Ill be there right away.
It was just like his tactful mother to not want to give him trouble. Barkov instantly imagined big, strong rogues rushing into the cellar and beating her to find out where cash is hidden, even though she had none. She had some savings, but they were small and in a bank account. Would the bandits believe it? She had a good house in a prestigious area. Caches of diamonds are usually hidden in such places and somewhere behind a wardrobe there is a safe full of money or so the robbers would assume.
I must hurry up.
Barkov made a U-turn and drove the car back. The tires squealed as he drove around obstacles making zigzags.
Emily knocked on the partition fiercely.
Its one-way traffic here! Well get smashed up!
Andrew switched on the flashing lights and the audio alarm. The whole surface of the hood, roof and trunk began to sparkle like a New Years garland. Howling sounds floated from the loudspeakers.
The car careened about one and a half kilometers through the oncoming traffic lane. At the nearest intersection, Barkov turned to the road leading to the Pinecrest area where his mother lived.
Twenty-five minutes drive seemed to be like eternity. Terrible images flickered in his head. His mom pummeled mercilessly covered with blood dying trying to crawl out of the house
At the turn to Montgomery Street, he switched off the alarm system. Robbers should be caught unawares instead of being warned about police arrival. Making two more turns, he saw the three coconut palm trees growing before his mothers house. To the right and to the left of them, a narrow asphalted road formed a semicircle. As Andrews car approached one side, an old dark blue Cadillac turned out from the other side. It overturned a garbage can near the road, some black bags of garbage and a couple empty bottles of Coke fell out, and the car sped down the street.
Barkov made a mental snapshot of its number plate USW 116 F and turned to the house.
Nellie Barkov had a one-storied beautiful house with big windows, decorative columns on the facade and a tile roof. The garage adjoined the house at the left. Its door was closed, and before it, as always, there was a potted cactus. It meant that robbers had not opened the garage. However, the houses front door was wide open. Having stopped the car at the door, Andrew rushed inside. Mom!
The house was in complete disorder: wardrobes and cabinets were open, the floor was covered with clothes, books, papers and broken vases. The unusual and unpleasant stink of beer and cigarettes filled the air. And dead silence.
Peeping in all the rooms, he ran through the living room and flung open the door leading to the garage. There were no changes in it. Mothers white double mini-electromobile was in the center. Its rear bumper hung over a wooden hatch of the cellar. The hatch was shut tight.
Knocking on it with his knuckles, Andrew said loudly in Russian, Mom! Are you there?
The answer in the same language came from below, Yes, sonny!
The lock clicked. The cover started to open slowly.
Andrew helped Nellie up and embraced her.
Thank God. He shifted back to English. How are you, Mom?
Im OK. I heard such awful noises and clatter. They must have turned the house upside down, havent they?
Yes, they have. Dont worry, Ill find them. Did you see the faces?
Yes, I did. Fearful ones. At first they broke into the neighbors house; I saw them out my window. I tried to call the police, but couldnt get through. Then they headed here. I hid and called you. I hope they didnt break the vase your father had presented me for my birthday!
Andrew had only a vague memory of his father. George Barkov was killed in a battle against separatists in the north of Russia when Andrew was five years old. But he knew very well what vase mother was worried about. It was an elegant Chinese porcelain with a high narrow neck that had always stood on a shelf in her bedroom.
She hurried to the bedroom and stared at fragments of the vase scattered on the floor. They broke it!
Andrew tried to soothe her. Mom, well glue it together.
Nellie objected, No. To glue porcelain is a bad sign. She looked round. And wheres my wooden box?
Andrew walked around and examined the room. They must have taken it. Was there anything valuable in it?
Nothing but your fathers signet ring.
Andrew remembered this ring. It was a stylish thing made of platinum and decorated with the Capricorn image his fathers zodiacal sign.
