-ginen da ke kewaye ba in ban da wata. ƴan fasalolin tagogi. Hatta bam din da ya kai fam dari biyu da hamsin na karamin diamita zai iya shiga bangon ginin da ke fuskantar wurin fashewar."
    
  "Saboda Swift ba shi da wani abin fashewa, babu wani abu a can da zai iya haifar da wani lahani," in ji Boomer. "Mun sanya isassun tuhume-tuhumen bama-bamai a cikin yakin don busa shi tsakanin millisecons kafin tasirin, duka biyu don inganta tasirin makamin da kuma lalata shaida mai yawa. Duk abin da za su samu shine ƴan ƙanƙanta-"
    
  "Ya Allahna..." Mai neman ya numfasa. Ta zazzage don ta ɗan ƙara binciki kewayenta. A wajen rukunin gidaje akwai gungun mutane, watakila dozin biyu, suna kwance a kan titi da titi yayin da wasu ke taimaka musu ta hanyar neman taimako. "Me ya faru a nan? Daga ina waɗannan mutane suka fito, kuma me ya sa suke kwance a ƙasa haka? Daga rukunin gidaje suke...?"
    
  "Dole ne Swift One ya kunna shugaban yakin na Raad makami mai linzami," in ji Boomer. Dukkansu sun yi nazarin hoton da kyau yayin da mai neman ya sarrafa kyamarar da hannu kuma ya zuga ciki. "Amma me ke faruwa? Wadannan mutanen da ke wurin ba su ma kusa da wurin da fashewar ta auku ba, amma suna ta tuwo kamar an same su. Shin ɓangarorin na Ra'ad ne? Swift ba shi da fashewar abubuwa - duk kuzarin motsa jiki ne. Sojojin Farisa suna gabatowa? Me ke faruwa...?"
    
  "Gajimaren makamai masu guba," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Me...?"
    
  "Yana kama da wani nau'in gajimare masu guba da ke bazuwa daga yankin da aka kai hari," in ji Patrick. Ya nuna mai duba. "Babu fiye da ƙafa talatin daga gare mu. Ga wani ɗan ƙaramin yanki na girgijen... Duba, ba ya tashi kamar gajimare daga fashewa ko zafin zafi, amma yana motsawa a kwance, igiyoyin iska suna hura su." Ya kalleta sosai. "Ba firgita ba...da wuya a ce, amma da alama yana shafa ido da fuskarsa yana fama da matsalar numfashi. Zan ci amana shine sinadarin da ke haifar da blister... lewisite ko phosgene. Gas din mustard zai dauki lokaci mai tsawo don hana wani aiki, ko da a cikin babban taro ... duba, yanzu wani yana fadowa a daya gefen titi. Allah, tabbas akwai litar CW da yawa a cikin yakin."
    
  "Ya Allah na," Mai neman ya yi haki. "Na shafe kusan shekaru ashirin ina mu'amala da na'urori masu auna firikwensin nesa, kuma ban taba ganin wani ya mutu sakamakon harin makami mai guba ba."
    
  "Ina jin cewa ikon da ke cikin ba zai so wannan ba," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Ya kamata mu tuna da Vampire, yallabai?"
    
  "A'a," in ji Patrick. "Har yanzu muna da wasu Swifts guda uku a cikin jirgin, da kuma wani Vampire dauke da kaya yana jiran a aika shi Mosul. Ci gaba da bincika don ƙarin 'yan tawaye. Taya murna, Boomer. Hutun sararin sama yayi aiki daidai. Kashe mana "yan tawaye kaɗan."
    
  "Ka samu, yallabai," in ji Boomer da farin ciki.
    
    
  ARMSTRONG SPACE STATION
  Daga baya kadan
    
    
  Abin takaici, Patrick ya zama daidai. An watsa hotunan Global Hawk zuwa wurare da yawa na kasa da kuma Hasumiyar Azurfa, gami da Cibiyar Haɗin gwiwar Hafsoshin Ma'aikata a Washington, kuma daga nan ne ya karɓi kiransa na farko bayan ɗan lokaci: "Farawa, wannan shine Rook." Ya fito ne daga jami'in aiki a cibiyar ayyuka na JCS. "Don Allah a shirya." Bayan ɗan lokaci kaɗan, Babban Hafsan Hafsoshin Sojan Sama Janar Charles A. Huffman ya bayyana a tashar taron bidiyo, yana kallon kansa kaɗan amma har yanzu yana fushi.
    
  Huffman, dogo, duhu da matashi sosai tare da rugujewa, fasalin wasan motsa jiki-kamar layin baya fiye da gudu, Boomer tunanin-ya kasance irin sabon nau'in jagora a cikin sojojin Amurka. A cikin shekaru biyar tun bayan da makaman nukiliya na Rasha suka kai hari a nahiyar Amurka, wanda aka fi sani da "Holocaust na Amurka," wanda ya kashe mutane dubbai, da raunata dubban daruruwan, da lalata sansanonin jiragen sama da dama, da kuma lalata kusan dukkanin Amurkawa. an lalata makamai, an cika mukaman soja da matasa maza da mata masu himma da ke son kare kasarsu, kuma an ba wa jami"ai da dama karin girma a kasa da shiyyoyinsu na farko aka nada su manyan mukaman kwamanda shekaru kafin hakan ya yiwu. Bugu da ƙari, saboda manyan shugabannin da ke da ƙwarewar yaƙi sun kasance masu kula da ƙungiyoyin dabaru ko manyan umarni, yawanci jami'an da ba su da ƙwarewar gwagwarmaya kai tsaye an sanya su a cikin ƙarin matsayi na gudanarwa da horo - kuma saboda ofishin shugaban ma'aikata ya fi damuwa da kayan aiki da horar da shi. runduna maimakon jagorantar su cikin yaƙi ya zama kamar wasa mai kyau.
    
  Haka abin yake ga Huffman: Patrick ya san cewa ya fito ne daga fannin dabaru, matukin jirgi mai umarni, reshen rundunar Sojan sama da kwamandan faranti, da kuma tsohon kwamandan Materiel na Sojan Sama tare da sama da sa'o'i dubu goma sha biyar na jirgin a cikin kaya iri-iri. , jigilar jiragen sama da jiragen sadarwa a cikin rikice-rikice biyu, kuma yana da kwarewa sosai a cikin kayan aiki, sarrafa albarkatun, gwaji da kimantawa. A matsayinsa na tsohon shugaban Materiel Command, Huffman shine wanda ake ganin shine jagoran ayyukan a babban sirrin Aerospace Advanced Weapons Center a Elliott Air Force Base, kodayake dangantakar ta kasance mafi yawan gudanarwa da dabaru-aiki, kwamandojin HAWC sun ba da rahoto ga Shugaban Haɗin gwiwar. Hafsan hafsoshi ko sakataren tsaro a ma"aikatar tsaron Amurka ta Pentagon, mai baiwa shugaban kasa shawara kan harkokin tsaro a fadar White House, ko kuma - a kalla karkashin tsohon shugaban kasar Kevin Martindale - kai tsaye ga shugaban da kansa.
    
  Patrick bai taɓa yin aiki a cikin dabaru ba, amma ya san cewa jami'an dabaru suna son duniyarsu ta kasance mai kyau, tsari, da tsari gwargwadon iko. Ko da yake sun koyi tsammanin abin da ba zato ba tsammani, sun fi son tsinkaya, tsinkaya da sarrafa abubuwan da ba zato ba tsammani, sabili da haka ba a maraba da duk wani abin da ba zato ba tsammani. Duk da haka, ya san Huffman, kuma ya san haka Huffman ke son shi: ba abin mamaki ba. "McLanahan, me ya faru a wurin?"
    
  "Kira da Farawa, da fatan za a maimaita," in ji Patrick, yana ƙoƙarin tunatar da janar cewa yayin da aka ɓoye haɗin kuma amintacce kamar yadda za su iya yin sa, har yanzu cibiyar sadarwa ce mai fa'ida ta tauraron dan adam kuma ana iya jin ta.
    
  "Muna lafiya a nan, McLanahan," Huffman ya yi kara. "Me ke faruwa ne? Me ya faru?"
    
  "Mun harbo wani makami mai linzami na masu tayar da kayar baya, kuma da alama mun tayar da makaminsa mai guba, yallabai."
    
  "Me kika same shi?"
    
  "XAGM-279 tare da motsin motsa jiki, sir," Patrick ya amsa, ta yin amfani da lambar gwaji ta Skystreak maimakon sunanta don rikitar da duk wani mai sauraron kunne. "Ba ya ƙunshi kusan bama-bamai-kawai isa ya farfasa kan yaƙi."
    
  Menene XAGM-279? Makami mai linzami mai jagorar gwaji?"
    
  Sosai ga tsaron hanyoyin sadarwa, Patrick yayi tunani, yana girgiza kai. Shekaru biyar sun wuce tun bayan kisan kiyashin Amurka da shekaru bakwai tun ranar 11 ga Satumba, kuma mutane da yawa sun manta ko kuma sun yi watsi da tsauraran matakan tsaro da aka sanya bayan waɗannan munanan hare-hare guda biyu. "Eh, yallabai," in ji Patrick.
    
  "An ƙaddamar da shi daga B-1 mara matukin jirgi?"
    
  "Iya, sir." Duk wanda ya saurari wannan zance-kuma Patrick bai yi yaro da kansa ba cewa kowace hukumomi ko rarrabuwa a duniya za su iya yin hakan cikin sauƙi-zai iya zuwa yanzu sun haɗa dukkan ayyukansu. "Kwanaki biyu da suka wuce na sanar da ma'aikatan game da aikin."
    
  "La'ananne shi, McLanahan, kun yi gargaɗi game da ƙarancin lalacewa, ba da yawa matatattun mata da yara da ke kwance a titi ba!" Huffman yayi kuka. "Hanya ce kawai za mu iya sayar da ra'ayin ku ga shugaban kasa."
    
  "Makamin ya jawo kusan babu barna, yallabai. Abin da ya haddasa wannan hasarar rayukan fararen hula shi ne makami mai guba kan makami mai linzamin na 'yan tawayen."
    
  "Kin yarda wani ma ya damu?" Huffman yace. "Wannan babban kuskure ne, McLahan. 'Yan jarida za su yi babbar rana suna magana game da wannan. " Patrick ya yi shiru. "Lafiya?"
    
  "Ba na jin aikina ne ko kuma alhakina ne in damu da abin da makaman abokan gaba suke yi wa farar hula," in ji Patrick. "Aikinmu shi ne farautar 'yan tada kayar baya da ke harba rokoki a wuraren da jama'a ke zaune a Tehran tare da lalata su."
    
  "Mambobin Kagewa da ke cikin kungiyar 'yan tawayen Turkmen da kuma 'yan leken asirin Bujazi a ma'aikatar tsaron Mokhtaz sun sanar da mu cewa maharan na iya amfani da makaman kare dangi a kowane lokaci," in ji McLanahan. Patrick ya danne wani numfashi mai cike da bacin rai: Huffman ya bayyana wasu manyan bayanan sirri guda biyu - idan wani yana saurare, waɗannan kafofin sun mutu na 'yan kwanaki, watakila sa'o'i. "Ya kamata ku gyara dabarun ku yadda ya kamata."
    
  "An gyara dabara, yallabai - An umarce ni da in rage yawan masu tayar da bama-bamai a tashar daga uku zuwa daya," in ji Patrick. - da kai, ya kara da kansa. "Amma ba mu da isassun bayanai game da birnin da za mu yi aiki yadda ya kamata tare da adadin masu yin rajistar. Ina ba da shawarar cewa mu kaddamar da wasu bama-bamai guda biyu domin mu sami karin farautar na"urorin harba makamai masu linzami kafin da gaske "yan tada kayar baya su fara kai hare-hare a cikin birnin da makamai masu guba."
    
  "Shin kana hauka ne, McLahan?" Huffman ya amsa. "Watakila Shugaban kasa zai ba da umarnin rufe dukkan shirin saboda wannan! Abu na karshe da zai yi shi ne ya aike da karin "yan kunar bakin wake zuwa wurin. Ko ta yaya, za mu shafe mako guda muna kare kanmu daga zargin sakin wadannan makamai masu guba. Nan da nan za ku tuno jirgin ku, sannan ku shirya yin tambayoyi ga Shugaba da wataƙila duk jami'an tsaron ƙasa. Ina son cikakken rahoton abin da ya faru a kan tebur na a cikin sa'a guda. Yana da zahiri?"
    
  "Iya, sir."
    
  "Kuma bayan an kammala bayanin, ku fitar da jakinku daga tashar sararin samaniya," in ji Huffman. "Ban san dalilin da ya sa magabata ya ba ka damar haura zuwa can ba, amma ba ka da hakkin ka ja kanka zuwa wannan tulin bututun da ke shawagi a duk lokacin da ka ji dadi. Ina bukatan ku a nan - idan da kanku ku amsa umarnin kasa don wani kuskure a cikin shari'a. "
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Patrick ya amsa, amma a lokacin da ya yi magana, tuni ya ƙare watsawa. Ya dakatar da kiran taron bidiyo, yana tunani na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya ce, "McLanahan yana kiran Mace."
    
  A gefen kasa na babban allo mai aiki da yawa na Boomer, wata taga ta bude sai ya ga hoton Birgediya Janar Daren Mace, jami'in aiyuka kuma mataimakin kwamandan Air Force Attack Wing a Battle Mountain Air Reserve Base a arewacin Nevada. Reshen iska a Dutsen Battle shine tushen gida da kuma cibiyar kulawa ta tsakiya don masu tayar da bama-bamai marasa matuka, kodayake kwamandojin HAWC na iya ba da umarni ga maharan.
    
  "Iya, General?" Mace ta amsa. 'Yan shekaru kadan fiye da Patrick, Daren Mace ya kasance tsohon sojan B-1B Lancer mai bama-bamai OSO, ko jami'in tsarin tsaro, kuma kwamandan reshen bama-bamai. Kwarewarsa a cikin tsarin harin B-1 da iyawarsa ya haifar da zaɓensa don jagorantar rundunar sojojin sama na dogon zango.
    
  "Ku tuna da la'anta vampires," Patrick ya ba da umarni ba tare da launi ba.
    
  "Amma yallabai, har yanzu muna da wasu Swifties uku a cikin Vampire, kuma yana da aƙalla sa'o'i biyu don komawa sansanin Batman na Turkiyya," in ji Boomer. "Masu hankali sun sanar da mu cewa-"
    
  "Gwajin aikin ya yi nasara, Boomer shine abin da muke bukata don ganowa," in ji Patrick, yana shafa haikalinsa. Girgiza kai yayi cike da ajiyar zuciya. "Ka tuna da Vampire yanzu, General Mace," ya fada a nitse yana mai runtse kai, muryarsa tana jin gaba daya a gajiye.
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji gogaggen ma"aikacin jirgin ruwa. Ya buga umarnin a cikin maballin kwamfuta a kan na'ura mai kwakwalwa. "Vampire" a kan hanyarsa ta komawa tashar jirgin saman Batman a Turkiyya, yallabai, a cikin mintuna arba'in da biyar. Yaya game da ayyukan bin diddigin?
    
  "Ki ajiye su a cikin rataye har sai na ba da umarni," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Yallabai inuwar mu fa?" - Daren ya tambaya.
    
  Patrick ya kalli sauran duban. Haka ne, har yanzu yana nan: jirgin Rasha MiG-29 Fulcrum jet jirgin sama, daya daga cikin da yawa da ya shawa kusa da bam tun lokacin da ya fara sintiri, ko da yaushe cikin mil ko biyu na Vampire, ba tare da daukar wani mataki. amma tabbas yana iya kai hari a kowane daƙiƙa guda. Tabbas yana da wurin zama na gaba zuwa gabatarwar SkySTREAK. Dan kunar bakin wake na Vampire ya dauki hotuna da dama na mayaƙin tare da babban kyamarar sa na dijital, dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dalla dallat a gaban rigar jirgin.
    
  "Idan ya kai hari ga Vampire, ku harbe shi nan da nan," in ji Patrick. "In ba haka ba, za mu bar wannan -"
    
  Kuma a lokacin ne suka ji wata murya da aka haɗar kwamfuta ta yi shelar cewa: "A hankali, hankali, harba roka! An kunna tsarin SPEAR!"
    
  Patrick ya girgiza kai yana huci da karfi. "Wasan wasa, ƙungiya," in ji shi. "Yaƙin ya fara yau, kuma ba shi da alaƙa da Farisa." Ya juya ga allon kwamfuta na cibiyar umarni na Dutsen Battle. "Rufe wannan dan iska, Darren," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Ya ji ciwo, yallabai," in ji Daren.
    
    
  ***
    
    
  Da zaran dan kunar bakin wake Vampire ya gano harba makami mai linzami, sabon tsarin kariyar kansa da ya fi karfi ya kunna: ALQ-293 SPEAR, ko Tsarin Lantarki Mai Saurin Amsa Kare Kai. An sake tsara manyan sassan harsashi na EB-1D Vampire don yin aiki azaman eriya mai daidaitawa ta lantarki wacce zata iya watsawa da karɓar siginonin lantarki daban-daban, gami da radar, laser, rediyo, har ma da lambar bayanan kwamfuta.
    
  Da zarar an gano Mig Radar, nan take SPEAR ya rarraba radar, ya yi nazarin manhajojinsa, sannan ya samar da wata hanya da ba za ta matse mitarsa kadai ba, har ma da mu"amala da na"urar sarrafa na"urar radar da kanta. Da zarar an gano harba makami mai linzami, SPEAR ya aika da umarni zuwa tsarin kula da gobara na MiG don ba da umarni ga makamin da ya canza zuwa yanayin homing na infrared nan da nan, sannan ya kashe hanyar haɗin jagorar dijital daga mayaƙin. Makamin sun kashe kaitsaye na radars din da ke cikin jirgin tare da kunna na"urar daukar hoton infrared dinsu, amma sun yi nisa da bam din Vampire da na"urar binciken zafin na"urar ta gano su, kuma makamin sun fada cikin tekun Caspian ba tare da an gano inda suke ba.
    
  Amma mashin bai shirya ba. Bayan da aka harba makamai masu linzami, SPEAR ya aika da umarni na dijital zuwa MiG-29 ta hanyar na'urar sarrafa gobara don fara rufe na'urorin sarrafa na'urar jirgin. Daya bayan daya, kewayawa, sarrafa injina, sarrafa jirgin sama, da sadarwa suna rufe da kansu.
    
  Nan take matukin jirgin ya tsinci kansa a zaune cikin wani kwarya-kwaryar shuru da duhu, kamar yana zaune akan tudu a gindin gidansa.
    
  Don yabonsa, matukin jirgin tsohon soja bai firgita ba ya fita - bai fita daga iko ba tukuna, amma kawai ... da kyau, ya wuce. Abu daya ne ya rage a yi: Kashe duk na"urorin da za su sake kunna kwamfutocin, sannan a kunna komai da fatan zai iya dawo da gurguwar jirginsa da gudu kafin ya fada cikin Tekun Caspian. Ya canza lissafin sa zuwa ga KAFIN WUTA A shafuka kuma ya fara rufe kowane tsarin da ke cikin jirgin. Hotonsa na karshe da ya fito daga tagar shi ne kallon wani katon bam na Amurka mai suna B-1 ya karkata zuwa hagu, kamar ya daga fikafikai ga Baturen, ya tashi zuwa arewa maso yammacin kasar, cikin sauri ya dauki sauri ya bace daga gani.
    
  Babu wani a cikin Rundunar Sojan Sama na Rasha da ya taɓa kammala jerin jerin abubuwan bincike da sauri fiye da shi. Ya fado daga kafa dubu arba'in da biyu zuwa kafa dubu hudu bisa Tekun Caspian kafin ya iya kashe jet dinsa, ya mayar da shi, ya sa injinan su sake gudu. Abin farin ciki, duk abin da mugayen ruhohi suka mallaki MiG-29 ba su nan.
    
  A wani dan lokaci kadan, matukin jirgin na Miga na kasar Rasha ya yi tunani game da bin dan kunar bakin wake na Amurka gaba daya ya yi shiru ga radar tare da dasa tarin harsashi a wutsiyarsa - har yanzu za a tuhume shi da kusan fadowa jirginsa, to me zai hana ya tafi da shahararsa? - amma bayan ɗan gajeren lokaci na tunani, ya yanke shawarar cewa ra'ayi ne na wauta. Bai san abin da ya haifar da rufewar mai ban mamaki ba - wani makamin Amurka ne ko kuma rashin aiki a cikin jirgin nasa? Bugu da kari, dan kunar bakin wake na Amurka ya daina harba duk wani makami mai linzami da za a iya "kuskure" a matsayin harin da aka kai masa. Wannan ba yaki ne tsakanin Amurkawa da Rashawa ba...
    
  ...ko da yake yana jin kamar tabbas zai iya zama ɗaya a kowane lokaci.
    
    
  ***
    
    
  "Bari mu yi lissafi sannan mu shirya mu koma HAWC, Boomer," in ji Patrick bayan da suka samu kwarin gwuiwar fashewar EB-1C Vampire na dawowa lafiya zuwa Batman AFB a Turkiyya. Muryarsa taji a gajiye sosai, yanayin yanayinsa ya kara gaji. "Babban aiki. Da alama tsarin yana aiki lafiya. Mun tabbatar da cewa za mu iya sarrafa jirage marasa matuka daga Hasumiyar Azurfa. Wannan ya kamata ya samar mana da wasu kudade masu dorewa na akalla wata shekara. "
    
  "Gaba ɗaya, ba laifinka bane cewa 'yan tawayen na da tarin yara lokacin da Skystreak suka kai hari, ko kuma sun ɗora makami mai linzamin Raad da iskar gas," Hunter Noble ya amsa, yana kallon Jagora Sajan Lucas da damuwa.
    
  "Na sani, Boomer," in ji Patrick, "amma har yanzu hakan bai sa ya zama da sauƙi a kalli maza da mata da yara marasa laifi suna mutuwa haka."
    
  "Yallabai, muna nan, Vampire yana ɗorawa, Skystreaks suna aiki lafiya, kuma babu shakka har yanzu akwai waɗancan abubuwan da ke ɗauke da gubar iskar gas a wurin," in ji Boomer. "Ina ganin ya kamata mu tsaya kuma -"
    
  "Na ji ku, Boomer, amma mun duba tsarin - wannan shine manufar manufa," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Sauran burinmu shine kokarin sarrafa wasu masu tayar da bama-bamai da wasu ayyukan yaki," Boomer ya tunatar da shi. "Muna da isassun matsala wajen samun amincewa da kudade don wannan manufa - samun amincewa ga wata manufa don yin abin da za mu iya yi a wannan jirgin zai fi wahala."
    
  "Na sani, na sani," Patrick ya ce a gaji. "Zan tambaya, Boomer, amma ban ƙidaya shi ba. Dole ne mu bincika bayanan, mu shirya taƙaitaccen rahoto kuma mu sanar da shugaban. Mu isa gare shi."
    
  "Amma sir-"
    
  "Saduwa da ni nan cikin goma, Boomer," in ji Patrick a ƙarshe, yana ɗaga kansa daga matsayinsa na anga ya nufi tsarin barci.
    
  "Ya yi kama da wuya," in ji Seeker bayan janar ya bar tsarin sarrafawa. Boomer bai amsa ba. "Haka ma ya girgiza ni. Lafiyayyanki bakida lafiya?"
    
  "Ya yi tafiya mai wahala a nan," in ji Boomer. "Kowace shiga sararin samaniya ya yi masa wahala, amma ya ci gaba da tashi a nan. Ina tsammanin turawa ta ƙarshe ta ɗauke shi da yawa. Wataƙila bai kamata ya ƙara yin waɗannan tafiye-tafiye ba."
    
  "Da ace ana kallon ana kashe mutanen haka," in ji Seeker. "Na taba ganin sakamakon harin makami mai linzami sau da yawa, amma ko ta yaya harin makami mai guba... ya bambanta, ka sani? Karin tashin hankali." Ta kalli Boomer da ban sha'awa, ta kasa karanta furucinsa na rashin magana. "Wannan kuma ya gigice ku Boomer?"
    
  "To..." Sannan ya girgiza kai ya kara da cewa, "A"a, wannan ba gaskiya ba ne, Mai nema. Abin da nake so in yi yanzu shine farautar miyagu. Ban fahimci dalilin da ya sa Janar din ya so kawo karshen wannan cikin sauri ba."
    
  "Ka ji sarki, yallabai," in ji mai neman. "Janar din ya so ya aika da wasu 'yan kunar bakin wake biyu."
    
  "Na sani, na sani". Boomer yayi nazarin tsarin. "Abin da za mu iya yi a cikin wannan tashar yana da ban mamaki, Sajan, da gaske ban mamaki - ya kamata a bar mu mu yi shi. Muna bukatar mu shawo kan masu iko da cewa za mu iya sanya sojojin sama a kunne. Ba za mu iya yin hakan ba idan muka ciro jiragenmu lokacin da wani ƙaramin yaro mai nisan mil dubu goma ya kama cikin wuta. Ba zan iya yarda cewa idanuwan janar ɗin sun yi duhu haka ba."
    
  Jagora Sajan Lucas ya dubi Boomer sosai. "Kana da hankali idan na ce wani abu, yallabai?" - a karshe ta tambaya.
    
  "Tafi gaba, Mai nema...ko kuwa 'Master Sergeant' yanzu?"
    
  "Ban kasance tare da HAWC ba har tsawon lokaci-sai dai idan ku," in ji Lucas, yin watsi da kalaman batanci, "kuma ban san Janar McLanahan da kyau ba, amma wannan mutumin ya kasance gwarzo a cikin littafina. Ya shafe kusan shekaru ashirin yana kasadar jakinsa a yaƙe-yaƙe a duk faɗin duniya. Sau biyu aka kore shi daga aikin sojan sama, amma ya dawo ne saboda sadaukar da kai ga kasarsa da hidimarsa."
    
  "Hey, ba zan yi wa mutumin banza ba-"
    
  Lucas ya katse da zafi da zafi, "Yallabai" mutumin da kake magana akai shi ne Janar mai taurari uku a rundunar sojin saman Amurka kuma yana ba da umarnin babbar cibiyar bincike ta sararin samaniya a cikin sojojin Amurka." ba wani abu ba face labari." An harbe shi, an harbe shi, an buge shi, an buge shi, an yi masa ba'a, an kama shi, an rage shi kuma ya kira kowane suna a cikin littafin. Ya rasa matarsa, abokinsa na kud da kud da ma'aikatan jirgin da dama a karkashinsa. Yallabai a daya bangaren kuma kun riga kun kasance a cikin 'yan sanda...shekaru bakwai? Takwas? Kai ƙwararren injiniya ne, ƙwararren matukin jirgi kuma ɗan sama jannati-"
    
  "Amma?" - Na tambaya.
    
  Lucas ya ci gaba da cewa "Amma ba ka cikin kungiyar janar-janar, yallabai, da nisa sosai." "Ba ku da gogewa kuma ba ku nuna kwazo ɗaya kamar na janar ba. Ba ka isa ka yi hukunci a kan janar ba-hakika, a ganina, yallabai, ba ka sami ikon yin magana game da shi ta wannan hanyar ba."
    
  "Kamar kina min magana yanzu?"
    
  "Rubuta game da ni idan kana so, yallabai, amma ba na son ka wuce gona da iri irin wannan," Lucas ya ce da gaske. Fitowa tayi daga cikin nata nata rabe da babban kanti tare da bacin rai da tsawa! sanya daga Velcro. "Zan taimake ka zazzage bayanan firikwensin ka shirya rahoto ga janar, sannan zan yi farin cikin taimaka maka shirya Black Stallion don warwarewa...domin ka iya komawa gida da wuri-wuri, yallabai." Ta ce kalmar "Sir," wanda ya fi kama da "mongler," kuma bugun bai tsira daga Boomer ba.
    
  Tare da taimakon mai neman bacin rai da fushi - ba a ma maganar gaskiyar cewa ba su sadarwa sosai yayin aiki - Boomer an yi shi da sauri. Ya loda bayanansa da bincikensa ga janar. "Na gode, Boomer," McLanahan ya amsa ta rediyo. "Muna shirin yin taron bidiyo a cikin kusan mintuna casa'in. Na samu labarin cewa Shugaban Hafsan Hafsoshin Soja da mai ba Shugaban kasa shawara kan harkokin tsaro za su halarta. Ka huta na ɗan lokaci ka huta."
    
  "Ina lafiya, yallabai," Boomer ya amsa. "Zan ɓuya a cikin Skybolt, sami imel na, kuma in duba abokaina."
    
  "Yan matan... jam'i?"
    
  "Ban sani ba - za mu ga abin da imel ɗin ke faɗi," in ji Boomer. "Babu ɗayansu kamar ni da ke bacewa tsawon kwanaki da makonni a lokaci guda, kuma tabbas ba zan iya gaya musu cewa na kashe 'yan ta'adda zuwa jahannama daga sararin samaniya ba."
    
  "Wataƙila ba za su yarda da ku ba idan kun gaya musu."
    
  "Matan da nake tare da su ba su san tashar sararin samaniya daga gidan mai ba - kuma ina son shi," in ji Boomer. "Ba su san ko ba su damu da abin da nake yi don rayuwa ba. Abin da suke so shi ne kulawa da jin dadi a garin, kuma idan ba su samu ba, sai su bi hanyoyinsu daban-daban."
    
  "Sauti kadai."
    
  "Shi ya sa koyaushe na fi son samun fiye da ɗaya a kan ƙugiya," in ji Boomer.
    
  "Akwai wasu wasan wuta idan sun taɓa yin karo da juna, ko?"
    
  "Muna haɗawa koyaushe, yallabai," in ji Boomer. "Babu alfahari, gaskiya kawai. Kamar yadda na ce, abin da suke so shi ne hankali, kuma suna samun ƙarin kulawa idan mutane suka gan su da hannu tare da wani jariri mai zafi. Ban da haka, idan akwai wata tattaunawa. "...
    
  "Dakata, jira, na san shi, Boomer: 'Idan akwai tattaunawa da ke gudana, ba dole ba ne ka shiga ciki ba," Patrick ya sa baki cikin dariya. "Ok, je ka gaida budurwarka, kuma kada gaya mani nawa ne ke jiranka." koma. Ku same ni a cikin tsarin umarni a cikin mintuna sittin don mu sake gwada wasanmu na kare da na doki."
    
  "I, sir," Boomer ya amsa. Kafin McLanahan ya wuce, ya tambaya, "Uh, Janar?"
    
  "Ci gaba".
    
  "Yi hakuri idan na fita daga layin a baya."
    
  "Ina tsammanin za ku raba ra'ayin ku da hangen nesa tare da ni a kowane lokaci, Boomer, musamman a kan manufa," in ji Patrick. "Idan ba ku cikin layi, ba zan yi shakka in sanar da ku ba."
    
  "Na yi matukar baci da kallon yadda 'yan iskan suka sanya makami mai linzami mai dauke da wani makami mai guba a kai. Abin da kawai nake so in yi shi ne sake fashewa da wasu 'yan."
    
  "Ina jinka. Amma yana da mahimmanci mu ƙaddamar da wannan shirin. Mu duka mun san cewa dole ne mu fuskanci suka kan abin da ya faru a Tehran - harba makamai masu linzami da yawa ba zai taimaka mana ba."
    
  "Wataƙila halakar da wasu 'yan ta'addar zai tilasta musu runtse kan su kuma su buya a cikin ramukansu na wasu 'yan kwanaki."
    
  "Muna da manyan makamai a hannunmu, Boomer-kada mu bar iko ya tafi kanmu," in ji Patrick cikin haƙuri. "Wannan gwajin aiki ne, ba ainihin manufa ba. Na san yana da jaraba a yi wasa da Zeus tare da ƴan makamai masu linzami na SkySTREAK, amma wannan ba shine abin da muke nan ba. Ku same ni nan cikin sittin."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," ya amsa. Kafin Janar din ya tashi, Boomer ya lura da kansa cewa Janar din ya gaji fiye da yadda ya kasance a kowane lokaci tun lokacin da aka fara wannan tashar sararin samaniya-watakila haɗuwa da kallon makamai masu guba da aka saki da kuma jiragen sama na wata-wata sun fara shiga jijiyarsa. Boomer ya kasance rabin shekarunsa, kuma wani lokacin damuwa na tafiya, musamman ma saurin juyawa na baya-bayan nan, manyan hanyoyin G da ayyukan yaƙi da yawa da suka tashi, da sauri sun sa shi ƙasa.
    
  Boomer ya sake ninkawa zuwa rukunin ma'aikatan, ya ɗauki belun kunnensa mara igiyar waya da idanun bidiyo, ya yi iyo zuwa na'urar laser Skybolt a "kasa" na tashar. Skybolt ya kasance mafi ƙarfi don haka misalin fasahar tashar ta fi jawo cece-kuce, na'urar Laser mai yawan gigawatts kyauta mai ƙarfi wanda ya isa ya huda yanayin duniya da narkar da ƙarfe cikin daƙiƙa guda. An haɗa shi da radars na Hasumiyar Azurfa da sauran na'urori masu auna firikwensin, Skybolt na iya kai hari ga girman motoci kuma ya ƙone ta cikin manyan sulke amma manyan manyan tankunan yaƙi. Majalisar Dinkin Duniya ta bayyana a matsayin "makamin halakar da jama'a" daga dukkan abokan gaba na Amurka, Majalisar Dinkin Duniya ta yi kira da a lalata makaman na tsawon shekaru, kuma Majalisar Tsaro ta Amurka ne kawai ta hana shi a raye.
    
  Anne Page, mai haɓaka Skybolt, mai aiki, kuma babban mai ba da shawara, yana kan Duniya yana shirye-shiryen ba da shaida ga Majalisa game da dalilin da yasa ya kamata a ci gaba da ba da tallafin makamai, kuma Boomer ya san cewa wasu kaɗan a tashar sun taɓa kusantar abin - "Skybolt yana da ƙarfi. wani MHDG, ko magnetohydrodynamic janareta, wanda ya yi amfani da ƙananan na'urorin nukiliya guda biyu don aika da sauri na narkakkar karfe baya da baya ta hanyar filin maganadisu don samar da yawan adadin kuzarin da Laser ke buƙata, kuma babu adadin garkuwar kariya ko tabbaci daga Ann. zai iya kawar da tsoron kowa... ko fargaba - wanda ke nufin sau da yawa yakan shiga cikin tsarin don kwantar da hankali kadan. Na"urar Skybolt ya kai kusan kwata kwata girman manyan na"urorin tashar, don haka yana da matsuguni a ciki da kuma cunkushe da bututu, wayoyi, da kwamfutoci iri-iri da sauran abubuwa, amma taushin hum na na"urar tuka-tuka ta MHDG da kwamfutoci masu kyau. da kayan aikin sadarwa sun sa Boomer ya fi so ya rataya, zai iya yin ritaya daga sauran na ɗan lokaci.
    
  Boomer ya haɗa belun kunne da idanun bidiyo zuwa kwamfutocin module, ya shiga ya fara zazzage imel. Yayin da belun kunne da gilashin tsaro ke da matsala, akwai ɗan sirri sosai a cikin Hasumiyar Azurfa, har ma a cikin manya-manyan kwas ɗin, don haka kawai kamannin sirri ya iyakance ga sarari tsakanin kunnuwa. Kowane mutum ya ɗauka cewa idan ma'aikatan babban sirri, fasahar fasahar Aerospace Weapons Centre suna cikin tashar sararin samaniya, to, duk watsa shirye-shirye masu shigowa da masu fita kowane nau'i an rubuta su kuma ana kula da su, don haka "aminci" ya kasance ra'ayi mara kyau a mafi kyau.
    
  Abu ne mai kyau da ya dame shi ya saka kayan, domin faifan imel na bidiyo daga budurwarsa ba lallai ba ne don kallon jama'a. Bidiyon Chloe ya kasance na al'ada: "Boomer, ina jahannama kake?" Hakan ya fara ne da Chloe zaune a gaban wayarta ta bidiyo tana daukar hotunan kanta. "Na fara gajiya da bacewar ku haka. Babu wanda ke cikin rukunin ku da zai gaya mani wani abu mara kyau. Ya kamata a kori Sajan da ya amsa wayar daga karfi, fagot." Chloe ta kira duk mutumin da bai buga mata nan da nan "fagot," yana gaskanta cewa kasancewa gay shine kawai dalilin da ya sa kowane mutum na al'ada ba zai so ya fuck ta nan da nan.
    
  Ta dakata na ɗan lokaci, fasalinta ya ɗan yi laushi, kuma Boomer ya san cewa wasan yana gab da farawa, "Kada ku kasance tare da wannan mace mai farin gashi, Tammy ko Teresa, ko menene sunan ta." Kuna gidanta, ba ku ba, ko kun tashi zuwa Mexico ko Hawaii, dama? Ku biyu kawai kunyi lalata kuma kuna duba imel ɗinku yayin da take shawa, dama?" Chloe ta ajiye wayar bidiyo akan tebirin, ta zare rigarta, sannan ta zaro manya manyan nononta daga karkashin rigar nononta. "Bari in tunatar da ku, Boomer, abin da kuke rasa a nan." A hankali ta sanya yatsanta a bakinta, sannan ta zagaye nonuwanta da shi. "Ka dawo jakinka nan kuma ka daina ratayewa da waɗancan karuwai masu launin fari masu wari." Murmushi tayi mai lallashi, sannan ta katse wayar.
    
  "Crazy bitch," Boomer ya yi magana yayin da ya ci gaba da gungurawa cikin sakonninsa, amma ya kuduri aniyar neman ta da zarar ya dawo. Bayan ya duba ƙarin saƙon, ya tsaya kuma nan da nan ya shigar da lambar don shiga sabar Intanet ta tauraron dan adam. Wani fa'idar sabon shirin na Amurka, wanda ya ta'allaka kan tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, shi ne samun damar shiga yanar gizo ta kusa da duniya ta hanyar tauraron dan adam sama da dari mara karamin karfi da ke ba da damar Intanet mai saurin gudu a duniya, da na geostationary goma. tauraron dan adam wanda ya samar da hanyar sadarwa mai sauri zuwa Intanet a cikin mafi yawan Arewacin Hemisphere.
    
  "Babu adireshin IP, babu kari, babu ID na uwar garken jama'a - dole ne ya zama kira daga sararin samaniya," ya zo da martani daga John Masters, 'yan mintuna bayan kafa haɗin wayar bidiyo zuwa takamaiman adireshin da aka ƙayyade. John Masters shi ne mataimakin shugaban Sky Masters Inc., wani karamin kamfani mai bincike da ci gaba wanda ya haɓaka da kuma ba da lasisin fasahar sararin samaniya daban-daban, daga microsatellites zuwa masu haɓaka sararin samaniya. Masters, masanin kimiyya kuma injiniya tare da Ph.D.s da yawa kuma yana ɗaukar ɗaya daga cikin mafi kyawun masana'antun sararin samaniya da masu tunani, ya kafa kamfaninsa yana da shekaru ashirin da biyar, kuma har yanzu yana kama da aiki kamar geeky, eccentric, da sauƙi. - mai tafiya prodigy. "Na gode da sake kirana, Boomer."
    
  "Ba matsala, John."
    
  "Yaya al'amura ke faruwa?"
    
  "Mai girma. Lafiya."
    
  "Na san ba za ku iya magana game da wannan akan sabar tauraron dan adam ba, ko da an ɓoye shi. Ina so kawai in tabbatar da cewa kuna lafiya."
    
  "Na gode. ina lafiya".
    
  An ɗan ɗan dakata; sa'an nan: "Kana jin ɗan baƙin ciki, abokina."
    
  "A'a".
    
  "Lafiya". Wani dakata. "Don haka. Menene ra'ayin ku akan shawara na?
    
  "Wannan yana da karimci, John," in ji Boomer. "Ban tabbata ko na cancanci wannan ba."
    
  "Ba zan ba da shawarar wannan ba idan ban yi tunanin za ku yarda ba."
    
  "Kuma zan iya aiki akan duk abin da nake so?"
    
  "To, muna fatan za mu iya samun ku don taimaka mana kan wasu ayyuka," in ji Masters, "amma ina so ku yi abin da kuka fi dacewa: kuyi tunani a waje da akwatin kuma ku kirkiro ayyukan da suke da sabo, sababbin abubuwa da tunani." Ba na ƙoƙarin yin wasa ko riga-kafi kasuwar sararin samaniya, Boomer - Ina ƙoƙarin siffanta shi. Wannan shine abin da nake so ku yi. Ba za ku amsa wa kowa ba sai ni, kuma kuna iya zaɓar ƙungiyar ku, ƙa'idodin ku, tsarin ƙirar ku, da ƙayyadaddun ƙayyadaddun ku-cikin dalili, ba shakka. Kuna fitar da ni daga wurin shakatawa da ra'ayoyinku, kuma zan ba ku goyon baya har zuwa ƙarshe."
    
  "Kuma wannan shine kimanin adadi na kasafin kudin lab na...?"
    
  "Iya?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Wannan da gaske ne, John?"
    
  "Wannan mafari ne kawai, Boomer shine mafi ƙaranci," in ji Masters. "Kuna son shi a rubuce, kawai ku faɗi, amma ina ba ku tabbacin cewa za ku sami kasafin kuɗi mai karimci don gina ƙungiyar don yin bincike da kimanta ayyukanku."
    
  "Duk da haka, bai wadatar da daukacin rukunin ba. zan bukata-"
    
  "Ba ka gane ba, Boomer," Masters ya katse cikin zumudi. "Wannan kuɗin na ku ne kawai da ƙungiyar ku kuma ba a rarrabawa tsakanin kowa da kowa a cikin sashin ku, ayyukan da ake da su, ko takamaiman shirye-shirye ko fasahar da kamfani ya amince da su."
    
  "Kuna wasa!"
    
  "Ina da gaske a matsayin ciwon zuciya, ɗan'uwa," in ji Masters. "Kuma wannan ba saboda abubuwa kamar tsadar kamfani ba, umarnin bin doka ko tsaro, amma saboda tsadar da ke tattare da ƙungiyar ku da aikin. Na yi imani da ba da mafi kyawun injiniyoyinmu kayan aikin da suke buƙata don yin ayyukansu. "
    
  "Ba zan iya yarda da wannan ba. Ban taba jin labarin wani karamin kamfani kamar wannan yana zuba irin wadannan kudade ba."
    
  "Ku yi imani da shi, Boomer," in ji Masters. "Muna iya zama ƙanana, amma muna da masu zuba jari da kuma kwamitin gudanarwa waɗanda ke yin tunani babba kuma suna tsammanin manyan abubuwa za su faru."
    
  "Masu zuba jari? Yan kwamitin gudanarwa...?"
    
  "Dukkanmu muna amsawa ga wani, Boomer," in ji Masters. "Na gudanar da kamfani na da kaina tare da zaɓaɓɓen kwamitin gudanarwa, kuma komai ya yi kyau har sai ayyukan sun yi ƙanƙanta kuma kuɗi ya yi tauri. Akwai masu zuba jari da yawa da suke so su kasance cikin abin da muke yi a nan, amma ba wanda yake so ya sanya daruruwan miliyoyin daloli a cikin wasan kwaikwayo na mutum daya. Mu jama'a ne kuma ni ba shugaban kasa ba ne, amma kowa ya san ni ne mutumin da ke yin abubuwan al'ajabi."
    
  "Ban sani ba..."
    
  "Kada ka damu da hukumar, Boomer. Kai rahoto gareni. Ka tuna, zan sa ka yi aiki akan kowane cent. Zan sa ran manyan abubuwa daga gare ku, kuma zan sanya kwari a cikin kunnuwanku game da abin da na sani ko gano game da buƙatun gwamnati na shawarwari, amma kamar yadda na ce, ba na son ku jira don ɗan tsiran alade. a Pentagon za su gaya mana abin da za su so - Ina so mu gaya musu abin da suke so. To me zaku ce? Kuna ciki?
    
  "Ina tunanin hakan, John."
    
  "Lafiya. Ba matsala. Na san alkawarinka na aikin sojan sama zai kare nan da watanni takwas, ko?" Boomer ya yi hasashen cewa John Masters ya san haka har zuwa ranar da jajircewarsa na ilimi na horar da matukin jirgin sama ya kare. "Na ba da tabbacin cewa kafin lokacin za su ba ku kwamitocin yau da kullun tare da babban kari. Suna iya ƙoƙarin hana ku ta hanyar cewa kuna da ƙwararrun ƙwarewa, amma za mu magance shi lokacin da kuma idan ya cancanta. Ina da isasshen kwangiloli tare da Sojan Sama da isassun abokai a cikin Pentagon don matsa musu lamba don girmama shawararku. A ƙarshen rana, ba za ku je aikin jirgin sama ba ko ku zama mai ba da shawara ko mai fafutuka-za ku yi aiki da kamfani da ke ƙirƙira musu kayan aiki na gaba."
    
  "Sauti mai jaraba."
    
  John Masters ya ce, "Na yi imani, Boomer." "Kada ku damu da komai. Wani abu guda, aboki. Na san na girme ku, tabbas na isa ya zama ubanku idan na fara da wuri, don haka zan iya yi muku gargaɗi kaɗan."
    
  "Mene ne wannan, John?"
    
  "Na san ƙoƙarin gaya muku ku sauƙaƙa, kunna shi lafiya, kuma ƙila kada ku tashi sama sau da yawa a kan manufa kamar ƙoƙarin gaya wa mai karɓar zinare na ya nisanta daga tafkin, amma ba zan so mataimakin shugaban kamfanin nan gaba ba. R&D ya zama tauraro mai harbi, don haka kwantar da hankalinku, lafiya?"
    
  "Mataimakin shugaba?"
    
  "Oh, na faɗa da ƙarfi?" Masters ba su da damuwa. "Ba a kamata ku ji haka ba. Manta nace haka. Ka manta cewa hukumar ta yi la'akari da hakan amma ba ta so in bayyana shi. Lokaci ya wuce kafin in gaya muku game da sauran abin da hukumar ke harbawa ... oops, kusan sake yin hakan. Daga baya, Boomer. "
    
    
  OFFISIN SHUGABAN KREMLIN, MOSCOW, TARAYYAR RUSIYA.
  Daga baya kadan
    
    
  An gabatar da zauren da babbar murya lokacin da shugaban Tarayyar Rasha Leonid Zevitin ya shiga dakin taron da sauri, tare da shugaban ma'aikatansa Pyotr Orlev, sakataren kwamitin tsaro Anatoly Vlasov; Ministan harkokin wajen kasar Alexandra Khedrov; da kuma shugaban Hukumar Tsaro ta Tarayya Igor Truznev. "Ku hau kujerunku," in ji Zevitin, da jami'an da ke cikin dakin - Janar Kuzma Furzienko, shugaban ma'aikata; Janar Nikolai Ostanko, babban hafsan hafsoshin sojojin kasa; da Janar Andrei Darzov, babban hafsan hafsoshin sojojin sama, sun ruga zuwa kujerunsu. "Don haka. Na umarci mayaƙin namu da ya kai hari kan maharin bama-bamai na Amurka idan ya harba makami mai linzami, kuma tun da muna haɗuwa da sauri, ina tsammanin hakan ya faru, kuma mun yi. Me ya faru?"
    
  Janar Darzov ya amsa da cewa, wani harin bam na Amurka B-1 ya yi nasarar harba makami mai linzami daga tekun Caspian, wanda rahotanni suka ce ya lalata kungiyar Hizbullah da ke shirin harba makami mai linzami daga wani katafaren gida da ke kudu maso gabashin Tehran. "Makamin ya kai hari kai tsaye kan tawagar harba jirgin, inda ya kashe ma'aikatan jirgin baki daya..." Ya dakata, sannan ya kara da cewa, "ciki har da mai ba mu shawara na musamman na soji. Sai mai harin bom-"
    
  "Dakata, Janar, jira na biyu," Zevitin ya ce cikin rashin haƙuri, yana ɗaga hannunsa. "Sun harba makami mai linzami daga kan Tekun Caspian? Kuna nufin makami mai linzami, ba bam mai jagorar Laser ko makami mai linzamin TV ba?" Da yawa daga cikin wadanda ke kusa da teburin sun kunkuntar idanunsu, ba don ba sa son sautin Zevitin ko tambayar ba, amma saboda ba a saba da su da wani mai irin wannan lafazin na yammacin Turai ba a wani taron sirri a Kremlin.
    
  Leonid Zevitin, daya daga cikin shugabannin kasar Rasha mafi karancin shekaru tun bayan faduwar Tsars, an haife shi ne a wajen St. bukata shi, misali, lokacin da yake magana da 'yan kasar Rasha a taron siyasa. Sau da yawa yana bayyana a duniya tare da starlets da royals, Zevitin ya fito ne daga duniyar banki da kudi na duniya maimakon siyasa ko soja. Bayan shekaru da yawa da suka shude, shugabannin siyasa masu ban sha'awa ko masu rike da mukaman gwamnati a matsayin shugaban kasa, zaben Leonid Zevitin ya kasance mafi yawan 'yan Rasha suna ganin kamar numfashi ne.
    
  Amma a bayan bangon asirin Kremlin, ya kasance wani abu gaba ɗaya daban-daban fiye da siliki mai tsada kawai, salon gyara gashi mara kyau, salon jet-setter da murmushin dala miliyan - ya kasance ɗan tsana a cikin babban tsohuwar al'adar Rasha, kamar sanyi, ƙididdigewa kuma rashin -ko kyawawan halaye, kamar mafi sharrin magabata. Tun da yake ba shi da masaniyar siyasa, gudanarwa, soja ko leƙen asiri, babu wanda ya san yadda Zevitin ya yi tunani, abin da yake so, ko kuma waɗanda abokansa ko kyaftin din gwamnati suke - ma'aikatansa na iya zama kowa, ko'ina. Wannan ya bar yawancin Kremlin da mamaki, shakku, shiru kuma aƙalla a bayyane yake aminci.
    
  "A'a, yallabai - makamin ya tashi da sauri fiye da Mach Four, wanda shine matsakaicin gudun da radar mayakanmu ke iya bibiyar manufa. Zan kwatanta shi a matsayin makami mai linzami mai saurin shiryarwa."
    
  "Sai na ɗauka kun kwatanta lokacin ƙaddamarwa da lokacin bayyanar kuma kun zo da lamba?"
    
  "Iya, sir." Akwai zafi a idanunsa - ba wanda zai iya sanin ko don Janar din yana tsoron gaya wa shugaban kasa labari mara dadi, ko kuma don wannan matashin dan wasan kwaikwayo yana karantar da shi da harshen waje.
    
  "Amma ba ku yarda da lambar da kuka ƙididdigewa ba," in ji Zevitin ga hafsan hafsoshin Sojan Sama. "Tabbas wannan makamin wani abu ne da ba mu zata ba. Menene gudun General?"
    
  "Matsakaicin gudun, maki biyar mach."
    
  "Kusan sau shida saurin sauti? " Wannan labari ya sa kowane jami"in tsaro ya koma kan kujerarsa. "Kuma matsakaicin gudu ne, wanda ke nufin babban gudun shine Mach ... goma? Amurkawa suna da makami mai linzami wanda zai iya tashi a Mach goma? Me ya sa ba mu san wannan ba?"
    
  "Yanzu mun sani, yallabai," in ji Janar Furzienko. "Amurkawa sun yi kuskuren yin amfani da sabon abin wasansu tare da ɗaya daga cikin mayakanmu a kan wingtip."
    
  "A bayyane yake ba su damu sosai game da mayakanmu don soke sintiri ko kai hari," Zevitin ya ba da shawara.
    
  "Wannan shi ne abin da Amirkawa ke kira da' duban aiki," in ji Babban Hafsan Sojojin Sama Janar Andrei Darzov. Wani ɗan gajeren bama-bamai da sojojin saman da ke fama da yaƙi, Darzov ya gwammace ya aske gashin kansa saboda ya san irin tsoratar da mutane da yawa, musamman ƴan siyasa da ma'aikata. Yana da alamun kuna a gefen hagu na wuyansa da kuma a hannun hagu, sannan kuma ya rasa yatsu na hudu da na biyar na hannun hagu, duk a sakamakon raunukan da ya samu a lokacin harin bam din da aka kai kan tashar jiragen sama na Engels Air Base, babban dan kasar Rasha. tushe, shekaru da yawa a baya lokacin da ya yi aiki a matsayin kwamandan sashin sufurin jiragen sama mai dogon zango.
    
  Darzov bai so wani abu ba face ramuwar gayya ga cikakken barnar da aka yi a hedkwatarsa a lokacin harin ba-zata da aka kai wa Engels, ya kuma sha alwashin daukar fansa kan kwamandan sojojin saman Amurka da ya shirya kuma ya aiwatar ... Laftanar Janar Patrick McLanahan.
    
  A karkashin tsohon babban hafsan hafsoshin kasar ya juya shugaban kasar Anatoly Gryzlov, wanda ke son daukar fansa kan Amurka kamar Darzov, nan da nan ya samu damarsa. Bayan shekara guda, Andrei Darzov shi ne ya tsara wani shiri na gyara jirgin Tu-95 Bear na Rasha mai tsayi, Tu-26 Backfire da Tu-160 Blackjack tare da binciken mai na tsakiyar iska don ba su damar kai hari ga Amurka. . Tsari ne mai kauri, mai cike da buri da zai lalata mafi yawan jiragen yakin Amurka masu cin dogon zango da cibiyoyin sarrafa fiye da rabin makamanta masu linzami da ke da alaka da nahiyoyi masu cin karensu babu babbaka. Mummunan harin ya kashe mutane fiye da dubu talatin, ya jikkata ko kuma raunata wasu dubbai, kuma nan da nan ya zama sananne da "Holocaust na Amurka."
    
  Amma Darzov bai saurari rantsuwar makiyinsa Patrick McLahanan ba har zuwa ƙarshe. Lokacin da McLaanahan ya kai hari ya lalata kusan adadin makaman roka masu linzami da Rasha ke amfani da su wajen yin amfani da makamai masu linzami, sai wani ya dauki laifin - in ban da shugaban kasar Rasha na lokacin Janar Gryzlov, wanda aka kashe a lokacin harin da Amurka ta kai kan cibiyar bayar da umarninsa ta karkashin kasa ta Ryazan - kuma abin ya faru. ya Darzov. An zarge shi da yanke shawarar ajiye dukkan jiragen Ilyushin 78 da Tupolev 16 masu hakar man fetur a wani sansanin sojin sama da ke Siberiya a Yakutsk, da kuma rashin samar da isasshen tsaro a wurin, wanda hakan ya baiwa McLanahan da sojojin samansa damar kwace sansanin tare da yin amfani da wannan adadi mai yawa. na man da aka adana a wurin, wanda maharan McLanahan suka yi amfani da shi wajen farauto da lalata sojojin da ke kayyade makamin nukiliyar da ke karkashin kasa na Rasha.
    
  An rage Darzov zuwa babban tauraro guda daya kuma aka aika zuwa Yakutsk don kula da tsaftacewa da rufewar wannan tushe mai mahimmanci na Siberian - saboda, a ƙoƙari na lalata maharan McLanahan a ƙasa, Gryzlov ya ba da umarnin kai hari a Yakutsk tare da ƙananan yawan amfanin ƙasa. makaman nukiliya. Ko da yake hudu ne kawai daga cikin dozin na makaman nukiliya suka kutsa cikin garkuwar makami mai linzami na McLanahan da ke kewaye da sansanin, kuma dukkansu an harba su ne daga tsayin daka don rage fadowar rediyo, yawancin sansanin ya lalace sosai kuma zuciyarsa ta daidaita kuma ba za a iya rayuwa ba. An yi hasashe da yawa cewa Babban Hafsan Sojoji ya yi fatan cewa Darzov zai yi rashin lafiya daga aikin rediyo mai dadewa domin a kare su daga mugunyar kawar da shahararriyar, hazikan matasa janar. Wani jami'in.
    
  Amma Darzov ba kawai ya mutu ba, bai zauna a cikin ƙaura na Siberiya na dogon lokaci ba. A bangaren kiwon lafiya, Darzov da manyan ma'aikatansa masu aminci sun tsira ta hanyar amfani da na'urorin lalata na rediyo da Amurkawa suka bari a lokacin da suka kwashe ma'aikatansu daga Yakutsk. Ta fuskar sana"a da martaba, ya tsira ba tare da ya yanke kauna ba a lokacin da ake ganin duk duniya na gaba da shi.
    
  Tare da taimakon kuɗi da halin ɗabi'a na wani matashi mai banki na zuba jari mai suna Leonid Zevitin, Darzov ya mayar da tushe kuma nan da nan ya dawo da shi a cikin amfani maimakon shirye-shiryen rushewa da watsi. Matakin dai ya sake farfado da masana'antar mai da iskar gas ta kasar Rasha a yankin Siberiya, wadanda suka dogara da tushe wajen samun tallafi da kayayyaki da ake bukata, sannan gwamnatin kasar ta samu makudan kudaden shiga daga man kasar Siberiya, wanda akasari ana sayar da shi ga kasashen Japan da China ta hanyar sabbin bututun mai. Babban kwamandan matashin ya ja hankali da godiyar babban attajirin Rasha da ya fi samun nasara a bankin zuba jari, Leonid Zevitin. Godiya ga tallafin Zevitin, an mayar da Darzov zuwa Moscow, inda aka kara masa girma zuwa janar na taurari hudu, kuma daga karshe ya nada shi Babban Hafsan Sojan Sama ta sabon zababben shugaban kasa Zevitin.
    
  Furzenko ya ce, "Amurkawa sun dauki matakin ne kuma sun nuna wani sabon makami mai linzami da iska zuwa kasa," in ji Furzenko. dala miliyan, ta lalata wata babbar mota da makami mai linzami na gida da ya kai dala da dama."
    
  "Ina tsammanin suna da 'yancin yin kwarin gwiwa, Janar - za su iya lalata duk wani manufa cikin sauri da kuma daidai daga nesa na mil ɗari biyu cikin sauƙi kamar yadda yaro ya harbi gwangwani da bindiga .22 daga nesa na mita ashirin." Zevitin ya ce. Da yawa daga cikin manyan hafsoshin sun fusata kan su, duka a cikin ruɗani a wasu kalmomin Zevitin na Yamma da ƙoƙarin fahimtar harshen Rashanci sosai. "Bugu da kari, sun yi a gabanmu, da sanin cewa za mu lura da kuma tantance ingancin makaman. Wannan zanga-zanga ce ta nuna goyon bayanmu da kuma wani makami mai inganci na ta'addanci ga masu kishin Islama." Zevitin ya juya zuwa Darzov. "Me ya faru da mayaƙin da ke bin bom ɗin B-1, Andrey?"
    
  "Matukin jirgin ya sauka lafiya, amma akasarin na'urorin lantarki na jirginsa gaba daya sun lalace," babban hafsan hafsan sojin sama ya mayar da martani.
    
  "Yaya? Makaman su na terahertz kuma?"
    
  "Wataƙila, amma makamin da ake kira T-ray na Amurka wani makamin subatomic ne mai faɗi wanda ke lalata da'irorin lantarki a kewayon sama da kilomita ɗari shida," in ji Darzov. "Babu wasu tashoshi da suka bayar da rahoton wata matsala. Matukin jirgin ya ba da rahoton cewa da zarar ya harba makamai masu linzami, sai mayakin nasa... kawai ya rufe."
    
  "Kuna nufin rokar ta rufe da kanta."
    
  "A"a yallabai. Jirgin gaba daya ya rufe da kansa, kamar dai matukin jirgin ya kashe komai a lokaci daya."
    
  "Yaya hakan zai yiwu?"
    
  "Wataƙila makaman terahertz sun iya yin hakan," in ji Darzov. "Ba za mu sani ba har sai mun duba kurakuran kwamfuta na mayakan. Amma hasashena shi ne McLaanahan ya tura tsarinsa na 'tsaron-tsare' a kan masu tayar da bama-bamai na Dreamland da yiwuwar a kan dukkan jiragensa da na sama."
    
  "Nontruzia"? Menene wannan?"
    
  "Ikon 'hack' tsarin kwamfuta na abokan gaba ta hanyar kowane firikwensin ko eriya da ke karɓar siginar dijital," in ji Darzov. "Ba mu fahimci tsarin sosai ba, amma masu tayar da bama-bamai na iya isar da siginar da aka ɗauka ana sarrafa su kamar kowane umarni ko saƙo na dijital. Siginar abokan gaba na iya zama yaudarar radar, saƙon ruɗani, abubuwan sarrafa jirgin sama, ko ma na'urorin lantarki zuwa tsarin jirgin sama..."
    
  "Misali, odar tsayawa aiki," in ji Zevitin. Ya girgiza kai. "Akwai tsammanin zai iya umurci Mig ya tashi tsaye ko kuma cikin da'ira - sa'a kawai ya ba da umarnin dakatar da shi. Dole ne ya yi kyau ka kasance mai wadata har za ka iya ƙirƙirar irin waɗannan kayan wasan yara masu ban sha'awa don lodawa a cikin jiragen ku. " Ya gyada kai. "Da alama tsohon abokinka yana cikin wasan, eh General?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji Darzov. "Patrick McLanahan." Yayi murmushi. "Zan yi maraba da damar da aka ba ni na sake fada da shi, in biya shi laifin daure maza da mata na, da kwace sansanina da sace man fetur na. Duk da haka, daga abin da na fahimta, watakila ba ya daɗe a nan. Sabuwar gwamnatin ba ta son sa ko kadan."
    
  Zevitin ya ce "Idan da McLanahan yana da wani hazikin siyasa, da ya yi murabus a lokacin da sabon shugaban ya yi rantsuwar kama aiki," in ji Zevitin. "Tabbas hakan bai faru ba. Ko dai McLaanahan ya fi sadaukarwa-ko kuma ya fi muni fiye da yadda muke zato, ko kuma Gardner ba zai kore shi ba, wanda ke nufin ba zai zama babban buffon da muke tunanin shi ba ne. Ya kalli janar-janar da ke kusa da shi. "Ka manta da McLanahan da manyan kayan wasan sa na fasaha waɗanda ba za a taɓa ƙirƙira su ba - shi ne mafi kyawun abin da suka samu, amma mutum ɗaya ne kawai, kuma an kulle shi a cikin wannan mummunan tushe a cikin jejin Nevada maimakon kasancewa a Fadar White House dama. yanzu , wanda ke nufin babu wanda ke da damar sauraronsa." Da ya juya ga Truznev, shugaban Hukumar Tsaro ta Tarayya, ƙungiyar da ta gaji KGB, ya yi tambaya: "Me game da "mai ba da shawara" a Iran? Kun fitar da shi daga can?"
    
  "Abin da ya rage masa, eh, yallabai," in ji shugaban FSB.
    
  "Lafiya. Abu na karshe da muke bukata shi ne, wani hamshakin mai bincike na Amurka ko Farisa ya nemo tufafi ko makaman Rasha da aka gauraye da tarin sassan jikin Iran."
    
  "An maye gurbinsa da wani wakili," in ji Truznev. A fusace ya juya ga Alexandra Khedrov, ministan harkokin wajen kasar. "Ba wa wadannan "yan Hizbullah makamai irin na 9K89 bata lokaci ne da kudi kuma zai cutar da mu nan gaba kadan. Dole ne mu daina ba su irin wadannan makamai masu linzami na ci gaba, mu bar su su koma harbin Katyushas na gida da turmi kan abokan hadin gwiwar Farisa."
    
  "Kun amince da shawarar Janar Furzienko na aika makami mai linzami na Hornet zuwa Iran, Daraktan," Zevitin ya nuna.
    
  "Na yarda cewa a yi amfani da makami mai linzami na Hornet wajen kai hari kan sansanonin sojojin Farisa da sojojin sama tare da manyan bama-bamai na wargajewar yaki da nakiyoyi," in ji Truznev, "ba wai kawai harba su ba gaira ba dalili a birnin. Wurin harba makamin ya kasance a gefen iyakar iyakar da makami mai linzamin zai iya kaiwa Doshan Tappeh Air Base, wanda suka shaida mana cewa za su kai hari. Har ila yau rahotanni sun ce ma"aikatan Hizbullah sun ja kafarsu kan harba makami mai linzami, har ma da baiwa yara damar zuwa kallon harba makamin. An sha ba da rahoton hakan."
    
  "Ba shakka dole ne mu umurci 'yan tawayen da su daidaita dabarunsu a yanzu da muka san wadannan sabbin makaman Amurka," in ji Janar Darzov.
    
  "Shin kuma za ku umarce su da kada su kara dafin nasu a kan yakin?" - Truznev ya tambaya.
    
  "Darakta me kake magana?"
    
  Shugaban na FSB ya ce: "Mayaƙan Hezbollah sun ɗora wa shugaban yaƙin na Hornet makamai masu guba da wani nau'i na makamai masu guba, kama da gas ɗin mustard, amma mafi inganci," in ji shugaban FSB. "Gas din ya kashe mutane goma sha biyu akan titi tare da raunata wasu da dama."
    
  "Shin sun yi nasu mustard gas?"
    
  "Ban san inda jahannama suka samu ba, yallabai-Iran na da alburusai masu yawa, don haka watakila sun sace su ko kuma sun adana su a asirce," in ji Truznev. "Wannan abu ya tashi ne a lokacin da wani makami mai linzami na Amurka ya kai hari. Amma abin lura shi ne sun karya umarninmu kuma sun kai hari mara izini da wani shugaban yaki mara izini. Akwai wasu makamai masu linzami da aka harba manyan motoci da ke da fis din da ake bukata don kai harin guba - Amurkawa ba za su sha wahala ba wajen gano cewa mun baiwa Iraniyawa makamai masu linzami na Hornet."
    
  "Haɗa Mokhtaz zuwa wayar yanzu," Zevitin ya umarta. Shugaban ma'aikata Orlev yana cikin waya nan take.
    
  Truznev ya ce "Yanzu da Pasdaran ta janyo hankalin mayakan kasashen waje daga ko'ina cikin duniya da su shiga wannan mummunan jihadi na yaki da juyin mulkin Boujazi," in ji Truznev, "Ba na jin cewa malaman addini suna da karfin iko kan dakarunsu." Ayatullah Hassan Mohtaz, tsohon Mai ba da shawara na kasa kan Tsaron Iran - kuma babban memba na tsohuwar gwamnatin Iran don tsira daga zubar da jini na kishin Islama a Boujazi - an ayyana shi a matsayin shugaban kasa a gudun hijira, kuma ya yi kira ga dukkanin musulmin duniya da su zo Iran don yakar sabuwar gwamnati. mulkin soja-sarauta. Zanga-zangar adawa da Farisa ta karu cikin sauri, wanda dubun dubatan mayakan Shi'a Musulmi daga ko'ina cikin duniya suka yi ta mayar da martani kan fatawar Boujazi. Da yawa daga cikin 'yan tawayen dai dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci na Iran, Pasdaran ne suka horar da su, don haka tasirin yakinsu ya fi girma. A cikin kwanaki da kiran da Mokhtaz ya yi na neman makamai, akasarin garuruwan sabuwar Farisa sun yi ta gwabza kazamin fada.
    
  Sai dai wani bangare na rudanin da ya barke a Farisa ya samo asali ne sakamakon yadda jagoran juyin mulkin Janar Hesarak al-Kan Boujazi ya ki amincewa da kafa sabuwar gwamnati ba tare da fayyace ba. Boujazi wanda tsohon babban hafsan hafsoshi ne kuma tsohon kwamandan rundunar tsaron cikin gida da ke yaki da dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci, ya jagoranci juyin mulkin cikin nasara mai ban mamaki, inda ya kashe akasarin mahukuntan Iran, sannan ya tura sauran suka gudu zuwa makwabciyar kasar Turkmenistan. An yi zaton cewa Boujazi, tare da tsohon hafsan hafsoshin sojojin kasar Hossein Yasini, da hafsoshin sojojin na yau da kullum da kuma magoya bayan daya daga cikin tsoffin iyalan gidan sarautar Iran, wato Kagevs, za su karbe iko da Tehran babban birnin kasar tare da kafa gwamnati. Har ila yau, an zaɓi wani suna - Jamhuriyar Dimokuradiyyar Farisa, wanda ke nuna wata hanya mai kyau da mutane ke so su dauka - kuma yanzu ana kiran kasar da sunan tarihi "Farasa" maimakon sunan "Iran", wanda shine sunan da aka wajabta wa. Reza Shah Pahlavi ya yi amfani da shi a cikin 1935 Magoya bayan tsarin mulkin Allah ne kawai suke amfani da sunan "Iran."
    
  "Amma ina ganin bai kamata mu daina baiwa 'yan tawayen makamai ba," in ji Janar Darzov. "Duk wani hari da aka yi nasara a kan Farisa zai raunana su. Muna bukatar hakuri."
    
  "Kuma a duk lokacin da masu jihadi suka sake harba roka a cikin wani gari suka kashe mata da yara marasa laifi, 'yan tawayen suna fuskantar irin wannan matsala - sun raunana, kamar Rasha, janar," in ji ministan harkokin waje Alexandra Khedrov. Doguwa, duhu kuma mai lalata kamar kowace mace a cikin mafi girman matakan gwamnatin Rasha, Alexandra Khedrov ita ce mace mafi girma da ta taba yin hidima a Kremlin. Kamar Zevitin, ta yi aiki a harkokin kudi na kasa da kasa, amma a matsayinta na mazaunin Moscow da kuma mahaifiyar aure biyu, ba ta da sunan maigidanta. Mahimmanci kuma mai hankali, ba tare da alaƙar siyasa ba, Khedrov an yi la"akari da shi a matsayin ƙwalwar da ke bayan shugabancin. "Za mu fi muni idan aka gan mu muna tallafawa masu kashe yara."
    
  Ta juya ga Zevitin. "Dole ne Mohtaz ya nemo hanyar da zai kwantar da hankulan 'yan jihadi, Mr. Ba za a iya ganin mu a matsayin masu goyon bayan kisan kiyashi da rashin zaman lafiya ba - yana sa mu zama marasa kwanciyar hankali. Idan Mohtaz ya ci gaba a kan wannan tafarki, zabi daya da muke da shi shi ne mu goyi bayan Boujazi."
    
  "Boujazi?" Ya tambayi Zevitin a rude. "Me ya sa ya goyi bayan Bujazi? Ya juya ga Amurkawa don neman taimako."
    
  "Laifinmu ne - ya aikata saboda bege kuma ba mu kasance a wurinsa ba lokacin da yake buƙatar mu, don haka ya juya ga McLanahan," in ji Khedrow. "Amma Washington ba zato ba tsammani ba ta ba da goyon bayanta ga Boujazi ba, kuma wannan ya haifar da dama ga Rasha. Muna goyon bayan Mokhtaz a asirce saboda Rasha tana amfana da rashin zaman lafiya a yankin tare da hauhawar farashin mai da kuma karuwar siyar da makamai. Amma idan har muka kawo karshen goyon bayan wanda ya yi rashin nasara, dole ne mu canza hanya kuma mu goyi bayan wanda na yi imani zai zama mai nasara: Boujazi. "
    
  "Ban yarda ba, minista," in ji Darzov. "Boujazi bai isa ya halaka Mohtaz ba."
    
  "Sai na ba da shawarar ku bar jiragen ku da dakunan gwaje-gwaje ku kalli duniya yadda take a zahiri," in ji Khedrov. "Ga ainihin tambaya, mai girma shugaban kasa: Wanene kuke so ya ci nasara, Boujazi ko Mohtaz?" Wannan shine wanda ya kamata mu goyi bayan Mohtaz. Amma shin "Shin Iran mai mulki ce ta fi dacewa da Rasha? Mun san Boujazi. Ni da ku duka mun hadu da shi; mun goyi bayansa tsawon shekaru, kafin, lokacin da kuma bayan cire shi a matsayin shugaban ma'aikata. Har yanzu muna samar da juna. tare da bayanan sirri, duk da cewa yana kiyaye bayanan kasancewar Amurka a Iran, wanda ya fi tsadar samu.
    
  Wayar da ke kusa da Orlev ta yi rawar jiki, ya ɗauki mai karɓar kuma bayan wasu lokuta ya sanya ta cikin yanayin jiran aiki. "Mohtaz yana kan layi, sir."
    
  "Ina ya ke?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Ofishin jakadancin Iran a Ashgabat, Turkmenistan," Orlev ya amsa, yana tsammanin tambayar.
    
  "Lafiya". A lokacin da Ayatullah Mokhtaz da mashawarcinsa suka tsere daga Iran, ba zato ba tsammani ya kutsa kai cikin ofishin jakadancin Rasha da ke Ashgabat, inda ya nemi kariya daga dakarun Boujazi da wadanda ake kira da"awar kisa na masarautu. Wannan ya haifar da sha'awa da tambayoyi da yawa daga sauran ƙasashen duniya. An san cewa Moscow ƙawance ce ga Iran, amma shin za su yi nisa don kare tsohuwar gwamnatin? Idan an yi zaɓe kuma aka ƙi "yan ra"ayi fa? Shin malamai da masu kishin Islama za su zama albatross a wuyan Rasha?
    
  A matsayin rangwame ga sauran kasashen duniya, Zevitin ya tilasta wa Mokhtaz barin ofishin jakadancin, amma a hankali ya ba da tabbacin tsaronsa tare da rukunin FSB na Rasha da ke cikin da kewayen harabar Iran. Da farko ya yi tunanin cewa mai kishin Islama ba zai bar ofishin jakadancin ba - ko kuma mafi muni, zai yi barazanar bayyanar da hannun Rasha a Iran idan har aka kore shi - amma, abin farin ciki, hakan bai zo ba. Yasan cewa ko yaushe mohtaz zai iya nuna wannan kati nan gaba, kuma dole ne ya yanke shawarar abin da zai yi idan ya yi kokarin kunna shi.
    
  Zevitin ya dauki wayarsa. "Shugaba Mokhtaz, wannan shine Leonid Zevitin."
    
  "Don Allah a shirya don Mai Girma, yallabai," wata murya mai karfi ta Farisa ta fada cikin Rashanci. Zevitin ya zaro idanuwansa da rashin hakuri. Koyaushe wasa ne tare da raunana kamar Mohtaz, ya yi tunani - yana da mahimmanci koyaushe don ƙoƙarin samun mafi ƙarancin fa'ida ta hanyar kiyaye ɗayan ɗayan, har ma da wani abu mai sauƙi kamar kiran waya.
    
  Bayan ƴan mintuna kaɗan, muryar wani matashi mai fassara ya ce: "Imam Mokhtaz yana kan layi. Da fatan za a bayyana kanku."
    
  "Ya Shugaba, wannan shine kiran Leonid Zevitin. Ina fata kana lafiya ".
    
  "Ku yabi Ubangiji saboda jinƙansa, haka ne."
    
  Babu wani ƙoƙari na mayar da tagomashi, Zevitin ya lura-kuma, irin na Mokhtaz. "Ina so in tattauna harin da Amurka ta kai kwanan nan a Tehran kan wani wurin makami mai linzami da ake zargin kungiyar Hizbullah."
    
  "Ban san komai game da wannan ba."
    
  "Malam shugaban kasa, na gargade ka da barin 'yan tawaye su tanadi makamai masu linzami da makaman kare dangi," in ji Zevitin. "Mun zaɓi makami mai linzami na Hornet musamman saboda ana amfani da shi a duk faɗin duniya kuma zai fi wahala a gano Rasha. Rundunar makami mai linzami daya da aka san tana da fasahar daura makami mai guba a kansu ita ce Rasha."
    
  "Ban san cikakken bayanin abin da masu fafutukar 'yanci ke yi a yakin da suke yi da 'yan Salibiyya, kafirai da sahyoniyawan ba," in ji fassarar. "Abin da na sani shi ne Allah zai saka wa duk wanda ya amsa kiran ramuwa mai tsarki. Za su sami matsayi a hannun damansa.
    
  "Mai girma shugaban kasa, ina rokonka da ka kiyaye sojojin ka a karkashin kulawa," in ji Zevitin. "Tsarin makami ga mamaya na kasashen waje abu ne mai karbuwa ga dukkan kasashe, har ma da yin amfani da makamai masu linzami marasa jagora kan magoya bayan da ake ganin suna goyon baya, amma amfani da iskar gas ba haka bane. Tashin hankalin ku yana haifar da mummunan ra'ayi daga yawan jama'a idan-"
    
  Zevitin ya ji ihun Mokhtaz a baya tun ma kafin mai fassara ya gama magana, sannan saurayin da ya fusata ya daure don ya ci gaba da yi wa malamin na Iran juyin-juya hali: "Wannan ba tawaye ba ne, ka tsine ma idanunka," in ji fassarar. cikin sanyin murya fiye da mohtaz. "Iraniyawa masu girman kai da "yan uwansu suna kwato al"ummar da aka kwace daga hannunmu ba bisa ka"ida ba. Wannan ba tawaye ba ne - yaki ne mai tsarki na 'yanci da zalunci. Kuma a irin wannan gwagwarmayar, duk wani makami da wata dabara ta tabbata a wajen Allah". Kuma alakar ta karye.
    
  Zevitin ya yi rantsuwa, bai sani ba har sai da ya yi latti cewa ya faɗi hakan cikin Turanci, kuma ya kashe wayar.
    
  "Me yasa ka damu da wannan mahaukacin mai tsaurin ra'ayi, yallabai?" - ya tambayi ministan harkokin waje Khedrov. "Wannan mutumin mahaukaci ne. Bai damu da wani abu ba sai dai ya mayar da mulki - bai damu da yawan mutanen da ba su ji ba ba su gani ba sai ya kashe domin ya yi. Yana jawo masu jihadi daga kasashen waje daga ko"ina cikin duniya, kuma mafi yawansu sun fi shi hauka".
    
  "Kana tunanin ina ruwana da Mohtaz ko wani a cikin wannan la'antacciyar kasar, Minista?" Zevitin ya tambaya da zafi. "A wannan lokacin, yana da kyau ga Rasha Mokhtaz yana raye yana ingiza masu kishin Islama, yana mai kira gare su da su je Iran su yi yaki. Ina fatan kasar za ta wargaje, wanda kusan tabbas idan tawayen ya karu."
    
  "Ina fata Bujazi ya juya gare mu a maimakon McLahanan lokacin da yake son goyon bayan tawayensa - Mohtaz da kuma cewa dan sarki Kagev zai mutu a yanzu, kuma Bujazi zai kasance da karfin iko tare da mu a gefensa." , - Khedrov, yana jefawa. kallon rashin yarda da shugaban Hukumar Tsaro ta Tarayya, Truznev. "Ya kamata mu dauke shi aiki a lokacin da ya bayyana a cikin sojojin Iran."
    
  "Buzhazi ya bace gaba daya daga fuskar radar mu, minista," in ji Truznev a wulakance. "An wulakanta shi kuma a zahiri an yanke masa hukuncin kisa. Iran ta shiga cikin tasirin China. "...
    
  "Mun sayar da su da makamai da yawa."
    
  "Bayan farashin mai ya hauhawa, eh, sun sayi kayan China saboda yana da arha," in ji Truznev. "Amma sai muka gano da sauri cewa yawancin wadannan makaman sun kare ne a hannun "yan awaren Chechen da masu safarar miyagun kwayoyi a kan iyakokinmu. Kasar Sin ta dakatar da goyon bayan da take baiwa kasar Iran tun da dadewa, saboda suna goyon bayan masu kishin Islama a yankin Xinjiang da kuma gabashin Turkistan - 'yan tawayen Islama na kasar Sin sun gwabza da sojojin gwamnati da nasu muggan makamai! Masu bin tsarin mulkin Iran kwata-kwata ba su da iko. Ba su cancanci goyon bayanmu ba."
    
  "Lafiya, okay," Zevitin ya ce a gajiye, yana girgiza hannu tare da masu ba shi shawara. "Wadannan gardama marasa iyaka ba su kai mu ko'ina ba." Da ya juya ga Truznev, ya ce: "Igor, samo mani duk bayanan da ke kan wannan makami mai linzami na Amurka da za ku iya samu, kuma ku same shi da sauri. Bana buƙatar sanin yadda zan iya magance shi- tukuna. Ina buƙatar isassun bayanai domin in sa Gardner ya yarda cewa na san komai game da wannan. Ina so in tabbatar da cewa wannan barazana ce ga zaman lafiyar duniya, zaman lafiyar yanki, daidaiton makamai, blah blah blah. Haka yake da tsinanniyar tashar sararin samaniyar su Armstrong. Kuma ina son sabuntawa kan duk sabbin fasahar sojan Amurka. Na gaji da jin labarinsa bayan mun dandana shi a fagen."
    
  "Muna jayayya da Amurkawa, huh, Mr. President?" - Babban hafsan hafsoshin sojin kasar Furzienko ya yi tambaya cikin baci. "Wataƙila za mu iya zuwa gaban Kwamitin Tsaro kuma mu ce hasken rana da ke nuna radar su yana sa mu cikin dare."
    
  "Bana buƙatar kalaman batanci daga gare ku a yau, Janar - Ina buƙatar sakamako," in ji Zevitin a hankali. "Amurkawa sun kafa kansu a Iraki, kuma suna iya samun gindin zama a Iran idan Boujazi da Kagev suka yi nasarar kafa gwamnatin kawance da kasashen Yamma. Tare da sansanonin Amurka a tsakiyar Asiya, Baltic da Gabashin Turai, Iran ta ƙara wani sashe na shingen da ya kewaye mu. Yanzu suna da wannan tsinanniyar tashar sararin samaniya da ke tashi sama da Rasha sau goma a rana! A zahiri an kewaye Rasha -" Kuma da wannan, Zevitin ya buge tafin hannunsa a kan teburin. "- kuma wannan ba a yarda da shi ba!" Ya kalli kowane mashawarcinsa cikin ido, kallonsa a taƙaice ya yi kan Truznev da Darzov kafin ya koma kan kujera ya ɗaga hannu a goshinsa a fusace.
    
  "Wannan makami mai linzami ya ba mu mamaki, yallabai," in ji Truznev.
    
  "Bullshit," in ji Zevitin. "Suna bukatar yin gwajin wannan abu, ko ba haka ba? Ba za su iya yin hakan a cikin dakin gwaje-gwaje na karkashin kasa ba. Me ya sa ba za mu iya kallon gwajin makami mai linzami ba? Mun san ainihin inda wuraren gwajinsu masu sauri suke tare da kayan aikin haɓaka makamai masu linzami na hypersonic - muna buƙatar kasancewa a duk waɗannan rukunin yanar gizon. "
    
  "Kyakkyawan leken asiri yana kashe kudi, ya mai girma shugaban kasa. Me ya sa za a yi wa Rashawa leken asiri yayin da Isra"ilawa da Sinawa za su iya ba da farashi sau goma?"
    
  "Sa'an nan wata kila lokaci ya yi da za a rage wasu albashi da fa'idodin fensho masu tsada na waɗanda ake kira shugabannin mu da mayar da kuɗin don samar da ingantaccen hankali," in ji Zevitin a hankali. "A baya lokacin da mai na Rasha ya kasance 'yan daloli kaɗan a kowace ganga, Rasha ta taɓa samun ɗaruruwan 'yan leƙen asiri a cikin kowane lungu da sako na ci gaban makaman Amurka - muna da kusan samun damar shiga Dreamland, wurin da aka fi sani da su. . . Kuma duk wuraren da ba mu kutsa kai kanmu ba, za mu iya sayen bayanai daga daruruwan wasu, ciki har da Amurkawa. Aikin FSB da leken asirin soji shine samun wannan bayanin, kuma tun da gwamnatin Gryzlov ba mu yi wani abu mara kyau ba, kawai mun yi ta kururuwa game da kewaye da kuma yiwuwar sake kai wa Amurkawa hari." Ya sake tsayawa, sannan ya dubi Shugaban Hafsan Sojin kasar nan. "Ba mu rahoto kan halin da ake ciki a Phanar, Janar Furzienko."
    
  Shugaban ma"aikatan ya ce, "Yallabai daya na cikin shirin yaki. "Tsarin Laser na wayar salula na yaki da tauraron dan adam ya yi nasara sosai wajen harbo daya daga cikin jiragen sama na Amurka a kan Iran."
    
  "Me?" Shugaban ma'aikata Orlev. "Don haka abin da Amurkawa suka ce gaskiya ne? Ko mu ne muka harbo jirginsu daya daga cikin kumbon su?"
    
  Zevitin ya gyada wa Furzienko yayin da ya dauko sigari daga drowar din tebur dinsa ya kunna, ya yi shiru ya ba shi izinin bayyana kansa. "Project Phanar shine babban tsarin sirrin wayar hannu anti-Satellite Laser, Mista Orlev," in ji babban hafsan hafsoshin soji. "Yana dogara ne akan tsarin Laser anti-Satellite Kawaznya wanda aka haɓaka a cikin 1980s, amma an inganta shi sosai, ingantawa da haɓaka."
    
  "Kavaznya wani babban tsari ne da ke da karfin makamashin nukiliya, idan na tuna daidai," in ji Orlev. Bai samu labarin hakan ba sai da ya ke makarantar sakandire-a lokacin, gwamnati ta ce an yi hatsari kuma an rufe masana"antar don inganta tsaro. Sai kawai lokacin da ya ɗauki matsayinsa na Babban Hafsan Ma'aikata ne ya sami labarin cewa wani ɗan harin bam na Amurka B-52 Stratofortress ne ya kai wa Kawaznya bam, wani samfurin gwaji na gwaji "gadon gwaji" wanda aka fi sani da Megafortress, wanda babu wanda ya tuka shi. fiye da Patrick McLanahan , wanda a lokacin kawai kyaftin din Sojan Sama ne kuma ma'aikatan jirgin ruwan bama-bamai, sunan McLahanan ya taho sau da yawa dangane da al'amura da dama a duniya a cikin shekaru ashirin da suka gabata tun bayan wannan harin, har Darzov da ma Zevitin suka yi kama. Ka damu da mutumin, injinan fasahar zamani da kewayensa "Ta yaya irin wannan tsarin zai zama wayar hannu?"
    
  "Shekaru ashirin na bincike da ci gaba, biliyoyin rubles da mai yawa leƙen asiri - kyakkyawan leƙen asiri, ba kamar yau ba," in ji Zevitin. "Ci gaba, Janar."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji Furzienko. "Zane na Phanar ya dogara ne akan shirin Laser mai ƙarfi mai ƙarfi na Isra'ila da shirin Laser na iska na Amurka, wanda ke sanya laser sinadari akan manyan jiragen sama kamar Boeing 747 ko B-52. Yana da ikon lalata makamin ballistic a nisan kilomita dari biyar. Ba shi da ƙarfi kamar Kavaznya, amma yana da šaukuwa, mai sauƙi don sufuri da kulawa, yana da dorewa kuma abin dogara, cikakke sosai, kuma idan an kiyaye shi a kan manufa tsawon lokaci, zai iya lalata ko da jirgin sama mai kariya mai kyau daruruwan kilomita. nesa a sararin samaniya ... kamar sabon jirgin saman Amurka Black Stallion. "
    
  Magajin Orlev ya fadi. "To jita-jita gaskiya ne?" Zevitin yayi murmushi, ya gyada kai, sannan ya dauki wani zurfin ja akan sigarinsa. "Amma mun musanta cewa ba mu da alaka da asarar jirgin na Amurka! Dole ne Amurkawa su fahimci cewa muna da irin waɗannan makaman!"
    
  "Saboda haka wasan ya fara," in ji Zevitin, yana murmushi tare da kammala sigarinsa na ƙarshe. Ya murje guntun sigari a cikin tokar, kamar yana nuna abin da ya yi niyyar yi ga duk wanda ya kuskura ya yi adawa da shi. "Za mu ga wanda ke son buga wasa da wanda ba ya so. Ci gaba, Janar."
    
  "Iya sir. Za a iya canza tsarin a matsayin daidaitaccen motar tarakta-tarakta na mita goma sha biyu kuma ana iya tuka shi kusan ko'ina kuma ya haɗu cikin zirga-zirgar kasuwanci na yau da kullun. Ana iya saita shi kuma a shirye ya kunna wuta cikin ƙasa da sa'a guda, yana iya ƙone kusan fashe dozin guda ɗaya a kowane cika, gwargwadon tsawon lokacin da aka harba Laser a manufa ɗaya, kuma mafi mahimmanci, ana iya wargajewa kuma a motsa cikin 'yan mintuna kaɗan. Mintuna bayan harbin.
    
  "Layuka goma sha biyu kacal? Ba kamar fada da yawa ba."
    
  Furzienko ya ce, "Hakika, za mu iya daukar karin mai tare da mu, amma ba a taba kera Phanar don dakile yawan jiragen sama ko jirgin sama ba. Saboda tsananin zafi, tsarin na iya aiki ba fiye da daƙiƙa talatin a lokaci ɗaya ba, kuma nauyin man fetur guda ɗaya yana ba da damar yin amfani da laser na kusan daƙiƙa sittin. Za a iya harba salvo na gaba minti talatin zuwa arba'in bayan an sha mai, ya danganta da ko man ya fito daga injin kashe gobara ko kuma wata motar tallafi daban. Yawancin jirage masu saukar ungulu a cikin ƙasa maras nauyi za su kasance ƙasa da sararin sama kafin wani tashin bama-bamai ya fara, don haka mun yanke shawarar cewa zai fi kyau kada mu yi ƙoƙarin jefa bama-bamai da yawa a lokaci ɗaya.
    
  "Bugu da ƙari, duk wani abu da ke cikin ayarin ma yana girma cikin girma - tsaro, tanadi, kayan gyara, injinan wutar lantarki - don haka mun yanke shawarar iyakance ƙarin man Laser zuwa babbar mota ɗaya. Tare da umarni ɗaya da motar wuta, motar wuta ɗaya da sarrafawa, motar mai mai da wadata, da motar tallafi da ma'aikatan, har yanzu tana iya tafiya ba tare da sunanta ba akan buɗe hanyoyi a ko'ina ba tare da jan hankali ba. Mun dawo da shi zuwa Moscow don ƙarin gwaje-gwaje da sabuntawa. Wannan zai ɗauki ɗan lokaci kafin a kammala. "
    
  "Ina tsammanin kun sami isasshen lokaci, Janar," in ji Zevitin. "Amurkawa suna buƙatar ganin yadda tashar sararin samaniyarsu da jiragen sama za su iya zama masu rauni. Ina son wannan tsarin ya fara yanzu."
    
  Furzienko ya ce "Idan ina da injiniyoyi da yawa da kuma kudi, yallabai, zan iya kammala ukun da ake ginawa a cikin shekara guda." Ya kalli Janar Darzov. "Amma da alama ana mai da hankali sosai kan Walƙiya na aikin Janar Darzov, kuma ina jin tsoron ana lalata albarkatunmu."
    
  "Darzov ya yi muhawara da yawa masu karfi don goyon bayan Molniya, Janar Furzienko," in ji Zevitin.
    
  "Ina jin tsoro ban san mene ne Walƙiya ba, Mista Shugaba," in ji Alexandra Khedrov. "Ina tsammanin wannan ba ƙwararren ƙwararren agogo bane. Shin wannan sabon shirin makamai ne na sirri?"
    
  Zevitin ya gyada kai ga Andrei Darzov, wanda ya mike ya fara: "Watsawa makamin yaki da tauraron dan adam ne da aka harba iska, Madam Minista. Wannan makamin samfurin ne kawai, haɗe da makami mai linzami kirar Kh-90 hypersonic cruise missile, wanda aka sake tsara shi don tashi sama da tsaunuka, tare da haɗakar injin ramjet da injin jirgin sama wanda ke ba shi damar tashi sama da tsayin kilomita ɗari biyar sama da ƙasa. . Amurkawa ne suka fara kirkiro wannan tsarin a shekarun 1980; muna da irin wannan tsarin, amma an soke shi shekaru da yawa da suka wuce. Fasaha ta inganta sosai tun daga lokacin."
    
  Furzienko ya ce: "Watsawa babban mataki ne na baya." "Tsarin laser ya tabbatar da ƙimar sa. An yi watsi da makaman da aka harba da tauraron dan adam shekaru da suka gabata saboda ba su da aminci kuma suna da saukin gano su."
    
  "Da dukkan girmamawa, yallabai, ban yarda ba," in ji Darzov. Furzienko ya juya ya kalli wanda ke karkashinsa, amma da kyar ka ga irin raunukan da mutumin ya samu, sai aka tilasta masa ya kau da kai. "Matsalar da aka samu tare da tsayayyen makamai na ASAT, kamar yadda aka gano tare da Laser Kavaznya ASAT, shine cewa suna da sauƙin kai hari, har ma da yawa da nagartattun na"urorin makaman kariya na jiragen sama da ke kare su. Ko da tsarin laser na wayar hannu da muka haɓaka yana da rauni don kai hari saboda yana buƙatar tallafi mai yawa kuma yana ɗaukar lokaci mai yawa don saitawa, man fetur, da manufa. Mun ga yadda Amurkawa suka yi saurin kai hari kan wani rukunin yanar gizo na Laser a Iran - abin farin ciki mun sami lokacin motsa tsarin na gaskiya da gina yaudara a wurinsa. Ana iya ɗaukar walƙiya zuwa sansanonin iska da yawa a kan hanyar da aka yi niyya kuma tana iya kaiwa hari ta kusurwoyi daban-daban.
    
  Darzov ya ci gaba da cewa, "Mayaƙin MiG-29 ko Tupolev-16 mai haske ya ɗaga makami mai linzamin Molniya guda ɗaya zuwa cikin iska, ko kuma makamai masu linzami guda biyu na Tupolev-95 ko Tupolev-160 mai nauyi," in ji Darzov. zuwa wani wuri ta hanyar amfani da radars na kasa ko ta iska, sannan sai a saki makamin. Da zarar cikin kewayon abin da aka nufa, sai ta yi amfani da na'urar firikwensin da ke cikinta don gano abin da aka nufa sannan ta harba motar roka mataki na uku don fara kutsawa. nukiliya ko x-ray Laser warhead akan makamin, ya danganta da girman abin da aka kai hari."
    
  "Laser X-ray? Menene?"
    
  "Laser X-ray wata na'ura ce da ke tattarawa da kuma mayar da hankali ga radiyon X-ray daga wani karamin fashewar nukiliya kuma yana samar da makamashi mai tsayi mai tsayi wanda zai iya kutsawa ko da wani jirgin sama mai kariya har tsawon kilomita dari biyu," in ji Darzov. "An ƙera shi don kashe jirgin sama ta hanyar lalata kayan lantarki da tsarin jagora."
    
  "Yin amfani da makaman nukiliya a sararin samaniya zai haifar da matsaloli a cikin al'ummar duniya," in ji Khedrov.
    
  "Amurkawa suna da injin nukiliya da ke yawo a Rasha tsawon shekaru da yawa kuma babu wanda ya lura, Alexandra," in ji Zevitin cikin haushi. "Laser na X-ray zaɓi ɗaya ne kawai - za mu yi amfani da shi ne kawai idan an ga ya zama dole."
    
  "Ma'aikatar makamashin nukiliya da ke cikin tashar sararin samaniyar Amurka an yi niyya ne kawai don samar da makamashi, sir," in ji Khedrov. "Eh, an yi amfani da Laser a matsayin makami mai ban tsoro, amma ana kallon reactor daban-daban..."
    
  "Har yanzu wannan na'urar nukiliya ce," in ji Zevitin, "wanda yarjejeniyar ta haramta - yarjejeniyar da Amurkawa ke watsi da su cikin sakaci!"
    
  "Na yarda da kai, yallabai," in ji Khedrov, "amma bayan hare-haren iska da Shugaba Gryzlov ya kai wa Amurka da makaman nukiliya -"
    
  "Ee, eh, na sani ... Amurka ta sami izinin wucewa, kuma duniya tana jira cikin tsoro don ganin abin da Rasha za ta yi a gaba," in ji Zevitin, rashin jin daɗi a cikin muryarsa. "Ba ni da lafiya ga ma'auni biyu." Ya girgiza kai, sannan ya koma ga Janar Darzov. "Menene matsayin shirin makami mai linzami na tauraron dan adam, Janar? Za mu iya tura tsarin ko a'a?"
    
  Darzov ya ci gaba da cewa "Ƙarin gwaje-gwajen ƙasa na samfurin Molniya shigarwa ya yi nasara sosai." "Masu fasaha da injiniyoyi suna son yin ƙarin gwaje-gwaje, amma na yi imani yanzu ya shirya don yaƙi, yallabai. Za mu iya ciyar da shekaru don ingantawa da tweaks da inganta shi, amma ina tsammanin ya shirya kamar yadda yake kuma ina ba da shawarar turawa nan da nan."
    
  "Yi hakuri, yallabai," Furzienko ya shiga tsakani, yana kallon Ministan Tsaro na kasa Ostenkov, "amma Janar Darzov ba shi da alhakin Molniya. Wannan aiki ne na sirri wanda har yanzu ofishina na bincike da ci gaba ke kula da shi."
    
  "Babu kuma, Janar," in ji Zevitin. "Na umurci Janar Darzov da ya samar da dabarun yaki da tashar sararin samaniyar Amurka da jiragen sama. Zai ba da rahoto kai tsaye gare ni da minista Ostenkov. "
    
  Bakin Furzienko ya buɗe ya rufe a ruɗe, sannan ya taurare cikin fushi a fili. "Wannan abin ban tsoro ne, yallabai!" - ya fashe da kuka. "Wannan cin mutunci ne! Babban Hafsan Hafsoshin Sojoji ne ke da alhakin tsarawa da horar da sojoji da samar da kayan aiki, kuma da a sanar da ni hakan!"
    
  "Suna gaya muku yanzu, Janar," in ji Zevitin. "Phanar da walƙiya na Darzov ne. Zai sanar da ni ayyukansa kuma ya ba da shawarwari ga Hukumar Tsaro ta Kasa, amma umarni kawai yake karba. Da nisa daga jerin umarnin ku yana aiki, mafi kyau. " Zevitin yayi murmushi ya gyada kai cikin fahimta. "Kadan darasi da muka koya daga abokinmu Janar Patrick Shane McLanahan tsawon shekaru, ko?"
    
  "Na yi imani cewa wannan mutumin yana da damuwa, mai tilastawa, mai ban tsoro kuma mai yiwuwa schizophrenic, sir," in ji Darzov, "amma kuma jajirtacce ne kuma mai hankali - halaye biyu da nake sha'awar. Ƙungiyarsa tana da tasiri sosai saboda tana aiki cikin sauri da ƙarfin hali tare da ƴan ƴan ƙwaƙƙwaran ƙarfi da kuzari waɗanda ke ƙware da sabbin sabbin fasahohi. McLaanahan kuma ya bayyana gaba ɗaya yayi watsi da yawancin dokoki, tarurruka na al'ada da sarƙoƙi na umarni kuma yana yin sakaci, watakila ma da sakaci. Wasu na cewa mahaukaci ne. Abin da kawai na sani shi ne cewa yana samun aikin. "
    
  "Har sai kun yi hauka," Zevitin yayi gargadin.
    
  "Abin takaici, na yarda da Minista Khedrov, yallabai: al'ummar duniya ba za su dauki makaman nukiliya a sararin samaniya a matsayin makaman kariya ba," in ji Ministan Tsaro na kasa Ostenkov.
    
  Zevitin ya ce "Al'ummar duniya na kallon wata hanya kuma suna rufe idanuwa da kunnuwanta yayin da Amurkawa ke sanya injin nukiliya a sararin samaniya da sararin samaniya da tauraron dan adam da taurarin sararin samaniya - hakika ba zan yi watsi da ra'ayinsu ba," in ji Zevitin. a fusace yace. "Ba za a iya barin Amurkawa su shiga da fita sararin samaniya yadda suke so ba. Laser ƙasan mu ta hannu ya lalata guda ɗaya kuma ya kusa lalata wani jirginsu-mun kusan lalata dukkan rundunarsu da ke aiki. Idan za mu iya lalata duk abin da suka bari, za mu iya lalata shirinsu na sararin samaniyar soja kuma watakila mu ba mu damar sake kamawa." Ya dubi Ostenkov sosai. "Aikinku shine tallafawa ci gaba da aiwatar da Phanar da Walƙiya, Ostenkov, kar ku gaya mani abin da kuke tsammanin duniya za ta ce. Yana da zahiri?"
    
  "I, sir," in ji Ostenkov. "Makamin yakar tauraron dan adam a shirye yake don yin gwajin aiki. Wannan na iya zama makami mafi hatsari a cikin makamanmu tun lokacin da makami mai linzami na Kh-90 hypersonic cruise missile, wanda Gryzlov yayi nasarar amfani da shi wajen kai hari ga Amurka. Ana iya tura shi cikin sauri da sauƙi a ko'ina a cikin duniya, da sauri fiye da yadda za a iya harba kumbon sama ko motsi zuwa sararin samaniya. Za mu iya jigilar walƙiya a ko'ina kuma mu yi ɗan ƙaramin haɗarin ganowa har sai ta kunna."
    
  "Sai kuma me?" - Tambayi Orlev. "Amurka za su mayar da martani da duk abin da suke da shi. Kun san cewa suna daukar sararin samaniya a matsayin wani yanki na yankinsu mai cin gashin kansa."
    
  "Shi ya sa muke buƙatar yin amfani da Phanar da Walƙiya a hankali - sosai, a hankali," in ji Zevitin. "Amfanin su a matsayin makamai ya dogara ne akan lalata kadarorin Amurkawa cikin nutsuwa a maimakon kokarin lalata su gaba daya. Idan har zai yiwu a sanya kamar tasharsu ta sararin samaniya, jiragen sama da tauraron dan adam ba su da aminci ko almubazzaranci, Amurkawa za su rufe su da kansu. Wannan ba shirin harin ba ne ko wasan cat da linzamin kwamfuta - wasa ne na haushi, lalatawar shuru da rashin tabbas. Ina so in doke Amurkawa."
    
  "Sanya kwaro a cikin shit, sir?" - Tambayi Orlev. "Me yake nufi?"
    
  "Wannan yana nufin kai wa Amurkawa hari da cizon sauro, ba takobi ba," in ji Zevitin, a wannan karon a cikin harshen Rashanci, bai sani ba har sai lokacin da ya koma Turanci cikin farin ciki. "Amurkawa ba sa yarda da gazawa. Idan bai yi tasiri ba, sai su jefar da shi, su maye gurbinsa da wani abu mafi kyau, ko da kuwa gazawar ba laifinsu ba ne. Ba wai kawai za su yi watsi da abin da ba zai yi tasiri ba, amma za su zargi kowa da gazawa, su kashe biliyoyin daloli suna zargin wani da laifin, sannan su kashe biliyoyin daloli don neman mafita wanda sau da yawa ba shi da kyau. zuwa na farko." Ya yi murmushi, sannan ya kara da cewa, "Kuma mabuɗin wannan aikin shine Shugaba Joseph Gardner."
    
  "A zahiri, yallabai, shi ne Shugaban Amurka," in ji Orlev cikin kunya.
    
  "Ba na magana game da ofishin ba, amma game da mutumin da kansa," in ji Zevitin. "Yana iya zama babban kwamandan rundunar soji mafi karfi a duniya, amma abin da ba ya ba da umarni shi ne hanya mafi mahimmanci don samun nasara: sarrafa kansa." Ya kalli masu ba da shawara a kusa da shi, ya ga yawancin maganganu mara kyau. "Na gode duka, na gode, wannan ke nan na yau," in ji shi a wulakance, yana kai wani sigari.
    
  An bar shugaban ma'aikata Orlev da ministan harkokin waje Khedrov a baya; Orlev bai ko yi kokarin ba da shawarar ga Khedrov cewa a bar shi da shugaban su tattauna a asirce ba. "Yallabai, ina da ra'ayi, wanda na raba, cewa ma'aikatan sun ruɗe da niyyar ku," in ji Orlev da hannaye. "Rabinsu na ganin ka mika mulki ga Amurkawa; wasu kuma suna ganin a shirye kuke ku fara yaƙi da su."
    
  "Ok... Yana da kyau," in ji Zevitin, yana zazzage sigarinsa, sannan yana fitar da hayaniya. "Idan masu ba ni shawara suka bar ofishi na suna zato-musamman a cikin sabani-ba za su sami damar tsara dabarun da za su bi ba. Bayan haka, idan sun ruɗe, tabbas ya kamata Amurkawa su ma." Orlev ya damu. "Peter, har yanzu ba za mu iya kayar da Amurkawa a wata arangama ta soja ba - za mu yi fatara da kasar nan idan muka yi kokari. Amma muna da damammaki da yawa don fuskantar su da hana su nasara. Gardner shine mahaɗin rauni. Kuna buƙatar nemo laifinsa. Ya isa ya fusata shi kuma zai juya baya ga hatta mashawartan sa da ya fi aminta da shi da kuma "yan uwa masu aminci." Zevitin yayi tunani na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya ƙara da cewa: "Yana buƙatar yin fushi a yanzu. Kai hari kan mayakin mu...Ya kamata ya san irin fushin da muke yi da suka harbo mayaƙin namu da makamin Nukiliya mai ƙarancin gaske."
    
  "Amma... ba a harbe mayaƙin ba," Orlev ya tunatar da shi, "kuma janar ya ce makamin ba makamin T-ray ba ne, amma -"
    
  "Saboda Allah, Peter, za mu gaya wa Amurkawa ba abin da muka sani ba, amma abin da muka gaskata," in ji Zevitin da fushi a cikin muryarsa, amma da murmushi a fuskarsa. "Rahotanni na sun ce sun harbe mayakanmu da makamin nukiliyar T-Ray ba tare da tsokana ba. Wannan aikin yaki ne. Saka Gardner a wayar nan take."
    
  "Ya kamata Minista Khedrov yayi tuntuɓar kuma -?"
    
  "A'a, zan yi zanga-zangar kai tsaye ga Gardner," in ji Zevitin. Orlev ya gyada kai ya dauki wayar daga teburin Zevitin. "Wannan ba wayar talakawa ba ce, Peter. Yi amfani da layin waya. Duk murya da bayanai a lokaci guda." An inganta layin gaggawa tsakanin Washington da Moscow bayan rikice-rikicen 2004 don samar da murya, bayanai da sadarwa na bidiyo tsakanin manyan biranen biyu, da kuma hanyar sadarwa ta teletype da fax, da kuma ba da damar yin amfani da tauraron dan adam, wanda ya sa shugabannin su sami sauƙi don isa ga juna. . "Ministan Khedrov, za ku shigar da kara a gaban kwamitin tsaro na Majalisar Dinkin Duniya da ma ma"aikatar harkokin wajen Amurka. Kuma ina son kowace kafar yada labarai a doron kasa ta gaggauta fitar da rahoto kan lamarin."
    
  Orlev da farko ya kira ma'aikatar harkokin waje, sannan ya tuntubi jami'in hulda da Kremlin don bude wa shugaban kasar layukan waya. "Yallabai, wannan na iya haifar da mummunan sakamako," Orlev ya yi gargadin, yana jiran haɗin. "Babu shakka matukin mu ne ya fara kai harin ta hanyar bude wuta kan dan kunar bakin wake na Amurka-"
    
  "Amma sai bayan dan kunar bakin waken ya harba makami mai linzami," in ji Zevitin. "Wannan makami mai linzami zai iya zuwa ko'ina. A bayyane yake Amurkawa sun kasance masu zalunci. Matukin ya samu kwata-kwata wajen harba makamai masu linzami. Sai ya zama ya yi gaskiya, domin makamin da Amurkawa suka harba kan Tehran na dauke da wani makami mai guba."
    
  "Amma-"
    
  "Rahotanni na farko na iya zama kuskure," in ji Peter Zevitin, "amma wannan ba yana nufin ba za mu iya nuna rashin amincewa da wannan lamarin ba a yanzu. Na yi imani Gardner zai fara aiki da farko sannan ya duba gaskiyar lamarin. Ku jira ku gani."
    
  Alexandra Khedrov ya dubi Zevitin shiru na dogon lokaci; to: "Mene ne ma'anar wannan duka, Leonid?" Shin kuna so ku fusata Gardner? Don me? Bai cancanci irin wannan ƙoƙarin ba. Zai fi dacewa ya halaka kansa ba tare da ku ba kullum ... Kamar yadda kuka ce, "nagging" shi. Kuma ba shakka ba za ku so Rasha ta goyi bayan Iraniyawa ba. Kamar yadda na fada a baya, su ma suna iya juya mana baya bayan sun kwato kasarsu.
    
  Zevitin ya ce "Wannan ba shi da alaka da Iran, Alexandra, da duk wani abu da ya shafi Rasha." "Rasha ba za ta ƙara kasancewa kewaye da ita ba. Gryzlov, ba shakka, ya sha wahala daga ruɗi na girman kai, amma saboda tunaninsa na hauka, Rasha ta sake jin tsoro. Amma cikin tsananin tsoro ko tausayinta, duniya ta fara baiwa Amurka duk wani abu da take so, wanda hakan ya sanya ta zagaye da kokarin sake murkushe Rasha. Ba zan bari hakan ta faru ba."
    
  "Amma ta yaya tura wadannan makaman kare sararin samaniya zai cimma wannan?"
    
  "Ba ku gane ba, Alexandra-barazanar yaƙi da Amirkawa za ta ƙarfafa ƙudurinsu ne kawai," in ji Zevitin. "Ko da maras kashin baya kamar Gardner zai yi yaƙi idan bayansa ya kai bango - aƙalla zai saki karensa McLanahan a kanmu, ko ta yaya ya ji haushin ƙarfinsa da azama.
    
  Zevitin ya ci gaba da cewa, "A'a, dole ne mu sanya Amurkawa da kansu su yarda cewa ba su da karfi, dole ne su hada kai da yin shawarwari da Rasha don kauce wa yaki da bala'i." "Kiyayyar Gardner-da tsoron McLahanan shine mabuɗin. Domin ya zama kamar jajirtaccen shugaba da ba zai taba zama ba, ina fata Gardner zai sadaukar da babban janar dinsa, ya wargaza tsarinsa na gaba da makamansa, ya yi watsi da muhimman kawance da alkawurran tsaro, duk a kan bagadin hadin gwiwar kasa da kasa da zaman lafiya a duniya."
    
  "Amma me yasa? Don wane dalili, mai girma shugaban kasa? Me yasa za a yi kasadar yaki da Amurkawa irin wannan?"
    
  "Saboda ba zan yarda a kewaye Rasha ba," in ji Zevitin da karfi. "Kalli wannan taswirar da ba a so, Minista! Kowace ƙasar Warsaw Pact memba ce ta Ƙungiyar Yarjejeniya ta Arewacin Atlantic; kusan kowace tsohuwar jamhuriyar Soviet tana da wani nau'in tushe na NATO ko Amurka."
    
  Zevitin ya je ya kunna wata sigari, amma a makaho a fusace ya jefar da ita a kan teburin. "Muna da wadata fiye da mafarkin kakanninmu, Alexandra, amma duk da haka ba za mu iya tofa ba tare da Amurkawa sun yi gunaguni, aunawa, nazari ko tsangwama ba," in ji shi. "Idan na farka na ga wannan tsinanniyar tashar sararin samaniya tana gaggauwa a sararin sama - sararin samana na Rasha! - wani lokaci kuma, zan yi kururuwa! Kuma idan na ga wani matashi a kan titunan Moscow yana kallon wani wasan kwaikwayo na talabijin na Amurka ko kuma yana sauraron kiɗan Yammacin Turai saboda yana da damar shiga Intanet kyauta daga ƙungiyar Amurka Space Dominance, zan kashe wani! Ya isa! Ya isa! Ba za a kewaye Rasha ba, kuma ba za a tilasta mana mu mika wuya ga kayan wasan yara na sararin samaniya ba!
    
  "Ina son a kawar da sararin samaniyar Rasha daga cikin jiragen sama na Amurka, kuma ina son a kawar da iskar mu daga watsa shirye-shiryen Amurka, kuma ban damu ba idan zan fara yaki a Iran, Turkmenistan, Turai, ko a sararin samaniya don yi Wannan!"
    
    
  AKAN TASHAR SARKIN KARYA
  Daga baya kadan
    
    
  "Stallion Zero-Seven yana shirye ya tashi, yallabai," in ji Babban Sajan Lucas.
    
  "Na gode, Jagora Sajan," Patrick McLaanahan ya amsa. Ya juya a kan na'urar wasan bidiyo, "A yi tafiya gida lafiya, Boomer." Bari in san yadda gwaje-gwajen sakin samfurin da sabuwar hanyar shigar ke aiki."
    
  "Za a yi, yallabai," in ji Hunter Noble. "Abin mamaki ne cewa ba ku cikin jirgin jet."
    
  "Aƙalla za ku iya gwada shi a wannan lokacin, daidai?"
    
  Boomer ya ce "Dole ne in yi kokawa Frenchie hannu kuma ya kusa - amma eh, na yi nasara." Ya kama kallon bacin rai a cikin kyamarar jirgin ruwa na baya na Lieutenant Lieutenant Commander Lisette "Frenchie" Moulin, ƙwararren matukin jirgi na F/A-18 Hornet da kwamandan jirgin saman NASA kuma matukin jirgi. Kwanan nan ta cancanci zama kwamandan tauraron tauraron XR-A9 Black Stallion kuma koyaushe tana neman wata dama don yin tukin Bird, amma babu wata hujjar da ta yi aiki akan Boomer a wannan lokacin. Lokacin da Patrick ya tashi zuwa kuma daga tashar - wanda ya kasance sau da yawa kwanan nan - yakan zaɓi Boomer a kujerar baya.
    
  Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan, Black Stallion ya rabu da tashar jiragen ruwa na tashar jiragen ruwa na Armstrong, kuma Boomer a hankali ya yi jigilar jirgin daga tashar. Lokacin da suka yi nisa, sai ya motsa zuwa wuri don ya kunna relay, wutsiya ta fara tashi. "Jerin kirgawa sun cika, muna matsawa zuwa riƙe kirgawa ta atomatik na ƙarshe," in ji shi a kan intercom. "Kusan mil dari shida ne kafin mu sauka. Kuna shirye don wannan, Faransanci?"
    
  "Na riga na ba da rahoton cewa an kammala lissafin rajista na, Captain," Moulin ya amsa.
    
  Boomer ya zaro idanunsa cikin ba'a. "Faransa, idan muka dawo gida, muna buƙatar zama a cikin mashaya mai kyau a wani wuri a kan Strip, mu sha ruwan sha mai tsada kuma muyi magana game da halin ku - a gare ni, ga sabis, ga rayuwa."
    
  "Kyaftin, ka sani sarai cewa na shiga, ba na sha, kuma ina son aikina da rayuwata," in ji Moulin a cikin irin wannan muryar mai rairayi wanda Boomer ya tsani. "Zan iya ƙarawa, idan har yanzu ba ku gane ba, na ƙi wannan alamar kira, kuma ba na son ku musamman, don haka ko da na sami 'yanci, kuna shan barasa, kuma ku ne mutum na ƙarshe a duniya. tare da mafi yawan tare da babban dick da dogon harshe a wannan gefen Vegas, ba za a gan ni na mutu a mashaya ko kuma a ko'ina tare da ku ba. "
    
  "Ah, Frenchie. Zalunci ne".
    
  Ta kara da cewa, "Ina tsammanin kai fitaccen kwamandan kumbo ne, injiniya kuma ƙwararriyar matukin jirgi," in ji ta, "amma na same ka abin kunya ga rigar kuma sau da yawa ina mamakin dalilin da yasa har yanzu kake Dreamland kuma har yanzu memba ne na Sojan Sama na U.S.A. Ina tsammanin bajintar ku a matsayin injiniya tana da alama ta mamaye jam'iyyu, wuraren shakatawa na gidan caca, da ɗimbin kwararar mata a ciki da wajen rayuwar ku - galibi a wajen kamfani - kuma a zahiri, na ji haushi. "
    
  "Kada ka ja da baya, Kwamanda. Faɗa mini yadda kuke ji da gaske."
    
  "Yanzu idan na bayar da rahoton "Checklist complete", Captain, kamar yadda ka sani, wannan yana nuna cewa tashara tana cikin tsari, na yi nazari kuma na duba duk abin da zan iya a tasharka da sauran jirgin kuma na same shi mafi kyau. kuma na shirya don juyin halitta na gaba."
    
  "Oooh. Ina son shi lokacin da kuke magana da yaren sojan ruwa. 'Squared away' da 'juyin halitta' suna sauti haka na ruwa. Hakanan yana da ɗan ban mamaki idan ya zo daga mace."
    
  "Ka sani kyaftin, na hakura da bacin ranka ne saboda kana sojan sama ne, kuma wannan reshe ne na rundunar sojin sama, kuma na san jami"an sojin sama suna nuna halin ko-in-kula da juna, ko da kuwa akwai babban bambanci a matsayi tsakanin su, "Moulin ya lura. "Kai ne kuma kwamandan jirgin ruwa, wanda ya sa ka da alhakin duk da cewa na fi ka girma. Don haka zan yi watsi da maganganun ku na jima'i yayin wannan manufa. Amma wannan ba shakka ba zai canja ra"ayina a matsayina na mutum ba kuma a matsayina na jami"in Sojan Sama-hakika, hakan ya tabbatar da hakan."
    
  "Yi hakuri. Ban ji wannan duka ba. Na shagaltu da saka fensir a kunnuwana don gudun kada in saurare ku."
    
  "Shin za mu iya bin tsarin gwajin jirgin mu yi shi kawai, kyaftin, ba tare da duk wannan macho na banza ba?" Mun riga mun yi dakika talatin daga lokacin da aka tsara."
    
  "Ok, lafiya, Frenchie," in ji Boomer. "Ina ƙoƙari ne kawai in yi kamar muna cikin ƙungiyar kuma ba mu yi hidima a kan keɓe daban-daban na jirgin ruwa na ƙarni na sha tara ba. Ka gafarce ni na gwada." Ya danna maballin sarrafawa akan sandar jirginsa. "Fice ni daga wannan, Seventh Stallion. Fara saukowa mai ƙarfi."
    
  "Fara saukar da wutar lantarki, dakatar da saukowar wutar lantarki..." Lokacin da kwamfutar ba ta karɓi odar sokewa ba, ta fara: "Fara rikodin daga orbit zuwa uku, biyu, ɗaya, yanzu." Laser Pulse Detonation Rocket System, ko LPDRS, injuna Furci "damisa," an kunna kuma ya kai ga cikakken iko. Ta hanyar kona man jet na JP-7 da hydrogen peroxide oxidizer tare da wasu sinadarai da ɗumbin zafin wuta na Laser don ƙara ƙayyadaddun yunƙuri, injunan LPDRS na Black Stallion huɗu sun samar da sau biyu na matsawar duk injinan da ke cikin sararin sararin samaniya.
    
  Yayin da kumbon ya rage gudu sai ya fara gangarowa. Yawanci, a wani ɗan gudun hijira, Boomer zai rufe manyan injuna sa'an nan kuma ya kunna sararin samaniyar zuwa wani wuri mai tsayin hanci don tafiya ta gaba kuma ya shirya don "shigarwar hanyar shiga," ko karo na farko tare da yanayi, sa'an nan kuma amfani da aerobraking-scraping. kashe kariya ta ƙasa tare da yanayi - don rage gudu kafin saukowa. Koyaya, wannan lokacin Boomer ya ci gaba da tashi wutsiya da farko, tare da injunan LPDRS suna aiki da cikakken iko.
    
  Yawancin jiragen ba za su iya yin hakan na dogon lokaci ba saboda ba su da isasshen mai, amma jirgin Black Stallion ya sha bamban: saboda an sake sanya masa mai a lokacin da yake shawagi a tashar Armstrong, yana da mai mai yawa kamar yadda zai samu idan ya kasance. ya tashi zuwa cikin orbit, wanda ke nufin cewa injinansa na iya yin aiki da yawa yayin dawowar. Duk da cewa jirgin sama ya fi karfin tattalin arziki, amma yana da irin nasa hadurran, wato yanayin zafi mai tsanani da ya taru a karkashin jirgin, don haka matukan jirgin sun gwada wata hanya ta daban.
    
  Yayin da Baƙin Stallion ya ƙara rage gudu, kusurwar da ke gangarowa ta yi nisa har sai da aka yi kamar suna nuni a miƙe. Kwamfutocin jirgin da injin sarrafa injin sun daidaita wutar don ci gaba da kasancewa da ƙarfin birki na 3 G. "Na ƙi tambaya," Boomer ya yi gunaguni yayin da yake faɗa ta hanyar g-force yana tura jikinsa ya koma kujerarsa, "amma yaya kake ina, Faransa?" Har yanzu mafi kyau?"
    
  "Green, Kyaftin," Frenchie ta amsa, tana tilasta wa kanta numfashi ta cikin daurewar tsokoki na makogwaronta don kiyaye tsokoki na cikinta, wanda ya tayar da hawan jini a kai. "Dukkanin tsarin a kore, an kammala binciken tashar."
    
  "Rahoto cikakken bayani, na gode Monsieur Moulin," in ji Boomer. "A nan ni ma mafi kyau."
    
  Flying a Mach 5, ko sau biyar gudun sauti, kuma kafin a sake shiga cikin sararin samaniya a tsayin kusan mil sittin, Boomer ya ce, "A shirye don fara rabuwar kaya." Muryarsa ta yi ƙara da gaske yanzu saboda wannan shine mafi mahimmancin lokaci na manufa.
    
  "Na gane, ana rarraba kayan aiki ... Shirin yana gudana," Moulin ya amsa. Ƙofofin kaya a saman fuselage na Black Stallion sun buɗe kuma injuna masu ƙarfi sun tura kwandon BDU-58 daga cikin bay. An tsara kwandon "Meteor" na BDU-58 don kare nauyin nauyin nauyin fam dubu hudu a lokacin hawan yanayi. Da zarar ta cikin yanayi, Meteor zai iya tashi har zuwa mil ɗari uku zuwa wurin saukarsa ko jettin kayansa kafin ya yi tasiri a ƙasa.
    
  An tsara wannan manufa don nuna cewa jiragen saman Black Stallion na iya sauka cikin sauri da kuma daidai da wani jirgin leken asiri mai dogon zango a ko'ina a duniya. Meteor zai harba jirgin sama mara matuki kirar AQ-11 Night Owl a tsayin kusan ƙafa dubu talatin kusa da kan iyakar Iran da Afghanistan. A cikin wata mai zuwa, Dare Owl zai sanya ido a yankin ta hanyar amfani da radar infrared da milimita don alamun masu tada kayar baya na musulmi da ke tsallakawa kan iyaka ko dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci ko kuma ayarin dakarun Quds na safarar makamai ko kayayyaki daga kasashe makwabta.
    
  Bayan an cire kwandon da ke dauke da meteorite, Boomer da Frenchie sun ci gaba da gangarowarsu. Yanayin ya sa jirgin ya yi saurin raguwa da sauri, kuma nan da nan injunan LPDRS sun yi tafiyar hawainiya don kiyaye matsakaicin raguwar 3 G. "Hull zafin jiki yana cikin iyakokin al'ada," in ji Moulin. "Tabbas ina son waɗannan zuriyar da aka sarrafa."
    
  Boomer yayi mu'amala da rundunonin g, ya miqe ya tafa saman dashboard ɗin. "Jirgin sama mai kyau, jirgin ruwa mai kyau," ya yi sanyi a hankali. "Tana son wadancan tseren na kasa - duk zafin ciki ba shi da dadi sosai, shin, zuma? Shin na gaya muku, Faransanci, cewa injin damisa shine ra'ayina?
    
  "Kusan sau miliyan kawai, kyaftin."
    
  "Eh iya iya".
    
  "Matsayin iska a saman ya tashi zuwa kore ... Kwamfuta suna tabbatar da lafiyar tsarin kulawa," in ji Moulin. "Filayen sarrafawa da aka daidaita da manufa suna cikin yanayin gwaji...An kammala gwaje-gwaje kuma tsarin MAW yana amsa umarnin kwamfuta." Tsarin MAW, ko Mission Adaptive Wing, jerin ƙananan na'urori ne a kan fuselage waɗanda da gaske suka juya dukkan jikin jirgin sama zuwa na'urar ɗagawa - kwamfutoci sun siffata fata kamar yadda ake buƙata don motsa jiki, hawa ko sauka, suna ba jirgin ƙarin zamewa. ko saurin raguwa. Ko da a lokacin da yake tashi a baya, tsarin MAW ya ba da damar cikakken sarrafa jirgin sama. Tare da sarrafa yanayi mai aiki, Boomer da kansa ya ɗauki iko da Black Stallion, ya juya don su tashi gaba kamar jirgin sama na al'ada, sannan da hannu ya tuka wannan sana'a ta hanyar jerin matsi, babban kusurwa-na hari yana jujjuya saurin gudu yayin kiyaye ƙimar. na saukowa kuma zafin jiki yana ƙarƙashin kulawa.
    
  A lokaci guda kuma ya zage damtse ya dauki wurin sauka. Wannan saukar da jirgin ya yi alkawarin zai yi dan wahala fiye da yadda aka saba saboda inda suka sauka a kudu maso gabashin Turkiyya a wani sansanin sojojin Turkiyya da NATO da ke wani gari mai suna Batman. Batman AFB shi ne tushe na Rundunar Haɗin gwiwar Ayyuka na Musamman a lokacin Yaƙin Gulf na 1991, lokacin da Sojojin Amurka na Musamman da Sojojin Sama suka gudanar da ayyukan ɓoye a cikin Iraki. Bayan yakin an mayar da shi hannun farar hula na Turkiyya. A kokarin da take na kara hadin gwiwa da kyautata alaka da "yan uwanta musulmi a yankin gabas ta tsakiya, Turkiyya ta haramtawa kungiyar tsaro ta NATO hare-haren soji daga Batman, amma Amurka ta tursasa Turkawa da su ba da damar leken asiri da wasu jiragen sama da suka tashi daga Batman domin farauto da lalata masu tayar da kayar baya. Iran. Yanzu ya kasance daya daga cikin mahimman sansanonin jiragen sama na gaba ga sojojin Amurka da na NATO a Gabas ta Tsakiya, Gabashin Turai da Asiya ta Tsakiya.
    
  "Kafa dubu sittin, matsa lamba na yanayi a yankin kore, a shirye don katse damisa," in ji Moulin. Boomer ya kyalkyale da dariya - tabbatar da damisa da kuma jujjuya yanayin turbojet na iska an gudanar da shi ta atomatik, kamar yawancin ayyuka a cikin jirgin sama, amma Moulin koyaushe yana ƙoƙarin yin hasashen lokacin da kwamfutar za ta fara aikin. Tabbas, kwamfutar ta sanar da shi cewa an kare injinan LPDRS, "Har yanzu muna cikin yanayin 'manual', Captain," Moulin ya tunatar da shi.
    
  "Gaskiya kin yi kyau a wannan, ko ba haka ba, Frenchie?" Boomer ya yi murmushi.
    
  "Aiki na ne Captain."
    
  "Ba za ka taba kiran ni 'Boomer ba, ko?"
    
  "Babu yiwuwa, kyaftin."
    
  "Ba ku san abin da kuke rasa ba, Frenchie."
    
  "Zan tsira. A shirye don sake farawa."
    
  Wani bangare na fara'arsa tabbas shine abin da ake nema. Wataƙila ta kasance mai kama da kasuwanci a gado - amma hakan zai jira har sai sun zauna tare. "Na kashe injunan, injunan turbojet suna rayuwa." Yanzu akwai isassun iskar oxygen a sararin samaniya don dakatar da amfani da hydrogen peroxide don ƙona man jet, don haka Boomer ya sake buɗe shafuka masu motsi akan mashin ɗin injin kuma ya fara jerin injina. Bayan ɗan lokaci, injunan turbojet sun yi kasala kuma suna shirye su tashi. Hanyar jirginsu ya kai su tsakiyar Turai da Ukraine, kuma a yanzu suna kan Bahar Black, sun nufi kudu maso gabas zuwa Turkiyya. Tare da kiyaye yanayin zafin jikinsu, haɓakar hanyoyin saukowa sun ba su damar yin ɓarna da sauri-za su iya saukowa daga tsayin mil ɗari biyu zuwa wani wuri na farko da ake kira "ƙofa mai girma" a cikin ƙasa da mil dubu, yayin da zuriya ta al'ada. tare da jirgin sama zai iya ɗaukar kusan mil dubu biyar.
    
  Kasa da ƙafa dubu sittin suna cikin sararin sararin samaniya mai kyau na Class A, don haka yanzu dole ne su bi duk hanyoyin sarrafa zirga-zirgar jiragen sama na yau da kullun. Kwamfuta ta riga ta shigar da mitar da ta dace a cikin gidan rediyon microwave mai lamba daya: "Cibiyar Ankara, wannan ita ce garken Bakwai, mai kula da hankali, mil dari da ashirin arewa maso yammacin Ankara, ta wuce matakin jirgi biyar da sifili, yana neman kunnawa. shirin jirgin mu. Za mu zama MARS tare da chevron hudu-daya."
    
  Rukunin na bakwai, cibiyar Ankara, zauna a waje da yankin gano tsaron sararin samaniyar Turkiyya har sai an gano shi ta hanyar radar, alama ce ta al'ada. Boomer ya sake karanta duk umarnin.
    
  A wannan lokacin, a kan radiyon da suke ɓoye na sakandare, sun ji: "Stallion bakwai, chevron huɗu-ɗaya akan shuɗi Biyu."
    
  Boomer ya nemi Frenchie ya saurari mitar sarrafa zirga-zirgar jiragen sama, sannan ya koma gidan rediyon taimako: "Hudu-ɗaya, wannan shine Stallion na Bakwai." Sun yi musayar ƙalubalanci da lambobin amsawa don tabbatar da ainihin juna, duk da cewa suna kan tashar rufaffiyar. "Mun tashi daga Batman ne saboda mun ji daga Ankara ATC cewa ba sa barin wani jirgin sama ya ketare kariyar tsaronsu, har ma da wadanda ke da tsare-tsare na tashi. Ba mu san abin da ke faruwa ba, amma yawanci saboda wani jirgin sama ko jirgin da ba a san ko waye ba ya mamaye sararin samaniyarsu ko ruwa, ko kuma wasu Kurdawa sun harba wasu turmi a kan iyakar, kuma suna rufe komai har sai sun daidaita. Muna gabatowa wurin rendezvous Fishtail. Ina ba da shawarar tafiya a layi daya zuwa wurin da ke can, sannan mu nufi MK. "
    
  "Na gode da kasancewa a saman abubuwa, Hudu-Daya," in ji Boomer, jin daɗi a cikin muryarsa. Yin amfani da ingantaccen bayanin martaba ya lalata man da suke da shi sosai - a halin yanzu sun kusan ƙarewa, kuma lokacin da suka isa wurin tunkarar su a Batman AFB za su kasance cikin tanadin mai na gaggawa kuma ba za su iya tashi daga mai ba. wani wuri kuma. Madaidaicin wurin saukarsu mafi kusa shine Mihail Cogniceanu Filin jirgin sama kusa da Constanta, Romania, ko kuma kawai "MK" a takaice, sansanin sojan Amurka na farko da aka kafa a tsohuwar ƙasar Warsaw.
    
  Da zarar an haɗa jiragen biyu ta hanyar na'urar daukar hoto mai tsaro, nunin ayyukansu da yawa ya nuna musu wurin da junansu suke, hanyar da za su bi zuwa wurin da za su bi, da kuma jujjuyawar da za su buƙaci shiga. Black Stallion ya isa wurin mai na tsakiyar iska na farko mintuna goma sha biyar da wuri, a cikin kulli ɗari huɗu da tsayin ƙafa dubu talatin, don haka Boomer ya fara juyi juyi don zubar da saurin iska. "Ina son shi - buga ramuka a sararin sama, yawo da jirgin sama mafi sauri a duniya."
    
  "Daya yana kiran Stallion na Bakwai," Boomer ya ji ta hanyar ɓoyayyen tauraron ɗan adam.
    
  "ALLAH ne akan WATCHMEN," in ji shi. " Gaba, Daya."
    
  "An share ku don zuwa MK," in ji Patrick McLahanan daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. Ya lura da ci gaban jirgin daga tsarin umarni. "Ma'aikata suna shirye don tabbatar da amincin Black Stallion."
    
  "Ya kamata wani a gida ya kalli kafada na daga yau?" - Ya tambaya.
    
  "Na tabbatar da wannan, Boomer," in ji Patrick. "Ka saba da shi."
    
  "An fahimta."
    
  "Wani tunanin me yasa Ankara bai bari kowa ya shigo ba, yallabai?"
    
  "Wannan shine Farawa. Har yanzu mara kyau, "in ji David Luger. "Har yanzu muna dubawa."
    
  Daga ƙarshe Black Stallion ya sami damar rage gudu ya sauka don ɗaukar matsayi mai kyau, ƙafa ɗari biyar ƙasa da rabin mil a bayan tankar. "Mataki na bakwai da aka kafa, an kammala lissafin, ku a gani, a shirye," in ji Boomer.
    
  "Roger kai, Bakwai, wannan Chevron Four-Daya ne," in ji mai harbin da ke bayan tankar. "Na karanta ku da ƙarfi kuma a sarari, kamar ni."
    
  "Mai ƙarfi kuma a sarari."
    
  "Na fahimce ka. Ni ma ina ganin ku." A kan intercom ya ce, "Boom down to contact position, ma'aikatan jirgin," kuma ya yi amfani da tankar zuwa matsayi, fuka-fukanta masu sarrafa waya suna daidaita shi a cikin babban motar dakon mai. Sake kan rediyo: "An share bakwai don matsawa zuwa wurin tuntuɓar juna, Hudu-ɗaya yana shirye."
    
  "Na bakwai yana tashi," in ji Boomer. Ya buɗe ƙofofin zamewa a saman fuselage a bayan kokfit, sa'an nan kuma a hankali ya kawo jirgin saman sararin samaniya a cikin wurin da aka riga aka tuntuɓar: daidai da tsakiyar layin tanki, saman gilashin iska tare da tsakiyar kabu na sashin kula da hasken wuta. Babban ciki na Boeing 777 da aka canza ya cika gilashin gilashi. "Bakwai suna cikin matsayi na farko, daidaitawa kuma a shirye, wannan lokacin kawai JP-7," in ji shi.
    
  "Kwafi tuntuɓar farko kuma a shirye, JP-7 kawai, an share don shigar da lamba, hudu-daya shirye," in ji ma'aikacin bunƙasa. Ya mika bututun bututun ya kunna alamar "maneuver" mai kyaftawa - sigina don matsar da mai karɓar zuwa matsayin da ake so. Da kyar Boomer ya motsa abubuwan sarrafawa saboda jirgin yana da haske-kusan da tunani kawai, ya jagoranci Black Stallion gaba da sama. Lokacin da mai nuna motsi ya tsaya tsayin daka, Boomer ya ci gaba da riƙe matsayinsa, kuma kamar da ƙarfin tunani, kuma ma'aikacin haɓaka ya sanya bututun ƙarfe a cikin soket ɗinsa. "A tuntube, hudu-daya."
    
  "Na bakwai ya yi tuntuɓar kuma yana nuna amfani da man fetur," in ji Boomer. "Na yi farin ciki da ganin ku maza."
    
  "Mu ne ma'aikatan Cabernet, yallabai," in ji matukin jirgin.
    
  Ya ɗauki KC-77 mintuna goma don tura fam dubu talatin na man jet zuwa Black Stallion. "Mu fara tafiya yamma, Hudu-Daya," in ji Boomer. "Mun fara kusanci Krasnodar sosai." Akwai wani katafaren sansanin sojin saman Rasha a Krasnodar da ke gabashin gabar tekun Black Sea, kuma ko da yake suna da kyau a wajen sararinsu ko na wani, amma ya fi kyau kada a tashi zuwa irin wadannan yankuna ba tare da gargadi ba. Tare da babban radar tsaro na iska da kuma batura masu yawa na makamai masu linzami masu cin dogon zango zuwa iska, Krasnodar ya kasance daya daga cikin manyan sansanonin yaki a duniya baki daya, wanda ba shi da kasa da cikakkun fukafukan yaki na tsaron sama guda uku da ke can, ciki har da daya mai dauke da makamai. Mikoyan's MiG-29. Gurevich "Fulcrum", dauke daya daga cikin mafi kyau interceptors a duniya.
    
  Ko da shekaru hudu bayan harin ramuwar gayya na Amurka a Rasha, har yanzu jijiyoyi a duk yankin sun kasance cikin rauni, kuma masu aiki a shirye suke su yi komai don shigar da mayaka cikin iska da kuma kunna tsarin tsaron iska. Abin farin ciki, babu alamar wani aikin tsaro na iska a bayansu. "Abin da ya fi dacewa shine juya dama."
    
  "Muna tafiya kai tsaye zuwa biyu-bakwai-sifili," in ji matukin jirgin. Boomer da basira ya yi banki a bayan Boeing 777 da aka gyara yayin da suka fara juyawa kudu, suna ci gaba da tuntuɓar juna.
    
  Sun dau hanyar sabuwar hanya, sai dan bindigar mai dauke da tankar ya ce, "To, mutane, da alama muna da baƙo. Bakwai, karfe uku naku, ya kusa."
    
  "Me ke faruwa, Frenchie?" Boomer ya tambaya, yana mai da hankali kan zama a wurin mai.
    
  "Oh shit...MiG-29 na Rasha ne," Moulin ya ce a firgice, "sa'o'i uku, kasa da rabin mil, daidai a bakin reshen mu."
    
  "Duba ko yana da wingman," in ji Boomer. "Mutanen Rasha ba sa tashi jiragen ruwa sau da yawa."
    
  Moulin ya leka sararin samaniya, yana ƙoƙarin samun nutsuwa, yana ƙoƙarin waiwaya baya iyawa. "Ka kama shi," in ji ta daga baya. "Karfe bakwai, kamar mil mil." Wanda karfe uku ya matso yana jan hankalinta. A cikin aikin sojan ruwa na shekaru goma sha biyar, ba ta taɓa ganin MiG-29 ba, sai waɗanda ke cikin sabis na Jamusanci, sannan kuma a tsaye kawai, ba cikin jirgi ba. Zai iya zama clone na jirgin saman sojan ruwa na F-14 Tomcat mai ɗaukar hoto, tare da fikafikai masu faɗi, babban fuselage da babban hanci don babban radar sarrafa wuta. Wannan na da wani kame mai launin kore, shudi mai haske da launin toka mai launin toka, mai dauke da babbar tutar Rasha fari, shudi da ja a kan ma'ajiya ta tsaye - kuma a fili tana iya ganin makami mai linzami guda daya mai cin dogon zango da makamai masu linzami guda biyu masu cin gajeren zango daga iska zuwa iska a rataye daga gare su. reshen hagu na ɗan lokaci. A razane ta ce "An yi lodin kaya, tabbas haka ne." "Me za mu yi?"
    
  "Zan gama zuba mai," in ji Boomer, "sannan kuma za mu fara shiga MK." Wannan shi ne sararin samaniyar duniya; An ba da izinin yawon buɗe ido. Bari Genesis da Odin su gano abin da ke faruwa a can."
    
  Boomer ta ji Frenchie a lambar yawo-talkie mai lamba biyu tana magana da wani, amma bayan ɗan lokaci sai ta tsaya: "Wannan wawan yana zuwa da ƙarfe uku," in ji ta cikin tsoro.
    
  "Yaya mukeyi da fetur?"
    
  "Uku cikin hudu cike."
    
  "Shin muna da isassun tanadi don isa MK?"
    
  "Yawancin".
    
  "Ina so in cika su idan akwai. Yaya kusancin MiG yake yanzu?
    
  "Yana daidai a bakin reshen mu na dama," in ji Frenchie. "Za ka wuce, Captain?"
    
  "A'a. Ina nuna masa yadda aka yi. Babu shakka shi ma yana son ya duba nan gaba." Amma dan wasan bai kare a nan ba. Mig-29 ya ci gaba da gabatowa har sai da nan da nan Boomer ya ji karar injinsa da rawar jiki a wajen dakin. "Ok, yanzu ya fara bata min rai. Ya ya muke yi da fetur?"
    
  "Kusan cika."
    
  "Ina wingman?"
    
  Moulin ta fara matsawa a kujerarta ta sake juyowa gaba daya zuwa hagu... amma nan da nan ta gano cewa hakan ba lallai ba ne, domin MiG na biyu ya rufe, kuma a yanzu haka tana can a gefen hagu na kuktin matukin jirgin, kusa da shi. hayakin da ke fitowa daga injinsa da jiragensa na ruwa ya girgiza reshen hagu na tankar, da kyar aka gane da farko, amma nan da nan ya kara karfi yayin da MiG ya nufo.
    
  "Na bakwai, wannan Hudu-Daya ne. Yana ƙara zama da wahala a kiyaye shi. Me za ka ce da hakan?
    
  "Bastard," in ji Boomer. "Lokaci ya yi da za a gama." A rediyo ya amsa, "Hudu-Daya, mu kashe kuma-"
    
  Amma a lokacin ne MiG na biyu da ke gefen hagu na kogin na tankar ya kunna bayan wuta, iskar iskar gas din da ke fitar da ita ba ta da nisan yadi kadan daga gaban babban reshen bangaren hagu na tankar, sakamakon haka reshen na farko ya yi kasa da karfi. sai sama, ya sa tankar ta jera hannun dama. "Getaway, breakaway, breakaway!" ma'aikacin shingen ya yi ihu a kan rediyo. Nan da nan Boomer ya rage gudu, ya danna maɓallin umarnin murya ya ce, "Gudun birki saba"in!" Na'urar Adaftar Wing na Ofishin Jakadancin nan da nan ya saita mafi girman ja, yana ƙirƙirar dubban birki masu sauri a duk faɗin sararin samaniyar da ba shi damar nutsewa cikin sauri.
    
  ... kuma hakan bai faru da sauri ba, saboda matukin jirgin ruwa, yana fama da sarrafa jirginsa kuma a lokaci guda yana danna cikakken ikon yaƙi da kusurwar hawa talatin, lokacin da ya ji "ɗagawa" sigina, an daidaita shi kuma a yanzu ya fusata ya faɗi hagu, kasancewar yana cikin kamawar katsewar wutar lantarki gaba ɗaya kuma a kan gaɓar wutsiya. Boomer ya rantse cewa yana shirin fuskantar fuska da ma'aikacin bum ɗin sai ya ga wutsiyar tankar tana nutsewa ƙasa da ƙasa zuwa gare shi. "Zo, Chevron, murmure, tsine, murmure..."!
    
  Tankar KC-77 da alama tana tuƙi a ƙarshen bututun mai da ake ci gaba da yi, tana kula da hagu da dama kamar wanda ya kama sararin sama don samun tallafi, fuka-fukansa suna kaɗawa kamar ƙaton domi a hawan, sai dai tankar ba ta ƙara tashi sama ba. , kuma yana shirin mirginawa da jujjuyawa daga sarrafawa a kowane daƙiƙa guda. A dai-dai lokacin da Boomer ya yi tunanin zai yi birgima a bayansa ya nutse cikin Bahar Maliya ba tare da katsewa ba, sai ya dakatar da mutuwarsa, fiffikensa na hagu ya ragu kuma hancinsa ya fara rarrafe zuwa sararin sama. Yayin da hancin jirgin ya fado kasa da sararin sama, reshe na dama a hankali, mai raɗaɗi ya fara saukowa. A lokacin da tankar ta bace daga gani, ta kusa daidaita da fuka-fuki, tare da runtse hancinsa, amma da sauri ya dawo da saurin da ya bata.
    
  "Chevron, kuna lafiya?" Boomer yayi rediyo.
    
  Bayan ƴan mintuna kaɗan sai ya ji wata babbar murya, mai raɗaɗi, kakkausar murya na maza tana cewa, "Na same shi, na samu, tsine, na samu... Bakwai, wannan Hudu-ɗaya ne, ba mu da lafiya. La'ananne, na dauka an gama da mu. Muna sama da ƙafa dubu goma sha biyu. Muna lafiya. Inji guda daya ya kone, amma yanzu muna sake farawa."
    
  Boomer ya leka sararin samaniya ya ga MiG-29 guda biyu suna haɗe sama da shi, suna tafiya gabas. Kusan ya ji suna dariya a gidajen rediyonsu na yadda suke tsorata Amurkawa. "Ya ku 'yan iska!" - ya yi ihu a cikin visor din oxygen kuma ya matsar da magudanar gaba zuwa matsakaicin mai zafi.
    
  "Mai daraja! Me kuke yi?" Moulin ta yi ihu yayin da numfashinta ya dawo bayan wani bugun kirjinta da ya yi kwatsam saboda nauyin da ya yi mata. Amma ba da daɗewa ba ya bayyana abin da yake yi - yana tashi daidai tsakiyar tsarin MiG. A lokacin da ta sami damar kururuwa, sun yi fira da MiG guda biyu, suna shawagi kasa da yadi dari sama da su, sama da mil dari bakwai a awa daya! "Ya Allah, Noble, mahaukaci kake?"
    
  Boomer ya tuƙa Black Stallion zuwa wani tudu mai tsayi da digiri sittin yayin da ya ci gaba da sauri. "Za mu ga ko suna son yin raye-raye tare da wasu kuliyoyi na waje ko kuma za su je neman manyan wuraren kitse," in ji shi. Na"urar gargadin barazanar ta yi ruri- har yanzu MiGs na aiki ba tare da na"urar radar ba, dalilin da ya sa suka sami damar yin latsawa a kan samuwarsu cikin sauki, amma a yanzu an kunna babban na"urar N-019 suna bincike. Boomer ya tashi sama da ƙafa dubu arba'in, ya mayar da abubuwan sarrafawa don yaƙar iko, kuma ya canza nunin ayyukansa da yawa zuwa hoton barazanar da ya ba shi kyakkyawan yanayin yanayin. "Ku sa ido kan mai na kuma sanar da ni lokacin da muka kusanci man bingo akan MK, Frenchy."
    
  "Stallion, wannan shine Odin," in ji Patrick McLaanahan daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. "Mun sami gargadi kawai game da barazanar. Kuna da MiG biyu a bayan ku! Ina za ka?"
    
  Boomer ya ce, "Zan jawo wadannan mutanen har zuwa gabas don nisantar da su daga tankin mai," in ji Boomer, "kuma zan koya musu darasi game da yadda ake sarrafa baƙar fata, musamman ma tankarsa."
    
  "Ka fahimci abin da kake yi, Boomer?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  "Ina fata wadannan mutanen sun harbe ni, Janar," in ji Boomer, "sannan da gaske zan sa hawaye a idanunsu. Akwai sauran tambayoyi, yallabai?"
    
  An ɗan ɗan dakata, a lokacin Moulin ya tabbata cewa janar ɗin zai rantse har sai ya faɗo kuma a zahiri ya birkice daga rufin tsarin umarni cikin tsantsar fushi ga matasa na Noble. Ga mamakinta, ta ji McLaanahan ya amsa: "Ba daidai ba, Boomer. Gwada kawai kar a tona fenti."
    
  "Minti goma sha biyar kafin a kara man fetur a wannan gudun da tafiya, jirgin sama," Moulin ya ruwaito. "Dakata da wannan ɓangarorin ku juya mu!"
    
  "Ƙarin mintuna biyar kuma za mu juya, Frenchie," in ji Boomer, sannan ya yi tagumi, "Ku zo, ku matsorata, ku harba riga. Muna daidai a idanunku kuma ba mu haifar da wani tsangwama ba - ku ɗauka - "
    
  A wannan lokacin, alamomin "batwing" guda biyu akan nunin gargaɗin barazanar, masu wakiltar radar binciken Mig, sun fara walƙiya. " Hankali, hankali, faɗakarwa na makami mai linzami, sa'o'i shida, mil ashirin da uku, MiG-29K..." wannan lokacin ya biyo baya: "Hanya, hankali, harba makami mai linzami, harba makami mai linzami, AA-12!"
    
  "Mu tafi, Faransanci, riƙe masu furanninku," in ji Boomer. Ya juyar da magudanar zuwa mafi girman bayan ƙonawa, sannan ya ce: "Damisa a taɓa."
    
  "Damisa suna hulɗa, dakatar da damisa ... an kunna damisa," kwamfutar ta amsa, kuma duka ma'aikatan jirgin an sake mayar da su cikin kujerunsu yayin da injin fashewar laser na bugun jini ya harba cikin cikakken yanayin turbojet - tare da throttles sun riga sun ci gaba da ci gaba da aiki. , maimakon a hankali ƙara su, sun sami kusan cikakken ƙarfin turbojet a cikin 'yan daƙiƙa kaɗan. Airspeed ya yi tsalle daga ƙasan Mach 1 zuwa 2, sannan 3, sannan 4 a cikin ƙiftawar ido. Sa'an nan ya fara hawan dutse mai tsayi, sa'an nan ya ci gaba da shigar da firam har sai sun nufi sama, mai wucewa ta hamsin, sannan ƙafa dubu sittin.
    
  "Makamai masu linzami ... har yanzu ... bin diddigin," Moulin ya yi gunaguni bayan Gs kusan bakwai. "Har yanzu...rufe..."
    
  "Na kusa gama...da wadannan 'yan iska, Frenchie," Boomer ya yi gunaguni da baya. Ya mayar da wutar zuwa Mach 4 sannan ya ci gaba da danna sandar sarrafawa har sai da suka kife. Juyawa yayi a tsaye, hancinsa yanzu yana nuni da kasa kusan a tsaye, sannan ya kalli alamar barazanar. Kamar yadda ya yi fata, MiG guda biyu har yanzu suna watsa makamashin radar, suna nemansa - makami mai linzami AA-12, kwafin Amurka AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Makami mai linzami, an yi niyya ta amfani da nasa kan jirgin. radar.
    
  "Ina mamakin inda na tafi, mutane? Za ku gane nan da daƙiƙa guda." Boomer ya jagoranci Black Stallion zuwa wani wuri a sararin samaniya inda ya yi tunanin MiGs za su kasance a cikin bugun zuciya ko biyu - a cikin saurin danginsa, MiGs sun yi kamar suna shawagi a sararin samaniya, kodayake nunin barazanar ya nuna cewa suna tashi da kusan sau biyu cikin sauri. fiye da sauti. Da zarar ya hango bakar dige-dige da ke karkashinsa, sai ya yi birgima zuwa hagu har ya kai tsaye tsakanin jiragen Rasha biyu. Bai san ko ya kirga tafiyar daidai ba, amma yanzu lokaci ya kure don damuwa...
    
  Kiftawar ido ba kadan bace da ba za a iya gane shi ba yayin da ya tashi tsaye a tsakaninsu, ya rasa na kusa da yadi hamsin kacal. Da ya wuce su, sai ya ajiye magudanar ruwa, ya kashe injinan LPDRS don ajiye mai, ya yi amfani da tsarin MAW ya taimaka wa jirgin ya tashi ba tare da ya wargaje ba - da gudun da suke yi a yanzu, da sun isa Bahar Bahar daƙiƙa takwas kawai ba tare da fasahar Ofishin Jakadancin Adaftar Wing ba - kuma ya fara juyawa hagu mai kaifi idan har har yanzu makamai masu linzami na AA-12 suna bin diddigin...
    
  ...amma bai damu da makamai masu linzami ba, domin bayan wani lokaci sai suka ga wani katon haske a saman su, sai kuma wani. Ya mik'e ya bar g-force ya rage, ya leka sararin samaniya. Bak'ar gizagizai ne kawai suke gani a samansu. "Bayan biya bitch ne, dama, abokan aiki?" Boomer ya ce yayin da ya sake komawa yamma.
    
  Sai da suka sake cim ma motar dakon mai sannan suka kara mai domin sun kai ga yanayin gaggawar man a cikin "yan mintoci kadan da injinan LPDRS ke gudana. Ma'aikatan jirgin sun yi murna, amma Moulin ya fi natsuwa da kasuwanci fiye da yadda ta saba - ba ta ce komai ba sai ihun dole. "Lafiya kuwa, Four-One?" - Boomer ya tambaya.
    
  Matukin jirgin ya ce "Hakoran mu sun yi sako-sako sosai," in ji matukin jirgin, "amma ya fi madadin. Na gode, intud."
    
  "Za ku iya gode mana ta hanyar ba mu ɗan ƙaramin gas don mu isa MK."
    
  "Matukar muna da isasshen mai da zai kai mu titin jirgi mafi kusa, za ku iya daukar sauran," in ji matukin jirgin. "Kuma kada ku yi tunanin siyan abubuwan sha ga kowane tashar mai a ko'ina a duniya - ba ma buƙatar kuɗin ku kuma. Na sake godewa Stallion Seventh."
    
  Bayan kasa da sa'a guda, jiragen biyu sun yi wani yunkuri, inda suka sauka a filin jirgin saman Constanta-Mihail Cog Galniceanu da ke kasar Romania. Filin jirgin yana da nisan mil goma sha biyar daga Constanta da mil tara daga sanannen bakin tekun Mamaia na birnin da ke bakin Tekun Bahar Maliya, don haka da wuya ya gamu da hazo mai daskarewa da ya lullube birnin da ke gabar teku a lokacin hunturu. Rundunar sojin saman Amurka ta gina wani shingen ajiye motoci na jiragen sama, da hangarori, da wuraren kula da tsaro da tsaro a yankin arewa maso gabashin filin jirgin, tare da inganta hasumiya mai kula da tashar jirgin, radar da hanyoyin sadarwa, da tashar jiragen sama na farar hula. Tare da kasancewa memba a cikin NATO da Tarayyar Turai, jarin da Amurka ta yi a Romania ya canza yankin cikin sauri, wanda aka sani da shi kawai don tashar jiragen ruwa da wuraren tarihi kawai, ya zama babban wurin kasuwanci, fasaha da yawon shakatawa na duniya.
    
  An shigo da jiragen biyu cikin yankin tsaro a cikin wani karamin ayarin motocin Humvees masu sulke kuma aka ajiye su tare a cikin babbar hangar. Ma'aikatan sun sha runguma tare da girgiza hannu yayin saukar jirgin. Sun tattauna aikinsu tare sannan kuma a dabam, suna yin alkawarin saduwa da abinci da abin sha daga baya a Constanţa.
    
  Tattaunawar Noble da Moulin ya ɗauki tsawon lokaci fiye da na ma'aikatan jirgin ruwa. An ɗauki sa'o'i tara masu muni don ba da rahoto ga ma'aikatan kula da aikin leken asiri, Patrick McLanahan a tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong, Dave Luger a Dreamland, kuma an gudanar da gwaje-gwajen likita na yau da kullun bayan tashin jirgin. Lokacin da aka sake su daga karshe, sun share kwastam na Romania a filin jirgin sama na farar hula, sannan suka shiga motar bas zuwa Best Western Savoy Hotel a Constanta, inda sojojin Amurka suka ba da kwangilar zama na wucin gadi.
    
  Gabar Tekun Bahar Maliya ko kaɗan ba ta shagaltuwa a lokacin sanyi, don haka in ban da wasu ƴan ma'aikatan jirgin sama daga Romania, Jamus da Ostiriya da wasu ƴan kasuwa da suka ba da mamaki da ba su saba da yawan bukukuwan Constantinople a lokacin hunturu ba, an bar Amirkawa ga nasu. nasu na'urorin. Tuni dai ma"aikatan tanka suka yi nishadi da siyan abubuwan sha ga duk wanda ke sanye da fukafukai, musamman ma"aikatan jirgin na kasashen waje mata. Boomer ma ya shirya, amma ga mamakinsa sai yaga Lisette ta nufi lif zuwa dakinta. Ya janye kansa daga rungumar wasu kyawawan ma'aikatan jirgin masu farin jini, tare da yin alkawarin zai dawo da wuri, da sauri ya bi ta.
    
  Da kyar ya matse kofar lift na rufe. "Hey Frenchie, za ki kwanta da wuri haka? An fara bikin kuma ba mu ci abincin dare ba tukuna."
    
  "An ci ni. Na gama yau."
    
  Ya kalleta cike da damuwa. "Ba ku yi magana da yawa ba tun lokacin da muka ɗan yi gumurzu da Rashawa," in ji shi. "Ni kadan-"
    
  Nan da nan sai Moulin ya juyo gare shi ya buge shi a muƙamuƙi tare da dafe da hannunsa na dama. Ba haka ba ne mai ƙarfi irin wannan, amma har yanzu yana da hannu - ya cutar da shi, amma ya fi mamaki. "Kai, me yasa kayi haka?"
    
  "Kai dan iska! Kai dan iska ne! - ta yi kururuwa. "Saboda ku, ana iya kashe mu duka a can yau!"
    
  Boomer ya shafa kuncinsa yana kallonta cikin damuwa; sai ya kada kai ya ce, "Eh, zan iya. Amma babu wanda ke yin gudu a kusa da tankina." Ya yi murmushi, sannan ya kara da cewa, "Baya ga haka, dole ne ka yarda, Frenchie, jahannama ce ta hau."
    
  Moulin kaman zata sake buge shi, ya kuduri niyyar barinta yayi idan hakan zai sa ta samu sauki ...Amma ga mamakinsa sai ta ruga da sauri cikin lefitour ta nade hannayenta a wuyansa, ta tabe. ya sumbace shi, ya danne shi, zuwa gare shi, yana manne shi da bango.
    
  Ta numfasa "La'ananne, Boomer, ya zama jahannama na tafiya," ta numfasa. "Na yi jigilar jirage daga jigilar jiragen sama a cikin yaƙe-yaƙe biyu kuma an harbe ni a lokuta da yawa, kuma ban taɓa jin daɗi kamar yadda nake yi a yau ba!"
    
  "Ya Allah, Moulin..."
    
  "Bafaranshe. Ki kira ni Frenchie, damn it," ta umarce shi, sannan ta sake yi masa shiru. Ta dade ba ta bar shi ya sha iska ba.
    
  "Kun yi shuru sosai a kan hanyar dawowa da kuma lokacin tattaunawa, na ji tsoron cewa za ku shiga cikin wani irin yanayi na fugue, Frenchie," in ji Boomer yayin da Moulin ya fara sumbatar wuyansa. "Kuna da hanyar ban dariya ta gaske don nuna jin daɗin ku."
    
  "Naji dadi sosai, naji dadi, damn horny har naji kunyar nunawa," Moulin ya fada tsakanin sumbatarsa, hannunta yayi saurin samun hanyar kudu da kugunsa. "Ina nufin, matukan jirgi biyu na mayakan sun mutu, amma na ji motsi sosai har na yi tunanin zan fito cikin rigar jirgin dana tsine!"
    
  "Damn Frenchy, wannan shine ɗayan abubuwan ban mamaki na ku waɗanda ban taɓa taɓa ba -"
    
  "Yi shiru, Boomer, shiru kawai," in ji ta yayin da lif ɗin ya rage a ƙasan su. Zuwa lokacin ta kusa warware zik dinsa da maballinsa. "Ki kai ni dakina ki cire min hankali."
    
  "Amma yaya game da ango da naku-?"
    
  "Boomer, na ce ka rufe jahannama ka fuce ni, kuma kada ka tsaya sai da safe," in ji Moulin yayin da aka bude kofofin lif. "Zan yi bayanin wannan ga... cewa... Haba, ko yaya sunansa, da safe. Ka tuna, kyaftin, na fi ka daraja, don haka wannan umarni ne, malam!" A bayyane yake cewa ba da oda ya kasance mai ban sha'awa a gare ta kamar tukin jirgin sama mai karfin gaske.
    
    
  BABI NA BIYU
    
    
  Mutane suna son su sosai sa'ad da aka murkushe su da mummunan kewayen gazawa fiye da lokacin da suka yi nasara.
    
  -VIRGINIA WOOLF
    
    
    
  ARMSTRONG SPACE STATION
  DA safe
    
    
  Module na Umurnin shi ne cibiyar ayyukan da ke cikin tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong, kuma a nan ne Patrick McLaanahan ya halarci taron bidiyo tare da zaɓaɓɓun mambobi na Ma'aikatan Tsaron Ƙasa na Shugaba Gardner: Conrad F. Carlisle, mai ba shugaban kasa shawara kan harkokin tsaro; Gerald Vista, Daraktan Cibiyar Leken Asiri, wanda ya ci gaba da kasancewa a matsayinsa daga gwamnatin Martindale; Marine Janar Taylor J. Bain, Shugaban Hafsan Hafsoshin Hafsoshin Sojojin; Charles A. Huffman, Babban Hafsan Sojan Sama; da Janar Bradford Cannon, kwamandan sojojin Amurka. Dokar Dabarun da - har sai Majalisa da Pentagon sun yi aiki da cikakkun bayanai - kwamandan duk ayyukan sararin samaniya na Amurka a gidan wasan kwaikwayo da alhakin horarwa, kayan aiki, da jagorantar duk ayyukan yakin sararin samaniya. Hunter Noble - dan kadan mai ido daga rashin barci, duka saboda bambancin lokaci da Lisa Moulin - an haɗa shi da tarho ta hanyar tauraron dan adam daga ofishin umarni a Constant Air Force Base.
    
  Patrick da Master Sergeant Valerie Lucas sun yi shawagi a gaban babban babban ma'anar teleconference mai kula da tarho, Velcroed zuwa babban jigon umarni tare da sneakers. Patrick ya yanke gashin kansa, amma dogon gashin Lucas ya rataye a hankali a kowane gefen giciye na belun kunne, yana ba ta wani bakon wolverine. "Tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong tana kan layi kuma amintacce, yallabai," in ji Patrick. "Wannan shine Laftanar Janar Patrick McLanahan, Kwamandan, Babban Cibiyar Makamai ta Aerospace, Elliott Air Force Base, Nevada. Amurka tana tare da ni. Babban Jami'in Sojan Sama Sajan Valerie Lucas, jami'in da ba na ba da izini ba ne mai kula da tashar kuma ma'aikacin firikwensin da ke bakin aiki yayin harin da aka kai a Tehran. Haɗuwa da mu ta tauraron dan adam daga Constanta, Romania, shine Capt. Hunter Noble, babban jami'in kula da sararin samaniyar sararin samaniya da kuma Makamai na Hypersonic a Babban Cibiyar Makamai ta Aerospace. Shi ne jami'in da ya jagoranci harin da aka kai a birnin Tehran kuma wanda ya kera makamin SKYSTREak da aka yi amfani da shi wajen kai harin. A jiya ne ya dawo doron kasa bayan kammala aikinsa na saukar jirgin leken asiri a gabashin Iran, wanda za mu yi muku bayani a gaba."
    
  "Na gode, Janar," in ji Janar Taylor Bain daga Dakin Zinare, wanda aka fi sani da "Tankin," Cibiyar Taro na Haɗin Kan Hafsoshin Hafsoshin Sojoji a bene na biyu na Pentagon. Kamar yadda ya faru da yawancin jami'ai a Amurka bayan Holocaust, Bane ya kasance matashi ga jami'in sojan ruwa hudu, tare da aski mai launin ruwan kasa mai launin ruwan kasa "mai tsayi da tsayi," murmushi a shirye da idanu masu launin toka wanda ke haskaka amincewa da ƙaddarar gaskiya. . "Sannu da zuwa, kowa da kowa. Ina tsammanin kun san kowa a nan. Kasance tare da mu daga Fadar White House shine mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro Conrad Carlisle, kuma Daraktan leken asiri Gerald Vista yana tare da mu daga Langley.
    
  "Da farko, ina so in faɗi cewa na ji daɗi kuma, a zahiri, fiye da ɗan mamakin yin magana da ku, Janar McLanahan, a cikin wani ginin da ƴan ƴan ƴan shekarun da suka gabata aka ɗauke ni a matsayin mafi kyawu na Yaƙin Cold. a mafi munin ramin kudi mai iyo. "Bane ya ci gaba. "Amma yanzu muna duban kashe daruruwan biliyoyin daloli a cikin kasafin kudi biyar masu zuwa don samar da rundunar sararin samaniya bisa tsarin makaman guda daya. Na yi imani muna shaida farkon sabon alkibla da makomar sojojin Amurka. Kyaftin Noble, an yi mini bayani game da abin da ya faru a jiya kuma yayin da muke buƙatar tattaunawa game da basirar yanke hukunci, na gamsu da yadda kuka tafiyar da kanku, ma'aikatan ku, abokan aikin ku da jirgin ku. Na gaskanta wannan wani misali ne na iyakoki masu ban mamaki da aka haɓaka, kuma hanyar da muke kan gaba tana da ban mamaki. Amma muna da hanya mai nisa kafin mu fara wannan tafiya, kuma abubuwan da suka faru a cikin "yan kwanaki na ƙarshe za su kasance masu mahimmanci.
    
  "Da farko, za mu ji wani bayani daga Janar McLahanan game da tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong da gwajin da aka yi kwanan nan, da kuma abin da ya faru na Captain Noble a kan tekun Black Sea. Za mu tattauna wasu batutuwa da dama, sannan ma'aikatana za su shirya shawarwarinmu ga Ma'aikatar Tsaro da Jami'an Tsaron Cikin Gida. Na tabbata wannan zai zama dogon yaƙi mai tsayi, duka a Pentagon da Dutsen Capitol. Amma duk abin da ya zo na gaba, Patrick, Ina so in ce 'aiki yayi kyau' gare ku da ma'aikatan jirgin ku - ko in ce 'yan'uwan 'yan sama jannati. Da fatan za a ci gaba".
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Patrick ya fara. "A madadin kowa da kowa da ke cikin tashar sararin samaniya Armstrong da ma'aikatanmu masu goyon baya a Base na Rundunar Sojojin Sama, Elliott Air Force Base da Peterson Air Force Base a Colorado, na gode da kyawawan kalamanku da ci gaba da goyon baya."
    
  Patrick ya danna maballin da ya gabatar da hotuna da zane a wata taga daban ga masu sauraron taron bidiyo yayin da ya ci gaba da cewa: "Na farko, bayyani mai sauri: An gina tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong a karshen 1980s da farkon 1990s. Sigar soja ce ta tashar sararin samaniya ta NASA mafi ƙarami ta Skylab, wacce aka gina daga tankunan mai da aka kashe na rokoki Saturn I da Saturn IV, sun haɗu tare a kan tsarin tsakiya na tsakiya. Irin wadannan tankuna guda hudu, kowannensu yana da sararin sarari sama da kafa dubu talatin a ciki, shi ne babban bangaren tashar. A cikin shekarun da suka wuce, an haɗa wasu na'urori zuwa fin don ayyuka na musamman ko gwaje-gwaje, tare da manyan na'urorin hasken rana don ƙara ƙarfin wutar lantarki don fadada tashar. Za mu iya saukar da 'yan sama jannati har ashirin da biyar a wurin har tsawon wata guda ba tare da an dawo da su ba.
    
  "Tashar tana dauke da manyan na'urorin sojan Amurka da dama, wadanda suka hada da na'urar radar ta farko ta sararin samaniya, manyan na'urori masu auna infrared na duniya, ci-gaban hanyoyin sadarwa na duniya da hanyoyin sadarwa na kwamfuta masu saurin gaske, da kuma farkon tushen sararin samaniya. Na'urar kariyar makami mai linzami na Laser, mai suna 'Skybolt', wanda aka kera don harba makami mai linzami na duniya daga sararin samaniya. Na"urar radar da tashar ke da shi a sararin samaniya, wani na"ura ne na zamani na radar da ke duba duniya baki daya sau daya a rana kuma yana iya ganowa tare da gano abubuwa masu girman babur, hatta karkashin kasa ko karkashin ruwa.
    
  "Rushe dabarun mu da tsare-tsare da sarrafa makamai masu linzami, sakamakon hare-haren sama da Tarayyar Rasha ta kai wa Amurka, ya kara jaddada bukatar kafa wani sansani mai karfi da na zamani don gudanar da ayyukan tsaro da dama, da kuma Tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong irin wannan wurin, "Patrick ya ci gaba. "Tashar yanzu ita ce cibiyar tattara bayanai da yada bayanai ta hanyar sadarwa ta tauraron dan adam na sararin sama da kasa da ke hade da tsarin leken asiri da sadarwa na duniya wanda ke ci gaba da watsa bayanai da dama ga sojoji da masu amfani da gwamnati a duniya. ainihin lokaci. Tashar da tauraron dan adam na leken asiri masu tallafawa na iya ganowa da gano abubuwan da ake hari a sama, a sama, a kan ruwa ko karkashin ruwa, karkashin kasa ko a sararin samaniya, kuma yana iya jagorantar masu kare mutane da marasa matuka a kansu, kwatankwacin umarnin yaƙin multifunctional tushen sararin samaniya. tsarin.
    
  "Tsarin ci gaba da ke cikin tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong suna ba shi wasu muhimman abubuwan da suka dace da aikin soja na farko," Patrick ya ci gaba da cewa. "A cikin lamarin yaki ko bala'i, tashar na iya zama madadin cibiyar ayyukan soja ta kasa, mai kama da Air Force E-4B ko Navy E-6B Mercury Airborne kwamandan kwamandan jiragen ruwa, kuma yana iya sadarwa tare da jiragen ruwa na makamai masu linzami na ballistic ko da yayin da suke ciki. nutsewa mai zurfi. Yana iya haɗawa da gidajen rediyo da talabijin da Intanet a duk duniya don watsa bayanai ga jama'a; yi aiki a matsayin cibiyar kula da zirga-zirgar jiragen sama, ta ruwa ko ta ƙasa gabaɗaya; ko yin aiki a matsayin cibiyar daidaitawa na Hukumar Ba da Agajin Gaggawa ta Tarayya . Tashar tana tallafawa tashar sararin samaniya ta kasa da kasa, tana aiki azaman ceto da sabis na gyara sararin samaniya, tana goyan bayan bincike na kimiyya da shirye-shiryen ilimi da yawa kuma, na yi imani, wani abin zaburarwa ne ga farkawa matasa a duniya baki ɗaya zuwa binciken sararin samaniya.
    
  "Tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong a halin yanzu tana dauke da ma'aikatan tsare-tsare guda goma sha biyu, masu fasaha da kuma jami'ai, wadanda aka tsara su kamar yadda aka tsara su kamar rundunar da ke cikin tashar jirgin sama ko na'urorin firikwensin da ke cikin jirgin sama na radar. Ana kawo ƙarin ma'aikata a cikin jirgin kamar yadda ake buƙata don ayyuka na musamman - tashar tana da masauki don ƙarin ma'aikata dozin kuma za'a iya faɗaɗa su cikin sauri da sauƙi tare da ƙarin kayan aikin da jirgin, SR-79 Black Stallion, Ma'aikatan Orion ko motocin ƙaddamar da su ke bayarwa - "
    
  "Yi hakuri, Janar," mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro na kasa Carlisle ya katse, "amma ta yaya zai yiwu a isar da ƙarin na'urori zuwa tashar ta jirgin sama ko kuma motocin da aka tuka daga nesa?"
    
  "Hanya mafi sauri kuma mafi sauƙi ita ce ta amfani da inflatables, Mr. Carlisle," Patrick ya amsa.
    
  "Inflatable? Kana nufin ba wuya kamar balloon?"
    
  "Kamar balloon iska mai zafi, balloon iska mai zafi ne kawai. Fasahar ta dogara ne akan gwaje-gwajen 'Transhab' na NASA shekaru goma da suka gabata, wanda ya ba da shawarar na'urorin da za a iya busawa ga tashar sararin samaniya ta duniya. Ganuwar samfuran mu an yi su ne da farko da kayan aikin lantarki wanda ke sassauƙa, kamar masana'anta, har sai an yi amfani da halin yanzu kuma an buge shi, lokacin da ya taurare cikin kayan da ke tsayayya da tasiri sau dubu fiye da ƙarfe ko Kevlar; Ana ƙarfafa wannan kayan ta wasu kayan da ba su da wutar lantarki waɗanda har yanzu sun fi ƙarfin ƙarfe ko Kevlar sau da yawa. Tsarin inflatable yana ba da isasshen isa don ɗaukar makamashi daga tasiri ba tare da lalacewa ba - ba za ku iya karya ta bangon waɗannan abubuwan ba.
    
  "Kayan yana da nauyi kuma mai sauƙin shiryawa don ƙaddamarwa, sannan kuma cikin sauƙi kuma yana ƙaruwa cikin sa'o'i kaɗan. Mun riga mun shigar da ƙananan nau'ikan inflatable akan jiragen sama da Orion, kuma fasahar ta dogara. Har yanzu ba mu ɗaga module ɗin tare da cikakken ma'aikatan ba, amma yana ci gaba. Tashoshin sararin samaniya na gaba da watakila ma na'urorin zama a duniyar wata ko duniyar Mars za su iya busawa." Carlisle bai kalli duk masu gamsuwa ba, kamar yadda da yawa daga cikin sauran mahalarta suka yi, amma bai yi wani sharhi ba.
    
  Patrick ya d'auki ruwa daga cikin kwalbar da aka zagaya zuwa babban kan kuma yayi mamakin samun layin zufa a saman lebbansa na sama. Takaitaccen bayani nawa, ya yi mamaki, ya bayar a cikin fiye da shekaru ashirin na aikin soja? Ba ko daya, ya tunasar da kansa a fusace, daga sararin sama kafin! Takaitacce janar-janar taurari huɗu ya kasance mai cike da ruɗani sosai, amma yin hakan yayin da yake tashi sama da mil dubu goma sha bakwai cikin sa'a kuma sama da mil ɗari biyu sama da ƙasa ya sa ya ƙara ƙalubale.
    
  Patrick ya ci gaba da cewa, "Tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong ita ce madaidaicin magana na daukar matsayi mai tsayi kuma, na yi imani, ita ce tsakiyar burin Amurka na ci gaba da samun dama da sarrafa sararin samaniya." "Wannan da kuma jiragen saman Black Stallion sun kasance tushen abin da na kira US Space Defense Command, wani hadadden umarnin sabis na haɗin gwiwa wanda ke kula da duk damar da za a iya amfani da shi da kuma kariya da kuma tallafawa umarnin gidan wasan kwaikwayo na ƙasa tare da ingantaccen, sadarwa mai sauri, bincike, kai hari. da sabis na sufuri daga sararin samaniya.. Manufarmu ita ce - "
    
  "Wannan yana da ban sha'awa sosai, Janar McLanahan," mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro na ƙasa Carlisle ya yi murmushi tare da wani yanayi mai ban mamaki da ban mamaki a kan fuskarsa, "kuma mai ban sha'awa kamar yadda ra'ayin ya kasance lokacin da kuka fara gabatar da shi a bara, irin wannan ƙungiya har yanzu ta kasance dogon hanya daga halitta." shekaru - ba mu da lokacin da za mu dawo da Buck Rogers a yanzu. Shin za mu iya ci gaba da tattaunawa kan ayyukan da ake yi a Iran, Janar Bane?
    
  "Tabbas mai girma Kansila. General McLanahan?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji Patrick ba tare da wata magana ba - ya saba da ba a saurare shi, katse shi da kuma watsi da shi a duk lokacin da ya bayyana ra'ayinsa game da Rundunar Tsaron sararin samaniya ta Amurka. "Tare da duk sauran fasahar fasahar zamani ta wannan tashar, kwanan nan ma"aikatana sun kara wani abu: ikon sarrafa jiragen da aka sarrafa daga nesa da makamansu daga sararin samaniya. Mun nuna ikon sarrafa bama-bamai mara matuki na EB-1C Vampire supersonic bama-bamai gaba ɗaya daga wannan tashar yayin duk matakan tashin jirgin, gami da yawan mai na tsakiyar iska da tura madaidaicin makamai na hypersonic, a cikin ainihin lokaci kuma tare da cikakken mutum-in-da- madauki iko. Hanyoyin sadarwarmu da hanyoyin sadarwarmu suna da cikakken ƙarfi da sauri kuma suna haɓakawa, kuma ina tsammanin ikon sarrafa dukkan sojojin iska na yuwuwar ɗaruruwan motocin yaƙi marasa matuƙa, daga ƙananan ƙananan jirage marasa matuƙa zuwa manyan taraktoci masu linzami masu linzami, kai tsaye daga Armstrong - amintattu kuma a zahiri ba zai iya isa ba."
    
  Patrick ya haɗa bayanan taƙaitaccen bayaninsa zuwa babban jigon. "Ina fata dukkan ku sun sami rahoton nawa game da amfani da makami mai linzami na XAGM-279 SkySTREAK a cikin Tehran," in ji shi. "Harin ya samu cikakkiyar nasara. An yi watsi da gwajin aikin ne saboda hasarar da ba a yi niyya ba da kuma rashin tausayi sakamakon tayar da wani da ake zargin wani makami mai guba da ake zargin ya yi a kan makami mai linzami da aka nufa. Asarar da aka yi ta samo asali ne sakamakon tayar da wani makami mai guba da aka yi ba zato ba tsammani a kan wani makami mai linzami da ke kai hari, ba ta SKYSTREak ba, don haka...
    
  "Kuma kamar yadda na bayyana a cikin tsokaci na ga rahoton McLaanahan," in ji Babban Hafsan Hafsan Sojan Sama Janar Charles Huffman, "Na yi imanin cewa SKYSTREAKE makami ne da bai dace ba don amfani da shi kuma zai iya yin illa ga kokarin da muke yi na kawar da rikici. Iran da kuma cimma matsaya ta hanyar yin shawarwari tsakanin bangarorin da ke gaba da juna. Iran ita ce wurin da bai dace ba don gwada wannan makami, kuma a ganina Janar McLanahan ya yi watsi da shawararsa da kuma illar da makamin zai iya yi don nuna tsarinsa. Harba Skystreak a iyakokin sa a Nevada ba zai sami abin da zai sa ya bugi motar daukar kaya 'yan tawaye ba. Abin takaici, wasan kwaikwayo na sihiri ya haifar da mutuwar fararen hula da dama, ciki har da mata da yara, daga iskar gas mai guba."
    
  Shugaban Hafsan Hafsoshin Sojojin Bane ya girgiza kai, sannan ya kalli gaban kyamarar taron bidiyo. "General McLanahan?" Girar sa ya fusata yayin da yake kallon hoton Patrick akan allon taron bidiyo: Patrick yana ɗaukar wani dogon juyi daga kwalaben matsi kuma da alama yana fuskantar wahalar manna kwalbar a kan babban kan. "Zaka dame ka amsa?"
    
  Patrick ya gyada kai, ya kawo hannunsa bakinsa don kama wani digon ruwa da ya bata. "Yi hakuri yallabai. Ko da ayyuka masu sauƙi kamar ruwan sha suna buƙatar ƙarin maida hankali a nan. Kusan komai yana buƙatar ƙoƙari na hankali."
    
  "Na ji, Patrick. Na hau Vomit Comet sau biyu, don haka na san abin da nauyin nauyi zai iya yi wa mutum, amma ba kome ba ne kamar rayuwa irin wannan kwarewar 24/7." Vomit Comet wani jirgin sama ne na C-135 da aka gyara wanda ya tashi a kan wani yanayi mai kama da abin nadi, wanda ya baiwa fasinjoji damar samun rashin nauyi na dakikoki da yawa a lokacin hawansa. "Duk wani tsokaci kan rahoton Janar Huffman?"
    
  Patrick ya ce, "Ban yi tunanin ya zama dole in mayar da martani da mummunan ra'ayi ba," in ji Patrick, "amma a fayyace sarai: Binciken Janar Huffman gaba daya kuskure ne. Na haɗa gwajin aiki na SkySTREAK daidai kamar yadda aka bayyana a cikin Janar na Ofishin Jakadancin Air: madaidaicin rundunar sojan sama don tallafawa ayyukan yaƙi na Farisa tare da ƙarancin hasara ko lalacewa. Ba mu karkatar da iota ɗaya daga layin ATO ba.
    
  "Zan kuma so in yi wasu 'yan abubuwan, idan zan iya, yallabai." Bai jira izinin ci gaba ba: "SKYSTRICK ya samu amincewar hedkwatar gudanarwa na janar, tare da wasu runduna guda takwas da ke aiki a Tehran da sauran garuruwan Free Persian. Ya zuwa yanzu, SKYSTREEK ita ce kadai rukunin da ke samun nasarar shiga duk wani maharan, kodayake duk sauran rukunin suna da damar yin amfani da hoton firikwensin Global Hawk, tsarin sa ido na tashar Armstrong ta atomatik, har ma da hanyoyin SKYSTREEK. A takaice, yallabai, SKYSTRICK yana aiki."
    
  "Abin da ke faruwa na farar hula fa?"
    
  "Sakamakon fashewar wani kangin 'yan tawaye, yallabai - ba fashewar wani abu ne ya haddasa shi ba."
    
  "Makamin ku McLaanahan ne ya haddasa shi," in ji Huffman. "An shawarce ku game da yiwuwar yin amfani da makamai masu linzami a Tehran kuma an umarce ku da ku guji yin haka kuma ku nemi bincike na gaba kafin ku shiga cikin yaki. Kun gaza yin hakan, wanda ya haifar da asarar fararen hula da ba dole ba."
    
  "A fahimtata, yallabai, mun takaita adadin wadanda suka mutu ta hanyar lalata makamin Raad kafin maharan su samu damar harba shi."
    
  "Ko dai, McLaanahan, ba ku bi umarnina ba," in ji Huffman. "Fasaha ba ta da alaka da ita. Amma saboda kuskurenku na yanke hukunci, ana iya dakatar da shirin gaba daya."
    
  "Ban shirya rufe komai ba tukuna, Charlie," in ji Janar Bane. "Ni da ma"aikatana mun yi nazari kan rahoton da Janar McLahanan ya gabatar da kuma martanin da kuka bayar, tare da mai da hankali kan batun asarar rayukan fararen hula. Hukumar leken asiri ta ta yi nazari kan dukkan faifan sa ido na Global Hawk da kuma cibiyar sadarwa ta firikwensin sararin samaniya. Yarjejeniyar gaba daya ita ce, za a iya tabbatar da tabbas cewa makamin na dauke ne da wani makami mai guba, kuma fararen hular da ba su ji ba ba su gani ba za su shiga cikin hadari idan aka harbo makamin sannan aka tayar da kan yakin. Huffman yayi murmushi ya gyada kai cikin karfin hali...
    
  Har sai da Bain ya kalli Hafsan Hafsoshin Sojan Sama, ya daga hannu ya ci gaba da cewa: "... Idan Janar McLaanahan ya samu lokacin yin nazarin manyan hotuna masu inganci na akalla dakika casa"in yayin da yake zaune a teburinsa a sansanonin Sojojin Sama. Langley, Beal, ko Lackland, maimakon yawo a duniyar duniyar nan a tsawon mil dubu goma sha bakwai a cikin sa'a guda, ko kuma idan ya dauki lokaci don tuntubar kwararrun manazarta a kasa; kuma sai dai idan ya kasance babban jami"in tauraro uku kuma jami"in fasaha na rundunar sojan sama kuma kwararre kan makamin na sama, ba a sa ran zai yanke hukunci irin wannan ba. Duk da haka, da ya ɗauki lokaci don tambaya ko yanke shawarar ba zai kai hari ba, mun yi imanin asarar rayuka da ta fi girma idan makami mai linzami ya tarwatsa nauyin da ya kashe kamar yadda aka yi niyya.
    
  "Mutuwar farar hula abu ne mai nadama kuma wani abu ne da muke son kaucewa ko ta halin kaka, amma a wannan yanayin mun yi imanin cewa Janar McLanahan ya yanke shawarar da ta dace daidai da ka"idojin aikinsa kuma ba shi da alhakin asarar rayuka. Don haka, hedkwatar rundunar ba za ta kira kwamitin bincike kan lamarin ba sai an gabatar da wasu shaidu kuma ba za a yi la'akari da batun rufe ba. Janar McLanahan na iya ci gaba da sintiri a kan Iran kamar yadda aka umarce shi da kuma yadda aka tsara tun farko, tare da kara wasu karin sintiri a cikin kunshin, kuma rundunar hadin gwiwa ta ba da shawarar cewa rundunar ta kasa ta ba shi damar yin hakan.
    
  Bain ya kara da cewa "A kan bayanin sirri, ina so in gode wa Janar McLahanan da ma'aikatansa saboda kyakkyawan aiki," in ji Bain. "Ban san yadda kalubalen aiki da zama a sararin samaniya zai iya zama ba, amma ina tsammanin matakan damuwa zai yi yawa kuma yanayin aiki yana da kalubale, a takaice. Ku da mutanen ku kuna yin babban aiki a cikin mawuyacin yanayi."
    
  "Na gode yallabai."
    
  "Wannan ya ƙare sashina na taron bidiyo. Mr. Carlisle, wani tsokaci ko tambaya?" Patrick ya kalli hoton mai ba shugaban kasa shawara kan harkokin tsaro, amma ya shagaltu da magana ta waya. "To, da alama Mista Carlisle ya riga ya shagaltu da wani abu dabam, don haka za mu fita. Na gode, kowa da kowa-"
    
  "Dakata na minti daya, Janar Bane," Conrad Carlyle ya sa baki. "Ki shirya." Carlisle ya matsa kujerarsa zuwa gefe, kyamarar ta mayar da baya, tana maida ra'ayi zuwa kujeru uku a kusa da teburin taron fadar White House ... bayan wani lokaci, shugaban Amurka Joseph Gardner ya maye gurbinsa kusa da Carlisle, tare da White Shugaban ma'aikatan gidan Walter Cordus, dogo amma mutum ne mai sirara wanda da alama ya daure fuska.
    
  Joseph Gardner yana son kyamarori-kowace irin kyamara, har ma da masu arha don taron bidiyo. Gashi mai duhu, sirara, jawed mai murabba'i, yana da wannan baƙon, kusan siffa ta sufa wacce ta bijirewa duk wani yunƙuri da wani zai yi na raba shi da ƙabila - yayin da a lokaci guda ya kalli Italiyanci, Iberian, Baƙar fata Irish, Latino, har ma da zagaye-zagaye. Asiya - kuma shi ya sa duk suka so shi. Ya fitar da kwarin gwiwa mai girman gaske daga kowane rami, kuma idanunsa masu duhun kore kamar suna haskaka wuta kamar katakon Laser. Shekaru biyu kacal a cikin wa'adinsa biyu a U.S. Majalisar Dattawa, kowa ya san an kaddara ta ne don abubuwa masu girma da kyau.
    
  A matsayinsa na ɗan ƙasar Florida kuma daga dogon layin sojojin Navy, Gardner ya kasance babban mai goyon bayan ƙarfin Navy. Shugaban kasar na wancan lokacin Kevin Martindale ya nada ya zama Sakataren Rundunar Sojan Ruwa a wa'adinsa na farko, Gardner ya ci gaba da matsawa don fadada rundunar sojojin ruwa, ba kawai a cikin ayyukanta na ruwa na gargajiya ba, har ma a cikin wadanda ba na gargajiya ba, kamar makaman nukiliya. fada, sararin samaniya, dabarar jirgin sama da kariya na makami mai linzami. Ya bayar da hujjar cewa kamar yadda Sojoji ke aiki na farko na sojojin kasa na Amurka da kuma Marine Corps na goyon bayan sabis, sojojin ruwa ya kamata su kasance jagora a yakin ruwa da karfin iska, da kuma goyon bayan sabis na Sojan Sama. Ra'ayinsa mai tsaurin ra'ayi "a wajen akwatin" ya tayar da shakku sosai, amma duk da haka ya jawo hankali sosai da goyon baya daga Majalisa da jama'ar Amurka ...
    
  ... tun ma kafin cikar barnar Holocaust na Amurka, inda 'yan ta'addar Rasha masu cin dogon zango dauke da makami mai linzamin nukiliya suka lalata dukkanin makamai masu linzami na Amurka da ke tsakanin nahiyoyi da kuma makaman nukiliya masu cin dogon zango. A cikin 'yan sa'o'i kadan, ba zato ba tsammani, sojojin ruwan Amurka sun zama sabis ɗaya tilo da ke da ikon aiwatar da ikon sojan Amurka a duk faɗin duniya, kuma a lokaci guda, kusan shi kaɗai ne mai kula da makaman nukiliya na Amurka, wanda aka ɗauka yana da matuƙar mahimmanci ga rayuwa ta zahiri. {asar Amirka a cikin raunin da ta samu.
    
  Joseph Gardner, "injinin sojan ruwa na Amurka na ƙarni na ashirin da ɗaya," kwatsam an ɗauke shi a matsayin mai hangen nesa na gaskiya kuma mai ceton al"umma. A lokacin wa'adi na biyu na Martindale, an zabi Gardner kuma gaba daya an tabbatar da shi a matsayin Sakataren Tsaro, kuma an karbe shi sosai yayin da mataimakin shugaban kasa da mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro suka shiga daya. Shahararriyarsa ta yi yawa, kuma kadan ne a duniya ke shakkun cewa zai zama shugaban kasar Amurka.
    
  "Gaisuwa, maza," in ji Gardner, yana sanya kansa a cikin wannan hanya a gaban kyamarar taron bidiyo. "Tunanin zan kalli yar hirar ku anan."
    
  "Barka da zuwa, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Shugaban Hafsan Hafsoshin Sojojin Taylor Bain. A fili ya firgita da irin wannan tsangwama na bazata a taron nasa, amma ya yi iyakar kokarinsa bai nuna hakan ba. "Za mu yi farin cikin sake fara bayanin, yallabai."
    
  "Wannan ba lallai ba ne," in ji shugaban. "Ina da bayanan da suka dace da manufar wannan taro, kuma ina tsammanin hanya mafi kyau da gaggawa don isar da shi gare ku ita ce ku shiga kawai."
    
  Bane ya ce, "Ina maraba da kowane lokaci, yallabai. "Don Allah a ci gaba. Maganar taku ce."
    
  "Na gode, Taylor," in ji shugaban. "Na yi magana ta waya da shugaban Rasha Zevitin. General McLanahan?"
    
  "Iya, sir."
    
  "Ya yi ikirarin cewa kun harba makami mai linzami kan daya daga cikin jiragensa na leken asiri a sararin samaniyar duniya, kuma a lokacin da makami mai linzamin ya bata, kun yi wa jirgin mummunar barna da katako mai karfi da ake kira T-waves ko makamancin haka. Ya kuma yi ikirarin cewa makami mai linzami da daya daga cikin jirgin ku ya harba ya kashe fararen hula da dama da ba su ji ba ba su gani ba a Tehran, da suka hada da mata da kananan yara. Kuna so ku yi bayani?"
    
  "Karya yake yi, yallabai," McLanahan ya amsa nan da nan. "Babu ɗaya daga cikin wannan da yake gaskiya."
    
  "Wannan gaskiya ne?" Ya dauko takarda. "Ina da kwafin rahoton da babban hafsan hafsan sojin sama ya bayar game da lamarin, wanda da alama yana magana iri daya. Don haka, shugaban kasar Rasha da babban hafsan hafsoshin sojan kasar duka karya suke yi, amma gaskiya kake fada mani, Janar? Wannan shine abin da kuke so in gaskata?"
    
  Bain ya ce "Mun tattauna batun da ya faru da kuma batutuwan da Janar Huffman ya gabatar, yallabai," in ji Bain, "kuma na yanke shawarar cewa McLaanahan ya yi aiki yadda ya kamata kuma bisa ga umarnin kuma ba shi da alhakin mutuwar fararen hula."
    
  "Game da Zevitin ko wani a cikin Kremlin, sir," McLaanahan ya sa baki, "Ba zan yarda da wata kalma da suka ce ba."
    
  "Janar McLanahan, an kashe Iraniyawa da dama da ba su ji ba ba su ji ba ba su gani ba ta hanyar makami mai guba, kuma wani matukin leken asiri na Rasha ya samu munanan raunuka sakamakon harbin da daya daga cikin maharan ku ya yi masa," in ji shugaban. "Duniya na tunanin cewa za ku sake fara wani yaki da Rasha a Gabas ta Tsakiya kuma kuna neman amsoshi da kuma yin lissafi. Yanzu ba lokaci ba ne don ɗabi"ar kiyayyarku." Patrick ya girgiza kai ya kau da kai, ya kai hannu ya dauko kwalbar ruwansa, idon Shugaban kasar ya zaro cikin fushi. "Akwai wani abu kuma da kake son gaya mani General?" Patrick ya juya kan kyamarar, sannan ya dubi hannunsa a rude, kamar ya manta dalilin da ya sa ya mika ta. "Wani abu ne ke damunki, McLahan?"
    
  "N-a"a, yallabai..." Patrick ya amsa cikin daure da murya. Ya rasa kwalaben ruwan, ya yi fuka-fuki, ya kama shi, sannan ya yi amfani da karfi da yawa ya fizge shi daga kan Velcro mount ya aika da shi yana jujjuya shi a cikin module.
    
  "Me? Ba na jinka. " Idanun Gardner sun runtse cikin rudani yayin da yake kallon kwalaben ruwan da ke tashi daga gani. "Me ke faruwa a can? Ina kuke, janar? Me yasa kuke motsi haka?"
    
  "Yana kan tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, yallabai," in ji Janar Bane.
    
  "A tashar sararin samaniya? Shin yana cikin kewayawa? Kina min wasa? Me kuke yi a can?"
    
  "A matsayina na kwamandan rundunarsa da ke aiki daga sararin samaniya, na ba Janar McLaanahan izini ya kula da aikin daga tashar sararin samaniya," in ji Bane, "kamar yadda duk wani kwamanda zai karbi umurnin sojojinsa daga jirgin ruwa na gaba ko -"
    
  "A kan gada ko CIC na mai lalata, i, amma ba a kan tashar sararin samaniya ba!" Shugaba Gardner ya mayar da martani. "Ina so ya sauka daga wannan abu yanzu! Don girman Allah, shi Janar mai taurari uku ne, ba Buck Rogers ba!"
    
  "Yallabai, idan zan iya, za mu iya tattauna batun harin da aka kai kan wani makami mai linzami na masu tayar da kayar baya da kuma daukar mataki kan wani jirgin Rasha?" Janar Bane ya ce yayin da yake kallo da damuwa yayin da Valerie Lucas ke duba Patrick. "Mun sake nazarin bayanan sirri kuma mun ƙaddara -"
    
  "Wannan ba zai iya zama cikakken nazari ba idan lamarin ya faru 'yan sa'o'i kadan da suka wuce," in ji shugaban. Ya juya ga mai baiwa kasa shawara kan harkokin tsaro dake zaune a gefensa. "Conrad?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Wannan samfoti ne na bayanan firikwensin guda ɗaya daga Global Hawk drone da radar tashar sararin samaniya wanda Janar McLanahan da tawagarsa suka gani kafin harin, yallabai," Carlisle ya amsa. "Janar Bain da ƙwararrunsa a ma'aikatar tsaro ta Pentagon sun yi bitar Hotunan kamar an tambaye su kafin a kai hari ko harin ya kasance doka bisa ka'idojin haɗin gwiwa da muka kafa a ƙarƙashin odar harin, kamar yadda ake buƙata idan akwai rashin tabbas game da aminci ga waɗanda ba su da tabbas. - mayaƙa saboda fallasa makamai ko lahani na jingina. An kira taron na bidiyo a matsayin nazari na farko na abin da ya faru don sanin ko za a yi cikakken bincike kan lamarin."
    
  "Me kuma?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Janar Bain ya yanke hukunci cewa yayin da Janar McLanahan zai iya hango hasarar fararen hula, umarninsa na yin aiki ya dace kuma ya dace bisa la'akari da bayanan da ake da su, da barazanar karin mutuwar fararen hula a hannun maharan, da kuma ikonsa a karkashin shirin harin." , - amsa Carlisle. "Yana ba da shawara ga Sakataren Tsaro da ku cewa ba a buƙatar ƙarin bincike kuma a bar McLaanahan ya ci gaba da aikin kamar yadda aka tsara tare da cikakkun kayan aikin makami mai linzami maimakon guda ɗaya."
    
  "Wannan gaskiya ne?" Shugaban ya dan dakata, sannan ya girgiza kai. "Janar Bain, kana gaya mani cewa ka yi imani cewa ya dace McLaanahan ya kai hari kan wani hari da sanin cewa akwai fararen hula da yawa da ba na fada a kusa ba, kuma irin wannan harin ya yi daidai da wasika da ruhin umarnina na ba da izinin farautar 'yan tawaye a Iran? ya musanta. "Ina tsammanin kun yi wa umarnina mummunar fassara. Na yi tunani na fito fili kuma takamaimai: Ba na son a yi asarar fararen hula. Wannan bai fayyace maka ba Janar Bane?"
    
  "Yallabai," Bane ya amsa, jawurnsa ya dafe kuma idanunsa sun lumshe don tsawatawa, "amma da bayanin da Janar McLaanahan ya samu a lokacin, da kuma barazanar da wadannan makamai masu linzami na 'yan tawaye suka yi, na ji cewa ya sami barata kwata-kwata. wajen yanke shawara-"
    
  "Bari mu bayyana hakan a nan da yanzu, Janar Bane: Ni ne Babban Kwamanda kuma na yanke shawara," in ji Shugaban. "Aikin ku shine aiwatar da umarni na, kuma umarnina shine kada a bar wani farar hula ya mutu. Madaidaicin tsari kawai a wannan yanayin shine a daina saboda yawan fararen hula da ke kewaye da wannan na'urar. Ko da an umarce su da su bar yankin nan da nan, ya kamata ku yi tsammanin cewa za su kusa isa su ji rauni ko kuma su mutu sakamakon fashewar. Su-"
    
  "Yallabai, babu wani fashewa da aka yi, aƙalla ba wanda ya haifar da mu," Bane ya nuna rashin amincewarsa. "Makamin SKYSTREAKE makamin makamashi ne kawai kuma an tsara shi don-"
    
  "Ban damu da abin da aka tsara shi ba, Janar - McLahanan ya san akwai fararen hula a yankin da ke kusa, kuma a cewar Janar Huffman, an sanar da ku cewa wasu makamai masu linzami na iya samun makamai masu guba a kansu, don haka a fili, ya kamata. sun kaurace wa. Ƙarshen tattaunawa. To menene labarin McLanahan ya harba makami mai linzami kan wani jirgin yakin Rasha? Shin maharan McLahanan suna ɗaukar makamai masu linzami daga iska zuwa iska?
    
  "Wadannan daidaitattun makaman kariya ne na EB-1D Vampire, sir, amma McLanahan ba haka bane -"
    
  "To me yasa kuka bude wuta kan jirgin leken asirin Rasha Janar McLahan?"
    
  "Ba mu harba wani makami mai linzami ba, yallabai," McLaanahan ya amsa da karfi yadda zai iya, ya gyada wa Lucas cewa yana da lafiya, "kuma ba jirgin leken asiri ba ne: mayaki ne na dabarar MiG-29."
    
  "Me ke faruwa a can, McLanahan?"
    
  Yallabai, muna bin diddigin harin da aka kai mana a Tekun Caspian.
    
  "Na gane. Shadowing...kamar a ciki, kuna gudanar da bincike? Ina fassara wannan daidai, Janar?" Patrick ya lumshe idanunsa ya hadiye yawu da kyar yana lasar busassun lebbansa. "Ba muna tsare ka ba, ko ba haka ba ne, Janar?"
    
  "A'a yallabai."
    
  "Don haka jirgin na Rasha yana yin bincike ne kawai, dama?"
    
  "A ganina, a"a, yallabai. Ya kasance-"
    
  "Don haka ka harba masa makami mai linzami sai ya mayar da wuta, sannan ka buge shi da wani irin katako na rediyo, ko?"
    
  "A'a yallabai." Amma wani abu ya kasance ba daidai ba. Patrick ya kalli kyamarar amma da alama yana samun matsala wajen mai da hankali. "Yana ... ba mu ba..."
    
  "To me ya faru?"
    
  "Malam shugaban kasa, MiG ya fara bude mana wuta," Boomer ya sa baki. "Vampire yana kare kansa kawai, babu wani abu kuma."
    
  "Wane ne wannan?" Shugaban ya tambayi mai ba shugaban kasa shawara kan harkokin tsaro. Ya juya kan kamara, idanunsa sun lumshe da bacin rai. "Kai wanene? Gane kanku!"
    
  "Ni Kyaftin Hunter Noble ne," in ji Boomer yayin da ya tashi tsaye, yana kallon hoton Patrick da Lucas ke taimakonsa, "kuma me yasa jahannama ba za ku daina tsangwama ba? Muna yin aikinmu ne kawai!"
    
  "Me kika ce min?" tsawa shugaban kasa. "Waye kai da kake min magana haka? Janar Bane, ina so a kore shi! Ina so a kore shi!"
    
  "Maigida Sajan, me ke faruwa?" Bane ya yi ihu, ya yi biris da shugaban. "Me ke faruwa da Patrick?"
    
  "Yana samun matsalar numfashi, yallabai." Ta sami canjin intercom mafi kusa: "Kungiyar Likitoci zuwa tsarin umarni! Gaggawa!" Sannan ta ƙare taron bidiyo ta danna maɓalli akan madannin sarrafa sadarwa.
    
    
  ***
    
    
  "McLanahan yana ciwon zuciya?" Shugaban ya furta bayan da aka yanke hotunan bidiyo daga tashar sararin samaniyar. "Na san bai kamata ya kasance cikin wannan abin ba! Janar Bane, wane irin wuraren kiwon lafiya suke da su a can?"
    
  "Ainihin, yallabai: ƙwararrun ƙwararrun likitoci ne kawai da kayan agajin farko. Ba mu taba samun bugun zuciya a wani jirgin saman sojan Amurka ba."
    
  "Mai girma. Abin ban haushi kawai." Shugaban ya zare hannunsa cikin gashin kansa a fili cikin bacin rai. "Za ku iya samun likita da wasu magunguna da kayan aiki nan da nan?"
    
  "Iya sir. Jirgin saman Black Stallion na iya yin mu'amala da tashar a cikin sa'o'i biyu."
    
  "Ku ci gaba da shi. Da kuma dakatar da wannan tashin bama-bamai a kan Iran. Babu sauran harba makami mai linzami har sai na tabbatar da abin da ya faru."
    
  "Iya, sir." An katse haɗin taron bidiyo tare da Bane.
    
  Shugaban kasa ya jingina da kujerarsa, ya sako daurinsa ya kunna taba. "What a cluster, damn it," ya yi haki. "Muna kashe gungun fararen hula da ba su ji ba ba su ji ba ba su gani ba a Tehran tare da makami mai linzami da aka harbo daga wani bam da ba a san shi ba da ke karkashin ikon wani tashar sararin samaniyar soja; Rasha ta yi fushi da mu; kuma a yanzu jarumin Holocaust na Amurka yana da mummunar bugun zuciya a sararin samaniya! Me zai biyo baya?"
    
  "Halin da McLaanahan ke ciki na iya zama albarka a ɓoye, Joe," in ji shugaban ma'aikata Walter Cordus. Shi da Carlisle sun san Joseph Gardner tun daga kwaleji, kuma Cordus na ɗaya daga cikin ƴan mutane da aka yarda su yi wa shugaban jawabi da sunansa na farko. "Mun kasance muna neman hanyoyin da za mu rage kudade don tashar sararin samaniya, duk da shaharar da yake da shi a Pentagon da kuma kan Capitol Hill, kuma wannan yana iya zama."
    
  "Amma dole ne a yi shi a hankali - McLaanahan ya shahara sosai a wurin mutane don a yi amfani da shi azaman uzuri don rufe shirinsa na ƙaunataccen, musamman tunda ya kasance yana ɗaukarsa a duk faɗin duniya a matsayin babban abu na gaba, ƙaƙƙarfan kagara , mafi girma. hasumiya , blah blah blah, "in ji shugaban. "Dole ne mu samu wasu "yan Majalisa su kawo batun tsaro a wannan tashar sararin samaniya, da kuma ko ma yana bukatar a kula da shi tun da farko. Dole ne mu ba wa Sanata Barbeau bayanan da suka shafi wannan al'amari, da kwamitin kula da ayyukan soji da sauran mutane da dama."
    
  "Ba zai yi wahala ba," in ji Cordus. "Barbeau zai san yadda ake tayar da abubuwa ba tare da buga McLahanan ba."
    
  "Lafiya. Bayan wannan ya sami 'yan jaridu, Ina so in sadu da Barbeau a asirce don tattauna dabarun. " Cordus yayi iya ƙoƙarinsa don ɓoye rashin jin daɗinsa a wannan odar. Shugaban ya lura da tashin hankali na abokinsa kuma babban mashawarcin siyasa kuma cikin sauri ya kara da cewa: "Kowa zai fitar da hannunsa don kudi da zarar mun fara bin ra'ayin rusa wannan tashar sararin samaniya, kuma ina so in shawo kan barace-barace, kuka da kuma kuka. murguda hannu."
    
  "Lafiya, Joe," in ji Cordus, bai gamsu da bayanin gaggawar shugaban ba, amma ba ya son matsawa batun. "Zan saita komai."
    
  "Za ku yi wannan." Ya dauki nisa sosai daga sigarinsa, ya murkushe ta, sannan ya kara da cewa, "Kuma muna bukatar mu samu agwaginmu a jere, idan McLaanahan ya fusata kuma Majalisa ta kashe shirinsa kafin mu iya karkatar da kasafin kudinsa."
    
    
  BABI NA UKU
    
    
  Mutum yana yin abin da yake; ya zama abin da yake yi.
    
  -ROBERT VON MUSIL
    
    
    
  AZADI SQUARE, WAJEN FILIN JIRGIN SAMA NA MEHRABAD, TEHRAN, JAMHURIYAR DIMOKURADIYYA TA FARSA.
  BAYAN KWANAKI KADAN
    
    
  "Ba burodi, ba salama! Ba burodi, ba salama!" masu zanga-zangar sun yi ta rera wakoki. Taron, wanda yanzu ya kai kusan mutane ɗari biyu ko uku, da alama suna ƙara girma da ƙara ƙara a cikin minti ɗaya.
    
  "Idan ba su da burodi, a ina suke samun kuzari mai yawa don tsayawa a nan don yin zanga-zangar?" Kanal Mostafa Rahmati, kwamandan runduna ta hudu na runduna ta hudu, ya yi ta hamdala a lokacin da yake leka shingen tsaro yana kallon yadda jama'a ke kara kusantowa. Makonni biyu kacal da ya wuce, Rahmati, wani gajere, mai zagaye, mai kauri mai kauri mai kauri mai kauri wanda da alama ya rufe kowane inci na jikinsa sai saman kansa, shi ne babban jami"in bataliyar sufuri, amma tare da kwamandoji - da alama ya kashe shi. 'Yan tawayen - bacewa, ko da yake babu wanda zai iya kawar da koma baya, karin girma a cikin sojojin Jamhuriyar Demokradiyyar Farisa da ake zaton ya faru cikin sauri da gaggawa.
    
  "Ƙarin hayaki," ɗaya daga cikin 'yan sintiri ya faɗa wa Rakhmati. "Tear gas, ba fashewa ba." Bayan 'yan dakiku suka ji kara mai karfi! mai karfi ya farfasa tagogin ginin ofishin filin jirgin da shi da manyan ma'aikatansa suke. Kallonta yayi a kunyace ya kalli kwamandansa. "Ƙananan fashewa, yallabai."
    
  "Na gane," in ji Rahmati. Ba ya son ya nuna bacin rai ko fushi - makonni biyu da suka wuce ba zai iya bambancewa tsakanin fashewar gurneti da wata kara mai karfi ba. "Ku kalli layin a hankali-zai iya zama jajayen herring."
    
  Rahmati da mukarrabansa suna saman bene na wani ginin ofis da ya kasance mallakar ma'aikatar sufuri ta Iran a filin jirgin saman Mehrabad. Bayan juyin mulkin da sojoji suka yi da kuma barkewar rikicin Islama kan gwamnatin soja a Iran, shugabannin juyin mulkin sun yanke shawarar kwace filin tashi da saukar jiragen sama na Mehrabad tare da kafa tsauraran matakan tsaro a yankin baki daya. Ko da yake akasarin birnin da ke gabashin jami'ar Tehran ya kasance hannun 'yan tawaye, amma kwace filin jirgin ya tabbatar da yanke shawara mai kyau. Filin jirgin saman ya riga ya kasance cikin tsaro sosai; wuraren da ke kusa da filin sun kasance masu sauƙi don sintiri da kariya; kuma filin jirgin zai iya kasancewa a bude don karba da aikawa da kaya ta iska.
    
  Ban da haka, an sha yin nuni da cewa, idan 'yan tawayen suka samu galaba - wanda zai iya faruwa a kowace rana - zai fi sauki a fita daga cikin kasar.
    
  Gilashin ya sake rurrufe, sannan shugabannin suka koma kudu maso gabas a kan titin Me'raj, arewa maso gabas zuwa dandalin Azadi, kimanin kilomita biyu, inda wani ginshikin hayaki ya tashi kwatsam, a wannan karon da kambi na harshen wuta na lemu. Fashe-fashe, kone-kone, hadurran ganganci, hargitsi da kai hare-haren kunar bakin wake sun zama ruwan dare a Tehran, kuma babu wani abu da ya zama ruwan dare kamar yankin da ke tsakanin filin jirgin sama na Mehrabad, dandalin Azadi da shahararriyar Hasumiyar 'Yanci, tsohon "Kofar Iran." Hasumiyar 'Yanci, wacce aka fara kiranta da Hasumiyar Shahyad, ko Hasumiyar Sarauta, don girmama bikin cika shekaru 2500 na daular Farisa, a shekarar 1971 Shah Reza Pahlavi ya gina shi a matsayin alamar sabuwar Iran, ta zamani. Hasumiyar dai an canza mata suna ne da sunan juyin juya halin Musulunci, kuma kamar ofishin jakadancin Amurka, ana kallonta a matsayin wata alama ta rugujewar sarauta da kuma gargadi ga jama'a da kada su yarda da makiyan Musulunci na yamma. Filin ya zama wurin da ya shahara wajen gudanar da zanga-zanga da jawabai na kin jinin Turawa wanda ta haka ya zama alama ce ta juyin juya halin Musulunci, mai yiwuwa ne ma ya sa ba a taba ruguje wani abin tunawa da aka yi da marmara na daular karshe ta Iran ba.
    
  Tunda yankin gaba daya yana da kakkarfan katanga kuma sojoji suna sintiri sosai, kasuwanci ya fara farfadowa har ma an sake bude wasu kayan alatu kamar gidajen abinci, wuraren shakatawa da gidajen sinima. Sai dai abin takaicin shi ne, sau da yawa sun zama masu tada kayar baya na masu kishin Islama. Wasu ƴan jajirtattun masu goyon bayan tsarin mulkin za su yi gangami lokaci zuwa lokaci a dandalin Azadi. Alhamdu lillahi, sojoji ba su murkushe wadannan tarukan ba, har ma sun dauki matakin kare su daga masu zanga-zangar da suka yi barazanar yin tashin hankali. Bujazi da mafi yawan hafsoshinsa sun san cewa dole ne su yi duk mai yiwuwa don nunawa mutanen Farisa da duniya cewa ba za su musanya wani nau'in zalunci da wani ba.
    
  "Me ke faruwa a wurin?" - Na tambaya. - Rahmati ta tambaya, ta ci gaba da nazarin hanyar domin neman sabbin alamun harin da 'yan tawaye suka shirya. Duk wani harin "yan tawaye a baya-bayan nan an riga an kai shi ga wani ɗan ƙaramin harin da ba shi da lahani a kusa wanda ya karkatar da hankalin "yan sanda da jami"an tsaro na soji kawai don ba wa "yan tawayen damar haifar da rikici a wani wuri.
    
  "Ya yi kama da sabuwar tashar iskar gas ta ExxonMobil da ke kan titin Sai Di Highway, daga Meda Azadi Park, sir," in ji mai binciken. "Mutane da yawa suna gudu zuwa titin Azadi. Hayakin yana kara kauri - watakila tankunan karkashin kasa suna ci."
    
  Rahmati ta zagi, "La'ananne, na dauka muna da isasshen tsaro a wurin." Tashar dai ita ce gwajin farko da gwamnati ta yi na ba da damar saka hannun jarin kasashen waje da mallakar wani bangare na tsirrai a Farisa. Da yake da arzikin man fetur na hudu mafi girma a duniya, kamfanonin mai a duniya sun nemi shiga sabuwar kasar da ta samu "yanci da kuma cin gajiyar arzikinta, wanda ba a taba ganin irinsa ba tsawon shekaru da dama bayan da kasashen Yamma suka kakaba wa gwamnatin Iran din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din din), bayan da suka mamaye kasar a shekara ta 1979. ofishin jakadancin Amurka. Ya kasance da yawa, fiye da tashar iskar gas mai sauƙi-alama ce ta sake haifuwa Farisa a ƙarni na ashirin da ɗaya.
    
  Kowa ya fahimci haka, hatta sojoji irin su Rahmati, wanda babban burinsu a rayuwa shi ne ya kula da kansa. Ya fito daga gida mai gata, ya shiga aikin soja don daukaka da alfarma bayan ya bayyana cewa ba shi da wayo ya zama likita, lauya ko injiniya. Bayan juyin juya halin Musulunci Ayatullah Ruhollah Khomeini ya ceci fatar kansa ta hanyar yin mubaya'a ga masu ra'ayin mazan jiya, tare da yin tir da 'yan uwansa jami'ai da abokansa ga Pasdaran-Engelab, da dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci, da kuma watsi da dimbin dukiyar da iyalansa suka samu ta hanyar cin hanci. da haraji.. Ko da yake ya tsani tsarin mulkin Allah don ya kwashe duk abin da yake da shi, bai shiga juyin mulkin ba sai da ya tabbata cewa zai yi nasara. Ya ci gaba da cewa, "Ina son wani rukunin ajiyar da zai tafi tare da 'yan kwana-kwana don kashe wadannan gobarar," in ji shi. kwankwansu da dama. ba na so-"
    
  "Idan za ku ce, 'Bana so wannan ya fita daga cikin iko,' Kanar, to fashe skulls ba shine hanyar da za a bi ba," wata murya daga bayansa ta ce, Rahmati ta juya, sannan ta juya sosai. wanda kuma aka yi kira ga wadanda ke wurin ya zo a hankali lokacin da jagoran juyin mulkin soja, Janar Hesarak al-Kan Boujazi, ya shiga cikin dakin.
    
  Gwagwarmayar 'yantar da kasarsa daga mulkin kama karya da masu kishin Islama ta kai shekaru sittin da biyu da Boujazi ya yi. Dogo kuma siriri, a yanzu yana kokawa don cin abinci mai kyau don kula da lafiyayyen nauyi a cikin ayyukan sa na sa'o'i 20 a rana, rashin abinci mai yawa da karancin abinci, da bukatar ci gaba da tafiya don rikita abokan gabansa - duka a cikin tawagarsa. da kuma waje - wadanda ba gajiyawa suka yi farautarsa. Har yanzu yana sanye da gemu da gashin baki, amma ya aske kansa don kada ya ɓata lokaci yana kula da tsoffin makullan sa masu launin toka mai kyau. Duk da cewa ya yi cinikin kakin sojan sa da kwat da riga irin na Gatsby irin na Faransa, ya sa rigar sojan da ba a yi masa ado ba da kuma takalmi masu goge-goge a karkashin wandonsa, sannan ya dauki bindiga mai sarrafa kansa PC9 mai tsawon millimita tara a madaurin kafada a karkashin jaket dinsa. "Kamar yadda kuke," ya umarta. Sauran dake cikin dakin sun saki jiki. "Rahoto, Colonel."
    
  "Iya sir". Rahmati cikin sauri ta zayyano mafi munin abubuwan da suka faru a cikin 'yan sa'o'i da suka gabata; sai: "Yi hakuri da wannan ficewar, yallabai. Na dan bata rai, shi ke nan. Na sanya karin mutane a wannan tashar don hana faruwar hakan."
    
  "Bacin ranku yana kama da umarnin mayar da martani ga masu zanga-zangar adawa da gwamnati, Kanar, kuma hakan ba zai taimaka lamarin ba," in ji Boujazi. "Za mu yi mu"amala da masu laifi, ba masu zanga-zanga ba. Yana da zahiri?"
    
  "Iya, sir."
    
  Bujazi ya dubi kwamandan birgediyansa da kyau. "Da alama kana bukatar hutu, Mostafa."
    
  "Lafiya lau yallabai."
    
  Bujazi ya jinjina kai, sannan ya kalli dakin. "To, ba za ku iya tafiyar da ma'aikatan ku daga nan ba ko da yaushe, za ku iya? Mu je mu ga abin da ya faru a wurin. Rahmati ta had'iye, sannan ta gyada kai, da k'yar ta bi general har k'ofa, da fatan ya yarda ya huce. Zagayawa kan titunan birnin Tehran - ko da da rana tsaka, a cikin yankin da Boujazi ke iko da birnin, tare da rakiyar rakiyar jami'an tsaro masu kishin yaki - bai taba zama wani mataki na aminci ko nasiha ba.
    
  Kowane shinge mai nisan kilomita biyu daga filin jirgin zuwa dajin Meda Azari ya kasance katanga ne na titin siminti da karafa da aka tsara don rage yawan ababan hawa; Akwai sabon shingen bincike a kowane shinge uku, kuma hatta ayarin motocin Boujazi sai an dakatar da bincike a kowane lokaci. Bujazi ko kadan bai damu ba, ya yi amfani da damar ya gaisa da sojojinsa da wasu "yan garin a waje. Rahmati ba ya son kusantar kowa, maimakon haka ya gwammace ya ajiye bindigarsa ta AK-74 a shirye. Yayin da suka tunkari wurin shakatawar, jama"a suka kara yawa, sai Boujazi ya zagaya kan titi, yana musabaha da wadanda suka ba da nasu hannu, yana daga hannu ga wasu tare da rera wasu kalamai na karfafa gwiwa. Masu tsaron lafiyarsa sai da suka kara sauri don ci gaba da tafiya da shi.
    
  Dole ne Rahmati ta ba wa mutumin: tsohon dokin yaƙi ya san yadda ake sarrafa jama'a. Ba tare da tsoro ba ya shiga cikin jama"a, ya yi musabaha da wadanda watakila su ma rike da bindiga ko mashin rigar rigar harsashi, ya yi magana da "yan jarida ya ba da shaida a gaban kyamarori na talabijin, ya dauki hotuna tare da farar hula da jami"an soji. sun sumbaci jarirai da tsofaffin mata marasa hakori har ma sun zama masu lura da ababen hawa yayin da motocin kashe gobara ke kokarin shiga yankin, inda suka tarwatsa taron tare da korar masu ababen hawa a rude. Amma a yanzu sun kasance ƴan tazara kaɗan da gobarar tashar iskar gas, kuma jama'a na ƙara kauri da rashin natsuwa. "Yallabai, ina ba da shawarar mu yi hira da jami'an tsaro don ganin ko wasu shaidu sun ga abin da ya faru ko kuma wasu kyamarar tsaro suna aiki," in ji Rahmati, wanda ke nuna cewa wannan zai zama wuri mai kyau don yin hakan.
    
  Bujazi bai ji shi ba. Maimakon ya tsaya, sai ya ci gaba da tafiya, kai tsaye ya nufi wurin taron jama'a mafi girma da hayaniya a arewa maso yammacin wurin shakatawa. Rahmati bata da wata mafita illa ta zauna dashi, bindiga a shirye.
    
  Bujazi bai juyo ba, amma da alama ya ji damuwar kwamandan birgediya. "Ka ajiye makaminka, Mostafa," in ji Boujazi.
    
  "Amma sir-"
    
  "Idan har suna so su harbe ni, da sun iya yin ta kashi biyu da suka wuce, kafin mu kalli juna cikin ido," in ji Boujazi. "Ku gaya wa masu gadin su ma su shirya makamansu." Jagoran tawagar, wani matashin sojan sama mai matukar mamaki mai suna Haddad, tabbas ya ji shi, domin tuni makaman masu gadin sun bace a lokacin da Rahmati ta juya ta bada odar.
    
