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  Labyrinth of reflections

  ( Labyrinth of reflections - 1 )

  Sergei Lukyanenko

  About the Author:

  Sergey Lukjanenko, 30, is one of the today’s most popular Russian Sci-Fi writers. His first works were published in 1988. Currently his bibliography includes more than 40 titles of novels and short stories. The Author defines his genre as the «hard action science fiction», but all his works also have a very well defined philosophical aspect. The novel offered to your attention was written in 1997 and became the real ‘cult book’ of the Russian Internet.

  Sergey is married, he lives in Moscow.

  Email: [email protected] Homepage: http://www.rusf.ru/lukian/ (In Russian)

  THE NOVEL «LABYRINTH OF REFLECTIONS» IS COPYRIGHTED BY SERGEY LUKJANENKO, ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED BY THE AUTHOR. ANY COMMERCIAL USE OF THE NOVEL’S TEXT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

  Copyright Sergey Lukjanenko “Labyrinth of reflections” Homepage: http://www.rusf.ru/lukian/ (In Russian)

  Copyright translation by Yuri Kalmykov aka Mohatu , 1998 http://www.lionking.org/~mohatu/translations.htm

  Yuri Kalmykov. Translator’s notes

  Several notes for the reader:

  1). My English sucks. So it was obviously way too presumptuous of me to try to make a translation like this. It was my love to this book only that made me to venture into this adventure. ;-) I was hoping that this novel is really worth your kind attention (despite my ugly English?).

  2). Some opinions expressed in this book by the main or other characters, as well as some words/terms used, might be considered offensive to some Western readers. In fact, one such situation was even showed closer to the end of the novel itself. The concept of “PC” (aka ‘Political Correctness’) does not really exist in Russia which fact IMHO makes the life much easier and slightly reduces the amount of stupidity that inevitably presents in this life. Despite that, I definitely had to use the ‘softened’ terms in my translation in order not to outrage the people (not too much at least). But of course, something might have still leaked out. Please consider yourselves warned.

  3). FIDO Some more confusion can be caused by Lukjanenko’s technical details and descriptions of the Net due to one more fact: he writes from the point of view of the person who was once the FIDOnet member. Also it seems that Sergey himself was mostly affiliated with FIDO at the time of this book’s writing. The principles of FIDO’s system organization differ from the ones of the Internet. I never was FIDO member, so I know very little. In general, it’s free, amateurs’ network that allows its members to exchange emails and files. FIDO uses its own proprietary protocol. Special gateways are used to exchange emails with the Internet. Look at www.fidonet.org for more details… But be prepared to get back not the homepage, but some HTML code. { G } The guys have forgot to put the { HTML } tag into the code of their main page… OOPS.

  4). The names.

  The same name in Russian usually can have several forms, reflecting the attitude of the one who pronounces the name to the one named. The number of these forms is as far as I can judge, much bigger than in English. That’s why in my translation I preferred to retain the original rules of forming such names and to provide this note. Another important reason is that the Russian name changed according to the rules of doing so in English would sound ridiculous (maybe for me only, as I’m Russian… ;-) ), not mentioning that it’s not always possible to do this with Russian names at all. Example: John – Johnny. Now try to do the same with, say, my name: Yuri. Yup… My point exactly. Below is the example of how the first name of the main character can be ‘bent’. The same often happens to other names in the book. For inexperienced reader it might be confusing, so I apologize… Russia is confusing by definition, so bear with it. :-)

  Leonid – the complete name.

  Lenia (should be read roughly as Lyo-nee-aa; don’t pronounce ‘double lettered’ sounds as too long ones though) – this is slightly diminutive, friendly form used by relatives and friends.

  Lenechka (Lyo-nee-chka) – a “pet-name” form, sometimes also used with sarcasm, depending on the context.

  Len’chik – “pet-name”/unceremonious address.

