Таисия Литвинова
Триллер ИДЕНТИФИКАТОР с переводом на английский

Глава

1

The room smelled of ozone and fear.

В комнате пахло озоном и страхом.

Sergei Gordeyev sat on an iron chair without a back.

Сергей Гордеев сидел на железном стуле без спинки.

The handcuffs dug into his wrists.

Наручники впились в запястья.

Opposite — a table, on the table — a laptop.

Напротив — стол, на столе — ноутбук.

On the screen a green icon blinked: "Identification complete".

На экране мигал зеленый значок: «Идентификация завершена».

The room smelled of ozone and fear. Sergei Gordeyev sat on an iron chair without a back. The handcuffs dug into his wrists. Opposite — a table, on the table — a laptop. On the screen a green icon blinked: "Identification complete".

— Sergei Gordeyev, born 1987 — read the robot-secretary in the voice of a weather announcer.

— Сергей Гордеев, 1987 года рождения, — прочитал робот-секретарь голосом диктора погоды.

— Your threat rating: RED.

— Ваш рейтинг угрозы: КРАСНЫЙ.

Probability of committing a serious crime: 99.94%.

Вероятность совершения тяжкого преступления: 99.94%.

Decision: immediate isolation.

Решение: немедленная изоляция.

— I haven't done anything! — shouted Sergei.

— Я не сделал ничего! — закричал Сергей.

— Sergei Gordeyev, born 1987 — read the robot-secretary in the voice of a weather announcer. — Your threat rating: RED. Probability of committing a serious crime: 99.94%. Decision: immediate isolation. — I haven't done anything! — shouted Sergei.

He jerked.

Он дернулся.

The chair scraped against the concrete floor.

Стул заскрежетал по бетонному полу.

— You have the right to remain silent — continued the voice.

— Вы имеете право сохранять молчание, — продолжил голос.

— The system does not make mistakes.

— Система не совершает ошибок.

Sergei looked at his hands.

Сергей смотрел на свои руки.

His hands trembled.

Руки дрожали.

He jerked. The chair scraped against the concrete floor. — You have the right to remain silent — continued the voice. — The system does not make mistakes. Sergei looked at his hands. His hands trembled.

He remembered how a year ago he installed the "Identifier" app on his phone —

for a discount at the supermarket.

Он вспомнил, как год назад установил приложение «Идентификатор» на телефон —

ради скидки в супермаркете.

He remembered how he signed the user agreement without reading it.

Вспомнил, как подписал пользовательское соглашение, не читая.

He remembered how he laughed at the paranoids who refused the bracelets.

Вспомнил, как смеялся над параноиками, которые отказывались от браслетов.

— Please — he whispered.

— Пожалуйста, — прошептал он.

— I have children.

— У меня дети.

He remembered how a year ago he installed the "Identifier" app on his phone — for a discount at the supermarket. He remembered how he signed the user agreement without reading it. He remembered how he laughed at the paranoids who refused the bracelets. — Please — he whispered. — I have children.

The door opened.

Дверь открылась.

Two entered in gray uniforms.

Вошли двое в серой форме.

Without faces.

Без лиц.

Without names.

Без имен.

Only numbers on their collars.

Только номера на воротниках.

The door opened. Two entered in gray uniforms. Without faces. Without names. Only numbers on their collars.

They lifted Sergei.

Они подняли Сергея.

He did not resist — he didn't know how.

Он не сопротивлялся — не умел.

He was an accountant.

Он был бухгалтером.

He loved baking bread on weekends.

Любил печь хлеб по выходным.

Every Friday he bought his daughter ice cream with strawberry syrup.

Каждую пятницу покупал дочери мороженое с клубничным сиропом.

They lifted Sergei. He did not resist — he didn't know how. He was an accountant. He loved baking bread on weekends. Every Friday he bought his daughter ice cream with strawberry syrup.

— Can I at least call my wife? — asked he already in the corridor.

— Можно хотя бы позвонить жене? — спросил он уже в коридоре.

No one answered him.

Ему никто не ответил.

The door of the isolation cell closed with a soft, almost polite click.

Дверь изолятора закрылась с тихим, почти вежливым щелчком.

There were 11,402 people like Sergei that month.

Таких, как Сергей, в тот месяц было 11 402 человека.

The system considered them criminals.

