All at once

– Increase power! – he commanded.

– Time to shut down? – Pavel Yushkov clarified. – It’s ringing! Eduard Yuryevich, we have enough data. Something’s wrong!

– Pasha! – Eduard Yuryevich shouted. – Increase power! I know it’s close… increase!

Pavel swallowed nervously and obediently flipped switches, boosting turbine power…

The accelerator vibrated faintly; the ringing became a hum.

– More! – the professor demanded. – Pasha, more! One unit up. Now! I feel it… Pasha, increase! Come on!

Pavel glanced fearfully at the turbine sensors – glowing bright red… “Overheating.” He wiped his sweaty face with his lab coat sleeve. Looked again – horrified… now all sensors blinked… “Emergency.”

– Pasha, increase another unit! – Eduard Yuryevich yelled over the turbine’s roar. – Come on, increase!

– Pavel Konstantinovich, we’ll blow up! It’ll kill us all! Don’t listen to him, shut it down! – terrified scientists monitoring results cried.

Eduard Yuryevich stared wildly – first at the large digital clock near the accelerator, then at the device itself… He realized in minutes, he’d have to shut down engines and turbine.

Time was running out, yet the desired result eluded him! He rushed to Pavel’s console and flipped all switches – three notches up!

– Don’t touch anything! – he shouted feverishly. – Don’t dare! Hands off the console!

Pavel stared terrified, not recognizing his mentor… Before him stood not the teacher he’d revered for years, but a madman with manic tendencies! Pavel was too stunned and scared to move, barely breathing. In shock, he didn’t notice the accelerator stop humming and vibrating…

He only snapped to when Eduard Yuryevich screamed in astonishment:

– Pasha, Pasha, look! It worked! I told you! It worked!

Pavel looked at the accelerator – stunned…

He couldn’t believe his eyes.

– What is that? – he barely whispered.

– What we strived for! – Eduard Yuryevich gasped excitedly. – Dark matter! Pasha, it’s a piece of the universe! The greatest cosmic mystery! We did it! Did it! They didn’t lie…

All institute staff watched the accelerator, mesmerized. It rotated slowly; around it, something formed and grew…

Like bright green smoke. It expanded smoothly around the accelerator, shimmering dirty gold with crimson flashes. Then slowed, becoming transparent as glass. Then stopped completely, covered in a mirror-like surface reflecting everything.

– Impossible! – Pavel gaped. – It worked?

– Yes! – Eduard Yuryevich replied proudly. – It worked! Did you doubt me, Pasha? Think I’m insane? No! I’m a scientist! No great victory without risk, Pasha. We must act. Decisively! Only that way. Pasha, my friend, forgive me… I lied to you… I never called Moscow… No one would’ve permitted cutting… city power. Absolutely forbidden! But we needed the energy! I risked it… lied! Called the power plant, asked a favor… Said it was secret, no calls needed… I’m respected; they agreed quickly!

– Lied to me too! – Pavel whispered bitterly.

– Pasha, a necessary lie! – Eduard Yuryevich shouted defensively. – What choice did I have? Thanks to my lie, we achieved what we sought for years! They told me it would work… And they were right!

– Who? Who told you?

– Pasha, irrelevant! We did it! Just needed more energy… that’s all!

– Eduard Yuryevich, I don’t know who told you what… But you broke the law! The KGB will jail you! Or shoot you! And me too… What have you done? How? Why? This was forbidden. It’s sabotage! Treason! God knows what else they’ll charge us with… Horror! Why? The city couldn’t lose power! What if intruders entered? Nightmare! We’re doomed…

– Pasha, Pasha, don’t panic! Calm down! Our government will *reward* us for today! Forgive all sins… We’re heroes, Pasha, heroes! Not criminals!

– I doubt it! – Pavel said dejectedly. – Maybe rewarded first, jailed later!

– Pasha, don’t fear! I’ll say you knew nothing… take all blame!

– Eduard Yuryevich, under torture, *everyone* confesses!

