"This plane," Vera went on, "can be used to serve the ultimate cause of restoring world order." She paused, then continued. "But only if it is in the hands of our air force, from today forward."
"Purge the new thinking?"
"The Soviet Union is on the verge of economic disaster. Perestroika has plunged our country into chaos. The time has come to admit revisionism has failed."
"Where's good old Uncle Joe when you need him?" she smiled. "Stalin made the Gulag trains run on time."
"Our restructuring has gone too far," Vera continued. "There are limits beyond which a society can no longer endure change."
Eva stared at her. "I take it KGB and your military right- wingers are planning to try and stage a coup?"
"There still are responsible people in the Soviet Union, Dr. Borodin, who believe our country is worth saving."
My God, Eva thought, their hard-liners are planning to take control of this plane and use it to re-enflame the Cold War? Just like the race for the H-bomb, it'll rejuvenate the Soviet military.
"This is our last chance," Vera continued as she reached down and flicked on the computer. "However, if we are to succeed, the terms of the protocol will require certain revisions."
"Do you really think you can get away with this?"