Mom, dont be upset, Ill do my best to find those swines and get the ring back. I know how important it is to you. All the memories it brings
The memories of him are here, she touched her forehead with her finger. Losing the vase and the ring is not the worst thing. Before the robbers came, I was watching the e-vision. There was terrible news from all over the world. Did you see? As she talked, they walked toward the living room; the e-vision was still on, just as shed left it. An ancient holographic video emitter with big old-fashioned loudspeakers hung on a wall, safe and sound. Apparently it had not gained the burglars interest it cost no more than five credits at a flea market. The sound was down but semitransparent images of destruction floated in front of the emitter.
No. But I saw what has happened in our city. Car crashes on roads. The stadium roof broke down. And an airplane fell on a residential neighborhood.
Nellie lowered her voice. All airplanes fell that had been in the air. Ships sank Whole fleets did And even satellites fell from the near-earth orbit, two of them with astronauts on board! Nothing like that has happened before. In a few minutes, they are guessing that more people were killed than in the Unification War Thank God distant satellites remained, otherwise I wouldnt be able to contact you!
Her eyes filled with tears. Andrew touched her shoulder. But we are alive. And we will live!
The main thing is that you are alive. As for me, its high time
Dont talk bosh, mother!
Never mind. Her eyes went to the e-vision image as a news bulletin flashed a message. Look! Now the President is going to make a statement. Shall we listen together? But, she looked at him with worried eyes, you must be in a hurry?
Barkov could turn on the e-vision in his car, but he didnt want to leave his mother alone right after the burglary. He knew every police officer was needed on duty right now, but this was his mother and she came first to him. I must make sure that shes OK.
He looked at the window. His car was still standing near the house. Emily was sitting on the back seat. She had no chance to escape from there. The locks could only be opened by the electronics from the drivers seat that she couldnt reach because of the durable partition. It wasnt possible to open the car from the outside either. The doors would not listen to anybody except the owner Andrew had setup the system so that it was convenient for him to transport arrestees.
Ill stay. Lets listen to what the President has to say. Besides, Ill help you do the rooms.
Nellie turned up the volume by force of her brain, but there was no voice, just interim music. The text Special Statement of the President of the World appeared in the air. There was a countdown timer under the text.
Two minutes before the speech! Nellie exclaimed as she sat down on the sofa wiping her tears. The images became a little more rich and natural she must have increased opacity and contrast to the maximum level that the emitter could support.
Her son started to put the scattered things back into cabinets.
Dont do it, son, sit down, take a rest, she urged. Ill do it later by myself. Half of the junk should be thrown away. Thanks to burglars without them, I wouldnt do it in a hundred years!
Shes trying to joke. Thats good.
As you wish.
He sat down beside her.
A gray-haired person with slanting eyes and prominent cheekbones appeared in the air. It was CHENG Wenming, the second President of the United States of the World. Contrary to his usual habit, there was not a shadow of a smile on his face.
Dear friends, he started slowly in a dull voice. I have bad news for you today. The asteroid that had been considered harmless, brought a disaster. Flying past the Earth, it multiplied the gravitation of our planet. It is estimated that about thirty million people were killed within just a few minutes around the world. We mourn the dead. Its our common pain. Lowering his head, the president froze for a few seconds and then looked at the camera again. But the trials and tribulations have not finished yet. The asteroid caused deceleration of the planet. Its rotation on its axis has started to slow down. As a result, the earth day has already become five minutes longer. And, although the asteroid stopped exerting influence on the planet, the deceleration process continues. Most likely, the cause is the Earths core. According to scientists from the International Academy of Science, the metal core of the Earth is rotating slower than the mantle and the crust. It is an abnormal phenomenon. There is friction in the bowels of the Earth. It has become a cause of earthquakes and volcanic explosions in different parts of the world already. Seismic activity does not cease, but, on the contrary, increases. Scientists prognosticate that this process will last for some more days until the rotation speed of the core, the mantle and the crust are synchronized again. Ill tell you the truth: well have to go through difficult times. It is possible that it will be more dreadful than all the world wars taken together. In such circumstances I am compelled to declare the state of world-wide emergency. All strategic objects will be under protection. All those in need will get help. Relevant instructions have been delivered to the World Government. Take courage nobody will be left alone to fight against the elements. Together we will overcome these difficulties. I promise!
