City-21 “Kyiv”, UNSA Protectorate, Avril Dominion

The Palace of Sports

Maksim Chernykh, August 12, 2049, 12:11 PM

Maksim leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes.

“Let’s see what went down while I was out.”

The mediaglyphs were neatly organized into several groups, making them relatively straightforward to navigate. It all started with a cortical grid and sub-brain update that he had blissfully slept through. That update log was exceptionally terse – the new world masters clearly didn’t care for the old rules. They hadn't bothered to include any change log, that’s just great! Without detailed diagnostics, it was now impossible to determine what had been modified in the firmware of the cortical grid.

However, it was pretty clear that the update had been installed by an official tech support AI, and they had targeted all the “hardware” in the complex: the cortical grid in his head, or rather its control modules, the sub-brain, and all the implanted “periphery”, primarily eye implants. Even the interface implant was affected!

Although, preliminary tests revealed nothing out of the ordinary. All the programs, services, and utilities functioning as expected. Except for Alisa… Max had grown so accustomed to her constant presence in his mind, that now her absence now felt unsettling.

“It’s okay, kitten, surely, I’ll save you soon!”

He turned his attention to scrolling through the messages from the Protectorate, although there turned out to be a real abundance of them. Nevertheless, Maksim’s experience with not only technical documentation also all kinds of legal forms helped him through.

“Alisa did warn me, but this is really intense. Sadly, she and I are all too familiar with this kind of rhetoric…”

“Accommodation, food, and a job, you say? Uh-huh, they promised all that at the concentration camps too. Along with ‘protection.’ No, thanks.”

He selected and confirmed his choice in the interface.

# Attention! You are renouncing the Unconditional Right to Protection and Safety provided by the UNSA Protectorate.

# Conditions check:

# Citizenship: Polis Kyiv… checking success.

# Checking for obligations transferred to third parties… no obligations present.

# Curfew… not imposed.

# All checks passed successfully. Under the Trilateral Agreement on the Protectorate and the Division of Protection Zones, you are entitled to choose the following:

# Information package from TACTA (choose)

# Information package from the Great Empire Chou (request availability check)

“I’m gonna go with this TACTA, whoever they are. I've had enough of empires, especially the so-called great ones,” Maksim said and pressed ‘choose,’ already guessing the likely outcome.

Messages unfolded before his eyes:

# Attention! Installation of critical cortical grid update in progress. Temporary disconnection of sensory communication channels and possible brief loss of consciousness may occur. Please find a safe place.

# Note! The update affects the operation of your cortical grid and sub-brain. Detailed documentation with all the changes and new features will be available after finalizing the contract with TACTA.

Maksim was unconscious during the previous time, and the update installed automatically. He was glad to be informed now, though he only had time to think “what about those who aren’t connected to the extranet?” before his vision went dark, and the guy lost consciousness.

He remained in darkness for what felt like only a moment. Then, a flash – and Max woke up. He couldn’t open his eyes immediately; first came a throbbing in his temples. Heavy, hot. Then the sensation of compression so intense, he thought he could hear the bones in his skull cracking. Finally, it felt like a real bomb exploded in his head; the pain was so sharp that it made him clench his teeth, and colorful circles started floating before his eyes.

It got worse – he tried to open his eyes, but his eyelids were so heavy, they wouldn't respond. His neck felt like it was on fire, as if it had been doused with boiling water. Something seemed to snap in the back of his head, then a hot wave ran down his spine, almost reaching the waist level… then stopping abruptly.

With two final dull pangs, the pain left his head, Maksim gasped for air and managed to open his eyes.

“And... what the fuck was that?” The whole installation process took just over six minutes, which was three times longer than the Protectorate’s update. A new window with a message came up:

# The update installed successfully.

# You can view basic information about the installed update. Detailed information, developer’s documentation, including the API for developing applications, will be available after you’ve entered into a contract with TACTA.

