Asquith shifted in his seat. ‘What my esteemed colleague means,’ he said, ‘is that war is brewing in Europe. You will, of course, be aware of the arms race between the Germans and the British Empire.’
‘I read The Times,’ Rutherford said flatly. ‘But the fact is,’ and he surveyed the gathering, ‘my work is nowhere near complete. When I offered you a way to greatly enhance industry, productivity and eventually the wealth of the nation with this potential power source I was talking about a long-term commitment. I don’t imagine this form of energy — what we call “atomic energy” — would be practicable for many years.’
‘Professor,’ Edison said, ‘may I ask how far you have got with your experiments?’
Rutherford indicated that Fortescue should speak.
The younger man glanced round at the five men and cleared his throat, his bristly moustache twitching involuntarily. ‘Our first conclusive result was achieved last month, in early January,’ he said. He glanced at his papers. ‘Since then we have repeated the experiment thirty-four times. Our average energy production is 40,185 joules from one hundredth of a gram of ibnium.’
The ambassador turned to his compatriot. ‘Could you translate please, Mr Edison?’
The American scientist was startled and staring sceptically at Fortescue. ‘Well,’ he said after a moment, ‘if these figures are to be believed, then this material has an explosive power in excess of ten thousand times the power of TNT.’
‘We still have a great deal of analysis to do on these experiments, ’ Fortescue insisted and glanced at his boss.
‘We have merely scratched the surface,’ Rutherford added.
‘And what is your set-up in Manchester, professor?’ Edison asked. ‘How many in your team? Are you funded privately?’
Rutherford allowed a smile. ‘Our “team” sit before you,’ he said. And as for private funding, that is a completely alien concept to us, sir. My research is financed solely by the University of Manchester.’
Edison raised an eyebrow and glanced first at the prime minister then at the other two men seated opposite the British scientists.
‘I thought this was the crux of the reason for this meeting,’ Rutherford added and turned to Asquith. ‘My understanding, Mr Prime Minster, was that the government was interested in establishing a team to exploit the potential of my work, to produce a powerful new source of energy for industry.’
Asquith nodded. ‘Yes, but whatever you read in The Times, professor, it is in reality a mellowing of the facts. Things in Europe are in a much worse state than many would admit. The Germans are gearing up for war, and so must we.’
‘Because of this,’ Churchill interrupted, ‘the prime minster and myself have already concluded that the direction of your research into this amazing new science must be guided by defence principles. It must be studied as a potential weapon first, and as an enhancer of our industrial power second.’
‘I see,’ Rutherford commented without the slightest conviction. ‘I must say,’ he stated as he glanced at a nonplussed Fortescue, ‘and I think I also speak for my colleague here, you have taken us completely by surprise. This would explain the presence here today of Mr Edison and the honourable ambassador. ’
Asquith nodded. ‘Indeed, professor. My government has decided that we should put all possible resources into the development of a weapon based on your work. We have also concluded that we do not have a second to waste.’
‘But my work is still at a very early stage,’ Rutherford protested.
‘That may be so,’ Asquith replied, but the theoretical grounding is there and you have achieved, I think I’m right in saying, quite remarkable practical results.’ He held the scientist’s eyes, challenging him to deny his own accomplishments.
‘That is true,’ Rutherford acknowledged, ‘but…’ For a second he looked a little out of his depth.
Fortescue filled the breach. ‘Mr Prime Minister,’ he said with an authority that surprised them all. ‘One aspect of the work you may not be aware of is that it is extremely hazardous.’
Asquith considered the scientist. He nodded slowly. ‘Explain.’
‘As Professor Rutherford described, the power unleashed by ibnium provides a form of energy in excess of ten thousand times the equivalent release from TNT. However, in order to produce an effective weapon, researchers would need to handle much larger quantities of the material than we have done. They would need to find a source of ibnium, purify it and then manage to handle it safely.’
‘The young man is probably quite correct,’ Thomas Edison interrupted. ‘The potential of such a device works both ways. The damage it may inflict on an enemy could also destroy those creating it!’
‘We have considered this,’ Asquith replied and looked around the table. ‘Not withstanding the potential dangers, we plan to construct a fully functioning, adequately funded top secret research facility at the earliest possible date.’
And, I assume,’ Ambassador Whitelaw Reid said, ‘you would want my government to help with the financing of the project?’
Asquith nodded to Churchill, who spoke with his cigar clamped to the side of his mouth. Actually Whitelaw, we wanted a little more than that.’
The room was incredibly still. From outside, the sounds of the main road barely filtered through the windows. A carriage drawn by a single horse passed along Downing Street, hooves clip-clopping on the cobbles.
Churchill leaned forward and eviscerated the remains of his cigar in an ashtray in front of him on the oak conference table. ‘You’re not going to like it, Mr Ambassador, but we request that the United States government agrees to host the site for the development of the weapon.’
‘What! Are you quite…?’
Churchill had a hand up. He did not even glance at his superior, the prime minister. ‘I did say you wouldn’t like it, old chap.’
‘Too damn right, I don’t, and you honestly think the boss will go for it?’
‘I rather imagine that when he is furnished with all the facts and all the consequences, President Taft will understand and offer his support.’
‘So, let’s get this straight,’ said Reid. ‘The British government wants to build a bomb-making plant in America. And it is not just any old bomb-making plant but a research centre to create a device with unimaginable power that could explode as it is being made, causing — presumably — massive devastation.’
Churchill afforded Asquith a glance, then said. ‘Well, yes, Whitelaw, that just about sums it up.’