The Disestablishment of Paradise Read online

  Dr van Terfel nodded as though to confirm that this was the first question she had expected. ‘Yes, the issue of consultation was discussed in committee and the feeling was that there had been enough reports and visits over the critical period under review. I am referring to the past ten years up to the present. But please do convey my regrets to your members and accept my own personal apology for any distress caused by our decision. Such things are a shock when first encountered, but we are resilient beings, are we not, otherwise we would not be here. And of course all employees will be redeployed unless of retiring age. There is no question of dismissal. We do not live in the Dark Ages. But there is one other thing that I would like you to convey to your members. Please make them aware that we have to make decisions affecting the future of over a hundred and fifty planets, all of which are competing for limited resources. Everyone feels for their own future and their own planet as much as you feel for Paradise. And I can assure you that the decisions we take are not taken lightly, and are based on rigorous criteria and clear guidelines.’

  ‘I will convey your apology to the members of the ORBE project on Paradise.’ said Hera. ‘But I am afraid they will feel that your committee’s decision was taken in ignorance of the true details of our work, which is dynamic and changes daily since we deal with living things and not balance sheets. In this instance—’

  ‘Forgive me for interrupting, but are you telling me that in the eight months since the last fact-finding mission there have been significant changes in your programme? Some radical new initiatives taken or new major discoveries made? The Paradise plum revitalized perhaps? Or are you continuing with your programme along the lines already well established?’

  ‘The established programme continues, as it must, and with successes in all areas – but in parallel with that new discoveries are made daily.’

  ‘I am sure they are. Indeed it would be a serious matter were there not some ongoing new perceptions given the level of funding you are accorded, but I said major discoveries, significant changes, radical new initiatives. My reference to the Paradise plum was by way of jest. We have rather given up hope on that, I fear. You see, Dr Melhuish, we are not interested in the run-of-the-mill discoveries which are, or should be, part of the daily work of any well run department. We are only interested in developments that are, in the purest sense of the word, significant. If there have been such, we have not heard of them, even though our research department monitors the papers published by your agency. Equally, any new and exciting discovery usually shows up as a request for a special development grant, for, as you know, 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 first time I have heard of it.’

  ‘Really.’ There was a dramatic pause and then Dr van Terfel turned back to Hera and studied her for a moment over her glasses. ‘I regret, Dr Melhuish, that until such time as your proposal has been discussed with all parties concerned, it would not be appropriate for it to be discussed in this forum. We can not risk being accused of favouritism or making backroom deals.’

  At this point the secretary general intervened smoothly: ‘Ladies, I hate to break up a party, but I for one have another meeting to attend, and I know that Dr van Terfel has contact time scheduled with the two other worlds that have been recommended for Disestablishment. I propose that we call it a day for the time being. Your request for an appeal has been noted, Hera, and will be actioned tomorrow. However, the time frame is short – all part of our efficiency drive – so the appeal may be heard the day before the next Council meeting, which is –’ he looked away and received some information from one of the aides in attendance ‘– which is . . . in exactly four weeks’ time.’ He turned immediately to Captain Abhuradin before Hera could speak. ‘Now, Inez, you have not had much part to play in this debate. How have you and your staff reacted to the news?’

  ‘Well, there was shock and some dismay, naturally, and we will be very sad to depart. But I think we all are pretty professional about these things. We all knew that no planetary posting is permanent. Most are already thinking about the posting they would like to put in for, and some may seek to take early retirement.’

  ‘To be expected. And I think in cases su
ch as these, where a change of appointment is the result of a policy change and not a matter of discipline, the Space Council can afford to be generous. The same goes for your team, Hera. And now I think we must end. This has been a most fruitful and frank exchange and I would like to thank all parties for their participation. Till the next time. Au revoir.’

  The figures of Dr van Terfel and Secretary Isherwood shrank suddenly to a point of light which then blinked out.

  Captain Abhuradin let out a breath. ‘Well, that van Terfel woman is something else, isn’t she?’

  Hera did not want to speak for the moment. She was in turmoil. She felt outmanoeuvred, humiliated even. More particularly, she felt she had been set up by Abhuradin, who, for all Hera knew, might have had prior information or secret talks with the Space Council. She looked across at the captain, who was sitting back in her chair, had undone the top button of her uniform jacket and was now paying attention to her make-up.

