Asimovs v13n13 1989-12-Mid by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Format: epub

"A job. You’re probably going to need one soon.” The smile didn’t falter. Carter gave Knopfler a half smile in return, and nodded. Knopfler led the way out through the street entrance, into warm fresh air and relative quiet. The sounds of the party were muted, distant, and street traffic was light, just an occasional car or truck driving slowly past. They began walking along the sidewalk around the complex, silent at first, hut eventually Knopfler started speaking. "What interested me was your idea about people having an ingrained affinity, established either by genetics or early life, for a specific environment. Also the converse, that people have ingrained antipathies to different environments. Of particular interest was the notion that these affinities and antipathies, especially subtle and complex variants thereof — things much more delicate and specific, for example, than simple claustrophobia — can be detected and identified through more refined, precise, and extensive procedures than currently exist.” Knopfler paused, and Carter felt he was waiting for a response. He looked up at the sky, but though there were no clouds, the stars were dimmed by the rising glow of the city lights. "As you say, it’s just a notion.” Carter shrugged. "I’ve never really had the opportunity to develop an5d;hing along those lines. And as the committee chairperson pointed out so emphatically, I do not really have any empirical evidence to support my ideas. A notion, yes. Nothing more.” "Just a gut feeling?” Knopfler offered. "I suppose.” They passed a break in the buildings, where a gate led into the plaza, and for a few moments the noise increased, then gradually faded again. "Several of my colleagues and I give your ideas much credence, however, and we would like you to work for us.” "Why? Manned space flight will be effectively defunct, at least for the next few years. Unless you’re looking at long term . . .” Knopfler shook his head. "We aren’t interested in space flight. We’re not interested in space at all, not from a human standpoint.” He paused to light a cigarette, but did not offer one to Carter. "We have recently developed new high-tech fighting suits for our infantry. You may have heard something about them.” "Something, yes.” "They are completely self-enclosed, self-contained, computer-monitored, designed to be worn around the clock for days at a time, even weeks. We’ve done extensive testing in labs, on domestic bases and training grounds, testing of both the suits and the soldiers, and now we’ve begun field testing in the jungles of Guatemala.” Knopfler paused, inhaled on his cigarette. "Frankly, we’ve had a few problems not unlike those encountered by the Mars Expedition. The Rigger syndrome, some 106 RICHARD PAUL RUSSO

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