The Second Golden Age of Science Fiction MEGAPACK ®: Mark Clifton by Mark Clifton & Frank Riley

Author:Mark Clifton & Frank Riley [Clifton, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: short stories, science fiction, pulp fiction, sci-fi, classic
ISBN: 9781479402946
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Published: 2014-05-27T16:00:00+00:00

Kennedy raised his head and smiled quizzically, as if he could afford the luxury of being amused at himself. At least the young man was being merciful with euphemisms.

“You conceived of building an island in a sea of chaos. You built power and you built wealth. Mr. Kennedy, you know as well as I that such a thing is not very difficult if one dedicates himself completely to that purpose. Your idea was to set up laboratories, foundations, all kinds of grants under your protection, where men could continue, at least secretly, to think. You thought to preserve our civilization, in spite of the efforts of the pressure groups to destroy it. And now you want Bossy to further that purpose.

“You want immortality because you know that empires dissipate and die when the strength has gone out of them—as will yours, after you die.”

“You are a . . . a very shrewd young man,” Kennedy said, almost with a gasp. “But you forget that I will not really die. I have a son.”

“Junior?” Joe showed a suppressed smile.

* * * *

The last defense was down. Every man has his Achilles heel, an area where he is defenseless, where he cannot bluff and bargain. Carter had gone directly, without hesitation, to the very center of the shrine, and even exposed the worm which would chew away its foundation and send it toppling. When he spoke, he was not sure whether he was bargaining or pleading for understanding.

“Do you think that was a bad idea?”

“I think it was a very admirable one,” Joe said sincerely.

Kennedy’s face lighted with a warm smile, almost a grin of companionship.

“Then we should have no trouble in arriving at terms,” he said with a vast relief. And was totally unprepared for Joe’s next remark.

“Mr. Kennedy,” Joe said, after a moment’s reflection, “I came here prepared to bargain. I never had any intention of selling Bossy to you, or even permitting you to have any say about Bossy’s uses. I intended to ask for your legal protection—I recall that you were indicted twenty-three times one year—and for a grant where we could go on working without oppression. I took this stand because I assumed your motives would be selfish; that you would agree to almost any terms, knowing fully well that you could twist them around to your own devices any time you chose. And that it would be up to me to thwart you while I still held you to your bargain.”

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