The President pronounced the last words with confidence, raising his voice.
An image of the rotating planet appeared with the inscription: Current earthday: 24 hours 05 minutes 28 seconds. In a short time digit 28 was replaced by 29, then by 30, 31
Designation of the time scaled down and moved to the right top corner, and the rest of the image was occupied by a mountain scenery with a magnificent waterfall and birds flitting over it. Flute sounds were heard, the medias obvious attempt to placate the frightened masses.
Thats terrible, Nellie Barkov whispered.
Andrew took her by the hand and repeated CHENG Wenmings words, Together we will overcome difficulties. I promise!
Unexpectedly Emilys voice came from behind, In what way, I wonder?
Chapter 4
Andrew jumped up. Emily was standing in the doorway.
Forgive me for the intrusion; Im not armed. She lifted her arms and turned, hands in the air, spreading fingers wide apart.
Is she your girlfriend? Nellie Barkov asked as she rose from the sofa with a smile. Whats your name, darling?
Mom, shes a criminal Ive arrested, Andrew stated.
Thats a pity. Shes pretty!
If only you knew what this pretty person tried to do!
He headed to Emily slowly. How could you open the car?
The girl smiled. I have extraordinary abilities too. I can feel electronics.
Genetic transformation?
Yeah.
No wonder, considering who your father is. It means thats one more charge that will be laid against him and you concealment of genetic deviations. You should have a special mark on your nose bridge. Get back into the car!
She held up her palms. Just a minute! Your nose bridge is clear, too. Why dont you have the mark?
I dont need it. I am a Normal. Andrew glared at her, his pulse racing. Only Deviants required the mark.
Really? When was your DNA tested?
In my childhood, just like everybodys.
In that case, Id say somebody substituted the results. Am I right? The girl looked at his mother.
Nellie frowned. Why do you think, young lady, that my son has genetic deviations?
His reflexes are fast. Too fast. Probably he hasnt gotten a single wound in all the years of police service, has he?
Youve guessed right, Andrew answered. But deviations are not the reason. Ive been training since my childhood.
Dammit, why am I making excuses?
Emily looked at him. In my opinion, you feel threats in advance, and training has nothing to do with it. She shifted her gaze to Nellie. Your son should know the truth because his life will depend on it. President CHENG Wenming is lying when he says nobody will be left alone to fight the elements! The government officials are preparing a secret asylum for themselves because they know no one will survive on the surface.
How do you know?
Ive just overheard a conversation between the Director of the Secret Service Novak and a general. Im sure the President is aware of whats going on!
Is she crazy?
Barkov grasped the girls arm. Go to the car!
Andrew, wait! his mother exclaimed suddenly in a harsh tone.
He turned his head to her in bewilderment. Whats the matter?
Nellie asked the girl, Whats your name?
Emily.
And your surname?
Housman.
His mothers eyes widened. I see. And how could you overhear the conversation between the Director and the general?
Ive told you, I have special abilities. I can tune to any electromagnetic waves. E-vision, mindphones, the Internet This time the sound reached me from above. I think that the general flew over our city by plane, thats why I could hear them so well.
What a load of bull! Andrew said.
No, Nellie retorted. Scientists from BioTech had made successful experiments with rats for them to react to electromagnetic signals.
Emily nodded. Thats how I knew about my fathers fate. I heard the transmissions between you and your captain. Then I read your appointment calendar on your mindphone and went to your lesson ahead of time so I could find some way to make you release my father.
Nellie made a gesture to her son. Lets talk in private. I want to tell you something.
After a short hesitation, Andrew released the girls hand. Wait here.
He followed his mother. She approached the farthest window and stared at a bush of roses growing in front of the house. At last, she took Andrews hand and said quietly, This girl might not be lying. I dont want to see my son dying. Ill tell you everything.