  ‘This was your idea, wasn’t it?’

  Captain Abhuradin looked across at her in surprise. ‘What do you mean my idea? And why are you looking at me like that? I’ve told you already that Tim Isherwood asked me to set up the meeting, which I did. I didn’t realize it was going to be so short. And you have nothing to complain about. You got the lion’s share of the time. There were a number of things I would have liked to say, but we ran out of time.’ She closed the small make-up mirror with a snap.

  ‘As far as I am concerned it was a trap. I was a fool to agree to a conference. In fact I didn’t agree to it; it was sprung on me. And I think you were responsible for that.’

  The young technician who had set up the tri-vid link and who had now come back into the studio, stood looking at the two women in some embarrassment. ‘Er . . . will that be all?’

  ‘Yes, that will be all, thank you,’ said Abhuradin crisply. ‘Are there any more calls logged or is this studio free?’

  ‘No. No more calls.’

  ‘Good. Close the door when you go. And we don’t want to be disturbed. Understood?’

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’ He came to attention and saluted.

  ‘Dismissed.’

  As soon as the door was closed, Abhuradin rounded on Hera. ‘How dare you speak to me like that, and in front of one of my junior technicians! And how dare you accuse me of complicity in some scheme?’ Hera began to speak but Abhuradin rode over her. ‘No. You’ve had your say. Now you listen to me for a change. You are going to have to stop this behaviour. Being suspicious of everyone, going round attacking anyone who has a different idea to yourself, behaving as if you are some kind of messiah on a divine mission. Oh yes, I know you’ve got qualifications as long as your arm, but that doesn’t make you right or good. Only clever – clever and finally ridiculous.’

  ‘If all you want to do is insult me, I’m leaving. I have more valuable things to get on with.’

  ‘Yes, I’m sure you do. Well run away then. Start gingering up your forces. Write a report, for all the good it will do you, and then sit back feeling God-almighty virtuous. But what I want you to realize is that it is your fault that Paradise is being disestablished.’

  ‘My fault?’

  ‘Yes. You heard her, the van Terfel woman. She said if only you’d been a bit flexible. Taken the tourism proposal.’

  ‘That again.’

  ‘Yes, that again. We all see the dangers of tourism just as much as you, but no one was ever suggesting that we turn the planet into an expensive sex haven like Gerard’s Barn. But something could have been done, something that was appropriate, something that you could have had a say in – and that would have been enough to keep Paradise alive. Well, you blew all the proposals out of the water, and now you see what has happened? The moderates on the Council didn’t want to disestablish Paradise, but you left them no arguments. And if we did have enemies on the Council, well, you gave them a loaded gun with which to shoot us. Congratulations, Dr Melhuish.’

  ‘You are talking rubbish. What van Terfel was suggesting was just the thin edge of a wedge, and you know that. Once you let the developers get a toe in the door you never get rid of them. First it would have been adventure holidays – all sweet and innocent – climbing in the Staniforth Mountains. But then something for the old folks, eh? A sanatorium by a quiet lagoon at Largo. Next, recreational diving in the Celeste Deep. And what about something for the kiddies? Within a year we’d see mechanical models of the great Dendron clumping about giving children’s rides at Kithaeron. As soon as Paradise returned a profit – and Paradise would have turned a big profit, no question – it would be finished. In fact, Paradise would have ended up subsidizing the whole bloody space programme. Forget about agriculture. Agriculture is nothing. When the big boys move in they play for keeps. And the only way to keep them out is to not let them in in the first place. Now if that is all you have to say . . .’

  ‘You stupid, stupid, stupid woman!’ Hera’s mouth opened. No one had ever spoken to her like that. ‘You know nothing about the real world, do you? That’s why people like you are so dangerous. You can’t bend. You can’t negotiate. You don’t care about people, only your blessed plants. Well get back to them, Dr Melhuish, and don’t think about the people who are going to leave Paradise, people who love Paradise just as much as you, people who now will have to tear up their lives and start again because of you.’

  ‘I suppose you’re one of them.’

  ‘Yes. I am, actually. I plan to take early retirement in a few months and I can think of few places I’d rather live than here. It is the most beautiful place I have ever known.’

  ‘Oh yes? Run a little hotel maybe? A little souvenir shop and café on the side?’

