第12章 克里姆林宫：铁幕 1985第九章 苏维埃篇预言资料/The Kremlin: The Iron Curtain 1985 Chapter 9 Soviet Chapter Prophetic（2/2）

特雷古波娃坐回地板上说：“我一点也不喜欢这个。”

“我也不知道，但我们现在对此无能为力。”罗曼诺夫站了起来。“我们回去工作吧。”

[newpage]

Since the Second World War, the fertility rate has decreased. In order to increase the number of newborns, the Soviet government legalized illegitimate children and assigned houses to new couples and changed the marriage law to improve the status of women.

The Soviet Union marriage law states that

1. if the couple divorced, the man\u0027s house, savings, and furniture all belonged to the woman, and only the car could go to the man (including premarital property). 2. if the couple divorced, the custody of the offspring also belonged to the mother, and if the wife remarried, the man\u0027s offspring could no longer take the name of the former husband. 3. the wife had the absolute right to manage the marital property. The man\u0027s marital income needs to be paid in full; 4. A man who domestically abuses his wife, even if it is an unintentional act when he is drunk, is subject to arrest.

As a result, the marriage law favored the woman with legalized illegitimate children leading to a reduction in men\u0027s willingness to marry. Also, the small size of the allocated Khrushchev building led to women\u0027s dissatisfaction. Women\u0027s rights advocates accused the Soviet government of misogyny.

By the 1970s, the Soviet Union\u0027s reproductive policy was deriving a large cost. In 1970, the birth rate had declined to 1.

\"Should the marriage law be reworked, or... do you have any ideas?\" Romanov asked, rubbing his weary eyes.

\"Well, what about a hybrid system, where the state takes an equity stake in the establishment of the family?\"

\"I\u0027m not exactly a fan of that idea,\" said Romanov. \"It seems at odds with the concept of the state being secular and all.\"

\"But if it were a system where the state helped financially with child rearing, or if the state paid a certain sum of money for each child then I could see more appeal in it,\" said Tregubova.

\"Yeah, add another few tens of billions of rubles to the budget expenditures there! You might as well let me go bankrupt.\"

\"Well, we can\u0027t have that. So, maybe we should consider other ideas.\"

Romanov thought about it and said, \"We should also create centralized residential areas for small villas to replace the Khrushchev House, and at the same time, adopt orphans and abandoned children from Eastern European countries such as Romania.\"

\"I like that idea, and I\u0027m pretty sure the members of the Central Committee will as well,\" said Tregubova. \"Let\u0027s give it some time and see what else we come up with.\"

\"Very well. In the meantime, I think we should meet with the delegates from other communist countries and discuss what we can do to improve our situation.\"

\"And who will we be making these pacts with?\" asked Tregubova.

\"Well, we won\u0027t be making deals with the devil, if that\u0027s what you\u0027re getting at.\" Romanov put down his pen and said, \"By the way, did you agree to my previous request?\"

\"I\u0027m still thinking about it, but I generally tend to agree to most things you request.\"

Romanov nodded: \"I trust you will agree to help me tap the Politburo, by the way, have you found the girl who can be responsible for contacting the Baltic Bank in Leningrad?\"

\"Oh, yes, the Leningrad girl. I\u0027ve already managed to set up a meeting between you and her.\"

\"Excellent. Get on it.\"

\"And what about my dream of becoming a full member of the Central Committee?\"

\"I\u0027ll help you, in a few years, you\u0027re still too young.\"

\"Oh, thank you!\"

\"Think nothing of it. Now, you should go and have a good rest, you\u0027ve been very very tired recently.\"

Tregubova looked at Romanov with a raised eyebrow. \"Have I?\"

\"Indeed,\" said Romanov. \"Now, what was the Leningrad girl\u0027s name? Full name and age.\"

Tregubova\u0027s face colored slightly and she said, \"I hope you\u0027re not planning on forcing me to disclose that information to you.\"

\"Of course not. Now, said.\"

\"Dmitri Ulapala,\" said Tregubova with some defiance, \"age 22, full name pronounced \u0027Dmitri Ulapala\u0027,\" she spelled out, looking at Romanov. \"You can ask her to meet with you. She\u0027ll be in the room next to the one that the Leningrad delegates are in.\"

\"Perfect. Get her to see you tomorrow, I will give you further instructions then.\" said Romanov, waving a hand dismissively.