  Len’ka ( here ‘ means softening of the previous sound, ‘n’ in this name sounds like ‘n’ in the word ‘change’) – Unceremonious address, a bit slighting. Often used by close friends without any offensive context.

  … and so on. No more forms are used in the book, so I’d better not confuse you any more.

  Another trick is how the names are formed n general. In particular, the concept of the middle name in Russia. It is not ‘given’, but rather is the father’s name. To be used as a middle name, special endings are attached:

  -ovich, -evich for man’s middle name (yeah, they are gender specific!),

  -ovna, evna for female’s middle name.

  Examples: Petrovich Alekseevich – men’s Petrovna Alekseevna – women’s.

  Also, the last names of the Russian origin are gender specific too. To women’s form the ending -a is usually attached: Kalmykov for me becomes Kalmykova for my Mother, as opposed to her maiden name which is Cellarius – not originally Russian one and as such not gender specific.

  There’s much more about Russian ‘naming system’, but I think it’s enough said here in order to a). totally confuse an unaccustomed Western reader, and b). to explain the names in the novel for those who managed to overcome the confusion. { G } And the last thing:

  5). Any feedback will be greatly appreciated! Any questions/opinions are welcome to [email protected]. Hate mail/flames will be ignored. Thank you!

  Yuri Kalmykov aka Mohatu, Waukegan, IL, February-November 1998.

  http://www.lionking.org/~mohatu/translations.htm

  Labyrinth of Reflections” by Sergey Lukyanenko

  Yuri Kalmykov. Translator’s notes (Several notes for the reader)

  1). My English sucks. ;)

  So it was obviously way too presumptuous of me to try to make a translation like this. It was my love to this book only that made me to venture into this adventure. ;-) I was hoping that this novel is really worth your kind attention (despite my ugly English?).

  2). Offencive content

  Some opinions expressed in this book by the main or other characters, as well as some words/terms used, might be considered offensive to some Western readers. In fact, one such situation was even showed closer to the end of the novel itself. The concept of “PC” (aka ‘Political Correctness’) does not really exist in Russia which fact IMHO makes the life much easier and slightly reduces the amount of stupidity that inevitably presents in this life. Despite that, I definitely had to use the ‘softened’ terms in my translation in order not to outrage the people (not too much at least). But of course, something might have still leaked out. Please consider yourselves warned.

  3). FIDO

  Some more confusion can be caused by Lukjanenko’s technical details and descriptions of the Net due to one more fact: he writes from the point of view of the person who was once the FIDOnet member. Also it seems that Sergey himself was mostly affiliated with FIDO at the time of this book’s writing. The principles of FIDO’s system organization differ from the ones of the Internet. I never was FIDO member, so I know very little. In general, it’s free, amateurs’ network that allows its members to exchange emails and files. FIDO uses its own proprietary protocol. Special gateways are used to exchange emails with the Internet. Look at www.fidonet.org for more details… But be prepared to get back not the homepage, but some HTML code. { G } The guys have forgot to put the { HTML } tag into the code of their main page… OOPS.

 
4). The names.

  The same name in Russian usually can have several forms, reflecting the attitude of the one who pronounces the name to the one named. The number of these forms is as far as I can judge, much bigger than in English. That’s why in my translation I preferred to retain the original rules of forming such names and to provide this note. Another important reason is that the Russian name changed according to the rules of doing so in English would sound ridiculous (maybe for me only, as I’m Russian… ;-) ), not mentioning that it’s not always possible to do this with Russian names at all. Example: John – Johnny. Now try to do the same with, say, my name: Yuri. Yup… My point exactly. Below is the example of how the first name of the main character can be ‘bent’. The same often happens to other names in the book. For inexperienced reader it might be confusing, so I apologize… Russia is confusing by definition, so bear with it. :-)

  Leonid – the complete name.

  Lenia (should be read roughly as Lyo-nee-aa; don’t pronounce ‘double lettered’ sounds as too long ones though) – this is slightly diminutive, friendly form used by relatives and friends.

