Russia faces famine. The Soviets are forced to  pin their hopes for survival on the U.S. But as  the KGB and the CIA watch in horror, the rescue of a  Ukrainian freedom fighter from the Black Sea  unleashes savagery that endangers peace--and plunges  leaders from Washington to Moscow into a web of  overwhelming intrigue, terror, and suspense. Only two  lovers can save the world from nuclear  destruction. Yet every way out means certain death. and the  countdown has already begun.