It was a very difficult morning for Christopher Barrett. It began with the fact that in the contour of the city where he lived, the source channel went haywire and all everyday artifacts turned off. Second time in a week. And the few drives he had installed around the house for just such occasions were empty. The man could not even wash properly. And now, when he had a quick breakfast in his office, trying to escape from the morning inconvenience, Gordon Paul, his boss, appeared in the office and announced the replenishment of the team.

Barret was not so much indignant as wary of the unusual delicacy of the...