– Pasha, I beg you, what—

Their talk was cut by a sudden, rising sound. Like an electrical whistle and crackle. It grew louder… Evoking fear and sharp headaches. Scientists covered their ears – useless. The sound was deafening! They tried fleeing… But standing, they collapsed paralyzed. Seized by convulsions. They screamed and writhed… blood flowed from eyes, ears, noses.

The accelerator stopped rotating. Green smoke around it froze mid-air… The sound ceased.

Seconds later, a deafening *crack* echoed… A shockwave vibrated through the entire city!

The Next Morning

08:00, December 3, 1983

Office of KGB Border Troops Captain Pyotr Orlov

The phone rang. Captain Orlov answered:

– Orlov here!

– Comrade Captain, permission to report! Duty Officer Vasilyev! – a crisp voice came through.

– Permission granted! Report!

– Observation towers one through six: no incidents. Checkpoint of the V.I. Lenin Institute of Nuclear Physics: no incidents. GAI traffic post: no incidents. At 06:30, patrol detained one intoxicated citizen… nonviolent! Given a warning and driven home. No other incidents in the city!

– Any requests or complaints from personnel?

– None! – Vasilyev reported.

– Understood! Report anything immediately! You know!

– Yes, Comrade Captain! – Vasilyev answered loudly. Serving the Soviet Union!

– At ease! – Orlov hung up and… paused. Something felt off…

Unease lingered. Strange! Like he’d meant to do something… What? He couldn’t recall! He checked his planner, flipped through duty logs… all normal. All fine!

Orlov sighed deeply, held his breath, slowly exhaled…

The Next Morning

08:00, December 3, 1983

Office of KGB Border Troops Captain Pyotr Orlov

The phone rang incessantly…

Orlov mechanically answered:

– Listening!

– Comrade Captain, permission to report! Duty Officer Vasilyev! – a crisp voice came through.

– Permission granted! Report!

– Observation towers one through six: no incidents…

– Stop! Halt! – Orlov blurted suddenly.

– Something wrong, Comrade Captain? – Vasilyev asked.

– Wrong? You mocking me?

– No, Comrade Captain!

– You reported this already!

– Reported what? When?

– All of it! You just called!

– Me? Aah… – Vasilyev hesitated.

– Stop mumbling! – Orlov grew nervous.

– I didn’t call you, Comrade Captain! I just came on duty!

– Meaning?

– Literally! Took over shift, calling to report!

Orlov stayed silent… His heart pounded so loudly he heard it. Thoughts tangled, breathing grew heavy. Anxiety mounted…

– What’s happening? What’s wrong with me? – he mentally asked.

– Comrade Captain, hello? You hear me? – Vasilyev panicked into the phone.

– Stop yelling! – Orlov snapped. – I hear you!

– Sorry, my voice is just loud, not yelling. You were silent, I thought—

– Oh, his voice is loud… – Orlov interrupted. – Vasilyev? You *are* Vasilyev?

– Yes, Vasilyev!

– Didn’t you have duty yesterday?

– No, Comrade Captain! Rybakov was on yesterday! I came on at 07:30!

– You sure? – Orlov asked skeptically.

– Yes, sure!

– Strange!

– What?

– Nothing… Tell me, Vasilyev, yesterday or the day before, did patrol detain any drunk citizens?

– No, Comrade Captain!

– Sure?

– Yes, sure! All incidents strictly logged. None yesterday! But today… you didn’t let me finish. Today they detained—

– At 06:30? – Orlov interrupted.

– Exactly! – Vasilyev said, puzzled. – How did you know?

Orlov broke into a sweat… heart raced faster…

– Hello? Comrade Captain… Hello! – Vasilyev persisted.

– Vasilyev, stop shredding your throat… with that loud voice! I hear you fine. Knew it… part of the job! Got it?

– Yes, got it. – Vasilyev mumbled, confused.

– All right, report accepted! Call if incidents occur!

– Serving the Soviet Union!