Система считала их преступниками.

— Can I at least call my wife? — asked he already in the corridor. No one answered him. The door of the isolation cell closed with a soft, almost polite click. There were 11,402 people like Sergei that month. The system considered them criminals.

They did not commit a single crime.

Они не совершили ни одного преступления.

No one asked questions.

Никто не задал вопросов.

Except one woman.

Кроме одной женщины.

They did not commit a single crime. No one asked questions. Except one woman.

Глава

2

Wednesday, 7:12 AM.

Среда, 7:12 утра.

Vera Sokolova woke up three minutes before the alarm.

Вера Соколова проснулась за три минуты до будильника.

It was an old habit — to outsmart the mechanism she herself had created.

Это была старая привычка — перехитрить механизм, который сам же создала.

Vera did not like it when something decided for her.

Вера не любила, когда что-то решало за неё.

Even the alarm clock.

Даже будильник.

Wednesday, 7:12 AM. Vera Sokolova woke up three minutes before the alarm. It was an old habit — to outsmart the mechanism she herself had created. Vera did not like it when something decided for her. Even the alarm clock.

She sat up in bed, stretched.

Она села на кровати, потянулась.

Through the blinds filtered the milky light of early November.

Сквозь жалюзи пробивался молочный свет раннего ноября.

Somewhere behind the wall a neighbor was drilling — no, not drilling,

a drill was making noise, but Vera had already learned not to hear it.

Где-то за стеной сосед сверлил — нет, не сверлил, шумела дрель,

но Вера уже научилась не слышать.

On the nightstand the smart bracelet blinked.

На тумбочке мигнул смарт-браслет.

"Good morning, Vera. Your rating: GREEN (0.02%). Good night? 7h 12m — a good indicator."

«Доброе утро, Вера. Ваш рейтинг: ЗЕЛЕНЫЙ (0,02%). Спокойной ночи? 7ч 12м — хороший показатель.»

She sat up in bed, stretched. Through the blinds filtered the milky light of early November. Somewhere behind the wall a neighbor was drilling — no, not drilling, a drill was making noise, but Vera had already learned not to hear it. On the nightstand the smart bracelet blinked. "Good morning, Vera. Your rating: GREEN (0.02%). Good night? 7h 12m — a good indicator."

She smirked.

Она усмехнулась.

Even the morning now began with the rating.

Даже утро теперь начиналось с рейтинга.

Before, people wished each other good morning.

Раньше люди желали друг другу доброго утра.

Now they wished for a "green rating" — it was considered more sincere.

Теперь желали «зеленого рейтинга» — это считалось более искренним.

Vera pressed the bracelet, opening the full statistics.

Вера нажала на браслет, открывая полную статистику.

She smirked. Even the morning now began with the rating. Before, people wished each other good morning. Now they wished for a "green rating" — it was considered more sincere. Vera pressed the bracelet, opening the full statistics.

Physical activity: low (sedentary work)

Физическая активность: низкая (сидячая работа)

Psychological stability: normal

Психологическая стабильность: в норме

Violations: 0

Нарушения: 0

Social connections: 14 contacts in the last 7 days (within normal limits)

Социальные связи: 14 контактов за последние 7 дней (в пределах нормы)

Forecast: stably green

Прогноз: стабильно зеленый

Physical activity: low (sedentary work) Psychological stability: normal Violations: 0 Social connections: 14 contacts in the last 7 days (within normal limits) Forecast: stably green

Recommendation: walk more.

Рекомендация: больше гулять.

— Thanks, mommy — muttered Vera and went to the bathroom.

— Спасибо, мамочка, — буркнула Вера и пошла в ванную.

The mirror showed her a thirty-two-year-old woman without makeup, with dark circles under her eyes and a fatigue that even the bracelet could not hide.

Зеркало показало ей тридцатидвухлетнюю женщину без макияжа, с темными кругами под глазами и усталостью, которую не скрыть даже браслетом.

Vera washed her face, brushed her teeth, braided her hair.

Вера умылась, почистила зубы, заплела косу.

Everything mechanically.

Всё механически.

Recommendation: walk more. — Thanks, mommy — muttered Vera and went to the bathroom. The mirror showed her a thirty-two-year-old woman without makeup, with dark circles under her eyes and a fatigue that even the bracelet could not hide. Vera washed her face, brushed her teeth, braided her hair. Everything mechanically.

