They were unusual people, debating that even if a special plan required a simulated alert, it was too dangerous because hundreds of millions could die. Their opponents calmly reasoned that the likelihood of this happening was not really that high since there was a chain of interconnected control systems. Ruthra listened to their discussions and felt increasingly alien to them. He even became afraid to tell them that he was not one of them, because they were extremely calm about the possibility of people dying up there. To those gathered, those people did not have such a high importance. Some would die, some would stay, the main thing was that life could be revived, civilization would continue, that was what their discussion boiled down to. The discussion ended with a decision not to repeat such a situation. Such an object and such a dispute? At first it surprised Rutru, but upon reflection he realized that the main staff of the center were men of science, they would not be productive if their opinions were not considered.
Everyone dispersed, Ruthra remained seated in his seat.
– What shall we say? – Yarovitovich asked, bringing additional meaning to the question.
– After conducting a preliminary investigation, I concluded that Alikhanov wanted to use the brain signal chain through his installation to the transmitter of the Pioneer command missile to guarantee a signal in the nuclear bombardment mode. In order to have full control of the situation after this fuss. I believe he was transmitting it to one of the secret control centers.
– There aren't many of them – yours, ours, Yamantau's. All the others will not be able to fully control, only locally.
Ruthra, after going over the options in his head, still decided to ask, otherwise there were still unknowns in solving such a grand equation.
– Please tell me, what is this secret organization of the ZKR?
Yarovitovich shook his head and widened his eyes. In this way he expressed his concern and dissatisfaction with something that had apparently unnerved him for a long time.
– I'm sick of these demagogues. Did it get to you? – Ruthra's head responded to the question with sudden abruptness. – They think they're true patriots, champions of blood purity and other such nonsense. If they weren't former Aquarium secret agents, I'd have had them arrested long ago. And so, they are leading by the nose, they are nowhere to be found, most likely, for diversion of eyes periodically discount information, and in reality behind it hides something else. No one can find them anywhere, only rumors.
– Did you mean the "aquarium" that's in the GRU?
– Yes, that's the one. And then there's the KGB's 13th Division.
– Serious company. Don't they keep them on permanent record until they die?
– In the 90s, the maps got a little confused, and many people just disappeared, went missing, as it were. And how it really was – it took a long time to sort out, but since there were no leaks, no one showed any sign of themselves, it was put aside in the archives, until the Ukrainian events. After them began to come the agent information, that on rumors somewhere, someone, something spoke about a certain secret order of Russian Rodnovers – ZKR. It is not so important, it is important to find out whether a duplicate of the reader of neural signals has been developed. And if yes, then where it is, how it got there; if Alikhanov tried to transmit, then somewhere it is and in an active state. Take care of this question, and at the same time the old one, decryption. Both require the presence of huge computing centers, centers for processing a colossal array of data.
– That too?
– Of course it is. What, you think this little machine can accommodate, process and convert everything in the human brain? It would take a supercomputer.
– That's what I was thinking. Then how did Alikhanov do it? So there's another component?
– It turns out, yes. This machine just scans and transmits. A supercomputer is needed to receive and process the information.
– And the one in Yamantau, will it pull it? I missed that part.
– Of course, the power, I think, is sufficient, how without it, it's a control center.
– And there's one here?
– You're such a baby. Or are you hinting? – Yarovitovich laughed.
– It's already professional," Ruthra replied guiltily.
– It's a chronic thing with all of us," the leader said with a smile. – Ruthra, pull yourself together, take a wider view of the world. I'll take care of my own. You go upstairs, if there's anything you need to check on Zero, check it with Hent, and get on with it. I know your list, check everyone, don't get confused about it now. There might be a trick we didn't think of. Otherwise we'll be looking for supercomputers and we'll miss a small but key link.
– I need to document my work, put a resolution that on this item you will conduct or it is completed here.
– I told you I'll deal with my own, but if your Hent needs a piece of paper, bring it to me, I'll sign it.
– Can I ask you a personal question?
– I'm listening.
– How long have you and Hent known each other?
– Hmm," he smiled again, shaking his head. – He and I are bastards, but we're the only two who know it.
Jarowitowicz laughed; it was clear he was joking.
– We have been through hell and heaven together. Only after going through fire, water and especially copper pipes with a person, while remaining friends, can one trust uncompromisingly. So that's how we know each other. Give him a hint, don't let him waste all the cognac, he's 50 years old after all. Come on, I'll be in my office.
They got out, and found themselves in a different world, or rather, a world that understood how fragile the real world really was. Ruthra contacted Isa in his quarters and asked him to bring him a computer and printer.
– What do you need them for? – she asked.
Ruthra wanted to be indignant. On second thought, he didn't, guessing intuitively that there must be something else behind it, because he'd asked the computer. And so it was.
– Print a record of the events.
– You still haven't learned how to use your powers, it's because you're in a hurry. If you had completed your training last time, then you would know that you don't need a printer.
– How?
– State your thoughts, pass them on to me, I will process them into a business form and send them to you. You will not be allowed to take papers or anything else out of the facility. You can print it out at Zero with my help, in the same way.
– Wow.
– Form.
Rutra lay down and began mentally "typing" the protocol, especially "whitewashing" the doctor in it. After he finished, he asked Isa:
– Did you get it?
– It's fine, I've already processed it.
– Already?
– I'll throw it to you soon, look on the TV screen, in what form it will be.
Not a minute later, the protocol appeared on the screen, Rutra read it, sent it with Isa's help to Yarovitovich, and went to him himself. Jarovitovich reviewed the protocol, signed it with an electronic signature, and "gave" it to Rutra, emphasizing his concern with the admonition.
– Don't forget the main objective. Time is against us. The most improbable things are possible. What we've played out could really happen. For real!
– Understood. I'll go," Ruthra said calmly and without excitement.
– So long.
Rutra stepped out and headed for the lab, where he was met by the doctor.
– Well? – He asked fearfully.
Ruthra nodded affirmatively.