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Dmitry Usmanov.
A NEW JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (a computer novel based on the game "Viaje at centre of Terra")
Rare Londoners who ventured out onto the streets this Sunday morning for a leisurely stroll and to breathe in the fresh spring air could see an elderly gentleman walking at an inappropriate speed for his age from the Royal Library. However, those who knew this man would not be surprised by his strange behavior, for Professor Lidenbrock had long since earned a reputation as a man "of peculiarities."
This, however, did not prevent him from being recognized as an expert in natural sciences and ethnography, whose authority was not questioned even by the most ardent debaters at the Royal Geographical Society of Britain.
But Professor Lidenbrock paid no attention to passersby or the riot of awakening nature. He was under the influence of an ancient manuscript that he had deciphered the day before in the library.
The manuscript spoke of a sea from which all earthly life was born, and which could grant immortality to anyone who immersed themselves in its waters. To reach the Sea of Eternity, one had to pass through another world, where a different sun shines and where strange, alien creatures dwell. This world, as stated in the manuscript, lies beneath the earth, and one can only enter it through the mouth of an extinct volcano on the island of Oeh-Ra, passing through a natural labyrinth of karst caves. The name of the island sparked a vague memory in the professor's mind. He had heard this phrase before - Oeh-Ra. Somewhere Lidenbrock had even seen a map of this island.
Fully immersed in his thoughts, the professor entered his study and, sitting in a high armchair by the fireplace, began to recall. For a moment, the small, isolated island lost in the Pacific Ocean, covered in lush vegetation, appeared before him.
But the fleeting image in his memory suddenly shattered into tiny fragments that refused to arrange themselves in their original order. Lidenbrock attempted to draw the island, armed with a pen and paper, and his fantastical persistence soon bore fruit.
Oeh-Ra, as the natives called this island, or Saint Helena, as it was later named by Europeans, was listed in reference books as uninhabited and barren.
In the evening, the professor's favorite student and companion on many expeditions, Mr. Axel, came to visit. It was to him that the professor recounted the Immortal Sea and proposed his participation in the expedition. Axel agreed without hesitation. They animatedly discussed the details of organizing the upcoming journey when the door to the study opened, and the professor's daughter, Inessa, approached the men. She immediately began to speak of her participation in the expedition as if it were already decided.
And the more Lidenbrock and Axel tried to dissuade her, describing the difficulties and horrors of the upcoming journey, the more resolute Inessa became. Ultimately, the professor was forced to concede.
The journey to the island resembled a leisurely outing for some wealthy idler - a three-masted schooner swiftly carried them to the shores of Oeh-Ra, to humanity's greatest mystery - immortality.
After several weeks of sailing, the travelers finally saw the island, and a day later, the small expedition set foot on shore. The professor, seizing the moment, called the captain aside and said, "Wait for us in the harbor. If we do not return in two months - it means it was not meant to be."
Lidenbrock slung a heavy backpack over his shoulder and stepped onto the island. The expedition struggled through the virgin forest.
The men alternately hacked their way through the vines with machetes. They constantly had to stop to push aside yet another venomous snake. But at last, the goal was reached: the group of brave explorers approached the crater. Axel descended first, followed by Inessa. The professor brought up the rear. The travelers used the roots hanging from the cave ceiling as makeshift ropes. Light barely penetrated through the opening above, so it soon became necessary to light torches.
At the fork, the professor suggested that each explore their part of the labyrinth: "I will go down the center, Inessa will check the left passage, and Axel the right."
After a brief discussion, the decision was made, and the expedition split up.
The professor marveled at the majestic beauty of the natural labyrinth that unfolded before him. However, the beauty was deceptive: from the very first hours, it became clear what a difficult task they had chosen for themselves by deciding to descend into the volcano - Lidenbrock had already encountered large vampire bats twice. He managed to shoot them with his revolver, but what would happen next...
Hot geyser fountains often erupted unexpectedly from the ground, roots treacherously broke in their hands, and the ground often crumbled beneath their feet. Soon, the professor discovered a waterfall, and after crossing it, he nearly fell into a real lake of lava - the fiery blood of the earth. Lava was everywhere - there was simply no passage, and he had to turn back to help his daughter.
Inessa nimbly jumped over stalagmites and sharp stones, trying not to catch herself on the stalactites.
As she descended from a cliff, she suddenly slipped and, flying a couple of meters, fell onto the rocky floor of the cave. Fortunately, the fall was not too serious: Inessa emerged with only a few scrapes and bruises. Heavily stepping, she began to cross a small pond, and - oh, miracle! - her strength suddenly began to return! It was truly the living water from fairy tales. After standing for a few minutes in the pond, Inessa felt invigorated and ready for challenges again. Being a practical girl, she filled her flask with the healing water and set off, promising herself to be more cautious in the future.
