Chapter 53 Chapter 52

Soviet General Secretary Georgi Antonov watched Prevlov thoughtfully, puffing out puffs of smoke from his pipe. "I must say, Colonel, that I have a pessimistic view of the whole job." "We've carefully considered every avenue. There's only one way we can go," Prevlov said. "It's fraught with danger. I'm afraid Americans will never be content to have their precious pins stolen." "Once the bonbon falls into our hands, Comrade Secretary, it doesn't matter how loudly the Americans shout. We can ignore it." Antonov's fingers crossed, then loosened.A large portrait hangs behind him: "We must avoid international repercussions. We must convince the world that we have every right to do so."

"This time, the President of the United States has no choice. International law is in our favor." "This will mean the end of what is usually called détente," Antonov said with a heavy heart. "It would also mean the beginning of the end for America as a superpower." "It's a pleasant idea, Colonel, and I applaud it." His pipe was extinguished, and he lit it again, filling the room with a fragrant smoke, "but if you fail, the Americans will also able to say the same about us." "We will not fail." "Let's just say that," Antonov said. "A good lawyer handles the plaintiff's case as if it were his own. What measures are you going to take if you encounter unavoidable infidelity?"

"It must be destroyed," Prevlov said. "If we don't get it, it must not fall into the hands of the Americans." "Including the Titanic?" "Must be included. When you destroy the Titanic, you destroy the Bomber. Do it so thoroughly that they never even try to find it." Prevlov fell silent, but Antonyufu was satisfied.He had already approved the work.He studied Prevlov carefully.The colonel seemed like a man who couldn't fail.His every action, every gesture, seems to have been carefully planned in advance; even his speech has an air of confidence and foresight.Yes, Antonov is satisfied.

"When are you going to the North Atlantic?" he asked. "If you approve, Comrade Secretary, I'll be leaving immediately. A long-range reconnaissance bomber is ready at Gorky airfield. I must be on the bridge of the Mikhail Kurkov within twelve hours. .Fortunately there was a hurricane, and I was going to use its full force to divert their attention and help us take the Titanic, which seemed perfectly legal." "Then, I won't keep you." Antonov stood up and hugged Prevlov tightly like a big bear. "The hope of the Soviet Union rests on you, Colonel Prevlov. Please don't Let us down."