The second time awoke, I found myself reclining on a chair in the lobby. Blurred vision disappeared, the head is not spinning. On the neighboring chair sitting Anna, holding a glass with a pale green liquid.
- Here, have a drink, a stimulant.
- What happened to me? - drink had a fresh mint flavor and was very appropriate.
- Well ... - she looked confused, - the test was performed for longer than usual, a lot longer. Before you, the maximum reaction after him - a little dizzy. no one loses consciousness. But no one was tested three hours instead of one.
- Oh! Three hours? Then I'll go, I still have to get to the calculators, necessarily today ... and then - I felt that Swift Red - I have no place to spend the night.
- nowhere to spend the night? What nonsense like that. You now have to spend the night where. You passed the test.
My head was spinning again, this time in confusion and a bit of fear. Joy, I do not feel any. It was just a strange feeling that from that moment my life changed dramatically, and still do not know whether I regret these changes.
- Representatives "VirtArt", responsible for the project, has already departed - in the meantime continued to Anna. - Are you on a lot of interesting things happen, Dmitri, to be envied.
- I'll leave you until I have still some work - she easily got up from his chair and in a few rapid steps disappeared behind the counter.
I'm stunned sat, staring into space. At the head of randomly tossed panicky thoughts. Consciousness is still in a strange trance when all around me there were some people. They said something, congratulations, laughed, shook his hand. Then I shoved a stack of some documents, and almost under the hand was taken to standing outside a luxury black aircar. One glance at the paper was enough for me to solve them do not read the small letters jumped and blended. I do not know, maybe I have not departed from this strange test, but to my great surprise, suddenly feeling terrible drowsiness, closed his eyes and fell back into the darkness.
Interlude 2.
Cabinet Chief of Security "VirtArt"
- Igor, we checked for a Man, a complete dossier sent to your comments - reported one of the men facing the table. - But there is especially nothing to read, the only thing that can draw attention - that he was brought up by parents to twelve years.
- Of course, there is nothing and never will. It would be strange if it was all on the surface of Proteus is not an idiot - man sitting at the table, eyes narrowed ominously - I do not trust that son of a bitch. Let me better feel paranoid, but it seems to me that we risk a big headache.
Prilepov Igor was not paranoid. He was well versed in the people, was a clever, calculating, cruel, suspicious and incredibly intuitive foresight on the brink. Aims, he pursued her, no matter what the obstacles. That is what helped him to do such a staggering career, thirty two years of rising, from the position of an ordinary guard, almost to the very top. Good shape, attractive appearance, skill with elegant casualness wear expensive clothes, impeccable courtesy and chivalry in dealing with women - all these qualities were the external image of the chief "VirtArt" unit security. His inner essence to know a few, even fewer people on the list were still alive.
- Take us there is nothing we will not, but for the project I'll be watching in person. I can not get rid of the idea that there is something we have missed. How then would not regret it. Free!
The dossier guy really was not anything criminal. Well, can only be clearly seen a strong emotional bond with parents, that was not so frequent. The man thought that this point should be borne in mind as a potential tool to influence.
Igor has never lost sight of a single detail.
Chapter 3.
- How long will you still sleep, young man? - my dream quickly interrupted. - Get up, you have long been waiting for.
Damn it! Air car was stationary, likely for a long time. I lay on the back seat, under the head was a small pillow top - checkered woolen plaid. The sun almost touches the horizon the lower edge of the disk. So I slept for at least three hours. But enough sleep, I feel fine, and my head is clear and fresh.
- I'm sorry, I accidentally, - a couple of times bumping his head and elbows, I clumsily crawled out.
- Really? And I really thought that on purpose - a man standing in front of me a sarcastic smile - you slept like sleeping beauty. And some people out there - he waved his hand somewhere in the side of the building, near where we were standing - you appeared in a dream so sweet, that I was forbidden to wake you up.
