that division from a brutally effective offensive machine into a frightened clutch of defenders, who would be easy pickings for a conventional brigade one fourth their size." Nathan could see the recognition in Hilan's eyes. Hilan's own subcommittee had recently estimated the Russian advantage along the German border to be four to one.
After a long pause, Nathan continued. "We also have two other Hunter platforms—one a ground-effect vehicle, the other an orbital munitions dispenser. I can show you those as well."
The senator shook his head. "Another time perhaps." He frowned. "More important, I need to know why you have to be the developers. Why not use the normal military acquisition system?"
"Because the normal military acquisition system wouldn't just acquire one—they'd build one, from scratch. They'd use military contractors to build a customized system that might be twice as good, but which would take ten times as long to develop and cost ten times as much to produce. It would be so good that by the time they could field it, it would be obsolete. They would not use commercially available systems, like the WeatherWatch airplane."
As Nathan spoke, he grew more forcefal. No matter how often he addressed this topic, he could never approach it with complete Zetetic composure. "Do you know the story of the TACFIRE computer? It was designed to control artillery barrages. Unfortunately, it took 25 years to build. When they finally deployed it in the late 70s and early '80s, TACFIRE computers cost six million dollars apiece. During those 25 years, the technology changed to the point where TACFIRE could hardly be called a computer: it had the processing power of a six hundred dollar Apple II computer. And TACFIRE could not even operate with some of the artillery systems that had evolved during its 25-year development period." Nathan felt his voice rising, took a deep breath for control. "Senator, the state of the world scares me. The United States is in the throes of confronting the end of the Industrial Age culture it created. Meanwhile, the Russians grow more aggressive. Senator, I don't think we can wait twenty years for the American military to catch up with the civilian revolution in technology. We need to be able to protect ourselves better this year ." Nathan stopped speaking, filled with sodden futility. After all, Senator Forstil belonged to the same party as President Mayfield.
But a shadow of tense worry broke through the senator s projected image. "You're right," he replied quietly. A long pause ensued; Nathan wondered if he should speak.
At last, Forstil continued. "I think I know why you wanted to talk with me, why Jan wanted me to talk with you. You've heard that various powerful people in the military want this project taken away from the Defense Nuclear Agency because they've given you a free hand. They want the Sling put under FIREFORS, where it can be controlled more effectively."
Nathan nodded.
"I'll give it serious consideration. For the moment my subcommittee will recommend against a transition to FIREFORS control. But if the army decides to enforce such a move itself, I cannot stop them. However," he smiled, and for another moment his image of controlled power relaxed, this time because his shark's smile seemed uncontrolled, "if the army decides to move on its own, I shall counsel them."
Nathan chuckled. "Thank you." They stood up, shook hands, and Forstil turned to depart. As he reached the door, he turned, puzzled. "One last thing."
"Yes?"
"Why do you call it the Sling?"
"Because David of Israel was the forerunner of the Information Age warrior." Nathan leaned back against his desk, returning to the position from which he had started this encounter. "Senator, when David stood against the Philistines, he faced the most heavily armed and armored enemy of his day. David himself was unarmored, and virtually unarmed. Yet, by the application of just a tiny amount of force, precisely applied, he
After a long pause, Nathan continued. "We also have two other Hunter platforms—one a ground-effect vehicle, the other an orbital munitions dispenser. I can show you those as well."
The senator shook his head. "Another time perhaps." He frowned. "More important, I need to know why you have to be the developers. Why not use the normal military acquisition system?"
"Because the normal military acquisition system wouldn't just acquire one—they'd build one, from scratch. They'd use military contractors to build a customized system that might be twice as good, but which would take ten times as long to develop and cost ten times as much to produce. It would be so good that by the time they could field it, it would be obsolete. They would not use commercially available systems, like the WeatherWatch airplane."
As Nathan spoke, he grew more forcefal. No matter how often he addressed this topic, he could never approach it with complete Zetetic composure. "Do you know the story of the TACFIRE computer? It was designed to control artillery barrages. Unfortunately, it took 25 years to build. When they finally deployed it in the late 70s and early '80s, TACFIRE computers cost six million dollars apiece. During those 25 years, the technology changed to the point where TACFIRE could hardly be called a computer: it had the processing power of a six hundred dollar Apple II computer. And TACFIRE could not even operate with some of the artillery systems that had evolved during its 25-year development period." Nathan felt his voice rising, took a deep breath for control. "Senator, the state of the world scares me. The United States is in the throes of confronting the end of the Industrial Age culture it created. Meanwhile, the Russians grow more aggressive. Senator, I don't think we can wait twenty years for the American military to catch up with the civilian revolution in technology. We need to be able to protect ourselves better this year ." Nathan stopped speaking, filled with sodden futility. After all, Senator Forstil belonged to the same party as President Mayfield.
But a shadow of tense worry broke through the senator s projected image. "You're right," he replied quietly. A long pause ensued; Nathan wondered if he should speak.
At last, Forstil continued. "I think I know why you wanted to talk with me, why Jan wanted me to talk with you. You've heard that various powerful people in the military want this project taken away from the Defense Nuclear Agency because they've given you a free hand. They want the Sling put under FIREFORS, where it can be controlled more effectively."
Nathan nodded.
"I'll give it serious consideration. For the moment my subcommittee will recommend against a transition to FIREFORS control. But if the army decides to enforce such a move itself, I cannot stop them. However," he smiled, and for another moment his image of controlled power relaxed, this time because his shark's smile seemed uncontrolled, "if the army decides to move on its own, I shall counsel them."
Nathan chuckled. "Thank you." They stood up, shook hands, and Forstil turned to depart. As he reached the door, he turned, puzzled. "One last thing."
"Yes?"
"Why do you call it the Sling?"
"Because David of Israel was the forerunner of the Information Age warrior." Nathan leaned back against his desk, returning to the position from which he had started this encounter. "Senator, when David stood against the Philistines, he faced the most heavily armed and armored enemy of his day. David himself was unarmored, and virtually unarmed. Yet, by the application of just a tiny amount of force, precisely applied, he
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