  Jama"a sun taru a hankalce yayin da Bujazi da masu tsaronsa suka nufo, sai ga "yan tsirarun jama"a maza da mata har ma da kananan yara kadan suka karu. Rahmati ba 'yar sanda ba ce, ba kwararriyar masaniyar jama'a ba ce, amma ya lura da cewa 'yan kallo sun matso don ganin abin da ke faruwa, saura kuma aka matsa gaba da gaba zuwa ga tushen hatsarin, wanda ya sa su ji a cikin tarko da tsoron ku. rayuwa. Da firgici ya fara tashi, jama"a da sauri suka rikide zuwa gagarumi; kuma idan duk wani soja ko mutum mai dauke da makamai ya ji cewa rayuwarsa na cikin hadari, sai a fara harbe-harbe kuma adadin wadanda abin ya shafa cikin sauri ya karu.
    
  Amma Boujazi ya ga kamar ya mance da fayyace: ya ci gaba da tafiya gaba - ba barazana ba, amma ba tare da wani jarumtaka na karya ko sada zumunci ba; duk mai son kasuwanci ne, amma ba a rigima kamar soja ko fara'a kamar dan siyasa ba. Shin ya yi tunanin zai je wurin abokansa ya tattauna matsalolin ranar ko ya zauna don kallon wasan ƙwallon ƙafa? Ko ya yi tunanin ba zai iya ba? Ko menene yanayin tunaninsa, bai fahimci wannan taron ba. Rahmati ta fara tunanin yadda zai kai ga bindigarsa...lokaci guda kuma tana kokarin tantance hanyar da zai bi idan har wannan lamarin ya shiga wuta gaba daya.
    
  "Salaam alaykom," Boujazi ya kira sa'ad da yake kusan taki goma daga taron jama'a, yana daga hannunsa na dama yana gaishe shi kuma ya nuna cewa ba shi da makami. "Ko akwai wanda ya ji rauni a nan?"
    
  Wani matashi wanda bai wuce shekara sha bakwai ko sha takwas ba, ya tako ya nuna Janar din yatsa. "Mene ne la'ananne soja ya damu idan wani...?" Sannan ya tsaya yana mika yatsansa har yanzu. "Kai! Khesarak Buzhazi, sabon sarkin Farisa! Reincarnation na Cyrus da Alexander kansa! Za mu durƙusa a gabanka, ko kuwa sauƙaƙan baka ta isa, ya ubangijina?"
    
  "Na tambaya ko akwai wani...?"
    
  "Me kake tunanin daular ka yanzu General?" - ya tambayi saurayin, yana nuni ga gajimaren hayakin da ke yawo a kusa. "Ko kuma yanzu 'Sarki' Bujazi ne?"
    
  "Idan babu wanda ke buƙatar taimako, ina buƙatar masu sa kai don nisantar da wasu daga fashewar, nemo shaidu da tattara shaidu har sai 'yan sanda sun isa," in ji Boujazi, yana karkatar da hankalinsa - amma ba gaba ɗaya ba - daga saƙo mai ƙarfi na konewa. Ya sami babban mutum a cikin taron. "Kai yallabai. Ina buƙatar ku kira ga masu sa kai kuma ku kiyaye wannan wurin aikata laifuka. Sannan ina bukata-"
    
  "Don me za mu taimake ka, ya Ubangiji da maigida, yallabai?" - ihu saurayi na farko. "Kai ne ka kawo mana wannan tashin hankalin! Iran kasa ce mai zaman lafiya da kwanciyar hankali har ka zo, ka karkashe duk wanda bai yarda da ra'ayinka na kama-karya ba, ka kwace mulki. Don me za mu ba ku hadin kai?"
    
  "Masu zaman lafiya da aminci, a - karkashin babban yatsan malamai, masu kishin Islama da mahaukata wadanda suka kashe ko daure duk wanda bai bi ka'idojinsu ba," in ji Boujazi, wanda ya kasa gujewa shiga cikin muhawarar da ya san ba zai kai ga nasara ba. "Sun ci amanar mutane, kamar yadda suka ci amanar ni da duk wani soja. Su-"
    
  "To wannan shine abin, ko ba haka ba, Mr. Emperor: kai?" - inji mutumin. "Ba ku son yadda tsoffin abokanku, malaman addini suka yi muku, don haka kuka kashe su kuka kwace mulki. Me yasa muka damu da abin da kuke fada yanzu? Za ku gaya mana komai mu ci gaba da mulki har sai kun gama yi wa kasar fyade, sannan za ku tashi kai tsaye daga sabon hedkwatar ku da ke da kyau a filin jirgin sama na Mehrabad."
    
  Shiru Bujazi ya yi na wasu lokuta, sannan ya kada kai, yana mamakin duk wanda ke kusa da shi. "Kai gaskiya saurayi. Na yi fushi da mutuwar sojojina da suka yi aiki tukuru don kawar da masu tsatsauran ra'ayi da tunani a cikin Basij da cimma wani abu daga kansu, rukuninsu da rayuwarsu." Bayan da aka kori Boujazi daga mukaminsa na babban hafsan hafsoshin sojojin kasar, sakamakon harin da wasu "yan ta"addar na Amurka suka kai wa jirginsu na Rasha, shekaru da dama da suka gabata, an nada shi mukamin kwamandan kungiyar Basij-e-Mostazefin, ko kuma Mobilization of the Oppressed, gungun fararen hula masu sa kai. , wanda ya ba da rahoto game da makwabta, ya zama masu sa ido da leƙen asiri, kuma suna yawo kan tituna suna tsoratar da wasu don yin aiki tare da haɗin gwiwar dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci.
    
  Bujazi ya wanke Basij daga 'yan fashi da masu tayar da kayar baya tare da mayar da wadanda suka rage zuwa cikin rundunar tsaron cikin gida, rundunonin ajiyar soja na gaskiya. Amma nasarar da suka samu ta kalubalanci mamayar dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci, kuma suka yi kokarin bata sunan-ko kuma, ya fi dacewa, halaka-fararen sojojin tsaron kasa na Boujazi. "Lokacin da na samu labarin cewa Pasdaran ne suka shirya harin a runduna ta farko da ta fara aiki, inda suka mayar da shi a matsayin harin "yan tawayen Kurdawa, don kawai su cutar da rundunar tsaron cikin gida, sai na fusata kuma na zarge ni.
    
  Boujazi ya ci gaba da cewa "Amma masu kishin Islama da 'yan ta'adda da malamai suka shigo da su cikin kasarmu su ne ainihin matsalar, dan, ba pasdaran ba." "Sun lalatar da zukatan wannan al'umma, sun hana su duk wani hankali da ladabi, kuma sun cika su da komai sai tsoro, raini da makauniyar biyayya."
    
  "To mene ne banbancinku da malamai Buzhazi?" - ihu wani saurayi. Rahmati na ganin jama'a na kara karfin gwiwa, surutu kuma ba su fargabar kara kusantar na biyu. "Kuna kashe malamai kuna hambarar da gwamnati - gwamnatinmu, wacce muka zaba! - kuma ku maye gurbin shi da mulkin ku. Muna ganin sojojinku suna fasa kofa, suna kona gine-gine, suna sata da yin fyade kowace rana!"
    
  Jama"a da babbar murya sun bayyana amincewarsu, kuma dole ne Boujazi ya daga hannayensa ya ce a saurare shi: "Na farko dai, na yi maka alkawari, idan ka nuna mini shaidar sata ko fyade da wani soja da ke karkashina ya yi, ni da kaina zan sanya harsashi a kansa." , ya yi ihu. "Babu kotu, ba shari"a a asirce, ba ji ba - kawo min shaida, ku gamsar da ni, kuma zan kawo muku mai laifin, in kashe shi da hannuna.
    
  "Na biyu kuma, ba na kafa gwamnati a Farisa ba, kuma ni ba shugaba ko sarki ba ne - ni ne kwamandan sojojin da ke yaki na wucin gadi a kasa don murkushe tashe tashen hankula da samar da tsari. Zan dawwama a kan karagar mulki na kawar da "yan tada kayar baya da "yan ta"adda tare da sanya ido kan yadda za a kafa wata gwamnati da za ta samar da kundin tsarin mulki da samar da dokokin da za su tafiyar da al"umma, sannan zan sauka daga mulki. Shi ya sa na bude hedikwatara a Mehrabad - ba don gudun hijira ba, amma don nuna cewa ba ni da niyyar daukar wasu mukamai na halal na gwamnati da kiran kaina a matsayin shugaban kasa."
    
  "Wannan shi ne abin da Musharraf, Castro, Chavez da kuma daruruwan sauran 'yan kama-karya da 'yan mulkin kama karya suka fada lokacin da suka yi juyin mulkinsu suka karbi mulki," in ji matashin. "Sun ce sun yi wa jama"a yaki ne kuma za su fice da zarar an samar da tsari, kuma kafin ka sani sun karbi mulki har abada, suka sanya abokansu da "yan baranda a kan madafun iko, sun dakatar da tsarin mulki, sun kwace bankuna, sun mayar da kowa kasa kasa baki daya. "Yan kasuwan, sun kwace filaye da dukiya daga hannun attajirai tare da rufe duk wata kafar yada labarai da ta yi musu magana. Haka za ku yi a Iran."
    
  Bujazi ya nazarci saurayin na dan lokaci, sannan ya binciki sauran da ke kusa da shi da kyau. Ya lura cewa akwai wasu abubuwa masu kyau - wannan mutumin yana da wayo kuma yana da karatu sosai don shekarunsa, kuma yana zargin yawancin sauran iri ɗaya ne. Ba ya nan a cikin yaran tituna da aka saba.
    
  Boujazi ya ce: "Ina hukunta mutum da ayyukansa, ba da kalamansa ba-aboki da makiyi." "Zan iya yi muku alƙawarin zaman lafiya, farin ciki, tsaro da wadata kamar kowane ɗan siyasa, ko kuma in yi muku alƙawarin zama a sama kamar malamai, amma ba zan yi ba. Abin da zan iya yi shi ne, zan yi yaki da hakora da farce don hana "yan tawaye wargaza kasarmu kafin mu samu damar kafa gwamnatin jama"a, ko wace irin gwamnati ce. Zan yi amfani da dukkan basirata da horo da gogewa wajen tabbatar da tsaron kasar nan har sai gwamnatin al"umma ta dawo kan kafafunta."
    
  "A gare ni waɗannan suna kama da kyawawan kalmomi, Maigida Sarkin sarakuna, waɗanda kuka yi alkawarin ba za ku yi amfani da su ba."
    
  Bujazi ya yi murmushi tare da jinjina kai, yana kallon idanun wadanda suka fi kowa fushi ko rashin yarda. "Na ga yawancin ku suna da kyamarori na wayar salula, don haka kuna da shaidar bidiyo na abin da nake faɗa. Idan da ni ne mai mulkin kama-karya da kuke ganin ni ne, da zan kwace duk wadannan wayoyin in tura ku gidan yari."
    
  "Za ku iya yin hakan a daren yau, bayan kun shiga cikin gidajenmu kuma ku ja mu daga gado."
    
  "Amma ba zan iya ba," in ji Boujazi. "Za ku iya aika bidiyo kyauta ga kowa a duniya, saka shi akan YouTube, sayar da shi ga kafofin watsa labarai. Bidiyon zai rubuta muku alƙawarina, amma ayyukana za su zama hujja ta ƙarshe."
    
  "Yaya za mu iya aika kowane bidiyo, tsoho," in ji budurwar, "lokacin da wutar lantarki ke kunne na awa uku kawai a rana? Za mu yi sa"a idan wayoyin suna aiki na "yan mintoci kowace rana."
    
  "Na karanta wallafe-wallafe, ina shiga Intanet kuma ina ɓoye a cikin shafukan yanar gizo, kamar ku," in ji Boujazi. "Tsarin Intanet na tauraron dan adam na duniya na duniya yana aiki sosai har ma a Farisa - bari in tunatar da ku cewa limaman coci ne suka toshe shi don kokarin hana ku samun labaran sabani daga waje - kuma na san da yawa daga cikin ku matasa masu fa'ida. sun gina janareta masu amfani da feda don cajin kwamfyutocinku lokacin da wutar lantarki ta ƙare. Ina iya zama tsoho, budurwa, amma ban gama da gaskiya ba." Ya ji daɗin ganin murmushi da yawa sun bayyana a fuskokin waɗanda ke kewaye da shi - a ƙarshe, a tunaninsa, ya fara magana da yarensu.
    
  "Amma ina tunatar da ku cewa ana katse wutar lantarki ne sakamakon hare-haren da 'yan tada kayar baya suka kai wa na'urorin samar da wutar lantarki da hanyoyin rarraba wutar lantarki," in ji shi. "Wani wuri akwai maƙiyi da bai damu da mutanen Farisa ba - abin da suke so shi ne su karɓe mulki kuma za su yi hakan ta kowace hanya da za su iya tunani, ko da zai cutar da jama"ar da ba su ji ba ba su gani ba. Na kwace ikonsu kuma na bar "yan kasar nan su sake yin magana da kasashen waje. Na yarda jari da taimakon kasashen waje su koma Farisa alhali malamai sun rufe kansu daga sauran kasashen duniya sama da shekaru talatin suna tara dukiya da karfin wannan al"umma. Wannan shine aikin da nake magana akai, abokaina. Babu wani abu da zan iya cewa, kuma waɗannan ayyukan za su yi magana da ƙarfi fiye da tsawa dubu."
    
  "To yaushe ne hare-haren zasu daina, Janar?" - ya tambayi mutum na farko. "Har yaushe za'a kwashe kafin a kori 'yan tawayen?"
    
  "Ina tunani da dadewa bayan na mutu aka binne ni," in ji Boujazi. "Don haka komai zai dogara da ku. Har yaushe kake son ya ɗauka, ɗa?"
    
  "Kai, ka fara wannan yakin, ba ni ba!" - Mutumin ya yi tsawa, yana girgiza hannunsa. "Kada ka sa wannan a ƙafafuna! Kun ce za ku mutu tun kafin wannan ya ƙare - to, me zai hana ku shiga gidan wuta yanzu ku cece mu duka lokaci mai yawa! Jama"a da dama a cikin taron sun lumshe ido a kan ficewar mutumin, amma ba su ce komai ba. "Kuma ni ba danka bane, tsoho. An kashe mahaifina a kan titi a wajen kantin da iyalina suka mallaka har tsawon tsararraki uku, a lokacin da aka yi musayar wuta tsakanin sojojinku da Fasdaran, a kan idona, mahaifiyata da kanwata."
    
  Bujazi ya gyada kai. "Da na sani. Sai ki fada min sunanki."
    
  "Bana son in gaya maka sunana, tsoho," saurayin ya ce cikin daci, "domin na ga cewa kai da dakarunka za ka iya kama ni ko harbe ni a kai kamar yadda ake yayatawa Fasdaran. zama."
    
  "A cewar bayanai?" Shin kuna shakkun cewa Pasdaran suna kashe duk wanda ke adawa da malamai?
    
  Matashin ya ci gaba da cewa: "Na ga tashin hankali da zubar jini da yawa daga bangarorin biyu a harbin da aka kashe mahaifina," saurayin ya ci gaba da cewa, "kuma ina ganin bambanci kadan ne tsakanin ku da limaman coci, sai dai watakila a cikin tufafin da kuke sawa." Shin kuna da gaskiya ko kuwa ayyukanku sun dace saboda kawai Amurkawa sun shiga tare da taimaka muku korar Pasdaran na ɗan lokaci daga babban birnin? Sa'ad da aka kore ku, za ku zama sababbin 'yan tawaye? Za ku fara yaƙi da marasa laifi saboda kuna ganin kun yi gaskiya?
    
  Boujazi ya ce, "Idan da gaske kun yi imani cewa ni ban fi karfin juyin juya halin Musulunci ba ko kuma mafi muni, to babu wata magana da za ta taba gamsar da ku in ba haka ba," in ji Boujazi, "kuma za ku zargi duk wata manufa da ta dace da mutuwar mahaifinku. Yi hakuri da rashinka." Ya juyo ya kalli sauran da ke kusa da shi. "Ina ganin fuskõki da yawa na bacin rai a kan titi, amma kuma ina jin wasu muryoyi masu wayo. Tambayata gare ku: Idan kuna da hankali, me kuke yi a nan, kawai ku tsaya kusa da ku ba ku yin komai? "Yan"uwanku suna mutuwa, ba ku yi kome ba, kuna tashi daga kai hari zuwa hari, kuna girgiza sojojina da hannu yayin da "yan tawayen suka ci gaba da kaiwa hari na gaba."
    
  "Me ya kamata mu yi, dattijo?" - ya tambayi wani mutum.
    
  "Ka bi kan ka, ka bi zuciyarka ka dauki mataki," in ji Boujazi. "Idan da gaske kun yi imani cewa malamai suna da maslahar al"umma a zuciya, ku shiga cikin "yan tawaye ku yi yaki don fatattakar ni da jama"ata daga kasar nan. Idan kun yi imani da sarakuna, to ku shiga cikin su, ku kirkiro naku tawaye da sunan Kagewa, kuna yaki da masu kishin Islama da sojoji na, ku dawo da sarauta akan mulki. Idan kuna tunanin akwai ma'ana a cikin zantukana da ayyukana, to, ku sa kayan aikinku, ku ɗauki bindigarku ku haɗa ni. Idan ba ka son shiga kowa, a kalla ka bude idanunka da suka lalace, kuma idan ka ga ana kai hari ga danginka ko makwabta, ka dauki mataki... kowane mataki. Yaƙi, sanarwa, taimako, kare-yi wani abu maimakon kawai tsaya a kusa da yin gunaguni game da shi. "
    
  Ya sake lek'a fuskokinsu, ya basu damar kallon idonsa kai tsaye shi kuma cikin nasu. Yawancinsu sun yi haka. Ya ga ƙarfin gaske a cikin wannan ƙungiyar kuma hakan ya ba shi fata. Sun cancanci yin yaƙi, ya yanke shawarar. Ko wane bangare suka zaba, su ne makomar kasar nan. "Wannan kasar ku ce, dammit... kasarmu ce. Idan bai dace da fada ba, ku tafi wani wuri kafin ku zama wani wanda aka azabtar. Ya dakata yana barin maganarsa ta shiga ciki; sannan: "Yanzu ina bukatar taimakon ku wajen tabbatar da wannan wurin da ake aikata laifuka. Sojojina za su kafa shingen tsaro da tsaro a yankin, amma ina bukatar wasu daga cikin ku don taimaka wa masu ceto su nemo wadanda abin ya shafa sannan "yan sanda su tattara shaidu su yi hira da shaidu. Wanene zai taimaka?
    
  Jama'a sun dakata, suna jiran wanda zai fara motsi. Sai saurayin na farko ya matsa, ya ce wa Buzhazi: "Ba naka ba, Sarkin sarakuna. Kuna tsammanin kun bambanta da 'yan tawayen da ke yawo a kan tituna? Kun fi muni. Kai kawai dattijo ne mai kishi da bindiga. Ba zai yi muku daidai ba." Shi kuwa ya juya ya tafi, sauran suka biyo baya.
    
  Boujazi ya shaida wa Kanar Rahmati cewa, "La'ananne, na yi tunanin na same su."
    
  "Su dai gungun masu asara ne, yallabai," in ji kwamandan birged. "Ka tambayi me suke yi a nan kan titi? Suna haifar da matsala, shi ke nan. Kamar yadda muka sani, su ne suka tarwatsa wannan gidan mai. Ta yaya muka san ba "yan tawaye ba ne?"
    
  "Su 'yan tawaye ne, Mostafa," in ji Boujazi.
    
  Rahmati ta kalleta. "Suna? Ta yaya kuka sani...Ina nufin, ya kamata mu kama su duka a yanzu!"
    
  "Su 'yan tawaye ne, amma ba masu kishin Islama ba," in ji Boujazi. "Da a ce ina da zabin wadanda zan fito kan tituna a halin yanzu, da tabbas su ne. Har yanzu ina ganin za su taimaka, amma ba yadda da na yi tsammanin za su yi ba." Ya kalli tashar iskar gas da ke ci gaba da konewa a ragowar wata motar isar da hayaki wadda ta yi barna a kan titi. "Ku zauna a nan, ku kiyaye makamanku daga wurin gani. Saita kewaye. Ina so a samu sojoji fiye da biyu a kowace mahadar, a ajiye su a sasanninta, ba tare da juna ba."
    
  "Me yasa yallabai?"
    
  "Saboda idan da yawa daga cikinsu, masu ba da labari ba za su kusance su ba - kuma muna buƙatar bayanai, kuma cikin sauri," in ji Boujazi. Ya nufa wajen motar shan taba. Rahmati ta bi bayanta, baya son ya kara tsorata kamar yadda ya riga ya ke, amma Bujazi ya juyo ya ce, "Na ce ka tsaya nan ka kafa wani waje. Rahmati ta yi murna da cikawa.
    
  Wani injin kashe gobara ya ja zuwa tarkacen wutar da ke ci, kuma wasu ma'aikatan kashe gobara biyu masu kama-karya-watakila 'ya'yan ma'aikatan kashe gobara na gaske ne da suka mutu ko suka jikkata, al'adar da ta zama ruwan dare a wannan yanki na duniya - sun fara kashe wutar ta hanyar amfani da ruwa mai laushi daga wani tsohon injin kashe gobara da aka bari a ajiye. Dole ne ya zama aiki mai tsawo da ƙwazo. Bujazi ya zagaya motar kashe gobara, ya yi nisa da hayakin da ba zai shake shi ba, amma galibi ba a gani. Yanzu da aka fara aikin share fage, jama"a sun fara watsewa. Wani babban jami'in kashe gobara kuma ya kai hari kan wutar da ke gidan mai da kanta, wanda har yanzu yana da zafi da zafi, cikin sauri ya aika da wani bakar hayaki zuwa sama. Abun mamaki ga Boujazi cewa wutar kamar ta cinye ko da wani babban ruwa - wutar ta yi tsanani sosai har wutar ta yi kamar-
    
  "Ba wani mugun magana a wurin ba General," ya ji wata murya a bayansa.
    
  Bujazi ya gyada kai ya yi murmushi - ya tsinkayi daidai. Ya juya ya gyada kai tsaye ga Mai Martaba Azar Asia Kagev, magaji mai qiyasi ga Al'arshin Peacock na Farisa. Ya waiwaya bayan budurwar sai ya hangi Captain Mara Saidi, daya daga cikin masu tsaron gidan sarautar Azar, a tsaye kusa da wata fitilar, cikin dabara ya shiga rudanin da ke tattare da su. Jaket d'inta ya bud'e sannan hannayenta nad'e a gabanta, da alama sun k'are makaminta daga zazzafan idanuwa. "Ina tsammanin na ga kyaftin a wurin a cikin taron, kuma na san za ku kasance a kusa. Ina tsammanin Major yana nan kusa da bindigar maharbi ko RPG, dama?"
    
  "Na yi imani yana dauke da makamai guda biyu a yau - kun san yadda yake son zuwa cikin shiri," Azar ta ce, ta sunkuyar da kai ba tare da ta damu ba ta nuna inda shugabanta na Tsaron Cikin Gida, Parviz Najjar, yake boye idan an dan samu kwanan wata a nan Bujazi. tarko. Ba za ta iya yarda da wannan mutumin ba-haɗin gwiwa a Farisa yana canzawa da sauri. "Na karawa Najjar mukamin Laftanar Kanar, Saidi ya zama babba saboda jajircewar da suka yi wajen fitar da ni daga Amurka tare da kawo ni gida."
    
  Bujazi ya jinjina kai yana mai yarda. Azar Asia Kagev, karamar diyar dan takarar Peacock Throne Mohammed Hassan Kagev, wacce har yanzu ba a ganta ba tun farkon juyin mulkin da Boujazi ya yi wa gwamnatin Iran, ta cika shekara sha bakwai da haihuwa, amma ta samu karfin amincewar wani babba sau biyu shekarunta, ba tare da bata lokaci ba. don ambata game da ƙarfin hali, ƙwarewar yaƙi da hangen nesa na kwamandan kamfani na soja. Bujazi ta kasa lura da cewa itama ta rikide zuwa mace kyakkyawa, doguwar sumar baqa mai sheki, gata mai kyau ta fara bayyana akan siririyarta, ga kuma duhu, rawa, kusan mugun idanu. Hannunta da kafafunta sun lullube, ba da burqa ba, sai da farar riga da wando na chocolate chip don kare kanta daga rana; kanta a rufe, ba hijabi ba, amma tare da "rag" na tawagar gasar cin kofin duniya ta TeamMelli.
    
  Amman shima kallonshi takeyi a hannunta. Kowane ƙarni na biyu na mazajen daular Kagev-wataƙila mata ma, amma tabbas an jefar da su a matsayin jarirai don kada su girma da kowace naƙasa-suna fama da lahani na ƙwayoyin cuta da ake kira hypoplasia na babban yatsan yatsa, ko kuma rashin babban yatsan hannu biyu. . Tun tana karama, an yi mata tiyatar zabe wanda ya sa yatsun hannunta na manuniya suna aiki kamar babban yatsa, inda ya bar ta da yatsu hudu kawai a hannayen biyu.
    
  Amma maimakon zama cikas, Hazard ya sanya nakasar ta zama tushen ƙarfi, wanda ya ƙarfafa ta tun tana ƙarama. Ta fi yin gyara don gazawar da ta ke gani: ana jita-jita cewa za ta iya yin wasa da mafi yawan maza sau biyu shekarunta kuma ta kasance ƙwararriyar ƙwararriyar ƙwararrun ƙwararrun ƙwararru. Rahotanni sun nuna cewa Hazard ba kasafai ake saka safar hannu ba, wanda hakan ke baiwa wasu damar ganin hannunta a matsayin duka alamomin gadonta da kuma raba hankalin abokan hamayyarta.
    
  Azar ta zauna a asirce a Amurka tun tana da shekaru biyu a karkashin kariya daga masu tsaron lafiyarta Najar da Saidi, wadanda suka nuna a matsayin iyayenta, sun rabu da iyayenta na gaske saboda dalilai na tsaro, wadanda kuma suke boye a matsayin bakin ma'aikatar harkokin wajen Amurka. . Lokacin da juyin mulkin Buzhazi ya faru, nan take Kagev suka tattara majalisar yakinsu suka koma Iran. Sarki da sarauniya da ya kamata a boye amma suna gudanar da gidan yanar gizon, a kai a kai suna fitowa kafafen yada labarai suna sukar tsarin mulkin Iran, kuma suka fito karara suka sha alwashin wata rana su dawo su kwace kasar, har yanzu ba a gansu ba, kuma ana zargin musulinci na Iran ne suka kashe shi. Dakarun kare juyin juya hali ko kuma 'yan ta'addan al-Quds tare da taimakon Rashawa da Turkmen. Amma Azar ta kai ga Iran, ta yin amfani da basirarta, basirar jagoranci na dabi'a - da kuma taimako mai yawa daga sojojin Amurka da wasu 'yan karamin runduna masu sulke - kuma ta shiga majalisar sojan sarki da dubban mabiyansu masu farin ciki.
    
  "Na burge mai martaba," Bujazi ya ce, ya cire hular sa ya zuba ruwa a fuskarsa kafin ya yi dogon tsaki. "Ina neman ku, amma kun dace daidai da taron. Da alama sauran ba su san ko wanene ku ba, domin babu wanda ya yi ƙoƙarin ƙirƙirar garkuwar kariya a kusa da ku lokacin da na matso. Kun boye watan ku da kyau."
    
  "Na yi ta yawo a cikin gari ina kokarin sauraron wadannan matasa don sanin abin da suke so da abin da suke tsammani," in ji Azar. Har yanzu lafazin nata na Amurka yana da ƙarfi, wanda hakan ya sa Farisaninta ke da wuyar fahimta. Ta cire rigar kan tawagar ƙwallon ƙafa ta Iran don bayyana doguwar wutsiya mai tsayin kugu, mun, irin na sarakunan Farisa na ƙarni. Ta wurgar da gashin kanta, tana murnar samun 'yanci daga ginshiƙin da take da shi amma na gargajiya. Manjo Saidi ya nufo wajenta fuskarta cike da firgici, shiru yayi yana matsa mata ta boye jakarta kafin kowa a kan titi ya hango. Azar ta zaro ido cikin ba'a ta daure wutsiya ta baya karkashin riga. "Sun san ni a matsayin daya daga cikin 'yan gudun hijirar, shi ke nan - kamar su."
    
  "Sai masu gadi ɗari da ke ɗauke da makamai, majalisar sojoji, wani sansanin soja na asirce wanda ya fi yawan kayayyakin da ake samu a yawancin ƙasashen tsakiyar Asiya, da kuma wasu dubu ɗari masu bindigu waɗanda za su yi farin ciki su tsaya a gaban layin bindiga don sake ganin ku. Takht-i-Tavus, Peacock Throne"
    
  "Zan ba da duk abin da zan ba ku don shawo kan ku da ma'aikatan ku ku shiga ni, Khesarak," in ji ta. "Mabiyana masu aminci ne kuma masu sadaukarwa, amma har yanzu ba mu da yawa, kuma mabiyana masu aminci ne, ba mayaka ba."
    
  "Me kuke tunani shine bambanci tsakanin wanda ake kira mai biyayya da soja, mai martaba?" - Ya tambayi Buzhazi. "Lokacin da kasarku ke cikin hadari, babu bambanci. A lokacin yaki, "yan kasa suna zama mayaka ko kuma su zama bayi."
    
  "Suna buƙatar janar... suna buƙatar ku."
    
  "Suna bukatar shugaba, mai martaba, kuma wannan mutumin kai ne," in ji Boujazi. "Idan rabin masu kishin ku sun kasance masu wayo, marasa tsoro da jajircewa kamar waccan kungiyar da kuke rataye da su, za su iya mamaye kasar cikin sauki."
    
  "Ba za su bi yarinyar ba."
    
  "Wataƙila ba... Amma za su bi shugaba."
    
  "Ina so ka jagorance su."
    
  Boujazi ya ce "Ba na goyon bayan kafa gwamnati a nan, Mai martaba - Bana cikin harkar kafa gwamnati." "Na zo nan ne saboda Pasdaran da "yan tawayen da suke daukar nauyinsu har yanzu barazana ce ga kasar nan, kuma zan bi su har sai kowane na karshe daga cikinsu ya mutu. Amma ba zan zama shugaban kasa ba. John Elton ya ce: 'Ikon yana lalata, kuma cikakken iko yana lalacewa kwata-kwata.' Na san cewa ƙarfina ya fito ne daga sojojina, kuma ba na son a yi mulkin sojan jama'a. Kamata ya yi akasin haka."
    
  "Idan ba kwa son zama shugabansu, ku zama janar dinsu," in ji Azar. "Ku jagoranci sojojin ku a karkashin tutar Kagewa, ku horar da masu biyayyarmu, ku dauki karin mayakan farar hula, mu sake hada kan al'ummarmu."
    
  Bujazi ya kalli budurwar da gaske. "Hajiya fa iyayenki?" - Ya tambaya.
    
  Azar ta hadiye tambayar da bata zata ba amma karfen ya dawo idonta da sauri. "Har yanzu ba komi ba General" ta amsa dakyar. "Suna da rai - na san hakan."
    
  "Tabbas mai martaba," Bujazi ya ce a nitse. "Na ji cewa majalisar sojojin ku ba za ta amince da ku jagorantar sojojin ku ba har sai kun balaga."
    
  Azar ta yi dariya ta girgiza kai. "Tsawon ƙarni, shekarun girma ya kasance goma sha huɗu-Alexander yana da shekaru goma sha huɗu sa'ad da ya jagoranci sojojinsa na farko zuwa yaƙi," in ji ta. "Yayin da jefa makamai suka yi gaba, kuma makamai da sulke suka yi kauri da nauyi, shekarun da suka fi girma-kalmar ta fito ne daga majour, kwamandan runduna-ya kai goma sha takwas, domin duk wani karamin yaro ba zai iya daga takobi ko sanya sulke ba. Menene wannan ke nufi a duniyar zamani? A kwanakin nan, ɗan shekara biyar zai iya amfani da kwamfuta, karanta taswira, yin magana a rediyo, kuma ya fahimci tsari da yanayin. Amma mai girma majalisa, wanda ya kunshi tsoffi sanye da riguna da "yan mata, ba za su bari duk wanda bai kai sha takwas ba ya jagoranci sojoji ba, musamman mace."
    
  "Ina ba da shawarar cewa wani ya tara kwamandojin bataliyar ku, ya nada kwamanda, ya sami amincewarsa daga majalisar sojojin ku kuma ya tsara ... da wuri-wuri," in ji Boujazi. "Hare-haren naku ba su da cikakken hadin kai kuma da alama ba su da wata manufa face kisan kai da tashin hankali da ke sanya jama'a a gaba."
    
  "Na riga na gaya wa hukumar wannan, amma ba sa sauraron yarinyar," Azar ya koka. "Ni dai kai ne kawai, alama. Sun gwammace su yi gardama game da wane ne ke da girma, wane ne ke da ƙarin mabiya, ko kuma wa zai iya jawo ƙarin masu ɗaukar ma'aikata ko kuɗi. Duk abin da suke so a wurina shine magaji namiji. Idan babu sarki, majalisa ba za ta yanke wani hukunci ba."
    
  "Sai Malika."
    
  "Ba na son a kira ni 'Sarauniya', Janar, kuma ka san hakan, na tabbata," in ji Hazard da zafi. "Iyayena ba su mutu ba." Ta fadi wadannan kalamai na karshe a fusace, cikin rarrashi, kamar mai kokarin shawo kanta da kuma ta janar din.
    
  "Kusan shekara biyu ke nan da bacewarsu, Ranka ya dade-har yaushe za ka jira? Har sai kun cika sha takwas? Ina Farisa za ta kasance a cikin wata goma sha biyar? Ko kuma sai daular kishiya ta yi da"awar sarautar Dawisu, ko kuma sai wani kakkarfa ya karbe mulki ya kori Kage duka?"
    
  Babu shakka, Azar ta riga ta yi wa kanta waɗannan tambayoyin domin ta ji ciwo da rashin samun amsa. "I know, General, na sani," ta fada cikin siririyar murya, dan bakin cikin da ya taba ji daga gare ta. "Don haka ne nake bukatar ku bayyana a gaban majalisar sojoji, ku shiga tare da mu, ku dauki kwamandan masu biyayya gare mu, ku hada kan dakarun da ke adawa da Musulunci wajen yakar Mohtaz da masu kishin jininsa. Kai ne mafi iko a Farisa. Za su amince ba tare da bata lokaci ba."
    
  "Ban da tabbacin ko a shirye nake in zama kwamanda-janar a rundunar masarautar, Mai martaba," in ji Boujazi. "Ina buƙatar sanin yadda Kagevians suke kafin in tallafa musu." Ya kalli Azar a lumshe ido. "Kuma har sai iyayenku sun bayyana, ko kuma sai kun cika shekaru goma sha takwas-watakila ma ba haka ba - majalisar soja tana magana da sunan Kagev..."
    
  "Kuma ba za su iya yanke shawarar ko za su daga tutar sarauta kafin ko bayan sallar asuba," in ji Hazard da kyama. "Suna jayayya game da yarjejeniyar kotu, matsayi da ƙananan hanyoyi maimakon dabaru, dabaru da manufofi."
    
  "Kuma kina so in karbi odarsu? A"a, na gode, mai martaba."
    
  "Amma idan da akwai hanyar shawo kan su don tallafa muku idan kun sanar da cewa za ku kafa gwamnati, Hesarak -"
    
  "Na gaya muku, ba ni da hannu wajen kafa gwamnati," in ji Boujazi. "Na rusa malaman addini da gurbatattun shugabancin Islama da "yan baranda na Pasdaran da suka dauka aiki saboda su ne ainihin abin da ke kawo cikas ga "yanci da doka a kasar nan. Amma zan iya tunatar da ku cewa har yanzu muna da zaɓaɓɓun Majalisarmu ta Majlis-e-Shura, wadda ake zaton tana da ikon da tsarin mulki ya ba mu ikon sarrafa da kafa gwamnatin wakilci? Ina suke? Boye, shi ke nan. Suna tsoron kada a yi musu kisa idan suka fitar da kananan kawunansu, don haka sun gwammace su rika kallo daga gidajensu masu dadi, wadanda ke kewaye da masu gadi, saboda kasarsu ta wargaje.
    
  "Kamar kana son wani ya tambaye ka ka taimake su, ko ba haka ba, General? Shin kina son girma da mutuncin dan siyasa ko gimbiya mai neman taimako?"
    
  "Abin da nake so, mai martaba, shi ne mutanen da ya kamata su jagoranci kasar nan su cire jakunansu masu kiba su karbi mulki," in ji Boujazi da zafi. "Har sai Majalisa, wacce ake kira Majalisar Soja ko kuma wani ya yanke shawarar cewa suna da karfin da za su murkushe masu tayar da kayar bayan Islama, su dauki nauyin kafa gwamnati, zan ci gaba da yin abin da ya fi dacewa - farauta da kashe yawancin Farisa. makiya kamar yadda zai yiwu don ceton rayuka marasa laifi. Aƙalla ina da manufa."
    
  "Mabiyana suna raba hangen nesa, Janar..."
    
  "Sai ku tabbatar da hakan. Ka taimake ni in yi aikina har sai kun yi tunani da majalisar yaƙinku."
    
  Azar ta so ta yi gardama kan mutanenta da gwagwarmayar su, da kuma halaccinta, amma ta san ta rasa amsa. Boujazi ya yi gaskiya: suna da niyyar fuskantar masu kishin Islama, amma sun kasa yin aikin. Ta gyada kai cikin biyayya. "Ok, General, ina ji. Ta yaya za mu taimake ka?"
    
  "Ku gaya wa masu kishinku su shiga sojana kuma su yi alkawarin aiwatar da umarnina na tsawon shekaru biyu. Zan horar da su kuma in ba su kayan aiki. Bayan shekaru biyu, za su iya komawa gare ku cikin yardar rai da dukkan kayan aiki da makaman da za su iya ɗauka a bayansu."
    
  Girar Azar ta tashi da mamaki. " tayin karimci sosai."
    
  "Amma dole ne su rantse a lokacin aikinsu na shekara biyu don yin biyayya da umarnaina kuma su yi yaƙi domina har ƙarshe sannan wasu, a ƙarƙashin hukuncin kisa - ba ta kowace majalisar yaƙi, kotu ko kotu ba, amma ta wurina. Idan aka kama su suna isar da bayanai ga duk wanda ba a matsayi na ba, har da kai, za su mutu cikin kaskanci da wulakanci."
    
  Azar ya gyada kai. "Me kuma?"
    
  "Idan ba su shiga cikin sojojina ba, dole ne su amince su ba ni cikakkun bayanai, masu dacewa kuma masu amfani, a kan ci gaba ko kuma bisa bukata, kuma su tallafa wa sojojina da duk abin da za su iya bayarwa - abinci, sutura, matsuguni, ruwa. kudi, kayayyaki, komai," Buzhazi ya ci gaba. "Na ba da umarnin yada bayanai game da jami"an tsaro na domin saukaka wa jama"ar ku isar da sako, hotuna ko wasu bayanai zuwa gare su, kuma zan kawo muku sakonnin sirri da amintattun murya da adiresoshin imel da za ku iya amfani da su a samar mana da bayanai.
    
  "Amma dole ne ku taimake mu, ku duka. Ƙila maƙiyanku masu aminci su bi Kages kamar ku, amma za su taimake ni, ko kuma su tsaya tare yayin da ni da mutanena suke faɗa. Ko dai za su yarda cewa ina yaƙi da Farisa, kuma na cancanci cikakken goyon bayansu, ko kuma su ajiye makamansu, su tsaya daga kan tituna - ba za su ƙara kai hari ko tashin bama ba, ba za su ƙara ƴan daba ba, kuma ba za su ƙara yin kisa ba da za a yi amfani da su don tada zaune tsaye. marasa laifi kuma suna karfafa Pasdarans da masu kishin Islama su kara kai hare-hare kan fararen hula."
    
  "Zai kasance mai wahala," in ji Hazard. "Ni dai ban san duk jagororin adawa da ke wurin ba. A gaskiya ina shakkun cewa duk wanda ke cikin majalisa ya san dukkanin sel da shugabanninsu. "
    
  "Kuna halartar taron majalisar yaki, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "An ba ni damar halartar babban taron majalisar sojoji, amma ba a ba ni damar kada kuri'a ba, kuma na karaya daga halartar tarurrukan dabaru."
    
  Bujazi ya girgiza kai a fusace. "Wataƙila kai ne mafi wayo a wannan taron majalisa - abin da ya sa ba a ba ka damar shiga ba wani babban asiri ne a gare ni. To, wannan ita ce matsalarka, mai martaba. Ina gaya muku cewa magoya bayan ku suna cikin matsalar, ba cikin mafita ba. Ban sani ba ko mutumin da ke da bindigar da ke kan shingen nan dan Islama ne ko kuma daya daga cikin magoya bayan ku, don haka zan yi wa kan sa ta kowace hanya kafin ya yi kokarin yi min. Wannan ba yadda nake so ba, amma wannan ita ce hanyar da zan taka idan ya zama dole."
    
  "Na yi nadama cewa ba zan iya samun ƙarin taimako ba, Janar."
    
  "Za ka iya, mai martaba, idan ka dawo da kanka zuwa karni na ashirin da ɗaya, kamar yadda na san za ka iya," in ji Bujazi, yana mayar da hular sa yana ƙara matsawa.
    
  "Me?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Zo, Mai Martaba - kin san ainihin abin da nake magana akai," Buzhazi ya ce a fusace. "Ke mace ce mai hankali kuma shugabar da aka haifa. Kun zauna a Amurka mafi yawan rayuwar ku kuma a fili kun koyi cewa tsoffin hanyoyin ba za su ƙara yin aiki ba. Kun dai san ni ma wannan kotun taku da wannan da ake kira majalisar yaki ne ke kawo muku cikas. Kai da son rai ka daure kanka a cikin wannan kejin mai shekaru dari shida da ake kira "kotu", kuma ka yarda ka mika mulki ga gungun matsorata marasa kashin baya, wadanda rabinsu ma ba a kasar nan suke a halin yanzu, shin ina da gaskiya? Kallon fuskarta ya iya gane shi.
    
  Bujazi ya girgiza kai cike da takaici ya juyo da kyar. Ya ce a fusace "Ka gafarta mani da fadar wannan maganar, amma ka fitar da kan ka daga cikin kyakkyawan dan jakinka ka ci gaba da shirin kafin mu mutu, kasarmu ta koma makabartar jama'a." "Kai kadai ne a nan kan tituna, Hazard. Kuna iya ganin matsaloli kuma kuna da wayo don tsara amsa, amma ba kwa son ɗaukar nauyi. Me yasa? Don ba ka son iyayenka su yi tunanin kana hau gadon sarautarsu? Azar don girman Allah wannan karni na ashirin da daya kenan ba na sha hudu ba. Bayan haka, iyayenku sun mutu ko kuma su kansu matsorata ne idan har kusan biyu ba su tabbatar da kan su ba...
    
  "Yi shiru!" Hazard ya yi kururuwa, kafin Boujazi ya mayar da martani, sai ta zagaya ta yi masa mari da karfi a cikin hasken rana da kafarta ta dama, ta fidda iskar daga cikinsa. Bujazi ya fadi a gwiwa daya, ya fi jin kunyar kama shi fiye da yadda aka yi masa laifi. A lokacin da ya tashi tsaye ya iya shan akalla rabin numfashi, Mara Saidi ya lullube Hazard, yana nuna masa bindiga mai sarrafa kansa.
    
  "Naji dadi, mai martaba," Bujazi ya yi gunaguni yana shafa cikinsa. A fili ya zaci cewa daya daga cikin abubuwan da ta saba da lahani na hannu shine iya fada da kafafunta. "Jita-jita sun ce za ku iya kula da kanku - na ga gaskiya ne."
    
  "An gama taron General," ya ji muryar mutum a bayansa. Boujazi ya juyo ya gyada kai ga Parviz Najjar, wanda cikin kiftawar ido ya kare ya nuna masa wata bindiga. "Tafi da sauri."
    
  "Bayan ku duka ku runtse makamanku," sai suka ji wata murya ta yi ihu. Gaba dayansu suka juya suka ga Manjo Kulom Haddad a boye a bayan wata mota mai hayaki, bindiga kirar AK-74 ta nufi Najar. "Ba zan maimaita kaina ba!"
    
  "Kowa ya ajiye bindigogin ku," in ji Boujazi. "Ina tsammanin dukanmu mun faɗi abin da muke buƙatar faɗa a nan." Babu wanda ya motsa. "Major, kai da mutanenka, tsaya."
    
  "Sir-"
    
  "Karnel, kyaftin, tsaya kuma," Azar ya umarta. A hankali Najar da Saida suka yi biyayya, a lokacin da makamansu ba su gani, sai Haddad ya sauke nasa. "Babu abokan gaba a nan."
    
  Bujazi ya ja numfashin sa na farko, ya yi murmushi, ya sake gyada kai cikin girmamawa, sannan ya mika hannu. "Malam, na ji daɗin magana da kai. Ina fatan za mu iya yin aiki tare, amma ina tabbatar muku, zan ci gaba da fada."
    
  Azar ya riko hannunsa shima ya sunkuyar da kai. "Ya yi kyau magana da kai ma, General. Ina da abubuwa da yawa da zan yi tunani akai."
    
  "Kada ka dau lokaci mai yawa, Ranka ya dade. Assalamu Alaikum." Boujazi ya juya ya koma wajen mutanensa, tare da Haddad da wasu sojoji biyu a hankali a boye a kusa da su, suka rufa masa baya.
    
  "Assalamu alaikum, janar," Azar ya yi ihu bayan shi.
    
  Rabin Bujazi ya juyo gareta, yayi murmushi ya daka tsawa: "Wallahi, Mai Martaba. Amma duk da haka na gode."
    
    
  FARIN GIDA
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  Shugaban ma"aikatan fadar shugaban kasar Walter Cordus ya kwankwasa kofar falon fadar shugaban kasa da ke hawa na uku na gidan iyalan fadar White House. "Yallabai? Tana nan."
    
  Shugaba Gardner ya dubi gilashin karatunsa ya ajiye takardun da yake nazari. Yana da wani katon talbijin na flat-screen a kunne, yana buga wasan dambe, amma an kashe karar. Sanye yake da farar shirt da wando na kasuwanci tare da lallausan ƙulla-da kyar ya sa wani abu banda kayan kasuwanci a cikin mintuna kafin ya kwanta barci. "Lafiya. Ina?"
    
  "Kun ce ba ku son haduwa a West Wing, don haka na sa aka kawo ta Red Room - na ga ya dace."
    
  "Mai kyau. Amma ta nemi ganin dakin taro. Kawo ta nan."
    
  Cordus ya ɗauki mataki zuwa cikin falo. "Joe, ka tabbata kana son yin wannan? Ita ce shugabar kwamitin kula da ayyukan soji na Majalisar Dattawa, mai yiwuwa mace ce mafi karfi a kasar bayan Angelina Jolie. Wannan ya kamata ya ci gaba da kasuwanci. "...
    
  "Kasuwanci ne, Walt," in ji Gardner. "Zan kasance a wurin nan da 'yan mintoci kaɗan. Kun sami bayanan da na tambaye ku?"
    
  "Suna kan hanya."
    
  "Lafiya". Gardner ya koma nazarin takardunsa. Shugaban ma'aikatan ya girgiza kai ya fice.
    
  Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan, Gardner ya taka hanyar Central Corridor, yanzu sanye da jaket ɗin kwat ɗinsa, yana gyara ɗaurinsa yana tafiya. Cordus ya kame shi ya mika masa jakar. "Daman bayan bugu. Kuna so in-?"
    
  "A'a. Ina tsammanin mun gama yau. Na gode, Walt. "... Da gudu ya wuce shugaban ma"aikatan ya shiga dakin taro. "Hello, Sanata. Na gode da haduwa da ni a wannan sa"ar rashin tsoron Allah."
    
  Ta tsaya kusa da wani katon teburi na mahogany da aka yi a cikin ofishin bayar da tallafi na Amurka, kuma cikin kauna ta rinka gudu dogayen yatsunta akan abubuwa masu launin ceri. Maigadi ya ajiye tiren shayin akan teburin kofi dake can karshen dakin. Ido ta zaro sai murmushin karfin hali ya bayyana yayin da ta hango Gardner ya shigo dakin. "Mai girma shugaban kasa, hakika abin alfahari ne da kuma gata kasancewa tare da kai a daren yau," in ji Sanata Stacy Ann Barbeau a cikin sanannen lafazin ta na siliki na Louisiana. "Na gode sosai da gayyatar." Ta mik'e ta rungume Shugaban kasa tana musabaha a kumatu. Barbeau ta sanye da farar rigar kasuwanci tare da lanƙwasa wuyan da ke cikin dabara amma da ban mamaki ya nuna tsangwama da tsagewarta, wanda aka nuna da yammacin yamma da abin wuyan platinum mai kyalli da 'yan kunne na lu'u-lu'u. Jajayen gashinta yayi kamar wanda ke kan mota, cikin lokaci tana murmushi tare da kwasar gashin ido, korayen idanuwanta sun lumshe da kuzari. "Ka san za ka iya tuntuɓar ni kowane lokaci, yallabai."
    
  "Na gode Sanata. Don Allah. Ya yi nuni da sofa na Victoria, sannan ya riko hannunta, ya kai ta, sannan ya dauki kujera mai kyau ta dama, yana fuskantar murhu.
    
  "Ina fatan za ku isar da fatan alheri ga uwargidan shugaban kasa," in ji Barbeau, yana zaune kamar haka akan kujera. "Tana Damascus, idan ban yi kuskure ba, a taron kasa da kasa kan 'yancin mata?"
    
  "Hakika, Sanata," in ji shugaban.
    
  "Ina fata ayyukana na Majalisar Dattijai zai ba ni damar halarta," in ji Barbeau. "Na aika da babban ma'aikacina Colleen don halartar taron, kuma ta kawo kudurin goyon baya daga daukacin majalisar dattawa da uwargidan shugaban kasa za ta gabatar wa wakilan."
    
  "Ina matukar tunaninka, Sanata."
    
  "Don Allah yallabai, za ka iya kirana 'Stacy' anan cikin sirrin mazaunin?" Barbeau ya tambaya yana sakar masa murmushin nata mai burgewa. "Ina ganin dukkanmu mun cancanci 'yancin ɗan hutu da 'yanci daga tsarin ofisoshinmu."
    
  "Hakika, Stacy," in ji Gardner. Bai tambaye ta ta kira shi "Joe," kuma ta san isashen rashin tambaya. "Amma matsin lamba bai taɓa barin gaske ba, ko? Ba a cikin aikinmu ba. "
    
  "Ban taba yin la'akari da abin da nake yi a matsayin 'aiki ba,' Mista Shugaba," in ji Barbeau. Ta zuba masa kofin shayi, sannan ta sunkuyar da kanta ta hade kafafunta tana shan nata. "Hakika, ba koyaushe yana da daɗi ba, amma kula da kasuwancin mutane ba wani abu bane. Ina tsammanin damuwa yana cikin abin da ke sa mutum ya rayu, ba ka yarda ba?
    
  Gardner ya ce "Ina tsammanin za ku yi nasara a cikin matsin lamba, Sanata," in ji Gardner. Ya danne murmushi bayan ya sha shayin. "A gaskiya, idan zan iya faɗi haka, ina tsammanin kuna jin daɗin ƙirƙirar shi kaɗan."
    
  "Ayyukan da nake da su sau da yawa suna buƙatar in yi abubuwa a waje da abin da yawancin mutane za su kira 'siyasa'," in ji Barbeau. "Muna yin duk abin da ya kamata mu yi domin amfanin al'ummar mazabarmu da kasarmu, ko ya mai girma shugaban kasa?"
    
  "Kira min Joe. Don Allah."
    
  Koren idanuwan Barbeau sun firfito ta sunkuyar da kanta, kallonta baya barin nasa. "To, na gode da karramawar... Joe."
    
  "A'a, Stacy," in ji Gardner da murmushi. "Kai gaskiya ne. Babu wanda ke son yarda da shi, amma ƙarshen yakan tabbatar da hanyar idan manufar ita ce ƙasa mafi aminci. " Ya dauki wayar akan teburin Monroe. "Don Allah za a iya motsa teburin cin abinci zuwa Meeting Room, don Allah?" Ya katse wayar. "Karfe tara na yamma Stacey, kuma ba ni da sha"awar shan shayi. Ina fatan ba za ku damu ba."
    
  "Ba komai, Joe." Murmushi ya sake yi, amma ya fi na ciki, ya fi ajiyar zuciya. "Wataƙila zan haɗa ku kawai."
    
  "Na san abin da zai iya shawo kan ku." Wakilin ya kawo tebur a kan ƙafafun da ke da kristal da yawa. Gardner ya zubawa kansa gilashin duhu Bacardi tare da kankara ya zubawa Barbeau abin sha. "Ina tsammanin na karanta a cikin mujallar mutane cewa kun fi son 'Creole Mama,' ko? Ina fata na sami wannan dama ... bourbon, madeira da grenadine da yaduwa tare da ceri, daidai? Yi haƙuri, jajayen cherries kawai muke da su, ba kore ba."
    
  "Kana ba ni mamaki wani lokaci, Joe," in ji ta. Suka tabo tabarau, idanunsu suka had'u. Ta ɗanɗana nata, idanuwanta sun sake lumshewa sannan ta sake shan ruwan. "Madalla, mai girma shugaban kasa, aikin ɗan leƙen asiri, ko da bayan sa"o"i, da kuma kyakkyawan hannu a mashaya. Na sake burge ni."
    
  "Na gode". Gardner kuma ya ɗauki dogon lokaci na abin sha. "Ba kamar nagartaccen kamar Creole Mama ba, na tabbata, amma lokacin da kake ƴan siyasar Florida, za ka fi sanin rumbunka. Ku lafiyar ku". Suka hada gilashin su sannan suka sake shan ruwan sha. "Kin san daga ina taba tabarau suka fito, Stacey?"
    
  "Na tabbata ba," Barbeau ya amsa. "Ban ma san akwai asalinsa ba. Don haka ba kawai kyakkyawa ɗan ƙaramar surutu ba ne?"
    
  "A zamanin da, idan "yan hamayya suka hadu domin tattaunawa kan sharudan yarjejeniyoyin da aka kulla ko kawance, idan suka sha bayan an kammala tattaunawa, sai su zuba kadan daga cikin abubuwan da ke cikin kofunan nasu a cikin kofuna domin nuna cewa ba guba aka saka ba. Al"adar ta zama alamar abota da abota".
    
  "Kai, wannan yana da ban sha'awa," in ji Barbeau, ta sake shan wani abu, sa'an nan kuma ta rinjayi harshenta a kan cikakkun lebbanta. "Amma ina fatan ba za ku gan ni a matsayin abokin gaba ba, Joe. Ni ba haka nake ba. Na kasance masoyin ku shekaru da yawa, kamar yadda mahaifina ya yi. Hankalinku da fara'a da sadaukarwarku na gaskiya wajen yi wa al'umma hidima kawai ta zarce fasaharku ta siyasa."
    
  "Na gode Stacy." Ya kalli jikin Barbeau lokacin da ta sake shan taba. Ko da ta maida hankalinta ga jin dad'in shaye-shayenta, ta lura da shi yana kallonta...sake. "Na san mahaifinku lokacin da muka yi aiki a Majalisar Dattawa tare. Mutum ne mai iko, mai tsananin son zuciya da kishin al"amuransa."
    
  Barbeau ya ce "Ya dauke ku daya daga cikin amintattun abokansa, duk da cewa ku da shi a lokacin muna gaba da juna na siyasa da akida," in ji Barbeau. "Bayan an zabe ni a Majalisar Dattawa, ya kan tunatar da ni cewa idan ina son tattaunawa ta gaskiya da wani bangaren, kada in yi shakka na zo wurinku." Ta dan dakata tana mai dauke da magana mai tunani. "Da ma yana nan har yanzu. Zan iya amfani da ƙarfinsa da hikimarsa. Ina son shi sosai."
    
  "Ya kasance mayaki. Dan adawa mai karfi. Kun san abin da zai iya kuma bai ji tsoron gaya muku ba. La'ananne mutumin kirki ne."
    
  Barbeau ta dora hannunta akan na Gardner ta girgiza shi. "Na gode Joe. Kai mutum ne mai dadi." Ta d'auki d'an lokaci ta kalle shi, sannan ta bar laɓɓanta su ɗan rabu. "Kai ... kama da yadda nake tunawa da shi a cikin ƙaraminsa, shekarunsa masu zafi, Joe. Muna da gidan cin abinci a Shreveport mai kama da wannan, kuma mun shafe sa'o'i marasa iyaka tare kamar wannan. Ina so in yi magana game da siyasa kuma yana so ya san wanda nake hulɗa da shi. "
    
  "Baba da 'ya'ya kullum suna kusa, ko?"
    
  Wani mugun murmushi ya watsa a fuskarta ta ce, "Ya sa na fada masa sirrina." "Ba zan iya hana shi komai ba. Ya sa na gaya masa komai - kuma ni yarinya ce mai girman kai tun ina yarinya. Na yi tarayya da samari daga dukkan 'yan siyasa. Ina so in koyi komai game da siyasa: dabarun, tsarawa, tara kuɗi, ƴan takara, batutuwa, ƙawance. Sun so..." Ta dan yi shiru tana sake masa wani murmushin harda lumshe ido. "...to, kun san abin da suke so." Gardner ya hadiye yawu yana tunanin abinda suka samu daga gareta. "Dangantaka ce mai amfani da juna. Wani lokaci ina tsammanin mahaifina ya kafa ni a kan wasu daga cikin waɗannan kwanakin don kawai in zama ɗan leƙen asirinsa - sigar siyasar Cajun na korar 'yar ku, ina tsammanin. "
    
  Gardner ya murmusa ba tare da ya sani ba ya sake barin idanunsa suna yawo a jikinta, a wannan karon Barbeau ta yarda da kanta ta nuna cewa ta lura, murmushi da ɓacin rai - tana ɗaya daga cikin matan da za su iya yin blush a kowane lokaci, ko'ina, a kowane hali, a kowane hali. so. Ya jingina da kujera yana son a fara wannan taron da sauri don su mai da hankali kan wasu abubuwa idan dama ta samu kanta. "Don haka, Stacy, mu duka mun san matsalar da muke fuskanta. Menene matsayin fadar White House game da kwamitin ayyukan soja? Shin za mu yi fada ne kan kasafin kudin soja ko kuwa za mu iya cimma matsaya mu gabatar da hadin kai?
    
  "Abin takaici, ina jin tsoro, Joe, mun kasance cikin rudani fiye da kowane lokaci," Barbeau ya amsa. Ta zare hannunta tana kallon yadda zafin rashi ya mamaye fuskarsa. "Wannan duk sirri ne, Mr. Shugaba?"
    
  "Lalle". Ya taba hannunta idanuwanta sunyi jajir. "A bangarorin biyu. Tsayayyen sirri."
    
  "Labbana a rufe." Barbeau tayi murmushi, sannan ta matse jajayen lips dinta waje guda, ta yi motsi da dogayen yatsunta sannan ta cusa wani makulli marar gani a cikin faffadan kwarin dake tsakanin nononta. Gardner ya ɗauki wannan a matsayin izinin buɗewa don kallon ƙirjinta a wannan lokacin, kuma ya yi hakan da karimci. "Kwamitin yana cikin tashin hankali, Joe. Hakika, sun damu da lafiya da jin daɗin Janar McLanahan. Ko ka ji wani abu game da shi?"
    
  "Ba haka ba. Da farko likitoci sun ce min kada in sa ran zai dawo bakin aiki na tsawon watanni. Irin ciwon zuciya."
    
  Hakan ya yi daidai da abin da majiyoyinta a Cibiyar Kiwon Lafiyar Soja ta Walter Reed ta gaya mata, ta yi tunani-har Gardner ya yi mata ƙarya. Wannan alama ce mai kyau. "Don irin wannan matashi mai karfi ya ruguje kwatsam kamar haka, damuwa na rayuwa a wannan tashar sararin samaniya da kuma tashi sau da yawa akan Black Stallion ya kasance mai girma, fiye da yadda kowa zai iya zato."
    
  "McLanahan mutum ne mai tauri, amma ka yi gaskiya - ko da yake yana da shekaru hamsin kuma yana da tarihin iyali na cututtukan zuciya, yana da matukar dacewa. 'Yan sama jannati na jirgin sama yawanci suna da kwanaki da yawa tsakanin tashiwa da dawowa -McLanahan ya yi zagaye biyar zuwa tashar sararin samaniya a cikin makonni hudu da suka gabata. Wannan abu ne da ba a taba ganin irinsa ba, amma ya kasance al'ada a 'yan watannin da suka gabata. Muna hana tafiye-tafiye zuwa tashar sararin samaniya kuma muna kan aiwatar da cikakken binciken likita na duk mahalarta. Muna bukatar amsoshi kan abin da ya faru."
    
  "Amma wannan shine ainihin batu na, Joe. McLanahan yana da tauri da ƙarfi, musamman ga mai matsakaicin shekaru, kuma tsohon sojan yaƙi ne kuma sojan ƙasa - Allahna, jarumi ne! - wanda na tabbata ana gwajin lafiyar jiki akai-akai. Duk da haka, har yanzu ba shi da ƙarfi kuma Allah Ya san irin raunukan da ya samu. Wannan yana sanya ayar tambaya game da aminci da fa'idar shirin sararin samaniyar sojan da aka tsara. Don girman Allah, Joe, me ya sa muke saka mutanen kirki a kan wannan aiki? Na yarda da ku cewa zamani ne, mai ban mamaki da ban sha'awa, amma fasaha ce da kawai ba ta cika ba kuma mai yiwuwa ba za ta sake cika shekaru goma ba - ba tare da ma'anar cewa yana da ƙananan jiragen sama na hudu cikin biyar da daya- na goma abin da ake biya don kuɗi ɗaya. Idan wani mutum mai ƙarfi kamar Janar McLanahan ya mutu yayin aiwatar da wannan abu, shin yana da lafiya ga sauran membobin jirgin? "
    
  "Menene tunanin kwamitin, Stacy?"
    
  "Yana da sauki kuma mai ma'ana, Joe," in ji Barbeau. "Wannan ba game da burge mutanen da ke da damar Intanet ta duniya ba ko kuma hotuna masu tsayin mita na bayan kowa - yana da batun samar da kima da fa'ida ga tsaron kasarmu. Kamar yadda zan iya fada, jiragen sama suna cin gajiyar "yan kwangila ne kawai da aka sanya wa aikin, wato Sky Masters da kamfanonin da ke tallafa musu. Muna da dozin iri-iri masu haɓaka sararin samaniya tare da ingantaccen rikodin waƙa wanda zai iya yin aiki mafi kyau fiye da Black Stallion. " Ta zaro ido. "Don Allah Joe, wanene McLahanan a kwance?"
    
  "Hakika, ba Maureen Herschel ba kuma," Gardner ya yi dariya.
    
  Barbeau ta zaro ido cikin izgili. "Oh, wannan muguwar mace-Ba zan taɓa fahimtar dalilin da ya sa Shugaba Martindale ya zaɓi ta, daga cikin mutane duka, ta zama mataimakiyarsa," in ji Barbeau. Ta kalli Gardner da wasa a gefen gilashin ta, sannan ta tambaye ta, "Ko kifi mai sanyi abinci ne gama gari don amfanin jama'a kawai, Joe?"
    
  "Mun zama abokai na kud da kud saboda bukatun aiki, Stacy, kasuwanci kawai. Duk jita-jitar da ake ta yadawa a kan mu gaba daya karya ce."
    
  Yanzu karya yake yi, Barbeau ya yi tunani, amma ba ta yi tsammanin komai ba face cikakkiya da ƙaryatawa. "Na fahimci gaba daya yadda yanayin aiki a Washington ya hada mutane biyu tare, musamman ma wadanda ke da alama suna adawa da polar," in ji Barbeau. "Haɗa siyasar mulki tare da yaƙin da ke gabatowa a Gabas ta Tsakiya da kuma dogon dare na taƙaitaccen bayani da zaman tsarawa, kuma tartsatsi na iya tashi."
    
  Gardner ya kara da cewa "Ba a ma maganar, McLaanahan a fili ba zai iya sarrafa abubuwa a gida ba." Suka yi dariya kuma Gardner ya yi amfani da wannan damar ya sake girgiza hannun Barbeau. "Yana shagaltuwa da wasan 'yar sararin samaniya don ya kula da ita." Ya soki Barbeau da kallo mai zurfi da gaske. "Duba, Stacy, bari mu kai ga batun, lafiya? Na san abin da kuke so - kun kasance kuna zuwa tun lokacin da kuka taka ƙafar Beltway. Idan aka yi la"akari da cewa yawancin sansanonin bama-bamai na Rundunar Sojan Sama da Rasha suka lalata a lokacin hare-haren nukiliya na Holocaust 04, Barksdale Air Force Base gida ne na halitta don sabon rundunar jiragen ruwa mai dogon zango-"
    
  "Idan Pentagon ba ta ci gaba da zuba kudi a cikin wannan sansanin hamada mai ƙura a Dutsen Battle ba, shirye-shiryen baƙar fata a Dreamland, wani tushe a Nevada wanda ya fi gaban ikon sa ido na majalisa, zan iya nunawa - ko tashar sararin samaniya."
    
  Gardner ya ce, "Ba wani asiri ba ne cewa hannun jarin McLaanahan ya yi tashin gwauron zabi tun bayan kokarin da ya yi wajen kai wa Rasha hari," in ji Gardner, "kuma ayyukan dabbobin nasa sun hada da masu tayar da bama-bamai marasa matuka a Dutsen Battle, na'urorin Laser na zamani a Dreamland, da kuma yanzu tashar sararin samaniya. Wannan ya ba Martindale wani abin da zai nuna kuma ya yi alfahari ga jama'ar Amurka game da abin da ya ci gaba kuma ya goyi bayansa..."
    
  "Ko da yake Shugaba Thomas Thorne ne ya ba da izinin gina su, ba Martindale ba," in ji Barbeau.
    
  Gardner ya ce "Abin takaici, shugaba Thorne za a san shi a matsayin shugaban kasar da ya ba wa Rashawa damar kaddamar da hare-hare a kan Amurka wanda ya yi sanadin mutuwar maza da mata da kananan yara dubu talatin da kuma raunata fiye da miliyan hudu," in ji Gardner. "Ba komai ya kasance yana sha'awar kayan wasan fasaha na zamani kamar Martindale: Thorne koyaushe ana tunaninsa a matsayin shugaban kasa mai rauni.
    
  "Amma tambayar ita ce, Stacy, menene muke tunanin shine mafi kyawun jama'ar Amurka da kuma tsaron kasa - wa] annan manyan jiragen sama na sararin samaniya waɗanda ba za su iya ɗaukar kaya mai yawa kamar kewayen Sabis na Sirrin ba, ko ingantattun fasahohi kamar masu tayar da bama-bamai, marasa matuƙa. yaki da jiragen sama da masu dako? McLanahan ya gamsar da Martindale cewa jiragen sama sun fi kyau, duk da cewa ya yi amfani da bama-bamai marasa matuka a kusan a hare-haren da ya kai Rasha.
    
  "Kuma kamar yadda kuka nuna sau da yawa, Joe," Barbeau ya kara da cewa, "ba za mu iya sake sanya duk kwayayenmu a cikin kwando daya ba. Harin na Rasha ya yi nasara sosai saboda maharan sun kasance a cikin ƴan sansanonin da ba su da kariya, kuma idan ba duka a sama suke ba, za su iya kaiwa hari. Amma ƙungiyoyin yaƙin da aka tura zuwa sansanoni a duniya ko kuma daga nesa a teku suna da ingantattun shirye-shiryen kare kansu kuma ba su da haɗari ga harin ba-zata. "
    
  "Hakane," in ji Gardner, tare da nuna gamsuwa da gamsuwa da cewa Barbeau ya ambaci jigilar jirage. "Wannan shine batun da nake ƙoƙarin yin duk waɗannan shekarun. Muna buƙatar haɗin haɗin gwiwa - ba za mu iya jefa duk kuɗin don sababbin tsarin makamai a kan fasaha guda ɗaya ba. Ƙungiya mai ɗaukar kaya ba ta wuce abin da McLaanahan ya ba da shawarar cewa muna kashewa a kan waɗannan jiragen sama ba, amma sun fi dacewa kuma sun tabbatar da kansu a cikin yaƙi. "
    
  "Kwamitin kula da ayyukan soji na majalisar dattijai yana buƙatar jin wannan hujja daga gare ku da gwamnatin ku, Joe," in ji Barbeau, ya sake shafa hannunsa kuma ya jingina gare shi cikin tausayawa, yana ƙara fallasa yawan ɓarnar da ta yi. "McLanahan jarumin yaki ne don daukar fansa kan kisan kiyashi a Amurka, amma hakan ya kasance a baya. Sanatoci da yawa na iya jin tsoron sabawa McLanahan, saboda fargabar za a iya mayar musu da martani idan al'ummar Amurkan ke tambayar dalilin da ya sa ba sa goyon bayan fitaccen Janar din Amurka. Amma da shirun McLanahan, idan sun sami goyon baya kai tsaye daga Shugaban kasa, za su fi karkata ga karya matsayi. Yanzu ne lokacin yin aiki. Dole ne mu yi wani abu, kuma dole ne ya faru a yanzu, yayin da McLanahan ... da kyau, tare da duk girmamawa, yayin da janar ya fita. Babu shakka, kwarin guiwar kwamitin game da shirin jirgin ya girgiza. Sun fi son yin sulhu."
    
  "Ina ganin muna bukatar mu taru kan wannan, Stacy," in ji Gardner. "Bari mu samar da wani shiri wanda kwamitin da ma"aikatar tsaron Amurka za su goyi bayansa. Dole ne mu gabatar da gaba daya."
    
  "Wannan yana da kyau, mai girma shugaban kasa, da gaske."
    
  "Don haka ina da cikakken goyon bayan kwamitin kula da ayyukan soja na Majalisar Dattawa?" - Gardner ya tambaya. "Ina da abokai a Majalisar Wakilai da ni ma zan iya komawa gare su, amma goyon bayan Majalisar Dattawa na da matukar muhimmanci. Tare, da haɗin kai, za mu iya tsayawa a gaban jama'ar Amirka da kuma 'yan majalisar dokoki don yin muhawara mai mahimmanci."
    
  "Idan McLanahan ya fito daga wannan fa? Shi da tsohon dan majalisar dattawa, dan sama jannati, geek Anne Page sun yi wata babbar kungiya."
    
  "McLanahan ya fita - tabbas zai yi murabus ko kuma a tilasta masa yin murabus."
    
  "Wannan mutumin buldo ne. Idan ya samu sauki, ba zai yi ritaya ba."
    
  "Idan bai yi don amfanin kansa ba, zai yi saboda na gaya masa ya yi," in ji Gardner. "Kuma idan har yanzu ya ki amincewa, zan tabbatar da cewa duniya ta fahimci irin hadarin da wannan mutumin ya yi shekaru da yawa. Ba shi da iko - duniya kawai ba ta san game da shi ba. Don girman Allah wannan mutumin ya kashe fararen hula da dama a Tehran.
    
  "Ya akayi?" Ta tsani a bar zancen cewa Shugaban masu rinjaye na Majalisar Dattawan Amurka bai san wani abu ba, amma babu abin da za ta iya yi a kai. Abin mamaki ne, kuma ba ta son abubuwan mamaki. Shin Gardner zai iya kawo ta cikin sauri? "Yaushe?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "A kan wannan manufa da muka tattauna lokacin da ya sami wannan lamarin, aikin gwajin aiki wanda ya sarrafa daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong," in ji Gardner. "Ya harba makami mai linzami da ya saki makamai masu guba a kusa da wani ginin zama a Tehran, inda ya kashe mutane da dama, da suka hada da mata da yara, sannan ya kai hari kan wani jirgin leken asirin Rasha da wata irin hasarar mutuwa - mai yiwuwa don boye harin da aka kai Tehran. "
    
  Godiya ga Allah Gardner ya zama mai magana. "Ai ban sani ba...!"
    
  "Wannan ba rabin abin da wannan dan wasan barkwanci yake yi ba, Stacy. Na san wasu laifuka guda goma sha biyu da kuma ayyukan yaki kai tsaye wanda ya dauki alhakinsu tsawon shekaru, ciki har da harin da watakila ya sa shugaban Rasha Gryzlov ya shirya harin nukiliya a kan Amurka."
    
  "Me?"
    
  "McLanahan wani sako-sako ne na igwa, katin daji na gaske," in ji Gardner da haushi. "Ya kai wa Rasha hari kwata-kwata ba tare da izini ba; ya kai harin bam ne a wani sansanin 'yan kunar bakin wake na Rasha saboda ramuwar gayya kawai. Gryzlov tsohon matukin jirgin na Rasha ne - ya san cewa wannan hari ne da aka kai masa, harin da ya kai kansa. "Gardner ya kasance a kan jerin-ya fi kyau fiye da Sabis na Bincike na Majalisa," Barbeau yayi tunani. "Wannan shine dalilin da ya sa Gryzlov ya kai hari kan sansanonin masu tayar da bama-bamai a Amurka - ba don masu tayar da bama-bamai sun haifar da wata babbar barazana ga Rasha ba, amma saboda yana kokarin samun McLahanan."
    
  Bakin Barbeau a gigice...amma lokaci guda tana tsokana har da zumudi. La'ananne, ta yi tunani, McLanahan ya zama kamar irin wannan yaro mai zazzagewa, wanda jahannama ya san shi wani nau'in jarumi ne? Hakan ya sa ya fi burge shi fiye da kowane lokaci. Menene kuma aka ɓoye a ƙarƙashin wannan shuru mai ban sha'awa, bayyanar da ba ta da kyau? Dole ta girgiza kai da sauri. "Wayyo..."
    
  "Rashawa suna tsoronsa, tabbas," Gardner ya ci gaba da cewa. "Zevitin yana son in kama shi. Ya bukaci sanin abin da yake yi da kuma abin da yake niyyar yi da tashar sararin samaniya da kuma wadannan taurarin sararin samaniya. Ya fi jahannama hauka kuma ba na zarge shi."
    
  "Zevitin yana kallon tashar sararin samaniya a matsayin barazana."
    
  "Tabbas ya sani. Amma wannan shine kawai fa'idar fa'idar wannan abu? Yana kashe mu duka ƙungiyoyin yaƙi masu ɗaukar kaya guda biyu don ajiye wannan abu a can...na me? Dole ne in tabbatar da Zevitin cewa kayan sararin samaniya ba ya haifar da barazanar kai tsaye ga Rasha, kuma ban san ainihin abin da wannan abu zai iya yi ba! Ban ma san McLahanan yana cikin wannan abin ba!"
    
  "Idan wannan tsarin tsaro ne kawai, ban ga wani dalili ba don gaya wa Zevitin duk abin da ya kamata a sani game da tashar sararin samaniya idan ya taimaka wajen rage tashin hankali a tsakaninmu," in ji Barbeau. "Al'amarin McLanahan na iya warware kansa."
    
  "Na gode Allah," Gardner ya yi gunaguni. "Ina da yakinin cewa ga kowane laifi da na san McLahanan yana da laifi, akwai wasu guda goma da ban sani ba... tukuna," Gardner ya ci gaba da cewa. "Yana da makamai a hannun sa daga ɗimbin shirye-shiryen binciken baƙar fata da yawa waɗanda ban ma san su sosai ba, kuma ni babban sakataren tsaro ne!"
    
  Ta kalli Gardner da kyau. "Tabbas McLaanahan zai yi murabus bisa radin kansa, ko kuma za ku iya yi masa ritaya saboda dalilai na lafiya," in ji ta. "Amma a waje zai iya zama mafi haɗari a gare mu."
    
  "Na sani, na sani. Shi ya sa Zevitin yake son a daure shi."
    
  "Idan zan iya taimaka maka ka matsa lamba kan McLanahan, Joe, kawai gaya mani," Barbeau ya ce da gaske. "Zan yi duk abin da zan iya don musanya shi, ko kuma a kalla in sa shi ya yi tunanin abin da ra"ayinsa ke nufi ga wasu a gwamnati da ma duniya baki daya. Zan sa shi fahimtar cewa wannan na sirri ne ba kawai kasuwanci ba. Zan hallaka shi idan ya nace, amma ina da yakinin cewa zan iya shawo kan shi ya ga ta hanyarmu."
    
  "Idan kowa zai iya rinjayar shi, Stacy, kai ne."
    
  Sun dade suna kallon juna, kowa shiru yayi yana tambaya yana amsa tambayoyin da suka kasa furtawa. "Don haka, Stacy, na san wannan ba shine karon farko naki a gidan ba. Ina tsammanin kun taba ganin ɗakin kwanan Lincoln a baya?"
    
  Murmushi Barbeau yayi mai zafi kamar wuta, cikin rashin kunya ta kalli Gardner sama da k'asa da k'aramar kallo, kamar ta d'aga masa a wani mashaya. A hankali ta tashi daga zaune. "Eh, na gani," ta fada cikin rarraunar murya mai tsauri. "Na taka leda a can tun ina karama a lokacin da mahaifina yake majalisar dattawa. Sai dakin wasan yara. Tabbas, yanzu yana da ma'ana daban - har yanzu dakin wasa, amma ba ga yara ba. "
    
  "Har yanzu wannan shine mafi kyawun taron tara kuɗi a cikin birni - dubu ashirin da biyar a kowane dare kowane mutum shine ƙimar tafiya."
    
  "Yana da muni da muka durƙusa ga irin waɗannan ayyuka marasa daɗi, ko ba haka ba?" - ya tambayi Barbeau. "Yana lalata tunanin wurin."
    
  "Har yanzu Fadar White House gida ce," in ji Gardner a nan gaba. "Ba shi yiwuwa a gare ni in ga wannan a matsayin fiye da wurin aiki kawai. Ban ga ko kashi goma na dakunan ba tukuna. An ce mini dakunan wanka talatin da biyar ne - na ga uku. A gaskiya, ba ni da sha'awar bincika wannan wurin. "
    
  "Oh, amma dole ne, Joe," in ji Barbeau. "Ina tsammanin za ku fahimta da zarar kun shiga cikin tashin hankali na farkon watanni a ofis kuma ku sami damar shakatawa."
    
  "Idan McLaanahan zai iya daina tayar da hankali, watakila zan iya."
    
  Ta juyo tana mik'a hannu tana kallon d'akin. "Na tambayi Mista Cordus ko za mu iya haduwa a nan a dakin taro saboda ban tuna da kasancewa a nan ba, ko da yake yana kusa da dakin kwanan Lincoln. Amma tarihin wannan wuri yana da ƙarfi da za ku ji shi. An yi amfani da dakin taron a matsayin dakin taron majalisar ministoci, dakin karbar baki da jirage, da kuma ofishin shugaban kasa. A tarihi, wannan shine wurin a Fadar White House inda ake yin kasuwancin siyasa na gaske, har ma fiye da Ofishin Oval. "
    
  "Na yi wasu tarurruka na yau da kullun a nan, amma galibi ma'aikata ne ke amfani da shi."
    
  "Ma'aikatan yawanci suna shagaltuwa don godiya da makamashin da ke gudana a cikin wannan dakin," in ji Joe Barbeau. "Ya kamata ku dauki lokaci don jin shi." Har yanzu riqe hannunta tayi, ta rufe idonta. "Ka yi tunanin: Ulysses S. Grant yana gudanar da taron majalisar ministocinsa na buguwa a nan, sai kuma wasannin kati da wasan kokawa tare da abokansa; Teddy Roosevelt ya ƙusa fatun dabba zuwa bango; Kennedy ya sanya hannu kan yarjejeniyar hana gwajin Nukiliya a nan, sannan bayan 'yan kwanaki ya yaudari Marilyn Monroe a wuri guda, kusa da zauren da matarsa da 'ya'yansa suke kwana."
    
  Gardner ya tsaya a bayanta ya dora hannayensa a hankali kan kugunta. "Ban taba jin wannan labarin ba, Stacy."
    
  Hannunshi ta d'auka ta nade su a kugunta ta matso. "Na yi tunanin na karshe, Joe," ta fada cikin raɗaɗi, a hankali ya danne kuncinsa ya jawo ta kusa da shi don ya ji. "Amma ina shirye in yi caca ya faru. Kuma wa ya san abin da wani mutum kamar Kevin Martindale ya yi a nan bayan kisan aurensa - kisan aure da ya kamata ya lalata rayuwarsa ta siyasa amma kawai ya ƙarfafa ta - tare da dukan taurarinsa na Hollywood suna zuwa da zuwa nan kowane sa'o'i na yini? " Ta rik'o hannayensa ta zagaye cikinta, sannan ta d'auki yatsunsa ta d'aga su a hankali zuwa k'irjinta tana zagaye nonuwanta. Ji tayi jikinshi a tashe a zahiri tana jin yadda hankalinsa ya tashi alokacin da yake kokarin yanke shawarar abin da zai yi game da harin da ta yi mata kwatsam. "Wataƙila yana da wata mace daban a nan kowane dare na shekara."
    
  "Stacy..." Ta ji numfashin Gardner a wuyanta, hannunsa a hankali yana shafa nononta, da kyar yake shafa...
    
  Barbeau ya juyo gareshi, da kyar ya ture shi. "Martindale wawa ne, Joe, amma ya shafe wa'adi biyu a matsayin shugaban kasa da wa'adi biyu a matsayin mataimakin shugaban kasa kuma ya zama jahannama na wani muhimmin bangare na Fadar White House - kuma ya yi nasarar lalata taurarin Hollywood a nan! Me za ku yi don doke wannan, Joe?"
    
  Gardner ya daskare a gigice. "Me ke damun ki, Stacy?" daga karshe ya samu ya fad'a.
    
  "Me kake so Mr. Shugaba?" Barbeau ya tambaya da karfi. "Mene ne shirin wasan ku? Meyasa kike nan?"
    
  "Akan me kake magana?"
    
  "Kai ne shugaban kasar Amurka. Kuna zaune a Fadar White House ... amma kuna amfani da dakunan wanka uku kawai? Ba ku san me aka yi a cikin ɗakin nan, a cikin gidan nan ba, a cikin dogon tarihin wannan wuri? Kuna da janar mai taurari uku a ƙarƙashin umarnin ku wanda ke da ƙimar amincewar masu jefa ƙuri'a sau biyu fiye da ku, mai yawan cututtukan zuciya, kuma har yanzu yana cikin tsari? Akwai tashar sararin samaniya da ke kewaya duniyar da ba ku buƙata, kuma har yanzu tana nan? Kana da mace a hannunka, amma kana taba ta kamar wani gumi, ƙaunataccen matashi a kwanan sa na farko yana ƙoƙarin zuwa mataki na biyu? Wataƙila duk abin da kuka yi da Maureen Herschel shine 'kasuwanci,' dama?"
    
  Gardner ya yi farin ciki, sannan ya yi fushi, sannan ya fusata. "Duba Sanata, wannan ba wasa ba ne. Kuna da zafi, amma na zo nan don tattauna kasuwanci. "
    
  "Kana da gaskiya da ni tun lokacin da na kira ka zuwa wannan taron, Joe - kar ka yi min karya yanzu," Barbeau ta zage, ta kawar da shi, ta kalle shi da korayen idanuwanta. Canza hotonta da take yi, daga mayaudariya zuwa barracuda, ta ba shi mamaki. "Ba sai na yi maka barazanar gayyace ni gidan ba; Ban ja ku daga wannan corridor zuwa dakin ba. Mu ba yara ba ne a nan. Muna magana ne game da haɗa ƙarfi don yin aiki mai mahimmanci, ko da yana nufin haɗa kai da Rashawa da kuma lalata sana'ar soja ta musamman. Me kuke ganin ya kamata mu yi - musa hannu kan wannan? Sa hannu kwangila? Za mu ratsa zukatanmu mu yi begen mutuwa? Ba don rayuwar ku ba. Don haka, idan ba ku son yin wannan, ku sanar da ni a yanzu kuma mu biyun za mu iya komawa ofisoshi da ayyukanmu mu manta da wannan taron ma ya faru.
    
  "Wannan wane irin iskanci ne?"
    
  "Kuma ba na bukatar in yi kamar in zama waif marar laifi, Gardner. Na san yadda ake yin siyasa ke nan a Louisiana - kar ku gaya mani ba ku taɓa buga ta haka ba a Florida ko Washington. Za mu yi shi a nan, a yanzu, ko kuma za ku iya kawai kitsa wutsiyar ku a tsakanin kafafunku kuma ku koma gidan ku mai kyau, lafiyayye, jin dadi a cikin zauren. Me zai kasance?" Bai bata amsa ba ta numfasa ta girgiza kai tana kokarin zagayawa...
    
  ... amma da ta ji hannunsa a kirjinta da tafin hannunsa a kirjinta, sai ta gane cewa tana hannunta. Ya matso kusa da ita, ya kamo kanta da d'ayan hannunshi sannan ya janyo lips dinta yana kissing dinta sosai. Kiss tai masa da gaggawa, hannunta ya sami kuncinsa yana shafa shi a kasa. Laɓɓansu ta washe tana masa murmushi amintacciya tana mai tabbatarwa. "Ba zai wadatar ba, shugaban kasa, kuma ka san hakan," in ji ta. Murmushi tayi tanajin furucinsa na izgili, wannan karon cikin duhu, amintacce, bakinsa ya bude dan ya gane me take nufi, me take so. "Lafiya?" - Na tambaya.
    
  Ya daure mata fuska, sannan ya mayar da hannayensa kan nononta, sannan ya kai kafadarta, ya ture ta. "Bari mu yi yarjejeniya, Sanata," in ji shi, yana jingina baya kan teburin taron Grant don kwantar da hankalinsa.
    
  "Yaro lafiya. Zo nan." Ta durkusa da sauri ta fara zare belt da wando. "Ya Allahna, ya Ubangiji, dubi abin da muke da shi a nan. Shin ka tabbata kai ba karamin zagi bane, ya shugaban kasa?" Bai bata amsa ba ta fara k'arfin hali, rhythmic ministration.
    
    
  BABI NA HUDU
    
    
  Mutumin da dole ne a lallashe shi ya yi aiki kafin ya dauki mataki ba shi ne mai aiki ba .... Dole ne ku yi kamar yadda kuke numfashi.
    
  - GEORGE CLEMENCEAU
    
    
    
  AKAN TASHAR SARKIN KARYA
  SAFIYA GABAS KWANA
    
    
  "Haɗuwa da mu kai tsaye daga tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong, wanda ke kewaye da fiye da mil ɗari biyu a sama da Duniya, mutum ne da ba ya buƙatar gabatarwa: Air Force Lt. Gen. Patrick McLanahan," mai watsa shirye-shiryen talabijin na safe na USB ya fara. "Gabaɗaya, na gode da haɗa mu a yau. Tambayar da kowa ke son amsa, ba shakka, ita ce: Ya yallabai?"
    
  An sami jinkiri na daƙiƙa ɗaya ko biyu saboda isar da saƙon tauraron dan adam, amma an yi amfani da Patrick don jiran waɗannan 'yan daƙiƙa don tabbatar da cewa ba ya magana ta wurin mai masaukin baki. "Na yi farin cikin kasancewa tare da ku, Megyn," Patrick ya amsa. Kamar yadda aka saba, aka yi wa babban kwamandan tashar jirgin sama, sanye da bakar rigar jirgin sa mai dauke da bakar tambari. "Na gode da sake sanya ni a shirin. Ina lafiya, na gode. Ina jin dadi sosai."
    
  "Dukan Amurka suna farin cikin ganin ku a kan ƙafafunku, Janar. Shin sun tantance ainihin abin da ya faru?"
    
  "A cewar Kyaftin Navy George Summers a Walter Reed National Medical Center, wanda ya gudanar da duk gwaje-gwaje na daga nan, ana kiransa dogon QT ciwo, Megyn," Patrick ya amsa. "Wannan wani abu ne da ba kasafai ba na tsawaita kunna wutar lantarki da rashin kunna ventricles na zuciya wanda ke haifar da damuwa ko girgiza. A bayyane yake, ban da hangen nesa, wannan yana ɗaya daga cikin mafi yawan yanayin rashin cancanta a cikin ƙungiyar 'yan sama jannati."
    
  "Don haka an hana ku sake tashi sama?"
    
  "To, ina fata ban yi ba," in ji Patrick. "A hukumance, ni ba ɗan sama jannati ba ne a al"adance. Ina fata cewa takardar za ta tabbatar da cewa nakasa saboda Dogon QT Syndrome na iya faruwa a lokacin balaguron sararin samaniya kuma ba zai hana ni yin duk wasu ayyuka ba."
    
  "Kuna da tarihin ciwon zuciya, daidai ne?"
    
  "Mahaifina ya mutu da ciwon zuciya, eh," Patrick ya amsa da baƙin ciki. "Baba ya sha wahala daga abin da suka saba kira 'zuciyar zuciya' kuma ana kula da shi don damuwa da damuwa. Dogon QT yana gudana a cikin iyalai. A fili a cikin yanayin mahaifina shi ne sashen 'yan sanda da gudanar da kasuwancin iyali wanda ya kai shi; a cikin nawa. idan kuma jirgin ne ya shiga sararin samaniya."
    
  "Kuma ya mutu yana kusan shekaru ɗaya da ku a yanzu?"
    
  Wani gajimare ya ratsa fuskar Patrick na ɗan lokaci, wanda miliyoyin masu kallo a duniya ke gani a sarari. "Ee, shekaru biyu bayan barin Sashen 'yan sanda na Sacramento da buɗe kantin McLaanahan a Old Town Sacramento."
    
  "Ai kunyar kunyar gidan gidan ku, eh, General?" - ya tambayi maigidan, yana ƙoƙarin haɓaka tattaunawar.
    
  "Ba na jin kunyar McLaanahan a Old Town Sacramento, Megyn."
    
  "Wani fulogi. Lafiya. Ok, ya isa, General, ka yi kyakkyawan aiki," mai gabatarwa ya ce, yana dariya. "Shin an riga an lura da wannan yanayin zuciya a cikin bayananku, kuma idan haka ne, menene kuka yi yayin yin balaguro da yawa zuwa tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong?"
    
  Patrick ya amsa ya ce, "Na sanya tarihin iyali a cikin bayanan likitana, kuma ina samun jirgin saman Sojan Sama na farko sau biyu a shekara, tare da gwaje-gwaje kafin da kuma bayan tashi sama, kuma ba a taɓa samun matsala a baya ba. Duk da cewa tsawon QT ciwo wani yanayi ne na rashin cancanta na gama gari a cikin gawarwakin 'yan sama jannati, ba a gwada ni ba saboda, kamar yadda na ce, ni ba ɗan sama jannati ba ne a zahiri-Ni kwamandan naúrar ne kuma injiniya ne wanda ya faru da shi. hau a cikin motocin bincike. naúrar ta lokacin da na ji ya zama dole."
    
  "Don haka, kuna tsammanin rashin horar da 'yan sama jannati da duba lafiyar ku ya ba da gudummawa ga wannan cutar?"
    
  "Megyn, daya daga cikin abubuwan da muke kokarin tabbatarwa tare da Black Stallion da shirin tashar sararin samaniya na Armstrong shine don samar da sararin samaniya ga mutanen yau da kullum."
    
  "Kuma yana kama da amsar na iya zama, 'A'a, ba za su iya ba,' dama?"
    
  "Ban san duk abin da ya kamata ku sani ba game da dogon ciwo na QT, Megyn, amma idan yakan faru ne kawai a cikin jiragen sama masu fama da shekaru fiye da hamsin da suke tashi akai-akai a sararin samaniya, watakila za mu iya gwada shi kuma mu yanke hukunci kawai. wadanda ke nuna hali ga wannan cuta, "in ji Patrick. "Ban ga dalilin da ya sa wannan zai hana kowa cancanta ba."
    
  "Amma hakan ya hana ku?"
    
  "Ban shirya yin kasala ba tukuna," Patrick ya ce da murmushin karfin hali. "Muna da fasaha mai ban mamaki a hannunmu, kuma ana samun sabbin fasahohi mafi kyau kowace rana. Idan zan iya, zan ci gaba da tashi, ku yarda da ni."
    
  "Shin ba ku ga isassun yaƙe-yaƙe ba kuma kun kewaya duniya isashen lokuta tukuna, Janar?" - in ji mai gabatarwa da dariya. "Na fahimci cewa kun je tashar sau da yawa a cikin "yan watannin da suka gabata kadai. Wannan ya wuce yadda dan sama jannatin NASA ke shiga sararin samaniya a duk rayuwarsa, ko? John Glenn ya tashi zuwa sararin samaniya sau biyu kawai."
    
  "Majagaba irin su Sanata John Glenn za su kasance koyaushe abin zaburarwa 'yan sama jannatinmu na gaba suna buƙatar samun ƙarfin hali da juriya don shirya tsaf don shiga sararin samaniya," in ji Patrick, "amma, kamar yadda na faɗa, ɗaya daga cikin manufofin shirye-shiryen sararin samaniyar mu na soja - don samun ƙarin damar shiga sararin samaniya. Ba na ɗaukar sassan kamar nawa gazawa. Duk wani bangare ne na tsarin koyo."
    
  "Amma kuma dole ne kuyi tunanin kanku da dangin ku, ko ba haka ba, General?"
    
  "Hakika-dana yana ganina a TV fiye da mutum," in ji Patrick cikin ƙarfin hali. "Amma babu matukin jirgi da ke son rasa fuka-fukinsa, Megyn - muna da ƙiyayya ga likitoci, asibitoci, ma'auni, sigogin ido, sphygmomanometers da duk wani abu da zai iya hana mu tashi.."
    
  "Ok, general, ka ruɗe ni a nan. Sphygmo... sphygmo... Menene wannan, ɗaya daga cikin manyan bindigogin Laser ɗin ku?"
    
  "Mitar hawan jini."
    
  "GAME DA".
    
  Patrick ya ce "Zai dogara ne da takaddun shaida na tashi, amma za ku iya cin amana zan yi yaƙi da rashin cancantar har abada." Karan kara a cikin headset dinsa ya dauki hankalinsa ya juyo, a takaice ya kunna kwamandar masarufi yana karanta nunin. "Yi hakuri Megyn, dole in tafi. Na gode da samun ni a safiyar yau." Mai watsa shiri ya yi nasarar furta rikicewa da mamaki "Amma Janar, muna rayuwa akan komai -!" Kafin Patrick ya yanke kiran. "Me kake da shi, Master Sajan?" - Ya tambaya a kan intercom module umarni.
    
  "Akwai faɗakarwar COMPSCAN a yankin da aka yi niyya, yallabai, kuma ta ce matsalar tana da tsanani, ko da yake ba mu da wani abu a hannunmu face wata babbar matsala," in ji Master Sajan Valerie "Finder" Lucas. COMPSCAN, ko Kwatanta Scanning, tattara da kwatanta bayanan radar da hotunan infrared yayin binciken firikwensin kuma sanar da ma'aikatan a duk lokacin da aka sami babban taro na ma'aikata ko kayan aiki a cikin takamaiman yankin da aka yi niyya - godiya ga ƙarfi da ƙuduri na radar sararin samaniya na Armstrong da sauran tauraron dan adam. da kuma jirage marasa matuki, yankin da aka yi niyya zai iya kai girman nahiya, kuma bambancin binciken kwatancen na iya zama ƙananan motoci hudu ko biyar.
    
  "Mene ne burin?"
    
  "Soltanabad, filin jirgin sama akan babbar hanya kimanin mil ɗari yamma da Mashhad. Hoton da sabon jirgin sa ido mara matuki ya dauka kwanan nan "Night Owl" wanda Kyaftin Noble ya kaddamar." Mai neman ya binciki fayil din leken asirin da ke yankin kafin ya ci gaba da cewa: "A shekarar da ta gabata, sojojin saman sun kai hari kan wani dan kunar bakin wake na Vampire sau daya da harsashi ya bar ramummuka a kan titin jirgin saboda ana zargin ana amfani da shi wajen kai makamai da kayayyaki. . Dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci sun sake bude bangaren babban titin sansanin, domin ba da damar kai kayan agaji. Mun sanya ginin gabaɗaya a jerin abubuwan kallo kuma muka tashi Nite Owls a yankin don tabbatar da cewa ba sa gyara tudu da titin tasi ko kayan aikin soja a can."
    
  "Bari mu ga abin da suke yi," in ji Patrick. Bayan 'yan mintuna kaɗan, wani cikakken cikakken hoto na wurin da ke sama ya bayyana akan na'urar sa ido. A fili ya nuna titin jirgi mai lamba hudu mai alamar nisa na jirgin sama, layin tasi da alamar yankin sauka - ya yi kama da titin jirgin sama na sojoji, kawai da motoci da manyan motoci ke tafiya tare da shi. A duka bangarorin arewa da kudu na babbar hanyar / titin jirgin sama akwai faffadan faffadan wuraren da motocin haya na jirgin sama, manyan wuraren ajiye motoci na jiragen sama, da ragowar gine-ginen da aka jefa bama-bamai. An rushe da yawa daga cikin gine-ginen da aka lalata kuma a wurinsu an kafa tantuna masu girma dabam dabam, wasu daga cikinsu na dauke da hatimin kungiyar agaji ta Red Crescent. "Shin waɗannan tantuna suna kama da suna da buɗaɗɗen bangarorin gare ku, Jagora Sajan?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  Mai neman ya kalli hoton da kyau, sannan ya fadada shi har sai da ya fara rasa mafita. "Eh, yallabai," ta amsa, bata san dalilin da ya sa Janar din ya tambaye ta ba - a fili yake a gare ta. Bisa yarjejeniyar da aka cimma tsakanin Majalisar Dinkin Duniya, sojojin mamaya na Farisa na Boujazi da gwamnatin Iran da ke gudun hijira, an kafa manyan tantuna a wasu yankunan da ake fama da su domin hidimar 'yan gudun hijira ko kuma wasu da ke tafiya cikin hamadar Iran da su bude bangarorinsu a lokacin bincike. jirage don ba da damar duk wanda bangarorin za su iya duba ciki, ko kuma a iya gane su a matsayin makiyin harbi da makiya.
    
  "Ya yi kama da babban inuwa a daya bangaren, shi ke nan," in ji Patrick. "An dauki wannan hoton da daddare, ko?" Lucas ya gyada kai. "Gangarori suna buɗe, amma inuwar da ke ƙasa daga fitilun da ke kusa da su sun sa ya yi kama da ... Ban sani ba, kawai ba su yi kama da ni ba, shi ke nan." Ya sake fadada tsaffin wuraren ajiye motoci na jirgin sama. Dukansu wuraren da aka shimfida sun cika da dumbin ramukan bama-bamai masu fadin fadi daga "yan yadi zuwa sama da kafa dari, tare da katon siminti da ke tashi daga gefuna. "Ina tsammanin har yanzu yana kama da karye. Wannan hoton nawa ne?"
    
  "Sa"o"i biyu kacal, yallabai. Babu yadda za a yi su rufe dukkan wadannan ramuka kuma su kwashe jiragen cikin sa"o"i biyu."
    
  "Bari mu ga yadda kwamfutar ke kwatanta sakamakon binciken." Hoton ya raba farko zuwa biyu, sannan hudu, sannan hotuna goma sha shida na wuri daya, wanda aka dauki kwanaki da yawa. Hotunan sun yi kama da juna.
    
  "Ya yi kama da kuskure - ƙararrawa ta ƙarya," in ji Mai neman. "Zan cire hotunan kuma in duba zaɓuɓɓukan kwatanta don-"
    
  "Dakata na minti daya," in ji Patrick. "Menene kwamfutar ta ce ya canza?" Bayan ɗan lokaci, kwamfutar ta zana rectangular kewaye da ramuka da yawa. Ramin ramukan sun kasance daidai-daya - kawai bambancin shi ne cewa ba a daidaita ma'aunin rectangles ba daidai ba a cikin dukkan hotuna. "Har yanzu ban fahimci menene tutocin COMPSCAN ba."
    
  "Ni kuma, yallabai," in ji Mai neman. "Yana iya zama kuskuren lissafin kusurwar kallo."
    
  "Amma a wannan yanki na duniya muna daidaita da rana, daidai?"
    
  "Iya sir. Muna kusa da Tehran a lokaci guda - kusan karfe biyu na safe agogon gida - kowace rana."
    
  "Don haka kusurwar kallo ya kamata ya zama iri ɗaya, sai dai ƙananan canje-canje a matsayi na tashar ko firikwensin, wanda kwamfutar ta gyara," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Tabbas wani abu ya yi kuskure game da tsarin saitin, yallabai," Seeker ya ce cikin ban hakuri yayin da ta tsaya a tashar ta don fara aiki. "Kada ki damu, zan gyara komai. Na yi hakuri da hakan, yallabai. Waɗannan abubuwan suna buƙatar sakewa - a fili sau da yawa fiye da yadda nake tunani. Ya kamata in yi la'akari da halin karatun gyro na tashar da karatun amfani da man fetur don ganin ko akwai wani babban canji da ke faruwa - mai yiwuwa mu yi babban gyara ga daidaitawa, ko kuma kawai jefar da duk tsofaffin halayen da aka karanta mu fito. tare da sababbi. Yallabai, ina neman afuwa."
    
  "Babu matsala, Jagora Sajan," in ji Patrick. "Daga yanzu, za mu san yawan neman abubuwa kamar haka." Amma ya ci gaba da duba hotunan kwamfutar da kwatancen tagogin. Tutocin sun bace lokacin da Lucas ya goge tsoffin bayanan kwatancen, yana barin cikakkun hotunan fashewar bama-bamai akan tudu da hanyoyin tasi. Ya girgiza kai. Hotunan radar sararin samaniya suna da ban mamaki, Mai nema - kamar zan iya auna kaurin waɗannan tubalan da bama-bamai ke ɗagawa. Abin ban mamaki. Har ma ina iya ganin launuka daban-daban na siminti daban-daban da kuma inda aka shafa ragar karfe. Sanyi."
    
  "SBR abin mamaki ne, yallabai - yana da wuya a yarda cewa wannan fasaha ce ta kusan shekaru ashirin."
    
  "Kuna iya ganin a sarari inda simintin ya ƙare kuma tushen hanyar ya fara. Wannan-" Patrick ya kalli hotunan da kyau, sannan ya sa gilashin karatunsa ya duba sosai. "Zaka iya kara mini wannan hoton, Mai nema?" Ya tambaya yana nuni da wani katon ramin da ke gefen kudu na babbar hanyar.
    
  "Iya sir. Ki shirya."
    
  Bayan ɗan lokaci, ramin ya cika na'urar. "Babban daki-daki, haka ne." Amma yanzu wani abu ya dame shi. "Ɗana yana son 'Na yi rahõto' da 'Ina Waldo?' -wataƙila wata rana ya zama manazarcin hoto."
    
  "Ko kuma zai samar da kwamfutoci da za su yi mana."
    
  Patrick ya bushe da dariya, amma har yanzu yana jin dadi. "Me ke damun wannan hoton? Me yasa kwamfutar ta buga kararrawa?"
    
  "Har yanzu ina dubawa, yallabai."
    
  Patrick ya ce, "Na shafe wani ɗan gajeren lokaci amma mai fa'ida a matsayin kwamandan runduna a Hukumar Leken Asiri ta Sojan Sama," in ji Patrick, "kuma abu ɗaya da na koya game da fassarar manyan hotuna da yawa shine kada in bar hankalina ya cika da yawa. "
    
  "Bincike na 101, yallabai: Kada ka kalli abin da ba a can," in ji mai neman.
    
  "Amma kada ku yi watsi da cewa akwai wani abu da ba daidai ba a can," in ji Patrick, "kuma akwai wani abu da ba daidai ba game da sanya wadannan ramuka. Sun bambanta... Amma ta yaya?" Ya sake kallonsu. "Ina tsammanin an juya su, kuma kwamfutar ta ce sun motsa, amma -"
    
  "Wannan ba zai yuwu ga wani rami ba."
    
  "A'a... Sai dai idan sun kasance masu ramuka," in ji Patrick. Ya sake zurawa. "Wataƙila ina ganin wani abu da ba ya nan, amma waɗannan ramukan sun yi kama da kamala, kuma sun cika ɗaki. Ina ganin wadannan baiti ne."
    
  "Labarin ramuka? Yallabai ban taba jin irin wannan abu ba."
    
  "Na ji labarin kowace irin kwato - jirage, motoci masu sulke, sojoji, gine-gine, har da titin jirgin sama - to me zai hana?" Patrick ya lura. "Wannan na iya bayyana dalilin da ya sa COMPSCAN ke ba su tuta-idan an motsa su kuma ba a sanya su a wuri ɗaya ba, COMPSCAN tana nuna hakan a matsayin sabon manufa."
    
  "Don haka kuna tsammanin sun sake gina wannan tushe kuma suna amfani da shi a asirce a ƙarƙashin hancinmu?" Lucas ya tambaya, har yanzu bai gamsu ba. "Idan da gaske ne, yallabai, to ya kamata radar sararin samaniya da sauran na'urori masu auna firikwensin mu sun debi wasu alamomin aiki-motoci, titin taya, tsibin ajiya, jami'an tsaro da ke sintiri a wurin..."
    
  "Idan kun san daidai lokacin da tauraron dan adam zai wuce sama, abu ne mai sauki a yaudare shi - kawai ku rufe kayan aikin da mayafi masu dauke da radar, goge hanyoyin, ko canza su a matsayin wasu hari," in ji Patrick. "Duk wadancan tantuna, manyan motoci da bas-bas za su iya daukar bataliyar gaba daya da daruruwan ton na kayayyaki. Matukar za su sauke jiragen, su fitar da mutane da ababen hawa daga yankin, su kuma share wurin cikin sa"o"i biyu zuwa uku tsakanin sassan da muke da su, to ba su tsira."
    
  "Don haka duk kayan aikin mu ba su da amfani a zahiri."
    
  Patrick ya ce "A kan duk wanda ke yin wannan, eh - kuma ina shirye in ci amanar cewa ba limaman Islama ba ne ko ma ragowar dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci," in ji Patrick. "Akwai hanya ɗaya kawai don ganowa: muna buƙatar idanu a ƙasa. Bari mu shirya rahoto don STRATCOM kuma zan ƙara shawarwarina don aiki... amma da farko ina son Rascal ya fito da wani shiri." Yayin da Lucas ya fara zazzage bayanan firikwensin da ƙara abubuwan da ta lura-da ajiyar zuciya-game da ayyuka a Soltanabad, Patrick ya zaɓi tashar umarni akan tsarin sadarwar tauraron dan adam rufaffen. "Daya ga Dan iska."
    
  Bayan ɗan lokaci kaɗan, hoton wani katon mutum mai launin fari, mai launin shuɗi, mai kyan gani ya bayyana akan duban Patrick: "Akwai ɗan iska a nan, yallabai," Manjo Wayne Macomber na Sojan Sama ya mayar da martani cikin fushi. Macomber shi ne sabon kwamandan rundunonin yaki na Sojoji da ke Elliott Air Force Base a Nevada, ya maye gurbin Hal Briggs, wanda aka kashe a lokacin da yake farautar makamai masu linzami masu cin dogon zango a Iran a shekarar da ta gabata. Macomber ne kawai mutum na biyu da ya taba jagorantar Sojojin Yaki. Ya bukaci ya dauki manyan mukamai, kuma wannan, a cewar Patrick, ba zai taba faruwa ba.
    
  Macomber ba shine zaɓi na farko na Patrick ba don ba da umarni "Scoundrel" (wanda shine alamar kiran Hal kuma yanzu shine sabuwar alamar kiran da ba a tantance ba na Sojojin Yaki). Don sanya shi a hankali, Macomber yana da manyan matsaloli tare da iko. Amma ko ta yaya ya sami damar yin amfani da wannan kuskuren ɗabi'a don saka kansa a cikin yanayi masu wahala, wanda a ƙarshe ya sami damar daidaitawa, cin nasara, da nasara.
    
  An kore shi daga makarantar sakandare ta jama'a a Spokane, Washington, saboda "rashin daidaituwa" kuma an aika shi zuwa Cibiyar Soja ta New Mexico a Roswell da fatan cewa horon soja na sa'o'i 24 zai gyara shi. Tabbas, bayan shekara ta farko mai wahala, ta yi aiki. Ya sauke karatu a kusa da saman ajinsa na ilimi da na motsa jiki kuma ya sami lambar yabo don halartar Kwalejin Sojan Sama a Colorado Springs, Colorado.
    
  Ko da yake ya kasance dan wasan gaba a kungiyar kwallon kafa ta kasa, Falcons, inda ya sami lakabin "Zipper," an kori shi daga kungiyar babban shekararsa don wasa mai tsanani da kuma "rikitattun halayen mutum" tare da masu horarwa da 'yan wasan. Ya yi amfani da karin lokaci-da gwaji-don inganta makinsa kuma ya sake kammala karatunsa da karramawa, inda ya sami digiri na farko a fannin kimiyyar lissafi da wuri a horar da matukan jirgi. Ya sake mamaye ajin horar da matukan jirgi na farko, inda ya kammala karatunsa a saman ajinsa, kuma ya lashe daya daga cikin kujerun jirgi na F-15E Strike Eagle guda shida da aka ba shi kai tsaye daga makarantar jirgin sama- kusan ba a taba jin irinsa ga laftanar farko ba a lokacin.
    
  Amma kuma, ya kasa kiyaye tuƙi da azamarsa. Jirgin saman F-15 Eagle Air F-15 tsuntsu ne mabanbanta tare da ma'aikacin tsarin kai hari, babban radar, isassun tankunan mai na dogon zango da fam dubu goma na harsashi a cikin jirgin, kuma saboda wasu dalilai Wayne Macomber ya kasa fahimtar cewa jikin. na jirgin ya kasance yana jujjuya ta cikin al'amuran da ba na dabi'a ba yayin da matukin jirgin F-15E Strike Eagle sanye da bama-bamai yana kokarin kare wani mayaki. Ba kome cewa kusan ko da yaushe ya kasance mai nasara-ya sami nasara ta hanyar lankwasa manyan jirage masu tsada, kuma daga ƙarshe ... daga ƙarshe ... an umarce shi ya tafi.
    
  Amma bai daɗe da zama maraya ba. Wata ƙungiya a cikin Rundunar Sojan Sama ta yi maraba da har ma ta ƙarfafa mugun aiki, tunani na waje, da jagoranci mai haɗari: Ayyuka na Musamman na Sojojin Sama. Duk da haka, ga rashin jin daɗinsa, sashin da ya fi son mummunan "Strike" shine Squadron Combat Weather Squadron na Goma a Hurlburt Field, Florida: saboda yanayinsa na jiki, Rundunar Sojan Sama ta hanzarta sanya shi wani ma'aikacin yanayi na yaki. Ya karɓi fikafikan parachute na Green Beret da Air Force Commando, amma har yanzu yana jin haushin kiran sa da "mai yanayi."
    
  Ko da yake shi da abokan aikinsa a ko da yaushe wasu rukunin kwamandoji suna yi masa ba'a saboda kasancewarsu "masu hasashen yanayi" ko "marmots", ba da daɗewa ba Macomber ya ƙaunaci ƙwararrun, ba kawai don yana son ilimin yanayin yanayi ba, har ma saboda ya yi parachute. daga cikin ingantattun jirage da jirage masu saukar ungulu, dauke da makamai da bama-bamai, sun koyi yadda ake kafa filayen saukar jiragen sama da wuraren lura a bayan layin abokan gaba da yadda ake kashe abokan gaba a kusa. Zipper ya yi tsalle sama da ɗari da ashirin na fama a cikin shekaru takwas masu zuwa kuma cikin sauri ya tashi cikin sahu, daga ƙarshe ya karɓi umarnin squadron.
    
  A lokacin da Brigadier Janar Hal Briggs ya shirya harin da kuma aikin Yakutsk ya ba da amsa ga Rasha a matsayin Kungiya don taimakawa wajen shirya ayyukan bayan layin makiyi: Wayne Macomber . Da farko, Vack ba ya son karbar umarni daga saurayi mai shekaru takwas da ƙarami, musamman wanda ya fi shi girma, amma da sauri ya fahimci fasaha, basira, da ƙarfin hali na Briggs, kuma sun yi tawaga mai kyau. Aikin ya samu cikakkiyar nasara. Macomber ya karbi tauraron Azurfa ne saboda ceto dimbin jami"an soji, na Rasha da Amurka, ta hanyar ajiye su a matsugunan da ba a san ko su waye ba, kafin harin bama-bamai na shugaban Rasha Gryzlov, suka kai wa birnin Yakutsk hari da makami mai linzami da ke dauke da makami mai linzami.
    
  "Ina aika muku da sabbin hotuna na wani sansanin sojin sama a kan babbar hanya a arewa maso gabashin Iran, Wayne," in ji Patrick. "Ina tsammanin ana gyara shi a asirce, kuma zan nemi izinin ku don ku shigo, duba shi, ku mayar da shi cikin lalacewa-don kyau."
    
  "Aikin kasa? A dai-dai lokacin," Macomber ya amsa da kakkausar murya. "Kusan duk abin da na yi tun lokacin da kuka kawo ni nan gumi ne, ko dai a horon motsa jiki ko ƙoƙarin matsewa cikin ɗayan waɗannan la'anan ƙungiyar Tinmen."
    
  "Kuma yana gunaguni."
    
  "Sajan Major yayi magana akai kuma?" Ma'aikatan Marine Sajan Chris Wohl shi ne jami'in da ba a ba da izini ba da ke kula da Rascal, tawagar sojojin sama, kuma daya daga cikin manyan mambobi na rukunin. Duk da cewa Macomber shi ne kwamandan Rascal, kowa ya sani kuma ya fahimci cewa Chris Wall ne ke jagorantar, ciki har da Macomber, gaskiyar da ta fusata shi sosai. "Ina fata wannan dan iska ya yi ritaya kamar yadda na yi tunani zai yi, don haka zan iya zaɓar rigata ta farko. A shirye yake a kai shi kiwo."
    
  "Ni ne kwamandan rundunar sojojin sama, Wayne, kuma ko da ba zan kuskura in ce ga fuskar sajen ma'aikaci ba," in ji Patrick, rabin cikin zolaya.
    
  "Na gaya maka, Janar, cewa muddin Vol yana kusa, zan ɗauki na'urarsa da kayansa tare da ni," in ji Zipper. "Duk abin da yake yi shi ne bin Briggs." Patrick bai iya ko da wani ɗan lokaci tunanin Vol moping ba, amma bai faɗi haka ba. "Mutane suna mutuwa a cikin ops na musamman, ko da a cikin kwano na iya dacewa da robot ɗin da yake ciki, ya fi dacewa da shi. Yi murabus, ko aƙalla canja masa wuri, don haka zan iya tafiyar da wannan sashin ta hanyata. "
    
  "Wayne, kai ne ke kan gaba, don haka ka kasance mai kula," in ji Patrick, wanda bai ji daɗin yadda wannan tattaunawar ta kasance ba. "Ku da Chris za ku iya yin babbar ƙungiya idan kun koyi yin aiki tare, amma har yanzu kuna da iko ko kuna amfani da shi ko a'a. Ina tsammanin zaku shirya ƙungiyar ku don tashi sama da yaƙi da sauri. Idan ba a saita abubuwa kamar yadda kuke so don aiki na gaba ba, sanya Vol a kula har sai-"
    
  "Ni ne ke kula da rukunin, janar, ba mai ƙwanƙwasa ba," in ji Macomber, ta yin amfani da kalmarsa ta sirri "slacker" maimakon ma'aikacin rundunar sojan sama NCOIC, ko kuma jami'in da ba na ba da izini ba.
    
  "Sai kai, Wayne. Yi duk abin da kuke buƙatar yi don kammala aikin. Chris Wall, Na'urorin Intanet na Infantry da Tin Man sulke na iya zama wani ɓangare na matsalar ko ɓangaren mafita , ya rage na ku. Wadannan mutane kwararru ne, amma suna bukatar shugaba. Sun san Chris kuma za su bi shi zuwa jahannama - dole ne ku tabbatar da cewa za ku iya jagorantar su tare da NCOs. "
    
  "Zan sanya su a layi, Janar, kada ku damu da shi," in ji Macomber.
    
  "Kuma idan ba ku riga kuka yi ba, zan ba ku shawarar kada ku yi amfani da wannan kalmar 'marasa hankali' a gaban Vol, in ba haka ba za ku iya tsayawa a gabana kuna zubar da jini da karye. Gargadi gaskiya."
    
  Yanayin fuskar Macomber ya ba da kwata-kwata wata alamar cewa ya fahimta ko kuma yarda da gargaɗin McLahan. Wannan abin takaici ne: Chris Wohl yana da ɗan haƙuri ga mafi yawan jami'an da ke ƙasa da tuta kuma bai ji tsoron yin kasada da aikinsa da 'yancin yin mu'amala da jami'in da bai nuna girmamawa ga wani tsohon soja ba. Patrick ya san cewa idan ba a warware lamarin yadda ya kamata ba, za su shiga rikici. "Zai kasance mafi sauƙi idan ba dole ba ne in yi horo a cikin suturar Tin Woodman."
    
  "Gear, kamar yadda kuke kira shi, yana ba mu damar shiga wurare masu zafi waɗanda babu wata ƙungiyar ayyuka ta musamman da za ta taɓa tunanin," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Yi hakuri, Janar, amma ba zan iya tunanin wuri guda mai zafi da na taba tunanin ba zan je ba," Macomber ya ce a fusace, "kuma ban sa dogon rigar karkashin kasa."
    
  "Maza nawa za ku buƙaci ku je ku lalata filin jirgin, Major?"
    
  "Ba ma lalata filayen jiragen sama, yallabai - muna gudanar da bincike ko kuma murkushe ayyukan jiragen sama na abokan gaba, ko kuma mu gina namu filayen jiragen sama. Muna kai hare-hare ta sama idan muna so - "
    
  "Dakarun fada suna lalata su, Major," Patrick ya shiga tsakani. "Ka tuna Yakutsk?"
    
  "Ba mu lalata wannan filin jirgin ba, yallabai, mun mamaye shi. Kuma mun kawo mutane dari don su taimaka mana mu yi hakan."
    
  "An shirya sojojin da ke yaki don lalata wannan sansanin, Major-idan ba za mu iya amfani da shi ba, Rasha ma ba za su yi ba."
    
  "Ka ruguza filin jirgin?" Shakku a cikin muryar Macomber a bayyane yake, kuma Patrick ya ji zafi yana tashi a ƙarƙashin kwalawar baƙar fata. Ba ya so ya bata lokaci yana jayayya da wani da ke karkashinsa, amma Macomber yana bukatar a sanar da shi abin da ake tsammani a gare shi, ba wai kawai an kama shi da zama karamin jami'in ba. "Ta yaya ƴan tsirarun mutane masu ɗaukar nauyi za su lalata filin jirgin sama?"
    
  "Wannan shine abin da kuke nan don koyo, Wayne," in ji Patrick. "Lokacin da muka fara magana game da karbar umarni, na gaya muku cewa ina buƙatar ku yi tunani a waje da akwatin, kuma a wannan yanayin, wannan yana nufin ba wai kawai koyon yadda ake amfani da na'urorin da kuke da su ba, amma rungumi da fadada fasaha da kuma fadadawa. haɓaka sabbin hanyoyin amfani da shi. Yanzu ina bukatar ku kawo ni da sauri saboda ina da filin jirgin sama a Iran wanda zan so in lalata ... gobe."
    
  "Gobe? Ta yaya hakan zai faru, Janar? Yanzu na sami labarin wurin da aka kai hari - idan muka yi sauri, za mu iya barin sansanin zuwa gobe, kuma ba tare da hankali ba kuma ba tare da sake nazarin yadda ake kai hari ba! Ba za ku iya samun nasarar kutsawa cikin sansanin soja ba tare da bayanan sirri da gudanar da horo ba! Zai ɗauki akalla mako guda don kawai...
    
  "Ba ka jin abin da nake gaya maka, Major: kana buƙatar fara tunani daban a nan," in ji Patrick. "Muna gano inda aka kai hari muna kai musu hari, lokaci-kan ko babu sakewa, babu dabarar hankali, babu cikakkun bayanan da aka samu akan hanya, babu fakitin tallafi na haɗin gwiwa da ƙananan ƙungiyoyin ƙasa na wayar hannu da manyan fasahar ƙasa tare da ƙarancin tallafin iska. Na gaya muku duk wannan lokacin da na fara gaya muku game da Rascal, Wayne. "...
    
  "Na ɗauka cewa kun karɓi bayanin da aiki daga babban hedkwata, yallabai," in ji Macomber. "Kina nufin kuna fara aiki ba tare da tattara bayanan dabarun daga-?"
    
  "Ba mu sami wani taimako daga kowa ba kuma har yanzu muna ƙaddamar da aikin, Zipper," in ji Patrick da nuna alama. "Yanzu kuna samun hoton?" Patrick ya jira na ɗan lokaci kuma bai sami amsa ba - idan aka ba Macomber's mercurial, kusan yanayin tashin hankali, shirun ya kasance mai ban mamaki da gaske. "Yanzu na san ka saba da dabaru da dabaru na musamman na rundunar sojojin sama, kuma na san kai kwararre ne kuma jagora, amma dole ne ka gamsu da shirin tafkin. Na san fasahar PT tana da mahimmanci, amma sanin kayan aiki da albarkatun da muke da su ya fi mahimmanci. Wannan ba kawai aiki ba ne, har ma da hanyar tunani. fahimta?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji Macomber-watakila ainihin alamar yarjejeniya ta farko da Patrick ya ji daga mutumin. "Da alama har yanzu zan bukaci taimakon Vol idan na tafi aikin... gobe?"
    
  "Yanzu kun sami ra'ayin, Major."
    
  "Yaushe zan iya samun bayanin da kuke da shi, yallabai?"
    
  "Na yi posting yanzu. Ina bukatan ingantaccen tsarin aiki, a shirye nake in kai rahoto ga hukuma cikin sa'a guda."
    
  "A cikin awa daya...?"
    
  "Akwai wani abu da ke damun wannan haɗin, Major?"
    
  "A"a yallabai. Na ji ku. Awa daya. Tambaya guda daya?"
    
  "Yi sauri".
    
  "Yallabai, roƙona na canza alamar kiran ƙungiyar fa?"
    
  "Ba a sake ba Major..."
    
  "Wannan ita ce alamar kiran Briggs, yallabai, kuma ina buƙatar canza sunan. Ba wai kawai na ƙi shi ba, amma yana tunatar da mutanen tsohon shugabansu da ya mutu kuma yana kawar da su daga aikin."
    
  "Bill Cosby ya taɓa cewa idan ya kasance nasa, ba zai taɓa zabar suna ga 'ya'yansa ba - kawai zai tura su kan tituna ya bar yaran unguwar su kira shi," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Wanne Bill?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Lokacin da lokacin canza sunan naúrar ya yi, Major, gabaɗayan rukunin za su zo mini da buƙatu."
    
  "Wannan rukunin nawa ne, yallabai."
    
  "Sai ku tabbatar," in ji Patrick. "Ka shirya su don kaddamar da su nan da nan, koya musu yadda za su yi amfani da kayan aikin da na yi aiki da jakina don saya, kuma ku nuna mini wani tsari-wanda aka haɗa a matsayin yanki ɗaya-wanda zai sami aikin kuma ya sami amincewa nan take. Tashi aiki, Major. Genesus yana fitowa." Ya karya alakar ta hanyar buga maballin da karfi wanda hakan ya kusa dauke shi daga Velcro perch dinsa. Don girman Allah, Patrick ya yi tunani, bai taɓa gane yadda ya yi sa'ar yin aiki da maza da mata a ƙarƙashin umarninsa ba, kuma ba tare da ainihin prima donnas kamar Macomber ba. Wataƙila ya kasance ɗaya daga cikin ƙwararrun ma'aikatan ayyuka na musamman na Amurka, amma ƙwarewar sa na ɗan adam na buƙatar sake kimantawa sosai.
    
  Yana shan ruwa mai ban haushi daga bututun, ya sake buɗe haɗin tauraron dan adam: "Daya yana kiran Condor."
    
  "Condor a kan kira, tsaro," in ji babban mai kula da a Joint Functional Component Space Command Post (JFCC-Space) a Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. "Na gan ku kan labarai tun da daɗewa. Ka duba... Lafiya, yallabai. Na yi farin cikin ganin kuna cikin koshin lafiya. Wannan Megyn fox ce, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Na gode Condor, amma abin takaici ban taba ganin mai gabatarwa ba, don haka sai in dauki maganarka," in ji Patrick. "Ina da faɗakarwar bincike na gaggawa da kuma buƙatar bayar da rahoton ayyukan ayyukan ƙasa ga shugaban."
    
  "Na gane, yallabai," in ji babban mai aika sakon. "Shirya yin kwafi lokacin da kun shirya."
    
  "Na gano yuwuwar sake kafa sansanin sojin Iran ba bisa ka'ida ba a cikin jamhuriyar Farisa a boye, kuma ina bukatar 'ido kawai' da kuma ikon kai hari idan an tabbatar." Patrick da sauri ya shimfiɗa abin da ya sani da abin da ya ɗauka game da tashar jirgin sama a kan babbar hanyar Soltanabad.
    
  "Na fahimta yallabai. Aika zuwa sararin JFCC yana ci gaba yanzu." DO, ko mataimakin kwamandan aiyuka na Haɗin gwiwar Ma'auni na Dokar-Space, zai ba da rahoto ga kwamandansa bayan tantance buƙatar, nazarin kasancewar ƙarfi, tattara bayanan sirri, da ƙididdige ƙididdiga na lokaci da lalacewa da ake tsammani. Wannan yana ɗaukar lokaci, amma mai yiwuwa ya hana kwamandan ambaliya da buƙatun tallafi. "Ya kamata mu dawo da wuri idan DO na son yin aiki. Ya yallabai?"
    
  "Madalla, Condor," in ji Patrick. "Hakika, ina fata zan iya loda buƙatuna kai tsaye zuwa STRATCOM ko ma SECDEF," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Ina jinka, yallabai," in ji mai aikawa. "Ina jin suna tsoron ka binne su da bayanan. Ban da haka, ba wanda yake son ya ba da mulkinsa." A cikin rikice-rikice da kuma rashin jin daɗi na haɗin kai na nauyi, ɗawainiya da daidaita ayyukan jiragen sama da suka shafi tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong da HAWC B-1 da B-52 da bama-bamai da bama-bamai da ke yawo a kan Iran dole ne a sarrafa su ta hanyar manyan umarni guda biyu daban-daban, waɗanda dukkansu sun ba da rahoton kai tsaye ga tashar sararin samaniya. Shugaban ta hanyar tsaron ƙasa na ma'aikatan: JFCC-Space a California, wanda ya aika da bayanai zuwa Amurka. Dokar Dabarun (STRATCOM) a hedkwatar wucin gadi a Colorado da Louisiana; da Babban Rundunar Amurka (CENTCOM) a sansanin Sojan Sama na MacDill a Florida, wanda ya jagoranci duk ayyukan soji a Gabas ta Tsakiya da Tsakiyar Asiya. Hukumomin leken asiri na CENTCOM da STRATCOM daban-daban da ke da hannu a tsare-tsare da ayyuka za su yi bitar bayanan a daidaikunsu, su ba da nasu shawarwarin, sannan su gabatar da su ga sakataren tsaro da mai ba shugaban kasa shawara kan harkokin tsaro, sannan za su ba da shawarwari ga shugaban kasa.
    
  "Ban ma fahimci dalilin da ya sa dole ne waɗannan rahotanni su je STRATCOM ba," Patrick ya yi gunaguni. "CENTCOM shine kwamandan gidan wasan kwaikwayo - dole ne su sami rahotanni, hada tsarin aiki, samun amincewa, sannan kuma su jagoranci kowa don samun tallafi."
    
  "Ba kwa buƙatar gamsar da ni, yallabai-idan ka tambaye ni, ya kamata rahotannin su tafi kai tsaye ga Ma'aikatar Tsaro," in ji babban jami'in. An ɗan ɗan dakata; sa'an nan: "Ka shirya don Condor, Odin. Na yi farin cikin sake magana da kai, Janar."
    
  Bayan wani lokaci: "Condor One a kan layi, tsaro," ya zo da muryar kwamandan sojojin sama na goma sha hudu, Air Force Manjo Janar Harold Backman. Rundunar Sojan Sama ta Amurka Kwamandan Rundunar Sojan Sama na Goma sha Hudu Backman ya sanya "hala guda biyu" a matsayin rundunar hadin gwiwa da rundunar sararin samaniya, ko JFCC-S, wani bangare na Umurnin Dabarun Amurka (wanda aka lalata a lokacin hare-haren da Rasha ta kai wa Amurka kuma ake sake gina ta). a wurare daban-daban a fadin kasar).
    
  JFCC-S ita ce ke da alhakin tsarawa, daidaitawa, samar da kayayyaki, da aiwatar da duk ayyukan soji a sararin samaniya. Kafin McLaanahan, Cibiyarsa ta Babban Makamai Aerospace da XR-A9 Black Stallion jirgin sama, "ayyukan soji a sararin samaniya" yawanci yana nufin tura tauraron dan adam da kuma lura da ayyukan sararin samaniya na wasu ƙasashe. Babu kuma. McLaanahan ya ba JFCC-Space yajin aikin duniya da kuma saurin motsi, kuma a zahiri, bai ji kamar sun kai ga aikin ba tukuna.
    
  "Daya yana nan, lafiya," in ji Patrick. "Yaya kana lafiya Harold?"
    
  "Kamar yadda muka saba, har zuwa wuyanmu a kasuwanci, yallabai, amma gara ka, ina tsammani. Jami"in da ke bakin aiki ya ce ya gan ka a talabijin, amma kwatsam ka gama hirar ba tare da gargadi ba. Kana lafiya?"
    
  "Na karɓi faɗakarwar COMPSCAN kuma na ba da amsa nan da nan."
    
  "Idan wannan ya tsoratar da wani daga cikin masu kula da ni, zai sa shugabannin su firgita, kun fahimci hakan, ko?"
    
  "Dole ne su koyi shakatawa. Shin kun karɓi bayanina?
    
  "Ina kallonsa a yanzu, Mook. Bani dakika daya". Bayan ƴan mintuna kaɗan: "Shugaban leƙen asiri na yana kallon wannan a yanzu, amma a gare ni kamar wani bam ne aka jefar da jirgin sama a kan babbar hanya. Ina dauka, ba ku tunanin haka?"
    
  "Ina tsammanin waɗancan ramukan yaudara ne, Harold, kuma ina so wasu daga cikin mazana su je can su duba."
    
  Wani ɗan ɗan dakata. Backman ya ce "Lardin Khorasan mai nisan mil dari daga Mashhad, wannan yanki na karkashin ikon Mohtaz ne da kuma dakarun sa na kare juyin juya halin Musulunci," in ji Backman. "A cikin nisan mayar da martani daga Sabzevar, inda yawancin Pasdarans ke ɓoye. Idan da gaske Soltanabad ba komai bane, har yanzu za ku kasance a idon guguwar idan miyagun mutane sun hango ku - kuma idan yana aiki, kamar yadda kuka ce, zai zama injin niƙa. Ina tsammanin kuna so ku je wurin tare da guda biyu na robots ɗin ku, daidai ne?"
    
  "Na tabbata."
    
  "Na yi tunani haka. Shin abubuwanku na can ba za su iya ba ku cikakkun hotuna ba?
    
  "Sauran zabin mu kawai shine tashi sama kai tsaye daga tauraron dan adam ko maras matuki, kuma tabbas hakan zai fadakar da miyagu. Ina so in fara dubawa kafin in yi shirin tarwatsa wurin, kuma ƙaramin tawaga zai zama mafi sauri da sauƙi. "
    
  "Yayi sauri?"
    
  "Ban kalli juzu'i na orbital ba, amma ina fatan za mu iya kaddamar da su a cikin hudu, mu kasance a kasa cikin bakwai, mu dawo cikin iska cikin takwas, mu dawo gida cikin goma sha biyu."
    
  "Kwanaki?"
    
  "Watch".
    
  "Shit," Backman ya rantse. "Mai ban mamaki, sir."
    
  "Idan mutane na suna nan, Harold, kamar yadda nake so in yi, kamar yadda na sanar da ku da STRATCOM, zan iya fita daga can in dawo gida cikin sa'o'i hudu."
    
  "Damn rudani. Ni duka ne don shi, Mook, amma ina tsammanin wannan ra'ayin kawai yana rusa zukatan mutane da yawa a nan a tsohuwar duniyar duniyar. Kun san cewa Hukumar Tsaro ta Kasa ta umarce mu da mu iyakance duk jiragen sama don sake kawowa da kuma yanayin gaggawa kawai, daidai ne? "
    
  "Na dauki wannan a matsayin gaggawa, Harold."
    
  "Na san abin da kuke so... Amma da gaske yana gaggawa?"
    
  Patrick ya danne fushin da aka yi ta shakku game da hukuncinsa, amma ya saba da duk wanda ke shakkar shi a matsayi na biyu da na uku, har ma da waɗanda suka san shi kuma suke ƙaunarsa. "Ba zan sani ba tabbas har sai na aika wasu daga cikin mutanena waje."
    
  "Bana jin za a yarda da wannan, yallabai. Shin har yanzu kuna so in yi tambayar?"
    
  Patrick ya amsa ba tare da jinkiri ba: "Ee."
    
  "KO. Ki shirya." Jiran bai daɗe ba: "To, Mook, STRATCOM tagulla ta ce za ku iya aika mutanenku a wannan hanya, amma ba wanda ke sanya takalmin-ko duk abin da jahannama na robots ɗin ku ke sanye a ƙafafunsu-a ƙasa, kuma babu wanda jirgin ba ya ketare kowane layi akan kowane sigogi ba tare da izini daga CENTCOM ba."
    
  "Zan iya loda wasu jiragen sama na Black Stallion in harba su cikin kewayawa?"
    
  "Nawa ne kuma me aka loda su?"
    
  "Daya ko biyu tare da ma"aikata, masu tururuwa kuma a cikin kewayawa daban-daban, har sai na iya nuna lokacin a cikin sa'a; jirgin sama daya ko biyu na rufewa sanye da ingantattun makamai; watakila daya ko biyu lalata da za a yi amfani da su a matsayin ajiya a cikin kewayawa; da daya ko biyu Vampire bama-bamai da ke tashi daga Iraki, a shirye suke su lalata tushe idan muka same shi yana aiki."
    
  "Cewa jiragen ruwa da yawa na iya zama kalubale, kuma jirgin ruwa dauke da makamai na iya zama mai karya yarjejeniyar."
    
  "Yayin da zan iya canjawa wuri da kuma ƙarin kadarorin tallafi da zan iya sanyawa cikin kewayawa, da sauri duk wannan zai ƙare, Harold."
    
  "Na gane," in ji Backman. Wannan lokacin dakatawa ya fi tsayi: "Ok, an amince. Babu wanda ya ketare kowane iyakokin siyasa a cikin yanayi ba tare da izini ba, kuma kada ku saki makamai don sake shiga har sai an ba da hasken kore. " Ya yi dariya, sannan ya kara da cewa, "Allah, ina jin kamar kwamandan Adama na Battleship Galactica ko wani abu. A rayuwata ban taba tunanin zan amince da kai hari daga sararin samaniya ba."
    
  "Daga yanzu komai yakamata ya kasance haka, abokina," Patrick ya amsa. "Zan aiko muku da cikakken tsarin kunshin cikin sa'a guda, kuma za a aiko muku da odar jigilar jirgin sama da wuri. Na gode, Harold. Daya fito."
    
  Kiran taron bidiyo na gaba Patrick na gaba shine yankin kwamandansa da ke Elliott Air Force Base: "Macomber ya sanar da mu cewa kun ba shi aikin kasa a Iran kuma yana da ɗan lokaci don tsarawa, don haka an riga an haɗa mu," in ji mataimakinsa. Kwamanda, Birgediya Janar David Luger. Ma'aikatan jirgin biyu sun yi aiki tare fiye da shekaru ashirin, na farko a matsayin abokan aikin jirgin a kan B-52G Stratofortress sannan kuma aka sanya su zuwa Cibiyar Kula da Makamai ta Aerospace a matsayin injiniyoyin gwajin jiragen sama da na makamai. Dogo, jingina, natsuwa da gangan cikin yanayi, kuma A zahiri, mafi kyawun ingancin Luger shine cewa ya kasance a matsayin lamiri na Patrick McLahanan a duk lokacin da zafinsa, ƙudiri, ɓacin rai ya yi barazanar lalata duk wata ma'ana. "Ya kamata mu sami wani abu a gare ku nan da nan." ."
    
  "Na san za ku yi, aboki," in ji Patrick. "Ina mamakin labarin daga Zipper?"
    
  "Abin mamaki? Yaya game da "tsawa"? Luger bai damu ba. "Kowa a cikin rundunar sojojin sama na iya ƙoƙarinsa don gujewa wannan mutumin. Amma idan ya fara kasuwanci, komai ya daidaita masa.
    
  "Wani tunani akan Soltanabad?"
    
  "Eh, ina ganin ya kamata mu tsallake gwaje-gwajen farko sannan mu buga wasu fashe-fashe a sararin sama ko meteors da bama-bamai masu karfi a can, maimakon bata lokacin kawo gungun sojojin yaki," in ji Luger. "Idan Iraniyawa suna boye wani abu a wurin, mutanenmu za su sauka a kansu."
    
  "Kamar yadda nake son busa abubuwa, Texas," in ji Patrick, "Ina ganin ya kamata mu fara dubawa. Idan da gaske waɗannan ramukan baci ne, to sune mafi kyawun da na taɓa gani, wanda ke nufin ...
    
  "Wataƙila ba Iraniyawa ba ne," in ji Luger. "Kuna tunanin watakila 'yan Rasha ne?"
    
  "Ina ganin babu abin da Moscow za ta so da ya wuce ta taimaka wa Mokhtaz wajen ruguza sojojin Boujazi da kuma sanya birged da dama a can a matsayin kyauta," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Kuna tsammanin wannan shine abin da Zevitin ke son yi?"
    
  Patrick ya ce "Jihar abokantaka ta Amurka a Iran ba za ta zama abin karba ba." "Mohtaz na goro ne, amma idan Zevitin zai iya gamsar da shi ya kyale sojojin Rasha su shiga Iran don taimakawa wajen fatattakar sojojin Boujazi - ko kuma saboda wani dalili, kamar kare kai daga hare-haren Amurka - Zevitin na iya aika dakaru don magance mamayar Amurka a yankin. A taƙaice dai, zai iya matsa wa Shugaba Gardner lamba da ya janye goyon bayan da ake bai wa tsoffin ƙasashen Tarayyar Soviet da ke yin tasiri a cikin yankin Amurka."
    
  "Duk wannan zancen banza na geopolitical yana ba ni ciwon kai, Mook," in ji Dave da gajiyawa. Patrick na iya ganin cewa hankalin Dave ya rabu da kyamarar taron bidiyo. "Ina da daftarin farko na shirin - zan loda muku shi," in ji shi, yana shigar da umarni cikin kwamfutarsa.
    
  "To, Mook, ga rahotannin matsayi na farko," Luger ya ci gaba da ɗan lokaci kaɗan. "Muna da jiragen sama guda biyu na Black Stallion a cikin sa'o'i hudu tare da manyan jiragen ruwa da kuma isassun man fetur da kayan aiki don ayyukan sararin samaniya, kuma akwai uku a cikin sa'o'i bakwai idan muka soke jiragen horo da yawa. Macomber ya ce zai iya tashi a lokacin ƙaddamarwa. Ta yaya kuke son tsara tsarin ayyukan iska?"
    
  Patrick ya yi lissafin tunani cikin sauri, yana ƙidayar lokaci daga lokacin da yake son Black Stallion ya tashi daga ƙasa ya bar sararin samaniyar Farisa. "Tabbas zan so a sami na'urori na yau da kullun, abubuwan adanawa, ƙarin bayanai da ƙarin horo ga Whack da sojojin ƙasa, amma babban abin da ke damun ni shi ne in bincika wannan tushe cikin sauri ba tare da jawo hankalin dakarun juyin juya halin Musulunci ba," in ji shi. "Zan gani ko zan iya samun izinin saka ƙugiya biyu a yanzu. Idan muka kaddamar a cikin sa'o'i hudu, za mu kasance a kan manufa da tsakar dare zuwa 1 na safe agogon gida-bari mu kira shi 2 na safe don kasancewa a gefen lafiya. Muna yin leken asiri na tsawon sa'a daya a mafi yawa, mu tashi kafin fitowar rana, mu kara mai a wani wuri a yammacin Afghanistan sannan mu koma gida."
    
  Luger ya ce "Jami'in da ke aiki yana yin zato na farko game da odar jirgin sama," in ji Luger. "Jami'in Kulawa" wani tsarin kwamfuta ne na tsakiya wanda ya samo asali ne a Cibiyar Harkokin Makamai ta Aerospace wanda ya haɗa dukkan sassa daban-daban da dakunan gwaje-gwaje a duniya kuma kowane memba na HAWC zai iya samun damar shiga cikin aminci a ko'ina cikin duniya - ko, a cikin yanayin Armstrong. Tashar sararin samaniya, kewaye da shi. "Babban alamar tambaya da muke da ita a halin yanzu ita ce tallafin jirgin dakon mai na KC-77 don samar da iskar gas. Jirgin ruwanmu mafi kusa da aka sadaukar da shi ga XR-A9 yana a Base Air Base na Al Dhafra a Hadaddiyar Daular Larabawa, wanda jirgin ne na tsawon sa'o'i biyu zuwa mafi kusa da yiwuwar samun mai a kan Afghanistan. Idan komai ya yi aiki da kyau - sun ɗora tankar mai ba tare da tsangwama ba, sun karɓi duk wani izini na diflomasiyya da na zirga-zirgar jiragen sama a kan lokaci, da dai sauransu - za su iya kaiwa ga wani mahimmin matsayi a yammacin Afganistan kamar yadda Black Stallion ya ƙare da man fetur ".
    
  "Kuma yaushe ne lokacin ƙarshe na aikinmu ya tafi babu aibi?"
    
  "Ban tuna da faruwar hakan ba," Luger ya tabbatar masa. "Akwai wuraren saukar gaggawa da dama a yankin da za mu iya amfani da su, amma suna kusa da iyakar Iran kuma za mu bukaci tallafin kasa da yawa don tabbatar da sansanin har sai man fetur ya zo. Za mu iya tura ƙungiyoyin murmurewa zuwa Afganistan don taimakawa idan jirgin ya yi saukar gaggawa, ko kuma za mu iya jinkirta aikin na kwanaki biyu. "
    
  "Mu ci gaba da wannan shirin," in ji Patrick. "Za mu gabatar da shi kamar yadda yake kuma za mu tura adadin kudaden da za mu iya - da fatan ba za mu buƙaci komai ba."
    
  "Kun samu, Mook," in ji Dave. "Ina bukata...na kasance kusa, Patrick...Ina samun kira daga likitan jirgin ku a Walter Reed. Yana son yin magana da ku."
    
  "Haɗa ni kuma ku tsaya kan layi."
    
  "Na fahimce ka. Shirya..." Bayan ɗan lokaci, hoton bidiyon ya rabu gida biyu, tare da Dave a gefen hagu da kuma hoton wani matashi mai kyan gani a cikin kakin aikin sojan ruwa, rigar shuɗi mai shuɗi mai shuɗi mai kama da irin na duk ma'aikatan soja a United Jihohi tun lokacin Holocaust na Amurka. "Ci gaba, kyaftin, janar a kan layi, tsaro."
    
  "General McLanahan?"
    
  "Lafiya lau Captain Summers?" - Patrick ya tambaya. Kyaftin Navy na Amurka Alfred Summers shi ne shugaban tiyatar zuciya a Cibiyar Kiwon Lafiyar Soja ta Walter Reed kuma mutumin da ke da alhakin shari'ar Patrick.
    
  "Na ga hirarka da safe," likitan likitan ya ce a fusace, "kuma tare da dukkan girmamawa, Janar, ina mamakin inda ka sami digiri na likita?"
    
  "Na ɗauka kina da wasu matsaloli da abin da na gaya wa mai tambayoyin?"
    
  "Kun sanya shi kamar dogon ciwon QT zai iya warkewa ta hanyar shan aspirin guda biyu, yallabai," Summers ya koka. "Ba abu ne mai sauƙi haka ba, kuma ba na son a zargi ma'aikatana idan aka ki amincewa da buƙatar ku ta kula da matsayin jirgin."
    
  "Wane laifin, Captain?"
    
  "Gaskiya, yallabai, yawancin Amurkawa suna ganinka a matsayin wata taska ta ƙasa wanda bai kamata a yi watsi da shi ba saboda kowane dalili," likitan ya amsa. "Na tabbata kun san abin da nake nufi. A takaice, yallabai, dogon ciwo na QT shine hanawa ta atomatik gata na jirgin sama-babu tsarin roko."
    
  "Ma"aikatana sun yi nazari kan yanayin, Kyaftin, da kuma bayanan likitanci na wasu "yan sama jannati da aka hana su shiga jirgin sama amma har yanzu suna rike da matsayin matukin jirgi, kuma sun shaida min cewa yanayin ba yana da hadari ga rayuwa ba kuma mai yiwuwa ba zai yi tsanani ba don tabbatar da kin amincewa da shi. na-"
    
  "A matsayina na likitan ku kuma babban kwararre kan wannan cuta a Amurka, Janar, bari in share muku wannan, idan zan iya," in ji Summers. "Wataƙila ciwon ya faru ne sakamakon abin da muke kira shimfiɗar zuciya na zuciya, inda nauyi mai yawa ke damun tsokar zuciya da jijiyoyi kuma yana haifar da hargitsi na lantarki. Da alama ciwon yana kwance duk rayuwarka har sai ka tashi zuwa sararin samaniya, sannan ya bayyana kansa da ƙarfi. Yana da ban sha'awa a gare ni cewa da alama kun fuskanci wasu alamun bayyanar cututtuka a wasu ko watakila duk jiragen ku na sararin samaniya, amma sai suka sake mutuwa har sai kun sami karon taron bidiyo mai sauƙi - Ina tsammanin yana da tsanani kamar yawo ta sararin samaniya, ko watakila kawai. tashin hankali ya isa ya zama abin tunzura ga wani babban abin tashin hankali."
    
  "Fadar White House da Pentagon na iya yin hakan, Doctor," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Ba tare da shakka ba, yallabai," Summers ya yarda. "Amma ba ka ga hatsarin da ke faruwa a jihar nan Janar? Damuwar wannan saukin taron taron bidiyo, haɗe tare da maimaita ayyukan da kuka yi a cikin kewayawa, ya haifar da katsewar wutar lantarki wanda a ƙarshe ya haifar da arrhythmia. Yana da tsanani sosai har ya haifar da fibrillation na zuciya, ko bugun zuciya mara daidaituwa, wani zafi na gaske 'sauyi' wanda, kamar bututun cavitation, yana nufin cewa jini bai isa ya shiga cikin kwakwalwa ba ko da zuciya ba ta daina ba. Yallabai, cewa duk wani damuwa zai iya haifar da wani sabon labari, kuma ba tare da sa ido akai-akai ba, ba mu da cikakkiyar hanyar sanin yaushe ko kuma yadda zai kasance. ."
    
  "Ina tsammanin za ku ƙara, 'ba tare da ambaton rayuwar ku ba,' huh, Captain?" Patrick ya kara da cewa.
    
  "Na yi imani dukkanmu muna da jindadin ku da farko, yallabai - Ina iya yin kuskure game da hakan," in ji Summers a bushe. "Rayuwar ku tana cikin haɗari a duk minti ɗaya da kuka yi a can. Ba zan iya jaddada wannan da yawa ba."
    
  "Na samu, na samu, Doctor," in ji Patrick. "Bari yanzu mu wuce mugun gargaɗin. Menene maganin wannan ciwon?"
    
  "'magani?" Kina nufin banda gujewa damuwa ko ta halin kaka?" Summers ya tambaya tare da bayyana fushi. Ya fad'a da k'arfi. "To, za mu iya gwada beta blockers da kuma sa idanu na kusa don ganin ko duk wata matsala ta lantarki ta sake bayyana, amma wannan hanya ta magani ana ba da shawarar ne kawai ga marasa lafiya ba tare da syncope ba - wadanda ba su taba yin la'akari da yanayin ba. A halin da ake ciki, yallabai, zan ba da shawarar na'urar bugun zuciya ta ICD wanda za'a iya dasa shi."
    
  "Kina nufin bugun bugun zuciya?"
    
  "ICDS ta wuce na'urar bugun zuciya kawai, yallabai," in ji Summers. "A cikin yanayin ku, ICD za ta yi ayyuka uku: kula da yanayin zuciyar ku, girgiza zuciyar ku a yayin da fibrillation, da kuma samar da siginonin gyara don dawo da motsi na al'ada a yayin kowane tachycardia, hypocardia ko arrhythmia. Na'urori na zamani sun fi ƙanƙanta, ƙananan kutse, sun fi dogara, kuma suna iya saka idanu da bayar da rahoto game da ayyuka masu yawa na jiki. Suna da matukar tasiri wajen gyarawa da kuma hana nakasa wutar lantarkin zuciya."
    
  "To hakan baya shafar yanayin jirgina, ko?"
    
  Summers ya zaro idanunsa cikin bacin rai, gaba daya ya baci da cewa wannan janar mai taurari uku bai yi kasa a gwiwa ba kan tunanin dawo da matsayinsa na tashi. "Yallabai, kamar yadda na tabbata ka fahimta, shigar da ICD haramun ne ga duk ayyukan jirgin sama ban da FAA Sashe na 91, kuma ko da a lokacin za a iyakance ku zuwa jiragen VFR na rana guda," in ji shi, kawai ya cika da mamaki cewa kowane Duk wanda ke da irin wannan mutumin yana iya yin la'akari da tashi. "Bayan haka, wannan injin janareta ne da watsawa wanda zai iya haifar da mummunan rauni na zuciya na ɗan lokaci. Ba zan iya tunanin wani ma'aikacin jirgin sama, soja ko farar hula, wanda aka ba shi izinin riƙe matsayin jirgin sama bayan ya karɓi ICD. "
    
  "Amma idan suna da kyau, menene matsalar?" - Patrick ya tambaya. "Idan sun gyara karkacewar, zan kasance a shirye in tafi."
    
  "Suna da kyau, sun fi na shekarun baya, amma ba abin dogaro ba ne, yallabai," in ji Summers. "Kusan ɗaya cikin marasa lafiya 10 suna fuskantar presyncope ko abubuwan haɗin gwiwa - dizziness, bacci, ko asarar sani - lokacin da aka kunna ICD. Uku cikin goma sun sami isasshen rashin jin daɗi da zai sa su dakatar da abin da suke yi - alal misali direbobin manyan motoci, za su ji tsoro ko rashin jin daɗin isa su ja zuwa gefen titi, ko masu zartarwa a cikin tarurruka za su tashi su fita. dakin. Ba za ku iya ja a cikin jirgin sama ba, musamman ma jirgin sama. Na san muhimmancin tashi yana da mahimmanci a gare ku, amma bai cancanci hakan ba - "
    
  "Shin bai cancanci kisa rayuwata ba?" Patrick ya katse. "Haka kuma, Dakta, da dukkan girmamawa, ka yi kuskure. Yawo yana da mahimmanci ga aikina, da kuma muhimmiyar fasaha da tushen jin daɗin kaina. A matsayina na yanzu, ba zan yi tasiri ba."
    
  "Yallabai za ka so ka mutu?"
    
  Patrick ya kalleta na wani lokaci, amma sai ya girgiza kai da gaske. "Wane mafita zan samu, Doctor?"
    
  "Ba ku da su, Janar," in ji Summers da karfi. "Za mu iya sanya ku a kan masu hana beta da sa ido akai-akai, amma wannan ba shi da tasiri kamar ICD kuma har yanzu za a iyakance ku a cikin ayyukan jirgin. An kusan ba da tabbacin cewa za ku sami wani labari na LQT a cikin watanni shida masu zuwa, kuma akwai babban damar da za ku fuskanci nakasu kamar, ko watakila mafi tsanani fiye da abin da kuka taɓa fuskanta a baya. Idan kana cikin sararin samaniya ko kuma a karkashin ikon jirgin sama, kai haɗari ne nan take ga kanka, abokan aikinka, da mutanen da ba su da laifi a hanyar jirginka da aikinka.
    
  "Janar McLanahan, a ra'ayina na ƙwararru, aikinku na yanzu, ko kusan kowane matsayi na soja da zan iya tunani akai, yana da matukar damuwa ga wani a cikin yanayin ku, ko da mun shigar da ICD. Fiye da kowane magani ko na'ura, abin da kuke buƙata a yanzu shine hutawa. Sai dai idan akwai tarihin cin zarafin miyagun ƙwayoyi ko rauni, tsawon lokaci na QT ciwo kusan yana haifar da damuwa ta jiki, tunani, da damuwa. Lalacewar da aka yi wa zuciyarka ta wurin matsayinka, alhakinka, da jirgin sama zai dawwama har tsawon rayuwarka, kuma kamar yadda muka gani, damuwa na taron bidiyo mai sauƙi ɗaya kawai ya isa ya haifar da yanayin daidaitawa. Ka ɗauki shawarata: sami ICD, yi ritaya kuma ka ji daɗin ɗanka da danginka.
    
  "Dole ne a sami wasu zaɓuɓɓuka, wasu jiyya," in ji Patrick. "Ban shirya yin murabus ba. Ina da aiki mai mahimmanci, kuma kula da matsayin tashi babban sashe ne-a'a, babban ɓangare ne na ni.
    
  Summers ya dade yana kallonsa da mugun zamewa a fuskarsa. "Bertrand Russell ya taɓa rubuta cewa: "Daya daga cikin alamun rashin jin daɗi na gabatowa shine tabbacin cewa aikin mutum yana da matuƙar mahimmanci," in ji shi, "sai dai a cikin yanayin ku, ba za ku sami damuwa ba - za ku mutu."
    
  "Kada mu yi ban mamaki sosai a nan, Captain..."
    
  "Ku saurare ni a hankali, Janar McLaanahan: Ba na zama mai ban mamaki ba - Ina zama mai gaskiya da bude ido tare da ku yadda zan iya," in ji Summers. "Ra'ayina ne cewa kun sha wahala wanda ba a sani ba amma mummunan lalacewa ga tsokoki na zuciya da kuma myocardium sakamakon sakamakon jirgin ku na sararin samaniya wanda ke haifar da tsawaitawa na QT yana haifar da arrhythmia da tachycardia wanda ke haifar da presyncoptic da abubuwan syncoptic. Wannan rashin ban mamaki ya ishe ka, yallabai?"
    
  "Kftin-"
    
  "Ban gama ba, yallabai," in ji Summers. "Ko da tare da hutawa da magani, rashin daidaituwa shine za ku sami wani taron syncope mafi tsanani fiye da na baya a cikin watanni shida masu zuwa, kuma ba tare da kulawa da kulawar likita nan da nan ba, damar ku na rayuwa shine kashi ashirin cikin mafi kyau. Tare da ICD, damar ku na rayuwa a cikin watanni shida masu zuwa ya karu zuwa kashi saba'in, kuma bayan watanni shida kuna da damar tsira cikin kashi casa'in."
    
  Ya dakata, yana jiran gardama, bayan wasu mintuna na shiru ya ci gaba da cewa: "Yanzu, idan kai wani jami"i ne, wanda bai gana da mataimakin shugaban Amurka ba, tare da rakiyar ma"aikatar sirri, zan ba da shawara kawai. kai cewa zan ba da shawarar kwamandan ka ya sanya ka a asibiti na tsawon watanni shida masu zuwa. zan iya-"
    
  "Wata shida!"
    
  "Har yanzu zan ba wa kwamandan ku shawara ta haka," Summers ya ci gaba da cewa. "Ko kun zaɓi shigar da ICD shine shawarar ku. Amma idan kun dage kan rashin samun ICD kuma ba ku da sa ido na 24/7, kusan ba ku da damar tsira nan da watanni shida masu zuwa. A'a. Yallabai ina bayyana maka kaina?" Patrick ya yi kama da balloon mai saurin zamewa na ɗan lokaci, amma Dave Luger na iya ganin ɓacin ransa da sauri ya ba da damar yin fushi - fushin me, bai tabbata ba tukuna. "A gani na cewa yanke shawara ta ƙarshe ta rage a gare ku. Barka da rana, General." Kuma Summers ya fito daga taron bidiyo yana girgiza kansa cikin baƙin ciki, yana da tabbacin cewa janar ɗin taurari uku ba shi da niyyar bin umarninsa.
    
  Da Summers ya bar taron, Patrick ya jingina a kan kujera, ya ja numfashi, sannan ya dubi teburin dakin taron. "Crap," ya numfasa bayan shuru na wasu lokuta.
    
  "Lafiya ka, Mook?" - Tambayi Dave Luger.
    
  "Eh, ina jin haka," Patrick ya amsa, yana girgiza kai cikin rudani na ba'a. "A koyaushe ina tsammanin Will Rogers ne ya faɗi wannan maganar game da tabin hankali, ba Bertrand Russell ba."
    
  Dave ya yi dariya; wannan mutumin ne da ya sani, yana ba da barkwanci a lokacin da mafi yawan masu hankali za su yi gab da yin kuka. "Ina ganin Mark Twain ya yi gaskiya lokacin da ya ce, 'Ba abin da kuka sani ba ne, abin da kuka san ba gaskiya ba ne.'
    
  "Ba Mark Twain ba, Josh Billings ne."
    
  "Hukumar Lafiya ta Duniya?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Komai," in ji Patrick, ya sake zama mai tsanani. "Dave, Ina buƙatar in koyi duk game da dogon ciwo na QT da kuma kula da arrhythmias na zuciya kafin in yanke shawarar abin da zan iya ɗauka da abin da ba zan iya ba. Wataƙila akwai kamfanoni goma sha biyu da ke binciken ICDs na zamani ko duk abin da ƙarni na gaba na waɗannan na'urori za su kasance - Ina buƙatar sanin sabbin ci gaba kafin in yanke shawarar shigar da kowace tsohuwar fasaha. Wataƙila John Masters yana da dukan dakin gwaje-gwaje da aka keɓe don magance cututtukan zuciya."
    
  "Yi hakuri in faɗi haka, aboki, amma tabbas kana da mafi kyawun likitan zuciya a ƙasar da ke shirye don amsa duk wata tambaya da kake da ita, kuma a zahiri ka kashe shi."
    
  "Bai shirya ya taimake ni ba - yana tsaye a wurin, yana shirye ya tura tikiti na zuwa ritayar likita," in ji Patrick. "Dole ne in magance wannan ta hanyar kaina."
    
  "Na damu da tsawon lokacin da za ku yanke shawarar, Patrick," in ji Dave. "Kun ji daftarin aiki: Yawancin marasa lafiya da wannan cuta ko dai fara ci gaba da sa ido da magani ko samun ICD kai tsaye. Sauran za su mutu. Ban ga abin da sauran bincike kuke bukata ku yi a kan wannan ba."
    
  "Ni ma ban sani ba, Dave, amma abin da koyaushe nake yi ke nan: Ina duba su da kaina, ta hanyar amfani da tushe da hanyoyin kaina," in ji Patrick. "Lokacin rani na iya zama ƙwararren likitan zuciya a cikin Sojoji, watakila ma a cikin ƙasa, amma idan haka ne, bincike na ya gaya mini haka ma. Amma ka ruɗe ni da wannan, ɗan'uwa: Menene mutane kamar Summers suke yi wa waɗanda suka kamu da ciwon zuciya waɗanda ke kan aiki kuma waɗanda har yanzu suna raye?
    
  "Suna yi musu ritaya, ba shakka."
    
  "Suna yi musu ritaya," in ji Patrick, "sannan kuma Hukumar Sojoji ko likitoci masu zaman kansu ke kula da su daga gwamnati. Summers yana yin abin da koyaushe yake yi: korar marasa lafiya kuma ya aika da su zuwa VA. Yawancin marasa lafiyarsa suna godiya da kasancewa da rai wanda ba sa tunanin yin ritaya. "
    
  "Baka ji dadin kana raye ba, Mook?"
    
  Patrick ya ce, "Tabbas ni ne Dave," in ji Patrick, yana zagi abokinsa da ya daɗe, "amma idan zan buga, zan yi shi bisa sharuɗɗa na, ba na Summers ba. A halin yanzu, watakila zan koyi wani abu game da yanayin da yiwuwar jiyya waɗanda waɗannan takaddun ba su sani ba, wani abu da zai ba ni damar kula da matsayina na tashi. Wataƙila ni ne -"
    
  "Patrick, na fahimci cewa tashi yana da mahimmanci a gare ku," in ji Luger da gaske, "amma bai dace ba ku yi kasada da rayuwar ku ba-"
    
  "Dave, kusan duk lokacin da na tashi a cikin jirgin yaki na kasada rayuwata," in ji Patrick. "Bana tsoron rasa raina saboda..."
    
  "Maƙiyi ... abokin gaba na waje," in ji Dave. "Hey Patrick, ina wasa ne kawai na shaidan a nan - ba na jayayya da ku ba. Kuna yin abin da kuke so. Kuma na yarda: yana da kyau a jefa rayuwar ku cikin haɗari ta amfani da ƙwarewarku, horarwa da illolinku don yaƙar abokan gaba da ke neman halaka Amurka ta Amurka. Amma maƙiyin da muke magana anan shine ku. Ba za ku iya yin wayo, ƙware, ko ƙware da kanku ba. Ba ku da kayan aiki ko horar da ku don sarrafa jikin ku, wanda ke ƙoƙarin kashe ku. Dole ne ku kusanci wannan yaƙi kamar kowane yaƙin da kuka taɓa shiryawa..."
    
  "Hakanan abin da nake son yi ke nan, Dave," in ji Patrick da gaske. "Zan yi nazarinsa, in bincika shi, in tuntubi masana, in tattara bayanai da tsara dabarun."
    
  "Mai girma. Amma yayin da kuke ciki, cire kanku daga matsayin matukin jirgi kuma duba cikin asibiti don lura da sa'o'i 24. Kar ku zama wawa."
    
  Wannan furucin na ƙarshe ya kama Patrick a hankali kuma ya lumshe ido cikin mamaki. "Kina tunanin ni wauta ce?"
    
  "Ban san abin da kuke tunani ba, mutum," in ji Luger. Ya san Patrick ba wawa ba ne kuma ya yi nadamar faɗin haka, amma abu ɗaya da abokinsa da ya daɗe ya koya masa shi ne ya faɗi abin da ke zuciyarsa. Patrick ya ji tsoro, kuma wannan shi ne martaninsa ga tsoro, kamar yadda ya kasance a cikin kogin wani bam mai mahimmanci a cikin waɗannan shekaru masu yawa: ku yaki tsoro, ku mai da hankali kan burin, kuma kada ku daina fada, komai munin halin da ake ciki. iya ze.
    
  Luger ya ci gaba da cewa "Duba ta fuskar doc, Mook." "Na ji likitocin sun gaya muku cewa wannan abu kamar bam ne da aka dasa a lokacin da aka yi amfani da shi tare da tayar da gashi. Wataƙila ba zai yi aiki kwata-kwata ba, amma da alama yana iya aiki a cikin daƙiƙa goma masu zuwa yayin da muke tsaye a nan muna jayayya. La"ananne, ina tsoron kar ki bata min rai alhalin ina gardama da ku a yanzu, kuma ba zan iya yin komai daga nan ba, sai dai in ga kin mutu".
    
  "Damar da nake da ita na mutuwa a nan duniyar duniyar ta dan fi matsakaicin kyau saboda wannan abu na zuciya - za a iya tsage mu kuma a tsotse mu cikin sararin samaniya ta wani yanki mai girman nau'in fiɗa a kowane lokaci kuma ba za mu taɓa sani ba." Patrick ya ce. .
    
  "Idan ba ku da tabbas game da ICD, to ku ci gaba da bincike; yi magana da John Masters ko dozin ko kuma mutane masu hankali a cikin jerinmu kuma kuyi tunani akai, "in ji Dave. "Amma yi shi daga amincin ɗakin asibiti mai zaman kansa inda likitoci za su iya kula da ku." Idanun Patrick da fasalulluka sun kasance ƙayyadaddun ƙayyadaddun ƙayyadaddun abubuwa, masu jujjuyawa, marasa motsin rai. "Hai, Muk. Ka yi tunani game da Bradley. Idan kun ci gaba da tashi ba tare da ICD ba, kuna iya mutuwa. Idan ba ku damu ba, tabbas za ku ci gaba da rayuwar ku. Menene tambaya?"
    
  "Ba zan daina ba, Dave, kuma wannan shine . Na zo nan don yin wani muhimmin aiki, kuma na...
    
  "Aiki? Mook, kana shirye ka yi kasadar cutar da kanka saboda aikinka? Wannan yana da mahimmanci, ba shakka, amma yawancin matasa da ƙaƙƙarfan samari za su iya yin hakan. Ba da aikin ga Boomer, ko Raydon, ko ma Lucas - kowa. Har yanzu ba ku gane shi ba, Patrick? "
    
  "Ka gano me?"
    
  "Muna iya kashewa, Janar McLanahan. Dukkanmu abin zubarwa ne. Mu ba komai bane illa 'siyasa ta wasu hanyoyi'. Idan aka zo ga shi, muna kawai tauri Nau'in A na farko na soja donnas, mazan sojan gung-ho sanye da rigar biri marasa kyau, kuma babu wani a Washington da ya damu ko muna rayuwa ko mu mutu. Idan kun yi rikici gobe, wasu mugayen jakuna ashirin za su maye gurbin ku - ko kuma, da alama, Gardner zai iya ba mu umarni cikin sauƙi mu rufe ranar da kuka mutu kuma mu kashe kuɗin kan sabbin dillalan jiragen sama. Amma akwai wadanda ka damu da mu, danka ne ke kan gaba a jerin sunayen, amma ba ka kula da mu saboda ka mai da hankali kan aiki - aikin da bai damu da kai daya ba."
    
  Luger ya ja dogon numfashi. "Na san ka, mutum. Kullum kuna cewa kuna yin haka ne saboda ba ku so ku gaya wa wani matukin jirgi ya yi abin da ba ku yi da kanku ba, ko da ma'aikatan jirgin sun horar da membobin ƙungiyar gwaji, mafi kyawun mafi kyau. Na san ko da yaushe ya zama jaji. Kuna yin haka ne saboda kuna son shi, saboda kuna son zama wanda zai ja hankalin ku don sauke miyagu. Na gane shi. Amma ina ganin bai kamata ku ƙara yin wannan ba, Mook. Kuna jefa rayuwar ku cikin haɗari ba tare da wata matsala ba - ba ta hanyar tuƙi na'urar da ba a gwada ta ba, amma ta hanyar fallasa kanku ga matsalolin da za su iya kashe ku tun kafin ku isa wurin da aka yi niyya."
    
  Patrick ya yi shiru na dogon lokaci; sannan ya kalli tsohon abokinsa. "Ina tsammanin kun san yadda ake fuskantar mace-macen ku, ko ba haka ba, Dave?"
    
  "Abin takaici, eh," in ji Luger. A matsayinsa na matashin mai tukin bama-bamai da ke aikin asirce na ruguza rukunin Laser na tsohuwar Tarayyar Soviet a Kavazna, Rashawa sun kama Dave Luger, inda suka yi masa tambayoyi da azabtarwa da kuma daure shi na tsawon shekaru da dama kafin a yi masa wankin kwakwalwar da ya yi imani da shi dan Rasha ne. injiniya. Sakamakon wannan magani ya shafe shi a hankali da tunani - damuwa ya sa shi ba zato ba tsammani ya shiga cikin yanayin fugue mai nisa wanda ya bar shi kusan rashin ƙarfi saboda tsoro na mintuna, wani lokacin sa'o'i - kuma da son rai ya janye matsayinsa na jirgin sama shekaru da yawa da suka wuce. "Wani jahannama ne na tafiya ... Amma akwai wasu hawan."
    
  "Baka rasa tashi ba?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  "A'a," in ji Dave. "Lokacin da nake so in tashi, sai in tashi daya daga cikin jiragen yaki mara matuki ko kuma jiragen sama na samfurin rediyo. Amma ina da isasshen ci gaba wanda ba ni da sha'awar yin kuma. "
    
  "Ban san yadda hakan zai shafe ni ba," in ji Patrick da gaske. "Ina tsammanin zan yi kyau - a'a, na tabbata zan kasance - amma ko yaushe zan kasance ina neman karin jirgi daya, karin manufa daya?"
    
  "Mook, ni da kai mun san cewa jirage masu saukar ungulu suna tafiya hanyar dinosaur," in ji Dave. "Shin ba zato ba tsammani kun ƙirƙiri wani ra'ayin soyayya na jirgin sama, wani baƙon ra'ayi na 'zubar da alakar da ba ta dace ba' wanda ko ta yaya ke sa ku manta da komai? Tun yaushe tashi ya zama wani abu da ya wuce "shirya jirgin sannan kuma aiwatar da shirin" gare ku? Mutum, idan ban san ku ba, zan rantse cewa kun fi kula da jirgin sama fiye da Bradley. Wannan ba shine Patrick Shane McLanahan I ba. sani."
    
  "Bari mu barshi haka, lafiya?" Patrick ya tambaya a fusace. Ya tsani lokacin da Luger (ko tsohuwar budurwarsa, mataimakin shugaban kasa Maureen Herschel) ya kawo batun dansa Bradley mai shekaru goma sha biyu, yana jin cewa gardama ce da aka yi amfani da ita don ƙoƙarin sa Patrick ya canza ra'ayinsa game da wani abu. "Kowa ya damu da zuciyata, amma ba wanda ya daina jayayya da ni." Ya tabbatar da cewa Luger ya yi murmushi yayin da ya kara da cewa, "Wataƙila duk kuna ƙoƙarin sa na faɗi. Canza batun, tsine, Texas. Me ke faruwa a tafkin?
    
  "Maganin jita-jita yana gudana, Mook," in ji Dave. "Kirasa wa zai iya dawowa HAWC?"
    
  "Martin Tehama," in ji Patrick. Dave ya lumshe ido cikin mamaki; shi mutum ne da ba kasafai yake mamakin komai ba. "Na ga wani bakon adireshin imel akan CC daga Ma'aikatar Tsaro kuma na duba wanda ke cikin ofishin. Ina tsammanin za a mayar da shi matsayin kwamandan HAWC."
    
  "Tare da abokin ku a Fadar White House? Ba tare da shakka ba." An nada Rundunar Sojan Sama Kanal Martin Tehama kwamandan Cibiyar Makamai Masu Jiran Sama bayan tafiyar Manjo Janar Terrill "Digger" Samson, inda ya ketare Patrick McLanahan. Matukin gwaji da injiniya mai mutuntawa, Tehama yana so ya hana ayyukan "karin karatu" da HAWC sau da yawa ke aiwatarwa-kamar tashi jirgin sama na gwaji da makamai a kan "jirgin gwajin aiki" a duniya - kuma ya koma cikin kasuwanci mai mahimmanci na gwajin jirgin. Lokacin da Patrick ya bar mukaminsa na mashawarcin Fadar White House, an ba shi umarnin HAWC, ya kori Tehama. Ya mayar da martani ta hanyar bai wa "yan majalisa tarin bayanai game da ayyukan sirri na HAWC. "Da zarar Summers ya ba da cikakken rahoto game da yanayin ku, zai sake bayyana kuma ya karbi jagoranci da zaran kun sanar da ritayar ku - ko kuma shugaban ya sanar da cewa kuna yin ritaya saboda dalilai na likita."
    
  "Shugaban kasa da Sanata Barbeau za su yi amfani da zuciyata don soke shirin Black Stallion saboda matsalolin lafiya, kuma yaronsu Tehama zai rufe shi nan da nan cikin 'yan watanni."
    
  "Ba ma dadewa ba, Mook," in ji David. "Jita-jita da ke fitowa daga Majalisar Dattawa ita ce za su tura Fadar White House da sauri don rufe mu."
    
  "Barbo yana son maharansa, tabbas."
    
  "Ba ita kadai ba ce, amma tana da babbar murya," in ji Dave. "Akwai masu fafutuka na kowane tsarin makami da ake iya tunanin - dillalan jiragen sama, jiragen ruwa na makami mai linzami, ayyuka na musamman, duk abin da kuke so ku kira shi. Shugaba Gardner yana son aƙalla ƙarin ƙungiyoyin yaƙi masu ɗaukar kaya guda huɗu, watakila shida, kuma wataƙila zai same su idan an soke shirin sararin samaniya. Kowa yana da nasa tsare-tsaren. Harabar filin jirgin sama a zahiri babu shi, kuma raunin da kuka samu yana jefa inuwa a cikin shirin, wanda ke faranta wa sauran masu fafutuka rai har abada."
    
  "Na tsani wannan dambarwar siyasa."
    
  "Ne ma. Ina mamakin ka dau wannan dogon aiki a Fadar White House. Lallai ba a yanke muku sutura ba, ku saurari jawabai marasa ma'ana, ku share makonni kuna ba da shaida a gaban wani kwamitin majalisa, kuma masu fafutuka da wadanda ake kira masana suka yaudare ku."
    
  "An yarda," in ji Patrick. "A kowane hali, an ƙara ƙarfin, kuma Tehama zai ƙara ƙaruwa - a ƙarƙashin hancinmu. Duk ƙarin dalilai don kammala wannan manufa a Soltanabad, dawo da ma'aikatan cikin lafiya da kwanciyar hankali, da samun kyakkyawar fahimta - duk kafin safiyar gobe. Rashawa sun kai ga wani abu a Iran - ba za su iya gamsuwa kawai su zauna a Moscow ko Turkmenistan suna kallon Iran ta zama dimokuradiyya ko kuma ta wargaje ba."
    
  "Abin da nake yi ke nan," in ji Dave. "Odar jigilar iska za ta kasance a shirye a lokacin da kuka sami koren haske. Zan aiko muku da tsarin wasan orbital da cikakken tsari nan da nan. Genesus yana fitowa."
    
    
  BABI NA BIYAR
    
    
  Ana yabon gaskiya, amma ta mutu da yunwa.
    
  - DECIMUS JUNIUS JUVENALIS
    
    
    
  HIGH-TECH AEROSPACE WAPONS CENTER, ELLIOTT AIR FORCE BASE, NEVADA
  Daga baya kadan
    
    
  Wayne Macomber ya yi gunaguni sau goma fiye da wasa na bidiyo, "saboda ba zan iya ma yin wannan abu ba."
    
  "Akwai kyakkyawar wanke-wanke a gaba, Bang," in ji Kyaftin Charlie Turlock. "Yana faruwa daga manufa, don haka a ƙarshe dole ne mu fita. Dole mu yi-"
    
  "Na gani, na gan shi," Macomber ya yi gunaguni. "Vol, share waɗannan hanyoyin jirgin ƙasa kuma."
    
  "An yarda," Sajan Marine Corps Sajan Chris Wohl ya amsa a cikin raɗaɗin sa na yau da kullun. Bayan ɗan lokaci: "Waƙoƙi a bayyane suke, Major. Tauraron tauraron dan adam ya ba da rahoton cewa jirgin na gaba yana da mil ashirin da bakwai zuwa gabas, yana tafiya a hanyarmu a mil ashirin da biyar a cikin sa'a. "
    
  "An karɓe," Macomber ya amsa, "amma na ci gaba da ganin dawowar wurin karfe uku na, mil biyar, wani wuri a gabanka. Ta bayyana na dakika sannan ta bace. Menene wannan?"
    
  "Labarai mara kyau, yallabai," in ji Wohl.
    
  "Wannan mahaukaci ne," Macomber ya yi gunaguni, sanin cewa duka Turlock da Vol suna iya jin sa, amma bai damu ba. Wannan ba shine yadda ya zana hoton yana shirin aiki ba... Ko da yake dole ne ya yarda, yana da kyau sosai.
    
  Kamar yadda jirgin ya kasance mai ban mamaki, har ma na'urar fasinja kyakkyawan na'ura ce. Ya yi aiki ba kawai don jigilar fasinjoji da kaya a cikin Black Stallion ba, har ma a matsayin adaftar tashar jiragen ruwa tsakanin jirgin da tashar sararin samaniya. A cikin gaggawa, ana iya amfani da na'urar a matsayin jirgin ruwa na ceto ga ma'aikatan jirgin sama: yana da injunan motsa jiki don sauƙaƙe ɗaga jirgin mai gyara a cikin kewayawa da kuma kiyaye shi a tsaye yayin dawowa; ƙananan fuka-fuki don kwanciyar hankali idan an jefa shi a cikin sararin samaniya; akwai isassun iskar oxygen ga fasinjoji shida don tsira har zuwa mako guda; isasshiyar kariya don tsira da sake shigar da tsarin idan an jettisoned ɗin a lokacin sake shigarwa; da parachutes da tawul/tasirin jakunkunan matashin da za su kwantar da tsarin da mazaunansa kan tasiri da ƙasa ko ruwa. Abin baƙin ciki, duk wannan kariya yana samuwa ne kawai ga fasinjoji - ma'aikatan Black Stallion ba su da hanyar shiga cikin tsarin bayan tashin hankali, sai dai ta hanyar shiga sararin samaniya a cikin orbit da kuma amfani da hanyar canja wuri.
    
  Macomber da Ox suna sanye da cikakken tsarin sulke na Iron Man, kwat da wando mai nauyi da aka yi da BERP, ko Ballistic Electron Reactive Process Material, wanda ke sassauƙa gaba ɗaya, kamar masana'anta, amma yana kare mai sawa ta hanyar taurare kai tsaye zuwa ƙarfi sau ɗari na ƙarfe. . a kan tasiri. An rufe kwat din gaba daya, yana ba da kariya mai kyau ko da a cikin yanayi mai tsanani ko kuma hadari, kuma an yi masa aiki da ɗimbin na'urori masu auna firikwensin lantarki da na sadarwa waɗanda ke isar da bayanai ga mai sawa ta hanyar nunin faifan kwalkwali. An ƙara haɓaka tsarin Tin Man ta hanyar microhydraulic exoskeleton wanda ya ba mai sawa ƙarfi, ƙarfi, da sauri ta hanyar haɓaka motsin tsoka.
    
  Charlie Turlock - "Charlie" shine ainihin sunan ta, ba alamar kiranta ba, budurwar da mahaifinta ya ba ta suna na yaro - ba a sanye da kayan ado na katako ba, amma kawai a cikin rigar jirgin sama a kan wani bakin ciki na rigar zafi. ; Ta hau rik'on kaya a bayan kujerunsu. Ta kasance sanye da kwalkwali na jirgin HAWC, wanda ke nuna bayanan azanci da na kwamfuta akan na'urar lantarki mai kama da nagartaccen nunin Tin Man. Fit, 'yan wasa, da ɗan tsayi sama da matsakaicin tsayi, Turlock ya yi kama da ba a wurinsa a cikin rukunin da ke cike da manyan kwamandojin tsoka - amma ta kawo mata wani abu na shekarunta a cikin Laboratory Research Laboratory's Infantry Combat Lab wanda ya fi diyya ga ƙaramarta. girman jiki.
    
  Mutanen uku sun kalli wasan kwaikwayo na kwamfuta na shirin kutsawa cikin filin jirgin saman Soltanabad da ke Farisa. Wannan raye-rayen ya yi amfani da hoton firikwensin tauraron dan adam na ainihi don zana ra'ayi na gaske game da ƙasa da fasalin al'adu a yankin da aka yi niyya, cikakke tare da hasashen abubuwa kamar ma'aikata da motsin abin hawa dangane da bayanan da suka gabata, matakan haske, hasashen yanayi har ma da ƙasa. yanayi. Kwamandojin sojojin guda uku sun yi tazarar yadi hamsin ne a tsakanin su, kusa da su da za su yi gaggawar tallafawa juna idan ya cancanta, amma nesa ba kusa ba da ba za su iya ba da juna ba idan an gano ko wani sintiri na makiya daya.
    
  "Yanzu na ga shingen, nisa yana da nisan mil shida," in ji Charlie. "Yanzu muna tafiya a kan tafkin. 'Goose' ya ruwaito cewa saura minti talatin a cikin jirgin." "Goose" shine GUOS, ko Tsarin Kula da Sa ido na Grenade, ƙaramin jirgi mara matuki mai tashi game da girman fil ɗin bowling da aka ƙaddamar daga jakar jakar baya wanda ke watsa hotuna na gani da infrared zuwa kwamandojin akan amintacciyar hanyar haɗin bayanai.
    
  "Wannan yana nufin muna baya," Macomber ya yi gunaguni. "Bari mu karya wannan kadan."
    
  "Muna kan tsari, yallabai," in ji Vol.
    
  "Na ce muna baya, Sajan Major," Macomber ya huce. "Jirgin maras matuki zai kare daga man fetur kuma har yanzu za mu kasance a cikin rukunin dam."
    
  "Ina da wani Goose a shirye," in ji Charlie. "Zan iya gudu wannan-"
    
  "Yaushe? Yaushe za mu isa kusa da Iraniyawa su ji? Macomber ya yi murmushi. "Yaya waɗannan abubuwan suke surutu?"
    
  "Idan da kun zo zanga-zanga na, Major, da kun sani," in ji Charlie.
    
  "Kada ka kuskura ni, kyaftin," Macomber ya tofa albarkacin bakinsa. "Idan na yi maka tambaya, ba ni amsa."
    
  "Ba za su ji wani abu da ya wuce yadi ɗari ba daga wutar injin," in ji Charlie, ba tare da ɓoye fushinta ba kwata-kwata, "sai dai idan suna da firikwensin sauti."
    
  "Idan muna da bayanan da suka dace kafin wannan aikin, da mun san ko Iraniyawa suna da na'urori masu auna sauti," Macomber ya kara yin gunaguni. "Muna bukatar mu yi shirin jinkirta harba jirgin har sai mun kai mil biyu daga sansanin maimakon uku. Shin kun fahimci wannan, Turlock?"
    
  "Na samu," in ji Charlie.
    
  "Na gaba wanda nake buƙata..." Macomber ya tsaya lokacin da ya lura cewa alamar da aka yi niyya ta sake bayyana a gefen filin kallon sa na lantarki. "La"ananne, ga shi kuma. Vol, ka ga wannan?"
    
  "Na ga lokacin, amma ya ɓace," in ji Ox. "Ina duba wannan yanki... mara kyau. Wataƙila kawai haske na ɗan gajeren lokaci na firikwensin.
    
  "Vol, a cikin littafina babu wani abu kamar 'sensor spark'," in ji Macomber. "Wani abu a gabanka yana haifar da wannan dawowar. Ka fara aiki."
    
  "Na samu," Vol ya amsa. "Muna tafiya hanya." Ya yi amfani da ƙaramin linzamin kwamfuta mai ƙafar ƙafa don canza alkiblar raye-raye, yana jira kowane ƴan mita kafin kwamfutar ta ƙara cikakkun bayanai da kuma ba da ƙarin gargaɗi game da abin da ke gaba. Tsarin ya kasance a hankali saboda duk ayyukan kwamfuta mara igiyar waya, amma ita ce kawai hanyar da ake da su don sake gwada aikin su kuma su shirya tashi a lokaci guda.
    
  "Ya kamata mu zama kwamandos-babu wani abu kamar waƙa a gare mu," in ji Macomber. "Muna da burin da kuma hanyoyi daban-daban miliyan don cimma shi. Ya kamata ya zama ɗan biredi tare da waɗannan kyawawan hotuna da ke shawagi a gabanmu - me yasa wannan ke ba ni ciwon kai? "Turlock ko Vol ba su amsa ba - sun riga sun saba da korafin Macomber. "Akwai wani abu kuma, Vol?"
    
  "Ki shirya."
    
  "Yana kama da waƙoƙin taya bayan an wanke," in ji Charlie. "Ba abin hawa mai zurfi sosai ba, kimanin girman Hummer."
    
  "Wannan sabon abu ne," in ji Macomber. Ya duba tushen bayanan tags. "Sabbin bayanan sirri da aka zazzage daga mintuna goma sha biyar na ƙarshe na SAR ƙananan tsayi. Sintirin kewaye, zan yi tsammani."
    
  "Babu alamar mota."
    
  "Shi ya sa muke yin haka, ko ba haka ba, yara? Watakila Janar din ya yi daidai bayan komai." Zuwa duka Vol da Turlock ya yi kama da Macomber bai ji daɗi yarda cewa janar na iya zama daidai ba. "Mu ci gaba mu ga menene-"
    
  "Crew, wannan shine MS," kwamandan manufa, Marine Major Jim Terranova, ya shiga tsakani a kan intercom, "mun fara kirgawa don tashi, T-minus hamsin da shida da kirgawa. Gudanar da jerin abubuwan dubawa kafin a tashi kuma ku shirya don rahoton."
    
  "An fahimta, S-One yana saurare," Macomber ya amsa ... sai dai, kamar yadda shi da kansa ya lura ba tare da ƙarami ba, kalmominsa sun fito daga bushewa a nan take, maƙogwaro da kuma sautin murya, da kyar ya iya numfashi isa ga kalmomin. fito. lebbansa.
    
  Idan akwai wani abu daya wadancan mutanen a Cibiyar Makamai Masu Jiran Sama da Sojan Sama sun kware sosai a ciki, Macomber ya gane shi da wuri, tabbas ƙirar kwamfuta ce. Waɗannan mutanen sun kasance suna kwaikwayon komai-na kowane sa'a na ainihin lokacin jirgin, wataƙila waɗannan mutanen sun sami awoyi ashirin na aiki a cikin na'urar kwaikwayo ta kwamfuta tukuna. Injinan sun fito ne daga kwamfutocin tebur masu sauƙi tare da nunin hoto zuwa cikakkun izgili na jirgin sama waɗanda suka yi komai daga ɗigon ruwan ruwa zuwa shan taba da kama wuta idan kun yi wani abu ba daidai ba. Kowa yana yin haka: ma'aikatan jirgin sama, kiyayewa, tsaro, ma'aikatan yaki, ofishin kwamanda, har ma da ma'aikatan gudanarwa da na tallafi sun gudanar da atisaye akai-akai.
    
  Kashi mai mahimmanci na duk ma'aikata a Elliott da Battle Mountain AFBs, watakila kashi goma na kusan dubu biyar a wurare biyu, sun tsunduma cikin shirye-shiryen kwamfuta na musamman, kuma sauran cibiyoyin kwamfuta masu zaman kansu da na soja da ke hade a duk faɗin duniya sun ba da sabbin lambobi, hanyoyin da kuma hanyoyin sadarwa. na'urori; kuma aƙalla kashi ɗaya bisa uku na duk lambar da waɗannan manyan-geeks na sirri suka rubuta 24/7 suna da alaƙa na musamman ga siminti. Wannan ita ce tafiyarsa ta farko zuwa sararin samaniya, amma simintin sun kasance da gaske kuma suna da yawa da gaske ya ji kamar ya yi wannan sau da dama a baya...
    
  ...har zuwa yanzu, lokacin da kwamandan rundunar ya sanar da cewa saura kasa da sa'a guda kafin tashin jirgin. Ya shagaltu da shirin tunkarar Soltanabad - sa'o'i uku ne kawai na shiri lokacin da ya bukaci a kalla kwanaki uku na horarwa a cikin tawagar yakin yanayi! - cewa ya manta da cewa za su tashi zuwa sararin samaniya don isa can!
    
  Amma yanzu wannan gaskiya mai ban tsoro ta same mu da karfi. Ba wai kawai zai loda kayan sa ba ne a cikin C-17 Globemaster II ko C-130 Hercules don wani jirgin na kwanaki da yawa zuwa wani filin jirgin da ke keɓe a tsakiyar babu inda za a jefa shi kusan mil ɗari zuwa sararin samaniya. , sannan zazzage yanayin sararin samaniyar makiya kafin sauka a cikin sahara a arewa maso gabashin Iran, inda abu ne mai yiyuwa a jira gaba daya rukunin mayaka daga dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci, fitattun 'yan ta'adda na tsohuwar gwamnatin mulkin kama karya. su.
    
  A lokacin da ya saba kai shi kawai ya isa wurin tsallensa na farko kan hanyar zuwa inda zai nufa, za a kammala wannan aikin! Wannan gaskiya mai sauƙi ta kasance mai ban mamaki sosai, kusan abin ban mamaki. Matsawar lokaci ya kusan yi yawa don fahimta. Amma duk da haka, ga shi, yana zaune a cikin wani jirgin ruwa na gaske - ba na'urar kwaikwayo ba - kuma agogo yana ci gaba. Lokacin da rana ta sake fitowa, wannan aikin zai ƙare kuma zai yi lissafi. Zai shiga cikin kewayar duniya maras nauyi, ya tashi zuwa rabin duniya, ya sauka a Iran, ya yi nazari a kansa, ya sake tashi, ya sake komawa cikin ƙasa maras nauyi, da fatan ya sauka a gindin abokantaka ...
    
  ... ko kuma zai mutu. Akwai wasu abubuwa miliyan da ba a sani ba da kuma waɗanda ba za a iya kwatanta su ba da za su iya kashe su, tare da abubuwa ɗari ko makamantansu waɗanda suke yin mu"amala da su kowace rana, kuma ko da sun san wani abu mara kyau zai faru, wani lokacin ba za su iya jurewa ba. Ko dai komai zai yi kyau, ko kuma za su mutu... ko kuma wasu abubuwa dari na iya faruwa. Duk abin da ya faru, duk ya zama dole ya faru a yanzu.
    
  Tabbas Macomber ya ji haɗari da rashin tabbas... amma, kamar yadda sau da yawa yakan faru, saurin ɓacin rai na kowane aiki da ya shafi McLanahan da kowa da kowa a Cibiyar Makamai ta Aerospace da Rundunar Sojan Sama da sauri ta fitar da duk sauran jin tsoro daga zuciyarsa. Kamar dai muryoyi goma sha biyu - wasu mutane, amma yawancin na'ura mai kwakwalwa - suna magana da shi a lokaci guda, duk suna buƙatar tabbatarwa ko aiki ko kuma jawabin zai canza da sauri zuwa "buƙata." Idan bai amsa da sauri ba, kwamfutar. yawanci yakan kai rahotonsa, sai dai ya fusata muryar dan adam - yawanci kwamandan manufa, amma wani lokacin Birgediya Janar David Luger, babban kwamandan na biyu da kansa, idan yana da matukar mahimmanci - ya maimaita bukatar.
    
  An saba da shi wajen yin aiki da samun nasara a cikin matsanancin matsin lamba - wanda shine ma'anar gama gari ga kowane kwamandan ayyuka na musamman - amma wannan wani abu ne da ya sha bamban: saboda a karshen duk wani horo na rikice-rikice, za su tura jakinsa zuwa sararin samaniya! Terranova da alama ya yi wannan sanarwar ne 'yan sa'o'i da suka gabata yayin da Macomber ya ji Black Stallion ya fara motsi yayin da injinan Laser Pulse Missile System na Laser Pulse, ko damisa, a cikin cikakken ƙarfin turbofan, cikin sauƙi ya motsa jirgin cikin sauƙi. - Dreamland mai nisan mil huɗu ya bushe. lake bed runway.
    
  Zipper bai ji tsoron tashi ba, amma tashe-tashen hankula sun kasance mafi ban tsoro na tashi a gare shi - duk ikon da ke bayansu, injinan da ke aiki da cikakken iko suna cinye tan na man fetur a cikin minti daya, hayaniya ta lalata, girgiza mafi muni, amma har yanzu jirgin yana motsi a hankali. Ya yi da yawa Black Stallion takeoffs a cikin na'urar kwaikwayo kuma ya san cewa yawan wasan kwaikwayon har ma da kumbon da har yanzu a cikin yanayi na da ban sha'awa, amma ya kasance a kan fil da allura a wannan bangare.
    
  Tashi na farko daga Dry Lake Bed Runway a Elliott Air Force Base ya kasance mai ban sha'awa da gaske - turawa mai ƙarfi yayin da injunan LPDRS suka yi turbofaned zuwa cikakken yaƙi, sannan sauri, babban kusurwa sama da ƙafa dubu goma . . "Yan daƙiƙan farko na tashin da tashin sun kasance kamar al"ada...amma haka ne. A cikakken ƙarfin yaƙi a cikin yanayin turbojet, injunan LPDRS guda huɗu sun samar da fam dubu ɗari na tursasawa kowannensu, wanda aka inganta ta hanyar ingantattun wutar lantarki na ƙasa waɗanda ke zafafa man jet kafin kunnawa.
    
  Amma tashin gwauron zabo ba wani sabon abu ba ne ga Whack ko kuma ga yawancin kwamandojin da sauran wadanda suka tashi daga filayen jiragen sama na abokan gaba. Ya tashi da yawa manyan jiragen sama na C-17 Globemaster II da C-130 Hercules na jigilar kaya, inda dole ne su yi tashe-tashen hankula cikin sauri don fita daga kewayon makamai masu linzami da ke harba kafada da makiya kusa da titin jirgin, kuma wadannan jiragen sun kasance sau da yawa. girma da ƙarancin fasaha fiye da Black Stallion. Babu wani abu da ya fi ban tsoro kamar jin kururuwa, jirgin sama mai ɗaukar kaya C-17 Globemaster III a kan wutsiyarsa, yana manne da kowace ƙafar tsayi.
    
  Kayan naman Tin Man a zahiri sun taimaka wa jikinsa ya sha wani abu da ya yi yawa har ma ya ba shi wani ɗan ƙaramin iskar oxygen mai tsafta lokacin da ya ji zuciyarsa da bugun numfashinsa sun yi tsalle. Saboda turawa yana da ƙarfi sosai kuma iska tana da yawa a ƙananan tudu, dole ne a "buga masu kunna wutan Laser," ko kuma a kashe su da sauri, don guje wa fashewar injin ɗin. Wannan ya haifar da keɓantaccen "zauren lu'u-lu'u" a cikin sararin samaniyar Nevada wanda ke yin makirci da masu ra'ayin mazan jiya da kuma "Lake Hunters" - mutanen da suka shiga cikin rukunin gwaje-gwajen da ke fatan daukar hoton babban sirrin jirgin a karon farko-wanda ke da alaƙa da ɗan leƙen asiri na Sojan Sama. jirgin sama, Aurora.
    
  Sun yi wani ɗan gajeren jirgin da ke cikin sauri mai ƙarfi a kan gabar tekun Pasifik zuwa wani yanki mai mai sannan aka sake yin jigilar su da wani jirgin ruwa na Air Force KC-77. Sirrin shirin jirgin saman Black Stallion shi ne a cikin jirgin sama mai mai, inda suka sami cikakken man fetur na jet da oxidizer kafin su shiga sararin samaniya - maimakon tashi daga tsayin daka a cikin mafi girman yanayin sararin samaniya, sai suka fara tashi zuwa sararin samaniya. daga ƙafa dubu ashirin da biyar da ɗari uku a cikin iska mai ƙarancin ƙarfi.
    
  Mai da man fetur ko da yaushe ya zama kamar ya dauki har abada a kan kowane jirgin da Whack ya taba tashi, musamman ma manyan tsakanin nahiyoyi da jiragen sama masu jigilar kaya, amma Black Stallion ya ɗauki tsawon lokaci saboda a zahiri suna buƙatar man fetur uku a jere: na farko da ya sake mai da tankunan mai, tun da ba su kasance ba. cirewa tare da cikakken kaya kuma ana buƙatar sake sake mai nan da nan; na biyu shine don cika manyan kwantena tare da boron hydrogen tetraoxide oxidizer - BOHM, mai lakabi "boom"; da na uku - don karin mai na tankunan mai kafin a matsa lamba zuwa sararin samaniya. Cika tankunan man fetur na JP-7 na jet yana da sauri a kowane lokaci, amma cika manyan tankunan mai na BOHM ya ɗauki fiye da sa'a guda saboda cakuda boron da ingantaccen hydrogen peroxide yana da kauri da miya. Yana da sauƙi a ji XR-A9 yana ƙara nauyi kuma a hankali a hankali yayin da tankuna suka cika, kuma a wasu lokuta matuƙin jirgin ya haɗa da masu kashe wuta akan manyan injunan LPDRS don ci gaba da tanka.
    
  Macomber ya dau lokaci yana duba abubuwan sabunta intel din da aka saukar a cikin kwamfutocinsa da ke yankin da suka nufa da kuma nazarin taswirori da bayanai, amma sai ya fara bacin rai saboda da alama akwai sabbin bayanai da ke shigowa, kuma gajiyar ta kama shi. Yana da haɗari. Ko da yake ba sa bukatar su sha iskar oxygen kafin wannan jirgin, kamar yadda za su yi idan za su sanya rigar matsa lamba, ba za su iya cire kwalkwalinsu ba yayin aikin mai; kuma ba kamar Vol, wanda zai iya yin barci a ko'ina da kowane lokaci, kamar a yanzu, Macomber ya kasa barci kafin manufa. Don haka sai ya zura hannu cikin jakarsa, ya makale da babban kan, ya...
    
  . Ya sami sauki da mamaki wajen sarrafa alluran da ke cikin safofin hannu masu sulke na Tin Woodman, kuma ba da jimawa ba ya dauki sauri kuma ya kusan yin takinsa na yau da kullun.
    
  "Crew, wannan S-Biyu ne," in ji Turlock a kan intercom, "ku ba za ku yarda da wannan ba."
    
  "Mene ne wannan?" - ta tambayi kwamandan kumbon, Laftanar Kwamandan Rundunar Sojin Ruwan Amurka Lisette "Frenchie" Moulin, an ji damuwa a cikin muryarta. Yawancin lokaci ana yin taɗi kaɗan a lokacin da ake neman mai a tsakiyar iska-abin da aka faɗa kan buɗaɗɗen hanyoyin sadarwa na jirgin yawanci gaggawa ne. "Muna buƙatar cire haɗin gwiwa...?"
    
  "A'a, a'a, SC, ba gaggawa ba," in ji Charlie. Kujerar ta ta yi don ta kara kyau. Macomber ya zauna a gabanta, a kishiyar module ɗin fasinja, ita kuma ta daure da takura mata don ganin gwiwowinsa. "Amma tabbas abin mamaki ne. Manyan da alama... saƙa ne."
    
  "Zan sake cewa?" - Tambayi Jim Terranova. Jirgin saman Black Stallion ya yi wanka na dan wani lokaci, kamar kwamandan jirgin ya yi mamaki a wani lokaci har ya kusa tashi daga wurin da ake mai da mai. "Kniting kika ce?" Saƙa...kamar ciki, ƙwallon zare, saka allura... saka ?"
    
  "Tabbas," in ji Charlie. Chris Wall da ke zaune kusa da Macomber ya farka ya kalli Macomber na wasu dakiku, mamaki ya gani ko da ta kwalkwalinsa da Tin Man vest, kafin ya koma barci. "Yana da allura, jan ball na yarn, 'ply one with two', duka nunin. Martha fucking Stuart tana nan. "
    
  "Kina wasa dani?" Terranova ya ce. "Shin mazaunin mu mai cin maciji yana saƙa ne?"
    
  "Yana da kyau sosai," in ji Charlie. Muryarta ta canza zuwa ta wani ƙaramin yaro: "Ba zan iya sanin ko yana yin kyalle mai kyau ba, ko wataƙila yana da ɗumi mai daɗi da ɗanɗano ga poodle ɗinsa na Faransa, ko wataƙila-"
    
  A cikin ɓacin rai wanda Turlock bai taɓa gani ba, Macomber ya zaro wata allurar sakawa daga jakarsa, ya juya hagunsa, ya jefar da Turlock. Allura ta haye gefen hular hannunta na dama sannan ta huda inci uku a saman kujerar ta.
    
  "Me yasa, dan iska...!" Turlock ya fada yana ciro allura. Macomber ya daga mata yatsu masu sulke, yana murmushi a karkashin kwalkwalinsa mai ido, sannan ya juya ya koma kan saƙa.
    
  "Me ke faruwa a wurin?" Moulin ya tambaya a fusace.
    
  "Kawai tunanin cewa tun lokacin da kyaftin din ya yi magana a cikin magana na jariri, watakila ita ma tana son gwada saƙa," in ji Zipper. "Kina son wani abu dabam, Turlock?"
    
  "Ku cire wannan kwalkwali, zan mayar muku da ita - daidai tsakanin idanunku!"
    
  "Ku wawaye ku daina wannan-ku kiyaye tarbiyyar rediyo," Moulin ya umarta. "Babban abin da ya fi muhimmanci a harkar man fetur shi ne iska, kuma ku wawaye, ku kan yi nisa kamar yara masu hanci. Macomber, da gaske kake sakawa?"
    
  "Idan wannan ni wanene fa? Yana hutar da ni."
    
  "Ba ku sami izini daga wurina na kawo kayan sakawa a cikin jirgin ba. Ka kawar da wannan kuncin."
    
  "Dawo nan ki yi min, Frenchie." Shiru yayi. Macomber ya kalli Vol - shi kadai ne a cikin jirgin da zai iya tilasta masa idan ya so - amma ya ga kamar har yanzu barci yake yi. Zipper ya tabbata cewa ba haka lamarin yake ba, amma bai yi wani yunkuri ba don shiga tsakani.
    
  "Ni da kai za mu ɗan ɗan yi magana idan mun dawo gida, Macomber," Moulin ya ce cikin rashin kunya, "kuma zan bayyana maka, bisa ga abin da nake fata za ka iya fahimta, iko da alhakin kwamandan jirgin ruwa-har ma idan yana bukatar bugun da sauri a wando." ass to share that up."
    
  "Ina fatan hakan, Frenchie."
    
  "Lafiya. Yanzu dakatar da hayaniyar, cire duk kayan aikin da ba a ba da izini ba a cikin tsarin fasinja kuma dakatar da hira ta intercom, ko wannan jirgin ya ƙare. Shin kowa ya fahimci wannan? Babu amsa. Macomber ya girgiza kai, amma ya ajiye saƙa kamar yadda aka umarce shi, yana murmushi ganin yadda Turlock ke kallon bayan kwalkwalinsa. Sauran man fetur din anyi shi tare da kira na al'ada da amsa.
    
  Da zarar an kammala man fetur din, sai suka zarce zuwa arewa da gabar teku da saurin gaske na kusan sa'a guda, suna ta tashi cikin sauki tare da KC-77 - a yanzu dai na'urar tana iya tafiya da Black Stallion cikin sauki saboda jirgin na da nauyi sosai. Sun sake haɗawa da tanka don sake samar da JP-7, wanda bai ɗauki lokaci mai tsawo ba, sannan tankar ta koma tushe. "Jerin binciken shigar Orbital wanda aka shirya don riƙe, ma'aikatan jirgin," in ji Terranova. "Bari in san lokacin da lissafin ku ya cika."
    
  "S-One, Wilco," Macomber ya yi tsawa. Wani abin dubawa. Ya kawo jerin abubuwan dubawa na lantarki akan ma'aunin bayanan lantarki na kwalkwali kuma ya yi amfani da siginan ido da kuma umarnin murya don bincika kowane abu, wanda galibi ya shafi kiyaye abubuwa mara kyau, duba sashin oxygen, ƙara matsa lamba, blah blah. Aiki ne na yau da kullun da kwamfuta za ta iya dubawa cikin sauƙi, to me yasa mutane suke yin ta da kansu? Wataƙila wasu abubuwan injiniyan ɗan adam da ke taɓa abin da ya sa fasinjoji su ji kamar wani abu ne banda abin da suke a zahiri: fasinjoji. Zipper ya jira har sai Turlock da Vol sun kammala jerin abubuwan binciken su, suka yi masa alama a matsayin cikakke, sannan ya ce, "MC, S-One, cikakken jerin abubuwan dubawa."
    
  "An yarda. An kammala jerin abubuwan dubawa anan. Ma'aikata, ku shirya don shiga sararin samaniya."
    
  Duk ya yi kama da na yau da kullun kuma yana da ban sha'awa, kamar zaman na'urar kwaikwayo mara iyaka da suke sa shi, don haka Macomber ya sake fara tunanin yankin da aka yi niyya a Soltanabad. Hotunan da aka sabunta ta tauraron dan adam sun sake tabbatar da kasancewar manyan motocin tayoyin mota, amma bai nuna ko menene ba - duk wanda ke wurin ya yi kyakkyawan aiki na boye motocin daga kallon tauraron dan adam. Jiragen saman Goose ba su da kyau fiye da hanyar sadarwar radar sararin samaniya wajen gano ƙananan maƙasudi, amma wataƙila da sun nisa daga titin titin jirgin sama kuma su aika da Goose drones da farko don duba ainihin lokacin kafin ...
    
  ... kuma ba zato ba tsammani na'urorin LPDRS sun fara yin wuta, ba a yanayin turbojet ba, amma yanzu a cikin yanayin roka na matasan, kuma Macomber ya kasance ba zato ba tsammani kuma da karfi ya koma cikin nan da yanzu. Babu wani na'urar kwaikwayo da zai iya shirya ku don turawa - yana kama da buga wasan ƙwallon ƙafa na wasan ƙwallon ƙafa, sai dai ba zato ba tsammani, sled ɗin ya buge ku maimakon sauran hanyar, kuma ba a kiyaye ƙarfin tasirin ba kawai, amma ya karu tare da kowane daƙiƙa. Ba da jimawa ba sai ga shi gaba dayan layukan da za a kai masa suna danna shi, wanda ba da jimawa ba sai da aka hada shi da layin tsaro. Zipper ya san zai iya kiran bayanai kan tsayin su, saurin su, da matakan G-force, amma duk abin da zai iya yi shi ne kawai mayar da hankali kan sarrafa numfashinsa don yaƙar tasirin G-force kuma kada ya wuce.
    
  Sojojin G kamar suna ɗaukar awa ɗaya, kodayake ya san cewa shigar da sararin samaniya ya ɗauki mintuna bakwai ko takwas kawai. Lokacin da matsin lamba ya ragu, sai ya ji gajiya, kamar dai ya gama hawan matakan filin wasa na Academy kafin lokacin wasan ƙwallon ƙafa ko kuma ya bi ta cikin hamadar Iraqi da jakunkuna na fam ɗari.
    
  A bayyane yake numfashin da yake fama da shi yana da ƙarfi da za a ji shi ta hanyar sadarwa, domin bayan ɗan lokaci Charlie Turlock ya tambaya, "Har yanzu kuna jin kamar yin nisa da allurar saƙa, Macomber?"
    
  "Cizo min".
    
  "Ka shirya jakar barf ɗinka, Major," Charlie ya ci gaba da fara'a, "saboda ba zan wanke bayanka ba idan ka shiga cikin tsarin. Na ci amanar macho Commando bai sha wani magani na motsa jiki ba."
    
  "Dakatar da zance kuma gudanar da jerin abubuwan dubawa na 'Bayan Shigar Orbital'," in ji Moulin.
    
  Numfashin Macomber da sauri ya dawo al'ada, saboda kunya fiye da ƙoƙarin son rai. Damn, ya yi tunani, wannan ya same shi ba zato ba tsammani kuma fiye da yadda yake tsammani. Komawa cikin al'amuran yau da kullun ba shakka zai kawar da tunaninsa daga tashin hankali, kuma rundunar sojojin sama ba komai ba ne idan ba ta hanyar tantancewa da na yau da kullun ba. Ya yi amfani da na"urarsa na duba ido wajen kawo jerin abubuwan da suka dace ta hanyar duba "yar karamar alamar da ke saman kusurwar hagu na visor din na"urar na"urar sa ya ce...
    
  ... amma maimakon ya ba da umarnin, duk abin da zai iya matsi shine dunƙulewar bile a makogwaro. Duban visor na lantarki da idanunsa ba zato ba tsammani ya ba shi mafi munin yanayin vertigo da ya taɓa fuskanta - yana jin kamar an dakatar da shi da idon sawunsa daga igiya, juye, ƙafa ɗari sama da ƙasa. Ya kasa dakatar da jujjuyawa; ya rasa yadda zaiyi sama da kasa. Cikinsa ya hargitse yayin da jujjuyawar ta tsananta, sau dubu ya fi munin juyi da karkatarwar da ya taɓa yi a mafi munin liyafar dare a rayuwarsa.
    
  Charlie ya ce "Mafi kyau cire kwalkwali na Major, Frenchie, saboda yana kama da zai lalata abincin dare."
    
  "Fuck you, Turlock," Macomber ya so ya ce, amma duk abin da ya fito gurgle ne.
    
  "Kuna da 'yanci daga kwalkwali, S-One, matakin matsa lamba a cikin tsarin yana kore," in ji Moulin. "Ina fatan kun kiyaye jakar amai da hannu - yin amai a cikin nauyin nauyi shine mafi banƙyama da kuka taɓa gani a rayuwar ku, kuma kuna iya rashin lafiya don yin aikinku."
    
  "Na gode sosai," Macomber ya fada ta washe-kushen hakora, yana kokarin jinkirta abin da ba makawa har sai ya iya cire kwalkwali Tin Woodman da aka tsine masa. Ko ta yaya ya yi nasarar kwance kwalkwalinsa - bai san inda ta dosa ba. Abin takaici, jakar farko da ya iya kaiwa ba ita ce ta ciwon motsi ba - jakarsa ce ta ke dauke da kayan sakawa. A gigice da firgicinsa, da sauri ya gano cewa amai a cikin sifili nauyi bai yi yadda ya zato ba: maimakon ya cika kasan jakarsa da wani kulli mai banƙyama amma mai sarrafa kansa, sai ya koma cikin wani gajimare mai wari, gajimare dama baya a fuskarsa. , idanu da hanci.
    
  "Kada ka bar shi, Zipper!" - ya ji Turlock yana ihu a bayansa. "Za mu yi amfani da sa'a mai zuwa don tsaftace abubuwan da ke tattare da amai daga tsarin." Wannan dan karamin hoton bai taimaka ya daidaita cikinsa ko kadan ba, haka nan wani kamshi da amai mai dumi ya bazu a fuskarsa a cikin jakar.
    
  "Ka huta, babban mutum," ya ji wata murya ta ce. Turlock ne. Ta zare madauri ta rik'e kafad'arsa tana kwantar masa da hankali sannan ta taimaka ta d'aure jakar a kansa. Ya yi yunkurin ture hannunta, amma ta ki. "Na ce shakata, Tasiri. Hakan na faruwa ga kowa, ko da magunguna ne ko a"a."
    
  "Ka rabu da ni, yarinya!"
    
  "Yi shiru ka saurare ni, dan iska," in ji Charlie. "Kada ka damu da warin. Kamshin shi ne jan hankali. Fitar da shi daga zuciyar ku. Yi wannan, ko za ku zama kayan lambu na akalla sa'o'i uku masu zuwa. Na san ku badass Commandos kun san yadda ake sarrafa hankalinku, numfashinku, har ma da tsokoki na son rai don jure kwanakin rashin jin daɗi a filin. Hal Briggs ya ci gaba da fafatawa na tsawon mintuna da dama bayan harbe-harbe da Iraniyawa...
    
  "Fuck Briggs, kuma ku ma!"
    
  "Ka yi hankali, Macomber. Na san za ku iya. Yanzu ne lokacin kunna duk abin da kuke da shi. Ki maida hankali kan kamshin ki ware shi ki cire shi a ranki."
    
  "Ba ku san komai ba..."
    
  "Yi kawai, Wayne. Kun san abin da nake gaya muku. Ka yi shiru kawai ka yi, in ba haka ba za ka sha kamar kana cikin bender na kwana uku."
    
  Har yanzu Macomber ya fusata sosai a Turlock saboda kasancewarsa a wannan lokacin mafi rauni, yana amfani da shi, amma abin da ta ce ya yi ma'ana - a fili ta san wani abu game da radadin da yake fuskanta. Kamshin, dama? Bai taɓa yin tunani haka game da jin ƙamshinsa ba-an horar da shi don ya kasance mai jurewa ga gani, sauti, da ma'ana ta shida da ba za ta iya bayyanawa ba wanda koyaushe yana gargaɗi game da haɗari na gabatowa. Ƙanshi yawanci wani abu ne mai ruɗani wanda ba za a iya watsi da shi ba. Kashe shi, busa. Kashe shi.
    
  Ko ta yaya ya yi aiki. Ya san numfashin bakinsa yana kashe masa kamshin, lokacin da ya yi haka, yawancin tashin hankali ya tafi. Cikinsa har yanzu yana cikin kulli mai raɗaɗi da raƙuman raɗaɗi, tashin hankali kamar an soka masa wuka a ciki, amma yanzu abin da ke haifar da wannan muguwar ɓarna ya ɓace ya dawo da kansa. Ba a yarda da cutar ba. Yana da wata tawaga da ke kirgawa a kansa, manufa don cim ma-lafin raunin cikinsa ba zai bar ƙungiyarsa da manufarsa ba. Yawancin fam na tsoka da ƙarshen jijiya ba za su iya sarrafa shi ba. Hankali shi ne ubangida, ya tunasar da kansa, kuma shi ne majibincin hankali.
    
  Bayan wasu 'yan mintuna sai ga cikinsa ya toshe, kamshin ya fita daga zuciyarsa, cikin sauri ya fara komawa daidai. "Kana lafiya?" Charlie ya tambaya, yana mika masa riga.
    
  "Iya". Napkin ya karb'a ya fara gogewa, amma ya tsaya ya gyada kai. "Na gode, Turlock."
    
  "Kiyi hakuri da rashin kunyan da na fada miki game da saka."
    
  "Ina samun shi kullum."
    
  "Kuma yawanci kuna karya kan wani don yin ba'a, sai dai ni ne ba za ku karya kaina ba?"
    
  "Zan yi idan zan iya isa gare ku," in ji Wack. Charlie ya dauka da gaske yake yi har sai da ya yi murmushi da dariya. "Saƙa yana hutar da ni kuma yana ba ni damar ganin wanda ke shiga cikin tawa kuma wanda ya bar ni ni kaɗai."
    
  "Ya yi kama da salon rayuwa mai ban tsoro, shugaba, idan ba ku damu da in faɗi ba," in ji Charlie. Ya daga kafada. "Idan kana lafiya, sha ruwa kuma ka zauna a kan tsabtataccen oxygen na ɗan lokaci. Yi amfani da injin tsabtace ruwa don tsaftace duk wani ɓoyayyiyar amai da kuka gani kafin mu dawo, ko kuma ba za mu taɓa samun su ba kuma za su zama tsintsiya madaurinki ɗaya. Idan sun kama kayan aikinmu, miyagu za su ji warinsa daga 'yan mita nesa. "
    
  "Kana da gaskiya, Tur ne Charlie," in ji Wack. Yayin da ta koma wurin zamanta, ya ƙara da cewa, "Lafiya, Turlock."
    
  "Eh, ni ne shugaba," ta amsa. Ta sami kwalkwalinsa makale a wani wuri a cikin ma'ajiyar kaya a bayan motar fasinja ta mayar masa. "Kada ku manta da shi." Sannan ta zare vacuum daga cajin ta mika masa shima. "Yanzu kuna kama da Martha Stewart, shugaba."
    
  "Dauki lokacinka, Captain," ya yi murmushi, amma ya yi murmushi ya ɗauki injin tsabtace gida.
    
  "Iya, sir." Murmushi tayi, ta gyada kai ta koma ta zauna.
    
    
  KININ SHUGABAN KASA, BOLTINO, RASHIYA
  Daga baya kadan
    
    
  Ba koyaushe suke haduwa kamar haka ba don yin soyayya. Shugaban kasar Rasha Leonid Zevitin da ministan harkokin wajen kasar Alexandra Khedrov sun yi matukar kaunar fina-finan bakar fata da fari da suka fito daga sassa daban-daban na duniya, da abincin Italiyanci da kuma jan giya mai yawa, don haka bayan doguwar aikinsu, musamman ma idan akwai doguwar tafiya a gaba, sukan zauna. bayan an narkar da sauran ma'aikatan kuma an shafe wani lokaci tare. Sun zama masoya ne jim kadan bayan haduwarsu da farko a wani taron banki na kasa da kasa da aka gudanar a kasar Switzerland kusan shekaru goma da suka gabata, kuma ko da nauyin da ya rataya a wuyansu da ganin jama"a ya karu, har yanzu suna samun lokaci da damar haduwa.
    
  Idan daya daga cikinsu ya dame shi da jita-jita da ake yadawa na al'amarinsu, ba su nuna ba. Sai kawai tabloid da mashahuran shafukan yanar gizo sun yi magana game da shi, kuma yawancin Rashawa ba su kula da shi ba - ba shakka, babu wani a cikin Kremlin da zai taɓa harshensu game da irin waɗannan abubuwa da irin waɗannan mutane masu karfi fiye da tunani mai shiru. Khedrov ya yi aure kuma mahaifiyar ' ya'ya biyu masu girma, kuma sun dade da sanin cewa rayuwarsu, da na mata da mahaifiyarsu, yanzu na jihar ne, ba na kansu ba.
    
  Shugaban Dacha ya kasance kusa da tsaro da sirri kamar duk abin da za su iya tsammani a cikin Tarayyar Rasha. Ba kamar gidan zama na shugaban kasa ba a ginin Majalisar Dattijai a cikin Kremlin, wanda ya kasance maras kyau kuma mai amfani, Zevitin's dacha a wajen Moscow ya kasance na zamani da salo, wanda ya dace da kowane zartarwa na kasuwanci na duniya. Kamar mutumin da kansa, wannan wurin ya shafi aiki da kasuwanci, amma da farko kallo yana da wuya a bayyana.
    
  Bayan tashi zuwa Boltino daga filin jirgin saman shugaban kasa mai zaman kansa da ke kusa da shi, an kai masu ziyara zuwa gidan da motar daukar kaya ta limousine aka raka ta cikin katafaren falon zuwa cikin babban falo da dakin cin abinci, wanda manyan murhu uku suka mamaye kuma aka yi mata kayan alatu na fata da kayan itacen oak. zane-zane daga ko'ina cikin duniya, zane-zanen hotunan shugabannin duniya da abubuwan tunawa daga manyan abokansa da yawa, da tagogin bene zuwa rufi suna ba da ra'ayoyi masu ban sha'awa na Tafkin Pirogovskoye. Baƙi na musamman za a gayyace su zuwa hawa dutsen mai lankwasa marmara mai lanƙwasa zuwa ɗakunan dakuna a bene na biyu ko kuma su gangara zuwa manyan wuraren wanka irin na Roman, wurin shakatawa na cikin gida, gidan wasan kwaikwayo HD kujeru talatin da ɗakin wasan a bene na farko. Amma duk wannan har yanzu ya zama wani ɓangare na yankin ɗakin.
    
  Wani baƙo da ya cika da kyakykyawan kallo a wajen babban ɗakin da zai rasa duhu, ƙuƙumar kubba a gefen dama na falon, kusan kama da kabad mara ƙofa, wanda katangar bangon sa ya rataye ƙanana da zane-zane masu ban sha'awa, waɗanda ke haskaka ta da fitilun LED. Amma idan wani ya shiga cikin kubba, nan da nan za a yi masa gwajin X-ray na lantarki don makamai ko na'urorin saurare amma a asirce. Za a duba yanayin fuskarsa kuma za a ba da bayanan ta hanyar na'urar ganowa ta lantarki da ke da ikon ganowa da kuma tace masu ɓarna ko masu yaudara. Bayan tabbataccen ganewa, za a buɗe ƙofar ɓoye a cikin dome daga ciki, kuma za a ba ku izinin shiga cikin babban ɓangaren dacha.
    
