Alternative Europe of the 19th century. After successful experiments in reanimating the dead, humanity finds a new labor force. The dead become an inseparable part of society: porters, cleaners, carriage drivers… From now on, all the dirty work can be assigned to these soulless beings. During one of the armed conflicts in Central Asia, a small detachment of experimental “models” is kidnapped and hidden in the mountains. A case investigator—and investigator of the true nature of the new weapon—is assigned to a young doctor and a true patriot of his country, John Watson. An enthusiastic student doesn’t immediately realize that he has been pulled into a confrontation of forces that won’t stop at anything, even standing on the edge of the abyss. Even so, turned into a pawn on this chessboard, he will have to pull back the curtain on the mystery of life, death, and the true essence of the soul…