What could have happened to the Radioman? | "Что могло случиться с Радистом?" |
"Perhaps he decided to go through the gate on his own," Ger suggested. | - Быть может, он решил пройти за ворота самостоятельно? - предположил Джер. |
Pid considered the possibility. It seemed unlikely. | Пид обдумал эту возможность и счел ее невероятной. |
Ilg had never shown much initiative. | Ильг никогда не проявлял инициативы. |
He had always been content to follow orders. | Он всегда выполнял чужие приказы. |
They waited. But midday came, and there was still no sign of Ilg. | Наступил полдень, а Ильга все еще не было. |
"We can't wait any longer," Pid said, and they started through the woods. | - Больше ждать нельзя, - объявил Пид. |
Pid wondered if Ilg had tried to get through the gates on his own. Those quiet types often concealed a foolhardy streak. But there was nothing to show that Ilg had been successful. He would have to assume that the Radioman was dead, or captured by the Men. | Приходилось думать, что Радист погиб или захвачен в плен Людьми. |
That left two of them to activate a Displacer. And still he didn't know what had happened to the other expeditions. | Их оставалось двое. |
At the edge of the woods, Ger turned himself into a facsimile of a Dog. | На опушке леса Джер превратился в копию Собаки. |
Pid inspected him carefully. | Пид придирчиво оглядел его. |
"A little less tail," he said. | - Поменьше хвоста, - посоветовал он. |
Ger shortened his tail. | Джер укоротил хвост. |
"More ears." | - Побольше ушей. |
Ger lengthened his ears. | Джер удлинил уши. |
"Now even them up." | - Теперь подравняй их. |
He inspected the finished product. As far as he could tell, Ger was perfect, from the tip of his tail to his wet, black nose. | Насколько Пид мог судить, Джер стал совершенством от кончика хвоста до мокрого черного носа. |
"Good luck," Pid said. | - Желаю удачи, - сказал Пид. |
"Thanks." | - Благодарю. |
Cautiously Ger moved out of the woods, walking in the lurching style of Dogs and Men. | - Джер осторожно вышел из леса, передвигаясь дергающейся поступью Собак и Людей. |
At the gate the guard called to him. | У ворот его окликнул часовой. |
Pid held his breath. | Пид затаил дыхание. |
Ger walked past the Man, ignoring him. |