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"If the A hundreds of e a seventy-six-year-old piece of scrap," Antonov said, "there ical motivation"

"There is a ravely "A motivation that threatens our very security" He nodded to Prevlov, who began passing out a red folder marked "Sicilian Project" to Antonov and theMy people have discovered outline plans for a new secret A, if not terrifying, study"

Antonov and the others opened the folders and began reading For perhaps five lancing in Sloyuk's direction Antonov's face went through a wide range of expressions, beginning with professional interest to frank bewilderment, to astonishment, and, finally, stunned realization

"This, is incredible, Admiral Sloyuk, absolutely incredible"

"Is such a defense system possible?" Marshal Tilevitch asked

"I have put the same question to five of our reed, theoretically, that such a systeh power source is available"

"And you assuo holds of the Titanic?" Tilevitch put to him

"We are certain of it, Coredient needed for the completion of the Sicilian Project is a little-known element called byzanium We no the Americans stole the world's only supply froo Fortunately for us, they had the ill luck to transport it on a doomed ship"

Antonov shook his head in utter incomprehension "If what you say in your report is true, then the Americans have the potential to knock down our intercontinental oatherd swats flies''

Sloyuk nodded solemnly "I am afraid that is the fearful truth"

Polevoi leaned across the table, his face a mask of suspicious consternation "You state here that your contact is a high-level aide in the United States Department of Defense"

"That is correct" Prevlov nodded respectfully "He beca the Watergate affair and has since sent me whatever material he deems important"

Antonov stared piercingly into Prevlov's eyes "Do you think they can do it, Captain Prevlov?"

"Raise the Titanic?"

Antonov nodded