I felt that slowly blushes, and most likely my cheeks are now almost as red as his hair. The man immediately began to cause me irritation, not only their ridicule, but also appearance. Before that I had ever seen on someone of the same elegant suit, or the like, is clearly insanely expensive shoes. At the training center, we were all wearing uniforms, including teachers.
- Ooh, What a girl you are! Reddened! Now you can even seem like a sweet, - he chuckled. But suddenly it became serious, perhaps, heard the creak of my teeth.
- No offense, Dmitry. Come on, you've still a lot to do today.
He turned around and took a few steps toward the building. Mechanically I followed him, but stopped suddenly stunned. This is ... Heavenly tier! As I just did not pay attention to the air! I stood in the street and breathe without filters! And what is it delicious, not dry and not smelly, in my block on the street and not sterile tasteless as the Training Center. The air was as if alive, he smelled something sweet, fresh and incredibly enjoyable. I with pleasure inhaled deeply. It can drive you mad!
And suddenly, in my head like the sound. The world exploded around the rustling leaves, chirping and whistling some small Pichugov, flitting in the dense crowns, monotonous sound of the cicadas.
I whirled my head. Each building within sight standing in the necklace of small trees and shrubs. The ground underfoot was not filled with concrete in the lower blocks, and green with a solid blanket of thick smooth lawn lined with cells narrow footpath.
- My friend, - a man suddenly switched to "you" - we should hurry. If you are lucky, you will see enough of this yet, but if not lucky ... Then it is better not get used.
Yes, he's right. Do not make yourself wait.
Another shock awaited me inside the building. I was like in the distant past. The huge hall was shining crystal and glittering with gold leaf. With stucco ceiling, down to a few meters of a giant chandelier. The walls are lined with marble half-columns were covered with cream-colored silk. Underfoot - the stunning beauty of parquet, inlaid with geometric patterns. A small furniture was a bit pretentious and ponderous - sofas with curved backs and silk upholstery, ottomans, Tolstonog round tables, decorated with heads of griffins. At the far end of the hall, I saw a huge pink marble fireplace, in which, as it seemed to me, was burning real wood. No, this can not be. This or imitation, or even a hologram ... probably.
- Well, what do you say, pal? - man turned to me, waiting for my reaction.
- My name is Dmitry, not my friend, - I must say, it irritated me more and more with every word. - And the Empire I never liked him, it is too pathetic - here and so, eaten? We are not born yesterday.
- Really? And what kind of style do you prefer, if not a secret, Dmitri? - man again switched to "you", it again began to play with different shades of sarcasm.
- Victorian.
- Very interesting. I suppose your living chamber was furnished in this style? Otherwise, no matter where you find out about this? This knowledge is not part of the compulsory curriculum.
Something to me less and less liked our conversation.
- I actually learned not 3 years in the specialty "Keeper of Knowledge", specialized in Europe ages 18-19.
- Ah, yes, of course, I forgot - handed man - what a strange choice of specialty ...
- ABOUT! My boy! Finally, you're awake. - Our conversation was interrupted by the rapidly shagnuvshaya woman meet. - It was a pity to wake you, but unfortunately, today we have to finish all the formalities. And you have y
et to meet with Proteus, and the rest would not hurt. You can call me Inga, I will communicate with you as part of our project. This Igor - she pointed to me an unpleasant man - the head of our security services.
- It was very pleasant to meet you, - I turned to him. In fact, I felt uncomfortable and confused. And the attempt to answer back was partly my defensive reaction.
- Well, I just knew - Inga laughed, - Igor, you are in his repertoire! Why are you frightened child? Leave him alone, and so it is now easy.
- So, - she turned to me, - the documents that were given to you, you've read?
- Well, there after the test ... I was wrong, and ...- blushing, I vaguely zamyamlil.
- Well, that's just a mere child! - Again, the woman smiled. - Good. We do not have time to read all the details, but it's a standard contract. We can go through the most important points before signing. Let's just go up to your room, we are not going to stand in front of everyone in the hall.