– At ease!

Orlov hung up, stood, and walked to the window. Bright sunlight blinded him… He closed his eyes, gathering thoughts… Trying to comprehend. Reasoning:

– This must have a logical explanation! How do I know what I can’t know? What’s happening? Has this happened before? Nonsense! Can’t be!

Chest tight… hard to breathe… Am I sick? What’s wrong?

At the Same Time08:00, December 3, 1983Apartment of Andrei Maltsev

– Andrei, get up, we’re leaving! – Lyuba shouted, closing the door. Andrei opened one eye, barely replying as the door slammed… Squinting at sunlight, he sat up slowly. Suddenly, he stood abruptly and marched to the kitchen wall with the tear-off calendar… Ripped off yesterday’s page, waited anxiously a few seconds. Then sighed deeply and opened the kitchen table drawer…

Among many torn pages, two identical ones lay neatly on top – both for December 2nd! In his hand, he held a third! Exhaling, Andrei slowly retrieved the two pages and sat at the table. Placed all three there… Studied, compared, scrutinized them… Then stood, threw *all* drawer pages into the trash. Carefully placed only December 2nd pages into the now-empty drawer. Andrei stood motionless, silent for minutes. Thinking… Many dark thoughts flooded his mind!

To distract himself, he decided to make breakfast. Thinking’s easier on a full stomach! And time for work.

Later That Day13:35, December 3, 1983Cafeteria, Timber Processing Plant

Andrei Maltsev and his workmate Viktor ate lunch.

– Great soup today! Awesome! – Viktor chewed admiringly.

– Yeah… – Andrei muttered thoughtfully.

– Glad I got seconds. Skipping main course. Better enjoy soup. This borscht… – Viktor moaned with pleasure.

– Where’ll you celebrate New Year? As usual? – Viktor asked.

– Yeah, – Andrei said automatically. Finishing his compot, added:

– Finished? Time to load planks! They won’t load themselves!

– Hmm… let’s go! – Viktor said, surprised. – Took the words right out of my mouth!

At the Same Time

13:35, December 3, 1983

Office of KGB Border Troops Captain Pyotr Orlov

Orlov called the duty officer. Asked about the city. Vasilyev reported all calm! With one exception…

Since morning, more people than usual sought medical help… Complaints: Persistent headache, weakness, dizziness, rapid heartbeat.

– Understood! – said Orlov. – Call immediately if worsening!

– Yes, Comrade Captain!

– At ease!

After minutes of thought, Orlov called the checkpoint where his driver, Sergeant Smirnov, waited. Told him to warm up the UAZ jeep and wait at HQ gates. Ten minutes later, they drove to City Clinic. Upon arrival, the chief physician assured Orlov no panic! Seasonal, she said… Bodies reacting to weather changes. Magnetic storms likely… Sun abnormally bright for early December. Though she noted patients with such symptoms weren’t unprecedented, *this* volume was unrecalled. Still, she promised no cause for panic! To update Orlov if things worsened.

The UAZ moved slowly down the frozen road…

Orlov gazed out the window, thinking:

– Something *must* happen! What? He didn’t understand his premonitions… Why? Depressing…

Anxiety grew…

That Evening

19:50, December 3, 1983

Apartment of Andrei Maltsev

Andrei and Lyuba were in the kitchen. He picked at his soup; she watched adoringly. Lights off; only kitchen lit. Children asleep…

Andrei and Lyuba whispered quietly.

– How was your day? Tired? – Lyuba asked. – No appetite?

– Huh? No! I just… – Andrei hesitated.

– What’s wrong?

– With me?

– Yes! You! Something at work? Tell me!

– Work… fine… Lyuba, ever had déjà vu?

– What’s that?

– Déjà vu. When you feel a situation’s happened before! Understand? Ever felt that?

– Hmm… dunno… – she pondered. – Can’t recall… why?

– Nothing. Just asked! Andrei didn’t want to scare Lyuba. He needed to figure this out alone!