# Attention! You are currently in the UNSA Protectorate’s zone of influence.

# When finalizing a contract with TACTA, we recommend that you stay in neutral territory as to avoid potential problems.

# According to the Laws of the Protectorate, “renouncing Protection” is a final decision that cannot be retracted. You must leave the Protectorate’s zone of influence before the curfew is imposed.

Max nervously chuckled at this, first glancing at the watch, then at his paralyzed legs and Alisa’s body lying on the floor next to his chair.

# After the curfew, partners of TACTA are strictly prohibited from staying in the Protectorate’s territory without a visa (this prohibition is effective all the Protectorate Dominions).

Then, Maksim was presented with options: view more details about the aforementioned points, decide and sign a contract with TACTA, postpone the decision, or fully reject the contract.

An info box said that if he chose the latter, firstly, TACTA’s updates for cortical grid and sub-brain would be uninstalled, secondly, the old Protectorate’s firmware would be restored, and thirdly, for just reviewing the initial information package from TACTA, he would face arrest, a fine of 10,000,000 sols, a 1000-point penalty on his social rating, and 24 months of mandatory correctional labor at the refusal containment center. If the fine isn't paid by the end of the correctional term, the term is extended until full payment is made, including interest and all additional penalties.

“The more I learn about the Protectorate, the less I want to do anything with them. Just like any other lovers of dividing people into ‘right thinkers’ and ‘enemies of the state’… Been there, done that!” Maksim made up his mind.

Making sure that the additional information would still be available later, Max gave the command to sign the agreement with TACTA. Time was running out until the promised curfew by the Protectorate, so taking risks and spending time for reading was not worth it. He still needed to pick up Dasha and Moira, try to find Nikola, sort out weapons and equipment, undergo spine surgery, and finally leave Kyiv if it only would be possible.

# TACTA thanks you for your cooperation!

# To continue with the procedure, please connect to TACTA’s extranet network.

## Information: In the UNSA Protectorate’s territory, the use of the TACTA’s extranet network by individuals without a special visa is prohibited and considered a crime after the curfew is in effect.

# Checking network availability… success.

The status bar blinked with a media glyph, indicating a new available network.

“Hmm… it says that it’s prohibited to connect after curfew? Meaning, it’s fine if I do it now. Hooking up!”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

# Connecting… success.

# Confirming status… success.

# Registration… success.

# Congratulations, you’ve successfully completed step one of the registration process as a Free Partner of TACTA!

# INFORMATORIUM is ready to install (information, install)

Quickly checking the “information,” Max learned that this app was an online service with a database and some sort of rating system. It also had a communicator and, oddly enough, a store. Clicking the prominent “Getting Started” link, he found two versions of the initial documentation: detailed and quick.

“In broad strokes please, there’s a war going on after all,” he chuckled under his breath, opening the link.

He quickly skimmed through the three pages that opened, instinctively focusing on the key paragraphs.

# Welcome to TACTA partnership contracts system.

# You can obtain all the detailed information via the Informatorium application (you must be connected to TACTA’s global extranet network).

# To finalize your registration as an independent partner of TACTA, you must do the following:

# Implant a cortical network (completed)

# Update the software of the cortical grid, sub-brain and dependent implants (completed)

# Install the Informatorium application (install)

# Activate a wearable cortical grid expansion bracelet or implant an expansion module (Model NEM, tier1 or higher. Note! The expansion module requires an already installed and fully functioning sub-brain implant. The procedure is fully automated, performed under local anesthesia and takes no more than ten minutes).

# There are two ways of obtaining the bracelet or the module:

# Option 1: Contact TACTA’s mobile / stationary post (map)

# Option 2: Call TACTA’s Mobile Drone.

# Note:

## Calling the Drone is a paid service (cost: 999 grants).

## A protective barrier is set up around the Drone at the landing site until it departs. Full safety is guaranteed within a 10-meter radius from the landing point, but TACTA doesn’t guarantee that the drone’s arrival will go unnoticed.

## If you call the Drone within the territory of a UNSA Protectorate Dominant or within the responsibility zone of the Empire Chou, it may attract the interest of the Rapid Response Group (internal security service of the Protectorate UNSA) or the Outer Ring Dragon Guardians (external security service of The Empire Chou).