  Ofishin Zevitin yana da girma kamar falo da ɗakin cin abinci a hade, wanda ya isa ya isa ƙungiyar janar-janar ko ministoci za su iya tattaunawa da juna a gefe guda kuma ba a jin irin wannan taro mai girma na masu ba shugaban kasa shawara a daya-babu sai dai na'urorin rikodin sauti da na bidiyo da aka girka a ko'ina cikin yankin, da kuma kan tituna, unguwanni da hanyoyin karkarar da ke kewaye. Teburin Zevitin, wanda aka lullube shi da goro da hauren giwa, zai iya zama mutane takwas don cin abincin dare tare da yalwar dakin gwiwar hannu. Hotunan faifan bidiyo da rahotannin talabijin daga ɗaruruwan maɓuɓɓuka daban-daban sun yi ta yawo a kan manyan ma"aikatan sa ido guda goma sha biyu a duk faɗin ofishin, amma babu ɗaya daga cikinsu da aka ganuwa sai dai idan shugaban ya so ya gan su.
    
  An shirya ɗakin kwana na shugaban ƙasa don nunawa: ɗakin kwanan da ke kusa da ginin ofishin Zevitin yana amfani da shi a mafi yawan lokuta; ita ce kuma wadda Alexandra ta fi so, wanda ta ji ya fi nuna mutumin da kansa - har yanzu yana da girma, amma ya fi zafi kuma mai yiwuwa ya fi sauran gidan. Tana son ta yi tunanin haka ne kawai ya yi mata, amma da hakan ya zama wauta a wajenta, kuma tana yawan tuna wa kanta cewa bai kamata ta shiga wani hali na wannan mutumin ba.
    
  Bayan sun gama cin abinci da fina-finai sai suka yi ta rarrafe a k'ark'ashin littafan siliki da duvet d'in gadon nasa, sai kawai suka rik'e juna, suna shan k'ananan gilashin brandy suna ta magana a k'asa-k'asa, surutu na musamman akan komai sai abubuwa guda uku da suka fi damunsu: gwamnati, siyasa da kud'i. An hana kiran waya, na hukuma ko akasin haka; Alexandra ba za ta iya tunawa wani mataimaki ko kiran waya ya katse shi ba, kamar dai Zevitin zai iya sa sauran duniya nan take cikin suma yayin da suke tare. Sun sha taba juna lokaci zuwa lokaci, suna binciko sha'awar junan su shiru tare da yanke shawarar juna ba tare da fadin cewa daren yau an yi shi ne don sadarwa da annashuwa ba, ba don sha'awa ba. Sun dade da sanin juna, ita kuma bata taba tunanin cewa kila shi ba zai biya masa bukata ko sha'awarsa ba, ko kuma ya yi watsi da ita. Rungumesu suka yi, suka sumbace su, suka yi bankwana da dare, babu alamar tashin hankali ko rashin jin daɗi. Komai ya kasance kamar yadda ya kamata ...
    
  ... don haka ya kasance abin mamaki sau biyu don Alexandra ta farka daga wani abu da ba ta taɓa ji ba a cikin wannan ɗakin: ƙarar tarho. Sautin baƙon ya sa ta tashi zaune ba zato ba tsammani bayan zobe na biyu ko na uku; Ba da daɗewa ba ta lura cewa Leonid ya riga ya kasance a ƙafafunsa, fitilar gefen gado tana kunne, mai karɓa yana danna lebbansa.
    
  "Continue" yace sannan ya saurareta yana kallonta. Idanunsa ba su yi fushi ba ko ba'a ko kunya ko tsoro kamar ta tabbata nata ne. A fili ya san ainihin wanda ke kira da abin da zai ce; kamar mawallafin wasan kwaikwayo yana kallon yadda ake bitar sabon aikinsa, ya haƙura ya jira abin da ya riga ya san za a faɗa.
    
  "Mene ne wannan?" Ta tambaya da lebbanta kawai.
    
  Ga mamakinta Zevitin ta miqe wayar ta danna maballi sannan ta kashe wayar tana kunna speaker. "Mamaida abu na karshe General" ya fad'a yana rik'o kallonta.
    
  Muryar Janar Andrei Darzov, tana fashewa da faɗuwa daga lokaci zuwa lokaci saboda tsangwama, kamar yana magana a nesa mai nisa, har yanzu ana ji a fili: "Eh, yallabai. Rukunin umarni na KIK da ma'auni sun gano harba wani jirgin sama na Amurka a kan Tekun Pacific. Ya tashi sama da tsakiyar Kanada kuma an shigar da shi cikin kwanciyar hankali a cikin ƙasa mara nauyi yayin da yake saman fakitin kankara na Kanada. Idan har ta tsaya kan yanayin da take ciki, to ko shakka babu manufarta ita ce gabashin Iran."
    
  "Yaushe?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Za su iya fara sake shiga cikin mintuna goma, yallabai," in ji Darzov. "Zai iya samun isasshen man fetur da zai kai ga yankin da aka yi niyya idan aka sake shiga bayan cikar sararin samaniya, amma wannan yana da shakku ba tare da an sami isasshen mai a kan Iraki ko Turkiyya ba."
    
  "Kuna tsammanin sun gano shi?" Khedrov bai san abin da yake "shi" ba, amma ta ɗauka cewa tun da Zevitin ya ƙyale ta ta saurari tattaunawar, za ta gano ba da daɗewa ba.
    
  "Ina ganin dole ne mu dauka sun yi, yallabai," in ji Darzov, "ko da yake da sun gano tsarin da gaskiya, na tabbata da McLaanahan ya kai hari ba tare da bata lokaci ba. Wataƙila sun gano ayyuka a can kuma suna kawo ƙarin damar tattara bayanan sirri don bincika. "
    
  "To, na yi mamaki da ya dauki su tsawon lokaci," Zevitin ya lura. "Jirgin samansu na shawagi a kan Iran kusan kowace sa'a."
    
  "Kuma waɗannan ne kawai waɗanda za mu iya ganowa da kuma bin diddigin su daidai," in ji Darzov. "Za su iya samun wasu da yawa waɗanda ba za mu iya tantance su ba, musamman jiragen sama marasa matuki."
    
  "Yaushe zai kasance cikin kewayon mu, Janar?"
    
  Bakin Khedrov ya bude, amma a karkashin Zevitin na gargadin cewa ba ta ce komai ba. Me suke tunani...?
    
  "A lokacin da jirgin sama ya ketare sararin samaniyar tushe, yallabai, ba za su yi kasa da minti biyar da sauka ba."
    
  "La'ananne, saurin wannan abu yana da ban tsoro," Zevitin ya yi magana. "Yana da wuya a yi saurin matsawa gaba da shi." Yayi saurin tunani; sannan: "Amma idan jirgin ya tsaya a cikin kewayawa maimakon komawa, zai kasance a cikin kyakkyawan yanayi. Muna da kyakkyawar dama ce kawai."
    
  "Hakane, yallabai," in ji Darzov.
    
  "Na dauka mutanenka suna shirin kai hari, General?" Zevitin ya tambaya da gaske. "Saboda idan jirgin ya sauka cikin nasara tare da tura sojojinsa na kasa Tin Woodman - wanda dole ne mu ɗauka cewa za su kasance a cikinsa -."
    
  "Eh sir, dole ne mu."
    
  "- ba za mu sami lokacin tattara kaya mu fita daga Dodge ba."
    
  "Idan na fahimce ka daidai, yallabai, a, tabbas za mu rasa tsarin a gare su," in ji Darzov, bai san abin da ko inda "Evasion" yake ba, amma bai damu ba don nuna jahilcinsa. "Wasan zai ƙare."
    
  "Na gani," in ji Zevitin. "Amma idan bai dawo ba ya tsaya a sararin samaniya, tsawon lokaci nawa za ku yi amfani da shi?"
    
  "Ya kamata mu gano shi tare da na'urorin sa ido na gani-electronic da na'urori masu gano laser da zaran ya ketare sararin sama, a nisan kusan kilomita dubu daya da dari takwas, ko kuma kimanin minti hudu," in ji Darzov. "Duk da haka, don sa ido daidai muna buƙatar radar, kuma an iyakance shi zuwa iyakar kilomita ɗari biyar. Don haka za mu sami mafi girman minti biyu a tsayin daka a yanzu.
    
  "Minti biyu! Wannan lokacin ya isa?"
    
  "Da wuya," in ji Darzov. "Za mu sami na'urar bin diddigin radar, amma har yanzu muna buƙatar buge maƙasudin tare da laser iska, wanda zai taimaka ƙididdige gyare-gyaren mayar da hankali a cikin na'urori na babban Laser. Wannan bai kamata ya ɗauki fiye da daƙiƙa sittin ba, muddin radar ya kasance a kunne kuma an yi lissafin da ya dace. Wannan zai ba mu iyakar daƙiƙa sittin na fallasa."
    
  "Wannan zai isa a kashe shi?"
    
  "Wannan ya kamata ya kasance, aƙalla a wani ɓangare, bisa ga yaƙe-yaƙenmu na baya," in ji Darzov. "Duk da haka, mafi kyawun lokacin kai hari shine lokacin da abin ya wuce kai tsaye. Yayin da maƙasudin ke gabatowa sararin samaniya, yanayi ya zama mai kauri da ƙari, kuma na'urar gani ta Laser ba za ta iya ramawa da sauri ba. So-"
    
  Zevitin ya ce "Taga tana da ƙarami sosai." "Na fahimta, Janar. To, dole ne mu yi duk abin da za mu iya don tabbatar da cewa jirgin ya tsaya a wannan zagaye na biyu."
    
  An sami ɗan dakatawar sananne; sa'an nan: "Idan zan iya taimaka ta kowace hanya, yallabai, don Allah kada ka yi shakka a tuntube ni," in ji Darzov, a fili gaba daya m ga abin da zai iya yi.
    
  "Zan ci gaba da buga ku, Janar," in ji Zevitin. "Amma a yanzu, za ku iya shiga cikin yaƙi. Ina sake maimaitawa, an ba ku damar yin yaƙi. Za a aika da rubutaccen izini zuwa hedkwatar ku ta imel mai aminci. Sanar da ni idan wani abu ya canza. Sa'a".
    
  "Yallabai na son jajirtacce, yallabai. Ba za mu iya yin nasara ba idan muka yi yaƙi da abokan gaba. Fita."
    
  Da Zevitin ya ajiye waya, Khedrov ya tambaya: "Mene ne ma"anar wannan duka, Leonid? Me ke faruwa? Ko saboda phanar ne?"
    
  "Za mu haifar da rikici a sararin samaniya," in ji Zevitin Alexandra. Ya juyo gareta, sannan ya runtsa yatsun hannayensa biyu cikin sumar kansa, kamar ya share tunaninsa gaba daya ya fara. "Amurkawa suna tunanin suna da sararin samaniya mara iyaka - za mu jefa musu cikas mu ga abin da suke yi. Idan na san Joseph Gardner, kuma ina tsammanin na sani, ina tsammanin zai taka birki a kan manyan rundunonin sararin samaniya na McLahanan, kuma ya buge su da karfi. Zai halaka wani nasa ne don kawai ya hana wani samun nasarar da ba zai iya yi wa kansa ba."
    
  Alexandra ta tashi daga kan gadon, ta durkusa a gabansa. "Shin kuna da kwarin gwiwa ga wannan mutumin, Leonid?"
    
  "Na tabbata na gane wannan mutumin."
    
  "Ya Generals dinsa?" - Ta tambaya a nitse. "McLanahan fa?"
    
  Zevitin ya gyada kai, cikin shiru yana mai sanin rashin tabbas game da wannan lamarin. "Karen harin Amurka yana kan leda kuma ya bayyana ya ji rauni ... a wannan lokacin," in ji shi. "Ban san tsawon lokacin da zan iya tsammanin wannan leshin zai dawwama ba. Dole ne mu ƙarfafa Gardner don ya hana McLahanan...ko kuma mu kasance a shirye mu yi da kanmu." Ya dauki wayar. " Haɗa ni da Shugaban Amurka Gardner nan da nan akan layin wayar."
    
  "Kuna wasa mai haɗari, ko ba haka ba?" - Khedrov ya tambaya.
    
  "Tabbas, Alexandra," in ji Zevitin, yana gudana yatsun hannun hagu ta cikin gashinta yayin da yake jira. Ya ji hannayenta sun zame daga kirjinsa har zuwa kasa, ba da jimawa ba ta cakumo rigarsa sannan ta shafa masa hannu da bakinta, duk da ya ji kara da danna na'urar sadarwa ta tauraron dan adam da sauri ya mika wayar zuwa layin waya a Washington. , bai hana ta ba. "Amma abin ya yi yawa sosai. Rasha ba za ta iya ƙyale Amirkawa su yi iƙirarin rinjaye ba. Dole ne mu dakatar da su kuma wannan ita ce mafi kyawun damarmu a yanzu. "
    
  Ƙoƙarin Alexandra ba da daɗewa ba ya karu a cikin tausasawa da gaggawa, kuma Zevitin ya yi fatan Gardner ya shagaltu da shi don ya ba shi damar yin wasu ƴan mintuna tare da ita. Sanin Shugaban Amurka kamar yadda yake, yana da masaniyar cewa zai iya shagala ta wannan hanyar.
    
    
  A JIRGIN JIRGIN DAYA A KAN JAM'IYYAR KUDU GASKIYA
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  Yayin da yake natsuwa a cikin sabuwar kujerar teburinsa da aka lullube a babban dakin taro na jirgin saman sojan sama na farko a kan hanyarsa ta zuwa gabar tekun "Southern White House" kusa da St. ma'aikaciyar sajan da ta shigo da tukunyar kofi da busassun alkama zuwa cikin ofishinta. Ya san ta san yana duba ta domin kullum sai ta kalle shi tana yi masa wani lallausan murmushi. Yana da jarida a cinyarsa, amma ya jingina da isa ya kalle ta ba tare da an gane ta ba. Eh a tunaninsa batayi saurin ajiye kayansa ba. La'ananne, abin kunya...
    
  A daidai lokacin da zai yi tafiyarsa ya gayyace ta ya kawo nonon da jakinsa zuwa babban teburinsa, wayar ta yi kara. An jarabce shi ya danna maballin DND, yana tsinewa kansa da rashin yin haka bayan ya gama ganawarsa ta karshe da ma"aikatan ya sasanta, amma wani abu ya ce masa dole ya amsa wannan kiran. Cikin rashin so ya dauki wayar. "Iya?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Shugaban Tarayyar Rasha Zevitin yana kiran ku a kan layin waya, yallabai," in ji jami'in sadarwa. "Ya ce yana da gaggawa."
    
  Ya rik'e bebe na mai karba yana nishi da karfi sannan ya tsura ma ma'aikacin jirgin ido. "Dawo nan da mintuna goma da sabbin kayan, lafiya, Sajan ma'aikaci?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai," ta amsa da fara'a. A hankali ta tsaya tana manne masa k'irjinta, kafin ta yi masa wani mugun kallo, a hankali ta juyo da k'afar ta, ta fice.
    
  Ya san ya kamu da ita, cikin farin ciki ya yi tunani ya saki maballin. "Bani minti daya, Sigina," in ji shi, yana miƙe taba.
    
  "Iya, sir."
    
  Damn, Gardner ya zagi a ƙarƙashin numfashinsa, menene jahannama Zevitin yake so yanzu? Ya danna kararrawa don kiran shugaban ma'aikatan sa, Walter Cordus. Zai sake yin la'akari da manufofin da ya kafa ta hanyar amsa kira daga Zevitin nan da nan, ya yi tunani - ya fara magana da shi kusan kullum. Bayan dakika casa'in da rabi, sigari: "Haɗa shi, sigina," ya ba da umarni, yana kashe sigari.
    
  "Iya, Shugaba." Bayan ɗan lokaci: "Shugaba Zevitin akan layi, tsaro, sir."
    
  "Na gode, sigina. Leonid, wannan shine Joe Gardner. Yaya kike?"
    
  "Ina lafiya, Joe," Zevitin ya amsa cikin wata murya mai daɗi. "Amma ina cikin damuwa, mutum, da gaske damuwa. Ina tsammanin mun yi yarjejeniya."
    
  Gardner ya tunatar da kansa da ya kasance cikin tsaro lokacin da yake magana da wannan mutumin-ya ji kamar Ba'amurke zai iya magana da wani daga wakilan majalisar California ko kuma wani shugaban ƙungiyar a Indiana. "Me kake magana akai Leonid?" Shugaban ma"aikatan ya shiga cikin ofishin shugaban kasar, ya dauko wayar cikin gida da aka katse don ya ji, sannan ya kunna kwamfutarsa ya fara daukar bayanai da bayar da umarni idan ya cancanta.
    
  "Ina tsammanin mun amince cewa za a sanar da mu a duk lokacin da kuka tashi jirage masu saukar ungulu, musamman zuwa Iran," in ji Zevitin. "Wannan yana da matukar damuwa, Joe. Ina aiki tuƙuru don ganin an shawo kan al'amura a Gabas ta Tsakiya da kuma sa masu tsaurin ra'ayi a cikin gwamnati na su kasance cikin layi, amma ayyukanku tare da Black Stallions kawai suna amfani da su -
    
  "Dakata, Leonid, jira," Gardner ya katse shi. "Bani da masaniyar me kuke magana akai. Menene manufa a kan baƙar fata?
    
  "Zo, Joe, kana tsammanin ba za mu iya ganinsa ba?" Kuna tsammanin ba za a iya gani ba? Mun hange shi da zarar ya haye sararin samaniya a kan Tekun Greenland."
    
  "Shin daya daga cikin jiragen saman da ke shawagi a kan Greenland?"
    
  "Yanzu ya wuce kudu maso yammacin kasar Sin, Joe, bisa ga tsarin sa ido da sa ido kan sararin samaniya," in ji Zevitin. "Zo, Joe, na san ba za ku iya magana game da ayyukan soja na sirri na yanzu ba, amma ba shi da wuya a yi tunanin abin da za su yi, ko da jirgin Black Stallion ne. Makanikai na Orbital suna da tsinkaya kamar fitowar rana da faɗuwar rana."
    
  "Leonid, I-"
    
  "Na san ba za ku iya tabbatarwa ko musanta wani abu ba - ba dole ba ne, saboda mun san abin da zai faru," Zevitin ya ci gaba. "Tabbas, a cikin kewayawa na gaba, a cikin kimanin mintuna casa'in, za a kai tsaye kan Iran. Muna sa ran za ta fara motsa motsa jiki cikin kusan mintuna arba'in da biyar, wanda zai kai shi kai tsaye a kan Tekun Caspian lokacin da injinan yanayi da sarrafa jirgin suka fara aiki. Da alama kuna kan manufa zuwa Iran, Joe. Ina tsammanin muna da yarjejeniya: mikawa Iran hannu yayin da muke bin hanyar diflomasiyya don magance juyin mulkin soja da kashe zababbun jami'an Iran."
    
  "Haba, Leonid. Dakika daya kawai." Gardner ya danna maɓallin bebe. "Samu Conrad a nan," ya ba da umarnin, amma Cordus ya riga ya danna maɓallin don kiran mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro. Gardner ya saki maɓallin bebe. "Leonid, kana da gaskiya, ba zan iya magana game da duk wani aiki na yanzu ba. Dole ne kawai ku -"
    
  "Joe, ba na kira don tattauna komai. Ina nuna muku cewa a fili muna iya ganin daya daga cikin jiragen ku a sararin samaniya a sararin samaniya a yanzu, kuma ba mu da masaniyar za ku harba shi. Bayan duk abin da muka tattauna a cikin 'yan makonnin da suka gabata, ba zan iya yarda za ku yi mini haka ba. Lokacin da suka gano hakan, majalisar ministocina da Duma za su yi tunanin cewa an yaudare ni kuma za su bukaci in dauki mataki, in ba haka ba zan rasa duk wani goyon baya ga kokarinmu na hadin gwiwa da kuma kusantar juna da ta dauki tsawon watanni na ci gaba. Kun ciro tulin daga ƙarƙashina, Joe."
    
  "Leonid, ina da muhimmin taro kuma ina bukatar in gama abin da nake yi da farko," Shugaban ya yi ƙarya, ya tashi tsaye ba tare da haquri ba kuma ya bijirewa yunƙurin yi wa Carlisle da Cordus ihu a waje da ƙofar don su gaya masa abin da jahannama yake. faruwa. "Ina tabbatar muku cewa ba za mu dauki wani mataki kan Rasha a ko'ina ba ta kowace hanya -"
    
  "'Akan Rasha?' Wannan yana kama da tashin hankali biyu, Joe. Me ake nufi? Shin kuna fara yiwa wani aiki?"
    
  "Bari in share teburina in gama wannan taƙaitaccen bayanin, Leonid, kuma zan kawo muku cikin sauri. zan iya-"
    
  "Ina tsammanin muna da yarjejeniya, Joe: jirage masu mahimmanci kawai har sai mun sami yarjejeniya da ke tafiyar da jiragen sama na soja," in ji Zevitin. "Kamar yadda za mu iya cewa, jirgin ba zai doki tashar sararin samaniya ba, don haka wannan ba aikin dabaru ba ne. Na san abubuwa ba su da kyau a Iran da Iraki, amma ba daidai ba ne don haifar da tsoro da yawa ta hanyar kaddamar da Black Stallion? Ina ganin ba. Wannan cikakken bala'i ne, Joe. Duma da janar-janar za su hallaka ni.
    
  "Kada ka firgita, Leonid. Akwai bayani mai ma'ana kuma cikakke mara lahani. Zan sake kiran ku da zarar na iya kuma-"
    
  "Joe, zai fi kyau ka kasance tare da ni, in ba haka ba, ba zan iya yin tasiri a cikin shugabannin 'yan adawa da wasu manyan janar-janar ba - duk za su bukaci bayani da kuma mayar da martani mai ma'ana cikin ruhi guda," in ji Zevitin. "Idan ba zan iya ba su amsa mai ma'ana ba, za su fara neman ta da kansu. Kun san ina rataye da zare a nan. Ina bukatar hadin kan ku, ko duk abin da muka yi aiki da shi zai lalace."
    
  "Zan sake kiran ku, Leonid," in ji Gardner. "Amma ina tabbatar muku, na rantse da girmana, cewa babu abin da ke faruwa. Babu shakka babu".
    
  "Don haka jakadunmu da masu sa ido a kasa a Teheran ba za su damu da wani makami mai linzami da ya afka cikin rufin kowane lokaci ba?"
    
  "Kada ka yi wasa da shi, Leonid. Ba zai faru ba. Zan sake kiran ku". Ya katse wayar bai hakura ba, sannan ya goge gumi daga lebbansa na sama. "Walter!" - ya yi ihu. "A ina kike? Ina Conrad?"
    
  Masu ba da shawara guda biyu sun shiga cikin ofishin zartarwa bayan 'yan wasu lokuta. "Yi hakuri, Mr. Shugaban kasa, amma ina zazzage sabon rahoto game da kumbon daga Ma'aikatar Dabarun," in ji mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro Conrad Carlisle. "Ya kamata ya kasance a kan kwamfutarka." Ya shiga cikin kwamfutar da ke kan teburin shugaban, ya buɗe amintattun ma"ajiyar fayil ɗin, sannan ya bincika abubuwan da ke cikin da sauri. "Lafiya, yana nan ... Eh, Janar Cannon, Kwamandan Rundunar Dabarun Amurka, ya ba da izinin harba jirgin kimanin sa'o'i hudu da suka wuce, kuma sakatare Turner ya amince da aikin."
    
  "Me yasa ba a sanar da ni wannan ba?"
    
  "An kwatanta aikin a matsayin 'na yau da kullun,' yallabai," in ji Carlisle. "Ma'aikatan jirgin guda biyu, uku, shida suna kewaya duniya kuma su koma Elliott Air Force Base, jimlar tafiyar awanni goma."
    
  "Mene ne wannan, abin farin ciki ne? Wanene waɗannan fasinjojin? Na ba da umarnin manyan ayyuka ne kawai! Menene jahannama ke faruwa? Ina tsammanin na saukar da dukkan jiragen sama."
    
  Carlisle da Cordus sun yi musayar maganganu masu daure kai. "Ni... Ban san tsarin saukar jirgin ba, yallabai," Carlisle ta amsa a raunane. "Kun tuna da 'yan ta'addar SKYSTREAKE daga sintirinsu, amma ba aikin sararin samaniya ba..."
    
  "Na yi yarjejeniya da Zevitin, Conrad: ba za a sake harba jiragen sama ba tare da sanar da shi da farko," in ji Gardner. "Yana yin hauka game da ƙaddamarwa, ni ma ni!"
    
  Kallon Carlisle yayi ya bude baki ya rufe a rude. "Yi hakuri Joe, amma ban san wata yarjejeniya da muka yi da Zevitin ba don sanar da shi wani abu da ya shafi jiragen sama," in ji shi a karshe. "Na san yana bukatar hakan - yana ta zage-zage da kuma zage-zage a duk fadin duniya game da yadda jiragen sama ke zama hadari ga zaman lafiya da tsaro a duniya saboda ana iya kuskuren su da ICBM, kuma yana bukatar mu sanar da shi kafin kaddamar da daya daga cikinsu - amma babu wata yarjejeniya ta yau da kullun game da - "
    
  "Shin ban gaya wa Cannon don tabbatar da cewa waɗannan jiragen sama da duk wani makamin sararin samaniya ba su shiga sararin samaniyar sararin samaniya ba, ko da hakan yana nufin barin su a ƙasa?" Shugaban ya yi tsawa. "Dole ne su kasance a waje da sararin samaniyar kowace ƙasa a kowane lokaci. Ban bada wannan odar ba?"
    
  "To... E, yallabai, na gaskanta ka yi," Cordus ya amsa. "Amma jiragen sama na iya shawagi a sararin samaniyar kasar cikin sauki. Suna iya-"
    
  "Ta yaya za su yi haka?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar. "Muna da sararin samaniya iyaka daga sama zuwa marar iyaka. Sararin samaniyar sararin samaniya duk sararin sama ne a kan wata al'umma."
    
  "Yallabai, kamar yadda muka tattauna a baya, a karkashin yarjejeniyar sararin samaniya, babu wata al'umma da za ta hana shiga ko tafiya a sararin samaniya," Carlisle ta tunatar da shugaban. "A bisa doka, sararin samaniya yana farawa kilomita dari daga saman duniya. Jirgin sama na iya tashi zuwa sararin samaniya cikin sauri yayin da yake kan kasashe abokantaka, bude teku, ko shirya kankara, kuma da zarar ya isa, zai iya tashi ba tare da keta sararin samaniyar kowa ba. Suna yin haka-"
    
  "Ba zan yi la'akari da abin da tsohuwar yarjejeniya ta shekara arba'in ta ce!" - Shugaban ya yi tsawa. "Mun shafe watanni da dama muna tattaunawa da Zevitin da Majalisar Dinkin Duniya domin samar da hanyar da za a rage damuwar da mutane da yawa ke ji a duniya dangane da ayyukan jiragen sama da tashoshi, ba tare da takaita wa kanmu damar shiga sararin samaniya ba ko fallasa. bayanin martaba. Har sai da muka fito da wani abu, na bayyana karara cewa ba na son jiragen sama su rika yawo, suna sanya mutane cikin fargaba da tsoma baki a cikin tattaunawa. Muhimman ayyuka kawai, kuma hakan yana nufin sake kawowa da kuma gaggawa na ƙasa - Dole ne in amince da duk sauran ayyuka. Shin na yi kuskure, ko ban amince da wani jirgin sama ba kwanan nan?"
    
  "Yallabai, Janar Cannon dole ne ya yi la'akari da wannan mahimmanci don fara wannan jirgin ba tare da -"
    
  "Ba tare da yardara ba? Shin yana tunanin zai iya tashi sama kawai ba tare da izinin kowa ba? Ina gaggawar take? Shin jirgin sama zai tashi da tashar sararin samaniya? Su wanene fasinjojin nan uku? Ko ka sani?"
    
  "Zan tuntubi Janar Cannon, sir," in ji Carlisle, tana ɗaukar wayar. "Zan gano duk cikakkun bayanai nan da nan."
    
  "Wannan mummunan mafarki ne! Wannan yana fita daga sarrafawa!" - Shugaban ya yi tsawa. "Ina so in san wanda ke da alhakin wannan kuma ina son jakinsa ya fita! Kuna iya ji na? Sai dai idan ba a shelanta yaki ba ko kuma an kai wa baki hari, ina so a yi wa duk wanda ke da alhakin wannan kazafin a yi masa gwangwani! Ina so in yi magana da Cannon da kaina!"
    
  Carlisle ya sa hannu a wayar yayin da yake jira ya ce, "Yallabai, ina ba da shawarar mu yi magana da Janar Cannon. Tsaya tsayin hannu daga wannan. Idan jirgi ne kawai na horo ko wani abu, ba za ka so a gane ka a matsayin mai tukin sama ba, musamman bayan ka yi magana da shugaban kasar Rasha kawai."
    
  "Wannan abu ne mai mahimmanci, Conrad, kuma ina so in bayyana wa janar-janar na cewa ina son a sarrafa wadannan jiragen sama sosai," in ji Shugaban.
    
  "Ka tabbata wannan shine yadda kake son rike shi, Joe?" Cordus ya tambaya cikin sanyin murya. "Isa gaban Sakatare Turner don wulakanta janar mai taurari huɗu ba shi da kyau. Idan kuna so ku doke wani, ku zaɓi Turner - shi ne ikon ƙarshe na harba jirgin sama."
    
  "Oh, Zan ba wa Turner ra'ayi na kuma, za ku iya cin amana a kan hakan," in ji shugaban a fusace, "amma Cannon da wancan mutumin mai taurari uku-"
    
  "Laftanar Janar Backman, Kwamanda, CENTAF."
    
  "Ba komai. Cannon da Backman sun yi yaƙi da ni da ƙarfi da tsayi a kan ra'ayin Rundunar Tsaro ta sararin samaniya ta McLahan, kuma lokaci ya yi da za a dawo da su kan hanya-ko mafi kyau tukuna, kawar da su. Su ne na ƙarshe na amincewar kwakwalwar Martindale Pentagon, kuma suna buƙatar kayan sararin samaniya saboda yana ƙarfafa daulolinsu. "
    
  "Idan kuna son su tafi, za mu kawar da su - dukkansu suna aiki ne bisa yardar babban kwamandan," in ji Cordus. "Amma har yanzu suna da karfi sosai kuma manyan janar-janar, musamman a tsakanin 'yan majalisa da ke goyon bayan shirin sararin samaniya. Za su iya ingiza nasu tsare-tsare da manufofinsu yayin da suke sanye da kayan aikinsu, amma a matsayinsu na manyan hafsoshin sojan da suka yi ritaya da kunya da rashin jin daɗi, za su kawo muku hari a fili da kai. Kada ku ba su dalili."
    
  "Na san yadda ake buga wasan, Walter - jahannama, na yi mafi yawan dokoki," in ji Shugaban da zafi. "Ba na jin tsoron janar-janar, kuma ba dole ba ne in damu game da yin tsalle-tsalle a kusa da su - Ni ne babban kwamandan shugaban kasa. Haɗa Turner zuwa layin nan da nan." Ya mika hannu ya kwace wayar daga hannun mai baiwa shugaban kasa shawara kan harkokin tsaro. "Signals, me ke faruwa ne? Ina Cannon?
    
  "Ka shirya, yallabai, ya kamata a tuntube shi kowane minti daya." Bayan 'yan mintuna kaɗan: "Bindigu yana nan, an tsare shi."
    
  "General Cannon, wannan shine shugaban kasa. Me ya sa kuka bar wannan jirgin sama ya tashi ba tare da izinina ba?
    
  "Uh... barka da rana, sir," Cannon ya fara, cike da mamaki. "Kamar yadda na bayyana wa sakataren tsaron, yallabai, wannan jirgin na tsaye ne kawai yayin da muke jiran amincewar karshe na aikin cikin Iran. Tare da jirgin sama a sararin samaniya, idan muka sami amincewa, zai zama da sauƙi a shigo da ma'aikatan jirgin, mu yi aikinsu, sannan a sake fitar da su. Idan da ba a amince da hakan ba, da zai kasance mai sauƙi a mayar da su gindin zama."
    
  "Na ba da umarnin musamman cewa babu wani jirgin sama da zai tsallaka kan iyakokin kasashen waje ba tare da izinina ba."
    
  "Yallabai, kamar yadda ka sani, da zarar jirgin sama ya wuce iyakar mil sittin, shi-"
    
  "Kada ku ba ni wannan maganar banza game da Yarjejeniyar sararin samaniya!" tsawa shugaban kasa. "In fayyace miki shi? Ba na son jirage masu saukar ungulu su rika kewayawa sai dai idan ba don tallafawa tashar sararin samaniya ba ne ko kuma na gaggawa ne, kuma idan gaggawa ce gara ta zama da gaske! Sauran duniya suna tunanin muna shirye-shiryen kaddamar da hare-hare daga sararin samaniya ... wanda a fili shine ainihin abin da kuke shirin bayana! "
    
  "Bana boyewa kowa komai, yallabai," in ji Cannon. "Ba tare da wani umarni akasin haka ba, na harba jiragen ne bisa ga ra"ayi na tare da tsauraran umarnin cewa babu wanda ya isa ya ketare sararin samaniyar. Wannan shi ne umarnina na gama gari daga Sakataren Tsaro. An bi waɗannan umarnin zuwa wasiƙar."
    
  "To, na soke ikonka, Janar," in ji Shugaban. "Daga yanzu, duk motsin kowane jirgin sama zai buƙaci izini na musamman kafin a kashe shi. Ina bayyana kaina, Janar? Gara ma ka da ka aika da bera a sararin samaniya sai da izinina!"
    
  "Na fahimta, yallabai," in ji Cannon, "amma ban ba da shawarar wannan hanyar ba."
    
  "Zancen? Me yasa?"
    
  "Yallabai, kiyaye wannan matakin iko akan duk wani kadari na soja yana da haɗari da ɓarna, amma yana da mahimmanci ga tsarin harba sararin samaniya," in ji Cannon. "Rundunar soji na bukatar kwamanda guda daya don yin tasiri, kuma hakan dole ne ya zama kwamandan wasan kwaikwayo mai saurin samun bayanai daga filin. Jiragen sama da dukkan na'urorin harba sararin samaniya an tsara su don iyakar gudu da sassauƙa, kuma a cikin gaggawa za su yi hasarar duka biyu idan ikon ƙarshe ya kasance tare da Washington. Ina ba da shawara mai ƙarfi game da ɗaukar umarnin aiki na waɗannan tsarin. Idan ba ka gamsu da shawarar da na yanke ba, yallabai, to bari in tunatar da kai cewa za ka iya korar ni kuma ka nada wani kwamandan gidan wasan kwaikwayo don sarrafa jiragen sama da sauran na"urorin harba su."
    
  "Ina sane da ikona, Janar," in ji Gardner. "Shawarata ta tsaya."
    
  "Iya, sir."
    
  "To, wane ne jahannama a cikin wannan jirgin sama, kuma me ya sa ba a sanar da ni game da wannan manufa ba?"
    
  "Yallabai, tare da wasu ma'aikatan jirgin guda biyu, mambobi uku na sashen ayyukan kasa da kasa na Janar McLaanahan na cikin jirgin," Cannon ya amsa ba tare da katsewa ba.
    
  "McLanahan? Ya kamata in sani," in ji Shugaban. "Wannan mutumin shine ma"anar saƙar bindiga! Me yake yi? Me ya sa ya so harba wannan jirgin sama?"
    
  "An riga an riga an sanya su a cikin orbit da ke jiran amincewa da aikin bincike da shiga tsakani a cikin Iran."
    
  "'An riga an sanya shi'? Kuna nufin kun aika jirgin sama da kwamandoji uku kan Iran ba tare da izinina ba? Akan ku kaɗai?"
    
  "Ina da ikon gabatar da sojoji a ko'ina cikin duniya don tallafa wa umarnina da kuma aiwatar da ayyukana, yallabai," in ji Cannon a fusace. "An umurci jiragen sama musamman da kada su shiga wani sararin samaniyar kasashen waje ba tare da izini ba, kuma sun cika wannan umarnin. Idan ba su samu izinin ci gaba da shirin nasu ba, za a umarce su da su koma sansaninsu."
    
  "Wani irin shirme ne wannan duka? Wannan shi ne jirgin saman da muke magana akai-sake dauke da robobin McLamahan dauke da makamai, ina tsammanin, daidai ne?"
    
  "Wannan ba shirme ba ne, yallabai-haka wannan umarni da duk manyan umarnin gidan wasan kwaikwayo ke aiki," in ji Cannon, yana ƙoƙarin ɗaukar fushi da takaici. Gardner tsohon sakataren sojojin ruwa ne kuma sakataren tsaro, don girman Allah - ya fi kowa sanin hakan...! "Kamar yadda ka sani, yallabai, na ba da umarni da a tura dubunnan maza da mata a duk duniya a kowace rana, domin tallafawa ayyukan yau da kullun da kuma shirye-shiryen ayyukan gaggawa. Dukkansu suna aiki ne a cikin tsarin umarni na tsaye, koyarwar tsari, da hani na doka. Ba za su ja da baya ba har sai na ba da umarnin aiwatar da kai tsaye, kuma ba za a ba da wannan umarni ba har sai na sami izini daga rundunar ƙasa - daga kai ko sakataren tsaro. Ba kome ko muna magana ne game da jirgin sama guda daya da ma"aikata biyar ko kuma wani rukunin yaki na jirgin sama mai dauke da jiragen ruwa 20, jirage saba"in da ma"aikata dubu goma."
    
  "Kamar kun yi imani cewa jiragen sama ƙananan jiragen sama ne masu sauƙi waɗanda ba wanda ya lura ko ya damu da su," in ji Shugaban. "Kuna iya tunanin ya zama ruwan dare aika jirgin sama a kan Iran ko kuma wani jirgin dakon jirgin sama daga gabar tekun wani, amma ina tabbatar muku, duk duniya tana tsoron su. Yaƙe-yaƙe sun fara da ƙananan sojoji. Babu shakka, halin ku game da tsarin makaman da ke ƙarƙashin umarninku dole ne ya canza, Janar, kuma ina nufin yanzu. " Cannon bai sami amsa ba. "Wane membobi ne na rundunar mayakan McLahanan ke cikin jirgin?"
    
  "Biyu Tin Woodmen da daya daga CID, sir."
    
  "Ya Allah... Wannan ba kungiyar leken asiri ba ce, wannan tawaga ce ta yajin aiki! Za su iya ɗaukar duk wani kamfani na soja! Me kuke tunani, Janar? Shin da gaske kuna tunanin McLanahan zai tashi duk wannan hanyar tare da waɗannan iko kuma ba zai yi amfani da su ba? Menene jahannama robots na McLanahan za su yi a Iran?"
    
  Cannon ya ce "Na'urori masu na'urar daukar hoto sun gano wani abu da ba a saba gani ba kuma na shakku a wani sansanin jiragen sama mai nisa da ke kan wata babbar hanya a gabashin Iran wadda a baya dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci na Iran ke amfani da su," in ji Cannon. "Janar McLanahan ya yi imanin cewa Iraniyawa ko kuma Rashawa ne ke sake bude sansanin a asirce. Hotonsa na tauraron dan adam ba zai iya ba shi ingantattun hotuna masu inganci da zai iya cewa tabbas, don haka ya bukaci a aika da tawagar mutane uku domin su duba kuma, idan ya cancanta, su lalata tushe."
    
  "Rusa tushe?" tsawa Shugaban kasa yayi, a fusace ya jefa wayar cikin tafin hannunshi da ya bude. "Ya Ubangijina, ya ba McLaanahan izini ya aika wani jirgin sama dauke da makamai a kan Iran ya lalata wani sansanin soji kuma ban sani ba? Shin yana da hankali? Ya ɗauki wayar: "Kuma yaushe za ku gaya wa wasu game da ƙaramin shirin McLaanahan, Janar - bayan Yaƙin Duniya na IV ya fara?"
    
  Cannon ya ce "An sanar da shirin McLaanahan a gare mu a nan Cibiyar Dabarun, kuma ma'aikatana na gudanar da bincike kuma za su ba da shawara ga Sakataren Tsaro," in ji Cannon. "Dole ne mu yanke shawara a kowane lokaci-"
    
  "Zan yanke shawara a gare ku a yanzu, Janar: Ina son wannan jirgin sama ya sauka a gidansu da wuri-wuri," in ji shugaban. "Ka fahimce ni? Ba na son a tura wadannan kwamandojin ko wannan jirgin sama ya sauka a ko'ina sai Nevada ko kuma duk inda wutar jahannama ta fito sai dai idan ta gaggawar rayuwa ko mutuwa ce. Kuma ba na son wani abu ya harba, kora, ko kuma ya bar wannan kumbon da za a iya fassara shi a matsayin hari ga kowa... ba komai. Ina bayyana kaina a sarari, Janar Cannon?"
    
  "Iya, sir."
    
  "Kuma idan wannan jirgin sama ya ketare iyaka na siyasa guda a ko'ina a cikin duniyar nan a ƙarƙashin wannan iyakar tsayin mil sittin, za ku rasa taurarinku, Janar Cannon ... duka!" Shugaban ya ci gaba da zafafa. "Kai ka wuce ikonka, Janar, kuma ina da tabbacin cewa ba sai na yi sauran zango na farko na mulki na yi bayani, da gyara, da kuma ba da hakuri kan wannan babban gazawar ba. Yanzu mu fara aiki."
    
  Shugaban kasan ya katse wayar, sannan ya zauna yana zazzafan fushi. Bayan ƴan mintuna ya yi magana a ransa, sai ya yi ihu, "Ina son bindigar ta tashi."
    
  "Yallabai, a zahiri yana da ikon motsa kadarorinsa a ko'ina yayin da yake gudanar da ayyuka na yau da kullun," in ji mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro Carlisle. "Ba ya buƙatar izini daga Ofishin Tsaro na Ƙasa - daga ku ko Sakataren Tsaro - don ayyukan yau da kullum."
    
  "Amma yawanci muna gaya wa Rashawa kafin mu motsa kowane tsarin makaman da za a iya kuskure don kai hari, daidai?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai, wannan shine ko da yaushe yin taka tsantsan," in ji Carlisle. "Amma idan kwamandan gidan wasan kwaikwayo na bukatar sanya kadarorinsa a shirye-shiryen wani aiki na hakika, ba lallai ne mu ce wa Rashawa komai ba. Ba ma sai mu yi musu karya mu gaya musu aikin horo ne ko makamancin haka."
    
  "Wani bangare na matsalar da wadannan jirage masu saukar ungulu, Conrad, ke tafiya da sauri," in ji shugaban ma'aikatan Cordus. "Ko da aikin na yau da kullun ne, sun watsu a duk duniya cikin kiftawar ido. Muna bukatar mu sami tsauraran matakai kan wadannan mutanen."
    
  "Idan Cannon ya kai wani abu, wani abu mai mahimmanci, ya kamata ya gaya mani ko Turner kafin kaddamar da wannan jirgin sama," in ji shugaban. "Walter yayi gaskiya: waɗannan jiragen sama suna da sauri kuma suna da haɗari don kawai harba su a kowane lokaci, koda don cikakken zaman lafiya, marar lahani, manufa ta yau da kullun - wanda hakan ba lallai ba ne. Amma ina tsammanin na bayyana wa kowa cewa ba na son jiragen sama su tashi sai dai idan gaggawa ko yaki. Shin ina kuskure akan wannan?"
    
  "A'a, yallabai, amma a fili Janar Cannon ya yi tunanin alama ce mai mahimmanci saboda ya yi sauri. Ya-"
    
  "Ba komai," in ji shugaban. "Russia sun gan shi kuma na tabbata suna ta rediyon Iraniyawa, Turkmen da kuma rabin 'yan leken asirin a Gabas ta Tsakiya don sa ido kan sojojin da ke fada. Wasan ya faskara. Rashawa suna hauka, haka kuma Majalisar Dinkin Duniya, abokanmu, kafofin watsa labarai, da jama'ar Amurka da zarar sun ji labarin - "
    
  Cordus ya kara da cewa, "Wanda zai iya faruwa a kowane minti daya, saboda mun san cewa Zevitin yana gudu yana ba da bayanansa ga 'yan jaridu na Turai, wanda ke da sha'awar tsawata mana a kan mafi ƙarancin al'amari. Don wani abu mai girma, za su yi babbar rana. Za su gasa mu da rai har wata mai zuwa."
    
  "A daidai lokacin da abubuwa suka fara kwantawa," in ji shugaban a gajiye, yana kunna wata sigari, "Cannon, Backman da musamman McLanahan sun sake tayar da ita."
    
  "Jirgin saman zai kasance a kasa kafin 'yan jarida su yi magana game da shi," in ji Joe," shugaban ma'aikatan ya ce, "kuma za mu ƙi tabbatar da ko musanta duk wani ikirari na Rasha. Wannan abu zai bace da wuri."
    
  "Zai yi kyau," in ji Gardner. "Amma idan dai, Conrad, ina son a dakatar da jiragen har sai an samu sanarwa. Ina son su duka su tsaya a wurin. Babu horo, babu abin da ake kira ayyukan yau da kullun, babu komai. " Ya leka dakin ya daga muryarsa kawai don nuna bacin ransa ya bar kowa a wajen dakin ya ji, ya ce, "Wannan karara ya isa kowa? Babu sauran ayyuka mara izini! Sun tsaya a kasa kuma shi ke nan!" An jiyo wata mawaƙa ta amsa "Ee, Mai girma shugaban ƙasa".
    
  Shugaban ya kara da cewa "Bincike daidai lokacin da wannan jirgin sama zai kasance a kasa don haka zan iya sanar da Zevitin kafin wani ya tsige shi ko ya kashe jakinsa." "Kuma gano daga takardun jirgin lokacin da McLanahan zai iya barin wannan tashar sararin samaniya kuma a mayar da shi duniya don in harba jakarsa." Ya zaro wani nisa daga cikin sigarinsa, ya fidda ta, sannan ya kai hannu ya dauko kofi mai dauke da ita. "Kuma idan kun tafi, ku tambayi ma'aikacin jirgin ya kawo mini wani abu mai zafi."
    
    
  BABI NA SHIDA
    
    
  Yana da wuya a shawo kan sha'awar ku kuma ba zai yiwu a gamsar da su ba.
    
    - MARGUERITE DE LA SABLIÈRE
    
    
    
    Kunna A GUDA COSMOPLAN XR-A9 BLACK STALLION
    A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  Manjo Jim Terranova ya sanar da cewa "minti biyu kafin a fara dawowar jirgin, ma'aikatan jirgin." "An fara kirgawa. Na farko kirgawa ta atomatik bayan minti daya. Ka sanar da ni lokacin da lissafin ka ya cika."
    
  "S-One, na gane," Macomber ya amsa.
    
  "Yaya kike ji, Zipper?" - Tambayi Terranova.
    
  "Na gode da yawancin iskar oxygen mai tsafta, ɗan bimbini kaɗan, barin jerin abubuwan dubawa na lantarki, da kuma yadda ake yawan yin la'akari da jerin abubuwan dubawa, Ina jin daɗi," in ji Macomber. "Ina fata wannan abu yana da Windows."
    
  "Zan saka shi a cikin jerin guga, amma kada ku ƙidaya shi kowane lokaci nan da nan."
    
  "Wannan yana da ban sha'awa, mutane," in ji Frenchy Moulin. "Wannan shi ne jirgina na goma sha ɗaya zuwa sararin samaniya, kuma ba na gajiya da shi."
    
  "Yana da kyau sosai bayan juyowar farko," Chris Wall ya yi gunaguni. "Na taba zuwa tashar sau uku kuma ji nake kamar kana tsaye a kan wata doguwar hasumiya ta TV kana kallon kasa."
    
  "Babban Sajan ne kawai zai iya rage abin kallo kamar wannan," in ji Moulin. "Ka nemi ka kwana biyu a tashar, Bach. Kawo katunan bayanai da yawa don kyamarar ku. Yana da kyau sosai. Za ku sami kanku kuna farkawa a kowane sa'o'i na dare kuma kuna tsara lokutan taga ranar gaba don ɗaukar hoto kawai."
    
  "Ina shakka sosai," Macomber ya fada a bushe. Ya karɓi ƙarar sanarwa ta kwalkwalinsa. "Ina samun wani juji bayanai daga NIRTSats, mutane." NIRTSats, ko Bukatar Shi Dama Wannan tauraron dan adam na biyu, ƙananan "microsatellites" ne, waɗanda ba su fi firji girma ba, waɗanda aka ƙera su don aiwatar da takamaiman manufa, kamar sa ido ko isar da hanyoyin sadarwa daga ƙasƙantaccen kewayawar duniya. Saboda sun kasance ƙanƙanta, suna da ƙarancin motsa jiki don injunan sakawa, kuma suna da ƙarancin kariya daga hasken rana, tauraron dan adam NIRTSAT ya kasance a cikin kewayawa na ɗan gajeren lokaci, yawanci ƙasa da wata ɗaya. An harba su ne daga jiragen sama a cikin na'urorin kara kuzari ko kuma harba su zuwa sararin samaniya daga jiragen saman Black Stallion. An harba wasu taurarin tauraron dan adam hudu zuwa shida na NIRTSAT zuwa wani yanayi mai ban mamaki da aka kera don kara yawan yada labaran Iran, inda suka wuce Tehran da manyan sansanonin soji a fadin kasar tun bayan juyin mulkin soja . "Gama lissafin ku kuma bari mu sami wasu sabbin abubuwa kafin mu sake murkushe mu."
    
  "Ba na tsammanin za mu sami lokaci sai dai idan ba mu jinkirta shigar da mu zuwa wani orbit," in ji Terranova. "Dole ne ku duba bayanan bayan mun sauka."
    
  "Saurara, muna da lokaci ... Za mu dauki lokaci, MC," in ji Macomber. "Mun riga mun fara wannan manufa ba tare da wani ingantaccen tsarin manufa ba, don haka muna bukatar mu sake duba wannan sabon bayanan nan take."
    
  "Wannan ba wata hujja ba ce," Moulin ya ce a fusace. "Duba, S-One, kawai gudanar da jerin abubuwan dubawa kuma ku shirya don sake shiga. Kun san abin da ya faru na ƙarshe lokacin da ba ku kula da jirgin ba: cikinku ya ɗan yi muku gargaɗi kaɗan."
    
  "Zan kasance a shirye, SC," in ji Macomber. "Ma"aikatan jirgin ƙasa, ku cika lissafin ku, bayar da rahoton kammalawar, kuma bari mu matsa zuwa sabon juji bayanai. S-One ya cika." Bayan ɗan lokaci, Turlock da Wall sun ba da rahoton kammalawa, kuma Macomber ya ba da rahoton cewa fasinjojin a shirye suke su dawo. Moulin ya tabbatar da kiran kuma, ya gaji da jayayya da Zoomi tun kafin muhimmin lokaci na jirgin, bai ce komai ba.
    
  Macomber a hankali ya buɗe sabon fayil ɗin bayanan tauraron dan adam, ta yin amfani da umarnin murya maimakon tsarin da ya fi sauri amma mafi girgiza ido, yana ba da damar bayanan su gudana akan tsoffin hotuna don ya iya ganin canje-canje a yankin da ake nufi. Abin da ya samu shi ne tarin hotuna masu ruɗani. "Abin da jahannama ... yana kama da bayanan sun lalace," in ji shi ta hanyar sadarwa mai zaman kansa wanda ya ba shi damar yin magana da ma'aikatan jirgin na kasa ba tare da damun ma'aikatan jirgin ba. "Babu wani abu a wurin da ya dace. Sai a sake aike su."
    
  "Dakata ni kadai, yallabai," in ji Vol. "Ina kallon firam ɗin kwamfuta a cikin hotuna biyu kuma sun dace." Kamar yadda Macomber ya fahimce su - wanda ke nufin bai fahimci kusan komai game da su ba - firam ɗin sun kasance alamomin kwamfuta waɗanda suka daidaita kowane hoto zuwa sanannun, ƙayyadaddun alamomi, waɗanda suka rama bambance-bambance a cikin hangen nesa na hoton da axis kuma suna ba da damar ƙarin daidaitattun kwatance tsakanin hotuna. "Ina ba da shawarar kada ka goge sabon bayanan a yanzu, yallabai."
    
  "Yi sauri. Zan lalata kejin hedikwatar." Macomber ya la'anci cikin kwalkwalinsa, sannan ya canza zuwa cibiyar sadarwar tauraron dan adam mai tsaro: "Scoundrel yana kiran Farawa. Sake aika sabbin hotuna TacSat. Muna da shara a nan."
    
  "Ka shirya, dan iska." Allah, na tsani wannan alamar kiran, Macomber ya koka da kansa. Bayan 'yan mintuna kaɗan: "Bayan, wannan shine Farawa, saita lambar Alpha tara, na maimaita, Alpha tara. Na tabbata."
    
  "Me? Wannan shine katsewa code?" Macomber ya yi tsawa. "Shin suna gaya mana cewa ba za mu shigo ba?"
    
  "Yi shiru, S-One, har sai mun warware wannan," Moulin ya ɗauka. "MS, ka tabbata?"
    
  "Na tabbatar - kawai na karba," in ji Terranova. "An soke aikin, ma"aikatan jirgin. An umurce mu da mu ci gaba da kasancewa a cikin kewayarmu na yanzu har sai mun sami canjin tsarin jirgin zuwa hanyar canja wuri wanda zai mayar da mu zuwa man fetur kuma mu sauka da wuri-wuri. Soke lissafin tsarin sake-shigar... "Damisa" suna da kariya, an soke lissafin.
    
  Macomber ya dunkule hannun sa, nan take ya yi nadama, ji yake kamar ya buga bangon karfe. "Me ke faruwa ne? Me ya sa ba mu sami izini ba? Wannan shi ne abin tsoro-"
    
  "Scoundrel, wannan shine Farawa." Wannan karon David Luger ne da kansa, yana kira daga yankin kula da yaki a HAWC. "Wannan jujjuyar bayanan tana da inganci, Scoundrel, na maimaita, inganci. Muna duba cikinsa, amma da alama yana da zafi a yankin da ake saukarwa."
    
  "To, shine dalilin da ya sa muka je wurin, ko ba haka ba, Genesis?" - ya tambayi Macomber. "Mu shiga can kuma za mu kula da kasuwanci."
    
  "Fadar White House, Zipper ta soke manufar ku, ba ta mu ba," in ji Luger, tashin hankali a cikin muryarsa a fili. "Suna son ku maza ku dawo gida nan take. Yanzu muna lissafin jadawalin dawowa. Da alama za ku tsaya aƙalla wata rana kafin mu iya-"
    
  "Saura kwana ɗaya! Dole ne ku yi min wasa!"
    
  "Ki shirya, dan iska, ki shirya-"
    
  An dakata na ɗan lokaci, tare da dannawa da yawa na ɓoye-ɓoye da sautin taɗi akan mita; sai wata murya ta kira, "Scoundrel, stallion, Odin ne." Daga McLahanan ne, daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. "Sauraron tauraron dan adam na bincike suna ɗaukar siginar radar Indiya-Juliet masu ƙarfi waɗanda ke fitowa daga yankin da kuke so. Yayi kama da radar bincike mai tsayi. Muna yin nazari yanzu."
    
  "Radar, ya?" Macomber yayi sharhi. Ya fara nazarin sabbin hotuna na NIRTSat. Tabbas, tashar jirgin sama iri ɗaya ce akan babbar hanyar Soltanabad... amma yanzu duk ramukan sun tafi kuma an yi fakis da manyan tireloli masu yawa, dakaru da manyan motocin dakon kaya, jirage masu saukar ungulu da wani katafaren jirgin sama mai tsayi a kan tudu. "Da alama kun yi gaskiya, Odin. Wadannan "yan iskan sun sake haifar da matsala."
    
  "Ku saurare ni, mutane," in ji McLanahan, kuma sautin muryarsa, har ma da rufaffen hanyar sadarwar tauraron dan adam, yana da matukar ban tsoro. "Ba na son yadda yake wari. Za ku kasance mafi aminci idan kun yi lalata, amma an umarce ku da ku koma tushe, don haka dole ne mu ajiye ku a can.
    
  "Mene ne matsalar Malam?" - ya tambayi Moulin. "Akwai wani abu da ba ku gaya mana ba?"
    
  "Kuna haye sararin samaniya a cikin mintuna goma sha ɗaya. Muna ƙoƙari mu gano ko muna da isasshen lokacin da za mu fitar da ku daga sararin samaniya mu kai ku tsakiyar Asiya ko Caucasus maimakon tashi sama da Soltanabad. "
    
  "Asiya ta tsakiya! Kuna so mu sauka a ina...?"
    
  "Latsa shi, bang!" - Moulin ya yi ihu. "Me ke faruwa, Odin? Me kuke tunani a kasa?"
    
  An dakata sosai; McLaanahan ya amsa a sauƙaƙe, "Stallion One-One."
    
  Ba zai iya ba da amsa mai fashewa ba. Stallion mai lamba daya shi ne bakar fata XR-A9, wanda aka harbo a kan Iran a farkon juyin mulkin soja, a lokacin da sojojin saman ke farauta da lalata makamai masu linzami na Iran ta wayar tafi da gidanka da matsakaita da dogon zango da ke barazana ba kawai 'yan tawaye masu adawa da tsarin mulkin kasar, amma kuma duk makwaftan Iran. An harbo jirgin ne ba da makami mai linzami na sama zuwa sama ko jirgin yaki ba, sai dai ta hanyar Laser mai karfin gaske, irin na Kawaznya na hana tauraron dan adam da Tarayyar Soviet ta kirkira fiye da shekaru ashirin da suka gabata...wanda bai bayyana ba. a kan Rasha, amma a Iran.
    
  "Yallabai me ya kamata mu yi?" Moulin ta tambaya, tsoro ya bayyana a muryarta. "Me kuke so mu yi?"
    
    
  ***
    
    
  "Muna aiki da shi," in ji Patrick daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. "Muna ƙoƙarin ganin ko za mu iya fara saukowa yanzu don kauce wa layin gani ko aƙalla daga kewayon radar."
    
  "Za mu iya fassara a yanzu kuma mu shirya," in ji Terranova.
    
  "Yi," Patrick ya ce nan da nan. Daga nan sai ya yi magana, "Jami'in Aiki, ka sa ni ga Shugaban Amurka, nan da nan."
    
  "Eh, Janar McLaanahan," ya amsa muryar mace da aka haɗa ta kwamfuta na "Jami'in Kulawa" na Dreamland. Bayan ɗan lokaci: "Janar McLahan, ana isar da kiran ku zuwa ga Sakataren Tsaro. Don Allah a shirya"
    
  "Ina so in yi magana da shugaban Amurka. Wannan na gaggawa".
    
  "Iya, General McLahan. Don Allah a shirya." Wani dogon lokaci daga baya: "Janar McLanahan, an aika da buƙatarku ta gaggawa zuwa ga Shugaban Ma"aikatan Fadar Shugaban Ƙasa. Don Allah a shirya"
    
  Wataƙila shine mafi kyawun abin da zai yi, Patrick ya yi tunani, don haka bai sake tura jami'in aiki ba. "Ka sanar da shugaban ma'aikatan cewa wannan lamari ne na gaggawa."
    
  "An inganta buƙatar 'gaggawa' zuwa buƙatun 'gaggawa', Janar. Don Allah a shirya"
    
  Lokaci yana kurewa, Patrick yayi tunani. Ya yi tunani kawai ya ba da umarnin ma'aikatan Black Stallion don ayyana dokar ta-baci a cikin jirgin - akwai ɗimbin kurakurai a kowane jirgin da zai iya zama gaggawa ta gaske ba tare da ɓarna ba - amma yana buƙatar tabbatar da Stallion yana da wurin sauka, kafin a umarce su da su bazu.
    
  "Wannan shine shugaban ma'aikatan Cordus."
    
  "Mr. Cordus, wannan shine Janar McLanahan. ina -"
    
  "Ba na jin daɗin lokacin da ma"aikatan ku na kwamfuta suka kira ni, Janar, kuma shi ma Shugaban ƙasa. Idan kuna son yin magana da Shugaban kasa, ku yi wa juna ladabi kuma ku yi da kanku."
    
  "Iya sir. Ina cikin tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong kuma ina...
    
  "Na san inda kuke, Janar - ma'aikatana suna kallon watsa shirye-shiryen kai tsaye da matukar sha'awa har sai kun katse shi ba zato ba tsammani," in ji Cordus. "Lokacin da muka ba ku izinin yin hira kai tsaye, muna sa ran ku kammala ta. Zaki iya fada min dalilin da yasa kika yanke haka?"
    
  "Na yi imanin cewa Rashawa sun sanya wani nau'in makamin makami mai linzami, mai yiwuwa irin Laser din da ya harbo Black Stallion a kan Iran a shekarar da ta gabata, a wani kebabben sansanin jiragen sama da ke kan wata babbar hanya a Iran da dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci na Iran suka taba amfani da shi. " , - Patrick ya amsa. "Na"urori masu auna firikwensin mu sun gano sabbin ayyuka a tushe kuma sun sanar da mu. Yanzu jiragen saman mu marasa matuki suna ɗaukar siginar radar masu ƙarfi daga wuri ɗaya, waɗanda suka yi daidai da tsarin gano Laser na hana sararin samaniya. Na yi imanin Rashawa za su kai wa kumbon Black Stallion hari idan ya bi ta kanmu alhalin yana cikin sararin samaniya, kuma ina bukatar izinin cire kumbon daga sararin samaniya da karkatar da shi daga wurin da aka nufa."
    
  "Shin kuna da tabbataccen shaida da ke nuna cewa Rashawa ne ke bayan wannan? Yaya kika san haka?"
    
  "Muna da hotunan tauraron dan adam da ke nuna sansanin yana ci gaba da aiki a yanzu, tare da jiragen sama, manyan motoci da motoci masu kama da motocin da muka samu a Iran, inda muka yi imanin cewa Laser da ya harbo Black Stallion aka harba." Alamun radar sun tabbatar da hakan. Yallabai, Ina bukatan izini don karkatar da wannan jirgin nan take. Za mu iya samun shi don cirewa da kuma motsa shi gwargwadon iyawa ta amfani da duk man fetur na gaggawa har sai ya kai ga sararin samaniya, sannan kuma za mu iya tashi daga yankin da aka nufa zuwa wani wurin saukowa na dabam. "
    
  "Shugaban kasa ya riga ya umarce ku da ku dawo da jirgin zuwa Amurka a gidansu, Janar. Ba ku kwafi wannan odar ba?"
    
  "Na yi, yallabai, amma bin wannan odar yana nufin hawa jirgin sama a kan sansanin wanda aka nufa, kuma na yi imanin za a kai masa hari idan muka yi hakan. Hanya daya tilo da za mu iya kare ma"aikatan jirgin a yanzu ita ce mu fitar da jirgin daga sararin samaniya, mu ajiye shi a kasa gwargwadon iko sama da sararin sama har sai mun iya...
    
  "Gaba ɗaya, ban fahimci kalma ɗaya na abin da kuka faɗa ba," in ji Cordus. "Abin da na fahimta shi ne kuna da kwarin gwiwa cewa jirgin ku na cikin hadari, kuma kuna neman Shugaban kasa ya soke umarnin da ya bayar. Wannan daidai ne?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai, amma dole ne in jaddada matsananciyar hatsarin-"
    
  "Na sami wannan ɓangaren da ƙarfi da ƙarfi, Janar McLanahan," in ji Cordus, bacin rai a cikin muryarsa. "Idan ka fara saukowa jirgin, za ku keta sararin samaniyar kowa, kuma idan haka ne, wanene?"
    
  "Ban sani ba, yallabai, amma zan ce kasashen Gabashin Turai, Gabas ta Tsakiya-"
    
  "Rasha?"
    
  "Watakila, yallabai. Far West of Russia."
    
  "Moscow?" - Na tambaya.
    
  Patrick ya dakata, da ya yi haka, sai ya ji shugaban ma"aikatan ya ce wani abu a ransa. "Ban sani ba ko zai kasance ƙasa da iyakar mil sittin da shida, yallabai, amma ya danganta da sauri da kuma yadda muka samu nasarar tafiyar da mu-"
    
  "Zan dauki wannan yarjejeniya. Cikakku, cikakke kawai. Jirgin ku da ke fitowa daga kewayawa kai tsaye babban birnin kasar Rasha tabbas zai yi kama da harin ICBM, ko ba haka ba?" Bai jira amsa ba. "Wannan shi ne ainihin yanayin mafarkin da shugaban ya ji tsoro. Zai fizge makogwaron ku, McLahan. " Ya dakata na wani lokaci; sannan: "Nawa ne lokacin da shugaban kasa zai yanke wannan shawarar, Janar?"
    
  "Kusan minti biyar yallabai."
    
  "Don girman Allah McLanahan! Minti biyar? Komai yana cikin rikici!" - Cordus ya yi ihu. "Amma rashin tsari na ku ba gaggawa ba ne a bangarenmu!"
    
  "Rayuwa na iya kasancewa cikin hadari, yallabai."
    
  "Na san wannan sosai, General!" Cordus ya kasa jurewa. "Amma da kun damu da jira kuma ku sami amincewa da shirin daga Fadar White House da Pentagon kafin harba jirgin sama, babu wani abu da ya faru!" Wani abu ya sake fad'a a k'ark'ashin ranshi; sannan: "Nan da nan zan mika wannan bukata ga shugaban kasa. A halin yanzu, ku tsaya a kan layi, domin duk wannan za ku bayyana wa mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro na kasa don ya ba da shawara ga shugaban kasa yadda ya kamata, domin ina shakkar kuna da ikon bayyana masa hakan a fili. faranta masa rai - ko kuma zai saurare ku idan kun gwada. Yi shiri".
    
    
  ***
    
    
  "Kungiyar, ku tuna, muna yin y-fassara a cikin shirye-shiryen yin baho. Ki shirya." Ta yi amfani da nunin nunin ɗimbin ayyukanta da ƙwarewar tuƙi, Moulin ta yi amfani da injunan hydrazine na Black Stallion don jujjuya jirgin ta yadda zai fara tashi wutsiya. Motar ta ɗauki kusan mintuna biyu - rikodin mata. Ma'aikatan jirgin a cikin tsarin fasinja sun ji daidai da haka, kuma ko cikin Macomber bai yi korafi ba. "Maneuver ya kammala, Farawa. Yaushe za mu fara sauka? Yaushe za mu iya harba 'damisa'?
    
  "Muna buƙatar gano ko za ku iya isa wurin sauka lafiya idan kun yi amfani da shi a yanzu," in ji Dave Luger. "Muna kuma neman wani jirgin dakon mai da zai iya mai da ku idan ba za ku iya zuwa filin jirgin sama da ya dace ba kuma muna bukatar izini daga Fadar White House don saukar da ku kan iyakokin kasa."
    
  "Me kuke bukata?" Macomber ya ki. "Kuna tsammanin 'yan Rasha za su harbe mu da laser mai lalata kuma kuna buƙatar izini don fitar da mu daga nan?"
    
  "Muna yin lissafin, Major-ka shiga cikin wannan kuma mu yi aikinmu," in ji Luger da kakkausan harshe, bai saba da ihu daga wani jami'in hidimar fage ba. Sai dai yanayin muryarsa ya bayyana a fili cewa shi ma bai ji dadin yanayin da ake ciki a yanzu ba. "Ki shirya."
    
  "Yi shi, Faransanci," in ji Macomber a kan intercom. "Ka fitar da mu wuta daga nan."
    
  "Ba zan iya yin wannan ba tare da izini ba, S-One."
    
  "La"ananne, ba za ku iya ba. Kai ne kwamandan jirgin ruwa - ka bayyana min hakan sosai, ka tuna? Nuna wasu ikon ku kuma ku fitar da mu jahannama daga nan! "
    
  "Ba zan iya kawai fitar da mu daga sama ba tare da sanin inda za mu kare idan muka sake shiga cikin yanayi," in ji Moulin. "Ina bukatan sanin inda za mu kasance idan muka dawo da jirgin sama, menene mafi kyawun zangonmu zai kasance, wane titin saukar jiragen da za mu tunkare, yadda filin jirgin yake, tsawon lokacin da titin jirgin ya kasance, menene yanayin siyasa, diflomasiyya da tsaro. -"
    
  "Don girman Allah, Frenchie, daina yin tambayoyi kuma danna maɓallin tsine!" Macomber ya yi kururuwa. "Kada ku jira wani dan siyasa ya kada hannunsa ko ya ba mu yatsa - yi kawai!"
    
  "Yi shiru ka shirya, Macomber!" - Moulin ya yi ihu. "Ba za mu iya tsayawa kawai mu kashe injin ba. Riƙe harshenka kawai, lafiya?"
    
  "Za mu ketare sararin samaniyar yankin da aka yi niyya cikin kusan mintuna biyu," in ji Terranova.
    
  "Mun sanar da murmurewa da yawa, ajiyar ajiya da sansanonin gaggawa a Gabashin Turai, Indiya da Yammacin Pacific," in ji Macomber. "Mun san muna da wasu hanyoyi. Kawai ayyana dokar ta-baci ku sauka kan daya daga cikinsu."
    
  Terranova ya ce "Mun riga mun wuce mafi yawan wuraren tsaro na gaggawa." "Madaidaicin wuraren saukar da muka zaba an tsara su ne don magance gazawar orbital, gazawar injin sake shiga, ko sauran wuraren sauka idan muka fara barewa amma ba a share mu mu shiga wurin da aka nufa ba. Yanzu mun wuce wannan matakin. Idan har yanzu ba mu deorbit ba, shirin shi ne mu tashi sama da wurin da aka nufa, mu canza kewayawa idan muna da isasshen man fetur, ko kuma mu zauna a cikin kewayawa har sai mun dawo cikin Dreamland. Ba za mu iya juya dime kawai ta wata hanya ba."
    
  Turlock ya ce "Don haka mun yi nasara." "Dole ne mu tashi sama da wurin da aka nufa nan take."
    
  "Ba lallai ba ne, amma tsawon lokacin da muke jira don ƙaddamar da damisa, ƙananan zaɓuɓɓukan da muke da su," in ji Terranova. "Koyaushe za mu iya ciyar da karin makamashi kuma mu sauko cikin sauri ta cikin yanayi, muna ƙoƙarin zama ƙasa da ƙasa zuwa sararin sama, sannan da zarar mun dawo cikin yanayi, za mu iya amfani da sauran man da ake samu don tashi daga radar sa ido. ."
    
  "Sai yi!"
    
  "Idan muka yi amfani da dukkan kuzarinmu kuma ba mu da isasshen man fetur don isa wurin da ya dace, muna da matsala," in ji Moulin. "Wannan tsuntsun yana yawo da ɗan kyau fiye da tubali da aka danne. Ba zan bar dukkan damarmu ba idan ba mu da shiri! Ban da haka, ba mu ma san ko akwai Laser anti-Satellite na Rasha a wurin ba. Wannan duka na iya zama mummunan yanayin paranoia. "
    
  "To akwai wani zabin..."
    
  "Ba komai, MC."
    
  "Mene ne zaɓi na ƙarshe?" - ya tambayi Macomber.
    
  "Muna jefar da tsarin fasinja," in ji Terranova.
    
  "Me?"
    
  "An tsara tsarin fasinja don zama nasa jirgin ruwa da jirgin ruwa..."
    
  "Ba zan saki tsarin ba sai a cikin gaggawa," in ji Moulin. "Ba komai".
    
  "Babu yadda za mu iya sauka da kanmu!" Macomber yana kuka.
    
  "Tsarin ƙirar ya ce mai yiwuwa ne, kodayake ba mu taɓa gwada shi da gaske ba," in ji Terranova. "Tsarin fasinja yana sanye da nasa tsarin sarrafa amsawa, manyan garkuwar zafi na fasaha, mafi kyau fiye da fasinja masu ɗorewa da jakunkuna masu saukar da girgiza, kyakkyawan tsarin kare muhalli -."
    
  "Kyawawan kyau bai isa ba, MC - kyaftin din ba ya sanye da wani sulke," in ji Chris Wall.
    
  "Zai yi aiki, Master Sajan."
    
  "Ba na jefa komai a cikin ruwa, kuma shi ke nan," Moulin ya sa baki. "Wannan makoma ce kawai. Ba zan ma yi la'akari da shi ba har sai duk wannan abin tsoro ya faru. Yanzu kowa ya yi shiru na minti daya." Ta hanyar tashar umarni: "Farawa, Odin, me kuke da shi a gare mu?"
    
  "Ba komai," Patrick ya amsa. "Na yi magana da shugaban ma"aikata kuma zai yi magana da shugaban kasa. Ina jira in yi magana da Sakataren Tsaro ko mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro. Ya kamata ka -"
    
  "Na gane!" Dave Luger ya shiga tsakani ba zato ba tsammani. "Idan muka yi amfani da max-G maneuvers don rage tsayi, ya kamata mu sami isasshen kuzari don tashi zuwa Baku da ke gabar tekun Caspian na Azerbaijan. Idan ba haka ba, za ku iya zuwa Neftchala, wanda shine iyakar Azerbaijan da sansanin sintiri na bakin teku. Turkiyya da Amurka suna fadada titin jirginsu a can, kuma kuna iya samun isassun titin jirgin da za ku yi. Zabi na uku -"
    
  ya ce "Ku jefar da tsarin fasinja a cikin Tekun Caspian, sannan ku jefar da Hairpin a cikin Tekun Caspian ko kuma ku fitar da su kafin ku buga ruwan , ya danganta da yadda ba mu da iko," in ji Moulin.
    
  "Ka shirya, inzali," in ji Patrick bayan ɗan ɗan dakata. "Farawa, ina nazarin sabbin hotuna na yankin da abin ya shafa kuma na kammala cewa manyan motoci da sanyawa a Soltanabad kusan iri daya ne da wadanda muka gani a Kabudar Ahang a Iran. Na yi imani da cewa Rashawa sun shigar da Laser hana makami mai linzami ta hannu a Soltanabad. Za ku iya tabbatarwa?"
    
  "Gabaɗaya, ka tabbata wannan barazanar na Rasha gaskiya ce? Idan muka yi haka, ba za a ja da baya ba."
    
  Patrick ya ce: "A'a, ban tabbata ba game da wannan. "Amma alamomin sun yi kama da doki daya-daya. Genesus?"
    
  "Ina dubawa sau biyu, Odin," in ji Dave Luger. "Ku tuna, sun yi ta'ammali da aikin girka a Kabudar Ahang don kawar da sojojin da ke fada. Za su iya sake yin abu ɗaya."
    
  "Za mu sani nan da dakika sittin, ma'aikatan jirgin," in ji Terranova.
    
  "Ba za mu iya jira ba," in ji Patrick a ƙarshe. "Stallion, wannan shine Odin, na umarce ku da ku cirewa, shigar da bayanin martaba a matsakaicin sauri kuma kuyi ƙoƙarin saukar da gaggawa a Baku ko Neftchala, Azerbaijan. Farawa, zazzage tsarin jirgin zuwa Black Stallion kuma a tabbata an kammala shi. Ka ji?"
    
  "Daya, na samu, amma kin tabbata da wannan?" - ya tambayi Moulin. "Ba shi da ma'ana."
    
  "Yi kawai, Frenchie," in ji Macomber. "Idan ya yi kuskure kuma komai ya lalace, za mu iya yin iyo a cikin gurbataccen ruwa na Caspian Sea tare da caviar. Babban abu. Da can, yi haka. Idan ya yi gaskiya, za mu kasance da rai a cikin sa'a guda. A yi".
    
  "An yi lodin shirin jirgin," in ji Luger. "A jiran a kammala."
    
  "Stallion, sanar da ni lokacin da kake yin aikin deorbit."
    
  "Me kike jira, Frenchie?" Macomber ya yi kururuwa. "Ku sauka mana! Kaddamar da rokoki!"
    
  "Ba na so in fada cikin Tekun Caspian," in ji Moulin. "Idan muka kasa, ba za mu da wani zabi illa mu daina -"
    
  "La'ananne, Frenchie, bari mu kasa yanzu!" Macomber ya yi kururuwa. "Me ya faru da ku?"
    
  "Ban amince da Janar McLahanan ba, shi ya sa!" Moulin ya yi ihu. "Ban yarda da wannan ba!"
    
  "Stallion, na tabbata wannan tarko ne," in ji Patrick. "Ina tsammanin mun yi karo da wani wurin harba makami mai linzami na Rasha a Iran. Idan ba ku fita daga wurin ta kowace hanya mai yiwuwa ba, Laser ɗin su zai ƙone ta hanyar garkuwar zafin ku kuma ya lalata jirgin ruwa. Ba na so in dauki wannan kasadar. Ɗauki jirgin sama daga sararin samaniya kuma ku fita daga can."
    
  Terranova ya ce "Yanzu muna ketare sararin da aka yi niyya."
    
  "Stallion, wannan shine tsari: cire kumbon daga sararin samaniya," in ji Patrick. "An lura da rashin amincewarku. Ina daukar cikakken alhaki. Yanzu yi."
    
  "Ina neman afuwarka, yallabai, amma na kwafi inganci kuma na tabbatar da umarni daga Dokar Kasa akasin haka: ci gaba da tafiya har sai mun sami damar komawa tafkin ango," in ji Moulin. "Wadannan umarni sun wuce naku. Muna zama. Jagora, share tsarin jirgin deorbit kuma sake loda na baya."
    
  "Faransa"
    
  "Yi shi, MC," in ji Moulin. "Wannan umarni ne. Zan kula da wannan yanayin don adana mai don injinan, amma mun ci gaba da kasancewa a cikin kewayawa kuma hakan shine ƙarshe. "
    
  Bayan wannan, gidajen rediyon da masu shiga tsakani sun yi shuru sosai, Luger da McLaanahan suna watsa faɗakarwar barazanar barazanar radar da sabunta hotunan sirri ga ma'aikatan jirgin da juna. Lokaci ya zama kamar yana ja da baya. A ƙarshe, Macomber ya ce, "Menene jahannama ke faruwa, Farawa, kuma har yaushe za mu fita daga wannan shit?"
    
  "Minti hudu da dakika goma har sai mun dawo yankin da aka nufa," in ji Dave Luger.
    
  "Yi hakuri, Odin," in ji Moulin, "amma dole ne in yanke shawara. Ina bin umarni."
    
  "Ina fata na yi kuskure, SC," Patrick ya amsa. "Kun yi abin da kuke tsammani daidai ne. Za mu yi magana game da wannan bayan kun kasance lafiya a gida.
    
  "Yaya mukeyi a wurin saukar Baku, Genesis?" - Tambayi Terranova.
    
  "Za ku rasa shi a cikin dakika talatin. Ba za ku sami isasshen ƙarfin da za ku tashi zuwa Base na Gabatarwa na Warrior a Kirkuk, Iraki bayan kun sake shiga cikin yanayi - Herat, Afganistan shine mafi kyawun zaɓinku, amma har yanzu za ku tashi sama da Soltanabad. Wani zabin kuma na iya zama hamadar kudancin Turkmenistan - za mu iya aiko da wata tawaga ta musamman daga Uzbekistan da sauri don taimaka muku."
    
  "Yallabai, kana ba da shawarar mu sauka a Turkmenistan?"
    
  "Ban ce kasa ba, MC."
    
  Terranova ya hadiye. Da alama an yi nufin Luger ne don ya ba su damar "jet jirgin" - ya bar shi ya fadi a cikin hamada. "Mene ne tushen katsewa na gaba?"
    
  "Karachi da Hyderabad suna bayansa."
    
  "A shirye muke mu bude wuta a kan 'damisa," in ji Terranova. "Jerin dubawa na biyu yana riƙe. Shin zan saita sake shigarwa zuwa matsakaicin raguwar jinkirin?"
    
  Moulin ya ce: "Ba za mu yi watsi da shi ba." "Rashawa ba za su kuskura su yi mana harbi ba. Leonid Zevitin ba mahaukaci ba ne. Wannan mutumin yana iya rawa, saboda Allah!" Rediyon suka kyalkyace da dariya shuru. Amma ta kalli kyamararta da ke cikin jirgin sama, ta gyada kai ga Terranova, ta umarce shi da ya tsara kwamfutocin don iyakar gudu da kuma rage tsayi. "Ina nufin, yi tunani game da shi duka: babu mutumin da zai iya rawa da zai zama mahaukaci don -"
    
  Nan da nan suka ji, "Ana lura, hankali, Laser gano ... hankali, hankali, hull zafin jiki yana tashi, tashoshi dari biyu da hamsin zuwa dari biyu da casa"in... Hankali, hull zafin jiki yana gabatowa aiki iyaka...!
    
  "Laser Kavaznya!" - Na yi oda. - Patrick McLanahan ya ce. "Suna kai hari daga matsanancin iyaka. Stallion, fita daga can yanzu! "
    
  "Fara hanyoyin deorbit!" - Moulin ya yi ihu. "Ma'aikata, ku shirya don saukowa daga sararin samaniya! Injin damisa suna ƙara saurinsu!"
    
  "... gargadi game da karuwar zafin jiki, tashoshi dari biyu da saba'in zuwa dari biyu da casa'in ... Hankali, hankali ...!"
    
  An sake mayar da ma'aikatan zuwa kujerunsu yayin da injinan na'urorin makami mai linzami na Laser ke harbawa da cikakken iko. Ƙarfin ƙarfin injin ɗin roka ɗin nan da nan ya birki jirgin Black Stallion, da sauri ya fara gangarowa zuwa duniya. Macomber ya yi kururuwa yayin da lodin ya karu da sauri, fiye da duk wani abu da ya taba fuskanta a baya. Ba da daɗewa ba ya kasa samun ƙarfin yin wani sauti kwata-kwata-ya ɗauki dukan hankalinsa don samun isasshiyar iska a cikin huhu don hana kansa suma.
    
  "Muna tafiya ta kafa dubu ashirin da takwas a cikin dakika daya," in ji Terranova a cikin sakonnin gargadi na kusan-da-wane. "Muna tafiya ta mil casa'in na tsayi ... 'Damisa' a kashi casa'in na wutar lantarki, maki uku zero Gs..."
    
  "Jeka zuwa kashi dari da goma bisa dari," Moulin ya yi kuka a karkashin matsin.
    
  "Wannan ya fi Gs biyar, SC," in ji Terranova. "Dole ne mu kiyaye wannan don-"
    
  "Yi shi, MC," Moulin ya umarta. "Ma'aikatan jirgin, SC, za su sami rashin jin daɗi na 'yan mintuna kaɗan. Ci gaba da abubuwan da za ku iya. " Bayan 'yan wasu lokuta, kalamanta sun yanke don jin cewa ƙirjinta na shirin fashewa yayin da G-force ya kusan ninka biyu. Kukan zafi da mamaki sun bayyana. " Rike ... to ... ma'aikatan jirgin ... "
    
  "Mataki biyar na uku OB," Terranova ya numfasa. "Yesu... Muna tuka kilomita ashirin da biyar, muna tafiyar mil tamanin..."
    
  "Ya Allah, sai yaushe?" - wani ya yi gunaguni - ba zai yiwu a bayyana wanda ke magana ba.
    
    
  CIBIYAR SARAUTA NA MADADIN AIKI NA SOJOJIN SAMA, POLDOSK, TARAYYAR RUSIYA.
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  Bayan lalata sansanin jiragen sama na Engels da ke kusa da Saratov da kuma harin bam da Amurka ta kai a cibiyar bayar da umarni ta karkashin kasa a Raazan, babban hafsan hafsan sojin sama Janar Andrei Darzov ya maido da wata tsohuwar matsugunin tsaron farar hula da cibiyar dawo da sojojin da ke kudu maso yammacin Moscow da ake kira Poldosk don amfani da su a matsayin gudun hijira. da kuma ajiye umurnin gidan waya. Babu filin jirgin sama ko ma daki don babban helipad, amma akwai layin dogo na karkashin kasa kusa da wurin, wadataccen ruwan sha mai yawa (kamar yadda ake tsammani a cikin Babban yankin Moscow)...
    
  ... kuma - mafi mahimmanci, Darzov ya yi imani - ya kasance kusa da yawancin mazauna birnin cewa ko da mahaukaci kamar kwamandan bama-bamai na Amurka Laftanar Janar Patrick McLanahan zai iya yin tunani sau biyu game da tayar da bam a wurin.
    
  Godiya ga mafi girma ga zamani high-gudun bayanai da kuma sadarwa damar, Poldosk a yau hidima wani manufa: a matsayin sa ido da kuma kula da cibiyar na Molniya iska harba makami mai linzami anti-sarari da kuma Fanar Laser anti-sarari tsarin tsaro. Daga ɗaki mai sauƙi tare da kwamfutoci hudu, Darzov ya yi magana da sojojinsa a cikin filin ta hanyar Intanet mai sauri mai sauri da murya akan IP. Cibiyar umarni tana da cikakkiyar wayar hannu, ana iya haɗa ta cikin ƙasa da sa'a guda kuma a tura ta zuwa wani wuri a cikin kusan lokaci guda, kuma a cikin gaggawa ana iya sarrafa ta daga kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka guda ɗaya da amintaccen wayar salula ko wayar tauraron dan adam a ko'ina a cikin tashar. duniya.
    
  A yammacin yau an mayar da hankali kan Soltanabad. Abin takaici ne yadda Amurkawa suka sami Phanar cikin sauri - tabbas makauniyar sa'a ce, ko kuma watakila wasu daga cikin dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci sun zama maciya amana, suka kai rahotonsu ga shugaban juyin mulkin Hesarak Boujazi ko kuma Amurkawa. Amma ya shigar da Phanar a Soltanabad daidai saboda yawancin jiragen sama na Amurka suna shawagi a yankin sau da yawa. Ya kasance, kamar yadda Amurkawa suka ce, "yanayin da ke da wadatar manufa."
    
  Darzov ya fusata lokacin da ya ga sabbin karatun kuma ya danna maballin TRANSFER akan madannai na kwamfuta: "Gaba, wannan shine Goalkeeper. Fada mani matsayin. Kun daina kai hari... me yasa?"
    
  "Muna da cikakken jagorar na'urar lantarki a kan manufa, kuma mun bude wuta kamar yadda aka umarce mu," in ji babban injiniya kuma manajan aikin a Soltanabad, Wolfgang Zypris. "Amma 'yan dakiku kadan bayan mun kaddamar da harin, mun rasa alaka." Zypris injiniyan lesar Jamus ne kuma masanin kimiyya, kuma a da ya taba zama kanal a rundunar sojojin saman Jamus. Bai san cewa budurwar Zipris da ta dade tana leken asirin kasar Rasha ce da ta yi kutse a cikin kwamfutarsa ta gida ta kuma yi safarar manyan kayayyaki zuwa Moscow. Lokacin da budurwarsa ta gaya masa ko wace ce ita kuma ma'aikacin Jamus Milit ärischer Abschirmdienst, ko kuma ƙungiyar masu fafutukar kare kai na Sabis na Tsaron Soja, yana kan wutsiya, ya ƙyale a kai kansa Rasha. Nan da nan Darzov ya ba shi duk abin da yake so - kudi, gida, da dukan matan da zai iya magancewa - don yin aiki don ingantawa da kuma ƙaddamar da tsarin Laser na Kawaznya anti-space. Bayan fiye da shekaru biyar na aiki, ya sami nasara fiye da yadda Darzov ya yi fata.
    
  Tsipris ya ci gaba da cewa "da alama jirgin yana sauka da sauri." "Muna zargin na'urorinmu na gani sun makanta lokacin da jirgin ya harba rokoki na relay."
    
  "Kun sanar da ni cewa hakan na iya faruwa, Colonel," in ji Darzov. Don guje wa ganowa, sun yanke shawarar yin amfani da tsarin saye da na'urar ganowa ta telescopic electro-optical saye da tsarin bin diddigi da kuma kiyaye radar su mai zurfi a kan jiran aiki. Sun kai hari kan jirgin na Amurka dakikoki bayan ya tsallaka sararin samaniya tare da bin sa cikin sauki. Kamar yadda suka yi fata, ba ta fara gangarowa ta sararin samaniya ba, ko da yake wani babban hoto ya nuna cewa hakika ta juya kan hanya mai kyau don fara raguwa, jela mai tashi da farko. Har yanzu yana cikin matsayi mai kyau, kuma Darzov ya ba da umarnin fara harin.
    
  Mataki na gaba na bayyanar laser shine a buga maƙasudin tare da laser mai ƙarfi don auna yanayin yanayi da yin gyare-gyare ga na'urorin gani na babban Laser, yana ba shi damar mai da hankali sosai kan abin da ake nufi kafin harba babban laser oxygen-iodine laser. Darzov da Zipris sun yanke shawarar, yayin da aka tura kumbon zuwa sararin samaniya don harba rokokinsa, don yin amfani da babban Laser don yin nasu gyare-gyare don fara harbi cikin sauri.
    
  "Da alama ma'aikatan jirgin sun yi tsammanin za a kai hari," in ji Tsipris, "saboda sun harba injinan tukinsu 'yan dakikoki kadan bayan bugun ledar mu. Mun sami damar ci gaba da tuntuɓar na kusan daƙiƙa goma sha biyar, amma har yanzu na'urorin na gani sun fi mayar da hankali sosai, don haka wataƙila muna kashe kashi sittin na ƙarfin jikinsu ne kawai. Tsarin optoelectronic sannan ya kashe makullin. Dole ne su kasance suna murkushe membobinsu kamar kwari a cikin abin - suna saurin raguwa sau uku fiye da na al'ada. Ina bin su da na'urorin daukar hoto na infrared, amma hakan bai isa ba ga babban Laser, don haka ina bukatar izini in yi amfani da babban radar don sake kulle su da kayar da su."
    
  "Shin har yanzu suna cikin kewayon kuma suna da girman isa don shiga?"
    
  "Suna kan tsayin kilomita dari da talatin, mai nisan kilomita dubu daya da dari shida, suna saurin faduwa kasa da mita dubu bakwai da dari takwas a cikin dakika guda - suna ta faduwa kamar dutse, amma suna cikin injin Laser. iyaka," Zipris ta tabbatar masa. "Tsarin wannan jirgin dole ne ya kasance mai ƙarfi sosai don jure irin wannan lodi. Za su shiga cikin yanayi ba da daɗewa ba, amma a yanzu ba za su iya tserewa da sauri ba. Zan samo maka General."
    
  "Sa'an nan an karɓi izini don ci gaba da kai harin, Kanar," in ji Darzov nan take. "A yi kyau farauta".
    
    
  ***
    
    
  "Maki biyar bakwai Gs ... kilomita ashirin da biyu a cikin dakika ... mil saba'in da biyar ... maki biyar Gs ..." Ya zama kamar Terranova ya dauki har abada don ba da kowane karatu. "Muna tafiya mil saba'in ... mil sittin da biyar, mun isa wurin shiga, ma'aikatan jirgin, 'damisa' nakasassu." The G-force ya sauƙaƙa ba zato ba tsammani, biye da ƙungiyar mawaƙa na nishi da la'ana daga ko'ina cikin sararin samaniya. Macomber ya kasa yarda da cewa bai fita daga matsin lamba ba na dogon lokaci. Har yanzu yana jin irin yadda jirgin ke ci gaba da rasa kuzari, amma bai yi kusan muni ba kamar lokacin da Damisa ke harbawa. "Crew, rahoto."
    
  "Lafiya kuwa?" Macomber yayi jawabi ga sauran a cikin tsarin fasinja. "Ka yi waƙa da ƙarfi."
    
  "T-biyu, ina lafiya," in ji Turlock a raunane.
    
  "S-Uku, okay," Vol ya amsa, yana jin kamar babu abin da ya faru. Wannan bastard mai yiwuwa yana barci cikin sauri a duk tsawon lokacin, Macomber yayi tunani.
    
  "S-One" shima yayi kyau KA, fasinja lafiya kalau, duk kujerar baya kore ne. Tafiya ce babba."
    
  "An fahimta," in ji Moulin. "Laser ɗin yana kama da ya karye makulli a halin yanzu. Mun fara motsa jiki bisa ga matsayin hanyar shiga." Black Stallion ya fara juya hanci-na farko, sannan ya tashi zuwa digiri arba'in a saman sararin samaniya don sake gwada yanayin yanayi, yana fallasa ƙananan garkuwar zafi ga yanayin ci gaba don kare jirgin daga zafin da ke haifar da rikici. "Shugaba, bari mu ɗan fayyace hanyar."
    
  "An yarda," in ji Terranova. "Mun wuce silinda na ƙarshe don Baku, don haka na tsara Herat, Afghanistan a matsayin wurin saukar mu. Har yanzu muna kan iyakar bayanin bayanan kuɗin kuɗin mu, kuma Herat yana kusa-kusan mil ɗari goma sha uku-don haka muna da isasshen iko don isa tushe. A cikin dakika sittin, matsa lamba na iska zai yi girma sosai don abubuwan daidaitawa a kan karu don yin tasiri, kuma za mu kashe tsarin sarrafa amsawa, canza zuwa matsakaicin bayanin martaba, da karkatar da gabas kan Turkmenistan don nisanta daga Soltanabad. Da zarar mun wuce ƙafa dubu ɗari, za mu iya canzawa zuwa jirgin sama, kashe damisa, ƙone injunan turbojet, mu gangara kan hanyar da ta dace.
    
  "Nawa muke da iskar gas MC?" - ya tambayi Macomber.
    
  "Da zarar mun harba turbojets, za mu sami ragowar man da bai wuce sa'a daya ba, amma za mu sauko da misalin karfe 5 na Mach, don haka za mu sami isasshen kuzari don kawar da shi kafin mu bukaci turbojets." - Terranova ya amsa. "Za mu fara tsare injinan kuma mu shirya don tabbatar da damisa, don haka idan muka -"
    
  "Hankali, radar bincike, sa'o'i goma sha biyu, mil dari tara da sittin, Indiya-Juliet tsiri," muryar mai na'urar gargadin na'urar na'ura mai kwakwalwa ta fito kwatsam. Na biyu daga baya: " Hankali, hankali, radar bin diddigin manufa, sa'o'i goma sha biyu, mil dari tara da hamsin ... hankali, hankali, pulse-Doppler manufa radar, sa'o'i goma sha biyu, mil dari tara da arba'in ... hankali, hankali, Laser gano, sa'o'i goma sha biyu ... . Hankali da hankali ...!"
    
  "Sun buge mu da radar kusan mil dubu?" Terranova ya yi murmushi. "Wannan ba zai yiwu ba!"
    
  "Wannan shi ne Kawaznya radar, ma'aikatan jirgin," in ji Patrick McLaanahan. "Yawan wannan abu abu ne mai ban mamaki, kuma yanzu wayar hannu ce."
    
  " Hankali, gargadi, tsarin sanyaya gaggawa yana kunna ... hankali, hankali, zafin jiki yana tashi, tashar ɗari da casa'in..."
    
  "Me ya kamata mu yi, Odin?" Lisa Moulin ta yi kuka a rediyo. "Me zan yi?"
    
  "Abin da kawai kake da shi shine juya kumbon don kada makamashin Laser ya maida hankali kan kowane batu na dogon lokaci," in ji Patrick. "Yi amfani da ikon amsawa don yin jifa. Da zarar tsarin daidaita jirgin ku yana aiki, za ku iya amfani da iyakar bankin ku don tashi daga Laser, kuma ku canza hanyarku gwargwadon yiwuwa don guje wa lasar ta buga ku. Dave, Ina buƙatar ku fitar da vampires daga tashar jirgin saman Batman kuma ku lalata kayan aikin laser! Ina son Soltanabad ya zama rami mai shan taba!"
    
  "Suna kan hanya, Odin," Luger ya amsa.
    
  Amma yayin da daƙiƙai suka ƙare, ya zama a bayyane cewa babu wani abin da Moulin zai iya yi da zai yi aiki. Sun sami kusan kashedin zafi na akai-akai daga wurare da dama a kan jirgin, wasu kuma sun fara ba da rahoton yabo da asarar mutuncin tsarin. Wata rana, da gangan Moulin ya kalli wani bim ɗin Laser da ke kutsawa ta cikin gilashin motar jirgin kuma ya makanta a wani bangare, duk da cewa dukkansu sun yi duhu.
    
  Terranova ƙarshe ya kashe gargadin barazanar - ba su da amfani a gare su. "Faransa, lafiya?"
    
  "Ba zan iya ganin komai ba, Jim," in ji Moulin a kan hanyar sadarwa ta "mai zaman kanta" don haka ma'aikatan da ke cikin fasinja ba su iya ji. "Na kalli katakon Laser na tsawon daƙiƙa guda kuma duk abin da nake gani manyan ramukan baƙar fata ne a cikin hangen nesa na. Na zage-zage. Na kashe mu duka."
    
  "Ci gaba da harbi, Frenchie," in ji Terranova. "Za mu yi".
    
  Moulin ya fara matsar da sandar kula da gefen baya da baya, ta yin amfani da tururuwa don juya jirgin. Terranova ta ba ta shawarwarin koyaushe lokacin da ta yi nisa. Gargadin yanayin zafi ya kusan zama akai-akai, duk yadda ta yi. "Dole ne mu jettison tsarin fasinja," in ji Moulin, har yanzu a kan "intercom" masu zaman kansu. "Suna iya samun dama."
    
  "Mun yi kyau a kan g-force da iyakar gudu don jettison, Frenchy," in ji Terranova. "Ba mu ma san ko za su tsira ba ko da mun rage gudu sosai - ba mu taɓa yin watsi da tsarin ba."
    
  "Akwai hanya ɗaya kawai don ganowa," in ji Moulin. "Zan fara saukowa mai ƙarfi don ƙoƙarin rage mu don isa ga jirgin fasinja. Muna amfani da kowane digon man da muka bari don rage faɗuwar mu. Zan bukaci taimakon ku. Ki fada min lokacin da muka kusa rugujewa." Ta yi santsi da fikafikanta a hankali, sannan ta yi amfani da Terranova wajen karkatar da Black Stallion domin su sake tashi wutsiya. A cikin cikakkiyar hanyar sadarwar ta ce: "Crew, shirya don iyakar ramuwar gayya ta makami mai linzami, bayanan zuriya tare da iko. 'Damisa' suna hulɗa da juna."
    
  "Me?" - Na tambaya. - ya tambayi Macomber. "Kuna harbi damisa kuma? Menene-?"
    
  Bai samu lokacin karasa tambayarsa ba. Moulin ya kunna injunan fashewar Laser pulse kuma nan da nan ya kawo su cikin yanayin gangara sannan zuwa matsakaicin ƙarfi, wanda ya zarce nauyin al'ada na fasinjoji da ma'aikatan jirgin. Gudun su ya ragu sosai - har yanzu suna tashi sama da Mach 5, amma ya fi rabin saurin da suka saba tashi. Duk wanda ke cikin tsarin fasinja ya sami irin wannan firgita mai ƙarfi da ba zato ba tsammani daga abubuwan da suka yi yawa wanda nan da nan suka ɓace. Jim Terranova kuma ya mutu ...
    
  ...haka Lisa Moulin, amma ba kafin ta bude kofofin kaya a saman fuselage na XR-A9 Black Stallion, ta buɗe bolts masu hawa da ke riƙe da tsarin a cikin tashar kaya, ta ɗaga maɓalli mai alamar ja, ta kunna. shi...
    
  ... kuma a daidai lokacin da aka bude kofofin, ba a kwance bakunan da ke hawa, sannan aka saki rokoki na harba na'urar, Black Stallion din ya yi amfani da duk wani fam din mai da ya rage a tankunansa ... ya tsage. baya da Laser na Rasha kuma ya fashe.
    
    
  ***
    
    
  Wolfgang Zypris daga Soltanabad ya ruwaito cewa "An lalata makasudi, Janar." "An nuna babban hasarar saurin gudu, manyan maƙasudai da yawa, yuwuwar tarkace, da saurin asarar radar da tuntuɓar gani. Kisan karshe."
    
  "Na fahimta," in ji Janar Andrei Darzov. Da yawa daga cikin masu fasaha da jami'an da ke cikin dakin sun daga hannu cikin nasara tare da sakin murna, amma ya rufe su da kallon gargadi. "Yanzu ina ba da shawarar ku fita daga wurin cikin sauri - babu shakka Amurkawa sun aika wata kungiyar yajin aiki don lalata wannan tushe. Za su iya kasancewa a cikin kasa da sa'a guda idan sun fara daga Iraki."
    
  "Za mu fita daga nan nan da mintuna talatin, Janar," in ji Tsipris. "Fita".
    
  Darzov ya katse haɗin, sannan ya kunna wani ya ce: "Aiki ya cika, yallabai."
    
  Shugaban Rasha Leonid Zevitin ya ce "Mai kyau sosai, janar." "Me kuke ganin martanin su zai kasance?"
    
  Darzov ya ce "Ba shakka suna harba bama-bamai marasa matuki na B-1 daga sansanin sojin saman Batman da ke Turkiyya dauke da makami mai linzami don kai hari tare da lalata sansanin a Iran." "Za su iya kasancewa cikin yanayin yin harbi cikin kasa da sa'a guda - ko da a cikin mintuna talatin idan suna da jirgin da zai fara harba. Za a kai harin cikin kasa da minti daya."
    
  "Ya Allahna, wannan abin mamaki ne - muna buƙatar samun hannunmu kan wannan fasaha," in ji Zevitin. "Ina tsammanin mutanen ku suna tashi daga jakunansu suna fita daga wannan tushe."
    
  "Dole ne su yi nisa sosai kafin Amurkawa su kai hari - Ina tabbatar muku, za su iya jin wadannan makamai masu linzami a bayan kawunansu ko da a yanzu."
    
  "Na san ka yi. Ina jirgin yake lokacin da ya fadi, Janar?"
    
  "Kisan kilomita dubu daga arewa maso yammacin Soltanabad."
    
  "Don haka, kwatsam, wannan yana faruwa ... akan Rasha?"
    
  An ɗan ɗan dakata yayin da Darzov ya duba katunan kwamfutarsa; sai: "I, yallabai, haka ne. kilomita dari arewa maso yamma da Machakala, babban birnin lardin Dagestan, da kilomita dari uku kudu maso gabashin sansanin 'yan kunar bakin wake na Tupolev-95 a Mozdok."
    
  "Bangaren tarkacen fa?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Ba zai yiwu a ce ba, yallabai. Wataƙila za ta warwatse sama da dubban kilomita tsakanin tekun Caspian da kan iyakar Iran da Afghanistan."
    
  "Abun tausayi. Ka sa ido a kan wannan tarkace kuma ka sanar da ni idan wani daga ciki ya kai kasa. Umurci rukunin binciken Tekun Caspian Flotilla don fara bincike nan da nan. Shin tashoshin radar namu sun faɗakar da tsarin tsaron sararinmu?
    
  "A"a yallabai. Tsaron iska na al'ada da na'urorin radar zirga-zirgar zirga-zirgar jiragen sama ba za su iya bin diddigin manufa a wannan tsayin da motsi cikin wannan gudun ba. Tsarin sa ido na musamman ne kawai zai iya yin wannan. "
    
  "Don haka, ba tare da irin wannan radar ba, har yanzu ba za mu san cewa wani abu ya faru ba, daidai?"
    
  "Abin takaici, a'a, sir."
    
  "Yaushe kuke tsammanin za a gano tarkacen ta hanyar tsarin radar na al'ada?"
    
  "Ba mu sake bin tarkace yayin da muke saukar da tsarin radar Phanar a Soltanabad," in ji Darzov, "amma zan yi tunanin cewa a cikin 'yan mintoci kaɗan za mu iya fara ɗaukar manyan ɓangarorin yayin da suke sake shiga cikin yanayi. Zan umurci cibiyoyin tsaron sararin sama na Dagestan da su gaggauta kai rahoton gano tarkace."
    
  "Madalla, Janar," in ji Zevitin. "Ba zan so in yi korafi da wuri ba game da sabon harin da Amurka ta kai wa Rasha, ko?"
    
    
  A CIKIN JIRGIN FARKO
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  "Allahna, shugaban kasa," in ji Sajan din macen, ta tashi daga guiwowinta ta fara sake buga rigar rigarta, "hakika kana da kuri"ata."
    
  "Na gode, Sajan ma'aikaci," in ji Shugaba Gardner, yana kallon yadda ta daidaita yayin da yake danna gardamarsa. "Ina tsammanin akwai budi a cikin jihara don wanda ya cancanta kamar ku." Ta yi murmushi ga furucin da ba ta da tabbas. "Ina sha'awar?"
    
  "A gaskiya, yallabai, ina jiran guraben aiki a Makarantar Horar da Jami"an," ta amsa, cikin ƙwazo tana kallon babban kwamandan sama da ƙasa. "An gaya mini cewa ramin ba zai sake buɗewa ba har tsawon watanni goma sha takwas. Na kammala digiri na kuma na yi amfani da semester na karshe. Na kuduri aniyar samun kwamitocina."
    
  "Mene ne digirinki, sweety?"
    
  "Kimiyyar siyasa," ta amsa. "Zan samu digiri na na lauya sannan zan so shiga siyasa."
    
  "Tabbas za mu iya amfani da wani tare da sha'awar ku a Washington, Sajan Ma'aikata," in ji Shugaban. Ya lura da hasken KIRAN wayar yana walƙiya-kira na gaggawa, amma bai isa ya ƙetare odar DND ba. "Amma OTS yana Alabama?"
    
  "Iya, sir."
    
  "Wannan ya yi muni sosai, zuma," in ji shugaban, yana nuna rashin jin daɗi - abu na ƙarshe da yake so shi ne wani ya bayyana a Washington. Maxwell Air Force Base a Alabama zai yi kyau-da nisa daga Washington don guje wa jita-jita, amma kusa da Florida cewa za ta iya lallacewa yayin da yake a gidansa na Florida. "Tabbas zan so in yi aiki tare da ku sau da yawa, amma na yaba da sadaukarwarku ga hidima. Na tabbata na ji labarin OTS slot yana buɗewa a aji na gaba kuma ina tsammanin za ku dace daidai. Za mu tuntube mu."
    
  "Na gode sosai shugaban kasa," in ji ma'aikacin, tare da lallashin sauran gashinta da kayan aikinta, sannan ta tafi ba tare da ko waiwaya ba.
    
  Haka ya ke son su, Gardner ya yi tunani, yana shan ruwan 'ya'yan itace ya fara samun bugun zuciyarsa da tunaninsa cikin tsari: mai ƙarfin hali da tsaurin kai don yin duk abin da ya ɗauka don samun riba a kan kowa, amma mai hikima ya isa ya dawo bakin aiki. da kuma guje wa sa hannu - waɗannan su ne ainihin dakarun a Washington. Wasu sun yi ta ta hanyar hazaka, ƙwaƙwalwa, ko alaƙar siyasa-babu wani abu mara kyau ko sabon abu game da waɗanda suka yi ta a durƙusa. Bugu da kari, ta san abin da ya yi, cewa su biyun sana"o"insu za su kare idan dan kokarinsu ya taba fita, don haka ya amfanar da su duka biyun su yi abin da dayan yake so, kuma mafi mahimmanci, su rufe bakinsu. kulle da key game da wannan. Wannan zai yi nisa sosai.
    
  Bayan dakika guda, hankalinsa ya sake maida hankali kan abubuwan da ke tafe da hanya, ya danna maballin "KADA KA TSAYA". Bayan wasu 'yan mintuna, babban hafsan ma'aikatansa kuma mashawarcinsa kan harkokin tsaro na kasa ya buga, ya leka ledar don tabbatar da cewa shugaban kasar shi kadai ne, ya dan dakata, sannan ya shiga dakin. Dukansu suna da wayoyin hannu a kunnen su. Air Force One na iya aiki a matsayin tashar wayar salula ta kansa, kuma ba kamar fasinjojin jiragen sama na kasuwanci ba, babu wani hani kan amfani da wayar salula a cikin jirgin Air Force One - masu amfani za su iya kunna hasumiya ta wayar salula da yawa kamar yadda suke so. "Me ke faruwa?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar.
    
  "Ko dai ba wani abu bane... Ko kuma kawai ya fashe, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji shugaban ma'aikata Walter Cordus. "Hedikwatar Rundunar Sojin Sama a Turai ta samu kira daga cibiyar hadin gwiwa ta hadin gwiwa ta shida da ke Turkiyya inda ta bukaci tabbatar da tashin wani Bom mai suna EB-1C Vampire tare da bama-bamai guda biyu daga sansanin Batman Air Force da ke kudancin Turkiya ... wadanda muka sauka. bayan harin makami mai linzami da aka kai a Iran. Hukumar ta USAF ta tuntubi ma'aikatar tsaron Amurka ta Pentagon don tabbatarwa saboda babu wani umarni na jirgin sama na duk wani harin bam daga Batman."
    
  "Kina nufin maharan McLahanan?" An rubuta amsar a fuskar Cordus a firgice. "McLanahan ya umarci "yan kunar bakin wakensa guda biyu su tashi...bayan na umarce su da sauka? Me ke faruwa?"
    
  "Ban sani ba tukuna, yallabai," in ji Cordus. "Na gaya wa rundunar sojin saman Amurka cewa babu wani maharin da ya ba su izinin harba bama-bamai saboda kowane dalili, kuma na umarce su da su hana su kaddamar da harin. Ina kiran McLaanahan da mataimakinsa Luger a Nevada, suna ƙoƙarin gano abin da ke faruwa."
    
  "Shin 'yan kunar bakin wake suna dauke da makamai?"
    
  "Ba mu san hakan ba tukuna, yallabai. Wannan manufa gaba daya ba ta da izini."
    
  "To, dole ne mu ɗauka cewa haka lamarin yake - sanin McLaanahan, da ya bar makamai a cikin jiragensa ko da an dakatar da su duka, sai dai idan mun gaya masa cewa kada ya yi, kuma ko a lokacin zai iya yin hakan . Kawai ku ajiye su a kan gangarowa har sai mun gano abin da ke faruwa. Menene labarin jirgin sama? Har yanzu yana cikin kewayawa?"
    
  "Zan duba da zarar McLanahan ya dauka, yallabai."
    
  "Ya fi kyau a haka, ko kuma in ƙusa buyarsa a ƙofar banɗakina," in ji shugaban, yana shan ruwan lemu. "Saurara, game da 'haɗu da gaishe' a Orlando..." Sannan ya ji Carlisle yana zagi a cikin wayarsa. "Ya Conrad?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Bama-bamai na B-1 sun tashi," in ji mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro. Kallon shugaban kasa yayi cikin mamaki. "Mai kula da hasumiya a tashar jirgin ya gaya wa ma'aikatan da su tsaya a wurin, amma wadannan jiragen ba a kwance ba - ana sarrafa su daga nesa daga Elliott Air Force Base a Nevada."
    
  "McLanahan."
    
  "Har yanzu McLaanahan yana cikin tashar sararin samaniya, don haka babban kwamandan sa na biyu, Birgediya Janar Luger, shine ke kula da masu tayar da bam daga Elliott," in ji Carlisle. "Dole ne in kira Sakataren Tsaro Turner ya umurci Luger da ya mayar da wadannan 'yan kunar bakin wake a kasa. Yesu...!"
    
  "Ba shi da iko!" - Shugaban ya yi kuka. "Ina son ya bar wannan tashar sararin samaniya kuma a tsare shi cikin gaggawa! Aika da la'ananne Marshal na Amurka a can idan ya zama dole!"
    
  "Aika Marshal na Amurka zuwa sararin samaniya?" Cordus ya tambaya. "Ina mamakin ko an taba yin wannan a baya... ko kuma za mu iya tambayar marshal don sa kai don yin wannan?"
    
  "Ba wasa nake ba, Walter. McLanahan yana bukatar a yi masa kakkausar suka kafin ya sake wani mummunan yaki tsakaninmu da Rasha. Gano abin da jahannama ke faruwa da sauri. Zevitin zai sake yin waya kafin mu san shi, kuma ina so in tabbatar masa cewa komai yana karkashin iko. "
    
    
  YANKIN KASAR YAKI, BATTLE MOUNTAIN RESVE AIR BASE, NEVADA
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  Jirgin na "Headbanger Biyu-Daya" na biyu yana kan matakin jirgi uku-daya-o, kulawar da ta dace, tashi sama maki tara da daya, mintuna talatin don kaddamar da hari," in ji kwamandan tawagar. hanyoyin kula da zirga-zirgar jiragen sama kuma sun tashi ba tare da rakiyar jirgin ba ko kuma sanya ido kan zirga-zirgar jiragen sama... saboda za su yi yaki.
    
  Jami"an biyun sun zauna kafada da kafada a wani sashe na daban na "BATMAN," ko yankin kula da yaki, a sansanin ajiye jiragen sama na Battle Mountain a arewacin Nevada, suna zaune a wani wurin da ake ganin kamar wani wurin aikin kwamfuta ne wanda mai gadi zai yi amfani da shi. ko mai ciniki na rana a cikin Securities.sai dai salon joysticks na jirgin sama. Jami"an na gefensu ne da wasu ma"aikatan fasaha guda biyu da aka dauka tare da na"urorin sarrafa kwamfuta nasu. Maza da matan da ke cikin dakin sun yi magana a cikin makarufonsu a cikin surutu, jikinsu da kyar suke motsi, idanuwa suka zube daga na'ura zuwa saka idanu. Taɓan yatsa lokaci-lokaci akan madannai ko hannu yana motsa siginan kwamfuta tare da ƙwallon waƙa zai sa kowa ya gaskata cewa wani abu yana faruwa a zahiri.
    
  Jami'an biyu sun tuka jiragen ruwan yaki na EB-1C Vampire marasa matuki da suka harba daga sansaninsu na gaba a gabashin Turkiyya ta arewacin Iran. Manyan masu sa ido guda uku sun nuna ra'ayi na gaba da bangarorin maharin gubar, yayin da sauran masu sa ido suka nuna aiki, tsarin da kuma karatuttukan makami daga duka jiragen biyu. Duk da cewa maharan biyun sun cika iska, amma galibi ana sarrafa su gaba ɗaya ta hanyar kwamfuta, suna ba da amsa ga umarnin da aka shigar kafin tashin su kuma suna yanke shawarar abin da za su yi don kammala aikin. Ma'aikatan jirgin na kasa sun sanya ido kan ci gaban jirgin, sun yi canje-canje ga tsarin jirgin idan ya cancanta, kuma za su iya sarrafa iko a kowane lokaci, amma dukkanin yanke shawara ta hanyar kwamfuta ne. Masu fasaha sun sanya ido kan tsarin jirgin, suna lura da bakan na lantarki don barazanar, da kuma duba bayanan sirri masu shigowa ta hanyar jirgin da zai iya shafar aikin.
    
  David Luger ya amsa da "kwafin Genesis". Ya koma yankin hedkwatar yaki a Elliott Air Force Base a kudu maso tsakiyar Nevada, yana kallon ci gaban manufa a kan "manyan allunan lantarki" girman bangon da ke gabansa. Sauran nunin nunin sun nuna barazanar abokan gaba da duk jiragen sama da tauraron dan adam da sauran na'urori masu auna firikwensin da ke aiki a yankin suka gano. Amma hankalin Luger ya ja hankalin wasu abubuwa guda biyu: na farko shi ne sabon hoton tauraron dan adam na yankin da aka kai hari a gabashin Iran...
    
  ... kuma na biyu shine game da bayanan binciken sararin samaniyar tauraron dan adam, wanda a halin yanzu babu kowa.
    
  "Suna ware kayan aikin Laser cikin gaggawa," in ji Dave. "Tabbas sun yi hasashen cewa za mu aika da bama-bamai su hura wannan sansanin zuwa jahannama. Ban tabbata ba za mu isa can cikin lokaci, Mook. "
    
  "Dauke su, Dave," in ji Patrick McLanahan. Ya kuma lura da aikin daga tsarin umarni a tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. "Samu jirgin dakon mai a cikin iska don saduwa da masu tayar da bama-bamai a kan hanyar dawowa, amma ina son waɗannan makamai masu linzami a kan hanya kafin kyanksan Rasha su gudu."
    
  "Na gane shi, abin banƙyama ne. Yi shiri. Cutthroat, wannan shine Farawa. Ana son maharan su kai hari kafin wanda ake hari ya watse. A yi wa masu tayar da bama-bamai da kuma bayar da rahoton halin da motocin dakon dakon kaya suke ciki."
    
  Manjo Janar Rebecca Furness, kwamandan sojojin sama na yakin Mountain Air Force ya ce, "Jakadan na cikin shiri, Dave," in ji Manjo Janar Rebecca Furness. "Zai kasance cikin iska nan da mintuna biyar."
    
  "Na fahimce ka. Mutum yana son a sami yawan vampires gwargwadon yiwuwa. "
    
  "Da zaran tankar ta kasance a matsakaicin nisa mai aminci, muna haɓaka Vampires zuwa kashi ɗaya da kashi biyu na mach - wannan shine matsakaicin saurin ƙaddamar da Skystreaks. Mafi kyawun abin da za mu iya yi tare da sigogin manufa na yanzu. "
    
  Luger ya ce "Ina ba da shawarar ku shafe sa'o'i da tanka na samar da man fetur da kuma tayar da Vampires yanzu."
    
  Rebecca ta ce "Ba daidai ba - ba zan yi ba, Dave." Rebecca Furness ita ce mace ta farko da ta kasance matukin jirgi mai yaki a cikin sojojin saman Amurka kuma mace ta farko kwamandan sashin kula da zirga-zirgar jiragen sama na dabara. Lokacin da aka rufe sashin Rebecca's Air Force Reserve B-1B Lancer a Reno, Nevada, kuma an tura masu tayar da bama-bamai zuwa Cibiyar Kula da Makamai ta Aerospace don rikidewa zuwa "jiragen ruwa masu tashi sama," Furness ya yarda. Yanzu ta umurci rundunonin dabara guda biyar a wani sabon sansanin ajiya a Dutsen Battle, Nevada, wanda ya kunshi masu tuba da bama-bamai na B-52 da B-1, jirgin QA-45C mara matuki, da kuma jiragen ruwa na KC-76. "Za mu same su, kada ku damu."
    
  Luger ya sake duba sabon hoton tauraron dan adam na Babban Titin Air Base a Soltanabad, Iran. Mintuna biyar kacal da suka wuce, amma tuni ya nuna manyan manyan motoci da dama sun tafi, da kuma abin da ya yi kama da bataliyar ma"aikata gaba daya ta tarwatsa sauran. "Lokaci ya kure mana. kyankyasai sun watse da sauri."
    
  "Na sani, Dave, ina ganin hotunan kuma," in ji Rebecca, "amma ba na kasadar rasa masu tayar da bama-bamai na."
    
  "Kamar mun rasa Stallion?"
    
  "Kada ka damu da ni, Dave-Na san abin da ke faruwa a nan, kuma ina fushi da shi kamar yadda kake," in ji Rebecca. "Amma zan iya tunatar da ku cewa masu tayar da bama -bamai su ne kawai jirage masu dogon zango da muke da su a halin yanzu, kuma ba zan yi kasada da su ba... wani aiki mara izini." Wannan ba ƙari ba ne, kuma Dave Luger ya sani. Tun bayan Holocaust na Amurka, jiragen ruwa na Rasha sun kai hare-hare kan bama-bamai na Amurka da sansanonin makami mai linzami na nahiyoyi shekaru hudu da suka gabata, wadanda suka tsira daga dogon zangon bama-bamai su ne tsiraru na bama-bamai da aka tura zuwa ketare, kuma sun canza bama-bamai na B-52 da B-1 da ke tushen yakin. Dutsen.
    
  Ba a jima ba 'yan kunar bakin wake na Furness sun yi asarar nasu. An aike da dukkan maharan da suka kai harin bama-bamai zuwa wani sansanin mai da jiragen saman Rasha da ke Yakutsk na Siberiya, inda Patrick McLanahan ya jagoranci kai hare-hare kan sansanonin makami mai linzami na nukiliya a duk fadin kasar ta Rasha. A lokacin da aka gano masu jefa bama-bamai na Amurka, shugaban kasar Rasha na lokacin Janar Anatoly Gryzlov ya kai hari sansanin da makami mai linzami da ke dauke da makami mai linzami. Rabin dakarun sun rasa rayukansu a wannan mummunan harin. Sauran 'yan kunar bakin wake sun yi nasarar kai hari kan sansanonin makami mai linzami na Rasha, inda suka lalata mafi yawan dakarunsu na nukiliya; McLaanahan da kansa, a cikin daya daga cikin jiragen yakin Megafortress na EB-52 na karshe, ya kai hari tare da kashe Gryzlov a cikin karkashin kasa a karkashin kasa kudu maso gabashin Moscow a lokacin wani mummunan aiki na sa'o'i ashirin da ya kai shi cikin Tarayyar Rasha.
    
  Bayan rikicin, an ba Rebecca Furness umurnin sauran 'yan ta'addar na RAF; don haka babu wanda ya fi ita sanin irin nauyin da ya rataya a wuyanta. Jiragen da suka tsira da wasu ƴan bama-bamai marasa matuki da aka gina tun lokacin Holocaust na Amurka su ne kawai jirage masu dogon zango da suka rage a cikin makaman Amurka-idan an sake gina wani bama-bamai, zai iya ɗaukar shekaru da yawa don sake gina rundunonin sojan zuwa ingantaccen matakin. .
    
  "Malama, ina da yakinin cewa za a amince da yajin aikin da zarar rundunar 'yan sandan kasar ta karbi rahotonmu kan abin da ya faru da jirginmu," in ji Dave. "Wannan Laser wayar tafi da gidanka ta Kawaznya tana wakiltar babbar barazanar da kasarmu ke fuskanta a halin yanzu - ba kawai ga jirginmu ba, amma watakila ga duk wani abu da ke tashi." Ya dakata, sannan ya kara da cewa, "Kuma "yan Rasha sun kashe biyar daga cikin mafi kyawun mu, madam. Lokaci ya yi da za a rama kadan."
    
  Rifkatu ta yi shiru na dogon lokaci; sai ta girgiza kai, ta ce a bushe: "Mamamai uku daga gare ku a cikin wata hira daya, Janar Luger-ina tsammanin wannan shine farkon ku." Ta buga wasu umarni a cikin kwamfutarta. "Na ba da izinin canji zuwa alawus ɗin man fetur na minti 30 na bingo."
    
  "Wani ya kira Headbanger, na ce tura su, Janar Furness," Patrick ya shiga tsakani daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. "Tasa su zuwa Vmax, sannan ku rage su zuwa maki biyu don sakin makamin."
    
  "Idan basu kai ga tsakiyar iska ba akan hanyar dawowa, General?" - Ta tambaya. "Idan akwai kuskuren kewayawa fa? Idan ba za su iya haɗawa da farko fa? Kada mu rasa gani-"
    
  "Tashi su General. Oda kenan."
    
  Rebecca ta yi ajiyar zuciya. Za ta iya yin watsi da umarninsa bisa doka kuma ta tabbatar da cewa masu tayar da bama-bamai sun tsira-aikinta kenan-amma tabbas ta fahimci yadda yake son sakayya. Ta juya ga ma'aikatan jirgin ta vampire ta ce, "Ƙara su zuwa maki ɗaya na biyar, sake ƙididdige wasan bingo mai a wurin binciken mai a tsakiyar iska kuma ku ba da shawara."
    
  Ma'aikatan jirgin sun yi biyayya kuma bayan wani ɗan lokaci sun ba da rahoton: "Rukunin Headbanger Biyu yanzu suna kan matakin jirgi uku-one-o, suna kan hanya, Mach aya ta biyar, kulawar da ta dace, kore, mintuna ashirin don ƙaddamar da batu." Bingo, tashar ARCP ba ta da mai; Muna da minti goma na ragowar man fetur. Muna da sauran "yan mintoci kaɗan da za mu cim ma bayan mun sami sabuntar ETE ɗin tanka."
    
  "Wannan minti goma kenan bayan maharin na biyu ya buge tashin bam, ko?" Rebecca ta tambaya. Bakin fuska, da ban tsoro da kuma shiru "a'a" a fuskar ma'aikacin ya gaya mata cewa suna cikin zullumi.
    
    
  BABI NA BAKWAI
    
    
  Babu wani soja da bai samu rauni ba a yakin.
    
  - JOSE NAROSCHI
    
    
    
  AKAN TASHAR SARKIN KARYA
  BAYAN YAN MINTI
    
    
  "McLanahan yana nan, lafiya."
    
  "McLanahan, wannan shine shugaban Amurka," in ji Joseph Gardner. "Me kike tunanin kina yi?"
    
  "Sir, I-"
    
  "Wannan umarni ne kai tsaye, McLanahan: tura waɗancan maharan a yanzu."
    
  "Yallabai, zan so in gabatar muku da rahotona kafin-"
    
  "Ba za ku yi wani mummunan abu ba sai abin da na ce ku yi!" - Shugaban ya yi kuka. "Kun keta umarnin kwamandan shugaban kasa kai tsaye. Idan kuna so ku guje wa zaman kurkuku, gara ku yi abin da na faɗa muku. Kuma wannan jirgin sama gara ya kasance yana kewayawa, ko kuma na rantse da Allah...
    
  "Russia ne suka harbo jirgin saman Black Stallion," da sauri Patrick ya kutsa kai. "Jirgin sama ya ɓace kuma ana ɗaukarsa a ɓace tare da dukan rayuka."
    
  Shugaban ya yi shiru na tsawon lokaci; sai: "Ta yaya?"
    
  "Laser na wayar hannu, wanda muke tunanin ya harbo jirginmu a kan Iran a bara," in ji Patrick. "Wannan shi ne abin da Rashawa ke ɓoye a Soltanabad: Laser anti-space na wayar hannu. Sun kawo shi Iran ne suka sanya shi a wani sansanin dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci da aka yi watsi da su wanda muke tunanin an ruguza shi - har ma sun sanya mashinan boma-bomai na bogi domin su yaudare mu. Rashawa sun sanya Laser a cikin kyakkyawan wuri don kai hari kan kumbon mu da ke shawagi a kan Iran. Sun sami kyauta mafi girma na biyu na duka: wani jirgin saman Black Stallion. Wurin ya nuna ainihin manufarsu ita ce tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. "
    
  Shiru kuma a daya karshen layin... amma ba dadewa ba: "McLamahan, na yi hakuri da mutanenka..."
    
  "Akwai mata biyu a cikin jirgin, yallabai."
    
  Shugaban ya ci gaba da cewa, "... kuma za mu kai ga gaci ga wannan batu, amma kun saba umarnina kuma kun kaddamar da wadannan maharan ba tare da izini ba. A tura su nan take."
    
  Patrick ya kalli sauran lokacin: fiye da mintuna bakwai. Shin zai iya tsare shugaban na tsawon haka...? "Yallabai, na sami izini don harba jirgin sama zuwa sararin samaniya daga STRATCOM," in ji shi. "Mun yi zargin abin da Rashawa ke ciki, amma mun jira izinin shiga. An tabbatar da mafi munin tsoronmu..."
    
  "Na ba ku oda, McLahanan."
    
  "Yallabai, 'yan Rasha suna tattara kayansu suna fitar da laser da radar su daga Soltanabad yayin da muke magana," in ji shi. "Idan aka bar su su tsere, wannan Laser zai zama babbar barazana ga kowane jirgin ruwa, tauraron dan adam da jiragen sama a cikin kayayyakinmu. Akwai 'yan mintuna kaɗan kafin ƙaddamarwa, kuma duk zai ƙare a cikin ƙasa da minti ɗaya. Makamai masu linzami guda hudu kawai masu tsayin daka masu kaifin motsi - babu barna. Zai cire abubuwan da ba a motsa ba tukuna. Rashawa ba za su iya kokawa game da harin ba domin a lokacin za su amince cewa za su tura dakaru zuwa Iran don kashe Amurkawa, don haka babu wani martani na kasa da kasa. Idan har za mu iya kai sojojin Bujazi a can don fara binciken kwakwaf da zarar an kai harin, za mu iya samun shaidar cewa...
    
  "Na ce ku juya wa 'yan kunar bakin wake, McLanahan," in ji Shugaban. "Wannan umarni ne. Ba zan maimaita kaina ba. Wannan zance an nadi kuma an shaida, kuma idan ba ku bi ba, za a yi amfani da ku a gaban kotun sojan ku."
    
  "Yallabai, na gane, amma ina rokonka ka sake tunani," Patrick ya roki. ""Yan sama jannati biyar da ke cikin jirgin sun mutu. Sun mutu, Laser ɗin ya raba su. Wani aikin yaki ne. Sai dai idan ba mu sami shaidar kai tsaye cewa Rasha ta kaddamar da harin soji kai tsaye kan Amurka ba, za su yi nasara da kisan kai kuma ba za mu taba iya daukar fansar mutuwarsu ba. Kuma idan ba mu lalata, lalata ko musaki wannan laser ba, zai bayyana a wani wuri kuma ya sake kashewa. Yallabai, dole ne mu...
    
  "Kuna keta umarnin kai tsaye daga babban kwamandan rundunar, Janar McLanahan," in ji shugaban. "Ina ba ku dama ta ƙarshe don yin biyayya. Yi wannan kuma zan ba ku damar yin murabus da sauri kuma cikin nutsuwa, ba tare da bin diddigin jama'a ba. Ki ki, ni kuwa zan tube ki daga matsayinki, in sa ki a kurkuku da wahala har abada. Ka fahimce ni, general? Dama ta ƙarshe...me zai kasance?-"
    
  Ya rage minti shida. Shin zai iya guje wa matsala saboda "rediyo mai ban tsoro"? Ya yanke shawarar cewa yanzu ya yi nisa, ya wuce wannan layin: ba shi da wani zabi. Patrick ya katse watsawa. Ya yi watsi da yanayin mamakin masu aikin da ke kusa da shi, ya ce, "McLanahan yana kiran Luger."
    
  "Kawai sun tashi daga wayar tare da Sakataren Tsaro, Mook," in ji Dave daga Elliott Air Force Base ta hanyar tsarin transceiver na duniya na subcutaneous. "Ya ba da umarnin a kira vampires nan da nan."
    
  "Kira na waya ya buge naka, abokina: kawai na sami sako daga shugaban kasa," in ji Patrick. "Ya yi umurni da haka. Ya ba ni kyakkyawar hutu mai natsuwa ko kuma tsawon rayuwar karya manyan duwatsu zuwa kananan yara a Leavenworth. "
    
  "Zan canza su -"
    
  "Kowace ... Suna ci gaba," in ji Patrick. "Bomb wannan tushe zuwa jahannama."
    
  "Mook, na san abin da kuke tunani," in ji Dave Luger, "amma yana iya yin latti. Hoton na baya-bayan nan na tauraron dan adam ya nuna cewa akalla kashi daya bisa hudu na motocin sun riga sun bace, kuma hakan ya wuce mintuna goma da suka wuce. Bugu da ƙari, mun riga mun ƙare da man fetur a kan vampires, kuma akwai gaggawar man fetur - mai yiwuwa ba za su iya isa ga tanki ba kafin su fita. Yana da yanayin nasara-nasara, Mook. Bai cancanci yin kasada da aikinku da 'yancin ku ba. Mun rasa wannan. Mu ja da baya mu shirya don yakar na gaba."
    
  "Na gaba" na iya zama harin wani jirgin sama, tauraron dan adam, jirgin leken asiri a kan Iran, ko kuma tashar Armstrong kanta," in ji Patrick. "Dole ne mu dakatar da wannan, yanzu."
    
  "Ya yi latti," Luger ya nace. "Ina tsammanin mun rasa shi."
    
  "Sa'an nan za mu bar musu ɗan katin kasuwanci a cikin madubi na baya idan wannan shine mafi kyawun da za mu iya yi," in ji Patrick. "Danna masa."
    
    
  ***
    
    
  "Me zai je?"
    
  "Ka ji ni, Leonid," in ji shugaban na Amurka a cikin layin wayar da aka yi daga Air Force One, 'yan mintoci kaɗan bayan sadarwa da tashar sararin samaniya ta ɓace - dole ne ya fitar da jerin abubuwa na tsawon daƙiƙa sittin bayan haka. .yayinda layin ya mutu kafin yayi magana da kowa. "Ina tsammanin McLaanahan zai kai hari ta sama a wani wuri da ake kira Soltanabad a arewa maso gabashin Iran. Ya dage cewa ka sanya Laser na wayar hannu don hana sararin samaniya kuma ka yi amfani da shi wajen harbo jirginsa na Black Stallion mintuna kadan da suka wuce."
    
  Shugaban kasar Rasha Leonid Zevitin ya fusata ya buga umarni a kan madannai na kwamfuta ga babban hafsan hafsan sojin sama na Rasha Darzov a lokacin da yake jawabi, inda ya gargade shi kan harin da za a kai masa, tare da umarce shi da ya yi kaca-kaca da jiragen yaki domin kokarin dakile wasu bama-bamai na Amurka. "Wannan abin mamaki ne, Joe, abin mamaki ne," in ji shi a cikin mafi gamsarwa, gaskiya, bacin rai. "Soltanabad? A Iran? Ban taba jin labarin wannan wurin ba! Ba mu da wani dakaru a ko"ina a Iran sai wadanda ke gadin ofishin jakadancinmu na wucin gadi da ke Mashhad, kuma hakan na faruwa ne saboda ofishin jakadancinmu da ke Tehran ya zama jahannama, kuma Mashhad a yanzu ita ce kadai mafaka a duk fadin kasar, godiya ga Boujazi."
    
  "Na yi mamaki kamar yadda kuke, Leonid," in ji Gardner. "Dole McLahan ya yi hauka. Dole ne ya sami wani irin rauni a cikin kwakwalwa lokacin da ya sami bugun bugun zuciya. Ba shi da kwanciyar hankali!
    
  "Amma me yasa wani jami'in da ba shi da kwanciyar hankali ke tashi da manyan bama-bamai da makami mai linzami, Joe? Wataƙila ba za ku iya zuwa McLanahan ba, amma kuna iya dakatar da shi, daidai? "
    
  "Tabbas zan iya, Leonid. Ana yin haka ne yayin da muke magana. Amma waɗannan maharan za su iya harba makamai masu linzami da yawa. Idan kuna da wasu sojoji a kasa, ina ba da shawarar ku janye su da wuri-wuri."
    
  "Na gode da kiran ku, Joe, amma ba mu da wani karfi a Iran, lokaci." Ya lura cewa har yanzu babu wani martani daga Darzov - tsine, ya fi dacewa da wannan laser daga wurin, in ba haka ba wasan su zai ƙare. "Kuma lallai ba mu da wani babban lesar sihiri wanda zai iya harbo wani jirgin ruwa da ke kewaya duniya a cikin mil dubu goma sha bakwai cikin sa"a sannan kuma ya bace kamar hayaki. Majalisar Dinkin Duniya ta binciki wadannan rahotanni a shekarar da ta gabata, kuma ba ta fitar da komai ba, ku tuna?"
    
  "Ina tsammanin sun ce sakamakon bai cika ba saboda-"
    
  "Saboda Shugaba Martindale bai ba su damar yin hira da kowa a Dreamland ba, kuma Boujazi da mahaukatan 'yan tawayensa ba su ba su damar shiga cikin tarkace ko wurin da ake zaton an shigar da na'urar laser ba," in ji Zevitin. "Babban magana shi ne, babu wata sheda guda daya da ke nuni ga wani tsinanniyar superhole. A bayyane yake McLaanahan yana da tsoro a cikin Majalisa, kafofin watsa labarai da jama'ar Amurka don kiyaye shirye-shiryen sirrinsa masu tsada da haɗari. "
    
  "To, za a dakatar da wannan da sauri," in ji Gardner. "An gama McLaanahan. Wannan dan iskan ya kashe wayar ya kuma ba da umarnin a ci gaba da kai harin."
    
  "ka kashe?" Ya kasance cikakke, Zevitin yayi tunani cikin farin ciki. Ba kawai za su cire McLanahan ba, har ma za su nuna shi a matsayin mahaukaci ... kwamandan kansa! Babu yadda magoya bayansa a Soja ko Majalisa za su goya masa baya a yanzu! Ya danne farincikinsa ya ci gaba da wata karamar murya mai ban tsoro: "Wannan hauka ne! Shin mahaukaci ne? Ba za ku iya barin wannan ya ci gaba ba! Dole ne a dakatar da wannan maras ƙarfi, marar da'a, Joe. Kuna sa mutane da yawa tsoro a nan. Jira har sai Duma da Majalisar Ministoci su ji labarin wani harin makami mai linzami da aka kai a Iran. Wando za su yi.
    
  "Ka gaya musu kada su damu, Leonid," in ji Gardner. "McLanahan ya ƙare, haka ma rundunar sojansa ta sirri."
    
  "Kashe shi, Joe," Zevitin ya nace. "Dakatar da shi duka - tashar sararin samaniya, waɗancan makami mai linzami, masu tayar da bama-bamai da bama-bamai da bama-baman su-kafin lokaci ya kure. Sa'an nan kuma mu haɗu, mu gabatar da duniya tare da haɗin kai, zaman lafiya, haɗin kai. Wannan ita ce hanya daya tilo da za mu rage tashin hankali a nan."
    
  "Kada ku damu da komai," Gardner ya nace. "Idan jiragen ruwan ku na Tekun Caspian na nan kusa, kuna iya sanar da su cewa maharan na iya harba makamai masu linzami masu sauri."
    
  "Joe, na damu da mayar da martani a Iran idan wadannan makamai masu linzami sun afka yankin," in ji Zevitin. "A karshe na tuna, kungiyar agaji ta Red Crescent ce ke amfani da wannan sansanin don taimakon jin kai da kuma masu sa ido na Majalisar Dinkin Duniya."
    
  "A'a," Gardner ya yi nishi. "Wannan mummunan mafarki ne."
    
  "Idan McLaanahan ya jefa bam a wannan sansanin, zai kashe mutane da yawa, watakila daruruwan fararen hula marasa laifi."
    
  "Damn," in ji Gardner. "To, yi hakuri, Leonid, amma McLaanahan ya fita daga iko a halin yanzu. Babu wani abu da zan iya yi."
    
  "Ina da shawara guda ɗaya mai tsattsauran ra'ayi, abokina - Ina fata ba ka tunanin ni mahaukaci ne," in ji Zevitin.
    
  "Menene ku-?" Kuma sai Gardner ya tsaya, domin ba da daɗewa ba ya gane shi da kansa. "Kina nufin kina neman izinina-?"
    
  "Hanyar daya ce, Joe," in ji Zevitin, kusan ya kasa ɗaukar mamakin yadda wannan tattaunawar ta kasance. "Ka san shi, kuma na san shi. Ban yi imani ko da schizoid da aka azabtar kamar McLanahan zai taɓa yin harbin makamai masu linzami a filin jirgin sama na agaji ba, amma ba zan iya tunanin wata hanyar da zan iya dakatar da wannan hauka ba, zan iya? Babu amsa, don haka da sauri Zevitin ya ci gaba da cewa: "Baya ga Joe, maharan ba su da matuƙa, ko? Ba wanda zai ji rauni a ƙarshenku kuma za mu ceci rayuka da yawa. An dakata sosai. Zevitin ya kara da cewa: "Yi hakuri Joe, da bai kamata in zo da irin wannan mahaukaciyar tunani ba. Ka manta da abin da na ce-"
    
  "Dakata Leonid," Gardner ya katse shi. Bayan 'yan mintuna kaɗan: "Ko akwai jiragen sama a kusa, Leonid?" - ya ji Shugaban Amurka ya tambaya.
    
  Zevitin ya kusan ninka sau biyu, bai yarda da kunnuwansa ba. Ya hadiye giginsa, da sauri ya janyo kansa, sannan ya ce, "Ban sani ba Joe. Dole ne in tambayi Shugaban Hafsan Sojan Sama na. A al'ada, ba shakka, muna yin sintiri a wannan yanki, amma tun da wani dan kunar bakin wake na McLaanahan ya harbe MiG tare da harba makamin nukiliya mai siffar EMP, mun ja da baya kadan."
    
  "Na fahimta," in ji Gardner. "Ku saurare ni. Mai ba ni shawara kan harkokin tsaron kasa ya shaida min cewa maharan sun tashi ne daga sansanin sojin saman Batman da ke Turkiyya, kuma babu shakka sun nufi wajen harba su a kudancin tekun Caspian. Ba za mu iya faɗa muku ƙarin ba saboda ba mu sani ba."
    
  "Na fahimta," in ji Zevitin. Da kyar ya gaskanta - Gardner ya gaya masa daga inda maharan suka taso da kuma inda za su!
    
  "Ba mu kuma san makamansu ba, amma muna tsammanin suna da makami mai linzami iri ɗaya da suka yi amfani da su a da, don haka wurin harba yana da nisan mil ɗari biyu daga Soltanabad."
    
  "Na yarda da tunanin ku, Joe," in ji Zevitin, yana ƙoƙarin ɓoye abin mamaki a cikin muryarsa kuma ya kasance cikin nutsuwa da gaske. "Za mu iya nemo su inda kuka ba su. Amma idan muka same su...Joe, zan ci gaba? Ina ganin wannan ita ce kadai hanyar guje wa bala'i. Amma wannan ya kamata ya zama shawarar ku, ya mai girma shugaban kasa. Faɗa mini abin da kuke so in yi."
    
  Wani ɗan dakata, amma wannan lokacin ya fi guntu: "Ee, Leonid," in ji Gardner, a fili ya rinjaye shi da tsananin fushi. "Ba na son yin wannan, amma wannan bastard McLanahan ya bar mini wani zabi."
    
  "Eh, Joe, na fahimta kuma na yarda," in ji Zevitin. "Menene makamin T-wave? Shin za su sake amfani da shi wajen kai wa mayakanmu hari?"
    
  "Dole ne ku ɗauka cewa za su yi hakan kuma za su kai farmaki daga iyakar iyaka," in ji Gardner. "Yi hakuri, amma ba zan iya sarrafa shi ta kowace hanya ba."
    
  "Na san cewa wannan ba aikinku ba ne, abokina," Zevitin ya ce da ƙarfi kamar yadda zai iya, duk da farin cikinsa. La'ananne, yanzu wannan mutumin yana ba shi shawarwari kan yadda zai yi nasarar afkawa mutanensa! "Za mu yi duk mai yiwuwa don hana bala'i. Zan tuntube ku ba da jimawa ba tare da sabuntawa."
    
  "Na gode sosai abokina."
    
  "A"a, na gode da sanarwar da ke da alhakin, abokina. Ban sani ba ko zan iya yin hakan cikin lokaci, amma zan yi iya ƙoƙarina don guje wa yin mummunan yanayi. Yi min fatan alheri. Wallahi." Zevitin ya rataye ... sannan ya yi tsayayya da sha'awar yin ɗan rawa na nasara a kusa da tebur. Ya sake kama wayar kuma ya nemi a haɗa shi da Darzov nan take. "Matsayi, Janar?"
    
  "Muna tafiya da sauri kamar yadda za mu iya," in ji Darzov. "Muna ba da fifiko ga mahimman abubuwan haɗin gwiwa - radar, kyamarar laser da na'urorin daidaitawa - na farko. Tankunan mai da masu samar da wutar lantarki za su jira."
    
  "Kuna da wasu mayaka da ke sintiri a kan Caspian, Janar?"
    
  "I mana, sir."
    
  "Shin kuna bin Amurkawa masu fashewar B-1?"
    
  "Ina da dukan tawagar MiG-29 a cikin iska don kokarin ci gaba da su," in ji Darzov. "Vampires marasa matuƙa sun fi na B-1 Lancers na al"ada da sauri, don haka mun sa ma mayaka da dama makamai masu linzami na Molniya, waɗanda suka dace da su don yin aiki a rage iyaka ta amfani da radar sarrafa gobara ta MiG-29. Za su iya harba makami mai linzamin nasu idan har za a iya harba su -"
    
  "Na sami izini daga Shugaban Amurka don ku harbe maharan," in ji Zevitin cikin farin ciki.
    
  "Shugaban Amurka ya umarce mu da mu harbe nasa bama-bamai?"
    
  "Bai la'akari da su 'yan kunar bakin wake ba - a gare shi yanzu su ne maharan McLahanan, kuma suna iya kai farmakin Martians," in ji Zevitin. "Ku yi. Harba su...amma bayan sun harba makami mai linzami."
    
  "Bayan?" Darzov ya tambaya cike da mamaki. "Yallabai, idan muka kasa cire kayan aikinmu cikin lokaci, ko kuma idan sun yi niyya ga mahimman abubuwan Phanar, za mu iya rasa biliyoyin rubles na kayan aiki masu tamani!"
    
  "Yi iyakar ƙoƙarinka, Janar," in ji Zevitin, "amma bari waɗannan makamai masu linzami su harba kuma su buga tushe. Kuna da kayan kariya a wurin kamar yadda muka tattauna a baya?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai, ba shakka," Darzov ya amsa. "Amma kuma muna da..."
    
  Zevitin ya ci gaba da numfasawa, "Idan aka buga wani bangare na Phanar, fifikonku na farko shine fitar da shi yayin da kuke ci gaba da shirya kasa kamar yadda aka tsara," domin a cikin mintuna kadan da harba makamai masu linzami, zan fada gaba daya. duniya game da shi." Kafofin watsa labaru na duniya za su so su gani da kansu, kuma yana da muhimmanci su gani nan da nan. Ka fahimce ni General?"
    
  "I, sir," Darzov ya amsa. "Zan yi kamar yadda kuka tambaya. Amma ina fata ba za mu sadaukar da muhimman kadarorinmu ba don dalilai na hulda da jama'a kawai."
    
  "Za ku yi abin da na gaya muku, saboda kowane dalili na zo da, Janar, ko kun fahimta ko ba ku fahimta ba," Zevitin ya fashe. "Kawai ka tabbata cewa lokacin da kafofin watsa labaru suka buga Soltanabad-kuma zan yi aiki tuƙuru don tabbatar da cewa hakan ya faru-ba su ga komai ba sai halakar da ba ta dace ba, ko kuma in yaga jakinka. Ina bayyana kaina ne?"
    
    
  ***
    
    
  "Yallabai, muna ɗaukar siginar alamar mai ganowa!" - Jagora Sajan Lucas ya yi ihu daga mukaminta a cikin tsarin umarni na tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. "Wannan daga tsarin fasinja ne."
    
  "Ya Ubangijina, sun yi," in ji Patrick ba da numfashi. "Kuna da wani bayani tukuna?"
    
  "Babu komai har yanzu... Ee yallabai, eh, muna karɓar wurin da bayanan muhalli!" Lucas yace. "Tana lafiya! An tura masu stabilizer kuma komai yana ƙarƙashin ikon kwamfuta! Telemetry ya ba da rahoton cewa tsarin fasinja har yanzu yana fuskantar matsin lamba! "
    
  "Ya Allahna, wannan abin al'ajabi ne," in ji Patrick. "Dole ne Moulin da Terranova sun yi watsi da tsarin kafin a lalata Black Stallion. Rebecca -"
    
  Rebecca Furness ta ce "Muna shirya karin Vampires guda biyu don harbawa don samar da murfin iska don kwashe mutanen," in ji Rebecca Furness. "Za su kasance cikin iska nan da mintuna ashirin."
    
  "Dave-"
    
  Dave Luger ya ce "Muna tattaunawa a yanzu tare da Hukumar Ayyuka ta Musamman game da ƙaddamar da aikin CSAR daga Afganistan, Muk," in ji Dave Luger. "Da zarar mun san inda za su sauka, za su kaddamar da su. Muna fatan za su sauka a yammacin Afghanistan. Pave Hawk yana jiran aiki a tashar jirgin sama a Herat. Muna ƙoƙarin sake sanya wasu ma'auratan Predators da Reapers su tashi sama da yankin." MQ-1 Predator da MQ-9 Reaper jiragen sama ne na sa ido marasa matuki, kowanne an tsara shi don ɗaukar makamai masu linzami daga iska zuwa sama; Dukkansu an sarrafa su ta hanyar tauraron dan adam daga tashoshin sarrafawa a Amurka.
    
  "Daƙiƙa sittin don ƙaddamar da batu," in ji Dave Luger. "Aikin iskar yana dawowa zuwa kashi ɗaya da kashi biyu na goma na Mach." Ya kasance shi kaɗai a wurin na'urar wasan bidiyo na Batman, amma duk da haka ya runtse muryarsa kamar ba ya son wani ya ji yayin da ya ci gaba da cewa, "Musk, yanzu lokaci ne mai kyau don tura su."
    
  "Ci gaba," Patrick McLanahan ya amsa.
    
  Muryarsa ta yi ƙara da ƙaddara da ƙarfin gwiwa kamar lokacin da ya fara yanke shawarar kai hari - aƙalla ya sa ya ɗan ji daɗi. Idan da Patrick ya nuna ko kadan a matakin da ya dauka, Dave ya rantse da cewa zai tura masu tayar da bama-bamai da son ransa don tabbatar da cewa jiragen sun kai wurin binciken mai da kuma ceto aikin Patrick.
    
  Nan da dakika kadan zai yi latti...
    
  A kan hanyar sadarwar tawagar, ya ce: "Na fahimce ku, Odin, na fahimce ku, ci gaba. Dakika arba'in da biyar. Babu barazana, babu radar sa ido. Gudun jirgin yana tsayayye a Mach biyu. Dakika talatin...ashirin...10, kofofi a bude akan Headbanger Biyu-Daya...roka daya tafi...kofofi a bude akan Biyu-biyu...roka biyu ya tafi, kofofi rufe...roka daya na fita" Biyu-Biyu" ... makami mai linzami na biyu yana barin, kofofin suna rufe, jirgin yana cikin aminci, yana tafiya yamma zuwa ARIP."
    
  "Yaya vampires ke yi da man fetur, Dave?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  "Za mu yi hakan - da wahala," in ji Luger. "Idan haɗin ya tafi lami lafiya, Biyu-Daya na iya hawan hawan, cika da man fetur, kashe sake zagayowar, kuma Biyu-Biyu za su fara mai kuma saura minti goma don zubar da tankunan."
    
  "Aiki mai kyau, Cutthroat," Patrick ya numfasa, a fili ya sami nutsuwa. Babu amsa daga Rebecca Furness-bai ƙare ba, aƙalla ba da daɗewa ba, kuma ya san cewa har yanzu tana cikin fushi cewa an soke shawararta.
    
  "Daƙiƙa talatin don tasiri ... Gudun Skyward na Mach goma maki bakwai, duk kore ... Scramjet injun ƙonewa, warhead Coasting ... Jirgin yana sarrafa aiki da amsawa, tuƙi OK ... TG ashirin , hanyar haɗin bayanan yana aiki. " Dukkansu sun kalli yadda wani hadadden na'urar radar na millimeter da hotunan infrared suka fara rayuwa, suna nuna jiragen jigilar Rasha da jirage masu saukar ungulu a kan titin jirgi, mutane da dama na wucewa da kwalaye da fakiti daga sassa daban-daban na ginin zuwa manyan motocin dakon kaya, da manyan gine-gine da ba a san ko su waye ba a kan tireloli. ...
    
  ... da manyan tantuna da yawa tare da tambarin Red Cross da Crescent a bayyane a kan rufin. "Yesu!" Dave Luger yayi haki. "Suna kama da tantunan ma'aikatan agaji!"
    
  "Nuna manyan tireloli da gine-gine masu ɗaukar nauyi!" Patrick ya yi ihu. "Ku nisa daga waɗannan tantuna!"
    
  "Mun samu, Odin," in ji Rebecca. Tana da kwamanda ta soke iko kuma za ta iya karɓar iko da niyya daga jami'in makaman, amma ba ta buƙata - jami'in makaman ya nufa a hankali a kan manyan tireloli huɗu mafi girma. SkySTREAK's millimeter wave radar ya sami damar duba harsashi na waje na kowace babbar mota kuma ya tabbatar da cewa tirelolin da ke ƙarƙashin abin da aka yi niyya da gaske suna da yawa, maimakon fashe ko ƙasa da cunkoso kamar yadda tirela na kaya na iya zama. In ba haka ba, duk tirelolin sun zama iri ɗaya kuma an kiyaye su da adadin ma'aikata iri ɗaya.
    
  "Daƙiƙa biyar... an kulle niyya... an ƙaddamar da ƙaddamarwa." Hoton karshe na makami mai linzami na SkySTREAK ya nuna kusan kai tsaye zuwa tsakiyar kowace tirela...sai dai guda daya, wanda ya kauce wa manufa kuma ya sauka a fili a wani wuri kusa da tirelar. Kididdigar na'urar kwamfuta na yankin da aka yi barna, kusan ƙafa hamsin a diamita, bai nuna komai ba sai ƴan sojoji da bindigogi da kwalaye da wataƙila wani mutum ɗaya da ke tsaye kusa da shi, mai yiwuwa mai kula ne-wutar ba ta taɓa ko ɗaya daga cikin tantunan agaji ba. "Kamar wanda aka rasa, amma ya ƙare a cikin wani fili kusa da tirelar."
    
  "Kyakkyawan harbi, Cutthroat," in ji Patrick. "Wadannan tirelolin sun yi kama da waɗanda suka kai hari ga Garke Daya-daya."
    
  "Sun yi kama da wasu tireloli biliyan a duniya - babu wata hanyar sanin abin da muke da shi," in ji Rebecca Furness, bacin rai a cikin muryarta. "Ba mu ga wani nau"in radar ko wani abu mai kama da tankunan ajiyar man fetur na Laser ko na"urar gani na Laser ba. Za mu iya buga wani abu ... ko ba komai. "
    
  "Mafi fifikonmu na farko shine shirya wani aiki don ceton fasinja da kuma nemo duk wani tarkace da ragowar Black Stallion da ma'aikatansa," in ji Patrick, yana watsi da kalaman fushin Furness. "Ina son a aika da dakarun da ke yaki zuwa Afganistan nan take, tare da dukkan jiragen da ke taimaka mana. Ina son jirage marasa matuki da NIRTSats su kasance a shirye su tura nan da nan don bincika duk hanyoyin da za a bi don tsira ko tarkace. Cire duk albarkatun da muke da su don nema. Ina son sabunta ci gaba a cikin sa'a daya. Kuna ji, Cutthroat?"
    
  "Kayi shiri, Odin," Rebecca ta amsa, cike da damuwa a cikin muryarta. Nan da nan Patrick ya mayar da hankalinsa ga masu sa ido kan matsayi na manufa ... kuma nan da nan ya ga sabuwar barazana: tarin makamai masu linzami da ke ruwan sama a kan masu fashewa na Vampire. "Bayan mun juya, mun yi wani dogon zango na LADAR kuma muka hango su," in ji ta. LADAR, ko Laser radar, wani tsarin na'ura mai ba da wutar lantarki ta Laser da aka gina a ko'ina cikin fuselage na Vampire bombers wanda nan take "fentin" wani babban hoto na duk abin da ke kewaye da jirgin a nisan mil ɗari, sa'an nan idan aka kwatanta da uku-girma. hoto tare da kundin hotuna don ganowa nan take. "Dubi saurin waɗannan abubuwan - dole ne su yi tafiya a kan Mach 7!"
    
  Dave Luger ya yi ihu. "Ku buge su daga sama!"
    
  Amma nan da nan ya bayyana cewa ya yi latti. Tafiya fiye da mil goma sha huɗu a cikin daƙiƙa guda, makami mai linzami na Rasha sun rufe nisa tun kafin masu fashewar microwave masu fashewar Vampire su kunna, kullewa, da kuma kashe tsarin jagorarsu. Uku daga cikin makami mai linzami guda hudu sun kai hari kai tsaye, inda suka aika da bama-bamai biyu cikin sauri zuwa cikin Tekun Caspian.
    
  "Damn it," Dave ya zagi. "Da alama mutanen Rasha suna da sabon abin wasan yara don MiGs. To, ina tsammanin ba za mu damu da ko maharan za su isa wurin tankarsu ba, ko mu, Rebecca?"
    
  "Mun yi asarar kashi ɗaya bisa huɗu na sauran maharan B-1 da suka rage, Dave," Rebecca Furness ta yi rediyo daga Base ɗin Yaƙi na Jirgin Sama. "Wannan ba abin dariya ba ne. Muna da vampires biyu kawai a Batman a yanzu. "
    
  "Samu su cikin iska don samar da murfin iska ga mutanen CSAR daga Herat, Rebecca," Patrick ya ba da umarni. "Yi amfani da LADAR mai aiki don bincikar masu kutse. Idan wani ya zo nisan mil ɗari daga jiragen ku, toya su.
    
  "Na ji daɗi, Mook," in ji Rebecca. "Na shirya don biya kadan. Nan da kusan goma sha biyar za su yi shirin shiga tasi." Amma bayan ƴan mintuna kaɗan sai ta sake kira: "Ɗaya, wannan Headbanger ne, muna da matsala. Jami'an tsaro suna ajiyewa a gaban rataye kuma suna hana Vampire fita taxi. Sun umarce mu da mu rufe ko kuma su hana jirgin."
    
  Nan take Patrick ya tsinci kansa kan amintaccen layin taron bidiyo, amma kira mai shigowa ya gabace shi: "Janar McLanahan, ko dai kai mahaukaci ne ko kuma kana fama da wata cuta ta tabin hankali," in ji Sakataren Tsaro Miller Turner. "Wannan umarni ne kai tsaye daga babban kwamandan: ku janye dukkan sojojin ku nan take. An sassauta muku umarni. Ina bayyana kaina ne?"
    
  Patrick ya ce "Yallabai, daya daga cikin jiragena Black Stallion an harbo shi da Laser na Rasha da ke yaki da tauraron dan adam da ke gabashin Iran." "Muna da alamun cewa fasinjojin sun tsira. Ina son murfin iska..."
    
  "Janar, na tausayawa, amma shugaban ya fusata kuma ba zai saurari kowace hujja ba," in ji Turner. "Don Allah ka kashe waya! Kana tsammanin zai saurare ka yanzu?"
    
  "Yallabai, tsarin fasinja ba shi da inganci kuma zai kasance a kasa cikin kasa da mintuna goma sha biyar," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Me? Kuna nufin wani ne aka koro daga cikin jirgin sama...?
    
  "Tsarin fasinja yana da jettisonable kuma an yi nufin amfani da shi azaman jirgin ruwa na ceto ga ma'aikatan tashar sararin samaniya," in ji Patrick. "Zai iya tsira daga sake shiga, tashi zuwa wurin saukarwa da kanta, ya yi tafiya cikin aminci don saukarwa da ceto ma'aikatan. Na'urar tana nan daidai, yallabai, kuma muna fatan ma'aikatan jirgin suna cikin koshin lafiya. Muna nufin yankin da zai yuwu a saukowa a yanzu, kuma da zarar mun gano ainihin wurin sauka, za mu iya aika tawagar ceto nan da nan - wannan ita ce kawai fa'idar da za mu samu kan abokan gaba. Amma zai ɗauki aƙalla mintuna casa'in kafin tawagar ceto da murfin iska su isa wurin da ake murmurewa. Dole ne mu fara aiki nan take."
    
  "Gabaɗaya, kun riga kun keta umarnin kai tsaye daga shugaban ƙasa," in ji Turner. "Tuni kin kan hanyar zuwa gidan yari, kin gane haka? Kada ku ƙara yin muni ta hanyar jayayya. Lokaci na ƙarshe: Haske ya ƙare. Ina umurtar Janar Backman da ya dauki kwamandan sojojin ku duka. Ina gaya muku-"
    
  "Kuma ina gaya maka, yallabai," Patrick ya katse, "cewa galibin Gabas ta Tsakiya da Tsakiyar Asiya sun ga Black Stallion ya fado a Duniya, da Dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci, Dakarun Quds, duk 'yan ta'adda da suka mamaye Iran bayan juyin mulkin soja, kuma da alama Rashawa za su kasance a kan hanyarsu ta zuwa wurin da jirgin ya fado domin kwasar duk abin da za su iya samu. Dole ne mu samu kowane jirgin sama da kuma yaki da tawagar bincike da ceto da za mu iya zuwa sama don nemo wadanda suka tsira kafin abokan gaba su yi."
    
  "Kwamandan tsakiya zai daidaita wannan, McLahan, ba kai ba. An umurce ku da ku ja da baya. Kada ku ɗauki wani ƙarin mataki kwata-kwata. Ba za ku yi ko gaya wa kowa komai ba. An sauke ku daga umurnin ku kuma za a kama ku da zarar kun sami damar fita daga wannan tasha."
    
  A karo na biyu a wannan rana, Patrick ya rataye wa shugaban sojojin farar hula. Kiransa na gaba shi ne kai tsaye ga Janar Kenneth Lepers, Janar na sojan tauraro hudu mai kula da rundunar Amurka ta tsakiya, babban kwamandan mayakan da ke kula da duk ayyukan soji a Gabas ta Tsakiya da tsakiyar Asiya, don kokarin shawo kansa ya kyale masu tayar da bam din. tashi.
    
  "Janar McLanahan, jakin ku yana cikin babban hatsari a yanzu," in ji mataimakin kuturu. "An umarci Janar din da kada ya yi magana da ku, kuma za a kai rahoton wannan kiran ga Sakataren Tsaro. Ina ba ku shawara ku sasanta wannan lamarin da SECDEF kafin duk duniya ta rufe ku." Kuma ya katse wayar.
    
  Kiran Patrick na gaba shine zuwa ga Rebecca Furness a Base na Rundunar Sojojin Sama. Rebecca ta ce: "Na kusa kiran ka, yallabai." "Na yi hakuri da Black Stallion. Ina fata za mu iya yin ƙari."
    
  "Na gode Rebecca. Na yi nadama game da vampires ku."
    
  "Ba laifinka bane, yallabai." Ya kasance, ta tunatar da kanta: idan bai ba da umarnin kaddamar da wannan manufa mara izini ba, da har yanzu tana da masu tayar da bama-bamai. Amma Vampires ba su da mutum kuma Black Stallion ba ta kasance ba, don haka ba ta jin bukatar shafa gishiri a cikin rauni. "Dole ne mu bincikar 'yan fashi - Na yanke shawarar yin shiru. Ban san yadda Rashawa suka gano zuwanmu da kuma yaushe ba, amma za su dawo da komai gaba daya, na ba da tabbacin hakan. "
    
  "Shin har yanzu ana tsayar da ku da 'yan sandan sama?"
    
  "Na tabbata. Mun rabu kamar yadda aka umarce mu kuma muna kula da matsayinmu a cikin rataye."
    
  Patrick ya yi tunani na ɗan lokaci; sa'an nan: "Rebecca, Na yi ƙoƙarin kiran Janar Lepers a CENTCOM don samun izininsa don kaddamar da Vampires, amma ba zai yi magana da ni ba. Ina tsammanin idan na yi ƙoƙarin kiran STRATCOM zan sami amsa iri ɗaya. "
    
  "Cannon mutumin kirki ne," in ji Rebecca. "Sauran suna tunanin kuna bin ayyukansu." Ko gyada, ta kara da kanta.
    
  "Idan ba mu samu murfin iska ba, Pasdarans za su yaga mutanenmu da yiwuwar sojojin CSAR," in ji Patrick. "Zan cire wadannan jami'an tsaro daga hangar. Ina so ku kasance a shirye don kaddamar da su da zarar sun tafi. "
    
  "Amma kun ce kutare ba za su yi magana da ku ba, kuma ba ku yi magana da CENTAF ba tukuna, to wa zai je-?" Furness ya yi shiru na ɗan lokaci, sannan kawai ya ce, "Wannan mahaukaci ne. sir".
    
  "Tambayar ita ce, Rebecca: za ku ƙaddamar?"
    
  Dakatawar ya yi tsayi da yawa; kamar yadda Patrick ke shirin maimaita kansa ko kuma yana tunanin ko Furness yana buga wa Sakataren Tsaro a wani layin, ta ce, "Ku fitar da su daga hanyar jiragen ruwa na, Janar, kuma zan kaddamar."
    
  "Na gode General." Patrick ya kashe wayar, sannan ya yi magana: "Daya yana kiran Farawa."
    
  "Ci gaba, Mook," Dave Luger ya amsa ta hanyar watsa shirye-shiryen su na duniya.
    
  "Ku kubutar da wadannan jami'an tsaro daga maharan."
    
  "An motsa su, Mook. Fita Luger ya juya ga gidan rediyon umarninsa, "Saber, wannan shine Farawa."
    
    
  BATMAN AIR BASE, JAMHURIYAR TURKIYA
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  "Saber yana kwafi, ci gaba, Farawa," in ji Air Force 1st Lt. James "J.D" Daniels, kwamandan rundunar sojojin ƙasa mai suna "Saber." An aika Daniels zuwa Batman AFB don samar da tsaro ga EB-1C. Vampire bombers. da kuma saboda tushe ya kasance keɓe, ingantaccen wurin horar da sababbin matukan jirgi na CID a yanayin rayuwa na ainihi. A matsayin sajan fasaha, ɗan shekaru talatin, dogo, mai launin ruwan kasa, mai launin ruwan kasa ɗan ɗan wani. Makiyayin Arkansas na daya daga cikin kwamandojin Combat Force na farko da aka gwada a matsayin matukin jirgin sama na intanet, bayan da ya ji rauni a lokacin da ya yi fama da cutar radiation yayin da yake fafatawa a sansanin jiragen sama na Yakutsk da ke kasar Rasha bayan kisan kiyashi da aka yi a AMERICA, Daniels ya yi amfani da lokacin farfadowarsa don samun digiri na farko. Digiri, sannan ya halarci makarantar horas da jami"an tsaro, sannan ya karbi hukumarsa a matsayin jami"i, a yanzu ya kasance babban jami"i a horo, in ban da Charlie Turlock da kanta, kwararre a fannin binciken makamai.
    
  "Ina da wani aiki a gare ku, Saber, amma ba za ku so shi ba," in ji Dave Luger. "Mutane na son kaddamar da hare-haren vampire."
    
  "Iya sir. Minti daya da ya wuce muna shirin tashi, amma jami'an Tsaro sun bayyana a cikin rataye, kuma jiragen sun rufe da kansu. Kwamandan sansanin ya umarce mu da mu taimaka wa jami"an tsaro tare da kare su daga duk wani mataki da ku ke dauka daga nesa kan jirgin. Mun tabbatar da umarni. Yi hakuri yallabai. Menene ainihin ba zan so ba?"
    
  "An harbo daya daga cikin jiragen mu a gabashin Iran, kuma akwai wadanda suka tsira. Muna buƙatar murfin iska don aikin ceto. Har yanzu NCA ta ce a"a. Har yanzu muna son gudanar da vampires. "
    
  "Me yasa NCA ba ta amince da aikin ba, yallabai?"
    
  "Ban san dalilin ba, Saber, amma mun yi imanin cewa NCA ta damu da cewa ayyukanmu game da Iran suna yada tsoro da kuma tsoratar da kowa a yankin."
    
  "Yallabai, na sami tabbataccen umarni na ja da baya, a gare mu da kuma na Vampires. Kwamandan sansanin ya umarce mu da mu taimaka wajen kiyaye ku. Kuna nemana da in ƙi bin waɗannan umarni."
    
  "Na sani, Saber. Ba zan iya umarce ku da ku ƙi bin ingantattun umarni ba. Amma ina gaya muku cewa za a kama wadanda suka tsira daga cikin jirgin a kama su ko kuma a kashe su idan ba mu yi komai ba."
    
  "Wane ne ya harbo jirgin, yallabai?"
    
  "Mun yi imanin Rashawa sun yi hakan, Saber."
    
  "Iya, sir," Daniels ya ce. Wannan ya ishe shi. Daniels ya kwashe shekara guda yana jinya a asibiti yana murmurewa daga gubar radiation da ya faru a lokacin da sojojin saman Rasha suka yi amfani da makamin nukiliya na dabara wajen lalata sansanin sojin sama na Yakutsk, wanda McLahanan da rundunar sojojin sama ke amfani da shi wajen ganowa da lalata motocin ICBM na Rasha da suka yi. suna shirin kaddamar da hari na biyu na makaman nukiliya. Ya sha fama da rashin ruwa mai tsanani, tashin zuciya na tsawon kwanaki, ciwo mai ban mamaki, kuma a ƙarshe an yi masa dashen hanta-amma ya tsira, ya sami yancin komawa bakin aiki, ya sake horar da aikin filin, ya koma aikin yaƙi, kuma ya ɗauki umurnin wani mai laifi. tawagar bincike.
    
  Ya ci nasara, sa'an nan kuma ya rasa, sa'an nan ya mayar da duk abin da ya taba so ya yi a rayuwarsa, sai dai abu daya: ramuwar gayya ga abin da Rasha suka yi masa, da abokansa, da nasa mutanen a Yakutsk.
    
  "Har yanzu kana nan, Saber?"
    
  "Yi hakuri, yallabai, amma ina da oda," Daniels ya fada cikin wata murya mai kauri mai kauri, wanda ya sha bamban da yanayin kuzarin sa. "Idan wadannan jirage za su yi motsi, ni da tawaga ta za mu yi duk abin da za mu iya don kare jami"an tsaro daga barna. Barka da dare malam."
    
    
  ***
    
    
  "Genesis" ya kira Headbanger."
    
  "Ci gaba, Dave," Rebecca Furness ta amsa.
    
  "Ki shirya."
    
  "Ba zan iya ba. Ma"aikatan jirgin na a kasa sun ce har yanzu "yan sandan sama suna toshe hanyoyin hangar da motocin haya."
    
  "A kowane hali, a shirya."
    
  "Kun umurci mutanen ku da su lalata sararin samaniya?"
    
  "A"a malam, ban yi haka ba. Kwamandan sansanin ya umarci rundunar sojojin da su taimaka wa jami"an tsaro tare da kare su daga zirga-zirgar jiragen sama marasa izini, kuma abin da za su yi ke nan."
    
  Wannan hauka ne, Rifkatu ta faɗa wa kanta a karo na ɗari, gaba ɗaya ta haukace. Ta juya zuwa ga jami'in ayyukanta, Birgediya Janar Daren Mace, "Daren, kaddamar da su kuma aika da vampires nan da nan." Ta rufe idanunta, ta yi tunanin kanta a tsaye a gaban kotun soja, an yanke mata hukuncin daurin kurkuku na sauran mafi kyawun shekarun rayuwarta; sai ta yi tunanin 'yan uwanta matukan jirgi a kasa a Iran, wadanda Pasdaran da 'yan tawaye musulmi suka bi ta, ta bude ido ta ce, "Ba yadda za a tsaya."
    
  "I, madam," Mace ta ce. Ya gyara makirufo akan belun kunnen sa ya ce, "Thug, ki kaddamar da su ba tare da bata lokaci ba. Tsaya don komai. Ina maimaita, kar ku tsaya ga komai.
    
    
  ***
    
    
  "Na tabbatar da cewa Panther da Sojoji na Ukraine har yanzu suna aiki, duka jiragen sama," in ji shugaban rundunar tsaron Air Force ga hedkwatar NATO. Ya kasance mai ban tsoro lokacin da APU ta fara kuma ta tsaya da kanta, amma ya ninka sau goma lokacin da injunan suka yi haka. Shugabannin ma'aikatan da mataimakan kowane jirgin suna wajen rataye, bisa ga umarnin kwamandan sansanin.
    
  "Wannan shine Panther. Ku kira babban kwamandan ma"aikatan jirgin," ya umarci kwamandan sansanin, wani kanar a cikin sojojin Turkiyya, cikin Ingilishi mai kyau.
    
  "Ka shirya, Panther." Jami'in SF din ya mika rediyonsa ga shugaban ma'aikatan jirgin, Air Force Technical Sgt. "Wannan shi ne kwamandan tushe, kuma yana kan gaba."
    
  "Mai fasaha Sajan Booker yana saurare, yallabai."
    
  "Na ba da umarnin rufe wadannan jiragen, kuma ina nufin a rufe gaba daya - Sojojin Ukraine su ma."
    
  "Eh, yallabai, na sani, amma ka umarce mu da kada mu haɗa sassan wutar lantarki ko dai, kuma ba tare da wutar lantarki ba, cibiyar umarni a kan Dutsen Battle ba za ta iya magana da jirgin ba, don haka ina tsammanin shi ya sa APU-"
    
  "Sajan, ina ba ku umarni kai tsaye: Ina son waɗannan jiragen su tsaya gaba ɗaya, nan da nan, ko kuma a kama ku!" - Kwamandan sansanin ya yi ihu. "Ban damu ba idan babu wanda zai iya magana da jiragen sama-Ba na son kowa ya yi magana da jirgin sama! Yanzu kashe waɗannan APUs, kuma yi shi yanzu! "
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji Booker kuma ya mayar da rediyon ga jami'in SF.
    
  "Yankin farko yana nan, Panther."
    
  "Na umarci wannan ma'aikacin sajan da ya rufe wadannan jiragen gaba daya, ciki har da APUs - na'urorin wutar lantarki a cikin wutsiya," in ji kwamandan sansanin. Idan ba su bi ba nan take, a kama su duka." Mallory ya hadiye da kyar, sannan ya yi ishara ga mambobin tawagarsa, alamar da ke cewa, "Ku shirya don yin aiki." "Kin fahimce ni, First Squad?"
    
  "Eh sir, na sani."
    
  "Me wannan sajan technician yake yi a yanzu?"
    
  "Yana tafiya zuwa ga sauran shugabannin ma'aikatan ... yana nuna jiragen ... Sun sanya safar hannu kamar suna shirin tafiya aiki."
    
  A fili ba su yi sauri ba, jami'in tsaro ya yi tunani - Kanar za su sami matsala idan ba su sami tsari na baya ba. Tabbas, bayan ɗan lokaci kaɗan kwamandan tushe ya kira: "Me suke yi? An riga an rufe jiragen nan?"
    
  "Amsar ita ce a"a, yallabai. Suna nan tsaye suna magana yanzu, yallabai," Mallory ya amsa. "Daya daga cikinsu yana da na"urar yawo, ɗayan kuma yana da jerin abubuwan dubawa. Wataƙila suna tattaunawa game da rufe APU daga nan."
    
  "To, jeka gano abin da ke dauke su da dadewa."
    
  "Na fahimta, Panther. Ki shirya." Ya saka rediyon a cikin tarkace ya nufi wajen kwamandojin jirgin. Shugabannin ma"aikatan jirgin guda uku maza da mata daya sun gan shi yana zuwa... sannan ba tare da waiwaya ba, suka nufi rataya na rukuninsu na karshe, wanda ya kasance hedikwatar rundunar sojin sama. "Kai, ku wawaye, ku dawo nan ku rufe waɗannan rukunin wutar lantarki, umarni daga Kanar." A daidai lokacin da zai sake daka musu tsawa, ga mamakinsa, suka fara ruga da gudu suka nufi hangar! Cikin tsawa ya ce "Ina za ka?" Ya zaro rediyonsa daga cikin rijiyar. "Panther, kwamandojin ma'aikatan suna gudu zuwa ginin hedkwatarsu!"
    
  "Mene ne?" - Kwamandan sansanin ya yi ihu. "Ka kama waɗannan ƴaƴan bitches!"
    
  "Na fahimta yallabai. Karya Squad one to control, jan alert, acceleration zone Alpha Seven, repeat, ja alert, Alpha-" Daga nan sai Mallory ya ji wani sauti, da karfi fiye da APU, kuma daga baya ya gane menene. Hannunsa ya girgiza, ya sake ɗaga rediyon: "Control, unit one, ka tuna, abubuwan da ke cikin hangar Alpha Bakwai suna tada injin, na maimaita, na kunna injin! Ina neman sanarwa ta lamba tara da tara, cikakkiyar amsa, na maimaita, cikakke -"
    
  Kuma sai ya ga suna fitowa daga cikin rataye, wanda manyan ma'aikatan jirgin suka ruga da gudu, suna ta gudu kamar masu layin jahannama... Kuma ya kusan fadowa a gigice, mamaki da mahaukacin yunkurin fitar da wutar daga wurin. Tabbas ya taba ganinsu a baya, amma yawanci suna tafiya ne ko kuma a naɗe su ko kuma a ajiye su kusa da babbar mota ko jirgi mai saukar ungulu - kuma ba su taɓa ruga da gudu ba kai tsaye gare shi!
    
  "Sabers hudu da biyar amsa!" - daya daga cikin robobin da ke sarrafa na'urori na intanet na intanet ya fada cikin babbar murya mai na'ura mai kwakwalwa. "Baya min matsayi!" Har yanzu Mallory yana kan hannayensa da gwiwoyinsa, yana firgita cikin firgici, lokacin da mutum-mutumi na farko ya ruga zuwa gare shi kai tsaye. Dukansu sun kewaye shi cikin kankanin lokaci. Sanye yake da manya-manyan jakunkuna, kuma a kafadarsu sun rataya wani abu kamar na harba gurneti, suka nufo shi kai tsaye. "Kwamandan rukuni, na maimaita: bayar da rahoton halin!"
    
  "Ni... uh... 'yan bama-bamai... Sun kunna injinan su!" Mallory ya dakata. Mukullin harba gurneti ya kasance 'yan ƙafafu kaɗan daga hancinsa. "Fitar da wannan makamin daga fuskata!"
    
  Robot din ya yi watsi da odar. "Sun riga sun yi tasi?" - Robot ya yi masa tsawa. Mallory ya kasa amsawa. "Na biyar, kai rahoto ga Alpha Bakwai-Biyu, Ina ɗaukar Alpha Bakwai-Ɗaya. Kare sassan jami"an tsaro." Robot na biyu ya gyada kai ya gudu, kamar yadda dan wasan kwallon kafa ke fita daga cikin jama'a, sai dai a zahiri ya bace a cikin kiftawar ido. "An ji rauni, shugaban tawagar?"
    
  "Ni ... a'a," in ji Mallory. Ya yi ta fama har ƙafarsa. "Shiga cikin waɗannan hangars kuma nemo wata hanya don kashe waɗannan..."
    
  A wannan lokacin, sun ji ƙarar ƙarar injunan jirage da wani mugun fashewar iskar iskar gas daga buɗaɗɗen matsugunan biyu da aka mamaye. "Yan kunar bakin wake suna taksi!" - inji robot. "Biyar, maharan suna motsi! Kare jami"an tsaro!"
    
  "A'a! Dakatar da masu tayar da bama-bamai! Nemo wata hanya...!" Amma robot din ya riga ya garzaya zuwa kofar rataye. To, ya yi tunanin, masu tayar da bama-bamai ba sa zuwa ko'ina, kuma idan saboda wasu dalilai Humvees ba za su iya hana su ba, to babu shakka robots za su iya. "Sashe na ɗaya, ƙungiyoyin CID suna shiga cikin rataye. Taimaka musu a duk lokacin da zai yiwu, amma saka idanu da bayar da rahoto idan-"
    
  A wannan lokacin, Mallory ya ga wani abu yana tashi daga hangar da ke kusa. Da farko ya dauka hayaki ne ko kuma wata kila wani irin fashewa ne... sannan, bayan dakika daya, sai ya gane Humvee ce tsaye a ciki, tana toshe hangar! Bayan ɗan lokaci, robot ɗin ya fita daga cikin rataye, yana riƙe da jami'in tsaro a kowane hannu, yana ɗauke da shi cikin sauƙi kamar yadda wani zai iya ɗaukar tawul na bakin teku. A bayansa kai tsaye wani dan kunar bakin wake na B-1 ya tashi daga hangar ya ruga da gudu zuwa bakin titin tasi.
    
  "Me ke faruwa?" - Mallory ya yi ihu. "Me ya faru? Kai menene...?" Amma robot ya ci gaba da zuwa. Ta damke shugaban tawagar jami"an tsaron da murkushe su, kuma cikin kiftawar ido, ta jefar da shi yadi dari a gefe, inda daga karshe ta jefar da jami"an uku da suka dimauce a wani tudu da ke kusa da shingen tsaron da ke kewaye da yankin. Robot ɗin ya jingina a kansu, kamar yana kare su daga wani abu. "Me kike yi? Ku bar ni!"
    
  "Mai harin bam din yana watsa na'urarsa ta na'urar makamin microwave," inji robot. "Dole ne in fitar da Humvee daga cikin hangar kafin ya fashe, sannan na fitar da ku. MPW na iya zama mai kisa a kusa da ni kuma dole ne in tafi ko kuma yana iya lalata kayan lantarki na kuma. "
    
  "Akan me kake magana?" Mallory ya yi ƙoƙari ya sami kyakkyawan kama. "Bam na biyu kuma yana motsi! Suna cikin tasi don tashin jirgi!" Ya yunƙura don neman rediyon, ya gane cewa ya jefar da shi lokacin da robobin ya kama shi. "Kira tsaro!" - ya gaya wa robot. "Ka gargade babban kwamandan! Samo raka'a kan titin taxi da titin jirgin sama kafin waɗannan abubuwan su shiga wurin tashi!"
    
  "Na samu," in ji robot. "Zan kira shi sannan in ga abin da zan iya yi don dakatar da su." Shi kuwa mutum-mutumi ya miƙe ya bace, yana gudu da gudu mai ban al'ajabi, bakin na'urar harba gurneti yana juyawa da baya don neman hari. Ya share shingen kafa goma sha biyu da ke kewaye da rukunin 'yan wasan - kawai ya lura cewa ƙofar wuyan a buɗe take - kuma ba a iya gani a cikin dakiku.
    
  "Mene ne waɗannan abubuwan suke yi? Wane ne yake iko da waɗannan abubuwa, yara masu shekara goma? Mallory ya gudu ya koma hangar farko ya sami rediyon sa. "Kwana, dalla-dalla na daya, masu tayar da bama-bamai suna tasi. Rukunonin binciken laifuka guda biyu suna bin mu. Sun ce maharan suna watsa wani nau'in makamin microwave ne."
    
  Wani jami'in tsaro ya kara da rediyon "Control, Gefen wuka zuwa yamma, masu tayar da bama-bamai suna tsallaka titin Foxtrot a kan hanyar zuwa Runway One-Nine". "Na ajiye motata a tsakiyar titin Alfa a mahadar titin otal. Zan sauka. Wadancan "yan iskan suna zuwa nan da sauri!" Mallory da sauran jami'an tsaro sun ruga a makogwaro zuwa babban titin motar haya domin ganin abin da ke faruwa...
    
  ... kuma a daidai lokacin da suka isa Taxiway Alpha, sai suka ga motar Humvee ta tashi zuwa arewa yayin da bama-bamai B-1 suka wuce! "Kinfi-baki zuwa yamma, wuka-baki zuwa yamma, ka ji?" Mallory yayi radio yana kallon Humvee mai kusan fam dubu biyar ta buga kasa tana birgima kamar abin wasan yara. "Me ya faru? Fada mani matsayi!"
    
  "Waɗannan robobin sun jefar da Hummer dina daga titin taxi!" Jami'in ya yi rediyo bayan wasu lokuta. "Ba sa ƙoƙarin hana su - suna taimaka musu su tsere!"
    
  "Wadancan 'yan iska!" Mallory ya rantse. "Na san wani bakon abu yana faruwa! Sarrafa, daki-daki ɗaya, waɗannan robots suna shiga rukunin tsaron mu! "
    
  "Abin lamba daya shine Panther," kwamandan tushe ya shiga tsakani. "Ban damu da abin da za ku yi ba, amma kada ku bari masu tayar da bam su tashi daga ƙasa! Kuna iya ji na? Dakatar da masu tayar da bama-bamai! Sa'an nan kuma kame wannan rukunin 'yan baranda gaba daya! Ina son wasu gindi kuma ina son su yanzu! "
    
  Amma yayin da yake sauraren, Mallory ya ga bam na B-1 na farko mara matuki ya tashi daga kasa kuma ya zagaya sararin samaniyar dare, yana bibiyar wasu dogayen wuta guda hudu, ya biyo bayan dakika daya. "Mai tsarki," ya yi ihu da karfi yayin da fitar da ruwa biyu na bayan ya shafe shi. "Me ke faruwa?"
    
  Kusan minti daya sai da hayaniyar ta mutu ya isa ya yi magana a rediyo: "Control, Panther, Division One, "yan kunar bakin wake sun harba, na maimaita, sun harba. Dukkanin sassan sintiri da martani da ake da su, bayar da rahoto zuwa yankin dakaru na musamman na Alpha-Bakwai tare da hanawa da sufuri. Umurnin, sanar da asibitin tushe da dukkan sassan rundunar cewa an fara aikin tsaro na musamman." Kunnuwansa suka yi jajir, kansa ya yi kamar zai fashe saboda tashin hankali da rashin yarda da abin da ya faru. " Sanar da dukkan sassan da suka amsa cewa akwai robobin CID guda biyu da suka taimaka wa maharan tashi, kuma suna da makamai da kuma hadari. Kada ku kusanci sassan binciken laifuka, kawai bayar da rahoto kuma ku lura. Ka ji?"
    
  Masu tayar da bama-baman biyu sun kasance wuri ne masu haske a sararin sama, kuma nan da nan waɗannan sigina suka fita yayin da aka kashe masu wuta. Yana da ban mamaki, Mallory ya gaya wa kansa akai-akai, kawai abin mamaki. Waɗancan mutanen Saber dole ne su zama mahaukaci ko babba, a tunaninsa, yana goge zufan da ke ɗorawa. "Yan robot din tabbas sun yi hauka... Ko watakila "yan ta"adda ne suka kama robots? Watakila ba sojojin sama ba ne bayan haka, a'a, 'yan ta'addar musulmi ne, ko kuma 'yan ta'adda na Kurdawa, ko watakila...?
    
  Sai kuma ya gane bai yi tunani a kan wannan duka ba, sai ya yi ihu a saman huhunsa! Da alama fatarsa za ta fashe da wuta, kansa ya shirya ya fashe! Menene duk abin da yake mai tsarki yake faruwa? Ya juya...
    
  ...sai kuma yaga jigon daya daga cikin robobin, kimanin yadi talatin, yana nufo shi a hankali. Ya ɗaga rediyon zuwa laɓɓansa na zazzage gumi: "Control, unit lamba 1, ɗaya daga cikin rukunin masu binciken laifuka na nufo ni, kuma zan fara aiki," in ji shi, yana share wani gumi daga idanunsa. "Nemi ƙarfafawa, Alpha Seven da Taxiway Alpha, sami ƙarfafawa a nan yanzu." Ya zaro bindigar sa daga rikonta, amma ya kasa samun karfin da zai iya dagawa. Jin zafi ya tsananta, gaba ɗaya ya katse masa hangen nesa tare da haifar masa da matsanancin ciwon kai, ciwon daga ƙarshe ya sa ya faɗi ƙasa. "Control...Control, yaya kuke kwafi?"
    
  "Yi hakuri, Sajan Mallory, amma babu kowa a nan a yanzu da zai iya amsa kiran ku," ya ji muryar da ba a sani ba. "Amma kar ki damu. Kai da abokanka za ku farka a cikin ɗaki mai daɗi kuma ba za ku sami kulawa ba a duniya." Robot din ya matsa wajensa cikin tsananin tsoro, bakin makamin harba gurneti ya nufa a tsakanin idanunsa... amma kafin ganinsa ya rufe masa gaba daya da girgijen taurari, sai ya ga robot din yana yi masa bankwana da katon sulke amma yatsu masu rai mai wuce yarda. "Barka da dare, Sajan Mallory," ya ji ta rediyo yana kwance a wani wuri a ƙasa, sannan komai ya yi duhu.
    
    
  ***
    
    
  "Daya", "Headbanger", "Farawa", wannan shine "Saber", muna da iko da tushe," Laftanar Daniels ya ruwaito 'yan mintoci kaɗan bayan haka. Kimanin yadi talatin." "Masu fashewar microwaves marasa kisa sun ba da zafi mai zafi, zafi, rashin fahimta da kuma asarar sani daga ƙarshe, amma ba su yi wani lahani ga abin da ɗan adam ya nufa ba." Kwamandan sansanin ya ji haushin mu sosai, amma ya tona asirin barasa tare da shan barasa, don haka ba ya yawan magana kamar yadda ya saba yi."
    
  "An fahimta," in ji Patrick McLanahan daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong. "Nagode, Saber."
    
  "Na ji daɗi, yallabai," Daniels ya amsa. "Wataƙila dukanmu za mu iya raba tantanin halitta a Leavenworth tare."
    
  "Ko Supermax idan ba mu yi sa'a ba," Rebecca ta kara da cewa.
    
  Luger ya ce, "Mun sami wani tambarin gano wuri da kuma jujjuya matsayi daga na'urar fasinja na Black Stallion," in ji Luger. da mil ashirin arewa da yammacin Herat, Afghanistan."
    
  "Allah sarki".
    
  "Har yanzu babu wata alama ko wani ya sanya shi a ciki, amma tsarin yana nan kuma yana fuskantar matsin lamba. Muna da tawagar sojoji na musamman a Herat da ke shirin aikin ceto."
    
  Rebecca Furness ta ce "Masu tayar da bama-bamai za su kasance a matakin da ake harbawa a cikin mintuna sittin, kuma su wuce cikin casa'in - sai dai idan mayakan Rasha sun sake kai musu hari," in ji Rebecca Furness. "A wannan karon za mu kasance cikin gadi."
    
  Luger ya kara da cewa "Wataƙila ƙungiyar SWAT za ta ɗauki tsawon lokaci don isa helikwafta idan sun sami izini don ƙaddamar da su."
    
  "Zan yi magana da kwamandan da kaina," in ji Patrick. "Ba ni da alaƙa da yawa da sojoji, amma zan ga abin da zan iya yi."
    
  "Dakata na minti daya, ku dakata - ku mutanen kuna manta wani abu ne?" Rebecca Furness ta shiga tsakani. "Mun kama wani sansanin sojan Turkiyya da NATO da karfin tsiya kuma muka yi watsi da umarnin kwamandan rundunar kai tsaye. Ku maza ku yi kamar ba babban abu ba ne. Suna zuwa mana, mu duka - har da Janar, duk da yana tashar sararin samaniya - kuma za su tura mu gidan yari. Me kuke ba mu shawarar mu yi game da shi?
    
  "Ina ba da shawarar mu kubutar da ma'aikatan jirginmu a kasa a Iran, sannan mu farauto duk wani bangare na na'urar lesar da Rasha ta harba mana, Janar Furness," in ji Patrick nan take. "Komai kuma shine hayaniyar baya a wannan lokacin."
    
  "Hayaniyar bango"? Shin kuna kiran ayyukan gwamnatocin Turkiyya da Amurka - watakila sojojinmu - suna bin mu da 'hayaniyar bayan gida'? Za mu yi sa'a idan kawai sun aiko da bataliyar sojoji don su fitar da mu daga nan. Kuna da niyyar ci gaba da yin watsi da umarni kuma ku lalata duk wanda ya shiga hanyarku, Janar? Yanzu za mu yi yaƙi da mutanenmu?
    
  "Rebecca, ba na umurce ku da yin wani abu ba, ina tambayar ku," in ji Patrick. "Muna da ma'aikatan jirgin a Iran, 'yan Rasha suna harbin laser, kuma shugaban ba ya yin komai a kai sai dai ya umarce mu da mu tsaya. Yanzu, idan ba kwa son taimakawa, kawai ku faɗi haka, ku kashe vampires kuma ku kira Pentagon. "
    
  "Kuma ka gaya musu wannan, Patrick - cewa ka sa na harba wadannan jiragen?" Kana da nisan mil ɗari biyu a tashar sararin samaniya, watakila a wancan gefen duniyar. A shirye nake, Janar. An yi nisa. Sana"a ta ƙare."
    
  "Rebecca, kin yi abin da kuka yi ne saboda muna da abokai da mayaka a kasa a Iran, kuma muna son mu cece su da kuma kare su idan ya yiwu," in ji Patrick. "Kun yi hakan ne saboda kuna da dakarun da ke tsaye kuma a shirye suke su mayar da martani. Idan da mun bi umarni, da an kama wadanda suka tsira, a azabtar da su sannan a kashe su - kun san shi, ni kuma na sani. Kun yi aiki. Wannan ya fi abin da zan iya faɗi game da Pentagon da babban kwamandan mu. Idan har za mu rasa "yancinmu, na fi so saboda mun yi kokarin tabbatar da cewa "yan uwanmu sun rike nasu".
    
  Rifkatu ta yi shiru na wani lokaci mai tsawo, sannan ta girgiza kai da bakin ciki. "Na tsani lokacin da kake da gaskiya, Janar," in ji ta. "Wataƙila zan iya gaya musu cewa kun yi barazanar fashewa da ni da Skybolt idan ban yi yadda kuka umarta ba."
    
  "Wataƙila za su yi dariya sosai za su manta da abin da muka yi."
    
  "Muna buƙatar tsari, Janar," in ji Rebecca. "Turkawa za su tura dakaru domin kwato Batman AFB, kuma idan ba haka ba, akwai wani sashen jiragen sama na Amurka gaba daya a Jamus wanda zai iya fada kanmu cikin rabin yini. A Batman muna da sassan CID guda uku kawai da Tinmen hudu, da jami'an tsaro da kiyayewa. Kuma duk mun san cewa Dutsen Dutsen da tabbas Elliott zai kasance na gaba. "
    
  "Muna buƙatar motsa rundunonin Sojan Sama zuwa Dreamland," in ji Patrick. "Za mu iya riƙe wannan tushe da sauƙi fiye da Dutsen Battle."
    
  "Kana jin abin da ka ce, Patrick?" - Rebecca ta tambaya cike da mamaki. "Kun hada kai don tsarawa da jagorantar sojojin Amurka a kan umarnin Babban Kwamandan, sanya shi ba bisa ka'ida ba a karkashin umarnin ku ba tare da wata hukuma ba, kuma kai tsaye kuna adawa da shiga yaki da sojojin Amurka. Wannan tarzoma ce! Wannan cin amana ne! Ba za ku je kurkuku ba, Patrick - za a iya kashe ku! "
    
  "Na gode da tsarin doka, Rebecca," in ji Patrick. "Ina fatan hakan bai zo ba. Da zarar an kubutar da wadanda suka tsira kuma aka lalata Laser da ke hana sararin samaniyar Rasha, ko kuma aka gano a kalla, duk wannan zai kare. Na gane idan ba ku son yin abin da na ba da shawara, Rebecca. Amma idan kuna son ɗaukar jirgin sama na yaƙi da ba da taimako, ba za ku iya zama a kan Dutsen Yaƙi ba. Za su iya fitowa waje su kama ka yayin da muke magana."
    
  Kowane ɗan takara a cikin amintaccen taron bidiyo na iya ganin bacin rai a fuskar Rebecca Furness. A cikin su duka, tabbas ita ce ta fi kowa asara a cikin wannan, kuma a bayyane yake cewa ba ta son hakan. Amma a zahiri daga baya ta gyada kai. "Komai yana lafiya. Don cents goma, don dala - daga ashirin zuwa rayuwa. Watakila kotun soji ta ji tausayina saboda ni mace ce. Zan aika jirage a kan hanyarsu nan take, Dave. Ka bani wuri."
    
  "Eh, madam," in ji Dave Luger na Elliott Air Force Base. Sa'an nan: "Me game da ma'aikata da kayan aiki a Batman AFB, Mook? Turkawa da namu na iya jira su dawo... Sai dai idan Turkiyya ta yi kokarin harbo su lokacin da suka sake shiga sararin samaniyar Turkiyya.
    
  "Ina da ra'ayi a gare su, Dave," in ji Patrick. "Zai zama mai haɗari, amma wannan ita ce dama ta mu kawai..."
    
    
  MAZAUNAR SAUKI NA LEONID ZEVITIN, BOLTINO, RUSSIA
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  Leonid Zevitin ya ce, "Ki kwantar da hankalinki, mai martaba. Ya kasance a ofishinsa na sirri tare da ministan harkokin wajen kasar Alexandra Khedrov, inda suke yin waya da aika sakwanni amintattu ga sassan soja da diflomasiyya a duniya, yana sanar da su abubuwan da ke faruwa a Iran. Kiran wayar da shugaban addinin Iran Hassan Mokhtaz ya yi ya zo da sauri fiye da yadda ake tsammani, amma hakan babu shakka domin yana da matukar hadari ga kowa ya tada mutumin da munanan labari.
    
  "Ki kwantar da hankalinki? An kai mana hari - kuma saboda ku ne! "Mohtaz ya fada. "Na ba ku damar sanya makamanku a kasata saboda kun ce zai kare kasata. Ta aikata sabanin haka! Bama-bamai hudu sun lalata daya daga cikin sansanonin dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci na, kuma a yanzu sojojin da ke tsaron sama suna gaya mani cewa, Amurkawa na ta shawagi a sararin samaniyar mu cikin 'yanci!"
    
  "Babu masu kai bama-bamai kan Iran, ya mai girma - mun kula da hakan," in ji Zevitin. "Game da tushe: ku tuna cewa Rasha ta biya don gyarawa da kuma kama wannan tushe don mu yi amfani da shi na ɗan lokaci, kuma mun amince cewa za a mika muku bayan mun gama da shi..."
    
  "Kuma yanzu kun gama da shi saboda Amurkawa sun lalata shi!" Mohtaz yace. "Yanzu za ku bar mana rami mai shan taba a kasa?"
    
  "Ka kwantar da hankalinka, shugaban kasa!"
    
  "Ina son makamin hana jiragen sama, kuma ina son shi yanzu!" Mohtaz ya yi ihu. "Kun gaya mani cewa rukunin S-300 guda shida da wasu na'urori masu linzami na Tor-M1 dozin suna jiran tantancewar farko a Turkmenistan. Tun yaushe ya kasance, Zevitin? Makwanni takwas, goma? Yaya tsawon lokacin da ake ɗauka kafin a kwashe wasu na'urori masu harba roka, kunna su, a ga ko duk kyawawan fitilu sun kunna? Yaushe zaku cika alkawuran da kuka dauka?
    
  "Za a isar da su, Mista Shugaban kasa, kada ka damu," in ji Zevitin. Ya yi jinkirin samar da makamai masu linzami, musamman na S-300 na zamani na yaki da jiragen sama, har sai da ya tabbatar da cewa ba zai iya fitar da wani sabon rangwame daga shugaban Amurka Joseph Gardner ba. Zevitin ya yi matukar son barin Mohtaz ya yi ta yamutsa fuska idan har zai iya sa Amurkawa su amince kada su tura dakaru zuwa Poland ko Jamhuriyar Czech, ko kuma su amince da yin watsi da duk wani kudiri a Majalisar Dinkin Duniya da zai ba Kosovo damar ballewa daga Sabiya, a cikin dawo. Tattaunawar ta kasance a matsayi mai mahimmanci kuma ba zai bar Mohtaz ya lalata su ba.
    
  "Ina son su yanzu, Zevitin, ko kuma za ku iya mayar da duk jiragen ku, tankuna da radars zuwa Rasha!" - in ji Mokhtaz. "Ina son S-300 da Tor su kare Mashad gobe. Ina so in kafa garkuwar makamai masu linzami da ba za a iya bi da su ba a kewayen wannan birni idan na dawo cikin nasara tare da gwamnatina da ke gudun hijira."
    
  "Wannan ba zai yiwu ba, ya mai girma. Yana ɗaukar lokaci don gwada waɗannan na'urori masu ci gaba da kyau kafin a tura su. Zan tambayi Minista Ostenkov da Babban Hafsan Hafsoshin Janar Furzienko su sanar da masu ba da shawara kan soja game da-"
    
  "A'a! A'a! Babu sauran taƙaitaccen bayani da ɓata lokaci!" Mohtaz ya yi ihu. "Ina son a tura su nan take, ko kuma zan tabbatar da cewa duk duniya ta san kwafin ku! Me abokanka na Amurka za su ce idan sun sami labarin cewa ka amince ka sayar wa Iran makamai masu linzami da makamai masu guba da makamai masu linzami?
    
  "Kun yarda kada ku raba wani bayani..."
    
  "Kuma kun amince da samar mani makamai masu linzami na kakkabo jiragen sama, Zevitin," Mohtaz ya shiga tsakani. "Kasan duk wani alkawuran da kuka yi kuma mun gama. Sojojin ku da tankuna na iya rube a Turkmenistan, ban damu ba." Kuma da wannan haɗin ya lalace.
    
    
  SANIN YAN GUDUN HIJIRA TA UNITED NATIONS TORBAT-I-JAM, IRAN
  Daga baya kadan
    
    
  "Da sauki yarinya, kin ji ciwo. Kar ka motsa, lafiya?"
    
  Kyaftin Charlie Turlock ya buɗe idanunta ... nan da nan, ɗan abin da take da shi ya bazu a cikin gajimare na taurari yayin da zafi ya harbe ta ta baya, ta kashin baya, da kuma cikin kwakwalwarta. Ta fad'a, zafi ya ninka, ta yi kururuwa. Hannu a sanyaye ta ji yana shafar goshinta. "Ya Allah, ya Allah...!"
    
  "Yarinya, ki yarda ko ba ki yarda ba, kukan ki na zafi kida ne ga kunnuwana," in ji mutumin, a hankali lafazinsa na Irish yana kara fitowa fili kuma a wasu hanyoyi, domin da ba ki yi kukan haka ba, da na yi. yi imani, cewa kashin baya ya karye. Yarinya a ina yake ciwo?"
    
  "Bayana...na baya na," Charlie ya numfasa. "Ji nake kamar...kamar duk baya na yana wuta."
    
  "A kan wuta... Abin ban dariya ne, yarinya," in ji mutumin. "Ban yi mamaki ba." Charlie ya kalli mutumin a rude. Yanzu tana iya ganin stethoscope yana ratsa wuyansa. Ya kasance matashi sosai, kamar babban matashi, mai gajeriyar gashi mai ja-ja-jaja, idanuwa masu haske da kuma murmushin da ba a saba gani ba, amma akwai damuwa sosai a idanunsa. Hasken fitila daya tilo a saman bene yayi mata zafi, amma tayi godiya da ko kadan idanuwanta suna aiki. "Kana iya cewa kai mala'ika ne daga sama...ko watakila mala'ikan da ya fadi?"
    
  "Ban gane ba Doctor...Doctor..."
    
  "Miles. Miles McNulty," mutumin ya amsa. "Ni ba likita ba ne, amma kowa a nan ya yarda cewa ni ne, kuma a yanzu hakan ya ishe mu duka."
    
  Charlie ya gyada kai. Ciwon yana nan, amma ta fara sabawa, ta tarar ko kadan ya ragu idan ta koma haka. "Ina muke Mr. McNulty?" Ta tambaya.
    
  "Haba yarinya, kina sa ni zama kamar tsoho ta hanyar kirana kamar suna kirana dattijo," in ji Miles. "Kira ni Miles, ko Wuz, idan kuna so."
    
  "Wootz?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Wasu daga cikin likitocin sun ba ni wannan laƙabin bayan na zo nan - Ina tsammanin zan ɗan yi farin ciki ganin irin ɓarnar da ke faruwa a nan: jini, ruɓaɓɓen ruwa, raunuka, mutuwar jarirai, yunwa, tsinewa. mugun cewa wanda "zai iya yin wani abu ga wani cikin sunan Allah," in ji Miles, kuma yanayin ƙuruciyarsa ya juyo kuma ya yi launin toka na ɗan lokaci.
    
  Charlie ya yi dariya. "Yi hakuri". Taji dad'i lokacin da murmushinsa ya dawo. "Zan kira ku Miles. Ni ne Charlie."
    
  "Charlie? Yarinya, na san na dade a cikin jeji, amma ba kya kamani da Charlie."
    
  " Dogon labari. Watarana zan gaya maka."
    
  "Ina son jin haka, Charlie." Ya sami kwalba a aljihun jallabiya ya fiddo wasu kwayoyi. "Nan. Waɗannan NSAIDs ne na kan-da-counter-duk magungunan kashe radadin da na kuskura na ba ku har sai na sake yin wasu gwaje-gwaje don ganin ko kuna da jini na ciki ko wani abu ya karye.
    
  Wani katon hannu mai sulke ya miko ya nannade kansa gaba daya a hannun mutumin-Charlie ta kasa juya kai, amma ta san ko waye. "Zan fara duba su," ya ji muryar da aka haɗa ta Chris Wall ta ce.
    
  "Eh, wannan ya ce," in ji Miles. Ya mayar da hannunsa da kwayoyin. Vol ya zare hularsa, yana miqe wuyansa. "Yi hakuri in gaya maka, abokina, amma ka fi kyau da kwalkwali," in ji shi, yana murmushi sosai har sai da ya ga kallon gargadin Vol. Ya mayar da maganin a cikin kwalbar, ya girgiza, ya fitar da guda daya ya buda a bakinsa. "Ina ƙoƙarin taimaka wa matar, ba don cutar da ita ba." Ox ya ba shi damar ba wa Charlie kwaya uku da ruwan sha.
    
  "Yaya jiki?" - Vol ya tambaya.
    
  "Ba zai yi kyau ba idan ban ... motsa ba," in ji ta, tana shaƙa da igiyar zafi. "Ba zan iya yarda mun yi wannan ba." Kallon kashedin Vol yayi ya tuna mata kar ta ƙara yin magana akan abinda suka ɗanɗana. "Tun yaushe muka kasance a nan?"
    
  "Ba dadewa ba," in ji Vol. "Kusan awa daya."
    
  "Ina na Uku?" - Na tambaya. Vol ya nuna hagu na Charlie. Nan take bakin Charlie ya bushe. Mantawa da radadin ciwo ta bishi da kallon katon Marine dake kusa da ita...sai ta hangi wani Tin Man Wayne Macomber kwance akan wani teburi kusa da ita kamar an ajiye shi akan gawar jana'iza. "Ya mutu?" - Ta tambaya.
    
  "A'a, amma ya kasance a sume na ɗan lokaci," in ji Vol.
    
  "Na tambayi abokinka ko akwai maɓalli ko latch ko mabuɗin gwangwani don buɗe shi ya duba - ban tabbata ko shi ne ko injin ɗin ba."
    
  "Dole ne mu fita daga nan da sauri," in ji Vol.
    
  "Ina tsammanin ina so in kalli lassi, idan ba ku damu ba," in ji Miles ga Vol. "Minti goma zan fara duba ku, ko?"
    
  "Minti biyar".
    
  "Babu komai, ba komai." Ya juya ga Charlie, yana murmushi amintacce. "Yarinya, na ƙin yin hakan lokacin da aka cutar da ku, amma zai taimaka mini in ware wuraren da suka lalace. A shirye?"
    
  "Ina jin haka".
    
  "Akwai yarinya daga wasan. Zan yi ƙoƙari kada in damu da kai da kaina, don haka gwada matsawa tare da ni gwargwadon yiwuwa - kai ne mafi kyawun hukunci na abin da "yawanci" yake, daidai? Za mu fara daga kai kuma mu yi aikin mu ƙasa. Shirya? Ku tafi." Cikin tattausar mamaki McNulty ya bita da kai yana jujjuya shi sosai tare da sunkuyar da tocila a kasa sosai ya kalli bayan kai da wuyanta ba tare da ya tilasta mata ta juyo da yawa ba.
    
  "To, ban ga wani abu da ya fito ba," in ji Miles bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan. "Kuna da adadin ban dariya na raunuka da yanke, amma babu wani abu mai tsanani tukuna. Na ga mafi muni a nan."
    
  "Daga ina kake, Miles?"
    
  "Ni daga Gidan Baya na Allah: Westport, County Mayo." Bai buƙatar saka "Ireland" ba. "Kai fa?" - Na tambaya. Charlie ta kawar da idanunta gefe ta sauke su, Vol ya canza matsayinsa - ba da yawa ba, kawai ya isa ya sa kowa ya san kasancewarsa kuma ya hana tattaunawar shiga cikin yankin da ba a so. "Ah, ba laifi yarinya, abin da na yi tunani kenan. Farar fata daya tilo a wadannan sassan ma"aikatan agaji ne da kuma "yan leken asiri, kuma ba ka yi ado kamar ma"aikaciyar jinya".
    
  "Ina muke?"
    
  "Kuna nan a Torbat-e-Jama, sansanin 'yan gudun hijira na Majalisar Dinkin Duniya da aka kafa tun asali don talakawan rayuka da ke tserewa daga Taliban a Afganistan kuma yanzu wasu talakawan rayuka da ke tserewa masu tayar da kayar baya na musulmi ke amfani da su," in ji Miles. "Na ba da kai don taimakawa wajen isar da kayan abinci da kayayyaki kimanin watanni shida da suka gabata, amma da mataimakin likitan ya bace, na tsaya a baya. Wani likita ya bace kimanin wata daya da ya wuce - idan Taliban ko Quds Forces suna bukatar likita, ba sa aika daya, sun dauki daya - don haka ina cikewa har sai jirgin na gaba ya zo. Babu wanda ya ce lokacin da wannan zai kasance, don haka ina kunna takaddar kuma in taimaka gwargwadon iyawa. Ina yin asara kadan fiye da doc, amma ina tsammanin na fara samun matsala.
    
  "Meke Bat-i-Jam?"
    
  "Iran," in ji Miles. "A nan har yanzu suna kiranta 'Iran' - 'yan tawayen ba su yi nisa ba tukuna, don haka ba su kira ta da 'Fara' ba tukuna," duk da cewa dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci da dakarun al-Quds sun fara samun kyawu. a cikin tashin hankali, kamar 'yan tawayen suna kan duga-dugan su.
    
  "A cikin Iran?"
    
  "Ina jin tsoron haka, yarinya," in ji Miles. "Kimanin kilomita dari biyu daga Mashhad, babban birnin lardin Khorasan."
    
  "Allah, wannan shine wuri na ƙarshe da muke son zama," in ji Charlie. Kokarin tashi daga kan katakon plywood da take kwance ta kusa suma saboda tsananin zafin da ya mamaye duk wani abu da take ji tun tashinta. "Ban tabbata ba har yanzu zan iya yin hakan," in ji ta Vol. "Ina jakar jakata?"
    
  "A nan," in ji Vol, ba tare da nuna inda ko ainihin abin da suke magana akai ba.
    
  "Yarinya, ba ki da siffar da za ku je ko'ina, kuma ba abokiyarki ba, aƙalla yadda zan iya faɗa," in ji Miles.
    
  "Zan yi," in ji Charlie. "Yaya nisa muke da wurin da hatsarin ya faru?"
    
  "Kisan kilomita goma," Miles ya amsa. "Mene ne wannan abu duk da haka ... Karusar Mercury? Da gaske ba jirgin sama ba ne, shin - ya fi kama da gwangwani da balloons akansa. An kone shi da mugun nufi, amma bai samu rauni ba."
    
  "Yaya kika same mu?"
    
  "Ba matsala ba, yarinya-mun ganki kina ratsa sararin sama kuma kika fado duniya kamar walƙiya daga Zeus da kansa!" Miles ya ce, idanunsa na kyalkyali yayin da tunowar ganin wannan gani ya dawo. "Kamar babban meteor da aka taɓa gani! Tabbas kun bar wutsiyar wuta tsawon kilomita hamsin idan tsayin inci ne! Wani abin al'ajabi ne ganin har yanzu an gane wasu mutane uku a cikin tarkacen jirgin, kuma ma ya fi ban mamaki ganin kana da rai! Kusan mun tsuke wando muna kallon ka taho mana kai tsaye - muna tsammanin Ubangiji nagari zai kawo karshen wahalarmu nan da yanzu, nan take - amma ka rasa. Samun ku da rai ba wani abu ba ne face abin al'ajabi."
    
  "Abin takaici, wannan yana nufin watakila Pasdarans sun gan mu ma."
    
  Miles ya gyada kai. "Ba sa fitowa da yawa, amma tabbas suna fitar da wani abu ta wannan hanyar, tabbas. Da zarar mun fitar da ku daga nan, mafi alheri gare mu duka. Dole ne ku kasance cikin koshin lafiya don tafiya bayan maganin zafi ya yi tasiri. Ba zai zama da sauƙi ba, amma ina tsammanin za ku iya yin hakan. " Ya juya ga Tin Woodman dake kwance kusa da ita. "Yanzu wannan mai martaba, har yanzu ban tabbata ba. Za a iya gaya mani yadda za a...buɗe shi, kwance shi, motsa matattu, komai, don in duba in duba? "
    
  "Ba mu da lokaci, Miles," in ji Charlie. "Za mu dauke shi." Danne radadin ta samu ta mike zaune kan gadonta. "Muna tafiya yanzu, Miles. Ina so in gode muku da duk abin da kuka yi mana."
    
  "Zan yi bakin ciki in ga ka tafi, Charlie, amma a gaskiya, da ace ba ka kusa ba lokacin da 'yan fashin Pasdaran ko al-Quds suka farauto ka a nan." Ya kalli Saji da rigar Tin Woodman. "Ina jin kwanan nan na karanta game da waɗannan abubuwa, ko ba haka ba? Kungiyar yaki da ta"addanci ta Amurka." Charlie bai amsa ba. "Oh, na gani-zaka iya gaya mani, amma sai ka kashe ni, ko?" Dariya ta yi wanda hakan ya sa zafi ya ratsa bayanta, amma duk da haka ta yi na'am da abin dariya. "Ok, babu sauran tambayoyi, Charlie. Zan fita in ga ko bakin tekun ya bayyana. Sa'a yarinya."
    
  "Na gode". Cike da radadi ta fara jan kanta, amma maganin da McNulty ya bata tabbas ya fara aiki domin a wannan karon ciwon baya ragewa. Bayan McNulty ya tafi, Charlie ta runtse muryarta ta ce, "Ɗaya, na huɗu."
    
  "Muna jin ku da babbar murya kuma a sarari, na huɗu," in ji Patrick McLanahan ta hanyar tsarin transceiver na duniya. Duk wani jami"in sojan sama yana da tsarin sadarwa da bayanai da aka dasa a jikinsu har karshen rayuwarsu, wai don irin wannan yanayi, amma a zahirin gaskiya don baiwa gwamnati damar gano inda kowane ma"aikacin ma"aikaci yake a tsawon rayuwarsa. "Alhamdulillahi kana raye. Mun karanta cewa na biyar yana tare da ku.
    
  "Na tabbatar - yana da rai, amma har yanzu a sume," in ji Charlie. Vol ya fara saka hularsa yana shirin fita. "Zan hau dokina da mu-"
    
  Nan da nan McNulty ya koma cikin tantin da gudu, gaba ɗaya ya fice. "Sojoji, a wajen sansanin," in ji shi cikin rashi. "Akwai ɗaruruwan su."
    
  "Ni kaɗai, har yanzu ba mu sami abin hawa ba?" Charlie yayi rediyo.
    
  "Yaro, wannan shine Farawa," in ji Dave Luger. "Muna da ƙungiyar CSAR akan hanya daga Herat, cikin mintuna casa'in. Muna ƙaddamar da jirage masu saukar ungulu daga Batman AFB a Turkiyya, amma za su ɗauki kusan adadin lokaci ɗaya. Menene halinku?"
    
  "Kuna cikin damuwa," in ji Charlie. "Za mu kira ka idan mun tsira. An kawar da na hudun na hudu." Charlie ya wuce zuwa ga wani katon akwatin da ke kwance a kasa mai datti. "Wani jakunkuna ko bindigogi, biyar?"
    
  "Ba daidai ba," in ji Wohl. "Yi hakuri".
    
  "Babu laifi- kuna da abubuwa da yawa da za ku yi," in ji Charlie. "Mu motsa."
    
  Miles ya nuna babban akwatin da Wohl yake ɗauke da shi lokacin da ya shiga sansanin. "Waɗannan makaman naki ne?" Yanzu ne lokacin fitar da su yarinya."
    
  "Ba da gaske ba," in ji Charlie. "CID daya, turawa."
    
  Kamar yadda Miles ke kallo cikin mamaki, akwatin ya fara motsawa, da sauri ya canza girma da siffarsa, kamar mai sihiri ya canza zuwa furen furanni. A cikin daƙiƙa kaɗan, babban akwatin ƙarfe amma ba rubutu ya rikiɗe zuwa wani mutum-mutumi mai tsayi ƙafa goma, ya kusa fashewa daga cikin tantin, mai santsin "fata" baƙar fata," kai mai siffar harsashi wanda ba a gani ko kunnuwa, da babba. , cikakkun fassarorin hannu, ƙafafu, da yatsu.
    
  "CID One, matukin jirgi," in ji Charlie. Robot ɗin ya ɗauki wani matsayi na jinginar gaba, kamar shingen farawa na sprinter, amma tare da kafa ɗaya da hannayensu biyu sun mika baya. Cike da jin zafi, Charlie ya zagaya robot ɗin ya haura ƙafar da aka miƙe, yana amfani da hannayensa a matsayin riƙon hannu. Ta shigar da code a kan ƙaramin maɓalli a wani wuri a bayan kan robot ɗin, ƙyanƙyashe a bayansa ya buɗe, ta zame cikin ciki. An rufe ƙyanƙyashe...
    
  ... kuma bayan wani lokaci, ga mamakin ɗan Irish, robot ɗin ya rayu kuma ya tashi, kama da mutum na yau da kullun a cikin komai sai bayyanarsa - motsinsa ya kasance mai santsi, ruwa da gaske wanda nan da nan Miles ya gano cewa ya manta da hakan. inji ne!
    
  Charlie ya ɗauki Wayne Macomber wanda har yanzu bai sani ba. "Wannan lokaci ne mara kyau don fita daga cikin wannan, Zipper," in ji ta. Ta kunna radar millimita na na'urar baƙar fata ta cybernetic kuma ta duba wurin da ke wajen tanti. "Da alama suna ƙoƙarin kewaye mu," in ji ta. "Gashin kudanci yayi kama da mafi kyawun hanyar tserewa - akwai babbar mota daya tilo da aka ajiye a wurin."
    
  "Yaya dan karkata zuwa arewa da yamma?" - Vol ya tambaya, yana nazarin bayanan hoton radar da aka watsa masa daga sashin binciken laifuka na Charlie. "Da alama rundunar mashin din tana aikewa zuwa bangaren arewa. Zan iya amfani da ɗaya daga cikin waɗannan. "
    
  "Sauti mai jaraba." Ta miko hannu ya mayar da nasa. "Kamar yadda wani kyakkyawan ɗan wasan Australia ya taɓa faɗi a cikin fim: 'Sake Jahannama.'
    
  "Ina kan hanya. Gara a samar masa da wani irin rufin asiri." Sakin ya gudu daga gaban alfarwa. Charlie ya buga Miles a kasa kuma ya lullube shi da kansa a dai-dai lokacin da wata gobarar bindigar da ke kada tantin ta farfasa.
    
  "Ku shiga, Miles," in ji muryar da aka haɗa ta Charlie ta hanyar lantarki. Har yanzu ta sunkuyar da kanta, ta matsa jikin mara motsin dake hannunta gefe, da nisa ta samar da sarari tsakanin jikinta da Tin Woodman. Ya ja tsaki, har yanzu yana mamakin abin da ya gani. "Ba za ku iya zama a nan ba. Dakarun juyin juya halin Musulunci za su yi tunanin kai daya ne daga cikinmu."
    
  "Za ku iya ɗaukar mu duka biyu?"
    
  "Zan iya ɗaukar nau'ikan ku ashirin, Miles. Ku tafi." Kwance ya yi ta mirgina Macomber ta mayar masa tare da matse ta, ta rik'e shi. "Jira."
    
  Amma lokacin da ta tashi, babu shakka wani abu ba daidai ba ne - Miles ya ji motsi mai girma a cikin motar, kuma tafiyar Charlie ba ta da kyau. "Me ya faru?" Ya yi kururuwa.
    
  "Sashin binciken laifuka ya lalace," in ji Charlie. "Dole ne saboda hatsarin."
    
  "Na fahimta," in ji Wohl a cikin rediyo. Charlie na iya ganin inda yake a jikin na'urarta na lantarki - yana tafiya da sauri ta cikin wuraren da dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci, yana tsayawa a takaice a kowane taron sojoji. "Ka matsa da karfi yadda za ka iya. Zan kasance a gefen ku nan da wani lokaci."
    
