Asimov's Future History Volume 1 Read Free Page A

leave the room.
    “Where are you going?” asked Wilson, almost seeming to be enjoying the role of hatchet-man.
    “To cleardown my files to the archive. There seems to be little point in keeping pointless research,” he replied with heavy irony.
    “Oh, aren’t you going to carry on?”
    “Where?” he retorted. “In my garage on a shoe-string until I reveal a fully working product to an astonished world!” This time the words positively dripped venom.
    “I expected a little bit of fight from you.” Wilson almost seemed disappointed by their response. Her next words therefore did not have the effect she was seeking.
    “We are selling the whole project lock stock and barrel to another company. They have some crackpot idea that the technology is worth something.”
    David started at this, “Including the Intellectual Property Rights?” He thought of his stake in the project along with Dr. Lanning’s original ideas.
    “Yes, everything. The programs, their sources, all prototypes, all papers and files …” she paused dramatically for effect, “… and all of you”.
    “Yes, you can sell slaves,” quipped Georgie. Everyone was beginning to react now. Some with enthusiasm, others with trepidation.
    “Do we have to join the new company?” asked Lee. She and Richard had many years service in the company, David thought they would stay if they could.
    “No problem,” replied Wilson. “I’m sure we can find a place for some of you.”
    Yes, thought David, some, but not him. Oh well here goes.
    “You can count me in for the new company. I believe in what we have been developing and think it has huge potential.” He said the words to try and puncture Wilson’s arrogance then suddenly realized he believed what he was saying. He looked around the table and got nods of encouragement from most and a thumbs-up signal from Dr. Lanning.
    Others rapidly committed themselves leaving only Lee and Richard who wanted to think about it for longer. There did not appear to be any bad feeling about this. If anything it helped re-enforce the team spirit.
    The meeting looked as if it was drawing to a close when Alfred Lanning suddenly asked, “By the way-who are our new lords and masters”.
    This brought David to earth with a bump. What would Sue say about the change! He was sure she would agree with his choice but he wished he had the opportunity to ask her.
    Wilson glanced at the wall clock. “You will have the chance to meet them in about ten minutes. Wait here and they will join you. I’ll bid you all farewell. You do not have to clear your desks and files as they will be transferred complete to your new site.”
    She rose and made as if to leave the room. Turning back briefly she asked Richard and Lee to remain for the briefing then to join her in the project office.
    There was a rapid rise to the noise levels as Wilson left. The last minute reprieve had taken them all by surprise and discussion rapidly focused on who would be prepared to take on the project.
    “What I don’t understand,” exclaimed Lanning, “is who would be allowed to take over all aspects of the project.”
    “After all,” he said with a smile on his face, “There might be some good research work here!”
    “Well you can count out Synapsic Logic. They do not have the foresight to invest in this type of technology,” said Liz. As an ex-employee of that company she had a low regard of their vision of the future.
    David half listened to the discussions going on around him. Who could possibly be taking over the project and what impact would this have on the direction of the development.
    The answer came through the door a couple of minutes later and David nearly fell off his seat. There stood two men in typical business suits but one of them was the person who caused the accident that could have lost him his job, but which actually started the project.
    He smiled at David as they moved to the front of the room.
    “Good Morning to you all,”