  Lenechka (Lyo-nee-chka) – a “pet-name” form, sometimes also used with sarcasm, depending on the context.

  Len’chik – “pet-name”/unceremonious address.

  Len’ka ( here ‘ means softening of the previous sound, ‘n’ in this name sounds like ‘n’ in the word ‘change’) – Unceremonious address, a bit slighting. Often used by close friends without any offensive context.

  … and so on. No more forms are used in the book, so I’d better not confuse you any more.

  Another trick is how the names are formed in general. In particular, the concept of the middle name in Russia. It is not ‘given’, but rather is the father’s name. To be used as a middle name, special endings are attached:

  -ovich, -evich for man’s middle name (yeah, they are gender specific!),

  -ovna, -evna for female’s middle name.

  Examples: Petrovich Alekseevich – men’s, Petrovna Alekseevna – women’s.

  Also, the last names of the Russian origin are gender specific too. To women’s form the ending -a is usually attached: Kalmykov for me becomes Kalmykova for my Mother, as opposed to her maiden name which is Cellarius – not originally Russian one and as such not gender specific.

  There’s much more about Russian ‘naming system’, but I think it’s enough said here in order to a). totally confuse an unaccustomed Western reader, and b). to explain the names in the novel for those who managed to overcome the confusion. { G } And the last thing:

  5). Feedback

  Any feedback will be greatly appreciated! Any questions/opinions are welcome to [email protected]. Hate mail/flames will be ignored. Thank you!

  Yuri Kalmykov aka Mohatu, Waukegan, IL, February-November 1998.

  http://www.lionking.org/~mohatu/translations.htm

  Part 1. The Diver

  0

  I want to close my eyes. This is normal: a colorful kaleidoscope, a whirlwind of bright sparks – it looks beautiful, but I know what is behind this beauty.

  The Deep. It is called so in English but it seems to me that the Russian word { glubina } sounds better. Having broader meaning, it changes an attractive label into the warning: THE Deep! Sharks and octopuses live here. It’s quiet, and presses, presses, presses by the endless space which doesn’t really exist.

  In general the deep is kind, in its own way of course. It accepts everybody. It requires just a little strength to dive, but so much more – to reach the bottom and to return. The first thing to remember: the deep is dead without us. One must believe and not believe in it at the same time.

  Otherwise one day you’ll not be able to surface.

  1

  The first movements are the most difficult. The small room, the table in the middle of it, computer wires from the UPS go to the computer, the thinner wire plugged into the phone jack. The sofa stands by the wall, under the luxury carpet, the small fridge is by the opened door to the balcony. The necessary minimum. Five minutes ago I checked what’s in the fridge, so I’m not threatened by hunger for today.

  I turn my head, to the left, to the right – the light darkens in my eyes for the moment, but it’s only a moment. Nevermind, it happens.

  – Are you okay, Lenia?

  The speakers are set for the full volume, I frown and say:

  – Yes.. Lower the volume.

  – Lower the volume… lower… lower… – agrees Windows-Home .

  – Enough, Vika. { complete form: Victoria, never used in the novel } Good program, docile, quick-witted and friendly one. Not without too much self confidence, as any Microsoft product, but I have to put up with it.

  – Good luck, – says the program, – When should I expect you back?

  I look at the screen: the woman’s face is floating there, framed by orange sparks, the young and cute face but nothing special. I’m tired of the model beauty.

  – I don’t know.

  – I’d like to have 10 minutes for self adjustment..

  – Okay, but not more. I’ll need all resources in 10 minutes.

  The face on the screen frowns: the program extracts the keywords.

  – Only 10 minutes, – says Windows-Home obediently, – But I must draw your attention one more time to the fact that the level of the tasks you set for me does not always correspond to the volume of my RAM. The desired extension is…

  – Shut up. – I rise. “Shut up” is a definite order, the program doesn’t dare to argue after that. I pad to the fridge and get a can of Sprite. The liquid cools the throat. It’s almost a ritual – the deep always dries the throat. With the can in my hand I come out on the balcony, into the warm summer evening.