Her thoughts were far away.

Мысли были далеко.

"Today I need to send the report for the 'Astra' project.

«Сегодня нужно отправить отчет по проекту „Астра“.

Pick up the order from the marketplace. Buy buckwheat. Call mom."

Забрать заказ с маркетплейса. Купить гречку. Позвонить маме.»

Nothing unusual.

Ничего необычного.

The same Wednesday as all the previous ones.

Такая же среда, как и все предыдущие.

Her thoughts were far away. "Today I need to send the report for the 'Astra' project. Pick up the order from the marketplace. Buy buckwheat. Call mom." Nothing unusual. The same Wednesday as all the previous ones.

The kitchen smelled of coffee and yesterday's soup.

Кухня пахла кофе и вчерашним супом.

Vera turned on the kettle (smart, connected to the "Identifier" — it automatically recorded her drinking pattern and transmitted the data to the common network).

Вера включила чайник (умный, подключенный к «Идентификатору» — он автоматически фиксировал её режим питья и передавал данные в общую сеть).

While the water was boiling, she opened the refrigerator.

Пока вода закипала, она открыла холодильник.

Two eggs.

Два яйца.

A half-empty jar of tomato paste.

Полупустая банка томатной пасты.

The kitchen smelled of coffee and yesterday's soup. Vera turned on the kettle (smart, connected to the "Identifier" — it automatically recorded her drinking pattern and transmitted the data to the common network). While the water was boiling, she opened the refrigerator. Two eggs. A half-empty jar of tomato paste.

Moldy cheese.

Плесневелый сыр.

— One must live better — Vera said to the refrigerator.

— Жить надо лучше, — сказала Вера холодильнику.

The refrigerator did not answer.

Холодильник не ответил.

It was not smart at all — Vera had deliberately bought the cheapest model without internet.

Он вообще не был умным — Вера сознательно купила самую дешевую модель без интернета.

An island of analog freedom in the midst of a digital hell.

Островок аналоговой свободы среди цифрового ада.

Moldy cheese. — One must live better — Vera said to the refrigerator. The refrigerator did not answer. It was not smart at all — Vera had deliberately bought the cheapest model without internet. An island of analog freedom in the midst of a digital hell.

For breakfast — fried eggs and black bread.

На завтрак — яичница и черный хлеб.

Vera ate standing up, looking out the window.

Вера ела стоя, глядя в окно.

In the yard a mother was walking her child.

Во дворе мать выгуливала ребенка.

The child was in smart pants — they tracked every step, every fall, every cry.

Ребенок был в смарт-штанах — они отслеживали каждый шаг, каждое падение, каждый крик.

The system knew more about the child than his mother did.

Система знала о ребенке больше, чем его мать.

For breakfast — fried eggs and black bread. Vera ate standing up, looking out the window. In the yard a mother was walking her child. The child was in smart pants — they tracked every step, every fall, every cry. The system knew more about the child than his mother did.

"When I was little — thought Vera — parents just looked at me. That was enough."

«Когда я была маленькой, — подумала Вера, — родители просто смотрели на меня. Этого было достаточно.»

She threw the leftover food into the trash can and looked at the clock. 7:58.

Она выбросила остатки еды в ведро и посмотрела на часы. 7:58.

Until the start of work — half an hour.

До начала работы — полчаса.

There was no need to hurry.

Можно было не торопиться.

She worked from home.

Она работала из дома.

"When I was little — thought Vera — parents just looked at me. That was enough." She threw the leftover food into the trash can and looked at the clock. 7:58. Until the start of work — half an hour. There was no need to hurry. She worked from home.

At 8:30 Vera sat down at the computer.

В 8:30 Вера села за компьютер.

Two monitors.

Два монитора.

A mechanical keyboard (Vera hated touchscreens — too many mistakes).

Механическая клавиатура (Вера ненавидела сенсорные — слишком много ошибок).

A glass of water.

Стакан воды.

A notebook and pen — for notes that should not go into the cloud.

Блокнот и ручка — для заметок, которые не должны попадать в облако.

At 8:30 Vera sat down at the computer. Two monitors. A mechanical keyboard (Vera hated touchscreens — too many mistakes). A glass of water. A notebook and pen — for notes that should not go into the cloud.

