For eight generations, life in Grubbys has been subject to the Code of Ethics. No flesh and blood rulers. The body of every citizen contains a regulatory instrument of the Code - cryptomatter, which is also responsible for the mental integrity of the individual. Any act is displayed in the quarterly report card of sins. If you receive a negative balance, prepare for the Purification procedure and welcome to the caste of the changed. You will lose your undeserved individuality, but will remain an efficient member of society. Service of the issued License is the basis of the life of a citizen of Grubbis. Useless drones are being purged. Carter is not a drone, he is the holder of a new Crisis Cop License - Collapser. The city is flooded with an unstudied drug that temporarily blocks cryptomatter without degrading the mind. Carter's task is to root out violators until the Code is updated. The trouble is that no one knows when this will happen.