One of the scientists shook his head.
“It won’t work that way. You can do that once a branch of science has developed to the level of engineering technology—that is, when you understand it properly and can formulate all the rules for applying it. But we’re not anywhere near that point yet; we’re still in an early phase of basic research. You’ve got to distinguish between the two. The things you’ve been saying just don’t apply to the stage we’re at.”
“Maybe because nobody has ever tried it before,” Camerdene suggested.
“Hell, no,” Senchino came in. “You’re missing the whole point. The question is . . .”
“Before we go off into any more technicalities, let’s just remind ourselves of the real importance underlying this issue.” Corrigan spoke from the end of the table. “This information is strictly within these four walls. Latest intelligence reports confirm that both the Chinese and the African-Arab Alliance have developed fully operational satellite-based laser capability for deployment against our Orbital Bombardment System. With full anti-ORBS capability, they are more or less on a par with us in terms of the strategic balance.”
“There’s no need to tell you then how grave a situation we’re facing,” Jarrit came in. “I’m sure you can also see the possible significance of the matter we’re talking about.”
“Industrial disruption in South Korea is rife,” Corrigan continued. “Intensive subversion of the population is being organized systematically and the government is becoming unpopular as a result of very effective left-wing propaganda.” He paused and looked about him to give his words time to sink in. Then he resumed. “We’ve all seen the pattern before. All the signs are that the stage is being set for a so-called war of liberation in the classical style, and world opinion is being preconditioned to make it difficult for the West to react effectively. We think they’re going to take us on in a trial of strength in that area and we think it will happen within the next six months.”
A few murmurs greeted these revelations. Camerdene waited until they had subsided and nodded his head gravely. “That’s the general picture,” he said. “At the technological level we’re more or less even and at the grassroots level we’re being outmaneuvered. That means that the superiority in numbers gives the advantage to the other side.”
Camerdene then began his summation. “To restore and preserve the balance, we must pull ahead significantly in the technological area. You have told us that we appear to have made a breakthrough in a totally new aspect of science. Whenever that has happened in the past, it has always resulted in new, often revolutionary, military capabilities. If that’s true in this case, we need those results fast.”
Corrigan nodded his endorsement of Camerdene’s remarks and, indicating Simpson, said, “As Mark just pointed out, in the past the professional and managerial skills that we have at our disposal today were unknown. The processes for developing raw scientific ideas for useful applications depended on the whims and fads of unguided amateurs.” A few mutters of protest broke out, but he took no notice. “Today we have the skills and techniques necessary to guide those processes efficiently.”
“It seems to me that the scientific fraternity is sadly behind the times in its thinking.” Simpson elaborated on Corrigan’s statement. “If they would only adjust their outlook to accommodate a more realistic appreciation of the facts, they would see that the measures we are proposing are perfectly feasible and attainable. In view of the extremely serious situation that has just been described, I find it amazing that things as elementary as this should have to be spelled out in this way.”
Murmurings of approval came from the Washington side. When they had died away Senchino sat forward and turned imploringly toward Jarrit.
“We’ve already said you can’t command people to have new ideas. The discoveries in the past that led to technological revolutions were almost all made by a few very exceptional individuals. That’s the whole point these people are missing. You can’t take just anybody and make him exceptional by telling him to be exceptional.” A row of blank stares came back across the table. He looked down at the wad of papers in front of him and pushed them out to arm’s length.