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he concluded. "What kind of impact would that have on the global strategic
balance...? Just imagine, gentlemen, a radar -- if you wish to think of it
that way -- that can 'see' below the horizon, through a mountain...even right
through a whole planet!"
When Aub was finished, Peter Hughes spent ten minutes summing up the major
items of the day, then ended with a flash. "As you are all aware, the
International Scientific Foundation chooses to conduct its affairs independent
of government backing and involvement. In view of the extremely important
nature of the things that my colleagues have described today, it is our
considered opinion that an exception to this general rule is clearly called
for. The potential that we have heard explained impinges directly on the
future not only of this nation but of the whole of the Western world. To
realize this potential, however, it is clear that a great amount of further
development will be necessary. Time is not on our side, and to use effectively
what little there is, it is imperative for this field of research to be
supported and furthered vigorously and without delay. To progress we need
backing on a scale that only the nation can provide."
After a brief muttered conversation with his aides, William Foreshaw, the
Defense Secretary, looked up at where Hughes was still standing. "Thank you,
gentlemen. I don't think we have any further questions at this point." He cast
an inquiring eye round the faces from Washington just to be sure. "Before we
commit ourselves to any kind of formal reply, we'd appreciate a half-hour or
so to talk a few things over among ourselves. I wonder if your people would be
kind enough to leave us alone in here for a while, please?"
"Certainly," Hughes replied. He gazed toward the Sudbury personnel at the back
of the room and inclined his head in the direction of the door. They filed out
and Hughes followed. Outside in the corridor they all found they had the same
thought in mind and made their way toward the coffee lounge a few doors
farther along for some badly needed refreshment. Forty-five minutes later,
they were still sitting there, the conversation having degenerated to a few
spasmodic syllables as their impatience began to make itself felt.
At last Aub got up and ambled over to join Clifford, who was staring morosely
out of the window and who had not spoken since entering the room.
"Cheer up, Brad. It all went pretty well. Don't you think so?"
"It went okay." Clifford's voice was neutral.
"So what's eating you, man? You look kinda bugged."
Clifford turned his back to the window and braced his arms along the sill, at
the same time emitting an exasperated sigh.
"Just remind me, Aub, why are we doing all this? What are those people doing
here anyway? Christ -- didn't it cause us enough trouble trying to get
ourselves away from all that? Now we're tying ourselves in knots trying to set
it all up again the way it was. It just doesn't make any sense."
"But it's not like it was, is it?" Aub answered. He obviously harbored few
doubts. "Like Zim said, we're talking to the right people now. We couldn't
have left things the way they were going -- they weren't going anywhere at
all. This way we look like we might end up back in business again. That can't
be all bad."
"I just don't like it. I don't trust them, and I don't like being mixed up
with people I don't trust. I've seen too much of how they work."
Aub clapped him encouragingly on the shoulder.
"Maybe you're looking at it the wrong way. We got out before, sure, but they
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weren't on our side then. Since then, we've come a long way all on our own.
Now we've still got all that, but we've got them on our side too. That changes
everything. That bunch next door could fund Mark II by pooling their salaries.
That's what this is all about, don't forget."
"You're right, but I still don't like it..." Clifford didn't seem
cheered.
At that moment one of the police guards who had been posted outside the door
of the Conference Theater came into the lounge and exchanged a few words
quietly with Peter Hughes. Hughes nodded, stood up from the chair in which he
had been sitting, fidgeting nervously, and spoke in a raised voice.
"Well, it looks as if this is it. The jury seems to have reached a verdict. I
don't think it would be appropriate for all of us to go crowding in, so if you
don't mind, I'll just take Al, Brad, and Aub. No doubt we'll see you all here
when we come back out."
"Do you think they'll buy it?" Hughes muttered under his breath as they
followed the burly figure of the guard back along the corridor.
"If they do, I'll know to apply to IBM for my next job," Aub replied
cheerfully.
They went back into the Conference Theater and sat down facing the august
gathering. William Foreshaw waited until the door had been closed before
addressing them.
"First of all, I would like to express our appreciation for the efforts that
you have made today. Any words I might choose to attempt to describe our
impressions would be an understatement. Therefore I'll just settle for 'thank
you all.'" A murmur of assent rippled round the rest of the delegation.
Foreshaw continued. "Second, we'd like Mr. Hughes to convey our appreciation
back to ISF headquarters in Geneva. We are gratified by this demonstration
that an independent scientific organization will rise to meet its national
obligations. And now, to business. First, I have one or two questions I'd like
to ask..." He paused and looked slowly from one to another of the four people
sitting in front of him. There was a curious look in his eyes.
"Would it come as a surprise to you gentlemen," he said at last, "to learn
that the same line of theoretical work is also being pursued elsewhere in this
country? I should add that it has not progressed to anything near the things
you have showed us today, but the basics are there."
Nobody spoke. The Sudbury group looked slightly uncomfortable.
"They ran into a problem," Warren Keele supplied, more to ease the silence. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]