-I would like to draw your attention once again to the irrefutable facts and evidence of my theory!" - the short, plump middle-aged man in a worn suit continued, trying to find support in the dull, cold eyes of the people sitting at the table. He waved his short arms frantically, pacing from side to side in the spacious office, his rapid breathing mixed with wheezing and coughing, escaping from his chest, which rose with each breath. Sweat streamed down his face, obviously caused by nervous tension, but he continued his long monologue, not lowering his voice or stopping. He realized that he would never be able to convince these people and prove his point, but he didn't want to give up.
-...thus, you yourselves can understand what this might lead us to. Kvasardastan is simply suffocating!
-Just like you are now? - someone in the audience smirked, which caused a light chuckle to ripple through the room.
-Even worse than me. - the man ignored the taunt. - What is happening now is the right thing to do, but it is too hasty. I cannot prove this to you based on any data or graphs, but I assure you that the purely psychological level is often a much more weighty argument than statistics. In just a year, your program will have consequences that are deadly not only for the country itself, but for the entire continent! And you continue to modernize the armed forces, this is unacceptable! Listen, gentlemen. - the speaker pleaded, looking around the room. - You must believe me. The slightest malfunction in your "perfect mechanism" will lead to a breakdown that will simply be impossible to fix. Measures must be taken now...
-Enough. - a rough male voice interrupted the man, belonging to a tall, broad-shouldered man in his forties. He had short, neatly trimmed hair, and his dark green eyes radiated firmness and immeasurable ambition. A deep scar ran across his left cheek, from his temple to the edge of his lip, and the skin on the right side of his face was mottled and faded in places. His dry, thin lips barely moved, and his mouth was only slightly open, but despite this, his voice was full of energy, firm, and clearly audible. -We understand your point, Mr. Tarazh. And now, please leave the council meeting before the guards have to help you.
-But how? - the plump man asked in surprise, making a grimace of horror and despair on his face. -Don't you want to believe me? What I am doing is an absolute breakthrough in the field of research on the influence of human psychology on the mechanism of governing the country. In the future, this will be a highly paid profession, and now I am trying to help completely free of charge! Why don't you listen to me? - he pleaded, extending his hands to the directors. -Mr. President, I have always considered you to be an educated and reasonable man. You must, you must... - Tarazh's voice trembled, and his shoulders shook with barely suppressed sobs.
-Take him away. - Thomas said calmly. A few seconds later, the doors of the room opened, and a squad of armed guards grabbed the crying man and took him out of the room. -So, what were we talking about, gentlemen? - he turned to the others.
-It seems we touched on the developments that began during the reign of Kvasard the Great, dear. - said a well-dressed woman in her forties.
-Yes, thank you, Helga. - the president nodded. -As we have learned, Kvasard the Great was involved not only in the development of missile defense systems and a nuclear shield to protect the Temple. Recently, we began studying the underground level of the building, as well as deciphering data from his personal laboratory. And we discovered something... - Thomas paused for a moment, - something very interesting.
-Could it be a collection of personal pet killer spiders? - a young man in the far corner of the table exclaimed in surprise.
-Not quite, Arthur. - the president did not appreciate the joke. -Kvasard was developing a new generation of neutron weapons.
-Nonsense. - commented a tall, thin man with hair slicked back and a small goatee. -Everyone knows that such developments have been recognized as meaningless and ineffective in the world. The costs are too high, and the area of impact of neutron radiation is extremely small due to its rapid absorption by the atmosphere. In addition, at that time, Kvasardastan did not have sufficient technology to create even a semblance of such a weapon.
-And yet, it is a fact. - Thomas continued, handing the speaking man a thick folder with various documents. -Take a look for yourself, Adolf.
For some time, there was complete silence in the room. Only Arthur quietly tapped his fingernails on the table and hummed a song of incomprehensible content.
-Well, that's something! - Adolf whistled, continuing to study the contents of the folder. -And is all this true?
-It seems to be the case. - Thomas Stammer replied without delay. -If Kvasard had managed to complete what he started, he would have had components to create a weapon that would surpass all existing world developments in this area in terms of power and effectiveness. Apparently, his people stumbled upon this completely by chance, and they themselves did not fully understand everything.
-So, we just need to finish their work! - said the man in an expensive suit, comfortably settled in his place. It was clear that he was quite young, wearing stylish glasses, and rings with precious stones adorned the fingers of his hands, one of which held a gold cane. -We will start working on it right away, Mr. President. Our specialists will undoubtedly be able to complete this difficult task.
-Thank you, Ivan, - the director thanked Thomas, - but you know perfectly well that I will take such research under my personal control. It is necessary to conduct a thorough detailed analysis, identify possible shortcomings and inaccuracies, and, in addition, prevent the slightest rumors about all this. Is that clear to everyone?
-You're hurting my feelings, brother. - Arthur Stammer smiled broadly and winked at the others. -We know how to keep state secrets.
-And I am very glad that this is indeed the case. - the president agreed. -Then we can continue our meeting. I think it is now time to discuss the international problem...
***
Neutral territories.
The plane, on board of which, in addition to twenty heavily armed thugs, were Dari, Jabir's personal bodyguard, Kaid, and the owner himself, was rapidly approaching the borders of Actea.
