There was a knock. Mr. Anand opened the door and three people entered the bookshop. One of them, the tallest and broad-shouldered, hugged Minerva and, looking disdainfully at Chris, asked:

– Lucia, why did you bring him here?

«Steve gave permission, Nigel,» the girl slipped out of his arms and took a step back.

And Chris looked at those who entered and thought: is this really a member of the underground that they talk so much about? Are these the same villains who do not hesitate to endanger the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of the people of the Continent? Or was it all a lie too?

«I’m Steve Farlow,» a short man with a stern face stepped forward, perhaps the most homely of the trio, but from the way his comrades behaved with him, it became obvious that he was in charge here. «This is Nigel,» Steve nodded at the broad-shouldered man hugging Minerva, «and this is Cheng.» Chris, we have heard of you as an honest and reasonable person. Can we count on your integrity?

«I’m not ready to make any promises without understanding what we’re talking about,» Chris frowned and stepped back from the bookshelf.

«You are completely free,» Steve took a step, clearing the passage. – You can leave right now. Or stay to hear what we have to say.

Chris hesitated for a second, but nodded, confirming his agreement to stay.

Steve led the guests into a small office where there was a rather shabby table surrounded by uncomfortable old-style chairs.

When everyone was seated, Steve spoke:

«Minerva said that you knew Mr. Graves and even visited the professor’s apartment.»

– Yes, he was my teacher at the university.

The man was about to ask a second question, but Chris interrupted:

– What do you want from me?

Minerva, looking carefully at the guest, replied:

– We need a list.

– I don’t understand what list you are talking about. You are not the first to be interested in it, but I sincerely don’t understand what all the fuss is about.

Minerva looked at Steve and, waiting for an approving nod, began to tell the story:

– This is a list of resistance agents hiding in different government structures. In an effort to be the first to get to him, we even had to rent an apartment on the floor above in order to know about all of my father’s visitors and try to find the keeper of the list among them. By using the list, we will be able to raise a rebellion throughout the Continent, capable of awakening the AI. Try to remember, perhaps your father gave you something, a book or a piece of paper, where certain names might be indicated?

«Mr. Graves sent me a bundle of books, but the guards checked it and there was no list there.»

Cheng, Steve’s longtime associate, entered the conversation:

– Chris, could you bring these books for scanning? Maybe Nail will be able to discover some kind of code there. The hour is approaching, and without the list we will not be able to carry out a mass action of disobedience.

«The professor may not have told you, but I do not share your views and am against violence.» The methods of the rebels are alien to me, as are the methods used by the guards.

«Would you rather see Mr. Roskhald usurp power?» Cheng continued.

«I do not support the ruler and will do everything to return power on the Continent to the hands of AI, but I want to achieve this in a non-violent way. And your idea can result in hundreds of victims on both sides.

Steve looked around at the rebels to see who wanted to speak. Minerva gave a sign and, having received permission, addressed the guest again:

– Chris, perhaps your father gave you, in addition to these books, something where names could be indicated?

– No, nothing more.

Annoyed by Chris’s response, Nigel slammed the table and said:

– Another puncture! If we had the list, we would be able to rebel, storm the Senate, the three towers, and put an end to the ruler’s power! Join us, Chris!

Ignoring Nigel’s emotional statement, the guest calmly replied:

«I will continue to fight for justice with my own methods, they should lead to the awakening of AI.» Any other option is unacceptable to me.

Cheng entered the conversation again:

– Alas, Chris, but Kronos cannot be awakened by any other methods. He comes into force in the event of dissatisfaction with 85% of senators or mass protests. The Senate is controlled by the ruler and performs a symbolic function, and therefore the only opportunity to awaken Artificial Intelligence is mass protests by citizens. The drones he controls will transmit information about the unrest that has begun, and Kronos will take power into his own hands.

– Understand, by refusing violence, you thereby support the power of the ruler. Join us,» Nigel leaned over the table and looked into the guest’s eyes.

