Read The Disestablishment of Paradise for Free Online Page A

new discoveries always cost more money than old.’ Her lips pursed in a tight smile. ‘In the ORBE project
we have detected no such applications.’
    ‘You underestimate the value of what you call run-of-the-mill research. That is what great discoveries are based on.’
    ‘So where are the great discoveries?’
    ‘Given time—’
    ‘Ah yes, given time, anything is possible. Given time, we could all achieve enlightenment. But alas we work in the mundane here and now. In this world time is both money and resources. And
while you, Dr Melhuish, may have plenty of time, the rest of us, and especially those planets whose natural resources are just on the point of being opened for commercial exploitation and who are
hurting for valuable investment, do not.’
    ‘Research does not move at the same timescale as capital investment.’
    ‘Evidently not. And that is precisely our concern.’
    The two women glared icily at one another.
    Finally Dr van Terfel said, ‘You know, Dr Melhuish, I think in a situation such as this – I mean where we are considering the future of a well developed planet – the Economic
Subcommittee would have been prepared to be more flexible had you yourself been more flexible regarding the tourism issue. But in view of the Council’s resolution in your favour on that
matter, the committee discounted the possibility of terminating the agricultural sector since there was nothing of economic significance to take its place. Unless you are hinting at a possible
rethink of your position . . .? The simple fact is that Paradise is failing miserably on an economic level, and has been for years, as you are fully aware. And you and your team at the ORBE
project, despite massive funding, seem unable to do anything to halt that decline.’
    ‘We are not miracle workers.’
    Hera saw Secretary General Isherwood glance at his watch and then say something off camera. Time was running out.
    She said, ‘There is no question of our making a change in our stance on tourism. However, a point was raised today during the brief time we had to discuss your committee’s suggestion
–’
    ‘Recommendation.’
    ‘– and that was, if the problem with Paradise is simply a commercial one, then perhaps the commercial arm could be gradually phased out while leaving the research arm
intact.’
    ‘You mean close down the agricultural sector and leave you to continue as you are?’
    ‘Well, yes. I wouldn’t put it quite like—’
    ‘Without any independent income beyond what you can gain from patents?’
    ‘Yes. After all, the ORBE project is not really very expensive to run. And with the commercial pressure removed we could concentrate all our efforts on the deeper problems. We have many
lines of research that are—’
    Dr Hilder van Terfel cut across her. ‘It costs twenty-three million solas per annum, give or take a few thousand, just to keep human beings down there on Paradise. That is mainly for
wages, food supply, transport and equipment. In addition, we would have to factor in the costs of maintaining a fully equipped space platform. Say another twenty-three million, when you add in
staffing, depreciation and maintenance. So forty-six million solas per annum. Pure cost. No return. But the promise of a great discovery sometime.’ She paused, and laughter could be heard
beyond the animation mat. ‘I think we would find that a rather hard idea to sell to anyone, like selling sand to Mars. But it is an interesting proposal, and one that we had not
considered.’ She paused again and then added slowly, ‘I trust, in view of your earlier comments on consultation, that this proposal has been discussed with the farming and agricultural
sectors on Paradise and that they are in agreement?’ She turned slightly away from Hera. ‘Captain Abhuradin?’
    The captain sat up straight and more or less came to attention in her seat. ‘Well, er, no, such a proposal has not been discussed. In fact, this is the