– Maybe just tired? – Lyuba stroked his shoulder. – Eat, then sleep! Morning will fix everything! Your déjà vu and all! – She rose, kissed his cheek.

Andrei smiled.

– By the way… – Lyuba remembered. – Our Seryozha got an A in math today! And Masha…

Kitchen lights died. Fridge silenced…

Andrei sat frozen, fear paralyzing him. Muscles numb. He couldn’t move… Blood trickled from his nose…

19:50, December 3, 1983

Office of KGB Border Troops Captain Pyotr Orlov

Captain Orlov sat at his desk, writing briskly in the duty log…

He paused, lost in thought. Anxiety wouldn’t release him… Sighing heavily, he resumed writing.

Then picked up the phone to call Moscow with his daily report. Dead silence… Orlov grew seriously alarmed. Government line dead? Unprecedented! Dizziness hit. Hard to breathe…

Slightly calmer, he called the duty officer, ordering signalmen to fix intercity lines immediately.

Orlov rose, paced his office. Heart pained terribly; sweat broke out…

He slapped his cheeks hard. – *Snap out of it! Soviet officer! Come on… Need to go home. Just overworked! Plus these… magnetic storms! Home! Urgently home, sleep!*

He froze. A wave of fear and panic washed over him…

With sudden horror, he realized – he couldn’t remember… didn’t know where he lived! Remembered nothing!

Heart clenched his chest… Lump in throat… Gasping, he barely managed:

– What’s wrong with me?

Suddenly, the office darkened further…

Orlov looked out the window.

Streetlights off. Nearby houses dark too.

Staggering, he approached his desk, grabbed the phone to call the duty officer…

Drops of blood, one by one, hit the phone…

He wiped his nose. Blood on hand.

– What?.. – he barely uttered before losing consciousness.

The Next Morning

08:00, December 3, 1983

Office of KGB Border Troops Captain Pyotr Orlov

The phone rang like mad…

Orlov sat at his desk, empty gaze fixed ahead…

Weakness throughout his body, fog in his head…

Slowly, trembling hand lifted the receiver:

– Orlov… – he barely moved his lips.

– Comrade Captain, permission to report. Duty Officer Vasilyev.

– Ah… Vasilyev! Again? Report. Drunk detained… driven home… What else?

– Aah… – Vasilyev clearly bewildered, stumbled verbally. Didn’t know what to say. His brain’s regulations short-circuited… He was used to Captain Orlov always alert, by-the-book! Serious!

But here… someone mumbled! Drunk? Vasilyev thought. Though Orlov never drank… Why talk like this? How did he know about the detained citizen? Strange!

– Well… – said Orlov. – Understood… Silence, I manage alone! Report accepted! Goodbye. At ease!

He hung up.

– There! – he muttered. – How do I know all this? My head… my state… What’s wrong? Must see Klavdia Vasilyevna… she’ll help! Give pills…

He rubbed his face, slapped his cheeks to compose himself. Then, gritting teeth, stood and staggered to the medical unit.

Knocked… No answer. Opened the door sharply, entered.

– Klavdia Vasilyevna, may I? – he asked, closing the door.

– Yes, Petya, come in. – she replied tiredly.

Klavdia Vasilyevna sat at her desk, washing down a pill she’d just chewed.

– What’s wrong, headache? – she asked, setting down the empty glass.

– What? Yes… No! Yes! How’d you know? – Orlov sat beside her.

– Many have headaches today! That kind of day… crazy! Usually dawns late winter… But here… Sun shining since 6 AM, like summer! Pity it doesn’t warm! Hate winter!

– Agree! – Orlov smiled.

She smiled back:

– My friend from the hospital called. Said they’re swamped…

– Meaning?

– Many patients! Really many!

– Seriously?

– Yes! Said if this continues, patients’ll line corridors. Not enough beds! Symptoms all same:

Headache, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, psychosis… Horror!

