The White House Oval Office had been silent for a long time. The oppressive atmosphere felt just like the day President Roosevelt had decided to declare war after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.
President Truman muttered as if trying to explain it to himself. The people in the room exchanged glances, seeming unable to think of any other answer.
Professor Oppenheimer gritted his teeth and said quietly, "According to the blast observations, it was an airburst at an altitude of three to five hundred meters. The Soviet Union has indeed begun researching this area, but in theory, they shouldn't have achieved results so quickly."
"Just a few days ago, at a meeting, I bragged to Stalin about the power of the atomic bomb. He only calmly told me that he hoped we'd use this weapon properly against Japan. How shameful..."
Truman spoke distractedly, revealing feelings he shouldn't have exposed in front of his subordinates. He gave a couple of scornful laughs and shook his head.
"Unless Stalin comes out and admits it himself, we'll have to grit our teeth and accept that this was America's doing. The Japanese imperial family, hiding in an air-raid shelter in Tokyo, along with countless members of the upper class and senior military officials, all died in the direct or indirect explosions of the atomic bombs."
"Mr. President, by the rules of war, we haven't done anything wrong. The nuclear bomb in Tokyo detonated only a few hours after the one in Nagasaki, and Japan hadn't officially declared its surrender. This can easily be regarded as part of America's strategic plan."
Army Secretary Charles Forrestal offered President Truman this "consolation" with grave sincerity.
The president glared at the general in irritation and let out a heavy snort.
"Do you think I don't understand that? But