  Mintunan da ke gaba sun kasance tsantsar azabtarwa. Sakin ya zaro wasu daga cikin wutar a taƙaice, amma ya dawo da ƙarfi kaɗan bayan Charlie ya fashe daga cikin tantin, da alama ya nufo su. Sautunan sun kasance masu ban tsoro. An rutsa da su cikin gajimaren hayaki, walƙiya na wuta lokaci-lokaci, da ci gaba da harbin bindiga. McNulty ya yi kururuwa yayin da harsashi ya doki kafarsa ta hagu, kuma ya sake yin kururuwa yayin da wani mummunan fashewa ya kade Charlie daga kafafunsa. Bayan wasu 'yan lokuta suka sake kan kafafunsu, amma yanzu yanayin gudunsu mai santsi ya sauya da wani lallausan da bai kamata ba, kamar wata mota mai tudu da lankwasa.
    
  Ox ya gudu kusa da Charlie, a hannunsa na dama yana da bindiga kirar China Type 67, a hagunsa - gwangwani na karfe. "Zaka iya tafiya, Captain?"
    
  "Ba dadewa ba".
    
  "Me ke faruwa?" - sun ji.
    
  "Buga!" An yi sa'a, Macomber ya farka, duk da cewa muryarsa ta yi kasala da muggan kwayoyi. "Kana lafiya?"
    
  "Ina jin kamar an raba kaina a bude," Macomber ya fada da karfi. Charlie ya yi zargin cewa ya sami rauni. "Ina raye?"
    
  "A yanzu, ina fata ya kasance haka," in ji Charlie. "Zaka iya tafiya?"
    
  "Shin har yanzu ina da kafafu?" Ba zan iya jin komai a can ba."
    
  "Ku tsaya a inda kuke kuma kuyi ƙoƙarin kada ku motsa - za ku murkushe sauran fasinja."
    
  "Wani fasinja?"
    
  Charlie yayi ƙoƙarin tserewa, amma tabbas abubuwa suna tafiya daga muni zuwa muni. Wani makamin roka ne ya fashe a bayanta, wanda hakan yasa suka sake tashi. "Tuni ikon ya ragu zuwa kashi arba'in," in ji Charlie yayin da Ox ya taimaka musu. "Babban tsarin injina ya gaza kuma ba zan iya motsa ƙafata ta dama ba."
    
  "Za ku iya ci gaba da motsi?"
    
  "Eh, ina tsammanin haka," in ji Charlie. Ta yi amfani da kafarta ta dama a matsayin abin ɗamara, ta yi gaba yayin da Vol ya ajiye wuta da bindigarsa har sai da harsashi ya kare. Rabin ya goyi bayan rabi kuma rabi ya ɗauki Charlie, kuma sun sami damar hawan ƙananan tudu da sauri. Suna iya ganin masu bin su a ƙasa, waɗanda sannu a hankali suke ci gaba yayin da ƙarin raka'a ke shiga cikin neman.
    
  Charlie ya sauke Macomber da McNulty a ƙasa, sannan ya fita daga ofishin CID. "Yana shirin rufewa," in ji ta. "An gama. Akwai isasshen kuzari da ya rage don fara goge firmware. Da zarar mun tashi, za ta lalata kanta kai tsaye."
    
  "Da alama ba su da tabbacin inda muke," Vol ya ce, yana duba hamadar da ke karkashinsu tare da na'urorin hangen nesa na dare. Ya zura wasu bayanai. "Bari mu gani...Mayaƙa...maƙarƙashiya...Eh, akwai ɗaya, wani ma"aikacin mashin ɗin. Zan dawo yanzu". Ya zabura cikin duhu.
    
  Macomber yayi fama da hannaye da gwiwa. "Ok, na fara fada daga kasa," in ji shi. "Wane bakon namu?"
    
  "Miles McNulty, ma'aikacin agaji na Majalisar Dinkin Duniya," Charlie ya amsa, yana karin haske.
    
  Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan, Vol ya dawo da gudu tare da wani makami mafi girma fiye da na farko - bindiga mai nauyi DShK na Rasha tare da wata katuwar mujallu a saman, da kuma akwatin katako tare da wasu mujallu. "Da alama sun zo da wasu nau'ikan makaman kariya na jiragen sama tare da su - a fili suna tsammanin kamfani. Yaya kake, Major?
    
  "Madalla, Sajan Major," Macomber ya amsa. Ya kalli McNulty. Charlie ya shagaltu da daura wani yage daga kakinta a kafarsa. "Fasinjan ya ji rauni. Ina sojojin doki suke?
    
  "Aƙalla microphones sittin sun fita."
    
  "Ina zamuje?"
    
  "Gabas zuwa iyakar Afghanistan," in ji Charlie. "Kusan mil talatin daga nan. Wuri mai tudu da buɗe ido. Babu garuruwa ko ƙauyuka a kusa da nisan mil hamsin."
    
  "Yaya kike cin abinci, Sajan na farko?" - ya tambayi Macomber.
    
  "An rage zuwa kashi talatin."
    
  "A nan - ba zan iya amfani da shi ba tukuna." Ya zare daya daga cikin batirin tsabar kudinsa daga bel dinsa ya maye gurbinsa da daya daga cikin batura masu rauni na Vol. "Za mu iya amfani da sashin CID don cajin baturanmu?"
    
  "Ba lokacin da yake cikin yanayin rufewa ba, Bah," in ji Charlie.
    
  "Ba za mu iya haɗawa da tushen wuta ko sandar tarho ba?" - ya tambayi Macomber. Charlie ya dube shi da mamaki. "Kai, na yi nazarin waɗannan abubuwan-watakila ba na son sa, amma na karanta littattafan. Ba za mu bi babbar hanya ba, amma idan muka hango akwatin mai karyawa ko mahadar sarrafawa, ina tsammanin zan iya shigar da jumper. Mu fara-"
    
  "Ina jin jirage masu saukar ungulu," in ji Wohl. Ya yi amfani da hangen nesansa na dare da ingantaccen tsarin ji don zagaya sararin samaniya, yana nuna wurin da jirgin ke gabatowa. "Jirgin leken asiri guda biyu masu haske, kimanin mil uku daga nan," in ji shi, yana daga bindigar DShK.
    
  "Bari mu yada," in ji Macomber. Amma nan da nan ya gano cewa wannan abu ne kusan ba zai yiwu ba: har yanzu Charlie yana jin zafi saboda raunin da ya samu, kuma McNulty ya ji rauni sosai kuma ya firgita, don haka dole ne ya ɗauki su duka biyun, kodayake har yanzu ba shi da kansa ɗari bisa ɗari ba, ta yadda abubuwa suka kasance. motsi a hankali. Vol ya yi nisa da su kusan yadi goma, kusa da abin da zai tallafa musu idan an kai musu hari, amma ba kusa da wani bama-bamai da aka harba daga jirgi mai saukar ungulu zai iya halaka su gaba daya.
    
  Sun yi nisan yadi ɗari ne kawai a kan rafin lokacin da Vol ya yi ihu, "Ku rufe!" Macomber ya sami dutse mafi girma a kusa da shi kuma ya ɓoye zarginsa a bayansa, sannan da kansa, ya tsaya tsakanin jirage masu saukar ungulu da sauran don kare su gwargwadon iko da jikinsa masu sulke. Tsarin sulke na Tin Man yana da wani abu da ake tuƙa ta hanyar lantarki wanda ya kasance mai sassauƙa amma yana daɗaɗa kai tsaye lokacin da garkuwar kariya ta buge shi, sau ɗari fiye da karfen takarda.
    
  Macomber na iya jin jirage masu saukar ungulu da ke gabatowa ta hanyar ingantaccen tsarin ji, amma idanunsa sun kasa mayar da hankali kan na'urorin lantarki. "Ba zan iya ganin su ba, Vol."
    
  "Ka tsaya a inda kake." Bayan wani ɗan lokaci ya buɗe wuta da bindigar DShK ɗinsa, walƙiya na babban mashigin 12.7mm yana haskaka wani yanki mai yadi goma a kusa da shi. Sun ji wata kara mai karfi da harsasai sun shiga cikin injin turbine na jirgin helikwafta na farko kuma suka damke shi, sannan fashewar ta afku a lokacin da injin din ya tashi. Dakika kadan bayan haka, sun kara jin karar fashewar wasu abubuwa yayin da wani helikwafta mai bincike na biyu ya bude wuta a matsayin Vol. Ya yi nasarar tsallake hanya a dai dai lokacin don gujewa cikakken karfin harba makaman roka na Iran mai tsawon 40mm.
    
  Wohl ya bude wuta kan helikwafta na biyu, amma ba da jimawa ba wutar ta tsaya. "An cunkushe... Damn, harsashin yana makale a cikin ɗakin ... ba zai fita ba." Ya yi mamakin bindigar ta harba harsasai da yawa kamar yadda ta yi-kamar tana da shekara hamsin kuma ba a tsaftace ta cikin rabin lokacin ba. Ya jefar da makaminsa ya leka wurin domin gano wasu sassan Pasdaran da ke kusa don ya sake daukar wani bindigar, amma sauran guda ukun suka tsaya a baya, a makance da harbin bindigar bazuwar bindiga da kuma harsashi da kuma abun ciki don barin helikwafta mai saukar ungulu ya yi kadan. fada musu.
    
  "Rundunar sojojin na ja da baya kuma har yanzu akwai helikwafta daya a saman," Wohl ya ruwaito. "Na shirya yin jifa." Ba wasa yake ba - exoskeleton mai amfani da micro-hydraulic a cikin tsarin yaƙin Tin Woodman ya ba shi isasshen ƙarfin jefa wani dutse mai nauyin fam biyar kusan yadi ɗari biyu tare da isasshen ƙarfi don yin lahani, wanda zai iya sanya shi cikin kewayon jirgin sama mai saukar ungulu idan zai iya garzaya wajensa, ya yi tsalle ya yi jifa da kyau. Ya sami wani dutse mai girman leda ya shirya yin haka...
    
  ...amma sai na'urorin bincikensa suka sake daukar wani jirgi mai saukar ungulu, kuma a wannan karon ba karamin jirgin sama ba ne na leken asiri. Zai gane wannan silhouette a ko'ina: "Har yanzu muna da matsaloli, ma'am," in ji Wohl. "Da alama jirgin sama mai saukar ungulu na Mi-24 na gabatowa." Jirgin sama mai suna Mi-24 da Rasha ta kera, sunan NATO "Hind," wani babban jirgin sama ne mai saukar ungulu wanda zai iya daukar sojoji har takwas masu cikakken iko a ciki. makami...
    
  ... na farkon wanda ya bude wuta na dakika daya, daga nesa fiye da mil uku. Nan da nan Vol ya gudu daga sauran tawagarsa, sannan ya tsaya don tabbatar da cewa har yanzu makami mai linzamin na ci gaba da bin sawun sa. Ya kasance, kuma ya fahimci cewa shi kansa helikwaftan yana biye da shi, wanda hakan ke nufin ma'aikatan jirgin sun sa shi a ido don kada su harba masa makami mai linzami. Lafiya. Dole ne ya zama wani tsohon makami mai jagora, mai yiwuwa makami mai linzamin kai tsaye mai sarrafa rediyon AT-6.
    
  Ox ya jira wani bugun zuciya, sannan aka caje shi da sauri zuwa rukunin masu bin filin Pasdaran mafi kusa. Ba zai iya ƙara ganin makamin ba, amma ya tuna cewa lokacin jirgin AT-6 ya kusan daƙiƙa goma a iyakar iyaka. Wannan yana nufin cewa yana da daƙiƙa guda kawai don yin hakan. Wannan rukunin na Pasdaran dai wata mota ce mai sulke da babbar bindiga a sama, wacce ta bude wuta a lokacin da ta doso. "Yan zagaye sun bugi abin da aka nufa, amma ba su isa su rage shi ba. Yanzu yana tsakanin mai ɗaukar makamai da jirgin sama mai saukar ungulu - ba shakka, Wohl ya yi tunanin cewa, ya kamata maharbin Hind ya motsa makami mai linzami zuwa gefe. Agogon agogon hankalinsa ya tsaya a zero...
    
  ...kamar dai yadda wani makami mai linzami kirar AT-6 mai kakkabo tanka ya harba a cikin wani jirgin ruwan Pasdaran mai sulke, inda ya mayar da shi wasan wuta mai ban mamaki. An jefar da sa a sama saboda gigitar. La'ananne mai harbin Pasdaran ya daidaita a kan abin da ya sa a gaba har ya yi layi ya bugi nasa!
    
  Vol ya tashi a sanyaye ya dafe kafafunsa, a raye kuma yawanci babu abin da ya same shi sai dai idanuwansa da makogwaro sun toshe da hayaki mai kauri. Gaba dayan gefen kwalkwalinsa, tare da mafi yawan na'urori masu auna firikwensin da na'urorin sadarwa, sun lalace sakamakon fashewar. Ba shi da wani zabi illa ya cire hularsa. Fashewar ta kuma lalata masa kunne, sannan hayakin ya kona masa idanu da makogwaronsa. Ya kasance manufa mai sauƙi. Aikinsa na farko shine ya nisanta daga motocin da ke kona a bayansa da za su haska shi...
    
  ...amma kafin ya yi motsi sai harbin bindiga ya yayyaga kasa a gabansa, sai ga wani katon jirgi mai saukar ungulu kirar Mi-24 Hind ya tashi a gabansa ya tsaya, bindigar da ke kan hakinsa mai tsawon 30mm ta nufo shi kai tsaye. Makamansa zai kare jikinsa, amma ba zai yi amfani ba a gare shi ba tare da kai ba. Vol bai san ko za su yarda da mika wuya ba, amma idan sun shagala sosai zai iya baiwa sauran damar tserewa, don haka ya daga hannayensa. Jirgin Mi-24 ya fara gangarowa ne domin saukarwa, sai ya ga kofofin da aka harba daga bangarorin biyu suna budewa, kuma sojoji suna shirin sauka da zarar babban jirgin ya sauka...
    
  ... kuma a lokacin ne aka yi ta kama wuta a hannun dama na jirgin sama mai saukar ungulu na harin, sai wani katon ginshikin hayaki, da karin wuta, da fashewa da kuma nika da karfe, sannan babban jirgin ya juya hagu ya juya. ya fada cikin kasa. Ox ya gudu a daidai lokacin da jirgin mai saukar ungulu ya fara fadowa sakamakon wasu fashe-fashe masu karfin gaske. Yana shirin komawa ga sauran sai ya hangi motoci da dama suna tahowa ciki har da wani mai sulke. Motar gubar, wata motar daukar hoto dauke da mashinan bindiga a baya, tana dauke da tuta, amma har yanzu bai iya gani ba. Ya yi tunanin guduwa daga wurin da ya bar Turlock, Macomber da Irishman... Har sai da ya ga motocin sun juya hagunsa zuwa wurin mafaka.
    
  Sakin da ke da matuƙar gudu ya nufo motar, wacce ke kan jelar ginshiƙin motoci shida, wanda mashin ɗinta ya rufe bayan da aka yi aikin. Wasu motocin ba za su yi harbin kan motocin nasu ba, kuma da fatan zai iya zuwa wurin mai bindigar, ya kashe shi, ya dauki makamin kafin ya yi harbi. Yadi ɗari ne kawai ya rage don tafiya...
    
  ...sai kuma yaga Turlock ya fito daga inda yake buya hannunshi sama. Ta hakura? Yana iya zama lokaci mai kyau, bayan duk - idan sun mai da hankali a kansu, da zai sami mafi kyawun damar kaiwa ga ɗaukar hoto na ƙarshe kuma ...
    
  Amma sai, da ya matso, Ox ya gane cewa Turlock ba ya daga hannuwansa don mika wuya, amma yana daga masa hannu yana nuna masa ya dawo! Me ya sa ta yi haka? Yanzu ta nufi motar gubar, wadda ke da tuta...
    
  ... daga karshe Vol ya fahimci abinda take kokarin fada masa. Tutar da motar ke dauke da ita tana da ratsin kore, fari da ja na jamhuriyar Musulunci ta Iran, amma alamar ta tsakiya ba ita ce kalmar "Allahu" mai salo ta "Jan Tulip" ba, a"a tana da siffar zaki mai takobi da tashi. rana a bayanta - tutar da ke wakiltar zamanin kafin juyin juya hali da adawa da masu kishin Islama.
    
  Chris ya ruga zuwa Turlock da Macomber, yana sa ido sosai don tabbatar da cewa babu wani daga cikin masu harbin da ya nuna masa makamansu. "Ba amsa kira ba, Sajan Major?" Turlock ya tambaya yana nuna mata kunne, yana nuna tsarin transceiver na subcutaneous.
    
  Vol ya ce "ƙarrawana ta buga a can." Ya gyada kai wajen masu shigowa. "Su wane ne wadannan mutanen?"
    
  "Waɗannan mutanen Bujazi ne," in ji Charlie. "Janar McLanahan da gaske ya kira Bujazi ya nemi taimako."
    
  "Sun iso daidai kan lokaci. Yana da kyau sun zo da makamai masu linzami na Stinger tare da su."
    
  "Ba su harbe Hind, Sajan Major ba." Charlie ya nuna sararin samaniya sai suka ga gaban wani babban jirgin sama a sama. "Yaya murna daga janar. Za su kasance a tashar na tsawon sa'o'i biyu."
    
  "Fitaccen. Wannan ya kamata ya ba mu isasshen lokaci don tsallaka kan iyaka."
    
  "Janar ya ba da shawarar mu koma Tehran tare da wadannan mutanen," in ji Charlie. "Za su aika da jirgi mai saukar ungulu ya dauke mu, kuma Vampires za su rufe mu."
    
  "Bana jin wannan ra'ayin ne mai zafi, madam."
    
  "Zan yi bayani". Ta yi... Vol ya kasa gaskata abin da ya ji.
    
    
  BABI NA TAKWAS
    
    
  Ba ka kiyaye kanka a cikin duniya ta wurin yin tsaro ba, amma ta hanyar kai hari da samun kyakkyawan duka.
    
  - GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
    
    
    
  CAPITOL HILL, WASHINGTON, DC.
  Daga baya kadan
    
    
  "Gaskiya, Britaniya, ban damu da abin da Rashawa ke cewa ba," in ji shugabar masu rinjaye na Majalisar Dattawa Stacy Ann Barbeau. Ta kasance a bene na biyu na Majalisar Dattijai, wanda yawanci 'yan jarida ke amfani da su don "bi" sanatoci don yin sharhi kan hanyarsu ta zuwa jawabai ko tsakanin tarurrukan kwamiti. "Sun kwashe watanni suna yin kowane irin ikirarin kuma ba a tabbatar da ko daya daga cikinsu ba. Duk da yake ina ganin Leonid Zevitin a matsayin shugaba mai hazaka kuma mai faxi, kalaman da ministan harkokin wajensa Alexandra Khedrov ya yi ya zama kamar suna daɗa tsauri da tashin hankali a duk lokacin da muka ga ta kan labarai. Tabbas Shugaba Zevitin ba haka yake ba kwata-kwata, wanda a zahiri ya kawo ni ga tambaya ta zahiri: wanene ke faɗin gaskiya a cikin Kremlin kwanakin nan, kuma wanene yake ƙarya kuma ga wane dalili?
    
  "Amma gobe za a kada kuri'a a majalisar dattijai kan bayar da tallafi ga sojojin Amurka," in ji dan jaridar, "kuma a cikin wannan muhawarar game da inda za a kashe kudi a kan soja, mambobin majalisar ministocin Shugaba Zevitin da alama suna daukar nauyin. Babban jin daɗin ƙara faɗakarwa game da wani karo na gaba. Shin waɗannan ayyuka guda biyu suna da alaƙa, kuma idan haka ne, don wane dalili?
    
  "Na tabbata ban san abin da ke zuciyar dan Rasha ba, ko da wanda yake goyon bayan Yamma, na duniya da kuma kyakkyawa kamar Leonid Zevitin," in ji Barbeau. "Ina tsammanin za su so su guje wa tashin hankali yayin da muke a Majalisa muna ƙoƙarin tantance alkiblar da ta dace ga mafi girman rundunar soja a duniya."
    
  "Amma wannan ya wuce saber rattling, Sanata," dan jaridar ya ci gaba da cewa. "Tabbas akwai wani abu da ke faruwa a can, Sanata, kuma ba wai kawai tashin hankali a Iran nake magana ba, har ma game da ayyukan sojojin Amurka, ko? A taƙaice, madam: kamar ba za mu iya fita daga hanyarmu ba. Yakin basasar Iran yana barazanar mayar da Gabas ta Tsakiya gaba daya zuwa jahannama, amma duk da haka ba mu yi kusan komai ba face aika jiragen leken asiri marasa matuka a yankin; Farashin man fetur yana tashi cikin sauri; Tattalin Arziki yana nitsewa kamar dutse; A kullum kasar Rasha na zargin mu da kashe fararen hula, da jefa bama-bamai a sansanin taimakon fararen hula a Iran, da haifar da tarzoma da hargitsi a duniya, musamman ma tashar jiragen sama na Armstrong da jiragen mu; shirin sararin samaniya yana da alama abin dogara kuma yana da mahimmanci wata rana, kuma rana ta gaba ba ta da tasiri. Har ma muna da wani shahararren jarumin nan na Ba"amurke mai tauraro uku, wanda ainihin jarumin Holocaust na Amurka, ya makale a sararin samaniya domin babu wanda zai iya gaya mana ko yana da koshin lafiya ya dawo gida. Tambayata, madam: menene ke faruwa a duniya wanda Fadar White House da Pentagon suka gaya wa Majalisa, kuma me za ku yi game da shi? "
    
  Barbeau ta yi masa murmushin da ya fi jan hankali, mai ratsa zuciya, ta sake ma"anar kalmar "yin soyayya a kyamara" ga miliyoyin masu kallo yayin da ta amsa, "Oh, yallabai, wane irin mugun hoton halaka ne da ka zana a safiyar yau! Bari in tabbatar muku da kowa da kowa a cikin masu sauraron ku a duniya cewa Majalisar Dokokin Amurka tana aiki tare da Shugaban kasa da jami'an sashensa don magance rikice-rikice na yau da kullun da na gaba lokacin da suka tayar da kawunansu ba, har ma don tsara hanya. ga sojojin Amurka waɗanda ba su misaltuwa, masu hangen nesa, masu daidaitawa, daidaitawa da araha. Kasa da shekaru biyar ke nan da kisan kiyashin Amurka, kuma gwamnatoci daban-daban guda uku sun fuskanci duniya kamar yadda ta kasance bayan wadannan munanan hare-hare a kasarmu. Muna samun ci gaba, amma zai dauki lokaci."
    
  "Don haka gaya mana yadda kuke ganin muhawarar za ta gudana, Sanata. Me ke kan teburin mu?
    
  "Tambayar da ta fi muhimmanci a gare mu a yanzu ita ce kawai: Wadanne runduna ne suka fi dacewa don maye gurbin manyan bama-bamai masu cin dogon zango da makami mai linzami na nahiyoyi da aka lalata a lokacin Holocaust?" Barbeau ya amsa, har yanzu yana annuri duk da kashin bayansa, cikin damuwa da azama a fuskarsa. "Shugaba Thorne ya fifita sojojin sama na tushen kasa da na teku, duka biyun mutane da marasa matuka, tare da tsarin kariya na makamai masu linzami. Shugaba Martindale ya ba da shawarar haka, amma, kamar yadda mai ba shi shawara na musamman, Janar Patrick McLaanahan, ya ba da shawarar, ya kuma nemi "tsalle tsararraki," kamar yadda ya ce, da kuma samar da jiragen sama masu saukar ungulu da za su iya kaiwa kowane hari, a ko'ina a duniya tare da su. Gudu mai ban mamaki, harba tauraron dan adam zuwa sararin samaniya lokacin da ake bukata, da kuma isar da sojoji da kayan aiki a ko'ina a duniya cikin sa'o'i.
    
  Barbeau ya ci gaba da cewa, "A matsayinsa na tsohon Sakataren Tsaro, Joseph Gardner ya goyi bayan wadannan ra'ayoyin kuma ya karfafa ci gaban tashar sararin samaniya ta Armstrong, da dukkan karfin sararin samaniya, da kuma jirgin saman Black Stallion," Barbeau ya ci gaba da cewa. fa'ida mai yawa ga duniya - na duniya Samun Intanet da shirinmu na sararin samaniya ya samar, ba tare da shakka ba, ya canza rayuwarmu da gaske kuma ya haɗa duniyarmu - amma kuma ta fuskanci koma baya da dama. A matsayinsa na shugaban ƙasa, Joseph Gardner cikin hikima ya gane hakan. watakila rundunar tsaron sararin samaniyar da Patrick McLaanahan ya gani, ba su kai ga yi wa Amurka hidima ba."
    
  "To ina wannan ya bar mu Sanata?" - ya tambayi mai gabatarwa.
    
  "Shugaba Gardner ya gana da jagoranci kuma ya ba da shawara mafi aminci, sananne, ingantaccen tsarin makaman," in ji Barbeau. "Yana son daukar mafi kyawun ra'ayoyin da gwamnatocin baya suka gabatar tare da hada su cikin ingantaccen shiri don samar da ingantaccen karfi cikin sauri don biyan bukatun kasar."
    
  "Kuma menene waɗannan ra'ayoyin, Sanata?"
    
  "Ba zan iya ba ki wani cikakken bayani ba, Brit, ko zan sami da yawa masu fushi maza masu zafi a dugadugana ba da dadewa ba," Barbeau ya fada cikin dadi. "Amma a taƙaice, muna da ɗaiɗaikun ayyuka waɗanda ke yin abin da sabis ɗin ya fi kyau, wanda ya yi wa al"umma da duniya hidima da kyau a cikin ƙarni uku da suka gabata, amma kuma suna la"akari da canje-canjen fasaha da hangen nesanmu na gaba: cikakke. ba da kuɗi da tallafawa faɗaɗa da ƙarfafa Sojoji da Sojojin ruwa a matsayin ƙasa mai ƙarfi da runduna ta musamman; cikakken goyon bayan sojojin ruwa a matsayin rinjaye na teku da kuma jiragen sama; da kuma rundunar sojin sama a matsayin mafi rinjayen goyon bayan duniya da rundunar tsaron sararin samaniya."
    
  "Shin sojojin saman ba za su kasance mafi rinjaye a cikin makaman Amurka ba? Wannan bai yi daidai ba."
    
  Barbeau ya fara da cewa "ba a yi aiki da cikakkun bayanai ba tukuna, kuma ba shakka ina da yakinin cewa za mu daidaita tare da daidaita lamarin kamar yadda ya kamata don samar da cikakken karfin da za mu iya haifarwa," in ji Barbeau, "amma ya bayyana ga Shugaba Gardner da mu. a cikin shugabancin majalisa cewa akwai kwafi mai ɓarna da tsadar gaske tsakanin sojojin sama da na ruwa dangane da dabarar ƙarfin iska. Duk ya zo ne ga ainihin tunanin, Brit, cewa jiragen ruwa na Navy na iya yin duk abin da jiragen saman Air Force za su iya, amma jiragen sama ba za su iya yin duk abin da jiragen ruwa za su iya ba, wato tashi da sauka a kan wani jirgin ruwa, wanda, kamar yadda. kowa ya yarda da shi, shine ma'anar hasashen wutar lantarki da ba za a iya musantawa ba a duniyar zamani."
    
  "Kuma shugaban kasa, kamar yadda muka sani, babban mai goyon bayan sojojin ruwa ne, kasancewarsa tsohon sakataren sojojin ruwa."
    
  Barbeau ya ce "Wannan kwafin sojoji ne, a bayyane kuma mai sauki, kuma yanzu ne lokacin da za mu magance shi idan muna so mu sami karfin fada a ji a karni na ashirin da daya," in ji Barbeau. "Muna ƙoƙarin yin tunani gaba. The Air Force ne da aka gane gwani a cikin dogon zango dabarun harin da kuma m resupply, da kuma Navy ba shi da irin wannan damar iya aiki - shi ya sa ma'ana don canja wurin wannan manufa zuwa Air Force, da kuma Navy don horar da kuma ba da dabara mayakan domin wasan kwaikwayo. shugabannin duniya."
    
  "Shin mazabar ku a Louisiana za su ƙi wannan shirin, Sanata?"
    
  "Ina wakiltar mafi kyawun mutane, masu kishin ƙasa da mafi yawan sojoji a ƙasar, Brit: mutanen kirki na Barksdale Air Force Base kusa da Bossier City, Louisiana-Bomber City, Amurka," in ji Barbeau. "Amma har ma da masu fafutuka masu fafutuka kamar ni sun ga canji na zuwa shekaru da yawa: canjawa daga maharan yakin duniya na biyu zuwa mahimmancin isa ga duniya, saurin motsi, jiragen sama marasa matuki, fasahar sararin samaniya da, mafi mahimmanci, yakin basasa. Rundunar sojin sama ta kasance kuma za ta ci gaba da kasancewa jagora a wadannan yankuna. Mun yi tsammanin hakan shekaru da yawa, kuma ni da Shugaba Gardner mun yi imanin cewa lokaci ya yi da za mu tsara sojojin mu na ƙarni na ashirin da ɗaya don nuna wannan sabuwar gaskiyar. "
    
  "Amma fadan sun fara farawa, ko ba haka ba, Sanata?"
    
  "Tare da ƙwaƙƙarfan jagoranci na Shugaba Gardner da kuma alkawarinsa na yin aiki kafaɗa da kafada da Majalisa, ina tsammanin za a rage yawan fadace-fadacen. Tare za mu cimma nasara. Madadin yana da muni da za a yi la'akari da shi."
    
  "Shin wannan yana nufin za mu ga ƙarshen jiragen saman Black Stallion da tashoshin sararin samaniya na soja suna kallon mu 24/7?"
    
  "Hakika Black Stallion babbar nasara ce ta fasaha, amma kamar yadda muka gani tare da mutum kamar Janar McLanahan, yana da kasadarsa," in ji Barbeau, da tsananin nuna damuwa da ya mamaye fasalinta na ɗan lokaci. "Zuciyata." Lokacin da na sami labarin rashin lafiyar Janar McLamahan, kuma muna yin duk abin da za mu iya don mu dawo da shi gida lafiya.Amma ga abin da ya dame ni, Brit: Patrick...Janar McLanahan...mutum ne mai iko.Ka san labaran haka nan kuma ni, Brit..."
    
  "Waɗanda shuwagabannin ƙasashe da janar-janar suka yi kira ga McLaanahan da su kwashe litattafan waya na manyan biranen su da rabi?" - dan jaridar ya kara da cewa yana dariya. "Ina tsammanin wadannan jita-jita ce daga ofishin yada labarai na fadar White House."
    
  "Wannan ba jita-jita ba ne, ina tabbatar muku!" - Barbeau ya ce. "Na gani da idona-Patrick na iya zage littafin wayar DC da rabi cikin sauƙi kamar yadda kai ko ni zan iya fidda shafi daga cikin ƙaramin littafinku. Kuma duk da haka har yanzu wani abu mai wuyar ganewa ya same shi, tantancewa ko magani, wani abu mai rauni wanda zai iya jefa rayuwar kowane memba na ma'aikatan sararin samaniya cikin hatsari. Akwai matukar damuwa cewa raunin ya shafi zuciyarsa kawai."
    
  Bakin dan jaridan ya bude cike da mamaki. "Ban ji komai ba, Sanata. Don Allah za a iya fayyace? Me kuke nufi da gaske?"
    
  "Na tabbata wannan duk hasashe ne kawai kuma shirme ne," Barbeau ta ce a wulakantacce, tana yin kamar ta faɗi wani abu gaba ɗaya ba da niyya ba, amma ta ɗauki hankalin kowane mai kallo ta hanyar kallon kyamara kai tsaye na ɗan ɗan lokaci. "Amma da gaske muna bukatar mu fahimci abin da ya faru da shi sosai. Muna ba shi bashi domin a gaskiya shi babban abin al"umma ne, gwarzo ta kowace fuska.
    
  "Amma wata muhimmiyar tambaya ta kasance: Shin za mu iya ba da damar dakatar da makomar sojojin kasarmu yayin da muke nazarin wannan mummunan bala'i?" Barbeau ya tambaya cikin tsanaki, da farko ya kalli dan jaridan sannan ya shiga cikin kyamara, kai tsaye cikin zukatan masu sauraro. "A matsayina na masu kula da sojojin mu, wadanda aka rantse don gina mafi kyawun karfi don kare ƙasarmu da hanyar rayuwa, amsar ita ce mai sauƙi kuma a fili: rundunar tsaron sararin samaniya ba ta shirya ba, don haka dole ne mu juya ga tsarin da aka tabbatar da muka sani. zai yi aiki. Wannan shi ne aikinmu a yau, kuma tare da hadin gwiwar Shugaban kasa da Majalisar Wakilai za mu yi. Jama'ar Amurka ba za su yi tsammanin komai daga gare mu ba."
    
  Stacey Ann Barbeau ta gabatar da karin tambayoyi daga taron manema labarai har zuwa karshe ma'aikatan gidan talabijin na Majalisar Dattawa da wani mataimaki na Barbeau suka kore su suka sake ta. A kan hanyarta ta zuwa taron dare a dakin taron kwamitin, ta sami kira a wayarta ta salula: "Na yi tunanin kana yabon McLahan da yawa, Stacy Ann," in ji Shugaba Joe Gardner. "Da sannu jakinsa zai koma ciyawa a nan."
    
  "Duk dalilin da ya sa na rera yabonsa, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Barbeau yayin da take gaishe da magoya bayanta da abokan aikinta yayin da take tafiya da hira. "Ina ba ku shawara da ku yi haka, Mr. Shugaban kasa: bari ministan tsaron ku, masana, Rasha da kafofin yada labarai na yaki da yaki su zage shi, ba mu ba."
    
  "Ba za ku faɗi haka ba idan kun ji abin da ya faru yanzu, Sanata."
    
  Nan take bakin Barbeau ya bushe. "Me ya faru Mr. Shugaba?" Ta tambaya tana juyowa da mamaki ga mataimakinta Colleen Mornay. Lokacin da suka isa dakin taron, Morna nan da nan ya kori kowa don Barbeau ya yi magana a cikin sirri.
    
  "McLanahan ya rasa, kuma ina nufin gaba daya," in ji Gardner. Ta dan tsinkayi wani irin nasara a cikin muryarsa, kamar a karshe ya samu abin da Barbeau ba shi da shi kuma ya sa ran za a biya shi don raba shi da ita. "Mutanensa sun mamaye wani sansanin sojin saman Turkiyya, sun kama kwamandan sansanin da mafi yawan ma'aikatan tare da robobin da suke sarrafa su, sannan suka sake kaddamar da wani jirgin sama a kan Iran."
    
  Barbeau ta daskare bakinta ya bude a gigice kafin ta ce, "What!" Yanayin da ke fuskarta yana da matukar tayar da hankali har mataimakinta Colleen Morna ya dauka tana fama da ciwon zuciya. "Ni... ban yarda da wannan ba..."
    
  "Me za ki ce game da jarumin da ke cikin sulke masu haskakawa yanzu, Stacy?" - ya tambayi shugaban kasar. "Amma ba ku ji mafi kyawun sashi ba. Lokacin da manyan jami'an tsaro suka aika da jami'an tsaro da yawa daga Basin Jirgin Sama na Incirlik don kama mutanen McLaanahan, sun bace. Jiragen da yawancin kayansu sun tafi. Ba mu san inda suke ba."
    
  "Dole ne su kasance suna kan hanyarsu ta komawa Jihohi, Mista Shugaban kasa..."
    
  "Ba wai kowa ya sani ba, Stacy," in ji Gardner. "McLanahan ya sace kimanin ma'aikatan guguwa guda hudu na gwaji kuma ya kai su wani wuri. Muna fatan suna kan hanyarsu ta komawa Dreamland, tushen gidansu a kudu ta tsakiyar Nevada arewacin Vegas. Idan haka ne, ana iya tuhumi McLahan da laifin hada baki da tayar da kayar baya ga gwamnatin Amurka. Waɗancan apples fa? Ya jarumin ku yanzu ya kama?"
    
  "Ni ... Ba zan iya yarda da shi ba, Mista Shugaba," Barbeau ya yi haki. Damn, bayan abin da kawai ta fada wa kafofin watsa labarai, duk waɗannan kyawawan abubuwa game da McLaanahan... Allah, wannan na iya zama lalatarta! "Muna bukatar mu hadu mu tattauna wannan cikin gaggawa, ya mai girma shugaban kasa. Muna bukatar samar da matsaya daya, ga Majalisa da kuma na 'yan jaridu."
    
  "Muna samun dukkan bayanan da za mu iya, kuma za mu sami bayanin jagoranci wanda za mu ba da abu na farko da safe," in ji Shugaban. "McLamahan zai mutu, na yi muku alkawari, kamar yadda dukan tawagarsa za su yi. Ba zai zama sananne ba bayan mutane sun gano abin da ya yi. Ba za mu sake zama kamar muna lalata wani gwarzo na kasa ba - yana halaka kansa.
    
  Barbeau ya ce, "Muna bukatar dukkan bayanai da farko, Mista Shugaban kasa," in ji Barbeau, hankalinta ya tashi don fahimtar labarai masu fashewa. "Me ya sa ya kai harin bam din? McLaanahan baya yin komai ba tare da dalili ba."
    
  "Ba komai a gare ni ba, Stacy," in ji Gardner. "Ya bijire wa umarni, ya yi watsi da ikona, kuma a yanzu ya kaddamar da hare-haren soji a kasashen ketare, ya sace kadarori na soji, ya koma ya jagoranci dakarun soji ba tare da wata hukuma ba, kuma yana adawa da namu da sojojin kawance. Domin duk abin da muka sani, yana iya yin shirin juyin mulkin soja a kan gwamnati ko ma yana shirya harin soji kan Washington. Akwai bukatar a tsayar da shi!"
    
  "Ko menene amsarmu, Mista Shugaba, ina ba da shawarar cewa mu fara gano duk abin da za mu iya, mu tattauna shi a hankali, mu tsara tsari da aiwatar da shi tare," Barbeau ya maimaita. "Na san cewa alhakin sojojin ku yana kan bangaren zartarwa, amma zai kasance da sauki mu yi abin da ya kamata mu yi idan muka amince da shi tare a gaba."
    
  "Na yarda," in ji shugaban. "Ya kamata mu hadu mu tattauna dabarun, Sanata, bayan mun gabatar da bincikenmu. Wannan daren. Taron sirri a Ofishin Oval."
    
  Barbeau ta zaro ido cikin bacin rai. Babban Janar din mutumin dai ya yi awon gaba da wasu "yan kunar bakin wake tare da kame wani sansanin sojin sama na Turkiyya, kuma duk abin da mutumin ke tunani shi ne jin dadi ga Shugaban Masu Rinjaye na Majalisar Dattawa. Sai dai ba zato ba tsammani aka sanya ta a matsayin kariya, musamman bayan bayanan da ta yi wa manema labarai, kuma shugaban ya samu rinjaye. Idan ta na son duk wata dama ta ci gaba da rike matsayinta a tattaunawar kan kadarorin Rundunar Sojan Sama wanda ba shakka ba da jimawa ba za a sake ta, sai ta buga wasansa... a yanzu. "Majalisar dattijai tana da jadawali mai cike da aiki, mai girma shugaban kasa, amma na tabbata zan iya ... matse ku," in ji Barbeau, yana rufe wayar.
    
  "Me ya faru?" Ta tambayi mataimakinta, Colleen Morna. "Kuna kama da kodadde kamar fatalwa."
    
  "Yana iya zama mafi munin abin da za a iya tsammani ... ko kuma yana iya zama mafi kyau," in ji ta. "Yi alƙawari tare da shugaban ƙasa bayan taron ƙarshe akan ajanda a wannan maraice."
    
  "Yau da dare? Yanzu karfe biyar ne, kuma kuna da taro a bakwai tare da wani kamfanin lauyoyi da ke wakiltar harabar masana'antar tsaro da fasaha. Ya kamata ya kasance har zuwa tara. Me shugaban kasa yake so? Me ke faruwa?"
    
  "Dukkanmu mun san abin da ke zuciyar shugaban kasa. Saita shi."
    
  "Za a sake yin wani dare, kuma tare da sauraren kararrakin Kwamitin Ayyuka na Armed Service daga gobe, za ku yi aiki tukuru. Me ke da matukar muhimmanci da Shugaban kasa ke son ganawa a makare? Shin har yanzu yana so ya kai McLahanan zuwa gandun daji?"
    
  "Ba kawai a cikin gandun daji ba, yana so ya sanya gatari duka a cikin kirjinsa," in ji Barbeau. Da sauri ta taso da sauri, da sauri furucin Morna ya fi nata mamaki. "Ban san ainihin abin da ya faru ba, amma ina tsammanin na san McLaanahan: shi ne abin koyi na kyawawan halaye. Idan ya kai hari a Iran, tabbas yana da hankali cewa wani mummunan abu yana faruwa kuma bai sami koren haske don gyara shi ba, don haka ya yi da kansa. Gardner ya kamata ya ƙarfafa shi, kada ya ɗauka a kan kansa. Amma shugaban yana son ya nuna cewa har yanzu shi ne ke kan mulki kuma shi ne ke da iko, don haka zai lalata McLahanan." Ta dan yi tunani; sannan: "Muna bukatar sanin ainihin abin da ya faru, amma ba daga ra"ayin Gardner ba. Muna buƙatar bayanin kanmu game da wannan. McLanahan ba mahaukaci ba ne. Idan muka zo taimakonsa, to watakila za mu yi nasara a karshe."
    
  "Yanzu kuna son McLaanahan ya yi nasara, Stacy?" Morna ta tambaya.
    
  "Hakika ina son shi ya yi nasara, Colin, amma ina so ya yi nasara a gare ni, ba don kansa kadai ko ma na kasar ba!" Barbeau yace. "Jarumi ne na gaske, jarumi a cikin sulke masu haskakawa, kamar yadda Gardner ya fada. Girman Gardner ya ji rauni kuma baya tunani sosai. Ina bukatan in gano abin da ke zuciyarsa, ko da kuwa hakan na nufin yi masa munanan abubuwa a duk lokacin da Uwargidan Shugaban kasa ke kan hanya, amma sai mu gano ainihin abin da ya faru, mu tsara dabarunmu. Dole ne in sa idona akan kyautar, zuma, kuma hakan yana samun kwangiloli da fa'idodi ga abokaina a Louisiana. "
    
  "Idan da gaske ya haukace fa?"
    
  "Muna buƙatar gano abin da ya faru da McLanahan da abin da yake yi a Iran, da sauri," in ji Barbeau. "Ba zan yi makance da shugaban kasa ba kuma in yi hamayya da McLahan, sai dai idan mutumin ya kasance mahaukaci da gaske, wanda ina shakkar gaske. Buga buzzer kuma gano duk abin da za ku iya game da abin da ya faru. Har yanzu kuna tuntuɓar abokinsa na playboy... menene sunan sa? "
    
  "Mafarauci Noble"
    
  "Oh eh, kyaftin Noble, matashin kaboyin sararin samaniya. Kuna buƙatar fitar da bayanai daga gare shi, amma kada ku yi riya cewa haka ne. Shin har yanzu kuna zaginsa?
    
  "Ni daya ne daga cikin dogayen layin gabas mafarauci Noble assholes."
    
  "Za ka iya fito da abin da ya fi wannan, yaro," in ji Barbeau, yana shafa bayanta sannan a hankali a gindinta. "Kada ku zama wani abokin tafiya kawai-zama mai fafutukarsa, amintaccensa. Ka gaya masa cewa Kwamitin Sabis na Majalisar Dattawa zai duba abin da ke faruwa a Dreamland kuma kuna so ku taimaka. Ka gargade shi. Wataƙila zai raba wasu bayanai masu amfani. "
    
  "Zai yi wahala ka sadu da wani mutum idan yana shawagi a sararin samaniya, makale a kan wannan tushe a cikin hamada... ko kuma a kurkuku."
    
  "Wataƙila mu shirya balaguron karatu zuwa Vegas nan ba da jimawa ba don ku matsa masa sosai. Wataƙila ni ma zan iya shiga." Ta dakata, tana jin daɗin tunanin 'yan uku tare da "playboy Air Force." "Ka gaya masa cewa idan ya ba da haɗin kai, za mu iya hana ɗan jakinsa ɗaure daga kurkuku." Ta yi murmushi ta kara da cewa, "Idan kuma bai ba shi hadin kai ba, ka yi min kazantar yaron da zan iya yi masa. Idan bai yi kansa ba, za mu yi amfani da shi don fara wargaza McLahan da sauran haruffa a Dreamland."
    
    
  FILIN JIRGIN SAMA NA TEHRAN MEHRABAD, TEHRAN, JAMHURIYAR DIMOKURADIYYA TA FARSA.
  FARKON YAMMA NA WANNAN RANA LOKACI TEHRAN
    
    
  Wata ayarin motocin motocin alfarma masu sulke na Mercedes sedans da limousines sun yi tseren kan titin Me'Raj zuwa filin jirgin saman Mehrabad, ba tare da samun cikas a kan tituna ba. A cikin hanyar da ayarin motocin ke bi, Janar Boujazi ya umurci dakarunsa da su rusa shingayen binciken ababen hawa da shingaye nan da nan kafin isowar motocin, su bari su wuce, sannan da gaggawar mayar da su baya. Kasancewar dakaru masu yawa a yammacin Tehran a wannan dare ya hana 'yan kasar da 'yan tawaye nesanta manyan tituna, don haka kadan ne suka iya ganin matakan gaggawa.
    
  Motocin sun wuce babban tashar jirgin da Boujazi ya kafa hedkwatarsa kuma a maimakon haka ya yi sauri ya bi ta hanyar tasi zuwa jerin jiragen saman Iran Air. Anan tsaro ya zama kamar na yau da kullun, kusan ba a iya gani - sai dai idan kuna da tabarau na hangen dare da taswirar da ke nuna wuraren da yawa na maharba da sojojin da ke warwatse a filin jirgin sama.
    
  Wani farar fata kirar Boeing 727 shi kadai, ba tare da wata alama ba, ya zauna a gaban daya daga cikin rataye, inda jami'an tsaro biyu ke gadinsa a cikin riga da alaka. Sedan ledar ta tsaya a gindin benen bene, sai ga wasu mutane hudu sanye da bakaken kaya na kasuwanci, da huluna masu duhu irin su huluna, farar riga, duhun kunne, wando mai duhu da takalmi, rike da bindigogin karkashin kasa a hannunsu, suka fito suka dauki wuri. a kusa da matakala da kuma cikin hancin jirgin sama. Daya bayan daya, wasu dogayen jirage masu saukar ungulu guda biyu ne suka taso har zuwa kasan titin, sannan wasu 8 da makamantan su, sanye da riguna da jami'an tsaro dauke da makamai suka sauko daga wasu sedan domin gadin wutsiya da bangaren dama na jirgin. Mutane da dama ne suka fito daga kowace motar daukar kaya, da suka hada da wani dattijo sanye da kakin soji, wata budurwa da masu gadi suka kewaye su, da maza da mata sanye da rigunan kasuwanci irin na kasashen yamma da manyan riguna irin na Iran.
    
  Bayan ƴan daƙiƙa kaɗan, duk mutanen sun haura ramfin suka hau jirgin. Jami'an tsaron dai sun kasance a wurarensu har sai da jirgin ya tada injinsa, sannan suka koma kan sedan. Manyan motoci masu sulke sun yi ta kumfa a kowane bangare na jirgin yayin da ya ke bi ta titin motocin da babu kowa a cikin babban titin jirgin, kuma cikin mintuna kadan jirgin ya tashi. Motocin Limosin din sun koma wani katafaren katanga a bayan ratayoyin jiragen saman Iran Air kuma an ajiye su a wajen wani garejin gyaran fuska. Motocin motocin na Mercedes sun gudanar da sintiri cikin gaggawa na ramp da kewayen rataye, sannan aka ajiye su a wuri guda da aka katange motocin Limosin. Bayan "yan mintoci da direbobin da jami"an tsaro suka fito suka kulle motocin, ma"aikatan suka fito suka goge dattin motocin da tawul sannan suka lullube kowannen su da murfin nailan da gindin roba. Fitillun suka kashe, ba da jimawa ba shuru ya hauhawa a filin jirgin, kamar yadda ake yi tun farkon tashin hankalin.
    
  Wasu gungun jami'an tsaro sun haura titin ajiye motoci zuwa babban ginin tashar, bindigogi suka rataya a kafadarsu, yawancin shan taba, duk suna magana kadan. Jami'an tsaron da ke kofar tashar suka duba ID dinsu sannan aka basu izinin shiga. Sun bi ta hanyar fasinja zuwa wata kofa mai alamar CREW MEMBERS KAWAI, aka sake duba ID nasu, aka shigar da su. Sauran jami"an da ke ciki sun dauki makamansu, suka sauke su suka kuma tsaftace su, sannan "yan kungiyar suka bi ta kofar dakin da ke cikin dakin taron.
    
  Janar Hesarak al-Kan Boujazi mai gadi na farko ya ce "Ina jin kowa ya taka rawarsa kamar yadda ake tsammani." "Na yi farin cikin ganin yadda sauran rabin ke rayuwa, eh, Chancellor?"
    
  "Na same shi bai dace ba, ba mai gamsarwa, ba dole ba ne, kuma idan waɗannan injunan jirage sun lalata ji na, zan ɗora maka alhakin kai, Janar Boujazi," in ji Masoud Noshar, Babban Shugaban Gwamnatin Kagewa Royal Household. Dogo ne kuma sirara, dan kimanin shekara arba'in ne, ga gashi mai tsayi da dan kad'an, ga akuya sanye da launin toka, da dogayen yatsu masu kyan gani. Duk da cewa Noshar yana matashi kuma da alamun lafiya, amma da alama bai saba da motsa jiki sosai ba, kuma numfashin sa ya fita daga tafiya da sauri da daukar matakalar maimakon amfani da lefita. Ya cire jallabiyansa da hularsa ya cire daurinsa kamar suna kona fatar jikinsa da acid, sannan ya fizge yatsansa kan daya daga cikin mutanen sanye da bakaken kaya, daya daga cikin masu gadinsa na gaske, ya je ya dauko gashin sawunsa mai tsayin sawu. da gashin fata. "Ba wani abu bane illa wasan karamar falo wanda ya yaudari kowa."
    
  "Muna fatan hakan ya yi aiki, Ubangiji Chancellor," in ji wani daga cikin "masu gadi," Gimbiya Azar Asia Kagev. Maimakon ta mika makaminta ga mai gadi, sai ta sauke kayan da kanta ta goge, sannan ta fara harhada makamin a filin domin dubawa da tsaftacewa. "Masu tada kayar bayan suna shiga cikin hanyar sadarwar mu a kowace rana."
    
  "Kuma muna kama tare da kashe yawancin su kowace rana, mai martaba," Noshar ya tunatar da ita. "Allah da lokaci suna wajenmu, gimbiya, kar ki ji tsoro." A karshe dai hankalinsa ya karkata ga makamin da ke tarwatsewa a gabansa. "Me kake yi, mai martaba?" - Menene wannan? - Noshar ya tambaya cikin mamaki yayin da guraguwar Azar amma a fili ƙwararrun yatsu suka sarrafa levers da fil ɗin makamin. Ya kalleta babu tabbas kan gimbiya dake aiki da bindigar submachine sannan ya gyada kai ga mai gadin wanda ya tako har gun gimbiya ya sunkuyar da kansa cikin ladabi sannan ya mika hannu ya dauko sassan bindigar daga hannunta. Wani mugun kallo ta masa sannan ta dan girgiza kai, ya sake sunkuyar da kai ya ja baya. Bayan ƴan daƙiƙa ƙanƙanin bindigar na kwance a kan teburin da ke gabanta.
    
  "Kada ku ɗauki makaman da ba a sani ba a cikin yaƙi, Ubangiji Chancellor," in ji Azar. "Ta yaya za ku san ko wannan abu zai yi aiki lokacin da kuke so? Ta yaya za ku san ko an zazzage shi idan ba ku damu ba don dubawa? "
    
  "Mun sanya waɗannan abubuwan ne don nuna wawaye ga duk wani ɗan tawaye da zai iya kallon mu," in ji Noshar. "Ban damu da wane tsari yake ba. Shi ya sa muka horar da jami"an tsaro tare da mu. Bai kamata Gimbiya su rike muggan makamai ba."
    
  "Yanzu ba shi da haɗari, Ubangiji Chancellor - da alama a gare ni na da kyau," in ji Azar. Ta fara tattara makamai. Cikin dakika talatin aka sake hadawa, aka loda, aka buge ta aka buge ta a kafadarta. "Ba na ɗaukar bindigogi da gangan."
    
  "Mai ban sha'awa sosai, mai martaba," in ji Noshar, yana ɓoye mamakinsa a bayan wani yanayi na gundura da rashin jin daɗi. Ya juya zuwa Bujazi. "Muna bata lokaci a nan. Yanzu da muka fitar da halin ku, Janar - bayan fallasa sarakuna ga babban haɗari, zan nace - shin ya kamata mu fara kasuwanci?
    
  "Mu tafi," Boujazi ya amsa, yana amfani da sautin kulab ɗin ƙasa iri ɗaya kamar Noshar. "Na tambaye ku da ku zo nan don yin magana game da daidaita ayyukanmu a kan Mohtaz da 'yan tawayensa na waje. Harbin da aka yi jiya da abin da ya zama rundunar kisa ba zai sake faruwa ba. Muna bukatar mu fara aiki tare."
    
  "Laifi gaba ɗaya ya kasance akanka, janar," in ji Noshar. "Rundunar sojojinku ba su bari masu fafutukar yancin mu su bayyana kansu ba. Sun dawo daga nasarar farmakin da suka kai maboyar "yan tawaye lokacin da mutanen ku suka bude wuta. Mazana sun gano bama-bamai sama da guda uku da aka shirya don amfani da su a kan tituna, wadanda suka hada da rigunan kunar bakin wake guda goma sha biyu da bama-baman da aka yi kama da komai tun daga wayar tarho har zuwa na'urorin motsa jiki na jarirai."
    
  Boujazi ya ce "Noshahr, na ci gaba da sa ido a kan masana'antar bama-bamai tsawon kwanaki. "Muna jiran babban mai kera bam ya zo ya dora wadannan bama-bamai. Menene amfanin kashe gungun kudan zuma marasa kan gado da barin babban mai yin bam ya tsere? Yanzu za mu dauki wata daya ko fiye da haka kafin mu nemo wata sabuwar masana"anta, kuma a lokacin za su sake yin wasu bama-bamai guda uku ko fiye da za su yi mana."
    
  "Kada ka canza batun, Buzkhazi," Noshar ya ɗauka. "Harin ba-zata da sashen ku ya kai mana ya kashe mana manyan jami"an mu guda shida. Muna neman a biya ku, kuma muna bukatar ku janye sojojin ku daga guraren marasa galihu da lungu da sako da takaita ayyukan ku a kan tituna, manyan tituna da filin jirgin sama. Ko kuma mafi kyau, ku sanya kanku da sojojinku a ƙarƙashin ikon majalisar sojoji, wadda ita ce halaltacciyar gwamnatin Farisa, kuma za mu tabbatar da cewa ba ku ƙara tsoma baki cikin ayyukanmu na yaƙi da ta'addanci."
    
  "Muna da alhakin mutuwarsu, Ubangiji Chancellor," in ji Azar.
    
  "Ba dole ba ne ka nemi afuwa kan kurakuran majalisar soja, Azar."
    
  "Za ka yi wa Mai Martaba jawabi da kyau, Buzkhazi!" - Noshar yayi oda. "Kada ku kuskura kuyi magana da gimbiya kamar 'yar jama'a!"
    
  Boujazi ya ce: "Ita ba gimbiyata ba ce, Noshahr," in ji Boujazi, "kuma ni ma ba na karbar umarni daga manyan janar-janar ko ministocin tsaro kamar ku!"
    
  "Yaya kai! Shahdokht shine wanda ya cancanta ga Al'arshin Dawisu na Farisa, kuma za ku yi mata magana haka kuma ku ba ta girmamawa! Kuma ina tunatar da ku cewa ni ne Shugaban Kotun Kagewa da aka nada, Ministan Yaki kuma Marshal na Majalisar Yaki! Ku ɗanɗana ofishin, ko da ba ku girmama kanku!"
    
  Boujazi ya ce "Noshar, shekara daya da ta wuce kana zaune a gidan caca na Monaco tana yin labarai game da jagorancin masu fafutukar 'yanci a kan Pasdaran, suna kokarin karkatar da tsofaffin mata masu arziki don neman kudinsu," in ji Boujazi. "A halin yanzu, an kama ma"aikatan ku masu aminci kuma an azabtar da su saboda ba za ku iya rufe bakinku da suka bugu ba game da asalinsu da inda suke-"
    
  "Wannan wauta ce!" Noshar yayi murmushi.
    
  "'Yan leƙen asirin Pasdaran a Monaco, Singapore da Las Vegas sun sami bayanai akai-akai game da hanyar sadarwar ku ta hanyar zama kusa da ku a cikin gidajen caca, mashaya da gidajen karuwai da kuke yawan zuwa, suna sauraron ku kuna ba da labarun daji game da 'yantar da Iran ita kaɗai."
    
  "Kai baƙar fata! Kai yar kwikwiyo! Yaya kike min magana haka!" Noshar ya fada. "Ina bauta wa sarki da sarauniyarsa, na jagoranci masu biyayya miliyan ashirin a duk duniya, na ba da kayan aiki tare da shirya rundunar sojoji rabin miliyan, kuma na tabbatar da tsaron baitul malin sarki tsawon shekaru ashirin da suka gabata! Kai ɗan ɓarawo ne kuma mai kisan kai, wanda ka wulakanta ka da maganganunka da ayyukanka tsawon shekaru ashirin, gwamnatin da ka yi wa hidima kuma ta ci amanata. 'Yan'uwanku ne suka ki ku, kuma babu abin da ya sa ku, face tsoron tashin hankali na gaba da za ku yi, kamar kisan kiyashin da aka yi a Kum. Ka kuskura ka kira kanka dan Farisa!"
    
  "Bana kiran kaina abin da kuke kira da kanku, Noshar!" - Buzhazi ya yi ihu. Ya juya ga Azar, idanunsa suna kyalli. "Ba zan yi wani abu da ke ba, ko kuma abin da ake ce da ku, gimbiya, a lokacin da yake kan mulki. Ba na cikin halin wasa da kayan ado, sarakuna da manyan gidaje."
    
  "Gabaɗaya-"
    
  "Ki yi hakuri, gimbiya, amma wannan babban bata lokaci ne," in ji Boujazi a fusace. "Ina da yakin da zan yi yaki. Wannan wawan da ya kira kansa shugaban kasa kuma ministan yaki, bai san wane karshen bindigar da zai kai wa makiya hari ba. Ina bukatan mayaka, ba aku ba. Ina da aikin yi."
    
  "Gaba ɗaya, don Allah ku tsaya."
    
  "Zan tafi. Sa'a gareki da ƴan ƴar ƙaramar kotu, gimbiya."
    
  "Gaba ɗaya, na ce zauna!" - Azar ya yi ihu. Bakin hula ta fizge ta, ta kyale dogayen uniform dinta ta tashi sama. Farisawan da ke cikin dakin sun cika da mamakin bayyanar alamar sarauta a tsakiyarsu... duk sai Bujazi, wanda sai ya birge shi da lallausan umarnin budurwar: Sajan dillali, bangare na rashin yarda da uwa, bangaren fili. na gaba ɗaya.
    
  "Shahdokht...Highness...my Lady..." Noshar ya fashe da kuka, kallonsa manne da duhun lallausan lallabai masu sheki, kamar sandar zinariya ta bayyana a idonsa: "Ina jin lokaci ya yi da za mu tafi kuma. -"
    
  "Za ka tsaya ka rufe bakinka, Chancellor!" Hazard ya ci gaba. "Muna da wani muhimmin al'amari da za mu tattauna."
    
  "Ba za mu iya yin kasuwanci da wannan ba... wannan dan ta'adda!" - Noshar ya ce. "Shi tsohon wawa ne mai ban mamaki mai ruɗi na girma-"
    
  "Na ce muna bukatar mu tattauna batun da janar," in ji Azar. A wannan lokacin, kalmar "mu" da ta fito daga leɓunanta tana da wata ma'ana ta dabam: ba ta ƙara magana game da shi ba, amma a fili ya nuna daular "mu", ma'ana ita kaɗai. "Yi shiru Chancellor."
    
  "Yi shuru...?" Noshar ya fad'a, bakinsa ya bud'e ya rufe a fusace. "Ka gafarta mani, Shahdokht, amma ni ne babban shugaban gidan sarki, wakilin sarki a cikin rashi. Ina da cikakken 'yancin yin shawarwari da kulla yarjejeniya da kawance da sojojin abokantaka da abokantaka."
    
  "Ba kuma, Chancellor," in ji Azar da yanke shawara. "Shekaru guda ke nan da kowa ya ji ko ganin sarki da sarauniya. A halin da ake ciki, an naɗa ma"aikatan da aka naɗa, waɗanda ko da yake masu aminci ne, ba su da muradin jama"a."
    
  "Ina neman gafara, Shahdokht -!"
    
  "Gaskiya ne, Chancellor, kuma ka sani," in ji Azar. "Manufar ku ta farko ita ce tsara, tsaro, da kuma kafa kotuna a shirye-shiryen gudanar da gwamnati bayan dawowar sarki da sarauniya. Kun yi kyakkyawan aiki da wannan, Chancellor. Kotu tana da tsaro, tana da tsaro, tana gudanar da aiki sosai, tana da kudi sosai kuma a shirye take ta gudanar da mulkin kasar nan idan lokaci ya yi. Amma a yanzu mutane ba sa son shugaba - suna son shugaba da janar."
    
  "Ni ne shugaban da ya dace, Shahdokht, har sai sarki ya dawo," in ji Noshar. "Kuma a matsayina na Ministan Yaki kuma Marshal na Majalisar Yaki, ni ne babban kwamandan sojojin mu. Wasu kuma ba a yarda da su ba."
    
  "Kun yi kuskure, Chancellor ... Ni," in ji Azar.
    
  "ka ka? Amma wannan... wannan ba bisa ka'ida ba ne, Shahdokht, "in ji Noshar. "Har yanzu ba a fitar da sanarwar mutuwa ko murabus din ba. Dole ne a kira majalisa da ta kunshi ni kaina, da malaman addini da wakilan sarakunan sarakuna goma sha daya, domin a binciki yiwuwar inda sarki da sarauniya suke, a yanke shawarar matakin da za a dauka. Wannan ba shi yiwuwa kuma ba shi da aminci a yi a lokacin yaƙi!"
    
  "Sa'an nan, a matsayin magaji, zan yi magana da kaina," in ji Hazard.
    
  "Kai!" Noshar ya maimaita. "Kai...wato...ka gafarta min irin wadannan kalaman, Shahdokht, amma wannan cin mutunci ne ga tunawa da mahaifinka da mahaifiyarka mai albarka, sarkinmu da sarauniyar mu masoyinmu. Wataƙila har yanzu suna ɓoye, ko watakila sun ji rauni kuma suna murmurewa, ko ma kama su. Wataƙila maƙiyanmu suna jiran ku don ku aikata irin wannan abu, sa'an nan kuma ku bayyana cewa har yanzu suna raye, suna fatan su haifar da ruɗani a tsakaninmu kuma su tayar da tawaye ga kotu da dangin sarki. Ba za ku iya ba ... Ina nufin, bai kamata ku yi haka ba, Shahdokht ...
    
  "Ni ba Shahdokht ba ne, Chancellor," in ji Azar. "Daga yau zaki kirani da Malika."
    
  Noshar ya hadiye, idanunsa sun lumshe. Ya kalleta a fusace ya kalli bodyguards dinsa, sannan ya koma kan Azar yana nazarinta sosai, yana kokarin yanke shawarar ko ta na nufin abinda ta fada da kuma ko zata ja da baya ko ta sasanta idan ta fuskanci. "Ni... Ina tsoron bazan iya barin hakan ta faru ba, gimbiya," in ji shi, yana tattara ƙarfin hali. "Ni ke da alhakin kare kotu da sarki da sarauniya. A cikin rashinsu kuma ba tare da umarnin majalisar sarakuna ba, ina tsoron ba zan iya yin yadda kuke so ba."
    
  Azar ta runtse idanunta, ta gyada kai da alama har numfashi. "Madalla, Chancellor. Na fahimci ra'ayin ku."
    
  Noshar ya samu sauki. Tabbas zai yi maganin wannan matashiyar Ba-Amurke, kuma nan ba da jimawa ba - tabbas tana da buri fiye da shekarunta, kuma hakan ba zai yuwu ba. Amma ya kasance a shirye ya yi aiki a matsayin kawu mai tallafi kuma mai karewa, duk don ya fi kyau a sa mata ido yayin da yake ...
    
  "Na ga lokaci ya yi da zan dawo da karagar mulki," in ji Hazard. Cikin wani irin motsin da take yi, kwatsam ta dauko bindigar Heckler & Koch HK-54 kirar kasar Jamus ta makala a kugunta... Ta nufo kirjin Masoud Noshar kai tsaye. "An kama ku, Chancellor, saboda rashin biyayya ga hukuma ta." Ta juya ga masu tsaron Farisa a bayan Noshar. "Masu gadi, sanya Chancellor a karkashin kama."
    
  "Wannan wauta ce!" Noshar ya yi kururuwa, ya fi gigita da mamaki fiye da fushi. "Yaya zanyi?"
    
  "Na yi karfin gwiwa saboda ni ne Malika, shugabar gwamnati," in ji Azar da karfin gwiwa, "kuma karagar mulki ta dade ba kowa." Ta kalli Noshar zuwa ga bodyguards wadanda har yanzu makamansu na rataye a kafadarsu. "Masu gadi, sanya Chancellor a karkashin kama. An haramta masa yin wata hulda da duniyar waje."
    
  "Ba za su bi ka ba, Azar Asiya," in ji Noshar. "Suna da aminci gare ni, da sarki da sarauniya, masu mulkin Farisa. Ba za su bi ɓatacce ba, sihirtaccen jarumi daga Amurka."
    
  Azar ta leka dakin taron, inda ta lura cewa, Laftanar Kanar Najar ko Manjo Saidi, wadanda suka dade suna mataimakanta, ba su daga makamansu ba, suna daga kafada, amma duk da haka tare da kamawa a kasa. Haka kuma da Khesarak Boujazi da mai tsaron lafiyarsa, Manjo Haddad, da kuma kwamandan runduna ta sojojin kasa da ke filin jirgin saman Mehrabad, Kanar Mostafa Rahmati, dukkansu sun raka su a kan wannan aika-aika. Ita kadai ce ta daga makami.
    
  "Na ba da umarni, Jagora Sajan: Kame Kansila," in ji Azar. "Kada ku ƙyale duk wata hanyar sadarwa ta waje. Idan ya ƙi, ku ɗaure shi, ku ƙulla shi." Har yanzu babu wanda ya motsa.
    
  "Master Sajan...Ga dukkan ku, lokaci yayi da za ku yanke shawara," Azar ya ce, yana duban kowannensu, yana fatan jahannama hannunta bai fara girgiza ba. "Za ku iya bin Chancellor Noshar ku ci gaba da wannan abin da ake kira juyin juya hali kamar yadda kuka yi a shekarar da ta gabata, ko kuma ku iya yin mubaya'a a gare ni da kuma Al'arshin Peacock ku bi ni wajen mayar da wannan kasa zuwa jamhuriyar Farisa 'yanci."
    
  "Bi ku?" Noshar ya murmusa. "Yarinya ce kawai. Kila ki zama gimbiya, amma ke ba sarauniya ba-kuma ba shakka ke ba janar ba ne. Masu aminci ba za su bi yarinyar zuwa yaƙi ba. Me za ki yi idan ba wanda yake so ya gane ki a matsayin sarauniya?"
    
  "Sa'an nan zan yi watsi da takena kuma in shiga rundunar Janar Boujazi," in ji Hazard, ga cikakken mamakin kowa. "Lokaci ya yi da za a hada karfi da karfe a yaki a matsayin kasa daya, kuma idan ba a yi a karkashin tutar Kagewa ba, za a yi a karkashin tutar Janar. Idan kana shirye ka dauke ni da mabiyana, Janar, a shirye muke mu hada kai."
    
  "Hakan ba zai zama dole ba," in ji Hesarak Boujazi ... kuma ga kowa da kowa ya yi mamaki, ya dauki bindigar da ke karkashinsa daga kafadarsa, ya rike ta a gabansa tare da mika hannu ... sannan ya durkusa a gwiwa daya gaban Hazard. "Domin na ba da umarnin sojojina kuma na yi mubaya'a ga Malika Azhar Asia Kagev, Sarauniyar Farisa mai gaskiya kuma uwargidan Al'arshin Peacock."
    
  Azar tayi murmushi, shiru tayi tana addu'ar kar ta ruguje don mamaki ko ta fashe da kuka, sannan ta gyada kai. "Mun yi farin ciki da karbar rantsuwar ka, Hesarak al-Kan Buzhazi." Ta sumbaci goshinsa, sannan ta dora hannayenta akan kafadarsa. "Tashi, yallabai, ɗauki makamanka ka ɗauki nauyin Ma'aikatar Yaƙi da Majalisar Soja ta Gidan Sarauta ta Kagewa, da kwamandan rundunan haɗin gwiwa na Jamhuriyar Dimokaradiyyar Farisa ... Marshal Buzhazi."
    
  "Na gode Malika," in ji Buzhazi. Ya juya ga Noshar. "Aikina na farko a hukumance shi ne na ba da shawarar nada Masoud Noshar a matsayin mataimakin ministan yaki, mataimakin Marshal na soji da kuma wakilina a kotu. Kuna karba?
    
  "Kina so nayi hidima a karkashinki?" Noshar ya tambaya cike da mamaki fiye da da. "Ka dauki matsayina sannan in dawo? Me yasa?"
    
  "Sarauniya alkali ce mai kyau kuma mai wayo, Noshahr," in ji Boujazi. "Idan ta ce ka yi wa kotu hidima da kyau a matsayinka na kansila kuma ka shirya su don jagorantar kasar idan lokaci ya yi, na yarda da ita. Ina so ku ci gaba da yin aikinku, wanda kuka fi dacewa da shi. Shirya kotu don yin hukunci a karkashin tsarin mulkin tsarin mulki da tabbatar da cewa an ba da sojoji na. Ina bukatan wanda zai wakilce ni a Tehran domin zan kasance a kan tituna wajen murkushe wannan tarzoma da maido da tsaro a kasar. Wannan shi ne abin da na yi kyau. Kuma a matsayina na mataimakin marshal, zaku kawo min rahoto. Ku rikide kuma za ku yi ma'amala da ni. Kuna karba?
    
  Na ɗan lokaci, Boujazi yana tunanin Noshar zai faɗi wani abu na rashin kunya ko rashin kunya; maimakon haka, ya yi wani abu da Boujazi bai taba tunanin zai yi ba: ya yi sallama. "Eh sir, na yarda."
    
  "Madalla, Vice-Marshal. Ina son a shirya taron majalisar yaki nan take." Ya juya ga Azar. "Malik, da izininka, zan so in nada Laftanar Kanal Najar a matsayin shugaban ma"aikata na, in kara masa girma zuwa matsayin cikakken Kanal. Manjo Saidi zai kasance mataimakin ku."
    
  "An ba da izini, Marshal," in ji Azar.
    
  "Nagode Malika. Kanar, aiki tare da Vice Marshal Noshar don shirya taron majalisar soja. An karawa Manjo Haddad mukamin Laftanar Kanar kuma zai kasance mai kula da harkokin tsaro." Da ya juya ga Azar, ya ce: "Malika, ina so ka halarci taron majalisar soja, ka ba da gudummawar kayan aiki da ma"aikata da za mu iya dauka daga titunan Tehran da garuruwa da kauyukan da ke kewaye. Za mu buƙaci duk taimakon da za mu iya samu don yin wannan aiki."
    
  "Da jin daɗi, Marshal," in ji Azar.
    
  "Na gode Malika," in ji Buzhazi. "Idan zan iya, Malika, Vice Marshal Noshar, zan so in nuna muku wani abu da farko kafin mu ci gaba wanda zai iya shafar shirinmu. Kanar Najar, kai kwamanda."
    
  Hazard ya yi tafiya kusa da Boujazi ta tashar tashar jirgin zuwa hanyar fita. "Kun yi wani abin ban mamaki a wurin, Marshal," in ji ta. "Ban taba tunanin zan ganki a durkushe a gaban kowa ba balle ni."
    
  "Dole ne in yi wani abu don ganin girman ka, Mai girma," in ji Bujazi. "Baya ga haka, idan duk waɗannan kyawawan abubuwan kotu abin da mutanenku suka sani kuma suke tsammani, ina tsammanin dole ne in yi wasa tare. Shin da gaske za ku bar gadon sarautar ku ku shiga ƙungiyar 'yan fashi tawa?
    
  "Kina nufin abinda kika fada na mika mani sojojin ku da kuma rantsuwa?" Murmushi sukayi tare da sanin amsar juna. "Kina tunanin zamu iya cire wannan, Hesarak?" - Ta tambaya.
    
  "To, har yau ban ba mu fiye da daya bisa goma ba," in ji Boujazi da gaskiya. "Abubuwa sun inganta sosai tun daga lokacin. A yanzu na ba mu watakil dama daya cikin biyar."
    
  "Da gaske? Haɓaka kashi ɗari cikin sauri haka? Ba mu yi komai ba tukuna, sai dai kila mu sake tsara wuraren kwana a kan jirgin da ke nutsewa! Muna da ƙarfi iri ɗaya kamar da, albarkatu iri ɗaya - ƙila mafi kyawun tsari da ƙarin ƙarin kuzari. Me kuma ya canza bayan sunayenmu da mukamanmu da mubaya"armu?"
    
  Suka fita waje, masu gadi suka raka su zuwa wani hangar jirgin saman Iran da ke kusa. Bayan an tabbatar da sunayensu, Boujazi ya koma gefe don bai wa Hazard damar wucewa. "Me kuma ya canza?" Ya tambaya yana murmushi. "Bari mu ce wani abu daga sama ya fado mana."
    
  "Me...?" Azar ya shiga hangar ...... nan take wani mutum-mutumi na mutum-mutumi mai kafa goma ya yi karo da wani abu kamar igwa a rataye a kafadarsa. Robot ɗin ya matso kusa da ita da sauri da kuzari, ya dube su duka na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya tsaya a hankali kuma a cikin wata babbar kwamfuta mai haɗa murya ta yi ihu: "Hankali, bukkoki goma!", sannan ya sake maimaita shi a Farisa. Ya koma gefe...
    
  ... yana nuna cewa ratayen yana da manyan bama-bamai guda biyu a ciki. Azar ya gane su a matsayin masu tayar da bama-bamai na Air Force B-1, sai dai an rufe tagogin jirgin. Filin hangar ya cika makil da ababen hawa, kwantena masu girma da kwatance, da kuma watakila sojojin saman Amurka dari biyu a cikin kayan hidima na gama-gari da ke tsaye a hankali.
    
  "Kamar yadda kuka kasance," in ji Hazard. Amurkawa maza da mata sun huta. Da yawa sun tunkari masu shigowa, suna gabatar da kansu cikin gaisuwa da musafaha.
    
  Bayan ƴan mintuna kaɗan, wani dogon mutum sanye da wani baƙon sulke mai launin toka mai launin toka, wanda Bujazi ya gane a matsayin tsarin yaƙi na Amurka Tin Woodman, ba tare da hula ba, ya wuce ya tsaya gaban Kagev da Bujazi ya yi sallama. "General Boujazi?" - Ya ce ta hanyar ginanniyar fassarar lantarki ta Tin Woodman suit din sa. "Manjo Wayne Macomber, USAF, Unit Commander."
    
  Bujazi ya mayar da gaisuwar sa, sannan ya mika masa hannu. "Na gode Major. Bari in gabatar da Mai Martaba Azar Asia Kagev..." Ya dakata da kyau, yana mai lumshe ido, sannan ya kara da cewa, "Sarauniyar Farisa."
    
  Idanun Macomber sun zaro cike da mamaki, amma ya warke da sauri, ya sake daukar hankalinsa, ya yi sallama. "Naji dadin haduwa da kai, Mai Martaba." Hannu ta mik'a ya girgiza, hannun sa mai sulke ya d'aure da nata. "Ban taɓa saduwa da sarauniya ba."
    
  "Na taba saduwa da Tin Woodman a baya, kuma yana ba ni farin ciki sosai da jin dadi don sanin cewa kuna nan," in ji Azar da cikakkiyar Turanci, dan Amurka, wanda ya ba kansa mamaki. "Barka da zuwa Farisa, Major."
    
  "Na gode". Ya juyo ya kalle ta. "Hypoplastic babban yatsan hannu. Babban aiki akan gyarawa. Kanwata ma tana da shi. Mai gefe biyu?"
    
  "Eh, Manjo," Azar ya amsa da wulakanci. "Kuna bani mamaki. Yawancin mutanen da nake gaisawa suna kallon hannuna sai su kau da kai, wai ba su lura ba."
    
  "Jahilci, shi ke nan, madam," in ji Macomber. "Yana da kyau kada ku boye shi. 'Yar uwata ma ba ta boyewa. Tana bata mutane rai, amma shirinta kenan. Har yanzu tana da mummunar wasan tennis. "
    
  "Ya kamata ka gan ni a wurin harbi, Major."
    
  Katon kwamando yayi murmushi ya gyada kai, lokacin nasa ne yayi mamaki. "Ina jira, ma'am."
    
  "Ni kuma Major." Ta kalli sauran kwamandojin da ke cikin tsarin tunkarar sulke na Tin Woodman. "Sannu, Sajan Major Vol," ta fada tana mika hannu. "Naji dadin sake ganinki."
    
  "Na gode, mai martaba," in ji Wohl. "Na yi farin cikin ganin ku kuma." Ya kalli Bujazi. "Ina fata sabon lakabin ku baya nufin mummunan labari game da iyayenku."
    
  "Ina fata ma, Sajan Major," in ji Azar, "amma lamarin ya tilasta mini girma, don haka muka ci gaba." Vol ya gyada kai da yarda, amma duk da haka ya baiwa Buzhazi wani kallo na gargadi.
    
  Robot mai kafa goma ya nufo su. Macomber ya yi mata nuni da cewa, "Malama, zan so in gabatar da ke ga shugabana na biyu, Kyaftin Reserve na Sojan Amurka, Kyaftin Charlie Turlock, wanda ke tukin tsarin yaƙin ɗan adam na Intanet da ta taimaka ta haɓaka. Ta na sintiri a yanzu, dan ta kasa fitowa ta gaishe ka da kyau. Kyaftin, hadu da Sarauniyar Farisa Azar Kagev."
    
  "Naji dadin haduwa da kai nima, kyaftin," in ji Azar, yana girgiza hannun giantess, yana mamakin tabawarta a hankali duk da girman hannun inji. "Ministan Yakina kuma Kwamandan Sojojina, Marshal Khesarak Boujazi."
    
  "Na ji daɗin haduwa da ku, Mai Martaba, Marshal," in ji Charlie daga Sashen Binciken Laifuka. Ido Macomber ya zaro kan sabon take da Bujazi. "Dukkanin "yan sintiri suna bayar da rahoton tsaro, yallabai. Ku yi hakuri, amma zan ci gaba da aikina." Robot yayi sallama ya fice da sauri.
    
  "Abin mamaki, cikakken abin mamaki," in ji Hazard. "Na gode sosai saboda gagarumin aikin da kuka yi wajen gano makamai masu linzami na Pasdaran. Amma yanzu na rude. Marshal Boujazi ya ce ka zo Tehran?
    
  "Mun sami matsala kadan ..., za ku iya cewa, tare da sanya mu a Turkiyya," Macomber ya bayyana. "Kwamandan na , Laftanar Janar Patrick McLaanahan, ya tuntubi Janar-er, Marshal Boujazi, kuma ya ba mu mafaka har sai mun daidaita yanayinmu."
    
  "McLanahan? Gabaɗaya a tashar sararin samaniya?"
    
  "Mu je wani wuri muyi magana, lafiya?" Macomber ya ba da shawara. Sun bi ta cikin rataye, suna gaisawa da ƙarin ma'aikatan jirgin, kuma sun yi rangadin gaggawa na EB-1 Vampire bombers kafin su shiga wani ofis daga babban bene na hangar. Macomber yayi magana kamar cikin fanko; Bayan wani lokaci, wayar ta dauka kusa da shi. Ya dauki wayar ya mikawa Hazard. "Wannan a gare ku ne, mai martaba."
    
  Azar ya d'aga wayar yana k'ok'arin yi kamar ba zato ba tsammani da kuma 6ataccen kiran waya ya saba mata. "Wannan ita ce Sarauniya Azar Asia Kagev ta Farisa," in ji ta a Turanci. "Wane ne wannan don Allah?"
    
  "Mai martaba, wannan Laftanar Janar Patrick McLanahan ne. Ya kake cikin daren nan?"
    
  "Lafiya lau General," ta amsa tana kokarin yin sautin tsari da daidaituwa duk da hankalinta ya rikice, tana kokarin ci gaba da fasahar fasahar duniyar da take ci karo da ita a nan cikin sauri. "Muna magana ne kawai game da ku."
    
  "Ina saurare, ina fata ba ku damu ba," in ji Patrick. "Muna sa ido sosai kan sojojin mu a duniya."
    
  "Na fahimta," in ji Hazard. "Ina fatan kun warke daga raunin da kuka samu a cikin jirgin sama. Kuna Farisa?
    
  "A'a, a yanzu na wuce kudancin Chile, a tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong," in ji Patrick. "Mai martaba, na kasance cikin "yar matsala, sai na nemi taimakon Janar Boujazi. Ina neman afuwar da ban fara sanar da ku ba, amma lokaci ya kure."
    
  "Ku da sojojin ku ana maraba da ku a Farisa, Janar," in ji Azar. "Kai jarumi ne kuma zakara ga dukkan Farisa masu "yanci, kuma muna dauke ka dan uwanmu ne a makami. Amma watakila za ku iya bayyana abin da ke faruwa."
    
  "Mun yi imanin cewa Rasha ta kawo dakarun soji cikin Iran kuma tana aiki tare da tsarin mulkin demokraɗiyya don yin tasiri a yankin."
    
  "To, tabbas suna da, Janar," Azar ya ce kamar babu abin da ya faru. "Kada ki gaya min wannan abin mamaki ne a gare ku?" Dakatar da ya yi cike da kunya ya ba ta duk amsar da take bukata. "Russia sun dauki shekaru da yawa suna yin alkawarin ba da taimako na soji da na tattalin arziki ga gwamnatin mulkin demokraɗiyya don musanyawa da kuma matsa musu lamba kan su daina goyon bayan ƙungiyoyin 'yan aware na Rasha da ke cikin Tarayyar Rasha da na kusa da ketare, kamar a Kosovo, Albania da Romania. Rasha ta ji daɗin matsayinta na MFN shekaru da yawa."
    
  Patrick ya ce, "Mun san cewa Rasha tana amfani da Iran, tare da rikicin Iraki, don kawar da Amurka daga sauran ayyukanta a yankin," in ji Patrick, "amma ba mu san cewa an san shigarsu sosai kuma an yarda da ita ba."
    
  Azar ya ce "Taimakon da Iran ta samu daga Rashawa ya fi wanda Amurka ke bayarwa ga kowace kasa a yankin, in ban da Isra'ila." "Wannan yana da matukar muhimmanci ba wai kawai a ci gaba da mulkin tsarin mulki ba, har ma da tallafawa al'ummar Iran. Sai dai kuma abin takaicin shi ne, galibin wannan taimako ya tafi ne ga dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci da kuma gagarumin ci gaban da suka yi na soja, wanda suka yi amfani da su wajen murkushe duk wata adawa a kasarmu. Amma wani abu ya canza kwanan nan? Shin Rasha tana wasa daban?"
    
  Patrick ya ce "Mun yi imanin cewa Rashawa sun kawo sabon makami, Laser mai karfi ta wayar tafi da gidanka, zuwa Iran kuma suka yi amfani da shi wajen lalata daya daga cikin kumbon mu". "Manjo Macomber, Kyaftin Turlock da Sajan Major Vol sun tsira daga irin wannan harin."
    
  "Kana nufin, daya daga cikin jiragen da na ji labarinsu sosai?" - Tambayi Azar. "Suna shawagi a cikin ɗayan waɗannan a sararin samaniya lokacin da Laser ya buge shi?"
    
  "Eh, mai martaba. Ina son a taimaka wajen gano wadannan makaman na Rasha da kuma kawar da su."
    
  "Ba na jin zai yi wahala ko kadan," in ji Hazard. Ta mika wa Boujazi wayar, wanda ya sanya ta a kan lasifikar wayar ta bukaci Major Haddad ya fassara masa.
    
  "Marshal Bujazi?"
    
  "Gaisuwa, Janar McLanahan," Boujazi ya ba da labari ta Haddad.
    
  "Hello, Marshal. Na ga kun sami talla."
    
  "Kuma na yanke hukunci daga kiranku na bazata, ba zato ba tsammani da irin wannan gaggarumin karfi suka yi a kofar gidana da kuma rashin samun bayanai daga ma'aikatun sojanku ko ma'aikatun kasashen waje cewa aikinku bai samu irin wannan nasarar ba," in ji Boujazi. "Amma kun taimake ni lokacin da nake gudu, kuma ina fatan wata rana in yi muku haka. Don haka. Shin Rashawa ne suka harbo jirgin ku?"
    
  "Ko za ka iya taimaka mana nemo wannan Laser, Buzhazi?"
    
  "Lallai. Na tabbata za mu iya gano shi da sauri idan mutanena ba su riga sun san inda yake ba."
    
  "Kana da kwarin gwiwa."
    
  "Gabaɗaya, ba za mu ƙi amincewa da Rashawa kai tsaye yadda kuke yi ba - a zahiri, muna da ƙarin dalilan rashin amincewa da Amurkawa," in ji Boujazi. "Mu makwabta ne na Rasha kuma iyakokinmu sun kasance cikin tsaro shekaru da yawa; mun sayi makamai da yawa kuma mun sami gagarumin taimako na soja, tattalin arziki, masana'antu da kasuwanci daga Rasha, wanda ya kasance mai mahimmanci a gare mu a duk tsawon shekaru na takunkumin kasuwanci da kasashen yamma; har yanzu muna da yerjejeniya ta kare juna da ke aiki tukuru."
    
  "Don haka kuna cewa kun yi aiki tare da Rashawa, Marshal," Patrick ya tambaya cikin mamaki, "ciki har da ba su bayanai game da ayyukanmu a Iran?"
    
  "Janar McLanahan, wani lokacin zurfin butulcin Amurka yana bani mamaki," in ji Boujazi. "Dole ne mu zauna a nan; Kuna kawai tasiri abubuwan da ke faruwa a nan don amfanin ƙasa na Amurka, wani lokaci daga jin daɗin ɗakin ma'aikatan yaƙi - ko tashar sararin samaniya. Tabbas muna ba wa Rasha bayanai, kamar yadda muke ba ku bayanai game da ayyukan Rasha kuma muna taimaka muku lokacin da kuka haɗu... bari mu ce matsalolin siyasa na cikin gida? Kuma babu wani martani daga Patrick.
    
  Boujazi ya ci gaba da cewa "Dukkanmu muna da namu bukatun, ayyuka da ajanda. "Muna fatan cewa irin wannan haɗin gwiwar yana wadatar da mu duka kuma yana da amfani ga juna, amma a ƙarshe, burinmu dole ne ya fara farawa, ko?" Shiru kuma. "General McLanahan? Kana wurin har yanzu?"
    
  "Har yanzu ina nan."
    
  "Na yi nadama don bacin rai ko bacin rai, Janar," in ji Boujazi. "Kun ceci rayuwata, kun taimaka mini wajen fatattakar Pasdarawa a Kum da Tehran, kuma saboda haka zan taimake ku har zuwa kwanakina na ƙarshe. Duk abin da za ku yi shine tambaya. Amma bai kamata ku yi mamakin sanin cewa zan ba da irin wannan ladabi ga duk wata ƙasa da ke taimaka wa manufa ta ba, ciki har da abokan adawar ku. Don haka. Kuna so ku nemo wannan tsarin lesar wayar hannu ta Rasha? Yayi kyau sosai. Zan tuntube ku nan take ta Major Macomber da zarar na san ainihin wurin da yake. Abin yarda ne?"
    
  "Eh, haka ne, Marshal," in ji Patrick. "Na gode. Jama'ata na can Tehran fa?"
    
  Boujazi ya juya ga Hazard kuma ya yi magana da karamar murya na 'yan wasu lokuta; sa'an nan: "Sarauniya na fatan ba da duk mai yiwuwa taimako da ta'aziyya ga ku da mutanen ku. Ita kuma tana fatan za ku taimake mu idan lokaci ya yi."
    
  "Don haka dole ne in damu game da harin da Rashawa ke kaiwa wannan wuri, Buzhazi?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  "Patrick, ina tsammanin na bayyana kaina a gare ku," in ji Boujazi ta wurin mai fassara nasa. "Ina fata ba ku daya daga cikin masu akidar da suka yi imani da cewa muna taimakon junanmu ne saboda mun yi imani cewa daidai ne, ko kuma saboda wani bangare yana da kyau a zahiri, ɗayan kuma mugu ne. Kun aika da sojojin ku zuwa Tehran saboda dalilan da har yanzu ba a bayyana mani gaba daya ba, amma na san ba mu gayyace ku ba. Za mu san komai nan ba da jimawa ba, da yardar Allah. Har zuwa lokacin, zan yi abin da ya kamata don kare al'ummarmu da kuma rayuwarmu. Za ku yi abin da ya wajaba don kare jama'ar ku, kasuwancin ku da kanku. Da fatan duk wadannan abubuwan suna da amfani ga juna. Ya katse wayar ba tare da ko sallama ba.
    
  "Lafiya kuwa yallabai?" Macomber ya tambaya ta hanyar watsawa ta subcutaneous bayan ya nemi afuwar Boujazi da Hazard.
    
  Patrick ya ce: "Babba, ina ganin muna bukatar mu amince da Bujazi, amma ba zan iya ba da kaina don yin hakan ba." "Watakila shi dan kishin kasa ne, amma da farko ya san yadda zai tsira. Lokacin da ya kasance babban hafsan hafsoshi kuma kwamandan Pasdaran, ya shirya tsaf don nutsar da wani jirgin sama na Amurka ya kashe dubban ma"aikatan ruwa, domin ya tabbatar da irin taurin da yake yi. Ina tsammanin yana so ya kawar da tsarin mulkin Allah da Pasdaran, amma ina tsammanin zai yi duk abin da ya kamata, ciki har da mu duka, don tsira. Sai ka yi waya."
    
  "I, sir," in ji Macomber. "Zan sanar da kai".
    
  "Iya, Major?" - Buzhazi ya tambaya ta wurin mai fassara na lantarki lokacin da Macomber ya dawo. "Me kwamandan ku ke cewa? Har yanzu ya amince dani?"
    
  "A'a, yallabai, ba ya yi," in ji Macomber.
    
  "Don haka. Me ya kamata mu yi?"
    
  Macomber yayi tunani na ɗan lokaci; sa'an nan: "Za mu yi tafiya kadan, Marshal."
    
    
  BABI NA TARA
    
    
  Kada ka taba yin gardama da wanda ba shi da abin da zai rasa.
    
  - BALTHASAR GRACHIAN
    
    
    
  SAMA DA KUDU TSAKIYA NEVADA
  SAFIYA WAJE
    
    
  "Ga sabon labari, mutane, don haka ku saurara," in ji shugaban ƙungiyar SEAL, Rundunar Sojan Ruwa ta Amurka Laftanar Mike Harden. Mambobi goma sha biyar na rukunin sa na SEAL, dukkansu suna shakar iskar oxygen a mashigin kaya na jirginsu na C-130 Hercules, suka tsaya kallon taswirorin, suka maida hankalinsu gare shi. "Mutumin da muke ciki ya gaya mana cewa a zahiri wannan wurin ba kowa ne. Tana da jami"an tsaro guda ashirin, wadanda akasarinsu sun taru ne a babbar cibiyar kwamfuta da ke kusa da ginin hedkwatar. Yankin hedkwatar fada babu kowa, inda jami"an tsaro kwarangwal kusan mutum shida suka girke a wurin. An rufe hangar na kwanaki biyu. Ana tabbatar da wannan ta hanyar sa ido na kanmu. Don haka, manufarmu ita ce manyan ofisoshi guda hudu a ginin hedkwatar: sashe daya a kowannen su ana tura shi zuwa cibiyar ayyukan tsaro, yankin kula da yaki, cibiyar sadarwa da cibiyar kula da manufa. Bravo Unit yana bayan mu, kuma mutanensa za su karbe rumbunan da ake ajiye makamai.
    
  "Mutumin da ke cikin gidan ya ce kawai ya ga daya daga cikin rukunin na"urorin mutum-mutumi na CID da ke sintiri a wuraren da ake ajiye makamai. Mun san cewa suna da jimillar ma"aikatan jinya shida. An aika daya zuwa Iran, biyu zuwa Turkiyya, daya kuma ya mika wuya lokacin da Rangers suka kai hari a Dutsen Yaki, wanda hakan ya bar biyu, kuma dole ne mu dauka cewa dukkansu suna cikin Elliott. Kimanin rukunin Tin Woodman guda goma kuma an jera su da bacewar su.
    
  "Ku tuna, kawai ku yi amfani da ammo na yau da kullun a kan jami'an Tsaro, idan sun bude muku wuta - kar ku lalata ammo a kan tsaba ko rukunin Tin Woodmen." Ya tayar da na'urar harba gurneti mai tsawon mm 40. "Wannan shine mafi kyawun fatanmu na fitar da waɗannan abubuwa: na'urorin bugun jini na microwave waɗanda ke kama da bugun walƙiya kai tsaye. Suna gaya mana cewa ya kamata wannan ya rufe dukkan tsarin su nan da nan. Mai yiyuwa ne mai kisa ga mutumin da ke ciki, amma wannan ita ce matsalarsa idan ya yanke shawarar yin fada. Waɗannan mutanen suna da sauri, don haka ku kasance a faɗake kuma ku mai da hankali kan wutar ku. Kuna da tambayoyi?" Babu ko ɗaya. "Komai yana lafiya. Muna saura minti biyar. Ku shirya don harba jakin zoomi." "Wow!" aka ji a duk faɗin. sanye da oxygen masks.
    
  Abin da ya yi kama da minti guda kawai ya wuce lokacin da ma'aikatan jirgin suka sanar da Harden cewa yankin tsalle yana da minti biyu. SEALs sun katse da sauri daga tsarin iskar oxygen na jirgin, sun haɗa da tankunan iskar oxygen masu ɗaukar nauyi, suka miƙe suka riƙa kan titin hannun da ƙarfi yayin da tudun kayan da ke baya ya sauke. Ba da jimawa ba aka yi birgima kasa da jajayen hasken ya koma kore, kuma Harden ya jagoranci tawagarsa zuwa cikin duhun kankara. Kasa da daƙiƙa ashirin bayan tsallen Harden, duk maza goma sha shida sun tura parachute ɗin su. Harden ya duba parachute dinsa da iskar oxygen, ya tabbatar da hasken infrared dinsa yana aiki domin wasu su bi shi a cikin duhu, sannan ya fara sa ido kan abubuwan da ake amfani da su ta hanyar amfani da na'urar GPS mai dauke da hannu.
    
  HAHO ne, ko tsalle mai tsayi - tsallen farko. Daga tsayin tsayin ƙafa dubu ashirin da bakwai, ƙungiyar za ta iya yin tafiya ta nisan mil 30 daga maƙallan tsalle-tsalle zuwa maƙasudinsu: Elliott Air Force Base, wanda ake yi wa lakabi da "Dreamland." A karkashin umarnin shugaban kasar Amurka, an umurci wasu rundunonin SEAL guda biyu da su kai hari sansanin, tare da kawar da na"urorin da ake amfani da su na yanar gizo na sojojin kasa da na Tin Man da ke sintiri a sansanin, tare da kama dukkan ma"aikatan sansanin, tare da tsare jiragen sama, makamai, cibiyar kwamfuta. da dakunan gwaje-gwaje.
    
  Iskar ta ɗan ɗan canza, tabbas ta sha bamban da hasashen, wanda mai yiwuwa ya bayyana saurin tsalle. Harden ya sami kansa yana tuƙi da alfarwarsa ta wasu kyawawan dabaru don samun hanya. Kowane juzu'i yana ƙara gudu a kwance, wanda ke nufin za su ƙara motsawa kaɗan da zarar sun kasance a ƙasa. Sai da suka yi tafiyar kusan mintuna goma.
    
  Lokacin da Harden a ƙarshe ya shirya hanya, ya fara neman alamomi ta amfani da tabarau na hangen nesa na dare. Da sauri yaga abubuwa ba haka suke ba. Burin gani na farko shine tafkin ango, wani babban busasshen gadon tafkin kudu da gindin da aka gina mafi yawan titin jirgin sama na Elliott na ƙafa dubu ashirin. Nan da nan ya bayyana cewa sun yi nisa zuwa yamma - sun yi tsalle da wuri. GPS ta ce suna kan hanya, amma alamun ƙasa ba su yi ƙarya ba. Sun yi shiri don wannan lamarin, amma Harden zai bai wa ma'aikatan jirgin kyakkyawar duka lokacin da aikin ya ƙare. Ya yi nazarin dukan wuraren da ke kewaye da shi a lokacin da ya yi tsalle-tsalle na binciken abin da aka sa a gaba kuma yana da tabbacin cewa zai iya samun wuri mai kyau don sauka, ko da ya kasance a gindin busasshiyar tafki.
    
  Bai iya isa ga busasshen gadon tabkin ba, amma ya sami wuri mai faɗin yadi kusan yadi hamsin a arewa da ƙazantar titin. Saukowa ya kasance da wahala fiye da yadda yake tsammani - kuma, GPS ɗin ya yi ƙarya game da yanayin iska kuma ya sauka tare da iska maimakon a kan shi, yana ƙara saurin ƙasa da ƙarfin saukowa. An yi sa'a, suna sanye da kayan aikin sanyi mai tsayi na HAHO kuma ƙarin tasirin tasirin ya kasance galibi. Ya tara wata tawaga cikin kasa da mintuna uku, kuma bai kai biyar ba, kafin su cire da ajiye parachute, da kayan yaki, da karin kayan sanyi, da kuma duba da shirya makamai, sadarwa, da tsarin hangen dare.
    
  Harden ya duba GPS dinsa ya nuna hanyar da suka dosa, amma jami"in farko da ke da na"urar GPS, ya daga hannu ya nuna wata hanya ta daban. Sun sanya masu karɓar GPS ɗin su kusa da juna kuma, tabbas, karatun su ya bambanta sosai ... a gaskiya, sun yi nisan mil uku!
    
  Wannan ya bayyana cewa sun kauce hanya kuma sun sauka ta hanyar da ba ta dace ba dangane da iskar GPS: an yi musu tarnaki ga masu karban GPS. Harden ya san cewa ana ƙirƙira maƙallan GPS, amma ana iya yin watsi da mai karɓar GPS da aka cuci kuma ana amfani da madadin hanyoyin kewayawa nan da nan har sai an sami manyan kurakurai. A gefe guda kuma, mai karɓar GPS na jabu ya bayyana yana aiki da kyau. Ko da C-130's GPS receiver an lalata su. Dole ne ya tuna cewa sun yi adawa da rukunin da ke haɓakawa da gwada makaman masu zuwa na kowane iri, manyan kayan sirri waɗanda sauran ƙasashen duniya ba za su gani ba tsawon shekaru, amma hakan zai canza yadda yaƙi yake. fada da zarar ya bugi tituna.
    
  Shugaban rukunin ya zaro wani kamfas na lenticular, a shirye ya ke ya kalli kasa ya kuma duba matsayinsu a taswirarsa sau biyu, amma tabbas an buga shi ne a lokacin da aka yi saurin saukar da shi, saboda bugun kirar kompas yana jujjuyawa kamar an hade shi. zuwa injin lantarki. Harden ba zai yi mamaki ba idan ƙwai a nan suma sun ƙirƙira hanyar da za su takura ko tambarar da compass! Ya yanke shawarar cewa tunda sun sauka a yamma da gefen busasshiyar tafkin, za su yi gabas kawai har sai sun sami tafkin, sannan su matsa arewa har sai sun sami shinge na ciki. Ya sake nuna alkiblar tafiyarsu, ya yi watsi da duk wata bukata, sannan ya zarce.
    
  Sun cire kayansu na sanyi sannan suka bar parachute dinsu a kunne wanda hakan ya sa kayansu ya yi sauƙi, amma ba da daɗewa ba Harden ya sami kansa yana share zufan da ke idanunsa. Allah, a tunaninsa, tabbas yana ƙasa da sifili a nan cikin babban hamada, amma gumi ya yi ta mutuwa! Amma ya yi biris ya ci gaba...
    
  "Upwind," ya ji a cikin belun kunne. Cikinsa ya fadi ya leka wurin. Kalma ce mai lamba ga ɗan ƙungiyar cikin matsala. Komawa yayi ya nufi hanyar da yake tafiya sai ya tarar da shugaban rundunar a kwance a bayansa, AOIC na duba shi. "Me ya faru?" Ya fad'a.
    
  Mataimakin jami'in da ke kula da 'yan sandan ya ce: "Haka ne kawai ya tashi." Ya goge zufan da ke fuskarsa. "Ni ma ba na jin dadi sosai, Laftanar. Za su yi amfani da iskar jijiya a kanmu?
    
  "Ku zauna," wani ya ce a kan kariyar dabarar rediyon FM.
    
  Harden ya kalli layin hatimai da aka watse a cikin hamada. "Radiyon suna kulle!" - ya rada. Kungiyar ta AOIC ta mika sakon ga sauran. Ya ba da umarnin a yi amfani da kalmomi kawai ta hanyar rediyo a kan wannan manufa sai dai idan sun kasance cikin tashin gobara kuma dukkanin tawagar sun yi nasara.
    
  Kwamandan runduna ya zauna. "Lafiya kake ji?" - Harden ya tambaya. Sarkin ya nuna cewa ya shirya, kuma suka shirya su sake fita. Amma a wannan karon Harden ya ji dimuwa-a minti daya ya mike, wani busasshiyar zafi ya wanke shi, kamar ya bude kofar tanda mai zafi. Hankalinsa ya sauke ya durkusa. Me ya faru...?
    
  Sannan ya gane ko menene. An sanar da su wani lamari da ya faru a kasar Turkiyya inda yaran Dreamland din suka yi amfani da makamin da ba shi da kisa na Microwave wajen fatattakar jami'an tsaro daga tushe - sun bayar da rahoton cewa, sun ji kamar zafi mai tsanani, kamar fatar jikinsu na ci, kuma nan da nan kwakwalwarsu ta yi muni sosai. suka rude da cewa sun rasa hayyacinsu. "Crocodile, kada," in ji Harden a cikin raɗaɗinsa, kalmar lamba don "maƙiyi kusa."
    
  "Ku tsaya a inda kuke kada ku motsa," duk sun ji a cikin belun kunne.
    
  Jahannama, Sojojin Sama sun sami mitar FM ɗinsu, sun ɓata tsarin ɓoyewa, kuma suna magana akan tasharsu mai raɗaɗi! Ya juya ya sanya alamar hannu zai canza zuwa secondry mita, kalmar ta sake komawa ga sauran. A halin yanzu, Harden ya fitar da wayarsa ta tauraron dan adam kuma ya haɗa zuwa tashar tsaro ta wani rukunin SEAL: "Azurfa, wannan Opus, crocodile."
    
  "Shin, kun san," sun ji a cikin belun kunne a sabon tashar, "babu kalmomi masu kama da "azurfa" da "opus" kamar "orange"? ....
    
  Harden ya goge zufa daga idanuwansa. Tarbiyyar sadarwa gaba daya ya manta, a fusace ya koma rada, "Waye wannan?"
    
  "Ah, ah, ah, Lieutenant, beading, beading," muryar ta sake cewa, ta yin amfani da tsohuwar lambar lambar don faɗakar da watsa rediyon da bai dace ba. "Ku ji mutane, an gama motsa jiki. Mun riga mun fitar da wani sashin zuwa layin jirgin da kuma wurin ajiyar makamai - ku mutane sun yi aiki mafi kyau fiye da su. Mun shirya muku dakuna masu kyau da yawa. Tsaya tare da hannuwanku sama kuma za mu ɗauki ɗan gajeren tafiya zuwa gindi. Muna da babbar mota a kan hanyar da za ta zo ta dauke ku."
    
  "Bude ka!" Harden ya yi kururuwa. Ya sunkuyar da kansa ya leka wurin, bai kula da ciwon da ke yaduwa a jikinsa ba... Sannan ya ganta, wata katuwar robobi, wanda bai wuce mita ashirin ba a gabansa. Ya daga bindigar ya saki ajiyar zuciya sannan ya saki gurneti. Wani walƙiya mai ban tsoro ya yi, iska ya cika da kamshin wutar lantarki mai ƙarfi, sai ya ji miliyoyin tururuwa suna ta rarrafe a jikinsa... amma yanayin zafi ya ɓace, ya maye gurbinsa da sanyi mai raɗaɗi da ƙashi saboda yunifom ɗin sa na zufa. da sauri ya rasa zafin jiki cikin sanyin daren.
    
  Ya komo da gudu zuwa ga mutanensa. "Komai lafiya?" Ya fad'a. Dukkansu sun nuna suna lafiya. Ya duba GPS dinsa - ya mutu kwata-kwata, amma kompas din shugaban rundunar yana aiki yadda ya kamata kuma cikin sauri ya shirya inda suke a taswirarsa, ya samu kwatance zuwa inda suke sannan ya tashi.
    
  A hanya suka wuce wani mutum-mutumi. Kamar an murɗe gaɓoɓinsa, gaɓoɓinsa, da wuyansa a lokaci ɗaya ta hanyoyi daban-daban kuma waɗanda ba su da ɗabi'a, sai ga shi yana wari kamar ɗan gajeren kewayawa da konewa na lantarki. Harden ya ji tausayin mutumin da ke ciki da farko - shi Ba'amurke ne kuma soja, bayan haka - amma ba zai tsaya kusa da shi don duba shi ba idan ya yi mamaki.
    
  Garewar duhu ne suka matso kusa da shingen da ke ciki, wani katangar mai tsayin ƙafa goma sha biyar, mai sarƙaƙƙiya biyu wanda aka yi da waƙar waya. Rashin fitilu a kusa da shinge yana nufin ko dai karnuka ko na'urori masu auna infrared, Harden ya sani. Ya umarci tawagar da ta rabu gida biyu ta fara kai hari a...
    
  ... a lokacin sai ya ji wata kara mai kakkausar murya, kamar mai gudun fantsama, sai ya dubeta. A cikin tabarau na hangen dare, ya ga wani abu mai girman kwandon shara kimanin taku ashirin a sararin sama da yadi talatin ko arba'in kacal, mai faffadan rumbun zagaye a kasa, dogayen kafafuwa da hannaye na karfe biyu masu dauke da farar tutoci. kuma, mai wuce yarda, , Yana da haske LED nuni a saman cewa karanta "KADA KA HUBA, KAWAI MAGANA, MUNA SAURARO."
    
  "Mene ne wannan?" - Harden ya tambaya. Ya jira har sai robobin da ke tashi ya yi nisa kusan yadi goma, sannan ya harbe shi da fashe guda daya daga bindigar na'urarsa ta MP5. Ya tabbata ya buge ta, amma sai ta samu ta tashi sama ko kadan, ta sauko cikin rarrashi nesa da shi, har yanzu tana ganin sakon ledojin. Ya motsa sautin raɗaɗinsa zuwa laɓɓansa. "Wane ne wannan?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Wannan shi ne Birgediya Janar David Luger," ya amsa muryar da ke daya karshen layin. "Kin san ko ni waye. Wannan dole ne ya ƙare, Laftanar Harden, kafin wani ya ji rauni ko a kashe shi. "
    
  "Ina da umarnin in kai ka gidan kaso da kuma tsare wannan tushe, yallabai," in ji Harden. "Ba zan tafi ba har sai an kammala aikina. A madadin shugaban Amurka, ina ba ku umarni da ku kashe duk wani kariya daga sansanin ku kuma ku mika wuya nan take."
    
  "Laftanar, akwai wasu jiragen marasa matuka guda goma da ke shawagi a sama a yanzu tare da gurneti," in ji Luger. "Muna iya ganin ku da kowane "yan uwanku goma sha biyar, kuma za mu iya buge kowanne daga cikinsu da gurneti mai walƙiya. A duba a hankali. A gabanka, kusa da shinge." Bayan wani ɗan lokaci, sai ya ji ƙarar ƙaramar ƙarfe! Kusan sautin ya kasance a saman kai tsaye... kuma bayan dakika daya akwai wani walƙiya mai ban mamaki, wanda ya biyo bayan ɗan lokaci da wani babban karo mai ƙarfi! sauti sai bangon matsatsi kamar guguwa mai tsaga dakika guda.
    
  "Ya kasance kusan yadi ɗari daga gare mu, Laftanar," in ji Luger. Ringing a kunnen Harden yayi karfi da kyar ya iya jin ta ta radiyo. "Ka yi tunanin yadda zai kasance kamar yadi biyar kawai."
    
  "Yallabai, dole ne ka fitar da ni da dukan mazana saboda ba za mu je ko'ina ba," in ji Harden, yana barin jinsa ya dawo daidai. "Idan ba ku son a tuhume ku da alhakin raunata ko kashe 'yan Amurkawa, ina rokon ku da ku bi umarnina kuma ku mika wuya."
    
  An dakata sosai akan layin; sai Luger ya ce da sahihiyar muryar uba, "Hakika ina sha"awarka, Laftanar. Mun kasance masu gaskiya lokacin da muka ce kun kasance tare da sauran sassan SEAL. Sun mika wuya a karon farko da muka buge su da injin microwave, har ma sun gaya mana ainihin ku lokacin da muka kama su - ta haka ne muka san ku. Jama'a kun yi aiki mai kyau. Na san ba kwa son kashe ma'aikaci Sajan Henry. Sajan ne wanda ya tuka CID din."
    
  "Na gode, yallabai, kuma a'a, ban nufin in kashe kowa ba, yallabai," in ji Harden. "An sanar da mu wadannan makaman na microwave da robobin ku ke dauke da su, kuma mun san dole ne mu kwance damarar su."
    
  Luger ya ce "Mun kera gurneti mai ruguza injin microwave saboda muna tsoron kada fasahar CID ta fada hannun Rashawa." "Ban yi tunanin za a yi amfani da namu akan namu ba."
    
  "Yi hakuri yallabai, kuma na dauki nauyin sanar da danginsa da kaina." Dole ne ya ajiye shi yana magana har tsawon lokacin da zai iya. Babban jami'in ma'aikatan, wani kamfanin tsaro na Marine daga Camp Pendleton, zai zo ne a cikin kasa da minti talatin, kuma idan wannan mutumin Luger ya canza ra'ayinsa game da harin da wasu sojojin ruwa, watakila zai jinkirta isa ga sauran. "Shin zan koma in taimaki Sajan Ma'aikaci?"
    
  "A'a, Laftanar. Za mu magance hakan ".
    
  "Iya sir. Za ku iya bayyana yadda-?"
    
  "Babu lokacin bayani, Lieutenant."
    
  "Iya, sir." Lokaci ya kure. "Duba, yallabai, ba wanda yake son wannan. Mafi kyawun faren ku shine ku daina faɗa, ɗauki lauya, kuma kuyi ta hanyar da ta dace. Kada a kara kai hari. Wannan ba wanda ya kamata mu yi fada ba. Mu daina duk wannan a yanzu. Kai ne kwamandan runduna a nan. Kai ne ke da iko. Ku ba da oda, ku sa mazajenku su ajiye makamansu, ku bar mu mu shiga. Ba za mu cutar da kowa ba. Mu duka Amurkawa ne, yallabai. Muna gefe guda. Don Allah malam ka daina wannan."
    
  Wani dogon tsayawa ya biyo baya. Harden da gaske ya yi imanin Luger zai ja baya. Wannan duk hauka ne, ya yi tunani. Yi ƙarfin hali ka dakatar da shi, Luger! yayi tunani. Kar ka yi kamar jarumi. Dakatar da wannan ko ...
    
  Daga nan sai ya ji wata kara a sama-kananann robobin masu fasa bututun na dawowa-sannan Luger ya ce, "Ciwon zai yi muni a wannan karon, amma ba zai dade ba. Da kyau, Laftanar. "
    
  Harden ya yi tsalle ya yi ihu: "Dukkan ƙungiyoyin, don ƙarin tasiri, harba gurneti kuma su gudu zuwa shinge, gaba, gaba, gaba!" Ya dauki MP5 dinsa, ya loda bama-bamai a cikin mashin din gurneti, ya sanya shi a wuri sannan ya daga makamin zuwa...
    
  ... da alama a gare shi duk jikinsa ya fashe da wuta. Ya yi kururuwa... Sannan komai da sauri, an yi sa'a, ya shiga duhu.
    
    
  WHITE HOUSE OFFICE, WASHINGTON, DC.
  BAYAN WANCAN SAFE
    
    
  "Ba zan iya yin imani da shi ba ... Ba zan iya yin imani da shi ba!" Shugaba Joseph Gardner ya yi nishi. Sakataren tsaron Amurka Miller Turner ya yi masa bayani da wasu "yan majalisar dattawa da na majalisa kan kokarin da suka yi na cafke jami"an sojin sama da kuma tsare makamansu, kuma bayanin bai yi kyau ba. "Sun ci nasara kuma sun kama ƙungiyoyin Navy SEAL guda biyu a Dreamland? Ba zan iya yarda da wannan ba! Wasu wurare fa?"
    
  "Tawagar SEAL da aka aika zuwa Dutsen Battle sun ci karo da tsayin daka kuma sun yi nasarar kama daya daga cikin robobin nasu, amma da alama robot din ya lalace ko kuma ya lalace kuma an watsar da shi," in ji Turner. "Jirgin da yawancin ma"aikatan sun bace; SEALs sun kama mutane kusan dari ba tare da turjiya ba. Hukumar ta FAA ta kasa gano ko daya daga cikin jiragen saboda tsangwama ko rashin aiki, don haka ba mu san inda suka dosa ba."
    
  "An kashe'? Menene wannan?"
    
  "A bayyane yake, jirgin sama na gaba da ke zaune a Dreamland da Battle Mountain ba kawai lalata radars na abokan gaba ba ne, amma a zahiri suna amfani da radars da tsarin lantarki na dijital don shigar da abubuwa cikin na'urorin lantarki na radar kamar ƙwayoyin cuta, umarnin karya ko rashin daidaituwa, decoys har ma da lamba. canje-canje," in ji mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro Conrad Carlisle. "Suna kiran shi 'nettruding' - kutsawar hanyar sadarwa."
    
  "Me yasa ba a sanar da ni wannan ba?"
    
  "An fara amfani da wannan ne a kan jirgin saman McLamahan da aka tura zuwa Gabas ta Tsakiya," in ji Carlisle. "Ya kashe mayaƙin na Rasha ta hanyar ba da umarnin rufe shi. Yawancin tsarin radar dijital da ake amfani da su a yau, musamman na farar hula, ba su da hanyar toshe waɗannan kutse. Yana iya yin hakan ta amfani da kowane nau'in tsarin, kamar sadarwa, Intanet, cibiyoyin sadarwa mara waya, har ma da radar yanayi. Bugu da ƙari, tun da yawancin cibiyoyin sadarwa na farar hula suna da alaƙa da tsarin soja, za su iya shigar da lambar ɓarna a cikin hanyar sadarwar soja ba tare da kai hari kan tsarin soja kai tsaye ba."
    
  "Ina tsammanin ya harba makami mai linzami kan wani mayaki!"
    
  "Rashawa sun yi iƙirarin harba makami mai linzamin, amma ya yi amfani da wannan sabon tsarin 'tsarin sadarwa' don tilasta wa MiG rufe," in ji Carlisle. "McLanahan ya sami matsalolin zuciya kafin ya bayyana abin da ya faru, kuma bayan haka mun dauki Rashawa a kan maganarsu game da lamarin."
    
  "Yaya zai iya aika kwayar cuta ta radar?"
    
  Carlisle ya ce "Radar kawai yana nuna lokacin makamashi na rediyo, an tsara shi, an ƙididdige shi kuma an nuna shi akan allo," in ji Carlisle. "Da zarar an san mitar siginar rediyo, ana iya aika kowace irin sigina zuwa mai karɓa, gami da siginar da ke ɗauke da lambar dijital. A zamanin yau, yawancin makamashin rediyo yana nunawa kuma ana rarraba su ta hanyar dijital, don haka lambar dijital ta shiga cikin tsarin kuma ana sarrafa ta kamar kowane umarni na kwamfuta - ana iya sarrafa shi, adanawa, kunna baya, aika ta hanyar sadarwa, ko menene. "
    
  "Jissoos..." Gardner ya fitar da numfashi. "Kuna nufin sun riga sun kamu da tsarin sadarwar mu da bin diddigin?"
    
  "Da zarar McLaanahan ya yanke shawarar shiga wannan rikici, zai iya ba da umarnin kai hare-haren," in ji Miller. "Kowane kayan lantarki na dijital da ake amfani da su waɗanda ke karɓar bayanai daga igiyoyin rediyo ko aka haɗa ta hanyar sadarwa zuwa wani tsarin da ke can na iya kamuwa da cutar kusan nan take."
    
  "Waɗannan duk tsarin lantarki ne da na sani!" in ji shugaban. "La"ananne, na"urar ramin aljihun "yata tana haɗe da Intanet! Ta yaya hakan zai iya faruwa?"
    
  "Saboda mun gaya masa ya nemo hanyar da zai yi, yallabai," in ji Shugaban Hafsan Hafsoshin Sojojin Janar Taylor Bain. "Wannan wani abu ne mai ban mamaki da ya ninka karfin karfi, wanda ke da mahimmanci lokacin da aka lalata kusan dukkanin jiragen sama masu cin dogon zango a cikin makamanmu. Kowane tauraron dan adam da kowane jirgin sama, gami da jirginsa mara matuki da tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, suna da ikon yin lalata da lantarki. Yana iya cutar da kwamfutoci a Rasha daga sararin samaniya ko kuma kawai daga jirgin mara matuki da ke tashi tsakanin radar Rasha. Zai iya hana barkewar yaki domin makiya ba za su taba sanin yana zuwa ba ko kuma ba za su iya mayar da martani ba."
    
  "Matsalar ita ce zai iya yi mana haka a yanzu!" - in ji shugaban. "Kuna buƙatar nemo hanyar kare tsarinmu daga ire-iren waɗannan hare-hare."
    
  "Yana cikin ayyukan, Mista Shugaba," in ji Carlisle. "Firewalls da software na riga-kafi na iya kare kwamfutocin da aka shigar da su, amma muna haɓaka hanyoyin da za a rufe gibin tsaro a cikin tsarin da ba a la'akari da su cikin haɗari ga hare-haren cibiyar sadarwa, kamar radar, sa ido na lantarki kamar kyamarori na gani na lantarki, ko m. na'urorin lantarki."
    
  Bain ya kara da cewa, "Wata matsalar ita ce, a matsayin sashen da ya ɓullo da kuma kera tsarin sadarwa, Cibiyar Kula da Makamai ta Aerospace ta kasance kan gaba wajen samar da matakan magance su."
    
  "Don haka mutanen da ke amfani da wannan abu su ne suka san yadda za su kayar da shi," in ji shugaban cikin takaici. "Mai girma. Yana taimaka." Ya girgiza kai a fusace yana kokarin tattara tunaninsa. A ƙarshe, ya juya ga 'yan majalisa biyu a Ofishin Oval. "Sanata, Wakili, na gayyace ka a nan ne saboda wannan lamari ya zama babban batu kuma ina bukatar shawara da goyon bayan shugabanci. Yawancin mu a cikin wannan ɗakin muna tunanin McLahanan ya fita daga zurfinsa. Sanata, da alama kuna tunani daban."
    
  "Na yi imani, mai girma shugaban kasa," in ji Sanata Stacy Ann Barbeau. "Bari in gwada masa magana. Ya san ina goyon bayan shirinsa na sararin samaniya kuma ina goyon bayansa."
    
  "Yana da matukar hadari, Sanata," in ji shugaban. "Mutum daya ya mutu yayin da wasu da dama suka jikkata sakamakon McLahan da makaminsa."
    
  "Harin gaba da sojojin ba zai yi aiki ba sai dai idan za ku mamaye ranar D-Day, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Barbeau, "kuma ba za mu iya tura shi cikin Dreamland ba lokacin da ya sami jiragen sama da jirage marasa matuka da bama-bamai. yana yawo a hamada murabba'i mil dubu, ana sintiri da na'urori da babu wanda ya taba jin labarinsa. Ba zai jira ni ba. Ban da haka, ina tsammanin zan iya samun mutane a cikina waɗanda za su taimaka. Suna damuwa da lafiyar janar kamar yadda nake. "
    
  Babu wani sharhi da aka yi-babu wanda ya sami wasu shawarwari, kuma tabbas babu wanda ya yarda ya manne kawunansu a bakin damisar kamar yadda SEALs suka yi. "Sai an yanke shawara," in ji shugaban. "Na gode da wannan kokari, Sanata. Ina tabbatar muku da cewa za mu yi duk mai yiwuwa don tabbatar da amincin ku. Ina so in yi magana da Sanatan a keɓe na ɗan lokaci. Na gode duka". Shugaban ma"aikatan fadar White House ya fitar da su gaba daya daga cikin ofishin majalisar, kuma Gardner da Barbeau sun koma cikin ofishin shugaban kasa na sirri, kusa da Ofishin Oval.
    
  Kafin a rufe kofar, hannun Gardner ya nade a kugunta ya dafe kansa a wuyanta. "Kai mai zafi ne mai zafi," in ji shi. "Wannan wane irin tunani ne? Me yasa kuke son zuwa Dreamland? Kuma wanene wannan mutumin da kuka ce kuna da shi a cikin ku?
    
  "Za ku gano ba da jimawa ba, Joe," in ji Barbeau. "Kun aika SEALs kuma ba su yi ba - abu na karshe da kuke so ku yi shi ne fara yaki a can. Lambobin bincikenku za su ƙara raguwa. Bari in gwada ta hanyata tukuna."
    
  "Ok, sweetie, kin samu," in ji Gardner. Ya bar ta ta juyo a hannun sa, sannan ya fara sa hannun sa akan nononta. "Amma idan kun yi nasara - kuma ba ni da shakka za ku - me kuke so a mayar?"
    
  "Mun riga mun shirya abubuwa da yawa, Mista Shugaba," Barbeau ya ce, yana matse nonuwanta da hannuwansa. "Amma ina sha'awar abu daya da Carlisle yayi magana akai: ra'ayin shiga tsakani."
    
  "Wannan fa?"
    
  "Ina so," in ji Barbeau. "Aikin yaki na cibiyar sadarwa yana zuwa Barksdale - ba sojojin ruwa ba, ba STRATCOM ba."
    
  "Shin kun fahimci duk waɗannan abubuwa?"
    
  "Ba komai ba, amma zan yi shi cikin kankanin lokaci," in ji Barbeau da karfin gwiwa. "Amma na san cewa Furness in Battle Mountain yana da dukkan masu tayar da bama-bamai da jiragen yaki marasa matuka da ke amfani da fasahar netrusion - Ina son su a Barksdale, tare da duk kayan aikin yaki na hanyar sadarwa. Duk wannan. Rage lambobi ko ma kawar da B-52 idan kuna so, amma Barksdale yana yaƙin kan layi akan duk abin da ke tashi - drones, B-2s, tauraron dan adam, radars na sararin samaniya, komai. "
    
  Yatsu Barbeau ya matse kan nonuwanta. "Baka magana akan ajiye tashar sararin samaniya?" - Gardner ya tambaya. "Ina so in kashe wadannan biliyan biyar a kan jigilar jirage biyu."
    
  "Tashar sararin samaniya na iya soya ga duk abin da nake kulawa - Ina son fasahar da ke bayanta, musamman radar da ke sararin samaniya," in ji Barbeau. "Tashar sararin samaniya ta mutu ko ta yaya - mutane suna daukarsa a matsayin makabartar orbital ta McLahan, kuma ba na son a danganta ni da hakan. Amma goro da kusoshi a bayan tashar shine abin da nake so. Na san STRATCOM da Rundunar Sojan Sama za su so su yi amfani da netrusion a cikin binciken su, ofisoshin umarni da jiragen sama, amma dole ne ku yarda ku yi yaƙi da shi. Ina son sojojin sama na takwas a Barksdale su sarrafa rashin gaskiya."
    
  Hannun shugaban kasa ya sake fara hidimominsu, sai ta gane cewa tana hannunta. "Duk abin da kuka ce, Stacey," in ji Gardner a baya. "A gare ni, wannan cikakkiyar wauta ce - abin da miyagun mutane a duniya suka fahimta shi ne gungun masu dakon kaya da ke fakin a gabar tekun su, a cikin fuskokinsu, ba harin hanyar sadarwa da sihiri na kwamfuta ba. Idan kuna son abin cutarwar kwamfuta, maraba da ku. Kawai kawai Majalisa ta yarda ta dakatar da ba da tallafin tashar sararin samaniya kuma ku ba ni akalla biyu daga cikin dillalan jiragen sama kuma za ku iya yin lalatar ku ta yanar gizo."
    
  Ta juyo gareshi, tana sauke k'irjinta da k'irjinsa. "Nagode baby,"tace tana sumbatarsa sosai. Hannun ta ta dora akan kuncinsa, tana jin ya yi tsalle ya taba ta. "Zan yi yarjejeniyar mu kamar yadda aka saba, amma ina da jirgin da zan kama a Vegas. Zan sa McLanahan a gidan yari a gobe da dare...ko kuma in nuna masa rashin tausayi a matsayin mahaukacin hauka har jama'ar Amurka su bukaci a kama shi."
    
  "Ina so in ba ku babbar kyautar rabuwar aure, zuma," in ji Gardner, cikin wasa yana tafar gindin Barbeau kafin ya zauna a teburinsa yana kunna sigari, "amma Zevitin zai kira a cikin 'yan mintoci kaɗan, kuma dole ne in yi waya. bayyana masa cewa har yanzu ni ke da iko da wannan rikici na McLanahan."
    
  "Fuck Zevitin," in ji Barbeau. "Ina zargin duk abin da McLanahan ya fada game da Rashawa da suka dasa na'ura mai sarrafa kansa a Iran da harba jirgin sama gaskiya ne, Joe. McLanahan na iya yin nisa sosai ta hanyar yin watsi da umarnin ku, kai hari ba tare da izini ba, sannan kuma yaƙar hatimin, amma Zevitin yana kan wani abu a nan. McLaanahan ba kawai ya tashi daga rikon ba. "
    
  "Kada ku damu da komai, Stacy," in ji Gardner. "Muna da kyakkyawar alaka da Moscow. Duk abin da suke so shine tabbacin cewa ba ma ƙoƙarin kulle su ba. McLaanahan ya sa duniya duka ta firgita, ba kawai Rashawa ba, kuma hakan ba shi da kyau ga kasuwanci. "
    
  "Amma yana da kyau don samun kuri'u a Majalisa don sababbin kungiyoyin gwagwarmaya, zuma."
    
  "Ba idan muna da dan damfara a hannunmu ba, Stacy. Cire McLanahan, amma yi shi a hankali. Zai iya lalata mana komai."
    
  "Kada ka damu da komai, Mr. President," Barbeau ta ce, tana lumshe ido tana watsar gashinta. "Ya fadi... ta wata hanya ko wata."
    
  Barbeau ta hadu da shugaban ma'aikatanta, Colleen Morna, a wajen otal din zartarwa, kuma da sauri suka wuce motarta da take jira. "Tafiyar ta kare, Sanata," in ji Morna yayin da suke komawa ofishinta na Capitol Hill. "Ina da lambobin biyan kuɗi don dukan tafiya daga Fadar White House, har ma sun ba mu izinin C-37 - Gulfstream Five. Wannan yana nufin za mu iya ɗaukar baƙi takwas zuwa Vegas tare da mu. "
    
  "cikakke. Na karɓi yarjejeniya ta baki daga Gardner don ƙaura da daidaita duk rukunin yaƙin hanyar sadarwa na DoD zuwa Barksdale. Nemo waɗanne ƴan kwangila da masu fafutuka muke buƙatar tsara don yin hakan, kuma ku gayyace su zuwa Vegas tare da mu. Wannan ya kamata ya zubar musu da hawaye."
    
  "Ka yi daidai, Sanata."
    
  "Lafiya. Don haka, menene game da mutumin naman ku, Hunter Noble? Shi ne mabuɗin wannan tafiya zuwa Las Vegas yayin da McLahanan ke kan wannan tashar sararin samaniya. Me kuka same shi?"
    
  "Kana da shi a idonka tun ranar daya, Sanata," in ji Colleen. "Da alama Kyaftin Noble ɗinmu ya makale a ƙaramar makarantar sakandare. Da farko, a makarantar sakandare ya samu mace da ta girme shi da shekara shida-ma"aikaciyar jinya ta makaranta, ina tsammanin-ta yi ciki."
    
  "Inda na fito, wannan yana faruwa kowace shekara, zuma. Budurwa daya tilo a garinmu, yarinya ce yar shekara goma sha biyu mummuna."
    
  Colleen ya ci gaba da cewa: "An kore shi, amma ba komai domin ya riga ya sami isasshen kredit don kammala makarantar sakandare shekaru biyu da wuri kuma ya shiga makarantar injiniya," in ji Colleen. "Da alama hanyarsa ta bikin yaye daliban ita ce ya samu mace ciki, domin ya sake yin ta a jami"a da kuma na kammala karatun digiri. Ya auri na uku, amma an warware auren da aka sake gano wani al"amari."
    
  "McLanahan, tabbas ba haka bane," in ji Barbeau.
    
  Morna ya ci gaba da cewa: "Fitaccen matukin jirgi ne kuma injiniya, amma da alama yana da matsala ta gaskiya." "Yana samun babban maki akan rahotannin ayyukansa don ayyukan aiki, amma munanan alamomi ga jagoranci da aikin soja."
    
  "Bai taimaka ba - yanzu ya sake kama McLanahan," Barbeau ya ce cikin damuwa. "Yaya game da mafi juici?"
    
  "Ya isa," in ji Morna. "Yana zaune a rukunin farko na jami"in da ke Nellis Air Force Base - murabba"in murabba"in murabba"i shida kacal-kuma jami"an tsaro sun sha gargade shi game da manyan bukukuwa da maziyartan da ke zuwa da tafiya a duk sa"o"i na dare da rana. Shi ma'aikaci ne na yau da kullun a Club Of Officers a Nellis kuma yana samun kyakkyawan shafin mashaya mai kyau. Yana hawa babur na Harley Night Rod kuma an ambace shi da gudu da kuma tuƙi a lokuta da yawa. Kwanan nan an dawo da lasisin bayan wata uku da aka hana shi yin tuki marar aminci - a fili, ya yanke shawarar tuka jirgin horar da sojojin Air Force T-6A a kan titin jirgin."
    
  "Wannan yana da kyau, amma ina buƙatar wasu kayan marmari na gaske, baby."
    
  "Na ajiye mafi kyau a karshe, Sanata. Jerin maziyartan da aka yarda su ziyarci tushe shine tsawon hannuna. Mutane da yawa - matan mazan aure, wasu mashahuran 'yan bidi'a biyu, karuwai da yawa - kuma ɗayan matar babban hafsan sojojin sama ne. Koyaya, ziyarce-ziyarcen tushe da alama sun ragu kaɗan a cikin shekarar da ta gabata... musamman saboda yana da ikon sa hannun hannu a manyan gidajen caca guda uku a Vegas jimlar dala dubu ɗari. "
    
  "Me?"
    
  "Sanata, wannan mutumin bai biya kudin dakin otal a Vegas sama da shekaru biyu ba - yana abokantaka da manajoji, ƴan ƙofofi da ƴan sanda a duk faɗin birnin kuma yana cin gajiyar ɗaki da shiga kyauta kusan kowane mako," in ji Colleen. "Yana jin daɗin blackjack da poker kuma galibi ana gayyatar su a bayan fage don yin hulɗa tare da masu rawa, 'yan dambe da masu kanun labarai. Yawancin lokaci akwai aƙalla ɗaya kuma sau da yawa mata biyu ko uku.
    
  "Dubu dari!" Barbeau ya lura. "Ya doke kowane dan majalisar Nevada da na sani!"
    
  "Layin ƙasa, Sanata: Yana aiki tuƙuru kuma yana taka rawar gani," in ji Colleen. "Yana rike da martaba amma ya aikata wasu kyawawan ayyuka da suka nuna an yi shiru saboda ayyukan da yake yi wa gwamnati. A kai a kai ana tuntubar shi da "yan kwangilar tsaro da suke son daukarsa aiki, wasu kuma suna ba shi albashi mai ban mamaki, wanda hakan zai iya sa shi ya wuce gona da iri da kuma bayar da gudunmawar da yake da shi na ganin ba sai ya buga wasannin Sojan Sama ba."
    
  "Sun yi kama da mutumin da ke zaune a gefen, wanda shine ainihin abin da nake so game da su," in ji Barbeau. "Ina tsammanin lokaci ya yi da za a kai wa Kyaftin Noble ziyara kaɗan - a mazauninsa."
    
    
  BABI NA GOMA
    
    
  Feat shine komai, daukaka ba komai bane.
    
  - JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE
    
    
    
  MASHHAD, JAMHURIYAR MUSULUNCI NA IRAN
  DAREN NAN
    
    
  Birnin Mashhad - "Birnin Shahidai" a Turance - a arewa maso gabashin kasar Iran shi ne birni na biyu mafi girma a kasar Iran, kuma tun da yake yana dauke da hubbaren Imam Riza na takwas, shi ne birni na biyu mafi girma na Shi'a a duniya, kuma na biyu a duniya. Muhimmancin Qum kawai. Sama da mahajjata miliyan ashirin ne ke ziyartar hubbaren Imam Riza duk shekara, abin da ya sa ya zama abin ban mamaki da ruhi kamar yadda aikin hajjin ya kai Makka. Wurin yana cikin wani kwari da ke tsakanin tsaunin Kuh-e-Mayuni da Azhdar-Kuh, yankin ya fuskanci lokacin sanyi mai zafi amma yana da daɗi ga mafi yawan sauran shekara.
    
  Mashhad yana cikin cikin Iran, ba shi da mahimmancin soja ko mahimmanci har sai da gwamnatin Taliban ta hau kan karagar mulki a Afghanistan a cikin 1980s. Tsoron cewa Taliban za su yi kokarin fitar da tambarin Musuluncinsu zuwa kasashen Yamma, sai aka mayar da Mashhad wani sansanin "yan tada kayar baya, inda dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci ke gudanar da hare-hare da dama, da na sa ido, mayaƙa da bama-bamai, da jiragen sama masu saukar ungulu daga Imam Reza. Filin jirgin sama na kasa da kasa.
    
  Lokacin da Hesarak Boujazi ya yi juyin mulkin soja, muhimmancin Mashhad ya karu da sauri. Ragowar dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci an bi su tun daga Tehran zuwa Mashhad. Sai dai da kyar Bujazi ya samu isassun kayan aiki da zai ci gaba da rike babban birnin kasar, don haka ba shi da wani zabi illa ya bar wadanda suka tsira su tsere ba tare da yin wani kwakkwaran kokari na kawar da kwamandojin ba. Tare da sauran kwamandojin dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci na yawo cikin walwala a cikin birnin da kuma kwararowar mahajjatan Shi'a da suka nuna alamar raguwa ko da a lokacin tashin hankali, Pasdaran yana da ma'aikata da yawa da zai zaba a Mashhad. Tun daga masallatai da kasuwanni da kantuna, da kowane lungu da sako na titi, kiran jihadi a kan Bujazi da "yan Kagewa ya watsu ya bazu cikin sauri.
    
  Bisa kwarin gwuiwar aura mai karfin ruhi na birnin da kuma karfin ikon dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci na kasar Iran, shugaban riko na kasar Iran, shugaban majalisar kula da harkokin tsaro kuma babban mamba a majalisar kwararru Ayatullah Hassan Mokhtaz, ya jajirce ya dawo daga gudun hijira a kasar Turkmenistan, inda ya yi kokarin dawowa daga gudun hijira a Turkmenistan. ya rayu karkashin kariyar gwamnatin Rasha. Da farko dai an yi maganar cewa dukkanin lardunan gabacin kasar Iran sun rabu da sauran sassan kasar sannan kuma Mashhad ya zama sabon babban birnin kasar, amma rashin zaman lafiyar juyin mulkin da gazawar Boujazis da Kagevs wajen kafa gwamnati ya kawo tsaiko ga tattaunawar. Wataƙila duk abin da Mokhtaz ya yi shi ne kira ga masu aminci zuwa jihadi, ci gaba da tara kuɗi don tallafawa tawayensa, da jira-Tehran zai iya kasancewa a hannunsa da kansa.
    
  Cikakkun bangarori uku na dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci wadanda adadinsu ya haura sama da dubu dari, kusan daukacin rundunonin sojojin da suka tsira na gaba, sun kasance a birnin Mashhad da kewaye. Yawancin sojojin Pasdaran, ƙungiyoyi biyu, sojoji ne, ciki har da brigades na injuna biyu. Akwai wata rundunar jiragen sama guda daya tare da jiragen yaki masu tayar da kayar baya, jirage masu saukar ungulu masu saukar ungulu, jigilar kayayyaki da bataliyoyin tsaro na sama; wata birgediya mai sulke tare da tankunan haske, bataliyoyin bindigu da na turmi; da wata runduna ta musamman da jami"an leken asiri, wadanda suka gudanar da zagon kasa, kashe-kashe, leken asiri, sa ido, tambayoyi, da ayyukan sadarwa na musamman kamar yada farfaganda. Bugu da kari, an kuma jibge wasu dakarun sa kai na Quds dubu talatin a cikin birnin da kansa, wadanda ke aiki a matsayin 'yan leken asiri da ba da labari ga Pasdaran da kuma gwamnatin mulkin kama karya na gudun hijira.
    
  Hedkwatar dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci kuma cibiyar dabarun nauyi ita ce filin jirgin saman Imam Riza wanda ke da nisan mil biyar kudu da haramin Imam Riza. Duk da haka, an sake yin amfani da duk rundunonin soja na dabara a filin jirgin sama don samar da hanyar zuwa sabon zuwa: S-300OMU1 Favorite Air Defense Rejist daga Tarayyar Rasha.
    
  An yi la'akari da tsarin tsaro na S-300 na daya daga cikin mafi kyau a duniya, daidai da tsarin makami mai linzami na PAC-3 na Amurka. Batirin S-300 ya ƙunshi na'ura mai ɗaukar hoto na 3D mai nisa mai nisa, radar da aka yi niyya da na jagorar makami mai linzami, da tireloli goma sha biyu, kowannen da ke ɗauke da makamai masu linzami huɗu, da kuma kulawa, tallafin ma'aikatan jirgin, da motocin tsaro. An sanya irin wannan baturi daya a filin jirgin sama, wani a arewa maso yamma, na uku kuma zuwa yammacin birnin. Makamin S-300 ya yi tasiri a kan hare-haren da ke tashi sama da taku talatin sama da kasa, a tsayin daka sama da kafa dubu dari, da gudu har zuwa Mach 3, a jeri har mil dari da ashirin, kuma yana yin kisa har zuwa kasa-kasa. makamai masu linzami masu tashi daga jirgin ruwa da makamai masu linzami na wasan kwaikwayo.
    
  S-300s na da tsarin tsaron iska na Tor-M1, wanda aka bi diddigin motoci masu sulke da suka harba makami mai linzamin jiragen sama guda takwas masu sauri, gajere, radar da ke jagoranta daga bututun harba jiragen sama a tsaye. An yi amfani da Tor-M1 don kare motocin umarni na wayar hannu, wuraren hada motoci, wuraren mai da ma'ajiyar harsasai daga jirage masu saukar ungulu masu saukar ungulu, jiragen sama marasa matuki da kuma jiragen bama-bamai masu saukar ungulu. Kodayake Tor-M1 yana da ma'aikata uku, an tsara shi azaman tsarin "sata shi kuma manta da shi", yana ba da damar yin gwagwarmaya mai cikakken iko, ko kuma ana iya haɗa shi da tsarin kula da kashe gobara na S-300 don samar da ingantaccen tsaro na iska. tsarin. Tare suka kafa garkuwar da ba za ta iya shiga ba a kusa da Mashhad.
    
  A wannan ranar, Mashhad yana daya daga cikin garuruwan da aka fi samun kariya a doron kasa... kuma ana gab da gwada shi.
    
  Kimanin sa'o'i biyu kafin wayewar gari, gargaɗin farko ya fito ne daga radar tsaron iska mai dogon zango na baturin S-300 na biyu, mai nisan mil talatin daga arewa maso yammacin Mashhad: "Arrarrawa, ƙararrawa, ƙararrawa, wannan batirin Siver ne, babban sauri. Maƙasudin ƙananan tsayi yana gabatowa, azimuth biyu - sifili-kwata, kewayo ɗari da hamsin, gudu tara da shida da biyar, tsayin sifili tara."
    
  "Sivir, wannan ita ce Cibiyar, karɓa," in ji jami'in kula da dabarun, Kyaftin Sokolov. Nunin dabararsa ya nuna manyan maƙasudai guda uku masu tsayi, ƙananan tsayin da suka nufi Mashhad. "A tuntuɓi, yallabai," ya kai rahoto ga kwamandan rundunar. "Da alama bam yana gudana a fadin yankin, daidai inda kuke tunanin za su kasance."
    
  "Babu shakka," in ji Kanar Kundrin, kwamandan rundunar sojojin sama, cikin kwarin gwiwa. Kamar yana jin cewa wani abu na iya faruwa a safiyar wannan rana, ya kasance yana sanye da kayan sawa kuma a ofishinsa a Cibiyar Tsaro ta Sojojin Sama da ke saman bene na Ginin Gudanarwa na Reza na kasa da kasa sa'o'i kadan da suka wuce. "Jirgin sama na iya canzawa tsawon shekaru, amma dabarun sun kasance iri ɗaya. Mun sanya wannan baturi a wuri mai kyau - maharin yana ƙoƙarin kama kansa a filin da ke cikin kwari, amma tsaunukan sun gangara zuwa inda muka ajiye wannan baturi. Mummunan aibi a cikin shirin aikinsu. Ba zai iya ci gaba da tafiya kai tsaye ba, idan kuma ya yi tsalle ya fita daga bayan ginshiƙan, zai ƙara fallasa kansa.
    
  Sokolov ya ba da shawarar "Mai sauri da ƙasa sosai ga mai fashewar bom na B-2 - dole ne ya kasance mai fashewar B-1." "Kuma ba su kuma harba makamai masu linzami na jirgin ruwa na hypersonic."
    
  ya ce "Ba na tsammanin suna da wasu 'yan kunar bakin wake da suka bari bayan da Shugaba Gryzlov da Janar Darzov suka yi wa sansanonin su bama bamai da mamaki," in ji Kundrin. "Baya ga haka, ba ma hulda da Rundunar Sojan Sama na Amurka - McLaanahan ne kawai, Janar wanda ya haukace a sararin samaniya. Watakila ya riga ya harba dukkan makaman sa masu linzami. Ka sa Syeveers su buɗe wuta a mafi kyawun kewayon, kuma tabbatar da sa ido kan jirgin da ke bin sa. Idan yana da maharin sama da daya, ko dai ya bi sawu na kusa ko kuma ya kai hari ta wata hanya ta daban. Ba na son kowa ya shiga ciki."
    
  Sokolov ya ba da umarnin. "An tabbatar da odar haɗin kai, yallabai, saura daƙiƙa goma sha biyar... jira ɗaya! Yallabai, batirin Zapat ya ba da rahoton sabon makasudin abokan gaba yana gabatowa, mai ɗauke da sifili biyu-biyar, kewayo ɗari, tsayi ɗari, saurin ɗari takwas saba'in kuma yana ƙaruwa! Sapat shine baturi na yamma, wanda yake mil hamsin yamma da Mashhad.
    
  "Na sani! Ana iya tsinkaya, komai yana da tsinkaya sosai, "in ji Kundrin cikin farin ciki. "Da alama mun sanya wannan baturi mai lamba uku a wuri mai kyau - wanda ya rufe ridge na Binalud zuwa yammacin birnin. Idan ina shirin kai hari a filin jirgin sama, zan rungumo ƙasa tare da tudun, sa'an nan kuma in zagaya ƙarshen tudun in harba makamai masu linzami yayin da na tura. Abin da McLaanahan ya yi ke nan - kuma mun kasance a daidai wurin da ya dace don saka shi! Za a buɗe wuraren bama-bamai, kuma sa hannun radarsa zai yi girma! Ka gaya wa Zapata ya yi yaƙi lokacin da ya shirya!"
    
  Kowane baturi yana da tirelolin makami mai linzami guda uku, wanda aka raba da nisan mil da yawa amma an haɗa su da juna ta hanyar haɗin bayanan microwave, kowannensu yana ɗauke da makami mai linzami mai lamba 48N6 a tsaye waɗanda aka riga aka harba zuwa wurin harba. Da zarar an ba da odar kai hari kuma aka kafa yanayin da ya dace - ƙaddamar da mafi kyawun kewayo - yaƙin ya kasance kusan atomatik. Da zarar abin da aka yi niyya ya kasance a cikin kewayon, wani katafat na nitrogen ya fitar da roka daga cikin bututun harba roka zuwa tsayin kusan ƙafa talatin, kuma motar roka ɗin ta kunna wuta, wanda ya hanzarta roka ɗin zuwa gudun sama da mil ɗaya a cikin daƙiƙa goma sha biyu cikin ƙasa da daƙiƙa goma sha biyu. Bayan dakika uku, an harba makami mai linzami na biyu kai tsaye, wanda ya tabbatar da shan kashi. Makamai masu linzami na S-300 sun tashi zuwa tsayin ƙafa dubu ashirin kacal, inda suka nufi wurin da aka yi hasashe.
    
  "Matsayi?" ya tambayi kwamandan rundanar.
    
  "Batura suna kaiwa hari, makamai masu linzami hudu suna cikin iska," in ji Sokolov. "Masu hari suna yin ƙaramin motsi ne kawai kuma suna haifar da tsangwama kaɗan. Amintaccen gyarawa."
    
  Kundrin ya ce: "Aiki na ƙarshe na wuce gona da iri." "A kowane hali, ba su da wurin da za su iya motsawa. Abin takaici ne cewa waɗannan motocin jirage ne marasa matuƙa, eh, kyaftin?"
    
  "Iya sir. Ina cikin damuwa game da waɗannan T-waves ko duk abin da suke bugun mayakanmu."
    
  "Za mu gani nan da nan, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Makamai suna bin diddigin daidai...Manufa suna yin motsi mai tsauri ... Tashar tana juyawa daga tsangwama, har yanzu an daidaita shi a ... uku ... biyu ... daya ... yanzu."
    
  Babu sauran rahotanni daga jami"in dabarar, lamarin da ya sa kwamandan rundanar rudani. "TAO, rahoto!"
    
  "Yallabai... Yallabai, duka makamai masu linzami suna bayar da rahoton tuntuɓar ƙasa!" Sokolov ya ce a cikin wata karamar murya mai kunya. "Babban fashewar kanzon kurege. Cikakken miss!"
    
  "Dauke batura kuma fara sake!" - Kundrin ya yi ihu. "Nisan manufa da ɗaukar nauyi?"
    
  "Sarrafa salvo na biyu ... An harba makami mai linzami na uku ... An harba makami mai linzami na hudu," in ji Sokolov. "Nisa zuwa ga abin da aka sa a gaba shine sifili tara, sifili biyu da takwas ne."
    
  "Bari na uku fa? Hali?"
    
  "Batir na uku ya shiga cikin yaƙin..." Sannan muryarsa ta katse tare da jan numfashi.
    
  Kundrin ya zabura daga kan kujerar da yake zaune yana kallon nunin. Abin mamaki ne... "Sun rasa?" - ya ce. "Wani bugun kasa?"
    
  "Batir na uku ya sake kunnawa... An harba makami mai linzami na uku...makami mai linzami hudu..."
    
  "Faɗa min tazarar da abin da ake nufi da baturi na uku?"
    
  "Nisa takwas-zero, mai tsayi a sifili biyu-biyar."
    
  "Wannan ... wannan ba shi da ma'ana," in ji Kundrin. "Masu hada kai na duka biyun ba su canza ba duk da cewa an kai musu hari? Ko akwai matsala..."
    
  "Yallabai, makamai masu linzami na baturan na biyu da na uku na karo na biyu kuma sun nuna bugun kasa!" Sokolov ya ce. "An rasa duk yaƙe-yaƙe! Baturi na biyu yana sake kunnawa. Baturi na uku-"
    
  "Amsar ita ce korau! Duk batura suna nan!" Kundrin ya yi kururuwa. "Hana kunnawa ta atomatik!"
    
  "Zan maimaita na karshe yallabai?"
    
  "Na ce ana cajin dukkan batura, kashe kunna ta atomatik!" - Kundrin ya yi ihu. "Muna kan Mekon!"
    
  "An yi min gargadi? Yallabai kana nufin jammed?"
    
  Kundrin ya ce "Suna watsa labaran yaudara a kan nunin mu kuma suna tilasta mana mu harba fatalwa."
    
  "Amma muna da cikakkun matakan da za a bi don magance cutar kansa, yallabai," in ji Sokolov. "Tsarin mu suna cikin ingantaccen tsari."
    
  Kundrin ya ce: "Ba a takura mu ba, la'ananne." "Wani abu yana cikin tsarin mu. Kwamfutocin mu suna tunanin suna sarrafa ainihin manufa."
    
  Wayar hanyar sadarwar umarni ta yi kara; Kwamandan runduna ne kawai zai iya amsawa. "Cibiyar".
    
  "Wannan shine Raiette." Janar Andrei Darzov ne da kansa, ya kira daga Moscow. "Mun kwafi sanarwar harin ramuwar gayya, amma yanzu mun ga cewa kun soke duk ayyukan. Me yasa?"
    
  "Yallabai, ina tsammanin ana jagorance mu - muna mayar da martani ga yaudarar da na'urorin na'urorinmu suka yi," in ji Kundrin. "Na toshe amsa ta atomatik har sai..."
    
  "Yallabai, batir S-300 da Thor guda biyu suna karɓar umarni ta atomatik don shiga kuma suna shirin ƙaddamarwa!" - Sokolov ya yi ihu.
    
  "Ban ba da irin wannan umarni ba!" - Kundrin ya yi ihu. "Soke waɗannan umarni! Duk batura suna nan!"
    
  "Center, kin tabbata waɗannan yaudara ne?" - Darzov ya tambaya.
    
  "Kowane makamin roka da aka harba ya zuwa yanzu ya fada kasa," in ji Kundrin. "Babu ɗaya daga cikin rukuninmu da ya bayar da rahoton tuntuɓar gani, lantarki ko amo, duk da cewa makasudin suna kan ƙananan tsayi."
    
  "Batir S-300 na biyu yana ƙaddamar da sabbin maƙasudai masu sauri masu shigowa!" Sokolov ya ruwaito. Da gudu ya tashi ya ture jami"in sadarwar waje, yana buga masa laluben kunne. "Batir Siver da Zapat, wannan shine Cibiyar TAO, batura suna nan, Ina maimaitawa, batura suna cikin wurin! Yi watsi da karatun kwamfuta!" Ya yi gaggawar shigar da lambar kwanan wata da lokaci don tantancewa - amma yayin da yake yin haka, ya kalli yadda ƙarin S-300 da Tor-M1 harba makamai masu linzami. "Duk raka'a, wannan ita ce Cibiyar TAO, daina ƙaddamarwa! Na sake maimaitawa, dakatar da ƙaddamarwa!"
    
  "Dakatar da ƙaddamar da waɗannan la'antattun na'urori, kyaftin, yanzu!" - Kundrin ya yi ihu. Yanzu ƙarin maƙasudi sun bayyana akan nunin - sun tashi daidai yanayin yanayin, saurin gudu, tsayi da azimuth kamar farkon saƙon hari! Ba da daɗewa ba baturi na farko, kamfanin S-300 a filin jirgin sama na Reza, ya fara harba makamai masu linzami. "Rayette, wannan ita ce Cibiyar, muna gano sabbin maƙiyan abokan gaba da ke gabatowa, amma suna tashi a daidai wannan gudu, tsayi da yanayin kamar abokan adawar farko! Muna ba da shawarar ku dakatar da duk martani kuma ku shiga yanayin jiran aiki don duk na'urori masu auna firikwensin. Na tabbata ana yaudararmu".
    
  An dakata sosai, lokacin da cibiyar sadarwar umarni ta fashe kuma ta fito saboda canza hanyoyin ɓoye bayanan sirri; sai: "Cibiyar, wannan ita ce Raietka, fadada Phanar. Ina maimaita, mun tura Phanar. Shirya don tabbatar da aikin. "
    
  "Shin zan maimaita batu na ƙarshe, Raietka?" - Tambayi Kundrin. Don girman Allah, kwamandan runduna yana kuka a ransa, kawai na ba wa mutumin shawarar cewa mu rufe komai - yanzu Darzo yana so ya saki babbar bindigar da babbar firikwensin da suke da shi! "Maimaita, Raiette?"
    
  "Na ce, buɗe Phanar kuma ku shirya don tantancewa lokacin kammala aikin," umarnin mayar da martani ya zo. Wannan ya biyo bayan lambar tantancewa.
    
  "Na fahimta, Raietka, Ina matsar da Phanar zuwa wurin harbi, ina shirin bincika sahihancin shiga yaƙi." Darzov dole ne ya fada cikin yanke kauna, tunanin Kundrin. Phanar, Laser mai hana sararin samaniya, tabbas shine damarsu ta ƙarshe. Rukunin makaman kakkabo jiragen sama da suka warwatse a duk fadin birnin Mashhad ba su da wata dama ta yaki da masu saurin tashi bama-bamai. Ya ɗauki mai karɓar na'urar sadarwa ta hanyar sadarwa ta rundunarsa: "Ma'aikatar Tsaro, wannan ita ce Cibiyar, kai Phanar zuwa wurin harbi kuma ku sanar da ma'aikatan jirgin su shirya don yin karo da jirgin saman abokan gaba." Ya baiwa kwamandan tsaro lambar tantancewa don motsa motocin.
    
  "Yallabai, mun yi nasarar samun dukkan sassan da za su amsa umarnin takaita makamai," in ji Sokolov. "Muna da kashi ashirin ne kawai na ainihin ammo ya rage."
    
  "Kashi ashirin!" La'ananne, sun barnata kashi tamanin na makamai masu linzami da fatalwa! "Sun fi yin caji, damn shi!"
    
  Sokolov ya ci gaba da cewa "Yanzu muna kan aiwatar da caji, yallabai." "Raka'a Tor-M1 za su kasance a shirye a cikin mintuna goma sha biyar, kuma sassan S-300 za su kasance a shirye cikin sa'a guda."
    
  "Ku ci gaba da shi. Haƙiƙa harin na iya faruwa a kowane lokaci. Kuma tabbatar da cewa ba za su sake mayar da martani ga wani hari ba sai dai idan suna da tabbacin gani-lantarki!" Kundrin ya garzaya zuwa hanyar fita, saukar da corridor, ta hanyar fitowar gaggawa da kuma saman rufin ginin gwamnati. Daga nan, ta yin amfani da binocular hangen nesa na dare, zai iya lura da ci gaban da sassan tsaro ke gudana.
    
  Motocin Phanar guda hudu suna fitowa daga maboyarsu. An boye su ne a cikin wani rami da ke karkashin titin jirgin, wanda hakan ya baiwa ababen hawa damar tafiya daga wannan gefen filin jirgin zuwa wancan ba tare da zagaya da titin jirgin ba. Suna kan hanyarsu ta zuwa wani wurin horar da kashe gobara da ke arewacin titin jirgin, wanda aka damfare da wasu tsofaffin tankunan mai kamar jirgin da za a iya cika shi da man jet da aka kashe sannan a kunna wuta don kwatanta hadarin jirgin. Motar umarnin tana kan aiwatar da tura wata katuwar eriyar radar da aka bincika ta hanyar lantarki da mast ɗin haɗin bayanai wanda zai ba da damar radar ta haɗa zuwa cibiyar sarrafa kashe gobara ta S-300.
    
  Rediyon šaukuwa mai kariya na Kundrin ya fashe: "Cibiyar, wannan ita ce Rayetka," in ji Darzov. "Matsaka".
    
  "Tsarin Phanar yana cikin sauri, yallabai," Kundrin ya amsa.
    
  "Cibiyar" shine "DAO," Sokolov watsa shirye-shirye a rediyo.
    
  "Ku shirya, TAO," in ji Kundrin. "Ina magana da Rayetka."
    
  "Shin suna kafawa a wurin kudu maso gabas kamar yadda aka nuna?" - Darzov ya tambaya.
    
  Shafin kudu maso gabas? Akwai wurin faɗakar da mayaka a gefen kudu maso gabas, amma har yanzu jiragen sama masu saukar ungulu na harin dabara na dakarun kare juyin juya halin Musulunci na amfani da shi a matsayin wurin ajiye motocin da ake tsare da motocin Rasha. Ba a taɓa ba su umarnin yin amfani da shi don amfani da Laser a kan jirgin sama ba. "Amsar ita ce a'a yallabai, muna amfani da yankin arewa don horar da kashe gobara kamar yadda aka umarce mu."
    
  "An yarda," in ji Darzov. "Ci gaba."
    
  Bayan ɗan lokaci kaɗan, TAO ta fashe ta ƙofar kan ma'aunin kallon saman rufin. "Tsaya yallabai!" - ya yi ihu.
    
  "Menene jahannama ke faruwa, Sokolov? Me kuke yi a nan?"
    
  "Tabbaci daga Rayetka - ba daidai ba ne!" Sokolov ya ce. "Hukuncin tura Phanar bai dace ba!"
    
  "Me?" Wani sanyin sanyi ya ratsa kan Kundrin. Ya ɗauka cewa tun da wanda ke gidan rediyon yana amfani da sunan lambar daidai kuma yana kan mitar da aka ɓoye daidai, shi ne wanda ya ce shi ne kuma ya ba da ingantaccen oda - bai jira ya ga ko an tabbatar da lambar tantancewa ba. ..
    
  ... kuma ya gane cewa ya riga ya gaya wa duk wanda ke gefen wannan tashar daidai inda Phanar yake!"
    
  A fusace ya daga rediyon a bakinsa: "Tsaro, wannan Cibiyar ce, soke aikin, a mayar da wadannan manyan motocin zuwa matsuguni!" - ya yi ihu. "Na maimaita, kai su zuwa-!"
    
  Amma a daidai wannan lokacin akwai walƙiyar haske, da ɗaƙiƙa ɗaya bayan haka wani fashewar kurma mai ban mamaki, ya biyo baya da yawa a jere. Girgizawa ta farko ta buge Kundrin da Sokolov daga ƙafafu, kuma sun yi ta rarrafe da nisa yayin da guguwar zafi ta kama su. Ba za su iya yin komai ba sai murzawa cikin ƙwallayen kariya da rufe kunnuwansu yayin da fashe-fashe ke ci gaba da tashi.
    
  Kamar ya dauki awa daya, amma a zahiri ya kare cikin kasa da dakika ashirin. Kundrin da Sokolov, kunnuwansu suna ƙara daga hayaniya mai ban tsoro, sun ja jiki zuwa rugujewar facade na ginin gine-ginen kuma suka leƙa a kan titin jirgin sama . Gaba dayan yankin da ke arewacin titin jirgin ya kone kurmus, wanda ya ta"allaka ne kan wani wurin horar da kashe gobara. Wutar da ke kan panel ɗin kanta-da alama daga sinadarai masu ƙonewa da Laser ɗin ke amfani da shi-ya bayyana da zafi da zafi har ya zama rediyo. An kuma kai hari a wurin ajiye motoci na Alert a kudu maso gabas, tare da kona kowane jirgi mai saukar ungulu da abin hawa.
    
  Daga nan sai suka ji su, kuma cikin hasken gobarar ba da daɗewa ba suka gan su, kamar rana: wasu bama-bamai na Amurka B-1 suna tashi kai tsaye a kan titin jirgin sama. Da alama sun san cewa an ba da umarnin kashe dukkan na'urorin tsaro na iska da kada su bude wuta. Na farko ya harba fikafikansa a lokacin da ya wuce ginin ofishin, na biyu kuma ya tura jiragensa, wanda bai wuce ƙafa ɗari biyu ba sama da ƙasa. Bayan sun gama ɗan wasan su na iska, sai suka kunna masu kashe wuta, suka tashi sama cikin dare kuma ba a daɗe ba.
    
    
  LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  Stacy Ann Barbeau tana son gidajen caca, kuma ta shafe lokaci mai yawa a cikinsu tare da Kogin Mississippi a Louisiana da kuma gabar Tekun Fasha a makwabciyar Mississippi. Amma wannan shine karo na farko cikin shekaru da ta je babban gidan caca na Las Vegas, kuma ta burge ta. Yanzu wannan ya fi dakunan caca da yawa - waɗannan wurare ne masu ban sha'awa, tashin hankali ba kawai na fitilu, launuka da sautuna ba, har ma na shimfidar wurare, shimfidar wuri, gine-gine da fasahar da ke da ban mamaki da gaske. A ƙarshe lokacin da ta kasance a nan, kayan ado sun zama masu kyan gani, kusan Disneyesque. Babu kuma. Tabbas Las Vegas kyakkyawa ce - mai walƙiya, ɗan gaudy, ƙara da almubazzaranci, amma kyakkyawa duk da haka.
    
  "Kin san abin da na fi so game da waɗannan wuraren, zuma - za ku iya zama gaba ɗaya ba a san ku ba, har ma da yin ado irin wannan," Barbeau ta gaya wa mataimakiyarta Colleen Morna yayin da suke fitowa daga lif otal ta wata faffada, mai share fage kuma suna tafiya tare da ja mai kyan gani. kafet na babban gidan caca mai jigo na Italiyanci akan Titin Las Vegas. Sanye take da atamfa na silver cocktail, da 'yan kunne diamond da necklace, ta d'aukar mink, amma banda kallon da takeyi da godiya, ji take kamar wani 6angare ne na shimfidar wuri. "To ina 'yar wasa'?"
    
  "Dakin karta na sirri a baya," in ji Morna. Ta fitar da wani abu mai kama da wani katon tudu, an lullube shi da yakutu, ta manne shi a rigar Barbeau. "Wannan shine kawai abin da kuke buƙatar shiga."
    
  "Yana da muni. Shin dole in saka wannan?"
    
  "Iya. Wannan ganowa ne da mai sa ido - RFID, ko alamar tantance mitar rediyo," in ji Morna. "Suna kallonmu tun lokacin da na dauke shi rabin sa"a da ya wuce kana cikin sutura. Suna bin duk motsin ku; suna aika bayanai zuwa ga duk masu karbar kudi, dillalai, manajoji, tsaro, ma"aikatan otal da ma injinan ramummuka game da wanene kai, abin da kake wasa ko yi, kuma - abin da na tabbata ya fi mahimmanci a gare su - nawa ne kudin. bar a cikin asusun ku. Ma'aikatan tsaro suna lura da ku ta amfani da kyamarorinsu kuma suna kwatanta bayanin ku ta atomatik tare da bayanansu don sa ido kan ku yayin da kuke kan dukiya. Ina tsammanin idan kun yi juyi fiye da ɗaya ko biyu ba daidai ba a ko'ina a kusa da wannan wurin, za su aiko da wasu mutane biyu daga kasuwancin otal bayan ku don nuna muku hanyar da ta dace. "
    
  Barbeau ya ce: "Ina son sautin sa, masu karbar baki." "Ko da yake ba na son ra'ayin a yi mini alama kamar bear mai launin ruwan kasa a cikin dazuzzuka."
    
  "Ok, kiyaye wannan tare da kai saboda maɓallin ɗakin ku ne, samun damar zuwa layin kuɗin kuɗi, katin cajin ku da tikitin shiga duk nunin nunin da wuraren zama na VIP - kuma, ba kwa buƙatar sanin komai saboda waɗannan mutanen za su raka ku. duk inda kake son zuwa. Duk inda."
    
  "Amma ba su san ko ni waye ba?"
    
  "Ina tsammanin sun san ainihin wanene kai, Sanata," in ji Morna, "amma wannan shine Vegas - a nan kai ne wanda kake son zama. Yau da dare kai Robin Gilliam ne daga Montgomery, a fannin sadarwa da samar da mai, ka yi aure amma a nan kadai."
    
  "Oh, dole in kasance daga Alabama?" - Ta tambaya a sanyaye. Morna ta zaro ido. "Ba komai. To ta yaya na shiga wannan dakin wasan karta mai zaman kansa idan ba ni ba ne na ce ni ne?
    
  "Layin bashi na dala dubu hamsin shine hanya mafi kyau don farawa," in ji Morna.
    
  "Shin kun yi amfani da lambobin biyan kuɗi daga Fadar White House don wannan tafiya don samun layin bashi a gidan caca? Yarinya mai hankali."
    
  "Wannan shine kawai don fitar da mu daga kofa, Sanata - kada ku yi amfani da wannan ko ɗaya Sajan a Makamai zai gicciye ku," in ji Morna.
    
  "Oh, zuwa jahannama tare da shi - shi tsohon codger ne," in ji Barbeau.
    
  Morna ta zaro ido, shiru tayi tana fatan wasa. Sana'o'i a Washington sun ƙare kaɗan kaɗan. "Duk a shirye. Gudanarwa yana da hankali kamar yadda yake da hankali. Za su kula da ku sosai. Zan kasance a dakin da ke kusa da naku idan kuna buƙatara, kuma ina da ma'aikacin gidan caca da aka saya kuma mai biya wanda koyaushe zai gaya mani daidai inda kuke. "
    
  "Na gode, amma bana tunanin zan bukaci wingman yau, honey," Barbeau ta fada cikin muryarta mai kisa. "Kyaftin Hunter 'Boomer' Noble zai sauko cikin sauƙi kamar kama kifi a cikin ganga."
    
  "Me kake shirin yi Sanata?"
    
  "Na yi shirin nuna wa Kyaftin Noble hanya mafi kyau don ci gaba a cikin Rundunar Sojan Sama ta Amurka, wanda ke da sauqi: kar ku saba wa Sanatan Amurka," in ji ta cikin gaba gaɗi. Ta makale kirji ta matsa ramin gefe. "Zan nuna masa wasu fa'idodi guda biyu na faranta min rai maimakon adawa da ni. Kun tabbata yana nan?
    
  "Ya sanya hannu a daren jiya kuma yana buga karta duk rana," in ji Morna. "Shi ma yana yin kyau - ya ɗan ƙara haɓaka."
    
  "Oh, zan tabbatar ya tashi, komai yayi kyau," in ji Barbeau. "Ki amince min".
    
  Morna ya ci gaba da cewa: "Na san inda gidansa yake - yana nan kusa da zauren gidan namu - kuma idan ya kai ku can, saurayina zai gaya mani."
    
  "Ko akwai wasu mata a tare dashi?"
    
  "Mutane kaɗan ne kawai da suka tsaya bakin teburin a taƙaice - bai gayyaci kowa daga cikinsu zuwa ɗakinsa ba."
    
  "Za mu duba wannan, ko ba haka ba?" Barbeau yace. "Kada ki jirani, sweety."
    
  Kamar dai yadda Colleen ya ce, ma'aikatan gidan caca sun san tana zuwa ba tare da ta ce uffan ba. Yayin da Barbeau ya bar babban falon gidan caca ya nufi hanyar ƙofar zinari zuwa ɗakin caca mai zaman kansa, wani mutum a cikin tuxedo tare da kunnuwan sadarwa a cikin kunne ɗaya ya yi murmushi, ya gyada kai ya ce, "Maraba, Ms. Gilliam," yayin da ta ke wucewa. .
    
  Tana zuwa bakin kofa sai ga wani dogo, kyakykyawan namiji sanye da riga da wata mata sanye da riga da siket dauke da tiren drinks. "Sannu da zuwa, Miss Gilliam," in ji mutumin. "Sunana Martin, kuma wannan shine Jesse, wanda zai kasance mai rakiyarku har sauran maraice."
    
  "To, na gode, Martin," Barbeau ta ce a cikin mafi kyawun lafazin ta Kudu. "Na yi matukar burge ni da wannan babban matakin kulawa."
    
  "Manufarmu ita ce mu taimake ku ta kowace hanya mai yiwuwa don samun mafi kyawun dare a matsayin baƙon otal," in ji Martin. Taken mu shine 'Duk abin da kuke so' kuma zan kasance a nan don tabbatar da cewa duk burin ku ya cika a daren yau. Maigadi ya mika mata gilashi. "Southern jin dadi da lemun tsami, ina tsammani?"
    
  "Haka ne, Martin. Na gode Jesse."
    
  "Aikina shi ne in sa ku ji daɗi, in shirya duk abincin dare ko nuna muku yadda kuke so, in sami wurin zama a kowane tebur ɗin wasan da kuka fi so, in gabatar muku da juna yayin da kuke cikin ɗaki mai zaman kansa. Idan akwai wani abu da kuke so - wani abu - don Allah kar ku yi jinkirin gaya ma Jesse ko ni."
    
  "Na gode, Martin," in ji Barbeau, "amma ina tsammanin zan so kawai ... ka sani, yawo kadan don samun rataye shi. Komai lafiya koh?"
    
  "Lallai. Duk lokacin da kuke buƙatar wani abu, kawai a tuntuɓe mu. Ba sai ka neme mu ba - za mu neme ka."
    
  Wani irin kwanciyar hankali ne, Barbeau ya yi tunani, sanin cewa ana kallonta kowane daƙiƙa. Ta dauki abin sha ta fara takawa dakin. Ya kasance chic da ado ba tare da kasancewa ma kan-saman ba; akwai ɗan ƙarar hayaƙin sigari, ba ma muni ba, kusan mai daɗi da ƙarfafawa. A cikin daki na baya, manya-manyan na'urori masu auna filaye masu fadi suna nuna wasannin motsa jiki da yawa tare da mata wadanda ba su yi kama da ma'auratan da ke rataye a kafadun 'yan kallo ba, maza da mata.
    
  Abin da ya faru a wannan wuri, Stacy ta yi tunani yayin da ta sha ruwan abin sha, tabbas zai tsaya a wannan wurin.
    
  Bayan ɗan farauta, ta iske shi a teburin katin da ke bayan: Hunter Noble, sanye da T-shirt da jeans, sanye da sarƙar zinariya guda ɗaya a wuyansa, wani munduwa POW na ƙarfe na tsohuwar salon a wuyan hannu ɗaya. da baƙar fata nailan velcro a ɗayan wuyan hannu tare da rufaffiyar kariyar agogo. Akwai tarin guntu masu yawa a gabansa, kuma 'yan wasa biyu ne kawai da dila a teburin tare da shi - kuma sauran 'yan wasan sun damu da damuwa, tarin kwakwalwan su sun yi ƙasa da nasa, kamar dai sun ci nasara. cewa wannan matashin dan fulani ya buge su . Daya daga cikin sauran 'yan wasan yana da taba a cikin tokar da ke kusa da shi; Noble kuma yana da toka kusa da shi, amma babu kowa a ciki.
    
  Yanzu da ta gan shi a "mazauninsa," ta ji daɗin abin da ta gani. Shi ne cikakken gicciye tsakanin raƙuma da tsoka - jiki mai sautin dabi'a ba tare da buƙatar yin ɗagawa mai nauyi ba, sabanin musculature na McLaanahan. An yanke gashin kansa kuma an tsara shi ta dabi'a, ba tare da buƙatar sa shi da mousse ba, wanda dole ne ya zama mafi rashin namiji abin da Stacy ta taɓa gani a rayuwarta. Motsinshi yayi a hankali, duk da ta lura da saurinsa na kallonsa lokacin da kati da chips suka fara shawagi akan tebirin dake gabansa. Lallai bai rasa da yawa ba...
    
  ... a lokacin kallonsa yayi mata... Shima bai rasa komai ba. Yayi murmushin wannan mugun murmushin yaron, sai wani lumshe ido yayi a cikin saurin idanuwansa, nan take ta ji kamar ana sake cire mata kaya a gani- nan dai da sauri hankalinsa ya koma kan wasan.
    
  Ba da daɗewa ba, Barbeau ya ga Martin yana kallon croupier yana kirga nasarorin Noble. Ya ga ya yi wa Martin tambaya, mai gabatar da shirye-shiryen ya amsa, ba da jimawa ba ya matso kusa da teburinta da abin sha da sigari a hannunsa. "Ki yi min afuwa, Miss Gilliam," in ji shi, yana magana sosai, amma tare da murmushin ɓarna iri ɗaya, "amma na ɗauki 'yancin tambayar Martin wanene kai kuma na yi tunanin ya kamata in gabatar da kaina. Sunana Hunter Noble. Ina fatan ban dame ka ba."
    
  Barbeau ya d'auko ruwan sha, amma ya dube shi a gefen glas din, ta sa shi dakata tana dubansa. Hakuri kawai ya yi a gabanta yana murmushin wasa na yaro a fuskarsa, tsaye a kauye amma kuma a razane, kamar ba shi da shakkun cewa za ta gayyace shi ya zauna. To, tsine shi, ta yi tunani, mutumin yana yin jiragen sama masu tashi sama na rayuwa - mace mai sauƙi ba za ta tsorata shi ba. "Tabbas ba haka bane, Mr. Noble. Za a iya zama?" Barbeau ya amsa kamar yadda aka saba, yana jin daɗin yin wasa da zama baƙo.
    
  "Na gode, zan so." Kujerar da ke kusa da ita ya zauna ya ajiye abin sha sannan ya jingina da ita. "Sanata Barbeau? Iya ka?"
    
  "Kyaftin Hunter 'Boomer' Noble," in ji ta yayin mayar da martani. "Naji dadin haduwa da ku anan, sir."
    
  "Babu wani abu na musamman, Sanata. A nan ka bi ni?"
    
  "Ban fahimci abin da kuke nufi ba, kyaftin," in ji Barbeau. "Abin da ya faru shi ne mataimakin manajan otal din a nan abokina ne, kuma ya gayyace ni zuwa wannan babban dakin VIP lokacin da na isa garin." Ta sake kallonsa sama da kasa. "Ina alamar RFID ɗinku, kyaftin?"
    
  "Ba na saka waɗannan abubuwan - Ina so in ba da kuɗi, kuma zan iya buɗe ƙofar ɗakina da kaina ba tare da Big Brother ba."
    
  "Ina ganin yana da ban dariya a kasance cikin sa ido akai-akai. Wannan ya sa na ji cikakkiyar lafiya."
    
  "Za ku gaji da wannan," in ji shi cikin ɓacin rai. "Kana nan don rufe Dreamland, ba kai bane, Sanata?"
    
  "Na zo nan ne don in yi magana da "yan sandan da suka yi yunkurin kai hari a wannan wuri, mu tattauna da Janar Luger game da abin da ya yi, sannan su kai rahoto ga shugaban kasa," ta amsa.
    
  "To meyasa kike nan? Kuna yi min leken asiri ne?
    
  "To, Kyaftin Noble, kana jin kamar mutumin da yake da abin da zai ɓoye," in ji Barbeau. "Amma na yi mamakin samun wani matashin kyaftin na Sojan Sama wanda ke samun kasa da dala dubu saba'in a shekara kafin haraji a cikin dakin wasan kwaikwayo na VIP inda farashin shiga yakan kai dala dubu hamsin na gidan caca, tare da irin wannan. manyan guntu a gabansa."
    
  "Yin caca don kudi bai saba wa ka"idojin rundunar sojin sama ba, Sanata. Babu ɗayansu da ke kashe wani kaso mai tsoka na albashin karatun digiri na a kan katunan wasa. Shin kuna binciken mutanen da ke kashe makudan kuɗi akan motoci ko kyamarori?"
    
  "Ban san wani da masu sayar da litattafai ko rancen sharks suka yi masa baƙar fata saboda sun sayi kayan kyamara," in ji Barbeau. "Kasancewa ƙwararren ɗan wasan caca tabbas yana kama ... ta yaya zan ce, rashin mutunci? Ga wanda ke cikin irin wannan aiki mai wuya kamar naku, ya zama irin wannan mai sha'awar caca-ko watakila ma ɗan caca? "Wannan na iya zama abin tuhuma ga wasu."
    
  "Ba na kamu da caca ba," in ji Boomer da kariya. Idanun Sanatan sun lumshe-ta san cewa ta tsinke. "Amma me ya sa wannan farcen, Sanata? Me yasa wannan yakin na lalata shirin? Kuna adawa da Black Stallion da tashar sararin samaniya, babba. Me yasa za ku ɗauki adawar siyasa da kanku haka?"
    
  "Ba na adawa da aikin XR-A9, kyaftin," in ji Barbeau, yana shan abin sha. "Ina tsammanin fasaha ce mai ban mamaki. Amma tashar sararin samaniya tana da abokan hamayya da yawa sosai."
    
  "Kamar Gardner."
    
  "Akwai abokan adawa da yawa," Barbeau ya maimaita. "Amma wasu fasahohin da kuke amfani da su suna da matukar sha'awa a gare ni, gami da Black Stallion."
    
  "Ba tare da ambaton ba, ya sami 'yan maki tare da mutanen da ke cikin Fadar White House da ɗimbin 'yan kwangilar tsaro."
    
  "Kada ka yi ƙoƙarin yin siyasa tare da ni, kyaftin-iyalina ne suka ƙirƙira wasan, kuma na koyi daga mafi kyau," in ji Barbeau.
    
  "Ina gani. Kun fi son lalata aikin soja don amfanin ku na siyasa."
    
  "Kana nufin General McLahan? Cikakken misali na mutum mai wayo, mai kora da ya shiga cikin ruwa na siyasa wanda ya wuce fahimtarsa, "in ji ta a zare damtse, ta sake shan wani ruwan. A ƙarshe ta fara jin annashuwa, nutsewa cikin yanayin da ta ji daɗi sosai ... amma ba kawai dadi ba: wanda ta kasance mai iko. McLanahan ya halaka kansa, kuma tun da Hunter Noble ya damu da shi, zai fadi gaba.
    
  Kyaftin Hunter Noble ya kasance kyakkyawa, kuma a bayyane yake wayo da hazaka, amma wannan kasuwanci ne, kuma zai zama ɗaya daga cikin waɗanda abin ya shafa ... bayan ta ɗan ɗan yi farin ciki tare da shi!
    
  "Zai yi kyau-muddin ya ja da baya ya bar ni in gaya wa Fadar White House abin da ya fi dacewa ga Rundunar Sojan Sama," Barbeau ya ci gaba a hankali. "McLanahan jarumin yaki ne, don girman Allah kowa ya san haka. Mutane kalilan ne suka san abin da ya faru a Dreamland da Turkiyya. " Ta fizge yatsun hannunta tana murza hannunta. "Ana iya share ta a ƙarƙashin katifa kamar wannan. Tare da taimakona da iyakar haɗin kai, zai yi nasara da babbar kotun soja da asarar fansho. Amma sai ya iya ci gaba da rayuwarsa."
    
  "In ba haka ba, za ku bar shi ya lalace a kurkuku."
    
  Stacy Ann Barbeau ta sunkuyar da kanta, tana yi masa kallon nonon da ke karkashin wuyan azurfar. Ta ce: "Ba na zo nan don in sa kowa ya ji daɗi ba, kyaftin, ko kaɗan daga cikin ku duka," in ji ta. "Gaskiya ita ce, ina son taimakon ku."
    
  "Taimako na?"
    
  "Kusa da McLamahan, kai ne mafi tasiri da ke da alaƙa da aikin sararin samaniya," in ji ta. "Janar ya ƙare idan abin da ya yi a Dreamland da Turkey ya fito fili. Bana jin zai bani hadin kai. Ya bar ku."
    
  "Mene ne wannan, barazana? Ni ma za ku yi ƙoƙari ku halaka ni?
    
  "Bana so in kawo miki hari, captain," in ji ta cikin sanyin murya. Ta kalle shi cikin ido. "Gaskiya kin kama ni gaba daya." Mamaki ta gani a fuskarsa sai ta gane ta dauke shi da kwalla. "Tun farkon lokacin da na gan ku a Oval Office, kuma lokacin da na gan ku a nan, kuna kallona kamar kuna -."
    
  "Ba na kallon ku," in ji shi cikin karewa, ba mai gamsarwa ba.
    
  "Eh, ka kasance, Hunter. Na ji shi. Kai ma ka yi." Ya hadiye amma bai ce komai ba. "Abin da nake ƙoƙarin faɗa, Hunter, shine zan iya ɗaukar aikinku a cikin sabuwar hanya idan za ku bar ni. Duk abin da za ku yi shi ne in nuna muku abin da zan iya yi muku."
    
  "Aiki na yana da ban mamaki kawai."
    
  "A cikin Sojojin Sama? Yana da kyau ga eggheads da Neanderthals, amma ba a gare ku ba. Kuna da wayo, amma kuna da hankali kuma kuna da iko. Waɗannan halaye ne na musamman. A cikin sojoji, za su gamu da cikas da ɓangarorin tsofaffin makaranta da kuma rashin iyaka, ba tare da fuskantar ofis ba - ban da yuwuwar mutuwa a yaƙi ko a sararin samaniya suna tukin jirgin da aka kera akan farashi mafi ƙanƙanci.
    
  "Ina ba da shawarar ku fita daga wannan rayuwa ta jahannama da ake kira ranching, Hunter," Barbeau ta ci gaba da ƙaramar murya, tana sanya gaskiya a ciki gwargwadon iyawarta. "Yaya kuke tunanin sauran maza da mata suna tasowa sama da matsakaicin haɗin gwiwar kamfanoni na Pentagon da inganta makomarsu?"
    
  "Janar ya yi hakan ne tare da sadaukar da kai ga manufa da takwarorinsa."
    
  "McLanahan ya yi haka ne a matsayin ɗan bulala na Kevin Martindale," Barbeau ya ce da ƙarfi. "Idan da ya mutu a kan kowace manufa da ya aike shi, da Martindale kawai ya sami wani mutum-mutumi mara hankali don kunnawa. Shin wannan abin da kuke so ne? Shin kawai kuna son zama ɗan rago na hadaya na McLahan?" Bugu da ƙari, Boomer bai amsa ba - tana iya ganin ƙafafun shakku suna juyawa a kansa. "To, wa ke neman ku, Hunter? McLaanahan ba zai iya yi ba. Ko da bai je gidan yari ba, tarihinsa zai hada da hukuncin tarayya da sallamar kasa da daraja. Ku ma, za ku bushe a can idan kun bi makauniyar manufa kamar McLahanan. "
    
  Bai faxi ba, amma ta san abin da yake tambayar kansa: Ta yaya zan fita daga cikin wannan? Ya saka a hannunta, yana shirye don mataki na gaba. Ta ce, "Ka zo tare da ni, Hunter." "Zan nuna muku yadda zaku tashi sama da fadamar da McLaanahan ya ja ku a ciki. Zan nuna muku ainihin duniyar, wacce ta wuce jirage sama da abubuwan ban mamaki. Tare da taimakona, zaku iya mamaye duniyar gaske. Kawai bari in nuna muku hanya."
    
  "To me zan yi?"
    
  Ta kalleshi cikin idanunsa, taja dogon numfashi sannan ta dora hannunta akan cinyarsa ta hagu a hankali. "Ki amince min kawai," in ji ta. "Saka kanka a hannuna. Yi abin da na gaya muku kuma zan kai ku wurare, in gabatar muku da manyan mutane waɗanda a zahiri suke son su ji abin da kuke faɗa, kuma in jagorance ku ta ainihin hanyoyin iko. Wannan shine abin da kuke so, ko ba haka ba? Ta ji waɗancan manyan cinyoyin dutsen suna birgima a ƙarƙashin taɓawarta kuma ta kasa jira waɗannan dogayen ƙafafun su hau ta. A zahiri ya kasance yana haki, kamar mai tseren marathon a ƙarshen tseren. "Ku tafi".
    
  Ya mik'e ta yi murmushi ta rik'o hannunsa yana taya ta ta mik'e. Shi nawa ne, ta dauka... Nawa.
    
  Ji tayi ta d'an zage-zage ta mik'e ta mik'e, gilas d'aya bayan ta yi azumin rabin yini a shirye-shiryen wannan tafiya ta gama. Bayan ta yi hulɗa da Hunter Noble, ta yi alƙawarin yi wa kanta da Colleen abincin dare a cikin ɗakinta kuma ta yi nasara ga nasararta. Gardner na farko, sannan McLaanahan, kuma yanzu wannan dan sama jannati na soja na tsoka mai karfin jiki.
    
  "Zan iya taimaka miki da wani abu, Miss Gilliam?" - Jessie, ma'aikaciyar, ta tambaye ta, tana bayyana kamar babu inda. Ta miko hannunta kamar zata taimaka mata ta tsaya.
    
  "A'a na gode, Jesse, ina lafiya," in ji Barbeau. Tana kallon Martin ya tashi da alama zai takura Noble a jiki, wanda ke bin ta a hankali, amma ta daga hannu. "Ni da Mr. Noble za mu yi yawo tare," in ji ta. "Na gode, Martin."
    
  "Idan kuna buƙatar wani abu, Miss Gilliam, kawai ɗauki wayar ko sigina kuma za mu kasance a can," in ji Martin.
    
  "Na gode sosai. Ina jin daɗi sosai," Barbeau ya faɗa cikin fara'a. Ta ba shi dala hamsin, sannan ta nufi kofa. Mafarauci ya bude mata kofa; Martin ya karbe masa kofa sai ta lura da shi ya yiwa Noble wani mugun kallo na gargadi... shi ma bai yi masa ba. To, a tunaninta, kila mutuncin Playgirl ya dan zube a nan, wannan wani rauni ne da ya kamata a binciko idan bai hada kai ba.
    
  Suna tafiya tare ba tare da sun yi magana ba har suka isa elevator, sannan ta kama shi da siririyar kugu ta jawo shi ta sumbace shi sosai. "Na so in yi haka tun farkon lokacin da na gan ka," in ji ta, ta rungume shi sosai. Ya sake rada wani abu, amma kidan da ke cikin elevator din ya dan yi kara dan ta kasa jinsa.
    
  Ma'aikacin falon ne ya tarye su a falon. "Sannu da zuwa, Mista Noble, Ms. Gilliam," in ji ta cikin fara'a, da alama an sanar da su zuwan su ta hanyar tsarin tsaro na otal ɗin. "Akwai wani abu da zan iya yi muku a daren nan? Komi?"
    
  "A'a, ni kaina na kula da komai," Barbeau ta ji kanta tana faɗin, ta kai tsakanin kafafunsa tana shafa shi. "Amma idan kuna son shiga mu kadan daga baya, sweetie, hakan zai yi kyau kwarai da gaske." Sai ta ji tana kyalkyala dariya. Tayi dariya kawai? Wannan jin dadi na Kudancin ya shafe ta fiye da tunaninta. Kar a taba yin walima a ciki, ta tuno kanta.
    
  Ta wuce d'akin Colleen, ta yi kamar za ta dan yi fintinkau ta buga k'ofarta, don kawai ta sanar da ita za ta dawo, sannan suna bakin k'ofar d'akin. "Ka huta kawai ka barni in tuk'i yanzu babban yaro" ta fad'a tana zare rigarsa daga cikin wando kafin ya bud'e k'ofar. "Zan nuna muku yadda muke son yin nishadi a bakin kogin."
    
    
  ZUMUNAR SHUGABAN KASA, BOLTINO, RASHIYA
  BAYAN 'YAN SA'O'I
    
    
  "Me yasa baki amsa kirana ba, Gardner?" Shugaba Leonid Zevitin ya yi tsawa. "Na yi ta kokarin sa'o'i yanzu."
    
  "Ina da matsaloli na, Leonidas," in ji Shugaba Joseph Gardner. "Kamar ba ku lura ba, dole ne in fuskanci wani tashin hankali a nan."
    
  "Gardner, McLanahan ya kai hari a Mashhad, Iran!" Zevitin ya yi kuka. "Ya lalata motocin Rasha da dama kuma ya kashe daruruwan maza da mata! Kun ce za a kwace shi da karfi! Me ya sa ba ka yi da shi ba tukuna?"
    
  "An sanar da ni harin," in ji Gardner. "An kuma yi mani bayani kan abin da aka yi niyya - na"urar lesar hana sararin samaniya, wadda ake zaton an yi amfani da ita wajen harbo daya daga cikin jiragen mu. Ba ku san komai game da wannan ba, ko ku, Leonid? Menene duk waɗannan ma'aikatan Rasha da motocin suke yi a Mashhad?"
    
  "Kada ku canza batun!" - Zevitin ya yi ihu. "Duma za ta yi taro nan ba da jimawa ba, kuma za su ba da shawarar kawo sauyi na dindindin a matsayin soja, ciki har da kiraye-kirayen tanadi, tara runduna ta kasa da rundunonin sojan sama, da tarwatsa makamai masu linzami na ballistic da sojojin karkashin ruwa. Wannan shine shirin ku, Gardner, don sanya McLaanahan ya zama kamar mahaukaci, yana kai hari a duk faɗin duniya kuma ya tilasta mana mu mayar da martani kamar za mu yi yaƙin duniya? Domin shi ne ainihin abin da ake cewa! "
    
  "Kuna tsammanin ina cikin hulɗa da McLanahan? Wannan mutumin mahaukaci ne! Gaba d'aya ya fita hayyacinsa! Ya kai hari ga sojojin Amurka, ya kwace wani sansanin soja na sirri, ya kuma sace jiragen sama da makamai masu yawa. Ba wanda ya tuntube shi kusan rabin yini - muna tunanin watakila ya kashe kansa a tashar sararin samaniya."
    
  To, Zevitin ya yi tunani, wannan shine mafi kyawun labarin da ya ji a cikin dogon lokaci. "Babu wanda zai yarda da wannan," in ji Gardner. "Dole ne ku ba ni wani abin da zan faɗa wa majalisar ministocita da kuma shugabannin Duma, Joe, ko wannan abu zai iya fita daga hannun. Ta yaya ya kai harin a kan Mashhad, Joe?"
    
  "Abin da suke kira rashin gaskiya ke nan, Leonidas," in ji Gardner. Idanun Zevitin ya zaro cikin mamaki - da gaske shugaban Amurka zai fada masa! "Wasu daga cikin jirage na McLamahan da kumbon kumbo na sanye da wani tsari wanda ba wai kawai za su iya takurawa radar da sadarwa ba, amma a zahiri shigar da lambobin karya da sigina a cikin tsarin abokan gaba. Za su iya sake tsarawa, musaki ko sarrafa kwamfutoci, mamaye cibiyoyin sadarwa, gabatar da ƙwayoyin cuta, duk wannan ɓarna. "
    
  "Wannan abin mamaki ne!" - Zevitin ya ce. Ee, yana da ban mamaki da kake gaya mani duk wannan! "Shin haka maharan suka tashi a kan Mashhad?"
    
  Gardner ya ce: "Sun tilasta wa sojojin tsaron sama da ke kewayen birnin su mayar da martani ga yaudara." "Da alama jami"an tsaron saman sun kashe na"urorinsu na makami mai linzami don kada su harba wani abu da ba ya nan, kuma hakan ya baiwa maharan damar kutsawa cikin su. McLaanahan ya kuma yi kutse cikin rufaffen watsa shirye-shiryensu na rediyo tare da ba su umarni na karya, wanda hakan ya bai wa maharan damar gano na'urar na'urar Laser tare da kai hari."
    
  "Idan duk wannan gaskiya ne, Joe, to, ya kamata mu yi yarjejeniya don raba wannan fasaha," in ji Zevitin, "ko a kalla yi alkawarin ba za mu yi amfani da shi ba sai a lokacin yakin da aka ayyana. Kuna iya tunanin idan wannan fasaha ta fada hannun da ba daidai ba? Wannan zai iya lalata mana tattalin arzikinmu! Za a iya mayar da mu zuwa zamanin Dutse nan take!"
    
  "Dukkan 'yan iskan McLaanahan ne a Dreamland wadanda suka fito da wannan kayan," in ji Gardner. "Zan rufe Dreamland kuma in harba wannan bastard McLanahan. Ina tsammanin ya bar tashar sararin samaniya ya koma Dreamland. Ya dade yana watsi da umarnina yana yin yadda ya ga dama. Ina da abokina, dan majalisar dattijai mai karfi, wanda zai yi kokarin fallasa McLanahan, kuma idan ta yi haka, zan tura jakarsa zuwa bango."
    
  "Wane ne Sanata Joe?"
    
  "Ban shirya bayyana sunan ba."
    
  "Wannan zai ba da tabbaci ga hujjojina a gaban Duma, Joe."
    
  An ɗan ɗan dakata; sai: "Sanata Stacy Ann Barbeau, shugabar masu rinjaye. Ta je Dreamland don ƙoƙarin saduwa da McLanahan ko Luger don ƙoƙarin shawo kan wannan lamarin."
    
  Shugaban masu rinjaye na Majalisar Dattawa yana yi masa leken asiri? Ba zai iya zama mafi kyau ba. Hankalin Zevitin yayi gaba. Shin zai kuskura ya ba da shawarar hakan...? "Ba ka son yin wannan, Joe," in ji shi a hankali. "Ba kwa son kara fallasa kanku ko Barbeau. McLahanan sanannen mutum ne a ƙasarku, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Eh, abin takaici shine."
    
  "To bari in ba da shawarar wannan ra'ayin, Joe: a kan Bahar Black da Iran, bari mu yi muku."
    
  "Me?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Kun gaya mana inda wadannan maharan za su kasance da kuma lokacin da za su kasance, kuma mun kula da su; ka gaya mana game da jirgin kuma ka kawo su wani wuri daga inda za mu iya harba-"
    
  "Me? Me kuka yi da jirgin..?"
    
  "Kawo McLaanahan zuwa ruwa mai tsabta," Zevitin ya ci gaba, yana kusan shaƙa. "Bari Sanata Barbeau ya gaya mana inda yake. Zan aika da tawagar da za ta hukunta shi."
    
  "Kana nufin, ƙungiyar 'yan amshin shatan Rasha?"
    
  "Ba kwa son jinin McLahanan a hannun ku, Joe," in ji Zevitin. "Kuna so ku fitar da shi daga hanya domin ya fi damuwa da ku kawai - shi haɗari ne ga dukan duniya. Yana bukatar a tsayar da shi. Idan kana da wani a ciki, tambaye shi ko ita ya tuntube mu. Gaya mana inda yake. Za mu yi sauran kuma ba sai ka san komai a kai ba."
    
  "Ban sani ba ko zan iya yin hakan..."
    
  "Idan da gaske kuna tunanin kashe shi da kanku, to kuna da gaske game da hadarin da yake haifarwa ba kawai ga zaman lafiyar duniya ba, amma ga tsaro da wanzuwar Amurka ta Amurka. Wannan mutumi barazana ce a cikin tsantsar ta. Shi karen daji ne da ya kamata a sa shi."
    
  "Haka ne na ce Leonid!" Gardner ya ce. "McLanahan ba kawai ya ketare layin ba, amma ina tsammanin ya zama wanda ba shi da iko sosai! Ya wanko wa al"ummarsa kai wa sojojin Amurka hari... ko kuma watakila ya yi amfani da wannan "cike-bakin-wake" wajen wanke su. Ya kamata a dakatar da shi kafin ya lalata kasar baki daya!"
    
  "Sa'an nan kuma mun kasance baki daya," in ji Zevitin. "Zan ba ku lambar da za ku kira, amintacce kuma a sake saitawa, ko za ku iya ɓoye saƙo ta hanyar 'hotline'. Ba sai ka yi wani abu ba sai ka gaya mana inda yake. Ba kwa buƙatar sanin komai. Za a karyata wannan gaba daya."
    
  An dakata sosai akan layin; sai: "Lafiya, Leonid. Ku shawo kan mutanen ku cewa Amurka ba ta son yaki kuma ba ta da wani shiri game da Rasha, kuma za mu yi aiki tare don dakatar da McLahanan." Kuma ya katse wayar.
    
  Yayi kyau kwarai da gaske! Zevitin ya furta a ransa. Manyan "yan siyasa biyu a Amurka za su taimaka masa ya kashe Patrick McLahan! Amma wa zai ba wa wannan aikin? Ba ofishin leƙen asirin nasa ba - ƙawancen ƙawancen da yawa, da waɗanda ba a san su ba don irin wannan aikin. Wanda kawai zai iya amincewa shine Alexandra Khedrov. Lallai akwai wakilai a ma'aikatarta da za su iya yin aikin.
    
  Bedroom dinshi ya nufa kusa da office dinsa. Alexandra ta zauna ita kaɗai a kan gado a cikin duhu. An kunna lasifikar ; ya yi fatan za ta ji ta kuma yarda ta ba shi shawara. Ta kasance mai ba da shawara mai mahimmanci kuma mutumin da ya amince da shi fiye da kowa a duk Kremlin. "Don haka, ƙaunatacce," in ji Zevitin, "me kuke tunani? Gardner da Barbeau za su gaya mana inda McLahan yake! Ina bukatan ku tattara wata kungiya, ku tura su Nevada kuma ku kasance cikin shiri don yajin aiki." Tayi shiru. Gwiwoyinta sun ja har k'irjinta, kanta a k'asa tana shafar guiwowinta, hannayenta na nad'e da kafafunta. "Na sani, ƙaunataccena, wannan abu ne mai banƙyama. Amma wannan dama ce da ba za mu rasa ba! Baka yarda ba?" Ta kasance babu motsi. "Tsadar...?" Zevitin ta fizge fitilar...sai ta ga ba ta cikin hayyacinta! "Alexandra! Me ya faru? Kuna lafiya?"
    
  "Zan iya taimaka maka da wannan, mai girma shugaban kasa." Zevitin ya juyo... sai ya ga a cikin kabad dinsa, duhun ya boye, wani siffa sanye da duhun kaya masu launin toka, hade da rigar jirgin sama da sulke na jiki... wani tsarin yaki da sulke na Tin Woodman, ya gane. A hannunsa akwai wani katon makami, hadaddiyar bindigar maharbi da maharbi. "hannu sama".
    
  Ya yi yadda aka ce masa. "Kai wanene?" - Zevitin ya tambaya. Ya dau mataki da baya...ga na'urar kunna wuta, wanda idan zai iya kashe shi da sauri ya sake kunnawa, zai aika da sakon gaggawa ga tawagar jami'an tsaronsa. "Kana ɗaya daga cikin McLaanahan's Tin Woodmen, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Eh," in ji mutumin a cikin wata murya da aka haɗa ta hanyar lantarki.
    
  "McLaanahan ya aiko ka kashe ni?"
    
  "A'a," Zevitin ya ji wata murya ta ce. Ya juyo... can, sanye da wani sulke na Tin Woodman na daban amma ba tare da kwalkwali ba, Patrick McLanahan da kansa. "Na yi tunanin zan yi da kaina, Mr. Shugaba."
    
  Zevitin ya juyo, ya ture McLanahan, ya garzaya zuwa ga na'urar kashe wuta sannan ya sake kunnawa. McLaanahan ya kalli abin da bai dace ba yayin da Zevitin ya fusata ya matsar da canjin sama da ƙasa. "Abin ban sha'awa ne mai ban sha'awa don kutsa kai cikin gidana na sirri da kuma cikin ɗakin kwana na," in ji Zevitin. "Amma yanzu dole ne ku yi yaƙi da ɗaruruwan kwamandojin da aka horar. Ba za ku taɓa yin nasara ba."
    
  Hannun hagu mai sulke na McLahanan ya harba, ya rufe kusa da wuyan Zevitin, ya matse. Zevitin ya ji kamar an tsage hannunsa gaba daya daga hannunsa sai ya durkusa ya durkusa cikin raɗaɗi yana kururuwa cikin azaba. "Akwai masu gadi kusan sittin da biyu a wurin, kuma mun kula da su duka a kan hanyar nan," in ji McLaanahan. "Mun kuma ketare alakar da ke tsakanin tsarin tsaron ku da sansanin soja a Zagorsk - za su yi tunanin komai ya yi kyau."
    
  "Nontrusion", ina tsammanin ka kira shi?
    
  "Iya".
    
  "Mai haske. Duk duniya za ta sani game da shi zuwa gobe, kuma nan ba da jimawa ba za mu gaya wa sauran duniya game da shi idan muka sauya fasahar injiniya. "
    
  Hannun dama na McLahan ya harba ya rufe wuyan Zevitin. Gaba d'aya fuskarsa a b'ace, babu motsin rai. "Bana tunanin haka, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji shi.
    
  "Don haka. Yanzu ka zama mai kisan kai? Babban Janar Janar Patrick Shane McLanahan ya zama kisa na kowa. Bai ishe ka ka ci amanar rantsuwarka ba, ka saba wa babban kwamandanka, ko? Yanzu za ku aikata babban zunubi na mutuwa kuma ku ɓata rayuwar wani kawai saboda wani abu na sirri?"
    
  McLanahan kawai ya tsaya a wurin, ba ya magana, yana kallon fuskar Zevitin na murmushi; sai ya kada kai sannan ya amsa da cewa, "Eh, shugaban kasa," ya matse yatsu ba tare da wani kokari ba, har jikin da ke hannunsa ya zama gabaki daya babu rai. Ba'amurken biyu sun tsaya a wurin na tsawon minti daya, suna kallon yadda jini ke tabo a falon katakon da aka goge kuma jikin ya yi firgita sau da yawa har sai da McLahanan ya saki gawar daga hannunsa.
    
  "Ban taba tunanin za ka yi haka ba, shugaba," in ji Major Wayne Macomber a cikin muryarsa ta lantarki.
    
  Patrick ya shiga cikin kabad ya ciro kwalkwalinsa da bindigar dogo na lantarki. "Na dade ban yi tunanin wani abu ba, Zipper," in ji shi. Ya sa hularsa ya daga bindigar dogo. "Tafi gida".
    
    
  BABBAN BOX, TAIMAKON NAVAL BASE THURMONT (SANIN DAVID), MARYLAND
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  Wannan duk yana zuwa jahannama, Shugaba Joseph Gardner ya gaya wa kansa. Amma ba laifina bane. McLahanan yana buƙatar barin da wuri-wuri. Idan ya zama dole ya yi yarjejeniya da shaidan don yin haka, haka ya kasance.
    
  Ya fito daga ofishinsa na sirri ya koma cikin dakin kwanan gidan shugaban kasa da ke Camp David, inda ya tarar da bakon nasa - ma'aikacin sajan da yake da shi a cikin jirgin farko na rundunar sojin sama - yana tsaye a mashaya a karshen dakin, sanye kawai. wani sakarci mai kusan gaske.bude har kasa, hannunta na lallashi ya manne a bayanta. La'ananne, ya yi tunani, wannan yana ɗaya daga cikin mafi kyawun jami'an nan gaba a Rundunar Sojan Sama! "Hey honey, kiyi hak"uri ya d"auki lokaci mai tsawo, amma ya kasa jira. Kawo mana abin sha, lafiya?"
    
  "Gyara shi da kanku, dan iskan banza," in ji shi, "to je ka kora jakinka." Gardner ya juyo sosai...
    
  ... kuma ya gano cewa tsaye a gabansa ba kowa bane illa Sanata Stacy Ann Barbeau! "Stacy!" Ya fad'a. "Yaya kika zo nan?"
    
  "Taya murna daga Janar McLanahan," ya ji. Ya juya ta wata hanya, sai ya ga wani siffa sanye da wani irin sulke na jiki da kwalkwali tsaye a jikin bango. Ya ji wata kara a bayansa sai ya ga wani siffa sanye da sulke na kai-da-kafi da hula, rike da wata katuwar bindiga ya shigo dakin.
    
  "Waye kai?" - in ji shugaban. "Yaya kika zo nan?" Daga karshe ya gano ko su waye. "Kai McLahan Tin Woodmen! Shin ya aiko ka ka kashe ni ne?
    
  "Kada ka damu da su, Joe!" Barbeau ya yi kuka. "Me yake nufi? Shin kun yi yarjejeniya da Zevitin don sa wakilan Rasha su kashe McLahan?
    
  "Wannan ya fara kama da kyakkyawan ra'ayi, Stacy, ba ku tunani?" - Gardner ya tambaya. "Wannan shi ne ainihin abin da nake tsoro - McLaanahan zai kashe dukan abokan gabansa kuma ya karbi gwamnati!"
    
  "Don haka, don tsara dabarun fita daga rikicin, kun kawo kaza zuwa Camp David, ku ji daɗi da ita na ɗan lokaci, sannan ku yi yarjejeniya da Shugaban Rasha don kashe wani Janar na Amurka?"
    
  Gardner ya juyo sosai. "Taimako! Taimake ni!" - ya yi ihu. "Ina cikin dakin, kuma akwai mutane dauke da makamai a nan! Zo nan! Taimako! "
    
  Daya daga cikin masu sulke ya tako Gardner, ya dora hannu a wuyansa ya matse shi. Ganin Gardner ya fashe cikin gajimaren taurari daga zafin zafin da ya yi. Nan take duk karfinsa ya fice daga jikinsa ya durkusa. "Dukkan su ba su da karfin gwiwa a yanzu, Mista Shugaban kasa," in ji mai sulke. "Babu wanda zai iya jin ku."
    
  "Ku rabu da ni!" Gardner yayi kuka. "Kada ku kashe ni!"
    
  "Dole ne in kashe ka da kaina, kai ɗan iska!" - Barbeau ya yi ihu. "Na so in fitar da McLanahan daga hanya, watakila in kunyata shi ko in kunyata shi idan bai ba shi hadin kai ba, amma ba zan kashe shi ba, dan iska wawa! Kuma tabbas ba zan yi yarjejeniya da Rashawa don yin wannan ba! "
    
  "Laifin McLanahan ne," in ji Gardner. "Shi mahaukaci ne. Dole ne in yi."
    
  Hoton da ya kama wuyan Gardner ya saki. Gardner ya fadi a kasa yayin da mai sulke ya tsaya akansa. "Ka saurare ni da kyau, mai girma shugaban kasa," in ji adadi a cikin wata bakuwar muryar kwamfuta. "Muna da faifan rikodin ku da kuka furta cewa kun haɗa baki tare da Rasha don harbo bama-bamai na Amurka da kuma jirgin saman Black Stallion, tare da haɗa baki tare da shugaban Rasha don kutsawa jami'an Rasha cikin kasar don kashe wani Janar na Amurka."
    
  "Ba za ku iya kashe ni ba!" Gardner ya yi kuka. "Ni ne shugaban Amurka!"
    
  Wannan adadi ya dunkule hannunta mai sulke kusa da kan shugaban kasa, sannan ya gangara da inci biyu, yana buga kasan maple da simintin gindin dakin kwana. Gardner ya sake yin kururuwa kuma ya yi kokarin guduwa, amma wannan adadi ya kama shi a makogwaro, ya kawo fuskarsa mai kwalkwali har zuwa fuskar Shugaban kasar. "Zan iya kashe ka cikin sauki, Mista Shugaban kasa," in ji adadi. "Mun dakatar da Rundunar Sojojin Ruwa, mun dakatar da Sabis na Sirri, kuma mun dakatar da Rundunar Sojan Sama na Rasha - tabbas za mu iya dakatar da ku. Amma ba za mu kashe ku ba.
    
  "To me kike so?"
    
  "Amnesty," in ji adadi. "Cikakken 'yanci daga tuhuma ko bincike ga duk wanda ke da hannu a ayyukan da Amurka ko kawayenta suka yi daga Dreamland, Battle Mountain, Batman, Tehran da Constanţa. Cikakkun sallama ga duk wanda ba ya son yin aiki a ƙarƙashinka a matsayin Babban Kwamandan su."
    
  "Me kuma?"
    
  "Wannan ke nan," in ji dayan adadi. "Amma don tabbatar da cewa kun yi abin da muka ce, Tin Woodmen da Sashin binciken manyan laifuka za su bace. Idan kuka tsallake hanyarmu ko wani abu ya faru da dayanmu, za mu dawo mu karasa aikin."
    
  "Ba za ku iya hana mu ba," in ji Tin Woodman na farko. "Za mu same ku duk inda kuka yi ƙoƙarin ɓoyewa. Ba za ku iya bin diddigin mu ko gano mu ba saboda muna iya sarrafa firikwensin ku, hanyoyin sadarwar kwamfuta da hanyoyin sadarwa ta kowace hanya da muka zaɓa. Za mu bi duk maganganun ku, imel ɗinku, motsinku. Idan kun ci amanar mu, za mu same ku kuma za ku bace kawai. Ka gane ya shugaban kasa?" Ya kalli matan nan biyu dake dakin. "Wannan ya tafi muku biyu kuma. Ba mu wanzu, amma za mu sa ido a kan ku. Ku duka."
    
    
  EPILOGUE
    
    
  Wanda ya fadi kansa baya kuka.
    
  - MAGANAR TURKI
    
    
    
  LAKE MOJAVE, NEVADA
  BAYAN YAN MAKONI
    
    
  Yaron ya jefa layin kamun kifi a cikin tafkin Mojave daga kan titinsa a saman wani dutse mai dutse kusa da wani dogon jirgin ruwa mai fadi. Tafkin Mojave ba tafki ba ne, kawai mai faɗin kogin Colorado a kudancin Las Vegas. Ya kasance sanannen wurin zama na lokacin sanyi ga mazauna yanayi, amma har yanzu, a farkon bazara, suna iya jin yanayin zafi na lokacin rani a ciki, kuma akwai jin daɗi game da wurin da mutane suka kasa jira su tashi. Ba da nisa ba yaron ya tsaya mahaifinsa sanye da guntun wando, tabarau, takalman takalma na nylon da rigar Tommy Bahama, yana buga kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka a cikin inuwar wurin da aka rufe. Bayansa, a cikin wurin shakatawa na RV, tsuntsayen dusar ƙanƙara suna watse sansaninsu kuma suna shirye-shiryen motsa tireloli, masu sansani da SUVs zuwa yanayi mai sauƙi. Ba da daɗewa ba, kawai mafi yawan masoya hamada ne za a bar su don tsira da zafi mai zafi a kudancin Nevada.
    
  A cikin hargitsin sansanin, mutumin ya ji karar wata mota mai nauyi fiye da yadda aka saba. Ba tare da ya juyo ko nuna ya lura ba ya fice shirin da yake yi ya kira wani. Tare da danna maɓalli, kyamarar cibiyar sadarwar mara waya ta nesa a kan sandar tarho ta kunna kuma ta fara bin sawun sabon shiga ta atomatik. Kamarar ta mayar da hankali kan lambar motar kuma cikin daƙiƙa guda ta ɗauki haruffa da lambobi tare da gano mai motar. A lokaci guda, firikwensin RFID mara waya wanda yake tare da kyamara yana karanta siginar tantancewa da aka watsa daga abin hawa, yana tabbatar da ainihin sa.
    
  Motar mai duhun H3 Hummer mai duhun gilashin ko'ina sai gilashin gilashin, ta faka a cikin farar tsakuwa tsakanin gidan cin abinci na marina da ramuwar ƙaddamarwa, mutane uku suka fito. Kowa yana sanye da jeans, tabarau da takalma. Wani mutum daya sanye da rigar safari mai ruwan kasa, ya saura a motar ya fara leka a unguwar. Mutum na biyu yana sanye da budaddiyar farar rigar kasuwanci tare da bude kwala da hannun riga, yayin da mutum na uku kuma yana sanye da budaddiyar rigar safari mai launin ruwan kasa.
    
  Mutumin da ke wurin cin abinci ya sami ƙaramar ƙara a na"urar kai ta Bluetooth mara waya, yana gaya masa cewa wata ƙaramar firikwensin igiyar ruwa ta millimeter da aka saka a wurin shakatawa ta gano ɗaya daga cikin mutanen da ke ɗauke da wani babban ƙarfe - kuma ba akwati ba ne ma. Mutum na biyu sanye da rigar ya tsaya kusan matakai goma sha biyu daga wurin fikinik kusa da ramp din zuwa wurin da ake harbawa kusa da kwandon shara ya fara duba wurin, kamar yadda na farko ya yi. Mutum na uku ya matso kusa da mutumin a wurin cin abinci. "Shin zafi ya ishe ki a nan?" - Ya tambaya.
    
  "Wannan maganar banza ce," in ji mutumin da ke wurin cin abinci. Ajiye laptop dinsa yayi ya tashi tsaye ya juya ga sabon shigowa sannan ya cire gilashin. "Sun ce zai kai dari a watan Mayu kuma zai kasance sama da dari da goma a cikin Yuni, Yuli da Agusta."
    
  "Mai girma," in ji sabon. "Yana rage yawan baƙi, ko?" Ya kalli mutumin da yake kamun kifi a kusa da titin jirgin. "Damn, ba zan iya yarda da tsayin Bradley ba."
    
  "Yanzu zai fi tsohon tsayi a kowace rana a yanzu."
    
  "Ba tare da shakka ba". Sabon shigowa ya mika hannu. "Yaya ka ke, Patrick?"
    
  "Madalla, mai girma shugaban kasa," in ji Patrick McLanahan. "ka ka?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Mai girma. M. A'a, ba ni da lafiya kuma na gaji da shi," in ji tsohon shugaban Amurka Kevin Martindale. Ya kalleta. "Wani wuri mai duhu ne a nan, Muk. Wannan ba San Diego ba ne. Ba ma Vegas ba ce. "
    
  "Hamada yana da ban sha'awa, musamman idan kun zo nan a ƙarshen hunturu kuma ku fuskanci canjin yanayin zafi," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Kina shirin zama?"
    
  "Ban sani ba, yallabai," in ji Patrick. "Na sayi gida da hangar filin jirgin sama daga Searchlight. Ban sani ba ko na shirya yin taro tukuna. Wurin yana girma. Ina makarantar gida Bradley yanzu, amma sun ce makarantu a nan suna samun kyau yayin da mutane da yawa ke ƙaura zuwa yankin. "
    
  "Kuma John Masters yana kusa da Babbar Hanya 95."
    
  "Eh, kuma yana cutar da ni kusan kowace rana don in zo masa aiki, amma ban tabbata ba," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Wannan dan sama jannati mai matsananciyar matsaya Hunter Noble ya yi rajista da shi. Na ji cewa ya riga ya zama mataimakin shugaban kasa. Amma na tabbata za su samo maka wuri idan abin da kake so ke nan."
    
  "As there, aikata haka."
    
  "Akwai wani abu guda daya da muka yi a baya, Patrick," in ji Martindale.
    
  "Na yi tunanin ko ba dade ko ba dade za ku fito kan wannan."
    
  "Kuna da Tin Woodmen da TIEs, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Me?" - Na tambaya.
    
  "Kai babban maƙaryaci ne," in ji Martindale da dariya.
    
  "Akwai amfanin yin karya? Na tabbata hanyar sadarwar ku tana da kyau..."
    
  "Kamar wanda aka ruwaito ka ƙirƙira? Ina shakka shi. Ina shakku sosai," in ji tsohon shugaban. "Saurara abokina, har yanzu ana buƙatar ka. Kasar na bukatar ku. Ina bukatan ka. Bayan haka, abin da kuka boye dukiyar gwamnati ce. Ba za ku iya kiyaye wannan ba." Patrick ya ba shi kallo kai tsaye-kallo mai wucewa kawai, amma ma'anar tana da ƙarfi kuma a sarari. "Ok, tabbas za ku iya ajiye shi, amma bai kamata ku ajiye shi kawai ba. Za a iya yin alheri da yawa da shi. " Patrick bai ce komai ba. Martindale ya cire tabarau ya goge su da hannun rigar rigarsa. "Kin ji sabon labari game da Farisa?"
    
  "Game da sabon shugaban da ake kashewa?"
    
  "Lokacin da wannan ya kai labari, Gabas ta Tsakiya gaba daya za ta sake yin hauka kuma Mohtaz zai sake fitowa daga karkashin dutsen da yake boye a lokacin da 'yan Rasha suka bar kasar suka sake yin ikirarin shugabancin kasar. Al'ummar kasar dai na son sarauniya Azhar ta karbi ragamar mulkin kasar har sai an gudanar da sabon zabe, amma ta dage cewa firaminista Noshar ya dauki nauyi."
    
  "Tana da gaskiya".
    
  "Noshar ma"aikaci ne, ma"aikacin wake. Ba zai iya mulkin kasar ba. Hazard ko Boujazi ya kamata su karbi ragamar iko a karkashin ikon gaggawa har sai an gudanar da zabe."
    
  "Zai samu lafiya, yallabai. Idan ba haka ba, Azar zai je majalisa ya ba da shawarar wani. Bujazi ba zai yi haka ba kwata-kwata."
    
  "Kuna tsammanin za ta tambayi Sakez, mataimakin Firayim Minista?"
    
  "Ina fata ba. Ya yi tafiye-tafiye da yawa zuwa Moscow don dacewa da ni. "
    
  Martindale ya gyada kai cikin fahimta. "Na san kuna bin wannan kayan," in ji shi. "Af, game da Moscow - menene kuke tunani game da wannan maye gurbin Zevitin, Igor Truznev, tsohon shugaban FSB?"
    
  "Shi dan daba ne mai kishin jini," in ji Patrick. "Yana yin shuru kadan a wurin. Sun ce mutumin na gaba da za a "sake aiki" zuwa Siberiya shine Khedrov.
    
  Martindale yayi murmushi ya gyada kai. "Ko da ban ji haka ba tukuna, Patrick!" - Ya ce cikin zumudi. "Na gode da tip. Ina bin ku bashi ".
    
  "Kada ka ambaci shi, sir."
    
  "Madalla da Zevitin, eh?" Martindale yayi sharhi. "Hatsarin kankara," in ji su. Naji wannan bishiyar ta fito daga inda take sai ya kusa dauke kansa. Talaka dan iska. Kun ji wani abu kuma game da wannan? Patrick ba shi da wani sharhi. "Abin dariya shine wannan ya faru ne a daidai lokacin da Boujazi ya kai hari Mashhad kuma ba zato ba tsammani ka dawo daga Armstrong. Ina tsammanin da gaske abubuwa masu ban mamaki suna faruwa a cikin uku, eh?"
    
  "Iya, sir."
    
  "Iya. Tabbas suna yi." Martindale ya sa hannu a kafadun Patrick. "Ka ga abokina, ba za ka iya barin kasuwanci a baya ba," in ji shi. "Yana cikin jinin ku. Zan iya ba da sunayen wurare masu zafi ɗari biyu a duniya, kuma za ku gaya mani wani abu mai ban sha'awa game da kowannensu. "
    
  "Yallabai, ba ni da sha'awa-"
    
  "Mongolia," in ji Martindale. Ya yi murmushi lokacin da ya ga idanun Patrick sun haskaka. "Eh, ka san wani abu. Menene wannan?"
    
  "Na ji cewa za a maye gurbin Janar Dorjin a matsayin babban hafsan hafsoshi saboda yana da abokantaka da Amurka," in ji Patrick.
    
  "To yanzu zai iya tsayawa takarar shugaban kasa ko?"
    
