Lupo at the edge of the galaxy - Александр Александрович Чечитов

Александр Чечитов

Lupo at the edge of the galaxy

It has been about six months since Lupo Devega acquired a silvery spacecraft of extraterrestrial origin, surpassing everything previously created by mankind until that day. That's how long it took for those who set out to find and take revenge on Lupo. And at the same time, enslave the earth if possible. At the same time, government officials quickly learned about the unusual acquisition of Lupo and hastened to take advantage of the situation by sending their agents to investigate. A hot summer evening, smelling of flowers burned by the midday sun, promised to be the best this year for Lupo. At the tables, under the snow-white dome of a small restaurant named Chico un Chica, there were about three hundred guests — fellow villagers of the Devega family. Flushed with sangria, Dona Caludia Devega hugged her son tightly. Bursting into tears of maternal happiness, she recalled a lot of little funny moments from Lupo's childhood, sometimes embellishing pretty much what was typical of this area and the mores of southern people. Even Lupo himself sometimes looked up in surprise when he heard what an exemplary and wonderful boy he was at school. The cheerful and incendiary hum inherent in weddings of this magnitude became louder and louder, and of course, after a couple of hours, some of those present could not answer what they were gathered here about. If only the carved glasses with sangria would not dry out without doing something, the nightly, festive motto of the guests sounded cheerfully. Amid the noise and dancing, Lupo ran with the bride, taking with him a bottle of strong champagne and a pair of tall, thin-walled glasses. The newlyweds went to the shore of the warm sea, rustling with soft waves on small, greenish pebbles. The lovers' bare feet left shallow footprints in the wet sand, and Lupo hummed one of his favorite songs. And I drew the sky over our head

Well, what did you want to show me? Bibiena asked with undisguised curiosity, smoothing the soft folds of a short white dress on her hips. "Another ten minutes and you'll see the device yourself," Lupo answered joyfully, sweetly anticipating the delight and surprise of the young wife from the surprise.

"If you're talking about the device I thought you were using," Bibiena smiled in the dark. "You could show it in the bedroom." Without holding back, Lupo was laughing at the top of his lungs, clutching his stomach, and with him was Bibiena. They joked and hugged a lot, which significantly lengthened their path to the big cave, where the young groom wanted to get to that night. After returning from the planet Gentry, Lupo did not find a better solution than to hide the spaceship, especially not knowing to whom and how such a thing could be sold. Under a high stone vault, in the very depths of a cool, dark cave, the bright silver hull of a spaceship shone. At regular intervals, greenish lights ran from its back to its nose, and a purple line of small lamps blinked under its wide, metallic belly. The excited Lupo has seen it many times already. It was a real pleasure to watch his young wife's reaction.

Did you do that? Bibi asked naively, looking at the perfect geometric lines of the ship.

Yeah, — smiled Lupo, — and I drew the sky over our heads.

Emotion and delight were reflected on Lupo's face, and he hurried to open the spaceship. Yes, he was still surprised at the girl's naivety and how cute they could sometimes say funny things. Halfway to the spaceship, Lupo decided to fill the glasses with a sizzling drink.

"To new, wonderful achievements, — Lupo announced laughingly, raising his glass above his head. Two men in formal suits came out to block the path of the newly married couple. Both of them were about the same height and build. The clothes also had the same style and size; only the face of one of them looked more flattened. "Mr. Devega," the flat-faced man began, raising a broad, oily hand, "I'm Agent Dext. Lupo had been expecting something like this for a long time, and therefore, without hesitation, he extended his hand in response, putting off the drink for the time being. Actually, he even hoped that they would find him and make an interesting offer. A little embarrassed, Bibiena hid behind her husband's back.

"So," Agent Dext continued, "we're here to make you an interesting offer.

"Maybe we should have sold it to the Russians," Lupo suddenly thought, "they probably would have given a lot more money for the spaceship."

Don't worry about the money; the flat-faced agent continued faster, and we will pay you as much as you need.

And you are smart guys — smiling, Lupo tilted his head forward in agreement — how many pieces should I fall off? The broad-shouldered agents exchanged glances, awkwardly turning their thick necks.

"Okay, Lupo interrupted them from their thoughts — as I understand it, you need a ship. Agent Dext blinked rapidly and then nodded back.

Then drink to the health of the bride and groom. Holding out the glasses, Lupo exclaimed joyfully, We have a wedding today. Without consulting each other, the agents sent a sizzling drink into their mouths in one motion.

"Your water is strange," Agent Dext said sheepishly, rubbing his long, gray tongue with the palm of his hand. The skin on his temples suddenly swelled unevenly, sagging carelessly on his cheeks. The second agent covered his mouth, hiccupping frequently and rubbing his eyes. A minute later, large, wrinkled pieces of faded skin flew away from them, revealing a gray, slimy body underneath. They were shaking violently, and they couldn't control their movements.

What's wrong with this champagne? Bibi chattered in fright as Lupo