Sergei Lukyanenko - The Genome

“The responsibility level must be as high here as it is in space,” said Alex, glancing back at the patient. “It’s nerve-wracking. Hard even on the doctors who’re speshes—how do you handle it?”

“Are you considering becoming a doctor?” smiled his companion.

“Quite possibly… will they page you in to help?”

“Yoko’ll manage. She’s a capable girl, and a spesh, besides… Our hospital has hundreds of doctors. And I’m done with my shift for today.”

“Are you free tonight?”

“Ah! Ten or so years ago, I would’ve been very flattered by such a question coming from an old space-wolf. Except my mom had warned me to never fall in love with pilots—they can’t love back.”

Alex answered, unruffled:

“But the thing is, I can .”

“You’re kidding?”

“Yes and no. Well, Yoko is a nice girl, too… but…” Stopping abruptly, the pilot embraced her. “She’s not my type. It’s you I like, and I’m rather afraid I’m falling in love.”

Alex looked at her seriously, without a hint of a smile. The distrust in the woman’s eyes began to fade.

“What’s happened to you, Pilot? People like you should be shown off in a circus freak show! There’ll be huge lines to get in. A spesh, a pilot-spesh, who is capable of love!”

“That’s how it is. Of course, it didn’t happen all at once.” Alex was smiling, heartily enjoying her confusion. “Some thought that the sudden ability would fade away all by itself. If that had really happened, it would actually make my life easier. But, alas, I’m still able to love.”

Jenny mumbled in bewilderment:

“Alex, what you’re saying is way too strange and serious…”

It must be difficult for a woman to continue arguing when a man she likes starts kissing her. Judging by Jenny’s reaction, it was certainly so.

“Love is a strange thing—you feel it right away,” said the pilot, taking his lips off hers for a moment.

“I sense that. But it’s impossible!”

“If you doubt it, give me a trial period.”

The hospital, as is customary, was located in the city’s outskirts. From the gates, where some rental cars were parked, the two of them went on foot. Funny thing was—they didn’t have to discuss this—they both felt like taking a stroll.

Alex gazed into the sky.

He may get to see perhaps hundreds of different planets, and he had seen quite a few already. Why, then, is each new sky so strange and wonderful? The fiery clouds of Omelia, the flying lotuses of Zodiac, the dust storms of Nangyala…

Alex said pensively:

“I think I’ll remain a pilot, after all. So you’ll have to master the work of a space doctor.”

Dr. Watson laughed.

“Too bad my former boss can’t hear you now. Of course, he would immediately start figuring out the causes of your weird behavior.”

Alex shook his head.

“You know, I have a feeling he’ll change jobs, too. Maybe he’ll become a musician. If he hasn’t already.”

“What ever makes you say that?”

“Just a hunch.”

An intrigue is an old weapon that never fails. Only now did the pilot realize what it really was to woo a woman—to entice, to attract, to seek her love… instead of abandoning himself to quick and carefree sex. If this was part of love—he liked it.

“Seems like you need help outside of my professional scope. My friend Olga is a great psychotherapist-spesh, and she won’t charge much. Would you like me to write you a referral? By the end of the year, you’ll be as good as new.” Dr. Watson was smiling, but she was serious.

“This disorder, she won’t be able to cure.”

Dr. Watson looked into his eyes for a long time before she realized that he was telling the truth.

How far away the sky seems, when you’re lying on the grass…

The woman’s naked body, her scent, her arms, her timid, wandering kisses…

The sky covered them with thousands of drifting lotuses—a living and tender blanket. If you pull it aside, there won’t be only the scorching light of the white sun, there will also be stars.

A whole sky full of stars.

All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2014 by Sergei Lukyanenko

Cover design by Mauricio Díaz

978-1-4976-4394-9

Published in 2014 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.

345 Hudson Street

New York, NY 10014

www.openroadmedia.com