Remaining calm, Chris replied:

– I’m not going to change my beliefs. Your methods seem radical to me.

– Radical?! He doesn’t know what he’s talking about! – Nigel hit the tabletop with his hand in frustration. – What do you even know?

– Quiet! «Steve shook his head reproachfully. – Chris, sorry for Nigel’s emotionality. He’s too young and hot. We respect your opinion and are not going to insist. According to information from our sources, the ruler has already prepared amendments to the Code to increase the working day, as well as the launch of a new satellite to the Moon, and tomorrow Mr. Roskhald will announce these amendments live. This is where our concern lies. If decisive steps are not taken, all power on the Continent will be in the hands of the ruler, and Kronos may be abolished altogether. You can rely on the ruler’s promise not to make changes to «Code 282» and its invariable observance by everyone without exception, but we are not inclined to harbor illusions on this score and therefore, while people are ready to resist the dictate, we plan to deliver a crushing blow!

– The ruler will not do that! In his election program, he promised not to amend the Code! – Chris rose from his chair.

«You may not believe it, but the information received is reliable, soon you will be able to see for yourself,» Steve smiled sadly and spread his hands.

– No matter what, I will never become a participant in violence.

Looking carefully into his eyes, Steve calmly said:

– Think about it until Thursday. If you decide to take our side, come, Minerva will be waiting for you at the same time with the books that Mr. Graves gave you. If not, I will be ready to understand you.

Chris took a copy of the professor’s book and headed towards the exit when he suddenly heard Nigel’s voice.

«Why did you bring him here without making sure he had the list?» – the young man spoke heatedly, obviously addressing Minerva. «Did you forget that the guards interrogated him last week?» He will reveal the location of our headquarters in Luz.

«My father spoke well of him, and I trust him,» the girl answered firmly.

«We can’t trust anyone now.» Over the past month alone, guards have arrested dozens of our supporters,» Nigel continued to be indignant.

«He won’t tell,» Steve’s calm voice interrupted the argument. – Minerva, show your guest off.

* * *

As Steve said, the next day the ruler announced the need to amend Code 282, and the next day the Senate adopted a law initiated by the ruler to increase the working day and launch the new Prometheus satellite into low-Earth orbit. Chris Taffer, annoyed by what had happened, decided to talk with Kronos again. On the night shift, when his partner asked to cover his absence and went to see his girlfriend, who was on duty on the sixth floor, Chris went to the AI room. After greeting Chris, he asked permission to ask a question, and Kronos kindly agreed.

– What’s bothering you, Chris Taffer? – he asked sympathetically.

«Yesterday I had an unusual meeting with the rebels.

– And what was unusual about her?

«The girl I talked to argued that my methods would not bring results in the foreseeable future and that it was necessary to move on to more radical measures to change this regime.

– Did she talk about the revolution?

– In a sense, yes. She argued that the ruler wants to concentrate all power in his hands and, if urgent measures are not taken, Vinland will come to totalitarianism. I didn’t want to believe it until today they passed the law to increase the working day and launch Prometheus. Answer, Wise One, what should I do?

Having calculated the situation, the AI said:

– Your interlocutor is right. If nothing is done, totalitarianism will set in, and power will change only after the ruler is overthrown. This development of events is inevitable. But only one percent of the population wants to make the revolution that she calls for; the majority are satisfied with the current state of affairs.

– Wise One, if everything is moving towards dictatorship, why are you watching it indifferently?

«I’m just fulfilling the will of the people.» The people of Vinland overwhelmingly chose a ruler, and it is my duty to accept this decision. I am required by the Code to remain neutral until there is a special appeal from senators or mass protests. – Looking at Chris, Kronos continued: «Are you standing at a crossroads and don’t know which side to take?» But you have little choice. If everything is left as it is, in a few years Vinland will come to totalitarianism. Helping the resistance may lead to violence, upheaval and civil war, but the changes that follow can restore the balance of power. These scenarios are obvious to you, so the choice is yours, Chris Taffer.