  "A'a, saboda an haife shi ne a Mongoliya ta ciki - China - kuma a matsayinsa na matashin jami'in ya bayyana mubaya'arsa ga Beijing," in ji Patrick. "Amma dansa zai gudu."
    
  Martindale ya tafa hannuwa. "Damn, na manta da Miren Dorjin...!"
    
  "Muren."
    
  "Muren. Dama. Ya kammala karatunsa a Berkeley shekaru biyu da suka wuce tare da digiri na biyu, daidai ne?"
    
  "Double Ph.D. Tattalin Arziki da Gwamnati."
    
  Martindale ya gyada kai, ya ji dadin cewa Patrick ya ci kananan gwaje-gwaje biyu da ya yi masa. "Duba? Na san kuna sane da wannan duka!" Martindale ya furta cikin farin ciki. "Dawo, Patrick. Mu sake hada karfi da karfe. Za mu kunna wa duniya wuta."
    
  Patrick ya yi murmushi, sannan ya kalli dansa yana kamun kifi ya ce, "Gani gare ka, Mr. Shugaban kasa," ya fita domin ya hada da dansa a safiya mai dumi.
    
    
  TABBATARWA
    
    
  Godiya ga marubucin marubuci Debbie Macomber da mijinta Wayne saboda karimcinsu.
    
    
  LAMBAR MARUBUCI
    
    
  Maraba da sharhinku! Yi min imel a readermail@airbattleforce.com ko ziyarci www.AirBattleForce.com don karanta kasidu na da sharhi da kuma samun sabbin abubuwan sabuntawa kan sabbin ayyuka, jadawalin balaguro da ƙari!
    
    
  game da marubucin
    
    
  DALE BROWN shine marubucin litattafai masu yawa na New York Times, wanda ya fara da Old Dog Running a cikin 1987. Ana iya samun tsohon kyaftin din sojojin saman Amurka yana shawagi a sararin samaniyar Nevada.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  Dale Brown
  Sojoji marasa tsarki
    
    
  HALAYE
    
    
    
  AMURKA
    
    
  PATRICK S. MCLANAHAN, Laftanar Janar na Sojojin Sama na Amurka (Mai Ritaya), Abokin Hulɗa da Shugaban Ƙasa, Scion Aviation International
    
  Kevin MARTINDALE, tsohon shugaban kasar Amurka, mai sirrin kamfanin Scion Aviation International
    
  JONATHAN COLIN MASTERS, Ph.D., Daraktan Ayyuka, Sky Masters Inc.
    
  HUNTER NOBLE, Mataimakin Shugaban Ci gaba, Sky Masters Inc.
    
  JOSEPH GARDNER, Shugaban Amurka
    
  KENNETH T. PHOENIX, Mataimakin Shugaban Kasa
    
  CONRAD F. CARLISLE, mai ba shugaban kasa shawara kan harkokin tsaro
    
  MILLER H. TURNER, Sakataren Tsaro
    
  WALTER CORDUS, Shugaban Ma"aikatan Fadar White House
    
  STACY ANN BARBO, Sakataren Gwamnati
    
  USMC JANAR TAYLOR J. BAIN, Shugaban Hafsan Hafsoshin Soja
    
  Sojojin Amurka Manjo Janar CHARLES CONNOLLY, Kwamandan Runduna a Arewacin Iraki
    
  US Army COLONEL JACK T. WILHELM, Babban Jami'in Wing na 2, Allied Nakhla Air Base, Iraq
    
  Sojojin Laftanar Kanar MARK WEATHERLY, Jami'in Gudanarwa na Regimental
    
  BABBAN SOJOJIN KENNETH BRUNO, Jami'in Ayyuka na Regimental
    
  Rundunar Sojan Sama ta Amurka LIEUTENANT COLONEL JIA "BOXER" CAZZOTTO, Kwamanda, Squadron na Bakin Jirgin Sama na 7
    
  CHRIS THOMPSON, Shugaba kuma Shugaba na Thompson Security, wani kamfani mai zaman kansa na tsaro a Allied Nakhla Air Base, Iraki.
    
  FRANK BEXAR, jami'in leken asiri mai zaman kansa
    
  CAPT KELVIN COTTER, USAF, Mataimakin Jami'in Kula da zirga-zirgar Jiragen Sama
    
  MARGARET HARRISON, Darakta na Motocin Jiragen Sama marasa matuki, Kwangila mai zaman kansa
    
  REESE FLIPPIN, Jami'in Kwangilar Yanayi mai zaman kansa
    
    
  TURKIYA
    
    
  KURZAT HIRSIZ, Shugaban Kasar Turkiyya
    
  AYSE AkaŞ, Firaministan kasar Turkiyya
    
  HASAN CICEK, Ministan Tsaron Kasa na Jamhuriyar Turkiyya
    
  JANAR ORHAN SAHIN, Babban Sakatare Janar na Majalisar Tsaron Turkiyya
    
  MUSTAFA HAMARAT, Ministan Harkokin Wajen Turkiyya
    
  FEVSI GUKLU, Daraktan Hukumar Leken Asiri ta Kasa
    
  Janar ABDULLAHI GUZLEV, babban hafsan hafsan hafsoshin sojin kasar Turkiyya.
    
  Janar AIDIN DEDE, mataimakin shugaban hafsan soji
    
  MAJOR AYDIN SABASTI, jami'in hulda, Rundunar Sojojin Amurka ta Biyu, Allied Nakhla Air Base, Iraki.
    
  MAJOR HAMID JABBURI, mataimakin jami'in hulda da jama'a
    
  GENERAL BESIR OZEK, Kwamandan Jandarma (Rundunar Tsaron Cikin Gida ta Turkiyya)
    
  LIEUTENAT GENERAL GUVEN ILGAZ, Mataimakin Kwamanda, Jandarma
    
  Lt. JANAR MUSTAFA ALI, Shift Commander of Jandarma
    
    
  IRAQI
    
    
  ALI LATIF RASHID, Shugaban kasar Iraki
    
  COLONEL YUSUF JAFFAR, Kwamandan Allied Nakhla Air Base, Tall Qaif, Iraq
    
  MAJOR JAFAR OSMAN, Kamfanin Maqbara (Kabari) Iraqi, Kwamandan Brigade na bakwai
    
  COLONEL NURI MAVLAUD, jami'in hulda na runduna ta biyu
    
  ZILAR "BAZ" (HAWK) AZZAWI, shugaban 'yan ta'addar PKK na Iraki.
    
  SADUN SALIH, mataimakin squad leader of Azzawi
    
    
  MAKAMAI DA GASKIYA
    
    
    
  GASKIYA DA KARSHE
    
    
  AMARG-Rukunin Kulawa da Sakewa Aerospace ("Boneyard"), wani sansanin Sojan Sama na Amurka kusa da Tucson, Arizona wanda ke adanawa, tarwatsawa, da kuma gyara sassa daga jirgin nakasassu.
    
  AOR - Yankin Nauyi
    
  AQI - Al-Qaeda a Iraki, tushen Iraki na kungiyar ta'addanci Osama bin Laden
    
  "Yaƙin yaƙi" - kayan aiki na sirri da ake buƙata don ayyukan yaƙi
    
  bullseye - wurin da aka keɓe daga inda za a iya watsa bayanai game da kewayon kewayon da kai ga manufa ta mitoci a buɗe ba tare da bayyana wurin da mutum yake ba.
    
  C4I - Umarni, sarrafawa, sadarwa, kwamfuta da hankali
    
  Cankaya ita ce wurin zama na gwamnatin Jamhuriyar Turkiyya
    
  CHU - Rukunin Gidajen Kwantena, wurin zama na wayar hannu mai kama da kwantenan da sojojin Amurka ke amfani da shi a Iraki
    
  Chuville yanki ne mai yawan BC
    
  DFAC-Kantinan
    
  ECM - Ma'auni na Lantarki
    
  EO-Electro-optical firikwensin da za su iya yaduwa ta hanyar lantarki ko haɓaka hotunan gani
    
  FAA - Hukumar Kula da Jiragen Sama ta Tarayya, Hukumar Kula da Jiragen Sama ta Amurka
    
  FOB - Tushen Ayyuka na Gaba, sansanin soja kusa ko a yankin abokan gaba
    
  Fobbits - slang ga ma'aikata da ma'aikatan tallafi
    
  Fobbitville - slang don ginin hedkwatar
    
  FPCON - Yanayin Kariya na Ƙarfin, Ƙimar Matsayin Ƙiyyi ko Barazanar Ta'addanci zuwa Shigar Sojoji (tsohon THREATCON)
    
  GP - Babban Target (bam mai nauyi ko abin hawa)
    
  IA - Sojojin Iraqi
    
  IED - Ingantaccen Na'urar fashewa
    
  IIR - firikwensin hoto na infrared, firikwensin zafi tare da isasshen ƙuduri don hoto
    
  ILS - Tsarin Saukowa Kayan aiki, tsarin katako na rediyo wanda zai iya jagorantar jirgin sama zuwa ƙasa a cikin yanayi mai wahala
    
  IM - saƙon take, canja wurin saƙonnin rubutu tsakanin kwamfutoci
    
  IR-Infrared
    
  Dannawa - kilomita
    
  KRG dai ita ce gwamnatin yankin Kurdistan, kungiyar siyasa ce da ke mulkin yankin Kurdawa mai cin gashin kanta a arewacin Iraki.
    
  LLTV - Low Light TV
    
  LRU-Rakunan Maye gurbin Layi, sassan tsarin jirgin sama waɗanda za'a iya cirewa cikin sauƙi da maye gurbinsu akan layin jirgin a yayin da ya sami matsala.
    
  Mahadi lafazin lafuzza ne ga duk wani mayaki na waje
    
  Fasahar Ofishin Jakadancin Adawa - Yana siffanta saman jirgin ta atomatik don samar da ingantattun damar sarrafa jirgin
    
  Hanyoyi da lambobi - saituna don radiyo daban-daban na gano jirgin sama
    
  MTI - Alamar Maɓalli na Motsawa, radar da ke bin abubuwan hawa a ƙasa daga nesa mai nisa
    
  Rashin aminci - watsa bayanan karya ko shirye-shirye zuwa cibiyar sadarwar kwamfuta ta abokan gaba ta amfani da hanyoyin sadarwar dijital, hanyoyin haɗin bayanai ko na'urori masu auna firikwensin.
    
  NOFORN - Babu kasashen waje; rarrabuwar kawuna na tsaro wanda ke hana 'yan kasashen waje damar samun bayanai
    
  PAG - Congress for Freedom and Democracy, madadin sunan jam'iyyar Ma'aikatan Kurdistan
    
  PKK-Karker Party a Kurdistan, Kurdistan Workers' Party, Kurdawa kungiyar 'yan aware na neman samar da wata kasa ta daban daga yankunan Kurdawa na Turkiyya, Iran, Siriya da Iraki; kasashe da kungiyoyi da dama sun ayyana a matsayin kungiyar ta'addanci
    
  ROE - Dokokin Haɗin kai, Tsarukan da Iyaka don Ayyukan Yaƙi
    
  SAM - makami mai linzami na sama-da-iska
    
  SEAD - Kashe kariya ta iska ta abokan gaba ta amfani da iyakoki da makamai don lalata kariya ta iska, radar ko umarni da wuraren sarrafawa.
    
  Sau uku-A - bindigogin anti-jirgin sama
    
    
  Makami
    
    
  AGM-177 Wolverine - makami mai linzami na jirgin ruwa mai cin gashin kansa ko na kasa
    
  CBU-87 Combination Munition wani makami ne da aka jefar da iska wanda ke tarwatsa ma'aikata da ma'adinan motoci a kan wani yanki mai fadi.
    
  CBU-97 Sensor Fuse Weapon makami ne da aka jefar da iska wanda zai iya ganowa da lalata motoci masu sulke da yawa lokaci guda a kan wani yanki mai fadi.
    
  CID - Na'urar Infantry na Cybernetic, robot mai sarrafawa tare da ingantacciyar dorewa, sulke, na'urori masu auna firikwensin da karfin fada
    
  Helikwafta harin Cobra wani haske ne, helikwafta na Sojojin Amurka na ƙarni na biyu sanye da makamai.
    
  CV-22 Osprey jirgin sama ne mai matsakaicin sufuri wanda zai iya tashi ya sauka kamar helikwafta, amma zai iya juya rotors dinsa ya tashi kamar kafaffen jirgin sama
    
  JDAM - Hadin Kai tsaye Damage Munition, kit don haɗa bama-bamai masu nauyi wanda ke ba su daidaitaccen niyya ta amfani da bayanan kewayawa Tsarin Matsayin Duniya
    
  KC-135R shine sabon samfurin jirgin sama na Boeing 707 na iyali
    
  Kiowa jirgi ne mai haske wanda aka sanye shi da na'urori masu auna firikwensin da ake amfani da su don gano hari ta hanyar jirage masu saukar ungulu
    
  MIM-104 Patriot - na'urar makami mai linzami na Amurka da aka yi a ƙasa
    
  SA-14 wani makami mai linzami ne na zamani na biyu da Rasha ta kera tare da harba da hannu.
    
  SA-7 - Makami mai linzami na farko na farko na Rasha tare da harba da hannu
    
  Slingshot - tsarin tsaro mai ƙarfi na laser don jirgin sama
    
  Stryker wani maƙasudin maƙasudin kafa takwas ne na Sojojin Amurka.
    
  Tin Man soja ne sanye da ci-gaban sulke na jiki, na'urori masu auna firikwensin, da na'urorin haɓaka ƙarfi don haɓaka ƙarfin yaƙinsa.
    
  XC-57 "Mai hasara" wani jirgin sama ne mai tashi sama wanda aka ƙirƙira shi da farko don tashin bama-bamai na Rundunar Sojan Sama na Amurka na gaba, amma ya canza zuwa jirgin jigilar jigilar abubuwa da yawa lokacin da aikin ya rasa gasar kwangila.
    
    
  CIGABAN LABARAN DUNIYA NA GASKIYA
    
    
    
  LABARAN BBC ONLINE, 30 GA OKTOBA 2007:
    
  ...An ci gaba da samun tashin hankali a tsakanin Turkiyya da yankin Kurdawa na Iraki a cikin watannin da ake fama da rikicin na yanzu sakamakon hare-haren 'yan ta'addar PKK da suka kashe sojojin Turkiyya kusan arba'in a 'yan makonnin nan.
    
  ...A watan Mayu, Turkiyya ta fusata lokacin da dakarun kasa da kasa karkashin jagorancin Amurka suka mika ragamar tsaro a larduna uku na Kurdistan na Iraki tare da daga tutar Kurdawa cikin gaggawa a maimakon ta Iraki.
    
  ... "Ba kwa buƙatar sojojin [Turkiyya] 100,000 don ɗaukar mukamanku," in ji wani babban ɗan siyasar Kurdawa na Iraqi. "Abin da a fili suke shirin yi shi ne kaddamar da wani gagarumin farmaki tare da kwace manyan hanyoyin kasa a cikin Kurdistan na Iraki da ke shiga tsaunukan kan iyaka a bangaren Iraki."
    
  ...Akwai jita-jita a yankin Kurdawa cewa Turkawa na iya kokarin kai bama-bamai ko akasin haka a wasu filayen saukar jiragen sama na Kurdawan Iraki guda biyu, a Erbil da Sulaymaniyah, wanda Ankara ke ikirarin bai wa 'yan ta'addar PKK damar samun mafaka.
    
  ... "Turkawa za su iya halaka su ko bama bamai, kamar yadda suka yi a baya. Abin da suke bayarwa ya fi haka. Suna magana ne game da wani babban hari na soji wanda ke sa mutane da matuƙar firgita da damuwa. Jama"a da dama na fargabar cewa burin Turkiyya na iya wuce halakar PKK..."
    
    
    
  LABARAN BBC ONLINE, 18 GA JANUARY 2008:
    
  ...Turkiyya na barazanar daukar matakin soji kan 'yan ta'addar PKK tun bayan da 'yan tawayen suka zafafa kai hare-hare kan sojojin Turkiyya, inda suka matsa wa gwamnati lamba a nan wajen mayar da martani da karfi. A watan da ya gabata, gwamnati ta ba wa sojoji izinin gudanar da hare-haren wuce gona da iri a Iraki kan 'yan ta'addar PKK idan ya cancanta.
    
  Hare-haren da aka kai a daren Lahadi shi ne babban alamar farko ta hakan.
    
  Ankara ta ce ta amince da amincewar Amurka na gudanar da ayyukanta a karkashin wata yarjejeniya da firaminista Recep Tayyip Erdogan da shugaba George W. Bush suka cimma a Washington a watan jiya.
    
  Kakakin ma'aikatar harkokin wajen Turkiyya Levent Bilman ya shaida wa BBC cewa "Na yi imanin cewa Amurka ta bayar da bayanan sirri masu inganci kuma sojojin Turkiyya sun dauki mataki."
    
    
    
  "Sojojin Turkiyya sun RUSHE 'YAN TAYI 11 A KUDU TA KUDU MASO GABAS A TURKIYYA KUSA DA IYAKA IRAQI - YAN Jarida," Maris 12, 2007 - ANKARA, TURKEY:
    
  Sojojin Turkiyya sun kashe 'yan tawayen Kurdawa 11 a wani gumurzu da aka yi a kudu maso gabashin Turkiyya kusa da kan iyaka da Iraki, kamar yadda kamfanin dillancin labarai mai zaman kansa ya ruwaito a ranar Laraba. Fadan dai na zuwa ne makonni biyu bayan da Turkiyya ta mamaye arewacin Iraki na tsawon kwanaki 8 domin fatattakar 'yan tawayen Kurdistan da ke yaki da gwamnatin Turkiyya tun shekara ta 1984.
    
  ...Wasu 'yan kishin kasar Turkiyya na fargabar cewa fadada 'yancin al'adu na iya haifar da rabuwar kai a kasar ta kabilanci. Suna fargabar cewa Kurdawan Turkiyya na iya samun karfin gwiwa daga yankin Kurdawa da ke samun goyon bayan Amurka a arewacin Iraki, wanda ke da gwamnatinsa da mayakan sa...
    
    
    
  Hasashen KWATA NA BIYU 2008, Babu STRATFOR.COM, APRIL 4, 2008:
    
  Yanayin Yanki: Turkiyya na fitowa a matsayin babbar kasa ta yanki kuma za ta fara yin tasiri a dukkan yankunanta a shekara ta 2008, musamman a arewacin Iraki ...
    
  Turkiyya na jin karfi ba kawai a arewacin Iraki ba, har ma a yankin Balkan da Caucasus na kusa, inda take neman jagorantar sabuwar Kosovo mai cin gashin kanta da sabuwar mai arzikin mai Azarbaijan...
    
    
    
  "MUTUM KARFE SABON FUSKAR "YAN KWANTARATAR SOJA NE," JEREMY SU, SPACE.COM, 6 ga Mayu, 2008:
    
  Lokacin da fitaccen jarumi Tony Stark baya bayar da sulke na Iron Man don da kansa ya kwace miyagu, yana ba sojojin Amurka sabbin na'urori don taimakawa yaki da ta'addanci.
    
  Mutane da kamfanoni ba za su iya fitowa ba kamar yadda jiragen da ke shawagi a sararin samaniyar Afganistan da Iraki, amma duk da haka rawar da suke takawa ya karu matuka a lokacin tashe-tashen hankula na baya-bayan nan.
    
  ...Babu wanda ke tambaya kan cewa Amurka ba za ta iya yin yaki a yanzu ba tare da amfani da 'yan kwangilar soja ba...Wannan yana nufin 'yan kwangilar sojan sun wuce sayar da kayan aikin soja kawai. Yanzu suna sarrafa layukan samar da kayayyaki, suna ciyar da sojoji, gina sansanoni, ba da shawara kan dabaru, har ma da yaki a matsayin jami"an tsaro masu zaman kansu...
    
    
    
  "IRAN: Yarjejeniyar AM-IRAQI Zata 'bauta' 'yan Iraqi - RAFSANJANI," STRATFOR.COM JUNE 4, 2008:
    
  Shugaban Majalisar Dokokin Iran Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani ya fada a ranar 4 ga watan Yuni cewa duniyar Islama za ta yi kokarin hana kulla yarjejeniyar tsaro na dogon lokaci tsakanin Iraki da Amurka, yana mai cewa sharuddan yarjejeniyar za ta "bautar da "yan Irakin," in ji kamfanin dillancin labaran Associated Press. Rafsanjani ya ce yarjejeniyar Amurka da Iraki za ta kai ga mamaye Irakin na dindindin, kuma irin wannan mamaya na da hadari ga dukkan jihohin yankin...
    
    
    
  HANYOYI NA KWATA NA UKU, STRATFOR.COM, JULY 8, 2008:
    
  ...Tsarin yankin: Turkiyya na fitowa a matsayin babbar kasa a yankin kuma a shekara ta 2008 za ta fara yin tasiri a dukkan yankunanta, musamman a arewacin Iraki ... Turkiyya na kara samun karfin gwiwa a fagen kasa da kasa: tura sojoji zuwa arewacin Iraki, suna shiga tsakani. Tattaunawar zaman lafiya tsakanin Isra'ila da Siriya, inganta ayyukan makamashi a cikin Caucasus da tsakiyar Asiya kuma yana jin kasancewarsa tare da tasirinsa a cikin Balkans ...
    
    
    
  "MAJALISAR IRAQI TA TARO TARO A KIRKUK," Associated Press, 30 ga Yuli, 2008:
    
  ...An samu tashin hankali a ranar litinin bayan wani harin kunar bakin wake da aka kai a Kirkuk a lokacin wata zanga-zangar adawa da dokokin zabe da Kurdawa suka yi wanda ya kashe mutane 25 tare da jikkata sama da 180.
    
  Kirkuk gida ce ga Kurdawa, Turkmen, Larabawa da sauran tsiraru. Bayan harin bam da aka kai a Kirkuk, wasu fusatattun Kurdawa da dama sun mamaye ofisoshin wata jam'iyyar siyasa ta Turkmen dake adawa da ikirarin Kurdawa na Kirkuk, inda suka bude wuta tare da kona motoci sakamakon zargin abokan hamayyarsu. An ba da rahoton cewa Turkmen tara, ko kuma 'yan kabilar Turkawa, sun jikkata.
    
  Ofishin shugaban kasar Iraki ya bayyana cewa, Firaministan Turkiyya Recep Tayyip Erdogan mai kare hakkin Turkmen ya yi kira ga mahukuntan Iraki da su nuna damuwarsu kan abubuwan da suka faru a birnin Kirkuk, tare da yin tayin aika jirgin da zai kai wadanda suka jikkata zuwa Turkiyya domin yi musu magani. .
    
    
    
  "TURKI TA DAMU GAME DA BIRNIN KIRKUK", Associated Press, AUGUST 2, 2008:
    
  Baghdad-Gwamnatin Turkiyya ta bayyana damuwarta game da birnin Kirkuk na kasar Iraki,inda 'yan kabilar Turkawa ke fama da rikicin yanki,inji wani jami'in Iraki.
    
  Kamfanin dillancin labaran kasar Kuwait KUNA ya bayar da rahoton cewa, wani jami'in ma'aikatar harkokin wajen kasar Iraki da ba a tantance ba ya ce ministan harkokin wajen Turkiyya Ali Babican ya tuntubi ministan harkokin wajen Iraki Hoshyar Zebari kan halin da ake ciki a birnin.
    
  Lardin Kirkuk ya bukaci birnin ya zama wani yanki na Kurdistan na Iraki, yayin da Turkiyya ke adawa da wannan mataki.
    
  Duk da cewa birnin ya fi yawan Turkawa 'yan kabila a Iraki, kakakin Saeed Zebari ya ce duk wani yunƙuri na warware takaddamar za ta kasance ta Iraki ce kawai.
    
  Zebari ya ce duk wani yunƙuri da za a yi daga waje na shiga tsakani a cikin rikicin ba za a yi maraba da Iraqi ba, in ji kakakin KUNA.
    
    
    
  "HARBON GUN Laser FARKO," WIRED, DANGER ROOM, AUGUST 13, 2008:
    
  Boeing a yau ya ba da sanarwar gwajin farko-farko na bindigar hasken rai wanda zai iya baiwa sojojin Amurka na musamman hanyar kai hare-hare a boye tare da "rashin amincewa."
    
  A gwaji a farkon wannan watan a Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, Boeing's Advanced Tactical Laser - wani jirgin saman C-130H da aka gyara - "ya harba Laser dinsa mai karfin gaske ta hanyar sarrafa katako. Tsarin kula da katako ya gano maƙasudin ƙasa kuma ya jagoranci katakon Laser zuwa manufa kamar yadda tsarin kula da yaƙi na ATL ya umarta..."
    
    
    
  "RUBUTA LAMBA NA YAN KWANARAR AMERICA A IRAQI," KIMIYAR KIMIYYA CE, PETER GRIER, 18 ga Agusta, 2008:
    
  WASHINGTON - Sojojin Amurka sun dogara ne da "yan kwangila masu zaman kansu tun lokacin da "masu saye" suka sayar da takarda, naman alade, sukari da sauran kayan alatu ga sojojin Nahiyar Afirka a lokacin Yaƙin Juyin Juya Hali.
    
  Sai dai girman amfani da 'yan kwangila a Iraki ba a taba ganin irinsa ba a tarihin Amurka, a cewar wani sabon rahoton majalisar wanda zai iya zama mafi cikakken bayani a hukumance kan wannan al'ada. Tun daga farkon 2008, bisa ga Ofishin Kasafin Kudi na Majalisa (CBO), aƙalla ma'aikata masu zaman kansu 190,000 suna aiki akan ayyukan da Amurka ta ba da kuɗi a gidan wasan kwaikwayo na Iraqi. Wannan yana nufin cewa ga kowane memba na sojan Amurka mai sanye da kayan aiki a yankin, akwai kuma memban sabis ɗin kwangila - rabo na 1-to-1.
    
  ...Masu sukar fitar da sojoji daga waje sun ce ainihin matsalar ita ce sassauci da umarni da iko kan ma'aikata masu zaman kansu ...
    
    
    
    " C -300 CURIOSITY ANKARA ," STRATEGIC FRECASTING INC., AUGUST 26 , 2008:
    
    ...Turkiyya na ci gaba da samun wasu nau'o'in makaman kare dangi na Rasha S-300, in ji jaridar Today's Zaman ta Turkiyya a ranar 25 ga watan Agusta...
    
  ...Idan Turkiyya ta yi nasara a wannan saye, bin diddigin Ankara zai buƙaci hanyoyi biyu masu mahimmanci. Na farko shine injiniyan juzu'i, wanda a cikinsa ake tarwatsa mahimman abubuwan da aka haɗa kuma ana bincika ayyukansu na ciki sosai. Na biyu shi ne horar da dabarun yaki da na"ura mai kwakwalwa da na"urorin zamani...
    
    
    
  SOJOJIN TURKIYA NA NEMAN FADAWA DA WUTA", Associated Press, ANKARA, TURKEY - 10 ga Oktoba, 2008:
    
  Shugabannin Turkiyya sun gana a yau alhamis domin tattauna batun kara karfin soji don yakar 'yan tawayen Kurdawa bayan da aka samu karuwar hare-hare, wadanda wasu daga cikinsu suka samo asali daga sansanonin 'yan tawaye a arewacin Iraki.
    
  Tuni dai majalisar dokokin Turkiyya ta kada kuri'ar tsawaita wa'adin aikin soji na gudanar da ayyukan yaki da 'yan tawayen Kurdawa a arewacin Iraki, ciki har da hare-haren wuce gona da iri.
    
  Sai dai sojojin sun bukaci a ba su karin karfin fada da 'yan tawaye daga jam'iyyar Kurdistan Workers' Party, ko PKK. Taron na ranar Alhamis ya mayar da hankali ne kan fadada ayyukan sojoji da "yan sanda...
    
    
    
  PROLOGUE
    
    
    
  A wajen AL-AMADYAH, GWAMNATIN DAHOK, JAMHURIYAR IRAQI
  SPRING 2010
    
    
  An shafe sa'o'i da yawa ana yin bikin diok, ko bikin aure na gargajiya, amma babu wanda ya gaji ko kaɗan. Maza sun yi rawa da manyan dillalai, ko manyan ganguna, kuma suna rawa da kidan jama'a da aka yi tare da ingantattun zurna da timburas, yayin da sauran baƙi suka yi ta murna da su.
    
  Ya kasance maraice mai dumi, bushewa, bayyananne a waje. Ƙungiyoyin maza sun tsaya nan da can ƙungiya-ƙungiya, suna shan taba da shan daga ƙananan kofuna na kofi mai kauri. Tsofaffi mata da "yan mata sanye da riguna kala-kala da gyale suna kai musu tiren abinci, da "ya"ya maza ko kannensu suka taimaka masu da fitulu.
    
  Bayan ta yi hidimar maza a wajen liyafar daurin aure, matar ta dauko tiren titin ta bi hanyar da ta wuce fitulun motoci, dan ta dan shekara goma ne ke kan hanya, zuwa wasu motoci kirar Toyota guda biyu da bishiyoyi suka boye, daya a kowane gefen titi. kai gona. Yaron ya haska fitilarsa a motar daukar kaya ta hagu, kai tsaye cikin idon babban yayansa. "Allah ya muku albarka ya gaishe ku! Na sake kama ki kuna barci!" - ya yi ihu.
    
  "Ban kasance ba!" - ɗan'uwan ya yi adawa da ƙarfi fiye da yadda yake so.
    
  "Hani, kar ki yi. Yanzu ɗan'uwanka ba zai iya gani a cikin duhu ba na ɗan lokaci," mahaifiyar yaron ta tsawata masa. "Jeka ka yiwa dan uwanka wani abu mai dadi ka fada masa kayi hakuri. Mu je, Mazen," ta ce wa mijinta, "Ina da ƙarin kofi a gare ku."
    
  Mijin ya ajiye AK-47 nasa a gaban babbar motar kuma cikin godiya ya karɓi kyautar. An yi masa ado don biki, ba don aikin gadi ba. Mutumin ya ce, "Mace ta gari ce, Zilar. "Amma a karo na gaba, aika ɗan"uwanka malalaci nan ya yi maka aikin. Tunaninsa ne ya sanya masu gadi a kofar shiga." Yana jin zafin kalamanta. "Na gane. Ya shagaltu da daukar ma'aikata kuma, a'a? Bikin 'yarsa kuma ya kasa dainawa?
    
  "Yana jin daɗi sosai-"
    
  "Na sani, na sani," mijin ya katse, a hankali yana dora hannunsa a kuncin matarsa don ya kwantar mata da hankali. "Mai kishin kasa ne kuma mai kishin kasa Kurdawa. Yayi masa kyau. Amma ya san cewa 'yan bindiga, 'yan sanda da sojoji suna lura da irin wannan al'amuran, suna daukar hotuna da jirage marasa matuka, suna amfani da microphones masu mahimmanci da latsawa. Me ya sa ya ci gaba? Ya yi kasadar da yawa."
    
  "Duk da haka, na sake gode muku don amincewa da ku tsaya gadi a nan don dalilai na tsaro," matar ta ce, ta cire hannunsa daga fuskarta tana sumbata. "Yana sa shi jin daɗi."
    
  "Ban dauki bindiga ba tun da na bar mayakan Peshmerga a Kirkuk. Ina samun kaina ina duba fuse kowane daƙiƙa uku."
    
  "Oh da gaske ne mijina?" Matar ta taka har zuwa AK-47 tana jingina da bompa kuma ta duba shi da yatsunta.
    
  "Ah, Los Angeles, gaya mani ba..."
    
  "Ka yi". Ta mayar da lever ɗin aminci zuwa wuri mai aminci.
    
  "Na ji daɗin "yan"uwanki da ba sa nan don ganin kina yi," in ji mijinta. "Wataƙila ina buƙatar ƙarin darussa daga tsohuwar ƙungiyar koli ta kwamandojin mata."
    
  "Ina da iyali da zan yi reno da kuma gidan da zan kula da su-Na sadaukar da lokacina wajen fafutukar neman "yancin kai na Kurdistan. Bari "yan matan su yi kokawa kadan don samun canji."
    
  "Kuna iya wulakanta kowace budurwa - a wurin harbi da kan gado."
    
  "Oh, kuma ta yaya kuka san basirar 'yan mata?" Ta tambaya cikin wasa. Ta mayar da makamin, ta nufi wajen mijinta, tana lallashin gindinta. "Ina da wasu darussa da yawa da zan fi koya muku, mijin." Ya sumbace ta. "To har yaushe zaki ajiye babban dana anan?"
    
  "Ba dadewa ba. Watakila wata sa"a." Ya gyada kai ga d'an nasa, wanda ke shagaltuwa yana harbin kanin nasa daga 'yan ragowar baklava dake kan tire. "Yana da kyau zama a nan tare da Neaz. Yana daukan wannan aiki da muhimmanci. Shi-" Mutumin ya tsaya saboda yana tunanin ya ji keke ko ƙaramin babur yana gabatowa, wani abu kamar ƙaramar ƙarar ƙara da ke nuna gudu amma ba ƙarfi ba. Babu fitulu a kan hanya ko kan babbar hanyar da ta wuce. Ya daure fuska, sannan ya ajiye kofin kofi a hannun matarsa. "A mayar da Honey zuwa cibiyar jama'a."
    
  "Mene ne wannan?"
    
  "Kila babu komai." Ya sake duban hanyar da ba ta dace ba, bai ga alamun motsi ba - babu tsuntsaye, babu bishiyu masu tsatsa. "Ka faɗa wa ɗan"uwanka zan ɗan yi yawo. Zan gaya wa sauran." Ya sumbaci matarsa a kumatu, sannan ya je ya dauko AK-47 nasa. "Zan shirya in shiga bayan na karba..."
    
  Daga kusurwar idonsa, mai tsayi a yamma, ya lura da shi: ɗan gajeren walƙiya na haske mai launin rawaya, ba mai yawa kamar haske ba, amma yana flicker kamar fitila. Shiyasa yayi, bai tabbata ba, sai ya ture matarsa gefe, ya nufi bishiyoyin dake gefen gate. "Sauka!" - ya yi ihu. "Karya! Zauna-"
    
  Nan da nan kasa ta fara rawa, kamar dawakai dubu sun toshe kusa da su. Fuskar mijin, idanunsa da makogwaro sun cika da gajimare na kura da datti da suka fito daga inda babu, aka rika jifan duwatsu ta ko'ina. Matar ta yi kururuwa yayin da ta ga mijinta a zahiri ya tarwatse zuwa guntun naman mutane. Ita ma motar daukar kaya ta tarwatse tun kafin tankar iskar gas din ta fashe, inda ta aike da wata babbar kwallon wuta a sararin samaniya.
    
  Sai ta ji shi - mugun sauti, mai tsananin ƙarfi, mai dawwama sai daƙiƙa guda. Kamar wata katuwar dabbar dabba ce a tsaye a kanta kamar sarƙoƙi mai girman gida. Sautin ya biyo bayan wani katon busar wani jet da ke shawagi a sama, kasa-kasa tana tunanin zai iya sauka a kan wata hanya mara kyau.
    
  A cikin 'yan bugun zuciya, mijinta da 'ya'yanta maza biyu sun mutu a idanunta. Ko ta yaya matar ta tashi da gudu ta koma wurin liyafar daurin auren, ba ta tunanin komai sai dai ta gargadi sauran "yan uwanta da su gudu domin tsira da rayukansu.
    
  "Fa'idar a bayyane take," in ji ma'aikacin matukin jirgin na jirgin ruwa A-10 Thunderbolt II. Birki ya yi da qarfi don ya tabbatar ya yi nisa da sauran jirgin da filin. "Biyu, an share cikin zazzafan bibiya."
    
  "Kyakkyawan tsari, jagora," in ji matukin jirgin na biyu A-10 Thunderbolt. "Na biyu yana kan aiki." Ya duba hoton bidiyo na infrared na makami mai linzami na AGM-65G Maverick, wanda ya nuna karara manyan motocin daukar kaya biyu a karshen titin, daya na cin wuta dayan kuma har yanzu babu shi, kuma tare da tura sandar sarrafa wuta ya ajiye kansa kusa da shi. motar daukar kaya ta biyu. Ba a gyaggyara A-10 ɗin sa tare da keɓantaccen firikwensin firikwensin infrared ba, amma bidiyon "FLIR na talaka" daga makami mai linzami na Maverick ya yi aikin da kyau.
    
  Harba bindigogi da daddare yawanci ba abu ne mai kyau ba, musamman a irin wannan tudu mai tuddai, amma abin da matukin jirgin ba zai yi kasada da shi ba don samun damar harba bindigar GAU-8A Avenger mai ban mamaki, bindigar Gatling mai tsawon millimita talatin wacce ta harba manyan rukunonin uranium a wata babbar mota. adadin kusan zagaye dubu hudu a minti daya? Bugu da ƙari, tun da farkon abin da aka nufa yana konewa sosai, yanzu yana da sauƙi don ganin manufa ta gaba.
    
  Lokacin da ƙwanƙolin Maverick ya faɗi digiri talatin, matukin jirgin ya sauke hancin jirgin, ya yi gyare-gyare na ƙarshe, kuma ya sanar ta rediyo, "Bindigu, bindigogi, bindigogi!" sannan ya ja tsaki. Haushin wannan katon bindiga da aka harba tsakanin kafafunsa shi ne abin da ya fi ban mamaki. A cikin fashewar dakika uku, kusan manyan harsasai dari biyu sun kai ga inda suka nufa. Matukin jirgin ya mayar da hankali kan motar daukar kaya a karo na farko, inda ya harba mata harsashi hamsin tare da haifar da wani abin ban mamaki, sannan ya daga hancin A-10 don ba da damar sauran zagaye dari da talatin da za su bi ta hanyar da 'yan ta'addan ke tserewa.
    
  A taka tsantsan don kada ya daidaita kan abin da aka nufa, kuma yana sane da yanayin da ke kewaye, ya taka birki da karfi ya canza hanya zuwa dama don samun tsayin da aka yi niyya. Haɓakawa na A-10 na Amurka yana da ban mamaki - bai cancanci laƙabinsa na hukuma ba, "Warthog." "Biyu bayyananne. Uku, bawon zafi."
    
  "Na uku akan yajin aiki," in ji matukin jirgin na A-10 na uku a cikin samuwar. Shi ne matukin jirgi mafi ƙanƙanta a cikin samar da jiragen ruwa huɗu, don haka ba zai yi gudu ba... amma ya kamata ya kasance mai ban sha'awa.
    
  Ya mayar da hankali ga manufa - wani babban gareji kusa da gidan - akan allon jagorar makami mai linzami na Maverick, ya danna maɓallin "kulle" a kan ma'auni , ya ce "Rifle daya" a kan rediyo, ya juya kansa zuwa dama don kauce wa hasken wuta. Injin makami mai linzami, kuma ya danna maɓallin "kaddamar" akan sandar sarrafawa. AGM-65G makami mai linzami na Maverick ya bar jagorar ƙaddamarwa a gefen hagu kuma da sauri ya ɓace daga gani. gidan da kansa - kuma ya kori Maverick daga hannun dama. Bayan 'yan dakikoki kaɗan ya sami lada da fashewar abubuwa biyu masu haske.
    
  "Mai gabatarwa yana da hoto na gani na abin da ya zama hits guda biyu kai tsaye."
    
  "Na ukun yana da 'yanci," in ji rediyo yayin da yake samun tsayi kuma ya juya zuwa wurin da aka shirya. "Hudu, an share cikin zazzafan bibiya."
    
  "Misalai huɗu, masu tashi da sauri," in ji matukin A-10 na huɗu. Wataƙila yana da mafi ƙarancin bayanin bayanan harin kuma ba yawanci A-10 ba ne ke aiwatar da shi, amma A-10s sabbin membobin rundunar ne kuma har yanzu ba a bincika cikakken ikon su ba.
    
  Hanyar ya fi sauƙi fiye da na 'yan fuka-fukansa: kula da masu sauyawa da aka sanya a tashoshi hudu da takwas; bi jagororin kewayawa GPS zuwa wurin buɗewa; Babban maɓalli na makamai yana cikin matsayi na "hannu"; kuma danna maɓallin saki akan hannun kulawa a wurin da aka riga aka shirya. An jefa bama-bamai masu jagorar GPS mai nauyin fam dubu biyu GBU-32 cikin dare. Matukin jirgin ba dole ba ne ya gyara komai ko kuma hadarin nutsewa cikin filin: kayan aikin makamin sun yi amfani da siginonin kewayawa tauraron dan adam GPS don jagorantar bama-baman zuwa wurin da aka nufa, wani babban gini kusa da wata gona da aka tallata a matsayin "cibiyar al'umma" amma. Majiyoyin leken asiri sun ce shi ne babban wurin da ake taruwa da daukar ma'aikata 'yan ta'addar PKK.
    
  To, ba kuma. Hatsari guda biyu kai tsaye sun lalata ginin, wanda ya haifar da wani katon rami mai tsayi sama da taku hamsin a diamita. Ko da ya tashi sama da ƙafa dubu goma sha biyar a sama, jirgin A-10 ya girgiza da fashewar abubuwa guda biyu. "Na hudu kyauta ne. Kwamitin makamin yana da lafiya kuma lafiyayye."
    
  "Masu kutse biyu masu kyau," matukin jirgin ya yi rediyo. Bai ga wasu fashe-fashe na biyu ba, amma mai yiwuwa 'yan ta'addar sun yi amfani da tarin makamai da bama-baman da aka ce an ajiye a cikin ginin. "Muhtesem! Babban aiki, Walƙiya. Tabbatar cewa na'urorin kashe makamai suna da tsaro, kuma kar a manta da kashe ECM ɗin kuma kunna transponders a kan iyaka, ko kuma mu busa ku da gutsuttsura kamar yadda suka yi wa 'yan ta'addar PKK a can. Sai mun hadu a anga rendezvous."
    
  A cikin 'yan mintoci, dukkan jiragen sama na A-10 Thunderbolts guda hudu, sabbin jiragen yakin da sojojin saman Turkiyya suka samu, sun tsallaka kan iyaka lafiya. Wani nasarar da aka samu na yaki da ta'addanci a kan 'yan tada kayar baya da ke boye a Iraki.
    
  Matar mai suna Zilar Azzawi ta yi nishi cikin radadi a lokacin da ta farka daga wani lokaci. Hannunta na hagu taji wani mugun ciwo kamar ta karya yatsa a faduwa... Sai a gigice ta gane hannunta na hagu ba ya nan ta tsage har tsakiyar hannunta. Duk abin da ya kashe mijinta da 'ya'yanta da lalata motar ya kusan yin nasarar kashe ta. Horarwar kwamandojin ta na PKK, ta samu nasarar daure wani yadi daga rigarta a hannunta a matsayin yawon shakatawa don dakatar da zubar jini.
    
  Gaba d'aya yankin nata wuta ne, ba ta da wani aiki da ya wuce ta tsaya a inda take, a gefen titi, har sai da ta samu. Duk abin da ke kewaye da ita sai wannan ƴan ƙazamin titin yana ƙonewa, ta zubar da jini sosai wanda ba ta tunanin za ta yi nisa ko da ta san hanyar da za ta bi.
    
  Duk abin da kowa da kowa ya bace, an rushe gaba daya - gine-gine, liyafar bikin aure, dukan baƙi, yara ... Allahna, yara, 'ya'yanta ...!
    
  Azzawi ya rasa taimako yanzu, yana fatan ya rayu kawai...
    
  "Amma, ya Allah, idan ka bar ni in rayu," in ji ta da ƙarfi, saboda ƙarar mutuwa da halakar da ke kewaye da ita, "Zan sami waɗanda ke da alhakin wannan harin, kuma zan yi amfani da dukan ƙarfina don tattara sojoji in hallaka. su. Rayuwata ta baya ta ƙare - sun ƙwace iyalina daga wurina da rashin tausayi. Da albarkar ka, Allah, sabuwar rayuwata za ta fara a yanzu, kuma zan rama wa duk wanda ya mutu a daren nan."
    
    
  KUSANCI UMURNIYAR JAMA'A TA JANDARMA, DIYARBAKIR, JAMHURIYAR TURKIYA.
  ZAMANI 2010
    
    
  "Kanak Biyu-bakwai, Diyarbakir hasumiya, iska uku-sifili-sifili a takwas kulli, rufin dubu daya kilomita awa daya, ganuwa biyar a cikin haske ruwan sama, titin jirgin sama uku-biyar, barrantar da al'ada category ILS tsarin , tsaro matsayi ne kore."
    
  Matukin wani jirgin dakon mai na KC-135R da Amurka ke yi ya amince da kiran, sannan ya danna na'urar da ke kai hari. "Za mu sauka nan ba da jimawa ba. Da fatan za a koma kujerun ku, tabbatar da an ɗaure bel ɗin ku amintacce, share teburan ku, kuma ku ajiye duk kayan da ake ɗauka. Tesekkur ederim. Na gode ". Daga nan sai ya juya ga ma"aikacin kula da zirga-zirgar jiragen sama da ke zaune a bayan ma"aikacin jirgin ya yi ihu a hayin jirgin, "Jeka ka duba ko yana son shigowa don saukarwa, Jagora Sajan." Injin din ya gyada kai, ya cire belun kunnensa ya nufi wajen dakon kaya.
    
  Kodayake KC-135R da farko jirgin sama ne mai yawan mai, ana amfani da shi don jigilar kaya da fasinjoji. Kayan yana gaban gaban kogon ciki-a wannan yanayin, pallets huɗu cike da kwalaye da aka tsare da ragamar nailan. Bayan tirelolin akwai tireloli guda biyu na kujerun fasinja na aji goma sha biyu, sun makale a ƙasa ta yadda fasinjojin suka zauna suna fuskantar baya. Jirgin ya kasance mai hayaniya, wari, duhu da rashin jin daɗi, amma jirgin sama mai daraja irin wannan da wuya a bar shi ya tashi ba tare da cikakken kaya ba.
    
  Injiniyan jirgin ya matse a cikin kayan ya matso kusa da fasinjan da ke zaune a ƙarshen layin farko na gefen tashar jiragen ruwa. Mutumin yana da dogon gashi kuma yana da toused gashi, ciwon kai wanda ya girma a cikin kwanaki da yawa, kuma yana sanye da tufafin tituna na yau da kullun, kodayake duk wanda ke tafiya a cikin jirgin saman soja ana buƙatar ya sa rigar riga ko kasuwanci. Injiniyan ya tsaya gaban mutumin ya dan taba kafadarsa da sauki. Da mutumin ya farka, sai babban Sajan ya yi masa alama, sai ya mike ya bi Sajan din zuwa cikin sarari tsakanin pallet din. "Yi hakuri, yallabai," ma'aikacin bum din ya ce bayan fasinja ya cire gyambon kunnen kumfa mai laushi mai launin rawaya da kowa ke sanyawa don kare jin su daga hayaniya, "amma matukin jirgin ya nemi ya ga ko za ka so ka zauna a cikin jirgin domin daukar jirgin. kusanci." saukowa."
    
  "Wannan al'ada ce, Babban Sajan?" - ya tambayi fasinjan, Janar Besir Ozek. Ozek shi ne kwamandan rundunar Gendarma Genel Komutanligi, ko kuma dakarun sa-kai na kasar Turkiyya, wadanda suka hada da 'yan sandan kasar, da masu tsaron kan iyaka da kuma masu tsaron kasa. A matsayinsa na kwamandojin da aka horar da shi, da kuma kwamandan rundunar da ke kula da tsaron cikin gida, Ozek an ba shi damar ya sa dogon gashi da ƙoƙon gefe don ya fi dacewa ya shiga ciki kuma ya fita daga matsayin wakilin ɓoye da kuma lura da wasu a hankali.
    
  "A'a, yallabai," ma'aikacin shingen ya amsa. "Ba a yarda kowa ya shiga cikin jirgin sai ma"aikatan jirgin. Amma..."
    
  "Na nemi kada a ware ni a wannan jirgin, Master Sajan. Na yi tunanin hakan ya bayyana ga kowa da kowa a cikin tawagar," in ji Ozek. "Ina so in kasance a matsayin mai ban mamaki kamar yadda zai yiwu a wannan tafiya. Shi ya sa na yanke shawarar zama a baya tare da sauran fasinjoji."
    
  "Yi hakuri, yallabai," in ji ma'aikacin shingen.
    
  Ozek ya nazarci fasinjojin dakon kaya kuma ya lura cewa fasinjoji da yawa sun juya don ganin abin da ke faruwa. "To, ina tsammanin ya yi latti yanzu, ko ba haka ba?" - ya ce. "Ku tafi". Ma"aikacin bindigar ya jinjina kai ya shigar da Janar din cikin jirgin, yana murna da bai yi wa kwamandan jirgin bayanin dalilin da ya sa Janar din ya ki amsa gayyatarsa ba.
    
  Shekaru da yawa kenan tun lokacin da Ozek ya kasance a cikin jirgin KC-135R Stratotanker na jirgin ruwa, kuma gidan ya yi kama da matsi, hayaniya da wari fiye da yadda ya tuna. Ozek tsohon soja ne kuma baya son fahimtar abin da ke jan hankalin maza zuwa jirgin sama. Rayuwar matukin jirgin ta kasance ƙarƙashin ƙarfi da dokoki waɗanda babu wanda ya gani ko kuma ya fahimce su sosai, kuma ba yadda yake so ya rayu ba. KC-135R da aka haɓaka jirgin sama ne mai kyau, amma filin jirgin ya kasance yana aiki sama da shekaru hamsin-wannan ɗan ƙaramin yaro ne, ɗan shekara arba'in da biyar kacal-kuma ya fara nuna shekarun sa.
    
  Duk da haka, jirgin sama ya zama kamar ya zama babban tashin hankali a Jamhuriyar Turkiyya a kwanakin nan. Kasarsa kawai ta samu da dama daga cikin mayaka na dabara da bama-bamai daga Amurka: masoyi F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter-Bomber, wanda kuma aka gina a karkashin lasisi a Turkiyya; da A-10 Thunderbolt kusa-a cikin jirgin goyon bayan iska, wanda ake yi wa lakabi da "Warthog" saboda kullunsa, bayyanar mai amfani; AH-1 Helikwafta harin Cobra; da kuma jirgin F-15 Eagle na yaki don fifikon iska. Turkiyya na kan hanyarta ta zama wata kasa mai karfin soja a duniya, sakamakon burin Amurka na kawar da kayan aikin da aka gwada na yaki amma na tsufa.
    
  Ma'aikacin barrage ya mika wa janar na'urar kai kuma ya nuna wurin zama mai koyarwa tsakanin matukan jirgi biyu. "Na san ba ka son a dame ka, Janar," matukin jirgin ya ce a kan intercom, "amma wurin zama a bude kuma ina tsammanin kana iya son kallon."
    
  "Hakika," Ozek ya amsa a sauƙaƙe, yana yin bayanin tunani don cire matukin jirgin daga aiki lokacin da ya koma hedkwatar; akwai maza da mata da yawa a cikin rundunar sojojin saman Turkiyya da suka san bin umarni suna jiran jiragen dakon mai. "Mene ne yanayin tsaro a filin jirgin?"
    
  "Green, yallabai," matukin jirgin ya ruwaito. "Babu canji sama da wata guda."
    
  "Ayyukan PKK na karshe a wannan yanki shine kwanaki ashirin da hudu da suka wuce, Captain," in ji Ozek a fusace. PKK, ko Karker Party a Kurdistan, ko Kurdistan Workers' Party, haramtacciyar kungiyar soji ce ta Markisanci, wacce ta nemi kafa wata kasa ta daban ta Kurdistan, wacce aka kafa daga sassan kudu maso gabashin Turkiyya, arewacin Iraki, arewa maso gabashin Siriya da arewa maso yammacin Iran, dukkaninsu. wanda mafi yawan kabilun Kurdawa. Kungiyar ta'addar PKK ta yi amfani da ta'addanci da tashe-tashen hankula, hatta manyan sansanonin soji da kuma wuraren da ake samun kariya kamar filayen jiragen sama na farar hula, wajen kokarin kiyaye kanta a idon jama'a da kuma matsawa kasashe daban-daban don cimma matsaya. "Dole ne mu kasance a faɗake koyaushe."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," matukin jirgin ya tabbatar a cikin daurewar murya.
    
  "Shin ba ka aiwatar da mafi girman tsarin aiki ba, Captain?"
    
  "Uh...a'a, yallabai," matukin jirgin ya amsa. "Matsayin aminci kore ne, rufi da ganuwa ba su da yawa, kuma hasumiya ta ba da shawarar cewa an share mu don tsarin tsarin al'ada." Ya haɗiye, sannan ya ƙara da cewa, "Kuma ban so in bata muku rai ko sauran fasinjojin ta hanyar saukowa a iyakar aiki ba."
    
  Da Ozek ya zagi matashin wawan matukin jirgi, amma sun riga sun fara tunkarar kayan aikinsu kuma nan da nan za su shagala sosai. An ƙirƙira mafi girman ayyukan tashi da hanyoyi don rage lokaci a cikin kewayon bindigogi masu harbin kafada. A wasu lokuta 'yan ta'addar PKK na amfani da makami mai linzami samfurin SA-7 da SA-14 da Rasha ta kera a kan jiragen gwamnatin Turkiyya.
    
  Duk da haka, yiwuwar kai irin wannan harin a yau kadan ne. Silin da ganuwa sun yi ƙasa sosai, yana iyakance lokacin da mai harbi zai iya kai hari. Bugu da ƙari, yawancin hare-hare an kai su ne a kan manyan jirage masu saukar ungulu ko tsayayyen jirgin sama a lokacin tashin jirgin saboda sa hannun zafin da makami mai linzamin ke hari ya fi haske-a lokacin da suke gabatowa, injinan suna gudana a ƙananan saitunan wutar lantarki kuma suna da sanyi sosai, wanda ke nufin makamai masu linzami. ya fi wahalar kullewa kuma ana iya matse shi ko kuma a kama shi cikin sauƙi.
    
  Matukin jirgin yana cin zarafin da Ozek bai so ba - musamman da yake yana yin hakan ne kawai don ƙoƙarin burge babban jami'in - amma yanzu sun kasance cikin tsaka mai wuya, kuma suna zubar da hanyar a wannan lokacin, kusa da tsaunuka cikin mummunan hali. yanayi , ba kyakkyawan zaɓi ba ne. Ozek ya jingina da kujera ya haye hannayensa bisa kirjinsa yana nuna fushinsa. "Ci gaba, kyaftin," in ji shi a sauƙaƙe.
    
  "Eh, yallabai," matukin jirgin ya amsa da sauƙi. "Mataimakin matukin jirgi, don Allah, kafin aiwatar da jerin abubuwan da za a yi la'akari da su a kan hanyar glide." Domin matukin jirgin, Ozek ya yi tunani, shi matukin jirgi ne mai kyau; zai kasance mai kyau kari ga wasu ma'aikatan jirgin saboda ba zai dade a cikin rundunar sojojin saman Turkiyya ba.
    
  Sai dai kuma abin takaicin shi ne, a "yan kwanakin nan wannan halin ko in kula a cikin sojojin na kara zama ruwan dare a yayin da rikici tsakanin gwamnatin Turkiyya da Kurdawa ke ci gaba da ruruwa. Jam'iyyar Kurdistan Workers' Party, ko PKK, ta canza suna zuwa PAG, ko Congress for Freedom and Democracy, kuma ta kauce wa amfani da kalmar "Kurdistan" a cikin litattafanta da jawabanta a wani yunƙuri na jawo hankalin masu sauraro. A cikin wadannan kwanaki, sun gudanar da taruka da kuma buga wasu takardu da ke ba da ra'ayin yin amfani da sabbin dokokin kare hakkin bil'adama don rage wahalhalun da ake fama da su a duniya, maimakon bayar da shawarar fafutukar neman kafa kasar Kurdawa ta daban.
    
  Amma dabara ce. PKK ta fi karfi, ta fi arziki kuma ta fi tada hankali fiye da kowane lokaci. Sakamakon mamayewar da Amurka ta yi wa gwamnatin Saddam Hussein a Iraki, da kuma yakin basasar Iran, 'yan tawayen Kurdawa ba tare da tsoro ba sun kaddamar da hare-haren wuce gona da iri a cikin kasashen Turkiyya, Iraki, Iran da Siriya daga sansanonin tsaro masu yawa, da fatan za su yi amfani da hargitsi da hargitsi. rudani da kafa tushe mai karfi a kowace kasa. A duk lokacin da sojojin Turkiyya suka mayar da martani, ana zarginsu da aikata kisan kiyashi, kuma 'yan siyasa a Ankara sun umarci sojoji da su dakatar da zaluncin.
    
  Wannan kawai ya karawa PKK kwarin gwiwa. Sabuwar skit: bayyanar mace shugabar ta'addanci. Ba wanda ya san ainihin sunanta; Ana kiran ta da Baz, ko kuma "Hawk" a Larabci, saboda iya bugunta da sauri da kuma ba zato ba tsammani, duk da haka da alama ta tashi ta tsere wa masu bin ta cikin sauki. Bayyanar ta a matsayin babbar rundunar da ke fafutukar kwato 'yancin Kurdawa da kuma mayar da martani mai zafi da gwamnatocin Turkiyya da Iraki suka yi kan kiran da ta yi na yaki da zubar da jini ya damu Janar Jandarma.
    
  "Muna shiga tsaka mai wuya," in ji mataimakin matukin jirgin.
    
  Matukin jirgin ya ce, "A hankali.
    
  "Ga shi," in ji mataimakin matukin jirgin, sai ya kai sama da gwiwar dama da matukin jirgin ya matsar da mashin ɗin zuwa ƙasa. "An ci gaba da watsawa... Kore uku, babu rawaya, maɓallin turawa famfo duba haske a kunne, watsawa kuma a kulle."
    
  Matukin jirgin ya ɗauke idanunsa daga mai nunin matsayi a kwance kawai ya isa ya duba alamun motsin kaya kuma latsa alamar "gear hydr" don dubawa. "Duba, an kashe watsawa kuma an toshe."
    
  "Tabbas, a kan hanya," in ji mataimakin matukin jirgin. "Kafa dubu biyu zuwa tsayin daka." Ma"aikacin jirgin ya miqe a hankali ya danna alamar saurin iskar, ya yi shiru yana gargadin matukin cewa saurin iskar sa ya yi kasa kadan-tare da janar din a cikin kokfit, bai so ya haskaka ko da dan kuskure. Gudun su ya ragu da kulli biyar kawai, amma ƙananan kurakuran sun yi kama da dusar ƙanƙara a kan tsarin kayan aiki, kuma yana da kyau a gan su a gyara su nan da nan fiye da barin su haifar da manyan matsaloli daga baya.
    
  "Tesekkur der," matukin jirgin ya amsa, ya yarda da kama. Sauƙaƙan "samun ku" yana nufin cewa matukin jirgin ya gano kuskurensa, amma godiya yana nufin cewa ma'aikacin jirgin ya yi kyakkyawan tsari. "Dubu saura."
    
  Tace hasken rana ya fara tacewa ta tagogin gidan, bayan wani lokaci sai hasken rana ya fado ta cikin gajimare da ke warwatse. Ozek ya duba waje ya ga ashe suna tsakiyar titin jirgin ne, kuma fitilun da ake gani suna nuni da cewa suna kan hanyar. Mataimakin matukin jirgin ya sanar. Alluran ILS sun fara rawa kadan, wanda ke nufin matukin jirgin yana kallon tagar kan titin jirgin maimakon kallon alamar matsayi a kwance. "Ku ci gaba da kusantowa."
    
  "Na gode". Wani kama mai kyau. "Dari biyar zuwa tsayin yanke hukunci. Bi jerin 'pre-landing' checklist kuma..."
    
  Ozek, yana mai da hankali kan taga maimakon kayan aiki, ya fara ganinsa: wani farar layin hayaƙi na murɗawa daga mahadar tituna gaba da hagu, cikin shingen kewayen filin jirgin sama, yana nufo su kai tsaye! "Kibiya!" Ozek ya yi ihu, yana amfani da sunan barkwanci na Rasha "Zvezda" don makami mai linzamin SA-7 da aka harba kafada.
    
  Don yabonsa, matukin jirgin ya yi daidai kamar yadda Ozek ya umarta: nan da nan ya juya dabaran sarrafawa zuwa dama kuma ya saita duk magudanar ruwa guda huɗu zuwa cikakken ikon yaƙi. Amma ya yi yawa, da yawa latti. Ozek ya san cewa yanzu suna da dama guda ɗaya kawai: cewa da gaske shine makami mai linzami na SA-7 ba sabon SA-14 ba, saboda tsohon makami mai linzami yana buƙatar wuri mai zafi don jagorantar shi, yayin da SA-14 zai iya bin duk wani tushen zafi. , ko da hasken rana yana haskakawa daga hasken tocila.
    
  A cikin kiftawar ido, roka ya bace - ya tashi daga 'yan mita daga reshen hagu. Amma akwai wani abu dabam. An yi ƙara a cikin jirgin; Matukin jirgin ya yi ƙoƙari ya juya KC-135 zuwa hagu don daidaita shi kuma watakila ma ya sake daidaita shi a kan titin jirgin sama, amma jirgin bai amsa ba - reshe na hagu yana da tsayi a sararin sama kuma babu isasshen wutar lantarki. don saukar da shi. Ko da injinan da ke aiki da ƙarfi, sun tsaya gaba ɗaya, tare da yin barazanar shiga cikin ƙugiya a kowane lokaci.
    
  "Me kake yi captain?" Ozek ya yi kururuwa. "Down your hanci da kuma daidaita your fuka-fuki!"
    
  "Ba zan iya juyo ba!" - matukin jirgin ya yi ihu.
    
  "Ba za mu iya isa titin jirgin sama ba - daidaita fikafikan mu sami wurin saukar gaggawa!" Ozek yace. Ya leka tagar mataimakin matukin jirgin sai ya ga filin kwallon kafa. "Nan! Filin ƙwallon ƙafa! Wannan shine wurin saukar ku!"
    
  "Zan iya sarrafa shi! Zan iya yi...!"
    
  "A'a, ba za ku iya ba - ya yi latti!" - Ozek ya yi ihu. "Saka hancin ku zuwa filin kwallon kafa, ko mu mutu duka!"
    
  Sauran sun faru a cikin ƙasa da daƙiƙa biyar, amma Ozek yana kallonta kamar a hankali. Maimakon ya yi ƙoƙarin ɗaga tankar da ta tsaya a sararin sama, matuƙin jirgin ya saki matsin lamba na baya akan levers ɗin. Da ya yi haka kuma injinan sun cika wuta, sai ma"aikatan jirgin suka mayar da martani nan da nan kuma matukin ya iya daidaita fikafikan jirgin. Tare da ƙananan hanci, saurin iska ya karu da sauri, kuma girgiza ya isa ga matukin jirgi ya ɗaga hanci kusan zuwa wurin saukowa. Ya mayar da magudanar ruwa zuwa zaman banza, sannan ya yanke wasu lokuta kafin babbar tankar ta taso.
    
  Ozek aka jefo gaba kusan cikin na'ura mai kwakwalwa, amma kafadarsa da bel din cinyarsa sun rike, ya yi tunani cikin nadama cewa ya fuskanci saukowa mai tsanani a baya... sai ga kayan hanci ya sauko da hayaniya, sai ga Janar din Turkiyya ya ji. kamar an karye shi gaba daya. Akwatin gear ɗin na gaba ya karye kuma ƙazanta da turf suka zubo ta cikin gilashin gilashin kamar igiyar ruwa. Sun yi karo ne ta hanyar gidan kwallon kafa, sannan suka yi karo da shingen shinge da gareji da wasu gine-ginen ajiya kafin su tsaya a filin wasan motsa jiki.
    
    
  BABI NA FARKO
    
    
    
  FARAR SANDS MISSILE RANGE, New MEXICO
  DA safe
    
    
  "Masters Biyu-Biyu, wannan shine White Sands." Rediyon šaukuwa ya rikiɗe zuwa rai, yana yaga cikin iskar safiya. "An share tashin jirgin, titin jirgi daya-sifili, nutsuwar iska, altimeter biyu-9-9-bakwai. Matsayin barazanar ja ne, na maimaita, ja, sake karantawa."
    
  "An fahimta, Masters Biyu-Biyu kofe, tashi daga sama, titin jirgin sama daya-sifili, matsayin barazana ja."
    
  Babban jirgin sama mai kama da ban mamaki ya fara injinsa kuma ya yi shirin tafiya zuwa titin jirgin sama. Yana da ɗan tunowa da B-2 Ruhu "mai tashi sama" mai fashewar bama-bamai, amma ya fi ƙarfin bom fiye da bom ɗin da ke tsakanin nahiyoyi, yana nuna ƙarfin ɗaukar nauyi. Maimakon injuna da aka gina a cikin fuselage, jirgin yana da injuna uku da aka ɗora a bayan fuselage akan gajerun pylon.
    
  Yayin da bakon jirgin saman guppy mai fuka-fuki yana tasi ta layin riko zuwa titin jirgin sama mai aiki, kimanin mil mil zuwa yamma, wani mutum sanye da hular kyalle, balaclava, jaket mai kauri mai kauri da safar hannu masu nauyi ya ɗaga MANPADS, ko jirgin yaƙi mai ɗaukar hoto na mutum. makami mai linzami, harba a kafadarsa ta dama. hadaddun. Da farko ya saka wata na'ura mai girman gwangwani a cikin kasan na'urar, wanda ke samar da iskar argon gas mai sanyaya ga na'urar gano infrared da kuma sarrafa batirin na'urar.
    
  "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar," mutumin ya fada cikin sanyin murya. Daga nan sai ya tashi tsaye ya nufi gabas da makamin, inda a hankali ke kara tada murya na injinan jirgin da ke tashi. Har yanzu bai isa ganin jirgin daga wannan nisan ba, dan haka mai roka ya runtse idanuwansa na dare, yana mai daidaita matsayinsa a hankali ta yadda zai iya tunkarar MANPADS ta fuskar karfe. Ya kunna makamin ta latsawa da sakewa ginanniyar aminci da lever ɗin tuƙi. Yana jin motsin gyroscopes masu jujjuyawar a cikin mashigin makami mai linzami ko da a kan hayaniyar jirgin sama na tsawa a cikin hamada.
    
  Yayin da ya mayar da hankalinsa kan hoton kore da fari na jetliner mai ja da baya, sai ya ji wata ƙaramar ƙara a cikin belun kunnensa, wanda ke nuni da cewa MANPADS na infrared Sensor ya ɗauko iskar injin jetliner. Sai ya danna kuma ya riƙe lever na "uncage" kuma siginar saye ya yi ƙara, yana gaya masa makamin yana bin kyakkyawar manufa.
    
  Ya jira har sai da jirgin ya tashi domin da a ce ya harbo shi yana nan a kasa, da ma ma"aikatan jirgin za su iya tsayar da jirgin lafiya a kan titin jirgin da sauri su kashe wutar, tare da rage yawan wadanda suka mutu. Lokacin mafi rauni shine daƙiƙa biyar bayan tashinsa, saboda jirgin yana ƙara sauri a hankali kuma kayan saukarsa suna motsi; idan injinsa ya gaza, dole ne ma'aikatan jirgin su yi gaggawa da sauri don guje wa bala'i.
    
  Yanzu ne lokacin. Ya rada ma wani "Allahu Akbar", ya daga mai jefar don abin ya kasance a cikin kusurwar hagu na ƙasa na baƙin ƙarfe, ya riƙe numfashi don kada ya shakar rokar, sannan ya ja abin.
    
  Wata karamar motar dakon kaya ta harba roka daga ganga mai kimanin taku talatin zuwa sama. Yayin da makami mai linzami ya fara fadowa, matakin farko na roka mai karfi ya harba kuma makamin ya nufi inda aka nufa, tare da kulle firikwensin a wurinsa. Mutumin mai makami mai linzamin sai ya sauke kayan kariyansa kuma ya kalli yakin cikin farin ciki ta cikin tabarau na ganin dare, kuma daga baya ya ga makamin ya fashe a cikin gajimare na wuta. "Allah sarki Akbar" ya fad'a. "Ya yi kyau".
    
  Amma har yanzu ba a gama kai harin ba. Da karar fashewar fashewar ta riske shi na dakika guda, sai mutumin roka ya ji wani zafi mai tsanani a jikinsa. Ya jefar da na'urar da aka yi amfani da ita a kasa, a rude da rude. Da alama duk jikinsa ya cinye. Ya fadi kasa, yana fatan kashe wutar ta hanyar birgima, amma zafi yana kara karfi kowane dakika. Ba abin da ya iya yi sai murzawa a cikin ƙwallon da zai kare shi ya rufe idanunsa, yana fatan kada ya makanta ko kona shi da ransa. Ya yi kururuwa yayin da wutar ke bazuwa, tana cinye shi...
    
  "Ya shugaba me ya faru?" yaji murya a belun kunnensa. "Kana lafiya? Muna kan hanya. Jira!"
    
  Mutumin ya tarar da kirjinsa na harbawa zuciyarsa na harbawa sakamakon kwatsam da sinadarin adrenaline da ke cikin jininsa, sai ya yi wuya ya yi magana na 'yan wasu lokuta... sai dai tsananin zafin nama ya tsaya. Daga k'arshe ya mik'e ya k'ura. Babu wata shaida da ke nuna cewa wani abu ya same shi, sai dai mugun tuna irin wannan zafin nasa. "A'a ... To, watakila ... da kyau, eh," in ji masanin kimiyyar roka, Dokta Jonathan Colin Masters, cikin shakka. "Watakila kadan".
    
  John Masters ya cika shekara hamsin da haihuwa, amma har yanzu yana kallo, kuma mai yiwuwa ko da yaushe zai yi kama da, kamar matashi mai kyawawan sifofinsa, manyan kunnuwa, motsin jikin sa, karkatacciyar murmushi, kuma a zahiri yana toused gashin launin ruwan kasa a ƙarƙashin belun kunne . Shi ne babban jami"in gudanarwa na Sky Masters Inc., wani karamin kamfanin bincike da bunkasa harkokin tsaro da ya kafa, wanda a tsawon shekaru ashirin da suka gabata ya kera jiragen sama, tauraron dan adam, makamai, na"urori masu auna firikwensin da fasahar kayan zamani ga Amurka.
    
  Ko da yake bai mallaki kamfanin da har yanzu ya ci sunansa ba-yanzu haka ana gudanar da harkokin kamfanin ne a karkashin jagorancin tsohuwar matarsa da abokin kasuwancinsa, Helen Cuddiri, da kuma matashin shugaban kamfanin, Dr. Kelsey Duffield-kuma ya kasance. arziƙin da ya isa ya yi balaguro a duniya Duk tsawon rayuwarsa, idan yana so, John yana son ya ba da lokaci ko dai a cikin dakin gwaje-gwaje, haɓaka sabbin na'urori, ko gwada su a fagen. Babu wanda ya san da gaske ko hukumar gudanarwar ta ba shi damar yin abubuwa kamar harba makamai masu linzami daga MANPADS ko kuma ya tsaya a waje da makami mai linzami yayin gwaji don kawai a yi masa ba'a...ko don suna fatan za a nitse shi da nasa kura. ƙirƙira, wanda kusan ya faru sau da yawa a cikin shekaru.
    
  Yawancin Humvees da motocin tallafi sun isa, gami da motar daukar marasa lafiya, kawai idan akwai fitulun fitillu masu haskakawa da fitillukan tabo kan John. Wani mutum yayi tsalle daga Humvee na farko da ke wurin ya ruga zuwa gare shi. "Lafiya, John?" ya tambayi Hunter "Boomer" Noble. Boomer ya kasance mataimakin shugaban kasa mai shekaru ashirin da biyar da ke kula da samar da makaman iska na Sky Masters Inc. Wani tsohon matukin jirgi, injiniya da kuma ɗan sama jannati, Boomer ya taɓa yin aikin ƙishirwa na kera tsarin jiragen sama masu ban sha'awa sannan kuma ya iya tashi samfurin da ya gama da kansa. Yawo da jirgin saman XR-A9 Black Stallion na juyin-juya-hali mai hawa-hawa daya, wanda bakar dokin dokin ya tuda shi zuwa sararin samaniya, Boomer ya kasance a cikin kewayawa mafi sau a cikin shekaru biyu da suka gabata fiye da sauran gawawwakin 'yan sama jannatin Amurka hade a cikin shekaru goma da suka gabata. "Allah ka tsorata mu a can!"
    
  John ya ce, "Na gaya muku, ina lafiya," in ji John, yana godiya da cewa muryarsa ba ta girgiza kamar yadda ta yi ƴan mintuna kaɗan da suka gabata. "Ina tsammanin mun ɗan ɗan hau tare da ikon emitter, huh Boomer?"
    
  "Na saita shi zuwa mafi ƙarancin iko, shugaba, kuma na duba kuma na sake duba shi," in ji Boomer. "Wataƙila kun kasance kusa sosai. Laser yana da kewayon mil hamsin - kun kasance ƙasa da biyu lokacin da aka buga ku. Wataƙila ba kyakkyawan ra'ayi ba ne ka ɗauki naka gwajin, shugaba. "
    
  "Na gode da shawarar, Boomer," John ya amsa a raunane, yana fatan ba wanda zai lura da girgiza hannunsa. "Babban aiki, Boomer. Zan iya cewa gwajin makamin makami mai linzami na Slingshot ya yi nasara sosai."
    
  "Ni ma, Boomer," in ji wata murya a bayansa. Wasu maza biyu sun zo mana daga wani Hummer, sanye da rigar kasuwanci, dogayen riguna masu duhu da safar hannu don kare mu daga sanyin safiya. An biye da su wasu mutane biyu sanye da makamancin haka, amma rigunansu a bude suke... yana ba su saukin samun damar samun makaman sarrafa kansu da aka rataya a kasa. Wani mutum mai dogon gashin gishiri da barkono da wani akuya ya girgiza John yatsa ya ci gaba da cewa, "Kai kusan ka yi nasarar kashe kanka, John...kuma."
    
  "Nah... ya tafi daidai bisa tsari, Mr. Shugaba," John ya amsa.
    
  Mutumin, tsohon shugaban kasar Amurka Kevin Martindale, ya zare idanu cikin rashin imani. Mutumin da ya kafa Washington shekaru da yawa, Martindale ya yi wa'adi shida a Majalisa, wa'adi biyu a matsayin mataimakin shugaban kasa da wa'adi daya a matsayin shugaban kasa, kafin a cire shi daga mukaminsa; sannan ya zama mutum na biyu kacal a tarihin Amurka da aka sake zabe.
    
  Ya kuma samu banbancin kasancewarsa mataimakin shugaban kasa na farko da aka taba rabuwa da shi a lokacin yana mulki, kuma har yanzu ya kasance dan takarar da aka tabbatar da shi, wanda ake yawan ganinsa a tare da matasan "yan wasa da "yan wasa. Duk da cewa Martindale ya haura shekaru sittin da haihuwa, har yanzu ya kasance kyakkyawa kyakkyawa, mai kwarin gwiwa kuma kusan shaidan a cikin bayyanarsa tare da goatee da dogon gashin kansa, an ƙawata shi da makullan azurfa guda biyu masu lanƙwasa na sanannen "mafarkin mai daukar hoto" wanda kai tsaye ya bayyana a kansa. gabansa a duk lokacin da ya yi fushi ko ya ji haushi.
    
  "Har yanzu yana son yin nasa ƙalubalen, Mr. Shugaban ƙasa-mafi girman kai shine mafi kyau," in ji mutumin da ke kusa da shi, Laftanar Janar Patrick McLaanahan mai ritaya. Gajere shi fiye da Martindale amma an gina shi sosai, McLaanahan ya kasance almara kamar Martindale, sai dai a cikin duhun duniyar dabarun yaƙin iska. Ya yi aiki na tsawon shekaru biyar a matsayin mai tuƙi da bama-bamai don B-52G Stratofortress a Amurka. Rundunar Sojan Sama kafin a zaɓe ta don shiga ƙungiyar bincike da ci gaba na sirri da aka sani da Cibiyar Makamai Aerospace ta Fasaha, ko HAWC, wanda ke tushen wani tashar jirgin da ba a san shi ba a cikin hamadar Nevada da aka sani da "Dreamland."
    
  Babban kwamanda na farko da ba shi da iko, Laftanar Janar Bradley James Elliott ya jagoranta, hukumar ta HAWC ta dauki nauyin gudanar da ayyuka na boye a duniya don hana makiya kara ruruta rikici zuwa ga cikas. yaki, ta yin amfani da fasahohin gwaji na ƙwanƙwasa waɗanda wasu sojojin soja ba za su yi amfani da su ba tsawon shekaru da yawa - idan har abada.
    
  Kwarewar HAWC tana gyaggyarawa tsofaffin jiragen sama tare da sabbin tsare-tsare da fasaha don sanya su yin aiki ba kamar wani abu da kowa ya taɓa gani ba, sannan kuma amfani da makaman da HAWC ke bayarwa don shirye-shiryen gwaji na zahiri na asirce don murkushe abokan gaba cikin sauri da nutsuwa. Yawancin ayyukan HAWC ba a taɓa sanin jama'a ba; matukan jirgin da aka zaba domin su gwada tukin sabon jirgin ba za su taba sanin cewa ba su ne suka fara tashi ba, har ma da cewa an riga an yi amfani da jirgin wajen yaki; Iyalan ma"aikatan jirgin da injiniyoyi da dama da suka mutu, na soja da na farar hula, ba za su taba sanin ainihin abin da ya faru da "yan uwansu ba.
    
  Saboda ƙudurin Elliott mai ra'ayi ɗaya na mamayewa, da kuma iyawar HAWC, wanda ya zarce tsammanin kowane kwamandan farar hula ko soja, sashin sau da yawa yana ƙaddamar da martani ga sabbin barazanar ba tare da cikakken sani ko izini daga kowa ba. Wannan a ƙarshe ya haifar da rashin amincewa kuma a ƙarshe yanke hukunci daga Washington da kafa Pentagon, waɗanda suka nemi ware har ma da lalata ayyukan HAWC.
    
  A cikin shekaru goma sha huɗu da ya yi a HAWC, McLaanahan, ƙwararren ƙwararren matukin jirgi da ma'aikacin tsarin, an sake yabo, azabtarwa, haɓaka, kora, lada da wulakanci. Ko da yake mutane da yawa suna kallonsa a matsayin babban gwarzon janar na Amurka tun daga Norman Schwarzkopf, McLaanahan ya bar rundunar sojojin sama a nutse a lokacin da ya isa wurin, ba tare da yabo, yabo ko godiya daga kowa ba.
    
  Kevin Martindale, Mataimakin Shugaban kasa da Shugaban kasa, shi ne babban mai goyon bayan HAWC, kuma tsawon shekaru da yawa ya san zai iya dogara ga Patrick McLanahan don samun aikin, ko ta yaya rashin daidaituwa. Yanzu da su biyun suka yi ritaya daga rayuwar jama"a, ba abin mamaki ba ne ga John Masters ya gansu a tsaye a kafada da kafada a nan cikin sahara na New Mexico, a wani wurin gwajin makami na asirce.
    
  "Na sake taya murna, Dr. Masters," in ji Martindale. "Na ɗauka za ku iya gina wannan tsarin kariyar kai na Slingshot Laser a cikin kowane jirgin sama?"
    
  "Eh yallabai, za mu iya," in ji Boomer. "Abin da kawai yake buƙata shine tushen wutar lantarki da kuma buɗaɗɗen buɗewar inci goma sha biyu ta hanyar tankin matsi na jirgin don firikwensin infrared don ganowa da sarrafa katako. Za mu iya shigar da daidaita na'urar a cikin 'yan kwanaki."
    
  "Shin yana samar da kwakwa mai kariya a kusa da dukkan jirgin ko kuma kawai yana jagorantar katako zuwa makami mai linzami?"
    
  "Muna mayar da hankali kan katako a kan makami mai linzami na abokan gaba don ceton makamashi da kuma kara girman tasirin lalata laser," in ji John. "Da zarar mai binciken infrared ya gano harba makami mai linzami, yana aika da katako mai ƙarfi, makamashin Laser mai ƙarfi tare da wannan axis a cikin millise seconds. Bayan haka, idan tsarin zai iya gano madaidaicin wurin ƙaddamarwa, zai bugi wurin ƙaddamar da abokan gaba kai tsaye don ƙoƙarin fitar da mugun mutumin. "
    
  "Mene ne katakon Laser ya ji, John?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  "Kamar ana tsoma shi a cikin tafasasshen man girki," John ya amsa da murmushi mai rauni. "Kuma wannan ya kasance a matakin mafi ƙarancin wutar lantarki."
    
  "Me kuma wannan Laser zai iya yi, John?" - Martindale ya tambaya. "Na san cewa HAWC ta tura tsarin laser mara kyau a baya. Harbin majajjawa iri daya ne?"
    
  "To, yallabai, laser, ba shakka, don kare kai ne kawai," John ya amsa da sarcastically.
    
  "Kamar yadda XC-57 ba mai fashewa bane, dama, John?"
    
  "Iya sir. Gwamnatin Amurka ba ta amince da "yan kwangilar tsaronta su kera makamai masu guba da kuma amfani da fasaha ta hanyoyin da za su iya cutar da alaka da wasu kasashe ko kuma su keta wata doka. Don haka, tsarin Laser yana da iyaka sosai a cikin kewayo da iya aiki - da farko don amfani da tsarin hana jiragen sama na dabara da masu sarrafa su."
    
  "Wannan yana buɗewa da yawa ga fassarar," in ji Patrick. "Amma za ku iya juya ƙulli kuma ku ƙara ƙarfin kaɗan, dama?"
    
  "Kamar yadda kuka sani, Mook, amsar ita ce a'a," in ji John.
    
  Tsohon shugaban ya yi nuni da sararin samaniyar hanyar jirgin da ke ja da baya, wanda a daidai lokacin ne ke shiga yanayin kasa, yana tunkarar kasa. "Yana da matukar haɗari don amfani da ɗayan sabbin manyan jiragen ku don gwada tsarin, ba haka ba, Doc?" - ya tambayi Martindale. "Ainihin makami mai linzamin Stinger ne ka harba jirgin naka, na dauka?" Masu hannun jarin ku ba za su iya yin farin ciki da yin haɗari da jirgin sama na miliyoyin daloli kamar wannan ba."
    
  "Tabbas na so in zubar da hawaye a idanunka, Mr. Shugaba," John ya amsa. "Abin da daraktoci da masu hannun jari ba su sani ba ba zai cutar da su ba. Bugu da ƙari, wannan XC-57 'Mai hasara' ba shi da mutum. "
    
  "'Loser', ya?" Patrick McLanahan yayi sharhi. "Ba sunan mafi kyau da kuka fito da shi ba, John."
    
  "Me yasa kake kiransa haka?" - Martindale ya tambaya.
    
  "Saboda ya yi hasarar gasar bama-bamai masu zuwa," in ji John. "Ba sa bukatar jirgin sama mara matuki; sun so ya zama mafi sata da sauri. Na mai da hankali kan ɗaukar nauyi da kewayo, kuma na san zan iya ɗaure shi da makami mai tsauri, don haka ba ma buƙatar sata.
    
  "Har ila yau, na yi shekaru da yawa ina kerawa da kuma gina jirage marasa matuka - kawai saboda ba sa son hakan ba yana nufin ba za a iya la'akari da shi ba. Ashe ba za a yi bama-bamai masu zuwa su zama na gaba ba? Ba a ma la'akari da zane ba. Rashinsu. Sa"an nan, domin in kashe duka, an hana ni yin jirgin sama na tsawon shekaru goma."
    
  "Amma ka gina shi ko yaya?"
    
  "Wannan ba mai tayar da bama-bamai ba ne, Mista Shugaban kasa, wannan sufuri ne mai amfani da yawa," in ji John. "Ba a tsara shi don sauke wani abu ba; yana nufin saka wani abu a ciki."
    
  Martindale ya girgiza kai cikin bacin rai. "Taba rawa a kusa da doka... Wanene kuma na san yana son yin hakan?" Patrick bai ce komai ba. "Don haka kuna amfani da jirgi mara matuki - wannan ba mai jefa bam ba - don gwada Laser, wanda ba makami ba ne, amma sai ku sanya kanku cikin layin wuta don gwada tasirinta akan mutane? Yana da ma'ana a gare ni, "in ji Martindale a bushe. "Amma kai, tabbas, kun kawo hawaye a idanuna."
    
  "Na gode yallabai."
    
  "John, Losers nawa kake da tashi yanzu?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  "Akwai wasu biyu ne kawai - mun gina uku don gasar NGB, amma mun daina aiki a na biyu da na uku lokacin da aka ƙi ƙirarmu," in ji John. "Har yanzu wannan shiri ne na bincike da ci gaba, don haka ba shi da fifiko ... har sai da kuka kira, mai girma shugaban kasa. Muna yin la'akari da sanya tsarin mu akan jiragen kasuwanci da kuma manyan na'urorin jiragen sama."
    
  "Bari mu kalli wannan a tsanake, John," in ji Martindale.
    
  "Iya sir. Zan sa ya tashi a hankali don mu leƙa, sa'an nan in kawo shi ƙasa. Dubi wannan tazara - ba za ku yi imani da shi ba. " Ya ɗauki wayarsa ya yi ƙoƙarin tuntuɓar cibiyar sarrafa shi, amma katakon Laser ɗin ya soya shi. "Na manta da cire wannan daga aljihuna kafin gwajin," in ji shi cikin rashin kunya, yana murmushi ga shuckles na wasu. "Don haka ina kara asarar wayoyi. Boomer...?"
    
  "Na samu, shugaba," in ji Boomer. "Kasan kuma a hankali?" John ya gyada kai kuma Boomer ya lumshe ido ya yi rediyon RV.
    
  Bayan ɗan lokaci, XC-57 ya bayyana akan gaba ta ƙarshe. Ya yi daidai da ƙafa hamsin ne kawai a saman ƙasa, yana shawagi a hankali a hankali don irin wannan babban tsuntsu, kamar wata katuwar ƙirar itacen balsa tana yawo a hankali cikin iska mai haske.
    
  "Kamar wani mai ciki mai ciki wanda ke da bam da injina a waje," in ji Martindale. "Da alama zai iya fado daga sama a kowane lokaci. Yaya kuke yi?"
    
  "Ba ya amfani da duk wani tsarin sarrafa jirgin sama na al'ada ko na'urori masu ɗagawa - yana tashi ta amfani da fasahar daidaita manufa," in ji Masters. "Kusan kowane inci murabba'in fuselage da fukafukan na iya zama ko dai dagawa ko na'urar birki. Yana iya zama mutum ko kuma ba tare da shi ba. Kimanin fam dubu sittin da biyar na kaya mai kayatarwa, kuma yana iya ɗaukar manyan fakitin kaya guda huɗu.
    
  "Amma tsarin mai hasara na musamman shine cikakken tsarin sarrafa kaya, gami da ikon motsa kwantena a ciki yayin jirgin," Masters ya ci gaba. "Wannan shine ra'ayin farko na Boomer lokacin da ya shigo cikin jirgin, kuma mun yi ƙoƙari mu canza duk jiragen da ke kera su haɗa da shi. Boomer?
    
  "To, matsalar da a koyaushe nake gani tare da jiragen dakon kaya ita ce, da zarar kayan yana ciki, ba za ku iya yin komai da jirgin ba, sararin samaniya ko kaya," in ji Boomer. "Dukkan ya lalace da zarar an loda shi a cikin jirgin."
    
  "Kaya ne a cikin jirgin dakon kaya, Boomer. Me kuma za ku yi da shi? - Martindale ya tambaya.
    
  "Wataƙila jirgin ɗaukar kaya ne a cikin tsari ɗaya, yallabai," in ji Boomer, "amma motsa kayan kuma a saka kwantena na zamani ta cikin rami a cikin ciki, kuma yanzu jirgin dakon kaya ya zama na'urar daukar kaya ko dandalin sa ido. Ya dogara da ra'ayi iri ɗaya da jirgin ruwan yaƙi na Navy wanda ke da fushi a yanzu - jirgi ɗaya wanda zai iya yin ayyuka daban-daban dangane da nau'ikan kayan aikin da kuka sanya a cikin jirgin."
    
  "Toshe ki yi wasa? Don sauki?"
    
  "Ba abu mai sauƙi ba ne haɗa nauyi da daidaituwa, tsarin mai da tsarin lantarki," in ji Boomer, "amma muna tunanin mun sami kuskuren daidai. Muna canja wurin mai tsakanin tankuna daban-daban don kula da daidaito. Ba na jin hakan zai yiwu kwata-kwata in ba tare da tsarin daidaita manufa ba. Wanda ya yi hasara zai iya ɗaga kaya ko kayan aikin manufa a ciki ta cikin ƙyanƙyasar kaya ko ƙyanƙyasar ƙasa-"
    
  "Hatch a cikin ciki?" Martindale ya katse shi da lumshe ido. "Kana nufin bom bay?"
    
  "Ba bam ba ne, yallabai, ƙyanƙyashe kaya ne," in ji John. "Ya kasance yana da bam a ciki, kuma ban yi tunanin zai dace ba kawai in rufe shi ba."
    
  "Don haka ya zama 'kayan kaya," in ji tsohon shugaban. "Na ji, Doc."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji John, yana nuna bacin rai don a koyaushe yana tunatar da mutane batunsa. "Tsarin Boomer yana tsara kayayyaki ta atomatik kamar yadda ake buƙata don kammala aikin, haɗa su kuma kunna su, duk ta hanyar sarrafa nesa. Hakanan zai iya yin hakan yayin da yake tashi. Lokacin da ake buƙatar na"urar ko kuma aka yi amfani da ɗaya daga cikinsu, tsarin sarrafa kaya na iya maye gurbinsa da wani."
    
  "Wane kayayyaki kuke da su, John?" - Martindale ya tambaya.
    
  "Muna ƙirƙirar sababbi kowane wata, yallabai," in ji John cikin fahariya. "A yanzu haka muna da na"urori masu sarrafa man iska tare da rataye masu rataye na wingtip wanda aka dora a kasa kuma za su iya mai da jirgin sama mai na"urar bincike. Har ila yau, muna da na'urorin radar Laser don sa ido kan iska da ƙasa tare da haɗin bayanan tauraron dan adam; infrared da na'urorin sa ido na lantarki; da tsarin kare kai mai aiki. Muna da kusanci da ƙirƙirar tsarin netrusion da tsarin sarrafawa na Flighthawk - ƙaddamarwa, jagora kuma watakila ma mai da mai da haɓaka FlightHawks daga rashin tsaro."
    
  "Hakika, muna kuma son ƙirƙirar nau'ikan hare-hare idan za mu iya samun izini daga Fadar White House," in ji Boomer. "Muna aiki da kyau tare da injin na'ura mai ƙarfi da fasahar sarrafa laser, don haka wannan na iya faruwa ba da jimawa ba - idan za mu iya shawo kan Fadar White House ta bar mu mu ci gaba."
    
  John ya kara da cewa "Boomer yana da kwazo sosai, a ce akalla." "Ba zai yi farin ciki ba har sai ya aika Loser zuwa sararin samaniya."
    
  Martindale da McLanahan suka kalli juna, kowannensu nan take yana karanta tunanin ɗayan; sai suka kalli duniyar wata katafaren jirgin sama da ya fashe yana yawo a titin jirgi a hankali cikin motsin wani miya mai tashi.
    
  "Dr. Masters, Mr. Noble..." Shugaba Martindale ya fara. A lokacin kawai, mai hasara na XC-57 ya yi sauri tare da ruri mai ƙarfi na injinsa, yana hawa a wani kusurwa mai tsayi mai ban mamaki kuma yana ɓacewa daga gani a cikin ɗan lokaci. Martindale ya girgiza kai, ya sake mamaki. "Ina zamu je samari muyi magana?"
    
    
  BABI NA BIYU
    
    
  Hanyar zuwa Jahannama tana da sauƙin tafiya.
    
  - BION, 325-255 BC
    
    
    
  OFISHIN SHUGABAN KASA, CANKAYA, ANKARA, Türkiye
  DA safe
    
    
  Kurzat Hirsiz, shugaban kasar Turkiya ya ce, "Rufe kofa kafin in fara yin tagumi kamar dan jariri," in ji Kurzat Hirsiz, shugaban kasar Turkiyya, yana sake goge idanunsa kafin ya ajiye rigar hannunsa. Ya girgiza kai. "Daya daga cikin wadanda suka mutu dan shekara biyu ne. Gaba daya mara laifi. Watakila ma ba za su iya kiran 'RPK' ba."
    
  Sirara, fuskar fuska da tsayi, Hirsiz ya kasance lauya, masanin kimiya da tattalin arziki, da kuma babban jami'in gudanarwa na Jamhuriyar Turkiyya. Ya taba rike mukamin babban jami"in bankin duniya na tsawon shekaru da dama sannan ya yi jawabai a fadin duniya kan hanyoyin magance tattalin arzikin kasashe masu tasowa kafin a nada shi firaminista. Ya shahara a duk fadin duniya da ma cikin gida, ya samu kaso mafi tsoka na kuri'un 'yan majalisar dokokin kasar a tarihin kasar lokacin da aka zabe shi a matsayin shugaban kasa.
    
  Hirsiz da manyan mashawartan sa sun dawo ne daga taron manema labarai a Cankaya, fadar shugaban kasa dake Ankara. Ya karanta jerin sunayen wadanda suka mutu, wadanda aka ba shi mintuna kadan kafin gabatar da jawabi a gidan talabijin, sannan ya amsa tambayoyi da dama. A lokacin da dan jaridar ya shaida masa cewa daya daga cikin wadanda suka mutu jariri ne, kwatsam sai ya karye, ya yi kuka a fili kuma ya daina latsawa. "Ina bukatan sunaye, lambobin waya da wasu bayanai game da duk wadanda abin ya shafa. Zan kira su da kaina bayan wannan taron, "Mataimakin Hirsiz ya dauki wayar don ba da umarni. "Zan kuma kasance a kowane sabis na iyalai."
    
  "Kada ka ji kunya idan ka yi fushi kamar haka, Kurzat," in ji Ayşe Akas, Firayim Minista. Idanunta ma sun yi ja, duk da cewa an san ta a Turkiyya saboda taurin kai da siyasa, kamar yadda tsoffin mazajen nata biyu za su tabbatar. "Yana nuna cewa kai mutum ne."
    
  Hirciz ya ce "Ina jin 'yan iskan PKK suna dariya ganin yadda nake kuka a gaban wani daki cike da 'yan jarida." "Sun yi nasara sau biyu. Suna cin gajiyar raunin duka biyun a cikin hanyoyin tsaro da gazawar sarrafawa."
    
  Sakatare Janar na Kwamitin Tsaron Turkiyya Janar Orhan Sahin ya ce "Wannan kawai ya tabbatar da abin da muke gaya wa duniya kusan shekaru 30 da suka gabata - PKK ba komai ba ne, kuma ba za ta kasance ba face kisan kai." Şahin, wani Janar na soji, ya hada dukkan ayyukan soji da na leken asiri tsakanin Cankaya, hedkwatar sojoji a Baskanlıği, da manyan hukumomin leken asirin Turkiyya shida. "Wannan shi ne hari mafi barna da wulakanci da 'yan ta'addar PKK suka kai a cikin shekaru da dama tun bayan hare-haren wuce gona da iri na shekarar 2007, kuma mafi girman kai. Sha biyar sun mutu, ciki har da shida a kasa; 51 da suka samu raunuka - ciki har da shi kansa kwamandan Gendarma, Janar Ozek - kuma jirgin dakon mai ya yi asara gaba daya."
    
  Shugaban ya koma kan teburinsa, ya sassauta daurinsa, ya kunna taba sigari, wanda shi ne siginar duk wanda ke ofishin ya yi hakan. "Mene ne matsayin binciken General?" Hirsiz ya tambaya.
    
  "Cikakken gudun gaba, Mista Shugaba," in ji Shahin. "Rahotanni na farko suna da ban tsoro. Daya daga cikin mataimakan jami"an tsaro na filin jirgin bai amsa umarnin komawa bakin sa ba kuma ba a same shi ba. Ina fatan dai ya tafi hutu kuma zai duba nan ba da jimawa ba bayan ya ji labarin, amma ina tsoron mu gane cewa aikin cikin gida ne."
    
  "Ya Ubangijina," Hirsiz ya ce. "'Yan ta'addar PKK na shiga cikin rukunanmu da ofisoshinmu cikin zurfi da zurfi kowace rana."
    
  "Ina ganin akwai yuwuwar 'yan ta'addar PKK su kutsa kai cikin ofishin Gendarma, kungiyar da ke da alhakin kare kasar daga wadannan barayin jini," in ji Sahin. "Abin da nake tsammani shi ne cewa Ozek na shirin tafiye-tafiye ne ya bace kuma 'yan ta'addar PKK sun nufi wannan jirgin musamman don kashe shi."
    
  "Amma kun gaya mani cewa Ozek zai je Diyarbakir don duba abin mamaki!" - Hirsiz ya ce. "Shin yana yiwuwa a yi musu kutse sosai kuma an tsara su sosai ta yadda za su iya aika tawagar kashe mutane da makami mai linzami da ke harba kafada da sauri?"
    
  "Wannan dole ne ya zama aikin cikin gida, ba aikin mutum ɗaya kawai ba - wannan tushe yana buƙatar cike da masu tayar da kayar baya a cikin rufin asiri mai zurfi, a cikin manyan mukamai, a shirye don kunnawa da tura su cikin sa'o'i tare da takamaiman manufar kai hari."
    
  Janar Abdullah Guzlev, babban hafsan hafsoshin sojin Turkiyya ya ce "Wannan shi ne matakin sarkakiya da muka ji tsoro amma muka zaci, yallabai." "Lokaci ya yi da za mu mayar da martani a cikin nassi. Ba za mu iya gamsuwa da wasa tsaro kawai ba, yallabai. Dole ne mu yi adawa da shugabancin PKK, mu lalata su gaba daya."
    
  "A Iraki da Iran, ina tsammanin, Janar?" Tambayi Firayim Minista Akas.
    
  "A nan ne suke boye, Madam Firayim Minista, kamar matsorata su," Guzlev ya fashe. "Za mu sami sabbin bayanai daga jami'an mu na sirri, mu nemo wasu gidaje da ke dauke da 'yan iska masu kishin jini sosai, mu lalata su."
    
  "Menene ainihin wannan zai cimma, Janar," in ji ministan harkokin wajen Mustafa Hamarat, "ban da kara fusata makwabtanmu, al'ummar duniya da magoya bayanmu a Amurka da Turai?"
    
  "Yi hakuri minista," Guzlev ya ce a fusace, "amma ban damu da abin da wani a wata nahiya ke tunani yayin da ake kashe maza da mata da yara marasa laifi ba."
    
  An katse Guzlev ta wayar tarho, wanda nan take shugaban gwamnatin shugaban kasar ya amsa. Mataimakin ya kalleta lokacin da ya katse wayar. "Yallabai, Janar Ozek yana cikin wurin liyafar ku kuma yana fatan yin magana da jami'an tsaron kasa!"
    
  "Ozek! Ina tsammanin yana cikin mawuyacin hali!" - Hirsiz ya ce. "Eh, eh, kawo shi nan da nan kuma ku kawo tsari don sa ido a kansa a kowane lokaci."
    
  Kallon mutumin yayi kusan zafi yana shiga cikin ofis. An daure kafadarsa ta dama da gefen kansa na dama, an daure yatsu da dama a hannayen biyu waje guda, yana tafiya tare da rame, idanunsa sun kumbura, gabobin fuskarsa da wuyansa da ake gani sun lullube da yanke, konewa, da raunuka. , amma ya miƙe ya ƙi wani taimako daga tsoho mai tsari da ya isa gare shi. Ozek ya tsaya a bakin k'ofa ya yi sallama. "Bari in yi magana da shugaban kasa, yallabai," in ji shi, muryarsa na kakkausar daga numfashin man jet mai kona da aluminum.
    
  "Tabbas, ba shakka, Janar. Dauke ƙafafunka, ka zauna, ɗan uwa!" - Hirsiz ya ce.
    
  Shugaban ya jagoranci Ozek zuwa gadon gado, amma kwamandan Jandarma ya daga hannu. "Yi hak"uri yallabai, amma dole in tashi. Ina tsoron ba zan iya tashi ba," in ji Ozek.
    
  "Me kake yi anan General?" Tambayi Firayim Minista Akas.
    
  Ozek ya ce, "Na ga ya zama dole in nuna wa mutanen Turkiyya cewa ina raye kuma ina cika aikina," in ji Ozek, "kuma ina son jami'an tsaron kasar su san cewa na tsara wani shiri na mayar da martani ga shugabannin PKK. Yanzu ne lokacin yin aiki. Kada mu yi shakka."
    
  "Na gamsu da sadaukarwarka ga kasarmu da aikinka, Janar," in ji Firayim Minista, "amma da farko dole ne mu-"
    
  "Ina da cikakken Ozel Tim brigade sanye take kuma a shirye nake in tura da sauri." Ozel tim, ko Umurni na Musamman, wani rukunin yaƙi ne da ba na al'ada ba na sashin leken asirin Jandarma, wanda aka horar da shi na musamman don yin aiki a kusa ko a lokuta da yawa a cikin garuruwa da ƙauyukan Kurdawa don ganowa da kawar da shugabannin 'yan tawaye. Sun kasance wasu manyan kwamandojin da aka horar da su a duniya - kuma sun yi kaurin suna wajen rashin tausayi.
    
  Hirsiz ya ce, "Madalla, Janar, amma ka gano wanda ke da hannu a harin? Wanene shugaba? Wanene ya ja ragamar? Wanene ya ba da umarnin kai harin?"
    
  "Yallabai, da kyar," in ji Ozek, idanunsa sun zaro da mamaki cewa dole ne ya amsa irin wannan tambayar. Tsananin kallonsa da yanayin dajinsa, tare da rauninsa, sun ba shi damuwa da tashin hankali, kusan kamanni na ban tsoro, musamman idan aka kwatanta da sauran 'yan siyasar da ke kewaye da shi. "Muna da jerin sunayen 'yan ta'addar PKK, masu yin bama-bamai, masu fasa-kwauri, masu kudi, masu daukar ma'aikata da masu goyon baya. Tsaron Gida da Tsaron Iyakoki na iya tsarewa da yi wa wadanda ake zargi tambayoyi - bari ni da jackass Tim su rike shugabannin. "
    
  Shugaba Hirsiz ya kau da kai daga mai zafin rai. "Wani hari a cikin Iraki... Ban sani ba, Janar," in ji shi, yana girgiza kai. "Wannan wani abu ne da ya kamata a tattauna da gwamnatocin Amurka da Iraki. Dole ne su-"
    
  "Yallabai, ka gafarta mini da fadar haka, amma gwamnatocin biyu ba su da wani tasiri kuma ba su damu da tsaron Turkiyya," in ji Janar Ozek a fusace. "Baghdad a shirye take ta bar Kurdawan su yi yadda suka ga dama muddin kudaden shigar man fetur ya shiga kudu. Amurkawa dai na janye sojojinsu daga Iraki cikin hanzari. Ban da haka, ba su daga yatsa don hana PKK ba. Duk da cewa suna ci gaba da ci gaba da yaki da ta'addanci a duniya suna kiran PKK a matsayin kungiyar ta'addanci, in ban da jifar mu da 'yan hotuna ko kuma ta wayar tarho a kai-da-kai, ba su yi wani mugun abu don taimaka mana ba."
    
  Hirsiz ya yi shiru yana huci tabarsa. "Besir yayi gaskiya, yallabai," in ji Guzlev, babban hafsan sojojin. "Wannan shine lokacin da muka dade muna jira. Baghdad na rataye da dukkan karfinta don kiyaye gwamnatinta; ba su da karfin da za su iya tabbatar da babban birninsu, balle iyakar Kurdawa. Amurka ta daina maye gurbin rundunan yaki a Iraki. Akwai runduna uku ne kawai a arewacin Iraki, wadanda ke tsakiyar Erbil da Mosul - kusan babu wanda ke kan iyaka."
    
  Guzlev ya dakata, yana mai lura da cewa babu wanda ya yi adawa da kalaman nasa, sannan ya kara da cewa: "Amma ina ba da shawarar fiye da shigar kungiyoyi na musamman kawai, yallabai." Ya kalli Ministan Tsaro Hassan Cizek da Sakatare Janar na Majalisar Tsaron Kasa Sahin. "Ina ba da shawarar kai hari ga arewacin Iraki."
    
  "Me?" Shugaba Hirsiz ya ce. "Janar kina wasa?"
    
  "Wannan ba a cikin tambaya ba ne, Janar," Firayim Minista Akas ya kara da cewa nan da nan. "Abokanmu da dukan duniya za su la'ance mu!"
    
  "Don me General?" Ministar harkokin wajen Hamarat ta tambaya. "Shin muna aikewa da dubban sojoji domin murkushe 'yan tawayen PKK dubu da dama? Shin kuna ba da shawarar cewa mu mamaye yankin Iraki?
    
  "Na ba da shawarar ƙirƙirar yanki mai ɓoyewa, yallabai," in ji Guzlev. "Amurkawa sun taimaka wa Isra"ila ta samar da wani yanki mai karewa a kudancin Lebanon, wanda ke da tasiri wajen dakile mayakan Hezbollah a cikin Isra"ila. Dole mu yi haka."
    
  Hirsiz ya dubi ministan tsaronsa, shiru yana fatan jin wata muryar adawa. "Hasan?"
    
  Sakataren Tsaron ya ce, "Yana yiwuwa, ya mai girma shugaban kasa, amma ba zai zama sirri ba, kuma zai yi tsada sosai. Aikin na bukatar kashi hudu na jimillar dakarun mu, watakila har zuwa kashi uku, kuma wannan zai haifar da kiran sojojin da ke ajiye. Zai ɗauki watanni. Kowa zai lura da ayyukanmu - da farko ta Amurkawa. Ko mun yi nasara ya dogara ne kan yadda Amurkawa za su mayar da martani."
    
  "General Shahin?"
    
  Sakatare Janar na Kwamitin Tsaro na Turkiyya ya ce "Amurka na cikin shirin tsawaita janye sojojinta a fadin Iraki." "Saboda tana cikin kwanciyar hankali kuma gwamnatin Kurdawa ta fi na gwamnatin tsakiya a Bagadaza tsari, har yanzu akwai wasu sojojin Amurka dubu ashirin a arewacin Iraki da ke taimakawa wajen tsaron bututun mai da kayan aiki. An shirya cewa a cikin shekara guda za a rage karfinsu zuwa ga rundunonin yaki biyu kacal."
    
  "Rundunonin yaki guda biyu na dukkan arewacin Iraki? Da alama ba gaskiya bane."
    
  "Stryker brigades tsarin makamai ne masu karfin gaske, yallabai, masu sauri da kuma iya tafiyar da su - bai kamata a raina su ba," Shaheen ya yi gargadin. "Duk da haka, yallabai, muna sa ran Amurkawa za su yi hayar ƴan kwangila masu zaman kansu don samar da mafi yawan ayyukan sa ido, tsaro da tallafi. Wannan ya yi daidai da sabuwar manufar Shugaba Joseph Gardner na hutawa da dawo da dakarun soji yayin da yake kara girma da karfin sojojin ruwansa."
    
  "Sa'an nan yana yiwuwa, yallabai," in ji Ministan Tsaro Dzizek. "Dakarun Kurdawa na peshmerga na Iraki suna da kwatankwacin runfunan sojoji biyu da na makanikai daya tattara a Mosul, Erbil da kuma rijiyoyin mai na Kirkuk - kashi uku na girman sojojinmu, wadanda ke da nisa daga kan iyaka. Ko da PKK na da kwatankwacin rundunonin sojoji masu cikakken iko, kuma Amurka ta jefa mana dukkan sojojinta na kasa, har yanzu muna da daidaito-kuma kamar yadda Sunzu ya rubuta, idan sojojin ku sun yi daidai da adadi: kai hari. Za mu iya yin hakan, ya mai girma shugaban kasa."
    
  Janar Ozek ya kara da cewa, "Za mu iya tattara sojojinmu cikin watanni uku, lokacin da Ozek Tim zai gudanar da binciken wuraren abokan gaba da kuma shirin dakile 'yan kwangila masu zaman kansu da ke gudanar da sa ido a yankin kan iyaka." "Masu hayar da Amurkawa suka yi hayar suna wanzuwa ne kawai don samun kuɗi. Idan fada ya barke, za su gudu su fake da dakarun soji na yau da kullun."
    
  "Idan Amurkawa suka tashi suka yi yaki don taimakawa Kurdawa fa?"
    
  "Muna matsawa kudu muna murkushe sansanonin 'yan tawaye da dakarun adawa na Kurdawa har sai Amurkawa sun yi barazanar daukar mataki, sannan mu dakatar da tuntuɓar mu kuma mu kirkiro yankin mu," in ji Ozek. "Ba mu da sha'awar fada da Amurkawa, amma ba za mu bar su su yi amfani da sharudan ikonmu da tsaronmu ba." Ya juya ga ministan harkokin waje Hamarat. "Muna gamsar da su cewa yankin hana zirga-zirgar jiragen sama da Majalisar Dinkin Duniya ke sintiri zai inganta tsaro ga dukkan bangarorin. Gardner baya son yakin kasa, kuma tabbas bai damu da Kurdawa ba. Zai yarda da komai muddin ya daina fada".
    
  "Wannan na iya zama gaskiya, amma Gardner ba zai taba yarda da hakan a bainar jama'a ba," in ji Hamarat. "Zai fito fili yayi Allah wadai da mu, ya kuma bukaci a janye sojojin gaba daya daga Iraki."
    
  "Sa'an nan za mu ba da lokacinmu har sai mun kawar da duk gidajen berayen na PKK tare da lalata yankin kan iyaka," in ji Ozek. "Tare da yankuna shida a arewacin Iraki, za mu iya share wurin nan da 'yan watanni yayin da muka yanke shawarar barin. Za mu iya lalata PKK ta yadda ba za su yi tasiri ba har tsawon tsara."
    
  "Kuma muna kama da mahauta."
    
  "Ban damu da abin da wasu za su kira ni ba matukar ba zan damu da kashe 'ya'yana maza ko mata da ba su ji ba ba su gani ba a filin wasan da wani jirgin sama da PKK ya harbo," in ji Ministan Tsaro Jizzakh da zafi. "Lokaci ya yi da za a yi aiki."
    
  Babban hafsan soji Guzlev ya kara da cewa "Muna bukatar mu yi maganin PKK, yallabai, har ma da yanayin tsaro a bututun Kirkuk-Ceyhan." "Yan peshmerga na Iraki har yanzu ba su da isasshen horo ko kayan aiki don kare bututun da ke gefen iyakarsu. Mun zuba biliyoyin liras a wannan bututun, kuma har yanzu Iraqi ba za su iya kare bangarensu yadda ya kamata ba, kuma ba za su bari wani dakarun waje ba, in ban da Amurkawa su ba da taimako. Za mu iya samun sau uku abin da muke samu na kudin sufuri idan har za mu iya shawo kan masu hakar mai a arewacin Iraki, ciki har da kamfanoninmu, su kara hakowa, amma ba za su samu ba, saboda bututun ya fi karfin kai hari."
    
  Shugaba Hirsiz ya fitar da sigarinsa a cikin kwandon shara da ke kan teburinsa, sannan ya koma kan kujerarsa. Ya yi shiru na wasu lokuta masu tsawo, ya rasa a ransa. Ba kasafai ake samun rarrabuwar kawuna tsakanin jami'an tsaron kasar ba, musamman idan ana maganar 'yan ta'addar PKK da munanan hare-haren ta'addancin da take kaiwa. Ba mamaki Besir Ozek ya bayyana a ofishinsa sa'o'i kadan bayan afkuwar bala'in ya kamata a hada kai da su wajen kawo karshen PKK gaba daya.
    
  Amma jami'an tsaron kasar - da shi kansa, Hirsiz ya yarda cewa - sun sami sabani da rarrabuwar kawuna, kuma shugabancin sojojin farar hula na son a warware zaman lafiya da diflomasiyya, sabanin kiran daukar mataki kai tsaye daga kwamandojin sanye da kayan aiki. Fuskantar ra'ayin jama'ar Amurka da na duniya tare da majalisar da aka raba, mataki ne da bai dace ba.
    
  Kurzat Hirsiz ya sake tashi ya mik'e, kusan a kula. "Janar Ozek, na gode da zuwan nan da kuka yi min da kuma jami'an tsaron kasar," in ji shi a hukumance. "Za mu tattauna waɗannan zaɓuɓɓuka a hankali."
    
  "Sir..." Ozek ya yi gaba a firgice, ya manta da raunukan da ya samu kuma ya yi nasara a cikin raɗaɗi yayin da yake ƙoƙarin kiyaye daidaito. "Yallabai, tare da dukkan girmamawa, dole ne ka yi gaggawar yanke hukunci. PKK - a'a, duniya - na bukatar sanin cewa wannan gwamnati ta dauki wadannan hare-hare da muhimmanci. Duk lokacin da muka yi jinkiri yana nuna cewa ba mu da himma wajen tabbatar da tsaron cikin gida."
    
  "Na yarda, Janar," in ji Hirsiz, "amma dole ne mu yi aiki da tunani da hankali, da kuma tuntubar abokanmu na duniya. Zan umurci Janar Sahin da ya samar da wani shiri na tawagogi na musamman domin farautowa da kamawa ko kuma kashe 'yan ta'addar PKK wadanda watakila suka shirya kuma suka jagoranci wannan harin, da kuma yin tsatsauran bincike kan yiwuwar samun 'yan leken asiri a Jandarma.
    
  "Zan kuma umurci Ministan Harkokin Wajen Hamarat da ya tuntubi takwarorinsa na Amurka, NATO da Turai tare da sanar da su fushin Kwamitin Sulhu na wannan harin da kuma bukatar hadin kai da taimako wajen kamo wadanda suka kai harin." A ciki ya yi nasara a kan yanayin ban mamaki a fuskar Janar Ozek, wanda kawai ya jaddada rauninsa, rashin girman matsayinsa. "Za mu yi aiki, Janar," in ji Hirsiz da sauri, "amma za mu yi hakan cikin hikima kuma a matsayinmu na memba na al'ummar duniya. Hakan zai kara mayar da PKK saniyar ware. Idan muka dauki matakin gaggawa, za a ga ba mu fi "yan ta"adda ba."
    
  "... Al'ummar Duniya?" Ozek ya yi magana mai zafi.
    
  "Me ka ce General?" Hirsiz ya bata rai. "Kina da wani abu da kike son fada mani?"
    
  Jami'in Jandarma da aka raunata a takaice amma a fili ya caccaki shugaban kasar Turkiyya, amma da sauri ya mik'e iyakar iyawarsa, ya dauki wani yanayi mai tsauri amma tsaka tsaki ya ce, A'a yallabai.
    
  Hirciz ya ce, "Sa'an nan an sallame ku, Janar, tare da godiya ga kwamitin tsaron kasa da kuma al'ummar Turkiyya da kuma jin dadin da kuke raye bayan wannan harin mayaudari da matsorata," in ji Hirciz, ba shakka ba zai yi daidai da kalamansa ba.
    
  "Yallabai, ka ba ni dama in raka Janar din zuwa wani wuri na wucin gadi," in ji shugaban hafsan sojojin, Guzlev.
    
  Hirsiz ya kalli babban hafsan hafsan sojin sa cike da tambaya, bai samu amsa ba. Ya kalli Ozek, a cikinsa ya sake lashe mugunyar raunukan da ya samu, amma ya sami kansa yana tunanin yaushe ne mafi kyawun lokacin da zai bar daji, bijimin fushi a gabansa. Da wuri ya fi kyau, amma ba kafin ya yi amfani da fa'idodin farfaganda na rayuwa mai ban mamaki ba.
    
  "Za mu sake kiran jami'an tsaron kasar nan da mintuna ashirin a cibiyar taron majalisar ministocin domin bayyana martanin da za a mayar, Janar Guzlev," in ji shugaban a hankali. "Don Allah a koma wancan lokacin. Narkar da."
    
  "I, sir," in ji Guzlev. Shi da Ozek sun tsaya a hankali na ɗan lokaci, sannan suka nufi ƙofar, tare da Guzlev a hankali ya riƙe hannun Ozek da ba ya rauni don tallafawa.
    
  "Mene ne a duniya ya sanya Ozek ya zo Ankara bayan ya tsira daga hadarin jirgin sama?" - Ministan harkokin wajen Hamarat ya yi tambaya cikin ban mamaki. "Ya Ubangijina, lallai ciwon ba zai iya jurewa ba! Na taba samun karaya a fukata kuma na yi jinya tsawon makonni bayan haka! An ciro wannan mutumin daga cikin tarkacen jirgin da ya fado a 'yan sa'o'i kadan da suka wuce!"
    
  "Yana fushi da kishirwar jini, Mustafa," in ji Firayim Minista Akas. Ta matso kusa da Hirsiz, wanda har yanzu ya tsaya a hankali kamar Ozek ya ɗauke ta a hannunsa. "Kada ku kula da Guzlev da Ozek," ta kara da cewa a cikin raɗaɗi. "Sun fita ne saboda jini. Mun riga mun yi magana game da mamayewar sau da yawa kuma mun yi watsi da shi a kowane lokaci.
    
  "Wataƙila wannan shine lokacin da ya dace, Icy," Hirsiz ya mayar da martani. "Guzlev, Dzizek, Ozek har ma da Sahin su ne wannan."
    
  "Ba ka yi la'akari da wannan da gaske ba, ya shugaban kasa?" Akas ya sake fad'a tare da fad'in ban mamaki. "Amurka ba za ta taba yarda ba. Za mu zama masu bin duniya a idon duniya...."
    
  Hirsiz ya ce "Ban damu da abin da duniya take tunani game da mu ba, Ice¸e." "Sauran jana'izar nawa ne za mu halarci kafin duniya ta ba mu damar yin wani abu game da Kurdawan 'yan tawaye a can?"
    
    
  NAKHLA ALLIED AIR BASE, TALL KAIF, KUSA DA MUSUL, IRAQI
  BAYAN KWANA BIYU
    
    
  "Hasumiyar Nala, Scion One-Seven, mil tara daga manufa, neman hanyar gani zuwa titin jirgin sama biyu da tara."
    
  "Scion One-Seven, Nakhla Tower, kai ne na daya, an share fage," in ji mai kula da sojojin Irakin a cikin Turanci mai kyau sosai, amma da lafazin kakkarfan. "Ina ba da shawarar ingantacciyar hanyar isowa mai lamba uku zuwa Nala, ginin yana cikin yanayin kariyar karfi Bravo, an yarda da ingantaccen tsarin isowa mai lamba uku, na tabbatar."
    
  "Kyauta, Nala, Scion One-Seven sun nemi izini don duba Biyu-Tara."
    
  Ba a yi amfani da mai kula da wanda ba ya bin umarninsa daidai, kuma ya danna maballi a makirufonsa ya mayar da martani: "Magaji Daya-Bakwai, Hasumiyar Nala, ba a yarda da tsarin gani a karkashin FPCON Bravo." Karkashin FPCON, ko yanayin kariyar karfi (wanda ake kira Barazana ko THREATCON), Bravo shine mataki na uku mafi girma, wanda ke nuni da cewa an samu bayanan sirri game da yiwuwar kai hari. "Za ku yi hanya ta uku. Kun fahimta? na yarda."
    
  Wayar ta ruri a baya sai mataimakin hasumiya ya amsa. Bayan ɗan lokaci, ya mika wa mai aika wayar: "Yallabai? Mataimakin kwamandan tushe a gare ku."
    
  Sufeto ya fi jin haushin katsewar da aka yi masa a lokacin da yake aikin jirgi mai shigowa, ya kwace wayar daga hannun mataimakinsa. " Captain Saad. Ina da jirgi mai shigowa, yallabai, zan iya sake kiran ka?"
    
  "Kyaftin, ƙyale wannan jirgin da ke gabatowa ya ƙirƙiri tsarin gani," ya ji muryar da aka saba na wani Kanar Ba'amurke. Da alama mataimakin kwamandan sansanin yana sauraron mitar hasumiya yana jiran wannan jirgin. "Wannan ita ce jana'izarsa."
    
  "Iya, Colonel." Dalilin da ya sa jirgin na musamman na Amurka zai yi kasadar shiga wuta ba tare da bin ingantattun hanyoyin isowa ba, amma umarni ne. Ya mika wa mataimakinsa wayar, ya huci sannan ya sake taba maɓallin makirufo: "Magaji Daya-Bakwai, Hasumiyar Nala, an share ku don hanyar gani da hanyar jirgin zuwa titin jirgi biyu da tara, iska biyu da bakwai sifili a ashirin da biyar. kullin.
    
  "Scion Daya-Bakwai, an share don bita, kuma sama da biyu da tara an share don kusanci."
    
  Jami'in tsaro ya ɗauki wayar gaggawa: "Tasha ɗaya, wannan hasumiya ce," in ji shi da Larabci. "Ina da jirgin a kan hanya ta ƙarshe kuma na share shi don tsarin gani da tsari."
    
  "Kace kuma?" - ya tambayi mai aikowa a tashar kashe gobara ta filin jirgin. "Amma muna a FPCON Bravo."
    
  "Oda daga Kanar Amurka. Ina so in sanar da ku mutane."
    
  "Na gode da kira. Kila kyaftin din zai tura mu zuwa 'wurinmu masu zafi' a Taxiway Delta."
    
  "An ba ku damar amfani da preposition a Delta." Maigidan ya katse wayar. Sannan ya yi irin wannan kira zuwa ga jami"an tsaro da kuma asibitin. Idan harin ya kusa - kuma wannan ita ce kyakkyawar dama ga mutum - gwargwadon gargadin da zai iya bayarwa, mafi kyau.
    
  Mai kallo daga hasumiya ya duba jirgin ta cikin binocular dinsa. Yana iya ganin ta akan nunin radar hasumiyarsa, amma ba a gani ba tukuna. Yana da nisan mil shida daga inda aka nufa, yana gabatowa kai tsaye amma ya koma yamma, da alama ya yi layi a kan titin titin titin jirgin sama mai lamba 29 - kuma yana da ban dariya a hankali, kamar an saita shi saura ƴan mintuna. Shin wannan mutumin yana da wani irin fatan mutuwa? Ya kai rahoton wurin da jirgin yake ga jami"an tsaro da na gaggawa domin su matsa zuwa wuri mai kyau...
    
  ...ko fita daga hanyar hadarin, idan mafi muni ya faru.
    
  A ƙarshe, mil uku, ya gan ta-ko ma dai, ya ga ɓangarensa. Yana da faffadan fiffike, amma ba ya iya ganin fuka-fuki ko wutsiya. Ba shi da tagogin fasinja da ake iya gani da kuma wani bakon fenti - wani abu kamar matsakaiciyar launin toka mai launin shuɗi, amma inuwar kamar tana canzawa dangane da gajimare na baya da matakan haske. Yana da matukar wahala a kula da wannan gani na gani.
    
  Ya duba nunin radar hasumiyar BRITE, wurin sarrafa radar na Mosul na gida, kuma ya tabbatar da cewa, jirgin yana yawo a kulli casa'in da takwas kawai-kimanin kulli hamsin a hankali fiye da saurin kusancin al'ada! Ba wai kawai matukin jirgin ya sanya kansa cikin sauki ga maharba, amma kuma yana gab da tsayar da jirgin ya fadi. Tare da iskoki irin waɗannan, guguwar iska kwatsam na iya juya mutumin nan da sauri.
    
  "Magaji Daya-Bakwai, Hasumiyar Nala, kuna fuskantar matsaloli?"
    
  "Tower, daya-bakwai, mara kyau," matukin jirgin ya amsa.
    
  "An yarda. An share ku zuwa jirgi. Muna shiga FPCON Bravo. na yarda."
    
  "Magaji Daya-Bakwai Kwafin FPCON Bravo kuma yana ba da damar saukowa."
    
  Wawa, wawa kawai. Sufeto ya kalli abin mamaki yayin da bakon jirgin ya yi na yau da kullun na juyawa hagu zuwa iska a gefen yamma na titin jirgin. Ya yi kama da bama-bamai na Amurka, sai dai injunan sa suna kan fuselage na baya kuma ya bayyana ya fi girma. Ya yi tsammanin ganin RPGs ko makamai masu linzami na Stinger suna shawagi a sararin sama a kowane daƙiƙa guda. Jirgin ya yi birgima sau da yawa a cikin iska mai cike da hayaniya, amma ga mafi yawan bangarorin yana kiyaye hanyar tashi sosai duk da karancin saurin iskar da ya yi kama da kallon wata karamar Cessna a cikin zane maimakon jirgin sama mai nauyin fam dubu dari biyu. .
    
  Ko ta yaya jirgin ya yi nasarar ketare tsarin gaba daya ba tare da fadowa ko harbi daga sama ba. Mai lura da hasumiya ba zai iya ganin kowane faifan da aka tura ba. Ya kiyaye wannan ƙarancin iska mai ba'a ta hanyar tsari har zuwa gajeriyar ƙarshe, lokacin da ya ragu zuwa daidai kulli casa'in sannan ya faɗi ƙasa da sauƙi kamar gashin tsuntsu akan lambobi. Cikin sauki ya kashe titin tasi na farko; bai taba ganin kafaffen jirgin sama ya sauka a cikin kankanin tazara ba.
    
  "Hasumiya, Magaji Daya-Bakwai ba shi da masu aiki," in ji matukin jirgin.
    
  Dole maigadin ya farfado daga kaduwa. "An fahimta, Daya-Bakwai, ku tsaya a wannan mita, ku bayar da rahoton motocin tsaro da ake gani a gaba, za su kai ku wurin ajiye motoci. Yi hankali da motocin kashe gobara da motocin tsaro akan titin tasi. Barka da zuwa Nala."
    
  "Roger you, Tower One-Seven, motocin tsaro a gani," matukin jirgin ya amsa. Humvees da yawa masu dauke da makamai dauke da mashinan bindiga a cikin tururuwa sanye take da manyan bindigogi 50 ko kuma na'urorin harba gurneti mai sauri na millimeters arba'in sun kewaye jirgin, kuma a gaba sun kori wani Bakin waje mai shudi mai dauke da fitulun shudi mai walƙiya da wata babbar alamar rawaya ta "Follow Me". "A yini lafiya".
    
  ayarin motocin sun raka jirgin zuwa wani katafaren matsugunin jiragen sama dake arewa da hasumiya mai kula da jirgin. Humvees sun juya cikin matsugunin yayin da Suburban suka shiga ciki kuma mai kula da jirgin ya dakatar da jirgin. An zagaya da wani nau'i na nunin faifan iska zuwa jirgin, amma kafin a sanya shi a wurin, an buɗa ƙyanƙyashe a ƙarƙashin kokfitin da ke bayan kayan hancin, kuma ma'aikata sun fara saukowa daga matakin.
    
  A lokaci guda, mutane da yawa sun fito daga cikin Humvee kuma suka tsaya a gefen hagu na jirgin, daya daga cikinsu ya baci. "Mude, ba wasa suke ba - yana da zafi a nan!" John Masters ya furta. Ya kalli wurin matsugunin jirgin. "Kai, akwai kwandishan a cikin wannan hangar-bari mu kunna!"
    
  "Bari mu fara tuntuɓar kwamandan tushe, John," ya ba da shawarar mutum na biyu da ya fito waje, Patrick McLaanahan. Ya gyada kai wajen Humvee dake k'asan su. "Ina tsammanin Kanar Jaffar ne kuma tuntuɓar mu tana nan."
    
  "Jafar ya kalleta a fusace. Me muka yi a wannan karon?"
    
  "Mu je mu gano," in ji Patrick. Ya matso kusa da Kanal din Iraqi ya dan sunkuyar da kansa ya mika hannu. "Kanar Jafar? Ni ne Patrick McLanahan."
    
  Jaffar ya d'an fi Patrick tsayi, amma ya d'aga hantarsa, ya fizge k'irjinsa, ya tashi a kan k'afan ƙafarsa don ya fi tsayi da mahimmanci. Da ya tabbata masu zuwa sun kula, a hankali ya daga hannun damansa zuwa gira na dama yana gaisawa. "General McLanahan. "Barka da zuwa Nala Air Base," in ji shi a cikin Ingilishi mai kyau sosai, amma tare da lafazin mai ƙarfi. Patrick ya yi sallama, sannan ya sake mika hannunsa. Jaffar ya dauka a hankali, yana murmushi, sannan ya yi kokarin matse hannun Patrick cikin nasa. Da ya gane ba zai yi aiki ba, murmushi ya bace.
    
  "Karnel, ka ba ni dama in gabatar da Dokta Jonathan Colin Masters. Dokta Masters, Kanar Yusuf Jaffar, Rundunar Sojan Sama ta Iraki, Kwamandan Rundunar Sojojin Nakhla Air Base." Jaffar ya gyada kai, amma bai girgiza hannun Jon ba. Patrick ya girgiza kai a fusace, sannan ya karanta sunan saurayin dake tsaye kusa da bayan Jaffar. "Malam Thompson? Ni ne Patrick-"
    
  "General Patrick McLanahan. Na san ko kai wanene, yallabai-dukkanmu mun san ko kai wanene." Dogon hafsa mai tsananin sha'awar kallon saurayi a bayan Jaffar ya tako gaba yana murmushi daga kunne har kunne. "Naji dadin haduwa da kai, yallabai. Chris Thompson, Shugaba, Thompson International, Masu ba da shawara kan Tsaro. " Ya girgiza hannun Patrick da duka biyun, yana girgiza shi cikin zumudi tare da girgiza kai cikin rashin imani. "Ba zan iya yarda da shi ba... Janar Patrick McLanahan. A zahiri ina girgiza hannun Patrick McLanahan."
    
  "Na gode Chris. Wannan shine Dr. John Masters. Ya-"
    
  "Hey, Doc," in ji Thompson, ba tare da kau da kai ba ko sakin hannun Patrick McLanahan. "Sannu da zuwa, yallabai. Haƙiƙa abin alfahari ne don saduwa da ku da kuma maraba da ku zuwa Iraki. zan iya-"
    
  "Don Allah ka daina zancenka, Thompson, mu sauka kan kasuwanci," Jaffar ya ce cikin rashin haƙuri. "Hakika sunanka ya riga ka, Janar, amma dole ne in tunatar da kai cewa kai dan kwangila ne na farar hula kuma dole ne ka bi dokokina da ka'idoji na, da na Jamhuriyar Iraki. Gwamnatinku ta bukaci in mika muku dukkan wata karamci da taimako, kuma a matsayina na jami'i, ina da hakki a kan yin hakan, amma dole ne ku fahimci cewa dokar Iraki - wato, a wannan yanayin, dokata - dole ne ta kasance. girmamawa a kowane lokaci. Yallabai kenan?"
    
  "Eh, Kanar, komai a bayyane yake," in ji Patrick.
    
  "To me yasa kuka saba umarnina game da isowa da kusancin Nala?"
    
  "Mun yi tunanin muna bukatar tantance yanayin barazanar da kanmu, Kanar," Patrick ya amsa. "Isowa mafi girman wasan kwaikwayo ba zai gaya mana komai ba. Mun yanke shawarar yin kasada tare da haifar da hanyar gani da shimfidawa."
    
  "Ni da ma'aikatana suna tantance matsayin barazanar da ke kan wannan tushe a kowace sa'a na kowace rana," in ji Jaffar a fusace. "Ina ba da umarnin da ke tafiyar da duk ma'aikata da ayyukan da ke wannan sansanin don tabbatar da lafiyar kowa. Kada a yi watsi da su saboda kowane dalili. Ba za ku iya yin kasada a kowane lokaci ba saboda kowane dalili, yallabai: alhaki koyaushe yana tare da ni, kuma hakan ba zai iya yiwuwa ba. Sake karya dokata kuma za a umarce ku da ku aiwatar da ayyukanku a wani tushe. Yallabai kenan?"
    
  "Eh, Colonel, hakan a bayyane yake."
    
  "Mai kyau sosai". Jaffar ya sa hannayensa a bayansa, yana sake fidda kirjinsa. "Ina ganin kun yi sa"a da ba ku shiga cikin harin abokan gaba ba. Ni da jami"an tsaro na mun leka radiyon kilomita goma daga wajen sansanin don fuskantar barazana. Ina tabbatar muku, kun kasance cikin ɗan haɗari. Amma wannan ba yana nufin za ku iya ba-"
    
  "Yi hakuri, amma mun fuskanci wuta, Kanar," John Masters ya sa baki.
    
  Idanun Jaffar sun lumshe saboda katsewar da aka yi, sannan bakinsa ya bude ya rufe a rude, sannan ya kafe da bacin rai. "Me kika ce saurayi?" - ya yi kara.
    
  "An shafe mu da gobarar kasa jimlar sau dari da saba'in da tara yayin da ke tsakanin mil goma daga sansanin," in ji John. "Kuma arba'in da daya daga cikin harbe-harbe an harba su ne daga cikin sansanin."
    
  "Wannan ba zai yiwu ba! Wannan abin ban dariya ne! Ta yaya za ku san wannan?
    
  "Wannan shine aikinmu a nan, Kanar: tantance yanayin barazanar wannan da sauran sansanonin sojojin kawancen da ke arewacin Iraki," in ji Patrick. "Jirgin mu na sanye da kayan aikin da ke ba mu damar ganowa, ganowa, ganowa da kuma gano tushen hare-haren. Za mu iya ganowa, ganowa da kuma bin diddigin harbe-harbe daga makamai har zuwa milimita tara a ma'auni." Ya miko hannu John ya saka folder a ciki. "A nan ga taswirar asalin duk harbe-harben da muka samu. Kamar yadda kuke gani, an harba Kanar, daya daga cikin salvos mafi karfi - fashewar zagaye shida daga igwa mai tsawon mm 12.7 - daga wannan tushe. Daga filin horar da jami"an tsaro ya zama daidai". Ya dau mataki ya nufi Jaffar, idanunsa shudiyya sun gundura cikin Bakin Irakawa. "Fada mani, Kanar: Wanene ke wannan filin horo a yanzu? Wane irin makaman kare dangi kuke dashi anan Nala?" Bakin Jafar ya sake motsawa a rude. "Duk wanda ya aikata wannan, ina tsammanin za a kama shi kuma za a tuhume shi da laifin kai hari kan jiragen Allied da gangan."
    
  "Ni... Zan yi maganin wannan... da kaina, yallabai," Jaffar ya ce, gumi na fitowa a kan cinyarsa. Ya dan sunkuyar da kansa yana komawa baya. "Zan kula da shi nan take, yallabai." Ya kusa yin karo da Thompson cikin gaggawar tserewa.
    
  John ya ce, "Wani bebe ne. "Ina fata ba lallai ne mu jure da rashin lafiyarsa kowace rana a nan ba."
    
  "Hakika shi ne daya daga cikin kwamandojin da suka fi cancanta a arewacin Iraki, Doc," in ji Thompson. "Yana tsammanin yawan sumbatar jaki da durkusawa. Amma ba ya cikin masu yin abubuwa - kawai ya kan karya kai ne lokacin da daya daga cikin wadanda ke karkashinsa ya kasa yin aikin. Don haka, shin da gaske kuke ganowa da kuma bin diddigin harin da aka kai wa jirgin ku?"
    
  "Tabbas," John ya amsa. "Kuma za mu iya yin abubuwa da yawa, ma."
    
  "Za mu sanar da ku cikakkun bayanai da zarar mun sami izinin tsaro," in ji Patrick. "Zai sanya idanunka ruwa, amince da ni."
    
  "Cool," in ji Thompson. "Karal na iya zama kamar dawisu, amma idan ya sami 'yan barkwanci da suka harbe ku, tabbas zai saukar da guduma a kansu."
    
  "Abin takaici, ba wasu wawaye ba ne kawai a filin horo - mun sami wasu wurare da yawa duka a cikin tushe da kuma kusa da kewaye," in ji John. "Karal na iya zama mafi kyawu a yankin, amma hakan bai wadatar ba. Yana da sappers a cikin shingen. "
    
  "Kamar yadda na rubuta maka lokacin da ka gaya mani cewa za ka zo, yallabai," in ji Thompson, "Na yi imanin cewa FPCON a nan ya kamata ya zama Delta - tuntuɓar ta'addanci da kullum. A idon Baghdad, Jaffar ya yi muni saboda yana sama da Bravo. Amma su "yan uwana da Jami"an Tsaron Sojoji suna yi kamar na Delta. Don haka, idan za ku bi ni, yallabai, zan nuna muku kewaye da wuraren ku da ofisoshin ku, in ba ku ɗan taƙaitaccen bayani game da ginin.
    
  "Idan ba ku damu ba, Chris, za mu so mu ayyana yankin da ke da alhakin da kuma tsara jadawalin jiragen mu na farko," in ji Patrick. "Ina so in kammala aikin farko a daren yau. Ma'aikatan tallafi za su shirya wuraren mu."
    
  "Wannan dare? Amma ka zo nan, yallabai. Dole ne a ci ku."
    
  "Dari da saba'in ya buga a cikin jirginmu, kashi ɗaya cikin huɗu daga wannan tushe - muna buƙatar sauka kan kasuwanci," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Sa'an nan muna bukatar mu je sashen ayyuka mu ga Kanar Jack Wilhelm," in ji Thompson. "A hukumance shi ne na biyu a mulki a karkashin Jaffar, amma kowa ya san wanda ke da alhakin gaske, kuma shi ne. Yawancin lokaci yana a Cibiyar Umurnin Teku Sau Uku."
    
  Dukkansu sun taru cikin wani farin sulke mai sulke tare da Thompson a bayan motar. "Nakhla, wanda ke nufin bumblebee a cikin Larabci, ya kasance harafin Base Samar da Sojojin Sama na Amurka," in ji shi, yana tuki kan layin tashi. Sun ga layuka na jiragen dakon kaya masu girma dabam, daga C-5 Galaxys zuwa bizjets. "A lokacin Saddam, an kirkiro wannan ne domin murkushe al"ummar Kurdawa, kuma ya zama daya daga cikin manyan sansanonin sojojin Iraki a kasar. Sun ce wannan shi ne sansanin da aka ajiye makaman gubar da Saddam ya yi amfani da su wajen yakar Kurdawa, don haka shi ne babban makami ga mayakan Kurdawa da muke fama da su lokaci zuwa lokaci, tare da AQI al-Qaeda a Iraki - Yan Shi'a da masu jihadi na kasashen waje.
    
  "A farkon wannan shekarar, an mayar da Nakhla a hukumance daga ikon Amurka zuwa sojojin Iraqi. To sai dai har yanzu Iraqin ba su da yawan sojojin sama, don haka suka kira shi sansanin sojin sama na "allied". Amurka, NATO da Majalisar Dinkin Duniya suna ba da hayar kayan aiki da filin jirgin sama daga Iraqis."
    
  "Mun ƙirƙira shi sannan kuma a biya mu don amfani da shi," in ji John. "Mai ban mamaki".
    
  "Idan ba mu biya don amfani da shi ba, har yanzu za a dauke mu a matsayin 'mamaya' a Iraki," in ji Thompson. "Wannan ita ce manufar janye sojoji daga Iraki.
    
  Thompson ya ci gaba da cewa "Babban rukunin fada a Nala shi ne Brigade na biyu, wanda ake yi wa lakabi da War Hammer." "Brigade na biyu wani Stryker Combat Brigade na I Corps, Division na biyu, daga Fort Lewis, Washington. Wannan shine ɗayan raka'o'i na ƙarshe don jujjuyawa na wata goma sha biyar - duk sauran raka'o'in suna yin watanni goma sha biyu. Suna tallafawa sojojin Iraki da bayanan sirri, leken asiri da horo. An shirya janye su ne nan da watanni uku, lokacin da 'yan Irakin suka karbe ikon tsaron arewacin Iraki."
    
  "Chris, shin da gaske muna da rabin motocin Amurka a wani wuri a Gabas ta Tsakiya?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  "Zan iya cewa rabin motocin Sojojin Sama suna kan kasa a cikin gidan wasan kwaikwayo ko kuma suna tafiya da baya, kuma ainihin adadin ya kusan kusan kashi uku cikin hudu," in ji Thompson. "Kuma wannan bai haɗa da ajiyar farar hula da ka'idojin kwangila ba."
    
  "Amma har yanzu zai ɗauki shekara guda kafin mu janye sojojinmu?" John ya tambaya. "Wannan bai yi daidai ba. Ba a dauki lokaci mai tsawo ba don fitar da kayanmu daga Iraki bayan yakin Gulf na farko, shin?"
    
  "Tsarin daban-daban, Doc," in ji Thompson. "Shirin shine a kwashe komai daga Iraki sai dai kadarorin da ke sansanonin jiragen sama guda biyu da kuma harabar ofishin jakadancin da ke Bagadaza. Bayan yakin Gulf na farko, mun bar abubuwa da yawa a Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar da Hadaddiyar Daular Larabawa, kuma mun kara matakan tsaro ta yadda za mu iya zagawa ba tare da tsangwama ba. An dauki sama da shekara guda kafin mu fitar da duk kayanmu daga Saudi Arabiya lokacin da Amurka ta nemi barin kasar kuma kawai muka tuka ta kan babbar hanyar zuwa Kuwait. Anan muna jigilar duk kadarorinmu ko dai gida ko zuwa sabbin sansanonin a Romania, Poland, Jamhuriyar Czech da Djibouti. "
    
  "Har yanzu, ba zai iya ɗaukar lokaci mai tsawo kafin a fita ba, ko?"
    
  "Mun yi aiki a kan wannan ba tsayawa dare da rana kusan shekara guda, kuma wata shekara ta kasance da kyakkyawan fata," in ji Thompson. "Ya dogara ne akan yanayin tsaro. Juyin mulkin da aka yi a Iran ya rufe gabar tekun Farisa gaba daya na tsawon shekara guda, kuma layukan jirgin kasa da dama na ciki da wajen kasar ba su da aminci, don haka sai da mu jira wasu yanayi masu kyau. Ana iya fitar da abubuwan da ake buƙata cikin gaggawa a wani wuri, amma ɗaukar duka C-5 Galaxy ko C-17 Globemaster kawai don fitar da tankunan yaƙi na M1A2 ɗaya ko biyu bai da ma'ana. Kuma ba za mu bar motoci masu sulke sama da dubu biyu a nan ba." Ya kalli Patrick. "Shi yasa kake nan, ko ba haka ba, yallabai? A inganta harkar tsaro?"
    
  "Za mu gwada," in ji Patrick. "A bayyane yake cewa 'yan Iraki ba za su iya shawo kan lamarin tsaro ba, kuma ba zai dace a siyasance ba sojojin Amurka, wadanda ba a bukatar su a kasar, su samar da tsaro, don haka suna ba da kwangila ga kamfanoni masu zaman kansu don yin aikin."
    
  "To, tabbas ba kai kaɗai ba, yallabai," in ji Thompson. "Yan kwangila suna yin kusan komai a nan kwanakin nan. Har yanzu muna da rundunar sojojin ruwa a nan Nakhla da ke tashi don tallafawa ayyukan Iraki, kuma a kowane lokaci rundunar sojojin musamman ko tawagar SEAL za su rika shawagi da fita, amma banda haka sojojin a nan ba su yi wani abu ba face tattarawa. kaya da jira a kai su gida. Yawancin horo da tsaro, leken asiri, abinci, sufuri, sadarwa, gine-gine, rushewa, nishaɗi duk 'yan kwangilar Amurka ne ke tafiyar da su."
    
  "Bayan Holocaust a AMERICA, ya kasance mai sauƙi da sauri don daukar ma'aikata da kuma horar da tsofaffi fiye da horar da sababbin ma'aikata," in ji Patrick. "Idan kuna son yin ƙarin tare da ƙasa, dole ne ku fitar da ayyukan tallafi kuma ku ba da damar Sojoji masu aiki su yi ayyuka na musamman."
    
  "Ban ji labarin Scion ba har sai da Sojoji suka sanar da ku zuwa nan," in ji Thompson. "A ina ku ne tushen?"
    
  "Las Vegas," in ji Patrick. "Ainihin, wannan rukuni ne na masu saka hannun jari waɗanda suka sayi manyan fasahohin zamani amma ragi na jiragen sama daga kamfanoni daban-daban kuma sun ba da sabis ɗin su ga Pentagon. An ba ni aiki bayan na yi ritaya."
    
  Chris ya ce "Da alama yarjejeniya ɗaya ce da kamfanina." "Mu rukuni ne na tsofaffi da masu ritaya na horar da sojoji, sadarwa da kwararrun tsaro da injiniyoyi. Har yanzu muna son yin hidima bayan mun tashi, sai muka kafa kamfani."
    
  "Me kuke so zuwa yanzu?"
    
  "A gaskiya, na fara kasuwancin ne saboda ina tsammanin kuɗin zai yi kyau - duk waɗannan labarun game da kamfanoni kamar Blackwater Worldwide samun waɗannan manyan kwangiloli sun kasance masu ban sha'awa sosai," in ji Chris. "Amma wannan kasuwanci ne. Kwangiloli na iya zama kamar abin sha'awa, amma muna kashe kuɗin mu ta hanyar samun mafi kyawun ma'aikata da kayan aiki da za mu iya samu da kuma samar da mafita mai mahimmanci a mafi ƙanƙanci. Zan iya gaya muku cewa, ban ga ko sisin kwabo na riba daga kasuwancin ba face abin da ya kashe ni don rayuwa. Idan aka samu riba, kai tsaye ya koma cikin kasuwancin, yana ba mu damar samar da ƙarin sabis ko samar da sabis a farashi mai rahusa.
    
  "Kawai akasin soja," in ji John Masters. "Sojoji suna kashe duk wani kobo na kasafin kudin su don ganin kasafin bai ragu a shekara mai zuwa ba. Kamfanoni masu zaman kansu suna adana ko saka hannun jari ga kowane dinari."
    
  "Don haka ba ku da wata matsala da waɗannan kamfanoni, ko?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  Thompson ya ce, "Na ga wasu daga cikin wadannan tsoffin Sojoji na Musamman da ke cin maciji suna yawo a sansanin," in ji Thompson, "kuma dukkansu suna sanye da manyan tufafin waje, sabbin makamai, sabbin kayan aiki da jarfa. ga tunaninsu. Yawancin waɗannan mutanen suna son su yi kyau, don haka suna kashe kuɗi da yawa akan nasu sabon abu kuma mafi girma. Kamfanina da farko ya ƙunshi ƙwararrun kwamfyuta, tsoffin jami'an tilasta bin doka, masu bincike masu zaman kansu, da masu gadi. Sun yi watsi da mu sosai. Muna shiga cikin matsala lokaci zuwa lokaci lokacin da "yan uwana suka hana su shiga, amma muna yin aiki a ƙarshe. "
    
  "Wannan ba ze zama hanya mai kyau don zuwa yaki ba, Chris."
    
  Thompson ya yi dariya. "Ina fata wannan ba yaki bane," in ji shi. "Ya kamata a bar wa kwararrun yaki. Zan yi farin cikin tallafawa masu sana'a. "
    
  Sansanin yana da girma kuma yana kama da wani karamin ofishin sojoji a Amurka. John Masters ya ce "Wannan wurin bai yi muni ba." "Na kasance ina jin tausayin cewa an tura ku zuwa nesa, amma na ga munanan ayyukan sojoji a cikin Jihohi."
    
  Thompson ya ce, "Ba mu taba samun Burger King ko McDonald na yau da kullun ba kamar wasu manyan wuraren zama," in ji Thompson, "kuma idan muka yi, da tabbas 'yan Iraqin sun rufe su bayan sun karbi ragamar mulki. Yawancin sojoji a nan har yanzu suna barci a cikin ChUS saboda ba mu taɓa zuwa gina rukunin gidaje na yau da kullun ba. Tabbas, babu iyalai a nan, don haka ba zai taɓa kwatanta kowane tushe na yau da kullun na ƙasashen waje kamar Jamus ko Ingila ba. Amma yanayin ya ɗan fi kyau kuma mutanen yankin ba su da ƙiyayya ... aƙalla kaɗan kaɗan.
    
  "Chus?"
    
  "Rukunan gidaje na kwantena. Sun ɗan fi girma fiye da tirelar motar kasuwanci. Za mu iya saukar da su idan muna buƙatar sararin samaniya, amma yayin da sojoji ke girma muna da sararin samaniya, don haka a yanzu duk suna kan bene. A nan ne za mu ɓoye mutanen ku. Sun fi kyan gani, amince da ni - linoleum benaye, cikakken insulated, kwandishan, Wi-Fi, lebur allo TVs. CUs biyu suna raba 'rigar CU' - ɗakin wanka. Yafi kyau fiye da dakunan wanka."
    
  Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan, sai suka zo wani shinge mai tsayi ƙafa goma sha biyu da aka yi da bangon simintin rigar da aka yi da ƙwanƙwasa ƙwanƙolin ƙarfe da aka lulluɓe da muryoyin waya. Bayan 'yan ƙafafu fiye da waccan bangon wani shingen shinge mai ƙafa goma sha biyu da aka binne da waya mara nauyi, tare da manyan jami'an tsaro na K-9 na farar hula da ke yawo a tsakanin shingen. Akwai taku hamsin na sarari a bayan shingen haɗin gwiwa. Duk wannan an kewaye shi da wani gini mai sauƙi, mai siffar murabba'i mai hawa uku tare da rufaffiyar tudu, da jita-jita na tauraron dan adam da eriya a saman, kuma babu tagogi. Hasuyoyin tsaro masu tsayin ƙafa 30 sun tsaya a kusurwoyin ginin. "Wannan ginin hedkwatar ne...ko gidan yari?" John ya tambaya.
    
  "Cibiyar umarni da sarrafawa, ko Triple C," in ji Thompson. "Wasu mutane suna kiransa Fobbitville-gidan"fobbits," mutanen da ba su taba barin FOB ba, ko Ƙaddamar da Ƙaddamarwa - amma muna yin ƙananan ayyuka masu yawa a kwanakin nan, don haka yawancin mu za a iya la'akari da su kamar masu tsalle-tsalle. . Kusan a cikin cibiyar yanki na tushe - miyagu za su buƙaci babban turmi don isa gare shi daga wajen ginin, kodayake za su yi sa'a kuma za su harba makami mai linzami na gida a nan kowane mako biyu ko makamancin haka. "
    
  "Kowane sati biyu?"
    
  "Ina jin tsoro haka, Doc," in ji Thompson. Sai ya yi wa John murmushin ɓarna kuma ya ƙara da cewa, "Amma abin da kuke nan ke nan don yanke shawara... dama?"
    
  Tsaro a ƙofar Triple-C ya kasance mai tsauri, amma har yanzu bai kai abin da McLaanahan da Masters suka yi ba a Dreamland tsawon shekaru masu yawa. Babu jami'an tsaron soji kwata-kwata; 'Yan kwangilar farar hula na Thompson sun gudanar da wasan kwaikwayon. Sun dan kara girmama Patrick bayan sun duba takardunsa - yawancinsu tsohon soja ne ko kuma sun yi ritaya; da janar-janar taurari uku, har ma da waɗanda suka yi ritaya, sun sami karrama su - amma duk da haka da alama suna gudanar da bincike cikin sauri, wani lokacin rashin tausayi tare da sha'awar da ke kan bakin ciki. "Allah, ina ganin ina bukatar in shiga banɗaki don ganin ko waɗannan mutanen sun yayyage wani muhimmin sashi," in ji John yayin da suke wucewa ta tashar bincike ta ƙarshe.
    
  "Ana yiwa kowa da kowa haka, wanda shine dalilin da ya sa yawancin samari kawai suna rataye a nan maimakon komawa ga abokansu," in ji Thompson. "Ina tsammanin sun dan yi kauri ne saboda shugaban yana nan. Yi hakuri da hakan." Sun fito cikin wani faffadan faffadan, kuma Thompson ya nuna alamar titin zuwa hagu. "Hanyar Yamma ita ce hanyar zuwa sassa daban-daban da suka hada da Troika-S - kula da zirga-zirgar jiragen sama, sadarwa, bayanai, sufuri, tsaro, leken asiri, sassan sassan da huldar kasashen waje, da dai sauransu. A saman su akwai ofisoshin kwamandoji da dakunan taro. Hanyar gabas ita ce DFAC, dakunan hutu da ofisoshin gudanarwa; Sama da su akwai dandamali na gaggawa, ɗakunan dakuna, dakunan wanka, shawa, da sauransu. Layukan arewa sun ƙunshi kwamfutoci, sadarwa, na'urorin samar da wutar lantarki, da masana'anta. A tsakiyarsa duka ita ce cibiyar umarni da kanta, wacce muke kira 'Tank'. Bi ni ". An duba ID dinsu, aka sake bincikarsu a kofar Tankar - a wannan karon wani Sajan na Sojoji ne, karon farko da wani jami'in tsaro na soja - aka ba su izinin shiga.
    
  Tankin ya yi kama da Cibiyar Kula da Yaki a Elliott Air Force Base a Nevada. Wani babban daki ne mai kama da manyan filaye guda goma sha biyu da ke kewaye da wani babban allo mai girma a bayan dakin, tare da kunkuntar matakin masu magana da mutane. A kowane bangare na matakin akwai layuka na consoles na sassa daban-daban, waɗanda ke ba da bayanai don nuna allo da kwamandoji. A samansu akwai wani wurin rufe ido na VIPs da kwararru. A tsakiyar dakin an yi jerin gwano na ta'aziyya ga shugabannin sassan, kuma a tsakiyar tsakiyar dakin akwai kujeru da nuni ga kwamandan brigade na Iraki, wanda babu kowa a ciki, da mataimakinsa, Kanar Jack Wilhelm.
    
  Wilhelm babban mutum ne, mai kama da bear, yayi kama da ƙaramin ƙarami, mai duhun gashi na Janar Norman Schwarzkopf mai ritaya. Ya bayyana yana tauna sigari, amma a zahiri makirufo ce daga lasifikan kai wanda ke kusa da lebbansa. Wilhelm ya jingina kan na'urar wasan bidiyo, yana ba da umarni da umarni game da abin da yake so a nuna a kan allo.
    
  Thompson ya shiga cikin layin Wilhelm na gani, kuma lokacin da Wilhelm ya lura da jami'in tsaro, ya ba shi mamaki ya firgita ya zare earpiece daga kunnensa. "Me?"
    
  "Mutane daga Scion Aviation suna nan, Colonel," in ji Thompson.
    
  "Ku bar su a Chuvil kuma ku gaya musu zan gan su da safe," in ji Wilhelm, yana zazzage idanu tare da mayar da earpiece a wurin.
    
  "Suna son farawa yau da dare, yallabai."
    
  Wilhelm ya sake motsa belun kunne a fusace. "Me?"
    
  "Suna son farawa yau da dare, yallabai," Thompson ya maimaita.
    
  "Far me?"
    
  "Fara kallo. Sun ce a shirye suke su tashi a yanzu kuma suna son sanar da ku shirin jirgin da suke son yi."
    
  "Suna yi, ko ba haka ba?" Wilhelm ya tofa albarkacin bakinsa. "Faɗa musu cewa muna da taƙaitaccen bayanin da aka shirya gobe da safe a sifili ɗari bakwai, Thompson. Ka kwanta su kuma-"
    
  Patrick ya ce, "Idan kuna da 'yan mintoci kaɗan don keɓancewa, Colonel," in ji Patrick, yana zuwa Thompson, "za mu so mu cika ku yanzu mu sa ku kan hanya."
    
  Wilhelm ya juya a kujerarsa ya yi wa sabbin masu zuwa da tsoma bakinsu... sannan ya dan yi murmushi lokacin da ya gane Patrick McLanahan. A hankali ya tashi tsaye, idanunsa na kan Patrick kamar wanda ya kai shi fada. Ya dan juyo ga ma'aikacin da ke zaune kusa da shi, amma idanunsa ba su bar Patrick ba. "Samu da yanayin yanayi a nan," in ji shi, "kuma a sa shi ya sa ido a kan tarihin jirgin kuma ya yi wa masu aikin leken asiri bayani. Zan dawo nan da 'yan mintuna". Ya cire headphone dinsa, sannan ya mika hannu. "Janar McLanahan, Jack Wilhelm. Na ji dadin haduwa da ku ".
    
  Patrick ya girgiza hannunsa. "Hakane, Colonel."
    
  "Ban san za ku kasance cikin wannan jirgin ba, Janar, ko ba zan taɓa ba da izinin tsarin VFR ba."
    
  "Yana da mahimmanci cewa mun yi shi, Colonel - ya gaya mana da yawa. Za mu iya sanar da ku da ma'aikatan ku game da aikinmu na farko?"
    
  Wilhelm ya ce: "Na ɗauka cewa za ku so ku huta don sauran ranakun da maraice kuma ku daidaita kanku." "Ina so in nuna muku a kusa da tushe, nuna muku Triple-C da cibiyar ayyuka a nan, saduwa da ma'aikatan, ku sami abinci mai kyau -"
    
  "Za mu sami isasshen lokaci don yin hakan yayin da muke nan, Colonel," in ji Patrick, "amma mun fuskanci harin abokan gaba a hanya, kuma ina tsammanin da zarar mun fara, zai fi kyau."
    
  "Gobarar makiyi?" Wilhelm ya dubi Thompson. "Me yake magana akai, Thompson? Ba a sanar da ni ba."
    
  "A shirye muke mu sanar da ku game da wannan a yanzu," in ji Patrick. "Sannan kuma ina so in tsara tashin tashin gobarar a daren yau don fara nemo asalin gobarar da ta tashi."
    
  "Yi hakuri, Janar," in ji Wilhelm, "amma dole ne a binciki ayyukanku da hedkwata sannan kuma a magance rikice-rikice da kowane sashe a nan cikin Triple C." Wannan zai dauki fiye da 'yan sa'o'i.
    
  "Mun aiko muku da shirinmu na gudanar da aiki da kwafin kwangilar da hukumar inganta rayuwar sojojin sama ta samu mako daya da ya gabata, Kanal. Kamata ya yi ma"aikatan ku sun sami isasshen lokaci don duba wannan."
    
  Wilhelm ya ce "Na tabbata suna da, Janar, amma an shirya zantawa da hedkwata na da sifili da karfe biyar da safe," in ji Wilhelm. "Ya kamata ni da kai mu hadu a kan sifili da dari bakwai don tattauna wannan. Na dauka shirin kenan."
    
  "Wannan shi ne shirin Kanar, amma yanzu zan so mu fara aikinmu na farko a daren nan, kafin sauran jiragenmu su iso."
    
  "Wasu tsare-tsare? Ina tsammanin mun sami daya kawai."
    
  "Da zarar mun fuskanci harin abokan gaba a kan hanyarmu ta nan, na nemi kuma na karbi izini daga kamfanina na kawo jirgin sama na biyu mai aiki tare da wasu karin kaya da kayan aiki," in ji Patrick. "Wannan zai zama wani jirgin sama mai girman asara-"
    
  "'Yunana'?"
    
  "Yi hakuri. Lakabin jirginmu. Zan buƙaci rataye don wannan da buƙatun ƙarin ma'aikata ashirin da biyar. Za su zo nan da kusan awa ashirin. Idan ya zo zan bukata-"
    
  "Yi hakuri, yallabai," Wilhelm ya katse shi. "Zan iya samun 'yan kalmomi tare da ku?" Ya nuna kusurwar gaban tankin, yana nuna wa Patrick ya bi shi; matashin Laftanar na Sojojin sama cikin hikima ya bar na'urar na'urar na'urar da ke kusa da shi a lokacin da ya ga kallon gargadin Kanal din a lokacin da suke gabatowa.
    
  Yayin da suka matso kusa da na'urar wasan bidiyo don yin magana a keɓance, Patrick ya ɗaga yatsa, sannan ya miƙa hannu ya taɓa ɗan ƙaramin maɓalli na kusan ganuwa a kunnen kunnen sa na hagu. Idanuwan Wilhelm sun zaro cikin mamaki. "Wannan wayar kunne ce mara waya ta wayar salula?" Ya tambaya.
    
  Patrick ya gyada kai. "An haramta wayoyi a nan Kanar? Zan iya fitar dashi waje-"
    
  "Su...dole ne a rufe su ta yadda babu wanda zai iya karba ko yin kira gare su - kariya daga na'urorin fashewa na gida. Kuma hasumiya mafi kusa tana da nisan mil shida."
    
  "Wannan rukunin sadaukarwa ne - rufaffen rufaffiyar, amintacce, mai jurewa, kuma mai ƙarfi don girmansa," in ji Patrick. "Za mu duba haɓaka na'urorin ku masu kama ko musanya su da na'urori masu auna firikwensin da za su nuna wurin da bangarorin biyu ke tattaunawa." Wilhelm ya lumshe ido cikin rudani. "To ba laifi idan na dauki wannan?" Wilhelm ya cika da mamaki bai amsa ba, don haka Patrick ya gyada kai cikin godiya ya danna maballin "kira". "Hello Dave," in ji shi. "Eh... Eh bari yayi waya. Kun yi gaskiya. Na gode." Ya sake taba earpiece don karasa kiran. "Ku yi hakuri da katsewar, Colonel. Kuna da tambaya gareni?"
    
  Wilhelm ya yi saurin girgiza rudanin da ke cikin zuciyarsa, sannan ya sa hannu a kugunsa ya karkata ga Patrick. "Eh, yallabai, na sani: wane jahannama kake tunanin kai?" Wilhelm ya ce cikin sassaƙaƙƙen murya, a kaɗe, da ƙara. Ya haye kan McLanahan, yana fidda hantarsa kamar yana kalubalantar duk wanda ya yi yunkurin buge shi, ya soki shi da mugun kallo. "Wannan ita ce cibiyar umarni na. Babu wanda yake bani umarni a nan, hatta hajiyar da ya kamata ita ce ke jagorantar wannan fage. Kuma babu wani abu da ya zo tsakanin mil ɗari da mu ba tare da fara samun amincewa da izini na ba, ko da tauraro uku mai ritaya. Yanzu da kina nan kina iya zama, amma ina mai bada tabbacin cewa dan iska na gaba wanda bai samu izinin shiga ba za a kore shi da sauri da kyar ya nemi jakarsa. a cikin Gulf Persian. Kana iya ji na, Janar?
    
  "Eh, Kanar, na sani," in ji Patrick. Bai waiwaya ba, sai mutanen biyu suka hada ido. "Kin gama Kanar?"
    
  "Ba kwa buƙatar samun wani abu da ni, McLahanan," in ji Wilhelm. "Na karanta kwantiragin ku, kuma na yi maganin dubunnan ku na farar hula, ko "yan kwangila, ko kuma duk wani abin da kuka kira kanku a yanzu. Kuna iya zama babban mai fasaha, amma ni kaina, har yanzu kuna ɗaya daga cikin masu dafa abinci da masu wankin kwalba a kusa da nan.
    
  "Tare da dukkan girmamawa, Janar, wannan gargaɗi ne: yayin da kuke cikin sashina, kuna yi mini biyayya; ka fita daga layi, zan ba ka wuta; kin ki bin umarnina kuma ni da kaina zan jefar da kwallayenku a cikin makogwaron ku." Ya dakata na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya tambaye shi, "Yallabai yanzu akwai wani abu da kake son gaya mani?"
    
  "Iya, Colonel." Patrick ya yi wa Wilhelm murmushi wanda ya kusan fusata kanar sojan, sannan ya ci gaba da cewa: "Kuna jiran kiran waya daga hedkwatar sashen. Ina ba ku shawarar ku ɗauki wannan." Wilhelm ya juya ya ga jami'in ma'aikacin aiki yana tafe da shi.
    
  Ya kalli murmushin McLanahan, ya ba shi haske, sannan ya wuce zuwa console mafi kusa, ya sanya belun kunne ya shiga. "Wilhelm. Me?"
    
  "Shirya don rarraba, yallabai," in ji masanin sadarwa. Wilhelm ya dubi McLanahan da mamaki. Bayan wani lokaci: "Jack? Connolly yana saurare." Charles Connolly ya kasance Janar na Sojoji mai tauraro biyu da ke Fort Lewis, Washington, wanda ya ba da umarnin rukunin da aka aika zuwa arewacin Iraki.
    
  "Iya, yallabai?"
    
  "Yi hakuri Jack, amma naji labarin wannan da kaina 'yan mintoci kaɗan da suka wuce kuma na yi tunanin gara in kira ka da kaina," in ji Connolly. "Wannan dan kwangilar da aka sanya wa aikin leken asiri ta sama a kan iyakar Iraki da Turkiyya a bangaren ku? Akwai VIP a cikin jirgin: Patrick McLanahan."
    
  "Ina magana da shi a yanzu, yallabai," in ji Wilhelm.
    
  "Ya riga ya can? Abin banza. Yi hakuri da wannan, Jack, amma wannan mutumin yana da suna don nuna kawai da yin duk abin da ya ga dama. "
    
  "Hakan ba zai faru a nan ba, yallabai."
    
  "Duba Jack, ka rike wannan mutumin da safar hannu na yara har sai mun gano ainihin karfin dawakin da yake da shi a bayansa," in ji Connolly. "Shi farar hula ne kuma dan kwangila, eh, amma Corps ta gaya mani cewa yana aiki ne ga wasu ƙwararrun mutane waɗanda za su iya yin kiran waya da ke canza sana'a da sauri, idan kun san abin da nake samu."
    
  "Kawai ya gaya mani cewa zai kawo wani jirgi a nan. Ma'aikata ashirin da biyar! Ina kokarin ruguza wannan sansani, yallabai, kada ka tara farar hula a nan."
    
  "Eh, nima an gaya mani haka," in ji Connolly, a cikin muryarsa mai ban tausayi wanda ya nuna a fili cewa bai fi wani babban jami'in rajiman sani ba. "Duba, Jack, idan da gaske ya karya ɗaya daga cikin umarnin ku, zan tallafa muku ɗari bisa ɗari idan kuna son ya fita daga tushen ku kuma ya nisanta ku. Amma shi Patrick ne ya yi lalata da McLanahan, kuma shi mai ritaya ne na shekara uku. Rundunar ta ce a ba shi isashen igiya, kuma a karshe zai rataye kansa - ya riga ya yi shi, shi ya sa ba ya da siffarsa.
    
  "Har yanzu ba na son hakan, yallabai."
    
  "To, ka magance shi duk yadda kake so, Jack," in ji kwamandan sashin, "amma shawarata ita ce: ka hakura da wannan mutumin a yanzu, ka kyautata masa kuma kada ka kore shi. Idan ba ku yi wannan ba kuma ya nuna cewa akwai iko da yawa a bayan wannan mutumin, za mu duka biyun.
    
  "Kawai mayar da hankali kan aikin, Jack," Connolly ya ci gaba. "Aikinmu shi ne mu mayar da wannan gidan wasan kwaikwayo na ayyukan soja zuwa aikin wanzar da zaman lafiya na farar hula. 'Yan kwangila kamar McLahanan ne za su sanya jakunansu akan layi. Aikin ku shine ku dawo da sojojin ku gida lafiya da lafiya tare da girmamawa-kuma, ba shakka, sanya ni da kyau a cikin aikin.
    
  Yin la'akari da sautin muryarsa, Wilhelm ya yi tunani, ba wai kawai wasa yake yi ba. "Na fahimta sir."
    
  "Akwai wani abu kuma?"
    
  "Amsar ita ce a'a, yallabai."
    
  "Mai kyau. Ci gaba. Ware kanku."
    
  Wilhelm ya katse haɗin, sannan ya sake duban McLanahan, wanda ke magana ta wayar salula. Idan yana da fasahar kashe duk na"urorin da ke damun wayoyinsu-waɗanda aka sanya su don kashe bama-bamai da aka sarrafa daga nesa - tabbas yana da manyan injiniyoyi da kuɗi a bayansa.
    
  Wilhelm ya yi magana a kan na'urar wasan bidiyo: "Jami'in Ayyuka, tattara hedkwatar ayyuka a yanzu a cikin babban ɗakin taro don tattauna shirin sa ido kan magaji."
    
  "Iya sir".
    
  McLaanahan ya ƙare hirarsa lokacin da Wilhelm ya cire belun kunne ya matso kusa da shi. "Ta yaya kuka san sashen zai kira ni, McLahan?"
    
  "Sa'a zato."
    
  Wilhelm ya fusata lokacin da yaji wannan amsar. "Tabbas" ya fad'a yana girgiza kai. "Ba komai. Nan da nan ma'aikatan za su kawo mana na zamani. Bi ni". Wilhelm ya jagoranci Patrick da John daga cikin Tafki kuma ya jagorance su zuwa saman bene zuwa babban ɗakin taƙaitaccen bayani, wani ɗakin taro mai rufin gilashi, ɗakin taro mai kare sauti wanda ba ya kula da consoles da allon kwamfuta na tsakiya a cikin Tafki. Daya bayan daya, jami"an ma"aikata sun iso dauke da bayanan takaitawa da filasha masu dauke da gabatarwar PowerPoint. Basu ɓata lokaci ba suna gaisawa da jami'an biyu tuni a ɗakin.
    
  Wilhelm ya ɗauki kwalban ruwa daga ƙaramin firij a kusurwa, sannan ya zauna a kujera a gaban tagogin da ke kallon Tankin. "Don haka, Janar, gaya mani game da wannan ƙungiyar ƙasa da ƙasa da kuke yi wa aiki, Scion Aviation," in ji shi yayin da suke jiran sauran su iso su shirya.
    
  "Babu abubuwa da yawa da za a fada," in ji Patrick. Ya samo wa Yahaya da kansa kwalbar ruwa, amma bai zauna ba. "Ilimi kadan fiye da shekara guda da ta wuce-"
    
  "Kusan lokacin da kuka yi murabus saboda kasuwancin?" Wilhelm ya tambaya. Patrick bai amsa ba. "Yaya kike da wannan?"
    
  "Abin mamaki".
    
  "Akwai wasu jita-jita da Shugaba Gardner ya so ya tsige ku saboda wasu abubuwa da suka faru a Iran."
    
  "Ban san komai game da shi ba."
    
  "Dama. Kun san cewa zan sami amintaccen kiran tauraron dan adam daga hedkwatara mai nisa mil dubu goma, amma ba ku sani ba ko ku ne batun binciken Fadar White House da Ma'aikatar Shari'a." Patrick bai ce komai ba. "Kuma ba ku san kome ba game da jita-jita cewa kuna da hannu a mutuwar Leonid Zevitin, cewa ba hatsarin kankara ba ne?"
    
  "Ba na nan don mayar da martani ga mahaukaciyar jita-jita."
    
  "Hakika a'a," Wilhelm ya yi murmushi a fusace. "Don haka. Dole ne kuɗin ya zama mai kyau don kiyaye ku a cikin wasan yayin tafiya a duniya tare da mummunan yanayin zuciya. Yawancin samari za su zauna a bakin ruwa a Florida suna tattara kuɗin ritayar su da yin saki. "
    
  "Zuciya tana lafiya muddin ban yi tafiya a sararin samaniya ba."
    
  "Dama. To, yaya abubuwa ke tafiya da kuɗin a cikin wannan kasuwancin naku? Na fahimci cewa kasuwancin haya yana bunkasa." Wilhelm ya nuna firgici, kamar yana tsoron cewa ya yi wa Janar din tauraro uku mai ritaya laifi. "Ya Allah kayi hakuri General. Shin kun fi son a kira shi 'kamfanin soja mai zaman kansa' ko 'mai ba da shawara kan tsaro' ko me?"
    
  "Ba na ba da abin da kuke so ku kira shi ba," in ji Patrick. Wasu jami"an filin da ke shirin yin bayani sun kalli maigidan nasu, wasu da barkwanci a fuskokinsu, wasu kuma cikin tsoro.
    
  Wilhelm ya ɗan yi murmushi, yana jin daɗin cewa ya sami ƙarin girma daga maziyartan VIP ɗinsa. "Ko kuma wannan wani suna ne na 'Night Stalkers'? Wannan shine sunan kungiyar da aka yi ta yayata cewa kuna cikin "yan shekarun baya, ko? Na tuna wani abu game da waɗancan hare-haren na Libya, shin ina? Yaushe ne karon farko da aka kore ku daga Rundunar Sojan Sama? Patrick bai amsa ba, wanda ya sa William ya sake yin murmushi. "To, ni da kaina ina tsammanin 'Scion' ya fi 'Night Stalkers' kyau. Ya fi kama da ainihin kayan mai ba da shawara kan tsaro fiye da wasan kwaikwayo na wasan yara marasa hankali." Babu amsa. "To, yaya kudin ke tafiya General?"
    
  "Ina tsammanin kun san ainihin adadin kwangilar, Colonel," in ji Patrick. "Ba a rarraba shi ba."
    
  "Eh, eh," in ji Wilhelm, "yanzu na tuna: shekara guda, tare da zaɓi na wasu shekaru uku, don tara dala miliyan casa'in da hudu a shekara!" Na yi imani wannan ita ce babbar kwangila a gidan wasan kwaikwayo sai dai idan sunan ku Kellogg, Brand & Root, Halliburton ko Blackwater. Amma ina nufin, Janar, menene rabonka? Idan ban sami tauraro ba a cikin shekaru biyu masu zuwa, tabbas zan daina aiki, kuma idan kuɗi yana da kyau, wataƙila kuna iya amfani da na sirri kamar ni a Sion Aviation International. Yallabai, General?"
    
  "Ban sani ba, Colonel," in ji Patrick ba tare da wani magana ba. "Ina nufin, me kike yi anan banda yin wani babban dan ganga?"
    
  Fuskar Wilhelm ta rikide zuwa wani abin rufe fuska ya zabura ya yi tsalle ya kusa fashe kwalbar ruwan a hannunsa cikin fushi. Ya taka tsakanin inci na Patrick, fuska da fuska kuma. Lokacin da Patrick bai yi ƙoƙarin ture shi ba ko ja da baya, furucin Wilhelm ya canza daga fushi zuwa murmushin kada.
    
  "Good idea, General," ya fada yana gyada kai. Ya sauke muryarsa. "Abin da zan yi daga yanzu, Janar, shi ne in tabbatar da cewa kun yi abin da aka ba ku kwangilar yin-babu, ba kaɗan ba. Za ku yi kuskuren da ya dace kawai gashin farji ja, kuma zan tabbatar da cewa an ƙare kwangilar ku tare da mai arziki mai dadi. Ina jin ba za ku daɗe a nan ba. Idan kuma ka sanya daya daga cikin jama"ata cikin wani hadari, zan magance "yar karamar matsalar zuciyarka ta hanyar fizge ta daga kirjinka, in cusa maka makogwaro." Rabin ya juya ga sauran dake cikin dakin. "Shin damn bayanin nawa ya shirya tukuna, Weatherly?"
    
  "Mun shirya, yallabai," daya daga cikin jami'an ya amsa nan take. Wilhelm ya sake yi wa Patrick wani ba'a, sannan ya fice zuwa wurin zamansa a layin gaba. Jami'an filaye da kamfanoni da dama sun jeru a gefe guda, suna shirye don motsawa. "Barka da rana, "yan uwa. Sunana Laftanar Kanar Mark Weatherly kuma ni ne Babban Jami'in Regiment. An rarraba wannan taƙaitaccen bayanin, BABU sirri, tushen sirri da hanyoyin da abin ya shafa, wuraren suna da tsaro. Wannan taƙaitaccen bayani zai mayar da hankali kan sakamakon binciken hedikwatar Regimental na shirin sa ido da aka gabatar wa Scion Aviation International don-"
    
  "Ee, eh, Weatherly, ba mu samun ƙarami a nan," Wilhelm ya katse. "Kwararren janar a nan baya buƙatar duk wannan tsarin yaƙin iska na kare-da-doki na kwaleji. Mu kai ga maganar."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji jami'in ayyukan. Da sauri ya kawo faifan PowerPoint da ake so. "Ƙarshen, yallabai, shine kawai ba mu saba da fasahar da Scion ke amfani da ita don sanin yadda za ta yi tasiri ba."
    
  "Sun shimfida shi a fili, ko ba haka ba, Weatherly?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai, amma... gaskiya, yallabai, ba mu yarda ba," Weatherly ya ce, yana kallon McLanahan a firgice. "Jirgin sama daya zai yi sintiri sama da murabba"in mil dubu goma sha biyu na kasa da kuma sama da mil dubu dari na sararin samaniya? Wannan yana buƙatar shaho na duniya guda biyu - kuma shaho na duniya ba za su iya duba sararin samaniya ba, aƙalla tukuna. Kuma wannan yana cikin mafi girman yanayin kallon MTI. Scion yana ba da shawarar koyaushe a sami ƙudurin hoto na rabin mita a duk faɗin yankin sintiri... tare da jirgin sama ɗaya? Ba za a iya yi ba."
    
  "Gaba ɗaya?" Wilhelm ya tambaya tare da dan murmusa a fuskarsa. "Zaka dame ka amsa?" Da ya juya ga jami"an ma"aikatansa, ya katse kansa da cewa, "Oh, ku yi hakuri, "yan uwa mata, wannan mai ritaya ne Laftanar Janar Patrick McLanahan, mataimakin shugaban kamfanin Scion Aviation. Wataƙila kun ji labarinsa? Maganganu masu ban mamaki da raɗaɗin sauran da ke cikin ɗakin sun nuna cewa tabbas sun yi. "Yau ya yanke shawarar ya ba mu mamaki da irin girman girmansa. Gabaɗaya, hedkwatar aiki na. Maganar taku ce."
    
  "Na gode, Kanar," in ji Patrick, ya tashi tsaye ya ba Wilhelm wani kallo mai ban haushi. "Ina fatan yin aiki tare da ku a kan wannan aikin. Zan iya magana game da fasahar da Dokta Jonathan Masters ya ƙera don inganta ƙuduri da kewayon na'urorin sa ido na ƙasa da iska, amma ina tsammanin zai fi kyau in nuna muku. Ka share mana sararin samaniya a daren yau kuma za mu nuna maka abin da za mu iya."
    
  "Ba na tsammanin hakan zai yiwu, Janar, saboda aikin da muka koya game da wannan maraice." Wilhelm ya juya ga matashin matashi, kyaftin mai tsananin tsoro. "Kotter?"
    
  Kyaftin din ya dauki matakin taka tsantsan. "Kyaftin Calvin Cotter, Sir, Daraktan Gudanar da zirga-zirgar Jiragen Sama. Mun dai sami labarin wani shiri na shirin kai hari na Iraqi wanda suka bukaci a kara musu taimako, yallabai. Sun nufi wani kauye da ke arewacin Zahuk don kai farmaki kan wani wurin da ake zargin Kurdawa ne ke hada bama-bamai da fasa-kwaurin karkashin kasa - wanda ake zaton wani babban katafaren rami ne da ke hade kauyuka da dama da ke karkashin iyaka. Sun nemi tallafin sa ido mai gudana: sadaukarwar Global Hawks, Reapers, Predators, Strykers, ayyukan, da tallafin iska da manyan bindigogi daga Sojan Sama, Marines, da Sojoji. Bakan ya cika. Mu...Yi hakuri, yallabai, amma ba mu san yadda na"urorin na"urar na"urar na"urar na"urar na"ura za su yi mu"amala da kowa ba."
    
  "Sa'an nan kuma fitar da duk sauran jirage marasa matuka kuma bari mu ba da duk tallafin," in ji John Masters.
    
  "Me?" Wilhelm ya yi tsawa.
    
  "Na ce kada ku bata duk wannan iskar gas da lokacin tashi a kan dukkan wadannan jirage marasa matuka kuma bari mu yi duk tallafin sa ido," in ji John. "Muna da ƙudurin hoto sau uku na Global Hawk, sau biyar na firikwensin lantarki, kuma za mu iya ba ku mafi kyawun, umarnin iska don tallafin ƙasa. Za mu iya sadar da sadarwa, aiki a matsayin LAN na'ura mai ba da hanya tsakanin hanyoyin sadarwa don dubban tashoshi ...
    
  "Terminal dubu?" - wani ya ce.
    
  "Fiye da sau uku da sauri fiye da hanyar haɗin gwiwa ta goma sha shida, wanda ba shi da wahala a doke shi," in ji John. "Ku saurara, mutane, ba na so in bata muku rai ba, amma kuna amfani da sabbin kayan zamani a nan kusan daga rana ɗaya. Toshe goma shaho na duniya? Wataƙila wasunku ba ma cikin soja ne lokacin da suka fara amfani da waɗannan dinosaur! Predator? Shin har yanzu kuna amfani da ƙaramin talabijin mai haske? Wanene yake amfani da LLTV...Fred Flintstone?
    
  "Ta yaya kuke ba da shawarar haɗa duk waɗannan jiragen sama daban-daban zuwa cibiyar sadarwar ku da Tank... zuwa yau?" Wilhelm ya tambaya. "Yana ɗaukar kwanaki don haɗawa da tabbatar da wata hanya."
    
  "Na ce, Kanar, kana amfani da tsohuwar fasaha - ba shakka, kayayyakin da aka yi shekaru goma ko fiye da suka wuce suna ɗaukar tsawon lokaci," John ya amsa. "Yanzu a cikin sauran al"umma masu wayewa komai ya toshe da wasa. Kuna kunna jirgin ku kawai, kawo su cikin kewayon jiragen mu, kunna kayan aiki, kuma an gama. Za mu iya yin shi a kasa, ko kuma idan jirgin ba ya tare, za mu iya yin shi a cikin jirgin. "
    
  "Ku yi hakuri yara, amma dole ne in gani kafin in yi imani da shi," in ji Wilhelm. Ya juya ga dayan hafsan. "Harison? Kun san wani abu game da abin da suke magana akai?
    
  Wata mace mai jajayen gashi ta tako gaba, ta nufi gefen Cotter yayin da ya yi saurin ja da baya. "Eh, Kanar, na karanta game da babban tashar watsa shirye-shiryen watsa shirye-shiryen jirgin sama mai sauri da na'urori masu auna firikwensin su, amma ban taba ganin an yi shi ba." Ta kalli Patrick, da sauri ta fice daga dandalin ta mika mata hannu. Patrick ya miƙe ya ƙyale a girgiza hannunsa da farin ciki. "Margaret Harrison, sir, tsohon jami"in Sojan Sama na Musamman na Squadron na Sojan Sama na Uku. Ni ne dan kwangilar da ke tafiyar da ayyukan jirage marasa matuka a nan Nala. Abin farin cikin saduwa da ku, yallabai, abin jin daɗi na gaske. Kai ne dalilin da ya sa na shiga sojan sama, yallabai. Gaskiya ka na-"
    
  "Bari mutumin nan ya tafi mu gama wannan tsinewar bayanin, Harrison," in ji Wilhelm. Murmushin matar ya bata, da sauri ta koma inda take akan dandalin. "Gabaɗaya, ba zan yi kasadar sadaukar da aikin ba ta amfani da fasahar da ba a sani ba kuma ba a gwada ba."
    
  "Kanar-"
    
  "Gabaɗaya, AOR na shine duk lardin Dohuk da rabin lardunan Ninewa da Erbil," in ji William. "An kuma dora min nauyin tallafawa ayyukan a duk fadin arewacin Iraki. Operation Zahuk daya ne daga cikin ayyuka kusan guda takwas da nake lura da su a kowane mako, da kuma wasu kananan ayyuka guda shida da kuma al"amura da dama da ke faruwa a kullum. Kuna so ku jefa rayuwar dubban sojojin Iraki da Amurka da dama na jiragen sama da na kasa cikin kasada don kawai ku cika kwangilolin ku na arziki, kuma ba zan yarda da hakan ba. Cotter, yaushe ne taga na gaba zai buɗe?
    
  "Tagar tallafin iska na harin Zahuk yana ƙarewa a cikin sa'o'i goma sha biyu, wato, da ƙarfe uku na rana a lokacin gida."
    
  "Sa'an nan za ku iya gudanar da gwajin ku, Janar," in ji Wilhelm. "Kuna iya yin barci duk dare. Harrison, wane irin jirage marasa matuka za ku iya barin janar ya yi wasa da su? "
    
  "Operation Zahuk yana amfani da rukunin Global Hawks da aka sanya wa sashinmu da kuma duk daya daga cikin masu girbi da masu farauta na rundunar, yallabai, kuma za su daina aiki kuma a shirye suke su tashi sama da akalla sa'o'i goma sha biyu bayan sun sauka. Zan iya samar da Global Hawk daga kudu."
    
  "Ku kula da shi. Cotter, ajiye sararin samaniya muddin suna buƙatar kafawa. " Wilhelm ya juya ga dan kwangilar tsaro. "Thompson, kai janar da ƙungiyarsa don tallafawa kuma ka kwanta dasu."
    
  "Iya, Colonel."
    
  Wilhelm ya tashi tsaye ya juya ga McLanahan. "Gabaɗaya, kuna iya tambayar ma"aikatan nan game da duk wani abu da kuke buƙata. Aika buƙatun kula da jirgin ku ga mutanen da ke layin jirgin da wuri-wuri. Sai mun ci abinci a daren nan." Ya nufi kofar.
    
  "Yi hakuri, Kanar, amma ina tsoron kada mu shagala," in ji Patrick. "Amma na gode da gayyatar."
    
  Wilhelm ya tsaya ya juyo. "Ku 'masu ba da shawara' kuna da himma sosai, Janar," in ji shi da ƙarfi. "Na tabbata za a yi kewar ku." Cikin yanayi ya kira hankali yayin da William ke fita daga kofa.
    
  Kamar an kuɓuta daga sarƙoƙin da ba a iya gani, duk ma'aikatan sun garzaya zuwa Patrick don gabatar da kansu ko sake dawo da kansu. "Ba za mu iya yarda cewa kana nan ba, na kowane wuri, yallabai," in ji Weatherly bayan girgiza hannu.
    
  "Dukkanmu mun ɗauka cewa kun mutu ko kuna da bugun jini ko wani abu lokacin da kuka bace ba zato ba tsammani daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong," in ji Cotter. "Ba ni ba - Ina tsammanin Shugaba Gardner ya aika da tawagar FBI a asirce a kan jirgin sama don kare ku," in ji Harrison.
    
  "Lalle mai girma, mugs."
    
  "Margaret ce, dill," Harrison ya fashe da murmushi. Har ila yau ga McLanahan: "Shin gaskiya ne, yallabai - shin da gaske kun yi watsi da umarnin Shugaban Amurka na bam a sansanin Rasha a Iran?"
    
  "Ba zan iya magana game da shi ba," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Amma kun mamaye sansanin Rasha da ke Siberiya bayan kisan kiyashin Amurka kuma kuka yi amfani da shi wajen kai hari kan wuraren makami mai linzami na Rasha, yallabai?" Da aka tambayi Reese Flippin, wani ɗan siririya mai ban mamaki, ɗan kwangila mai kama da matashi mai kauri mai kauri da lafazin Kudu da fitattun hakora. "Kuma Rashawa sun harba makami mai linzami kan wannan sansanin, kuma ka tsira a can? Damuwa...!" Kuma yayin da sauran suka yi dariya, lafazin ya ɓace gaba ɗaya, hatta haƙora sun yi kama da komawa matsayinsu na yau da kullun, kuma Flippin ya ƙara da cewa: "Ina nufin, fice, yallabai, cikakken fice." Dariya ta kara yi.
    
  Patrick ya lura da wata budurwa sanye da rigar jirgin sama mai launin toka mai launin toka da takalman jirgin sama masu launin toka tana tattara kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka da rubutu, ta tsaya ban da sauran amma tana kallo da sha'awa. Tana da guntun gashi mai duhu, idanu masu duhun launin ruwan kasa da wani mugun dimple ta zo ta tafi. Ta yi kama da ɗan sani, kamar yadda da yawa daga cikin hafsoshin Sojan Sama da ma'aikatan jirgin ruwa Patrick suka sani. Wilhelm bai gabatar da ita ba. "Yi hakuri," ya ce wa sauran da ke tare da shi, amma kwatsam bai damu ba. "Ba mu hadu ba. ina -"
    
  "Kowa ya san Janar Patrick McLanahan," in ji matar. Patrick ya yi mamakin ganin cewa ita Laftanar Kanar ce kuma ta sanya fuka-fukan matukin jirgi, amma babu wasu faci ko na'urori a cikin rigar jirginta, sai fili na Velcro. Ta mika hannu. "Gia Cazzotto. Kuma a gaskiya mun hadu."
    
  "Muna da?" Kai wawa, ya yiwa kansa wa'azi, yaya zaka manta da ita? "Yi hakuri, ban tuna ba."
    
  "Na kasance a cikin 111th Engineer Squadron."
    
  "Oh," duk abin da Patrick zai iya faɗi kenan. Squadron Bomb na 111 na Nevada Air National Guard B-1B Lancer babban bama-bamai ne wanda Patrick ya kashe sannan aka sake kafa shi a matsayin Wing na Farko a Battle Mountain Reserve Air Force Base a Nevada - kuma tunda Patrick bai tuna ba. da hannu aka zabo duk wani jami"in sojan sama, da sauri ya bayyana a gare shi cewa ba ta yanke hukuncin ba. "Bayan ina kika je...bayan..."
    
  "Bayan kun rufe sashin tsaro? Ba laifi a ce, yallabai," in ji Cazzotto. "Na yi lafiya - watakila rufe naúrar ya kasance albarka a ɓoye. Na koma makaranta, na yi digiri na biyu a fannin injiniyanci, sannan na samu matsayi a Factory Arba"in da Biyu, inda na yi matukin jirgi mai saukar ungulu zuwa Dutsen Battle."
    
  "To, na gode da hakan," in ji Patrick. "Ba za mu iya yin wannan ba tare da kai ba." Tashar jiragen sama ta 42 ta kasance daya daga cikin masana'antu da yawa mallakar gwamnatin tarayya amma 'yan kwangila suka mamaye su. Ana zaune a Palmdale, California, Plant 42 an san shi da kera jiragen sama irin su Lockheed B-1 bomber, Northrop B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird da F-117 Nighthawk stealth mayakan, da Space Shuttle.
    
  Bayan rufe layukan da ake samarwa, masana'antu sukan gudanar da aikin gyare-gyare kan filayen jiragen sama da ake da su, da kuma bincike da ayyukan ci gaba kan sabbin ayyuka. Bam na Rundunar Sojan Sama na B-1, wanda ya sake fasalin EB-1C Vampire, yana daya daga cikin mafi hadaddun ayyukan sabuntar da aka taba gudanarwa a Plant 42, wanda ya kara da fasahar da ta dace da manufa, injunan da suka fi karfi, radar Laser, kwamfutoci masu ci gaba da tsarin jagoranci, haka nan. a matsayin damar yin amfani da makamai masu yawa, ciki har da makami mai linzami da aka harba ta sama da na tauraron dan adam. Daga qarshe dai abin hawa ne mara matuki wanda yake da kyakkyawan aiki.
    
  "Kuma har yanzu kuna tashi da B-1, Colonel?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  "Iya, sir," jawab Gia. "Bayan Holocaust na Amurka, sun kwashe kashi goma sha biyu daga AMARC kuma mun gyara su." AMARC, ko Cibiyar Kula da Jiragen Sama da Farfaɗowa, wanda kowa ya sani da "Kabari na Kashi," ya kasance babban hadaddun a Davismontan Air Force Base kusa da Tucson, Arizona, inda aka kwashe dubban jiragen sama zuwa ajiya kuma an rushe don sassa. "Ba ainihin vampires ba ne, amma suna iya yin abubuwa da yawa da kuka yi."
    
  " Kana tashi daga Nala, Colonel?" - Patrick ya tambaya. "Ban san suna da B-1 a nan ba."
    
  "Boxer shine kwamandan 7th Air Expeditionary Squadron," Chris Thompson ya bayyana. "Sun kasance a wurare daban-daban - Bahrain, Hadaddiyar Daular Larabawa, Kuwait, Diego Garcia - kuma a shirye suke su gudanar da ayyukan a lokacin da dakarun hadin gwiwa ke bukatar su a gidan wasan kwaikwayo. Ta na nan ne saboda aikin da aka yi a Iraki a yau - za mu ajiye B-1 dinta idan har za a yi."
    
  Patrick ya gyada kai, sannan ya yi murmushi. "Boxer"? Menene alamar kiran ku?"
    
  "Kakan kakana ya zo Amurka a tsibirin Ellis," in ji Gia. "Cazzotto ba shine ainihin sunansa ba - Inturrigardia ne - menene yake da wahala a kan hakan? - amma jami'an shige da fice ba su iya furta shi ba. Amma sai suka ji sauran yaran suna kiransa da cazzotto, ma"ana "mai wuya", sai suka sa masa sunan. Ba mu sani ba ko ana yi masa dukan tsiya ko kuma shi da kansa ya yi masa duka."
    
  "Na gan ta a kan jakar naushi a dakin motsa jiki; ta cancanci wannan alamar kira," in ji Chris.
    
  "Na gani," in ji Patrick, yana murmushi a Gia. Murmushi ta mayar, idanunsu suka had'u...
    
  ... wanda ya ba wa wasu damar yin aiki. "Yaushe zamu iya ganin wannan jirgin naku, yallabai?" - Tambayi Harrison.
    
  "Shin da gaske zai iya yin duk abin da kuka ce...?"
    
  "Shin kuna jagorantar dukkan rundunonin soji a Iraki...?"
    
  "Lafiya, yara maza da 'yan mata, to, muna da aikin da za mu yi," Chris Thompson ya fashe da kuka, yana daga hannayensa don dakatar da kwararar tambayoyin da ke sauka a kan Patrick. "Za ku sami lokaci don lalata janar daga baya." Gaba d'ayansu suka k'ara mik'a hannun Patrick, sannan suka tattara filaye da takardu suka fice daga dakin taron.
    
  Gia ce ta ƙarshe ta tafi. Ta girgiza hannun Patrick, ta rike a nata na wani lokaci. "Yana da kyau sosai haduwa da ku, yallabai," in ji ta.
    
  "Haka ne a nan, Colonel."
    
  "Na fi son Gia."
    
  "Iya, Gia." Har yanzu yana matse hannunta tana fadin haka, nan take yaji wani irin zafi a tattare da ita-ko hannun nasa ne ya fara zufa? "Ba Boxer ba?"
    
  "Bazaka iya zabar alamun kiran naka ba, yallabai?"
    
  "Kira min Patrick. Kuma mutanen da aka rushe ba su da alamun kira lokacin da nake ciki. "
    
  "Na tuna tsohon jami'in aiyuka na dari da sha daya yana da sunaye da yawa da zaku zaba a cikinsu," in ji ta, sannan tayi murmushi ta tafi.
    
  Chris Thompson ya yi murmushi a kan Patrick. "Tana da kyau, ta hanyar Murphy Brown, eh?"
    
  "Iya. Ka goge wannan murmushin daga fuskarka."
    
  "Idan yana sa ka ji dadi, ba shakka." Ya ci gaba da murmushi. "Ba mu san komai game da ita ba. Muna jin ta a rediyo lokaci zuwa lokaci, don haka har yanzu yana tashi. Tana zuwa lokaci zuwa lokaci don yin ayyuka, kamar yau da dare, sannan ta koma wata cibiyar umarni. Ba kasafai take zama ba fiye da kwana guda."
    
  Patrick ya ji bacin rai kwatsam, sannan da sauri ya ture rashin jin dadi a gefe. Daga ina wannan ya fito...? "B-1s manyan jirage ne," in ji shi. "Ina fatan za su sake tayar da su daga AMARC."
    
  "Yan bindiga suna son kashi. Suna iya shiga cikin yaƙi da sauri kamar mayaka; ya daɗe yana yawo kamar Predator ko Global Hawk, ko da ba tare da mai da iska ba; sun inganta na'urori masu auna firikwensin gani da gani kuma suna iya watsa bayanai da yawa zuwa gare mu da sauran jiragen sama; kuma suna da madaidaicin kaya kamar jirgin F/A-18." Thompson ya lura da nutsuwa, ɗan tunani a fuskar Patrick kuma ya yanke shawarar canza batun. "Kai ne ainihin abin ƙarfafawa ga waɗannan mutane, Janar," in ji shi. "Waɗannan su ne mafi farin ciki da na taɓa gani tun ina nan."
    
  "Na gode. Yana yaduwa - Ina kuma jin karuwar kuzari. Kuma kira ni Patrick, lafiya?"
    
  "Ba zan iya ba da tabbacin cewa zan yi hakan koyaushe ba, Patrick, amma zan gwada. Kuma ni Chris. Mu sasanta ku."
    
  "Ba zan iya ba. Ni da John muna da ayyuka da yawa da za mu yi kafin gwajin jirgin mu gobe da rana. Ma'aikatan za su shirya mana dakunan kwana, amma tabbas zan yi dan kwana a cikin jirgin."
    
  "Haka nan," John ya kara da cewa. "Tabbas ba zai kasance karo na farko ba."
    
  "Sannan za mu nemi sabis na abokin ciniki don kawo abinci a cikin jirgin."
    
  "Lafiya. Chris, Ina son izinin zama a cikin tafki lokacin da aka fara aikin Zahuk."
    
  "Karal din ba ya barin ma'aikatan da ba sa aiki a cikin tanki yayin da ake gudanar da aiki, musamman ma babba," in ji Chris, "amma na tabbata zai bar ku ku saurare shi daga nan."
    
  "Zai yi ban mamaki".
    
  "Duk da haka dai, ban tabbata ko ina so in kasance kusa da Wilhelm ba," in ji John. "Na tabbata zai kashe fitilunku, Mook... sau biyu."
    
  "Amma bai yi hakan ba, wanda ke nufin yana da hankali kadan," in ji Patrick. "Wataƙila zan iya aiki da shi. Mu gani".
    
    
  BABI NA UKU
    
    
  A hannu ɗaya yana riƙe da dutse, a ɗayan kuma yana nuna gurasa.
    
  -TITUS MACCIUS PLAUTIUS, 254-184 BC
    
    
    
  NAKHLA ALLIED AIR BASE, IRAQ
    
    
  Thompson ya jagoranci Patrick da John zuwa ga rataye inda shugabannin ma'aikatan jirgin da ma'aikatan tallafi ke sauke jakunkuna da ba da sabis na Loser. Hakan ya baiwa Thompson damar duba jirgin sosai. "Wannan abu yana da kyau," in ji shi. "Kamar mai fashewar bama-bamai ne. Ina tsammanin za ku yi bincike ne kawai."
    
  "Wannan shi ne abin da aka dauke mu hayar mu yi," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Amma mai bomb ne?"
    
  "Shi dan kunar bakin wake ne."
    
  Thompson ya hango masu fasaha suna aiki a ƙarƙashin cikin jirgin kuma ya ga wani babban rami. "Mene ne wannan, bam bay? Shin wannan abu har yanzu yana da bam bam? "
    
  John Masters ya ce "Wannan ita ce hanyar shiga cikin tsarin. "Ba mu cire ko ɗaya daga cikin waɗannan ba - muna lodawa da sauke kayayyaki ta hanyar su."
    
  "Wanda ya yi hasarar yana da bama-bamai guda biyu, irin na B-2 mai fashewa, wanda ya fi girma kawai," in ji Patrick. "Mun haɗu da ɓangarorin biyu zuwa babban gaɓa ɗaya, amma mun kiyaye ƙananan kofofin biyu. Sa'an nan kuma muka raba ɗakin gida biyu. Za mu iya matsar da na'urorin manufa a kan da tsakanin benaye da motsa kowane module ko dai sama ko ƙasa ta hanyar ƙyanƙyashe module, duk ta hanyar sarrafa nesa."
    
  "Jirgin leken asiri mai tashi?"
    
  John Masters ya ce "Zane-zanen fuka-fuki mai tashi ya dace sosai don amfani da shi a matsayin jirgin sama mai tsayi mai tsayi da yawa," in ji John Masters. "Jirgin sama na nan gaba za su kasance fuka-fuki."
    
  "An ƙera jiragen sama na Scion azaman dandamali masu rawar gani da yawa; muna haɗa nau'ikan manufa daban-daban don yin ayyuka daban-daban, "in ji Patrick. "Wannan jirgin na iya zama wani tanki, jirgin dakon kaya, yakin lantarki, binciken hotuna, watsa labarai, umarni da sarrafawa - har ma da yawa daga cikin wadannan ayyuka a lokaci guda.
    
  "A yanzu an saita mu don alamar motsi na ƙasa, ganowa da kuma sa ido kan ƙasa, sa ido kan iska, sadarwar bayanai da umarni da sarrafawa," Patrick ya ci gaba. "Amma idan muka kawo kayayyaki daban-daban, za mu iya loda su kuma mu yi ayyuka daban-daban. Gobe za mu sanya na'urorin sa ido na iska a sama."
    
  Sai ya taka karkashin jirgin ya nuna wa Thompson wani katon rami a cikin. "A nan za mu dakatar da tsarin emitter na ƙasa don ganowa da bin diddigin abin da aka sa a gaba. Dukkan nau'ikan na'urori suna 'toshe kuma suna wasa' ta hanyar rukunin sadarwa na dijital na jirgin, wanda ke watsa bayanai ta tauraron dan adam don kawo karshen masu amfani. Sauran kayan aikin da muka girka an tsara su don manyan cibiyoyin sadarwa na yanki, gano barazanar da martani, da kuma kare kai."
    
  "Martani ga barazana"? Kuna nufin hari? "
    
  "Ba zan iya shiga cikin wannan tsarin da gaske ba saboda baya cikin kwangilar kuma har yanzu gwaji ne," in ji Patrick, "amma za mu so mu yi wa miyagu kadan kadan fiye da yaudarar makamansu a cikin tarko. "
    
  Patrick ya ɗaga Chris ta cikin matsayi kuma ya mayar da shi asara. Jirgin ya yi kama da fili da dadi. Ƙungiyar kayan aiki ta ƙunshi na'urori masu fa'ida guda biyar tare da ƴan ma'aunin "steam" na al'ada da aka ɓoye kusan ba a gani.
    
  "Kwamandan jirgin da kwamandan manufa suna gaba kamar yadda aka saba," in ji Patrick. Ya dora hannunsa kan kujerar da ke bayan kujerar mataimakin matukin jirgin. "Muna da injiniyan jirgin sama a nan wanda ke sa ido kan duk tsarin jiragen ruwa da tsarin aikin."
    
  Chris ya nuna ma'aikacin da ke bayan hawan hawan. "Kuna ma kuna da galley a nan!"
    
  "Wanke kai kuma; wannan zai zo da amfani a irin wannan dogayen jirage," in ji John.
    
  Suka bita cikin wata "yar karamar ƙyanƙyashe a bayan gidan, suka sauko ɗan gajeriyar hanya mai kunkuntar, suka fito cikin wani ɗaki cike da cunkoso da kwantena masu girma dabam, suka bar ƴan ƴar ƴan ƴan ƴan ƴan ƴancin su zagaya. "Ina tsammanin ku 'yan kwangila kun tashi jirage tare da dakunan kwana da famfo masu ruwan zinari," in ji Chris.
    
  "Ban taba ganin kogin gwal ba, balle in kasance a cikin jirgi tare da su," in ji Patrick. "A'a, kowane ƙafar murabba'in da kowane fam dole ne a ƙidaya." Ya nuna rabin na'urar daukar kaya, mafi sirarin wanda Chris ya gani a cikin jirgin. "Wannan kwantena ne na kayanmu da kayanmu. Kowanne daga cikin mutane ashirin da biyar da muka tafi da mu a cikin wannan jirgin ba shi da kaya da bai wuce fam ashirin ba, har da kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka. Ba sai a ce ba, za mu rika ziyartar commissariat akai-akai yayin wannan aika aika."
    
  Dole ne su zagaya wani babban abu mai launin toka mai launin toka wanda ya dauki yawancin tsakiyar jirgin. "Wannan dole ne eriyar da zata fito daga sama, ina tsammani?" - Chris ya tambaya.
    
  "Haka ne," in ji Patrick. "Wannan shine tsarin radar laser. An rarraba kewayon, amma muna iya gani cikin sararin samaniya da kyau, kuma yana da ƙarfi sosai don ganin ko da ƙarƙashin ruwa. Na'urar Laser na'urar da aka yi amfani da shi ta hanyar lantarki suna "fana" hotuna na duk abin da suke gani miliyoyin sau a cikin dakika tare da ƙuduri sau uku fiye da Global Hawk. Akwai kuma wani a kasa wanda aka tsara don nemo wuraren da aka kai hari a kasa."
    
  "Ya yi kama da roka," in ji Chris. "Kuma wannan rami da ke can har yanzu yana kama da bam a gare ni." Ya kalli Patrick da magana mai ban sha'awa. "Martani ga barazana", dama? Watakila ba ka yi nisa daga kasuwancin bama-bamai ba bayan duka, Janar? "
    
  " Kwangilar mu ta hada da sa ido da bayar da rahoto. Kamar yadda Kanal din ya ce: a"a, ba kadan ba."
    
  "Eh, haka ne, Janar-kuma lokacin da na buɗe jakar dankalin turawa, ɗaya kawai zan iya ci," Chris ya yi murmushi. Ya kalleta. "Ba na ganin kujerun fasinja akan wannan abu. Kun riga kun halaka su?
    
  "Idan za ku kawo rahoton mu ga FAA saboda rashin samun kujerun zama da bel na kowane fasinja, eh, Chris, mun riga mun ja su," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Allah, da gaske kana lalata hoton ƴan kwangilar jirgin ka, yallabai," in ji Chris, yana girgiza kai. "Koyaushe ina tsammanin kun rayu da yawa."
    
  "Kiyi hakuri fashe kumfa. Akwai karin dakunan kwana guda biyu a cikin kokfit da wasu injiniyoyi a wasu na"urori na sama da na kasa, wadanda muka raba dangane da wanda ke bukatar hutu na gaske, amma kowa ya kawo jakar barci da tabarmin kumfa yana shimfida duk inda ya ga dama. Ni da kaina na gwammace mai ɗaukar kaya - shiru kuma mai kyau sosai."
    
  "Ina tsammanin kayan aikin mu na kwantena za su yi kama da na alfarma idan aka kwatanta da wannan, yallabai," in ji Chris. "Ba ku da ma'aikatan radar a cikin jirgin?"
    
  "Hanya daya tilo da za mu iya dacewa da wannan duka a cikin jirgin shine samun masu sarrafa radar, masu kula da makamai da jami'an ma'aikatan fada a kasa da kuma ciyar da su bayanan ta hanyar hanyar sadarwa," in ji Patrick. "Amma wannan shine bangare mai sauki. Za mu iya haɗawa da kowace hanyar sadarwa da sauri kuma za mu iya aika bayanai zuwa kusan kowa a duniya - daga Fadar White House har zuwa ƙasa zuwa Commandos a cikin rami mai gizo-gizo - ta amfani da hanyoyi daban-daban. Zan nuna maka a daren nan a dakin taƙaitaccen bayani."
    
  Tare da masu fasaha suna yawo a kusa da jirgin kamar tururuwa, ba da daɗewa ba Thompson ya ji kamar yana kan hanya. "Zan koma Tafkin Ruwa, Patrick," in ji shi. "Kira min idan kina bukatar wani abu."
    
  Bai sake ganin Patrick ba sai tara da yamma. Thompson ya same shi da John Masters a cikin wani dakin taro yana kallon Tankin, zaune a gaban manyan kwamfutoci masu fadi-tashi guda biyu. An raba allo zuwa tagogi daban-daban, yawancinsu duhu ne, amma wasu sun nuna hotunan bidiyo. Ya duba da kyau ya yi mamakin ganin abin da ya zama kamar shirin bidiyo daga dandalin iska. "Yallabai wannan hoton daga ina yake fitowa?" - Ya tambaya.
    
  "Wannan shine Kelly Biyu-Biyu, Mai girbi akan hanyarsa ta zuwa Zahuk," Patrick ya amsa.
    
  Thompson ya kalli kwamfutocin kuma ya gane ba su da haɗe-haɗe-haɗe-haɗe-haɗe kawai igiyoyin da ke gudana zuwa gare su daga na'urorin adaftar AC. "Yaya kuka samu tashar? Ba a haɗa ku da magudanar bayanan mu ba, ko?"
    
  "Mun ƙaddamar da wanda ya yi hasara kuma muna bincika tashoshi na bayanai," in ji John. "Lokacin da ya katse hanyar haɗin bayanan, yana haɗi zuwa hanyar haɗin bayanan."
    
  "Abu naku"Wi-Fi hotspot", dama?"
    
  "Daidai".
    
  "Kuma kuna da haɗin waya a nan?"
    
  "Iya."
    
  "Yaya? Mun haramta hanyoyin sadarwa mara waya a cikin Triple-C kuma dole ne a kiyaye tanki."
    
  John ya dubi Patrick, wanda ya gyada kai don bayyana. "Ta hanyar fuskantar hanya ɗaya, za ku iya amfani da garkuwa don toshe komai," in ji John. "Ku juya ta wata hanya kuma ana iya amfani da garkuwa don tattara abubuwa."
    
  "A?"
    
  "Yana da wahala kuma ba koyaushe abin dogaro ba ne, amma yawanci muna iya shiga yawancin garkuwar ƙarfe," in ji John. "Wani lokaci ma muna iya sanya garkuwar ta zama eriya a gare mu. Garkuwan lantarki masu aiki sun fi wahalar shiga, amma kuna dogara ga bangon tankin ƙarfe, ƙarfafan siminti, da tazarar jiki don kare Triple-C. Duk yana aiki a gare mu."
    
  "Dole ne ku bayyana wa jami'an tsaron jikina yadda kuka yi wannan."
    
  "Lallai. Za mu iya taimaka muku ma gyara shi."
    
  "Hack cikin tsarin mu sannan mu gyara leak ɗin, Janar?" Thompson ya tambaya, wani bangare kawai na baci. "Jahannama hanyar yin rayuwa."
    
  "Ɗana yana girma daga takalmansa kowane wata shida, Chris," in ji Patrick tare da lumshe ido.
    
  "Zan gabatar da shi," in ji Thompson. Bai ji daɗin sanin cewa da alama yana da sauƙi don shiga hanyoyin haɗin bayanan su. "Wane kuma kuke haɗa ku?"
    
  John ya waiwaya ya kalli Patrick, wanda ya gyada kai cikin yarda. "Kyawawan duka aikin," in ji John. "Muna da dukkanin hanyar sadarwar umarni na VHF da rediyo na microwave da kuma sadarwar intercom a nan a Triple-C da aka haɗa da hanyar sadarwa ta duniya da Stryker Combat Team ya kafa, kuma muna karɓar saƙonnin nan take tsakanin ƙungiyar dabara, brigade da ayyukan masu kula da wasan kwaikwayo."
    
  "IMS?"
    
  "Saƙonnin nan take," in ji Patrick. "Hanya mafi sauƙi don masu sarrafawa don raba bayanai, kamar daidaitawar manufa ko nazarin hoto, tare da sauran masu amfani waɗanda ke kan hanyar sadarwa iri ɗaya amma ba za su iya raba hanyoyin haɗi zuwa bayanan ba shine ta hanyar saƙonnin take na yau da kullun."
    
  "Kamar 'yata ta aika wa abokanta text a kan kwamfuta ko wayar salula?"
    
  "Hakane," in ji Patrick. Ya faɗaɗa taga, kuma Thompson ya ga raƙuman saƙonnin taɗi-masu kula da yaƙi waɗanda ke kwatanta yankin da aka yi niyya, aika masu daidaita yanayin ƙasa, har ma da ba da barkwanci da sharhi game da wasan ƙwallon ƙafa. "Wani lokaci hanyoyin mafi sauƙi sune mafi kyau."
    
  "Cool". Lokacin da taga saƙon nan take ya motsa don Chris ya gani, wata taga ta buɗe a ƙarƙashinsa kuma ya yi mamakin... da ya ga kansa yana leƙen kafaɗar Patrick! "Kai!" - ya ce. "Shin kun haɗa da tsarin CCTV na?"
    
  "Ba mu yi ƙoƙari mu yi ba - ya faru ne kawai," in ji John, yana murmushi. Thompson bai yi mamaki ba. "Wannan ba wasa ba ne, Chris. Tsarin mu yana neman duk hanyoyin sadarwa masu nisa don haɗa su, kuma ya sami wannan ma. Wannan tsarin bidiyo ne kawai, kodayake mun ci karo da wasu cibiyoyin sadarwa masu alaƙa da tsaro kuma mun ƙi shiga. "
    
  "Zan yi godiya idan za ku hana shiga su duka, Janar," in ji Thompson cikin mamaki. Patrick ya gyada wa John, wanda ya buga wasu umarni. Ruwan bidiyo ya ɓace. "Wannan rashin hikima ne, Janar. Idan har al"amuran tsaro suka taso bayan wannan, zan dauke ku a matsayin wata hanyar da za ta iya yin kutse".
    
  "Na samu," in ji Patrick. Ya juyo ya kalli shugaban tsaro. "Amma a fili akwai wani irin gibi saboda wani a Nala Air Base yana harbi a jiragen abokantaka. Tun da an dauke mu hayar don inganta tsaro a cikin wannan bangare, zan iya da'awar cewa zan iya samun damar yin amfani da wani abu bisa doka kamar rafukan bidiyo."
    
  Thompson ya kalli McLanahan cikin damuwa, bakinsa a daskare. Bayan wasu lokutan sanyi, sai ya ce, "Karar ya ce kai ne irin mutumin da ya fi son neman gafara da neman izini."
    
  "Don haka na ci nasara, Chris," in ji Patrick a zahiri. Amma daga baya ya tashi tsaye ya fuskanci Thompson. "Ina neman afuwar hakan, Chris," in ji shi. "Ba na so in yi sakaci sosai game da tsaro. Wannan shine aikinku da alhakinku. Zan sanar da ku a karo na gaba da muka sake haduwa da wani abu makamancin haka, kuma zan sami izinin ku kafin in shiga."
    
  Thompson ya gane cewa idan Patrick ya karya tsarin tsaro sau ɗaya, zai iya sake yin hakan cikin sauƙi, tare da ko ba tare da izininsa ba. "Na gode yallabai, amma a gaskiya ban yarda ba."
    
  "Ina da gaske, Chris. Ka ce in rufe shi kuma ya ƙare.... "
    
  Idan bai kashe ba fa? Thompson ya tambayi kansa. Wane kariya yake da shi akan dan kwangilar mai zaman kansa? Ya sha alwashin nan take zai sami amsar wannan tambayar. "Ba zan yi gardama a kai ba, yallabai," in ji Chris. "Amma kun zo nan don taimaka mini in tabbatar da wannan sashin, don ku iya komawa idan kuna tunanin yana da mahimmanci ga aikinku. Kawai gaya mani lokacin da kuka dawo dalili da abin da kuka samo."
    
  "An yi. Na gode ".
    
  "Waɗanne wuraren da ke da alaƙa da tsaro kuka sami damar shiga?"
    
  "Cibiyar Tsaro ta Cikin Gida ta Kanar Jaffar."
    
  Zufa mai sanyi ta barke a karkashin abin wuyan Chris. "Tsaron cikin gida? Ba ta da jami'an tsaro na cikin gida. Kina nufin masu tsaron lafiyar sa ne?"
    
  "Yana iya zama abin da kuke tunani, Chris, amma a gare ni yana da hedkwatar inuwa gaba daya J - ayyuka, leken asiri, dabaru, ma'aikata, horo da tsaro," in ji John. "Suna yin komai da Larabci kuma ba ma ganin baki a ciki."
    
  "Wannan yana nufin yana da nasa mutanen da ke kula da dukkan sassan runduna da tsarin umarni," in ji Patrick, "don haka yana sane da duk abin da kuke yi, kuma yana da dukkan ma'aikatan J-da ke aiki a baya." shirin, daidai da ayyukan hedkwatar tsarin mulki." Ya juya ga Chris kuma ya kara da cewa, "Don haka idan, alal misali, wani abu ya faru da Triple-C..."
    
  "Yana iya ɗaukar iko nan da nan kuma ya ci gaba da gudanar da ayyuka da kan sa," in ji Chris. "Damn ban tsoro."
    
  "Yana iya zama m, ko kuma yana iya zama mai wayo da shi," in ji John. "Yana iya ma yin jayayya cewa matsayin ku na yarjejeniyar sojojin ya ba shi damar samun nasa tsarin umarni na daban."
    
  "Baya ga haka," Patrick ya kara da cewa, "ku kuna kokarin kawo karshen ayyukan soji a Iraki da mika su ga mazauna yankin; zai iya ba da gudummawa gare shi kawai. Babu wani dalili da za a yi tunanin kai tsaye cewa wani abu mara kyau yana faruwa."
    
  "Na kasance cikin tsaro na dadewa don sanin cewa idan hasken 'oh crap' ya fara tashi, wani mummunan abu yana faruwa," in ji Chris. "Zaka iya sake haɗawa da hanyar sadarwar Jaffar kuma ka sanar dani idan ka ga wani abu da ba a saba gani ba, yallabai?"
    
  "Na tabbata za mu iya sake daura wannan, Chris," in ji Patrick. "Za mu sanar da ku."
    
  "Na ji bakin ciki da zarginka da yin kutse a tsarin tsaron mu sannan na nemi ka yi min leken asiri, yallabai."
    
  "Ba matsala. Za mu yi aiki tare na ɗan lokaci, kuma ni kan fara yin abubuwa da farko kuma in yi tambayoyi daga baya."
    
  Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan aka fara bayanin manufa. Ya yi kama da taƙaitaccen bayanin manufa da Patrick ya bayar a cikin Rundunar Sojan Sama: lokaci, bayyani, yanayi, bayanan sirri na yanzu, matsayin duk sassan da abin ya shafa, sannan taƙaitaccen bayani daga kowane sashe da sashe kan abin da za su yi. Duk mahalarta sun zauna a wuraren aikinsu kuma sun yi wa juna bayani kan tsarin intercom yayin da suke nuna PowerPoint ko nunin faifan kwamfuta akan fuska a bayan tanki da kuma kan nunin mutum ɗaya. Patrick ya ga Gia Cazzotto a ɗaya daga cikin na'urorin ta'aziyya mafi nisa daga dandamali, yana yin bayanin kula kuma yana kallon gaske.
    
  "Ga taƙaitaccen aikin sojojin Iraqi, yallabai," ya fara "Combat Major" Kenneth Bruno. "Rundunar ta Bakwai ta Iraqi tana aikewa da daukacin kampanin manyan runduna na Maqbara, kimanin 'yan bindiga dari uku, tare da Manjo Jafar Osman da kansa a matsayin wani bangare na sashin hedkwatar. Kamfanin Maqbar mai yiwuwa shi ne kawai rukunin sojojin da ke cikin Brigade na bakwai - duk sauran sun fi mayar da hankali kan tsaro, 'yan sanda da harkokin jama'a - don haka mun san babban abu ne.
    
  "Masu hari, wanda muke kira wurin binciken Parrot, wani rukunin da ake zargi da boye boye a arewacin karamin kauyen Zahuk. Lokacin tuntuɓar sa'o'i sifili ɗari uku ne lokacin gida. Osman zai jibge wasu runduna biyu na sojojin Iraqi don samar da tsaro a kewayen birnin daga gabas da yamma, yayin da wasu runduna biyu za su shiga cikin hanyar tunnel daga kudancin kasar su share shi."
    
  "Arewa fa, Bruno?" Wilhelm ya tambaya.
    
  "Ina tsammanin suna fatan za su tsaya arewa don haka Turkawa za su kula da su."
    
  "Shin Turkawa suna da hannu a wannan lamarin ko kadan?"
    
  "Amsar ita ce a'a, yallabai."
    
  "Shin wani ya gaya musu cewa IAD za ta yi aiki a kusa da kan iyaka?"
    
  "Wannan aikin Iraqi ne, yallabai."
    
  "Ba lokacin da muke da maza a filin ba."
    
  "Yallabai, an hana mu tuntuɓar Turkawa game da aikin Iraki ba tare da izini daga Baghdad," in ji Thompson. "Wannan ana daukarsa a matsayin cin zarafi."
    