– Strange! – Orlov frowned. – I was there yesterday… or… I *was* there…

– Why yesterday? I mean *today*. Yesterday was calm. This morning… chaos! She said the chief physician won’t report to authorities yet… Afraid? Dunno… Anyway, lively day! So it got you too? This madness? Headache?

– What?

– I said, did this day touch you with its madness? Headache?

– Well, yes… – Orlov smiled guiltily.

– How so? – Klavdia teased. – Invincible, mighty Captain Orlov defeated by a headache? Known you years, never saw you sick! Here… Look! Headache like all mortals! Don’t worry, I’ll give a pill, all pass… Hope! Mine hasn’t yet!

She opened her desk drawer, pulled out two pills:

– Here, take two now.

Orlov smiled, silently stared at the floor… He knew Klavdia joked, but still ashamed! Of his weakness and helplessness. Ashamed he didn’t know what was happening? Didn’t control the situation… as usual! Soviet officer, duty-bound to protect this city from any danger! Orlov didn’t know how! For that… he felt deep shame!

– Come on, take them, Petya! – Klavdia offered.

Breathing heavily, he slowly, shamefully took them, pocketed them, mumbled shyly:

– Thank you! Take later… head doesn’t hurt much.

– Well, as you wish. I’ll take another… Blood pressure’s jumping, awful!

Gathering courage, Orlov cautiously asked:

– Klavdia Vasilyevna, can someone forget where they live?

– Meaning?

– Forget! Can’t recall address, apartment layout… nothing!

– Wow! – she was surprised. – Interesting! And remembers nothing?

– Nothing at all!

– Absolutely nothing?

– Yes! Just – poof – forgot! Possible?

– Who is this?

– An acquaintance.

– What acquaintance?

– You don’t know him!

– Petya, what’s wrong? Speak!

– I… well… I say… an acquaintance forgot where he lives. Possible? How cure?

– Your… this acquaintance, drink?

– No!

– Hit his head?

– No!

Use narcotics?

– No!

– You answer confidently – ask your acquaintance?

– No need to ask, I know everything about him!

– You’re that close?

– Yes!

– Wow! – Klavdia eyed him skeptically. – I see! – she said slowly.

Orlov wished the earth would swallow him. He was a man of honor, always truthful! Yet here, forced to lie! To Klavdia Vasilyevna… someone he deeply respected!

– So, possible? How treat? – he asked, eyes down.

– Of course possible! From fatigue or severe stress. Alcohol or narcotics use. Head injury. Many reasons to lose memory. Need to see him! Can’t say without examination! Tell him to come. Tests… If we can help, we will! If complex case, send to Moscow.

– Okay, thanks. Tell him if I see him… – Orlov stood hastily. – Well, I must go… – He wanted to flee. Conscience tormented him for lying.

– Wait… – Klavdia called.

Orlov was leaving… He turned.

– You told me… about your acquaintance… And I thought… I don’t remember… how I got to work today! Probably headache. Blood pressure awful! Everything foggy…

Orlov swallowed nervously. Scared… for Klavdia! He didn’t know what to say. How to help?

Headache intensified… heartbeat, dizziness… He could barely stand! Needed to say something, support… but words failed!

He simply stared silently…

– Okay… – Klavdia breathed heavily. – I’ll lie on the couch, rest, something’s… Go Petya, go, all be fine! Don’t pity me… Don’t worry, all good… Truly! I can care for myself… Grown woman. Officer. Go!

– I… – Orlov whispered. – Visit later. Rest… Thank you! Get well!

Klavdia Vasilyevna smiled.

He quietly closed the door, slowly walked to his office. Suddenly, inspiration struck:

– Smirnov! My driver… *He* knows where I live. Tell him to drive me home! That’s it!

Energized, he entered his office, called the duty officer…

Soon, he sat in the UAZ:

– Smirnov, urgently need home! Drive me. Pick me up in two hours.

– Okay, Comrade Captain! – Smirnov said cheerfully. – Need it, must do!

The UAZ sped off but slowed after a hundred meters… Stopped roadside.

