James P. Hogan The Legend That Was Earth

[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Just what they needed, Cade groaned inwardly. Yet this was would probably be
the kind of reaction at every level. He realized that he wasn t sure himself
exactly what he wanted them to do. Di Milestro talked direct to Jeye, but Cade
didn t know him, and right at this moment he was acutely conscious of not
commanding Di Milestro s confidence. Di Milestro confirmed it a moment later.
I think you re overreacting, Mr. Cade, he said. Which is understandable.
You ve lost a lot of friends. But the way I see it, this attempt to set up a
back-door PR link into Chryse was only a supplement to the military effort,
anyway in case we needed extra leverage. He shrugged. It seems to me we re
doing just fine without.
Just fine? I d say we re doing pretty damn great, Gerofsky said. It looks
like the Chinese are about to walk right over them in Panama. They don t need
any link to Chryse.
Cade sighed and looked away. No, there wasn t a link from China to Chryse
Page 174
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
because the Hyadean
Washington office controlled the channels, and right now they were permitting
only approved traffic. That was why Yassem and Luodine had set up their
illicit connection to the Querl. Cade blinked as the obvious finally struck
him. He thought back to the things he had seen at Cairns: the scientific base
and its easygoing independence; the local spirit of cooperation with the
aliens and getting to know them. No, there wasn t another independent link.
But there could be
!
We can still do it! he said, turning back. Luodine set the mission up as a
collection center for items to go back to Chryse. But they ve got the same
kind of gear at Cairns, where we were with Krossig. We can set up another link
to Chryse from there
from Australia!
Gerofsky shook his head. Throw away the initiative and get involved in alien
psychology that we don t understand, when the things we do understand are
working fine? What s the point? It goes against
every rule in the book.
How would these people in Australia know how to set their end up? Di
Milestro asked.
I don t know, Cade retorted. But the experts who set up the one at the
mission are downstairs. We can still talk to Australia, can t we?
We don t need it, Gerofsky said again.
Cade stared from one to the other. Why were they hesitating, looking for
reasons why not? There s nothing to lose, he insisted. If you re right and
we take the board anyway, then it ll be a piece of insurance that costs
nothing. If things turn sour, it could be the most important insurance we ever
took.
He pointed a finger in the direction of the floor. And either way, it gives
those four Hyadeans down there a chance to play a part. Are you going to deny
them that, after what happened today?
A deadlocked silence fell over the office. It was clear that neither Gerofsky
nor Di Milestro wanted to be the person who was going to take this thing
further; at the same time, they could find no refutation to what Cade had
said. They looked as if they wished the whole thing would just go away. Before
any resolution suggested itself, the terminal by Clara s desk sounded a
priority tone. She answered at once, having blocked lower-level channels for
privacy. Cade didn t recognize the face that appeared a man in his fifties,
white haired, professional looking, showing a jacket collar and necktie.
Clara, is Chester there? he asked.
Clara moved aside as Di Milestro stepped forward. It s Ed Flomer, from
Sacramento, she said.
Chester, the VP wants you on a conference call that he s setting up right
away, Flomer said. His voice and expression were strained. Can you get to a
private line?
Sure. . . . Di Milestro frowned inquiringly at the screen. What s
happening, Ed?
Flomer shook his head. I can t tell you. This is for a secure line only.
Di Milestro looked at Clara. This way, she said, and led him out of the
office. Cade and Gerofsky remained facing each other. After an awkward
silence, Gerofsky moved over to the bookshelves to scan idly over the titles.
Cade shook his head despairingly at Marie and began flipping mentally through
his catalog of acquaintances for names that he might have to start recruiting
to bring more weight to bear.
Then Clara returned.
Can t we have it referred to someone else? she said, looking at Gerofsky.
Couldn t the commander at Edwards handle it? All you d need to do is arrange
an order from the top to authorize full cooperation, and then get on with your
Page 175
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
job. As Roland said, the cost is nothing. The payoff could be incalculable.
There s no penalty clause. We can t lose.
It would depend on what Sacramento has to say, Gerofsky replied. His manner
was stiff, uncompromising.
Clara studied him for a moment, then looked at Cade and Marie. Why don t you
go back down and update the others on what s been said? she suggested to
them. I ll call you. Clearly, she wanted words with
Gerofsky alone. Cade indicated the door with a nod, and he and Marie left.
Back in the staff room, Cade told the others the latest news, and then went on [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

pobieranie @ do ÂściÂągnięcia @ ebook @ download @ pdf