  "Za mu kalli wannan shit," Wilhelm ya tofa. "Sadarwar sadarwa, haɗa sashin - Ina so in yi magana da janar kai tsaye. Thompson, idan kuna da abokan hulɗa a bayan fage a Turkiyya, kira su kuma ku ba da shawarar cewa wani abu na iya faruwa a Zahuk yau da dare."
    
  "Zan kula da shi, Colonel."
    
  "Sake faruwa," Wilhelm ya ɗauka. "Dole ne Turkawa su kasance cikin fargaba kamar jahannama bayan abin da ya faru da su. Lafiya, Warhammer fa?"
    
  "Manufar Warhammer ita ce tallafawa sojojin Iraki," Bruno ya ci gaba da cewa. "Squadron Operations na musamman na Uku za su tashi sama da MQ-9 Reapers guda biyu, kowannensu sanye da na"urar firikwensin hoton infrared, na"urar zana Laser, tankunan mai na waje mai gallon 160 da makami mai linzami na AGM-114 na jahannama. A kasa, Warhammer zai aika wani rukuni na biyu, Kamfanin Bravo, don lekowa a bayan layin Iraqi. Za a sanya su kudu, gabas da yamma na kamfanin Maqbar kuma za su kasance suna kallo. Babban aikin masu yajin shine cika hoton filin yaƙi da ba da taimako idan ya cancanta. Sashen yana aika da Global Hawk don sa ido kan duk fagen fama."
    
  "Mabuɗin kalma anan shine agogo, yara," Wilhelm ya shiga tsakani. "Makamai za su kasance masu tsauri a wannan aikin, ka sani? Idan kuna fuskantar wuta, ɗauki ɓoye, gano, bayar da rahoto kuma jira umarni. Ba na son a zarge ni da yin fim ɗin abokantaka ko da IA ta juya ta yi mana harbi. Ci gaba."
    
  "A Nala, Warhammer yana da helikofta guda biyu na Apache daga Rundunar Sojan Sama na 4, dauke da makamai, da makamashi da kuma shirye su tashi, dauke da makamai masu linzami da wuta," in ji Bruno. "Foxtrot sintiri orbit. Kanar Cazzotto yana aiki a matsayin mai sarrafa iska."
    
  "Gaskiya gangbang, lafiya," Wilhelm ya yi kara. "Wannan shine kawai abin da muke bukata don Air Farce ya yi kururuwa kuma ya fara jefa JDAM akan IAS - za su iya tattake Strykers yayin da suke sanya wutsiya tsakanin kafafunsu kuma su gudu." Patrick ya jira abin da Gia zai yi, amma ta sunkuyar da kai ta ci gaba da yin rubutu. "Ok: safe. Menene halin da ake ciki a gindin, Thompson?"
    
  "Bravo a yanzu, Colonel," Chris ya amsa, yana danna wayar a kunnensa, "amma sa'a daya kafin mu bude gate mu juya, za mu tashi kai tsaye zuwa Delta."
    
  "Ban isa ba. Ku tafi Delta yanzu."
    
  "Karnel Jaffar yana so a sanar da shi kafin kowane canji zuwa matakin THREATCON."
    
  Wilhelm ya kalli tashar Thompson sai bakinsa ya daure lokacin da yaga ba ya nan. Ya juya ga mataimakinsa. "Aika Jaffar sako yana gaya masa ina ba da shawarar fara THREATCON yanzu," in ji shi, "to, yi, Thompson. Kar ku jira yardarsa". Weatherly kai tsaye zuwa ga batu. Sun ga Wilhelm yana duba tankin. "Ina jahannama kake, Thompson?"
    
  "A sama, a kan bene na lura, ina duba inda janar yake."
    
  "Kawo jakinka nan inda kake, ka tura mu THREATCON Delta, sannan ka sanya wanda zai kula da "yan kwangilar. Ina buqatar ku a wannan tsinanniyar post dinku."
    
  "Iya, Colonel."
    
  "General, ina jirgin ku da mutanen ku?" Wilhelm ya tambaya, yana kallon benen kallo. "Yana da kyau a cire su."
    
  "Jirgin sama da duk kayana suna cikin rataye," Patrick ya amsa. Yayi murna da ganin Gia shima ya kalleshi. "Jirgin yana da wutar lantarki daga waje kuma yana cikin cikakkiyar sadarwa."
    
  "Duk abin da jahannama ke nufi," Wilhelm ya ƙwace, yana kallon McLanahan. "Ina so in tabbatar da ku da kayanku sun fita hanyata lokacin da muka tashi."
    
  "Dukkanmu muna cikin hangar, kamar yadda aka nema, Colonel."
    
  "Ba na neman wani abu a nan, Janar: Na yi oda, kuma an aiwatar da shi," in ji Wilhelm. "Suna tsayawa har sai sifili dari uku sai dai in ce akasin haka."
    
  "An fahimta".
    
  "Sabis na hankali. Wane ne ya fi jawo damuwa a can - ban da abokan aikinmu na Haji, Bexar?
    
  "Babban barazana a bangarenmu na ci gaba da kasancewa kungiyar da ke kiran kanta daular Islama ta Iraki, wacce take a Mosul kuma karkashin jagorancin Abu al-Abadi na Jordan," in ji Frank Bexar, jami'in leken asiri na sirri na rundunar. "Irakawa suna tunanin cewa hanyar sadarwa ta ramukan da ke kusa da Zahuk ita ce matsugunin su, shi ya sa suke aike da dakaru masu yawa. Duk da haka, mu da kanmu ba mu da ingantaccen bayanan da ke nuna cewa al-Abadi na nan."
    
  "Dole ne Haji ya sami kyawawan bayanai masu kyau, Bexar," Wilhelm ya yi kuka. "Me yasa ba za ku yi haka ba?"
    
  "Irakawa sun ce yana nan kuma suna son ya mutu ko a raye, yallabai," Bexar ya amsa. "Amma Zahuk da yankunan karkara na karkashin ikon Kurdawa ne, kuma al-Qaeda ce ta fi karfi a garuruwa kamar Mosul. Ba zan iya yarda da cewa za a bar al-Abadi ya sami 'masanyi' a wannan yanki ba."
    
  "To, a bayyane yake, Bexar," Wilhelm ya fashe. "Ya kamata ku karfafa abokan huldar ku da mu"amala da hajji domin kada mu rika tsotsar nonon baya a koda yaushe ta fuskar hankali. Akwai wani abu?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai," Bexar ya amsa a tsorace. "Sauran babbar barazana ga dakarun hadin gwiwa shi ne rikicin da ke faruwa tsakanin Turkiyya da mayakan Kurdawa da ke aiki a AOR din mu. Suna ci gaba da tsallaka kan iyaka don kai hari a kan wasu wurare a Turkiyya sannan kuma su koma Iraki. Duk da cewa mayakan Kurdawa ba su yi mana wata barazana kai tsaye ba, amma hare-haren ramuwar gayya da Turkiyya ke kaiwa a kan iyakar kasar da maboyar 'yan ta'addar PKK a Iraki a wasu lokutan kan jefa sojojinmu cikin hadari.
    
  "Turkawa sun gaya mana cewa suna da dakaru kusan dubu biyar da aka girke a kan iyakar Turkiyya da Iraki kusa da AOR din mu. Wannan ya yi daidai da namu lura. Rundunar ta Gendarma ta kai wasu "yan hare-hare na ramuwar gayya a cikin sa"o"i goma sha takwas da suka wuce, amma babu wani abu da ya fi girma - an kaddamar da yajin aikin kwamandojin nasu da dama domin neman ramuwar gayya. Bayanan da suka samu na baya-bayan nan na nuni da cewa wani shugaban "yan tawayen da suke kira Baz ko Hawk, "yar Kurdawan Iraki, wata kila mace ce, na shirya kai hare-hare masu ban tsoro a kan cibiyoyin sojan Turkiyya, watakila ciki har da faduwar jirgin dakon mai na Turkiyya a Diyarbakir.
    
  "Mace, ya? Na san matan nan ba su da kyau, amma kuma masu tauri? Wilhelm ya fada yana dariya. "Shin muna samun bayanai na yanzu daga Turkawa game da motsin sojojinsu da ayyukan yaki da ta'addanci?"
    
  "Ma'aikatun tsaro da harkokin cikin gida na Turkiyya sun kware wajen samar mana da bayanai kai tsaye kan ayyukansu," in ji Beksar. "Mun kuma tuntubi wasu hare-haren da suka kai ta wayar tarho don tabbatar da sararin samaniyar."
    
  "Aƙalla kun yi hulɗa da Turkawa, Behar," in ji Wilhelm. Dan kwangilar leken asirin ya hadiye da kyar ya gama bayaninsa da sauri.
    
  Bayan kammala bayanin ƙarshe, Wilhelm ya miƙe, ya cire belun kunne, ya juya ya fuskanci hedkwatar yaƙinsa. "Lafiya, yara, ku saurara da kyau," ya fara da ƙarfi. Ma'aikatan sun cire belun kunne don sauraro. "Wannan wasan kwaikwayo ne na IA, ba namu ba, don haka ba na son wani jaruntaka, kuma na tabbata a matsayin jahannama ba na son kullun. Wannan babban aiki ne ga Iraqis, amma na yau da kullun a gare mu, don haka sanya shi kyau, santsi kuma da littafin. Ku bude idanunku da kunnuwanku kuma ku rufe bakinku. Iyakance rahoton ayyukan murya ga masu gaggawa kawai. Idan na ce ka kalli wani abu, zai fi kyau ka sanya shi a kan allo na nanosecond daga baya, ko kuma in zo in ba ka karin kumallo ta cikin hancinka. Ku kasance da mu mu ba IA kyakkyawan shiri. Ku tafi."
    
  "Haqiqa Omar Bradley," in ji John Masters. "A gaskiya sojan soja."
    
  Patrick ya ce "An girmama shi sosai a cikin rukuni da gawawwakin kuma zai iya samun tauraro nan ba da jimawa ba." "Yana da wahala, amma da alama yana tafiyar da jirgin da kyau kuma yana samun aikin."
    
  "Ina fata kawai ya bar mu mu yi abin da muke yi."
    
  "Za mu yi shi da shi ko kuma a kansa," in ji Patrick. "Lafiya, Dr. Jonathan Colin Masters, zana min hoton wannan taron kuma ka ruɗe ni."
    
  Matashin injiniyan ya daga hannaye kamar wani likitan Neuro yana duba kwakwalwar da zai yi mata aiki, sai ya dauko wani makeken fata na tunanin tunani, sannan ya fara bugawa a madannai na kwamfutarsa. "Shirya abin mamaki abokina. Shirya kasa."
    
    
  KUSA DA BAYANIN HANKALI PARROTT, KUSA DA ZAHOQ, IRAQI
  BAYAN 'YAN SA'O'I
    
    
  "Ina tsammanin Grand Central Station ko Tora Bora, ba Hobbit House," in ji Army First Lt. Ted Oakland, kwamandan wani rukunin motocin yaki na Stryker hudu. Ya leka filin kallo kamar mil mil a gaba tare da tsarin hoton yanayin zafi na dare, wanda ya kasance mai maimaita kallon maharin. Ƙofar kudancin al-Qaeda da ake kira katangar rami wata karamar bukka ce wadda wani Stryker mai ton ashirin zai iya kutsawa cikin sauƙi. Wannan bai yi daidai da bayanan da suka samu daga mazauna yankin da takwarorinsu na Iraqi ba, waɗanda suka bayyana ta daban-daban a matsayin "kagara" da "kagara."
    
  Oakland ta sauya daga hoton zafi zuwa wani harbin sama da dakarun bataliyar MQ-9 Reaper maras matuki suka dauka yana yawo kafa dubu takwas a sama. Hoton ya nuna a fili matsayin sojojin Iraqi a kusa da bukkar. Wurin na kunshe da tarin bukkoki, da kuma gine-gine da kuma kananan garkunan shanu. Akalla runduna takwas na jami'an tsaro na Iraki sun shiga yankin sannu a hankali.
    
  "Yana da kyau a wurin, yallabai," in ji mai harbin.
    
  Oakland ya ce: "Ga babbar mafakar miyagu, zan yarda." "Amma yadda 'yan Irakin ke kutsawa cikin su, abin mamaki ne duk lardin bai gudu ba tukuna."
    
  A haƙiƙa, kasancewar ƙungiyar leƙen asiri ta Stryker mai yiwuwa ya faɗakar da mugayen mutane fiye da na Iraqin. Rundunar ta ƙunshi manyan sojoji masu sulke na Stryker huɗu. Motocin ton ashirin na da ƙafafu takwas da injin turbodiesel mai ƙarfi 350. An yi su da sauƙi da bindigogi masu caliber 50 ko kuma na'urorin harba gurneti mai sauri na millimita arba'in, waɗanda aka sarrafa daga cikin motocin. Saboda an ƙera su don motsi maimakon ƙarfin mutuwa, Strykers suna da sulke masu sulke kuma da kyar suke iya jure harbin bindiga na matakin squad-level; Duk da haka, a waje, waɗannan motocin an lulluɓe su da sulke-kamar keji na ƙarfe da aka tsara don ɗaukar mafi yawan kuzari daga fashewar gurneti, wanda ya sa su zama masu nauyi sosai.
    
  Duk da mummunan bayyanar su da ƙananan ƙananan fasaha, Strykers sun kawo ƙarfin karni na ashirin da ɗaya zuwa fagen fama: sadarwar. Strykers na iya ƙirƙirar kumburi a cikin hanyar sadarwar kwamfuta mara waya ta duniya don mil mil a kusa, ta yadda kowa daga abin hawa ɗaya zuwa Shugaban Amurka zai iya bin diddigin wurin da matsayinsa, ganin duk abin da ma'aikatan jirgin za su iya gani, da kuma isar da bayanan manufa ga kowa da kowa. sauran a yankin. cibiyoyin sadarwa. Sun kawo wayewar halin da ba a taɓa yin irinsa ba ga kowane manufa.
    
  Tare da kwamanda, direba, da mai bindiga, Strykers sun ɗauki dakaru shida da suka sauka daga kan kujera-shugaban runduna ko mataimakin kwamanda, sojan tsaro guda biyu, da kuma "yan sa-kai uku masu leken asiri. Oakland ya umarce su da su sauka don duba yankin gaba da ƙafa. Yayin da ƙungiyoyin tsaro suka kafa kewayen kowace mota tare da sanya ido a wurin ta hanyar tabarau na gani na dare, shugaban tawagar da sojoji masu leken asiri sun ci gaba da tafiya a hankali tare da hanyar da aka nufa, suna duba tarko, murfin, ko duk wani alamun abokan gaba.
    
  Ko da yake suna tafiya ne a bayan Iraqi kuma bai kamata su yi tuntuɓar ba, Oakland ta ci gaba da sauka a can domin sojojin Iraqi suna yawan yin abubuwan da ba su da ma'ana. Sun sami "ɓatattun" sojojin Iraqi-maza suna tafiya ta hanyar da ba ta dace ba, akasari daga layin abokan gaba - ko sojoji suna hutu, cin abinci, addu'a ko kuma kuɓutar da kansu daga rukuninsu. Oakland sau da yawa yana ba da shawarar cewa babban aikin rundunarsa a bayan babban runduna shi ne jagorantar Iraqin zuwa hanya madaidaiciya.
    
  Amma a yau Irakawa sun zama kamar suna samun ci gaba mai kyau. Auckland yana da yakinin cewa hakan ya faru ne saboda aiki ne mai girman gaske, saboda kamfanin Maqbar ne ke kan gaba, kuma saboda Manjo Othman yana fagen fama maimakon boyewa a karkashin abaya a duk lokacin da aka fara aiki.
    
  "Kimanin makirufo goma sha biyar kafin tuntuɓar," in ji Oakland a cikin amintacciyar hanyar sadarwar platoon. "Ku kasance a faɗake." Har yanzu babu alamar cewa an gano su. Wannan, a tunanin Oakland, ko dai zai yi tafiya da kyau, ko kuma sun yi tuntuɓe a kan kwanton bauna. Mintuna masu zuwa za su gaya...
    
    
  CIBIYAR UMURNI DA SARKI, ALLIED AIR BASE NAKHLA, IRAQI
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  Patrick McLanahan ya ce: "Na ji daɗi, John, ya burge ni sosai." "Tsarin yana aiki kamar yadda aka yi talla."
    
  "Kin yi tsammanin wani abu kaɗan?" John Masters ya mayar da martani ba da gangan. Ya daga kafada, sannan ya kara da cewa, "A gaskiya ni kaina na ba ni mamaki. Haɗa kayan aikin tsarin zuwa hanyar sadarwa ya kasance babban cikas fiye da haɗa na'urori masu auna firikwensin mu, kuma komai ya tafi daidai. "
    
  "Wannan na iya zama mara kyau: bai kamata ya kasance da sauƙin haɗa hanyar sadarwar tsarin ba," in ji Patrick.
    
  John ya ce da gaba gaɗi "Namu ba shi da sauƙi a yi hacking kamar na tsarin mulki." "Zai ɗauki sojojin Sandra Bulloxes don murkushe lambar mu." Ya nufi wata taga babu kowa akan laptop dinsa. "Global Division hawk shine kawai dan wasan da ba a kawo shi ba tukuna."
    
  "Wataƙila ni ne ke da alhakin wannan," in ji Patrick. "Na gaya wa Dave cewa za mu kasance a shirye don fara sa ido a daren yau, kuma mai yiwuwa ya mika shi ga Shugaba Martindale, wanda watakila ya mika shi ga hedkwatar Corps. Wataƙila sashen ya sake sanyawa "Global Hawk."
    
  "Ba laifinka bane - Laifin William ne," in ji John. "Idan ya bar mu mu tashi, da mun kasance a kansa kamar wari. To, suna da idanu da yawa a can kamar yadda yake. "
    
  Patrick ya gyada kai, amma har yanzu yana cikin damuwa. "Na damu da yankin arewacin wadannan tunnels," in ji shi. "Idan wasu AQIs suka tsere, muna bukatar mu sanya ido a kansu domin mu tura Turkawa su kama su ko kuma su yi amfani da Reaper don magance su." Ya dauko tagar laptop na John akan nuninsa, ya nazarci ta na dan wani lokaci, ya shigar da wasu "yan umarni a madannai, ya yi magana. "Mis Harrison?"
    
  "Harison. Wanene wannan?"
    
  "General McLanahan."
    
  Yana iya ganin dan kwangilar mara matuki yana kallon ko'ina cikin rudani. "Ina kake, general?"
    
  "A sama, a kan bene na kallo."
    
  Ta daga kai ta ganshi ta cikin manyan lallausan taga. "Ya, sannu yallabai. Ban san kana cikin wannan hanyar sadarwar ba."
    
  "Ni ba ɗaya bane a hukumance, amma Chris ya ce ba komai. Ina bukatan tambayar ku wani abu".
    
  "Iya, yallabai?"
    
  "Kuna da Kelly Biyu-Biyu a bakin aiki a yankin kudancin aikin, kuma Kelly Biyu-Six a shirye don tafiya a matsayin murfin. Za ku iya matsawa Arewa Biyu da Biyu don rufe ƙofar arewa ta ramin arewa ku matsa Biyu da Shida don rufe ta kudanci?"
    
  "Me yasa yallabai?"
    
  Global Hawk ba ta kan tashar, don haka ba mu da wani labari a arewa."
    
  "Dole ne in tashi jirgin Reaper a cikin iyakar iyakar Turkiyya da makami mai linzami, kuma hakan na bukatar izini daga Corps da ma'aikatar harkokin wajen Amurka. Za mu iya loda makami daga Biyu-Shida mu aika."
    
  "Wataƙila duk ya ƙare a lokacin, Laftanar."
    
  "Haka ne, yallabai."
    
  "Idan za mu iya kawo hankali ga wannan, zan dan sami nutsuwa," in ji Patrick. "Yaya za mu aika Biyu-Biyu zuwa matsanancin iyaka har sai na tuntubi Corps?"
    
  "Dole ne in fitar da Biyu da shida domin ya tashi," in ji Harrison. "Ki shirya." Patrick ya juya ga hoton radar na hanyar Nala Air Base, ya gano cewa babu zirga-zirga, ko shakka babu saboda an rufe sararin samaniyar sakamakon aikin zuwa arewa. Bayan ɗan lokaci: "Airspace ya ce za mu iya tashi idan mun shirya, yallabai. Bari in sami izini daga manyan masu fama."
    
  "Ra'ayina ne, Lieutenant, don haka zan yi farin cikin kiransa in bayyana abin da nake nufi."
    
  "Kada ka kasance kan wannan hanyar sadarwar, sir," in ji Harrison, yana kallon Patrick yana dariya. "Har ila yau, idan ba ku damu ba, Ina so in yi la'akari da ra'ayin ku."
    
  "Zan dauki laifin idan akwai wani rudani, Laftanar."
    
  "Ba matsala, yallabai. Ku kasance cikin shiri." Ta katse haɗin, amma Patrick ya sami damar jin tattaunawarta da Major Bruno da tattaunawa tsakanin Bruno da Lt. Col. Weatherly game da ƙaddamarwa. Dukkansu sun yarda cewa motsa Reaper yana da kyau idan dai bai saba wa yarjejeniyar kasa da kasa ba, kuma nan da nan Kelly Two-Six ta tashi sama, biyu-biyu kuma ta tashi zuwa arewa don yin sintiri a kusa da iyakar Turkiyya.
    
  "Wane ne ra'ayin don motsa Reaper arewa ... Wow," in ji Wilhelm a kan hanyar sadarwar tanki.
    
  "Ra'ayin Harrison, yallabai," in ji Weatherly.
    
  "Na kashe babban 'wow' akan dan kwangila?" Wilhelm ya ce, yana nuna kyama. "Eh, da kyau, na san dole ne mu jefar da sojojin haya kashi kowane lokaci. Ina yi muku gargaɗi a gaba Harrison."
    
  "Na gode Colonel."
    
  "Wannan ita ce hanyar yabo?" John ya tambaya. "Wani nice guy."
    
  Hoton aikin ya yi kyau sosai lokacin da Reaper ya shiga wani sintiri kusa da iyakar Turkiyya, duk da cewa har yanzu ya yi nisa a kudu don cika hoton gaba daya. "Yana da kyau, yallabai," Harrison ya gaya wa Patrick, "amma har yanzu matsalolin ROE ba za su iya ba mu ra'ayin inda ramin ya fita ba. Zan duba Global Hawk."
    
  John ya ce "Da mun rufe wannan yanki baki daya ta hanyoyi bakwai ranar Lahadi tare da rashin kunya," in ji John. "Dakata har sai wadannan mutanen sun gan mu muna aiki."
    
  "Ina son ka canza sunan, John."
    
  "Zan yi, amma da farko ina so in shafa fuskar sojojin saman a ciki na wani lokaci," in ji John cikin farin ciki. "Ba zan iya jira ba".
    
    
  MANUFAR HANKALI - PAROT
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  "A can suka zo, yallabai," in ji maharbin da ke cikin Lt. Oakland's Stryker, yana nazarin hoton kofar ramin ta cikin abubuwan da ya gani na infrared. Filayen haske da yawa sun haska akan allon, kuma bayan daƙiƙa guda ƙarar fashewar ta yi ta kara a tsakaninsu. "Da alama manyan 'yan ta'adda suna tafiya."
    
  Oakland ya kalli agogon hannunsa. "Kuma a daidai lokacin. Na burge. Zai yi wuya a gare mu mu kammala aikin wannan girman akan lokaci." Ya kunna na'urar kashe wayarsa, yana duba wuraren da kowane Stryker ɗinsa ya zagaya wurin, sannan ya kunna makirufonsa. "Makamai a shirye kuma ku kasance a faɗake, mutane," in ji rediyo ga rukunin sa. "OVR a cikin motsi." Shugaban kowane sashe ya danna eh.
    
  Da zarar sun shiga duka, Auckland ta aika da saƙon gaggawa zuwa Tank a Nala, yana ba da rahoton motsin dakarun abokantaka. A taqaice ya koma gidan rediyon Command na kamfanin Maqbar sai ihun murna da larabci ya gagare shi. Da sauri ya kashe. "Kyakkyawan tarbiyyar rediyo, mutane," ya fada a cikin numfashinsa.
    
  "Suna shigowa, yallabai," in ji maharbin Stryker. Shi da Oakland sun kalli yadda tawagar sojojin Iraqi takwas suka tunkari ginin. Sojoji biyu sun yi amfani da harba gurneti wajen buda kofar, inda suka yi wa kansu ruwan katako da tarkacen duwatsu saboda sun yi kusa.
    
  "Ku zo maza, ina tawagar shigar ku?" Oakland ta fada da karfi. "Ku sani cewa mutanen da suka fasa kofar ba za su iya shiga ba tare da tsangwama ba. Daya daga cikin tawagar ya karya kofa yayin da sauran tawagar, da aka kare daga haske da firgita, shiga ciki. "Yar shekara bakwai ta san haka." Amma sai ya ga Sajan din ya sake tsara tawagar kutse tare da fitar da tawagar kutsawa daga hanya, ta yadda bayan dan kankanin lokaci aikin ya ci gaba.
    
  Komawa a Tankin, Patrick da John sun kalli aikin ta hanyar Stryker da abinci mara matuki ... Sai dai Patrick ba ya kallon harin a kan hanyar da ake tsammani ta hanyar rami, amma ta ci gaba da arewa tare da iyakar Iraki da Turkiyya. Duban daga na'urar daukar hoto infrared na MQ-9 Reaper ya nuna tsaunuka masu birgima tare da manyan tsaunuka masu duwatsu da zurfi, kwarin daji.
    
  Margaret Harrison, jami'in tuntuɓar Reaper Reaper, ta gaya masa a kan intercom . "An ƙera masu girbi don su kalli ƙasa a wani kusurwa mai tsauri, maimakon ƙetare sararin sama."
    
  "An yarda," Patrick ya amsa. "Karan daƙiƙa guda kawai." Ya taɓa wani maɓalli a madannai nasa ya ce, "Malam Bexar?"
    
  "Bexar yana sauraro," in ji wani jami'in leken asiri na sirri da aka hayar.
    
  "Wannan shine McLahanan."
    
  "Lafiya lau, general? Shin kuna da damar yin layi yanzu?"
    
  "Mista Thompson ya ce komai yayi kyau. Ina da tambaya."
    
  "Ni da kaina ban san izinin tsaron ku ba," in ji Bexar. "Ina tsammanin an bayyana ku a matsayin Babban Sirrin, in ba haka ba ba za ku iya halartar taron ba, amma har sai na tabbatar, zan daina amsa duk wata tambaya da za ta iya kawo matsala ga tsaro."
    
  "An fahimta. Shin an sanar da ku cewa Turkawa na da dakaru dubu biyar a yankin nan da nan kusa da yankin da ke da alhakin gudanar da aikin?"
    
  "Iya sir. Kwatankwacin rundunonin sojoji biyu na kanikanci, kowanne a lardunan Sirnak da Hakkari, da kuma bataliyoyin Jandarma uku."
    
  "Wannan ya yi yawa, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "Idan aka ba da abubuwan da suka faru kwanan nan, ba na tunanin haka," in ji Bexar. "A cikin shekaru biyun da suka gabata, sun yi ƙoƙarin yin kwatancen matakin sojojin Amurka da na Iraqi. A baya dai, Jandarma ta ci gaba da samun karin karfi a kudu maso gabashin Turkiyya dangane da matakin da 'yan ta'addar PKK ke dauka. Matsalar ita ce ba koyaushe muke samun sabuntawa akai-akai game da motsi na rukunin Jandarma ba. "
    
  "Me yasa wannan?"
    
  Ma'aikatar harkokin cikin gidan Turkiyya ta kebe sosai - yarjejeniyar da NATO ba ta tilasta musu yin musayar bayanai ba, kamar yadda ma'aikatar tsaro ke yi.
    
  "Amma motsi na injuna a cikin wannan yanki wani sabon ci gaba ne?"
    
  "Iya".
    
  " Abin sha'awa. Amma tambayata ita ce, Mista Bexar: ina suke?"
    
  "Ina wane?"
    
  "Ina duk wadannan sojojin Turkiyya suke? Brigade na injuna na kanikanci yana da wahalar ɓoyewa."
    
  "To, ina tsammani..." Tambayar ta ba jami'an leken asiri mamaki. "Su... na iya zama ko'ina, Janar. Ina tsammanin an tsare su ne a manyan larduna. Dangane da jandarmomi, cikin sauki za su iya kaucewa abin da muka gani a wannan yanki."
    
  Patrick ya ce "Kelly Two-Byu ta na leko kan iyakar a cikin 'yan mintoci na karshe kuma ban ga wata alama ta kowace mota ba." "Kuma bisa ga taswirori na, Biyu-Biyu suna kallon birnin Uludere kai tsaye, dama?"
    
  "Ki shirya." Bayan ɗan lokaci, bayan duba karatun telemetry daga firikwensin hoton infrared na Reaper: "Ee, Gabaɗaya, kun yi gaskiya."
    
  "Muna kallon birnin, amma ban ga hasken wuta ko ma alamun rayuwa a wurin ba. Ina rasa wani abu?
    
  An ɗan ɗan dakata; sannan: "Gaba ɗaya, me yasa kuke tambaya game da Turkiyya?" Turkawa ba sa shiga wannan aikin."
    
  Eh, Patrick yayi tunani, me yasa nake kallon Turkiyya? "Kawai mai son sani, ina tsammani," ya amsa a karshe. "Zan bari ki koma bakin aiki. ina neman afuwa-"
    
  "Harrison, menene kallon Biyu-Biyu?" Wilhelm ya tambaya kan intercom. "Yana kallon mil goma sha biyar a cikin hanyar da ba ta dace ba. Duba tsarin sa ido na ƙasa."
    
  Patrick ya san cewa dole ne ya shiga tsakani da kansa - ba ra'ayin Harrison ba ne ya duba iyakar zuwa Turkiyya. "Ina so ne in duba iyakar, Colonel."
    
  "Wane ne wannan?"
    
  "McLanahan."
    
  "Me kake yi akan network dina, General?" Wilhelm ya yi tsawa. "Na ce za ku iya kallo da saurare, ba magana ba, kuma na tabbata ban ba ku izinin kula da masu sarrafa firikwensin na ba!"
    
  "Yi hakuri Kanar, amma ina da wani bakon ji game da wani abu kuma dole ne in duba shi."
    
  "Yana da kyau a nemi gafara fiye da neman izini, eh, General?" Wilhelm ya yi dariya. "Na ji haka game da ku. Ban damu da 'bangaren ji' ku ba, McLahan. Harrison, ɗauki wannan Reaper don rufewa..."
    
  "Ba za ka tambayi abin da nake son gani ba, Colonel?"
    
  "Ni ba haka nake ba saboda babu wani abu a Turkiyya da ke damuna a halin yanzu. Idan har ka manta Janar, ina da tawagar bincike a fagen aiki a Iraki, ba Turkiyya ba. Amma tunda ka kawo shi wanene kai...
    
  "harba roka!" - wani ya shiga tsakani. A kan na'urar saka idanu da ke nuna hotunan da aka watsa daga Kelly Biyu-Biyu, gobarar wuta masu haske da yawa sun mamaye sararin sama - daga kan iyakar Turkiyya!
    
  "Mene ne wannan?" Wilhelm ya rasa ransa. "A ina yake tashi?"
    
  "Wannan sulke ne na rokoki daga Turkiyya! "Patrick ya yi ihu. "Ka fitar da mutanenka daga wurin, Kanar!"
    
  "Rufe jahannama, McLanahan!" Wilhelm ya yi kururuwa. Amma ya tashi daga kujerarsa a firgice, ya yi nazarin hoton na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya danna maɓallin hanyar sadarwa na tsarin mulki ya yi ihu: "Ga dukkan "yan wasan Warhammer, ga dukan "yan wasan Warhammer, wannan Warhammer ne, manyan bindigogi suna zuwa muku daga arewa. a akasin shugabanci, yanzu ku rabu da Parrot! "
    
  " Maimaita?" - daya daga cikin sassan binciken ya amsa. "Sake faɗa, War Hammer!"
    
  "Na sake maimaitawa, duk 'yan wasan Warhammer, wannan shine Warhammer, kuna da daƙiƙa ashirin don canza alkibla daga maƙasudin Parrot, sannan daƙiƙa biyar don ɗaukar murfin!" Wilhelm ya yi kururuwa. "Artillery na gabatowa daga arewa! Matsar! Matsar!" A cikin motar tankin ya yi ihu: "Wani ya samu sojojin Turkiyya masu cin zarafi a kan layi ya ce musu su daina bude wuta, muna da sojoji a kasa!" Scramble da motar asibiti helikwafta da samun ƙarfafa a can nan da nan!"
    
  "Aika B-1 a kan iyakar zuwa waɗannan wuraren ƙaddamarwa, Colonel!" Patrick ya ce. "Idan akwai ƙarin masu ƙaddamarwa, za su iya -"
    
  "Na ce kayi shiru ka fita daga cibiyar sadarwa ta, McLahan!" Wilhelm ya rasa ransa.
    
  'Yan sintiri na binciken Stryker sun yi sauri, amma ba da sauri ba kamar makamai masu linzami masu shigowa. Sai da daƙiƙa goma kacal ya ɗauki kimanin dozin biyu don yin tafiya mil talatin da shawa yankin ramin Zahuk da dubban manyan bama-bamai masu fashewa da nakiyoyi. Wasu nakiyoyin sun fashe yadi da yawa a sama, suna shawa yankin da ke ƙasa da farar fata tungsten; wasu nakiyoyin da aka tayar da su a kan tuntuɓar ƙasa, gine-gine ko motocin da ke da wani babban bam mai fashewa; wasu kuma sun kasance a kasa, inda suka fashe a lokacin damuwa ko kuma kai tsaye bayan wani lokaci.
    
  Harin bam na biyu ya afku bayan 'yan mintuna kadan, wanda ya nufi yadi dari yamma, gabas, da kudu na yankin farko da aka nufa, wanda aka tsara domin kamo duk wanda ya tsira daga harin bam na farko. Wani hari ne da ya kama mafi yawan 'yan kungiyar leken asirin Amurka da ke ja da baya. Nakiyoyin sun kutsa cikin haske na saman sulke na Strykers daga sama, inda suka tarwatsa su tare da barin su a bude ga wasu manyan bama-bamai. Da yawa daga cikin wadanda suka sauka kuma suka tsira daga kisan gillar da aka yi musu a cikin motocinsu, an kashe su ne ta hanyar bama-bamai da suka fashe a sama ko karkashin kafafunsu yayin da suke kokarin tserewa don tsira da rayukansu.
    
  Bayan dakika talatin duk ya kare. Ma'aikata masu ban mamaki sun kalli shi duka cikin tsananin firgita, wanda Reaper da Predator drones suka watsa kai tsaye a sama.
    
    
  WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, DC.
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  Shugaba Joseph Gardner yana fitowa daga kwamfutarsa a wani ofishi mai zaman kansa da ke kusa da Ofishin Oval kuma yana isa ya ɗauki jaket ɗinsa ya kira ta rana ɗaya ya nufi cikin gidan lokacin da wayar ta yi ƙara. Shi ne mai ba shi shawara kan harkokin tsaro na kasa, abokin da ya dade kuma tsohon mataimakin sakataren sojojin ruwa, Conrad Carlisle. Ya danna maɓallin lasifikar: "Na kusa gamawa, Conrad. Zai iya jira?"
    
  "Ina fata zan iya, yallabai," in ji Carlisle ta wayar salula mai tsaro, mai yiwuwa a cikin motarsa. Abokin nasa ba kasafai yake kiransa da "Sir" ba idan sun yi magana daya-daya sai dai idan lamarin ya faru, kuma nan take wannan ya dauki hankalin shugaban kasar. "Ina kan hanyara ta zuwa fadar White House, yallabai. Rahoto kan harin da Turkiyya ta kai wa Iraki kan iyaka."
    
  Ƙauyen zuciyar Gardner ya ragu da kashi da yawa. Turkiyya, musamman Iraki, ba ta yi masa wata barazana ba a halin yanzu - ko da abin da ke faruwa a Iraki ba kasafai yake haifar da dogon barci ba. "Shin wani daga cikin mutanenmu yana da hannu a cikin wannan?"
    
  "Tuni."
    
  Ajiyar zuciya ta sake dawowa. Me ya faru? "Oh shit". Kusan ya iya ɗanɗana gilashin rum ɗin da ƙanƙara da ya ke tunanin komawa mazaunin. "Shin an riga an ƙirƙira min su a cikin dakunan yanayi?"
    
  "A'a yallabai."
    
  "Nawa ne bayanin ku?"
    
  "Kadan sosai".
    
  Lokaci don ɗaukar abin sha kafin aikin ya fara ɗaukar tururi da gaske. "Zan kasance a Oval Office. Zo ku dauke ni."
    
  "Iya sir".
    
  Gardner ya saka ƴan ƴan ƙanƙara a cikin kofi na tsohon sojan ruwa, ya zuba ruwan ron Caneca a ciki, ya ɗauke shi cikin Oval Office. Akwai wani rikici da ya kunno kai a wani wuri, kuma yana da muhimmanci masu kallo a duniya su leka tagoginsu su ga shugaban Amurka yana aiki tukuru - amma hakan ba yana nufin ya hana kansa yin hakan ba.
    
  Ya sauya gidan talabijin na Oval Office zuwa CNN, amma har yanzu babu wani abu da ya faru a Turkiyya. Zai iya samun abinci daga ɗakin halin da ake ciki a ofishinsa, amma bai so ya bar ofishin Oval ba har sai da aka watsar da gaggawa a duniya kuma kowa yana ganin ya riga ya kalli shi.
    
  Shi duka game da hoto ne, kuma Joe Gardner ya kasance gwani wajen gabatar da takamaiman hoto da aka ƙera a hankali. Koda yaushe yana sanye da riga da tie sai dai idan zai kwanta, idan kuma baya sanye da jallabi, sai a nade hannun rigarsa a dan sassauta tie dinsa dan ganin yana aiki tukuru. Sau da yawa yakan yi amfani da lasifika, amma idan wasu sun gan shi, ya kan yi amfani da wayar hannu ne don kowa ya gan shi yana magana. Haka kuma bai taba amfani da kofunan china masu kyau ba, ya gwammace masu nauyi, kauri, kauri, ruwan kofi ga duk abin shansa domin yana ganin sun kara masa kama da maza.
    
  Bayan haka, kamar Jackie Gleason akan TV tare da kofinsa cike da bugu, kowa zai ɗauka yana shan kofi.
    
  Shugaban ma"aikatan fadar White House Walter Cordus ya kwankwasa kofar ofishin Oval, ya jira "yan dakikoki da suka wajaba idan har aka samu wata alamar zanga-zanga, sannan ya shiga da kansa. "Conrad ya kira ni, Joe," in ji Cordus. Sanye yake da jeans, rigar gumi da takalmi na jirgin ruwa. Wani abokin da ya daɗe kuma aminin Gardner, koyaushe yana samuwa a ɗan lokaci kaɗan kuma yana yiwuwa a ajiye shi a wani wuri a cikin West Wing maimakon a gida tare da matarsa da ɗimbin yara. Ya kalli faifan TV din dake boye a cikin kabad. "Akwai wani abu tuni?"
    
  "A'a". Gardner ya ɗaga mug ɗinsa. "A samu abin sha. Ni kusan daya ne a gabanku." Shugaban ma"aikatan cikin biyayya ya zubawa kansa muguwar rum, amma kamar yadda ya saba, bai sha digo ba.
    
  Sai da Carlisle ta fashe ta ƙofofin Ofishin Oval, fayil ɗin taƙaitaccen bayani a hannu, wani abu ya bayyana a CNN, kuma ambato ne kawai a kan wani gungura a ƙasan allo game da "lamarin harbi" a arewacin Iraki. . "Wannan yana kama da tashin gobara na abokantaka, yallabai," in ji Carlisle. "Rundunar Sojoji na taimaka wa wani kamfani na sojojin Iraki wajen kawar da wani da ake zargin al-Qaeda ne a hanyar shiga ramin Iraki a lokacin da makamin roka na Turkiyya marasa jagora suka kai wa yankin hari."
    
  "Shit," in ji shugaban. "Kawo Stacy Ann nan."
    
  "Tana kan hanyarta, haka kuma Miller," in ji Carlisle. Stacey Ann Barbeau, tsohuwar 'yar majalisar dattijai ta Amurka daga Louisiana, wacce ta kasance mai kishi kamar yadda ta kasance mai hazaka, kwanan nan an tabbatar da ita a matsayin sabuwar Sakatariyar Harkokin Wajen; Miller Turner, wani abokin da ya daɗe kuma amintaccen Gardner, shine Sakataren Tsaro.
    
  "Asara?"
    
  "11 sun mutu, goma sha shida sun jikkata, goma na cikin mawuyacin hali."
    
  "Iya".
    
  A cikin mintuna goma masu zuwa, mashawarcin shugaban kasa ko mataimakansa sun shiga ofishin Oval daya bayan daya. Karshen isowa Barbeau ne, da alama ta shirya kwana a garin. "Ma'aikatana suna tuntuɓar ofishin jakadancin Turkiyya da ma'aikatar harkokin wajen Turkiyya," in ji ta, ta nufi tiren kofi kai tsaye. "Ina tsammanin kira daga kowannensu nan ba da jimawa ba."
    
  " Adadin wadanda suka mutu ya haura goma sha uku kuma ana sa ran za su karu, yallabai," in ji Turner bayan ya samu kira daga kwamandan rundunar soji. "Ba za su iya cewa rundunar sojan da kanta ce ta kai hari ba, amma da alama 'yan Iraki da Turkawa suna bin manufa daya."
    
  "To, idan mutanenmu suna goyon bayan Iraqi, ta yaya aka kai su hari?"
    
  "Yan kwangilar tantancewar farko sun ce zagaye na biyu na makamai masu linzami an yi niyya ne don kama duk wanda ya tsira da ke tserewa yankin da aka nufa."
    
  "Yan kwangila?"
    
  "Kamar yadda ka sani, yallabai," in ji mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro Carlisle, "mun sami damar rage yawan sojojin mu masu sanye da kayan soja a Iraki, Afganistan da sauran wurare da dama a duniya, tare da maye gurbinsu da 'yan kwangila na farar hula. Kusan duk ayyukan soja waɗanda ba su haɗa da aiwatar da kai tsaye ba - tsaro, bincike, kulawa, sadarwa, jerin abubuwan da ke ci gaba - "yan kwangila ne ke yin su a kwanakin nan."
    
  Shugaban ya jinjina kai, tuni ya ci gaba da yin wasu bayanai. "Ina bukatan sunayen wadanda abin ya shafa domin in kira iyalai."
    
  "Iya sir".
    
  "Shin wani daga cikin waɗannan 'yan kwangila ya ji rauni?"
    
  "A'a yallabai."
    
  "Labarai," in ji shugaban a kasala.
    
  Wayar da ke kan teburin shugaban ƙasa ta yi ƙara, kuma shugaban ma"aikata Walter Cordus ya ɗauka, ya saurara, sannan ya miƙa wa Barbeau. "Firayim ministar Turkiyya Akash kanta, Stacey, ta shiga hannu a madadin jihar."
    
  "Wannan alama ce mai kyau," in ji Barbeau. Ta kunna mai fassara a kwamfutar shugaban kasa. "Barka da safiya, Madam Firayim Minista," in ji ta. "Wannan shi ne Sakataren Gwamnati Barbeau."
    
  A daidai lokacin wata waya ta kara. "Shugaban Turkiyya Hirsiz yana kan layi a gare ku, yallabai."
    
  Gardner ya ce, "Ya fi kyau ya sami bayani," in ji Gardner, yana ɗaukar wayar. "Malam shugaban kasa, wannan shine Joseph Gardner."
    
  "Shugaba Gardner, barka da yamma," Kurzat Hirsiz ya ce a cikin Turanci mai kyau, muryarsa tana rawar jiki da damuwa, "Yi hakuri da damuwa da ku, amma na ji labarin wani mummunan bala'i da ya faru a kan iyaka da Iraki, kuma a madadin To daukacin al"ummar Turkiyya, na so in yi kira da gaggawa, in bayyana alhinina, da nadama da kuma bakin ciki ga iyalan mutanen da suka mutu a wannan mummunan lamari."
    
  "Na gode, shugaban kasa," in ji Gardner. "To, me ya faru?"
    
  "Kuskure da ba za a yafe ba daga bangaren jami'an tsaron cikin gida," in ji Hirsiz. "Sun samu labarin cewa 'yan ta'addar PKK na Kurdawa da 'yan ta'adda sun yi cunkoson jama'a a wani rukunin rami a Iraki kuma suna shirin wani hari a filin jirgin sama ko filin jirgin soja na Turkiyya, wanda ya fi girma da barna fiye da harin baya-bayan nan a Diyarbakir. Bayanin ya fito ne daga tushe masu inganci.
    
  "Sun ce adadin 'yan ta'addar PKK ya kai dari-daruruwa a cikin rukunin ramin, wanda ke da fadi sosai kuma ya ratsa kan iyakar Iraki a kan wani yanki mai fadi. An tabbatar da cewa ba mu da isasshen lokacin da za mu tara isassun sojoji da za su lalata irin wannan babbar ƙungiya a cikin irin wannan wuri mai hatsari, don haka aka yanke shawarar kai hari ta hanyar amfani da makaman roka. Na ba da umarnin kai hari da kaina, saboda haka kuskurena ne kuma alhakina ne."
    
  "Don Allah Mai girma shugaban kasa me yasa baka fara gaya mana ba?" - Gardner ya tambaya. "Mu abokai ne kuma abokai, ka tuna? Kun san cewa muna da sojoji a yankin da suke aiki ba dare ba rana domin tsaron yankin kan iyaka da farautar 'yan tada kayar baya ciki har da PKK. Kiran waya guda daya na gaggawa wanda zai sanar da mu kuma za mu iya janye sojojinmu ba tare da sanar da 'yan ta'adda ba."
    
  "Eh, eh, na san haka, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Hirsiz. "Amma mai ba mu labarin ya shaida mana cewa nan ba da jimawa ba "yan ta"addan za su fara tafiya, kuma dole ne mu dauki matakin gaggawa. Babu lokaci-"
    
  "Babu lokaci? Mutuwar Amurkawa goma sha uku wadanda suka yi aikin tallafi kawai, Mista Shugaba! Kuma har yanzu ba mu da kididdige adadin mutanen da aka kashe a Iraki! Da ka sami lokacin!"
    
  "Eh, eh, na yarda, mai girma shugaban kasa, kuma wannan mummunan rashi ne wanda na yi nadama sosai kuma na nemi afuwa da kaina," in ji Hirsiz, a wannan karon tare da bayyana fushi a cikin muryarsa. An ɗan ɗan dakata; sannan: "Amma bari in tunatar da kai, yallabai, cewa, kai ko gwamnatin Iraki ba mu ba mu labarin aikin Irakin ba. Irin wannan sanarwar ma da ta hana faruwar wannan hatsarin."
    
  "Kada ka fara canza laifin yanzu, Mr. Shugaban kasa," Gardner ya fashe. "Amurka 13 ne suka mutu saboda harba makamin da kuka yi, wanda aka yi wa yankin Iraki, ba kasar Turkiyya ba! Wannan ba a gafartawa ba!"
    
  "Na yarda, na yarda, yallabai," in ji Hirsiz cikin mamaki. "Ba na jayayya da hakan, kuma ba na neman dora laifi a inda bai kamata ba. Amma ginin ramin yana karkashin iyakar Iraki da Turkiyya, 'yan ta'adda suna ta taruwa a Iraki, kuma mun san cewa 'yan tada kayar baya suna zaune, suna yin makirci, suna tattara makamai da kayayyaki a Iraki da Iran. Wannan manufa ce ta halal, ko ta wane bangare na kan iyaka. Mun san cewa Kurdawa a Iraki suna ba da mafaka da goyon bayan PKK, kuma gwamnatin Iraki ba ta yin wani abu don hana su. Dole ne mu dauki mataki saboda Iraqi ba za su yi ba."
    
  "Shugaba Hirsiz, ba zan shiga gardama da kai ba game da abin da gwamnatin Iraki ke yi da 'yan ta'addar PKK," in ji Gardner a fusace. "Ina son cikakken bayanin abin da ya faru, kuma ina bukatar alkawarin ku na yin duk abin da za ku iya don hana faruwar hakan. Mu abokan tarayya ne, yallabai. Irin wannan bala'i yana iya kuma ya kamata a kauce masa, kuma yana nuna cewa da kun cika aikin ku a matsayin maƙwabci kuma maƙwabcin Iraqi kuma kun yi magana da mu da kyau, yana iya yiwuwa..."
    
  "Bir saniye! Yallabai ina neman afuwa?" Hirsiz yace. An dakata sosai a wancan ƙarshen layin, kuma Gardner ya ji wani a baya yana faɗin kalmar sik, wadda a cewar mai fassara na kwamfuta, tana nufin "kan azzakari." "Ka gafarta mini, Mr. amma kamar yadda na bayyana muku, mun yi zaton muna kai hari kan 'yan ta'addar PKK da suka kashe kusan mutane goma sha biyu maza da mata da kananan yara da ba su ji ba ba su ji ba ba su gani ba a wani babban birnin Turkiyya lamarin da ya faru a Zahuk babban kuskure ne wanda na dauki cikakken alhakinsa kuma da gaske. ku nemi afuwarku, da iyalan wadanda abin ya shafa da kuma jama'ar Amurka, amma hakan bai ba ku damar neman wani abu daga wannan gwamnati ba."
    
  "Babu wani dalili na batsa, Shugaba Hirsiz," in ji Gardner, a fusace da fushi har jijiyoyi suka tsaya a goshinsa. Ya lura da cewa Hirsiz bai musanta ko musanta zargin ba ko kuma ya yi mamakin cewa Gardner ya san da hakan. "Za mu gudanar da cikakken bincike game da wannan harin kuma ina fatan za ku ba da hadin kai sosai. Ina son cikakken kwarin gwiwa daga gare ku cewa nan gaba za ku yi magana mai kyau da mu da abokan ku na NATO don kada irin wadannan hare-hare su sake afkuwa."
    
  Hirsiz ya ce "Wannan ba harin da aka kai wa sojojin ku ko 'yan Iraki ba ne, amma a kan 'yan ta'addar PKK da ake zargin 'yan ta'adda ne," in ji Hirsiz. "Don Allah a ƙara zaɓe kalmominka da kyau, ya mai girma shugaban ƙasa. Hatsari ne, wani mummunan kuskure da ya faru yayin da ake kare mahaifar Jamhuriyar Turkiyya. Na dauki alhakin mummunan hatsarin, yallabai, ba harin ba.
    
  "Lafiya, shugaban kasa, komai daidai ne," in ji Gardner. "Za mu tuntube ku nan ba da jimawa ba game da zuwan jami"an shari"a, sojoji da masu binciken laifuka. Barka da dare malam."
    
  "Ni ne akşamlar. Barka da dare, ya shugaban kasa."
    
  Gardner ya katse wayar. "Damn, kuna tsammanin ya rasa mutane goma sha uku!" - ya ce. "Stacy?"
    
  "Na dan tsinkayi kadan daga cikin hirarku, Mista Shugaba," in ji Barbeau. "Firayim Minista ya ba da hakuri, kusan wuce gona da iri. Na ji cewa tana da gaskiya, ko da yake a fili ta ɗauki wannan a matsayin haɗari wanda kawai suke da alhakin. "
    
  "Iya? Kuma da a ce harin makami mai linzami na Amurka ne aka kashe sojojin Turkiyya, da ba Turkiyya kadai ce ta giciye mu ba, har ma da duniya baki daya - za mu sami dukkan laifuffuka sannan wasu kuma," in ji Gardner. Ya jingina da kujera ya dafe hannunsa a fusace a fusace. "Ok, okay, ku rusa Turkawa a yanzu. Wani ya zage-zage a nan kuma ina so in san wane, kuma ina son jakuna - Baturke, Iraki, PKK ko Amurka, ban damu ba, ina son jakuna." Ya juya ga Ministan Tsaro. "Miller, zan nada shugaba da zai jagoranci binciken. Ina so ya zama jama'a, daidai a fuskar ku, m, tauri da kuma kai tsaye. Wannan shi ne adadi mafi yawa da aka kashe a Iraki tun bayan da na hau kan karagar mulki, kuma ba na da niyyar barin wannan gwamnati ta shiga cikin rudani a Iraki." Ya dan kalli Stacy Barbeau, wacce ta yi wani rarrashi da idanuwanta. Nan take Gardner ya gane haka kuma ya tunkari mataimakin shugaban kasa Kenneth T. Phoenix. "Ken wannan fa? Tabbas kuna da gogewa."
    
  "Tabbas, yallabai," ya amsa ba tare da jinkiri ba. Yana da shekaru arba'in da shida kawai, Kenneth Phoenix zai iya zama ɗaya daga cikin taurarin siyasar Amurka da ke tashe cikin sauri-idan da bai yi aiki tuƙuru ba. J.D. daga UCLA, shekaru hudu a matsayin Alkali Advocate a Amurka Marine Corps, shekaru hudu a U.S. Attorney's Office a District of Columbia, sai kuma ofisoshin daban-daban a cikin Sashen Shari'a kafin a nada shi Babban Mai Shari'a.
    
  A cikin shekarun da suka biyo bayan ta'addancin Holocaust na Amurka, Phoenix ya yi aiki ba tare da gajiyawa ba don tabbatar wa jama'ar Amurka da duniya cewa Amurka ba za ta shiga cikin dokar soja ba. Ya kasance mai rashin tausayi ga masu karya doka kuma yana tuhumar kowa, ba tare da la'akari da siyasa ko dukiya ba, wanda ya nemi riba daga wadanda harin Rasha ya shafa. Haka kuma ya kasance mara tausayi a cikin mu'amalarsa da Majalisa har ma da fadar White House don tabbatar da cewa ba a tauye hakkin daidaikun mutane yayin da gwamnati ta fara aikin sake gina al'ummarta da maido da iyakokinta.
    
  Ya shahara a tsakanin jama'ar Amurka, har ana maganar cewa zai tsaya takarar shugaban kasar Amurka da wani mutum mai farin jini a lokacin, wato Joseph Gardner, sakataren tsaro. Gardner ya sauya sheka daga jam"iyya saboda sabanin da ya ke da shi da gwamnatin Martindale, matakin da ya cutar da damarsa na yin nasara. Sai dai a cikin hazakar siyasa, Joseph Gardner ya nemi Phoenix ya zama abokin takararsa, duk da cewa ba 'yan jam'iyya daya ba ne. Dabarar ta yi aiki. Masu kada kuri'a sun dauki wannan matakin a matsayin wata babbar alama ta hadin kai da hikima, kuma sun samu gagarumin rinjaye.
    
  "Shin kana ganin mai girma shugaban kasa, yana da kyau a tura mataimakin shugaban kasar Iraki da Turkiyya?" - ya tambayi shugaban ma'aikatan. "Har yanzu yana da matukar hadari a wajen."
    
  "Na sa ido a kan yanayin tsaro a Iraki, kuma ina ganin ya ishe ni lafiya," in ji Phoenix.
    
  "Abin da ya fada yana da ma'ana, Ken," in ji shugaban. "Ina tunanin cancantar ku da gogewar ku, ba lafiyar ku ba. Na tuba."
    
  "Babu bukata, yallabai," in ji Phoenix. "Zan yi. Yana da mahimmanci a nuna yadda muke daukar wannan harin da gaske - ga dukkan 'yan wasa a Gabas ta Tsakiya, ba Turkawa kadai ba."
    
  "Ban sani ba..."
    
  "Zan rage kaina kasa, yallabai, kada ka damu," in ji Phoenix. "Zan tattara wata tawaga daga Pentagon, Ma'aikatar Shari'a da Hukumar Leken Asiri ta kasa kuma in tafi daren yau."
    
  "Yau?" Gardner ya gyada kai yana murmushi. "Na san na zabi mutumin da ya dace. To, Ken, na gode, kun shigo. Stacy za ta sami duk izinin da kuke buƙata a Baghdad, Ankara da duk inda bincikenku ya kai ku. Idan muna buƙatar ku koma Majalisar Dattawa don karya kunnen doki, watakila zan aiko da jirgin saman Black Stallion bayan ku.
    
  "Ina so in hau daya daga cikin wadannan, yallabai. Aiko min guda daya zan karba."
    
  "Ka kula da abin da kake so, Mr. Mataimakin Shugaban kasa." Gardner ya tashi tsaye ya fara tafiya. "Na san na ce ina son fitar da sojojinmu daga Iraki a cikin watanni goma sha shida, amma ya dauki lokaci fiye da yadda na zato. Wannan lamarin ya bayyana irin hadarin da sojojinmu ke fuskanta a can a kullum, ko da kuwa ba mu da alaka da abokan gaba. Lokaci ya yi da za mu yi magana game da janye sojojinmu da sauri da kuma janye da yawa daga cikinsu. Tunani?"
    
  Sakatare Barbeau ya ce, "Tabbas jama'ar Amurka za su yarda, Mr.
    
  "Mun yi magana game da wannan yiwuwar sau da yawa, yallabai," in ji mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro Carlisle. "Rundunar sojan injuna guda ɗaya a Bagadaza a kan jujjuyawar watanni goma sha biyu; tsarin horo guda ɗaya akan juyawa na wata shida; kuma muna yawan gudanar da atisayen hadin gwiwa tare da rundunonin da aka tura daga Jihohi na tsawon wata daya ko biyu a duk fadin kasar. Tsaro da sa ido na yau da kullun da 'yan kwangila masu zaman kansu ke bayarwa, tare da ayyuka na musamman na musamman a ko'ina cikin yankin idan an buƙata."
    
  "Yana da kyau a gare ni," in ji shugaban. "An kashe soja daya kuma labari ne a shafin farko, amma ana bukatar akalla "yan kwangila shida su mutu kafin kowa ya gani. Mu fitar da cikakkun bayanai kuma mu yi shiri ba tare da bata lokaci ba." Da ya juya ga sauran mashawartan sa, ya ce, "To, ina son bayani kan harin da aka kai a Iraki a taron tattaunawa na hedikwatar da karfe bakwai na safiyar yau. Na gode duka". Sa"ad da ƙungiyar ta bar Ofishin Oval, Shugaban ya yi tambaya, "Sakatare Barbeau, zan iya samun "yan kalmomi tare da kai a ofishin?"
    
  Bayan an rufe kofa, shugaban ya zubawa tsohon dan majalisar dattawan Louisiana wasu borbon da ruwa. Suna gallazawa juna, sannan ta sumbace shi a lips ɗinsa a hankali, tana mai taka tsantsan kar ta ƙara masa lipstick-bayan ma, First Lady na sama a mazaunin. "Na gode da shawarar Phoenix, Stacy," in ji Gardner. "Zaɓi mai kyau - wannan zai fitar da shi daga nan don canji. Kullum yana shiga hanya."
    
  "Na yarda-wani lokaci ya kan yi hayyaci," in ji Barbeau. Ta fad'a lebbanta na k'asa. "Amma ina so ku fara tuntuɓar ni. Zan iya zayyana wasu ƙwararrun mutane goma sha biyu daga jam"iyyarmu da za su iya jagorantar tawagar."
    
  "Walter ya sanar da ni cewa akwai jita-jita a Washington cewa ana tura Phoenix da nisa a baya kuma yana lalata makomar siyasarsa," in ji Gardner.
    
  "To, abin da yakan faru ke nan da mataimakan shugaban kasa."
    
  "Na sani, amma ina bukatar in ajiye shi a kan tikitin idan na sake tsayawa takara, kuma ba na son fushin shugabannin jam'iyyar su karfafa shi ya yi murabus domin ya iya yin takara don kansa," in ji Gardner, yana zubawa kansa wani kofi. Puerto Rican rum tare da kankara. "Aiki ne mai kyau wanda zai faranta wa magoya bayansa rai, amma a wajen kasar nan ne babu kafafen yada labarai da yawa; zai nuna cewa da gaske nake yin bincike a kan lamarin, amma babu abin da zai same shi, don haka idan wani ya ji rauni, to shi ne; amma mafi mahimmanci, batu ne da zai shuɗe da sauri daga hankalin jama'a saboda ya shafi sojojin Amurka da suka mutu. Ku aika da sunayen ƙwararrun ku zuwa Phoenix mu gani ko ya yarda da ɗayansu."
    
  "Wataƙila," in ji Barbeau, idanunta suna kyalkyali da ruɗi, "mataimakiyar shugaban ƙasa za ta manta da yin duck ko sanya rigar harsashi, kuma kamar haka, za mu buƙaci sabon mataimakin shugaban ƙasa."
    
  "Yesu, Stacey, kada ku ma yi wasa da irin wannan ba'a," in ji Gardner. Kallonshi yayi yana mamakin kalamanta; ya jira yaga ko zatayi murmushi tayi dariya ta kawar da tunanin da yayi, amma bai yi mamaki ba ganin bata yi ba.
    
  "Ba zan taɓa fatan wani lahani ga mai daɗi da aiki tuƙuru ba Kenneth Timothy Phoenix," in ji ta. "Amma yana shiga cikin haɗari, kuma kuna buƙatar yin tunanin abin da za mu yi idan mafi muni ya faru."
    
  "Tabbas, dole ne in nada wanda zai maye gurbinsa. Ina da lissafi."
    
  Barbeau ya ajiye bourbon a kan tebur kuma a hankali, cikin zolaya, ya matso kusa da shugaban. "Ina cikin jerin sunayenka, Mr. President?" - Ta tambaya cikin sanyin murya mai tsananin sha'awa, tana gudu da yatsun hannunta a ƙarƙashin lefen jaket ɗinsa, tana shafa ƙirjinsa.
    
  "Oh, kina kan jerin abubuwa da yawa, zuma." Amma sai in yi hayan ɗan ɗanɗano na gida, ko ba haka ba? "
    
  Ba ta tsaya ba-ya lura, ita ma ba ta musanta barkwancinsa ba. "Ba na so in gaji matsayi, Joe - Na san zan iya samun shi da kaina," in ji ta cikin ƙananan murya, maimakon waƙa. Ta kalleshi da kyawawan korayen idanuwanta... Gardner bai ga komai ba sai barazana a cikinsu. Kiss ta sake masa a lips d'in, bud'e idonta yayi yana kallon cikin nasa, bayan ya sumbace ta k'ara "amma zan d'auka duk yadda zan iya."
    
  Murmushi shugaban kasa yayi ya girgiza kai cike da bacin rai ta nufi kofa. "Ban san wanda ke cikin haɗari ba, Sakatariyar Sakatariya: mataimakin shugaban kasa a Iraki ... ko duk wanda ya shiga hanyar ku a nan Washington."
    
    
  ZAUREN SHUGABAN JAMHURIYAR TURKIYA
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  "Yaya ya zanyi?" Ministan tsaron kasar Turkiyya Hasan Cizek ya fusata lokacin da shugaba Hirsiz ya dauki wayar. "Zagi ne ! Gardner dole ne ya nemi afuwar ku, kuma yayi gaggawar! "
    
  "Ki kwantar da hankalinki, minista," in ji Firayim Minista Aise Akas. Tare da ita, Hirsiz da Cizek sun kasance jami'an tsaron kasa: Sakatare Janar na Majalisar Tsaro ta Turkiyya Janar Orhan Sahin, Ministan Harkokin Wajen Turkiyya Mustafa Hamarat, Babban Hafsan Sojin Janar Abdullah Guzlev da Fevsi Güclu, Daraktan Hukumar Leken Asiri ta Kasa. , wanda ya gudanar da dukkan ayyukan leken asiri na ciki da waje. "Gardner ya baci kuma ya sami matsala wajen tunani. Kuma ya ji wannan batsa. Kai mahaukaci ne?"
    
  "Kada ku nemi gafara ga wannan mashayi Lech, Firayim Minista," in ji Ministan Harkokin Wajen Mustafa Hamarat. "Bai kamata shugaban Amurka ya caccaki shugaban kasa da abokinsa ba - ban damu da gajiya ko bacin rai ba. Ya rasa kansa a lokacin rikicin kuma ba daidai ba ne."
    
  "Kowa, ka kwantar da hankalinka," in ji Shugaba Kurzat Hirsiz, yana daga hannayensa kamar wanda ya mika wuya. "Ba na jin haushi. Mun yi kiran da ya dace kuma mun ba da hakuri - "
    
  "Crawling ya fi kamarsa!" Jizek ya tofa.
    
  "Makallai masu linzamin mu sun kashe Amurkawa goma sha biyu da kuma watakila wasu "yan Iraqi da dama, Hassan; kila kila kirfa kadan yana da garantin nan." Hirsiz ya fusata da ministan tsaron kasa. "Abin da ya ce ko ya yi na gaba zai nuna." Ya juya ga babban sakataren majalisar tsaron kasa. "Gabaɗaya, shin kuna da tabbacin cewa bayanin ku daidai ne, mai aiki da aiki kuma yana buƙatar amsa nan take?"
    
  "Na tabbata yallabai," ya ji wata murya ta ce. Ya juya ya ga Janar Besir Ozek, kwamandan Jandarma, tsaye a kofar ofishinsa , a tsorace a bayansa. Ozek ya cire dukan bandejin da ke fuskarsa, da wuyansa da kuma hannayensa, kuma abin da ya gani ya kasance abin ƙyama.
    
  "General Ozek!" Hirsiz ya fashe da kuka, dan lokaci kadan ya kadu da zuwan janar sannan kuma ya ji ciwo da kamanninsa. Ya hadiye da kyar yana lumshe idanuwansa don tsabar kyamar da yake ji sannan kuma ya ji kunyar barin wasu su gani. "Ban kira ka ba, yallabai. Ba ku da lafiya. Ya kamata ku kasance a asibiti."
    
  Ozek ya ci gaba da cewa, "Ba mu da lokacin sanar da Amurkawa - kuma da mun samu, da bayanan sun fito ne ga magoya bayan PKK kuma da an rasa damar," Ozek ya ci gaba da cewa, kamar shugaban bai ce uffan ba.
    
  Hirsiz ya gyada kai, ya kau da kai daga munanan raunukan Ozek. "Na gode General. An kore ku".
    
  Ozek ya ce: "Idan na yi magana da yardar kaina, yallabai, zuciyata ta yi rauni ga abin da na ji yanzu."
    
  "Gaba ɗaya?"
    
  "Sau nawa na ji shugaban kasar Turkiyya ya ba ni hakuri kamar wani karamin yaro da aka kama yana ciyar da wani katon kifin zinare. Tare da dukkan girmamawa, mai girma shugaban kasa, abin banƙyama ne."
    
  "Wannan ya isa, Janar," in ji Firayim Minista Akas. "Ku nuna girmamawa."
    
  "Ba mu yi wani abu ba face kare al'ummarmu," in ji Ozek a fusace. "Ba mu da abin da za mu nemi gafara, yallabai."
    
  "Amurkawa marasa laifi sun mutu, Janar..."
    
  Ozek ya kara da cewa, "Sun dauka suna bin 'yan ta'addar al-Qaeda ne a Iraki, ba PKK ba." "Idan da 'yan Iraki suna da kwakwalwa, da sun sani kamar yadda muka sani cewa rukunin ramin mafakar PKK ne, ba al-Qaeda ba."
    
  "Kana da tabbacin hakan, General?"
    
  "Madalla, yallabai," in ji Ozek. ""Yan ta"addar Al-Qaeda suna fakewa da gudanar da ayyukansu a garuruwa, ba a yankunan karkara kamar PKK ba. Idan da Amurkawa sun damu don gano wannan-ko kuma da Iraqi sun damu da-wannan lamarin ba zai faru ba."
    
  Shugaba Hirsiz ya yi shiru ya juya baya - don yin tunani, kuma kada ya kalli mummunan raunukan Ozek. "Duk da haka, Janar, lamarin ya haifar da fushi da fushi a Washington, kuma dole ne mu kasance masu sulhu, masu ba da hakuri da haɗin kai," in ji shi a baya. "Za su aika masu bincike kuma dole ne mu taimaka musu suyi bincike."
    
  "Yallabai, ba za mu iya barin hakan ta faru ba," Ozek ya yi ihu. "Ba za mu iya barin Amurkawa ko al'ummar duniya su hana mu kare wannan al'ummar ba. Ka san ni ma cewa duk wani bincike zai mayar da hankali kan kurakuranmu da manufofinmu, ba PKK ko harinsu ba. Dole ne mu yi aiki, yanzu. Yi wani abu, yallabai!"
    
  Idanun Firayim Minista sun yi fushi. "Kamar yadda kake, Janar Ozek!" - ta yi ihu. Idanun tsohon sojan Jandarma ne ya lumshe, wanda hakan ya sa kamanninsa ya kara firgita. Firayim Ministan ya ɗaga masa yatsa don yin shiru da furucin da ya yi tsammani. "Kada ka kara cewa, Janar, ko kuma in umarci Minista Jizek ya sauke ka daga matsayinka kuma da kanka ya cire matsayi daga kayanka."
    
  "Idan duk wanda muka kai wa harin 'yan ta'addar PKK ne, mutane kadan daga wajen kasarmu ne za su damu," in ji Ozek. "Da mutanenmu za su ga wannan don ainihin abin da ya kasance: babban nasara a kan PKK, ba misali na gazawar soja ko wariyar launin fata ba."
    
  "Ministan Dzizek, ka sauke Janar Ozek daga umurnin," in ji Akas.
    
  "Ina ba da shawarar a kwantar da hankali, Madam Firayim Minista..." Jizek ya huce. "An yi wani mummunan hatsari, eh, amma muna yin aikinmu ne kawai don kare kasarmu..."
    
  "Na ce, ina so a kori Ozek!" - Firayim Minista ya yi ihu. "Yi yanzu!"
    
  "Yi shiru!" Shugaba Hirsiz ya yi kururuwa, ya kusa roko. "Kowa, don Allah yi shiru!" Shugaban ya ga kamar gwagwarmayar cikin gida ta shirya tsaga shi. Ya kalli masu ba shi shawara da alama bashi da amsa. Komawa ga Ozek, ya ce a cikin rawar murya, "An kashe Amurkawa da 'yan Iraqi da yawa marasa laifi a daren yau, Janar."
    
  "Yi hakuri, yallabai," in ji Ozek. "Ina daukar cikakken alhaki. Amma ko za mu iya sanin adadin 'yan ta'addar PKK nawa muka kashe a daren nan? Kuma idan Amurkawa ko Iraqi da ke jagorantar wannan bincike da ake kira sun taba gaya mana nawa aka kashe "yan ta"adda, shin za mu samu damar shaida wa duniya abin da suka yi wa Turkawa da ba su ji ba ba su gani ba? Hirsiz bai bata amsa ba sai kallon wani waje da ke jikin bangon, hakan yasa Ozek ya dauke hankalinsa ya juya ya fice.
    
  "Dakata, Janar," in ji Hirsiz.
    
  "Ba za ku yi la'akari da wannan ra'ayin ba, Kurzat!" Firayi Minista Akas ta ce, bakinta ya bude da mamaki.
    
  "Janar ya yi gaskiya, Icy," in ji Hirsiz. "Wannan kuma wani lamari ne da za a yi wa Turkiyya kazafi..." Da wadannan kalaman ya kife, ya damko kujerarsa da hannaye biyu ya buga ta da saurin turawa: "Kuma yana sa ni rashin lafiya! Ba zan kalli maza da matan Turkawa da ido in yi sabon alkawari da uzuri ba! Ina son wannan ya ƙare. Ina son PKK su ji tsoron wannan gwamnati...a'a ina son Amurkawa, Iraki, duk duniya su ji tsoronmu! Na gaji da zama akuyar kowa! Minister Jizek!"
    
  "Yallabai!"
    
  Hirsiz ya ce "Ina so in ga wani tsarin aiki a kan tebura da wuri-wuri wanda ya bayyana aikin lalata sansanonin horar da 'yan ta'addar PKK a Iraki." "Ina so in rage yawan asarar fararen hula, kuma ina son ya kasance cikin sauri, inganci da kuma cikakke. Mun san cewa duk duniya za ta sauka a kanmu, kuma kusan daga ranar farko za a fuskanci matsin lamba don janye sojoji, don haka aikin dole ne ya kasance cikin sauri, inganci da kuma girma."
    
  "I, sir," in ji Jizek. "Da jin dadi".
    
  Hirsiz ya haura zuwa Ozek ya ɗora hannuwansa a kafaɗun janar ɗin, wannan lokacin bai ji tsoro ya kalli fuskarsa da ta yi rauni ba. "Na rantse," in ji shi, "ba zan taɓa barin ɗaya daga cikin janar-janar na ya ɗauki alhakin wani aiki da na ba da izini ba. Ni ne babban kwamanda. Lokacin da aka fara wannan aiki, Janar, idan kun shirya, ina so ku jagoranci rundunar da za ta kai hari a tsakiyar PKK. Idan har kana da karfin da za ka iya fitowa daga cikin jirgin da ya fado sannan ka zo nan Ankara ka tunkare ni, kana da karfin murkushe 'yan ta'addar PKK."
    
  "Na gode yallabai," in ji Ozek.
    
  Hirsiz ya juya ga sauran masu ba da shawara a cikin dakin. "Ozek ne kadai ya bayyana ra"ayinsa ga shugaban kasa - wannan shine irin mutumin da nake son gani a matsayin mai ba ni shawara daga yau. Samar da wani shiri na fatattakar PKK sau daya."
    
    
  BABI NA HUDU
    
    
  Ba a buƙatar dalilai ko abota don jayayya.
    
  -IBICUS, 580 BC
    
    
    
  NAKHLA ALLIED AIR BASE, IRAQ
  BAYAN KWANA BIYU
    
    
  Muryoyin da ke cikin Tankin sun fi damun su fiye da da; babu wanda ya yi magana sai don sanarwa ko yin tsokaci. Idan ba su yi wani abu dabam ba, shugabannin sassan, ma'aikata da ƙwararru sun zauna kai tsaye a kujerunsu kuma suna duban gaba - babu magana da abokan aikinsu, babu mikewa, babu alamun zaman banza.
    
  Kanar Wilhelm ya shiga cikin dakin yaƙi, ya ɗauki matsayinsa a na'urar wasan bidiyo na gaba kuma ya sanya belun kunne. Ba tare da ya fuskanci hedkwatarsa ba, ya yi magana ta hanyar sadarwar: "An umurce mu da mu dakatar da duk wani aiki ban da kayan aiki, leken asiri da leken asiri. Babu tallafin yaƙi na IA har sai ƙarin sanarwa. "
    
  "Amma duk da 'yan kwangila ne, yallabai," in ji wani a kan intercom. "Me za mu yi?"
    
  Wilhelm ya ce: "Za mu yi atisaye idan har al'amura ba su dace da Turkiyya ba."
    
  "Yallabai muna yaƙi da Turkiyya?" - ya tambayi babban jami'in rundunar, Mark Wetherby.
    
  "Ba daidai ba," Wilhelm ya amsa ba tare da launi ba.
    
  "To yallabai me yasa muke ja da baya?" ya tambayi Jami'in Ayyuka na Regimental Kenneth Bruno. "Ba mu yi wasa ba. Dole ne mu doke Turkiyya zuwa jahannama saboda-"
    
  "Na yi tambayoyi iri ɗaya kuma na yi sharhi iri ɗaya," Wilhelm ya katse, "kuma ma'aikatar Pentagon ta ce da ni in yi shiru, don haka yanzu ina gaya muku: ku yi shiru. Saurara kuma ku mika kalmar ga sojojin ku:
    
  "Muna ci gaba da kasancewa cikin yanayin kariyar rundunar Delta. Idan na gan ku a rana, ba tare da cikar yaƙinku ba, kuma ba ku riga kuka mutu ba, zan kashe ku da kaina. Wannan tushe za a rufe shi da ƙarfi fiye da zubar da shara. Bone ya tabbata ga duk wanda aka gan shi ba tare da an gani ba kuma aka nuna shi a inda ya dace, kuma wannan ya hada da manyan ma"aikata musamman farar hula.
    
  "Daga wannan lokacin, wannan sansanin yana karkashin dokar soji - idan ba a ba mu damar kare sojojin Iraki da ke zaune da kuma aiki tare da mu ba, za mu tsine wa kanmu da kyau," in ji Wilhelm. "Ba za mu zauna tare da babban yatsan mu ba - za mu ci gaba da yin atisaye muddin aka ba mu damar samun sauki. Na gaba, Triple-C za a canja shi zuwa IA da zaran-"
    
  "Me?" - wani ya ce.
    
  "Na ce yi shiru," Wilhelm ya yi murmushi. "Sakon hukuma daga Pentagon: ba za mu sami sauƙi ba. Muna rufe kantin sayar da kuma juya Triple-C zuwa Harkokin Cikin Gida. Ana janye dukkan dakarun da ke yaki daga Iraki kafin lokacin da aka tsara. Tsaron cikin gida ya karbi ragamar mulki." Rana ce da da yawa a wannan dakin suka yi addu'a, ranar da za su bar Iraki da alheri, amma abin mamaki babu wanda ya yi murna. "Lafiya?" Wilhelm ya tambaya yana duban tankin. "Ba Mokes kake murna ba?"
    
  Shiru mai tsawo ya biyo baya; sai Mark Weatherly ya ce, "Yana sa mu zama kamar muna gudu, yallabai."
    
  "Yana sa mu yi kama da ba za mu iya cin nasara ba," wani ya ce a ciki.
    
  "Na san haka," in ji Wilhelm. "Amma mun sani daban." Wannan bai yi kama da ya gamsar da kowa ba-shirun ya yi kama. "Za mu cire duk wasu kayan da aka keɓance, waɗanda a iya fahimtata, idan babu cikakkun bayanai za su zama mafi yawan kayan aikin mu, amma sauran za a tura su ga sojojin Iraki. Har yanzu za mu kasance a nan don horarwa da taimaka wa IA, amma ba cikin ayyukan yaƙi ba. Babu tabbas ko ra'ayinsu na 'ayyukan tsaro' ya dace da namu, don haka har yanzu muna iya ganin wani mataki, amma ba zan yi wasa da shi ba. Ina McLahanan?"
    
  "Na shirya, Kanar," Patrick ya amsa a kan hanyar sadarwar kwamandan. "Ina cikin hangar."
    
  "Babban aikin rundunar a yanzu shi ne tallafa wa sojojin kwantiragin," in ji Wilhelm, muryarsa mai tsananin sanyi da rashin tausayi, "saboda duk sa ido da tsaro za su gudanar da su. Sojoji a yanzu ita ce tashar wutar lantarki da muke da su a Koriya kafin haɗewa, kuma wataƙila za a rage mu zuwa ƙarami fiye da kafin mu bar wurin gaba ɗaya. Janar McLanahan, ya sadu da Kyaftin Cotter kuma ku daidaita tsarin daidaita sararin samaniya tare da jiragen sama, jirage marasa matuka da jiragen sa ido."
    
  "Iya, Colonel."
    
  "McLanahan, ku same ni a hangar cikin biyar. Kowa, Babban Darakta zai sadu da ku don tattaunawa game da cire kayan aiki na musamman da fara shirin horo. Oh, ƙarin abu ɗaya: sabis ɗin tunawa na Platoon na biyu shine daren yau; Gobe da safe za a tura su da jirgin sama zuwa Jamus. Shi ke nan ". Ya jefa headphone dinsa akan tebir ya fita ba tare da ya kalli kowa ba.
    
  An matsar da XC-57 zuwa wani babban tanti na waje domin a yi amfani da rataya mai kwandishan don shirya mambobin Platoon na biyu da suka mutu don tashi daga Iraki. Jirgin jigilar kayayyaki na C-130 Hercules ya isar da buƙatun canja wurin aluminum daga Kuwait kuma ba a kwashe su a shirye-shiryen lodi. An jera teburan gawarwakin sojoji a cikin jakunkunan gawarwaki, sannan kuma ma"aikatan jinya, da masu aikin gawa da masu aikin rajista, da sauran sojojin da ke sama da kasa suka yi ta tafiya a kan layi don taimaka musu, yi musu addu"a ko ban kwana. An kafa wata mota mai sanyi a kusa da wurin don adana gawarwakin sojojin da suka samu munanan raunuka.
    
  Wilhelm ya sami Patrick a tsaye kusa da daya daga cikin jakunkunan jikin yayin da wani mai aikin sa kai ke jira ya ajiye jakar. Sa"ad da Patrick ya lura da kwamandan rundunar da ke tsaye daura da shi, sai ya ce: "Gamaliel kwararre ne ya zo da daddare kafin aikin. Ya ce yana son sanin yadda ake tashi da manyan bama-bamai da jiragen sama. Ya shaida min cewa ya dade yana son tashi sama kuma yana tunanin shiga rundunar sojin sama domin ya shiga sararin samaniya. Mun shafe kusan mintuna goma sha biyar muna magana sannan ya tafi ya koma tawagarsa."
    
  Wilhelm ya dubi jikin da aka garkake da jini, ya yi shiru na gode, soja, sannan ya ce da babbar murya: "Muna bukatar mu yi magana, Janar." Ya gyada kai ga sojojin dake jira, cikin girmamawa suka karasa zip jakar jikin. Ya bi Patrick tare da jeri na jakunkuna na jiki, sannan ya shiga wani keɓantaccen yanki na hangar. "Za mu sami VIPs da ke tashi daga baya a yau a cikin CV-22 Osprey," in ji shi.
    
  "Mataimakin shugaban kasar Phoenix. Na sani".
    
  "Yaya ka san duk wannan da sauri, McLahan?"
    
  "Yana yawo a cikin XC-57 namu na biyu, ba Osprey ba," in ji Patrick. "Suna tsoron cewa Osprey ya fi girman hari."
    
  "Dole ne ku kasance masu kusanci da Fadar White House don cire wannan." Patrick bai ce komai ba. "Kuna da wata alaka da shawarar daina fada?"
    
  "Kun san kuna rusa ayyukan yaki," in ji Patrick. "Abin da ya faru a Zakho ya kara saurin faruwa ne kawai. Dangane da yadda na san wasu abubuwa...aikina ne na sani ko koyon wani abu. Ina amfani da kowane kayan aiki da nake da shi don tattara bayanai da yawa gwargwadon iko. "
    
  Wilhelm ya dauki mataki zuwa Patrick ... amma wannan lokacin ba barazana ba ne. Kamar yana da wata tambaya mai mahimmanci, kai tsaye, da kuma gaggawar da ba ya son wasu su ji, idan ta iya bayyana tsoro ko ruɗani. "Waye ku mutanen?" Ya tambaya cikin sanyin murya, kusan a sanyaye. "Me ke faruwa a nan?"
    
  A karon farko, Patrick ya tausasa ra'ayinsa game da kwamandan rundunar. Babu shakka ya san yadda ake rasa maza a yaƙi kuma ya daina kula da wani yanayi, kuma ya fahimci yadda Wilhelm yake ji. Amma har yanzu bai sami amsa ko bayani ba tukuna.
    
  "Na yi nadama da rashinka, Colonel," in ji Patrick. "Yanzu idan za ku yi min uzuri, ina da jirgi ya zo."
    
  Jirgin na biyu na XC-57 da ya gaza ya sauka a tashar jiragen saman Allied Air Nala da misalin karfe takwas na yamma agogon kasar. Kafin haka dai an samu wani jirgin jigilar CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor, wanda aka ce "yan jaridu da jiga-jigan yankin zai dauki mataimakin shugaban kasar. CV-22 ya yi daidaitaccen isowa na "high-performance" - mirgina mai sauri a cikin tushe daga tsayi mai tsayi, tare da da'irar da'irar da ke kan tushe don rage gudu da tsayi-kuma ba ta fuskanci matsala ba. A lokacin da jami'an tsaro suka raka Osprey a cikin rataye, jirgin XC-57 ya riga ya sauka kuma ya yi jigilar kaya zuwa wani bangare na sansanin.
    
  Jack Wilhelm, Patrick McLaanahan, John Masters, Chris Thompson da Mark Weatherly, duk sanye da kayan farar hula iri ɗaya - jeans shuɗi, takalmi, rigar farar fata, tabarau da rigar launin ruwan kasa kamar abin da jami'an tsaron Chris Thompson suka saba sawa - sun tsaya kusa da gidan. XC-57 yayin da Mataimakin Shugaban kasa ya yi tafiya a kan tudu.
    
  Sai dai wanda yake sanye da kayan sawa, shi ne Kanar Yusuf Jaffar, kwamandan rundunar sojin kasar Iraqi ta rundunar sojojin kawancen Nakhla. Yana sanye da rigar yaƙin sahara mai launin toka da ya saba, amma wannan lokacin yana sanye da wata koren rawaya mai yawan lambobin yabo a jikin rigar rigarsa, baƙaƙen takalmi, takalmi masu gogewa sosai, bindigar bindiga da bindiga mai sarrafa kansa mai caliber .45. Bai ce wa kowa komai ba sai mataimakinsa, amma da alama yana kallon Patrick, kamar yana son yin magana da shi.
    
  Babu wanda sai Jaffar ya yi gaisuwa yayin da mataimakin shugaban kasar Kenneth Phoenix ya taka kasa. Phoenix ya yi ado iri ɗaya da sauran Amurkawa - ya yi kama da gungun masu gadin farar hula. Wasu maza da mata da yawa sanye da irin wannan kayan sun fito.
    
  Phoenix ya dubeta yana murmushi ganin abin da ya gani, har sai da idanunsa suka sauka kan wata fuskar da ya saba. "Alhamdulilah na gane wani. Na fara ji kamar ina yin wani bakon mafarki." Ya haura zuwa Patrick kuma ya mika hannunsa. "Naji dadin ganinka, General."
    
  "Ni ma na yi farin cikin ganinka, mai girma mataimakin shugaban kasa. Barka da zuwa Iraki."
    
  "Da ma hakan ya faru a cikin yanayi mafi farin ciki. Don haka yanzu kuna aiki don "bangaren duhu": 'yan kwangilar tsaro na mugunta. Patrick bai amsa ba. "Gabatar da ni ga kowa."
    
  "Iya sir. Kanar Yusuf Jaffar, Kwamandan Rundunar Sojojin Nala.
    
  Jaffar ya rik'a sallama har aka gabatar da shi, sannan ya tsaya a hankali har Phoenix ya mik'a masa hannu. "Naji dadin haduwa da ku, Colonel."
    
  Jaffar ya girgiza hannu da kyar ya mik'e. "Ina farin ciki da ka ziyarci tushe na da kasata, yallabai," in ji shi a cikin babbar murya, kalmominsa suna da kyau sosai. "Assalamu Alaikum. Barka da zuwa Jamhuriyar Iraki da Nakhla Allied Air Base."
    
  "Es-salaam alekum," Phoenix ya fada cikin kyakkyawan larabci mai ban mamaki. "Yi hakuri da rashinka, yallabai."
    
  "Mazana sun yi aiki da daraja kuma sun mutu a matsayin shahidai a hidimar kasarsu," in ji Jaffar. "Suna zaune a hannun dama na Allah. Amma wadanda suka yi haka, za su biya da yawa." Hankalinsa ya dauka ya kau da kai daga Phoenix, yana gama hirarsu.
    
  "Mr. mataimakin shugaban kasa, Colonel Jack Wilhelm, Regimental Kwamandan."
    
  Phoenix ya mika hannunsa kuma Wilhelm ya dauka. "Na yi matukar nadama da asararka, Kanar," in ji shi. "Idan kuna buƙatar wani abu, wani abu, ku zo wurina kai tsaye."
    
  "A wannan lokacin, roƙona kawai shine ka halarci bikin Platoon na biyu, yallabai. Zai kasance nan da sa'o'i biyu."
    
  "Tabbas, Colonel. Zan zo wurin ". William ya gabatar da sauran umarninsa, kuma mataimakin shugaban kasa ya gabatar da sauran da suka zo tare da shi. Daga nan Chris Thompson ya jagorance su zuwa ga motocin sulke masu jira.
    
  Kafin Patrick ya shiga Suburban mai sulke, mataimakin Jaffar ya matso kusa da shi ya gaishe shi. "Yi hakuri da katsewar, yallabai," in ji mataimakin a cikin Turanci mai kyau. " Kanar yana son yin magana da ku."
    
  Patrick ya kalli Jaffar, wanda wani bangare ya juya masa baya. "Shin wannan zai iya jira har sai an kammala bayaninmu da Mataimakin Shugaban kasa?"
    
  "Karal ba zai halarci taron ba, yallabai. Don Allah?" Patrick ya gyada kai tare da nuna wa direban ya tafi.
    
  Baƙin Iraqi ya ɗauke hankali ya yi sallama yayin da Patrick ya nufo shi. Patrick ya mayar da gaisuwarsa. "General McLanahan. Ina neman afuwar katsewar da aka yi."
    
  "Ba za ku halarci taron tare da Mataimakin Shugaban Kasa, Kanar?"
    
  "Zai zama cin fuska ga kwamandana da kuma babban hafsan hafsan sojojin Iraki idan na halarci irin wannan taro a gabansu," Jaffar ya bayyana. "Dole ne a bi waɗannan ka'idoji." Ya kalli McLanahan, sannan ya kara da cewa: "Ina tsammanin kwamandojinku da jami'an diflomasiyya a Bagadaza za su ji haushi ta wannan hanyar."
    
  "Wannan shine shawarar mataimakin shugaban kasa, ba namu ba."
    
  "Mataimakin shugaban kasa ya damu da irin waɗannan ka'idoji?"
    
  "Ya zo nan don gano abin da ya faru da kuma yadda gwamnatinmu za ta taimaka wajen daidaita al'amura, maimakon bin ka'idoji."
    
  Jaffar ya gyada kai. "Na gane".
    
  "Mai yiyuwa yayi tunanin cewa rashin halartar taron ya saba wa ka"ida, Kanar. A karshen wannan rana, yana nan don taimakawa Iraki da sojojin Iraki."
    
  "Haka ne, General?" Jaffar ya tambaya, muryarsa a kaifi. "Ya zo ba tare da an gayyace shi ƙasarmu ba kuma yana tsammanin in halarci taron taƙaitaccen bayanin da shugabanmu bai ji ba tukuna?" Ya yi kamar ya duba maganarsa, sannan ya yi tsaki. "Don Allah a isar da gafarata ga mataimakin shugaban kasa."
    
  "Lallai. Zan iya cika ku daga baya idan kun fi so."
    
  "Hakan zai zama karbuwa, Janar," in ji Jafar. "Yallabai, zan iya samun izini in duba jirgin leken asirinka da wuri na?"
    
  Patrick ya ɗan yi mamaki: Jaffar bai nuna sha'awar ayyukansu ba kwata-kwata a cikin ɗan gajeren lokacin da ya kasance a wurin. "Akwai wasu na'urori da na'urori waɗanda aka rarraba kuma ba zan iya ba-"
    
  "Na fahimta, yallabai. Na yi imani kuna kiran shi NOFORN - ba 'yan kasashen waje ba. Na fahimta gaba daya."
    
  "Sa'an nan zan yi farin cikin nuna muku shi," in ji Patrick. "Zan iya yi muku bayani kan jirgin leken asiri na yau, in nuna muku a kusa da jirgin kafin a fara binciken jirgin, sannan in sake duba bayanan da ba a tantance ba yayin da muke karba don nuna muku iyawarmu. Dole ne in sami izini daga Kanar Wilhelm da kamfani na, amma ba na tunanin hakan zai zama matsala. Sa'o'i dari tara a ofishin ku?"
    
  "Wannan abin karba ne, Janar McLanahan," in ji Jaffar. Patrick ya gyada kai tare da mika hannu, amma Jaffar ya zaro hankalinsa, ya yi sallama, ya juyo a dunkule, da sauri ya nufi motar da take jira, mataimakinsa ya biyo baya. Patrick ya girgiza kai a rude, sannan ya shiga cikin Hummer da ake jira, wanda ya kai shi ofishin Kwamandan.
    
  Wilhelm yana jiran shi a ɗakin taro yana kallon Tafki. Mark Weatherly ya gabatar da VP ga wasu ma'aikata kuma ya bayyana tsarin Triple-C da tanki. "Ina Jafar?" Wilhelm ya tambaya cikin sanyin murya.
    
  "Ba zai zo wurin taron ba. Ya ce hakan zai bata wa kwamandojinsa rai idan ya fara magana da mataimakin shugaban kasa."
    
  "La'ananne haji-dole ne don amfanin kansa," in ji Wilhelm. "Me yasa jahannama bai gaya mani da kansa ba?" Patrick bai amsa ba. "Me kuke magana?"
    
  "Yana son rangadin Loser, samun taƙaitaccen bayani kan iyawarmu, kuma ya ga aikin bincike na gaba."
    
  "Tun yaushe yake sha'awar wannan duka?" Wilhelm ya yi murmushi. "Yau ne, na dukkan kwanaki, daidai bayan da muka harba jakunanmu kuma Washington ta yi ta rarrafe sama da kasa."
    
  "Na ce masa ina bukatar izininka tukuna."
    
  Wilhelm yana shirin cewa a'a, amma sai kawai ya girgiza kai ya yi tagumi a karkashin numfashinsa. "Yana da hakkin ya kasance a cikin Tanki a duk lokacin da ake gudanar da ayyuka - saboda Allah mun bar masa kujerar kwamandan a bude, duk da cewa bai taba zuwa ba - don haka ina ganin ba ni da zabi. Amma ba zai iya ganin kayan NOFORN ba."
    
  "Haka na fada masa kuma ya gane. Har ma ya san kalmar."
    
  "Wataƙila ya gan shi a fim kuma yana son maimaita shi a kowane zarafi. Nasan ya makale a makogwaronsa." Wilhelm ya sake girgiza kai, kamar yana goge duk zancen a zuciyarsa. "Har yanzu za ku gaya wa Mataimakin Shugaban ka'idar ku?"
    
  "Iya".
    
  "Kawai za ku iya haɗa biyu da biyu tare ku sami biyar. Wannan ita ce jana'izar ku. To, bari mu gama da wannan." Wilhelm ya gyada wa Weatherly, wanda ya katse jawabinsa kuma ya yi nuni ga mataimakin shugaban kasa ya zauna a dakin jira.
    
  Wilhelm ya tsaya da kyar akan dais yayin da kowa ya zauna. "Mai girma mataimakin shugaban kasa, manyan baki, na gode da wannan ziyarar," ya fara. "Kasancewar ku ba da jimawa ba bayan bala"in da ya faru a daren jiya yana aike da sako mai haske da muhimmanci ba ga rundunar sojojin ba kawai, amma ga duk wanda ke da hannu a cikin wannan rikici. Ni da ma'aikatana a shirye muke mu taimaka muku wajen bincikenku.
    
  "Na san akwai mutane da yawa masu muhimmanci - Firayim Ministan Iraki, jakada, kwamandan dakarun hadin gwiwa a Iraki - wadanda ke jiran gaishe ku, wadanda za su yi matukar fushi da jin cewa kun zo nan maimakon ku je. hedkwatar tushe, don saduwa da su," Wilhelm ya ci gaba da cewa, "amma Janar McLahanan da ni muna tsammanin kuna bukatar jin mu da farko. Abin takaici, kwamandan sansanin, Kanar Jaffar, ba zai zo nan ba."
    
  "Yace me zai hana, Colonel?" - ya tambayi mataimakin shugaban kasar.
    
  "Ya ce min zai sabawa ka'ida in yi magana da kai kafin manyan jami'ansa su yi magana," Patrick ya amsa. "Ya aika da nadama."
    
  "Mutanensa ne aka kashe kuma aka kai wa kasarsa hari. Wane bambanci ne wanda ya fara ji daga gare mu?"
    
  "Yallabai kana so in dawo da shi nan?"
    
  "A'a, mu ci gaba," in ji Phoenix. "A yanzu haka, a gaskiya ban damu da taka kafa ba sai wadanda ke da alhakin kashe sojojinmu, sannan zan tabbatar an lalatar da "yan iska.
    
  "To, "yan uwa, na so in samu wannan bayanin ne daga wurinku, domin na san Iraqi da Kurdawa da Turkawa suna so su yi mani bayani nan ba da dadewa ba, kuma na san za su bi ta wannan hanyar; Ina so in ji kalmarka ta farko. Turkawa dai sun ce babu abin da suke yi illa kare kasarsu daga 'yan ta'addar PKK, kuma harin bam din da aka kai wani mummunan lamari ne amma kuskure ne mai sauki. Mu ji ra'ayinku."
    
  "Na fahimta sir." Nunin na'urar lantarki da ke bayan Wilhelm ya zo rayuwa, yana nuna taswirar yankin iyaka tsakanin arewacin Iraki da kudu maso gabashin Turkiyya. "A cikin shekarar da ta gabata, sun kara yawan dakarunsu na kan iyaka a Jandarma, ciki har da bataliyoyin soji na musamman, da kuma wasu rundunonin sama da dama, don taimakawa wajen magance kutsen 'yan ta'addar PKK. Sun kuma aika da rundunonin sojoji na yau da kullun zuwa kudu maso yamma, watakila birged daya ko biyu."
    
  "Fiye da turawa na yau da kullun, ina ɗauka?" Inji mataimakin shugaban kasar.
    
  "Yallabai, har ma da la'akari da hare-haren ta'addanci na PKK a Diyarbakir," Wilhelm ya amsa.
    
  "Me kuma muke da shi a wannan bangaren?"
    
  "Tare da 'yan Iraki, yallabai, kusan kashi uku na sojojinsu da wani karamin bangare na sojojin sama," Wilhelm ya amsa. "Babban barazanar ita ce rundunarsu ta dabara a yankin. Diyarbakir gida ce ga Rundunar Sojan Sama ta Tactical ta biyu, wacce ke da alhakin kare iyakokin Siriya, Iraki da Iran. Suna da fuka-fuki biyu na F-16-Bombers da kuma reshe ɗaya na F-4E fatalwa fighter-bombers, da wani sabon reshe na biyu A-10 Thunderbolt kusa-a jirgin sama goyon bayan iska da kuma daya reshe na F-15E Strike Eagle fighter- bama-bamai da aka samu kwanan nan daga Amurka a matsayin kayan aikin rarar kayayyaki."
    
  "Ragiwar F-15 ita ce mafi girman abin da na taba ji," in ji mataimakin shugaban kasar, yana girgiza kai. "Shin har yanzu ba a ci su da yaƙi ba?"
    
  "Na yi imani haka, yallabai," in ji William. "Amma tare da raguwar mayakan sojojin saman Amurka na baya-bayan nan don nuna goyon baya ga mayaka na dabarun soja na Navy da Marine Corps, akwai kyawawan makamai na Amurka da yawa a kasuwan fitarwa."
    
  "Na sani, na sani-Na yi yaƙi sosai don dakatar da fitar da irin waɗannan kayan fasaha," in ji Phoenix. "Amma Shugaba Gardner kwararre ne na soja na gaske sannan kuma babban mai goyon bayan sojojin ruwa ne, kuma Majalisa ta ba da goyon bayansa sosai wajen kawo sauyi da tsare-tsare na zamani. An yi amfani da rundunar sojojin sama kuma kasashe irin su Turkiyya suna cin gajiyar hakan. Idan ba za mu iya canza F-22 don ayyukan jigilar kaya ba, tabbas Turkiyya za ta sami Raptors ma. To, akwatin sabulun ya ƙare. Da fatan za a ci gaba, Colonel. Wane irin barazana kuke fuskanta?"
    
  "manyan na'urorin kariya na jiragen su, irin su Patriot missiles, manyan makamai masu linzami na radar-guid triple-A missiles da British Rapier surface-to-air missiles, suna nufin Iran da Siriya," in ji Wilhelm. "Muna iya tsammanin za su matsar da wasu tsarin zuwa yamma, amma ba shakka Iraki ba barazanar iska ba ce, don haka ina tsammanin za su ci gaba da yin amfani da SAM na su a kan Iran da Siriya. Ana iya samun kananan bindigogi da rokoki Stinger a ko'ina kuma bataliyoyin masu sulke suna amfani da su sosai.
    
  "Dakarun Turkiyya na Jandarma na tura bataliyoyin ayyuka na musamman domin farauta da lalata 'yan ta'addar PKK. An horar da su sosai kuma muna la'akari da su daidai da sashin bincike na Marine - haske, sauri, wayar hannu da kisa."
    
  Patrick ya kara da cewa "Kwamandan nasu, Janar Besir Ozek, ya samu munanan raunuka a harin da 'yan ta'addar PKK suka kai a Diyarbakir, amma da alama ya tashi tsaye yana jagorantar dakarunsa wajen gudanar da bincike da lalata a yankunan kan iyaka. Babu shakka shi ne ya kai harin roka kan Zakhu."
    
  "Tabbas ina bukatar magana da shi," in ji mataimakin shugaban. "To Kanar, menene bayaninka akan duk wannan aikin?"
    
  Wilhelm ya ce, "Ba aikina ba ne in bincika, amma suna shirin kai wa PKK hari. Suna tallafawa Jandarma da sojoji na yau da kullun don nuna karfin tuwo. 'Yan ta'addar PKK za su watse kuma su kauda kai kasa; Turkawa za su buge wasu sansanoni kaɗan, sannan komai zai koma daidai daidai. 'Yan ta'addar PKK sun shafe sama da shekaru 30 suna yin haka-Turkiyya ba za ta iya hana su ba."
    
  "Aika cikin dakarun soji na yau da kullun abu ne da ba su yi ba a baya," in ji Phoenix. Ya kalli Patrick. "General, ka yi shiru." Ya waiwaya kan Wilhelm. "Da alama akwai rashin jituwa a nan. Kanar?
    
  "Yallabai, Janar McLanahan yana da ra'ayin cewa wannan ginin da sojojin Turkiyya suka yi a wannan yanki wani share fage ne na kai hari ga Iraki."
    
  "Mamayar Iraki?" Phoenix ya yi kira. "Na san sun yi hare-haren wuce gona da iri a tsawon shekaru, amma me yasa aka mamaye gaba daya, Janar?"
    
  "Yallabai, saboda sun gudanar da hare-hare da yawa kuma sun kasa dakatarwa ko ma rage yawan hare-haren na PKK wanda hakan zai sa su fara kai farmaki ga 'yan ta'addar PKK a Iraki - ba wai kawai a tungarsu ba, horo. sansanoni da wuraren samar da kayayyaki a kan iyaka, amma kuma a kan shugabancin Kurdawa da kansa. Ina ganin za su so a magance matsalar PKK ta hanyar walkiya guda tare da kashe mutane da dama kafin Amurka da kasashen duniya su tilasta musu barin kasar."
    
  "Kanar?"
    
  Wilhelm ya ce "Turkawa ba su da karfin gwiwa, yallabai." "Muna magana ne game da wani aiki mai kama da na Desert Storm - akalla dakaru dubu dari biyu da hamsin. A jimilce dai akwai kimanin mutane dubu dari hudu a cikin sojojin Turkiyya, wadanda akasarinsu wadanda aka yi wa aikin. Suna buƙatar aiwatar da kashi ɗaya bisa uku na sojojinsu na yau da kullun tare da wani rabin adadin ajiyarsu don wannan aiki guda. Wannan zai ɗauki watanni da biliyoyin daloli. Sojojin Turkiyya ba rundunar soja ba ce kawai - an tsara ta ne domin yaki da "yan tawaye da kuma kare kai, ba wai don mamaye wasu kasashe ba.
    
  "Gaba ɗaya?"
    
  Patrick ya ce "Turkawa za su yi yaki a kan kasarsu kuma suna gwagwarmaya don kare kansu da kuma alfaharin kasa." "Idan suka tura rabin dakarunsu na yau da kullun da na ajiyar su, da za su sami dakaru kusan rabin miliyan a hannunsu, kuma suna da tarin ƙwararrun ƙwararrun ƙwararrun sojoji da za su iya zana. Ban ga dalilin da zai sa ba za su ba da umarnin gudanar da cikakken shirin duk dakarun da za su samu damar hallaka PKK sau daya ba.
    
  "Amma sabon mai canza wasa a nan shi ne sojojin saman Turkiyya," in ji Patrick. "A cikin shekarun da suka gabata, sojojin Turkiyya da farko sun kasance rundunar yaki da ta'addanci ta cikin gida tare da matsayi na biyu a matsayin na'urar ta NATO a kan Tarayyar Soviet. Sojojin ruwanta na da kyau, amma manufarta ita ce kare Bosphorus da Dardanelles da kuma sintiri a Tekun Aegean. Rundunar sojojin saman ba su da yawa saboda sun dogara da goyon bayan sojojin saman Amurka.
    
  "Amma a cikin shekaru biyu da suka gabata lamarin ya canza, kuma a yanzu Turkiyya ita ce ta fi kowacce yawan sojojin sama a Turai, in ban da Rasha. Sun sayi da yawa fiye da rarar F-15, yallabai - sun sayi kowane nau'in rarar jiragen sama wadanda ba su da takamaiman jigilar kaya, ciki har da A-10 Thunderbolt dabarar bama-bamai, AC-130 Specter da helikwafta na Apache, tare da makamai kamar makamai masu linzami." Makamai masu linzami na Patriot daga sama zuwa sama, AMRAAM makami mai linzami na iska zuwa iska da Maverick da na Jahannama madaidaicin makami mai linzami na iska zuwa saman. Suna kera mayakan F-16 a karkashin lasisi a Turkiyya; suna da gungun F-16 da yawa don yin aiki kamar yadda muka yi a Desert Storm, kuma duk za su yi yaƙi a gida. Kuma ba zan rage kariyar tsaron su cikin sauki ba: za su iya amfani da Patriots da Rapiers cikin sauki wajen dakile duk wani abu da muke yi."
    
  Mataimakin shugaban kasar Phoenix ya dan yi tunani sannan ya mika kai ga mutanen biyu. "Ku biyu kuna yin gardama mai gamsarwa," in ji shi, "amma ina son in yarda da Kanar Wilhelm." Phoenix ya kalli Patrick cikin tsoro, kamar yana tsammanin adawa, amma Patrick ya yi shiru. "Ina da wuya in yarda da hakan-"
    
  Nan take wayar tayi k'ara, kamar klaxon ta kashe - kowa yasan cewa ba'a yarda da kiran waya a wannan taron ba sai dai idan ya kasance cikin gaggawa. Cikin sanyin jiki ya d'aga wayar... bayan wani d'an lokaci, kallon fuskarsa yasa kowa a d'akin ya lura.
    
  Weatherly ta wuce zuwa ga na'ura mai kula da kwamfuta a kusa, karanta sakon cikin shiru tare da rawar jiki, sannan ya ce, "Saƙon gaggawa daga sashen, yallabai. Ma'aikatar harkokin wajen Amurka ta sanar da mu cewa shugaban kasar Turkiyya na iya ayyana dokar ta baci."
    
  "Damn, na ji tsoron wani abu irin wannan zai faru," in ji Phoenix. "Watakila ba za mu iya ganawa da Turkawa ba don gudanar da bincike game da harba makaman. Kanar, Ina bukatan magana da Fadar White House."
    
  "Zan iya girka shi a yanzu, sir." Wilhelm ya gyada wa Weatherly, wanda nan take ya yi waya da jami'in sadarwa.
    
  "Zan samu bayanai daga jakadan, Iraqi da Turkawa, amma shawarar da zan ba shugaban kasar ita ce ta tsaurara matakan tsaro." Mataimakin shugaban ya juya ga Patrick. "Har yanzu na kasa yarda cewa Turkiyya ta mamaye Iraki tare da sojojin Amurka dubu uku a hanya," in ji shi, "amma a fili lamarin yana canzawa cikin sauri kuma za mu mai da hankali kan hakan. Ina tsammanin abin da mai ciki naka mai ciki ke nufi ke nan, Janar?"
    
  "Iya sir".
    
  "Sa'an nan zan shirya shi," in ji Phoenix yayin da Wilhelm ya nuna masa cewa haɗin gwiwar Fadar White House ta shirya, "saboda ina tsammanin za mu buƙaci ta... nan ba da jimawa ba. Da sannu". Weatherly ya nuna masa cewa na'urar sadarwarsa ta shirya, shi da mataimakin shugaban kasar suka tafi.
    
  Patrick ya tsaya a bayan Wilhelm yayin da kowa ya fito daga dakin taron. "To me kake nufi General?" Wilhelm ya tambaya. "Shin kuna shirin tura mai dauke da juna biyu da bama-bamai a Turkiyya a wannan karon, ba wai kan sashen mu ba? Wannan zai kwantar da hankalin kowa a nan.
    
  Patrick ya ce, "Ba zan tura wanda ya fadi ta hanyar Turkiyya, Kanar ba, amma kuma ba zan bar Turkawa su huta ba." "Ina so in ga abin da Turkawa suke da shi idan wani jirgin sama ya yi kusa da kan iyaka. Mun san za su mayar da martani mai tsauri kan duk wani kutsen da 'yan ta'addar PKK ke yi. Menene za su yi idan ya fara kama da Amurka tana yawo da yawa a gefen iyakar su?"
    
  "Shin kuna ganin wannan yana da wayo, McLanahan? Wannan zai iya ƙara tashin hankali a nan."
    
  "Muna da matattun sojoji da yawa a wurin a hannunka, Kanar," Patrick ya tunatar da shi. "Ina so in tabbatar da cewa Turkawa sun san cewa muna fushi da su sosai a yanzu."
    
    
  Sama da TURKIYA TA KUDU
  YAMMA MAI GABA
    
    
  "A tuntubi, yi alama bravo!" Jami'in kula da dabarun yaki na Patriot MIM-104 ya yi ihu cikin harshen Turkanci. "Ina tsammanin wannan shine wanda ya bayyana kuma ya ɓace tare da mu." Na'urar radar ta sojojin Turkiyya AN/MPQ-53 ta gano jirgin tare da nuna wa masu gudanar da tsarin yaki da Patriot harin. Jami'in da ke kula da dabarun yaki da sauri ya tabbatar da cewa harin na kan iyakar Iraki da Turkiyya ne kai tsaye, amma tun da yake ba ya hulda da jami'an kula da zirga-zirgar jiragen sama na Turkiyya, kuma ba ya aika da kode-naden layukan na'urar, an dauke shi a matsayin cin zarafi na tsawon mil talatin. yankin kariyar tsaron sararin samaniyar Turkiyya; ta kasance ƙasa da ƙasa don kusanci kowane filin jirgin sama a yankin, kuma ta yi nisa da duk wasu hanyoyin jiragen saman farar hula da aka kafa. "Yallabai, ina ba da shawarar sanya maƙasudin 'bravo' a matsayin maƙiya."
    
  Daraktan dabara ya duba nunin radar - babu shakka. "Na yarda," in ji shi. "Shirya manufa Bravo a matsayin maƙiya, aika saƙonnin gargaɗi akan duk matakan gaggawa na farar hula da na soja da mitar zirga-zirgar jiragen sama, da kuma shirye-shiryen shiga." Daraktan Dabarun ya ɗauki amintaccen wayar tarho da aka haɗa ta hanyar microwave kai tsaye zuwa Kwamandan Sashin Tsaron Sama na Rundunar Tsaro ta Hudu a Diyarbakir. "Kamyan, Kamyan, wannan Ustura ne, na gano Bravo da aka hari a matsayin maƙiya, a shirye."
    
  "Ustura, wannan shine manufa ta fito-na-fito da kuke kallo tsawon awanni biyu da suka wuce?" - ya tambayi kwamandan sashin.
    
  "Muna tunanin haka, yallabai," in ji daraktan dabarar. "Kusan wannan jirgi mara matuki ne a cikin binciken sararin samaniya, yana yin la"akari da saurinsa da hanyarsa. Ba za mu iya samun ingantaccen karatu ba tun da farko, amma da alama mun haura zuwa wani tudu mai tsayi don samun kyakkyawan ra'ayi game da arewa."
    
  "Jirgin jama'a?"
    
  "Muna watsa sakonnin gargadi a duk lokacin da wata manufa ta bayyana, kuma a yanzu muna watsa shirye-shiryen a kan duk matakan gaggawa na farar hula da na soja da na zirga-zirgar jiragen sama. Babu amsa kwata-kwata. Idan matukin jirgin bai kashe rediyonsa gaba daya ba, shi makiya ne."
    
  "Na yarda," in ji kwamandan tsaron saman. Ya san cewa wasu sassan tsaro na iska a wuraren da suka fi yawan jama'a sun yi amfani da na'urori masu launi daban-daban don faɗakar da matukan jirgi a gani lokacin da suke barin sararin samaniya, amma ba shi da wannan ladabi - kuma da gaske ba ya so ya yi amfani da shi ko da yana da shi. Duk wani matukin jirgi mara laifi wanda ya isa ya tashi a wannan yanki yayin wannan tashin hankali ya cancanci harbin jakinsa. "Ku kasance a shirye". Ya umarci jami"in hulda da shi: "Ka hada ni da runduna ta biyu a Nakhla da Ankara."
    
  "Rajistar na biyu akan layi, sir, Major Sabasti."
    
  Wannan ya yi sauri, kwamandan sashin ya yi tunani - yawanci kiran kai tsaye zuwa Cibiyar Sarrafa Amurka ana tacewa kuma ana tura su sau da yawa kafin haɗawa, kuma wannan ya ɗauki mintuna da yawa. "Sabasti, Kamyan kenan. Ba mu nuna wani jirgin sama na Amurka a cikin yankin buffer da aka tsara a daren yau ba. Shin za ku iya tabbatar da jirgin Amurka a kan iyaka?"
    
  "Ina kallon taswirar sashen yanzu, yallabai," jami'in huldar ya amsa, "kuma jirgin daya tilo a yankin buffer an riga an rigaya an yi yarjejeniya da kai, mai lamba Kilo-Juliet-biyu-uku-biyu-daya, yana aiki a yankin Peynir."
    
  "Muna kallon wani jirgin sama mai tsayi yana fitowa sama da kasa a wajen kewayon radar. Wannan ba jirgin Amurka ne ko na Iraqi ba?
    
  "Ina nuna jirgin saman Amurka guda uku da na Iraqi guda na leken asiri a iska, yallabai, amma daya ne kawai ke cikin yankin."
    
  "Mene ne wannan?"
    
  Alamar kiransa ita ce Guppy Two-Byu, wani jirgin saman sa ido na Amurka wanda 'yan kwangilar tsaro masu zaman kansu ke sarrafawa." Ya karanta hanyoyin haɗin jirgin da kuma wurin da akwatin da yake kewayawa yake - komai ya yi daidai kamar yadda aka yi yarjejeniya a baya, a cikin yankin Peynir, amma mil arba'in daga wurin da aka bullowa.
    
  "Wannan wane irin jirgi ne Major?"
    
  "Yi hakuri yallabai, amma ka sani ba zan iya gaya maka haka ba. Na ga wannan da idona, kuma na san cewa wannan jirgin leken asiri ne marar makami."
    
  "To, Manjo, watakila za ka iya gaya mani abin da ba haka ba," in ji kwamandan sashin.
    
  "Yallabai..."
    
  "Wa kuke yi wa aiki, Manjo - Amurkawa ko Turkiyya?"
    
  "Ina neman afuwa, yallabai," wata murya ta sa baki. "Wannan fassarar Ba"amurke ce. Ina aiki da Mista Chris Thompson, Sabis na Tsaro na Thompson, Regiment na biyu, Allied Nakhla Air Base, Iraki."
    
  "Na san wane ne jahannama da kuma inda kuke," kwamandan sashin ya ƙwace. "Shin kuna lura da sakwannin rediyo na?"
    
  "Mista Thompson ya ce matsayin yarjejeniyar dakaru tsakanin Amurka, Iraki da Turkiyya ya ba da damar sanya ido kan zirga-zirgar rediyo na yau da kullun da na gaggawa tsakanin sassan soja da ke shiga cikin yarjejeniyar," in ji fassarar. "Ya ce za ku iya bincika wannan tare da Ofishin Harkokin Wajen ku idan ya cancanta."
    
  "Na san yarjejeniyar sosai."
    
  "Iya sir. Mista Thompson yana son in gaya muku cewa takamaiman bayanai game da tsarin da ke da hannu a ayyukan cikin Iraki an ba su izinin fitar da su ne kawai daidai da matsayin yarjejeniyar sojoji. Yarjejeniyar ta baiwa mai sa ido damar ganin jirgin da za a yi amfani da shi kuma ya bi shi a duk tsawon aikin, amma ba zai iya bayyana wani karin bayani ba."
    
  "Thompson, zan harbo wani jirgin da ba a san ko wanene ba wanda ya keta yankin sararin samaniyar Turkiyya," in ji kwamandan sashen. "Ina son samun karin bayani don tabbatar da cewa ban kai hari kan jirgin Amurka ko na Iraqi ba. Idan kuna son yin wasannin kalmomi ko lalata yarjejeniyar matsayin iko a fuskata maimakon taimaka mani tabbatar da ainihin wannan manufa, to haka ya kasance. Major Sabasti."
    
  "Yallabai!"
    
  "Ku sanar da Amurkawa cewa muna bin wani jirgin da ba a san ko wane ne ba a yankin da ba a san shi ba, kuma muna daukarsa a matsayin makiya," in ji kwamandan sashen a cikin harshen Turkanci. "Ina ba su shawarar cewa duk jiragen da ke kawance da masu sintiri na kasa su kasance a isasshiyar tazara, kuma jirgin leken asiri na iya son share wurin sintiri."
    
  "Zan isar da sakon nan take, yallabai."
    
  "Mai kyau sosai". Kwamandan sashin ya katse alakar da wuka a fusace. "Shin Ankara yana kan layi?" Ya yi tsawa.
    
  "Shirya, sir."
    
  "Wannan shine Mat," muryar ta amsa. Kwamandan sashen ya san cewa Mat, wanda ke nufin "checkmate" a Turkanci, shi ne jami'in gudanarwa na babban hafsan hafsoshin sojan kasar. "Muna bin diddigin abokan huldar ku na Radar kuma jami"in hulda da jama"a a Nahla ya sanar da mu cewa kun tuntube su don daidaitawa da tantance su kuma suka ce ba daya daga cikinsu ba ne. Shawara?"
    
  "Sai ka shiga nan da nan yallabai."
    
  "Ku kasance a shirye". Waɗannan kalmomi guda biyu sun la'anci mugayen kalmomi... Amma bayan ɗan lokaci: "Mun yarda, Kamen. Ci gaba kamar yadda aka umarce shi. Fita."
    
  "Kamyan kwafi, tsunduma bisa ga umarnin. Kamen out." Kwamandan sashin ya koma tashar dabararsa: "Ustura, wannan Kamian ne, yi kamar yadda aka umarce shi."
    
  "Kwafin Ustura, shiga cikin yaƙi kamar yadda aka umarce shi. Ustura ya fita." Daraktan dabara ya katse wayar. "An umurce mu da mu shiga yaki kamar yadda aka umarce mu," in ji shi. "Shin akwai wasu canje-canje a cikin yanayin da abin ya faru ko tsayinsa? Ko akwai wani martani ga shirye-shiryenmu?"
    
  "A'a yallabai."
    
  "Mai kyau. Ku shiga fada."
    
  "Na gane' shiga cikin fada.' Jami'in kula da dabara ya miqe, ya daga jan ledar, sannan ya danna babban maballin ja, wanda ya kunna kararrawa na dukkan baturai guda hudu na Patriot da ke warwatse a kudu maso gabashin Turkiyya. Kowane baturi na layin ya ƙunshi manyan jiragen ruwa na Patriot guda huɗu, kowannensu yana da na'urar ƙaddamar da babban ƙarfin Patriot-3 (PAC-3) tare da makamai masu linzami goma sha shida, da ƙarin makamai masu linzami goma sha shida da aka shirya don lodawa. "Ku shiga yaƙi."
    
  Mataimakin mai kula da dabarun ya sake maimaita cewa: "Na fahimci' shiga cikin yaki." Ya duba inda aka kai harin tare da batura na bataliyar Patriot, ya zabi wanda yake kusa da abokan gaba kuma ya danna maɓallin sadarwa tare da wannan baturi. "Ustura biyu, Ustura Biyu, wannan shi ne Ustura, yi, yi, yi, yi."
    
  "Kwafi biyu 'aiki'. An ɗan ɗan dakata, sa'an nan kuma rahoton halin baturi na harbi na biyu ya canza daga "jiran aiki" zuwa "a kunne," wanda ke nufin makamai masu linzami na baturin suna shirye su harba. ."
    
  "An yarda". Jami'in kula da dabara ya ci gaba da danna alamar gargadi yayin da yake kallon yadda ake karanta kwamfutarsa. Tun daga wannan lokacin, gabaɗayan harin ana sarrafa kwamfuta - babu wani abu da mutane za su iya yi sai dai kashe shi idan sun so. Bayan 'yan mintuna kaɗan, Computer Management Computer ta ba da rahoton cewa ta ba da ɗaya daga cikin gungun 'yan ta'addan da ke yammacin garin Beitusebap na dutse don yin yaƙi. "An kunna rukuni na biyar... An harba roka na farko." Bayan dakika hudu: "An cire makami mai linzami na biyu. Radar yana aiki."
    
  Makamai masu linzami na Patriot, suna tafiya fiye da mil dubu uku a cikin sa'a, sun ɗauki ƙasa da daƙiƙa shida kafin su isa ga wadanda abin ya shafa. "Makami mai linzami kai tsaye daya ya buge, yallabai," in ji mataimakin kula da dabarun. Bayan ɗan lokaci: "Makami mai linzami na biyu ya ci karo na biyu, yallabai!"
    
  "Buri na biyu?"
    
  "Iya sir. Tsayin tsayi iri ɗaya, saurin rage saurin iska... Kai tsaye ya bugi maƙiyi na biyu, yallabai!"
    
  "Ashe jirage biyu ne?" daraktan dabara yayi tunani da karfi. "Za su iya tashi cikin tsari?"
    
  "Wataƙila, yallabai," jami'in kula da dabara ya amsa. "Amma me yasa?"
    
  Daraktan dabara ya girgiza kai. "Ba shi da ma"ana, amma duk abin da suke, mun same su. Zai iya zama tarkace daga bugun farko."
    
  "Ya yi kama da girma sosai, yallabai, kamar jirgin sama na biyu."
    
  "To, duk abin da yake, har yanzu muna da merde. Yayi kyau kowa da kowa. Wadannan hare-hare guda biyu sun kasance kudu da kan iyaka, amma a cikin ajiyar tsaro, daidai ne?"
    
  "A gaskiya, yallabai, a cikin ɗan gajeren lokaci yana cikin sararin samaniyar Turkiyya, wanda bai wuce 'yan mil ba, amma tabbas a arewacin iyakar."
    
  "Kisa mai kyau to." Daraktan Dabarun ya dauko wata wayar da ke da alaka da hedkwatar Jandarma da ke Diyarbakir, inda wani ya kamata ya jagoranci shirya taron neman tarkace , wadanda abin ya shafa da kuma shaida. "Kuruk, wannan shi ne Ustura, mun shiga yakin ne muka lalata jirgin makiya. Yanzu ina watsa shirye-shiryen shiga tsakani. "
    
  "Tabbas bai dauki lokaci mai tsawo ba," in ji John Masters. Yana cikin dakin kallo na Tank dake hawa na biyu, yana kallon yakin a laptop dinsa. "Minti biyu daga lokacin da muka canza wurin da aka sa a gaba zuwa kasa. Yana da sauri."
    
  "Wataƙila ba mu yi harbin yaudarar da sauri ba ... suna iya ganin manufa ko da bayan bugun farko na Patriot," in ji Patrick McLanahan.
    
  "Na yi ƙoƙari na kwaikwayi tarkacen tarkacen ta hanyar kiyaye hoton na wasu daƙiƙa guda," in ji John. "Na rage shi da yawa."
    
  "Mu yi fatan za su yi tunanin sun buge su duka," in ji Patrick. "To, don haka mun san cewa Turkawa sun matso da 'yan kishin kasa kusa da kan iyakar Iraki, kuma mun san cewa suna nufin kasuwanci - ba za su yi shakkar bude wuta ba, ko da kan wani abu mai karami kamar mafarauci ko shaho."
    
  "Ko hanyar yaudara," in ji John Masters da farin ciki. "Mun sami damar yin kutse cikin sauƙi na tsarin sarrafa yaƙi na tsarin Patriot tare da shigar da makamin mai girman jirgin a cikin tsarin su. Da muka daga tsayin dabo ya isa, sai suka mayar da martani kamar makiya ne na gaske."
    
  "Lokacin da suka je wurin kuma ba su sami tarkace ba, lokaci na gaba za su yi sha'awar kuma su kasance cikin tsaro," in ji Patrick. "Me kuma muka sani daga wannan yakin?"
    
  "Mun kuma san cewa za su iya gani kuma su yi tafiya har zuwa ƙafa dubu sama da ƙasa," in ji John. "Yana da kyau a kan kyawawan yanayi mara kyau. Wataƙila sun canza radar na Patriot don inganta ƙauyen da ke tattare da shi da kuma iya gano ƙananan tsayi."
    
  "Mu yi fatan abin da suka yi ke nan," in ji Patrick. Ya taɓa maɓallin intercom: "Kin ga yaƙin, Kanar?"
    
  "Na tabbata," Wilhelm ya amsa. "Don haka Turkawa sun tura "yan kishin kasa zuwa yamma. Zan sanar da sashin. Amma har yanzu ba na tunanin Turkiyya za ta mamaye Iraki. Dole ne mu sanar da su dukkan bayanan da muke da su game da yunkurin PKK, mu tabbatar musu da cewa sojojinmu da na Iraki ba su da niyyar mayar da martani, sannan mu bar rikicin ya lafa."
    
    
  AREWA NA BEITUSEBAP, JAMHURIYAR TURKIYA
  YAMMA MAI GABA
    
    
  Tawagar mayakan Kurdawa takwas na Iraki sun yi amfani da dabarun kungiyar maharba-koyar da kansu, karanta littattafai, amfani da Intanet, da kuma nazarin bayanan da tsoffin sojoji suka ba su-domin kaiwa ga abin da suka yi niyya: suna rarrafe mil mil, wani lokacin inci a wani lokaci, ba tare da tashi ba saboda kowane dalili sama da gwiwa; canza kamannin tufafi a duk lokacin da ƙasa ta canza; kula da goge duk wata alama ta kasancewarsu yayin da suke ɗaukar manyan jakunkuna da kuma gangunan gurneti a bayansu.
    
  Daya daga cikin "yan ta"addan mai suna Sadoun Salih, tsohon jami"in "yan sandan Erbil ne, ya fasa wani guntun lemar "ya"yan "ya"yan "ya"yan "ya"yan "ya"yan "ya"yan "ya"yan "ya"yan "ya"yan, inda suka dunkule takalmin mutumin da ke tsaye a gabansa, sannan suka mika masa. "Bayani na ƙarshe, kwamanda," in ji shi. Mutumin ya yi motsin "shuru" don mayar da martani gare shi - ba da hannunta na hagu ba, amma tare da na'ura mai kama da kaguwa a manne a wuyan hannunta inda hannunta zai kasance. Daga nan sai rake ya juyo da dabino a bude, sai mayakin ya jefa masa alawa. Ta gyada kai tana godiya ta cigaba da tafiya.
    
  Sai da suka kawo abinci da ruwa na tsawon kwanaki biyar domin wannan sintiri na leken asiri, amma duk aikin da ake yi a yankin, sai ta yanke shawarar ta zauna. Abincin da suka kawo ya kare kwanaki uku da suka wuce. Sun yanke abincinsu na yau da kullun zuwa ƙasa maras kyau kuma suka fara cin abincin da suka samu a gonaki-berries, saiwoyi, da kwari, wani lokaci suna karɓar hannuwa daga manomi ko makiyayi mai tausayi sukan kuskura su tunkari-suka shayar da ruwan rafi da aka tace ta cikin datti.
    
  Amma a yanzu ta gano mene ne aikin sojan ya kunsa, kuma ba wai kawai sojojin 'yan fashin Jandarma ne ke kai hari a kauyukan Kurdawa da ke neman daukar fansa kan harin da aka kai a Diyarbakir ba: sojojin Turkiyya na gina wadannan kananan sansanonin kashe gobara a cikin karkara. Shin Turkiyya ta kawo sojoji na yau da kullun don ƙarfafa Jandarma?
    
  Sun canza tsarin aikin leken asiri saboda harba makami mai linzami biyu na ban mamaki da suka gani a daren jiya. An saba ganin hare-haren manyan bindigogi da jiragen sama daga Turkiyya a kan kauyukan Kurdawa da sansanonin horar da 'yan ta'addar PKK, amma wadannan ba harsashi ba ne - wadannan makamai masu linzami ne masu shiryarwa, masu matukar tasiri da suke takawa yayin da suke hawa, maimakon kan hanyar jirgin sama, sai suka fashe. high a cikin sama. Turkawa na da sabbin makamai a kasa kuma babu shakka suna da alaka da duk wannan aikin ginin tushe a kan iyakar Turkiyya da Iraki. Ya rage mata da dakarunta su gwada.
    
  Tare da ruwa da kame-kame, taimako mafi mahimmanci ga mayaka shine kiyaye hangen nesa na dare. Dukkanin mayakan na sanye da tabarau masu jajayen ruwan tabarau, kuma yayin da suke kusa da inda aka nufa, sai su kara yin amfani da su don kada su lalata hangen nesansu na dare, saboda kewayen abin da suka nufa yana haskakawa da layuka masu motsi na waje. fitulun ambaliya da suka nutsar da sansanin cikin duhu. Dabara ce mai ban sha'awa, shugaban tawagar ya yi tunani: Tabbas sojojin Turkiyya suna da fasahar hangen dare, amma ba su yi amfani da ita a nan ba.
    
  Wataƙila ya zama tarko, amma tabbas wata dama ce da ba za su iya wucewa ba.
    
  Shugaban tawagar, Zilar Azzawi, ta yi nuni ga "yan bindiganta su ci gaba. Suna bajewa suka fara zazzagewa, ta leka kewaye da binocular dinta. An shigar da gidan wuta na jakunkunan yashi tsakanin kowane fitilun bincike mai ɗaukuwa, wanda ya rabu da kusan yadi ashirin. Yadi saba'in a hannun dama ita wata babbar mota ce da aka gina ta da jakunkuna da alluna, motar jigilar sojoji ta toshe ta , gefen dama nata an rufe ta da katangar katanga na korayen falon falon da ke zama wata kofa mai sauƙi. Tsakanin jakunkuna na yashi akwai shinge guda ɗaya na sirara, shingen ƙarfe mai tsayi ƙafa biyar wanda ke da nauyi mai nauyi. Tabbas ba sansanin dindindin ba ne, aƙalla ba tukuna.
    
  Idan za su yi amfani, yanzu ne lokacin.
    
  Azzawi ta jira har sai da tawagarta ta shirya, sannan ta fitar da rediyon balaguro mai sauki ta Koriya ta danna maɓallin makirufo sau ɗaya, sannan ta danna sau biyu. Bayan wasu lokuta ta sami dannawa biyu ta amsa, sannan danna uku. Ta danna rediyon ta sau uku, ta ajiye, sannan ta taba hannun mutanen biyu dake gefenta da alamar shiru ta ce "ki shirya."
    
  Ta sunkuyar da kai ta lumshe idanuwanta sannan tace "mal esh-ba komai" cikin sanyin murya da sanyin murya. Ta dakata na wasu 'yan bugun zuciya, tana tunanin mijinta da 'ya'yanta da suka mutu - kuma tana yin haka, fushin da ke cikinta ya aika da makamashin jet a jikinta, ta mike tsaye cikin sauki da sauki, ta tayar da makamin RPG-7 ta harba gurneti. Bindigar ta tashi daga jakunkunan yashi a gabanta. Da zagayen nata ya fado, sai wasu "yan tawagarta suka bude wuta kan wasu wuraren da aka ajiye, kuma cikin dakika kadan duk wurin ya bude. A nan ne kuma wasu runduna guda biyu da ke karkashin jagorancin Azzawi a mabambantan sansanin su ma suka bude wuta da bindigogin harba gurneti.
    
  Yanzu fitulun da suka hana maharan ganin yankin sansanin ya ba su dama domin suna ganin wadanda suka tsira da rayukansu da sauran sojojin Turkiyya na shirin tunkarar harin. Tawagar maharba ta Azzawi sun fara zabo su daya bayan daya, lamarin da ya tilastawa Turkawa ja da baya daga kewayen da ke cikin duhun sansaninsu. Azzawi ta jefar da na'urar gurneti a gefe, ta fito da shirinta na yawo ta yi ihu: "Ala tūl!" Matsar!" Ta ɗaga bindigarta AK-47, ta yi ihu: "Ilha"ūn ī! Bi ni!" - kuma ya gudu zuwa tushe, yana harbi daga hip.
    
  Babu wata hanya da za a bi sai a garzaya ƙetaren ƙasar da ba ta haskaka ba zuwa gindi - sun kasance manufa mai sauƙi ga kowa a ciki. Amma ba tare da jakarta ta baya da mai ƙaddamar da RPG ba, kuma tare da gaggawar adrenaline gauraye da tsoro da ke ratsa jikinta, gudu yadi hamsin ya yi kamar mai sauƙi. Amma, ga mamakinta, akwai ɗan juriya.
    
  Akwai gawarwaki da dama a cikin gidajen da aka lalata, amma ba ta ga alamun abubuwa kamar nakiyoyin nakiyoyi, makaman kare-dangi, manyan bindigu ko gurneti ba, sai dai kananan makamai masu linzami. Da alama ba sa tsammanin matsala mai yawa, ko kuma ba su da lokacin shiryawa yadda ya kamata. An ƙarfafa wannan tunanin bayan ɗan lokaci lokacin da ta sami kayan gini, siminti, katako da kayan aiki a cikin tudu kusa.
    
  A cikin kasa da mintuna biyar ana gwabza fada, sai ga rundunar Azzawi uku suka hadu. Duk ukun sun ci gaba da sauƙi. Ta taya kowane mayakanta murna tare da musafaha da uwa, sannan ta ce, "Rahoton asarar rayuka."
    
  "Muna da mutum daya da aka kashe, uku sun jikkata," in ji kwamandan rundunar ta farko. " Fursunoni goma sha bakwai, ciki har da wani jami'i." Wani shugaban tawagar ya ruwaito haka.
    
  "Muna da hudu da suka jikkata da fursunoni takwas," in ji Salih, mataimakin kwamandan tawagar Azzawi. "Mene ne wurin nan, kwamanda? Ya yi sauki sosai."
    
  "Abu na farko, Sadoun," in ji Azzawi. "A saka mai gadi kewaye da kewaye idan 'yan sintiri su dawo." Salih ya gudu. Ta ce wa kwamandan runduna ta biyu: "Kawo mani ɗan sandan," ta nade mata gyale a fuskarta.
    
  Fursunonin ya kasance kyaftin a cikin sojojin Turkiyya. Ya danna hannunsa na hagu a kan raunin da ke kan bice ɗinsa na dama, kuma jini na gudana daga gare ta. "Kawo kayan agajin farko a nan," Azzawi ya yi umarni da Larabci. A Turkanci ta tambaya: "Sunan ƙungiyar da manufa a nan, kyaftin, da sauri."
    
  "Ku 'yan iska sun kusa harbi hannuna damn!" - ya yi ihu.
    
  Azzawi ta daga hannunta na hagu, ta kyale hannun hijabin ta ya fado, ta bayyanar da sana'arta ta gida. "Na san ainihin yadda yake, kyaftin," in ji ta. "Duba abin da sojojin saman Turkiyya suka yi min." Ko a cikin duhun duhu sai ta hango idanuwan sojan sun zaro da mamaki. "Kuma wannan ya fi abin da kuka yi wa mijina da 'ya'yana."
    
  "Ka... ka Baz!" - jami'in ya fitar da numfashi. "Gaskiya ne jita-jita...!"
    
  Azzawi ta cire gyale daga fuskarta, ya bayyana datti, amma girman kai da kyawawan siffofi. "Na ce suna, ƙungiya da manufa, Captain," in ji ta. Bindiga ta daga. "Dole ne ku gane cewa ba ni da buri ko ikon ɗaukar fursunoni, kyaftin, don haka na yi muku alkawari cewa zan kashe ku nan da nan idan ba ku amsa mini ba." Hafsa ya sunkuyar da kansa ya fara rawar jiki. "Dama ta ƙarshe: Take, Unit and Mission." Ta daga makamin zuwa hips dinta ta sake shi daga ajiyar zuciya tare da dannawa da karfi "Madalla." Salamu alaikum, Captain"
    
  "Na gode!" - jami'in ya yi ihu. A bayyane yake cewa shi ba ƙwararren ma'aikaci ba ne ko gogaggen ma'aikaci-watakila ɗan wasan kujeru na hannu ko beran lab da aka kira zuwa aiki a ƙarshen minti na ƙarshe. "Sunana Ahmet Yakis, Kamfanin Sigina na Ashirin da Uku, Delta Platoon. Manufara ita ce in yi haɗin gwiwa, shi ke nan."
    
  "Hanyoyin sadarwa?" Idan gidan yanar gizon sadarwa ne kawai, wanda zai iya bayyana rashin tsaro da rashin shiri. "Don me?"
    
  A daidai lokacin ne mataimakin shugaban tawagar Azzawi Sadoun Salih ya ruga. "Commander, dole ne ka ga wannan," in ji shi da numfashi. Ta ba da umarnin a daure wa fursuna bandeji, ta kuma tabbatar da tsaronsa, sannan ta gudu. Sai da ta tsallake rijiya da baya da yawa a cikin sansanin, sai ta ga wata babbar mota dauke da wani abu mai kama da wani babban kwandon karfe mai dauke da mafi yawan igiyoyin igiyoyin. Sun bi tarin igiyoyin igiyoyi sama da ɗan gajeren hawan zuwa wani babban shinge da aka lulluɓe da ragamar kama.
    
  A cikin wannan katafaren, Azzawi ya tarar da wata babbar motar jigilar kaya mai tsugunne, jikin karfe mai murabba'i a kan wani dandali, haka kuma an saukar da masarrafan eriya guda biyu a saman benen motar aka ninke cikin tsarin tafiyar hanya. "To, ga eriyar sadarwa da kyaftin din ya ce yana sanyawa," in ji Azzawi. "Ina tsammanin yana faɗin gaskiya."
    
  "Ba da gaske ba, kwamanda," in ji Salih. "Na gane wannan kayan aiki ne saboda a gida na tsare ayarin motocin Amurka dauke da makamantansu wadanda aka shirya don kare harin da Iran ta kai wa Iraki. Ana kiran wannan tsararrun mats na eriya, wanda ke watsa siginar umarnin microwave daga radar zuwa wuraren harba makami mai linzami. Akwai na'urar samar da wutar lantarki a bayan wannan babbar motar... don batirin makami mai linzami na Patriot."
    
  "Batir makami mai linzami na Patriot?" - Azzawi ya ce.
    
  "Dole ne su kasance masu aikin gaba da ke kafa tashar tushe don baturin makami mai linzami na Patriot," in ji Salih. "Za su kawo babban radar allo da tashar sarrafawa kuma za su iya sarrafa na'urori masu yawa da aka bazu cikin mil. Duka abu ne mai ɗaukar nauyi; za su iya aiki a ko'ina."
    
  "Amma me yasa a duniya Turkawa suke shigar da na'urar makami mai linzami a nan?" - Tambayi Azzawi. "Idan gwamnatin Kurdawa a Iraki ba ta ko ta yaya ta gina sojojin sama ba, wa suke karewa?"
    
  "Ban sani ba," in ji Salih. "Amma ko wane ne, tabbas sun yi shawagi a sararin samaniyar Turkiyya kuma Turkawa sun yi musu luguden wuta a daren jiya. Ina mamakin wanene?"
    
  "Ban damu da su waye ba - idan suna yaki da Turkawa, hakan ya ishe ni," in ji Azzawi. "Mu kai wadannan motocin gida. Ban san wace kimar da suke da ita ba, amma sun yi kama da sababbi kuma wataƙila za mu iya amfani da su. Aƙalla ba za mu yi tafiya mai nisa ba kafin mu isa gida. Yayi kyau yau Sadoun.
    
  "Na gode kwamanda. Na yi farin cikin yin hidima a ƙarƙashin irin wannan shugaba mai ƙarfi. Da ma mun yi wa Turkawa barna sosai, ko da yake..."
    
  "Kowane ɗan yanke yana ƙara raunana su," in ji Zilar. "Mu ba su da yawa a cikin adadi, amma idan muka ci gaba da yin waɗannan ƙananan yanke, a ƙarshe za mu yi nasara."
    
    
  ÇANKAYA K Ö ŞK Ü, ANKARA, JAMHURIYAR TURKIYA
  BAYAN RANAR
    
    
  "Rahotanni na farko gaskiya ne, yallabai," in ji Janar Orhan Sahin, sakatare-janar na Majalisar Tsaron Turkiyya, yana yin hannu ta cikin gashin bakinsa mai yashi. "'Yan ta'addar PKK sun sace wasu sassa na baturin makami mai linzami na Patriot sama-da-iska, kamar rukunin eriya, janareta da igiyoyi."
    
  "Abin mamaki, abin ban mamaki," in ji Shugaba Kurzat Hirsiz. Ya kira kwamitinsa na tsaron kasar domin yin karin bayani kan shirin gudanar da aikin na Iraki, amma da alama lamarin yana kara ta'azzara a rana tare da yin barazanar zamewa daga kangi. "Me ya faru?"
    
  Shahin ya ce "A daren jiya da sanyin safiya, wani gungun 'yan ta'addar PKK, wanda aka ruwaito karkashin jagorancin wani kwamandan 'yan ta'adda da ake kira Hawk, sun kai hari a hedikwatar Patriot da aka ajiye bindigogi a kusa da garin Beitusebap," in ji Shahin. ""Yan ta"addan sun kashe biyar, sun raunata goma sha biyu sannan suka daure sauran. Dukkan sojojinmu da kayan aikinmu ana lissafinsu - ba su kama fursunoni ba, ma'ana wannan kila ƙungiyar sa ido ce ko sintiri, ba aikin yajin aiki ba. Sun tsere da manyan abubuwan da ke cikin batirin makami mai linzami na Patriot, wanda aka yi amfani da su a cikin mota don sauƙin turawa, sassan da ke ba da damar hedkwatar sadarwa tare da wuraren harba na nesa. An yi sa'a, motar ma'aikatan kanta da masu harba makami mai linzami ba su nan."
    
  "Shin zan sami nutsuwa da wannan?" Hirsiz ya yi kururuwa. "Ina tsaron yake? Ta yaya hakan zai iya faruwa?"
    
  "Tsarin ba a cika kayan aiki ba tukuna, don haka babu shinge ko shinge a kewayen," in ji Sahin. "Jami'an tsaro na wucin gadi ne kawai ke wurin - sauran an aika da su ne domin neman tarkacen hadarin da ya faru a daren jiya."
    
  "Ya Allah na," Hirsiz ya yi haki. Ya juya ga Firayim Minista Akas. "Dole ne mu yi wannan, Icy, kuma dole ne mu yi shi yanzu," in ji shi. "Dole ne mu gaggauta aikin a Iraki. Ina so in ayyana dokar ta-baci ta kasa. Dole ne ku jawo hankalin Majalisar Dokokin kasar da ta shelanta yaki kan Jam'iyyar Ma'aikatan Kurdistan da dukkan kungiyoyin da ke da alaka da yankin da ke makwabtaka da Turkiyya tare da ba da umarnin shigar da 'yan gudun hijira.
    
  "Wannan hauka ne, Kurzat," in ji Akas. "Babu wani dalili na ayyana dokar ta-baci. Duk wanda ya yada wannan jita-jita a jefa shi gidan yari. Kuma ta yaya za ku iya shelanta yaki a kan wata kabila? Wannan Nazi Jamus ne?"
    
  "Idan ba kwa son shiga ba, Firayim Minista, ya kamata ku yi murabus," in ji Ministan Tsaro na kasa Hasan Jizek. "Sauran majalisar ministocin suna bangaren shugaban kasa. Kuna kan hanyar samun wannan aikin gabaɗaya. Muna bukatar hadin kan majalisar dokokin kasar da al'ummar Turkiyya."
    
  "Kuma ban yarda da wannan shirin ba, kuma 'yan majalisar da na yi magana da su a bayan gida ba su yarda ba," in ji Akas. "Dukkanmu mun ji kunya da takaicin hare-haren na PKK, amma mamaye Iraki ba shine hanyar magance matsalar ba. Kuma idan wani ya yi murabus, Minista, kai ne. 'Yan ta'addar PKK sun kutsa cikin Jandarma, tare da sace manyan makamai, tare da kai hare-hare a duk fadin kasar. Ba zan yi murabus ba. Da alama ni kadai ce muryar hankali a nan."
    
  "Saboda?" Jizek yana kuka. "Kun tsaya a can kuna kiran taro da tattaunawa yayin da ake kashe Turkawa. Ina dalilin hakan? Ya juya ga Hirsiz. "Muna bata lokaci a nan, yallabai," in ji shi. "Ba za ta taɓa yin biyayya ba. Na ce maka ita yar wawa ce mara kwakwalwa. Ta gwammace ta bijirewa da yin abin da ya dace don ceto jamhuriyar."
    
  "Yaya ka ji, Dzizek?" Akas ya fashe da kuka, cike da mamakin kalamansa. "Ni ne Firayim Minista na Turkiyya!"
    
  Hirsiz ya ce: "Ka saurare ni, Icy." "Ba zan iya yin wannan ba tare da ku ba. Mun yi shekaru da yawa tare a Ankara, a Majalisar Dokoki da Cankaya. An yiwa kasar mu kawanya. Ba za mu iya magana kawai ba."
    
  "Na yi maka alkawari, mai girma shugaban kasa, zan yi duk abin da zan iya yi don ganin duniya ta fahimci cewa muna bukatar taimako don dakatar da PKK," in ji Akas. "Kada kiyayya da takaici su kai ku ga yanke shawara mara kyau ko ayyukan gaggawa." Ta matso kusa da Hirsiz. "Jamhuriyar tana dogaro da mu, Kurzat."
    
  Hirsiz ya yi kama da wanda aka yi masa bulala da azabtarwa kwanaki. Ya gyada kai. "Kinyi gaskiya, Icy," in ji shi. "Jamhuriyar tana dogaro da mu." Ya juya ga babban hafsan soji, Janar Abdulla Guzlev: "Yi shi, Janar."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji Guzlev, ya hau kan teburin shugaban ya ɗauki waya.
    
  "Me ya kamata mu yi, Kurzat?" Akas ya tambaya.
    
  "Ina hanzarta tura dakarun soji," in ji Hirsiz. "Za mu shirya don fara aikin nan da 'yan kwanaki."
    
  "Ba za ku iya kaddamar da farmakin soji ba tare da ayyana yaki daga Majalisar Kasa," in ji Akas. "Ina tabbatar muku, har yanzu ba mu da kuri"u. Ka kara min lokaci. Na tabbata zan iya shawo kan-"
    
  "Ba za mu bukaci kuri'a ba, Ice," in ji Hirsiz, "saboda ina ayyana dokar ta-baci da kuma rushe Majalisar Dokoki ta kasa."
    
  Idanun Akas suka zaro daga cikin kwalinsa a gigice. "Kai menene...?"
    
  "Ba mu da zabi, Ice ¸e."
    
  "Mu? Kuna nufin masu ba ku shawara na soja? Janar Ozek? Yanzu su ne masu ba ku shawara?"
    
  "Halin da ake ciki yana kira da a dauki mataki, hey, ba magana ba," in ji Hirsiz. "Ina fatan za ku taimake mu, amma a shirye nake in yi aiki ba tare da ku ba."
    
  "Kada ku yi wannan, Kurzat," in ji Akas. "Na san lamarin yana da tsanani, amma kada ku yanke shawara cikin gaggawa. Bari in nemi goyon bayan Amurkawa da Majalisar Dinkin Duniya. Suna tausaya mana. Mataimakin shugaban kasar Amurka zai saurara. Amma idan kuka yi haka, za mu rasa duk wani goyon baya daga kowa."
    
  "Yi hakuri, Icy," in ji Hirsiz. "An gama. Kuna iya sanar da Majalisar Dokoki ta Kasa da Kotun Koli idan kuna so, ko kuma zan iya."
    
  "A'a, alhakina ne," in ji Akas. "Zan gaya musu irin radadin da kuke ciki na mutuwar 'yan Turkiyya da dama a hannun 'yan ta'addar PKK."
    
  "Na gode".
    
  "Zan kuma gaya musu cewa fushinku da bacin rai ya sa ku hauka kuma ku sha da jini," in ji Akas. "Zan gaya musu cewa masu ba ku shawara na soja suna gaya muku ainihin abin da suke so ku ji maimakon abin da kuke buƙatar ji. Zan ce musu ba kai ba ne a yanzu."
    
  "Kada ku yi wannan, Icy," in ji Hirsiz. "Zai zama rashin aminci a gare ni da Turkiyya. Na yi haka ne saboda ya kamata a yi kuma alhakina ne.
    
  "Shin, kamar yadda suke cewa, farkon hauka, Kurzat: nace cewa kana da nauyi?" Akas ya tambaya. "Wannan shi ne abin da duk "yan kama-karya da manyan mutane ke cewa? Wannan shi ne abin da Evren ya ce a cikin 1980 ko Tagma & # 231; ya fada a gabansa lokacin da suka rusa majalisar kasa suka karbi mulki a juyin mulkin soja? Ku shiga wuta".
    
    
  BABI NA BIYAR
    
    
  Kada ku jira hasken ya bayyana a ƙarshen rami - fita daga can kuma ku kunna abin da ba daidai ba.
    
  -DARA HENDERSON, MARUBUCI
    
    
    
  NAKHLA ALLIED AIR BASE, IRAQ
  RANA MAI ZUWA
    
    
  Sakatariyar harkokin wajen Amurka Stacy Ann Barbeau ta ce, "Abin hargitsi ne da rudani a birnin Ankara, Mr. Haka kuma mataimakin shugaban kasar Ken Phoenix ya halarci taron da shugabannin Iraki da jakadan Amurka a Bagadaza; da Col. Jack Wilhelm, kwamandan sojojin Amurka a arewacin Iraki a sansanin sojin saman Nakhla Allied da ke kusa da birnin Mosul. "Firayim Ministan Turkiyya da kansa ya kira jakadanmu a kan kafet don harbin jaki kan keta sararin samaniyar da wani jirgin Amurka ya yi, amma yanzu ya zauna yana jira a wurin karbar baki saboda wasu hayaniyar tsaro."
    
  "Me suke cewa a ofishin jakadancin, Stacy?" Phoenix ya tambaya. "Shin suna hulɗa da jakadan?"
    
  "A halin yanzu sabis na salula ya ragu, amma rashin aiki ya kasance al'ada na kwanaki da yawa bayan jita-jita na dokar ta-baci," in ji Mista Barbeau. "Radiyo da Talabijin na gwamnati sun bayyana zanga-zangar adawa da gwamnatin Hirsiz, amma sun kasance cikin lumana kuma 'yan sanda suna shawo kan lamarin. Sojojin sun yi shiru. An yi wani harbi a fadar Pink, amma jami"an tsaron fadar shugaban kasar sun ce shugaban yana cikin koshin lafiya kuma zai yi jawabi ga al"ummar kasar nan gaba a yau."
    
  "Abin da aka gaya mini ke nan a ofishin jakadancin da ke Baghdad," in ji Phoenix. "Baghdad ta damu da wannan labari mai ruɗani amma ba ta ɗaga matakin faɗakarwa ba."
    
  "Ina buƙatar bayanin abin da ya faru a kan iyakar Iraqi da Turkiyya, Kanar Wilhelm," in ji Barbeau. "Turkawa sun yi iƙirarin cewa sun harbo wani jirgin leƙen asirin Amirka a kan yankinsu kuma suna hauka."
    
  "Zan iya tabbatar wa kowa da kowa cewa dukkan jiragen Amurka, marasa matuki ko akasin haka, ana lissafin su, madam," in ji Wilhelm, "kuma ba mu yi asarar jirgin ko daya ba."
    
  "Wannan ya hada da 'yan kwangilar ku, Colonel?" Barbeau ya tambaya da nuni.
    
  "Haka ne ma'am."
    
  "Wa ke sarrafa jiragen leken asiri da ke aiki a kan iyaka? Wannan ita ce ƙungiyar ƙasa da ƙasa Scion Aviation?
    
  "Iya, madam. Suna shawagi manya manyan jiragen sama masu dogon zango da fasaha na zamani, kuma suna jan hankalin kananan jirage marasa matuka don ci gaba da ayyukansu."
    
  "Ina so in yi magana da wakili a yanzu."
    
  "Ya shirya ma"am. Gabaɗaya?
    
  "'General'?"
    
  "Mutumin Scion janar din sojan sama ne mai ritaya, madam." Idanun Barbeau sun lumshe cikin rudani, tabbas bata da wannan bayanin. "Mafi yawan 'yan kwangilar mu sun yi ritaya ko kuma tsoffin sojoji."
    
  "To a ina yake? Ba ya aiki tare da ku a can, Colonel?"
    
  "Yawanci yana aiki ba daga Cibiyar Umurni da Kulawa ba," in ji Wilhelm, "amma akan layin jirgin. Ya haɗa jirginsa zuwa cibiyar sadarwa na Triple-C da kuma ragowar kadarorinmu kaɗan."
    
  Barbeau ya koka da cewa, "Ban san abin da ka ce kawai ba, Kanar, kuma ina fata mutumin Scion zai iya duba lamarin ya ba mu wasu amsoshi. Haɗa shi da layin yanzu."
    
  A daidai lokacin, wata sabuwar taga ta buɗe akan allon taron bidiyo kuma Patrick McLaanahan, sanye da riga mai launin toka mai haske akan farar riga mai wuya, ya gyada kan kyamarar. "Patrick McLanahan, Scion Aviation International, yana da lafiya."
    
  "McLanahan?" Stacy Barbeau ta fashe, ta tashi wani bangare daga wurin zamanta. "Shin Patrick McLanahan dan kwangilar tsaro ne a Iraki?"
    
  "Na yi farin cikin ganin ku kuma, Miss Sakatare," in ji Patrick. "Na ɗauka cewa Sakatare Turner ya yi muku bayani game da gudanarwar Scion."
    
  Ya danne murmushi yana kallon Barbeau yana ta faman sarrafa hankalinsa da tsokar sa na son rai. A karo na karshe da ya ganta bai wuce shekaru biyu da suka wuce ba, a lokacin ita ce babbar "yar majalisar dattawa daga jihar Louisiana kuma shugabar kwamitin kula da harkokin makamai na majalisar dattawa. Patrick, wanda ya dawo a asirce daga tashar sararin samaniyar Armstrong, inda aka kama shi a gida, ya lura da lodin Barbeau a cikin jirgin saman XR-A9 Black Stallion don dauke ta daga Elliott Air Force Base a Nevada zuwa tashar jirgin ruwa na Patuxent River. Maryland - jirgin da bai wuce sa'o'i biyu ba.
    
  Tabbas, Barbeau bai tuna da wannan ba saboda Patrick yana da Hunter "Boomer" Noble lalata sannan ya yi mata magani a cikin wani babban otal-otal na Las Vegas na gidan caca a cikin shirye-shiryen ɗan gajeren jirginta zuwa sararin samaniya.
    
  Patrick's sulke na katako na katako da kuma na'urar kwamandojin na'ura mai kwakwalwa ta yanar gizo daga nan ne suka shigar da ita cikin gidan shugaban kasa da ke Camp David, suka fatattake jami'an leken asiri da jami'an tsaron ruwa na Amurka, sannan suka yi artabu tsakaninta da shugaba Joseph Gardner kan makomar maza da mata. wanda ya kunshi rundunar tsaron sararin samaniyar Amurka. , wanda shugaban kasa a shirye yake ya sadaukar domin samar da zaman lafiya da Rasha. A madadin rashin bayyana mu'amalar sirri da Gardner da Rashawa, shugaban ya amince da barin duk wani ma'aikacin McLanahan da ba ya son yin aiki karkashin Gardner a sallame shi daga aikin soja cikin mutunci.
    
  Kuma Patrick ya tabbatar da ci gaba da hadin gwiwar shugaban kasar, tare da daukar dukkan sauran rundunonin tin guda shida da na'urorin yaki na intanet guda biyu, da kayayyakin gyara, kayan yaki da tsare-tsare na kera su. Na'urori masu sulke masu sulke sun riga sun tabbatar da cewa za su iya kayar da sojojin Rasha da Iran, da kuma sojojin ruwa na Amurka, da kuma kutsawa gidajen shugaban kasa da aka fi tsaro a duniya-Patrick ya san yana da ingantaccen goyon baya idan shugaban zai yi ƙoƙari ya samu. kawar da matsalarsa da McLanahan.
    
  "Akwai wata matsala a nan, Miss Secretary?" Mataimakin shugaban kasar Phoenix ya tambaya. "Na san kun hadu da Janar McLahan a baya."
    
  "Ina tabbatar muku, mun shirya duk sanarwar da suka dace da kuma aikace-aikacen da suka dace - na yi su da kaina ta Hukumar Tallafawa Jama'a ta Sojan Sama," in ji Patrick. "Babu wani rikici da-"
    
  "Don Allah za mu iya shawo kan wannan?" Stacy Ann Barbeau ta fashe da kuka a fusace. Patrick ya yi murmushi a ransa; ya san cewa ƙwararren ƙwararren ɗan siyasa kamar Barbeau ya san yadda zai zauna a nan da kuma yanzu, ko ta yaya ta gigice. "Gaba ɗaya, yana da kyau ganin ku lafiya da fara'a. Da ma na san cewa yin ritaya ba zai taɓa nufin wani kamar ku ya zama kujera a baranda ba."
    
  "Ina tsammanin kin san ni sosai, Miss Secretary."
    
  "Kuma na san cewa ba ku da kunya game da shiga cikin layi, kuma wani lokaci kuna wuce su da ƙafa ɗaya ko biyu, a cikin ƙoƙarin ku na samun aikin," Barbeau ya ci gaba da kai tsaye. "Mun sami koke-koke daga Turkawa kan jiragen da ke satar jiragen sama, mai yiyuwa marasa matuka, suna shawagi a sararin samaniyar Turkiyya ba tare da izini ba. Ka yafe min wannan maganar, yallabai, amma duk abin da ya shafi yatsa ya wuce wannan. Me kuka yi daidai?"
    
  Patrick ya ce "kwangilar Scion ita ce samar da sa ido, tattara bayanan sirri, bincike da kuma ayyukan isar da bayanai a kan iyakar Iraki da Turkiyya," in ji Patrick. "Tsarin da muke da shi na wannan aikin shine jirgin sama mai ɗaukar nauyi na XC-57, wanda jirgi ne mai ƙarfin turbofan ko jirgin sama mara matuki wanda za'a iya sanye shi da na'urori daban-daban don gyara ayyukansa. Muna kuma amfani da kananan jirage marasa matuka wadanda...
    
  "Gaskiya, Janar," Barbeau ya ɗauka. "Shin kun haye kan iyakar Iraki da Turkiyya ko kuwa?"
    
  "A'a, ma'am, ba mu yi hakan ba - aƙalla ba tare da kowane jirginmu ba."
    
  "Menene ma'anar wannan?"
    
  "Turkawa sun harba wata dabarar da muka ciyar da su wajen gano masu kishin kasa da kuma bin diddigin kwamfutoci ta hanyar na'urar radar nasu," in ji shi.
    
  "Na sani! Lallai kun tunzura Turkawa su harba makami mai linzami!"
    
  "Sashe na aikin leken asirin kwangilar mu shine yin nazari da kuma rarraba duk barazanar da ke cikin wannan yanki na alhakin," in ji Patrick. "Bayan harin da aka kai wa runduna ta biyu a Zakho, na dauki sojojin Turkiyya da masu tsaron kan iyaka a matsayin barazana."
    
  "Ba na bukatar in tunatar da ku Janar, cewa Turkiyya muhimmiyar kawa ce a cikin NATO da kuma a duk yankin - ba makiya ba ne," in ji Barbeau cikin sha'awa. A bayyane yake ga kowa da kowa wanda take tunanin abokin gaba ne. "Kawayen ba sa maye gurbin radars na juna, suna tilasta musu barnatar da makamai masu linzami na dala miliyan biyu suna bin fatalwa, da yada tsoro da rashin yarda a yankin da tuni ke fuskantar matsanancin tsoro. Ba zan bar ku ku kawo cikas ga yunƙurin diflomasiyyarmu ba don kawai ku gwada wata sabuwar na'ura ko ku sami kuɗi don masu saka hannun jarinku. "
    
  "Madam sakatariya, Turkawa sun matsar da batirin Patriot zuwa yamma don tunkarar Iraki, ba Iran kadai ba," in ji Patrick. "Turkawa sun gaya mana game da wannan?"
    
  "Bana nan don amsa tambayoyinku General. Kuna nan don amsa tambayoyina...!"
    
  "Madam sakatariya, mun kuma san cewa Turkawa na da makaman yaki masu cin dogon zango irin wanda suka yi amfani da su wajen kai hari kan runduna ta biyu a Zakho," Patrick ya ci gaba da cewa. "Ina so in ga abin da Turkawa ke shiryawa. Girgiza kai a babban kwamandan sojojinsu, da kuma asarar sadarwa daga ofishin jakadancin, ya shaida min cewa wani abu na faruwa, watakila wani abu mai tsanani. Ina ba mu shawarar-"
    
  "Ka gafarta mini, Janar, amma kuma ba na nan don sauraron shawarwarinka," Sakataren Gwamnati Barbeau ya sa baki. "Kai dan kwangila ne, ba majalisar ministoci ko ma"aikata ba. Yanzu saurare ni, Janar: Ina son duk bayanan bin diddigin ku, hotunan radar da duk abin da kuka tattara tun lokacin da kamfanin ku ya sanya hannu kan kwangilar. Ina son-"
    
  "Yi hakuri mama, amma ba zan iya ba ki ba," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Me kika ce min?"
    
  "Na ce, Madam Sakatariya, ba zan iya ba ku ko ɗaya daga cikin wannan ba," Patrick ya maimaita. "Bayanan na Babban Jami'in Amurka ne-dole ne ku tambaye su."
    
  "Kada ka yi wasa da ni, McLaanahan. Dole ne in bayyana abin da kuka yi wa Ankara. Da alama wannan zai zama wani shari'ar 'yan kwangilar da suka keta iyakokinsu kuma suna yin aiki da kansu. Duk wani kudin da Turkawa za su kashe na ayyukanku zai fito ne daga aljihun ku, ba Baitul malin Amurka ba."
    
  "Kotu za ta yanke hukunci," in ji Patrick. "A halin da ake ciki, bayanan da muke tattarawa na babban kwamandan rundunar ne ko kuma duk wanda suka zaba ya karba, kamar runduna ta biyu. Su ne kawai za su iya yanke shawarar wanda ya samu. Duk wani bayani ko albarkatun da kwangilar da gwamnati ba ta cika ba na kamfanin Scion Aviation International ne kuma ba zan iya bayyanawa kowa ba ba tare da kwangila ko umarnin kotu ba."
    
  "Kina son yin wasanni masu wuyar gaske tare da ni, malam, lafiya," Barbeau ya ɗauka. "Zan kai karar ku da kamfanin ku da sauri kan ku zai yi juyi. A halin yanzu, zan ba da shawarar cewa sakataren harkokin wajen Amurka Turner ya janye kwangilar ku don mu tabbatar wa gwamnatin Turkiyya cewa hakan ba zai sake faruwa ba." Patrick bai ce komai ba. "Karnel Wilhelm, zan ba wa Pentagon shawara cewa ku ci gaba da ayyukan tsaro a kan iyakar har sai mun dauki wani dan kwangilar da zai maye gurbin mu. Jira ƙarin umarni game da wannan. "
    
  "Iya, Ma'am." Barbeau ya ruga bayan hannunta akan kyamararta kuma hotonta ya bace. "Na gode, Janar," Wilhelm ya ce a fusace. "Na mutu a nan. Zan dauki makonni kafin in aika da wadanda za su maye gurbinsu, in dawo in kwashe kayan aikin, sannan in sake shirya sintiri."
    
  "Ba mu da makonni, Kanar, muna da kwanaki," in ji Patrick. "Mai mataimakin shugaban kasa, na yi nadamar rikicin diflomasiyya da na haifar, amma mun koyi abubuwa da yawa. Turkiyya na shirin wani abu. Dole ne mu kasance cikin shiri don wannan.
    
  "Kamar me? Menene ra'ayinku game da mamaye Iraki?"
    
  "Iya sir".
    
  "Me ya faru da kuka yi tunanin wannan mamayewar na nan kusa?"
    
  "Yallabai sun faru da yawa," Patrick ya amsa. "Binciken kansa na Scion ya nuna cewa Turkawa a yanzu suna da dakarun sa kai na Jandarma dubu ashirin da biyar a cikin tattakin kwanaki uku na Mosul da Erbil, da kuma wasu runduna guda uku - sojoji dubu dari na yau da kullun, makamai da manyan bindigogi - a cikin tattakin mako guda."
    
  "Kashi uku?"
    
  "Eh, yallabai, wannan ya kai adadin dakaru kamar yadda Amurka ta samu a Iraki a lokacin da ake gudanar da aikin 'Yancin Iraki, sai dai Turkawa sun tattara a Arewa," in ji Patrick. "Wadannan runduna ta ƙasa suna samun goyon bayan manyan sojojin sama mafi girma da kuma ci gaba tsakanin Rasha da Jamus. Magaji ya yi imanin cewa a shirye suke su yi yajin aiki. Murabus da shugabannin sojojin Turkiyya suka yi a baya-bayan nan da kuma wannan rudani na baya-bayan nan da rashin tuntubar ofishin jakadancin da ke Ankara ya tabbatar da fargabar da nake da shi."
    
  An dakata sosai akan layin; Patrick ya ga Mataimakin Shugaban kasa ya jingina baya a kujerarsa yana shafa fuskarsa da idanunsa-cikin rudani, tsoro, kokwanto, rashin imani, ko duka hudun, bai iya fada ba. Sannan: "Gaba ɗaya, ban san ku sosai ba lokacin da kuke aiki a Fadar White House," in ji Phoenix. "Yawancin abin da na sani shi ne abin da na ji a Oval Office da kuma ɗakin majalisar ministoci, yawanci lokacin fushin wani ya yi maka. Kuna da suna don abubuwa biyu: ɓata wa mutane da yawa rai ... da kuma samar da ingantaccen bincike akan lokaci.
    
  "Zan yi magana da shugaban kasa kuma ni da Sakatare Barbeau mu kai ziyara Turkiyya domin ganawa da shugaba Hirsiz da firaminista Akash," in ji shi. "Stacy na iya zama alhakin ba da hakuri. Zan tambayi Shugaba Hirsiz me ke faruwa, me yake tunani, ko meye halin da yake ciki a siyasance da tsaro, da kuma me Amurka za ta iya yi don taimakawa. A bayyane yake al'amura sun fita daga iko, kuma kawai ayyana PKK a matsayin kungiyar ta'addanci bai wadatar ba. Dole ne mu kara himma wajen taimakawa Jamhuriyar Turkiyya.
    
  "Zan kuma ba da shawarar, Janar, cewa a ba ku damar ci gaba da ayyukan sa ido a kan iyakar Iraki da Turkiyya," in ji Phoenix. "Ba na jin zai saya, amma idan Kanar Wilhelm ya ce za a dauki makonni kafin mu dawo kan mukamin, ba mu da zabi mai yawa. Babu shakka, ba za a sake yin wani mataki kan Turkawa ba tare da izini na musamman daga ma'aikatar tsaron Amurka ta Pentagon ko fadar White House ba. share?"
    
  "Iya sir".
    
  "Lafiya. Kanar Wilhelm, Sakataren Gwamnati Barbeau ba ya cikin jerin umarnin ku, kuma ni ma ba ni. Dole ne ku kammala saitin umarni na ƙarshe. Amma zan ba da shawarar ɗaukar matsayi na tsaro kuma a shirya don wani abu, idan ka'idar janar ta zama gaskiya. Ban san adadin gargadin da zaku samu ba. Yi hakuri da rudani, amma wani lokacin haka abin ya ke faruwa."
    
  Wilhelm ya ce: "Abin da ke faruwa ke nan a mafi yawan lokuta, yallabai. "An fahimci sakon."
    
  "Zan tuntube ni. Na gode maza." Mataimakin shugaban kasar ya jinjinawa wani daga kyamarar, kuma yanayinsa na damuwa da rikice-rikice ya bace.
    
    
  OVAL OFFICE, FARIN GIDA, WASHINGTON, DC.
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  "Patrick McLanahan a Iraki!" - Sakatariyar harkokin wajen Amurka Stacey Ann Barbeau ta yi ta kururuwa yayin da ta shiga ofishin Oval. "Na yi magana da shi kawai a kan kiran taro tare da Phoenix da Sojoji. McLanahan ne ke kula da binciken sararin samaniya a duk arewacin Iraki! Ta yaya wannan mutumin zai iya bayyana a Iraki ba tare da mun sani ba?"
    
  "Ki kwantar da hankalinki, Stacy Ann, ki huta," in ji Shugaba Joseph Gardner. Murmushi yayi ya saki tie sannan ya jingina da kujera. "Kana da kyau idan ka yi fushi."
    
  "Me za ku yi da McLanahan, Joe? Ina tsammanin zai bace, ya koma wani gida a Vegas, ya yi wasa da yaronsa, ya tafi kamun kifi ko wani abu. Ba wai kawai ya bace ba ne, amma a yanzu yana laka ruwa tsakanin Iraki da Turkiyya."
    
  "Na sani. Na sami taƙaitaccen bayani daga Conrad. Abin da wannan mutumin Stacy ke yi ke nan. Kar ki damu dashi. Ba dade ko ba jima zai sake yin nisa sosai, sa'an nan kuma za mu iya gurfanar da shi a gaban shari'a. Yanzu ba ta da nata rundunar sojojin saman da za ta yi yaƙi da ita."
    
  "Kin ji abin da ya gaya mani? Ya ki mika bayanan aikinsa ga Ma'aikatar Jiha! Ina so a jefa shi a kurkuku, Joe!"
    
  "Na ce, ki huta, Stacy," in ji Gardner. "Ba zan yi wani abu da zai dawo da sunan McLahan a cikin 'yan jaridu ba. Kowa ya manta da shi, kuma na fi son wannan hanyar. Za mu yi kokarin gurfanar da shi a gaban kotun tarayya saboda ya wallafa wasu hotunan radar karya don yaudarar Turkawa, kuma za mu sake mayar da shi jarumin yada labarai. Za mu jira har sai ya yi wani mummunan abu sannan mu sauke shi."
    
  "Wannan mutumin mummunan labari ne, Joe," in ji Barbeau. "Ya wulakanta mu duka, ya yi mana kaca-kaca, ya shafa mana hanci a ciki. Yanzu yana da wani babban kwangilolin gwamnati kuma yana yawo a arewacin Iraki." Ta dakata na ɗan lokaci, sannan ta tambaye ta, "Shin har yanzu yana da waɗannan robobin da yake...?"
    
  "Eh, kamar yadda na sani, har yanzu yana da su," in ji shugaban. "Ban manta da su ba. Ina da wata ma'aikata a FBI da ke nazarin rahotannin 'yan sanda a duniya suna neman shaidu. Yanzu da muka san yana aiki a Iraki, za mu fadada bincikenmu a can. Za mu same su."
    
  "Ban fahimci yadda za ku bar shi ya ajiye waɗannan abubuwan ba. Suna cikin gwamnatin Amurka, ba McLanahan ba."
    
  "Kin san dalilin da ya sa Stacy," in ji Gardner a fusace. "McLanahan yana da isasshen datti a kan mu duka don kawo karshen ayyukanmu cikin kiftawar ido. Robots kaɗan ne da za a biya don shirunsa. Idan mutumin yana lalata birane ko kuma yana fashin banki tare da su, zan ba da fifikon gano su, amma rundunar FBI ba ta ba da rahoton wani abin gani ba ko samun wani bayani game da su. McLanahan yana da wayo kuma yana ɓoye waɗannan abubuwan. "
    
  "Ba zan iya yarda cewa yana da makamai masu ƙarfi kamar waɗannan robots da sulke ko duk abin da yake ba kuma bai yi amfani da su ba."
    
  "Kamar yadda na ce, yana da wayo. Amma a karon farko da ya fallasa wadannan abubuwa, rundunar tawa za ta afka masa."
    
  "Me yasa suke ɗaukar tsayi haka? Robot ɗin sun kasance tsayin ƙafa goma kuma suna da ƙarfi kamar tankuna! Ya yi amfani da su wajen kashe shugaban kasar Rasha a gidansa na kashin kansa sannan ya yi amfani da su wajen kutsawa cikin Camp David!"
    
  "Akwai kaɗan daga cikinsu, kuma daga abin da aka gaya mini, sun yi birgima kuma suna da sauƙin ɓoyewa," in ji shugaban. "Amma ina ganin babban dalilin da ya sa ba su yi shi ne saboda McLaanahan yana da wasu abokai masu karfi da ke taimakawa wajen jagorantar masu binciken su bata."
    
  "Kamar wa?"
    
  "Ban sani ba... tukuna," in ji Gardner. "Wani wanda ke da karfin siyasa, mai karfin gaske don samun masu saka hannun jari don siyan na'urori na zamani kamar wannan jirgin leken asiri, kuma mai basira a kan Capitol Hill da Pentagon don samun kwangilar gwamnati da kuma kusanci dokokin fitar da fasaha."
    
  "Ina ganin ya kamata ku soke kwantiraginsa ku aika masa kaya. Wannan mutumin yana da hadari."
    
  "Ba ya hana mu, yana yin aiki a Iraki wanda zai ba ni damar fitar da sojoji daga wurin cikin sauri - kuma ba na son in farka wata rana in sami daya daga cikin wadannan robobin da ke tsaye a kaina a cikin dakin kwanana," in ji Gardner. "Ka manta da McLahan. A ƙarshe zai yi murtuke sannan mu fitar da shi... shiru."
    
    
  hedkwatar Lardin GANDARMA, VAN, JAMHURIYAR TURKIYA.
  SAFIYA WAJE
    
    
  Hedikwatar yankin gabashin Turkiyya na jami'an tsaron cikin gida, Candarma, yana kusa da filin jirgin sama na Van, kudu maso gabashin birnin kuma kusa da tafkin Van. Babban ginin hedkwatar ya ƙunshi gine-gine guda huɗu masu hawa uku waɗanda suka samar da fili mai katafaren fili , ɗakin cin abinci, da wurin zama a tsakiya. A gefen filin ajiye motoci zuwa arewa maso gabas akwai gini guda ɗaya mai murabba'i, bene mai hawa huɗu wanda ke ɗauke da wurin da ake tsare da shi. A kudu maso gabashin hedkwatar akwai bariki, makarantar horarwa, filayen wasanni da kuma wuraren harbi.
    
  Ginin hedkwatar yana kan titin Ipek Golu, babban titin da ya hada birnin da filin jirgin sama. Domin hedkwatar ta fuskanci hare-hare da yawa daga mutanen da ke wucewa - galibi ana jefa duwatsu ko tarkace a ginin, amma a wasu lokuta ana harba bindiga ko Molotov hadaddiyar giyar ta taga - sassan rukunin da ke fuskantar Avenue NW, Summerbank Street SE yamma. da titin Ayak da ke arewa maso gabas, an kewaye su da wani katangar siminti mai kafa goma, wanda aka yi masa ado da zane-zane da zane-zane, da kuma wasu zane-zane da aka yi wa Jandarma. Duk tagogin da ke gefe an yi su ne da gilashin da ba za a iya harba harsashi ba.
    
  Babu irin wannan bangon tsaro da ya kasance a gefen kudu maso gabas; karar harbe-harbe a cikin sahu dare da rana, kasancewar 'yan sanda da wadanda ake horar da Jandarma akai-akai, da kuma babban tazara da ke tsakanin ginin da manyan gine-gine na nufin cewa kewayen ya kasance kawai katanga mai haske mai kafa goma sha biyu mai haske da sarkar da aka yi da shi. waya, da kyamarori ke sintiri da "yan sintiri a cikin manyan motocin daukar kaya. Yankin da ke kusa da hadaddun ya kasance masana'antu masu haske; Wurin zama mafi kusa shine katafaren gida mai nisa guda huɗu, wanda jami'an Jandarma da ma'aikatan makarantar da malamai suka mamaye.
    
  Kwalejin ta horar da jami'an tsaro daga ko'ina cikin Turkiyya. An tura wadanda suka kammala karatun digiri a sassan "yan sanda na birni ko na lardi, ko kuma su ci gaba da horar da su don zama jami"an Gendarma, ko kuma sun yi kwasa-kwasan kula da tarzoma, makamai da dabaru na musamman, zubar da bama-bamai, ayyukan yaki da ta"addanci, leken asiri, hana muggan kwayoyi da sauran wasu da dama. na musamman.. Makarantar tana da ma"aikata da malamai dari, kuma adadin daliban da ke zaune ya kai kusan dubu.
    
  Tare da harbe-harbe daga bindigogin bindiga, wani dandali a rukunin Jandarma da ke Van sun kasance masu zanga-zanga. Cibiyar ta tsare fursunoni kusan dari biyar akasari wadanda ake zargin 'yan tawayen Kurdawa ne, da masu fasa kwauri da kuma baki da aka kama a yankunan kan iyaka. Wurin ba gidan yari ba ne kuma ba a tsara shi don tsare shi na dogon lokaci ba, amma aƙalla kashi biyar na fursunonin sun kasance a wurin sama da shekara guda, suna jiran shari"a ko kuma a kore su. Yawancin zanga-zangar ƙananan yara ne - iyaye mata ko mata suna riƙe da alamun da ke dauke da hotunan 'yan uwansu, suna neman a yi musu adalci - amma wasu sun fi girma, wasu kuma sun zama tashin hankali.
    
  Muzaharar da ta fara a wannan safiya ta fara girma kuma ta girma cikin sauri. An yada jita-jita cewa rundunar Jandarma ta kama Zilar Azzawi, fitaccen shugaban 'yan ta'addar Kurdawa da aka fi sani da Hawk, tare da azabtar da ita don samun bayanai.
    
  Masu zanga-zangar sun tare titin Ipek Golu tare da toshe dukkan manyan hanyoyin shiga ofishin Jandarma. Jandarma ta amsa da sauri da karfi. Makarantar ta sanya wa daukacin daliban makarantar kawanya tare da kawanya manyan gine-gine guda biyu, inda ta maida hankali kan wurin da ake tsare da mutane idan har wasu gungun mutane suka yi yunkurin kutsawa cikin ginin tare da sako Azzawi da sauran fursunoni. An karkatar da zirga-zirgar ababen hawa a kusa da wurin zanga-zangar da ke kan titin Sumerbank da Ayak zuwa wasu manyan tituna don kaucewa rufe baki dayan ababan hawa zuwa filin jirgin saman Van.
    
  Halin rudani da karkatar da dalibai da malamai da ma"aikata da galibin jami"an tsaro zuwa babban titin da masu zanga-zangar suka yi, ya sa aka samu saukin shiga ginin daga kudu maso gabas.
    
  Tipper ɗin cikin sauƙi ya wuce ta waje da ƙofofin sabis na ciki na titin Samerbank, sannan ya wuce iyakar makamai da filayen wasanni. Wasu "yan gadi ne suka bi su tare da bude wuta da makamai masu sarrafa kansu, amma babu abin da zai hana. Motar ta wuce kai tsaye cikin ginin barikin makarantar...
    
  ...inda wasu bama-bamai masu karfi da suka makale a wani wurin jujjuyawa sun tashi sama da fam dubu uku, lamarin da ya lalata barikin dalibai mai hawa uku tare da yin mummunar barna a babban ginin makarantar da ke kusa.
    
    
  Cibiyar Sadarwar Jama'a, CANKAYA, ANKARA, Türkiye
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  "A yau, na yi nadamar sanar da cewa na ayyana dokar ta baci a Jamhuriyar Turkiyya," in ji shugaba Kurzat Hirsiz. Ya karanta bayanin nasa daga cibiyar sadarwa ta gwamnati da ke Çankaya da muryar katako, ba tare da ko kallon jaridarsa ba. "Harin da 'yan ta'addar PKK suka kai a safiyar yau a hedikwatar yankin Jandarma da ke Van, wanda ya yi sanadin mutuwar mutane akalla ashirin tare da jikkata wasu da dama, ya tilasta ni na mayar da martani cikin gaggawa.
    
  "A nan take, hukumomin tabbatar da doka na gida da na lardi za a kara su da jami'an soji na yau da kullun da kuma ajiyar," in ji shi, har yanzu bai duba daga bayanin da ya shirya ba. "Sun wanzu ne kawai don taimakawa a ayyukan tsaro. Hakan zai baiwa 'yan sanda na gida da na lardi damar kamawa da binciken laifuka.
    
  "Dole ne in bayar da rahoton cewa, an samu barazanar da dama daga 'yan ta'addar PKK ta hanyar sakonnin rediyo, tallace-tallacen jaridu da aka buga a Intanet, suna kira ga mabiya da masu goyon bayan kasashen duniya da su tashi su kai farmaki Jamhuriyar Turkiyya. Manazartan mu sun kammala da cewa an yi niyyar sakwannin ne don kunna masu barci a duk fadin yankin don kaddamar da hare-hare masu tarin yawa kan hare-haren gwamnati a duk fadin kasar.
    
  "Bayan abin da ya faru na Van, an tilasta ni in dauki wadannan barazanar da mahimmanci kuma in mayar da martani da karfi. Don haka ina ba da umarnin rufe ofisoshin gwamnati na wucin gadi a Turkiyya, da kuma sanya dokar hana fita daga gari zuwa wayewar gari a dukkan birane da garuruwa, sannan jami'an tsaro sun wajabta binciken jiki da motoci dari bisa dari.
    
  "Ayyukan da na ba da umarni na gaba suna buƙatar taimako da haɗin gwiwar jama'a gaba ɗaya. Saboda hadarin yada umarnin ta"addanci ba da saninsa ba, ina rokon duk jaridu, mujallu, rediyo, talabijin da duk kafafen yada labarai masu zaman kansu da son ransu su daina buga duk wani tallace-tallace, labari ko sanarwa da duk wanda ba dan jarida ba ko editan littafin ba ne, ko kuma idan ba a tabbatar da tushen bayanin ba ko kuma an san shi da kansa. Niyyata ita ce in kaucewa rufe kafafen yada labarai gaba daya. Ya zama wajibi a dakatar da isar da sakonnin da aka rubuta zuwa ga sel masu barci gaba daya, kuma gwamnatina za ta tuntubi dukkan tashoshi don tabbatar da fahimtar muhimmancin hadin gwiwarsu cikin gaggawa.
    
  "A karshe, ina rokon duk masu samar da Intanet a Jamhuriyar Turkiyya da masu ba da sabis ga Turkiyya da son rai su sanya tare da sabunta matattara da masu ba da umarni don toshe hanyoyin shiga yanar gizo da sabar sabar da ake zargi da aikata ta"addanci. Wannan bai kamata ya haifar da babbar gazawar ayyukan Intanet a Turkiyya ba. Imel, ciniki da samun damar shiga gidajen yanar gizo da ayyuka na yau da kullun yakamata su ci gaba kamar yadda aka saba - kawai waɗancan sabar da aka sani suna ɗaukar wuraren ta'addanci ko masu adawa da gwamnati ne kawai za a rufe. Za mu sa ido sosai kan duk masu samar da Intanet da jama'ar Turkiyya ke da su don tabbatar da cewa ba a shafi hanyoyin da suka dace ba."
    
  Hirsiz a tsorace ya d'auko ruwa a gilas a wajen kyamarar, hannunsa na rawa, idanunsa baya kallon kyamarar. "Ina neman afuwar jama'ar Turkiyya da gaske saboda daukar wadannan matakan," in ji shi bayan dogon lokaci, ba tare da jin dadi ba. Gwamnatina za ta yi aiki tukuru don ganin an dakile "yan ta"adda, da maido da tsaro da zaman lafiya, tare da dawo da al"ummarmu cikin kwanciyar hankali. Ina rokon "yan kasar Turkiyya da su yi taka tsantsan, su taimaka wa jami"an gwamnati da jami"an tsaro, su kasance masu karfi da jajircewa. Al'ummarmu ta sha fama da wannan a baya, kuma a kodayaushe mun fito da karfi da hikima. Za mu sake yi. Na gode ".
    
  Hirsiz ya jefar da shafukan bayanin nasa lokacin da Firayim Minista Ice Akas ya tunkare shi. Hirsiz ya ce "Wannan ita ce magana mafi wuya da na taba bayarwa."
    
  "Ina fatan za ku canza shawara, Kurzat," in ji ta. "Ba a makara ba, ko da yanzu."
    
  "Dole ne in yi wannan, Icy," in ji Hirsiz. "Ya yi latti don canja hanya yanzu."
    
  "A"a, wannan ba gaskiya ba ne. Bari in taimake ka kayi wannan. Don Allah." Mataimakin ya mika wa Akas takardar. "Wataƙila wannan zai taimaka: ofishin jakadancin Amurka yana neman babban taro a Erbil. Mataimakin shugaban kasa Phoenix yana Baghdad kuma yana so ya kasance tare da Sakataren Harkokin Wajen. "
    
  "Ba zai yuwu ba," in ji Hirsiz. "Ba za mu iya dakatar da wannan ba yanzu." Ya dan yi tunani. "Ba za mu iya ganawa da su ba: an kafa dokar ta-baci a kasar. Ba za mu iya ba da tabbacin tsaron shugaban kasa ko ministocinmu a Iraki ba."
    
  "Amma idan da gaske kun kasance, na tabbata za su ba da gagarumin taimakon soja, fasaha da tattalin arziki idan sun sadu da mu - ba safai suke zuwa hannu wofi ba," in ji Akas. "Tuni jakadan Amurka ya aika da sako ga ma'aikatar harkokin wajen kasar game da biyan diyya na harba makami mai linzami na Patriot."
    
  "Diyya? Don me? Me suka ce?"
    
  "Jakadan, wanda ke magana a madadin Sakatare Barbeau, ya ce wani jirgin saman sa ido maras makami da wani kamfani mai zaman kansa ya yi kwangilar ba da sa ido kan yankin arewacin Iraki ba da gangan ba, ya watsar da abin da suka kira 'kutsa kai cikin wutar lantarki' wanda ya sa muka harba wadannan makamai masu linzami. Kishin kasa. Jakadan ya ba da hakuri sosai kuma ya ce an ba shi izinin bayar da diyya mai tsoka ko kuma maye gurbin makamai masu linzami, sannan kuma ya ba da taimako wajen bayar da bayanai kan duk wata mota da ba a san ko wanene ba da ke tsallakawa zuwa Turkiyya. Hirsiz ya gyada kai. "Wannan babbar dama ce, Kurzat. Kuna iya yin taro sannan ku ɗage dokar ta-baci bayan Mataimakin Shugaban Amurka ya yi yarjejeniya. Ka ceci fuska, kuma ba za a yi yaƙi ba."
    
  "Amurkawa sun sake ceto, huh, Ice?" Hirsiz ya fada a razane. "Shin kun tabbata za su so su taimaka?" Ya yi nuni da wani mataimaki, wanda ya mika masa wata amintaccen wayar salula. "An matsar da jadawalin, Janar," in ji bayan ya buga lambar da sauri. "Matsar da sojojin ku kuma ku sami jiragen ku a cikin iska, yanzu!"
    
    
  CIBIYAR UMURNI DA SARKI, ALLIED AIR BASE NAKHLA, IRAQI
  DA YAMMA
    
    
  "Da alama ƙafafun suna shirin tashi a Turkiyya, ko ba haka ba?" Chris Thompson ya ce. Ya zauna a wurin ta'aziyyar daraktan tsaro da ke cikin tankin, yana kallon rahotannin matakan tsaro da ke faruwa a jamhuriyar Turkiyya, a daya daga cikin manya-manyan allo da ke gaban tankin, wanda a ko da yaushe ake kallon tashar labaran Amurka. Rahotanni sun nuna jami"an "yan sanda da sojoji sun yi arangama da masu zanga-zanga a kan titunan Istanbul da Ankara. "Hirsiz mahaukaci ne. Dokar ta-baci? Kamar juyin mulkin soja a gare ni. Ina mamakin ko har yanzu yana kan mulki? "
    
  "Ka ajiye muryarka, Thompson," in ji Jack Wilhelm, wanda ke zaune a wurin na'urar wasan bidiyo na kusa. "Dukkanmu muna iya ganin abin da ke faruwa. Kawo firikwensin na takwas gaba kuma zuƙowa goma-X. Ya nazarci hoton manyan motocin dakon kaya guda uku da ke tafe akan hanya, sassan kaya suna ta karkarwa a hankali suna juyowa. "Suna tafiya da sauri, ba za ku ce ba? Girma hoton sau goma sha biyar, sami bayanin, aika zuwa IA. Wanene suke da su a wannan yanki, Major Jabbouri? Jami'in hulda da jama'a na Turkiyya ya shimfida taswirorinsa da litattafai, sannan ya dauki wayar. "Zo, Major, ba mu da dukan yini a gabanmu."
    
  "Rundunar sintiri ta kan iyaka tana tafiya ta wani bangare, kimanin mil goma daga nan, yallabai," in ji Manjo Hamid Jabbouri, mataimakin jami'in hulda da jama'a na rundunar sojojin Turkiyya bayan dogon jinkiri. "An sanar da su binciken motar. Sun bukaci mu ci gaba da sanya ido tare da bayar da rahoto idan sun tuntube mu."
    
  "Tabbas - menene kuma muke bukatar muyi anan banda hidimar IA?" Wilhelm ya yi gunaguni. "Biri na iya yin aikin." A wannan lokacin, Patrick McLanahan ya tunkari kwamandan brigade. "Yi magana game da shaidan. Dole ne in yarda, Janar, mai ciki stealth bomber ne mai kisa. Muna samun daidaitattun ra'ayoyi a duk faɗin sashin tare da kashi ɗaya cikin huɗu na gliders; muna adana bandwidth na cibiyar sadarwa, man fetur da ma'aikata; sannan mashigin da sararin sama ba su da cunkoso."
    
  "Na gode Kanar. Zan mika wannan ga John da injiniyoyinsa."
    
  "Za ku yi wannan". Wilhelm ya nuna mai duba talabijin. "Don haka, kun yi magana da Mataimakin Shugaban kasa game da wannan kullin da ke faruwa a Turkiyya?"
    
  Patrick ya ce "Yana kan hanyar zuwa Erbil don ganawa da shugabannin Iraki, Kurdawa da kuma watakila Turkiyya." "Ya ce zai sami sabuntawa daga gare mu idan ya sauka."
    
  "Har yanzu kuna tunanin Turkiyya za ta mamaye?"
    
  "Iya. Yanzu fiye da kowane lokaci. Idan har Hirsiz bai goyi bayan yakin ba, hanya daya tilo ta doka da zai fara ita ce ya rusa majalisar dokokin kasar ya ba da umarni da kansa."
    
  "Ina tsammanin wannan hauka ne, Janar," in ji Wilhelm. "Harin da aka kai a Zakho babban kuskure ne, shi ke nan. Sojoji na da hannu a ciki saboda Janar-janar na son nuna wanda ke da iko da kuma tilasta wa Kurdawa, Iraki da Amurkawa kan teburin tattaunawa."
    
  "Ina fata kana da gaskiya, Colonel," in ji Patrick. "Amma suna da manyan runduna a can, kuma adadin su yana karuwa kowace sa'a."
    
  "Wani nuni ne na karfi, shi ke nan," in ji Wilhelm.
    
  "Mu gani".
    
  "Bari mu ce sun mamaye. Har yaushe kuke tunanin za su je?"
    
  "Ina fatan za su iya kwace lardin Dohuk kawai sannan su tsaya," in ji Patrick. "Amma da wadannan dakarun da suka garzaya zuwa kan iyaka, za su iya kwace filin jirgin sama na Erbil, su kuma kewaye birnin da rabin lardin Erbil tare da tilasta wa gwamnatin Kurdawa tserewa. Bayan haka, za su iya tafiya har zuwa Kirkuk. Za su iya cewa don kare bututun CPC daga 'yan tawayen Kurdawa ne."
    
  Wilhelm ya ce, "Mai kewaye" - Ina sauraronka, Janar," in ji Wilhelm, yana dariya tare da girgiza kai, "Shin an taba kewaye da ku, Janar, ko kuwa kuna jefa bama-bamai ne kawai?"
    
  "Shin ka taba jin wani wuri da ake kira Yakutsk, Colonel?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  Wilhelm's jaw ya fadi, da farko a gigice-da kansa-sannan cikin kunya. "Oh... Haba damn, General, kayi hakuri," ya fada a nitse. Ya taba jin labarin Yakutsk, birni na uku mafi girma a Siberiya na Rasha ...
    
  ... da kuma wurin da wani babban sansanin jiragen sama da aka yi amfani da shi a matsayin sansanin jiragen ruwa na gaba don kara mai da 'yan Rasha masu cin dogon zango da ke da hannu a cikin Holocaust na Amurka - harin nukiliya da aka kaiwa Amurka wanda ya kashe mutane dubu 30, ya raunata kusan dubu dari. , kuma ta lalata kusan kowa da kowa Amurkawa masu bama bama-bamai masu cin dogon zango da harba makamai masu linzami na kasa da kasa, shekaru shida a baya.
    
  Patrick McLanahan ya tsara wani shiri na ramuwar gayya kan makami mai linzami na kasar Rasha, ta hanyar saukar da tawagar Tin Woodman da kuma Cybernetic Infantry Commando a Yakutsk, inda suka kwace sansanin, sannan suka yi amfani da shi wajen kaddamar da hare-haren wuce gona da iri da Amurkawa suka kai cikin Rasha. Shugaban kasar Rasha Anatoly Gryzlov ya mayar da martani ga sansanin sojin samansa... da makami mai linzami masu linzamin nukiliya. Duk da cewa kariyar Patrick ta dakatar da yawancin makamai masu linzami na cruises tare da ba da damar mafi yawan masu fashewar bama-bamai da tankokin yaki na Patrick sun tsere, an kona dubban 'yan Rasha da sauran ma'aikatan jirgin na Amurka kaɗan.
    
  "Yaushe ka sami wannan dabi'ar na yin magana da farko da tunani daga baya, Colonel?" - Patrick ya tambaya. "Shin kasancewa a Iraki kawai, ko kun daɗe kuna aiki akan fasahar?"
    
  "Na ce yi hakuri, Janar," Wilhelm ya ce a fusace, ya sake magana kai tsaye da kansa. "Na manta wanda nake magana da shi. Kuma zan iya zarge shi akan gaskiyar cewa na shafe kusan watanni goma sha takwas a cikin wannan rami - yana iya jefa kowa cikin damuwa ko mafi muni. Wannan shi ne karo na uku da na aika zuwa Iraki, kuma ban taba yin aiki mai kyau ba-ko da yaushe. Suna canza shi kowane wata biyu ta wata hanya: muna nan don zama, muna barin, muna zama, za mu tafi; muna yakar baki, muna yakar Ahlus-Sunnah, muna yakar Shi'a, muna yakar Al-Qaeda; yanzu muna iya fada da Turkawa." Ya dakata, ya dubi Patrick cikin ba da hakuri, sannan ya kara da cewa, "Amma ba zan zarge shi da wani abu ba in ban da zama dan iska. Har yanzu, yallabai, ina ba da hakuri. Ka manta na fadi haka."
    
  "An manta, Colonel." Patrick ya duba taswirar takaitaccen bayani a fannin, sannan ya kalli yadda ake yada tashe-tashen hankula a Turkiyya. "Kuma kun bayyana ra'ayinku: idan Turkawa suka yi tattaki zuwa Erbil da Kirkuk, ba za su yi musu kawanya ba - za su rusa su kasa tare da kashe dubban daruruwan mutane a cikin wannan tsari."
    
  Wilhelm ya ce "Na fahimta, yallabai." "Maganin karshe ga matsalar Kurdawa." Alamar intercom ta yi kara, kuma Wilhelm ya taɓa maɓallin makirufo: "Tafi... na samu... Roger, zan gaya masa." Warhammer ya fita. Jama'a ku saurara da kyau. Sashen ya sanar da mu cewa mataimakin shugaban kasar zai tafi Erbil cikin kimanin sa'a guda domin ganawa da mambobin gwamnatin yankin Kurdistan da safe. Za ta bi ta bangaren mu kafin a mika ta don tunkararsa zuwa Erbil, amma Baghdad za ta kula da jirgin kuma za su bi tsarin VIP na al'ada da na diflomasiyya. Gabaɗaya, an umarce ni-"
    
  "Zan iya sanya ido sosai kan hanyar jirgin mataimakin shugaban kasa ga duk wani alamun motsi," Patrick ya shiga tsakani. "Ka ba ni hanyoyin hanya kuma zan saita komai."
    
  "Za ku iya yin wannan kuma ku sa ido kan sashinmu?" Wilhelm ya tambaya.
    
  Patrick ya ce "Idan ina da karin masu hasara guda biyu a nan, Kanar, zan iya kallon dukkan Iraki, kudu maso gabashin Turkiyya da kuma arewa maso yammacin Farisa 24/7 kuma har yanzu ina da karfin ikon kasa," in ji Patrick. Ya tabo kunnen kunnen sa mai karewa. "Boomer, ka fahimci abu na karshe?"
    
  "Tuni saita shi, yallabai," Hunter Noble ya amsa. "Mai rashin nasara da muka samu a cikin iska a yanzu zai iya bin diddigin jirginsa a lardin Erbil, amma ina tsammanin kuna son bin diddigin mataimakin shugaban kasa har zuwa Bagadaza, ko?"
    
  "Kamfani A"
    
  "Na yi tunani haka. Za mu sami mai lamba biyu a tashar... nan da kusan minti arba'in."
    
  "Da sauri-wuri, Boomer. A matsar da wanda ya yi rashin nasara zuwa kudu don bin diddigin jirgin mataimakin shugaban kasa, sannan a sanya na biyu a kan hanyar sa ido zuwa arewa yayin da zai tashi."
    
  "An fahimta."
    
  "Don haka za mu iya kallon jirginsa daga Baghdad har zuwa Erbil?" Wilhelm ya tambaya.
    
  "A'a - za mu iya gano tare da gano kowane jirgin sama da kowane abin hawa da ke tafiya a cikin lardunan Iraki bakwai, daga Ramadi zuwa Karbala da kuma ko'ina a tsakani, a hakikanin lokaci," in ji Patrick. "Za mu iya ganowa tare da gano duk motar da ta tunkari jirgin mataimakin shugaban kasa kafin mu tashi; za mu iya kallon tasi din jirginsa da lura da duk wasu jirage da ababen hawan da ke kusa da shi. Idan akwai wani abin tuhuma kafin ya tashi ko isa Erbil, za mu iya sanar da shi da kuma tsaron lafiyarsa. "
    
  "Da jirage biyu?"
    
  "Kusan za mu iya yin shi da guda ɗaya, amma don daidaiton da muke buƙata, yana da kyau a raba ɗaukar hoto da amfani da mafi girman ƙuduri mai yiwuwa," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Da kyau," Wilhelm ya ce, yana girgiza kai. "Ina fata kuna kusa da ku "yan watanni da suka gabata, na yi kewar "yata ta kammala sakandare a bara. Wannan shi ne karo na biyu da na rasa wani abu makamancin haka."
    
  Patrick ya ce: "Ina da ɗa da ke shirin zuwa makarantar sakandare, kuma ba zan iya tuna lokacin ƙarshe da na gan shi a wasan ƙwallon ƙafa na makaranta ba." "Nasan abinda kike ji".
    
  "Yi hakuri, Kanal," jami'in hulda da jama'a na Turkiyya, Manjo Jabbouri, ya shiga tsakani kan intercom. "An sanar da ni cewa, Rukunin Sufurin Jiragen Sama na Turkiyya na aike da jiragen yaki na Gulfstream VIP guda biyar daga Ankara zuwa Erbil domin halartar shawarwarin hadin gwiwa tsakanin Amurka, Iraki da kuma kasata, wanda za a fara gobe. Jirgin yana cikin iska kuma zai kasance a cikin kewayon mu cikin kusan mintuna sittin."
    
  "Madalla," in ji Wilhelm. "Captain Cotter, sanar da ni lokacin da ka karɓi shirin jirgin."
    
  "Na gane yanzu, yallabai," in ji Cotter, jami'in kula da zirga-zirgar jiragen sama, bayan wani lokaci. "An tabbatar da asali. Zan tuntubi ministan harkokin wajen Irakin in fayyace hanyarsa."
    
  "Da farko sanya shi a kan babban allo, sannan yi kira." Layi shudi ne ya haye babban babban allo, wanda ya taso kai tsaye daga Ankara zuwa filin jirgin saman Erbil na arewa maso yammacin kasa da kasa, mai nisan mil tamanin zuwa gabas, ya wuce gabas da tashar jiragen sama na Allied a Nala. Kodayake hanyar jirgin ta kasance mai lanƙwasa maimakon madaidaiciya, hanyar "babbar da'irar" mai tsawon mil ɗari shida ita ce hanyar da ta fi kai tsaye daga wannan batu zuwa wancan. "Yana da kyau," in ji Wilhelm. "Manjo Jabbouri, ka tabbata IAD ma tana da tsarin jirgin, kuma ka tabbata Kanar Jaffar ya sani."
    
  "Iya, Colonel."
    
  "To, aƙalla jam"iyyun suna tattaunawa da juna. Wataƙila wannan duka zai lafa a ƙarshe."
    
  A cikin mintuna ashirin na gaba abubuwa sun lafa sosai har zuwa: "Guppies Biyu-Hudu a cikin iska," in ji Patrick. "Zai kasance a tashar nan da mintuna goma sha biyar."
    
  "Yana da sauri," in ji Wilhelm. "Ya ku mutanen ba ku damu da samun waɗannan abubuwan a cikin iska ba, ko, General?"
    
  "Ba shi da mutum-mutumi, an riga an yi lodi da mai; kawai mu shigar da tsare-tsaren jirgin da na'urori masu auna firikwensin mu bar shi," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Babu dakunan wanka da za a fanko, cunkushe abincin rana don gyarawa, parachutes don saitawa, ko?"
    
  "Daidai".
    
  Wilhelm ya girgiza kai da mamaki.
    
  Sun kalli yadda jirgin VIP na Turkiyya ke tafiya kan iyakar Iraki. Babu wani sabon abu game da jirgin: yawo a tsayin ƙafa dubu talatin da ɗaya, saurin iska na yau da kullun, lambobin transponder na yau da kullun. Yayin da ya rage kusan mintuna goma sha biyu jirgin ya tsallaka kan iyaka, Wilhelm ya ba da umarnin: "Manjo Jabbouri, ka duba sau biyu cewa sojojin tsaron saman Iraki suna sane da jirgin da ke zuwa daga Turkiyya kuma ba su da makamai."
    
  "Jabbouri ya fita daga grid, sir," in ji Weatherly.
    
  "Ku nemo jakinsa ku dawo da shi nan," Wilhelm ya yi kuka, sannan Wilhelm ya sauya tasharsa ta umarni: "Dukkan rukunin Warhammer, wannan shi ne Alpha, jirgin saman VIP na Turkiyya ya iso cikin mintuna goma, duk tashoshin tsaron sama suna ba da rahoton samun makamai kai tsaye zuwa ga ni."
    
  Yanayin yanayi ya canza ɗaya daga cikin masu sa ido zuwa taswirar matsayi da matsayi na duk sassan tsaron iska da ke kan iyakar. Rukunin sun ƙunshi motocin kariya ta iska ta hannu Avenger, waɗanda Humvees ne sanye da tururuwa mai tuƙi mai ɗauke da fastoci guda biyu waɗanda za a iya sake saukewa masu ɗauke da makamai masu linzami huɗu na Stinger mai neman zafi da bindiga mai nauyi 50, tare da na'urori masu auna firikwensin lantarki da duct. watsa bayanai, yana barin hasumiya ta haɗa da radars na tsaro na iska na rukuni na biyu. Avengers din dai sun samu rakiyar wani jirgin ruwa mai suna Humvee dauke da jami'an kula da lafiya, da kayayyakin gyara da harsasai, da kayayyaki, da kuma wuraren mika makamai masu linzami guda biyu.
    
  "Duk sassan talla na Warhammer suna bayar da rahoton karancin makamai, yallabai," in ji Weatherly.
    
  Wilhelm ya duba mai duba, wanda ya nuna dukkan raka'o'in Avenger tare da tsayayye jajayen gumakan da ke nuna suna aiki amma basu shirya kai hari ba. "Ina mai rashin nasara na biyu, Janar?" Ya tambaya.
    
  "Minti uku zuwa wurin sintiri." Patrick ya kawo alamar XC-57 akan nunin dabara don Wilhelm ya iya ganin ta a tsakanin sauran alamomin. "Mun haye matakin jirgi uku da sifili, muna hawa zuwa hudu da daya-sifili, nesa da jirgin Turkiyya da zai isa. Za mu fara duba wurin nan ba da jimawa ba."
    
  "Nuna min jirgin mataimakin shugaban kasa."
    
  Wani gunki ya fara walƙiya, a wannan lokacin zuwa kudu, a kan Bagadaza. "An tashi kawai, yallabai, kusan mintuna talatin da wuri," in ji Cotter. Karatun bayanan jirgin ya nuna saurin haɓakar tsayi da ƙarancin saurin ƙasa, wanda ke nuna matsakaicin tsayin daka daga Baghdad International. Ya kara da cewa, "Ya bayyana yana cikin wani rotor na CV-22, don haka zai kasance da muhimmanci a bayan Tekun Gulf na Turkiyya idan ya zo." "LOKACIN ZUWA, mintuna arba'in da biyar."
    
  "An fahimta."
    
  Komai yana tafiya kamar yadda aka saba, wanda koyaushe yana damun Patrick McLanahan. Ya duba dukkan na'urori da karatun kayan aiki, yana neman duk wani abin da ya sa wani abu ya kasance ba daidai ba. Babu komai tukuna. Jirgin leken asiri na biyu na XC-57 ya isa yankin sa na sintiri kuma ya fara sintiri daidai gwargwado. Komai ya duba...
    
  Sai ya ganta ya danna maballin intercom: "Jirgin Turkiyya yana tafiyar hawainiya," in ji shi.
    
  "Me? Maimaita, Gabaɗaya?
    
  "Gulf Stream. Gudun ya ragu zuwa kulli dari uku da hamsin."
    
  "Shin yana shirin saukowa?"
    
  "Ya nisa daga Erbil?" - Patrick ya tambaya. "Idan da ya yi tsari na yau da kullun, da zai yi ma'ana, amma wane jirgin Turkiyya ne zai tashi zuwa tsakiyar yankin Kurdawa bisa tsarin da aka saba? Ya yi tsarin tare da mafi girman inganci - bai fara gangarowa ba sai mil talatin, watakila ƙasa da haka. Yanzu ya kai wajen dari ya fita. Shi, ba shakka, kuma ya zarce zuwa kudu. Amma tsayinsa-"
    
  "Yan bindiga! 'Yan fashi! "Hunter Noble ne, bayanan sa ido daga XC-57 na biyu. "Jirgin sama masu sauri da yawa suna tahowa daga Turkiyya, sun nufi kudu a ƙasa ƙasa, mil hamsin da bakwai, gudun maƙi ɗaya da ɗari biyar! "Ayyukan da aka nuna na dabara sun nuna nau'o'i da yawa na hare-haren iska da ke motsawa kudancin Turkiyya. "An kuma gano manyan motoci da yawa akan A36 da kuma-" muryarsa ta katse kwatsam cikin wani kakkausan ruri na tsaye...
    
  ... nunin dabara ya kasance iri ɗaya. Gaba dayan allon ya cika da pixels masu launi masu kyalli, alamun takarce, da raƙuman ruwa na tsaye. "Zan sake cewa?" Wilhelm ya yi kururuwa. "Ina wadannan motocin? Me kuma ya faru da allona?
    
  "Tsarin hulɗa da Loser," in ji Patrick. Ya fara buga umarni akan madannai. "Boomer...!"
    
  Boomer ya ce "Yanzu na canza, shugaba, amma kusan hanyar sadarwar bayanai ta ragu, kuma na rage saurin gudu zuwa kilomita sittin a cikin sa'a guda," in ji Boomer.
    
  "Shin zai canza ta atomatik?"
    
  "Idan ya gano raguwar hanyar haɗin bayanai, zai yi, amma idan tsangwama yana toshe masu sarrafa siginar, maiyuwa ba zai iya ba."
    
  "Me ke faruwa, McLanahan?" Wilhelm ya yi ihu, yana tsalle zuwa kafafunsa. "Me ya faru da hotona?"
    
  Patrick ya ce "Ana takura mu a kan dukkan mitoci - UHF, VHF, LF, X, Ku- da Ka-bands da microwave," in ji Patrick. "Kuma mai iko sosai. Muna kokari-" Ya yi shiru, sannan ya dubi kwamandan runduna. "Turkish Gulf Stream. Wannan ba jirgin VIP ba ne, ya kamata ya zama jirgin da ke cinkoso."
    
  "Me?"
    
  "Jammer na lantarki kuma ya rufe dukkan hanyar sadarwa," in ji Patrick. "Mun bar shi ya tashi sama da mu, kuma yana da ƙarfi, don haka ba za mu iya shiga tsakani ba. Mitar tsalle-tsalle ba ta taimaka - tana ƙonewa ta kowane mitoci."
    
  "Allah, mun makanta a nan." Wilhelm ya canza zuwa tashar umarni na rejiment: "Zuwa ga dukkan raka'a na Warhammer, zuwa dukkan sassan Warhammer, wannan shine...!" Amma muryarsa ta nutsar da wani tsawa mai ban mamaki da ke fitowa daga dukkan belun kunne da ba za a iya kashe su ba. Wilhelm ya jefar da belun kunne kafin sautin ya fashe da kunnuwansa, kuma duk wanda ke cikin Tankin an tilasta masa yin haka. "Damn, ba zan iya shiga cikin Avengers ba."
    
  Patrick ya kunna amintaccen wayarsa ta hannu. "Boomer..." Amma da sauri ya cire earphone daga kunnensa saboda hayaniya. "Ka shirya, Colonel," in ji Patrick. "Noble zai rufe tsarin leken asiri."
    
  "Kina rufe wannan? Me yasa?"
    
  "Tsangwama yana da ƙarfi sosai cewa haɗin bayanan da ke tsakaninmu da XC-57 ba shi da tsari gaba ɗaya," in ji Patrick. "Hanya daya tilo da za mu iya sake samun wannan ita ce rufewa."
    
  "Mene ne amfanin hakan?"
    
  "Mafi aminci ga duk masu asara shine canzawa zuwa yanayin sadarwar laser mai tsaro, kuma kamar yadda muka sani, babu wanda ke da ikon lalata hanyoyin sadarwar mu," in ji Patrick. "Da zaran mun maido da wutar lantarki, nan take na"urar za ta zama hanyar sadarwa mai inganci da tsaro. Laser layin gani ne kuma ba a yada shi daga tauraron dan adam, don haka za mu rasa iyawa da yawa, amma a kalla za mu dawo da hoton ... a kalla ya kamata mu. "
    
  Sake kunna tsarin ya ɗauki ƙasa da mintuna goma, amma jira ya yi tsayi sosai. Lokacin da hoton ya dawo, sai suka ga kadan daga cikin abin da suka saba gani - amma har yanzu yana da ban tsoro: "Ina da rukuni uku na jiragen sama suna gabatowa - daya kowannensu ya nufi Mosul, Erbil, kuma na uku, ina tsammanin. , yana kan hanyar zuwa Kirkuk, "in ji Hunter Noble. "Akwai jirage masu sauri da yawa a gaba, da kuma jirage marasa sauri da yawa a bayansu."
    
  "Wannan harin iska ne," in ji Patrick. "Jirgin saman sojan ruwa don fitar da radars da sadarwa, sannan masu tayar da bama-bamai na dabara don lalata filayen jiragen sama da ofisoshin ba da umarni, kusa da tallafin iska don tsayawa kallo, sannan kuma jiragen sama da jiragen dakon kaya su kai hari a kasa."
    
  "Nala fa?" - Weatherly tambaya.
    
  "Rukunin yammacin duniya na wucewa zuwa yammacin mu - ina tsammanin za su kai hari Mosul maimakon mu."
    
  "Bari-bari mu ɗauka cewa muna gaba," in ji Wilhelm. "A yanayin yanayi, shirya tawaga kuma a ba kowa umarnin ya nemi matsuguni. Yi shi ta kowace hanya da za ku iya - yi amfani da megaphones, ƙaho na mota ko kururuwa kamar mahaukaci, amma ɗauki tsarin mulki don rufewa. Rediyo tuntuɓi Avengers zuwa -"
    
  "Ba zan iya ba, yallabai. Jirgin leken asiri na Scion ya dawo kan iska, amma har yanzu sadarwar mu na ci gaba da dakushewa."
    
  "Damn," Wilhelm ya zagi. "To, bari mu yi fatan Avengers sun sami wurare masu kyau don ɓoye saboda ba za mu iya faɗakar da su ba. Fara daukar mataki." Cike da saurin yanayi. "McLanahan, mataimakin shugaban kasa fa?"
    
  "Ba mu da wata hanyar tuntuɓar jirginsa yayin da muke makale," in ji Patrick. "Da fatan, da zarar ya sauya zuwa mitar mu, ya ji tsangwama kuma ya yanke shawarar komawa Bagadaza."
    
  "Shin akwai wata hanyar da za ku iya harba wannan Gulf Stream ko duk abin da yake can?" Wilhelm ya tambaya.
    
  Patrick ya dan yi tunani, sannan ya nufi hanyar fita. "Zan je layin tashi," in ji shi, ya kara da cewa: "Zan dawo da ku." Patrick yayi sauri ya fita waje, ya shiga cikin daya daga cikin Humvees da aka ba tawagarsa, sannan ya fice.
    
  Ya tarar da layin tashi cikin hargitsi. Sojoji sun tsaya a kan Humvees, suna ta gargadi; wasu suna da lasifika; wasu kawai suka yi kaho. Rabin masu fasaha na Scion Aviation International sun tsaya a kusa, ba su da tabbas ko za su bar ko a'a.
    
  "Shiga cikin murfin, yanzu!" - Patrick ya yi ihu bayan ya zo wani tasha mai ban tsoro a wajen rataye, ya yi tsalle ya fita da gudu ya nufi cibiyar umarni. Ya sami John Masters da Hunter Noble suna zaune a wurin ta'aziyyarsu, suna ƙoƙarin yin tsayayya da tsangwama ba tare da nasara ba. "Wai maza kune mahaukaci?" Patrick ya ce yayin da ya fara ɗaukar kwamfyutocin. "Fita jahannama daga nan!"
    
  "Ba za su jefa mana bam ba, Mook," in ji John. "Mu Amurkawa ne, kuma wannan sansanin sojin saman Iraki ne, ba tungar 'yan tawaye ba. Suna zuwa-"
    
  A wannan lokacin, an katse shi ta hanyar ƙarar sautin sonic sau uku waɗanda suka birgima kai tsaye. Kamar dai hangar wata katuwar balo ce mai cike da iska nan take. An buge na'urorin kwamfuta, fitilu, da rumfuna daga tebura da bango, fitulun fitilu sun farfasa, bangon ya tsage, kuma iska ta yi hazo kwatsam yayin da duk wata ƙura da ke cikin ɗakin gaba ɗaya ta lalace saboda matsi da yawa. "Hello, ya Allah...!"
    
  "Ina fata wannan gargadi ne. Kada ku yi ƙoƙarin harba kowane jirgin sama, in ba haka ba gudu na gaba zai kasance harba bam," in ji Patrick. A karkashin teburin da ɗayan kwamfyutocin da ke nuna hoton radar na Laser daga XC-57, ya yi nazarinsa na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya ce, "John, ina son an harbo jirgin Turkiyya."
    
  "Me amfani? Spittoons? Ba mu da wani makamin kariya daga jiragen sama."
    
  "Mai hasara yayi. Slingshot."
    
  "Slingshot?" Idanun Yahaya sun lumshe cikin rudani, sannan suka fahimta, aka bisu da lissafi, sannan suka amince. "Muna buƙatar kusanci, watakila tsakanin mil uku."
    
  "Kuma idan Turkawa sun kama wanda ya yi hasara, to tabbas za su harbe shi ... sannan kuma za su zo mana."
    
  "Ina fata ba sa son yin rikici da mu - suna bin 'yan tawayen Kurdawa," in ji Patrick. "Idan da suna son jefa mana bam, da tuni sun yi hakan." Wannan bai yi kama da mai gamsarwa ba ko a gare shi; amma bayan wani lokaci na tunani ya gyada kai. "Ku yi".
    
  John ya fashe gyalensa ya fara yin baƙar umarni, inda ya canza hanyar jirgin XC-57 da aka tsara don shiga wurin ajiye motoci na jirgin saman Turkiyya, sannan ya sa ya tashi a baya da ƙasa da kansa, yana amfani da radars ɗinsa don kiyaye shi a tsaye. "Ban ga wani dan rakiya ba," in ji Boomer, yana nazarin hoton radar laser da ke kewaye da jirgin na Turkiyya yayin da XC-57 ke gabatowa. "Wannan jirgi guda ne. Ko ba haka ba?
    
  "Wannan wane irin jirgi ne?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  "Ba zan iya ganinsa ba tukuna - kodayake ya fi ƙanƙanta da Kogin Gulf."
    
  "Kadan?" Wannan jin na halakar da ke tafe ya dawo, yana rarrafe sama da ƙasa kashin bayan Patrick. "Yana da iko da yawa ga jirgin sama da ya fi na Gulfstream."
    
  "A cikin radiyon mil goma," in ji John. "Zan buge shi daga mil biyar. Har yanzu ana ƙoƙarin raba injin ɗin ya rabu." XC-57 ya rufe nesa da sauri.
    
  "Ba na ganin gondolas - wannan ba jirgin fasinja ba ne," in ji Patrick. Yayin da ya matso, yana iya ganin ƙarin cikakkun bayanai: ƙaramin injin bizjet na tagwaye, amma tare da sassa uku a ƙarƙashin kowane reshe da ɗaki ɗaya a ƙarƙashin ciki. "Tabbas ba farar hula ba," in ji shi. "Ka kama duk abin da za ka iya, John, kuma ka harba da zarar za ka iya..."
    
  Kafin ya karasa, kwatsam jirgin na Turkiyya ya juyo da karfi zuwa hagu, ya fara hawa cikin sauri-kuma saurin jujjuyawar da yake yi bai kai na wani babban jirgin fasinja irin na tekun Gulf ba. Daga wannan kusa, tare da cikakken bayaninsa da aka nuna akan hoton radar na Laser, ainihin sa ba a iya gane shi ba: "Kai banza, F-4 Phantom fighter ne! "Boomer ya yi ihu. "F-4 tare da iyawa? Ba mamaki ba su tafi da wani rakiyar su ba - tabbas zai iya raka kansa."
    
  Patrick ya ce, "Buga shi, John, kuma ku fitar da wanda ya yi rashin nasara daga wurin!" Dole ne fatalwa ta kasance tana da makaman kariya!"
    
  "Buga, Boomer!" John ya fada yayin da yake buga umarni da hazaka don kiran XC-57.
    
  "An kunna Slingshot!" Boomer ya ce. "Cikakken iko. Nisan mil shida...ba zai isa ba."
    
