General Max Shorter Page 4

society as complex as ours, a million--and I mean thisliterally, sir--a million decisions must be reviewed if the schedulefalls behind. Delay of a critical item of equipment can necessitate anunbelievably vast reassignment of personnel and supply patterns. A smallcause reverberates throughout the whole fabric of the space technology."

  "General Shorter, I think perhaps you're being carried away a little.I'm sure we have adequate procedures to accommodate minor variations inequipment delivery dates. If we don't, the Lord help us: we'd have beendead long ago."

  The general was in the process of forming an immediate reply, but hereconsidered. When he reached for the coffee, which by now was cool andbitter, his hand was trembling.

  The general licked his lips. "More coffee? No? Well, I didn't intend toget off on this. I really wanted to ask if you'd like to inspect ouroperations." He glanced at his time piece. "I could show you the presentshift operation in Dome Nine."

  Mr. Flison rose. "No, General, I don't want to be of any bother. Iwouldn't want to interfere with your--work."