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over his map. “Several of the outer ones are coming under control already. Those in the centre we'll let burn out. My men have orders to prevent their spread, that's all.”
    “What the hell good is that?” Waving his arms, Gebert stalked around the desk. “At the moment they've got a novelty attraction. When the crowds find out that the one they're watching is part of a rash of the damned things - started by commie agents - what the fuck do you think is going to happen?”
    “Panic.” Stadler knew the answer. “When that happens, we'll need troops on the streets.”
    “I don't think so.” Colonel Klee was wringing his hands together slowly, sufficiently hard to make the knuckles go white. “If you really think it's advisable though, I could have a couple of platoons, or even a company, put on standby. At least that's the recommendation I'd make, if you'll back me.”
    “Are you afraid of upsetting someone? You worried about all the generals we've got in town?” Keeping his patience was proving difficult for Gebert.
    “I command the garrison troops.” For a moment, Colonel Klee felt able to assert his position, but the recollection of other considerations he had to be aware of swiftly robbed him of that transient dignity. “But as a courtesy, I will consult other senior officers, though I do not know if I should bother them at this late hour.”
    The mayor opened his mouth to reply, then changed his mind and ignored the man, turning instead to the fire chief.
    “I'll tell the civil defence people to let you have all the dispatch riders they've got. Have them check out all the emergency calls, save your men from rushing about following up hoax calls. Anything else you need?”
    “No, not that I can think of. We'll have things under control soon enough. There won't be many more fires ...” Friedmann saw the look that Stadler gave him. “At least, I should imagine there won't be.”
    “I need those damned troops.” Stadler didn't wait to be asked. “I need them tucked away up side streets, in platoon strength, in constant radio contact with my control room. I’ll attach a couple of my men to each platoon, so that we can meet every legal requirement. I expect those pink shits from the civil rights crowd will have already been mobilized, so as to cause us as much hassle as possible.”
    The phone rang, and as Gebert answered it, there came a distant strident wailing that grew rapidly louder as sirens close at hand joined in.
    “Thank you, Frau Pasch, yes, I know. I can hear the klaxons for myself, thank you.” Reaching down into a deep bottom drawer, Gebert rummaged about beneath piles of paper and extracted a steel helmet. “I think we should adjourn to the civil defence bunker in the basement now, gentlemen.”
    The-calmness in his voice and manner was not matched by what Gebert felt inside. Seven times in the past year, the sirens had sounded. Five occasions had been for civil defence practice. Once had been due to faulty equipment. The other time had been triggered by a crippled Soviet bomber, still miraculously flying after being damaged and abandoned by its crew while over the Zone.
    He felt that this was not an event like any of those. Already it was too late to do what instinct urged him to do. That was to walk to the window and take what might be a last look at the city.
    Already switches were being thrown that would plunge the whole of Munich into darkness. Gebert made his own contribution, turning off the room lights. He was surprised at how bright it remained, with the moonlight streaming in through the big windows.
    At least in the rush to the shelters, only drunks would be falling down and breaking bones. But there would be other injuries, caused by fights to actually get places inside. The population protection program had been reasonably comprehensive, but the budget had fallen far short of allowing them to provide sufficient places for as many as were in the city at the moment.
    As he