At that moment, a small, seemingly harmless cloud floated towards her. But as it approached, Inessa experienced the treachery of the underground nature: the cloud - hot and humid - immediately extinguished her torch and enveloped her head, filling her nostrils and causing fits of coughing from the sulfurous gases. Feeling herself losing consciousness, Inessa desperately jumped up and gulped fresh air, but upon landing, she twisted her ankle and, to top it all off, was doused with boiling water from one of the geysers. She had to take several sips from her precious flask and relight her torch, after which the girl hurried to leave the place before the dangerous cloud returned.
Axel was descending. Neither rivers of lava, nor deadly clouds, nor bats that he immediately killed could stop him. He had to walk on a thin layer of earth that often crumbled beneath his feet, leap over waterfalls, and restore his strength in small bodies of water with living water.
This water, as it turned out, was not so rare in this gigantic labyrinth. The only thing the young man regretted was that he, like the professor, had no container to save the healing moisture for later.
True, they had their trusty revolvers, and their bags were bursting with cartridges, but that was a weak consolation.
Axel was descending into another pit when suddenly a vine unexpectedly snapped in his hands, and he fell from a great height. Fortunately, below was a lake with living water, and that alone saved him from death.
Axel climbed onto the right bank of this enormous lake, which made all the others seem like mere puddles.
Before him stood a sheer wall. There was no way to climb it. Axel was about to turn back when he suddenly noticed indistinct shadows writhing underwater.
Filled with curiosity, Axel broke off a small stalagmite and threw it into the middle of the lake. When it touched the water's surface, a huge whitish tentacle suddenly shot up from the depths and crushed the stalactite with such terrifying force that the stone shattered.
Axel had to decide: remain on the shore and die of hunger, or enter the water and meet a terrible death at the hands of the underwater monster's tentacles. In despair, he sat down on a boulder by the shore.
At that moment, Professor Lidenbrock joined his daughter, and they continued their search for an exit together. The scholar, however, was forced to frequently restore his strength in lakes with living water.
Inessa, on the other hand, was making rapid progress and soon came to a high ledge that closely approached the cave's ceiling. Two vines hung from the ceiling, and beyond them lay another cave. Inessa looked down, and at the bottom of the abyss, she managed to glimpse a small pond with living water.
"I wonder how to get there?" - the girl thought. She jumped to the far vine and descended down it. The vine did not reach the bottom, but Inessa simply jumped into the lake, as the height was already small. After bathing, she went left, into a branch of the labyrinth that seemed completely inaccessible.
Inessa descended down the roots, moved forward, and... stopped dead in her tracks, suddenly noticing a huge web blocking the entrance to the cave just inches from her.
A cold sweat broke out on the girl when she imagined WHO could have spun such a web. A rustling sound was heard, and Inessa jumped back in horror, but it was her father descending, who had also found a secret entrance into the branch of the labyrinth.
Together they approached the web, and the professor cautiously stirred the sticky threads. The reaction was immediate - from the depths of the cave, the most monstrous spider they had ever seen was advancing toward them.
The enormous insect, its red eyes gleaming and its powerful jaws snapping at waist level, was getting closer and closer.
Lidenbrock unleashed an entire drum of cartridges into the spider, inserted a new one, and continued shooting. Bullets shattered large chunks of the spider's chitinous shell, but it kept moving. The professor shot without stopping, and soon the life in the monster faded. When the echo of the last shot subsided under the cave's vaults, the professor and Inessa continued their journey deeper into the labyrinth.
Soon, a marvelous sight opened before them: the roaring flow of an underground river was carrying its turbulent waters into the cave, to where, according to legend, another world lay.
Axel, hearing the gunshots, emerged from his oppressive stupor and decided to find a way out.
Contents of the publication: Spectrofon #04
- Экспертиза - Дмитрий Усманов
Detailed description of the game 'Hostages' for ZX Spectrum, its gameplay mechanics, and strategies for success. Emphasis on mission types, sniper and assault roles, and tips for players. Essential guide for completing operations and freeing hostages.
- Дебют
Introduction to adventure games, focusing on 'Espionage Island' by Artic and 'The Crypt' from Castle Master 2. Description of gameplay mechanics and storyline. Guidance on starting both games and tips for success.
- Экзамен
Summary of tasks from previous issues of Spectrofon, with solutions for 'DRILLER', 'DEACTIVATORS', and 'CASTLE MASTER', along with notable reader contributions.
- Фантазия - Дмитрий Усманов
A journey to the center of the Earth inspired by the game 'Viaje al Centro de la Tierra', following Professor Lidenbrock and his team. They explore a mythical underground world in search of the Immortal Sea, facing natural challenges and strange creatures. The expedition becomes a test of survival and discovery.
- С миру по биту - Matthias
Discussion on computer novellas in Spectrofon magazine. Includes mention of the game 'Viaje al Centro de Terra' and analysis of different 'ELITE' versions. Appeals for original game versions to restore faulty copies.
- Система
Introduction to two music software programs 'WHAM+' and 'WHAM+AY' for ZX Spectrum from the 'System' section, referencing detailed reviews in 'ZX-РЕВЮ'.
- Реклама
Advertisement for purchasing and collaborating with the Spectrofon magazine, distribution contacts, and hardware offers for ZX Spectrum enthusiasts.
