Before 24 Billion and Counting

Chapter 22 Part 1 The enemy exposed

"I have read Chris Williamson's account," Devlin said,  his clipped consonants cracking through the electric silence of the room.

I said nothing. When somebody demands you to stay and claims he has  matters to discuss it's best to wait until he declares an agenda or asks a question. 

"It is incomplete." 

Again I said nothing. 

"All right. I know the technique. 

I have had the Chris Williamson document subjected to expert analysis. Within our knowledge of what might be achievable in engineering and biological support systems design, the expedition as described could succeed in the objective of destroying the comet. The cost - even allowing for serendipitous advances in technology over the years is quite extraordinary, and certainly beyond the capability of any tax based method of raising the funds. 

Therefore the integrity of the alternative funding scheme must be maintained. The account as well as characterising the funding mechanism as a scam, leaves unplanned survivors of the crews after destruction of the comet, who might be in a position to expose the originators and managers of the scheme. This could impair the genesis of the scheme due to the unwillingness of the principals to expose themselves to the plebeian ambitions of the populace for revenge.  

We need to know if that is likely to happen. Or if the future has been revealed to expose that possible outcome."  

I sighed, "Presumably this is a statement of your dilemma which you hope I can solve, partially even if not completely. And how do you think I might be able to do that? And why are you so interested in events that won't unfold for a hundred years?." 

"If you are building a corporate dynasty, you have to look into the far future. The ambitions of politicians, the ordinary Joes, the media, company boards and their shareholders or even university astronomers, are far too limited by short termism and lack of vision. It must rest with a small group who control resources and events to achieve a destiny." 

"For a corporate dynasty you need a corresponding family. I presume you perceive the genetic correspondence between yourself and McDeviot in Chris' account. You need to reproduce to preserve genetic continuity." 

"Oh I leave that sort of garbage to my identical twin. Falling in love, raising kids. Messy and unrewarding nonsense. I'm far too busy building the corporate structure, and sweeping the stage so there are no loose marbles on the floor waiting to trip the march of progress, - like - your - story." 

He momentarily lost control at the end of the sentence, banging his fist on the table in time to the last three words. Within a second he refolded is hands, drew a controlled breath and calmed. The mask had slipped but briefly. 

I reflected. Devlin did not have the hypnotic talent of McDeviot. Presumably that would await release by the telepath, Fitz Jenson, McDeviot's marketing man. Maybe the twin had the hypnotic talent and would pass that forward through his line. From my viewpoint Devlin seemed curiously dis-empowered. 

"So," I said, "What is it you seek from me?" 

"When you were in Turkey you exported ahead of your return, items from there to your home in New Zealand." 

"Yes, mainly pottery as gifts and for my home." 

"And?" 

"You must have seen the manifest. You tell me." 

"A 1988 IBM PC compatible computer and peripherals non working of no commercial value." 

"Sounds right."