– What’s wrong? Why stop? – Orlov asked.

Smirnov sat silently, gripping the wheel, staring ahead, breathing heavily…

– Answer! Why stop?

Smirnov suddenly sniffled, cried.

– What? – Orlov asked. – What’s wrong?

– I don’t know where you live! – Smirnov sobbed. – Forgive me, Comrade Captain! I forgot… why? Forgive! I don’t remember…

He kept apologizing, weeping…

Orlov tried maintaining composure. Tried understanding. First him, then Klavdia. Now his driver, Sergeant Smirnov… All lost memory! What’s happening? What? Thoughts tangled… chest heavy… Heart felt squeezed!

– Okay… stop… – Orlov said, gathering thoughts. – All good! I’ll get home myself. Or drive me when you remember. Honestly, busy… So… Back to HQ!

Patting Smirnov’s shoulder, he calmly watched the window. Pretended all was fine. Though fear gripped his mind! Something deep in memory clawed like a wild beast to surface… Orlov felt with every cell – this memory would soon… break free, and he’d understand!

At the Same Time08:00, December 3, 1983Apartment of Andrei Maltsev

– Andrei, get up, we’re leaving! – Lyuba shouted, closing the door.

– I love you! – Andrei said suddenly.

Lyuba stopped on the threshold…

Hearing this surprised and pleased her! She thought Andrei slept.

– Love you too! – she smiled, slowly closing the door…

Andrei got out of bed, walked briskly to the kitchen. Approached the tear-off calendar…

Ripped off yesterday’s page. Opened the kitchen cabinet drawer, slowly placed it inside…

– Four… Now four! – he said, voice trembling.

Minutes passed, Andrei stood silently staring at the pages…

– What’s happening? What?

Fog in his head… thoughts tangled… He struggled to hold on! Suddenly wanted to run, hide…

Panic attacks, oxygen deprivation hindered focus… Andrei sweated profusely!

– Why does this day repeat? What’s happening? Or… am I dead?

He sat, did breathing exercises to normalize his heartbeat.

His wife taught him… Her father taught her… Before he left the family…

Calmer, Andrei decided to skip work. Dedicate time to solving… this insane day… He called his foreman:

– Hello! Sanych, Andrei Maltsev. Can’t come today. Sick, something…

– Maltsev! – the foreman yelled. – What the hell? I’m sick too! Head splitting, dizzy… But *I’m* working!

– Sanych, can’t. Sorry!

– Maltsev… Andrei heard the foreman’s angry breathing.

– You… – he spat viciously. – Anyway… if not here tomorrow, fired to hell! Got it?

– Got it!

– One day… hear? One!

Long dial tone…

– Sanych, you won’t even remember tomorrow! – Andrei hung up.

A polyglot and avid book lover, Andrei had amassed a decent library. Not just fiction… Dictionaries, reference books, scientific articles from journals.

He decided to start by studying those articles.

Then… refresh his memory by rereading favorite sci-fi stories. Soviet and foreign authors. Without delay, he got to work! Settling into the large armchair in the bedroom.

Later That Day13:45, December 3, 1983Apartment of Andrei Maltsev

Andrei reheated lunch. While eating, digested what he’d read…

Books were familiar. Rereading felt like remembering… Glancing at one word, skipping to the next. He knew these works almost by heart!

But reviving them in memory was necessary! Today, he read not for pleasure. Andrei sought clues… Sci-fi writers often predicted what later came true…

For now… Andrei decided to observe people outside. Scout the city…

Start downtown. Lived nearby…

He retrieved his old binoculars from the hallway shelf. Took a notebook and pen from the children’s room. Put everything in the bag Lyuba sewed from old pants. (He usually took it to work.)

Dressed and walked out unhurriedly.

Frost nipped cheeks and nose. Andrei rubbed and warmed them. He walked, scrutinizing everything. Passersby seemed nervous, tense, worn out and lost.

Ambulances passed frequently.