Before they could recover, Aub used the large screen to bring up again the hi-wave image of Earth that they had seen that morning.
“And finally, think about this,” he said. “That image was generated from a kind of wave that emanates from every object in the universe, large or small, to a greater or lesser degree. Visualize then what it might look like if we were to develop ways to refine the image, to resolve more detail—details of the surface, for instance. Suppose we could select any part of the surface and zoom in instantly on any place we chose . . . or any place above the surface . . . or below it . . . or maybe on the Moon. . . .” Aub reeled off the possibilities slowly, one at a time, dangling each for a few seconds tantalizingly. The expressions on their faces told him they were with him all the way.
“All that and more, from a single point somewhere, say, in the U.S.A.,” 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 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 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.”