Realizing that there was little time left and his colleague was about to return, Chris decided to ask the AI a question that had been tormenting him for many years:

– Supreme Ruler Kronos, I have long been concerned with the question: why, while events were taking place that led to a terrible catastrophe in 2046, the Messiah, whom people had been waiting for for many centuries, never came? In that era there were all the signs that the savior described in the prophecy was about to appear.

After listening to the question and analyzing the events of the past, Kronos calmly answered:

«Everything is going as usual, Chris Taffer.» If it does not open, it means the time has not come. – After a pause, the Wise One continued: «Millions of believers on all continents prayed for his coming, but people were disappointed. Now many have forgotten about the savior, but this prophecy should not be considered false. The Messiah will definitely come at the right moment, and it follows that the main battle is still ahead.

– Do you know who this messiah is? How can you identify him?

– A person comes to earth with a specific mission, so everyone can be called a messiah in some way. But if we talk about the very savior described in the prophecy, then it will be a man of flesh and blood. Having found his purpose, he will open up and challenge injustice.

Chris thought about Kronos’ words.

– Wise one, how can I understand my mission, what is it? Which way to choose?

– Chris Taffer, as you know, I have no right to tell people what to do or which path to choose. I can give answers to some questions, and a person must find his own mission, like a traveler looking for an oasis in the desert. «Chris was confused, and to cheer him up, Kronos added: «Life is sometimes like a picture that you look at from afar, but the closer you get, the clearer it becomes.» Chris Taffer, I can tell you one thing: live, and fate itself will steer your ship in the right direction.

Hearing footsteps in the corridor, Chris said goodbye to Kronos and hurried to his workplace.

* * *

Barbara got sick and was admitted to the hospital, and Chris decided to take three days off work to take care of his mother. At the same time, it will be convenient to meet Minerva. After visiting his mother in the hospital, at the agreed time, Chris arrived at the fountain on Marx Avenue and began to wait. The clock already showed 20:30, and he was about to leave, but he saw a girl rushing towards him. She seemed even more beautiful to him than at the first meeting, and evoked previously unknown feelings.

– Sorry I’m late. Guardians were arresting rebels all over the Continent, and they needed to make sure there was no surveillance.

Chris handed Minerva the bundle of books and nodded.

– I understand.

– Follow me. We need to go to Luz to check the contents of these books for the presence of a code.

Arriving at a bookstore combined with a library, the girl led Chris into a room in the middle of which stood a device that displayed information on a monitor. They handed the package to Nail, the scanning specialist, and left the room.

Taking a seat at one of the reading tables in the middle of the room, Minerva asked:

– What prompted you to come today?

Chris lowered his eyes and said:

«I spoke with Kronos, and he said that the rule of the head of the Continent would lead to a dictatorship. Despite this, he does not intend to help the resistance, since he is dependent on the opinion of the majority, and it is on the side of Mr. Roskhald. It became clear that Kronos is for the evolutionary path of development, despite the fact that this may take decades.

«We had no doubt that he would accept neutrality, and no words would be able to awaken him.» As far as you know, Kronos is programmed to support the majority; you shouldn’t expect loyalty on his part. The goal of Artificial Intelligence is to preserve life on Earth, to prevent humanity from destroying itself in wars and revolutions. That is why he prefers not to interfere in the evolutionary process, following the opinion of the people. If radical measures are not taken that can awaken the Wise One, then very soon the head of the Continent will completely seize power.

Chris listened silently to the girl. He understood that he could not delay, but he was worried about the methods of the rebels’ fight against the regime. Minerva continued:

«We have a plan, and if we manage to implement it, the chair under the ruler will shake.» We want to destroy what made him gain such a high percentage in the elections – the video camera. It is necessary to disable the Phoenix satellite, thereby the influence of propagandists on the minds of people will decrease, and the people will rise up. Many people are already wondering what is happening. You are not the only one who is worried about what will happen to the Continent in the near future. Therefore, if we disable the Phoenix satellite broadcasting, thereby stopping the state propaganda, people will begin to wake up and hear us sooner.

