Alikhan's Heir
Grandfather Mahmud walked along the sidewalk of the capital, gazing at the high-rise buildings of modern institutions, at the buildings of banks, which embodied the compatibility of the beauty of glass and concrete. The firmament covered all kinds of innovative high-rise buildings with a cluster of offices of various companies and representative offices. The energetic urban bustle surrounded every inch of the capital's space. Many modern and newest cars, various super trendy colors, flooded the city tracks, dictating their status and level. The city has changed over the years since he was here. And the country was moving towards technical and scientific progress. Huge construction projects were underway all over the country, turning the republic itself into a huge construction site. The trend of the modern country was dictated and set the tone by the capital. Tashkent has changed over the years after the great earthquake, turning from a once ugly duckling with one-story caravans into a beautiful and elegant swan, with many skyscrapers and masterpieces of modern architecture. Grandfather Mahmud, having somehow got his bearings in the new infrastructure of the city, went down to the subway and rode in the coolness and comfort of air-conditioned air, settling into a soft seat in a modernized carriage to the right station. He remembered the old address of his destination and hoped very much not to get lost in the new labyrinths of city streets. Despite the numerous alterations and alterations, the city tried to preserve green areas and tree plantations, which gave the city a touch of comfort and harmony of urbanism with nature. After getting off the subway, Grandfather Mahmud made sure that he was moving in the right direction. After walking along the new-fangled buildings, he finally came to the streets of the old city, where the innovations did not touch the old mahali or did not have time to reach these places. He was finally greeted by a shady street with spreading branches of old and large trees, sheltering the coolness of the alley of a familiar alley from the sultry rays of the September sun. And here is the cherished gate. Almost everything was the same here, a rickety bench that had sunk into the ground even deeper than before. The vine has grown, taking over almost all the posts of the old canopy. Grandfather Mahmud went to the gate and dialed his opponent's number on his mobile phone again, putting on his thick glasses. The number was not responding. After standing for a while under the awning, he decided to knock on the wooden gate with peeling paint, which was once green. There was no sound for a long time. Grandfather Mahmud sat down on a bench, brushing a couple of dead leaves from the bars. Soon, footsteps and the metallic screech of a lock opening were heard. A gray-haired head appeared in the open doorway, and then the whole figure of a gaunt old man.
— Who's that? — the old man asked, taking out his glasses as he walked. Soon putting them on, he stared for a long time at the unexpected guest who had settled down on a bench.
— Is that you? Has Mahmudjan really decided to visit me after all these years? — the gaunt grandfather asked affirmatively and continued:
— What kind of unforeseen reason made you think of me after all these years?
Finally, Grandfather Mahmud decided to get up from the bench. Going up to the old man, he hugged him and said:
— Samandar, it's really me. You still don't trust cell phones. Well, hello. I'm sorry I couldn't visit you earlier. But you're right, an important and urgent event has happened. The passage has been reopened…
A person who happened to be on one of the quiet streets of the small town of Mehrikan would have witnessed an unusual gathering of adults and children, which took place in one of the houses, behind tightly locked doors and with all the rules of secrecy. It might even have been called a secret meeting if it weren't for the age of some of the participants in this summit.
— It sounds very fantastic and incredible. And if this is a joke that you made up, I don't know what to think. But if this is true, I am inclined to believe that this is a dangerous gamble and I am against using this portal again. It can be very dangerous. And so far, you've all been lucky that you haven't been crippled or disappeared into the spatial rifts. — said Yusuf's mother, Khadicha Jabbarovna, after listening to the story of Alish and Yusuf, who, although they tried not to interrupt each other, but the excitement of telling about the strange things that happened turned a bunch of spoken words into a childish unintelligible pun.