  "Kada ku damu - zai rufe wannan tazarar da sauri," in ji Patrick a wulakance. "Fara saukowa cikin sauri, John - F-4 bazai so sauka ba. Sanya shi a kan bene."
    
  "Muna sauka!" John Masters ya ce. Ta hanyar amfani da fasahar "adaptive wing" na XC-57, wacce ta mayar da kusan kowane saman jirgin sama zuwa na"urar dagawa, XC-57 na sauka da gudu sama da kafa dubu goma a cikin minti daya, tare da hadadden tsarinsa kawai ya hana shi faduwa.
    
  "An dawo da haɗin gwiwa," in ji masanin. "An kashe duk tsangwama."
    
  "Yana sannu a hankali," in ji Boomer. "Miloli uku...ya kamata ya rika jin zafi game da..." Kuma a wannan lokacin, hoton radar na Laser ya nuna makamai masu linzami guda biyu suna barin kowane reshe na F-4E na Turkiyya. "Sidewinders!" Ya daka tsawa. Amma bayan 'yan dakikoki da tashin jirgin, makamai masu linzami na Sidewinder sun fashe. "Slingshot ya ƙare su duka biyu," in ji Boomer. "An juya Laser zuwa Fatalwa. Har yanzu ana tafiyar hawainiya duk da cewa tana raguwa".
    
  "Ina tsammanin mun buga wani abu mai mahimmanci," in ji John. Hoton radar da aka girma ya nuna a fili hayaki yana fitowa daga injin dama na mayakan. "Yana bukatar ya fasa shi. Yana da sama da ƙafa dubu biyar-biyar-jiragen yaƙi ba sa son yawo kusa da datti."
    
  "Miloli biyu kuma har yanzu suna zuwa," in ji Boomer. "Zo, aptal, wasan ya ƙare."
    
  "Aptal?"
    
  "Yana nufin 'wawa' a Turkanci," in ji Boomer. "Na yi tunanin cewa idan za mu fuskanci Turkawa, zai fi kyau in koyi Turanci kadan."
    
  "Zan bar muku shi don ku fara koyan munanan kalmomi," in ji John. Komawa yayi yana binsa akan laptop dinsa. "Zo abokina, ya ƙare, ya ƙare-" A lokacin ne tarin saƙonnin gargaɗi suka bayyana a kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka na John. "Damn, injuna daya da biyu suna kashewa... Na"urorin lantarki da na"urorin lantarki sun lalace! Me ya faru?"
    
  "Ya zo ne cikin iyakar harbi," in ji Patrick. A cikin hasken rana, tare da sararin sama ... XC-57 ya lalace kuma kowa ya san shi.
    
  "Zo baby," John ya aririce halittarsa, "zaki kasance lafiya, ci gaba kawai...."
    
  Kuma suna kallo, sai suka ga wani hayaƙi yana fitowa daga gaban wata F-4 Phantom na Turkiyya, alfarwar ta naɗe baya, kuma kujerar fitar da baya ta tashi sama. Sai da suka jira kujerar gaba ta fice... amma suna kallo, lambobin tsayin daka sun ci gaba da raguwa, a ƙarshe ya nuna sifilin daƙiƙa. "Samu shi," in ji Boomer a hankali, ba tare da alamar farin ciki ko nasara ba - kallon mutuwar kowane matukin jirgi, ko da maƙiyi, bai taba zama dalilin bikin ba. "Tabbas ya cutar da shi sosai lokacin da aka nufi Slingshot a fuskarsa da cikakken iko, amma bai kusa barin mai hasara ya gudu ba."
    
  "Za ka iya mayar da ita, John?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  "Ban sani ba," in ji John. "Ƙananan tsarin na'urar Laser na radar baya ja da baya - juriya ce mai yawa, kuma injin guda ɗaya kawai ya rage. Muna kuma asarar mai. Da tafiyar mil talatin kacal, zai yi kusa."
    
  Akwai yatsu masu wucewa da yawa, amma XC-57 ya dawo. "Aiki mai kyau, John," in ji Patrick daga Hummer nasa yana fakin a ƙarshen titin jirgin yayin da yake leƙo asirin jirgin ta cikin binocular dinsa. Shi da John suna kallon yadda Loser ke shirin shiga kai tsaye. Akwai doguwar sawu mai duhu na hayaƙi a bayan gurguwar tsuntsun, amma hanyar jirginsa tana da kyau. "Ban yi tsammanin za ta tsira ba."
    
  "Ni kuma," John ya ce. "Wannan saukar ba za ta yi daɗi ba. Tabbatar ya bayyana ga kowa da kowa - Ban san irin nau'in birki ko sarrafa jagora da muka bari ba, kuma yana iya..."
    
  "Scion, wannan shine na uku!" - Boomer ya yi ihu a kan tashar umarnin rediyo. "Jirgin da ke shigowa daga kudu, tsayin daka sosai!" Patrick ya juyo ya kalli sama...
    
  ... kuma a wannan lokacin Yahaya ya yi ihu: "Mai tsarki!" Manyan gajimare guda biyu na wuta sun barke a gaban XC-57. Jirgin ya yi kamar yana shawagi a cikin iska na 'yan wasu lokuta; sai kuma wani fashewar wani abu, sai jirgin ya juye akan hancinsa ya nutse cikin kasa kai tsaye. Babu isasshen man fetur a cikin tankunan da zai haifar da wata babbar gobara.
    
  Idanun John Masters a zahiri sun fiddo daga kwassan sa cikin rudani. "Me ya faru da ni-"
    
  "Sauka, John!" Patrick ya yi kururuwa, yana buga shi a kasa. Wasu jiragen yakin Mikiya guda biyu samfurin F-15E da aka kera a Amurka sun yi dirar mikiya a kasa a kasa, inda suka nufi arewa zuwa Turkiyya.
    
  John yayi ƙoƙari ya tashi. "Wadancan 'yan iska sun buge ni-"
    
  "Na ce duck!" Patrick ya yi kururuwa. Bayan ɗan lokaci kaɗan, wasu fashe-fashe masu ƙarfi takwas sun yi tsawa a tsakiyar titin jirgin, wanda mafi kusa da shi ya yi nisa kaɗan kaɗan. Duk mutanen biyu sun ji kamar Hummer ɗinsu ya birgima a kansu. An zub da su da tarkace da hayaƙi, suna kururuwa tare da haɗa hannayensu zuwa kunnuwa yayin da mugunyar girgiza ta ke kada iska daga huhunsu. Cikakkun siminti suka bi su kamar harsashi sannan aka zubo musu ruwa. "Shigo cikin Hummer, John! Yi sauri!" Duk mutanen biyu sun hau ciki kamar yadda manyan simintin siminti ya zubo musu daga sama. Ba su da wani zaɓi illa su yi rarrafe a ƙasa gwargwadon iyawarsu da fatan rufin zai riƙe. Gilashin ya farfashe kuma babban Hummer ya girgiza akan ƙafafunsa kafin su ma su fashe.
    
  Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan, Yahaya yana ci gaba da yin ta a ƙasan Hummer, yana rufe kunnuwansa yana zagi da ƙarfi. Patrick na iya ganin wani ɗan ƙaramin jini yana zubowa tsakanin yatsun da ke rufe kunnen hagu na Yahaya. Patrick ya kunna rediyo mai ɗaukar hoto don neman taimako, amma bai iya jin komai kuma yana fatan saƙonsa ya isa. Ya hau kan rufin Humvee don duba barnar da aka yi.
    
  Kyawawan bam, yayi tunani. Ya ga alamun fashewa guda takwas, watakila dubban fam, kowanne bai wuce yadi biyar ba daga tsakiyar layin titin jirgin. An yi sa'a ba su yi amfani da bama-bamai masu tayar da titin jirgin sama ba, kawai bama-bamai masu fashewa ne kawai, kuma barnar ba ta yi muni ba - fashewar ta yi ramuka amma ba ta kawo manyan karafa ba. Wannan ya kasance mai sauƙin gyarawa.
    
  "Datti?" John yana da wahalar fita daga cikin Hummer. "Me ya faru?" Ya fashe da kuka saboda k'arfin kanshi na ringing har baya jin muryarsa.
    
  "Kadan biya," in ji Patrick. Ya tashi daga hummer ya taimaki John ya tashi zaune yayin da yake bincika kansa don wasu raunuka. "Kamar dokin kunnen ku ya fashe kuma kuna da kyawawan yankewa."
    
  "Me suka same mu?"
    
  "F-15E Strike Eagles sun sauke manyan fashe-fashe na GPS, wani rarar soja da aka saya daga tsohuwar Amurka ta Amurka," in ji Patrick. Duk da kasancewarsa daya daga cikin mafi kyawun mayaka a duniya, wanda ke iya kai harin bama-bamai da kuma fifikon iska a cikin manufa guda, F-15Es ba su iya sauka a kan wani jirgin dakon jiragen sama don haka an yi musu asu ko kuma aka sayar da su a matsayin rara ga abokan kawancen AMERICA. "Sun yiwa titin jirgin da kyau sosai, amma ana iya gyara shi. Ba kamar sun bugi Triple-C, hangars, ko wani gine-gine ba."
    
  "Mene ne ma'anar 'la'auni' a Turanci?" John Masters ya tambaya, yana murza hannun sa akan Hummer cikin fushi a fili. "Ina tsammanin zan aro littafin jumlar Boomer kuma in koyi wasu zaɓaɓɓun kalmomin la'ana na Turkiyya."
    
  Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan, Hunter Noble ya tashi a cikin motar asibiti ta Humvee. "Lafiya kuwa?" Ya tambaya yayin da masu aikin jinya ke halartar Patrick da John. "Na yi tunanin ba ka yi ba."
    
  "Abin farin ciki shine waɗannan ƙungiyoyin sun yi kyau," in ji Patrick. "Rubutu na daƙiƙa ya fi tsayi da kwata na kuskuren jagora kuma da mun kasance daidai a ƙarƙashin wancan na ƙarshe."
    
  "Ba na tsammanin wannan shine ƙarshen," in ji Boomer. "Muna bin diddigin slugs da yawa a duk yankin; na kusa ya kai mil ashirin zuwa gabas, ya nufa nan."
    
  "Bari mu koma rataye mu ga abin da muka bari," in ji Patrick cikin ɓacin rai. "Za mu buƙaci samun sabuntawa akan mai hasara na uku da kuma waɗanne nau'ikan manufa za mu iya amfani da su." Gaba d'aya suka shiga cikin hayyacinsu, suka zarce zuwa layin tashi.
    
  A lokacin da suka tsaya a asibitin don sauke John sannan suka isa rataye, ƙarar kunnuwan Patrick ya ragu sosai wanda zai iya aiki daidai. Lokacin da tsangwama ya tsaya, sun dawo cikin cikakken yanayin bincike kuma sun yi musayar sadarwa tare da XC-57 na farko, wanda ya koma wani sabon sintiri a kudu maso gabashin Allied Nala Air Base, a cikin kewayon radar laser na manyan birane uku a arewacin Iraki - Mosul. , Erbil da Kirkuk, wadanda aka kai wa hari.
    
  Patrick ya ruga da hannu a hankali yana rawar jiki a fuskarsa yayin da yake nazarin nunin bayanan sirri. Adrenaline da ke bi ta jijiyar jikinsa ta fara raguwa, ta bar shi ya gaji da fargaba. "Lafiya kuwa yallabai?" Hunter Noble ya tambaya.
    
  "Na dan damu da John. Ya yi kyau mara kyau."
    
  "Yallabai ka ga ka fi kyau ga lalacewa kuma."
    
  "Zan samu lafiya". Yayi murmushi ganin yanayin damuwar Boomer. "Na manta yadda nake kasancewa karkashin irin wannan harin bam. Gaskiya yana ba ku tsoro."
    
  "Watakila ki huta kadan."
    
  "Zan yi lafiya, Boomer," Patrick ya maimaita. Ya gyada wa matashin matukin jirgi da dan sama jannati. "Na gode da damuwa sosai."
    
  "Na san al'amuran zuciyarka, yallabai," in ji Boomer. "Abin da ya fi muni fiye da dawowa daga sararin samaniya shine kusan halakar da bama-bamai na fam dubu. Wataƙila bai kamata ku tura sa'ar ku ba. "
    
  "Bari mu samu mataimakin shugaban kasa cikin koshin lafiya sannan mu gane hakikanin abin da ke faruwa, sa'an nan zan yi barci." Wannan bai sauƙaƙa damuwar Boomer ɗaya ba kuma ya bayyana a fuskarsa, amma Patrick ya yi watsi da shi. "Shin akwai jiragen sama da ke damun mai hasara?"
    
  Babu ma'ana yin jayayya da mutumin, Boomer ya yi tunanin-zai yi aiki har sai ya faɗi, a sarari da sauƙi. "A'a," ya amsa. "Kowane mayaƙin da ke da nisan mil hamsin ya cinna mata wuta, amma babu wanda ya kai hari. Su ma ba sa damun jiragenmu marasa matuka".
    
  "Sun san cewa yawancin jiragen da ke tashi a nan jiragen leken asiri ne marasa makami, kuma ba za su yi asarar alburusai ba," in ji Patrick. "La"ananne tarbiyya. Sun san cewa akwai ɗan adawa da abin da suke yi a yanzu."
    
  "Akwai motoci da yawa masu tafiya a hankali suna gabatowa kuma ayarin motocin da dama suna kan hanyarmu," in ji Boomer. Sun sa ido sosai da dozin dozin jiragen sama marasa sauri, galibi suna kewayawa kusa da Kirkuk da Erbil. Duk da haka, daya jirgin ya nufi yamma kai tsaye zuwa Nala. "Shin akwai hanyoyi ko lambobi don wannan?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  "A'a," Boomer ya amsa. "Yana da kasa da sauri kuma. Babu haɗin kai tukuna. Hoton radar laser yana nuna shi a matsayin turboprop C-130 mai kujeru biyu, amma yana canza saurin lokaci zuwa lokaci, a hankali fiye da yadda ake tsammani don jirgin sama na dabara. Yana iya samun matsalolin inji."
    
  "Shin muna da alaka da Avengers?"
    
  "Ina tsammanin duka suna magana da Kanar Wilhelm a cikin Tanki."
    
  Patrick ya buɗe tashar umarni: "Scion Odin yana kiran Warhammer."
    
  "Yana da kyau ka ga har yanzu kana tare da mu, Scion," in ji Wilhelm daga na'urar na'urar na'urar sa a cikin Tank. "Har yanzu kuna kururuwa cikin makirufo. Zan iya yin kararrawa a can?"
    
  "Ina ba ku shawara da ku tambayi masu ɗaukar fansa don tabbatar da ganewar gani daidai kafin shiga yaƙi, Warhammer."
    
  "Turkawa sun jefa bama-bamai daga filin jirgin sama na, Scion, kuma motocinsu na kan hanyar. Mun samu rahoton ginshikan motoci masu sulke guda uku daban-daban. Ba zan bar su kawai su kutsa cikin wannan tushe ba tare da kashe wasu da farko ba. "
    
  "Wanda ke zuwa daga gabas bazai zama Baturke ba."
    
  "To wa kuke tunanin?"
    
  "A kashe bude tashar, Warhammer."
    
  Wilhelm ya yi shiru na 'yan lokuta; sai: "Na same ka, son." Bai san ko wanene ko abin da McLanahan ke tunani ba, amma mutumin yana kan nadi; gara a taimaka masa ya kula da zaren sa. "Rasa. Duk rukunin Warhammer, wannan shine Alpha, ku tuna cewa ba mu da wani jirgin sama da aka share don kusanci tushe kuma ba za mu iya saukar da su nan ba idan muka yi, amma ina so in sami ingantattun abubuwan gano gani ga duk jirgin da ke shigowa. . Ina maimaitawa, Ina buƙatar ingantaccen EO ko mai gano gani kai tsaye. IR kuma babu yanayi da lambobin ba, na maimaita, ya isa. " Ya ɗan dakata na ɗan lokaci, yana sake tunani game da odarsa ta gaba, sannan ya ci gaba: "Idan ba ku da tabbataccen ganewa, ba da rahoton alkibla, gudu, tsayi da nau'in, amma ku yi watsi da shi. Idan ba ka sani ba, yi ihu amma ka riƙe makamin da kyau, idan ba ka da tabbataccen ID, ɗan fashi ne. Warhammer ya fita."
    
  Ba a dauki lokaci mai tsawo ba kafin rahoton farko ya shigo: "Warhammer, wannan shine Piney One-Biyu," ya zo sashin ramuwa na gabas. "Ina da hulɗar gani tare da jirgin ruwa mai ban tsoro guda ɗaya, digiri ɗaya-biyar-biyar bullseye, yana zuwa yamma, kullin ɗari da tamanin, tsayin tushe ban da ɗaya-takwas, halaye mara kyau da lambobin." Tsayin "tushe" ya kasance ƙafa dubu biyu, wanda ke nufin jirgin yana da ƙafa ɗari biyu a sama da ƙasa. "Da alama mai nasara Biyu-Biyu."
    
  "Oh, na gode, Ubangiji," Wilhelm ya yi magana a ƙarƙashin numfashinsa. Shaye-shaye na jahannama da abincin dare nawa zan biya McLanahan bayan an gama wannan duka...? "An fahimta, daya ko biyu. Ci gaba da sintiri, makamai a shirye. Duk sassan Warhammer, wannan shine Alpha, jirgin sama mai shigowa, shirye-shiryen makamai har sai ya fadi kasa, sannan ya koma FPCON Delta. A yanayin yanayi, ɗauki umarni a nan. Ina kan hanyar layin tashi. Thompson, aika yaranka zuwa can don su sadar da wannan sako mai shigowa, kuma ina son tsaro a tsanake kamar jakin sauro. Air Service, bari wannan mutumin ya shiga kuma tabbatar da cewa babu wutsiya a kansa. Thompson, ka mika shi ga Tsaron Alpha." Ya jefar da headphone dinsa ya ruga zuwa kofar.
    
  Ya iske McLanahan da Chris Thompson a cikin amintaccen wurin ajiye motoci na jirgin sama, wani sashe na rigar jirgin sama da ke kewaye da shingayen shaye-shaye a gaban wani katon hangar. Thompson ya ajiye jami'an tsaron sa akan titin taxi ta kudu da kuma titin da ke fitowa daga titin taxi zuwa gaba. Idanun Wilhelm sun runtse lokacin da ya ga McLahan. Kan Janar mai ritaya da kuma bayan hannayensa sun lulluɓe da raunukan da ke tashi. "Ya kamata ku kasance a cikin marasa lafiya, Janar," in ji shi.
    
  McLanahan yana bushewar fuskarsa, kai da hannaye da wani katon tawul fari da aka datse, wanda tuni ya yi datti daga tafiyarsa. "Zai iya jira," in ji shi.
    
  "Har yaushe? Har sai kun wuce?"
    
  "Na ajiye John a wurin likita kuma na ce su duba ni."
    
  Bullshit, Wilhelm yayi tunani, amma bai fada da babbar murya ba. Girgiza kai yayi cike da bacin rai, baya son gardama da guy din, sannan ya gyada kai gabas. "Me yasa ya zo nan?"
    
  "Ban sani ba".
    
  "Ba wayo sosai, idan ka tambaye ni." Wilhelm ya fitar da wasan yawo-talkie. "Na biyu shine Alpha. Ina ayarin motocin da ke kusa da su?"
    
  "kilomita ashirin arewa, har yanzu tana gabatowa."
    
  "Na fahimce ka. Ci gaba da sa ido, sanar da ni lokacin da suke tsakanin kilomita goma." Har yanzu dai ba a kai ga samun makamai masu linzami da ake harba kafada ba, amma jirgin da ke gabatowa na cikin hatsarin mutuwa idan jiragen yakin Turkiyya suka hango shi.
    
  Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan sai suka ji sautin ƙarar babban na'ura mai saurin gaske na babban rotorcraft. Tilt-rotor CV-22 Osprey ya yi ƙasa da sauri a kan tushe, ya yi kaifi juyawa zuwa hagu yayin da yake jujjuya zuwa jirgin sama a tsaye, sannan ya shawagi tare da layin motocin tsaro tare da ramp ɗin kan tudun ya sauka. Cikin amintaccen parking lot aka nufa shi, inda ya kulle.
    
  Jami'an tsaro na Thompson sun sake jibge ko'ina cikin wurin ajiye motoci yayin da Wilhelm, McLaanahan, da Thompson suka rufe kan Osprey. An bude titin dakon kaya na baya sannan jami'an leken asirin Amurka guda uku sanye da sulke da bindigogi suka fita, sai mataimakin shugaban kasar Kenneth Phoenix.
    
  Mataimakin shugaban kasar na sanye ne da hular Kevlar, tabarau, safar hannu da sulke. Wilhelm ya matso kusa da shi, amma bai yi gaisuwa ba - an riga an bambanta shi sosai. Phoenix ya fara cire kayan kariyarsa, amma Wilhelm ya yi masa hannu ya tsaya. "Ka sanya wannan na'urar a kunne kawai, yallabai," in ji shi a kan rurin tagwayen tallan a sama. Ya raka mataimakin shugaban kasar zuwa ga wata Humvee mai sulke mai sulke, gaba dayansu suka tattara a ciki suka zarce zuwa dakin taron da ke saman benen tankin.
    
  Da zarar sun kasance lafiya a ciki kuma aka kiyaye su, Jami'an Sabis na Sirri sun taimaka wa Phoenix cire kayan kariyarsa. "Me ya faru?" Phoenix ya tambaya. Ya kalli fuskar kyakykyawar fuskar Wilhelm, sannan ya kalli McLanahan. "Kada ku gaya mani, bari in yi tsammani: Turkiye."
    
  "Mun gano harin da aka kai ta sama, amma sun aika da wani jirgin sama wanda ya dauke mana idanu da kunnuwa," in ji Wilhelm. "La"ananne kyakkyawan daidaituwa; a fili a shirye suke su yi yajin aiki kuma suna jira kawai damar da ta dace."
    
  "Ni ne nake son saduwa da kowa a Erbil," in ji Phoenix. "Ban yi tunanin zan zama mafakar su ga mamayewar ba."
    
  "Idan ba don kai ba, yallabai, da wani ne - ko kuma sun shirya wani abu, kamar yadda na yi imani sun kai harin a Van," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Kuna tunanin saitin ne?" Chris Thompson ya tambaya. "Me yasa? 'Yan ta'addar PKK ne."
    
  "PKK ce ta al'ada - kuma na gargajiya," in ji Patrick. "Abin da ya buge ni shine lokacin. Me ya sa ake kai hari da rana, ba a ƙasa da safe ba, yayin da duk ma'aikata da jami'an tsaro suka farka kuma suna cikin shiri? Me zai hana a kai hari da dare? Za su sami ƙarin damar yin nasara da ƙarin hasara."
    
  "Ina tsammanin sun yi nasara sosai."
    
  "Na yi imanin cewa an tsara shi ne don tabbatar da cewa babu isassun dalibai a cikin bariki," in ji Patrick. "Sun tabbatar da cewa adadin wadanda suka mutu ya yi kadan kuma sun kara kaimi ga kafafen yada labarai - ya isa shugaban kasa ya ayyana dokar ta-baci."
    
  "Idan Turkiyya na da shugaban kasa," in ji Phoenix. "Sakon jakadan mu a Ankara ya ce shugaban ya yi magana da mashawartan sa kan harkokin siyasa da na soja." Ma'aikatar harkokin wajen kasar ba za ta kara cewa komai ba, kuma babu wanda ya amsa kiran da shugaban kasar ya yi wa firaminista da shugaban kasar Turkiyya. A talabijin ya yi kama da mutum-mutumi; watakila an matsa masa, har ma da kwayoyi."
    
  "Yallabai, kafin mu ɓata lokaci don gano abin da Turkawa za su yi a gaba, fifikonmu na farko shi ne mu fitar da ku daga nan kuma mu koma Bagadaza-zai fi dacewa ku koma cikin Jihohi," in ji Wilhelm. "Sabis ɗin Sirrin ku na iya samun mafi kyawun zaɓuɓɓuka, amma ina ba da shawarar-"
    
  "Ban shirya barin ba tukuna, Colonel," in ji Phoenix.
    
  "Yi hak'uri yallabai?" Wilhelm ya tambaya cike da mamaki. "Muna cikin tashin gobara, yallabai. Kawai sun jefa bam a wannan tushe! Ba zan iya ba da tabbacin lafiyar ku ba - ban yarda kowa zai iya ba a yanzu. "
    
  "Karnel, na zo nan ne domin in gana da 'yan Iraki, Turkawa, Kurdawa da Amurkawa don kokarin warware matsalar da 'yan ta'addar PKK," in ji Phoenix, "kuma ba zan tafi ba har sai shugabana ya umarce ni." Wilhelm yana gab da faɗin wani abu, amma Phoenix ya hana shi da ɗaga hannu. "Ya isa Kanar. Ina buƙatar samun damar yin amfani da waya ko rediyo don tuntuɓar Washington kuma zan buƙaci...
    
  A wannan lokacin kararrawa ta buga, kuma Wilhelm ya garzaya zuwa wayar. "Ku tafi."
    
  "Jiragen sama masu tsayi da yawa suna tahowa daga arewa, yallabai," in ji Mark Weatherly. "Ƙananan gudu, yuwuwar injin turboprop. Muna zargin wadannan ababen hawa ne, mai yiyuwa ne masu saukar ungulu daga cikin jirgin. Har ila yau sojojin na Iraki suna ba da rahoton sabon kutse a harkokin sadarwa. Har yanzu ba mu dauka ba."
    
  "Ci gaba da saka idanu da ba da shawara," in ji Wilhelm. Ya yi tunani na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya ƙara da cewa, "Ka ba da shawara ga dukkan sassan Warhammer su ajiye makamansu a shirye, don kare kansu kawai, da kuma tunawa da Avengers zuwa tushe."
    
  "Yallabai? Ka sake cewa -"
    
  "Ba muna yakar Turkawa da aka la'anta ba, Weatherly," in ji William. "Leken asirinmu ya ce mun rigaya mun fi goma zuwa daya, don haka kawai za su iya tuka mu idan sun yi fushi sosai. Zan bayyana musu cewa za su iya yawo a kewayen Iraki duk abin da suke so, amma ba za su dauki wannan tushe ba. Tuna da Avengers da duk sauran rukunin Warhammer waɗanda ba a gani. Da zaran sun dawo shingen, za mu matsa zuwa cikakkiyar matsayi na tsaro, a shirye don murkushe duk maharan. Na samu?"
    
  "Na fahimta sir."
    
  "Ka ba wa Jaffar shawara kuma ka gaya masa cewa ina son ganawa da shi da kwamandojin kamfaninsa game da abin da zan yi idan Turkawa suka mamaye," in ji Wilhelm. "Za su iya so su yi yaƙi, amma ba mu zo nan don shiga yakin harbi ba." Ya dubi mataimakin shugaban kasa. "Har yanzu ina son zama a nan, yallabai? Wannan na iya yin haɗari."
    
  "Kamar yadda na ce, Kanar, ina kan aikin diflomasiyya," in ji Phoenix. "Wataƙila lokacin da Turkawa suka gane ina nan, ba za su iya fara harbi ba. Zan iya ma iya fara yin shawarwarin tsagaita wuta daga nan."
    
  Wilhelm ya ce, "Zan ji daɗi idan kana a Baghdad aƙalla, yallabai, amma kana da murya mai kyau kuma mai kyau, kuma zan iya amfani da wasu halaye masu kyau a nan yanzu."
    
  Wayar ta sake karawa Wilhelm ya dauka.
    
  "Yanayin yana da kyau a nan, yallabai. Muna da matsala: Na kira ofishin Jaffar - ba ya nan. Babu wani daga ƙungiyar gudanarwar OVR da ke amsa kiran waya."
    
  "Ka tambayi Mavlud ko Jabbouri inda suka je."
    
  "Ba su nan ma, yallabai. Na yi ƙoƙarin kiran Jabbouri a rediyo: babu wanda ya amsa. Ya kaura daga Tankin tun kafin a fara kai hare-haren."
    
  Wilhelm ya kalli tagar dakin taron zuwa babban bene na Tankin; Tabbas, na'urar ta'aziyyar jami'in hulda da Turkiyya babu kowa. "Ka nemo wani Haji mai kula da shi, ka gaya masa ya zo nan cikin tsari biyu, Weatherly." Ya katse wayar. "Thompson?"
    
  "Ina dubawa, Colonel." Chris Thompson ya riga ya kunna rediyo mai ɗaukar hoto. "Hukumar tsaro ta bayar da rahoton cewa, ayarin motocin bas na soja da manyan motoci sun bar sansanin kimanin awa daya da ta wuce," in ji shi na dan lokaci kadan. "Suna da mutane da kayan aiki, izini da suka dace, wanda Jaffar ya sanya hannu."
    
  "Babu wanda yayi tunanin zai sanar dani game da wannan?"
    
  "Masu gadin gate din sun ce ya zama kamar na yau da kullun kuma suna da umarnin yin hakan."
    
  "Shin wani daga cikin mutanen ku ya ga wani sojan Iraqi a ko'ina?" Wilhelm ya yi tsawa.
    
  "Ina dubawa, Colonel." Amma kowa zai iya faɗi ta kallon kallon ban mamaki a fuskar Thompson menene amsar: "Karnel, hedkwatar IA a bayyane take."
    
  "Ba komai?"
    
  "Sojoji biyu ne kawai sun shagaltu da cire rumbun kwamfyuta da kwakwalwan kwakwalwa daga kwamfutoci," in ji Thompson. "Da alama sun kashe. Kuna so in dakatar da wadannan mutanen in yi musu tambayoyi?
    
  Wilhelm ya ruga hannunsa akan fuskarsa, sannan ya girgiza kai. "Negative," ya ce a gajiye. "Wannan shine tushe da kayansu. Ɗauki hotuna da maganganu, sannan ku bar su kawai." A zahiri ya mayar da wayar kan shimfiɗar jariri. "Damn unbelievable," in ji shi. "Gaba daya brigade na sojojin Iraqi sun dauka sun tafi?"
    
  "Kuma dama kafin harin," in ji Thompson. "Za su iya samun iska daga wannan?"
    
  "Ba komai - sun tafi," in ji Wilhelm. "Amma zan iya gaya muku abu ɗaya: ba za su dawo wannan tushe ba sai in na fara saninsa, wannan ba shakka. Ku faɗa wa yaranku."
    
  "Za a yi, Colonel."
    
  Wilhelm ya koma ga mataimakin shugaban kasa. "Yallabai, kana bukatar wasu dalilai na komawa Bagadaza?"
    
  A wannan lokacin ƙararrawar ta yi ƙara. Wilhelm ya dauki wayar ya juya zuwa ga nunin da ke gaban tankin. "Yanzu me, Weatherly?"
    
  Weatherly ya ce "Tsarin mafi kusa na makaman Turkiyya da ke gabatowa daga arewa yana da nisa kilomita goma." "Sun hango Piney Biyu-Uku kuma suna riƙe da matsayi."
    
  Wilhelm ya gudu da sauri kamar zai iya saukowa zuwa na'urar ta'aziyyarsa, sauran suna biye da shi. Hotunan faifan bidiyo daga sashin hana jiragen sama na Avenger sun nuna wata mota mai sulke mai duhu koren da ke tashi da babbar tuta mai ja mai farar jinjirin watan. An daga bindigoginsa. Hoton radar Laser na XC-57 ya nuna wasu motocin a jere a bayansa. "Na biyu ko na uku, wannan shine Alpha, makamai a shirye, matsayi don tafiya a hanya."
    
  "Alhaki, Warhammer, mun riga mun fara tafiya," kwamandan motocin Avenger ya mayar da martani, inda ya tabbatar da cewa makamansa suna cikin hadari, kuma gangunan makami mai linzami na Stinger da bindigar Gatling na millimita ashirin an nuna su a sararin samaniya ba Turkawa ba.
    
  "Zaki iya ja da baya ko juyowa?"
    
  "Na tabbata duka biyun."
    
  "A hankali a hankali, baya, juyo, sannan komawa tushe a saurin al'ada," Wilhelm ya ba da umarni. "Ka nisantar da ganga daga gare su. Bana jin za su dame ka."
    
  "Ina fatan kin yi gaskiya Alpha. Kwafi biyu ko uku kawai, a kan tafiya."
    
  Mintuna kaɗan ne masu tada hankali. Domin kyamarar da ke cikin jirgin na Avenger kawai ta fuskanci gaba, sun rasa abincin bidiyo, don haka ba su iya ganin ko ma'aikatan da ke dauke da sulke na Turkiyya suna shirya wani makamin kare-dangi. Amma hoton na XC-57 ya nuna cewa, motocin Turkiyya sun tsaya a tsaye yayin da Avenger ke juyowa, sannan suka bi ta kusan yadi dari yayin da suke komawa gindi.
    
  "A nan sun zo," in ji Wilhelm, yana cire belun kunne ya jefa su a kan teburin da ke gabansa. "Mai girma mataimakin shugaban kasa, a cikin kasadar bayyanawa a fili, za ka kasance bakonmu nan gaba kadan, bisa la'akarin Jamhuriyar Turkiyya."
    
  "Madalla, Kanar," in ji Ken Phoenix. "Turkawa sun san za su iya tarwatsa mu, amma sun ja da baya. Idan da mun sake kai hari, da sun kai hari tabbas."
    
  "Mu abokan tarayya ne, ko?" Wilhelm ya fada cikin baci. "Ko ta yaya na kusa mantawa da shi. Bugu da ƙari, yana da sauƙi kada ku mayar da martani idan kuna da kaɗan don ramawa. " Ya juya ga Chris Thompson. "Thompson, soke odar janyewar, amma rufe tushe, tashi kowa da kowa ya tsare ƙofofin da kewaye. Ina son kasancewa mai ƙarfi amma ƙananan makaman da ake iya gani. Ba mai harbi sai sun harbe shi. A yanayin yanayi, kula da sauran masu zuwa Avengers, sanar da su cewa muna da baƙi, makamai a shirye. Ina ganin Turkawa za su kyale su."
    
  A cikin kasa da sa'a guda, an ajiye wasu gungun motocin yaki na Turkiyya guda biyu a kowace babbar kofar shiga tashar jiragen sama na Nakhla Allied. Sun yi kama da rashin abokantaka, tare da daga makamansu, kuma sojojin sun kasance a kusa da motocinsu da bindigogi a kafadu ... amma ba su bari kowa ya kusanci ba. Tabbas an rufe ginin.
    
    
  BABI NA SHIDA
    
    
  Rashin gane dama shine mafi haɗari kuma kuskuren gama gari da za ku iya yi.
    
  -MAE JEMISON, SAMARI
    
    
    
  OFISHIN SHUGABAN KASA, CANKAYA, ANKARA, Türkiye
  SAFIYA WAJE
    
    
  "Wannan shine kira na uku daga Washington, yallabai," in ji mataimakin, yana yin waya. "A wannan karon ita kanta Sakatariyar Gwamnati. Muryar ta a fusace."
    
  Shugaba Kurzat Hirsiz ya daga hannu ga wani mataimaki ya rufe, sannan ya ce a cikin wayar: "Ci gaba da rahoton ku, Janar."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji Janar Abdullah Guzlev akan amintaccen wayar tauraron dan adam. "Rundunar ta 1 ta ci gaba zuwa Tal Afar, arewa maso yammacin Mosul. Sun kewaye sansanin sojin sama tare da kame bututun mai da tashar famfo a Avgan. Har yanzu Iraqin na iya toshe hanyar da ta tashi daga filin Baba Gurgur zuwa gabas da kuma fitar da mai daga yankin kudu, amma man da ake samu a yankin Kuale yana da lafiya."
    
  Mamaki, Hirsiz yayi tunani. Mamaya na Iraki ya tafi fiye da yadda ake tsammani. "Rundunar sojojin Iraki ba su kare bututun mai ko tashar famfo ba?" Ya tambaya.
    
  "A"a yallabai. Kamfanonin tsaro masu zaman kansu ne kawai, kuma ba su bijirewa ba."
    
  Lalle wannan labari ne mai girma; ya yi tsammanin 'yan Irakin za su himmatu wajen kare bututun mai da ababen more rayuwa. Man da ke kwarara ta bututun mai na Kirkuk-Ceyhan ya kai kashi 40 cikin 100 na kudaden shigar da kasar Irakin ke samu. Lalle ne, ci gaba mai ban sha'awa na abubuwan da suka faru ... "Mai kyau sosai, Janar. Ci gaban ku ya kasance mai ban mamaki. Sannu da aikatawa. Ci gaba."
    
  "Na gode yallabai," Guzlev ya ci gaba da cewa. "Rundunar ta 2 ta kara gaba har zuwa Mosul inda ta kwace filin jirgin saman Qayyarah da ke kudancin kasar. Sojojin saman mu sun yi ruwan bama-bamai a filin jirgin da ke Nakhla, wani sansanin sojin Iraki da ke arewacin birnin, kusa da Tall Qaifa, kuma mun kewaye filin jirgin. A halin yanzu muna saukar sufuri da jiragen sintiri da makamai a filin jirgin saman Qayar South."
    
  "Shin akwai wata turjiya daga Iraqi ko Amirkawa a Nakhla?"
    
  "Amurkawa ba sa adawa; duk da haka, ba mu tuntuɓar wani sojojin Iraqi da ke da sansani a wurin.
    
  "Ba a tuntuɓar?"
    
  Guzlev ya ce "Da alama sun bar sansanin ne suka koma Mosul ko Kirkuk." "Muna kan gadi idan sun bayyana ba zato ba tsammani, amma mun yi imanin cewa kawai sun cire rigar su kuma suna ɓoye a cikin jama'a."
    
  "Wannan na iya zama matsala daga baya, amma da fatan za su kasance a ɓoye na ɗan lokaci. Sojojin Janar Ozek fa?"
    
  Guzlev ya ce, "Rukunin Gendarme guda biyu da ke aiki a gabas sun fuskanci turjiya fiye da sauran sassan biyu, galibi suna fuskantar 'yan ta'addar Peshmerga," in ji Guzlev, "amma sun kewaye filin jirgin saman Erbil na arewa maso yammacin kasar."
    
  Hirsiz ya ce "Mun yi tsammanin tsayin daka daga Peshmerga - shi ya sa muka yanke shawarar tura sassan Gendarme guda biyu zuwa gabas, tare da sauran sassan uku a shirye don motsawa idan ya cancanta." Peshmerga, wanda ke nufin "waɗanda ke kallon mutuwa a fuska" a cikin Kurdawa, sun fara ne a lokacin da mayakan Kurdawa masu 'yanci suka yi yaki da sojojin Saddam Hussein a kan mummunan yunkurinsa na korar 'yan tsiraru na Kurdawa daga yankunan da ke da arzikin man fetur a arewa maso gabashin Iraki da Kurdawa suke gani a matsayin. wani bangare na gaba.jihar Kurdistan. Bayan da Amurka ta mamaye Iraki, Peshmerga sun yaki sojojin Saddam tare da Amurka. ƙarfi. Godiya ga horar da Amurkawa da taimakon shekaru, Peshmerga sun zama ingantacciyar rundunar yaki da masu kare gwamnatin yankin Kurdawa.
    
  Guzlev ya ci gaba da cewa "Har yanzu muna cikin 'yan tsiraru idan abin da leken asirinmu ya ce shi ne cikakken karfin Peshmerga." "Dole ne mu matsar da sassan jandarma guda biyu zuwa kudu don karfafa layukan samar da kayayyaki da kuma ajiye na karshe a ajiye. Idan sojojin Janar Ozek za su iya dagewa kuma su mallaki manyan hanyoyi uku da hudu masu shiga da fita Erbil, tare da share hanyoyin zuwa filin jirgin sama, za mu sami layin tsaro mai karfi daga Erbil zuwa Tal Afar kuma za mu iya turawa. Peshmerga zuwa tsaunukan gabas da Erbil."
    
  "Sannan zan ba da odar," in ji Hirsiz. "A halin da ake ciki, zan yi shawarwarin tsagaita wuta da Iraqi, Kurdawa da Amurkawa. A ƙarshe za mu cimma wata yarjejeniya kan wani yanki mai ɓoyewa, gami da sintiri na ƙasa da ƙasa da sa ido, kuma a ƙarshe za mu bar..."
    
  "Kuma idan muka ja da baya, za mu lalata duk wani sansanin horar da 'yan ta'addar PKK da muka samu," in ji Guzlev.
    
  "Tabbas," in ji Hirsiz. "Kuna da rahoton asarar rayuka?"
    
  "Ruwan da aka samu sun yi kadan, yallabai, sai dai Janar Ozek ya bayar da rahoton jikkatar kashi biyu cikin dari yayin da yake ratsa yankunan Kurdawa mafi rinjaye," in ji Guzlev. Da bangaren Jandarma na mazaje kusan dubu ashirin kowanne, rasa mazaje dari hudu a rana daya babbar matsala ce; ana bukatar wadannan sassa uku na ajiyar Jandarma cikin gaggawa. "Ba mu da wahalar kwashe wadanda suka mutu da wadanda suka jikkata zuwa Turkiyya. Asarar jirgin kuma ba ta da yawa. Mafi muni shi ne asarar wani jirgin jigilar kayayyaki da ya taso daga Erbil don kawo karin kayayyaki - watakila wutar abokan gaba ce ta harbo shi, har yanzu ba mu da tabbas. An yi asarar wani jirgin sama mai nauyi mai nauyi saboda matsalolin injina, kuma wani jirgin leken asiri na Amurka ya harbo wani jirgin saman lantarki na RF-4E."
    
  "Jirgin leken asirin Amurka? Ta yaya jirgin leken asiri zai harbo daya daga cikin mu?
    
  "Ba a sani ba, yallabai. Jami"in tsare-tsare na leken asirin ya ba da rahoton cewa ana kai musu hari, wanda ya bayyana a matsayin yawan hasken rana."
    
  "Radiation?"
    
  "Abin da ya fada ke nan kafin ya rasa alaka da matukin jirgin. An yi asarar matukin jirgin da jirgin."
    
  "Me yasa Amurkawa ke harbinmu da makamai masu linzami?" Hirsiz ya yi tsawa.
    
  "Mun yi taka tsantsan don rage asarar rayuka, sojoji da farar hula, daga bangarorin biyu," in ji Guzlev. "Kwamandojin sassan na karkashin doka mai tsauri da su gaya wa mutanensu cewa za su iya harbe-harbe ne kawai idan aka kai musu hari, sai dai sananniya ko wadanda ake zargin 'yan ta'addar PKK ne da suka gani."
    
  "Wane irin runduna kuke fuskanta General? Wane raka'a kuke hulɗa da su?"
    
  "Muna fuskantar juriyar haske a ko'ina cikin yankin, yallabai," in ji Guzlev. "Amurkawa ba su yi mana yaƙi ba. Sun dauki tsauraran matakan tsaro a cikin sansanonin su kuma suna ci gaba da binciken jiragen sama marasa matuka, amma ba sa kai hari kuma ba ma tsammanin za su yi hakan."
    
  "Haka ne, Gabaɗaya - tabbatar da cewa rukunin ku sun tuna da wannan," Hirsiz ya yi gargadin. "Ba mu da wata alamar cewa Amurkawa za su kai mana hari har sai mun kai musu hari. Kada ku ba su dalilin fita su yi yaƙi."
    
  "Nakan yi wa janar-janar bayani a kowace sa"a, yallabai. Sun sani, "in ji Guzlev. "Da alama sojojin Iraqi sun bace, watakila sun gudu zuwa Bagadaza ko kuma kawai su cire kakinsu, suna ajiye makamansu suna jira kamar yadda suka yi lokacin da Amurkawa suka mamaye a 2003."
    
  "Ba na tsammanin su ma za su yi fada, Janar; Ba sa son PKK fiye da mu. Su boye."
    
  Guzlev ya ci gaba da cewa, 'yan ta'addar PKK na can suna gudu, suna kokarin isa manyan biranen kasar. "Za a yi aiki tukuru don tono su, amma za mu yi hakan. Muna fatan za a ajiye su a cikin karkara don kada su gudu zuwa Erbil ko Kirkuk su haɗu da jama'a. 'Yan Peshmerga sun kasance babbar barazana, amma har yanzu ba su kai mu ba - su ne masu kare garuruwansu, amma ba sa kai mana hari. Wannan na iya canzawa."
    
  Hirsiz ya ce "Za a dauki hanyar diflomasiyya tare da gwamnatin yankin Kurdawa don nemo wata hanya da za ta ba mu damar neman 'yan ta'addar PKK ba tare da yakar Peshmerga ba." "Washington ta kira dukan dare tana neman bayani. Ina ganin yanzu ne lokacin magana da su. Ci gaba, Janar. Faɗa wa mutanen ku: aikin da aka yi da kyau. Sa'a da farauta farin ciki."
    
  "Labari mai girma, yallabai," in ji Janar Orhan Zahin, sakatare-janar na Majalisar Tsaron Turkiyya. "Mafi kyau fiye da yadda ake tsammani. Babu wanda ke adawa da mu sai "yan tsirarun mayakan Peshmerga da "yan ta"addar PKK." Hirsiz ya gyada kai amma bai ce komai ba; "Baka yarda ba yallabai?"
    
  "Hakika," in ji Hirsiz. "Mun yi tsammanin za mu shiga cikin tsaunuka, amma ba tare da wata 'yan adawa ba, arewacin Iraki a bude take... musamman Erbil, hedkwatar gwamnatin yankin Kurdistan, wadda ta ki murkushe 'yan ta'addar PKK."
    
  "Me kake so ka ce yallabai?"
    
  Hirsiz ya ce "Ina cewa idan muka murkushe Erbil, za mu iya tilasta wa KRG ta taimaka mana wajen farautar 'yan ta'addar PKK." "Kowa ya san cewa kamfanoni mallakar majalisar ministocin KRG da manyan shugabanni suna ba da kuɗi ga KRG. Wataƙila lokaci ya yi da za a sa su biya farashi. Rusa wadannan kasuwancin, rufe bututun CPC, rufe mashigar kan iyaka da sararin samaniya ga wani abu ko duk wani mai alaka da KRG kuma za su rika rokon su taimaka mana." Ya juya ga Ministan Tsaro Jizek. "Samu jerin abubuwan da ake hari a Erbil waɗanda za su yi niyya musamman kadarorin KRG kuma suyi aiki tare da Janar Guzlev don ƙara su cikin jerin abubuwan da ya ke so."
    
  "Dole ne mu yi taka-tsan-tsan game da tabarbarewar manufa, yallabai," in ji Jizek. "Manufarmu ita ce samar da wani yanki mai karewa a arewacin Iraki da kuma kawar da ita daga 'yan ta'addar PKK. Harin da aka kai wa Erbil ya wuce wannan burin. "
    
  "Wannan wata hanya ce ta lalata PKK - don neman taimakon 'yan Iraqi," in ji Hirsiz. "Idan suna son kawo karshen hare-haren da muke yi da mamaya, za su taimaka mana mu ruguza 'yan ta'addar PKK, kamar yadda ya kamata a yi a shekarun baya." Jizek har yanzu yana cikin damuwa, amma ya gyada kai tare da yin rubutu a ransa. "Mai kyau. Yanzu zan je magana da Joseph Gardner don ganin ko yana son ya taimake mu."
    
    
  OVAL OFFICE, FARIN GIDA, WASHINGTON, DC.
  WANI LOKACI BAYAN, FARKON YAMMA
    
    
  Wayar da ke kusa da Shugaban Ma"aikatan Walter Cordus ya yi kara, nan take ya dauki wayar. "Kira daga Ankara, yallabai," in ji shi. "Alamomin sun ce daga shugaban kasa ne da kansa."
    
  "A ƙarshe," in ji Shugaba Joseph Gardner. Ya zauna a teburinsa yana kallon labaran da ake yadawa game da mamayar Iraki tare da mai ba shi shawara kan harkokin tsaro, Conrad Carlisle, sakataren tsaro Miller Turner, da shugaban hafsan hafsoshin hafsoshin sojan Amurka Janar Taylor J. Bain. Wadanda aka gabatar ta hanyar taron bidiyo sun hada da Mataimakin Shugaban Kasa Kenneth Phoenix daga Allied Nakhla Air Base a Iraki da Sakatariyar Harkokin Wajen Stacey Barbeau daga Aviano Air Base a Italiya, inda ta yi balaguro maimakon ci gaba zuwa Iraki daga Washington. "Haɗa shi." Ya dan yi tunani, sannan ya girgiza masa hannu. "A"a, jira, zan sa shi jira ya ga yadda yake so. Ka gaya masa ya jira ni in yi magana da shi nan da minti daya."
    
  Gardner ya juya ga sauran a cikin Ofishin Oval. "Ok, mun kasance muna kallon wannan shit ɗin yana tashi. Me muka sani? Me za mu ce wa mutumin da ke daya gefen wayar?"
    
  "A bayyane yake cewa Turkiyya na kai hari kan maboyar 'yan ta'addar PKK da kuma sansanonin horarwa, kuma suna yin taka tsantsan don kada su yi sanadin jikkata wani dan Iraki ko Amurka," in ji mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaron kasa Conrad Carlisle. "Idan da gaske haka lamarin ya kasance, muna gaya wa mutanenmu su yi kasala kuma su guje wa hakan. Sannan muna gaya wa Turkawa da su ja da baya idan aka samu sakamakon da ba a zata ba."
    
  "Yana da ma'ana a gare ni," in ji Gardner. "Suna zurfafa zurfafa cikin Iraki, ko ba haka ba ne, fiye da hare-haren wuce gona da iri?" Duk wanda ke cikin Ofishin Oval kuma akan taron taron bidiyo yana sa ido a kai. "To abin tambaya anan shine zasu zauna?"
    
  Sakatariyar harkokin wajen Amurka Stacy Ann Barbeau ta ce, "Za su dade a nan don kashe duk wani 'yan tawayen PKK da suka samu, sannan na tabbata za su fice," in ji Sakatariyar harkokin wajen Amurka Stacy Ann Barbeau a layinta na bidiyo mai tsaro daga Italiya. "Dole ne mu yi kira ga Majalisar Dinkin Duniya da ta sanya ido da wuri-wuri idan har Kurzat Hirciz ba shi da iko kuma sojojin Turkiyya na son shiga cikin tashin hankali."
    
  "Ba za su yi hakan ba a agogona, Stacy," in ji Gardner. "Ba zan yarda da zubar da jini ba yayin da sojojin Amurka ke can kuma Iraqi ba su da karfin kare mutanensu. Za su iya tunkarar nasu 'yan tawayen Kurdawa a kasarsu idan suna so, amma ba za su yi kisan kare dangi a gaban sojojin Amurka ba."
    
  Sakatariyar harkokin wajen Amurka Stacy Ann Barbeau ta ce, "Ina tsammanin za su amince da masu sa ido na kasa da kasa, Mista Shugaban kasa, amma za su so su samar da wani yanki na tsaro a arewacin Iraki tare da sa ido na sa'o'i 24 na duniya don neman ayyukan PKK."
    
  "Ni ma zan iya rayuwa da hakan," in ji Gardner. "Ok, Walter, haɗa Hirsiz."
    
  Bayan ƴan mintuna kaɗan: "Mai girma shugaban ƙasa, barka da rana, wannan shine shugaba Hirsiz. Na gode da magana da ni, yallabai.
    
  Gardner ya ce "Na yi matukar farin ciki da ganin ba ku da lafiya." "Ba mu ji komai ba tun bayan ayyana dokar ta-baci a kasar. Baku amsa ko daya daga cikin kiran mu ba."
    
  "Yi hakuri, yallabai, amma kamar yadda kake gani, abubuwa suna da matukar muhimmanci a nan kuma na kasance kusan ba tsayawa. Ina tsammanin wannan kiran ya shafi ayyukan da muke yi na yaki da ta'addanci a Iraki?"
    
  Idanu Gardner sun zaro cikin rashin imani da abinda ya ji. "A'a yallabai, ina magana ne game da mamayewar da kuka yi wa Iraki!" Gardner ya fashe. Domin da a ce wannan aikin yaki da ta"addanci ne kawai, na tabbata da za ku fada mana yaushe, a ina kuma yadda za ku fara shi, ko ba haka ba?
    
  "Ya Shugaba, tare da dukkan girmamawa, irin wannan sautin ba lallai ba ne," in ji Hirsiz. "Idan na tuna maka, yallabai, rashin mutunta irin wannan ne ya haifar da wannan kiyayya tsakanin kasashenmu tun farko."
    
  "Kuma ko zan iya tunatar da kai, mai girma shugaban kasa," in ji Gardner, "cewa jiragen yakin Turkiyya na kai hare-haren bama-bamai da sansanonin Amurkawa? Har ila yau, zan iya tunatar da ku cewa, na aika mataimakin shugaban kasar Phoenix da Sakatare Barbeau aikin diflomasiyya zuwa Iraki don ganawa da takwarorinsu, kuma Turkiyya ta yi amfani da taron a matsayin abin shan taba wajen kai hari a wurare a cikin Iraki, tare da jefa mataimakin shugaban kasar cikin hatsarin mutuwa? Mataimakin shugaban kasa manzon Amurka ne kuma wakilina. Ba ku da ikon tayar da tashin hankali alhalin ku a lokaci guda ku..."
    
  "Bana bukatar tunatarwarka, yallabai!" Hirsiz ya katse shi. "Bana bukatar laccoci kan lokacin da Turkiyya za ta iya daukar matakin soji kan "yan ta"addan da ke barazana ga mutanenmu! Jamhuriyar Turkiyya za ta yi duk abin da ya dace don kare ƙasarmu da mutanenmu! Dole ne Amurka da Iraki su taimaka mana mu fatattaki 'yan ta'adda! Idan ba ku yi komai ba, to sai mu tafi shi kadai."
    
  "Ba na ƙoƙarin yin lacca ga kowa ba, yallabai," in ji Gardner, yana kame fushinsa, "kuma na yarda cewa Turkiyya ko wata ƙasa za ta iya ɗaukar duk wani matakin da ya dace don kare muradunta, har ma da matakin soja na riga-kafi." Duk abin da nake tambaya, yallabai, shine a sanar da Washington da farko kuma a nemi shawara da taimako. Wannan shine abin da abokan tarayya suke yi, shin ina da gaskiya?"
    
  Hirsiz ya ce "Mai girma shugaban kasa, muna da dukkan niyyar sanar da kai kafin barkewar rikici, idan lokaci ya yi." Gardner ya zaro idanu cikin rashin imani, amma bai ce komai ba. "Amma hakan bai faru ba".
    
  "Wannan shi ne abin da kuka fada kafin harin da aka kai kan iyakar kasar da ya kashe Amurkawa fiye da goma," in ji shugaban. "Tabbas, ba ku jin bukatar yin shawarwari da Washington a kan lokaci."
    
  "Ka yi hakuri, shugaban kasa, amma abin da nake gaya maka gaskiya ne - akwai babban matsin lamba a kan mu don mu dauki mataki kafin wani mutuwa ta sake faruwa," in ji Hirsiz. "Amma a wannan karon mun yi taka tsantsan don rage asarar fararen hula. Na umarci ministan tsaro na ya sanar da kuma tunatar da kwamandojin sassan mu cewa 'yan ta'addar PKK ne kadai ya kamata a kai hari. Mun dauki matakai na ban mamaki don rage asarar fararen hula."
    
  "Kuma na fahimci waɗannan ƙoƙarin," in ji Gardner. "A iya sanina, ba a kashe Ba"amurke ko Iraqi ko daya ba. Amma an sami raunuka da hasara mai yawa da lalacewar kayan aiki da sifofi. Idan aka ci gaba da tashin hankali, za a iya zubar da jini."
    
  "Duk da haka, a iyakar sanina, yallabai, an riga an sami gagarumin asarar kayan aikin Turkiyya da gangan-kuma aƙalla mutuwar ɗaya daga cikin sojojin Amurka."
    
  "Me? Amurkawa? Gardner ya kalli mai ba shi shawara kan harkokin tsaro da kuma sakataren tsaro cikin mamaki. "An tabbatar min da cewa babu daya daga cikin sojojin mu da ya yi fada da kowa balle sojojin Turkiyya. Tabbas an yi kuskure."
    
  "Don haka kun musanta cewa wani jirgin leken asiri na Amurka Flying Wing yana kewaya arewacin Iraki tare da umarnin yin amfani da makami don harbo wani jirgin yakin Turkiyya?"
    
  "Flying reshe... jirgin sama mai leko... makamin katako...?"
    
  "Mun kasance muna kallon wannan jirgin yana shawagi kusa da iyakar Turkiyya kwanaki da yawa," in ji Hirsiz. "Ko da yake ya yi kama da wani bam na Amurka, manazarta leken asirinmu sun tabbatar wa gwamnatinmu cewa jirgin saman sa ido ne da ba shi da makami mallakar wani dan kwangilar sojan Amurka mai zaman kansa kuma ke sarrafa shi. Air Attache & # 233; a ofishin jakadancin Amurka da ke Ankara ya yarda cewa wannan gaskiya ne.
    
  Hirsiz ya ci gaba da cewa "Tabbas manazartan mu sun yi kuskure kuma jakadanku ya yi mana karya saboda ma'aikatan jirgin da ke goyon bayan yaki sun ruwaito cewa jirgin guda daya ne ya kai musu hari." "Ma"aikacin jirgin da ya tsira ya ruwaito cewa jirgin da ake kira leken asiri da gaske yana harba abin da ya kira makamin katako; ya ruwaito yana jin zafi sosai, wanda ya kai ga kashe matukin jirgin tare da lalata jirgin. Shin kana musun cewa irin wannan jirgin ya yi aiki a lokacin da muke gudanar da ayyukanmu a kan Iraki, Mr.
    
  Shugaban ya girgiza kai a rude. "Mai girma shugaban kasa, ban san komai game da irin wannan jirgin ba, kuma tabbas ban umurci wani jirgin Amurka da ya kai hari ga kowa ba, balle jirgin Allied," in ji shi. "Zan gano ko wanene kuma in tabbatar da wani abu makamancin haka bai sake faruwa ba."
    
  "Wannan kadan ne ta'aziyya ga dangin matukin jirgin da ya mutu a harin, yallabai."
    
  "Zan gano wadanda ke da alhakin, Mr. Shugaban kasa, kuma idan wannan harin da gangan ne, za a hukunta su, wanda na yi alkawari," in ji Gardner. "Yallabai, menene manufar Turkiyya a Iraki? Yaushe za ku fara janye sojoji?"
    
  "Jamawa? Yallabai kace ka ja da baya?" Hirsiz ya tambaya cikin babbar murya mai ban sha'awa na wasan kwaikwayo. "Turkiyya ba ta janye sojoji, yallabai. Ba za mu tafi ba har sai an kashe ko kama kowane dan ta'addar PKK. Ba mu fara wannan aiki ba kuma mun yi kasadar dubban rayuka da biliyoyin kayan aiki masu mahimmanci don mu juya kafin a kammala aikin."
    
  Gardner ya ce "Yallabai, Turkiyya ta aikata wani harin wuce gona da iri kan kasar mai zaman lafiya." "Yallabai kana iya farautar "yan ta"adda, amma kana yin hakan ne a kasar waje, kana ta"addancin fararen hula da ba su ji ba su gani ba, kana lalata dukiyoyin wata kasa mai cin gashin kanta. Ba za a yarda da hakan ba."
    
  "Kuma ta yaya ayyukanmu suka bambanta da harin da Amurka ta kai kan Iraki, Mr. Shugaba?" Hirsiz ya tambaya. "Akidarku ce, ko ba haka ba, ku farauto da lalata "yan ta"adda a duk inda suke, a duk lokacin da kuka zaba? Haka muke yi."
    
  Joseph Gardner ya yi shakka. Dan iska ya yi gaskiya, ya yi tunani. Ta yaya zan iya adawa da mamayewar Turkiyya a Iraki alhalin abin da Amurka ta yi ke nan a 2003? "Um...Malam. Shugaban kasa, ka san cewa wannan ba daya ba ne..."
    
  "Abu daya ne, yallabai. Muna da 'yancin kare kanmu, kamar yadda Amurka ke yi."
    
  An yi sa'a ga shugaban kasa, Walter Cordus yana rike da kati mai dauke da haruffan "UN" a kai. Gardner ya gyada kai cikin jin dadi, sannan ya yi magana: "Bambancin, yallabai, shi ne cewa Amurka ta sami izinin mamaye Iraki daga kwamitin sulhu na Majalisar Dinkin Duniya. Ba ku neman irin wannan amincewar ba."
    
  Hirsiz ya ce, "Mun shafe shekaru da yawa muna neman wannan amincewar, amma a ko da yaushe an ƙi mu. Mafi kyawun abin da ku ko Majalisar Dinkin Duniya za ku iya yi shi ne ayyana PKK a matsayin kungiyar ta'addanci. An ba mu izini mu ambaci sunayensu, amma za su iya kashe Turkawa ba tare da wani hukunci ba. Mun yanke shawarar daukar al"amura a hannunmu."
    
  Gardner ya ce "An kuma yi wa Amurka taimako daga wasu kasashe da dama a kokarinta na farautar 'yan ta'addar al-Qaeda da masu jihadi." "Wannan harin ba-zata ya yi kama da mamayewa fiye da aikin yaki da ta'addanci."
    
  "Shin kana bayar da taimako, Mr. Shugaba?" Hirsiz ya tambaya. "Hakika wannan zai gaggauta ci gabanmu kuma zai tabbatar da ja da baya cikin sauri."
    
  Gardner ya ce "Mai girma shugaban kasa, Amurka ta ba da taimako wajen farautar 'yan ta'addar PKK a lokuta da dama a baya." "Mun samar da bayanan sirri, makamai da albarkatun kudi tsawon shekaru. Amma makasudin shi ne a kaucewa bude yakin basasa da keta iyakokin kasa - don hana hakikanin abin da ya faru, da kuma irin bala'o'in da ka iya faruwa idan ba a daina tashin hankali ba."
    
  Hirsiz ya ce "Muna godiya da taimakon da ka taimaka mana, yallabai." "Turkiyya za ta kasance mai godiya koyaushe. Amma wannan bai isa ya dakatar da harin ta'addancin ba. Ba laifin Amurka bane. 'Yan ta'addar PKK marasa tausayi sun tilasta mana daukar mataki. Duk wani taimako da za ku iya bayarwa a nan gaba zai zama mai taimako sosai kuma za a yaba masa sosai."
    
  "Za mu yi farin cikin taimaka maka wajen farautar 'yan ta'adda," in ji Mista Gardner, "amma a matsayin alamar imani, muna so mu tambayi ko rundunar wanzar da zaman lafiya ta Majalisar Dinkin Duniya za ta iya maye gurbin sojojin Turkiyya na kasa, kuma idan kun zai iya baiwa masu sa ido na kasa da kasa da jami'an tsaro damar yin sintiri a kan iyakar Turkiyya da Iraki."
    
  "Yi hakuri, shugaban kasa, amma wannan bai dace ba," in ji Hirsiz. "Muna da yakinin cewa Majalisar Dinkin Duniya runduna ce da ba ta da wani tasiri kuma ba ta samun ci gaba a kowane fanni na duniya da aka tura dakarun kiyaye zaman lafiya. Hasali ma, mun yi imanin cewa irin wadannan dakarun za su kasance masu nuna son kai ga Turkiyya tare da goyon bayan tsirarun Kurdawa, kuma farautar 'yan ta'addar PKK za ta koma baya. A'a yallabai, Turkiyya ba za ta karbi dakarun wanzar da zaman lafiya a wannan lokaci ba."
    
  "Ina fata ku da Firayim Minista Akas za ku so ku tattauna wannan batu, yallabai? Af, na yi tsammanin jin ta bakin Firayim Minista. Lafiya lau? Ba mu ganta ko jin ta bakinta ba".
    
  "Ina tsammanin za ku ga cewa Firayim Minista yana da tsayin daka kan wannan batu kamar yadda nake, Mista Shugaban kasa," in ji Hirsiz a fili, yana watsi da tambayoyin Gardner. "Masu sa ido na duniya kawai za su dagula al"amuran tsaro, al"adu, kabilanci da addini a yankin. Ina jin tsoron babu inda za a yi sulhu a halin yanzu."
    
  "Na gane. Ina kuma so in tattauna Mataimakin Shugaban kasa Phoenix, "in ji Gardner. "An tilasta masa gujewa jiragen yakin Turkiyya da sojojin kasa a lokacin da yake tafiya zuwa Erbil don tattaunawar da muka shirya."
    
  "Wannan abin takaici ne, yallabai. Ina tabbatar muku da cewa ba a yi yunkurin kai hari ga wani jirgin ba kwata-kwata. Kamar yadda muka sani, PKK ba ta da sojojin sama. Ina mataimakin shugaban kasa yanzu yallabai?"
    
  Gardner ya ce, "Mataimakin shugaban kasar fursuna ne na sojojin Turkiyya da na sama a sansanin sojin saman Iraki da ke Tall Qaifa, arewacin Mosul," in ji Gardner, bayan da ya yi la'akari da ko ya kamata ya bayyana wadannan bayanai. "Dakarun Turkiyya sun kewaye ta kuma jiragen yakin Turkiyya sun yi ta harbe-harbe akai-akai. Tabbas yana tsoron kare lafiyarsa. Ina bukatar dukkan sojojin Turkiyya da su fice daga yankin su bar mataimakin shugaban kasar ya bar sansanin ya wuce inda zai nufa."
    
  "Har zuwansa na gaba?"
    
  Gardner ya ce: "Asali makwancinsa: Erbil." "Har yanzu mataimakin shugaban kasar yana da manufa: don yin sulhu tsakanin Iraki, Amurka, gwamnatin yankin Kurdawa da Turkiyya don murkushe 'yan ta'addar PKK da kuma maido da zaman lafiya, tsaro da oda a yankin kan iyaka."
    
  "Masu girman kai, wato," in ji Hirsiz a wulakance. An dakata sosai a ɗayan ƙarshen layin; Daga nan kuma: "Mai girma shugaban kasa, ka yi hakuri, amma yanayin tsaro ba shi da tabbas kuma babu tabbas a duk arewacin Iraki da kudancin Turkiyya. Babu wanda zai iya tabbatar da tsaron mataimakin shugaban kasa a garuruwa, musamman ma wadanda Kurdawa ke iko da su, da 'yan PKK suka mamaye."
    
  "Don haka za ku tsare mataimakin shugaban kasa a gidan yari a Iraki? Wannan shine abin da kake son fada mani, yallabai?
    
  "Hakika a'a, yallabai," Hirsiz ya amsa. "Ina tunani ne kawai game da lafiyar mataimakin shugaban kasa, ba komai." Akwai wani dogon tsaiko; Sannan: "Na rantse da girmamawata cewa, zan tabbatar da cewa an yi wa mataimakin shugaban kasar rakiya lafiya zuwa iyakar Turkiyya, tare da cikakken hadin gwiwar jami"an tsaron ku na sirri, kuma daga nan za a iya rako shi zuwa sararin samaniyar Amurka. tushe a Incirlik don komawar sa Amurka." Amurka. Na kuma yi alkawarin cewa sojojin Turkiyya ba za su tsoma baki ko kadan ba idan mataimakin shugaban kasar ya yanke shawarar zuwa Bagadaza. Amma tun da sojojin Turkiyya ba su kai kudancin Mosul ba, ba zan iya ba da tabbacin tsaronta ba. Ina jin tsoron ba a ba da shawarar tafiya ba a yanzu."
    
  "Bari in gane haka, Mista Hirsese-ko kana gaya mani cewa za ka jadadda sharudda, hanyoyi, da hanyoyin da Mataimakin Shugaban Amurka zai iya zagaya wata ƙasa mai "yanci da ba taka ba? " Gardner ya tambaya cike da mamaki. "Bari in ba ka shawara, yallabai: Zan aika da Mataimakin Shugaban kasa ko wani a duk lokacin da nake so, zuwa ko'ina, zuwa Iraki ko wata ƙasa mai abokantaka, kuma na rantse da Allah, idan na gani ko na sami wata alama cewa Idan kowa ya yi ko da ishara ga alkiblarsa da tunanin illa, zan ga an tura shi kafa goma cikin kasa. Ina mai bayyana kaina a fili?"
    
  "Mai rashin kunya da ƙarfi kamar koyaushe, amma na fahimta," in ji Hirsiz a cikin sautin tsaka tsaki.
    
  "Ka tabbata ka yi haka, yallabai," in ji Shugaba Gardner. "Kuma yaushe zan iya sa ran tattaunawa kai tsaye da Firayim Minista game da lamarin gaggawa da fara tattaunawa don warware matsalar janyewar sojoji daga Iraki?"
    
  "Firayim Minista Akas yana da matukar aiki, yallabai, amma zan mika mata bukatarka nan take. Na gode da magana da ni, yallabai. Da fatan za a kiyaye mu a cikin addu'o'in ku har sai mun sake magana.
    
  Gardner ya katse mani, "Ka faɗa mani, Mr. Hirsiz," Shin Firayim Minista Akas yana raye, kuma idan haka ne, har yanzu tana kan mulki? Shin yanzu Janar-Janar din ne ke kan gaba a Turkiyya, kuma kai ne da sunanka kadai kake shugaban kasa?"
    
  Wani dogon tsayawa; sannan: "Na yi fushi da zaginka, yallabai," in ji Hirsiz. "Ba ni da sauran abin da zan gaya muku. Barka da rana". Kuma haɗin ya katse.
    
  "Bastard," Gardner ya yi haki, yana ratayewa. "Wa yake tunanin yana magana da shi?" Ya dakata, yana harbawa da tsananin zafi, sannan ya kusa yi ihu, "Mene ne wannan game da wani dan kunar bakin wake da ya tashi sama da Turkiyya dauke da bindigar ray? Menene?"
    
  "Akwai guda daya ne kawai da ke jigilar jirgin sama mai sa ido kamar wanda Hirsiz ya bayyana: Scion Aviation International," in ji Sakataren Tsaro Miller Turner.
    
  "Kana nufin...McLamahan Organization?" Gardner ya tambaya cike da mamaki. "Shin ya kawo makamai masu linzami a cikin Iraki?"
    
  "Ban san komai game da makaman kare dangi ba. Tabbas ba a ba shi izinin shigar da duk wani makami na kai hari cikin Iraki ko kuma wani wuri ba," in ji Turner. "Amma idan wani yana da irin waɗannan manyan makamai, McLahanan ne."
    
  "Na sami isasshe-fitar da shi daga nan, kuma ku yi yau." Gardner ya nuna yatsa ga sakataren tsaronsa kamar wuka. "Ku fitar da jakinsa daga Iraki ku kawo shi JIHOHI a yanzu. Ina son a soke kwangilolinsa kuma a dakatar da duk wasu kudade da ake bin sa da kamfaninsa har sai in yi adalci a binciki shi da ayyukansa." Turner ya gyada kai ya dauki wayar. "Wataƙila za mu sami ƙarin haɗin gwiwa daga Turkawa idan muka buɗe bincike kan McLanahan."
    
  "McLaanahan ya ba ni bayanin abin da ya faru, Mista Shugaban kasa," in ji Mataimakin Shugaban kasa Phoenix daga Allied Nala Air Base. "Turkawa sun mamaye ginin gaba daya - sun katse duk wata hanyar sadarwa da watsa bayanai daga na'urori masu auna sigina. McLanahan ya yi amfani da Laser mai kariya a cikin jirgin sa na sa ido mara matuki zuwa..."
    
  "Laser na tsaro? Menene wannan jahannama? Ya harbo jirgin Turkiyya da Laser...?"
    
  "Sai kawai don samun jirgin Turkiyya ya kashe cunkoson," in ji Phoenix. "Bai san zai kashe matukin jirgin ba. Turkawa sun gama harbo jirgin leken asiri."
    
  "Ku yi masa hidima daidai," in ji shugaban. "Dole ne ya san cewa Laser din zai cutar da matukin jirgin; ya gwada wannan abu, ko ba haka ba? Ya kasance yana da alhakin mutuwar matukin jirgin. Ina so a tsare shi a tuhume shi."
    
  "Idan da bai kashe wannan cinkoson ba, da zan iya shiga tsakiyar harin Turkiyya," in ji Phoenix. "Ya dauki matakin da ya dace kan harin da ba a san ko wanene ba a gidan wasan kwaikwayo, yana yin daidai abin da aka ba shi kwangilar yin."
    
  "Bai yi hayar kansa don ya kashe mutane ba," in ji shugaban. "Babu wani Ba'amurke da ke da alhakin kashe wani a Iraki, balle wani abokinsa. Ya kamata mu kasance a can don taimakawa da horarwa, ba harbi mutane da lasers ba. McLaanahan ya yi abin da ya kasance koyaushe: yana amfani da duk wani ƙarfin da ya umarta don magance matsala, ko mene ne ya faru ko wanda ya kashe ko ya ji rauni yayin yin ta. Idan kana son ka ba da shaida a madadinsa, Ken, ka zama baƙona, amma zai amsa abin da ya yi." Phoenix bai sami amsa ba. "Miller, yaushe za ku iya samun McLanahan zuwa Jihohi?"
    
  "Ya danganta da abin da Turkawa suke yi, zan iya aika jirgi daga Baghdad in dauke shi a daren yau."
    
  "Ku yi".
    
  Turner ya gyada kai.
    
  "Mr. Shugaban kasa, Kanar Wilhelm yana nan a Nala, yana ajiye dukkan sojojinsa a cikin sansanin," in ji mataimakin shugaban kasa Phoenix. "A nan, a wajen ginin, akwai gungun Turkawa masu girman kamfani, amma kowa na kokarin ganin ba ya da tushe. Har ma mun baiwa Turkawa abinci da ruwa".
    
  "Wannan kawai ya nuna min cewa Turkawa ba sa son yaki sai dai idan kai dan PKK ne mai daukar kati," in ji shugaban. "Me sojojin Iraqi suke yi? Ina fatan su ma ba za su tsaya ba? "
    
  "Mai ƙanƙanta, mai girma shugaban ƙasa - a haƙiƙa, sun ƙaura daga sansanin kuma ba a same su ba."
    
  "Me?"
    
  "Sun tashi ne kawai suka bar tushe," in ji Phoenix. "Kowa ya tafi kuma sun lalata duk abin da ba za su iya ɗauka ba."
    
  "Me yasa? Me ya sa a duniya za su yi haka?" - Shugaban ya yi tsawa. "Me yasa jahannama muke taimaka musu lokacin da suka tashi suka gudu a farkon alamar matsala?"
    
  Mataimakin shugaban kasa Phoenix ya ce "Malam shugaban kasa, ina so in je Bagadaza in yi magana da shugaban kasa da Firayim Minista na Iraki." "Ina so in gano abin da ke faruwa."
    
  "Jeez, Ken, ba ka sami isasshen aiki na ɗan lokaci ba?"
    
  "Ina jin ba haka ba, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Phoenix, yana murmushi. "Har ila yau, ina son tashi wannan karkatarwar karkatar da rotor. Marines ba sa tashi a hankali da jin daɗi sai dai idan da gaske ne.
    
  "Idan da gaske kake tafiya, Ken, ka gana da kwamandan Sojoji da ma'aikatan Sabis ɗinka na sirri kuma ka gano hanya mafi aminci don kai ka Baghdad," in ji shugaban. "Ba na son ra'ayin cewa kuna tsakiyar mamayewa, amma samun ku a can a cikin ƙasa na iya taimakawa al'amura. Ban yarda da Turkawa ba gwargwadon iyawa, don haka za mu dogara da namu mutanen mu kai ku babban birnin kasar lafiya. Ina fatan Iraqi ba za su bar mu a baya ba, in ba haka ba yana iya zama mummunan a can. Ku ajiye ni a yi hattara."
    
  "Iya, Shugaba."
    
  "Stacy, Ina so in kai ku Ankara ko Istanbul da wuri-wuri, amma muna iya jira har sai abin ya lafa," in ji shugaban. "Yaya game da ganawar da wakilan kungiyar NATO a Brussels - tare za mu iya matsawa Turkiyya lamba don tilasta musu janye sojojinsu."
    
  Barbeau ya ce "Mai kyau, mai girma shugaban kasa." "Zan tafi yanzu."
    
  "Lafiya. Ku gaya wa firaministan Turkiyya cewa, nan da 'yan sa'o'i kadan wadanda ake zargi da kakkabo jirginsu na leken asiri za su kasance a hannunmu; ya kamata ya sa su ɗan more daɗi."
    
  "Eh, shugaban kasa," Barbeau ya ce kuma ya kashe wayar.
    
  "Miller, sanar da ni lokacin da McLanahan ke kan hanyarsa ta komawa Amurka domin in sanar da Ankara," in ji shugaban. "Ina so in ba su 'yan karas kafin in fara jefa spanner a cikin ayyukan, kuma McLaanahan ya kamata ya zama karas mai kyau. Na gode kowa."
    
    
  CIBIYAR UMURNI DA SARKI, ALLIED AIR BASE NAKHLA, IRAQI
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  "Na ce, wannan yana da haɗari sosai, masters," in ji Jack Wilhelm a fusace. Yana cikin ta'aziyyarsa a cikin Reservoir, yana nazarin abubuwan da ke zuwa masa. "Turkawa sun dakatar da binciken sararin samaniya tare da hana zirga-zirgar sojoji a ciki da wajen sansanin. Komai yayi tashin hankali a yanzu. Idan muka yi ƙoƙarin fita waje zuwa wurin da hatsarin ya faru, za su iya tsorata. Ban da haka, har yanzu ba ku da kyau. "
    
  John Masters ya ce "Karanar, kwata na dala biliyan na kayan aiki an taru a wurin, kasa da mil biyu daga shingen." "Ba za ku iya barin Turkawa da mutanen gida su yi watsi da wannan ba. Wasu daga cikin wannan an rarraba su."
    
  "Wannan wurin hatsari ne, masters. An lalace-"
    
  "Karnel, jiragena ba su yi da aluminium mara nauyi ba - suna da yawa. Sun fi ƙarfin ƙarfe sau ɗari. Mai asara yana tashi a hankali yana tunkaro kasa. Akwai kyakkyawar dama cewa wasu tsarin da avionics sun tsira daga tasirin. Dole ne in je can in maido da abin da zan iya a baya-"
    
  "Maigida, ina da umarni: babu wanda ke fita waje da tushe, ciki har da ku," in ji Wilhelm. "Rundunar sojin Turkiyya ce ke da iko a wurin kuma ba zan yi kasadar yin arangama da su ba. Suna ba da izinin shigo da abinci, ruwa da kayayyaki - wannan ya ishe ni a yanzu. Muna kokarin tattaunawa da Turkawa kan samun tarkacen jirgin, amma sun ji haushi saboda ka yi amfani da shi wajen harbo jirginsu daya. Don haka ki daina bata min rai har suka huce suka fara magana da mu, lafiya?"
    
  "Kowane akwatin da suka cire daga wurin da hatsarin ya faru yana biyana kudi, Kanar."
    
  "Na yi nadama game da kuɗin ku, Doc, amma da gaske ba na yin fuck a yanzu," in ji Wilhelm. "Na san ka taimake ni ta hanyar harbo jirgin leken asirin, amma a yanzu ba mu da wani zabi."
    
  "Sannan zan je can in gwada sa'a ta tare da Turkawa."
    
  "Doc, na tabbata Turkawa za su yi farin cikin yin ɗan tattaunawa da ku a yanzu," in ji Wilhelm. "Za su samu na"urar ledar ku, da dukkan akwatunan sirri na sirri, mutumin da ya kera su duka, da kuma wanda ya yi amfani da su wajen harbo jirginsu daya ya kashe daya daga cikin sojojinsu. Idan ba ka son ɗanɗanon ruwan magani na gaskiya ko kuma ba ka son a ciro farcen hannunka da filashi, ina ganin ka fi tsaro a bayan sanduna." Hakan ya sa John Masters ya yi shiru, ya koma fari fiye da yadda yake kallo a baya, ya yi shiru. "Ban yi tunani ba. Ina ganin mun yi sa'a ba sa neman mu mika ka gare su a yanzu. Yi hakuri da kayanka Doc, amma ka tsaya a wurinka." Yana kallon John ya kau da kai ya kasa daurewa sai dan tausayinsa.
    
  "Ina tsammanin kun tsorata shi, Kanar," in ji Patrick McLamahan. Ya tsaya tare da Daraktan Tsaro Chris Thompson kusa da na'urar wasan bidiyo na Wilhelm. "Shin da gaske kuna tsammanin Turkawa za su azabtar da shi?"
    
  "Yaya zan sani, General?" Wilhelm ya yi murmushi. "Ina so kawai ya daina takura ni har sai na daidaita wannan kuma har sai wani a Washington ko Ankara ya ce in daina. Amma lalata wannan "Phantom" ba zai faranta wa Turkawa dadi ba. Ya yi nazarin ɗayan allon bayanan tare da sabunta bayanan zirga-zirgar iska. "Har yanzu kuna shigo da daya daga cikin jiragen ku a daren nan? Shin, ba ka riga ka yi asarar isassun jiragen sama ba?"
    
  "Ba XC-57 bane, jigilar kaya 767 ce ta yau da kullun," in ji Patrick. "Turkawa sun tsarkake wannan kuma sun bayyana shi."
    
  "Me yasa damu? Kun san za a ƙare kwangilarku, ko? Harba saukar da wannan fatalwa - tare da Laser, ba kasa - zai saukar da ku a cikin ruwan zafi. Za ku yi sa'a idan Turkawa ba su kame shi ba suka tilasta masa sauka a Turkiyya."
    
  "Sa'an nan kuma har yanzu zan buƙaci jirgin dakon kaya don fara kwashe kayana daga ƙasar yanzu da suka harbe Mai Rasa."
    
  Wilhelm ya ce, "Shawarar ka ce, Janar," in ji Wilhelm, yana girgiza kai. "Ina ganin Turkawa sun amince da jirgin ne kawai don su katse shi, su tilasta shi ya sauka a Turkiyya, su kwace duk wani abu da kuke kawowa Iraki, su kuma yi garkuwa da kaya da jirgin ku har sai kun biya diyya ga Fatalwa, kuma tabbas ba za ku iya ba. a gurfana gaban kotu bisa laifin kisan kai. Amma zabinku ne." Mark Weatherly ya haura zuwa Wilhelm ya mika masa takarda. Ya karanta, ya girgiza kai a gajiye, sannan ya mayar da shi. "Bad news, General. An umurce ni da in tsare ku a cikin gidan ku har sai kun iya komawa Jihohi. Pentagon ta soke kwangilar ku, tana aiki nan da nan."
    
  "Wakilin fatalwa?"
    
  "Bai ce ba, amma na tabbata shi ya sa," in ji Wilhelm. "Daga abin da muka gani, Turkawa sun yi taka tsantsan don kada su kai mana hari ko kuma 'yan Irakin da ba 'yan PKK ba. Wannan jajircewar na iya yin rauni a yanzu da suka yi hasarar jirgin da matukin jirgin, kuma Washington na bukatar yin wani abu don nuna cewa ba ma son shiga wuta da Turkawa."
    
  "Kuma ni ne mutumin."
    
  "Babban babban kwamandan "yan kunar bakin wake mai ritaya ya zama dan haya. Na tsani in fadi hakan, General, amma kai ne yaron fosta don daukar fansa."
    
  John Masters ya kara da cewa "Na tabbata Shugaba Gardner ya yi matukar farin ciki da tilasta maka, Mook."
    
  "Sorry, General." Wilhelm ya juya zuwa Chris Thompson. "Thompson, za ka damu kai janar zuwa sashensa? Ban ma sani ba ko kun taɓa yin barci a ciki a baya-Na same ku koyaushe a cikin rataye ko a cikin jirgin ku-amma a nan ne zan ajiye ku yanzu.
    
  "Kin damu idan na tafi tare da shi Colonel?" John ya tambaya.
    
  Wilhelm ya daga masa hannu sannan ya koma kan na'urar na'urar sa, kuma kungiyar ta nufi wurin zama.
    
  Wurin zama - Chuvil - ya yi kamar ba kowa. Babu wanda ya ce komai yayin da suke tafiya tare da jerin gwanon karfe har sai da suka sami wanda aka tanadar wa Patrick. "Zan kawo kayanka nan, yallabai," in ji Chris. Ya bude kofar ya kunna fitila ya leka dakin. Akwai wani ɗaki na ciki don kiyaye yashi da ƙura. A ciki akwai wata karamar galle, teburi da kujera, kujeru na baƙi, kabad, ɗakunan ajiya da gadon gado. "Muna da isasshen sarari, don haka kuna da Chu da vet-Chu a tsakiya. Mun samar da dakin sarrafawa na biyu a matsayin dakin taro don ku da mutanen ku; wannan gefen shine keɓaɓɓen sarari. Kuna da cikakken damar Intanet, tarho, TV, duk abin da kuke buƙata. Idan kuna buƙatar wani abu, ko kuma idan kuna son wani wurin zama kusa da layin tashi, kawai ku kira."
    
  "Na gode Chris. Komai zai yi kyau".
    
  "Haka kuma, Patrick, na yi hakuri al'amura sun kasance haka," in ji Chris. "Kuna ƙoƙarin dawo da hanyoyin sadarwarmu da bayananmu, ba kashe mutumin ba."
    
  "Siyasa ce ta shigo cikin wasa," in ji Patrick. "Turkawa suna jin cewa sun cancanci a cikin abin da suke yi kuma ba su sani ba ko kuma sun damu da dalilin da ya sa muka bude wuta a kan jirginsu. Fadar White House ba ta son lamarin ya wuce gona da iri."
    
  John Masters ya kara da cewa "Ba a ma maganar, Shugaban kasa zai so ya bata ka, Mook."
    
  "Babu wani abu da za mu iya yi game da shi a nan," in ji Patrick. "Zan yi yaki da zarar na isa jihohin. Kar ki damu dani".
    
  Thompson ya gyada kai. "Ba wanda ya ce na gode da abin da kuka yi, amma zan yi. Nagode yallabai" yace sannan yayi tafiyarsa.
    
  "Mai girma, kawai mai girma," in ji John Masters bayan Thompson ya bar CHU. "Turkawa za su tsinkayi tarkacen wanda ya yi rashin nasara, kuma kana makale a nan a gidan kaso tare da shugaban Amurka a shirye ya mika ka ga Turkawa a matsayin mai dumamar yanayi. Suna kumbura. Me za mu yi yanzu?"
    
  "Ba ni da ra'ayi," in ji Patrick. "Zan tuntuɓi shugaban kuma in sanar da shi abin da ke faruwa-idan bai riga ya sani ba."
    
  "I bet Pres..." Patrick ya ɗaga hannu ba zato ba tsammani, wanda ya firgita John. "Me?" John ya tambaya. "Me yasa...?" Patrick ya sa yatsansa a lebbansa ya nufi dakin. John ya zaro gira a rude. Mirgina idanunsa cikin bacin rai, Patrick ya sami fensir da takarda a cikin tebur ɗinsa ya rubuta: Ina tsammanin CHU ya lalace.
    
  "Me?" John ya furta.
    
  Patrick ya sake zazzare idanunsa, sannan ya rubuta: Ba a ambaci shugaban kasa ba. Tattaunawa na yau da kullun kawai.
    
  "Ok," in ji John, bai tabbata ko ya yarda ba, amma yana son yin wasa tare. Ya rubuta, an gyara kuskuren?
    
  Bidiyo kawai, idan suna da shi, Patrick ya amsa a rubuce. John ya gyada kai. Patrick ya rubuta: Ku gaya wa Zipper da Charlie a kan mai ɗaukar kaya da sauran ma'aikatan a Las Vegas abin da ya faru da Loser ... da ni.
    
  John ya gyada kai, ya ba Patrick wani kallo na bakin ciki, sannan ya ce, "Ok, Mook, zan koma hangar, in aika sakonni, in duba wanda ya yi rashin nasara, sannan in kwanta. Rana ta yi muni sosai. Ku kira ni idan kuna buƙatar wani abu."
    
  "Na gode. Sai anjima ".
    
  Jack Wilhelm ya danna maballi a kan na'urar wasan bidiyo kuma ya cire belun kunne, yana sauraron rikodin mintuna kaɗan bayan Chris Thompson ya dawo daga Chuville. "Ban ji kusan komai ba, Thompson," in ji shi.
    
  "Sun fara yin taka-tsan-tsan game da abin da suka ce, Kanar," in ji Chris Thompson. "Ina tsammanin suna zargin ana takura musu."
    
  "Mutumin yana da wayo, tabbas," in ji Wilhelm. "Shin za mu iya kwace takardar da suke rubuta sakonni kafin su lalata su?"
    
  "Hakika, idan muna son su gano cewa ana takura musu."
    
  "Abin kunya ne ba ku sanya bug ɗin bidiyo a wurin ba maimakon sauti kawai. Akwai manyan kayan aikin fasaha da yawa kuma ba za ku iya shigar da kyamarar gado ɗaya mai sauƙi ba? Thompson bai ce komai ba - yana iya gyara bugu na bidiyo cikin sauƙi, amma bai ji daɗin gyara bugu na sauti ba a cikin ɗakin kula da janar; Kuskuren bidiyo ya yi girma da yawa. "Ya ambaci 'shugaba,' sa'an nan Masters ya ce kamar zai ce 'shugaban kasa,' "in ji Wilhelm. "Shugaban me?"
    
  "Kamfanin, ina tsammani," in ji Thompson. Ya dakata, sannan ya kara da cewa: "Ba na jin kamar ina da 'yancin buga cibiyar kwamandan Janar, Kanar."
    
  "Na karɓi umarni kai tsaye daga Babban Hafsan Hafsoshin Sojin, wanda ya karɓe su ta hannun babban mai shari'a da sakatariyar tsaro, don tattara bayanai kan ayyukan McLanahan, gami da satar bayanai da sauraran wayoyi, har sai da FBI da ma'aikatar harkokin waje suka karɓe," Wilhelm. yace. "Suna bin wannan mutumin, tabbas. Shugaban kasa yana son kansa a kan faranti. Sun ba da umarnin a bincika jirgin ruwan nasa kuma a duba duk wani kayan aikin da ke cikin jirgin ba tare da takardar shaidar ba. Idan yana kawo duk wani kayan da ba a ba da izini ba, suna so su sani game da shi. Ba na jin Turkawa za su ba shi damar sauka a nan, amma idan suka yi haka, Washington na son a nemo makamin da ba a ba shi izini ba."
    
  "Wane irin makami?"
    
  "Yaya ya kamata in sani, Thompson? Kuna da sanarwa - idan babu shi, to haramun ne. A kwace shi."
    
  "Shin babu wanda zai goyi bayan McLanahan kwata-kwata? Mutumin yana ƙoƙarin yin aikinsa kawai. Ya ceci fatarmu a lokacin harin kuma mai yiwuwa ma ya ceci fatar mataimakin shugaban kasar."
    
  "McLaanahan zai yi kyau, Thompson, kada ku damu da shi," in ji Wilhelm. "Baya ga haka, muna da oda, kuma daga sama suka fito. Ba zan bar mutane kamar McLanahan su lalata sana'ata ba. A mika bayanan ga sashen da wuri-wuri."
    
  "Hai big guy."
    
  "Baba?" Babu wani abu da ya kwatanta da sautin muryar ɗan ku yana cewa "Baba," Patrick ya yi tunani; kullum sai ya bar shi cikin tsoro. "Ina ku ke?"
    
  "Har yanzu a Iraki."
    
  "GAME DA". Bradley James McLanahan, wanda ya cika shekaru goma sha uku, har yanzu yaro ne na 'yan kalmomi-kamar dattijonsa, Patrick ya zato. "Yaushe zaka dawo gida?"
    
  "Ban sani ba tabbas, amma ina ganin zai faru nan ba da jimawa ba. Duba, na san kuna shirin zuwa makaranta, amma ina so..."
    
  "Zan iya gwada kwallon kafa a wannan shekara?"
    
  "Kwallon kafa?" Wannan wani sabon abu ne, Patrick yayi tunani. Bradley ya buga wasan ƙwallon ƙafa da wasan tennis kuma yana iya shayar da ski, amma bai taɓa nuna sha'awar wasanni a baya ba. "Tabbas, idan kuna so, idan dai kuna da maki masu kyau."
    
  "To ki gaya ma Anti Maryam. Tace zai cutar dani kuma kwakwalwata zata koma mush".
    
  "Ba idan kun saurari kocin."
    
  "Za ka gaya mata? Nan." Kafin Patrick ya ce komai, ƙanwarsa Maryamu tana kan layi. "Patrick?"
    
  "Hello Mar. Lafiya kuwa-"
    
  "Ba za ku bar shi ya buga kwallon kafa ba, ko?"
    
  "Me zai hana, idan kuma yana son makinsa -"
    
  "Makinsa ba su da kyau, amma za su fi kyau idan kawai ya daina mafarkin rana da yin jarida da kuma zana jiragen ruwa da jiragen sama na yaki," in ji 'yar uwarsa. Maryamu ƙwararriyar magunguna ce da maki mai kyau, tana da isasshen karatun likitanci idan tana da lokaci tsakanin haɓaka Bradley da nata biyu. "Shin kun taɓa ganin wasan ƙwallon ƙafa na sakandare?"
    
  "A'a".
    
  "Wadannan 'yan wasan suna girma a kowace shekara, hormones na su yana fushi, kuma suna da ƙarfin jiki fiye da basirar kamun kai. Bradley ya fi ɗan wasa littafin tsutsa. Banda haka, yana son yin hakan ne domin abokansa za su gwada, kuma wasu "yan mata a ajinsa za su yi kokarin faranta rai."
    
  "Koyaushe hakan yana motsa ni. Ji, ina bukatar magana da-"
    
  "Oh, na sami imel a safiyar yau cewa an soke ajiyar kuɗi ta atomatik daga kamfanin ku daga makon da ya gabata. Babu bayani. Ina kashe kudi fiye da kima, Patrick. Zai ci ni dala hamsin da duk wani tarar duk wanda na rubuta cak ɗin zuwa gare shi. Shin za ku iya yin wannan don kada in yi makale da bounces? "
    
  "Wannan sabon kamfani ne, Maryamu, kuma albashi na iya zama matsala." Duk albashinsa daga Scion ya tafi wurin 'yar uwarsa don taimakawa da kashe kudi; Dukan ritayarsa na Sojan Sama ya shiga asusun amintaccen Bradley. 'Yar'uwarsa ba ta ji daɗin hakan ba saboda biyan kuɗi daga Scion ba bisa ka'ida ba ne dangane da ko kamfanin yana da kwangila da ko yana da kuɗin biyan manyan jami'an gudanarwa, amma Patrick ya dage. Wannan ya sa Bradley ya zama dan kasuwa fiye da yadda yake so, amma ita ce mafi kyawun yarjejeniyar da zai iya yi a yanzu. "Ka ba shi sati ɗaya ko makamancin haka, lafiya? Zan yi watsi da duk tuhumar."
    
  "Za ki dawo gida da wuri? Steve yana so ya je rodeo a Casper wata mai zuwa. "
    
  Kuma a cikin tirelar da suka ɗauka tare da su a irin waɗannan tafiye-tafiye, babu ɗakin yaro na uku, Patrick ya yi tunani. "Eh, ina jin zan dawo gida sai ku fita. Bari inyi magana..."
    
  "Yana gudu ya kama bas. Koyaushe yana yin ɗimuwa ko yin ɗimbin rubutu ko rubutu a cikin littafinsa na rubutu kuma dole ne in gaya masa sau da yawa ya motsa ko zai rasa motar. Komai lafiya?"
    
  "Eh, ina lafiya, amma an sami ɗan ƙaramin lamari kwanan nan kuma ina so in gaya wa Bradley da ku game da shi a baya."
    
  "Lafiya. A baya-bayan nan an yi ta samun labarai da yawa game da Iraki da Turkiyya, kuma muna tunanin ku a kowane dare idan muka kalli labarai."
    
  "Ina tunanin ku a koyaushe. Amma da sanyin safiyar yau-"
    
  "Wannan kyakkyawa ne. Dole ne in gudu, Patrick. A safiyar yau ina yin hira da masu fasahar kantin magani da yawa. Steve da yara suna aika soyayya. Wallahi". Kuma haɗin ya katse.
    
  Haka galibin hirarsu ta wayar tarho suke tafiya, yana tunanin lokacin da ya katse wayar: gajeriyar hira da dansa, korafe-korafe da buqatar yayansa ko surukinsa-yawanci neman lokaci na iyali da ba sa samun lokaci. haɗa Bradley - ya biyo bayan saurin bankwana. To, me ya yi tsammani? Yana da yaro matashi, wanda ya shafe tsawon rayuwarsa ko dai ana jan shi a kasar ko kuma ya bar shi da dangi; ba ya yawan ganin mahaifinsa, sai dai yana karanta labarinsa a jaridu ko a talabijin, yawanci yana tare da kakkausar suka game da sa hannun sa cikin wani bala'i na kusa da duniya. Lallai danginsa sun kula da Bradley, amma suna da nasu rayuwarsu don rayuwa kuma galibi suna ganin ta'addancin Patrick a matsayin hanyar tserewa rayuwar iyali ta yau da kullun a gida.
    
  Ya yi kira da yawa zuwa hedkwatar Scion a Las Vegas game da albashinsa; sun ba shi tabbacin cewa "cakudin yana cikin wasiku," duk da cewa koyaushe ana tura shi ta hanyar lantarki. Daga nan sai aka sadu da shi Kevin Martindale, tsohon shugaban Amurka kuma mai shiru na Scion Aviation International.
    
  "Hi, Patrick. Ji ka yi mummunan rana."
    
  "Kwarai kamar takarda mai yashi, yallabai," in ji Patrick. Ɗaya daga cikin kalmomin da aka koya wa ma'aikatan Scion Aviation International don amfani da ita ita ce takarda mai yashi-idan ana amfani da ita a cikin kowane zance ko wasiku, yana nufin suna fuskantar matsin lamba ko ana buge su.
    
  "An fahimta. Na yi nadamar kawo karshen kwangilar. Zan yi kokarin fitar da shi daga nan, amma bai yi kyau ba."
    
  "Kin san ko za su kama ni?"
    
  "Wata rana ko jibi. Ban ga takardar sammacin ba, amma ina tsammanin za a ba da shi nan ba da dadewa ba."
    
  "Turkawa sun mamaye mu cikin jahannama. Dole ne mu dakatar da jirgin."
    
  "Kada ka damu, kawai ka yi abin da suka gaya maka kuma ka yi shiru. Ya kamata ku aika jirgin dakon kaya zuwa wani wuri. Ba za a yi zaman lafiya a Iraki ba."
    
  "Za mu buƙaci wannan don fara tattara kaya."
    
  "Yana da hadari. Turkawa za su so wannan. Za su iya ƙoƙarin kama shi yayin da yake shawagi ta sararin samaniyarsu."
    
  "Na sani".
    
  "Zabin ku ne. Wani abu gareni?"
    
  "Wani irin rudani da albashi. Adadin da aka yi kwanakin baya an cire shi."
    
  "Babu wani rudani," in ji Martindale. "An daskarar da asusunmu cikin aminci. Ni ma ina aiki a kai, amma yanzu muna da sassa da yawa da Fadar White House suna aiki a kai, don haka zai dauki lokaci mai tsawo. Ka yi ƙoƙari kada ka damu da shi."
    
  "Iya sir". Nan take aka katse kiran. To, ba zai yiwu a yi barci yanzu ba, Patrick ya yi tunani, don haka ya kunna kwamfutar tafi-da-gidanka. A daidai lokacin da ya fara shiga yanar gizo yana karanta labarai daga waje, sai aka kira shi. "McLanahan yana ji."
    
  "Patrick? Na ji kawai! Nagode Allah ya kyauta."
    
  Ji yayi kamar y'an uwarsa Maryama tana kiransa da dawowa, amma bai tabbata ba. "Maryam?"
    
  "Wannan Gia Cazzotto ne, wawa... Ina nufin, wawa, yallabai," in ji muryar Laftanar Kanal Cazzotto, kwamandan Sojan Sama na 7th Air Expeditionary Squadron, cikin dariya. "Wacece Maryam? Wasu matashin injiniya a cikin rigar lab da manyan gilashin da suka juya zuwa Marilyn Monroe lokacin da ta ciro fil daga gashinta?"
    
  Dariyar Patrick ta fi tilastawa da girma fiye da yadda ya yi niyya. "A"a, a"a, a"a, a"a," ya ce, cikin jin kunya bakinsa ya bushe. "Maryam kanwata ce. Yana zaune a Sacramento. Na yi mata magana. Ina tsammanin ita ce ta dawo."
    
  "Hakika, ba shakka, na taba jin haka a baya," in ji Gia. "Saurara, Patrick, na ji labarin harin da aka kai wa Nala, kuma ina so in tabbatar da cewa kuna lafiya."
    
  "Ni da John mun buga kararrawa, amma muna lafiya, na gode."
    
  "Ina Dubai yanzu, amma an ba ni izinin zuwa da zarar sun bar ma'aikata su zo arewa," in ji ta. "Ina son ganin ku kuma in gano abin da ya faru."
    
  "Wannan zai yi kyau, Boxer, da gaske," in ji Patrick, "amma zan iya barin nan ba da jimawa ba."
    
  "Za mu tafi?"
    
  "Za mu koma Washington. Dogon labari."
    
  "Ina da lokaci mai yawa, Patrick. Ka dora min."
    
  "Ba 'dogon' kamar a lokaci ba, amma 'dogon' kamar yadda a cikin ... abubuwa da yawa da ba zan iya magana akai ba."
    
  "Gotcha." An ɗan ɗan dakata mai ban tsoro; sai: "Kai, jirginmu na bakwai ya iso nan Hadaddiyar Daular Larabawa yau, kuma mun sami jirginmu na takwas a yau a Palmdale. Wannan yana da abubuwan ban mamaki iri-iri a cikin bakin bam na gaba, kuma na ɗauka tabbas ya zama ɗaya daga cikin ku. "
    
  "Kin kai wannan makabarta?"
    
  "A'a, a tashar jirgin sama ne a Tonopah." Tonopah Proving Ground wani sansanin jiragen sama ne a kudancin Nevada da ake amfani da shi don gwada makamai na sirri kafin a aika da jirgin sama zuwa aiki. "Yana da nau'ikan layukan mai da ke gudana nan da can ta cikin wuraren bama-bamai, da kuma abin da ya yi kama da na'urar hada mota mai dauke da makamai da farauta a ko'ina."
    
  "Muna da 'yan ta'addar B-1 da za su iya murmurewa, mayar da su, mai da man fetur da kuma sake harba makamai masu linzami na FlightHawk a cikin jirgin. Wannan dole ne ya zama daya daga cikinsu.
    
  "Ba komai! Wannan yana da kyau. Wataƙila za mu iya sake haɗa wannan tsarin tare."
    
  "Na tabbata zan iya tambayar John Masters daga Sky Masters Inc. aiko muku da zane-zane."
    
  "Mai girma. Duk wani abu mai daɗi kamar wannan, da fatan za a aika su ma. Ba ni da jami"an sayan Sojin sama da ma"aikatan gwamnati da suka yi waya da ni sa"ad da na yi waya don tambayar neman kuɗaɗen kaya-da alama suna da sha"awar gina bama-bamai a kwanakin nan."
    
  "Wataƙila saboda suna karɓar komai daga rundunar sojojin sama ban da motocin dakon kaya da jigilar kaya."
    
  "Na tabbata". Akwai wasu 'yan lokutan shiru; sai Gia ta ce, "Ina fatan ba za ku damu da na kira ba."
    
  "Na ji daɗin yin hakan, Gia."
    
  "Ina kuma fatan kada ku damu na kira ku Patrick."
    
  "Na ji dadin yin hakan. Ban da haka, sunana ne."
    
  "Kada ku yi min tsokana...sai dai idan da gaske kuke so."
    
  Wani tsawa mai tsauri ya buga a kunn Patrick sai ya ji fuskarsa a tashe kamar ya furta kalmar tsinuwa a gaban kakarsa waliyyai. Menene jahannama haka? Bare kawai yayi...? "Ba... ba..."
    
  "Baka so ka min tsokana?"
    
  "A'a... I mean, I really want to-"
    
  "Da gaske kina son tsokanata ne? Oh, da kyau. "
    
  "A'a... Allah, Boxer, kana mai da ni wawa."
    
  "Ina kuma son yin kwarkwasa kadan wani lokaci, amma na fi son zagi maimakon kwarkwasa."
    
  "Lafiya, Colonel, okay, ya isa."
    
  "Yanzu kana tallata ni General?"
    
  "Idan dole ne," in ji Patrick. Wata dariya ta fice kamar jakin jaki.
    
  "Hi, Patrick".
    
  "Iya?"
    
  "Ina son ganin ku sosai. Kai fa? Kuna son ganina?"
    
  Patrick ya ji bakar da ke kan kuncinsa ya koma wani wuri mai dumi a cikin kirjin sa ya hura shi, ya bar ta ta cika dukkan jikinsa. "Ina son hakan, Gia."
    
  "Da gaske Maryama 'yar uwarki ce ba Mrs. McLahanan ba?"
    
  "Gaskiya kanwata. Matata, Wendy, ta rasu shekaru da yawa da suka wuce." Wannan gaskiya ne kawai idan kuna tunanin cewa wata mahaukaciyar 'yar ta'adda 'yar Rasha ta kusa fille kanta a Libya an lasafta shi a matsayin "wucewa," amma ba zai tattauna hakan da Gia yanzu ba.
    
  "Kuyi hakuri da jin wannan. Ba zan iya zuwa can ba?"
    
  "Ni... ban san tsawon lokacin da zan kasance a nan ba," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Amma ba za ku iya gaya mani ko me ya sa ba?"
    
  "Ba a waya ba." An ɗan dakata a kan layin, kuma Patrick cikin hanzari ya ce, "Zan gano gobe da yamma Gia, sannan za mu yarda mu hadu." Ya dakata, sannan ya tambaya, "Eh, Mista Cazzotto baya nan, ko?"
    
  "Ina mamakin ko za ku tambaya," Gia ta ce da bayanin farin ciki a cikin muryarta. "Yawancin samarin da na hadu da su sai su tambayi matar su."
    
  "Sai kuma?"
    
  Tayi dariya. "Idan kana son in yi maka bayanin shi dalla-dalla, kaboyi, ka kwantar da hankalinka."
    
  "Na samu hoton."
    
  "Duk da haka, kafin in ci gaba: Ina da miji, amma ba tun lokacin da na dawo sojan sama aka sanya ni a Plant Arba"in da Biyu ba. Har yanzu yana yankin Bay tare da matasan mu, namiji da mace. Kuna da yara?"
    
  "Yaron da ya cika shekara sha uku."
    
  "Sai ka san yadda yake da wuya a tafi."
    
  "Iya". Sai aka sake yin shiru, kamar sun yi shiru suna amincewa da sabuwar alaka da ke tsakaninsu; sai Patrick ya ce, "Zan sanar da ku abin da ke faruwa kuma in gaya muku duka game da shi idan muka ga juna."
    
  "Zan jira in ji daga gare ku."
    
  "Tambaya daya?"
    
  "Ina muku dukan dare."
    
  "A ina kuka samo lambar wayara? Ba a buga shi ba."
    
  "Oooh, secret number? To sai na ji gata. Na kira Scion Aviation kuma abokinka David Luger ya ba ni wannan. Tunani ba za ka damu ba."
    
  "Ina cikin bashi."
    
  "A hanya mai kyau, ina fata."
    
  "A hanya mai kyau."
    
  "cikakke. Ina kwana, Patrick." Sai ta katse wayar.
    
  Da kyau, Patrick ya yi tunani yayin da ya kashe wayar, wannan yana juya zuwa wata rana mai ban mamaki - abubuwan ban mamaki da yawa, na kyau da mara kyau. Lokaci don haɓakawa da ganin abin da ke tattare da gobe -
    
  A dai-dai wannan lokaci an kwankwasa kofar. "Patrick? Ni ne," ya ji John Masters ya ce. "Na kawo rahoto kan mai lamba daya da kuke son gani."
    
  "Shigo, John," in ji Patrick. Bai nemi ganin wani rahoto ba...me ya faru? Ya ji an bude kofar waje ya rufe, sannan ta bude kofar ciki. "Zai iya jira har zuwa safiyar gobe, John, amma a yanzu kai-"
    
  Ya kalli kofar gidan, bai ga kowa ba face Kanar Yusuf Jaffar na Iraqi, kwamandan rundunar sojojin kawancen Nala Air Base!
    
  Patrick ya sa yatsansa a lebbansa Jaffar ya gyada kai cewa ya gane. "Yaya game da kofi na kofi, John? Yana faruwa nan take, amma ba wani babban al"amari ba ne." Ya zaro takardan rubutu ya rubuta: ????
    
  "Tabbas, Mook, zan gwada," in ji John. A takardar da ya rubuta, New Client. Patrick ya zaro ido cikin mamaki ya kalli Jaffar, wanda kawai ke tsaye bakin kofa da hannayensa a bayansa, ya kasa hakuri. "Ga rahoton," in ji shi. "Mai hasarar lamba daya shine lamba daya. Akwai ton na kayayyakin gyara akan na'urar da ba mu buƙata a yanzu - za mu buƙaci ɗaki don fara fitar da kayan mu. Wanda ya yi hasarar zai iya ɗauka da yawa, amma za mu buƙaci ƙarin sarari."
    
  "Za mu damu da hakan idan jirgin dakon kaya ya iso," in ji Patrick. Ya rubuta: "Hayar ɗa?" Yahaya ya ɗaga kai. Patrick ya rubuta: Yaushe? Me yasa?
    
  John ya rubuta: Yau da dare. Kare Iraki daga Turkiyya.
    
  Ta yaya Patrick ya rubuta.
    
  Take Nahla, John ya rubuta.
    
  Ban ga yadda ba, in ji Patrick.
    
  Ido Jaffar ya zaro tare da jiransa. Ya fizge fensir daga hannun Yahaya ya rubuta: Tushe na, ƙasata, gida na. Taimaka ko fita. Yanke shawara. Yanzu.
    
    
  Sama da TURKIYA TA KUDU
  BAYAN 'YAN SA'O'I
    
    
  "Cibiyar Ankara, Magaji Bakwai-Bakwai, matakin, jirgin sama a mataki na uku da sifili a kan tashar sarrafa Afsin, ƙimar sarrafa Simak a cikin mintuna ashirin da shida."
    
  "Magada Bakwai-Bakwai, kwafi daga Cibiyar Ankara, barka da yamma. Yi tsammanin canja wurin zuwa Mosul zai isa minti biyar kafin Simak. "
    
  "Sion na bakwai - Spears bakwai."
    
  Rediyon sun yi shiru na mintuna da yawa har sai da aka yi sauti: "Majiji Bakwai-Bakwai, canza zuwa mitar kusanci zuwa Diyarbakir VHF maki daya da uku da biyar sifili maki biyar."
    
  Wannan wata bukata ce da ba a saba gani ba - sun kasance sama da sararin samaniyar hasumiya mai kula da hanyar gida - amma matukin jirgin bai yi gardama ba: "An fahimta, Ankara, Scion Seven-Seven yana gabatowa zuwa Diyarbakir." Ya canza mitar, sannan: "Kusanci zuwa Diyarbakir, Magaji Bakwai da Bakwai, matakin, matakin jirgi uku-uku sifili."
    
  Wata murya mai kakkausan lafazi na Turkawa ta amsa da turanci cewa: "Majiji Bakwai da Bakwai, wannan shine kusancin Diyarbakir, ka sauka ka kiyaye tsayin kafa dubu dari bakwai, ka juya hagu, ka nufi uku da hudu da biyar, vectors zuwa mahadar Irgani, karatun altimeter. biyu tara tara takwas."
    
  "Mu tafi," matukin jirgin ya ce daga ƙetaren jirgin, yana yin numfashi mai tsafta don sarrafa jin daɗinsa da ke haɓaka cikin sauri. Ya danna maɓallin intercom: "Sun umurce mu zuwa hanyar ILS zuwa Diyarbakir, yallabai."
    
  "Tambaya shi, amma zaɓi vector," in ji David Luger a kan rufaffen hanyar haɗin tauraron dan adam daga hedkwatar Scion a Las Vegas. "Mun shirya".
    
  "An fahimta." A rediyon matukin jirgin ya ce: "Uh, Diyarbakir, Bakwai-Bakwai, me ya sa vector? Muna gudanar da jirgin saman kasa da kasa mai fifiko kamar yadda aka tsara, inda za a tafi Tall Kaif. "
    
  "Ma'aikatar tsaro da tsaron kan iyakoki ta Turkiyya ta soke wucewar ku ta sararin samaniyar Turkiyya," in ji mai kula da hanyar. "An umurce ku da ku bi ƙwararru na don tuntuɓar ku da sauka a Diyarbakir. Da zarar an duba jirgin ku, ma'aikatanku da kayanku, za a share ku don ci gaba da zuwa inda kuke."
    
  "Wannan ba daidai ba ne, shigo don saukarwa," matukin jirgin ya nuna rashin amincewa. "Jirgin mu bai tashi ba kuma bai ƙare a Turkiyya ba kuma mun shigar da tsarin jirgin. Ba mu batun dubawa yayin da muke yawo a sararin samaniyar ku. Idan kuna so, za mu iya barin sararin samaniyarku."
    
  "An umurce ku da ku bi hanyoyin da zan bi don zuwa Diyarbakir ko kuma za a dauke ku a matsayin jirgin sama na abokan gaba kuma za mu amsa daidai," in ji mai kula da. "Akwai sojoji a cikin shirin da za su tare ku su raka ku Diyarbakir idan ba ku bi ba. na yarda."
    
  Matukin jirgin ya ce: "Yayin da muke gabatowa, muna kan hanyar ku kuma muna saukowa, amma zan kai rahoto ga hedkwata kuma in sanar da su barazanar ku. Za mu mika wuya domin nuna rashin amincewa."
    
  "An shawarce ni da in sanar da ku cewa an sanar da Ofishin Jakadancin Amirka game da ayyukanmu kuma za mu gana da ku a Diyarbakir don dubawa da tattaunawa," in ji mai kula da shi bayan dogon hutu. "Za su ci gaba da kasancewa tare da ku duk lokacin da kuke kan ƙasa kuma za su kula da duk ayyukanmu na tilasta mana."
    
  "Wannan har yanzu ba daidai ba ne, shigo don saukarwa," matukin jirgin ya ci gaba da cewa. "Ba za ku iya raba hankalin mu haka ba. Haramun ne". A kan intercom, matukin jirgin ya tambaya, "Shin kana so mu ci gaba da saukowa, yallabai?"
    
  "Karamin minti daya kawai," in ji Dave Luger. Jirgin dakon kaya Boeing 767 haƙiƙa jirgi ne na gwaji don manyan na'urori masu auna firikwensin fasaha da na'urorin da aka sanya akan XC-57. Yawancin waɗannan har yanzu an kafa su, gami da ikon kutse na hanyar sadarwa ko "kashe"-aika umarni na dijital zuwa kwamfuta ko cibiyar sadarwar abokan gaba ta hanyar shigar da lamba a cikin siginar dawowar mai karɓar dijital. Da zarar an gano mitar dijital da ta dace, Luger zai iya aika umarni na kwamfuta daga nesa zuwa cibiyar sadarwar abokan gaba, wanda, idan ba a gano shi ba kuma ta hanyar tacewar zaɓi, za a iya rarraba shi a cikin hanyar sadarwar kwamfuta na abokan gaba a duniya kamar kowane yanki na bayanai.
    
  Luger ya ci gaba da cewa "Radar Diyarbakir ba na dijital ba ne, don haka dole ne mu yi ta hanyar da aka saba." Netrusion kawai yayi aiki tare da tsarin dijital - idan abokan gaba suna da tsoffin tsarin radar analog, ba zai yi aiki ba. "Ya ku mutane, ku danne kadan, wannan na iya zama matsala." Dukan matuƙin jirgin da mataimakin matukin jirgin sun ja bel ɗin kujerunsu da kayan aikin kafaɗa kamar yadda zai yiwu kuma har yanzu suna iya kaiwa ga dukkan iko.
    
  Nan da nan mitar rediyo ta fashe cikin tsawa da hayaniya, buge-buge da huci. An ji muryar ma'aikacin Turkiyya, amma gaba daya ba a gane shi ba. "Lafiya mutane, radar ta cika," in ji Luger. "An share ku don Nala Madaidaici, sauka lafiya zuwa ƙafa dubu goma sha bakwai, kiyaye saurin gudu. Muna sa ido kan mai karɓar faɗakarwar ku." Matukin jirgin ya hadiye da kyar, ya yi juyi, ya rage wutar lantarki, sannan ya juya hancin har sai da saurin iskar ya yi daidai da iyakar gudun wanzami. A gudun iskar da aka basu da kuma adadin saukowar su, sun yi asarar kafa dubu goma sha shida cikin kasa da mintuna shida.
    
  "Lafiya mutane, ga halin da ake ciki," Dave ya yi rediyo bayan sun daidaita. "Sun kaddamar da wasu F-16 guda biyu daga Diyarbakir - wannan mummunan labari ne. Zan iya danne radar da ke gabatowa, amma ba na tsammanin zan iya murƙushe radars na kashe gobara a cikin jiragen sama - wannan mummunan labari ne. Muna tsammanin F-16 yana da na'urori masu auna firikwensin infrared don tantance wurinku da gaske, mummunan labari ne. Sun kuma matsar da wasu batura masu linzami na Patriot zuwa cikin yankin da za ku shiga - hakika, da gaske - da kyau, kun sami hoton."
    
  "Iya sir. Menene shirin?
    
  Luger ya ce "Za mu yi kokarin yin wani kamun ludayin kasa kadan yayin da nake kokarin yin cudanya da tsarin sa ido na Patriot," in ji Luger. "Jirgin F-16 na Turkiyya da ke kan gaba suna da radars na dijital da hanyoyin sadarwa, kuma ina tsammanin zan iya shiga, amma zan jira har sai hanyar sadarwar data fara aiki, kuma yana iya daukar wani lokaci kafin Patriot ya gani. ka."
    
  "Eh, yallabai? A waje ya yi duhu kuma ba ma iya ganin komai a waje."
    
  "Zai iya zama mafi kyau," in ji Luger. Mataimakin matukin jirgin ya fusata ya fitar da taswirorin jirginsa na yankin da suke shawagi ya shimfida su akan allon kariya. "Ina tsammanin F-16s za su yi ƙoƙari su lalata radars ɗin kashe gobarar Patriot a gare ku har sai sun iya ɗaukar su da radar su ko infrared."
    
  "An yarda". A kan intercom na jirgin, matukin jirgin ya ce, "Malam Macomber? Menene Turlock? Don Allah za ku shiga cikin gidan?"
    
  Bayan ɗan lokaci, Jami'in Ayyuka na Musamman na Sojojin Sama na Amurka Wayne "Zipper" Macomber da injiniyan Tsaron Sojojin ƙasa mai ritaya Charlie Turlock suka bi ta ƙofar suka zauna. Macomber, tsohon tauraron kwallon kafa na Sojan Sama kuma masanin aiyuka na musamman na Sojan Sama, yana da ɗan wahala ya matse babban jikinsa mai tsoka a cikin kujerar tsalle ta tashar jiragen ruwa. A gefe guda kuma, Charlie - sunanta na ainihi, ba sunan laƙabi da mahaifinta ya ba ta ba wanda ya yi tunanin yana da ɗa - ya sami sauƙi ya dace da jikinta mai laushi, mai sauti, mai tsalle a cikin kujerar tsalle tsakanin matukan jirgi. Duk sababbin shigowa sun sanya belun kunne.
    
  "Me ke faruwa ne, Gus?" Wayne ya tambaya.
    
  "Halin da Mista Luger ya sanar da mu? Yana faruwa. Turkawa suna son mu sauka a Diyarbakir kuma watakila za su tura mayaka a bayanmu."
    
  "Iya Luger"
    
  "Kokarin kutsawa tsarin tsaron su na iska da kuma bayanan sadarwa," in ji matukin jirgin. "Mun datse na'urar sarrafa radar kuma muka fara guje musu, amma Mista Luger ba zai iya kashe na'urorinsu na analog ba; dole ne ya jira siginar da aka sarrafa ta dijital ta iso."
    
  "Ban fahimce shi ba lokacin da Luger ya fara furtawa, kuma ban gane ba yanzu," Macomber ya yi gunaguni. "Kada ka bar mu mu yi karo ko a buge mu, lafiya?"
    
  "Iya sir. Tunani za ku so ku sani. Ƙarfafa ɗan ƙaramin ƙarfi - ba zai yi daɗi ba."
    
  "Shin duk fasinjan ku sun taru?" - Tambayi David Luger.
    
  "Kai kawai ka kashe waɗannan radars na Turkiyya, ko kuma zan dawo in same ka har abada, yallabai," in ji Zipper.
    
  "Hi, Zipper. Zan yi iyakar kokarina. Shin Charlie kuma yana sanye da bel ɗin kujera?
    
  "Na shirya tashi, David," in ji Charlie.
    
  "Madalla, Charlie."
    
  Ko da aka fuskanci tafiya mai haɗari na gaba, Charlie ya juya don ganin murmushi mai daɗi a fuskar Macomber. "Madalla, Charlie," ya kwaikwayi. "Shirya tashi, David." Janar yana so ya tabbata cewa ƙaunataccensa yana ɓoye a cikin aminci. Yaya nice."
    
  "Cizo ni, Punch ni," in ji ta, amma ta kasa daure sai dai murmushi.
    
  "Shin kun shirya?"
    
  "Kamar yadda za mu kasance a shirye," in ji matukin jirgin.
    
  "Lafiya. Ku gangara yanzu zuwa ƙafa dubu goma sha ɗaya ku tashi a kan kan sifili ɗaya-biyar."
    
  Matukin jirgin ya tura karkiyar gaba domin ya fara saukowa, amma mataimakin matukin jirgin ya mika masa hannu ya tare shi. "Mafi ƙarancin tsayi a wannan yanki shine goma sha uku da huɗu."
    
  "Babban filin da ke cikin sashin ku shine awanni goma sha biyu, mil ashirin da biyu. Za ku kasance sama da komai ... To, kusan komai. Zan yi muku jagora a cikin tudu mai tsayi har sai taswirar ku ta fara nuna wurin." Matukin ya sake hadiyewa, amma ya danna controls gaba ya fara saukowa. A daidai lokacin da suka gangara zuwa ƙafa dubu goma sha huɗu, muryar mace mai na'ura mai kwakwalwa akan tsarin nasiha da gargaɗin ƙasa ta yi ruri, "Highlands, ja sama, ja!" kuma nunin taswirar GPS mai motsi a cikin jirgin ya fara walƙiya rawaya, da farko a gabansu sannan zuwa hagunsu inda filin ya kasance mafi girma.
    
  "Babban aiki, mutane," in ji Luger rediyo. "A kan taswirar ku ya kamata ku ga kwarin a matsayin ku a cikin sa'a. Bene tara da bakwai. Kame wannan kwari. A yanzu dai ku tsaya dubu goma sha daya." Matukin jirgin sun ga wani ƙunƙunwar duhun duhu kewaye da rawaya mai walƙiya kuma a yanzu jajayen murabba'i, ja yana nuna yanayin da ke sama da tsayin su.
    
  "Yallabai menene fadin?"
    
  "Ya ishe ku faxi. Kallan tashin hankali kawai." A daidai lokacin ne aka jefar da ma'aikatan daga bel ɗinsu da igiyar ruwa bayan tashin hankali. Matukin jirgin ya yi gwagwarmaya don kiyaye hanya da tsayi. "Wannan...yana...da girma...mafi muni," matukin jirgin ya yi gunaguni. "Ban sani ba ko zan iya rike wannan."
    
  "Wannan kwarin ya kamata ya yi kyau har sai kun isa kan iyaka cikin kusan mintuna goma sha takwas," in ji Luger rediyo.
    
  "Minti goma sha takwas! Ba zan iya riƙe wannan ba-"
    
  "Tashi!" Luger ya katse shi. "Cikakken iko, kaifi hawa zuwa goma sha uku, zuwa biyu-uku-sifili, yanzu!"
    
  Matukin jirgin ya saita magudanar zuwa cikakken iko kuma ya ja da baya kan sarrafawa gwargwadon iyawarsa. "Ba zan iya juyo ba! Kasa-"
    
  "Juya yanzu! Yi sauri!" Matukin jirgin ba su da wani zabi illa juyowa, jan iko har sai da jirgin ya yi shawagi a gefen rumfar... da addu'a. Jajayen tubalan da ke walƙiya akan nunin faɗakarwar ƙasa suna taɓa ƙarshen gunkin jirgin ... sun yi nisa da bala'i na daƙiƙa guda ...
    
  ... sannan a wannan lokacin jajayen kala ya canza zuwa rawaya, ma'ana suna tsakanin kasa da kafa dari biyar. "Ya Yesu, ya Ubangiji, mun yi shi..."
    
  Kuma a lokacin ne wata wuta ta ruga ta wuce tagar gidan, wanda bai wuce yadi dari a gabansu ba. Wani mugun haske mai launin rawaya ya cika gidan, kamar dai filashan hoto mafi girma a duniya ya tashi a gabansu, har ma matukan jirgin suka ji zafi da matsi. "Mene ne?" - Mataimakin matukin jirgin ya yi ihu.
    
  "Kwas biyu da sifili, ƙafa dubu goma sha ɗaya," in ji Luger. "Komai lafiya? na yarda."
    
  "Mene ne?"
    
  "Yi hakuri mutane, amma dole ne in yi," in ji Luger.
    
  "Ayi me?"
    
  "Na kawo ku cikin kewayon batirin makami mai linzami na Patriot."
    
  "Me?"
    
  "Wannan ita ce kawai hanyar da zan iya samun mitar bayanai ga Patriot da tsakanin Patriot da F-16," in ji Luger.
    
  "Kai mai tsarki... An kusa kai mu makami mai linzami na Patriot...?"
    
  "Eh, amma abu ɗaya shine dole ne su kasance suna ƙoƙarin ceton makamai masu linzami," in ji Dave. "Wataƙila kawai sun ƙaddamar da shi azaman gargaɗi, ko kuma yana iya zama makami mai linzami."
    
  "Yallabai kad'an kad'an kad'an kad'an ka kama mu da bindiga?" Macomber ya bata rai.
    
  "Babu lokacin zance, Zipper. Na toshe mitar datalink na Patriot kuma ina jira su fara magana da F-16. Da zarar sun yi, zan iya kashe su duka biyun. Amma ina buƙatar ku kasance cikin mafi kyawun ku, daidai a kan sadaukarwar Patriot. Idan na kiyaye ku sosai, F-16 na iya canzawa zuwa firikwensin infrared ɗin sa kuma baya amfani da radar Patriot. Wannan yana nufin sai na sake masa wani kallon mai kyau gare ku. Tashi a kan kan sifili daya da tara kuma ku hau zuwa tsayin tsayin dubu goma sha biyu. Minti 15 ya rage zuwa iyakar Iraqi."
    
  "Wannan mahaukaci ne," in ji matukin jirgin na 767, yana murza kullin da ke hannunsa da yatsunsa. Ya fara hawa a hankali ya juyo wajen-
    
  "Lafiya mutane, Patriot ya dawo kuma ya kama ku, sa'o'i bakwai, mil ashirin da tara," in ji Dave bayan wasu lokuta. "Har yanzu yana cikin yanayin bincikar sassan...Yanzu yana cikin yanayin bin diddigi... Ku zo maza, me kuke jira...?"
    
  "Idan da baki yana sarrafa motsi na F-16, zai iya shiga cikin kewayon firikwensin IR ɗin sa ba tare da amfani da hanyar haɗin bayanai ba, daidai?" - ya tambayi matukin jirgin dakon kaya.
    
  "Ina fatan ba za ku yi tunani a kai ba," in ji Luger. "Abin farin ciki, yawancin masu fasahar radar Patriot ba masu kula da zirga-zirgar jiragen sama ba ne; aikinsu shine su sanya tsarin yayi aikinsa. To, ka gangara zuwa dubu goma sha ɗaya, kuma bari mu yi fatan cewa yayin da ka sauka za su..." Bayan ɗan lokaci: "Samu! Haɗin bayanan yana aiki. Sai dakika biyu kawai... Taho, baby, zo... Na samu. Da sauri juya zuwa course daya-shida-biyar, ci gaba har dubu goma sha daya. F-16 a wurin ku na karfe shida mil goma sha biyar yana gabatowa, amma yakamata ya juya zuwa dama. Za ku kasance a kan iyakar Iraqi da karfe sha ɗaya, kamar minti goma sha uku."
    
  Hoton ya yi kyau da kyau. "Lafiya mutane, F-16s suna cikin mil shida, amma yana kan hanyar dama ku," in ji Luger bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan. "Yana bin manufar da baturin Patriot ya aika masa. Ku sauka dubu goma."
    
  "Me zai faru idan ya shiga cikin kewayon firikwensin IR ɗin sa kuma ba mu nan?" - ya tambayi matukin jirgin dakon kaya.
    
  "Ina fata yana tunanin na'urar firikwensin sa ba daidai ba ne."
    
  "Magaji Bakwai-Bakwai, wannan shine Yukari mataki na daya-daya-uku na biyu, mayakan sa-kai na sojojin sama na Jamhuriyar Turkiyya," sun ji a mitar tsaron gaggawa na UHF. "Muna a wurin ku na karfe shida kuma muna hulɗa da ku. An umurce ku da ku haura ƙafa dubu goma sha bakwai, ku runtse kayan saukarwa, ku juya dama akan hanya biyu da tara, kai tsaye zuwa Diyarbakir."
    
  "Ku ci gaba da amsa masa," in ji Dave. "Ku tsaya kan hanya. Blip din ku akan radar zai bi umarninsa."
    
  "Yukari, wannan shine magaji Bakwai da Bakwai, muna juyawa muna samun tsayi," matukin jirgin dakon kaya ya yi rediyo. "Ku kula da makamanku. Ba mu da makami".
    
  "Squad Heir, shugaban Yukari Daya-daya-Uku, zai kasance tare da ku a gefen hagu," in ji matukin jirgin F-16. "Whiteman na zai kasance a wurin ku da karfe shida. Za ku ga hasken sarrafa mu. Kar ku firgita. Ci gaba da hawan ku kamar yadda aka umarce ku."
    
  "Yana da nisan mil shida daga burin fatalwa," in ji Dave. "Ku rataye a wurin, mutane. Minti takwas ya rage zuwa iyakar."
    
  Wani daƙiƙa sittin ya wuce ba tare da wani zirga-zirgar rediyo ba har sai: "Jirgin Magaji, menene tsayin ku?"
    
  "Dubu dari da hudu," in ji Dave Luger.
    
  "Scion na Bakwai Bakwai yana ba da dubu ɗari da huɗu akan dubu ɗari da bakwai," matuƙin jirgin ruwan ya ce.
    
  "Kuna duk fitilun ku na waje nan da nan!" - ya umarci matukin jirgin yakin Turkiyya. "Kun kunna kowa da kowa!"
    
  "Fitilun mu suna ci, jirgin Yukari."
    
  "Yana da nisan mil biyu daga yaudara," in ji Dave Luger. "Wataƙila yana da hasken gargaɗinsa kuma yana kallo kawai..."
    
  Matukin jirgin dakon kaya sun jira, amma ba su ji komai ba. "Gidan magaji, wannan Bakwai-Bakwai ne, kamar yadda kuka fahimta?" Babu amsa. "Gidan gado, Bakwai-Bakwai, me kuke ji?"
    
  Bakin mataimakin matukin jirgin ya fadi a gigice. "Oh, shit, mun rasa hanyar haɗi zuwa hedkwatar," in ji shi. "Mu matattun nama ne."
    
  "Mai girma. Lokacin da ya dace don duk waɗannan kayan aikin fasaha su shigo cikin wasa, "in ji Zipper. "Fitar da mu daga nan, Gus!"
    
  "Muna kan hanyar zuwa Nala kai tsaye," matukin jirgin ya ce, yana tura masu matsawa gaba. "Ina fata wadannan mutanen ba za su harbe mu ba idan muka tsallaka kan iyaka."
    
  "Bari mu sake gwada wannan abin da ke kama jirgin," in ji mataimakin matukin jirgin. Ƙasar da aka nuna akan nunin taswira mai motsi a cikin jirgin har yanzu yana nuna wasu tuddai, amma da sauri ya daidaita yayin da muka matsa zuwa kudu. "Za mu iya gangara zuwa tara da bakwai a cikin 'yan mil, kuma a cikin mil ashirin za mu iya zuwa har zuwa -"
    
  A wannan lokacin, jirgin ya cika da tsananin farin haske da ke fitowa daga gefen hagu, zafi da haske kamar tsakar rana. Sun yi ƙoƙarin ganin ko wane ne, amma ba su iya duba ko'ina ta wannan hanyar. "Shit mai tsarki!" - matukin jirgin ya yi ihu. "Flash ya makantar da ni, ba zan iya gani ba-"
    
  "Ka mike, Gus!"
    
  "Na ce ba zan iya sarrafa iko ba, ba zan iya ganin tsinannen wani abu ba," in ji matukin jirgin. "Ben, koma bayan motar...!"
    
  "Scion na Bakwai-Bakwai, wannan shi ne Yukari Daya-daya-Uku, jirgi na biyu, kuna kan idonmu," in ji matukin jirgin na Turkiyya. "Nan da nan za ku janye kayan saukarwa ku kunna dama kan hanya biyu-9-sifiro. Baturan makami mai linzami daga sama zuwa sama na Turkiyya suna bin ku. Miƙa kai tsaye. An ba da izinin yin amfani da karfi mai kisa."
    
  "Hasken ku ya makantar da matukin jirgin!" - matukin jirgi na biyu yayi rediyo. "Kada ku yi walƙiya a cikin jirgin! Kashe abin!"
    
  Bayan dakika kadan sai hasken ya mutu...Bayan dakika daya kuma, an sake fashewa da wata wuta ta harbin bindiga na tsawon mita ishirin daga cikin jirgin F-16 na Turkiyya. Fil ɗin lanƙwasa ya kusan yin haske kamar hasken dubawa, kuma suna iya jin kaurin iska mai kauri da ke kewaye da su, girgizar igiyar ruwa ta tashi daga tagogin kokfit na 767 'yan yadi dozin kaɗan. "Wannan shi ne harbin gargadi na karshe, Scion of Seven-Seven," in ji matukin jirgin na Turkiyya. "Ka bi umarnina ko a harbe ka ba tare da ƙarin gargadi ba!"
    
  "Yanzu me zamuyi?" - Tambayi Zipper. "Mun nutse."
    
  "Ba mu da wani zabi," in ji mataimakin matukin jirgin. "Zan juya..."
    
  "A'a, ci gaba da matsawa zuwa Nala," in ji Charlie. Ta kai hannu ta canza jujjuyawar isar da sakonta daga "intercom" zuwa "UHF-2." "Jigilar Yukari Daya-daya-Uku, wannan shine Charlie Turlock, daya daga cikin fasinjojin dake kan Scion Seven-Seven," ta yi ta rediyo.
    
  "Me kake yi, Charlie?" - ya tambayi Macomber.
    
  "Wasa jinsi da katunan ƙauna, buga - su kaɗai ne muka bari," in ji Charlie daga cikin jirgin. A cikin rediyon ta ci gaba da cewa, "Jirgin Yukari, mu jirgin saman dakon kaya ne na Amurka a cikin jirgin lumana da izini zuwa Iraki. Mu ba jirgin yaki ba ne, ba mu da makami, kuma ba mu da wata manufa ta gaba ga abokanmu, mutanen Turkiyya. Akwai rayuka goma sha tara a cikin wannan jirgin, ciki har da mata shida. Mu ci gaba da tafiyar mu lafiya".
    
  "Dole ne ku yi biyayya nan da nan. Wannan shi ne umarninmu na ƙarshe."
    
  "Ba za mu juya ba," in ji Charlie. "Kusan muna kan iyakar Iraki, kuma ana sa ido kan abubuwan da muke watsawa a tashar gaggawa ta kasa da kasa, ta hanyar sauraron sakonni daga Siriya zuwa Farisa. Mu jirgin Amurka ne da ba mu da makami a cikin jirgin da aka ba shi izini a kan Turkiyya. Akwai rayuka goma sha tara a cikin jirgin. Idan kuka harbe mu a yanzu, gawa da tarkace za su fado a Iraki kuma duniya za ta san abin da kuka yi. Kuna iya tsammanin kuna da ingantattun umarni ko dalili mai kyau na kora, amma za ku ɗauki alhakin hukuncin ku. Idan kun yarda da shugabanninku kuma kuna son bin umarninsu don kashe mu duka, lafiya, amma dole ne ku ja da baya. Yanzu rayuwarmu tana hannunku."
    
  Bayan ɗan lokaci kaɗan, sai suka ga sai suka ji wani harshen wuta mai tsananin zafi yana gudu ya wuce tagogin jirginsu na hagu - wanda kawai ya fashe daga jirgin F-16. "Yana zagaya, yana bin mu," in ji mataimakin matukin jirgin. "Kwarai; Oh shit...!" Suna iya jin kasancewar jiragen a bayansu, a zahiri suna jin adrenaline da gumi da ke fitowa daga jikin matukan jirgin na Turkiyya yayin da suke neman kisa. Dakiku sun wuce...
    
  ... sai karin dakiku, sannan minti daya. Ba wanda ya yi numfashi ga abin da ya zama kamar dawwama. Daga nan sai suka ji: "Magaji Bakwai-Bakwai, wannan shine tsarin kula da tsarin Mosul akan mitar TSARO, muna nuna muku shirin tsallakawa kan iyaka. Idan kun ji gabatowa Mosul, kunna modes uku da C normal kuma ku tuntube ni ta waya biyu da hudu da uku maki bakwai. Tabbatar da nan take."
    
  Mataimakin matukin jirgin ya mayar da martani cikin jinkiri, kowa ya saki baki tare. "Mutum, ina tsammanin mun gama," in ji Macomber. Ya miko ya dafa kafadar Charlie. "Kin yi shi, zuma. Kun yi mana magana daga wannan. Aiki yayi kyau".
    
  Charlie ya juya ga Macomber, ya yi murmushi, ya gyada kai cikin godiya... da sauri ya yi amai a kasan gidan da ke gabansa.
    
    
  NAKHLA ALLIED AIR BASE, IRAQ
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  "Shin kai ne, mahaukaci?" Kanar Jack Wilhelm ya fashe ne yayin da Wayne Macomber da Charlie Turlock suka raka sauran fasinjoji da ma'aikatan jirgin saman dakon kaya kirar Boeing 767 a lokacin da yake ajiyewa a sansanin. "Ba ku fahimci abin da ke faruwa a can ba?"
    
  "Dole ne ku zama Kanar Wilhelm," in ji Macomber, yana isa kasan matakan iska. "Na gode da kyakkyawar tarba a Iraki."
    
  "Kai wanene?"
    
  "Wayne Macomber, Shugaban Tsaro na Scion Aviation International," Wayne ya amsa. Bai mika hannunsa ga Wilhelm ba, wanda hakan ya kara fusata kwamandan rundunar. Mutanen biyu sun kai tsayi da nauyinsu daya, nan da nan suka fara yin girman juna. "Wannan shine Charlie Turlock, mataimakina." Charlie ta zaro ido amma bata ce komai ba. "Zan zubar da dragon - kuma watakila canza tufafi na bayan wannan jirgin - sannan ina buƙatar magana da Janar da Chief Egghead John Masters."
    
  "Da farko, ba za ku je ko'ina ba har sai mun duba takardunku da kayanku," in ji Wilhelm. "Ba ma kamata ku sauka daga cikin jirgin ba kafin kwastan ya duba ku."
    
  "Customs? Wannan jirgin Amurka ne ya sauka a wani sansanin Amurka. Ba ma mu"amala da kwastam."
    
  "Ku jirgi ne mai zaman kansa wanda ke kan wani sansanin Iraki, don haka kuna buƙatar share ku ta hanyar kwastan."
    
  Macomber ya dubi William. "Ban ga wani dan Iraqi a nan, Kanar, tsaro na sirri kawai... da kai." Ya karbi jakar daga hannun matukin jirgin. "Ga takardunmu, ga matukin jirgi. Zai yi muku duk abin da ya faru na kwastam da duk abin da Iraqi ke son ɗauka tare da su. Ba mu da lokacin kwastan. Mu yi abin namu. Ku nisanci mu, mu kuma za mu nisance ku."
    
  "An umurce ni da in duba wannan jirgin, Macomber, kuma abin da za mu yi ke nan," in ji Wilhelm. "Ma"aikatan jirgin za su ci gaba da kasancewa a cikin jirgin har sai an kammala binciken. Thompson da mutanensa za su gudanar da binciken, kuma zai fi kyau ku ba su hadin kai, ko kuma zan aike ku duka zuwa ga brig. share?"
    
  Macomber ya yi kama da zai yi adawa, amma ya dan gyada wa Wilhelm, ya yi murmushi, ya mayar da jakar takardun ga matukin jirgin. "Ben, tafi da Gus." Wilhelm na gab da yin adawa, amma Macomber ya ce: "Matukin jirgin ya ji rauni yayin da yake shiga ciki. Yana bukatar taimako. Ku yi sauri, mutane," sannan suka yi wa sauran nuni da su bi shi su dawo kan matattarar iska. Jami"an tsaro biyu na Thompson ne suka biyo su da wani makiyayi Bajamushe a kan ledar fata. Tawagar jami'an tsaro na Thompson sun fara bude kofofin kaya da kuma kuyangar kaya domin fara bincikensu.
    
  A cikin jirgin, wani jami'in tsaro ya fara binciken jirgin yayin da wani ya ajiye Macomber da sauran fasinjojin a kujerunsu tare da duba cikin jirgin. A gaban jirgin saman dakon kaya kirar Boeing 767, a bayan titin jirgin, akwai wata galleli mai cirewa da bandaki a gefe guda, a daya bangaren kuma, kusa da kofar gida, akwai kwantena na fiberglass guda biyu masu lakabin "LIFE RAFTS" tare da karfafawa. hatimin tef ɗin da aka naɗe da su. A bayansu akwai tiren kujerar fasinja mai ci gaba da zazzagewa tare da wurin zama na fasinja goma sha takwas. A bayansu akwai kwantenan da"ira guda takwas, guda hudu a kowane gefen jirgin, da "yan tarkacen hanyoyi a tsakaninsu, bayansu kuma akwai tiren kaya wanda aka lullube da ragamar nailan, an kuma tsare da madaurin nailan.
    
  Jami"in tsaro na biyu ya sa rediyon a bakinsa: "Na kirga ma"aikatan jirgin guda goma sha takwas da fasinjoji, kwantenan jirgin ruwa guda biyu, galey da bandaki, da kwantenan A1N guda takwas. An haɗe hatimin binciken liferaft amintacce."
    
  "Na gane," amsar ta zo. "Ana duba adadin fasinjojin. Amma bayanin ya lissafa A1N guda shida kawai." Jami'in ya kalli fasinjojin cikin tuhuma.
    
  "Ba abin mamaki ba an dauki lokaci mai tsawo kafin mu iso nan - mun shaku," in ji Macomber. "Wa ya kawo karin kwantena? Shin duk kayan shafa naka ne baya can, Charlie?"
    
  Turlock ya amsa, "Na zaci saƙanku ne, Zipper."
    
  "Zan yi tafiya tare da K-9," in ji jami'in tsaro. "Kada ku yi motsi kwatsam."
    
  "Zan iya fara pee?" - ya tambayi Macomber.
    
  "Bayan an bincika kabad kuma K-9 ta bi ta cikin gidan," jami'in ya amsa.
    
  "Har yaushe za'ayi?"
    
  "Ayi hadin gwiwa kawai." Jami'in tsaro ya fara taka karen hararar, yana taba aljihun kujerun yana nuna kasa da tsakanin kujerun don nuna inda yake son kare ya yi waka.
    
  "Kwarai mai kyau," in ji Wayne yayin da kare ya matso kusa da shi.
    
  "Babu magana da K-9," in ji jami'in. Macomber yayi murmushi, sannan ya daure fuska.
    
  "Gidan gidan a bayyane yake," in ji jami'in tsaro na farko. Ya fara duban galey da lavatory, yana gamawa cikin yan mintuna.
    
  "Zo mutum, anan zan fashe."
    
  "Ba magana," in ji jami'in na biyu. Ya ɗauki ƙarin mintuna uku don kammala K-9. "Za ku iya tashi ku bar jirgin," in ji jami'in na biyu. "Dole ne ku je kai tsaye wurin jami"in da ke waje wanda zai duba fasfo din ku da takaddun shaida. Ka bar duk kayanka a cikin jirgin."
    
  "Zan iya amfani da kwalba tukuna?"
    
  Mai gadi na biyu kamar zai ce a'a, amma mai gadin na farko ya daga hannu. "Zan zuba masa ido," in ji shi. Macomber ya ruga zuwa bandaki yayin da sauran ke fita. Jami'in na biyu ya ci gaba da bincikensa a bayan gidan a cikin kwantenan dakon kaya.
    
  An sarrafa bedlam a wajen jirgin. Jami"an tsaro sun yi amfani da na"urar daukar hotan takardu wajen sauke kwantena daga maboyar dakon kaya da ke karkashin jirgin, wadanda K-9 suka shaka. Ma'aikatan jirgin na iya ganin K-9 a tsaye a gaban wasu kwantena; aka yi musu alama aka koma wani yanki na daban na hangar da ke kusa. Wani jami"in kuma ya duba kowane fasfo da wanda yake rike da shi, sannan ya sanya kowane mutum ya jira tare da wasu a kusa, karkashin idon jami"in tsaro dauke da makamai.
    
  Chris Thompson ya iso kadan daga baya ya dubi rukunin fasinjojin. "Ina Macomber?"
    
  "Har yanzu a bandaki," Charlie Turlock ya amsa. "Ba shi ne matukin jirgi mai ƙarfi sosai ba."
    
  Thompson ya daga kai ya kalli matakala mai iska. "Chuck? Me ke faruwa a can?
    
  "Yawancin gunaguni da nishi da gajimare mai ruwan kasa," jami'in tsaro na farko da ke jiran Macomber ya amsa.
    
  "Ku gaggauta shi." Thompson ya koma Charlie. "Zaki iya taimaka min da bayanin, miss?" Ya tambaya. "Akwai 'yan rashin daidaituwa da nake fata za ku iya warware min."
    
  "Lallai. Na saba da duk abin da ke cikin jirgin. Ta bi Thompson zuwa tarin kwantena daban-daban.
    
  A cikin gidan, jami'in tsaro na farko ya ce, "Mu tafi, aboki."
    
  "Kusan gamawa". Jami'in ya ji karar ruwa, sai ruwa ke gudu, aka bude kofar bandaki. Tun kafin a bud'e k'ofar gaba d'aya sai kamshin da ba za a iya jurewa a ciki ya sa hafsan ya shake ba. "Jeez, abokina, me ka ci akan wannan-"
    
  Macomber ya buge shi sau ɗaya a cikin haikalin hagu da hannunsa na dama, yana buga shi a sume ba tare da sauti ba. Da sauri ya ja hafsa gaba, ya kwantar da shi a kasan gidan, ya rufe kofa, sannan ya koma cikin dakin ya yage kaset din kariya da ke kusa da kwantena na farko na jirgin ruwa.
    
  A wajen jirgin, Thompson ya nuna tarin kwantena daban-daban. "Sun fito fili kuma sun yi daidai da sanarwar," in ji shi ga Charlie, "amma wadannan a nan ba iri daya bane." Ya yi nuni da tarin kwantena masu yawa a kan titin motar haya da ke cikin hangar, wanda yanzu ke karkashin masu gadi. "Karnukan sun yi gargadin cewa ko dai kwayoyi ko abubuwan fashewa a cikin su, kuma ba su bi wannan sanarwar ba. Sanarwar ba ta ambaci cewa kuna shigo da ababen fashewa ba."
    
  "To, tabbas ba kwayoyi bane," in ji Charlie. "Akwai babban bayani ga duk waɗannan kwantena marasa takaddun shaida."
    
  "Lafiya".
    
  Charlie ya yi nuni ga kwantenan murabba'i. "Waɗannan fakitin baturi ne na CID," in ji ta. "Kowace akwati tana da fakitin baturi guda huɗu. Kowane nau'i-nau'i yana haɗe zuwa abubuwan da ke bayan kwatangwalo. Wadannan sauran kwantena kuma suna da fakitin baturi, amma an tsara su don na'urorin Tin Man. Ana sawa su bibbiyu akan bel."
    
  "Binciken laifi? Tin Woodman? Menene wannan?"
    
  "CID tana nufin Cybernetic Infantry Device," in ji Charlie a zahiri. "CID mutum-mutumi ne na yaƙi. Mutumin Tin shine laƙabin kwamandojin da ke sanye da sulke mai suna BERP, ko Tsarin Rarraba Electron Ballistic. Kwat ɗin yana da exoskeleton wanda ke ba kwamandojin ƙarfin ƙarfi, kuma kayan BERP ya sa ya zama mara lahani ga ... da kyau, duk wani matakin sojan ƙasa da matakin squad har ma da wasu ƙananan bindigogi. Wadannan abubuwan da ke can akwai fakitin manufa don sassan binciken laifuka, wasu daga cikinsu sun ƙunshi masu harba gurneti da na'urorin harba UAV." Ta yi murmushi ga furucin Thompson a gigice. "Kin gane duk wannan?"
    
  "Kina...kina wasa dani, miss?" Thompson ya dakata. "Wannan wani irin wasa ne?"
    
  "Wannan ba wasa ba ne," in ji Charlie. "Duba. zan nuna maka." Ta juya ga wata katuwar na'ura mai siffar da ba ta dace ba, mai girman firij ta ce, "CID One, kunna." Yayin da Thompson ke kallo cikin rashin imani, na'urar ta fara bajewa bi-bi-da-bi-da-bi, har sai da wasu dakiku kadan sai ga wani mutum-mutumi mai tsayi da tsayin kafa goma ya bayyana a gabansa. "Wannan bincike ne na laifi." Juyowa tayi ta nufi saman staircase din da aka sha iska. "Kuma wannan shi ne Tin Woodman." Thompson ya duba sai ya ga wani mutum sanye daga kai zuwa ƙafafu sanye da sutturar tufafi masu launin toka masu sulke, sanye da kwalkwali mai fuskoki da yawa ba tare da idanuwa cikin siffar harsashi ba, bel ɗin da aka makala na"urori zagaye biyu. zuwa gare shi, takalmi mai kauri mai kauri da safar hannu masu kauri mai kauri da ke kaiwa zuwa gwiwar hannu.
    
  "CID One, matukin jirgi," in ji ta. Robot din ya sunkuya, ya mika kafarsa da hannayensa biyu baya, sai ga wani kyalle a bayansa. "Ku yini mai kyau," in ji Charlie, yana takawa Thompson a kafada, sannan ya hau kafadar da aka miƙe cikin robot. Ƙyanƙƙarfan ƙyanƙyashe, kuma bayan ƴan daƙiƙa kaɗan robobin ya rayu, yana motsi kamar ɗan adam mai ruwa mai ban sha'awa da raye-raye.
    
  "Yanzu, yallabai," robot ɗin ya yi magana da muryar namiji ta hanyar wata ɓoyayyiyar lasifika mai ƙaramar murya mai haɗaka ta lantarki, "umartar mutanenka da kada su tsoma baki tare da ni ko Tin Woodman. Ba mu yi nufin cutar da ku ba. Za mu je-"
    
  A lokacin, wani a cikin jirgin ya yi ihu: "Dakata, ko in aika kare na!" Tin Woodman ya juya cikin mashigar dakon kaya kuma nan take aka ji harbe-harbe. Thompson ya ga Tin Woodman flinch, amma bai fadi ba.
    
  "Ya Allah, wannan ba kyakkyawan ra"ayi ba ne," in ji matar da ke cikin mutum-mutumin CID. "Zipper da gaske yana ƙin harbi."
    
  Mutumin Tin bai tada wani makami ba, amma Thompson ya ga wani haske mai haske ya haskaka mashigar jirgin. Ba a sake jin harbe-harbe ba. Tin Woodman ya yi tsalle daga jirgin zuwa titin jirgin cikin sauki kamar yadda ya fito daga kan hanyar. Ya kira daya daga cikin wadanda ke gadin ya nuna yatsa a jirgin. "Terry, yi ado. José, zo mu tafi." Ya gudanar da binciken lantarki na jerin mitocin rediyo da aka adana a cikin kwamfutar da ke kan allo. "Gaba ɗaya? Sannu dai."
    
  "Hi, Zipper," Patrick ya amsa. "Barka da zuwa Iraki."
    
  "Mun bar trou kuma wannan shit tabbas zai sami magoya baya da gaske nan ba da jimawa ba. Yi wani abu don shiru masu gunaguni idan ba ku so ku yi yaƙi."
    
  "Ina kan hanyara ta zuwa tudu. Zan tambayi Masters, Noble da sauran mutanen Scion su taimake ku. Ina da tabbacin nan ba da jimawa ba za mu hadu da Kanar Wilhelm a can."
    
  "Ba tare da shakka ba. Muna fama da-"
    
  "Tsaya!" - Jami"in tsaron da ke gadin fasinjojin ya yi ihu, inda ya daga bindigar sa mai sarrafa kansa MP5.
    
  "Yi hakuri, daƙiƙa guda kawai, Janar," Macomber ya yi rediyo. Har ila yau, Tin Woodman bai ko motsa ba ko kallon jami'in, amma Thompson ya ga wata walƙiya mai launin shuɗi ta harba daga kafadar Tin Woodman ta dama kuma ta bugi filin jami'in tsaro a cikin kirjin, nan take ya buga shi a sume.
    
  Tin Woodman ya kusanci Thompson. Sauran jami"an tsaron da ke kusa da su suka daskare da mamaki; wasu sun ja da baya da gudu suka gargade wasu. Ko daya daga cikinsu babu wanda ya kuskura ya kai makamansa. Mutumin Tin ya kama Thompson da jaket ya dauke shi daga kasa, ya cusa kan sa mai sulke daidai fuskar Thompson. "Charlie ta tambaye ka ka gaya wa mutanenka cewa ba za mu cutar da kowa a nan ba muddin ka bar mu?" Thompson ya cika da mamaki don ya amsa. "Ina ba ku shawara ku janye kanku daga kan ku, ku shiga rediyo ku gaya wa jama"arku da sojojin ku su zauna a bariki su bar mu ko kuma mu cutar da wani. Kuma gara su karya wani abu daga cikin kayanmu, yadda suke gudanar da waɗancan mazugi." Ya watsar da Thompson ya bar shi ya tafi.
    
  Macomber ta hanyar lantarki ya bincika mitocin rediyon da na'urorin bincikensa suka gano a cikin Sashen Binciken Laifuka kuma ya kwatanta su da jerin sunayen da ƙungiyar Scion Aviation ta ƙasa da ƙasa ta ɗora a Nala, zaɓi ɗaya, sannan ya yi magana: "Karnel Wilhelm, wannan Wayne Macomber ne. Za ka iya ji na?"
    
  "Wane ne wannan?" Wilhelm ya mayar da martani kadan daga baya.
    
  "Kurma ne ko wawa kawai?" - ya tambayi Macomber. "Saurara kawai. Ni da mazana mun sauke kayan aikinmu a kan titin mu yi shirin tashi. Ba na so in ga wani daga cikin jama'arka a ko'ina a gani, ko za mu yaga ku wani sabon. Ka fahimce ni?"
    
  "Me kika ce?" Wilhelm ya yi tsawa. "Wane ne wannan? Yaya kuka samu kan wannan mitar?"
    
  "Karnar, wannan shine Charlie Turlock," Charlie ya katse akan mita guda. "Ku yafe kalaman Mista Macomber, amma ya yini mai tsawo. Abin da yake nufi shi ne, muna nan a kan tudu muna fara sabon ayyukan kwangila kuma za mu yaba idan mutanen ku ba su bayyana a nan ba. Hakan zai yi kyau?" Babu amsa. "Babban aiki, Zipper," in ji Charlie. "Yanzu ya fusata kuma zai kawo dukkan tsarin mulki."
    
  "Ba idan yana da wayo," in ji Wayne. Amma ya san ainihin abin da zai yi ke nan. "Kai da José, ku sa jakunkunan ku kuma ku shirya. Terry, bari mu hada bindigogin dogo mu shirya mu yi ta hargitse."
    
  Charlie yayi gaggawar zuwa rataye inda aka ajiye jakunkunan makamin, ba da dadewa ba sai wata sashin CID suka zabo suka hada manyan na'urori irin na jakar baya. Jakunkunan na kunshe da na"urori masu harba gurneti mai tsawon millimeters arba"in, kowanne da tagwayen ganga masu motsi, wadanda za su iya harbi kusan ko"ina, ba tare da la"akari da ko wace hanya suke ba, kuma za su iya harba harsasai iri-iri, da suka hada da manyan bama-bamai, da tankokin yaki da kuma na kashe mutane. . Zipper da wani Tin Man sun gano tare da harhada makamansu - manya-manyan layukan dogo na lantarki na lantarki, kowanne daga cikinsu ya harba harsashin uranium mai tsawon millimita talatin cikin sauri fiye da harsashi.
    
  Bai ɗauki lokaci mai tsawo ba Wilhelm ya isa Humvee. Parking yayi ya ja, yayi nisa sosai dan ya kalli wurin da kyau. Yayin da ya leka wurin cikin tsananin rashin imani, sojoji uku dauke da M-16 sun yi tsalle daga cikin Humvee, daya ya boye a bayan Humvee, sauran biyun kuma suka fantsama tare da fake a bayan gine-ginen da ke kusa.
    
  "Warhammer, wannan shine Alpha, waɗannan mutanen Scion ba a kama su ba," Wilhelm yayi rediyo daga Hammer. "Suna sauke jiragensu. Babu tsaro kwata-kwata. Sun aika da na'urori masu kama da mutum-mutumi da ba a san ko su waye ba tare da ganuwa makamai. Kawo Bataliya ta Farko nan ta ninka. Ina son-"
    
  " Riƙe, Colonel, riƙe," Macomber ya shiga kan mitar umarni. "Ba ma son yin rigima da ku. Kiran dakaru da fara luguden wuta zai fusata Turkawa da ke waje ne kawai."
    
  "Warhammer ya tafi Delta."
    
  Amma a tashar sakandare, Macomber ya ci gaba da cewa: "Za ku iya canza tashoshi duk tsawon yini, Colonel, amma har yanzu za mu same su. Duba, Kanar, ba za mu dame ka ba, don haka kada ka dame mu, lafiya?"
    
  "Yallabai, mota na gabatowa, karfe biyar!" - daya daga cikin sojojin ya yi ihu. Hummer ya tunkari matsayin Macomber.
    
  "Kada ka yi harbi, Colonel, yana yiwuwa McLahanan," Macomber radioed.
    
  "Rufe jahannama, ko wanene kai," Wilhelm ya yi rediyo, yana zaro bindiga mai caliber .45 daga tarkacen sa.
    
  Jarumin ya tsaya kuma Patrick McLanahan ya fita da hannayensa sama. "Ka kwantar da hankalinka, Kanar, duk muna gefe daya a nan," in ji shi.
    
  Wilhelm ya yi ihu: "Jahannama tare da ita." "Sajan, ka kama McLahanan ka sanya shi a Triple C a karkashin tsaro."
    
  "A hankali!" - daya daga cikin sojojin ya yi ihu. Wilhelm kawai ya kama wani lumshewar motsi daga kusurwar idonsa - kuma, kamar da sihiri, wani adadi a cikin riga mai launin toka wanda ke kusa da rataya ya bayyana daga sama kusa da sojan da ke kusa da McLanahan. Nan take ya kwace bindigar M-16 daga hannun sojan a firgice ya lankwashe ta biyu ya mayar masa.
    
  Macomber ya yi ihu, "Yanzu ku daina wannan abin banza, ku duka, ko kuma in fasa M-16 na gaba a kan wani."
    
  Wasu sojoji dauke da makamai sun ɗaga makamansu suka nufi Macomber, amma William ya ɗaga hannuwansa ya yi ihu: "Bindigu masu ƙarfi, makami masu ƙarfi, a kwance su." Sai kawai ya lura cewa daya daga cikin manyan robobi ya bayyana a kusa da shi, ya tsallaka yadi ashirin ko talatin da ya raba su da gudu da satar mutane. "Allah...!" - ya haki yana mamaki.
    
  "Sannu, Kanar," in ji Charlie a cikin muryar da aka haɗa ta ta hanyar lantarki. "Kira mai kyau. Mu yi hira, lafiya?"
    
  "McLanahan!" - Wilhelm ya yi ihu. "Me ke faruwa a nan?"
    
  "Canjin manufa, Colonel," Patrick ya amsa.
    
  "Wane manufa? Aikin wa? Manufar ku ta ƙare. An soke kwangilar ku. Kuna karkashin ikona har sai wani ya mayar da jakinku Washington."
    
  "Ina da sabuwar kwangila, Kanar, kuma za mu kaddamar da ita a yanzu."
    
  "Sabon kwangila? Da waye?"
    
  "Tare da ni, Kanar," muryar ta ce, kuma ga mamakin Wilhelm, Kanar Iraqi Yusuf Jaffar ya fito daga kujerar baya na Patrick's Hummer, sai mataimakin shugaban kasa Ken Phoenix da wasu jami'an leken asiri guda biyu.
    
  "Jaffar...ina nufin Kanar Jaffar...me ya faru? Me ke faruwa?"
    
  "Gwamnatin Jamhuriyar Iraki ta dauki hayar kamfanin Janar McLahanan don samar da...bari mu kira shi ayyuka na musamman," in ji Jaffar. "Za su kasance a nan Nala, karkashin kulawa ta."
    
  "Amma wannan shine tushe na...!"
    
  "Ka yi kuskure, yallabai. Wannan sansanin sojin saman Iraki ne, ba na Amurka ba," in ji Jaffar. "Ku baƙi ne a nan, ba masu gida ba."
    
  "McLanahan ba zai iya yi maka aiki ba! Ba'amurke ne".
    
  Patrick ya ce "Scion Aviation International ta sami amincewar ma'aikatar harkokin wajen Amurka don yin aiki a cikin kasashe goma sha biyu na duniya, ciki har da Iraki." "Tsarin kwantiragin yarjejeniyar haɗin gwiwa ce tare da rundunar Amurka ta tsakiya da kuma jamhuriyar Iraqi - na dai kawo muku rahoto. Yanzu na kai rahoto ga Kanar Jaffar."
    
  "Amma ana kama ku, McLanahan," in ji Wilhelm. "Har yanzu kuna karkashin kariyata."
    
  "Idan dai Janar din yana cikin kasata kuma a kan tushe na, yana karkashin dokokina ne, ba naka ba," in ji Jafar. "Za ku iya yi da shi yadda kuke so idan ya tafi, amma yanzu ya zama nawa."
    
  Wilhelm ya bude baki, sannan ya rufe ya sake budewa a rude. "Wannan mahaukaci ne," in ji shi a karshe. "Me kuke tunanin za ku yi, McLahan?"
    
  Patrick ya ce "Baghdad na son taimakawa Turkawa su bar Iraki. "Suna tunanin Turkawa za su fara lalata kasar, da kokarin kawar da 'yan ta'addar PKK, sannan su samar da wani yanki mai kariya a kan iyakar da za a yi wa PKK wahalar dawowa."
    
  "Abin da kawai za mu cimma shi ne mu fusata Turkawa da fadada rikici," in ji Wilhelm. "Kuna da hauka idan kuna tunanin Shugaba Gardner zai bar ku kuyi wannan."
    
  "Shugaba Gardner ba shugabana bane, kuma ba Iraqi bane," in ji Jaffar. "Shugaba Rashid yana yin haka ne saboda Amurkawa ba za su taimake mu ba."
    
  "Taimaka ka? Zan iya taimaka muku da wani abu, Colonel?" - Wilhelm ya tambaya, kusan yana bara. "Kuna so mu fara yaki da Turkiyya? Kun san yadda wadannan mamayar Turkiyya ke aiki, Kanar. Suna zuwa, sun kai hari ga wasu sansani da matsuguni, suka koma gida. Wannan karon sun dan yi zurfi. To me? Ba su da sha"awar kwace wata kasa."
    
  "Kuma Janar McLanahan zai kasance a nan don tabbatar da cewa hakan bai faru ba," in ji Jaffar. "Amurka ba za ta tsoma baki cikin wannan ba."
    
  "Shin za ku maye gurbin tsarin mulkina da McLanahan da jirgin sama na mutum-mutumi da robot... ko menene waɗannan abubuwa?" Wilhelm ya tambaya. "Ƙananan kamfaninsa da aƙalla rukunin sojojin Turkiyya huɗu?"
    
  "Sun ce Amurkawa ba su da imani - kawai sun yi imani da abin da ke ƙarƙashin hanci," in ji Jaffar. "Na ga cewa wannan gaskiya ne a gare ku, Kanar Wilhelm. Amma ina kallon manyan jiragen sama da makamai masu ban mamaki na Janar McLahan, kuma duk abin da nake gani shine dama. Watakila, kamar yadda ka ce, Turkawa ba za su kwace mana kasarmu su kashe Iraki da ba su ji ba ba su gani ba, kuma ba za mu bukaci makaman Janar din ba. Amma wannan ita ce kungiya mafi girma da ta taba shiga Iraki, kuma ina tsoron kada su daina lalata wasu sansanoni kadan."
    
  Jaffar ya haura zuwa Wilhem kuma ya tsaya a gabansa. "Kai babban soja ne kuma kwamanda, Kanar," in ji shi, "kuma rukuninka jajirtacce ne kuma ya sadaukar da yawa domin mutanena da kasata. Amma shugaban ku yana barin Iraki."
    
  "Wannan ba gaskiya ba ne, Kanar," in ji Wilhelm.
    
  "Mataimakin shugaban kasar Phoenix ya gaya mani cewa an umarce shi da ya je Bagadaza ya yi magana da gwamnatina game da mamayewar Turkiyya," in ji Jaffar, "ciki har da samar da wani yanki na tsaro a Iraki. Gardner ba wai kawai ya amince da wannan mamayewa ba, amma yana shirye ya bar ƙasar Iraqi don faranta wa Turkawa rai. Wannan ba abin yarda ba ne. Ina kallon ku da sojojinku a nan gindina, kuma ina ganin wahala kawai ga mutanena."
    
  Ya wuce zuwa Patrick kuma ya kalli Tin Man da sashin CID da ke can akan tudu. "Amma ina kallon Janar McLanahan da makamansa, kuma ina ganin bege. A shirye yake yayi fada. Yana iya zama game da kuɗin, amma aƙalla yana shirye ya jagoranci mutanensa zuwa yaƙi a Iraki."
    
  Maganar Wilhelm ta sauya daga fushi zuwa mamaki da rudani. "Ban yarda da abin da nake ji ba," in ji shi. "Ina da cikakken brigade a nan ... Kuma ba zan yi wani abu ba a tsakiyar harin Turkiyya? Dole ne in zauna in duba yayin da kuke kammala ayyuka kuma in aika da waɗannan ... waɗannan kayan wasan gwangwani? Shin Baghdad za ta yi yaki da Turkawa? Shekaru biyar da suka wuce ba ku da runduna mai tsari! Shekaru biyu da suka wuce, rukunin ku bai ma wanzu ba."
    
  "Yi hakuri, Kanar, amma ba na tsammanin kana taimakon kanka a nan," in ji mataimakin shugaban kasa Phoenix. Ya je wajen Kanal din sojoji. "Mu je cibiyar umarnin ku, bari in sanar da Washington abin da ke faruwa kuma in nemi umarni."
    
  "Ba wannan maganar banza kake siyan ba, yallabai?"
    
  "Ban ga cewa muna da zabi da yawa a yanzu, Colonel," in ji Phoenix. Ya sa hannu a kafadun Wilhelm ya kai shi zuwa ga Humvee. "Irin kallon "yar ku ta tafi jami"a, ko? Suna shirye don sabuwar rayuwa, amma ba ku shirye ku gan su ba. "
    
  "Don haka Janar McLahanan," in ji Yusuf Jaffar bayan William da mutanensa sun tafi, "kamar yadda ku Amurkawa ke cewa, kwallon tana cikin filin ku. Kun san muradin Bagadaza. Me za ku yi yanzu?
    
  "Ina ganin lokaci ya yi da za a bincika ainihin manufar Turkawa," in ji Patrick. "Kowa ya ba da hadin kai sosai ya zuwa yanzu, abin da ke da kyau, amma har yanzu suna kasar ku da dakaru masu yawa da kuma jiragen sama. Bari mu ga abin da suke yi idan ka nace."
    
    
  BABI NA BAKWAI
    
    
  Ƙarfafawa ita ce farashin da rayuwa ke ɗauka don ba da salama.
    
  -AMELIA EARHART
    
    
    
  NAKHLA ALLIED AIR BASE, IRAQ
  DA safe
    
    
  "Aiki a babban gate, sir!" - Kyaftin din Turkiyya na sojojin da ke kewaye da tashar jirgin saman Nakhla ya ji ta rediyon sa mai daukar aiki. "Motocin yaƙi suna yin layi don fitowa!"
    
  "Bomb!" - kyaftin ya rantse. "Me ke faruwa?" Ya jefar da kofi ta tagar ya fito daga motarsa masu sulke. Wani Humvee dauke da tutar Amurka da tirela ya shiga cikin yankin da aka kama, kuma wani Humvee mai tirela yana jira a waje. Kowace motar tana da bindigogi da na'urorin harba gurneti da aka sanya a cikin tururuwan makamin , amma har yanzu suna da mayafin zane, an kulle su a wurin da aka ajiye, kuma ba a samar da wuraren harbin ba.
    
  "A ina suke tunanin za su?" Inji kaftin din sojojin Turkiyya.
    
  "Mu dakatar dasu?" - Sajan na farko ya tambaye shi.
    
  Kyaftin din ya ce "Ba mu da umarnin tsoma baki kan ayyukansu sai dai idan sun kai mana hari." "In banda wannan, muna lura da rahoto kawai."
    
  Turkawa na kallon yadda Humvee ta farko ta fito, sannan suka fice daga babban gate suka tsaya suna jiran na biyu. Kyaftin din Turkiyya ya tunkari kujerar fasinja ta gaban motar gubar. "Sannu da zuwa, yallabai," in ji shi. Ya ga ashe farar hula ne. Ya san cewa Amurkawa sun dauki hayar farar hula da dama don yin aiki a sansanonin sojansu, amma ganin daya daga cikinsu a nan ya zama abin ban mamaki.
    
  "Lafiya da safe...eh ina nufin, jiünaydin," mutumin ya fada cikin mugun nufi amma Baturke mai fahimta. "Lafiya kuwa?"
    
  "Madalla, yallabai," in ji captain cikin sanyin murya. Murmushi kawai Ba'amurke ya yi ya gyada kai. Turkawa sun yi amfani da damar don duba cikin Hummer. Wasu fararen hula biyu ne a kujerun baya, kuma a kujerar baya akwai kayayyaki da yawa a karkashin wata koriyar tambura. Wani fasinja farar hula ya bayyana a matsayin soja kuma yana sanye da kayan aiki masu ban mamaki da suka yi kama da rigar mai nutsewa wanda aka lullube da jaket. Kai tsaye ya kalleta bai amsa kallon Turkawa ba. Tirela mai daki mai ƙafa ashirin babu kowa a ciki.
    
  Ba'amurke ya mika hannun damansa. "John Masters"
    
  Kyaftin din Turkiyya ya daure fuska, amma ya rike hannunsa ya girgiza. "Kyaftin Evren."
    
  "Na yi farin cikin haduwa da ku," in ji John. Ya kalleta. "Ya ku mutanen nan lafiya? Ko akwai wani abu da za mu iya yi muku?"
    
  "A'a, ƙarindim," in ji Evren. Ya jira wani bayani, amma mutumin kamar baya sha'awar bayar da wani abu in ban da zance. "Zan iya tambayar inda za ka, yallabai?"
    
  "Ai tuƙi kawai."
    
  Evren ya kalli garken Humvees, sa'an nan ya koma ga John da mugun magana a fuskarsa. "A wannan sa'a kuma tare da tirela?"
    
  "Me yasa? Na yi makonni biyu a nan Iraki kuma ban ga komai a cikin karkara ba. Tunanin zai fi kyau a yi shi yayin da abubuwa ke kallon sama."
    
  Evren bai fahimci rabin abin da mutumin ya fada ba, kuma ya fara gajiya da murmushin wauta. "Don Allah zan iya tambayar inda za ka, yallabai, kuma me kake son yi da tirela?" Ya sake maimaitawa, ya kara dagewa.
    
  "Kusa sosai." John ya zana da'irar da yatsa. "A zagaye. Wani wuri a nan."
    
  Evren ya fara fushi da mutumin, amma ba shi da ikon tsare shi. "Don Allah a lura da sauran motocin sojoji, yallabai," in ji shi. "Wasu daga cikin manyan motocinmu suna da iyakacin ganin direba. Yin karo da babban tankin yaƙi zai zama abin takaici a gare ku."
    
  Barazana da aka lullube da alama ba ta da wani tasiri a kan Ba'amurke. "Zan gaya wa sauran," in ji shi a kasala. "Na gode da tip. Yanzu kuma wallahi." Kuma ayarin motocin suka tashi.
    
  "Yallabai me ya kamata mu yi?" - ya tambayi sajan na farko.
    
  "Ka sa wuraren binciken su gaya mani wurin da suke yayin da suke tafiya," in ji Evren, "sannan a tura wani ya bi su." Sajan na farko ya yi sauri ya tafi.
    
  ayarin motocin Humvee sun zagaye sansanin daga bangaren arewa tare da babbar hanyar jama'a. Sun wuce wani shingen binciken sojojin Turkiyya a wata mahadar inda aka tsayar da su domin sojoji su leka cikin motocin amma ba a tsayar da su ba ko kuma aka yi musu bincike. Sun yi tafiya zuwa arewa mil biyu, sannan suka tashi daga kan babbar hanya suka wuce arewa ta wani fili mai laka. A gaba sai suka ga gungu-gungu da aka kora a cikin kasa tare da kaset din "Kada ku keta" rawaya, kuma yadi dari da yawa a bayansu akwai tarkacen jirgin sama na Scion Aviation International XC-57 Loser. Da alama makaman roka na Turkiyya sun rasa jirgin sama kai tsaye. , sai dai makamin da ke kusa da kusa da injinan da aka dora a kan fuselage, ya yanke biyu daga cikinsu ya kuma aika da jirgin zuwa kasa, ya sauka a bangaren hagu, ya murkushe mafi yawan bangaren hagu da na hagu, a can kuma ya yi ta harbi. gobara ce, amma sauran Jirgin ya yi fama da abin da za a iya kwatanta shi da matsakaicin lalacewa, yawancin gefen dama na jirgin ba su da lahani.
    
  Motar injiniyan IMR daya tilo ta Rasha ta ajiye a kan iyakar Lenta, tare da sojojin Turkiyya biyu da ke aikin gadi. IMR na da crane da aka ɗora a baya da ruwa a gaba, mai kwatankwacin bulodoza. Sojojin sun ba da taba sigari da kofi kuma suka kunna wayar tafi da gidanka a lokacin da suka ga ayarin motocin suna gabatowa. "Khayr, Khair!" - daya daga cikin su ya yi ihu yana kada hannunsa. "Durun! Gidin!"
    
  John Masters ya fito daga cikin Humvee kuma ya bi ta cikin laka zuwa ga sojoji. "Barka da safiya! Gunaydin!" - ya yi ihu. "Lafiya kuwa? Shin a cikinku akwai wanda yake jin Turanci?"
    
  "Kada ka zo nan! Kada ku zauna!" - sojan ya yi ihu. "Tabbas! Yana da haɗari a nan! Yasaktir! Haramun!"
    
  "A'a, ba shi da haɗari ko kaɗan," in ji John. "Ka ga, wannan jirgina ne." Ya dafa kirjinsa. "Na. Nawa ne. Na zo nan ne in debo ƴan guntuka in duba su."
    
  Soja na farko ya daga hannayensa a gaban fuskarsa yana jujjuyawa, yayin da na biyun ya daga bindigarsa, bai nuna ta ba, sai ya sa ta ga kowa. "Babu shigarwa," in ji na farko da kyar. "Haramta".
    
  John ya ce: "Ba za ku iya hana ni binciken jirgin sama na ba. "Ina da izini daga gwamnatin Iraqi. Ku mutanen ba ma "yan Iraqi ba ne. Menene hakkin ka hana ni?"
    
  "Babu shiga," in ji sojan farko. "Ku tafi. Komawa." Ya ciro wayarsa ya fara magana yayin da soja na biyu ya ɗaga bindigarsa zuwa gefen tashar jiragen ruwa da alama mai ban tsoro. Lokacin da sojan farko ya gama gabatar da rahotonsa a rediyo, sai ya daga hannu kamar yana kokarin korar matashin, yana mai cewa, "Fita yanzu. Siktir git! Gaba!"
    
  "Ba zan tafi ba tare da kallon jirgina ba...abin da kuka yi wa jirgina," in ji John. Da sauri ya wuce duka sojojin biyu, sannan ya koma cikin jirgin. Sojoji suka bi shi suna ihu cikin harshen Turkanci, a rude da kara fusata a karo na biyu. John ya daga hannayensa ya koma da sauri. "Ba zan daɗe ba, maza, amma zan duba jirgina. Ku bar ni!" John a guje ya nufi jirgin.
    
  "Dur! Dakata!" Fadi na biyu ya ɗaga bindigarsa zuwa wurin harbi, amma bai nufi John ba, da alama ya harba harbin gargaɗi. "Dakata ko ni-"
    
  Nan take aka kwace bindigar daga hannunsa cikin kiftawar ido. Sojan ya juyo... sai ya ga wani mutum sanye da riga mai launin toka mai duhu daga kai zuwa yatsa, kwalkwali mara ido kai tsaye daga littafin barkwanci na almara na kimiyya, firam na siraran tubes masu sassauƙa a duk faɗin fatarsa, safofin hannu masu kauri da takalma. "Amin Allah...!"
    
  "Kada ku yi rashin kunya," in ji wannan adadi a cikin harshen Turanci da aka haɗa ta hanyar lantarki. "Babu makami," ya miqe da gudu mai ban mamaki kuma ya kwace na"urar watsawa daga soja na biyu, "ba kuma babu takalmi. Zan mayar da su ne kawai idan ka nuna mini cewa za ka iya hali. Turkawa sun ja da baya, sannan suka fara guduwa a lokacin da suka fahimci ba za a kama su ba.
    
  "Ku zo maza, mu tafi," in ji John, yana kan hanyar XC-57 da ta lalace. "Duba, na gaya muku ba zai yi kyau sosai ba."
    
  "Lambar banza, wannan shine Farawa," in ji Patrick McLanahan ga Wayne Macomber. "Akwai motoci biyu suna kan hanyar ku, kusan mintuna goma." Patrick ya harba wani karamin jirgin sama mara matuki mai suna AGM-177 Wolverine, wanda jirgin daukar kaya 767. Ya yi kama da giciye tsakanin makami mai linzami da jirgin ruwa. Yawanci ana harba shi ta iska, amma yana da damar harba shi daga wani katafat ɗin da ke ɗauke da babbar mota. Wolverine ta ɗauki hoton infrared da millimeter-imaging da na'urori masu auna firikwensin don ta iya samun kanta da kanta, kai hari da sake kai hari da aka tsara ta. Tana da wuraren makami uku na ciki don kai hari iri-iri iri-iri, kuma tana iya kaiwa hari na huɗu ta hanyar tashi zuwa cikin sa salon kamikaze. Ya kara da cewa "Radar ya dauko helikwafta kimanin mintuna goma zuwa gabas." "Ba mu san ko tana kan hanyar haka ba ko kuma tana sintiri ne kawai, amma yana kusa."
    
  "An yarda, Farawa," Macomber ya amsa. Ya d'agawa humvee hannu ta taho. "Ku zo, muna da kamfani, je can ku taimaki kwai," ya ba da umarni. "Ina so in fita daga nan da wuri." Humvees ya ja daga sai masu fasaha suka fara zazzage kayan aikin wuta don fara buɗe jirgin.
    
  "Zan kasance anan aƙalla dukan yini, watakila na kwanaki biyu masu zuwa," in ji John Masters a gidan rediyo.
    
  "Maigida, ba na nan don mayar da jirgin gaba daya zuwa gindi," Macomber ya amsa ta rediyo. "Karɓi duk kayan da aka keɓance kuma kawai mahimman akwatunan baƙi waɗanda ba a taɓa su ba, mu fito daga nan. Muna gudanar da ayyukanmu a bayyane, tare da sojojin Turkiyya dari uku a bayanmu sannan kuma wasu dubu hamsin a yankin." Wannan tunatarwa kamar ta sa kowa yayi aiki da sauri kadan.
    
  "Wannan helikwafta tabbas yana kan hanyar ku," in ji Patrick. "A cikin kusan mintuna bakwai. Yawan sojojin kasa ya karu - a yanzu da alamu motoci shida ne, da motocin yaki masu sulke hudu da kuma motoci masu sulke guda biyu. Yaya kamanin jirgin?"
    
  "Masters sun ce bai yi kyau ba," in ji Zipper. "Ina tsammanin da zai faɗi hakan idan ba komai ba ne face rami mai shan taba a cikin ƙasa."
    
  "Kuna da gaskiya game da hakan. To, suna kafa shingaye a arewa da kudancin titin, kuma duk motoci shida sun nufa."
    
  "An yarda".
    
  "Babu fada sai dai idan ya zama dole, Scoundrel. Har yanzu mu abokai ne, ku tuna."
    
  "Na sani. Na kasance mai tausayi da jin daɗi har zuwa yanzu. "
    
  "Ya kamata a gani a kan babbar hanya yanzu."
    
  Wayne ya juya ya ga jimillar sojoji kusan ashirin dauke da bindigu da aka sauke daga cikin manyan motocin, da manyan motoci masu sulke suna gadi a gefen manyan motocin suna sauke kayan aikin nasu, da kuma Kyaftin Evren John da ya yi magana a babbar kofar shiga. yana duba su da binocular. "A gani. Ya zuwa yanzu ina ganin makamai na kankara ne kawai. Dan iska, wannan daya ne, muna da jini, ka shirya." Bayan 'yan mintoci kaɗan, Zipper ya ga sojoji da yawa da Kyaftin Evren sun shiga cikin motocinsu masu sulke suna tuƙi zuwa gare su a hankali. "A nan sun zo."
    
  Jam"iyyar APC ta Evren ta tsaya kusan yadi talatin a gaban Zipper, sannan sojoji biyar suka sauka, suka fantsama tsakanin yadi shida, suka kwanta a kasa tare da daga bindigogi. Zipper ya lura cewa akwai wani mutum a cikin tururuwan bindigar da ke kan rufin jirgin dakon kaya, kuma ganga na mashina 12.5 mm an nuna shi kai tsaye; An shigar da makami mai linzami kirar AT-3 Sagger da aka kera da Rasha a kan jagorar harbawa, wanda aka yi niyya a daya daga cikin Humvees. Mai ɗaukar makamai na biyu ya ƙaura, ya juya sosai zuwa XC-57.
    
  "Kai!" Evren ya yi ihu cikin Turanci. "Daga hannuwanku ku juya!"
    
  "Hayir," Zipper ya amsa da Turkanci ta hanyar fassararsa ta lantarki. "A'a. Ka bar mu kawai."
    
  "Ba a ba ku izinin shiga jirgin ba."
    
  "Muna da izini daga gwamnatin Iraki da kuma mamallakin jirgin," in ji Wak. "Wannan aikin ceto ne na halal. Ka bar mu kawai."
    
  "Na maimaita, ɗaga hannuwanku ku juya, ko mu bude wuta."
    
  "Ni Ba'amurke ne, ba ni da makami, kuma ina da izini daga gwamnatin Iraki. Kai sojan Turkiyya ne. na saba umarninka."
    
  Yanzu Evren ya zama kamar a ruɗe. Ya zaro na'urar watsa masa waya ya yi magana a ciki. "Tabbas ya kai iyakar dokokin sa," in ji Vak a kan hanyar sadarwar umarni. "Wannan shi ne inda ya fara samun ban sha'awa. Kula da jirgin ruwan sulke na biyu; yana rufe gefena ya nufi wajenka."
    
  "An kama a gani, Na farko," ya zo da amsa daga Charlie Turlock.
    
  "Jirgin helikwafta yana kusa da mintuna biyar, dan iska," in ji Patrick.
    
  "An yarda. Mu fatan labarin TV ne kawai." Zipper yayi tunani na ɗan lokaci. "Na fara jin tsoro game da wannan bindigar da makami mai linzami na Sagger a kan wannan jigilar sojoji masu sulke, mutane," in ji shi. "Kowa, sami wani ɓoye daga Humvee." Ta wurin fassararsa, ya ce, "Ku ajiye makamanku nan da nan!"
    
  "Za ku mika wuya nan da nan, ko kuma mu bude wuta!" Evren ya mayar da ihu.
    
  "Ina gargadinku, ku ajiye makamanku ku bar mu, ko kuma zan yi maganin ku," in ji Zipper. "Ban damu da wannan abin kunya na kawancen NATO ba - ku ajiye bindigogi ku tafi, ko kuma ku tashi a asibiti."
    
  Ta hanyar microphones masu mahimmanci da aka gina a cikin kwat ɗin Tin Woodman, Vak ya ji Evren yana faɗin kalmar ci. An harba bindiga mai zagaye uku, sannan duka harsasan guda uku sun afka cinyar Macomber ta hagu. "Allah ya kyauta," Macomber ya yi murmushi. "Wannan mutumin ya harbe ni a cikin tsinannen kafa."
    
  "Yana ƙoƙarin cutar da ku ne kawai," in ji Charlie. "Ki kwantar da hankalinki, Zipper."
    
  Evren ya firgita sosai da ya ga cewa adadi yana nan tsaye, ko da yake yana iya gani a fili cewa duk harsasan sun ci karo da su. "Wani gargadi, aboki," Zipper ya yi ihu da Baturke. "Idan ba ka jefar da makaminka ba, zan dan buga wakoki kadan a kan kwanyarka da dunkule na."
    
  Ya ji Evren yana cewa: "A kan ekey, bebe, sikak!", wanda ke nufin: "Sha biyu da jariri, ci gaba," kuma Zipper ya yi ta rediyo: "Don rufewa, ku fitar da masu ɗaukar makamai, yanzu!" A daidai lokacin da mashinan bindigar 12.5mm ya bude wuta.
    
  Fitar da wani rafi na iskar da aka matsa, Zipper ya tashi sama ya sauka a kan wani jirgin ruwa mai sulke. Dan bindigar ya yi kokarin binsa yayin da ya yi iyo ya nufo shi, ya kusa fidda kansa daga cikin kubbar. Bayan Zipper ya sauka, sai ya lankwasa ganga na mashin din har sai da makamin ya fashe saboda matsin iskar da ba a saki ba. Amma bai yi sauri ba don dakatar da AT-3. Makami mai linzamin da aka yi masa jagorar waya ya bijire wa daya daga cikin jiragen Humvees, inda ya aike da shi cikin gajimaren wuta. "Komai lafiya?" yayi radio.
    
  "Ya bayyana ga kowa," in ji John Masters. "Nagode da gargadin".
    
  "Zan iya karya wasu kawunan yanzu, General?" - ya tambayi Macomber.
    
  "Ba na son kowa ya ji rauni, kai dan iska, sai dai idan sun kai hari ga John da masu fasaha," in ji Patrick. "Ku ɗauki makamansu kawai."
    
  "Yaushe zamu kawo karshen wannan al'adar 'Kumbaya', yallabai?" - Macomber ya tambaya cikin sanyin murya. "Dan iska na biyu, shin za ku iya fitar da maki goma sha biyu na biyar da kuma Sagger ba tare da yin lahani ba..." Amma a wannan lokacin, wata karamar fashewa ta tashi a kan rufin jirgin na biyu mai dauke da sulke, kuma dan bindigar ya tsallake rijiya da baya daga cikin kubbar, yana buga. fitar da tartsatsin wuta da ɗan ƙaramin wuta daga yunifom ɗinku. "Na gode".
    
  "Kada ku ambaci shi," in ji Charlie.
    
  Turkawa sun ci gaba da bude wuta kan Zipper yayin da ya tsallake rijiya da baya daga jam"iyyar APC ya tunkari Evren; Ba su daina harbe-harbe ba sai da Zipper ya kama Evren da jaket ya dauke shi daga kasa. "A cikin ladabi na tambaye ka ka bar mu kadai," in ji Zipper. "Yanzu ba zan zama mai kyau ba, Arcadas." Kamar yadda yake jefa kwallon tennis cikin sauƙi, Tasirin ya aika Evren ya tashi yadi ɗari ta iska, kusan har zuwa babbar hanya. Daga nan sai ya ruga ya yi wa sauran sojojin Turkiyya da ke kusa da shi, wadanda ba su gudu ba. "Wannan al'ada ce, Genesus?"
    
  "Na gode da kamun kai, dan iska," in ji Patrick.
    
  Macomber ya tsallake rijiya da baya zuwa wata jam"iyyar APC, amma tuni sojojin Turkiyya suka gudu... domin sun ga Charlie Turlock a cikin wani na"ura mai kwakwalwa ta yanar gizo suna gadin dayan bangaren da lamarin ya faru. Ta dauki nata bindigar jirgin kasa na lantarki da jakunkuna mai harba roka mai tsawon millimeters arba'in, wanda ya kunshi harba makamai masu linzami guda takwas a tsaye tare da tarwatsewar bama-bamai, da bama-bamai na yaki da hayaki, da kuma jakar baya don sake lodi a cikin Humvee. "Lafiya kuwa, na biyu?"
    
  "Komai ya bayyana a gare ni," in ji Charlie. Ta nufi gabas. "Wannan helikwafta yana nan a gani. Yayi kama da daidaitaccen Huey. Ina ganin mai harbin kofa, amma babu sauran makamai."
    
  "Idan ya nuna bindigar a ko'ina kusa da mutanenmu, ku samo shi."
    
  "Tuni na harbe shi. Da alama akwai mai daukar hoto a bakin kofa tare da shi. Yi murmushi - ana yin fim ɗin ku akan kyamarar ɓoye."
    
  "Abin mamaki kawai. Masu gida...?"
    
  "Ba ni ma da dukkan kofofin shiga har yanzu a buɗe, Wayne," in ji John. "Zai dauki akalla sa"a guda kafin in gano menene. Cire manyan abubuwan da aka gyara da LRU bai kamata ya ɗauki lokaci mai yawa ba - sa'o'i uku a mafi yawan. Amma ina so a kalla awanni takwas don...
    
  "Ban sani ba idan kuna da mintuna takwas, ko da sa'o'i takwas, amma ku matsa kuma za mu kama su muddin za mu iya," in ji Zipper.
    
  "Wataƙila idan kun taimake mu, za mu ƙarasa da sauri," in ji John.
    
  Zipper ya fad'a cikin sulke. "Na ji tsoron kada ku faɗi haka," in ji shi. "Charlie, kina da tsaro. Zan zama makanike na wani lokaci."
    
  "Na fahimce ka. Wannan jirgi mai saukar ungulu yana shiga sararin samaniyarmu. Da alama suna daukar hotuna. Mai harbin kofa baya bin komai a kasa."
    
  "Idan yana kama da zai yi fada, ku kashe shi."
    
  "Da jin dadi".
    
  "Mu injiniyoyi ne, ba makanikai ba," John ya gyara masa. "Amma za ku zama mai fashewa."
    
  "To, wannan ya fi kama da gaskiya," in ji Zipper.
    
    
  OVAL OFFICE, FARIN GIDA, WASHINGTON, DC.
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  Shugaban ya dauki wayar. "Sannu, Shugaba Hirsiz. Wannan shi ne Shugaba Gardner. Me zan yi miki yau?"
    
  Kurzat Hirciz daga Ankara ya ce "Za ku iya janye karnukan da kuke fada sau daya, sai dai idan kuna neman yaki."
    
  "Kuna nufin abin da ya faru a wurin da hatsarin ya afku a arewacin Mosul?" - Gardner ya tambaya. "A yadda na fahimta, sojojin ku uku sun samu raunuka, an kuma lalata motocin sulke guda biyu. Wannan tabbas?"
    
  "Kuna da bayanin wannan harin da gangan?"
    
  "Za ku yi magana da gwamnatin Iraki. Gwamnatin Amurka ba ta da wata alaka da wannan."
    
  "Ba gaskiya bane. Wadannan ... waɗannan abubuwa tsarin makaman Amurka ne. Duk duniya ta san shi."
    
  Gardner ya ce, "Robot da kwamandojin masu sulke sun kasance zane-zane na gwaji kuma gwamnatin Amurka ba ta taba yin amfani da su kai tsaye ba," in ji Gardner, ta hanyar yin amfani da wani labari da shi da ma'aikatansa suka fito a daidai lokacin da suka samu kira daga mataimakin shugaban kasa Ken Phoenix daga Nala. "Suna cikin wani kamfani mai zaman kansa wanda sojojin Amurka suka ba da kwangilar samar da tsaro ga dakarunsa a Iraki."
    
  "Don haka da gaske suna aiki ga gwamnatin Amurka!"
    
  "A'a, saboda bayan abin da ya faru da jirgin ku na leken asiri, nan da nan aka dakatar da kwangilar su da gwamnati," in ji Gardner. "Sai kamfanin ya samu kwangila daga gwamnatin Iraqi. Suna aiki ne ga mutanen Iraqi lokacin da wannan lamari ya faru. A gaskiya, ban ma san dalilin da ya sa sojojin ku suka ƙare a wurin da hatsarin ya faru ba. Ba su yi fashin jirgin ba, ko?"
    
  "Na fusata da irin wannan batanci, yallabai," in ji Hirsiz. "Sojojin Turkiyya ba masu laifi ba ne. Jirgin dai na da hannu wajen kakkabo jirgin Turkiyya tare da kashe matukin jirgin na Turkiyya; Sojojin sun tsare jirgin ne kawai har sai an fara bincike a hukumance."
    
  "Na gane. Da kun bayyana manufar ku ga Iraqi da mu. Amma hakan zai yi wahala a tsakiyar mamayewa, ko ba haka ba?"
    
  "To, wannan shine shirin ku yanzu, Mr. Gardner: don barin Iraqi su dauki alhakin ayyukan Amurka?"
    
  "Mai girma shugaban kasa, sojojinka suna kan kasar Iraki, suna ta luguden bama-bamai a kauyukan Iraki, suna kashe farar hula 'yan Iraki.
    
  "Muna kai wa 'yan ta'addar PKK hari ne kawai, yallabai, 'yan ta'adda da ke kashe Turkawa da ba su ji ba su gani ba!"
    
  "Na fahimta, yallabai, kuma na yarda cewa akwai bukatar a yi wani abu game da PKK, kuma Amurka ta yi alkawarin karin taimako ga Turkiyya kan wannan. Amma ba mu amince da kai wani gagarumin farmaki na kasa a Iraki ba. Na yi muku gargaɗi game da sakamakon da ba a yi niyya ba.
    
  "Game da "yan kwangila a Nakhla: suna yi wa Iraqiwa aiki kuma ba sa ƙarƙashin ikonmu kai tsaye, amma har yanzu mu ƙawayen Iraqi ne kuma muna iya tsayawa gare ku. Amurka za ta yi farin cikin zama da Turkiyya, da gwamnatin yankin Kurdawa, da Iraki don sauƙaƙe tsagaita wuta nan take daga dukkan bangarorin, gami da 'yan kwangila; jadawalin janye sojojin; da karin tsauraran matakan tsaro a kan iyakar Iraki da Turkiyya, ciki har da masu sa ido na kasa da kasa, don hana 'yan ta'addar PKK ketarawa. Amma babu abin da zai faru yayin da sojojin Turkiyya ke aikin yaki a cikin Iraki, yallabai."
    
  "Don haka wannan wata makarkashiya ce: Amurka na amfani da wadannan robobi a kan sojojin Turkiyya, suna nuna ba su da hannu, amma sai ta ba da damar shiga tsakani a tattaunawar muddin aka tsagaita bude wuta," in ji Hirsiz a fusace. "Har yanzu Turkiyya ta zama wanda aka zalunta, an tilasta mata ba da komai, an yi watsi da su. Sannan babu wanda ya lura da lokacin da aka harbo wani jirgin Turkiyya ko kuma aka fasa wani ofishin 'yan sanda don yin ta'addanci."
    
  Gardner ya ce "Ku yarda da ni, shugaban kasa, muna son taimakawa Turkiyya." "Turkiyya tana daya daga cikin manyan kawaye da kawayen Amurka. Na fahimci fushin ku. Za mu iya aika masu sa ido, fasaha, har ma da ma'aikata don sintiri kan iyakar. Sai dai babu abin da zai faru muddin aka ci gaba da gwabzawa. Dole ne su dakatar da gaggawa kuma sojojin Turkiyya su fice daga Iraki. Babu wata hanya."
    
  "Akwai hanya daya tilo da za mu amince da masu sa ido na kasa da kasa a kan iyakarmu, Mista Gardner: dole ne gwamnatin yankin Kurdistan ta ki amincewa da PKK da duk wani shirin kafa kasa ta Kurdistan mai cin gashin kanta," in ji Hirsiz. "Dole ne KRG ta cire tutarta daga dukkan wuraren taruwar jama'a, ta kama shugabannin PKK sannan ta mika su gare mu domin yi mana shari'a, a ruguza dukkan sansanonin horar da 'yan ta'addar PKK da kuma rufe dukkanin kamfanonin da ke goyon bayan PKK."
    
  "Mai girma shugaban kasa, abin da kake tambaya ba zai yiwu ba," in ji Shugaba Gardner bayan wani lokaci na rudani. "KRG ce ke mulkin yankin Kurdawa da tsarin mulki ya ba da izini a arewacin Iraki. A iya sanina ba su taba goyon bayan PKK ba.
    
  Hirsiz ya ce, "Muddin KRG ta wanzu kuma tana kokarin raba yankinta da sauran Irakin, PKK za ta yi amfani da ta'addanci wajen kokarin cimma hakan." "Kun kuma sani cewa wasu daga cikin shugabannin KRG suna da sana"o"in da suke wawure kudade a asirce da safarar makamai da kayayyaki daga Iraki da waje zuwa Turkiyya. Da yawa, ba Turkiyya kadai ba, suna daukar PKK a matsayin reshen soja na sirri na KRG."
    
  "Wannan maganar banza ce, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Gardner. "Babu dangantaka tsakanin KRG da PKK."
    
  "Dukkansu suna son Kurdistan mai cin gashin kansa, wanda aka raba zuwa lardunan Turkiyya, Iraki, Farisa da Siriya," in ji Hirsiz a fusace. "Da alama gwamnatin yankin Kurdistan ba ta son bayyana kungiyar ta"addanci irin ta PKK, don haka suna goyon bayansu a asirce da kuma adawa da duk wani yunkuri na rufe su. Wannan zai tsaya nan da nan! KRG na iya gudanar da larduna uku na Iraqi na Dohuk, Erbil da Sulaymaniyah, amma dole ne su yi hakan ba tare da bayar da shawarar kurdistan mai cin gashin kanta ba ko kuma yunkurin fadada lardunan yamma da ke da rinjayen Turkmen. In ba haka ba, ci gaban mu ya ci gaba.
    
  Joseph Gardner ya ruga hannunsa bisa fuskarsa cikin fidda rai. "Don haka za ka yarda a yi shawarwari, ya Shugaba?"
    
  Hirsiz ya ce, "Babu wata tattaunawa har sai KRG ta amince ta daina goyon bayan kasar Kurdistan mai cin gashin kanta sannan ta amince da yin Allah wadai da kungiyar PKK tare da gurfanar da shugabanninta a gaban kuliya bisa laifukan cin zarafin bil'adama." "Idan Baghdad da Erbil ba za su iya sarrafa 'yan ta'addar PKK a Iraki ba kuma su tilasta musu su daina kashe Turkawa da ba su ji ba ba su gani ba, za mu yi aikin. Barka da rana, yallabai." Kuma ya katse wayar.
    
  Shugaban ya katse wayar. "Bai kamata a bar mutane su yi nishaɗi sosai ba," in ji shi. Ya yi magana da masu ba shi shawara a Ofishin Oval. "Shin zan gaya wa KRG ta dakatar da duk shirye-shiryen samun 'yancin kai?" Ya fizge yatsunsa. "Tabbas za mu iya yin hakan. Iyakar yanki na Iraki inda komai ya yi kyau, kuma Hirsiz yana son rufe shi. Ban mamaki".
    
  "Amma ya bude kofa don tattaunawa, yallabai," in ji shugaban ma'aikatan Walter Cordus. "Koyaushe ɗauki babban matakin kuma fatan kowa ya hadu a wani wuri a tsakiya." Shugaban ya kalle shi a gefe. "Aƙalla wannan shine farkon tattaunawar."
    
  "Ina tsammanin za ku iya kiran shi," in ji shugaban. "Ka ji duk wannan, Ken? Stacey?
    
  "Eh, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Ken Phoenix daga Nala Allied Air Base. "Rundunar sojin saman Turkiyya na kai hare-hare a yankunan arewa maso gabashin kasar Iraki, musamman a lardunan Erbil da Dohuk. Ina shakkun cewa KRG ko Bagadaza za su yi shawarwari yayin da Turkawa ke kai hari a garuruwa da kauyukansu."
    
  Sakatariyar harkokin wajen Amurka Stacy Anne Barbeau ta bayyana hakan ne daga birnin Brussels na kasar Belgium, hedikwatar kungiyar hadin kan yankin Atlantic ta Arewa, inda ta ce "NATO za ta gana da yammacin yau don tattaunawa kan wani kuduri da ke ba wa Turkiyya umarnin tsagaita wuta." "Amma an riga an mayar da kudurin zuwa neman tsagaita wuta. Turkawa na da gagarumin goyon baya a majalisar a nan - suna nuna jin dadinsu kan yadda kungiyar ta'addar PKK ke ci gaba da kai hare-hare, duk da kokarin da Turkiyya ke yi na baiwa Kurdawan da ke Turkiyya karin taimako, da karin karfin fada a ji a gwamnati da kuma takaita al'adu da addini. Ba na jin Turkiyya za ta fuskanci matsin lamba daga NATO ko Tarayyar Turai."
    
  "Ba su samu da yawa daga Majalisa ba," in ji shugaban. "Yawancin ba su fahimci batun Kurdistan gaba daya ba, amma sun fahimci ta"addanci, kuma a halin yanzu suna kallon PKK a matsayin matsala. Turkiyya za ta ci gaba da zama a Iraki kuma ra'ayin jama'a zai canza, musamman ma idan suka yi kokarin fadada rikici."
    
  "Kuma abu na ƙarshe da suke buƙata shine uzuri don ƙara tashin hankali ... wanda ya dawo da ni zuwa McLanahan," in ji Barbeau a hankali. "Menene jahannama yake yi a can, Mr. Mataimakin shugaban kasa?"
    
  "A bayyane yake zai taimaka wa Iraqis don kare Turkawa," in ji Phoenix. "Wannan aikin zuwa jirginsa da ya yi hatsarin gwaji ne don ganin abin da sojojin Turkiyya za su yi. Ba su yi komai ba sai da suka je wurin da hadarin ya faru. Turkawa suna shirin motsawa ko tarwatsa jirgin, kuma sun yi kokarin korar su."
    
  "Kuma McLahanan ya kai hari."
    
  "Ina kallon hotunan da ke fitowa daga jirgin mara matuki a kan wurin," in ji Phoenix, "kuma ina sauraron sauti kamar yadda ya faru. Sojojin McLanahan ba su kai hari ba sai da Turkawa suka yi, har ma sun yi musu gargadi na biyu bayan wani soja ya harbe kwamandan Tin Woodman. Bayan da ya fito fili cewa Turkawa za su kai wa ma"aikata hari, sai jami"an Tin da Hukumar Binciken Laifuka suka tafi aiki."
    
  "To me ya faru yanzu?"
    
  "Wasu daga cikin Turkawa da ke kewaye da Nakhla Air Base a nan an tura su kusa da wurin da hadarin ya auku," in ji Phoenix. "Dokta Masters da ma"aikatansa har yanzu suna wurin da bala"in ya afku, inda suka kwato bakaken akwatuna da na"urori masu mahimmanci. Jiragen marasa matuka na McLahanan sun gano wasu runfunan kasa da kasa na Turkiyya a kan hanya, amma suna fargabar cewa sojojin saman Turkiyya na kai hari. Turkawa sun saukar da jirage masu saukar ungulu a kusa da wurin inda suka harba turmi da dama a kan su, suna kokarin tsorata su su ja da baya."
    
  "Ka sani, ba ni da tausayi sosai ga McLanahan a yanzu," in ji Gardner. "Ya yanke shawarar sanya jelar damisar a tsakanin kafafunsa, kuma yanzu yana iya cizon jakinsa. Muna kokarin nemo hanyoyin da za a bi don dakile rikicin, sai kawai ya je ya nemo sabbin hanyoyin da za a kara ruruta wutar rikicin."
    
  "Za mu gano abin da zai faru na gaba da zarar Masters ya fara komawa nan zuwa Nala," in ji Phoenix. "Akwai kusan sojoji dari da motocin sulke shida suna jiran sa a kan titin, kuma nasan sun fusata."
    
  "Ina son mutanenmu su guji wannan," in ji shugaban. "Bai kamata Amurkawa su tsoma baki ba. Wannan shine fadan McLanahan . Idan mutanensa suka ji rauni ko aka kashe saboda shi, laifinsa ne."
    
  "Dole ne mu tuntubi firaministan Turkiyya kuma mu bukaci a daure, yallabai," in ji Phoenix. "Mutane McLanahan sun fi yawa. Ko da Tin Woodman da SID a kwance, babu yadda za a yi su bi ta sojojin Turkiyya. Turkawa za su so daukar fansa kadan."
    
  "Ina fata McLaanahan ya kasance mai wayo da ba zai yi kokarin fuskantar Turkawa ba," in ji shugaban. "Stacy, sake tuntuɓar ofishin Akas, ta bayyana halin da ake ciki kuma ku neme ta da ta tuntubi ma'aikatar tsaro domin sojojin su kame kansu."
    
  "Iya, Shugaba."
    
  "McLanahan ya shiga cikin babban lokaci," in ji shugaban, yana ci gaba da wasu batutuwa. "Abin takaici, mutanensa ne za su sha wahala saboda wannan."
    
    
  KUSA DA SANIN SARKIN SAMA NA NAKHLA, IRAQI
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  "Suna zuwa!" Charlie Turlock ya yi kururuwa. "Haba...?"
    
  "Na gane," Wayne Macomber ya amsa. Ya ajiye bindigarsa na lantarki a shirye tun lokacin da aka harba harsashi na farko a wajensu kimanin awa daya da ta wuce. Na'urar radar millimeter millimeters na Charlie Turlock da aka gina a cikin robot CID dinta ta leka sararin samaniyar da ke kusa da su tsawon mil, yana ba ta damar gano majigi da kuma aika bayanan sa ido da niyya ga kwamfutocin da Wayne ke da niyya.
    
  Ita ma Charlie Turlock tana dauke da bindigar dogo na lantarki na lantarki, amma an riga an kashe duk zagayen nata na lalata turmi, kuma an sake busa ta a lokacin da Sagger ya lalata Humvee na farko. Roka mai tsawon millimita arba'in da ke cikin fakitin nata mai yiyuwa ba su yi saurin datse harsashin turmi ba, amma bindigar dogo ta Macomber ta fi karfinta. Kawai sai ya daga bindigarsa, yana amfani da exoskeleton mai karfin kwat dinsa a matsayin dandamali don ingantacciyar manufa, kuma ya bi bayanan bin diddigin da aka yada daga CID. Ba lallai ne ya jagoranci yawancin wutar turmi ba - harsashin bindigar dogo na lantarki ya tashi sau goma da sauri fiye da harsashi daga bindigar maharbi kuma cikin sauƙi ya lalata harsashi.
    
  "Salvo!" Charlie ya yi kururuwa. "Saura huɗu suna gabatowa!"
    
  "Bastards," in ji Zipper. Wannan shi ne karon farko da suka yi harbin fiye da daya a lokaci guda. Cikin sauki ya buge su hudu, amma yanzu an sami matsala. "Ina gudu a kan harsashi-Na kasa zuwa ga mujalla ta karshe, sauran shida na hagu," in ji shi. "Zan kuma buƙaci sabbin batir don bindigar da na kaina."
    
  Daya daga cikin masu fasahar ya ruga ya haura sauran Humvee, ya yi bincike na dan wani lokaci, sannan ya ruga zuwa Macomber. "Babu sauran sabbin batura da suka rage," in ji shi. "Dole ne mu haɗa ku."
    
  "Mai girma," in ji Zipper. Ma'aikacin ya cire haɗin igiyar wutar lantarki daga ɗakin ajiyar da ke bayan kwat ɗin Macomber, ya mayar da ita zuwa ga Humvee, sannan ya toshe ta cikin tashar wutar lantarki. "Charlie, za ku yi ƙoƙarin kutsawa wasu ƙarin harsasai. Zan ƙara ƙarfin ƙarfina kafin mu fara motsawa. Ina da isasshen caji a bindiga ta don harba sauran zagayen da suka rage."
    
  "Na samu," Charlie ya amsa. "Ban ga ko daya daga cikin wadannan harsashi sun fashe ba kuma hanyar da aka yi hasashen ta nuna cewa sun yi kewar mu. Wataƙila ba harsashi ba ne. Suna jefa su ciki don su ga abin da za mu yi."
    
  "Mun yi farin ciki da muna ba su wasu nishaɗi," in ji Zipper. "Za ku iya gano wurin da aka kai harin?"
    
  "Tuni nayi. Ba su kalle shi ba. Zan iya lalata su idan kuna so, ko kuma in jefa musu rokar gas."
    
  "Ba na son wadannan mutanen su yi fushi har yanzu, kuma muna bukatar mu kiyaye ammonmu," in ji Zipper.
    
  "Akwai wani jirgi mai saukar ungulu yana zuwa, mutane," in ji Patrick McLaanahan rediyo. "A wannan karon daga Turkiyya, saurin ya fi girma. Watakila wannan jirgin yaki ne. A cikin kamar minti goma."
    
  "An yarda," Wayne Macomber ya amsa. "Ok, Doc, lokaci don shirya."
    
  "Patrick yace minti goma? zan dauka".
    
  "A'a, saboda a cikin minti goma za mu kasance cikin kewayon makamai masu linzami da helikwafta zai iya ɗauka, sannan kuma zai yi latti," in ji Zipper.
    
  "Lafiya," John ya fada cikin bacin rai. "Mun sami radar Laser da na"urorin sadarwar tauraron dan adam. Ina ganin ya kamata wannan ya isa. Abubuwa da yawa ga Humvee ɗaya; dole ne mu sanya shi duka a cikin tirela. "
    
  Ba a dauki lokaci mai tsawo ba kungiyar ta tattara kayansu. Zipper ya yi gaba yana rik'e da bindigar dogo a sama domin duk sojojin Turkiyya su gan shi. Charlie ta dauki jakarta ta baya a hannunta na hagu mai sulke da bindigar dogo na lantarki da ta sauke a hannun dama, tana fatan ganin hakan na iya tsoratar da wasu Turkawa. Dukkan injiniyoyin an tattara su a cikin Humvee mai rai, kuma duk kayan aikinsu, kayan aikinsu, da akwatunan da aka kwato suna cikin tirelar.
    
  "Yau yaushe taimakon mu zai iso General?" - Zipper ya tambaya akan amintaccen tashar umarni.
    
  "Suna kama da suna canza tsari, Zipper," in ji Patrick. "Yi ƙoƙarin tsayawa har tsawon lokacin da zai yiwu."
    
  "Wannan helikwafta fa?"
    
  "Kara minti biyu."
    
  "Wadannan lambobin ba su yi daidai ba, Janar," in ji Zipper a cikin duhu. A tashar kwamandojin Turkiyya ya samu, ya ce, "Saurara, Kyaftin Evren. Mu fita. Bama so muyi rigima da ku. Za mu mayar da kayan mu tushe. Yi hanya."
    
  "A'a, Amirkawa," in ji Evren bayan ɗan lokaci, muryarsa ta nuna mamakin cewa na'urar mutum-mutumi na amfani da tashar rediyon sa. "Za a tsare ku kuma za a kwace wannan kayan aikin. Kun kai hari kan membobin rukunina da ni kaina. Don haka dole ne a hukunta ku.
    
  Tasirin ya dakatar da ayarin motocin. "Kyaftin, ka saurare ni da kyau," in ji shi. "Kun san abin da za mu iya yi. Abin da ƙila ba za ku sani ba shi ne cewa akwai jirgin mara matuƙi yana kewaya sama. Idan ba ku yarda da ni ba, duba sama." A wannan lokaci, Patrick ya rufe kuma ya sake kunna injin AGM-177 Wolverine da yake ajiyewa a cikin kewayen yankin, yana haifar da yanayin hayaki mai launin ruwan kasa ya zama bayyane na dakika da yawa. "Wannan wani hari ne maras matuki, kuma zai iya lalata dukkan makamanku da mutanen ku da bama-bamai masu jagora. Zan ba da umarnin gadar sama sama da wurarenku kafin mu matsa zuwa can, kuma idan an gama haka za mu kula da duk wanda ke tsaye. Yanzu ka koma gefe."
    
  "Ina da oda, Ba'amurke," in ji Evren. "Za ku ajiye makaman ku, ku kashe wutar lantarki ga robobin da jirgin mara matuki, sannan ku mika wuya. Idan ba ku yi ba, za mu kai hari."
    
  "Akwai ID na wannan helikwafta mai shigowa, Zipper," in ji Charlie. "Jikin Yaki" Cobra". Ƙarin ragi a cikin Amurka. Ban ga makaminsa ba, amma na yi amanna cewa an yi lodin beyar.
    
  "Dama ta ƙarshe, kyaftin," in ji Zipper. "In ba haka ba za mu fara harbi. Matsa gefe".
    
  "Ba zan yi ba. Mika wuya ko a kashe shi. Idan baku lura ba, muna da namu tallafin iska. Bai kai girman jirgin ku mara matuki ba, amma ina tabbatar muku, yana da kisa. Bayan ya kai hari, ba abin da zai saura daga gare ku, kamar yadda kuka ce, muna bukatar kulawa. "
    
  "Zan fara lalata wannan Cobra, Charlie," in ji Zipper. "Ku kalli bayana - tabbas za su bude wuta lokacin -"
    
  Nan da nan Charlie ya yi ihu, "harba roka!"
    
  "Daga ina, Charlie?"
    
  "Bayan mu!" Kawai sai sukaji wata babbar BANG! Zipper da Charlie sun juya a dai-dai lokacin don ganin wani karkataccen farin hayaki ya harba ya bugi Cobra. Jirgin mai saukar ungulu ya fara birgima sosai zuwa hannun dama, da alama yana tangal-tangal, sannan ya fara jujjuyawar juzu'i zuwa kasa har sai da ya fado kasa cikin wani hadari mai wuya amma mai tsira.
    
  "A daina harbi! Kar a bude wuta!" An ji kukan Zipper a tashar kwamandojin Turkiyya. A tasharsu ta daban, ya yi rediyo: "Ina fata kai ne, Jaffar."
    
  "Eh, Macomber," Kanar Yusuf Jaffar ya mayar da martani ta wata tashar kwamandoji ta daban. Bataliyarsa ta arewa ta harbo wani jirgin ruwan Cobra da makami mai linzami Stinger mai kafada. "Kayi hakuri mun makara, amma ina tsammanin ka zo da wuri. Ba komai. Duk muna nan kuma a shirye muke mu yaki Turkawa."
    
  "Ina fata babu wanda ya kai hari a nan," in ji Zipper. Ya bai wa Jaffar mitar kamfanin na Turkiyya, sannan ya ce a wannan tashar: "An harbo jirgin ruwan Cobra da makami mai linzami na Iraqi, Captain Evren," in ji shi. "Rundunar Nakhla ta Iraki tana ci gaba zuwa wannan matsayi." A wannan lokacin yana iya ganin yadda sojojin Turkiyya na hannun dama suka fara yin kaca-kaca da sata; da alama sun sami wakilci na gani na bataliyar arewa. "Captain Evren?"
    
  Bayan ɗan dakata na ɗan ɗan lokaci kaɗan: "Ee, Ba'amurke."
    
  Wak ya ce, "Ba ni ne shugaban sojojin Iraki ba, kuma kun mamaye kasarsu, amma sojojina ba za su kai hari ba sai an fara kai mana hari." Ina rokon Kanar Jaffar da kada ya kai hari. Yana sauraren saurare. Zai raka tawagara zuwa Nala Air Base. Ina kira ga kowa da kowa ya nutsu kada ya ja da baya. Kyaftin, idan kana so ka aika tawaga don duba Cobra da aka rushe, zaka iya yin haka. Kanar Jaffar, hakan zai zama karbuwa?"
    
  "Hakan zai zama karbuwa," Jaffar ya amsa.
    
  "Lafiya. Captain, muna ƙaura. Yi hanya kowa ya nutsu."
    
  Ya kasance abin burgewa sosai. A yayin da suka ja daga babban titin da ke arewacin Nala, Tin Man da kuma na"urar mutum-mutumi, a yanzu dauke da bindigogin dogo a kafadarsu, suka tuka motar Humvee, suna jan tirela mai cike da sassa da kayan aiki, ta haye wani fili. An jera dakarun Turkiyya a bangarorin biyu na babbar hanyar a gabansu. Cikakkun bataliyar sojojin sojojin Irakin na ci gaba da tahowa daga arewa maso yammacin kasar, kuma wata bataliya ta Irakin tana gaba a kan babbar hanyar arewa maso gabashin sansanin. Dukkansu sun hadu ne a mahadar manyan hanyoyi guda biyu.
    
  Wayne ya sami Kyaftin Evren a gefen babbar hanya, ya tsaya ya gaishe shi. Kyaftin ya koma gaisawa, amma ya zuba ido kan sashin CID mai kafa goma yana tafe da shi, shi ma ya yi sallama. "Ya Allah...!"
    
  "Charlie Turlock, Kyaftin Evren," in ji Charlie, yana mika babban hannun sulke bayan ya sauke gaisuwar. "Lafiya kuwa? Na gode da rashin harbi."
    
  Evren ya cika da mamaki saboda sassaucin na'urar da kuma motsi na zahiri. Ya ɗauki dogon lokaci, lokaci mai ban sha'awa don ɗaukar hannun robot ɗin ya girgiza shi. "Na"ura ce, amma tana motsi kamar mutum...!"
    
  "Mace, idan ba ku damu ba," in ji Charlie.
    
  Kanar Jaffar ya iso bayan 'yan mintuna. Evren ya yi sallama, amma Jaffar bai mayar da ita ba. "To, kai ne ke jagorantar wannan kamfani, Turk?"
    
  "Iya sir. Captain Evren, Kamfanin Saya, Sashen Tsaro na 41 -
    
  "Ban damu da kai ko wane bangare kake ba, Turk," in ji Jafar. "Abin da nake damu shine idan kun dawo gida ku bar ƙasata ni kaɗai."
    
  "Ya danganta da lokacin da Iraki ta daina ba da kariya ga masu kashe Kurdawa wadanda ke tuka motocin bama-bamai a cikin gine-ginen 'yan sanda kuma suna kashe Turkawa marasa laifi, yallabai!"
    
  "Ban zo nan ne don sauraron ra"ayoyin ku na siyasa ba, Turkawa! Ina bukatan sanin lokacin da zaku fitar da barayinku daga kasata!"
    