  It’s almost always evening in Deeptown. The streets are lit by the bright light of neon signs, cars softly growl scudding along the streets, and people move in neverending stream. Twenty-five million of permanent inhabitants: the biggest megapolis in the world. Faces can’t be seen from the height of eleventh floor. I finish my Sprite and throw the can down returning into the room.

  – Not ethical… – mutters the computer. Ignoring it I leave the room, put on my shoes and open the door. The staircase is empty and brightly lit, very-very clean. While I deal with the lock, the tiny bug tries to fly in through the half opened door. Oh well, lamers are having their fun. With irony I watch the persistent insect – the steady flow of air blows from the apartment pushing the bug back out… Finally the door is closed, the bug knocks against it in the last effort, a short flash – and it falls on the floor.

  – Should I file the complaint to the landlord? – asks Windows-Home. Now the voice comes from silver clips on my shirt’s collar.

  – Go ahead – I agree. I always forget to explain to the program that the landlord is myself.

  The elevator waits for me. Usually I use the stairs… peeking inside other apartments along the way. Nobody lives there anyway… but now I’m in hurry. The elevator goes down – very fast. I pad out into the street, look around, maybe the insect lover is still near? But there’s nobody suspicious nearby, everybody mind their own business. The bug was a passer by obviously, a serial work. These are being crushed on the streets, exterminated in the apartments but they keep coming.

  I was having this fun too in my time, it was extremely seldom when those bugs managed to bring any interesting info.

  – Lenia, the complaint from tenant #1 was received by the “Polyana” company.

  I mumble, – Ignore it, – watching the man that walks along the street. Gee, this is something! The mixture of younger Arnold Shwarzenegger and older Clint Eastwood. Very funny. The man notices my sarcastic look and walks faster.

  I raise my hand and the yellow limo stops by the sidewalk in an instant.

  – Lenia, your complaint was ignored!

  – Nevermind…

  This can go forever, but I have no time for games now… I get into the car, the driver, a smiling guy wi
th the perfect hairdo dressed in starched shirt, turns to me. I prefer this type of drivers: well trained and brief ones.

  – Deep-Transit Company is glad to welcome you!

  He doesn’t say the name – the program stopped the taxi anonymously.

  – How will you pay?

  – Like this, – I say getting the revolver out of my pocket and hit the guy on the temple really hard. He tries to block me but it’s too late. I look at his pale face, shook him by the collar and order:

  – Al-Kabar block.

  – This address doesn’t exist – says the driver. He’s knocked out and conquered.

  – Al-Kabar. 8-7-7-3-8. – the simple code opens the access to Deep-Transit’s service addresses. I could manage without hitting the driver but in this case information about the ride would remain in the company’s files.

  – You’ve got it, – the driver is cheerful and helpful again.

  The car is off. I look into the window: residence blocks fly by, packed with skyscrapers inhabited by Deeptown’s small fry and huge luxury corporate offices. Long gray IBM buildings, splendid Microsoft’s palaces, tracery towers of AOL, a bit more modest offices of other leaders of computer industry.

  There are plenty of others of course: furniture, grub, real estate sales firms, travel agencies, transportation companies, hospitals… even the least alive and kicking company tends to open its office in Deeptown.

  It’s this abundance that Deep-Transit flourishes on. Traveling on foot across the city is a long fun. We fly along the freeways, stop on intersections, enter tunnels and cross road junctions. I’m waiting. I could order the driver to go the shortest way but in this case he would need to contact dispatching office and I would leave the trace…

  The city ends abruptly – like the wall of palaces and skyscrapers was cut off by the huge knife. The city loop road and the forest across it, the thick and wild forest… that separates from the fuss those who doesn’t want to make a show of themselves.

  – Slow down, – I order when we pass the mango growth and approach quite a type of the mid-Russian thicket, – Stop by that next path.