|
|
|
|
|
|
"Space-borne weapons are ridiculously impracticable", said the chief propulsion engineer as he addressed the secret NASA meeting. "However, if we can convince the military that there's a chance they might work, then we can justify the funding of a scientific space-platform in terms of vague future military gain. The military spends more on abortive projects than we'll be asking for anyway, and the research we do there can put us decades ahead."
A murmur of agreement went round the room.
"Space-borne weapons are ridiculously impracticable", said the general in charge of overseeing the experimental NASA project. "However, if we can persuade the White House that there's a chance they might work, then we can justify the funding of test programmes for all our experimental weapons ideas in terms of a vague possibility of space-borne deployment. If we say we're shooting for the stars, they'll fund anything that could conceivably be of use up there, which would put us decades ahead."
A murmur of agreement went round the room.
"Space-borne weapons are ridiculously impracticable", said the aide responsible for overseeing military budget proposals. "However, if we can persuade the public that there's a chance they might work, then we can justify taxation increases in terms of the nation's safety. We can then subsidize our best companies to make ancillary products for the program, which could put us decades ahead."
A murmur of agreement went round the room.
"Space-borne weapons are ridiculously impracticable", said the bartender. "But if the Russkies don't know that, it could scare 'em off. We'd be decades ahead!"
A murmur of agreement went round the room.
"Space-borne weapons are ridiculously impracticable", said the Premier, addressing the Politburo. "But the threatening and posturing of the US over this justifies us in enhancing our red armies, while simultaneously avoiding military conflicts with honour, and criticizing the US for its absurd military build-up. Diplomatically, it could put us decades ahead."
A murmur of agreement went round the room.
"Space-borne weapons are ridiculously impracticable", said the secretary-general of the UN. "But the threat of them seems to be keeping the peace. We're decades ahead."
A murmur of agreement went round the room.
"Space-borne weapons?" bellowed Glaxxor. "These earthlings are becoming too fiery for our pleasure! Launch the battle-armada!"
A murmur of agreement went round the room.
The alien bombing of Earth set it back centuries.