completely different opportunities. Cheremkhovo was considered to be one of the world’s informal hacker centers. It was possible that such a fame was to some extent supported and cultivated by certain government agencies. They said that the Russian security services were related to the activity in Cheremkhovo. It would be naïve to assume that the authorities did not know what was going on under their very noses. Most likely, once a free and informal community of talented programmers got close or was forced to make certain contacts with the state. But it didn’t bother Robert at all. So it shouldn’t bother him either. And yet Antonio preferred to hold a meeting in Irkutsk.

He came up to the window looking at the city centre, where cargo and passenger electric drones were flying in-between high-rise buildings along several air corridors. Each corridor was dedicated to movement in one direction only. From a distance, it reminded Antonio of ants’ paths where they would diligently carry all day long whichever sticks, bugs and larvae. The Angara River was visible between the buildings, its water surface illuminated with the bright sun, and pleasure boats and yachts gliding. For a moment it seemed to him that there was something familiar about the view—it was as if he were in his favourite bay in Naples. A knock on the room door brought him back to reality.

The guest, who introduced himself as Alexander, was sitting opposite Antonio in the living room at a round table in front of the window.

‘Won’t you mind my closing the blinds—the sun hits right in my eyes,’ Antonio approached the window and began to close the blinds.

Alexander continued to silently scrutinize his potential client, taking sips from a bottle of coke.

‘Our mutual Chinese friends, Alexander, said that you are able to help with our problem.’

‘It is quite possible that I can. Let’s discuss what exactly you need, Anton.’

‘Antonio. My name is Antonio.’

‘All right, Antonio,’ Alexander replied indifferently.

‘I need a secure, reliable and remote access channel to a powerful quantum machine that can solve the required task. This is the first. At the same time, the computer must have access, must be connected to international databases. The second. We need a good programmer who is ready to do the job without asking any questions on the computer mentioned in point one. That’s all.’

‘It’s all so simple for you, Antonio, isn’t it. What’s wrong with the PAX then?’

‘If it were OK, we wouldn’t have communicated with you, Alexander. We need to solve a number of tasks, process a large array of data according to the specified parameters. The job must be done without advertising either the task or the result. Confidential. Working in the PAX system does not satisfy us with the approach required.’

‘Well, let’s assume the task is clear to me,’ Alexander pulled his cap lower on his forehead.

‘D’you have any idea how much such services will be?’

‘And how much?’

‘A lot. Very expensive.’

‘Very expensive—how much is it?’

‘And how much data are we talking about?’

‘Let’s just say we should focus on an array with several billion variables that should be evaluated for their dependence on a wide range of various conditions.’

‘And what does that mean?’

‘It means, Alexander, that the job is not an easy one. And that the specialist must meet the requirements and conditions of the task.’ I’d better calm down, Antonio thought.

‘I’m asking questions just to see if we can fulfil your task. Would you give some example of what needs to be solved.’

‘Okay,’ Antonio replied, his lips together. ‘OK. Here you are, for example: what will the optimal route for a new metro line in Irkutsk be: where is it best to locate stations, taking into account the activities citizens carry on in their daily routine?’

Alexander paused and chuckled:

‘I see. Wow, such a task.’

‘This is an example, Alexander.’

‘I can’t give you an answer now. You are asking an open question, which implies access to a serious database, hardware and all that, and the level of someone’s skills to do it. For how long do you want to stir up this story?’

‘One year.’

‘Ha! Just one!’

‘Well, yes.’

‘It‘ll be a six-digit figure. That’s for sure,’ Alexander looked at Antonio from under the peak of his cap, raising his head.

‘I think we can come to an agreement. When will you be ready to advise the details of your proposal, so that we can make all the arrangements?’

‘I’ll be back with the information within a week, Antonio.’

‘I am not planning to stay in Irkutsk for a long time. Can you clarify the information today?’

Alexander took the bottle and finished his coke:

‘Good. We’ll be in touch.’

Program

‘My program is based on social challenges important for our society. On those screaming points of pain that people are experiencing here, today and now. What do we care most about? What everyday problems and challenges do Londoners have to face? What can we, as lawmakers, do for society to solve long-overdue problems? Problems that for some reason were ignored by those who should sort them out, to whom the voters had delegated their voices. Why weren’t those voices heard? Why are the issues that determine the standard of living of our people ignored? Have they not found time for it among their endless spinning of political schemes, in which, of course, they are completely absorbed? This is in the root of the problem.

There is no need to invent anything or to think out flimsy suggestions of what has to be done. The whole program of actions is around us! You just need to look around carefully. You just have to talk to people! From us, the executors of your mandates, only one thing is required – to listen!

I’m asking questions!

Why isn’t there an entrance to the underground highway built in