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Page 325
for an indefinite period, until the electronic systems components burned out by the gamma pulse could be replaced. It would completely destroy an army's command and control systems." When he saw Cherny's expression, he hastened to add, "And without a single death on the ground."
"I am moved by your delicacy of feeling, Academician Lykov," Natalya Renkova said sardonically. She had been silent to this point. Lykov looked at her, startled, his face flushing a deep scarlet.
Kalinin spoke up brusquely. "This man is dreaming. There is no such weapon as an eighty-megaton warhead in the Strategic Rocket Forces inventory."
Lykov rushed to defend Yadanov's testimony. "A thermonuclear warhead is simple to enhanceit is merely a matter of adding tritium oxide."
Cherny addressed Kalinin. "I put it to you, General, that such a warhead was, in fact, assembled and mated to a very special SSN-18 missile. When the job was completed, your leader, General Kondratiev, at that time commander of the security forces, had those who had worked on the missile, a hundred in all, arrested and sent to Camp 166 on the north coast of the island of Novaya Zemlya. All but three of those arrested died there."
Marshal Suvorov stirred in his chair. "I had nothing to do with that," he declared thickly. "I am a soldier, not a policeman."
Cherny said bitterly, "I appreciate the distinction, Suvorov, but it is a distinction without a difference. Nevertheless, there is a second company of ghosts to join those sent to Novaya Zemlya, to haunt you, and you, Admiral, and you, General Kalinin," Cherny said bitterly. "Your fellow military menthe Russian sailors of the crew of the submarine Pravda. The sole survivor will testify what happened."
Aleyev drew in his breath sharply. "The Pravda was lost at sea. There were no survivors," he declared.
"One," Natalya Renkova said in her low, carrying voice.

 
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