"I don't understand," Narmonov said.

"Once the Americans had the code-word COCKED-PISTOL to denote complete strategic readiness. The meaning is unambiguous to anyone, yes?" The KGB's Deputy Chairman went on, as though in a dream: "This word, to an American, would mean much the same thing. I can only conclude that -"

"Yes."

CHAPTER 42

Asp and Sword

PRESIDENT NARMONOV:

I SEND THIS TO YOU, OR YOUR SUCCESSOR, AS A WARNING. WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED A REPORT THAT A SOVIET SUBMARINE IS EVEN NOW ATTACKING AN AMERICAN MISSILE SUBMARINE. AN ATTACK ON OUR STRATEGIC ASSETS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, AND WILL BE INTERPRETED AS THE PRECURSOR TO AN ATTACK AGAINST THE UNITED STATES. I MUST FURTHER ADVISE YOU THAT OUR STRATEGIC FORCES ARE AT THEIR MAXIMUM STATE OF READINESS. WE ARE PREPARED TO DEFEND OURSELVES. IF YOU ARE SERIOUS IN YOUR PROTESTATIONS OF INNOCENCE, I URGE YOU TO CEASE ALL AGGRESSIVE ACTS WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME.

" 'Successor'? What the hell does that mean?" Narmonov turned away for a moment, then looked at Golovko. "What is happening here? Is Fowler ill? Is he mad, what goes on here? What's this submarine business?" When he finished talking, his mouth remained open like that of a hooked fish. The Soviet President was gulping his breaths now.

"We had a report of a disabled American missile submarine in the Eastern Pacific, and sent a submarine to investigate, but that submarine has no authorization to attack," the Defense Minister said.

"Are there any circumstances under which our men might do this?"

"None. Without authorization from Moscow, they may act only in self-defense." The Defense Minister looked away, unable to bear the gaze of his President. He had no wish to speak again, but neither did he have a choice. "I no longer think this is a controllable situation."

"Mr President." It was an Army warrant officer. He opened his briefcase - 'the football' - and removed a ring binder. The first divider was bordered in red. Fowler flipped to it. The page read:

SNAPCOUNT MAJOR ATTACK OPTION **SKYFALL**

"So, what the hell is SNAPCOUNT?" Goodley asked.

"That's as high as alerts go, Ben. That means the pistol is cocked and pointed, and you can feel the pressure on the trigger."

"How the hell did we -"

"Drop it, Ben! However the fuck we got here, we are here." Ryan stood and started walking around. "We better start thinking very fast, people."

The Senior Duty officer started: "We have to make Fowler understand -"

"He can't understand," Goodley said harshly. "He can't understand if he isn't listening."

"State and Defense are out - they're both dead," Ryan pointed out.

"Vice President - Kneecap."

"Very good, Ben do we have a button for that yes!" Ryan pushed it.

"Kneecap."

"This is CIA, DDCI Ryan speaking. I need to talk to the Vice President."

"Wait one, sir." It turned out to be a short 'one.'

"This is Roger Durling. Hello, Ryan."

"Hello, Mr Vice President. We have a problem here," Jack announced.