Tregubova left Romanov\u0027s office with a little frown on her face.

The next day Dmitry Ulapala met Romanov at the appointed time in an empty room next door. The young woman\u0027s face was very pale and her hands were trembling as she held out her hand for him to shake.

When they were finished, she said, \"I am Dmitry Ulapala, you can call me Ulapala.\"

\"I am Grigory Vasilievich,\" said Romanov, taking her hand in his, \"and this is Tregubova.\" He continued, gesturing to Olga, who was standing a few feet behind him.

\"Can I help you with something?\" Urrappala asked.

\"Sure, I want to ask you a question. How do you feel about your homeland versus yourself? You can tell the truth.\"

Ulapala said nothing, then she said, \"I like my country very much, I don\u0027t think I\u0027m anything special.\"

Romanov sat on the sofa and pointed to the sofa chair next to him and said, \"Sit down and tell me, what do you think is the most important?\"

Ulapala sat down and said, \"I think the most important thing is that we should be united. We should not let people who are power hungry and greedy try to separate us.\"

\"Is that so? Have you studied economics? Especially finance?\" Romanov asked.

\"Yes, I earned an MBA in finance.\"

\"What kind of financial advisor does your family have?\"

\"My family is quite wealthy.\"

\"But you still chose the field of finance?\"

\"Yes. I wanted to help my family with their business, and after I got my degree, I decided to work for them.\"

\"How fortunate. What did you study finance for? Tell the truth.\"

\"Well ...... someday I want to be a manager of a big company.\"

\"Do you see yourself as someone who will manage people someday?\"

\"Yes.\"

Romanov nodded got up and turned on the radio voice and asked again, \"Well, what if there was an opportunity for you to become a director and shareholder of a bank?\"

Ulapala\u0027s eyes widened and she said, \"Well ...... I would be interested.\"

\"Very well, I\u0027m glad to hear that. If you are in a bank, can you help a big man by some small means?\" Romanov asked as he walked up to her.

\"You can say that again, but with a little more subtlety?\"

\"What do you mean?\"

\"I mean, not that I don\u0027t appreciate what you have to say, but ......\"

\"It\u0027s not much to ask. Just a little help. That\u0027s all. Can you do that?\"

\"Well ...... I think so.\"

\"That\u0027s all I need. Now, tell me what you need to get there?\"

Ulapala thought for a moment. \"I think if I\u0027m successful, there will be a seat on the board of that bank for me.\"

\"If you\u0027re a little more successful, you could have a large stake in that bank.\" Romanov stared at her and said, \"So, a deal?\"

\"Yes, I can do that.\"

\"You could have a seat on the board and a large stake in the bank?\"

\"A big bet.\"

\"Very well, we have a deal.\" Romanov pointed at her and said, \"Take off your bra.\"

Ulapala looked around nervously, then bit her lip. She stood up and unhooked her bra and Romanov said, \"Yes, yes. I can see you\u0027re nervous. You\u0027ll be fine.\"

Ulapala unhooked her bra and let it fall to the floor.

Romanov stood up and walked around her, running his hand along her back and said, \"You are very tense. Relax.\" He continued, \"You will be fine.\" He sat on the sofa and patted the space next to him. \"Sit down.\"

Ulapala hesitated, then moved to sit next to Romanov. Romanov put an arm around her, pulling her closer than a brother would. She sat stiffly, then relaxed as Romanov\u0027s hand stroked her hair.

\"Good,\" Romanov said. \"Tregubova, honey come take our picture.\"

Tregubova walked over and said, \"You\u0027re not going to ask her to take her blouse off?\"

\"No, I will not,\" said Romanov. \"Besides, I want the picture to show us together.\"

The shutter of the camera snapped open and the three of them froze. Romanov looked at his wristwatch and said, \"Ten, nine, eight, seven......\"

\"Wait!\" Ulapala said, \"What does that snap?\" She pointed at the stopwatch.

