The Zenith Angle - Bruce Sterling [124]
“I fully agree with Dr. Liang. May I further ask if Dr. Liang considers it necessary to beg foreign technical assistance in order to sabotage India’s peaceful space program?”
More consultation. “We Chinese are entirely aware of India’s space ambitions. We Chinese feel entire confidence that indigenous Chinese space technology will conclusively prove China’s superiority to India’s halting efforts in this regard. ‘Begging’ is not necessary for us. ‘Begging’ is more of an Indian skill.”
“May I point out to my esteemed Chinese colleague, as a matter of record, that India has an English-speaking population, vigorous democratic institutions, a market economy, and is rapidly becoming the planet’s software powerhouse? May I further point out that Indian engineers are so very common in the United States that this very space war weapon is manned by Indian engineers? China has a manufacturing capacity that we respect—but it is Indian genius that is going to lead South Asia into the twenty-first century!”
“We are entirely aware of the bellicose Hindutva sentiments of Dr. Gupta! We are glad to consider outer space one area of peaceful competition, in which the Indian government does not feel driven to repeat the gruesome atrocities of Kashmir and Gujarat.”
“My esteemed Chinese colleague should not think that the genocidal sufferings of the Tibetan people have escaped our notice—”
“Seven hundred and fifty million dollars!” Tony shouted at them.
The two fell silent.
“That’s all! Just seven hundred and fifty million dollars was all it took to cripple a thirteen-billion-dollar American spacecraft,” said Tony. “Can’t you people see the amazing financial leverage in that? I didn’t even ask you for that money in a lump sum!”
“The Indian ISRO can send a spacecraft all the way to the Moon for seven hundred and fifty million dollars,” said Gupta indignantly. “That amount of money is absurd.”
“No Chinese moneys will be forthcoming to you,” said Liang’s translator, with finality.
“We Indians could build an infernal machine like this with our own strong, skillful hands,” said Gupta. “We built atomic bombs and we tested them successfully in defiance of the entire world! Let no one think we Indians lack the ability and resolution to build space weapons. We scorn to do that. That is the truth: we scorn to do any such wicked thing.” Gupta rose to his feet. “These negotiations are at an end.”
Van looked around the desk. It was true. Tony’s guests were leaving. They simply opened the door and walked out in a body.
Tony was abandoned there with two women: Mrs. DeFanti and the little actress.
“Don’t look so sad, Tony,” said Mrs. DeFanti. “That was all a negotiating ploy. You are a technical genius, you have them completely dominated. Those people are mere spies, not entrepreneurs like you and Tom. What can they do but play psychological games? The Indians and Chinese can never think like Americans think. They can’t treat a billion dollars like fast food. You astonished them here, Tony. Really, you amazed and impressed them very much. They’ll consult with the home offices, and talk to all the elders. Then they’ll come back to you.”
“But I can’t wait while they stall for time,” Tony said hollowly. “I’m past waiting. I really need to make this sale. There’s nothing else left, Katrina.”
“I’m taking my limousine home,” she told him. “Stop fretting, darling. You’ve always got a place with Tom.” She kissed him on the cheek.
Mrs. DeFanti left the observatory. Tony looked hopefully at his girlfriend. “Well, honey, by pulling that sad little snit like that, those suckers missed the very best part! I guess that situation looked pretty bad, but you know, I’m not too surprised by what they did. No, I’m not. They don’t appreciate me, that’s all. They can’t grasp the scale of my achievement here. But you know what I’m going to do now? I’m going to do the most amazing thing that any man has ever done for