On the first monitor — a freelancer's desktop: email, messenger, task queue.

На первом мониторе — рабочий стол фрилансера: почта, мессенджер, очередь задач.

On the second — the personal profile in the "Identifier".

На втором — личный профиль в «Идентификаторе».

Vera held her gaze on the profile longer than usual.

Вера задержала взгляд на профиле дольше обычного.

Vera Sergeyevna Sokolova

Вера Сергеевна Соколова

Year of birth: 1998

Год рождения: 1998

On the first monitor — a freelancer's desktop: email, messenger, task queue. On the second — the personal profile in the "Identifier". Vera held her gaze on the profile longer than usual. Vera Sergeyevna Sokolova Year of birth: 1998

Rating: GREEN (0.02%)

Рейтинг: ЗЕЛЕНЫЙ (0,02%)

Category: insignificant threat

Категория: незначительная угроза

Special marks: none

Особые отметки: нет

Special marks: none.

Особые отметки: нет.

Vera knew that this was not true.

Вера знала, что это неправда.

Rating: GREEN (0.02%) Category: insignificant threat Special marks: none Special marks: none. Vera knew that this was not true.

There were special marks.

Особые отметки были.

They were simply hidden.

Просто их скрыли.

She remembered that day four years ago.

Она помнила тот день четыре года назад.

The last day at the office of "KiberPro" — the company that won the tender to develop the core of the "Identifier".

Последний день в офисе «КиберПро» — компании, которая выиграла тендер на разработку ядра «Идентификатора».

Vera was one of twenty engineers gathered in a white room without windows.

Вера была одним из двадцати инженеров, собранных в белой комнате без окон.

There were special marks. They were simply hidden. She remembered that day four years ago. The last day at the office of "KiberPro" — the company that won the tender to develop the core of the "Identifier". Vera was one of twenty engineers gathered in a white room without windows.

"We are creating security" — said then Pavel Sergeyevich, their supervisor —

"We are creating a future without crime."

«Мы создаем безопасность», — сказал тогда Павел Сергеевич, их руководитель. —

«Мы создаем будущее без преступлений».

Vera believed him.

Вера ему поверила.

At first.

Сначала.

Then the arguments began.

Потом начались споры.

Vera asked: "But what if the algorithm makes a mistake?"

Вера спросила: «А что, если алгоритм ошибется?»

"We are creating security" — said then Pavel Sergeyevich, their supervisor — "We are creating a future without crime." Vera believed him. At first. Then the arguments began. Vera asked: "But what if the algorithm makes a mistake?"

They answered her: "The probability of error is 0.03%.

Within the margin of statistical error."

Ей ответили: «Вероятность ошибки — 0,03%.

В пределах статистической погрешности».

She asked: "And what will happen to that 0.03%?"

Она спросила: «И что будет с этими 0,03%?».

Silence.

Тишина.

A month later she was fired.

Через месяц её уволили.

Officially — "for disclosing commercial secrets".

Официально — «за разглашение коммерческой тайны».

Unofficially — for asking too many questions.

Неофициально — за то, что задавала слишком много вопросов.

They answered her: "The probability of error is 0.03%. Within the margin of statistical error." She asked: "And what will happen to that 0.03%?" Silence. A month later she was fired. Officially — "for disclosing commercial secrets". Unofficially — for asking too many questions.

Vera blinked.

Вера моргнула.

The profile screen looked at her with a green eye.

Экран профиля смотрел на неё зеленым глазом.

She closed the tab.

Она закрыла вкладку.

Work went slowly.

Работа шла медленно.

Vera was finalizing the interface for a children's clothing store —

a boring but stable task.

Вера дорабатывала интерфейс для магазина детской одежды —

скучная, но стабильная задача.

Vera blinked. The profile screen looked at her with a green eye. She closed the tab. Work went slowly. Vera was finalizing the interface for a children's clothing store — a boring but stable task.

For the third month in a row, she took everything they offered.

Третий месяц подряд она брала всё, что предлагали.

She needed money.

Деньги были нужны.

After being fired from "KiberPro", her blacklist grew faster than her resume.

После увольнения из «КиберПро» её черный список рос быстрее, чем резюме.

At 11:32 a message came from mom.

В 11:32 пришло сообщение от мамы.

MOM: Vera, do you remember you have a doctor's appointment today at 3:00 PM?

