They made it. They reached the zero horizon. The goal that cost so many lives has been achieved. So what is there, beyond the zero…? It turned out to be simpler—and far scarier. The Serpent— the very one from father’s fairy tales— became real. Russia— enormous, great Russia— lies in ruins and belongs to the enemy. The grinding wheels of history have started turning again, crunching and grinding everything caught between them—cities and countries, people, destinies, history… And only hatred in the soul— hatred for those who are doing their dark deeds. Two years in the IC “Moscow” reservation, a camp for interred Russian aborigines. Those who didn’t get lucky—who couldn’t hide, couldn’t escape from the executioners of Private Combat Contractors, couldn’t hide in the stone jungles of cities, in forests and taiga wilderness. Ilya is in the work camp, Sergey is in training—“a doll.” The irony of fate… But still, there is hope. And there is a Home that waits. And the people of Home. And as long as even a small scrap of hope is alive, as long as there is a goal— it’s impossible to give up.