The sum of all fears - Tom Clancy [432]
"And running away will only make it more clear to him that we are the ones who started this," Defense added.
"More clear?" Golovko asked.
"I must agree with that," Narmonov said, looking up from his chair. "I must assume now that Fowler is not rational. This communique is not well-reasoned. He is accusing us, quite explicitly."
"What is the nature of the explosion?" Golovko asked the Defense Minister.
"A weapon of that size is indeed too large for terrorists. Our studies indicate that a first- or even second-generation fission device might be achievable, but the maximum yield for such a device is certainly less than a hundred - probably less than forty kilotons. Our instruments tell us that this device was well over a hundred. That means a third-generation fission weapon, or more likely, a multi-stage fusion device. To do that is not the work of amateurs."
"So, then, who could have done it?" Narmonov asked.
Golovko looked over to his president. "I have no idea. We did uncover a possible DDK bomb project. They were producing plutonium, as you all know, but we have good reason to believe that the project never truly got underway. We've looked at ongoing projects in South America. They are not to this point, either. Israel has such capabilities, but what reason would they have to do this? Attack their own guardian? If China were to do something like this, they would more likely attack us. We have the land and resources they need, and America has much more value to them as a trading partner than as an enemy. No, for this to be a project of a nation-state means that only one of a handful has the ability to do it, and the problems of operational security are virtually insurmountable. Andrey Il'ych, if you directed KGB to do this, we probably could not. The type of individual necessary for such a mission - by that I mean the skill, intelligence, dedication - are not qualities which you find in a psychotic; murder on this scale, likely to bring about such a crisis as this, would require a diseased personality. KGB has no such people, for the obvious reason."
"So, you are telling me that you have no information, and that you can find no sensible hypothesis to explain the events of this morning?"
"That is the case, Comrade President. I wish I could report something else, but I cannot."
"What sort of advice is Fowler getting?"
"I don't know," Golovko admitted. "Secretaries Talbot and Bunker are both dead. Both were watching the football match - Defense Secretary Bunker was the owner of one of the teams, in fact. The Director of CIA is either still in Japan or on his way back from there."
"The Deputy Director is Ryan, correct?"
"That is true."
"I know him. He is not a fool."
"No, he is not, but he is also being dismissed. Fowler dislikes him, and we have learned that Ryan has been asked to resign. Therefore, I cannot say who is advising President Fowler, except for Elizabeth Elliot, the National Security Advisor, with whom our ambassador is not impressed."
"You tell me, then, that this weak, vain man is probably not getting good advice from anyone?"
"Yes."
"That explains much." Narmonov leaned back and closed his eyes. "So, I am the only one who can give him good advice, but he probably thinks I am the one who killed his city. Splendid." It was perhaps the most penetrating analysis of the night, but wrong.
PRESIDENT FOWLER:
FIRST OF ALL, I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS MATTER WITH MY MILITARY COMMANDERS AND HAVE BEEN ASSURED THAT NO SOVIET ATOMIC WARHEAD IS MISSING.
SECOND, WE HAVE MET, YOU AND I, AND I HOPE YOU KNOW THAT I WOULD NEVER HAVE GIVEN SUCH A CRIMINAL ORDER AS THIS.
THIRD, ALL OF OUR ORDERS