\"Five, four, three, two, one!\" Romanov said.

The shutter snapped shut and Ulapala stared at her open-mouthed.

\"I can\u0027t believe this. You could have at least asked me first.\" She looked at Tregubova.

\"Very well. Now, take a picture of us both.\"

Tregubova turned around, and Ulapala stood stiffly, her hands clasped in front of her. They stared at the camera. \"One ......\" The shutter snapped shut.

\"Two ......\"

\"Three ......\"

A picture of a slave and her new master,\" Romanov said, patting his chest, \"and that\u0027s the way it is,\" he said, smiling.

\"I\u0027m not your slave,\" said Ulapala in a harsh voice, \"I\u0027m going to report you to the leader.\"

\"I don\u0027t think so.\"

Urpala crossed her arms and said, \"I\u0027m not afraid to report you to the authorities.\"

\"And I\u0027m not afraid that you will,\" Romanov said, \"But, in an organization such as this, we cannot allow people to become too attached to the position they\u0027re in. If you become attached to me, you will become a liability to the cause.\"

\"I don\u0027t see how you can do this,\" said Ulapala, \"You don\u0027t know me.\"

Romanov got up and picked up the wine with the glass and poured it and said, \"There are 280 million people in the entire Soviet Union, do I need to know every single girl?\" Ulapala opened her mouth to say something, but Romanov continued, \"And I think that the reason why we are so successful is because we keep a very tight stranglehold over the media, the education system, and the cultural ideals of most people in this country. In other words, we have very little opposition. Now, the more successful you are, the more opposition you will have. The less successful you are, the less opposition you will have. That\u0027s how it works. Here you are.\" Romanov handed the glass to Ulapala and Tregubova. \"You don\u0027t have to drink it, but it would be unwise to throw it away.\" Tregubova took the glass and said, \"Why are you giving this to me?\"

\"Because I want you to manage the finances of this office,\" said Romanov, \"Trust me, I don\u0027t pass the wine to people I don\u0027t like. You\u0027re both going to be my people? Right?\"

\"You can trust us,\" said Ulapala, \"We won\u0027t let you down.\"

\"That\u0027s good,\" said Romanov, \"Because, if you do, you\u0027ll have me to deal with.\"

Romanov stood up, walked around the room, and stared out the window. He said, \"Now, get out of here. Go to Leningrad in a few days, and Tregubova will contact you when I need you.\"

Ulpala stood up, kissed Romanov on the cheek, and said, \"Don\u0027t forget about me.\"

\"I won\u0027t,\" said Romanov, \"Now, off you go.\"

Ulpala walked out the door and said, \"Let\u0027s hope she really means it.\"

\"She\u0027s never lied to us before,\" said Tregubova, \"But, who knows? She\u0027s been assigned to us for the day. Maybe she will turn out to be like the others.\"

\"She\u0027s our comrade.\"

\"Yes,\" said Tregubova, \"Our comrade.\"

Romanov sat back on the couch to check the reports and letters from the regions and said, \"I hope you\u0027re not jealous or anything, she was recommended to me by yourself.\"

\"Of course not,\" said Tregubova, \"But, are you sure she will be suitable, given your line of work?\"

\"I don\u0027t know,\" Romanov admitted, \"I just need to control the Baltic Bank of Leningrad without my direct involvement, to give me a source of funds other than my pension and salary.\"

\"You mean.....\"

Romanov waved his hand. \"It\u0027s nothing really. I just need to keep my mind occupied, that\u0027s all. She\u0027s perfect for the job.\" Romanov picked up the pen and said, \"Of course, you\u0027ll be involved in the management of these funds. I\u0027m sure you won\u0027t let me down, you have the same place in my heart as my wife.\"

\"I would never let you down,\" said Tregubova, \"You know that.\"

\"Good, good.\" Romanov stood up and said, \"By the way, I\u0027m going to Cuba afterwards. I\u0027ll talk about other things when I get back.\"