The evening coolness after a hot day enveloped the town of Mehrikan, giving its residents a time of freshness and afternoon rest. The children all poured out onto the street, starting games and enjoying freedom, in order to spend all the accumulated energy after the captivity of their parents, who categorically forbade them to go out to play in the hot sun. It seemed that the banal things that were happening on the evening street and the fuss that was making its way through the open windows into the living room of the house where Sher and his grandfather had recently lived created an invisible veil that divided what was happening into two worlds. The first world was mundane, simple and mundane, filled with everyday earthly joys and problems. The second world, as opposed to the first, had a fantastic flair and was shrouded in a mystical halo. In the second world, the fate of one of the grandest discoveries in world science was being decided, which, if made public, could become a global sensation, bringing confusion and rather chaos to people's minds. On the one hand, the problem was solved by Shara's parents, Aunt Fazilat and Uncle Anwar, since the scientific laboratory in the form of a swing was located on their territory, as well as Yusuf's mother, Khadicha Jabbarovna and Alisha's parents, Aunt Zamira and Uncle Shavkat, who sat silently on the guest sofa with his arms folded, staring at one point. The other advisory side consisted of the main participants in the experiment, Alisha, Yusuf and Suraye. After a long and detailed account of the events that the boys described, silence reigned in the living room. It was only some time later, when the story was more or less digested by adults, that Khadicha Jabbarovna spoke out. In the town, in the mahalla and beyond, this strong woman was respected and listened to. Expressing her doubts and skepticism, she continued:
— Let's assume for a moment that you are right and that this passage to another dimension exists. I think in this case, it is necessary to inform the authorities. It is necessary to study the degree of danger of this gap. The fact that you dove in there without any preparation and thoughtlessly and still remained unharmed is a miracle. I had a long conversation with Yusuf yesterday about his so-called voyage to London and his acquaintance with Mr. Barrington. I was puzzled by the extent of his punishment for this thoughtless act.
— But, Mom, I explained everything to you yesterday, without lying, not a word, in the hope that you would believe and understand that this is very important. It is important because Sher and Grandfather Nazir went this way to other worlds. And I was waiting for at least a drop of support from you! — the mother's monologue was interrupted by Yusuf's unexpected attack.
— Control yourself, young man. The fact that I am here, and not in the security agencies, should tell you a lot about the fact that I had to compromise my principles. — Khadicha Jabbarovna replied rather sternly.
— Aunt Hadicha, you are right that we acted rashly. But for the sake of your trust and further understanding, we decided to tell you, having gathered you all here. I've got a little understanding of how this gap works, and I can guess where Sharr might be right now. The only thing I ask of you is to give us a chance to get Shara and Grandfather Nazir out of another dimension, and we can do that. Or rather, I can. — Alish, who had been sitting quietly before, intervened.
— No more swings and those damn breaks! What if you had disappeared like Cher? Have you thought about Dad and me? — Aunt Zamira suddenly exploded. Having been silent until now, she seemed to understand the gravity of the situation. Being a simple woman with a direct and direct view of life situations, she patiently and persistently overcame all difficulties and obstacles in her path. Having never believed in miracles, but relying only on her own strength, she worked after graduating from college as an ordinary accountant in a small office. Having become a mother of two sons, Zamira raised her children, trying to instill in them a sense of responsibility and duty to others. She always considered her eldest son Alisha to be the mainstay in the family and believed in the correctness of his decisions. But now her confidence in her son's actions has been shaken. Yesterday's incident and her son's twisted leg, Fazilat's long and vague explanation about magic swings that can move people to other worlds, failed to impress her, in contrast to what Khadicha Jabbarovna said recently, revealing all the terrifying consequences of these swings.
— It's okay, Mom. No need to worry so much. I knew that everything would be fine. — Alish tried to calm his mother down, but Aunt Zamira did not want to calm down:
— You failed me, Alish. I do not know how to trust you now. — turning to her husband, she said:
— Shavkat Aka, why are you silent? Can you tell me anything? This is your son, after all!
Uncle Shavkat was one of those men who could answer a hundred questions with just one measured word. Although he was taciturn and sometimes sullen, his outward calmness spoke more of wisdom than of indifference. And this quality was highly appreciated in him. "Silence is gold," it was about him.
— Calm down, Zamira. I believe in Alisha. If he decided to take such risks for his friend, it was the act of a man. As for the danger, I'm ready to help him and personally check this swing. But I know one thing, if there is at least one chance to save Shara and grandfather Nazir, it should not be missed. — Uncle Shavkat calmly replied, and after looking at his friend, he already addressed him.:
— What do you think, Anwar? Maybe the kids are talking sense?
The couple, who had been sitting in silence, shuddered and perked up. Fazilat and Anwar were deep in thought and couldn't help but think about the same thing. On the one hand, there was a slim hope of saving loved ones, but on the other hand, it was naive to rely on thirteen-year-olds with their fabulous and unrealistic rescue plans. They didn't want to put anyone in danger, and Anwar had already decided that soon he would try to stand on this swing himself and test Alish's hypothesis. It was his duty to save his loved ones. In case of failure, no one will be guilty and no resentment from the outside. Anwar's chaotic thoughts were interrupted by Shavkat, pulling him out of the mental ocean into which he had plunged deeply.
— Thank you, kids, for your understanding and for your help. And thank you, friends. But I've already made up my mind. I'll try to save both Shar and my father myself. And if these swings help me in this case, then I will try to ride them. — Anwar said firmly, and Fazilat suddenly began to cry silently next to him.
