Binary code: Mystery number one - стр. 35

Rutra looked at him questioningly, but he was not confused, nodded, and, after quickly reviewing the entire report, asked about the numbers that interested him because of their inconsistencies with START-3.

– Please explain the following point," Rutra began his question in English. – You said that the United States has 760 deployed nuclear warhead carriers, while Russia has 523.

– Yes, it turns out so. I note that this is according to the US State Department.

– And you said that Washington is satisfied with the way START-3 is being implemented.

– Yes, such a statement was made.

Yuri Vasilyevich stepped lightly on Rutra's heel. Rutra took the hint and said:

– Thank you, I'm all set.

– Any other questions? – asked a representative of the Presidential Administration.

Everyone was silent.

– Since there are no questions, I suggest that we work through the program to clarify data, extent, and prospects for implementation before the next meeting, which will be in six months. Notification will be sent out in advance.

– Invite a representative of the U.S. State Department to the next meeting," Yury Vasilyevich suggested unexpectedly.

– Put it in the minutes," a representative of the Presidential Administration pointed to someone. – Any other suggestions, questions?

Everyone was silent.

– I declare this regular meeting adjourned. Thank you, goodbye! – said the representative of the Presidential Administration.

– Goodbye! Goodbye! – came from the speakers.

The monitor turned off.

– Now that's the time to check out all these organizations.

– The State Department, too? – Rutra asked, smiling.

– Also," Vasilievich replied seriously.

Chapter 7.

The Doomsday Problem

Rutra became increasingly aware that the true purpose of their organization was, to put it mildly, a little different. After the assertion of the U.S. State Department vetting, this became clear. "So who will be vetting him? In what role?" – Rutra asked himself.

Vasilievich noticed this and gestured him to the corridor. They silently went there, then went into the elevator and, having gone down, came out at a small dark station. It wasn't a station as such; there were no tracks, tunnels, or locomotive cars. It was a large room with dim lighting; there was a single sliding iron door on the opposite wall from the elevator. Beside this door was a small bench on which they sat down.

Vasilievich smoked occasionally, very high quality rare cigarettes. Now he took out a cigarette. Rutra did not smoke, but he could afford to smoke "very high quality, rare cigarettes," as he put it, "once every five years," so he did not refuse the chief's offer. After the second puff, Vasilievich began the conversation in the tone of a veteran who had lived a long life: