ce.
It's high, yes. In monetary terms, approximately twelve and a half
billions per year. But certainly no man in his right mind would consider
any reasonable figure too high for what we can expect to receive from
our friends of Rykeman III.

"We of the Science Committee do not believe, however, that we could get
a commitment for this sum to be added to our normal budget. Yet there is
a rather obvious solution. The sum required is very close to that which
is now expended on the National Standardization and Research
Laboratories."

Hockley felt a sudden chill at the back of his neck.

"With the assistance of the Rykes," said Markham, "we shall have no
further need of the National Laboratories. We shall require but a small
staff to analyze our problems and present them to the Rykes and relay
the answers for proper assimilation. Acceptance of the Ryke program
provides its own automatic financing!"

He glanced about with a triumphant smile. Hockley felt as if he were
looking through a mist upon something that happened a long time ago. The
National Lab! Abandon the National Lab!

Around him there were small nods of agreement from his colleagues. Some
pursed their lips as if doubtful--but not very much. He waited for
someone to rise to his feet in a blast of protest. No one did. For a
moment Hockley's own hands tensed on the back of the chair in front of
him. Then he slumped back to his seat. Now was not the time.

They had to thrash it out among themselves. He had to show them the
magnitude of this bribe. He had to find an argument to beat down the
Congressmen's irrational hopes of paradise. He couldn't plead for the
Lab on the grounds of sentiment--or that it was sometimes a good idea to
work out your own problems. The Senators didn't care for the problems or
concerns of the scientists. It appeared that even the scientists
themselves had forgotten to care. He had to slug both groups with
something very solid.

Markham was going on. "We are convinced this is a bargain which even the
most obstinate of our Congressional colleagues will be quick to
recognize. It would be folly to compute with building blocks when we can
gain access to giant calculators. There should be no real difficulty in
getting funds transferred from the National Laboratory.

"At this time we will adjourn. Liacan leaves this evening. Our
acceptance of this generous offer will be conveyed to Rykeman III
directly upon official sanction by the Congre