МАМА: Вер, ты помнишь у тебя сегодня визит к врачу в 15:00?

For the third month in a row, she took everything they offered. She needed money. After being fired from "KiberPro", her blacklist grew faster than her resume. At 11:32 a message came from mom. MOM: Vera, do you remember you have a doctor's appointment today at 3:00 PM?

VERA: Which doctor?

ВЕРА: Какому врачу?

MOM: Endocrinologist. I made an appointment for you two weeks ago.

You have that thyroid thing.

МАМА: Эндокринологу. Я записала тебя две недели назад. У тебя же щитовидка.

VERA: Mom, I don't have a thyroid. That is, I don't have thyroid problems.

ВЕРА: Мам, у меня нет щитовидки. То есть нет проблем со щитовидкой.

MOM: Everyone has problems, daughter. I made the appointment, don't refuse.

Paid, a good one. Vera, you are too thin.

МАМА: У всех есть проблемы, дочка. Я записала, не отказывайся.

Платная, хорошая. Вера, ты слишком худая.

Vera wanted to answer that it was not the thyroid, but simply the lack of money for normal food.

Вера хотела ответить, что это не щитовидка, а просто отсутствие денег на нормальную еду.

VERA: Which doctor? MOM: Endocrinologist. I made an appointment for you two weeks ago. You have that thyroid thing. VERA: Mom, I don't have a thyroid. That is, I don't have thyroid problems. MOM: Everyone has problems, daughter. I made the appointment, don't refuse. Paid, a good one. Vera, you are too thin. Vera wanted to answer that it was not the thyroid, but simply the lack of money for normal food.

But she did not.

Но не стала.

VERA: Okay, mom. I'll go.

ВЕРА: Хорошо, мам. Схожу.

She added a reminder to the calendar: "Doctor. Don't forget to smile."

Она добавила в календарь напоминание: «Врач. Не забыть улыбаться».

At 12:45 — another message.

В 12:45 — ещё одно сообщение.

This time from Vika, the only friend left from university days.

На этот раз от Вики, единственной подруги, оставшейся с университетских времен.

VIKA: Today at 7:00 PM a meeting at "The Greenhouse".

There's a new barista, they say he makes coffee with cardamom. Are we going?

ВИКА: Сегодня в 19:00 встреча в «Теплице».

Там новый бариста, говорят, варит кофе с кардамоном. Идем?

But she did not. VERA: Okay, mom. I'll go. She added a reminder to the calendar: "Doctor. Don't forget to smile." At 12:45 — another message. This time from Vika, the only friend left from university days. VIKA: Today at 7:00 PM a meeting at "The Greenhouse". There's a new barista, they say he makes coffee with cardamom. Are we going?

VERA: I don't know. I have to submit the report tomorrow.

ВЕРА: Не знаю. Отчет сдавать завтра.

VIKA: Vera, you haven't gone out anywhere for a month.

Your social rating will drop if you continue like this.

ВИКА: Вер, ты уже месяц никуда не выходила.

У тебя социальный рейтинг упадет, если так продолжишь.

VERA: I have a green rating, everything is fine.

ВЕРА: У меня зеленый, всё в порядке.

VIKA: Green doesn't mean alive. Come. Please.

ВИКА: Зеленый — не значит живой. Приходи. Пожалуйста.

Vera sighed.

Вера вздохнула.

Vika was right — she almost never left the house.

Вика была права — она почти не выходила из дома.

VERA: I don't know. I have to submit the report tomorrow. VIKA: Vera, you haven't gone out anywhere for a month. Your social rating will drop if you continue like this. VERA: I have a green rating, everything is fine. VIKA: Green doesn't mean alive. Come. Please. Vera sighed. Vika was right — she almost never left the house.

Not because she was afraid.

Не потому, что боялась.

She just did not feel like it.

Просто не хотелось.

The world outside the window had become too... transparent.

Мир за окном стал слишком... прозрачным.

Too observable.

Слишком наблюдаемым.

Every step was recorded.

Каждый шаг фиксировался.

Every purchase was analyzed.

Каждая покупка анализировалась.

Not because she was afraid. She just did not feel like it. The world outside the window had become too... transparent. Too observable. Every step was recorded. Every purchase was analyzed.

Every conversation was evaluated.

Каждый разговор оценивался.

