Alex Orlov is the “Russian Edmond Hamilton,” and the reason for this is not only the number of books written. Few people nowadays know how to develop a space theme like this. He is the author of purely entertaining fiction with a daringly twisted plot, designed mainly for a youth audience. The author offers readers a highly masculine version of ethics. There are no “good” and “bad” in his novels. The characters are divided into professionals and non-professionals. The first, due to the fact that they are masters and have reached this level through hard work, and therefore self-improvement, carry within themselves a strange morality - the morality of optimal action. They do not increase pain and chaos in this world in vain. The latter failed to become masters, and, therefore, they have a certain internal flaw. Ultimately, this flaw turns them into either outright scoundrels or powerless victims. From this point of view, Orlov’s skilled professional killer may turn out to be a much more accomplished, integral and moral person than a stupid, lazy, half-educated policeman... The second volume of the author’s selected works includes three cycles “Base 24”, “Armour-piercer”, “Thomas Brain” " and the dilogy "Rules of the Big Game."