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Page 312
aren't quite sure because they could never test any of the components."
"My God."
Morgan said relentlessly, "The intention was to launch the missile, let it climb to the proper altitude, then detonate in space above Omaha. It's dicey exploding a nuclear warhead over your antagonist's homeland. But if it's done properly, it fries every piece of electronic gear in the hemisphere, and, at least theoretically, you spare the lives of the people underneath. If at the same time we were blinded Soyuz moved to take over the Russian government" He shrugged. "I don't know. It still might work."
"Yes," Kellner said intently. "It would work. Soyuz would have taken over the Kremlin and we wouldn't knowwe could do nothing. We would be helpless, without command and control of our own forces." He sighed. "The President tried to warn Cherny of the plot, but Cherny stonewalled. Cherny may already have been aware of the possibility of a coup, but can't control events. Caidin lost his poise and his temper, insulted Cherny, hence defcon two."
He opened a locked drawer in his desk and withdrew a redbanded folder. "Study this. It's a file on a diving suit for work in contaminated water. It's been developed by a Canadian marine biologist named Doris Waymer. She's been fretting for twenty years about the nuclear wastes dropped into the ocean since the fifties. She claims her suit will protect a diver in a lethal environment up to half an hour. We've bought three of them for testing. The Canadian underwater team is bringing a dozen more Waymer suits."
Morgan said, "My last open water dive was five years ago."
"There really is no need for you to get into the water with the Canadians. They worry so much about sovereignty, let them exercise it. This is a Canadian operation, with the cooperation of the NSC. The President has promised Halloran full support. We'll borrow what we need from the Pentagon."

 
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