But how can that be? I was completely dumbfounded and confused words. All I thought about was the dictator of the lodges. Even who he is. This woman is my ideal in life. My idol. She saved us all from war for many years. Fight for equality and justice. I personally voted for her in the elections. But she lost them. Maybe everything was set up. The world appeared before me in its true light. Recovering a little, I said. Elena, why did you call me? I will do everything for you. You know I voted for you.
I was very upset when our football team was kicked out of the galaxy championship. I always liked him. My late husband loved watching it. This is his memory. I gave a lot of bribes for this. But we were allowed into the final part of the championship. Only three games and we are in the semi-finals. This will be announced tomorrow. But there was a condition. Another team will go from us. I have decided that you will be his coach. The team is waiting for you at the training camp. I chose the players myself. Nearly. They are all nice guys. There are ladies too. Dont hate them.
I will do anything for you, I repeated. Is there a car waiting for me downstairs? Correctly?
Yes. And let Mary go with you. She is your team captain. The girl plays well and is faithful to me. She saw my doubtful faces and continued. Dont worry, she played football. And most importantly Yuri. Dont tell anyone who I am. I nodded and started walking towards the exit. By the way, champion. Stop writing nasty things about me under the pseudonym Champ88. It hurts me to read that I am an old and bald grandfather. She smiled a beautiful smile. Ladies under fifty. Otherwise, you will be my first person to be executed personally.
I took a sip and left. Maybe shes not as kind as I thought. The elevator played a familiar tune. I recognized her. This is the anthem of the Ministry of Education. Everything came together in my head. The face of a dictator is a collective image of the rulers of the past. Maria met me on the first floor near the bar. A young boy in short black swimming trunks, with the body of an athlete, was clearly rolling up to her. She didnt like it.
The lady is with me. Puppy aside. I said proudly. I am the coach of the national team. Dreamed about it all my life. Wings appeared on my back. I can fly straight.
Who said that? He turned around. Big boo. Head above me. He is from new people. With altered DNA. Bred specifically for the war with the council.
Dont fight boys. Ill go with the hero. And you, Petya, go while youre safe. She took a small blaster out of her purse. When he saw him, he backed away and plunged into the pool. Everyone laughed. Lets go faster before he realizes its not loaded.
She and I ran to the car at the entrance. Lets go to the space port. These are the adventures that await me. After all, managing a team is a difficult task. Especially the new team. With such a captain.
Chapter 2 Training
What do you say, does the coach like the base? Asked Maria when we flew to the base on Mars.
Good base I said. It looks like a lot of money was spent on it. Everything is new and clean. New lawn. Its too bad that this money was wasted. We are unlikely to win at least one game.
Cheer up coach. The most interesting is ahead. Ill introduce you to the team. She took me to the field. It all started there. Two teams played a match. Some are in red t-shirts, others are in blue. Everyone is young and beautiful. Lots of ladies. What made me happy. They are beautiful, I can walk with them. Thats what Ive always done with the team. Once even with a nurse was. These memories make me smile. The team thought I was glad to meet you. Heres a bunch of nerds. Yes, I and my team in the best years of ten zero would have beaten them. But many friends no longer exist. Exiled for political remarks. Some died from anabolic steroids. Sports do not tolerate weakness.
I sat in the head coachs chair. People came to meet me. Then I gave the order and they continued the game. It is clear that they played poorly. Only Nilova played well. I was approached by an assistant coach and my friend from the national team. Defender Pedro Liones. Not a bad player. But badass.
Hi, friend. What do you think of their game?
To tell you honestly or lie. I said laughing. A friend handed me a bottle of kvass. We went nuts.
Dont be hard on them. The best who is. And most importantly. He said in my ear. Not involved in political activities. Well, except for the captain. But she is a beautiful girl and the judges like her. We might skip.
They will definitely let us in. Will they throw stones at us? For the fact that we attacked the Casiopeans and captured their fleet. Some of the planets even.
Well, this galactic council is quite insolent. They want us to live the way they want. But we are patriots. And they had rights to these planets and ships.
Youre a patriot Pedro. I laughed. I myself caught him reading forbidden literature in the locker room. Even in the best years of the republic, there was a lot of such waste paper. The intrigues of the galactic brainwashing council. As a result, it is clear that they succeeded. Everyone went crazy.
When its beneficial. I left the team. He spent three years in a colony. Made a team there. Won the championship between the colonies. Mirte personally chose me. He knows that I dont want to go back and I will obey him in everything. Yuri we live in a world that is so unlike ours before. Everything was simple there. Now everything is difficult. Any word and you are the enemy. Although you might not even want to. He closed his eyes, apparently remembering his prison years. Be careful. There are a lot of scammers here.
I already understood that. But lets talk about the team. How are you training them?
Five three two. The simplest scheme. We have two hitters. Nilova and Mess. He insisted on such a scheme. Its hard to argue with him. Maybe you can curb him. I could not. Let me introduce you to him better. He raised his hand and a tall man in his twenties approached us. New growth of DNA of the changed people. The pride of the new administration.
Was your name Pedro? He said in a hoarse voice.
Coach Gromov wants to talk about tactics. You dont listen to me.
The two-meter strong man looked at me with obvious surprise. They are born with a sense of their superiority over ordinary people.
I appreciated your game and Ill tell you right away. You suck. There is no defense at all. Attack not played. Youre pulling the blanket too much on yourself. Nilova could score several times. But you didnt pass. Im changing your position on the field. You are now a central midfielder.
How so. I am the best player on the team. Nilova cannot run fast like me and I have a three percent more accurate shot.
This is my decision. Do not argue. I said loudly so that everyone could hear, because on the field everyone played at half strength listening to our conversation. Who will argue with me will not get a place in the base for the next match. So decide for yourself.
Good coach. The strong man said and began to leave. A tambourine about yourself. I wont leave it like that. The dictator will know about it. He himself chose me as an attacker.
Well you built it. Thats how it should be with them. Its good that you are with us. We may have a chance. They are like children. These altered ones are maturing quickly. He is only two years old. Here he is behaving like a child. But with him we have a chance.
I doubt it. I laughed. We are good friends. But I cant do miracles.
So the day passed. My requirement was met and the team played at the level of my yard team. Well, there is still time. But the opponent wont give us a chance.
Okay guys. Thats all for today. Rest until tomorrow. But no nonsense.