"Sellers of the Impossible" by Vadim Panov, summary

The novel was written in 2009. The narrative revolves around an acute social crisis in a future world divided into sovereign corporate territories called Enclaves. The transition to a new energy source is accompanied by underground trade in bioresources, the distribution of the psychoactive drug "sindin," and a war between digital factions. This book is a socio-fiction detective story, combining elements of cyberpunk, political thriller, and ancient runic traditions.

In 2010, the novel took third place ("Bronze Caduceus") at the Star Bridge International Festival in the serial novel category. It is the fourth entry in the "Enclaves" series, continuing the storylines of "The Moscow Club," "Guides at the Crossroads," and "Bonfires on the Altars," and predates "Chaos Perfection."

Conflict in the online community and a jump from a height

The events begin in Moscow City with a dangerous jump by Patricia Gryaznova, the daughter of the influential antique dealer Kirill Gryaznov. She jumps with an Albatross parachute from the top of the Ugolny Spire high-rise on a bet with her friends Rus and Matilda. The flight is observed from the Pyramidome office by the heads of the Moscow Enclave Security Service (SSA) – Director Maximilian Kaufman, nicknamed "The Dead," and his deputy, Mishenka Shcheglov. Kaufman orders the airspace over the City to ensure Patricia’s safety.

The leaders of the global mercenaries have gathered at the organization’s Marseille headquarters dd . The prophet of the Nakist movement, number 42, refuses to cease terrorist attacks against corporate servers. The mercenary leaders attempt to capture 42, but his companions, Eva Puma and Red Rose, tranquilize the guards. The Nakist leader leaves the meeting without bloodshed and sets up headquarters in Frankfurt at the Everest Club. Enraged, SBA President Nick Moratti threatens the leadership dd with extermination, demanding 42’s head.

The emergence of a dangerous virus and escape from Africa

Meanwhile, the network is infected with π a virus that hides malicious processors — "floats" — from police scanners. In Moscow, fanatics high on "syndin" and armed with "floats" seize a stationary outpost, take control of "Roarer" machine guns, and shoot sixteen passersby. Sergei Stroganov, head of the SBA communications team, reports to Shcheglov that the virus’s algorithm was created by the brilliant hacker Chaika, officially presumed dead.

In reality, Chaika, whose name is Ilya Dementyev, is serving time in the secret penal prison "Africa." The warden, Gustav Flaubert, forced Ilya to write π a virus and then staged a prison riot to eliminate the developer. Criminal Piłsudski attempts to eliminate Dementyev, but warden Ushenko shoots the attacker dead. Soon, Olovo, Kirill Gryaznov’s servant, infiltrates the prison. Olovo takes Ilya out through a secret passage and, at the gate, fearlessly kills three mercenaries sent by Flaubert to clean up the mess.

A bloody redistribution of spheres of influence and a secret deal

In Frankfurt, mercenary Alois Han and engine driver Schmeichel plot a deal with criminal Zaza Kipriot. They plan to trade "floats" created at the closed al-Johar testing site for doses of "syndyne." When police special forces storm the "Gate to Heaven" club, Han takes cover behind the body of a dead security guard and leads his partners through the sewers. Later, Han brutally murders Albanian mafia leaders Hashim Zhivoglot and Malik Putnik, unleashing a full-scale war for control of the drug market.

In Zurich, SBA Presidential Aide Stefan Drogas is developing a plan to capture the manufacturers of "sindin." Suspicion falls on the Mutabor corporation. However, the security forces’ operation is thwarted: a suspicious truck leaving the Mutabor zone turns into a warehouse belonging to the civilian pharmacy chain Ibn Sina.

Meanwhile, 42 contacts the Horseman, the head of the smuggling Consortium, played by Kirill Gryaznov. The Horseman agrees to sell 42 five mobile Tek-9 "float" production systems for five billion yuan. To raise funds, 42 declares "Day Forty-Two" — a one-time attack on Earth’s financial system.

Collecting Billions and the Destruction of Everest

Hackers are breaking into accounts and robbing banks all over the planet. In Antwerp, Jan Krueger’s group is stealing diamonds from a stock exchange but is surrounded by special forces. 25’s mercenaries capture Krueger. Under the influence of a truth serum, Jan reveals the coordinates of the Everest Club. Frank Dukie’s mercenaries storm the club, killing Red Rose. In the midst of the battle, Tin enters the basement, hoists 42 over his shoulder, and takes him away in a truck driven by Chaika.

Tin delivers 42 to the Horseman. Gryaznov takes the stolen billions from the prophet and gives him the coordinates of five Tech-9 factories. The Horseman provokes 42 by mentioning that Chaika is alive, and 42 asks him to eliminate the hacker. Overhearing this conversation, Dementyev is finally convinced of the prophet’s treachery. Later, 42 contacts SBA President Moratti, proposing to unite against Mutabor to seize the technology for producing "sindin."

The Holy Council and the General’s Prophecy

Papa Jesè, the head of Catholic Voodoo, arrives in Moscow on a pastoral visit. During a sermon in Zanzibar, mercenaries send snipers to the stage. Patricia, among the audience, senses danger thanks to ancient runes appearing on her fingers. She uses the power of the runes and deflects the bullets, saving Jesè, but her companion, Kimura, is killed in the shootout. Later, the Dead One approaches Jesè, offering an alliance in exchange for concessions on the launch of a new energy facility.

At secret Test Site No. 13 ("The Station"), construction of the Main Power Unit is nearing completion. Chinese General Liao deciphers an ancient prophecy: the Station is being created not as a power plant, but as an instrument for rebooting the world order. The records indicate three figures capable of harnessing the new energy: a brilliant developer, an engineer, and a machinist.

The Four’s Plan and Saving the World

A quartet of allies gathers in Rus’s Moscow workshop: Patricia, the auto mechanic Rus, the brilliant scientist Ganza — the true inventor of the new energy technology — and Chaika, brought in by Gryaznov. Patricia reveals that she is the rightful owner of the rights to the Station. To prevent a clash between the Arctic fleets of China, the European Islamic Union, and the Voodoo countries, the heroes decide to stage a controlled accident at the Power Unit and leak the secret of the new energy to the public.

In the epilogue, 42 betrays his own ideals and teams up with Moratti, while his partner, Eva Puma, slowly fades from the side effects of "syndyne." The naval squadrons of the world powers complete their deployment at the Station’s borders. Chaika, Rus, Hansa, and Patricia join forces, ready to accomplish the impossible and save humanity from destruction.