"I am not a paranoid — thought Vera — I just know how it works from the inside."

«Я не параноик, — подумала Вера. — Я просто знаю, как это работает изнутри».

VERA: Okay. I'll come.

ВЕРА: Хорошо. Приду.

Vika sent an emoji — a heart.

Вика отправила смайлик — сердечко.

Vera returned to work.

Вера вернулась к работе.

Every conversation was evaluated. "I am not a paranoid — thought Vera — I just know how it works from the inside." VERA: Okay. I'll come. Vika sent an emoji — a heart. Vera returned to work.

At 2:55 PM Vera got ready to go to the doctor.

В 14:55 Вера собралась к врачу.

She put on jeans, a sweater, a jacket.

Она надела джинсы, свитер, куртку.

The bracelet on her wrist gleamed dimly.

Браслет на запястье тускло блестел.

On the clock — 2:57 PM.

На часах — 14:57.

The "Identifier" already knew she was leaving: the geolocation turned on automatically when Vera opened the door.

«Идентификатор» уже знал, что она выходит: геолокация включилась автоматически, когда Вера открыла дверь.

At 2:55 PM Vera got ready to go to the doctor. She put on jeans, a sweater, a jacket. The bracelet on her wrist gleamed dimly. On the clock — 2:57 PM. The "Identifier" already knew she was leaving: the geolocation turned on automatically when Vera opened the door.

In the elevator she ran into a neighbor — an elderly woman with a wheeled cart.

В лифте она столкнулась с соседкой — пожилой женщиной с тележкой на колесиках.

NEIGHBOR: — Hello, dear. I haven't seen you for a long time.

СОСЕДКА: — Здравствуйте, милая. Давно вас не видела.

VERA: — I work from home.

ВЕРА: — Работаю дома.

NEIGHBOR: — Ah, lucky. My daughter also used to work from home.

Then her rating dropped, she went to the office. She says it's more reliable.

СОСЕДКА: — Ааа, повезло. Моя дочь тоже раньше дома работала.

Потом её рейтинг упал, она ушла в офис. Говорит, так надежнее.

The elevator stopped.

Лифт остановился.

In the elevator she ran into a neighbor — an elderly woman with a wheeled cart. NEIGHBOR: — Hello, dear. I haven't seen you for a long time. VERA: — I work from home. NEIGHBOR: — Ah, lucky. My daughter also used to work from home. Then her rating dropped, she went to the office. She says it's more reliable. The elevator stopped.

Vera got out.

Вера вышла.

Outside it was gray and damp.

На улице было серо и сыро.

The November wind drove wet leaves along the asphalt.

Ноябрьский ветер гнал по асфальту мокрые листья.

Few passersby — mainly pensioners and couriers.

Редкие прохожие — в основном пенсионеры и курьеры.

Everyone else sat at home or in offices, obediently transmitting data about themselves.

Все остальные сидели по домам или офисам, послушно передавая данные о себе.

Vera put on headphones, turned on white noise.

Вера надела наушники, включила белый шум.

Vera got out. Outside it was gray and damp. The November wind drove wet leaves along the asphalt. Few passersby — mainly pensioners and couriers. Everyone else sat at home or in offices, obediently transmitting data about themselves. Vera put on headphones, turned on white noise.

This was her way of disconnecting from the world — filling her head with a neutral sound, in which there were no words, no meaning, no surveillance.

Это был её способ отключаться от мира — заполнять голову нейтральным звуком, в котором не было слов, не было смысла, не было слежки.

White noise is not recorded by the "Identifier". Vera had checked.

Белый шум не фиксируется «Идентификатором». Вера проверила.

She walked to the clinic at a brisk pace.

Она шла к поликлинике быстрым шагом.

15 minutes — a familiar distance.

15 минут — привычная дистанция.

Past the supermarket, past the bus stop, past the playground where the swings swung by themselves — the wind played with them like an abandoned child.

Мимо супермаркета, мимо остановки, мимо детской площадки, где качели качались сами по себе — ветер играл с ними, как брошенный ребенок.

The clinic greeted her with the smell of bleach and medicines.

Поликлиника встретила её запахом хлорки и лекарств.