- In the lobby? - I looked. Really, I just noticed in the corner of the reception desk. What seemed to me a fabulous palace of heavenly beauty, it was just a hotel. - Wait, I've got your number here?
- Yes, you will also need somewhere to sleep. This building - the place of temporary residence of nonresident employees "VirtArt" people in the street will not get here. - Inga pulled out a tiny handbags a plastic card. - Here's your key, you go.
Elevator too was not at all to what I'm used to. Forged bronze grille, massive mirrors, mahogany panels - all this luxury is simply screaming about my insignificance. As soon as we drove up and then walked down the long, just luxuriously decorated hall, I more and more feel the unreality of what is happening, and in the end, unable to withstand the temptation, whispered softly: "Emergency exit". Nothing has changed, only coming behind Igor suddenly put his hand on my shoulder:
- No, man, it's not Wirth - again on "you", but even "my friend."
Inga stopped before high white decorated monogram, door.
- Well, here's your room, open.
I held the card to the touch panel, the door opened. Stepping over the threshold, I stood in mute amazement. Even afraid to imagine how stupid I looked at it from the outside, certainly jaw dropped and his eyes wide open I did not paint.
The room struck her strict, majestic beauty and elegance gloomy. Dark wood wall panels, massive bookcases, a fireplace made of gray marble, low sofas in brown and beige cage, green silk lampshades.
- Oh, wow, what a coincidence! What's your favorite style, is not it? - sounded behind the mocking voice of Igor.
- So let's start - Inga already laid the paper on a low table by the sofa, - Come here, boy.
I sat on the sofa beside her and tried to concentrate. Make it a little hurt after all the commotion awakened fierce hunger. Last time I ate last night, that is almost a day ago. In the stomach significantly it sucks.
Inga suddenly postponed the documents.
- And let's, first I'll tell you a little about the project. He is truly unique. Up to this point, all virtual worlds developed exclusively by experts, based on vast amounts of statistics. This allowed us to create the game, which like almost all, and still a long time did not bother, because, as you know, many people live there for years, and this is very important.
- But continually using these data, we concluded that over time our virtmiry become very similar to each other, and in this case too perfect. And it immediately affected the ratings. They are still very high, but, nevertheless, the leadership made the revolutionary decision - to refuse completely from our old patterns and develop trust by future users.
- So, actually, and this project will be born. Another of its uniqueness is that the full manual control, and the right of a decisive vote of confidence against it. In fact, it can be called the father of the project, if such a word is appropriate here - the woman smiled.
- Proteus has developed almost everything - from the methods of selection of participants, prior to their interaction with the future of the virtual world, which is also typical. He will fully control all processes, our specialists will be only observers with the right to an advisory vote.
- And now I tell you about the conditions. - Inga again picked up the contract. - After passing the first stage, and you overcame it, Proteus creates a personal virtual world for you. What - no one knows in advance, it will be created based on an analysis scan of your personality. The scan data is confidential, available only for the Proteus design world, then destroyed. Here, it is written in the contract, - she jabbed a finger somewhere in the center of the page.
- Next, your task is, for a year of life in the virtual world, to get in the top three leaders of the rating. All these worlds would be created 10, and, accordingly, there will be 10 participants. Troika project winners received a permanent job in the "VirtArt" change of social status on the silver, and the possibility of living in heaven tier. Well, cash prizes, here on such a scale for the appropriate place - Inga again showed me the contract point where the amount had been prescribed. Figures amazed the number of zeros. Everything that happens again, I began to feel some kind of fairy tale.
- Now the bad news. If you do not find yourself in the top three, you'll have to compensate for the costs of establishing and virtmira service. That's the amount. - Inga raised her eyes, and quietly and seriously said - if you change your mind, you can just leave right now. You will not look for one.
- No, I do not change my mind, I had already decided.
- Well. Yes, if you do not win, you'll have to pay this amount here. Well, that's all, you only sign.
- Okay, I'm ready - I took the proffered Inga stack of documents, and put your thumb on the scanner on the last page. Inga and Igor did the same, after which the contract number in the header has changed color from red to green.
