LITMIR.BIZ

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but he taught me a lot, and his book became my instructions for building a new, free society.

      “I don’t understand, why do you need unnecessary trouble?” In addition, the selection of applicants for the Tower of Kronos is very strict.

      “I prepared for this and I think there won’t be any special problems.” Henry taught me many laws. I also researched the security system itself, its advantages and vulnerabilities, so I can pass the selection without much effort. The main thing is that the dossier does not let you down. Do you remember that time when I tried to stand up for a classmate?

      “I think everyone has forgotten about this.” I’m afraid, Chris. If you are suspected of trying to somehow influence the decisions of the AI or awaken it, then you shudder to think what the guards will accuse you of.

      “I want to help restore legitimate power on the Continent.” I don’t see any other way. And right now, before power is completely in the hands of the ruler, this is especially important!

      The mother did not dissuade her son, giving him the opportunity to get to the truth himself. Then Chris, remembering the paper parcel on the table, asked who it was from. Having learned that a certain young man had delivered him almost immediately after Chris left for Attica, the young man thought that the books that he had given to one of his classmates to read before exams had been returned to him. Having apologized, he got up from the table and headed into the room. Opening the package, Chris saw four books that he asked the professor to read, but the very book about the creation of the first cryptocurrency Bitcoin, “The Age of Blockchain, or Belshazzar’s Feast,” was not among them. He carefully took the volumes out of the bundle, placed them on the shelf, and then returned to his mother.

      – This is from Mr. Graves. He probably sent it before he was detained,” Chris said.

      “Maybe we should return them or throw them away so as not to incur the wrath of the guards?”

      – There is no prohibited literature there. Only history books.

      “This professor is nothing but trouble, it was after his arrest that you decided to leave the capital!” You probably read that he was captured for his connection with the rebels? There were rumors that he could not stand the torture and died, and they also said that he managed to escape from custody, but, as it turned out, this was disinformation from the rebels. And recently it became known that Mr. Graves was released. One of my colleagues living next door said that the lights started to come on in his apartment in the evenings. Apparently, he has returned to his place and, perhaps, will soon be reinstated at the university.

      When Chris heard about the professor’s release, he was happy:

      – This is wonderful news! This means that the guards did not find any evidence of Mr. Graves’s involvement in the rebels and were forced to acquit him. I need to visit the professor to inquire about his health and return the books after I read them.

      Chris and his mother watched until the end of the show, and then the speech of the ruler, who continued to talk about improving the lives of ordinary citizens, justice and the supremacy of the Code. Now Chris perceived Mr. Roskhald’s words in a completely different way: they were addressed to the citizens of Vinland, who must comply with the laws prescribed in the code, and the ruler and his entourage were not going to follow them and lived according to their own.

      * * *

      Chris passed the exams without any problems and passed the interview at the AI tower. He was admitted to the thirty-first floor, where the selection was especially strict, since it was there that Kronos was in a special room. Chris’s job responsibilities were to monitor gross violations of AI laws on the Continent, as well as protect Kronos from rebel hacker attacks. He liked this work, and the prospect of putting the plan into action gave him additional strength.

      He patiently waited for the right moment to make his way to Kronos and tell him about the injustices that were happening in Vinland. Chris was going to notify the Wise One that the ruler regularly violates the laws of the Continent and, having secured the support of a majority in the Senate, makes the necessary amendments to the Code and finances military programs. But in order not to attract the attention of his colleagues and guards on duty in the tower, at first Chris decided to postpone his plans and for now carry out his direct duties as best as possible. During the day he worked, and at night he continued to study the basic laws prescribed in Kronos, and thought about how they could be used to limit the powers of the ruler. In the evenings, Chris went to a specially built building for employees next to the tower – in case of an alarm, specialists could quickly return to their places. During the first two months of his service, Chris managed to gain the trust of his colleagues and meet interesting people, but he did not initiate any of them into his plans.

      The AI Tower was located in the central square of the capital, in close proximity to the towers of the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Guardians. These towers had forty floors and were decorated with crowns, together making up a triad, which was popularly called the “Three Crowns”.

      During his third month in the tower, Chris was confirmed to have high level access allowing him to continue working on the thirty-first floor. He decided to share the good news with his mother and went home over the weekend.

      Barbara was glad to meet her son. They talked for a long time about his work and what was happening on the Continent. After lunch, Chris went to Mr. Graves to inquire about his health and return the books.

      Taking the package, Chris headed to the professor’s house. Mr. Graves’s apartment was on the fourth floor. Surprisingly, an elderly woman opened the door. They greeted each other, and the guest introduced himself:

      – My name is Chris Taffer. Is Mr. Graves at home?

      – There is no professor. I’m his housekeeper, Mrs. Oliver. Should I give him something?

      “What a pity,” Chris said barely audibly. – Mr. Graves was my professor at the university. I wanted to inquire about his well-being after everything that happened and return the books.

      Looking at the package, the housekeeper kindly said:

      – Mr. Graves went to the country to visit his daughter. After all these events, he prefers to spend more time with her. From the first day we believed in the professor’s innocence, and recently he was acquitted. But the time spent in captivity affected his health, and he changed a lot. Now it is no longer easy to recognize him as the former professor.

      The clicking of heels was heard from the top floor, and a woman’s voice sounded behind Chris:

      – Hello, Mrs. Oliver! The elevator is broken again, so we have to go down the stairs.

      Chris turned. The girl’s face seemed familiar, but he couldn’t remember where it came from. She looked to be about twenty-five years old. Chris’s thoughts were interrupted by the housekeeper, who entered into a dialogue:

      – This elevator is long overdue for replacement, but no one responds to our complaints.

      “But this also has its advantages: you can meet your neighbors more often,” the girl smiled in response.

      Wishing her a good day, Mrs. Oliver said goodbye to her neighbor and looked back at Chris. The young man was saddened by the news about the professor’s poor health and, sighing with regret, was about to say goodbye.

      “Say your name and digital ID again,” the housekeeper asked. “I’ll tell Mr. Graves you stopped by, and he or his daughter will be sure to contact you.”

      – Chris Taffer. Here’s my digital ID.

      – If you want, you can leave the package and I will give it to the professor.

      After thinking for a moment, Chris replied:

      – I have the weekend ahead and I would like to re-read some of the books. Let me know when Mr. Graves returns,

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