Binary code: Mystery number one. Artur Zadikyan

nodded. Rutra already understood what he was talking about. The problem Vasilievich was talking about was very serious, not to mention someone who didn't trust someone. After all, clearly the problem had not arisen "today", apparently the military had made every effort to resolve it. It was clear from what was going on that they had failed, since the President's administration, as Rutra already knew, was interested in it. The assistant continued after a moment's hesitation.

      – The Strategic Missile Forces established their own storage bases for interaction with the missile divisions of intercontinental missiles. The Nuclear Explosion Control Service was established as part of the 6th Directorate. In 1988, the Nuclear Safety Inspectorate was established on the basis of the NBP Operation Department in the 12th Directorate of the Defense Ministry. In addition, the Special Control Service is subordinate to us.

      On the screen appeared the emblem of the Special Control Service – a circle, inside of which was a checkered globe and a lion with the head of an eagle, which with one paw covered a mushroom from a nuclear explosion.

      "That's it! We didn't come down to this Metro 2 for nothing," thought Ruthra.

      The General realized that the assistant's story had bored the guests a little, so he offered tea.

      – If it's all right, I'd like a coffee," Vasilievich asked.

      – Uh, sure. I suggest we take a smoke break.

      – Fine," Vasilievich agreed.

      – I invite you to my office," the general offered, pointing with his hand to the door to the next room.

      Everyone went there, brought coffee, Sukhov offered his own smokes, Zhidkov politely declined, took out his own, Rutra took the general's, Vasilievich understood the move.

      – Tell me quickly and simply," the general turned to his subordinate.

      – You can't make it any simpler than that, Comrade General," the captain replied. – They are interested in every little thing, even closed, abandoned bases, and not only on the territory of the former USSR.

      – Then give me everything you've got," the general cut him off.

      Coffee was brought, everyone started to feel less tense, the atmosphere became more friendly.

      The assistant continued:

      – The special control service includes 11 separate laboratories, 3 radio seismic laboratories, 4 automated stations, 3 automated stations, 5 autonomous seismic stations and 10 remote groups. In total, there are 18 laboratories in the Russian Federation.

      – Oh my God, so many things! – Zhidkov couldn't stand it.

      – I told you to keep it short," the general rebuked his subordinate.

      – A little more basic, the rest on demand," the captain replied calmly.

      Vasilievich and the General smoked a second one.

      It did not turn out to be brief. It was a rather long and detailed report. To everyone's delight, it came to an end.

      – That's pretty much it. I'll submit the whole printout," the general's subordinate finished.

      There was silence in the office. Everyone was silent. Vasilievich looked at Rutra with a concerned look. The general spoke first:

      – Do you intend to inspect everything? I can provide you with the records of our inspections.

      – We saw them," Zhidkov replied.

      – Oh yes, how could it be otherwise! – exclaimed the general. – You can count on my comprehensive assistance.

      – Thank you," Vasilyevich replied, sighed heavily and added: "I dare not interrupt you any longer. We'll go.

      – Why, at any moment, Yuri Vasilyevich," Sukhov replied kindly.

      Vasilievich stood up, the general behind him. Rutra followed suit. The captain handed Rutra a secret package with a crossed-out red stripe, asked him to sign it, which Rutra did, and then they said goodbye. The car took them to the "institute".

      – Do you understand the program? – Vasilievich asked briefly.

      – Understood," Ruthra replied just as briefly.

      – Here's your assignment, research the topic, we'll discuss it tomorrow.

      – The point is, we're looking for an unregistered transmitter? I take it the signal is illusory? The location of its output is constantly changing? And does it signal irregularly? – Ruthra asked.

      – Good, right on target. The only thing I would add is that it interferes with the Perimeter system's data collection stations on a frequency appropriate to its purpose. It is suspected that it was camouflaged a long time ago, and it turns on on a timer or automatically. Could be cloaked anywhere. The most likely place is where something similar has been. I will also say that a conspiracy or collusion is not excluded, that is, I do not trust them either, – said Vasilievich, pointing his finger in the direction from which they came. – That's all for now.

      – I understand," Ruthra replied, shook hands with his superior and went to his office.

      Zhidkov left in the service car. Ruthra spent the rest of the day studying the Perimeter system and everything connected with it. His intuition told him to look where something like it had been. For some reason, its exploitation had been abandoned, though the urgency of the subject had not waned.

      During the Cold War, the U.S. had its own "backup" codenamed "Mirror". Crews were constantly in the air for three decades with the mission to control the skies if control of the ground was lost due to a surprise attack. The main difference between the Mirror and the Perimeter system, which they called "dead hand", was that the Americans relied on humans to warn them of an attack.

      After the Cold War, the U.S. abandoned the system, although it is still not clear who exactly controls the Soviet version. Rutra was never able to figure out who made the initial decision, as there were three other posts besides the official ones. One of them was within the structure of Center Zero, but the other two were designated by the secret code "Polygon" and the facility "Kremlin-2". No indication of the disposition of these posts he did not find. Vasilievich also strangely evaded answering, citing that he could not talk about it, even on a closed line, and added: "This is an empty designation. These posts do not exist. The secret of these posts is only this. To have spies looking for something that doesn't exist."

      Such an explanation, which could not be said over the special communications telephone, raised even more questions. Ruthra didn't seem concerned by this answer, though there was certainly common sense in such a disguise. He also found out that even high-ranking military officers were careful not to speak on the subject.

      General Ivashov, head of the analytical department for new types of weapons and, at the same time, head of the "P" department where Post No. 3 was located, was the only person in the center who was knowledgeable on the subject. When asked by Rutra about the structure of the system and the problem it posed, he evasively replied, "Those who know about it avoid talking about it." When asked to talk about Polygon and Kremlin-2, he replied in a way that stumped Rutra: "I can't talk about it, because I know what happens to those who try to find out.

      Ruthra decided to wait until the next day and talk frankly with Vasilievich. In the meantime, he decided to study what was opposing the Perimeter system.

      The U.S. system Operation Looking Glass, or "Looking Glass": air command centers of the U.S. Strategic Air Command on Boeing EC-135C aircraft. 24 hours a day, two Looking Glass aircraft are constantly in the air – one over the Atlantic and the other over the Pacific. The crews are on constant alert to assume command of strategic nuclear forces in the event that ground command centers are defeated. The VCPs are currently on duty at 4 airbases in constant readiness for takeoff.

      Ruthra knew what the Perimeter system was before. But why was it the world's number one problem? Although, judging by its purpose, it very well could be.

      – What do you want to know about her? – I heard General Ivashov's voice behind me.

      Rutra was not