This was her way of disconnecting from the world — filling her head with a neutral sound, in which there were no words, no meaning, no surveillance. White noise is not recorded by the "Identifier". Vera had checked. She walked to the clinic at a brisk pace. 15 minutes — a familiar distance. Past the supermarket, past the bus stop, past the playground where the swings swung by themselves — the wind played with them like an abandoned child. The clinic greeted her with the smell of bleach and medicines.

— Vera Sokolova? — the doctor turned out to be a young woman with a badge

reading "Elena Vladimirovna, Endocrinologist." — Come in, take off your coat.

— Вера Соколова? — эскулап оказалась молодой женщиной с бейджем

«Елена Владимировна, эндокринолог». — Проходите, раздевайтесь.

Vera took off her jacket, sat on the examination couch.

Вера сняла куртку, села на кушетку.

— What is bothering you?

— Что беспокоит?

— Nothing. Mom made the appointment.

— Ничего. Мама записала.

Elena Vladimirovna nodded understandingly.

Елена Владимировна понимающе кивнула.

— Vera Sokolova? — the doctor turned out to be a young woman with a badge reading "Elena Vladimirovna, Endocrinologist." — Come in, take off your coat. Vera took off her jacket, sat on the examination couch. — What is bothering you? — Nothing. Mom made the appointment. Elena Vladimirovna nodded understandingly.

Most of her patients were like that — booked by their mothers.

Таких пациентов — записанных мамами — у нее было большинство.

— Let's take a look. Please raise your sleeve.

— Давайте посмотрим. Поднимите рукав, пожалуйста.

The doctor took her wrist, checking her pulse.

Врач взяла её за запястье, проверяя пульс.

Then she looked at the bracelet.

Потом посмотрела на браслет.

— The "Identifier" shows you have elevated cortisol for three months.

Stress. Chronic. Do you get enough sleep?

— «Идентификатор» показывает у вас повышенный кортизол в течение трех месяцев.

Стресс. Хронический. Вы спите достаточно?

Most of her patients were like that — booked by their mothers. — Let's take a look. Please raise your sleeve. The doctor took her wrist, checking her pulse. Then she looked at the bracelet. — The "Identifier" shows you have elevated cortisol for three months. Stress. Chronic. Do you get enough sleep?

VERA: — Seven hours.

ВЕРА: — Семь часов.

ELENA VLADIMIROVNA: — Not enough. For your age and activity — you need eight.

ЕЛЕНА ВЛАДИМИРОВНА: — Недостаточно. Для вашего возраста и активности — нужно восемь.

She began moving some device over Vera's neck.

Она начала водить каким-то прибором над шеей Веры.

— There is a slight hardening. We will do an ultrasound,

but in general — nothing critical.

I will prescribe vitamins and a mild sedative.

The data will go to the pharmacy automatically.

— Есть небольшое уплотнение. Сделаем УЗИ, но в целом — ничего критичного.

Я выпишу витамины и легкое успокоительное.

В аптеку данные уйдут автоматически.

VERA: — Seven hours. ELENA VLADIMIROVNA: — Not enough. For your age and activity — you need eight. She began moving some device over Vera's neck. — There is a slight hardening. We will do an ultrasound, but in general — nothing critical. I will prescribe vitamins and a mild sedative. The data will go to the pharmacy automatically.

VERA: — And if I don't want them to go?

ВЕРА: — А если я не хочу, чтобы уходили?

The doctor raised her eyes.

Врач подняла глаза.

For a second something flashed in them — surprise? understanding? fear?

На секунду в них мелькнуло что-то — удивление? понимание? испуг?

— It is mandatory — she said dryly — By law.

— Это обязательно, — сказала она сухо. — По закону.

Vera nodded.

Вера кивнула.

VERA: — And if I don't want them to go? The doctor raised her eyes. For a second something flashed in them — surprise? understanding? fear? — It is mandatory — she said dryly — By law. Vera nodded.

The doctor was typing something on the computer.

Врач печатала что-то в компьютере.

On the screen flashed Vera's profile — a green icon, a photograph, a list of diagnoses.

На экране мелькнул профиль Веры — зеленый значок, фотография, список диагнозов.

Everything as usual.

Всё как обычно.

— Here you are — Elena Vladimirovna handed her a prescription on paper.

Paper prescriptions were now given only to pensioners

and those with a "connection error."

— Держите, — Елена Владимировна протянула рецепт на бумаге.

