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Occasion for Disaster By: Randall Garrett (1927-1987) |
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This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction November 1960,
December 1960, January 1961, February 1961. Extensive research did not
uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was
renewed. OCCASION ... for DISASTER
By MARK PHILLIPS
Illustrated by van Dongen
A very small slip, at just the wrong place, can devastate
any enterprise. One tiny transistor can go wrong ... and
ruin a multi million dollar missile. Which would be one way
to stop the missiles.... " We must remember not to judge any public servant by any
one act, and especially should we beware of attacking the
men who are merely the occasions and not the causes of
disaster. " Theodore Roosevelt
In 1914, it was enemy aliens. In 1930, it was Wobblies. In 1957, it was fellow travelers. In 1971, it was insane telepaths. And, in 1973: "We don't know what it is," said Andrew J. Burris, Director of the
FBI. He threw his hands in the air and looked baffled and confused. Kenneth J. Malone tried to appear sympathetic. "What what is?" Burris frowned and drummed his fingers on his big desk. "Malone," he
said, "make sense. And don't stutter." "Stutter?" Malone said. "You said you didn't know what it was. And I
wanted to know what it was." "That's just it," Burris said. "I don't know." Malone sighed and repressed an impulse to scream. "Now, wait a minute,
Chief " he started. Burris frowned again. "Don't call me Chief," he said. Malone nodded, "O.K.," he said. "But if you don't know what it is,
you must have some idea of what you don't know. I mean, is it larger
than a breadbox? Does it perform helpful tasks? Is it self employed?" "Malone," Burris sighed, "you ought to be on television." "But " "Let me explain," Burris said. His voice was calmer now, and he spoke
as if he were enunciating nothing but the most obvious and eternal
truths. "The country," he said, "is going to Hell in a handbasket." Malone nodded again. "Well, after all, Chief " he started. "Don't call me Chief," Burris said wearily. "Anything you say," Malone agreed peacefully. He eyed the Director of
the FBI warily. "After all, it isn't anything new," he went on. "The
country's always been going to Hell in a handbasket, one way or
another. Look at Rome." "Rome?" Burris said. "Sure," Malone said. "Rome was always going to Hell in a handbasket,
and finally it " He paused. "Finally it did, I guess," he said. "Exactly," Burris said. "And so are we. Finally." He passed a hand
over his forehead and stared past Malone at a spot on the wall. Malone
turned and looked at the spot, but saw nothing of interest. "Malone,"
Burris said, and the FBI Agent whirled around again. "Yes, Ch Yes?" he said. "This time," Burris said, "it isn't the same old story at all. This
time it's different." "Different?" Malone said. Burris nodded. "Look at it this way," he said. His eyes returned to
the FBI Agent. "Suppose you're a congressman," he went on, "and you
find evidence of inefficiency in the government." "All right," Malone said agreeably. He had the feeling that if he
waited around a little while everything would make sense, and he was
willing to wait. After all, he wasn't on assignment at the moment, and
there was nothing pressing waiting for him. He was even between
romances. If he waited long enough, he told himself, Andrew J. Burris might say
something worth hearing. He looked attentive and eager. He considered
leaning over the desk a little, to look even more eager, but decided
against it; Burris might think he looked threatening. There was no
telling. "You're a congressman," Burris said, "and the government is
inefficient. You find evidence of it. What do you do?" Malone blinked and thought for a second... Continue reading book >>
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Fiction |
Literature |
Psychology |
Science |
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