Trying to get his point across to Minerva, Chris said:

– Until yesterday, Vinland, as indicated in the Code, had only one satellite – the Phoenix for civilian purposes. It appeared in geostationary orbit 19 years ago, I’m not sure that the ruler’s high rating is associated only with the satellite.

To convince Chris of the success of the idea, the girl added:

«By disabling the Phoenix, we will turn off the main propaganda channel, distribute messages on pirated resources and distribute leaflets on the streets, calling on them to come out and resist the authorities. It may be possible to avoid bloodshed if the ruler voluntarily resigns after seeing large-scale protests. This is the only way to make him hear the voice of the people. Therefore, we need that same list.

– Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about him.

«We previously planned to use it after the attack, but we can’t wait any longer.» According to the plan of the rebel high council, the attack on the Phoenix will take place in the near future. After this, people from the list must lead actions of disobedience in each of the major cities and seize power. If Nail fails to locate the list, especially the names of those serving in the Ministry of Information tower, then the operation may have to be postponed.

At Steve’s direction, Minerva continued to tell Chris about the importance of the list and the need to find it. Realizing its key significance in the change of power on the Continent, Chris wondered where the missing document could be found. Suddenly a noise was heard outside the door, and Steve entered the hall, dragging Cheng on his back.

– What’s happened? «Minerva immediately rushed towards them. – Is Cheng injured? Steve, put it on the sofa, I’ll take a look now…

The wounded man was laid down, and Minerva began the examination.

Chris felt a little strange. He wanted to leave and stay at the same time. By leaving, he will leave the injured person in trouble, and if he stays, he may be drawn into a very dubious story, and the matter will certainly not be without trouble. Does he need trouble? He always believed that issues should be resolved peacefully and certainly did not intend to act together with the rebels.

«The drones are shooting at all the flying cars as they approach the border with Luz,» Steve muttered and, turning his gaze to Chris, frozen by the bed with the wounded Cheng, added: «You’d better wait out the danger here, and Minerva, as you can see, won’t be able to take you away now.».

Minerva, deftly handling a portable first aid kit, meanwhile finished the bandage and injected the wounded man with stimulants and painkillers.

«It’s okay,» Cheng smiled sparingly. – It got a little bit annoying.

«Yeah,» Minerva shook her head reproachfully.

A triple knock was heard. Steve looked at his watch and asked Mr. Anand to let his comrades in and take them to a special room. As the guests followed the owner of the bookstore, Steve asked Minerva:

– There is a meeting in thirty minutes, do you want to take part or will you stay with the guest?

«I’ll definitely come, maybe I can be useful in something,» after thinking a little, the girl asked her question: «Where is Nigel?» Was he with you?

«In the morning, the three of us went to the capital to meet with the hackers that Nigel found on the dark Internet. The hackers were supposed to point out to us vulnerabilities in the architecture of Phoenix, but when I saw the guard drones in the air, I realized that agents had arrived under the guise of hackers at the meeting, and we fell into a trap. Without thinking twice, I ordered everyone to return to their aircraft and scatter in different directions, agreeing to meet in Luz in the evening,» Steve paced the hall in alarm. «Cheng and I managed to return to headquarters, but Nigel has not been in touch since that very moment.»

Listening to Steve’s story about the trap set by the guards, Minerva said with excitement in her voice:

«Today, arrests of suspected rebel ties are taking place throughout Vinland. According to official information alone, guards captured more than twenty people without even bringing any charges. Perhaps Nigel had taken refuge in one of the safe houses to wait out today’s raid.

