Now they are arguing: was this not Andropov’s idea at all? I don’t presume to judge definitively. But I admit theoretically, although in practice most likely the structure itself took shape around the time of Gorbachev’s arrival in the Kremlin. A system is something working, interacting in a single mechanism. And secret societies established on the scale of the state, which is actually heading straight to a dead end, are not a system. It is the operating environment in which the interests of clans, groups, “families” and associations arise and are resolved. This is much more effective and simpler than traditional “vertical” schemes, which are stable only in one case - if they are crowned with a legitimate and stable ruler (or an unshakable institution, as in the Anglo-Saxon system). At the crossroads of history and crossroads of time (today we call it turbulence), vertical systems collapse by the operating environment itself. The remainder are “families”, to which “their security forces” in uniform and without are attached. In the center of the family is a vessel with a philosopher's stone, in which gold appears. Around are elders, bearers of princely labels granted by the khan or purchased from him. Nearby are guards and heralds, bed-keepers and stirrups, tutors-rectors for children, sorcerers, jesters and holy fools. And the priests. The cats think that we live in their houses. And our purpose is to feed them and clean the poop tray. Aren't they right?..