Now it's simply not possible to be kind and caring while still alive. Either you have to sacrifice your life or these qualities. And people themselves do not realize how important it is to sacrifice the latter in order to preserve their lives. Nothing requires security as much as the need to preserve life first of all. And nothing demands fear as much as security itself, which without fear is simply not appreciated. They do not see that it is there. They do not want to realize that it is the life they have.

There was a knock at the door. First Lesin came in with a report of Tikhomirov's arrival, and only then did Tikhomirov himself come in after approving his entrance. Something had clearly changed in him, something very deep inside, but this change was more surprising than alarming.

There was no competition for him in this something – it was as if his inner core had changed, which probably made him act differently himself. It was reflected in his eyes, in the way he moved, and even in the way he breathed.

– We have much news, Mr. Prefect," Tikhomirov began at once.

– Have a seat and let's go through this in order. Start with who was it? Who tried to put a knife to my throat?

Tikhomirov sat down on a chair opposite the Mountain. It was obvious that there was neither fear nor doubt in him. Only pre-calibrated steps. There were already a thousand of them in his head.

– We have only theories, Mr. Prefect. He never regained consciousness, and there's nothing to hook him to....

– You don't have to hook it. No need for that. Organize a public execution by hanging.

– Mr. Prefect…

– I know what you want to say. But no. I don't need that, either. Executing him, on the other hand, would be a good idea. Let everyone watch.

– As you command, Mr. Prefect.

Gore was all impressed with the qualities of the man he once looked out of the crowd. He was clearly progressing, and very quickly at that. It was still unclear why this was happening, but his performance was encouraging.

– Here's a look at the new set of laws I'll be distributing this week. – The Mountain handed him a piece of paper on which were handwritten, point by point, the "Rights and Responsibilities of the Self-Governing Territory". – Study it now.

Rights and obligations of the Self-Governing Territory

Everyone is responsible with his life for the life of his boss.

Failure to obey the orders of one's superior is considered an act of sabotage and is punishable at the discretion of the superior up to and including the death penalty, approved only by the prefect

Members of the SMERSH organization shall have the right to search, detain and use any physical restraint, if necessary, against any citizen of the Self-Governing Territory.

The Prefect has the power to reward, pardon and execute any citizen of the Local Government Territory without cause

All efforts and measures taken by the citizens shall be directed solely towards the fulfillment of the will of the prefect

No one has the right to question, even in thought, the correctness of the prefect's actions.

Openly not accepting the will of the prefect is considered an act of sabotage

Tikhomirov continued to hold this piece of paper in his hands, reading it, and didn't even blink an eye when he finished doing so:

– Most of these measures have in fact already been approved by me, Mr. Prefect. There are no superfluous words here, except one. In the last paragraph, the word "open" is still superfluous. If in the previous paragraph we believe that one should not be against it even in thought, then we should also consider sabotage a crime even in thought. Whether we know about it or not, we must consider it a crime.