Once upon a time in the Soviet Union there lived a classified academician who developed weapons to deter probable enemies. But the day came when people authorized to speak on behalf of the state proposed that he turn this wonder weapon against his own people.
Once upon a time there lived a simple Soviet special forces soldier, also a remarkable specialist in his own way. He served the Motherland faithfully… and suddenly found himself no longer needed by it.
Once upon a time on another planet, in the capital of a highly developed empire, there lived a bored, disillusioned demigod who suddenly met an old friend full of incredible ideas…
Once upon a time in Russia there lived a girl wise beyond her years who simply could not understand the famous Fermi paradox: "If many advanced civilizations must exist in our Galaxy, then where are they, why is the Universe silent?" But the Universe always answered her…