\"Fine,\" said Tregubova, \"I\u0027ve never been to Cuba, but of course I\u0027ll do my best.\"

\"Okay,\" said Romanov, \"I\u0027ll send a car for you.\"

Tregubova nodded and said, \"Fine.\"

Romanov stared at Tregubova a moment longer, and said, \"And, my dear, make sure you pick up my dry cleaning.\"

\"Of course,\" said Tregubova, \"What a perfect opportunity to do some business.\"

Romanov walked over to the door, opened it, and said, \"Goodbye, my dear Tregubova.\"

\"Goodbye, comrade.\"

\"Goodbye.\"

#

The _Estrella Cubana_ was a small cruise ship, built in the late 1970s from an old Soviet freighter. The ship had a crew of twenty, with a total of sixty passengers, mostly students and professors from the University of Havana. For a week, the ship cruised the Caribbean, visiting several small, uninhabited island.

Staring at the tourist map, Romanov said, \"I wonder if I can see Tairman Island?\"

\"That\u0027s on the other side of Puerto Rico,\" said Tregubova, \"I wouldn\u0027t get my hopes up.\"

\"How about the Abellon Islands?\"

\"They\u0027re even further away.\"

\"I don\u0027t see Woban Island listed on the map,\" said Romanov, \"I wonder if that\u0027s because it\u0027s uninhabited.\"

\"It is,\" said Tregubova, \"But I don\u0027t think it\u0027s listed because it\u0027s only a few miles in size, and therefore, irrelevant.\"

\"Well, before we meet Castro, do you understand Spanish?\"

\"Yes, comrade,\" said Tregubova.

\"Good,\" said Romanov, turning back to the map, \"I\u0027ll need of you to interpret for me.\"

Tregubova nodded. \"I\u0027ll do my best.\"

In the meantime, the cruise ship was approaching the port of Havana. It was a busy port, with ships from several nations coming and going.

Tregubova thought about it and asked, \"Why didn\u0027t you just go to Havana via flight?\"

\"I wanted to see the sights along the way,\" said Romanov, \"And, besides, I might have been recognized, and that could have had unfortunate consequences.\"

\"I doubt that.\"

\"Well, you can understand that I want to travel with you for once. How\u0027s that for an answer?\"

\"Fine,\" said Tregubova, smiling.

The _Estrella Cubana_ entered the port of Havana, in the early evening. The lights of the city twinkled in the background. The port of Havana was filled with ships of all sizes, from fishing boats to cruise ships to cargo ships. The city had several busy streets, with vendors selling their goods on the side of the street. The air smelled of fresh fish, and a light breeze carried the sounds of street music to the ship.

\"It is prosperous, if not...\" Romanov paused, if he was not a Swiss travellers in the twenty-first century, he would believe that the prosperous Cuba in front of him in a few years because of the collapse of the Soviet Union lost oil regressed back to the era of animal power? \"No, it\u0027s very prosperous. People are buying and selling goods in the streets.\"

\"What are they buying and selling?\" asked Tregubova.

\"Everything, I\u0027d imagine,\" said Romanov.

\"Will you be wanting to trade?\" Tregubova asked.

\"Perhaps. I\u0027m not sure yet.\"

Tregubova paused. She looked down at her feet, and said, \"Why don\u0027t you decide now? It seems like you\u0027re not exactly rushing to find a trading partner.\"

\"Because.\" Romanov smiled, \"I don\u0027t want to find one just yet.\"

Tregubova smiled, and said, \"Fine.\"

The ship moored to a dock.

Havana, the capital and largest city of Cuba.

Romanov He wore a long coat over a suit, and tie. His black shoes gleamed in the sun. his grey hair looked like he had been standing in a windstorm. Although it was only early evening, already the sun blazed down upon the city.

\"Not a bad hotel for Cubans?\" Romanov said through a window on the top floor, Tregubova nodded and asked, \"This hotel is basically our guard force, have you figured out how to face Castro tomorrow?\"

\"I\u0027m working on it,\" said Romanov, smiling.

