The speaker fell silent, pondering something, and returned to the speech:

– It is likely that nuclear power plants, burial grounds, chemical plants, as well as volcanoes and supervolcanoes all over the planet, which are likely to wake up and release ash and energy into the atmosphere, will surpass the negative consequences of nuclear war itself. As for Yellowstone or other supervolcanoes – there is no reason to believe that the energy of 100-500 kiloton airbursts 100-500 kilotons apart is enough to trigger their eruption. The radioactivity of the explosion products decreases rapidly over time; in 7, 49 and 343 days after the explosion their activity decreases by a factor of 10, 100 and 1000, respectively, compared to the activity one hour after the explosion. Strikes on nuclear power plants, spent nuclear fuel storage facilities and nuclear industry enterprises are another matter. Destruction of such facilities can release thousands of times more radioactive material into the air than would be produced by a bomb explosion. In the event of a direct hit by a charge and vaporization of a reactor or radioactive material storage facility, the area of land uninhabitable would be hundreds, and possibly thousands, of times larger than the area contaminated by a ground-based nuclear explosion. The majority of the population would be doomed to extinction due to the destruction of life-supporting infrastructure, even without exposure to the destructive factors of nuclear weapons, and without food, medical care, and shelter over their heads. Nuclear war would kill a significant portion of the world's population, but millions would survive and retain key technologies. Countries in the subtropical belt, far from areas where nuclear weapons would be used, would be in the best position to benefit.

– Well, that's another topic. Thank you, we heard you," Yarovitovich interrupted him and continued on his own while the panel analyzed what they had heard. – So, colleagues, we have considered different versions of the reports, which were compiled on the basis of even more analyses. Now we have to make a decision. According to the calculations we have made, the optimal time for the operation is from December 25 to February 29 inclusive, and territorially over the Atlantic Ocean. Who has any arguments for changing the plan?

Everyone at the table was silent. After a couple of seconds, the head continued:

– So the decision has been made; may we have a bright memory in decision making.

From the edge of the table to Jarovich's left, one of his colleagues, a middle-aged woman, suddenly asked for the floor. Yarovitovich nodded silently as a sign of permission. She slowly began to speak in Japanese.

– Dear colleagues, we have assumed a great responsibility; perhaps, we will not meet at all or will meet after an indefinite period of time in another composition, so I will make a reasonable amendment taking into account the fact that we are taking such a risk. The amendment is as follows: to make a final and precise division of the territory and spheres of influence in Antarctica. After all, we still haven't determined the ecological and climatic consequences with certainty and precision. It is quite possible that this continent will remain the cleanest and will no longer be so cold.

No one made a sound. It seemed that the heartbeats of the sitting could be heard. The silence was broken by Yarovitovich:

– That's an excellent point. But let me note: if we have a way to resettle huge masses of population there or even if someone has a desire to fight for this territory, not obeying us, and to divide it contrary to our preliminary treaty, then, following the logic, in this state of affairs we should certainly have an opportunity to gather at the General Assembly and control the main forces. Accordingly, since you have indicated this subject, you are instructed to speak at the General Assembly and voice the main provisions of the international agreements on the spheres of influence in Antarctica. Speak so that no one was left in doubt that the subject was closed.

After waiting for a pause, the head summarized:

– If in the remaining time there are any proposals based solely on substantial, solid arguments, please send them verbally through our mail or openly, in a language that only we understand, through the media. The action plan is known and agreed upon by all, and we will proceed with its implementation.

The room fell into the silence familiar at times like this.

– Any other suggestions? – The Chief Magister asked.

There was no reply, it was clear that everyone was confirmed in their opinion and expressed the general solidarity of the representatives of the elected caste.

– Then let our meeting be declared concluded. May sanity protect us," Jarovitovich announced.

The attendees stood up as if on cue, and each headed for a separate exit.

After the collegium, the Zero Center was busy nominating a new Russian president. The plan was for the incumbent to resign early, hoping to win the election. But the head of a Duma party, known for his harsh and loud statements, unexpectedly wins. After his election, the first thing he did was to demand that the NATO bloc countries withdraw their armed formations from the former Soviet republics. Next – to extradite, return to Russia "all fugitives, thieves and robbers of our country". In addition to other non-business rhetoric, he threatens, if they ignore his demands, to "give them a little fireworks show," and "if that doesn't change their minds," he threatens to "wash their dirty souls with ocean water." Those to whom this was addressed maintained a cold-blooded silence, except for a few derisive remarks.

Everything went according to plan, and in early December, two Russian Project 941 Akula heavy strategic missile submarine cruisers went into the Atlantic Ocean. Usually, the citizen media sings odes to what a magnificent military we have, in particular – silent boats that supposedly pop up unnoticed off the coast of America, sometimes even in the bays of the United States. The same can be said about the media of NATO countries. In reality – everything is perfectly bugged and watched even from space.

One method of tracking conditions under and above water is hydroacoustic locators. Currently, the U.S. Navy's hydroacoustic locators operate in various areas of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as in the area of the Strait of Gibraltar and near Cape Nord off the coast of Norway. All of its components and surface vessels equipped with the SUR-TASS special tracking system are integrated into a single underwater tracking system. Hydroacoustic data from the receiving stations and regional assessment centers are fed to the Atlantic, Pacific and European Fleet CPs, to the Navy's Maritime Tracking Information Center in Suitland, Maryland, and to the U.S. military's central command structures.

Accordingly, the appearance of our boats off the U.S. coast was not a surprise to anyone; they were already expected. The situation was artificially agitated, the show went on as usual, but to make everyone believe that his intentions were serious, the new Russian president made an official statement at a press conference for Russian and foreign journalists. He said in his usual sharp and aggressive manner that if his demands were not met, if NATO troops did not move away from Russia's borders, he would give orders – first to launch and detonate a missile at high altitude, and then – to organize the explosion of missiles directly in the boat, simultaneously all of them, having previously evacuated the crew. "I hope you can imagine the consequences, if your brain hasn't completely atrophied yet," he said at the end of his speech.