“A voice of sanity. Thank you, Mister Jones,” said Watt.
“You can have my resignation if you wish,” said White. “I will not participate any further in this sham, and the president will be told my reasons.”
For a moment there was a terrible silence in the room, then, “I think that would be most unfortunate,” said Watt. “What would it take to keep you with us, and satisfied?”
“Full disclosure,” said White. “At least enough material so that significant progress can be made, and rapidly.”
Another pause, Minister Watt stroking his long chin with one hand while he thought. “Very well, I will tell you the omissions I wish to make, and why, and then we will hear your opinions.”
Watt outlined the omissions he intended to make, and there were immediate objections from his Green colleagues and the Blues, Mister Jones remaining silent and looking uncomfortable.
“The Americans must be able to activate the field generator and obtain a minimum of vacuum state energy to achieve escape velocity. For now it’s not necessary they understand the energy source. but know how to use it at low levels. Anything less is not acceptable to me,” said Mister White.
“We concur,” said the machine voice of the translator.
“Respectfully, sir, I also agree with that,” said Chairman Brown. “All the delays have put us in a critical position. It’s a poor way to gain political allies; surely you can see that. President Troik has argued the case for this project before the Peoples’ Congress. Failure would be a great embarrassment to him, and we all have some knowledge of what the possible consequences could be.”
“That is not our concern,” said Mister Smith of The Blues. “But it’s not our habit to support activities doomed to failure because of poor judgments.”
“The danger is real for all of us,” said White. “Our governments have made agreements on this. Our failure will be theirs, and I’d rather not spend the rest of my life hiding from them in some desert.”
There was a long silence. Internally, Minister Watt seethed with violent plans for these men who dared to oppose his judgment, but he could not risk a direct report by them to his superior, not at this time. Step back, then, and wait for an opportunity for more direct action.
“Very well, ten percent power as a maximum for now. This will give them planetary capability, but not extra-solar, enough to occupy them for decades.”
“Well,” said Mister White, amazed.
“Excellent,” said a relieved Chairman Brown.
“Your choice,” said Mister Smith. “We only advise in these matters, and I must compliment your wisdom, Minister Watt.”
“Thank you,” said Watt, “but I ask that you respect my position in communicating with our president. Our positions must appear to be unified at all times.”
“Of course,” said Chairman Brown, and heads nodded in apparent agreement.
“It’s settled, then. The manual, minus the section on tensor stress modulation, will be delivered in the morning, with copies for all of you. I think we’re finished here, and I thank you for hearing me out.” Watt smiled, his murderous hostility now totally masked. At a great distance, not even The Blues could sense it.
“You honor us with your presence, Minister. Please convey our respects to President Troik for us, and do come again at your pleasure.”
“That is a promise. Perhaps next time we can share some of the local culture together. Until then, gentlemen.” Watt stood up, made a nodding bow, and left them. He closed the door behind him, and walked quickly to the van waiting to take him to port. And in his head he made plans, dark plans for all of those who had just confronted him.
Back in the room Watt had just left, there was a long silence before Mister White said, “Will he do it?”
“Yes,” said Chairman Brown. “He cannot risk a complaint to the president. But I wouldn’t be surprised to learn he’s behind the sabotage we’ve been experiencing.”
“That is a serious implication for a man who has always given full support to the project,” complained Jones.
Brown glared at him. “Your support of our Minister has been noted, Mister Jones. Might we regard the Reds as his ally, or is it just you?”
“I represent my state, sir, not Minister Watt, and I resent the inference.”
“Then allow me to share a confidence with you. It’s important enough that betrayal will mean death to the betrayer. This meeting today was, in fact, called specifically for a deliberate confrontation with our State Minister.
“Mister White and I have suspected for sometime that Watt represents certain members of congress who share his initial opposition to relations with the Americans. In his heart he’s a conservative; it’s recorded in his entire political career. Suddenly he shares the views of a liberal president, and it has taken him to the foot of the highest seat of power. We have been warned by congressional staff about views he has voiced in private to his fellow conservatives. He seeks the powers of the presidency, and failure of this project could be a big step in that direction. Despite what he said today, we will be sending a report directly to the president, and informing him of our difficulties. Mister White is writing it.”
“This is outrageous,” said Jones. “I will not take part in this.” He stood up, and moved to leave.
White struck like a snake, grabbing him by the shoulders and pushing him back down on his chair.
“Don’t even move,” White snarled.
The door opened, and a guard was there, responding to a silent alarm sent by Chairman Brown.
“Enough, Mister Jones,” said Brown. “Your communications have been monitored for weeks, and the evidence shared with your government. You’re going home. Ensign, please take Mister Jones down to level one for transportation off base. Staff will take charge of your prisoner at area four.”
Jones sat stunned. The guard stood him up, shackled his hands behind him and led him away.
There was a strange sound from the television monitor, and then from the translator box came, “Nicely done, and without subtlety. It is a good start in cleaning our house, but you must not expect our help in saving your lives when the good Minister seeks them.”
“The letter to president Troik will be sent in the morning,” said White.
“Indeed,” said Chairman Brown.
Eric didn’t tell Leon about the message he’d received from Neal. A vague distrust of the man nagged at him. He waited until Leon had gone out on a call, and dialed Gil’s private number on his cell phone. Gil answered quickly, and Eric told him all that had happened, including the note from Neal.
“Have you told Leon?” asked Gil.
“Not about Neal, but he knows what I saw at the base, and what I think about it. The project is being deliberately delayed by whoever brought the plane to us. I need to talk to them, but it seems that Davis is the only one they talk to. Face to face, I can identify their nationality. Probably Russian. I can’t think of anyone else who could even approach making what I saw.”
“Don’t tell Leon about Neal.”
“Why? Isn’t he one of ours?”