QUOTE : That’s happened before, hasn’t it?” Andre asked. “With so many weapons manufactured here, in an industry that employs thousands of people – and with so many buyers all round the world, it seems almost inevitable.”<br /><br />“You are correct, ” replied Colonel Hoffman. “What has never happened before is that nuclear armaments become involved.”<br /><br />“Nuclear?” asked Nicci. “I thought South Africa gave up its program to manufacture nuclear bombs long ago?” She was wearing a cream linen suit, which emphasised the rich brown tone of her skin. Andre had certainly noticed and he thought she looked magnificent, but Hoffman seemed strangely unaffected. Idly, Andre wondered if Hoffman was gay.<br /><br />The Colonel nodded. “This,” he said “is something slightly different.