Special Branch1969

[When Gosling and Murray stole an anti-tank gun from the Army, considerable effort was made to recover it on account of its cutting-edge gun-sight. Now Strand reveals something that he has known all along]

Strand:
There were serious doubts right from the beginning. The sight is unstable. The final field-tests proved that conclusively. Under battle conditions you'd do as much harm to your own side as to the enemy.

Cmdr. Fletcher:
Yes but surely there'll be more research, more work done on it?

Strand:
Development has been suspended. It's just not on. Course you appreciate this information is highly classified.

Cmdr. Fletcher:
Then why all the hullabaloo?

Strand:
To keep that a secret. We had to give the impression that we were deeply concerned. You see, Commander, to be effective, a deterrent doesn't actually have to work. Just so long as enough people *think* it does.