\"Good,\" said Tregubova, \"Because I have a few ideas, and want to run them by you before we head to the meeting.\"

\"I\u0027m all ears.\"

\"Well, we need to stir up some anti-Castro sentiment among the people. We need to get the public to believe that the revolutionaries are not the saviors they claim to be. They\u0027re not Robin Hood types sacrificing their wealth to the poor, they\u0027re just a bunch of gun-toting bandit gangs that are perfectly happy to take your wealth for themselves.\"

Romanov shook his head and said, \"What are you talking about? Creating problems for our allies?\"

\"No, we create problems for the opposition,\" said Tregubova, \"For the government, we\u0027re just another group of criminals. We need to make sure the public sees us as such.\"

\"Wait, you mean using the opposition to cause trouble to get the Cuban public behind Castro versus us?\"

\"Yes,\" said Tregubova, \"Exactly.\"

\"I\u0027m not going along with that,\" said Romanov, \"We need to be seen as a legitimate force, not criminals.\"

\"A criminal force that\u0027s taking over a government and killing its citizens? I think you\u0027re selling the revolutionaries a little short if you\u0027re portraying them as saints.\"

\"By the same token.\" Romanov paused, \"Why don\u0027t you tell me what you have in mind?\"

Tregubova nodded, and said, \"Alright, but keep in mind that it is the Cuban public that will be deciding our future. We need to be careful how we go about this.\"

\"I\u0027m listening,\" said Romanov. \"I\u0027ll decide, but it\u0027s up to me. Now, let me sleep.\"

Tregubova watched as Romanov went into the hotel and shut the door. She smiled, and said softly, \"And, we begin.\"

The next morning, the ship set off for the meeting point, just outside Havana. The ship sailed along the sea between the hills on either side, and small villages dotted the landscape. The sun shone brightly when the ship finally entered the harbour. Boats were docked along the coast, and small fishing villages nestled into the hills. The entire area smelt of salt, and bustled with the sounds of industry.

The ship moored to a dock.

The meeting place was a large country estate on the outskirts of Havana. The main building was a large mansion, surrounded by large gardens. Several smaller buildings surrounded the main building, including a farmhouse, and several smaller dwellings. The estate was large enough to have its own well, and a generator.

Several cars were parked around the main building, from old, beaten-up vehicles, to brand-new Mercedes-Benzes.

Romanov\u0027s footsteps on the dirt stood in the large garden. He squinted against the sun, and said, \"This place was the meeting place for the revolutionaries, wasn\u0027t it? It seems rather isolated from the main areas.\"

\"The main areas meaning downtown Havana?\" asked Tregubova, \"No, this is in the countryside.\"

\"Oh,\" said Romanov, looking around.

Tregubova smiled, and said, \"We have a lot of work to do, let\u0027s go.\"

The two walked through the garden to the main building.

The house was large, made of brick, with a slate roof. Large windows allowed the light to flood into the building. The door was wooden, with a large iron bolt on the other side. The door opened as Romanov and Tregubova approached.

Several people were sitting there and one of them was Castro.

\"Welcome, comrades!\" said Castro, extending his hand.

\"It\u0027s a pleasure to see you, Mr. Castro,\" said Romanov, shaking Castro\u0027s hand.

He was short, wearing glasses and a cigar in his mouth. His black hair receded slightly above his ears and there were several wrinkles around his eyes. Gray hair reminds everyone that he is old.

\"A pleasure to see you too, Comrade Romanov,\" said Castro, grinning. Castro spoke in Spanish and Tregubova translated into Russian for Romanov to hear. \"I\u0027m very happy you\u0027re here. We need all the help we can get.\"

\"I\u0027m sure we all agree,\" said Romanov. He sat down in a wooden chair. \"What\u0027s going on here? Why is this meeting being held here? Why is there a full military detachment outside?\"

\"The first two questions are easy,\" said Castro, \"We\u0027re holding this meeting as a secret, and the military detachment outside is there to ensure the safety of our guests.\"

\"Guests?\" asked Romanov, raising an eyebrow.