## Do not call the Drone unless you know how to ensure YOUR safety after its departure.

# End of Document

“Well, that’s something.” Maksim mused, scratching the back of his head thoughtfully. “On one hand, I don’t want anyone tampering with my implants. But on the other, the trade-offs are quite fascinating... The alternative is marching straight to jail, as they've made abundantly clear, albeit in a not-so-subtle way.”

“I think the choice is obvious. Plus, our glorious conquerors are only allies on paper, but seem to be at each other’s throats in real life. And that SHOULD be taken advantage of…”

“Okay, screw it.” Max decided philosophically and clicked the invitingly glowing mediaglyph.

# Informatorium, install.

In augmented reality, the installation status bar flashed by quickly, and the main panels of the app unfolded and neatly tucked away. With an experienced eye, Max still noticed that everything looked well-designed, the UI was clean and seemed user-friendly.

“Okay, what do we have here?”

//Requirements

//Initiation

//Contacts

//Development manager

//Store

//Contracts

//Information system

Hmm… The first two options seemed to be reference materials, and after reading, they can be dismissed. ‘Requirements’ contained details of the information Maksim had already been given; he should use the ‘initiation’ option after connecting the bracelet or installing the expansion module. After that, ‘initiation’ would become ‘status.’

“As far as I can tell, ‘Manager,’ ‘Contacts,’ ‘Store,’ and ‘Contracts’ seem to be the core activities, and the media glyphs are immediately parameterized. Good thing there are tips, I’m sure they’re context-sensitive too.”

Max browsed over all the available menu buttons. In the ‘Contacts’ section, he found only one entry: “TACTA drone call service.” A new messenger was a good thing, of course, but without knowing more about it, it wasn’t safe to use.

“Let’s shelve exploring this until better times.”

After viewing the remaining sections, Max realized that getting to grips with the TACTA’s system would have to wait. Mainly because most of the features were currently plainly unavailable. Whenever he tried to access any of the option, the same message popped up:

// Initiation and earning a rating in the TACTA Free Partners system is required for access!

“So even though I’ve signed a contract with TACTA, I'm not yet considered a full partner,” Maksim understood.

Reaching the “store” section, he experienced sheer shock, seeing a message:

# Attention! You are accessing only the demo (limited) version of the catalog, access level – partners of category 6 and 5. Prices are for reference only and may differ from actual ones.

Despite the disclaimer at the top of the page, Max was presented with a shopping bonanza that spanned from an array of weaponry – including energy weapons – to cybernetics, transportation, biomedicine, and even food, clothing, and household chemicals.

Curiously clicking on an entry for “Heavy Plasma Rifle FQZ-28Q1,” he encountered an extensive description with specs, photos, media files, and a price tag of 41,530 grants.

“Damn it, I want all of this, and right now!”

Returning to the ‘Initiation’ section, he selected ‘show map.’

He’d seen it coming. There wasn’t a single ‘mobile/stationary TACTA points’ within five hundred kilometers, and beyond that, the map wouldn’t even display.

“Looks like the only option is to call the drone. But that’s a risk, as the system has warned me repeatedly. Better to first find Dashka, revive Moira and Alisa, and assess the situation. So, I’m shutting down Informatorium for now. Without a rating – meaning a drone call, which is the key to the entire system – there’s no point.”

It was clear that TACTA were some kind of traders and middlemen. Max felt inclined to work with them – in his opinion, traders were significantly better than the completely deranged religious fanatics obsessed with constructing another insane dictatorship. Especially those armed with military technologies that could enable it, and even more so in a post-apocalyptic world…

Thus, the choice was obvious, and it was time for the next task – to quickly leave the stadium!

The problem was that he had not managed to get in touch with Dasha – she hadn't answered his call and left no messages.

“Need to sort out the communication issue … And by the way, is my mediaphone still alive? I’ll call through the sub-brain anyway, but this gadget has external cameras. Gotta look for it!

