Vice President Dan Quayle tried to reassure President Bush.
"The Soviets have only just developed the red mercury bomb. Its performance may still be far from stable—radiation safety, transport difficulties, the sheer cost of deployment… all of it. By the time they solve those problems, we may have our own countermeasures in place."
But in that moment, nothing the vice president said could help. Bush felt utterly defeated. He slumped in his chair, gripping the edge of the table, silent for a long time.
The senior staff waited, tense and uncertain, until the President finally broke the silence with a weary sigh.
"We'll open peace negotiations with the Soviets."
The room shifted. CIA Director Robert stiffened and immediately objected.
"Mr. President, we don't even know if the weapon is real. What if this so-called red mercury bomb is just a bluff? What if this is all a trap—and we walk right into it by coming to the table?"
Bush gave Robert a hard, tired look.
"What do you want, Director? A mushroom cloud blooming over the White House before you'll admit this isn't some elaborate ruse, but a horrifying reality?"
He didn't wait for an answer.
"Lifting economic sanctions and sitting down to talk might just put us back at square one. But if we push the Soviets until they can't breathe, I don't want to imagine how many shadows of suitcase nukes might fall across America. That's not a risk you or I can afford to take."
Robert opened his mouth to respond, but Bush cut him off sharply.
"Enough, Director. I went to great lengths to keep you in charge after the Vantaa incident. I'm out of favors—and patience. Don't disappoint me again."
He glanced across the table, then leaned back with a sigh.
"Gentlemen, I'm exhausted. I'd like to be alone now."
Knowing the President wouldn't be swayed, Robert let out a quiet breath and turned to leave.
Just before he stepped out, Bush spoke again—softly, but with purpose.
"We'll pause the economic offensive, yes. But don't forget, Director—friction is still a weapon. Keep stirring up trouble. The chaos inside the Soviet sphere, especially from the breakaway republics… that must not stop."
Robert's eyes lit up. The President's true intent was now clear.
He nodded firmly. "Understood, Mr. President. I won't let you down."