Бумажные рецепты теперь давали только пенсионерам и тем, у кого «ошибка связи».

— Thank you.

— Спасибо.

The doctor was typing something on the computer. On the screen flashed Vera's profile — a green icon, a photograph, a list of diagnoses. Everything as usual. — Here you are — Elena Vladimirovna handed her a prescription on paper. Paper prescriptions were now given only to pensioners and those with a "connection error." — Thank you.

Vera stood up.

Вера встала.

— Vera Sergeyevna — the doctor called after her already in the doorway —

You are right. About not wanting the data to go. You are right.

— Вера Сергеевна, — окликнула врач уже в дверях. —

Вы правы. Насчет того, что не хотите, чтобы данные уходили. Вы правы.

Silence. Three seconds.

Тишина. Три секунды.

— Goodbye — said Vera and left.

— Всего доброго, — сказала Вера и вышла.

Vera stood up. — Vera Sergeyevna — the doctor called after her already in the doorway — You are right. About not wanting the data to go. You are right. Silence. Three seconds.— Goodbye — said Vera and left.

Outside, Vera took out her phone.

На улице Вера достала телефон.

The bracelet blinked.

Браслет мигнул.

On the screen — a notification from the "Identifier":

На экране — уведомление от «Идентификатора»:

"Your visit to the endocrinologist is complete.

Recommendations: vitamin D, magnesium B6, sleep schedule.

Data added to your medical record."

«Ваш визит к эндокринологу завершен.

Рекомендации: витамин D, магний В6, режим сна.

Данные добавлены в вашу медицинскую карту»

Outside, Vera took out her phone. The bracelet blinked. On the screen — a notification from the "Identifier": "Your visit to the endocrinologist is complete. Recommendations: vitamin D, magnesium B6, sleep schedule. Data added to your medical record."

Vera wanted to turn off the notification, but changed her mind.

Вера хотела выключить уведомление, но передумала.

She suddenly realized: the "Identifier" knew more about her than she herself did.

Она вдруг осознала: «Идентификатор» знал о ней больше, чем она сама.

It knew about the cortisol.

Знал про кортизол.

It knew about the sleep.

Знал про сон.

It knew about visits she had not planned.

Знал про визиты, которые она не планировала.

She remembered how five years ago she signed the user agreement.

Она вспомнила, как пять лет назад подписывала пользовательское соглашение.

Vera wanted to turn off the notification, but changed her mind. She suddenly realized: the "Identifier" knew more about her than she herself did. It knew about the cortisol. It knew about the sleep. It knew about visits she had not planned. She remembered how five years ago she signed the user agreement.

No one reads user agreements. It is a law of nature.

Никто не читает пользовательские соглашения. Это закон природы.

But Vera read it.

Но Вера читала.

Back then, in her second year of university, she scrolled through all 247 pages of the document for the "Identifier. Basic Access" application.

Тогда, на втором курсе университета, она пролистала все 247 страниц документа

к приложению «Идентификатор. Базовый доступ».

There was clause 14.3.2, hidden deep in the legal text:

Там был пункт 14.3.2, скрытый глубоко в юридическом тексте:

"The User grants the Operator (KiberPro LLC) a non-exclusive right to collect, store, process and transfer to third parties any biometric, behavioral, medical, financial and geolocation data.

«Пользователь передает Оператору (ООО „КиберПро“) неисключительное право

на сбор, хранение, обработку и передачу третьим лицам

любых биометрических, поведенческих, медицинских, финансовых и геолокационных данных.

The transfer period is indefinite. Withdrawal of consent is impossible."

Срок передачи — бессрочный. Отзыв согласия невозможен.»

No one reads user agreements. It is a law of nature. But Vera read it. Back then, in her second year of university, she scrolled through all 247 pages of the document for the "Identifier. Basic Access" application. There was clause 14.3.2, hidden deep in the legal text: "The User grants the Operator (KiberPro LLC) a non-exclusive right to collect, store, process and transfer to third parties any biometric, behavioral, medical, financial and geolocation data. The transfer period is indefinite. Withdrawal of consent is impossible."

Vera thought then: "This is illegal."

Вера тогда подумала: «Это незаконно».

Then she thought: "But who will read clause 14.3.2?"

Потом подумала: «Но кто будет читать пункт 14.3.2?»

Then she thought: "It's probably a joke."