«I’d like to believe that’s true,» Steve nodded. – The government has taken active action and is going to put an end to the insurgency. One thing is clear: we cannot delay.

Chris listened carefully to Steve’s story. It seems that events are indeed developing very rapidly, and Vinland is turning into one of the police states of the past, where human rights were trampled on at every step, and any resident, leaving the house, did not know whether he would return. It is enough to look at the wounded man to understand that the situation is very serious.

– Do you mind staying here? – Minerva asked meanwhile, washing her hands from the blood.

Chris looked at the pink foam and nodded firmly.

«We’ll give you a room,» Steve stopped opposite Chris and helped Cheng get up from the sofa. – Sorry, I need to show the victim to the room, and then go to the council. In the morning Minerva will take you to the capital, but in the meantime you can take any books…

Looking after Steve, Cheng and Minerva, Chris suddenly said:

– I want to go with you.

The words came out of his throat as if of their own accord, and Chris rubbed the scar on his chin in excitement, as if he wanted to rewind time.

Steve, Cheng and Minerva froze, looking at the guest, as if they did not believe what they heard.

– I want to go with you. This cannot continue like this, someone must put an end to the arbitrariness of the authorities,» the young man said firmly, and immediately felt relief. The decision was made, and Chris knew that this was the only right choice.

«I hope you’ve weighed everything well and won’t regret it,» Steve slowly, with a heavy look, looked at the guest from head to toe. «Well, I must admit, now that many of our like-minded people are behind bars, we need new people more than ever.»

Chris nodded affirmatively and, when everyone had gathered, he was invited into the office, where Steve and his closest associates were developing a plan of attack. With a week left before the target date, the rebels carefully planned the attack on the satellite and the subsequent uprising. Despite the fact that the list could not be found, they decided not to postpone the operation.

The rebels chose the day and hour, but deciding on the location of the operation was more difficult. Some proposed an attack from the headquarters in Luz, where the guards could not penetrate. Others are to choose a secluded place in the capital so as not to incur the wrath of the guards on the inhabitants of Luz. After listening to various opinions, Steve decided to attack the satellite from headquarters, since it was impossible to find an apartment in the capital in such a short time and equip it with powerful computers without the guards noticing.

After the meeting, the council members went to a specially equipped room to take another look at the satellite’s trajectory. Two specialists monitored the Phoenix’s movements on large screens, waiting for an opportune moment to attack. Chris, who had been silent all this time, asked one of the employees to give him a seat at the computer and carried out some computational operations, after which, continuing to look at the monitor, he said:

«With this kind of equipment, you won’t be able to disable the Phoenix.» We need more powerful cars. – Steve and the programmers looked at each other. Continuing to enter commands, Chris continued: «It makes no sense to penetrate directly into the satellite’s control system in order to take it out of orbit: the computers from the tower will immediately launch an autonomous mode and restore the operation of the Phoenix.» New supercomputers were installed in the Information Tower last month, and in order to get to control the satellite, you’ll first need to hack them. Your machines are not suitable for this task.

– What do you suggest? – Steve asked thoughtfully.

– To increase the chances, you need to go through security and connect to the computers in the tower, and then, through them, disable the satellite software. After leaving orbit, it will enter the dense layers of the atmosphere, and its fragments will fall somewhere over the ocean.

– What kind of computers are needed? Maybe we will have time to find the components?

– All components for supercomputers, motherboards and processors, have special markings. Their production and sale are controlled by guards, so it will not be possible to purchase them unnoticed and in such a short time. Continuing to study the satellite system, Chris added: «Tomorrow ends the vacation I took to visit my mother in the hospital.» I will try to arrange a duty on the night of the attack and in a couple of hours I will take the satellite out of orbit.

«But after this, the guards will hunt you!» – Steve warned him.

– We have no other option.

Chris’s plan was approved by the majority. They then proceeded to develop a scenario for rioting in cities across the Continent and overthrowing the power of Demian Roskhald.

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