  Zipper ya dubi Charlie. Ba ta buƙatar motsi da yawa, amma mutum-mutumi mai ƙafa goma kawai yana ɗaga hannayensa masu sulke don mika wuya ya isa ya dauki hankalin kowa. "Ba za mu iya zama duka ba?" - Ta ce. Ta danne hannayenta zuwa kumatunta. "Darling, don Allah?" Ganin wata katuwar robobin yaki da take yi kamar wata yar makaranta mai kunya ta sa hatta kanar Jaffar mai bakin ciki dariya, sannan daruruwan sojoji na Turkiyya da Iraqi suka shiga cikin dariyar.
    
  "Wannan ba lokaci ba ne ko wurin yin jayayya, mutane," in ji Zipper. "Me ya sa ba za mu mayar da wannan tushe ba? Idan ban yi kuskure ba, kusan lokacin abincin rana ya yi. Me ya sa ba za mu zauna, mu ci abin ciye-ciye ba, mu sauke lodi?"
    
    
  ERBIL, IRAQ
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  "Ina tsinewar iska ta?" Janar Besir Ozek ya yi ihu. "Sun yi latti minti goma!" Ya fizge makirufo daga hannun jami'in sadarwa. "Resim, wannan shine Sicansky. Ya fi kyau squadron ku ya kama ko zan dawo can in buge jakinki!"
    
  Ozek yana cikin kokfitin mota kirar ACV-300 da ke cikin hedkwatar kamfanin sashe na uku, wanda ya yi galaba a gabashin Iraki. An umurci sojojin Ozek da su ci gaba har zuwa filin jirgin saman Erbil da ke arewa maso yammacin kasar, su kame shi don sake samar da kayayyaki da kuma katse kasuwanci da babban birnin Kurdistan tare da rikewa, amma ya umurci wata bataliyar sojojin da ke kanikanci da su wuce zuwa bayan birnin.
    
  Rundunar bataliya ta kafa wani shingen tsaro a wani katafaren yanki da aka share daga tsoffin gine-gine domin samar da sabbin gidaje masu tsayi, arewa maso yammacin birnin kanta. Yana iya gani a kusa da shi a fili duk wata alama ta mayar da martani daga Peshmerga, PKK, sojojin Iraki na yau da kullun ko Amurkawa; Ya zuwa yanzu, babu ɗaya daga cikin waɗannan ƙungiyoyin gwagwarmaya da gaske da ya yi wa sojojinsa barazana, amma yana da kyau a zauna lafiya fiye da nadama. Peshmerga sune babbar barazana. Rahotanni sun banbanta kan girman jirgin na Peshmerga, amma ko da alkaluman da suka fi dacewa sun nuna sun ninka girman sassan hudun da Ozek ya umarta, kuma suna da "yan motoci masu sulke.
    
  Kuma an samu rahotannin samun karuwar turjiya a Iraki. Kamar berayen masu biyayya, ba shakka, PKK ta kasance a ɓoye sosai, amma Amurkawa sun fara zama marasa natsuwa, kuma ƙungiyoyin Iraqi waɗanda suka ɓace a asirce tun kafin fara mamayewa. Ozek dai ya ji rahotanni da dama na tuntubar sojojin Amurka da na Iraqi a kusa da birnin Mosul, sai dai kawo yanzu babu wani cikakken bayani kan asarar rayuka.
    
  Ozek ya zabi yankin ne saboda wasu dalilai: Arewacin Sami Abdul Rahman Park, wurin shakatawa ne na wani jami'in gwamnatin yankin Kurdistan da aka kashe kuma mai goyon bayan PKK; Ya kuma kasance a cikin kewayon turmi na ginin majalisar dokokin yankin na Kurdistan, don haka ya kamata 'yan siyasan Kurdawa su kalli yadda sojojinsa ke ci gaba da tunkaro garinsu.
    
  Ozek ya fito daga motar kwamandan rundunar ya yi ihu: "Major!" Wani dan karamin sojan kasa ne mai kamanni da sauri ya nufo shi. "Watsa shirye-shiryenmu ya makara, don haka za ku dakata na wasu 'yan mintuna."
    
  "Mun bugi kowace manufa a jerin sunayen, yallabai," in ji kwamandan bataliyar. "Mun sake kai hari kan manyan goma a jerin."
    
  Ozek ya ciro wata takarda daga jakarsa. "Na yi sabon lissafi. Ma'aikatar tsaro tana magana ne game da kai hari a kan kasuwanci a Erbil da ke goyon bayan 'yan ta'addar PKK... To, har sai da suka ba ni izini a hukumance, na gano wasu tarin su da kaina. Waɗannan su ne adireshinsu. Nemo su akan taswira ku jefa su."
    
  Major ya nazarci lissafin sai ya zaro ido da mamaki. "Eh, yallabai, wannan adireshin yana cikin Citadel."
    
  "Na san hakan," in ji Ozek. "Wannan kasuwa ce da ke da shaguna mallakin wasu samarin da muka riga muka kai hari. Don me za a bar su?"
    
  "Amma wannan yana cikin Citadel, sir," Major ya maimaita. Erbil Citadel wani tsohon katangar dutse ne a tsakiyar birnin da ke kewaye da rugujewar tarihi na asalin birnin, wanda ya kasance a shekara ta 2300 BC. Ko da yake jama'a da yawa sun mamaye birnin a tsawon ƙarni, amma ana ɗaukar Katadel wuri mai tsarki ga dukansu, kuma wasu sassansa sun kasance shekaru dubu. "Idan muka buga wuraren archaeological fa?"
    
  "Ban damu da ƴan bukkoki na adobe da kuma hanyoyin mota ba," in ji Ozek. "Zan iya dubawa na ga tutar Kurdistan tana daga cikin wannan wuri, don haka na san PKK na boye a can. Ina so a lalata waɗannan shagunan. A yi".
    
  "Tare da dukkan girmamawa, yallabai," in ji Major, "manufarmu ita ce kawar da PKK. Suna iya gudu su ɓuya a cikin birane, amma ba sa zama a Erbil. Sashen mu na leken asiri da na muggan laifuka sun gaya mana cewa Peshmerga na biye da mu, amma ba su kuskura su yi tuntube ba. Kada mu ba su dalilin yin haka. Mun riga mun yi luguden wuta a cikin birnin; tashin bam na Citadel na iya zama bambaro na ƙarshe."
    
  "Na fahimci cewa kuna tsoron Peshmerga, Manjo," in ji Ozek. "A lokacin aiki na, na ci karo da su fiye da sau daya a yankunan kan iyaka. Suna da kyau a cikin tsaunika da bayansa, kuma amma ba komai ba ne face "yan jam"iyya madaukaka. Ba za su kai hari ga rukunin sojoji na yau da kullun ba a harin gaba. Ba su taba yin yaki kamar kowa ba face masu tilasta kabilanci. Suna iya yin fada da juna kamar mu. A gaskiya, zan yi marhabin da damar da aka ba mu na tilasta wa wasu bataliyoyinsu su yi yaƙi tare da mu - mu lalata wasu kaɗan daga cikin jajirtattun rundunansu, kuma dukan ƙungiyar Kurdistan za su iya taruwa gaba ɗaya. "
    
  "Eh, yallabai," in ji Major, "amma zan iya ba da shawarar cewa mu saki hayaki kawai a cikin Citadel? Kun san yadda wasu ke girmama wannan wuri, musamman a yankin Kurdawa. Su-"
    
  "Bana buƙatar darasin tarihi daga gare ku, Major," Ozek ya ɗauka. "Fara yin wannan jerin nan take. Hanyoyi iri ɗaya kamar da: hayaki don tarwatsa mazauna da alama don daidaito, abubuwan fashewa don saukar da rufin, da farin phosphorus don ƙone wurin zuwa ƙasa. Ci gaba da shi."
    
  Da ya sallami kwamandan bindigu da hannu, sai wani soja ya rugo da gudu ya yi sallama. "Rundunar bindiga tana motsawa zuwa matsayi, yallabai."
    
  "A mafi yawan lokuta." Ya koma motar kwamanda ya dauki makirufo na rediyo. "Canja Daya-Takwas, Sikan Daya kenan, yaya kuke karantawa?"
    
  "Mai ƙarfi da ƙarfi, Sikan," in ji matukin jirgin sama na AC-130H Specter harin helikwafta. "Minti daya muka iso tashar."
    
  "Nuna min Tango lamba daya," in ji Ozek. Mai saka idanu na talabijin ya rayu, yana nuna hotunan firikwensin da aka watsa daga jirgin. Ya nuna madaidaicin kusurwa na kudancin Erbil, kimanin yadi ɗari takwas kudu da Citadel. Ma'aikacin firikwensin ya canza zuwa kunkuntar filin kallo kuma ya zuga kan Erbil Bazaar daga sama. Ya bi babbar titin kudu ta gefen kasuwar har ya tsallaka babban titi, sannan ya fara kirga gine-gine yana ci gaba da kudu. "Kudancin gidan burodi, arewacin ginin gida ... Wannan shi ne," in ji Ozek. Ma"aikacin na"ura mai kwakwalwa ya kwace hedikwatar bankin Masari na Kurdistan, daya daga cikin manya-manyan bankuna a arewacin Iraki... kuma ya shahara wajen tallafa wa kungiyar ta"adda ta PKK ta hanyar safarar kudade, musayar kudade da kuma karbar kudade a duniya.
    
  "Resim a kulle kuma a shirye, Sikan," in ji matukin jirgin. Jirgin AC-130 ya shiga kewayawa na hagu a kusa da abin da aka yi niyya, tare da nunin bayanan da aka dora a gefe da kuma tsarin saukowa na kayan aiki kamar kibiyoyi masu sarrafawa suna nuna ainihin inda jirgin zai sanya jirgin.
    
  "Ci gaba," in ji Ozek, sannan ya fito daga motar umarni ya kalli kudu maso gabas. Wannan ne karon farko da ya ga harin AC-130 da kansa...
    
  ...sai ya dan ji takaici. Yawancin hare-haren AC-130 suna faruwa ne cikin duhu, lokacin da walƙiyar igwa na 40mm na jirgin sama da 105mm howitzer ya haskaka dare kamar ba wani abu ba. Sai yaga harsashi ya buga, wani hayaki ya tashi sama kafin ya ji wani daki! game da bindigar da fashewar da ke ƙasa, kuma ya yi nadama ba tare da tsayawa don kallon abin da aka buga akan allon ba - dole ne ya jira sake kunna bidiyo.
    
  Ya koma cikin motar umarni ya kalli hoton firikwensin. Har yanzu hayakin ya rufe ido sosai, amma ginin bankin ya ruguje, haka ma wasu sassan gidan biredi da ginin da ke gefen bankin. Daidaiton wannan jirgin ruwan yaki yana da ban mamaki - an harba harbi daga tsayin sama da ƙafa dubu ashirin!
    
  "Ya yi kama da harbi mai kyau, Resim," in ji Ozek. "Babu alamun amsawar anti-jirgin sama. Idan kuna shirye don zuwa, muna da ƴan buƙatu kaɗan a jerin. Za mu harba harsashi da dama daga inda muke zuwa arewacin birnin; kada su damu da kai. Bari mu kalli Tango biyu."
    
    
  OFFICE OF SHUGABAN KASA, PALACE, ANKARA, JAMHURIYAR TURKIYA.
  BAYAN WATAN MARAR
    
    
  "Wannan shine karo na farko da rundunar sojin Iraki," in ji ministan tsaron kasar Hasan Cizek yayin da ya shiga ofishin shugaban kasar Kurzat Hirsiz. "Rahoto daga Tall Qayfa, arewacin Mosul. Sojojin da ke Nala sun sake bayyana tare da mamaye sansaninsu."
    
  "Ko akwai wata tuntuba da dakarun mu?" Hirsiz ya tambaya.
    
  "Iya sir. Matukin jirgi mai saukar ungulu da ma"aikacin jirgin sun ji rauni lokacin da wani makami mai linzami na Iraqi mai daukar mutum ya harbo jirginsa."
    
  Hirsiz ya jira, amma abin da Jizek zai iya fada ke nan. "Kuma duk? Akwai sauran wadanda abin ya shafa? 'Yan Iraqi fa?"
    
  "Babu asarar rai, sir."
    
  "Me suke yi, suna jifan juna balloons na ruwa? Me kuke nufi, ba a samu asarar rayuka ba?
    
  "Ba su yi yaƙi ba, yallabai," in ji Jizek. "Rundunar mu ta ba wa 'yan Iraki da injiniyoyin Amurka da ke cikin jirgin leken asiri su koma sansanin jiragen sama na Nakhla."
    
  "Shin sun bari sun dawo ne? Amurkawa kuma? Na ba da umarnin tarwatsa wannan jirgi a mayar da shi Turkiyya! Shin an bar Amurkawa su koma sansaninsu da sassan jirgin?"
    
  "Kwamandan runduna na gab da hana su, amma kwamandojin masu sulke da robot sun yi barazanar ramuwar gayya da makamansu da kuma wani jirgi mara matuki da ke kewayawa. Daga nan sai dakarun Iraqi suka iso. Kwamandan sashin ya ga ya fi shi yawa sai ya yanke shawarar ba zai shiga ba. Iraqi da Amurka kuma ba su shiga fada ba. Sun shiga sansanin ne kuma sashin tsaro ya koma bakin aikinsu."
    
  Haushin Hirsiz ya ji na rashin bin umarninsa da sauri ya kau. "Wataƙila shawara ce mai kyau daga ɓangaren kwamandan," in ji shi. "Aika 'da kyau' zuwa rukunin iyayensa."
    
  "Sashen mu a can ya ba da rahoton cewa Amurkawa sun harba wani jirgin yaki mara matuki don tallafawa cikakken bincikensu na jirgin," in ji Jizek. "Shugaban jami"an tsaro masu zaman kansu na Amurka, McLaanahan, ya bayyana cewa jirgin ne mai cin dogon zango da zai iya harba nau"ukan sahihanci da alburusai da dama. A bayyane yake an isar da shi a cikin jirgin Boeing 767 da ya tsallake rijiya da baya."
    
  "McLanahan. Iya," in ji Jizek. "Shi ne kashin daji a duk wannan. Ka tuna, ya ba da umarnin wani rukunin bama-bamai na ci gaba a cikin rundunar sojojin saman Amurka, kuma an san shi da wasu kyawawan ayyuka masu ban tsoro da nasara - da yawa daga cikinsu an yi su ne ba tare da takunkumin hukuma ba, idan za mu iya gaskata masu fafutukar yada labaran Amurka. Yanzu ga alama yana aiki ne da Iraqi. Zan ɗauka cewa idan ya ce yana da makami mai linzami na cruise, to yana yi, kuma mai yiwuwa fiye da ɗaya. Abin tambaya a nan shi ne: a matsayin kayan aikin Iraqi a yanzu, shin zai yi amfani da ita a kanmu?
    
  "Ina fata ba za mu taba ganowa ba," in ji Jizek. "Duk da haka, ina so in kalli wannan jirgin leken asiri. Sakataren Harkokin Wajen Amurka ya ce jirgin namu ya nakasa ne ta hanyar na"urar kariya ta Laser, ba da makami ba. Dole ne ya zama laser mai ƙarfi. Idan za mu iya duba wannan tsarin mu sake gina shi, da mun yi shekaru da yawa a gaban yawancin sojojin Turai da na gabas ta tsakiya."
    
  "Na yarda," in ji Hirsiz. "Sake gwada dawo da wannan jirgin zuwa Turkiyya. Isar da dakaru da yawa ta hanyar helikwafta a daren yau. Aika gaba dayan Rukunin Farko idan ya cancanta. Da alama ba su da wata matsala a fannin aikinsu; Na damu da yankunan Kurdawa, ba na Larabawa ba."
    
  "Amma menene game da Brigade Nakhla na Iraqi?"
    
  "Bari mu ga ko suna son yin kasadar yin fada kan wani jirgin Amurka," in ji Hirsiz. "Ina tsammanin za su iya yin tunani sau biyu. Wataƙila mu yi hulɗa da wani mutum-mutumi na Amurka da wani kwamando mai sulke, amma nawa ne daga cikin waɗannan abubuwa za su iya samu? Bari mu gano. Ina ganin jirgin da fasaharsa za su yi amfani da shi."
    
  "Muna da ƙarin bayani game da mutum-mutumi da kuma kwamandojin masu sulke; Ba za mu yi mamaki ba kamar yadda ƙaramin rukuninmu ya yi, kuma za mu sa ido a kan jirgin da ake zaton ba sa kai hari ba," in ji Jizek. Mataimakin ya ruga da sakon ya ba shi. "Na sami damar samun cikakkun bayanai game da jirgin, XC-57," in ji shi yayin da yake karantawa. "Ya shiga gasar fashewar bama-bamai na gaba amma ba a zaba ba, don haka an sake yin shi cikin ... lanet olsun!" - ya rantse.
    
  "Me?"
    
  "Brgede 3rd sun harba Erbil," in ji Jizek, cikin mamaki. Hirsiz bai mayar da martani ba. Ya ci gaba da cewa "Janar Ozek, da kansa ke jagorantar bataliyar turmi, ya koma wajen birnin Erbil, kasa da mil mil daya daga ginin majalisar Kurdistan, ya fara luguden wuta a birnin da turmi." "Ya harba harsashi a Citadel, tsohuwar tsakiyar birnin. Don maƙasudin da bai iya kai wa da turmi ba, sai ya kira a cikin jirgin AC-130 kuma ya lalata wurare da yawa a kudancin birnin da babbar harbi daga sama!"
    
  Maimakon fushi ko mamaki Hirsiz yayi murmushi ya jingina da kujera. "To, yana kama da kwarangwal ɗinmu mai fuskar kwarangwal ya yanke shawarar buge mana Erbil," in ji shi.
    
  "Amma ta yaya-" Jizek ya dakata, cikin damuwa ya haye fuskarsa. "Jerin da aka tsara na hari da Hukumar Leken Asiri ta zana...?"
    
  "Na ba Ozek," in ji Hirsiz. "Ya yi daidai abin da nake fata zai yi." Nunin damuwa a fuskar Jizek ya ba da hanya ga ɗaya daga cikin rashin imani. "Kwamitin sulhu bai yanke shawarar ko za mu kara ruruta wutar rikici ta hanyar kai hari a babban birnin gwamnatin yankin Kurdistan ba; Ozek ya yi mana."
    
  "Wannan lamari ne mai tsanani, yallabai," in ji Jizek. "Erbil birni ne mai yawan jama"a miliyan ɗaya. Ko da a lokacin da ake amfani da madaidaicin wutar lantarki, wanda babu shakka turmi ba safai ba, za a cutar da fararen hula marasa laifi. Kuma babban abin da ke kan waɗancan AC-130 na iya lalata ginin gaba ɗaya da harbi ɗaya!"
    
  Hirsiz ya ce "'yan fararen hula da suka jikkata za su taimaka mana kawai." "Wannan yakin ya yi sauki sosai, ba ya da amfani. 'Yan ta'addar PKK da sojojin Iraki suna gudu suna fakewa, 'yan Peshmerga ba su isa ba, Amurkawa na kulle kofofin sansaninsu, al'ummar Iraki suna kunna talabijin suna kallon yadda muke tuki a kan titunansu. Wannan ba yaki ba ne, faretin fare-fare ne...har zuwa yanzu." Sai wani yanayi na damuwa ya bayyana a fuskarsa. "Ozek bai kai hari ga wasu makarantu ko asibitoci ba, ko?"
    
  Dzizek ya nemi ƙarin ingantattun jerin abubuwan da aka kaiwa hari kuma ya karɓi su bayan ƴan mintuna kaɗan. "Bankin Kurdawa...wani karamin cibiyar kasuwanci...wasu shaguna a cikin Citadel...wani wurin shakatawa... Turmi daya ma ya sauka kusa da ginin majalisar a wurin ajiye motoci, kusa da ya karya tagogi da yawa- "
    
  "Yana cikin jerin - filin ajiye motoci na wani dan siyasa mai goyon bayan PKK," in ji Hirsiz. "Ya bi lissafin zuwa wasiƙar ta ƙarshe. Buge Kagara... Ra'ayinsa ne, amma ya aro ra'ayin daga wannan jerin. Na tabbata cewa wannan kantin sayar da shi ne wanda ya mallaki sauran shagunan da ke cikin birni a cikin jerin. Ozek yana da ban tsoro kuma ɗan hauka ne, amma yana koya da sauri."
    
  "Kwamitin sulhun bai yanke shawara kan harin da aka kaiwa Erbil ba saboda muna so mu fara ganin matakin da duniya za ta dauka game da harin," in ji Jizek. "Ya zuwa yanzu martanin ya kwanta sosai... Abin mamaki ya natsu. An samu "yan kukan bacin rai, galibi daga kungiyoyin musulmi masu fafutuka da kuma kungiyoyin kare hakkin bil"adama. Yarda da abin da muke yi ne a hankali. Amma yanzu mun kai hari kai tsaye ga mutanen Iraki, Kurdawa. Ya kamata ku sami amincewar Majalisar Tsaro kafin ba da irin wannan umarni, Kurzat!"
    
  "Ban yi odar komai ba, Hasan," in ji Hirsiz. Ministan tsaron kasa ya duba bai gamsu ba. "Kada ku yarda da ni idan kuna so, amma ban umarci Ozek ya harba Erbil ba. Na ba shi lissafin, shi ke nan. Amma na san hakan ba zai yi takaici ba." Ya kalli agogon hannunsa. "Ina tsammanin ya kamata in kira Washington in bayyana musu komai."
    
  "Shin za ku gaya musu cewa wani janar na 'yan fashi ne ya kai wadannan hare-haren?"
    
  "Zan gaya musu ainihin abin da ya faru: mun tattauna kai hari kan kasuwanci da kungiyoyi da aka sani da abokantaka da PKK, kuma daya daga cikin kwamandojin mu ya dauki alhakin yin hakan." Hirsiz ya daga hannu yana kallon abin mamaki na Jizek ya kunna taba. "Bayan haka, ku da sauran "yan majalisar a yanzu ma kuna da damar musan komai. Idan har hakan bai tilastawa Amurkawa da Iraqi su kawo mana agaji ba, za ku iya zargi ni da Ozek." Ya sake zama da gaske. "Tabbatar Ozek ya dawo filin jirgin. Idan muka yi masa kwarin guiwa da yawa, tabbas zai yi kokarin ya mallaki birnin gaba daya.
    
  "I, sir," in ji Jizek. "Kuma za mu aika kashi na biyu a kan wadannan jiragen saman Amurka."
    
  "Mai kyau sosai". Hirsiz ya dauki wayar. "Zan kira Gardner in saita mataki tare da shi kuma in sa shi magana game da harin da aka kai Erbil."
    
    
  CIBIYAR UMURNI DA SARKI, ALLIED AIR BASE NAKHLA, IRAQI
  BAYAN WATAN MARAR
    
    
  "Kawai ya tashi daga wayar tare da Shugaban kasa," in ji Mataimakin Shugaban kasa Ken Phoenix yayin da yake shiga cikin Tafki. Kanar Jack Wilhelm ya zauna a teburinsa da ke gaban dakin manyan ma"aikata, amma kusa da shi, a cikin kujerar kwamandan, Kanar Yusuf Jaffar ne. Tankin ya cika da cunkoson jama'a domin duka Ba'amurke da wani dan Iraqi a yanzu suna zaune a kowane na'ura mai kula da yakin da ke dakin. Haka kuma a cikin dakin akwai Patrick McLanahan, Wayne Macomber da John Masters. "Ya yi magana da shugaban Turkiyya Hirsiz da shugaban Iraki Rashid.
    
  "Da farko, ya so in yaba maka don "aikin da aka yi da kyau" don ayyukanka a yau. Ya ce duk da yake bai yi tunanin hadarin ya cancanci hakan ba, amma ya gode muku duka don nuna kamun kai da jajircewa. Halin fashewa ne kuma kun kula da shi da kyau."
    
  "Na kuma yi magana da Shugaba Rashid," in ji Jaffar, "kuma yana so in isar da irin wannan tunanin ga kowa."
    
  "Na gode Kanar. Duk da haka, har yanzu muna da halin da ake ciki. Turkiyya na son samun damar shiga tarkacen jirgin na XC-57 don tattara shaidun shari'ar da ake yi wa Scion Aviation International. Suna neman izini ga masana su bincika jirgin, ciki har da abin da kuka cire daga cikin jirgin, Dokta Masters."
    
  "Wannan abu an rarraba shi ne kuma na mallaka, Mista Mataimakin Shugaban kasa," in ji John. "Ba wa Turkawa damar yin karatu yana ba su damar juyar da aikin injiniya. Shi ya sa muka yi kasada da rayukanmu wajen fitar da wannan kayan daga can! Ba su damu da karar ba - kawai suna son fasaha ta. Babu wata hanya da zan bar Turkawa su sami ƙazanta ta hannunsu akan wannan! "
    
  "Wataƙila ba ku da wani zaɓi, Dr. Masters," in ji Phoenix. "A lokacin harin, Scion dan kwangilar gwamnatin Amurka ne. Gwamnati na iya samun dama ta umarce ku da ku dawo da kayan aikin."
    
  "Ni ba lauya ba ne, yallabai, kuma ba na son su musamman, amma na san rundunarsu duka," in ji John. "Zan bar su su rike."
    
  "Na fi damuwa da abin da Turkawa za su yi, Mista Mataimakin Shugaban kasa," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Na tabbata za su je Kotun Duniya ko NATO, watakila Kotun Admiralty ta kasa da kasa, za su gabatar da laifuffuka da kuma kokarin tilasta ku -"
    
  "A"a yallabai, ba gwaji nake nufi ba. Ina nufin me sojojin Turkiyya za su yi?
    
  "Me kike nufi?"
    
  "Yallabai, kana tsammanin sojojin Turkiyya za su manta da duk abin da ya faru a nan yau?" Patrick ya amsa. "Suna da sojoji dubu ashirin da suka warwatse tsakanin kan iyaka da Mosul, da kuma sojoji dubu hamsin a cikin tattakin kwana guda na nan. Wannan shi ne kashi na farko da suka sha a farmakin da suka kai a Iraki. Ina ganin John ya yi gaskiya: suna son tsarin da ke cikin wannan jirgin, kuma ina tsammanin za su dawo su dauke shi."
    
  "Ba za su yi kuskure ba!" - Jafar ya ce. "Wannan ba kasarsu ba ce, wannan tawa ce. Ba za su yi yadda suke so ba!"
    
  "Muna ƙoƙarin hana wannan rikici ya ta'azzara, Colonel," in ji mataimakin shugaban kasa Phoenix. "Gaskiya, ina tsammanin mun yi sa"a a yau. Mun kama Turkawa da mamaki tare da Tin Woodman da sassan CID. Amma da a ce rundunar Jaffar ba ta bayyana ba a lokacin da ta kai harin, ko kuma da Turkawa sun yanke shawarar kai farmakin nan take maimakon jiran umarni, da sakamakon zai yi muni sosai."
    
  "Za mu iya magance su da kyau, yallabai," in ji Wayne Macomber.
    
  "Na ji daɗi da kuke tunanin haka, Mista Macomber, amma ban yarda ba," in ji Phoenix. "Kai da kanka ka gaya mani cewa baka da harsashi da kuzari. Na yaba da fargabar da ke da alaƙa da Tin Man da CID, amma waɗannan sojojin Turkiyya sun yi tafiya kusan mil ɗari biyu zuwa cikin Iraki. Ba za su gudu ba." Zipper ya runtse ido bai ce komai ba ya amsa; ya san mataimakin shugaban kasa yayi gaskiya.
    
  "Mai mataimakin shugaban kasa, ina tsammanin Janar McLaanahan na iya zama daidai," in ji Jaffar. "Ban san wadannan sirrikan da Dokta Masters ke magana a kansu ba, amma na san Janar-Janar din da ke kasa, kuma ba sa shan kashi sosai. A yau mun ketare wata karamar jami"an tsaro muka tilasta musu ja da baya, amma a nan sun fi mu yawa.
    
  Jaffar ya ci gaba da cewa "Turkawa suna da runduna biyu da suka kewaye Mosul kuma an tura su zuwa kudancin mu." "Sojojin Iraqi suna da isassun runduna a cikin matsugunin da za su kashe su idan ya cancanta. Amma brigadina ita ce kawai babbar rundunar da ke adawa da birget din Turkiyya biyu da ke arewacinmu. A nan ne zan tattara sojojina tare da shirya duk wani aiki na Turkawa." Ya mike ya sa hularsa. "General McLanahan, za ku sanya jiragen ku na leken asiri da tawagogin kasa a sassan arewa, har zuwa arewa ba tare da tuntubar juna ba, kuma za ku yi gargadi game da duk wani ci gaban Turkiyya."
    
  "Eh, Colonel," in ji Patrick. "Har ila yau, na damu da sojojin saman Turkiyya, musamman jiragen sama masu saukar ungulu na F-15E, A-10 da AC-130 da ke kai hari na rundunar sojan sama ta Tactical Air Force ta biyu da ke Diyarbakir. Idan suka yanke shawarar shigo da su, za su iya lalata sojojinmu."
    
  "Me kake ba da shawara, Patrick?" Mataimakin shugaban kasar Phoenix ya tambaya.
    
  "Yallabai, dole ne ka gamsar da Shugaba Gardner cewa muna bukatar sa ido kan Diyarbakir da shirin mayar da martani idan Turkawa suka kai mana hari." Patrick ya fitar da amintaccen katin ƙwaƙwalwar ajiya na dijital a cikin akwati filastik. "Wannan shi ne tsarin bincike na da shirin kai hari. Dandalin bincikenmu na farko shine tarin taurarin tauraron dan adam wanda Sky Masters Incorporated zai iya ƙaddamar da shi zuwa sararin samaniya don samar da ci gaba da ɗaukar hoto na Turkiyya. Za su iya tashi da gudu cikin sa'o'i kaɗan. Shirin harin ya ta'allaka ne kan amfani da na'urori na musamman a cikin jiragenmu na XC-57 wanda zai iya tarwatsawa da lalata wuraren umarni da sarrafawa a Diyarbakir."
    
  "Ina tsammanin XC-57 jirgin sama ne kawai na sufuri da bincike, Patrick," in ji Phoenix tare da sanin murmushi.
    
  "Muddin ba za mu kai wa Diyarbakir hari ba, yallabai, shi ke nan," in ji Patrick. "Harin zai hada nettrusion - kutsawar hanyar sadarwa - don rikitar da wuce gona da iri na hanyoyin sadarwar su, sannan kuma wani makamin microwave mai karfi da zai lalata na'urorin lantarki da ke cikin jirgin duk wani jirgin sama ko kayan aiki. Za mu iya ci gaba da kai hare-haren bama-bamai idan ya cancanta."
    
  "Harin Bomber?"
    
  "Air Expeditionary Squadron 7," in ji Patrick. "Wannan ƙaramin rukunin B-1B Lancer bama-bamai ne, wanda ƙungiyar injiniya ta kirkira a Palmdale, California, wanda ke sanya jirgin cikin ajiyar jirgi kuma ya dawo da su cikin shirin yaƙi. A halin yanzu suna da wasu bama-bamai bakwai da aka girke a Hadaddiyar Daular Larabawa. An yi amfani da su wajen gudanar da ayyukan taimakon gaggawa ga runduna ta biyu da sauran rundunonin soji a Iraki."
    
  "Wannan rukunin Sojojin Sama ne, Patrick?"
    
  Patrick ya ce, "Suna da sunan rundunar sojojin sama, na yi imanin an tsara su ne a karkashin rundunar sojojin sama , kuma wani Laftanar Kanar ne ya ba su umarni," in ji Patrick, "amma yawancin mambobin farar hula ne."
    
  "Shin 'yan kwangila sun mamaye duk sojojin, Patrick?" - Phoenix yayi murmushin karkace. Ya gyada kai a fusace. "Ba na son ra'ayin jefa bama-bamai a Turkiyya ko da sun kai mu kai tsaye, amma idan wannan shi ne zabi na karshe, da alama karami ne da karfin da za a iya yin aikin ba tare da haifar da yakin duniya tsakanin kawancen NATO ba."
    
  "Tunanina daidai suke, yallabai."
    
  "Zan gabatar da shirin ku ga Washington, Patrick," in ji Phoenix, "amma bari mu yi fatan ba za mu isa ko'ina kusa da wannan matakin ba." Ya juya ga kwamandan Iraqi. "Karnel Jaffar, na san kasarka ce da sojojinka, amma ina rokonka da ka nuna kamun kai da ka nuna a yau. Ba ma so mu shiga tashin gobara da Turkawa. Wannan abu tare da akwatunan sirri daga wannan tarkace ba kome ba ne idan rayuka suna cikin haɗari."
    
  "Tare da dukkan girmamawa, yallabai, kayi kuskure akan abubuwa biyu," in ji Jafar. "Kamar yadda na ce, ban san bakaken akwatuna ba kuma ban damu ba. Amma ba muna magana ne game da bakaken akwatuna ba-muna maganar sojojin kasashen waje ne suka mamaye gidana. Kuma a yau ban nuna kamun kai ga Turkawa ba. Mun fi su yawa; babu dalilin fada sai dai in sun so. Su ne suka nuna kamun kai, ba ni ba. Amma idan Turkawa suka dawo, za su zo da yawa, sannan mu yi fada. Janar McLanahan, ina tsammanin za a yi bayani kan shirin tura ku a cikin sa'a."
    
  "Zan shirya, Colonel," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Yi hakuri, yallabai, amma dole ne in shirya sojojina don yaki," in ji Jaffar, yana mai sunkuyar da mataimakin shugaban kasa Phoenix. "Karnel Wilhelm, dole ne in gode maka don tabbatar da tsaron Nala a cikin rashi na. Zan iya dogara da kai da mutanenka don kiyaye Nala yayin aikin mu, kamar yadda kuka riga kuka yi? "
    
  "Hakika," in ji Wilhelm. "Kuma ina so in halarci bayanan turawa idan zan iya."
    
  "A koyaushe kuna maraba, Colonel. Za a sanar da ku. Barka da dare." Kuma Jaffar ya tafi, Patrick, Wayne da John suka biyo baya.
    
  "Shin har yanzu kuna ganin wannan kyakkyawan tunani ne, Janar?" Wilhelm ya tambaya kafin su tafi. "Jaffar yana gwagwarmaya ne domin kasarsa. Me kuke fada yanzu? Kudi?"
    
  Jaffar ya daskare, suna ganinsa yana daure ya kalleta ya mik'e bayansa a fusace, bai ce komai ba. Amma Patrick ya tsaya ya juya ga William. "Ka san me, Colonel?" Patrick ya faɗa yana ɗan murmushi. "Irakawa ba su biya ni ko kwabo ba. Ba dari ba." Ya tafi.
    
    
  BABI NA TAKWAS
    
    
  Babu manyan mutane a wannan duniyar, sai dai manyan kalubale da talakawa ke fuskanta.
    
  -ADMIRAL WILLIAM FREDERICK HALSEY JR (1882-1959)
    
    
    
  KUSA DA SANIN SARKIN SAMA NA NAKHLA, IRAQI
  SAFIYA WAJE
    
    
  Tawagar mutane takwas da suka hada da jami'an tsaron Turkiyya na musamman, bordo bereliler, ko "Bordo Bereliler", ko "Burgundy Berets" sun isa tashar da misalin karfe uku na safe. Sun yi wani katafaren sararin samaniya na HALO, ko kuma tsayin daka, mai karamin budawa, zuwa wani yanki mai nisan mil biyar daga arewacin Tall Qaifa. Bayan sun sauka tare da ajiye parachute dinsu, sun tabbatar da inda suke, suka duba ma'aikata, makamai da kayan aiki suka nufi kudu. Da zarar kusa da wani wurin bincike kimanin mil biyu daga wurin da aka yi hatsarin XC-57, sai suka rabu zuwa ƙungiyoyin bincike na mutane biyu kuma suka nufi ga manufarsu.
    
  Ya ɗauki Burgundy Berets kasa da mintuna talatin don tantance cewa duk bayanan sirrin da suka samu daga sashin Kyaftin Evren da ke wajen Allied Nala Air Base gaskiya ne: 'yan Iraqi sun tura dakarun sa kai guda huɗu a kusa da wurin da aka yi hatsarin XC-57 kuma suna kafawa. mashin bindiga yana hura buhunan wake da yashi don kare shi. Sauran birged kuwa ba a gansu ba. Har ila yau Evren ya ce har yanzu Amurkawa na nan a sansanin, suna samun horo da kwantar da hankula, amma kuma suna nan suna da hankali.
    
  A bayyane yake cewa 'yan Irakin suna tsammanin wani abu zai faru, kamar yadda shugaban rundunar 'yan sandan Ranger ya yi tunani, amma ba su ba da wani abin da ya wuce wata alama ta tsaro. Babu shakka basa neman fada akan jirgin leken asiri. Da ma dai rundunar ta Rangers ta dakatar da farmakin da suke yi idan da a ce 'yan Irakin sun kara tura wani dakaru a yankin, amma ba su yi hakan ba. Har yanzu ana ci gaba da gudanar da aikin.
    
  Jadawalin ya kasance siririn reza, amma kowa ya aiwatar da shi daidai. Abubuwan sufurin jiragen sama na Rukunin Farko da Na Biyu sun aika da runduna masu haske a cikin ƙananan jiragen UH-60 Black Hawk da CH-47F Chinook jirage masu saukar ungulu daga wurare daban-daban guda shida, dukkansu sun taru a yankin Nala a ƙarƙashin kariyar jiragen sama masu saukar ungulu na AH-1 Cobra. . Jiragen sama masu saukar ungulu sun sauka a karkashin bargon tsangwama a kan na'urar lantarki, wanda ya lalata dukkan radar da sadarwa ban da makada da suke son amfani da su. A lokaci guda kuma sojojin kasa sun yi gaggawar karfafa su. A cikin kasa da mintuna talatin-a cikin kiftawar ido, hatta a fagen fama na zamani-Rundunar sojin Iraki hudu da ke kewaye da wurin da hadarin ya faru na XC-57 da kansu suka yi wa kawanya... kuma sun fi yawa.
    
  Masu tsaron bayan Iraqi, suna amfani da tabarau na hangen dare, suna iya ganin jajayen layukan ledar na Turkiyya sun tsallaka filin da ke gabansu, kuma sun tsugunna a bayan gidajen bindigogi da aka yi da jakunkuna da tarkace XC-57. Harin na iya farawa a kowane lokaci.
    
  "Hankali, sojojin Iraki," sun ji cikin Larabci daga lasifikar da ke cikin motar sojojin Turkiyya masu sulke. "Wannan shi ne Birgediya Janar Ozek, kwamandan wannan runduna. An kewaye ku, kuma ina kawo ƙarin ƙarfafawa yayin da nake magana. na umarce ku-"
    
  Kuma a daidai lokacin ne daya daga cikin jirage masu saukar ungulu na Chinook da ya sauka domin sauke sojoji, ya bace a wata katuwar kwallon wuta, sai wani jirgin ruwan Cobra, wanda ya yi shawagi da yadi da yawa daga masu aikin sintiri, da wani jirgin Black Hawk, da ya taso. . Gaba dayan sararin samaniyar arewa da arewa maso gabas na wurin da jirgin na XC-57 ya yi hadari ba zato ba tsammani ya bayyana yana cin wuta.
    
  "Karsi, Karsi, wannan shi ne Kuvet, muna cikin wuta mai tsanani, ba a san inda yake ba!" - Kwamandan rundunan aiki na sashin na biyu ya watsa rediyo. "Ka ce. Karshe!" Babu amsa. Janar din ya leka kafadarsa ta hagu a Highway 3, inda bataliyarsa ta gabas za ta fafata da 'yan Irakin...
    
  ... kuma a cikin tabarau na hangen nesa na dare ya ga wani haske mai ban tsoro a sararin sama kamar mil uku a bayansa - da kuma kyalkyalin wasu manyan abubuwa, suna ƙonewa da fashewa. "Karsi, wannan shine Kuvet, faɗi sunanka!"
    
  "Kyakkyawan harbi, Boomer," in ji Patrick McLanahan. Makami mai linzami na farko na AGM-177 Wolverine ya harba wani makamin CBU-97 Sensor-fuse a kan motocin gubar na bataliya ta gabas da ke tafiya kudu a matsayin wani bangare na Operation Nala. An sauke daga tsayin ƙafa dubu goma sha biyar, CBU-97 mai rarrabawa ya fitar da ƙayyadaddun ƙayyadaddun bayanai guda goma, kowannensu yana aiki da skits guda huɗu da Laser da masu neman infrared. Yayin da takardar karar ta fado kan ginshikin motocin, sai suka fara juyawa, suna yin haka, sai suka gano tare da rarraba dukkan motocin da ke kasa. A tsawon tsayin da ake so, kowace miya ta fashe a saman motar, inda aka yi ruwan narkakkar tagulla a kan wanda abin ya shafa. Digon tagulla mai zafi ya shiga cikin sauƙi mafi ƙarancin sulke na manyan motocin Turkiyya, yana lalata kowace motar da ke kan hanya tsakanin nisan mil kwata.
    
  "An fahimta, Janar," in ji Hunter Noble. "Wolverine" yana tafiya zuwa ginshiƙi na yamma don wucewa na biyu na GBU-97, sannan ya kai hari ga sojojin da ke kusa da Nala tare da tamanin da bakwai." Jirgin na CBU-87 Combined Action Munition wata na'ura ce mai fashewa wacce za ta iya ɗaukar bama-bamai sama da ɗari biyu sama da murabba'in murabba'in ƙafa dubu uku, wanda ke yin tasiri akan sojoji da motocin wuta. Idan har 'yan Iraki za su fuskanci matsala da dakarun na Mosul."
    
  "Ina fata ba ma bukatar hakan," in ji Patrick. "Bari in sani -"
    
  "Matsalar, Patrick-Ina tsammanin mun rasa Wolverine na farko," in ji Boomer. "Tuntuɓi ya ɓace. Da a ce an gano shi a radar yayin da ya kai harin.
    
  "Aika Wolverine ta biyu zuwa bataliyar yamma," Patrick ya ba da umarni.
    
  "Suna motsi. Amma yaran Jaffar suna iya tuntuɓar su kafin ya zo."
    
  Tun da farko harin Wolverine na farko ya dakatar da layin gabas na motocin sojojin Turkiyya, amma ba da jimawa ba wadanda suka tsira suka fara motsi. Yayin da suke ci gaba da fafatawa don haduwa da Bataliya ta Cibiyar, wasu kungiyoyin kare tankokin yaki na Iraki da suka boye a cikin ramukan gizo-gizo a kan babbar hanyar sun bude wuta, inda suka lalata Humvees biyar da wani jirgin yaki na M113. Amma ba da dadewa ba 'yan Irakin sun fuskanci mummunan hari daga sauran sojojin Turkiyya, kuma suka makale a cikin "ramukan gizo-gizo". Wani layi na Humvees guda uku ya gano ramukan gizo-gizo uku kuma cikin sauri ya lalata na farkon su da wuta daga harba gurneti mai tsawon mita arba'in.
    
  "Matar hena! Wa'if hena! Dakata!" - Turkawa sun yi ihu da larabci. Sun fito daga cikin Humvees, makamai. "Fita yanzu, hannu...!"
    
  Nan da nan suka ji kara mai karfi! kuma daya daga cikin Humvees ya fashe a cikin kiftawar ido. Kafin fashewar ta mutu, sai suka sake jin wani kara! sai kuma Humvee na biyu ya fashe, sai na uku. Turkawa sun kwanta a ciki suna neman abokan gaba da suka tarwatsa motocinsu...
    
  ... Kuma 'yan lokuta daga baya sun ga wanda ya kasance: gwarzon dan asalin Amurkawa goma tare da babbar bindiga mai ban mamaki da kuma jakarka mai girma. "Lokaci ya yi da za a bata," in ji robot a cikin harshen Turkawa da aka kera ta hanyar lantarki. Ya nufi wata babbar bindiga kuma ya ba da umarni: "Ku jefar da makamin ku." Turkawa sun yi yadda aka ce, suka juya suka bi takwarorinsu. 'Yan Irakin sun fito ne daga ramukan gizo-gizonsu, inda suka dauko makaman Turkawa da sauran makaman kare-dangi, inda suka shiga neman sabbin hare-hare.
    
  "Mutanen Jaffar suna yin kyau sosai a gefen gabas," in ji Charlie Turlock. "Ina ganin an ci sauran bataliyar nan, godiya ga Wolverine. Yaya abubuwa a yamma, Zipper?"
    
  "Ba haka ba ne mai kyau," in ji Wayne Macomber. Ya "harba tankunansa" a kan duk wata babbar mota mai sulke da ta zo cikin zango, amma ginshiƙin motocin Turkiyya da ke zuwa da su kamar ba su da iyaka.
    
  "Ana bukatar taimako?"
    
  "Gaba ɗaya?"
    
  "Wolverine na biyu a cikin mintuna biyar," in ji Patrick. "Na farko yana sanye da rigar tango. Amma har yanzu muna da kamfanoni biyu a gabas waɗanda nake son turawa da farko. Dole ne mu yi fatan 'yan Iraki za su ci gaba."
    
  "Karnel Jafar?"
    
  "Ku yi hakuri na bar irin wannan karamin karfi a bayan jirgin leken asiri," Jaffar ya yi magana a rediyo a cikin hayaniyar injin da mutane da yawa ke haki. "Wasu daga cikin motocin mu ma sun lalace."
    
  Patrick na iya ganin inda bataliyar Jaffar ta kasance dangane da runduna huɗu masu gadin XC-57, kuma kamar Wolverine ta biyu, ba shi da niyyar yin haka kafin Turkawa su kai hari. "Gaba ɗaya, na kusa," in ji Charlie Turlock a rediyo. "Zipper da ni tare na iya isa don aƙalla jinkirta Turkawa na dogon lokaci."
    
  "A'a, kuna da gefen gabas, Charlie; Ba ma son kowa ya tsaya daga wannan hanyar, "in ji Patrick. "Martinez, Ina buƙatar ku ci gaba da mutanen Jaffar kuma ku shiga."
    
  "Da jin daɗi, Janar," in ji Angel Martinez, kwamandan sashin binciken laifuka da ke tare da bataliyar Yusuf Jaffar. Martinez ya kasance jack na duk sana'o'i a Scion Aviation International: yana da horar da 'yan sanda; ya gyara tare da tuka manyan motoci da kayan gini; ya ma san girki. A lokacin da suke neman 'yan agajin da za su je Iraki, shi ne ya fara daga hannu. A cikin dogon jirgin, Wayne da Charlie sun ba shi darussan makaranta game da yadda ake sarrafa na'ura mai kwakwalwa; lokacin da Wayne Macomber ya umarce shi a cikin sirdi bayan sun isa Nala kuma suna shirin halaka jami'an tsaron yankin, wannan ne karon farko da ya fara tukin jirgin CID.
    
  Yanzu wannan shi ne karo na biyu - kuma yana gab da fuskantar bataliyar sojojin Turkiyya baki daya.
    
  "Saurara a nan, Angel," in ji Charlie. "Maganin sulke da bindigar dogo suna da kyau, amma manyan makaman ku da ke cikin CID su ne saurin gudu, motsi da sanin halin da ake ciki. Babban raunin ku shine tarin platoon ko matakin kamfani saboda suna iya saurin zubar da ƙarfin ku. Dole ne ku motsa ta yadda manyan makamai ba za su iya mayar da hankali kan wuta ba. Harba, motsa, duba, motsa, harba, motsa."
    
  "Charlie, kin koya mani wannan mantra na tsawon lokaci har na maimaita shi a cikin barci na," in ji Martinez. Ya yi tseren gaba da bataliyar Jaffar cikin sauri mai ban sha'awa, sama da mil hamsin cikin sa'a a tsallaka filin fili. "Targe in gani."
    
  "Turkawa suna mai da hankali kan 'yan wasan gaba," in ji Zipper, "amma a lokacin da kuka bude wuta, su -"
    
  Martinez ya ce: "Aiki ya tafi." Ya jefar da kanshi a kasa, inda ya zabo wani sojan Turkiyya dauke da sulke a idonsa ya yi harbi. Jirgin da ke ɗauke da sulke bai fashe ba ko kuma ya tsaya lokacin da harsashin ƙarfen ƙarfe na tungsten ya buge shi saboda harsashin mai girman tsiran alade ya ratsa ta cikinsa kamar ba a taɓa wanzuwa ba - amma duk mutumin da ke cikin motar ya tarwatse ta hanyar guntuwar sulke. bakin bakin karfen fuselage na ma'aikata, yana yawo cikin motar ba tare da katsewa ba. "Damn, tabbas na rasa," in ji Martinez.
    
  "A'a, amma dole ne ku tuna don magance sashin injin, watsawa, mujallu ko waƙoƙi, ba kawai ma'aikatan jirgin ba," in ji Zipper. "Ayyukan za su shiga cikin sauƙi ta cikin bakin karfe ko aluminum. Duk wani sojan kasa da ke cikin jirgin yana iya mutuwa, amma har yanzu abin hawa na iya yin fada idan direba ko kwamandan ya tsira."
    
  "Na samu, Zipper," in ji Martinez. Da ya tashi, sai suka bude masa wuta, ciki har da na"urar harba gurneti mai tsawon mil arba"in. Ya garzaya gefe guda dari, yana neman tushen wadannan harsasai. Ba da daɗewa ba ya same shi - ba ɗaya ba, amma manyan motocin yaƙi guda biyu masu sulke.
    
  "Angel, ci gaba da motsi!" Charlie ya yi kururuwa. "Wadannan motocin daukar makamai guda biyu sun yi maka layi!"
    
  "Ba dadewa ba," Martinez ya sake ihu. Ya dau hanya ya harba kai tsaye ta gaban wata motar daukar kaya masu sulke. Nan take ta girgiza ta tsaya, ba da jimawa ba wuta ta tashi a dakin injin. Amma Martinez ya kasa jin daɗin wannan ra'ayi saboda ƙarin wasu jami'an dakon kaya biyu masu sulke suna yi masa hari. Nan take ya zazzage wurin da suke cikin ma"adanar kwamfutar da ya nufa, ya nufa, sannan ya yi harbi. Amma sai suka matsa da sauri ya kamo daya kafin ya ruga saboda harbin dayake yi masa. "Mutane, ina jin suna tsammanin za su same mu a nan," in ji shi. "Suna dukana."
    
  "Nuna yayin da kuke gudu kuma ku harba gwargwadon yadda za ku iya lokacin da kuka tsaya," in ji Zipper. "Kada ku yi nufi har sai an tsayar da ku."
    
  "Da alama suna bin mu," in ji Charlie. Ta harba makami mai linzami guda hudu daga cikin jakarta, wadanda ke dauke da radars na infrared da millimeters, wadanda suka kai hari kan wasu gungun masu sulke na Turkiyya hudu da suka fito daga gabas. "Aƙalla wannan yana ba sojojin Jaffar dama-"
    
  "Helicopters suna gabatowa, suna tafiya arewa maso yamma, mil biyar!" - Patrick ya yi ihu. "Suna kama da jiragen yaki tare da dan leken asiri! Ya yi ƙasa da ƙasa don ƙara lura da su!" Kafin Martinez ya fara neman sabbin bakin haure, jirgin ruwan Cobra na Turkiyya ya harba makami mai linzami da ke jagorantar wutar Jahannama.
    
  "Evasion yana motsawa, Angel!" Zipper ya yi kururuwa. Yanzu da jirgin Kiowa Scout mai lasisin Amurka amma Turkiyya ta kera ya ci gaba da ajiye Laser dinsa akan Martinez, abin ya zama mai sauki ga bindigar dogo ta Macomber, kuma ya hura tambarin tabawa a kan mast din helikwafta bayan dakika daya. Wani makami mai linzami na Jahannama ya afkawa Martinez a kirjin hagu.
    
  "An ci Mala"ika! Mala"ikan ya ci nasara!" Zipper ya yi kururuwa. Ya yi kokarin guduwa wajensa, amma ci gaba da harbin bataliyar da ke gaban jami'an tsaron Jaffar ta makale shi a kasa. "Ba zan iya zuwa wurinsa ba," in ji shi, inda ya harbi sauran jam"iyyar APC da ke gabatowa, sannan ya sake saka bindigar jirgin kasa. "Ban san tsawon lokacin da za mu iya rike wadannan mutanen ba. Ina da kuzari kashi hamsin kuma ammo ya rage."
    
  Patrick ya ce "Wolverine za ta wuce sama a cikin minti daya." "Ƙarin jirage masu saukar ungulu suna zuwa!"
    
  "Zan yi ƙoƙarin zuwa Martinez," in ji Zipper.
    
  "Turkawa sun yi kusa sosai," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Muna iya ja da baya, amma ba zan tafi ba tare da Martinez ba." Zipper ya sake harba wasu ƴan lokuta, ya jira wutar dawowa ta mutu, sannan ya ce, "Ga ni-"
    
  A daidai wannan lokacin ne wasu filaye da dama suka haskaka daga yamma, bayan wasu 'yan mintuna kuma motocin sulke na Turkiyya suka fara fashewa kamar harsasai. "Yi hakuri na sake makara," Yusuf Jaffar ya fada rediyo, "amma har yanzu ban saba da saurin ku ba. Ina tsammanin za ku iya samun abokin auren ku, Macomber. "
    
  "Ina hanya!" Zipper ya fara injuna akan takalman sulke na Tin Man kuma a cikin tsalle uku yana kusa da Martinez. A daidai lokacin ne kasa gabansa ta fara kumbura tana fashe kamar ruwa ya fantsama a cikin kaskon soya mai zafi yayin da Wolverine ta fara jefa bama-bamai da nakiyoyi kan sojojin Turkiyya. Iskar ta yi kauri da hayaki da kururuwar Turkawa da suka makale. "Lafiya kuwa, Angel?" Zipper ya sani daga hanyar haɗin yanar gizon sa na biometric cewa Martinez yana raye, amma yawancin gefen hagu na robot ɗin ya lalace kuma ya kasa motsawa ko sadarwa. Zipper ya ɗauki robot ɗin. "Tare, Martinez. Zai iya ɗan yi zafi lokacin da kuka sauka."
    
  A dai dai lokacin da ya kunna injinan, makami mai linzami da jirgin ruwan Cobra na Turkiyya ya harbo ya fashe a wurin da ya tashi, kuma Zipper da Martinez sun yi waje da su daga sama kamar tattabarai na yumbu da wani tsuntsu ya harbo.
    
  Makamin BERP ya kare Zipper daga fashewar, amma bayan ya sauka, sai ya gano cewa dukkan tsarin kwalkwalinsa sun yi duhu kuma sun yi shiru. Ba shi da wani zabi illa ya cire hularsa. An haska shi da gobarar motoci da ke kusa da shi, yana ganin Martinez a kwance kusan yadi hamsin ya ruga zuwa gare shi. Amma da ya kai nisan yadi ashirin, sai kasa ta fashe da manyan harsashi, inda suka mamaye wurin da na"urar robobin. Rikicin Cobra ya matso kusa da iyakar kuma yana fesa harsashi na millimeters ashirin. Zipper ya san yana gaba. Idan ba tare da iko ba, makamansa na BERP ba zai kare shi ba.
    
  Ya leko ya nemi wuri ya buya. Wurin bindiga mafi kusa da Iraqi da ke kewaye da XC-57 yana da nisan yadi ɗari. Bai so ya bar Martinez ba, amma babu yadda za a yi ya dauke shi, sai ya gudu. La'ananne, ya yi tunani a tsanake, wata kila guduwa ya yi wa matukin Cobra wuya ya kashe shi. Ya ji karar bindigar bindigar ta bude sai ya yi kokarin yin bagi-da-baki kamar yadda ya yi a matsayinsa na dan wasan kwallon kafa a Kwalejin Sojan Sama. Wane ne ya san irin kyaututtukan da waɗannan maharban Turkiyya suka yi, a tunaninsa, suna jiran harsashi su fashe a cikinsa. Zai iya -
    
  Kuma sai ya ji wani mugun fashewa, mai karfi kuma yana kusa da ya fizge shi daga kafafunsa. Ya juya ya kalli sama a dai-dai lokacin da ya ga jirgin ruwan Cobra ya fado a cikin wani fili mai nisan yadi biyu. Da sautin k'arafan k'arafa ya lulluve shi, ya zabura da gudu. Zafin da hayakin da ke shake shi ne ya tilasta masa yin agwagi da gudu, sai ya ji yana jin rokoki da harsasai da ke cikin jirgin helikwafta da ke cin wuta suna watsewa a bayansa. Shin, ba zai zama tsintsiya madaurinki daya ba, don gudun kada a mayar da shi cuku-cuku na Switzerland ta hanyar wani helikwafta harin Cobra kawai don a kashe ammo mai saukar ungulu? Tabbas, wannan shine sa'a na, ya yi tunani, haka ya kamata in-
    
  Nan da nan ya ji kamar ya ruga da gudu ya shiga wani shingen karfe. "Hey, hey, sannu a hankali a can, Mista Rabbit," ya ji muryar lantarki ta jami'in binciken laifuka. Charlie ne ya gudu daga matsayinta zuwa gabas. "Komai a bayyane yake tare da ku. Dauki ɗan lokaci. Ka rasa rigar ka?"
    
  "Na rasa komai... Kwat din ya mutu," in ji Zipper. "Je ka sami Martinez." Charlie ya jira wasu 'yan lokuta, yana kare Zipper da makamanta har sai fashewar ta tsaya a kan Cobra da ta fadi, sannan ta zagaya tarkacen wuta. Bayan 'yan mintuna ta dawo, dauke da wani sashin CID. Daga nan sai ta ja Martinez da hannu ɗaya kuma ta komo Macomber zuwa wurin tsaro kusa da XC-57 tare da ɗayan.
    
  "Ƙarin bindigogi suna gabatowa," in ji Charlie, tana ɗaga bindigar dogo ta kuma duba sararin samaniya tare da na'urori masu auna firikwensin CID. "Yawancin suna bayan brigade Jaffar, amma akwai wasu ma'aurata da ke bayan mu." Ta dakata na ɗan lokaci tana nazarin hotunan lantarki na fagen fama. "Zan dauke hankalinsu," in ji ta, sannan ta zarce zuwa gabas.
    
  Zipper ya leko daga bayan buhunan yashi... kuma yana duban sama, sai ya ga hasken injin roka da ke kunna wuta, ya zabura ya gudu daga rumfar da sauri kamar yadda ya iya.
    
  Nan take aka buge shi, ya makanta, ya kurmance, an soya rabinsa sannan aka jefe shi da kakkausar murya yayin da makamin ya sauka a bayansa kadan kadan. Abin takaicin shi bai wuce ba, don haka duk abin da ya iya yi kawai ya kwanta a kasa yana ciwo, kansa gaba daya ji yake kamar garwashin kwal. Amma bayan dakika kadan aka dauke shi daga kasa. "C-Charlie...?"
    
  "Bindigu na dogo DOA ne," in ji Charlie yayin da take gudu. "Zan fitar da ku daga ciki-" Nan take ta tsaya, ta juya ta tsugunna, tana kare Wak daga fashewar wutar kurma ta kurma. "Zan kwanta muku in samo wannan abu," in ji ta. "Ba ya son ku, yana so -" Matukin Cobra ya sake yin harbi. Zipper ya ji manyan harsashi suna tura shi da Charlie kamar suna da baya ga guguwa. "Ni... Ina rasa iko," in ji ta bayan da sabon harsashin ya ƙare. "Fashewar karshe ta buge wani abu... Ina tsammanin baturi ne. Ba na tsammanin zan iya motsawa." Cobra ya sake bude wuta...
    
  Nan take suka ji karar fashewar wani abu a bayansu, wutar bindigar ta tsaya, sai suka ji karar fadowar wani jirgin helikwafta. Babu motsi a cikinsu sai da suka ji motocin sun nufo. "Charlie?"
    
  "Zan iya motsawa, amma yana da hankali sosai," in ji ta. "Kana lafiya?"
    
  "Lafiya nake". Zipper ya zage damtse daga hannun injina na sashin binciken laifuka ya duba Turkawa. "Ka tsaya a inda kake. Muna da kamfani." Motocin sun kusan kai su. Ba shi da wani makami, ba abin da zai yi yaƙi da shi. Babu abin da zai iya -
    
  "Ka ɗaga hannuwanka kada ka yi motsi," ya ji wata murya tana cewa... muryar Amurka. Zipper ya yi yadda aka ce masa. Ya ga cewa motar na"urar kare lafiyar iska ce ta hannu Avenger. Sajan soja ne ya nufo shi sanye da tabarau na dare, ya daga. "Dole ne ku zama 'yan Scion biyu saboda ban taɓa ganin wani abu kamar ku biyu ba."
    
  "Macomber, wannan shine Turlock," in ji Zipper. "Ina da wani mutum a can." Sajan ya faso ya daga hannu, bayan wasu 'yan lokuta sai ga Hummer ya ja tare da bude baya. Zipper ya taimaka loda Charlie a cikin Hummer. Lokacin da aka mayar da ita wurin Nala, sai ya ɗauki wani humvee, ya dawo ya sami Martinez, ya umurci sojoji da yawa su yi lodin shi, su ma suka mayar da shi tushe.
    
  Martinez bai sani ba, ya samu karyewar kasusuwa da kananan jini a ciki, kuma an kai shi dakin jinya domin yi masa tiyatar gaggawa; An bincika Charlie da Zipper kuma sun kasance lafiya, Zipper yana da yanke da dama, konewa da raunuka. An kai ta da Zipper zuwa wani wurin tsaro a ƙarshen titin jirgin, inda Humvees biyu, da Stryker mai sulke mai sulke, da kuma rukunin Avenger wani ɓangare na tsarin hasken da ke ƙarshen titin jirgin da na'urar watsa tsarin saukar da kayan aiki. gini. Tsaye a wajen Stryker, suna kallon yaƙin ta hanyar ƙwararrun hotuna, sune Patrick McLaanahan, Hunter Noble, John Masters, Kyaftin Calvin Cotter, jami'in kula da zirga-zirgar jiragen sama, da Mataimakin Shugaban kasa Kenneth Phoenix da tawagarsa ta Sabis.
    
  "Na yi farin ciki ku mutanen kuna lafiya," in ji Patrick. Ya ba da sandunan ruwa da makamashi. "Ya kusa."
    
  "Me yasa kuke nan?" - ya tambayi Macomber.
    
  "Shisshigin ya kawar da dukkan radarmu da yawancin hanyoyin sadarwar mu," in ji Cotter. "Akwai ɗan duhu a cikin Triple-C. Zan iya samun hanyar sadarwar Laser ta hanyar gani daga nan."
    
  "Mene ne wannan kalmar, General?" Wayne ya tambaya. "Yaya aka yi mana mummunan rauni?"
    
  "Sun ce komai ya kusa karewa," in ji Patrick. Wayne ya rataye kansa cikin bacin rai... Har sai da Patrick ya kara da cewa, "Ya kusa ƙarewa, kuma da alama mun ci nasara."
    
  "Ba abin mamaki bane?"
    
  "Tare da taimakon CIDS, ku da Wolverines, mun kusan dakatar da Turkawa gaba daya," in ji Patrick. "Turkawa ba sa tsammanin cewa Iraqi za su yi yaki sosai, kuma yaran Jaffar sun far musu da fushi. Sa'an nan, lokacin da William ya shiga su, Turkawa sun juya suka nufi arewa."
    
  "Ina jin cewa Wilhelm ba zai zauna kawai ba yayin da Jaffar ya koma baya," in ji Zipper.
    
  "Brgedes hudu ne zuwa biyu, da ku mutane da makami mai linzami, amma ya isa ga Turkawa," in ji mataimakin shugaban kasar Phoenix. "Ina jin kamar ba su da gaske a ciki. Sun zo Iraki ne don farautar 'yan ta'addar PKK, ba wai don yakar Iraki da Amurkawa ba. Daga nan suka fara fada da robobi da sojoji masu sulke suna harba bindigogin jirgin kasa na Buzz Lightyear sannan suka rabu."
    
  "Ina fata haka, yallabai," in ji Patrick. "Amma ban amince da Hirsiz ba. Tuni dai 'yan ta'addar PKK suka kai masa hari, kuma yanzu mun yi nasara a kansa. Zai yiwu ya yi firgita. Ba na tsammanin zai daina kai hare-haren bama-bamai a wasu da ake kyautata zaton 'yan ta'addar PKK ne a Erbil."
    
  "Da alama Jaffar zai karfafa bataliyoyin sa na gaba tare da fara mayar da asararsa zuwa tushe," in ji Cotter yayin da yake fitowa daga Stryker kuma ya duba yankin arewacin matsayinsu tare da kallonsa. "Karnel Wilhelm da Major Weatherly za su ci gaba da rike bataliyoyinsu a kan layi idan har ... a! "Cotter ya yi ihu yayin da wani farin haske mai tsananin gaske ya huda sararin samaniyar daren, daidai inda yake kallo.
    
  Fitowar farko ta biyo bayan ɗaruruwan mutane, kowannensu ya fi na ƙarshe haske, sai kuma ƙarar fashe-fashe masu ƙarfi da hayaniyar iska mai zafi. Gajimaren wuta ya tashi sama da ɗarurruwan ƙafa, ba da jimawa ba suka ji zafi ya mamaye su, kamar igiyar ruwa da ke faɗowa a bakin teku.
    
  "Mene ne wannan?" Phoenix tana kuka. Shi da John Masters sun taimaka wa Cotter, wanda walƙiya ya makantar da shi, a ƙasa kuma suka zuba ruwa a fuskarsa.
    
  "Yana jin kamar napalm ko bama-bamai na thermobaric," in ji Macomber. Ya dauki na'urar gani da ido na Cotter, ya sake daidaita na'urorin lantarki da na gani don kada fitulun su makantar da shi shi ma, sannan ya duba wurin. "Yesu..."
    
  "Wane ne ya same shi, Wayne?" - Patrick ya tambaya.
    
  "Da alama bataliyoyin gaba biyu na Jaffar," in ji Zipper a hankali. "Allah, wannan shine yadda jahannama ta kasance a can." Ya leka yankin da ke kusa da inda fashewar ta faru. "Ba na ganin mutanenmu. Zan yi ƙoƙarin tuntuɓar Wilhelm kuma--"
    
  Kawai sai, manyan fitilun haske guda biyu sun faru, bayan ɗan lokaci kaɗan da fashewar abubuwa masu ƙarfi guda biyu... a wannan lokacin, a bayansu, cikin gindin. Girgizawar da aka yi ta jefar da kowa a ƙasa kuma suka yi ta rarrafe don kare lafiyar da za su iya samu. Gajimaren naman kaza masu tsananin zafi biyu sun tashi zuwa sararin sama. "Ku rufe!" Patrick ya yi ihu kan hargitsi kamar guguwa yayin da hayaki ya turnuke su. "Sauka a ƙarƙashin Stryker!" Jami'an Sabis na Sirrin sun ja Phoenix zuwa cikin Hummer kuma kowa ya yi ta rarrafe a karkashin Stryker a daidai lokacin da tarkacen tarkace suka same su.
    
  An dauki lokaci mai tsawo kafin tarkacen da ke mutuwa ya daina fadowa, ya dade kafin wani ya iya nunfashi sosai ta giza-gizan kura da hayaki, har ma kafin wani ya samu kwarin guiwa ya tashi ya leka yankin. Wani wuri a tsakiyar gindin akwai wuta mai ƙarfi.
    
  "Na yi kusa da bam da ke fashewa sau biyu!" John Masters ya yi kururuwa. "Kada ku gaya mani - akwai masu tayar da bama-bamai na Turkiyya kuma, dama?"
    
  "Wannan zai zama hasashe na," in ji Patrick. "Me suka yi karo da juna?"
    
  Daya daga cikin ma'aikatan Stryker ya fito daga cikin motarsa, kuma da kowa ya ga idanunsa sun yi jajir kuma ya zube, wani sanyin tsoro ya gangaro daga kashin bayansu. "Mai tsarki," in ji shi, "Ina tsammanin sun kama Triple-C."
    
    
  PALACE PALACE, CANKAYA, ANKARA, JAMHURIYAR TURKIYA
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  "Me kake nufi sun ja da baya?" Shugaba Kurzat Hirsiz ya tambaya. "Me yasa suka ja da baya? Sun zarce na Iraqi biyar zuwa daya!"
    
  "Na san shi, Mr. Shugaban kasa, na san shi," in ji Ministan Tsaro Hassan Dzizek. "Amma ba wai suna yakar Iraqi ne kawai ba. Sojojin Amurka sun taimaka musu."
    
  "Allah... don haka mu ma munyi yaki da Amurkawa," in ji Hirsiz. Ya girgiza kai. "Abin da ya sa muka yanke shawarar shiga yakin Iraqi; Ban taba tsammanin Amurkawa za su mayar da martani ba."
    
  Jizek ya kara da cewa, "Haka kuma wasu robobi na Amurka guda biyu da daya daga cikin kwamandojin masu sulke ... sojojin Tin Woodman," sun kuma samu makamai masu linzami guda biyu wadanda suka kai hari da bama-bamai da nakiyoyin kariya."
    
  "Me?" Hirsiz ya fashe. "Yaya aka yi mana mummunan rauni?"
    
  "Madalla, yallabai," in ji Jizek. "Wataƙila kashi ashirin ko fiye."
    
  "Kashi ashirin cikin dari...a cikin yaki daya?" murya taji. Firayim Minista Ice ¸e Akas ne. Tun bayan ayyana dokar ta baci da kuma rusa majalisar dokokin kasar ba ta bayyana a bainar jama'a ba, amma ta shafe mafi yawan lokutanta tana ganawa da 'yan majalisar. "Malam shugaban kasa me kake ganin kake yi?"
    
  "Ban kira ka a nan ba, Firayim Minista," in ji Hirsiz. "Mun kuma yi wa 'yan Iraqin mafi muni. Me kuke so? Ina fata in yi murabus."
    
  "Kurzat, don Allah a daina wannan hauka tun yanzu kafin ya rikide zuwa yaki da Iraki da Amurka," Akas ya roki. "Sake shi da. Ku shelanta nasara ku mayar da sojojin gida."
    
  "Ba sai an lalata PKK ba, Ace," in ji Hirsiz.
    
  "To meyasa kuke kai hari High Kaif?" Akas ya tambaya. "Akwai 'yan PKK kadan a wannan yanki."
    
  Hirsiz ya ce "Akwai wani yanayi a wannan sansanin sojin sama da ya kamata a warware shi."
    
  "Na sani game da jirgin leken asiri na Amurka - har yanzu kuna ba ni damar kallon talabijin, duk da cewa kun dauki wayata da fasfo kuma kun kiyaye ni na tsawon sa'o'i 24," in ji Akas. "Amma me yasa za ku bata rayukan Turkawa saboda wani guntun karfen da ya kone?" Ta kalli Jizek. "Ko kuwa janar-janar ne ke kan mulki yanzu?"
    
  "Har yanzu ni ne ke kan gaba a nan, Firayim Minista, za ka iya tabbatar da hakan," in ji Hirsiz.
    
  "Don haka ka ba da odar bam Erbil?"
    
  "Me kuke so, Firayim Minista?" Hirsiz ya tambaya a fusace yana neman taba.
    
  "Ina tsammanin ya kamata ku bar ni in gana da mataimakin shugaban kasa Phoenix a Erbil ko Baghdad."
    
  "Na ce maka a'a," in ji Hirsiz. "A cikin wani yanayi na gaggawa, dole ne shugaban kasa ya yanke shawara game da duk wasu ayyuka, kuma ba ni da lokacin ganawa da Phoenix ko wani har sai an warware rikicin. Bayan haka, Phoenix har yanzu yana Nala kuma yana da haɗari sosai don tafiya. "
    
  "Ba zan tafi a matsayin mai adawa da yakin ba, amma a matsayina na firaministan Turkiyya, wanda, kamar yadda ka ce, ba shi da wani karfi a lokacin yaki lokacin da aka rushe majalisar dokokin kasar kuma majalisar soja ta maye gurbin majalisar ministoci," in ji Akash. Ta tsaya ta lumshe ido cikin rashin imani. "Ka ce Phoenix har yanzu yana Nala? Yana Nala Air Base? Ashe ba nan ne ake gwabzawa ba, inda duk waɗannan mutane suka mutu?" Ta hango Hirsiz da Jizek suna musabaha. "Akwai wani abu kuma? Me?"
    
  Hirsiz ya yi jinkirin gaya mata, sannan ya daga kafada ya gyada ma Jizek. "Duk da haka, zai kasance a cikin labarai ba da daɗewa ba."
    
  "Mun jefa bam a sansanin Nala Air Base," in ji Dzizek. Akas ya fad'i cikin mamaki. "Mun kai hari kan ginin hedkwatar sojojin Iraki da Amurka."
    
  "Me kike yi? An kai harin bam ne a hedkwatarsu?" Akas ya yi ihu. "Kuna hauka, ku biyu. Shin Phoenix ya mutu?
    
  "A'a, ba ya cikin ginin a lokacin," in ji Hirsiz.
    
  "Kana da sa'a!"
    
  "Ban fara harbin Iraqi da Amurkawa ba sai da suka fara harbin Turkawa!" Hirsiz ya yi kururuwa. "Ban fara wannan yakin ba! 'Yan ta'addar PKK na kashe maza da mata da yara da ba su ji ba ba su gani ba, kuma babu wanda ya ce mana uffan. To, yanzu za su yi magana da mu, ko ba haka ba? Za su yi kururuwa, gunaguni da yi mani barazana! Ban damu ba! Ba zan tsaya ba har sai Iraki ta daina ba wa 'yan ta'addar PKK mafaka tare da yi alkawarin taimakawa wajen kawar da su. Watakila bayan mutuwar Amurkawa da dama a Iraki a hannunmu, za su yi magana da mu game da lalata PKK."
    
  Akas ta kalli Hirsiz kamar tana nazarin zanen mai ko wata dabba a gidan namun daji tana kokarin gano wata boyayyar fahimta ko ma'ana a cikin abin da ta gani. Duk abin da ta iya gane shi ne ƙiyayya. Ko kallonta bai yi ba. "Amurka nawa aka kashe a sansanin, minista?"
    
  "Ashirin ko ashirin da biyar, ban tuna ba; kusan ɗari sun sami raunuka," Dzizek ya amsa.
    
  "Ya Allah..."
    
  "Hey, watakila yana da kyau ku hadu da Phoenix ku yi magana da Gardner," in ji Cizek. Hirsiz ya juyo idanunsa a lumshe cike da mamaki ya dafe muƙamuƙi a fusace. Jizek ya daga hannu. "Kurzat, Ina jin tsoron cewa Amurkawa za su mayar da martani - watakila ba ta hanyar soja ba, ba nan da nan ba, amma tare da sauran hanyoyin da suke da ita. Idan ba mu yi shawarwari da su ba, za su iya mayar da martani. A ayyana tsagaita wuta, umurci sojojin mu da su rike mukamansu kuma su bar kankara ta tafi Bagadaza. A halin da ake ciki, za mu sake dawo da sojojinmu, mu dawo da wadanda suka jikkata da wadanda suka mutu, tare da fara tattara bayanan sirri kan inda 'yan ta'addar PKK da magoya bayansu suke. Dole ne mu tabbatar da cewa ba mu rasa goyon bayan abokanmu ba, amma bai kamata mu yi watsi da duk abin da muka samu ba."
    
  Furucin Hirsiz ya hade rai da rud'u, kai ya koma wajen mashawartansa guda biyu kamar wanda ya fita hayyacinsa. "Karshen? Ya ƙare yanzu? Shin muna kusa da murkushe PKK fiye da yadda muke rayuwa dubu biyar da suka wuce? Idan ba mu kammala wannan ba, sojoji dubu biyar da suka rasa rayukansu za su mutu a banza."
    
  "Ina tsammanin mun nuna wa duniya rikicin mu," in ji Akas. "Kun kuma nuna wa duniya musamman PKK da magoya bayansu na Kurdawa cewa Turkiyya za ta iya kuma za ta yi aiki don kare al'ummarta da muradunta. Amma idan ka bar abubuwa su fita daga cikin iko, duniya za ta yi tunanin kai mahaukaci ne. Ba kwa son hakan ta faru."
    
  Hirsiz ya yi karatu duka biyun mashawartan sa. Akas yana iya ganin cewa shugaban yana kallon kadaici da na biyu. Ya koma kan teburinsa ya zauna da karfi, yana kallon katon taga hoton. Rana ce kawai take fitowa, ga alama ranar za ta yi sanyi da diwawa, Akas ya yi tunani, wanda tabbas ya sa Hirsiz ya ƙara jin shi kaɗai.
    
  "Abin da nake ƙoƙarin yi shi ne kare al'ummar Turkiyya," in ji shi a hankali. "Abin da nake so in yi shi ne dakatar da kisan."
    
  "Za mu yi shi, Kurzat," in ji Akas. "Za mu yi hakan tare - majalisar ministocinku, sojoji, Amurkawa da Iraki. Za mu haɗa kowa da kowa. Ba lallai ne ku yi wannan kadai ba."
    
  Hirsiz ya rufe ido, sannan ya kada kai. "Bayyana tsagaita bude wuta nan take, Hassan," in ji shi. "Mun riga mun tsara tsarin janyewar da aka tsara: kammala kashi na farko da na biyu."
    
  Mukashin ministan tsaron kasa ya fadi cikin mamaki. "File biyu?" Ya tambaya. "Amma, yallabai, wannan yana jawo sojoji zuwa kan iyaka. Shin kun tabbata kuna son ja da baya sosai? Ina ba mu shawarar-"
    
  Hirsiz ya ci gaba da cewa, "Ice, za ka iya sanar da ministan harkokin wajen kasar cewa muna so mu gana nan da nan tare da Amurkawa da Iraki don yin shawarwari game da masu sa ido na kasa da kasa da dakarun kiyaye zaman lafiya don sanya ido kan iyakar." "Har ila yau, kuna iya sanar da shugaban majalisar dokokin kasar cewa, har sai an samu nasarar ficewa daga Iraki cikin lumana da nasara, na dage dokar ta-baci da sake zama majalisar."
    
  Ice Akas ya matso kusa da Hirsiz ya rungume shi. "Kin yi zabi mai kyau, Kurzat," in ji ta. "Zan fara aiki nan da nan." Murmushi Jizek tayi sannan ta fice daga office din shugaban da sauri.
    
  Hirsiz ya dade a kan teburinsa ya leka ta taga; sai ya juyo ya yi mamakin ganin har yanzu ministan tsaron kasarsa yana ofishinsa. "Hasan?"
    
  "Me kike yi Kurzat?" - Tambayi Jizek. "A tsagaita wuta: babba.
    
  Wannan zai ba mu lokaci don sakewa, ƙarfafawa da sake haɗuwa. Amma mu ja da baya har zuwa kan iyaka kafin mu sami damar ƙirƙirar yankin da za mu lalata PKK?
    
  "Na gaji Hassan," Hirsiz ya ce a gajiye. "Mun yi asarar mutane da yawa..."
    
  "Sojoji sun mutu suna kare kasarsu, ya shugaban kasa!" Jizek said. "Idan kuka ja da baya kafin a kammala aikin, za su mutu a banza! Kai da kanka ka fada!"
    
  "Za mu samu wasu damammaki, Hassan. Yanzu muna da hankalin dukan duniya. Za su fahimci cewa da gaske muke a batun yakar PKK. Yanzu ku ba da odar ku."
    
  Jizek ya yi kamar zai ci gaba da rigima, amma maimakon haka sai ya yi tsaki ya fita.
    
    
  NAKHLA ALLIED AIR BASE, IRAQ
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  "Na yi imani zai iya zama mafi muni a gare mu," in ji Kanar Jack Wilhelm. Ya sake tsayawa a dakin ajiye gawa na wucin gadi a babban dakin ajiye gawa na jirgin, yana kula da shirye-shiryen gawarwakin sojojin da aka kashe a yakin daren jiya. "Sojoji 21 ne aka kashe a Triple C, ciki har da jami'in gudanarwa na, tare da wani mutum talatin da biyu a wani mataki na yaki da Turkawa, da kuma sama da dari biyu da suka jikkata, dozin biyu na cikin mawuyacin hali." Ya juya zuwa Patrick McLanahan. "Yi hakuri game da Martinez, Janar. Na ji cewa ya mutu tun da daɗewa."
    
  "Iya. Na gode ".
    
  "Mutanenku da na"urorinku sun yi babban aiki, Janar. Da gaske kun shiga ciki."
    
  "Abin takaici, ba don abokin cinikinmu ba," in ji Patrick. "Irakawa sun yi asarar fiye da dari biyu da hamsin."
    
  "Amma Jaffar da mutanensa sun yi yaƙi kamar kurayen daji," in ji Wilhelm. "Koyaushe ina tsammanin wannan mutumin duk ya kasance mai ɓacin rai. Ya zama babban kwamandan fage kuma jarumi mai tauri." Karan wayarsa ya buga ya saurara ta cikin earpiece dinsa ya amsa sannan ya katse wayar. "Firaministan Turkiyya ya sanar da tsagaita bude wuta kuma ya ce dakarun Turkiyya na komawa kan iyaka," in ji shi. "Da alama an gama. Wane irin tunani ne Turkawa suke tunani? Me yasa suka fara wannan?"
    
  "Bacin rai, fushi, fansa: dalilai da dama," in ji Patrick. "Turkiyya na ɗaya daga cikin ƙasashen da ba sa samun girmamawa. Ba Turai ba ne, ba Asiya ba, ba Caucasian ba, ba Gabas ta Tsakiya ba; su musulmi ne amma na duniya. Suna sarrafa manyan hanyoyin kasa da na teku, suna da ɗaya daga cikin mafi girman tattalin arziki da sojoji a duniya, suna da ƙarfi da za su iya zama a kwamitin sulhu na Majalisar Ɗinkin Duniya, amma har yanzu ba a ba su izinin shiga Tarayyar Turai ba kuma ana ɗauke su a matsayin ja-ja. mai gashi stepson. Ina tsammanin ni ma zan yi takaici."
    
  "Suna iya cancanci girmamawa, amma kuma sun cancanci a harbi jakunansu," in ji Wilhelm. "To, ina tsammanin kwantiragin ku ya kare...ko kuwa? Watakila mutanen Iraqi suna bukatar ku yanzu fiye da kowane lokaci?"
    
  "Za mu tsaya a yanzu," in ji Patrick. "Zan ba da shawarar mu sanya ido kan tsagaita bude wuta na Turkiyya da kuma janye sojojin, kuma za mu kasance a nan na wani lokaci har sai 'yan Iraki sun kafa nasu rundunar sa ido. Suna da ƙaramin rundunar Cessna Caravans waɗanda aka gyara don sa ido a ƙasa da kuma isar da saƙon sadarwa, kuma ana maganar su ba da hayar ƴan jirage marasa matuki.
    
  "Don haka kila ba da daɗewa ba za ku fita aiki?"
    
  "Ina jin haka". Patrick ya ja dogon numfashi, har Wilhelm ya lura. "Aiki ne mai kyau kuma ƙungiyar samari da 'yan mata, amma na daɗe da barin gida."
    
  "In gaya muku gaskiya, yana da kyau mu fita daga cikin tanki kuma mu sake jagorantar gungun sojoji zuwa yaƙi," in ji Wilhelm. "Na dade ina kallon mutane na suna yin hakan akan allon bidiyo da na'urorin kwamfuta." Ya dan yi murmushi ga McLahan. "Amma wannan wasan saurayi ne, dama, Janar?"
    
  "Ban fad'a ba." Patrick ya gyada kai ga teburin jakunkunan jikin da aka sake jere a cikin hangar. "Amma na dade ina fama da wannan."
    
  Wilhelm ya ce "Ku matukan jirgi na ganin yaki ya bambanta da sojojin da ke kasa." "A gare ku, yaƙi shine game da kwamfutoci, tauraron dan adam da jirage marasa matuka."
    
  "A'a, wannan ba gaskiya bane."
    
  "Na san kun yi kuma kun ga abubuwa da yawa, Janar, amma wannan ya bambanta," Wilhelm ya ci gaba. "Kuna sarrafa tsarin, na'urori masu auna firikwensin da injuna. Muna sarrafa mayakan. Ba na ga matattu maza da mata a nan, Janar-Na ga sojoji sun sa kakinsu, suka ɗauki bindigu, suka bi ni, suka faɗo a yaƙi. Ba na bakin ciki a gare su ba. Ina bakin ciki ga iyalansu da masoyansu, amma ina alfahari da su."
    
    
  PALACE PALACE, CANKAYA, ANKARA, JAMHURIYAR TURKIYA
  DA YAMMA
    
    
  Wayar da ke kan teburin shugaban ta yi ruri. "Eh... Mr. "Shugaban kasa, Minista Dzizek da Janar Guzlev suna nan don ganin ku," in ji mataimakin shugaban kasar, yana tuntube.
    
  Shugaba Kurzat Hirsiz ya kalli agogon hannunsa, sannan ya kalli kalanda a kwamfutarsa. "Shin mun shirya meeting ne Nazim?"
    
  "A"a yallabai. Su...sun ce yana da gaggawa. Mai matukar gaggawa."
    
  Hirsiz ya yi ajiyar zuciya. "Mai kyau. Ki fadawa matata zan dan makara kadan." Ya fara tsara takardun a kan teburinsa, yana ba da fifiko ga ayyukansa na gobe, lokacin da ya ji an bude kofar ofishinsa. "Ku shigo, maza," in ji shi ba tare da izini ba, yana ci gaba da aiki, "amma za mu iya yin wannan da sauri? Na yi wa matata alkawari cewa zan-"
    
  Da ya daga kai sai ya hangi ministan tsaron kasar Hasan Cizek da babban hafsan hafsan soji Janar Abdullah Guzlev a tsaye a tsakiyar ofishin suna jiransa, kuma mutanen biyu sanye da koren kayan yaki na yaki. da takalmi masu sheki masu kyalli, kuma duka biyun suna dauke da bindigogin M1911 na Amurka. Caliber 45 a cikin gogaggun bakar fata.
    
  "Me ke faruwa a nan?" Hirsiz ya tambaya cike da mamaki. "Me yasa kake sanye da kakin soja, Hassan, kuma me yasa kake dauke da makamai a Fadar Pink?"
    
  "Barka da yamma, Kurzat," in ji Dzizek. Ya daga kafadarsa ta dama, wasu da dama daga cikin jami"an tsaron fadar shugaban kasar ne suka shigo tare da ma"aikacin karbar baki, Hirsiz, daure da sarka na roba. Masu gadin sun kama Hirsiz sannan suka daure hannunsa da marikin roba.
    
  "Mene ne wannan?" Hirsiz ya yi kururuwa. "Me kike yi? Ni ne shugaban kasar Turkiyya!"
    
  "Ba kai ne shugaban kasar Turkiyya Kurzat," in ji Dzizek. "Na sadu da Janar Guzlev, shugabannin ma'aikata da ma'aikatar harkokin cikin gida, kuma mun yanke shawarar cewa ba ku da ikon ba da umarni. Kai da kanka ka fadi haka, Kurzat: kin gaji. To, gajiyar ku tana kawo hadari ga jarumai maza da mata a kasa wadanda suke jefa rayuwarsu cikin kasada da fadar shugaban kasa. Mun yi imanin cewa ba za a iya amincewa da ku don sake ba da wani umarni ba yayin dokar ta-baci. Firayim Minista Akas, ba shakka, ba shi da mafi kyawun tsari. Don haka, mun yanke shawarar karbe iko a maimakon ku."
    
  "Me? Akan me kake magana? me kike yi?"
    
  "Ka san abin da ke faruwa a nan, Hirsiz," in ji Jizek. "Tambayar daya ce, me za ku yi? Shin za ku yi wasa da shugaban kasa mai ruɗewa, ko kuwa za ku ɗauki alhakin gazawar ku kuma ku yi aiki da gaskiya? "
    
  "Me kike magana? Shin za ku...za ku yi juyin mulki ne?
    
  "Hakan ba zai zama dole ba," in ji Jizek. "A cikin dokar ta-baci, za ku iya nada kowa a matsayin babban kwamandan sojoji. Ka nada ni, ka sami hutawa mai kyau na wasu shekaru har ka isa ka ci gaba da ayyukanka; Ina soke umarnin janyewar kashi na biyu kuma muna kara karfafa nasarorin da muka samu a Iraki."
    
  "Wannan hauka ne! Ba zan yi biyayya ba! Ba zan taba barin post dina ba! Ni ne shugaban kasar Turkiyya! Majalisar kasa ce ta zabe ni...!"
    
  "Kun rantse cewa za ku kare al'ummar Turkiyya, amma a maimakon haka ba ku yi komai ba sai kuka da kushewa yayin da 'yan Iraki da Amirkawa ke kashe dubban sojoji," in ji Dzizek. "Ba zan ƙara yarda da wannan ba. Amsar da ta dace kawai ita ce ta soja, ba ta siyasa ba, don haka dole ne sojoji su sami "yanci don kawo karshen wannan rikici. Kuna tsoron sakin sojoji da Jandarma: Ba ni ba. Me zai kasance, mai girma shugaban kasa? Ku yi biyayya da umarnina kuma za a bar ku da danginku ku zauna a wurin zama mai daɗi a Tarsus ko wataƙila ma a Dipkarpaz, a ƙarƙashin tsaro da sirri sosai-"
    
  "A matsayin yar tsana?"
    
  "A matsayinka na shugaban kasar, Hirsiz, kana karbar shawara mai kyau da gaggawa daga mashawartan sojojin ka don kawo karshen hare-haren da ake kaiwa kasarmu," in ji Jizek. "Idan ba ku yarda da wannan ba, za ku sami mummunan bugun zuciya kuma za mu kori ku da dangin ku daga Ankara har abada."
    
  "Ba za ku iya yin wannan ba!" Hirsiz yayi zanga-zanga. "Ban yi laifi ba! Ba ku da iko...!"
    
  "Na yi rantsuwa cewa zan kare kasar nan, Hirsiz," in ji Jizek, "kuma ba zan yi shiru ba yayin da kuke warware duk nasarorin da sojojinmu jajirtattu suka yi wa kasar nan. Ba ka bar ni ba kwata-kwata!"
    
  Hirsiz ya sake jinkiri, kuma Guzlev ya zaro .45 ya nuna wa shugaban kasa. "Na gaya maka ba zai yi haka ba Hassan...!" - ya ce.
    
  Idanun Hirsiz sun lumshe, hannuwa da kafadunsa suka yi kasala, gwiwoyinsa suka kada-kamar duk ruwan da ke jikinsa ya bar shi. "A'a, don Allah," in ji shi. "Ba na son in mutu. Fada min me zan yi."
    
  "Kyakkyawan shawara, Hirsiz," Dzizek ya jefa wasu takardu a kan tebur. "Sa hannu kan waɗannan takaddun." Hirsiz ya sanya hannu ba tare da karantawa ba ko kallon sama, sai dai ya sami layin sa hannu. "Za mu yi muku rakiya zuwa cibiyar sadarwa ta kasa, inda za ku yi jawabi da kan jama'ar kasar." A hannunsa akwai tarin takardu. "Abin da ka ce ke nan. Yana da kyau ku tuntubi al'ummar Turkiyya cikin gaggawa."
    
  "Yaushe zan iya ganin matata, iyalina...?"
    
  "Kasuwanci da farko, Hirsiz," in ji Jizek. Ya gyada kai ga jami'in tsaron fadar shugaban kasa. "Kauke shi." Hirsiz ya ce da wani abu yayin da aka fito da shi da mataimakinsa daga ofishin a karkashin manyan jami"an tsaro.
    
  Guzlev, tare da motsi mai ban haushi, ya sanya caliber ɗin sa .45 a cikin kwandon sa. "La'ananne, na yi tunanin zan harba wannan dan iskan nan, Jizek," ya zagi. "Zai yi kama da abin banza a TV."
    
  Jizek ya ce: "Mafi kyau sosai." "Idan ba zai iya ba ko ba zai iya ba, zan karanta da kaina." Ya taka zuwa Guzlev. "Soke umarnin janye kashi na ɗaya da biyu kuma ku shirya mu yi tattaki zuwa Erbil. Idan wani sojan peshmerga, sojan Iraqi ko Ba'amurke - musamman wadannan robobi da barayin katako - ya fitar da kansa ko da inci guda, ina son tawagar jiragen sama su tura su kai tsaye zuwa gidan wuta." Ya ɗan yi tunani, sannan ya ce, "A"a, ba zan jira waɗannan robobi da Tin Woodmen su zo mana ba. Ina so a rufe Nala Air Base. Suna tsammanin za su iya kashe Turkawa dubu su tafi kawai? Ina son wannan wurin ya ruguje kasa, kun fahimce ni? Daidaitacce!"
    
  "Da jin dadi, Hassan ... Ina nufin, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Guzlev. "Da jin dadi".
    
    
  NAKHLA ALLIED AIR BASE, IRAQ
  DA safe
    
    
  Bayan wani taron tunawa da sojojin da suka mutu na Regiment na biyu, Patrick McLanahan, Jack Wilhelm, John Masters da Shugaban Tsaro Chris Thompson sun raka mataimakin shugaban kasa Ken Phoenix zuwa layin tashi, inda jirgin saman CV-22 Osprey rotary-wing ya kasance. Ana jira a kai shi Bahrain.
    
  Mataimakin shugaban kasar ya girgiza hannun Wilhelm. "Kun yi babban aiki a daren jiya," in ji Phoenix. "Kiyi hakuri da asararki."
    
  "Na gode yallabai," in ji William. "Ba zan so ganin an kafa mu haka ba, amma na yi farin ciki da cewa Turkawa sun yanke shawarar tsagaita bude wuta, ja da baya da fara shawarwari. Wannan zai ba mu damar mayar da yaranmu gida."
    
  "Zan ji daɗi idan kun isa gida, lafiya," in ji Phoenix. "Na gode da jagorantar wadannan maza da mata sosai."
    
  "Na gode yallabai," in ji William, yana gaishe.
    
  Phoenix ya mayar da gaisuwa. "Ba ni cikin jerin umarnin ku, Colonel," in ji Phoenix. "Ban yaba gaisuwa ba."
    
  "Kun tsaya tare da sojojina, kun dauki wuta na abokan gaba, kuma ba ku yi kuka ba, kuka ba mu umarni ko ku shiga hanyarmu," in ji Wilhelm. "Yallabai ka cancanci hakan. Idan zan iya faɗi haka, kun yi kama sosai... na shugaban ƙasa."
    
  "To, na gode, Colonel," in ji Phoenix. "Daga gare ku, wannan babban yabo ne. Hanyar da ba ta da kyau, amma manyan alamomi. "
    
  "Abu ne mai kyau ban shiga siyasa ba, yallabai," in ji Wilhelm. "A yi tafiya mai kyau."
    
  "Na gode Colonel." Phoenix ya juya ga Patrick kuma ya girgiza hannunsa. "Ban san lokacin da zan sake ganin ku ba, Patrick," in ji shi, "amma ina tsammanin ku da ƙungiyar ku kun yi wani aiki na ban mamaki a daren jiya."
    
  Na gode, yallabai, "in ji Patrick. "Abin takaici, har yanzu ban tsammanin wannan shine karshen ba, amma tsagaita bude wuta da janye sojojin tabbas labari ne mai kyau."
    
  "Na karanta shirin ku game da Diyarbakir," in ji Phoenix. "Bana tunanin akwai wata dama da Shugaban kasa zai amince da wannan, musamman idan ya gano cewa daga gare ku yake fitowa. Amma zan yi masa magana akai."
    
  "Za mu iya haɓaka wannan kuma mu gudu cikin ƙasa da kwana ɗaya, kuma aƙalla hakan zai bayyana a fili cewa da gaske muke."
    
  "Wannan gaskiya ne," in ji Phoenix. "Ina kuma so in yi magana da ku game da wannan kamfani na ku da tsarin makamanku masu ban mamaki kamar CID, Tin Man da kuma bindigogin dogo na lantarki. Ban san dalilin da ya sa ba za mu fallasa dubban su ba. Ya kalli Patrick da wata magana mai cike da mamaki, sannan ya kara da cewa, "Kuma ina so in san dalilin da yasa kuke da su ba Sojojin Amurka ba."
    
  "Zan yi bayanin komai, yallabai," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Ina shakkar hakan," in ji Phoenix tare da murmushi, "amma har yanzu ina so in yi magana da ku game da su. Lafiya lau, General."
    
  "Ku yi tafiya mai kyau, sir." Mataimakin shugaban kasar ya gyada kai, ya hau CV-22, kuma cikin dan kankanin lokaci manyan tagwayen tallan suka fara jujjuyawa.
    
  Da farko Patrick ke da wuya ya ji wani abu kan hayaniyar tagwayen tallan Osprey da cikakken ikon VTOL, amma ya ji ya bude rediyon. Wilhelm yana yin haka a daidai lokacin. "Ci gaba, Boomer," in ji shi.
    
  "'Yan bindiga!" Mafarauci mai martaba ya yi kururuwa. A wannan lokacin, an yi ta karan siren hari ta sama. "Kungiyoyi biyu na wasu bama-bamai goma sun tsallaka kan iyakar Turkiyya da Iraki, inda suka nufi nan cikin mintuna biyar!"
    
  "Fitar da Osprey daga nan!" Patrick ya yi kururuwa. Ya yi wa John Masters da Chris Thompson hannu su bi shi. "Ku cire shi daga wuta daga tushe!"
    
  Wilhelm ya kuma yi ihu a cikin rediyonsa: "Matsuguni, matsuguni, matsuguni!" - ya yi ihu. "Kowa ya ga mafakar bam, yanzu!"
    
  Yayin da suka fito fili, har yanzu suna iya ganin CV-22 yayin da ya tashi ya nufi kudu. Da farko, hanyar jirginsa ya yi kama da na al'ada - daidaitaccen hawan hawan, hanzari a hankali, sauyi mai santsi daga jirgin tsaye zuwa turboprop. Amma bayan ɗan lokaci Osprey ya yi banki da ƙarfi zuwa hagu da kurciya zuwa ƙasa, kuma sun ji injuna suna kururuwa don nuna rashin amincewa yayin da manyan jigilar kayayyaki suka sauya daga turboprop zuwa yanayin helikwafta. Ya karkata hagu da dama kuma ya matsa ƙasa zuwa rukunin gine-gine a High Kaif, yana fatan ya ɓoye a cikin radar.
    
  Sai dai ya makara - makami mai linzami na Turkiyya sun riga sun shiga sama. Jiragen F-15 na Turkiyya sun riga sun toshe CV-22 a sama da mil ɗari tare da harba makamai masu linzami biyu na AIM-54 da Turkiyya ta gyaggyarawa, waɗanda ake yi wa laƙabi da "Phoenix" a Osprey. A baya yana aiki a cikin Rundunar Sojan Ruwa na Amurka don samar da tsaro mai nisa ga ƙungiyoyin yaƙi, AIM-54 shine kashin bayan fuka-fukin jiragen ruwa na sojojin ruwa na Amurka, wanda ke da ikon lalata manyan bama-bamai na Rasha kafin su iya shiga cikin kewayon rigakafin. - jirgin ruwa cruise makamai masu linzami. Bayan da aka harba shi a shekarar 2004, an yi gwanjon tarin makamai masu linzami masu dogon zango da sojojin S. Sojoji suka yi daga sama zuwa iska, inda sojojin saman Turkiyya suka kwace su.
    
  Bayan harba makamai masu linzamin na Phoenix sun tashi sama da tsayin kafa dubu tamanin a kusan ninki biyar gudun sauti, sannan suka fara nutsewa zuwa yankin da aka nufa, karkashin jagorancin na'urar radar na Turkiyya F-15E. A cikin daƙiƙa na tasiri, AIM-54 ta kunna radar da aka yi niyya don rufewa don halaka. Makami mai linzami guda daya ya lalace kuma ya lalata kansa, amma makami mai linzami na biyu ya bugi faifan rotor na dama na CV-22 Osprey yayin da jirgin ya yi ta kokarin sauka a wurin ajiye motoci. Injin dama ya fashe, inda ya aike da jirgin cikin wani mummunan juyi na hannun hagu na dakikoki da dama kafin ya fado kasa sannan ya juye juye saboda karfin fashewar.
    
  A can, a Nala, cikakken hargitsi ya yi mulki. Tun da an riga an lalata gidan kwamandan rundunar, manyan wuraren da maharan na Turkiyya suka kai hari su ne filin jirgin sama da kuma barikin. Kowace hangar, ciki har da rumbun ajiyar XC-57 Loser's da kuma wurin ajiye gawawwakin gawarwakin sojojin Amurka da na Iraqi da suka mutu, an same su da aƙalla bam ɗin Haɗin kai kai tsaye na fam dubu biyu, tsarin da tauraron dan adam ke jagoranta bisa na al'ada. Radar mai nauyi mai nauyi A wannan karon an lalata hanyoyin ajiye motoci da motocin haya, wadanda a baya Turkawa ba su kai hari ba a lokacin da suka fara kai hari.
    
  Sojojin da ke Nala sun kasance a kan gaba kuma suna shirye don komai bayan yakin daren da ya gabata, don haka lokacin da aka yi karar sautin iska, mutanen nan da nan suka fita daga kofar bariki suka nufi matsugunin . Sojoji da dama sun dade da yawa don tattara makamai ko abubuwan da suka shafi kansu kuma an kashe su ta hanyar bama-bamai, kuma an kama wasu sojoji da dama da ke taimakawa wadanda suka jikkata kwashe ginin a fili. Gabaɗaya, asara ba ta da yawa.
    
  Amma barnar ta cika. A cikin 'yan mintoci kaɗan, an lalata yawancin tashar jiragen sama na Allied a Nala.
    
    
  CIBIYAR HALI, WHITE HOUSE, Washington, DC.
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  Shugaba Gardner ya yi gaggawar zuwa dakin da ake kira Situation Room, wani dakin taro na zamani a West Wing da ake amfani da shi wajen gudanar da manyan tarurrukan tsaro na kasa, ya zauna. "Ku zauna ku zauna," in ji shi. "Wani yayi min magana, a yanzu. Me ya faru?"
    
  "Turkiyya ta ayyana dokar soji sannan ta kaddamar da wasu hare-hare ta sama a arewacin Iraki," in ji mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaron kasa Conrad Carlisle. Ministan tsaron Turkiyya Jizek ya ce an dora shi a kan aikin soji tare da ba da umarnin kai wani gagarumin farmaki kan 'yan ta'addar PKK da magoya bayansu a Iraki da Turkiyya. An nuna taswirar lantarki ta arewacin Iraki akan wata babbar kwamfuta mai girman bango a gaban dakin. "Biranu da garuruwa 20 ne "yan ta"addar da suka hada da Kirkuk da Erbil da Dohuk da kuma Mosul suka kai wa hari. An kai hare-hare kan sansanonin hadin gwiwar sojojin Iraki da Amurka guda uku a Erbil, Kirkuk da kuma kusa da Mosul. Yanzu dai an samu asarar rayuka. Sansanin sun sami 'yan mintuna kaɗan na gargaɗi kawai." Ya dakata sosai don samun cikakkiyar kulawar shugaban kasa, sannan ya kara da cewa, "Kuma jirgin mataimakin shugaban kasa ya bace."
    
  "Bace?" - Shugaban ya yi ihu.
    
  "Mataimakin shugaban kasar ya tashi zuwa Baghdad mintuna kafin harin," in ji Carlisle. "Matukin jirgin na yin tuƙi ne kuma yana neman saukar gaggawa a lokacin da suka ɓace . Kwamandan rundunar sojin saman da ke Nala, ya shirya wata tawagar bincike da ceto, amma sansanin ya yi barna sosai kuma ya kusa ruguzawa. Tuni dai aka kai hari da jiragen yakin Turkiyya a daren jiya. Tawagar aikin ceto da rundunar sojin sama na aikewa daga Samarra, amma za a dauki sa'o'i da yawa kafin a isa wurin."
    
  "Allah sarki" shugaban ya fad'a. "Kira Hirsiz ko Cizek ko duk wanda ke da gaske a Ankara. Ba na son sauran jiragen Turkiyya su yi shawagi a saman Iraki - ba daya! Ina masu dako? Me za mu iya tashi a can?"
    
  "Muna da kungiyar gwagwarmayar Abraham Lincoln Carrier a Tekun Fasha," in ji Shugaban Hafsan Hafsoshin Sojojin Janar Taylor Bain. "Ba zai zama mai sauƙi ba saboda nisa, amma za mu iya fara sintiri ta sama a kan Iraki tare da jirgin E-2 Hawkeye radar da ke tashi C4I da mayaƙan F/A-18 Hornet a cikin sintiri."
    
  "Ku yi," shugaban ya umarta. "Ku kiyaye su a kan Iraki har sai an kai musu hari." Sakataren Tsaro Miller Turner ya dauki wayar don ba da oda.
    
  Carlisle ta ce "Turkiyya tana da manyan sojojin sama, tare da rarar jiragen yakin Amurka da makamai," in ji Carlisle. "Wasu daga cikinsu, kamar F-15 Eagles, na iya dacewa da Hornets."
    
  Gardner ya ce "Idan Turkiyya na son shiga karawa da Amurka, a shirye nake in buga wasa." "Abin da game da harin kasa makamai? Tomahawks?
    
  Bain ya ce "makamaimai masu linzami da aka harba a teku na al'ada ba su da iyaka a cikin Tekun Farisa." "Dole ne mu matsar da jiragen ruwa da jiragen ruwa kusa da tekun Bahar Rum don kasancewa cikin kewayon sansanonin jiragen saman Turkiyya na gabashin Turkiyya."
    
  "Duk wani jirgi ko jirgin ruwa a cikin Bahar Maliya?"
    
  Bain ya kara da cewa "Babu jiragen ruwa na karkashin ruwa, bisa ga yarjejeniyar." "Muna da ƙungiyar gwagwarmaya ta saman da ke sintiri a tekun Black Sea, kuma a ƙarƙashin yarjejeniyar, kuma suna da T-LAMs, amma kuma su ne jiragen ruwa mafi rauni a yanzu. Dole ne mu ɗauka cewa idan Turkawa suna son faɗa, za su fara kai wa wannan ƙungiyar hari."
    
  "Me kuma muke da shi?"
    
  Bain ya ce "Muna da jiragen sama na dabara da dama da ke da tushe a wurare daban-daban a Turai - Girka, Romania, Italiya, Jamus da Burtaniya - amma waɗannan ba za su zama zaɓin yajin aiki cikin gaggawa ba." "Sauran zaɓin mu kawai shine ƴan ta"addar B-2 Spirit da aka ƙaddamar da su daga Diego Garcia. Muna da jirage guda shida da suka tsira da suke shirye su tashi."
    
  "Ku kama su ku shirya su," in ji shugaban. "Abun da mu ke da shi ke nan? Shida?"
    
  "Ina jin tsoron haka, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Bane. "Muna da jiragen sama guda biyu na XR-A9 Black Stallion wadanda za su iya harba sahihan makamai kuma za su iya daukar makamai kuma su kai hari cikin sa'o'i, kuma muna da ICBM da yawa masu dauke da makamai wadanda za su iya kai hari cikin sauri a Turkiyya."
    
  "Ku koya musu kuma ku shirya su," in ji Gardner. "Ban san abin da Ankara ke nufi ba, ko kuma idan suna da wani abu a zuciya, amma idan suna so su kai mana hari, ina son komai ya tafi."
    
  Wayar da ke kusa da shugaban ma'aikatan fadar White House Walter Cordus ta lumshe ido sannan ya dauka. "Firaministan Turkiyya na gaishe ku, yallabai."
    
  Nan take shugaban ya dauki wayar. "Firayim Minista Akas, wannan shine Shugaba Gardner. Me ke faruwa a can? Sa'o'i 12 da suka gabata kun ayyana tsagaita wuta. Yanzu kun kai hari kan sansanonin sojojin Amurka uku! Kuna hauka ne?
    
  "Ina jin tsoron cewa Ministan Tsaro na kasa Dzizek da Janar Abdullah Guzlev na iya zama, Mista Shugaba," in ji ta. "A daren jiya sun kama shugaban kasar Hirsiz, suka yi juyin mulkin soja suka mamaye fadar shugaban kasa. Ba su ji dadin matakin da shugaban ya dauka na komawa bakin iyaka kafin a halaka PKK da magoya bayansu."
    
  "To me yasa kai hari sansanonin Amurka?"
    
  "Sakamakon shan kaye a kusa da Tall Kaif," in ji Akas. "An kashe ko jikkata Turkawa dubu biyu a wannan yakin. Dzizek da janar-janar sun yi la'akari da cewa koma baya zuwa kan iyaka bayan irin wannan asarar. "
    
  "Har yanzu kai ne Firayim Minista, Mrs. Akas?"
    
  "A'a, ba haka nake ba," in ji Akas. "An ba ni damar yin amfani da wayar salula ta, wacce na tabbata an buga ta, amma ba zan iya tafiya cikin walwala ko ziyarci ofishina ba. A karkashin dokar ta baci dai an rusa majalisar dokokin kasar. Dzizek da janar-janar ne ke da alhakin."
    
  "Ina so in yi magana da su nan da nan," in ji Gardner. "Idan za ku iya samun sako ga Jizek, ku gaya masa cewa Amurka za ta kafa yankin hana zirga-zirgar jiragen sama a arewacin Iraki, kuma ina gargadin su da kada su keta shi ko kuma su yi yunkurin kai hari ga wani jirginmu, idan ba haka ba za mu yi la'akari da shi. Wannan aikin yaki ne, nan da nan bari mu sake kai hari. Muna shirya duk kayan aikin soja kuma za mu mayar da martani da duk abin da muke da shi. Yana da zahiri?"
    
  "Ya bayyana a gare ni, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Akas, "amma ban sani ba ko Jizek zai dauki hakan a matsayin wani abu fiye da bayyananniyar barazanar kai hari. Ka tabbata kana son in isar da wannan sakon, yallabai?
    
  "Ba ni da niyyar kai wa Turkiyya hari sai dai idan sun sake keta sararin samaniyar Iraki," in ji Gardner. "Duk sauran amsoshinmu za su kasance ta wasu hanyoyi. Amma idan Turkiyya ta yi niyyar fada, za mu ba su fada." Kuma ya katse wayar.
    
    
  WAJEN TALL QAIFA, IRAQ
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  Humvees guda biyu sun garzaya zuwa wurin da CV-22 ya yi hatsari kuma nan da nan suka kewaye yankin tare da jami'an tsaro yayin da Chris Thompson da wani likita suka garzaya zuwa jirgin tilt-rotor. An yi sa'a, tsarin kashe gobarar Osprey ya dakatar da babbar gobara, kuma fararen hula na Iraki sun kashe sauran. Sun tarar da mataimakin shugaban kasa da ma"aikatan jirgin da kuma wani ma"aikacin hukumar leken asiri da wani likitan kasar ke yi masa magani, yayin da wani jami"in leken asiri ya lullube shi da katifa. "Na gode Allah da kake raye, yallabai," in ji Chris.
    
  "Na gode wa waɗannan mutane," in ji Ken Phoenix. "Da ba su taimaka ba, da tabbas da mun mutu a gobarar. Me ya faru?"
    
  "Turkawa sun sake jefa bama-bamai a sansanin," in ji Chris. "A wannan karon kusan komai ya lalace. Yawancin wadanda abin ya shafa; mun sami isassun gargaɗi. Turkawa na kai hare-haren bama-bamai a duk fadin arewacin Iraki."
    
  "Wannan shine don tsagaita wuta idan har an taba samun daya," in ji Phoenix.
    
  "Muna kafa cibiyar kwashe mutane a nan cikin birni," in ji Chris. "Karnal na shirin hada karfi da karfe a Mosul. Zan fitar da ku daga nan sannan mu gano hanyar da za mu kai ku Bagadaza."
    
  Mintuna goma bayan haka sun gana da wasu da suka tsira daga Nala, ciki har da Patrick McLanahan, Hunter Noble, John Masters da wasu 'yan kwangila da sojoji, wadanda akasarinsu sun samu raunuka. "Na yi farin ciki da ka zo, Mr. Mataimakin Shugaban kasa," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Ina Kanal din?"
    
  "Kallon fitar da mutane," in ji Patrick. "Zai tura mu zuwa Mosul mu jira ayarin motocin su tashi. Kusan duk ginin da yake tsaye bayan daren jiya ya daina tsayawa."
    
  "Jirgin ku, XC-57?"
    
  "Sun kwace dukkan rataye, har ma da wanda muka yi amfani da shi azaman wurin ajiye gawa."
    
  Ken Phoenix ya nuna wa Patrick ya zo tare da shi kuma suka yi nisa da sauran. Phoenix ya sa hannu a aljihunsa ya zaro wata leda mai dauke da kati mai aminci da Patrick ya ba shi. "Wannan fa?" - Ya tambaya. "Za mu iya har yanzu haka?"
    
  Patrick ya zaro ido. Da sauri ya yi tunani, kansa ya fara kadawa. "Ba za mu sami tsarin sadarwar da ke gudana ba," in ji shi, "kuma dole ne in duba matsayin Lancers a cikin UAE."
    
  "Nemi wayar ku yi," in ji Phoenix. "Zan yi magana da shugaban kasa."
    
    
  FADAR SHUGABAN KASA, CANKAYA, ANKARA, Türkiye
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  "Me yace?" Hasan Dzizek ya yi ihu. "Shin Gardner yana barazanar yaki da Turkiyya?"
    
  "Me kake tsammanin ji daga gare shi Hassan?" An tambayi firaministan Turkiyya Ays Akash. Tare da su akwai tsohon babban hafsan hafsoshin sojojin Turkiyya Janar Abdullah Guzlev. "Kun kashe Amurkawa da yawa a yau bayan da Turkiyya ta ayyana tsagaita wuta! Kun yi tsammanin ya ce 'Na gane' ko 'Kada ku damu'?"
    
  "Abin da na yi shi ne sakayya ga abin da shi, da robobinsa da 'yan barandan Iraki suka yi wa sojojina!" Jizek yana kuka. "Sun kashe dubbai!"
    
  "Ka kwantar da hankalinka Hasan," in ji Akas. "Shugaban ya ce zai kafa yankin hana zirga-zirgar jiragen sama a arewacin Iraki, kuma ba ya son ku tsallaka ta. Idan kuka yi kokari, zai dauki hakan a matsayin yaki."
    
  "Shin yana barazanar yaki da Turkiyya? Shin mahaukaci ne ko kuma megalomaniac ne kawai? Ba shi da isassun sojoji a wannan yanki na duniya da za su kai wa Turkiyya hari!"
    
  "Shin yana shirin amfani da makaman nukiliya a kanmu?" - Tambayi Guzlev.
    
  "Hasan kayi shiru kayi tunani," inji Akas. "Muna magana ne game da Amurka ta Amurka. Wataƙila ba su da ƙarfi saboda yaƙe-yaƙe a Iraki da Afganistan, amma har yanzu sun kasance mafi ƙarfi na injin soja a duniya. Kuna iya tserewa tare da kai hari kan sansanonin biyu ko uku a Iraki, amma ba za ku iya fuskantar cikakken karfin sojojinsu ba. Za su iya daidaita wannan ginin ta hanyoyi ɗari daban-daban a cikin kiftawar ido. Kun san shi. Me yasa kuke musun hakan?
    
  "Ba zan musanta hakan ba, amma ba zan ja da baya daga aikina ba har sai an kammala," in ji Dzizek. "Amurka za ta yi amfani da karfin soji don hana ni." Ya dakata yana tunani na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya gaya wa Guzlev: "Hanya mafi sauri da zai iya kafa yankin da ba zai tashi tashi ba a arewacin Iraki ita ce ta jiragen dakon jiragen sama daga Tekun Fasha."
    
  "Iya," in ji Guzlev. "Bahar Rum da sansanonin Turai sun yi nisa sosai."
    
  "Har yaushe?"
    
  Guzlev ya ce, "Mayaƙa, tankuna, jirage masu radar - zai ɗauki sa'o'i da yawa don yi musu bayani tare da shirya su don tura su, watakila ya fi tsayi, sannan aƙalla sa'a ɗaya ko biyu don tashi zuwa arewacin Iraki," in ji Guzlev.
    
  "Wannan yana nufin muna da 'yan sa'o'i kadan, watakila biyar ko shida, don yin aiki. Za mu iya yin wannan?
    
  Guzlev ya ce, "Kusan rabin sojojin ana dawo da su a Diyarbakir da Malatya," in ji Guzlev, yana kallon agogon hannunsa. "Rabin na dauke da makamai. Idan ba a samu jinkiri ko hatsarori ba... Eh, ina ganin za mu iya sake samun su cikin iska nan da sa"o"i biyar ko shida."
    
  "Me za ka yi?" Akas ya tambaya.
    
  "Ba ni da niyyar keta dokar hana zirga-zirgar jiragen sama na Amurka; Zan tabbatar da an kammala ayyukana kafin su girka shi," in ji Jizek. Ga Guzlev: "Ina son duk jirage da ake da su lodi kuma aka harba su kai hari na ƙarshe a Erbil, Kirkuk da Mosul. Duk wani sansani ko wanda ake zargin PKK da Peshmerga sansani, da duk wani sansani mai goyon bayan PKK, da duk wani sansani na sojan Iraqi da Amurka da ka iya yin barazana ga mamayar da Turkiyya ke yi a Iraki cikin gaggawa.
    
    
  A KAN Tekun PACIFIC, MILANA DARI UKU YAMMA NA LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.
  BAYAN LOKACI
    
    
  "Ku shirya don a sake ku," in ji kwamandan tawagar. Ya kasance a kan Sky Masters Inc. Jirgin saman Boeing DC-10 mai hawa sama sama da Tekun Pasifik. "Bari mu yi kyau kuma zan sayi zagaye na farko."
    
  Jirgin, wanda McDonnell Douglas Aircraft ya kera tun kafin wannan kamfani Boeing ya siya, an yi masa gyare-gyare sosai saboda dalilai da dama, da suka hada da batun mai a tsakiyar iska da gwajin kayan aiki, amma babban gyare-gyaren da aka yi masa ya ba shi damar harba na'urorin tallata tauraron dan adam zuwa sararin samaniya. Motar harba, mai suna ALARM ko kuma makami mai linzamin da aka ƙaddamar da Alert Response, yayi kama da wani babban makami mai linzami. Yana da injunan roka guda uku da fikafikai masu naɗewa don ba shi ɗagawa a cikin yanayi. ALARM da gaske yayi amfani da DC-10 azaman injin matakin farko.
    
  Masu haɓaka siginar sun ɗauki tauraron dan adam guda huɗu a ciki. Tauraron tauraron dan adam, wanda ake kira NIRTSats, ko Bukatar Shi Dama Wadannan Tauraron Dan Adam na Biyu, sun kasance tauraron dan adam na leken asiri da yawa girman injin wanki, wanda aka kera don tsayawa a cikin kewayawa na kasa da wata guda; suna da ɗan motsa jiki don motsa jiki kuma dole ne su kasance a cikin sararin samaniya ɗaya da aka kafa, tare da ƴan ƙananan sauye-sauye na orbital ko daidaitawa. An sanya waɗannan tauraron dan adam a cikin kewayawa don yin hidima ga shugabannin yaki a Afghanistan.
    
  "Abin mamaki ne," in ji kwamandan tawagar, wani babban hafsan Sojan Sama na Amurka daga Wurin Sararin Samaniya na Thirtieth a sansanin Sojojin Sama na Vandenberg a California. "A kasa da sa"o"i goma sha biyu da suka wuce na sami umarnin kaddamar da wannan rukunin taurarin. Za mu yi haka yanzu. Yawanci yakan dauki sojojin sama mako guda don yin wani abu makamancin haka."
    
  "Shi ya sa daga yanzu ya kamata ku kira mu," in ji matukin jirgin, wani farar hula da Sky Masters Inc. ke aiki, cikin alfahari.
    
  "Eh, amma ku mutanen sun yi tsada sosai."
    
  "Kuna son yin aikin da sauri kuma daidai, dole ne ku biya mafi kyawun," in ji matukin jirgin. "Bayan haka, ba kudin ku ba ne, kudin Sojojin Sama ne."
    
  "To, mutane, ko ta yaya kuke yi kuma komai nawa muka biya ku, yana da daraja," in ji kwamandan mishan.
    
  "Muna ƙoƙarin farantawa," in ji matukin jirgin. Ya juya shafin akan nunin multifunction dinsa lokacin da ya sami sakon Annunciation mai walƙiya, ya karanta saƙon tauraron dan adam mai shigowa, ya mayar da shi zuwa babban shafin kewayawa, ya canza intercom ɗinsa zuwa "private" sannan yayi magana.
    
  "Mene ne?" - ya tambayi kwamandan manufa.
    
  "Ba komai, kawai bukatar gaggawa ga ma'aikatan da su saki," in ji matukin jirgin. Babban jami"in sojan saman bai ankara da shi ba, sai kawai injiniyan jirgin da ke zaune a bayansa ya zaro taswirori ya fara buga kwamfuta mai tsara jirginsa. "har zuwa lokacin graduation?" - ya tambayi matukin jirgin.
    
  "Dakika sittin... yanzu," in ji kwamandan tawagar. Ya duba nasa nuni mai aiki da yawa, wanda ke nuna bayanan manufa. Sun tashi zuwa madaidaicin wuri da kwas ɗin da zai sanya ƙararrawa a kan manufa mai kyau don nasarar turawa. Saboda NIRTSats suna da ɗan ƙaramin man fetur, gwargwadon yadda za su iya samun motar ƙaddamarwa zuwa sararin samaniya mai kyau, mafi kyau.
    
  "Ku shirya, ma'aikatan jirgin," in ji matukin jirgin. "Rahoton kammala jerin abubuwan dubawa ga mai gudanarwa."
    
  "An saita tashar jirgin kuma a shirye don tashi, MS," in ji injiniyan jirgin.
    
  "A shirye belin gidan ya shirya, MC," wani farar hula da ke kula da gidan ya ruwaito bayan abokin aikinsa na Sojan sama ya ba shi babban yatsa yayin da yake kallon sakin. An raba kokfit na DC-10 da aka gyara zuwa ɗakunan da aka matsa da kuma marasa matsi. A cikin rukunin da aka hatimce akwai na'urar ƙara ƙararrawa ta biyu da aka dakatar akan igiyoyin kaya; ɗakin zai iya ɗaukar ƙararrawa biyu, da ɗaya a cikin ɗakin da ba a matse ba.
    
  An riga an ɗora kayan haɓakar gaggawa na farko a cikin mashigin ƙaddamar da ba a matsa lamba ba, daga inda za a jefar da shi a cikin ɗigon ruwa a ƙarƙashin DC-10. Bayan an sake shi, motar roka ta farko za ta harba kuma za ta tashi a ƙasa, sannan a gaban DC-10, sannan ta fara hawa mai kaifi. Injin mataki na biyu da na uku za su yi ta harba wuta har sai motar harba su ta kai ga saurin kewayawa kuma tana kan iyakar da ake so a sararin samaniya-a wannan yanayin, mil tamanin da takwas a saman duniya-sannan kuma za ta fara fitar da tauraron dan adam NIRTSAT.
    
  "Ku shirya," in ji mai gabatarwa. "Biyar ... hudu ... uku ... biyu ... daya ... jefa." Ya jira har sai faɗuwar fitin ɗin na ɗan lokaci da na'urar siginar gaggawa ta DC-10 ta katse kafin tsarin mai da datsa ya sami damar maido da ma'auni na jirgin. Wannan ya kasance mafi wahala a cikin waɗannan sakewar; idan jirgin bai dawo da ma'auni ba kuma ya fara motsi cikin sauri, kuma idan amplifier na HARNER ya kama cikin ruɗaɗɗen zamewa, zai iya tashi daga hanya ko juyewa daga sarrafawa. Wannan lamari ne da ba kasafai ba, amma ...
    
  Sai mai gabatarwa ya gane cewa ba zai iya jin motsin hidimar ba. Ya kalli nunin multifunction dinsa... yaga ALARM amplifier din bai yi aiki ba! "Kai me ya faru?" Ya duba alamunsa...sai yaga matukin jirgin ya nakasa harba. "Kai, kun dakatar da ƙaddamarwa! Kun soke sakin! Me ke faruwa?"
    
  "Mun sami umarni," in ji matukin jirgin. "Za mu kara man fetur sannan kuma za mu matsa zuwa wani wurin harba man."
    
  "Order? Wani ƙaddamarwa? Ba za ku iya yin hakan ba! Wannan manufa ce ta sojojin sama! Wa ya ce ka yi haka?"
    
  "Boss".
    
  "Wane shugaba? Hukumar Lafiya ta Duniya? Masu su? Ba zai iya canza wannan manufa ba! Zan kai rahoto zuwa ofishin kwamandana."
    
  "Za ku iya gaya musu abin da muka yi bayan ƙaddamar da wannan hanzarin."
    
  "Wannan motar da aka harba, wannan manufa ta Sojojin saman Amurka ce! Ba zan bar ku ku yi awon gaba da makami mai linzamin sojojin sama ba."
    
  "Na yi hakuri da jin haka daga wajenka Manjo," matukin jirgin ya ce cikin alheri... A daidai lokacin da injiniyan jirgin ya isa bayan MC, ya dora bindigar a wuyan jami"in sojin sama ya danna mashin, nan take ya sume.
    
  "Har yaushe zai tsaya a waje, Jim?" - ya tambayi matukin jirgin.
    
  "Ina tunanin sa'o'i biyu."
    
  Matukin jirgin ya ce, "Ya dade." Ya danna intercom: "Ok, John, aika shi sama." Bayan dakika kadan, ma"aikacin hukumar sojin sama da aka tura domin kula da harba jirgin ya shiga harabar jirgin shi ma injiniyan jirgin ya buge shi a sume. "To, yayin da hedkwatar Vegas ke sake tsara NIRTSats ta hanyar tauraron dan adam, Ina buƙatar hutu kafin mu hadu da tanki. Sau biyu duba sabon shirin ƙaddamar da ku. Yayi kyau kowa da kowa. Na gode da tunani akan ƙafafunku. Bayan wannan, dukkanmu za mu cancanci karin girma... sai dai idan ba, ba shakka, mun ƙare a gidan yari."
    
  "Ina sabon aikin?" - ya tambayi ƙwararren bene na ƙaddamarwa.
    
  "Turkiye," in ji matukin jirgin. "Da alama akwai shit da yawa ke faruwa a wajen."
    
    
  Lardin MARDIN, TURKIYYA MAI GASKIYA
  FARKON RANAR DAYA
    
    
  "A tuntuɓi radar! Radar lamba!" ya yi ihu wani jami'in kwamanda na dabara, ko TAO, daga rukunin makami mai linzami na Patriot da aka ajiye a yankin. "Lambobin sadarwa da yawa masu shigowa, matsakaicin tsayi, matsakaicin subsonic, suna zuwa kai tsaye zuwa gare mu. Za ta shiga sararin samaniyar Siriya nan da mintuna uku."
    
  Daraktan dabara, ko TD, yayi nazarin nunin radar Patriot. "Matsakaicin gudun, babu motsa jiki, matsakaicin tsayi - mai yiwuwa jiragen leken asiri," in ji shi. "Nawa ne?"
    
  "Takwas. Suna tafiya kai tsaye zuwa tashoshin radar mu."
    
  "Ba na so in lalata makamai masu linzami kan jirage marasa matuka," in ji shi, "amma dole ne mu rufe wannan sashin." Ya ɗan yi tunani, sa'an nan ya ce, "Idan sun canza tsayi, shiga. Idan ba haka ba, za mu yi kokarin murkushe su da makami mai linzami."
    
  "Yallabai idan suna nutsewa kan radar mu fa?" - TAO ya tambaya.
    
  "Ban san duk wani makami mai linzami da aka harba a wurare masu rauni sannan kuma ya nutse zuwa ga inda aka kai musu hari," in ji darektan dabarar. "Makamai masu linzami za su yi tashi da kasa sosai ko kuma suna da tsayi sosai. Wannan shi ne ainihin abin da ake buƙata don rigakafin jiragen sama. Heck, har ma da mayaƙan manyan bindigogi na Siriya na iya samun damar danne su. Kallon su yanzu. Idan sun fara sauri ko rage gudu, mu-"
    
  "Yallabai, Sashe na Hudu kuma yana ba da rahoton wasu scarecrows da yawa suna gabatowa!" - Jami'in sadarwa ya yi ihu. Wannan bangare shi ne ya hade su zuwa gabas. "Ƙarin scarecrow takwas, matsakaicin tsayi, a matsakaicin saurin subsonic, suma sun nufi wuraren radar mu!"
    
  "Jirgin leken asiri guda 16, duk suna tashi zuwa Turkiyya a lokaci guda... kuma daga ina?" - daraktan dabara ya fada da karfi. "Turkiyya ta kai hari ga dukkan sansanonin Amurka da safiyar yau. Babu yadda za su iya harba jirage marasa matuka masu yawa da sauri. Dole ne a harba su daga iska."
    
  "Ko kuma za su iya zama yaudara kamar lokacin da muka ƙaddamar," in ji TAO.
    
  Makamai goma sha shida...wato yana nufin Patriots talatin da biyu, tunda Patriot koyaushe yana harba makami mai linzami biyu akan kowace manufa don tabbatar da cin nasara. Patriots talatin da biyu ne suka wakilci kowane mai ƙaddamarwa a cikin rukunin. Idan har suka harba dukkan makamansu kan jirage marasa matuka ko kuma na lalata, to zai zama babban barna na makamai masu linzami da kuma barin su cikin rauni har sai an sake lodi, wanda zai dauki kusan mintuna talatin.
    
  Daraktan Dabarun ya dauki wayar tare da mika dukkan bayanan ga Kodinetan Sashen Tsaron Sama da ke Diyarbakir. "Kurkushe su," in ji mai kula da sashen. "Suna cikin bayanan harin. Bincika na'urorin ku don kowane alamun tampering."
    
  "An karɓe," in ji daraktan dabara. "TAO, shirya don-"
    
  "Yallabai, suna shiga cikin kewayawa," TAO ta yi ihu. "Suna kan iyaka, wasu a Syria. Da alama suna kewayawa."
    
  "Jirgin leken asiri," in ji TD tare da jin daɗi. "Ci gaba da kallo. Me game da Bangaren Tsoro na Hudu?"
    
  "Muna kuma shiga orbit, yallabai," in ji TAO.
    
  "Mai kyau sosai". TD yana buƙatar sigari, amma ya san hakan ba zai yiwu ba har sai waɗannan halittun sun fita daga yankinsa. "Ka sa ido akan waɗannan abubuwan kuma..."
    
  "'Yan bindiga!" - DAO ba zato ba tsammani. "Masu hari hudu suna gabatowa, subsonic, matsakaicin matsakaicin tsayi, tsayin mil arba'in!"
    
  "Ku shiga yaƙi!" - DAO ya ce nan take. "Batura sun fita! Duk batura...!"
    
  "Jirgin sama marasa matuka suna barin kewayar su, suna hanzari da sauka!"
    
  La'ananne, tunanin Daraktan Dabarun, kawai sun tashi daga faɗakarwa don kai hari cikin ƙiftawar ido. "Ba da fifiko ga 'yan fashi masu sauri," in ji shi.
    
  "Amma drones suna zuwa!" - DAO. "Kishin kasa yana ba da fifiko ga jirage marasa matuka!"
    
  "Ba zan yi asarar makamai masu linzami a kan jirage marasa matuka ba," in ji TD. "Mutane masu sauri babbar barazana ce. Canza abubuwan da kuke ba da fifiko kuma ku shiga yaƙin!"
    
  Amma a fili waccan shawarar ba za ta tsaya ba, domin ba da daɗewa ba ya bayyana cewa jirage marasa matuki suna tafiya kai tsaye zuwa radars na Patriot. "Yallabai, shin zan canza abubuwan da na fi ba da fifiko-"
    
  "Ku yi! Yi shi! "- in ji TD.
    
  TAO cikin fushi ya shigar da umarni a cikin kwamfutar da aka yi niyya, yana ba da umarnin Patriot da ya kai hari kusa da maƙasudin a hankali. "The Patriot Ya Shiga Yakin!" - ya ruwaito. "Jirgin ruwa masu saurin gudu suna sauri zuwa supersonic gudun... sir. Sashe na hudu ya ba da rahoton cewa jirage marasa matuka sun bar kewayawa, suna ta sauka, suna hanzari kuma suna kan hanyarmu!
    
  "Za su iya faɗa?" Amma ya riga ya san amsar: daya Patriot radar ba zai iya buga dayan saboda tsangwama, wanda ya haifar da decoys cewa fama da kwamfuta za ta iya harba. Radar daya ne kawai zai iya jurewa yakin. Batir ɗin su dole ne ya buge dukkan hari ashirin da biyu...
    
  ... wanda ke nufin za su ƙare da makamai masu linzami a lokacin da masu sauri suka isa! "Sake tsara kwamfutar yaƙi don harba makami mai linzami guda ɗaya!" - umarni da dabara darektan.
    
  "Amma ba mu da isasshen lokaci!" - in ji jami'in kula da dabarun. "Dole ne in soke wannan yarjejeniya kuma..."
    
  "Kada ku yi gardama, yi kawai!" DAO bai taba bugawa da sauri kamar yadda yake yi ba a lokacin. Ya yi nasarar sake tsara kwamfutar yaƙi tare da sake haɗa batir ɗin ...
    
  ... amma ya kasa yi da sauri, kuma an harbo radar daya ta hanyar makami mai linzami. Makamai masu linzami, wadanda su ne AGM-158A JASSMs, ko kuma Joint Air zuwa Surface Standoff Missiles, makamai masu linzami ne masu karfin turbojet da ke dauke da manyan bama-bamai masu fashewa da suka kai fam dubu da kuma kewayon sama da mil dari biyu.
    
  Yanzu radar daya dole ne ya mallaki gaba dayan yakin. Radar Patriot ba su yi bincike kamar na'urar radars na al'ada ba kuma ba sa buƙatar sarrafa su, amma suna da takamaiman yanki na sararin sama da aka ware musu don guje wa matsalolin kutse. Radar da ta rage, wanda ke sansanin sojin saman Batman mai nisan mil sittin daga gabashin Diyarbakir, an dora masa alhakin duba kudu zuwa Iraki maimakon yamma zuwa Diyarbakir. Biyo bayan tafarkin da suke yi a halin yanzu-ainihin bin diddigin Siriya-sun kasance a bakin iyakar sararin samaniyar radar.
    
  "Oda na'urar radar Batman ta juya yamma-kudu maso yamma don hana wannan hanyar jirgin," in ji darektan dabarar. DAO ya aika da oda. Tsarin radar AN/MPQ-53 yawanci ana hawa tirela, kuma ko da yake yana da sauƙin motsa shi don rufe sabon yanki na sararin sama, ba a taɓa yin hakan ba, musamman lokacin da ake kai hari. Duk da haka, wurin Batman ya bambanta: ko da yake an tsara Patriot don zama wayar hannu, wurin Batman an shigar da shi na dindindin, ma'anar radar sa yana iya motsawa cikin sauƙi kamar yadda ake bukata.
    
  "Sake saitin radar, kyakkyawan hanya don injunan sauri," TAO ya ruwaito 'yan mintoci kaɗan daga baya. "Mai Kishin Kasa Ya Shiga Yakin"
    
  Amma a lokacin duk karatun radar ya fita. "Me ya faru?" - darektan dabara ya yi ihu.
    
  "Radar Batman ba ya cikin iska," TAO ta ruwaito. "An harbo makami mai linzami." Bayan ɗan lokaci: "Masu lura a ƙasa sun ba da rahoton wasu jirage guda biyu masu tafiya da sauri suna shawagi a kan ƙasa ƙasa daga gabas." Yanzu ya bayyana a fili abin da ya faru: canza radar zuwa yamma ya haifar da raguwar ɗaukar hoto a gabas. Jiragen sama biyu kawai sun zame ta cikin gibin radar da ke tsakanin Batman da Van kuma suka kai hari kan radar.
    
  Yanzu Diyarbakir ya bude sosai.
    
    
  A KAN BOARD "KARYA DAYA- TARA"
  A LOKACI DAYA
    
    
  "Jirgin cin hanci da rashawa, wannan 109 ne, kuna da wutsiya bayyananniya," Laftanar Kanal Gia "Boxer" Cazzotto ta yi rediyo ga sauran ƙananan 'yan wasanta na B-1B Lancer bombers. "Mu dauke su, me za ku ce?"
    
  "Karya Daya-Tara, wannan shine Farawa," Patrick McLaanahan yayi rediyo ta hanyar amintaccen mai watsa su. "Shin kuna samun sabbin abubuwan zazzagewa?"
    
  "Buckeye?"
    
  "Na samu, na same su," in ji jami'in tsare-tsare, ko OSO, ya amsa. "Hotunan suna da kyau-har ma sun fi radar." Yana kallon Hotunan Hotunan Radar na Diyarbakir Air Base a Turkiyya wanda tauraron dan adam NIRTSat ya dauka a baya-bayan nan. Ana iya sarrafa Hotunan da aka zazzage daga tauraron dan adam ta hanyar bam na AN/APQ-164 B-1 kamar dai radar mai harin ya dauki hoton. Sun kasance fiye da mil arba'in daga abin da aka yi niyya, da kyau fiye da kewayon radar mai ƙasa da ƙasa, amma OSO na iya gani da ƙididdige haɗin gwiwar maƙasudin tun kafin su tashi sama da abin da aka nufa.
    
  Kungiyar ta OSO ta fara tattara na"urorin da aka yi niyya tare da loda su a cikin makamansu na JASSM guda takwas da suka rage, kuma da zarar dukkan makaman sun yi lodin makamai, sai suka hada harba a cikin lokaci da azimuth sannan suka sako su cikin jirgi. A wannan karon, makami mai linzami na turbojet ya yi ƙasa ƙasa, yana guje wa sananniya cikas, ta yin amfani da kewayawa inertial tare da sabunta tsarin sakawa na duniya. Wasu bama-bamai guda shida na B-1 sun harba JASSM guda takwas kowanne, inda suka cika sararin samaniyar da makamai masu linzami arba'in da takwas.
    
  Babu lokacin da za a zabo kawunan yaqi daban-daban na makamai masu linzami, don haka dukkansu an sanye su da manyan kawuna na fam dubu ɗaya, amma wasu an loda su don su fashe, yayin da wasu kuma an saita su a tsakiyar iska bayan isa ga ma'aikatan da aka yi niyya. . An harba makami mai linzami da aka harba a kan tasoshin jiragen sama, inda fashe-fashe masu karfi suka lalata wani abu da komai na yadi dari biyu a kowane bangare, yayin da makamai masu linzami suka kai hari kan gine-gine, wuraren ajiyar makamai, dakunan man fetur da rataye. OSOs na iya tace makasudin makami mai linzami ta hanyar amfani da hanyar haɗin bayanan infrared na ainihin lokaci, wanda ya ba ma'aikatan jirgin hoton abin da aka sa a gaba kuma ya ba su damar jagorantar makami mai linzamin zuwa manufa.
    
  "Farawa", wannan shine Juyin Juya, sharewa mai tsafta," Cazzotto ta rediyo. "An kashe dukkan makamai. Yaya muke yi?"
    
  "Za mu sami na gaba NIRTSat uploads a cikin kimanin awa daya," Patrick ya amsa, "amma idan ka yi la'akari da hotunan da na samu daga JASSMs, kun yi kyakkyawan aiki. Duk radars na Patriot suna da rauni; Ina nuna muku cewa hawan da RTB kyauta ne. Nuna kyau."
    
  "Sannun ku ... da kyau, wata rana, Farawa," in ji Gia.
    
  "Muna sa rai, Fracture," in ji Patrick. Kuma da gaske yake nufi.
    
    
  EPILOGUE
    
    
  Yi hauka. Sa'an nan kuma magance shi.
    
  - COLIN POWELL
    
    
    
  OVAL OFFICE, FARIN GIDA, WASHINGTON, DC.
  DA safe
    
    
  "Me kuke nufi lokacin da kuka ce Amurka ta kai wa Turkiyya hari a daren jiya?" - Shugaba Joseph Gardner ya yi ihu. A cikin Oval Office tare da shi akwai shugaban ma'aikatansa, Walter Cordus; Mai ba da shawara kan harkokin tsaro Conrad Carlisle; da Sakataren Tsaro Miller Turner. "Ban bada umarnin kai hari ba! Hukumar Lafiya ta Duniya? Ina...?"
    
  Turner ya ce: "An kai hari Diyarbakir, babban sansanin sojin saman da Turkiyya ta yi amfani da ita wajen kai hare-hare a kan Iraki." "An harba bama-bamai guda shida na B-1B Lancer daga Hadaddiyar Daular Larabawa -"
    
  "Da ikon wa?" Shugaban ya yi tsawa. "Wane ne ya ba su odar?"
    
  "Ba mu da tabbas, yallabai..."
    
  "Ba tabbata ba? Wasu manyan bama-bamai guda shida masu nauyi da bama-bamai sun tashi daga wani sansani a yankin Gabas ta Tsakiya suna jefa bama-bamai a wani sansanin sojin sama a Turkiyya, kuma babu wanda ya san wanda ya ba da izini? Wanene kwamandan?
    
  "Sunanta Cazzotto."
    
  "Iya? Kwamandan reshen bama-bamai ne?"
    
  "A bayyane yake wannan tawagar injiniya ce, yallabai," in ji Turner. "Suna fitar da jiragen daga cikin kwallan asu kuma suna sake fara aiki. An ba su aikin bayar da tallafin jiragen sama don ayyukan a Afghanistan da Iraki."
    
  "Kuma kawai sun tashi ne suka jefa bama-bamai a Turkiyya? Ta yaya hakan ma zai yiwu? Wane ne ya umarce su da yin haka?
    
  "Karnel Cazzotto ya ki yin magana banda cewa wanda ya gaggauta aikin zai tuntubi," in ji Turner.
    
  "Wannan ba abin yarda ba ne, Miller," in ji shugaban. "Ku nemo mutumin nan ku jefa shi a kurkuku! Wannan hauka ne! Ba zan bar bama-bamai shida na B-1 su tashi a duk lokacin da wani ke son lalata wasu gine-gine. Ya karɓi takardar daga Cordus, ya karanta ta, sannan ya murƙushe ta ya jefa a kan teburinsa. "To me suka yi karo da juna?"
    
  "A kan hanyar, sun lalata wuraren radar Patriot guda biyu," in ji Turner, "sannan kuma sun kai hari a wurare daban-daban na soja a Diyarbakir, ciki har da jirage masu saukar ungulu da motocin haya, hangars, ma'ajiyar mai da kuma cibiyoyin sarrafawa. Zaɓin manufa mai tasiri sosai. Sun yi amfani da makamai masu linzami na Joint Air zuwa Surface, wadanda aka saba amfani da su, makamai masu linzami na karkashin kasa. Dukkan jiragen sun dawo lafiya."
    
  "Kuma sanya hannun jari, ina fata!"
    
  "Iya sir. Da alama dai Turkawa na shirin kai wani gagarumin farmaki ta sama kan kasar Iraki. Suna da jiragen sama sama da ɗari na dabara da ke shirin tashi zuwa Diyarbakir. Da alama suna ƙoƙarin tsotsewa kaɗan kafin mu kafa yankin hana zirga-zirga a arewacin Iraki.
    
  Hakan ya dan sassauta fushin shugaban, amma ya girgiza kai. "Ina buƙatar wasu amsoshi, Miller, kuma ina son jaki!" - ya yi ihu. Cordus ya amsa kiran wayar da ke haskawa, ya kalli shugaban kasa har sai da ya kau da kai, sannan ya mika kai ga kofar ofishin shugaban kasa mai zaman kansa da ke kusa da Oval Office. "Yesu, kawai abin da nake buƙata lokacin da shit ya fara - baƙon VIP."
    
  "Wane ne wannan?" - Carlisle ta tambaya.
    
  "Shugaba Kevin Martindale."
    
  "Martindale? Me yake so?
    
  "Yana bani mamaki cewa ya jira sa'a guda," in ji Gardner. "Zan rabu da shi. Amsa mini ƴan tambayoyi, Miller!" Yana shiga office dinsa ya rufe. "Yi hakuri, shugaban kasa," in ji shi. "Wani abu na gaggawa ya faru."
    
  "Wannan ya faru da yawa a cikin wannan kasuwancin, Mr. Shugaban kasa," in ji Kevin Martindale, yana tsaye yana girgiza hannu tare da tsohon sakataren tsaronsa. "Ina neman afuwar ziyarar ban mamaki, amma akwai wani abu da nake bukata in gaya muku."
    
  "Wannan zai iya jira har sai abincin rana, Kevin?" - Gardner ya tambaya. "Ka sani, duk wannan abu na Turkiyya yana barazanar fadowa daga maƙallanta."
    
  "Yana da alaka da Turkiyya," in ji Martindale.
    
  "Zancen? Wannan fa?"
    
  "An kai hari ta sama a Diyarbakir a daren jiya."
    
  Idanu Gardner sun zaro a firgice. "Yajin aikin iska ... Ya Allahna, Kevin, na gano game da wannan minti biyu da suka wuce! Yaya kuka san wannan?
    
  "Saboda na taimaka shirya shi," in ji Martindale. Idanun Gardner sun kara kumbura. "Na shawo kan kwamandan sansanin sojin saman Minhad da ke Hadaddiyar Daular Larabawa, Janar Omair, da ya saki maharan. Yana cikin bashi na." Gardner ya dugunzuma. "Saurara, Joe, dole ne ka yi mini alkawari ba zan yi wannan ba," Martindale ya ci gaba da cewa. "Kada ku binciki Cazzotto, Omair ko wani."
    
  "Kada kayi bincike? Wasu gungun 'yan kunar bakin wake shida na Amurka sun kai hari a wani sansanin sojin sama a Turkiyya, kuma bai kamata in yi bincike ba?"
    
  "Zai yi kyau idan ba ka yi wannan ba, Joe," in ji Martindale. "Bayan haka, harin da aka kai ta sama mai yiwuwa ne ya kawo karshen yakin da ke tsakaninmu da Turkiyya. A cewara, mun lalata kashi daya bisa hudu na sojojin saman Turkiyya na dabara a wannan hari guda daya. Suna shirin sake kai hari a Iraki, mai yiwuwa sun lalata yawancin Erbil da Kirkuk."
    
  "Kevin... Ta yaya ka san duk wannan?" - Gardner ya tambaya. "Me ka yi?"
    
  Martindale ya dubi Gardner na ɗan lokaci, sannan ya yi murmushi ya ce a nitse, "Ni ne Scion Aviation International, Joe. Kun ji labarinsu?
    
  Bugawa, magana mai ban mamaki ya dawo. "Jirgin sama na zuriya? Scion... Kana nufin, ƙungiyar McLanahan? "
    
  "Kayana na, Joe."
    
  "Kana...kana da mutummutumi...Tin Woodman...?"
    
  "Kasa da yadda muke da shi a baya, godiya ga Hirsiz da Jizek," in ji Martindale, "amma har yanzu muna da sauran." Ya kalli Gardner ya yi shiru har shugaban kasa ya waigo ya kalle shi. "Na san abin da kake tunani, Joe: ka kama McLahanan a Iraki ka tilasta masa ya bayyana inda sauran robobin suke, sannan ka mika shi ga Uzbekistan har tsawon rayuwarsa. Kada ku yi haka".
    
  "Me yasa ba zan iya ba?" Gardner ya ce. "Wannan shi ne ainihin abin da ya cancanci!"
    
  "Joe, kana buƙatar yin abin da na yi: ka daina yaƙar mutumin kuma ka koyi aiki tare da shi," in ji Martindale. "Wannan mutumin ya je can, ya shirya kai hari ta sama kan daya daga cikin kasashe masu karfin fada a ji a wannan yanki na duniya, ya hada jiragen sama, makamai da tallafin tauraron dan adam da yake bukata, kuma ya yi nasara. Shin wannan ba mutumin da kuke so yayi muku aiki ba?"
    
  "Wannan mutumin ya aika biyu daga cikin wadannan mutanen dabo a bayana zuwa Camp David, kuma daya daga cikinsu ya kama wuyana...!"
    
  "Kuma na san dalili, Joe," in ji Martindale. "Ina da duk shaidun da aka ajiye kawai idan akwai. Yanzu ba McLahanan kawai dole ne ku saukar da shi ba: yanzu ni ne da wasu ƙananan lauyoyi waɗanda suka san inda aka ɓoye duk kwafin duk waɗannan shaidu . " Ya dora hannunsa akan kafadar Gardner. "Amma ba na zo nan don in yi maka barazana ba, Joe," in ji shi. "Ina gaya muku, McLanahan ba ya son yaƙar ku, yana so ya yi muku yaƙi, don Amurka. Yana da kyauta, mutum. Yana ganin matsala sai ya motsa sama da ƙasa ya gyara ta. Me ya sa ba ku son shi a gefen ku?"
    
  Ya dafa kafadar Gardner, sannan ya dauko rigarsa. "Ka yi tunani game da shi, Joe, lafiya?" Yace yana shirin fita. "Kuma a dakatar da binciken, ko rubuta shi, ko rarraba shi, yi komai. Idan wannan ya tilasta wa Turkawa ja da baya, komai ya yi kyau. Kuna iya har ma da karɓar bashi. Zan sa maka ido, ya mai girma shugaban kasa."
    
    
  Palm Jumeirah, DUBAI, UNITED ARAB Emirates
  BAYAN KWANAKI KADAN
    
    
  Daga gidan cin abinci na rufin sabon otal mai ban sha'awa na Trump International Hotel da Hasumiyar a Dubai, Patrick McLaanahan da Gia Cazzotto sun sami damar ganin manyan kututtuka masu ban sha'awa, rawani, rassan da ruwan ɓarke na Palm Jumeirah, ɗayan tsibiran dabino guda uku, tsibiran wucin gadi da reefs waɗanda ke zama ɗaya daga cikin mafi ban mamaki kuma kawai wuraren zama da wuraren nishaɗi iri iri a cikin duniya. Siffata shi kamar katon dabino, yana ƙara sama da mil ɗari uku zuwa gabar tekun Fasha na Hadaddiyar Daular Larabawa.
    
  Gia ta daga gilashin champagne dinta ga Patrick kuma ya taba gilashin nata. "Don haka gaya mani, Janar," in ji ta, "ta yaya ka sami otal gareka, ni da dukan tawagarka a cikin mafi kyawun otal a duniya wanda ba za a iya yin ajiya ba?"
    
  "Na gode sosai shugaba," in ji Patrick.
    
  "Oh, abin ban mamaki ne. Wanene shi? Ko ba za ku iya fada ba? Shin yana kama da halin Charles Townsend, mai arziki da ƙarfi amma ya zaɓi ya ci gaba da kasancewa a cikin inuwa?"
    
  "Wani irin wannan".
    
  Sun tsaya suna yaba ra'ayi na wasu 'yan lokuta; sai ta tambaya, "Yaushe za ku dawo Jihohi?"
    
  "Gobe da safe".
    
  "Ba za ku iya zama ba kuma?"
    
  "A'a". Ya dube ta, sannan ya tambaye ta, "Yaushe za ki dawo Palmdale?"
    
  "Bayan gobe. Ina tsammanin zan nufi Fort Leavenworth, amma kwatsam sai ya bace." Ta kalle shi da kyau. "Ba za ku iya sanin dalilin da yasa duk masu binciken Ma'aikatar Jiha da Hukumar Leken Asiri ta Tsaro suka bace ba zato ba tsammani, ko?"
    
  "A'a".
    
  "Wataƙila Charlie ɗinku ya zama mala'ika mai kula da ni?" Patrick bai ce komai ba. Ta yamutsa fuska cikin zolaya. "Baka yawan magana, yallabai?" - Ta tambaya.
    
  "Na tambaye ka kar ka kira ni 'Sir' ko 'Janar'."
    
  "Yi hakuri, ba zan iya taimaka ba." Ta sha ruwan shampagne, sannan ta hada yatsunta da nasa. "Amma watakila idan kun yi wani abu maras gama gari, zan sami kwanciyar hankali da shi." Patrick ya yi murmushi, ya sunkuya gaba ya sumbace ta a hankali a kan lebensa.
    
  "Wannan shine ainihin abin da nake magana akai, Patrick." Murmushi ta sakar masa, ta matso, sannan ta ce kafin ta sake sumbantarsa, "Amma ba wannan ne kawai nake magana ba."
    
    
  UKURKA BORDER CROSSING, LARIN HAKKARI, JAMHURIYAR TURKI
  WANCAN MARAICE
    
    
  A kan hanyarta ta kan iyakar Ukurca da ke kan iyakar Turkiyya da Iraki, wasu tsirarun jama'a ne suka taru suna daga tutocin Turkiyya tare da murna yayin da manyan motocin dakarun Jandarma na Turkiyya suka koma kasarsu. Masu tsaron kan iyaka sun rike su baya yayin da aka kai karnukan sintiri baya da baya akan layi.
    
  Ya daɗe, gajiya da wulakanci da tafiya gida, Janar Bezir Ozek ya yi tunani a lokacin da ya fito daga cikin motarsa mai sulke da zaran ya tsallaka kan iyaka, amma hakan ya sa duk abin kunya ya zama abin kunya. Kwamandan mashigin kan iyaka ya yi gaisuwa sannan kuma 'yan kungiyar mawakan biki suka fara buga taken kasar Turkiyya. "Barka da gida, Janar," in ji kwamandan.
    
  "Na gode Major," in ji Ozek, "kuma na gode da wannan maraba."
    
  "Kada ku gode mani, na gode wa mutane," in ji manyan. "Sun ji cewa za ku dawo gida, kuma sun so su yi muku marhabin da dawowar ku da jama'ar ku daga nasarar yaƙi da PKK."
    
  Ozek ya gyada kai ba tare da ya fadi abin da yake tunani ba: yakin neman zabensa ya ci tura, matsoraci Hasan Jizek ya katse shi. Bayan harin da sojojin Amurka suka kai kan Diyarbakir, Cizek ya bace gaba daya, wanda ya bar gwamnati a fili. Kurzat Hirsiz ya yi murabus tare da mika mulki ga Ais ¸e Akas, kuma an kawo karshen yakin da ake yi na fatattakar 'yan ta'addar PKK. A makon da ya gabata ya kwashe yana yaki da 'yan ta'addar PKK da na Peshmerga a lokacin da suke komawa gida.
    
  "Don Allah ku zo ku hadu da masu son ku," in ji Major. Ya karkata wajen Ozek, ya ce, "An yi dukan tsare-tsare, yallabai."
    
  "Na gode Major," in ji Ozek. Ya waiwaya ga jama'a yana daga hannu, jama'a suka barke da sowa. To, ya yi tunani, wannan yana kama da gaske. Ya fara girgiza hannu. Maza da mata suna kallonsa da idanun Google kamar wani irin tauraron dutse. Daruruwan hannaye suka mika masa.
    
  Yana kusan karshen taron sai yaga wata mata tana masa hannu da hannunta na dama rike da yaro a hagunta. Tayi kyau sosai, wanda hakan ya kara jaddada mata yadda take shayar da jaririnta, da bargo mai haske da haske ya lullube nononta. Ya kamo hannunta kyauta. "Na gode, masoyi na, na gode da wannan maraba," in ji shi.
    
  "A'a, na gode General," matar ta ce da farin ciki. "Na gode da yaƙe-yaƙen da kuka yi."
    
  "Na yi iya ƙoƙarina don yi wa mutanen Turkiyya hidima, musamman mata masu kyau irin ku." Ya riko hannunta ya sumbace ta. "Wannan wani aiki ne da na ji daɗi, kamar yadda zan ji daɗin haduwa da ku."
    
  "To, na gode General." K'aramar bargon ya d'an matsa sannan Ozek ya murmusa yana kallon k'irjinta. La'ananne, a tunaninsa, ya dade a filin. "Kuma," in ji ta, ta lumshe idanunta akan shi, "Nima akwai aikin da zan yi."
    
  Sirarriyar bargon ya faɗo ya bayyana kyakkyawar nono mai ƙarfi, mai kauri... da wata kafaɗar hagu mai ban tsoro, rabin hannun hagu... da sandar katako mai kama da ƙarshensa a manne da kututture. "Aikina na daukar fansa ga mutanen al-Amadiya ya zo karshe, Janar, haka ma naku... godiya ga Base."
    
  Da haka ne Zilar Azzawi ta ja ragamar mamacin a kan maharan da ke da alaƙa da fam ashirin na bama-baman da ta ɓoye a cikin ɗan tsana da ta ɗauka kamar jaririya, inda ta kashe duk wanda bai kai ƙafa ashirin ba.
    
    
  game da marubucin
    
    
  DALE BROWN shine marubucin litattafai masu yawa na New York Times, gami da Edge na Yaƙi da Dokar Shadow. Ana iya samun tsohon kyaftin din sojin saman Amurka yana shawagi a sararin samaniyar Amurka.
    
    
  Na gode don zazzage littafin daga ɗakin karatu na lantarki kyauta Royallib.com
    
  Bar bita game da littafin
    
  Duk littattafan marubucin
    
    
  Na gode don zazzage littafin daga ɗakin karatu na lantarki kyauta Royallib.com
    
  Duk littattafan marubucin
    
  Littafi ɗaya a cikin wasu nau'ikan
    
    
  Ji daɗin karatu!
    
    
    
    
  Dale Brown
  Sojoji marasa tsarki
    
    
  HALAYE
    
    
    
  AMURKA
    
    
  PATRICK S. MCLANAHAN, Laftanar Janar na Sojojin Sama na Amurka (Mai Ritaya), Abokin Hulɗa da Shugaban Ƙasa, Scion Aviation International
    
  Kevin MARTINDALE, tsohon shugaban kasar Amurka, mai sirrin kamfanin Scion Aviation International
    
  JONATHAN COLIN MASTERS, Ph.D., Daraktan Ayyuka, Sky Masters Inc.
    
  HUNTER NOBLE, Mataimakin Shugaban Ci gaba, Sky Masters Inc.
    
  JOSEPH GARDNER, Shugaban Amurka
    
  KENNETH T. PHOENIX, Mataimakin Shugaban Kasa
    
  CONRAD F. CARLISLE, mai ba shugaban kasa shawara kan harkokin tsaro
    
  MILLER H. TURNER, Sakataren Tsaro
    
  WALTER CORDUS, Shugaban Ma"aikatan Fadar White House
    
  STACY ANN BARBO, Sakataren Gwamnati
    
  USMC JANAR TAYLOR J. BAIN, Shugaban Hafsan Hafsoshin Soja
    
  Sojojin Amurka Manjo Janar CHARLES CONNOLLY, Kwamandan Runduna a Arewacin Iraki
    
  US Army COLONEL JACK T. WILHELM, Babban Jami'in Wing na 2, Allied Nakhla Air Base, Iraq
    
  Sojojin Laftanar Kanar MARK WEATHERLY, Jami'in Gudanarwa na Regimental
    
  BABBAN SOJOJIN KENNETH BRUNO, Jami'in Ayyuka na Regimental
    
  Rundunar Sojan Sama ta Amurka LIEUTENANT COLONEL JIA "BOXER" CAZZOTTO, Kwamanda, Squadron na Bakin Jirgin Sama na 7
    
  CHRIS THOMPSON, Shugaba kuma Shugaba na Thompson Security, wani kamfani mai zaman kansa na tsaro a Allied Nakhla Air Base, Iraki.
    
  FRANK BEXAR, jami'in leken asiri mai zaman kansa
    
  CAPT KELVIN COTTER, USAF, Mataimakin Jami'in Kula da zirga-zirgar Jiragen Sama
    
  MARGARET HARRISON, Darakta na Motocin Jiragen Sama marasa matuki, Kwangila mai zaman kansa
    
  REESE FLIPPIN, Jami'in Kwangilar Yanayi mai zaman kansa
    
    
  TURKIYA
    
    
  KURZAT HIRSIZ, Shugaban Kasar Turkiyya
    
  AYSE AkaŞ, Firaministan kasar Turkiyya
    
  HASAN CICEK, Ministan Tsaron Kasa na Jamhuriyar Turkiyya
    
  JANAR ORHAN SAHIN, Babban Sakatare Janar na Majalisar Tsaron Turkiyya
    
  MUSTAFA HAMARAT, Ministan Harkokin Wajen Turkiyya
    
  FEVSI GUKLU, Daraktan Hukumar Leken Asiri ta Kasa
    
  Janar ABDULLAHI GUZLEV, babban hafsan hafsan hafsoshin sojin kasar Turkiyya.
    
  Janar AIDIN DEDE, mataimakin shugaban hafsan soji
    
  MAJOR AYDIN SABASTI, jami'in hulda, Rundunar Sojojin Amurka ta Biyu, Allied Nakhla Air Base, Iraki.
    
  MAJOR HAMID JABBURI, mataimakin jami'in hulda da jama'a
    
  GENERAL BESIR OZEK, Kwamandan Jandarma (Rundunar Tsaron Cikin Gida ta Turkiyya)
    
  LIEUTENAT GENERAL GUVEN ILGAZ, Mataimakin Kwamanda, Jandarma
    
  Lt. JANAR MUSTAFA ALI, Shift Commander of Jandarma
    
    
  IRAQI
    
    
  ALI LATIF RASHID, Shugaban kasar Iraki
    
  COLONEL YUSUF JAFFAR, Kwamandan Allied Nakhla Air Base, Tall Qaif, Iraq
    
  MAJOR JAFAR OSMAN, Kamfanin Maqbara (Kabari) Iraqi, Kwamandan Brigade na bakwai
    
  COLONEL NURI MAVLAUD, jami'in hulda na runduna ta biyu
    
  ZILAR "BAZ" (HAWK) AZZAWI, shugaban 'yan ta'addar PKK na Iraki.
    
  SADUN SALIH, mataimakin squad leader of Azzawi
    
    
  MAKAMAI DA GASKIYA
    
    
    
  GASKIYA DA KARSHE
    
    
  AMARG-Rukunin Kulawa da Sakewa Aerospace ("Boneyard"), wani sansanin Sojan Sama na Amurka kusa da Tucson, Arizona wanda ke adanawa, tarwatsawa, da kuma gyara sassa daga jirgin nakasassu.
    
  AOR - Yankin Nauyi
    
  AQI - Al-Qaeda a Iraki, tushen Iraki na kungiyar ta'addanci Osama bin Laden
    
  "Yaƙin yaƙi" - kayan aiki na sirri da ake buƙata don ayyukan yaƙi
    
  bullseye - wurin da aka keɓe daga inda za a iya watsa bayanai game da kewayon kewayon da kai ga manufa ta mitoci a buɗe ba tare da bayyana wurin da mutum yake ba.
    
  C4I - Umarni, sarrafawa, sadarwa, kwamfuta da hankali
    
  Cankaya ita ce wurin zama na gwamnatin Jamhuriyar Turkiyya
    
  CHU - Rukunin Gidajen Kwantena, wurin zama na wayar hannu mai kama da kwantenan da sojojin Amurka ke amfani da shi a Iraki
    
  Chuville yanki ne mai yawan BC
    
  DFAC-Kantinan
    
  ECM - Ma'auni na Lantarki
    
  EO-Electro-optical firikwensin da za su iya yaduwa ta hanyar lantarki ko haɓaka hotunan gani
    
  FAA - Hukumar Kula da Jiragen Sama ta Tarayya, Hukumar Kula da Jiragen Sama ta Amurka
    
  FOB - Tushen Ayyuka na Gaba, sansanin soja kusa ko a yankin abokan gaba
    
  Fobbits - slang ga ma'aikata da ma'aikatan tallafi
    
  Fobbitville - slang don ginin hedkwatar
    
  FPCON - Yanayin Kariya na Ƙarfin, Ƙimar Matsayin Ƙiyyi ko Barazanar Ta'addanci zuwa Shigar Sojoji (tsohon THREATCON)
    
  GP - Babban Target (bam mai nauyi ko abin hawa)
    
  IA - Sojojin Iraqi
    
  IED - Ingantaccen Na'urar fashewa
    
  IIR - firikwensin hoto na infrared, firikwensin zafi tare da isasshen ƙuduri don hoto
    
  ILS - Tsarin Saukowa Kayan aiki, tsarin katako na rediyo wanda zai iya jagorantar jirgin sama zuwa ƙasa a cikin yanayi mai wahala
    
  IM - saƙon take, canja wurin saƙonnin rubutu tsakanin kwamfutoci
    
  IR-Infrared
    
  Dannawa - kilomita
    
  KRG dai ita ce gwamnatin yankin Kurdistan, kungiyar siyasa ce da ke mulkin yankin Kurdawa mai cin gashin kanta a arewacin Iraki.
    
  LLTV - Low Light TV
    
  LRU-Rakunan Maye gurbin Layi, sassan tsarin jirgin sama waɗanda za'a iya cirewa cikin sauƙi da maye gurbinsu akan layin jirgin a yayin da ya sami matsala.
    
  Mahadi lafazin lafuzza ne ga duk wani mayaki na waje
    
  Fasahar Ofishin Jakadancin Adawa - Yana siffanta saman jirgin ta atomatik don samar da ingantattun damar sarrafa jirgin
    
  Hanyoyi da lambobi - saituna don radiyo daban-daban na gano jirgin sama
    
  MTI - Alamar Maɓalli na Motsawa, radar da ke bin abubuwan hawa a ƙasa daga nesa mai nisa
    
  Rashin aminci - watsa bayanan karya ko shirye-shirye zuwa cibiyar sadarwar kwamfuta ta abokan gaba ta amfani da hanyoyin sadarwar dijital, hanyoyin haɗin bayanai ko na'urori masu auna firikwensin.
    
  NOFORN - Babu kasashen waje; rarrabuwar kawuna na tsaro wanda ke hana 'yan kasashen waje damar samun bayanai
    
  PAG - Congress for Freedom and Democracy, madadin sunan jam'iyyar Ma'aikatan Kurdistan
    
  PKK-Karker Party a Kurdistan, Kurdistan Workers' Party, Kurdawa kungiyar 'yan aware na neman samar da wata kasa ta daban daga yankunan Kurdawa na Turkiyya, Iran, Siriya da Iraki; kasashe da kungiyoyi da dama sun ayyana a matsayin kungiyar ta'addanci
    
  ROE - Dokokin Haɗin kai, Tsarukan da Iyaka don Ayyukan Yaƙi
    
  SAM - makami mai linzami na sama-da-iska
    
  SEAD - Kashe kariya ta iska ta abokan gaba ta amfani da iyakoki da makamai don lalata kariya ta iska, radar ko umarni da wuraren sarrafawa.
    
  Sau uku-A - bindigogin anti-jirgin sama
    
    
  Makami
    
    
  AGM-177 Wolverine - makami mai linzami na jirgin ruwa mai cin gashin kansa ko na kasa
    
  CBU-87 Combination Munition wani makami ne da aka jefar da iska wanda ke tarwatsa ma'aikata da ma'adinan motoci a kan wani yanki mai fadi.
    
  CBU-97 Sensor Fuse Weapon makami ne da aka jefar da iska wanda zai iya ganowa da lalata motoci masu sulke da yawa lokaci guda a kan wani yanki mai fadi.
    
  CID - Na'urar Infantry na Cybernetic, robot mai sarrafawa tare da ingantacciyar dorewa, sulke, na'urori masu auna firikwensin da karfin fada
    
  Helikwafta harin Cobra wani haske ne, helikwafta na Sojojin Amurka na ƙarni na biyu sanye da makamai.
    
  CV-22 Osprey jirgin sama ne mai matsakaicin sufuri wanda zai iya tashi ya sauka kamar helikwafta, amma zai iya juya rotors dinsa ya tashi kamar kafaffen jirgin sama
    
  JDAM - Hadin Kai tsaye Damage Munition, kit don haɗa bama-bamai masu nauyi wanda ke ba su daidaitaccen niyya ta amfani da bayanan kewayawa Tsarin Matsayin Duniya
    
  KC-135R shine sabon samfurin jirgin sama na Boeing 707 na iyali
    
  Kiowa jirgi ne mai haske wanda aka sanye shi da na'urori masu auna firikwensin da ake amfani da su don gano hari ta hanyar jirage masu saukar ungulu
    
  MIM-104 Patriot - na'urar makami mai linzami na Amurka da aka yi a ƙasa
    
  SA-14 wani makami mai linzami ne na zamani na biyu da Rasha ta kera tare da harba da hannu.
    
  SA-7 - Makami mai linzami na farko na farko na Rasha tare da harba da hannu
    
  Slingshot - tsarin tsaro mai ƙarfi na laser don jirgin sama
    
  Stryker wani maƙasudin maƙasudin kafa takwas ne na Sojojin Amurka.
    
  Tin Man soja ne sanye da ci-gaban sulke na jiki, na'urori masu auna firikwensin, da na'urorin haɓaka ƙarfi don haɓaka ƙarfin yaƙinsa.
    
  XC-57 "Mai hasara" wani jirgin sama ne mai tashi sama wanda aka ƙirƙira shi da farko don tashin bama-bamai na Rundunar Sojan Sama na Amurka na gaba, amma ya canza zuwa jirgin jigilar jigilar abubuwa da yawa lokacin da aikin ya rasa gasar kwangila.
    
    
  CIGABAN LABARAN DUNIYA NA GASKIYA
    
    
    
  LABARAN BBC ONLINE, 30 GA OKTOBA 2007:
    
  ...An ci gaba da samun tashin hankali a tsakanin Turkiyya da yankin Kurdawa na Iraki a cikin watannin da ake fama da rikicin na yanzu sakamakon hare-haren 'yan ta'addar PKK da suka kashe sojojin Turkiyya kusan arba'in a 'yan makonnin nan.
    
  ...A watan Mayu, Turkiyya ta fusata lokacin da dakarun kasa da kasa karkashin jagorancin Amurka suka mika ragamar tsaro a larduna uku na Kurdistan na Iraki tare da daga tutar Kurdawa cikin gaggawa a maimakon ta Iraki.
    
  ... "Ba kwa buƙatar sojojin [Turkiyya] 100,000 don ɗaukar mukamanku," in ji wani babban ɗan siyasar Kurdawa na Iraqi. "Abin da a fili suke shirin yi shi ne kaddamar da wani gagarumin farmaki tare da kwace manyan hanyoyin kasa a cikin Kurdistan na Iraki da ke shiga tsaunukan kan iyaka a bangaren Iraki."
    
  ...Akwai jita-jita a yankin Kurdawa cewa Turkawa na iya kokarin kai bama-bamai ko akasin haka a wasu filayen saukar jiragen sama na Kurdawan Iraki guda biyu, a Erbil da Sulaymaniyah, wanda Ankara ke ikirarin bai wa 'yan ta'addar PKK damar samun mafaka.
    
  ... "Turkawa za su iya halaka su ko bama bamai, kamar yadda suka yi a baya. Abin da suke bayarwa ya fi haka. Suna magana ne game da wani babban hari na soji wanda ke sa mutane da matuƙar firgita da damuwa. Jama"a da dama na fargabar cewa burin Turkiyya na iya wuce halakar PKK..."
    
    
    
  LABARAN BBC ONLINE, 18 GA JANUARY 2008:
    
  ...Turkiyya na barazanar daukar matakin soji kan 'yan ta'addar PKK tun bayan da 'yan tawayen suka zafafa kai hare-hare kan sojojin Turkiyya, inda suka matsa wa gwamnati lamba a nan wajen mayar da martani da karfi. A watan da ya gabata, gwamnati ta ba wa sojoji izinin gudanar da hare-haren wuce gona da iri a Iraki kan 'yan ta'addar PKK idan ya cancanta.
    
  Hare-haren da aka kai a daren Lahadi shi ne babban alamar farko ta hakan.
    
  Ankara ta ce ta amince da amincewar Amurka na gudanar da ayyukanta a karkashin wata yarjejeniya da firaminista Recep Tayyip Erdogan da shugaba George W. Bush suka cimma a Washington a watan jiya.
    
  Kakakin ma'aikatar harkokin wajen Turkiyya Levent Bilman ya shaida wa BBC cewa "Na yi imanin cewa Amurka ta bayar da bayanan sirri masu inganci kuma sojojin Turkiyya sun dauki mataki."
    
    
    
  "Sojojin Turkiyya sun RUSHE 'YAN TAYI 11 A KUDU TA KUDU MASO GABAS A TURKIYYA KUSA DA IYAKA IRAQI - YAN Jarida," Maris 12, 2007 - ANKARA, TURKEY:
    
  Sojojin Turkiyya sun kashe 'yan tawayen Kurdawa 11 a wani gumurzu da aka yi a kudu maso gabashin Turkiyya kusa da kan iyaka da Iraki, kamar yadda kamfanin dillancin labarai mai zaman kansa ya ruwaito a ranar Laraba. Fadan dai na zuwa ne makonni biyu bayan da Turkiyya ta mamaye arewacin Iraki na tsawon kwanaki 8 domin fatattakar 'yan tawayen Kurdistan da ke yaki da gwamnatin Turkiyya tun shekara ta 1984.
    
  ...Wasu 'yan kishin kasar Turkiyya na fargabar cewa fadada 'yancin al'adu na iya haifar da rabuwar kai a kasar ta kabilanci. Suna fargabar cewa Kurdawan Turkiyya na iya samun karfin gwiwa daga yankin Kurdawa da ke samun goyon bayan Amurka a arewacin Iraki, wanda ke da gwamnatinsa da mayakan sa...
    
    
    
  Hasashen KWATA NA BIYU 2008, Babu STRATFOR.COM, APRIL 4, 2008:
    
  Yanayin Yanki: Turkiyya na fitowa a matsayin babbar kasa ta yanki kuma za ta fara yin tasiri a dukkan yankunanta a shekara ta 2008, musamman a arewacin Iraki ...
    
  Turkiyya na jin karfi ba kawai a arewacin Iraki ba, har ma a yankin Balkan da Caucasus na kusa, inda take neman jagorantar sabuwar Kosovo mai cin gashin kanta da sabuwar mai arzikin mai Azarbaijan...
    
    
    
  "MUTUM KARFE SABON FUSKAR "YAN KWANTARATAR SOJA NE," JEREMY SU, SPACE.COM, 6 ga Mayu, 2008:
    
  Lokacin da fitaccen jarumi Tony Stark baya bayar da sulke na Iron Man don da kansa ya kwace miyagu, yana ba sojojin Amurka sabbin na'urori don taimakawa yaki da ta'addanci.
    
  Mutane da kamfanoni ba za su iya fitowa ba kamar yadda jiragen da ke shawagi a sararin samaniyar Afganistan da Iraki, amma duk da haka rawar da suke takawa ya karu matuka a lokacin tashe-tashen hankula na baya-bayan nan.
    
  ...Babu wanda ke tambaya kan cewa Amurka ba za ta iya yin yaki a yanzu ba tare da amfani da 'yan kwangilar soja ba...Wannan yana nufin 'yan kwangilar sojan sun wuce sayar da kayan aikin soja kawai. Yanzu suna sarrafa layukan samar da kayayyaki, suna ciyar da sojoji, gina sansanoni, ba da shawara kan dabaru, har ma da yaki a matsayin jami"an tsaro masu zaman kansu...
    
    
    
  "IRAN: Yarjejeniyar AM-IRAQI Zata 'bauta' 'yan Iraqi - RAFSANJANI," STRATFOR.COM JUNE 4, 2008:
    
  Shugaban Majalisar Dokokin Iran Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani ya fada a ranar 4 ga watan Yuni cewa duniyar Islama za ta yi kokarin hana kulla yarjejeniyar tsaro na dogon lokaci tsakanin Iraki da Amurka , yana mai cewa sharuddan yarjejeniyar za ta "bautar da "yan Irakin," in ji kamfanin dillancin labaran Associated Press. Rafsanjani ya ce yarjejeniyar Amurka da Iraki za ta kai ga mamaye Irakin na dindindin, kuma irin wannan mamaya na da hadari ga dukkan jihohin yankin...
    
    
    
  HANYOYI NA KWATA NA UKU, STRATFOR.COM, JULY 8, 2008:
    
  ...Tsarin yankin: Turkiyya na fitowa a matsayin babbar kasa a yankin kuma a shekara ta 2008 za ta fara yin tasiri a dukkan yankunanta, musamman a arewacin Iraki ... Turkiyya na kara samun karfin gwiwa a fagen kasa da kasa: tura sojoji zuwa arewacin Iraki, suna shiga tsakani. Tattaunawar zaman lafiya tsakanin Isra'ila da Siriya, inganta ayyukan makamashi a cikin Caucasus da tsakiyar Asiya kuma yana jin kasancewarsa tare da tasirinsa a cikin Balkans ...
    
    
    
  "MAJALISAR IRAQI TA TARO TARO A KIRKUK," Associated Press, 30 ga Yuli, 2008:
    
  ...An samu tashin hankali a ranar litinin bayan wani harin kunar bakin wake da aka kai a Kirkuk a lokacin wata zanga-zangar adawa da dokokin zabe da Kurdawa suka yi wanda ya kashe mutane 25 tare da jikkata sama da 180.
    
  Kirkuk gida ce ga Kurdawa, Turkmen, Larabawa da sauran tsiraru. Bayan harin bam da aka kai a Kirkuk, wasu fusatattun Kurdawa da dama sun mamaye ofisoshin wata jam'iyyar siyasa ta Turkmen dake adawa da ikirarin Kurdawa na Kirkuk, inda suka bude wuta tare da kona motoci sakamakon zargin abokan hamayyarsu. An ba da rahoton cewa Turkmen tara, ko kuma 'yan kabilar Turkawa, sun jikkata.
    
  Ofishin shugaban kasar Iraki ya bayyana cewa, Firaministan Turkiyya Recep Tayyip Erdogan mai kare hakkin Turkmen ya yi kira ga mahukuntan Iraki da su nuna damuwarsu kan abubuwan da suka faru a birnin Kirkuk, tare da yin tayin aika jirgin da zai kai wadanda suka jikkata zuwa Turkiyya domin yi musu magani. .
    
    
    
  "TURKI TA DAMU GAME DA BIRNIN KIRKUK", Associated Press, AUGUST 2, 2008:
    
  Baghdad-Gwamnatin Turkiyya ta bayyana damuwarta game da birnin Kirkuk na kasar Iraki,inda 'yan kabilar Turkawa ke fama da rikicin yanki,inji wani jami'in Iraki.
    
  Kamfanin dillancin labaran kasar Kuwait KUNA ya bayar da rahoton cewa, wani jami'in ma'aikatar harkokin wajen kasar Iraki da ba a tantance ba ya ce ministan harkokin wajen Turkiyya Ali Babican ya tuntubi ministan harkokin wajen Iraki Hoshyar Zebari kan halin da ake ciki a birnin.
    
  Lardin Kirkuk ya bukaci birnin ya zama wani yanki na Kurdistan na Iraki, yayin da Turkiyya ke adawa da wannan mataki.
    
  Duk da cewa birnin ya fi yawan Turkawa 'yan kabila a Iraki, kakakin Saeed Zebari ya ce duk wani yunƙuri na warware takaddamar za ta kasance ta Iraki ce kawai.
    
  Zebari ya ce duk wani yunƙuri da za a yi daga waje na shiga tsakani a cikin rikicin ba za a yi maraba da Iraqi ba, in ji kakakin KUNA.
    
    
    
  "HARBON GUN Laser FARKO," WIRED, DANGER ROOM, AUGUST 13, 2008:
    
  Boeing a yau ya ba da sanarwar gwajin farko-farko na bindigar hasken rai wanda zai iya baiwa sojojin Amurka na musamman hanyar kai hare-hare a boye tare da "rashin amincewa."
    
  A gwaji a farkon wannan watan a Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, Boeing's Advanced Tactical Laser - wani jirgin saman C-130H da aka gyara - "ya harba Laser dinsa mai karfin gaske ta hanyar sarrafa katako. Tsarin kula da katako ya gano maƙasudin ƙasa kuma ya jagoranci katakon Laser zuwa manufa kamar yadda tsarin kula da yaƙi na ATL ya umarta..."
    
    
    
  "RUBUTA LAMBA NA YAN KWANARAR AMERICA A IRAQI," KIMIYAR KIMIYYA CE, PETER GRIER, 18 ga Agusta, 2008:
    
  WASHINGTON - Sojojin Amurka sun dogara ne da "yan kwangila masu zaman kansu tun lokacin da "masu saye" suka sayar da takarda, naman alade, sukari da sauran kayan alatu ga sojojin Nahiyar Afirka a lokacin Yaƙin Juyin Juya Hali.
    
  Sai dai girman amfani da 'yan kwangila a Iraki ba a taba ganin irinsa ba a tarihin Amurka, a cewar wani sabon rahoton majalisar wanda zai iya zama mafi cikakken bayani a hukumance kan wannan al'ada. Tun daga farkon 2008, bisa ga Ofishin Kasafin Kudi na Majalisa (CBO), aƙalla ma'aikata masu zaman kansu 190,000 suna aiki akan ayyukan da Amurka ta ba da kuɗi a gidan wasan kwaikwayo na Iraqi. Wannan yana nufin cewa ga kowane memba na sojan Amurka mai sanye da kayan aiki a yankin, akwai kuma memban sabis ɗin kwangila - rabo na 1-to-1.
    
  ...Masu sukar fitar da sojoji daga waje sun ce ainihin matsalar ita ce sassauci da umarni da iko kan ma'aikata masu zaman kansu ...
    
    
    
    " C -300 CURIOSITY ANKARA ," STRATEGIC FRECASTING INC., AUGUST 26 , 2008:
    
    ...Turkiyya na ci gaba da samun wasu nau'o'in makaman kare dangi na Rasha S-300, in ji jaridar Today's Zaman ta Turkiyya a ranar 25 ga watan Agusta...
    
  ...Idan Turkiyya ta yi nasara a wannan saye, bin diddigin Ankara zai buƙaci hanyoyi biyu masu mahimmanci. Na farko shine injiniyan juzu'i, wanda a cikinsa ake tarwatsa mahimman abubuwan da aka haɗa kuma ana bincika ayyukansu na ciki sosai. Na biyu shi ne horar da dabarun yaki da na"ura mai kwakwalwa da na"urorin zamani...
    
    
    
  SOJOJIN TURKIYA NA NEMAN FADAWA DA WUTA", Associated Press, ANKARA, TURKEY - 10 ga Oktoba, 2008:
    
  Shugabannin Turkiyya sun gana a yau alhamis domin tattauna batun kara karfin soji don yakar 'yan tawayen Kurdawa bayan da aka samu karuwar hare-hare, wadanda wasu daga cikinsu suka samo asali daga sansanonin 'yan tawaye a arewacin Iraki.
    
  Tuni dai majalisar dokokin Turkiyya ta kada kuri'ar tsawaita wa'adin aikin soji na gudanar da ayyukan yaki da 'yan tawayen Kurdawa a arewacin Iraki, ciki har da hare-haren wuce gona da iri.
    
  Sai dai sojojin sun bukaci a ba su karin karfin fada da 'yan tawaye daga jam'iyyar Kurdistan Workers' Party, ko PKK. Taron na ranar Alhamis ya mayar da hankali ne kan fadada ayyukan sojoji da "yan sanda...
    
    
    
  PROLOGUE
    
    
    
  A wajen AL-AMADYAH, GWAMNATIN DAHOK, JAMHURIYAR IRAQI
  SPRING 2010
    
    
  An shafe sa'o'i da yawa ana yin bikin diok, ko bikin aure na gargajiya, amma babu wanda ya gaji ko kaɗan. Maza sun yi rawa da manyan dillalai, ko manyan ganguna, kuma suna rawa da kidan jama'a da aka yi tare da ingantattun zurna da timburas, yayin da sauran baƙi suka yi ta murna da su.
    
  Ya kasance maraice mai dumi, bushewa, bayyananne a waje. Ƙungiyoyin maza sun tsaya nan da can ƙungiya-ƙungiya, suna shan taba da shan daga ƙananan kofuna na kofi mai kauri. Tsofaffi mata da "yan mata sanye da riguna kala-kala da gyale suna kai musu tiren abinci, da "ya"ya maza ko kannensu suka taimaka masu da fitulu.
    
  Bayan ta yi hidimar maza a wajen liyafar daurin aure, matar ta dauko tiren titin ta bi hanyar da ta wuce fitulun motoci, dan ta dan shekara goma ne ke kan hanya, zuwa wasu motoci kirar Toyota guda biyu da bishiyoyi suka boye, daya a kowane gefen titi. kai gona. Yaron ya haska fitilarsa a motar daukar kaya ta hagu, kai tsaye cikin idon babban yayansa. "Allah ya muku albarka ya gaishe ku! Na sake kama ki kuna barci!" - ya yi ihu.
    
  "Ban kasance ba!" - ɗan'uwan ya yi adawa da ƙarfi fiye da yadda yake so.
    
  "Hani, kar ki yi. Yanzu ɗan'uwanka ba zai iya gani a cikin duhu ba na ɗan lokaci," mahaifiyar yaron ta tsawata masa. "Jeka ka yiwa dan uwanka wani abu mai dadi ka fada masa kayi hakuri. Mu je, Mazen," ta ce wa mijinta, "Ina da ƙarin kofi a gare ku."
    
  Mijin ya ajiye AK-47 nasa a gaban babbar motar kuma cikin godiya ya karɓi kyautar. An yi masa ado don biki, ba don aikin gadi ba. Mutumin ya ce, "Mace ta gari ce, Zilar. "Amma a karo na gaba, aika ɗan"uwanka malalaci nan ya yi maka aikin. Tunaninsa ne ya sanya masu gadi a kofar shiga." Yana jin zafin kalamanta. "Na gane. Ya shagaltu da daukar ma'aikata kuma, a'a? Bikin 'yarsa kuma ya kasa dainawa?
    
  "Yana jin daɗi sosai-"
    
  "Na sani, na sani," mijin ya katse, a hankali yana dora hannunsa a kuncin matarsa don ya kwantar mata da hankali. "Mai kishin kasa ne kuma mai kishin kasa Kurdawa. Yayi masa kyau. Amma ya san cewa 'yan bindiga, 'yan sanda da sojoji suna lura da irin wannan al'amuran, suna daukar hotuna da jirage marasa matuka, suna amfani da microphones masu mahimmanci da latsawa. Me ya sa ya ci gaba? Ya yi kasadar da yawa."
    
  "Duk da haka, na sake gode muku don amincewa da ku tsaya gadi a nan don dalilai na tsaro," matar ta ce, ta cire hannunsa daga fuskarta tana sumbata. "Yana sa shi jin daɗi."
    
  "Ban dauki bindiga ba tun da na bar mayakan Peshmerga a Kirkuk. Ina samun kaina ina duba fuse kowane daƙiƙa uku."
    
  "Oh da gaske ne mijina?" Matar ta taka har zuwa AK-47 tana jingina da bompa kuma ta duba shi da yatsunta.
    
  "Ah, Los Angeles, gaya mani ba..."
    
  "Ka yi". Ta mayar da lever ɗin aminci zuwa wuri mai aminci.
    
  "Na ji daɗin "yan"uwanki da ba sa nan don ganin kina yi," in ji mijinta. "Wataƙila ina buƙatar ƙarin darussa daga tsohuwar ƙungiyar koli ta kwamandojin mata."
    
  "Ina da iyali da zan yi reno da kuma gidan da zan kula da su-Na sadaukar da lokacina wajen fafutukar neman "yancin kai na Kurdistan. Bari "yan matan su yi kokawa kadan don samun canji."
    
  "Kuna iya wulakanta kowace budurwa - a wurin harbi da kan gado."
    
  "Oh, kuma ta yaya kuka san basirar 'yan mata?" Ta tambaya cikin wasa. Ta mayar da makamin, ta nufi wajen mijinta, tana lallashin gindinta. "Ina da wasu darussa da yawa da zan fi koya muku, mijin." Ya sumbace ta. "To har yaushe zaki ajiye babban dana anan?"
    
  "Ba dadewa ba. Watakila wata sa"a." Ya gyada kai ga d'an nasa, wanda ke shagaltuwa yana harbin kanin nasa daga 'yan ragowar baklava dake kan tire. "Yana da kyau zama a nan tare da Neaz. Yana daukan wannan aiki da muhimmanci. Shi-" Mutumin ya tsaya saboda yana tunanin ya ji keke ko ƙaramin babur yana gabatowa, wani abu kamar ƙaramar ƙarar ƙara da ke nuna gudu amma ba ƙarfi ba. Babu fitulu a kan hanya ko kan babbar hanyar da ta wuce . Ya daure fuska, sannan ya ajiye kofin kofi a hannun matarsa. "A mayar da Honey zuwa cibiyar jama'a."
    
  "Mene ne wannan?"
    
  "Kila babu komai." Ya sake duban hanyar da ba ta dace ba, bai ga alamun motsi ba - babu tsuntsaye, babu bishiyu masu tsatsa. "Ka faɗa wa ɗan"uwanka zan ɗan yi yawo. Zan gaya wa sauran." Ya sumbaci matarsa a kumatu, sannan ya je ya dauko AK-47 nasa. "Zan shirya in shiga bayan na karba..."
    
  Daga kusurwar idonsa, mai tsayi a yamma, ya lura da shi: ɗan gajeren walƙiya na haske mai launin rawaya, ba mai yawa kamar haske ba, amma yana flicker kamar fitila. Shiyasa yayi, bai tabbata ba, sai ya ture matarsa gefe, ya nufi bishiyoyin dake gefen gate. "Sauka!" - ya yi ihu. "Karya! Zauna-"
    
  Nan da nan kasa ta fara rawa, kamar dawakai dubu sun toshe kusa da su. Fuskar mijin, idanunsa da makogwaro sun cika da gajimare na kura da datti da suka fito daga inda babu, aka rika jifan duwatsu ta ko'ina. Matar ta yi kururuwa yayin da ta ga mijinta a zahiri ya tarwatse zuwa guntun naman mutane. Ita ma motar daukar kaya ta tarwatse tun kafin tankar iskar gas din ta fashe, inda ta aike da wata babbar kwallon wuta a sararin samaniya.
    
  Sai ta ji shi - mugun sauti, mai tsananin ƙarfi, mai dawwama sai daƙiƙa guda. Kamar wata katuwar dabbar dabba ce a tsaye a kanta kamar sarƙoƙi mai girman gida. Sautin ya biyo bayan wani katon busar wani jet da ke shawagi a sama, kasa-kasa tana tunanin zai iya sauka a kan wata hanya mara kyau.
    
  A cikin 'yan bugun zuciya, mijinta da 'ya'yanta maza biyu sun mutu a idanunta. Ko ta yaya matar ta tashi da gudu ta koma wurin liyafar daurin auren, ba ta tunanin komai sai dai ta gargadi sauran "yan uwanta da su gudu domin tsira da rayukansu.
    
  "Fa'idar a bayyane take," in ji ma'aikacin matukin jirgin na jirgin ruwa A-10 Thunderbolt II. Birki ya yi da qarfi don ya tabbatar ya yi nisa da sauran jirgin da filin. "Biyu, an share cikin zazzafan bibiya."
    
  "Kyakkyawan tsari, jagora," in ji matukin jirgin na biyu A-10 Thunderbolt. "Na biyu yana kan aiki." Ya duba hoton bidiyo na infrared na makami mai linzami na AGM-65G Maverick, wanda ya nuna karara manyan motocin daukar kaya biyu a karshen titin, daya na cin wuta dayan kuma har yanzu babu shi, kuma tare da tura sandar sarrafa wuta ya ajiye kansa kusa da shi. motar daukar kaya ta biyu. Ba a gyaggyara A-10 ɗin sa tare da keɓantaccen firikwensin firikwensin infrared ba, amma bidiyon "FLIR na talaka" daga makami mai linzami na Maverick ya yi aikin da kyau.
    
  Harba bindigogi da daddare yawanci ba abu ne mai kyau ba, musamman a irin wannan tudu mai tuddai, amma abin da matukin jirgin ba zai yi kasada da shi ba don samun damar harba bindigar GAU-8A Avenger mai ban mamaki, bindigar Gatling mai tsawon millimita talatin wacce ta harba manyan rukunonin uranium a wata babbar mota. adadin kusan zagaye dubu hudu a minti daya? Bugu da ƙari, tun da farkon abin da aka nufa yana konewa sosai, yanzu yana da sauƙi don ganin manufa ta gaba.
    
  Lokacin da ƙwanƙolin Maverick ya faɗi digiri talatin, matukin jirgin ya sauke hancin jirgin, ya yi gyare-gyare na ƙarshe, kuma ya sanar ta rediyo, "Bindigu, bindigogi, bindigogi!" sannan ya ja tsaki. Haushin wannan katon bindiga da aka harba tsakanin kafafunsa shi ne abin da ya fi ban mamaki. A cikin fashewar dakika uku, kusan manyan harsasai dari biyu sun kai ga inda suka nufa. Matukin jirgin ya mayar da hankali kan motar daukar kaya a karo na farko, inda ya harba mata harsashi hamsin tare da haifar da wani abin ban mamaki, sannan ya daga hancin A-10 don ba da damar sauran zagaye dari da talatin da za su bi ta hanyar da 'yan ta'addan ke tserewa.
    
  A taka tsantsan don kada ya daidaita kan abin da aka nufa, kuma yana sane da yanayin da ke kewaye, ya taka birki da karfi ya canza hanya zuwa dama don samun tsayin da aka yi niyya. Haɓakawa na A-10 na Amurka yana da ban mamaki - bai cancanci laƙabinsa na hukuma ba, "Warthog." "Biyu bayyananne. Uku, bawon zafi."
    
  "Na uku akan yajin aiki," in ji matukin jirgin na A-10 na uku a cikin samuwar. Shi ne matukin jirgi mafi ƙanƙanta a cikin samar da jiragen ruwa huɗu, don haka ba zai yi gudu ba... amma ya kamata ya kasance mai ban sha'awa.
    
  Ya mayar da hankali kan manufa - wani babban gareji kusa da gidan - akan allon jagorar makami mai linzami na Maverick, ya danna maballin "kulle" a kan ma'aunin, ya ce "Rifle daya" a rediyon, ya juya kansa zuwa dama don kauce wa hasken wuta. Injin makami mai linzami, kuma ya danna maɓallin "kaddamar" akan sandar sarrafawa. AGM-65G makami mai linzami na Maverick ya bar jagorar ƙaddamarwa a gefen hagu kuma da sauri ya ɓace daga gani. gidan da kansa - kuma ya kori Maverick daga hannun dama. Bayan 'yan dakikoki kaɗan ya sami lada da fashewar abubuwa biyu masu haske.
    
  "Mai gabatarwa yana da hoto na gani na abin da ya zama hits guda biyu kai tsaye."
    
  "Na ukun yana da 'yanci," in ji rediyo yayin da yake samun tsayi kuma ya juya zuwa wurin da aka shirya. "Hudu, an share cikin zazzafan bibiya."
    
  "Misalai huɗu, masu tashi da sauri," in ji matukin A-10 na huɗu. Wataƙila yana da mafi ƙarancin bayanin bayanan harin kuma ba yawanci A-10 ba ne ke aiwatar da shi, amma A-10s sabbin membobin rundunar ne kuma har yanzu ba a bincika cikakken ikon su ba.
    
  Hanyar ya fi sauƙi fiye da na 'yan fuka-fukansa: kula da masu sauyawa da aka sanya a tashoshi hudu da takwas; bi jagororin kewayawa GPS zuwa wurin buɗewa; Babban maɓalli na makamai yana cikin matsayi na "hannu"; kuma danna maɓallin saki akan hannun kulawa a wurin da aka riga aka shirya. An jefa bama-bamai masu jagorar GPS mai nauyin fam dubu biyu GBU-32 cikin dare. Matukin jirgin ba dole ba ne ya gyara komai ko kuma hadarin nutsewa cikin filin: kayan aikin makamin sun yi amfani da siginonin kewayawa tauraron dan adam GPS don jagorantar bama-baman zuwa wurin da aka nufa, wani babban gini kusa da wata gona da aka tallata a matsayin "cibiyar al'umma" amma. Majiyoyin leken asiri sun ce shi ne babban wurin da ake taruwa da daukar ma'aikata 'yan ta'addar PKK.
    
  To, ba kuma. Hatsari guda biyu kai tsaye sun lalata ginin, wanda ya haifar da wani katon rami mai tsayi sama da taku hamsin a diamita. Ko da ya tashi sama da ƙafa dubu goma sha biyar a sama, jirgin A-10 ya girgiza da fashewar abubuwa guda biyu. "Na hudu kyauta ne. Kwamitin makamin yana da lafiya kuma lafiyayye."
    
  "Masu kutse biyu masu kyau," matukin jirgin ya yi rediyo. Bai ga wasu fashe-fashe na biyu ba, amma mai yiwuwa 'yan ta'addar sun yi amfani da tarin makamai da bama-baman da aka ce an ajiye a cikin ginin. "Muhtesem! Babban aiki, Walƙiya. Tabbatar cewa na'urorin kashe makamai suna da tsaro, kuma kar a manta da kashe ECM ɗin kuma kunna transponders a kan iyaka, ko kuma mu busa ku da gutsuttsura kamar yadda suka yi wa 'yan ta'addar PKK a can. Sai mun hadu a anga rendezvous."
    
  A cikin 'yan mintoci, dukkan jiragen sama na A-10 Thunderbolts guda hudu, sabbin jiragen yakin da sojojin saman Turkiyya suka samu, sun tsallaka kan iyaka lafiya. Wani nasarar da aka samu na yaki da ta'addanci a kan 'yan tada kayar baya da ke boye a Iraki.
    
  Matar mai suna Zilar Azzawi ta yi nishi cikin radadi a lokacin da ta farka daga wani lokaci. Hannunta na hagu taji wani mugun ciwo kamar ta karya yatsa a faduwa... Sai a gigice ta gane hannunta na hagu ba ya nan ta tsage har tsakiyar hannunta. Duk abin da ya kashe mijinta da 'ya'yanta da lalata motar ya kusan yin nasarar kashe ta. Horarwar kwamandojin ta na PKK, ta samu nasarar daure wani yadi daga rigarta a hannunta a matsayin yawon shakatawa don dakatar da zubar jini.
    
  Gaba d'aya yankin nata wuta ne, ba ta da wani aiki da ya wuce ta tsaya a inda take, a gefen titi, har sai da ta samu. Duk abin da ke kewaye da ita sai wannan ƴan ƙazamin titin yana ƙonewa, ta zubar da jini sosai wanda ba ta tunanin za ta yi nisa ko da ta san hanyar da za ta bi.
    
  Duk abin da kowa da kowa ya bace, an rushe gaba daya - gine-gine, liyafar bikin aure, dukan baƙi, yara ... Allahna, yara, 'ya'yanta ...!
    
  Azzawi ya rasa taimako yanzu, yana fatan ya rayu kawai...
    
  "Amma, ya Allah, idan ka bar ni in rayu," in ji ta da ƙarfi, saboda ƙarar mutuwa da halakar da ke kewaye da ita, "Zan sami waɗanda ke da alhakin wannan harin, kuma zan yi amfani da dukan ƙarfina don tattara sojoji in hallaka. su. Rayuwata ta baya ta ƙare - sun ƙwace iyalina daga wurina da rashin tausayi. Da albarkar ka, Allah, sabuwar rayuwata za ta fara a yanzu, kuma zan rama wa duk wanda ya mutu a daren nan."
    
    
  KUSANCI UMURNIYAR JAMA'A TA JANDARMA, DIYARBAKIR, JAMHURIYAR TURKIYA.
  ZAMANI 2010
    
    
  "Kanak Biyu-bakwai, Diyarbakir hasumiya, iska uku-sifili-sifili a takwas kulli, rufin dubu daya kilomita awa daya, ganuwa biyar a cikin haske ruwan sama, titin jirgin sama uku-biyar, barrantar da al'ada category ILS tsarin , tsaro matsayi ne kore."
    
  Matukin wani jirgin dakon mai na KC-135R da Amurka ke yi ya amince da kiran, sannan ya danna na'urar da ke kai hari. "Za mu sauka nan ba da jimawa ba. Da fatan za a koma kujerun ku, tabbatar da an ɗaure bel ɗin ku amintacce, share teburan ku, kuma ku ajiye duk kayan da ake ɗauka. Tesekkur ederim. Na gode ". Daga nan sai ya juya ga ma"aikacin kula da zirga-zirgar jiragen sama da ke zaune a bayan ma"aikacin jirgin ya yi ihu a hayin jirgin, "Jeka ka duba ko yana son shigowa don saukarwa, Jagora Sajan." Injin din ya gyada kai, ya cire belun kunnensa ya nufi wajen dakon kaya.
    
  Kodayake KC-135R da farko jirgin sama ne mai yawan mai, ana amfani da shi don jigilar kaya da fasinjoji. Kayan yana gaban gaban kogon ciki-a wannan yanayin, pallets huɗu cike da kwalaye da aka tsare da ragamar nailan. Bayan tirelolin akwai tireloli guda biyu na kujerun fasinja na aji goma sha biyu, sun makale a ƙasa ta yadda fasinjojin suka zauna suna fuskantar baya. Jirgin ya kasance mai hayaniya, wari, duhu da rashin jin daɗi, amma jirgin sama mai daraja irin wannan da wuya a bar shi ya tashi ba tare da cikakken kaya ba.
    
  Injiniyan jirgin ya matse a cikin kayan ya matso kusa da fasinjan da ke zaune a ƙarshen layin farko na gefen tashar jiragen ruwa. Mutumin yana da dogon gashi kuma yana da toused gashi, ciwon kai wanda ya girma a cikin kwanaki da yawa, kuma yana sanye da tufafin tituna na yau da kullun, kodayake duk wanda ke tafiya a cikin jirgin saman soja ana buƙatar ya sa rigar riga ko kasuwanci. Injiniyan ya tsaya gaban mutumin ya dan taba kafadarsa da sauki. Da mutumin ya farka, sai babban Sajan ya yi masa alama, sai ya mike ya bi Sajan din zuwa cikin sarari tsakanin pallet din. "Yi hakuri, yallabai," ma'aikacin bum din ya ce bayan fasinja ya cire gyambon kunnen kumfa mai laushi mai launin rawaya da kowa ke sanyawa don kare jin su daga hayaniya, "amma matukin jirgin ya nemi ya ga ko za ka so ka zauna a cikin jirgin domin daukar jirgin. kusanci." saukowa."
    
  "Wannan al'ada ce, Babban Sajan?" - ya tambayi fasinjan, Janar Besir Ozek. Ozek shi ne kwamandan rundunar Gendarma Genel Komutanligi, ko kuma dakarun sa-kai na kasar Turkiyya, wadanda suka hada da 'yan sandan kasar, da masu tsaron kan iyaka da kuma masu tsaron kasa. A matsayinsa na kwamandojin da aka horar da shi, da kuma kwamandan rundunar da ke kula da tsaron cikin gida, Ozek an ba shi damar ya sa dogon gashi da ƙoƙon gefe don ya fi dacewa ya shiga ciki kuma ya fita daga matsayin wakilin ɓoye da kuma lura da wasu a hankali.
    
  "A'a, yallabai," ma'aikacin shingen ya amsa. "Ba a yarda kowa ya shiga cikin jirgin sai ma"aikatan jirgin. Amma..."
    
  "Na nemi kada a ware ni a wannan jirgin, Master Sajan. Na yi tunanin hakan ya bayyana ga kowa da kowa a cikin tawagar," in ji Ozek. "Ina so in kasance a matsayin mai ban mamaki kamar yadda zai yiwu a wannan tafiya. Shi ya sa na yanke shawarar zama a baya tare da sauran fasinjoji."
    
  "Yi hakuri, yallabai," in ji ma'aikacin shingen.
    
  Ozek ya nazarci fasinjojin dakon kaya kuma ya lura cewa fasinjoji da yawa sun juya don ganin abin da ke faruwa. "To, ina tsammanin ya yi latti yanzu, ko ba haka ba?" - ya ce. "Ku tafi". Ma"aikacin bindigar ya jinjina kai ya shigar da Janar din cikin jirgin, yana murna da bai yi wa kwamandan jirgin bayanin dalilin da ya sa Janar din ya ki amsa gayyatarsa ba.
    
  Shekaru da yawa kenan tun lokacin da Ozek ya kasance a cikin jirgin KC-135R Stratotanker na jirgin ruwa, kuma gidan ya yi kama da matsi, hayaniya da wari fiye da yadda ya tuna. Ozek tsohon soja ne kuma baya son fahimtar abin da ke jan hankalin maza zuwa jirgin sama. Rayuwar matukin jirgin ta kasance ƙarƙashin ƙarfi da dokoki waɗanda babu wanda ya gani ko kuma ya fahimce su sosai, kuma ba yadda yake so ya rayu ba. KC-135R da aka haɓaka jirgin sama ne mai kyau, amma filin jirgin ya kasance yana aiki sama da shekaru hamsin-wannan ɗan ƙaramin yaro ne, ɗan shekara arba'in da biyar kacal-kuma ya fara nuna shekarun sa.
    
  Duk da haka, jirgin sama ya zama kamar ya zama babban tashin hankali a Jamhuriyar Turkiyya a kwanakin nan. Kasarsa kawai ta samu da dama daga cikin mayaka na dabara da bama-bamai daga Amurka: masoyi F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter-Bomber, wanda kuma aka gina a karkashin lasisi a Turkiyya; da A-10 Thunderbolt kusa-a cikin jirgin goyon bayan iska, wanda ake yi wa lakabi da "Warthog" saboda kullunsa, bayyanar mai amfani; AH-1 Helikwafta harin Cobra; da kuma jirgin F-15 Eagle na yaki don fifikon iska. Turkiyya na kan hanyarta ta zama wata kasa mai karfin soja a duniya, sakamakon burin Amurka na kawar da kayan aikin da aka gwada na yaki amma na tsufa.
    
  Ma'aikacin barrage ya mika wa janar na'urar kai kuma ya nuna wurin zama mai koyarwa tsakanin matukan jirgi biyu. "Na san ba ka son a dame ka, Janar," matukin jirgin ya ce a kan intercom, "amma wurin zama a bude kuma ina tsammanin kana iya son kallon."
    
  "Hakika," Ozek ya amsa a sauƙaƙe, yana yin bayanin tunani don cire matukin jirgin daga aiki lokacin da ya koma hedkwatar; akwai maza da mata da yawa a cikin rundunar sojojin saman Turkiyya da suka san bin umarni suna jiran jiragen dakon mai. "Mene ne yanayin tsaro a filin jirgin?"
    
  "Green, yallabai," matukin jirgin ya ruwaito. "Babu canji sama da wata guda."
    
  "Ayyukan PKK na karshe a wannan yanki shine kwanaki ashirin da hudu da suka wuce, Captain," in ji Ozek a fusace. PKK, ko Karker Party a Kurdistan, ko Kurdistan Workers' Party, haramtacciyar kungiyar soji ce ta Markisanci, wacce ta nemi kafa wata kasa ta daban ta Kurdistan, wacce aka kafa daga sassan kudu maso gabashin Turkiyya, arewacin Iraki, arewa maso gabashin Siriya da arewa maso yammacin Iran, dukkaninsu. wanda mafi yawan kabilun Kurdawa. Kungiyar ta'addar PKK ta yi amfani da ta'addanci da tashe-tashen hankula, hatta manyan sansanonin soji da kuma wuraren da ake samun kariya kamar filayen jiragen sama na farar hula, wajen kokarin kiyaye kanta a idon jama'a da kuma matsawa kasashe daban-daban don cimma matsaya. "Dole ne mu kasance a faɗake koyaushe."
    
  "Eh, yallabai," matukin jirgin ya tabbatar a cikin daurewar murya.
    
  "Shin ba ka aiwatar da mafi girman tsarin aiki ba, Captain?"
    
  "Uh...a'a, yallabai," matukin jirgin ya amsa. "Matsayin aminci kore ne, rufi da ganuwa ba su da yawa, kuma hasumiya ta ba da shawarar cewa an share mu don tsarin tsarin al'ada." Ya haɗiye, sannan ya ƙara da cewa, "Kuma ban so in bata muku rai ko sauran fasinjojin ta hanyar saukowa a iyakar aiki ba."
    
  Da Ozek ya zagi matashin wawan matukin jirgi, amma sun riga sun fara tunkarar kayan aikinsu kuma nan da nan za su shagala sosai. An ƙirƙira mafi girman ayyukan tashi da hanyoyi don rage lokaci a cikin kewayon bindigogi masu harbin kafada. A wasu lokuta 'yan ta'addar PKK na amfani da makami mai linzami samfurin SA-7 da SA-14 da Rasha ta kera a kan jiragen gwamnatin Turkiyya.
    
  Duk da haka, yiwuwar kai irin wannan harin a yau kadan ne. Silin da ganuwa sun yi ƙasa sosai, yana iyakance lokacin da mai harbi zai iya kai hari. Bugu da ƙari, yawancin hare-hare an kai su ne a kan manyan jirage masu saukar ungulu ko tsayayyen jirgin sama a lokacin tashin jirgin saboda sa hannun zafin da makami mai linzamin ke hari ya fi haske-a lokacin da suke gabatowa, injinan suna gudana a ƙananan saitunan wutar lantarki kuma suna da sanyi sosai, wanda ke nufin makamai masu linzami. ya fi wahalar kullewa kuma ana iya matse shi ko kuma a kama shi cikin sauƙi.
    
  Matukin jirgin yana cin zarafin da Ozek bai so ba - musamman da yake yana yin hakan ne kawai don ƙoƙarin burge babban jami'in - amma yanzu sun kasance cikin tsaka mai wuya, kuma suna zubar da hanyar a wannan lokacin, kusa da tsaunuka cikin mummunan hali. yanayi , ba kyakkyawan zaɓi ba ne. Ozek ya jingina da kujera ya haye hannayensa bisa kirjinsa yana nuna fushinsa. "Ci gaba, kyaftin," in ji shi a sauƙaƙe.
    
  "Eh, yallabai," matukin jirgin ya amsa da sauƙi. "Mataimakin matukin jirgi, don Allah, kafin aiwatar da jerin abubuwan da za a yi la'akari da su a kan hanyar glide." Domin matukin jirgin, Ozek ya yi tunani, shi matukin jirgi ne mai kyau; zai kasance mai kyau kari ga wasu ma'aikatan jirgin saboda ba zai dade a cikin rundunar sojojin saman Turkiyya ba.
    
  Sai dai kuma abin takaicin shi ne, a "yan kwanakin nan wannan halin ko in kula a cikin sojojin na kara zama ruwan dare a yayin da rikici tsakanin gwamnatin Turkiyya da Kurdawa ke ci gaba da ruruwa. Jam'iyyar Kurdistan Workers' Party, ko PKK, ta canza suna zuwa PAG, ko Congress for Freedom and Democracy, kuma ta kauce wa amfani da kalmar "Kurdistan" a cikin litattafanta da jawabanta a wani yunƙuri na jawo hankalin masu sauraro. A cikin wadannan kwanaki, sun gudanar da taruka da kuma buga wasu takardu da ke ba da ra'ayin yin amfani da sabbin dokokin kare hakkin bil'adama don rage wahalhalun da ake fama da su a duniya, maimakon bayar da shawarar fafutukar neman kafa kasar Kurdawa ta daban.
    
  Amma dabara ce. PKK ta fi karfi, ta fi arziki kuma ta fi tada hankali fiye da kowane lokaci. Sakamakon mamayewar da Amurka ta yi wa gwamnatin Saddam Hussein a Iraki, da kuma yakin basasar Iran, 'yan tawayen Kurdawa ba tare da tsoro ba sun kaddamar da hare-haren wuce gona da iri a cikin kasashen Turkiyya, Iraki, Iran da Siriya daga sansanonin tsaro masu yawa, da fatan za su yi amfani da hargitsi da hargitsi. rudani da kafa tushe mai karfi a kowace kasa. A duk lokacin da sojojin Turkiyya suka mayar da martani, ana zarginsu da aikata kisan kiyashi, kuma 'yan siyasa a Ankara sun umarci sojoji da su dakatar da zaluncin.
    
  Wannan kawai ya karawa PKK kwarin gwiwa. Sabuwar skit: bayyanar mace shugabar ta'addanci. Ba wanda ya san ainihin sunanta; Ana kiran ta da Baz, ko kuma "Hawk" a Larabci, saboda iya bugunta da sauri da kuma ba zato ba tsammani, duk da haka da alama ta tashi ta tsere wa masu bin ta cikin sauki. Bayyanar ta a matsayin babbar rundunar da ke fafutukar kwato 'yancin Kurdawa da kuma mayar da martani mai zafi da gwamnatocin Turkiyya da Iraki suka yi kan kiran da ta yi na yaki da zubar da jini ya damu Janar Jandarma.
    
  "Muna shiga tsaka mai wuya," in ji mataimakin matukin jirgin.
    
  Matukin jirgin ya ce, "A hankali.
    
  "Ga shi," in ji mataimakin matukin jirgin, sai ya kai sama da gwiwar dama da matukin jirgin ya matsar da mashin ɗin zuwa ƙasa. "An ci gaba da watsawa... Kore uku, babu rawaya, maɓallin turawa famfo duba haske a kunne, watsawa kuma a kulle."
    
  Matukin jirgin ya ɗauke idanunsa daga mai nunin matsayi a kwance kawai ya isa ya duba alamun motsin kaya kuma latsa alamar "gear hydr" don dubawa. "Duba, an kashe watsawa kuma an toshe."
    
  "Tabbas, a kan hanya," in ji mataimakin matukin jirgin. "Kafa dubu biyu zuwa tsayin daka." Ma"aikacin jirgin ya miqe a hankali ya danna alamar saurin iskar, ya yi shiru yana gargadin matukin cewa saurin iskar sa ya yi kasa kadan-tare da janar din a cikin kokfit, bai so ya haskaka ko da dan kuskure. Gudun su ya ragu da kulli biyar kawai, amma ƙananan kurakuran sun yi kama da dusar ƙanƙara a kan tsarin kayan aiki, kuma yana da kyau a gan su a gyara su nan da nan fiye da barin su haifar da manyan matsaloli daga baya.
    
  "Tesekkur der," matukin jirgin ya amsa, ya yarda da kama. Sauƙaƙan "samun ku" yana nufin cewa matukin jirgin ya gano kuskurensa, amma godiya yana nufin cewa ma'aikacin jirgin ya yi kyakkyawan tsari. "Dubu saura."
    
  Tace hasken rana ya fara tacewa ta tagogin gidan, bayan wani lokaci sai hasken rana ya fado ta cikin gajimare da ke warwatse. Ozek ya duba waje ya ga ashe suna tsakiyar titin jirgin ne, kuma fitilun da ake gani suna nuni da cewa suna kan hanyar. Mataimakin matukin jirgin ya sanar. Alluran ILS sun fara rawa kadan, wanda ke nufin matukin jirgin yana kallon tagar kan titin jirgin maimakon kallon alamar matsayi a kwance. "Ku ci gaba da kusantowa."
    
  "Na gode". Wani kama mai kyau. "Dari biyar zuwa tsayin yanke hukunci. Bi jerin 'pre-landing' checklist kuma..."
    
  Ozek, yana mai da hankali kan taga maimakon kayan aiki, ya fara ganinsa: wani farar layin hayaƙi na murɗawa daga mahadar tituna gaba da hagu, cikin shingen kewayen filin jirgin sama, yana nufo su kai tsaye! "Kibiya!" Ozek ya yi ihu, yana amfani da sunan barkwanci na Rasha "Zvezda" don makami mai linzamin SA-7 da aka harba kafada.
    
  Don yabonsa, matukin jirgin ya yi daidai kamar yadda Ozek ya umarta: nan da nan ya juya dabaran sarrafawa zuwa dama kuma ya saita duk magudanar ruwa guda huɗu zuwa cikakken ikon yaƙi. Amma ya yi yawa, da yawa latti. Ozek ya san cewa yanzu suna da dama guda ɗaya kawai: cewa da gaske shine makami mai linzami na SA-7 ba sabon SA-14 ba, saboda tsohon makami mai linzami yana buƙatar wuri mai zafi don jagorantar shi, yayin da SA-14 zai iya bin duk wani tushen zafi. , ko da hasken rana yana haskakawa daga hasken tocila.
    
  A cikin kiftawar ido, roka ya bace - ya tashi daga 'yan mita daga reshen hagu. Amma akwai wani abu dabam. An yi ƙara a cikin jirgin; Matukin jirgin ya yi ƙoƙari ya juya KC-135 zuwa hagu don daidaita shi kuma watakila ma ya sake daidaita shi a kan titin jirgin sama, amma jirgin bai amsa ba - reshe na hagu yana da tsayi a sararin sama kuma babu isasshen wutar lantarki. don saukar da shi. Ko da injinan da ke aiki da ƙarfi, sun tsaya gaba ɗaya, tare da yin barazanar shiga cikin ƙugiya a kowane lokaci.
    
  "Me kake yi captain?" Ozek ya yi kururuwa. "Down your hanci da kuma daidaita your fuka-fuki!"
    
  "Ba zan iya juyo ba!" - matukin jirgin ya yi ihu.
    
  "Ba za mu iya isa titin jirgin sama ba - daidaita fikafikan mu sami wurin saukar gaggawa!" Ozek yace. Ya leka tagar mataimakin matukin jirgin sai ya ga filin kwallon kafa. "Nan! Filin ƙwallon ƙafa! Wannan shine wurin saukar ku!"
    
  "Zan iya sarrafa shi! Zan iya yi...!"
    
  "A'a, ba za ku iya ba - ya yi latti!" - Ozek ya yi ihu. "Saka hancin ku zuwa filin kwallon kafa, ko mu mutu duka!"
    
  Sauran sun faru a cikin ƙasa da daƙiƙa biyar, amma Ozek yana kallonta kamar a hankali. Maimakon ya yi ƙoƙarin ɗaga tankar da ta tsaya a sararin sama, matuƙin jirgin ya saki matsin lamba na baya akan levers ɗin. Da ya yi haka kuma injinan sun cika wuta, sai ma"aikatan jirgin suka mayar da martani nan da nan kuma matukin ya iya daidaita fikafikan jirgin. Tare da ƙananan hanci, saurin iska ya karu da sauri, kuma girgiza ya isa ga matukin jirgi ya ɗaga hanci kusan zuwa wurin saukowa. Ya mayar da magudanar ruwa zuwa zaman banza, sannan ya yanke wasu lokuta kafin babbar tankar ta taso.
    
  Ozek aka jefo gaba kusan cikin na'ura mai kwakwalwa, amma kafadarsa da bel din cinyarsa sun rike, ya yi tunani cikin nadama cewa ya fuskanci saukowa mai tsanani a baya... sai ga kayan hanci ya sauko da hayaniya, sai ga Janar din Turkiyya ya ji. kamar an karye shi gaba daya. Akwatin gear ɗin na gaba ya karye kuma ƙazanta da turf suka zubo ta cikin gilashin gilashin kamar igiyar ruwa. Sun yi karo ne ta hanyar gidan kwallon kafa, sannan suka yi karo da shingen shinge da gareji da wasu gine-ginen ajiya kafin su tsaya a filin wasan motsa jiki.
 Âàøà îöåíêà:
Ñâÿçàòüñÿ ñ ïðîãðàììèñòîì ñàéòà.

Íîâûå êíèãè àâòîðîâ ÑÈ, âûøåäøèå èç ïå÷àòè:
Î.Áîëäûðåâà "Êðàäóø. ×óæèå äóøè" Ì.Íèêîëàåâ "Âòîðæåíèå íà Çåìëþ"

Êàê ïîïàñòü â ýòoò ñïèñîê
Ñàéò - "Õóäîæíèêè" .. || .. Äîñêà îá'ÿâëåíèé "Êíèãè"