Tregubova spoke: \"There\u0027s British, and American representatives present.\"

\"So this is a meeting to plan your next act of terrorism?\" asked Romanov, turning to Castro.

\"No, my friend, this is a meeting to plan our next move. As I\u0027m sure you\u0027re aware, we\u0027ve been fighting a war for almost a year now.\"

\"Indeed.\" Romanov added: \"Despite our assistance to Ortega with the extreme Anarchists on American soil, I don\u0027t see any hope that Ortega will succeed.\"

\"This is true,\" said Castro. \"But I think that we can all agree that it would be better to take out the British and Americans who are supporting them, rather than the Ortega government.\"

\"Yes, we have to admit that the socialist camp is in economic stagnation and crisis. The US has completed its third technological revolution, but we are still stuck in the 60s. The Soviet Union must undergo strategic contraction and technological development, and strategic contraction does not mean that we surrender to the Americans. The Soviet Union will not give up Cuba, nor will the U.S. touch our bottom line.\"

\"So what is the plan?\" asked Tregubova, who sat on a corner of the table.

\"We\u0027ve been monitoring the situation,\" said Castro. \"It seems that the extreme left are planning a series of attacks that will draw in the British and Americans, and at the same time weaken the financial support that the Ortega government receives.\"

\"That\u0027s ambitious.\" Romanov shook his head. \"It\u0027ll be difficult to pull off.\"

\"I agree.\" It seemed that Castro was getting into his topic. \"The attacks will be aimed at strategic targets such as power plants, refineries, and other infrastructure used by the British and Americans. These attacks will cause economic damage and the loss of life, but not as severe as if we were to hit military targets. This will force the hands of the British government.\"

\"And what about the Americans?\" asked Tregubova.

\"We will see that their influence vanishes. We will hit them at their financial center. Not only the banks, but also their stock exchange and other investment areas. We will bring in the world press and embarrass the government and the Americans will be left to squirm under the gaze of the world.\"

\"We\u0027re talking about a risky strategy,\" said Romanov.

\"We will have the upper hand,\" said Castro.

\"But...\" said Romanov, not able to find any words strong enough to express his doubts,

\"Also, riots are breaking out in Haiti. We can influence the revolutionaries there to overthrow Petit Duvalier through the clerics of liberation theology.\"

\"A distraction? I can\u0027t see how that would be possible,\" said Romanov.

\"It\u0027s possible, if you understand the people better than your adversaries do,\" said Castro. \"There are very powerful forces behind Duvalier, and they will be more careful than you think. You must keep an eye on this situation, as it has a direct impact on our plans. We have a lot at stake here, and we need to be certain that we\u0027re making the most logical move.\"

\"I see, I need to go back to the Kremlin to consult with the Politburo. Is there anything else? Comrade Castro.\"

\"No, comrade. I\u0027m sure we will find a way to succeed. This is the sort of situation that must be resolved at all costs. We must not allow the British and Americans to interfere in our affairs. We must not allow the threat of terrorism to become endemic. We must not let the world think that the Soviet Union is weak. We must show strength. We must show that there is a system that can prevail. I want to assure you of this, my friends. We will succeed.\"\"Yes. We will. Now, if you\u0027ll excuse me, my friends, I must leave. I\u0027ve been away for too long, and my assistants will be wondering where I am.\"

Castro nodded and said, \"Yes, by the way, the Cuban people have some gifts for the Soviet leader.\"

\"What sort of gifts?\" asked Romanov.

\"The sort that\u0027s fit for a man like you.\"

\"I see.\"

The man, who was apparently named Popov, took out a black box and set it on the table. \"Here you are, comrade. The Cuban people have sent you this parting gift.\"

\"Thank you, and I\u0027m sure the gift will be as useful as the last.\"

\"In that case, I suppose I should thank you. You\u0027ve given me the means to finally put an end to those slave-driver British and their ilk. Cheers!\"

\"Cheers!\"

------

In the Cuban National Hotel after the meeting.