- Well, that's it, the contract is signed, - Inga stood up from the couch. - And now, my boy, you can relax a bit, bite - she gestured to a low carved cabinet door, in which the interior, apparently hiding fridge or vending machine with snacks. - Just do not forget to communicate with Proteus, gelkapsula be in the bedroom.
- I'll be watching your game. The next time we see you in a year - the woman smiled for the last time, picked up from the table a contract and disappeared behind the door. Igor silence followed, finally, having taken my watchful eye.
I shivered. Still I think it is very bad, and he did not like it. But Inga very nice woman. So, what's it say about the food? As if waking up, his stomach growled insistently. I strongly moved to the cabinet. I think, mind a little wait, but I could not wait a day hungry.
And here I was expecting something a shock. Of course, I knew that the inhabitants of heaven tier eat better than others, but know and see - a big difference. I was able to immediately find out about a third of products, and even then, only because they are ubiquitous in the past, but I still dropout specialist on it. Apples, bananas and off the beaten path, I even tried it as a child. Grapes and peaches just seen, and the rest of strange fruits and even never heard. Cut into thin slices of meat, and an unknown white and pink fish as thinly sliced, I did not even bother to pull out. I'm not sure that now is the time to experiment, and in general. There is a living being once ... Brrr. I shuddered.
But I leaned on fruits with pleasure. It's good that no one has seen, as I popped in the mouth everything indiscriminately as reveled in their bright flavor and juiciness as champs and choked by greed. Then look down on your hands soiled in the juice of the elbow, and a wave of shame has covered my head ... I lost control of himself, devoured the fruit, like a savage, and I almost turned into an animal! Disgusting. No appetite.
Removing the leftovers back in the closet fridge, I decided not to postpone the conversation with Proteus. Pushing the door open, at which point Inga, I found myself in a small room, most of which is occupied by a huge four-poster bed. Revolve head, said bureau, two squat stone, and a huge mirror in wrought iron frame. No gelkapsuly was not in the room. Deciding to see whether not missed so
mething in the living room, I almost came when he saw on the wall, to the right of exit, the slender outline of a doorway and a discreet touch panel. It was there, in a small dark niche, and hid gelkapsula.
Strange. Hidden as hiding something shameful, almost forbidden. Well, I am not up to it. Habitual movement plugged neyroshunt, lay down comfortably.
- Dive! - seconds of total darkness, and lo, I am standing in the middle of the small room. In front of me a chair with a person sitting in it, about forty-five. He has red, tired eyes, disheveled hair, pale face with deep wrinkles.
- Hello - I do not understand anything, but just in case, hello - you too are waiting for Proteus?
- I'm waiting for you.
- Me? - can not be - do you mind? - The joke of some sort, not otherwise. On the one hand, I understand that we are in the virtual, and then you can look like anything, the more that Proteus and no body does not. But on the other hand ... This battered, weary guy does not fit in my mind so should look like an avatar of advanced machine intelligence on Earth. Perhaps this is a psychological move, for I soon relaxed and open. While on the other hand, I hide, and there is nothing ...
- Do you expect to meet someone here? - a man in a chair crooked grin. - How do you think I should look? Maybe so? - he suddenly turned into a high pitching, dressed in the fashion of the 20th century, wearing sunglasses, with a crew cut hairstyle and a shotgun at the ready. His face was partially burned down to the bone, but instead of the skull through the flesh was seen chrome metal.
- Or maybe better like this? - fraction of a second, and in the chair already sitting blond boy about eight years old. Naive pretty face, eyebrows house, his eyes wide.
- Oh, no! I have the same car, how could I forget! Then behold, admire, - another transformation, and in front of me is already a strange metallic creature, like a two-way broom, which bars were thinning and forks handles. - That's better? Now I fit just as machine intelligence should look like? I have enough iron? - grated device deliberately, "computer", a synthesized voice.
Named Sherlock Page 3