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Page 245
"But the risk they're running, Vincent. Is Russia as unstable as that?"
"Russia is always unstable, always has been. That's why they settle on totalitarian governments, no matter how good the revolutionaries' intentions. When a great empire disintegrates, the temblors go on for years. If they can seize Moscow, they can manage the rest."
"Can Soyuz govern?" Charlotte asked.
"Do you mean can Kondratiev and his friends form a government? With military help and some luck, yes. The military has been dissatisfied ever since the USSR dissolved. Soldiers are living in shacks and packing cases. Men who were officers and unit commanders are panhandling on the streets. But if you mean can Soyuz put together a real government and then rule Russia, the answer is no. Not even if Kondratiev plays Stalin and brings back the Terror. Cherny has built on all the hard realities of the years since the eighties. They actually are almost on the verge of some economic successthat light at the end of the tunnel people are always invoking. But paramilitary rebellions don't have futures. They succeed or fail day by day. That means every morning conspirators wake up in a desperate condition."
"I am terribly worried about Nathan," Charlotte said.
"We will do what we can, Charlotte," Kellner said grimly. "But it won't be much. Thank God he warned us. But he may pay for it. You have to be prepared for that.
"Charlotte remained silent.
Kellner returned to perusing the Russian papers. "Kondratiev doesn't surprise me. He's been a fascist for years. But Suvorov. My God, I would have expected better sense from Yevgeny Suvorov. And Kalinin. The man has just been appointed Air Defense Commander for the Moscow Military District. He has three regiments of fighter-interceptors in his command. His forces might tip the balance, if they're willing to follow Kalinin."

 
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