“Over the last decade our confrontation with the West has degenerated into stalemate,” he began. “It is true that we have had our successes, notably in Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Third World. Most importantly in the improvement of our defenses and the expansion of the Red Army into the most formidable military machine the world has ever known.”

Marshal Orlov nodded in acknowledgement of Fyedorenko’s praise. He took full credit for the build-up and everyone knew it.

“But candor forces us to admit that we have also had our reverses as well, comrades. The space race, Afghanistan, Poland, the U.S.—China alliance, and most importantly, the massive military build-up in the West,” Fyedorenko ticked them off.

“Comrades, let us face facts,” Fyedorenko’s cutting voice jolting them to attention. “We have reached the high-water mark. Our industrial capacity is strained to the limit. The cost of our military build-up has been high, very high. Our satellites are restive, the forces of revisionism, hooliganism and dissidence grow more impudent daily. This year, for the first time in history, we shall have to import oil. And we cannot hope to match the western military build-up indefinitely. Time”—Fyedorenko let the word hang in the air like a bird of ill omen—“is no longer on our side, comrades.”

There was an uneasy stir around the table. Fyedorenko’s remarks sounded uncomfortably close to personal criticism of virtually every man there.

“During the last months of the late party secretary’s rule,” Fyedorenko went on, “it became apparent that the status quo was no longer tenable, despite the nuclear impasse between us and the Americans. With the old man’s full approval, a top-secret operation designed to break the ice-jam”—he used a coarse Russian expression that evoked a thrusting penis—“and bring the West to its knees once and for all was put into effect. In honor of the late and may I say, visionary, foreign minister, this operation was code-named the Molotov Plan.”

The room was as hushed as a cathedral. The members who were hearing about it for the first time glanced at each other in shock. It was inconceivable. A full-fledged operation being launched without prior Politburo approval. They looked with fear at Fyedorenko, who seemed to have grown suddenly taller. Not since Stalin had anyone dared to assume so much power.