Tregubova put down the black box and said, \"The guards checked it and it\u0027s fine.\" \"Bring it here, did you see the information inside?\" Romanov asked with a nod.

Tregubova approached and handed the box over. \"I\u0027m not sure about the protocol on this, but... do you wish to open it here?\"

\"I suppose so.\" Romanov opened the box and examined the contents. \"Hmm, it seems they were right.\"

\"What does it say?\" asked Tregubova.

\"I don\u0027t understand the authenticity of the information either, but they do predict the future. Do you believe that anyone can know the future?\"

Tregubova was taken aback. \"I... well, I wouldn\u0027t be surprised.\"

\"To be honest, I was surprised by the information as well. A year ago, these materials started appearing in Cuba. They accurately predicted and revealed some secrets.\"

\"What kind of secrets?\"

Romanov put the box down and said, \"The year is 1985, do you believe that our great Soviet Union will collapse in six years?\"

\"Well... I...\" Tregubova said, taken aback again.

\"That\u0027s one thing the predictions can\u0027t seem to get wrong.\"

\"Do you believe it?\"

Romanov took out the information from the encrypted message and said, \"What would you do if all these prophecies you got in a year came true?\"

\"I\u0027d be shocked, that\u0027s all.\"

\"Would you flee?\"

\"Well, no, I mean, yes, of course, but... I mean, I wouldn\u0027t run away.\"

Romanov shrugged and said, \"Well, help me translate these prophecies of the future. I can\u0027t read Spanish.\"

Tregubova started to help. They translated the first prophecy. It said, \"The Soviet Union will suffer a calamity.\" Tregubova said, \"That could mean a military attack.\"

Romanov said, \"A military strike? That\u0027s odd.\"

Tregubova said, \"Why is that?\"

\"Well, a military attack would mean a calamity. The Soviet Union has been increasing it\u0027s military prowess. It\u0027s preparing for war.\"

Tregubova said, \"But we\u0027re not at war with them.\"

\"True, but if war were to come, our nation wouldn\u0027t be prepared.\" Romanov stood behind her and put his arm around her and said, \"Keep translating.\"

Tregubova said, \"It says here that we\u0027ll suffer a calamity, but not a military one.\"

\"Well, that\u0027s even more worrying. What kind of calamity could that be?\"

\"I don\u0027t know, the rest of this information is difficult and it will take me a little time to translate it.\"

\"You should do it while you\u0027re here. It\u0027d be good to have a record of what these prophecies say. I\u0027m sure they\u0027ll become more clear once we start looking into them.\"

\"Are you sure that this is a good idea?\"

\"What other choice do we have? We need to do something if we\u0027re going to stop these prophecies, and we\u0027re short on time.\"

\"I see, can I ask you, did you pick me as a secretary to translate Spanish?\"

\"Yes.\"

\"Well, can I also be the one to read the future?\"

Romanov smiled and said, \"I\u0027ll see what I can arrange.\"

He finished and sat down again and picked up the pen and paper and said, \"Of course, now I chose you not just because you know Spanish, I want us to be able to keep our relationship as lovers going. Right?\"

Tregubova\u0027s face reddened and her hand shook. She put it on her hip and said, \"I\u0027ll... I\u0027ll do my best, you can rely on that.\"

Romanov said, \"Of course.\" He stood and held out his hand to her. She placed her hand in his.

\"So, let\u0027s get started.\"

\"I\u0027ll start by trying to find any link between these prophecies. Then, we\u0027ll see where this leads.\"

They studied the prophecies. The translation of the first one read, \"The Soviet Union will suffer a calamity.\"

Tregubova said, \"That could mean a military attack.\"

\"Not necessarily, but also other factors. Such as natural disasters and accidents or something, these prophecies are always difficult to understand.\"

\"Do you think it\u0027ll be a major attack?\"

\"Anything is possible. We\u0027re a powerful nation and a great military power, anything is possible.\"

Tregubova sat back down on the floor and said, \"I don\u0027t like this at all.\"

\"Neither do I, but there\u0027s nothing we can do about it now.\" Romanov stood up. \"Let\u0027s get back to work.\"