Plano Sete

Cover artist: Lima de Freitas

The text makes it impossible to determine which side is which. References to democracy are structured as to be just as applicable to the statements made about democracy by the USSR of the time. The book contains no geographical references or individual names. The theme of the book is the dehumanisation & abstraction of nuclear warfare & the dangers this leads to when combined with the destructive potential of the weapons involved. It acts as a warning against the nuclear arms race, as the original (but removed) postscript makes clear:
This book is neutral in that it doesn't defend East or West. It isn't neutral in that it accuses both. It's submitted for the benefit of both, as well as all caught in between.
The Diary of Push-Button Officer X-127 is intended as a preventative anti-radioactive medicine, good for consumption anywhere. It's especially offered to button-pushers, rocket constructors, nuclear physicists, bomb manufacturers & last but not least, statesmen & politicians. It isn't effective against buttons, robots, rockets & bombs themselves.
Originally, the manuscript contained a preface by Martian archeologists, who discover the diary amongst the ruins of a destroyed Earth. This was removed in editions prior to 2003, because it was felt that it spoiled the ending.
Level 7 was adapted by J.B. Priestley for a 1966 episode of the BBC2 television sf drama program Out of the Unknown.