Kinsman asked, "These people we talked with today —they're going back to their respective governments?"
"They're on airplanes right now," Marrett said. "De Paolo will carry the ball from here on. All we need from you is your agreement to keep up your end of the bargain."
"And that will get us recognized by a large enough bloc of nations to have us voted into UN membership?"
"If none of the Security Council members vetoes our application," Harriman said.
"That means Russia and the States."
"Right."
"Why would they be nice to us?" Kinsman asked.
"Because," replied Marrett, "De Paolo's gonna let them know that weather control's on the way. They can't afford to be left out in the cold, and storm, and drought, and flood."
Kinsman stared at him. "You can really do that?"
"Sooner or later. A lot sooner than they think." Marrett let his big fists rest on the heavy white tablecloth. "Been doing it on a small scale for years. It's been used in war, mostly to increase rainfall and cause floods. Or wipe out crops. It's actually easier to do it on a big scale—you've got a lot more reinforcement factors working for you."
Harriman broke in, "And on the near term, we have the power to knock off all their commsats and other space assets. Let's see them try to get groceries from California to Connec- ticut without telephones or navigation satellites!"
Kinsman felt his face pull into a frown.
"But it's working, Chet!" Harriman insisted. "They know what they're up against. Why do you think the U.S. and Russia are trying to be nice to us and letting those immigrants go—including Leonov's kids and Diane's daughter?"
"Yes, maybe . . ." Kinsman wanted to nod, but instead found himself blinking, the way Pete did. "But they asked for a postponement of my speech to the General Assembly." 543
"I am in agreement with them on that point," Landau said. "You must avoid additional strain and return to Selene as quickly as possible."
Ignoring him, "But why did they push for a postpone- ment?" Kinsman repeated.
Marrett shrugged. "Who the hell cares? They're just giving De Paolo a few more days to line up everybody. Time's on our side."
"Is it?" Kinsman wondered. "Is it really?"
Friday 31 December 1999:
1700 hrs UT