  ‘Take that sneer off your face. I’m getting married at the end of the year and hope to start a family.’

  That stopped Hera. ‘You?’ Hera would have suspected many things of the attractive Inez Abhuradin but the thought of her settling down and pushing a pram! ‘You?’ She repeated.

  ‘Me what?’

  ‘Getting married.’

  ‘It is not so extraordinary. I’m sure you learned something about human chemistry when you were at university. And yes, I do take a keen interest in the economic well-being of Paradise, because I do not want to see it ruined. In my view this would have been a rather nice place to bring up children. Or do you not think of such things?’ Hera did not reply. ‘But worst of all, Dr Melhuish, worst of all is to know that you haven’t a clue about what is really going on now. Have you?’

  ‘I’m not sure I know what you mean.’

  ‘That meeting just now. What do you think it was about?’

  Hera thought for a moment. ‘Well. They were trying to make a fool of me, thanks to you. And that van Terfel woman was clearly primed. But overall I think they were trying to calm us down so that we wouldn’t make too much of a fuss. Buy us off with promises of redundancy payouts. It is an old trick.’

  ‘Wrong, Dr Melhuish. Zero out of ten, Dr Melhuish.’ Abhuradin was speaking more softly now and approached Hera until she was very close. ‘They had a number of agendas, one of which was winding you up so that you would make a fuss and demand an appeal.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because they want you out of the way. When the appeal comes, they’ll crush you. I don’t know how, but they will. They will have something over you, and their planning is probably well advanced already. And then, when you are safely out of the way, they’ll close down Paradise, for a while.’

  ‘What do you mean “for a while”? Stop talking in riddles. If you know something that I don’t . . .’

  ‘I know no more than you. But I understand how these things are done. You watch. They’ll disestablish Paradise all right. But they’ll leave the space platform in place. This platform on which we are standing. I stake my career on it.’

  ‘And why would they do that? You heard what that van Terfel woman said about it costing so much money to keep the platform open.’

  Captain Abhuradin looked at
her in disbelief, and then she spoke very slowly and distinctly. ‘After about five years, or ten maybe, depending on sensibilities, someone somewhere will come up with the bright notion that a place is needed for recreation. And then someone from somewhere else will remember and say, “What about that derelict old planet Paradise?” Then they’ll talk to someone in high places, who will tell them, “Sorry, there is an environmental restriction order placed on Paradise.” Shock! Horror! “But we won’t do any harm. In fact we will enhance the environment. Take me to your leader.” And within a couple of years they’ll be in. And all your nightmares about kiddies’ rides and old folks’ homes will come true . . . but it will be worse. It will be a hundred times worse. It will be more terrible than you can ever imagine because there will be no one here to stop it. Not me. Not you. That is why they need to get rid of you and all your friends at ORBE – and me too, because I am not thought of as a friend. Come back in ten years and then we’ll see you weep. Those lovely mountains. Those clear seas. No fish there at the moment, I understand. Is that right?’ Hera nodded. ‘Well there will be. Specially engineered game fish – freshwater marlin and swordfish. I wouldn’t mind betting that Dr van Terfel has already taken out shares in her grandson’s name. She knows a bargain when she sees one. And she knows a sucker too.’

  ‘What you are saying is nonsense.’ Hera tried to sound confident, but her voice sounded weak even to her own ears. ‘Secretary Isherwood signed the environmental decree. It is ironclad. “No tourism on Paradise”.’

  ‘Did he? Is it? Well, perhaps you know more about men and politics than I do. But if I look at Secretary Isherwood, with his bright red robe and his smiling face, I see a man who is political to the core. You don’t get to his position without being a bit corrupt. Nothing illegal, mind you – too smart for that. You can be corrupt without being illegal you know . . . or perhaps you don’t. Perhaps you are all saints down there in your greenhouses. But at the end of the day, smiling Timothy Isherwood will come up smelling of roses. When the time is right and the price is right he will find reasons to sell Paradise to the highest bidder. He will introduce a policy review or some such to overturn the environment order. Don’t look so shocked, Hera. Use your brain for a change.’ She paused and then added, ‘Like a lot of clever people, the only thing you don’t ever seem to realize is that the enemy is at least as clever as you are. The difference being that they have vastly more power than you and absolutely no hesitation about using it.’