***

The topic was promoted at the highest level. Recommendations and "requests" went to Russia's central channels. World agencies followed suit.

One of them reported: "The Russian Federation, represented by Arsen Kiselev, a Russian TV presenter of the program "Vesti Nedeli", said live on air about a possible nuclear strike on the territory of the United States of America by the Russian system "Perimeter". Arsen Kiselyov said on TV that Russia is the only country in the world capable of turning the United States into radioactive ash. We are talking about the so-called Russian system for controlling a massive retaliatory nuclear strike against the US called Perimeter. This is a system of a massive automatic nuclear strike by the entire nuclear arsenal of the Russian Federation against the United States of America."

After two months of daily broadcasting of information, the Perimeter system, the countries' nuclear potential, its power and possible consequences were known even in those parts of the world where television and radio were still a novelty. The primary goal was practically achieved.

When the topic was sufficiently promoted in the media, the "system" warned of the threat of nuclear war. The effect was achieved, the only thing left to do was to figure out "where the wind was blowing from. The clue was in the following: generals of the Russian Federation and the United States made a statement: "The danger of nuclear war is higher now than ever before".

It was like thunder, and not just for the public.

This statement was replicated in the media, and the following part stood out in particular: "In practice, this means that the decision to launch a retaliatory strike must be made on the basis of information received from early warning systems – from satellites and ground radars. The flight time of a strategic missile is 15 to 30 minutes. Thus, a decision on a retaliatory launch must be made in a matter of minutes. This is very dangerous, as any failure in the early warning system of a missile strike, any provocation can become a signal for the immediate start of a nuclear war. With the emergence of cyber threats, this danger increases manifold. This is why the White House and the Kremlin need to forget about confrontation and bilaterally abandon the principles of retaliatory strikes based on information from warning systems and the training of strategic nuclear forces to launch such strikes.

With this turn of events, Zero had a lot of work to do. It was necessary to send out dispatches to find out whether it was a personal initiative or a "recommendation initiative".

One morning Rutra was brewing his coffee out of habit. Chief Zhidkov came into his office and asked:

– Don't you think we're in a Groundhog Day situation?

– Why not?" said Ruthra, smiling slightly.

– Rutra Tigrovic, it's time to move on to a new phase.

– What, are we speaking at the USND? – Rutra asked jokingly, but realized that he was referring to something more important than the U.S. National Defense University, since Yuri Vasilyevich rarely addressed those younger than him by name and patronymic, much less by rank.

– No, something else. I must introduce you to one more (perhaps the last) secret.

– What is it?

– This is the station. Are you ready to visit it?

– You know, Yuri Vasilyevich, that I'm always ready.

– You need to spend at least a week on it.

– What are we going to do there? – Ruthra stared at Zhidkov questioningly.

– To be enlightened," Vasilyevich replied simply and briefly.

– Curious," Ruthra replied calmly. – What about my business trip? You told me to prepare my staff and family for a business trip of at least a week.

– And what, you got it ready?

– Oh, yeah.

– And how did the family react?

– My wife is already here, and I told the kids I'd come with presents. They are well aware that "Daddy can do it", as they say.

– Great, then let's go.

They descended to an even deeper level, the elevator doors opened at a narrow gauge, shabby station, boarded the car, and "rolled. Ruthra didn't see anything remarkable (except for the gray branches), though he was surprised at the depth of the level and the sheer number of branching routes whose names were indicated by numbers. At last the wagon came to a stop. To go on, in the other direction, it was necessary to make a change. Vasilievich was silent, and Ruthra tried not to ask unnecessary questions, waiting for the end of the journey. Again the stations began to pass before his eyes.

After a while they reached the gates of the most classified part of the tunnel. The gate opened, though Vasilievich had given no command. Rutra's curiosity was growing, peaking as they headed for the Capsule station.

– Now you're about to learn a secret that those who have been allowed into Metro 2 don't even know about.

– What's the mystery?

– There is a Metro-3. This is where you and I came down," said the colonel.

– Is there a Metro Four?" – Ruthra asked, trying not to give his question a tone of sarcasm.