When I came to, I was shirted but unbuttoned. The chest pocket was empty. Maybe the media phone interfered with resuscitation, and they took it out? But… if that is the case, where could it be? I passed out during the fight, in the operator’s room. Could it be left back there? Easily…”

Maksim scanned the room again, activating the search mode in augmented reality.

“Either I’m lucky, or Alisa took care of it...” He found the sought-after device on a table, among some remnants of indistinguishable electronics.

Unfortunately, when he tried to make a call, he received the “Daria is offline” message again.

“Figures… Clear as mud. The question is – why is she ‘out of network’? Either unconscious, or she's deliberately disconnected, possibly because using standard communication channels is unsafe. Okay, I need to check something...”

First off, Max decided to check what networks were available besides ‘TACTA.WW’ that he had just connected. Surprisingly enough, almost all the old ones were still active! Speaking of which, he initially got connected to via ‘Globalcom-Kyiv.’ Anyway, since all the networks were available, the lack of communication with Dashka must stem from a different issue. Perhaps she has encountered the same problems as Max after the second cortical grid update installation? Given the complexity of the implants in her brain, maybe she just hasn't recovered from the update yet.

The guy focused and pushed the unsettling thoughts aside. He needed to act and hope for the best. And regarding the fact that all networks are now being closely monitored by the Protectorate, perhaps TACTA’s network alone suffices, and others are unnecessary? It was easy to check – he only had to see if the main websites would load via ShadowNinja. So…

“This is nuts! The entire darknet is online, the main gates have already shifted to prioritize the TACTA network, even a couple of guides for configuring various software ‘For TACTA’ appeared. I wonder who wrote them and how they did it so fast. My money’s on TACTA themselves. A feather in their cap, if so!”

“Well, if that’s the case, then the issue's resolved,” Max said aloud and fired up ‘whiskey.’ Fortunately, he and Dasha had agreed on a contingency plan in case things went south.

(Note: "Whiskey" (slang) – from V-Sky is a program based on encrypted cryptographic darknet protocols that allows to securely work with anonymous extranet networks)

But there was nothing in the ‘anonymous box,’ which meant that she did not try to get in touch. That left only one likely scenario – she was unconscious. The plan accounted for this too; so Maksim just needed to leave her a one-time message.

# Aloha, WonderKid! Waiting for your call ASAPx1F. TACTA network. Still, take combat precautions! SnapDrop, bottom protocol. Crosses are glowing, so use the Hungary acc, I got the Bulgaria. Put the birdie on 4 kernels for maximum paranoia.

Max clicked ‘save.’ He had to pay for a one-time, pre-set “alert.” Obviously, old world money was now worthless, but the program didn't know that. If it said a payment was needed, then it had to be done.

Now, when Dasha appears on any of the main networks, she’ll receive a message from the online educational center ‘SharpMind’ where she had taken a few courses some time ago, so it wouldn’t look suspicious. Essentially, that was just a signal that Maksim was looking for her, with encrypted instructions on the urgency and a link to the “package” he’d left.

Perfect. The “paranoid wacko” in Max's heart contentedly rubbed his hands together, having swiftly set up SnapDrop on the “Bulgarian” account. They had already used a similar communication scheme before; not all hardware for Moira-Alisa could’ve been purchased legally. They had to learn plenty of things along the way, not just robotics.

“Okay, I’m satisfied. One question remains – how do I leave the stadium? The chair does have mobility, but I could use some help. Especially if, like, half the torn have been apart during the conflict. Hmm… Alisa mentioned a contact, I should try calling.”

It was clear he needed to call through the TACTA network. Simple enough – Nikola, as Alisa had said, was a cyborg with “solid combat experience.” For serious combat, a core no less than T5 was needed. So, if she was still free, she was potentially a violator of the Protectorate's laws. Max had read their ‘Requirement 9’ regarding Artificial Intelligence.

# Nikola Kowalski is not reachable at the moment. Please try again later.

“Hmm… That’s a shame. Either the UNSA has detained her, or she's also laying low. If that's the case, I won’t reach her through conventional means. That’s too bad, I guess I’ll have to rely on myself to get otta here.”