— It's very dangerous, Anvarjon! I'm telling you this as a physicist! This is a cosmic anomaly! And anomalies are always unpredictable! We need to contact specialists! Khadicha Jabbarovna blurted out. Everyone around suddenly and simultaneously began to express concerns and a hubbub arose, which was suddenly interrupted by the ringing of a mobile phone in Suraye's hands. Sitting on the sidelines for the entire meeting, she suddenly became animated, and holding the phone high, she said with a joyful exclamation:
— It's Grandpa! Aunt Fazilat, can I open the gate?
Fazilat, coming out of her stupor and watching the girl take off, rubbed her tear - stained eyes and quickly replied:
— Of course, my daughter, go and open it.
Everyone calmed down for a moment and sat down in their seats, waiting for a new participant in the debate. Grandfather Mahmud was considered an odious figure in the mahalla. His opinion was listened to, and even a local deputy came to consult with him on important issues.
There were footsteps and a faint murmur, and a moment later Grandfather Mahmoud entered the living room with his granddaughter, who was holding his hand tightly. Upon entering, he greeted those present with a smile:
— Assalom Alaikum, my dears. Sorry to keep you waiting for an unreliable old man like me. I was too busy today and I'm too late.
Everyone stood up from their seats and respectfully began to greet the local aksakal. After a brief greeting, everyone sat back down, and Suraye dragged her grandfather to her chair. The old man refused the sofa. Grandfather Mahmoud, sitting down on a chair next to his granddaughter, began to speak:
— Even though I wasn't here, I can guess what they were talking about. I am glad to see you here, dear Khadicha Jabbarovna. What happened is directly in your line, is that so? Do you think the opening of a spatial gap could be influenced by extreme nuclear transients? Or is it the influence of a gamma – ray flash? A huge burst of energy was needed for such a wormhole. I think it was the colossal release of energy that could have triggered this anomaly.
Everyone suddenly stared at Grandfather Mahmud, having heard the abundance of scientific words in the vocabulary of the old man, whom they used to see more often in a teahouse or at a gathering of Mahali citizens. But they couldn't imagine any scientific figure in him. Taken aback by scientific hypotheses, Khadicha Jabbarovna looked attentively at her grandfather, whom she knew only as grandfather Mahmud, with whose granddaughter her son Yusuf was friends, and said:
— Yes, you are right. It's possible. I thought about the transients as soon as I heard the guys' story. But that's all in theory. In this situation, I also thought of the galactic rift. Theoretically, of course.
Grandfather Mahmoud smiled at the shock on the faces of those present and continued in the same way.:
— Of course, theoretically. Do you suppose, Khadicha Jabbarovna, that this could also be the influence of Voidobase? Or, Redshift?
— Redshift. — Khadicha Jabbarovna repeated softly and thoughtfully, adjusting her glasses, she sat down in her chair and looked at her grandfather with completely different eyes, asked:
— Who are you? Are you a physicist? No, of course I know you, Grandpa Mahmoud. Why haven't I heard about you in other circles? Is your last name Ziyaev?
Grandfather Mahmud smiled mysteriously, and after looking attentively at Khadicha Jabbarovna, he said:
— No, Ziyaev, that's my son – in - law's last name. My last name is Saidumarov.
Khadicha Jabbarovna, without taking her eyes off grandfather Mahmud, thought about it, repeating the name she had heard:
— Saidumarov… Saidumarov… Saidumarov Mahmud Kasymovich! It's you! Professor Saidumarov! A brilliant astrophysicist! Member of the Royal Society of London! I defended my PhD according to your theory! Mahmud Kasymovich! You were considered dead. You suddenly disappeared. You disappeared when... when…
— When the anomaly occurred in Mehrikana. That is, here. Then, too, a rift opened. This rift is opening here, not for the first time. Grandfather Mahmud replied with a serious tone and a calm voice. Everyone in the living room was trying to digest the flood of information and discoveries. No one could believe what was happening. All eyes were now on a completely different person. Namely, not at grandfather Mahmud, but at Professor Mahmud Kasimovich Saidumarov. The silence, which turned into a tangible thick air mass, was interrupted by Yusuf's voice, who suddenly jumped up from the sofa and shouted his theory.:
— Grandpa Mahmoud! Since your last name is Saidumarov, do you have any relationship with Alikhan Saidumarzade?!
Grandfather Mahmoud smiled even wider this time and said,
— Yes, Yusuf. Suraye always said you were a smart guy. And you're right. Alikhan Saidumarzade is a close and dear person to me. He's my grandfather.