Read Online The Peace War by Vernor Vinge - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Vernor Vinge
Tags: Fiction, General, Science-Fiction, Science Fiction - General, Fiction - Science Fiction, Political, Technology, Political aspects, Political Fiction, Power (Social sciences), Technology - Political aspects, Inventors
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the Authority knew what was going on
within
the rules... You must have heard about the NCC: I showed conclusively that the
Peace is beginning to catch on to us. They are beginning to understand how far we have
gone without big power sources and universities and old-style capital industry. They are
beginning to realize how far our electronics is ahead of their best. When they see us
clearly, they'll step on us the way they have on all opposition, and we're going to have to
fight."
"You've been saying that for as long as I can remember, Paul, but-"
"But secretly you Tinkers aren't that unhappy with the status quo. You've read about the
wars before the War, and you're afraid of what could happen if suddenly the Authority
lost power. Even though you deceive the Peace, you're secretly glad they're there. Well,
let me tell you something, Mike." The words came in an uncontrollable rush. "I knew the
mob you call the Peace Authority when they were just a bunch of R and D administrators
and petty crooks. They were at the right place and the right time to pull the biggest con
and rip-off of all history. They have zero interest in humanity or progress. That's the
reason they've never invented anything of their own."
He stopped, shocked by his outburst. But he saw from Rosas' face that his revelation
had not been understood. The old man sat back, tried to relax. "Sorry, I wandered off.
What's important right now is this: A lot of people — from Beijing to Norcross — owe me.
If we had a patent system and royalties it would be a lot more gAu than has ever trickled
in. I want to call those IOUs due. I want my friends to get Wili to the bioscience
underground.
"And if the past isn't enough, think about this: I'm seventy-eight. If it's not Wili, it's no
one. I've never been modest: I know I'm the best mathman the Tinkers have. Wili's not
merely a replacement for me. He is actually better, or will be with a few years'
experience. You know the problem he just cracked? It's the thing the Middle California
Tinkers have been bugging me about for three years: eavesdropping on the Authority's
recon satellites."
Rosas' eyes widened slightly.
"Yes. That problem. You know what's involved. Wili's come up with a scheme I think
will satisfy your friends, one that runs a very small chance of detection. Wili did it in six
weeks, with just the technical background he picked up from me last fall. His technique
is radical, and I think it will provide leverage on several other problems. You're going to
need someone like him over the next ten years."
"Um." Rosas fiddled with his gold and blue sheriff's brassard. "Where is this lab?"
`Just north of San Diego."
"That close? Wow." He looked away. "So the problem is getting him down there. The
Aztlán nobility is damned unpleasant about blacks coming in from the north, at least
under normal circumstances."
" `Normal circumstances'?"
"Yes. The North American Chess Federation championships are in La Jolla this April.
That means that some of the best high tech people around are going to be down there
legitimately. The Authority has even offered transportation to entrants from the East
Coast, and they hardly ever sully their aircraft with us ordinary humans. If I were as
paranoid as you, I would be suspicious. But the Peace seems to be playing it just for the
propaganda value. Chess is even more popular in Europe than here; I think the Authority
is building up to sponsorship of the world championships in Berne next year.
"In any case, it provides a cover and perfect protection from the Aztlán black or Anglo,
they've never touched anyone under Peace Authority protection."
Naismith found himself grinning. Some good luck after all the bad. There were tears in
his eyes once more, but now for a different reason. "Thanks, Mike. I needed this more
than anything I've ever asked for."
Rosas smiled briefly in return.
- Flashforward -
Allison didn't know much about plant identification (from less than one
within
the rules... You must have heard about the NCC: I showed conclusively that the
Peace is beginning to catch on to us. They are beginning to understand how far we have
gone without big power sources and universities and old-style capital industry. They are
beginning to realize how far our electronics is ahead of their best. When they see us
clearly, they'll step on us the way they have on all opposition, and we're going to have to
fight."
"You've been saying that for as long as I can remember, Paul, but-"
"But secretly you Tinkers aren't that unhappy with the status quo. You've read about the
wars before the War, and you're afraid of what could happen if suddenly the Authority
lost power. Even though you deceive the Peace, you're secretly glad they're there. Well,
let me tell you something, Mike." The words came in an uncontrollable rush. "I knew the
mob you call the Peace Authority when they were just a bunch of R and D administrators
and petty crooks. They were at the right place and the right time to pull the biggest con
and rip-off of all history. They have zero interest in humanity or progress. That's the
reason they've never invented anything of their own."
He stopped, shocked by his outburst. But he saw from Rosas' face that his revelation
had not been understood. The old man sat back, tried to relax. "Sorry, I wandered off.
What's important right now is this: A lot of people — from Beijing to Norcross — owe me.
If we had a patent system and royalties it would be a lot more gAu than has ever trickled
in. I want to call those IOUs due. I want my friends to get Wili to the bioscience
underground.
"And if the past isn't enough, think about this: I'm seventy-eight. If it's not Wili, it's no
one. I've never been modest: I know I'm the best mathman the Tinkers have. Wili's not
merely a replacement for me. He is actually better, or will be with a few years'
experience. You know the problem he just cracked? It's the thing the Middle California
Tinkers have been bugging me about for three years: eavesdropping on the Authority's
recon satellites."
Rosas' eyes widened slightly.
"Yes. That problem. You know what's involved. Wili's come up with a scheme I think
will satisfy your friends, one that runs a very small chance of detection. Wili did it in six
weeks, with just the technical background he picked up from me last fall. His technique
is radical, and I think it will provide leverage on several other problems. You're going to
need someone like him over the next ten years."
"Um." Rosas fiddled with his gold and blue sheriff's brassard. "Where is this lab?"
`Just north of San Diego."
"That close? Wow." He looked away. "So the problem is getting him down there. The
Aztlán nobility is damned unpleasant about blacks coming in from the north, at least
under normal circumstances."
" `Normal circumstances'?"
"Yes. The North American Chess Federation championships are in La Jolla this April.
That means that some of the best high tech people around are going to be down there
legitimately. The Authority has even offered transportation to entrants from the East
Coast, and they hardly ever sully their aircraft with us ordinary humans. If I were as
paranoid as you, I would be suspicious. But the Peace seems to be playing it just for the
propaganda value. Chess is even more popular in Europe than here; I think the Authority
is building up to sponsorship of the world championships in Berne next year.
"In any case, it provides a cover and perfect protection from the Aztlán black or Anglo,
they've never touched anyone under Peace Authority protection."
Naismith found himself grinning. Some good luck after all the bad. There were tears in
his eyes once more, but now for a different reason. "Thanks, Mike. I needed this more
than anything I've ever asked for."
Rosas smiled briefly in return.
- Flashforward -
Allison didn't know much about plant identification (from less than one
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